Toyotama was not having a good day. For a while now she had been surviving on her own, after being released into the city in search of her Ashikabi. In those few months she had no luck since she found no Human male to cause a reaction in her. Days then weeks went by - nothing. Toyotama thought she would spend other day looking for her Ashikabi again and she hoped today would be the day she finds him.
However, unexpectedly today she ran into her old friend, Ichiya. After they were released from MBI the two split up, wanting to find their destined ones on their own. After some catching up she told Toyotama to follow her to her Ashikabi, Higa Izumi, so that Toyotama could be winged by him. Deciding to humor her best friend she went and saw Higa the Ashikabi of the East.
Toyotama thought he looked cute, and he was certainly well-off in Human terms, and happened to be an Ashikabi. She couldn't have had anyone better if that was all she needed, but before she could form the bond Toyotama felt something within her telling her not to. As she backed away she sensed that her true Ashikabi was somewhere close by, so Toyotama immediately left the roof and found herself traveling North. Higa did not like being rejected by her and sent Ichiya, Sai and Oriha after her. From the chatter of her new-found foes She guessed that he would not let a strong combat type Sekirei such as her get away. Toyotama spent at least two hours fighting for her life tooth and nail.
Despite being outnumbered, Toyotama was not going to go down without a fight. Actually she found this fight to be exciting, taking on several opponents at once.
Toyotama was proud of her skills. She had proven herself highly skilled in the handling of her staff during her time in MBI's combat training programs. She had no quarrel in sparring two-on-one. Ichiya was much the same way - the two grew up together and developed rebellious attitudes towards the rules of the game.
In someway she couldn't ask for a better opponent then her childhood friend. As the chase-and-skirmish continued she couldn't help but admit maybe she had bitten off more than she could handle, since her pursuers had the full extent of their abilities as Sekirei winged to an Ashikabi. They had their Norito awakened, while Toyotama did not. Of course, her pride wouldn't allow her to openly admit such a handicap to of any significance to her. She had no intention of simply giving up and being taken easily. Her best option wass to retreat and evade capture from Higa's Sekirei until she could find her destined one and awaken her true power.
She kept heading north like her instincts were telling her too, with her pursuers hot on her tail. She felt led to this rundown apartment complex that looked like it had been devoured by fire. Toyotama's senses were telling her truth destined one was inside. She couldn't help but frown at the sight and hoped her Ashikabi isn't some homeless man squatting in a ruined building, however she realized that same building could be a good place to hide from Ichiya and the two other pursuers.
At least that what she thought until she was caught by Ichiya and the others on the 4th floor. The idea of this wreck being a hiding place almost immediately went out the window. The place was bare and falling apart - it offered no shelter and no protection at all.
The conclusion had returned to her painfully when Ichiya collapsed the floor.
Toyotama got up from the amidst the debris - now on the third floor - but the room was filled with splinters, dust and ash due to that ploy of her old friend. As the dust settled all too slowly Toyotama scanned the room for Ichiya. After several seconds of searching Ichiya revealed herself by launching herself at the green-haired Sekirei with a flying kick aimed for her ribs. Toyotama blocked with her staff, but before she could counter Ichiya hopped back and squared-off. Toyotama got into a stance and aimed her staff at Ichiya's throat.
Ichiya looked at her friend with what she thought might be sadness. "Toyotama, this is your last chance to come quietly."
Toyotama stood ready to guard against her old friend, and with conviction. "I already told you. I'm not interested in being winged by your Ashikabi."
Ichiya sighed deeply. "Then for what it's worth, I'm sorry for what I'm about to do."
With that word Ichiya charged forth as fast as she could and aimed a circling kick at Toyotama's throat. Thankfully she was able to dodge it by simply stepping back, but before she could respond Ichiya attacked without missing a beat with a 360 spinning roundhouse kick at Toyotama's head. Toyotama blocked the attack but she could feel the strength Ichiya put into that kick it was enough to make her arms feel like jelly.
'So she's really not holding back' Toyotama thought as she tried to counter-attack, only for Ichiya to batt her strike aside once again with a heel-led front kick and in dooing so closed the distance fast. Toyotama was under assault from a flurry of kicks - front and sides, if there was a type of kick Ichiya used it. What really put Toyotama on the defensive was the speed that Ichiya attacked with. Every time a kick failed to hit Ichiya would immediately shift her weight so that once the attacking leg was on the ground she could instantly attack with the other leg. The way she fought made Ichiya's legs look like a helicopter only instead of flying it was to land as many hits as possible to keep Toyotama from fighting back as well as force her to block to tire her out. It was only a matter of time before she'd make a mistake.
Toyotama was screwed and she knew it. The speed she had to keep up with was like nothing Ichiya showed in the training simulations. Between running, fighting and now having to block this vicious assault, Toyotama was feeling end limits of her stamina. She knew she couldn't keep blocking forever, and between blocks she tried to think of a way out of this situation. Unfortunately Ichiya had control of the flow now.
The only thing she could come up with would be to get hit by one of her kicks and counter in the same moment. So when Ichiya went for a spinning hook kick, Toyotama dropped her guard and got hit in the face. Ichiya smiled until she saw that Toyotama used the force of impact to quickly turn in crouch and before completing a 360 turn Toyotama used her staff to sweep her foes legs out from under her. Ichiya's momentum was broken and she hit the ground. Toyotama stood back up and flurried her staff over-head deliver a downward stab, hoping to hit Ichiya in her gut to knock her out.
Just before Toyotama committed to the strike she felt something grab on to her staff and pull back. She looked up and found the flail-wielding Sekirei had caught her. Suddenly the flying discs swooped in towards her staff. Toyotama pulled against the flail but could only watch as the discs sliced through her staff. Before Toyotama could adjust her stance Ichiya returned with a hand standing side-kick to Toyotama's stomach with such force that it not only knocked the wind out of her, but she coughed up blood to as she was sent flying through a wall into the next room.
Toyotama tried to stand but that last attack really did a number on her and she was only able to get her legs under her. Ichiya stepped forward along with her two companions.
