July 26th, 2036. Just another day in Omega, Team Omega is doing another debugging mission for the company Omega Corp. This time the bug was a 23 meter Black Raven. It was flying at high-speed and not so behind Richard and Yuma the only two that stood a chance by default in chasing it down were getting closer to it.
"For being a Raven this thing is fast!!” Exclaimed the brown-haired teen. Luckily for them, the area they were exploring was a very open space with no trees, buildings, or sandstorms to get in their way.
“I know but even if we can keep up with it, we won't be able to reach it,” Yuma told her leader. The Raven bug spread its wings to release feathers that turned into iron spikes.
“Watch out!” They both dodged about 5 dozen of those spiked feathers with their speed before looking toward the Raven who was getting farther and farther away. However, blue lighting hit the Raven hard before this one falls to the ground below.
“You're one problematic bird, I'll give you that.” The Raven shook before it Caw toward the one responsible for stopping it. This gave Richard and Yuma enough time to reach it.
“Thanks, Runagan.” The boy thanked the blonde-haired A.I. Guardian. Runagan, Guardian of The Training Field. He's titled in Omega as “Thunder God” for his godly speed and electrokinesis.
“No problem, So this is the bug, huh? He doesn't seem that tough.” The three split up as soon as the Raven charged at them and tried to peck them with its massive beak. The Raven failing in its attempt to stagger its threatening opponents unleashed a gust of wind forcing the three teens to shield their eyes.
“So strong.” With that slight seconds of letting their guard down the Raven flew back and tried to escape again.
“Oh no, you don't!” Runagan used his lightning speed to catch up and jump high in the air before descending with a lighting fist that stopped the raven even thou it missed. As he landed the impact shook the earth
*BZZZT*
Came the sounds of the electricity that surrounded the Guardian of the Training Field. The distraction was enough for Yuma to sneak in a kunai sword to the leg of the raven staggering it more before a blue light ball the size of a wrecking ball destroyed one of its wings. The shot came from the brown-haired teen who had a bladed laser rifle with neon energy surrounding the bottom. He was wearing a long coat with a visor that was colored black with red.
“Nice shot Richard.” Yuma complimented. The Raven being persistent try to fly but to no avail.
“Where could the core be?” Richard asked himself as he looks around before finding it near the left eye hidden under the feathery face.
“There! Yuma is on the left eye!”
“Got it!” Yuma charged toward the Raven. The Raven tries its best to fend her off but the black-haired kunoichi uses her ability to create a clone and outnumbered the creature. Some of the clones took the brunt of the desperate pecks but the real Yuma and one of her remaining clones manage to reach the tall bird's body and climbed it before slashing through its face. The Raven fended off the last clone but Yuma managed to reach her destination and stabbed the lower part of its eye where the bug was.
“Goodbye,” Yuma told the bird before her kunai blade had a paper bomb hanging on the hilt of her blade before the said bomb exploded destroying the bug and as a result the raven.
“Uff, that's that,” Richard said. This thing was a pain to catch up plus where they found it was resting on a giant bird's nest inside of a cave. He and Yuma were the only ones that could catch it up since the others were left behind.
“Richard! Yuma!” Speaking of them...
“Oh hey, guys! You missed the party.” Grinned the brown-haired boy who quickly shifted to his scouter form.
“Well unlike the two of you we can't move at almost lightning speed. Plus, Aeris didn't want to abandon us as she could also track you guys down.” explained his spiky black-haired friend to the brown-haired faux boy.
“Oh yeah, Aeris can core shift freely here too.” Unlike in the game where only one core is allowed, when they work to stop bugs from the black hat hackers they can freely core shift to their classes...so long as they are a core class player which luckily, Aeris and Richard are.
“So, I assume that we're done,” Adel told the two speedy teens.
“Sure has!”
“Oh, Runagan!”
“There have been many bugs lately.”
“I know what you mean Frederick. Wonder why there are so many now?” Aeris wonders this. She knows that is their job now to get rid of bugs or black hat hacker viruses but this is now getting ridiculous.
