AN: Chapter 10 arrives! Now to start setting the story up for Riku and
co.'s first mission as a group. Anyway, enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own MGS, FoR, WK, NGE, RBHS, or AnC; I only own Riku and the story. Also, Gregory Kinezono and Linn Aramaki belong to ShardclawKusanagi, and Lt. Reese and James Masterson aka Silent Scorpion belong to RuneKnightPictures. Aside from Greg, who will be making a brief appearance in this chapter, the others will only be mentioned.
Recap(sorry for forgetting to put one in chapter 9):
Last time, Riku fought Shizuma Kusanagi in a K-Fight that ended in Shizuma as the victor. Later, Nagi and Tot begin their training in both VR and real time fighting; which brings us to the present.
Chapter 10: The Return of Schwartz and the Arrival of Weiss
VR Training Room:
Nagi and Tot stood in a large area filled with tons of box-like obstructions; they then heard their codecs ring and answered them.
"I've got the simulation all set and ready to go." Riku said as soon as his face appeared on the codec screen. "You guys ready?"
"Yes." Nagi answered and he looked over at Tot and she nodded. "So what's this simulation supposed to be, anyway?"
"It's really a very simple one." Riku replied. "All you need to do is take out all of the enemies that appear. The setting is extreme, of course and this simulation is called Zacko Survival mode. Your weapons are all in those boxes there; how and when you use them is entirely up to you. Enjoy!"
"We'll do our best!" Tot shouted after Riku.
There was a small beep that signaled the start of the simulation. Both Nagi and Tot saw a single soldier appear many feet across from them. The soldier immediately started firing at them, but Nagi deflected the bullets with his powers. He then turned to Tot.
"Guess we might as well get the weapons over there." He said and they both walked over to the item boxes and they picked up their weaponry. Nagi took the PSG1 sniper rifles, the Socom, the M4, and the Stinger; while Tot took the HF Blade.
"Here goes." Nagi said and he then aimed the rifles at the lone soldier and pulled the trigger.
Meanwhile: Outside the VR Training Room:
(Not bad at all, you two.) Riku thought as he watched the simulated fight where Nagi and Tot were now dispatching a group of six soldiers with ease. (Let's see, the next enemies they'll face are the Tengus and the soldiers. That should be interesting to watch. One thing I look forward to is when Nagi gets strong enough to fight me on the same level I fought Greg a year ago.)
Flashback: VR Training Room: 1 Year Before:
Riku ducked as another shot whizzed overhead. He and Greg were in a maze-like area, and they were both trying to see who could beat the other in terms of fighting in those types of areas. So far, neither one had dealt any damage to the other but that was about to change.
Riku, knowing full well the advantages to fighting in areas like this, quickly used his first trick, ventriloquism.
"Hey Greg!" Riku called causing his friend to turn in the direction he thought the voice was coming from. "I'm right over here! I'm defenseless!"
Greg then took out his grenade gun and fired in the direction the voice had come from. Riku smiled and then jumped out from his hiding place as he prepared to throw a fireball at Greg.
Greg immediately saw him and then swung his grenade gun in that direction, all the while fusing it with his nano arm. The gun then charged up, forming a large yellow energy ball.
"Did you really think a simple trick like that would work on me?" Greg shouted towards Riku and then he fired the energy ball at him. "You lose, my friend!"
The ball flew towards its target but instead of striking Riku, it passed right through him and he flickered and disappeared.
Greg's eyes widened from surprise and he turned around and saw a fireball headed right for him. Greg quickly jumped out of the way of the incoming attack, but not before it struck his left shoulder, knocking him back a little.
Greg then clutched the wound inflicted and looked in the direction that the fireball had come from.
"Riku, that was one sweet trick!" He called. "Using ventriloquism, which you knew that I would instantly see through, and then a doppelganger illusion to convince me that I had seen through your trick so that you could get an opening in my defense. Not only that, you knew that I would have trouble dodging after using that attack. Am I right?"
There were a few minutes of silence until Riku spoke.
"Did you just read my mind, or something?" He asked suspiciously.
"You know I can't do that." Greg answered. "Oh yeah, and don't expect me to fall for the same trick twice."
"Of course not." Riku replied. "And don't expect me to use the same trick twice in one battle either. Repetitions are pretty boring, you know."
"So what are you planning now?" Greg asked looking around to see if he could at least get a glimpse of where Riku was hiding.
"Oh that's simple, I'm planning on using one of my trump cards. Hope you like it!"
Greg then spotted Riku standing on a ledge on the other side of the room. Riku smiled and then drew the kanji for "vacant".
"Kokuu!" He called and then a large fireball appeared in front of him. Then a large, snake-like creature made entirely of fire appeared and then blew on the fireball, causing a large red beam to stream towards Greg.
"Tuski!" Greg shouted and a large crescent shaped force field appeared in front of him. Then the beam hit the barrier with a huge explosion.
Riku looked down at the spot where the beam had hit, waiting for the smoke to clear. Suddenly a large yellow beam came streaming towards him.
"Oh shit!" Riku shouted and then drew the kanji for "round". "Madoka!"
Then a large orange barrier appeared in front of him, but the beam broke through the barrier, shattering it like glass and the beam struck Riku head on, knocking him unconscious.
Later: FOXHOUND Infirmary:
"Ittai (It hurts)!" Riku shouted as ointment was out onto his wounds. Then he turned to Greg, who was standing next to him looking completely unharmed. "That was some attack you used on me back there. By the way, did my attack break that barrier of yours?"
"Yeah, but as you can see, it didn't do very much damage." Greg answered. "So is that your strongest ability?"
"Second strongest. The other one is a multiple version of it. I could probably take down quite a lot of metal gears with that."
"We could head back to the VR room and put it to the test." Greg suggested.
"In this condition?" Riku asked. "You've gotta be kidding. But I will say this." And he got up and looked at Greg. "I'm definitely going to get strong enough, so when we fight again, things will be more interesting."
"I look forward to that." Greg said sincerely.
Flashback Ends
Present: Outside VR Training Room:
(Yeesh. Wonder how Kokuu would do against Greg now.) Riku thought and then he looked at the monitor and saw that Nagi and Tot were getting close to finishing their fight with the Tengus. (Better make that adjustment before "it" arrives. Then we'll see if those two can see through my little trick.)
VR Training Room:
Nagi waited until the Tengu was through shooting at him from a distance before he stood up and aimed the sniper rifle at his target's head and then fired. The Tengu fell to the ground and disappeared. Nagi then turned over to where Tot was and saw that she was currently fighting the last two Tengus, both of which were armed with katanas.
Tot parried both of the Tengus thrust and slashes until she saw an opening in the first one's defense. She quickly thrust her blade forward, smoothly running her opponent through. Then she turned toward the second Tengu, which was charging towards her with its blade raised to strike, and then drew her sword out of the Tengu she had just run through quicker than the eye could follow slicing through her incoming enemy.
There was a beep and then the current mode ended.
Nagi walked over to where Tot was.
"Well, that last fight was a good one." He said. "Hard to believe that Snake and Raiden actually took down an army of these guys."
"You can say that again." Toy agreed as she put her sword back in its sheath. "So what do you think we'll fight next? More of these Tengus?"
"Maybe." Nagi said. "Or maybe we'll end up fighting a VR version of a metal gear."
Suddenly, Riku appeared in front of them.
"Actually, you'll end up fighting something like that." He said and then he turned to Nagi. "Nice sniper shooting and an even nicer touch with using your powers to shield both you and Tot from enemy fire." And then he turned to Tot. "Well, I can see that you're learning your swordsmanship from Uncle Tokiya very well. That was a very good job with using a variation of Battojutsu. You were able to turn a disadvantage from running an enemy through with your sword into an advantage."
"Thanks." Nagi said.
"Thank you." Tot said.
"You're welcome." Riku replied. "But there are a lot of aspects that you need some help with, but we'll get to that later. Anyway, would you like to try that game of mine?"
"That would depend on what you have in mind." Nagi answered, instantly suspicious. "It's nothing that involves you playing any weird tricks on us, is it?"
"Why Nagi, whatever makes you think that's what I have in mind?" Riku asked innocently.
"Just answer the question." Nagi said.
"Don't worry, you two." Riku said reassuringly. "I promise that this does not involve any weird tricks."
"Well that's a relief." Nagi said then he turned to Tot. "Do you think we should try this game of his out?"
"Sure." Tot answered. "Why not?"
"All right then, all the two of you need to do is hit me with one of your attacks." Riku explained. "Though it won't be as easy as it sounds; all these obstacles will work fine for me as shelter. Good luck." And then he stepped behind one of the block-like obstacles and was gone.
Nagi then looked around trying to find where Riku was hiding.
"No wonder he picked this place." Nagi said. "Riku knew exactly how to use this field to his advantage. This is more or less a test to see whether or not we can beat an enemy in a field where he has an advantage." Then he turned to Tot. "I have an idea. Tot I want you to be ready to attack Riku as soon as he appears."
"What are you going to do?" Tot asked.
"I'll use my powers to blow away the obstacles, which will leave Riku without a place to hide." Nagi answered. "Then he'll be vulnerable to attack."
"Okay." Tot said and then drew her sword. "The we'll take on the next enemy. I bet it's going to be tough since Riku said that it was like a metal gear."
"Yeah, Tot, that's-." And then Nagi paused for a few minutes, considering what he had just heard and then walked up to Tot and kissed her. "Thanks, Tot. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Tot's face reddened before she answered.
"Y-your welcome, Nagi." She stammered. "But what did I do to help you?"
"It's what you just told me." Nagi answered with a smile. "You just made me see through what Riku was planning. I don't even think he's in the training room anymore."
"Huh?"
"Think about it." Nagi said. "Riku made a sudden and unexpected change to the simulation. He gave us a fake goal to distract us from the real one; the next enemy. Now if that enemy is anything like a metal gear, we'll need cover from its attacks. What Riku was doing was trying to trick us into destroying our only defense from the next enemy."
"Why would he do that?" Tot asked.
"I'm guessing that the game he proposed was more or less a diversion." Nagi explained. "Now that I think about it, it makes more sense since diversions happen a lot during missions and you need to know how to spot them. I think that was the purpose of what he was doing."
Then they both heard the codec ring and they answered.
"Nagi, are you sure you're not a mind reader?" Riku asked as soon as his face appeared on the screen.
"Not that I know of." Nagi answered and then he smiled at Riku. "So, since you're contacting us by codec, it looks like I was right about the whole thing."
"More or less." Riku replied. "Though it was Tot that got you to realize it. Well, enjoy the next opponent, he's super tough." And then the codec went off.
Suddenly, the area to the far back cleared up and then a large white, humanoid creature fell onto the cleared space from above. It looked like some kind of giant robot dressed as genome soldier and it sounded like an elephant.
"What the hell is that?" Nagi asked as he and Tot both sweat dropped at the sight of the new enemy. "Oh well, looks like we'll have to take it out first." Then he formed an energy ball and threw it at the robot. It didn't even flinch.
"Uh oh." Tot said as soon as she saw that Nagi's attack had no affect whatsoever.
Thirty Minutes Later:
Riku looked up from the manga he was reading as soon as he heard Nagi and Tot come back. They were both breathing heavily from what looked like a ton of running.
"I guess that part didn't go so well." Riku said, earning angry glares from his two friends.
"You try fighting a giant monster!" Tot shouted.
"And what possessed you to give us that particular mode?" Nagi shouted.
"Am I in trouble?" Riku asked nervously.
"Oh yes." Tot answered.
"How does I'm sorry sound?" Riku asked hopefully.
"If sorry was enough, there wouldn't be wars!" Nagi shouted.
"Why don't I try making it up to you instead." Riku said. "Let's give elimination mode a try; whoever gets the lowest score buys lunch."
""You're on." Nagi replied. "And since Tot and I will be doing the simulation as a team, the odds will be against you. Prepare to literally pay for that trick you played!"
(I wonder how those two would have reacted if I had tricked them into going into the streaking mode together?) Riku thought as he set the VR simulation. (They probably wouldn't stop killing me.)
Three Months Later:
Three months passed quickly for Nagi and Tot. Training in both VR and real time had sharpened their skills greatly. Nagi still wasn't able to turn a piece of coal into a diamond yet, and he had yet to discover how to use his powers for healing, but he had been able to master the ability to attack and defend with his powers as well as to quickly alternate between them. Tot's sword skills had improved from the combined learning from Tokiya's style of swordsmanship and Ryoko's training.
In fact, Tot's skills had made her a great addition to the kendo club, and with both her and Ryoko on the team, this show of great skills had brought on the days present subject.
"A tournament?" Tot asked Ryoko. They were in the school cafeteria during lunch. The two of them had become friends very quickly after a few days of training together. Eventually, Tot had gotten to know the rest of the Shinsengumi and became quick friends with them too.
"Yeah, it's something the student councils from Daimon, Kita, and Houka high schools came up with." Ryoko answered. "Basically, the kendo teams from each school are going to compete with each other. The tournament is going to be in some stadium in Kushiro."
"Sounds like fun." Tot said happily. "When is it?"
"It's in three weeks. So you'd better train as well as you can for it."
"Don't worry. I'll do my best." Tot replied and then she remembered something. "By the way, can Nagi and Riku come to it?"
"I don't see why not." Ryoko answered. "As long as they get a permission form signed. Actually, everyone we know is coming even Shizuma, though I can't even guess why he'd want to come."
"I think that you actually might." Tot said and then turned to leave before Ryoko could ask what she meant. "Well, I'm going to go tell Nagi and Riku the good news. See you at practice." And then she left.
(Does she know?) Ryoko wondered. (Nah. It's probably just a coincidence.)
Later:
"So you're entering a tournament." Nagi said as soon as he finished hearing Tot tell him. "Of course we'll come."
"And if it means skipping school, you can count me in." Riku added. "By the way, since a lot of people at school are going to be coming to see this, I bet transportation is going to be provided via bus. I hope it's one of those charter buses with the TVs."
"If there's any possible way you can get an excused absence from school, you take it." Nagi commented with a shake of his head. "I bet you've been disappointed that there haven't been any missions from FOXHOUND lately."
"Are you absolutely positive you're not a mind reader?" Riku asked. "Well, I look forward to three weeks from now."
