17 years ago...a great battle was waged across the cosmos. The Dark Warrior, known as Belial, was wreaking havoc and spreading chaos. The Warriors of Light assembled to stop the dark warrior's plan. In an effort to stop him, the Warriors of Light developed items that could be used to put an end to the dark warrior's evil chaos. However, in the end, the dark warrior succeeded in destroying the universe.
However, all was not lost. The King of the Warriors of Light sacrificed himself to save the universe and undo the damage caused by the Dark Warrior.
The day the world nearly ended was known as the Crisis Impact.
Maken-Geed
Chapter 1: Son of the Devil
It was early April and the cherry blossoms were in bloom. It was a beautiful morning, but it paled in comparison to the girl who was walking along the street.
The girl had a developed and curvaceous figure. She definitely had the curves to be a model and would make men drool if she ever put on a swimsuit. Her long purple hair was tied up with a red ribbon in a side ponytail while some of it fell around her face in several bangs. Her eyes were blue like sapphires and she had fair skin. She wore her school uniform, which consisted of a blue blouse with slightly puffy shoulders and a white sailor collar with a red tie. She also wore a short white pleated skirt with dark brown pantyhose. She wore black shoes on her feet, which looked newly bought.
The girl's name was Haruko Amaya and she was a second-year student at Tenbi Academy. Today was the first day of the new school year and she was on her way to pick someone up for their first day of school.
Haruko smiled as the person she was going to pick up was an old childhood friend of hers. She had not seen him in years. He was a bit strange, but still fun to be around. After she moved to the city, she lost contact with him. Today was the day she would see him again. She wondered what he was like now.
Meanwhile, in a nearby boarding house, a young man was getting ready for school. He had brown eyes and short black hair with some of it falling into bangs on the left side. Frantically, he hopped around as he tried fitting his pants to his legs. He had just moved in so he still had unpacked boxes. It was a small apartment with a single bedroom, a kitchen, and bathroom.
There was a TV with a DVD player under it. His futon was left unmade and up on the wall was a picture of a tokusatsu superhero called 'Don Shine'.
As the young man was getting dressed, his shadow expanded and a dark figure emerged from it. The dark figure observed the young man as he was getting dressed.
"My necktie! Where's my necktie?"
The dark figure picked up a green necktie and approached the young man before tapping him on the shoulder.
"Here you go, Riku."
The young man, Riku Asakura, turned and smiled at the dark figure. "Thanks, Pega!"
Pega was not human. He was not even from this Earth. He was a Pegassa-saejin from space. Pega sounded like a young boy with a long and thick ribbed neck and a black face with two short eyestalks. His eyes were big and round, showing innocence. Under his neck, a bit of his yellow chest was exposed. He wore a black and white hoodie and blue cargo pants with white sneakers. Compared to everyone else of his race, he was just a baby. He was just thirteen Earth years old after all.
"Excited about your first day of high school, huh?" Pega asked.
"A bit," Riku admitted.
"So excited you forgot to unpack the rest of your things?" Pega questioned, gesturing to the still unpacked boxes.
"I'll get right to it, Pega. I'm gonna be late."
Riku slipped on the blue blazer over his white shirt. That was when he heard the knock at the door.
"Who could that be?" Pega wondered.
"Rikun? Are you home? It's me, Haruko Amaya."
Riku's eyes widened and his lips widened into a smile.
"Haru-nee!"
Haruko and Riku were childhood friends who had not seen each other and years. His guardians contacted her to help Riku once he arrived at the city as he was accepted to Tenbi Academy.
Pega knew the protocol about guests and quickly hid in Riku's shadow. He sank into it as if it was water before vanishing. Riku frowned. He really wished he could introduce Pega to Haruko, but humans did not really react well to aliens.
Riku adjusted his tie and picked up his backpack before he went to open the door. There stood Haruko Amaya who had her hand raised to knock again.
The two teens stood facing each other. They had not seen each other in years so they had changed a lot, matured physically. Riku's eyes widened when he saw that his childhood friend had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. As for Haruko, she recognized Riku immediately and was glad that he had not changed much. He had gotten taller though, just several inches taller than her when he used to be shorter than her as children.
"Rikun," Haruko smiled.
"Haru-nee," Riku returned. "It's been a while."
Haruko smiled brightly, happy to see him again after years. Both of them grinned at each other and, in unison, flashed their palms at the sides of their faces, "Don Shine!"
After a brief reintroduction, both Haruko and Riku began their walk to school. Riku was a year younger than Haruko so he would be a first-year student. They were walking along a yellow paved path that cut through a beautiful park.
"So, is there any reason why you decided to attend Tenbi Academy?" Haruko asked.
"Well, it's just that you don't need an entrance exam or go for an interview to be able to enroll," Riku answered.
Haruko's eyes narrowed a bit at that. It seemed that Riku did not find that suspicious. He would soon learn there was a reason for the school's open enrollment. She hoped he had not enrolled because the school used to be an all girl's school and was just converting into a co-ed school. Because of that, the girl-boy ratio was unbalanced and thus girls outnumbered the boys to a high degree.
"And are you sure you're not just coming to this school because of all the pretty girls?" she asked, tension slowly rising in her voice.
"Eh?" the boy blinked cluelessly, "Why do I need to look for pretty girls when I have you, Haru-nee?" Riku asked innocently.
Haruko blushed and looked away, stammering a bit. "You really think I'm pretty, Rikun?"
"Yes, you're like the prettiest girl ever!" Riku claimed, arms open wide with a bright smile on his face.
"Ba-baka! Don't say things like that so openly!" Haruko cried. In truth, was happy to hear a compliment from her childhood friend. He had always been very frank as a child and it had not changed now that he was a teen.
She remembered how as children, they both watched the tokusatsu show Don Shine and how Riku said he would one day grow up to become a superhero so he could be able to protect her. It was just... 'so cute!'
Meanwhile, hiding in Riku's shadow, Pega rolled his eyes. It was obvious that Haruko liked Riku as more than a friend. However, Riku was too innocent to notice. Actually, he was pretty dense.
"Rikun, don't you know anything about the school?" Haruko asked.
"Just that it converted from an all girl's school and was made into a co-ed school," Riku answered. "Why, is there something I need to know about?"
