This is a new chapter. Hope you like it. Changes to mention:
- Segai will be a Kamen Rider. This will be a poll as well.
- Tsugumi and Ayase as well. In the second half.
-The winner of the 2nd poll is Ryugen. The last poll will be posted soon.
- This story will feature original chapters not related to the anime, but possibly will be related to the tokusatsu show. I'm still trying to figure out where this story will go.
I also took a look at some of your suggestions in the reviews. Some I will use to modify my previous chapters and on my future ones. Some I will not use. This is my story. If I use a suggestion, thank you for it. If I do not, don't feel down about it. I still appriciate the feedback you give. Enjoy.
Phase 04 - Flux: Big Bang!
After his outburst of anger and brutal disappointment towards his 'ex'-best friend, Major Segai proceeded to handcuff Shu. His schoolmates and Kanon, the class rep, looked or heard in shock. Segai said to Shu,
"It may not look like much, but your friend just did you a big favor."
As Inori looked on in horror when the train she was on resumed its course, she looked for anything to get her back to Shu. She found a fire extingusher button behind a glass seal. Inori attempted to break the glass and push the button. But, someone stopped her. A young girl in a hood and cape.
"No, Inori."
"But Shu..."
"Gai said leave it be."
As the remainder of the students were trying to see what was going on, Yahiro was by himself, silently justifying the actions he had committed.
"This is the world we live in. I won't apologize for obeying reality."
xxxxxx
Shu sat dejected while Segai was solving a crossword puzzle on his flip phone.
"So Shu, maybe you can answer this. Here's the clue: close-fitting underwear, leggings or tights. Primarily for women. four letters down. Any suggestions?"
Segai looked at Shu, kind of hoping for a reaction from him. No response. Shu was still in his thoughts.
'Why? Why did he set me up? I thought I could trust him. I was stupid. I was so stupid.'
Segai yelled in excitement,
"IT'S PANTYHOSE! Well actually, hose for short. Nothing I hate more than leaving blank spots unfilled. And I got a few blank spots I need your help filling in.
The prison convoy holding Shu, Segai, and the GHQ Anti-Bodies platoon arrived at a huge building that was called Isolation Factory four. It was located on a small lake island just outside Tokyo. Within the darker corridors of the place lies a dirty prison cell reserved for the most dangerous inmates. Only one was there. His face was covered and was in a straightjacket. Guarded by two armed men, this prisoner was given no chance to escape.
"I got a nice room for you to think in. It's a bit small, but it'll do the job. You can take all the time you need to help figure out this little puzzle of ours."
xxxxxx
At school, Souta was in shock after hearing the news of Shu's arrest.
"What do you mean Shu got taken in by GHQ?!"
Kanon explained in a nervous tone.
"I couldn't believe it myself when I was there. But I spoke to the teacher, and he confirmed it."
Hare was in her desk, on the verge of tears, in response to this horrible truth.
"No way. Shu didn't do anything wrong. I know he didn't..."
Inori saw at how everyone felt in her class, and wondered if she felt the same way.
xxxxxx
In the building where Shu was currently detained, Segai was in communication with Keido.
"I see you arrested Dr. Ouma's son."
"I've brought him on suspicions of ties with Funeral Parlor. Did i make a wrong call?"
"Not if you're right. What's your impression on him?"
"He's guilty. Aside from the evidence, he did fell for the trap I laid for him last night."
"Is that why that little incident had to be on the news?"
"That was unintentional. I apologize for that. However, I have confirmed that he is the armored warrior that helped Funeral Parlor destroy that 'Inves' you gave to Major Guin during the incident in Roppongi. His buddy, Yahiro, was helpful in apprehending Shu. He's quite the shutterbug."
Segai played the interrogation videothat was recorded a little while ago to Keido.
xxxxxx
Shu was in prisoner's garb while sitting on one side of a touchscreen table. Segai was the other side, showing him photos Yahrio had taken. It was of Shu in his Gaim Pine arms with Gai of Funeral Parlor extending his hand to him.
"Here we have Gai Tsutsugami, self-proclaimed leader of Funeral Parlor and you in your armor. Now, how does a boy like you gained this armor-like weapon and get involved in a battlezone with a known terrorist?"
