Student President Yoshino Tsugumi Yoshino took a mere few steps before being halted by a familiar face. A small smile of confidence formed as she glanced over at Retsu Goroshi. Since the passage of one month, the other student had been seen with the President in public to the point that the majority of Purple Crown had labeled her a sort of deputy for Yoshino. In short, Retsu was to Yoshino what the other girl was to the Black King. Funny how that worked out.
"Right then. Let's get to it."
Yoshino took the easiest and shortest route back towards her office, making sure to direct her gaze away from any watching students. God did she hate their stares...it took some time, but the two girls finally reached the safety and privacy of her Student Office. Yoshino made sure to close the door securely behind her before taking a seat in her familiar chair, hands clasped over each other. Her sorrow had apparently vanished over that short time frame.
"Now then. Anything to report? Or are you here to ask for orders?"
Retsu flipped her hair over her shoulders and had her arms crossed.
"Nothing particular surprising. I just received a message that a small conflict has occured in the Fanged Ranger terrority shortly after your speech. It looks like most of the colored kings have converged there, and from the message board, it seems that everyone has allied to wage war against the Ebony Strykers. Just as Moon Rider intended." Yoshino raised an eyebrow at that. An expression of initial surprise followed shortly by a smirk.
"I see. If all of our lovely friends are gathered in one place, then perhaps we should greet them as so. I want Dark Wraith to tamper with the system and make sure that the Kings all receive a message simultaneously. Tell them that the Black King will withdraw her forces if they surrender now. Of course, regardless of their answer, I want you to send a second battalion and await for command."
Retsu nodded her head, but kept getting updates on the battle. Retsu felt it would be best to ensure the president was getting a clear picture of what was going on.
"It would seem that the leader of the attack has already attempted to parley with the guilds... They are not interested." Retsu double checked this fact. While it was clear that it was the Fanged Rangers that the war party attacked, there was so much resistance from the other guild that Retsu figured it would be most likely that an offer of alliance would be refused.
"Then again, the Fanged Rangers were the ones who this offered was made towards. Currently the war leader is fighting off other guilds, which will likely cease negotiations if he's to be defeated. Let's see... Ah. It's Arms Slave. Yes, I'd imagine that he is as good as dead. There has been sightings of the Blue King, White King, various Level 9 solo players, the presence of the Green King... Hmm." Retsu continued to read the the information she was getting, and she was starting to get a clearer picture as well. While Retsu did not like that Arms Slave was so quick to wage war, she could make use of this.
"From his battle tactics, the negotiations are either a ruse or a secondary objective. It appears that they aim for total destruction of all the buildings within the Green City. I expect that he plans to force the Green Guild to merge with the Ebony Strykers for save haven, or merge with another guild in order to narrow down the amount of opposing organizations against us. But with the other guilds backing the Fanged Rangers, even if this attacking force succeeds in the total destruction of the Green City, the other guilds may spend their resources reconstructing the damage lost. If I may suggest, I could rely orders to others to... Salt the land." The President fiddled with her glasses and she began to process the next route of action.
"Is that so? I suppose then we'll continue our war efforts. As for your suggestion, I can tell you that Moon Rider approves of the current course of action. Still, with a fair majority of the Colored Kings having fled to the Fanged Ranger's aid, I think it's safe to assume that some sort of alliance has been formed against us."
"Indeed, they announced it on the forums." Yoshino narrowed her eyes at the comment. To be fair, when had the Ebony Strykers been known to interact with the...well, the world? Let alone check the forums; simply one more task she would have to assign Retsu, assuming the other girl had already taken that responsibility as well.
"If that's the case, then any notion of diplomacy is gone. Fine then. A good war will do them good. Order Arms Slave to continue his siege and send in that second battalion as well. Either corner the Rangers into joining us or make so it that they can never have their territory again; frankly, it doesn't matter to me how he goes about it. Be sure to also spare enough Players to defend our own Guild. We will not suffer an attack from within or behind," she said with finally.
The subject of battle now over, Yoshino sought to move on to other subjects that needed addressing.
