February 1 2024, Operation Unmasked world (opening phase)
Touka and Iroha stare at each other for several moments before the latter breaks the silence. "Oh, a ghost!"
"I am not a ghost! I am Touka!" Touka screams at Iroha.
To which Iroha counters with. "You can be a ghost AND Touka."
Which actually leaves the young genius stunned at the point raised. "That's actually a fair point..." After shaking her head she continues her freak out and then says. "I mean, basically using alien technology I managed to transcend death and come back in a cybernetic body. So i'm not a ghost."
"But a ROBOT ghost!"
"You're quite perky for someone who was hanging from the ceiling not to long ago."
"Well i'm just thinking that this is all a dream." Iroha mentions. "Either that or i'm dead and this is heaven." The comment getting a slap to the head from Touka. "This is a really vivid dream!" Iroha mutters with tears in her eyes.
As the days passed and the platoon readied their new base alongside their new unexpected guest. They prepared to launch their next move. During that time Iroha got accustomed to everyone and finally understood that Touka wasn't a ghost. Which took some considerable effort from everyone's part. Of course at that time other less benevolent forces were also making their move. In a certain modeling agency in Kamihama a young girl in a hood accompanied by two girls in suits and shades were visiting a certain person. A young model known as Yachiyo Nanami.
"As you can see we've had our eye on you for quite some time now, Mr. Nanami." Kuro the hooded exposits as the girls in suits corner and surround Yachiyo while she is alone in her dressing room. "It seems that you've been living two lives. In one life you're Yachiyo Nanami a model for a respectable fashion brand. You have a social security number. You pay your taxes. And you... Help your landlady carry out her garbage."
Yachiyo responds with. "Did anyone tell you that parodying the Matrix isn't cool anymore?" In a snarky and rebellious manner which gets her a fist to the face by Kuro's minions as she continues her speech with the same deadpan expression.
"The other life is lived in alleyways... As a magical girl... And are guilty of virtually every magical crime we have a law for. One of these lives has a future. And one of them does not. I'm going to be as forthcoming as can be Mr. Nanami. You're here... Because we need your help.
Chapter 10: Eden raid
The mahou driver system. Originally an attempt to replace body parts with virtual replicas composed of digital material. This digital material was meant to prevent rejection and serve as a way to rapidly standardize medical equipment. But its ability to enhance body and mind soon found a new purpose on the battlefield. It is now the year Second history 8932, The so called singularity has long become a thing of legend and myth. And a new civilization has risen from the ashes of the old.
Jun 21 s.h. 8392, Acorn castle, South island
Inside the pristine halls of Acorn castle. Princess Sally Acorn and Nicole walk across the hallways of the castle main hall to reach the throne room where the king awaited. As the two leaders of the resistance entered the room they met with King Nigel Acorn in his throne. A middle aged ground squirrel anim sitting in a throne with a blue suit and small golden crown sipping on a cup of warm tea. He looked at his daughter as she and Nicole bowed down as a sign of traditional respect.
King Nigel Acorn
King of the Mobians
Nigels theme
Hyrule King appears, The Legend of Zelda the Wind Waker ost
"Greetings father." Sally says as she and Nicole get up from their bowing stance.
"Greetings my dear! It's been a long time since we've seen each other!" King Nigel remarks in a jovial mood.
After spending time catching up on the situation and of recent events Sally, Nicole, and King Nigel are discussing about the Skypatrol and how to get to Angel island.
"I see, so the Skypatrol's core has been damaged. And you need another way to get into the air." King Nigel muses. "There is always the Freedom Fighter special."
Sally remembering the old plane comments. "Does it still fly?"
"While it hasn't been used in a while it should still do a serviceable job in getting you to Angel island and back." King Nigel remarks. "Also have Alias, Layer and Pallet been behaving?"
"Layer is still stripping in public but Alias and Pallet are doing well." Sally responds with a smile.
Nigel sighs in annoyance. "Really those three are supposed to be taking care of you as your handmaidens. Not the other way around. Still I suppose I should be proud that my girl grew up to be a responsible monarch." Nigel comments with a smile embarrassing his daughter just a bit.
