Here we are. The final arc of Route X. I hope you've all enjoyed the ride so far. This is where it ends, but it will end in a spectacular fashion. No time to waste! In this chapter, Charles Xavier has received a psychic message, but the backlash of the message has sent his mind back to its compromised state. Meanwhile, Kaneki is back in Japan. Back with all that cared for him. Back with Touka.
Chapter 26 – Message…Beyond what we know
Touka continued to look at Kaneki while still catching her breath. She could find no words to say at the moment. Between the two of them, the world was silent to them. Kaneki decided to speak first.
"I talked with Yoshimura today."
"Yeah?"
Kaneki nodded yes.
"I…needed to. I almost did something that would…make me unable to see myself…the way you see me."
Touka replied,
"That's never gonna happen."
Kaneki looked at her with mild shock and a hint of relief.
"I know you're not a bad guy. You know that, right?"
"…Guess I'll have to settle for being a failure."
"Don't call yourself that!"
Said Touka, feeling frustrated with Kaneki's defeatist attitude. However, she felt that something happened to Kaneki that was making him feel like this.
"I didn't mean to make you think I was busting your balls or anything, but…what happened?"
Kaneki began to tell her how the talk between and Yoshimura went.
(two hours earlier)
Yoshimura poured a cup of coffee in a cup that he served to Kaneki. Although he had a sullen look on his face, seeing Yoshimura creating his excellent blend brought back happier memories.
"What's the matter, son?"
Once again, Kaneki felt existential exhaustion. The same kind he felt when he first became a ghoul.
"I had him, but he got away."
Yoshimura had a good idea as to who Kaneki was talking about.
"Akihiro Kanou?"
Kaneki was surprised that Yoshimura knew.
"Piotr…told me about the operation you were in to take down Weapon X. My congratulations, by the way."
"I don't deserve them."
"Nonsense. You've helped brought down a dangerous organization that threatened mutantkind."
"Them why do I feel…"
"As if you've let down someone important to you?"
Kaneki sat silent. He felt as if Yoshimura knew what he was feeling.
"Although what you're feeling is not to be disregarded, do not fool yourself into thinking that you are the only one."
Yoshimura then poured himself a cup of coffee.
"Let me tell you a story."
Kaneki stayed silent the whole time Yoshimura spoke.
"This is about a ghoul…named Kuzen."
flashback
(play Lonely World – Moses Sumney)
Three ghouls attempt to run away from a couple of doves. Unfortunately, they meet a dead end. The doves corner the ghouls and attempt to shoot them down with Q-bullets. However, they have met their end. At the hands of another ghoul. He wore a simple white shirt with dark blue jeans and sneakers. His kagune emerged from his left shoulder, almost encompassing his whole left arm. It took the form of a bladed weapon. The ghouls that were being chased by the doves attempt to thank him. Instead, he turned his sights onto them as well as he began to kill them and eat their kagunes.
"Like so many of us, he was forced to kill and eat humans to survive. But he didn't stop there. He also slaughtered his own kind. As a result, he found himself alone, cursing his own existence and fate in solitude."
Just then, Kuzen heard footsteps approaching him. At the end of the alleyway, where laid the corpses of the doves he killed, stood a man in a black fedora and trenchcoat.
"Tales of Kuzen's ruthlessness began to spread far and wide. It wasn't long before an organization…set their eyes on him. They were determined to recruit him, and were successful in doing so."
Although time passed, Kuzen's ruthlessness remained.
"Kuzen did whatever the organization asked of him, showing neither remorse or regret while doing it. He had no qualms about killing humans, mutants, or ghouls."
Kuzen stood tall among a litany of corpses.
"He had become an assassin. And yet, doing what the organization asked of him did nothing for the loneliness in his heart. Eventually, he left. A part of it was because of his loss against a certain mutant…
Kuzen was part of the group of ghouls that took part of the assault of Yashida Industries. There, He slaughtered many a dove, but met his superior when he faced the Wolverine. Kuzen retreated, knowing that despite his power over him, he was no match against the Wolverine.
"But mostly, the organization didn't feel like home to him."
Time passed again. Kuzen was now sitting in a coffee shop, all by himself.
"Whether by chance or fate, one day, he met with a rather pretty young woman."
The waitress asked Kuzen,
"Would you like another cup?"
Kuzen simply pushed the coffee mug towards the waitress, while looking outside. The waitress then spoke to him.
"You sit in the same seat, drinking the same coffee. Day after day."
Kuzen then looked at the waitress. She was of average height, had ash-blond hair and light grey eyes.
"You take it strong and black. Is that right?"
Kuzen kept on staring at her.
"Kuzen never would've thought of taking an interest in anybody."
(skip to 1:57)
Time passed once more. Kuzen began to spend more time with the waitress. They soon enjoyed a day with each other going to a park. They stopped to rest by sitting on a park bench, in front of a small lake that was occasionally populated by ducks.
"I never would've imagined that you were having trouble reading kanji."
Kuzen simply stood silent, hoping that his sullen, stoic face would hide his embarrassment.
"Fine. Guess I'll have to tutor you."
"Kuzen hesitated to spend more time with her…"
The waitress held out her hand to him.
"But her warmth was simply too irresistible to him. It was as if that woman slowly dispelled the loneliness that had stayed with him all is life."
Kuzen held her hand.
"He never felt the need to open his heart to anyone. The young lady certainly caught him off-guard. And he…became smitten with her. Until one day…"
Kuzen was still the terror that gave all a good reason to fear him. However, Kuzen failed to realize his surroundings for one moment. And in that moment, the waitress saw him. Covered in the blood of his prey. Both looked at each other, seeing each other with varying degrees of horror. Kuzen also realized that he still had his kagune out. He was mightily compelled to fall back to his old habits and kill the waitress right on the spot. However, the waitress did something entirely unexpected. She embraced him. Tears streamed from her eyes.
"Why'd you keep this from me, Kuzen? It doesn't change how I feel."
Kuzen stood taken aback at how the waitress was willing to accept him, blood-stained warts and all.
"She had accepted him for who he was."
(end music)
As the days rolled by, the waitress became his wife, and even bore Kuzen's child. Although initially overtaken with joy, Kuzen knew that he had to tell his wife the truth. She cried when confronted with it.
"You're telling me that there's something wrong with the baby?"
Kuzen was stricken with grief when he did this task.
"I'm sorry, but unless a miracle happens, our child will be half ghoul."
His wife, although still reeling in from the news, stood up and gently placed her hand on his face.
"It's still going to need nourishment…"
"She did the unthinkable…to nourish their unborn child."
Kuzen cried over his wife subjecting herself to cannibalism, all for the sake of their soon-to-be baby. Until one day she gave birth.
"When the child was born, it was the happiest day of their lives. However, their happiness would soon be short-lived."
A member of the organization Kuzen was a part of before had returned. Belong long, he knew he had to keep his family safe. Both he and his wife ran as fast as they could. Kuzen carried his daughter while holding his wife's hand. Four ghouls in black from the organization chased after the family. As fast as they could, one of the ghouls dressed in black eventually caught up with them. Just in time as Kuzen's grip on his wife's hand slipped as they ran. This gave the ghoul the opportunity to kill the wife. He summoned his kagune and stabbed her in the chest. Although Kuzen killed the ghoul in return, he knew he reacted too late to save his wife.
"Okina, no!"
