Act 1, Chapter 4 - Ginza Aftermath
Three Days Later...
Academy City
August 11, 2026
3:15 P.M.
It's been three whole days since the Ginza incident, as Japan and its independent city-state Academy City saw everything. From television to social media to photos. Even their allies from the US saw it as well. Especially the Autobots and Decepticons, to which Articho had to keep them out of human affairs in a desperate effort to prevent the two warring factions from slitting each other's throats so that they can focus more on cooperatively preparing for the inevitable return of Unicron.
Now the countries of the world fear that a new war will soon begin, as cities like San Francisco and Hong Kong, for example, have yet to be fully rebuilt since everyone is still recovering from several Titan incidents that occurred in the last three years when Godzilla first appeared, forcing Monarch to publicly reveal everything there is to know about him and the rest of the Titan species.
"...And so, in the face of an emergency of such ferocity and magnitude, his response was immediate without any regard for his own life and safety." A government official on TV announced. "The hero of Ginza and a hero of Nijubashi, the people of Japan will always honor you for your service and the lives you've saved."
The audience - mostly the press and politicians - clapped for Itami's selfless achievements, and thus he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant within the JSDF. Unfortunately, the 33 year old soldier didn't look too pleased as he looked up at the ceiling in frustration and a few tears in his eyes. All because he didn't get the chance to visit the annual anime/manga convention he spent months saving money for since joining the military is considered a second priority and the only revenue making job he could find to keep up with his personal hobbies that are his first priority. You heard right: the Hero of Ginza himself is a life long otaku. Who knew?
"Are you alright?" The official asks, a little concerned.
"I'm good." Itami quickly answers. "Just got something in my eye!"
The TV was abruptly shut off via a remote control as Articho tossed it on the table in the Acceledrome's briefing room before dropping down in his seat, sighing.
"His hobbies should be the least of his worries." Articho mutters, facepalming at the soldier's pathetic reasons for joining the Japanese military in the first place.
"At least he has hobbies." A girl with pink hair and pink eyes admits, spooking her husband by her sudden visit as she casually wears the same strapless pink dress and pair of slip-on peep toe high heels he bought for her three years ago.
This is Arisa Meigo, first lover of Articho and the reincarnation of the former Supreme Kai of Time named Chronoa. As well as another hybrid Saiyan. And she doesn't seem too pleased about the incident in Tokyo's Ginza district.
"Arisa!" He exclaims, completely surprised by her presence. "What are you doing down here??"
"Just visiting." She innocently smiles before it turned into anger. "Or should I say... What the fuck were you even thinking?! Just how careless can you be after so many years of bragging about always covering your tracks?! And now your little showboating in Tokyo is posted all over social media! YouTube, Twitter, Facebook! Ten steps ahead my ass!"
"That stunt of mine was a little reminder to the Cons on how pointless it is to go up against me." Articho cooly explains.
"Riiight." She crosses her arms, unconvinced. "But setting that aside, I heard that you'll be sharing your findings in Ginza to the city's governing board today. Only that was an hour ago. So why aren't you already meeting with them? You know how important this is."
"And does it look like I give a damn?" He scoffs in his seat. "Unless we're planning to talk to Unicron to death when he shows up soon, the governing board is a waste of time."
"They're just scared." She argues. "No one's seen what you've seen. You've discovered that the Catalyst and the Reapers are reverse-engineered technology belonging to Unicron. Hell, you spoke to him! You've seen what he plans to do to our universe and beyond. You know this enemy better than anyone, even the Autobots and Decepticons."
"That why Trunks decided to share the patent of Capsule tech to the world in these dark times?" Articho questions.
"You know that's not true." Arisa scoffs. "When you blew up the Bermuda Islands, hundreds of thousands of innocent people died!"
"It was that or let Unicron and his undead armies walk through our back door." He deadpans.
"I know that, Articho." She sighs frustratingly. "If it wasn't for that, you would've been declared a war criminal, hunted down, and left to rot in a cell."
"That, and your good word?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I trust you, Articho." She nods. "Always have been. And so does the governing board."
