Had he not heard it from Katze's own words and see how plausible that the gaps of his memories were all connected to that mongrel from the slums, Iason Mink would not even considered it a possibility and would quickly wave the topic away as if it was a very bad joke, told by an untrained entertainer.
Iason Mink have realized the pull he had towards Riki, that wild untameable beast from the depth of Ceres but he had never expected him to be actually connected to his memories until Katze finally let it out of the bag. He had once thought him interesting to watch and observe, a toy he would soon pick up just for the sake of it. Now, he understand why.

The relationship he had with Riki was deeper. It was deeper than that off the master and pet that Katze mentioned.
It took him awhile to process all this though, even with his enhanced brain.
Even now, as he stood before both Raoul Am and Orphe Zavi, he still finds it hard to believe Riki was the key to his past.

Standing here in Orphe's headquarters, he was determined to get the truth out of both Riki and the blondies.
But Raoul did not seem very please about that.

"What are you talking about?!" Raoul Am spat, tucking away a loose blonde curl "That boy has nothing to do with you-"
Iason frowned. A name haven't been mentioned since Raoul entered the room, so why was he so confident that they were talking about the mongrel in Orphe's cell?
Iason knew the answer very well. He turned and rebuked the blondy, his so called friend.
"Do not lie, Raoul Am," Iason started "I know what you are capable of as someone who had the pleasure to walk alongside you all these years as someone whom I trust. But alas, had you not trample on the mere respect I had for you, it would not have severe the relationship we had up till now,"
Iason walk forward, his eyes a fixed glared at the other blondy "I did mentioned once that I would find the answers to this riddle. Now that I did, would I have the honour of receiving the real truth from you, my 'dear friend'?" At this he turned to Orphe
"That boy from the slums is still my property, and I am sure you are aware of what happens to those who lay their hands on what belongs to me,"

Orphe gulped but remained firm. As Raoul settled into silence, Orphe seemed to find his voice back. He couldn't catch much on what was going on between Raoul and Iason but he knew that it is anything but good. Riki, however was a prisoner that he had put effort in his capture, and he still of course intend to do what he started out from, the answers to Dana-Bahn.
However, even confronting Iason about that case did not seem to bear any fruits, as the head of the syndicate merely stare back at him with a blank face, for he himself did not know what had happened in Dana-Bahn.

Raoul cleared his throat, clearly disliking the fact that he was being ignored.
"That mongrel trash must be executed,"
"I would like to see you try," Iason Mink interrupted, obviously unamused. He had finally found an answer to his questions, and he did not intend to let the chance slipped past his grasp due to Raoul's selfish hatred. Even he himself finds it hard to swallow what little information he had got from Katze. Little, but important.

Finally, Orphe sighed, calming the two who seemed keen to bring down the other in their own possible methods. "What do you propose we do then?" Orphe asked. He brought up a screen to show Riki's cell, the boy had been awake an hour ago and had been prancing franticly in the cell, obviously startled and unsure of what would become of him.
Orphe himself was tired of this squabbling over a mere mongrel trash. He had other issues to tend to, namely to catch the perpetrator behind the Apatia and Mistral Park's bombing, before it claimed more lives.

Iason thought about it for a moment as he stared at the hologram. The situation looks plainly familiar, as if it had occurred before.
"Let me have custody of him for a week." He suggested "I would acquire the information you seek, if he proofs to be useless, then you can very well have your way with him,"
"That is preposterous!" Raoul immediately shouted "That boy must be executed immediately!" But instead, Orphe silenced him with a raised palm. "Why do I need to trust you in getting information out of a prisoner when I have plenty who could do the same?"

The edge of Iason Mink's lips seems to twitch into a grin, as he had seen how the outcome of the conversation would be. Despite Raoul's fuming, the odds were pretty much in his favour.
"Who knows?" He started "My own methods to tame might be far better than your men,"


If the walls could break as easily as Katze's doors, Riki would have spent all his energy in kicking it open, but no. He had been held here a few times before and experience clearly told him that any attempt to escape from this prison cell is futile.

