Scarlet Lady: The Toshin Quest
By Indigo Siren
Disclaimer: Tekken is © to Namco, and that all characters mentioned from under this label are only used in this fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. No money is being made from this story; it is just for fun. I do however own the basic concept and characters of my own creation.
A/N: I hope having Anna as the main character isn't putting too many people off. BTW, Billy was just a minor character, nobody important.
Chapter 2
The IPD main offices in New York City were a large technical establishment that wasn't just merely concrete and cement hitting the skyline. It was the largest of all the offices in the association and was one of the most modernised, ecologically upheld facilities. Shining glass glittered up and down in the long arranged patterns and shone out across the large vast city like a beacon proudly on a sunny day.
With these four walls, the top experts of the paranormal worked each and every day, solving cases, working forensics and generally discussing the recent events of the demon society. Any news was important news and was definitely taken seriously, no matter how weird and strange it sounded.
Weird and strange was pretty much what got around the active offices everyday. It was what they expected. Though, Forest didn't like it much. He liked his job, no doubts, but he got lumbered with the craziest cases, and today, the lines were packed jammed with them and his secretary was nowhere to be found to help him hold up the fort on the phone-line.
"I'm sorry, but you've reached the wrong department," he grumbled into the receiver. "Look, if you're looking for the team working with the biochemical part, then you should ring through to Bryan Fury's department. All you do is change the last two numbers for eight and three. Goodbye." He pressed another button. "IPD, please could you hold the line." He worked his finger across the blinking light, intercepting a new one on the panel. "This the IPD New York department, how can I assist you?"
The silver elevator doors slide open smoothly and the click of high heels added to the noise of the busy office. Phones ringing off the hook, fax machines going, the photocopier refusing to work and spewing papers across the floor, the endless babble. This was Anna's world, and she fitted in most accordingly. She brushed down the skirt of her professional cherry red suit as she crossed into the main part of the open office.
"Hey, Scarlet Lady!" A voice called over the hullabaloo. "Heard you lead that squad that bagged the backstreeter's gang! Way to go!"
She had to smile as many people pretty much stopped what they were doing and applauded her. She graciously bowed to them and continued on her way through the busy office. The open office was always a mess, and she was glad that they had offered her one with walls and a door to separate her away from all this bustle. But more or less, she was glad she was working in the offices then downstairs in the connecting department, where they dealt with the demonic criminals. She went out on many cases, but hell, she didn't want to be down there with them for too long afterwards. A nice cosy office to do her paperwork and such beat having to struggle and verbally abuse the felons till your ears bled.
Anna passed where Forest's hectic desk was. He looked up, trying to scramble through folders of paperwork as he spoke to different clients at a time on the phone. He put the phone on silent as he saw her.
"Anna, thank God you turned up. I can't find Janet anywhere and the phone lines are so tied, could you…"
She shook her head. "Sorry, meeting with the boss."
His face was desperate. "Anna, please! I can't do this alone!"
She sighed and spun. "I've got business to take care of." She paused and smiled. "But I couldn't leave you hanging without help." She snapped her fingers and called over to the people fighting with the uncooperative photocopier. "Hey! Quit playing with that and hit the phone lines! We need to clear up the airways before we're too run down to work!"
She turned on her heel and walked off.
Forest sighed, putting down the receiver, rubbing his temples. "Thanks, Anna."
She looked pretty smug as she heard Forest behind her. "No problem."
***
Lei Wulong, the IPD's driving force, was sat straight behind his desk, answering a call of his own.
"Yes, I see. I agree with you, we really need to discuss policy in the departments. Things are just so overworked. I'm getting about a hundred people wanting to talk to me personally. Half of them are former case victims; they just linger, trying to give new evidence and asking the most annoying questions. For some it's best they keep out and let us do the work." A knock came at his door, and he made a gesture for them to enter. Anna stepped in and quietly closed the door behind her. She followed his signal to sit down on the chair in front of his desk, in which she did so, waiting for him to finish the conversation. "Yes, I know it's hard to deal with every case but we try our best. We're bogged down here. Resources are becoming an issue, but frankly, we'll just have to discuss it when we're all together. Right, I have to go, duty calls. Goodbye."
He hung up and looked up to a very sympathetic Anna. "Was that your superiors?"
"Yes, the leading founders and negotiators, always being all leader like and such." He let out a long sigh. "And they are giving me enough headaches."
Anna understood that whatever they did, it would never make the IPD board happy. They were always unhappy. She watched her boss take a long drink of his strong coffee. The poor man looked tired, worn down at only half ten in the morning. The Chinese man nevertheless could not be pulled away from his duties, and anyone could give him credit. She did wonder why he didn't just go back to active duty with the police, since that's where he'd been before and doing a damn good job, but he was considered to be as strong thinker to run the operations. But maybe all this inactivity was the reason he became a tad bit bitter, a lot so towards young Anna, though she didn't help the matters by acting all cocky and independent of other people.
