The Era of Clothing
"Gah...haa.." Ryuko continued to choke as her heart thundered off in the hands of this wretched woman. Ragyo's cold smile swirled around in Ryuko's eyes getting her even more angry and confused at this entire thing. A pounding kept ringing in her head like that of war drums before a grand battle, she had to act and act now.
A red blur moved and then the hand no longer was holding anything. Ragyo looked in shock as her hand fell to the ground and blood began to spray from the stump that had become her forearm. Ryuko's breaths kept heavy as the heart that was imbued with Life Fibers pulled its way back into her torso the skin closing up instantly as if it was never torn.
"I know what you are going to say girl," Ragyo walked over and picked up the hand with her remaining one. In an instant it was pulled back into place as good as it ever had been. Ragyo clutched seeing the swarm of COVERs flying in at the most opportune time for sure." Just look at yourself, if you are not my daughter how could you pull your heart back into place? And how can you survive these battles with only the most minute damage?" the woman glared down upon the red highlighted teen as her hands gripped the Scissor Sword.
"Shut up!" Ryuko swung and it missed crashing down a solid foot to the side of where Ragyo had been. With Junketsu's aid it was blatantly clear that Ragyo outclassed all of them, probably all of them combined in every term. Another swing flung out and a red line raced through the sky cutting through the stage but missing the head of REVOCs by another few feet.
Slashes continued to buzz around in a series of anger from Ryuko's frame. Ragyo however kept evading around in swift circles to make sure that Ryuko was less than accurate with her strikes.
Rank and file the COVERs slowly opened up and released crimson colored Life Fibers down towards the congregation of people stuck behind Mako and the wall of the two Elite Four members.
"Speed it up Makanshoku!" Gamagori shouted hurling out a series of whips from the Shackle Regalia to tear apart the incoming scraps of clothes aimed towards them. His bulky frame was releasing a lot of energy but it was clear that those fleeing would have to be sacrificed to the COVERs invading the school yard.
"Gamagori get those people moving!" Uzu shouted bounding through the air and delivering a series of strikes that tore through the COVERs overhead. He was finding that no matter how well his skill was honed the numbers were starting to heave people off of the ground.
The suit-like COVERs, when they did get the advantage and consume some of the escaping people, bulked up massively shaking the air around them. Their chest morphed from bow-ties to a normal straight tie displaying the drained faces of the humans they had consumed. This added to the fear element that was present within the Elite Four as everything started to turn against them.
"Come on Makanshoku!" he shouted delivering a punch to a human-form COVER that descended upon him. The force of the blow easily though away the COVER.
"Right! Come on everyone get going!" Mako shouted from atop a pile of rubble in a megaphone she had picked up during the Raid Trip in Osaka. The horde of people ran faster but the panic of the COVERs set in rather fast resulting in a very disorganized group that was quickly being pulled apart by the floating Life Fiber creatures.
"Keep calm and come on!" Mako shouted flailing her arms about to get their attention. Everyone though stopped quickly glared up in shock as the flailing brunette was drawn up.
"Uh oh! Help! I'm being taken up someone help me!" it took time for the somewhat dense girl to realize that she was being drawn up towards the hungry maw of a COVER. It seemed completely unstoppable as she was now six feet of of the ground.
"Mako!" her father jumped up first running up a steel beam to grab his daughter. The attempt was one worth admiration however it failed badly when he missed by an arm's length falling to the ground a second later.
"Sis!" Mataro gulped before taking his charge forward to save his sometimes overbearing but loving sister. The shrimpy kid found it just as impossible to reach her as his father made it out to be. His right han grabbed the tip of her shoe but it failed to hold on for long and instead Mataro hit the ground empty handed as well.
"Cut the cord! Makanshoku! Break free!" Ira Gamagori roared firing off of the ground. His large frame slammed through the gathering cloth-form COVERs. Just three inches from her his massive torso was punched down by a duo of human-form variants his body crashing to the ground with a crunching sound as the debris flew up.
"Damn it!" he heard the effort and Uzu acted his samurai-like Goku Uniform flying through the air in an attempt to cut the Life Fiber. Like the bulky toad before him Sanageyama was met with the same fate two COVERs tackling him to the ground.
Debris flew up as Mako's screams for help stopped. The COVER that engulfed her bulked up twice as large as any other and sported a more impressive glow to its very active Life Fibers.
Shinko crawled down the stands his right hand raised towards the COVER that Mako had become. His face and body caked in dirt and debris he pushed up to a kneeling potion. The massive long sword over his back slipped with its bearer as the stand gave way and Shinko took a slightly uncomfortable slide towards the bottom row.
