AN: Okay folks, chapter 25 has finally arrived and you can expect some major story development in this chapter as well as the next. Well, please enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: See previous disclaimers. The characters mentioned, Yukimura Sanada and Toshiro Sakata belong to GreyWolf4. Sorry to GreyWolf4that it's just that for now but I promise that they'll show up after the Ceres arc is over.
Chapter 25: Fact and Fiction Part 1
Aogiri Residence:
The room was silent after Riku finished telling everyone what Yuki had told him about how to free Aki. How Nagi would have to dive into Aki's mind and somehow get rid of Shiso with his psychic powers. Finally Nagi broke the silence.
"So all I need to do is dive into Aki's mind and get rid of Shiso." He said. "That shouldn't be too hard for me…"
"There's more I need to tell, especially you Nagi." Riku said seriously. "The whole process will be much more dangerous than you're putting it."
"What do you mean?" Tot asked, her eyes showing concern for Nagi. "How dangerous is it?"
"Given that Shiso is a spirit, and an ancient one at that, an injury a spirit deals is to one's soul for one, which is much worse than any bodily injuries." Riku answered. "Also…Nagi, do you know what one of the other things besides his childhood that contributed to how Psycho Mantis was before he met Snake?"
"I remember it had something to do with his experiences in diving into people's minds." Nagi answered.
"There's more than that." Riku replied. "After the Soviet Union collapsed, Mantis moved to the US and did some jobs for the FBI. There he was in charge of several cases in the agency. He dove into the minds of many serial murders and ended up uniting with such minds (after going beyond the threshold of the element of crime), becoming a serial killer himself. Everything else, you know…"
"So you're worried that Shiso's personality might merge with mine, huh?" Nagi said. "I don't blame you for being worried about that since I do admit that there's a danger to that."
"So…if that happens…that means you might not be you anymore?" Tot asked Nagi hesitantly.
"In the worst case scenario, yes." Nagi answered, not wanting to elaborate more on what could happen since he didn't want Tot to worry more.
Tot wasn't sure what to say as part of her wanted Nagi to help Aki, but the other didn't want to see Nagi get into as threatening a situation as that.
"Are you sure it could turn out that way?" Chidori asked. "I mean, it could just have been something that happened in Mantis' case."
"That's a possibility, I'm not a psychic after all." Riku admitted. "But I don't want to take chances in that area."
"Is it alright if I had some time to think about this?" Nagi asked Riku who nodded.
"Go on and take as much time as you need, I need to talk with Michael and the others about how we're going to infiltrate the base anyway." Riku said.
Nagi nodded and then got up and left the room. Tot then turned to Michael.
"Uh, Michael I know I said I wanted to help, but there's something I need to do." She said.
"It's alright." Michael replied. "I know you need to talk with your boyfriend about all of this.
"Thanks." Tot then got up and left the room.
After she left, Michael turned to Riku.
"Looks like you really do value the lives of your partners, Riku." He commented. "Otherwise you wouldn't have been very specific about the dangers that would be involved in this."
"What kind of partner and friend would I be to them if I didn't do that?" Riku asked in reply. "For that matter, what kind of shinobi would I be if I didn't take care of my teammates?"
Michael simply smiled at what Riku said.
(You certainly are a true shinobi.) He thought at Riku. (I envy Nagi and Tot, to have a partner that concerns himself that much for his comrades.)
"Well, I guess we should get to planning the operation." Riku spoke, and then rubbed his head. "But I have to admit I'm nowhere near as good at planning these things as you are, and I kinda doubt I'll be very much help."
"You never know." Michael replied.
Meanwhile:
Nagi sat in a chair in the waiting room for Suzumi's dance school deep in thought.
(So suddenly it's like the life of someone else now could depend on my decision.) He thought. (If I go ahead with this, I can save Aki and that would probably help Aya more than anything right now. But if something goes wrong, and that Shiso guy's personality merges with mine…)
"Nagi…" Tot's voice spoke, and Nagi turned and saw Tot standing near the entrance.
"Oh, Nanami…" Nagi said when he saw her. "What is it? Weren't you going to help Michael?"
"I was, but…I wanted to talk with you." Tot/Nanami replied.
"About what?" Nagi asked.
"Well…are you going to do that thing to save Aki?" Tot/Nanami asked in reply.
"I guess…" Nagi answered and then glanced away from her slightly. "It's not that I don't want to help Aki, it's that I'm worried about what could go wrong during this. If Shiso's personality merges with mine, I probably won't be myself anymore and if that happens I might end up…" He stopped when Tot/Nanami suddenly put her arms around him.
"Nagi I…I don't really know how this psychic stuff works, but I know that won't happen." Tot/Nanami spoke. "I believe in you…"
"Nanami…" Nagi reached over and took Tot/Nanami's hand. It was then that he made his decision.
Later:
"We could use this area as an entrance point." Ran suggested as he pointed at an area on the island map.
"That might be an option." Michael agreed. "Given that areas position does make it vulnerable as an infiltration point. However, there is a chance the enemy will have something put there to lessen that vulnerability."