"How's the progress on your search for the King killer? It's bad enough my client is being framed as a mass murderer at all times," she said with annoyance.
Adjusting her glasses Retsu nodded her head at Yoshino's thoughts on the battle and continued on with her report about the Dead Kings, as Retsu categorized it.
"Initially I suspected that Corpse Collector had some connection to their deaths, however upon further investigation the player herself had no tangible connection to their deaths. However, Corpse Collector was a highly proficcent hacker, and after aquiring her personal computer, we did find that she had planted software within the Deep Ground systems in order to manipulate it as much as she did. We have since than removed the bug and ensured that her methods will no longer work on the system, but we also learned that the means that she uses to alter the programming of Deep Ground is... Archaic in a sense. Impressive, but it relied on taking advantage of older scripts within Deep Ground, using th bug to ensure that the patches that were applied later would not sever her connection." Clearing her throat, Retsu had figured that Yoshino might not want to be bored with Retsu's simplified tech talk, so she got to the point.
"I'm afraid that the trail is still cold. I do suspect however, that Corpse Collector's hacking ability was not actually her own, and that we may have to deal with more like her in the future, but far better skilled. I have no solid evidence so far, but I have reason to believe that if we can discover where she attained the means to hack into Deep Ground, we may find other trails that could lead us to the king's murderers. It's far too coincidental that four kings of Deep Ground would have been murdered, and tha-" Just then, there was a knock at the door. Retsu was quiet for a moment before she looked at Yoshino. She nodded, and Retsu went to open the door.
Aaron's passive face took on a sullen tone as the door opened, but the person who opened it was not the person he'd come to see. Instead of the Student President, a red-haired girl stood there. Aaron nodded to her and then to Tsugumi who was also in her office.
"I'm sorry for interrupting," he said. "I didn't know you had company. I can wait outside until you're done."
"No it's quite alright," Yoshino said, beckoning him in further with the utmost confidence.
"You are....Aaron, right? Sorry if I forget your surname," she said with a sigh.
It should be no surprise that she knew him on a first name basis. In fact, she knew pretty much everyone in that manner, as Purple Crown's policy for the Student President demanded that she memorize each student's name, or at least attempt to do so.
Just another display of her sheer fortitude. That, and proof she was the only one crazy enough to willingly accept the position and abide by such rules.
"Now then, do you need something Aaron-san?"
The boy's eyes shifted uncertainly between the two girls in the room. He walked inside, but just barely, not enough to put the red-haired girl behind him.
"Um, I just wanted to speak with you about, um, certain things," he said, his words sounding cautious. His eyes dodged over to the second girl again, making it clear that he hadn't expected to have an audience when he'd come to see the Student President.
Retsu narrowed her eyes at the boy who entered. Aaron Carther, the Orange King. Retsu had no doubts what he wanted; he wanted to know what the Black King's intentions were, or perhaps to rely a message. Retsu did not want to leave Yoshino alone with a King, least of all the one who leads one of the few guilds who have some of their former power still in check.
The smile from before made itself known again on Yoshino's face, and she couldn't help but become amused at his flustered state.
"Alright then. Can you leave us for now Retsu? It seems I have to speak in private for now."
Even as she said this, the look she gave to the red-headed girl was indirect at best, though easy to interpret for one who had worked with the President for so long. Wait by the door. Keep a grip on the handle just in case. Search him if possible and report back immediately. Years of being paranoid and closing off the Black Guild's gates had done her wonders.
Retsu shot Yoshino a quick glance. Perhaps it was simply because Retsu was used to handling these matters herself, but she did not like the idea that Yoshino wanted to speak to Aaron in private. Granted, Retsu would... Get a summary of the conversation somehow, but still, she'd perfer to be present. But this wasn't the time to fight about it. Retsu simply nodded her head and went towards the door. She closed it behind her and stayed near by, noting that another office space new the hall was open and had some people inside. People who, if Retsu remembered correctly, had very little to do in the adminsistrative area of the school. Seems like Retsu wasn't the only one who planted spies.
