-Chapter 29: Dystopia
I pull out a black key from my purse with two cute pictures on it. Cat and Dog, huh? Did he seriously have to figure out how to make a key for my system? I didn't even know that he could do that. That Horobi...he's really something.
"I am back with your results from all the things you did today for us, Ms. Snow," the HumaGear doctor lady says and I tuck my key back in and look up.
"Okay, go on." I don't need to wait to hear what is going on with myself. I am strong enough to deal with this all now that I'm pretty much healed up and not running a fever.
"The original doctor you saw for this in the United States years ago was correct about the scar tissue. In your current state, it is hard for you to even have a child. You would need to remove scar tissue and potentially have a few more treatments after that if it doesn't go well the first time. Also, your hormones aren't at the right levels either."
I close my eyes and lean back, nodding my head. "I understand." Of freaking course! Why wouldn't it be okay for me to go and do what I want?
I don't blame this doctor for anything. She's just doing her job as a HumaGear and they're pretty accurate with it. So, my hormones aren't where they should be, huh? I need to start that treatment eventually, but the first step is scar tissue removal.
"I'll give you a moment before you go. Once you're ready to leave this room, you can leave. Thank you for coming in today." She is so polite and sweet for a HumaGear. I'm glad they have women ones.
I open my eyes and place my hand on my stomach as she exits, leaving through a door to her right. I don't know why I thought I could even have kids. I have to jump through so many hops and spend all kinds of money for it. And a sperm donor? I don't even have that lined up.
There are only a few things going on my life that are positive. Those two things are: my HumaGear hosts and Kairi. Everything else is awful pretty much.
I stand up and turn to the mirror on the wall, which is small. Even with this new face of mine, nothing has really changed. I'm not going to get my ability to easily have kids back. Allen stole that from me and it sucks that he did. Was it a mistake to change my face in the end?
No...it wasn't a mistake, right? It is okay that I changed it, since it saved me for so long. Allen didn't know who I was when he first got here. He only knew who I was because of Jin making him see how I look. He knew it from my eyes. That look of being scared is what he knew.
I have no choice but to live with this now. I have no hope to have a kid at a moment because of the cost and all the treatments I'll have to go through. I had no clue that my hormones were out of whack.
I turn, heading to the door. This isn't the life I want, but it is the life I have. I live with two male terrorists who are so robots. I know that Horobi is, but I don't want to believe it yet. He doesn't eat or sleep. I know that he isn't human, but I want to believe there is something human in him somewhere. But why? Why do I?
I open the door and step out, sighing. "Hey, what are you doing here, Mari?" Huh? Aruto is here?
I turn, my eyes landing on Aruto and Izu. "What are you two doing here? Did something happen to someone you know?" I ask. I didn't expect these two to arrive here as soon as I got done.
"I just got done with my appointment not too long ago and I'm just walking around now. I'm impressed by this hospital since it is ran by HumaGears!" Aruto exclaims. "Right, Izu?"
It looks like Aruto is doing well and his appointment went very well. I am glad that he had a good one. I wouldn't want him to feel miserable after one. He deserves to be happy.
"HumaGears are designed to do all kinds of jobs and they excel in the medical field due to the care they can provide. They're very accurate and handle the patients very well due to them being designed to handle certain needs. Healthcare has improved greatly due to the HumaGears being made to be used in the medical field." Izu smiles.
"I'm going to find the vending machines. That's if they have them though, which I have no clue if you have vending machines at the hospitals here in Japan. Oh, I hope everything went well for you."
"Oh, we do and it all went well." Aruto grins. "Just go near the waiting area and there should be one near by. If not, then I'm mistaken about this one."
"Well, you can head off to wherever you're going. I'm going to hunt down this vending machine that might be a myth," I reply, laughing a little. I want to sit down and take a breather. This has been one rough morning.
"Alright, see you later!" Aruto nods and looks at Izu. "Let's go."
Izu nods. "Alright. Goodbye for now, Mari."
They move ahead, going around me. I wonder if they're having a good day. I sure hope that I end up with a good day.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Mari?"
