11:25, April 12th. This very day marked Jr.'s departure into the depths of unknown territory.
A storage colony had mysteriously marked itself upon the sea of stars. No one knew what it was used for and what exact cargo was being shipped over.
Those two factors were enough to attract Jr.'s interest. He figured it would've been an stunt from another terrorist group, attempting to lure them in away their primal goal. U-TIC themselves weren't exactly firing any shots so now was better time than any.
Jr. awoke from his sleep with a yawn and stretch of his arms. Before allowing his feet to touch the floor he shook off his drowsiness. The past few days had been pretty brutal to catch any sleep.
U-TIC's surprise assaults often kept Jr. up at night, he kept wondering when they'd make the next move on MOMO again.
Speaking of the realian— she quietly knocked on his door. MOMO spoke to him desperately trying to keep her little voice from getting too excited. She was always so happy to see him.
"Hey, I made you something to eat I know it's a little early but we need all the energy for our battles to come." "It's toast with poached eggs, it's really delicious I got the recipe from an article I read up about." Jr. nodded with a press of the door activator. With a tiny beep the door opened to reveal MOMO herself on the other side. His sleepless expression changed to show appreciation in an instant. "Aw you shouldn't have, thanks!"
As his mouth bit into the meal MOMO sat next to him. She watched each bite with an adorable smile. "I'm glad you like it, I've only cooked around two meals since I've left the prison." Her sweet expression briefly changed upon remembering her abduction. It was thanks to Ziggy that she'd escaped unharmed. When reflected about Shion her smile returned, the girl remembered having an a great time at the kitchen. "Daddy never taught me how to cook, I was still in stasis before he'd left me." "But Shion has been teaching me all the basics, KOS-MOS on the other hand researches all the tasty recipes."
Jr. with a closed smile swallowed his food, each piece melted beautifully in his mouth. "Your cooking... it beats going to any of those five star restaurants out in the city!" Her amber eyes suddenly shined, they brimmed with sheer excitement.
"R-really, then I'll make them tomorrow again!" Prior to leaving Jr.'s room MOMO turned around worryingly. The air around them turned quiet, amplifying the ambience from the ceiling fan. "Is it true that you're leaving today, are you sure you won't need us?"
Jr. also turned solemn. He sighed before looking back. "Yeah, Gaignun wants me to sus out the place." "With the way we're handling things we'll killing two birds with one stone." "Having you help out with Shion and the others is just as important as you keeping us alive and kicking." "As for me, I've gotta play to my part with keeping everyone safe." "It's scary I know, but I promise I'll come back."
MOMO quietly nodded. "...Promise?"
Her friend placed a hand over her shoulder to show his honesty. "Promise." After MOMO let the door shut behind her, another beep sound near the bed head.
With look at his guns Jr. thought to himself. "Right, I have to go and tell Mary to take over for me."
"I don't know how long I'll be but I at least know it'll take a couple of hours to survey over the area." "It's just rouge bastards so I don't need to go too hard on em'."
His thoughts left as soon as Jr. walked from his room. He was headed towards the Durandal's elevator. It was located nearby the train station. Having the two so close seriously helped with constant travel between the Residential District and the Bridge.
Jr. walked past his admirers, realians and workers alike were caught by his presence. They all completely stopped what they were doing with the brightest of smiles. One produced girl called— "Hey it's the Little Master!" "I wanna know the secret to being motivated like you can!" Her friend suddenly chimed in, cheering to the same extent.
"He's so cool!" "I hear he takes out U-TIC in a blink of an eye, he's that fast!"
As the URTV walked he smiled back at them.
At the same time his mind kept itself focused.
Jr. as much as he wanted to couldn't wander from the objective at hand so his numerous fans had to wait.
When reaching the bridge he walked to the central console, his eyes oversaw the many asteroids ahead. As instantaneous as a snap from one's finger his tone completely shifted.
"What's our status?"
Shelley soon responded with a map overlay of their current position. A blinking circle showed where Durandal was stationed.
"Our vicinity so far is deemed acceptable, any assaults from the enemy can be intercepted without fail." "At this present time our surveyance over the colony can commence."
After the two nodded a familiar voice spoke from behind, the origin soon approached them.
Gaignun revealed himself with a smile, impressed at the rate of Shelley's results.
"Nothing short of a fantastic observation, Shelley." "Even my intuition isn't as swift."
Briefly Shelley's lips curled a gentle smile. Her purple lipstick was always gorgeous. "I always appreciative of your approval Master Gaignun."