"Like what?" Suzumi asked. "It isn't as close to the water, and the area leading there looks too steep for any of the metal gear RAY units."
"That part is what makes it an available infiltration point." Michael added in agreement. "But to focus too much attention on the RAYs as a danger would be a grave mistake. There are plenty of ways to reinforce this area, for example, increased guard patrols, automated gun turrets, infrared sensors to alert guards or possibly connected to hidden explosives, the list goes on…"
"How exactly are we supposed to beat stuff we don't even know for sure is there?" Chidori asked, trying hard to hide her frustration at hearing this.
(Why do the bad guys always have to have top of the line stuff?) She thought to herself in frustration.
"That's what Omi's handling." Ran answered for Michael.
"Are you having him hack into the database for the Mikage base in order to find out the enemy's plans?" Maya asked.
"No, that's not it." Michael answered, shaking his head. "Ordinarily, that would be a process I would recommend, but this time is different. For starters, we don't know if the plans that are in the database are the Mikage's or the Patriots', there's also a chance that the data may be false data input by the Patriots' men in order to lead us into a trap too."
"So whatever information we could obtain from hacking could be questionable." Yuhi spoke. "So what's Omi doing then?"
"I've hacked into a satellite that will be passing over the area the Mikage base shortly." Omi spoke, not looking up from his laptop. "Once it does, I'll have some pictures taken and then after I do some work on them we'll be able to see what those guys have laid out in terms of defenses."
"Don't you guys use a satellite in FOXHOUND for that?" Suzumi asked.
Riku and Michael looked at each other, both knowing the answer to that question.
"We do have one, and we'd use it if we could." Michael answered. "But unfortunately we can't."
"Why not?" Yuhi asked.
"Yeah, why not?" Youji asked in agreement. "I don't see why you guys wouldn't be allowed to use a satellite with the given circumstances."
"Only problem is that Herr Reese is in charge of the use of the satellite." Riku answered for Michael. "Let's just say he's a little 'sensitive' about us FOXHOUNDers using special equipment and never allows us to use them without his permission, which he almost never gives."
"You mean this guy won't make an exception?" Ken asked, not believing what he was hearing.
"I personally think it would take a genuine act of God for that." Riku answered sarcastically. "There was one mission I recall where Reese wouldn't let us look at satellite photos enemy positions and simply told us where to attack. If Michael and I hadn't taken the time and scouted ahead and found out that four out of every five of the positions Reese had told us about were dead wrong our unit, all friends of ours, would have been slaughtered."
"Not to mention that the good lieutenant tried to have us disciplined for doing that for not completing the mission quick enough." Michael added with some disgust in his voice.
"And this is done on a regular basis?" Suzumi asked with shock, and Michael and Riku nodded at the same time.
"That's just stupid!" Ran exclaimed.
"Take my word for it, Matthew Reese defines stupidity." Michael replied.
"I second that." Riku agreed. "He also defines bastard, asshole, wanker, idiot, moron, and plenty more nasty stuff."
(No kidding.) Yuhi thought in agreement, still feeling angry towards Reese for his treatment towards Riku and what he said about Chidori.
"Excuse me, Riku." Nagi's voice spoke, causing everyone to turn and see Nagi and Tot walking into the room.
"So have you decided what you'll do?" Riku asked. "Whatever choice you make is fine with me."
"I've decided to help Aki." Nagi answered, and looked at Riku seriously. "Don't worry, I'm fully aware of how dangerous it will be, but I'm sure I'll be able to get through it. As for the whole thing with Shiso's personality possibly merging with mine, just let Tot be there with me and I'll be fine." Nagi then looked at Tot, who blushed a little. "As long as I know Tot's there by me, waiting for me, I'm sure I'll be able to stay as myself."
Riku nodded to show he understood.
"The only problem would be to get you into a position to dive into Aki's mind." Michael spoke. "Is there any specific range limit to your telepathy?"
"I'm not sure." Nagi replied. "I do know that I need to at least see Aki for this to work."
"So if we could give you a real time, live look at Aki, like say from a security camera in the Mikage base you could do it?" Suzumi asked Nagi.
"It would have to be a little closer than that." Nagi answered. "I'd need a good full view of his face so I could focus on diving into Aki's mind."
"I see…" Riku said and then smiled as he realized something. "Then I have just the thing for that. I'll be right back."
Riku left for his room and in a few minutes he was back carrying a small box. Riku then put the box on the table, and then the words 'Roach Motel' were visible on the top.
"What's this supposed to be?" Maya asked.
"A gift from my good friend Nanvel, which just so happens to be what we need to save Aki." Riku answered and then pressed a button on the side of the box. The top of the box suddenly opened to reveal a small pink roach like object.
"This is an ultra-miniature beetle-type robot equipped for infiltration, probing, and reconnoitering of inaccessible areas." Riku said as he gestured he held out the box. "Mechanical Pink Cockroach, prototype number GB-O7R, or as Nanvel calls it Little Pinky model two."
Suzumi, Maya, Chidori, and Tot immediately pulled away as to their natural repulsion towards roaches, while Nagi, Michael, Yuhi, Ran, Youji, Ken, and Omi simply sweat dropped at what they saw.