So all Riki could do was prance around the room, obviously sulking again, trying to think of a way out. The cell would be surrounded by dozens of security camera, droids, policemen and many more. He realized the dangerous position he was in currently, a wanted man, no, a pet, who had manage to pull down a blondy from his highest seat and came back from the dead as if nothing had ever happened despite the tragedy that surrounded him like heavy chains, dragging everyone in around him.
Katze had warned him that Raoul would not hesitate to terminate him. Before this, Riki would be happy to welcome death, but had not allow it to happen due to his own ego, but right now, no, he had other things on his mind.

He knew that what he had done was stupid, unthinkable, a waste of efforts that he and Katze had put up so far. Carelessly and foolishly, he had run out into the unthinkable and revealed himself. But right now, instead of worrying about his own condition, Riki was more worried about what had happened to Cid and Norris.
Had they manage to leave? They weren't caught by the police were they? How is Norris? These things seem to annoy him on so badly that when Riki heard the sounds of footsteps approaching his cell, he got ready to pounce, seeing his chance to escape when the door slid open.

The blood that gushed through his veins gave him power and the adrenaline pushed him forward. The guard had unlocked the door and Riki found himself squeezing through the opening. He needed to be quick or he would be caught. Sure, there would be more outside but he could worry about them later. He needed to get out of this cell. Quick.

Suddenly, someone ceased him by his wrist, pinning it against his back, a grip so strong it made the mongrel scream. He was pushed to the wall and he felt his face grazed against the cold metal, as he struggled to get out of the man's grip.
His back was against his attacker, so that he could not even see who the grip belongs to. Yet, a feeling of familiarity ceased him when he remembered a certain someone who had grip as strong as this. Through the corners of his eyes he caught sight of long, blonde straight hair and a silver white overall.
His heart was beating faster than before and he could feel his legs going limp. Despite everything, he could not fight the fear that came crashing down as he remembered the years of training that he had been subjected to.
Oh, how he was sucked dry to the very last bit, yelling in agony, in pain, yet HE will never be satisfied. His demanding voice would order for more, would draw out whatever that was left of Riki hammering his orders into his very marrow.
You are my pet.

"I suggest you to not do anything foolish, lest you lose what little precious left of you..." Came the exact same voice, a fluid baritone that speaks of warning and danger. The hair on Riki's back stood up as he felt the man's breath against the nape of his neck; chills ran down his spine in a haywire. Even standing felt like a chore now, an effort to even keep upright. When he finally shook himself loose of the man's grip, he turned and almost topple over at the sight of those deep azure eyes, the golden hair and—Iason Mink.

For what seemed hours, Riki just stood there, trying to understand if that blondy in front of him really is Iason, and not some cruel tricks that his eyes were playing on him. His mouth opened and shut, but no words came out.

It wasn't after he found back his ground, and suddenly felt the surge of blood boiling in him. His fist shot up, aiming squarely for Iason's cheek but instead it got caught in the blondy's bare hands, his fingers wrapping around as if ready to crush his bones.

"As I said, I suggest you to stop doing anything foolish," Was all Iason said.

Riki starred in disbelief. Iason had not shown any hint of recognition in his eyes. To the blondy, Riki was yet another curious subject. Iason still had not remembered.
"You bastard!" The mongrel grinded his teeth angrily, this time, his knees shooting upwards, but of course, the blondy avoided it, halting the attack. "How dare you forget it all, how dare you!" Riki screamed. But instead, Iason only looked back with cold, hard eyes, not even bothering to answer. He grabbed Riki by his hair and prodded him forward roughly.
"I am the master here," Iason suddenly said "if you do not listen then I see no reason not to hand you over to Raoul,"

Riki froze, glancing at Iason. Had he always been this cold…?
No. It felt like those times…those excruciating moments before Iason had 'sampled' him. Subjected to torture and Iason's icy cold glare, he could feel it again right now, a tingle in his phantom limb, pain, like the ring that had tortured something that was no longer there. He walked forward, dragging his feet, feeling Iason's icy cold stare on his back. Iason had been kinder after he forced Riki to return from Ceres before, so much kinder that Riki had ignored how Iason was once very, very cruel, and now, having to taste it again, he could feel the bile rising to his throat.