"And your's too Little Master." Jr. masked his irritation with a smug smile but his eyes were barely hiding that fact.
"So I'm an after thought, huh?"
"But I'm doing all the paperwork, so naturally I should be praised too." Gaignun abacked with confusion, just the same as Shelley did.
"But... she *is* praising you." The oldest twin disagreed back with a fold of his arms. "I take the encourage totally to heart but what I'm saying is just a matter of fact."
"Not alot of people know the hell I go through just to get our water services back up and running again."
"Meh, anyway—" "The destination is in the western region of space, sounds pretty far from where we are." Mary suddenly chimed into with a salute to her hat. "Right you are Little Master!" "You won't have to worry about a thing we'll take mighty good care of her while ya' gone." Jr. looked up to her with a nod, he really had nothing in the world to worry over. His friends weren't exactly leaving the port and neither were his shipmates back at base.
"Good to hear Mary, be sure to take care of yourselves I'll be back soon."
Jr. at the docking area stood before his craft. It was shade of blue as brilliant as the ocean.
When the hatch opened from the cockpit he jumped in, preparing himself for the fights ahead.
As soon as the Durandal released his craft's restrainers Jr. was sent soaring.
Left by his departure was a single stream of beaming amber light. MOMO by the Elsa's window watched him leave. Her hand clenched itself to stay strong.
Shion stayed by MOMO's side, she comforted shoulder with a warm hand over her. "He's been crossing your mind lately, hasn't he?"
MOMO nodded with her head facing the floor, she didn't have the mental power to look at anyone just yet. "Yeah." "I... I really care about him."
"I always get scared when he goes off all by himself..." "To deal with so many numbers like that can overpower anyone alone, even Ziggy." "That was what happened to me a short while ago." "But a part of me reminds me about how strong Jr. really is and about his promise."
Shion nodded at her concerns, she too had felt the same way with her father as a child.
"There's nothing wrong with feeling fear, even when you're as strong as he is." "Every one of us has felt it at least once in our lives."
"Even people that don't admit to it— they've all felt it as well."
Shion at that moment wrapped her arms around MOMO. The little girl shook, fighting fear with the help of her clenched fists.
While the two embraced the sounds of metal clunked heavily on the floor.
MOMO's head arose, knowing the individual that had suddenly entered. "Ziggy?"
The cyborg nodded above them, he then bent down to MOMO's level with a warm smile.
"Don't worry it's just me, I merely came by to see how you were holding up, you've been exhausted these past few months so it's hard to shift my attention away." "My apologies if I'm interrupting anything."
MOMO rose her hands, deniably shaking her head. "Oh don't worry we were just chatting!"
"It's taken a little while but my head's feeling less groggy today." "It's probably all the fighting... I'm not exactly used to it yet."
Despite having the extraordinary healing qualities from her ether, MOMO still had trouble with recovering from each time she used her abilities in excess.
Ziggy saw first hand what it was like, the poor girl would begin to stumble and eventually break her combative stance.
Not long after MOMO's ether would diminish into discolored specks.
With the memory gone from Ziggy's mind he comforted MOMO with a realistic view for her worries. "There's no shame in taking time to recover, you'll always be an invaluable asset to us."
Jr. landed to discover the said storage unit ahead of himself. Each of his steps crunched with sand, there were zero signs of fresh life anywhere. The overall place looked dead and abandoned.
In regards to the acclaimed people who were transferring cargo over— they were found dead. Remnants of skeletons were discovered by Jr. piled up at the largest site in the center. Arms were disfigured from their bodies, telling a clear sign that the dwellers here had died from erosion.
With curiosity and fear combined together Jr. spoke to himself. "What the hell... happened here?" "Weren't people transferring illegal goods or something?"
His interest changed upon seeing the largest storage unit on the planet. Iron crates were littered around it, empty and broken into. Thieves had obviously tried to loot the place clean but of course had their lives cut short. Traversing this place was like a tortuous hell for the feet, for every step felt like walking through quick sand. Knowing this Jr. picked up his pace. He was also beginning to grow curious as to what was being stored here.
When he reached the unit he sighed, placing a hand against the door. The air inside was frigid as hell despite being out in the desert. But still he had to go in. Jr. pushed the door to see... "fresher" bodies. Corpses were decaying right in front of him. They were stacked together in a rotten collective lump, letting a vomit inducing stench into the air. Jr.'s throat fought with the temptation to be sick but ultimately stopped with the thought of bravely pressing in further. Jr. with a hand over his mouth looked around himself, more metal containers again. Filled inside them were illegal medicines to be shipped over, as to where they were destinated to Jr. had no idea. "It'll be good idea to grab sample of— whatever this is before I head back..."