I turn, my eyes landing on a familiar face. A woman with light pink hair, red lipstick, and beautiful fringe right above her eyebrows. Her eyes look like cat eyes due to her liner and choice of color contacts and her cheeks are a light pink color. She's beautiful.
"Nina Date?" I gasp. I haven't seen her since I left to train to be a Kamen Rider. She used to help me around before I got selected for it.
She grins, eyes smiling brightly as she lifts up her hand to her face. "Like my sexy red manicure? I just got in done," she asks, laughing. "Anyways, that isn't what I want to talk to you about." She drops her hand down.
"How are you doing? I am so in love with your tight black dress that is super lacy." She is one of those hot ladies guys want to be with at the clubs.
"I'm alright, girl. You're looking good, so I can assume that you're doing well," she answers. "But why are you at a hospital? Did you get hurt on the job? Being a Kamen Rider must be seriously tough on your body."
I laugh, shaking my head. "No, just a wellness check is all. Uh...I am well, I guess. I am just trying to figure out things at the . moment. You know, nothing serious."
"Ah, in between things, huh? It happens, I guess." She looks me over. "I think you should know that I'm here because I've been moved onto the Abyss project. The company is sort of restructuring due to some other company stepping into help us fund more technology to expand Abyss' reach."
"Ah, really?" So, she's going to be here for now, huh? She just got a huge upgrade from doing paperwork and taking calls for higher up people all day long.
"Yes, I'm here for that." She nods. "I am just honored to be working alongside you once again. Honestly, it is wonderful! I heard that someone did take the Abyss Key from you. MetsubouJinrai.NET, correct?"
"Yes." More like Horobi snatched it to keep it out of my reach to protect me from the power inside of it. My guess is that he wants to use it somehow for his horrible world domination plot.
"I'm surprised that they would take it. Abyss isn't something select people can handle. It is a strong source of power and once you get it back, I'll tune it for you if I can. I am good in that area now." She winks.
"Ah, wonderful!" I grin. "I will do so once I do."
"I believe in you." She looks around. "So, who were you talking to just a moment ago? They seemed like a good couple."
"Couple?" What? Aruto and Izu? "No, she's a HumaGear ands he works for him. They're more like siblings than a couple."
It is the truth. Honestly, Aruto wouldn't be into someone like her. And she totally isn't into him due to him being like family. I can tell these things.
"Oh, I see. So, do you have a boyfriend yet? Maybe him?" She moves closer to me and grins, wriggling her brows.
I look away, laughing hard. "Me? Dating him? No, I couldn't possibly be dating him," I laugh. There is no way
"Yes, you could if you wanted to."
"Ah, not yet, Nina," I say, looking back at her. "I hope to have a boyfriend one day, but not at the moment. I'm busy being a Kamen Rider and what not. I can't even think about starting a family at the moment." But I actually am. I really desire having my own child and Horobi having Jin isn't helping the cause.
"Hmm...knowing you like I do..." She gets even closer and hooks her arm with mine, linking us together. "You like someone!"
"What?" I don't like anyone. I would know if I liked someone.
"You so got a crush on someone. Admit it!" She jumps up and down, giggling. She's such a little girl sometimes.
"Why are you questioning me on this? Don't you have someone to toss your love at?" I look away, face burning.
I don't think I like anyone right now. The only one that could even be an option is Horobi since he's mature and like a man. Even though his hair is fried looking and he lacks an actual personality, he's quite handsome. But that is just visually. He's only physically appealing and that is it.
It isn't like I have a chance with Horobi. I'm a Human and he's probably a HumaGear. We're two different kinds of things and he hates humans. So, we won't ever have a chance together. Besides, a higher power would have to give the a-okay on that one since he is a terrorist.
"You like someone a lot. Look at your red cheeks."
I look into her eyes and she smiles widely. Okay, maybe she is right. I probably do like someone, but it isn't Horobi.
"I don't know any single guys." I do, but they're emotionally not there.
Horobi is the kind of guy who will reject anyone point blank. He basically said no to me already, even though I showed no interest in him. I'm not something that interests him physically. Does that mean I'm ugly to him? Why am I feel self conscious right now?
"Do you think he's the one? You know, the one you're so thinking about right now." She releases my arm and winks. "Come on, you have to know."
