A/N: Hello everyone! Like I stated before, work has kept me quite busy since my last chapter has come out but luckily I have been given this weekend off to relax. This mean's chapters for you! Thanks for all those who have read up till now and I hope to keep your attention as the story continues!

Now for your questions,

ScarPaw234: It takes place before Takagi's place. You will understand more after you read this chapter.
MarshalZhukov: If the way the OCs and Canons mingle are not to your liking please tell me why. I am curious as to how you would have them mingle with(or hate) each other.

Cheers,
Sil

Raph had to agree that this was defiantly some progress. The group from America was extremely grateful for the assitance as they sat atop of the hum-vee driving down the empty streets with less worry on their shoulders. Not everything was so peaceful however as some sparks were already flying between the two groups. Yori and Saeko seemed to be the most polite rivals Raph has ever seen. They exchanged pleasantries and greetings like everyone else did but the intensity between them only needed a mere spark to ignite it to a higher level. Then there was Mal and the pink haired girl Takagi. Raph ran his hand through his hair just thinking about his friends surprises. Mal was starting to become a different person right infront of his eyes but he wondered who was the real Mal now? Was it the video game playing Mal who was a joker in class or the Japanese speaking person with a hidden past?

"I guess your wondering what's up with me huh?" Mal finally broke the silence between the two friends who sat on the hum-vee's rear plate. The two were in silence ever since the vehicle started moving.

"Only a little" Raph responded with twinge of sarcasm. He wanted to know as soon as it left his lips!

"Well a few years back before I went to our school, I was a bit of a genius." Mal started before being interrupted by Cybele who moved closer to the rear of the vehicle to hear the story.

"You? A genius?" She asked with a perked eyebrow trying to believe this non-sense.

"Yes. I know, ha ha" Mal gave her a mocking laugh before continuing. "I was selected out a few for a country academic competition that was hosted by Japan. Lucky for me, my parents already had me learn Japanese and a few other languages just because I could" Mal said while narrowing his eyes as if recalling a long lost memory or perhaps a painful one.

Raph and Cybele went quiet as they listened carefully. Today was a bad day for Raph's brain it would seem as surprise after surprise was continually smacking him in the face. "So let me get this straight. You are a nerd" Raph asked with all serious intentions. Cybele however decided to give out a chuckle.

"Basically. Remember Pinky? Well she was there as well. It was the finals, Japan and America were pitted against each other with some of the brightest youth each country had to offer. We lost." Mal admitted with a chuckle leaning back against the vehicle.

"Wait... You lost?" Raph said squinting his eyes while trying to find what the point of the story was. "But why was she angry then? She won didn't she?"

"Yes and no" Mal replied while he shut he looked up to the clear blue sky. "The judges were astounded at the intelligence from the two groups so they decided to have a match 'For Fun'. Though everybody knew it was for some bragging rights." Mal started as his smile grew into a grin. "It's Pinky versus Me. One versus one. I mopped the floor with her, twice."

"Wait, wait ,wait. You won there then how did you lose the first one?" Cybele asked as she was as confused as Raph was.

"The real competition was a group one where it was team against team. My scores were spectacular but my team mates were lacking. The Japanese team had great scores for every member." Mal explained as he continued to wear his victorious grin.

"So you totally demolished her in the fake competition?" Raph asked with a small chuckle.

"Oh yeah. She. Was. Pissed. She is a very smart girl but I guess I was just smarter. Anyway, Pinky cursed me and swore she'd get revenge academically someday but I just waved it off. She's cute when she's angry" Mal told the two before bursting into laughter which hapen to catch the pudgy Hirano's attention.

Hirano bent from his knees and poked his head into the vehicle. "Takagi, is it true that the guy with the mohawk beat you in smarts?" He however instantly regretted asking the question as she turned around from her front seat and stared at him with evil intent.

"Out of my way fat nerd!" She shouted as she poked her head out from the top port of the hum-vee. "What lies are you telling everybody you punk!"

Mal turned his head with a grin to look at Takagi who was practically shaking her fist at the relaxed Mal. "Nothing much. Just telling them that I beat you twice fold in academics" Mal answered her question a bit louder then she may have wanted as even the people inside the vehicle started to chuckle.

Saeko and Rei placed their hands over their mouths as they chuckled. They could even see her fist ball up in anger but no one laughed more the Takashi. He couldn't help but see his childhood friend anger her so much with only a few words. He could even remember the days when she returned after the competition with a burning desire to learn.

