Disclaimer: See the Introduction and Characters opening chapter.
Author's Note: This is the improved, revised version of the same story, the only difference is that most of the mistakes I made through the fic and COE will be reprimanded and also, some more notable changes for my OC, Greg Kinezono. As time pass, you will notice and be satisfied with the changes I have planned for this story, but no one says it will be done in soon due time, so just be patient with me, I can only revise the story once I have the time on my hands. Anyway, enjoy the story.
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ShardclawKusanagi presents:
Metal Gear Solid: Soldier X
A Multicrossover Side Story for COE
Chapter 1: No Need for Farewells
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A day had passed after that 14th Angel attacked the city of Toyko-3. At the Katsuragi residence, where Otacon, Raiden and Linn were staying at their apartment next door to Misato's, it was almost business as usual. Snake was at NERV Headquarters with Misato Katsuragi herself, still trying to make sense to what happened to Shinji when Unit-01 came to life.
James Masterson, aka Silent Scorpion, came in wearing a white vest and a pair of dark blue jeans. He had been staying at the Katsuragi apartment with Asuka, the Second Child, tending her wounds she received during the 14th Angel's invasion. He's also having a busy time keeping Pen-Pen's stomach full, which personally he isn't complaining about.
"Hey, guys, what's the word?" Scorpion said after entering the apartment where Linn and Otacon were working.
Otacon, who was hacking away as usual, and eating a stick of Pocky, shook his head. "About Snake? I wouldn't be around him right now if I were you. He's pretty pissed off after what's been happening recently, to Shinji, about Gendou being an ex-Patriot...the stress is starting to get to him, I'm starting to worry."
"And if that's not enough, we're basically still at square one with the investigation with the Patriots, not to mention Dead Cell." Raiden answered, while playing with his son, Charlie. "It's time like these that I wish we were in some other line of work."
Linn chuckled slightly. "Hey, don't let it get to you, Raiden. At least now practically the entire FOXHOUND group is here, and NERV is helping us solve the mystery into the Patriots, but it still shocks me sometimes that the former Commander was one...and now he's dead."
"Somehow, I get the feeling that we should celebrate about that, but whenever I think about that Evangelion Unit 01..." James shuddered. "...I still get the feeling that we are still being left hanging in regards to all of NERV's activities. And I thought this group was messed up as it was."
"Isn't that the cold, hard truth?" Linn replied. She then leaned back against the wall, thinking about her boyfriend, Greg. He's been mostly quiet and keeping to himself since their mission of retrieving Arsenal Gear and now, he's leaving FOXHOUND for something he won't let her know. Otacon noticed her worried look.
"Hey, Linn you okay?" Otacon asked.
"Yeah, just thinking about that dumb recruit of a boyfriend I have." Linn growled. "I was just a bit worried about Greg. His being called back to HQ so suddenly really doesn't make any sense to me, especially at a time like this is just too suspicious."
"Let me guess, this is about what he did when that Angel attacked, huh?" Otacon said. "Come on, Linn. If it wasn't for Greg's powers, that Angel would have pretty much busted up NERV and a lot of innocent people would have died before Unit 01 came in. You should at least be proud of that; after all he did buy us some time with what he did."
"But in a way, she is right; Greg's a walking disaster with all of that power inside of him. Sometimes I wonder what goes on in his head..." James stopped for a while. Then taking up a leather jacket, he headed for the door. "I'm going to see Greg off. He's supposed to be at NERV still, right?"
Raiden nodded. "Yeah, Michael and Garland should be with him, as well as Mana and Kari. Seems everyone's interested in that artificial hand he has too. I tell you, Greg is one surprise after another."
James nodded. "I wonder what other surprises he hasn't told us about yet." With that, James was gone before Linn can speak.
(Greg...sometimes I wonder why I'm still with that guy...) she thought to herself.
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The GeoFront, the new housing bay of Arsenal Gear…
Three of FOXHOUND's recruits were assigned duty to guard Arsenal Gear today, but one of them had his mind set on something else. He was dressed in his custom Sneaking Suit consisting of an urban grey color, it was shaped around the chest area to the form of a vest, which acted at the side as a bulletproof/damage minimizing protective wear, while his arms were protected by black pigments of the advanced nanomachines from the suit. The leg areas were also colored in grey as well and the suit had a snug, tight appearance to suit his slightly muscular, yet thin build.
