Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Chapter 7: Stranger Dealings

Stumbling numbly through the back streets, Shina – the mercenary daughter of Alan Gado – was lost and almost out of her mind. The shadows appeared to distort and twist before her eyes, tricking her confused mind into thinking they were her comrades. She called out to them, tried to chase them, but they kept melting away, much to her abject horror. She was breathless, dragging herself along the wall for support. Where had it all gone wrong? Where did her comrades disappear to? Why was she all alone? Her head pounded with exhaustion, the temples feeling like they were going to explode. She dragged her fingers through her hair, trying to will herself through the mental fog.

"Why does it hurt so much?! What is this pressure?! Where is everyone? Where did they go?" She stumbled and fell to her knees. "Why can't I remember? Please let me think without this pain!" She hit the sides of her head with clammy, dirty palms. Her breaths became hitched in her chest, as if her body was forgetting how to take in oxygen. For a moment she appeared to blackout, but suddenly shot back up again as a rat scuttled from between some trash cans and rushed into a shadowy corner for safety. She began to crawl, desperate and afraid, looking up at the starry sky, which seemed to keep growing, consuming everything. "I can't take it... I can't take it..."

In the back of her dull mind, she could hear shrill laughter, cruel and unforgiving. It was like it was made up a thousand different voices, all mocking her as she crawled through the filthy alley.

"Stop it! STOP IT! SHUT UP!" She scrambled to her feet and staggered forward, swinging her arms, trying to battle unknown demons. She tried to run but her legs felt like they were made of jelly and lurched side to side before crashing back against the wall, barely managing to keep herself upright. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"

Every sound that entered her ears was like an irritating chalkboard scratching noise, seemingly getting louder and louder. She buried her face into her hands; her breaths hissed through her fingers as she refrained from snarling at the clamour confounding her senses.

Tiredness finally caused her to curl up on a set of steps that led to a backdoor of a meatpacking factory. Her fingers dragged along the worn concrete desperately, as if she wanted to rip the ground open and throw herself into the hellish depths. Finally overcome by her anguish, she screamed – long and loud – the sound like a wounded animal filled with primal rage.

Nagi's eyes snapped open to pre-dawn darkness. They took a few moments to adjust to the subdued light in the room. She shifted her body to roll onto her side on the soft futon, stretching her legs slightly to get some feeling back into them. She leant over to check her watch, which she'd stuffed into one of the side pockets of her backpack, guessing she had roughly slept for nearly six hours. Though still a little achy, she was quite refreshed. She contemplated leaving early, but decided she would at least take in breakfast before setting off again. She would need the sustenance to keep her strength up.

She lay wondering for a short time if she should get another hour of rest before getting up to hunt for food, but she didn't think she could sleep anymore; so for the time being, she just lay there staring at the wall, counting the cracks she make out in the dim room.

Eventually she rolled over onto her other side, looking over at the man resting a few metres away from her on a separate futon. ShenLong looked so innocent while he slept, which seemed like it shouldn't be possible. Usually people wouldn't use the word 'innocent' and 'ShenLong' in the same sentence, but there he was, resting peacefully with a placid look on his face, his cocky persona buried beneath blissful sleep. His breaths were even, which gently tickled against the few stray hairs dangling down onto his face.

He was only staying in her room because it had been abundantly clear that neither Long nor ShenLong would have tolerated sharing a space. And with little room elsewhere, this was the only alternative. It wasn't really the done thing to have men and women sharing in such a place, though she wasn't the only one, as Uriko was sharing with Long due to these arrangements – but those two were like a parent and child anyway, so they could get away with it without much scorn – not that you dared call Uriko a child to her face. Nagi wasn't too bothered either way. She had made it very clear that this was all innocent and two people of the opposite sex could actually share a room without it becoming anything more. Though, she had however warned her roommate that if he tried any funny business, she'd castrate him.

Nagi had retreated to bed before him, as ShenLong had decided to go in search of alcohol at the shrine, which had been a bit of a false hope on his part. She wasn't sure what time he had finally come to bed, but he had done so quietly enough not to wake her.