"Mako...I'm sorry," he commented watching as large portions of the fleeing people were thrown up to their new homes within the Life Fibers. Anger boiled to the surface as he stood up on bowing legs. Blood swept down his face to the concrete beneath his unsteady feet as both hands reached and grabbed the hilt of the sword." You're just another person I'm going to fail," he closed tears out of his eyes.
'Shinko ready yourself. Ryuko is in a bad way,' the red hued Kamui reminded as Ryuko swirled around and slashed about with the Scissor Sword's red edge. Shinko raised his tired arms and let out a sigh before angling his feet for a jump through the air to take on Ragyo with an advantage over her.
"Don't worry unlike the Bakuzan your sword in this form hasn't been used in a fight today," Shinko winced angling the blade. He just knew that had Satsuki not had to deal with their temporarily controlled frames the slash would have surely severed the threads that held Ragyo's head to her body.' Keep a cool glance and just finish this,' he felt the power flow into his feet.
'Wait Shinko we can't!' the Kamui with its excellent perception picked up on something. A hardened piece of plastic hitting a trigger switch within a specialized casing. The piece of clothing cast his glare over to see Satsuki holding a detonator.
"Holy shit," he remarked firing down towards the nude and battered Student Council President. Mid-way however everything turned orange and red before a plumage of black and gray dust and smoke exploded out.
'Satsuki, please hang in there. If anyone can beat Ragyo its you. Please be alive after this,' he asked as the heat and smoke grew more intense. The air filling with rubble and sparks, the explosions igniting across the entire everything of the school.
Concrete exploded as if made out of paper. Detonations occurred all across the area shredding the screens and buffeting everything with the hail of stone, glass, and metal. The entire plane known as Ragyo Stadium was soon replaced with a swirling mass of smoke that could easily been seen from high in the air if not from space.
Everything went dark for what felt like eternity. Light though trickled in soon enough as rubble and debris shifted off of his slowly rising frame. Blood had caked in the corner of his mouth and dirt clung to his hair and face. It must have rained as the broken ground seemed to seep as he pressed up on it.
Honnoji Academy was a very different place when his gaze opened up. Hundreds if not thousands of COVERs hovered in the air and stood stoically on the ground around the once bustling campus. Wind that would have rushed through the hair of dozens of teenaged students whistled harmlessly by barely even making a faint sound upon the white colored monsters.
The gray sky above seemed unnatural as the rolling sounds of thunder and lightning made their way through it. The rocks and rubble upon his back fell away as he sat up placing both hands before himself on the ground, he was going unnoticed when looking at his COVER foes.
"Sento, please tell me I'm dreaming," Shinko's voice rasped out silently. It was low and rumbled for what must have been hours, more accurately days of being buried under the concrete. His eyes were struggling to stay open as the world around him remained in eerie silence except for the hollow howl of the winds around them.
'I wish we were but unfortunately we are awake,' his ally responded calmly. They were in a deactivated state not that activation really would have mattered when outnumbered by such a wide margin.' Considering that there are so many COVERs here I would not be too surprised if you were the last human in this area if not this region,' grimly the Kamui reminded him of the days gone by.
"I hope you're wrong," Shinko pushed up slowly as to not gain the attention of the malicious beast. His eyes kept showing the images of Satsuki's frame being rag-dolled through the air by Ragyo, Ryuko's heart being drawn out from her body, and their own trip up the stands the hard way.' If any two people could have endured this nonsense it would be those two. Finding Satsuki and Ryuko should be the number on goal here,' he kept to himself patting slowly the dirt from his frame.
'What is the plan?' Sentokitsu replied in his always serious but somewhat comforting tone. Shinko gulped realizing that his weapons were still cast aside somewhere among the rubble.
"I would have said 'just cut through as many as we could before getting the hell outta here' but that isn't happening because I am short a pair of swords," the black haired youth sighed reaching back to just make sure that the twin blades were not there. His Kamui seemed to sigh with him as they looked over at the gray sky that loomed even more foreboding.
'If it were easy I would simply create a new blade like the Bushido form does. However it is not and takes a lot of energy so we have two options: Leave now,' the garment began to talk. Almost as soon as he expected his wearer cleared his throat.
"Or pick up one of the swords we lost," the youth looked at the horde that was stoically awaiting what probably would be orders. A scowl crossed his face as he took a shaky step forward, body warn down from being pinned under rubble.' Dad, I screwed up two times over. Letting Ryuko get hurt and allowing all of this COVERs stuff to go down. I'm going to fix it though I promise,' he took another step this one more sure footed.
Just a few dozen yards away the hilt of the Murasama was sitting its white contrasting out against the grays and browns of the rubble. The only issue was that two COVERs were in the way and more or less staring forward." There's one Sento do you think that we could get past those to and outta here before the others noticed?" Shinko crouched down keeping himself about level with the top of the pile he crawled out of.
