Metal Gear: Soldier X

by ShardclawKusanagi

A COE multicrossover story of accompanying side stories, anime/manga and games. The new story phase begins after a long hiatus with new mysteries, allies and more! It's been a long time, but...revised chapter 14 now uploaded.

8. Advancing Towards 12 O'Clock

ShardclawK: Okay, fellow readers. Here's another revised and hopefully, much better version of this chapter, packed with even more surprises for all to enjoy. Hope everyone enjoys it as well keep on supporting the all-new, all different Greg Kinezono and the large supporting cast in the following chapters.

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Metal Gear: Soldier X

Chapter 7: Advancing Towards 12 O'clock

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Lilica Ebbett was in dire need of a proper rest and a bath. Her body, although it showed little signs of abuse since her capture, was already beginning to lose some of its vitality due to the fact she had little to eat for the past two days since she was brought there. Even though Mantis didn't do anything to harm her or endanger her life, she could constantly feel the Tengus working under him constantly eyeing her and her body. She could immediately sense their lecherous thoughts, but she was grateful that Mantis had ordered them to just watch, and not touch her or Yuina Hattori.

Her clothes were not so badly torn up, but they were beginning to get musty with dirt and odors. She had to let her ponytails out due to the heat inside of the cell she was held in, but whenever it got chilly, she had to make sure to huddle herself to whatever cold spot there was. Even though there was a comfortable bed in the cell which she could use, she hardly got any sleep because she was more anxious than afraid of what will happen next. She would always keep a sharp eye on what was going on around her and try to clue in on what was happening as being in Warrior for a long time now has helped her to gain information in times like this under certain circumstances.

She had been part of a living hell because of this development and she greatly hoped that someway, somehow, her comrades would find her. Lilica was greatly concerned about Rio's fate as well, since she vividly remembered how her friend was gravely injured trying to protect her friend from Mantis.

(I can't afford to give up just yet…) Lilica thought to herself, her face smudged with smoke and dirt. Her hair was a bit of a mess as well. (If only I could find a computer somewhere, then I could send a beacon signal to Maki and the others so they could locate where I am.)

The young girl then looked around as she noticed how advanced in technology that the base she was held in was. Lilica had been out cold up to her arrival in this mysterious place, making it harder for her to determine where exactly 'this place' was located. She could see that the passageways were lit by dimmed blue fluorescent lights, as transparent ones of the same color could be seen flowing throughout the walls from one passageway to the next. Two heavily armored Tengus were securing the block where Lilica was being held. Other than that, she really couldn't make out just what the area in which she was being held really was, much less get any idea as to where it could be.

Sighing a bit, she returned to her bed and sat down to rub her face and dwell in thought once more.

(Oh, Rio…my only hope is that you're still alive…it would be horrible for everyone if you died on us like that.) Lilica thought to herself. (But then again, everything now is hopeless…I have no idea what or where this place is, or what Mantis is planning for me and Yuina. From what I can tell, it has to be something for the enemy and this base has should be part of the reason.)

Lilica was getting more worried about Yuina's well being as well. When she met her, she could tell that the young girl had gone through something traumatic as it seemed she ended up being captured by Mantis with little resistance. Lilica knew well from past police work of those types of people who would use a type coercion or force in their crimes to have others do their bidding.

She hadn't seen Yuina for over a day now and she was getting very worried about her. She knew for sure that Mantis was plotting something for her as well.

(I just hope she is still okay physically after all what's happened. She must be really shaken up emotionally that she can't willingly break from Mantis' psychic spell, I bet.) Lilica thought to herself. (If that's the case, isn't there a way to break her free from it?)

Before she continued to think, as if on a cue of timing, Yuina walked in the passageway, still wearing the casual clothing she wore when Mantis captured her. It had gotten dirty from the time she spent here and her long flowing pale pink hair was becoming a mess. She had a sad and depressed look on her face, but her eyes were almost close to emotionless. She approached the two Tengus and silently nodded at them as one of them proceeded to open the door to the holding cell where Lilica was. Then afterwards as the two left the area, Yuina fell to her knees as Lilica rushed to pick her up before she hit the ground.

"Hey, are you alright, Yuina?" Lilica asked. She then noticed Yuina had been crying, as she saw the dried marks under her eyes and on her cheeks.

"Oh, Lilica…it hurts." Yuina simply said, as she sniffed. "I don't know why, but…"

"Hey, take it easy. I'm here with you." Lilica said, trying to comfort her. "Tell me what happened. Did Mantis do anything to you?"

"No, even though I was with him most of the time." Yuina spoke solemnly. "As a matter of fact, since I was brought here, he never really did anything much as even speak to me much until you came here, it was then he had me bringing you your meals."

"I see." Lilica said. "What is he doing now? Do you know, Yuina?"

The sophomore simply shook her head as she replied. "I really can't say…he seems to be planning something with all this around us. My head is all messed up, I hardly can't remember a thing expect…oh, auntie! Seraph! Why did all this have to happen?"

Yuina broke down in tears as Lilica sighed and held on to her more. (So, Mantis is up to something big and he got Yuina hurt to this extent for that. But something isn't right, this really isn't like him to have done such a thing, but then again, his mind was contaminated by a serial killer.)

Shaking her head, Lilica decided she should start confiding Yuina instead of pressing the issue about Mantis for now

"Yuina, listen to me…not all hope is lost, okay?" Lilica said. "I happened to have some good friends who are all probably finding a way to get us out of this mess right now, so don't give up."

"How would you think they can help us?" Yuina broke out at Lilica. "Can't you see what's happening around here? What makes you think they can help us?"

"Because I'm part of them as well and I know they will definitely get the job down, no matter what." Lilica said confidently. "Most especially if their family is in trouble. We make sure to help each other out in times like these, so you can't afford to lose faith, Yuina. We will get out of this one way or the other. We can work together on trying to…"

"Escape, dear Ebett? I don't think that is quite an acceptable course of action given the circumstances." A coarse voice spoke from outside the cell as the two girls looked in the direction where it came and saw Mantis standing there. The two females gasped in horror as Mantis glared at Yuina. "Yuina, I've been searching for you for a while now. The time when I need you most draws near and this is where you want to spend the little time offered to you for freedom."

"Mantis, how could you hurt this girl so much?" Lilica said, gritting her teeth and acting brave. "She has nothing to do with you or the Patriots, so why did you have to destroy her happiness?"

"Oh, you'll eventually see. But since you're so curious, I should let you in on a little secret that may give you an idea on why I'm doing this for the sake of the Patriots." Mantis said. "You are a professional computer hacker after all, so it wouldn't be a surprise to me how much you would know about your darling surrogate brother being the core of the situation you're in."

Lilica's eyes widened as she heard this. "You're saying this has to do something with Greg? What a pack of lies!"

"My child, there is so much in the dark about him that you and those who have taken in him should know about. I know this because I have all the relevant information about his records from his birth to present time, courtesy of his father and Dr. Clark's researches." Mantis spoke. "The Patriots organized this little drama so that eventually, but surely, Greg would come to me to learn his past that he has claimed to have forgotten, as well as the secrets that he wasn't so aware of. Part of the deal is that I also gain some of that man's abilities as my own, since there are certain properties of a psychic that I'm quite interested in acquiring."

Though she was reluctant to admit it, Lilica felt in the back of her mind that some of what Mantis was saying made sense and began to think back on certain points about Greg which now began to bother her. From the time Rio found him, to his temporary amnesia from the trauma he suffered, to the first time his powers manifested which resulted in him injuring Seishiro Takeda's left eye in a near feral state…this was all black and white to her and everyone else in Warrior until the moment Mantis said the relevant things about him to her. Still, she had to believe in her friends and even Greg's help to come and help her and Yuina, and hopes along the way that no one has to learn the truth about why Mantis was doing this.

"What is the matter, Lilica? Are you in shock to hear that this was to draw Greg in?" Mantis said. "Eventually, he and those who will follow him will come into my trap and pay dearly for trying to foil the Patriots plans."

Mantis turned around as two Tengus entered and took Yuina out as he spoke. "Make sure she stays in her cell this time. But remember not to touch or harm her as the order remains the same."

"Lilica, help me!" Yuina cried out as Lilica tried to reach for her. Lilica grabbed on to her, but one of the Tengus fought her off as she fell back with full force. She then felt she grabbed something flat and metallic as she saw the Tengus carried Yuina helplessly away.

"Yuina, remember that my friends will be coming for us, you can't give up!" Lilica shouted, but there was no reply from the passageway as they were long gone. Standing up once more afterwards, Lilica then noticed what she grabbed from one of the Tengus was one of the latest state of the art Ipods, which can now transmit computer data to anywhere on the web. Luckily for her, it was still in operation and had small output connectors she can use.

(Yuina, you may think things may seem hopeless now, but I'm not going to give up on you and I'm sure my friends won't give up on us either.) Lilica thought as she smashed a small portion of the glass wall next to her bed and hotwired the wires to the Ipod and began to program it. With this, she can leave a transmitter beacon that should be picked up by Warrior.

(Rio, Maki, Yuji, Nanvel, Maya and Greg…anyone, please find us.) Lilica prayed this would work. (Everything is riding on this last chance for all of us to be together again, so please…find us.)

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(Huh? Lilica?) Greg's head was raised to hearing a voice calling out to him. (Was that you?)

It sounded so clear and familiar that he almost lost track of what he was doing. Hoping for a response, all he got was silence, followed by a sudden loud crash which snapped his train of thought back to reality.

CLANK!

CRASH!

Riku, Nagi and Tot looked on at the noise which was made as Greg ended up cutting his right hand as he was clearing up dishes in the kitchen back at the Kawasaki temporary safe house. One of them fell and broke as his mind suddenly had lost concentration for a moment. A black and blue coloured substance composing of many colonized nanomachines began to flow out of the thumb area of his artificial hand as he held his wrist in pain.

"Ah, crap. I can't believe I did that." Greg muttered silently to himself.

"Hey, Greg, you alright back there?" Riku asked as Greg turned around and nodded at him with a weak smile.

"It's nothing to worry about, Riku. It's really nothing major." Greg said as he watched as the wound began to heal itself up slowly as the nanos looked like strands of cloth weaving itself together over the cut. Even though he had this arm for years, he can never get used to seeing it repair itself like this whenever is sustained injury. It still bothered him greatly.

(I could never get used to this.) Greg thought to himself as he cleaned his cut and the shattered pieces of the broken plate. (Still, I could swear it was Lilica that I heard just now. Was my head playing tricks or was that for real?)

Taking a deep breath, Greg was able to maintain his composure once more. The mess had been cleaned up and no one else would have thought Greg would have made a mess. Now Greg can get started on catching up with Riku and his partners.

"Sorry to keep all of you waiting." Greg simply said as he wiped his hands after finishing cleaning the dishes after Riku and his two partners, Nagi and Tot, had just finished having a share of Greg's cooking. It was the least he could do as Riku was staying there with him and the remainder of Team WARRIOR for the time being. "So, how did all of you thought about my cooking?"

"Well, while it's not near as excellent as Garland's, I can say you still haven't lost your touch when it comes to cooking ramen, Greg." Riku said with a smile, as Greg rubbed his head.

"It's nice to hear that, Riku, even though I know my specialty doesn't entirely rest in the kitchen." Greg replied, taking out some beverages for Riku and his guests while Greg took a can of beer for himself. "I take it that they too liked my special brand of ramen?"

"Most certainly we did, Greg." Nagi nodded to him. "It's much different than a few others we've tasted."

"Yeah, I have to agree with Nagi on that one. You're about par with someone else we know who is studying to be a professional chef one day." Tot said.

"I see…is it anyone I know?" Greg asked.

"For now, not yet, but hopefully soon after this mess is cleared up." Riku said as he started to sip his drink.

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Well, for the time being until everything's settled down, let's leave it at that." Greg said. "So, Nagi…I guess it may be kind of settling now knowing you have a fellow psychic in FOXHOUND, huh?"

"Well, you can say that, but that's not really on my mind when I first saw you earlier. It's hard to believe by looking at you that you're a psychic whose name has been made known in our group." Nagi said, still trying to get used to understand Greg. He felt a strange, yet strong and gentle feeling from Greg just by watching his personality and appearance. It felt a bit more assuring than the time when he was still with Crawford.

"Hey, you shouldn't let that worry you, Nagi." Greg said to him with a solemn look. "Even I wonder at times if I'm anywhere near adequate enough as I am to be part of the group."

"What are you trying to say, Greg?" Nagi asked, but the older psychic simply waved at him.

"Ah, it's nothing that you should be too concerned about. Time and again, I often ask myself stuff that is rather unnecessary when I think about things too much." Greg smiled a little.

Riku noticed what was going on and could understand a bit about what his friend was thinking about, and decided to speak with him.

"Hey, Greg…I'm sure Lilica is okay." Riku said, trying his best to console him, even though he was as worried about her as well.

"I hope so too, Riku…there's just too much happening that has raised questions that even I'm unclear of. I need to find out why Reese has found it necessary to do this to us. It just doesn't fit all together." Greg said.

"Look, we may not be sure how Reese was able to connect himself into this by getting even Seraph and Yuina involved as yet, but I definitely won't forgive him either for this." Nagi said. "I too want to find out the truth to this as much as you and your family do, Greg. But do you really think going directly to find Mantis is a good idea?"

"It could be a mistake, but…I guess you could say that I can sense that if nothing is done soon, both Yuina and Lilica will be in even greater danger than before." Greg said. "A lot is riding on this and I cannot afford to give up on them now, even if it's extremely dangerous."

"Well, seeing how determined how you want to do this, it looks like I really can't stop you, Greg." Riku smiled at him. "Of course, you've always been more gusty than some other people in my life and that's why I have to be around you to make sure you don't get into a bigger mess than the one you're already in. So, you can count on me to give you a hand through this."

"Riku, you know you don't have to put your life on the line, even if it's something that a shinobi like you has to do. The last thing I want is to have my friends caught up in some serious trouble just because of my personal problems." Greg said.

"Greg, you know you always have a nasty habit of not letting even your closest buddies help you out in times like these." Riku replied with a serious look as Greg stared at him eye widened. "Besides, what happened with this Yuina Hattori and Seraph sort of makes this quite a bit larger than just your personal problem, wouldn't you say?"

"But…!" Greg tried to answer, but Riku cut him in before he finished.

"Try to talk your way of not letting me help out all you want, but you should realize this...Lilica's a good friend of mine too, and I hate it when one of my friends gets affected by something like this." Riku said. "And if Reese is involved, I've definitely got to do something about this like you are. I want to see her safe and sound as much as anyone else in this room would want the same thing too, you know. I want to be there for her as well when you rescue her and Yuina."

"Geez, Riku...you just had to go there, didn't you?" Greg asked. Then, after shaking his head for a few seconds, he smiled a bit. "Alright then, I give up. I guess since this is now a matter that all of FOXHOUND will be part of soon, there's no use excluding you from this, is there?"

"I doubt that very much." Riku replied with a smile of his own. "Greg, you won't regret my help, I can assure you from now on this."

"Thanks then, I'll remember this, Riku." Greg replied. "I doubt I could have seen this through without your help anyway. Your help came in at good timing."

"Um..." Nagi cut in, trying to join the conversation. "Greg...I was thinking..."

"What's up, Nagi? Is something bothering you?" Greg asked.

"Yeah, it's how Mantis is the one being used to do Reese's command. Considering he's a psychic like you and me, it would seem illogical to me, knowing someone who had realized how much better it is to use your talents to help people with than to hurt them with, it just makes no sense until I found out from Maki and Nastasha that Reese didn't wanted that in Mantis when he was revived." Nagi explained.

"In other words, you want to see the resolve to this as well, right?" Greg asked.

"Yes, if you want to put it like that." Nagi nervously replied, not thinking Greg was the perceptive type.

"It's pretty obvious that everyone's concerned that way." Greg said. "I wouldn't say no to that kind of logic either...but one can't be too careful on how simple this may seems. We are probably going to face a very powerful foe here."

"If you're trying to say that if I can handle myself in a battle situation, the answer's pretty much a big 'yes'." Nagi replied.

"And what about you, Tot?" Greg turned to her, surprising her a bit. "You're going to standby next Nagi's side through this mess?"

"I'm going to help my Nagi-kun, of course!" She exclaimed happily.

"Is that the only reason?" Greg asked sternly.

"It's not just that, really. Now after knowing about what Reese had done to hurt you and hearing Seraph's story, I won't just sit by knowing this...I have to help out too, you know." Tot explained. "If one of Riku's good friends is in a situation that I don't like, I have no other choice but to pitch in. And since you have such a nice family, who wouldn't want to come to your aid at a time like this?"

Greg looked at Nagi and Tot in silence as he then looked at Riku.