Ichiya looked down at her friend, a smug expression donned. "Well, this fight is now over. I think it's time we brought you to Higa."
"Not yet." the Sekirei with the flying discs disagreed. "We need to make her suffer for disrespecting Higa-sama like that."
Ichiya's smugness dispersed. "No, Oriha, we were only supposed to bring her back. Nothing more."
Oriha glared at Ichiya. "Higa-sama said 'by any means necessary' so I'm sure he wouldn't mind if we teach her how to respect her Ashikabi."
Ichiya seemed she was about to retort, but Sai butted in. "Hurry it up, Oriha! Just don't maim her to badly, or she will be useless to Higa-sama."
Oriha nodded and sent her disk-blades forward.
Toyotama's eyes widened in fear as they got closer and closer. Before the deadly discs could hit her, however, Toyotama heard multiple loud bangs and the discs were knocked out of the air one by one until all of them were on the ground. Some were in pieces, some had folded around some kind of impact.
"What?! Where the hell did that come from!?" Sai yelled out, looking in every direction.
"You're asking me!?" Ichiya snapped back. Like Sai she was also looking for the cause and potential interloper.
"Over here." spoke an unfamiliar male voice from behind Toyotama. Everyone looked in her direction.
Upon hearing the voice Toyotama looked behind her for threats. At first she thought a concussion to be the cause as she saw no Sekirei, but a tall figure materialized clad in armor with a rifle aimed.
"I'm only going to say this once. Get the Hell out of my building." the male voice commanded.
"What?" Ichiya queried at the unexpected expecting appearance, clearly surprised.
She popped out of cover and got back into a fighting stance with her allies. Ichiya , Sai, Orhia and even Toyotama took the opportunity to study this armor behemoth in front of them - in Toyotama's case, behind her.
Who or whatever this thing was, it stood almost 7 feet tall. The armor mostly covered its form, black/gray armor with a golden visor. On its shoulder they noticed a square-fit insignia comprised of the letters 'UNSC' below an eagle. Next they took notice of all the weaponry on him - in his hands he held some type of assault rifle that looked futuristic unlike what any other human soldier had carried to their knowledge. Attached to his armor on his back looked like a shotgun, by his side a handgun and a knife, and on his belt grenades and blue orbs that could be another type of grenade. The Sekirei had seen MBI's security forces and paramilitary arm, but this hardly compared. Questions rattled in their minds.
'This person…just what or who is he?' Toyotama wondered. 'He's definitely not a new Sekirei; at least, I'm pretty sure there aren't any Sekirei that wear armor like this. Maybe he's got some sort of new MBI prototype suit? A rule enforcer like the Discapline Squad? Sent out to examine and analyse which of us have found our Ashikabi?'
The aggressors weren't thinking along the same lines as Toyotama. They saw the interloper as more of an annoyance than a mystery.
"Who the hell are you?" Sai demanded. "You've interrupted out fun."
"I'm only going to say this once more - get the hell out of my building." the stranger insisted.
Noble-Six aimed at the three females and stood his ground.
"Be careful, Six." spoke up softly. "Even though you shot her discs out of the air she may have more stashed away on her person."
Six agreed with the AI. He was counting them all as armed until proven otherwise - the melee he witnessed was too lethal not to.
The one known as Ichiya stepped forward. "Our business isn't with you. We just want the girl."
Six turned to Toyotama who was still dumbstruck at the arrival of the Spartan. "Do you want to go with them?"
Toyotama experienced something difficult for her to describe as she heard this man's voice. She felt her body heat up and heart begin to race... and she knew right then and their that she found her Ashikabi. Toyotama could only shake her head when she belatedly realized his question. The man turned his attention back to the three other Sekirei.
"Looks like she made up her mind. Now leave. I'm not going to ask again."
Sai sneered angrily. "Listen pal, we chased this bitch all night just to capture her and we're not leaving unless she comes with us."
Six moved smoothly in front of Toyotama to protect her, aim maintained on Ichiya. "You'll have to go through me."
"Are you sure you want to do this, Six?" Athena asked, concern evident in her synthetic voice. "They're incredibly similar but most definitely not human, and it looks like they want to take her alive, so they'll have no problem killing you. Are you sure?"
Six nodded and said "I hate uneven fights, and besides..."
The image of Jorge flashed through his mind. The Spartan-II threw him from the Covenant ship to save him. How he comforted that girl at the Visigrad Relay. Six smiled at the memories that seemed all too long ago.
"I bet it's what Jorge would do."
"It's your funeral pal." Sai grinned as she charged at the Spartan, heedless of Ichiya telling her to wait.
Sai brought her whips to bear and aimed to slash at the armor of the insolent Human - or machine, or whatever it was - rather than tear him to ribbons. Even she was not dumb enough to risk killing a Human and suffer the wrath of the Discipline Squad. If it was Human it would hurt. If it wasn't Human she would have nothing to worry about.
Six put away his rifle and moved at a speed that had become second nature during his time on Reach. As the whips closed in he gathered the flails into a bundle with one hand and cut them clean-through on the draw with his energy sword. Sai bristled and immediately tried to hit him with her other set of whip-blades only for Six to close the distance between them and slice those as well, and ended up face to face with Sai. While Sai could only see her reflection of his golden visor Six grabbed the back of her head with his free hand and crashed his helmet into her skull. She was surprised but no where near out of the fight, so he headbutted her with maximum prejudice. She seemed dazed but otherwise unharmed. Six then brought her head down onto his rising knee, which finally knocked her out.
He stowed the Energy Sword, then targeted the remaining two opponents and rushed them. Ichiya moved out the way as Oriha was about to bring out the last of her flying discs, but before she could do that Six decided to grab his assault rifle and throw it at Oriha. The Sekirei easily caught the gun but so distracted she didn't see Six draw his shotgun until he bashed in the side of the head, knocking her down and allowing Six to retrieve his weapon.