She sat up, pulling her robe tighter around her. Though fixed at the waist with a sash, it had come loose around her upper torso, and she didn't want to accidentally spill out. ShenLong had been given one as well, but he had left his wide open, which had bundled up beneath him forgotten, leaving his chiselled chest and torso exposed where he'd pushed down the covers in his sleep. Crudely she wondered if he was wearing anything below the waist. She chuckled inwardly at such a naughty thought and decided she was probably better getting up and going somewhere that didn't have quite so much flesh on show; not that she didn't sneak another peak as she quietly climbed out of bed, careful not to disturb his peaceful slumber.

You're an intriguing guy, ShenLong, she thought as she padded over towards the sliding door. Sexy to boot, but definitely more intriguing...

ShenLong rolled over in his sleep, and she caught a quick flash of naked rear before it disappeared back under the covers. She blushed instantly. That answered her question.

She was tempted to shout 'fire!' and see what would happened if he had to jump up in a hurry while in such a state of undress. Shaking her head at such thoughts, she carefully slid the door open a jar – just enough to fit through – and slipped out, closing it behind her.

Her feet padded softly across the smooth wooden flooring. She hugged herself, trying to ignore the chill in the hallway. The air had a wonderful fresh scent, untainted by the dust and grim of the city. But even as clean and enticing as such a peaceful place was, she missed the city; she particularly missed the scent of oil as she worked under a car bonnet or tinkered with her bike.

Nagi briefly stopped when she noticed the door to another bedroom slightly open. She could see Long and Uriko bedded down inside. The young cat-girl was snuggled down into her sheets, the cotton encasing her frame up to her chin. She had such a cute expression on her face, all nuzzled into her pillow. To see her so quiet and peaceful was a stark contrast to her loud mouthed over-enthusiasm. Nagi cast her eyes over to Long, who slept peacefully off to Uriko's left. His glasses and hair ties rested with his folded clothing off in one corner of the room. She thought he looked better with his hair down, cascading around him like a fan of feathers. Though his face was what drew her the most. ShenLong was definitely a perfect copy of this man – same lips, same bone structure, same face shape – and yet they were worlds apart when it came to personality. She smiled to herself and shut their door quietly, continuing on up the hall to the stairs to go up to the top room of the shrine.

The gusting wind hummed through the open room, which was lit in a grey-blue glow from the early morning sky. The air was crisp and peaceful, with only the faintest sounds of birds making their morning calls. She was contented as she strolled into the centre of the room, closing her eyes as she let the breeze caress her face.

But her contentment was short-lived. Her expression quickly turned into a frown as a foreign aura tickled her senses. She was sensing another Zoanthrope, one with an unusual power. She could tell they were strong.

"Who's there?" She called softly.

"You felt me, Zoanthrope." A smooth voice said with a mellifluous tone. "Though, how could one miss my power?"

Nagi took up a fighting stance, ill at ease all of a sudden.

The voice chuckled. "So apprehensive..." A shadow moved across one side of the room, turning Nagi's attention to her left, but she couldn't see anyone. "Are you afraid?"

"Do I have reason to be afraid?" Nagi asked.

There was a pause, before a figure stepped out across the way, standing on the balcony. "That depends. What kind of fighter are you? Weak or strong?"

The figure was a beautiful woman with startling amber eyes that seemed to glow even in such a dim light. The waning moonlight caught her hair, which shimmered an unusual silvery-blue. She appeared to be wearing a modified rubber and metal plated suit, like something out of a sci-fi novel. She had broken chains clamped around both wrists, and even a piece attached to her hair. Nagi couldn't help think she might be an escaped lunatic.

Just what I need. A crazy woman.

The blue haired woman brushed aside her tresses, though a few fell straight back into their previous place. "You have a strange aura," she said, regarding her with intrigue. "I was drawn here by the sense of a strange power. It reminded me of the Unborn."

"The Unborn!" Nagi exclaimed, her mouth turning dry.

The woman chuckled. "You know of it? I am not surprised at all. But it isn't the Unborn... but he was here, wasn't he? Do you know where he went?"

Nagi stared at her stiffly. "Why do you want to know?" She asked with disdain.

"I was just curious. He is quite a powerful being." She sighed, slightly upset it seemed. "What a shame." She entered the room, though not by walking. She hovered like a ghost.

Nagi's breath hitched. For a moment she thought she was dreaming. Nevertheless, she stood her ground.

"I feel something from you, girl…" The woman whispered. "Your power... it does seem akin to the Unborn."

"I am NOT the unborn," Nagi snapped through gritted teeth, a scowl on her face. "Who the hell are you?"