"No, I do not," a voice that froze the air echoed through the empty chasm that was a High School. Rainbow colored lights danced out from the top of Satsuki's prized tower, another Kiryuin had occupied it now. His hands tightened as the words played over in his mind.
'How the hell did she hear me? This place is big enough for a whisper or two to go unnoticed,' he tensed the cold voice ringing in his ears. A pain shot up his spine and a a shiver rolled down his arms and legs. He was frozen, be it by fear or by damage, escaping was not going to be an option now.
"I personally wondered where you went Shinko Kurosaki," Ragyo's words continued in a cold stream. The ringing got worst as he looked up with a craned neck at the tower where the resplendent figure in white looked down upon him with those crimson eyes of servitude to the Life Fibers.
"I guess you didn't wonder too much. I was under that pile of rubble this whole time," he responded smugly while the pain continued to ride its way up his back. His Kamui tensed knowing that activation was going to be their only way out.' Something is going on with my back and head again. This has been happening way too much lately,' he felt like every time there was an intense moment these reactions occurred.
"Very clever for a teenager. Though what did you plan on doing after you escaped? No one is going to help you," Ragyo laughed looking down at him from up high, a trait her daughter had picked up on as well. He looked down at the ground and then at his Kamui, the answer was clear on what he had to do and how he had to do it.
He pressed in the stud on his right hand a bursting stream of green stars and wind raced around him transforming the Kamui into an active battle state." Life Fiber: Fusion! Kamui Sentokitsu!" in unison they both shouted.
"People are a lot more durable than you are giving them credit for. I'll find someone to stop you, hell maybe even someone you know," he pulled both hands up in front of his face the COVERs slowly circling in. Without his sword it was going to be an impossible challenge to overcome and even more so if Ragyo herself decided to get involve.
"It is a miracle that you can withstand your Kamui's pressure so well. Though it means nothing now does it? We are in the Age of the Life Fiber! Humanity will disappear," Ragyo laughed admiring the fighting spirit of the youth. Shinko's hands gripped even more and he narrowed his eyes upon the sword behind the two COVERs before him.
His hands shifted and he clenched them tightly.' I see now. You are using the environment to your advantage,' the Kamui remarked glowing in a stream of stars shifting into its flight form.
Large air-cutters sprawled from the shoulders as a thicker armor-like portion emerged from the chest displaying the eyes of the garment more properly. Two vents opened on the boots, already heating up ready to take flight. His hands were in position ready to grab and go in a series of flight." You know me too well buddy," he smiled as the Kaze form solidified around them.
With a kick of heath e was flying forward, almost directly straight forward. His right shoulder led the charge and the force of the thrusters and their flames allowed him to build up somewhat sizable momentum. As the COVERs charge he flew beyond them using kicks of speed as the duo blocking the path to his sword prepared to strike him as well.
'THUD!' he shoulder tackled the left one out of the way with his right shoulder and grabbed the sword with his dragging left arm. He tapped the ground with the edge of the shoe and fired up in a rocket of fire and debris.
"I only need one shot to kill you!" the blade glowed and shone out as he flew the entire height of the tower unhindered by the COVERs swarming down below. The young swordsman continued to glare up as a smiling Ragyo kept her crimson eyes on him.' She thinks I'm joking. She should realize though that this speed and angle will cut her clean in two!' the speed grew even more as he wrapped his right hand around the sword as well.
"Finishing Move: Murasama!" the sword was brought up. Ragyo took a graceful step back and the wave of power from the slash was shot clean into the air where it harmlessly defused." What?" he turned to see her left hand wrapped around his right forearm pointing the blade down even though he was pushing it up.
'Oh right she managed to pluck Satsuki outta Junketsu. I guess I got a little overzealous here,' he cursed realizing the massive flaw in his plan. It had not been the best of begin with but now it was turning south fast.
"Tsk, stupid teenager," she yanked him down and delivered a single slap to the side of his right cheek. Stars and steam exploded out of the Kamui as it lost the thrust and power of the transformation. Hanging there in the woman's grasp Shinko started to lose his vision. Swimming light began to creep in and his body felt distant.
Another strike hit him and Sentokitsu returned from its transformed state to the deactivated state. He was in practically normal street clothes as Sentokitsu tried to regain the power the simple strikes had taken." Let me go!" he threw a left hand and it was grabbed by Ragyo's free hand stopping him from doing much of anything except hang over the edge of the tower.
"If I were to let you go what pattern do you think you would make on the ground?" the white haired woman asked hanging him further over the edge. Shinko grit his teeth and began to tense every muscle in and attempt to not die.