“Don't know but one thing is for sure, we can't let them destroy Omega.” There are many reasons why they should fight against this black hat hackers and these bugs. Inès has explained why...even their parents have told them...well Frederick's, Aeris', and Richard's to be more specific. Now with Leos gone to check on the other stations to see how the maintenance is progressing and their parents being in different parts of the world, is up to them to do this job.
“Hey everyone! Scan has been completed and there are no bug activities. Great Job we're bringing you back!” Nort Anna told the group.
“Oh! Well, it was nice seeing you Runagan! And thanks again for the help.”
“Hey is my job Kurosagi, you guys take care of each other! And congratulations on representing France in the Omega World Tournament.”
“Thanks!” With that, the group of teens teleported back to the real world by Nort Anna.
()
“They have improved a bit,” Inès observed as she and the group of white hat hackers continue to search the sectors for any bugs or invasion from any black hat hackers or even Grey hats.
“All Sectors have been clear. No threats found.” Hmm, that's good news. If anything they can continue to update the new story that Leos announced at the end of the Representation Tournament.
“Great job everyone.” Tomorrow will be a new day thou. But for today...peace has returned to Omega once again.
()
Yuma has decided that today she will browse through some shops in order to find something interesting. Today was Aeris' turn again to help Richard improve in becoming a better Supporter. Hmm...checking for a new swimsuit will not hurt either.
“Let see...This one looks nice.” Said as she picked a Grey two-piece before trying it on.
“Hmm...a little too tight on the lower side.” The top fits perfectly but her curves interfere with the lower part of the swimsuit. Maybe she could take...
“How about this one.” She tried it.
“Perfect!” This will do...the color is not to her liking but it'll do. Now with that out of the way. Next is...
“Oh, welcome customer...Oh! Well if it isn't Yuma-chan!”
“Oh, is your turn today Justin?” Yuma asked the 22-year-old blonde-haired clerk.
“Yeah, the old man was sick today so I am taking his shift. So what brings you here.”
“Nothing just browsing through it.”
“Is that so...The new issue of Ninja chronicles will arrive shortly.” Yuma will love to get that issue but...she just has to wait until she gets paid.
“Maybe tomorrow. I...will just check...the kunai section.” Yuma pinched her arm. She must resist the urge...But she wants to know what happened to the Jinzo clan during the extermination plan so badly. After trembling a bit and she left to the back.
“That girl...she can't hide the fact that she wants to buy and read it.” He knows since Yuma was a big fan of the series...something that they have in common.
()
After browsing through the kunai and painfully leaving after seeing the Ninja chronicles volume 18 on a new packaged wrap albeit she had to fight the urge of taking a peak. The black-haired teen went to the new fountain.
“Hmm, this sure brings back memories,” She remembers the day that Aeris attempted to get the group to get along. They were to meet on the fountain statue on the left corner of a building. Yuma and Adel by that time weren't the best of friends, to say the least. Once they arrived the two of them didn't look eye to eye with each other. By the end of the day...
“I still think that it is silly to have been mad at Adel for a stupid topic. I still think Ninjas over samurai thou. Fufu.” Yuma remembering the past was interrupted by her ringtone.
“Hmm?” She checks to see that is the number that is used by the Omega Corp.
“Hello miss Ishitsu.”
“Inès? Is it another black hat hacker.”
“Yes...although this one seems to not be a higher class than the one from yesterday.”
“Are the other's coming.” asked the black-haired kunoichi player in which the bespectacled secretary shook her head.
“This time we will need a specific race.”
“A specific race?”
“While the enemy is not a medium to a high-level virus we can only enter a specific race into this part of the sector. You Miss Ishitsu fit this race.” She assumed by this race she must be referring to her ninja race.
“I see...I will be there shortly then.” Yuma told the bespectacled secretary.
()
Reaching Omega Corp. Yuma was guided to the teleporter room ready to enter the sector that needed her race.
“You will go to Sector 7.”
“The Ninja Village?”
“Yes, however, there will be a new place that will require a ninja race to access.”
“But wouldn't that be problematic to the players who don't have the ninja race as one of their members?”
“That will not be a problem. We will have our guardians to train one of their players to do so.”
“Like an initiation.” She received a nod of confirmation from the secretary.