Kuzen held both Okina and his daughter in his arms. Okina had a little bit of life left in her. He was alive long enough or her daughter to say,
"mama."
Okina smiled before she died. Kuzen cried in sorrow, seeing his wife taken away. The rest of the black-dressed ghouls closed in to finish the job. Unfortunately, they were stopped by another group of ghouls, wearing crimson robes. The one leading them was a ghoul wearing a white trenchcoat and a red mask covering his mouth. A few of the ghouls wanted the corpse he was carrying, but the masked ghoul gave the order.
"Leave her. There's nothing more you can do for her."
Soon after, Kuzen was with them in the city sewers. The masked ghoul introduced himself.
"My name is Tatara. I can protect your daughter. But, there's a price."
Kuzen initially struggled to make the fatal choice Tatara promised. Only after considering what was ahead of him did he make a most difficult choice.
"Please, protect her."
"I can only promise that when she comes of age, I will give her the tools to protect herself."
Kuzen gave his daughter to him. However, the daughter grabbed his pinky finger with her little hand. Kuzen cried over having to hand his daughter over to Tatara, but it tore him apart inside.
"Kuzen committed a most painful sacrifice…"
Kuzen then returned to the surface to exact revenge against the organization that took his family from him.
"And it would take him a long time…to come to terms with his actions."
From within his created mask, Kuzen cried.
"And yet…he was still haunted by the child he left behind."
end
"Time passed. As Kuzen grew old, another ghoul came on to the scene, carrying a hatred for the world and everyone in it. To the doves, they know it as the one-eyed Owl. In reality…it is my child."
That last fact threw Kaneki for a loop.
"So you see…you're not the only one…who knows heart-wrenching failure. The only thing I regretted was leaving her at the hands of Aogiri Tree."
"She's in Aogiri Tree?"
"…She's their leader."
(present time)
Touka's expression on her face was that of total shock. All the time that she knew Yoshimura, she never would have imagined something like this.
"I think he told me to make me feel better. All I know is…I can't feel too bad about my life."
Touka responded,
"That's… one way to think about it."
After a moment of silence between them, Touka asked,
"Is that it?"
"Not really. I wanna show you something. Would you come with me?"
"…Sure. Is your…girlfriend going with you?"
"One, she is. Two, she's my sister."
Touka was stunned at the information.
"She's your sister?"
"Yes she is. Your first thought was that she's my girlfriend?"
Touka blushed at her mistake. She then blurts out,
"Stupid Nishiki…"
Kaneki sighed, knowing Nishio must have messed with her at some point.
"Do you still want to come with us?"
"…Yes please."
xxxxxx
(X-Mansion, New York)
Charles writhed on his bed as the backlash of the message he received was too much for his weakened brain to handle. Hank used everything in his lab to help him recover. Eventually, he had to ask Emma to use her psychic abilities to put Charles into a deep rest.
"I did it, Hank. Bear in mind, this is a band-aid."
"I know that, but thank you all the same."
Soon, Scott and Ororo entered his lab.
"How is he, Hank?"
"Stabilized for now, but unless he can get to the root of the problem…"
"There's no way for sure on how to get him better."
"I'm afraid so, Ororo. My recommendation is that we take him to Muir Island."
"You think Moira will have better luck?"
"Well, she has made significant advances in the field of neurobiology, ever since she changed careers."
The X-Men all looked at each and nodded in agreement.
"All right then. I'll prep the Blackbird. Me and Emma will take him there and watch over him. Ororo, Hank, watch over the school. Let me know the second Kaneki and Laura return."
"You think something big is happening?"
"When is it not?"
xxxxxx
Meanwhile, in another part of New York City, a strangely-dressed individual was roaming the grounds of Colombia University. He wore a sort of red armor that covered his upper body and legs. After wandering around the campus for a long while, he seemed to find what he was looking for. The Goddard Institute for Space Studies. Once he entered inside, he stopped to observe the interior of the place. Much to the attention of the people inside. One of the security officers stepped up to him and asked,
"Excuse me, sir. Are you lost?"
"No…"
His armor activated by itself.
"I believe that I'm exactly where I am supposed to be."
The sashes on his armor created shallow holes on itself. Next, small, but fast rocket darts shot out from the sashes. There was enough to hit everyone in the room. Once the darts landed on their human targets, the darts then seemed to have melted and morphed into small discs that stuck onto their targets. Soon, the people that were hit now acted in a zombie-like fashion.
"Attention all humans, you are now under the command of Eric the Red! All those who are not under my thrall, bring them to me!"
Eric the Red then addressed the security guard under his control.
"Are you in charge of the guards in this place?"
"No. The head security guard will most likely come here, and apprehend you."
Said the guard in a mesmerized manner. Eric smiled and said,
"Good."
Some more security guards came, but Eric was ready. The sashes of his armor shot more darts to bring more guards under his control. As soon as he got everyone in the building under his control, he gave the order.
"All guards, make sure that no one enters. All scientists, use your primitive technology to scan the outer reaches of your planet for this radiation signature."
Eric then presented a hologram screen on one of his wristbands to display the radiation wavelength in question.
"Now get to work!"
The scientists did what he asked. Afterwards, Eric seemed to contact someone.
"I bear good news, excellency. I have commandeered one of the human's scientific outposts. Soon, the location of where Lilandra has sent the orb will be made apparent."
"None have figured out your true name?"
"None of her rebel soldiers have made it to this planet, sir. The element of surprise is still on our side."
"Good. If the orb has landed on that primitive planet you are on, notify me at one."
"Yes, my emperor."
xxxxxx
(Tokyo)
After about half an hour of walking, Kaneki, Touka, and Laura arrived at an apartment complex. Touka asked,
"Where are we?"
"This is where me and mom lived. After dad died."
"After?"
"Yeah. He and his mom moved here from Nagasaki."
"Hold up. You came from Nagasaki?"
"That was where I was born."
Said Kaneki. Touka was surprised to hear that fact.
"I didn't know, that's why."
"To be fair, I never told you once."
Touka lightly chucked when Kaneki gave her a bone. Next, she asked,
"How did he die?"
"…I'll tell you…when we get to my old place."
After walking up seven levels, the group made it to the apartment where Kaneki originally lived. Touka asked,
"This is where you used to live with your mom?"
"Yeah. Mom wanted to come back to Tokyo because she wanted to support me. We couldn't afford to live in Nagasaki. Rather, it had too many memories for her."
Both Touka and Laura felt a measure of sadness for Kaneki.
"When she heard the news of my father's death, it devastated her. I wanted to cry, but dad made me promise."
"What kind of promise you made to dad?"
Asked Laura.
"That I would look after her. Make sure that nothing would hurt her."
Although Kaneki knew that Laura knew about the incident, what he did not know was that Touka knew it as well.
"I know you tried your hardest to protect your mom, Kaneki."
"I did."
Memories of his mother came back to him.
"Everything I do…is to make sure that I don't lose anyone I care about in my life. Losing my mom was bad enough. I don't want to lose the X-Men nor Anteiku."
He slowly brought out the claws on his left hand.
"Even if means embracing the animal inside of me, but… I don't want to isolate the ones who care about me."
Touka felt the same emotions as Kaneki did. She grabbed the hand that had his claws out.
"You're…not the only one."
Laura wanted to join in, but felt it was inappropriate. Touka then said,
"Just to let you know, you don't have to go overboard. I know what you did for your mom, you feel you have to do for everyone else."
