February 12 2024, Operation Unmasked world
A young girl in a white dress elegantly drinking tea by herself. Much to the surprise of Kagemusha and concern of Kirika. As she stares back at the duo she pulls a polite bow and introduces herself as Oriko Mikumi the owner and sole inhabitant of the manor. Oriko invited the two visitors for a cup of tea which the two ended up accepting.
Kirika asked for and poured outrageous amount of sugar on her cup and Kagemusha complained that it was too hot for him. And Oriko simply drank it as is. A western black tea straight from the pot with a bittersweet flavor and rich aroma. After the tea was drank Oriko asked where the strangers came from. Leading to Kagemusha to comment that Oriko was quite calm considering two strangers basically broke into her house.
Kirika complained that she wasn't a stranger and that she was Oriko's friend. With Kagemusha shutting Kirika up before she went into another long rant. Which caused the stoic Oriko to break out in laughter.
Oriko then states. "I actually do remember you miss. You were the one who I've helped with her bag right?"
Kirika replies. "That is correct my savior! I've been looking for a way to pay you back somehow."
"How about a heroic sacrifice?" Kuro remarks as she breaks into the room with her swords drawn ready for battle but also seemingly roughed up.
Oriko asks if she is a friend of the two to which Kagemusha denies and Kirika states that she never met the girl before as the two continue the tea party. While Kagemusha reflectively tosses his hot tea in Kuro's face burning her. As Kuro kneels over in pain Kagemusha apologizes for the spill and asks for a refill which Oriko provides.
"So what are you two doing here?" Oriko asks her guests. To which Kirika also asks as she is confused about the whole situation. " Didn't this masked person tell you Kure-san?" Oriko asked.
"Not really, I just went with the flow." Kirika replied as Kuro recovered in the background and tried to attack again only for Kagemusha to toss a porcelain plate like a frisbee projectile on Kuro's face which shatters on contact causing Kuro to recoil in pain as she bleeds.
Oriko complains that the plate is expensive but Kagemusha simply states that he will pay whatever Oriko asks for damages as the tea party continues.
Kagemusha then begins explaining his reasons for coming to Japan. "Well as for myself and my comrades. We simply have come to remove the great calamity from her seat of power. As violently as possible of course. As she now commands our sworn enemy the Incubators. Which we are fighting against in a holy war of genocide."
Kuro tries once again to oppose the trio only to have another teacup tossed at her. Which she catches this time. Leading to Kuro mocking the masked man in victory. Only to get soaked in the face with even more hot tea. Causing the hooded girl to keel over in even more pain.
Oriko wonders if Kagemusha is really going to drink any damn tea while Kuro infuriated summons an army of familiars to surround the group in a last ditch attempt to kill the trio.
"Okay you sons of bitches! Get a load of this!" Kuro boasts as the eight foot tall chocolate bunny monsters with Tommy guns take aim at the trio. Which all fire their guns simultaneously and wreck the room leaving a mess of the room.
Outside Team Kagami hears the shots being fired and begins to enter the house only for a gust of wind to blow past the aliens revealing Kagemusha having escaped with a frazzled Oriko and Kirika. "Well let's get going." Kage,usha remarks as the whole team leaves Kuro who is shooting up Oriko's manor like a mad loon. Shooting up at any ghost that she sees.
"Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!"
Chapter 16: Starlight Crusaders
Arc... Gattai... Systems designed to surpass Gods and devils. Originally the Arc system was meant to stand alone as the key to defeating the Great Calamity. But an act of betrayal made this impossible. This traitor due to their actions has had their name stripped from history and speaking about them is a taboo topic around the populace. In order to compensate the art of Gattai was developed instead. By combining using forms known as machines multiple drivers could evolve and become a more powerful giant.
It is now the year 8932 of the second history. And thanks to this advancements made many years ago. The galaxy is heading towards a period of revolution. A new era is dawning. But what this new era entails is still unclear,
Jul 5 s.h. 8932, Westside island, Emerald coast
Back in the port of Emerald coast the now alive Skypatrol was acting out. Having locked out the Resistance from entering its insides and essentially being in a shouting match with Knuckles since he is still using the Master emerald as a power source for the engine.