Once he put his guns away Six squared off with Ichiya and began to crack his knuckles. Ichiya smirked and moved into range at speed. She telegraphed a punch and launched an upward front kick that Six easily dodged. Ichiya thought it was a fluke, but when she followed throught with a roundhouse kick Six blocked flatly, grabbed the offending limb and pulled to deliver an uppercut to her chin. Ichiya backed up once he released her ankle, more shocked then ever before - that one punch was able to deal real damage she had to shake off.
Toyotama's eyes widened. 'What the hell? She aimed to break his arm... he was able to block it and even hit her. Who the hell is this guy?'
When Ichiya cleared her head Six was already on her with a piercing side kick to the gut, knocking the wind out of her. Ichiya tried to fend him off with another kick but Six grabbed her leg once again and brought his right elbow down hard on the knee joint. While he wasn't able to break it the howl of pain he forced from Ichiya told him the strike was somewhat effective. He let the female go and tried to gauge the extend of her resiliance as she put some distance between them. She could still put weight on her bad leg but seemed to need to test it while aware he was observing. She sized him up anew while he calculated required force.
Toyotama was having a hard time wrapping her head around this. A Human - at least that was what she thought him to be - was able to knock out two winged Sekirei and was doing well enough against Ichiya to put her off her game.
"Am I dreaming? This shouldn't be possible..."
Yet the proof was right in front of her.
When Ichiya tried to attack with another kick to the head, Six dodged under it and released several quick jabs to her torso with one arm before the arrival of a haymaker via his other which collected Ichiya's skull. She stumbled backwards somewhat disoriented but the combo so Six went to end the fight. As he moved close he grabbed her by the throat, swept her legs out from under her and used gravity to help slam her into the floor as hard as he could. Fortunately the floor held up, and she was successfully knocked out of the fight.
A stirring did not escape his awareness. Six drew his rifle again and aimed it at the one named Oriha, who looked fearful of the weapon and was sporting a swollen left eye.
"Whatever you're thinking of let me stop you right there" He spoke up. "I took out both your companion and your leader without breaking a sweat, and I can kill you before you even think about using those blades of yours. Leave now and I won't look for you or the one who gave you your orders. If you continue to resist I can promise you it will be the last mistake you'll ever make."
Oriha wouldn't admit it but she was afraid that he was telling the truth. Something in this Human's… this thing's voice spoke of experience, like the Single-Numbers . It was if the interloper had said 'I've done this before and you could suffer far worse' and the idea chilled her very mind. So Oriha raised her hands to placate it.
"Okay, you win, just let me take my comrades away from here."
Six motioned with his rifle to proceed, and kept it trained on her for the duration. When she had both Ichiya across her shoulders and Sai in her arms she began walk out of the room by the doorway with some difficulty, muttering that she wasn't a strength type Sekirei and shouldn't have to carry them. Oriha jumped out the nearest window to land on the street below. Six had followed her every step and watched her effort as she launched herself from rooftop to rooftop. It was clear she had difficulty carrying her allies - at one point almost dropped one - but she still displayed inhuman strength.
Six wondered how a small girl like that could contain such physical power without power-armor. There were a lot of questions in his mind. Luckily for him one of the strange girls remained. Noble-Six returned his attention to Toyotama who was still on her knees and gazed at him with amazement in her wide eyes.
Athena's thumbnail appeared on his HUD. "I think it's best you nurse the girl back to health before you interrogate her."
"See if you can get some data on what she is." he agreed after muting his external speakers.
Toyotama replayed events in her mind as her shock wore off. At first she had been defeated but the three who had chased her all this way, and was sure they were going to vent their frustrations on her before bringing her to Higa. Instead of being beaten bloody and forcibly winged she was saved by this armored male - she wasn't sure if he was Human or not. He took down her pursuers like it was easy. Not to say she wasn't happy to be saved at the last moment, but the incredulity of it all...
"Who are you?" Toyotama asked in but a whisper as she stared up at the golden visor of the armored stranger.
He didn't respond immediately. Instead he just approached and held out his hand. "Can you stand?"
Toyotama started at his hand and then looked back at his visor and discovered her own confused reflection staring right back at her. It was unsettling how inhuman this interloper seemed, but he had rescued her from a fate she had begun to resign herself to. Toyotama realised she didn't feel threatened or scared of the armored behemoth in front of her, so she willingly took his hand.
"I think I can stand." Toyotama replied as the armored man slowly helped her up to her feet. She let out a few painful grunts and leaned heavily on the Spartan's helping hand to reach her full height, sore from the wounds she received during the fight.
Toyotama stared back into the Spartans visor again. "Thank you for saving me... but who are you, really?"
"My name is not important." The armored man responded. "Right now priority number one should getting you medical attention."
Toyotama wanted to object but she let another painful grunt at the first twitch of a leg to attempt movement.
"Case and point." He added. "Let's find a place for you to rest and treat your wounds. Maybe then I'll answer your questions."
Toyotama ended up agreeing with him since she was exhausted and her wounds were quite painful. She would be stupid to deny offered help at this point.
Noble-Six guided and assisted Toyotama through the ruined the apartment complex hoping to find at least one room that was somewhat intact or at least livable. His first option would've been to take her to a hospital but he didn't want to draw any attention from locals and especially their authorities so that option was immediately scrapped. He would've taken her down to the basement since it is the only area that wasn't destroyed by the fire however he was hesitant to reveal his intended hide-out to anyone. Luckily he was able to find one room on the first floor that was somewhat intact with a few un-scorched patches. Since there was no power to the building the only light source he had to work with was the from moon shining through the window, which was plenty for him to see by with the aid of his helmet systems.
The room was a bedroom, and while it had survived the fire the bed itself looked like it had seen better days. A few springs were coming out of it but it would have to do.
Six assisted Toyotama to the bed, then retrieved a med pack from his belt he still had from scavenging on Reach. First he gave her painkiller by injector to the neck. While that began to work he took out some bandages and saline-alcohol solution to clean the open wounds, and recalled what little he knew about performing first-aid on civilians. To her credit she resisted most reflexive flinches while he flushed each of her cuts, and shifted carefully to help him apply the adhesive and wrapping bandages. Toyotama curiously watched him work, and had to admit that despite the strength he had demonstrated in combat he was quite gentle with her, which surprised her.