"No." There is no possible way that I like Horobi. Absolutely zero. He's a human hating robotic man.
"Are you sure?"
I am honestly so sure about how it is between me and Horobi. Horobi would never approve of someone like me being with him. Never ever.
"I am pretty sure of how things are between me and this man. Anyways, I should get going. I need to take a break for a bit before I get to work. It is important for me to be ready for my job."
Nina sighs. "Fine, fine."
"Have fun finding true love!"
"Oh, I don't need to have fun to do so. I always find love."
~.~
I look around as people scream, covering themselves from falling debris. Something attacked this hospital. That something is a giant robot that seems to want to attack everyone in this hospital. And I know what that means. MetsubouJinrai.
I look over, turning a bit as a girl ducks her head. I shouldn't be focusing on that right now. I need to focus on the people around me and how to help them get out of this mess so they don't end up deceased.
I bend over the girl as she cowers, not wanting to die, as debris fall again. I close my eyes as something hits my back, making me gasp. Ow! That is going to leave a pretty nice mark on me.
"Are you okay?" I ask, opening my eyes. I hope she's alright.
"Y-yes," she answers, looking up at me with her watery eyes.
"Let me help you out. And don't worry about me, okay? You need to focus on getting out of here," I tell her, putting my arm around her. I pull her up, getting her to her feet.
I move with her, facing her towards an open area, and release her. She moves forward, running. She's going to be alright, I hope.
I turn, looking up as a giant robot hits the building again. Where did Horobi and Jin find that awful looking thing? Seriously, it looks like trash. Whoever came up with the idea for this should fire themselves from the job. I could design a better robot than that and I'm just a Kamen Rider who fears her ex-husband and got plastic surgery just to get away. Also, I am also a woman who lives with two terrorists and pretends to not know anything about them.
Something touches my back and yanks me, pulling me back. "Ah!" I gasp, my body colliding with the ground as the thing removes their hold from my shirt. That was something really strong!
I look over, where I just was, as something smacks into the ground. Okay, I could have gotten crushed. So, what? I should be thankful that I'm the only one getting saved from a crushing blow from above?
I turn my head, looking up and behind me a bit. Oh...it's just Horobi. I didn't expect him to pull me out of the way. No one asked him to help me. And I certainly don't need him helping me when out in public.
He looks away from me, eyes going up to the giant bot. "If you die here, how will you ever get your precious Abyss back?" he asks, acting like we hardly know each other. He's doing this to keep our little secret. I seriously hate him most of the time. Honestly, I do.
"I...I didn't need you to save me just because you want to torment me with my key!" I exclaim. "It isn't like I mind dying for other people. Unlike you, I care for others." I mean that. I do care for other people unlike him.
"Mari!"
I look over as Izu rushes towards me, holding out her hand for me. I take it and she pulls me up, getting me off the ground. My knees are freaking burning! Thanks, Horobi!
"Izu, you should help the others in need. Also, where is Kairi?" I ask. If she is here, that means the others are close.
"Isamu left her at Hiden Intelligence earlier due to needing to get checked out. He didn't want to lead her around the hospital while he is getting checked for some reason. I do not understand what he found problematic." Izu stares at me. "I will handle the others. Please, get to safety."
"Okay." I nod. "Be careful."
"I will. Thanks for your concern."
She turns, heading towards the victims, and I look over at Aruto and the others. I step towards them and swallow hard. Now I just need to blend in and act like I have never seen this man in my life. Of course, I don't need to act like I haven't seen Jin before. I know Jin. Everyone knows Jin.
I stop and turn, eyes landing on Horobi and Jin as they watch the giant bot attack the building. They're enjoying this, I'm sure. If anything, Jin is really enjoying this. He likes big, shiny things attacking buildings. I can tell.
"MetsubouJinrai!" Isamu shouts. "What the heck are you guys up to?"
"We're making friends!" Jin answers, sounding happy. He turns to us, Horobi doing the same.
"This isn't what it is meant to be like! HumaGears and humans are meant to live together in peace," Aruto shouts. "They're not meant to bring destruction upon us."
"That is because we're not Humans," Horobi states. "That is why we're doing this." He reaches up to his headband and pulls it off, Jin following his lead. Of course, he's lifting up his hair after removing his hood.
