The ghoul stumbles as his feet catch in the tangled grass of the parkland. He risks a glance behind him. Nothing. He turns a corner and ducks into an alleyway, slumping against a wall and sliding down into a sitting position. He was an A rated ghoul known as "Wolf" who had been running errands for Aogiri Tree within the northern wards. 2 hours earlier, he had been sent out to deliver a new set of orders to the relay station a little north of where he was now. The delivery had been an ordinary occurrence. He had arrived, handed over the package, and then taken his secret route towards the east from there. The only problem was that he'd run into a Ghoul Investigator waiting for him… Wolf had immediately bolted, hoping to evade the dove through the twisting network of alleyways. Finally, it looked as if he had succeeded. The ghoul gets up, heading for the other end of the alleyway.

"I need to leave this ward and get home… He sees the light of a street ahead and slinks out onto the road. "Who goes there?" Wolf leans in against the wall, hoping the stranger hadn't seen him. He waits a moment, then leans back out. It could be one of Aogiri's regulars, he thought. As he meekly calls out that his name is Wolf, the figure on the road steps forward into the light of a streetlamp. Wolf freezes. Not an Aogiri member at all. Not even a ghoul. "Fuck! Doves!" Wolf ducks down in the shadows as the dove draws a weapon from his suitcase. A Quinque, made from the Kagune of dead ghouls. The dove looks directly at Wolfs hiding spot, as if he could see through walls. The man removes his white gloves, rolling his shoulders as he strolls towards the ghoul's location. "I've been instructed to not let any ghouls past this point my friend… That means that you have two options… Turn around, or die by my hand…"

Wolf gulps. If I turn back that other dove will stick me for sure… He looks up at the roofline above him. Maybe he could use his Kagune to swing him up and escape around him? He makes up his mind, and turns as if to run away, then releases his Kagune, swiping his heavy Koukaku limb at the dove behind him. As he switches direction, levering himself onto the roof, he sees that the dove is unhurt. "Slick bastard". The investigator leaps up with impossible ease to land in front of Wolf. He lunges forward, thrusting the hilt of his Quinque into the ghoul's chest, knocking the wind out of him. As Wolf's head spins while he lays on the roof, he sees the dove scowl in disgust. Wolf gasps as the investigator sheathes his Quinque, then grins evilly, his left sclera changing shape. A Kagune limb inches through the air behind him, stemming from his upper back. "What… the fuck?" The investigator cocks his head, then thrusts his Kagune directly through Wolf's chest, bursting most of his internal organs in one punch. As he bleeds out, Wolf painfully turns his head towards the dove. "Why? Why is a One Eye wearing the uniform of a Dove?" The last thing he hears is the One Eyed investigator pulling out his radio, clicking the on button. "Commander? It's Associate Special Class Urie here. Yes sir, he's dead. Thankyou. I'll meet up with Kaneki and we'll be along shortly". As Wolf lays down his head, too tired to continue breathing, he sees a black cloaked form hurtling towards them…

Kaneki lands on the rooftop that Urie is waiting on. As he dusts off his coat, he notices the dead ghoul at the Associates feet. "Is that the ghoul I chased from the station?" Urie nods. "Don't worry. He won't be telling Aogiri anything". The two investigators turn to look back in the direction of the station. Auron and Arima would be waiting across the street from the relay station. "Let's get out of here. We need to get inside that police station before the next change of shift happens". Urie arcs his hand toward the station. "I don't know about you but I can't fly…" Kaneki grins menacingly. "Oh I can do greater than that. I hope you aren't afraid of heights…" Urie shakes his head. "Then grab on". Kaneki's Kagune branch out and Urie grasps one of the limbs firmly. Kaneki twists his head around. "Hold on tight. This is probably going to hurt…" Urie is about to answer when Kaneki suddenly launches them both into the air.

As they fall again, Kaneki thrusts one of his Kagune limbs into the rooftop, pivoting them forward. They continue like this until they land lightly on top of the police station, Kaneki merely cracking his neck and fingers while Urie rubs his aching biceps. "Damn that hurt…" Kaneki shrugs "What did I tell you?" He crouches on the rooftop, inspecting the cement. "We're going to have to blast through this". Urie shakes his head. "It'll make too much noise". Kaneki nods. "That's why we'll need a distraction…" He stands up, spotting Arima and Auron atop a nearby rooftop opposite the station. He motions a slamming action to Auron, who nods. As they watch, Auron stands up, looks around and sees a water tower, then uses his Kagune to punch a hole through the gas boiler beneath it. This causes a large explosion, forcing Urie to cover his ears. "Damn. Every ghoul in the fucking ward would have heard that".

