Shadow Vanguard
—Takaya's Apartment – 05.20 PM
"Bro, are you already invite them for tonight?" Rin shouted from the kitchen.
"Of course, Asahi is on her way here." Said her brother from the living room.
"Oh good! Man power increased!" she said.
A pleasant smell roam around, tasty, and luscious. A rare scenery for the them…
"Anyway, I'm going to grab something in the store, need anything?" Takaya wears his jacket and is about to leave her apartment.
"Bunch of Ice cream, snacks, and soda!" Rin hollered.
"Okay!" He leaves the room.
A day after, He found himself shopping at the store, moving around with a shopping cart with a bunch of snacks. Like he about to throw some party. It's a exceptional thing that he does. Suddenly someone bumped into him from behind. He surprised to see a woman's leg and try to help her to stand and apologized,
"Sorry, I didn't pay attention-" Takaya raised her up and apologized suddenly stunned as he look the girl,
"Takaya?" The woman called his name which he still stunned, "Hello?? Anybody there???" she waves her hand on his face, "It's Anna, one of your classmates." The woman replied.
"Anna-belle?" With a shocked face.
"Yup, in the flesh!" She smiled widely.
"Oh my god you're the idol! What are you doing here?!" Takaya asked,
"Oh, I just bought some drinks, and snacks." She responds to Takaya.
Takaya is shocked to see Annabelle, he knows that she is an idol because his sister is one of her fans.
"Do you have a pen?" Takaya asked with an excited face,
"I have, but why-"
"Can you sign this bag of chips?" He smiled awfully,
"Ah you must be my fan, aren't you?" She takes the pen and the chips to sign it,
"Well yeah, and also my sister was your fan too…"
"Ohh…" –She signs the bag of chips "Here you go."
As he takes the chips, someone out side of the store waving at her, someone appears like an agent with a black suit,
"Hey, I'm going now… Looking forward for tomorrow 'kay!"
"Oh okay, watch yourself okay!" he waves at her as she left him alone.
After that unexpected meeting he then finishes his shopping and goes to the cashier, paying his grocesary and leave. While on the street near his apartment he sees Asahi walking alone on the same way as he leading to. Carried a bag full of snacks. He rushes towards her,
"Asahi!" He screamed her name while running,
"Ah Takaya! Uwah, you seemed to buy some stuff too." Asahi reacts at his carries.
"Honestly I just wanna buy some toothbrush and paste in case we need extra," he looked at Asahi's bag, "Hey, let me carry those bags." –He grabs her bags and carries them.
"Thank you." Her lips arched up gorgeously at him,
The walked together until arriving at the apartment, conversing eachother along the way. Until they arriving at the door. A clanging sound heard outside, his face turned as he opens the door already know what is going to happened,
"I'm home" He enters
"ASAHI! COME HERE QUICK!" followed with a dropping sound.
"Takaya, what is she doing?" Asahi's face suddenly akward,
"..." Takaya kept silent with shame on his face.
"ASAHI!!! HELP ME TO GET THIS OUT!" Rin screamed even louder.
"Alright, Alright, coming!" –Asahi ran to the kitchen "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"
"Making a pizza! Quick get it out before it burns!"
"It already burns you morron!"
"WHAT?!"
Takaya deeply sighed, "Another day, another life…"
At the end 3 of them spend their time for the rest of the day together making the preparation for welcoming Lania.
It's 5 PM, and they have already done their preparation. Rin takes a bath to relax, Takaya is sitting on his balcony sipping coffee. Asahi wipes her sweaty face as she walks to the balcony carrying soft drink,
"What a beautiful view, is it?" Asahi said while her eyes lined up with the horizon,
"Yeah… I like sitting here to see the sunset, calming and relaxing…"
Asahi takes a sit in the empty chair beside Takaya, "I heard you visited the northern base last night." Asahi said.
He spits his coffee.
"Why-" his throat soaked by hot sensation of the coffee.
"My mom told me last night about it." Asahi laughs as she gave a paper towel to him.
"Don't… tell Rin." Takaya said with a cautious expression.
"Hmmm, don't know about that…" As always, her playful expression irritates Takaya,
"Asahi-
"Can you promise me one thing?" Her face turns gloom, "Don't ever do that again. At least bring someone with you." She stared deeply into his eyes,
Takaya couldn't tell how he must respond to that promise. Confused by Asahi's sudden tone made a massive different vibe,
"I can't, I don't want to cause you a troubl-"
"Cause me trouble my ass! Last night you got knocked out and you are saying I'm not gonna do anything about that?" Her eyes fueled with fury "I know it is none of my business but you can't just do that alone, try to think about someone else who can help you."