I gasp as Horobi's ear piece shows, cracks around where the bigger part should be. I see that he has purple, pink, and red lights on his. I have never seen that before. And Jin's...his is red and black. They have such unique pieces there, huh?
"They're HumaGears!" Yua seems surprised. I'm not totally surprised about that, but I am surprised that all I think about is some robot. So sad.
I don't know if this changes the fact that I trust Horobi a bit and that I find him attractive. Is it wrong to find something beautiful? No. Is it wrong to want to draw an evil robot with no feelings all day? Yes, it sure is!
"No...there is no way..." Aruto says, sounding shocked. Well, not all HumaGears are perfect it seems.
"Why are you attacking these people?" Isamu shouts, questioning Horobi.
"The Ark has decided that this is how it should be." Horobi pulls his headband down, adjusting it back into place with ease. "It has been decided that humankind is the species that needs to be slaughtered." Culling, right?
"Giger, destroy them all!" Jin exclaims, hood back over his pretty head. He is now pointing at that dumb robot that looks dumb as heck and almost killed me!
I look at the HumaGears helping people as something shoots at them, stabbing them. They're hacking them...right? That is why they attacked here. They needed to bypass security.
That's right. I get it now. This hospital was running on a private and secure network that they couldn't get through. In order to do so, they needed something powerful enough to break in through the hospital security. That is why they took whatever this Giger thing is.
"Dang it! They're hacking them!" Yua shouts.
Horobi pulls out his katana, looking disturbingly handsome while doing so, and holds it tightly. "HumaGears, it is the time for you to awaken!" He points the blade out, holding away from himself. "We shall inherit this planet and get rid of all the humans on it." Oh, now he's smirking. What a smug jerk!
"..." I am not sure if I should feel like this is hot or not. I think I should fangirl internally about him and this katana right now for no reason at all. Not into Horobi in the slightest.
"This is the will of MetsubouJinrai," he says, putting his sword back into where it normally sits on him when he walks around. Great. Fangirl time is over. Not like it was going to last long anyway.
"We're all friends now! Hurray!" Jin exclaims. "Hospitals aren't for getting better and saving humans." Uh...I got better in a hospital because Horobi knew he couldn't do anything himself for me. So, I would like to beg to differ.
"Wrong." Aruto? "HumaGears are the advancement that humans have always dreamt of! Mashiro is doing what she loves to do and that is helping others."
I look at that woman he's talking about. She looks like she's not there-there right now. I think that isn't a good thing either.
Mashiro laughs, which sounds totally creepy, and her skin changes. Well, now she's gone. She's lost to the Magia Promise Land now.
I pull out my driver and key as my back burns. I need to fight to save the rest of the people needing to get away. I know some are still lurking around and are in danger.
"Ah..." I can't fight can I?
"Mari, let us do this," Isamu tells me.
I turn to him and nod my head. "Alright, go on." I am not going to be able to fight anyone at this rate. Great! Another day of being their cheerleader like some lame character in an action story who is there to please all men.
I turn back ahead as Horobi stares, eying us coldly. I seriously hope that no one touches him. He doesn't deserve to go down like this. Not like he should live or anything. I don't care what happens to him.
"Little Assassin, go for Zero-One," Horobi orders, sounding a bit too thrilled about his order. I think he thinks this is all going well for him.
Oh, I forgot that thing exists. Mostly because I never actually see him when I'm home with them. I think he only comes in when I'm not there so they can have a meeting. Those secretive jerks! And is he putting a hit out on Aruto? That is not cool!
"HumaGears are weapons and a threat to all of humankind!" Isamu shouts, trying to open his key. "All of them should be destroyed but Kairi! But only because she is good at folding my clothes for me." Uh-huh, sure thing, buddy! Just admit that Kairi is amazing and good at all kinds of things and is just good to have around period.
Jin pulls out his stuff and transform, doing it quickly. Everyone but me is now being a super hero. Well, kind of. Izu is just kind of there supporting Aruto. Also, Horobi is just standing there looking good in the sunlight. Of course, just appearance wise. I don't think he's handsome all the way.
