Chapter 25: Ereki Strike!

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="95" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 46 WIDTH="91"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="46" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="91" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#003333" FACE="Arial" ><B>Ultra Symphony</B></FONT> </div> <div> Chapter 25: Ereki Strike!</div> <div> <I>***</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>I can't believe it..!</I> Mikono thought, as she looked down at herself. <I>Is this a dream?! Is this really real?! Me.. an Ultra?</I></div> <bR> <div> The enemy Ultra gaped in shock. "Impossible! But.. you're just a prototype, Ultrachibi!" He began to regain his confidence. "A failed experiment."</div> <bR> <div> She stepped back, feeling rather faint. Although, she somehow knew her Ultra body would keep her conscious. She literally felt power racing through her body, and swallowed.</div> <bR> <div> "I.. I don't know who you are, but... Ikeda was fighting you so you've gotta be bad!" She screamed, cringing. <I>Oh god, is that the best monologue I can do?</I></div> <bR> <div> He fired a blast at her nonchalantly, which she barely managed to dodge.</div> <bR> <div> "AUGH!!! Hey!! That isn't fair!"</div> <bR> <div> "Why no, it isn't." He replied. "If you really want fairness, maybe you ought to come a little closer, ne?"</div> <bR> <div> She suddenly looked at the immense distance between the two opponents. "Oh! Well.. if you insist!" And she took off, running at him, not even certain what she was going to do. When she reached him, she gave a shove and he suddenly collapsed to the ground. </div> <bR> <div> "What.. the hell?!" He screamed. "She barely touched me..."</div> <bR> <div> "Whoa! This is easy!! Nyaaa!!!!" She gave a kick, and he doubled over in pain. "Why is it so easy..??"</div> <bR> <div> "It's your limbs, Chibi."</div> <bR> <div> She gasped and whirled around, finding herself face to face with Kakei, who was weakly standing, being supported by a taller, almost identical Ultraman.</div> <bR> <div> "K..Kakei-san!" She cried, and she ran over to him. She suddenly felt embarrassed, and looked down with shame. "I.. I came back.."</div> <bR> <div> He merely nodded, obviously in extreme pain. The Ultra who was supporting him looked apprehensively past Chibi at the enemy, who was trying to regain his composure.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh! Jeez... Kakei-san, what do I do?! How do I..." Mikono began, but Kakei suddenly collapsed. </div> <bR> <div> The Ultra who remained standing looked down at Kakei's crumpled figure, and shrugged. "Good afternoon, Ultrachibi. Better turn around, he's coming back."</div> <bR> <div> The enemy wiped its mouth, and charged at her. "No one makes a mockery of Mistress Hinotama and lives!!" He snarled, exposing a blade. </div> <bR> <div> Chibi screamed, but somehow countered, slamming her elbow into his throat. He collapsed, but leapt right back to his feet. Thus, a physical battle ensued. Chibi fought the best she could, terrified and wailing the whole time. </div> <bR> <div> "I don't know what to doooo!!" She turned to the other Ultra. "Who the hell are you?"</div> <bR> <div> "My designation is Ultraman Jack." </div> <bR> <div> "Think you could find it in your heart to maybe help me?!"</div> <bR> <div> "Well, maybe now might be a good time to finish him off. You know, final strike."</div> <bR> <div> Chibi stared at him, suddenly taking a slam to the stomach. She doubled over as the enemy found a new interest in Jack.</div> <bR> <div> "Jack? Is that so?! Mistress Hinotama has much interest in you, you know. Apparently the most interesting part is the fact that you were the first one we were sent to kill."</div> <bR> <div> "I'm fascinated." Jack said, expressionlessly. </div> <bR> <div> "It seems the attempt failed. No matter. I may have come here simply on a routine run, but there's no reason why I can't kill two birds with one stone." </div> <bR> <div> Chibi looked around, totally baffled. "Wait.. why does he want you dead?!"