Now he was warmed and a little bit more refreshed by his coffee, he rose his dark brown eyes to her. "Well, Miss Williams." He emphasised on the formality. "I think you know why I called you this morning and told you to come straight to me."
"Last nights case, sir," she answered easily.
"Damn right and you do realise that you nearly put the whole operation in jeopardy?" he said, a little bit harsher then he was meaning to.
"How so, sir?" She questioned.
He sat, looking a bit taken back by that, but kept himself calm and composed. He hated this playing dumb thing she had going, and her acting all innocent and baffled about her actions, though he knew perfectly well that she knew what she was doing.
"How long had we been following up on the investigation?" He waited for her to answer but she just sat there quietly. He sighed. "Did you even read the files, read anything about this case?"
"Yes, sir, I did, and in the end." She uncrossed her legs and switched. "It was so simple."
He slammed his fist on the desk. "Only because you were filled in on certain aspects. But little did you realise how dangerous it was going to be. My God, Anna, do you realise that not only did you put yourself at risk, but you put the investigation on the line too. It was a stupid thing to do."
"Yeah, but the case is closed now, isn't it?" She asked.
He was about to say something and stopped. He thought and leant back, speaking almost with a stiff lip. "Yes it is."
"Then, no worries," she merely said.
Lei gave her a sharp glare. "You better drop this cocky little act of yours before you end up in deep waters. Things aren't always so easy." He sat forward again. "You got lucky. You may think you know what you're doing, but you honestly don't. You'd better think properly before you leap next time. And for God's sake, ask for help, you're not Wonder Woman."
"I'm the Scarlet Lady, isn't that close enough?" She smiled, but decided to cut the cheek as she could see this was really starting to get on his nerves. She cleared her throat. "I understand, sir, I promise, I won't let it happen again. I will ask for help and take more care, but this time around, waiting for everybody to work things out would have been too little too late for a lot of other women. I've saved lives, whatever the risks. Now, lets just close the case and get on with the next one, whatever that maybe."
Lei wanted to throw the book at her. Actually, any or every book he had. She didn't truly understand, and she sure as hell wasn't going to play by the rules. But he had to go with her word, as now, they had much important matters to attend to. "Right… okay." He cleared his throat, shuffling in his seat as he cleared back some paperwork on his desk to pick up a yellow, bulging file. He pushed it towards her. "This, Anna, is our next big case. You've been keeping up with the news, haven't you?" She nodded; bringing the file towards her and flipping open the cover. "Good, because I'm sure you're aware of the New York murders, the ones with life sucked victims, which is pretty much simple way of describing their deaths."
"The media has been having a field day with the murders," Anna said, staring at few of the murder victim's pictures that were wedged just inside the front cover pocket.
"Well, the LAPD have finally given up with all human aspects of the murders. No poisons, no inflicted injuries and not even a sign of illness were in any of these people. And after all their messing about, they finally dubbed it a paranormal situation and have just last night shoved it our way. We had a few of our top experts working over night on this case. Some have been dying to get their hands on it from the start, and now they've finally been delving for the truth. At about quarter to nine, information came through from our experts saying that there is no doubt now that this was a soul stealing job."
Anna's mouth dropped open. "A soul stealing job? Are they sure?"
"Positive," he said, watching her go completely pale, though he carried on anyway. "And from the bodies, surprisingly enough, there was some kind of residue, like a water that seeped onto the skin of the victims. The LAPD and anyone working from their forensics on the case couldn't distinguish this from sweat or any other water particles. But we could. And with this, we might have a positive trace to where who or whatever has been doing these murders. We're testing through water supplies, in fact, testing out sewage pipes, close household drains and picking samples from the streets and locations of the victims. In a few days we may have closed the net around our killer."
"I hope so," Anna said, looking over the file.
"It's going to be hard," he said, rubbing his forehead. "And I can tell you, there seems to be more to this case then expected. Motives and whatnot… I don't know. I want you in on this case. There could be more…" He bit his lip, struggling with a word. "… Things, in on this murder rampage."
"I understand, sir," Anna said, lifting one photo to her face. It was blurry, though a figure could be slightly made out, with an eerie glow that seemed to be emanating from it. She squinted, even moved the picture as far as possible. She finally turned it towards her boss. "Is this suppose to be our perpetrator?"
Lei took a glance at the picture and nodded.
"Kind of a bad picture, isn't it?" She said, turning it back to look over again.
"Yes, well, the video surveillance wasn't the best, and trying to pull pictures from a rather dodgy bit of tape was hard enough as it was. That, is the best they could get it."
