February 10 2024, Operation Unmasked world
Team Kagami in the end was unable to get a train to escape Kamihana. So they were forced to improvise. Stealing giant pushcarts made for demons and familiars and using their Waltzers to propel them. The brave explorers set off towards Mikitihara with one goal in mind.
"And they said giant humanoid weapons were pointless! That a tank or a plane would be more practical at its purported role! Well who is laughing now huh?!" Kagemusha screams to the air as a group of giant robots travel the rails using giant pushcarts. With Kagami and Setsuna in the first cart, Kagemusha and Touka in the second, and Souta alone in the third.
Tetsuya complains to Kagemusha. "Is this really the time to bring that up?! Were riding pushcarts!"
"Of course it's the time to bring it up! Robots are cooler that tanks after all!" Kagemusha replied with all the zeal of a little kid. "It's like pirates versus ninjas."
Souta remarks. "Why am I doing this alone?"
To which Touka answers. "Fair is fair Souta. You lost the rock paper scissors tournament we had to determine spots."
"And what about Iroha? Will she be alright?" Souta then asks which led to a small pause for everyone.
Kagami answered that question. "I know you all are worried about Iroha. But she is a civilian who isn't even a magical girl. She would get in trouble if she tagged along with us."
"Are we there yet?" Souta asks being bored of pushing his cart.
"Yeah this all you're getting this chapter, move along." Kagemusha remarks as the group rolls around towards the rails and into the sunset.
Chapter 14: Dark times
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.
s.h. 8916, GUN Fortress: Forbidden sector
A younger Abraham Tower alongside two other soldiers was crossing the lowest levels of GUN fortress known as the forbidden sector. A dungeon where criminals are frozen to be forgotten by time. A dark dingy location where leaking liquids are everywhere and it is very cold, wet, and clammy. The trio pass thru cells containing frozen bodies of Lacus Clyne, a Pikachu, and Dick Cheney. All three frozen in time in tiny individual cells that maintain their stasis locks.
"What are those?" The male soldier asked.
"Don't get close." The female replied. "I heard rumors that those damned things will eat your soul." Causing the male to shudder.
Opening a giant metal shutter door powered by a power stone. The trio enter a room where there is a stasis field in the center where there is a figure frozen chained and standing up in a carbonite tablet of sorts. Tower looks at the machine in awe as he steps towards it. While the soldiers escorting him have no idea what is going on.
"Project Shadow." Tower explained. "Have you ever heard of the space colony ARK?" Tower asks only to get a big no from his subordinates. "Figures..." He replies annoyed with their ignorance. "Well 35 years ago it was the site of experiments involving immortality and weapons of mass destruction. And what you see here is the end result of that research. Project Shadow."
The future commander begins to work on the machine's console in order to activate it. When the male soldier makes a note of their situation.
"So basically we are going to stop the Overlord with a weapon of mass destruction? Isn't what were doing somewhat hypocritical counter to our goals?"
"Don't be a pussy Jeff!" The female soldier replied
The upper wall then explodes revealing a flying bipedal mech that lands into the middle of the room with machine guns trained on the trio. This mech known as a Big Foot quickly launched one of its tentacles and grabbed Jeff. Taking the guy hostage as the female soldier, Martha used her blaster rifle to shoot the Big Foot down to little success.
"Use the weapon! Use the weapon! Use the goddamn weapon!" Jeff screamed like a pussy as he was being flung around by the giant story tall walker.
"Now you wanna use it?!" Martha asks in exasperation. "And stand still or else I might shoot you by accident!" She adds as several of her shots nearly grazed poor Jeff unintentionally. All the while Tower is busy activating the machine. Before it literally explodes blasting everyone back a ways as something shoots out from the smoke and lands in the center of the room.
