Aria was sitting on a couch. Her face bore some scratches as her hair was disheveled. Fluttershy made her way over to the girl and held out a mug. Aria took it with a sigh. Fluttershy sat next to her with a soft expression.
"It must be hard," said Fluttershy.
"You think?" retorted Aria. She took a small sip of her tea. Fluttershy looked down at her lap.
"I-I just..." Fluttershy paused as Aria sighed heavily.
"Everything just seems so fucked," said Aria in exasperation. She shook her head.
"I can't... I just can't get through to those idiots. I'm close to just saying 'fuck it'. But they're my sisters," said Aria softly. Fluttershy softly smiled.
"You're a good sister," said Fluttershy.
"I'm lousy. I can't even get through to them," said Aria in dejection. Fluttershy placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You're only lousy if you give up on them. If you need help, you have friends to talk to," said Fluttershy. Aria glanced at her.
"Friends, huh?" Asked Aria. Fluttershy raised a brow at her tone. It was sarcastic.
"Yes. Aren't we friends?" asked Fluttershy.
"I never thought of it. I just saw you guys as acquaintances," said Aria. Fluttershy bore a surprised and a small disappointed look.
"But why?" asked Fluttershy.
"I don't carelessly call people friends. Last time I did..." Aria paused. She shook her head. "Forget it."
"You remind me a bit like Goji," said Fluttershy with a smile. Aria raised a brow at her. She wasn't sure whether to be offended or flattered.
"Goji's pretty reserved when it comes to making friends. I think it's sort of like a defense mechanism he developed since he says that he had a hard time making friends growing up," said Fluttershy with a sad smile.
"Sounds about right," said Aria.
"Will you be heading home soon? It's getting dark," said Fluttershy. Aria sighed as she stood up.
"I better. Sorry bout intruding," said Aria as she placed her mug on the coffee table. Fluttershy gave her a warm smile.
"No, it was my pleasure. Feel free to visit anytime," said Fluttershy sweetly.
It was the next day. Junior was heading out of the door of his home. Mosura was sleeping on the sofa, her face flushed from her illness. Miwa was dressed in a blouse and skirt. She was in the process of brushing her hair as she made her way over to the kitchen. She looked at Mosura worriedly. Miwa hated the idea of leaving the poor girl home alone, but she had to get to work. Miwa took a drink of her coffee as she placed on her heels and walked to the door.
"Call me or Junior if you need anything, Mosura," said Miwa.
"Uh huh," mumbled Mosura. Miwa walked out of the door, but felt a bit of nausea. Miwa shook it off and proceeded to get into her car. She drove off, passing by Junior and Fluttershy as they walked to school.
"So she's still sick?" asked Fluttershy.
"I think so. She wouldn't get up," said Junior in response.
The sounds of clacking filled the air. Two recruits stood in the center of a circle, clashing staffs together. This continued until one struck the other. The goal was to disarm or knock your opponent to the ground. Battra stood next to Ford, watching as the recruit that was stand offish with him previously knocked another recruit off of his feet.
"Keep on your feet!" said Caliber. The recruit back onto his feet and went back to clashing with his opponent. But he was quickly subdued with a kick to the side and a sweep at the leg from the staff.
"Nicely done, Kenpachi," said Caliber in approval. The opponent smirked as he spun the staff in his grip.
"Come on, Drill Sergeant! Set me up with a stronger opponent! I'm getting soft here!" said Kenpachi. He then pointed at Battra, who stiffened in response.
"Like Yasu here!" said Kenpachi. Battra slightly narrowed his eyes. He wondered just what this guy’s major malfunction was. Never had he met someone that hated him this badly.
"Wait!" called a voice. Everyone turned their attention to the source. It belonged to one of the super soldiers.
"I'll take you," said the soldier. He was slightly sweaty and his amber eyes twitched from taking in the "bright" lights. Kenpachi bore an annoyed look as some of the recruits bore looks of discomfort. Just the presence of one of these pseudo-transmutants was unsettling, what with their stature.
"Well, since you're eager, go right ahead. Show him what an experienced soldier is made of," said Caliber as he tossed the 'Olympian' a staff. The soldier caught it as he approached. Recruits cleared the way as he entered the ring, popping his neck. Kenpachi steeled himself with a smirk.
"I like your confidence, kid," said the Olympian as he got into a defensive stance. His sore fingers kept a firm grip, as his aching muscles in his limbs loosened. Kenpachi made the first move, rushing in and attempted to strike the taller man. However, the Olympian swiftly blocked the first strike with his own staff and then kneed Kenpachi in the gut. While his opponent staggered back, the Olympian quickly grabbed him by the back of the head and forced him onto the ground. It was so quick with such strength that Kenpachi slammed onto the mat like a doll. The recruits stared in shock at what transpired in nearly an instant. It happened so fast that most of them failed to process it. However Battra managed to do so and it was still intimidating.
"Impressive," said Caliber.
Kenpachi shakily got up. His nose was bleeding and his expression slightly dazed. He was about get into a fighting stance but was met with the staff against his chest. He was pushed onto the ground, but still attempted to stand. He rushed to the Olympian with a war cry, but found himself grabbed and thrown over the super soldier's shoulder. The recruits all winced at this humiliating beating. Battra wanted to take pleasure at the sight but almost pitted Kenpachi, who had no chance. Not even if he had years of training.
The Olympian craned his neck as his irises burned with its bright amber color. He turned to the rest of the recruits with a smirk.
"Any of you noobies want to try me?" asked the soldier. Battra felt himself shoved forward. He turned with an incredulous look, finding Nakada standing behind him with her arms forward. She gave him a sheepish smile.