</div> <bR> <div> "Sort of a long story. Excuse me." Jack said, stepping aside from a potentially lethal blast. He then took a running leap and yelled "Ryuusei Kick!". His formerly deadpan expression changed to a very energetic overall aura, and he and the enemy engaged in severely cool combat.</div> <bR> <div> Chibi shook her head. "None of this makes any sense... but this damn building is still on fire.. gods, are they gonna be at this all day?!" </div> <bR> <div> "Stop Ray!" Jack suddenly screamed, and the enemy found himself completely frozen.</div> <bR> <div> "This.. this is impossible!" he whispered, as Jack turned to Chibi. </div> <bR> <div> "God, I hate when they get in the way like that. You can kill him now." </div> <bR> <div> "Wh..What?!" Chibi cried.</div> <bR> <div> "What? Don't you know what to do?" Jack asked.</div> <bR> <div> "It's my first day!!" Chibi retorted.</div> <bR> <div> "Well, that's good. I remember my first day.. I did, however, know what to do."</div> <bR> <div> "Did I ask for your opinion?!" Chibi screamed.</div> <bR> <div> "NYAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!" The enemy howled. </div> <bR> <div> "Well, he's getting mad." Jack said, shrugging. </div> <bR> <div> Chibi looked at the ground, pressing her hands to the back of her neck. This was madness! All she had to do was one thing, and the monster would be dead forever! </div> <bR> <div> <I>I got this far, what the hell do I do..?!</I></div> <bR> <div> Suddenly, her eyes began to light up, and she looked at the sky. Through the smoke and the disconcerting redness, there seemed a certain clarity. And suddenly, she felt the unusual electric guitar she'd used to transform in her arms. Had it been there all the time? Or, was it...</div> <bR> <div> <I>My weapon? </I>She looked at Jack, who was absently fiddling with his hands.</div> <bR> <div> <I>Is this why they chose me?!</I> She thought in disbelief. <I>Because.. of this?</I></div> <bR> <div> As she thought, the guitar began to light up, and she ran her hand over the strings. A burst of energy flung itself out of the instrument, and she gasped. </div> <bR> <div> <I>It's all so easy! It was meant to be.. me!! The power of music.. of...</I></div> <bR> <div> She looked upward. "Electrical music..." </div> <bR> <div> With that, she picked the guitar up by the neck, much as she had when transforming. She spun around a few times, shrouding herself in the green energy. Her eyes glowed.</div> <bR> <div> "From the darkness, a spinning sensation surrounds even the most hidden of powers</div> <div> Dawning into the electricity of the moment, I will forever conquer the evil inside you!</div> <div> With music at my hand and power in my soul..." </div> <bR> <div> She felt wind around her, and she tilted her head back, letting the wind seep into her body. When it completed, the very atmosphere around her had changed, and there was nothing, anywhere, except for her and this power.</div> <bR> <div> "Ultrachibi 85 will burn your darkness into celestial oblivion!!"</div> <bR> <div> The enemy's immobility suddenly wore off, and he charged at her. His blue aura tore through Chibi's atmosphere, and she leapt high into the air. </div> <bR> <div> "Ereki......" She cried, wielding her guitar like a sword. </div> <bR> <div> "You're dead, Robot!!!" The enemy screamed.</div> <bR> <div> "SUTORAIKU!!!!!!" </div> <bR> <div> The guitar crashed down on top of him, momentarily freezing the very flow of time, and then shattering his body into a million pieces. They rained down to the ground, fizzing like sparks from a screeching tire, and then fading.</div> <bR> <div> Chibi landed on the floor, holding the guitar out in disbelief. She looked directly at the sky, and suddenly collapsed. The guitar seemed to disintegrate, and all at once, Ultrachibi 85 was gone and Mikono Hayagane was all that was left. Only a slight trickle of green-tinted blood remained from where she'd been ripped open. </div> <bR> <div> ***</div> <bR> <div> The rioting was over, and the fire had finally been put out. The entire front half of MEU was demolished, but amazingly only 12 people had died in the blast.</div> <bR> <div> Ikeda stirred in her sleep, and suddenly her eyes snapped open. She sat upright, but much like Mikono, banged her head on the top of the bed. "OWWWWW!! GOD DAMN IT!!!" </div> <bR> <div> Kakei sat across the makeshift sickbay, two fingers to his wrist. He got up and went over to the sound of the scream. </div> <bR> <div> "It's okay, Ikeda-san. It's just the bed."