Haruko sighed. It seemed Riku had not done his homework.
"This school is actually pretty different from normal schools," Haruko told him.
"How so?"
"Well, there's the school festival and the martial arts festival..."
"A martial arts festival?"
"We also have a festival dance in Miko clothes."
"I remember when you dressed as a Miko when we were kids. You were so cute, Haru-nee!"
Haruko blushed again at the compliment.
"Attention, would the Disciplinary Committee and the Entrance Ceremony Preparation committee members please head to your assigned positions."
"Oh, that's for me," said Haruko.
"Haru-nee?"
"I'm part of the Entrance Ceremony Preparation committee so I have to go now. The entrance ceremony is at the gym. You should head straight over there."
Haruko entered through the gate, leaving Riku hanging there. "Wait, Haru-nee..."
"Riku Asakura," Haruko turned and smiled beautifully at her childhood friend. "Welcome to Tenbi Academy."
Haruko went on ahead, leaving Riku to find the gym. Fortunately, he had help as Pega poked his head out of the shadow.
"Don't worry, Riku, I know where the gym is." Because Riku was busy getting them moved in, Pega had looked up Tenbi Academy and memorized the map. He could navigate Riku over to the gym.
"Thanks, buddy," Riku smiled. When female chatter could be heard, Pega quickly hid in Riku's shadow to avoid detection. He knew how unnatural he appeared and how people would freak out at the sight of an alien. Once in Riku's shadow, Pega could communicate telepathically with his friend and guide him toward the gym.
Riku soon found himself surrounded by the female student body of Tenbi Academy who was heading to school. There was not a boy in sight. Instead, he saw a whole lot of beautiful girls. If he was obsessed with girls, he would believe that he had fallen in paradise.
"(Riku, the gym.)" Pega whispered.
"Oh, right! The entrance ceremony!"
As Riku went to find the gym, he did not notice that he was being watched.
Riku followed Pega's direction when he heard a commotion. Curious, he turned the corner and saw two girls fighting. They were dressed in the same uniform as Haruko. One girl had teal-colored hair that was tied in a ponytail with a blue ribbon. She was also holding a rapier. Standing across from her in a martial arts stance was a redhead with short hair and a bandage across her nose. She was wearing fighting gloves.
The teal-haired girl swung her rapier and sent a surge of electricity that violently cut through the ground. The redhead was unconcerned and she leaped into the air to avoid the attack. In midair, metal boots materialized on the redhead's legs and she descended upon the teal-haired girl. The two flew past each other before landing with their backs turned to one another, a huge gap between them.
Riku gaped silently at what he just witnessed. He could feel the killing intent in the air as wind surged all around him
"(That's some power they're giving off!)" Pega yelled at what he just witnessed. "(Are those girls really human?!)"
"I... really don't know what to tell you," Riku stammered, unsure of what he was seeing. It felt like he suddenly walked into a martial arts movie.
"If I win, you'll return him to me," said the teal-haired girl to her red-haired opponent.
"And if I win, you'll stop bugging me about him," responded the redhead as she flicked her thumb across her nose.
"Poor him."
"He's already mine!"
The redhead lunged at the teal-haired girl, ready to pound her face in. The teal-haired girl responded and swung her rapier. The redhead's foot slammed against the blade of the sword, causing sparks to fly.
Riku watched, silently. He did not know what to say to this.
"(Riku, what do you think they're fighting about?)"
"Over a guy...I think?"
The two soon heard laughter from a nearby tree. They spotted a petite blonde hanging upside down with her legs hooked on a branch. Her blonde hair was tied in twin tails and they hung down from her head thanks to gravity.
"Ojou-sama, are you sure a fight like this should be permitted?" a tiny in red sprite asked as he floated next to the girl.
"It's just that they're fighting over a stupid reason! It's hilarious!" the blonde responded, cackling, her emerald eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Excuse me! Hey!" Riku called and the blonde looked over.
"Hm? A boy? What's he doing here?"
"Ojou-sama, didn't this school get turned co-ed this year?" the sprite questioned.
"I guess..."
"I don't want to be blunt but..." Riku smiled uneasily, screeching the side of his cheek, "Are you sure you'd rather be hanging like that? I mean you're wearing a skirt so..."
"What is he-" the blondie wondered, "Wait a minute..." she looked down (or up) at her self, and to her unpleasant surprise her skirt was hanging upside down for all the world to see. She freaked, panicking as she tried to force her skirt back up.
The fight between the two girls became more furious and the redhead managed to disarm the teal-haired girl with a kick. Her sword flew across the air and the blonde panicked as it was flying towards her. The blonde girl screamed as the branch was cut and she fell.
"(RIKU!)"
Instinctively, Riku leaped up and caught the blonde before he landed on one knee. The girl was cradled in his arms as the branch fell behind them.
"Are you OK?" Riku asked the blonde as their eyes blonde blushed, surprised that she was caught in an unseemly position. She growled as she started pushing against his face.
"P-put me down!" she demanded angrily.
"H-h-hey! Stop! I just save your-AH!" a strong shove pushed him to the ground, and ended up dropping her. Riku rubbed the bruise on his head as he sat up, his eyes quickly spotting something that he probably shouldn't. "White..."
"Huh? White?" the blonde blinked. She looked down to where Riku was staring, and just then realized that her legs were opened for her undies to be seen. Blushing furiously, she quickly clamped her legs together. "Liked what you saw...?" she growled, glaring at him.
"What? No, I didn't! I swear! Honest!" Riku stammered, his arms flailing around.
"Cause it's the last thing you'll ever see!" the blonde shouted as she pounced on top of him and reared back her fist, clearly in no mood to listen.
"W-w-wait! It's misunderstanding! I didn't see anything! Listen to me!" the poor boy pleaded. The blondie still didn't listen to him, her fist about to land on his face, ready to smite the bastard who caught a peak of her unmentionables.
And like a train, it hit her.
The girl's named was Kodama Himegami, and she came from a long line of mystics. Of course, it was expected of her to have latent connections too. However, this connection was far different. What she saw was something that came out of a nightmare. There was a pair of blood red eyes, staring back at her from the darkness, with a horrible laughter echoing in the lightless black void. It was enough to make her skin crawl, so much that she didn't even notice that her fist was just inches from Riku's face.