He stood there facing the metallic behemoth with folded arms and a focused look in his eyes near the custom made dock area NERV made since it landed here. His mind was deep in thought about something important. It was more important than the events that happened the day before. He was so deep in thought that he didn't hear his friend's voices calling to him.
"Greg?" A young female voice called to him from the side, as Greg Kinezono, also known to his comrades as Psychic Panther, stood there contemplating his worries.
"Hey, Greg!" The voice called out louder, as Greg snapped out of his train of thought and saw one of two of the youngest female recruits next to him, Mana 'Crimson Jaguar' Kirishima.
"Hey, you okay, Greg?" Mana placed a hand on his side. "You seem a bit out of there for a while there."
"Oh, Mana." Greg sheepishly rubbed his head and looked at the two girls with a small grin on his face. "Sorry about that, I was thinking about something that has been bugging me since yesterday."
"Really, can this be about you being called back to headquarters?" She asked.
"No, it's something a bit more important." Greg replied to her.
The rest of FOXHOUND was guarding the outer areas of the GeoFront where Arsenal Gear was docked near NERV after Snake was able to take control of it thanks to Emma's help. Just then, Kari 'White Hawk' Mondeau approached the two with drinks in her hands.
"Here you go, guys, just as you said you want them." Kari smiled, handing Mana and Greg their drinks.
"If it's a personal problem then, I can understand a bit why you would be worried." Mana asked. "Does it have to do with family?"
"You can say that…" Greg simply replied, choosing to keep his secret about Team Warrior from the majority of the recruits, especially with the case now arisen regarding his surrogate mother. "It's not like them to have problems of this extent to happen at a time like this, especially when mostly the enemy could be watching our every move."
"Greg, if you let us know what the problem really is, we'll be sure to help in if you let us." Kari said to him.
"You guys would do that?" Greg asked.
"Of course, you're like family to us, you know." Mana said with a smile.
"I'd appreciate the help, you two. Though, it's a bit too early to say if I'll need any kind of back up, not to mention the status of confusion we're in, thanks to the Commander of NERV dead." Greg spoke. "For the moment FOXHOUND is obviously needed here of all places to make sure the enemy, whether it's Dead Cell or the Patriots, doesn't strike when we least expect it."
"That's true, but it won't feel like FOXHOUND without you around for awhile." Mana said.
"I'll probably just be gone for only two, three days tops." Greg replied to her with a confident smile. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to contact you guys as often as I can about developments on my side, as long you keep me posted on your end."
"We certainly will, Greg. You do have a FOXHOUND responsibility, just remember that." Kari said to him.
"I haven't forgotten that, you two." Greg said as he looked at this watch. "Well, I'd love to stay and lengthen this chat further, but I got a schedule to keep and I have to be out of this city before at least nightfall."
"You're leaving already?"
"Not yet. Lt. Maya Ibuki is accessing the MAGI to help find certain links or clues to why Solidus is back and everything else afterwards." Greg said seriously. "Don't worry, now that the Commander is dead, we can look into the most confidential files using NERV's help and won't get anyone in trouble. I already have both Meryl's, Naomi's approval and Dr. Akagi is assisting us with this."
"That reminds me, Michael and Garland need to see you before you go anywhere, and they said it's important." Mana said to Greg as he started to walk.
Greg's smile returned for a brief moment. "Thanks, Red, I'll be sure to visit them before I leave NERV headquarters. See you kids later."
"Do you think he will be alright, Mana?" Kari asked.
"He should be, as long he doesn't run into kind of trouble, which I'm praying won't inconvenience him as he is with his problems already." Mana replied simply.
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Back at the Central Dogma Command Centre where Rose had been working had been working along with Emma, Maya Ibuki, and the rest of the tech bunnies with both work from NERV and Philanthropy as well.
"How's the encryption coming along, Rose?" Maya asked.
"Alright so far. The Commander was sure secure about his secret, that's for sure." Rose replied. "I hope Jack and the others will be able to put this to good use, considering the hell we went through just days ago, from both Dead Cell and the Angels."
"It's still hard to swallow that our own Commander Ikari was participating in the Patriots' activities, much less having a Metal Gear built for his own needs." Hyuga spoke.
"Why would even the Commander have something like Omega RAY built; only to have the people he was plotting against have something that can surpass both the Evangelions and Metal Gear alike?" Shigeru asked.
Just then, Greg entered the room, seeing the group. "Ah, there you are, Maya. You got that disc copied for me?"
