What is The World?
The stage of Honnoji Academy had been set up to the specifics of the Student Council President. Lights swathed the stage even here in the early morning as the sky was still a deep oceanic blue color. Overlooking it all was Satsuki Kiryuin from atop the platform where she was bound to announce the arrival of her mother.
It was bound to occur this day. One she could have hardly waited for had she not been raised as a high-society young woman, who did indulge in things that did not have any substantial value.
'This is the day I have been waiting for since the day father first old me about Junketsu. My wedding dress that was meant for purity,' her usually hard features curled into a light smile as she turned away. The wind washed through her long blue-black hair as she did so, there were still last minute preparations after all.
REVOCs Hq...
Ragyo Kiryuin sat with her back turned to a long green-tinted screen which had an image of the world flashing on it. Small fires were over certain spots in the Middle East and southeast Africa places where rebel militants desired the powers granted by Life Fiber laced clothing.
"Erh, Lady Ragyo. It would appear that the Hyper Inner facility has been attacked in Mozambique," Rei entered head held low and glasses covered eyes averting the pale woman sitting before her. Ragyo was one that demanded respect where it was due and here was no different, her aide knew that though long before entering.
"Military extremist?" the CEO asked while playing with rainbow-colored spools that were glowing on her desk. Her long fingers tapping the spools gently over the hardwood which appeared drab in comparison Ragyo herself.
"Yes, ma'am. It would appear that even the antietablishment organizations and militias are awash with the rumors that wearing REVOCs special innerwear their capabilities will be increased," Rei continued keeping her eyes averted from Ragyo. The voice though respectful was also weak and somewhat subservient like a lapdog's bark.
Ragyo smiled, her lips redder than rubies moving across the skin that was almost a milky white hue. With almost a cruel happiness she started to clear her throat to speak." How dull. It is all going according to plan," she turned her attention to the screen noticing the large splotches of conflicted areas where REVOCs facilities were located.
"There are some that one can not convince to buy their products," the woman's voice continued as did the clicking sound of the spoils against the desk. She smiled wider now, red eyes closing as she stretched slightly." People like that are simply tricked to take our products for matter how it came into their possession the end result is that same," the image returned to that a normal Earth without the break ins to facilities present.
"All of them being worn by REVOCs clothing will remain unchanged," Ragyo continued. This elaborate planning for domination was something she took possibly more pride in than she should have.
"What a beautiful world," Rei spoke up caught in the woman's charisma. Ragyo as indeed dangerous with just her voice and this plan seemed just crazy enough to be viable.
"Not yet we are only getting started," Ragyo smiled believing everything to be within grasp. Everything was perfect and there was nothing that could have gotten in the way.
"Of course," Rei bowed to her superior. The hint of submissive behavior made Ragyo smile broader as she stared out at the deep blue sky of early morning.
"Later on today we shall take a step to the next stage! One step closer to the goal of releasing COVERs upon the world," Ragyo said cherishing every moment of it. Her fingers still spun the spoils against the surface of the large desk while her eyes glared out over the world." And Satsuki's assistance is to thank," the white haired woman continued to smile.
"Honnoji Academy's worth as a place to hook teenagers to the power of the Life Fibers was a wonderful idea," she continued to monologue looking towards the site of the Culture and Sports Grand Festival.
"Lady Satsuki is splendid indeed," Rei continued to bow. Ragyo grinned until another figure slid in the room almost with a cat-like grace." Conquering the teenage demographic which have the highest Life Fiber resistance is a testament to that," the figure went unnoticed for a little bit longer.
"Yeah but she does everything so dull being all neat and tidy," unable to help herself Nui spoke up. She was quite possibly the most unpredictable thing in the entire situation and clearly had her own opinions on what the best part of the event would be.
She wore all pink and had a frilly dress as the main drawing feature, aside from the long curly locks of golden yellow-blonde. Her pink armlets rested under his chin as she kicked the massive pump shoes behind herself in the air. A large smile crossed her face as she kept her eyes located firmly in the drawing force known as Ragyo Kiryuin.
"Grand Couturier," Rei bowed again. Nui's presence also demanded respect but not for grace, this was heeding for insanity. The dark skinned woman took a step back as Nui readied to speak with Ragyo.
"You are interested in the Kamui Isshin's daughter wears though aren't you?" Ragyo looked down at the teenager casually paddling along the sleek frame of the desk without a worry. A happy-go-lucky grins crossed her face, like a child entering a candy store.
"Oui, she picked up the pieces of her shredded Kamui and stitched them back together," Nui paddled her feet through the keeping her head padded in both hands." No one should ever be so rude," the Grand Couturier snicked upset at the nerve her rival had displayed.