"Ah, Yasu. Glad to see I didn't have to bother volunteering you," said Caliber with a smirk. Battra turned with a gulp as he was about to protest. He then slumped his shoulders. He'd rather not be forced to brush the floor with a toothbrush like Kurtz was yesterday for complaining. In reluctance, Battra stepped up to the ring before the Olympian. The super soldier popped his knuckles.
"You're a Transmutant right? Don't disappoint me," said the soldier as he took his staff.
Battra picked up the staff from the ground and took a breath. Without warning, the Olympian rushed towards Battra, swiping his staff at him. However, Battra's enhanced senses and physical abilities allowed him to block the strike. He felt his bones in his arms rattle from the collision. Battra quickly stepped back as he was assaulted with a barrage of strikes, aimed at different points on his body. He was just fast enough to block each strike. The Transmutant stepped to the side, still on the defensive.
The Olympian grunted as he lunged for Battra, thrusting his staff forward. Battra continued to dodge his opponent. It was like a game of cat and mouse. Battra being quick and nimble enough gave him the advantage. As the Olympian was visibly getting frustrated, he began to get more aggressive. He proceeded to swing his staff with more force, causing the staffs to clank loudly. The continuous blunt strikes eventually led to the staffs breaking. The Olympian growled in frustration as he tossed the two halves of his staff aside, only to be met with a punch in the jaw by Battra. The Olympian staggered and sent a punch, which Battra blocked and countered with a quick jab to the face and then to the chest. He performed a back flip away from his opponent.
He then lunged forward as the super soldier charged him in a blind rage. Battra slid under his opponent and then kicked him in the back, causing him to stagger forward. The recruits watched tensely as Battra would continuously strike once or twice and then retreat to avoid getting clobbered.
Battra felt his heart racing in his chest during this. If not for his physical prowess and his experience in fighting, he would have long since lost. But right now, he felt himself reaching his limit. This was someone with far more combat experience, now matching his strength if not exceeding it. Battra could see that he was slowing down as he narrowly avoided each strike and countered with his own. He knew his opponent had to have noticed too considering that he was starting be more aggressive in his attacks.
Battra caught the Olympian's wrist as a punch came and forced his arm to the side and forced him to bend his knees. Battra then kicked him in the head as he was close enough. The Olympian dropped to the ground and shot back up with a snarl but was met with a hard punch across the jaw. The Olympian collapsed back onto the floor, like a mighty tree chopped down from its trunk. Battra panted as he staggered back. The recruits bore looks of shock and awe. Caliber himself was dumbfounded at what he had witnessed.
Battra made his way over to Kenpachi, who lied on the ground in pain. The recruit found the Transmutant to be holding his hand out to him, still panting. Kenpachi bore an odd look but then noticed the super soldier to be lying on the ground. With a respectful huff, Kenpachi grabbed his hand.
"Glad I didn't take you," grunted Kenpachi as Battra pulled him up to his feet. Battra cracked a small smile with a nod. He suddenly found himself surrounded by the other recruits, who showered him with their voices in an incoherent mess.
"Shit, you can't substitute the original mutants!" chuckled a male recruit.
"Man, do you practice martial arts or something?!" asked Nakada in awe. As Battra was praised for his act, Caliber came in.
"I'll admit son, what you just displayed was some damn good moves. You even bested a highly trained soldier, with enhancements for that matter," said Caliber. But then he bore a stern look.
"But don't you get cocky, son. Cause this was just one opponent," said Caliber. All the recruits had their attention on the drill sergeant as his tone shifted.
"Out there in the field is a whole different ball game. You'll find yourself in the middle facing hundreds of Revolutionaries. Hell, thousands! Just a group of them can overrun a town in a day!" said Caliber. The recruits were attentive as the drill sergeant raised his voice.
"Which is why you're with me! I'll break all of you down and mold you into warriors!" exclaimed Caliber.
Senior was sitting outside of the lair of the Guardians. His eyes were gazing up to the sky. The wind blew through the chasm and into his hair. During this time, he pondered his actions. In his life, he made many mistakes that he wished he could take back. From his wars to his family life. Even now he was still making mistakes. He thought himself to be foolish for getting himself involved with Xenjira, even to getting himself captured by MONARCH. Now another decision he made had come to bite him in the ass.
Senior was now watching over a child that carried his genetic traits. A child of a man that came to him for help to save her life. While he succeeded, he ended up mutating her. She wasn't natural for either Human or Transmutant. Her display was cause for concern. While Manda was one to keep young Erika company as she adjusted, Senior wondered if it would have been merciful to allow her to pass on. This was no life a child should suffer.
However, that would be the easy way out. That was Senior's problem. He realized that all of his life, he took the easy way most of the time. Leaving Kaname and Xenjira to fend for themselves, and obtaining freedom through war. Just two profound actions in his life that illustrated this. Even now, he lamented the actions he took that he rationalized to be for the greater good.
Senior closed his eyes. His breathing calm as he slumped against the stone wall behind himself. He began to slumber on this morning.
Senior found himself lying on the ground, staring up at the sky. The sky burned a crimson red and the air was thick with smoke. Senior caught sight of two winged figures circling the air, appearing as winged serpents. A distant screech filled the air as the figures circled over him.
Senior shot upward, finding himself in the middle of a city in ruins. Streets were cracked and scorched, buildings were empty and some were in rubble. The man stood to his feet as he found the destruction around him. In these ruins, people were lying dead. It was like a massive graveyard, where the dead lied piled on each other, filling the air with their rotting stench.
Senior turned, his breath shuddering. Before him stood a man that matched his height. His eyes burned with a hellish rage. He was clad in armor like a samurai, bearing a draconic appearance. The man's likeness was that of Senior's. However, Senior trembled, for he knew that this man was not him.