"Good question. You should be asking Gai that."
Segai show more pictures of the members of Funeral Parlor.
"Look Shu, it's no secret that the food here tastes terrible. Much worse than the school lunch line. I can't imagine anyone eating it for the rest of their life. Think about it before you say anything else.
xxxxxx
Keido watched the video until it ended. Segai spoke on.
"As you can see, he's trying to keep quiet. His familiarity of the group's leader is shown by calling him by his first name. However, he doesn't display any of the ideology fixation most common in terrorists. Not to mention his involvement is ambiguous at best. In short, it's odd."
"And what of his characteristics when he is that armored warrior?"
Segai took a moment to think of a intial analysis of Shu's action when he was Kamen Rider Gaim.
"I say he's either wallowing in the euphoria of fulfilling some childhood fantasy, or he must've had some sort of quiet, unassuming life and believes he doesn't have a lot to offer to other people. And when he somehow gained that armor, he had the impression that this power would change his life somehow."
Keido thought it would be the latter.
"Give me your analysis on this. It's a pirate feed simultaneously transmitted through multiple news outlets seven minutes ago."
The video featured Gai making a proclamtion behind a computer monitor that featured the Funeral Parlor logo.
"This is a warning for GHQ. Funeral Parlor will raid your facility at Isolation Ward four tomorrow. You're welcome to try and stop us. I assure you, we will rescue our comrade."
"He's a cocky one, isn't he?"
Segai, having seen the footage, just had a thought occur.
"Sir, I just had a bright idea."
xxxxxx
Shu was fiddling around with his food, still feeling down from all that had happened that landed him in hot water with GHQ. He remembered the booking process where they even took out some of his blood. It was three vials worth. Just then the door unlocked. A guard came to escort him out. Then Shu met with Segai once more.
"Unexpected developments has happened. So, I think it's time to let you in on everything."
Shu and Segai were in a military convoy headed somewhere.
"Sorry for the elaborate precautions. Right now, we're in a hightened state of security and had to double our security to protect a certain prisoner we've held underneath that tower. I'll get that to it later. It'll be easier to explain after I've shown you a few things first."
The convoy headed to another facility near where Shu was imprisoned.
"This is our Isolation Ward. Our compound was intially built as a means to facilitate this one ward. It's also holds the reason as to why Yahiro sold you out to us. Things are not as black and white as it looks. You see, he's not a Norma Gene user. He's a dealer. 'Sugar' is the name he gives to his clients. He was in the Roppongi area to sell drugs, not buy them."
'well, yeah. I already knew that." Shu thought.
"It may be dirty money, but he has a good reason for that. Look down there. You'll understand."
Shu saw rows of hospital beds, filled with victims of the Apocalypse virus. People with huge crystals organically attached to them was a definite sign of infection of the virus. Among the doctors and nurses, Shu saw Yahiro holding a little boy's hand.
"Who's that kid he's with?"
"That's his little brother, Jun. The reason Yahiro ratted on you. Shocking, isn't it? That's what happens when the Apocalypse virus reaches stage 4."
Shu looked at Yahiro's little brother and all the other infected people with sorrow and sympathy for their pain.
"One of the roles of this facility is to provide cutting-edge medical attention to these people who either were infected accidently or have developed an immunity to the vaccine. If you know your history, 10 years have passed since the Apocalypse virus pandamic struck. That gave rise to the riot known as Lost Chrismas that caused this country to unravel. GHQ was the only organization to successfully develop a vaccine. Thanks to it, the outbreak was contained. Without the vaccine, I doubt the world would regain any sense of order."
Shu and Segai were in a waiting room. They were having coffee as Segai continued his conversation.
"So now you why I can't forgive Funeral Parlor. They carelessly disrupt the peace and good will we've worked hard and desparately to create. And I can't wrap my head around you. You seem like a smart kid who cares about people. So, why are you tied with Funeral Parlor?"
Shu was reflective with all that Segai showed him and was told. He couldn't deny that the help that GHQ provides to the victims of the Apocalypse virus is hugely beneficial. And yet, the brutality committed by their soldiers could not, rather dare not, be denyed.
"I didn't see any good will in Roppongi that day."