"I got a question, Riku. Where did you meet such wonderful kids?" Greg asked. "They certainly know enough common sense that this sort of thing affects their consciences."

"Heh, heh..." Riku nervously replied. "Well, if we didn't have so many missions in the past apart from each other, I would have introduced them to you long ago, but I never got the chance."

"Well, that I can understand, so I'll let it slide." Greg said. "It would have made things easier if you introduced me and Linn to them earlier, but I guess there's no better time like the present."

"We'll eventually get to know each other better after this whole affair with Mantis is over and things are back to normal, to say the least." Nagi said.

"I certainly do hope so, considering what needs to be done with about Reese when the time comes." Greg said as he closed his eyes as he thought up of something. "Which leads me to my next question...if you two claim that you want to help me face the dangers ahead when its time to rescue Lilica and Yuina, are you able to back your words up?"

"I don't understand, Greg..." Nagi was confused.

"I don't mean to sound harsh when we are now starting to become good friends." Greg said. "Though I did hear some good things about your ventures, its also assuring to have some kind of psychical evidence, but it's not to say I'm that I'm having doubts your skills. So...I wonder if it's alright with you that you two take a test of your skills and abilities. It's up to you if you want to do it or not, you're still free to come along with Riku on this rescue mission, though I'd feel a little better to see that you can take care of yourselves on the field."

"A test?" Tot asked. "Well, I'm up for a little exercise anyway. I don't want my skills to get rusty for a time like this. And you, Nagi-kun?"

"I guess I have to come along too, I just want to show Greg just how good I am with my powers, at least enough for him to be convinced." Nagi said.

"I needed that kind of response from you. Anyway, there's an old training ground behind the house outside, we can use that as the testing place." Greg said, getting up. "I'm going ahead first to get things prepped up, so I'll be seeing you in a few."

As Greg stood up to exit the kitchen, Nagi leaned over to Riku.

"Riku, I have one thing to say about your friend." He said.

"And that is?" Riku asked.

"He's a really interesting fellow. A bit serious at times, but he's alright to talk to and get along with." He smiled.

"I'd thought you would say something like that." Riku smiled back at him. "What about you, Tot?"

"I agree with Nagi-kun. He's a little different from what I expected, but he's a really funny and nice guy." Tot answered.

The three youngsters followed Greg into the living room, where Rio Kinezono, Nanvel Candlestick, the emulate biodroid, Seraph and Maya Jingu and Yuji Naruo were preparing weapons and accessories for the rescue mission which will take place the next day. Rio saw Greg come up to her with am impressed look on his face.

"Wow, guys, it looks like you got enough hardware here to start a revolution." Greg said.

"It doesn't hurt to be prepared, Greg." Maya said as she cleaned her handguns. She even had a suitcase of them on the table, all customized to her liking.

"Yeah, this one may not be bringing in money, but Lilica is part of the team and is someone precious that we can't afford to lose." Yuji said. "These are the kinds of measures we are taking to see her back again."

"That is most understandable, you guys. Well, in any case, I'm just stepping outside in the back for a while to get some exercise before tomorrow." Greg smiled at Rio.

"Is everything okay? I thought I heard something fall in the kitchen a while ago." She said. In some ways, she was still worried about his powers at the moment and how he was holding up.

"Just a minor accident I caused, but it's all cleared up now." Greg replied.

"Anyway, I do hope you're not going to exert yourself like you did two days ago...I don't want anything bad happening to you before tomorrow." Rio sternly replied to him.

"Sure, I'll be careful. I'm just taking it easy for now since my body needs some serious rest later." Greg said.

Just then, Nanvel stood up to grab Greg's shirt by the collar as she pulled him closer to her before he can leave.

"Oh no, you don't, Greg!" Nanvel called out to him. "Before you go anywhere, I need to perform some 'examinations' on you in my lab."

"Aunt Nanvel!" Greg lowered his head and whispered as his face had become reddened. "Not in front of Riku and his friends, please! You're going to give them ideas."

"Oh, relax, will you? I think I may have found something that will limit the uses of your pyrokinetic powers so you won't hurt anyone if they go beyond your control." Nanvel whispered back to him so no one could hear them. "That's why I need you to test some theories out."

"Well, if it's for the sake of that, it should be fine." Greg nodded as he turned to Riku and his friends. "Ah, Riku, Nanvel needs to see me about something very important, so I'll be a little late when it's my turn to train. Why don't you go on and start without me, okay? I'll be joining you shortly."

"Okay, sure thing, Greg." Riku said, nodding to him.

"I'm coming with you." Rio got up to join Nanvel and Greg. "I need to see for myself what new tricks Nanvel has for Greg that will help him this time."

"You're welcome anytime, Rio." Nanvel said as the three left the room.

"I wonder what is it that Nanvel is going to do now to him?" Nagi asked himself.

"Beats us, I bet its something scary and probably involves something with her inventions and lots of wiring." Maya said, as she cleaned her handgun.

"Sounds a bit extreme for a psychic like him to keep in check of his powers like that..." Tot asked, sounding a bit scared.

"Hey, I was just kidding." Maya said, rubbing her head. "Well, half kidding, to tell the truth. Sometimes, it's that important that he checks in with the progress of his powers often when he stays with us, we really can't afford something screwy happening and we aren't able to counter it. I'm sure what Nanvel has cooked up has to be something that can ease his troubles for the moment, now more than ever since he needs to rescue Lilica and Yuina too as well."

"Hmmm…" Riku thought to himself as he glanced at the door where Nanvel's lab was, wondering if something was more wrong with the picture than it looked. Though he really wanted to ask what exactly was going on with Greg at the moment, he decided that at the moment it would be best to just let it slide and figure it out after things cool down. Thinking up of a plan for him and his two comrades to participate in the mission ahead was going to be his top concern right now. However, what he had heard Maki say earlier to Yuji and Maya was also troubling him.

"What's up, Riku?" Nagi asked as the three stepped outside where they were the only ones who can freely share their conversation privately. "You have that serious look in your eyes again and it is pretty rare for you to be so serious about things."

"I know now is kind of a bad time to bring this up, even when the two of you are just starting to get to know Greg and his family, but there is something I should let you know for now." Riku told them. "It seems Maki knows some details about what happened to Lucy and Kouta years ago, not to mention the murders that occurred at that time."

"Well, this is hardly a surprise, if you think about it. We are working with some of Japan's best police officers, after all." Nagi said. "Especially if some of them happens to be a special task force that has access to some pretty advanced hardware, it's no trouble for them to have not known about it."

"Yeah, but she seems a bit bothered about the murders Lucy was responsible for as well as the ones that occurred with other diclonius, thinking they were related to what happened to Yuina's aunt, though the scenarios are extremely different." Riku said. "I overheard her talking about it to Yuji and Maya last night after we got here."

"Do you think they will ask us if we know anything about it?" Tot asked her team leader and comrade.

"Most likely, Tot, sooner or later." Riku answered his tone almost grim. "Whichever comes first, I already made a promise that I can't tell on Lucy or Kohta about us knowing the truth, even if Maki and the other as well as Greg happen to be my friends. After all, Lucy and Kohta are our friends too."

"I know that you mean well and neither of us can blame you for that, Riku." Nagi said as he patted his friend's shoulder. "Still, I doubt they are the type to rat out on us if they knew the truth, they all look like good people to me."

"Nagi-kun, I think Riku made his mind up for the best." Tot said. "Even if we have to tell them about Lucy and Kohta, it wouldn't be right. And you know Lucy is the type who is pretty sensitive about her past being told to anyone she doesn't fully trust. I'm sure Riku is doing what he can for Greg's family by keeping it a secret for now."

"You're probably right. Besides, none of us want to do anything to break a friend's trust." Nagi said. "In any case, Riku, have you made your calls to your family as yet?"

"Yeah, I did that yesterday." Riku said. "I made sure to give them some details about what has happened so far, but even that was enough to give them ideas of what they should be expecting soon. Luckily, both my uncle and dad were there to hear everything we knew for now."

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Flashback…

On the evening before, away from the busy activities in the safe house, Riku started to make calls to various people about the matter. The first would surely be his family and ninja clan as he found a Codec frequency that would connect him to the Uruha and Hokage clan, the first person that came onscreen was his father, Recca Hanabishi. Although he was in his early thirties, he maintained a near youthful appearance as he had black and long spiky hair and still had his bandage on his left cheek.

"Hey, Riku. It's been awhile since you contacted us using your Codec. But it's still good to hear from you." Recca Hanabishi asked. "How are things going at FOXHOUND, son?"

"Alright for the time being, but I'm calling for other matters actually." Riku said seriously. "I thought I would have to let you and everyone else at the Uruha and Hokage know about this firsthand."

Recca noticed the level of seriousness his son was speaking in and looked at him with concern.

"Riku, did something happen in FOXHOUND that we should know about?" Recca asked.

"Yeah, and it involves my buddy, Greg Kinezono in a big way." Riku said.

"Isn't he that other psychic friend of yours from FOXHOUND that met Kurei some years back when he and that Warrior group visited the Uruha mansion?" Recca asked. "Neon told me of some of the details of them coming to meet you guys there and she said they are a pretty nice bunch to get along with."

"I can't argue with that, Greg is a type you'd like to make friends with quick." Riku said. "That is exactly why Reese has done some inexcusable things to him right now."

Recca's eyes lowered when he heard Reese's name was called. He knew from then anything involving him can't be too good.

"Alright, what really happened, Riku?" Recca asked seriously. "I know about how much you and almost everyone else in your group don't like this Reese guy, but from the sound of your voice, it isn't pretty, huh?"

"Yeah, this involves one of Team Warrior's members who Greg looked up to as a sister." Riku said. "She's been kidnapped by forces which were probably organized by Reese for something sinister. Right now, I'm staying with Nagi and Tot at his aunt's place for now, but Greg and his surrogate mother aren't here for some reason."

"That's terrible, Riku." Recca said.

"Not only that, it seems our traitorous lieutenant also had some questionable dealings with our enemies, the Patriots which lead to Lilica's capture." Riku said.

"I see…so what kind of dealings?" Recca asked.

Riku sighed a bit before he started to explain to his father about Reese's involvement in resurrecting Psycho Mantis and brainwashing him to follow the Patriot's orders. Then he went into the heartbreaking details of Yuina Hattori's and Seraph's involvement in the matter.

"Damn, Riku…this is more serious that I imagined." Recca said as she shook his head sadly. "Is Greg doing okay?"

"I wish I knew, Dad, but I haven't seen him since I found out from Maki and the rest of Warrior about this." Riku said. "He will show up eventually, since I don't think he and his family are just going to sit around and wait for something to happen on Reese's part which could result in harming Lilica or Yuina."

"And what about your other FOXHOUND buddies? Do they know about this?"

"Maki told us that Garland and Venom got most of what Greg knows about the matter and for now, it will have to stay that way until Greg gets some more confirmation about Reese." Riku answered.

"I see…sooner or later though, everyone is going to find out the truth of what Reese has been doing." Recca said. "What have you decided, Riku?"

"I've already made up my mind to help Greg and his family in this and they are willing to accept the help that my team and I will give them which brings me to why I'm calling you to let you know about this." Riku said.

"And it's a good thing you did. This will eventually blow over unless we're prepared for the worst, Riku." Recca said. "Do you want me to tell Kurei about this?"

"I think that would help a lot, considering though it was only once Uncle Kurei and Greg met once, but they started out as good buddies. I don't think Kurei is going to take this lightly when he hears the details." Riku said as he stopped to think for a moment before he asked his father. "Hey, by the way, just where are you anyway?"

"Well, for your information, Yanagi and I are already here on a visit to Kurei and Neon at their mansion since early evening." Recca answered.

"Great, talk about convenient." Riku replied, with smile, glad at some good news. "Okay, I'll make sure to keep you posted on what's happening so far and I will ask Greg when he gets back if it will be okay for us to help him as well. Knowing him, he may not want us getting involved because he probably feels responsible for all that's happening."

"Let him know otherwise, Riku. All this is happening because of Reese, not him. And I know you have a way of pressing on certain matters that are important to you, since Lilica is a friend to you as well, so you shouldn't give up on helping him and his family." Recca smiled to him.

"I must have taken that certain quality from someone I know…" Riku smirked.

"Hey, I heard that, Riku." Recca said with a small laugh as the too of them laughed together.

"Anyway, we'll keep in touch. Say hi to Uncle Kurei and everyone else for me." Riku said as he disconnected.

Meanwhile, at the Uruha mansion….

"Was that our son, Recca?" A woman's voice spoke to Recca from behind him. He turned and saw an attractive and gentle woman with long, brown hair stepped up from the inside of the Uruha mansion wearing a casual dress. With her was another man who partially resembled Recca and another woman with long red hair standing next to him.

"Yeah, and it seems that he was in a bit of a jam, Yanagi." Recca replied. "He mentioned that his FOXHOUND buddy Greg was in some serious situation involving their lieutenant, Reese."

"Did I just hear you say Reese?" Yanagi exclaimed. She too knew what that man was capable of from the majority of tales and rumors Riku had told her.

"Yeah, Lilica, a member of the group that has been taking care of Greg since he was a kid was kidnapped by someone who was following Reese's orders a few days ago." Recca said as Yanagi gasped.

"Kidnapped? Did Riku say by whom?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I said it, but it was Psycho Mantis." Recca said seriously as other people came into the room to listen in. They were Kurei himself, along with his wife and Riku's aunt, Neon. Three other people were with him, all of them being females. They were wearing current casual clothing, but normally the occupants of the Uruha mansion would know them as three of the twelve, cosplaying referees for the famed Urabutosatsujin tournament some twenty years ago. One of them had hair which was long and purple as she wore a t-shirt and short cut jeans. Her friend had hair which was short and black as all she wore was a long flowing white dress. The third girl had short, dark lavender hair and was dressed in a tank top outfit with miniskirt to compliment it.

"Come on, Recca. I know that son of yours normally likes to joke around often, but Psycho Mantis has been dead for almost eleven years now." Kurei said as Recca shook his head.

"I wish I could say he was joking this time, but this is for real, guys. Besides, Riku wouldn't joke about something like this, since even he knows when it's time to get serious." Recca said. "Reese has somehow brought back Psycho Mantis from the dead to raise some hell again and this time, he has him kidnapping and murdering innocent people per the Patriots requests."

"I see…so that lieutenant, Reese, has finally decided to show his true colors at last." Neon said with some hate in her voice, as even she knew how despicable a man Reese was from what Riku, as well as Nagi and Tot had to say about him and his exploits within FOXHOUND. "What is it that he has done this time, Recca?"

"Most of the story isn't pretty to hear, I should warn you guys." Recca said to her first, as he turned to Kurei. "Some of it happens to involve your old accquaintance Greg Kinezono and his family, bro."

Kurei's eyes lowered as he heard this. Knowing Greg only for a brief time, he was wondering how he was doing since their meeting for the first time two years back at the Uruha mansion. He knew then Greg was really a good hearted person who had looked out for Riku's back more than once and the fact his family is in trouble because of Reese was about enough to worry him.

"Tell us what he told you, Recca." Kurei said seriously.

"Lilica, that hacker girl of Warrior and Greg's surrogate sister was kidnapped by Mantis, while Rio was severely attacked trying to stop him a couple of days ago." Recca said, causing the women to gasp loudly while Kurei gritted his teeth when he heard this.

He remembered meeting Lilica and Rio as well when he first met the Warrior group and would always remembered Rio as outgoing and energetic and always confident, while Lilica would be so full of spirit and happiness. As a matter of fact, those two along with Maki, had formed a secret pact between themselves and the Uruha and Hokage clan to secretly help out FOXHOUND in times of need on the meeting day, since they had relatives working in a group that will always be met with constant danger.

"No, it can't be…" Neon shook her head sadly. "Is Miss Kinezono…?"

"Don't worry, she's still alive, Neon. She managed to survive Mantis's encounter just by a hair and her injuries weren't that serious. That nanomachine technology that Warrior uses saved her life and helped her recover." Recca said, as Neon sighed a breath of relief.

"Thank God…" Neon spoke as Kurei held her.

"But Mantis' previous victim wasn't so lucky." Recca said as he remembered what Riku told him about Tokiko Hattori's fate. "A civilian woman died trying to protect her niece from Mantis capturing her."

"Damn…" Kurei growled. "Why would he do something like this?"

"I really don't know, but I can bet it's something big that Reese is preparing for and he is trying to drive us to get out in the open for his causes." Recca said while he looked at the three former referees that were listening as well.

"Is this for real? Greg and Warrior are in trouble because of his boss from FOXHOUND?" One of them asked.

"Tatsuko, Umi and Inuko…you guys heard that as well?" Kurei asked as he heard one of them asked this.

"We couldn't help but overheard it." Umi said. "We never thought it was this serious until you said what happened to both Greg and Rio-san."

