Act 2, Chapter 14 - Knight of a Golden Rose
"Misaki!" Articho jumps in surprise at seeing one of his closest friends at his doorstep. "I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"Since last night's meeting, I've been quite busy gathering intel within the JSDF." She said, pushing her hair back."How was your business in the States?"
"It's a really long and complicated story." He shakes his head. "But I'm glad you dropped by."
"What do you mean?" She asks.
"It's probably best you come inside." He suggests before noticing someone behind the starry-eyed blonde girl. "Who's this?"
"This..." She turns her head at who he's referring to before smiling back at the boy. "Is my intel."
"Guess I'm not the only one with a lot of explaining to do." He rolls his eyes.
The Pathfinder then allows Misaki and the other person inside the penthouse before locking the door behind.
"Who was at the door, Articho?" Ruby asked, walking towards his location. Then she noticed the newcomers are making themselves at home, especially the one wearing a dark cloak. "Oh, hello."
"Friend of yours?" Misaki asks.
"Later." Articho says to the fifth-ranked Level 5. "Ruby… do you mind letting the others know that we have two more visitors?"
Ruby nods and runs to inform her older sister and their friends.
"She reminds me of Dolly."Mental Out let's out a memorable smile. "By the way, I heard that Shutaura and my Prince have returned with Index."
"Indeed." He nods. "You should've seen Index's reflexes in action. Could even give a certain Nightsister some competition."
"Hmm." She thinks for a moment.
"This way." He signals with his hand as he walks straight to the living room.
The 17-year-old blonde turned her head to the side, nodding to the person behind her to follow.
"Misaki." Touma greets, embracing his first wife in a heartwarming hug, before kissing her.
"Glad to see you and Shutaura made it back with success."
"Mama." The four year old Alice exclaimed happily, embracing her mother.
"I take it you've been on your best behavior under your aunt Ruiko's care?" Misaki smiled back, patting her daughter's head and giving her husband a quick kiss on the lips.
"Yep, yep." Her only child answers.
"It's good to see you again, Misaki." Index joins in. "Just like old times, huh?"
"Just like old times, Index." She says, gripping each other's hands together as if they're comrades in wartime.
"As much as I want to do the introductions, we should get straight to business." Articho interrupts. "Starting with who the hell this is."
Everyone's attention were soon on the unknown individual in the cloak.
"Go ahead." Misaki urges the figure.
The person gave a nod of understanding, before they removed the hood to reveal their identity to everyone.It was a girl, Caucasian-looking, and no older than 17.She has ginger hair, styled in a bob cut, and sports jade green eyes.Her most notable accessory, however, are a blue hairband over her bob cut hair, a circlet and stud earrings.
"She's beautiful." Was all Articho could say at the moment.He's not the only one, though, as Chika and co were mesmerized by the girl's beauty.
"You're just a kid." Touma says in a shocked tone.
Then he was hit in the back of his head, causing him to fall on the floor.It came from none other than Index.
"Idiot." She growls. "It's very rude talking to someone like that."
"Oh come on!" He groans in annoyanc before glaring at Articho. "How come HE gets a pass?!"
"That armor..." The Pathfinder utters as the girl removes her cloak to reveal herself wearing medieval-looking armor with a small cape draped behind her. "You're one of the soldiers that's part of the invasion force down in Ginza the other day."
This causes the former idols to gasped. Especially Honoka, Kotori, and Umi.Hanayo, however, only tilted her head out of curiosity and confusion.
"What's he talking about?" The young intern asked. "She's a soldier from the other side of the Gate?"
"My name is Hamilton Uno Ror." The bob cut ginger-haired girl introduces herself, speaking fluently in American English.
"She can understand us?" One of the girls whispered in shock.
"Holy shit, she speaks English." Another whispered.
"You can thank me later." Misaki winks at the Pathfinder.
"Had a feeling you might've done something to her." He shrugs with his arms crossed. "But that still doesn't explain how she's intel that you've gathered from the JSDF. Please tell me you didn't go into that small camp they've set up around the Gate."