"Well, what do you think?" Riku asked. "I think it's a pretty clever idea, since a cockroach won't arouse any suspicion at all."
"How could that not raise any suspicion!" Chidori said as she hid behind Yuhi. "That thing is pink and cockroaches are supposed to be black, right? Black!"
"Oh I don't know, I think it looks kinda cute this way." Riku replied as he looked down at the mechanical roach and then held the box it was in closer to everyone to try and prove his point, causing the girls to recoil even more.
"I don't care about that, just get that thing away now!" Suzumi shouted as she drew her fan out, fully intent on using it to try and flatten the mechanical bug.
"And there's nothing cute about it!" Tot added.
"Alright, alright." Riku said as he closed the box and put it back on the table.
(I don't see what's so scary about this thing though.) Riku thought to himself.
(It's natural for most girls to be afraid of roaches.) Yuki answered his question. (And while we're on that subject, don't put that thing too close to me either.)
(Okay, I guess I understand.) Riku replied.
"Anyway, there is one problem with your plan." Michael spoke. "And that is getting this device into the Mikage base."
"That really isn't a problem." Riku said. "Since we know the location of the Mikage base, all I need to do is have my Grandma teleport this thing over to the base using the Eikai Gyoku madogu."
"Wait a minute, if you have something for teleportation…" Ken spoke.
"It will only teleport two people at a time." Riku said. "If I used that as our way of getting to and from the Mikage base, there would be too much risk in the amount of time it would take to teleport everyone."
"That's a good point." Michael agreed. "I can see why this would be more useful to drop off a single operative for a sneaking mission, but a group would take up time."
"Anyway, I'll notify my grandmother and then we can get this started." Riku said and reached for his codec.
"Um…wait a second." Maya spoke, causing Riku to stop. "I was wondering, since we're doing all of this, shouldn't we check on Aya and see how she's doing?"
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea." Riku answered and turned to Michael. "What do you think, Mike?"
"I won't deny that it would be important to know about Aya's condition." Michael agreed. "However, in my opinion it would be best to use that pink roach of yours just for your plan for Aki for now. The color does make it stand out, so it would be best not to risk its discovery."
"In that case, I have an idea." Maya said. "Riku, you could have your grandmother bring me along and I could check on Aya while you send that bug over to where Aki is."
Almost immediately everyone in the room was voicing their objections to this. Riku was about to add his two cents to this when he heard Yuki's voice speak to him.
(Riku, you need to let her go there.) She said, that completely surprising Riku.
(What the…!) Riku thought as what he heard fully registered in his mind. (Yuki, do you have any idea what you're asking? If we send Maya there…)
(I know what you're thinking, and if circumstances were different I wouldn't want Maya to go.) Yuki replied. (But if you don't, something terrible will happen to Aya.)
(What do you mean? What will happen to Aya?) After, Yuki didn't answer, Riku spoke again. (What, don't tell me you can't tell me that?)
(It's not that I can't tell you, it's just that I don't know what it is exactly.) Yuki replied guiltily. (I'm sorry…)
(Then please just tell me what you do know.) Riku said. (And there's no need for you to apologize for something that you can't help, Yuki.)
(Thank you.) Yuki replied. (As for what I know...you do know that spirits are able to know bits and pieces of the future right?)
(I've heard about that. So what do you know, or actually what did you see?)
(It was brief, but I saw a black figure about to attack Aya in the cell she was being held in. I didn't see his face, but he was wearing a black trench coat and a hat.)
(I see…)
"Actually, I don't see why it's such a bad idea." Riku spoke, trying to hide the fact that he was lying. Almost immediately, everyone in the room with the exception of Maya were looking at him like he was crazy.
"Would you guys at least hear me out first?" Riku asked before anyone could say anything.
"Alright, but you'd better have a good explanation for this." Suzumi said seriously.
"My grandmother just needs to teleport Maya over to the cell Aya's in." Riku replied. "The two of them can chat for a while and then after that, she can teleport her back, no real danger there now is there?"
"Maybe, but what if one of the guards sees one of them?" Ran asked.
"I'll give my grandmother my stealth camo, and Maya something similar." Riku answered. "I'll show you once she arrives."
After a few minutes, Suzumi spoke.
"In my opinion this is a bad idea." She said. "But if you and Maya insist on this, then I guess I'll allow it."
"What about you, Michael?" Riku asked. "What do you think?"
"If you insist and can guarantee Maya's safety, then I guess I'll approve of this." Michael answered.
"Thanks, anyway I'll notify my grandmother about this." Riku then activated his codec to call Kagero.
A few minutes later, Kagero suddenly appeared in the room wearing her usual black dress. She was also carrying a strange silvery sheet.
"It's great to see you, Grandma." Riku said as he got up and hugged Kagero. Meanwhile, everyone else with the exception of Nagi and Tot had shocked expressions on their faces as they saw Kagero and Riku called her 'grandma'.
"I'm glad to see you too, Riku." Kagero smiled at her grandson and then looked at Chidori. "I'm glad to see that you're alright, Kuruma-san."