</div> <bR> <div> "I KNOW IT'S THE FUCKING BED!!" She wailed, holding her head. </div> <bR> <div> "Ikeda, that's really no way for an MEU officer to speak, is it?" a pleasant female voice said. </div> <bR> <div> Ikeda opened her eyes and found herself staring up at Commander Murasaki, the head of MEU operations. She sat straight up, this time avoiding the top of the bed. </div> <bR> <div> "Commander! I swear to god, I can explain everything..." </div> <bR> <div> Murasaki just smiled, patting Ikeda on the shoulder. "I should hope so. You and your little Ultraman club here are responsible for more damage than has ever been done to MEU headquarters. The base is in shambles, two of our vehicles are completely demolished.. Although, I must admit, I always thought the main entrance would be much more stylish with a gigantic pile of concrete in front of the door...." </div> <bR> <div> Ikeda blinked.</div> <bR> <div> Murasaki laughed. "Ikeda.. your world is obviously very different from mine. For you, damage to a base of operations is a mere setback, if in fact, your planet is safe. This building can be rebuilt. The vehicles can be replaced. But, the world couldn't be." She looked at Kakei. "I can't pretend to be ungrateful for all you do, as Ultras.. but the fact remains that an unanticipated blast, from our own city, to this base has claimed the lives of 12 of my cadets. Thus... I can't allow this to continue."</div> <bR> <div> "Commander?" Ikeda whispered. </div> <bR> <div> "Ikeda, simply put.. if you ever bring another idol singer into this facility again, you can consider your career in MEU a thing of the past. Is that understood?"</div> <bR> <div> Ikeda blinked, and slowly smiled. "Aye, Commander. Perfectly." </div> <bR> <div> Murasaki sighed, fanning herself. "Damn them for blowing out the Air conditioning." She then turned and walked out.</div> <bR> <div> Ikeda looked down at her legs, and saw Kakei again pressing his fingers to his wrist.</div> <bR> <div> "What are you doing, Captain?" She asked. </div> <bR> <div> He turned to her, pleasantly. "I'm restoring my bodily fluids. I lost quite a good deal after that explosion."</div> <bR> <div> Ikeda nodded. "I'm...I'm sorry, Captain."</div> <bR> <div> He frowned. "For what?"</div> <bR> <div> She looked at him sadly. "You.. could have been killed. I mean.. your human body. I.."</div> <bR> <div> He smiled. "Ikeda, you have such doubts about yourself. You did everything perfectly. This body is meant to withstand more damage than should even be possible. Although, I will admit, I was quite relieved to see Kawarinou.." He looked over at the bed diagonal from Ikeda's, and Sairai Kawarinou looked up. </div> <bR> <div> "You saying something, Captain?"</div> <bR> <div> "Just that you recovered astoundingly quick. How do you feel?"</div> <bR> <div> Sairai shrugged. "Oh, I feel like my head's about to fall off and explode..."</div> <bR> <div> "Ah, good." Kakei said, smiling. </div> <bR> <div> Ikeda slowly got up from her bed, and approached Sairai. "You're.. him, then? The human form of Ultraman Jack.. I'm amazed." </div> <bR> <div> "You do know all about that, don't you?" Kakei asked Sairai. </div> <bR> <div> "What I know is what my brother Dan told me... just about the star that only our family could see. I'm surprised, though.. at what a jerk Ultraman Jack really is. I acted like a total insensitive bastard."</div> <bR> <div> He laughed, and Ikeda and Kakei looked confused. "Jack's really supposed to be a fairly nice.. polite..." </div> <bR> <div> Sairai frowned. </div> <bR> <div> "Well, it doesn't matter, anyway." Ikeda said, changing the subject. "You.. you're with us, then? No doubts..?"