"Fair is foul, and foul is fair," Ragyo remarked almost with a chuckle. Her glowing eyes turned to the blonde almost like she was another daughter." How very like you, Nui," she continued the chuckle. It was clear that all of this was trivial.
"Yep, you know me best Ragyo-sama," her voice flowed through the faint smirk on her face.
Ragyo pushed up from the chair showing off the full beauty of what appeared to be a white feather dress. Her strut was outlined with the rainbow of light that accompanied her presence eternally.
"That is mere empty rhetoric," the head of REVOCs commented walking beyond Rei's vertical frame. She stopped before the twin doors their golden handles out done by her presence." There is only one truth," the doors were still closed as Rei quickly came over to open them.
"Only those things that earn Ragyo Kiryuin's approval are to be called beautiful," the door opened the cool blue of the early morning pushing into the room slowly.
"The Culture and Sports Grand Festival is later today. I expect you to dress up for the occasion," Ragyo started out the door the practical rainbow lighting the coolness before her body.
"Something holds up to even my standards," she exited in full. Even then it took the door closing to snap the mystique of her aura out of the air, she clearly was something otherworldly.
"Sheesh, like daughter like mother," Nui sighed still kicking her feet playfully whilst laying across the desk. The Grand Couturier was always playful and here was just another example of that goofy demeanor.
Osaka...
Shinko was overlooking the carnage one last time before they gassed up and prepared to leave for Honno Town in an attempt to save the world from the grand scheme of the Kiryuin Conglomerate. His hands were resting firmly in the pockets of Sentokitsu's deactivated form, the look in his eyes distant and gazing.
Trouble was plain on his face. The fatigue of being involved in this entire struggle for what had been revenge was something that had been removed from his shoulders but the burden of staring down an extraterrestrial foe led by a human acolyte seemed so foreign. His furrowed brow and frowning lips morphed as memories of his father became clearer and clearer in his mind.
'You told me all of this so suddenly on your death bed or at least you tried to. I see now what you really meant when you said that I had to stop Ragyo, she not only killed mom but was planning to turn the world into a yarn ball,' his pocketed hands clenched and his Kamui braced with the motion. A ripple wave of power flowed through the fabric just from the contraction alone.
'Shinko, your blood pressure is rising. I know this is tense but if we transform like this I am not sure you'll be in control,' the Kamui reminded knowing the vitals of his wearer. Shinko's grip though stayed tight the pressure building within every capillary in his body.
"I can't slack Sento. We're against possibly the most dangerous threat ever and I have to be at the front line," Shinko showed a certain degree of anger in his expression." Being too slack could mean we all die," images began to race through the teenager's mind, his father's tombstone being at the center. His blood pressure rose even more the memories piercing into him.
"I won't let anyone else die," he growled keeping his teeth ground together. This anger led to a ripple to flow through the Life Fiber cloth,a trail of stars raced through the Kamui's fabric dying just after they began.
'You aren't alone in this Shinko. Holding all this over yourself is not going to help,' the gruff fatherly voice of the Kamui continued as Shinko's frame stayed at its currently tense level.
He smiled jumping down from the piece of debris to the broken, spider-web cracked pavement below." You're right but I'm not going to be reactive and let Ryuko handle this on her own either. My job, no our job, is to protect her at all cost. If that means killing Ragyo before Ryuko gets a chance so be it," the teenager said aloud staring at the barren wasteland.
'I would not want it any other way,' the Kamui said. Fear was not something he was supposed to experience but the ever present thought of Ragyo Kiryuin were more than enough to send a shiver through his very threads.
"Good. Let's head back it is quite the ride back to Honno Town," Shinko started to walk away. His body was filled with nervous tension and fear for what was to come next. In all the stress though he relished the embrace of action and conflict, in a way that was somewhat barbaric.' I have my shot to kill you Ragyo and I'll take it. Dad wrote a lot about you and what you did so there really is no redeeming qualities to feel bad about,' he walked slowly.
Garage...
Lined up were their vehicles all of which that had survived the war that flattened Osaka. Ryuko stood in the center facing Mikisugi and Kinagase, who both were checking their own weapons for sureness. Shinko was staring off at the distance, the horizon that they were to be chasing down in a few moments time.
"Remember to use this, Tsumugu," Mikisugi drew forth a sheath with a knife hilt extending out from its black solid frame. The blue haired man held a glove in the other, both of which marked with the Nudist Beach logo.
"What is it?" the mowhawked man replied grabbing the knife from its case. It revealed a weapon that looked more accurate to set of claws, three long greenish blades marked out against a black background.
