Osaka, Japan
Sakura Co.
April 8th, 2023
Amidst the resonance of rain and thunder outside, the door of the tall building creaked open. As they turned their attention towards the entrance, their excitement turned to concern as they saw Shino struggling to carry an injured man, his orange hair soaked with rain.
"Shino! Captain Alrich!" Tsumi called out in alarm, rushing to their aid.
Tsumi, Rika, Iris, and several other Cat Crusade members rushed towards Shino, who was struggling to carry the unconscious Captain Alrich.
"What happened?" Tsumi asked urgently.
Shino's breath was heavy, his black hair soaked with rain as he spoke. "We were ambushed by the damned creatures. Yuta... he didn't make it. They were too strong, and they captured Alice and Mike," he explained, his voice filled with a mixture of grief and determination
As the crowd parted, Shino's eyes met Rika's, and a wave of relief washed over him. "Rika! You're here!" he called out, his voice betraying both surprise and joy.
Without hesitation, Tsumi took Captain Alrich's unconscious body from Shino's arms, directing her fellow Cat Crusade members to assist the injured captain. Meanwhile, Rika and Shino closed the distance between them, and in that moment of chaos and uncertainty, they found solace in each other's embrace, a reminder of the unbreakable bond they shared as friends.
"I'm so glad you're safe," Rika whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
"I couldn't bear the thought of losing you too," Shino replied, his grip on her tightening as if to reaffirm her presence.
"We'll find Alice and Mike. We won't leave them behind," Rika said with conviction, determination resurfacing within her.
"We will, together," Shino said, echoing her determination. "With the Cat Crusade and our friends by our side, we'll bring them back."
As the team rallied, Captain Alrich was brought to a safe location, and Shino quickly briefed them on the details of the ambush. The damned creatures had shown an unprecedented level of strength and coordination, catching them off guard and inflicting significant casualties.
"We need a plan," Iris said, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation.
Tsumi nodded in agreement. "We should gather more information on their location and their numbers before we attempt a rescue mission. We can't afford any more surprises."
"I'm gonna make a team of mystics for reconnaissance. We should prepare in the meantime while our captain is still out," Iris said determinedly.
"It's too dangerous. We should wait for our captain to wake up before deciding what to do next," Tsumi replied, her concern evident.
"We can't waste any more time—" Iris began to retort.
"We can't have anyone risking their lives any longer. We need cohesion. We need to work together," Shino interrupted, his voice filled with seriousness.
"Shino's right," Captain Alrich said, having just woken up from unconsciousness.
He slowly sat up, with Tsumi helping him. He groaned a little and touched his head, still feeling the lingering pain. Rika approached the captain and offered to heal him.
"Can I?" Rika asked.
"Oh, a new face. Well, sure," Captain Alrich replied, allowing Rika to place both of her hands at his back. A soft green light glowed from her hands, revitalizing him.
"Ah, I feel alive again. Thank you," Alrich said with gratitude. "Anyways, I'm glad you're back, Iris, and welcome to the team," he added, turning to Rika with a warm smile. Rika nodded in response, appreciating the captain's welcome.
With the captain fully awake, the focus returned to their urgent situation. Alrich gathered the Cat Crusade members around him, and they listened intently as he addressed them.
"This time was different. Our adversaries have become more formidable than ever. Compared to the impulsive and chaotic damned creatures we faced before, they now possess intelligence as high as ours, and their cooperative tactics have increased. We cannot remain passive any longer. It's time to bring the fight to them," Alrich declared, his voice carrying a mix of determination and resolve.
The other Cat Crusade members cheered in response, their spirits uplifted by their captain's rallying words. They knew that the battle ahead would be treacherous, but with unity and strategy, they believed they could prevail.
"We'll work together, combining our strengths and powers," Shino said, standing beside Rika, his eyes reflecting unwavering loyalty to their cause.
"We'll fight as one, protecting our city and those we hold dear," Tsumi declared, her kimono billowing in the wind.
"Gather the captains! We need to prepare for an upcoming war," Alrich said, and the Cat Crusade members scattered to fulfill their respective tasks. "Shino, you'll replace Yuta's position as a squad captain. Iris and the new girl will be under your squad from now on."