</div> <bR> <div> Sairai looked down, his eyes suddenly serious and almost tragic. "Of course not. I have a wife to consider." </div> <bR> <div> ***</div> <bR> <div> Mikono's eyes slowly opened, and she found herself staring directly into a pair of bright, purple eyes. The eyes suddenly closed and a piercing shriek filled the room. </div> <bR> <div> "OH MY GOD IT'S REALLY YOU!!" </div> <bR> <div> Mikono sat straight up, and looked down at a sobbing, screaming girl about her age. She wore the same uniform as Ikeda, but in personality was a completely different sort. </div> <bR> <div> "Um.. can I.. help.. you..." Mikono began, but the girl suddenly threw herself onto Mikono's lap and squealed. </div> <bR> <div> "Oh, Hayagane-sama! You don't know me, but.. Oh!!! I am SO your biggest fan!!! I mean it, oh, I would have gone to the concert, really, but I had to work! Oh my god!!! I know every one of your songs! I have all your CDs!!!" </div> <bR> <div> Mikono stared at her, disbelieving. "You.. you're a fan of me?"</div> <bR> <div> The girl gasped. "No!! THE biggest fan you have! Oh, seriously!!" </div> <bR> <div> "Who.. are..." Mikono began, but suddenly a chic, cool-looking young man wearing sunglasses and with his arm in a sling flung the girl out of Mikono's lap.</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, Miss Hayagane, I have to admit, the first time I ever saw you perform on stage.. it was like.. a.. a dream! You are a goddess! Oh.. May.. may I.. touch your... hand????" </div> <bR> <div> The girl suddenly pushed him out of the way. "What the hell?! That's the same thing you said to me when we started dating!" </div> <bR> <div> The man got defensive. "What? I-It is not!" </div> <bR> <div> Then, from the other side of the bed, a plump man coughed demurely. "I hate to bother you, Miss Hayagane.. but.. I like your music. Um.. and.. is it true you're an Ultra? Do.. do you think it'd be too much trouble to deliver this letter to the Ultra Mother? I mean, if it is.. then.. I understand..." </div> <bR> <div> "I.. what?" Mikono said, as 2 men in their forties popped in. "Oh, Miss Hayagane, our.. our kids really like you! Um.. would it be too much trouble..." </div> <bR> <div> "Yes! My daughter, also..." A woman said giddily. "She has the same name as me. Setsuko Murasaki! But, it's not to me...!" </div> <bR> <div> "Oh, Hayagane-san, say something! It will forever fill my soul with joy!" The young girl squealed. </div> <bR> <div> "Will you touch my hand?! OH MY GOD!!!!! I TOUCHED HER!!!!" The man with sunglasses screamed, jumping up and down.</div> <bR> <div> "The hell you did! Show me!!" Murasaki screamed, as everyone but the plump man crowded onto the sunglass man's side of the room.</div> <bR> <div> "But if you see her, you'll tell her you saw me, right? That name is Saitou Futoshi.. F-U-T...." </div> <bR> <div> Suddenly Ikeda entered the room, and stopped dead. </div> <bR> <div> "What are all of you doing in here?!?!" She cried. The lot of people turned around. </div> <bR> <div> "I..Ikeda! Um.. look!" The man with sunglasses said, pointing to Mikono. "It's Hayagane Mikono!"</div> <bR> <div> "I know! What are you all doing in here?"</div> <bR> <div> Murasaki blushed, and closed her eyes. "I think we've all gotten a little out of line... please forgive us, Hayagane-san."</div> <bR> <div> Mikono shrugged. "Um.. whatever.." </div> <bR> <div> "Um.. Mikono.. allow me to introduce you to our.. crack-staff of experts, the MEU senior officers.." Ikeda said expressionlessly. "Our Commander, Murasaki Setsuko.."</div> <bR> <div> Murasaki smiled and bowed. </div> <bR> <div> "Captain Kubose Manabu..."</div> <bR> <div> The bald, 40ish man nodded seriously. "An.. honor.. I.. I really do have a daughter.."</div> <bR> <div> "Deputy Captain Toba Shinichi..." </div> <bR> <div> The sunglasses man straightened up. "I am never washing this hand again." He announced. The girl glared at him and grabbed his hand, furiously slapping it.</div> <bR> <div> "And.. his fiancee, communications officer Sakamoto Ai..."