"Uh…thank you." Chidori replied. "Uh…are you really Riku's grandmother?"
"Chidori, if I called her 'grandma' for any other reason it would probably be an insult." Riku said.
"B-but, you look so…well, young." Suzumi spoke. "I mean…"
"I get that a lot." Kagero smiled. "Actually, I'm a lot older than I look."
"I really need to know your secret." Suzumi said. "How old are you anyway?"
"Somewhere over four hundred." Riku answered for Kagero.
"NANI!" Everyone in the room with the room except for Riku, Nagi, Tot, and Michael exclaimed.
"Well, that is what centuries of immortality does." Kagero admitted. "Fortunately, my son, Riku's father, and his friends were able to fix that, and I can age normally now."
(I see…so she's like Yukimura-sensei.) Michael thought and then something came to mind. (Hold on, I remember that sensei did mention a Kagero at one time. Could this be her?)
Michael thought about asking Kagero, but he decided not to.
(I can always ask her later or ask Yukimura-sensei myself.) He thought. (Right now the mission's more important.)
"Anyway, I brought the Oboro madogu like you asked." Kagero said turning to Riku and handing him the sheet.
"What's that supposed to be?" Chidori asked curiously, looking at the sheet.
"You'll soon see." Riku answered and turned to Maya. "Maya this is for you to use."
"What am I supposed to use this for?" Maya asked as she took and unfolded the madogu.
"Drape it over your head and you'll see." Riku instructed and Maya did so, feeling slightly silly at wearing a sheet which she hadn't done since she was a child.
For a minute nothing happened, and then Maya started to shimmer and then vanish. Everyone in the room, with the exception of Riku, Nagi, Tot, and Kagero, gaped at this.
"Allow me to introduce the first true stealth camo in history, which was invented by none other than the Hokage clan." Riku said proudly. "The Oboro madogu, and unlike your usual stealth camos, this thing does not run out of batteries."
"But if the madogu is stained by something like blood it doesn't work until it gets cleaned." Kagero added. "In that way it has a con compared to a regular stealth camo, but otherwise it's just as good if not better."
"So I guess I'm supposed to wear this when I go to meet Aya." Maya spoke.
"That's pretty much it." Kagero said. "The plan is for me to teleport you near where Aya's cell is and then you go and meet with her. In the meantime, I'll teleport over to where Aki is and put that mechanical bug nearby in order for your plans to free him to work. After that, I'll teleport back to the Uruha mansion and wait for you to contact me when you want me to pick up Maya."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot." Riku spoke and then left the room. He returned a minute later carrying a grocery bag full of something.
"I think Aya would want these, and you might want to eat some too if you're planning to stay with Aya for a while." He said. "I doubt the people at the Mikage base are giving her anything above hospital food quality food for her to eat."
Yuhi looked in and saw a bunch of Calorie Mates and Ramen Noodle packets.
"Are you sure she'll like these?" He asked, sweat dropping.
"Hey, this is quite a donation I'm making." Riku answered in an offended tone. "These things are better than most rations and are very precious commodities when doing a mission in jungle and forest areas."
"I thought you guys ate snakes and stuff like that during those types of missions." Youji spoke.
"Normally, but these are usually more filling." Riku replied. "That and they don't have any danger of rotting."
"Not to mention the filling part will help." Kagero added. "Aya is eating for two now, you know."
"Good point." Suzumi agreed. "Well, I suppose we should get this started then."
"Got it." Nagi said. "I'll have my laptop hook up with the bug first so we'll get a visual. Then everything should be in order."
"Hey Riku, can I ask you something?" Omi spoke and Riku nodded. "Does this Nanvel person really design stuff like pink roaches on a regular basis?"
"Trust me some of the stuff she invents make this look perfectly normal." Riku replied.
Meanwhile: Neo Tokyo:
"ACHOO!" Nanvel sneezed as she was going over making some plans for a new invention.
Later: Mikage Intl. HQ:
Aya Mikage lay back in her cot as she thought about everything that had happened.
(This has turned out way far from how I thought it would.) Aya thought to herself. (Now the hagoromo's being guarded, and even though I can leave this room there's no way I can get past the guards guarding the hagoromo.)
(There's also that one the Patriots have hired.) Ceres spoke in Aya's mind. (His power is unusual for a human…)
(You mean that guy in black?) Aya asked. (What do you mean his power is unusual?)
(It is not like that of the psychic who brought you out of your coma or that of the flame wielder who is with him.) Ceres answered. (Something about it…it's as if that power is not of this world…)
(Like yours?)
(Not like mine, even with the hagoromo. Its very feel is negative. Yet somehow, I feel as if I have felt that power before somewhere a long time ago.)
(Any idea what it was?)
Only silence answered her.
"Aya…Aya!" A familiar voice called out to her softly in the direction of the door.
"Maya?" Aya got up and walked to the door. "Where…?"
"I'm out here, but I'm using a type of invisibility cloak Riku gave me." Maya's voice answered. "Can you open the door?"
