Zun - Airport.
“Come on,” Jill huffed. “I got it cleared before I even got on the goddamn plane!” The security officer shook his head in that really obnoxious way, the kind that made her expect to hear a patronizing “Sorry, lady!” tacked on to it. They’d been going back and forth like this for way too long now, and she was pretty sure he’d been staring at her at least sixty percent of the time. Pit Stop, a small attache case, and her bike were sitting beside the two, the drone in particular looking back and forth between the two nervously.
“I’m not seeing anything like that on the computer.” he said.
He didn’t say it. Thank fucking god. She let out an extremely irritated sigh as she fumbled around in her wallet, retrieving a strange ID card with her information, Rider Name and Number, and the SHINING logo.
“Look,” Jill commanded. “I’m with SHINING. I am a
superhero, with the organization that you guys cleared to carry their superhero crap with them so we can do our
job, got it?”
The man stopped to think for a moment. Like this wasn’t taking long enough already.
“Alright,” he said, staring at her strangely. “But I’m, uh, going to need to do a few searches on you, just to be su-”
The sound of gunshots tore through the air. They both stopped dead in their tracks, staring at the door to the main hall of the airport.
Jill shot towards her bike as one of its handlebars shot straight off the bike, hitting the officer square in the face and knocking him out cold.
“Where’s Jasmine?!” she asked the drone, her eyes going wide. Pit Stop beeped frantically in response.
“Well fucking text her then!” Jill ordered, popping open the attache case and pulling out her belt, the Blaze Driver, and a set of strange keys. She wrapped the belt around her waist and stuck one of the keys in the slot on the top. She turned it and held it in place, making a “J” symbol with her free hand as the belt produced a sound similar to an engine’s purr.
START UP! BLAZING STYLE!“Henshin!”
Glowing blue streams of ki began to appear across Jill’s body before being covered up by the various pieces of her armor. She picked up the rest of the keys from the case, merging them them together on a ring of ki and clipping them to her belt. She picked the stray handlebar off the ground and channeled her ki into it, a glowing blade extending from the “hilt.”
“Let’s split up,” Jill said, glancing to her drone. “If you find Jasmine, let me know. Otherwise, keep me updated on what’s going on here.” She hopped on the bike and gunned for the door, blowing it right off its hinges and barreling out into the open halls of the airport, Pit Stop quickly flying forwards. She was met by a figure clad in ebony armor, who only managed to let loose a couple poorly aimed shots before being sent flying by the speeding bike.
Looks like I’ll need to fight my way back… Jill thought. She held her sword at her side like a cavalryman as she zoomed through the ranks blocking her path, producing bouts of sparks as the blade sliced through their armor.
She headed towards one that looked to be of higher rank, carrying a large slab of a greatsword, and charged forwards. They simply shifted their stance, crouching under their sword and holding up like a ramp, sending her sailing through the air.
The Justice Rider landed, keeping the bike perpendicular to her trajectory to grind it to a halt, and used her own sword to block a strike from her opponent, sending them off balance. She stuck the handlebar back on the bike and popped a wheelie, slamming the back wheel into the terrorist’s chest and gunning the gas to grind it in hard. They staggered back.
“Trail Blaze!”
Jill quickly ran a loop around her opponent, expending a stack of ki as she left a glowing blue wall of electrified ki behind her, walling them in. She turned the key on her belt again and hit a button on the side, a glowing blue line of ki extending down from her belt to her foot.
EXSEED CHARGE!She leapt into the air, aiming for the goon in the center of the wall.
“Burning Blue Kick!” She shouted as she sailed forwards, doing a graceful backflip off her opponent after she planted her foot in their chest. They sailed backwards and hit the ki wall, frying them with enough volts to keep them from getting up anytime soon. She turned her key again, filling up the EX-system with more ki as the wall dissipated. She turned back towards her destination to find Pit Stop staring her in the face.
“Did she message us back yet?!” Jill asked frantically, still hopped up on adrenaline. Her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. The drone made a few frantic beeping noises.
“Goddammit,” Jill said. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” She looked to find a familiar face hiding behind some solid cover. He was dressed a little more casually than usual, but she could recognize that hat and boots anywhere. If things were more lax, she might even laugh at him for it, but as it was there was way too much going on right now for it to really register. She revved the engine and charged forwards, bowling over the team of terrorists that was shooting at the man.
“Voyt?” She asked, her tone a strange mix between confusion and flat out bewilderment. “What the hell are you doing here?!”
Zun - Airport.
Jasmine sighed. This is what happens when you
enabled horny boys who still play around with swords, huh. She visibly cringed at the word “ee ex pee.” Why did she have to draw in all the crazy ones?
“Uh,” Jasmine started nervously. “I think I’m just gonna-”
She nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard gunshots, letting out a startled breath.
“Yeah,” Beelzebub said, shifting his gaze from left to right. “You’d better power up, kid.” He made a strange gurgling noise for a second before ejecting a strange staff from his maw.
“Ow!” Jasmine said as it clacked against her face.
“Say the words, kid!” The demon urged, flapping about excitedly.
