Chapter Text
They’d done it. Tamakoma-2 had made it onto the away team. After rigorous training and drills, the Tamakoma agents were prepared for the attempted rescue of not only Replica, Chika’s brother, and Chika’s friend, but also countless civilians and agents abducted by Aftokratian soldiers.
Overall, the mission could be counted as a huge success. They’d found Replica, more or less in one piece. Chika found her friend amongst the captives of Aftokrator; however, they still hadn’t found any evidence leading to her brother.
While they’d managed to find a great majority of the missing C-rank agents shortly after arriving in Aftokrator, many were still unaccounted for. After a quick investigation and interrogation of local neighbours, the border agents were told how many of their C-ranks had been used as soldiers - disposable soldiers simply used as cannon fodder.
Each agent on the away team vowed to make a memorial when they returned.
While in the Holy Land, the group of border agents bore witness to the renewal of the Queen trigger, an unexpected event for both parties. When they consulted him, Enedorad explained that it should have been a few more years until the renewal, not months. He was just as surprised as they were. Fortunately for Afokrator, a “golden baby bird” was abducted from another planet nation and, while the new sacrifice wasn’t as impressive as Chika, the trion levels were higher than any other potential sacrifices – including Hyuse’s master.
According to Hyuse, although the new ‘baby bird’ was impressive, it was still leagues below their previous God. The land suffered from the difference in trion and shrunk in size; it could no longer maintain its once bountiful population. Many of the less fortunate neighbours were forced from their land – kicked without warning. Some Aftokratians claimed that, because of the visit from Meeden soldiers, the Nation was cursed. Others, those who knew about the “golden goose’ from Meeden, resented Border for ripping their next god away from them – a god that could have saved them from their poor circumstances.
Much to the Tamakoma agent’s surprise, Hyuse returned with them. He had said that it was his master’s order - he would “act as a form of communication to update his Master on the improvements of Meeden”. Though he tried to hide it behind a mask of indifference, they could all tell from the fond smile on Hyuse’s face when he thought they weren’t looking, that he had begun to enjoy both life on Meeden and the company he had.
The Border agents returned to Earth in celebration. Not only did they manage to rescue a vast majority of the C-ranks abducted months ago, but they’d also achieved many of their personal goals. Yet, while the Meeden soldiers returned in victory, some of the neighbours they left behind stewed in malice and hatred.
Two years had passed since that fateful away mission. Two years and there were still those who wanted revenge for their ruined Holy Land.
(=3=)
It'd been a long day for Tamakoma-2. After countless meetings and hours of defence duty, the group was ready to return to base and turn in for the day. All except for Yuma of course.
“Hey Captain, I’m going for some rank wars with Shun, Kageura-senpai, and the others. I’ll be a little late, but I should be back in time for dinner,” Yuma spoke up from beside Osamu, signature duck face in place.
Osamu could only sigh at his partner. Yes, because hours of fighting trion soldiers just isn’t enough for you. Typical Kuga.
“That’s fine.” the gunner replied, “Have you got a ride home?”
“Yeah, Kageura-senpai offered me a lift.”
“Okay, well say hi to others for me. We’ll see you back at base.”
Waving farewell to his friends, Yuma turned towards the direction of the rank wars. Osamu, Hyuse, and Chika watched the retreating form of their teammate, fond smiles plastered on their faces. Though in Hyuse’s case, it was more of a slight upturn of his lips.
“Yuma-kun really gets along well with those guys,” Chika piped up suddenly, “It’s always nice to see him having fun.”
Osamu hummed in response – he could only agree. From the moment he joined Border, Yuma had quickly befriended many of the top fighters. Through both intense battles and shared tactics, he made good friends and tough rivals. He always came back to the base with a smile on his face, relaying some tale about ‘Shun’s new move’ or how he ‘managed to beat Murakami-senpai in a 10 round today’.
The bonds he formed only seemed to strengthen over the years - that included those within their little branch. Tamakoma had evolved from a close-knit group of friends and allies to something more akin to a family.
The three agents continued their journey towards where Director Rindo was waiting to take them back to base, quietly chatting about their Neighbour friend along the way.
~(=3=)~
“Gate to Meeden was a success. We’ve arrived, sir.” A deep voice rumbled.
“We did? About time. My legs were starting to cramp up.” another growled. The figure leaned forward, and, under the purple hue of the away ship’s control panel, black horns glinted above a malicious smirk.
Two figures looked to their leader; obvious anticipation was painted across their faces. Through one of the screens displaying visual feeds, a large, rectangular building was visible in the distance, the Border logo proudly painted on its walls.
^(=3=)^
Murmurs echoed around the rank-war lounge as onlookers gaped at the large plasma TV in wonder. The main attraction? A rank battle between Yuma and Midorikawa – two of Border’s most skilled attackers.