"Yeah, that is what went down recently, girls." Recca said, and gave a sigh. "Wait till the rest of the gang gets wind of this, I'm sure they won't be too happy as to what Reese has been up to."

"I just hope Greg-san is taking this well, considering how affected his family must be by this." Tatsuko said.

"Did you guys meet him before?" Yanagi asked.

"Yeah, it was while Riku had brought him and his girlfriend and a few members of Warrior to visit the mansion a couple of years back." Inuko said. "The three of us were among the ones to meet Greg and Linn during their visit at the time. It was quite a memorable experience because they're very good people."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(Author's note: Check DarkFusion's MGS fic, chapter 14 for more on this.)

Three years back during their first visit on the Uruha mansion grounds, during Warrior's visit to the mansion. Greg had just stepped out of the VR training room with Linn Aramaki and Riku Hanabishi.

"I still can't believe that this mansion houses VR simulators...I thought I've seen everything in this place." Linn spoke, while wiping her brow with a towel. She and her partners went through a hellish, yet enjoyable workout in the Zako Survival mode, to test which ones scored the highest.

At the end, Greg was the last to participate by going through post Big Shell Solid Snake's version without any kills by using only the M9, at least four Stun Grenades, one Ration and the Stinger Missile against Mech Genola. He only went after the items he needed the most for the mission and managed to get the second highest score using these items under Linn and Riku's.

"I agree with her, this mansion is more spacey than it looks." Greg replied, as he sipped on an energy drink. "Are you sure you showed us all the room, Riku?"

The young ninja laughed heartily as he heard Greg said this. "Well, not really. I'm sure we've only covered about a quarter of the mansion by now, not to mention meeting some of it occupants, but most of the ninja teams that visit or stay here or either on training, having a vacation, living a normal life or on missions for uncle Kurei."

Both Greg and Linn sighed with fatigue in their voices as Linn spoke. "You're saying we still have that much of this place to tour through?"

"And that much people to get acquainted with too?" Greg asked as well as Riku nodded to the two of them. "It's hard to believe that a mansion like this can house that many people and it's hard not to get lost around here."

"When you get used to the routines around here, it is pretty simple to get used to everything that's going on here, but then again, this is a place where all kinds of expert ninja gather, so you may get some new surprises everyday that you weren't aware of." Riku said.

"It must be really fun living here, Riku." Linn said with a smile. "With all these people here and a lot going on to keep everyone entertained."

"Yeah, but I'd prefer it better it was more like home with my mom and dad with all the peace and quiet, you know." Riku said as he noticed the silence coming from his psychic friend. "Hey, Greg, you okay?"

"Huh?" Greg looked like he was daydreaming as he suddenly looked at Riku and Linn. "Oh, sorry…my head must have gone into its little space on its own again."

"You seem to be doing that often these days. Is something troubling you?" Riku asked, his expression showing some concern.

"Well, it's just that I envy you for having such a large family, that's all." Greg simply replied. "Since I even hardly recall what my first family looked like, I thought after Rio and Seishiro took me in, it was as big as a family can get, but after visiting you guys, it seems you've got quite the family tree, Riku."

"Well, I'd appreciate the comment, Greg. Coming from someone who personally knows Geese Howard to be his martial arts student, that is something I didn't see coming." Riku said as Greg shook his head nervously.

"Oh, about Geese…it's not as it seems, okay?" Greg said. "I'm not part of any dealings he tries to get me mixed up in, I'm only his student."

"Come on, Greg. You don't have to hide the fact that you're also partly in charge for some of the actions that are responsible for the restoration of South Town after the NESTS terrorist attack on it before the Second Impact." Linn said, causing Greg to fluster suddenly.

"Linn, why did you have to go and say that?" Greg asked as Riku looked thoughtful.

"I remember the archives on that." Riku said. "Most of that city was destroyed because of an orbital weapon they used, am I right?"

"Yeah, they called it the Zero Cannon." Linn said. "I heard it crashed out of orbit when NESTS was brought down a year later after the attack. But from what I also heard is that the group is slowly reforming with new forces."

"Sometime before I joined FOXHOUND, I visited South Town a couple of times. It seemed to be doing well, though the damages were pretty extensive." Greg said. "It was then I overheard that NESTS was still plotting to take control of things. You can say that it was because of that I didn't want the same to happen anywhere else close to home, so that's why I had to join the group."

"Still, it was weird that you of all people ended up being associated with Geese." Riku said.

"Yeah, I find that hard to believe as well, even though I spent some time with you during certain of the King of Fighters sparring matches." Linn said.

"There's quite a history involved that I hope I can find the best of ways to explain to you all about it." Greg said simply. Before he went on, Umi, Inuko and Tatsuko walked in front of him wearing their outfits. One of them was wearing a purple rabbit's outfit in light pink. She even had large bunny ears to boot. The other had on something like a dog's outfit, complete with dog ears and a tail. She had on a scarf that has the words, 'Running Wild'. The third was dressed as a dragon, complete with horns and a tail.

"Hi, girls. Long time no see." Riku called out to them. "You haven't met my friends from FOXHOUND, haven't you? This is Linn Aramaki and the guy in front of you, is Gregory Kinezono."

"He's that psychic friend you told us about when you now started in FOXHOUND, right, Riku?" Umi asked, stepping closer to Greg. She was the one wearing the rabbit cosplay.

"It's him, alright." Riku said. "Come on, Greg, Linn. Introduce yourselves to them."

"Greetings to you three, it is a pleasure to meet you three." Linn bowed to them as Greg did the same.

"Yes, it's great to meet more occupants of the Uruha mansion." Greg said. "But I need to ask, are you girls part of the ninja clans here are well?"

"No, we're three of twelve former referees from the Urabutosatsujin tournament held twenty years ago. We live here. After our no good boss, Koran Mori expired, we had nowhere to stay, so Kurei welcomed us to live here as long as we want. I'm Inuko." She introduced herself to Greg and Linn. She was the one wearing the dog outfit.

"I'm Tatsuko, pleased to meet you." She shook Linn's hand. She stood upright and proud and looked rather attractive in the dragon cosplay outfit she had on.

"And I'm Umi. It's really good to meet you two finally. Riku has said some pretty awesome things about you two." Umi spoke, smiling at Greg. He chuckled nervously to this as he scratched his cheek.

"Well, I wouldn't call myself awesome really. I know I would be more suitable for the word if I was a little more skilled enough to beat the Shadow Moses Zako mission like some of my other buddies in FOXHOUND have done in accomplishing the impossible." Greg admitted. Even though he had spent enough time in the VR room since joining up, he can never get close to defeating the almost impossible to beat original Shadow Moses Solid Snake Zako Survival mode version as he would always be beaten once he had gotten to the mixed soldier and Tengu section. The only person who has made it to the end on several record times was notably Garland Durev at the moment.

"Aw, Greg, you know for sure there's more about you that meets the eye." Riku said. "There are even some things about you that are still surprising me to this day. You really shouldn't think you're not as helpful as the rest of us are."

"Yeah, he's right, Greg." Linn nudged him with her shoulder. "You really shouldn't get uptight because of how often you think about how you compare your skills to the others in FOXHOUND."

"Ah, I'm sorry, Riku, Linn. Bad habit of mine, I guess." Greg said as he rubbed his head as he faced the three former referees. "It was really nice meeting you three. I knew this mansion housed ninjas, but I never expected even you guys living here as well. This place is bigger than I imagined."

"Yeah, Kurei makes sure to take good care of those who are allied with him. He's really changed in the time we've known him." Umi said.

"Yes, I have to agree, Kurei is a whole different person than I heard of before. He's cool to hang around with from what I can tell." Greg replied. "I just have to be careful not to get on his bad side from what Riku has told me in the past about him."

"You got that right, he can be downright scary." Inuko said with a nervous grin.

Greg then looked back a bit, as he wondered if Rio and Lilica were finished talking to Kurei as yet in his room as yet, but decided to inquire Riku instead as he wanted to tour the mansion some more.

"Riku, remind me if I was mistaken, but we still have much about in this mansion to see, don't we?" Greg asked.

"That's right. And we still we have to meet my other aunts, Miki and Aki and meet back with Rio, Lilica and Maki before you leave." Riku said.

"Man, Riku, just how many relatives of yours and friends of the ninja clans staying here are there who we haven't met yet?" Linn asked which resulted in a grin by Riku.

"Oh, you're seeing about one quarter of the people who have either allied themselves with my father and uncle Kurei." Riku said and gave a light chuckle. "You should actually see the gathering when every single one of them gets together."

"We can only imagine, Riku. But it would be fun if we're invited." Linn said.

"Yeah, man, let us in on the fun when the time comes. I'm sure Rio and the others would want to meet the rest of the ninjas living here as well." Greg said.

"Okay, I'll sure to take note of that, Greg." Riku said as he stood up. "Well, Inuko, Tatsuko and Umi, we're going now to check up on the rest of the mansion, are you coming with us?"

"We'd like to, but we got errands to run for our other friends as well. We'll be pretty busy for the rest of the day." Umi said.

"Ah, that's too bad." Riku said. "Well, at least you got to meet Greg and Linn, so it's not totally a loss."

"Um, can I ask you three a question?" Linn asked. The first to reply was Tatsuko.

"Yes, Linn-san. What is it that you wanted to ask?" she asked.

"You said you were three out of the twelve referees, right?" Linn asked. "Did the rest of you dress like that during that tournament held by that Kouran Mori guy?"

"Yeah, each of us did and we would be happy to do so once more if there's something like that again. It is something we do best." Tatsuko said. "We really love our work, Linn-san. It's something really hard to break from, you know what I mean?"

"I understand. You really must enjoy your jobs as referees. It must be a lot of fun, not to mention safer than actually participating in the fights." Linn said.

"Yeah, but we still had to face some rather grotesque moments in some of the past fights in the tournament. It has its bad points at times." Tatsuko said.

"Then our roles aren't too different, huh?" Linn nodded as she then turned to Greg for a moment as a small smile crept on her face as she turned back to her new friends once more. Leaning in a bit, Linn whispered to Tatsuko a bit before they both giggled to what Linn told her.

"Sure, I can hook you up with something that he will like." Tatsuko said. "Even for someone with such an attractive built as your, Linn-san, it should be an even better fit on you."

"That's really great of you. Thanks." Linn said as she then passed Greg and Riku with a big smile on her face. "Well, come on boys, we can't keep the rest of the tour lagging."

"Wait a second, Linn. What is it that you just told Tatsuko?" Greg asked, certainly a bit oblivious to what just transpired while Riku smirked slightly as Linn waved a finger at him.

"Nuh-uh-uh. That is my little secret for now, partner." She said as she passed him while Greg looked at Riku nervously.

"Hey, Riku, can you tell me?" Greg asked as Riku smiled as he walked off to join Linn.

"Really, Greg. It is obvious that Linn asked Tatsuko to do her a favor." Riku said to his friend. "The kind of favor that I'm really not obliged to reveal to you because it will ruin the surprise for you."

"Favor? Surprise?" Greg asked as he was getting more clueless about the matter. "I still don't understand what you mean by that, Riku."

Riku simply shrugged his shoulders as he walked off, leaving Greg behind as he simply looked at the trio of referees first in silence before running in the direction where Linn and Riku went, calling out to them.

"Hey, don't leave me hanging, you two! I'm still confused as to what went on." Greg shouted. "Tell me what is it that you see that I cannot? Tell me!"

The trio of referees broke out in a laugh as they saw Greg helplessly run off to meet his friends.

"Aramaki and Greg-san are two very interesting characters indeed." Inuko spoke as she watched Greg, Riku and Linn leave the VR room. "I sensed a strong and an honorable warrior's spirit within the two of them."

"I bet if he and Kurei were to have a sparring match, it will be an intense fight." Umi asked. "I wonder which of those two is the strongest."

"Beats me, this is what make this so tense as well." Inuko said. "Oh, if only there was somewhere that had a tournament where we can use our skills again…"

"In any case, Tatsuko, what is it that Linn asked you that made Greg so curious?" Umi asked. Tatsuko smiled as her cheeks reddened a bit.

"It seems Aramaki-san wanted an outfit of her own as well." Tatsuko admitted. "Seems she wants to attract Greg somehow in the attire we have."

"Well, I can't blame her. She is a beautiful woman who happens to be a friend of Riku's in FOXHOUND after all, I think something from our wardrobe can compliment her figure." Umi said.

"We should get something ready for her by the next time any of them comes to visit." Inuko said. "Let's just hope it's anytime soon."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"I didn't know you three met Greg and his girlfriend before." Recca said.

"Yeah, and I actually found something for Linn to wear that I'm sure she will like, but a lot of time passed and they couldn't come for a visit soon after since they were busy with a lot of FOXHOUND stuff." Tatsuko said. "Still, I'll be keeping it in a safe place in once they find the time to come over."

"Still, to think this is actually happening to Riku and his comrades in FOXHOUND…this is certainly inexcusable." Yanagi said

"Kurei, what shall you do about this?" Neon asked.

"I guess it would be wise to contact everyone we know and keep them on the alert about the crisis." Kurei said. "Sooner or later, this is going to get out of Riku and Greg's control if they attempt to rescue Lilica without any proper back up or assistance."

"I get what you mean. It's time to call in the big guns, huh?" Recca said with a grin.

"Yes, brother. It seems we may have to return the clans to how it used to be from all those years ago during the tournament." Kurei said.

"Then, I'll go and find Mom and tell her of what's going down." Recca said. "Hopefully, with her resources, she can help us big time on this one."

"While I'm at it, I'll probably give Domon, Fuuko and Tokiya a call, it's been awhile since we last talked to them." Yanagi said. "I'll also tell Gennosuke-san and Oboro-san about this too."

"And I'll see what Koganei and the other ninja teams have been up to. With the skirmish going on in Tokyo-3 right now, it is most likely that they picked up some vital information themselves." Kurei said. "It would also be best to contact Kenshin about this as well."

"Okay, then. It's settled." Recca nodded. "We'll keep in touch then and get prepared in case Riku has found anything else relevant; we should be on the ready to assist him and Greg in any way when this thing hits the fan."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"So this means, that your whole family is ready to help out too, huh?" Tot asked.

"Yeah, it seems that way." Riku replied. "You know how my father and uncle are anyway. But at least Greg and Warrior won't have to go through this alone, now that everyone we know is trying to assist us get Lilica and Yuina back."

"When you meant everyone we know, would that include the rest of our nakama from Uruha Ryu?" Nagi asked.

"Most certainly, but since things are on level at the moment, I'd better let Akira and Alice have their rest time a bit longer before I make up my mind to call for their help, not to mention Kaori and the others." Riku said. "The most I can do is contact Arakawa just to be safe, but then again, she must be bogged down with extra work as usual."

"Well, we need to make sure now more than ever that our friends keep in touch and are informed of what's happening." Nagi said. "I'll keep on doing what I can here to help Nanvel track a way to find Lilica later."

"You do just that, Nagi. I think she appreciates the little help she can get." Riku said. "In any case, if the subject about Lucy comes up, let me handle the matter, got it?"

Nagi and Tot nodded in silence as they went on outside to wait on Greg who will be joining them soon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Meanwhile, somewhere else in the country...

"The trap has been set." A male voice spoke in the darkness. He had a dark trenchcoat and hat on, a chakram decorated around it. "All that is needed now is to wait for Kinezono to arrive tomorrow and then perform my task. Killing him will be so much fun..."

"That is not your only task, Shade." Another man's voice answered from the other end of the cell phone Shade was using. "Once you get Kinezono and whoever is assisting him out of the way, make your way to Mantis and eliminate him as well. His services are coming closer to completion for my plans."

"That's a strange request...Reese." Shade retorted. "Why would you want someone as powerful as Mantis taken out? Wasn't he brought back to execute your commands to the Patriots will?"

"You need not to know...I'm just being cautious that if that meddlesome recruit gets to Mantis first and manages to reverse the effects of the Patriots' brainwashing on him, he may end up having Mantis ally himself with Kinezono." Reese replied. "That must not happen. Kinezono is a strong psychic, despite his appearance, the last thing we need is an alliance between two powerful psychics."

"Fine...I won't question any further reasons about this. I just have to do my job, and maybe earn a bonus getting Michael's attention when he learns his good friend has been killed by me." Shade smiled.

"There's another thing you must do...Kill the Ebett girl, as well as Yuina Hatori." Reese said. "They have no significant part anymore in my operation. Do whatever that pleases you to them as long all three, including Gregory Kinezono are dead." Reese commanded.

"Understood. I'm going to enjoy deflowering them while hearing their screams, before giving them a silent death." Shade said.

