[Corruption]

"I've returned. Everything seems to be... in... order..?"

Hopper had returned to the Golden Freedom hideout, and there was something that immediately stood out to her. Namely the fact that Lady D'Or's personal little pet, Rose, seemed to be gone. That shouldn't have happened, there was a very clear order of operations in regards to how Golden Freedom carried out their experiments and their missions. So why..?

"Welcome back, Hopper." D'Or smiled as she gently sipped a cup of her favorite tea. "How were the Monsters you were able to create? Stable? Still about to fall apart at a moment's notice?" She asked, not bothered by the lack of her favorite girl. If anything, she was happy that the girl was out and about.

"Lady D'Or. Where is Rose?" Hopper asked an important question, her heart slamming against her chest. That brat better not ruin what she had set into motion. She didn't give Tsukiko that Jõtai just so that girl could go and ruin the chance of them gaining an ally!

D'Or gently tapped her chin, before chuckling softly. "She felt something tingle in her spine, and she decided to act on her instincts. I wouldn't know where she is right now, but I'm sure she's fine. Why, is Atlas Corp about to turn up their countermeasures?"

"No, it has to do with..." Hopper paused, she hadn't actually told D'Or about her plan. "...I gave an individual a Jõtai. To see if she could attune with it and we could gain an ally. I do not wish for Rose to be harmed because of my experiment."

"Aaaaaah. That would explain it." D'Or said, putting her cup down as she rested her head on the back of her hands. "You'll want to find her then. Worst case scenario, she ends up needing your help. But otherwise, you might just lose your prey." She chimed, all while opening a single eye with a golden glint within her iris. "And I know you're not the type to let your prey slip away..."

She taunted her. Because she knew that Rose was going to try and steal away her prey. And if there was one person that she didn't want to let go, it was the woman that she had helped.

Hopper stormed out of the room, hurrying into the night as her body split into several copies. She needed to find that girl. Before she made it to Tsukiko. Before she stole the woman she loved away from under her nose!

"Aaahh... To be in love..." D'Or chuckled as she watched her enforcer disappear, before closing her eye once more and resting her head against her chair.

Silly little Rose, how was she going to spice up those girls' relationship..?

---

It had been a very long night for Tsukiko Tsurugi. Not only had she shown Hiro all around Atlas Corp, but she had also been given a brand new ability. A power to call her own. That of a Jõtaider. Not that she really understood what that was, just that it popped into her mind while she fought against those latex creeps...

"Wonder what the boss is gonna think about this?" Tsukiko muttered to herself as she stretched a little. At least she got home safe and sound after getting Hiro home. Now she could enjoy herself inside her private closet, maybe watch a few reruns of that show the girl liked, try and see what it was all about...

She opened the door to her closet, and she saw a red-clad blonde gal standing right there. And then she closed the door, shaking her head. Nah, that wasn't her closet. There's no way that could be her closet, nobody would actually go in there unless they needed her.

"Did Byakko swap things around while I wasn't looking?" Tsukiko muttered to herself, ignoring the door that was slowly opening to reveal a rather furious looking blonde. "Or did Genbu restructure the building this afternoon? I never can tell with those guys, they work on such a different wavelength when they're actually focused..."

"Ahem."

Tsukiko turned back towards the blonde, who was subtly blushing in response to the way she had ignored her. "Sorry, I had the wrong room. I didn't see you change or anything, so there's no need to be embarrassed." She chimed, not seeing anything wrong with what she had done.

And it was that ignorance that caused her to get grabbed by the overalls, getting her tossed straight into the closet as the door slammed shut once she was inside.

"So you're the one that made me feel that tingle. You? An idiot who can't recognize when her home's been invaded?" The blonde girl said, scoffing as she brushed her hand against her hair. "I can't believe Hopper would entrust you with such a thing. She must be mad!"