"I'm just a soldier, Ari." He points out. "Even when we used to be Time Patrollers. But I'm no politician."
"And I used to be a popstar." She sarcastically remarks. "More importantly, I used to be - and still am at heart - the Supreme Kai of Time."
"Your point?" He questions.
"My point is that i don't need you to be either." She says. "I just need you to do whatever the hell it takes to help us stop a monster like Unicron from consuming all of existence across the multiverse."
"And what?" He questions again. "Tell them we experienced a series of bad dreams? I doubt they'll even try to listen for once."
"Articho..." She sighs. "The board isn't always right. That's why, as one of its members, I'm asking you to do this. If not for me, do it for your children."
"I don't know how you do it, but..." He sighs in defeat. "Alright. We'll do it your way then."
"Have faith, my love." She reassures as she sits on her husband's lap and caresses his cheek.
"Don't I ever?" He jokingly questions.
Eventually, the two lean in for a kiss as their lips lock in and stick their tongues inside each other's mouths, moaning in ecstasy.
Later...
3:30 P.M.
School District 24. Established and built at the epicenter of Academy City following the collapse of the old government three years prior. Now, it is the central hub between economic trade and politics. And at its center is none other than the Silver Tower, where the governing board would endlessly debate over the condition of their sovereign and independent city-state, as well as any matters that they're willing to help any of the Earth's countries through humanitarian deeds.
Arriving at the top of the Silver Tower via elevator, Articho and Arisa - who is now in her normal clothes - walk towards a door leading into the governing board's meeting chamber. The doors slide open, where four of its five board members - in total - are discussing an important matter with their top scientist and another of Articho's hybrid Saiyan wives: Ryouko Kuriba, age 17 and has her entire original appearance - prior to the Doppelganger experiment - already restored. Other than Arisa, one of its members is the General Superintendent himself: Tadashi Shinomya, father of Kuroko Shirai and the youngest chairman in Academy City history.
"With all due respect, Chairman Shinomya, our classified medical research outposts continue to be raided by MECH." A board member argues. "And every day, my sources confirm that the Decepticons have been orchestrating these raids in an effort to gain more and more political power on Earth."
Haruki Aritomi, ex-founder of the disbanded Dark Side faction STUDY and its corporation front that was behind the Chemicaloid Project three years prior, husband to Shinobu Nunotaba and foster father to the artificial human girl Janie, and currently a member of Academy City's governing board - as he expressed his growing concern regarding the Decepticon threat.
"Director Aritomi, as I've said countless times before, the evidence we have to discredit Megatron and his followers would only prove to be useless, as they'll just continue to deny responsibility." Tadashi reminds the young board member. "Collaborating with pro-human terrorists like MECH isn't their M.O."
"So what?" He questions. "Their leader suddenly has a change of heart towards humanity? I find that really hard to believe."
"Megatron is only playing nice with the rest of the world because he knows that enslaving humans outright wouldn't benefit his plan to take over the Earth in the long run." The Superintendent calmly explains. "And according to what Optimus and the Autobots know about him, he's both a skilled gladiator and a cunning political idealist. With millions of years of experience, I might add."
"And his willingness to cross certain lines to obtain victory." Aritomi shot back. "Hell, a growing number of second and third world countries - including China, Russia, North Korea, and Afghanistan - are welcoming Decepticon support under the guise of several 'humanitarian endeavors', as everyone here in this room is already aware of."
Everyone grimaced at the grim reminder of Megatron's past deeds that still have a lingering effect to this day.
"Which I'm sure everyone is happily approving." Articho sarcastically remarks, as he and Arisa walked in.
"Articho, Miss Meigo." Aritomi greets as he adjusts his glasses back in place. "Nice of you to join us."
"Director." Arisa greets back with a bow before taking her seat as a board member, where five seats circle the room that almost resembles the High Council chamber at the Jedi Temple.
"And while I haven't always agreed with Aritomi, he's right about the things Megatron is capable of." Articho speaks, briefly eying at the young man in glasses. "However, he and his Cons aren't the threat we should be worrying right now."