Riku slowly opened an eye, and then opened the other. His face was still intact, much to his relief, but saw that Kodama was looking off into space with a look a sheer terror.
"Um... miss?" Kodama didn't answer. Instead, she just released him and stood up, looking at him with an uncertain gaze. Confused, Riki got up and dusted himself off, "Anyway, I have to head on to the gym now. The entrance ceremony is starting soon. I'm really sorry again." Riku began to jog to the gym as the blonde watched him go.
After Riku had gone the small spirit appeared next to her again. "Ojou-sama, what happened?" the spirit asked worriedly.
"Something... dark..." was her cryptic answer.
Riku made it to the gym just as the entrance ceremony was about to begin. The boys were seated on one side and the girls were seated on another. On the stage, behind the podium, was a woman in a magenta suit with matching hair. Standing nearby were Haruko and a girl with dark blonde hair done in braids. She also wore glasses with sharp red frames. Her name was Furan Takaki and she was the Student Council President. Haruko was the Vice-President and worked alongside her.
In the middle of the gym was another stage. Riku was not sure what it was for. It was connected to the main stage by a bridge.
"Welcome new students. I am your Principal, Minori Rokujo. First, congratulations upon your admission. As you are new students, let me introduce the school to you. First, our motto: Mind, Beauty, and Body!"
Behind her was a sign with the motto drawn in calligraphy: MIND BEAUTY BODY.
"Whether it is in mind or in body, they both are beautiful and strong. This concept has not changed, even after we became co-ed. The meaning of these principles is for all students, boys and girls, to harden themselves, all the while abiding by the school rules. You are free to learn about 'Love' and 'Battles'.
Riku was paying close attention as Pega listened with him.
"Love?" Riku echoed.
"(Battles?)" added Pega.
"Additionally, everyone will receive the 'Element' to fight for the eight 'Maken'. If you can become the owner of the eight 'Maken' by controlling your 'Element', you'll surely have a bright future.
'Maken? Element?' Riku and Pega thought at the same time. Just what was the Principal talking about? Neither of them understood what was going on.
"Well, to make things clear, how about a demonstration?"
"From Class 2-B, No. 6, Kinua Garnett."
That was the teal-haired girl Riku and Pega had seen earlier.
"Also from Class 2-B, No. 7, Azuki Shinatsu."
That was the name of the redhead that Riku and Pega had seen fighting Kinua. Both were up on stage when their names were called.
"Principal," Kinua started, glaring at Azuki, "We've actually had our battle earlier."
"Is that so?" the Principal asked.
"And naturally, I won," Azuki bragged with a cocky smile.
"Che," spat Kinua before she let out a melodramatic whine, her eyes glistened as she clasped her hands together, "Ah, my poor Teddy. From now on, you'll be trapped in Shinatsu-san's embrace! Each night, your tears will soak the pillows as you sleep against her bosom!"
Azuki let out a blush and shudder, everyone in the audience gasping in surprise. She had a tough girl appearance, one that she had built up since she arrived at the school. But now everyone would hear that she actually liked cute things like teddy bears.
"Hey, shut up! Stop talking!" Azuki yelled in embarrassment and anger.
"Just giving you a bit of payback. Hahahaha," Kinua laughed arrogantly as Azuki growled furiously at her.
"So, what should we do, Principal," Furan asked.
"I guess we need to find some other volunteers," the Principal conceded.
"I'd like to volunteer," Kodama said as she stepped forward and onto the stage in the middle of the gym. When she appeared, the boys immediately gawked at her, most of them even drooling as the gazed at her beauty and petite body.
"Himegami-san," Haruko uttered.
"And my opponent..." Kodama's eyes scanned the gathered students and locked onto Riku. She pointed straight at him and declared, "Will be him!"
Haruko gasped in shock and Riku's eyes widened in surprise. "What!?"
All eyes were on Riku as he was made the center of attention. He recoiled in shock at being chosen out of so many. Was this girl still mad about him accidentally seeing her panties?
"Wait a moment, Himegami-san!" Haruko ran over to try and stop this. "Riku Asakura is a new student."
Himegami smirked. She now had a name for the face. "So, his name is Riku, huh?"
"Yes, he's a childhood friend of mine. Anyway, it's dangerous for a new student for him to take part in a battle now!"
"The vice-president is correct," Furan seconded. "Himegami-san should choose a different opponent."
The Principal closed her eyes and considered their words and decided what to do next. With an enigmatic smile, she made her decision.
"I think we should go ahead."
"Principal!" cried Haruko, horrified.
"Come on up, Mr. New Student. You can get ready backstage."
Riku did not know what was going on and the other students were pressuring him to go on ahead. Looking up, his eyes met Kodama's. They were cold and fierce, like the eyes of a predator.
Just what kind of mess had he gotten himself into?
"Sitting around doing nothing won't get me anywhere..." Riku murmured. At times like this, he gotta think Geed.
Riku climbed onto the stage and walked along the bridge to the fighting ring. He glanced at Haruko who looked at him worriedly before he looked back at his opponent.
"Now, let's begin the Entrance Ceremony Battle!" the Principal announced. "The participants are: Kenkeibu, 2-A, No. 20, Kodama Himegami. Her opponent is new student Riku Asakura-kun."
Riku was silent as he mentally communicated with Pega.
"(Riku, what are you going to do?)"
"(I don't know, Pega. I really don't want to fight.)"
"(I know you hate fighting girls, but it doesn't look like you have much of a choice.)"
"(I know. What is with this school? What's going on? Why do I even have to fight?)"
"(Riku, heads up.)"
"Hm?" Riku looked up and saw Kodama standing in front of him.
"Come on, newbie. Try and relax," Kodama advised him with an easy smile on her face.
"Uh... I'm trying too," Riku admitted to her. "Listen, I'm sorry about what happened early."
"Don't worry so much about that, it's in the past now," Kodama waved off, playfully tapping him with her backhand, "This is just an exhibition match, that's all. It's not like I'm gonna try and kill you or something. Treat like as a training match, and I'll take care of everything else. Got it?"
"Y-yeah, that sounds good," Riku nodded, looking relieved.