Senior felt the earth tremble beneath his feet. He turned as clouds of smoke and debris rose in the distance. From the earth arose a serpent-like dragon rising, its eyes like fire. Its appearance was shrouded in a silhouette, making it impossible to fully describe. The dragon wailed as two other heads rose beside it. Senior stepped back as three more heads rose with them. The six heads roared as the sky flashed with lighting. The earth trembled at the mass of this creature. Senior turned back to the samurai, who lunged at him with a sword drawn.
Senior's eyes shot open as he raised himself up. His breathing was ragged and his heart raced in his chest. He was sweating profusely. Senior found himself back in the chasm, just outside the lair. He quickly took in his surroundings, finding the sky as blue as could be, with only a few clouds passing over. Senior began to relax but rested his face into his hand. He then heard a static crackle.
"Alpha, come in," said Baragon over a walkie-talkie. Senior reached into his coat and drew out his walkie.
"Y-Yeah, I'm in," answered Senior.
"Manda just spoke with your kid. Apparently Shiragami's finally noticed his kid missing," said Baragon.
"Barely? The hell kind of father is he?" asked Senior incredulously, though he realized that he was in no position to cast any stones.
"The man works a lot. You want me to fill him in?" asked Baragon.
"Yes. But hold off for now. Perhaps I should arrange a meeting. He should know of his daughter's plight," said Senior.
"You're the boss. Let me know for sure," said Baragon.
Later...
"No," said Erika, with her arms crossed. Senior bore an incredulous look.
"No? But, he's worried about you," said Senior. He was inside the lair, standing before the teen, who sat on a chair with her expression cold. Manda stood beside Senior with an awkward look.
"He wasn't worried enough to check on me post mutation," deadpanned Erika. Senior sighed heavily. He looked to Manda expectantly for help. Manda merely shrugged.
"I can't help with dad problems," said Manda. Senior scratched his head with a sigh.
"Give us a moment," said Senior. Manda nodded as she took off. Senior knelt beside Erika, who stared at the ground.
"Why not go to him?" asked Senior.
"Why? Why should I bother with him? He never was there for me after my mother died. Even when I was said to be dying soon, he still wasn't there to comfort me!" said Erika. Her eyes were tearing up.
"I-I thought things would be different when he cured me. Like we'd be a family again. But that bastard continued the same thing he had been doing! I needed him when people turned on me!" said Erika in a bitter tone. Senior lowered his head as Erika wept.
"Very well. I will not force you to go. But I'll meet with him myself," said Senior as he stood. He left the girl alone, who kept her face buried into her lap. Senior passed Manda, who rushed to his side.
"Wait, is it really a good idea to leave her here?" Asked Manda.
"If she has no desire to go, then I won't force her. Besides, she's still is a liability outside of the forest," said Senior. Manda quickly got in his path.
"Hold on! This is a good time for them to repair their relationship," said Manda.
"And that will happen after I've told Shiragami the pain his daughter is in," said Senior. His expression neutral as he made his way to the exit of the cave.
"Perhaps her absence will serve as a more effective message. He will need to rethink his actions if there's any hope for their relationship," said Senior. Manda watched as he left the cave.
"Yeah, but what about your family?" Muttered Manda.
Miwa's eyes were locked onto a computer screen. The air around her was filled with some phone rings and the typing on keyboards. Miwa herself sat at a desk in a row with other employees, who were typing away. Miwa was reading off a work email. She tore her sight from the screen as an employee sat down a stack of files beside her.
"Miwa, we need you to help with checking over the work in these files," said the coworker as he patted the top of the stack. Miwa eyed the files, finding at least over a dozen of them, filled with paper work.
"I'll get right on it," said Miwa with a sigh.
"Thanks, appreciate it," said the coworker, rushing back to his desk. Miwa began to take one of the first files on top and began to look through it, while opening up the files to the work place's server. As she began to work, Miwa caught the smell of a wonderful scent. She felt her stomach ache and her mouth water. She turned and found a coworker at her side, placing a container filled with chicken and mashed potatoes on the desk in front of herself. Miwa groaned.
"You're eating now? It's 10:30!" said Miwa. Her coworker shushed her.
"Oh come on, I can't help it! I missed breakfast!" complained the woman as she began to eat. Miwa groaned as she cupped her nose. She quickly got up from her desk and began to make her way out of the office and into the women's restroom. Here was clearly better than suffering from hunger by smelling a delicious meal. Miwa began to check her surroundings. She then looked under the stalls, finding no one present. She then reached into her pocket and drew out a "First Response" stick.
"Guess now's as good of a time as any." Miwa took a breath and entered one of the stalls.
Angirasu lied under his covers. His nose and face red. He was sweating as he lied asleep. Aiko watched him from outside in the hall in worry. Rei suddenly came up at her side and began to usher away from the room.
"He'll be fine. Just let him rest. Come on, we'll be late for lunch with my daughter!" said Rei as she ushered Aiko. Rei closed the door shut. Angirasu slept soundly as his mother and aunt left the house via car. The engine of the vehicle faded from hearing.
Through Angirasu's sleep, he heard the sound of knocking. He turned in his bed, crinkling his brows. The knocking grew a bit louder, prompting him to groan and to sit up. He stumbled out of bed and made his way to his bedroom window. He moved the curtain, only to be surprised at what he saw. Sonata was standing outside his window, waving. Angirasu opened up his window.
"Hi!" greeted Sonata.
"What are you doing here? I thought you'd be at school," said Angirasu in confusion.
"I just wanted to check on you. Maybe hang out a bit," said Sonata with a bashful smile. She grunted as she began to climb into the window.