Anna snorted. "Lovely." She kept staring at this picture for a moment, trying to make out the black, white and grey shapes. Her intent eyes focused on that figure - the murderer - but she had some sense of knowing about this person. She had a gut feeling, whether she followed it or not was a choice and a half. She put the picture down, and interlocked her hands on her lap. "Seems it's suppose to be some kind of person."
Lei shrugged, running his hand down his long ponytail. "Could be, that's what we're here to find out." The buzzer of his intercom went off and he pressed it. "Yes?"
"Sir, a Mr. Wang Jinrei, is here to see you," a sweet, feminine voice said.
"Alright, Yvonne, direct him this way," he answered and switched it off, turning back to Anna. "Well, our guest is arriving very shortly. He is going to be a big help for your information on this case."
"Who, this Mr. Wang?" She asked.
"Yes. The minute we got hold of this case, he had called in and insisted a meeting. Since you're leading this case, I will let you get the information you need."
Anna nodded. "Right, I'll do my best." She turned as the door open and a sleek, thin woman held it back for an ageing man. He wore a fine Chinese overcoat and a small hat covering his bolding head. He walked with a crooked cain, making his way over towards the desk, smiling politely.
Anna and Lei both stood and shook hands with the man.
"Ah, Mr. Lei," he said, after shaking the man's hand. "I'm glad you could see me at such short notice."
"With such important information for our case, we couldn't turn away," he said, and shifted direction, presenting Anna. "Wang Jinrei, I'd like you to meet the woman who is heading our case, Miss Anna Williams."
She nodded to him. "Hello, Mr. Wang."
"Ah yes, Anna Williams. You're that frivolous detective. Word travels about you, my dear."
"Word. I hope it's all good," she said, smiling.
Lei spoke up. "If you don't mind, Anna, you could take Mr. Wang to your office. I have to get off to a meeting now. You'll fill me in with a report later."
"Yes, sir," she nodded and turned to Wang. "If you'd like to come with me to my office, then we can get down to discussing the situation."
"Alright then," he agreed and Anna showed him to the door, opening for him and letting him past.
Lei caught her attention. "Last thing, Anna. Now that I've got you leading this case, please, don't mess this up. And ask for help, that's the main thing here."
"Alright, alright, I hear you. I'll do my best, sir." She exited the room, ignoring the disgruntled sigh from her superior. She smiled at the awaiting Mr. Wang. "Okay, just over this way."
Beating through the bustling office, she carefully led her company across towards her own office. She had to sigh at the mess of the outer offices, and still, Forest was having trouble with the phones, even with the help he was getting.
She opened the door to her office and stepped inside, holding the door. It was just like any other little office - a desk and chairs, filling cabinets, shelves of folders, a few potted plants and a few decorative essentials. Wang stepped into the office and Anna shut the door behind him, cutting off the noise outside.
"A wonderful little office, if I do say so myself," he complimented as she offered him a seat.
"I like to think so," she proudly said, taking her own seat behind her desk, the file Lei had given her set ahead. "Can I get you a drink at all?"
"Oh, no thank you, I'm fine," he answered courteously.
"Okay." She would get one for herself later. It would seem rude to go off and get one now. With them relaxed, it was time to get down to business. "Right, Mr. Wang, you wish to discuss some information you have about this latest case."
"Yes, yes," he said, finally glad to be getting down to things. He felt they needed to be told now before anything else happened. "Well, I've followed the murders for sometimes, thinking deeply about the cause. I've wanted to speak up, but the LAPD will only deal with the human cases. Anything paranormal is turned away from their doors. Very disheartening it was to have to sit back and not be able to disclose information that could indeed save lives. Well, you see, just a month or two ago, a plot of land in New Mexico was excavated, and if you can remember and I'm sure you can, all the archaeologists who were on the land were found massacred 24 hours after they hit the main part of their dig. Some sort of tomb was uncovered. And it was definitely something not quite… human that got to them."
Anna rested her chin on the back of her hand. "Yes, I remember that, and also, that was at the same time as the prison break in the close area. A whole horde of convicts - most of them mass murderers, took off across the country. And with the state of those bodies, it was assumed that they were the ones who killed them."
"All of them?" Wang questioned her. "Do you believe that?"
"Nothing came out on it again. If it doesn't need to paranormally solved then we don't deal with it."
He sighed. "Well, many high circle people in the paranormal world starting getting worried at that time. The tomb in New Mexico was a sealed chamber for that of a dangerous foe. That, of Toshin."
"Toshin?" Anna leaned forward, her face that of intrigue.
"The God of Fight. The soul stealer. Coincidence or not that there was a prison break, at least one or two, or maybe a lot of those men would have got out alive. But no, they were all killed in a sweep of this deadly monster's hand."