When the two finally reach the exit, Riki could see the nervous glances that the security men had lingering on him, a mongrel walking alongside a blondy of such high status and out of prison, too. It was a common thing that Riki had dealt with before, but now, having to feel it again was simply much too alien to him. He stole a glance at Iason, whose presence seem to tower over him as usual, but now, he saw there was a glimmer of interest in his eyes, as if a boy who had won a toy as a prize, victorious.

As they emerged from the exit, Riki was almost blinded by the strong light of the day. In a distance was Iason's car, there for the blondy's convenience. And there, holding the door open was Katze. The ex-furniture did not show him a hint of emotion as Riki was ordered into the car by Iason. There was silence between them as neither would say anything and Riki could only sit back, wondering what was in store for him.


What have you done?!

Jupiter was restless. Of course the super computer would have news of Riki's capture and the events that happened after it. The chamber had always been cold, but today, Raoul could feel the heat of Jupiter's anger as soon as he stepped in her presence.

This will ruin everything!

"I do not think that my apologies would be sufficient in this matter," Raoul started, bowing his head low, somehow feeling ashamed of his incapability "I have tried to stop Iason, but you of all people should be aware of what he is capable of,"

That mongrel should've been terminated!

Raoul paused. There was nothing he could say about this. Had he realized it earlier, this issue would not be such a thorn in his skin by now. How had Iason manage to know about Riki's relation to his disappeared memories?
Was it Katze? Oh, why had he even trusted that being that wasn't even a man to begin with?
He admits that Iason was not complete, imperfections would soon destroy what was left of Iason. That blondy however, seemed to be the most human among them all, something that cannot be allowed.
"We should not have let him out before, not until I perfected him," Was all he said in a small voice. Not out of fear, but deep in thoughts.

Midas cannot wait so long for you to correct what you are incapable of.

"Had you not realize he is turning human?! To love Riki? What kind of unspeakable behavior is that?!" Raoul suddenly raised his voice, regretting it only later when Jupiter's materialized hologram glared back at him.
"There….is not much we could do at this stage, except to completely shut Iason Mink down again," He suggested "If we would want to stop his fanatic over that mongrel trash—"
"As long as he is here, he would not allow me to even touch even a strand of hair on that pest,"

NO!

Jupiter's booming reply was enough to throw Raoul out of his thoughts. No? With that the only choice they had?

..Observe first, Raoul. As I said, I do not wish to lose any of my children again.

"But—" His protest was cut short when Jupiter faded away, letting the darkness to once more enveloped the room again, it's tendrils seemed to reach out for Raoul. For once, he felt like the whole world was against him. His hatred for Riki boiled even deeper, remembering what was left of the crumbling relationship he had once shared with a dear friend and now, Jupiter seemed content to not side with him.


"Riki...?" The surprise on Luke's face was genuine. The brats around him looked confused though. Guy wouldn't blame them; Riki's name as the strongest in the slums had long sank into time even since the first time he had disappeared from the slums. Luke seemed to find the news incomprehensible though, his expressions changing as he tried to process the news. Finally, he threw his head back and laughed.

"Riki, back in the slums?" Luke chuckled "For all we know that man might be licking the cock of some blondy enjoying life to the fullest as we withered away here!"
"Luke, please!" The issue had been a taboo for them ever since they found out about what really happened in the years that their most respected leader had disappeared. As if that wasn't enough, even Guy, the next in command had dissipated into thin air, chasing after a mad love that would not be returned.

Between the three of them, Luke took the news in the worst way possible, crumbling his relationship with what remained of Bison, disappearing for weeks only to return again with those brats around him, claiming that they would once again bring them to the top.