"What do you mean you won't open the damn gates you stupid ship?!" Knuckles screams at the Skypatrol who simply snorts hot steam at the echidna guardian's face while the bridge bunnies stood behind and watched.
"This is crazy!" Pallet replied as she bit on her lollipop.
"Indeed, in all my years I would have never thought I would see something like this." Layer commented.
Alias tried to break up the fight between the two but only got blasted by hot steam for her trouble. "No dice girls."
"Thought as much nee-sama." Layer replied.
"So what now?" Pallet asked. "Record this on Youtube and hope it goes viral?"
"As amusing as that sounds no." Princess Sally's voice caused the three sisters to stand in attention as she stood before them. "We simply do our job without the Skypatrol. I already told father about this and we're making preparations to move to a temporary headquarters until the matter is settled."
"Yes ma'am!" All three sister yelled in unison as Sally left the room. As she walked across the hallways she stumbled across Antoine D'Coolette who was sitting alone in a bench with his thoughts in a mess.
"Hey Antoine. Still upset about nearly killing Eggman?" The princess remarked to the coyote. Who merely looked up towards her for a moment.
"How could you tell?" He replied. His voice breaking up in tears.
"Well you never were much of a tough guy." Sally responded.
"I take offense to that my princess!" Antoine complained finally raising his head.
"Still its not like we're aiming to kill. That would make us no better than Eggman after all." Sally responds.
Then a woman's voice from nowhere chides them. Telling the two. "Well with an attitude like that. No wonder the Akatsuki refuses to listen to you."
"Tha Akatsuki?" Antoine asks as he draws his blade and sets up to protect Sally from the mysterious voice.
"The ships true name. One of the four heavenly kings created during the magical girl war. I'm honestly surprised that you of all people managed to claim it." The voice stated revealing herself to be the mysterious overseer Kaon the Moon. Who uses telekinesis to pull away Antoine's saber from his hand and take it for herself. Much to both surprise.
"Calm down, if I wanted you dead. You would already be dead." Kaon replied as Nicole materialized in between the two parties to stand in between Kaon. Protecting her princess.
"What do you want Kaon?" Nicole asked. Her voice seething with a quiet fury. "You know i'm no longer aligned with you and your people."
"Don't worry Nia the Gale overseer of the green sector. I'm not here for you. I'm here for them." Kaon remarks as she points to Sally and Antoine. "I'm just here to tell you that as you are now you will never gain the support of the Akatsuki."
"But the Skypatrol is a ship isn't it?" Antoine asked. "Even if it has an AI inside it. It shouldn't be so picky towards its crew."
"I see Nia didn't tell you."
"I felt it was unnecessary." Nicole remarked. "After all I wasn't planning on reviving the Akatsuki."
Kaon remarked. "How cold, so you really have betrayed us."
Nicole bit back by saying. "I don't want to hear those words coming from you Kaon. After all you're an expert on treason."
Dragon road, Chun-nan
Ost: Dragon road day: Sonic Unleashed
Meanwhile Sonic, Tails, and Madoka were walking the picturesque Dragon road. Madoka having never seen such a massive work of architecture before is totally geeking out and taking pictures of the scenery. Much to her seniors amusement.
"If she thinks this is cool. Wait until she reaches our destination." Tails remarks as the trio crosses the ancient millennia old stone walkways like they were tourists. "Still I wonder why are going to Chu-nan to talk to Silver when we can just e-mail the guy?"
"Where's your sense of adventure Tails?" Sonic replies in his typically confident and lackadaisical manner.
"Lost between the part that we're carrying a new recruit with us. And the fact that we should have just e-mailed Silver to report back from the beginning. This is a highly advanced and technological future. Not Dragon Quest after all."
"Yet we're here climbing a mountain to get an ancient temple to get to the next part of our adventure anyways." Sonic remarks. "Funny how life turns out."
"Hey you guys!" Madoka yelled to Sonic and Tails as she was met with another woman. This one a distinctive blonde with long straight hair and a red bow with a simple blue dress holding a camera. "This miss said she would take a picture of the three of us!"
"Is that so? Miss?" Sonic asked with a tone of voice full of curiosity.
"Kurusugawa, Himeko Kurusugawa. I'm just a wandering photographer looking at the sights. You know Chun-nan really is pretty this time of year."
"I know!" Madoka replied as she brought Sonic and Tails together to pose for the picture.