“Uh…” Jasmine stuttered, trying to think of something. Having to remember all these catchphrases was pretty lame.
She picked up the scepter and held it skywards.
“Trans rights!” Jasmine cried, red in the face as her body became enveloped in a somewhat revealing silhouette of brilliant light, eventually emerging clad in her black witch's garb. Beelzebub sighed and gave an aside glance.
“She never says the words…” the bat muttered.
”So…” Jasmine said to Yoko. “I don't really have the
finesse to do much other than make things worse over here… I'll be in the parking lot if you wanna have a stick-measuring competition or whatever. Make sure to ditch this loser first, though.” She adjusted her skirt as she left, holding her staff forwards before leaping on it and rocketing towards the exit, Beelzebub following close behind.
“Hey B,” Jasmine shouted. “Gonna need some danmaku!”
Beelzebub smirked.
“One whatchamacallit comin’ right up, kid!” he began to cackle as he split apart, reforming into an innumerable amount of fiery bats that flew out from behind Jasmine and began diving straight into the various terrorists blocking the airport’s exit, the small explosions serving as a more than capable distraction as Jasmine flew straight out the front door.
Jasmine took a nice, deep breath, having finally found a relatively calm area. She stared off into space for a moment.
“Oh shit…” Jasmine blurted.
“What's the matter, kid?” Beelzebub asked. Jasmine patted around at her dress. Of course this thing had no fucking pockets. Jill was probably going insane right now and she had no idea what all this magical bullshit did to her phone. Jasmine suddenly felt a strange rumbling within her.
“Where does all my stuff go when I transform?”
Zun - Airport.
“Damn it…” Isabella said as he slipped a twenty to the bartender. He was not in the mood for this shit. He raised his wrist to his face as he flung open the door.
“Code: Black.” he said softly.
He strode through the airport, sensing a goon coming up behind him.
"Hmph."
Leviathan promptly stretched out from behind the half-demon's head and snatched the soldier in its maw, devouring them whole. Other soldiers who had been watching either backed away or froze in place, rightfully terrified seeing one of their comrades disappear without a trace. Isabella took advantage, lunging towards one in his way and slamming his face into the ground. He reached for his weapon before taking a sudden knee to the stomach.
He threw up on the floor. Maybe he shouldn't have had so much to drink… He took a boot to the face, but quickly grabbed on to his opponent’s leg, pulling him down to the ground with him. Isabella took the knife off his assailant’s belt and stabbed him in the chest, the blade gaining a dark aura. He stood up and strode towards the exit, throwing the knife in between another soldier’s masked eyes and making his way to the doors.
A gang of soldiers readied their rifles. Isabella stopped.
And smirked as they were suddenly ground into red paste by a hail of heavy bullets that shot in from outside. He looked up at his jet as it hovered above the entrance, spraying hell at anything else that decided to bother Isabella at the moment. He spoke into his wrist once more:
“Make sure the skies are clear…” The Rider said, just in case. Jet Black hovered out of view as it shifted to its more conventional mode of flight and began carrying out its orders. Isabella lit another cigarette as he walked outside.
These terrorists… He didn’t really care about them, but he had to wonder. Did they have ideals? Or did their funding eventually run back to another parasite in a suit?
Either way, if they can’t survive, they won’t amount to shit.
He learned that the hard way.
Zun - Abandoned Building.
Isabella stepped off of his motorcycle and strode through the doors. Piles of dust and broken glass all over the place. Probably weren't always there… he sneezed, watching dust fly through the air. He skulked through a few rooms before he heard a crashing noise from below. Made his job easier.
“W-who the hell are you?” A voice asked the second Izzy's foot creaked against the staircase. The kid was a whelp. More ki than the average person, but not enough to play in the big leagues. Was probably still trying to go pro, though. Isabella remained silent.
“Is this about the belt?” The kid asked. His breathing was strained.
“Give it to me. Isabella said. The kid clutched the belt protectively.
“T-this thing’s my ticket to the top...” He stuttered. “Stay back!” Izzy shook his head.
“If you can’t beat me,” the half-demon said. “You won’t make it anywhere near the top.” He took a couple steps towards the kid before the kid put on the belt. It was unmarked, a dark bronze-ish color, and glowed with a strange orange light. A key was sticking out of the side, which the young Nomad turned with a shaking hand.
START UP… ERROR!He was cloaked in orange light as he transformed. From it emerged a monster of living brass; a pipe hanging down from a disproportionate arm. Isabella loosened up as it charged, but took a hit to the face before he even had a chance to dodge, sending him sprawling. That's one way to sober up… He rolled out of the way of another pipe to the face and sprung towards the monster, driving his fist straight into its gut. It staggered backwards, and he kicked at its foot, sweeping it to the ground.
“Let me show you how it's done…” Isabella said. He put on his own belt, holding up his hand and pouring his ki into the shape of a black bullet. He slid it into a port in the Infernal Gear. He turned to the side, keeping his left shoulder pointed towards his opponent with his opposing hand holding down the trigger.
Darkness began to pool towards the half-demon's feet, being drawn in from all corners of the room.