"You're the one telling us to take risks, so I took it." She looks away with a smug expression. "Don't worry, I had help from Mitori and Dolly."
"If you say so." He sighs. "Guys, can you keep an eye on our guest for a bit? I need to show Misaki the 'other matter' we have in our residence."
Ruiko, Arisa , and everyone else nodded, as Misaki follows Articho down a hallway.
Articho and Misaki look over the unconscious and unmasked Sith Inquisitor, who is recently revealed to be none other than Eli Ayase as she lies on a bed in a holding cell protected by an energy barrier that can't be exploited by Force-sensitives or any other people. Powers or not.
"A Sith Inquisitor?" Misaki gasps in shock. "And it's someone from our universe?"
"Yeah, but her vibration signature originates from Earth-77." He explains. "That's what I can't understand. I've even gone through her records, only to find zero connection to it."
"Odd." She places her hand underneath her chin. "Perhaps her memories can make sense to this puzzle."
"Um, remember the last time you did that against a Force user?" He points out in concern. "And by last time, I mean erase certain memories of a guy that stood 6' 7" and wears armor just to keep the Canon timeline of Earth-77 intact."
This sent shivers down her spine.
"I really don't want to relive that experience, let alone going up against the likes of a demigod." She groans. "As in, a demigod of DEATH."
"No shit." He snorts. "He once opened a portal to another dimension with his bare hands and temporarily gained an astral form. Oh, and it grants him the ability to time travel as anyone's shadow as depicted in an old teaser poster for The Phantom Menace. By my calculations, he could potentially be scaled to multiversal."
"Focus."
"I am."
"Let's just get this over with." She facepalms. "At least it's not the damn Chosen One this time."
"Agreed." He nods. "Time to check up on Sleeping Beauty."
"This better be worth it." She adds, pulling out a remote from her handbag and aims the device at the unconscious Sith Inquisitor behind the barrier.
The twins sat quietly on the couch, while the one called Hamilton - an odd name for a girl since it's more of a boy's - sat in a sofa chair with her body leaned forward and hands together as she's in deep thought.Neither three said anything and the living room remains quiet.
"Sorry for the wait." Articho apologizes, entering the room alongside Misaki.
"How'd it go?" Arisa asks the two.
They responded to her with a simple nod, avoiding to say anything confidential in front of their other guest.The Pathfinder and Mental Out were able to go through the Sith Inquisitor's memories, confirming the former's hunch that it was Eli Ayase. Then, they decided to permanently wipe those memories of her time with the Neo-Sith Empire as if it never happened. They also avoided tampering with her memory of when she was kidnapped, tortured, and brainwashed. Maybe not that last one, but still.
However, that still doesn't explain why Eli's vibration signature originates from Earth-77, much to both Articho and Misaki's frustration and annoyance. More importantly, Eli's face looks coincidentally like Kai's - if not, a female version of his face.Questions regarding that are gonna have to wait because the Pathfinder needs to turn his attention towards the Tellus native that's in the same room as him and co.
"Hamilton." He said, getting her attention. "That is your name, correct?"
Raising her head up to face the Saiyan, before her eyes widened in surprise.She was immediately mesmerized by his handsome face and a faded blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Are you OK?" He raises an eyebrow, noticing the girl's blush.
The ginger-haired girl snaps out of her little trance and nods her head.
"Oh, o-of c-course." Hamilton replies.
However, his wives and Misaki immediately know what made the girl blush all of a sudden.
"Give us some privacy." Articho orders.
"Good luck with him." Misaki whispers to the Tellus native in a rather teasing but cryptic tone before walking away with Ruiko and Arisa outside of the living room, leaving Hamilton alone with the boy who is sitting on the other end of the coffee table.
"I'll ask again." He begins with a serious tone. "Your name is Hamilton Uno Ror?"
"Yes." She answers, kneeling. "I'm a member of the Rose-Order of Knights and page of 'Her Highness' Piña Co Lada."
"The Rose-Order of Knights?" He questions. "A bit of a mouthful, to be honest."
"Mind your tongue!" The girl snaps. "The name of the Order that I represent isn't one to be questioned, nor is it to be mocked by the likes of you. In this world or mine."
