~Flashback~
"Brother...please wake up."
A single girl cried out as she held her older brother in her arms. The sound of several children fighting one another could be heard as they used their Ether Gear. This was part of something known as the Eden Project. To test those who have the potential to defeat the Demon King. In order to test them, the researchers behind this project had given the children one objective. The last one to survive will proceed.
"Please...Saechika, get up."
"Rui.....i'm sorry. It looks like, I can't protect you anymore. That's why, as your older brother, I have one selfish desire. Please Rui, you have to live."
Rui's eyes widen in shock when she noticed something. Saechika's heart beat had completely stopped. His breathing was no longer functioning. In her arms, her older brother's dead body was resting. Her eyes slowly began to lose the light in them. Her brother, her only family, was dead.
"Brother.........."
As Rui saw her older brother pass away, she was unaware of the ceiling above her beginning to crack. Soon small pieces of rubble fell on her head, but she didn't move. She refused to do so, not if it meant leaving behind her brother's body. Soon the ceiling began to crumble as huge chunks of rubble began to fall down. As Rui saw this, she closed her eye as if she was accepting this fate.
"Maybe...this is for the best. It's better than having to spend another minute in this place. Brother, i'm sorry I kept you waiting."
"Don't be quick to drop dead. You'll make your brother look stupid for saving you."
It was only a matter of moments. Rui was bracing herself for her body to be crushed by the enormous rubble. That feeling never came. Instead, she looked in shock as she saw the huge rubble reduced to mere pebbles as a boy her own age looked at her.
"........you really are a crybaby."
"EH?!"
"If you have time to cry, you have time to survive. Besides, I could hear it in your voice. Your desire to live."
"During that moment, I realized some things. The boy who saved me, his eyes lacked any light in them. They were truly empty, far worse than mine. His voice was cold, but his intention was the opposite. However, even to this day, I think the most memorable thing was his hair. So red....no. It's more beautiful than just a simple red. If I were to describe it...it would be scarlet."
~Flashback ends~
"Rui, is that really you?"
"...thank goodness, you're safe. You even used my real name."
"Of course I did, why wouldn't I?"
"Well....you have a certain habit. When you give people nicknames, it feels like you're trying to keep them at a distance while keeping them in the dark about it. The only times you use a real name is when you're serious, you can't come up with a nickname ...or when you're close to them."
Yuuki rubbed the back of his head nervously as a small smile appeared on his face. Meanwhile, Rui let a giggle escape from her lips. Out of all the Code Breakers, she felt like she got along with Yuuki the best. Though their small moment of joy came to an end as Yuuki spoke up.
"Considering the first thing you did was attack me, I assume that you're not here for just a reunion."
".......that's right. You see, Madame Kurenai wants to destroy the labor district."
"What?!"
"At first, she wanted to use the Oculus Kurenai. I was against it, so I told her I would see to it personally. I planned on telling the labor district workers about it so they could hurry and evacuate but......"
"I think that's quite enough."
Yuuki and Rui's eyes widen in shock as they heard a familiar voice. Before she knew it, Rui felt a hand on top of her head. When both herself and Yuuki looked at the person who just arrived, they couldn't hide their shock anymore.
"Hey there, you two."
"Hitomi!!!!!!"
As Hitomi greeted them, he suddenly held up his right hand as he caught a kick from Yuuki that was aimed at his head. Meanwhile, Rui could only look in shock. Yuuki was even faster than when he was in the Eden Project. It made sense since it's been years since they saw each other. Meanwhile, Hitomi laughed as he lets go of Yuuki's leg.
"Impressive, you certainly have gotten stronger. If you got rid of that personal code of not killing your enemy, you probably could've been Code Breaker #2 during the incident."
"What do you want you bastard?!"
Yuuki's rage was slowly beginning to rise as the sound he generated caused a tiny tremor to occur in the area. Seeing this, a smirk appeared on Hitomi's face.
"I came to tell Rui about the situation. You see, Madame Kurenai won't be destroying the labor district. It appears that Drakken Joe managed to hack into the Oculus Kurenai and take control. Not only that, a black haired boy is currently fighting her as she's being lured here."
"Shiki?! Dammit, come on Rui. Let's go!!!!"
Before Yuuki turned around, he saw Hitomi removing his left hand from on top of Rui's head. Suddenly Rui's eyes began to look dull. Just as Yuuki was about to approach her, he suddenly jumped backwards as he saw her swing an object that was created from the shadows around her.
"Rui?! What's going on?!"
"Knowing her, she can't fight her best against you due to her fondness, so I helped her out a bit. My Ether Gear,Wrath of Raijuu, allows me to manipulate and create electricity. By simply electrocuting a certain part of her brain, Rui here is now my loyal puppet."
"You bastard....WHAT ARE YOU AFTER?"
As Hitomi looked at Yuuki, a smile formed on his face. While the man was walking pass Yuuki, he stopped when he stepped beside him as he spoke up to answer the boy's question.
"We Code Breakers have grown far stronger from when the Lost Incident happened. I'm just here to test how much we've grown. Besides, you have more pressing matters than myself. Try not to kill her. She's your precious friend, right Yuuki?"
As Hitomi left, Yuuki swiftly jumped backwards as he avoided Rui's scythe. The moment that he did, he saw the look on her face. A dull expression on her face as tears were falling down from her face. As he clenched his fists, he screamed out as Hitomi heard him and chuckled.
"That's right Yuuki...lose your temper and let your guard down. It'll make controlling you even easier."