Meanwhile: Mikage Intl. HQ:
"I see." Crawford said over his cell phone. "So that's what you've been up to. Very well, I should be able to schedule a small business meeting for us a few weeks from now." And he paused to hear more of what the receiver had to say. "The Kushiro Docks in three weeks. Very well, my men and I will be there." And he turned off his cell phone and turned to Schuldich and Farfarello, who were both leaning against the wall of the room they were in.
"So what did old man Shalashaska want?" Schuldich asked.
"I'm afraid we'll have to meet with him soon." Crawford answered. "Ocelot has something that he wants to discuss with us and I believe that it's important."
"New orders from the Patriots?" Schuldich asked.
"Possibly, but since Viper hasn't said anything regarding this, it could be something else. Regardless, keep your guard up around Ocelot just in case he tries anything."
"If he wants to challenge us then he is welcome to try." Farfarello said. "His blood will make a fine decoration for my blades."
"I doubt you'll be very successful in doing that, Farfarello." Schuldich said. "Not if he's using that metal gear that he stole from the Marines four years ago. Or should I say, "Took back"?"
"I doubt that he would use RAY out in the open," Crawford said. "But Ocelot has always been an unpredictable fellow. I don't know what he's planning, but I have a feeling that it will be quite entertaining."
Three Weeks Later: At the Tournament: Stadium Ring:
The crowd cheered as Tot defeated her opponent with ease. Her opponent fell to the ground with a groan.
"And Tot defeats her opponent in two minutes flat!" Natsumi announced. "Leaving the final round to Daimon's famous Ryoko Mitsurugi! This win will decide which team makes it to tomorrow's finals!"
And Ryoko stepped up onto the ring as Tot got off.
"Good luck, Ryoko!" Tot said with a smile before walking over to the benches where the rest of the team sat.
Stadium Seats:
"Well, this match is pretty much decided." Riku said as he got up. He then turned to Nagi. "Wanna grab a burger while there's still time to? Since your girlfriend's finished her round and all."
"Sure, why not." Nagi replied and the two of them walked towards the stairs.
"You're not staying?" Shizuma asked as they passed him.
"No real reason to." Riku answered and he looked over at the ring. "Look, the guy Ryoko's up against can't even hold his bokuto right. It's obvious who's going to win."
"I see your point." Shizuma agreed. "Even Daisaku is bored with this."
"I don't really blame him." Nagi said. "Even if that guy is a bit of a weirdo."
"I heard that!" A voice shouted at them from above. The speaker was a shorter boy with brown hair carrying a video camera and a strange recording object.
Riku took a look at the boy's item.
"A directional microphone?" He asked. "How did you get the money for one of those, Daisaku?"
"I had to save three months worth of my allowance and lunch money." Daisaku answered. "All so I could improve my recording of Ms. Mitsurugi!" And his eyes seemed to glow as he said this.
"He sure is devoted to the field of stalkerism." Riku said to Nagi as they both sweat dropped.
"I have to agree with you on that." Nagi replied. "By the way, is stalkerism even a word?"
"Who cares, it fits him perfectly." Riku answered. "And besides, you know what I meant, now let's go grab a snack." And the two of them headed for the stadium snack bar.
Later:
They both ate their snacks near the stadium gate. As they were eating, Nagi looked over and then his eyes widened as he saw someone he wasn't expecting to see.
"Riku." He said causing his friend to turn to him. "Look over there across the street. Don't make it apparent; he might see us."
"What are you talking about?" Riku asked as he looked over in the direction Nagi had indicated.
"Look over to the left a little." Nagi instructed.
"And who am I looking for?"
"It's Crawford." Nagi answered. "I recognize that suit he wears anywhere."
Riku looked until he spotted the business suit that he remembered Crawford wearing when he first ran into him. He soon saw it and immediately saw that the man was indeed Crawford and he was talking to someone on a cell phone.
"You think we should follow him?" Riku asked. "And can you see if any of the other Schwartz members are nearby?"
"I don't see any of them." Nagi answered after a few seconds of looking. "Let's follow him until he goes into a building. Then we'll decide what to do from there."
"All right." Then Riku stopped and turned to Nagi. "Contact Tot first by codec. She needs to know what's going on in case anything happens to us."
"Right." Nagi replied and then entered Tot's frequency. After a few seconds, Tot answered and her face appeared on the codec screen.
"Nagi, what is it?" Tot asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Riku and I just spotted Crawford and we've decided to trail him for a bit." Nagi replied.
"All right, I'll be right there." Tot said
"Hold on a minute." Nagi said before Tot could turn off her codec. "Riku and I will handle this, Tot. You just wait for us at the hotel and we'll tell you what we found out."
"But I want to help you." Tot objected.
"If something should happen to us, you'll need to contact the colonel and tell him what happened." Nagi replied. "Tot, I know you want to help me and you also want to get revenge on Crawford and the rest for killing your friends from Schrient, but I need you to do this for me. Please?"
Tot paused for a moment before answering.
"Okay." She said reluctantly. "Just be careful, all right."
"Don't worry. I will." And Nagi turned off his codec.
Back at the Stadium:
Tot stood in the stadium lobby with Ryoko and the rest of the Shinsengumi. She and Ryoko had changed out of their kendo outfits and were now wearing their school uniforms.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Ryoko asked. "You look worried about something."
"What... oh it's nothing." Tot answered with a forced smile. "I guess I'm a little anxious about the final match tomorrow."
"Tot, you're a really bad liar." Ryoko said with a shake of her head. "Does it have anything to do with that conversation you were having with someone on your cell phone?"
"Cell phone?" And suddenly Tot realized what Ryoko was talking about. (She must have seen me use the codec to talk to Nagi.)
"Oh that." Tot replied, playing on that idea. "It wasn't anything, something just came up, but I'm pretty sure it's nothing. Well, I'd better head over to the hotel, I bet Nagi's waiting for me." And then she quickly left.
(What was that all about?) Ryoko wondered.
"Is there something wrong, Ryoko?" Hitomi asked as she walked up to her friend.
"No, not really." Ryoko answered and then she quickly remembered something important. "Well, I'd better get going. I just remembered something that I need to take care of. I'll meet you and the others later, bye!" And Ryoko quickly left.
"Everyone sure seems to be in a hurry today." Hitomi commented to the rest of the Shinsengumi.
"Well, I don't really blame those two." Megumi replied. "Since the final matches have got to be tough ones, they're probably nervous."
"I don't really think so." Aoi said. "Ryoko is nervous about something, but it isn't about tomorrow's match and I think it's the same with Tot too."
"What do you think it is?" Asuka asked.
Aoi paused for a few moments before answering. "I don't know." Causing everyone to fall over.
"If you didn't know, why didn't you just say so in the first place?" Megumi shouted.
Meanwhile:
"So why do you think Crawford's here?" Riku asked as they followed him slowly from behind. "You think he knows about us being here?"
"I don't think so." Nagi answered. "If he did, he would have contacted us somehow. My guess is that he's here on a job from someone."
"So whatever building he goes into is probably where his current boss is." Riku said.
"Either that or, if the building turns out to be a hotel, wherever he and the rest of Schwartz are staying." Nagi added. "We'll find out soon, though."
A few minutes later, Crawford entered a large fancy looking hotel. Riku and Nagi followed him into the lobby and waited until Crawford entered one of the elevators and left.
I'll handle this." Nagi said and then walked over to the receptionist's desk. "Excuse me, sir, but did you see a man come by recently? He had black hair, was wearing glasses and a white business suit." He then gestured at Riku. "My friend, over there, and I have a meeting with him scheduled, and he told us that he was staying here. His name is Brad Crawford."
The receptionist checked the computer and then spoke.
"Oh yes. Mr. Crawford checked in here yesterday along with two business associates of his. Would you like me to call him for you?"
"No thank you." Nagi replied. "He's expecting us. Could you please tell me the room number that he's in?"
"Of course." The man answered. "Mr. Crawford is staying in room 1012."
"Thank you very much, sir." Nagi said and then he turned to Riku and nodded. Then they walked over to the elevator, entered it, and set it to the tenth level.
After a few minutes, the elevator reached its destination and the two of them walked out and then towards the room. When they reached it, they saw a janitor come out of the room next to it. He didn't pay any attention to them and calmly pulled out his cart and then wheeled it down the hall and was gone.
"Looks like we're in luck today." Riku commented and he turned to Nagi. "Nagi, can you use your powers to open the door to that room the janitor just finished cleaning from the inside?"
"No problem." Nagi answered and then he walked over to the door of the room, focused his powers, and then the door opened with a click. Then, he and Riku quickly entered and listened at the adjoining door.
"So he wants us to meet him at the Kushiro Docks at eleven thirty tonight?" They heard Schuldich's voice say. "Shit, looks like I'm gonna lose some sleep thanks to him; let's hope that it's worth it."
"I'm sure that it is." Crawford's voice replied. "He knows better than to do anything that would interfere with our affairs."
"Shouldn't we start looking for a replacement for Nagi soon?" This time the speaker was Farfarello.
"That will have to be put on hold for now." Crawford answered. "And Schuldich, if you want to rest do it now."
"But it's not the same." Schuldich said in mock complaint. "Oh well, you're the boss."
Riku then turned to Nagi and instantly knew what he was thinking.
"Nagi, no." Riku said firmly. "I know we have the element of surprise on our side right now, but we can't go into battle mode here. There are too many people who could get caught in the crossfire."
Nagi paused to consider this before speaking.
"I guess you're right." He said. "Let's head back to the hotel and then tell Tot about this. Then we'll decide what to do."
Later: At the hotel:
"So what did you guys find out?" Tot asked as soon as they came into the lobby.
"A lot and not very much." Riku answered.
"Huh?" Tot asked.
"I'll explain it." Nagi said and then he looked around. "I think we should head someplace more private so we can talk without worrying about being over heard."
"Good idea." Riku agreed and then a thought came to mind. "We could use this hotel's storage room for that."
"I guess it's better than just using our rooms." Nagi said in agreement. "Since school policy is that the doors need to remain open at all times until lights out."
"Not much privacy that way, huh?" Riku said with a smile and he saw the warning glare Nagi gave him. "All right, I won't say anything. Let's go."
Later: Storage Room:
"So Schwartz is supposed to meet with someone tonight." Tot finished after hearing Riku and Nagi's story. "So what do we do?"
"Well, we have two choices in the matter." Riku answered. "We could just ignore this or we could trail Schwartz and find out what they're up to. I-." And then Riku stopped when he heard the door to the room open. He quickly looked around until he found what he was looking for.
"Hide under these." Riku said as he handed two empty cardboard boxes to Nagi and Tot and then grabbed one for himself. The three quickly hid under their cardboard boxes just before they heard the sound of approaching feet.
(If it's the janitor, we're screwed.) Riku thought.
"So why are we meeting in here?" A young man's voice asked. "I know our relationship is supposed to be secret and all, but you do know what most people would think if they found us here alone."
"Oh shut up you idiot." A girl's voice replied. "You know why I need to talk with you. It's about us."
(Those voices sound familiar.) Riku thought. (Who could they be?) And then Riku carefully pushed out the cardboard part of the handhold to make a hole to see through. What he saw nearly made his jaw drop onto the floor from shock. The two people outside were Shizuma and Ryoko.
"Us, huh." Shizuma said and then sighed. "Well, I'm not sure where to start with this at all. I've never been in a relationship before. Especially a secret one."
"Neither have I." Ryoko added. "But still..." And then she paused for a moment. "Shizuma, you do love me, right?"
"That's a stupid question, of course I do." Shizuma replied, his face slightly reddening.
"Well why don't you say it?" Ryoko asked.
Shizuma's face reddened even more before.
"All right. Ryoko Mitsurugi, I love you. I'm not very good at this relationship thing but I'll do my best."
"Are you being serious?" Ryoko asked suspiciously.
"Yes." Shizuma answered. "What makes you think I wasn't serious?"
"Never mind. Shizuma you can be such a simpleton sometimes." And then she smiled at him. "But that's one of the things I love about you." And then she walked over to Shizuma and the two of them kissed passionately.
Meanwhile, Riku was unable to take his eyes off what was going on outside of his box. Until he heard his codec ring and he quickly answered it.
Nagi's face appeared on the codec screen and his expression of shock was similar to Riku's.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Nagi asked.
"If what you're seeing is Shizuma and Ryoko making out, then yes." Riku answered. "I guess the rumors were true after all."
Then Tot's face appeared on the codec screen all teary eyed.
"Oh that's just so romantic." She said with a sniffle. "I'm so happy for those two."
"You don't seem to be the least bit surprised." Riku noted. "Don't tell me you knew about this."
"Sort of." Tot replied. "I just watched those two and it seemed obvious that something was going on between them."
Riku's eyes widened from surprise.
"Nagi, your girlfriend is much more observant than I thought." He said. "I doubt you'll do very good at keeping secrets from her."
"Thanks, I really needed to hear that." Nagi replied sarcastically. "So what should we do now?"
"It's pretty obvious." Riku answered. "We hide under these boxes until those two leave. If they find out that we're here, we are so dead."
"That's really reassuring." Nagi said sarcastically. "Oh well, we might as well decide what we should do about Schwartz while we're her." And then he stopped after sniffling a little. "Man, these boxes are dusty."
"Whatever you do, don't sneeze." Riku advised. "Now, about Schwartz- ."
"Ah-ah-ah." This came from Tot's frequency and both Riku and Nagi knew what was about to happen. "Ahchoo!"
A large red exclamation point appeared above Ryoko and Shizuma's heads as they broke apart and looked at the cardboard boxes next to them.
Riku, Nagi, and Tot slowly got out from under the cardboard boxes.
"Were you spying on us?" Ryoko asked.
"No." Riku answered quickly. "It's not what you think. You see, the three of us had something important to talk about and we decided to talk here. Then you two came in and, well.... You know the rest."
"Do you really expect us to believe that?" Shizuma asked.
"I think they're telling the truth." Ryoko said.
"What makes you think so?"
"Tot received a call about something important earlier today." Ryoko explained. "I don't know what it was about, but from her expression it looked important." And then she looked at the three of them. "You will keep this a secret, right?"
