Grey: Monsters

Three individuals marched along the metal floor leading to the interrogation room where Ryuma was held. Among these individuals were Leonard and two other Rangers.

As they approached the door, it slid open automatically. The two Rangers went to Ryuma's side and pulled him up from the chair, standing him on his feet.

Leonard and Ryuma locked gazes with each other, both of them wearing an unfazed expression.

"Tokita Ryuma, today you'll be moved to the United States. There, you shall be put on trial and face your judgment–"

"What of Saiya?"

Ryuma cut Leonard short.

"Lieutenant Saiya's condition is not improving. In fact, it is getting worse with every passing minute. It will be best if you forget about her and focus on what awaits you."

Ryuma looked at his sealed hand and his legs, bound with a chained cuff. Then he turned to Leonard.

"My hands and feet are locked together. I can't use my powers, and I can't even fight. That said, I have this insane urge to kill you–"

"There's a way to get out of this mess…" Leonard said. "...I've been with you for some time now, and I know you had this power inside you, yet you proved to me that you were human. I don't know if it was a scheme, but you acted like a human. Now all you have to do is prove to the world that you are human. Only then shall all this end. But don't get the wrong idea. I'm not on your side. I'm only doing this for Lieutenant Saiya. If you fail to prove your humanity, I might end up killing you myself. And as for Saiya–it's best you forget about her for now. Take him!"

The two Rangers seized him, and they left the interrogation room for the airport where a battle plane had been prepared for the journey.

While en route to the airport, Ryuma asked B a question that was foreseeable.

"B, how many percent of my conscience did you say you used?"

"Roughly ten percent."

"Ten percent, huh…I've never been pushed to a situation where I would want to end my fellow human's life, but back then, I felt so pissed I wanted to kill Captain. Is this the side effect of just losing ten percent of my conscience?"

"Don't be hard on yourself, bro. Emotions are something we have no full understanding of. One time we feel rage; the next, we feel happy. Emotions can cause us to be the better version of ourselves and also the worst. Maybe the cause of your hunger to end Leonard's life was due to Saiya's condition. Even I, too, was slightly pained."

"Talking as if you got emotions."

"Who knows? Maybe I do have emotions…regardless, bro, let's pray that we won't be pushed to use me as your backup plan again, 'cause I'm afraid that next time I'll be taking more than ten percent of your conscience."

"Hmm…that is that. I don't know if I should take Captain's words seriously. How can they not find a cure for Saiya–?"

"I see no reason for Leonard to lie. From what I've observed about him, he isn't the type of person to lie about something serious. And again, he has nothing to gain from lying. I say you put your focus on escaping this current situation. Then, afterward, we'll find something to do about Saiya. Having divided attention will do us no help."

"Yeah, you are right, and that reminds me, I had this crazy dream while asleep…??"

"Hm?? Is that so?"

"You don't seem excited to hear about the dream."

"That's because I'm not interested in it."

"Hmph, suit yourself."

They finally arrived at the airport, and the transport plane was already in sight. On the path leading to the battle plane door was an entourage of Rangers, most of them Captains and a few others.

Haruchi was also there. He had a worried expression plastered on his face. It would be a big lie to say that he wasn't concerned; after all, they were teammates, friends who had shared some memories together.

Leonard and the two Rangers standing beside Ryuma walked past their middle. Ryuma didn't bat Haruchi an eye; he felt guilty but not overly so.

As they entered the plane, the two Rangers forced Ryuma to sit, and Leonard proceeded to sit in front of him. The two men left the plane, and the door began to elevate until it closed.

Although called a plane, it functioned like a helicopter. The blades rotated, and the speed increased gradually before the helicopter took off.

The location was the United States of America. The journey was meant to last for at least three hours when checking the speed of the helicopters. It was going to be a long journey.

"Captain, do you really believe I am a threat?"

Ryuma asked all of a sudden, making the two Rangers who were sitting by his side glance at each other with wary thoughts.

"You have stayed with us for more than two months, and yet you did nothing. That doesn't mean you are not a threat…maybe you were too weak to act up, so you decided to lay low. Maybe."

"Hm."

Leonard wasn't one to make rash decisions or to spit out anything that came to mind upon being asked a question. Even though it seemed like it, this wasn't the answer Ryuma wanted. However, it was very much the truth. Though Ryuma doesn't crave human flesh, even if he had wanted it, he was too weak to act. That was then.

Leonard relaxed on the chair, only to see a blonde lady in front of him. Her body looked half-human and half-robot, with her piercing crimson eyes. It was Mayu.

Apart from Ryuma and Leonard, the two Rangers hadn't noticed her presence until she spoke.

"Greetings. You must be Herbert Leonard. I heard a lot about you from my companion. Though it may look selfish, it's for the best of everyone onboard the plane. I'd like to retrieve the Hybrid–"

"Your kind are really full of surprises. Tell me, when did you get on this plane?" Leonard asked.

"About ten seconds ago…I believe that question doesn't concern the matters at hand–"

Leonard appeared before Mayu and swung his fist, only to punch the air. She was already behind him.

"Hmm?"

Relentless, Leonard turned and launched multiple punches at her, but she dodged all of them with ease.

He stepped back to assess the situation.

"Give it up, Captain. There's no way you are laying a finger on her," Ryuma said as he swept his gaze at Mayu. "Captain, you may be strong, but these guys are beyond anything you can think of, which makes me wonder why they haven't slaughtered all of humanity–"

"What do you know?"

Leonard asked, still fixing his eyes on Mayu with his fists raised in front of his face.

"Nothing! The only thing I know about her is…you are not going to lay a finger on her. She moves at light speed. I don't know how she does it, but believe me, I experienced it firsthand."

"Hmm. I didn't realize I'm worthy of such high praise from you, Hybrid."

"Don't get the wrong idea, bitch. I have a lot of questions to ask you…even now, I wonder who I'm really talking to, Nera or Mayu."

Upon hearing Ryuma's words, Mayu's lips curled.

"Your senses have heightened well enough, Hybrid. Going by your words, I think you won't reject the offer of coming with me. Only then can you get the answers you need."

Mayu disappeared from plain sight and appeared beside Ryuma.

"Well then, Herbert Leonard, we shall take our leave."

They both disappeared, leaving everyone on the plane speechless.

Leonard sat on the chair, holding his hands together. He looked at one of the Rangers with his side-eye.

"Contact HQ! This is really bad."

---

In a big room with three huge screens, which displayed nothing, and below it were keyboards and other computers, it looked like the dock of a spaceship. The room was dark, with a small red lamp serving as the only source of light.

Mayu and Ryuma appeared at the center of the room.

"Hmm. Where am I–?"

Ryuma asked, only to find Mayu on her knees.

"We have returned.Lady Nera."

From the edge of the dark room, a figure appeared. Its appearance was distinct from other Nephilims. Its skin was black, with two white lines running down from its head to its eyes, then all the way to its chin. It wore a white robe with a distinct design, too. On top of its head, something that looked like a crown hovered.

"I've been waiting for this moment, Ryuma, Xeno."