“Yes. If anything mentions Haruka or Haruko the sibling ninjas they will know what to do next. Now enter the teleporter we might not have time if we waste any more of it.”
“Yes!”
()
Entering the village Yuma looks around to see the waterfall entrance to the village.
“Is been a while, hasn't it?” It has. Since their finals against Harry Kishima.
“You will meet them inside the village. Be careful thou they can be...very distrustful even if you are a ninja.”
“Got it.” Slowly and stealthily entering the entrance she looks around and sees the building that she remembers fighting one of Harry's units. Is too quiet. Thanks to her scouting abilities she could feel the presence of a few bodies.
“No use on hiding, isn't it?” She used her speed to test them just as she suspects they were chasing after her at the same speed. Jumping to the buildings she saw that a few figures were on the other buildings. Yuma dodged some Fuma shurikens coming her way. She was correct they aren't trusty, then again ninjas aren't the types to trust others easily. Again if she wasn't a scouter she wouldn't be able to track them down. They were good at stealth but her experience as a ninja race and being a scouter has given her an S-tier keen sense. Being stopped by one of the figures she dodges the kunai blade and blocked the next one with her own. The figure kicked which Yuma ducked and then jumped to not get swept by the low sweep. Throwing one of her kunai on the ground a paper bomb ignited getting her assailant out of her way giving her space before both of them backed away before the bomb explodes. Yuma saw a few metal pebbles coming her way and she dodged and deflected all of them before a smoke bomb was thrown.
“Smoke bomb?!” Luckily for her, the ninja mask she had on prevented her from inhaling the smoke. However, it didn't help with her sight, Yuma blocked a kunai but was kicked on her left thigh making her wince a little. Her assailants then went for a jab that connected with her arm. Yuma tried to move it but couldn't.
('Capacite stopper!?') It didn't give her time before she was apprehended by her assailants.
“Damn!” As the smoke clear there were three figures in front and one apprehending her.
The three figures clad in shadow ninja outfit only that even their eyes weren't visible thanks to some infrared visors separated to reveal two figures. The first one seemed small and from the figure, she could tell this was female.
She had medium-short red hair that was spiked into a pigtail. Unlike the shadow figures, this one had a light blue blouse and pants. Again the visors prevented her from seeing the color of her eyes or even her face.
Stolen story; please report.
The next one was older this one from the frame she can easily tell he was male just like the rest of the shadow ninjas. He was taller than the female figure but seems less tall than her with red hair spiked in different directions. He was dressed in a green robe with a sword on his back. His black jeans seemed to be carrying pockets where ninja tools could be concealed. The noticeable feat of both of them was the necklaces they both carried. While the male had a fiery red dragon the female had a watercolored blue dragon.
“You are a very agile intruder.” Well, she was technically intruding in their territory so is understandable why the boy will say that.
“I have a question. For what purpose did you come here?” Ah, so they haven't heard the news.
“I came because Inès sent me here.”
“Inès?”
“Do you believe that...”
“Haruka,” So the name of the one that was going to question her about the bespectacled secretary was Haruka...she remembered Aeris talking about her. They never went to this stage in the story mode but she heard that the girl is stubborn and mistrustful of others. But...she was very loyal to her brother. Which means...
“Brother!”
“How do you know about our village hidden in the waterfalls?” Questioned the boy. Yuma needs to choose her the next words carefully.
“I'm Yuma Ishitsu. I was sent here to help. She said that only I can enter a specific part of the village because of my race and that I needed to look for Haruko or Haruka.” It seems that the male was contemplating before nodding. She felt the pressure from her arm and back ease and she stood up before moving her arm that had her capacity blocked out of her before feeling her movement flow.
“Come, and do not try anything.” Warned Haruko. Not soon followed by his sister who gave Yuma a mistrusted glare before following suit.
()
Being guided through the village she could see that some of the ninjas were constructing weapons and even teaching kids how to become better ninjas.
“Our society is always at wars vs the samurais of the other village run by the blind samurai Kenshin. Although I believe that another shogun is behind said attacks.” Explained Haruko as they walked.
“Another shogun?” So there's a bit of lore in this.