Kaneki was confused as to how Touka knew.
"How did you…?"
"Hide…he told me what happened with your mom…before Weapon X came to kidnap you."
"And how is he?"
"I think he's doing fine. He just…worries about you."
Kaneki smiled as he says,
"And I never got to tell him anything. He was always with me through my bad days…"
Kaneki now felt sad.
"But I never got to let him look at me through my best days."
Touka said next,
"If you want to see him, you can."
Kaneki then made a choice to see his best friend. As they left the apartment complex, Laura asked,
"So, how did dad die?"
Kaneki stopped for a while.
"You sure you want to know?"
Laura pleaded with her little brother.
"Please. I want to know."
After taking a deep breath, she finally confesses.
"Dad was successful in buying you and the rest time for you to make it to the mansion. But…he was on death's door by then."
Laura shook a little, much to Touka's concern.
"He had already taken on so much damage that his healing factor was failing him. What caused it to fail was the adamantium in his bones."
"How?"
"It slowly poisoned him. Ate him from the inside."
Both Laura and Touka had expressions on their faces that signaled sorrow. For Laura, she feared that leaving her father behind so she could get to safety was a mistake. For Touka, she feared that since the metal in Kaneki's bones would kill him the same way it killed his dad.
"Laura, it wasn't your fault."
"How could you say that?"
"Because he wanted you in our lives. He really wanted to take you to Japan and have me as your little brother."
Laura took a deep breath as to maintain her composure.
"Yeah…he told me…as soon as we were near the mansion…he told me about you and your mom…said that he wouldn't mind calling me his daughter."
Tears streamed down from her face.
"Make me a part of his family. Sure, I would miss the friends I made…but…as soon as he gave me a picture of you…I couldn't wait to be your…big sister."
Laura began to cry. The pain on losing her father, as well as losing the family she could have had, compelled her to weep out her grief. Touka felt a measure of that sadness. It was bad enough for her to lose her mother and father to the doves, but her little brother was on the side of ghoul terrorists. If it wasn't for Anteiku, she imagined she would have broken down a long time ago. Kaneki went to his big sister, and hugged her.
"I know how you feel. But I also know that you know…that the present is what really matters."
Laura returned the hug Kaneki currently gave her. Touka felt some measure of longing when she saw the two siblings. She wanted to feel this way with Ayato again. Kaneki then says to Laura,
"I'm happy to have you as my big sister."
"Same here…"
Touka looked on with silent joy.
xxxxxx
Eric waited for at least four hours for results. He grew impatient.
"Damn this primitive planet! I can only pray that this assignment will get me off this backwater world."
One of the scientists notified him of their progress.
"We have a reading."
"Are you sure?"
"It is faint, but growing."
"Show me."
The scientist led Eric to the computer lab where all the scientists in the building were working in.
"We have permissions from every willing organization who would let us use their satellites to search for the radiation signature you have presented us. One of them has detected it above a certain part of the globe."
"Show it to me."
The scientist showed first where the radiation signature was picked up.
"We looked for what you were looking within this vicinity in space. What we did not expect was this."
The scientist then showed a live feed from space. It showed a part of space warping until a vortex formed.
"Will the object you're looking for exit through this forming vortex?"
"Yes. The vortex that your primitive science would designate a wormhole. A tear in the fabric of space. My species is capable of opening such galactic passageways, when they are necessary."
"Your species?"
"The Shi'ar. My purpose here, as an agent of the Shi'ar empire, is to intercept an enemy of my emperor, the rebel Lilandra. Right now, she is too far away from this solar system. However, she has sent something to this planet. A weapon capable of great destruction. More powerful than anything my emperor possesses. However, if I can retrieve it, before she comes here, I can use it to destroy her. Before she could use it against my emperor. He will praise me, and I can return to my homeworld, instead of staying here one second longer."
The computer then started beeping.
"The wormhole you mentioned has appeared. Now calculating possible impact location."
After waiting for a few seconds, the answer appeared.
"It will land within the city of Tokyo within an hour."
"Then this Tokyo is where I must be."
Eric the Red then pressed a button on one of his wristbands. This made everyone of those under his control fall the floor, unconscious. The small discs that were on the guards and scientists now flew by themselves and made their way back to the armor sashes. As soon as they all returned, it was apparent that a few people gathered in front of the building. This irritated Eric to no end. Soon, a police car arrived.
"Freeze! Put your hands in the air!"
Eric simply growled and fired an energy blast from one his gauntlets. The cop flew so far back until he slammed into a wall. Then, some sort of strange aircraft floated above Eric. Some of the people in front of the building recorded this with their phones. The aircraft shot down a transparent energy beam, which made Eric levitate toward it. He was soon onboard, giving a command to the aircraft's computer.
"Engage cloaking. Destination is Tokyo."
As Eric's ship flew, its cloaking activated, making it invisible.
xxxxxx
Kaneki, Touka and Laura soon made it to where Hide lived. Kaneki knocked on his door. After 15 seconds of waiting, Touka guessed,
"Maybe he's at work?"
"He has a job?"
"Delivery boy, last time he told me. Maybe another time."
"That's too bad. I really wanted to see him today."
"Don't feel too bad."
Said Hide loudly, as he just arrived on his bike. Kaneki beamed with delight, seeing his best friend again. He was downstairs first, with Laura and Touka following him afterwards. Both hugged for a short while before splitting.
"Hide, I've missed you man."
"Same here. How's life in the X-Mansion?"
"It's cool, most of the time."
"How long you here for?"
"Well, I don't want to stay too long. The professor lent me the team's minijet for a short while after…"
"The joint operation between the X-Men and the GCB, right? It was on the news."
"Right…"
Hide could tell that something happened to Kaneki during that mission.
"How about we go somewhere to eat? I'm buying."
"You sure?"
Asked Touka.
"Hell yeah. I know this awesome place where they serve some wicked tasty sushi."
All three looked at each other before agreeing.
xxxxxx
(Muir Island)
Emma and Scott visited the professor when he was resting. Charles was fast asleep when he arrived. Both looked at him with much worry and apprehension. Emma could see Scott feeling this more. She went over to his side.
"Charles will be fine. He'll be receiving the best care."
"I know…but part of me still feels that sense of loyalty. Something that grew when I was about Hisako's age."
"I know. Hell, I wish I had somebody like Xavier when I was her age."
"Right…"
Just then, Moira MacTaggart arrived.
"Hey there."
"Doctor MacTaggart, good to see you."
"Likewise, Mr. Summers. Ms. Frost."
Emma then asked,
"How is he?"
"We've stabilized him for now, but we'll need to run further tests on him. We'll find out what's happened to him, thanks in part to Doctor McCoy for forwarding his findings to us."
"Thank you, Doctor MacTaggart."
"Speaking of Doctor McCoy, he just called for you. It's at the front desk."
"Okay then."
Both Scott and Emma were curious as to what could be the matter now. They soon reached the front desk of the research center and asked the front desk secretary,
"Did a Doctor McCoy called here?"
"Your names?"
"Scott Summers."
"Emma Frost."
She handed them both a phone and a post-it note that said, "Urgent. Call me back soon." Scott picked up the phone and called the mansion. After a while, Hank picked up.
"Scott?"
"What's the situation, Hank?"
"I just received a call from one of my colleagues from the Goddard Institute for Space Studies. He just called me for two reasons. One, that the Institute just picked up an anomaly from space."