"As for the rest, I'll destroy them." "Sure as hell don't want anyone else touching this stuff." Right as Jr. grabbed his guns he noticed someone crawling across the floor.
A blonde woman with only a piece of fabric over her was begging to be freed. "Little... Master!" "You... have to—!"
When Jr. spoke his voice wavered with confusion, he knew exactly who this was. Alisa, the one in charge of maintaining the Durandal's shuttleships.
"Y... You're a part of our engineering commission, what happened!?"
Alisa simply shook her head, ignoring the tears flowing down her face. The truth was far more important to tell. "I don't know... how long I have left to live."
"Those medications you saw aren't ordinary." "They've got heavy amounts of sodium oxide, I... I think you can put two and two together..."
A wave of dread suddenly shot through Jr.'s heart, just how many had died beyond his control? There was no mistaking it. Through illicit means people were being turned into Gnosis, the very things his team were tasked to destroy.
Jr. teared a little at the conclusion Alisa left for him. The only thing left was for her to die. "I... I can't...!" "There has to be way of saving you!" Alisa gently smiled with a pull of her hand back. "We can't make contact but I know how much my life means to you Little Master." "So please."
"If I transform— I ask of you to give me that comfort because that's what I truly want." "That request is of my own free will."
His mind was torn between shooting her or getting help. The latter would've taken at least an hour given his location.
By then it still would've been too late.
"Everything there was locked when I came by, I wanted to transfer them back so the ones responsible could be locked away." "But someone... someone was here before me." "Everyone on the Durandal the Foundation— everyone that I ever cared about would've been in danger if I didn't act."
"The sole reason of having the medicines being illegally imported was a means of a ruse, a distraction." Jr. eventually sat down with his legs crossed, focused on hearing the rest of her story. "What did they want?"
Alisa worryingly closed her eyes.
"...The Prototype."
His heart immediately turned over itself. Jr. was so shocked that he could only mention her name. Despair had dangled itself from within causing his skin to run completely cold. "M...MOMO—"
"Where are they, the bastard has another thing coming if they're thinking about getting out here alive!"
Alisa with a nod moved towards a pillar to comfortably rest her back. When she sat her face resumed it's solemn expression.
"The interrogator was clothed in white, he was almost a splitting image of the Director." "That gentle kindness that Gaignun always speaks to us with... was completely void when I was spoken to."
"...Instead I was greeted with madness."
Back at the Durandal Shelley turned around to Gaignun. "It's been four system hours since we last received contact, Little Master's communications line is stable but he isn't answering any of our requests."
"Any suggestions, Director?"
Gaignun watched Jr.'s AGWS blink in and out on the monitor. His craft hadn't moved from it's initial position. "That worries me, I can't even find him."
"There's a possibility that he's made contact with U-TIC along the way, but even then he'd tell us." "All right, leave the matter with me I'll see it sorted."
When Gaignun took the elevator down a unsettling vibe shot through him.
Slowly Gaignun's hand held itself against his chest, confused as to why his mold was beginning to break. It didn't matter what the situation was he'd usually stay calm.
As the elevator reached the second level Gaignun was interrupted by a voice. It sounded way too calm for the situation at hand, sadistic too. The voice had broken through the spiritual link, interrupting Gaignun to a halt. The director first saw a lone finger slowly run down a makeshift throne. Those fingers... looked unnatural. They were like claws belonging to some sort of animal. Yes, an animal described this person well. The individual showed zero regard for the dead only twisted devotion for his sweet sweet brother. "What's the hurry, thought you were headed to conduct some pathetic reconnaissance?" "Or maybe... you're intent on slaying my beloved dragon." "Either way I suggest that you keep your distance— he belongs to me."
Gaignun stood at the laughter that echoed around him, giving the effect that Albedo was nearby. His feet took two steps back to cautiously survey around himself. "You're so pale... afraid that I'm going dirty your own toy?" Gaignun stood strong, firm handed with what he was about to say. "You're mistaken if you're thinking that I'll let my guard down when I'm around him." "Things are alot different than what they once were, my task lies elsewhere." "I don't intend to wander towards what our father's assigned me to."
Whilst deeply caught with depravity Albedo held a Kirschwasser in his hands, feeling the injuries he'd inflicted on the girl's feeble flesh. One of his hands "caressed" over her body, making the girl's half dead expression finally wince. "Ever since you kept him away from me I've had to resort to... alternative measures."