In such proximity without hostility, Six couldn't help but noticed just how attractive this woman was. Her long green hair that seemed to flow quite well with her body and her pale blue eyes, pink lips, smooth flawless skin save for her injuries... and the largest breasts he ever saw on a woman. Almost everything about this woman just seem to be perfectly attractive, like she had no abnormalities or flaws whatsoever. She seem to be the perfect woman. However, thanks to his training and the observations of both her and her foes he knew she was certainly abnormal. Her toned yet slender form belied great strength and speed, and while assisting her until now he was certain her muscle density was greater than un-augmented Humans.
"All patched up". He announced once the first-aid was completed, and began putting away what remained of the bandages. "Now I'll let you rest for a couple of hours, and then I will have some questions to ask you. No doubt you have some to ask me - both can wait for now."
He began to walk away and consider other objectives when the mysterious female called out to him.
"Where are you going?"
"To do a quick sweep of the perimeter, to make sure we don't have any more unwanted guests." He eventually answered. "After that I'll be back in here to check up on you."
"Wait!"
Six turned to look over his shoulder. "What is it?"
"Could you at least tell me who you are, please?"
"I told you who I am is not important, get some rest I'll be back soon."
Toyotama was disappointed, but she thought of something. "Please, I would like the know the name of my rescuer, and to see if you're really human under the armor and not a machine, right?" She asked politely, allowing some uncertainty on her face in the hope that would stir something within him.
Six signed at her comment it wasn't the first time he was called a machine, thought it was usually by his surperiors as back-handed praise or by Human civilians uncomprehending of what a Spartan was. Usually he never let things like this get to him and just ignored them. Against his better judgement he decided to simply show his face, on the grounds it might help with interrogations later if the prospect of him being a machine would unsettle her so.
Six turned to face her properly, then lifted his helmet off and let his arms fall to his waist with it.
Toyotama began to blush when she saw her rescuers face. It was the face of a young man - in his late teens or early 20s - with a strong sculpted jaw line and square chin. He was beginning to show some stubble which gave him slightly a rugged look. The Spartan had full lips and she noticed that his hair was shaven quite close to his scalp. Six also had an almost Hellenic nose, like one of the ancient greek sculptures she saw in a history book once. His eyebrows were thick and black, but what drew her most in were his eyes. The Spartan's eyes were a nice crystal blue with shades of green and something darker around the pupils
Toyotama thought he looked handsome and was glad her Ashikabi was a looker, but she couldn't mistake that he had a hard look about him. His expressionless face and seemingly inscruitible eyes spoke of hardship, conflict, unbearable loss and pain. Yet despite this she could still see a spark of kindness and compassion deep within. She noticed that he had a couple of scars - one on his cheek, one across his nose, and one above his right eye starting from the brow and going up to the middle of his forehead. As Toyotama wondered what kind of hell her Ashikabi went through he began to speak to her.
"My name isn't important as I abandoned it long ago. If you must call me something I am designated Spartan B312, callsign Noble Six, UNSC Office of Naval Intelligence."
As she continued to stare into his eyes, Six put his helmet under his arm and examined her in kind. He saw that her cheeks were red and moved towards her to check to see if she had a fever. Toyotama shivered as his lips touched her forehead, while she was hoping for him to kiss her this was also nice as his lips felt warm against her cool skin.
Six drew away much to Toyotama's displeasure. "You don't seem to have a fever. No wound infections, good."
As he moved to put his helmet back on Toyotama saw her chance to be winged slipping away so she acted quickly and feigned having a headache "Oh my head...it hurts so much."
Six frowned. He had observed her take a couple of hits to the head so it was possible she might have a concussion. Leaning back in Six said "Stay with me. Keep awake. Look at my eyes. Focus." he commanded in rapid fashion, attempting to gauge damage.
Toyotama smiled to herself as she moved quickly, catching the super soldier off guard. Six immediately made to draw his sidearm, but was too late. Six was expecting an attack like a headbutt or maybe even a bite, what he got instead was his first kiss. Toyotama began to explore his mouth with her tongue. Six had no idea why she was doing this, then he saw something that made even less sense as he saw wings of light burst from her back. She moaned into the kiss and violet glowed at the back of her neck. The wings themselves were forest green in color seemingly comprised of feathers or perhaps flower petals.
Toyotama then broke the kiss and sucked in a breath. "By my staff of my contract, let my Ashikabi's burdens be swept aside." she declared as the light from her wings dissipated. Toyotama looked at Six and smiled lovingly. "You asked me to stay with you, and I shall do just that, my Ashikabi. I will stand by your side and support you forever." She finished as she cupped Six's cheek with her left hand.
Six only had one thought going through his head.
"What the fuck was that?!"
While Toyotama flexed her hands she looked toward her Ashikabi and just found him staring dumbfounded. The newly winged Sekirei waved her hand in front of the Spartan's face but no reaction.
"Don't tell me I broke my Ashikabi?" Toyotama said to herself.
When she touched Six's cheek he instantly snapped out of it and jumped back a little to put some distance between them. Six had his hand on his sidearm and pulled it out, aiming at the woman.
"What the hell was that light? What did you do?"
Toyotama raised her hand in surrender and stood there shocked. Of all the reactions she expected from her Ashikabi, pulling a gun on her wasn't one of them.
"Wow, hey hey, just calm down. If you let me explain I will tell you everything of what just happened." Toyotama chattered quickly, trying to calm him down. "Just put the gun away and I'll talk."
Six wasn't sure if she was serious or was just trying to get him to lower his guard again. After a couple moments of thinking it over he lowered his weapon "Fine, but any sudden movements and I'll put a round between your eyes. Understand?"
Toyotama gulped at that last statement, but managed a nod. She started wondering if she made a mistake in bonding with him... however, thinking about it she did force a kiss on him and he definitely didn't like it. Toyotama then gathered her thoughts.