"How is it related to what's going on?"
"Let me get to that. He says to me that the anomaly in question is in fact, a wormhole. It appeared, out of nowhere, for no apparent reason."
"Do…wormholes usually do that?"
"Scott, this is a cosmic event that no astronomer on earth has ever recorded. The probabilities of any scientist on earth are absolutely astronomical."
"So, in order words, it was a one in a billion chance that humanity, in general, could study?"
"Precisely. I've contacted some old college buddies of mine who currently work in NASA right now. They say they cannot figure out how one was able to manifest within our solar system. They also tell me that a number of governments are concerned about new activity within the vortex."
"Hank, are you telling me that…some sort of…alien object is coming through that wormhole?"
"The possibility does exist. Which leads me to the second reason why he called me. Someone came into the Institute and somehow managed to hijack the minds of all those who worked in there."
"Who was it?"
"They don't remember who he was. Only that he used some sort of technology to put them under mind control. He enslaved all of them for some purpose."
"And that purpose had something to do with the wormhole you told me?"
"The signs definitely point to that. When the scientists were under his control, they did some work for him. Apparently, this armored individual had them tracking something from within the wormhole?"
"Is he expecting something to come out of there?"
"If he wasn't, why do all this?"
Scott now began to feel worried about someone else.
"Where is it headed?"
Hank initially hesitated to tell Scott, but feared to lose something if he kept quiet.
"Tokyo, Japan."
Scott was at a loss for words. As was Emma, who used her telepathy to keep herself appraised. At Scott's discretion.
"Damn it. Kaneki…"
Just then, Charles started to groan loudly again. Emma contacted him via her telepathy.
"Scott, go to Kaneki."
"Emma…"
"I'll keep an eye on the professor. Gather the X-Men."
"Thank you."
Scott then says to Hank,
"Hank, get the team ready. Contact Kaneki and Laura."
"Roger that."
Scott ran for the Blackbird. While Emma went to Charles' side.
"Doctor, what's going on?"
"We were in the middle of setting him up for a CAT scan, but he started acting out all of the sudden."
As Charles groaned in pain, what he said was intelligible.
"Who are you? What do you want?"
Emma, greatly concerned for Charles, made a decision.
"Doctor, I'm going to use my telepathy on him. Maybe if I see what he's seeing, maybe it could provide a clue as to how to heal him."
"I'm worried that you may experience a major psychic backlash."
"Do we have a choice?"
Emma then used her telepathy to peer into Charles' mind. As entered, she could see what was Charles' mind now. Images of outer space flooded her mind, alongside a crystal; some sort of small, hand-held, metallic device within a silver orb, and an individual wearing some sort of insectoid armor. Then, a flaming bird appeared before her. At the center of it was a very familiar looking woman.
"Jean?"
Emma screamed as she experienced major psychic backlash, which forced her out of Charles' mind.
"Emma? Emma!"
Moira lifted Emma to the nearest chair and went to get a stretcher for her.
xxxxxx
(Tokyo, nighttime)
The group entered the sushi restaurant. It had a pleasant environment, and a wide variety of sushi to choose from. The owner greeted them.
"Welcome. Have a seat."
The group did so. The owner then came out of his kitchen and served them menus.
"Pick what you like. Any drinks while you're at it?"
Hide asked,
"Got any soda?"
"Sure. Nothing too fancy, though."
"Four cokes, light on the ice."
"Gotcha. Be right back."
As the group looked at the menus, Touka spoke up.
"I…don't know what to pick."
"Let's start with something easy. Like some basic rolls, and start from there."
"Okay. Sounds good."
Kaneki then says to Touka,
"Thought you would've had some while I was gone."
"Well, I didn't have time to be a foodie. I had to study my ass for college."
"Really? You're going for college?"
Asked Laura.
"Yeah. I've been studying hard for entry into…a certain place."
"Where, exactly?"
"Empire State University."
Said Hide, much to Touka's chagrin. Kaneki was surprised to hear that.
"Seriously? But…that's in…"
"New York City. In short, a long way from Westchester."
"Westchester?"
"That's where me and Kaneki live. Rather, that's where Xavier's Institute is."
"In other words, it's quite a long distance."
Touka felt as if she were unraveled for no good reason.
"Hide, why did you tell him?!"
"Well, that's the thing about monkeys, Touka! We love to fling our shit everywhere!"
Hide got up from his seat and left the restaurant. Both Kaneki and Touka soon followed him, leaving Laura by herself in the restaurant. By then, the owner of the place came to receive their order while also giving them their drinks.
"What just happened?"
"I think it's a no go on the sushi. I'll pay you for the drinks."
Hide stood outside, angry. As soon as both Kaneki and Touka joined him, Kaneki asked,
"You heard us?"
"Hell yeah, I heard you. I can understand Touka calling me a hairless monkey. She has every reason to hate humans, but you? Kaneki, we have been best friends since elementary school. Why would you say something like that?"
"I…I was angry."
"Angry enough to call someone what you said?"
"In his defense, he had every right to call that dove that."
Hide looked at Touka with an expression of disbelief.
"Don't take out your anger on the rest of humanity."
"Why should I?! You people have been taking out all your fears on me! Hell, you people took it out ON RYOUKO!"
Hide was at a loss when he mentioned Ryouko.
"Who is she?"
"Exactly! You don't even bother to…"
Kaneki held out his hand to speak up.
"Do you remember that little girl that always hung around either me or Touka?"
"Sort of. I remember seeing her around, helping out in the café."
"Her mother was hunted by the doves. Even though she was murdered by Rize, they were responsible for getting her killed. That girl you would sometimes see, Hinami, that's her daughter."
Hide was shocked to hear that detail.
"I…I had no idea."
"Why would you? As long as the doves hunt down the scary flesh-eating monsters, you can sleep without a care in the world! I don't have that luxury. Hell, not a day goes by when I'm not scared that the doves could take away the only safe space I know, or the home that Hinami or Kaneki needs."
Said Touka. Hide now felt a little bad for his behavior.
"It's one thing that you want Kaneki to apologize for saying what he said. It's another for what you're implying."
"What am I implying, exactly?"
"That Kaneki would look at you as anything less than his best friend. As a matter of fact, he knows that he can't stay here long, but he wanted to see you anyways."
Hide asked Kaneki,
"Why? Do you have to leave?"
"Sort of. The professor lent me his minijet, and although he trusts me to bring it back in one piece…"
"He's afraid that Cyclops would harp on him for staying out for too damn long."
Said Laura, who joined in on the conversation. Kaneki agreed on how she summed up his intention.
"Pretty much."
Hide now felt a great deal of guilt. For starting a personal grudge match between him and the rest of his friends.
"…I'm sorry."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better…I never got to tell you that I was leaving for New York and join with the X-Men. You were always there for me when I was at the worst moments of my life. Never at my best."
"Well, I do have a life outside of yours. But… I appreciate you making time for me. We could've had sushi, but instead I acted like a petty asshole."
"Yeah, that is not your flavor."
All laughed their anger away, dispelling whatever animosity existed between them. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a large ball of fire lit up Tokyo's night sky. Not only did the group noticed it, but also nearly everyone in the city. Where it ended up landing, the group did not know at first. The first one to speak was,
"What was that?"
Next, both Kaneki and Laura received a call on their communicators.
"Kaneki, Laura, do you read me?"
"Loud and clear."