"Also, the 'Death Squad' is yours to command. Having the S3 logic implanted into each of their cerebrum cortex, they have honed fighting skills, much of which has been verified from the battles the White Devil incurred during the test of the program...the Big Shell incident. "Reese spoke. "These are no typical Arsenal Tengus either, although their specialty is based more on speed and an even greater agility factor than even Raiden's. They are the perfect by- products with the amount of battle data fixed into their memories that will have them unmatched among even the average 'freaks' of FOXHOUND...make good use of them, Shade. The Patriots didn't waste any effort to manufacture them to become the next breed of super soldiers."

"Oh, I can guarantee that they will be used appropriately." Shade said. (Though personally, they won't be entirely necessary. I'm sure I can deal with Kinezono and his friends easily when its time all by myself. Why is Reese going through all this unnecessary trouble?)

"That will be all. Do not disappoint me, Shade." Reese spoke as he disconnected.

With that, the conversation ended, as Shade placed the cell into his trenchcoat. His pure black eyes glowed within the darkness as he sat to meditate.

(I'll be waiting for you, Gregory Kinezono...) Shade grinned, thinking what fun way to kill Greg with.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Meanwhile, in Nanvel's temporary lab, Greg can be seen sitting down, shirtless, as multi- colored wires hooked from the nanomachines which constructed his right arm covered the entirety of his shoulder and some were even padded to his chest area. They were reading the vitals of his body and energy levels for the batteries that the nanos had even after Greg had now inherited his pyrokinetic powers once more. Rio was seen standing close by with her arms folded.

"That should be about it." Nanvel said, stepping back as she had finished placing something large over Greg's artificial right arm. It looked like a mechanical gauntlet which was connected to the wires and Nanvel placed sensors to the sides of his temple. It appeared to still be in its prototype stages, but it still looked close to a finished product. "I managed to get this all ready even under short notice."

"So tell us again what does this do, Nanvel?" Rio asked, while Greg remained silent.

"Since Greg will be using his pyrokinetic powers more often, I've created special gauntlets to limit the use in case he ends up losing control like the first time he gained them." Nanvel said. "It may not be top notch, considering we're under some serious time strains, but this is the best I can come up from my knowledge of nanotechnology and your powers in this amount of time."

Nanvel opened a storage unit close by and took out Greg's Sneaking Suit and laid it on the table in front of her as she began to place the sensors from the machine around the chest areas.

"These will be recording your vitals from now on, Greg. I've included a special unit into the specs of your suit that will detect when you should be taking those painkillers in case the time is needed." Nanvel said. "As long as you wear the gauntlets, the sensors should be able to tell you everything about them, so you don't be needlessly taking them all the time."

"I see. While it may not be the ultimate suit developed to counter the obstacles we will encounter later, I couldn't have asked for a better enhancement for the suit for the time being." Greg replied, looking at his wired covered arm. "But would the gauntlets be effective for combat use?"

"Yeah, though they really can't boost your strength unless you're using your psychic powers, but they make for good defense protection when dealing in close quarters combat." Nanvel said. "You should probably keep that in mind from now on, Greg."

"In other words, the gauntlets only act as a limiter to his powers and as a field of defense, huh, Nanvel?" Rio asked.

"That's the best way to put it." Nanvel replied.

"I'm fine with that, Nanvel. I was kind of worried if I had to go on this mission naked as I am with only my weapons to carry with me." Greg said. "But, can I ask another thing I've noticed about the sensors you put on my sneaking suit?"

"Hmm, and what is it, Greg?" Nanvel asked.

Greg lowered his head as he spoke. "Why did you have to color them pink? That kind of color designation is just going to give away my position."

"Aww, I get the feeling that you don't like it." Nanvel said, fiddling with her fingers.

"No, I never said that!" Greg looked up as Rio snickered. "Hey, sensei, what's so funny?"

"Its good to see you being teased once in a while, Greg." Rio nudged him on the chest. "And I must say, with all those wires strapped all over you like that, you do look manly in a twisted sort of way, like a famed bishonen character in bondage."

"Sensei!" Greg blushed as Rio laughed. Just then, Maki stepped into the room.

"I see that you're having fun, Rio and Nanvel." Maki said as she observed what was happening. "You okay there, Greg?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Greg answered, moving his arm along with the wires. "In any case, why are you here, aunt Maki?"

"Actually, there was something on my mind since yesterday after Riku and his partners arrived and I needed your input on something." Maki said seriously.

"And what would it be?" Greg asked.

"I want to find out if it's possible for a psychic to commit brutal acts of murder under a certain influence of mind control." Maki said, causing Greg's eyes to widen as Rio placed an arm over her shoulder.

"Maki, can you be a bit careful about what you ask Greg these days?" Rio asked as Greg looked on silently. "Hey, Greg, you don't have to answer if you really don't want to."

"No, it's okay. I can answer it." Greg said, clutching a set of wires with his nano arm. "In any case, what was it that came to your mind to have made you ask this, Maki?"

"Well, this was about a string of serial murders that happened in a rural town near the ocean several years ago before we took you in." Maki said as Greg paused to think about that for a moment.

"Now that you say it, I think I heard something like that from years ago, but…" Greg hung his head as he tried not to dwell back on his past. "I'm sorry, you know me and how touchy I get when I have to think about my past since I have a hard time trying to remember it and all."

"That's okay, Greg." Maki said. "However, it kind of bothered me as to how Yuina's aunt was killed. It seemed similar to how those murder victims were killed those years ago."

"Yeah, about that, Nanvel's been filling me in with what Seraph told her and you guys yesterday about what happened to her and Yuina since I came in here." Greg said as he shook his head sadly. "It truly was a terrible thing that Yuina had to go through this. It only makes more reason for me to help her and Seraph out in this if it means bringing those two together again."

"Yeah, I know…Still, back to what we were talking about, weren't those cases unsolved up to now, Maki?" Rio asked suddenly.

"They still are and that is what bothers me even more." Maki said as she shrugged her shoulders. "In any case, I just wanted to inform you of this as it may be important later, but for now I don't think that's our issue. Right now, we should concentrate on getting Lilica and Yuina back."

"Yeah…you're right, aunt Maki." Greg said, getting up. "Are you done now, Nanvel?"

"Yep, the tests are done. But I need you to do me one more favor, Greg." Nanvel waved a finger at him as Greg knew what she was going to do next.

(I knew there was a catch to this.) Greg thought to himself as he rubbed his head. "Okay, what is it then?"

A smile crept up on Nanvel's face as she took him by the arm and showed him to a changing room with the Sneaking Suit in hand. Without hesitation, Greg stepped in and started changing his clothing as Rio, Nanvel and Maki left the room.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back at the Kawasaki household, Maya was standing with her arms folded on the open area with Nagi and Tot, while Riku stayed on the porch area with Yuji Naruo, Nastasha Romanenko, and Seraph. Nanvel then stepped outside first as Rio and Maki found a seat on the porch as she had an object that was just as tall as she was covered in a white sheet.

"Come on, Greg. Everyone's out here waiting." Nanvel called back.

"Ah, Nanvel…do I really have to do this?" Greg replied miserably from the background.

"It's for the sake of the mission, Greg. You did say you wouldn't complain about it since Lilica and Yuina's lives are on the line here." Nanvel said. "Now, get your butt out here so we can start the testing."

"Yes, aunt Nanvel. I understand, just don't laugh." Greg said, as he slowly walked out, dressed in his Sneaking Suit, but something was very different about it. He had on a helmet device which surrounded from his temple area around to his chin. A bulge-like armored chest plate which was fitted on Greg's chest area nearly followed the design of the gauntlets that fitted both his arms. Several wires can be attached from the gauntlets wired to his arms which were also fitted with shoulder pads.

A few seconds of silence passed until Yuji, Maya and Riku broke out laughing.

"Wow, Greg, you're truly standing out tonight." Yuji said, holding his stomach.

"Yeah, I never knew pink was the rave today." Riku smirked as Greg hung his head. The truth of the matter was that the components Nanvel added were all coloured pink, her favorite color. Greg felt very flustered in that color.

"Yeah, very funny, you guys." Greg shook his head as he looked at Nanvel. "Did you have to go and really color them this way, Nanvel?"

"But you look so adorable in pink, Greg." Nanvel hugged him as Greg sighed.

"Really, Nanvel, let's be serious here." Riku had to catch some breaths as he spoke. "Pink really is going to give away Greg's position if he was on a sneaking mission, it's not really the best choice for a camo option on a battlefield."

"I know, I know. I just wanted to tease Greg a little." Nanvel said, pressing a button on a remote as the amour components on Greg's Sneaking Suit started to alter color from pink to dark grey to match the color of the suit. "The nanomachines I've installed into the components can shift the color according to the situation, as well give off certain properties."

"A Sneaking Suit with the ability to shift its camouflage color?" Greg asked. "Do you have any idea what you just did, aunt Nanvel?"

"Of course, it's a breakthrough in stealth technology!" Nanvel cheered. "Isn't it neat?"

"Yeah, you can say that again." Greg said.

"Which leads me to ask, is all of that necessary, Nanvel?" Maya asked.

"Since we're dealing with both of Greg's psychic and physical strengths, I had to take certain steps to make sure they can be analyzed more efficiently at the same time. That gave me the idea for this slight enhancement of Greg's suit." Nanvel said. "That way, it wouldn't be much of a problem to see ahead if something wrong is going to happen, not to mention Greg give an upper hand on some points on the battlefield."

"In other words, this is a possible next evolution of the Sneaking Suit?" Tot asked.

"You can say that, but for now, I thought Greg would have made an adequate test subject for the prototype, considering his abilities." Nanvel said. "Right now, this is just a test due to the time constraints and sudden emergency."

"Well, at least it shows just how Nanvel is so resourceful when it comes to gadgets and other scientific stuff." Rio nodded as she patted her friend. "But, Nanvel, wasn't there something else you had to show us as well?"

"Yes, I'm getting to it." Nanvel said as she got out a remote and cleared her throat. "Okay everyone...allow me to introduce to you, the next generation training simulation dummy, the N- 001 Alpha...THE NAN-BOT!"

She pulled over the sheet to reveal a metallic replica version of herself, armed with two tonfars, and was also packing a handgun to its side. It had a pale green tone of skin and it seemed that it needed power to start up.

Everyone in the area, expecting Greg had big sweat drops on their heads.

"Umm...that's quite an invention, Nanvel." Nagi replied nervously, seeing the robot had matching chest size to the real thing.

"This is certainly something I didn't see coming. It almost looks life like." Greg spoke. "But while we're on the subject...you said this thing's a training dummy, right?" Greg asked.

"Of course. I had only completed it about a month ago." Nanvel replied happily.

"It would have been better if you just told me and Rio something about it beforehand, aunt Nanvel." Greg said. "It would have made things more convenient for me if I were to train before the mission, you know."

"I'm so sorry, Greg. I guess, I kind of forgotten, especially with everything that has happened." Nanvel blushed heavily while she clasped her hands together in a prayer like fashion to Greg, who simply smiled as he simply shook his head silently first before patting her shoulder.

"It's understandable, at a time like this." Greg said sullenly. "This thing with Lilica, Yuina and Mantis is affecting me in its own cruel ways too, you know. I really don't blame you for not saying something before, aunt Nanvel. But still, I think you've done a good job putting all your dedication in creating something like this. Again, you've done me proud with your genius."

Nanvel's cheeks redden as she placed her hands over her face. "Aw, Greg…if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're trying to flatter me, aren't you?"

"No way, aunt Nanvel! I didn't meant it like that!" Greg said quickly. "You know this is not one of the first times your inventions has helped me for the better. It was just a compliment after all."

"But still…to hear you say that about my inventions…" Nanvel said, shaking herself. "It's a really good feeling, Greg. I needed the little encouragement. And normally, you're the one who worries about appealing to women."

Greg stepped back as he started to blush himself, realizing Nanvel's little joke. "Hey, you were just teasing me again, weren't you? Cut that out, will you?"

"Ah, so naïve to your own gifts as usual, aren't you, Greg?" Nanvel snickered as Greg shook his head. "That what makes you so lovable."

"Can we hurry up and get back to the business at hand if you had enough fun, aunt Nanvel?" Greg said as he was flustered for the moment while Riku laughed.

"It must be tough on you having being teased for things you don't know you're capable of that make people laugh, isn't it, Greg?" Riku asked. "Most considerably if it's by your own family no doubt comprising of WARRIOR."

Greg simply folded his arms as he looked up to the night sky. "I just know they are only doing what they can to make me feel better…which I know is quite true."

Maki and Rio smiled to each other, knowing Greg was accurate with knowing of their plan. He had been staying with them long enough to know their routines to make him temporarily forget his pains, whether they are both past and present ones. The tone of his voice sounded like a need of guidance and support from his loved ones that he will surely need for the mission to rescue Lilica and Yuina soon.

"Fine, all jokiness aside, let's get the show rolling." Nanvel said as she looked at Greg. "So, Greg what was it that you wanted the Nan-bot to do tonight?"

"Actually, it would prove interesting if we all saw what Nagi and Tot have to offer in their combat skills while we see your creation in action at the same time." Greg said. "Unless they have any objections to it, that is."

Nagi shook his head as he and Tot nodded at each other. "Our minds are already made up, Greg. We won't mind having to duel with a robot to show our skills."

"Yeah, so let us show you that we mean it, okay?" Tot asked.

"Alright then. Then I'll be rooting for the both of you." Greg said as he took a seat on the porch. "Nanvel, you can start at any suitable level for them if you want."

"Got it…starting boot up combat system on Normal mode." Nanvel said, as she activated the robot.

Nagi sighed heavily first as he whispered over to Tot. "When we start, we'll attack it at the same time when it's vulnerable. I'll guard you from the sidelines."

"Okay, got it, Nagi-kun." Tot smiled, taking out her Muramasa. Nanvel then got busy into starting up the Nan-bot, which eyes lit a bright yellow.

"Good evening, Nan-bot." Nanvel said happily.

"Good evening, master Nanvel. To what service can I be of to you?" Nan-bot replied.

"I need to see how capable these two youngsters are in battle, so show them what you got and don't be hard too on them, okay?" Nanvel said.

"Affirmative, master." Nan-bot replied, getting into combat posture.

"Here it comes!" Nagi called to Tot. He ran to the side where he had already charged up an energy ball and as he stopped running, he threw it at Nan-bot's direction. It got an effective stun on its chest area, as Tot had already waved her katana at the robot, several slashes of moisture can be seen hitting Nan-bot before it realized what was happening.

"An effective blindsided attack…" Nan-bot muttered, staggering a bit.

Greg can see what Nagi and Tot were planning, as two on one attacks are a rarely seen thing in the combat arts among FOXHOUNDers these days.

(I see, so they do work best in a pair.) Greg thought to himself as he lit a cigarette to smoke for awhile.

He could see Tot stopping her attack midways and canceling it to return her sword into its sheath, then giving Nan-bot a shove like kick to keep a distance away from the combat robot. But the robot was far from defeated.

"Paradise Shock!" Nan-bot said, firing a laser beam at Tot, who rolled under the beam and was prepared to counter the attack.

"Not yet!" Tot shouted back, forming three final slashes to create a long snake made out of water that rushed towards the robot. "Water Snake!"

Greg got a good look at the snake apparition and nodded his head. (And Tot's rather efficient with that sword of hers as well. Being able to create chi or elemental attacks with a weapon is something rare among us.)

Nan-bot got punished by the long distance attack and staggered once more. Nagi saw another opportunity to throw an even larger sized energy ball that hit the robot near its circuitry board.

"Electric Field!" Nan-bot cried out as a force field generated by the electricity from Nan-bot formed up near Tot's body, and missed her by some inches. Tot breathed some relief and focused on the opponent in front of her. Her previous attack must have messed up its rotor control a bit that the attack missed her.

"That was close..." Tot said to herself. She took advantage of the lapse time Nan-bot had when she performed her Electric Field move and drew her sword in front of her, while she charged at the robot.

"Circuit Graze!" Nan-bot shouted, executing an aerial spinning blow with her tonfar, but Tot simply passed through the rising uppercut Nan-bot performed and ended up behind her, allowing her to ambush the robot with another attack.

"Mizuchi (water dragon)!" she shouted, and started to vertically attack the vulnerable robot, while combining the force of her slash along with the moisture in the air when attacking her opponent. Nagi saw the chance to press on his attack as well and charged up an even larger energy ball to throw at Nan-bot with.

"Psyche Shot!" Nagi shouted, firing his energy ball at Nan-bot which took the hit. But the robot still had some fight in it left.

Charging towards Nagi right after, it leaped over his head and swung its tonfar at him while producing an electric shock. Luckily in time, the psychic dodged the move and even produced a force field of his own to deflect the attack. When it landed on its feet, it was wide open for another counter attack by the two FOXHOUNDers.

"Rising Crow!" Nagi shouted as he lashed at the robot with psychic energy surrounding him with an ascending attack.