Maya smiled and handed the disc to Greg. "All that you need to know about the Patriots location, now and then, is right here. But...are you sure that it was okay that you have to see about this when FOXHOUND wants you for other things?"
Rose then cut in. "Yeah, Greg, Reese needs you back at headquarters to make sure that anything isn't wrong with you."
"As much as I want to return to HQ to see why Reese needs me, I have to see about this emergency regarding family first, all the while avoiding a medical." Greg said as he placed the CD into one of his inventory pouches. "I'm just hoping the Colonel can delay Reese for at least a day or two until I find out what's going on with my family."
"You must treasure your family very much, Kinezono." Ritsuko said to him.
"They aren't my real family, but they are the closest thing to them. It's a rare thing I worry about them this much that I need to visit them at a time like this." Greg said. "Anyway, if you guys ever meet them, you would understand why. Anyway, just where is Snake?"
Maya answered with a sad tone. "He's with Major Katsuragi at the Eva cages. He's been worried about Shinji ever since he lost his ego-border, so he's supporting Misato the best he can until Dr. Akagi and Michael can find a way to get him back."
"I see. I'd better check up on him before I leave the city." Greg nodded. "Well, guys, I wish you the best of luck with this."
As he made his way to the lower levels of NERV, he soon found himself in the cages that housed the Evangelion units, and saw Snake was seated overlooking the cage that held a bandaged Evangelion Unit 01, all the while smoking his favorite brand of cigarettes. The sight of the giant robot sometimes made Snake shiver, but he had to keep a game face for himself and for Misato's sake, who was worried as much as he is about Shinji.
From behind, Greg appeared, as he looked at the Evangelion, then at Snake. "Hey, Snake, you alright?"
"Yeah, just trying to comprehend what the hell the Commander was thinking when he created this thing." Snake replied.
(Guess he's still angry that Shinji was absorbed by that thing...) Greg thought to himself. "Where's the Major?"
"She went to get some work done, but..." Snake stopped, getting up. "This whole situation's getting to her, you know. I'm just supporting her to best I can."
"Of course you are…you've obviously both known each other intimately for awhile now." Greg said rubbing his short, cut thin hair. "Snake...I wish I could have done something to prevent this from happening...but I had no idea that this thing was..."
"No one could, Greg. Don't kick yourself." Snake said. "Meryl said that's there still a lot about your power that you're trying to learn, right? I bet even if you risked yourself to save Shinji when Unit-01 came to life, you would have been in trouble."
"Yeah, that is certainly true..." Greg said in agreement. "But enough about worrying about me, it was a one time risk I was almost glad to take part of. But about Shinji, I know how much the kid means to you, Snake, but you shouldn't forget the main reason why all of us are here. Now that the Commander is dead, that could mean an opportunity for Dead Cell to strike again. You do know that, right?"
"Yeah, I haven't forgotten, kid." Snake said. "So, you're heading out already?"
"Yes. It's just to get my stuff at the apartment and then I'm off. Hopefully, my master should be fine by the time I get there, she's one tough woman, she's been through worse spills in the past and sometimes she still does." Greg replied.
"Well, all I'm asking is that you be careful. There are a lot of strange folk around, now that the world knows of that psychic power you have. Watch your back." Snake said. "And don't you worry about letting us know about the situation you're in, just contact us on the first sign that something is wrong."
"I will do just that, thanks. And I wish you guys the best of luck in getting Shinji back. I know with NERV's help and some of ours, we can bring him back." Greg said.
"He'd better, or else if Gendou were still alive, I'd snap his neck just because he's a sick bastard to do this his own son." Snake said harshly as he got up and began to walk off. "I'm off to see Misato. Take care of yourself, kid."
"Yeah, you too, Snake." Greg replied as shook his head in sadness. (Poor Snake...)
"GREG!" James' shout from behind caught Greg's attention, as the two recruits faced each other. "Finally, I caught you. You were just going ahead without telling me goodbye, aren't you?"
"No, I wasn't going to do such a thing, Scorpion." Greg smiled. "Aren't you supposed to be at home taking care of Asuka?"
James simply shrugged his shoulders with a sigh. "She's acting all weird and stuff, like she doesn't want anyone around her. She even threw a cup at me, but I managed to duck just in time."
"That girl got some issues. Can't really blame her, she's been really upset since that Angel beat her and we know by now the lengths of her pride." Greg said. "Hopefully, Garland can help her deal with this, but I doubt that alone can help..."