Said Laura with Kaneki then asking,
"Scott, something just landed in Tokyo. We saw it when it was falling, but we don't know yet where it landed."
"It's already here…"
"What's here?"
"Hank tells me it some sort of object from space. I need you and Laura to watch over it as soon as you can. Contact Piotr. Tell him we need his help again."
"Scott, is this all hands on deck?"
Asked Laura.
"It is."
"Roger that."
Scott ended the call, to which Laura then says,
"We need to head back to Anteiku."
"What for?"
"Our uniforms. They're on my motorcycle."
That last part Kaneki said surprised Hide.
"You have a motorcycle?"
"It's my dad's."
"Nice."
Both high-fived before Hide said,
"I'd love to check it out, but there's somewhere I need to be."
All three were curious as to why Hide had to go, but they did not have to time to talk about it.
xxxxxx
(GCB Branch office, 20th ward)
Shinohara sat alone for a while before he was joined by Marude. Marude was reviewing a report created by Shinohara.
"I read over your report. Very interesting…but do you have any conclusive evidence?"
Shinohara sat silent, knowing that he based his report on both a rumor, and hidden surveillance reports from the young Investigators that volunteered for his mission.
"Instinct?"
Shinohara continued to be silent as he remembered what he felt when he checked out the place that Takatsuki told him about.
flashback
Shinohara and Suzuya soon arrived at Anteiku. Shinohara believed that from the outside, it seemed innocuous. As they entered inside, his initial beliefs were further confirmed. It looked like people getting together. He even saw a couple of mutants inside.
"Welcome."
Said one of the wait staff.
"Please have a seat, sir. We'll have someone serve you shortly."
"Thank you."
As both took a seat on the nearest available table, Shinohara took one last look around before he was approached by, who Shinohara believed, the manager of the place.
"Can I help you?"
"A soda and sandwiches for the lad here, if you have any."
Suzuya nodded in confirmation.
"And for you?"
"Just a coffee, please."
The manager smiled as he nodded.
"Coming right up."
After about five minutes, the manager returned with the order as specified. Suzuya looked at the sandwiches with fervor.
"It looks so yummy."
Shinohara started conversing with the manager.
"This is a handsome little shop you got here."
"It's kind of you to say so."
As Shinohara took a sip of his coffee, the manager asked,
"Is there something wrong, sir? Otherwise…"
"It's nothing, sir. Rather…I wanted to ask you about someone. Did Ken Kaneki used to work here?"
"As a matter of fact, he did. Of course, that was a little long time ago."
"I understand. Tell me, when he worked here, did he ever show…some…indication of his time in Weapon X?"
"He certainly didn't feel to share it with us."
"I also heard that this shop was the site of a rather violent robbery?"
"That, I cannot discuss sir."
"Why is that?"
"I was asked to by GCB Investigator Piotr Rasputin."
"So, you mean to tell me that this place was actually attacked by ghouls, sir?"
"…Are you with the GCB, sir?"
"Yes."
"…Well, the reason why I didn't speak at first was because I didn't know at first, but since you were honest, no reason why I shouldn't."
"All right then."
Shinohara brought out his notebook.
"Do you have any reason as to why ghouls thrashed your café?"
"From what I understood, these were ghouls associated with Aogiri Tree. Even I remember that about more than half a year ago, they were escalating their terrorist activities."
As Shinohara spoke more with the manager, he started to sound familiar to him.
"Excuse me. Do I know you?"
"…I don't believe so."
"…Sorry. Anyhow, did Investigator Rasputin tell you about what happened with him afterwards?"
"At first, he didn't tell me a lot. Only that he made sure that he was in a safe place. It was only after the news reporting about what was happening in Tohoku that I had a better idea."
Shinohara's feeling about his familiarity with the manager grew on him, but he did not want him to know about his suspicion.
"Thank you for your time."
"No problem. Have a nice day now."
"Juuzo, let's get going now."
Shinohara paid for the bill. As they exited, Suzuya says to the manager,
"Thanks for the grub, old man."
Shinohara then says one last thing.
"Thanks for the coffee. Guess the rumors were true."
As the two walked away further from the café, Shinohara had this thought.
"We'll be back soon."
end
"That's great."
Said Marude before he placed the report in the table between the both of them.
"Last time I checked, you're not Kureo."
"Nobody could be him."
Marude gave a short chuckle before saying,
"I have a nagging feeling that most of our 20th ward Investigators have been made."
"I've never been one to doubt your instincts."
Just then, a large ball of fire lit up the night sky. Much to their shock.
"What the hell?"
Said Marude. Both Investigators went to the windows to see where it landed. Shinohara made a guess.
"It looked like it landed somewhere in the 12th ward."
"That or the 15th."
The two then heard faint sounds of alarms and sirens being blared.
"Guess this means the 20th ward will have to wait."
Said Marude, with Shinohara replying,
"Maybe…For now, better get Rasputin on it."
xxxxxx
(Anteiku)
Yoshimura was sitting opposite to Yomo. Yomo was asked by him to check for any Investigators spying on the café. Coupled with what Piotr told him, he feared for the worst.
"Is that right?"
"I'm afraid so."
"…Guess my fears…were correct after all."
"Did Piotr tell you anything?"
"He did…and you've confirmed them…"
A moment of silence filled the room. Yomo then asked,
"What's the next move?"
"…I have some loose ends that need tying up soon."
Yomo did not say anything. He knew he did not need to.
"Please…watch over the others…"
"I'll do my best…sir."
Just then, a bright, red light flared outside the café. Both Yoshimura and Yomo were caught off-guard by its sudden appearance.
"What in blazes?"
Said Yoshimura as he got up and went to the café, with Yomo right behind him. The two got there as Yoshimura asked,
"What just happened?"
The ones inside the café were Nishiki, Irimi, Koma, Roma, and Hinami. Koma was the first to answer.
"Something just fell from the sky."
"Irimi, turn on the news please."
She nodded in agreement and did what was asked of her.
"The prime minster is asking everyone to stay calm and please stay patient for any further development. So far, nothing is known about the object from space that just landed within the vicinity of the 12th ward. However, multiple law agencies are currently restricting access to the area from the general public."
Hinami then sees Kaneki return, alongside Touka, Hide and Laura.
"They're back."
The staff see the group come back, waiting for the siblings to first unmount the black cases from the motorcycle parked in front of the café.
"Many government officials are asking the public to stay calm and abstain from fraudulent claims contrary to legitimate news sources."
As they entered, Hinami was the first one to hug Kaneki. At first, he was thrown off, only to remember that he came back home for them.
"Welcome back."
Kaneki smiled a little, rubbing the top of her head.
"Good to be back."
Yoshimura then asked him,
"Kaneki, what's happening?"
"…Cyclops just ordered me and Laura to head down to the area where the object from space landed."
"It's in the 12th ward."
Kaneki and Laura looked at Nishiki when he told them.
"The news is talking about this right now. I bet that a lot of cops and reporters are there right now, blocking everyone who wants to see this."
Kaneki and Laura both had a feeling that Nishiki was right.
"We still have a job to do. Kaneki, let's suit up."
"…Right."
Kaneki guided Laura to the café restrooms, where they could change. Roma was the first to voice her thoughts.
"Oh my god! We're witnessing a heroic moment! THIS IS EVERYTHING I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE!"
"ROMA!"
Yelled Nishiki.
"Shut the hell up."