"The Prototype was out of reach so these dolls were the next best thing." "You should give pain a little try for yourself Nigredo, after all it's about time you stopped hiding and took a likeness in our father's shadow." Gaignun called out immediately after that taunt knowing the outcome soon after.
"Wait!"
His concern didn't faze Albedo once. The man twisted the Kirschwasser's arm back letting it's ligaments snap like mere twigs.
"This one lasted for quite a while, not even a word left her about dearest little sister..."
"That reminds me— I've grown curious about that girl Rubedo's looking after."
"Ma pêche has deluded herself with the false promise of miracles and faith, I can't help but imagine what'd happen if I broke into her, could she still part a little smile knowing that I'm slowly killing her from the inside?"
Just the mere movement from Albedo's eyes sent unease through Gaignun's body but still he remained strong. "And as for you Nigredo, I know you'll stumble when it comes to keeping that girl away from me." Albedo's last words left Gaignun alone with the sounds of wind unsettling his very soul.
His pace immediately changed into a run to head towards the Elsa.
Alisa soon touched the wall begging Jr. not to come closer. "It's happening— stay away!"
Without warning her hands pulled themselves down her skull, resisting the urge to lash out.
Jr. reached his hand out to help but but was quickly slapped back. "ALISA!"
Alisa couldn't respond, the effects of the drug had already affected her neuro network.
When she did try to speak her voice turned dark. It was clear that despite losing control her grief still managed to escape.
"FORGIVE... ME!" Jr. stood silently and watched everything unfold.
After Alisa's body shattered a Gnosis emerged from her shards. It's shape was akin to that of a large canine with it's flesh being stripped. The other incomplete masses of flesh formed into swollen sores around the "spine".
Ending the metamorphosis was a ear-piercing screech.
It felt horrible to call the monster an abomination, the mere thought felt like it would tarnish their previous connection.
It didn't matter that his body shook, his heart kept it's resolve. With Jr.'s fierce eyes focused on her his aim remained steady.
"I'll do what you asked of me, I'll make sure you won't suffer."
Jr. unleashed the first blow, a fast double tap from his gun.
The bullets flew before piercing into her flesh, with it's sudden impact released splashes of khaki blood.
The Gnosis rushed towards him on all floors, ready to swipe at Jr.'s face. The gunslinger took another stance and fired.
This time he shot a elemental bullet forward, causing explosions with it's fiery advance. Like acid the bullet lodged into the beast's head causing an erosion effect to it's flesh. But even with all that pain the creature still wasn't down. It rushed again at an increase speed and suddenly leapt him. The blow caused Jr. fall straight onto the ground. "N...No!"
Above him were deep sounds of a rabid dog. Just a mere snap of it's jaws were enough to separate Jr.'s neck from head.
While trying to think of an idea his hands fought against the Gnosis to keep it's maw shut. "I know a way to send you flying but it'll knock you out for good." As Jr.'s fist charged itself with fire he said his final words to her. "...I'm sorry."
A blast of flame shot out from his palms in a vortex of erosive fury. His attack... tore "Alisa" apart.
When the ether disappeared Jr. was left with her screech echoing in his ears.
He closed his eyes knowing that Alisa was freed from her torment.
But the job was far from being done.
Jr. slowly arose from his position still on guard. His eyes searched around himself, knowing exactly who'd Alisa referred to.
Laughter soon followed him in twisted circles, Jr. felt Albedo's presence from every darkened corner but didn't know exactly where.
"I don't give a damn' about what you think me, just show yourself!"
As Jr.'s hands tightened over his guns he was immediately prompted to made a sudden block. Caught against his barrels were hands of Albedo.
"I couldn't agree more, let us make this tragedy our comedy Rubedo!"
Albedo with immense force threw his brother down causing the twin to spew blood. Jr. with a gun held at Albedo's throat and yelled. "Your existence... is inexcusable!"
With a reply to instantly piss him off Albedo playfully ran down Jr.'s barrel.
"You can't condemn me to hell for I'm already living with brimstone."
"As each day passes you seem to forget... that I exist completely unfettered from sins of bloodshed." "And why you ask...?" "Because I didn't let the incomplete masses rot amongst themselves." A brief flash of thirteen young boys went past Jr.'s eyes. All forming a ring to ensnare U-DO's waves.
Jr. couldn't help but gasp, it was as if his voice had been snatched away. His mind was too caught with anger to say anything back.