"That is the Tailor's Dagger," Aikuro took a look back at the Nude Shooting Star and the trailer attached. He gulped and turned back to his ally with narrowed eyes." No offense to you Tsumugu but using those sewing machine guns up close is not your strong suit. This dagger should fix that and then some, it can cut through Life Fibers," he threw the glove next.
"And this?" he held the glove firm strapping it over his right hand. It was tightly gripping and was easy to bend. He strapped the dagger to his side in the time it took Mikisugi to answer.
"The Tailor's Glove. It can tear Life Fibers apart and hold them still so the Tailor's Dagger could bisect them," Aikuro sighed patting the ring of pockets on the belt around his waist. Kinagase got a faint smile, these were his kind of weapons.
"Fine by me. Let's get going," he grinned clutching the glove a few times to make sure that it was fitting right. He looked over at Ryuko, who was watching them get ready to go.
"What about Mako? Is she going to be safe here?" Ryuko questioned as they readied to board their vehicles. Mister Mikisugi smiled opening the driver's door to his vehicle.
"She is protected by several of our operatives. So plainly yeah she's safe," Aikuro remarked lowering into his car whilst footsteps echoed down the entry hallway, even around the debris.
Mako busted through the entry way door panting while holding onto all of the bags she had from the journey through Osaka. Her propeller hat was spinning around as each breath exhaled." Hate to break to you but your guards did not keep her very long," Shinko rolled his eyes as she stood there panting.
"Mako stay here it'll be really dangerous if you come with us," Ryuko sighed seeing her friend pout with the massive souvenir bags in either hand. The brunette though stood firm both cheeks puffing out to either side.
"No, no, I don't care how dangerous it is it is still home!" Mako started cheeks puffy and feet stomping like a disgruntled child. She flailed the bags of snacks and goodies around for a brief moment before getting back on her tangent." Plus, if I stay here and you go home what am I going to do with all this stuff? I was supposed the share it with everyone at home!" she continued wildly.
Ryuko raised an eyebrow in a degree of shock seeing her best friend being in such a mood." You see Ryuko! I have to get this stuff everyone back home so that we could have a good laugh again!" Mako squished her face even more.
"Don't think we're going to win this one Ryuko," Shinko rolled his eyes. From what he knew about Mako, she was practically going with them no matter what and prolonging the departure was going to doom Honno Town just that much more.
"You're right. When Mako sets her mind to something nothing's going to turn her away," Ryuko sighed straddling the motorcycle she had used to get to Osaka. Her hands gripped the bars and revved the engine.
"Let's go!" Mako laughed wrapping both arms tightly around Ryuko's midriff putting more pressure on the Kamui. Senketsu's eyes bulged as Ryuko pushed the kickstand back up to the side of the bike.
"You heard the girl," Mikisugi hopped into the front seat of his sports car and buckled up. The engine revved twice as loudly as the trailer's lights kicked on, the cargo within something to use.
"Right behind you," Shinko shouted hopping onto his stolen motorcycle and turning the ignition.
With the sound of four simultaneous take-offs the quartet of anti-Life Fiber warrior's took off at break-neck speeds.
Honno Town...
Hundreds if not thousands of people sat in the seats of the large coliseum called Ragyo Stadium. A massive wave of black suits and dresses lining hundreds of circular seats that all faced towards the grand stage in the center. Large lights even in the eight in the morning sky blared out brightly forming a yellow-white corona that shone up around the upper lip.
The Culture and Sports Grand Festival started in typical ceremony fashion. Bright lights flashing over the center of the courtyard while dozens of One Star students marched around in formation like trained dogs. Music was provided by the conjoined marching and standing bands a tune that blared out harmoniously to everyone's delight. Flag bearers led the groups of marching students before pivoting upon Satsuki's arrival to the stage.
Instantly they all submitted and stopped as the Kiryuin heir emerged in all of her blinding splendor. Bakuzan was positioned before her edge of the sheath pointing into the ornate silvery-white stage. Hand over hand on the sword's hilt she looked out at the masses with emotion hidden behind her stoic expression. Her legs shifted one step apart each giving a slight gap to her standing posture.
"Welcome the Culture and Sports Grand Festival," she started as the crowd watched on with a certain degree of interest in what she was saying. She looked around her blue eyes scanning like a hawk's for any sign of the Nudist Beach members." This is a day in which we celebrate the accomplishments of Honnoji Academy in crushing any resistance with our Goku Uniforms," Satsuki continued on; her eyes now locked on her stone-like Elite Four, who were ready for something.
