The radar inside the Slide Corp. headquarters beeped incessantly, capturing the attention of every operative in the room. On the screen, an anomaly signal had been detected, pointing to a location that hinted at Ishikawa's whereabouts. The room buzzed with tension as the commanding officer, General Sato, made a swift decision.
"Team Delta, prepare to move out. We have a possible sighting of Ishikawa. Bring him back, no matter the cost."
The team, clad in tactical gear, swiftly mobilized and boarded their transport vehicle. The landscape of the broken city sped past them, a blur of green and grey, as they made their way to the location.
---
Ishikawa lay unconscious, his bare chest marred by severe burn marks. His breathing was shallow, and his body twitched involuntarily. Shinra, sensing the approaching squad, disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ishikawa alone.
As the minutes ticked by, Ishikawa began to stir. His eyes fluttered open, and he groaned in pain, struggling to push himself up. The searing pain from his burns was almost unbearable, but something inside him dulled the edge, a strange energy he couldn't understand.
"Where... am I?"
He looked around, spotting the squad in the distance. Desperately, he tried to wave at them, but they didn't see him.
Meanwhile, the squad had noticed the Unconscious Seiji nearby. One of the leading members, Captain Hoshino, barked out orders.
"Private Natsume, secure the boy and provide first aid. The rest of you, follow the signal."
Private Natsume hurried to Seiji's side, checking his vitals and preparing to transport him back to the organization.
---
The radar beeped again, indicating they were close to Ishikawa's location. The team moved cautiously, their weapons at the ready. As they approached, they finally spotted him. Ishikawa stood, disoriented and confused, his body bearing the marks of painful battle.
"Hold your position! Don't move!"
Vice Captain Yamato yelled out leaving Ishikawa bewildered, raised his hands.
"Wait, what's going on? Why are you pointing guns at me?"
One of the squad members, Corporal Tanaka, fired a warning shot that grazed Ishikawa's shoulder, causing him to stagger back in shock and pain.
"What the hell? Why did you shoot me?"
General Sato's voice crackled over the comms.
"Capture him alive. There's an anomaly energy detected in his body. Do not let him escape."
Panicking, Ishikawa turned and ran, his movements hindered by the pain and confusion. The squad chased him, navigating the rough terrain with practiced precision. Ishikawa tried to summon his abilities, but nothing happened. His frustration grew as he pushed himself harder, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.
"Ishikawa, stop! We just want to help!"
Ignoring the plea of his close friend, Sakamoto, Ishikawa continued running. His burns throbbed with every step, but the anomaly energy within him seemed to be both a hindrance and a strange source of resilience.
Finally, Sakamoto caught up to Ishikawa, cornering him near a rocky outcrop. He motioned for the other squad members to retreat.
"Everyone fall back. I'll handle this."
The squad hesitated but obeyed, carrying Seiji back to the transport. Now alone with his old friend, Sakamoto approached cautiously.
"Ishikawa, you need to come with us. We can help you."
Ishikawa, breathing heavily, eyed Sakamoto warily.
"Why should I trust you? You assholes just tried to kill me!"
"That wasn't the plan. You're emitting some kind of energy, and we need to understand it. Please, just come with us."
Ishikawa shook his head, backing away.
"I don't know what's happening. I can't even use my abilities. Something is wrong."
"We can figure it out together. Just trust me and we'll head back to the Organization."
Suddenly, the burn marks on Ishikawa's body began to glow red. He felt a surge of power and an overwhelming sense of danger. His instincts screamed at him to flee.
"I can't... I can't stay here!"
Sakamoto raised his weapon, his eyes filled with regret.
Sakamoto: "I'm sorry, Ishikawa. I can't let you go, I have to do this."
He fired, the bullet striking Ishikawa and triggering an explosive reaction. Ishikawa was launched into the air, his body spinning uncontrollably. As he plummeted back down, he aimed for Sakamoto, who barely dodged the impact.
The ground shook as Ishikawa landed, creating a crater. Sakamoto steadied himself, preparing for the inevitable confrontation.
"You leave me no choice, I'm sorry, Ishikawa."
The fight began in the desolate area. Ishikawa, unable to control his abilities, relied on raw physicality. He charged at Sakamoto, who blocked and parried each attack with practiced ease. Their movements were swift and precise, each strike filled with intent and power.
"Why are you doing this? We were supposed to be on the same side!"
Sakamoto: "I don't have a choice. You're a threat now."
Ishikawa's punches were wild and desperate, fueled by confusion and anger. Sakamoto, is more experienced, tanking the hits, his body absorbing the impact like a complete machine. Despite his size, he moved with surprising agility, countering Ishikawa's attacks with well-placed blows.
The terrain around them became a battlefield. Rocks shattered under the force of their strikes, and dust filled the air. Ishikawa's frustration grew as he realized he couldn't use his moves. His body felt sluggish, unresponsive.
"Damn it! Why can't I use my powers?"
"Whatever's happening to you, it's blocking your abilities. But that doesn't mean you're powerless."
Their fight continued, a brutal barrage of fists and kicks. Sakamoto's strength and durability gave him an edge, but Ishikawa's desperation made him unpredictable. He attacked with everything he had, ignoring the pain and the confusion.
The burn marks on Ishikawa's body glowed intermittently, reacting to his heightened emotions. With each burst of red light, he felt a surge of energy, but it was uncontrollable. His movements became more erratic, and Sakamoto struggled to keep up.
"Ishikawa, listen to me! You need to calm down. We can fix this!"
"I don't need fixing! I need answers!"
In a final, desperate move, Ishikawa managed to pin Sakamoto to the ground. He straddled his friend's chest, his arms raised and ready to strike. The burn marks on his body glowed fiercely, casting an eerie light over them.
"Ishikawa, don't do this. You have to trust me."
Ishikawa hesitated, his fists trembling. The red glow from his burn marks pulsed, reflecting his inner turmoil. He was torn between his instincts that once meant everything to him.