"Of course." Riku answered and Nagi and Tot nodded. "But why the secret, and how long have the two of you been seeing each other?"
Both Ryoko and Shizuma blushed a bit before Ryoko spoke.
"Well, it was a little bit after that giant K-Fight at Dragon Land." She said. "Shizuma and I decided to talk a little about things and one thing led to another and we discovered that we actually liked each other."
"By one thing led to another." Riku said. "You don't mean that the two of you..."
"Of course not!" Ryoko and Shizuma shouted at the same time.
"Riku, is your mind always in the gutter when it comes to these things?" Nagi asked with a sigh.
"No." Riku answered. "I was just curious." And then he stopped to consider what he'd just said. "Hold on, that didn't come out right."
"Just go on." Nagi said and he gestured at Riku. "And ignore him."
"That's pretty much what happened." Shizuma replied. "As for why we're keeping the relationship a secret, well, you know how the whole student body would react if they found out those rumors of us being a couple are true. So what was it that you three needed to talk about that was so important?"
"Oh look, it's almost time for us to go eat dinner." Riku said suddenly after looking quickly at his watch. "Well, the three of us should get going. Don't worry your secret's safe with us. Let's go Nagi, Tot." And the three of them quickly left before Ryoko or Shizuma could object.
"What the hell was that all about?" Shizuma asked.
"I don't know." Ryoko answered. "Hey, doesn't Daisaku have a directional microphone?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Could you get it for me?" Ryoko asked.
"I think so." Shizuma answered. "Hold on, you're not thinking of using it to find out what it is that Riku, Nagi, and Tot are keeping secret, are you?"
"Whatever it is, it could be important." Ryoko insisted. "Besides, those three spied on us, so that makes it fair."
"Fine. Leave it to me."
"I knew I could rely on you, Shizuma." And Ryoko kissed him again.
Later: Outside of Riku's Hotel Room:
"Why did you bring him along?" Ryoko asked quietly, indicating Daisaku.
"He wouldn't let me borrow it." Shizuma answered. "And you're one to talk. You brought you're group of friends too." And he indicated Hitomi and the rest of the Shinsengumi.
"Well, I guess you've got a point." Ryoko said and then turned to Daisaku. "So why wouldn't you just let us borrow that thing?"
"This is a very expensive piece of equipment." Daisaku answered, clutching the microphone protectively. "It would be better off in my hands."
"Fine, just point it at the door so we can hear what's going on." Ryoko said.
"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Hitomi asked.
"Probably not." Megumi answered. "But I'm curious."
"Same here." Asuka said.
"Me too." Aoi agreed.
"Me three!" Xiaoxing said.
Then Daisaku pointed the microphone at the door.
"All right then, it's been decided." Riku's voice said. "We'll head to their hotel, trail them, and see what those guys are up too."
"Should we ambush them if we get the chance?" This time the speaker was Nagi. "If there aren't any people nearby that could get caught in the crossfire, that is."
"That depends on how things are at the time." Riku answered.
"Don't tell me we should just let them go!" This time it was Tot who spoke.
"We can't just rush into these kinds of things." Riku replied. "Look, Tot, I know you want revenge on those guys; so does Nagi for what they did to the two of you, but you two are my partners and your safety comes first."
There were a few moments of silence until Tot spoke again.
"You're right." She agreed. "I'm sorry, it's just that I..."
"Tot, neither of us blame you for how you feel." Nagi said. "If anything, I'll help you when we do fight those guys. In the meantime, if you ever do feel sad about what happened, then don't be afraid to come to me for support."
"Nagi, you're so sweet." Tot said adoringly.
"You do realize if any of the adults get suspicious, opens the door, and finds the two of you making out like that, they're going to think you're doing some improper things." Riku noted with amusement.
"Very funny." Nagi said sarcastically. "Now when are we going to sneak out of the hotel to follow our old friends?"
"About eleven." Riku answered. "After all, it pays to be early."
And then Daisaku put up the microphone.
"Do you want to listen to anymore?" He asked Ryoko.
"No." She answered and she turned to everyone else. "What do you think, should we follow them?"
The reaction of the group was, of course, yes.
Later:
Riku stepped out of his hotel room, looked around to be sure no one was looking and then turned back and nodded to Nagi. The two of them quietly left their room and then walked over to Tot's room to find her waiting for them. They then went to the elevator and took it down to the lobby and then they exited the hotel. Unbeknownst to them, Ryoko and co. followed from behind.
Riku, Nagi, Tot, and their unknown pursuers walked until they got to the hotel that Riku and Nagi had followed Crawford to. Riku and co. stopped a few feet away from the entrance to the hotel and then pretended to have a conversation. Ryoko and co. stood a few feet away from them.
After a few minutes, Riku saw Crawford come out of the hotel followed by Schuldich. They walked past Riku and co. and then headed down the sidewalk in the direction of the docks.
"Where's Farfarello?" Riku asked Nagi as they began trailing Schwartz.
"He's following from the roof." Nagi answered. "Don't look up, he might see us."
"Why doesn't he just-?" Riku began.
"Riku, with all those scars all over his body and the way he acts, Farfarello would attract way too much attention."
"Not a very good thing for an assassin, huh?" Riku asked.
"No, it isn't." Nagi answered. "By the way, why did you bring your M9 with you to this trip?"
"I always carry one with me just in case." Riku replied. "Better safe than sorry, you know."
"So how far do we need to walk?" Tot asked.
"To the Kushiro Docks." Riku answered. "That's where Schwartz is going to meet with someone."
"Any idea who that someone could be?" Tot asked.
"Nope."
Meanwhile:
"Looks like those two guys are the ones that those three are following." Ryoko noted as they followed their three friends.
"There's someone moving along with those two on the roofs of the buildings." Asuka said suddenly.
"That guy must be a really good jumper then." Megumi said.
"Ryoko, do you have any idea who those people Riku and the others are following are?" Shizuma asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine." Ryoko answered. "But whoever those three are, I'm getting a real nasty feeling from them."
"You're not the only one, Ryoko." Aoi said. "Those three don't feel right at all. And by that, I mean that they could be dangerous."
"So why would Riku and his friends be after them?" Xiaoxing asked.
"That's something we'll have to find out from Riku himself." Shizuma answered.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Hitomi said.
"I agree." Daisaku added.
"You're just being paranoid." Ryoko said.
Later: Kushiro Docks:
Riku and co. quickly hid behind a set of crates and watched as Crawford, Schuldich, and Farfarello stopped. Apparently, they were waiting for someone. Suddenly, they heard footsteps from the left and saw a man wearing a brown trench coat, with white hair and a mustache. The way he was dressed looked like something from a western movie.
Riku immediately recognized the man from the pictures he had seen of him as well as the description of him that he had heard from Snake.
(It's Ocelot.) Riku thought. (So he's the one Crawford is meeting with.)
"What's Revolver Ocelot doing here?" Nagi asked in whisper.
"You mean you've seen him before?" Riku asked.
"Yeah, he came by a few times to give Crawford some assignments."
"He even gave my group a few assignments, too." Tot added.
"Next time, tell me about these things." Riku said. "Now let's hear what these guys have to say."
"Good evening, Ocelot." Crawford said. "Shall we get down to business now?"
"Of course, Crawford." Ocelot answered and he looked at him, Schuldich, and Farfarello. "I thought there were four of you."
"There were." Crawford replied. "But I'm afraid we lost our fourth member."
"You lost someone with powers practically mirroring Psycho Mantis'?" Ocelot asked with a snicker. "My, my, I doubt that the Patriots will be happy to hear that."
"Spare me the gloating." Crawford said. "Now I would like to hear more about what this proposition of yours is."
"All in good time." Ocelot replied. "I can guarantee that you will find our plans for Tokyo-3 to be very entertaining. In fact, your current assignment, even though it's a trifle compared to the new S3, may play a key factor in it."
"Tell me more." Crawford said.
Meanwhile:
"You have any idea what's going on?" Shizuma asked Ryoko as they listened in with the directional microphone.
"I have no clue." Ryoko said. "But I know I've seen that man that those three guys are talking to before. But where?"
"I think I heard the man with the glasses call him Ocelot." Hitomi said. "Does that ring any bells?"
"It can't be." Aoi said.
Ryoko turned and looked over at her friend and saw, for the first time, a genuinely shocked expression on her face.
"You know who this is?" Ryoko asked.
"If I'm right, then that man over there is very famous terrorist." Aoi answered. "He was a member of the FOXHOUND group that took over Shadow Moses. His name is Revolver Ocelot."
There were a few minutes of silence as the group took in what Aoi had just told them. Finally, Ryoko spoke.
"I don't know what Riku, Nagi, and Tot have to do with this guy, but we'd better get them out of here." She said. "And then get out of here ourselves."
Meanwhile:
"Well, what should we do?" Tot asked.
"I'm debating whether or not we should ambush these guys now." Riku answered. "Schwartz is one thing, but Ocelot is completely different."
"I don't see what the problem is." Nagi said. "This guy doesn't even have any special abilities."
"Need I remind you about the metal gear he stole from the Marines four years ago." Riku replied. "Why else would they meet at the docks; Ocelot probably has RAY hidden somewhere underwater, and that RAY is completely different from the mass produced ones."
Suddenly, Riku heard a noise from behind and quickly drew his M9 and pointed it in the direction it had come from. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw who it was.
"Ryoko? Shizuma?" He said in recognition and he lowered his M9. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I'd ask the same of you!" Ryoko answered. "Why are you following three people who obviously have connections to that terrorist over there?"
"First tell me why you were following us." Riku replied.
"We heard a little about what you three were planning to do, so we decided to follow you." Shizuma answered.
"And how did you accomplish that?" Riku asked. "And are you two the only ones following us, or did you bring more people?"
"Actually, we did." Ryoko answered. "We brought Daisaku, Hitomi, and the rest of the Shinsengumi. As for how we found out, we used Daisaku's directional microphone to listen in."
(Note to self: From now on, use the codec to talk to Nagi and Tot.) Riku thought before looking at Ryoko and Shizuma with an exasperated sigh.
"I guess we deserved that for accidentally spying on you two." He said and then turned to Nagi and Tot. "It looks like we don't have any choice. Once we find out what Ocelot and Crawford are planning, we get out of here."
"Man, the colonel is going to have a coronary when he hears about this." Nagi said. "Now more people know about us. I don't even want to know what Reese is going to do when he hears about this." And then he turned to Tot. "Sorry, Tot, but it looks like we'll have to put off revenge for now."
"That's all right, Nagi." Tot replied and she stopped to look at Shizuma and Ryoko. "My friends from Schrient would have scolded me for putting a friend in danger."
"Just who are you guys?" Ryoko asked.
"You know our names, Ryoko." Riku answered.
"That's not what I meant." Ryoko said. "What I meant was...."
"She means, are you guys some kind of secret agents or something?" Shizuma said.
"Sort of." Riku answered. "I'll explain everything when we get back to the hotel. In the meantime, don't do anything to alert those guys over there. They can be deadly and whoever you fought before probably doesn't even come close to comparing to them."
"All right, we'll be careful." Ryoko said. "I'd better go tell Hitomi and everyone else to do the same."
Suddenly Crawford turned around.
"It seems we have some visitors." He said.
(Shit!) Riku thought. (We've been found out!)
But he soon saw that Crawford wasn't referring to them. He looked in the direction Crawford was looking and saw a group of four people dressed in black. The first one was a man in either his late teens or early twenties with long red hair and skinny build carrying a katana; the second was a man with wavy blonde hair, wearing a pair of sunglasses, who looked like he was in his early twenties; the third was a man with dark brown hair in his late teens, he was wearing a pair of gloves with some hooked claws coming out of them, and the fourth one was a young boy with brown hair who looked to be around Nagi's age, he was carrying what looked like a miniature crossbow.
"Weiss." Nagi said in recognition.
"Do you know these guys too?" Riku asked.
"I certainly do." Nagi answered. "And so does Tot. Those four are an assassin group too. Though they're a bit different from what Schwartz and Schrient were. Those guys came after the guys that Schwartz and Schrient worked for."
"You mean they're like a positive version of Schwartz?" Riku asked.
"That more or less sums them up." Nagi replied. "So should we use this opportunity to escape?"
"Why don't we give this Weiss some assistance?" Riku suggested causing a reaction from Nagi and Tot. "What's wrong with that? Ever heard the saying "The enemy of my enemy is my friend"?"
"I doubt Tot and I are on their list of favorite people. We used to be their enemies, after all." Nagi answered. "And I don't think Tot would be too happy about joining forces with those guys."
"Why not?" Riku asked Tot.
"That's because... because..." A shadow seemed to pass over the top of Tot's face. "Because they were the ones who killed Neu!"
Riku was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Alright, then we won't join forces with them." He said. "But why not confuse Schwartz and make them think we're with Weiss."
"Sounds good." Nagi agreed and he turned to Tot. "What do you think, Tot?"
"No problem with that." She answered. "I might despise Weiss, but I hate Schwartz even more."
Meanwhile:
Ran Fujimiya looked over at his three partners and friends; Youji Kudou, Ken Hidaka, and Omi Tsukiyono.
They had received classified intelligence about Schwartz's most recent activities and had tracked them to Kushiro.
"Well, it looks like our old friends, Weiss, have decided to join us." Crawford said. "I take it that you are here to once again interfere with our affairs."
"Gee, what was your first clue?" Youji asked and then he turned to Ran. "Looks like they didn't bring their fourth guy this time. Looks like Omi gets the cowboy over there."
Omi looked over at Ocelot and instantly recognized him.
"So Schwartz's newest client is a terrorist leader." He said. Omi then turned to Ran. "The one dressed like a cowboy is Revolver Ocelot."
"The same Ocelot that was involved in the Shadow Moses incident?" Ran asked.
"Yes." Omi answered and he pointed his blowgun at Ocelot.
"Well, it seems as if I've developed quite a reputation." Ocelot noted. "Even second rate assassins like yourselves know who I am."
Ran then looked to the side and saw Nagi emerge from behind a crate.
(It looks like their fourth member has arrived.) Then he saw Tot follow Nagi and then Riku also came out. (Hold on, didn't that girl die a few months ago? And who is that with them?) Ran then looked over and saw that the reactions from his partners were similar.