Anna furrowed her brow. "And, you're sure about this?"
He tapped his cain on the floor, a slight thud emanating gave to his point. "I'm very sure."
"But the men on the dig site were killed in a brutal way. They hadn't had their souls stolen."
Wang sighed, closing his eyes. "It was an act of brutality. For being locked up for so long. It was a bloody revenge."
Anna didn't know whether to believe him or not, but he definitely didn't look like the type to go around making up all kinds of stupid stories to play around with the authorities.
"All those victims are the sign of Toshin's rise to power. Toshin needs souls to gain strength and stability within this plane. But also, to heighten its power, it will search for a strong soul to possess."
"Possess…" Anna thought. "… A person… you mean, it's hiding in a form?"
"Yes, it is," he answered.
Anna blew out a long sigh. "So, it might explain the person then." She watched him nod and she sat back, getting comfortable. "It should be easy enough to apprehend this possessed person and take necessary precautions to keep it under control."
"You don't understand, Miss Williams," he implored. "Toshin is powerful. So powerful, I don't think even the IPD can handle it."
"We have to try though," she said, tapping her fingers on the desk. "We can't let it go loose. And if it is this Toshin or not, we'll find out soon. We may have locked a trace on it. We'll soon find out."
Wang looked at her, wanting to believe that she was strong enough to defeat this being. He rose up from his seat carefully, cain keeping him on a steady base. "You've been warned about the dangers. I just hope you can face the consequences of what happens. A lot of things are at stake. Lives… everything. The gate to heaven will close off. No soul will ever be free to pass on with the creature. Please… be careful." She nodded. "Now, I must bid you good day."
She stood and took his hand, shaking it. "Thank you for coming in."
"It had to be told," he said, his voice rather tired, maybe even anxious. He took his leave from there.
***
Anna stepped out into the warm city air, taking to the packed streets as she went on her lunch break. She wasn't going to sit around in the IPD's tiny little cafeteria, eating nothing but break sticks and crisps. Her mind was filled with thoughts about this Toshin creature Wang Jinrei mentioned. She felt there was something about this thing that could spell big trouble for her and everyone else trying to crack this case.
'I hope I don't go in way over my head,' she thought. This time, she would definitely need help.
She jumped when a hand tapped her shoulder. She gasped and then clamped her lips together into a firm scowl at the blonde man beside her.
"Paul, can't you ever leave me alone?" She asked, seething.
He put his hands up in defence. "Hey, calm down. Just wanted to say hi."
"Then say it and leave me alone. I'm going to lunch," she said.
"Hey, I'm going to lunch too. Mind if I tag along?" He flashed her a smile.
She strode onwards anyway. "Yes, I do mind."
He immediately went to catch her up. "Aww, come on. You don't want to eat alone. Need some company to tell your sob stories to."
"You just want to be the shoulder I cry on." She just laughed. "Fat chance that will happen, Phoenix. And besides, what's on my mind is work, and I want to not think about murders when I'm slapping ketchup on my fries."
"Murders…" He lagged behind her. "Those New York ones I guess."
"None of your business," she said lowly, stuffing her hands into her blazer pockets.
"I knew I was right. The look on your face." She gave him the iciest stare. "You love me really."
"Uh… no." She carried on, but he kept persisting to follow.
"Heard some strange stuff down my way about those murders. The demons are kind of edgy. Hearing about, well… Toshin and all…" Her hand slapped over his mouth, clamping down hard. His words of protest were muffled.
"Toshin…" Her voice was a whisper. "What do you know?"
He pulled her hand back. "That it's one dangerous asshole." He gave her an inquiring look. "You're not… leading into an investigation behind it are you?"
"Would it be your business if I was?" She snapped.
He began to look worried, which suddenly took her back. "You've got to be careful. Toshin is a fucker to take down, well, so I've heard…"
"Where… Where have you heard?" She asked, stopping them along a corner stretch of street, near a closed off door and porch.
"Got told about Toshin when I was little demon. My Pa always told me about the powerful demons. Always got me striving towards power."
She rolled her eyes, folding her arms. "Why am I not surprised…"
"Seriously though, you've got to be careful. Wouldn't want anything to happen to your pretty little ass." He gave her an admiring look towards her behind.
She pushed him back. "You're only got your own ass to worry about buster, because I'll park my foot straight up it if you keep following me around." She turned abruptly and trotted off into the crowd that was scooting out across the big road.
Paul sighed, watching her go. "Women…"
*********************************************************************************
A/N: And that was Chapter 2 - The Chapter with a wad load of information in. *Wipes forehead* BTW, I know Wang Jinrei isn't a Tekken 3 character, but I just needed him in there anyway. Okay, look out for the next chapter soon!