The Orange King let out a held breath as the girl left. Now his gaze stopped darting around the room like a nervous schoolboy's. He stared right into Yoshino's amber eyes.
"I assume you are able to convey everything I say to the Black King, yes?" He asked her with a confidence that came from a different person than the one he had been playing.
Upon facing direct eye-contact, it took all of Yoshino's will power not to flinch away. Damnit...that was too close.
"Yes," she answered, the kind Student President now having been replaced with the Black King's voice and will.
"Seeing as you are the new Orange King, I can only assume that you want answers concerning the previous one's death? I'm afraid we are both as clueless as you are. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss?"
For good measure, she raised her hand up and fidgeted with her glasses to adjust them slightly.
Aaron's emotionless face might have well have been carved of stone when Yoshino mentioned the previous Orange King. He would have to work on that.
"Yes, I do want those answers, but that's not why I'm here today," he said to her. He then took a few steps towards the window. "The Black King must be enjoying herself right now, wouldn't you say? I bet she's loving this."
Yoshino shrugged in response.
"What my client does is her business," she said flatly. "I simply follow the rules. It's kinda my job here."
"Just think about it though," Aaron was staring at the sky outside instead of at Yoshino. "The Ebony Strykers open up for recruitment and immediately after the biggest threats to the Black King just up and get themselves murdered. Garth, the previous Orange King, would have stirred up too much trouble for ol' Blackie. There was no predicting what that psycho Red King, Ariel, would do, so she had to go. I'm not sure about the Green King, Michael I think was him, but obviously there was some mark against him for reasons I can't even begin to guess at. Oh, and that last one... what was her name?"
Aaron smirked slightly as if a thought had just come to him. "Oh yes, Haruka." The Orange King turned to look at Yoshino again. "I apologize for bringing that up, esecially since the white bitch went and died right there next to you."
"....is there a point to this?"
Yoshino was much too agitated to let her phobia get in the way now as Aaron began to repeatedly look down upon the lives of the previous Kings. The previous
dead Kings. But to insult Haruka...
Yoshino wanted to scream. To rise up and strangle this pompous little brat who knew nothing about his predecessor's lives. Yes they had been her enemies-and perhaps even allies at one point-but Yoshino had always gave them the respect they deserved. This was just filthy.
"There is a reason why my client despises your Guild," she hissed.
She had to keep in control. She knew full well he was baiting her, waiting for her to slip-up and be the first one to strike out.
"The Orange Guild...always instigating and causing needless trouble. While I am still Student President of this Academy, I will not tolerate such insults to the dead. And...don't you
ever speak of Haruka in that manner again. If you're quite done Aaron-san, then I suggest you leave. Obviously you seek to only bring more strife with no real purpose. At least next time, find a better excuse to see me; otherwise, don't waste my time or my client's."
Just than the doors opened, with Retsu and a large, brawny girl. Yoshino would recognze her as Noel. The very large, burly girl who would out mass even the manliest of Avatars. She just happened to chance by Retsu to rely some information about what was going in in Deep Ground, but Retsu decided to make good use of Noel's rather ostentatious bulk.
"That is not a suggestion. Please leave immediately, or you will be removed physically." Noel than reached behind her and revealed that she had a coil of metal chain, making her intentions rather clear.
Aaron gave the behemoth a good-natured grin and nodded again to the red-haired girl before turning on his heel and speaking to Yoshino again. He spread his arms to either side to frame Noel and Retsu behind him.
"If your client hates me so much, why not just kill me? That didn't seem to be a problem with the last batch." He spun again with a choked laugh and walked between the Student President's two henchmen. "And tell the Black King to not leave her trash where she walks next time, it tends to leave a smell in the room."
Retsu kept her eyes on Noel. Mostly because she knew if she didn't, Noel would have simply lashed out at Aaron. As antagonistic as he was, it wouldn't do them any good attacking him. Not yet. These things required... Preparation. Retsu didn't give Aaraon a pleasure of an answer however and allowed him to leave the room with his questions to himself. Once he was gone, Retsu motioned for Noel to leave, closing the door behind her. She would stand guard outside with the others, and even without Retsu's command when to clear out the other rooms of potential eaves droppers.