The blue haired beauty stopped a few metres from Nagi. "They call me Uranus." She leaned forward. "What is your name?"

"Nagi." She was somewhat unnerved by the intense stare of the woman's amber eyes. "Who are 'they'?"

"My creators. They are gone now." She seemed somewhat amused. "They may have given me a name, but I don't require it. I need nothing to validate my existence."

"I see..." Nagi wasn't sure what to say, she just felt that this encounter was not going to go in a pleasant direction.

Uranus laughed to herself, cocking her head to the side. "You're very unique."

"I like to think so."

The energy that surrounded the mysterious woman seemed to grow, licking at Nagi's skin almost tauntingly. 'The Spurious' kept her defences up, defiant in the face of such power. Uranus may have been smiling, but it was an empty expression.

Uranus raised her hand, reaching out as if she was going to touch her, but instead she just seemed to caress the air around her. "Your energy is fascinating. It tries to mimic the Unborn... but..." She leaned in, their faces almost touching. "... It is fake."

Nagi said nothing, eyes fiercely locked on the ones in front of her. They were close enough to kiss, but there was nothing intimate about this situation. It was a power game.

"Let me taste your power," Uranus cooed.

"Are you corrupted by the violence, too?" Nagi took a big step back. "How the hell did you get through the protective wards?"

Uranus gave a hearty laugh. "Silly, silly girl. You think one such as me would be so easily consumed by such an influence?" She spread her arms, her fingers wide and outstretched, as greenish blue electricity sparked around her body. "I don't need the violence to give me a reason to fight."

"So you're just insane?"

"I don't like labels. They are just so restrictive." Uranus flicked her hair back. "So, will you not let me taste that power of yours? Will you not let indulge me in a little contest? I want to see what you truly are out in the open." She brought up one of her hands to point at her, making a motion almost like a beckon.

Nagi started to feel lightheaded all of a sudden, a heat rising from the centre of her body. She staggered back, overwhelmed, gasping as red electricity danced up around her form.

Shit, she's trying to call my power out of me... How the hell...?

Uranus's own body crackled with electricity, the air now thick with both their powers combined. The room was aglow in reds, greens and blues. Uranus revelled in it all. Nagi felt sick, as if she was drunk at the worst disco ever. She could tell Uranus was trying to bring 'The Spurious' out, but what was she going to do when it was standing before her? Was she some power mad harlot who would try to take her powers for herself? But Nagi wasn't going to just let this woman try to take her power away from her.

I won't let you toy with me like this! She said, regaining her senses.

She focused on the intermingling power in the room, drawing from it to fill herself. She could feel the other woman's beast, something that wasn't particularly stable despite its great power. Something whispered in her ear – possibly a message from Gaia – that said one single word: Chimera.

Nagi tried not to allow her feelings to be swayed, drawing instead on her own inner strength and determination to concentrate this power she was absorbing. She needed to dispel this demon in the flesh; she needed to protect this sanctuary from insanity.

"GO AWAY!" Nagi roared. The air seemed to erupt with a power so intense that neither woman could breathe for a moment. And then, a burst of red light erupted from Nagi's body and flew straight into Uranus, like an almighty gut punch.

Uranus smiled almost deliriously. "Such wonderful power," she whispered, looking over at the other woman, who had morphed from human to 'Spurious'. She was so lost basking within the powerful currents, that she realised too little too late that the strange Zoanthrope had turned her powers back on her, and a rush of electric-charged energy roared back through the air towards her and blasted her right out of the room. Uranus screamed as she was flung through the banister, which splintered open on impact, and she fell from a great height, right into the courtyard below.

The protective wards reacted for the first time, flaring to life with a shrill hum. A flash of bold white light filled the room and Nagi was thrown to the floor, held down by a force that condemned such violence within its realm. She could hear whispers of prayer echoing overheard, disembodied voices that floated into her ears softly.

"No, stop!" She hissed, the pain in her chest burning from where she was being held. "I didn't mean to! I don't want to the bring violence here! Please stop it!"

Somewhere inside herself, she could have sworn something else screamed in pain when touched by the purity – something that wasn't really her.