By Indigo Siren
Disclaimer: Tekken is © to Namco, and that all characters mentioned from under this label are only used in this fan fiction for entertainment purposes only. No money is being made from this story; it is just for fun. I do however own the basic concept and characters of my own creation.
A/N: I hope having Anna as the main character isn't putting too many people off. BTW, Billy was just a minor character, nobody important.
Chapter 2
The IPD main offices in New York City were a large technical establishment that wasn't just merely concrete and cement hitting the skyline. It was the largest of all the offices in the association and was one of the most modernised, ecologically upheld facilities. Shining glass glittered up and down in the long arranged patterns and shone out across the large vast city like a beacon proudly on a sunny day.
With these four walls, the top experts of the paranormal worked each and every day, solving cases, working forensics and generally discussing the recent events of the demon society. Any news was important news and was definitely taken seriously, no matter how weird and strange it sounded.
Weird and strange was pretty much what got around the active offices everyday. It was what they expected. Though, Forest didn't like it much. He liked his job, no doubts, but he got lumbered with the craziest cases, and today, the lines were packed jammed with them and his secretary was nowhere to be found to help him hold up the fort on the phone-line.
"I'm sorry, but you've reached the wrong department," he grumbled into the receiver. "Look, if you're looking for the team working with the biochemical part, then you should ring through to Bryan Fury's department. All you do is change the last two numbers for eight and three. Goodbye." He pressed another button. "IPD, please could you hold the line." He worked his finger across the blinking light, intercepting a new one on the panel. "This the IPD New York department, how can I assist you?"
The silver elevator doors slide open smoothly and the click of high heels added to the noise of the busy office. Phones ringing off the hook, fax machines going, the photocopier refusing to work and spewing papers across the floor, the endless babble. This was Anna's world, and she fitted in most accordingly. She brushed down the skirt of her professional cherry red suit as she crossed into the main part of the open office.
"Hey, Scarlet Lady!" A voice called over the hullabaloo. "Heard you lead that squad that bagged the backstreeter's gang! Way to go!"
She had to smile as many people pretty much stopped what they were doing and applauded her. She graciously bowed to them and continued on her way through the busy office. The open office was always a mess, and she was glad that they had offered her one with walls and a door to separate her away from all this bustle. But more or less, she was glad she was working in the offices then downstairs in the connecting department, where they dealt with the demonic criminals. She went out on many cases, but hell, she didn't want to be down there with them for too long afterwards. A nice cosy office to do her paperwork and such beat having to struggle and verbally abuse the felons till your ears bled.
Anna passed where Forest's hectic desk was. He looked up, trying to scramble through folders of paperwork as he spoke to different clients at a time on the phone. He put the phone on silent as he saw her.
"Anna, thank God you turned up. I can't find Janet anywhere and the phone lines are so tied, could you…"
She shook her head. "Sorry, meeting with the boss."
His face was desperate. "Anna, please! I can't do this alone!"
She sighed and spun. "I've got business to take care of." She paused and smiled. "But I couldn't leave you hanging without help." She snapped her fingers and called over to the people fighting with the uncooperative photocopier. "Hey! Quit playing with that and hit the phone lines! We need to clear up the airways before we're too run down to work!"
She turned on her heel and walked off.
Forest sighed, putting down the receiver, rubbing his temples. "Thanks, Anna."
She looked pretty smug as she heard Forest behind her. "No problem."
***
Lei Wulong, the IPD's driving force, was sat straight behind his desk, answering a call of his own.
"Yes, I see. I agree with you, we really need to discuss policy in the departments. Things are just so overworked. I'm getting about a hundred people wanting to talk to me personally. Half of them are former case victims; they just linger, trying to give new evidence and asking the most annoying questions. For some it's best they keep out and let us do the work." A knock came at his door, and he made a gesture for them to enter. Anna stepped in and quietly closed the door behind her. She followed his signal to sit down on the chair in front of his desk, in which she did so, waiting for him to finish the conversation. "Yes, I know it's hard to deal with every case but we try our best. We're bogged down here. Resources are becoming an issue, but frankly, we'll just have to discuss it when we're all together. Right, I have to go, duty calls. Goodbye."
He hung up and looked up to a very sympathetic Anna. "Was that your superiors?"
"Yes, the leading founders and negotiators, always being all leader like and such." He let out a long sigh. "And they are giving me enough headaches."
Anna understood that whatever they did, it would never make the IPD board happy. They were always unhappy. She watched her boss take a long drink of his strong coffee. The poor man looked tired, worn down at only half ten in the morning. The Chinese man nevertheless could not be pulled away from his duties, and anyone could give him credit. She did wonder why he didn't just go back to active duty with the police, since that's where he'd been before and doing a damn good job, but he was considered to be as strong thinker to run the operations. But maybe all this inactivity was the reason he became a tad bit bitter, a lot so towards young Anna, though she didn't help the matters by acting all cocky and independent of other people.