"Someone's easily triggered." He mutters. "I like that in a woman."
"What?" She grits her teeth.
"I'll admit, you and your people had the balls to come to this side of the Gate." He says. "Impressive. Though at the same time, it was pretty idiotic to go up against one of many civilizations on Earth that are centuries more advanced in technology, weapons, and battle tactics. Can't really blame ya for that. If our positions were reversed, my planet would've done the same thing."
"Is that a threat?" The Golden Rose questions further.
"You tell me." The Pathfinder raised his eyebrow.
This remark was the straw that broke The camels back.
'He dares show such disrespect to my Order?!' Hamilton thought in anger. 'To me?!'
"Calm down." He sighs, hearing her thoughts through telepathy. "No need for all this pointless hostility directed at me. We're all friends here."
"Friends?" The girl questions in confusion. "You're the enemy!"
"Everyone's the hero of his or her own story." The Pathfinder says otherwise. "Unless your intentions are evil, which they aren't because I sense it. You're confused and alone in a world that's completely foreign to you. Perhaps you're curious. IF you let me get to know a beautiful girl such as yourself."
Hearing those exact words caused the young woman to gasped in shock and disbelief. She then sighs at herself for allowing her own emotions get the better of her and begins to calm down a little.
"Now, was that so hard?" He smirks in succession.
The ginger haired glared at him for a second, before shaking her head.
"What do you want?" She asks.
"Like I said, I wanna get to know you more." He answers, patting the open spot on the sofa next to his. "Sit over here first."
"Why are you being so trustworthy towards me?" She was confused.
"I'm not gonna hurt you if that's what you're thinking." He rolls his eyes in annoyance. "Just come sit next to me. Please?"
Hamilton hesitates at first, but sees that he's showing kindness and humility towards her. Still, she kept her guard up and got out of her seat before sitting next to the boy.
"Feel any better?" Articho asked.
"Yes." She nods, finally showing the boy a smile. "So what do you want to know first?"
"Well for starters, let's start over." He smiles back. "I'm Articho. Though you could also call me the Pathfinder if you wish."
"Pathfinder, huh?" She raises an eyebrow curiously. "So what? You choose a path for someone?"
"More like, I'm a trailblazer." He corrects her. "Or in this case, I'm an explorer."
"Oh that makes more sense." She understands. "Guess your world is more advanced in terminology as well."
"You have no idea." He agrees.
"Very well then." Hamilton nods. "I'll do my best to answer any questions you may have. What is it you wish to know?"
"Why did you and your invasion force come here?" He asks his first question.
"Well, myself and a few members of the Order I represent were personally assigned by our Emperor as support from the sidelines." She begins her tale. "He wanted to know if we can do more than just parade around as honor guards. As for the invasion force we were assigned to, their goal was to cross the Gate and stop whatever could be coming into our world."
"By recklessly starting a war with Japan instead of sending in a reconnaissance team to find out what he was dealing with." He deadpans. "Your Emperor's an idiot."
"Can't really deny all that since we lost." She admits while looking away, expressing a humiliated face. "To tell you the truth, most of the Order and myself have never fought in actual combat before until a few days ago."
"What?" He questions in shock. "You're telling me that you and your fellow knights are a bunch of greenhorns that have never been in a fight before? Are you frickin kidding me?"
"Unfortunately, I am not." She shakes her head. "When our commanding officers were suddenly killed without explanation, things fell apart quickly for the Imperial army."
'Oops.' He sweatdrops. 'I didn't think my actions caused their whole morale to drop this easily.'
"Outmatched, we were forced to retreat." The girl continues. "The knights that came with me through the Gate all made it back home alive with what's left of our army, but..."
"You ended up being captured by the JSDF." He finishes her sentence.
"JSDF? As in those mercenaries in green?" She asks, confused.
"They're not mercenaries." He corrects her again. "It stands for 'Japanese Self-Defense Force', a branch of the Japanese military that specializes in defending the interests of Japan."
"Aren't you a part of the JSDF?"