The thing is revealed to be a black hedgehog with red stripes similar in appearance to Sonic. In fact almost identical in appearance with a peculiar set of gloves and shoes each with a gold ring binding them. The confused Big Foot first tries to use it's machine guns to pelt the black hedgehog only for the latter to merely find it annoying and reply with a Chaos spear to the cockpit/face powerful to knock the titan back and drop Jeff on his butt. Which is basically a yellow spear like blast of energy. The Big Foot launched all of his missiles from his twin pods at the black hedgehog in retaliation which are struck down by a similar field of lightning that blows up all the missiles in a swift motion of electricity.
"It's decided." The hedgehog commented. And in a flash destroyed the mecha which posed little if no resistance to its opponent. Being scrapped and skewered in a few homing attacks. Before returning to his original position as if nothing had changed while the Big Foot violently detonated instead. With the black hedgehog merely watching it all happen to the shock of Tower and his subordinates.
"I am Shadow the hedgehog. The ultimate life form. Who dares awaken me?"
Shadow the hedgehog
The ultimate life form
Theme of Shadow
All hail Shadow, Sonic the hedgehog 2006
"So what now?" Martha asked.
"What about my butt?" Jeff complained as Shadow walked over to the GUN trio with a fierce determination in his red eyes. "And is that Project Shadow? Looks kinda small."
Jul 1 s.h. 8932, GUN Fortress
Fifteen years later, the Great War would end when the Overlanders fell into civil war and the death of King Maximilian. With both leaderships deposed and both sides exhausted the mainland of Center managed to broker a peace treaty between both sides finally ending the bloodshed. Abraham Tower for his part was declared a hero of the war and eventually granted the leadership of the Mobian IFS armed forces. And Shadow became a government agent later joined by Rogue the bat and renegade Eggman robot E-123 Omega. The last of the E-100 models built in Gimme shelter to deal with situations like Shadow and the Gizoid.
At first a loyal if violent servant. Repeated failures caused Omega to lose status. The destruction of the Gizoid and getting his butt kicked repeatedly by a small rabbit child repeatedly. Caused him to lose status and be abandoned by the empire. A large bulky red and black robot with a lot of upper body and large wide arms that house multiple heavy weapons and devices. The trio form Team Dark a small covert ops team within the mobian IFS under Tower's direct command.
E-123 Omega
Last of the E-100 series
Theme of Omega
This Machine, Sonic Heroes
Now the three are assembled in Tower's office for a briefing involving their latest mission. As Commander Tower sat on his desk briefing Team Dark on the situation over a picture of the frozen Juggernaut whom all this time was being held prisoner in the forbidden sector.
"So that's the captured Blight huh?" Rouge the bat mentions as she looks at the frozen Juggernaut. "Its... huge..."
"And annoying." Tower added. "That's why I want it kept down there. And I want it kept frozen. Unfortunately the mainlanders are coming to pay a visit due to recent events."
"And you think the mainlanders will try something?" Rouge asked.
Meanwhile in space... Oriko Mikumi is receiving a secret call from a mysterious contact.
"So that fool Juggernaut is sealed in the depths of GUN fortress?" Oriko muses "You do understand that Commander Tower still hates our guts. For what happened during the great war."
"Yes, but he also has no choice but to let you in. After all without the mainland's help. The situation in Mobius would have taken years to properly stabilize. And even then it wouldn't have led to such favorable conditions. Like it or not he owes you. And he knows it.
And back in Mobius... Commander Tower replies to Rogue's question with "I'm positive."
As the trio leave Tower's office, Shadow, Rouge, and Omega were discussing the situation before heading towards the port. Omega raises his arms and pulls out its Gatling guns.
"Annihilate! Eviscerate!" The E-series robot yelled in his typical robotic monotone voice as his barrels rotated around his arms at high speeds.
Rogue sighed commenting. "Always with the simple solution huh?"
Shadow merely looked forward and quietly remarked. "That girl that will come. We merely need to keep an eye on her. As long as we do that she won't do anything stupid."
"And if she does. Exterminate!" Omega replies.