Now he was warmed and a little bit more refreshed by his coffee, he rose his dark brown eyes to her. "Well, Miss Williams." He emphasised on the formality. "I think you know why I called you this morning and told you to come straight to me."
"Last nights case, sir," she answered easily.
"Damn right and you do realise that you nearly put the whole operation in jeopardy?" he said, a little bit harsher then he was meaning to.
"How so, sir?" She questioned.
He sat, looking a bit taken back by that, but kept himself calm and composed. He hated this playing dumb thing she had going, and her acting all innocent and baffled about her actions, though he knew perfectly well that she knew what she was doing.
"How long had we been following up on the investigation?" He waited for her to answer but she just sat there quietly. He sighed. "Did you even read the files, read anything about this case?"
"Yes, sir, I did, and in the end." She uncrossed her legs and switched. "It was so simple."
He slammed his fist on the desk. "Only because you were filled in on certain aspects. But little did you realise how dangerous it was going to be. My God, Anna, do you realise that not only did you put yourself at risk, but you put the investigation on the line too. It was a stupid thing to do."
"Yeah, but the case is closed now, isn't it?" She asked.
He was about to say something and stopped. He thought and leant back, speaking almost with a stiff lip. "Yes it is."
"Then, no worries," she merely said.
Lei gave her a sharp glare. "You better drop this cocky little act of yours before you end up in deep waters. Things aren't always so easy." He sat forward again. "You got lucky. You may think you know what you're doing, but you honestly don't. You'd better think properly before you leap next time. And for God's sake, ask for help, you're not Wonder Woman."
"I'm the Scarlet Lady, isn't that close enough?" She smiled, but decided to cut the cheek as she could see this was really starting to get on his nerves. She cleared her throat. "I understand, sir, I promise, I won't let it happen again. I will ask for help and take more care, but this time around, waiting for everybody to work things out would have been too little too late for a lot of other women. I've saved lives, whatever the risks. Now, lets just close the case and get on with the next one, whatever that maybe."
Lei wanted to throw the book at her. Actually, any or every book he had. She didn't truly understand, and she sure as hell wasn't going to play by the rules. But he had to go with her word, as now, they had much important matters to attend to. "Right… okay." He cleared his throat, shuffling in his seat as he cleared back some paperwork on his desk to pick up a yellow, bulging file. He pushed it towards her. "This, Anna, is our next big case. You've been keeping up with the news, haven't you?" She nodded; bringing the file towards her and flipping open the cover. "Good, because I'm sure you're aware of the New York murders, the ones with life sucked victims, which is pretty much simple way of describing their deaths."
"The media has been having a field day with the murders," Anna said, staring at few of the murder victim's pictures that were wedged just inside the front cover pocket.
"Well, the LAPD have finally given up with all human aspects of the murders. No poisons, no inflicted injuries and not even a sign of illness were in any of these people. And after all their messing about, they finally dubbed it a paranormal situation and have just last night shoved it our way. We had a few of our top experts working over night on this case. Some have been dying to get their hands on it from the start, and now they've finally been delving for the truth. At about quarter to nine, information came through from our experts saying that there is no doubt now that this was a soul stealing job."
Anna's mouth dropped open. "A soul stealing job? Are they sure?"
"Positive," he said, watching her go completely pale, though he carried on anyway. "And from the bodies, surprisingly enough, there was some kind of residue, like a water that seeped onto the skin of the victims. The LAPD and anyone working from their forensics on the case couldn't distinguish this from sweat or any other water particles. But we could. And with this, we might have a positive trace to where who or whatever has been doing these murders. We're testing through water supplies, in fact, testing out sewage pipes, close household drains and picking samples from the streets and locations of the victims. In a few days we may have closed the net around our killer."
"I hope so," Anna said, looking over the file.
"It's going to be hard," he said, rubbing his forehead. "And I can tell you, there seems to be more to this case then expected. Motives and whatnot… I don't know. I want you in on this case. There could be more…" He bit his lip, struggling with a word. "… Things, in on this murder rampage."
"I understand, sir," Anna said, lifting one photo to her face. It was blurry, though a figure could be slightly made out, with an eerie glow that seemed to be emanating from it. She squinted, even moved the picture as far as possible. She finally turned it towards her boss. "Is this suppose to be our perpetrator?"
Lei took a glance at the picture and nodded.
"Kind of a bad picture, isn't it?" She said, turning it back to look over again.
"Yes, well, the video surveillance wasn't the best, and trying to pull pictures from a rather dodgy bit of tape was hard enough as it was. That, is the best they could get it."
