Author's Note: first ever story so I'm more than a little nervous. Hope you all enjoy.
Silence, and darkness.
Those were the most notable traits of the surrounding world. An infinite darkness, as deep as the abyss. Reminiscent of a starless sky, boundless and foreboding. Matched only by a deafening silence, so thick and impenetrable that even the sounds of one's own thoughts were incapable of being heard.
It was in this void that a single thought manifested from the dark.
'...Where…?'
A simple question, one that would normally come and go in an instant. Yet even this single, basic, thought took forever to form, and left the questioner exhausted from the mere effort. Murky thoughts swam in a daze as they tried to get their memories in order. Trying to identify their surroundings was a fruitless endeavor, so their thoughts went elsewhere.
'...What…happened…?'
A different train of thought, one that would prove more fruitful as flashes of memories pass through their mind.
Memories of armored giants battling equally armored colossuses.
Of swathes of lesser machines being crushed under heel, sometimes literally, with an almost apathetic demeanor.
Explorations of ancient megastructures, a small sense of wonder at what the massive constructs were ever designed for.
Allies falling in battle, and being forced to witness their last moments.
Cries of distress being aired on open channels, and hearing those cries be suddenly silenced.
Friends and foes alike confessing how they thought of you, and how often they expressed some form of disappointment.
The moments of silence, where an all consuming sense of loss constantly asserted itself.
The pain of battle, where even the slightest of grazes could cause indescribable agony.
The horrid feeling of being unsuited for a mission, yet being forced to complete it anyways.
The tearing of one's heart as they are forced to kill those they called allies, friends even.
Brilliant lights.
Crimson waves.
Desperate struggles.
Wailing agony.
Burning pain, pain, pain, pain, pain, pain, pain—
Caught in a sudden onslaught of memories that just would not stop. They struggled for all they could but were trapped. Forced to bear witness to all they've done on that accursed planet. Then a voice pierced through it all.
"Raven, I still…believe…"
A familiar voice, a very familiar voice. One that brings conflicting feelings of manic happiness, and severe depression. All underlined by a constant feeling of nearly crippling pain.
"...In…our shared…dream".
As quickly as it came, the voice was gone. Having achieved the feat of breaking the cycle of painful memories as instead, the being started focusing on the words it was given. Over and over it repeated the sentence, attempting to recall the answer to the question it inspired within it.
'...Who…is…Raven…?'
Lost in its own thoughts, trying to find the answer to yet another question. It never noticed the subtle changing of its environments. How the stillness of the silence had quietly dissipated. That what was once an endless black abyss now seemed much less infinite. Trapped in its own thoughts, it didn't notice anything until a new voice spoke out.
"It was all my fault".
The sudden words snapped the being out of its thoughts. Replacing the strain of trying to recall who Raven was, with a different strain. The strain of trying to remember why the new voice was so vaguely familiar.
"My decisions, and everything they've caused".
Though they were unable to even see anything or even move their body. They still attempted to look for the source of the voice, still ignorant to the altered environment.
"It had come to this for me to finally realize you were right all along"
"So forgive me for being so bold, but I must ask for your help".
Unbidden, another memory briefly flashed to life before its eyes, of someone else pleading for its aid in some-sort of endeavor. It cannot fully recall the details, but it gets the feeling that it didn't end well for either of those involved.
"Sensei…you'll forget these words, but it won't matter".
"Even with a lack of memories, what matters most are the choices we make".
"There are choices only you can make"
A strong sense of confusion erupted from deep within. Along with a heavy sensation of memories surging to the forefront of their mind. This person, this frustratingly familiar voice was pleading for help, and was relying on them to make choices only they could make? A being who spent its entire life following the rules and instructions of another?!
"I've spoken of responsibility before. I didn't understand it then, but now I do".
"Adulthood, responsibility, obligation…and the choices you make that extend beyond those ideals"
"I even understand their implications".
Before it even has time to truly process the proclamation of the mysterious voice. It suddenly jolted as the surrounding environment suddenly flashed a brilliant white. When their vision settled, they've finally noticed how its surroundings changed.
Preoccupied with staring about, the sudden return of sensations overloaded their brain for a moment. Making them unable to notice that a strange pressure was starting to build-up around their body.
"...Though you may not be exactly the sensei I remember…"
"...You're the only one I can trust".
"Only you can free us from this twisted, distorted fate, and find the choices that can lead us to a new reality".
With those words ringing in its head, a sudden and violent sense of vertigo struck as the world lurched. Multiple full-body shivers struck as they felt cramped in a way that was equally nostalgic and claustrophobic. A sensation that could only be described as itching in the brain and eyes followed.
"So sensei…please…"
The rest of her sentence was lost as in a single moment, they felt all sensation return in full to their entire body. A feeling that could only be described as a cold burn flowed through their veins as motor control was finally returned to their body. Both bodies. Alongside their flesh and blood self stuffed within a small metal chamber, they felt the connection and sensations of their larger body made of steel and oil. A final jolt through their system signaled the completion of neural connection between pilot and machine.
As soon as the connection was complete, ingrained instincts took over as hands darted across controls and for the first time in what felt like forever, their eyes opened.
Everything was going alright.
Students still went to school. There was still a sense of order in Kivotos. And the General Student Council continued to work tirelessly. Yes, everything was well and good in the world.