Segai was a bit curious about that remark.
"I'm not sure what you mean."
"I saw innocent people get killed by your own men. I seen your soldiers made defenseless civilians bow and beg for their lives! ONLY TO BE SHOT DOWN LIKE DOGS!"
Segai saw the anger in Shu's voice.
"How can I trust the same people in charge of the safety and health of my country when they have the power to beat me up and shoot me dead for shits and giggles and exercise it with no remorse?"
Segai had a clue to what Shu was talking about.
"That was a hideout for unregistered citizens. People who refuse their regular inoculations. It's a hotbed for infections."
"That still doesn't explain how you have the right to kill them!"
"Our soldiers have families, too. Far away from where they died. How many of them wanted to sacrifice themselves for people who can't protect themselves?
Shu tried to retort that with what he had seen.
"Gai said we had to help the civilians. And when we did, he said I had the power to do the greatest good."
"I would have guessed he'd say something like that, considering what you're capable of."
Shu was startled at the implication that Segai knew his secret.
"In case you don't know, we had our eye for a while."
Segai turned on the television monitor and it show video footage of Shu transforming into Gaim. The following footage was that of Gaim in his Ichigo arms, wiping out the Inves that terrorized the park near his home last night.
"Answer me this question, Shu. Why is Gai trying to free a mass murderer?"
Shu was startled even further by what Segai said. Segai switched to the video he saw in a conference with Keido, his commanding officer, and played it for Shu to see. He then switched to a video featuring the prisoner that is considered extremely dangerous.
"This is Kenji Kido, the one responsible for the Sky Tree bombing. Funeral Parlor announced they intend to free him tonight by force. Not you."
Shu was distraught by this.
"A little piece of advice, Shu. When someone tells you to be selfless, you can bet it will serve them. Especially for someone of your power and abilities."
Segai gave Shu a pen with an added function.
"I want you to have this. It's a transmitter. The next time you're with Gai Tsutsugami, press the blue button two times and the red button once. It will alert us to their location and allow us to move in before they can do more harm. Tha't all you need to do."
Shu contemplated on what everything Segai said and offered. Segai continued talking.
"We know about Inori Yuzuriha."
Shu raised his head.
"Most people know as a famed musician from the internet. It's a shame that she is in Gai's web of deception. If you refuse to help us, then that means that we'll have to bring her in for questioning."
Shu faced a hard choice. To turn on his newfound comrades or to be a fugitive of the state.
xxxxxx
Back at the clubroom where Inori first met Shu, she was watching the video that Shu made that featured her song while holding Funell. She sang along with it for a while until she stopped. She had flashbacks of her time with Shu and began to recognized her feelings of isolation when she was apart with Shu.
"Why do I feel so cold? What's wrong with me, Funell? I don't undersatand."
Inori was genuinely confused as to why she was having these emotions that were never felt before in her life.
"I wish Shu was here. Maybe he knows."
Then, Inori heard footsteps in the clubroom. She reached for her gun and aimed at the intruder.
"WOAH! Easy girl. I come in peace."
Inori recognized that voice from Roppongi when it took over Funell and spoke to Shu. Inori only saw his sneakers in the light.
"If you know who I am, then you'll trust me enough to deliver this message to your leader."
"What is it?"
"Don't do anything until you see a flare from the roof of Isolation Ward four."
Inori remembered the message Gai broadcasted all over the news networks. Chance are, he saw it.
"Why are you doing this?"
"I have my reasons. However, I have one request. Can I borrow your robot?"
Inori asked,
"What for?"
"I wanna help Shu. I have something for him."
xxxxxx
Shu was in his cell awaiting for the breakout that was going to happen. It was sunset. Then, Shu's prison door opened, but no one was there when it opened. Shu stepped outside only to find Funell.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to bust you out."
Funell talked in the same voice that spoke to him in Roppongi.
"It's you."
"Yep. Follow the leader and you'll see me in person. Before that though, let get those off ya."