SMACK!

While in was in mid-air, Tot then delivered another Water Dragon attack to finish the fight.

"Mizuchi!" Tot shouted as the slash connected and disabled the robot to combat any further. The robot then began to power down.

"Warning! Warning! Damage level has already reached critical point!" Nan-bot shouted. "Unable to continue combat due to detected foreign element materials in mainframe. Activating the automatic shutdown sequence."

Nagi and Tot panted as they saw the Nan-bot stopped moving in front of them as Nanvel stood up as she was satisfied for the moment to seeing the results of seeing her creation in action. She got up and patted the robot.

"Nice job, Nan-bot. You did well for now." Nanvel smiled. "So, Greg...did they pass your test?"

Greg nodded silently as he put the cigarette out in an ashtray nearby before he approached them. "They certainly convinced me alright, Nanvel."

"See, Greg? Those two know how to deal with the battlefield as much as the rest of us can, so you can put your worries aside." Riku said.

"Okay, I'll take your word for it, Riku. I am no longer in doubt." Greg replied. "Especially with Tot's handling of her sword, I liked that trick you did with it, Tot. You really know how to use it well."

"Well, thanks to some of Riku's friends and relatives from his clan, I was able to create some useful styles with the sword." Tot replied.

"I see, those are some effective moves back there. I think you'll do just fine when its time for the mission." Greg said, as he faced Nagi. "And Nagi...you're rather good yourself. You must be a specialist with long distance as well as close quarter combat attacks of your powers. You must have had a good teacher."

Nagi slightly chuckled to this. "Well, it's probably the only most useful thing that my former master taught me to use. But..." Nagi paused for a moment before continuing. "…he died some time ago before I joined FOXHOUND and met Riku."

"I see. Sorry if I had to bring it up. All I had was Rio's and Seishiro-san's training, as well as certain others along the way to help me cope with my powers." Greg folded his arms. "If you'd like, I can share a couple of pointers with you that I've learned in the past that can help you. Would that be okay with you for now, Nagi?"

Nagi nodded at him. "Sure, I can use some of your advice a little, Greg. I'm just a bit curious on what you have to offer that can inspire me to be a better psychic."

"Well, even if you say that, I doubt I've got what it takes to show you that I'm practically useful with them, but I am set to give something back to you and your partners for all the trouble I've caused you." Greg said.

Rio noticed Greg sounded troubled still over what's been happening and decided she should give him some encouragement as she stood up and walked over to him.

"Hey, Greg, don't you have something you want to show us yourself?" Rio asked, winking at him. "Come on, this is your chance to make a good impression on Riku's partners."

"Hey, sensei. Remember why I decided to go through the lengths for rescuing Lilica and Yuina." Greg whispered low to her. "I really don't like flaunting my powers anyway, you know that."

"Aw, come on. What's the little harm in that?" Rio shrugged her shoulders. "Think of this as a way of showing everyone you meant business this time around."

"But…" Greg tried to speak as Rio placed a finger over his lips.

"Please, Greggie. I really want to see how you've improved." Rio asked, with shakiness in her voice. "If not for us, then for Lilica, please?"

Greg sighed as he shook his head. "Alright then, I'll give this thing a practice run myself, but only because you asked me to for Lilica's sake. Just this once, alright?"

Rio smiled at him as she stepped back a good distance from Greg. "Alright, give it your all, Greg."

Sighing heavily, Greg then rubbed his neck before looking at Nanvel. "Is that robot of yours still operable?"

"Yeah, it can still run like normal with its minor damages." Nanvel replied.

"Alright, let me have it then." Greg said before he leaned closer as if to whisper to her. "Oh, and can you set a timer on the match please? I want to time myself for the intervals that I would need to take my medicine."

Nanvel looked at him blank-eyed first, before they lowered sadly. She knew the extent of the risk that Greg was taking with his powers that now he needed to calculate the time he has while in combat from now on. Nodding sadly, she replied by reactivating the robot once more.

"You sure about this, Greg?" Nanvel asked.

"Yeah, I sure am." Greg nodded. "Don't worry; everything's going to be fine for now. A good fight is what I need right now to get out of this temporary slump we're in."

"Okay." Nanvel said, gulping and changing the difficulty on Nan-bot. "Setting it to Special mode set under specific conditions."

Greg looked on in silence as he took out another cigarette and lit it as Nanvel was busy setting the configuration of the difficulty settings.

"Bzzt. Reconfiguring prime difficulty setting. Loading the Special difficulty duel mode." Nan-bot replied.

Greg remained silent as the cigarette continued to burn on his lips as he examined the gauntlets on his arms and checked his nanosuit for any signs of mishaps later.

"File uploads complete. Running systems spec…" Nan-bot reported. "Increased parameters of defense to both psychical and elemental attacks as well in stamina recovery rate, check."

"Looks like you shouldn't waste any time on this fight, Greg." Nanvel said.

"I know…but it's not my intention to waste any precious seconds in it while my life's on the clock anyway." Greg said as he looked at the powered up Nan-bot. "Well, let's get the match started, shall we?"

"Good luck then, Greg!" Nanvel backed off as Greg dropped his half finished cigarette, then got into a fighting stance as he placed his right nano fist over his face where only his eyes can be seen, while his left arm stretched to his lower abdomen area.

"Static Wave!" Nan-bot shouted as Greg suddenly rolled out of its way. Suddenly standing up, he was ready to counter attack, but the robot was already close enough to him that he didn't sense how fast it moved at him.

"What the…?" Greg said as he was taken by surprise when the robot knocked three critical hits into his abdomen as small electric jolts surged through his body.

"Damn, it caught Greg off guard!" Maya said.

"Electric Field!" Nan-bot said as it generated its electric current shield and tried to fry Greg with its multitude of electricity attacks. However, Greg knocked the Nan-bot in time and gained some distance from it before he got hit. Holding unto his stomach, Greg felt his body suddenly going numb.

"Man, to think Greg would fall for something like that so easily." Yuji said. "Hey, Riku, is this how it normally is when he spars with your other buddies from your group?"

"Yeah, I hate to say it, but Greg often doesn't stand much of a chance against either Garland or Michael in this current state." Riku said.

"Damn!" Rio gritted her teeth as she stood up and started to call to Greg. "Come on, Greg! Is this how you normally get kicked around in FOXHOUND all the time? Show us what you got, stop kidding around!"

"Rio-san! What are you doing?" Seraph asked her.

"She knows what she's doing, let her be, Seraph." Maki simply said. "Its okay, this is exactly the push he needs right now."

"But…" Seraph said as she looked on at Greg, who staggered to get up. Wiping his mouth, he looked on at Nan-bot with determined eyes.

"Are you going to let a tin can like Nan-bot show you how weak you are? You won't be able to save Lilica and Yuina like this if you plan on losing to Mantis, Greg!" Rio shouted. "Make a stand and fight like a man!"

"Sensei, please…don't go saying such things in front of my friends." Greg said, as he got into his posture once more.

"What's that supposed to mean? Have you suddenly become a wuss all of a sudden?" Rio called out. "If you're having trouble focusing, I know just the thing to help you."

Rio suddenly ran back into the house as everyone looked on with quizzed looks on their faces while Greg knew what she was going to do.

"Oh, no…don't tell me she's going to…" Greg muttered as she suddenly came back out with a portable music box set and a cd. Popping in the music disc, she pressed the play button as a simple electric guitar melody started to playing, before it was joined by a catchy frenzy mix of party techno and hard rock.

Greg almost fell over as he noticed this was Rio's theme for Warrior, aptly named 'Show Time!' It was the track from the first mission from one of the greatest games of all time, Devil May Cry 3. She knew Greg would get some blood pumping from hearing this song.

"Now, Greg, I'm certain this would do the job for you." Rio said to him, as Greg shook his head.

"You've really done it now, sensei. I feel so embarrassed." Greg stretched open his arms as he suddenly got into his posture once more and faced Nan-bot once more. "Alright, let's continue this."

Nan-bot suddenly charged at Greg once more as it dashed at him, swinging its tonfars at him, but the psychic countered by foot sweeping the robot and as it was picked up off the ground, he sent a flying knee into its side, and then performed an outstretched flying kick that sent if higher than his body.

"Judgment Kick!" Greg shouted as he raised his body and spun it to perform a single back kick that landed dead mark on Nan-bot's chest with his leg, knocking it on the ground.

"Impressive." Seraph said simply, noting Greg's skills.

"Yeah, but he's far from being serious as yet. Just wait a while longer." Rio spoke while observing the fight. "He's only getting warmed up."

After landing on the ground, Nan-bot stood up and swung one of its tonfars near Greg's face, but Greg gritted his teeth and crossed his arms together as the tonfars were deflected in five consecutive successions, creating white sparks each time he guarded against them.

"What was that, Rio? I've never seen Greg do anything like that before in FOXHOUND." Riku asked.

"Just a little something Greg managed to work on while developing his psychic training not so long ago." Rio replied. "It's a self defensive ability that helps him stores his power without taking too much damage. Neat, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but he certainly can't keep on doing it as much as he wants, can he?" Nagi asked.

"You're pretty observant. As useful as his psychic defense techniques are, they run a bigger risk of him losing more of the stamina he needs to sustain control of his powers each time he uses them. It's a double edged sword for him, basically." Rio said.

Several more strikes from Nan-bot were pressed on to Greg as he then to punch away all of the attacks before they reached his body. Then just as he saw an opening between the spaces created by Nan-bot's tonfar strike, he made a straight jab into its stomach, before switching to his right nano fist and delivering a right hook at it, sending the robot several feet from him, giving him a chance to breathe now.

(How much time passed since this fight started?) Greg thought to himself. (My body is still numb from the previous attack and already I feel my stamina is running low. But I got to press on, for only a couple of minutes more before I can take the painkillers.)

The Show Time! Song ended on cue and then the next track to play was Taste the Blood from the same game as Rio couldn't help but nod her head as the beat started up before the main song played. For some reason since the time she spent with Greg, she ended up liking the song as well since it helped him in his training in the past.

"Wow, Rio, I never knew you shared Greg's tastes in music." Yuji said, as Rio shook her head.

"I can't help it; it's really popular and catchy." Rio shrugged her shoulders as she faced Greg once more. "And sides, with a song like this stuck in Greg's head, he is sure to get really serious now."

Greg remained silent as he knew what Rio was up to and simply focused back on the fight. He has to make this quick before the negative effects of his powers kick in.

"Electric Field!" Nan-bot shouted, creating its energy field and throwing it near Greg.

"Here it comes again." Greg said as he simply sidestepped from the attack, while Nan-bot rushed him, performing a jab with its tonfar. Greg grabbed it with his right nano wrist and lifted himself over its body to land behind it as he used his body force to push it back, then striking at it with an uppercut from his right fist, sending it flying.

Suddenly recovering upon landing on its feet, Nan-bot then charged at incredible speed and used its Hapless Surprise in an attempt to trick Greg, but he managed to see through the Electric Field attack and was able to counter it.

"Panther Cut!" Greg shouted, attacking the robot with his right fist, as he shifted to attacking with his clenched left fist, then turning his body before he used a one legged spin kick, then switching back to his right leg to send it crashing down on it, knocking it down.

"Is this really Greg in combat?" Riku asked. "I doubt I've ever seen him this focused before in all those times during sparring fights."

"Because he knows what's on the line now, Riku. He knows that Lilica and Yuina are out there, unsafe and are probably seeking our help. I doubt he is going to let himself falter no matter what when he's like this." Rio lamented as Greg leapt over the Nan-bot as it got up and performed another standing uppercut and followed in mid air as he performed a haymaker blow, then before it landed from the blow, he performed a spin kick at it to send it crashing to the ground.

Greg landed to stop and look at his watch. One minute gone and so far, no signs of his powers going out of control yet. Seeing it stand up once more, he can see this fight is far from over and he had to finish it soon.

Sighing heavily a bit, Greg closed his eyes as he began to motion his arms, focusing his thoughts of summoning his pryokinetic powers. Soft murmurs in Japanese began to whisper from his lips as a strong gust of wind started to blow around the training ground.

"What's with this wind?" Nagi asked before thinking to himself. (It feels gentle and strong, yet unnatural and a bit menacing. Is this Greg's true essence as a psychic at work?)

"What is that he's doing?" Tot asked while Riku continued to observe what was going on, and his eyes narrowed slightly. He then looked at Rio.

"Rio, you and Greg weren't just looking for information yesterday, were you?" He asked as Rio nodded at him seriously.

"I've got to give you credit for seeing through my little surprise, Riku." Rio said as she shook her head. "I'm sorry that we kept this from you until now, but the truth of the matter is that this thing about Greg's powers really bothers him a lot that we had to seek out a way for Greg to equal his strength against Mantis by having him summon his forbidden powers that he had sealed for a long time now. The same guy you see before you is capable of creating fire as you can, just not as powerful, but still on extremely dangerous levels."

Riku remained silent as he looked on at Greg's face before he asked Rio. "So you had it sealed away because it normally was giving him problems with his health…are you sure unsealing it was a wise decision?"

Rio looked in silence as she tried to find the answer, but she couldn't come up with any at the moment. "Greg, as well as everyone in Warrior here had good reasons for doing what we thought was right, Riku. That time when he first manifested his powers was a painful time for all of us. You have to understand, Riku…Greg really doesn't want anyone to get hurt because of his own powers, but he had no other choice when he had to do this."

Riku stayed silent as he noted Rio's sadness and he felt there was something very oddly wrong with how Greg was acting up to late.

(Of course, this is what Maya was saying about him earlier tonight. Is this thing about Greg's powers THAT bad? Could it have something to do with what happened to Seishiro-san as well?) Riku thought to himself. (I'd better not press the matter further and hope whatever happens won't have Greg put himself in any danger than he already is.)

Greg reopened his eyes as his right nano wrist open and a small energy globe with red and white flames swirling around it began to form around it.

"Cursed Guardian Flame, I call upon your power to guide me in this battle." Greg muttered, opening his palm as the orb expanded and the flames began to encircle his arm. "Bestow upon me the strength to vanquish my foes and safeguard those around me as I call upon the curse of my blood and the serpent that represents it."

The two differently coloured flames began to encircle one another as Greg raised his arm over his head as the gust began to swirl around the orb in a small energy whirlwind.

"This is my Kinezono Style Crimson Gale!" Greg shouted as he raised his fist and swung it at the direction of Nan-bot who was partly seared by psychic his mix of wind and flame attack. Pulling back his flame engulfed artificial arm, Greg then charged at the robot as he kneed it once more, causing it to rise above him, before pulling back his body and performing a straightforward haymaker punch with his right fist.

"Kinezono Style…Fiery Blow!" Greg shouted as the punch made contact on the body of the robot as during the attack, he suddenly grabbed it with his right arm, raising it off the ground. There was a monotonous look in his eyes as he looked at the Nan-bot.

"This is the finisher…Kinezono Style Grand Destruction!" Greg muttered as suddenly he grabbed his head with his left hand as his body trembled slightly for a few seconds as if he was in pain, before he looked at the robot once more as he began to perform a series of fiery roundhouse kick from both his legs, before switching to a sequence of inverted punches as he repeatedly turned his body to push Nan-bot away before he fired an invisible psychic blast that exploded on the robot before it regained balance.

"That was…" Maya muttered as she saw the attacks Greg used.

"It seems he is still using what Iori and Kyo-san taught him in order to utilize his powers better for now as well." Rio said as she then saw Greg collapse on his knee, holding unto his right arm in pain. "Hey, Greg, are you okay there?"

The psychic simply nodded weakly as he did a thumbs up at her as he took out his prescribed painkillers and started to swallow a few. Just then, Nan-bot spoke once more. "Error! Error! Blue screen of death! Unable to proceed combat due to excessive damage!"

"That's my cue then." Nanvel said. She quickly typed in the 'Emergency Shut Down Program' on her remote. She walked over to Greg, who was panting heavily, still on his knee. "So, did you enjoy your workout?"

It took a moment for Greg to speak normally as he had a little trouble breathing soon after treating himself. "Well, I did get some good exercise, yes. I hope I didn't damage your robot too much."

"No worries, it may have suffered some dents, but its still operable." Nanvel said.

"Alright, that's good to hear. I really tried my best to pull my punches, but it seemed I must have gotten a bit carried away." Greg rubbed his head as Rio came over to him. "But, sensei, you really shouldn't have pushed me so hard back there, it was really unnecessary for you to do that."

"Come on, Greg. I really couldn't bear to see you getting beat up like that, it's starting to look bad for even me and I'm the one who trained you." Rio said.

"I still have a long ways to go before I can become a better psychic, Rio, so don't go saying such things for now, please." Greg said seriously. "At least give me some better encouragement next time, okay?"