“Yes. I have met Kenshin. He is one of the noblest people I have ever met in my life. We have fought a few times but in those fights, we...understood each other, even were able to communicate our ideals and goals. He wants peace in his land, I want to end the war between our races. However, most opposed to this including on our part. You can never trust a scumbag samurai some say. Well, they are not wrong about some.”
“Then why do you seek something that you know is opposed by the majority of your race?” asked Yuma.
“Is very simple...because,” He took the visors off to show his light blue eyes.
“I promise my parents to bring peace to our village. I am sure you have disagreements with someone before, have you not?” Well...
“When you put it that way...I guess so.” She does disagree with some of the things Adel says about the ninjas. So she understands somewhat what he means by that.
“We're here.” Yuma looked and is amazed to see what it is...in fact...
“What is this?”
“Is the entrance to the Royal Cave. Only those who are descendant of the Royal Ninja family or chosen to hold said family's traditions may enter.” Answered Haruko's sister Haruka.
“Only we are allowed to enter as we are of the latter. However, since you are needed for this mission we can make an exception.”
“Be grateful that you are even allowed to even step foot in it.” If she wasn't an A.I. Yuma would've slapped some sense into this brat girl.
“I'll keep that in mind.”
“You better.” Saying this Haruko and Haruka stepped into two circles and start doing hand-signs before two dragons appeared. The two dragons made of fire and icy cold water danced around each other before entering the two orbs that locked the gate to the Royal Cave. For being young this two seem like they can fight on their own.
“They are,”
“Miss Inès.”
“Haruko and Haruka are the Guardians of Sector 7 and with it are responsible for protecting their own Village Hidden in the Waterfalls. They are very skillful prodigies of the ice/water and fire/thunder style jutsus.” Will explain this.
“In any case, they will be of great help so be careful Yuma. Once you enter this place we won't be able to monitor your movements and the further you get the worse our audio communication will become.” The bespectacled secretary informed the female long black-haired kunoichi. So once she enters the blip that shows her location will vanish of their map...hmm, if this is implemented in the game it will be difficult to find their enemies once they get a coordinator. Even more, it will become more difficult to warn allies of incoming enemies if they get too further. Question is how much further?
“Understood.”
“Well, shall we go inside Miss Ishitsu?”
“Yes.” The gate opens up with a dragon's roar before all three ninjas entered.
()
As predicted Yuma's blue dot disappeared from the map that the white hat hackers and Inès have on screen.
“Miss Ishitzu, can you hear me?”
“*static*...Yeah...I can hear you.” Hmm seems that the static is starting to get through their side. They're not even a few meters in and they can barely hear the black-haired teen.
“From here on out you will have to be our eyes.”
“...Yes...” If they can figure at least the characteristic of the bug they can see who might be behind some of them or at least what went wrong with the upload. Either way, this bug could be dangerous if they ever display this worldwide.
()
The three ninjas were running and jumping from ledge to ledge at high levels of speed.
“So...what's the history of this place?”
“Is none of your business.” Rude much?
“Is something that is sacred Miss Ishitzu, there are some secrets in Omega that should always be kept that way. All I can tell you is that whoever is to be the leader of the Yin and Yang Dragons must enter this cave and pass a test.”
“A test?” She wonders...what kind of test do they have to pass.
“You're asking way too much.”
“Hey, I want to know at least what I should be careful about! What with your grudge against me?!”
“My grudge is that you are not a real ninja!”
“What the hell is that suppose to mean?!” Seriously, what's with Haruko's sister?!
“Both of you be quiet, I assumed you were sent by the creator's assistant to get something. The sooner we get it the better.” He is correct. Inès told her that there wouldn't be enough time. But what bug could it be?! Wait.
“Hold up!” The two siblings stop.
“What is it now?!”
“Do you sense that?!” Haruko closes his eyes. Being the experience of the two...
“What? I don't sense anything.” He should be able to sense whatever the black-haired ninja is sensing...There!
“Impressive, even I wouldn't have stopped to sense that from this distance.” Yuma felt a bit proud of that she won't lie. Haruka however, wasn't happy that her brother was complimenting a stranger.
“What do you think it is?” Yuma asked.