Shu extended both his handcuffed arms and Funell welded them off of Shu wrists, freeing his hands. He then followed Funell to whatever place in the facility it was leading Shu to. Shu saw numerous gaurd laying face down and saw cameras turned off. After following Funell for a few minutes, Shu was back in the waiting room where he and Segai talked a while ago. Shu couldn't believe what he saw. It was DJ Sagara, the net idol. Shu was taken aback as to how a internet personality could be able to knock out several guards, took down a network of surveilliance systems, and did it all through one robot that wasn't even his.
"Hellloooo, little hero."
"IT WAS YOU ALL THIS TIME?!"
"YEAHYAH! It's such an honor to meet ya. KAAAMEN RIDERRR GAIMMMM! I don't know if you noticed, but you're famous. Everybody in Japan want to meet you."
Shu was confused as to how and why he would help him with such enthusiasm.
"Are you an accomplise of GHQ?"
"Is the Pope jewish?"
Shu knew that to be an automatic no.
"So, you're the one that gave my powers?"
Sagara fell silent for a while, then said,
"That's a question for another time. Right now, let's focus on why I'm here and how you're gonna bust outta here. Sit down, let's talk."
Shu then proceeded to do so. Sagara pulled out the lcokseeds Shu had with him before they were taken by the men who arrested him.
"By the way, I got these for you."
Shu then grabbed his lockseeds. Funell tugged his garb and Shu put two of his lockseeds into Funell's head.
"I bet you never experienced anything like this in your old life, now did you?"
Shu remembered his past battles with both the Inves and the GHQ Endlaves. How he defeated them all with his newfound powers.
"I don't know if you realize this, so here are some facts. The speed of light is 299,792,458 meters per second. Pain travels through the body at 350 feet per second. Even a sneeze can reach a 100 miles per hour. Compared to all that, human life is over in a blink of an eye. Within that brief period of time, what do you do with it? What are you willing to live with til ya croak? That's a question every person in the world should ask themselves at least once in their life."
Shu was trying to absorb what DJ Sagara was talking about, but felt like he missed the point.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean you. What is it that you want to do with your power?"
Shu finally got the point, but was conflicted with what he saw in Roppongi and in the facility with all those sick with the virus.
"By that look on your face, it seems that you talked with Major Makoto Segai of GHQ, did ya?"
Shu was surprised that Sagara knew about both Segai and their conversation.
"Oh yeah, I know. Here's some real advice. He bullshits for a living and you shouldn't fall for it."
"Why would he do that?"
"Because he's a ace hunter. This is part of what he does in search of larger prey. In this case, his hunt for Funeral Parlor. Don't blame yourself if you fell for it."
Shu felt a little guilty that he bought into what Segai fed him, but still could not say he was entirely wrong."
"It's just... with everything I've seen here. I can't say that the people suffering from the virus and recieving their treatment from this place is a lie. I don't want to say that GHQ is totally evil..."
"And yet, you can't take back to what you saw to all those people in Roppongi. I mean, all those deaths. Imagine the sorrow on their loved ones."
"The soldiers of GHQ have loved ones as well."
"So did the German soldiers of World War II. Guess what they did."
Shu was stunned that Sagara compared the Anti-Bodies to the Nazis. However, Shu was smart enough to remember his history lessons.
"I will say this. I am not going anybody's lacky."
Sagara was intrigued to what Shu said.
"So, you won't regret passing the chance for new power?"
"Power is useless to me. I need a reason as to why I need power in the first place."
"Please explain that for me."
"GHQ only seems to focus on its research. It doesn't care about how their actions affect other lives. They don't even seem to care about the rights of the people that live here. You could say that's why I joined Funeral Parlor. They care about people when GHQ doesn't. If I had the power to help people the way they do, I would get it."
DJ Sagara loudly chuckled.
"WELL! That sounds very interesting, kid. Sounds to me like you want to shine in that brief interval called your life. As such, here's a present from me."
Sagara took out a lockseed, one that was slightly larger than a regular one. This one was shaped like a watermelon with the label 'LS-10.'
"If you can show me that you can walk the walk as good as you talk the talk, I gots your back. I can see the reason why Mana wanted you as her Adam."
Shu was confused at that last statement.
"Wait, what are you...?
Just then, the lights went off. Alarms sounded off and an announcement was made.
"ATTENTION ALL PERSONNEL. THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN CORRUPTED BY AN OUTSIDE SOURCE. WE ARE CURRENTLY REBOOTING SOME OF OUR BACKUP ARRAY. PLEASE STAND BY."