"Now this is certainly our lucky day." Riku said, causing both Schwartz and Ocelot to turn to him. "If we manage to take out both Schwartz and the infamous Revolver Ocelot, the colonel's bound to give us a big fat raise."
"You!" Crawford shouted.
"Yep. Me." And Riku drew out his M9 and pointed it at Ocelot. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Drakken, one of FOXHOUND's recruits and these two are the most recent ones, not to mention my partners and friends, Mystic Crow and Usagi Ninja."
Schuldich smirked and looked over at Nagi.
"Mystic Crow?" He said and shook his head. "So the little traitor Nagi got a job at FOXHOUND after all, eh? Well good for him. What do you think Crawford?"
"Not very surprising." Crawford answered. "But I'm a little disappointed that Nagi decided to keep the girl with him." And then he looked at Nagi. "You truly have a lot to learn, my student."
"Shut up!" Nagi shouted. "I'm not your student anymore, Crawford. And what's wrong with having Tot with me? She is my partner after all, and a hell of a lot better company than you guys were."
"Hmph. How the mighty fall." Crawford said regretfully. "You could have succeeded Psycho Mantis and attained true power. But instead, you make yourself weak by surrounding yourself with those who would only hinder you."
"So you lost your student to FOXHOUND too, huh?" Ocelot said with amusement. "It seems we have more in common than you care to admit."
"If I remember correctly, you lost your student." Crawford said. "Mine turned against me."
"If you guys are done talking, then lets begin our fight." Riku said and a flame appeared in his right hand. "Though the odds are against you; seven against four."
"It appears as if we'll have to postpone our business discussion." Crawford said to Ocelot with a sigh of mock regret. "Ocelot, you handle them." And then he took out a remote control and pressed the button.
"Very well." Ocelot said and he looked at Riku, Nagi, Tot, and Weiss with a sadistic grin. "I don't know if you're allies or not, but I hope you're prepared for a little gift I have prepared for you. It's all the payload that RAY has." And then he turned to Crawford. "I hope your chopper arrives soon, I've just ordered RAY to fire in two minutes."
"I do not believe that you need to worry about that." Crawford said, and a large black chopper suddenly descended from above. As the rest of Schwartz got into it, Crawford turned and looked at Nagi. "I look forward to our next meeting, my student, if you happen to survive. But know this, you may be able to evade us for a while, but you will never be truly free of Schwartz, or me. Remember that." And he got into the chopper and it took off and sped into the night.
"You now have less than a minute before RAY fires its missiles at you." Ocelot stated. "You may survive, if you flee now." And then, a hundred yards in the harbor, the metal gear that Ocelot had stolen from the Marines emerged from the water. It gave a loud metallic howl before opening its metal wings and firing barrage after barrage of missiles.
"Brace yourselves!" Nagi shouted and he focused his powers to form a barrier around himself, Tot, Riku, and Weiss.
Riku then looked back to where Ryoko and Shizuma were. He then drew the kanji for "round".
"Madoka!" He shouted and a large orange barrier surrounded the area that Shizuma, Ryoko, and everyone else was.
The missiles then struck the barriers, one after another with several deafening explosions. A few of the missiles went in Ocelots direction, but they veered away from him and ended up hitting surrounding buildings. Then, almost as quickly as it had come, the missile shower abruptly ended.
Riku looked over to where his friends were. He saw that Nagi and Tot were fine, and turned to where Shizuma and Ryoko were. He saw that Shizuma had thrown himself in front of Ryoko to try to shield her despite the barrier. Riku could only assume that the others were all right. He then looked back at where Ocelot had been, but didn't see him and the RAY that had been in the harbor was also gone. Riku looked to where Weiss had been and he saw that they were gone too.
"Let's get out of here and quick!" Riku shouted to Shizuma and Ryoko, who both nodded.
Later: At the Hotel:
Riku lay back on the bed in his hotel room. He would have gone to sleep if Shizuma, Ryoko, the rest of the Shinsengumi, Hitomi, and Daisaku weren't there.
"All right." Ryoko said. "Now tell us what just happened a while was all about, and just who you three are."
"And what was it that you guys did to protect us from that missile shower?" Shizuma added.
"I guess we have no choice." Riku said. "I'll tell you, on the condition that you keep everything that you hear in this room a secret."
"That will depend on your answer." Ryoko replied.
"Fair enough." Riku said with a shrug. "Well, let me begin with telling you about that charity organization that I work for. Have you ever heard of Philanthropy?"
"That anti-metal gear organization?" Ryoko asked and Riku nodded. "What about it?"
"You may know it as Philanthropy," Riku answered. "But to Nagi, Tot, and I, we know it as FOXHOUND..."
Later:
And so Riku told them everything. About the reformation of FOXHOUND, the story behind the Big Shell, Schwartz, and everything else. When he finished, everyone, except for Nagi and Tot, was too shocked to speak.
Finally, Shizuma spoke.
"So you guys are some kind of secret agents?" He assumed. "Like James Bond?"
Despite his tiredness, Riku laughed at that comparison.
"Sort of." Riku answered. "But it's not as glamorous as the movies."
"So you guys are basically secret agents trying to fight some evil organization, huh?" Ryoko said. "So what was it that you used to protect us from that missile shower?"
"Well, I guess I'd better demonstrate." And Riku held out his right hand and a small fireball appeared in the palm of his hand. "As you can see, I have the power to control fire. Nagi has a special power too." And he looked over at Nagi and nodded.
Nagi then looked over at a vase and then focused his powers on it. The vase then floated in the air for a few minutes before it lowered back onto the floor.
"That was telekinesis." Nagi stated. "An ability I've had since I was a little kid." And then he looked at each of the other people in the room and saw that none of them looked the least bit frightened by what he did. "You're not frightened or anything?"
"Why should we be?" Ryoko asked. "Shizuma can do practically the same thing as Riku can so what you can do doesn't seem all that unusual. Then again, it could be that all of us have seen too many weird things already for us to be frightened by your powers."
"You have no idea how big a relief that is to hear." Nagi said gratefully. Then he felt Tot's head rest against his shoulder and he saw that she was sleeping. Nagi blushed a little before speaking again. "Well, Tot doesn't have any special powers like Riku and I, but she's a great sword user."
"I should know." Ryoko bragged. "I'm the one who trained her."
"One of the ones who trained her." Riku corrected. "My Uncle Tokiya is teaching her his style of swordsmanship. Well that's-." And then he stopped when he saw a student come running into the room.
"Miss Ryoko!" He said. "I don't know if you've heard, but there's been a terrorist bomb attack at the Kushiro Docks. The tournament has been cancelled!"
"Cancelled!" Ryoko said.
"I guess we should get packing then." Riku suggested. "I bet we're going back home in the morning."
Meanwhile: Mikage Intl. HQ:
"Are you sure that's what you saw?" Kagami asked Asamu.
"Yes, sir." The young Indonesian assassin answered. "I was watching those three from behind one of the crates. I could clearly make out the faces of all three members of Schwartz. And they were definitely meeting with Revolver Ocelot."
"Could you hear any of what they were saying?" Kagami asked.
"No, sir." Asamu replied. "I was going to move closer, but before I could two groups interfered. Schwartz fled and Ocelot showered the interlopers with missiles. Fortunately, I was able to escape."
"Is that everything, Asamu?" Kagami asked. "Are you sure that you have told me everything? The slightest detail could be important."
"I was able to hear a couple of things that they mentioned." Asamu replied. "Something about Tokyo-3 and then something called S3." This caused a reaction from Kagami. "Is something wrong, sir?"
"It is nothing." Kagami answered. "Thank you for your report, Asamu. You are dismissed."
"Yes sir." Asamu said and he left the room leaving Kagami alone with his thoughts.
(So they're finally getting it underway.) He thought. (It seems the Patriots did send Schwartz to keep an eye on the progress of C-Project, but I will not allow them to interfere.)
Kagami then pressed a call button on his desk.
"Yes, sir?' Lee asked.
"It appears that Schwartz has started to show their true allegiance." Kagami replied. "As soon as they arrive, bring them to me and keep a close eye on them."
"Yes sir." Lee answered.
Meanwhile: At another hotel:
"Sheesh! That so called "bomb attack" is on every channel!" Youji said as he kept pressing the channel change button. Then he turned to Ran. "Any idea what it was that was going on between that kid from Schwartz and the rest of them? It looked like he had betrayed them or vice versa."
"That's possible." Ran answered and he turned to Ken. "Ken, call Manx and have her look into this."
"No problem." Ken replied. (I just hope this doesn't ruin my plans with Yuriko tomorrow.)
Later:
Omi and Youji walked down the sidewalk while Youji read the address written on a sheet of paper he was holding.
"How much further is it?" Omi asked.
"It's somewhere on this block." Youji answered. Then he looked around for a little. "Oh, there it is. According to this, this is where that kid with the long hair lives."
"That's assuming that the guy we saw happens to be Riku Hanabishi." Omi said. "So why did I get picked to do this with you? Isn't this supposed to be Ken's job?"
"Unfortunately, Ken's busy today with one; being a soccer instructor, and two; he's going out with that Yuriko girl afterwards."
"I thought she moved to Australia." Omi said.
"Yeah, well, it seems Ken and Yuriko started one of those long distance relationships shortly after that one assignment we had way back when." Youji replied. "To make a long story short, Yuriko ended up coming back to Japan to start her own bike shop and then she and Ken hit it off."
"You jealous?" Omi asked with a smile.
"Jealous?" Youji asked in reply. "Jealous of what? The last thing I need right now is a relationship. I just never seem to have very good luck when it comes to those."
"Well, we might as well see if the guy's home." Omi said with a shrug and he and Youji walked over to the door and rang the doorbell. A woman in her thirties answered.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Good afternoon, maam." Omi said. "We're friends of Riku's from school. Is he home?"
"I'm afraid he isn't here at the moment." Yanagi answered. "But you're welcome to come in and wait."
"Thank you, maam." Youji answered.
Meanwhile: On the Bus:
"Hey, wake up!" Shizuma shouted causing Riku to reluctantly open his eyes.
Riku groaned a little before answering. "What is it, Shizuma? You know I didn't get much sleep last night. What with me, Nagi, and Tot telling you all those things about us."
"Well, consider it payback for holding out on me in our fight." Shizuma answered.
"You're still sore about that?' Riku asked. "Come on, I told you that I have to keep my powers a secret. Tell you what, you find a secluded place where there's no people and I'll gladly fight you no holds barred, OK?"
"Fine by me." Shizuma replied. "By the way, I'm a little jealous. You getting to take long absences from school that are automatically excused so you can fight a bunch of bad guys."
"It's not as glamorous as you think, Shizuma." Riku said with a sigh. "Well, I'm gonna get some well deserved shut eye, wake me when we get back to school."
Later: Hanabishi Residence:
Riku yawned as he parked his car in the driveway. He looked back and saw that Nagi and Tot were as tired as he was.
(I guess I'll tell the colonel about this tomorrow.) Riku thought and he got out of the car along with his two friends and then opened the door to the house. (I hope nothing else unexpected happens.)
"Hey Mom, Dad, we're home!" Riku called and both Yanagi and Recca came to where he, Nagi, and Tot were, concern showing on their faces.
"I heard on the news that there was a terrorist bomb attack in Kushiro." Yanagi said. "I'm glad the three of you are all right."
"Thanks." Riku said. "Though it was a missile attack, not a bomb attack."
"Riku, you weren't by any chance there when it happened?" Recca asked suspiciously.
"I'm afraid we were, Mr. Hanabishi." Nagi answered. "I'll let Riku tell you what happened."
"That will have to wait." Recca replied and he turned to Riku. "Riku, two friends of yours from school are here to meet you about something."
"It's probably Ryoko and Shizuma, or some of the other guys." Riku said with a shrug. "Oh well." And then he turned to Nagi and Tot. "Let's go speak with them."
And they walked over to the living room.
"All right, you guys." Riku said as they walked into the room. "What is it that-?" He stopped when he saw that the room's occupants weren't the people he was expecting.
Youji turned to Riku and smiled.
"Yo." He said. "Long time no see."
"Oh, it's you guys." Riku said, trying to hide his surprise.
"What's wrong, Riku?" Yanagi asked. "You look a little pale." And she looked at Nagi and Tot. "It's the same with you two as well."
"Oh it's nothing." Riku answered quickly. "We just didn't get much sleep last night, and we weren't expecting visitors either. Right Nagi?"
"Oh yes." Nagi replied not taking his eyes off Omi and Youji. "We weren't expecting these two at all."
"I'll get you and your friends something to drink then." Yanagi said, sensing a bit of hostility in the air coming from Nagi and Tot. "What would you like?"
"Lemonade." Riku answered.
"Coffee." Youji answered.
"Milk." Nagi said.
"Sprite." Omi replied.
"Juice." Tot said.
"OK." Yanagi answered. "Hang on." And she left the room leaving the two groups to themselves.
(Now what do these guys want?) Riku thought. (I guess I'll just have to talk to them and see. And if that doesn't work, I could always get the answers out from them the usual way.)
"All right, start talking." Riku said seriously. "What are you people doing here?"
"We're here to check up on those two." Youji answered gesturing at Nagi and Tot. "And we also want some answers too."
"As long as you answer our questions too." Riku replied. "But let me make this clear. Nagi is not with Schwartz anymore."
"That looked kind of obvious." Omi said. "One thing we want to know is who you three are with. Are you an assassin group too?"
"No." Nagi answered. "We're with FOXHOUND."
"FOXHOUND?" Youji asked. Then he shook his head. "All right. How about this? You guys come with us and meet with the rest of Weiss and we'll discuss everything we feel is important."
"Fine." Riku answered. "We'll follow you to this meeting place and see for ourselves if you're trustworthy or not. Now, let's get those drinks first."
"By the way, where are we going?" Nagi asked.
Omi simply smiled at him.
"A flower shop." He answered.
AN: And that's chapter 10 and boy did this take a while to write. Now things are going to get set in motion for the meat of the story! To RuneKnightPictures, in the next chapter, Scorpion will make a brief appearance and then, in the chapter after that, he'll fight Farfarello. To everyone else, enjoy and please review.