~.~
I move out of the way of a Magia, dodging an attack as my back burns. Why did Horobi have to make this happen? I am injured and fighting to stay alive right now! Too many evil things out tonight!
Horobi is just so cocky and full of himself. All he does is stand there and smirk while talking about his precious "Ark". Why doesn't he go and marry this thing and leave me the heck alone?
"Bye-bye, Valkyrie," Jin says and I turn, my eyes landing on Jin pointing his attache arrow at her.
I think that is the name of it. I know it because Yua was saying something to me about avoiding any attacks from it since I'm a civilian right now. Not like I can pay attention to every little detail when so much is going on around us. It is just too hard to do that.
Jin falls away, Isamu moving towards him with a gun, and he looks up. Man, I'm missing out on all the fun! I seriously want to join in and have fun!
"Not bad, A.I.M.S.," Jin comments, praising them. He seriously going to praise them when they're double teaming him right now?
"No way!" I gasp as Horobi moves pass Jin. What is he doing here right now? He's never this hands on with their plans.
He smiles, looking cocky, as he points his katana at Isamu and Yua. "The day of our revolution has begun," he states. "Today will go down in history as the day MetsubouJinrai won." He puts the sword back into its thing, which is so sad for me right now, and lifts up a Forceriser with his other hand.
"He...he's going to transform?" I ask. No one is near me to hear me talk to myself, which is great. I don't need people knowing that I know Horobi.
Horobi puts it on his waist and pulls out his key that he showed me once, touching a button on it. He's going to do it! Oh, my goodness!
A scorpion appears, facing Isamu and Yua, and it turns. It stabs Horobi in the chest, making him absorb it. Wow! Now, that is so hot!
"So cool!" Jin exclaims, jumping up and down joyfully. Same, Jin, same.
I would voice my pleasure of experiencing his transformation into a Kamen Rider, but that would probably get me arrested and labelled a terrorist. Also, they might think I'm weird for enjoying it. Is it wrong that I love his transformation already?
"You...you're the one who was behind Daybreak!" Isamu shouts. So, Horobi is an old HumaGear? How old are we talking?
He charges at Horobi and Horobi holds up a hand, stopping him from hitting him. Does he typically fight like this? If so, he's amazing! Wait...I shouldn't be fangirling over someone so evil.
He knocks Isamu back and Isamu lifts up his weapon, trying to hurt Horobi's head. He ducks, making Isamu miss, and knocks him back again. Wow, this is amazing! Honestly, props to Horobi for being amazing.
"Fuwa, watch out!" Yua shouts. She falls back, Jin stepping towards her. Well, back to Horobi time.
Isamu shoves Horobi into a pillar and leans in a bit. "You're going to pay for what you did to me. You ruined my life!"
Horobi punches him right in the stomach and turns him into the pillar, reversing their positions. He puts a hand on his face and neck area. It is so hard to tell due to the suit. I'm assuming the neck maybe?
"I don't care about you. You're of no concern to me," Horobi states coldly. Well, I can understand that. Horobi only thinks about himself and his Ark it seems. He should totally marry it.
"Screw you!" Isamu shoves Horobi back and pulls out his weapon, pointing it at Horobi. He fires it, pressing down on the trigger multiple times. Oh...no!
"Horobi..." I hope he doesn't die from this and I'm glad no one is next to me. They would be seeing me freak out right now.
BOOM!
I swallow as the smoke clears, showing a purple suit in it. He's okay! He's really okay right now and he didn't die! Not like I care at all. I don't care what happens to Horobi. He can die for all my care. Yep.
"Humanity...it is sentenced to death," Horobi states, pulling out his stolen weapon. He pulls back his hand, firing an arrow at Isamu.
"Ah!" Isamu moans in pain, getting hit by Horobi's attack.
He falls to the ground and pushes himself up a bit, trying to get back fully on his feet. I feel sort of bad for him. He did challenge Horobi instead of letting him have his way. I would have just told Horobi to go with Jin and never come back. One thing I have learned today is that one shouldn't mess with Horobi.
"Now, take your last breath." Horobi moves towards Isamu as he stands up.
I think this where I should go at. I don't want to watch this go down. My friend...I don't want to see him die so young.