Roma now felt a little discouraged to act out her excitement. Both Touka and Hide knew that for them, what everyone felt was anxiety. The same kind not felt since Kaneki left the café to go hunt down the Weapon X mutants. Hinami felt it the most. After waiting for about a couple of minutes, both Kaneki and Laura came out of the restrooms with their uniforms on. All felt a sense of astonishment. Hinami was the first to comment on Kaneki's uniform.
"I like your outfit, Kaneki. It's different from what you used to wear. In a good way."
"Still kept the mask. Didn't want to lose a piece of home."
Yoshimura smiled at Kaneki's last comment. Touka commented on Laura's uniform.
"You look like the Wolverine, if he were a chick."
"That's the idea."
Both girls laughed for a while. She then says to Kaneki,
"I like it. It suits you."
"Thanks."
Both looked at each other for a while before Laura says,
"Kaneki, we got to move."
He now expressed sadness.
"Fine…"
Both exited the café. Touka only saw Kaneki off without saying a word. She the sees everyone staring at her, which made her feel uncomfortable.
"What?"
"You are so transparent, you know that?"
"Shut the hell up, Nishiki!"
"He's right. It's no surprise."
"Koma, don't start."
"Touka…"
She stared at Irimi.
"Everyone with eyes could see why you want to go to New York to attend college."
Touka blushed like crazy when everyone accused her of having feelings for Kaneki. Hide then says,
"That's the other reason why I brought up the subject back at that sushi restaurant. Touka, be honest with Kaneki. Most importantly, be honest with yourself. Even if it is embarrassing."
Touka simply stood, uncomfortable at the idea of having feelings for Kaneki. Hide then says,
"You're not the only one who wants him back home."
Touka snapped out of her embarrassment, to ultimately realize that she did miss him.
"As much as we do miss him, he must stay with the X-Men. Not just because of Aogiri, it is also the doves."
Everyone turned their attention to Yoshimura.
"They're catching on to us."
xxxxxx
(Muir Island)
As Moira looked over Emma as she was unconscious, she began to wonder the possible causes as to what could've been behind recent events.
"I can't help but feel nervous as to what could be going on. I do hope that Charles isn't involved in something…that could lead to his death…"
While in Charles' room, he began to wake up from his induced sleep. And yet, despite coming out of sleep, he still felt exhausted.
"Why do I feel so…fatigued? Is it because of you?"
Charles began to feel the same other-worldly that previously caused him pain.
"You…"
Charles groaned in pain once more. He groaned so loudly, Moira began to take notice and went for his room. She opened the door to his quarters to find Charles levitating in mid-air.
"are driving me insane."
"Charles!"
Charles yelled out in pain one more time before saying,
"But I must not fight you."
Charles reached out toward someone. Within his mind, he could clearly see the individual attempting to communicating via telepathy. Outside of his mind, Moira saw something unbelievable. It looked like somebody was slowly teleporting into the room, with Charles serving as a destination point and even acted as such when he held out his hand. Soon, everything got brighter and brighter until the bright light finally died out. Moira saw Charles lying on the floor, but also an individual wearing some sort of alien suit of armor. The helmet looked insectoid in mind. Charles regained his faculties as he asked the individual,
"Who are you?"
The armored individual felt weak and kneeled to the ground, but soon regained enough strength to speak with Charles as the individual spoke with him.
"My name is Lilandra."
Lilandra removed the helmet, revealing to be a woman. Her hair was avian styled in a triangular shape.
"I come from a world unknown to you. A world called Shi'ar."
Moira was astounded by what she was seeing. Charles asked Lilandra as he telekinetically moved his wheelchair to him and got on it,
"Why are you here?"
"Allow me to show you."
Lilandra used her telepathy to tell her story.
"I am a princess of the Shi'ar royal family. My brother is D'Ken, the current emperor. But he did not become one in an honorable manner."
Lilandra showed an image of D'Ken. His hair was straight down while the bottom was curved upwards. He wore a golden headband adorned with an oval jewel in the center. He also wore regal garments consisting of a skintight golden unitard with a sleeveless blue-gray robe on top, topping it off with a belt sash with an infinity symbol in the front middle and a collar adorned with red oval jewels. Then, Lilandra showed D'Ken murdering his own father with his psychic abilities.
"I witnessed a heinous crime, one in which that had to be brought to light. However, he planned this."
Lilandra showed next her escape from the Shi'ar royal palace.
"Before he murdered my father, he first took the M'Kraan Crystal, one of the most powerful artifacts of the empire. He used it to amplify his own psychic abilities. He confronted our father, and used his enhanced powers to kill him."
D'Ken then stood in front of the elected council of the empire.
"Then he used it to manipulate the minds of the Shi'ar high council to serve his bidding."
D'Ken then addressed both his armies and subjects.
"After that, he declared me an outlaw."
Lilandra met with some shi'ar generals who were loyal to her.
"Although I did have some help in escaping, before I did so, I had to take with me something that would tip the battle of deposing my brother to my favor."
Lilandra showed an image of a silver orb.
"The escape was long and arduous. My brother used the Imperial fleet to chase me and those loyal to me across the galaxy."
A small fleet of insectoid ships fled from a fleet of Shi'ar starships loyal to D'Ken, who was on the Behemoth, the biggest ship the Shi'ar empire ever created.
"At one point, hope seemed to come my way…"
Just as the space between the ships loyal to Lilandra and the ships loyal to D'Ken closed, a great ball of fire manifested, straight from out of nowhere. The ball of fire soon formed into a large bird.
"I made contact with this phenomenon with my telepathy, only to discover that it was the Phoenix. An ancient force of creation…and destruction."
Charles knew who the Phoenix really was.
"Jean!"
"Yes…I looked into her memories, and she looked into mine. She used her powers to defend my people. D'Ken was outraged and thus used the M'Kraan crystal to dominate the mind of the Phoenix, dominate the mind of Jean Grey."
Lilandra showed herself linking to Jean's mind. Lilandra saw Jean fighting against D'Ken…and losing.
"I had underestimated just how much power the M'Kraan could give my brother. He was successful in getting the Phoenix under his control. My brother twisted her mind to the point she started to call herself…the Dark Phoenix."
Charles was disheartened by this revelation.
"No…"
"During my escape, I knew that I had to go to the world where Jean Grey was born. I launched the orb into space and have it land on your planet."
Lilandra ceased the use of her telepathy.
"I came here for you, Charles Xavier."
"Why me?"
"For two reasons. You were successful in aiding Jean Grey gain control over the Phoenix, regaining her sense of self. It was only by choice that she fused with the Phoenix and left this planet for your own safety and the safety of her loved ones."
"It wasn't just me."
"I know. I wanted your help in separating the Phoenix from Jean Grey so I may destroy the Phoenix."
"How could you destroy the Phoenix?"
"The silver orb. It is actually a container for a weapon capable of destroying the Phoenix. I wanted to reach the orb first. Before an agent serving my brother could get to it."
"And the other reason?"
"The Shi'ar believe that two minds are linked from the moment of their creation. Destined to seek each other out in their time of need. It is a bond…like love, but deeper."
Charles was surprised to know that despite knowing Lilandra is a total stranger to him, he felt a connection with her. One deeper than anything he felt before.
"Do you feel it, Charles Xavier?"
"I do now."
Lilandra came closer to Charles, and caressed his face.
"We are total strangers, and yet I feel as if I have seen your face a thousand times."