Disclaimer: I do not own MGS, FoR, WK, NGE, RBHS, or AnC; I only own Riku and the story. Also, Gregory Kinezono and Linn Aramaki belong to ShardclawKusanagi, and Lt. Reese and James Masterson aka Silent Scorpion belong to RuneKnightPictures. Aside from Greg, who will be making a brief appearance in this chapter, the others will only be mentioned.
Recap(sorry for forgetting to put one in chapter 9):
Last time, Riku fought Shizuma Kusanagi in a K-Fight that ended in Shizuma as the victor. Later, Nagi and Tot begin their training in both VR and real time fighting; which brings us to the present.
Chapter 10: The Return of Schwartz and the Arrival of Weiss
VR Training Room:
Nagi and Tot stood in a large area filled with tons of box-like obstructions; they then heard their codecs ring and answered them.
"I've got the simulation all set and ready to go." Riku said as soon as his face appeared on the codec screen. "You guys ready?"
"Yes." Nagi answered and he looked over at Tot and she nodded. "So what's this simulation supposed to be, anyway?"
"It's really a very simple one." Riku replied. "All you need to do is take out all of the enemies that appear. The setting is extreme, of course and this simulation is called Zacko Survival mode. Your weapons are all in those boxes there; how and when you use them is entirely up to you. Enjoy!"
"We'll do our best!" Tot shouted after Riku.
There was a small beep that signaled the start of the simulation. Both Nagi and Tot saw a single soldier appear many feet across from them. The soldier immediately started firing at them, but Nagi deflected the bullets with his powers. He then turned to Tot.
"Guess we might as well get the weapons over there." He said and they both walked over to the item boxes and they picked up their weaponry. Nagi took the PSG1 sniper rifles, the Socom, the M4, and the Stinger; while Tot took the HF Blade.
"Here goes." Nagi said and he then aimed the rifles at the lone soldier and pulled the trigger.
Meanwhile: Outside the VR Training Room:
(Not bad at all, you two.) Riku thought as he watched the simulated fight where Nagi and Tot were now dispatching a group of six soldiers with ease. (Let's see, the next enemies they'll face are the Tengus and the soldiers. That should be interesting to watch. One thing I look forward to is when Nagi gets strong enough to fight me on the same level I fought Greg a year ago.)
Flashback: VR Training Room: 1 Year Before:
Riku ducked as another shot whizzed overhead. He and Greg were in a maze-like area, and they were both trying to see who could beat the other in terms of fighting in those types of areas. So far, neither one had dealt any damage to the other but that was about to change.
Riku, knowing full well the advantages to fighting in areas like this, quickly used his first trick, ventriloquism.
"Hey Greg!" Riku called causing his friend to turn in the direction he thought the voice was coming from. "I'm right over here! I'm defenseless!"
Greg then took out his grenade gun and fired in the direction the voice had come from. Riku smiled and then jumped out from his hiding place as he prepared to throw a fireball at Greg.
Greg immediately saw him and then swung his grenade gun in that direction, all the while fusing it with his nano arm. The gun then charged up, forming a large yellow energy ball.
"Did you really think a simple trick like that would work on me?" Greg shouted towards Riku and then he fired the energy ball at him. "You lose, my friend!"
The ball flew towards its target but instead of striking Riku, it passed right through him and he flickered and disappeared.
Greg's eyes widened from surprise and he turned around and saw a fireball headed right for him. Greg quickly jumped out of the way of the incoming attack, but not before it struck his left shoulder, knocking him back a little.
Greg then clutched the wound inflicted and looked in the direction that the fireball had come from.
"Riku, that was one sweet trick!" He called. "Using ventriloquism, which you knew that I would instantly see through, and then a doppelganger illusion to convince me that I had seen through your trick so that you could get an opening in my defense. Not only that, you knew that I would have trouble dodging after using that attack. Am I right?"
There were a few minutes of silence until Riku spoke.
"Did you just read my mind, or something?" He asked suspiciously.
"You know I can't do that." Greg answered. "Oh yeah, and don't expect me to fall for the same trick twice."
"Of course not." Riku replied. "And don't expect me to use the same trick twice in one battle either. Repetitions are pretty boring, you know."
"So what are you planning now?" Greg asked looking around to see if he could at least get a glimpse of where Riku was hiding.
"Oh that's simple, I'm planning on using one of my trump cards. Hope you like it!"
Greg then spotted Riku standing on a ledge on the other side of the room. Riku smiled and then drew the kanji for "vacant".
"Kokuu!" He called and then a large fireball appeared in front of him. Then a large, snake-like creature made entirely of fire appeared and then blew on the fireball, causing a large red beam to stream towards Greg.
"Tuski!" Greg shouted and a large crescent shaped force field appeared in front of him. Then the beam hit the barrier with a huge explosion.
Riku looked down at the spot where the beam had hit, waiting for the smoke to clear. Suddenly a large yellow beam came streaming towards him.
"Oh shit!" Riku shouted and then drew the kanji for "round". "Madoka!"
Then a large orange barrier appeared in front of him, but the beam broke through the barrier, shattering it like glass and the beam struck Riku head on, knocking him unconscious.
Later: FOXHOUND Infirmary:
"Ittai (It hurts)!" Riku shouted as ointment was out onto his wounds. Then he turned to Greg, who was standing next to him looking completely unharmed. "That was some attack you used on me back there. By the way, did my attack break that barrier of yours?"
"Yeah, but as you can see, it didn't do very much damage." Greg answered. "So is that your strongest ability?"
"Second strongest. The other one is a multiple version of it. I could probably take down quite a lot of metal gears with that."
"We could head back to the VR room and put it to the test." Greg suggested.
"In this condition?" Riku asked. "You've gotta be kidding. But I will say this." And he got up and looked at Greg. "I'm definitely going to get strong enough, so when we fight again, things will be more interesting."
"I look forward to that." Greg said sincerely.
Flashback Ends
Present: Outside VR Training Room:
(Yeesh. Wonder how Kokuu would do against Greg now.) Riku thought and then he looked at the monitor and saw that Nagi and Tot were getting close to finishing their fight with the Tengus. (Better make that adjustment before "it" arrives. Then we'll see if those two can see through my little trick.)
VR Training Room:
Nagi waited until the Tengu was through shooting at him from a distance before he stood up and aimed the sniper rifle at his target's head and then fired. The Tengu fell to the ground and disappeared. Nagi then turned over to where Tot was and saw that she was currently fighting the last two Tengus, both of which were armed with katanas.
Tot parried both of the Tengus thrust and slashes until she saw an opening in the first one's defense. She quickly thrust her blade forward, smoothly running her opponent through. Then she turned toward the second Tengu, which was charging towards her with its blade raised to strike, and then drew her sword out of the Tengu she had just run through quicker than the eye could follow slicing through her incoming enemy.
There was a beep and then the current mode ended.
Nagi walked over to where Tot was.
"Well, that last fight was a good one." He said. "Hard to believe that Snake and Raiden actually took down an army of these guys."
"You can say that again." Toy agreed as she put her sword back in its sheath. "So what do you think we'll fight next? More of these Tengus?"
"Maybe." Nagi said. "Or maybe we'll end up fighting a VR version of a metal gear."
Suddenly, Riku appeared in front of them.
"Actually, you'll end up fighting something like that." He said and then he turned to Nagi. "Nice sniper shooting and an even nicer touch with using your powers to shield both you and Tot from enemy fire." And then he turned to Tot. "Well, I can see that you're learning your swordsmanship from Uncle Tokiya very well. That was a very good job with using a variation of Battojutsu. You were able to turn a disadvantage from running an enemy through with your sword into an advantage."
"Thanks." Nagi said.
"Thank you." Tot said.
"You're welcome." Riku replied. "But there are a lot of aspects that you need some help with, but we'll get to that later. Anyway, would you like to try that game of mine?"
"That would depend on what you have in mind." Nagi answered, instantly suspicious. "It's nothing that involves you playing any weird tricks on us, is it?"
"Why Nagi, whatever makes you think that's what I have in mind?" Riku asked innocently.
"Just answer the question." Nagi said.
"Don't worry, you two." Riku said reassuringly. "I promise that this does not involve any weird tricks."
"Well that's a relief." Nagi said then he turned to Tot. "Do you think we should try this game of his out?"
"Sure." Tot answered. "Why not?"
"All right then, all the two of you need to do is hit me with one of your attacks." Riku explained. "Though it won't be as easy as it sounds; all these obstacles will work fine for me as shelter. Good luck." And then he stepped behind one of the block-like obstacles and was gone.
Nagi then looked around trying to find where Riku was hiding.
"No wonder he picked this place." Nagi said. "Riku knew exactly how to use this field to his advantage. This is more or less a test to see whether or not we can beat an enemy in a field where he has an advantage." Then he turned to Tot. "I have an idea. Tot I want you to be ready to attack Riku as soon as he appears."
"What are you going to do?" Tot asked.
"I'll use my powers to blow away the obstacles, which will leave Riku without a place to hide." Nagi answered. "Then he'll be vulnerable to attack."
"Okay." Tot said and then drew her sword. "The we'll take on the next enemy. I bet it's going to be tough since Riku said that it was like a metal gear."
"Yeah, Tot, that's-." And then Nagi paused for a few minutes, considering what he had just heard and then walked up to Tot and kissed her. "Thanks, Tot. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Tot's face reddened before she answered.
"Y-your welcome, Nagi." She stammered. "But what did I do to help you?"
"It's what you just told me." Nagi answered with a smile. "You just made me see through what Riku was planning. I don't even think he's in the training room anymore."
"Huh?"
"Think about it." Nagi said. "Riku made a sudden and unexpected change to the simulation. He gave us a fake goal to distract us from the real one; the next enemy. Now if that enemy is anything like a metal gear, we'll need cover from its attacks. What Riku was doing was trying to trick us into destroying our only defense from the next enemy."
"Why would he do that?" Tot asked.
"I'm guessing that the game he proposed was more or less a diversion." Nagi explained. "Now that I think about it, it makes more sense since diversions happen a lot during missions and you need to know how to spot them. I think that was the purpose of what he was doing."
Then they both heard the codec ring and they answered.
"Nagi, are you sure you're not a mind reader?" Riku asked as soon as his face appeared on the screen.
"Not that I know of." Nagi answered and then he smiled at Riku. "So, since you're contacting us by codec, it looks like I was right about the whole thing."
"More or less." Riku replied. "Though it was Tot that got you to realize it. Well, enjoy the next opponent, he's super tough." And then the codec went off.
Suddenly, the area to the far back cleared up and then a large white, humanoid creature fell onto the cleared space from above. It looked like some kind of giant robot dressed as genome soldier and it sounded like an elephant.
"What the hell is that?" Nagi asked as he and Tot both sweat dropped at the sight of the new enemy. "Oh well, looks like we'll have to take it out first." Then he formed an energy ball and threw it at the robot. It didn't even flinch.
"Uh oh." Tot said as soon as she saw that Nagi's attack had no affect whatsoever.
Thirty Minutes Later:
Riku looked up from the manga he was reading as soon as he heard Nagi and Tot come back. They were both breathing heavily from what looked like a ton of running.
"I guess that part didn't go so well." Riku said, earning angry glares from his two friends.
"You try fighting a giant monster!" Tot shouted.
"And what possessed you to give us that particular mode?" Nagi shouted.
"Am I in trouble?" Riku asked nervously.
"Oh yes." Tot answered.
"How does I'm sorry sound?" Riku asked hopefully.
"If sorry was enough, there wouldn't be wars!" Nagi shouted.
"Why don't I try making it up to you instead." Riku said. "Let's give elimination mode a try; whoever gets the lowest score buys lunch."
""You're on." Nagi replied. "And since Tot and I will be doing the simulation as a team, the odds will be against you. Prepare to literally pay for that trick you played!"
(I wonder how those two would have reacted if I had tricked them into going into the streaking mode together?) Riku thought as he set the VR simulation. (They probably wouldn't stop killing me.)
Three Months Later:
Three months passed quickly for Nagi and Tot. Training in both VR and real time had sharpened their skills greatly. Nagi still wasn't able to turn a piece of coal into a diamond yet, and he had yet to discover how to use his powers for healing, but he had been able to master the ability to attack and defend with his powers as well as to quickly alternate between them. Tot's sword skills had improved from the combined learning from Tokiya's style of swordsmanship and Ryoko's training.
In fact, Tot's skills had made her a great addition to the kendo club, and with both her and Ryoko on the team, this show of great skills had brought on the days present subject.
"A tournament?" Tot asked Ryoko. They were in the school cafeteria during lunch. The two of them had become friends very quickly after a few days of training together. Eventually, Tot had gotten to know the rest of the Shinsengumi and became quick friends with them too.
"Yeah, it's something the student councils from Daimon, Kita, and Houka high schools came up with." Ryoko answered. "Basically, the kendo teams from each school are going to compete with each other. The tournament is going to be in some stadium in Kushiro."
"Sounds like fun." Tot said happily. "When is it?"
"It's in three weeks. So you'd better train as well as you can for it."
"Don't worry. I'll do my best." Tot replied and then she remembered something. "By the way, can Nagi and Riku come to it?"
"I don't see why not." Ryoko answered. "As long as they get a permission form signed. Actually, everyone we know is coming even Shizuma, though I can't even guess why he'd want to come."
"I think that you actually might." Tot said and then turned to leave before Ryoko could ask what she meant. "Well, I'm going to go tell Nagi and Riku the good news. See you at practice." And then she left.
(Does she know?) Ryoko wondered. (Nah. It's probably just a coincidence.)
Later:
"So you're entering a tournament." Nagi said as soon as he finished hearing Tot tell him. "Of course we'll come."
"And if it means skipping school, you can count me in." Riku added. "By the way, since a lot of people at school are going to be coming to see this, I bet transportation is going to be provided via bus. I hope it's one of those charter buses with the TVs."
"If there's any possible way you can get an excused absence from school, you take it." Nagi commented with a shake of his head. "I bet you've been disappointed that there haven't been any missions from FOXHOUND lately."
"Are you absolutely positive you're not a mind reader?" Riku asked. "Well, I look forward to three weeks from now."