"Asahi-"
"Am I weak for you? To help you?"
The words echo on his mind, unable to react, he looked down on himself…
"It's been a year you do everything by your own, I know everything, I know what you did with Lieutenant, I know you are secretly moving behind us," she said,
"Wha-"
"Ah… Sorry I'm carried away." She stops her outburst and apologizes.
"Wait! Why did you know-"
"Takaya, What I'm trying to say is you need to rely on other people with your problems, don't know maybe you can solve your mess, that's why we're here-" The bell rings. A perfect excuse for her to go"
"Asahi-" he couldn't stop her.
Drown under the unknown confusion, he looks so worried.
Asahi walk to the front and open the door, froze to see Ai and Fukushima carrying a gun crate and bags full of goodies, while Lania carried a huge bag just like they were going to camp.
"Asahi… You're here."
"Ai! Fuku! Lania!"
Lania waves her hand to her as Ai and Fukushima goes inside first and drops the thing that they've carried.
"What is that?" Takaya asked
"Lania's 'thing'" Fukushima said,
"Are she going to make this place a warzone?" he smiled awkwardly
"Ahh! General won't let me use her bedroom so I will sleep anywhere in the ground if you don't mind."
"Rin prepares you a place to sleep in her room though…"
"Ehh??? Why she not telling me that?!" Lania slapped her forehead in anger. The fact that she was pranked again by Vanny.
Rin appears wearing a beautiful dress,
"Laniiiii!!!!" She rushed and hugs Lania so tightly,
"That is not what she did when she saw me for the first time…" Asahi muttered,
"You are a normal person. Lani is different!" She teased,
"Umm… Rin, what do you mean different???"
"Ahh… You are… never mind! Let's put your stuff on my room. The food is getting cold!" she dragged Lania,
"Uhh Rin! Wait!"
They laughed by cute act of Rin, in fact she is the most beloved one amongst them. Spoiled, given to her age is also the youngest.
The evening getting dark. All of people had gathered, feast on the meal, filled by joy. A sight that never seen for couple years finally can be seen once again.
***
"She sure fell asleep." Lania gently pinches Rin's nose.
"It's been a while since she worked so hard today…" Her brother said.
"Also, it's been a while since her brother had someone come to the house." Ai mocked.
"What a nerd." Fukushima mocks him even more.
Takaya smiled, "I might take her to her bed."
Takaya walks over Rin and carries her to her room, and places her on her bed. Then he closed her room.
"Are you guys sleeping over here tonight?" Takaya asked to Ai, Fukushima and Asahi.
"I'm staying!" Asahi said.
"I'm staying too." Ai said.
"I'm staying." Fukushima also said.
"Alrighty then we should start our serious conversation." Lania breaks the comfy homey vibe, "Takaya, can you bring us to 'the room'?"
"You're right…"
Everyone exchanges gaze, as they did not know what were they talking about.
"Guys… Follow me…" Takaya said.
He pushed a button under his fire pits, suddenly the room vibrates alongside a sound of metal clanging. The wall begans to lift, revealing a hidden elevator inside.
"…Umm, we should get in now…" Takaya said, he knows all what just happened is really confusing for them,
They entered the elevator. Soon the door closed, the elevator started to move down.
"Woah… This is pretty cool… Were inside a secret passage way to the unknown." Asahi said with a playful tone,
Unlike Ai and Fukushima, being uneasy, Takaya stay silent as he looked at Asahi only to witness her normal behavior, like she already knows what is about to happened.
Soon the elevator stopped, the door slide away, revealing the path for them. Not a normal sight when it's surrounded by many people wearing a white suit. Like a doctor, like a scientist. They greet Takaya and Lania as they walked.
Asahi's eye filled with excitement, seeing a high-tech facility underground ordinary apartment. While Ai and Fukushima couldn't believe their eyes.
"Get in guys. We should talk inside." Takaya open a door.
The door written 'Chief Office' at the front. As the enter, the room seemed like an ordinary office. Many places to sit full with its own little kitchen set for making a coffee.
"You guys can sit anywhere you want-"
"(Interrupting Takaya) What is this place?!" Ai hollered, expressing her unbearable confusion.
Takaya sits on the sofa, so as Lania.
"Answer me!" Ai's tone raised,
"Now, now… Just sit an relax, he must be preparing some explanation for us, right?" Asahi sits opposite Takaya, while teasing him.
"You seemed not surprised, Asahi. Like you're knew this is coming."
"Well, not as I expected."
"What are you talking about, Asahi?!" Ai even confused by Asahi's nature.