"The silent treatment? What are you five years old?" she yanked him back over. Her head moved to the left and a cloth-base COVER came floating in with the red cord still bound around its neck." So then you would rather become a COVER than die?" another questioned as the suit-like entity began to open up ready for a host.
In a last ditch he threw the Murasama sword back. It pierced through the COVER and reduced it to nothing but stray bands of cloth in the wind, the downside was he allowed his sword to plummet to the ground." I am not going to just let you have your way Ragyo!" he tore at his wrist and attempted to free himself but once again it was proving fruitless.
"That is where you are wrong," she pulled down on both arms and delivered a knee to his chin. Everything blacked out and he slumped over unconscious or possibly worst.
'Shinko! Come on stay with me!' frantic Sentokitsu shouted seeing the trickle of blood fluttered down his wearer's chin. It struck his fibers but they did not awake., there was not enough energy left to transform again.
Ragyo smiled dragging the unconscious teen by his black hair into the tower. The Kamui struggling his hardest to not allow that to happen, it did not work by any means.
Osaka...
Mikisugi was glaring out with big eyes over the group that had been gathered there. It was a sad state of affairs to bear witness to the still damaged base was filled with refugees that managed to escape the COVERs and the rebellious Nudist Beach members that held it down.
"Has anyone seen Kurosaki!" the blue haired man shouted over the crowd his focus trying to find the Kamui wearer. His worry was growing three days ago the chaos had begun and now it would blatantly appear that their greatest weapon outside of Ryuko was gone as well.
"No, no-one had brought him in," Tsumugu Kinagase growled watching as more refugees poured in all lacking the teenager. The white-yellow light of the door opening soon was filled by the shapes of four people all helping in more people.
"I guess we made it in time," Sanageyama's voice rang out as he leaned against the wall covered from head to toe in dust and debris. His Goku Uniform was steaming from fighting through the hordes of COVERs they obviously had to face.
"Good, it was a long walk here in the first place," Inumuta frowned scanning the room carefully for any other students from Honnoji. None were there several families from Honno Town had gathered but not a single student.
"Quiet down they haven't invited us in yet," Gamagori grumbled stepping in with all the subtlety of an elephant. His towered frame loomed over pretty much everyone there as he awaited the meeting with one Aikuro Mikisugi.
"Well hey if it isn't the Elite Four," Mikisugi remarked stride through the crowd to meet with the last remnants of Honnoji Academy. He stood before Gamagori, who was the only one in the complex as the others were force to wait in the vestibule at the giant's own command." Come on in you are welcomed here," he smiled inviting them into the massive complex.
"You realize only a week ago we were enemies with them right?" Kinagase said from behind the blue haired man.
Gamagori held his arms out the sign for the others to stay back for the moment." Yeah that was before we knew they were going against Ragyo Kiryuin. If they are willing to stand up against the Life Fibers they are welcomed here," the head of Nudist Beach assured his companion.
"Thank you I doubt we will be able to repay your kindness," the behemoth bowed with respect. Clearly, they were all in the same boat of disorientation and confusion so anyone was really acceptable.
"Don't worry just being here is more than enough," Aikuro assured opening the way for the disgraced four to enter in.
"So where is Kurosaki or Matoi?" Sanageyama asked trying to pick up on his two fiercest rivals and their respective voices. He heard the scoff leave Mikisugi's mouth and the concerned snicker of Kinagase's.
"They didn't make it out?" he responded quickly to the silence.
"Matoi is fine. She's resting in one of the barracks," the former teacher looked down at the sand covered paneling lining the floor. A sigh parted his lips as he looked back up at their four new hopes." Shinko did not come back," he turned away tending to the cry of a woman's voice in the distance.
"Damn," the green haired teenager huffed bummed at the news. He walked through the crowd though towards a quite spot to get his mind together and refocus on the invasion across the country.
Gamagori looked at the other two with stark eyes." Both of you get patched up your Goku Uniforms are already out of commission. Listen to everything you are told to do and do it promptly," the blonde ordered.
"Who died and put you in charge?" Nonon said without thinking. Then quickly she bit her tongue and looked down at the ground in a nervous blush.
Inumuta lead his way through the crowd as an angry Jakuzure did the same their torn Goku Uniforms having been put through the wringer.
'Lady Satsuki, if you are alive we will save you,' the giant promised to his presumed dead leader. He marched forward into the crowd which quickly parted around him, making way for the Elite Four's Toad.
That is all for this chapter. The Elite Four arrive after several days alone in the world to find that Japan's last hope is their former greatest enemy. Shinko ends up in the grasp of the cruel Ragyo Kiryuin. What awaits both parties as the eve of war obviously draws near?
Thanks for reading,
~Herodan3