"You shouldn't be here. My mom will spiral if she catches you," said Angirasu as he helped Sonata. The girl yelped as she stumbled through the window frame. She and Angirasu both fell back onto the floor, with her resting on top of him. The two blushed as they stared into each other's eyes. Sonata's breathing was shallow as her heart raced.
Sonata giggled as she rested her head on Angirasu's chest. With her ear against his chest, she felt and heard his beating heart. Her face grew more flushed as she picked up on his heart racing as her own was.
"Um... Sonata, can I get up?" asked Angirasu in embarrassment. Sonata quickly shot up off of him with a sheepish grin.
Angirasu stood up as he avoided eye contact. His face more flushed compared to his current illness. He coughed violently as he got back into his bed. He slinked under his covers for warmth.
"Oh, you poor thing. You look terrible," said Sonata with a frown. She took a seat at the edge of Angirasu's bed. Angirasu brought his cover up to his mouth with a cough.
"You'll be in the same state as me if you stick around," sniffled Angirasu. Sonata merely smiled as she scooted closer.
"Then I hope you'll pay me a visit too," said Sonata, batting her eyelashes. The boy cleared his throat as he shrunk a bit under his covers. Sonata was internally grinning like a fool at Angirasu's shyness.
'Time for the Dagi technique', thought Sonata. She bit her lip as she looked to the side innocently. She brought her leg up, with her skirt riding up her thigh. She sensually ran a hand across her leg. She glanced at Angirasu, finding him to be staring. The boy quickly looked away as he noticed her eyes glancing at him. Sonata slowly slid her knee high shoes off seductively, revealing her pink knee high socks. She sighed as she sat them down and brought her feet onto the bed. Sonata lied herself down next to Angirasu in his bed. An innocent smile was on her face as she snuggled close, with her head propped up by her hand.
"You're bed's comfy," said Sonata. Angirasu looked away.
"It's alright..." said Angirasu in a small tone. Sonata traced a finger on the bed.
"You know, we should hang out soon when you're better," said Sonata. Angirasu sighed.
"Yeah, but I can't keep lying to my mom. She's bound to see through me eventually," said Angirasu. Sonata bore a pout look. The two suddenly heard the door open.
"Good thing we weren't too far. Where's my damn wallet?" asked Rei from outside of the bedroom. Angirasu's eyes widened as he heard footsteps approaching.
"I should check on Angirasu," said Aiko.
Angirasu quickly brought his covers up and pulled Sonata close to himself. The girl squeaked as she found herself pressing against his chest as the blanket fell over her, concealing her.
Aiko entered the bedroom. She peeked inside and found Angirasu lying on his side with his back facing her. Aiko softly smiled as she found him right where she left him. She closed the door, while her footsteps faded from the hearing of the teens.
"Come on, I'm starving!" said Aiko. Soon, the two heard the sound of a vehicle leaving.
Sonata panted as she was close against Angirasu's chest. Angirasu removed the blanket from her head.
"Sorry about that," said The girl shyly snuggled against him. Angirasu gulped as the young pop star pressed her chest against him.
"Let's just embrace~. I want to feel your warmth~," sang Sonata, her eyes flashing green. Angirasu's eyes flashed as well. He wrapped his arms around Sonata and held her close.
Senior found himself standing in an alley in silence. Before him was Genshiro, who bore a furious expression. He jabbed a finger against the Transmutant's chest in his fit of anger.
"I demand that you take me to see my daughter!" shouted Genshiro. Senior merely brushed his hand away with a cold expression.
"Erika Shiragami's mutation has made her a liability. We will be keeping her with us for a time," said Senior.
"She's just a child! She has a life! She has school!" said Genshiro angrily. Senior hardened his expression.
"It seemed to me that she was unsatisfied with her life at home, Shiragami. I mean, a father that neglects his daughter as she faces the torment of her peers' animosity to Transmutants? I fear that leaving her with you will bring more harm than good," said Senior as he crossed his arms over his chest. Genshiro grunted as his face grew red.
"You don't know anything! I worked as hard as I did for her! Her mother, who we've lost! It was all for her!" cried Genshiro.
"Her mother is gone. You cured your daughter. So why do you still continue to overwork yourself every day?" questioned Senior. Genshiro didn't answer. Senior furrowed his brows.
"Is it a force of habit you're struggling to break? Or is it something else?" questioned Senior. He wasn't going to go easy on this man. But doing this, Senior felt himself in Genshiro's place. Each question felt as though they were directed at himself. Why did he leave and not come back? Why did he neglect his family? Why was he still fighting? These were the questions Senior asked himself.
"No answer? I often find myself in the same position as well," said Senior as he turned away.
"I would have brought you to her, but I am reluctant. Until you have your answer, then nothing will change," said Senior as he left the man alone in the alley.
Senior proceeded to walk through the town, with his face concealed by his hood from his jacket. He began to walk passed a few citizens, like a ghost in the wind. Walking among them felt unreal, like he didn't belong and it wasn't because he was a Transmutant. He longed accepted that the rode for his race was a hard one. He felt detached from rest of the world. The everyday problems of the average person were a distant memory to him. All that he had on his mind was the Ark, his group, and the safety of his family. Everything he focused on seemed much more grand than what he had previously experienced. Again, he questioned why he ever abandoned that life for one filled with anxiety.
Senior found himself stopping at the Takeshi residence. The place that he once called home. A place where he once dwelled with his family. Why did he leave?
Senior found that Miwa's car was parked in the driveway. He approached the door and knocked. After a few seconds, he found Miwa opening the door, greeting him with a smile. Senior smiled back. The two embraced each other and exchanged a kiss. Senior noticed Mosura lying asleep on the sofa.
"Shouldn't she be in school?" asked Senior.