He turns around, then starts as he sees Kaneki crouching next to a neat hole in the cement of the roof. The Black Reaper shrugs. "I told you already Urie… I can do anything…" He grins as Urie gives him the finger. "Shut up". He pauses "Sir…" Kaneki has to repress his laughter, lest they get found out by any ghouls inside. Instead, he motions for Urie to follow him as he nimbly jumps down into the hallway below. Urie follows suit. As the two men stand up, gathering their bearings, Kaneki motions to a nearby door that's been left open. "This must be the observation room. It's in the perfect positioning to place multiple lookouts with a wide view on this side" he murmurs gently. As soon as Kaneki says this, he pushes Urie behind a nearby stack of boxes as three ghouls come walking up the hallway, Sub Machine Guns strapped to their backs. "I told you it was nothing to worry about Ishiin. This ward has been quiet ever since Reaper disappeared". Another, more gruff voice rebukes the first ghoul "Shut it Aki. We need to remain alert. The top brass back in the 11th Ward have tipped me off to the presence of doves in this ward recently".

The ghoul who had spoken, Ishiin, was a very handsome man. His hair had been dyed the colour of midnight, and he wore decorative bands on both his wrists. "You guys get back in there. I'm going down to the radio room to contact Tatari". There's minor grumbling amongst Aki and the other ghouls as they file into the observation room Kaneki had pointed out. Once the hallway was clear, Kaneki motions silently for Urie to follow. They slink down the hall and come to a stop either side of the door. At a nod from the Elite Investigator, Urie knocks once on the doorframe. "Hmm? What was that?" Aki gets up from his chair and walks over to the doorway peering left, right into the face of Kaneki grinning at him. "Goodnight" he whispers as his Kagune silently slices off the ghouls head. Urie picks up the corpse and the two of them stroll into the room. "What was that Aki?" asks a ghoul without turning around.

"Oh nothing. I just met my maker, that's all". The ghouls spin around as they hear Urie's voice. "Who the fuck are you guys?" He sees both their Kakugan and their Investigator Coats. "What-?" He doesn't finish before the two men unleash their Kagune and slaughter the remaining ghouls before anyone can scream. As they finish their morbid work, Auron and Arima step into the room. "How did it go?" Kaneki's nose wrinkles at the stench. "No one heard us". Auron nods. "Good. Any valuable intel?" Kaneki points to the headless form of the ghoul Aki. "That one's name was Aki, and from what I can gather, the ghoul in charge of this place is the S Rated ghoul "Angel", Ishiin Atari". Auron's eyes close momentarily "Ishiin… I haven't heard that name in nearly 16 years… I'm surprised he's still alive". Arima crouches next to Aki's corpse, inspecting it. "You know him?" Auron nods "In the time I was the leader of the Terminus Group, Ishiin was a cocky upstart. He was a C rated ghoul with his own little street gang called The Silver Aces. I didn't pay any attention to him until I ran into their gang during a raid on a CCG Office".

He raises his eyes to the doorway "Being the way he was, he picked a fight with me, not knowing who I was. Long story short, I beat him within an inch of his life because I was in a hurry. A few days later, the kid actually came back to me to apologize! I was about to laugh in his face until he asked to join my faction… Years later, he was one of my executives and a notorious A rated ghoul". Auron smiles. "I'm not surprised he's been given an S rating by the CCG… He had a lot of potential in my eyes. We'd best tread carefully here. If he's with Aogiri now, he's aiming for an executive position so he'll do anything he deems necessary". Arima stands up, lending a hand for Auron to pull himself up also. Auron steps out into the hallway, looking left and right before motioning the others to follow. "Everyone. Tell me the level of opponent you feel you are able to at least defeat". Urie answers first "I'd say an SS rated ghoul sir, though I think the likes of Tatari and Ayato I would struggle with".

Arima is next to comment coolly "I can eliminate any ghoul up to SSS rating I believe. I can fight toe to toe with the One Eyed Owl if need be…" A pause, then Noro speaks "Any ghoul up to SS+ for me. I could take out the likes of Tatari, Ayato and Naki with not too much difficulty". Finally, Kaneki tells of his own ability "Should the need arise, I could also fight the Owl head on with no injuries. Any lesser ghouls will be a piece of cake". Auron nods. He had gathered a very capable team of fighters who could all take out SS rated ghouls easily. "I can trust you all to fend for yourselves then? Good". The Elite Squad reach the bottom of the stairs when Noro gestures for them to stop. "I can hear transmitter equipment". Auron cocks his head, nodding. "Must be the coms centre. Let's make this quick. I want to get to the supermarket within the hour". Urie looks at the Commander, frowning. "You're so easily prepared to kill one of your former associates?"