"Greg, Meryl said that this matter you're about to see about is personal business of yours and may take awhile. Why can't I come along for the ride?" Scorpion asked.
"James, I know you want to help out, but weren't you assigned to bodyguard duty now? Besides, I don't want to bring too many people into this unless I get a grasp of what's really happening." Greg said as he placed an arm on James' shoulder. "Look, I won't forget about you guys, I'll be sure to contact you on the first sign of trouble, you got my word."
Scorpion can only look at Greg for a while. "Yeah, but not before you raise your hell when it happens."
"Look, I won't be gone too long if that's what's worrying you." Greg patted his friend's shoulder. "And if anything like Dead Cell does something while I'm away, you and the rest of FOXHOUND are capable of dealing with them while I'm gone."
"You sure you'll be okay?" James asked. "With the situation with your powers at the moment?"
"I should be fine for the time being." Greg said as he patted a pouch by his waist area. "I got 'these' to get me through anytime something goes wrong."
"You're as cheerful as ever, even if you're taking that kind of stuff." James grinned.
"I'm leaving the ignition keys to the Harrier with you and Linn. And I've placed a security lock on it so no one but Linn and I can pilot it." Greg said. (Interfere with my Harrier, will you, Kaji? That will teach you...)
"Okay. But Linn's home right now and she's worried about you." James said. "You'd better..."
"I know...I was planning to see her before I go anyway. Thanks anyway, Scorpion." Greg nodded to James. "See you around, kiddo."
Greg left the cages and made his way straight to the training areas of the compound, where he knew Garland 'Berserker Demon' Durev and Michael 'Venom' Hansen would both be. Hoping he wouldn't be faced with a challenge right away, he entered the VR training room to meet the two having a round of what appeared to be virtual chess.
"Greg." Garland noticed Greg, who now stepped in the room. "I see you got Kari's message to see us."
"Just out of curiosity, but I really can't leave without saying goodbye to two of my sparring partners." Greg said as he kept his distance as to prevent from disturbing their game. "Anyway, what is it that you need to see me for?"
"We heard you're stepping out of the city for a few days from Naomi and Meryl." Michael said as he made his move on the chessboard.
"We also know of some vague details about why you're leaving, Greg." Garland said, causing Greg to step back a bit.
"You…you do?" Greg asked, hoping they wouldn't ask for too many details, especially about the female members of WARRIOR. "Look, my family may be in trouble, so I have to see about this little emergency that called me up all of a sudden. Don't get any impressions that I'm using this as an excuse for avoiding my FOXHOUND duties."
"That's not it, but you know, Greg, you don't talk about your adoptive family much around us, I think you're up to something we don't want to know." Garland asked.
"And what would you do if that happens?" Greg replied.
"We won't get into it any further, but you know, after all that's been happening so far, we can't afford to have any more problems caused by the enemy and the worst case scenario is that you could be involved in it in some major way." Michael said to Greg.
"It's not that we don't think you can handle this, but remember that you've got friends and allies on this side willing to give you a hand if things get too hot. Also, try to be extra careful while you're out there." Garland said to him in a hint of warning.
"The most I will be doing is packing some heat, but not too much to start some war." Greg said to them. "Besides, I know when it's the time not to draw attention to myself, I'm going to stay on the down low on this one and sooner than we know it, I'll be back here with you guys."
"We hope so too. We certainly need to finish our sparring matches." Garland said with a grin, causing Greg to worry a bit.
"You just had to say that, didn't you?" Greg noted and decided to change the subject and turned to Michael. "Michael, I heard that you're helping Dr. Akagi with that business about the Third Child and the Eva he's trapped in?"
"That's right. I'd thought I can lend a hand to the situation, though I must admit this is new to me in terms of strangeness." Michael said. "But with her help and our knowledge from FOXHOUND, I'm confident bringing Shinji back can happen."
"You know what?" Greg asked. "I believe the same thing too, knowing your level of intelligence."
"You think so, Greg?" Michael asked in reply.
"I know so. Its going to work out fine, I just know it." Greg said with a grin as he then turned his back. "Anyway, if that's all, I'd better be leaving now. I'll be sure to contact you anytime during tomorrow to report things on my end."
"Be careful, Greg." Garland said to him with a wave as Greg left the room. The two older recruits looked at the door Greg went through and focused back on the game.
"You think he can get through this without the enemy making a move?" Garland asked.