Once the two girls were alone again, Retsu simply sighed. She looked at Yoshino to try to get a read on her expression, but she had her "King Face" up. It was a familiar face to Retsu, usually something she see's whenever she steps to close to trying to overrule Yoshino's commands. But it also meant that Yoshino was purposely putting up a facade, which may be what Aaron wanted to see. Retsu allowed a few moments of silence to pass before she spoke.
"He will get what is coming... But now we will have to be careful. He suspects that the Black King will seek vengeance against the Orange Guild immediately, dividing out forces to attack him. But much like Aaron, their power relies that we show our hands prematurely. So far the Orange Guild has not arrived to the battle, likely waiting for the other guilds to weaken our advance forces first before he and his guild will arrive to attack while we are weakened. I have already sent orders to some of the other Erasers to begin to mount their own offensive, however I suspect that this skirmish may be for naught. To that end, I would like your permission to... Take advantage of my talents." Retsu was not merely speaking about her connection to the Sweepers or her abilities as Dark Wraith. Rather, Retsu wanted Yoshino to know if it would be okay if Retsu used some of her programming skills and her own backdoor into the Deep Ground system to tip the battle in their favor. It wasn't really important enough to warrent the use, but Retsu wanted to know if Yoshino wanted this to happen. After all, she heard everything Aaron said, and Retsu had no compulsion in using her hacks if it made her feel a bit better.
Yoshino pondered Retsu's request, the implications running in her head. A few moments was good enough for her to mentally calm down; she had to if she was to return back to a functioning order.
"Go right ahead," she said, an edge still present in her voice. Aaron's words still buzzed in her mind to a degree.
"I'm already aware of your skills, so I won't ask you make sure to cover your traces. That much should be self-evident. I want this battle ended now. However...do it in a way that sends a clear message to our enemies. I want you to make them fear the game itself," she said ominously, letting Dark Wraith's imagination fill in the gaps.
"As they rightfully should," she added, with a bitter note in her voice.
Retsu simply bowed her head at Yoshino, feeling that there was no need to say anything else. But as she went to the door, Retsu paused. Though she personally had no feelings about the death of the kings, she knew that there was an immense burden on Yoshino, not only as the school president and face of Moon Rider, but due to her personal connections to some of the fallen kings. Retsu may have been the type to disregard such things, but she wasn't so callous to expect Yoshino to do the same. So before she left, Retsu turned around to the school president.
"Prez - No, Tsgumi-San. I can't say I know what you're going through, but know that we're not just members of the same guild. I came to you first because I wanted to help you. And I still do. You do not have to do this alone, so please, rely on me too. For Deep Ground... For here... I will help you with whatever I can, and try anything for what I can't. So... Is there anything you want to talk about?" Retsu stepped away from the door and pulled up a seat at Yoshino's desk. She didn't sit down immediately, but she wanted to show the president that she would be willing to take some time to talk with her.
Yoshino blinked in surprise at the sudden act of understanding. She had fully expected the other girl to leave her be as always, letting her contemplate her thoughts alone and in peace. So it was to her great shock that Retsu not only offered to listen but also took the liberty of pulling up a chair as well.
For a minute or so, Yoshino simply stared at her in disbelief, too startled to worry about her phobia. She had never really allowed herself to interact with the other members of the Student Council, always politely denying hangouts in favor of work or Deep Ground. In fact, the only one who had ever bothered her and forced her out of her office was-
"Haruka," she murmured unconsciously, not caring in the slightest that Retsu was witnessing a rarely shown side of the President. The weak side as Yoshino liked to refer to it.
"Heh...sorry about spacing out like that. It's just...Haruka, I mean, White Terror, used to do just that. She'd just sit down and...listen to me."
Retsu couldn't help but to break a small smile. A feature that was really shown on her face even as a baby, but despite how rare it was, it looked... Fitting. On Retsu's face. It was a small one, but it was still notably unique.