Haruko watched, worriedly. With Himegami she seemed to have a chilled look on her face, but she knew that she was good at hiding her emotions. She was also one of the strongest fighters and magic users in the school. Riku had no experience in fighting. For all the years she had known him he had never thrown a punch. Just what was it that made Himegami take a sudden interest in him?
As Kodama finished giving Riku advice, she walked back to her side of the ring. Her eyes narrowed.
What she saw was frightening. There was something about Riku, something dark. She needed to confirm what it was. She needed answers and maybe this battle would reveal those answers to her. Reaching her end of the ring, Kodama watched as Riku did some stretches. From his stance, she could see that he was a total novice. She could kill him easily. Well, if she killed him, it would get the wrong attention focused on her. Maybe she could just scare him a little.
But he still needed to pay for seeing her panties.
"Alright, the time limit is 3 minutes!" the Principal announced.
"Three minutes..." Riku whispered. "I should be OK. It's just three minutes."
"Begin!"
Kodama took her cue and rushed at Riku, and instantly started throwing punches. Immediately, Riku was on the defensive as he blocked her punches. She was pushing him toward the edge of the ring. If he got knocked off, he would lose.
Pega, not wanting to see Riku lose, reached out and grabbed Kodama's leg. He gave it a tug. Kodama yelped and fell on her butt. Before anyone saw him, Pega slipped back into Riku's shadow.
"Pega?" Riku whispered.
Kodama got up to her feet and glared coldly at Riku. He had tripped her somehow. Well, he was not going to get lucky again.
"(Riku, you have to attack now!)"
"OK!" Riku threw a punch at Kodama but she ducked his swing before leaping back to gain some distance. Their eyes locked and hers turned golden and reptile-like. Suddenly, Riku was bombarded by an image of an eight-headed dragon. He froze in fear as he saw it and Kodama used this as her chance to finish him.
Lightning gathered in her right palm. Just one strike and he would go down. It was a shame, really. Too bad he had to cross her.
"Wait!" Haruko shouted. "Maken Lock!" She gathered energy in her hands which materialized to form a chain. She began running toward the stage to stop Kodama and save Riku. "Heaven's-!"
"Shatter!"
A girl came out of nowhere and leaped onto the stage. She summoned a clawed gauntlet and landed in front of Riku.
"Maken Knuckle Guard!"
Riku was stunned and was shocked as she raised her claw to block Kodama's electrical strike. Electricity splashed off on impact as the girl stood her ground, making sure Kodama would not get to Riku.
Kodama staggered back, surprised. "She blocked my Element? Who the hell are you?"
The girl who had saved Riku had short orange hair done up in two short ponytails on either side of her was short and looked around Riku's gave, and her breasts rivaled Haruko's. Her face was hardened as she glared at Kodama. She was angry at the blonde for daring to harm Riku.
'That's not a replica. It's one of the eight original Maken,' Principal Rokujo observed as she saw the claw on the mysterious girl's hand.
"I hope I'm not late," a voice next to Rokujo suddenly spoke. She gasped and turned, seeing a man with neatly combed hair and dark brown eyes in a smart black suit standing next to her.
"Vice-Principal Fukuide!" Principal Rokujo wheezed, as she patted her chest to calm down her heart. She didn't even see him come on stage. "I'm sorry, but the Entrance Ceremony battle just ended."
"I see..." Vice-Principal Fukuide frowned and then he looked at the combat ring.
The mysterious girl stood up and turned to smile at Riku. "Um...thank you," Riku said.
"You're welcome. We finally meet," the mysterious girl replied.
"Huh?"
"Riku-sa..." The girl's claw vanished but then she passed out and collapsed. Riku quickly caught her before she accidentally banged her head on the floor.
"Are you OK?" Riku asked.
The girl opened her eyes. Riku blushed. She was quite cute. The girl smiled and then wrapped her arms around Riku in a hug.
"I'm happy to meet you, Riku-sama!"
The boys howled as the girls cheered at the romantic display. Haruko went catatonic.
"How...how do you know my name?" Riku asked. The girl hummed happily as she sniffed at his hair.
"Hehe, you smell nice," the girl giggled.
"Public displays of affection are forbidden!" Haruko snapped angrily. Riku was taken back by this.
"Haru-nee..."
"Wh-who are you? How do you know Rikun?" Haruko asked.
"Oops, I guess I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Inaho Kushiya. From now on, I'll protect Riku-sama."
"Protect me?" Riku asked, confused.
"Yes, as your fiancée."
"Fiancée?" Riku parroted.
"Fiancée!?" Haruko yelled.
"(What's a fiancée?)" Pega echoed.
Inaho kissed Riku on the cheek, causing him to blush. In spite of himself, Riku couldn't help but smile goofily. Every other guy his age would when a cute girl would make a proclamation like that. But he felt his senses get clouded by a pissed off aura creeping behind him. Turning around, he flinched as he saw Haruko crack her knuckles with a savage grin.
"Rikun...!"
"Haru-nee!" Riku sputtered, holding up his hands in protest, "This- this is a mistake! I swear I don't-!"
"YOU WOMANIZING BASTARD!" Haruko roared, lunging at him. Riku made himself scarce, evading the pissed off second year just before she could grab him. Snarling, she chased him down the ring, "GET BACK HERE!"
Vice-Principal Fukuide watched as Haruko chased Roku with a mild smile. "It looks like this semester won't be a dull one," he mused. "I'm glad I took this position."
"Now that the school is no longer exclusive to girls, my superiors figured that I would need an extra hand in managing the students," Rokujo reminded him. 'Not to mention the extra load that'll be taken off my desk!' she added mentally.
"I suppose with the ceremony almost done with, I'll be on my way. I can just introduce myself to the students when they pass me by," with that said, he stepped off the stage began to leave the gym. As he exited the building, he smiled darkly.
"Riku Asakura. So, you're all grown up."
With the Entrance Ceremony over, all the students went to the classrooms. Riku was assigned to class 1-A. Inaho ended up being in the same classroom as well. Haruko had been chasing after him all morning, and it terrified him to see his big sister so angry like that. Homeroom eventually started so she simply gave up and left in a huff, not even saying a word to him. He felt very depressed that he somehow angered her, and he couldn't understand why.
As Riku found his desk, which just so happened to be next to Inaho's, he had a telepathic conversation with Pega.