"How do I put this... Well, I am called Toyotama, and those three women you fought off and myself aren't Human." the 16th Sekirei saw her Ashikabi's eyes narrow so she quickly continued. "We're an alien race called Sekirei that landed on this planet years ago. I kissed you because you're my Ashikabi."
There was that unfamiliar word again. Six put that aside to focus on what really mattered. 'She is not some augmented Human like I thought. She and those others are aliens... on Earth? There are species with no connection to the Covenant?'
While Six wrestled with his thoughts both he and Toyotama heard a jingle. Six brought up his pistol again.
"Slowly answer it."
Toyotama nodded and did as she was told.
She slowly took the phone out of her pocket and brought it to her ear and accepted the call. "Hello?"
Six didn't take his eyes off of her as face moved through several expressions at once, no doubt due to the one on the other end of the phone.
"Oh, it's you." Toyotama huffed, clearly not welcoming the contact. "He's right here in front of me, pointing a weapon at me." Toyotama added.
Six's enhanced hearing detected a loud screeching from the tiny speaker.
"Yes. No, he didn't seem to react too well to our bonding, and now he's threatening me as if I'm some type of monster." Toyotama replied. "Maybe if you talk to him you can talk some sense into him?"
Six just stared at her, aprehensive. He wanted to have Athena run a trace on the call only to realize he'd dropped his helmet. Before Six could move to retrieve it Toyotama approached slowly with her hands in the air to show she wasn't going to try anything. Once they were a meter away from each other Toyotama slowly lowered her hand that held the phone and held it out to him.
"It's for you." She said simply.
Six glanced between both the phone and Toyotama, then cautiously took his left hand off his sidearm to pick up the phone. He brought it to his ear. "Who is this?"
"Greetings and salutations, young man! I would like to congratulate you on winging number 16! However, from what she has informed me there seems to be a problem after bonding with her." Spoke a obnoxious male voice on the other end of the phone.
Six raised his eyebrow in confusion and dared to flick his gaze toward his fallen helmet. "Winging? Bonding? What the hell is this lunatic talking about?" Six muttered under his breath. "Hey, Hiroto Minaka, was it? I have no idea what you're talking about. Explain - aliens? Wings of light? What the hell is going here?"
Six was in no mood for games. First he failed to save Reach, he lost almost all of Noble team - hopefully not Jun - and Keiichi 047 died for him. Now he was stuck on a Earth seeming more and more likely to not be his Earth in the 2020s, and he had to deal with aliens near indistinguishable from Humans, one of which assaulted him with a kiss of all things. As far as Six was concerned he was mad as hell and he wanted some goddamned answers.
"You sound like a man who's lost in a strange land you don't understand." the obnoxious voice stated, unfazed. "If I had to guess, with the armor you're wearing you are probably from another time or place. Am I correct?"
Six's eyes suspiciously widened. "How did you-"
"Our observation satellite picked up a strange anomaly in certain alleyway, and after the strange lights disappeared there you were - face down on the ground in a small crater." The madman explained.
Six's eyes widened in shock. They caught that on video!? How much surveillance do they have? Six wondered internally. That snippet gave him an idea as to just how powerful this maniac was.
Said maniac deigned to grant him a moment to consider, before chuckling his way into further chatter.
"I can tell you're shocked. I must say, it was so extraordinary - like watching an old sci-fi movie, where the hero arrives to a different time or place through strange anomalous lights. Although, old movies use cheep bloom-lights and didn't alarm security forces!" Minaka added.
Six didn't like this individual. He seemed to hover between madness and lucidity. He hated that kind - it made them unpredictable and much more dangerous. "You still didn't answer my question. Who the hell are you?"
The man on the other side laughed. "I guess introductions are in order. My name is Minaka Hiroto - yes, the Minaka Hiroto, Founder and CEO of Mid-Bio Informatics or MBI." Minaka then let loose a maniacle laugh that grated on Six's nerves. "What about you, my interesting friend? What is your name?" Minaka asked with maddened glee in his voice.
Six reminded himself that the aliens and this Minaka were connected somehow, and decided to ensure he remained consistant with what Toyotama had witnessed from him.
"I've abandoned my name years ago as it serves no purpose now. If you must call me something then I am known as Spartan B312."
Minaka was quiet on the other end for a moment. "That's a little strange to be called a name, don't you think?"
Six narrowed his eyes. "I am also known as Noble-Six."
Minaka laughed, like some theatrical villain. "That is much better! I'll call you Six, then. Now, my lost friend, if you want answers to your questions then I am the one you need to talk too. But first, you can put away your gun. Number 16 has no interest in harming you. After all if you die she also dies - you two are now bonded."
Six was surprised by this information. 'If I die she dies with me?! Is this a symbiotic bond? What if she dies will I die as well?' There were so many questions running through his mind, but he had to focus. Couldn't count on this Minaka playing twenty questions with him, so he had to choose his next questions carefully. There was no guarantee Toyotama could fill in any blanks.
"Before I tell you anything, is your gun put away?" Minaka asked in an oddly cheerful manner.
Six hesitated for a moment. If Minaka spoke true that some connection tied her life to his she would not attack him. Six finally lowered his weapon and stuck it to the hardpoint on his thigh. The greenette woman sighed in relief, glad that as much as she hated Minaka - like so many other Sekirei - he was able to get her Ashikabi to stand down.
"There, I put it away. Now you answer my questions?"
" Splendid! To answer your question let me explain what you are now. An Ashikabi!" Minaka declared.
"What exactly is an Ashikabi anyway? Sounds like some type of vegetable."
Minaka laughed on the other side. "Oh no my dear friend an Ashikabi is so much more than that. As you have heard from Toyotama, she is a Sekirei - part of an alien race I discovered on a crashed ship on an island. 108 baby birds have been released all over the city, each Sekirei looking for their destined one."
Six raised an eyebrow at that. 'Destined one? What did he mean be that and why are aliens allying themselves with humans?'
"As you saw, Toyotama reacted to you and she knew you were her destined one, and thus sealed your bond through a kiss. Now, thanks to your DNA Toyotama has been marked as yours. Will other Sekirei react to you? Will you hunt them down to increase your power? Only the gods themselves will know what type of fate is in store for you. Once all 108 or 80% of the Sekirei have found their Ashikabi and have been winged, each Sekirei and their Ashikabi will be forced to fight and battle through out the city in a grand battle-royal style tournament."