"She's sick. Poor thing can barely get out of bed," said Miwa. She stepped out of the house and closed the door behind her. She took a seat on the steps to the house. Senior took a seat next to her with a sigh.
"I wasn't expecting to see you home so soon," said Miwa.
"I was in the neighborhood. I thought I'd stop by to check on you," said Senior. Miwa nodded, her expression solemn.
"I'm glad you did. We miss you," said Miwa softly. Senior gulped as he stared at the ground.
"I miss you both as well," replied Senior.
"Gojira, I... I know that you're burdened with this whole 'Ark' thing. But..." Miwa hesitated. She shook her head as she hardened her expression.
"I just don't understand why you left!" said Miwa. Senior's expression grew solemn as he continued to stare at the concrete ground.
"Everyday and night, I'm worrying what might have happened to you and if I'm enough for Junior! And I learned that I'm not," said Miwa, tearing up.
"I tried many times. But I was never enough. I tried teaching him what I knew, but it wasn't enough! I feel like I'm failing him!" cried Miwa. She turned to Senior with a sniffle.
"He needs his father in his life. He's always happy to go out to the forest just to see you. Even if he comes home with bruises, he would talk his head off about the things you taught him. He even told me you taught him how to hunt!" said Miwa with a laugh through her tears.
"I need you home. We're struggling, Gojira. It's only getting harder," said Miwa as she placed a hand on Senior's shoulder. Her husband lowered his head more. Miwa gritted her teeth.
"Just tell me! Why did you leave! Why can't you come home?! There had to be people just as qualified to do what you're doing!" cried Miwa. Senior turned to Miwa, his eyes burning.
"I did it for him!" said Senior. Miwa was silent, finding the look of pain and despair on her husband's face. Senior turned away as he rubbed his brows.
"When I met Amber, she showed me a vision. Of the future if the Ark ever fell into the wrong hands," said Senior, wiping his eyes.
"I saw horrors that you couldn't possibly imagine. I still have nightmares about them," said Senior. He raised his head, taking a calming breath as he held back his tears. The truth was that he knew the answer to all of his questions. But he wanted to forget what he knew.
"Do you know what I'm afraid of most, Miwa?" asked Senior.
"Losing us?" asked Miwa.
"Not just that. I fear our son following me in my footsteps," said Senior. He looked to Miwa with a serious cold look.
"I see him. Every time, I see our son. Not with the eyes of a man. Not even of a warrior. I see a merciless monster. I saw myself," said Senior. Miwa's expression was filled with sadness.
"Yourself? Gojira, you're not that man anymore," said Miwa.
"Maybe not. But part of him still lingers. And I fear he's in the heart of our son," said Senior.
"Vision or not, it's all the more reason that you should come back! Teach Junior what you learned in life! Steer him in the right direction so he doesn't have to experience that!" said Miwa. Senior bowed his head.
"Gojira... I'm pregnant," said Miwa. Senior shot his head up. Miwa was in tears.
"Impossible," said Senior breathlessly.
"I know but it's true! Gojira, we need you more than the world! Please, come home!" pleaded Miwa through her tears. She buried her face into Senior's shoulder. He bore a stunned look as Miwa held him. He felt his eyes running with tears. He embraced Miwa as he held in his sobs.
Junior was walking home alone in silence. His hands were in his pockets as he walked through the town. He stopped as he came across a window, where several television sets sat. He found a news report playing. It was recounting the recent MONARCH and Rogue activity occurring in the town as of late. He found the footage of Kumonga restraining a transformed Transmutant with her webbing.
"I mean why is MONARCH having these rogues run around free?! They pose as much danger!" said a host on an evening talk show on the screen next to the one Junior was looking at. The boy furrowed his brows as he heard words of condemnation for MONARCH working with the Guardians. The public may not know the whole story, but the mainstream was ignoring the good that the Guardians were doing, even minimizing the damage.
"Ingrates," spat Junior as he walked off. He had to get moving. Just watching that stuff boiled his blood. As he walked on, he noticed a couple of adults to be standing by.
"Did you hear how a couple of Transmutants helped MONARCH capture them?" asked a man.
"Yeah. Fuckin' traitors. Selling out their own kind to these humans," scoffed another man. Junior grimaced as he heard this, but continued walking.
Eliza found herself standing among Chris and Harold. A few other figures were present as well, standing in the shadows of this dimly lit room. Laura stood in the center, with a holographic screen in hand, depicting a map of the Equestrian-Yak Yakistan border.
"As you know, we've lost the Seeder when the so called, 'Revolutionaries' attacked the base in the north," said Laura.
"But how could they have known?" asked a figure in the shadow.
"Currently we do not have the information. However, it does mean that we are compromised. For now, we are lucky that the terrorists have no allegiance to any government. This would pose a greater problem otherwise," said Laura. She then drew a red circle on the map from her finger.
"We found that the seeder was taken from the Revolutionaries during a confrontation with the terrorists known as 'Purists'. Its last known location was in a remote region among mountain ranges just north of the state called "Carouselfornia," said Laura as she circled a large area on the map.
"We've lost contact?" asked another figure.
"This area has been known to have formerly been a missile silo for the 'Cold War', as it was known," explained Laura. "We have scouts searching for this base as we speak."
"Excellent. And what about the regeneration?" asked a large figure with a pair of glowing eyes was seen. His voice distorted. Harold stepped forward.
"We had begun a sweep for the suitable genetic code for the process. While our recent attempt to root out the subhuman with the G-cells has yet to bring results, we are going to expand our search," said Harold.
"That may not be necessary," said Laura as she projected an image of a man.