"All right say cheese!" Himeko stated as she snapped the photo of the three next to a wall facing a large mountain.
Back at Emerald coast
In the docks at Emerald coast Sally and Antoine alongside Nicole were still at a standoff against Kaon the Moon who merely stood there unimpressed at the fact that Antoine and Nicole had both drawn weapons at her. Antoine his saber and Nicole her battle fans and were breathing down her neck ready to strike her down.
"My can't we talk this through like civilized people?" The aloof young woman replied to the duo who merely charged at her without a second thought only to have their weapons caught bare handed much to their mutual horror. "Can't you understand? That i'm only trying to help you?"
"Stand down!" Sally suddenly orders everyone in the room much to Nicole's shock.
"But Sally!"
"Didn't you hear me Nicole?! Stand. Down." Which forced Antoine and Nicole to lower their guards and Kaon to let go of their weapons.
"Now Kaon was it? What did you mean by help?"
Kaon smiled and replied with. "If you want to obtain the help of the Akatsuki you will have to bond with him. That's all."
Antoine replied with. "Bond with a ship? I mean aren't ship AI's meant to follow the crews orders?"
Nicole looked down at the floor and stated. "Unfortunately the four heavenly kings are different. They were meant to be prototypes for the Gattai system so they were given advanced AI components even for our current times."
"That's right!" Kaon mentioned. You can't just force a bond. Otherwise Akatsuki will just try and kill Eggman again."
Shujin temple, Dragon road Chun-nan
Ost: Dragon road Night: Sonic Unleashed
Team Sonic enters the gates of Shujin temple a large shaolin-esque temple atop a mountain at the end of the dragon road alongside Himeko who tagged along with the three to take pictures. As Madoka and Himeko look on impressed and take pictures with their respective cameras.
"Okay seriously why did the girl come?" Tails remarked in half resignation.
"Well at least Madoka made a friend. Friends are important y'know." Sonic replies defending the decision.
Himeko overhearing the duo replies. "Don't worry you two! I can defend myself against bandits!" While cheerfully waving at Tails who merely waves back.
As the group walks thru the courtyard, past numerous disciples, each practicing kung-fu stances, they are met by the matron of the temple Bunker the tortoise. An older anim woman in a orange sleeveless gi and white gloves and boots teaching her students the Shujin style kung-fu. Said students each spread out in four blocks of 50 each totaling 200 apprentices moving in concert. As she looks at her guests with a calm and sleepy gaze she continues her movements alongside her students and begins speaking to Team Sonic.
"Oh greetings guests."
Himeko asks if they caught her at a bad time to which Bunker responds. "Not at all. It is important for a monk to learn focus. Think of it as extra training." To which the photographer simply smiled and nodded.
"By the way if you're looking for Silver he is inside undergoing the wheel of karma alongside Dulcy and Monkey. Why don't you rest while waiting for them?"
"Who is Silver?" Himeko thought. "And how does she know these things?"
Bunker further catches Himeko off guard by stating. "When you obtain enlightment. Reading the hearts of others becomes easy. For example I can tell that you are conflicted."
Himeko cuts off Bunker before she says anything else by screaming. "And we will gladly take you on your offer! Honorable ninja turtle-san! Let's go everyone!" As Himeko pushes everyone inside Bunker continues her training until they are well out of earshot.
"How rude... I am a kung-fu tortoise..."
Inside the wheel of karma a massive danger room style chamber where Silver the hedgehog a silver furred hedgehog with psychic powers and an unfortunate shaped lock of front fur that looks suspiciously like a marijuana leaf. Dulcy the dragon a cross between a western and eastern dragon with the body shape, purple armor, and martial arts skills of an eastern dragon and the powers, wings, and horns of a western dragon. And Monkey Khan a monkey who came from the sky and has great strength and agility as well as the magic staff Roshambo which can grow and shrink at will. With a golden headband and vest and brown fur. The three were fighting a king slime not unlike those found in your standard fantasy RPG with Silver using his psychic powers to pin it down and Monkey beating the hell out of it with his bare hands. With Dulcy finishing it off with her fire breath which disintegrated the giant slime into a pile of ash.