"You barely won in a competition that held no meaning in ranks or standings!" Takagi tried to cover her self by coming up with excuses although it was easy to see she was getting flustered.

"Oh don't worry Pinky. I also told them you were cute when your angry" Mal said his final comment which he designate his victory speech before turning to look back up to the sky.

Takagi went red with anger and embarrassment as she wormed her way back to the front seat. Everyone inside went dead quiet but with smiles and grins covered their faces.

"There they are!"

Everyone looked forward as the creatures lumbered about the streets with their mouths open. Raph had secretly hoped it was better here but it was nothing but a pipe dream proved wrong. The streets were more narrow and the stone fences were often taller then Raph. It was a kill zone for survivors if he has ever seen one.

"Turn right!" Takagi yelled as she was trying to find a way around them. Shizuka turned as ordered while everyone had to quickly hold on to something or they'd be thrown off with in seconds.

Raph has been on roller coasters but this was not as fun because if he lost his grip he might as well be a goner. The hum-vee picked up sped only to see another large group of the undead shambling along the road.

"Turn left!" The pink haired girl shouted out again but they were in for even worse luck. They found themselves on a lot more wider road but even a larger mob of the creatures were in front. They had no other choice as Shizuka picked up speed and rammed through the mob. Everyone on top of the hum-vee went wide eyed for a moment before ducking. Bodies flew over barely missing Yori and Cybele as Raph watched their gory mess hit the road behind them.

Saeko noticed something as she also poked her head out of the top port of the armoured vehicle. "Stop the car!"

Yori barely noticed it as well but the sun reflected off of something up ahead that seemed out of the way. Taking a closer look she saw the wire fence that stretched across the entire road. Shizuka stopped the car while quickly turning the steering wheel to the right which caused the large vehicle to slide across the road.

Raph held on tight but that was no longer good enough as the driver started to slide the vehicle. One undead impacted with the vehicle but in it's crash also took Raph with him.

"Raph!" Mal tried to reach out with one hand to grab him but no luck. He watched as Raph and the corpse rolled along the hard road. Mal then grabbed onto the vehicle tightly as it impacted with the wire wall.

Raph shook his head to clear his vision and secretly thanked the dead soldier back in America for the kevlar vest that he placed over his kimono. He felt a strong hand grasp his shoulder only to look up at a creature with it's mouth wide open and ready to eat. That was until it's head exploded and the limp body fell to the cement road. Raph looked to see the pudgy guy holding a rifle with a thumbs up. Raph grinned as he pushed the bleeding corpse off of him and stood to his feet reaching up his kimono for the M9 pistol.

Yori and Saeko jumped off together with their respective blades drawn. They knew their enemies were in front of them as they settled whatever it was between them momentarily. Their attack was graceful as Yori did a wide swipe with her much longer blade which decapitated many heads in one swing. Saeko used this opening to slide underneath the swinging blade and spring up to strike down two more walking corpses.

Cybele watched from atop of the vehicle as both new and old friends started to fight off the beasts. She smiled as the combined firepower seemed to be keeping them at bay. She then looked to the end of the tide only to see it was endless. Further more the vehicle was not moving an inch. Cybele walked over Hirano careful not to disturb his firing as she leaned over to look at the panicked blonde haired driver. The engine failed to start and Cybele was feeling useless so it was time to roll up the sleeves and get a little dirty. She jumped down from the top of the vehicle to the hood and then on the ground while banging on the hood. Takagi and Shizuka looked at her for a moment before Takagi realized what was going on and reached over to pop the hood. Cybele blew a few strands out of her eyes before digging in.

"Rei! Are you alright?" Takashi asked as he fired a shell from the shotgun that sent the creatures flying backwards. She didn't take the sliding too well as she had slammed against the side of the vehicle which lead to a bump on the head. Takashi just hoped it wouldn't leave any lasting damage internally.

"Just a little dizzy is all" She replied while trying to keep on her feet. She held onto her rifle but the way she kept trying to regain focus with vision was what worried Takashi the most.

"Just stay back until you can fight. I've got you" Takashi said before letting another shot out to tare many holes into the walking dead.

Mal climbed the vehicle and shouted to Hirano "Is there any other weapons Kouta?"

"There's a crossbow in the back! Do you kn-" He shouted back but before he could ask Mal if he could use it the flat mohawk disappeared back into the hum-vee.