"Never said I was." He says. "Tell me, how old are you?"
"17 winters."
'She's only seventeen.' He realizes. "You're lucky that the JSDF didn't throw you in a cell like with any of the other Imperials because you're still considered a minor in most countries."
"Minor?" Hamilton curiously tilts her head again at another unfamiliar word.
"Underage." He explains. "Too young to be prosecuted, put on trial, and then thrown in prison or given the death penalty. Here in Japan, 18 years old is when you officially become an adult."
"I see. Very interesting." The young knight placed a hand under her chin before getting up from her spot on the couch. "However, I can't stay here. I need to get back to my world."
"Not possible." He shakes his head. "The JSDF have already locked down the Gate. No one's allowed to even cross it. And if Misaki told you anything about Academy City other than being the most technologically advanced civilization on this planet, it's that the political situation between this independent city-state and Japan has become unstable in recent years. Helping you would only escalate it. I can't take that risk."
Hearing this causes the young knight to lower her head.With no way back to her homeworld, she's trapped here.
At least, that's what she thinks.
"Hey, cheer up." He assures her with a smile. "That doesn't mean I still won't help you. There is another way to get you back home, but..."
"What?!" She interrupts, grabbing him by the collar of the boy's shirt underneath the N7 jacket he's wearing. "You know how to get me home?! Please tell me!"
"Wait, wait. Calm down, please." He pleas, raising his hands.
Hamilton immediately lets go of him.
"Sorry." She apologizes. "You're saying that you can get me home?"
"In some way." He scratches the back of his head. "It's complicated to explain to someone from a primitive world that's Tellus."
"Tellus?" She questions.
"Yeah, that's the name of your planet." He shrugs. "Why? You already have a name for it?"
"No?"
"Oh, good." He sighs in relief. "Guess I'm the first one to name it then. Japan's been calling it the 'Special Region' lately. Still a stupid name, if you ask me."
"I might have to agree with you on that one." She sheepishly grins. "Tellus, on the other hand, does have a nice ring to it."
"Appreciate it." He smirks. "Anything else you want to know now?"
"What's your relationship with so many girls in your residence?" She asks with a curious but suspicious look on her face. "If you don't mind me asking."
"I don't mind." He shakes his head. "It's just that I'm not exactly in the liberty to tell you. Especially with Arisa and Ruiko having short tempers. Mostly Arisa - the girl with natural pink hair - since she's the Supreme Kai of Time. My old boss."
"You lost me." Hamilton says, shaking her own head in confusion. "What's a Supreme Kai of Time?"
"To tell you the truth, Arisa's the reincarnation of a Supreme Kai of Time named Chronoa." He whispers in the bob cut ginger-haired girl's ear. "And Kais are a race of high elves with divine status, but from outer space. Gods, if you will. But a Supreme Kai, however, has a more specific job than simply creating all mortal life where she and I originated from: watching over and maintaining the flow of time. Past, present, and future in an infinite number of timelines."
"Wait… did you just say…" She begins to shake in her high heel boots.
"Yeah." He nods his head to the side in a nonchalant tone and with his eyes briefly closed.
"And I-I j-just…" She muttered sheepishly, moving herself back and forth multiple times on the couch. "She's a literal goddess in a mortal's body. That would make her the most powerful deity in the universe since she could control space and time."
"Not quite, but she is extremely powerful." He says. "Though, Arisa's divine powers have... limitations. For good reason because in her previous life, she ended up being brainwashed by the ruler of the Demon Realm known as Mechikabura who then used her power against everything she swore in her job description as the Supreme Kai of Time. I... wasn't strong enough to save her on my own."
"Oh." The ginger-haired knight sighed, feeling sympathetic for the young boy.
"But enough of that." He changes topics. "I'm sure you'll get to know the others once you've gotten settled here for the time being."
"Thank you, I will." She nods.
"Not to point out the obvious, but... isn't your armor somewhat revealing?" The Pathfinder asks, turning his head away and blushing. "Around the chest area, I mean."
"Huh?" Hamilton was completely confused.
And then, the realization hit her. She blushes furiously as her heart begins to beat faster.