With the slime gone a trio of dark knights appeared. Which were exactly as you would expect dark knights would look like. Guys in black armor with shields and swords. Who just happen to be twice as tall as the heroes. Even Dulcy who is a good six feet tall. Making each knight 12 feet tall.
Monkey smiled and cracked his knuckles Simply stating. "Alright guys, pick your victim!"
Sonic and company meanwhile where resting in one of the many communal rooms inside the temple hall. A quiet rustic room centered around a large table full of food where everyone was sitting and talking.
"Why can't this place have chili dogs?" Sonic complains as he looks at the food which is your standard yet spicy Buddhist temple vegetarian cuisine.
"You can't expect meat in these places." Himeko explained. "Xiaolin teachings respect all forms of life and prevent the taking of it."
"You sure know your stuff." Tails remarked. "As expected from a world traveling photographer."
Madoka takes a dumpling and shoves it down her mouth while everyone is talking. Unlike the rest of them. She is more interested in the local cuisine much to the happiness of the monks who cooked the food.
"So how long until Silver and the others get here?" Sonic complains tapping his foot on the table.
One of the monks states. "It shouldn't take too much longer sir. Why don't you relax for a while."
"Well why don't get some goddamn chili dogs in here?" Sonic replies. Which gets him looks of disapproval from the rest of the group.
Suddenly a bell rang through the entire temple much to the concern of everyone. The monk reassured everyone stating that it was just someone challenging the temple to a fight again.
"Again?" Tails asked.
"Yes, this woman has been adamant about challenging the temple over a guest that has recently arrived here. She demands that we give him up. But he is no condition to do so health wise."
"Mind if I take a look?" Sonic comments.
"If it will make you stop complaining about the food. I don't see why not. Follow us my good sir." And with that the monks and Sonic left to another part of the temple while Tails and Himeko continued speaking and Madoka continued eating.
Outside in the temple courtyard Bunker and her apprentices are dealing with a familiar pink catgirl in the form of Hime who like always is confidently standing before a pair of Skullraisers.
"Nya-ha-ha! Bunker! I bring news of your death!"
"Do you honestly believe you stand a chance against all of us?!" One of the monks yelled as all 200 apprentices prepared for battle.
"No, I believe you will all call me master before the day is done." Hime remarked with a smug expression.
"That's it! Kick her ass!" Another monk screamed as they all began a coordinated assault against Hime and her guards. And while the Skullraisers are quickly overwhelmed and dealt with. Hime was another story as she manages to fight off the monks much to their and Bunker's horror. Especially when she begins killing them off one by one with her own martial arts skills and magical might. Tossing the bodies like old rags.
Sonic and the monks meanwhile take notice mid slaughter with Sonic recognizing Hime on sight. While Sonic wants to take action the monks inside the temple are incredulous of what is happening and try to stop Sonic who is having none of it and basically blows past the monks to get to Hime who is finishing off the last few apprentices and heading towards Bunker who is trying to back off. Clearly afraid of the monster before her. With Hime clearly toying with the tortoise. Throwing a few mock swipes to see how the matron would react. Until she trips and falls on her back being left unable to move. In a power play Hime smiles and resurrects all the dead monks before turning them into Raisers under her command much to the horror of Bunker.
"See, I told you they would all be calling me master." And readying her giant bony hand for a finishing blow before being stopped by Sonic.
"You bitch!" Sonic screams and the two trade blows. Matching each other in speed and power.
"My this could be a difficult fight. Let's fix that." Hime comments as she sicks all 200 goons on Sonic. Sonic enraged simply uses his speed to form a giant blue tornado that sweeps away the entire horde much to Hime's amazement. "Well i've got what I came from. Honestly I thought I would need to spend more time here. Adios! Sonic the hedgehog!" Hime then teleports away leaving her Raisers to detransform back into monks and die. After catching his breath Sonic helps Bunker up and asks what is happening as the matron collapses into tears.
Nightfall
Dulcy, Monkey, and Silver are horrified at the situation they walked into. Just a few hours ago they went into the wheel of karma to finish their training only to walk out to the sight of a massacre. And even the sight of old and new friends alike couldn't help dull the fact that they could have done something against this super powered maniac. Silver was especially taking it hard. Having come from a nondescript bad future he had seen his fair share of horrifying death and destruction. Dulcy was doing her best to calm him down and Monkey went to smash stuff in order to vent.