"(Riku, you never told me you had a fiancée.)"
"(I didn't even know I had one.)"
"(She's pretty cute, if you ask me.)"
"(Yes, but Haru-nee was pretty mad. She even refused to return my texts.)"
"(I think she's just trying not to break any rules, but I think you need to give her time to cool down.)"
"(Yeah, you're right.)"
Riku looked over to Inaho who smiled at him and he smiled awkwardly back. Just what was going on with Haruko. Why did she get so mad like that?
The final school bell rang. The students were getting ready to head home after their first day of school. Meanwhile, up in his office, Vice-Principal Fukuide watched as the students were about to leave for the day.
"It's time to mark the end."
His eyes flashed red as he held up a pair of dark capsules.
Haruko walked back home in a huff. She had been at a Student Council meeting. By the time it had ended it was already evening and the sun was starting to set.
She could not focus during the meeting. All she could think about was how that strange girl, Inaho, was all over Riku. She was so mad at her childhood friend that she ignored his texts and did not even go to see him during lunch.
But once she was alone and able to think, she began to regret not listening to him. Riku was not the type to keep a secret fiancée. Even if they had not seen each other in years, the boy was still frank and honest. Maybe she should head over to his apartment to see him and clear things up. She did not want to stay mad at him, even if his cluelessness annoyed her.
Why could he not get a clue?
As Haruko headed toward Riku's apartment, she stopped when she saw a pillar of red light rise into the air. She paused, gazing at it curiously and in fascination. Then her eyes widened as she saw what it was.
"KAIJU!"
The Kaiju had just appeared in the middle of the city. It had golden scales with a black underbelly that was covered in spikes. Its tail was thick and muscular. Red spikes extended from its knees and it had a series of curves red spikes along its spine. On its head was a massive pair of red horns.
The Kaiju was called Skull Gomora.
Alarmed, the citizens began to flee away from Skull Gomora as it started destroying everything in its path. Houses were crushed under its feet and buildings were smashed apart as it swung its arms. It did not seem to have a purpose being wanton destruction.
Haruko quickly fled with the crowd. Sure she had a Maken of her own, and it was theoretically possible to fight Kaiju with one, but she was still in high school. And most importantly she was freaked out by it suddenly showing up. Looking back at the monster, she stopped in terror as she recognized the path it was taking.
It was heading in the direction of Riku's apartment!
Panicking, Haruko took out her phone to call him.
"Come on, Rikun! Pick up! Pick up!"
He was not picking up and she was filled with dread. She feared the worst. She began to run to his place, hoping to find him and warn him. She just hoped she reached him before the monster reached his place.
Skull Gomora vanished all of a sudden in a pillar of red light. This left the citizens both anxious and confused. Many homes were destroyed by the Kaiju when it mysteriously appeared. Those that had nowhere else to go were taken to an emergency shelter.
Haruko had gone to Riku's boarding house to find it destroyed. She was too late. It had been destroyed.
"Rikun!" Haruko cried as she ran into the wreck, hoping to find him buried in the rubble. "Rikun, are you here!? Speak to me!"
"Haru-nee?"
"Yes, keep talking!" Haruko started to dig through the rubble. "Lead me with your voice!"
"Haru-nee, I'm over here!"
Haruko froze and then turned to see Riku standing behind her, perfectly fine. She blinked and then saw that she was not alone. Inaho was with him.
"Rikun!" Haruko threw herself at her childhood friend and hugged him tightly. "I was so worried! I tried to call you when that Kaiju appeared! I thought it killed you! Why didn't you answer your phone?"
Riku smiled and gently patted Haruko's head. "Sorry, Haru-nee. My phone battery died while I was with Inaho-chan."
Immediately, Haruko let go of Riku and stepped away. Right, Inaho, the 'fiancée'.
"And what were you doing with Kushiya-san?" Haruko asked evenly.
"She insisted on showing me around town," Riku answered. "Since you had a Student Council meeting, I didn't want to bother you."
"Oh."
"We had a lot of fun!" beamed Inaho.
"Oh, you had fun," she said dryly, "How quaint."
"Riku-sama, look at your home!" Inaho pointed. "What will you do now?"
Riku saw the state of the boarding house. It was distressing as everything he owned had been destroyed. It was a good thing he had insurance.
"Maybe we can search through it? Maybe there's something we can salvage," Riku suggested.
"(I doubt you will find anything in that wreck.)" said Pega.
Riku silently agreed. Everything he owned, besides the clothes on his back and whatever he had in his backpack, were gone.
"Let's go to the shelter. You can stay there until we figure something out. I'm sure there's space in the dormitory for you, Rikun," said Haruko.
Haruko, Inaho and Riku walked toward the emergency shelter. They took the path through the park when something caught Riku's eye. It was an old observatory that had been abandoned. Strangely, there was something familiar about it.
Ever since he was a child, Riku liked to stargaze. He wondered if there was life on other planets and what they were like. His interest in space started at the same time when he began watching Don Shine. He wanted to be like his favorite superhero and meet aliens.
He got his wish when he met Pega, an alien who he befriended.
"Rikun?"
"Riku-sama?"
Both girls called to him. Haruko looked worried while Inaho smiled.
"Have you girls ever wondered what's in space?" Riku asked. "Like the stars and planets. Do you think there's life out there?"
"Riku-sama, are you saying you believe in aliens?" Inaho asked, amused.
"He does," Haruko confirmed. "Ever since we were kids he wanted to meet an alien like in that movie ET."
"I just think it would be nice to have humans and aliens interact and be friends," Riku grinned. He received silence as the two girls stared at him in shock. "What is it?"
"Riku-sama...there's something...behind you," Inaho pointed.
Riku blinked and turned to see a floating metal sphere with glowing red lights around it. Curious, he reached up to touch it.
"Rikun, it might be dangerous!" Haruko yelled. She did not know what that thing was, but it seemed creepy.
The sphere released a light which scanned Riku. It did not seem to hurt him or anything. The beam just passed over him, scanning him from top to bottom before it faded.
"B-Factor confirmed," the mechanical sphere said in a female voice. "Updating base status from sleep mode to standard mode."
A circle of light glowed on the ground. The three teenagers backed away as an elevator emerged from the ground.
