The room was dimly lit with only enough light to see the guards around them. As expected from a rookie renegade, the Hinata girls found themselves tied to chairs, at point-blank range of assault rifles. So far their captors had not abused, or harassed them. Their masks were simply taken away, along with Motoko's sword, Su strange weapons, and their communication devices. The mercenaries surrounding them did not approach them, or even try to interrogate them. They all stood and watched them like robots monitoring an experiment. No one would be surprised if they gave them an inhuman stare. On the other hand, they were wearing full faced gas mask. Trying to lighten the grim moment, Mutsumi spoke up.
"Excuse me, how long are we going to stay here?"
The guards gave no answer. They didn't even bother to glance at them. While they continued to go about their guard and patrol jobs, the others try to think of some way to get out of there. Every idea that came to mind was either a stupid, or far-fetched idea. The most descent one that anyone had come from Naru. It was a long shot...and kind of cliché, but it would have to do.
"Excuse me", Naru asked, "I need to use the bathroom.
Before any progress could be made, the soldiers ignored her.
"I need to use the bathroom", Naru pleaded again.
Still nothing.
"Hello, I said I need to use the little lady's room", Naru said a bit more irritated. "Hey you with the mask! I said I have to use the bathroom!"
As Naru started to shake in her chair violently, one of the soldiers held his assault rifle in Naru's direction. In cold fear, she could almost make out the bullet in the chamber. This was the second time in a week, that Naru had stared down the barrel of a gun. The first time was with Keitaro, but he was at least willing to pull the weapon away. No one knew how much Naru wanted to see Keitaro again.
"Keitaro, I wanted to complete this mission for you", Naru cried in her head. "I wanted you to see that we still cared for you; That I still cared for you. I don't know if I'll get that chance now. I won't get the chance to apologize to you. I'm sorry Keitaro."
As the water threatened to rain from Naru's eyelids, the sound of shattering glass breached the darkness. Everyone's eyes darted around the warehouse structure. A clue to the sound's origin came to view as glass shards landed on the ground. Instinctively, they all looked up. It was hard to see from the low light, but they could see someone quickly descending down a rope that was anchored outside of the broken window. The guards reacted in their programmed function and targeted the intruder. However, the intruder predicted this before.
As one hand gripped the rope, the other gripped a hand gun. It wasn't automatic, or equipped with a laser pointer. However, each shot the figure took, was a successful kill shot. One by one, the guards fell as the intruder slid down the rope. DEspite their greater numbers and heavier firearms, the shadowy person was never even grazed. When the intruder's feet touched the ground, he took a quick tuck and roll before checking his surroundings, with his gun in hand still. Once he was sure the place was secure, he pocketed his weapon before proceeding to the captives.
"Thanks a bunch for the save Nentou", Kitsune said. "Why if it wasn't for you we..."
The Konno choked on her words as their savior tore off his mask. The others were in hysterical shock when they discovered the one to save them was no one other than their old manager, Keitaro.
"You do NOT know how much trouble you're all in right now", Keitaro told them as he cut their ropes.
"Keitaro, why are you here", Shinobu asked once she was free.
"This is a mission on my military card" Keitaro said. "What were you all thinking by activating that?!"
"I'm sorry brother", Kanako added. "We thought you were in trouble."
"We're in trouble now" Keitaro exclaimed. "Avianna's gonna eat me alive for this! Now c'mon we have to get out of here before..."
The lights suddenly burst on in a blinding effect.
"...they find us" Keitaro finished.
"Mr. Urashima, how nice of you to drop in", came an all too familiar voice.
Up above them on the second floor stood the highlighter haired man. Surrounding him were two other soldiers, no more, and no less.
"Neon", Keitaro said. "I should have expected you when I head project Cyber was stolen."
"As I was expecting you to show up...eventually", Neon said as he walked down the stairs with his soldiers. "How is general Avianna?"
"She's been under a lot of stress", Keitaro said as he unnoticeably clicked a button on the side of his belt. "She's been raking her brain trying to find out what you did with project Draco and project Cyber."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk...such a beautiful woman shouldn't stress her mind so much" Neon said as he stopped across from Keitaro.
Keitaro held an arm up, motioning for the other girls to stay back.