Over the years, the two had formed both a strong rivalry and friendship; learning from each other, and their fellow attackers, they built up their experience. The two had become both a powerful duo in combat and the best of friends.
With one final blow and an announcement claiming, “Midorikawa down. Kuga win,” the match ended. The 20-round match was relatively close, with a final score of 12-8, but Midorikawa just couldn’t get that ‘one-up’ over Yuma. Years had passed and it was almost as if nothing had changed.
As the A-rank agents exited their prospective booths, cheers and misbelieving whispers erupted from the crowd.
“They’re back at it again…”
“That was a close one!”
Usually there as always someone who asked-
“Woah, the little one’s got some awesome moves! How old do you think he is?”
Yep. There it is.
While he was quite famous among Border for his astounding combat experience, there was always a new wave of newbies who would question and underestimate his strength. Due to his size, Yuma’s victories against any of his fellow attackers were always accompanied by an astonished group of onlookers – usually new recruits and C-rankers – who were amazed at how someone who appeared so young could beat one of Border’s best. Even at the age of 17, Yuma still appeared to be fresh out of elementary school. After so many years, a sort of sadness had bloomed in his chest at seeing his peers grow beyond him while he was trapped in a body that would forever remain a grand 141cm in height - even Chika and Midorikawa had well surpassed him.
“Ahhhh, I just can’t win against you Yuma-senpai.” Midorikawa sighed in exasperation, walking over to Yuma on the platform with hands folded behind his head, “Just when I think I’ve got you… boom! de-feat-ed.”
“You’ve definitely improved since last time though. Your moves are sharper, and you’ve got some really good techniques up your sleeve,” Yuma pointed out seriously, before plastering on a duck face and clapping his hands together, “I have taught you well, young one~”
The two passed several groups of gawking C and B-rank agents before they reached their destination – their fellow A-rank agents, rivals, and friends.
Kageura was draped over one of the lounge chairs, phone in hand and a bored expression to match his disinterest; it was obvious that the crowded room was beginning to bother him. Ko and Arafune sat on one of the larger lounges beside Kageura, talking animatedly about a new attack pattern and other potential new techniques.
“They’re back,” Arafune announced, cutting off his conversation with Ko abruptly, “Close match as always you two. So… who’s up next?” He shifted his gaze between each of the assembled agents.
He seems eager, Ko thought, noticing Arafune’s determined expression. Maybe we could-
“Ah, actually, it’s getting pretty late,” Yuma declared, “It’s Konami-senpai’s night to cook and I don’t want to miss her famous curry. I’ll probably get a scolding for being late already. Kageura-senpai, is that lift still available?”
“Huh? Oh sure. You too, Shrimp number two?” Kage’s gaze moved from Yuma and landed on Midorikawa, who was looking up at him – his question to “come with” dying on his lips and quickly replaced by a pleased grin.
The three bid their fellow attackers goodbye, moving towards the exit. As they shuffled toward the door, Yuma could hear Arafune and Ko discussing doing another rank war to “test out the attack patterns they were talking about earlier.”
\(=3=)/
While there was a car park on base at Border, Kageura had said it was a nuisance to drive through the forbidden zone because of all the rubble, so he usually parked near a Border ‘secret entrance’ just outside the zone. It was also a shorter walk from the Rank War lounge.
As the sleek metal doors slid open, the group was exposed to the crisp night air. The refreshing soft breeze danced around them, lightly pulling at their clothes, and tousling loose strands of hair. Apart from the gentle wind, the night was still and silent; there were no clouds resting in the sky that night, exposing the brilliant array of stars as they twinkled overhead, only outdone by the bright glow of the full moon.
As he stepped outside, Yuma could already feel as though something was off, an eerie kind of feeling that sent shivers down his spine – shivers which weren’t caused by the cold. Looking up towards Kageura, he noticed that the mantis-user must have felt the same; his weight was shifted into a defensive position and his hand tightly grasped his trigger, ready to be activated at a moment’s notice. Midorikawa paused in his rant about “which flavour of rice crackers was best”, to ask his seniors what was wrong, noticing the tension in the air.
Before he could ask his question, however, Kage raised a hand to silence him and whipped his head to the left, glare focused on something in the distance. Yuma realised that, with his side-effect, his senior must have noticed if someone was watching them. Judging by his reaction and the scowl across his face, Yuma could only guess at how hostile the stalker's intentions were.
Without hesitation, Yuma and Midorikawa followed Kage’s lead, turning and moving to stand next to their senior in battle-ready stances.
Each agent abruptly froze. From just beyond the forbidden zone, a shadowed figure was slowly approaching. Though its features were obscured by the darkness, a single characteristic stood out.
Horns.
“Aftokrator?”