Silver the hedgehog
Psychic from the future
Silver's theme
Dreams of absolution: Sonic the hedgehog 2006
Meanwhile Sonic, Tails, and Madoka where shocked when they met the "guest" the monks where talking about. It was Porker Lewis. Somehow back to normal and halfway across Mobius from their last encounter of being turned into a monster and abducted by Hime. After sharing stories and hearing how Porker was found near dead in front of the temple a few days ago. Tails began to wonder if the whole thing was a setup but Sonic and Bunker were hopeful that Porker somehow broke free.
"What now?" Tails asks. "We can't exactly tell Silver to pack his bags and head home after this mess."
"Well for now we should at least stick around for the funeral." Sonic comments.
"Agreed. What about Madoka?"
"Like it or not this is war Tails. We all had to grow up fast. Madoka is just gonna have to grow up as well." Sonic comments in a pensive tone. "Where is the rookie anyways?"
Madoka is wandering the hallways where she finds Silver and Dulcy looking at the stars. At first the pinkette is startled at seeing the two. Especially the six foot tall dragon girl. But Dulcy quickly breaks the ice by stating that there is always room for one more. An offer Madoka quickly takes.
"So are you the new guy?" Silver bluntly asks Madoka. To which she shyly nods.
"Now, Now, Silver is that any way to treat a lady." Dulcy remarks smiling all the way.
"Sorry..." Silver apologizes. "Still Gadget is gonna be happy that he's no longer the rookie."
"Who's Gadget?" Madoka asks.
"Oh Real quiet guy. Never heard him speak once. As you can imagine he uses a whole bunch of gizmos to fight." Silver explains. "He's kinda shy like you. You two would probably get along great."
"Oh really?" Madoka replies while blushing.
"Still are you alright dearie? I mean this whole mess must be rough for you." Dulcy comments.
"Wouldn't know, amnesia after all." The pinkette replied as if trying to lighten the mood.
"Still what will we do against the Iron Dominion now?" Dulcy remarked
"Iron Dominion?"
Silver replied. "The local Egg Army branch. We were training those monks to fight against the Dominion. Now were back at square one thanks to that Hime girl."
Outside the Shujin temple
Himeko Kurusuguwa has had quite the interesting day. She had met interesting people. She had taken some good photos. And she had been witness to a massacre. She had to admit that this wasn't exactly the kind of life she had expected when she was starting off in high school. Then again maybe her new friends were rubbing off on her considering she can now see hundreds of dead bodies and not even blink. Something that would have been impossible back when she was human.
"You're a bad influence. You know that."
"A fact I take with great pride." Kagemusha replied as she stepped out of the shadows of the temple. "Besides isn't this what you wanted? The strength to stand by Chikane's side? I only gave you what you wished for. It's not my fault that it came with some unwanted side effects."
"Oh don't go getting all Kyubey on me. Anyways are you planning on doing something?"
"Of course not Himiko. I don't plan on repeating mother's mistakes after all."
"Even if it means hundreds of deaths?" Himeko angrily responds grabbing Kagemusha's arm. To which the latter quickly pulls back and glares at her.
"DON'T. Touch me. Also when Project Elpis is completed those deaths will be nullified. Just be patient."
Himiko pouts angrily stating. "Really! That Elpis sounds like the same divine nonsense that Ame no Murakumo spouted."
"Doubt all you want Himiko. But you will all see. I will succeed where the gods failed. Not with miracles. Not with hope. But with the power of science!"
"I still think you're insane." Himeko remarks.
"Then why are you helping me?" Kagemusha asks.
"I'm not. I'm doing this for Chikane. So that Chikane can live free from destiny."
Kagemusha begins to cackle and then pats Chikane on the back. "Then that makes us allies Himiko. For we are comrades against the wickedness of the gods!" Before heading back to the shadows leaving the photographer with a feeling of doubt and discomfort.
"Chikane... What should I do?"
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!
: A surprise appearance from Himeko AKA Himiko in her civilian form. The whole photographer profession is a homage to the fanfic Revolutions in which Himeko is a photographer that travels around the world. So I thought it would be a fitting cover story for her civilian identity.
: Himeko and Chikane came with the moon. As the remains of Yamato no Orochi are being used to power the Pandoras tower on the moon in place of a Chaos emerald.