Six was shocked to hear this. This crazy asshole was releasing aliens into the city to find human partners and he was going to force them to fight to the death. Six then asked "What the hell is the point of all this? You're going to have these aliens and the Humans they bonded with to fight to the death? For what? Why do any of this?"
Minaka cackled, clearly enjoying the conversation. "I'm glad you asked, my armored friend. Yes, the Sekirei and their Ashikabi will fight, and fight and fight - until there is only one Ashikabi and his Sekirei left. Once there is an Ashikabi standing on the top of the mountain of corpses he has made he will then receive the grand prize for completing the Sekirei Plan, which is the name of the game you are now apart of. This victorious Ashikabi and his or her Sekirei will then decide the fate of the entire world and a new "Age of the Gods" will be born! HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!" Minaka unleashed a vastly superior stage-maniac laugh at the culmination of his explaination.
Six was furious. Not only was he going to drag innocent people into this asinine game, but the winner decided the fate of the entire Human race like a god. What if the winner had less then noble intentions at best all of mankind would be enslaved by some psycho? At worst said psycho could decide to wipe out all Human life on the planet. Six was then reminded of the Covenant and how they exterminated men, women and children and glassed their worlds all because - from what ONI could piece together - in their eyes Mankind were heretics and guilty of some sin to their religion, which they still had no idea what that entailed. But where they killed and attacked Humanity over some stupid religion, this bastard wanted to put all of Humanity in danger and have innocent people who bonded with these Sekirei to fight to the death and decide the fate of their species... and Minaka did this because he thought it would provide great entertainment.
Toyotama saw the look on her Ashikabi's face and if looks could kill she had no doubt that Minaka would be dead on the other end of the line. Six's thoughts didn't just stop at the Covenant and the countless they killed like the innocents on Reach and the rest of Noble team, but his thoughts traveled to one planet that was glassed years ago. That was the planet he was born on with his family that he was powerless to save.
That day was forever burned into his mind. All the death, destruction and the hatred he felt that day. Everything lost to him by a cult of aliens wiping them out in the name of their gods. From that day forward he vowed vengeance for what the Covenant did, joining many other war orphans just like him who wanted nothing more to bathe in the blood of the Covenant.
Right there Six wanted to openly declare war on Minaka and stop whatever this age of God is before anyone claimed this worthless prize. Knowing it wouldn't be a good idea since he is in unknown territory and dosen't have enough intel and information on his new foe to declare open conflict without knowing the full extent of Minaka's power.
Six calmed himself down, took a well practiced deep breath, and put a more relaxed look on his face. A confused Toyotama wondered what that was all about since if he could switch emotion like that... she had a feeling it wasn't a good sign. For Six outright murder wasn't yet possible by such a basic phone, so he decided to insult the madman and declare war.
"You must've had one hell of a depressing childhood to come up with a stupid game like this." Six stated.
"Huh?"
"You mean to tell me you find a spaceship full of aliens, a discovery which would've changed this world forever, and you turn into a game? I don't know about you, but I find that kind of depressing. If you didn't find that ship I guarantee you'd be one of those man-children who lives in their mothers basement playing with their action figures all day."
Six then heard the sounds of Minaka spluttering on the other end of the line. Six smirked like a wolf who caught his pray, his free fist flexing slightly in victory over the psycho MBI CEO.
Despite years of tragedy and his brutal training becoming a Spartan III commando didn't mean Six didn't have a sense of humor. Since S3's like him had more personality compared to their older brothers and sisters in the Spartan II program. The same time his enhanced hearing could make out the muffled sounds of laughter on the other end of the phone it sounded like two women laughing. He had done a rare thing it seemed.
Across from him Toyotama couldn't help but let out a small laugh finding what he just said to Minaka humorous. Still, she worried for her Ashikabi since no one she knew ever address the game master like that before without the terror the Disciplinary Squad raining down on them.
Looking at his face, he showed no signs of fear or uncertainty when insulting Minaka. Staring at him for some reason her fears steadily diminished, like he was forcing her fears and doubts into submission making her stare at awe at his bravery feeling pride swell in her heart for Six.
Six at the same time heard Toyotama laugh taking his attention to her for a moment' I made her laugh.' Six internally said to himself…. He couldn't explain it some reason he felt joy seeing her laugh, he couldn't explain why he was feeling this emotion right now. Was it this symbolic bond he was supposedly in with her…. He wasn't sure. For now he'll question it later, taking his focus back to the phone.
"You know what? I think I'm done talking to you. I want to talk to one of the two women I hear laughing in the background with you." Six demanded. He much preferred to have a more pleasant conversation with someone other then Minaka.
After some arguing from Minaka and a loud smashing sound like a desk being destroyed, Six heard a female voice mutter as the phone was brought to another's ear.
"Hello? Is this the armored individual I'm speaking too?"
"Yes."
"My name is Takami Sahashi. I am the head researcher here at MBI. What is it you want to talk to me about?"
Hearing her speak again her voice sounded very familiar to Six... like he heard this person speak before... then he realized who's voice it was.
"Halsey?"
"Hm? Who or what is Halsey?" Replied the woman named Takami on the other side.
Six quickly ignored her question "She's no one important. I wanted to talk to you instead of Minaka, because I was hoping to talk to somebody who didn't sound like an escaped mental asylum patient."
Takami chuckled a little bit at the remark he made about her boss and responded "Was it that you wanted to know about the bonding process?"
Six allowed himself a smile. She didn't miss a beat. "This process - I assume - is something akin to symbiosis?"
"Yes, you are right. Your Sekirei gets stronger based on how strong your bond is with them."
"Minaka also said that if I died she would also die. If she were to die would I also die?"
"No. If a Sekirei is terminated their Ashikabi is not killed by it." Takami said.
Six was glad that wasn't the case as it would be a huge liability.