"Yes, I'll do that." Aya stepped near the door, and it opened automatically as it detected the plate she was wearing.
There was the sound of footsteps entering the room, and Maya suddenly seemed to appear out of thin air as she took off the Oboro madogu. She was carrying a grocery bag.
"Here." Maya said as she handed the bag to Aya, who took it and put it under her cot.
"So how did you get here, Maya?" Aya asked.
"Well, that's a pretty strange story, but I guess I can tell you." Maya answered. "Here's what happened…"
Meanwhile:
Alexander O. Howell, after getting a few hours of sleep, was back at work on trying to bring back Aki; he was working alone and there was only one guard in the room with him. After typing frantically at his monitor with no success whatsoever, Alec slumped back in his chair, as the chair turned him around he received a surprise that woke him up for sure. A woman in a black dress with short black hair, and two moles on her chin, who looked to be in her thirties, was standing behind him over the unconscious body of the guard.
"Who…who are you?" Alec asked.
"I'm an ally for FOXHOUND." The woman answered. "My name is Kagero. I assume the boy in there is Aki Mikage, right?" Alec nodded.
Kagero then handed a box labeled 'Roach Motel' to Alec who took it and looked at it with a confused expression on his face.
"Just open the box and let it into the room Aki is in." Kagero instructed. "From what I've been told, if things work out well enough your friend Aki will be freed from the grasp of the one possessing him."
"You mean that you've found a way to save Aki!" Alec asked, for the first time in a while smiling along with feeling relief.
"According to what my grandson believes, yes." Kagero answered, and then stopped as she felt a strange yet familiar presence somewhere nearby.
"Is something wrong?" Alec asked.
"Nothing…it's nothing." Kagero answered. "Well, I need to go back now. There's something I need to confirm…"
And with that Kagero vanished. Alec blinked a couple of times in surprise and then shrugged and opened the box.
(This is turning out more and more like some weirded out anime by the second.) Alec thought to himself and sweat dropped at what he saw in the box. (A pink roach…)
Meanwhile: Aogiri Residence:
"So Maya's with Aya right now, right?" Riku asked Kagero via codec.
"Yes, the last time I checked." Kagero answered, and then her expression became serious. "Riku I was wondering, did the Mikage have a ninja in their group?"
"Not that I know of, why?" Riku asked in reply.
"…It's probably nothing." Kagero half said to herself and then looked at Riku seriously. "Listen to me Riku, if you ever run into a man highly skilled in ninjutsu with a series of scars on the right side of his face I want you to tell me immediately, and whatever you do, do not try to fight him. You'll lose."
"Alright, I'll do that." Riku replied. "I'll call you when Maya's ready to be picked up, and if I run into this guy I'll tell you, but I can't promise I won't fight him if my friends are in danger."
"I pray that something like that doesn't happen." Kagero had a worried look on her face. "Be careful Riku."
"I will, Grandma." Riku nodded and Kagero smiled at her grandson before ending her transmission.
"Looks like Alec's opened the box." Nagi spoke as the window for the program now showed an enlarged version of Alec's face looking down at the screen.
"Oh yeah, that reminds me how's the part with the satellite pictures going?" Michael asked turning to Omi who was busy at his own laptop.
"I've gotten the pictures, but it will be a while until I've made the appropriate scans and all in order to get a good look at the base's defense layout." Omi answered, not looking up from his laptop. "The fact that I'm using more than one program to do all this means that this is going to take a while, not to mention the loading time for each photo."
"You certainly are doing quite a job." Michael noted.
"Well, why do you think he's our main hacker?" Youji asked with a grin, and turned to Ran. "He's managed to pull off some stuff that would probably amaze a lot of computer programmers twice his age. Right, fearless leader?"
"True enough." Ran admitted. "But still, let's get back to the main point of the mission, more specifically the plan for Aki Mikage."
"I'll contact Alec, hold on." Yuhi spoke and reached for his codec, and then selected Alec's frequency.
"Hey Alec, did you get the bug?" Yuhi asked as Alec's face appeared on screen.
"Yeah, so what am I supposed to do with it?" Alec asked in reply.
"Just put it in the room Aki's in." Yuhi instructed.
After a few minutes, Alec did so.
"Alright then, now we just need to wait and hope this works." Yuhi said.
"What exactly is it you're planning to do?" Alec asked.
"The plan is for Nagi to dive into Aki's mind and get rid of Shiso." Yuhi answered. "I'm not sure how it's supposed to work but…"
"Well given with how everything I've tried with some of the most advanced equipment in the world has failed, help from a psychic may just work." Alec admitted. "At this stage I'll try anything."
"Well, keep your fingers crossed; the rest of us certainly will." Yuhi then ended the transmission.
"Okay, let's get this started then." Riku said and looked at Nagi, who nodded that he was ready. Tot then walked over and sat next to him and held onto his arm.
"Is it alright if I stay next to you while you do this, Nagi?" Tot asked.
"Of course, Tot." Nagi nodded.
(And I know that as long as I know that you're near me, I'll be able to stay as myself when I dive into Aki's mind.) Nagi added, causing Tot to blush a little.