"Ai. Just sit and listen what he'll about to say." Fukushima said while sitting beside Asahi.
Hesitant but no other choice, she sits beside her brother.
The room became silent for a moment, as Asahi keep staring at Takaya, smiling, awkwardly.
"So, Takaya, what place had you bring us just now?" Fukushima asks.
"This is Shadow Vanguard. A personal facility I build with my sisters… Raised under the Elite Team supervision, for short this is like a second type of Elite Team that was secretly created by the current Elite Team Commander General Vanny Takahashi herself."
"So, it's nothing to do with the government or the military, we operate under the Elite Team's name and disguise as their troops." Fukushima said
"I honestly I really want to tell you about this earlier. But due to the situation we have now, I have no choice."
"No choice?" Asahi said, smirked at him.
"What, Asahi? You see this is funny?" Lania said with grim.
"No… To think he had no choice, He must have a hard time, even he manages to hide it all this time." Asahi said.
"Hee… As expected, Bella's daughter. No wonder you did know about this. I wonder how far you know-"
"I know everything from the start. I know this facility is crated base on Elite Team secret affair, None of which is to exposed X.A.G's cruel intention. Exploiting the warrior's power while keep experimenting the power with human trials."
"What are you talking about?!" Ai once again raised her voice. More and more things spilled in the conversation started to overwhelmed.
"Ai… What do you think Takaya been doing for all these years?"
"Huh?" –looking at Takaya,
"Takaya been fighting the battle on the front line alongside the Elite Team. All sort of mission that the Elite Team must endure, he already felt it."
Ai and Fukushima stunned by Asahi's word. As they look at Takaya, he avoids their eyes like he telling everything is true.
"This facility is created for more advanced research for every finding that the Elite Team found on the past of 3 years. Like Asahi just said, we discovered more than X.A.G with our own research. Even worse, many things that founded by brilliant scientist either it was a medical or technological finding has been modified by X.A.G for human trial purpose." Lania said,
"But how this facility has a more advanced people and technology that X.A.G?" Ai asked.
"Many of X.A.G lead scientist who finds a new thing went missing. Is because there they who know that X.A.G planning odd things will be kicked or even sent to front line which is… Killing them."
Lania stands, walked to the cabinet like she picking up something inside, she showing a device formed like bracelet.
"Why did you…"
"Code-009 is designed to protect its user by forcefully shutting down the device is used for a long time period, but they change it. The override the protocol so it can be used in longer time. But in exchange they will consume its user power, draining their life force until none of it left."
Trembled, Ai grabs her brother's hand.
"I hate to tell you, 14.532 people were died because of that."
As Lania reveals it, Ai gasped. Unable hold her tears. Of course, after hearing her idea is being cause so much death.
"Ai… Fukushima… It is not your fault…" Takaya finally speaks.
"Knowing this fact, I believe you already sort the problem, right Takaya?" Asahi asked.
"Yes… We secretly take over the distribution and redistribute the fixed device so X.A.G wouldn't find out it already tempered." Takaya said, relieving Ai and Fukushima.
Not even Asahi imagine the conversation went dark. No body would think that a cheerful day turn into horror, especially for Ai.
"I impressed… You contribute on the front line, battling a large-scale conflict, saved wonderful people while busy organizing hidden a facility behind the nation's strongest organization. So, what are you actually want to tell us, Takaya?" said Asahi, smirked at him like she was provoking him to speak.
A question that people would ask after hearing numerous thing he did behind the shadow… What is the point? Sighed, relief himself from doubts he had content all this time…
"X.A.G has been compromised, That is what I thought. After meeting with Oprhenus I doubt all of this is his scheme. Beside all of that, we the reincarnated Ancient Warrior may be in danger."
He went to his desk pick up a book that his grandfather trusted to him,
"Our activity is under their surveillance… No matter we run or hide they will eventually find us. We create this facility is also for a place where 'we' can gather and move behind them as I did on the past until now."
He put the book at the table in middle all of them. An old thick book contains everything that they need to know about the Ancient Warrior.
"He gave me this book… This is my mothers' journal… She stored everything about the Ancient Warriors information there. We may use this as guide…" he said.
Asahi took the book, glimpse contents inside,
"So many things written in here…" She gave it to Fukushima,
"So, what are you saying?
"You're getting on my nerve, Asahi."
Lania suddenly raised her voice, anger, by Asahi questionable manner.
"Just because you're Bella's foster child-"
"I'm asking the real question, what is this all mean?"
"Why the sudden reveal? Why didn't you guys tell us earlier? Right before things getting worse."
Asahi arguably wins, the fact that any of that information coming up after everything is already going down really irritates people especially Asahi.