Auron looks at him as if he were thick. "Of course I am. He's with Aogiri now and besides, he would have tried to betray me eventually anyway". Urie looks at Kaneki and Arima who both shrug. Even Aurons closest comrades didn't understand the man very well. Auron inches the door open deliberately, making as little noise as possible while moving the heavy slab of metal. As it silently swings inwards, the team move inside the dark room. "Shit it's like a gym hall in here". Kaneki adjusts his glasses, trying to penetrate the darkness with his eyes. The Communications Room was beneath the police station. Around them, thick, fleshy columns rose into the ceiling. The floor beneath them was sickly similar to flesh in its texture. "We've entered the 24th Ward". Auron whispers. Arima nods "The subterranean ward that stretches like a labyrinth under all of Tokyo. It's said that the very first One Eyed King created it and where Ghouls originated from…" Auron holds a finger to his lips. "Thank you for the history lesson Kishou, but we need to disable this station now". He points to Kaneki and Noro "You two take the right. Eliminate any ghouls you encounter, while Arima and Urie will do the same on the left. I'll take center point ok?" The men all nod in agreement. Kaneki and Noro run off into the darkness near the right wall, their footsteps not even echoing on the fleshy ground. "Good luck". Auron disappears down the center of the columned aisle as Arima and Urie take their side of the hall…

Kaneki crouches behind a pillar with Noro right behind him. They had encountered a few ghouls on their way here, all of them S rated, and had happened upon the sudden end of the hall. A stone doorway stood before them, two ghouls standing guard outside. From within the frame, a soft glow emanated. "That's the coms centre. Let's go Noro". The two One Eyes move along the wall, staying in the shadows as much as possible, then walking out into the light. The two guards tense up and raise their SMG's towards the strangers. Kaneki raises his arms and activates his Kakugan, indicating that he was a ghoul. One of the guards blinks. "A One Eye? What are you doing here?" Kaneki jerks a thumb behind him.

"We eliminated a pair of doves snooping around outside the station. We thought Ishiin would want to know". The ghoul lowers his gun, indicating to his partner that he should do the same. "Very well. Wait here". He turns to walk into the room when Kaneki lashes out with his Kagune, slicing the ghoul across the throat. "Huh?" The ghoul gargles out as he turns to look at his partner, now dead on the ground with several holes punched through his body. Noro is standing beside the corpse. The two investigators shed the Aogiri robes they had looted off some of the ghouls from the observation room, revealing their investigators coats. "Doves? But how?" The guard drops down face first, dead. Kaneki starts dragging his corpse into the shadows. "Get that other body out of sight. Just in case another patrol comes by". Once they finish, the two of them face the engraved stone doorway before them.

"No point waiting for Auron and the others. We go in, finish off Angel, then disable the equipment ok?" Noro nods, and they step into the coms room. Computer monitors sit buzzing on a set of plastic benches around the room. Noro ducks behind the railing that runs around the room, Kaneki following suit. From their vantage point at the entrance, they could see everything in the room, including the ghoul who stood in its center, flanked by two minions. "Panther, Serpent. Go check outside. Those two idiots at the door haven't reported in a while". Ishiin Ataki pauses. "Also go upstairs and check on Aki and the others. I don't trust him on his own for too long…" Kaneki frowns. "Serpent? What is Nishio doing in Aogiri?" Panther and Serpent walk past into the hall, the door slamming closed behind them. The S rated ghoul Angel starts pacing around the monitors, a concerned look on his face.