Norris and Cid doubted this though. Norris had Max, the old man that he called his pairing partner but Cid was sure of what he wanted, and rising to the top again without Riki is not in his list. Luke was drunk with his wanting to feel like the times when they conquer the slums again, and using Carlos as Riki's replacement, he sees his chance to rise. But no, Cid knew how this would end up in a disaster too, much like Kirie.

He had held his tongue for sometime in respect for what little peace that remained among them but now, with Riki back, there is need for Luke to return back to reality, no matter how hard it seemed.

To Guy however, what Luke said seemed to hit a sore spot.
"So what?" Luke started instead "So what if he is back? He would surely disappeared into the arms of that blondy again in a few months, or year, hadn't we have enough of his nonsense? Him and Guy too, disappearing as if they had never exist, all for the sake of leaving the slums, not even had they remembered the dirt that once clung to their skin, the so called companions that were there for them but never were they here for us thanks to their own selfish desires!"

"Luke-"
"Enough, Riki is no more! He is better off dead for all I know!" Luke spat, and stampeded out of the base, Carlos and the others following him frantically.

Cid was quiet and Guy simply stared at him, not knowing what he would say now. Cid instead sank into a nearby chair with a sigh. "It's no use hiding who you are you know," He suddenly said, turning towards Guy "Ray...? No, it's so obvious it's you, Guy,"

Guy was startled, but not entirely surprised. Casually, he sat back unto the opposite chair. "How did you know?"
Cid chuckled. "One would change their appearance but not their soul," Cid explained "it took awhile but I recognize the fire in your eyes, of course," Beside them, Norris moaned in his sleep as he shifted to a more comfortable position. "Max is going to kill me,"

Guy glanced at Norris for a moment, before turning back to Cid, asking about those brats around Luke.
"The eldest with the muscles is Matthew, but they called him Matt, freckle is Sirya and the leader called himself Carlos," Cid explained, frowning "Luke found them wandering around in a back alley, obviously they had just came out of guardian not longer than a year,"

"...they mentioned about Apatia?"
At this, Cid's face turned dark as he contemplated if he should let Guy in on the news.
"Had you not seen how those bombing in Apatia and Mistral Park occurred, how there's graffiti of a skull in the area?"

Guy nodded.
"Ever since you left, there's this group, really large one begun surfacing. Apparently called themselves the Skullz. They would wreck havoc around Ceres, leaving graffiti or real skull of people they had murdered in places where they destroyed or hang out, as if proudly claiming their territory."

Guy frowned. Murder was of course an everyday occurrence in the slums. Here, you are required to watch your own back. But to go as far as that...

Cid wasn't finish yet. "They recruit thos freshly graduated from guardian, uncontaminated and they influenced those brats with their own ideals. That is why it was so notorious. Those three, Carlos, Matt and Sirya are the ones that pulled Luke in."

"They were involved in the bombing in Midas?" Guy already knew the answer to this and was not even surprise when Cid nodded.
"Skullz apparently wanted to prove of their strength, even to the point of challenging Midas itself,"

Guy sat in silence. Cid paused a moment before continuing.
"That's why...that is why I think that Riki was carelessly caught in all this, you know...like Kirie,"
"There is a possibility," Guy agreed "But right now, we should get Luke out first, anyone stupid enough to leave their signature in the crime scene are just inviting trouble right up to their doorstep,"

His every being was screaming for him to burst through Midas's security to bring Riki back again but he knew how futile that would seem. Guy did not want to cause any more trouble to Riki. He decided that saving Luke first would be the best course of action...for now.


So sorry with the delay. I have been busy with many things lately and could only find time to write now. Forgive me |D... Once again, thank you so much for the reviews, you guys have no idea how happy I was every time I see a new one posted 3 3 ;w; Please continue to give your reviews, ideas and suggestions, it is very, very, very much appreciated \ ; w ; /