Jul 2 s.h. 8392, Emerald hill, Westside island
Back in the present time. The Freedom fighter special. An old rickety crimson seaplane from before the great war was being delivered by the Mechanix, Heavy and Bomb. A large silver weight with arms and legs with two bulbous black shoulders. And a tiny black bomb with arms and legs and a red eye sensor. The Mechanix were robots built by Eggman that were rejected due to 1) Being self aware 2) Being useless in their original tasks of killing Sonic and company. So Eggman essentially abandoned them until they were repurposed as mechanics by the Kingdom of Acorn some time later.
As the Mechanix duo step off the cargo ramp in the back of the FF special. The plane itself jolts from being under Heavy's considerable weight. Further worrying Madoka, Cream, and Cheese whom are the newer recruits to the Resistance. And especially the latter whom are all too familiar with the stories of the old clunker.
"Miss Sally no offense. But are you sure this piece of junk will fly?"
"Oh it'll fly lassie. It's not the smoothest of rides i'll admit. But it'll get the job done." Heavy comments in his distinctive heavy Scottish accent while Bomb replies with his typical beeping sounds.
"BEEP!"
"Ah that's right Bomb! Anyways we'll take care of fixing up the Skypatrol Tails so you get to doin what needs to be doin."
"Thanks you guys!" Tails remarks. "By the way me and Knuckles have been wondering. Can you convert the energy core of the Skypatrol to house the Master Emerald just in case."
"BEEP!"
"Yeah sure! What Bomb said. But why?"
Knuckles interjects stating. "We might just need to need a place to store the Master Emerald. And as much as I hate to admit it. Better here with me than in Angel island with those cultists."
"Anyways we three are gonna go to Angel island to see if we can free Angel island. And if we can't to at least get the Master Emerald back." Sonic mentions.
With Madoka interjecting. "Don't you mean four? I mean you need me to use the Arc."
After several moments of hesitation. Tails is forced to admit that Madoka has a point. "Sadly Madoka has a point. Right now we don't really have the time or resources to test the limits of the driver so it would be for the best if she comes with us. At least she can defend herself somewhat unlike Chris."
Sonic relents but mentions that Madoka is gonna have to learn some basic self defense to which she agrees to. While Amy and the rest go and search for the rest of the resistance. Heavy shows them a datapad involving recent rumors in the net. And points Amy to Metal harbor where Antoine and Bunny were visiting as dignitaries for the kingdom during the debut of a new Waltzer prototype that GUN was showing off. The rumors were that a certain monster of unknown origin made mincemeat of the prototype and then destroyed the intercepting security force that tried to stop it.
Inside the FF special. Sonic and Tails is preparing the plane for takeoff while Madoka looks around the old bird. Curious about its reputation she basically asks about its past. "Say why is everyone saying bad things about this plane?"
Sonic replies. "Well it's old, and full of mold. And it shakes like crazy as well."
"Well the Tornado is an old plane as well." Madoka replies.
Tails stops at that moment and angrily states. "Don't call my baby old! Looks ain't everything after all Madoka. Just because it looks like an old biplane doesn't mean the insides are that of an old biplane. I've out flown IFS carriers not the local GUN ones mind you. I mean the mainlander variants from Center."
"Okay Han Solo!" Sonic remarks. "We all know you're the best pilot in the galaxy. So cut us some slack."
Tails quiets down and continues to work with the plane which turns on for a moment and begins to warm up its engines. "All right looks like we're good to go! Can you get Knuckles here so we can take off?"
Sonic and Madoka agree and set off to grab the guardian but before that they meet up with Amy and Cream.
"So you're actually going?" Cream worriedly mentions. Cheese close by looks at the FF Special with doubt and suspicion.
With Amy reassuring the young rabbit and chao. "Don't worry you guys! Sonic will take care of everything! You hear that Sonic?!"
"Yeah, and you better take care of things on your end as well." Sonic replies as the two hedgehogs land a high five.
Somewhere above the skies of Mobius
The Freedom Fighter Special is finally in the air later in the day. Using Knuckles to track down the location of Angel island and the Master emerald. Team Sonic heads to a cloudy area under the echidna's direction. As the seaplane wobbles in the sky causing several complaints from Madoka. Knuckles explains how they are going to get inside the island.
"Basically we're gonna have to land in Hydro city."
"Great..." Sonic replied in a very sarcastic tone.
"What are you complaining about Sonic?" Tails complained. "At least there are bubble shields in there unlike in Labyrinth and Aquatic ruin."