Charles felt the warmth of her touch, despite Lilandra wearing an armored glove.
"And I feel as if this…lingering sense of loneliness is fading away the more I see you…"
Just then, another voice spoke.
"Charles?"
Charles turned his to see Emma at the door, alongside Moira.
"We're sorry to interrupt, but Moira woke me up and explained everything."
"Almost everything. I was absolutely astounded by your appearance, your majesty."
Lilandra felt a little embarrassed when she was treated like royalty once more.
"Me and Moira overheard the part when you said that you need both myself and Charles. Is it true?"
"I'm afraid so, Emma. Jean is under the thrall of a most malicious individual. And she…is returning here. Contact the X-Men. Tell them to get to Muir Island."
"Right."
xxxxxx
(Tokyo, Japan)
Kuzuri and Wolverine were close to the impact site. Kuzuri asked Wolverine,
"Any word from Cyclops?"
"He says that the rest of the team are making a pit stop to Muir Island."
"What for?"
"He says the professor was approached by, and I'm not making this up, an alien princess."
"Is she from Mars?"
"I don't get it."
"…Forget it. You were saying?"
Kuzuri soon made it to the crash site. There did the siblings discovered it to be filled with reporters and civilians wanting to take a closer look.
"Anyhow, the professor said to Cyclops that the crashed object is connected to this psychic message that he was receiving."
"He received a psychic message?"
"Yeah, but the energy behind it was so powerful that he relapsed back to his weakened state from Alkali lake. He had to go to Muir Island for treatment."
"Oh man…"
"He's alright now, but it's more important than ever that we get to the site."
"Did Charles Xavier specify as to the nature of the crash?"
Said an eavesdropping reporter. Both siblings were surprised as to the appearance of half a dozen reporters in front of them. The questions did not stop.
"Just what did crash here on earth?"
"Are the X-Men taking control of this?"
"Is this related to what happened in New York?"
"Is this secure against Aogiri Tree?"
"The people deserve to know."
Both Kuzuri and Wolverine tried their best to suppress their annoyance. What happened next was both a surprise and a relief.
"People, please! Let's not get in the way of the X-Men."
Hide stood between the siblings and the reporters. Kuzuri wanted to speak, but was denied.
"Mr. Kuzuri and Ms. Wolverine, please follow me."
Hide, while wearing a GCB battle uniform, guided the siblings to the crash site. Kuzuri then finally asked him the question burning inside of his mind.
"Hide, are you working for the doves?"
"Yes and no. At first, I was just a delivery boy. But then, you have no idea just how desperate the doves are for volunteers.'"
"Volunteers?"
Asked Wolverine.
"The GCB are undermanned right now. Like you, it's an all hands on deck situation on our part."
Hide remembered how frantic the branch office was about the whole thing.
flashback
Hide was delivering a few papers to a small number of Investigators within the office. He had an idea about what they were for. Eventually, he bumped into Takizawa.
"What's up, Seido?"
"Sorry. No time to talk."
"Is this related to what fell in the sky?"
"…Well, they haven't told me anything, but that's what I imagine."
"Is Shinohara leading the mission?"
"I actually asked him that. He's says he's working on something else right now."
As soon as Takizawa left, Hide then went to Shinohara, whom he saw by himself at the moment.
"Investigator Shinohara?"
"You're…Nagachika, right?"
"Yes sir. Are you taking point on what's currently happening right now?"
"…Actually, I'm taking on a different assignment."
"What kind?"
"You have to be GCB to know."
After a moment of thought, Hide asked,
"Could I be GCB for real?"
Shinohara stared at Hide for a while before saying,
"How's your aim?"
Hide did not know how to answer.
"We haven't made it to the public, but…we're undermanned right now. We're honestly accepting any volunteers at this point."
end
The trio finally made it to where the police cut off access to the crash site to the public at large. Two police officers blocked them.
"Hold it. No access beyond this point."
Wolverine spoke first.
"We're with the X-Men."
The two police officers were surprised to hear the X-Men taking point on this.
"It's…an honor to meet with you, but…we still have orders."
"And you are executing them as is expected."
Kuzuri, Wolverine and Hide turned around to see Piotr arriving. Carrying a large, metal attaché case.
"I am Investigator Rasputin. I am here on behalf of the GCB to investigate the area."
"Y-Yes sir. Come on in."
"And these three."
The two police officers looked confused, but eventually allowed Kuzuri, Wolverine, and Hide to the crash site.
"Nice timing."
"I have one more associate coming."
Kuzuri asked,
"Who?"
"You'll know."
Said Piotr with a smile on his face. As the group got closer, they see the crash site. It as in the middle of an abandoned storehouse. As they made it inside, they were quick to discover the large hole in the roof. There was even some light snow falling through the hole. Wolverine says,
"Well, now we know where to look."
The group all headed towards what was below the hole in the roof. When they made it, they discovered the crater that was formed in the crash. Hide says,
"I'm surprised that it didn't blew away the whole place."
"It depends the size of the object in question."
Said one more person. One most familiar to Kuzuri.
"Shifu?"
A golden glow lit in the darkness of the storehouse. A glow most familiar to Kaneki. As he stepped into the moonlight, the group were glad to see Danny Rand emerge.
"Good to see you again."
"Shifu!"
Kuzuri ran to his former teacher. When they met, both did the UMAC handshake before closing in for a brief hug.
"Shifu, I'm so happy to see you again!"
"Same here, Kaneki. Have you met with everyone?"
"I did, actually."
"Well, great of you to visit. Sadly, it wasn't under…better circumstances…"
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
"Still, I wanted to see you, hear about how you're doing. Based on what I hear, it's almost good news…"
With a sullen look on his face, Kuzuri replied,
"Another time, Shifu."
"Agreed. We should focus."
Danny approached the group.
"Piotr. Hideyoshi."
"Good to see you again."
"You're free to just call me Hide."
"And may I have your name?"
Laura introduced herself to him.
"Laura. Laura Kinney. I'm Ken's big sister."
"I didn't know you had a big sister."
"It's a long story, Shifu. Like you said, we should focus."
The group got closer to the center of the impact crater. Upon a closer look, they discovered an orb.
"Is it…some sort of meteor?"
Asked Hide.
"Don't think so. This is…entirely different."
Said Kuzuri. Piotr stepped forward with case in tow. He opened it, showing it to be a sort of attaché case designed for carrying objects. Objects most likely to be called classified. There were also a pair of blue latex gloves, to which he placed on his hands. He then proceeds to lift the orb from the crater. At first, he struggled.
"Piotr, something the matter?"
Asked Danny.
"This thing…lodged pretty tight…little more…power."
After applying more strength, Piotr finally lifted the orb from the crater. He remarked on it as the orb, using the moonlight to get a clear look on the exterior on the object in hand. He found that there were no scratches on it.
"Remarkable…"
Piotr looked at the orb for a while longer before placing it inside of the case.
"We'll head to the branch office in the 20th ward."
"None of you are going anywhere!"
Said a mysterious voice. The group clustered together in response.
"Be on your guard."
Said Piotr to the group. He then gave the case to Hide.
"Hide, at my signal, run as fast as you can. Go to the branch office here in the 12th ward. Ask them to contact Investigator Marude."
"Got it."
Soon, the mysterious voice revealed itself. Kuzuri asked,
"Who are you?"
"I am Eric the Red. I have come for that which you now possess."