"I do have some sympathy for our old general", Neon said as stood over one of his fallen soldiers. "To put her mind a little at easy, I will confirm..."
Neon removed the mask of one of his soldiers. Only to show that his comrade wasn't even human at all, but a human shaped robot.
"...Project Cyber was a success...and..."
As Neon held the mask, it dissolved in a highlighter glow, much like Kanako's mask.
"...Project Neon was a greater success", Neon finished.
Without warning, Neon rushed Keitaro. Meeting his challenge, Keitaro dashed for the villan.
"Keitaro what are you doing", Naru shouted in concern.
Before the actions could befall, Keitaro gave a powerful spin kick to Neon sending him back a few feet. With enough time to recover, Neon assaulted Keitaro with a barrage of punches and upper cuts. The Urashima's reflexes could match him, but Neon was still able to give him an uppercut that sent Keitaro flying. It wasn't a ridiculous blow, like Naru's, but it was devastating enough to put him on his back. A surge of pain rippled through Keitaro's spine as he landed.
"Keitaro", Naru shouted as she tried to rush to his aid.
"Naru don't" Keitaro commanded while still on the floor. "Don't get involved, the robots will shoot if you do."
Keitaro was right. They had no regard for emotion, which would explain why they ignored her when she said she needed to use the bathroom. Keitaro was pretty much pinned in his own situation. Still, he did have one trump card as Keitaro spoke into his commlink while trying to get back up.
"Ok Nentou, any time now."
Using a table to regain his stance, Keitaro found Motoko's sword. In the reflection of the polished wood, Keitaro could see Neon quickly approach from behind. Before Neon could land another blow on Keitaro, he used the sheathed sword a bat to knock his enemy away.
"Escape way Nentou, Now!"
Before Neon could get back up completely, a large explosion tore through the side of the warehouse. The dust didn't need to disperse for them to see the aircraft. A large gatling gun popped out from the bottom of its hull. It rapidly spun in place before firing dozens of rounds at the Cyber robots and Neon. Neon wasted no time to take cover. As the ship hovered in place, a platform opened up for everyone to file in. Keitaro was the last to enter, bringing Motoko's sword, and the other commlinks.
Everyone strapped themselves in as the jet hovered in a U-turn. As the afterburners kicked in, a loud thudding noise was heard.
"What was that", Sara asked.
Nentou pressed a few buttons on the control panel. From the corner of the pilot's seat emerged a small screen. As the small tele blared to life, they could see Neon tightly holding onto the back of the jet. He wasn't simply gripping the hullwith his hands. A highlighter energy surrounded his hands and feet that allowed him to stick to the metal.
"He's on the back", Nentou shouted in alert. "He's gonna tear this jet apart, I'll try to shake him."
"No", Keitaro said, "I'll take care of him".
Keitaro opened a small locker, and retrieved a thick metal belt. When the boy wrapped it around his waist, for large, metallic, spider-like appendages emerged from the belt.
"What are you going to do", Naru asked frightened by what the answer could be.
"I'm gonna get this monkey off our back."
Keitaro opened the ship door. Once the lock was released, a great gust of wind entered the ship. As the oxygen entered, Keitaro exited using the spider limbs.
On the outside, Neon could had finally stand of both feet as he got used to the high gusting wind.
"Neon", Keitaro shouted from behind.
The opponent grinned to himself before turning around.
"So I see you've come out to play with your toys", Neon remarked the spider limbs. "Still that's not your best toy is it. It's not nice to be stingy with what you have, let us see what you're really made of."
Keitaro did not acknowledge Neon, he only gave him a challenging stare.
"No", Neon questioned. "Well if you won't show me your favorite way to play..."
Suddenly a highlighter colored light began to trace around Neon. It bled into the crevices of his armor, and started a grid like form around his face. It would remind most people like something from the movie "Tron". Keitaro knew what this was, and pulled out his pocket knife. It wasn't much, but it was going to have to do.
"...Then I'll have to play unfair", said Neon in a disappointed voice.
With a loud battle cry, Neon rushed Keitaro again.