When red lights turned on, Sagara was gone. Shu went to the hall to see where he had gone. It was as if he had vanished.
xxxxxx
(a little earier)
Gai and his fighters were outside, waiting for the signal. Tsugumi's numerous robots placed explosives in key areas of Isolation Ward four. Ougumo lined up his missile launchers aimed at the facility, and Ayase was in stand by in her pod to pilot the new Endlave that used to belong to GHQ. Ayase contacted Gai.
"Gai, are you sure that we can trust this guy? I mean, he hacked Tsugumi's robot twice. Then he appears out of nowhere and asks us to go along with your plan and modifying it. Just what the hell does he want out of all this?"
"Ayase, I feel the same way as you do. However, Inori seems to give him some leeway. So, I decided to do the same thing. I trust Inori to do the right thing. Besides, he gave the new model Endlave to us as a sign of good will."
Shibungi, Gai's second-in-command, commented on his decision.
"Are you sure about that, Gai? We don't even know if he's on our side or not."
Tsugumi got into the conversation as loud as she could.
"Not to mention how he keeps stealing my little Funell away from me! I swear if I meet this guy personally, I'LL TORTURE HIM TIL HE DIES! I don't care if he begs for mercy!"
Gai yelled,
"LISTEN, ALL OF YOU! I don't know if this man Inori met is on our side or not. However, there's a pattern of him being on Shu's side. If Shu joins us, then perhaps we can get closer to who he is. For now, maintain postitions."
They all complied to Gai's command. It wasn't untill two minutes later that the flare that Gai and his fighters said to look out for finally appeared. Gai then gave the order.
"Initiate the operation."
xxxxxx
Explosives were set at sections of the Isolation Ward and blew up on cue. Explosions were happening all over where they can cause the most chaos and took out a few soldiers. Tsugumi contacted Ougumo.
"It's all yours."
"It's go time."
Missiles were launched at the facility and hit their targets. One of the commanding offiicers gave the command for battle stations.
"Raise the shields! Send out the Endlaves."
Various Endlave pilots were in their pods and their mechs were activated for battle. Tsugumi monitered the situation and called out for Ayase to fight.
"Enemy units launched."
"Roger that. Ready whenever you are, Shibungi."
On top of a crane, Gai and Shibungi, the grey-haired, bespectacled second-in-command, were watching the battle from a distance.
"You got a good angle and the flight path is clear. Can you make it, Ayase?"
"Only one way to find out."
In the building, Shu noticed the battle that was taking place. He decided to help Funeral Parlor. Both here and in future missions. He summoned his Sengoku Driver and placed it on his waist. Then he activated his lockseed and said,
"HENSHIN!"
"ORANGE! "
A metallic orange appeared over him. Shu did his pose and placed his lockseed on his driver.
"LOCK-ON!"
The driver then played the Japanese horagai music with a techno beat before Shu used the Cutting Blade on his driver.
"SOIYA! ORANGE ARMS! HANAMICHI ON STAGE! "
After that happened, The Anti-Bodies saw Shu in his Gaim armor and began to shoot him. The bullets deflected off him. Shu thrust his Daidaimaru in the floor and proceeded to just punch and kick the soldiers unconscious. He then pulled his sword from the floor and searched for a way out. Funell followed him.
xxxxxx
Inori could not stay still. She decided to go get Shu herself. Tsugumi saw Inori on a railway to the Isolation Ward. Tsugumi alerted Gai.
"Gai, Inori is headed for the facility. I think she's trying to go and get Shu."
Gai immediately contacted Inori.
"Inori! I gave you orders to hold your position. What are you doing?"
"I wanna get Shu out, Gai."
"Shu can take care of himself, Inori. Just go back."
Inori cut off her connection with Gai. Tsugumi contacted Gai.
"Gai, I can see her now. She's infiltrated the facility. She's downloaded the location of Shu's cell. It's pretty clear she's trying to rescue him. But I can't reach her. She's cut off her feed. The tower's defenses are in full blast."
"Did you try to reconnect with her?"
"I did. nothing working. Hold on a minute."