"Aw, why don't we do that more, Yuhi?" Chidori asked her boyfriend in mock complaint.
"Do you want to now?" Yuhi asked in reply, smiling at Chidori, who blushed and said nothing but took Yuhi's arm anyway as the two of them sat down on a couch together.
Meanwhile, Nagi, Tot, Riku, and Michael watched the screen as it showed movement from the robot bug's perspective. After a few minutes, it climbed up the leg of the chair Aki was bound to and eventually reached Aki's leg. The screen then moved up until it reached Aki's face and centered on it.
"Alright, here I go." Nagi said and then looked at Aki's face and then closed his eyes as he focused on delving into the mind of Aki Mikage.
Meanwhile: Uruha Mansion:
Kagero held out the Eikai Gyoku madogu, focusing on the image of a man she knew very well. A man she hated to the very core of her being. A man with two names as well as a series of scars on the right side of his face.
(Where are you Shingen Koga, or Shade, whatever name you call yourself now?) Kagero thought as the sphere she was holding glowed as it searched for its target. A minute later, Shade's face appeared in the center of the ball. Kagero saw that he hadn't changed at all since she had last seen him so many years ago.
"So you're still alive after all." Kagero said to Shade even though she knew he couldn't hear her, contempt in her voice. She then focused more on the madogu in order to get it to show more of the area around Shade so she could get an idea of where he was.
Shade suddenly stopped where he was and turned and looked in the direction of where the madogu was spying on him from. He then smirked up at it and then made gesture with his hands. Suddenly a wave of darkness covered him completely as well as the area around him, completely obstructing any view Kagero could get using the madogu.
Kagero gritted her teeth in frustration and then turned off the madogu's sighting.
(It looks like Shade's learned some tricks over the years.) Kagero thought to herself. (I wasn't expecting him to sense my watching him so soon…I'd better go and speak with Yukimura about this.)
Kagero then focused on the Eikai ball and then vanished as she teleported to meet with an old friend of hers. Someone who knew Shade at least as long as she did.
Meanwhile: Mikage Base:
Shade immediately felt the presence leave him and then turned and started walking in the direction of his quarters.
(So the old maid of Hokage is still alive after all.) He thought to himself. (Apparently she's started to show interest in me once again. Oh well, the only thing she can do is spy on me. She can't kill me anymore than I can kill her.)
As Shade continued a thought came to mind.
(I suppose since I'm stopping by my quarters, that Smithson woman can entertain me again for a while.) Shade thought lecherously. (After all she displayed quite a bit of talent last night. I hope she's as frisky as before when she struggles.)
Meanwhile: Aki/Shiso's Mind Space:
The mind space Aki was simple and at the same time a complete mess. Nagi could almost feel a variable of emotions strewn all about the place. Fortunately, the doorway that was most likely into Shiso's mind was laid out right there in front of him, and another door, the doorway to Aki's mind, was nowhere to be seen.
(This guy sure did a good job in taking over Aki, that's for sure.) Nagi observed as he started towards the only door available to him. (My guess is Shiso buried Aki somewhere deep in the back of his mind. If that's the case it's no wonder Aki can't be brought out using technology no matter how advanced it is.)
Nagi's mood darkened slightly as he thought more about the one he was going to erase from Aki's mind.
(He'd use his own descendent and his own family to get what he wants.) Nagi thought darkly. (Not only that, from how the legends described it Shiso forced Ceres to become his wife by stealing her hagoromo and not giving it back unless she became his wife and bore his children. If that's true, then that guy practically raped her. I think I'll be doing the world a service getting rid of scum like that.)
Nagi then stopped and shook his head to banish the angry feelings he was getting.
(No…I can't let my anger get to me in this situation.) He thought to himself as he forced himself to calm down. (If I do, I might mess up or worse absorb part of this guy's personality into me.)
Nagi then calmed down using some meditation techniques Garland Durev had taught him.
(Think of something you like, something you have an incredible urge to protect, and keep that picture with you. With that in mind, release your hold on your power little by little…) Garland Durev's voice echoed in Nagi's mind.
Nagi closed his eyes and then brought the image of Tot's smiling face to his mind, and after a few minutes he calmed down and the feeling of outrage had left him completely.
"Okay, let's do this." Nagi said to himself and reached for the door knob for the door into Shiso's mind. He was actually surprised when the knob turned and the door opened.
(I guess whatever barrier he's had over his mind is nonexistent from all those sedatives.) Nagi thought as he stepped through the door. (That or Alec's attempts haven't wholly failed.)
As Nagi walked in he found himself standing in what looked like the main room of an old Japanese castle, and sitting there in a large seat was a male figure in odd looking clothes from a much older Japanese era than any Nagi could remember with long black hair. He was resting his head against his right hand and his eyes were closed as if he were sleeping, but the way he was mumbling to himself proved otherwise.
"No…I will not let you erase me!" The man half shouted. "I will have Ceres! I will have my woman!"