"Our access to MONARCH has led to us contain the recent Krystal plague that struck the planet. During this, we discovered a Transmutant that was immune to the infection. Xenjira, who is being held in a facility separate from the Vault," said Laura. Images of cells that were taken from the database of the government were depicted.
"Unfortunately, his G-cells were mutated, having merged with the infection as a new cell. This genetic code is corrupted and would prove harmful to us," said Laura.
"Then what use is this info? Aside from exterminating this vermin," scoffed the figure with glowing eyes.
"Because the Transmutant's next of kin has been documented," said Laura as an image of Gojira Senior and Junior were shown. Eliza's eyes widened in horror.
"Gojira Takeshi and Gojira Takeshi the 2nd. Both blood related to Xenjira," said Laura with a smile.
"We have no information of the father's location, but we do have the boy's. We only need one pure source of G-cells," said Laura. The figure with glowing eyes hummed.
"Alright. We are running out of time. We are in danger of being discovered and life support systems are failing. We need the seeder, the boy and the infected," said the figure. Eliza trembled as she stared at the image of Junior.
It was the late evening. Senior was standing outside of the Guardian's cave. He stared up at the heavens, where the stars twinkled in the night sky. His breaths were calm, but his heart weighed heavily in his very chest. His soul buckled in his body. As he stared up at the night sky, Amber fluttered over to a large stone sticking out of the ground.
"It's late, Gojira," said Amber. Senior sighed.
"Amber, we must talk," said Senior as he turned to face the fairy.
"What's on your mind?" asked Amber, curiously. Senior scratched his head.
"I've... I've been thinking about this for a while now," said Senior.
"Yes?" questioned Amber, tilting her head.
"Amber I... I can't keep doing this," said Senior. Amber was silent, though filled with confusion.
"What do you mean?" asked Amber, worried.
"This. Staying here. I have a family that needs me. And I can't do anything remaining here," said Senior with a heavy sigh.
"G-Gojira, think about what you're doing!" said Amber, almost desperately.
"It was a mistake that I left to begin with. I haven't been there for my son when he needed me the most," said Senior solemnly. Amber's antennae hung over her head as she seemed to have shrunk in her place.
"I know I made a vow to protect the Ark. I even recruited others to help me. People who were lost, broken, with nothing left," said Senior as he looked back to the cave. Inside, he found a couple dozen of the Guardians that he had known for years. They slept soundly in their cots.
"But... I'm neglecting those who gave me a second chance at life in the first place," said Senior softly. He shook his head.
"Yet if I were to leave, I'd only abandon those who fought alongside me," said Senior as he turned back to Amber. She merely stared up at him.
"I can't put my wife and son through this anymore. Not even my future child," said Senior. Amber's antennae shot upright as she heard this. She softly laughed.
"I see. Who am I to argue with his will?" said Amber to herself.
"Amber?" asked Senior.
"Never mind. Gojira Takeshi, you are free to leave whenever you please. Thank you, for all the years you have served. May you and your family be blessed," said Amber as she bowed her head to him. Senior softly smiled as he knelt down to the moth and ran his fingers over her head.
"You should let the others know. Don't expect them to accept it as easily as I have," said Amber. Senior nodded.
"I know," said Senior. As Senior left and reentered the cave, Amber was left alone. She sighed solemnly. She took off through the air, fluttering into the night sky. She soon found herself flying into the old abandoned castle. She flew inside the courtyard, descending into a garden. She softly glowed and began to morph and change. She emerged from the glow as the tall winged woman that she had previously changed into. She turned as she found a figure matching her height, cloaked in a white hood that seemed to radiate with light.
"You've done well. He is pleased with your efforts," said the figure, speaking in a masculine voice.
"Yes, but I feel as though I've failed. Gojira still carries the heavy burden of his past in his heart. I was hoping that it'd be mended," said Amber.
"It's what's reminding him to strive for being better, Amber. Besides, I believe that this experience has awakened a resolve in him," said the figure.
"It is why his wife's womb was restored by the Gem of the Spirit. To give him the push he needed," said the figure. Amber looked to the side, her expression solemn.
"Is there something more?" asked the figure.
"Junior... I fear for him. He's much like his father," said Amber, biting her lip. The figure hummed in understanding.
"Yes. We all can sense it," said the figure. He turned as he walked away.
"His future is dictated by his actions. But he's not lost, yet. Tribulation awaits him," said the figure. Amber's face shot up as her eyes widened.
"Wait!" cried Amber. The hooded figure looked back at Amber. His glowing eyes focused on her.
"I want to be his Guardian!" said Amber.
"Amber, that's not up to me. If you wish to change your post, then you must take it up with The One Above All," said the figure. Amber's antennae dropped over her face as her expression to a frown.
"Farewell, sister," said the figure as he faded from sight. Amber found herself alone in the night.
Adrian was sound asleep in her cot. The old missile silo base was quiet, as most Purists slept the night away. During this, she heard the sound of metal clanging. She shot up awake, her eyes wide and alert. She reached to her side and drew out a pistol. She noticed a few other Purists in the room having woken up. They were tense as they slowly stood.
Suddenly, the sound of an alarm blaring went off. Red lights flashed over head as the lights in the room flickered on.
"What the hell?!" exclaimed Adrian.
"We have intruders in the base! All hands, arm up and take them out!" ordered Scar over the intercom. Everyone in the base had begun to arm up. Those who were already up and standing guard were already rushing to where ever the intruders may be. A couple of men armed with rifles stopped as they heard metal clanking on the ground. They took cover behind a wall. One of the men peeked over the corner, only to find a lanky metallic figure to be stalking the hall, covered in glowing lights.
"What in the hell?" asked the man.