"Calm down, Lania… We're not here to fight amongst each other…" Takaya said, wash away their heat.
"Asahi. You and I both possessed opposite power. You wielded the Darkness, while I have the Light. Our power is X.A.G and S.I.N target from the start."
Asahi stunned by Takaya's said about her power outloud…
"Why… Did you…"
"I know. Already know about it long before I even enter the academy. You and my mother coincidentally have the same power." Takaya said.
She narrowed her eyes, to think that he knows about what she just learned, she underestimating him. Couldn't hide her expression, Takaya felt awful, he didn't intent to…
"My goal is to unite all the remaining Ancient Warrior having us working together to maintain order and peace. Putting stop all of this madness once and for all." He said.
A dream of a child. He says it out loud as he believes it. He spends years, conquer his fear, his mind… He went from cheerful boy into a steel hearted young man. Knowing what about to come is far greater than he ever encounters…
"So that is why you coming back…" Fukushima muttered.
He stared his eyes, deeply. "Because the situation become more complicated for you to handle, is it?"
"Yeah…"
Fukushima slightly smiled at him, "Then I will help you."
His eyes widened…
"You are the guy who save many lives while we're busy doing our things, it must be our time for working side by side." Fukushima said with a gentle smile.
"I want nothing in this world… But to see you smiled again as you were back then, I gave all I had to do so…" Ai said.
Asahi in other hand stay quite after being shocked, looking down while biting her lips, trying to coming up with something but everything seemed complicated. "There is no way," Only word pops up on her thoughts.
"Asahi… "
Takaya said her name, while she snapped from herself.
Asahi deeply stared on his eyes,
"This is not going to be so easy, Takaya."
"I know that… but I will keep doing it. For the better."
***
--A few days later,
Asahi, Ai and Fukushima, joined Takaya under Shadow Vanguard 'S.V'. Creating a new fresh start for them. Finding themselves a perfect place to explore more beyond their limits. They start by breaking down the book that trusted onto Takaya, giving them a huge progress to control the power of the Ancient Warrior. Especially Takaya and Asahi, learn how to control their power inside the special training facility. Ai and Fukushima are very appreciated by the rest of the scientist that formerly working for them, flowing a abundant spirit.
Room full with papers, scattered in every face of the table. As Takaya and Fukushima are looking at the file that Bella gave them a few days ago. The file of the potential students who may be reincarnated Ancient Warrior. They finally come across with two names, Sanna and Saega.
"Fuku, you know about Sanna?" Takaya asked.
"Ohh… She is in the top 2 below Asahi when it comes to marksmanship. Though she lacks hand to hand combat skill, contrasting her sister."
"Kanna Meguma, former Elite Team second commander." Takaya muttered
"Whats wrong with her? She the potential one, isn't she?" Fukushima said.
"Just wondering how is she doing on the situation…" he smiled through pursed lip.
Fukushima somehow understand his concern.
"I hear they are very close, back then they were such carrying siblings, I often see Sanna come to the base to bring some goodies and other things for her sister… She got the marksmanship skill from Kanna, they held a shooting competition just for the two of them to have fun, but as far as I know Sanna never wanted to join the X.A.G or the military in the first place."
Fukushima stopped for a moment,
"Everything begin to change since the death of Hiroaki Kamiya, the first commander of the Elite Team to die in battle. Kanna seems off, she even accidentally almost shot her Sanna because she lost focus. Since then, Sanna never came to the base until finally Kanna left X.A.G."
Takaya felt awful after hearing her sad story…
"She told me that Vanny take her into X.A.G." He recalls his first meeting with Sanna.
"What was that face… You're kidding me, right?"
"What?"
"You worried about someone that you are not even know for long? Is just like you."
He hid his blushes, after being teased by Fukushima.
"Come on brother, don't teased him like that…" Ai suddenly enters the room, "Isn't nice to see him have a girlfriend?"
"You make it worse, Ai." Takaya said.
Ai sits in the chair, she gave a bracelet to Takaya,
"This is…"
"Is a secret device I developed with my brother, we designed for her after we know she unable to let her power out." Ai said.
While looking at the bracelet, sudden communication come from Asahi. It displayed at a screen near Ai sits,
"Sanna have an exceptional hearing. One time she defeated me at marksman battle. She can hear a point-blank shot and avoid it." Asahi said while her face full drenched with sweat.
"How the hell you know we are talking about Sanna?" Takaya said with a flat face.