"I... I'm sorry for your lost, if that means anything to you. I know it has some meaning to me too. I hate to see you like this, Tsgumi-san. And I don't want to stand idly by and let you suffer in silence. So..."Retsu awkwardly took a seat. Such a basic act, one that she does often enough, but to sit down to simply chat about things with a stranger, least of all Yoshino, seemed harder than when she saw her simply as the spokesperson of Moon Rider. Somehow while Retsu didn't fear Yoshino's power, she was much more weak against Yoshino's softer side. Once she got herself comfortable Retsu leaned onto the desk so she could better hear Yoshino.
"What do you want to talk about, Tsgumi-san?""Talk? Yes...that's right...I want to...I suppose...I-I guess..."
The Student President clenched and unclenched her fists, taking shallow breathes to calm herself down. She had been wearing Moon Rider's mask for so long, it was often difficult for her to discard that other identity.
"You've probably figured this out Retsu, but I'm not exactly the friendly type. I mean, power often comes with loneliness, right? And Haruka...well I guess you could say she was my only friend. Sure that Orange bastard ruined things for a while, but we made up. That's...that's why she died in my dorm. We vowed to work together again. She wasn't bluffing when she said she'd merge the Ivory Masks with my Guild. She said she'd help...she promised and...a-and..."
Gritting her teeth, Yoshino glared at the other girl with pools of tears forming in her amber eyes.
"And then she died! Like all the rest Retsu! She didn't die like a hero, or a villain, or even a criminal! She just stopped living one night and that was that! All of them did! She said she'd never leave! And that....i-it hurts....it hurts alot...but this school...this world won't tolerate me being hurt...studious me can't get hurt...so I ignore it. Just like I ignore this stupid phobia I have...it's funny...did you know I have Scopophobia? All this time...and no one even notices...heh, imagine that? Haruka understood...she..."
Yoshino said no more, simply staring at the table now with half-tears trailing her cheeks.
"Do I look weak to you now? Pathetic? Are you surprised that your Black King is only a weak little girl?"
Retsu kept her mouth shut and listened to Yoshino. Quickly Yoshino's mask as the Black King, or even the school president, crumpled to it's base components. She was just a teenage girl who has to make a lot of tough decisions, have lots of enemies, and forced to forfeit luxuries just to look like the epitome of strength. For some, seeing this side of Yoshino was a disgrace. After all, who would want the hardest, most badass player of Deep Ground to just be another emotional girl? But to Retsu, it told her that her leader wasn't just another cog in the machine, or at least, one that, like Retsu, was forced into a position that she didn't like but did well in.
And while the red-haired girl wasn't really much of a consoler, she pulled out a handkerchieffor Yoshino. It was a soft black piece of cloth with Retsu's name written in kanji. She had a few of these that she'd keep just to keep herself clean, and this would be the first time she'd be handing it to someone else. When Yoshino asked what she thought about her now, seeing Yoshino outside of her facade, Retsu thought about her words.
"No... I am not surprised. It... It is almost expected. Everyone has built this image that you... The Black King... Is a heartless monster. Someone who would really consider killing others simply for a game like Deep Ground. They think you are the biggest threat to the world and the game, and have willingly turned you into the enemy to justify their own ends. However... That's how others may think. As for me I'm rather glad to see that their words are just lies. How easy it is for everyone to beleive things are as simply as... Black and White, evil against good. I hate how basic those things are. And I'm glad that there's more to you than that. So... Please. Continue. I want to know more about you. Not about Moon Rider, or the school president. I want to know who Tsgumi-san is.""About...me? Retsu...I take it back. All of it. You're
exactly just like Haruka."
She said this with a small smile, taking the black-clothed handkerchief within her hand. She quickly dabbed her eyes with the cloth before trying to regain her old confidence.
"I see. I...I can't exactly describe how much Haruka meant to me. She was my only friend, and while I appreciate the offer to talk Retsu, I know there are far more important matters to settle here. But..."
A pause.
"I would...I would like to talk later. Sooner if possible. Once the current battle's over, then maybe we can converse? And...one more thing. I...I would like us to become...friends as well. If that's fine with you of course."