Tsukiko's gears quickly turned inside her mind as she realized what was going on, prompting her to get up and dust herself off. "Well, excuse me for thinking I might've gone into the wrong room. So, you're with the person who gave me this thing?" The silver-haired woman said as she motioned to her belt, before smiling a little. "Sounds like you're not half bad if that's the case. If not for that thing, I wouldn't have dealt with the bad girl that appeared earlier! Thanks a bunch."

"...You really don't understand what's happening, do you?" The blonde muttered, as her eyes glowed in the darkness of the closet. All while she bared her claws, ready to strike her enemy down. "You don't understand what you've done wrong..?"

"I know what's going on." Tsukiko said, her gaze turning from playful to serious, thrusting her hand into the air. "Henshin!" She shouted, her body trembling in pain as she transformed into her two-sided form. "I just wanted to show my gratitude and shock before I decided to treat you as an enemy. It's only fair to treat you as if you weren't a threat, until you proved to be one."

This time, it was the blonde's turn to be surprised. Not shocked by stupidity, but rather pleased by the cunning underneath it all. "You put up a front of idiocy, so somebody like me would be caught off guard. What an interesting display..."

"Nah." Tsukiko shot back, while drawing her Shadow Saber from her belt. "It's not a front. It's just the kind of woman I am. Just like you probably think you can get through life on your looks and your abilities. I admit, you are rather cute, but that doesn't mean you'll make it through with ease."

The blonde blushed. Not because the woman was able to accurately guess her character, but rather because she was being called cute. That, and she knew it was an earnest opinion due to her prior behavior. "W-Wh... C-Cute?" She paused, shaking her head and letting that red shade consume her expression. A mixture of her anger and her embarrassment. "This... This cannot continue. I can't allow you to have that trinket. Not without being on our side. Otherwise, you might just... You might just..!"

"Charm you from your path of self-destruction and make you mine." Tsukiko concluded her enemy's words, chuckling as she spun her blade. "Sorry, but I already have a woman in mind. And as cute as you are, she's the one I want!" She let her fighting spirit roar as she slashed the air, sending shockwaves at her!

The blonde slashed the air in front of her in turn, letting roses bloom to defend against the attack. She took a deep breath, knowing that it was all basically just teasing, before letting a pair of wings sprout from her back. "Very well, Jõtaider! Then I will hold nothing back, so that I may let you see things our way. Only then may you truly gain the love that you desire! I, Rose, will make sure of it!"

"You're going to try and take her away from me, just because I'm against you? That's awfully rude, Rose!" Tsukiko shot back as she dashed forward, slashing more to try and counter the roses that were blooming to try and defend the girl. She had the upper hand for sure, keeping her off guard with all of these words had shown to be effective. So keeping her off guard would mean that she had to keep up her banter!

At least, that's what she thought. But as she slashed through a wall made from those roses, she found that the red-clad girl had suddenly vanished. Like petals scattering on the wind. It seemed like she had a couple of tricks hidden up the sleeves of her dress. Then perhaps..!

"You think I would steal her, Jõtaider?"

Rose had already preempted her attempt to slash behind her, as her hand now tightly grasped the two-toned woman's arm and let the power of her bloody roses keep her from moving. "I am not one to tear apart love. I'm merely stating a fact. Not that a playful and willfully ignorant dame like you would be able to recognize something like that."

"Mind speaking English instead of speaking cryptic?" Tsukiko complained, gritting her teeth a little as she felt the pain spread through her arm. "Those roses really hurt once they get in you, huh? Mind knocking that off too?"

"You're an enemy, Jõtaider. There's no way that I would relent unless you were to join us." Rose admonished the older woman, before shaking her head and clearing her throat. "The one you love is on our side. That is why you cannot have her unless you join us."

That immediately caused Tsukiko to break free from her bind, with her blade swinging around at such a rapid and sudden pace that it almost caught Rose's throat and lopped her head right off. All while the woman moved at a very erratic pace, almost as if something had snapped inside her.