"Unicron." Aritomi utters, as the other board members - except Arisa and Tadashi - groaned in annoyance.
Fortunately, Aritomi is willing and competent enough to listen to what Articho and those who believe in the existence of a robot devil say since he spared his life once.
"Continue." Tadashi gestures toward his son-in-law.
"Must we rehash this debate again?" One of the two opposing board members questioned, growing tiresome of the topic.
"We must and we will." The Superintendent whispers before raising his voice. "If you can't see the advantage of being owed a debt by the Pathfinder, I despair for both our city and humanity's future!"
The opposing board members chose to stand down, as they're already outvoted on whether or not they should listen to Articho or not.
"Continue, Articho." He nodded towards the 18 year old.
"As Doctor Kuriba and I have been trying to explain, Unicron has been attempting to return to the physical realm of our reality." Articho continues. "And because Megatron has zero interest in ruling over the dead, he's smart enough to swallow his pride and form a temporary alliance with Optimus Prime between the Decepticons and the Autobots. Because in tales of old that predates Cybertron's Golden Age, Unicron is the literal incarnation of destruction. Chaos, if you would."
"Do we have any evidence of Unicron's supposed existence?" One of the board members questioned.
"Dark Energon." Ryouko speaks up, projecting its data - via her Omni-tool - in holographic form. "It's Unicron's very lifeblood and what controls the undead. Just as regular Energon is to Primus and all Cybertronians alike. Autobots and Decepticons as well."
"Your findings suggest that a pocket of Dark Energon was found beneath the Bermuda." He reads a report in his hand. "And this data explains that there was enough of this stuff to transport either Unicron or his zombified armies into our world, correct?"
"The one and the same." Arisa confirms, vouching for her friend.
"Our findings also suggest that he's already transcended physical form." Ryouko added. "And according to what was foretold in the Covenant of Primus, he was defeated and banished by both Primus and the Thirteen."
"The Thirteen?" The other skeptical board member questions.
"The original Primes that preceded Optimus, sir." She clarifies.
"You idiots really need to do your homework." Articho bluntly says, shaking his head with an amusing shrug.
"Ahem!" His black and white haired wife glares at him.
"Shutting up now." He quickly says.
"Which leads into the here and now." She continues, now showing different scientific charts and equations. "Although we temporarily prevented his imminent return, it won't be long before he finds another way back from the Dead Universe and finishes what he has started many eons ago."
"Do we have any preparations ready for this?" Tadashi asked.
"As of right now, our resources and what little manpower we have left in Academy City are still spread thin." Ryouko shakes her head. "And with the very recent incident in Tokyo's Ginza District..."
"There's always something, isn't there?" Tadashi sighs knowing full well of the recent tragedy. "Not to mention that both our people and those from the outside world are continuing to lose more faith in the City of Science with each passing day. Can't say that I blame them, given that our advanced civilization was built on the lies and personal vendettas of my late predecessor."
"Speaking of Ginza, we read the reports regarding an attempted invasion that you stopped." Aritomi changes topics. "Armored centurions resembling that of the ancient Roman Empire, as well as dragons you call Wyverns, and mythical creatures resembling Orcs. Almost sounds like something straight out of an old storybook."
"We live in a universe where the impossible is possible." Articho shrugs. "At this point, our world may be one big fantasy itself."
"Fair point." He nods. "From what we've heard on the morning news, the Japanese government started calling the structure - that these primitives came out of - the Gate. At least, from what the surviving soldiers they've managed to imprison and somehow interrogate successfully."
"Well, those soldiers were speaking in an unknown variation of Latin." Articho casually admits, catching the governing board by surprise.
"Interesting… have you manage to learn anything from them?" One of them asked in curiosity.
"Kazari's managed to hack into the JSDF's camera feeds to learn as much as we could without risking an international incident." Articho explains. "But with Soundwave listening into every communication device on the planet, I've no doubt the Cons would be very interested in where these particular humans came from."