Anna snorted. "Lovely." She kept staring at this picture for a moment, trying to make out the black, white and grey shapes. Her intent eyes focused on that figure - the murderer - but she had some sense of knowing about this person. She had a gut feeling, whether she followed it or not was a choice and a half. She put the picture down, and interlocked her hands on her lap. "Seems it's suppose to be some kind of person."
Lei shrugged, running his hand down his long ponytail. "Could be, that's what we're here to find out." The buzzer of his intercom went off and he pressed it. "Yes?"
"Sir, a Mr. Wang Jinrei, is here to see you," a sweet, feminine voice said.
"Alright, Yvonne, direct him this way," he answered and switched it off, turning back to Anna. "Well, our guest is arriving very shortly. He is going to be a big help for your information on this case."
"Who, this Mr. Wang?" She asked.
"Yes. The minute we got hold of this case, he had called in and insisted a meeting. Since you're leading this case, I will let you get the information you need."
Anna nodded. "Right, I'll do my best." She turned as the door open and a sleek, thin woman held it back for an ageing man. He wore a fine Chinese overcoat and a small hat covering his bolding head. He walked with a crooked cain, making his way over towards the desk, smiling politely.
Anna and Lei both stood and shook hands with the man.
"Ah, Mr. Lei," he said, after shaking the man's hand. "I'm glad you could see me at such short notice."
"With such important information for our case, we couldn't turn away," he said, and shifted direction, presenting Anna. "Wang Jinrei, I'd like you to meet the woman who is heading our case, Miss Anna Williams."
She nodded to him. "Hello, Mr. Wang."
"Ah yes, Anna Williams. You're that frivolous detective. Word travels about you, my dear."
"Word. I hope it's all good," she said, smiling.
Lei spoke up. "If you don't mind, Anna, you could take Mr. Wang to your office. I have to get off to a meeting now. You'll fill me in with a report later."
"Yes, sir," she nodded and turned to Wang. "If you'd like to come with me to my office, then we can get down to discussing the situation."
"Alright then," he agreed and Anna showed him to the door, opening for him and letting him past.
Lei caught her attention. "Last thing, Anna. Now that I've got you leading this case, please, don't mess this up. And ask for help, that's the main thing here."
"Alright, alright, I hear you. I'll do my best, sir." She exited the room, ignoring the disgruntled sigh from her superior. She smiled at the awaiting Mr. Wang. "Okay, just over this way."
Beating through the bustling office, she carefully led her company across towards her own office. She had to sigh at the mess of the outer offices, and still, Forest was having trouble with the phones, even with the help he was getting.
She opened the door to her office and stepped inside, holding the door. It was just like any other little office - a desk and chairs, filling cabinets, shelves of folders, a few potted plants and a few decorative essentials. Wang stepped into the office and Anna shut the door behind him, cutting off the noise outside.
"A wonderful little office, if I do say so myself," he complimented as she offered him a seat.
"I like to think so," she proudly said, taking her own seat behind her desk, the file Lei had given her set ahead. "Can I get you a drink at all?"
"Oh, no thank you, I'm fine," he answered courteously.
"Okay." She would get one for herself later. It would seem rude to go off and get one now. With them relaxed, it was time to get down to business. "Right, Mr. Wang, you wish to discuss some information you have about this latest case."
"Yes, yes," he said, finally glad to be getting down to things. He felt they needed to be told now before anything else happened. "Well, I've followed the murders for sometimes, thinking deeply about the cause. I've wanted to speak up, but the LAPD will only deal with the human cases. Anything paranormal is turned away from their doors. Very disheartening it was to have to sit back and not be able to disclose information that could indeed save lives. Well, you see, just a month or two ago, a plot of land in New Mexico was excavated, and if you can remember and I'm sure you can, all the archaeologists who were on the land were found massacred 24 hours after they hit the main part of their dig. Some sort of tomb was uncovered. And it was definitely something not quite… human that got to them."
Anna rested her chin on the back of her hand. "Yes, I remember that, and also, that was at the same time as the prison break in the close area. A whole horde of convicts - most of them mass murderers, took off across the country. And with the state of those bodies, it was assumed that they were the ones who killed them."
"All of them?" Wang questioned her. "Do you believe that?"
"Nothing came out on it again. If it doesn't need to paranormally solved then we don't deal with it."
He sighed. "Well, many high circle people in the paranormal world starting getting worried at that time. The tomb in New Mexico was a sealed chamber for that of a dangerous foe. That, of Toshin."
"Toshin?" Anna leaned forward, her face that of intrigue.
"The God of Fight. The soul stealer. Coincidence or not that there was a prison break, at least one or two, or maybe a lot of those men would have got out alive. But no, they were all killed in a sweep of this deadly monster's hand."