Nentou along with the other girls, watched as Keitaro back lashed at Neon's attacks. Whenever Neon attacked with his fist, Keitaro was a second early to block or dodge it. However, Neon was able to keep Keitaro at bay from causing him any harm. The extra robotic spider limbs should have given Keitaro a few extra appendages, but they only prevented him from falling off the moving aircraft. There occurred one moment when Neon landed a solid uppercut to Keitaro's gullet.
The blow itself looked painful enough for everyone else watching to feel it. Keitaro became momentarily disoriented from the uppercut. It was the moment Neon preyed upon. Grabbing the Urashima boy by the neck of his shirt, the enemy slammed Keitaro down as hard as he could. The sound of denting metal rattled the ship. Even though it belonged in some childish cartoon, the ceiling now had a dent in the shape of Keitaro's body.
Nentou felt helpless to his comrade as he battled Neon alone.
"What's wrong with you Keitaro, let him have it" Neon shouted through the commlink.
Ignoring the soldiers orders, Keitaro took up a new strategy. By using the metal spider limbs as a leverage spring, Keitaro landed both solid feet into Neon's chest. The attack took much strength to push the powered up enemy.
"This isn't getting me anywhere", Keitaro thought. "He's too powerful in his Neon power form. My speed won't do me much good in this environment, and the spider limbs are what's keeping me on this ship. I still have my trump card to play..."
Keitaro shook his head free of the idea plotting in his mind.
"...No, I can't let them see me in that state, especially not Naru. Still, I don't think I can match Neon without that form. The only other option...is to force Neon off the ship!"
With an idea to try, Keitaro dashed forward using the spider limbs. In one attack, Neon caught hold of Keitaro's fist holding the knife. Using his now enhanced strength, Neon began to twist the blade so it was facing Keitaro. With only one arm, Neon began to slowly overpower both of Keitaro's.
Back in the hull, Shinobu was out of her seat, shaking the viewing screen.
"Noooooo, don't die Sempai! Don't die!"
The little girls was hysterical with fear. Nentou shoved her back to his seat so he could concentrate of flying. He so badly wanted to try to shake off Neon, but there was a good chance that Keitaro would fall off too. Even though he could take much damage, there was no way even Keitaro could survive a fall like that.
"Keitaro! Don't hold back anymore", shouted the pilot through his headset. "Use everything you have!"
As the Urashima boy continued to struggle against Neon, his critical situation only worsened. Neon's hands began to glow that highlighter color. There was a slight mist along with a searing noise. Keitaro winced in pain, as the searing sound was from Neon burning through his sleeves and wrist. Keitaro raked at his brain for anymore ideas other than his trump card. Through some miracle, Keitaro came up with something.
Using two of the spider limbs, Keitaro slashed at Neon's face and chest. It was only a small scrape, deep enough to draw blood, but not deep enough to scar. Still, It was Keitaro's chance for a counter attack. Mustering all the strength he had in a single blow, Keitaro placed a very strong uppercut into Neon's jaw. The attack was enough to send him stumbling back, and soon falling over the ship.
On the inside of the ship, most of the girls were cheering for Keitaro's success, and some only gave a sigh of relief.
"Did you get him", Nentou asked to confirm.
Still taking advantage of the spider limbs, Keitaro inched closer to the ledge to see if Neon really was gone.
"I don't see him", Keitaro said into the commlink.
Nentou switched a few other knobs on the button platform. A second screen appeared in a different corner. It was obviously searching on the outside, but on the lower half of the ship. After a few scans, the found what they hoped not to find. Still using the neon colored energy to grip onto the ship, their enemy was still alive.
"Keitaro he's on the belly, he's on the belly" Nentou shouted in alert.
Almost as if their enemy could hear them, Neon gripped the camera within his first. He gave it a good strong squeeze before it dissolved into nothing.
Keitaro tried to get a better look on the side of the aircraft to see if he could spy Neon. There was still no sign of him, but Keitaro knew he was there.
"Nentou flip it over!"
Doing as his comrade told him, the pilot gave a strong jerk to the steering. Not, everyone was completely upside down in their seats. Luckily for Shinobu, she was buckled back in her seat. Unluckily for Kitsune, she was feeling sick from drinking too much sake before the mission, and for the intense ride so far. Sickness would have to wait, because they had other problems.