Yoshino Tsugumi. Always receding back into her shell. But she had made an effort, didn't she? She would talk when she wanted to, and she knew Retsu respected that.
"I...Haruka and I actually shared the same goals you know? We just went about it different ways. That's another reason why we made up. I...I want to carry on that vision we both had. And...I'd like to share that vision with you too Retsu. Yes...I'd like that alot."
Retsu wanted to keep fighting to keep her emotions in check. She wasn't about to break what she's built up for so long, just for this one moment. She didn't plan to let herself go so easily. Yoshino might be a broken bird, a perfect doll hiding her flaws, but Retsu aimed to make sure she could always keep herself in control. So with that in mind, Retsu stood up and walked over to Yoshino, and hugged her around her shoulders. It was an intended action fueled by her desire to comfort and show Yoshino her care. The next words that came out of Retsu was hard for her to say, full of suttering and pauses.
"I... I don't know if... Um... I can't... Ever compare to Hakura... I don't think I can ever be like her... For you... But I want to be able to be me for you instead." The Student President gasped at the sudden action of affection but did not struggle against it. Instead, she listened closely to Retsu's words in silence.
Retsu squeeze a little bit tighter before letting go. She began to turn and walk away, but stopped halfway in the office to clarify what she tried to say.
"I don't want to replace Hakura. She's gone and... And I know how much that hurts. I can never replace Hakura in your heart. But maybe, just maybe, I could find my own place. A place with you where I can be... Myself. And... I'd like to - No. I would love to be friends with you... Tsgu... Yoshino-Chan.""You...Retsu I..."
Yoshino smiled now, the wisdom of being a King now returning to her eyes.
"Yes. I know you will. And you're right. You're not Haruka. You will never amount to Haruka to me....that's because you're Retsu. Retsu Goroshi...and I wouldn't have it any other way."
It would be hard. It would always be hard. Haruka might always haunt her mind...but the White Terror was never one to dwell on the past herself, now was she? No. In fact, she would have told Yoshino to get over it already. The President sighed. That was so like her...and now she would carry on those two wills, hers and Haruka's.
With a knowing smile, she closed her eyes and rested her chin over her hands. Right then. Back to work as always.
Retsu left Yoshino's office with a smile on her face. It was strange, yet soothing for her. Even Noel couldn't make out the feeling she was having seeing her boss so happy, but she felt that it was harmless enough to keep quiet. Retsu, Noel, and a couple of other students, other members of her Sweepers and private enforcers, walked alongside her as she headed home.
"Alright everyone, let's hurry. We have a war to win."
Welcome, Dark WraithDark Wraith stood in the Black City castle. It was bustling with activity, and when Dark Wraith showed up everyone was at attention. Her smile had faded into a stern expression, knowing what she had to do.
"Dosh King!"Soon a rather
flamboyant looking person showed up. A level 9 Wizard, who's powers revolved around items. He was also an Eraser, with all that it implies. "Yeah, wussup Darky?" He spoke casually to Dark Wraith, which she heeded no mind to.
"It looks like a group of our mobile armor went to attack the Green Kingdom. From the reports I'm getting, they want to initiate "Salt the Land". I'll need you to clear the area out while I send some operatives to complete phase two." The Dosh King smiled as he headed to the highest point on the Black Castle.
Dark Wraith left the Dosh King to do his business while she went to address other members of Ebony Strykers. She had no intension of wasting players to throw their lives away just to wipe out the Green City. Arms Slave and his Mayhem Riders would be enough for that task. But she did need some players to do a different task.
"You two, Crimson Bolt, Shining Ray, come here..."As Dark Wraith commanded the Black City, they began to rally their forces together in preparation for the inevitable invasion. Taking territory is easy, it's keeping it that would be their real challenge. With all the guilds working against them, Dark Wraith knew that she couldn't really on the enemies of her enemies doing her work for her. So she'll have to rely on a force that was everyone’s enemy.
"Are you ready? Send in the Dissolutions."