"We do not talk about Labyrinth Zone, Tails." Sonic replied with a tinge of fear in his soul.
"Anyways there is a place that we can use as a landing strip that can fit the special. That i'm pretty sure that Kyubey guy hasn't got to yet." Knuckles comments. "It's a long shot but it's better than nothing."
"Better than nothing?" Madoka asks acting as the voice of reason of the group.
To which Tails quickly counters with. "Well it's either the long shot or landing in the surface and risk getting shot, boarded, and turned into Skullraisers."
Sonic adds. "Normally the three of us could handle anything that Kyubey could toss out. But what about you?" Madoka is left completely silent as she is unable to form an argument. "Then Hydro city it is."
The group finally reaches Angel island which has changed considerably during the short time Knuckles had been away. Having been turned into a floating fortress by the Calamity Homu and its forces to the horror of everyone. What was once a tropical island is now a decaying castle ground full of domes, weaponry, and ongoing construction in several areas including the mountains. Essentially the island was being turned into a gigantic battle weapon for the calamity. A flying fortress not unlike something Eggman would cook up.
Knuckles could barely contain his rage upon seeing his home being desecrated in such a manner. Essentially telling Tails to hurry up so he can personally bury that fat nerd under the ground for all he has done. And as the FF special enters Angel island's airspace the Calamitous ones anti air defenses activate and start firing at the plane. Tails manages to barely dodge the blasts as the plane is grazed by energy blast after energy blast as it crosses the rotting jungle and into a giant series of waterfalls where the FF special seemingly disappears. Unaware that Tails managed to pilot the bulky plane into the depths of Hydro city an underground aquatic sewer city that lies underneath Angel island. And is essentially the islands aqueducts. Even though he is forced to land the plane in the water. But as a sea plane it manages to stay afloat in the large reservoir and eventually park it in a port.
Kyubey meanwhile was watching the whole affair from his "throne." (Chuckles the echidna's broken and battered body.) In the shrine of the Master Emerald. "Well I see the defensive perimeter needs work. Skullraisers! Search the jungle and find the plane! I want any survivors kissing my ass by sundown!"
"Why are you doing this?" Chuckles asks of his captor.
"Revenge puny animal. Ever since I was banished from the hive mind. It's all i've lived for. Revenge for the humiliation i've endured. For us incubators emotions are considered a disease. Yet I have been forced to endure them for thousands of years thanks to the Calamity Homu. But when she awakens she will be vulnerable. When she awakens I can kill her!" Kyubey then relaxes and falls asleep on top of Chuckles who collapses unable to withstand the weight of the incubator inside the armored battle body.
"This guy is gonna kill me..." Chuckles complains before also passing out from the pain as well.
Hydro city zone
Team Sonic has disembarked their plane and are exploring one of Hydro city's many massive water reservoirs. The place itself is a gigantic ancient underground greco roman city where underground piping full of water connects the entire island.
"So I don't suppose that it's a straight shot to Holy summit?" Sonic comments as he looks at the surrounding area.
"It should be." Knuckles said. "The problem is that Kyubey turned my fellow islanders into monsters and they are probably holed up in Pachacamac where the exit is. Also I want to stop by Azure lake."
"The racetrack? What for?" Sonic asks.
"I'm worried about a friend there. Besides we can get to Holy summit directly from Azure lake. And it won't be that hard on the newbie."
"Then lead the way Knucklehead." Sonic orders as the foursome takes the Echidna's lead through the complex sewer system avoiding confrontation with the Skullraisers and other defense systems as they move along. With Knuckles knowledge of the island allowing them to stay a step ahead of the invaders.
"Reminds me of the old days when Tails and were searching for Eggman in this island." Sonic remarks.
"Yeah and I was trying to kick you two out." Knuckles comments. "Never would have thought things would end up like this." Knuckles flips a switch opening a secret wall that leads the group to a cave connecting to Azure lake. As the group trek across the damp recesses until reaching the light of the day. Where they find what should be grassy field with a giant blue lake in the middle. Now has been turned into a dead wasteland with the lake being emptied out to serve as a dumping ground for garbage and waste. Another noticeable feature is the skeletal corpse of a large dinosaur like creature tied up in chains like an exhibit that Knuckles quickly recognized and ran to.