Later on Team Dark reached the port area where a particular diplomatic ship was landing. A shining chrome Bird of prey class. True to it's name it's a star ship stylized to look like an armored bird in mid flight. As the ship lands it is decontaminated when it passes thru GUN fortress defensive perimeters which aside from having protective shielding also works as a disinfectant field. From the ship Oriko Mikumi disembarks alone without an expected escort surprising Rogue but leaving Shadow and Omega nonplussed.
"Greetings ambassador Mikumi." Shadow replied with a bow.
To which the magical girl replied with a sad smile. "It's been a long time, Shadow."
"You know each other?" Rouge remarked to Shadow in a surprised tone.
"Yes, ambassador Mikumi was personally responsible for overseeing the transfer of power for Commander Tower's administration."
"Yes, and I see he still doesn't want to see me. Even after all i've done for him. Does he still not trust me Shadow?" Oriko remarked in a pouting tone with puppy dog eyes.
Shadow completely unfazed merely said. "I'm in no position to say anything on the situation."
Rogue looked around and asked. "Is it really a good idea to go around with no escorts ambassador?"
"It's fine I can take care of myself. Or do you need proof?"
The response to that sudden comment excited Omega who was all gung ho for a fight with Oriko. Even though Rouge and Shadow try to shut the killer robot up who is pretty much committing insubordination by picking a fight with Oriko. But Oriko agrees to fight Omega and the group moves to an open field nearby where killer robot and magical girl prepare to duel.
"Omega are you fucking insane?!" Rouge remarked to her mechanical companion to which he replied.
"I am not insane! I am Omega strongest of all robots!"
"Shadow!" Rouge yelled at the black hedgehog who merely gestured that he's washing his wands at the whole fiasco as a curious crowd of onlookers gathered to look at the fight.
Oriko meanwhile remains completely unflapabble even as Omega begins his typical badass boast speech about how he is the strongest of Eggman's creations and how he will crush the puny girl with big boobs. Much to Rogue's horror. Especially as Shadow just looks on without a care in the world and the crowd is too busy making bets on who will win the fight. Omega fires his guns at full auto only to find that Oriko dodges all of his shots with ease.
"What?" Omega mutters in disbelief as Oriko avoids hundreds of bullets with a well time Matrix style dodge. Switching to missiles Omega tries again only to fail once more with the homing variant being intercepted by a small group of ricocheting silver balls launched by Oriko's palms that light the sky with explosions before returning to her hands in an amazing display of skill.
"What the hell is going on?!" Rouge asks in utter disbelief that a diplomat is actually lasting against Omega.
Shadow merely replies. "That is merely Oriko's power. She is one of the few who possess time magic." Leading Rogue to be paralyzed in shock.
"Time magic?! Doesn't merely being born with that is enough to get you executed as a heretic?!"
"There are exceptions." Shadow mentions. "They are mostly sent to work at the mainland for the government. It's said that those who do are descended from families who fought on the side of the IFS during the magical girl war and were granted special exceptions and privileges as a reward because of it. The Mikumi's are pretty much considered nobility because of Oriko. And even now she holds an important government position as an advisor and ambassador to the mainland."
Omega upset at the situation switches to close combat. Turning his claws into drills which are blocked by a summoned cane by Oriko. To Omega's credit his raw power is pushing the petite blonde human back all the while boasting.
"I am Omega! The strongest of all robots! You are weak! You are fleshy! You will be stomped into the ground and become a footnote in my legend!"
"Don't you ever shut up?" Oriko remarked as her cane resisted Omega's drilling and eventually blunted said drills. Leaving them as puny little stubs much to the robot's horror. What proceeded from that was a brutal caning from Oriko that led to Omega's submission.
"And now you see why I don't need bodyguards." Oriko commented while looking at Rouge. Who merely stood up with a chill down her spine. "Now let's go. Commander Tower is waiting for us."
Shadow, Rouge and Oriko left. All the while the crowd dispersed eventually. All the while Omega was left to lick his wounds in silent humiliation. As the former trio return to Tower's office they find it empty of people and with a note on the table.