"As for our little situation here... I knew you'd come for me." After Albedo's hand moved away from the barrel Jr. silently focused his aim. His twin sounded glad to be remembered despite Jr. not telling him so. Albedo could feel what Jr. felt himself. His fear, his pain, his enjoyment. Albedo felt everything. There truly wasn't a escape from him.
Albedo's voice lowered seductively, in a light yet eerie murmur.
"You think about me constantly."
"Even when you try and make that stubborn mind of yours wander..."
"You bring yourself back to me."
Jr. felt everything hit him at once. He couldn't move a single bone in his body, Jr. could scowl and watch Albedo pin him to the wall. "Others wouldn't dare to think about having your body for themselves— for you're mine and only mine."
Deep inside the red twin welled the Red Dragon, circling around his heart like an untamed flame. At any moment his body could engulf itself with an inferno beyond Jr.'s control. As fate itself hung on the balance Jr. slowly looked up towards his brother. "You can think all that but your bullshit isn't the truth!" "The past is behind me, but I've never chosen to forget about it!"
"I'm not running away, I'm just doing what's best for myself and those around me."
"You could— NEVER UNDERSTAND!"
Suddenly Jr.'s gun roared, he sent a bullet straight through his brother's head. As it drilled into the skull a moan left Albedo's lips. "R-Rubedo!"
Pain had shot through his spine and stimulated the senses with an orgasmic rush. Albedo was sent back holding the ground with his hands.
As he panted the other face side of his face reformed itself. "Rough and straight to the point, quite my style." Unbeknownst to the weakened brother Albedo beckoned his two forth- but it was no mere taunt.
Jr's without control suddenly pulled his gun upon Albedo. The Red Dragon fiercely flashed in his eyes, ready to unleash the killing blow.
"What a sweet expression— it's no wonder she's so infatuated with you." "You'll look at me now won't you Rubedo, you'll accept me as your half your sweet beloved equal knowing that she'll die right in front of you!" "Come at me give me everything you've got!" The temptation to pull the trigger was so strong a single tap was enough to end Albedo's existence. Jr.'s mind was a mess of mixed emotions.
Fear anguish and resistance all rushed in sending overwhelming amounts of adrenaline throughout himself.
Fighting it all back simply felt impossible.
It would've been if it wasn't for one person's sudden appearance.
Beautiful blue locks blew past Jr.'s face, it was a familiar woman wearing a solemn expression. "Your days of torment have come to an end, even with all this violence I still pity you."
"You were once a gentle child filled with suffering, but as it stands you insist on inflicting people with the same thing."
"I ask of you stand back from my ally or you'll be forced to move by my own hand."
Albedo's control over Jr. dropped a smirk back at the android. She stood with a R-BLADE brandished out. "Like a bitch in heat, you never know when to back off!"
There wasn't a second for Albedo to strike KOS-MOS had already grabbed his fist. Electric ether tried to zap his hand free but was negated by KOS-MOS's own paralysis.
"Keep your vulgarity to yourself, unless you want to be outnumbered." Her eyes suddenly flashed a beautiful shade of blue as clear as the ocean.
"We were warned of your very existence."
"In response to your previous insult I threw away that persona long ago, it no longer haunts me just as Jr. himself is no longer haunted by his!" A single stab was pierced through Albedo's chest causing blood to spew from his mouth.
Albedo's blood— was tasted with a sick smile.
The man took no time go recover and instead grabbed KOS-MOS down onto the floor.
"A mere machine defending a murderer, is that your pathetic way of showing compassion?"
"You'll never be able to concern yourself with someone elses... welfare, tools are to be disposed off— so I'll gladly destroy you!"
Prior to finishing her off Albedo suddenly blocked a hard blow towards his face.
A few steps away from him was Shion and others armed and ready. "KOS-MOS!"
The android pulled a brief smile before facing her target.
"I am all right Shion, please forgive me for not quelling the threat before us."
While Jr. watched his twin rise from the ground MOMO suddenly hugged him from behind. Her warm sweet embrace was enough to soothe his soul. "Are you all right, you're not hurt are you?"
Prior to answering Jr. felt a disturbance coming from Albedo's side.
MOMO turned as well to discover an overpowering aura forming in front of the group. "...W-what is that?"
Jr. faced Albedo with a grit of his teeth holding MOMO in hand.
"It's gonna be okay, we'll... we'll fight through this together."
Albedo arose from the awakening, delirious and eager for death.
"Fear from your lips Rubedo?"
"How touching, I never thought you'd go beyond your existence as an emotionless bastard." "In death we'll be one again, no longer will we fear of being parted, of being tarnished by whose we trusted most."
"So come, fight for what little is left in you!"