"NO!"
Sonic and the others went to Knuckles who is actually on his knees crying at the sight of the corpse. With Madoka asking if that was his friend. To which Knuckles responds with a yes introducing the group to the Jaws of death. Or what's left of it after it was killed by Juggernaut. And left here to rot as a display to those who would oppose the Calamitous ones.
"Damn! Even Eggman wouldn't do something this dark!" Sonic comments horrified by the incubator's petty cruelty.
Suddenly the group is caught by Skullraiser workers. Who are basically Skullraisers only with shovels, baggy brown overalls, and yellow helmets with flashlights. Which Knuckles in a fit of anger immediately goes to town on beating them senseless. Only stopping when they de-transform back into echidna's from the town including Dende much to Knuckles horror. As more Raisers show up this time armed and willing to fire. The team is forced to retreat with Sonic grabbing both Madoka and Knuckles and being forced alongside Tails into a full run towards Holy summit.
Meanwhile Kyubey is alone in a room with a microphone stall. When music begins to play specifically Diamond in the sky from Sonic R.
"And now it's Karaoke night! With me! Kyubey of Straybow! And now i'd like to dedicate this song to all the lady incubators out there! It's Diamond in the sky!"
Another day it's like a new beginning.
And so today, I know that's it's a new start.
I know the bad times are disappearing.
Cause now I know... That we'll never be apart!
"Ah, divest all that time and money into this home entertainment system was totally worth it." Kyubey thought to himself. "There is no way this will bite me in the ass later on."
You're the one who makes me feel so high!
Like a diamond in the sky! Just like a diamond in the sky.
I never want to hear you say goodbye! Just like a diamond in the sky.
You're the one that makes me feel so high!
Like a diamond in the sky!
I never want to hear you say goodbye! Just like a diamond in the sky.
Then a Skullraisers interrupts him with. "Lord Kyubey intruders!" And the incubator proceeds to force choke the Raiser to death and continue singing. Ignoring his subordinates warning completely.
Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are at time running to Holy summit with Madoka in tow. Being chased by Hunter class drone fighters. Man sized triangular hovering drones with a blaster on each side of the triangle. Which when flying at high speeds emit a particular buzzing sound. As the drones fire at Sonic and company they manage to dodge with typical nonchalance. Except Madoka who is holding on for dear life screaming her guts out.
"Well this is another nostalgic bit." Tails comments.
"Yeah and the lasers are slow and weak. Reminds me of the classic days." Sonic comments.
"Why are you all taking this so carefree?!" Madoka screams while pretty much in tears.
Tails launches rings in the air which are shot down by the Hunters and explode causing the drones to wig out and smash into each other. While Knuckles smashes the stragglers into a bunch and Sonic puts down Madoka for a moment before barreling into the bunch blowing up the lump of gooey metal into a rain of steel and gore.
"Well that was easy. Too easy." Knuckles remarks.
Tails looks at the wreckage and comments. "Yeah you would think the Calamitous ones would put more effort in defending this place. But all I see is half built security measures."
"Well it hasn't been that long since they took over right." Madoka mentioned.
"You're right, but still. Anyways let's keep going." Tails comments as Team Sonic resumes their journey having reached the foot of Holy summit at that point. The mountain being turned into a fortress of steel and the main base for Kyubey. Noticing that much of the construction work is currently automated. Tails figures that the living workers must have been sent to search for the FF special and are searching the jungle. With Sonic and Knuckles agreeing that its as good a time as any to head to the shrine now in that case. As the group climbs up the mountain they notice everything is in a state of half completion. Buildings, security systems, death traps, even doors and cameras seem half finished and easily dealt with.
"You don't think this is a trap Sonic?" Tails comments as the groups passes thru their fifth incomplete bottomless pit.
"This is too sloppy." Knuckles mentions. "Something is off."
As they searching they stumble into echidna village Pachacamac. Or what's left of it. Which has been mostly left demolished and forgotten. It's wood and stone houses rotting and decaying just like the rest of Angel island. Upon seeing this Knuckles could only clench his fists in sorrow as he realized that his home was basically gone at this point. He had failed his mission. Now all that's left is getting back the Master emerald. His friends try to comfort him but Knuckles simply brushes it aside.
"There's no time for this now... We need to get the Master Emerald back at least..."