Meanwhile: Mikage Intl. HQ:
"I see." Crawford said over his cell phone. "So that's what you've been up to. Very well, I should be able to schedule a small business meeting for us a few weeks from now." And he paused to hear more of what the receiver had to say. "The Kushiro Docks in three weeks. Very well, my men and I will be there." And he turned off his cell phone and turned to Schuldich and Farfarello, who were both leaning against the wall of the room they were in.
"So what did old man Shalashaska want?" Schuldich asked.
"I'm afraid we'll have to meet with him soon." Crawford answered. "Ocelot has something that he wants to discuss with us and I believe that it's important."
"New orders from the Patriots?" Schuldich asked.
"Possibly, but since Viper hasn't said anything regarding this, it could be something else. Regardless, keep your guard up around Ocelot just in case he tries anything."
"If he wants to challenge us then he is welcome to try." Farfarello said. "His blood will make a fine decoration for my blades."
"I doubt you'll be very successful in doing that, Farfarello." Schuldich said. "Not if he's using that metal gear that he stole from the Marines four years ago. Or should I say, "Took back"?"
"I doubt that he would use RAY out in the open," Crawford said. "But Ocelot has always been an unpredictable fellow. I don't know what he's planning, but I have a feeling that it will be quite entertaining."
Three Weeks Later: At the Tournament: Stadium Ring:
The crowd cheered as Tot defeated her opponent with ease. Her opponent fell to the ground with a groan.
"And Tot defeats her opponent in two minutes flat!" Natsumi announced. "Leaving the final round to Daimon's famous Ryoko Mitsurugi! This win will decide which team makes it to tomorrow's finals!"
And Ryoko stepped up onto the ring as Tot got off.
"Good luck, Ryoko!" Tot said with a smile before walking over to the benches where the rest of the team sat.
Stadium Seats:
"Well, this match is pretty much decided." Riku said as he got up. He then turned to Nagi. "Wanna grab a burger while there's still time to? Since your girlfriend's finished her round and all."
"Sure, why not." Nagi replied and the two of them walked towards the stairs.
"You're not staying?" Shizuma asked as they passed him.
"No real reason to." Riku answered and he looked over at the ring. "Look, the guy Ryoko's up against can't even hold his bokuto right. It's obvious who's going to win."
"I see your point." Shizuma agreed. "Even Daisaku is bored with this."
"I don't really blame him." Nagi said. "Even if that guy is a bit of a weirdo."
"I heard that!" A voice shouted at them from above. The speaker was a shorter boy with brown hair carrying a video camera and a strange recording object.
Riku took a look at the boy's item.
"A directional microphone?" He asked. "How did you get the money for one of those, Daisaku?"
"I had to save three months worth of my allowance and lunch money." Daisaku answered. "All so I could improve my recording of Ms. Mitsurugi!" And his eyes seemed to glow as he said this.
"He sure is devoted to the field of stalkerism." Riku said to Nagi as they both sweat dropped.
"I have to agree with you on that." Nagi replied. "By the way, is stalkerism even a word?"
"Who cares, it fits him perfectly." Riku answered. "And besides, you know what I meant, now let's go grab a snack." And the two of them headed for the stadium snack bar.
Later:
They both ate their snacks near the stadium gate. As they were eating, Nagi looked over and then his eyes widened as he saw someone he wasn't expecting to see.
"Riku." He said causing his friend to turn to him. "Look over there across the street. Don't make it apparent; he might see us."
"What are you talking about?" Riku asked as he looked over in the direction Nagi had indicated.
"Look over to the left a little." Nagi instructed.
"And who am I looking for?"
"It's Crawford." Nagi answered. "I recognize that suit he wears anywhere."
Riku looked until he spotted the business suit that he remembered Crawford wearing when he first ran into him. He soon saw it and immediately saw that the man was indeed Crawford and he was talking to someone on a cell phone.
"You think we should follow him?" Riku asked. "And can you see if any of the other Schwartz members are nearby?"
"I don't see any of them." Nagi answered after a few seconds of looking. "Let's follow him until he goes into a building. Then we'll decide what to do from there."
"All right." Then Riku stopped and turned to Nagi. "Contact Tot first by codec. She needs to know what's going on in case anything happens to us."
"Right." Nagi replied and then entered Tot's frequency. After a few seconds, Tot answered and her face appeared on the codec screen.
"Nagi, what is it?" Tot asked. "Is something wrong?"
"Riku and I just spotted Crawford and we've decided to trail him for a bit." Nagi replied.
"All right, I'll be right there." Tot said
"Hold on a minute." Nagi said before Tot could turn off her codec. "Riku and I will handle this, Tot. You just wait for us at the hotel and we'll tell you what we found out."
"But I want to help you." Tot objected.
"If something should happen to us, you'll need to contact the colonel and tell him what happened." Nagi replied. "Tot, I know you want to help me and you also want to get revenge on Crawford and the rest for killing your friends from Schrient, but I need you to do this for me. Please?"
Tot paused for a moment before answering.
"Okay." She said reluctantly. "Just be careful, all right."
"Don't worry. I will." And Nagi turned off his codec.
Back at the Stadium:
Tot stood in the stadium lobby with Ryoko and the rest of the Shinsengumi. She and Ryoko had changed out of their kendo outfits and were now wearing their school uniforms.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Ryoko asked. "You look worried about something."
"What... oh it's nothing." Tot answered with a forced smile. "I guess I'm a little anxious about the final match tomorrow."
"Tot, you're a really bad liar." Ryoko said with a shake of her head. "Does it have anything to do with that conversation you were having with someone on your cell phone?"
"Cell phone?" And suddenly Tot realized what Ryoko was talking about. (She must have seen me use the codec to talk to Nagi.)
"Oh that." Tot replied, playing on that idea. "It wasn't anything, something just came up, but I'm pretty sure it's nothing. Well, I'd better head over to the hotel, I bet Nagi's waiting for me." And then she quickly left.
(What was that all about?) Ryoko wondered.
"Is there something wrong, Ryoko?" Hitomi asked as she walked up to her friend.
"No, not really." Ryoko answered and then she quickly remembered something important. "Well, I'd better get going. I just remembered something that I need to take care of. I'll meet you and the others later, bye!" And Ryoko quickly left.
"Everyone sure seems to be in a hurry today." Hitomi commented to the rest of the Shinsengumi.
"Well, I don't really blame those two." Megumi replied. "Since the final matches have got to be tough ones, they're probably nervous."
"I don't really think so." Aoi said. "Ryoko is nervous about something, but it isn't about tomorrow's match and I think it's the same with Tot too."
"What do you think it is?" Asuka asked.
Aoi paused for a few moments before answering. "I don't know." Causing everyone to fall over.
"If you didn't know, why didn't you just say so in the first place?" Megumi shouted.
Meanwhile:
"So why do you think Crawford's here?" Riku asked as they followed him slowly from behind. "You think he knows about us being here?"
"I don't think so." Nagi answered. "If he did, he would have contacted us somehow. My guess is that he's here on a job from someone."
"So whatever building he goes into is probably where his current boss is." Riku said.
"Either that or, if the building turns out to be a hotel, wherever he and the rest of Schwartz are staying." Nagi added. "We'll find out soon, though."
A few minutes later, Crawford entered a large fancy looking hotel. Riku and Nagi followed him into the lobby and waited until Crawford entered one of the elevators and left.
I'll handle this." Nagi said and then walked over to the receptionist's desk. "Excuse me, sir, but did you see a man come by recently? He had black hair, was wearing glasses and a white business suit." He then gestured at Riku. "My friend, over there, and I have a meeting with him scheduled, and he told us that he was staying here. His name is Brad Crawford."
The receptionist checked the computer and then spoke.
"Oh yes. Mr. Crawford checked in here yesterday along with two business associates of his. Would you like me to call him for you?"
"No thank you." Nagi replied. "He's expecting us. Could you please tell me the room number that he's in?"
"Of course." The man answered. "Mr. Crawford is staying in room 1012."
"Thank you very much, sir." Nagi said and then he turned to Riku and nodded. Then they walked over to the elevator, entered it, and set it to the tenth level.
After a few minutes, the elevator reached its destination and the two of them walked out and then towards the room. When they reached it, they saw a janitor come out of the room next to it. He didn't pay any attention to them and calmly pulled out his cart and then wheeled it down the hall and was gone.
"Looks like we're in luck today." Riku commented and he turned to Nagi. "Nagi, can you use your powers to open the door to that room the janitor just finished cleaning from the inside?"
"No problem." Nagi answered and then he walked over to the door of the room, focused his powers, and then the door opened with a click. Then, he and Riku quickly entered and listened at the adjoining door.
"So he wants us to meet him at the Kushiro Docks at eleven thirty tonight?" They heard Schuldich's voice say. "Shit, looks like I'm gonna lose some sleep thanks to him; let's hope that it's worth it."
"I'm sure that it is." Crawford's voice replied. "He knows better than to do anything that would interfere with our affairs."
"Shouldn't we start looking for a replacement for Nagi soon?" This time the speaker was Farfarello.
"That will have to be put on hold for now." Crawford answered. "And Schuldich, if you want to rest do it now."
"But it's not the same." Schuldich said in mock complaint. "Oh well, you're the boss."
Riku then turned to Nagi and instantly knew what he was thinking.
"Nagi, no." Riku said firmly. "I know we have the element of surprise on our side right now, but we can't go into battle mode here. There are too many people who could get caught in the crossfire."
Nagi paused to consider this before speaking.
"I guess you're right." He said. "Let's head back to the hotel and then tell Tot about this. Then we'll decide what to do."
Later: At the hotel:
"So what did you guys find out?" Tot asked as soon as they came into the lobby.
"A lot and not very much." Riku answered.
"Huh?" Tot asked.
"I'll explain it." Nagi said and then he looked around. "I think we should head someplace more private so we can talk without worrying about being over heard."
"Good idea." Riku agreed and then a thought came to mind. "We could use this hotel's storage room for that."
"I guess it's better than just using our rooms." Nagi said in agreement. "Since school policy is that the doors need to remain open at all times until lights out."
"Not much privacy that way, huh?" Riku said with a smile and he saw the warning glare Nagi gave him. "All right, I won't say anything. Let's go."
Later: Storage Room:
"So Schwartz is supposed to meet with someone tonight." Tot finished after hearing Riku and Nagi's story. "So what do we do?"
"Well, we have two choices in the matter." Riku answered. "We could just ignore this or we could trail Schwartz and find out what they're up to. I-." And then Riku stopped when he heard the door to the room open. He quickly looked around until he found what he was looking for.
"Hide under these." Riku said as he handed two empty cardboard boxes to Nagi and Tot and then grabbed one for himself. The three quickly hid under their cardboard boxes just before they heard the sound of approaching feet.
(If it's the janitor, we're screwed.) Riku thought.
"So why are we meeting in here?" A young man's voice asked. "I know our relationship is supposed to be secret and all, but you do know what most people would think if they found us here alone."
"Oh shut up you idiot." A girl's voice replied. "You know why I need to talk with you. It's about us."
(Those voices sound familiar.) Riku thought. (Who could they be?) And then Riku carefully pushed out the cardboard part of the handhold to make a hole to see through. What he saw nearly made his jaw drop onto the floor from shock. The two people outside were Shizuma and Ryoko.
"Us, huh." Shizuma said and then sighed. "Well, I'm not sure where to start with this at all. I've never been in a relationship before. Especially a secret one."
"Neither have I." Ryoko added. "But still..." And then she paused for a moment. "Shizuma, you do love me, right?"
"That's a stupid question, of course I do." Shizuma replied, his face slightly reddening.
"Well why don't you say it?" Ryoko asked.
Shizuma's face reddened even more before.
"All right. Ryoko Mitsurugi, I love you. I'm not very good at this relationship thing but I'll do my best."
"Are you being serious?" Ryoko asked suspiciously.
"Yes." Shizuma answered. "What makes you think I wasn't serious?"
"Never mind. Shizuma you can be such a simpleton sometimes." And then she smiled at him. "But that's one of the things I love about you." And then she walked over to Shizuma and the two of them kissed passionately.
Meanwhile, Riku was unable to take his eyes off what was going on outside of his box. Until he heard his codec ring and he quickly answered it.
Nagi's face appeared on the codec screen and his expression of shock was similar to Riku's.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Nagi asked.
"If what you're seeing is Shizuma and Ryoko making out, then yes." Riku answered. "I guess the rumors were true after all."
Then Tot's face appeared on the codec screen all teary eyed.
"Oh that's just so romantic." She said with a sniffle. "I'm so happy for those two."
"You don't seem to be the least bit surprised." Riku noted. "Don't tell me you knew about this."
"Sort of." Tot replied. "I just watched those two and it seemed obvious that something was going on between them."
Riku's eyes widened from surprise.
"Nagi, your girlfriend is much more observant than I thought." He said. "I doubt you'll do very good at keeping secrets from her."
"Thanks, I really needed to hear that." Nagi replied sarcastically. "So what should we do now?"
"It's pretty obvious." Riku answered. "We hide under these boxes until those two leave. If they find out that we're here, we are so dead."
"That's really reassuring." Nagi said sarcastically. "Oh well, we might as well decide what we should do about Schwartz while we're her." And then he stopped after sniffling a little. "Man, these boxes are dusty."
"Whatever you do, don't sneeze." Riku advised. "Now, about Schwartz- ."
"Ah-ah-ah." This came from Tot's frequency and both Riku and Nagi knew what was about to happen. "Ahchoo!"
A large red exclamation point appeared above Ryoko and Shizuma's heads as they broke apart and looked at the cardboard boxes next to them.
Riku, Nagi, and Tot slowly got out from under the cardboard boxes.
"Were you spying on us?" Ryoko asked.
"No." Riku answered quickly. "It's not what you think. You see, the three of us had something important to talk about and we decided to talk here. Then you two came in and, well.... You know the rest."
"Do you really expect us to believe that?" Shizuma asked.
"I think they're telling the truth." Ryoko said.
"What makes you think so?"
"Tot received a call about something important earlier today." Ryoko explained. "I don't know what it was about, but from her expression it looked important." And then she looked at the three of them. "You will keep this a secret, right?"
"Of course." Riku answered and Nagi and Tot nodded. "But why the secret, and how long have the two of you been seeing each other?"