"Gone fishing..." Rouge notes as she picks up the note. "Damn he really hates you. Now what?"
"Well if you'll excuse me i'll go see the forbidden zone." Oriko remarks as she tries to leave.
"Hold on!" Shadow remarks forcing Oriko to stop and sigh in quiet annoyance. "Do you even know how to get there?"
The question actually causes Oriko to pause for a moment and realize that she does not know the location of the forbidden zone outside of the vague description that was given to her of underground. Causing her to inwardly curse her informants. Causing Rouge to take charge and state.
"Then follow us we'll give you the grand tour of the place!" As the spy bat grabs the ambassador and drags her off with Shadow following closely.
At the same time outside GUN fortress in the barren windy mountainscape a lonely cardboard box is waiting for a signal.
"This cardboard box is protecting me from being shot." Said box commented as a security sensor swept thru the area firing at a fly that was just buzzing thru and managing to land a direct hit.
Back inside Rouge and Shadow go around the base giving Oriko the grand tour of the base.
The trio enter the barracks which are your basic barracks for soldiers. Depending on the room there are either two to four beds on each barrack and they are separated by genders. Then they go to the mess hall where they find the chef. An alien of unknown description inside a boxy armor not unlike a vending machine working on stocking the shelves.
"Hey children!" Chef speaks in a smooth warm voice."
"Hey Chef!" Shadow and Rouge respond in kind. With Rouge adding. "So what's for dinner tonight?"
"Salisbury steak!"
"Great!"
Oriko meanwhile looks at the whole situation and wonders if the chef also sings.
The group then goes to a red elevator which Rouge explains that its the entrance to the local Chao garden. Oriko confused about the situation even after being explained about what Chao are enters with them. Seeing a garden like are full of palm trees, water, the familiar looking blobs, other greenery and animals, and the occasional soldier relaxing with said blobs and animals. With Oriko just staring in confusion at the sight of the ever stoic Shadow holding a chao which is hugging him back all without changing his stoic expression.
"So how did this?" Oriko asked trying to find the words to ask how did GUN make the chao garden.
Rouge basically explains. "Oh this was here when we bought the property."
"What?!"
"Yeah, Chao gardens are all over the place. Some are inside hotels. Some are inside ancient ruins. Some are inside Eggman bases."
"Eggman?!"
Shadow remarks. "Yeah for some reason the doctor loves the little guys and would never roboticize one."
The trio then head to the starpost terminal. Oriko looks at the starpost and its familiar giant lamp post relic automata under heavy security and just says "what?"
Rouge remarks "I take it this is your first time seeing a starpost?"
Shadow adds. "Yes, Oriko never was much for seeing the sights."
"Oh, that won't do." Rogue remarks. "Life is about the little things you know."
Oriko sighed and remarked. "Kirika also said that."
"Kirika?" Rouge asked. "Who's that?"
"My partner... She was my partner..." Oriko mentioned with a sad look in her face. Which is interrupted by someone teleporting using via the starpost. An anim skunk hiding his features in a hood. Who merely takes a look at the trio and then slinks off on his way. Oriko looked surprised at seeing the device work. With Rouge asking if there are starpost networks on other planets. Something that Oriko confirms that there isn't.
They also go to the med bay, then the armory, then the garage and more until they finally reached a giant stone wall with a giant metal lift door with thick metal bars sealing said door. Auto blasters at alert to strike down any intruders who dare get too close.
"Is this the entrance to the forbidden sector?" Oriko asked as she looked at awe at the sight of it all.
"No." Shadow mentions. "That's the entrance to the commander's porn stash." Leading Oriko to fall over in shock. "He is into some hardcore stuff. The entrance to the forbidden sector is over there." As Shadow points to an ordinary security door that leads to an ordinary elevator much to the ambassador's dismay.