For a moment Nagi thought she had blacked out. She seemed to lose all sense of time and reality. At first, she didn't seem to realise the ward had eventually released her from its grip, seemingly sensing that she was of no threat. When she started to regain some corporeal semblance of consciousness, she realised the weight and burning that had been inside her had disappeared. Instead, she was left feeling cold and breathless.

Soft, warm fingers touched her back cautiously. "Nagi?" A voice spoke, and she sat up bolt upright.

Uriko hopped back in shock. She was somewhat taken aback by Nagi's 'beast' form. She still resembled the girl from before, just covered in red plating with yellow accents. Her hair had also turned bright red, as had one eye. The most distinctive feature was the blade on her right arm, which was currently folded up out of the way.

"Uriko," Nagi whispered, her 'Spurious' voice echoing. She noticed that just behind the girl was Long, his expression showing mild surprise in regards to her form, though he quickly turned his gaze away as he noticed the damaged balcony and went over to inspect.

"Is she dead?" Nagi asked Long when he stopped to look into the yard below.

The Chinese man stared at the prone figure laying unconscious on the grounds. He instantly recognised who it was. "I do not believe she is."

ShenLong stepped into the room, his robe wrapped around him properly now, just as Uriko helped Nagi to her feet. The tiger Zoanthrope stopped and gaped at her. He'd sensed she was a unique Zoanthrope, but this wasn't what he'd expected.

Nagi looked at him, trying to figure out his expression. Was he disappointed that she wasn't an animal much like the average Zoanthrope? Though, from what she could make out, at least he didn't appear disgusted. In fact, there was a glint of approval in his eye.

It was then she really took notice of her state – beyond her Zoanthrope transformation anyway – with which she finally realised her robe was a tattered mess, barely covering her body. She gripped what pieces that were still intact and held them tightly around her plated-form form, looking down, somewhat exhausted by her experience.

"Will you be okay?" Uriko asked her.

She nodded softly. "I'll be fine."

Sweetly patting her shoulder, Uriko then wandered over to where Long was stood and joined him in looking down at the woman. She was instantly shocked.

"I've seen her before…" Uriko murmured.

"Uranus," Long confirmed.

Uriko looked at him. "Uranus? That's her name? Wow…" She looked backed to unconscious form below. "What was she doing here? Who is she?"

"She was created for the purpose of war," he told her, "similar to what Tyron was trying to do. Whether or not she was a direct product of Tyron, I cannot say." He was hesitant to relay the next piece of information, something that had been divulged to him in confidence from Gado and Jenny after an investigation. But it was time for Uriko to find out anyway. "Uriko, she was created from you."

"Eh!?" Uriko jumped back with shock, completely flabbergasted. Even Nagi looked up upon hearing his words.

"Remember when you were experimented on and you changed into that woman? Well, you may not remember too much about that form, but when you did, samples were taken from you to be used to mass produce clones. She is the only one known to have survived the process, but she is unstable. She has powers that are truly incomprehensible. It has even been speculated that she can bend time itself. Though, her fragile mind has not been able to handle much of what has happened to her. She has become quite disturbed."

"I... can't believe this is true. Another me? Well, sort of I guess..."

Long placed a hand on her shoulder. "I am sorry that you have only just found this out now. It is probably very confusing for you."

Uriko said nothing, lost for words. I have a clone too... This is so weird...

A number of shrine maidens rushed into the room after feeling the spell of the ward take effect. Upon seeing Nagi, they seemed genuinely perplexed and afraid of her, though Long was quick to step in to reassure their fears.

"She means no harm. It was just a misunderstanding." He then indicated towards the balcony. "However there is a woman who was here that was thrown from the balcony into the courtyard. Though she does not seem too badly injured, she does require the care of the shrine to recover. Maybe while she is here her mind may have chance to heal from all she had been through."

Nagi turned as ShenLong touched her shoulder. "Doing okay?" He asked.

"I'm just a little bit confused at the moment. Other than that I'm fine."

"Well, I didn't expect this place to get so exciting. Kind of bummed I missed all the action." He suddenly started to smirk. "But I least I got to check out your other form. I didn't think you could get any sexier."

She scoffed. She wasn't overly enthralled with this new body herself, but she didn't seem all that annoyed that he seemed to like it. She watched the shrine maidens depart in a hurry, contemplating everything that had happened. She had so much to learn about this power she had been given. What other little secrets were going to come to light? And what other links would she find that connected to the 'White Zoanthrope'?