"Tatari should have gotten back to me by now… Unless Aogiri is planning to abandon me as well…" He sighs. "It's a tough life isn't it Ishiin Ataki? Being a ghoul…" Ishiin spins around, seeing the two investigators standing there. "Fuck! How did you get in here?" Kaneki shrugs nonchalantly "Oh we killed a few dozen ghouls here and there… Well. Upon reflection, you're likely to be the only Aogiri Tree member left alive…" Ishiin blinks. Then rolls his shoulder. "Oh? Not just the only ghoul left alive then?" He tenses, ready to strike. Kaneki cracks his middle finger, his eyes developing a merciless light. "Yes… You're not the only ghoul left in this place…" His Kakugan eye activates as his Kagune spread out behind him, pulsing with red light. Ishiin stumbles back. "What the fuck? You're a ghoul!" He shakes his head, regaining his calm. "The CCG must have fallen so low in these years that have passed. Keeping pet ghouls". Kaneki's eyes narrow in amusement. "Oh I'm no pet, Angel, and you might be surprised at the effectiveness of employing a ghoul to eliminate a ghoul…"

He is about to strike when Ishiin's Kagune lashes out, catching Kaneki off guard and slicing a wound across his shoulder blade. He jumps back, clutching the wound as it heals. "Damn. I wasn't expecting an S rated ghoul to be able to hit me like that…. I shouldn't go so easy on you…" Ishiin laughs. "You act as if you being a One Eye is important for me to know. So… you call me an S rated ghoul? I assume then that you would know me as "Angel"? I'm afraid the CCG gave you the wrong information my friend… I am the SS~ rated ghoul "Twilight". I don't care if you're both ghoul and human. You're still just as dead!" Ishiin launches himself at Kaneki, but Noro sends him crashing into a wall with his own Kagune. Kaneki looks down at Ishiin. "My name is Ken Kaneki, though, you might know me better as "Centipede"…" Ishiin's eyes widen. "Centipede? No…. That means you're… a SSS~ Rated ghoul…"

Kaneki nods, pursing his lips. "If it's any consolation, I never expected you to be capable of wounding me… Alas, your time is up, though not at my hands". As he says this, the heavy iron doors of the entrance fly inward, Panther and Serpent flying backwards through it and crashing into the communications equipment. Noro and Kaneki stand up straighter as Arima and Urie walk in, standing on either side of the door. Panther painfully raises his head to look at the figure emerging from the darkness with fear. As Panther cries out, Auron steps into the light of the coms room, looking around at the debris from Kaneki's brief battle with Ishiin. "It seems as though you acted on your own, Elite Special Class Kaneki". Kaneki salutes, though indolently, towards his commander.

"My apologies Commander. Though…" He looks at the prone form of Ishiin behind him "I've managed to secure an interrogation suspect". Auron nods, motioning his men to be at ease. "Ishiin Ataki… It's been a long time hasn't it?" Ishiin looks up at the man who was so obviously this group of investigator's leader. He freezes. That face… I know that face… He scrambles to his feet, backing up to the wall behind him. "You… you're Auron Tanderus, Reaper. I thought you were dead…" Auron smiles at the ghoul. "Lots of people did. After both the CCG and Aogiri raided the 17th Ward, I ended my existence as Reaper. That ghoul is no more you see". Ishiin nods "So you became a Ghoul Investigator. Why? To seek revenge on Aogiri Tree?" Auron holds up a hand, then lowers it. "I joined the CCG because I wanted to change this world, and I could not make those changes as Reaper". He frowns at Ishiin "You however…. Cannot be changed. You disrespected my memory and joined Aogiri? The very organization that was the enemy of the Terminus Group?"

Ishiin, having regained his composure, wags a finger at Auron. "Why did I join Aogiri Tree? Simple. I want power. I want to grow stronger…" He takes his own Kagune in his arms. "In fact… I've already been blessed with a gift of immense power already". Auron looks on resolutely as "Twilight" proceeds to rip off his own Kagune with his bare hands. However, no blood gushes from the open wound, instead, another Kagune emerges, its texture scale-like with a gaping maw and eyes. Urie, upon seeing the ghouls new Kagune, swears. "Shit. That's one of the One Eyed Owls detachable Kagune… But how isn't this guy a drooling, insane mind slave?"

Ishiin grins wickedly, allowing his Kagune to curl around his body. "I know of the fates of other ghouls who have possessed one of the Owls Kagune… Our leaders surrogate parent, turned into the mute killing machine Noro", Noro winces as he hears the name of the notorious SS rated ghoul that shared his name. "The second Owl, Takezawa who had once been a second rate ghoul investigator. Tsukiyama's underling, Kanae, who wept internally as her insides were twisted to the Owls maniacal uses". Ishiin shakes his head. "I am not as weak as they were. If I can overcome the madness, then I can become twice as powerful as they were. This Kagune will truly become mine, and it shall evolve beyond that of even the Owl's himself". Ishiin suddenly starts laughing, his Kagune splitting off into countless limbs, all with jaws gaping, lunging at the investigators. Kaneki scowls and adjusts his glasses. "Shit…"