"Shit, it's MONARCH! They sent their mechs!" said a Purist as he shot out of cover and shot his rifle. The bullets bounced off of the metal figure, but caused some dents into its armor. The mechanical figure quickly turned, raising an arm as a cannon formed. The cannon shot forth as yellow bolt of energy, blasting the Purist back. The Purist lied dead, covered in burns.
"Oh fuck!" cried the remaining Purist. He began to shoot at the metal figure, which raised its arm to shield its metallic 'face' from the hail of bullets. It shot back at the Purist, who took cover behind the wall. The bolt struck and burned the wall, causing concrete to chip off. The Purist began to run off, drawing out his COM.
"Hey, we got mechs here! Get the big guns!" cried the Purist. He then cried out in agony as he was shot in the back, dropping to the ground. He grunted as he weakly crawled away, as the metallic figure stalked towards him. It raised its cannon over the man's head and finished him with one last shot.
Meanwhile, Adrian was rushing through the hall with several other Purists. They were armed to the teeth, with rifles and light machine guns. They stopped running as three metallic figures appeared. The machines aimed their arms at the Purists and fired rapid bolts towards them. A couple of Purists were gunned down as the rest took cover. Adrian grunted as she peeked over and fired her rifle.
"What the hell are these things?! They're nothing I've seen before from MONARCH!" said Adrian.
"Hideki Industries is quite the innovative company!" said a Purist as he fired back at the machines. The mechanical figures found themselves taking heavy fire, especially from the light machine guns. Their armor was further damaged. One of them raised an arm and launched a metallic ball that bounced across the room. During their firefight, Adrian noticed the ball rolling nearby. Her eyes widened as the LED lights on it began to flash rapidly along with a beep.
"Grenade!!" cried Adrian. The ball suddenly burst into a blue explosion. A couple of Purists were unlucky to have been caught in the blast, while the rest were stunned and disoriented. Adrian panted as she fell to her knees, her ears ringing and her lungs filled with smoke. She turned and gasped as the figures advanced closer. They began to gun down the rest of her comrades, who cried out in agony from the bolts that scorched through their flesh. Adrian and the remaining Purists began to retreat, just as the mechanical figures turned their attention on them. The machines sprayed their bolts at the Purists wildly. The humans managed to escape to a nearby corner, where they continued to flee.
Meanwhile, Dreadnought grunted as he took cover behind a metal barricade, narrowly avoiding a bolt to the head. He peeked over his cover and raised his cyber arm. It fired off its heavy rounds, rocking back his shoulder and chest, and pushing a mechanical figure back. His team comprised of several Purists, who were peppering the two mechanical figures. Dreadnought managed to pop enough shots to cause his target's armor to give in. It collapsed with an electronic hum as its lights died down.
"Come on! They're not so tough!" shouted Dreadnought as he hopped out of cover. He began to pepper the remaining figure with a few shots. It began to convulse as it attempted to aim its arm cannon at the human. As Dreadnought fired into its chest, the machine fell back and died. He turned to the other Purists.
"Let's move! There's more out there!" said Dreadnought. The group suddenly felt a rumble in the room as an explosion went off. They turned and found a wall having been blasted through. A few more mechanical figures rushed in, firing at the humans. Dreadnought cursed as he and the Purists took cover. He raised his cyber arm, where a small rocket appeared. The rocket launched and crashed into the cluster of machines, destroying a couple while damaging the rest heavily.
Meanwhile, Stinger found himself knocked to the ground. His armor sparked as he struggled to stand. He narrowly avoided the swing of a mech's arm. But he was blasted by a second mech's gun. He was sent flying back to the ground. His sight fell on a couple of mechs making their way to the device that the Purists recovered from their encounter with the Revolutionaries. Stinger raised his scorpion tail but noticed the two mechs he was fighting previously raising their cannons. Stinger shot off to cover as they fired their bolts at him. Stinger hardened his expression as he was pinned. Whatever these things were, they were obviously after that thing.
"Stinger!" cried Alexandra, who came rushing over as she adjusted the helmet of the Hard-light armor.
"Had a bit of wardrobe problem!" chuckled Alexandra sheepishly. Stinger rolled his eyes behind his helmet. He then ran to the next wall over and drew in the fire of the two machines focused on him. Stinger hid by the wall as his mechanical tail hummed.
"Scar, they're taking that thing we took from the muties! We need back up!" said Alexandra over the com. She aimed her gauntlets at the machines and fired her hard light bolts at them. The bolts pierced through the machines like paper. One of them projected a blue field of energy.
"Get the Seeder out of here!" said the machine, speaking in a distorted voice as its lights flashed. One of the machines turned to the wall and raised a large arm cannon. It shot forth a beam of energy that blasted through the wall, burrowing a tunnel through. As it was digging a way out with its laser, Stinger fired the laser beam from his tail, piercing through the projected shield that was set up. The machine's armor was scorched as its shield died. It then retaliated with its arm raised, where a rocket appeared. The machine fired off rocket after rocket. Stinger and Alexandra dove for cover as the rocks exploded. Fire began to rage in the base, as did the sound of cries and gun fire echoed out.
Soon, the mech firing its beam had finished drilling. The mechanical figures carried the device through the tunnel, as the other two machines fired at Alexandra and Stinger. The two remaining mechs followed the other two through the tunnel. As Stinger and Alexandra attempted to pursue, they were still shot at by one of the machines from inside the tunnel.
Meanwhile, as Adrian and her group fled through the hall, they stopped as they found machines before them. They quickly took cover as the machines shot at them. As they fired back, Adrian noticed the machines beginning to retreat into the holes they made.
"Ha! We got them on the run!" said a Purist. Adrian bore a confused look.
"Something's not right," said Adrian.
"They just took that device! We couldn't stop them!" Said Alexandra over the COM. Adrian's eyes widened in shock.