"What's that!?" Haruko cried. Inaho was silent and in awe at the sight of it.
"Master, please enter the elevator," the sphere instructed.
The elevator doors opened. Riku was about to step toward it when Haruko grabbed his sleeve.
"Rikun, wait," Haruko said. "Are you sure you want to go in there?"
Riku looked back at his childhood friend then back at the elevator. "I am."
"Then I'm coming with you."
"I'm coming too, Riku-sama!"
Riku nodded. There wasn't much he could do to talk out Haruko or Inaho at this point. Just as all three of them were about to step inside, another voice made itself known.
"And where do you three think you're going?" Kodama asked as she jumped down from a nearby tree. She looked suspiciously at the mysterious elevator and the sphere.
"Himegami-san, were you following us?" Haruko asked suspiciously.
Kodama ignored Haruko to address Riku. "I was going to chastise this girl for interrupting our match."
Riku rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry about that."
Kodama looked over to the elevator, "And now I see this elevator pop out of nowhere and asking you all inside. I'm interested now so I'm inviting myself in."
"Are... you sure about that?" Riku asked her.
"Please enter the elevator, Master Riku," the mechanical sphere repeated.
Kodama folded her arms and gazed at him, "The robot lady doesn't wanna be kept waiting, so I'm coming whether you like it or not."
The elevator descended with its four occupants. It was large enough to hold all of them and the walls glowed in a glittering blue as it descended. No one spoke a word as it went down, all of them to confused with all the events that transpired. When it stopped, the doors opened and they entered what looked like a hi-tech base with a giant computer screen and console. There was also a yellow sphere hanging from the ceiling.
"We are now 500 meters below ground level. Welcome home, Master Riku," the voice spoke, this time from the yellow sphere.
"Who are you?" Haruko asked.
"I am the Report Management AI, also known as R.E.M. for short."
"An AI?" Riku repeated.
"Yes, I run this base and will follow your commands, Master Riku. Please identify your four guests."
"Wait, did you say four guests?" Haruko asked. The last time she counted, Riku had brought along herself, Inaho and Kodama. Actually, Kodama had invited herself. Riku had three guests, not four.
"Besides Master Riku, I detect three humans and one additional alien life sign," R.E.M. explained.
"Wait, what?" Kodama blinked. "An alien is here?"
That was when Pega emerged from Riku's shadow. The three girls recoiled in fright at the sight of the alien. Instantly, Haruko and Inaho summoned their Maken, while Kodama's hands sparked with lightning. Riku stood protectively in front of Pega. "Wait, hold on! Relax! This is Pega! He's my friend!"
"Your friend?" Inaho blinked, her Maken vanishing from her hand. Haruko and Kodama seemed to calm down, though they still held a wary gaze at the creature.
"Ano... hello. I'm Pega, a Pegassa-saejin," Pega introduced himself with a timid wave. It was the first time he had encountered humans other than Riku, and pretty older girls at that.
"Oh... oh my. You really do exist, don't you?" Haruko breathed out. A bright smile suddenly appeared on her face as she giggled musically.
And then she flopped on her back, fainting on the cold metal floor.
"Haru-nee!"
"Haruko-san!"
"Fuku-kaichou!"
Skull Gomora once again emerged from a pillar of red light. It roared to announce its return. As soon as it appeared, it began to move, destroying everything in its path. It was in search of something and it would not stop until it found what it was looking for.
Haruko's vision blurred as she slowly came to. Blinking, she rubbed her eyes as she found Riku, Kodama, and Inaho staring down at her. "Haru-nee? Haru-nee, are you OK?" Riku asked her.
"Wha...?" Haruko muttered groggily, sitting up as she rubbed her head, "How long was I out?"
"15 minutes," Kodama quipped. "That's a new Tenbi Academy record."
"Huh..." Haruko blinked, sighing as she massaged her shoulder, "I just had the strangest dream. I dreamt that we went into an elevator that took us 500 meters underground, taking us into a lab with a talking A.I. And get this, there was a real live alien with us!"
"That wasn't a dream, Haru-nee," said Riku apologetically. He gestured her over to Pega, and Haruko's eyes quickly widened.
"Hi, I'm Pega," Pega introduced himself again. "Nice to officially meet you, Haru-nee."
Haruko felt herself beginning to faint anew.
"Oh no, you don't!" Kodama frowned, gripping her by the arm before she could fall again, "Calm down. Don't go fainting on us again, Fuku-kaichou. It's embarrassing."
Kodama removed her hand and Haruko took a deep breath. She took a moment to gather herself and take in her surroundings. Her eyes focused on Pega. She knew she had not seen Riku in years, but she never thought he would get an alien for a fright. Just how exactly did Riku meet an alien? Wait, just where exactly were they and what was going on?
"Gigantic Lifeform detected," R.E.M. reported as the screen turned on. It was Skull Gomora. "Lifeform is not recognized in any known database, Master Riku."
"That's the thing that destroyed your apartment!" Haruko pointed.
"What's it doing?" Inaho asked.
"It in on a direct course to this location," R.E.M. reported, marking the map on the screen. "The Gigantic Lifeform should reach it in approximately 10 minutes."
"That's where the shelter is!" Riku gasped.
"Master Riku, do you wish to confront the Gigantic Lifeform?" asked R.E.M.
A nearby table lit up, revealing a set of items. The first item was a red device that resembled a knuckle duster with a capsule embedded in it. Then there was a pair of clear capsules standing next to it. They looked like plastic bullets. There was also what looked like a square case and a black rectangular object with two holes in it.
"These are yours, Master Riku. This is the Riser that you will use for your Fusion Rise."
"Fusion Rise?" Riku asked.
"Wait a minute!" Haruko snapped. "You want Rikun to go out there and fight that thing!? It's huge! He'll be squashed!"
"Negative. Master Riku has the ability to combat the Gigantic Lifeform."
"You have the wrong person!"
"Negative. I have performed a DNA scan. He is the master of this base and thus the owner of the Riser."
"You're wrong!"
"Negative."
"Amaya-san, you do realize that you're arguing with a computer, right?" Kodama spoke up, her voice in a deadpan.
Haruko blanched, blushing in embarrassment. "Y-you know I'm right! You'd have to be crazy to fight a freakin' Kaiju!"