"Were you able to make out what those soldiers were saying?" Arisa asks. "I'm guessing the Latin we're used to speaking proved to be useless."
"Unfortunately." He sighs frustratingly. "The pronunciations from their spoken dialect became so contradicting with the other Latin variations, in which we know of in human history, that I had to resort to using a translator app and piece together what they're saying. Humiliating, really."
"And?" Aritomi asks. "What is it that you propose?"
"The list of allies on Earth are growing thin thanks to the cunning machinations of Megatron, and we can't ask for the Autobots' support without risking the US in violating several treaties with other countries that are many decades old." Articho points out. "Too much is already at stake."
"However, the other day in Ginza has given us a few... ideas, to say the least." Ryouko adds, as everyone perked up with interest. "It's a long shot, I know, but the data we gathered and analyzed from the Gate - as well as the invasion force that came from the other side of it - suggests that their magic is much different compared to our world's since humanity has relied more and more on technology over the ages. It made our lives too easy."
"Ryouko, you're doing it again." Articho deadpans at her somewhat uncontrollable habit of being completely technical as a scientist.
"Right, sorry." She shakes her head before clearing her throat. "My best conclusion is that our otherworldly visitors are better attuned in the arcane arts than even the strongest magicians of our world. Perhaps we should look into forming an alliance with them if we are to have any chance against Unicron."
"She's right." Articho agrees. "I'm not expecting you to jump in without a plan, but Unicron is still coming. He's already evolved beyond eating just planets and every living creature in existence. If we don't put aside our differences and work together, then what chance - no... what HOPE do we have against this monstrous threat? Strength through unity and trust is the ONLY path we must take. For the greater good of the universe."
"So what you're suggesting is… an expedition?" Tadashi asks with a hint of interest in his voice.
"Yes." The Pathfinder nods. "We only ask that you spare us any muscle left for this mission."
The governing board all looked at each other on what they should do. The two members that previously denied Unicron's existence, however, shook their heads at Aritomi, as they disagree on the boy's idea and would rather continue focusing on securing any remaining assets needed to keep their city-state intact.
"Let's put it to a vote then." Tadashi offers. "Those who agree to the expedition raise your right hand. Those who oppose, raise your left."
Tadashi and Arisa immediately raised their right hands, while the opposing members raised their left. However, Aritomi is conflicted. On one hand, he wants to support Articho. He really does. After all, the Pathfinder's eldest daughter shares a close friendship with his wife and the daughter that they've artificially created and adopted together. But on the other hand, the other two members of the board are right about focusing all their efforts in keeping Academy City alive. Economically and politically.
Aritomi then sighs in defeat, finally making a decision.
"I'm sorry, Articho." He apologizes with a hint of regret. "As much as I want to support you, I'm afraid that it's not possible. Not while our people and this city continue to face an economic and political crisis from both the Decepticons and the outside world. The best I can offer is my moral support to you and Doctor Kuriba."
"I hold no blame towards you, Aritomi." Articho says as he lightly shakes his head. "We all have to make the toughest choices in our lifetimes, so it should be them that I'm more disappointed in."
"Then... the decision has been made." Tadashi announces pinching the bridge of his nose disappointedly.
"We totally saw this one coming, if I'm gonna be frank here." Arisa rolls her eyes.
Soon after, Aritomi and the other members got out of their seats and left, leaving only Arisa and Tadashi as the only ones left in the room with Articho and Ryouko.
"Articho, meet in my office when you're done here." Tadashi orders before getting up from his seat and leaves the room as well.
"That went well." Ryouko sarcastically mutters aloud.
"Go easy on him, Ryouko." Articho says. "Aritomi has been through a lot. I'm sure he'll make a compromise with those two."
"And if he doesn't?" Arisa questions, as she gets out of her seat.
"He will." Their husband sternly assures. "But they're right about one thing. Academy City isn't as powerful as it used to be. Hell, there's barely any manpower left within Anti-Skill and Judgement's been disbanded for awhile now. Damn it, we really could use a Jedi right about now in these dark times."