"Is that all you wanted to know?" Takami asked politely.
"No, there's one more question on my mind here. What did he mean by Sekirei reacting to me and increasing my power, as well as hunting them down? Not the raving of your boss, but a sane assessment."
"Well there's some things the idiot forgot to tell you ." Takami admitted, then inhaled through her cigarette.
"Like what?" Noble six asked.
"Ashikabi are individuals to whom Sekirei become attached, in both a contractual and emotional sense. The winging of a Sekirei is done through an exchange of DNA through mucosal contact - a mouth-to-mouth kiss which number 16 has demonstrated to you. The main ability of an Ashikabi is empowering Sekirei, both by the strength of their emotional bonds and assisting in the activation of the Sekirei's Norito. An Ashikabi's power also increases with the number of Sekirei they wing, and more powerful Sekirei are more likely to respond and react to a more powerful Ashikabi." Takami explained.
Six found himself not liking what he was hearing. If he understood correctly, the moment Toyotama kissed him she put a marker on him and now other Sekirei could become aware of his presence just by sensing his DNA.
"Anything else you wanted to know?" Takami asked.
Six thought for a bit. "No. Thank you for the information. Goodbye."
"Wait-"
Six ended the call and gave the phone back to Toyotama.
Toyotama took the phone from her Ashikabi and put it away in a pocket. "So, did they explain everything?"
"More or less yeah. I'm now stuck in a game of life and death and more alien women are going to hunt me down because of what you did." Six summarised while he retrieved his helmet. "But there is one thing I don't understand."
Toyotama raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Six looked at her for a while. "After you...kissed me... you told me you would stay by my side forever. Also, by looking at your pupils dilation and the way you touched my face it was almost like that of a lover. Why did you do that?"
Toyotama blushed as she thought about the best way to explain this. "Well, you're my Ashikabi...my destined one. When I kissed you and we bonded I became your Sekirei forever. In Human terms the winging process I went through after I kissed you was like a wedding ceremony, and in a way we are now husband and wife." the green haired Sekirei said as she looked down at her feet blushing.
Six was shocked. Not only was he in a symbiotic bond with this woman, but now they were considered married by her standards and that other Sekirei will hunt him down and try to bond with him thus becoming his wives. How would he discern which Sekirei had the intent to bond with or kill him? Before Six could begin to dread about his current situation and wish he was back on Reach, both Six and Toyotama heard from the Spartan's AI partner.
"I guess congratulations are in order, Six. You were able to find a wife while we're stuck here. So, when is the honeymoon?"
"Who said that!?" Toyotama alerted by the unknown female voice grabbing her staff and looked in every direction where it came from.
"Down here." Toyotama's eyes zeroed-in on Six's helmet hanging from the hand at his side.
"Your helmet talks?" Toyotama gasped, staring at her Ashikabi's helmet with a confused look.
"Not quite." He replied, then raised the contraption and withdrew the chip from the back. "I take it you were listening and got my hint? Did you manage to find any data on this Hiroto Minaka?"
Toyotama watched him take out this chip like device from the back of the helmet and held it in the palm of his hands. A moment later Toyotama jumped back in fright as what she could only describe as ghostly, glowing, doll-seized woman appeared above the chip. This ghost looked like an ancient warrior from either Ancient Rome or Greece standing in the hand of her Ashikabi, with red hair and vivid green eyes, wearing a bright white full-length dress complete with drapery, her armor made out of gold and her hair in a french braid.
Athena shook her head. "I tried to Six, but something is wrong."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean everything about Minaka Hiroto from his birth records, psychological profile, his history, hell even his medical records just don't exist." Athena explained. "It's almost like Minaka Hiroto didn't exist until he entered university."
Six took that in and thought about it. So the mental patient is capable of erasing his history. "Athena I want you to keep trying to dig up whatever you can about this guy. Any scrap of information no matter how trivial, I want to know about it."
Athena nodded. "Understood. I'll let you know what I'm able to come up with. I did find some data on Takami Sahashi, however."
Athena brought up an image of Takami next to her her own thumbnail. The woman appeared to be a slender, middle-aged woman with grey hair and grey eyes. She was wearing a white lab coat over non-descript grey button-up shirt and black trousers.
"The similarity is striking..."
Athena nodded in agreement on his HUD. "I may have never met Halsey, but I have enough files to compare. For this Takami Sahashi to sound exactly like her is unexpected and unlikely. She has a similar gaze and expression, too. Maybe there are equivalent persons in this other dimension, and we found this world's version of Halsey? The possibilities have me curious."
Before they could speak further, Six noticed Toyotama coming close to his open hand staring at Athena.
"What is this? A tiny ghost?" Toyotama so mesmerized and transfixed on the AI she wasn't even paying attention to what they were talking about.
Six looked at Toyotama and considered. Since they were now bonded he figured they were now for all intense and purposes a team, so he decided she would need to know things. "Toyotama, this right here is named Athena. She is a smart AI that is currently part of my armor-systems."
Athena turned around to face a very surprised Toyotama with a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Toyotama. Welcome to the team, and congrats on the marriage."
Six sighed. 'She is never going to let this go.' he thought.
"Humm… thank you for congratulating me on my winging." Toyotama blushing despite being thanked by technically a machine. It did raise a question in her mind. "So you're a real artificial intelligence... I didn't think there was anything advanced like you out there. Are there more of you?" Toyotama asked. Her knowledge on artificial intelligences was scarce, however she never heard or seen any like this before.
"Lets just say I'm the only highly advanced AI in the world right now and before you ask, everything else is classified until I'm ready to tell you at a later point in time. More importantly..."
Athena returned her attention back to Noble-Six, which brought him out of his own thoughts.
"I think your husband here owes you an apology for pointing a gun at you… don't you, Six?"
Six knew Athena was still teasing him about being married and wanted to retort that she owed him the apology for the kiss, but reluctantly conceded. He regarded Toyotama and said "I'm sorry I held you at gunpoint. After that...kiss and the winging I wasn't sure if you were a threat or not."