Inaho grasped the Riser in her hand, along with the capsules in the other hand. If she didn't know better, should've thought they were some sort of toys.
"What does this do?" asked Inaho.
"With the Riser and Ultra Capsules, Master Riku will be able to Fusion Rise into an Ultraman," R.E.M. explained.
"Ultraman?" Riku repeated. "What is an Ultraman?"
"Only an Ultraman can defeat a Gigantic Lifeform."
The screen showed Skull Gomora going on a rampage. It was destroying buildings, uncaring of the people who lost their homes. It was also headed toward the shelter and more people would get hurt. Riku's eyes narrowed as he made his decision.
"Sitting around doing nothing won't get us anywhere," Riku decided. "Rem, send me up there."
"'Rem'? Are you referring to me?" the A.I. asked.
Ruki nodded, "Yeah. It's what I want to call you."
"The designation is accepted and recorded," the newly dubbed Rem confirmed.
"Riku," Haruko said fearfully. "That thing's a monster. It's huge. How can you beat it?"
Riku looked at the red device he had gotten and gripped it.
"I don't know, but I have to try. Rem, if I become Ultraman, can I beat that monster?"
"Affirmative."
"Be careful, Riku-sama."
"The elevator will take you to the scene," Rem informed Riku. "Once you are at the scene, you can use the Riser to remain in contact with the base. I will monitor you from here."
Riku looked at his friends and nodded. He gathered his items before he headed to the elevator. The doors closed and it ascended. He was going to confront a Kaiju with only Rem's words to go by. She told him he could become an Ultraman and fight the Kaiju. He might've just met Rem, but the A.I. did not seem like she was capable of deceiving him.
"So, how long have you been friends with Asakura?" Kodama asked Pega.
The elevator emerged from the ground and opened its doors. Riku stepped out.
"Do you hear me, Master Riku?" Rem asked, her voice coming from the Riser.
"Yes, it's working," Riku confirmed.
"The Gigantic Lifeform should be in sight. There are currently people within its path."
Riku saw it. It was not very hard to miss. Skull Gomora continued making its way towards the people. It seemed to be looking for something as it looked at the people that were fleeing from it.
When Riku saw the damage the Kaiju had done, he knew he had to stop it. If he was given power and was not willing to use it to do the right thing, he would regret it his entire life. Like Don Shine, he would protect everyone.
"Do you know what to do?" Rem asked.
Riku checked the items. He was wearing the Capsule Holder and Loading Knuckle on his belts.
"How did it go again?" Riku mumbled. Rem had given him a short tutorial while inside the elevator.
"Please state your post-Fusion Rise designation," instructed Rem.
"My designation?" Riku came up a name immediately. "Geed! Ultraman Geed!" He also christened the red device, "And this is the Geed Riser!"
"Acknowledged."
"Sitting around doing nothing won't get me anywhere!" Riku's face hardened in determination. He opened up the Ultra Capsule holder and pulled out the first capsule. "You go!"
He pressed it and in a flash of light, a man in a red and silver suit with glowing yellow eyes and a blue orb on his chest appeared on Riku's right. He raised his right fist into the air.
"Sha!"
Riku slotted the capsule into the Loading Knuckle and repeated with a second capsule. "I go!"
Another figure very different from the first man appeared on his left and raised his left fist. He was very evil looking, with a black and red body, a purple orb embedded in his chest, and monstrous claws. His face was nightmarish, having glaring orange eyes with a scar on the right and jagged fangs.
"Uwe!"
Riku slotted in the capsule into the Loading Knuckle. "Here we go!"
He then scanned both capsules with the Geed Riser, a sound of a heartbeat with each scan. The Geed Rider called out loudly, [FUSION RISE!]
He stabbed to the air, "Time to get ready!" He held the Geed Riser to his chest and pressed the trigger.
"GEED...!"
[ULTRAMAN! ULTRAMAN BELIAL!]
A bright light surrounded Riku as the energies of both capsules enveloped him and changed him. He felt an unimaginable power flow through his veins. He then raised his fist into the air as he grew to gigantic size.
[ULTRAMAN GEED: PRIMITIVE!]
Ultraman Geed landed in the city, kicking up dirt. The citizens gasped, distracted enough to forget about running away, as they saw the Ultra as he appeared.
He was a gigantic humanoid in a silver bodysuit with black and red patterns painted on. His forearms had red blades on them. In the center of his chest was a capsule-shaped blue light. His head was silver with asharp fin on top. Finally, his blue eyes were triangular.
"Fusion Rise is complete," Rem reported.
Back at the secret base, the Tenbi Academy girls and Pega gawked at the sight of Geed. They had just witnessed Riku transform into an Ultraman like Rem said he would.
"Is that...Rikun...?"
Haruko could barely believe her eyes but the giant on the screen was her sweet little Rikun. He looked so strong and tall, and slightly intimidating. If she had not witnessed his transformation herself, she would not even realize that the silver giant was her childhood friend.
Inaho's eyes sparkled as she saw what Rem meant by Ultraman. Riku did look heroic in his new form. He would definitely be able to defeat that Kaiju and save everyone.
Kodama saw Ultraman Geed's eyes and was reminded of those eyes. There was just something unnerving about Geed's form. Just who or what exactly was Riku Asakura and how exactly did he deserve to gain such power?
Pega was still in shock at Geed's appearance. "Riku...he looks like..."
Geed looked at his hands. He wondered what he looked like. There was no time to wonder that. He had a monster to fight. Geed looked up and glared at Skull Gomora as it was coming his way.
"Alright!"
Geed leaped toward Skull Gomora, crossing the gap as he jumped over the buildings in a single bound. He landed in front of the Kaiju and grabbed it by its horns. He wrestled with it as it tried to pull away. It managed to free itself from Geed's grip and then bashed him in the chest with its head, knocking the newly christened Ultra back.
Geed landed on a department store building and it crumbled under his weight. He got up and groaned. Skull Gomora was strong. Could he actually do this?
Back at the base, Haruko asked, "Rem, can he hear me?"
"Master Riku remains in contact with us via the Riser."
"Rikun, can you hear me?"
"Haru-nee, what happened to me?" Geed asked. "The buildings and road feel so soft. It's like they're made of sand or something."