"I hear you all the time! You didn't switch of the voice communication we had before! Besides, I personally agree if you invite Sanna. Though I call her as my rival, she also the one who needs us the most." Asahi said,
Takaya smiled, he gazed at Ai and Fukushima just to see their smiling face, agreed by what Asahi just said.
Once again, the door is opened by some familiar face,
"Bro have a minute- Gehh! Ai?! Fuku?! A-Asahi?!"
"Ah… Rin. Perfect timing-"
"What do you mean perfect?! Why are they here?!" she hollered,
"Calm down now… They are now part of the S.V."
"What?! Why you don't tell me about it?!" Rin once again hollered as her face blushed,
"Ahh, I actually forgot to tell you. But it is a perfect timing for them to know,"
He stands besides Rin and pats her head,
"This is Our President. Rin Takahashi."
Everyone gasps. Asahi even spits her drink after Takaya introduced Rin is the president of S.V.
***
—A few days later,
All the irregular students gathered in the field area to practice under Lania's guidance, All students except Annabelle. Takaya and the others silently watched Sanna and Saega. Not long after Lania started the practice by warmly welcoming students, explaining the purpose of the exercise to be carried out and other rules. Just like the exercises that students usually do. After the explanation was finished, Lania walked towards all the objects covered in black cloth.
"Alrighty today I have a special shooting target," she pulled the black cloth and you could see what was covered before. It was a human-shaped shooting target. But simultaneously Takaya, Asahi, Ai and Fukushima and Sanna were shocked to see the object.
"This is the target; you definitely know who this person is." Lania said that while smiling broadly. "Why does it have to be shaped like this? This is so you remember the traitor's face." While Takaya and 3 others made eye contact and turned to Lania with a serious look.
"I will introduce you once again, the face on that object is a former member of the Elite team who betrayed, joined 5 years ago, and has a high Major rank Acted as the second commander of the Elite Team, and was also instrumental in winning the battle in Ganilonia 3 years ago."
A gasp was heard from Sanna's mouth, glaring at the face on the object. He began to breathe heavily, his eyes watered, and his hands began to shake.
"Sanna? Are you okay?" she approached Sanna who looked strange. Without answering anything, Asahi approached Saega and grabbed Saega's hand who was trying to calm Sanna.
"Let her be..." Asahi said to Saega.
Saega looked confused and raised her eyebrows, annoyed by Asahi's actions. But he still followed what she said.
"Therefore, remember this, the name of this person is..." Lania turned to Sanna,
"Kanna Meguma-"
A gunshot was fired, she was seen holding her pistol. All the students including Lania were shocked by the sound of Sanna's gunshot.
"I-I'm sorry…" Sanna whispered
"Come with me to the office after this." Lania said to Sanna
Lania pulls Sanna away from the training ground, while suddenly Saega approaches Asahi. Realizing it Asahi looked at Saega,
"Saega, what up-"
She pulls Asahi's collar,
"Can you explain what you did earlier and let that happen? Do you think everyone is as strong as you?"
"Saega-"
Ai noticed the action, she rushed towards them but Asahi raised her hand,
"Do not interfere." Asahi grabs Saega's hand,
"You can blame me whatever you want, but it is beyond your concern."
"Rather than that, can you let me go? Wouldn't it actually be bad if other people saw you like that?" Asahi calmly answered Saega.
Saega let her go by pushing her away, disgusted.
"She is my friend, someone like you will not understand the feeling of losing a family." She walks away, while Asahi not giving any reactions.
"If you consider her as a friend, you should stop it." Saega said as her last word, while Asahi and Ai just kept quiet and let her go.
"Ai, you feel it?" Asahi looked at Saega who was starting to walk away.
"Yeah, There's no mistaking it if she's the one." Ai said gulped after, "Stay alert Asahi, we just opened the door-"
"I know…"
—2 hours later…
Sanna came out from a room with puffy eyes. Once again, she was crying over her sister. A same sight as before.
"Yo." A female voice called Sanna.
Once again, Sanna gazed on her side only to see Asahi,
"How long have you been standing there, Asahi?" Sanna said.
"5 minutes I think…" Asahi smiled at her,
Before she can walk away from her, Asahi grabbed her right hand,
"We need to talk." Asahi said in serious face.
"I'm not in the mood to talk about what I've been through Asahi."
"I know, but this is not about you."
"I know what are you going to talk about. It's about Saega, isn't it?"
Sanna said without looking at her,
"Yes… I pretty sure Lieutenant already said to you about it."
"Yeah… But I'm sorry… I'm done with this X.A.G and S.I.N…" Sanna letting go Asahi's hand and walk away, coldly.
Asahi can only see her walk away, as she already knows that the outcome.
"This is very bad idea… Takaya…"