"Kai has already moved on after we stopped Black from destroying the Book of Destiny, which almost collapsed the entire multiverse." The reincarnated Supreme Kai of Time points out with a heavy sigh. "And Cassus? Well... you know how stubbornly Mandalorian he can be, given that he's one of Canderous Ordo's - AND Revan's - last descendants."
"Ya know, I think I wanna pay a visit to Earth-0 and Earth-95 when the multiverse isn't at stake for a second time." Articho suggests. "See how those two are doing."
"That sounds nice." Ryouko smiles. "It probably has been a long time in their separate universes since they last saw all of us onboard the Absolution MK II.5."
"Who said I'd bring you along?" The Pathfinder raises an eyebrow at the teenage scientist. "You're not invited."
Ryouko and Arisa giggled, much to their husband's annoyance.
"Whatever." Articho shakes his head and walks toward the elevator outside the room. "I need to go meet up with Kuroko's dad downstairs."
"And in the meantime, I'll get everyone I can to the Acceledrome's briefing room immediately." She nods. "I think it's time we discuss our next move, now that the rest of the board of directors is a dead end for us."
"See you then." He nods back from inside the elevator before the doors shut behind his two wives.
"I need to get going, too." The pink haired girl informs her friend.
"Not joining us?" The black and white haired girl questions.
"I've got a street performance tonight." She explains, as she presses the button to call the elevator back up. "You guys are gonna have to start without me."
"They're a bunch of self-concerned jackasses, Articho!" The Superintendent rants frustratingly as he looks out from his office window. "We may have taken the city away from Aleister's dirty hands and do what we could to make it a better place than before, but their politics will always come first."
"How can they still be so blind?" Articho rhetorically questions, shaking his head in disappointment.
"They're scared and would only look out for themselves. That's what." He sighs, despite knowing it was a rhetorical question. "And thanks to the new policies we passed to this government, my power as Academy City's superintendent is limited."
"We got by without them, Chairman." The Pathfinder assures him. "I'm sure we can make due with what we have again."
"Always ten moves ahead." Kuroko's father chuckles."I take it that you have a plan, then."
"Sorta?" He scratches the back of his head. "You know about this initiative Ryouko kept running her mouth nonstop for the past few weeks? We've kinda hit a roadblock on our progress."
"How so?"
"The funds and resources, we've already got that covered." He explains. "Unfortunately, the crew for the Absolution is short-staffed. All of them being former UNSC and all."
"And?"
"AND the fact that the majority of them have retired to live a normal life, while the remaining crew members wanted to keep on going because being soldiers is all they know and that they see me as the only family they have left."
"That's loyalty, Articho." The Superintendent reminds him. "No one said commanding an entire ship and its crew would be easy."
"Noted."
"But I'm guessing there's more to this than just reaching the Special Region through interstellar travel, is there?"
"Special Region?" Articho questions.
"That's what the Japanese government have chosen to call it." Tadashi shrugs.
"Stupid name." The Pathfinder scoffs. "But anyway, we were hoping to not only make contact with the natives of that world, but also establish as the first colony outside of our solar system. If successful, then it's beginning proof to any advanced alien civilization in the galaxy that a 'primitive' species like humanity is more than capable and ready in establishing colonies on their own. The kind of proof to show how far we've come in such a short time."
"Do we know where this Special Region is?" The Superintendent further asks.
"Kazari's been following up on a lead that might or might not have some connection to our otherworldly invaders." He answers. "I'll forward you a report if anything concrete comes up."
"Good." His father-in-law nods. "Then I should let you get started on this initiative immediately. Was this Doctor Kuriba's idea, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Yes sir." He acknowledges.
"Tell her that she has my moral support as well." He says. "And if the other board of directors wish to remain unhelpful, they can burn in hell for all I care. We're not waiting for Unicron to come on our doorstep. We need allies, as we can't defeat him conventionally. That's an order."
"Affirmative." Articho nods before leaving the room. "I'll be in touch."
"Just one more question before you go." He stops him."What exactly will you call this program?"
The boy smirks at his question and is glad that he asked.