"Oh, they will be doing something about this alright." Michael replied sternly. "Greg should be fine as long he understands the situation he's in and not to draw any more attention to himself from the enemy. If worst comes to worst, we can always have other people outside of FOXHOUND look after him."
"In that case, I suppose you're right; he should be fine for the time being." Garland replied, as he realized that Michael had made a move ahead of him and with that move had won the game.
"Checkmate." Michael said with a grin to his friend.
"Damn, you won again." Garland replied as he face-faulted to his loss.
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The recruit began a five minute ride through the average busy city of Tokyo-3 on his motorcycle as he finally returned to the apartment building where some of the other FOXHOUND recruits were staying. Having one reserved for him and Linn, he entered the room and started to strip as he made his way to the shower. He didn't notice Linn wasn't home then, but at least the peace and quiet can give him time to think ahead of the future.
Stepping into the shower, cold water began falls on the hardened, light brown skin of the soldier, as he pulled back his hair, rinsing it. His body bore various scars across the arms, and chest areas, while his lower right arm was actually covered in black pigments, shaped out like a tattoo crest which stretched to cover his fingers and backhand.
His mind drifted back once more on the thoughts of why he had to leave his comrades for a while. It had started with a Codec call from one of his surrogate aunts, Nanvel Candlestick, a day before.
(Greg...something has happened to Rio...) Nanvel's voice rang inside Greg's head, as he remembered getting the Codec call from her. (She's been hurt badly...I don't think she'll make it. You'd better get over here as soon as possible, Greg.)
Stepping out of the shower, the fact that Rio was hurt worried him. Not that this was some normal hurt that she would probably get into from one of her crazy WARRIOR missions, but a serious concussion to her head? Most likely a wound like that can put her into a coma.
Greg dropped on the bed, towel still wrapped around his waist. (Normally, I would pass this off, but I got this nagging feeling that this is serious than it appears. Why is it I can't ignore this feeling that something's VERY wrong with WARRIOR?)
He turned his head and saw the Agent Aika DVD's. He simply got up to take a case out of the bag, when suddenly a female's hand touched his own. It was Linn's.
"What? So you need fan service to get your worries off your shoulders?" Linn's hairstyle was different, as it had grown out of proportion, letting it appear in a punk rocker style that somehow appealed to Greg.
"Linn! You're here..." Greg said nervously, looking away. He was getting too embarrassed to watch Linn with her wild hairstyle like this...and the fact that she was wearing very sexy purple underwear.
"Greg...you were going to leave without telling me, weren't you?" Linn got up and pressed her body against Greg's.
"No, Linn. I wouldn't leave this place without saying goodbye to someone as extremely beautiful as you." Greg said, holding her hand.
"Oh yes, you were." Linn pouted as she rested her head on his back. Across his back, the marked words, 'No Mercy' was his tattoo.
"Sorry if I made you worry anyway." Greg said. "You were kind of hard to find, that's all."
"So, you got everything you need for traveling?" Linn asked.
"I'm just packing it light for now. Don't need to carry every essential thing with me." Greg said. "The most I will need is the Sneaking Suit though, everything else I can get while I'm staying with Rio and the others."
"You know, this can be a trap set up by either Dead Cell or the Patriots." Linn said.
"I can guess this is a ploy, but my family is in trouble." Greg said solemnly. "If that's the case, I got to be extra careful when threading for clues as to what really happened with them. Right now, I don't think Solidus will challenge the Patriots just yet until he has seized Ultimatum Gear...then with SEELE still under his thumb, he can use it to take on just about anyone."
Linn embraced Greg for a few minutes, as she talked. "I'm kind of worried in case you run out of the nanomachines that keep your powers in check. That's why I need you back here as soon as possible."
"Is this what it's all about?" Greg asked, causing her to glare at him.
"Of course!" Linn shouted. "Do you have any idea how much everyone worries about you?"
"Sorry…, I really am. Sometimes, I wonder if that's true most of the times, because of what I have to deal with from my powers." Greg simply shook his head, as Linn nuzzled her head next to him.
"What am I going to do with you? Sometimes, I wonder if you're capable of knowing how important you are to me." Linn said.
"Don't say that." Greg simply replied. He looked closely at her light brown skin, almost a slighter shade that his own. "You know how much I care. It's just that…."
"Hmmm?"
"It's nothing, really. Don't worry about it." Greg said as he stood up to dress. Before he did, Linn's hand had caught with his right hand.
"Greg…please stay with me, even if it's only for a short while." she asked him.