"You're bluffing." Tsukiko muttered as she pointed her blade at the girl, slashing rapidly with clear intent to harm. "Haruhi wouldn't be on your side. Haruhi's been by my side since the moment we laid our eyes on one another. There's no way that she would do something like that!"

Rose blocked each swing with a rose of her own, the output of slashes a lot more ferocious than she could've anticipated. But the murderous intent that leaked from Tsukiko was one that she could take advantage of. Emotional weak spots like hers, where they obviously left themselves open... It was one of her specialties.

"Suppose I wasn't bluffing." Once again, Rose found her way behind Tsukiko, using her roses to bind the woman's arms behind her back, this time letting the thorns dig into her arms and sufficiently damage them to ensure that she wouldn't try to get away early due to the additional pain. "Suppose that she had always been acting against you. What would you do then? What would you do when confronted with this information?"

"It's all lies!" Tsukiko cried out, snapping her arms free at the cost of shattering her armor and significantly damaging her arms in the process. Both were bleeding. But she didn't relent. "Hypotheticals are nonsense. What matters is reality .And the reality is that Haruhi would be with me, no matter what!" She was determined. So much so that the pain in her arms wouldn't stop her from swinging that blade...

Right up until she slashed through a blooming clone of Haruhi. Rose had made a Haruhi bloom from one of her roses, resulting in the silver-haired woman slashing through the woman she loved. It was enough to make her lose her footing, and end up with Rose's arms wrapped around her waist once more. This time, she didn't struggle as much.

"That is what would happen if you proceed down this path. You may be determined, and you may be smarter than I initially gave you credit for... But in the end, you still hold blind faith. And that is why your love for her will end in her death, if not in yours. You should've listened to her and understood her view point, only then would the two of you be able to live together."

As much as Tsukiko didn't want to admit it, she was right. Rose did have a point. Tsukiko was ignorant to the problems that the company was causing... And it was clear that she also didn't know Haruhi nearly as much as she'd like to admit. It was very frustrating to admit this, but it was the truth. And that was why she grew slightly limp in the younger girl's arms. She had, essentially, acknowledged that she had done something horrid.

"...How long has she been with you?" Tsukiko muttered, looking over her shoulder. She would approach this from a different angle. She would get her answers, and then... Well, she'd decide from there.

"At least for as long as you've been with her. She's been carefully monitoring Atlas Corp from a position of power, working to undermine it from within. All for the sake of the freedom we wish to grant everyone." Rose explained, pausing briefly. "I don't know exactly why she would give you a Jõtai. Maybe because she believed that you could be with her, and maybe because she could convince you that you've worked for a horrid man. Maybe it was simply because you were in danger. I'm not a psychic, but I know what love is. And every reason that I can think of wraps back around to her loving you."

Tsukiko nodded along, a subtle blush forming on her own cheeks. "So what you're saying is that she ultimately gave me this because she loves me." She said, and Rose confirmed with a nod. "That's rich. Why couldn't she just come out and say it?"

"You know her type. Never admitting her feelings until she's been worn down enough. Classic tsundere." Rose huffed, rolling her eyes. "Regardless... You can be with her. But I can't allow you to remain as you are now, because you would be a rogue element." She said, her eyes gleaming ever gently red.

"What are you-"

Tsukiko's eyes widened right as she felt a sharp pain rise through her. All because of the teeth that were currently sinking into her neck. It was an intense pain, though not one that actively gave her discomfort. If anything, it just made her ache all over. Like something had been violated. Something fundamental about her...

"She may be the one that currently experiments with the Jõtai, but there's something I figured out when I and Lady D'Or initially experimented with everything. And that's the fact that these should only respond to the strong genuine emotions within you. Otherwise, they won't function. They'll be utterly inert, as they amplify your desire. So tell me, Tsukiko Tsurugi... What do you desire..?"