"Rikun, you need to focus!" Haruko instructed. "Focus and fight!"
She was afraid for him, but there was nothing she could do but offer him advice and pray for his safety.
Geed tried another approach and tackled into Skull Gomora. He tried pushing the Kaiju back to get it away from the people. Skull Gomora threw Geed into the bay. Geed got up and once more as Skull Gomora trotted into the water, large splashes erupting with each footstep. He pushed it away and punched the Kaiju across the face before following up with a kick that managed to send it staggering back.
He started to use the martial arts he practiced since he was a child, throwing punches and kicks at Skull Gomora. Its thick armored hide absorbed the strikes, but Geed continued to attack the Kaiju with everything he got.
"You're not hurting anyone!" Geed shouted as he grabbed the Kaiju by its neck then flipped it on its back. It rolled back to its front and swung its tail at Geed, knocking him down into the water. He got back down and grabbed Skull Gomora's tail then pulled it toward him. He climbed on Skull Gomora's back and started to pound it with his fists.
At the base, Kodama silently watched and studied Geed's fighting style. It was unrefined and barbaric, completely different from the way Riku fought her.
"Yes, Riku-sama! You can do it! Yeah!" Inaho cheered, fists pumping.
Skull Gomora managed to throw Geed off it. Its horns glowed and it rammed them into Geed's chest. Skull Gomora released the energy in its horns and blasted Geed, sending him falling into the bay. Lightning flew everywhere from the attack, sending explosions all around them. Geed groaned in pain and the light on his chest turned red as it blinked repeatedly.
"Riku-sama!" Inaho cried. She wanted to help him, but even with her Maken, she would not be able to harm a Kaiju. "Rem-san, please help him! He's going to get himself killed!" She was worried about her fiance. She did not want to see him die after just meeting him again.
"Do not worry. Master Riku will be able to defeat the Gigantic Lifeform."
Geed groaned as he lay in the bay's waters. "That thing...it's crazy strong."
"Master Riku, your time limit is approaching. You can only maintain your Ultra form on Earth for 3 minutes. If you exceed your time limit, you won't be able to transform for another 20 hours," Rem warned Geed.
Skull Gomora had other things on its mind and was making its way to the people again. They all screamed in terror as the Kaiju was headed their way. "3 minutes again? I'll have to beat this thing now," Geed said as he picked himself back up. He had to defeat Skull Gomora before it reached the people.
"Then try and fire your photonic energy at it," Rem suggested.
"How do I do that?"
"You should know already."
"What kind of answer is that?"
All of a sudden, Geed felt a flash of inspiration. It was like the knowledge that was buried deep inside had just burst out of its confines.
He knew what to do!
"Here we go!"
Geed leaped over Skull Gomora and performed a flip before he landed on his feet. The Kaiju growled, its horns and spikes glowing as it broke into a mad rush toward Geed. Geed felt the power rise up within him and it surged across his body in arcs of black and red electricity. His blue eyes flashed brightly as he let out an animalistic growl. Piles of rubble floated from the ground as his power continued to rise, up until they levitated all around him. He threw his arms to the side before crossing them together in a plus (+) sign. The energy burst out of his arms in the form of a blue beam of energy with red and black lightning surrounding it.
"WRECKING BURST!"
The beam crashed into Skull Gomora, stopping the Kaiju in its tracks. Geed kept firing until the Kaiju could not take it anymore. Skull Gomora detonated and exploded into hundreds of pieces.
"Riku-sama did it!" Inaho cheered.
"What was that?" Haruko asked, referring to Geed's beam attack.
"That beam was Master Riku's Wrecking Burst," Rem answered.
"It's so strong. Amazing," Haruko awed. Only a legitimate Maken had the power to cause that kind of destruction.
Kodama glared at the footage before addressing Rem. "Hey, computer. You said Asakura was the master of this base," Kodama spoke to Rem.
"Yes, it was left to him by his biological father," Rem answered.
Haruko was surprised to hear this. She knew Riku was adopted. His guardians, the Asakuras, were an elderly couple after all. They were old enough to be his grandparents. Riku's father actually built this place. Who was he?
"You mean you know who Riku's real parents are?" Pega asked.
"Affirmative. Master Riku's father is the former master of this base. Ultraman Belial."
Rem pulled up on the screen an image of the same evil Ultraman whose power Riku had used to transform. He was a menacing black monster with red markings on his body and wicked orange eyes. As soon as they saw him, Kodama recoiled in shock.
It was those eyes again, and the evil they radiated. This was Asakura's biological father?
"That... that's Rikun's father?" Haruko questioned. It must be a mistake. There was no way her sweet little Rikun was related to this monster.
"Affirmative. The DNA scan confirms that Master Riku is the biological son of Ultraman Belial. I am 99.9 percent certain."
That was pretty high. And seeing Geed's eyes, Kodama had no doubt that Riku and Belial were related by blood. Now she understood why she saw those eyes when she first met Riku.
Riku Asakura was the son of the devil.
Vice-Principal Fukuide picked up the two black capsules from the ground. They were smoking. He smiled mysteriously as he looked up at the stars.
"Everything is going according to plan."
KRC: So, this is my second attempt at an Ultraman X-over and I chose Geed because he's the current Ultra. Maken-ki was chosen mainly because it was suggested to me by a friend, plus doing another Rosario + Vampire fic by now would be redundant and I think it was time to do something fresh. I have only seen episode 1 of Maken-ki, but I plan to watch more so I can get a much clear idea of the characters and their personalities. But I think I got Riku and Pega right since I watched Geed. Well, if I can do Koihime Musou, I should be able to watch Maken-ki. I mean, it's a harem story with super-powered girls. Seems like my cup of tea. Anyway, it seems that the only link between both elements is the girls. We need to blend in the Ultra stuff and Maken-ki stuff down the line so it's not two separate storylines. We will also need candidates for the Little Stars. Of course, the first Kaiju is Skull Gomora, but I wanna ask you what Ultra Kaiju you want to appear next.
TAILSMO4EVER: I'm helping with this since the concept interests me so much, and those who know me know how I like mixing fantasy with sci-fi. I do hope you guys enjoy this as much as I do. Enjoy the culture clash, folks!