“Hmm...is not shadows that's for sure.” Shadows?
“They are enemies that players will encounter, as the names state they are huge dark shadows with different forms. They feed on Power Capacity and will be a factor in the challenge.” Ah, she sees. That's very thoughtful of them.
“Do you think is the enemy that Inès was speaking of?” Asked Yuma.
“Maybe.” He hasn't sensed this before. What could it be? And why is its Power Capacity increasing?
()
Advancing thru the cave they heard a shriek so loud that they have to cover their ears.
“What is that infernal sound?!” As they get closer they saw some red dots larger than a beach ball. The closer they got the better the responsible figure was described.
“...Yuma...Wh...is...?” The static and barely heard voice of Inès could only symbolize the black-haired teen that they were too deep in the cave.
The creature a 35-meter black bat with huge red eyes was...eating a black mass that looked human.
“A bat?!” The bat sensed them and look at them before screeching.
Such a sound was very distorted that their hearing was gone.
“Damn!” All three of them dodged as the bat attacked and created piles of rocks from the rocky ground that flew in different directions. On the move, Yuma could still not hear but thanks to the huge size of the creature can see it coming her way. The black-haired kunoichi using her speed dodged and threw some of her normal kunais only for this to bounce on the hard skin of the creature.
“...Y....o...Way!” Barely could hear Yuma. She assumed someone warned her because looking at her surroundings she saw Haruka doing hand signs. Jumping out of the way and climbing the body of the creature she saw some sort of ticks walking around the bat before jumping out of the way.
“Water Formation: Waterfall!” Water starts forming around Haruka before a vortex of water similar to a waterfall went toward the bat crashing it to the ground.
“Take this!” Haruko with his sword did an upper slash that cut the left-wing of the bat making it screech in agony as the blood splattered all over the cave. Yuma not being left behind uses her kunai sword to cut its ear off. However, after a few seconds, the three ninjas were surprised that the bat was regenerating itself.
“It just regenerated the damage!” Haruka frustrated that hers and her brother's attack went to waste said. This bat was indeed a bug, Yuma does remember this pattern of regeneration from their previous encounters.
“It will keep regenerating unless we take down the source of the regeneration.”
“Where are we going to find that?!” Yuma thought for a moment until it hits her right on the head.
“The head.”
“The head?”
“I saw some ticks roaming around his head. If we take those ticks out we might be able to destroy this bug.” Yuma suggested. Haruko thought about this...they might as well go with this plan at this point.
“Alright.”
“Brother! You're just going to listen to her just like that?!” The sister said with exasperation.
“Is the only idea we have. I trust Yuma on this.”
“Why?”
“Because if we're going to survive...We need to work as a team.” Team, that's a first to hear from the sister of a hero. Yuma, on the other hand, was thinking of a strategy to take care of the ticks. If they can manage to get up there without the bat reacting in defense they might be able to solve this problematic situation.
“Heads up!” The timing was great enough for the three that the bat let itself vulnerable. From different sides, Haruko and Yuma climbed the wings before reaching the head. Upon reaching it Haruko saw the ticks Yuma spoke. Without any hesitation, both ninjas cut thru some of them. Because of the thickness from sucking on the head of the bat bug, the blood splashed on the fur of the giant bat a waterfall even some of it splattered on their masks. Their weapons were painted in red which will make a normal player wonder if that was the actual color of their weapons.
“Watch out!” Pushing Yuma out of the way Haruko blocked one of the ticks who open its mouth to show its buzzsaw teeth. The boy just tossed aside to fall to the hard ground making a splat sound resulting in more red blood to scatter to the floor. Still, something was not right...He doesn't know what it is but something tells him that this is not the only ticks that are on this bat. But where would they be hidden?!
His sister was throwing shurikens but he was still not hurt. Hmm, it seems pretty suspicious that the bat wasn't bothered by the ticks sucking on its blood?
“Hyah!” Haruka got smacked by one of the bat's wings before Yuma and Haruko were shaken off by the bat itself. Did it got bothered?! Maybe...
“Haruka!” Haruko sprint to aid his sister, Yuma from the other side...who got first...
Haruka was ready to admit her fate...however, that fate never came because...