"Ah let em keep it! What good does it-" a Purist was interrupted as the base rumbled. Concrete and rock began to fall upon the Purists, who cried out.
Meanwhile outside, the mechs were firing dozens of rockets at the missile silo base. The mountain rocks exploding from the barrage of rockets. This caused the base to start caving inside. Purists were getting struck by the debris and falling rocks. Adrian cried out as she took cover as the base began to come down on top of them.
The machines stood as the base smoked from the hot craters that filled the mountain's surface. The machines turned as a massive metallic object hovered through the air. It caused the air to rumble as it hummed. The machines approached the flying object, where they ascended upward with the device and disappeared as they reached the object's underside.
It was morning. Junior stood outside of his home next to Fluttershy. The two found Mosura to be rushing out of the house, adjusting her coat as she sniffled. The girl cleared her throat of any mucus that was trapped.
"Feeling better?" asked Fluttershy.
"A bit. Come on, let’s go!" said Mosura as she began to walk on ahead. Junior and Fluttershy began to follow their friend.
"Man, I'm surprised you're able to get up. You looked like you were gonna kick the bucket," said Junior. Mosura shrugged.
"It was just a cold. They come and go," said Mosura.
Later, the teens found themselves entering the school. As per usual, students came into the main foyer of the school, prepping for homeroom classes. Junior began to notice some if not all the students that were missing were here. He even noticed Angirasu, who was walking through the hall with his back pack.
"Hey, Aang!" called Junior. Angirasu's attention was drawn, finding his friends waving to him. Angirasu waved back as he began to approach.
"Hey man, where were you? I was the only one at our usual spot yesterday," said Junior.
"I was sick. Wait, what do you mean you were the only one?" asked Angirasu with a confused look.
"Exactly what I meant. I was literally the only person at the table in the cafeteria. No Transmutant was there as far as I knew," said Junior.
"Huh. That's interesting," said Angirasu.
"Ugh. You're lucky that you can't get sick," said Mosura, enviously.
"Are you kidding? I wish I could get sick! Just so I don't have to go school!" said Junior.
"Yeah but it's not worth feeling like crap for a day," said Angirasu with a sigh. He noticed that Sonata was standing behind a corner, waving to Angirasu with a grin. Angirasu's eyes briefly flashed green. He suddenly took off, disappearing among the crowd of students.
"Huh. Didn't even say good bye," said Junior with a raised brow.
"He must have somewhere to be," said Fluttershy.
Aiko was scanning through her laptop. She was sitting in the office in the girl's locker room. She was in the process of filling out her report. As she did this, a notification popped up on her laptop. She saved the progress to her word document and began to open up the message that she received. It was from Director Yoshi. Her brows raised as she found the subject, which read "Urgent". Aiko began to read through the message. It read as follows:
"Lieutenant Aiko, after reviewing your previous reports, I have began to research the medication which was prescribed to your objective. After comparing that with the medical records of a current prisoner of the Vault, we have learned that the medication designed to reduce stress in Transmutants only manages to heighten their aggression. It is highly recommended that you cease giving Angirasu Riku this prescribed medication and search for alternatives to reduce chances of transformation."
Aiko was shocked, having re-read everything. This whole time she was poisoning her son. This would explain why he often seemed more aggressive, aside from the obvious tension between them. Aiko sighed heavily as she rubbed her brows. Problems just seemed to build up. She lied back in her seat and glanced to the side. Her eyes widened as she spotted a television screen in the office, depicting live footage outside of the school building where the gymnasium entrance was. She spotted Sonata and Angirasu, sneaking out of the gymnasium and taking off from school grounds. Aiko hardened her expression. She shot up from her seat and snatched up her jacket.
As Aiko ran out of the locker room, Adagio caught sight of her. The teen hardened her expression as she found the furious expression on the woman's face. Adagio looked to her phone, having received a text from Sonata prior. The text read:
"Gonna take the day off and take Angirasu on an awesome date!"
Adagio pocketed her phone. She began to run after Aiko, who had already left the school building.
The air was cold. The concrete walls and metallic structures added to this dead atmosphere. Just in the southern region of the state of Carouselfornia, a hidden MONARCH base located far from civilization lied. Inside, there was military personnel and staff that kept up with their daily routine. Inside, deep in the base, there was a blast door sealed shut, with the bio-hazard insignia boldly shown.
Beyond the door, there was a room. In this metallic room, the temperature was low. The center of the room was where Xenjira lied. He was slumbering inside of a coffin-like container. It lied upright, held up by metal harnesses, and tubes connected to the coffin in the back. The Transmutant was kept under in a cold state that rendered him into stasis. The crystals on his body were dimly lit, like dying lanterns of light.
Xenjira was now but a prisoner. He was trapped in a slumbering state, in a cold coffin, resting in a dark metal tomb. Never to be free again due to the infection that had taken over his physiology.
The sound of a siren wailing filled the air. The room shook as the lights flashed from an explosion. Muffled sounds of gun fire filled the air. Distant frantic shouts came from behind the blast doors, ending in cries of agony. The tremors grew more intense, causing rubble to fall. The lights suddenly died down, leaving Xenjira in darkness. Only the dim lights from his crystals gave light. Suddenly, a laser was scorched through the blast door. The door was destroyed as a metallic figure stepped through. It stepped inside, finding Xenjira in stasis.
Xenjira's coffin-like prison was soon disconnected from the cables and tubes that held it. It was then carried off by a couple of the mechanical figures, as a chrome flying object descended over them.
The base that had once held Xenjira now lied in ruins. The structures were destroyed, the vehicles were scorched as fires raged. No sign of life was here in the vicinity of this military base.