"We also celebrate the accomplishments of Honnoji Academy's sole Director and Founder," Satsuki said stoically. A ring of rainbow light circled the top of the arena that bared the woman's name." Ragyo Kiryuin!" she shouted and the waves of rainbow light were slowly descending over the field of people drawing nearer and nearer to the center.
Behind Satsuki a grand flourish of the most beautiful light. The rainbow was drawn to this point as if it were magnetized, the figure concealed within being projected around the entire arena. A broad grin first appeared to those way up in the top rows, and it soon elongated into a pointed face that had a pair of reddish eyes that seemed piercing if not glowing.
The full image was that of a woman in a form fitting white dress that had a waving frill at the bottom. Her arms were extending out for all to see the glory of her presence as the air seemed to rush out of everyone there. A scruff collar hung beneath his smiling face its ruffling connected to the dress at only the shoulder straps. Her white hair was hanging upwards in strange spirals that radiated a grand hue of rainbow lights.
Everyone gasped when this grand image shrunk back down to the size of a rather respectably tall woman standing at the edge of the stage. Each step clacked somewhat loudly showing that she was wearing heels or platform shoes, other than that though not much else could be detailed.
First, she walked past a bowing Nonon Jakuzure, the pink haired girl was showing subservience." Hello Lady Ragyo," the normally loud and strong voice of Jakuzure carried out softly and polite.
"Good morning Nonon," Ragyo's voice carried out calmly too striking Nonon's ears with the sensation of a velvet cloth." How is your father?" she asked continuing to take her time to stroll beyond the Head of Non-Athletics.
"He is doing well. Thank you for asking, Lady Ragyo," Nonon kept her head down but voice firm. Ragyo smiled continuing to walk past the petite frame.
Next, Hoka Inumuta was passed by his head tilted down just enough to avert eye contact from the woman." Are you still sabotaging stock markets and world economies, Inumuta?" she said coldly. The teen had after all been brought into Honnoji for those skills.
He kept a faint smile behind the collar of his Goku Uniform." No, I quit that a long time ago," he spoke in a somewhat nervous laugh. His collar open to show all of the awkwardness.
"A shame," she replied passing him by and taking her first steps towards the staging area. Ragyo Kiryuin was a precise woman and this entrance as grand as it was showed how far she was willing to go in the planning of things.
"Brilliant as always Director," Satsuki said showing respect to her mother. Ragyo smiled taking the next few steps in stride as Rei suddenly came to the stage from the side, it was clear she wanted a first hand view.
"A ruler must shine at all times my darling," the white haired head of REVOCs replied stepping fully up the stage. Eyes from across the entire arena locking on her shining shape centered over the middle of the academy.
She cleared her throat as Satsuki and the Elite Four stepped fully aside granting her the entire 'floor' more or less. Ragyo looked over the arena everyone wearing the black gowns or tuxedos that had been made specially for this event. Their Life Fibers radiated with the glowing rainbow light, it was clear that everyone that mattered was bearing the cursed attires.
With a step to the true center Ragyo glared forward, red eyes like two rubies under light." I ask all of you what is the world?" the charismatic fashion aficionado began with a puzzling question for sure.
Voices in the crowd erupted into the chatter. Some misinterpreted it as 'what is the biggest thing in the world' others chattered about what it had to do with anything, even more were too busy filling their faces." The answer is clothing! This world is clothing!" she said not yelling but expressing the very ideas that she founded REVOCs upon decades ago now.
"Clothing that I, as the bearer of the Life Fibers, can understand!" she smiled spreading arms wide so that all could make out her movement. It was surely an incredible sight as she kept the pose for several seconds to assure its depth.
"I, Ragyo Kiryuin, know the will of the Life Fibers and intend on carrying it out!" Ragyo continued to say with the utmost glee. After those words she approached a small podium that had a violet-red button position in the center of its white frame.
"They desire a sacrifice! That sacrifice is all of you today!" Ragyo smiled wickedly face contorting darkly in the process. Everyone in crowd panicked as those words were spouted out." The strong shall devour the weak!" Ragyo cackled pressing the button in.
Hundreds of people all of sudden were locked in place their clothing turning red and unraveling as if torn by a single thread. They tried to move and struggle but the pressure of the fabric was too much and their voices were being choked by their alien fabric. Hand clenched teeth bit, nothing was stopping the progress of the malevolent fibers from consuming their host.
Just outside those from Osaka pulled into the place the loud screaming from inside the arena roaring out very swiftly.
"Better get moving!" Aikuro commented the black trailer behind his car fading away. There stood a chicken-like robot with two large pistons for legs that were threaded like that of a tank. Everyone discarded their vehicles and headed over right away, they had planned this part out in full.