Anna furrowed her brow. "And, you're sure about this?"
He tapped his cain on the floor, a slight thud emanating gave to his point. "I'm very sure."
"But the men on the dig site were killed in a brutal way. They hadn't had their souls stolen."
Wang sighed, closing his eyes. "It was an act of brutality. For being locked up for so long. It was a bloody revenge."
Anna didn't know whether to believe him or not, but he definitely didn't look like the type to go around making up all kinds of stupid stories to play around with the authorities.
"All those victims are the sign of Toshin's rise to power. Toshin needs souls to gain strength and stability within this plane. But also, to heighten its power, it will search for a strong soul to possess."
"Possess…" Anna thought. "… A person… you mean, it's hiding in a form?"
"Yes, it is," he answered.
Anna blew out a long sigh. "So, it might explain the person then." She watched him nod and she sat back, getting comfortable. "It should be easy enough to apprehend this possessed person and take necessary precautions to keep it under control."
"You don't understand, Miss Williams," he implored. "Toshin is powerful. So powerful, I don't think even the IPD can handle it."
"We have to try though," she said, tapping her fingers on the desk. "We can't let it go loose. And if it is this Toshin or not, we'll find out soon. We may have locked a trace on it. We'll soon find out."
Wang looked at her, wanting to believe that she was strong enough to defeat this being. He rose up from his seat carefully, cain keeping him on a steady base. "You've been warned about the dangers. I just hope you can face the consequences of what happens. A lot of things are at stake. Lives… everything. The gate to heaven will close off. No soul will ever be free to pass on with the creature. Please… be careful." She nodded. "Now, I must bid you good day."
She stood and took his hand, shaking it. "Thank you for coming in."
"It had to be told," he said, his voice rather tired, maybe even anxious. He took his leave from there.
***
Anna stepped out into the warm city air, taking to the packed streets as she went on her lunch break. She wasn't going to sit around in the IPD's tiny little cafeteria, eating nothing but break sticks and crisps. Her mind was filled with thoughts about this Toshin creature Wang Jinrei mentioned. She felt there was something about this thing that could spell big trouble for her and everyone else trying to crack this case.
'I hope I don't go in way over my head,' she thought. This time, she would definitely need help.
She jumped when a hand tapped her shoulder. She gasped and then clamped her lips together into a firm scowl at the blonde man beside her.
"Paul, can't you ever leave me alone?" She asked, seething.
He put his hands up in defence. "Hey, calm down. Just wanted to say hi."
"Then say it and leave me alone. I'm going to lunch," she said.
"Hey, I'm going to lunch too. Mind if I tag along?" He flashed her a smile.
She strode onwards anyway. "Yes, I do mind."
He immediately went to catch her up. "Aww, come on. You don't want to eat alone. Need some company to tell your sob stories to."
"You just want to be the shoulder I cry on." She just laughed. "Fat chance that will happen, Phoenix. And besides, what's on my mind is work, and I want to not think about murders when I'm slapping ketchup on my fries."
"Murders…" He lagged behind her. "Those New York ones I guess."
"None of your business," she said lowly, stuffing her hands into her blazer pockets.
"I knew I was right. The look on your face." She gave him the iciest stare. "You love me really."
"Uh… no." She carried on, but he kept persisting to follow.
"Heard some strange stuff down my way about those murders. The demons are kind of edgy. Hearing about, well… Toshin and all…" Her hand slapped over his mouth, clamping down hard. His words of protest were muffled.
"Toshin…" Her voice was a whisper. "What do you know?"
He pulled her hand back. "That it's one dangerous asshole." He gave her an inquiring look. "You're not… leading into an investigation behind it are you?"
"Would it be your business if I was?" She snapped.
He began to look worried, which suddenly took her back. "You've got to be careful. Toshin is a fucker to take down, well, so I've heard…"
"Where… Where have you heard?" She asked, stopping them along a corner stretch of street, near a closed off door and porch.
"Got told about Toshin when I was little demon. My Pa always told me about the powerful demons. Always got me striving towards power."
She rolled her eyes, folding her arms. "Why am I not surprised…"
"Seriously though, you've got to be careful. Wouldn't want anything to happen to your pretty little ass." He gave her an admiring look towards her behind.
She pushed him back. "You're only got your own ass to worry about buster, because I'll park my foot straight up it if you keep following me around." She turned abruptly and trotted off into the crowd that was scooting out across the big road.
Paul sighed, watching her go. "Women…"
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A/N: And that was Chapter 2 - The Chapter with a wad load of information in. *Wipes forehead* BTW, I know Wang Jinrei isn't a Tekken 3 character, but I just needed him in there anyway. Okay, look out for the next chapter soon!