Tsukiko didn't have control of herself. Not after that bite. Her eyes were faintly glowing the same red as Rose's own, as she slowly mouthed a single word. "Ha...ru...hi..." The one she desired was her love. That was her greatest desire at the moment. Not saving people. Not even protecting her new pupil. She just desired Haruhi.

"Indeed. And it's through that desire that I will remake you. Not as an enemy, but as our greatest ally. No longer merely a Shadow!" Rose cried out, as her own energies melded together with the woman's armor, roses blooming all across the armor. "Be reborn, Jõtaider Shadow! BE REBORN THROUGH YOUR NEW GOLDEN FREEDOM!"

Rose went a little over the top, but her actions certainly justified what joy filled her heart. Thanks to how she had focused Tsukiko's mind and desires through her genuine thoughts, it was possible for her to twist her into a form that was more welcoming to her cause. One that would help her attain what she wanted, while at the same time aiding Golden Freedom.

Tsukiko's mind was twisting thanks to all the power rushing through her. All while Haruhi bloomed more and more inside her mind. That woman... That lone woman that she loved more so than anything else in the world. She had been smitten by her from the moment the two met. And while they were worlds apart back then, they had grown so close..!

She wanted Haruhi. She needed Haruhi. The one thing that would make her complete was Haruhi. Haruhi... Haruhi..! HARUHIIIII!

The flowers all bloomed in tandem as they broke Tsukiko's armor completely... Only for those very same flowers to have their petals burst off and form back onto the woman's body, forming a new set of armor. This time, the colors were primarily black with reddish silver outlines. She was no longer of two minds. She was of one, with her emotions emphasized through the outlines. She was still hidden within the dark... But no longer would she try to peek out and act as if nothing was wrong...

Her helmet bloomed open to reveal her face after that. And the rose that was now printed on her cheek. It was technically a sign that she had been manipulated... But Rose knew very well that it had no true effect after what she had done. It just showed the kind of flavor she now had. The love that filled her. The affection that drove her...

Tsukiko drew a deep breath as she looked at herself. She could see the dark colors contrasted with her silver, and she couldn't help but smile a little. It wasn't the best kind of armor, she had to admit that she loved her prior armor a lot more... But this truly represented her. The helper in the dark, who would do anything to make sure that those she loved and adored were safe and secure. Which, in turn, meant that she had considered Hiro a loved one..? Well, that young trainee was rather cute, but she wasn't the one on her mind right now.

"Huh. I expected something... different." Rose muttered. Usually when she made somebody's love explode outward like that and transform them, they took on a much more radical form. Then again, she had already transformed into a Jõtaider, so it wasn't really that shocking that the form wouldn't be too different from the one she had already assumed.

Tsukiko softly nodded before turning to Rose, putting a single finger right under chin so the two could look at one another eye to eye. "Rose, dear. Where is she? Where is my dear Haruhi? I will only aid you if I may be with her." Her tone was a lot softer. There was still that edge of playfulness to it, but it seemed to have been tempered by her newfound desire and focus.

Rose's cheeks flushed bright red. Getting held like this was making her feel a little too hot. Oh dear, what would D'Or think if she saw her like this? Would she think that she was cheating on her, or-

"TSUKIKO!"

The door to the closet slammed open, and the golden-armored Hopper forced her way inside. All while she called out towards the one that she had been trying to prey upon... The one she wanted to be with as much as the silver-haired woman wanted to be with ehr.

"My. There you are, Haruhi. So this is what you look like when you're allied with them?" Tsukiko didn't miss a beat. No, why would she do something like that? Haruhi was right there, after all. She should enjoy as much of her as she possibly could. Only then would she attain the satisfaction that she was looking for.

Hopper, nay, Haruhi blushed as her helmet vanished and revealed the golden-haired woman underneath. "Rose! WHAT DID YOU DO!?" She didn't like any of this. She wanted to convert the woman all on her own. She wanted to turn her to their side without resorting to any sort of trickery!