"Get on the DTR and we can scale the wall in one go," Aikuro locked himself into the driver's position, he stretched out like a stiff board. The turbines within though started to spin so he was doing something right.
"You mean the Dotonbori Robo?" Ryuko asked looking at the sleek metal vehicle. Aikuro showed an obvious frustration that contorted his usually placid face into a very serious scowl.
"DTR!" he said firmly. Ryuko rolled her gear-shaped eyes.
"Dotonbori Robo right?" she said finishing the eye roll. This only angered her former homeroom teacher even more, his face now showed outright anger at her sheer lack of care for what he was saying.
"D-T-R!" he repeated angrily spelling it out. Ryuko once again rolled her eyes ready to say something again.
"He hates that name," Kinagase sighed positioned in a crouch on the side of the vehicle. He had done it many times in drills and other things so dealing with the argument was something he had to get used to at one point as well.
"Forget the names! We can't afford to sit here any longer," Shinko jumped aboard the robot and planted his feet, right hand gripping the hilt of the long sword over his shoulder.
Ryuko nodded and climbed on as well. She crouched almost parallel to Kinagase as they prepared to take off with the engine burning fuel.
"Wait!" Mako rushed up the side and fell down her hands unable to grip the sleek exterior. Another attempt led to another failure that left her scrambling wildly up one of the angled legs. She kept failing over and over again constantly repeating "wait' and 'take me with you'.
"Mako just stay here we're out of room," Ryuko said looking down at her best friend. Mako's cheeks were puffed out again into rounded orbs that were very clear meant to show that she was not ready to give up yet." Find somewhere safe to den up and I'll give you snacks," the black haired teenager sighed knowing that unfortunately that was the only way it was going to work.
"Kay, bye," she waved stepping away and setting the toys and souvenirs to the side.
"Here we go!" the robot jumped onto the side of the building with a rocket thrust and started up the concrete structure in a jerky bob.
The once bustling arena sat stock silent, the cool gray concrete chilling in the wind. No movement, no voices, nothing.
Ragyo stood with a grand smile arms extending out to either side. Her eyes were closed and a gravely laughter was leaving her mouth." Yes, the peaceful silence of Life Fibers! This is what the world will soon be!" she continued to laughed until finally some noise shattered the silence.
A black metallic frame flew from the top of the wall, thrusters pushing ti down towards the ground at incredible speeds. Four human warriors were on it all of which aiming for their goal of stopping the lunatic woman. Ragyo smiled as Ryuko, Shinko, and Kinagase all disengaged from their vehicle. Behind her the the faces of the those on the stage were frozen like ice.
"Ah, Isshin Matoi's daughter and her Kamui. I must say it is quite beautiful," Ragyo mocked keeping her back turned to the loyal parts of Honnoji Academy. Ryuko tensed ready to grab her weapon to charge as Shinko followed suit." Oh, and Atticus Kurosaki's son as well. Your Kamui is very interesting as well," she smiled still, everything seemed so in hand.
"Of course that fails to mat-" blood shot from her mouth in a large splotch that hit the white floor with a heavy dropping sound.
"What the hell?" Shinko and Ryuko said in unison as the Secret Sword Bakuzan's blackened blade was reaching out between the woman's breast. Satsuki was holding the blade firmly the red stain flowing from it in a trickle.
"Wh-what are you trying to pull Satsuki," Ragyo's words came out in a wet sound as her lips patted the blood flowing from it. Satsuki's blade remained firm and in place as the older woman struggled to move." A-are you trying to take my power as the leader of the Life Fibers?" she growled as the sword's hilt was tighten.
"Rah!" Satsuki shouted the sword's hilt digging slightly into the back of the woman's body. Blood sprayed from her chest in a geyser as Satsuki maneuvered the sword. Strongly she took the blade up over her own head and hung her mother there briefly before swinging with a massive 'phoom' to throw her mother onto a large star that was centered over the core of the stage.
"No, I resisting your push for power!" Satsuki said as the blood continued to rocket from Ragyo's mouth. Bubbles were starting to form where heat he gotten involved, this woman was something beyond human." I built Honnoji Academy as a fortress to defeat you Ragyo Kiryuin! And her is where we stake our claim of defeating you!" she shouted the rain of blood flowing down beyond her body.
"As of today you are an enemy of Honnoji Academy and you will die!" Satsuki roared in her demanding voice. A single swing of the sword shed the blood that had been upon it.
Treason! Mutiny! Rebellion! The symbol of conformity rises up in rebellion against the devious plans of her mother! What lies in store for our heroes? And more importantly for Satsuki herself?
Thanks for reading,
~Herodan3