(I guess I was right, Alec's attempts are actually having some affect after all.) Nagi thought to himself as he saw this. (Shiso's hold is weakening, but who knows how long it will take if we let things go on their own? Well, I guess I'd better get started…)
"So you're Shiso." Nagi spoke as he approached him, causing the figure to stop and then open his eyes and look up at where Nagi was. It was then that Nagi could see how much this man resembled Aya's twin brother Aki, except his hair was black, and longer, and he had some war paint on his face, but the most notable difference was the look in the man's eyes. While in the pictures that Nagi had seen of him, Aki had a content and peaceful look about him, Shiso had a look of restlessness and even madness in his eyes; like one who had a great deal of power and wanted more.
"Who are you?" Shiso demanded. "What are you doing here in my mind?"
"That is not for you to know, Shiso, progenitor of the Mikage family." Nagi replied coolly. "As for why I'm here, I'm here to release your hold on Aya's brother."
Shiso then grinned arrogantly.
"So Ceres' host sent you to make me disappear?" He asked smugly. "Hah, that's cute kid, but I will not allow that to happen. I'll give you this one chance, leave and you won't die."
"Aya didn't ask me, though I am partially doing this for her. I'm also doing this to make sure you don't bother or hurt Aya, Aki, or anymore innocent people ever again, you sick freak." Nagi answered. "And don't think I'm weak just because of my age, cretin."
"I warned you..." Shiso spoke calmly as he got up and then raised his right hand towards Nagi. Suddenly multitudes of chains made out of pure psynergy burst out of the wooden floor and coiled around Shiso, whose arrogant look vanished as he realized he had been caught off guard.
Shiso immediately struggled to break free of the chains binding him, but to no avail.
"I admit that you have a strong will, but unfortunately for you, you also have inexperience in dealing with a psychic." Nagi said calmly. "You should have seen that I wasn't kidding, but you underestimated me."
"How can this be?" Shiso asked as he struggled to summon his powers and break free of the chains. "How can I, one blessed with the power of a tennyo, be defeated twice by mere humans?"
"You can wonder about that in the afterlife." Nagi replied as he walked over to his captive. "Pretty obvious where you're going, though. Give my regards to Eszet for me."
"What are you going to do?" Shiso asked, for the first time in many centuries feeling fear, as he was helpless against Nagi's psychic powers.
"I'm going to erase every memory that you yourself have until you finally forget yourself. That should get rid of you permanently." Nagi answered and then looked at Shiso coldly. "But that's more than what scum like you deserve...No you're lower than scum. Forcing yourself on a woman...trash like you deserves to be damned." Nagi then reached for Shiso to put his hand on his head and begin.
"Forcing myself...what the hell are you talking about?" Shiso asked, causing Nagi to stop. For a moment he had a confused look on his face but he quickly shook that off.
"Don't lie to me. Anyone who's heard the old legend knows how you stole Ceres' hagoromo and forced her to marry you and bear your children." Nagi looked at Shiso with a look of anger and disgust. "Maybe back then that was accepted, but now that's no different from rape. You're no different from a common criminal and..." He was interrupted by Shiso's laughter.
"What are you laughing about?" Nagi asked.
"Heh, so that's what it is." Shiso said to himself and then looked at Nagi. "Tell me boy, does Ceres back this 'story' up too?"
"What are you getting at?" Nagi's expression was slightly irritated.
"I'll take that as a yes then." Shiso smiled. "Before you make me disappear, you should know this; Ceres has been lying to you and everyone else. She married me, became my wife, and bore my children all of her own free will."
That last statement caught Nagi completely by surprise, but he quickly shook that off.
"Spare me your lies." He growled.
"I'm not lying." Shiso replied with a smile and looked at Nagi full in the face. "Ceres became my wife because she wanted to, and I knew nothing about her robes until later. Does it look like I'm lying, now?"
(He may be telling the truth, or he believes that he's telling the truth.) Nagi thought as he could plainly see and feel that there was no deception in what Shiso was saying. (But then again, the legends of the tennyo...wait a minute; the Patriots have concealed themselves for centuries using a lie. Could the legend of the tennyo be the same?)
"So, are you still going to make me disappear, boy?" Shiso asked arrogantly.
"No, not yet at least." Nagi answered. "But in the meantime I'll keep you bound under restraint, while I find out the truth about this from Ceres herself. You'd better not be lying about this."
"So you're just going to leave me here?" Shiso grinned. "Fine, I'll be…" Shiso stopped, unable to talk as a gag suddenly appeared over his mouth muffling any of his attempts to speak.
"I'm really sick of listening to you talk." Nagi said simply. "Anyway, I'll see you later."
Nagi then turned to leave and then thought of something.
(With Shiso bound like this I might be able to retrieve Aki now from wherever he is.) He thought to himself. (But still, I have no idea where to start looking and there's still a chance of Shiso freeing himself and taking over again. If that happens…no, I should talk with Ceres about this first.)
There was a flash of light as Nagi left Aki/Shiso's mindspace.
Aogiri Residence:
"So how did it go?" Riku asked Nagi as he opened his eyes.
"Not too well, I haven't been able to free Aki yet." Nagi answered. "There's something I need to confirm first, with Ceres. Don't worry, once I've visited someone's mind space once I can locate it again and go there without too much trouble."