Toyotama looked surprised as it was only a kiss, but she was grateful that he apologized. "Sorry I just kissed you out of the blue like that, but Sekirei can rarely control themselves when they are in front of their Ashikabi." She explained.
As Six heard Toyotama's explanation on how Sekirei react when in the presence of their Ashikabi, the Spartan committed it to memory so he can be on the look out for women that showed such symptoms. Six then inserted the AI chip back in it's proper place and put on his helmet. "Toyotama, I'm going to check that those friends of yours are gone, and check if there are any other surprises that might cause us trouble. Stay here and rest. I'll return once I have done a thorough check of the perimeter."
Six then left the room before Toyotama could protest.
Once he was gone Toyotama just sat back on the bed and sighed "Fine." She said laying back in bed, "Might as well get some rest." It had been a long day for her since she was chased and beaten up by her best friend and then got rescued by her Ashikabi only for him to threaten her at gunpoint since her kiss and wings freaked him out. Still, there was a lot of things about her Ashikabi that raised a lot of questions. She hoped after some time with him he would reveal more about himself to her.
'What is he? He's proven himself to be more than just a Human when he took on Ichiya and her teammates and beat them back. The futuristic armor he wears and now this advanced AI, so many mysteries and no answers to them.'
Toyotama took a deep breath, closed her eyes and tried to get some sleep with her staff close at hand, leaning up against the wall next to the bed.
Leaving Toyotama to rest, Six walked outside and did a perimeter check of the building, wanting no more surprises from hostile Sekirei like those three women from earlier. Outside it was still dark so there weren't too many people out and about. Just to be safe Six turned on his active camouflage and mostly vanished into the night.
"So... you want to talk about the situation we found ourselves in?" Athena asked the Spartan.
Six really didn't but decided to humor the AI. "There is little we can talk about. We're on a world that might not be our Earth - and if it is, we're trapped 500 years in the past. To make matters worse we are now in a fight to the death between multiple alien women and to add insult to injury there might be more of them that claim to be my wives because of some non-physical bond. These aliens must be crazy."
Athena chuckled ."You say that like it's a bad thing."
The Spartan said nothing and just exhaled at his AI companions remark.
"Oh come on, lighten up. According to data I have, most Human males would jump at this opportunity to have multiple wives." Athena baited, trying to cheer up her partner.
"Well, Athena, Spartan III commando training prepared me for a lot of things, from weapons training, Hand-to-hand combat, survival training, operating combat vehicles, and intelligence gathering. Being in relationships isn't it one of those."
"Lets talk intel, then." the AI verbally shrugged. "I have scraped together something regarding Hiroto Minaka."
"Good. Tell me."
"Not really anything useful. No records except for him going to Tokyo University and graduating in 1999 at the top of his class. A 'super genius' he was labeled by the professors at the University. From what I'm reading here, it seems like his IQ could be on par with Halsey's - if you can believe it."
"You're shitting me, right?" Six balked immediately. "This mental patient was considered to be a super genius and possibly on the same level as the greatest mind in the UNSC?"
"I wished it was a joke but MBI itself is a certain kind of proof." Athena sighed. "Also, if you think that is surprising, wait until you see a picture of what this guy looks like today."
Athena then brought up a thumbnail on Six's HUD. He blinked at the head-to-toe picture of Hitoto Minaka. If he was trying to be a super villain in a comic book six thought he was trying to way too hard. He saw slender, bespectacled man with tall and spiked white hair. He was entirely clad in white - a suit, shirt, gloves and high-collar full-cape. It was hard to be sure of the material quality, but the cape did seem thick enough to be expensive. Whatever regal or clerical air might have been produced from such was demolished by the extroverted comic-book pose.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think the Covenant Prophets have more dignity than this guy." Six muttered.
Athena chuckled a little bit at the comparison. "Other than that, the only other information is what we know so far - sometime after graduation an earthquake happened in the sea of Japan, an island rose up to the surface. Without permission Hiroto Minaka and Takami Sahashi ventured there and found the Sekirei."
He mulled over the data for several long moments, enjoying the quiet of the night after all the recent chaos.
"You could try to learn to be in a relationship... you know, it sounds crazy coming from an AI." Athena commented. She may be a smart AI didn't mean she didn't know anything about human relationships. In fact, she had a lot of data on the Human psyche.
Six didn't say anything, just took in what the AI said. When it came to relationships - especially romantic ones - he was clueless. He and many other Spartans whether they are part of the second or third generation were detached from those type of ideas. Six knew nothing about being a husband or boyfriend for that matter, so with him and this alien woman, Toyotama, he was completely unsure how to handle her. At this point he couldn't fathom trying to have multiple alien wives! If he was lucky Toyotama would be the only one bonded to him and no more.
For Noble-Six, he only knew three ways to react to people. If you were his commanding officer he obeyed you. If you were in his squad he would lay down his life for you. If you were his enemy then God have mercy on your soul.
Notes (edited as of 5/11/2024)
There you go everybody, here is chapter 3 and sixs first sekirei! Another big thanks to The Son of Sparda 343, Who helped me with the fight scenes here again like in the first chapter. He gets full credit for that.
Before I forget I do not own either sekirei or halo they belong to their respective owners , halo belonging to bungi and sekirei belonging to Sakurato Gokurakuin. The only thing that belongs to me is Athena my OC AI.
I will be honest I did take inspiration from SpartanPrime101 story sekirei legends since in the second chapter of that story he had his OC spartan save Toyotama from the lightning twins in the Second chapter. Those of you who are not familiar with that story go read it when you get the chance.
Fun fact, I actually learned Takami and Dr. Halsey/Cortana in Halo legends the anime shared the same English dub voice actress, Shelley Calene-Black. so I figure that would be an interesting idea to play with for six to mistake Takami for Halsey of the sound of her voice, even though its Jen Taylor as the main voice actress in the games for Halsey and Cortana.
For the sake of this story let's pretend Shelley Calene-Black voiced Halsey in Halo Reach.
Other than that I like to thank The Son of Sparda 343 for helping me out again with this chapter.
Also I don't own either sekirei and halo they belong to their respective owners.