Tsugumi was recieving a video feed and discovered it was from Funell.
"Gai! I just got Funell's location. He's ssending me a live video feed from inside the facility."
Gai had a guess what it was about.
"Patch it here."
Gai took out his holo-tablet and saw Shu, in his Gaim armor, fighting off against some Anti-Bodies that were attacking him.
"I'm going in. Shibungi, take over for me. Ayase, give me a ride inside the building. We're accelerating the plan. I'm bringing Kido in on my own"
Ayase was a little shocked, but obeyed Gai's order nonetheless.
"Roger that."
Gai took a rifle with him for defense. He then hanged on Ayase's Endlave as it launched into the sky, and then transformed into humanoid form as it dived into the Isolation Ward.
xxxxxx
Shu was still fending for himself while trying to not cause any deaths. Injuries he caused with no remorse, but no deaths for far, to his relief. Then, when he entered into the main part of the building, he heard a loud crash from up the glass ceiling. It was a Endlave, a silver one with a person hanging on to it. When it got closer, Shu saw the person hanging on to it. It was Gai. As soon as the Ayase landed, she opened fire on the enemy Endlaves. Gai saw Shu in his armor.
"Shu!"
"Gai."
They stared for a while until Shu spoke.
"Is it true that you're going to rescue Kenji Kido?"
"Yes. His skills are needed for our organization to succeed."
"Just you so know, I refuse to be anyone's lackey."
"What exactly have they told you? Who was it? I'm guessing it was Galty?"
Shu focus all his numerous questions into one that will, hopefully, get the true reason for why Gai is doing all this.
"I just wanna know. Why are you determined to fight against them? What's the point?"
Gai stood silent over what seemed like, to him, a stupid question.
"You really need me to tell you that?"
Shu decided, remembering what he had seen and what he talked over DJ Sagara about, that it was time for him to accept the reality that was in front of him and the choices he made thus far.
"So what is it you want me to?"
Gai, finally relieved that Shu got over his indecisiveness, told him his role in the mission. First, he contacted Tsugumi.
"Tsugumi, what is Kenji's status?"
"They're moving him from his cell."
"Excellent. Send me his coordinates."
"On the way."
Gai looked at Shu.
"Follow me."
As they got to the second floor, an enemy Endlave appeared out of a damaged wall. Gai managed to dodge it, but Shu was grabbed and pinned down. The pilot of the Endlave contacted his superiors.
"Unknown enemy captured. Request permission to..."
All of a sudden, Ayase grabbed the enemy Endlave by the head, and used a grenade launcher to blast it to the other side of the building. Ayase spoke to Shu in a angry voice.
"What the hell did you do to Inori?"
Shu was confused by that question.
"What are you talking about?"
"You must've done something. She would never disobey Gai. You've messed up this whole operation. If something happens to Gai, you are on my shit list."
"Ayase, I'm all right."
She turned around to see Gai unharmed. She was blushing like crazy in her pod.
"GAI! I...I only meant..."
"Ayase, let him go. I need him for something."
"Ye... Yes sir."
Ayase put Shu down near Gai.
"Search for Inori."
"Roger."
Ayase did so with speed. Gai went to where Kenji's coordinate with Shu following him.
xxxxxx
In the room across the building, Segai was taking pictures on his flip phone of the battle taking place in the Isolation Ward. One of his subordinates notified him of a message.
"Major, we have a message from the head of facility four. He says that they can protect the facility and has asked you not to interfere."
"Fine by me. I'm gonna get some fresh air."
"Yes sir. They specifically asked you not to step in though, sir."
"Yes. I heard you the first time. I'm only going to watch. Nothing wrong with that."
xxxxxx
In the medical wing of the Isolation Ward, Yahiro held on to his little brother Jun, and tried to confort him.
"I promised that I'd protect you, no matter what happens. So you just sleep tight, Jun."
xxxxxx
Back at the ward, Ayase was continuing her search for Inori while taking on some GHQ Endlaves. Gai and Shu were near where Kenji Kido was. Tsugumi alerted Gai.
"Stop. He's closing in on you."
"Roger. Shu, take down the ones wheeling Kido as soon as they come."
"Got it."