The trio enter the forbidden sector which hasn't really changed over the years. Shadow remarks. "Some things never change." As the trio look around the prison complex looking around the frozen prisoners. Oriko looked at the jail cells and besides noticing the previous prisoners in the form of Lacus Clyne, Pikachu, and Dick Cheney, still frozen in carbonite and the wrecked complex that once housed Shadow. She finds the frozen Juggernaut much to her shock.
"It's her!" Oriko remarks.
"What do you mean ambassador?" Rouge asks catching Oriko in the act.
"Ehhh..." Oriko remarks as she calms herself down. "So this is?"
"It's a prisoner."
"Yes I can see that..." Oriko replies. "I mean what is inside it?"
"By the way Shadow. You never did explain what was Oriko's time magic specifically during the fight." Rouge remarked as if trying to change the conversation.
"I didn't?" Shadow asked in confusion.
"Yes, I mean time magic has different types of variations. Just like any kind of magic." Oriko meanwhile just looks on increasingly annoyed at the situation.
Shadow explained. "Precognition mainly I believe."
"You're telling her that too?!" Oriko screams. Angry that her secret has been revealed.
With Rouge responding "Wait that's it?" Shocking Oriko with her comment. "I mean that doesn't seem like something worth executing someone over."
"Well it's a long story." Oriko remarks. "Remember Kirika, my partner. She's dead. She's been dead for a long time now..." Oriko's story is suddenly interrupted by a certain Eggman robot that had tracked her down. Even tackling her to the floor for a specific reason.
"Rematch! Rematch!" Omega demands of the diplomat having recovered from his humiliating defeat.
Rouge lifts Omega screaming at him. "Do you mind?! We we're having a moment!" All of which is stopped by the sound of growling stomachs.
"How cliché." Shadow complains. "Anyways it's getting late."
That night...
Oriko is alone is one of the guest rooms lying down in her bed. Having already eaten and having had a good time with these strange people. Her mind wanders toward memories of Kirika Kure her old friend and partner from way back when during the magical girl war. The refined and logical Oriko's opposite in every way. She could never forgive the Calamity Homun for what she did to Kirika. Which is why she is doing what she is doing.
"What are you doing Oriko? Why haven't you retrieved Juggernaut?" A familiar voice rings inside the magical girl's head.
"Well it's not like you we're much help with your information. Kuro..." Oriko hated the fact that she had joined forces with the Calamitous ones. But it was all to bring them down from the inside. To get revenge on their leadership. Who killed Kirika that day.
"I can't just waltz inside the prison. Those people are watching me. I can tell..." Oriko muttered.
"So you need a distraction... That can be arranged..." Kuro remarked as she left the confines of Oriko's mind and went to another mainly the cardboard box outside the base.
"Dire! Wake up you fool! It's time to do your duty!"
Suddenly the cardboard box begins to sprint away towards the base with great velocity and purpose.
"And thus it begins." Kuro's voice echoes thru the night as evil laughter fill the air.
To be continued...
That's it for this chapter, if you like what you see. Feel free to subscribe, comment, and interact. We enjoy hearing from you the reader!
: Although i'm late in noting this Kagami Ichijin was inspired by Wakaba Nogi as a character, To the point where Team Kagami is basically expies to an extent of the first gen heroes from NoWaYu. With Kagami and Tetsuya being parallels to Wakaba and Hinata respectively.
: Lacus Clyne, Jean-Luc the Pikachu, and Dick Cheney were major villains in Radiant ZAFT a previous fanfic. And their cameos are actually meant to be both a callback to that series and setting up Chekhov's for future plot points.
: I changed Shadow's origin considerably. Because at the time I was inspired by Guilty Gear and its latest game. And Shadow and Commander Tower are meant to be parallels to Potemkin and Zeff. With Metal Sonic being Sonic's main recurring rival. And Shadow being more of a professional soldier who occasionally clashes with Sonic. I also merged Omega's origin with that of Chaos Gamma essentially with him taking his place on the Sonic Battle plot.