Both Ryoko and Shizuma blushed a bit before Ryoko spoke.
"Well, it was a little bit after that giant K-Fight at Dragon Land." She said. "Shizuma and I decided to talk a little about things and one thing led to another and we discovered that we actually liked each other."
"By one thing led to another." Riku said. "You don't mean that the two of you..."
"Of course not!" Ryoko and Shizuma shouted at the same time.
"Riku, is your mind always in the gutter when it comes to these things?" Nagi asked with a sigh.
"No." Riku answered. "I was just curious." And then he stopped to consider what he'd just said. "Hold on, that didn't come out right."
"Just go on." Nagi said and he gestured at Riku. "And ignore him."
"That's pretty much what happened." Shizuma replied. "As for why we're keeping the relationship a secret, well, you know how the whole student body would react if they found out those rumors of us being a couple are true. So what was it that you three needed to talk about that was so important?"
"Oh look, it's almost time for us to go eat dinner." Riku said suddenly after looking quickly at his watch. "Well, the three of us should get going. Don't worry your secret's safe with us. Let's go Nagi, Tot." And the three of them quickly left before Ryoko or Shizuma could object.
"What the hell was that all about?" Shizuma asked.
"I don't know." Ryoko answered. "Hey, doesn't Daisaku have a directional microphone?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Could you get it for me?" Ryoko asked.
"I think so." Shizuma answered. "Hold on, you're not thinking of using it to find out what it is that Riku, Nagi, and Tot are keeping secret, are you?"
"Whatever it is, it could be important." Ryoko insisted. "Besides, those three spied on us, so that makes it fair."
"Fine. Leave it to me."
"I knew I could rely on you, Shizuma." And Ryoko kissed him again.
Later: Outside of Riku's Hotel Room:
"Why did you bring him along?" Ryoko asked quietly, indicating Daisaku.
"He wouldn't let me borrow it." Shizuma answered. "And you're one to talk. You brought you're group of friends too." And he indicated Hitomi and the rest of the Shinsengumi.
"Well, I guess you've got a point." Ryoko said and then turned to Daisaku. "So why wouldn't you just let us borrow that thing?"
"This is a very expensive piece of equipment." Daisaku answered, clutching the microphone protectively. "It would be better off in my hands."
"Fine, just point it at the door so we can hear what's going on." Ryoko said.
"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Hitomi asked.
"Probably not." Megumi answered. "But I'm curious."
"Same here." Asuka said.
"Me too." Aoi agreed.
"Me three!" Xiaoxing said.
Then Daisaku pointed the microphone at the door.
"All right then, it's been decided." Riku's voice said. "We'll head to their hotel, trail them, and see what those guys are up too."
"Should we ambush them if we get the chance?" This time the speaker was Nagi. "If there aren't any people nearby that could get caught in the crossfire, that is."
"That depends on how things are at the time." Riku answered.
"Don't tell me we should just let them go!" This time it was Tot who spoke.
"We can't just rush into these kinds of things." Riku replied. "Look, Tot, I know you want revenge on those guys; so does Nagi for what they did to the two of you, but you two are my partners and your safety comes first."
There were a few moments of silence until Tot spoke again.
"You're right." She agreed. "I'm sorry, it's just that I..."
"Tot, neither of us blame you for how you feel." Nagi said. "If anything, I'll help you when we do fight those guys. In the meantime, if you ever do feel sad about what happened, then don't be afraid to come to me for support."
"Nagi, you're so sweet." Tot said adoringly.
"You do realize if any of the adults get suspicious, opens the door, and finds the two of you making out like that, they're going to think you're doing some improper things." Riku noted with amusement.
"Very funny." Nagi said sarcastically. "Now when are we going to sneak out of the hotel to follow our old friends?"
"About eleven." Riku answered. "After all, it pays to be early."
And then Daisaku put up the microphone.
"Do you want to listen to anymore?" He asked Ryoko.
"No." She answered and she turned to everyone else. "What do you think, should we follow them?"
The reaction of the group was, of course, yes.
Later:
Riku stepped out of his hotel room, looked around to be sure no one was looking and then turned back and nodded to Nagi. The two of them quietly left their room and then walked over to Tot's room to find her waiting for them. They then went to the elevator and took it down to the lobby and then they exited the hotel. Unbeknownst to them, Ryoko and co. followed from behind.
Riku, Nagi, Tot, and their unknown pursuers walked until they got to the hotel that Riku and Nagi had followed Crawford to. Riku and co. stopped a few feet away from the entrance to the hotel and then pretended to have a conversation. Ryoko and co. stood a few feet away from them.
After a few minutes, Riku saw Crawford come out of the hotel followed by Schuldich. They walked past Riku and co. and then headed down the sidewalk in the direction of the docks.
"Where's Farfarello?" Riku asked Nagi as they began trailing Schwartz.
"He's following from the roof." Nagi answered. "Don't look up, he might see us."
"Why doesn't he just-?" Riku began.
"Riku, with all those scars all over his body and the way he acts, Farfarello would attract way too much attention."
"Not a very good thing for an assassin, huh?" Riku asked.
"No, it isn't." Nagi answered. "By the way, why did you bring your M9 with you to this trip?"
"I always carry one with me just in case." Riku replied. "Better safe than sorry, you know."
"So how far do we need to walk?" Tot asked.
"To the Kushiro Docks." Riku answered. "That's where Schwartz is going to meet with someone."
"Any idea who that someone could be?" Tot asked.
"Nope."
Meanwhile:
"Looks like those two guys are the ones that those three are following." Ryoko noted as they followed their three friends.
"There's someone moving along with those two on the roofs of the buildings." Asuka said suddenly.
"That guy must be a really good jumper then." Megumi said.
"Ryoko, do you have any idea who those people Riku and the others are following are?" Shizuma asked.
"Your guess is as good as mine." Ryoko answered. "But whoever those three are, I'm getting a real nasty feeling from them."
"You're not the only one, Ryoko." Aoi said. "Those three don't feel right at all. And by that, I mean that they could be dangerous."
"So why would Riku and his friends be after them?" Xiaoxing asked.
"That's something we'll have to find out from Riku himself." Shizuma answered.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." Hitomi said.
"I agree." Daisaku added.
"You're just being paranoid." Ryoko said.
Later: Kushiro Docks:
Riku and co. quickly hid behind a set of crates and watched as Crawford, Schuldich, and Farfarello stopped. Apparently, they were waiting for someone. Suddenly, they heard footsteps from the left and saw a man wearing a brown trench coat, with white hair and a mustache. The way he was dressed looked like something from a western movie.
Riku immediately recognized the man from the pictures he had seen of him as well as the description of him that he had heard from Snake.
(It's Ocelot.) Riku thought. (So he's the one Crawford is meeting with.)
"What's Revolver Ocelot doing here?" Nagi asked in whisper.
"You mean you've seen him before?" Riku asked.
"Yeah, he came by a few times to give Crawford some assignments."
"He even gave my group a few assignments, too." Tot added.
"Next time, tell me about these things." Riku said. "Now let's hear what these guys have to say."
"Good evening, Ocelot." Crawford said. "Shall we get down to business now?"
"Of course, Crawford." Ocelot answered and he looked at him, Schuldich, and Farfarello. "I thought there were four of you."
"There were." Crawford replied. "But I'm afraid we lost our fourth member."
"You lost someone with powers practically mirroring Psycho Mantis'?" Ocelot asked with a snicker. "My, my, I doubt that the Patriots will be happy to hear that."
"Spare me the gloating." Crawford said. "Now I would like to hear more about what this proposition of yours is."
"All in good time." Ocelot replied. "I can guarantee that you will find our plans for Tokyo-3 to be very entertaining. In fact, your current assignment, even though it's a trifle compared to the new S3, may play a key factor in it."
"Tell me more." Crawford said.
Meanwhile:
"You have any idea what's going on?" Shizuma asked Ryoko as they listened in with the directional microphone.
"I have no clue." Ryoko said. "But I know I've seen that man that those three guys are talking to before. But where?"
"I think I heard the man with the glasses call him Ocelot." Hitomi said. "Does that ring any bells?"
"It can't be." Aoi said.
Ryoko turned and looked over at her friend and saw, for the first time, a genuinely shocked expression on her face.
"You know who this is?" Ryoko asked.
"If I'm right, then that man over there is very famous terrorist." Aoi answered. "He was a member of the FOXHOUND group that took over Shadow Moses. His name is Revolver Ocelot."
There were a few minutes of silence as the group took in what Aoi had just told them. Finally, Ryoko spoke.
"I don't know what Riku, Nagi, and Tot have to do with this guy, but we'd better get them out of here." She said. "And then get out of here ourselves."
Meanwhile:
"Well, what should we do?" Tot asked.
"I'm debating whether or not we should ambush these guys now." Riku answered. "Schwartz is one thing, but Ocelot is completely different."
"I don't see what the problem is." Nagi said. "This guy doesn't even have any special abilities."
"Need I remind you about the metal gear he stole from the Marines four years ago." Riku replied. "Why else would they meet at the docks; Ocelot probably has RAY hidden somewhere underwater, and that RAY is completely different from the mass produced ones."
Suddenly, Riku heard a noise from behind and quickly drew his M9 and pointed it in the direction it had come from. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw who it was.
"Ryoko? Shizuma?" He said in recognition and he lowered his M9. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I'd ask the same of you!" Ryoko answered. "Why are you following three people who obviously have connections to that terrorist over there?"
"First tell me why you were following us." Riku replied.
"We heard a little about what you three were planning to do, so we decided to follow you." Shizuma answered.
"And how did you accomplish that?" Riku asked. "And are you two the only ones following us, or did you bring more people?"
"Actually, we did." Ryoko answered. "We brought Daisaku, Hitomi, and the rest of the Shinsengumi. As for how we found out, we used Daisaku's directional microphone to listen in."
(Note to self: From now on, use the codec to talk to Nagi and Tot.) Riku thought before looking at Ryoko and Shizuma with an exasperated sigh.
"I guess we deserved that for accidentally spying on you two." He said and then turned to Nagi and Tot. "It looks like we don't have any choice. Once we find out what Ocelot and Crawford are planning, we get out of here."
"Man, the colonel is going to have a coronary when he hears about this." Nagi said. "Now more people know about us. I don't even want to know what Reese is going to do when he hears about this." And then he turned to Tot. "Sorry, Tot, but it looks like we'll have to put off revenge for now."
"That's all right, Nagi." Tot replied and she stopped to look at Shizuma and Ryoko. "My friends from Schrient would have scolded me for putting a friend in danger."
"Just who are you guys?" Ryoko asked.
"You know our names, Ryoko." Riku answered.
"That's not what I meant." Ryoko said. "What I meant was...."
"She means, are you guys some kind of secret agents or something?" Shizuma said.
"Sort of." Riku answered. "I'll explain everything when we get back to the hotel. In the meantime, don't do anything to alert those guys over there. They can be deadly and whoever you fought before probably doesn't even come close to comparing to them."
"All right, we'll be careful." Ryoko said. "I'd better go tell Hitomi and everyone else to do the same."
Suddenly Crawford turned around.
"It seems we have some visitors." He said.
(Shit!) Riku thought. (We've been found out!)
But he soon saw that Crawford wasn't referring to them. He looked in the direction Crawford was looking and saw a group of four people dressed in black. The first one was a man in either his late teens or early twenties with long red hair and skinny build carrying a katana; the second was a man with wavy blonde hair, wearing a pair of sunglasses, who looked like he was in his early twenties; the third was a man with dark brown hair in his late teens, he was wearing a pair of gloves with some hooked claws coming out of them, and the fourth one was a young boy with brown hair who looked to be around Nagi's age, he was carrying what looked like a miniature crossbow.
"Weiss." Nagi said in recognition.
"Do you know these guys too?" Riku asked.
"I certainly do." Nagi answered. "And so does Tot. Those four are an assassin group too. Though they're a bit different from what Schwartz and Schrient were. Those guys came after the guys that Schwartz and Schrient worked for."
"You mean they're like a positive version of Schwartz?" Riku asked.
"That more or less sums them up." Nagi replied. "So should we use this opportunity to escape?"
"Why don't we give this Weiss some assistance?" Riku suggested causing a reaction from Nagi and Tot. "What's wrong with that? Ever heard the saying "The enemy of my enemy is my friend"?"
"I doubt Tot and I are on their list of favorite people. We used to be their enemies, after all." Nagi answered. "And I don't think Tot would be too happy about joining forces with those guys."
"Why not?" Riku asked Tot.
"That's because... because..." A shadow seemed to pass over the top of Tot's face. "Because they were the ones who killed Neu!"
Riku was silent for a moment before speaking.
"Alright, then we won't join forces with them." He said. "But why not confuse Schwartz and make them think we're with Weiss."
"Sounds good." Nagi agreed and he turned to Tot. "What do you think, Tot?"
"No problem with that." She answered. "I might despise Weiss, but I hate Schwartz even more."
Meanwhile:
Ran Fujimiya looked over at his three partners and friends; Youji Kudou, Ken Hidaka, and Omi Tsukiyono.
They had received classified intelligence about Schwartz's most recent activities and had tracked them to Kushiro.
"Well, it looks like our old friends, Weiss, have decided to join us." Crawford said. "I take it that you are here to once again interfere with our affairs."
"Gee, what was your first clue?" Youji asked and then he turned to Ran. "Looks like they didn't bring their fourth guy this time. Looks like Omi gets the cowboy over there."
Omi looked over at Ocelot and instantly recognized him.
"So Schwartz's newest client is a terrorist leader." He said. Omi then turned to Ran. "The one dressed like a cowboy is Revolver Ocelot."
"The same Ocelot that was involved in the Shadow Moses incident?" Ran asked.
"Yes." Omi answered and he pointed his blowgun at Ocelot.
"Well, it seems as if I've developed quite a reputation." Ocelot noted. "Even second rate assassins like yourselves know who I am."
Ran then looked to the side and saw Nagi emerge from behind a crate.
(It looks like their fourth member has arrived.) Then he saw Tot follow Nagi and then Riku also came out. (Hold on, didn't that girl die a few months ago? And who is that with them?) Ran then looked over and saw that the reactions from his partners were similar.