C͇̥̤̬͔̳͠O̗͡A̴̪̪Z̮͙̻͚ͅI̛̬̺̣͚̫̪̞O̗̳ͅͅṞ̥̩ ̪̥͡ZÒ̝͖̖̝̣̱M̥̣͓D͔̻͟V̠͓͠ͅ ̢̜̰̪A̯͓̖L͏O̶͖͎̬̬NṴ͉S̺͓͝A͍̬͠H̶͔I“... Henshin.”
Isabella was covered in congealed darkness for a moment before emerging covered head to to toe in his signature armor, a sword held in his right hand. The monster charged forwards and Isabella parried a strike with his hand and stabbed the monster in the chest, sparks and orange fluid seeping from the wound. He kicked it away and flicked his wrist, sending blood flying off the blade and changing it into its axe form.
Isabella swung his axe into the monster's shoulder and raked it backwards. He had momentum now; monster or no, there was still enough of that kid in there for it to be startled. off its rhythm. He turned around and strummed a chord just as the monster prepared to attack, and a giant clawed fist appeared formed from the half-demon's own hair, throwing his opponent into the wall.
“Let’s wrap this up…” Isabella muttered. He conjured another bullet and loaded it into the infernal gear. Darkness pooled around the Justice Rider from all corners of the room, until the entire area was coated in blinding white light. The shadows congealed into a vaguely serpentine figure, which coiled around Isabella and roared.
I̥̯̞ͧ͐Ȍ͗̿̂̃̓͂҉L̵̩̙̮̩͍̼̋͊̆̈Ċ̱͎͉̜̩̰ͤẠ̧̲̤ͬ́̑̂ͅM̝̝̞̤̻̩ ̹̲͉̣̂ͅṀ͔͈ͦAͮ͌̋̂͐̓͢H͍͔̼ͯͬ̅ͧ̉̉O͚͇͔͓̺̦͙ͫͪͩ͟R͍͈̞͚̰̃͝E̩̲ͩ̒ͬ̿ͫ̔͝LͫA̴̟͇Isabella leapt forwards, the beast rushing alongside him for his Rider Kick. He planted his foot into his opponent, who staggered backwards as the shadowy serpent burrowed into its shadow. Shadowy spikes began to emerge from the monsters’ body before it exploded in a burst of black smoke, which dissipated as the room returned to normal.
Isabella pulled a sliding mechanism on his belt, ejecting the shadow bullets and undoing his transformation. He caught the cartridges as they sailed through the air, staring as they faded away. He raised an eyebrow as he heard a fit of coughing as the smoke cleared.
“Still alive?” Isabella asked.
“You’re not gonna kill me?” The kid asked, clutching his side in pain. He seemed to be having trouble getting up.
“I might not…” the Rider answered. He suddenly reached down and grabbed the injured Nomad by the collar, pulling him up to meet his gaze.
“Give me that fucking thing.” he hissed. The kid squirmed around, trying to grab at the belt.
“It won’t come off…” he breathed, even weaker this time. His belt flashed red.
SUBJECT FLAWED: FATAL ERROR.Shit. Isabella couldn’t sense any ki from the kid anymore… he went limp, and promptly crumbled into some sort of dust. Isabella opened his hand and stared at it for a solid minute before he picked up the belt and went back upstairs.
He was almost out the door before he was stopped by a small, mechanical bird. His phone began ringing in his pocket. Of course...
“Yeah?” Izzy asked.
“You have it,” Ryuuna said with a tinge of glee. “How did it go?”
"Auto-adjusters need some work," Izzy said. "Didn't last three minutes after the finish…"
“Troubling… Keep a close eye on Blaze, Isabella. Thank you for your efforts…” Isabella zoned out as Ryuuna finished their little conversation. After he hung up, he handed the belt to the bird, watching as it flew from sight and cloaked using whatever fancy gadgets it had under its wing.
Isabella sighed as he got back on his bike. Time to check back in on the kids...
Zun - Airport.
Rosie held the phone upwards as she tried to keep the terrorist in the frame. Given that he was on the ground, with her heel pressed firmly down on his jugular, it was a bit tricky.
“Hold still for a moment,” Rosie commanded. “Will you?” She managed to finally find a good shot in between struggles, and smirked as she sent the photo to her employer. She’d been snapping photos of Nomads for a good while now, but this gave her the chance to be a bit creative. And that was an opportunity she would never pass up on…
She felt gloved hands clasp around her boot.
“Oh right,” Rosie said dismissively. “You’re not needed anymore.” She yanked her leg free and gave him a swift kick to the ribs, hearing a nice cracking sound. That was probably enough for now...
The demoness surveyed the area. It was chaotic, but not catastrophically so. She didn’t need to duck out just yet…
Was that a familiar face? Rosie smirked, slipping in closer to the figure in the green hood. It was, of course. She could recognize that soul anywhere. It was a bit tough to be a demon and not know anything about The Witch Mother, after all.
“Hey Claudette,” Rosie said coyly, slipping next to her and making a peace sign as she took a quick selfie and sent it off. “Having fun?”