The heroes pass thru the abandoned village and finally reach Holy summit. Where they met a pair of Muscle Raisers. Who are muscle bound Skullraisers with hammers who try to block Team Sonic's passage into the building. Only to be punched out of the way by a pissed off Knuckles who get unceremoniously chucked down the nearby cliff. As the rest of the team enters the building.
As Knuckles leads the group thru the hallways and into the shrine they finally reach their goal the Master emerald. They also find Chuckles, battered and bruised and chained to a wall so he couldn't escape. But he is ignored by Knuckles in favor of the giant gem which Team Sonic secures. By somehow shrinking it and putting it into Knuckles non existing pocket dimension.
"Yeah, I still have no idea how you do that Knuckles." Sonic honestly snarks.
To which Knuckles responds with "Magic, Sonic. Lazy Dreamcast writing magic."
"Hey what about me?" Chuckles complains as he struggles to break free when he is healed and released by Madoka.
"Are you alright Mr. Echidna?"
"Oh thank you sweetie!" Chuckles answers. "I was forced to serve as a throne for that horrible Kyubey. Forced to watch as he turned our people into monsters and... (Gack!) Chuckles was punted into the wall by an angry Knuckles who was dead set on confronting him.
"What did you say?!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't know! I thought he was joking when he said he granted wishes!"
"Wishes?"
"Yes! I wished to live so he turned all of the other echidnas into those monsters. Kyubey was his name. Then he tortured me and used me as a seat."
Knuckles dropped Chuckles like a bag and then gave the Master Emerald to Sonic. "Sonic take this and go back. I've got some business to take care of." The echidna searched thru the shrine until he found Kyubey who was still singing karaoke without a care in the world. With the room erupting in chaos with three giant bulky locomotive themed robots rising from the ground destroying much of the shrine. With Kyubey taking off in a fourth winged variant with thruster arms and a secondary smaller pair of arms that serve as rail guns.
"Well that almost bit me in the ass. Good thing I had this Wiccan trap set up beforehand." The Wiccan beta mechs start unloading their shoulder mounted missiles and arm mounted gattling guns at the rest of the shrine tearing it to shreds. All while the incubator gleefully watched from the air.
As the dust clears three lights. Blue, yellow, and red, stand firm strike at each of the Wiccan and fly into the sky combining into one with the red one on top, blue in the middle, and yellow in the bottom. Before transforming into a giant mecha version of Knuckles. A Getter-3 variant only with functional legs instead of treads.
Memorize! The time has come! Body! Mind! Heart! Arc!
Knuckles Arc
The body of power
Knuckles Arc theme
Deep Red: Shin Getter Robo
Knuckles Arc lands on the ground and roars furiously intimidating his opponents to the point where Kyubey sends a troop of Wiccan alpha's Motorcycle themed giant mechas who are more about speed and agility. Whom although are faster than Knuckles Arc are quickly overpowered and executed in a brutal fashion as all ten are torn to pieces in bloody and gruesome ways. Kyubey forces the Beta's to attack who gang up on Knuckles. Grabbing him, lifting him up, and power bombing him.
As the Beta's prepare to riddle the Arc with bullets Knuckles could only smirk. "You guys think that's enough to stop us?" As the Arc's upper half begins to spin rapidly and extend its arms like a spinning top. Not only getting up but slashing and wounding the Beta's with it's claws gouging them and causing them to bleed.
One of the three fires its missiles only for Knuckles to charge forward and leap towards the barrage. Spinning like a tornado he destroys the missiles and pierces clean thru the torso of the Beta causing it to explode. With the other two falling flat on their faces and firing at the air as Knuckles Arc glided thru the air. Knuckles landed on the ground and launched one of his fists at one of the Beta's head smashing it open while the sole survivor tried to go for close combat. Grappling its foe and trying to knee Knuckles in the legs. The latter overpowered the Beta and gave him a side kick back ripping off its arms as a consequence before tossing them away and punching it several times over until it fell on the ground and exploded.