So long as one ignored the fact that countless academy districts were reporting mass unrest…
Despite that, all members of the student council continued to show nothing but their best. Ayumu, was diligently working hard on her assigned stack of papers. Aoi, was deftly and efficiently handing her portion of the work without complaint, or even any real stares of disapproval. Momoka, while still lazily eating her chips as usual, was continuing to handle the transportation of students and supplies wherever needed.
…As long as one carefully ignored the shadows under everyone's eyes, the way Aoi would briefly shake herself, as if fighting off sleep. Of how Ayumu would stumble more often than usual, or would suddenly panic and reach for the whiteout while working on a document. Or how Momoka's appetite was far smaller than usual, and they chose to eat nothing but comfort food.
Kaya was out of the administration building, personally overseeing and directing Valkyrie's efforts, a model student if there ever was one. As an additional cherry on top, several of the reports in her hands were actually capable of being handled by her subordinates, freeing her attention for other—more critical—tasks.
…Such as a fresh report from Valkyrie informing her of the escape of seven highly dangerous prisoners from the Correction Bureau. Including the infamous Fox of Calamity, who is suspected to be making her way towards the Sanctum Tower…
A hurried series of text messages from Director Kanna assured her that Valkyrie was scrambling all assets in order to detain Wakamo, and bring an end to the chaos as soon as possible. Repeatedly assuring her that all officers were being pushed as hard as possible, and that she would take to the field herself in order to maintain order. Despite her own misgivings, she felt a sense of relief build up in her chest.
…The sudden outbreak of gunshots would disabuse her of that notion, as emergency notices popped up one after another informing her that gangs of delinquents were starting to riot en masse all over. Causing absurd amounts of property damage, as well as overwhelming nearly any resistance the first responding Valkyrie officers offered. Leaving them free to continue their aimless march unimpeded.
Before she could even start to think of a "bright side" to her situation, a piercing explosion rocked the budding thought out of her head as another urgent report was sent from Director Kanna. Apparently, not only did the delinquent gangs somehow have access to illegal tanks in what could be considered the heart of Kivotos. But they were also looting Valkyrie depots for supplies and additional vehicles while the officers were still caught reeling from the sudden riots.
Barely resisting the urge to slam her head into her desk. Nanagami Rin found herself incapable of doing anything as her thoughts raced, trying to find a solution to the situation as reports continued to flood in of the mess the gangs were causing. Instinctually her eyes shifted to the left, expecting to see the vague figure of a familiar woman. The person who seemed to always have an answer to whatever problem she faced.
Yet all she saw was the retreating form of Ayumu as she went to work on another stack of papers. And once more did the horrible feeling of sorrow strike as Rin was reminded of the undeniable truth yet again.
Her best friend, the one she shared her hopes and dreams with, the only one she ever allowed to call her "Rinny"...
Was missing...
Not a single trace of her was anywhere to be found, No matter how hard they searched, no matter how long they spent. Not a single trace of her had been found anywhere, for all intents and purposes she seemed to have just up and vanished. In a period of time where Kivotos needed her most, she was nowhere to be found. Forcing the rest of the General Student Council to pick up the slack as best they could. But without access to the Sanctum Tower, there was only so much they could do before things reached a critical mass and then…
Attempting to avoid thinking about the bleak future, Rin's eyes scanned the former President's desk. Looking for anything to distract herself from both her bleak thoughts and the paperwork full of dreadful news, her eyes stopped on a curious object. It was a battered hard-drive, on one side was a set of coordinates, leading to some location within Kivotos. The other had a series of numbers, presumed to be codes of some kind. On the side were two simple words, "For Rin".
Staring blankly for what felt like hours, her mind wandered back to one of few things left behind by the missing president. It was a letter, hand-written on a simple sheet of paper and taped to the hard-drive. The contents were blunt and to the point, while maintaining a sense of cryptic secrecy.
'Rin-chan, sorry I'm gone, but you're probably going to be needing this in the future.
It'll be a new and difficult experience, for all parties, but I promise the help it'll provide will be immeasurable.
Take care of everyone ok? Including yourself.
Regards, The ink had run and made the name illegible
P.S. —When you inevitably go digging for any clues to my disappearance, check out a project named "Extracurricular" when you do.'
Still feeling upset at having been read so easily from her missing friend. Rin mulled over what she learned about project "Extracurricular", the establishment of an extrajudicial agency that would help oversee Kivotos, led by a "Sensei" who would ensure cooperation and supplemental education for all students, no matter what academy they come from. A wonderful idea on paper, and one that probably could have helped in their current situation. Had it not been for one fatal flaw.
The sensei never showed up. Despite the GSC president being missing for a week, no adult ever arrived and claimed to be the sensei they were waiting for. On top of that the dossier on sensei was excruciatingly vague on what information was actually included, for all she knew, this sensei could be among the rioters attempting to teardown the student council.
Shaking her head to dispel the tangent, she attempted to re-focus on the paperwork before her. Her eyes only briefly paused upon the hard-drive sitting on her desk, before looking at the papers before her. At least, until her eyes snapped back to the hard-drive. Specifically, the coordinates that had been written on one side, in plainly legible font.
While to any onlookers she presented a stoic front, on the inside she was warring over her next course of action as suddenly there was a chance that this could all be resolved. But if she failed, if she was wrong, then there was a very real possibility of Kivotos falling to ruin before she could return. Back and forth this internal debate raged until finally she breathed out a sigh.
And picked up the phone.