As the ship turned upside down, Neon was gifted with being right side up. His personal gain was shortly lived when he heard a loud battle cry. Before he could turn around, Keitaro landed a clean, falling punch to Neon's face. Even though he hadn't played his trump card yet, Keitaro wasn't holding back.
While Nentou tried to find another way to get a view of Keitaro, it was hopeless. The camera was destroyed, and only static was on the screen.
"We're blind from view", Nentou yelled to the other girls. "I need eyes, and I need them now!"
"You called for eyes" and unfamiliar voice breached their commlink. In the pilot's window, a black helicopter appeared behind some clouds.
"Angel" Nentou shouted in a question.
"This is Angel here."
Within the helicopter there were only to people. One was a pilot, the other was their guardian angel with a sniper rifle. Despite the high winds flailing his deep silver hair, the sniper kept his focus through the scope.
"Do you see Keitaro" Nentou asked through the communication device.
"Yeah I see 'em."
"Think you can hit Neon" asked Nentou.
"Hitting him is no problem", confirmed Angel, "But their moving around too much, I can't get a clean shot in."
In Keitaro's own struggle, he was not letting up on his barrage of attacks. He used everything he could to hurt Neon, from punches, kicks, and even attacks with the spider limbs. When it looked like Keitaro was gaining the upper hand, Neon grabbed one of the spider limbs in his energy powered hand. He tore the tip-off of the artificial appendage, rendering it useless now.
"You can fight really well in most conditions", Neon added.
As Keitaro threw another punch, it was seized in Neon's hand, and deeply burned by the energy. The hand wasn't permanently damaged, but it was enough to prevent its use. Using another spider limb as a substitute, Keitaro attacked again. This time Neon seized both his fist, and the spider limb. Neon also destroyed the tip of the metal gadget. Holding the smaller boy above the ground, Neon casually walked towards the edge of the ship.
The Urashima boy was trapped. There was the possibility of using his legs, or the last two spider limbs to attack, but Neon would surely let go, and Keitaro would fall overboard.
"You see, this is what you get for being stingy with your toys", Neon stated. No matter, when your body reaches the bottom, we'll retrieve your carcass, and take what we want.
The Urashima boy didn't like the sound of that, as he looked over the edge.
Up above more, Angel observed the situation through his scope. He let out a slight grin as the sniper dot targeted Neon's head.
"I got him, Angel said coolly.
As his finger hugged the trigger, a sudden thrashing motion shook the helicopter. No one was sure what happened. Whatever it was, it caused Angel to miss a successful kill shot.
The bullet sailed through the air. It was slightly off course due to the fast-moving winds. However, by some miracle, the bullet grazed some skin and bone. By sheer chance, the metal miracle grazed the top of Neon's hand, barely missing Keitaro's face. Neon yelled in pain from the metal digging through his skin. Wasting no more time than need, Keitaro reacted with his hidden reflexes. He grabbed the larger opponent, and tossed him over his shoulder, into the clouds.
While Keitaro ensured his victory, Angel watched Neon through the scope. As the opponent descended down, down towards the earth. A dark figure zoomed past him. Whatever it was, it took away Neon in a flash. Angel removed his blue eyes from the scope before closing it up with a lens cap.
The ship's doors closed as Keitaro entered. The ship was now right side up with all passengers, and no villain.
Naru, Shinobu, and Kanako were the first to rush to Keitaro, as he tossed aside the damaged spider limbs.
"Are you okay brother", Kanako asked in deep concern.
"Yeah I'm alright" Keitaro grunted out with some pain.
"Naru seized his arm and yelled, "You're not alright, look how bad your arm was burned".
"The more important thing is Keitaro's alive" Shinobu said.
Before their conversation could progress, Angel cut into the ship's speakers.
"You guys, it's Avianna", the sniper said in a grim voice, "She's pissed."
The speakers made a clicking sound before switching to their general's voice.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE DOING", roared the angry commander. "dO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU PEOPLE HAVE DONE!? GET YOUR SORRY ASSES BACK TO BASE!"
Keitaro hung his head low. He already predicted this outcome, but it was not any better when it happened. This was going to be a short ride home, with a bad ending...a very bad ending.
I had this part of the story in my head for a long time. I hope I did well in it, with few spelling errors. Things go from bad, to even worse. How bad exactly...just wait and find out.