Kyubey cheapshotted Knuckles Arc by dive bombing into him after finishing off the Beta and using his guns as a welding laser to try and open up his victim. "I'll cut you open you son of a bitch!" Knuckles spins his lower half kicking off Kyubey off him who fires off his rail guns hitting the echidna mech causing him to fall back. Kyubey flies to the place where Kyubey should be only to find nothing but a hole. Knuckles Arc then bursts out from another hole punching the flying Beta forcing it to crash. Knuckles Arc launches its arms and grabs the crashed Beta giving it a circle toss and chucking it into the village ruins.
Kyubey tries to reboot his Beta and stand up again only for the Freedom Fighter Special to appear from the sky and shoot it up a fair bit. Finally shutting down the Wiccan Beta once and for all as it erupts into flames and smoke.
The FF Special and Knuckles Arc meet up with Chuckles in the driver seat and Madoka communicating with the Arc. "Hello guys! We're here! Time to go!" Knuckles Arc then notices an army of enemies giving chase to the Special in hot pursuit and in agreement flies away with the Special. Separating into its components and entering the plane as it makes it way out of Angel Island thru a warp created by Madoka's bracelet. Suddenly with the Special and the Master Emerald gone. Angel island begins to plummet from the sky just when Kyubey finally gets out of his wrecked robot.
It was said that you could hear the incubator swear all the way as the island plummeted to the ocean floor.
As all the Calamitous forces recovered from their defeat Kyubey begins wondering how this all happened. "How? How did this happen?!"
With one Raiser simply stating that because he divested so much of the workforce into his karaoke project. There was no time to prepare a proper defense.
"How was I supposed to know that the enemy would strike back?! I thought Juggernaut was going to kill that echidna! And if Kuro finds out!"
"If I find what out?" Kuro asks as she teleports into the disaster area.
"Eep..." Kyubey squealed knowing he was very much screwed this time around.
The skies above Mobius
The FF Special reappears in the skies above Mobius with everyone inside the plane.
"So now you can teleport people now?" Sonic asks Madoka as the surprising rescue is completed.
"I guess so!" Madoka remarks with a smile. "Me and Chuckles managed to teleport to the plane somehow and get it to the village.
Knuckles asks. "But how did Chuckles know how to fly a plane?"
"Lazy Dreamcast writing magic." Chuckles responds.
Knuckles takes a look at the Master Emerald in his hand and comments. "Anyways let's go back. Looks like Chuckles and I are gonna be staying with you guys for a while."
"Anyways I want to take a look at that bracelet when we get back Madoka." Tails asks.
"I don't see why not. I also want to know what else it can do." The pinkette remarks as she and Tails both look at her driver which is currently inactive.
Lunar shrine, Moon
In an empty room with multiple curtains and a matted floor. Two young masked girls in shrine maiden clothing are alone in this giant void. One of the maidens a girl with blonde hair and a red ribbon with white and red clothing is playing her cello, an ancient driver known as Amaterasu for her partner a black haired maiden wearing white and purple with a yellow headband. Their masks based of oni.
"Himiko..." The black haired lunar maiden spoke. "That girl is awakening." As she draws her sword. Yet another ancient driver known as Tsukoyomi.
Kaon the Moon
Cardinal of the Moon
"I see Kaon-chan." The blonde in red answered. "It's a shame that the other administrators seem to have abandoned their calling for the sake of this world."
Himiko the Sun
Cardinal of the Sun
Kaon and Himiko's theme
Gods: New Getter Robo Vocal collection
"Honestly I don't care about the others." Kaon replied. "I'm doing all of this so we can live together Himiko. If this works. If the Professor is correct we will finally be able to have a world of our own. And I won't let that accursed Calamitous one ruin everything."
"Kaon-chan..." Himiko blurted as she sorrowfully stopped playing her cello.
To be continued...
And that's the end of Chapter 10. The chapter itself is named after a term from the manga Elemental Gelade. The Edel Raid/Eden Raid. And is a shout out to the manga series. If you're wondering why the Arc is so strong. It's because it's based on Getter Robo. And it's basically a Super Robot in an universe that follows the rules of Real Robot anime. So of course the Arc is going to start out overpowered.
Also another surprising revelation. Chikane and Himeko are revealed to be administrators of the Pandoras towers in the moon. Going by their Shattered Angels aliases Kaon and Himiko. They have their own agenda which will be revealed next chapter.
"Lazy Dreamcast writing magic" is a reference to Sonic Adventure 2 where Knuckles could somehow shrink the Master Emerald to the size of his fist for no apparent reason.