"Linn, we got neighbors next door. Surely, we don't need to disturb them." Greg said to her. "You sure you want to do this here?"
"You won't miss me too much, but I'll be pretty lonely and with so much edible men both in FOXHOUND and NERV to choose from while you're gone…"
Greg shook his head with a grin and sighed in defeat as he sat down on the bed next to her. "Okay, okay….twenty minutes! I still got to pack for the trip, so you got to help me with it, got it?"
With a gentle smile on her face, Linn only complied to Greg's reaction by pulling him even closer towards her into bed.
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An hour later, the sun was close to setting, Linn was dressed in a simple dress, button shirt after the fooling around she and Greg enjoyed previously in the evening. The FOXHOUND recruit had already changed back into casual clothing, consisting of an official G-Unit t-shirt, a bandana over his head and a cap over it.
Linn had just finished packed his luggage. He was going to need a FOXHOUND issue SOCOM, while Nanvel and Maya always had a weapons cache of some sort for Team Warrior that wasn't even used yet. He also had one of Otacon's laptops, the copy of the disc containing the Patriots names and locations, as well as the hard drive for one of the destroyed RAYs, which also held secrets about the Patriots and GW.
Also with him were some packets of Pocky. For reading material, Greg smiled as he picked up one of his favorite books that Michael had brought for him from FOXHOUND headquarters, 'The Selfish Gene' by Richard Dawkins, and some Ghost in the Shell manga, both the original and Man Machine Interface manga sequel.
Before Greg got up to leave for the door, Linn's hand grabbed his jacket. "Hey, where do you think you're going already?"
"It's almost getting dark. I must get going." Greg replied.
"I can never get you to stay in one place..." Linn said disappointed. Greg knelt beside her and gave her a kiss on her lips.
"Linn...I won't be gone forever. James, Garland, Michael, Mana and everyone else will keep good company with you while I'm gone." Greg smiled.
"I don't know...NERV will get boring without you around." Linn joked.
"I doubt that very much. The place just became more crowded thanks to the recent arrivals."
"I'll miss you, Greg." Linn hugged Greg for a while. "Remember that you have to come back..."
"I will. This is not the first time I have to do something like this." Greg replied.
"Think of me when you're lonely, and not just of Aika, okay?" Linn smiled. "And be sure to call often too."
Greg nervously scratched his head, and replied. "I definitely will do that as long you don't get into any trouble yourself. Well, I'm going."
"Call often. I love you." Linn kissed her love as Greg held her body close to him.
"I will. And I love you too." Greg smiled, as he finally opened the door to leave.
"Don't wipe out!" Linn shouted.
"Come on, you know my bike loves me too much for that to happen." Greg replied with a thumb up.
As Greg left, Linn, still partially dressed in a dress shirt that was left open leaned on the doorway. (Greg...please be careful...), she thought.
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Half an hour later, Greg was already back in Neo Tokyo, just meters away from the ramen restaurant where his family were staying, when he stopped the bike near the police's DO NOT CROSS tape that was wrapped around the entrance of the restaurant.
Greg got off; a bag of accessories strapped around his chest, and surveyed the scene. The front door seemed to been rammed in, and the inside was a total mess. Tables were overturned, splinters of glass was seen on the floor, and on the counters. Greg noticed the bullet holes in the walls, and the sight that sent a chill up his spine was a crater in the wall, blood littering the wall and the floor below it.
"What in the hell happened here?" Greg said in shock. "I was here just a few days ago and it was as normal as it was. What happened to Rio and Lilica?"
"Maybe I can answer that question." a woman's voice answered from behind Greg's back. He turned to see a Japanese woman with short blond hair and was wearing a red dress that ended near way over her knees that Greg can see a hint of white panties.
"Aunt Aika!" Greg said in shock.
The woman smiled back "It's good to see you again, Greg." Aika said walking towards him. Greg only kept his composure while she walked towards him.
"What are you doing here anyway?" Greg asked. "Did you follow me here?"
"Of course...have you forgotten already?" Aika smiled. "That was smart of you contacting me earlier using a hidden frequency to send me a message to meet you here."
"Didn't think you'd actually respond by showing up." Greg said. "Anyway, just what is it that happened here?"
"Oh? You should be asking Rio that question. Are you not even interested to know that yourself?" Aika got on one knee to investigate the crater.
"Do pray tell." Greg said.
"Your master Rio and the rest of Team Warrior got a little too curious into what Dead Cell is planning and this is the end result...someone got mad and decided to tear the place up." Aika said.