"Oh my!" She exclaims in embarrassment before looking away and then shyly asks. "Do you... like looking at girls' breasts? You seem rather... happy and excited when you see mine. Tell me the truth. R-resorting to violence over something so trivial isn't really my style."
"I-I..." He stutters but closes his mouth and sighs in defeat, knowing that lying could backfire. "Yes. I love them."
"O-Okay..." She nods in understanding.
Then, to the boy's surprise, Hamilton grabs his right hand and plants it on one of her revealing breasts.
"W-What are you doing??" Articho questions nervously.
"Offering you my body." She shyly blushes, keeping his hand firmly on her left melon.
"Wait, what?!" He exclaims. "And this is part of your empire's customs?!"
But before the young woman can continue, the twins rushed into the living room.
"Whoa, whoa, whoaaaa! Time out!" Arisa yells. "You there! Release my husband's hand from your boobies!"
"You're a lifesaver, Ari!" Her husband sighs in relief.
"Anything for you." The Supreme Kai of Time smiles before expressing a serious face towards the bob cut ginger-haired girl. "And as for you, I won't ask again."
"I cannot disregard my people's way of tradition." Hamilton shakes her head, refusing to let go.
"Your 'tradition' is obviously a BS law passed by a bunch of fucking perverts in your outdated government!" Ruiko angrily points out, trying to release the Golden Rose's hold on the boy's hand that's gripping tightly on her left breast, causing it to be accidentally squeezed.
"AHHHHH." The bob cut ginger-haired girl softly moans.
"Is that a moan I hear?" The urban legend hunter mischievously grins.
Articho and Arisa know that all-too-familiar look on the long black-haired girl's face, along with the way she's talking. But it was too late to stop her as Ruiko has already started pulling on her husband's hand that's gripped tightly on Hamilton's left breast, squeezing it several times and causing her victim to softly moan over and over.
Meanwhile, Misaki was watching it all go down as she pokes her head into the living room, giggling in amusement towards those she regards as the siblings she never had.
"Quite an amusing sight, girls." The Ai Hoshino lookalike comments with an innocent smile. "Wouldn't you agree?"
Those who have secret feelings for Articho within Aqours were NOT amused in any way. Febrie and the children, meanwhile, have their eyes closed by Kanan, Mari, and Dia. As well as their ears to block any pleasurable moans they might hear.
"You sure you're not Ai Hoshino? Or her twin?" Riko questions her with a deadpan expression. "Last I checked, she's an only child that was abandoned at an orphanage before her rise as a professional idol."
This made Mental Out laugh, confusing the girls.
"That's a good question." She admits. "Though, I can say that I've made her personality as my own. Mostly."
"What do you mean 'mostly'?" Mari questions.
"As a child, I was a huge fan of hers." Misaki reveals with a sad smile on her face. "Like so many others. That is, until her untimely murder at the hands of crazed fanatic. She had only been two decades old for a whole week, and now? Well, she never did get the chance to live a good life. I thought that by taking up her personality, I'd be honoring Ai's legacy."
"But you're not so sure, aren't you?" Chika asks with a sympathetic face.
"Quite the perceptive one, coming from the great Chika Takami herself." Misaki giggles and then looks at Mari, Yō, and Yoshiko. "By the way, shouldn't you three be in the kitchen already? Food's not gonna cook itself, you know."
Aqours' three personal chefs all paled in horror before dashing off into the kitchen, which made their friends chuckle.
"Hey, has anyone seen Honoka and the others?" Hanamaru wonders, noticing that the people she's talking about aren't present.
"Checking up on Eli." Misaki answers. "She's in stable condition. Though, I should let you know that she requires rest."
"Oh, okay." Dia and Ruby said in unison, lowering their heads.
"She's been through a lot." She places her hands on both siblings' shoulders. "Understand that it's not the right time to meet your idol."
"We understand." Dia slowly nods. "Do you have any leads on who sent her, other than the Neo-Sith Empire?"
"That's what I'm gonna discuss with Articho right now." She assures her. "After all, he's like the older brother I never had."