Rio smiled as she helped picked Greg up and dusted his Sneaking Suit as she helped him looked more proper in front of everyone. Then the two looked at Riku and his group as the blonde policewoman leaned in closer to talk mentally to Greg.

(How are you holding up?) Rio asked him.

(Fine for the moment, but my hands hurt like hell now and some of the nanomachines must be fried by now.) Greg replied as he noticed Riku coming over to him. (Say, Rio…did you say anything to Riku concerning my powers before?)

(Well, he had an idea basically that you were capable of creating fire all along, he just has little idea of how it came to be.) Rio said.

(No, really, sensei, what is it that you told him? By having me train like that in front of them and Seraph, the big secret I'm trying to keep from everyone else is now out.) Greg thought as Rio looked on sadly. (Now we may as well have to start answering his questions about this which I really don't need right now.)

(I'm so sorry, Greggie…but I really don't want to see you calling yourself incapable in front of everyone with this power you have.) Rio replied. (You're important in this as well as everyone else who decided to help us out. The last thing I need for you is to keep doubting yourself because you think you will only hurt those you care about because of your powers. You have to understand, I was only trying to help you gain some confidence.)

(Sigh.) Greg simply let out a breath in thought as he patted his surrogate mother's shoulder. (Well, at least give me a warning about your plans next time, okay? I kind of appreciate what you did; it kind of helped me get some bad vibes out of my body. But, please be a bit more careful about letting me know when its time for me to reveal my powers like that next time, okay?)

(Greg…) Rio sighed as Greg walked on over to Riku who was the first to talk.

"So, my guess was right. Something was bothering me about you for the longest while and seeing what you did just now confirms it." Riku said seriously as he folded his arms. "How come you never told me that you're capable of creating fire like I can, Greg?"

"Hey, Riku. If you let me explain, I had several good reasons why I never said anything about this to you before and why I chose now to be the time to reveal my secret." Greg said. "Some of them involve some painful memories, but I really never intended to really rely on it. It was just that the situation regarding Lilica and Yuina came about and I felt weak against the odds, I needed to get this strength to make the chance of seeing Lilica safe once more. You guys have got to be reasonable with me here, it was my only option that I had at the moment because I was desperate."

"He's right, Riku. He was even pleading for help from Geese when he was looking for a way and this is what he got." Rio said to him seriously. "That was where we were yesterday, seeing if Greg was strong enough to handle those powers of his as he spent time training with Geese."

Riku looked on at his partners first before speaking to Greg once more. "Well, with the way things are now, I really can't afford be angry at you guys for holding out on a secret like this on me, but it would have helped if you said something before, since I'm a flame-wielder myself, I can help you a bit on controlling them, Greg."

Greg smiled at Riku first, before bowing to him. "I'd appreciate it, man. I'll be sure to ask for your help if I have any problems. But I already told myself I'd refrain from using them too much and I intend to keep it that way. Besides, I'm not like you where you're in charge of holding up to eight living dragons out of fire in your body; I doubt my power could even reach to that level, Riku, no matter how hard I will try to become stronger."

"True, but the problem you must have with your powers is probably the ability to concentrate while wielding them." Riku said to him.

"Easier said than done, Riku…I don't think it's me who has the problem with my powers, but more like the other way around." Greg said as he shook his head. "Look, you don't need to worry too much about my health; I got the medicine to take care of me for the time being. But I will still think about your offer once this mess is over."

"Come on, Greg, its time to get out of that suit, I need to start analyzing that battle data before the night is over." Nanvel said as Greg nodded to her as they went inside the house, leaving Riku to think a bit.

"There's that look again. Something definitely has to be bothering you, Riku." Nagi said.

"Well, I can't help but think about what Greg was saying about his powers, it's as if he wasn't all too happy even having them." Riku said. "I can sense Rio share his sentiments as well."

"Well, something about the way he fought just now was different than I expected from him." Tot spoke.

"That's just my point. He's never fought like that before, even in a sparring match." Riku said. "Something is definitely going on that we don't know and it's not just this whole matter about Reese that's affecting him either."

"So, what do you intend to do, Riku?" Nagi asked.

"I know he's my friend and comrade, so I will be getting to the bottom of this and get some answers, once this matter regarding Reese has been resolved, that is. I don't need to pressure Greg and his family as they are right now." Riku said.

"That's probably the right thing for now. We understand that as well." Nagi replied.

"Come on then, we should probably enjoy the night air some more and even give a three on one with Nanvel's invention, how about it?" Riku asked as he looked at Nan-bot who was being observed by Seraph rather closely.

"So lifelike in details and movement, it acts like an ancient predecessor of my types." Seraph said as everyone then had large sweat drops on their heads.

"I think it would be best to leave Seraph alone with her new friend for now, Riku." Maya said nervously.

"I…I think I get your point there." Riku replied, as everyone were still getting used to Seraph being around them.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Later that night after changing, Greg returned to his casual clothing and spent at least one half hour training with Nagi. It gave him a good chance to know the Japanese youngster better for the time being, as well as his effectiveness in battle. When it was getting close to time for sleep, Greg felt quite restless, so he got up and walked outside on the walkway near the forest at the hot springs.

As he walked, Greg thought back on the training session and remembered how Nagi was able to create his own projectiles using his own power. He had to admit that the young psychic was very talented for his age, which made Greg wonder if Nagi knew very well what he is capable of even before joining FOXHOUND. Greg felt assured somehow that he was having the chance to exchange some of what he knew with Nagi. He no longer felt like the only psychic in the group any longer.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Psych Shot!" Nagi shouted, throwing a ball of his psychic energy at Greg as he observed the projectile coming towards him.

"Guard!" Greg shouted as he raised his right nano arm in front of his body to parry the projectile. He felt the sheer power of Nagi's power as he felt the shock transfer through is arm, yet Greg seemed hardly fazed by the attack.

"It's pretty rare for someone to even absorb my psychic attack like that and not act like he's hurt." Nagi said to Greg.

"You're right, it does hurt a bit." Greg winced some. "I think even my defensive techniques needs more working on. But I must say that your power is very effective as expected, Nagi."

"If only we had more time to spar and see about that." He said to him.

"Maybe, but its best we leave it off for a better timing." Greg said, taking a seat close by. "Let's call it a five for now, you've shown me how good you are, Nagi. I see why Riku rests his faith with you most of the time. I do hope we can do the same working together in the future."

Nagi sat nearby Greg to relax as well. "Yeah, I hope the same thing too. You're about as good as Riku says you are, but every time I look at you, it's hard to believe that you're psychic. You really appear to be like everyone else and act differently than I imagined."

"Well, I have to apologize if I gave you the wrong impressions before, Nagi. Let's just say there were experiences in my life that kind of straightened me out for the best for now, but I still think I have a long ways to go before I can meet everyone's expectations." Greg said as he took out a pack of cigarettes and was about to light one when he saw Nagi looking at him. "Ah, does this bother you?"

"Well, it isn't any of my business, but I really don't think it's good for your health, Greg. I know you and I are now getting to know each other, but I know a couple of friends outside of FOXHOUND who smoke and even I couldn't tolerate that forever when I'm with them." Nagi said to Greg, who lightly grinned at him and put back the cigarettes in his pocket.

"I'm sorry, I'm not really into secondhand smoking too, but you do have a point." Greg shrugged his shoulders as he sat back. "I'm just a bit worked up about what's been happening lately. I hardly got any good sleep recently because of all this."

"Everyone else is, because we all know the enemy too well." Nagi said.

"That's true, but if only we knew his intentions and stopped Reese before, Lilica and Yuina wouldn't be in this mess and her aunt wouldn't have died." Greg said.

"It couldn't be helped or prevented; there was no way we could have known." Nagi said.

"That's the case, Nagi. Knowing that just makes me even more miserable." Greg said, shaking his head.

"We're only human, Greg, nothing more." Nagi said, standing up. "I guess that is a cruel and unfair course of life that we must be a part of. The only thing we can do is learn from these experiences and try our best not to let it happen again to other innocent people who are targeted by the likes of Reese."

Greg looked at Nagi seriously and nodded. "You're right about that."

"Well, it's getting pretty late; you should turn in for the night soon." Nagi told Greg.

"I will soon, I just want to take in more of the night air and think over things some more." Greg said. "It was nice talking to you anyway, Nagi. I'm glad we had this talk, it got some heavy air off of my chest."

"Hey, you know Riku's habits tend to rub off on people. Guess that's his way of helping others in need." Nagi said as he walked off. "See you tomorrow, Greg."

"Sleep well, Nagi." Greg waved to him as he walked into the house. Greg looked up at the moon and after some silence, reached into his pocket for the cigarette pack.

"Greggie?" A female's voice called out from behind Greg. He turned and saw Rio walking to him, wearing her long pink robe, her blonde hair loose and covering her entire back. "What re you doing up still? It's pretty late; you'll need the energy for tomorrow."

"That's what's causing me to stay up...tomorrow." Greg replied as he returned the cigarette into his pocket once more. Rio stepped up closer and looked at Greg.

"Yeah...the day we finally go to rescue Lilica is finally here." Rio said in a low tone. "Is that what's been worrying you?"

"The part when we run into Mantis does...I'm having a really uncomfortable feeling about this, Rio." Greg spoke. "Sensei...you do know that if I go off to fight Mantis by myself...it could very well be...my last battle?"

Rio's heart began to thump faster. She knew what Greg was saying could be the truth.

"I may be rushing things ahead, but…I need to know for myself why Reese has committed all that he has done up till now before it's too late for Lilica and Yuina. I need this matter to be resolved by having Mantis answer the questions I have for him, even if it means getting them by force and even if it means putting my life on the line." Greg said, looking into Rio's eyes.

"But, Greg...what will you do when you eventually find out?" Rio asked.

"For years, I've wondered about my past, the bits and pieces that were missing from it and I'm sure Reese has done this in order for me to pursue it. The answers to my long awaited questions are probably in Mantis' possession." Greg said. "Surely, the reason why my mother and younger sister were killed along with my father and I was sent here had to go along those lines. I just want to rest more easily with the knowledge in finding out the truths of my past, nothing more."

"What about Mantis? Are you hoping to rectify what damage has been done to him?" Rio asked.

"I have to, Rio. For all I know, Mantis may be as innocent as the people he captured because the Patriots brainwashed him against his will." Greg said. "It's not going to be easy though, but I cannot give up on Psycho Mantis."

"Well, as long you don't plan on chasing after the people who made this mess in the first place, I guess you should be okay for now." Rio rubbed her head.

"What's that supposed to mean, sensei?" Greg asked.

"Ah, it's nothing. Must be my old age talking." Rio slapped his shoulder. "Just remember not to let this get to your head, okay?"

"I will, sensei. A matter like that is usually the least of my worries anyway; I'm more concerned with how I'll hold up with my powers in the future when this is over." Greg said to her.

"And enough with this 'sensei' business, I'm not only your instructor, but your guardian." Rio smiled at him, with a blush on her face. "The most you can do is start calling me 'Mom' from now on."

"You know I really can't do that, sensei." Greg stuttered.

"Greg, I won't replace your real mother if that's what you're worried about. It's good enough that you're adopted by me, but for once...I would really feel better if you started to look at me as the woman who helped you all these years." Rio said.

"Oh, geez, Rio..." Greg sighed. He really didn't want to do this, but it would be nice if for once he called Rio 'mom'. It would be enough to make her smile to when he calls her such a sweet word.

He simply took Rio in his arms and hugged her, a tear of joy streaming down his face. "Okay, here's the deal…we get Lilica and Yuina safe and sound from this mess, settle this matter with Mantis and when all's said and done, I'll start calling you mom, how would you like that?."

"That's a strange and unexpected answer...but I like it." Rio replied, and then started to wipe away Greg's tears with her hair. "What is it that made you cry, Greggie?"

"Nothing really...I just love spending times like these with you, that's all." Greg replied.

"Even more than being with Linn?" Rio tilted her eyebrow and stared at Greg, who started to fluster.

"Cut that out, Rio. How can you bring up her name at a time like this? Now all you did was just ruin the mood." Greg rubbed his head. She simply smiled at Greg and laughed a bit, as did Greg.

"Speaking of Linn...does she know about Reese and everything related to it?" Rio asked.

"I doubt it...sometimes I think its better she doesn't for her sake." Greg said, getting serious once more. "But who knows, by this time tomorrow, she and everyone else will know."

"Maybe it's best she does...she may worry a lot about you. She usually does if you're away from her too long." Rio said to her surrogate son.

"Sensei, something is wrong with you tonight." Greg said, holding Rio's shoulders.

"Why do you ask that?" Rio asked.

"I'd never thought to hear that from YOU of all people. I thought you were always a bit envious of Linn because she gets to spend more time with me than you guys since I'm part of FOXHOUND and all." Greg said.

"True...but I am being serious here. Maybe you should tell Linn about tomorrow. It'll make you more relaxed." Rio said. "Well...I'm turning in for the night. Make sure to catch some sleep soon, okay?"

"I will. Good night, sensei." Greg smiled at Rio.

"Yeah, good night to you too, Greg. Don't stay up too late." Rio kissed Greg lightly on his cheek and walked off to her room. Greg turned back to the moonlight and sighed a bit.

(Maybe Rio's right...a talk with Linn should help me sleep better...I wonder how she will take the news?) He thought to himself. (One thing is for sure, she won't be so pleased to hear that I'm going off to do this crazy mission…its so much like the other times in our relationship that it's becoming routine now. I sometimes have the worst luck keeping a relationship…)

With that, Greg stretched his arms and walked to his room, where he stopped to see Seraph staring into the night sky herself.

"Oh? Seraph. Why are you still up?" Greg asked. "Eager about what's happening tomorrow, I see."

"Yes, that is correct. Yuina is a really good friend and is in a great need of support at times. I often worry for her most of the time. I do hope she is safe." Seraph replied, still in her biodroid outfit.

"Yeah, I'm hoping the same for Lilica as well. I do hope they are both okay." Greg said, before he looked at Seraph once more. "Tell me something...if she's your master that can summon her talents because of you, can you get any idea of where she can be if you can mentally trace her thoughts somehow?"

"I certainly have tried that, but I can't get through somehow. Her mind is probably weak after the shock after seeing her aunt die in front of her, and Mantis must have taken advantage of that." Seraph said.

"I see...I remember Nanvel telling me the story earlier tonight. You and Yuina have my greatest sympathies, Seraph." Greg simply said. "You did your best with Nanvel's and Nagi's assistance and we're still able to keep on tracking them, so I guess it isn't for naught. But, we're not going to give up on finding them even if it means pulling an all nighter from now on to do so. Now that both part of FOXHOUND and Warrior are working together on this, we at least have a stronger chance to finding a clue to their whereabouts."

"I'm sorry if facing Mantis requires this amount of dexterity for you to face him in order to secure Yuina's and Lilica's safety." Seraph said.

"Look, Seraph, didn't I tell you before back at Police Town yesterday? I said I would find and rescue Yuina for you on my word as an agent of FOXHOUND. I don't mind going through all this trouble for someone else in need." Greg said. "And now, I'm sure Riku and his partners feel the same, along with WARRIOR that is helping you. We'll be reunited with them before you know it."

"I appreciate the dedication you've put towards recovering Yuina and Lilica. But I need to know something that's been slightly disturbing me." Seraph asked.

"What is it?"

"You do not find my presence here unusual?" she asked.

"Well, once you have seen and gone through many things in the past with FOXHOUND and the world around you like I have, you tend to get used to it." Greg said. "Though a biodroid is a first for me, so I was kind of bewildered by the fact such creations exist. But that really didn't matter to me since you came to us asking for help, I kind of jumped at the opportunity that can help me get Lilica back."

"So, you're also the type who thinks a lot of others despite where they originated from." Seraph smiled at Greg, causing him to look at her with a quizzed look.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Greg asked.

"For someone who has been in contact with the infamous Geese Howard, you're more different than most people, including how I had initially figured you to be." Seraph said to Greg.

"So, you found out about that minor detail, huh?" Greg asked. "I can't say I'm too pleased with myself about it though."

"Nanvel has briefed me about the common and current most wanted criminals that have taken the crime syndicate over the years." Seraph said, causing Greg to stare at her wide eyed.

(Aunt Nanvel, what exactly did you tell Seraph about my involvement with Geese? She must be still watching that DVD set of 'The Shield' I sent her and Rio some time ago.) Greg thought as he cleared his throat. "Don't get me wrong, I never wanted to be in with the likes of Geese in the first place. He was just able to get me the right connections I need for the painkillers I need for my powers. The doctor who used to be regularly supplying me with these died in a hit and run a few years ago and I was desperate."