The two guards that were wheeling Kenji were suddenly stopped by a man in orange armor as he grabbed them and slammed them on the floor as they were knocked out.
"Good job."
Gai took the mask off of Kido and introduced himself.
"Hello. I'm Gai Tsutsugami of Funeral Parlor, and I want you to be part of it."
Kenji spoke.
"What's in it for me?"
"Freedom from those restraints, for starters. Revenge on those who locked you up like an animal for later."
Kenji shrugged and accepted without hesitation.
"Okay, I'm in."
He looked at Shu in his rider armor.
"What's with the guy in the getup?"
"You can call me Gaim for now"
Kenji looked at Shu to see if he was for real. Just then, someone just screamed Shu's name. Gai, Kenji, and Shu looked up to see Inori falling from the ceiling. Shu screamed,
"INORI!"
Gai contacted Ayase.
"Ayase, catch her now."
Ayase was nearby, taking out some enemy Endlaves, heard the command and complied forthwith.
"Roger."
The silver Endlave Ayase piloted used its rocket boosters to jump high as it could. Ayase caught Inori, then came down to Gai, Kenji, and Shu. Inori jumped off the silver Endlave and into Shu's arms. They hugged for a couple of seconds.
"Inori, what are you doing here?"
"I came to get you."
"I appreciate the thought of you doing that but..."
Gai interrupted.
"I told you he can handle himself. Next time Inori, trust me to make the right calls."
Inori looked down with a twinge of shame.
"Yes Gai."
Ayase joined in.
"I just wanna point out that the guy in the armor is a bad influence on her, Gai."
"Ayase, stop being petty."
Ayase blushed red due to Gai scolding her. Then, numerous GHQ Endlaves surrounded Shu, Inori, Gai, Kenji, and Ayase. Ayase was able to defeat two or three enemy Endlave at a time with her mech, but a whole platoon was too much even for her. Thing looked hopeless for everyone in there. Tsugumi saw the whole thing with Funell giving her the feed. She was worried that she and the rest of Gai's fighters would not be able to get in there and help them. However, Shu remebered the watermelon lockseed DJ Sagara gave to him. He had it with him on a chain on his belt. Gai saw Shu holding it.
"Is that a new lockseed? Where'd you get it?"
"Someone gave it to me. He busted me out so I can help."
"Use it now, Shu! It could be our only chance out of here."
"Got it."
Shu activated the lockseed.
"SUIKA "
A metallic watermelon appeared over everyone, but this metallic fruit armor was different. It was three times the size of the previous metallic fruit armors. It looked like it could crush Shu to a bloody corpse puddle. Everyone was stunned as to how huge this thing was. The first thing Shu blurted was,
"Holy crap, that big!"
The enemy Endlaves shot at the metallic watermelon only for it to spin around and deflect the shots back the mechs. They all pulled back, giving more room for the rest of group to move back and allow Shu to complete the sequence. Gai said,
"We need to move back now. Shu, I leave the rest ot you."
Inori wanted to get Shu to not go ahead with this, but Gai pulled her arm before she could do so. Shu then took off his orange lockseed...
"LOCK-OFF."
and placed the watermelon lockseed on his driver.
"LOCK-ON!"
The driver then played the Japanese horagai music with a techno beat before Shu used the Cutting Blade on his driver.
"SOIYA!"
"BRING IT!"
THUD!
The watermelon fell flat on Shu and everyone gasped in horror. Inori felt like crying. Gai felt a bit of guilt that he caused a good person to die. Kenji just thought,
'Well, we're screwed.'
The enemy Endlaves started to close in on the giant metallic watermelon, but it rolled on its own. It charged at the incoming GHQ Endlaves, and either pushed them away or squashed them flat like pancakes. The next sound it made sounded like it came from Shu's belt.
"ODAMA BIG BANG!"
What popped out of it was Shu's head in his armor. Inori yelled with joy.
"SHU!"
Gai was speechless at what he saw while Kenji and Ayase were simply weirded out. Tsugumi was shaking in exictement to what Shu's powers were capable of.
"Hey guys! You know for a second there, I thought I'd be dead."
Elsewhere in another part of the building, a GHQ sniper had Shu's head in target, and was proceeding to kill him in one shot. What he didn't know that Major Segai was behind him, holding a gun to his head.