Articho and Hamilton sat beside each other once more, as the latter covered her chest out of humiliation and embarrassment due to the red blush still on her cheeks.
"Come on, Ruiko." Arisa sighs, tired of her twin's antics. "How many times do I need to tell you to NOT use our husband as your personal plaything?"
"Oh that's rich, coming from the girl who banned me from flipping up Kazari's skirt for fun." Ruiko snorts at the pink-haired girl's hypocrisy. "How many times have YOU been hoarding your 'Champion' for yourself?"
"My, my." The Supreme Kai of Time angrily grins. "You sure know how to piss off people like me. Sadly, you're still not in my league."
"No, but I'm still your eldest." The urban legend hunter crosses her arms.
"That's funny." Arisa bursts out laughing. "I could've sworn that I'm the older girl here. I was 75 million years old in my old body that couldn't sexually reproduce."
"Age's just a fucking number!" Ruiko snaps in retaliation to her younger twin's mocking. "I'm CLEARLY the more mature sister here."
"Oh Kami, please just kill me now." Articho groans and facepalms in annoyance, as both twins continue arguing.
"Should we...?" Hamilton begins to ask nervously with a sweatdrop.
"Don't bother." He shakes his head with a hand covering his upper face. "I've no intention of getting involved in a pissing contest between siblings with one of them being a time goddess."
"And this is normal to you?" She further questions.
"Unfortunately." He deadpans. "That's why Kinuho and Maaya are still my personal favorites. Aside from Junko, of course."
He then notices Misaki in the background, gesturing her head for an important talk with her.
"Make your way to the dining room for some dinner." He says to the bob cut ginger-haired girl, getting out of his seat from the couch. "There's something I need to do."
"Hmm?" She wonders.
"Much as I want to keep talking with you, I've got my own issues to deal with that require my attention." He says before leaving the living room. "Have a good night."
'What the hell was that about?' Hamilton thought, confused yet again. "Well…. Uh… Good night."
The Pathfinder nods before heading towards his sister figure.
"I think I know how we can find out more about the Sith." Misaki says. "Inside Eli's memories, she was tasked to aid one of their allies. A former U.S. Colonel named Leland Bishop, otherwise known as-"
"Silas." Articho finishes her sentence with a frown at the all-too-familiar alias.
"You know him?" She raises an eyebrow out of curiosity.
"Kinuho, and I had a few run-ins with him while we were aiding the Autobots every now and then." He explains with his arms crossed. "According to his military record, he was discharged after the U.S. government learned he built a superweapon that's currently made illegal by the U.N. He then founded MECH, a pro-human terrorist group with the goal to create a 'newer world order' through the application of advanced technology by stealing it no matter the cost. And now you're telling me that he's somehow allied with the Sith of all people. This just keeps getting fucking better and better."
"We don't know how long he's been involved with them, but one thing's for sure is that he might have some insight on whether or not his new allies are here." She shakes her head.
"And since he's also an enemy to Autobots and Decepticons alike, any data Silas and MECH have on their Cybertronian biology and advanced tech he'd share with the Neo-Sith Empire could compromise the temporary alliance that Optimus and Megatron desperately forged in order to stop Unicron." He adds.
"AND their usual M.O. states that the Neo-Sith Empire follows Darth Bane's Rule of Two." Shutaura also adds as she joins in on the conversation. "Not just having two Sith Lords at a time, but also operating from behind the scenes. They won't risk exposing the existence of the multiverse without starting a war that would destroy them. Then again, the Bots and Cons are aware that the multiverse is real since the Maximals and Predacons came from an alternate timeline that was wiped from existence in our universe by Unicorn obviously."
"All the more reason why we need to stop him and fast." The Pathfinder points out. "Evolving into consuming entire timelines within a universe is a game-changer for him."
"But getting back on the subject here, how exactly do we find this 'Silas'?" His long black-haired half-sister questions. "Since he's former military, we're dealing with a pro who knows how to cover his tracks pretty good. Too good, honestly."
"Perhaps..." Misaki slyly smirks. "Yoshio Baba can enlighten us on where Silas is."