"There was no one else I can turn to get me the medicine to keep my powers in check. Geese found use of my talents in exchange of my medicines. It may sound like a dirty deed, but I had to get used to it to get by. He later applied some of his fighting techniques to my knowledge of psychic combat to enhance my concentration levels a bit, but I still needed to take that medicine." Greg finished.

"I see. Your intentions are understandable, though you could have found better resources." Seraph said.

"I know. That is why I'm making sure not to be too close to Geese too much or else people will start to think differently about me. I'm still in the search for a better resource to help me with my powers at the moment, but I can't complain about the medicine's capabilities for now." Greg said. "You were thinking the reasons I'm hanging with Geese were for something else?"

"At first, but I doubt anyone with a noble and kind heart such as yours would do otherwise, or else you wouldn't have been so quick to help me." Seraph said.

"You think so?" Greg asked as he looked to his side. "After what Nanvel told me about what happened to you and Yuina earlier, this only means that I need to try my best tomorrow even more if we are to help Yuina who's in a bigger bind than I originally thought. Don't worry, Seraph, we'll see to it that she will be returned to you and we'll also do what we can to help her out, so try and get some rest. Everything is in good hands."

"I most certainly will. Thank you for the assurance, Greg." Seraph said.

"It's the most we all at WARRIOR and FOXHOUND can do for you for the time being. It is part of our job." He simply replied. "Good night, Seraph."

Seraph returned the bow to Greg with a small confident smile now. "Well, good night to you as well, Greg. I shall see you and the others in the morning."

Unable to tell Seraph anything else as she left because of what she told just told him, Greg looked at his right hand as he clenched it and closing his eyes for a moment.

(A noble and kind heart, huh?) Greg thought as he looked up to the night sky. "Well, I guess I should be hitting the sack then."

Greg started to walk back to his room, but before he got any further, his legs suddenly cramped as he felt the rest of his body soon began to throb. He clutched a nearby tree with his right nano wrist and clawed into the bark in extreme pain as he fell on his knees.

(No, not now! Not this again!) Greg thought to himself, clutching his chest. (My body feels as if its on fire…my head's spinning and I'm losing consciousness…it's starting again. He's calling me again…)

Greg tried to reach for the medicine in his pockets in time, but before he knew it, he had already lost the strength and already blacked out into darkness. The next moment before he knew it, he found himself in a small dark room. The only light that made it bright was from a single four pane window.

"Where…where am I?" Greg asked himself as he looked around, it looked desolate and truly bare of anything. Then to his shock, she then saw a young boy with light dark skin, standing over a beautiful woman of the same skin color and long dark black hair wearing a long white long dress had collapsed before him. Blood covered the right side of his face as tears rolled down his face when he kneeled to hold her as her hair covered most of her face. It was then he realized something as he then saw the boy turn around to face Greg.

"That is me, isn't it?" Greg muttered as he tried to reach out to him, but something was holding him back for some unknown reason. "Why am I brought here?"

"It will be okay from now on, mother." The young Greg spoke almost melancholy. "I don't need him anymore. We don't need him anymore, right, Mother?"

Greg looked on as she saw the woman barely moved to touch Greg's younger self on his shoulder, as the woman began to hold her face with her hands and started to cry. Her sobbing growing louder by the second that it started to echo the room Greg was trapped in. The only thing he can do is shake his head in disbelief

(Dammit, don't make me remember this!) Greg thought to himself. (Just stay out of my memories, do you hear me? Stay out of my head!)

The young Greg knelt down to touch his mother's face, despite the fact that the right side of this face was covered in blood.

"You just leave…everything to me from now on. I'll take care of both you and my little sister, so don't cry anymore, okay?" The young Greg said to her, now embracing her.

(No, I didn't ask for this!) Greg fell to his knees and cried out. (I only wanted to protect them from him! Why can't you understand that? Why do I have to remember this?)

"Oh, get a hold of yourself. Why must you keep on running away from the truth?" A voice asked him. "I get it now…you're still afraid of losing what's important to you, is that it?"

Greg looked up and faced his mirror self once more, who had on black clothing with traces of gold outlines across the chest area of the outfit he was wearing, while the right side of his face had markings made from the nanomachines.

"Haven't you tormented me enough?" Greg spoke as his dark personality who referred himself as Violent Greg shook his head sadly.

"It seems you still haven't seen the full picture here, my disillusioned psychic." Violent Greg replied, turning to Greg's memory. "Do you think going after Mantis is going to rectify what happened at that time? You should know its hopeless doing the impossible, why even bother trying?"

"Because I promised everyone they will see Yuina and Lilica again. I'm not going to back down on my word, even if it will be bringing me pain I won't be able to bear." Greg answered as Violent Greg stood closer to his counterpart and grinned at him.

"Making a promise like that isn't going to really help now, is it?" He asked mockingly. "Even if everyone's going to help you out, you will end up failing anyway. You're still not strong to save those dear to you, Greg."

"I don't need to hear your lectures now of all times. Just leave me alone!" Greg shouted angrily.

"But you know that is true…even that curse you bear isn't enough to help you, yet you went ahead and released it for the sake of rectifying what Reese did to Mantis and Yuina." Violent Greg said. "Do you even question your own actions, Greg?"

Greg remained silent as Violent Greg laughed at his face and walked around him.

"You try so hard to be as close to everyone else to be accepted among them, but you've always been an outcast, Greg. These people will never look at you as normal if you pull this stunt." Violent Greg said. "No, the fact of the matter is that you'll be branded as an enemy capable of hurting those closest to you. You're rather good of gaining people's trusts, but you'll do even better at breaking them, I bet if given the chance in the near future."

"I told you to shut up." Greg said to him. "If you say that will be the case, I'll see to it that it will never happen."

"And how will you accomplish that, I ask?" Violent Greg asked. "I bet you'll seek the help of your family and friends to help you? Don't make me laugh. This is something they can never free you from, Greg. We're in this together until the end. Without me, you will never fully remember what happened to you all those years ago."

"Why do you insist on hiding it from me anyway?"

"You'll know soon enough. All I can say is that I'm concerned for your well being, Greg and I don't want anything bad happening to you for now." Violent Greg said.

"Liar. You wouldn't be saying that if you had to bring me here, wouldn't you?" Greg asked as Violent Greg smiled at him.

"You're so observant. I have to commend you on that." Violent Greg said as he turned his back to his counterpart. "Well, I don't want to have you be discovered unconscious by morning like the last time, so I'll let you have a peaceful sleep tonight. After all,you have a big mission tomorrow and I wouldn't want to get in your way. But remember this, Greg…the next time we meet, you'll surely will be asking for me to take full control of you. Despair is the only means out of your misery and I'm your salvation from the pain you have to endure. I'll be seeing you then."

"Wait…!" Greg stretched his hand out as he tried to grab Violent Greg, but a bright flash suddenly enveloped everything around him as he suddenly found himself back to where he was before, at the backyard of the safe-house. Greg looked at his hands which were still trembling from the experience and groggily stood up.

(What was that about just now? Was that a warning of something in the future?) Greg thought to himself as he managed to swallow some pills. (Seems to me I can't sleep easily now because of what he just told me. It's beginning to bother me because it sounded so serious.)

Shaking his head and regaining his composure, Greg began to trek back to his room in silence where he would get some sleep at least. He'd rather focus on an effective plan for the next day if he has to see Lilica and Yuina safe at the end.

"Greg! Greg!" Rio's voice called out to him as she came running to him while still wearing her robe. Greg looked on at her and placed his arms on her shoulders to calm her down as she looked distressed.

"Sensei, take it easy." Greg said to her, trying to calm her down. He hoped she didn't see him get into another relapse with his powers just now. "What happened?"

Rio swallowed first before talking to him. "It's Nanvel…she was just going over her computer before she went into bed and she found a beacon on the GPS that was hacked into our satellite from an unknown location."

"And?" Greg simply asked.

"Greg, the beacon was a distress homing signal from Lilica!" Rio exclaimed as Greg looked at her with his eyes widened. "She's found a way for us to trace her!"

Greg's heart began to race in anticipation and hope on hearing this. "Is this true, Rio?"

"Of course, Nagi is with her now, helping her confirm the location." Rio said as she grabbed her surrogate son's arm. "Let's go, everyone's in her lab."

Greg smiled a bit as he saw Rio's face lit up and carried him inside back into the house and straight into Nanvel's laboratory where everyone dressed in their nightwear and pajamas were surrounding Nanvel and Nagi who were busy at work on the massive computer systems Nanvel had. Seraph was seated as her arm was connected to the motherboards that were set up, while Nanvel was furiously typing away on her keyboards, while Nagi used his powers to type and search for data at the same time without touching the keyboard he had. Rio and Greg now stepped in to join everyone else who was waiting for some good news.

"Greg, we were looking for you when Nanvel found out about this." Yuji said before yawning loudly. He even had his camcorder on the ready to film the Warrior girls in their nightwear if he got the chance.

"I was having some night air when Rio just came and told me about it." Greg replied as he observed what was going on. "Well, Nanvel, what's the word on this signal you found?"

"It seems it was on the GPS signal from the satellite for almost half a day now, so it's safe to say I only found out about this only recently." She replied, her eyes set on the monitors around her. "I'm trying to locate a source of where is it in the world our Lilica could be."

Several maps of Tokyo 1, Tokyo 2 and Tokyo 3 were set up on some of the monitors as Nanvel continued speaking. "According to the beacon, the coordinates of where Lilica is supposedly being held is a probability of one of these locations. I'm having Nagi assist me in matching the coordinates right now."

Greg looked over to Nagi's direction and as almost stunned to see what the young psychic could do with his powers as he continued to hack into the system, the keyboard he was using typing quicker than the eye could follow, yet Nagi's eyes showed concentration so as to ensure the work on his end was both quick and efficient. Riku and Tot were in the room with him as well as Greg leaned over to his ninja friend.

"Riku, you never said that Nagi's good at hacking too." Greg said as he folded his arms.

"This must be a surprise for you to see someone use psychic powers to access the computer, isn't it, Greg?" Riku asked smiling.

"Yeah, it sure is a first for me." Greg said.

"Nagi's powers are helping me quite a bit along with Seraph's help, but if only we could determine just how to find Lilica and Yuina with little problems." Nanvel said.

"There's also the strong possibility of a trap set up by Reese." Maki spoke, who was wearing a purple long robe over her sleek night wear.

"Aw, Maki, did you have to go and say that just when we got some good news after all this time?" Maya groaned, who was wearing nothing but a tight grey vest which hugged her cleavage and matching underwear.

"She's got a point there, Maya-san." Tot said who was wearing spare blue and white striped pajamas. "Reese and the Patriots could have sent that signal to trick us into more danger."

"She has a good point, we can't just go and take the risk of not actually confirming if it was Lilica who sent it or not." Riku said which made Maya scream in agony.

"Agh, I can't take this anymore! So, how are we going to know if this is a set up or not?" Maya shouted, waving her fists as Greg looked on at the monitors then at Nanvel, Seraph and Nagi together, thinking to himself.

(There must be something I can do to help.) Greg thought as he sighed loudly, then kneeling close to Seraph. Rio noticed the serious look in his eyes.

"Greggie?" Rio asked him simply. "What's up?"

"We just need to know if this is Lilica's handiwork or not to confirm, am I right?" Greg asked. "How about I try to use my powers to amplify our chances on locating Lilica as I try to detect the truth behind it, would that be okay?"

"Is that even possible, Greg?" Maki asked as he lowered his eyes sadly.

"There's a small chance it would even work, but it's better than nothing. It's probably the best out of my controllable aspects of my powers at the moment, being able to tap into other people's minds and emotions temporarily." Greg said. "I just need to go through Seraph's memories of Yuina and that can help me out as well while I'm looking for Lilica. It's worth a shot."

"Still, it is dangerous to attempt this, even with your powers as they are right now, Greg." Rio said to him. "Do you really want to go through this?

"Please, Greg, it is alright that you proceed." Seraph suddenly answered for him.

"Seraph?" Greg asked simply.

"You just told me that you don't mind going through the trouble for helping me out, even if it is truly dangerous along the way. As long you're determined in finding Yuina as well as finding Lilica, I will do my best to assist you as I have with your comrades thus far." Seraph smiled at him. "So, please, I ask of you, Greg Kinezono of FOXHOUND, seek out our loved ones with your powers along with my guidance. It may be the crucial key to help us confirm their whereabouts."

Greg took a few seconds to let Seraph's words sink into his concentration as he knew she thought highly of his promise to her often. Nodding his head once, he held out his left arm.

"Alright then, I'll make sure to see how Yuina's doing. I promise I won't pry into your mind too much." Greg said as he simply touched Seraph's temple and shut his eyes as he entered darkness for a second. Soon, he found himself near on the streets of a deserted city, one that looked familiar to him somehow.

"I see a city…a quite desolate one that is." Greg muttered loudly so everyone can hear as he proceeded in his vision as he walked around and then stopped at a prohibited 'No Entry' zone of a large open waterway with old train tracks leading from it. He looked up to see a sign of the area he was in.

"It starts there…an entry to one of the recent underground subways for the city. The sign says it's under construction, but it looks pretty dated." Greg said as he walked into the open tunnel. Halfway into the darkness, he saw a door barred by steel locks. Touching the door, the locks fell off and the door opened as Greg stepped in and noticed he was suddenly on a long winding passageway. The other end had running water that sounded more like a current from the ocean.

"Now, it's an underground sewer system that goes further below." Greg walked on as he reached the end of the passageway and saw a large steel door in front of him. The door was constructed in such a manner that it looked so modern. The water seemed to have been building up in front of it, but it was being drained at the sidewalls inside the sewers. Greg took a closer look and saw that it was a mechanized door.

"Something doesn't fit here…why would a door like this be down here?" Greg asked as he knocked on it. It felt there was a large chamber behind it as he felt the power was still active through the door. He also felt a familiar presence from behind the door. "Wait…I can sense someone from within…I'm going in deeper."

Pushing his concentration slightly, Greg traced the beacon signal to its source, a music player that was connected to a fluorescent light in a holding cell. He can see Lilica sitting there on the bed, hugging her knees to her chest and praying.

"Oh my God…" Greg muttered as his body shook seeing her like this.

"What is it, Greg?" Rio asked.

"I see her! I can see Lilica!" Greg shouted as everyone looked on in shock and surprise.

"Really?" Maya said. "Is she okay, Greg?"

"Hard to say…I'm losing a bit of focus here. She looks a bit under the weather, though, but so far, she looks unharmed." Greg gritted his teeth as he tried to stay in check. "But I know now that our little lilac's responsible for sending us that beacon, she's using a music player to hack into the system, Nanvel."

"Oh, thank God." Maki sighed with a smile on her face as she and Rio held onto each other.

"She seems so close, yet so far…if only I could have said something to her to let her know everything's going to be alright…" Greg said as a tear dropped from his shut eyes.

"Please, Greg…can you find Yuina?" Seraph asked now.

"I'll try, but I doubt I got much time left." Greg said as he had to focus his powers and remember Yuina's face from what Seraph had described to him. "I can't seem to locate her anywhere near Lilica…this place where she's held is being protected by a strong force to protect itself from mental invasions."

"Mantis' doing, no doubt." Rio said.

Greg moved from Lilica's view and looked around the passageways as he saw the area was brightly lit and that Tengus were guarding the facility.

"This place has some advanced technology that I've never seen before. It's a secret base of some sort, guarded by Arsenal Tengus." Greg said.

"Did you just say Tengus were guarding the place where Lilica's being held?" Riku asked.

Greg nodded as he stopped in front of a large door where he can hear Yuina's voice as she sobbed from behind the door.

"I can't see her, but I can hear and sense Yuina in a separate area." Greg said as Seraph gasped. "She's still in a lot of pain; I can even feel it from here."

"Oh, Yuina." Seraph said sullenly.

Before Greg could touch the door, suddenly he had to pull back because he saw Mantis enter the room and was about to enter the room, where he stopped and saw where Greg was seeing through. The younger psychic froze as Mantis started to come closer to him.

"Oh, no! Mantis has spotted me!" Greg shouted as he tried to pull out of the mindscape when he realized something was wrong. "What the…? I can't pull free out of here!"

"So, you dare try to enter the world of the unknown, Kinezono?" Mantis warned him. "You really shouldn't have ruined the surprise, you know."

"Riku, Maya, help me out here!" Rio's voice called out of the background as Greg was frozen in place, unable to move because of Mantis' influence.

"Now, I'll shall give you a taste of my power, youngling. Do you think you have what it takes to stop me?" Mantis raised his left arm over Greg's temple.

"Okay, everyone, on three!" Maya's voice called in now. "One…"

Mantis hand began to generate energy as Greg began to give a cold sweat.

"Two!" Riku called out as Greg heard his voice from within.

"Now, Kinezono, you shall know true fear!" Mantis said as he opened his palm, as Rio called out the final word Greg could ever hear before everything went black in front of him.