Shino nodded, accepting the responsibility with determination. As the new captain, he knew he had big shoes to fill, but he was ready to lead his team into battle.
Moments later, all of the Cat Crusade members had gathered in the hall. Alrich took a seat on a chair positioned on the stage, with smaller empty chairs on his sides, representing the positions of the captains. Tsumi sat on the left, next to Alrich, and Shino took his place on the right. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as they awaited the arrival of the other captains.
From the crowd, a bright pink-haired man climbed up the stage and sat next to Shino. He greeted Shino with a friendly handshake and smiled eagerly. He then relaxed into his chair, crossing his left leg over his right while leaning back.
"It's good that you're here, Raven," Alrich said, glancing at the pink-haired man.
"No probs, cap!" Raven replied with a wink.
Just moments after, a ginger-haired woman appeared, exuding elegance in her long black-red dress adorned with intricately styled peacock feathers. She gracefully sat beside Tsumi and glanced at the crowd with a confident smile.
"Nice to see you, Phi," Tsumi greeted her warmly.
"Of course, you are," Phi replied with a chuckle, acknowledging Tsumi's compliment.
With the captains assembled, the atmosphere in the hall became charged with determination and camaraderie. Each captain had their unique strengths and abilities, and together, they formed a formidable force, ready to defend their city from the encroaching darkness.
Alrich stood up, his presence commanding the attention of the room. "We face a formidable enemy, one that has become smarter and more coordinated than ever before," he began. "But we have something they don't - the strength that comes from unity and friendship."
The room echoed with cheers and nods of agreement. Alrich continued, his voice steady and resolute. "We will prepare for this war with all our might. We will gather intelligence, strengthen our defenses, and strategize our attacks. And above all, we will never leave anyone behind."
The captains nodded in unison, their determination mirrored in their eyes. The Cat Crusade was united as one, prepared to face the darkness with unwavering courage and resolve.
As they planned and prepared, Rika felt a deep sense of pride and belonging among her new comrades. Each member brought their unique abilities and personalities to the table, forming a bond that transcended mere teamwork. They were a family, ready to protect each other and their city at all costs.
In the days that followed, the Cat Crusade grew stronger, their spirits uplifted by their shared purpose. Rika trained diligently, honing her abilities alongside her new friends. As she stood shoulder to shoulder with the other mystics, she felt an unbreakable bond with them, knowing that they were fighting not just for themselves, but for the future of their world.
One evening, while the sun was setting, Rika found herself on the rooftop of Sakura Co., gazing out at the city's skyline. Shino joined her, leaning against the railing beside her. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" he remarked, looking out at the horizon.
"It is," Rika replied, a soft smile forming on her lips. "I never imagined I'd be a part of something like this, but I'm grateful for it."
Shino glanced at her with a warm smile. "We're glad to have you with us, Rika. Your presence has brought a new light to the Cat Crusade."
As the days passed, the Cat Crusade grew stronger, their spirits uplifted by their shared purpose. Each member was assigned specific roles based on their abilities, forming a well-coordinated team that would face the darkness with unwavering courage and resolve.
One evening, gathered around a bonfire in the courtyard of Sakura Co., the Cat Crusade members shared stories of their past, finding solace in the company of those who understood their struggles. Raven, the pink-haired man, recounted a daring escape from a group of damned creatures, managing to save several civilians in the process. Phi, the ginger-haired woman, spoke of her journey from a talented dancer to a mystic with a passion for combat.
"None of us expected to have powers like this, but we've embraced them and used them for good," Phi said, her eyes gleaming with determination.
"And we'll continue to do so, no matter what comes our way," Raven added, raising his glass in a toast.
Their camaraderie and shared experiences further solidified the bond between the mystics, and Rika felt grateful to be a part of this family. Even in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty, they found moments of laughter and joy, cherishing each other's company and finding strength in their unity.
As the days turned into weeks, their preparations intensified, and the Cat Crusade became a well-oiled machine, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. They trained tirelessly, honing their skills and developing new strategies to combat the growing threat.
Finally, the day of the decisive battle arrived. The Cat Crusade, united as one, stood at the forefront, their spirits soaring with determination. The captains, Alrich, Tsumi, Shino, Phi, and Raven, led their respective squads with unwavering resolve.