"What's going on, Nagi?" Chidori asked. "I mean shouldn't you have…"
"I found something out from Shiso, and if it's true then it means there's more to the old legend than we thought." Nagi answered quickly. "I'll answer your questions soon, but this is something I need to make sure of."
"But Nagi, shouldn't you rest first?" Tot spoke, concerned for Nagi.
"I'm fine Tot, really." Nagi replied. "Don't worry, after I talk to Ceres I'll rest before I handle that thing with Shiso."
"Okay, but you'd better keep your promise." Tot said firmly.
Nagi then closed his eyes and focused on finding Aya's mind telepathically.
Meanwhile: Mikage Base: Aya's Cell:
"I've got to admit, this ramen is a lot better than the food I've been getting from these soldiers who are guarding me." Aya said to Maya as the two of them ate some of the ramen Riku had given her.
"Really?" Maya asked.
"Yeah, they've just been giving me soldier rations and stuff like that." Aya answered.
"I guess what Riku said before was true." Maya half said to herself.
"Huh?"
"Well, that's…"
(Aya can you hear me?) Nagi's voice suddenly spoke in her mind, surprising her.
"What is it?" Maya asked.
"It's Nagi, he wants to talk with me about something." Aya answered.
(What's going on?) Aya asked Nagi telepathically.
(I need to speak to Ceres.) Nagi answered. (It's important, and I think you should know this too.)
(What did you wish to speak with me about?) Ceres' voice spoke suddenly.
(That was quick.) Aya commented.
(We share minds so I could hear your conversation.) Ceres replied simply and her attention returned to Nagi. (So what is this about?)
(I think it would be best if we talked inside your mind space that way it would be more like it was face to face.) Nagi replied seriously.
(Very well.) Ceres replied, and a wave of dizziness suddenly hit Aya and she blacked out.
Suddenly Aya collapsed to the ground unconscious in front of Maya.
Meanwhile: Aogiri Residence:
"It looks like Nagi's entered Aya's mind." Chidori spoke. "I wonder what he needed to talk to Ceres about."
"Whatever it is, it must be important." Suzumi spoke and turned to Riku. "What do you-?" Suzumi stopped as she saw Riku suddenly collapse to the floor, unconscious.
(What the…?) Michael thought as he got up and rushed over to where Riku was. (What just happened…it looks like what happened with Toshiro some time ago when he entered that graveyard in his mind…)
Meanwhile: Dragons' Space:
"Wha…? What am I doing here all of a sudden?" Riku asked as he suddenly found himself back in the dragons' space.
"I'm sorry for pulling you in suddenly like that." Yuki's voice spoke from behind Riku, causing him to turn around to see her standing behind him.
"Could you at least warn me the next time you do that?" Riku asked. "I mean, the others are probably freaking out by now since I probably just collapsed back there."
"I'm sorry about that." Yuki replied, though she was smiling a little since she knew Riku wasn't that annoyed at her. "I'll try to warn you if there is a next time."
"Thanks, so what's this about?"
"It's about the conversation between Ceres, Aya, and Nagi. You need to be a witness to what's going to happen."
"How am I supposed to do that if I'm not a psychic or C-Genome?"
"Just take my hand." Yuki then held out her right hand to Riku. "As a C-Genome and a spirit, I can take you there myself."
"Alright, let's go." Riku nodded and took Yuki's hand. There was a flash of light as the two of them were transported to Ceres' mindspace. Neither of them were aware of the tragic tale that they would soon learn behind the ancient legend, and it was the same with Nagi and Aya.
AN: And that ends chapter 25! Yeah, I know this one was a cliffhanger but this part was to build up things for the next chapter. Anyway expect things to be pretty dark come next chapter. Well, enjoy this omake I came up with:
Omake: MGS3 Casting Theater (got this idea from MGS2: Substance):
Cast: Naked Snake: Toya
Sigint: Yuhi Aogiri
Title: Inner Peace:
(Radio conversation)
Yuhi: Uh, Toya... What are you doing?
Toya: I'm in a box.
Yuhi: A cardboard box? Why are you...?
Toya: I dunno. I was just looking at it and I suddenly got this urge to get inside. No, not just an urge - more than that. It was my destiny to be here; in the box.
Yuhi: Destiny...?
Toya: Yeah. And then when I put it on, I suddenly got this feeling of inner peace. I can't put it into words. I feel... safe. Like this is where I was meant to be. Like I'd found the key to true happiness.
Yuhi: ...
Toya: Does any of that make sense?
Yuhi: Not even a little.
Toya: You should come inside the box... Then you'll know what I mean.
Yuhi (freaked out expression on his face): Man, I don't wanna know what you mean! Between you and Para-Medic, is everyone but me that is hooked up with the Major strange?
Toya: ...
Yuhi: Yeah, well, anyway, I suppose even that dumbass box might make a decent disguise if you wear it inside a building.
AN: Okay, that was probably silly, but this came to mind and I couldn't help but write this. Also, I felt I needed an excuse to give Toya some screen time since he won't show up for a while. Anyway, please review.