"Over our dead bodies!"
Said Wolverine. Eric laughed before replying,
"My pleasure."
He pressed a button on his right wrist. Soon after, a group of ghouls slowly emerged from the shadows. Kuzuri remarked on how the ghouls were acting.
"Weird. It's almost like they're under some sort of…hypnosis."
"Correct. These flesh-eaters are under my command. If you value your lives, give me the orb."
SNIKT! SNIKT!
Kuzuri, Wolverine, Piotr, and Danny prepared themselves for battle. Kuzuri says to Eric,
"Like my sister says, over our dead bodies!"
Eric growled before saying,
"Those who stand against the emperor will face death!"
xxxxxx
(Anteiku, 20th ward)
A small team of newly recruited Investigators were keeping an eye on the café. As they were all in position, Investigator Shinohara arrived at the café. Inside, Yoshimura was cleaning up the café bar. He was all by himself. As he was alone, he thought back to what he had said to everyone almost three hours ago.
flashback
"No way…"
Said Touka with fear in her voice. Hide had fear inside of him as well.
"What can we do?"
"You, Hide, will help Kaneki anyway you can. Piotr has kept me appraised of you helping him keeping Anteiku a secret. He has even told me about you working as a gofer for one of the Investigators, telling me that you fed him information of the sting operation that connect Aogiri with the U-Men."
Everyone was surprised to hear such a detail.
"I…had to…"
"Because you wanted to help Kaneki anyway you could. That is commendable. Unfortunately, for this, it was above what you could do."
Hide looked down in regret over his powerlessness.
"Nonetheless, do what you can for Kaneki."
"Got it…"
Before he exited the café, he says one last thing.
"Please try to survive."
Everyone felt touched by Hide's plea. Even Touka, although she did not show. As Hide left the café, Yoshimura then addressed the core staff.
"We may not make it. Anyone who wishes to see tomorrow…"
Roma was the first to leave the café. Nishiki expressed his thoughts.
"That didn't surprise me. Thought she'd be slower about it, though."
Touka then voiced her intentions.
"I'm staying."
Yoshimura replied,
"No. I want you and Hinami to go with Yomo."
Touka felt outage at those words.
"Why?! This is much my home as Hinami's!"
Yomo attempted to reason with her.
"Touka, this area will become a war zone. Not right now, but in the future."
"All the more reason why I want to stay. I won't let the doves take away what I love again!"
"They haven't yet. What matters is you survive. You, Hinami, and Nishiki as well."
Nishiki was surprised to be included.
"And what about Koma? Yomo? Irimi?"
The adults in the room all had sullen looks on their faces.
"It's too late for us. Our fates have been sealed. We may try to stave off the inevitable, but…sooner or later, the reckoning for our sins will come to pass. We have made peace with such a future."
Both Hinami and Nishiki felt a great deal of sorrow for the older-than-them ghouls.
"And what about me? I've made my own collection of sins…"
"You're different."
"How?! What makes me less of a monster than you?!"
"YOU HAVE A SECOND CHANCE! A second chance at leading a life, putting all this bullshit behind you!"
Exclaimed Yoshimura. This was the second time he spoke with such anger in his voice.
"Don't squander the gift Kaneki gave you. And if he decides to stay in Tokyo, then you…will have to be his home."
Touka now felt some sorrow of her own.
"Regardless of how you feel about him…or because of how you feel about him, that will have to be your duty. If not that, your promise to me."
Guilt now reigned Touka's mind as Yoshimura compelled her to care for Kaneki. Because he knew that the day would come when his mistakes resurfaced to haunt him.
"Yomo, take Touka and Hinami with you at once."
Yomo nodded and says to them,
"Pack up only what you need."
end
The café entrance opened as Investigator Shinohara entered. He stopped at the entrance to wipe off some of the falling snow off his coat.
"Looks like we're getting some accumulation tonight."
Yoshimura smiled as he said,
"Welcome back sir."
As Shinohara sat down, Yoshimura started making coffee. Shinohara observed him pouring hot water over the grounded coffee beans. As Yoshimura finished, he asked,
"Would you mind if I joined you, Investigator?"
"Not at all."
Yoshimura served him his cup.
"Here you are."
He joined Shinohara on the other side of the café bar. As he sat beside the Investigator, Yoshimura says,
"I hope you enjoy it."
"Thank you very much."
Shinohara took a sip of his coffee. At first sip, he was very impressed by its taste.
"It's delicious."
"I've had years of practice."
Yoshimura took a sip as well. The snow outside continued to fall. Shinohara then asked a question.
"What makes one cup of coffee better than the other one? Is it the quality of the beans?"
"That is…one part of it. However, there are many other factors involved. There's also the way the beans are roasted, as well as the water you use for brewing."
"Really?"
Shinohara took another sip of his coffee as he listened.
"I have my own… philosophy about it. In all the time I've worked here, I've learned that it's not about the quality of the beans but rather how you serve them."
"…I don't follow."
"Let me explain. You have to approach each coffee bean differently. No matter how expensive they are, carelessly brewed coffee makes a terrible cup."
Shinohara was in thought about what he was listening to.
"The opposite is true as well. Even the cheapest beans an possess the most flavor, but only when they are handled with care. It may take work, but you can bring out the best in them."
Shinohara fully listened to every one of Yoshimura's words. Looking down at his coffee cup, he was impressed at the kind of man Yoshimura was.
"That was profound."
"Not at all."
Shinohara took a gulp of his coffee, finishing the cup.
"I still stand by my words. Your coffee is excellent."
"Thank you."
Shinohara reached for his wallet to pay, but Yoshimura stopped him.
"It's on the house."
"I really don't mind paying…"
Both men stared at each other. Shinohara knew that Yoshimura was firm about him not paying for his coffee. A solemn silence filled the room. Shinohara relented as he asked,
"Where you always this kind?"
"…Not always."
"Because I remember the first time I met you."
Yoshimura's expression now became slightly grim.
"How did you see me?"
"…Terrifying as hell."
"I see…"
Silence once again filled the room. This time, it was a tense one.
"Seeing this side of you…anyone else would've dismissed it as a joke."
"What do you think?"
"…What happened to you that made you this man that's before me now?"
Yoshimura turned his head to the window, staring at the falling snow.
"Among other things, the Wolverine."
"I remember."
"No matter how hard I tried, he wouldn't stay down."
Yoshimura opened his eyes to reveal his kakugans.
"It was my first time meeting with an unstoppable force."
"So…what made you take in his son?"
After a short pause, Yoshimura answered,
"Mercy."
"Never thought I would ever see a ghoul practice mercy on a mutant."
"With all due respect…he never actively hunted us."
"…Point taken."
"Why are you asking me all this?"
Shinohara initially looked away, due to the nature of his upcoming actions. After taking a deep breath, he gave his answer.
"You know about what happened in the 12th ward?"
"Yes…"
"I fear that what's going to happen next…we need all the power we can muster. I don't want what happened back in New York to happen here."
"You suspect…?"
"Yes."
Shinohara then did something unthinkable. Something that shocked even him. He bowed to Yoshimura.
"I need your help…Owl."
And this is where we stop. Woo! What a twist at the end, right? I know that for many of you, this is out of line with the anime… but this is not the anime. Anyhow, hope you like it. Leave a review telling me how you love or hate this chapter. Also share with your friends, if you have any. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, and don't forget to stay safe out there. Later!