"I just gave her a little push, that's all! I didn't take her virginity or anything, if that's what you're thinking I did!" Rose cried out, still blushing bright red. Right before her petals scattered and turned into bats, allowing her to quickly escape out the door. "You handle her! She's your lover, isn't she!?"

Haruhi's blush grew bigger in turn, whipping towards the door as she tried to aim her arm towards the horde of bats... Only for Tsukiko to be there instead, the black-amored woman gently caressing her golden lover's arm. "T-Tsukiko..! Let go!"

"Now why would I let go of you, when you've been wanting me all this time?" Tsukiko asked, smiling softly as she put that hand up against her chest. "Listen to my heart, Haruhi. Listen to it closely, and you might just understand what I feel for you... And what I no doubt believe you feel for me in turn."

Haruhi's heart was beating wildly. Tsukiko was a forward woman, one that didn't really think too much about the feelings of others in that way. But here she was. Actively trying to make her feel her love. It felt so weird. And yet she didn't stop her from placing her hand against that chest. All so she could hear her heartbeat...

It was an intense heartbeat. One so strong that she couldn't stop herself from almost getting mesmerized by it. Such an intense beat. Was this... Was this Tsukiko's love..?

Tsukiko chuckled as Haruhi's eyes turned dim in response to her heart. All while she gently put her hand on her chest as well, to listen to her companion's heart. It wasn't anywhere near as powerful, but the beat was paced in such a way that she could easily tell that she was in love. Something that brought a sweet smile to her lips.

"Why..? What did she do to you, Tsukiko..?" Haruhi muttered. She was still in disbelief. Even though she was charmed by that love, she still couldn't believe that she would end up like this. All because of the woman that Tsukiko was. She truly did not believe that she could be this charming, nor as obsessed...

"She just gave me a little push. And reminded me just how important you've been to me. How close you are to my heart, and how close I am to yours in turn." Tsukiko explained, as she wrapped her arms around Haruhi. "Was she wrong, Haruhi? Was she wrong about us? Or did you truly love me all this time?"

Haruhi couldn't say anything for sure. All that she could do was stutter as her eyes spun rapidly. She had lost all control of the situation. She was the one that was supposed to make Tsukiko eventually admit her love like this, not the other way around. Damn that Rose for stealing her glory..!

"Haruhi." Tsukiko was firm. Especially as she reached up and let her hands press against her partner's cheeks. "I want to hear it from your lips. Do you love me? Say it now, or forever stay silent." She was serious. The look in her reddish silver eyes made that clear.

The golden-haired woman grit her teeth for a moment, before letting out a frustrated sigh filled with passion for the one she loved. "Fine! I admit it! I love you, Tsukiko! I've loved you for months, ever since you started to show your better side! I always thought you were a problem, but then you showed that you were more than that! You showed me that you were truly there for me! That's why I started to fall in love with you!" She shouted it all out, letting Tsukiko understand the depths of her affection...

Which just prompted the silver-haired woman to laugh in turn. "My my. I just told you that I wanted to hear that you loved me. But here you are, letting it all out. How long had you been bottling that up? How long had you been planning on telling me that?" Tsukiko chimed, as she remained in control of the situation even after that confession...

Haruhi's blush grew stronger, all while she tried to back away. But Tsukiko had her in her grasp. She wasn't about to get the chance. "Wh-What more do you want from me..!?" She cried out, trying her best to struggle yet with absolutely no real reward for doing so.

"I want nothing more than you, Haruhi." Tsukiko said, before chuckling and letting go of her golden lover. "And I've gotten just that. So let's start over from the beginning." She teased her a little, clearing her throat as she got down on one knee. "I, Jõtaider Knight, swear to you from this moment onward. I will be there for you, Hopper. Whenever you need me. However you need me. You just call for me, and I will be there. Together, we shall bring this Golden Freedom to all that need it."