"Pinky, Blondie. We have to get moving or were done for!" Mal shouted to the front while he was looking in the back. He smiled as he saw Alice already offering the crossbow to Mal. He gave Alice his best, heart warming smile back just in case it was the last human thing she ever saw "Thanks Alice!" He patted her on the head a couple of times to see the innocent smile show right back.

"Don't you think we are trying to get it started!" Takagi yelled back as she balled her fist. "Miss Marikawa, try it again!"

The group was in trouble as even the two swordsmen were starting to retreat. Both Saeko and Yori started to breath a little harder as they were running out of energy. "How do we win against a enemy that has mass numbers?" Yori asked Saeko as they were now standing back to back.

"Who said we were going to win?" Saeko replied as she waited for the moment to strike.

"So you are thinking the same outcome? Well let us die fighting then!" Yori said as she striked forth in a wide arc as her long hair spun with the blade. Saeko couldn't agree more as she smiled and launched herself forward with her blade breaking a neck.

Raph let off another round as a creatures limp body fell to the ground. Mal had his back by firing off another bolt from the crossbow to impact a skull cleanly. Things were not looking good but Mal didn't really want to voice it out. Everyone was getting pushed back to the vehicle as Cybele slammed the hood back down while she swiped away some sweat on her forehead which resulted in a grease smear.

Cybele gave a thumbs up to the driver as the engine whirred but still didn't start. Hope was dimming moments after moments. Cybele looked around to see her friends fighting with every last ounce of strength but the hoard pushed forward but where was Jacob? She searched all around but couldn't see the buzz cut anywhere till she looked beyond the wire. A limp body laid on the ground on the other side as Cybele ran to the fence in panic. "Jacob! Jacob!" She tried to call out to him in hopes to wake up the young man but he didn't stir.

Takagi knew the outcome mathematically just as much as Mal did. They didn't have the resources or the man power to fight such a numerous opponent. "Kouta! Get Alice and the others over the fence by the hum-vee!" She ordered while jumping out of the vehicle. She picked up the shot gun Takashi had discarded for Rei's rifle as well as a few shells. She may not be an excellent aim like Kouta but she was a genius or so she boasted.

Cybele stood over Kouta as she reached down to take the crying girl from his arms and into hers. Cybele did her best to hush the Alice as she held her tightly to her chest. The blonde teen jumped from the roof and onto the other side of the fence as she also tried to run to Jacob's side.

"Crap! I'm out!" Raph shouted as he smacked the butt of the pistol grip onto a head. He turned to see Mal fire a bolt that killed another creature but it almost seemed like worthless effort.

"Raph, I'll cover you! Get back to the Hum-vee!" Mal yelled while nudging his head in the direction of the hum-vee. Raph looked at him for a few moments but those eyes told him just to do what he had said.

Raph ran back only to see the others starting to jump over the fence by the Hum-vee roof. He easily jumped onto the back and then to the roof but Mal was nowhere behind him.

"Run! I'll cover you!" Takashi yelled after grabbing his shotgun from Takagi as she was about to start swinging the weapon herself. He knew this was to be his death as he swung the shotgun butt around to connect against an older looking undead. Another creature fell beside him as Saeko joined his side with a small smile.

Raph looked over to Mal who was running out to the hoard as well. Was he crazy? "Mal! Get back here!" Raph cried out to him but Mal never turned around. Raph however saw the pink haired girl run after him as she dodged left and right to avoid the masses.

Loud noises then echoed behind him as creatures all over were being pushed back to the ground. Raph turned to see a bunch of men dressed in what looked like fire fighter suits. They were using some sort of air cannons to push back the hoard but it only worked as a delay tactic. Raph was the last one ontop of the vehicle as he looked out at the masses. Mal was no where in sight! His heart sunk to a depth he wished didn't exist as he could only hear the moaning of the dead below him and cries for him to jump to safety behind him. Part of him wanted to jump into the mass to rescue his friend but he knew Mal would punch him for trying something so stupid.

"Raph!"

The leader turned to see and hear Mal waving at him from the high wall that lined the wall. He could also see the pink haired girl behind the young man. Raph then felt himself fluster with strength as he waved back while hollering back.

"We will regroup with you later! Stay safe!" Mal shouted back as he could also see Takashi and Saeko across the street waving back to them. Mal turned and focused his attention on something possibly more dangerous then the zombies.

"I can't believe I'm stuck with you" Takagi said as she crossed her arms and turned to walk down the empty alleyway without a single reply from Mal.

"Shoot me now..." Mal mumbled before dropping the expended crossbow to the ground and falling in behind her.