"Who the hell is even responsible for this?" Greg said in shock. "Dead Cell?"
"No, it can't be them. Not their style." Aika said. "Someone more dangerous wants you and Team Warrior out of the picture permanently."
"Can you pick any suspects?"
"None for the moment, but that's not to say you're anywhere but safe." Aika said. "It's best that you ask your aunts Maya and Nanvel for the answers. You know this place isn't safe. The enemy may be after that disc you're carrying."
"You don't mean...the Patriots?" Greg asked.
"Maybe...I've been hearing stuff going around that they have targeted certain people around the globe for rebelling against them, including Team Warrior, Philanthropy and FOXHOUND." Aika said. "You've gotten yourself in a much direr situation than you could have imagined, Greg."
Greg surveyed the area some more before asking. "Where are Rio and the rest of Team Warrior?"
Aika handed Greg a card which had an address. "You'll find them at this location. But before you go, do take a look around the restaurant one more time. Whoever trashed the place may have left some clues that can be of some use."
As Greg started to walk, Aika began to walk out the door. "Hey, aren't you coming to help?"
"This is something that my little Panther can do by himself. Rion's going to be so happy that you've become such a man." Aika smiled. "Well, it's been fun seeing you again, Greg."
"Yeah, same here...I think." Greg thought as Aika stepped out. (I still wonder why she would be here of all places, though…)
Greg cautiously walked into the room where Nanvel had her computers and gadgets laying about. As usual, it was quite messy and so cluttered with junk that Greg didn't bother to investigate which item was more useful than the other. He made a stop on her giant monitor, surprisingly undamaged by the attackers. He accessed the surveillance file for the past two days to find out what happened here a few days ago.
"Let's see now..." Greg said to himself, as he tapped in a password to enter the confidential files. "I hope it's still there as Yuji said it would…"
The next image Greg saw was in the ladies shower with Rio, Lilica, Maya and Nanvel in their bare skins taking baths. Greg started to hide a trickle of blood that leaked from one of his nostrils.
(Damn it, Yuji! I guess that's one thing that will never change about you…) Greg shook his head before the thoughts got more troublesome and deleted the recording. "Let's see what took place yesterday while I was in Tokyo-3..."
Greg accessed the right file this time, and saw around near five p.m; several armed men wearing tuxedos and body armor around their chest areas, and were wearing helmets, barged into the restaurant. Greg tried to keep his composure as he saw Rio took down at least seven of them before she was thrown back by an invisible force. This caught Greg's attention.
As Rio got up, she was thrown back to the wall even more violently than the first time, before her body dropped against the counter with a loud thud. The mysterious attacker was close to being revealed, until...
Greg stepped to the side suddenly as a bullet shot the monitor, destroying the image. He then turned around and saw several of the same armored dressed suits from the monitor. One of them was carrying a weapon that resembled a heavy machine gun, while the others carried random weapons such as stun batons, and katanas.
"Gregory Kinezono, you are completely surrounded. Give yourself up, and there will be no trouble." One of them spoke.
"What's this? Are you the Patriots flunkies?" Greg asked.
"That is not for you to know, Kinezono." One of the men spoke. "Surrender peacefully, or get taken by force, either way, you belong to us now."
"Sorry, I have no plans to become someone's prisoner anytime soon." Greg said as he raised his arms up.
"Enough of the cowboy talk. Come with us or we'll have to carry your body out of here if we have to." the armored suit talked once more, releasing the safety of his gun.
(So much for settling this peacefully.) Greg thought to himself as he suddenly threw the grey cloak at the attacker as one of the men fired their Beretta's at Greg, but the cloak blocked the view of the attackers and Greg had already rushed the front suit with an instant punch to the helmet, then a high kick that sent him flying back wards to his comrades. Greg turned to let the cloak wrap itself around one of the men's leg's and pull him towards the FOXHOUNDer, who caught him with a punch to the chest, then a rapid flurry of punches, Greg finished the attack with a shot of his psychic energy from his right hand.
Some of the other suits saw this and one of them charged Greg with an overhead attack, using a katana blade. Greg simply held out his arms in split second precision and caught the blade before it reached his head.
"Grrag!" Greg shouted, as he slammed the suit's body down into the floor, thus creating a small crater. Another suit attacked and Greg caught this one from below the belt with one of his hands.
