Chapter Text
Wind rushes in and out of the open helicopter cabin, whipping Isagi’s hair across his face. The Japan Shatterdome loomed ahead, casting a shadow across the Pacific Ocean. Waves of emotion surged through him-excitement, anticipation and nostalgia, all rising back to the surface after he had kept them locked for the past 2 years. He was back home.
-2 days earlier-
“Ranger Isagi, please report to Central Command at once.” The intercom announced across the cafeteria.
“Oh? In trouble again, Yoichi?” Kaiser grinned in a humorous tone.
“I bet he pissed off the Marshall and disobeyed orders,” Ness chimed in across the table, “Third time now?”
Isagi rolled his eyes. He was used to Kaiser and Ness’s teasing. Spending 2 years in the German shatterdome trained him to ignore such remarks from his German comrades.
“I'm leaving, later,” Isagi said casually as he waved his hand and walked out of the cafeteria.
The Germany Shatterdome was smaller than most; it didn’t take him long when he reached Command. There in the middle stood Noel Noa towering over. His stern presence was intimidating yet relieving at the same time. The experience Isagi gained from working under the infamous commander shaped him to become an exceptional pilot- something he would never take for granted.
“Isagi- yer here too?” A light voice came from the back. Light blue strands of hair rested on a familiar smile as Hiori’s tall frame walked in.
“Rangers Isagi and Hiori, I have news to tell both of you.” Noa began. He turns around and lights up a projector. “Your old commander has requested reinforcements. Japan needs pilots. Marshall Ego wants you two transferred back to Tokyo immediately."
It wasn’t a suggestion but an order. Isagi and Hiori exchanged looks and nodded; if this was where they were needed then they would follow.
“Pack your bags, you will be flying out in 48 hours. Dismissed.”
—-----
Present Day Tokyo Shatterdome, YEAR 2029
The helicopter touched down on the platform. Hiori and Isagi step out onto the helicopter pad. Below, the Shatterdome hummed with life, machine, and human working together, keeping the base alive and operational. Ahead, the Marshall of Japan's base approached, arms folded. Despite the body language, Ego walked up and smiled widely.
“Ah, my unpolished diamonds have returned. How was fighting abroad?”
“Marshall, it's good to--” Isagi began, but before he could finish a loud cheery scream interrupted him.
“ISAGIIII!” A blur of yellow and brown hair runs up and tackles Isagi before he can react.
“Bachira! You don't have to jump me.”
“I just missed you so much! 2 years is a long time, y’know?” Bachira grinned in a tight hug.
“Ahem,” Ego clears his throat
“OH- sorry, Marshall,” Bachira said sheepishly
“Before we were interrupted,” Ego glares, “You two are not the only returning rangers.”
Hiori and Isagi look up in confusion.
“Who else is commin’ back?” Hiori questions.
“Your former colleagues in your cadet years, Reo Mikage and Seishiro Nagi will be returning from the UK.”
Bachira bounced excitedly on Isagis' body. “Oh it's like the old gang back together again!”
Isagi smiled, it had been a long time since he’d seen his old friends and comrades.
“That's great,” Hiori nods, “2 teams bein’ transferred in will help this base out.”
Ego chips in again. “Yes, but that's not all.” He pauses and turns his gaze toward Isagi. “We were expecting to have a team from France, but due to one of the pilots being injured, only one will be returning.”
Isagi’s chest tightened. “Please don't be him,” he internally wishes.
“Rin Itoshi is being transferred as well.” Ego calmly states.
Isagi froze. For a moment, everything around him faded. He recalled that the last time he spoke to Rin ended badly. Isagi didn't know if he could face him again.
Bachira noticed the shift instantly and squeezed his shoulder in comfort.
“We will hold a debrief once all the pilots return. In the meantime, please make yourselves to your quarters .”
-----
Isagi and Hiori make their way across the base toward the living quarters. The hum of machinery echoed in the halls. Once they reached their assigned room, Isagi dropped his stuff on the bed. He needed to clear his head, maybe taking a stroll around the Shatterdome wasn't a bad idea.
“Hiori, I’m taking a walk,” Isagi says as he steps out of the room.
Hiori hums in acknowledgment, attention still focused on his phone. “M’kay, don't get lost.”
It takes about 15 minutes for him to arrive at Jaeger Bay. The massive hangar doors were open, letting in the coastal sea breeze. Salt, sea, steel, oil- the smell of war engulfed the Shatterdome.
Before him stood 3 Jaegers within the bay.
The first Jaeger displayed bright magenta streaks and a white frame outlined with gold. Sharp and lethal, built for long-range projectile weapons. Crimson Devil. The name embodied power and beauty, but in a terrifying way.
Across stood a smaller, stealthier machine. Covered in a dark navy frame, black interior exposed at the joints, and white highlights etched around the head. Glacier Wraith. Somehow, just looking at that Jaeger in silence causes the air to become colder. A phantom with blades dripped with stealth and deadliness.
Finally, at the end of the hangar, tucked behind & half covered in a dusty tarp, was a decommissioned Jaeger. Isagi walked over, the sounds of his shoes echoing faintly on the bridge as he stopped in front of the Jaeger head. He climbed into the frame, slipping inside the cockpit, and stared out. The feeling of the Jaeger was familiar yet different. The armour was old, cracked, and dull. Parts were exposed, wires loose, hanging from the surrounding walls. Broken steel and worn-out paint- it was clear that time took its toll.
Gipsy Danger.
His old Jaeger.
Isagi brushed his hand across the untouched control panel. Memories of his cadet days rushed in. He shifts his gaze toward the pilot seats, and his jaw tightens.
“Rin, isn't this amazing? We're going to be the pilots of Gipsy Danger!” Isagi's younger voice beams
“Hmmph. You’re so tepid,” Rin replied bluntly, arms crossed as he leaned over in the cockpit. “If this gets you all excited, you're not ready for the real battle. ”
“Jeez, can't you say anything positive?” Isagi groans, “Finally, after months and months of training, the idea of being Jaeger pilots is not so far anymore.” He paused, then continued in a lighter voice
“I'm glad that you're my partner. We're going to be the best Rangers this base has ever seen.”
Rin stared back blankly, then cracked a small grin. “Of course, we will. You’ve got me as a partner. No one is better than me.”
Isagi rolls his eyes. “Yeah okay, whatever ‘Ranked Number One.’ You should be grateful that I'm your partner, too. Who else can keep up with you in the drift?” he snaps back playfully.
Rin walked up, ruffling his hair. It was a subtle gesture, but Isagi noticed that was how Rin showed affection; he didn't mind.
“Shut up, it's getting late, we need to head back.”
Isagi lingered for a moment, eyes following Rin as he left the cockpit. A faint flush rising to his face.
“Okay,” he said quietly, following the taller boy out.
Isagi blinked, snapping back into the silence. He exhaled slowly.
He should let it all go. That way it would be less complicated, especially now if he was going to see Rin soon.
Despite those thoughts, he knew the truth.
He wouldn’t let them go, not really.
So he would bury them.
Deep.
Where they wouldn't hurt.