"This is far more important than your life."
Segai killed him like nothing just to see what other marvels a weapon like the Void Genome was capable of. Kenji flatly spoke out,
"Hey! Can that thing be more than a big ball?"
"Let me try something."
Shu gave a mental command for the driver to make the metallic watermelon change its form. The driver obeyed by making the flipped open lockseed give out a red glow.
"YOROI MODE!"
The metallic watermelon changed into a humanoid form. When it made arms, the left arm reached its back to wield a naginata (a bladed staff) with a watermelon design. It was like bulkier samurai armor, but manuverable. It was the same size as an Endlave, and just as agile. Shu had the strongest lockseed in his arsenal yet. Gai smiled at how Shu grew in terms of strength. Inori held her hand over her heart in relief that Shu was alright. Ayase and Kenji were simply amazed as to what this guy was capable of. The rest of the enemy Endlaves closed in on Shu in his new armor, but just like before, their bullets deflected off him. Shu charged at them and sliced the front ones in half. They exploded, but the rest kept coming. Ayase stepped in and shot down a few.
"You get this half of the bunch. I get the other."
"Got it."
Shu slashed the enemy Endlaves coming at him while Ayase shot down the rest likes files to a bug-zapper. What helped Shu be able to slash so many enemy Endlaves was the fact that the metal hand holding the naginata can do a full 360 rotation turn for better battle effectiveness. So many explosions of so many enemy mechs took place as one by one did they suffer the wrath of Funeral Parlor. Funell recorded the whole thing for the rest of Gai's fighters to see. Shu saw that there were a few left. He called out to Ayase.
"Ayase, let take care of the rest. Get Gai and Kenji out of here."
"What about you and Inori?"
"I got this. Just go."
Ayase looked at Gai. Gai nodded as a way of saying that he would go along with it. Ayase then grabbed Gai and Keji, located the nearest exit of the Isolation Ward, and busted out of there like hell. Shu flipped the Cutting Blade of his driver.
"SOIYA! SUIKA SQUASH!"
The hand holding the naginata did rapid full circle turns until it generated multiple watermelon energy orbs and dispersed into the air. They then struck the remaining enemy Endlaves and were floating in the orbs. All the GHQ Endlaves were now defenseless and Shu was ready for victory. His hand holding the naginata spun in a rapid pace. Putting it forward, Shu lept as high as there were Endlaves floating in the air. The naginata was firing rapid slashes at the orbs, sling them apart and whatever there was inside of the energy orbs. As Shu finished, all the GHQ Endlaves exploded, causing further fire damage to Isolation Ward four. The biggest explosions finally went off as Gai's fighters looked at a mission well done. Shu, then grabbed Inori, and gave a mental command to his driver for his watermelon armor to change into something that could fly. The driver obey and the lockseed gave another red glow.
"GYRO MODE!"
Inori held on to Shu as they flew to the glass celing, smashed and were in the air as the sun was rising over the horizon. This reminded Shu what he did at Roppongi, and why he wanted to keep on doing this.
'With Great Power, there must also come Great Responsibilty.'
xxxxxx
Shu descended onto the docks near the Ward, and gently placed Inori on the ground. He then deactivated his lockseed and took off his driver. The driver then returned inside of him. A light shone on Shu. He saw Gai on a boat.
"I don't know if you noticed, but I gave you some extra time to think on our offer."
Shu looked at Gai with a stern look on his face.
"What are you gonna do now?"
"What I think is right."
"Then, are you with us? Or are you gonna try to make it on your own?"
Slience took place for a while.
"I can decide for you if you can't. You can leave everything to me. But if you do, I call all the shots."
Shu finally spoke.
"I'm in."
"Let's go."
Before Shu followed him, he took out the ransmitter that Segai gave to him. Remembering his talk with both Segai and Sagara, Shu decided to throw the transmitter into the water. He was fully committed to the cause. Inori held Shu's hand, and they both followed Gai.
That is all for today. Man, this chapter was epic to write. Two things to metion. First, if you are offended by the jewish remark, please let me know. I will rectify it immediately with something less offensive. Second, name the obvious comic book movie reference. Don't forget to review.