“Brother!!” Haruko was holding the bat's mouth from eating him. He got there first before pushing his sister and taking the bite.
“Yuma! Protect my sister! Haruka...Believe in her and remember, have faith!” With that, the bat closed his mouth and...ate Haruko.
“Noooo!” Yuma felt something inside her...It was as if she lost a friend...Using her speed she grabbed Haruka by the arm and dragged her out of the way of the bat trying to eat the sister of the now consumed boy.
“Get a hold of yourself! We have to figure out what to do to defeat this bug!”
“It is your fault that he is dead!”
“For Fuck sake! Would you stop being stupid for once?!” Well, that shut the girl...Think Yuma those tick might have done some effect on it. Calm down, no need to be angry and frustrated. There has to be one missing...but where?!
“Tch...Can you use something to keep that bug in one place?” The only thing left is to keep it still and check every part of its body with her speed. The only way she can think of right now.
“There...is...” Haruka can't even think...well your brother was eaten by a giant bat, I mean anyone will be in a petrified state. Still, her brother would've continued with the mission and even get revenge on those who dare hurt his sister. So she will do the same.
“Okay, I will be the bait you do what you can to perform the jutsu.” With that set Yuma went to face the giant bat.
“Hey ugly over here!” The bat turns to see the black-haired kunoichi before screeching. Learning from last time Yuma has made sure to cover her ears so she wouldn't be deafened by the sound. The black-haired kunoichi proceeded to use her kunai swords to slash on the legs of the bat. The bat in retaliation flap its wings to create a gust of wind threw Yuma out of the loop. The black-haired ninja stood her ground after a while before jumping out of the way of the bat charging straight at her.
“Anytime!” urgently said Yuma to Haruka. Haruka just ignored her as she starts doing hand signs in a rapid matter. Snowy particles started surrounding her. With this, she will be able to avenge her brother!
Yuma felt the area grow cold. She could see the smoke from her mouth coming out because of how cold it was becoming. Is she trying to freeze her too? Nonetheless, she has to keep pressuring on and bear the cold.
“Ice Style: Ice Dragon Prison!” The snowflakes became more solid and created a dragon surrounding the bat before it encased it in a cube of ice imprisoning the bug in a prison made out of the cube.
“...Is over...”
*Crack*
The sound of Ice cracking was heard before the bat broke free. It just made it more angry and hostile. It lasted also for a few seconds. Yuma went to attack it only to get swung to the rocky wall. The Bat slowly approached Haruka but just before it could sink its fangs on the young kunoichi it stopped.
Confused why it stopped the sister of Haruko wonders why her end didn't come before the stomach of the bat split open with a giant X mark. From the bloody stomach came someone. That someone, was the red-haired ninja himself. In his hand he hell something, a giant tick that was struggling to bite him before he lifts the tick in the air and slashed it in half with his sword made of fire.
“Brother!” Said the girl happy to see his brother in one piece instead of a hundred.
()
Thank the two dragons that he had mastered the minimized jutsu and was able to avoid getting digested by the creature. His clothes tattered because of some of the acid and not to mentioned he had to fight six of those things inside the belly of the beast.
“How...?”
“It was the only way we could defeat the bug. I knew you two will find a way to work together.” Haruko was proud that the two set their differences aside in order to focus on one common goal. It is not easy fighting inside the belly of the beast when it is constantly moving. Besides he knew his sister had something to do with the sudden temperature decrease inside. It gave him enough time to take care of the ticks very quickly.
“Well, We're are a team, right?”
“Humph!” Haruko took his mask to smiled at Yuma.
“Yes...Team.”
()
“We are getting a signal...Is them...” So they managed to complete the task.
“Inès Is Yuma...We have taken care of the bug.”
“Understood...you did well you three.” The bespectacled secretary told Yuma. Testing the black-haired teen from Japan was a very good decision. If something happens that requires her to come to the cave again then she can guide the group without any problems.
()
“Yuma where were you?” The pink-haired asked her friend.
“Oh just...hanging with my very own ninja clan.” Yuma will not forget that day...the day that she met the Guardians of the Ninja Village. The Ninja Siblings: Haruko and Haruka.