Greg was able to counter the attack as simply turned around before the suit can notice Greg pulling out a fiber wire from the suit's waist pouch and passing the line across the man's neck, thus killing him in an instant.
Before the enemy Greg had just killed had fallen to the ground, Greg had sneaked out a Beretta from the holster of the corpse and pointed it at his right. He fired instantly before the other suit fired his shotgun at Greg.
Greg could actually sense this one; he hasn't got the chance to use his powers since that battle against the 14th Angel. Normally, he wouldn't use his powers like this, but he would make exceptions in case he is outnumbered. His Marine LINE training had prepared him for situations like this.
The enemy's gun went off at Greg, but the FOXHOUNDer had already turned his body slightly and the bullet pierced his right arm. With some grimace, he used his psychic power with a force that slammed back the enemy against the wall.
As the last suit saw this, he started to make a run for it, but heard a click from a gun that came from Greg's direction as he had taken out his SOCOM and aimed it at him.
"Alright, start telling me why you people so interested in me and my family?" Greg asked furiously. "Answer me!"
The suit gulped in fear. "They...they don't want you or anyone else to get in the way of their goals..."
"Are you talking about Dead Cell?" Greg asked.
"No...Dead Cell is also part of their strategy as well." the suit answered. "The Patriots...they want to use your knowledge to..."
Just then, the helmet-wearing suit started to spasm, as he started to scream.
"ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!" the suit screamed. Greg can see something was wrong.
"Hey, what's happening?" Greg asked.
"My head...he's...he's trying to stop..." the suit spoke, before he let out one more scream.
"Who are you talking about?"
"M...Mantis..." came the last word of the suit wearing man.
Just then, Greg's hand was covered in blood, as Greg witnessed part of the man's skull exploding violently. Instantly Greg stepped back, releasing the bloody corpse, the remains of the man's brains slowly creeping out.
(Did he just say Mantis? But he's supposed dead!) Greg thought in shock. (The Patriots...Psycho Mantis...what the hell's going on here?)
Before Greg can think of any possible leads, he heard police sirens from the outside. Instantly, he grabbed one of the cell phones from one of the corpses. Holding unto his arm, he put back his gun and reached for his pouch, taking out a medicine bottle filled with blue pills. Taking out three, he quickly took them and swallowed them as the bottle was marked 'anti-depressants'.
(Guess the only way to sort out this mess is to ask the only people closer to this investigation than even FOXHOUND is...Team Warrior, my adoptive family. Have to stay out of sight for now from the authorities.) Greg thought as he made his way through a back door of the restaurant and sneaked past the authorities to get to his motorcycle.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Half an hour later, on the outskirts of the sunken areas of old Tokyo, Greg had already jumped out of the motorcycle just outside of an urban neighborhood even before it came to a full stop. The bullet was still lodged in his arm, but he somehow was able to stop the bleeding. The address Aika gave him was a house that certainly looked unsuspicious to the enemy. He ran to the door and started to pound on it furiously. A few seconds passed and it was Nanvel who opened the door, wearing a small and tight pink colored t-shirt that hugged her cleavage.
"Greg! I didn't think you would find us here!" Nanvel said cheerfully as she hugged Greg, just like Rio did before...right on her size 36' chocolate colored skin bust line.
Greg wasn't in the best of moods to say how happy he was to see Nanvel or getting smothered by her. "Alright, Nanvel, I want you and the others to come clean right now."
"What do you mean by that, Greg?" Nanvel asked.
"Come on, you know what I mean." Greg replied. "You were interfering with FOXHOUND business, weren't you?"
Nanvel stayed quiet for awhile as she looked at Greg with a sullen look.
"I'm sorry, Greg. Rio was worried about you, we were all worried too. So we had to take the risks and at least give you a hand." Nanvel said.
"A hand? Was this Rio's idea?" Greg asked. "I need to talk to her, Nanvel, where is she!"
"Greg...Rio's...Rio is in a coma..." Nanvel cried a bit.
Greg's eyes widened to this as the pain in his arm increased. (Rio…in a coma? How can this be?)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
That's all for the revised chapter of SX, more changes like this will come as I got plans to delve deeper into Greg's past and feature more canon interactions as this goes on. If there's any mistake or more changing that needs to be seen here, let me know.
Next Chapter: As Greg faces WARRIOR, some of his past is revealed, while more developments arise from Reese learning of Greg's whereabouts and other factions who are picking interests in the psychic soldier.
Collis aka Shardclaw Kusanagi.