</div> <bR> <div> "An HONOR, Hayagane-san." Ai said, smiling brightly at Mikono. </div> <bR> <div> "Um.. Itou Kenta, in charge of our technical.. um.. stuff.." </div> <bR> <div> The other 40-ish man merely nodded. </div> <bR> <div> "And.. Futoshi Saitou.. who I guess you've already met." </div> <bR> <div> "I can name the entire cast of Seramyu by their birth hour and minute. Make sure you tell the Mother that, okay?" Saitou said, grinning. </div> <bR> <div> "Um.. nice to meet all of you..." Mikono said, looking at Ikeda as if to say "Get them the hell out." </div> <bR> <div> "I'm sure, um.. that Hayagane-san will be more than happy to speak with all of you later.. but, right now, she's a little tired... so... " </div> <bR> <div> Murasaki stepped into action, herding the others out. Ai and Shinichi looked back at her longingly, and Saitou made sure to list all the key points of his letter to the Ultra Mother before leaving. "I really do like your music." he said as he walked out the door. </div> <bR> <div> Ikeda slammed it. "My god, they act like a bunch of giddy 13 year old girls..." </div> <bR> <div> Mikono sighed. "I.. was surprised. It's my fault this happened to MEU. I honestly never thought I'd ever have another fan in my life."</div> <bR> <div> Ikeda frowned. "Mikono, you're an idol. What happened hasn't changed that. The city will soon forget. They've already forgotten. Besides.. it was the enemy that arranged this. Not you."</div> <bR> <div> Mikono looked at her lap. "I can't believe.. I really did it, didn't I? I transformed, I changed into... someone else, and fought. Just like you."</div> <bR> <div> "Well, not exactly like me... but.. yes." Ikeda nodded, and for the first time, her eyes showed a hint of friendliness. "You did very well, Mikono. Amazing."</div> <bR> <div> Mikono blushed, feeling the words run down her spine. "But ya know.. it's like it wasn't even me, you know? Like.. someone.. or something else." </div> <bR> <div> "You were someone else. But, the Ultra forms would be nothing on this planet without us. We have to be there.. and we're part of them. A big part of them."</div> <bR> <div> Mikono nodded. "Yeah.. I guess it'll just take some getting used to." </div> <bR> <div> "I think you'll do fine. I'm.. really proud. I mean it. I admit.. I didn't think you could do it at first. But it's clear.. the Ultrachibi powers were *made* for you." </div> <bR> <div> Mikono suddenly felt tears running down her cheeks. "Ikeda... thank you."</div> <bR> <div> "Oh.. jeez, Mikono.. don't cry on me.." Ikeda said, feeling uncomfortable.</div> <bR> <div> "But.. you.. I couldn't have done any of it without you. I was so scared.. but you saved me. You got hurt to save me... Thank you." </div> <bR> <div> Ikeda sat down on the bed next to her, and put her hand on her shoulder. "Mikono..."</div> <bR> <div> Suddenly, the door opened and Kakei walked in. </div> <bR> <div> "Oh, hope I'm not interrupting anything." He said politely.</div> <bR> <div> Mikono's eyes opened wide. "Kakei-san!!!" She cried, leaping out of bed. Ikeda stared, wide eyed as Mikono threw her arms around him. </div> <bR> <div> "W..Wow.. I'm.. glad to see you too, Mikono..." </div> <bR> <div> "Oh, Kakei-san! I'm so sorry I left... I wasn't even sure if any of it was real.. but the doctor tried to take my powers away, and I remembered.. I'm so glad you were real, Kakei-san!!!" </div> <bR> <div> He smiled at her. "You did a magnificent job, Mikono-chan. Very impressive." </div> <bR> <div> "Oh gawd, are you okay?" Mikono asked, sitting back down on the bed. She remembered how he collapsed in the middle of the floor.</div> <bR> <div> "Of course. I was able to heal myself with little difficulty at all." </div> <bR> <div> Mikono grinned, tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, both of you. I promise, I'll make you both proud of me. I swear it!" </div> <bR> <div> "Do I count in this Ultra family moment?" Sairai asked, poking his head in the door. </div> <bR> <div> Mikono's eyes widened. "J..Jack? Hey!!"</div> <bR> <div> "So.. you're Ultrachibi 85? I'm very impressed. Really." </div> <bR> <div> "Ooooh! Hey! I'll make you proud too! You're the one that told me to finish him off!" She flopped down on the bed. "I'll be the best Ultra ever! Ever!"</div> <bR> <div> Ikeda, Kakei and Sairai all looked at each other and smiled. </div> <bR> <div> "I think we've got a pretty good team here, so far." Kakei said.</div> <bR> <div> "And it's only going to get better." Sairai said, looking out the window. </div> <bR> <div> <I>Only going to get better....!</I></div> <bR> <div> ***</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Chapter 26"><U>Chapter 26</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ultra Symphony"><U>Back</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>