"Now this is certainly our lucky day." Riku said, causing both Schwartz and Ocelot to turn to him. "If we manage to take out both Schwartz and the infamous Revolver Ocelot, the colonel's bound to give us a big fat raise."
"You!" Crawford shouted.
"Yep. Me." And Riku drew out his M9 and pointed it at Ocelot. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Drakken, one of FOXHOUND's recruits and these two are the most recent ones, not to mention my partners and friends, Mystic Crow and Usagi Ninja."
Schuldich smirked and looked over at Nagi.
"Mystic Crow?" He said and shook his head. "So the little traitor Nagi got a job at FOXHOUND after all, eh? Well good for him. What do you think Crawford?"
"Not very surprising." Crawford answered. "But I'm a little disappointed that Nagi decided to keep the girl with him." And then he looked at Nagi. "You truly have a lot to learn, my student."
"Shut up!" Nagi shouted. "I'm not your student anymore, Crawford. And what's wrong with having Tot with me? She is my partner after all, and a hell of a lot better company than you guys were."
"Hmph. How the mighty fall." Crawford said regretfully. "You could have succeeded Psycho Mantis and attained true power. But instead, you make yourself weak by surrounding yourself with those who would only hinder you."
"So you lost your student to FOXHOUND too, huh?" Ocelot said with amusement. "It seems we have more in common than you care to admit."
"If I remember correctly, you lost your student." Crawford said. "Mine turned against me."
"If you guys are done talking, then lets begin our fight." Riku said and a flame appeared in his right hand. "Though the odds are against you; seven against four."
"It appears as if we'll have to postpone our business discussion." Crawford said to Ocelot with a sigh of mock regret. "Ocelot, you handle them." And then he took out a remote control and pressed the button.
"Very well." Ocelot said and he looked at Riku, Nagi, Tot, and Weiss with a sadistic grin. "I don't know if you're allies or not, but I hope you're prepared for a little gift I have prepared for you. It's all the payload that RAY has." And then he turned to Crawford. "I hope your chopper arrives soon, I've just ordered RAY to fire in two minutes."
"I do not believe that you need to worry about that." Crawford said, and a large black chopper suddenly descended from above. As the rest of Schwartz got into it, Crawford turned and looked at Nagi. "I look forward to our next meeting, my student, if you happen to survive. But know this, you may be able to evade us for a while, but you will never be truly free of Schwartz, or me. Remember that." And he got into the chopper and it took off and sped into the night.
"You now have less than a minute before RAY fires its missiles at you." Ocelot stated. "You may survive, if you flee now." And then, a hundred yards in the harbor, the metal gear that Ocelot had stolen from the Marines emerged from the water. It gave a loud metallic howl before opening its metal wings and firing barrage after barrage of missiles.
"Brace yourselves!" Nagi shouted and he focused his powers to form a barrier around himself, Tot, Riku, and Weiss.
Riku then looked back to where Ryoko and Shizuma were. He then drew the kanji for "round".
"Madoka!" He shouted and a large orange barrier surrounded the area that Shizuma, Ryoko, and everyone else was.
The missiles then struck the barriers, one after another with several deafening explosions. A few of the missiles went in Ocelots direction, but they veered away from him and ended up hitting surrounding buildings. Then, almost as quickly as it had come, the missile shower abruptly ended.
Riku looked over to where his friends were. He saw that Nagi and Tot were fine, and turned to where Shizuma and Ryoko were. He saw that Shizuma had thrown himself in front of Ryoko to try to shield her despite the barrier. Riku could only assume that the others were all right. He then looked back at where Ocelot had been, but didn't see him and the RAY that had been in the harbor was also gone. Riku looked to where Weiss had been and he saw that they were gone too.
"Let's get out of here and quick!" Riku shouted to Shizuma and Ryoko, who both nodded.
Later: At the Hotel:
Riku lay back on the bed in his hotel room. He would have gone to sleep if Shizuma, Ryoko, the rest of the Shinsengumi, Hitomi, and Daisaku weren't there.
"All right." Ryoko said. "Now tell us what just happened a while was all about, and just who you three are."
"And what was it that you guys did to protect us from that missile shower?" Shizuma added.
"I guess we have no choice." Riku said. "I'll tell you, on the condition that you keep everything that you hear in this room a secret."
"That will depend on your answer." Ryoko replied.
"Fair enough." Riku said with a shrug. "Well, let me begin with telling you about that charity organization that I work for. Have you ever heard of Philanthropy?"
"That anti-metal gear organization?" Ryoko asked and Riku nodded. "What about it?"
"You may know it as Philanthropy," Riku answered. "But to Nagi, Tot, and I, we know it as FOXHOUND..."
Later:
And so Riku told them everything. About the reformation of FOXHOUND, the story behind the Big Shell, Schwartz, and everything else. When he finished, everyone, except for Nagi and Tot, was too shocked to speak.
Finally, Shizuma spoke.
"So you guys are some kind of secret agents?" He assumed. "Like James Bond?"
Despite his tiredness, Riku laughed at that comparison.
"Sort of." Riku answered. "But it's not as glamorous as the movies."
"So you guys are basically secret agents trying to fight some evil organization, huh?" Ryoko said. "So what was it that you used to protect us from that missile shower?"
"Well, I guess I'd better demonstrate." And Riku held out his right hand and a small fireball appeared in the palm of his hand. "As you can see, I have the power to control fire. Nagi has a special power too." And he looked over at Nagi and nodded.
Nagi then looked over at a vase and then focused his powers on it. The vase then floated in the air for a few minutes before it lowered back onto the floor.
"That was telekinesis." Nagi stated. "An ability I've had since I was a little kid." And then he looked at each of the other people in the room and saw that none of them looked the least bit frightened by what he did. "You're not frightened or anything?"
"Why should we be?" Ryoko asked. "Shizuma can do practically the same thing as Riku can so what you can do doesn't seem all that unusual. Then again, it could be that all of us have seen too many weird things already for us to be frightened by your powers."
"You have no idea how big a relief that is to hear." Nagi said gratefully. Then he felt Tot's head rest against his shoulder and he saw that she was sleeping. Nagi blushed a little before speaking again. "Well, Tot doesn't have any special powers like Riku and I, but she's a great sword user."
"I should know." Ryoko bragged. "I'm the one who trained her."
"One of the ones who trained her." Riku corrected. "My Uncle Tokiya is teaching her his style of swordsmanship. Well that's-." And then he stopped when he saw a student come running into the room.
"Miss Ryoko!" He said. "I don't know if you've heard, but there's been a terrorist bomb attack at the Kushiro Docks. The tournament has been cancelled!"
"Cancelled!" Ryoko said.
"I guess we should get packing then." Riku suggested. "I bet we're going back home in the morning."
Meanwhile: Mikage Intl. HQ:
"Are you sure that's what you saw?" Kagami asked Asamu.
"Yes, sir." The young Indonesian assassin answered. "I was watching those three from behind one of the crates. I could clearly make out the faces of all three members of Schwartz. And they were definitely meeting with Revolver Ocelot."
"Could you hear any of what they were saying?" Kagami asked.
"No, sir." Asamu replied. "I was going to move closer, but before I could two groups interfered. Schwartz fled and Ocelot showered the interlopers with missiles. Fortunately, I was able to escape."
"Is that everything, Asamu?" Kagami asked. "Are you sure that you have told me everything? The slightest detail could be important."
"I was able to hear a couple of things that they mentioned." Asamu replied. "Something about Tokyo-3 and then something called S3." This caused a reaction from Kagami. "Is something wrong, sir?"
"It is nothing." Kagami answered. "Thank you for your report, Asamu. You are dismissed."
"Yes sir." Asamu said and he left the room leaving Kagami alone with his thoughts.
(So they're finally getting it underway.) He thought. (It seems the Patriots did send Schwartz to keep an eye on the progress of C-Project, but I will not allow them to interfere.)
Kagami then pressed a call button on his desk.
"Yes, sir?' Lee asked.
"It appears that Schwartz has started to show their true allegiance." Kagami replied. "As soon as they arrive, bring them to me and keep a close eye on them."
"Yes sir." Lee answered.
Meanwhile: At another hotel:
"Sheesh! That so called "bomb attack" is on every channel!" Youji said as he kept pressing the channel change button. Then he turned to Ran. "Any idea what it was that was going on between that kid from Schwartz and the rest of them? It looked like he had betrayed them or vice versa."
"That's possible." Ran answered and he turned to Ken. "Ken, call Manx and have her look into this."
"No problem." Ken replied. (I just hope this doesn't ruin my plans with Yuriko tomorrow.)
Later:
Omi and Youji walked down the sidewalk while Youji read the address written on a sheet of paper he was holding.
"How much further is it?" Omi asked.
"It's somewhere on this block." Youji answered. Then he looked around for a little. "Oh, there it is. According to this, this is where that kid with the long hair lives."
"That's assuming that the guy we saw happens to be Riku Hanabishi." Omi said. "So why did I get picked to do this with you? Isn't this supposed to be Ken's job?"
"Unfortunately, Ken's busy today with one; being a soccer instructor, and two; he's going out with that Yuriko girl afterwards."
"I thought she moved to Australia." Omi said.
"Yeah, well, it seems Ken and Yuriko started one of those long distance relationships shortly after that one assignment we had way back when." Youji replied. "To make a long story short, Yuriko ended up coming back to Japan to start her own bike shop and then she and Ken hit it off."
"You jealous?" Omi asked with a smile.
"Jealous?" Youji asked in reply. "Jealous of what? The last thing I need right now is a relationship. I just never seem to have very good luck when it comes to those."
"Well, we might as well see if the guy's home." Omi said with a shrug and he and Youji walked over to the door and rang the doorbell. A woman in her thirties answered.
"Yes?" She asked.
"Good afternoon, maam." Omi said. "We're friends of Riku's from school. Is he home?"
"I'm afraid he isn't here at the moment." Yanagi answered. "But you're welcome to come in and wait."
"Thank you, maam." Youji answered.
Meanwhile: On the Bus:
"Hey, wake up!" Shizuma shouted causing Riku to reluctantly open his eyes.
Riku groaned a little before answering. "What is it, Shizuma? You know I didn't get much sleep last night. What with me, Nagi, and Tot telling you all those things about us."
"Well, consider it payback for holding out on me in our fight." Shizuma answered.
"You're still sore about that?' Riku asked. "Come on, I told you that I have to keep my powers a secret. Tell you what, you find a secluded place where there's no people and I'll gladly fight you no holds barred, OK?"
"Fine by me." Shizuma replied. "By the way, I'm a little jealous. You getting to take long absences from school that are automatically excused so you can fight a bunch of bad guys."
"It's not as glamorous as you think, Shizuma." Riku said with a sigh. "Well, I'm gonna get some well deserved shut eye, wake me when we get back to school."
Later: Hanabishi Residence:
Riku yawned as he parked his car in the driveway. He looked back and saw that Nagi and Tot were as tired as he was.
(I guess I'll tell the colonel about this tomorrow.) Riku thought and he got out of the car along with his two friends and then opened the door to the house. (I hope nothing else unexpected happens.)
"Hey Mom, Dad, we're home!" Riku called and both Yanagi and Recca came to where he, Nagi, and Tot were, concern showing on their faces.
"I heard on the news that there was a terrorist bomb attack in Kushiro." Yanagi said. "I'm glad the three of you are all right."
"Thanks." Riku said. "Though it was a missile attack, not a bomb attack."
"Riku, you weren't by any chance there when it happened?" Recca asked suspiciously.
"I'm afraid we were, Mr. Hanabishi." Nagi answered. "I'll let Riku tell you what happened."
"That will have to wait." Recca replied and he turned to Riku. "Riku, two friends of yours from school are here to meet you about something."
"It's probably Ryoko and Shizuma, or some of the other guys." Riku said with a shrug. "Oh well." And then he turned to Nagi and Tot. "Let's go speak with them."
And they walked over to the living room.
"All right, you guys." Riku said as they walked into the room. "What is it that-?" He stopped when he saw that the room's occupants weren't the people he was expecting.
Youji turned to Riku and smiled.
"Yo." He said. "Long time no see."
"Oh, it's you guys." Riku said, trying to hide his surprise.
"What's wrong, Riku?" Yanagi asked. "You look a little pale." And she looked at Nagi and Tot. "It's the same with you two as well."
"Oh it's nothing." Riku answered quickly. "We just didn't get much sleep last night, and we weren't expecting visitors either. Right Nagi?"
"Oh yes." Nagi replied not taking his eyes off Omi and Youji. "We weren't expecting these two at all."
"I'll get you and your friends something to drink then." Yanagi said, sensing a bit of hostility in the air coming from Nagi and Tot. "What would you like?"
"Lemonade." Riku answered.
"Coffee." Youji answered.
"Milk." Nagi said.
"Sprite." Omi replied.
"Juice." Tot said.
"OK." Yanagi answered. "Hang on." And she left the room leaving the two groups to themselves.
(Now what do these guys want?) Riku thought. (I guess I'll just have to talk to them and see. And if that doesn't work, I could always get the answers out from them the usual way.)
"All right, start talking." Riku said seriously. "What are you people doing here?"
"We're here to check up on those two." Youji answered gesturing at Nagi and Tot. "And we also want some answers too."
"As long as you answer our questions too." Riku replied. "But let me make this clear. Nagi is not with Schwartz anymore."
"That looked kind of obvious." Omi said. "One thing we want to know is who you three are with. Are you an assassin group too?"
"No." Nagi answered. "We're with FOXHOUND."
"FOXHOUND?" Youji asked. Then he shook his head. "All right. How about this? You guys come with us and meet with the rest of Weiss and we'll discuss everything we feel is important."
"Fine." Riku answered. "We'll follow you to this meeting place and see for ourselves if you're trustworthy or not. Now, let's get those drinks first."
"By the way, where are we going?" Nagi asked.
Omi simply smiled at him.
"A flower shop." He answered.
AN: And that's chapter 10 and boy did this take a while to write. Now things are going to get set in motion for the meat of the story! To RuneKnightPictures, in the next chapter, Scorpion will make a brief appearance and then, in the chapter after that, he'll fight Farfarello. To everyone else, enjoy and please review.