Haruhi mumbled several times over as she quietly let her helmet cover her up once again. "What kind of 'Knight' are you supposed to be? Aren't you supposed to be shining if you're a knight? Aren't you supposed to sweep me off my feet and treat me like a princess or something? You're the worst at names, Tsukiko..."

"I never claimed to be good at names. Nor did I ever claim to be good at anything." Tsukiko replied in turn, before sweeping her golden lover off her feet and smiling before her own helmet reformed, her eyes shining that subtle red that enhanced her silver highlights. "And yet you're the one that fell for me, and I for you in turn. Is that not enough?"

"You're not making this any better by carrying me like a bride right now." Haruhi grumped, with her partner laughing in turn. They were inseparable, and they both bounced off each other so wonderfully. Of course they were able to match each other so well like this. Because they knew they'd be perfect.

"Very well then. How about I sweeten the deal a little, and give us an additional ally? One that will be perfect, and absolutely not driven by her love for you?" Tsukiko asked, the teasing edge to her voice making it clear that if she were to agree to this, then there was absolutely going to be some form of wacky catch.

Haruhi knew not to agree to it. But she just sighed and nodded. "I should know better than to trust you. And yet I just can't say no. Not after what you've done now." She muttered, as she leaned into her partner's chest. "Do as you wish, Knight. Just don't make things worse. Otherwise, I'll take away your Jõtai and make you wish that you had been turned into a latex minion just a few hours prior."

A smile formed underneath Tsukiko's helmet. Very well, if that's what Haruhi wanted...

---

Hiro was having a terrible time in bed after the night's events. Between almost getting corrupted by all sorts of weird slimy latex things, and everything else that had happened throughout the day... She really wasn't ready for another day at Atlas Corp. How could she be prepared if that was her first day?

And yet she had to get prepared. Otherwise she'd be letting down both of the women that had given her the chance to be a good employee. She just had to close her eyes and drift off to sleep... She just had to... relax... and...

Her eyes shot open as she felt a chill on her back, and she immediately whipped towards the source of the chill. The open windowsill, where a black-armored woman was sitting. A woman that looked... Kind of like Tsukiko..?

Tsukiko smiled. And she didn't say a word, merely letting her helmet bloom apart and allow the two to look into each others' eyes. "It's good to see you, Hiro. There's something I'd like you to help me with. Something very simple..." She said, being as honest as ever while getting closer and closer to her.

"W-What?" Hiro didn't know what to say. How could she know what to say? She was just trying to sleep, and then Tsukiko decided to show up and be vague. "W-What do you need me to do..?" And yet she couldn't say no to her. She didn't understand why she couldn't. It was just like... Something powerful was beating inside her heart, synchronizing with the sound of the woman's steps...

The silver-haired woman put a single finger underneath Hiro's chin, lifting it up ever slightly so the two truly met eye-to-eye. Then, and only then, did she pull her close. So close that their lips met, their tongues forced to rub up against one another.

Hiro didn't even get a chance to fight back against the sensation now rushing through her. All that she could do was have her eyes slowly spin, the feelings inside her growing stronger and stronger. The beat of her heart was the exact same as Tsukiko's, making it harder and harder for her to think on her own. She was... In a love-filled trance. All because of the feelings that had been seeded inside her after their first day together...

Tsukiko smiled as she pulled back, finger still resting on Hiro. "Hiro. What do you desire? Join me, and I can help you make it all come true." She said, her voice as alluring as the beat of her heart. The love-filled beat that had weakened Haruhi before, now completely consumed the weaker girl in front of her.

"I... I want... I want to be with you..." Hiro's desire was simple. And partly suppressed. But that was all that Tsukiko needed to hear, especially as the girl fell into her arms.

She looked to the moon outside, and let the light shine down on her. Through her love for her fellow man, Tsukiko would bring freedom to them all...

That, and that alone, was her duty as Golden Freedom's Jõtaider Knight...