"Three!" Rio shouted as Greg was pulled away from Seraph from the combine might of Maya and Rio, while Riku was holding unto Seraph, who seemed a bit dazed from Greg's attempt. Greg and his two surrogate female relatives toppled behind everyone and crashed on top of each other in a loud thud.

"Owww, that hurts like hell." Maya said. "I think I may have busted my backside there."

"Me too…now I got a splitting headache." Rio lamented as she then looked around. "Hey, where is Greg?"

"You're sitting on top of him." Greg simply said from underneath them as Rio and Maya found themselves sitting on his back as Rio's robe was partly open. Yuji suddenly whipped the camera and took the shot; while Nagi and Riku blushed trying their best not to have seen Rio's shapely figure in front of Tot.

"Greg, you lucky son of a gun! I knew you had skills when I helped raise you right from all those years ago." Yuji said as Rio did a rising high kick at his face.

"Cut it out, you perv!" Rio screamed as her faced reddened along with Maya's while Greg stood up, panting for his life.

"Sensei, Aunt Maya, are you two okay?" Greg asked them, as they nervously nodded their heads at him.

"Yeah, just peachy, Greg." Maya said grinning, while Rio fixed her robe and tried to lighten her reddened face in silence, while Greg looked on seriously at everyone else.

"Okay, can someone kindly explain to me what just happened there?" Greg asked.

"Well, since you were so busy going through Seraph's mind back there, it was probably easy for you to have lost track of staying conscious and that's when I felt something was wrong." Nagi was the one to say this.

"Wait, you sensed that while you were still hacking, Nagi?" Greg asked.

"I am a bit more powerful than you imagined, Greg. Besides, I know from experience and fact that it is rather risky in that going into someone's mind has its dangers and you probably fell for one of them. Also, what you were doing is a bit similar to something a friend of mine can do." Nagi said. "That's when I told Rio and Riku to get you awake as soon as we found something relevant for finding Lilica and Yuina."

Greg stepped back far enough until his back hit the wall. He knew it was dangerous attempting this stunt, but he only wanted to help out too. Had he not been saved by Nagi's warning, or had he taken the necessary precautions beforehand, he may have put both himself and Seraph in serious danger.

"How stupid I must be for not seeing this before." Greg said, slapping his face. "Mantis saw me at the last moment and almost ended everything just before I got pulled out."

"What? You saw Mantis?" Maki asked.

"Yeah, I did. And from the looks of things, he is more powerful than what we read about him." Greg replied. "I'm even still shaking in my shoes just remembering his face."

"Oh, Greg." Rio muttered as she held unto his shoulders. It was then he noticed tears were streaming down her face.

"Sensei Rio?" Greg asked as suddenly she embraced him, crying loudly in front of everyone.

"I can't believe that…you managed to find Lilica!" Rio muttered. "I always blamed myself for what happened since that day Mantis attacked us, that it was my fault for not protecting her, but now…now that my own darling son managed to go through so much just to see her again."

Greg simply smiled as he placed his hand on her head as she wept. "It's alright, sensei, you know it wasn't your fault to begin with. She's okay, and now we know she thought of a way for us to find her. She hasn't given up on us yet. Come on now, for a strong woman like you, it's rare that you usually cry like this. But it feels good, right? Because like all of us, we were hoping for Lilica and Yuina to be okay and they both still are, so it's alright to let out those feelings. We will need you to be tough as nails when its time to rescue them."

Rio continued sobbing as Greg comforted her as he looked on at Maki. "So, do you think we can locate where I described, Aunt Maki?"

"Yes, there are in fact a number of abandoned city projects that are located in only old Tokyo, Neo Tokyo and Tokyo-3." Maki said confidentially. "We just need to find some based on the underground subway tracks and sewer systems by accessing the networks for public services."

"I'm already on it." Nanvel said, showing some lists of the projects that were in duration and incomplete ones. She didn't want to waste time now that she confirmed Lilica was the one who sent the beacon signal. "Chances are that the incomplete projects are the ones we would probably find where they are."

"Search for any project that started work near the oceanic areas, prior, as well, post Second Impact." Maki said.

Nanvel nodded as she started analyzing the listings for anything close to what Greg described. It didn't take long for her and Nagi to sort the possible clues to fewer numbers to work by. About fifteen minutes later, Nanvel seemed to have hit something big.

"I think I found it!" Nanvel called out to everyone as they huddled over her. "Out of all the projects that were related to underground developments in the surrounding cities during the past fifteen years, we've finally narrowed the search to one."

The overhead map was brought up on a monitor, as well as exclusive archive photos accompanied it.

"It's located at the base of old Tokyo, it was part of a subway development program that was to have access from there to another region of Japan since only a quarter of that became unfit for habitants since the seawaters rose." Nanvel said. "From what I read, the passageway began construction from there and somehow came to a halt when the government called off the program as the tunnel was getting near completion."

"I remember hearing about that. The rising waters were also part of the reason they stopped most of the projects, but the actuality of it was that the project had failed in funding its contractors in continuing the operations for that city." Maki explained. "Which leads me to why would they shut down something this important along the way?"

"Maybe they were being ordered by a higher authority to cease the operations?" Maya asked.

"Could be, but you haven't heard anything yet." Nanvel said as she cleared her throat. "This one and only expressway that was abandoned in old Tokyo was also the only one in the entire country that was to have transported people and goods to none other than an organization named Gehirn headquarters, located somewhere in the same region underground."

"Located underground?" Rio muttered. "And what the hell's Gehirn anyway?"

"Well, maybe this will help you get your answers." Nanvel said as she brought up another map onscreen. "This is the current map system we all use. Now, match it with this one and we'll get this."

Nanvel used her mapping technology as the two maps came together and to everyone, they got a bit of a shock as the truth was revealed to them.

"Is that Tokyo-3?" Rio asked.

"Yeah, it sure is." Nanvel said. "Of course, I traced the subway system from the point of origin to where it will end. However, the course of the track ends midway just underneath Neo Tokyo and Tokyo-2."

"So in short, Lilica and Yuina could be held underground between those places, huh?" Yuji said as he held his bleeding nose from the kick Rio just gave him.

"Yes, it's the best lead we have for now." Nanvel said. "Somewhere in that unfinished passageway should have entries into the sewer systems below, since Lilica's beacon signal comes from further below ground. That's where we're getting the strongest feed from anyway."

"Well, Nagi, do you think Nanvel's assumptions are right?" Riku asked.

"Yeah, I have traced some of the archives myself though I don't think they shut it down just because they were told to, something bigger has to be behind this." Nagi said. "This may as well be part of the Patriots at work here, you know."

"Look, kid, we're not doubting you this time around, but now that we all know that Lilica is the one who sent a signal asking for help, we can't just ignore that, you know." Rio said to him.

"Hey, sensei. Be careful what you're saying about this, okay?" Greg asked carefully. "Even if now we know of Lilica and Yuina's whereabouts, we got to think this through and not rush it, even though we have little time to spare anymore."

"Yeah, yeah…I know." Rio muttered, folding her arms. "So, Maki, what do you propose?"

"Well, its best to sleep on it for now and see what happens tomorrow. Since everyone's pretty tired, we all the rest we can as well to prepare ourselves by the time this Shinsengumi group gets here." Maki said. "I will see to it if I can coordinate a proper plan for all of you to work with by then."

"Okay, sounds good to me." Maya said, yawning loudly. "Well, I'm heading off to bed now, so good night, people."

Everyone else said their good nights to one another as Greg and Rio walked to their separate rooms where Rio stopped before entering her own.

"Greg?" Rio called out to him.

"Yeah, what is it, sensei?" Greg asked.

"You think we'll be able to get them back okay?" Rio asked. "Sure, we're walking into a trap, but it can't be help or avoided, I guess. All that matters is getting to see Lilica back with us safe again, as well Yuina's rescue, that is all. How about you, Greg?"

"I feel almost the same as you are, especially since I made that promise with Seraph." Greg said seriously. "I don't think I could afford to let anyone down when its time to go and rescue them, not ever. I can't allow myself to give up if even we are to go up against the impossible, there's no way I will when Lilica's life is on the line. That's just how I feel, basically."

Rio stayed silent a bit as Greg suddenly looked at her and nodded.

"Hey, now. You know the two of us are practically a powerful team together, you know that." Greg said to her. "And with Riku and his partners helping us, I don't think we'll encounter too much problems tomorrow. Just try to keep a level focus like I do and everything should work out, okay, sensei?"

"I got you, Greg." Rio smiled at him. "Well, then, you should get some sleep then. Say, how about you sleep in my futon with me tonight, just as you used to when you were a kid, huh?"

"Sensei!" Greg's face flushed red as he heard this as he fumbled for the door and opened it. "Will you please cut that out? I doubt you'd like my bedside manners anyway, I'm a bad sleeper, you know."

Rio broke out laughing as Greg suddenly shook his head. "Well, if you don't mind, good night then."

Watching him shut the door behind him, Rio smiled to herself and let out a loud sigh as she knew with Greg around, everything's going to work out fine from now on.

"Hang on, Lilica and Yuina. We'll be coming to get you tomorrow, that we will promise you." Rio smiled confidentially as she closed her room's door.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The next morning came quickly and everyone was up bright and early prepping themselves for the mission when they will rescue Lilica and Yuina, as well seeing to it to find a way to restore Mantis back to normal and getting to the bottom of the mystery.

Just outside the safe-house, a dark brown coloured SUV stopped midways in front of the house as three attractive women took their time and stepped out, carrying equipment with them. One of them looked at the house with a concerned look on her face.

"This must be the place then, just as we were told." A woman in her late twenties said as she her two other female partners nodded at each other before stepping up to the temporary safe-house's doorstep. After pressing on the doorbell once, Maya Jingu opened the door soon after.

"Good morning, what can I do for you?" she asked, wearing her own Team Warrior outfit. She appeared to be set for the mission already.

"Good morning to you too. I'm Dee Starling, a person who you contacted yesterday." Dee smiled at Maya. She was the shortest of the trio, about five and a quarter feet. She had on dark-colored t-shirt, blue jeans, and sneakers. Her face has a slight tan to it, and her eyes are soft brown. She had long hair that reached to half of her back, and her bangs cover a portion of her face. "I'm the 'help' that was supposed to pull a hand with you."

"Oh, yeah...talk about good timing; we were kind of expecting you. Come on in and make yourselves at home." Maya let the women in as all of them were carrying suitcases and scabbards.

When they entered, they can see several other people preparing themselves in the living room. Riku Hanabishi was checking his M9 as well his shuriken and other various ninja equipment into his inventory, while Nagi Naoe and Tot were busy equaling medicine kits and ramen noodles for the group. The three FOXHOUND youngsters were already in their coloured Sneaking suits. Rio then entered the room wearing her own WARRIOR suit and was drinking a cup of coffee when she encountered the trio of women.

"Oh, you must be the group my son's friend must have talked about, aren't you?" Rio asked Dee replied with a silent nod.

"You're right, Garland told us about who you people are as well as the situation that you're in." Dee said.

"So you're friends of Garland too, it's just like him that he would send in some kind of assistance as well for this. Are you ladies mercenaries or something?" Tot asked.

"You can say that along the lines, Tot, one of FOXHOUND's current best sword wielders." Dee smiled at the young girl.

"How did you know who I was?" Tot asked, almost in a tone of admiration after knowing her name was known outside of FOXHOUND by people who worked with Garland outside of the group.

"It's pretty easy to say that Garland would speak highly of you whenever we meet, though it's rare we see each other these days." Dee replied. "Not to mention that we share a common trait among the four of us. We're actually the famous Shinsengumi swordswomen group."

"Hold on, you call yourselves the Shinsengumi as well?" Riku asked, and then grinned as Dee nodded in reply, almost fighting the urge to laugh as the name came to mind. "I happen to know someone from my school who happens to be in charge of a special response morality patrol unit consisting of five girls from other various schools who goes by the same name."

"Are you referring to Ryoko Mitsurugi of Daimon High School, current K-Fight champion?" Dee asked simply. "It's really no surprise we've heard about her and her skills, but we're actually surprised that you know her, Riku Hanabishi. I must say that you're really fortunate for that though the fact of the matter is that there's a big difference from our group and hers."

"Yeah, at least we don't go around beating up on street punks for the sake of justice." Pei, another of the three women spoke. "What's also different from us is that we mainly use a sword to deal with business."

Pei, a 29 year old full-blooded Chinese warrior, and the most attractive out of the three bowed as she spoke to the Team Warrior/FOXHOUND group. She had on an oversized black sweater or hoodie with black pants and shoes, which made her look rather non-feminine. Still, her beauty still stood out through her baggy clothing.

Kanashii, a 28 year old tomboy of Half Chinese, half Japanese descent smiled at the group and bowed as well. She had her shoulder length hair loose and down, a black bucket hat, and red sunglasses. Black slacks and Vans cover her lower body, while she wore an amaroon short sleeve button-up (but it wasn't not buttoned up) that covered a purple-red tank top. Her face is similar to Starling's, slightly tanned and with chocolate brown eyes. She is the leader of the group.

"In any case, you need not to worry about paying us expenses for this. Any friend of Garland's who's in trouble need not to trouble him or his family any further for our assistance." Kanashii said. "Think of this as a favor for Garland we're doing on his behalf.

"We really appreciate that, but we don't really want to trouble you with everything that has happened so far." Rio said.

"No, really, Miss Rio. This really is not a problem to us and it will be good exercise for the three of us since it's been awhile we're in action." Dee said. "In any case, where is this son we're told about to meet?"

"Oh, yeah. I bet he must be sleeping in this morning since today is a big day and all and he must have been worried himself to sleep from last night." Rio placed the empty cup of coffee down as she stood up. "I'll be going for him now."

The blonde point leader of WARRIOR made her way to Greg's temporary room where she took a deep breath and called out to him.

"Greggie, are you awake yet?" Rio's voice asked as she knocked on the door where his room was. "That Shinsengumi group had arrived."

"I'll be there in a moment, but you can come on in, I'm almost done preparing myself." Greg replied to her from inside as she nodded and entered his room. She stopped at the door to see Greg was fully dressed in Nanvel's custom made Sneaking Suit and was in the middle of arming himself with the gauntlets now.

"Good morning, Greg. You look like you're ready." Rio said to him smiling.

"Yeah, good morning to you, sensei. I've been up a little earlier than usual because today's the day and I wanted to make sure I haven't forgotten anything." Greg replied as he checked the gauntlets Nanvel prepared for him. They were fitting as snug as possible to both arms and he was making some adjustments to his right nano arm since he would be relying on it more during the course of the mission.

It was then Rio noticed the almost tired look on Greg's eyes and came closer to him. "You look like you hardly got any sleep last night. Had a rough night, eh?"

"You can say that, but I should be fine, really." Greg said simply, trying to suppress any emotion that will lead to suspicion about what his counterpart told him the night before. But the ever vigilant Rio can see that something was bothering him greatly and it wasn't the fact this mission was going to ride on him mostly.

"Greg, if you think you can't go through with it, I can understand." Rio said to him as she touched his back. "We can save Lilica and Yuina by ourselves while you take a break and stay here to give support on Codec. You are still recovering from that training session you had with your powers after all."

"I wish I could do that, but really, sensei. I'll be okay. I want to be there for them as well too." Greg innocently smiled and looked at her. "I know you can't help but be worried about me, I can understand that. It's just that I'm a bit nervous of what will be happening and all."

"You're not the only one, Greg." Rio said, sitting on his bed. "We're all a bit nervous of what we should be expecting today. Are you sure we'll be able to do this even with all the help we're getting?"

"Things may not go according to plan, that's for sure. We may run into surprises." Greg said.

"Yeah, we always get that feeling before a mission, that's why we should expect the unexpected." Rio said. A brief moment of silence passed before Greg spoke once more.

"To tell the truth, sensei, I'm still a bit frightened." Greg said sullenly. "The nagging feeling that something is going to happen beyond our control keeps growing and just keeps on gripping my doubts even more. Do you think we can get through this without any of our teammates dying?"

"Is that what you're afraid of, Greg?" Rio asked him as he silently nodded his head.

"It's rare that I have to be part in these kinds of missions and I always fear the worst will happen if I make a mistake. I really am not cut out for situations like these until I know any better." He rubbed his head with a sad smile as he flexed his fingers which were clad in the gauntlets. "But this is a bit different, Lilica is in trouble and I really can't afford to have any doubts now about my leadership skills."

"Maybe after when this thing is over, you can always seek Seishiro-san's help for advice on that." Rio said with a grin. "Come on, Greg, lighten up. I know you're the serious type, but I never saw you this moody before. Cheer up, we will be saving Lilica and Yuina because you're with us and that's enough to push us ahead."

"You really have that much faith in me, don't you, sensei?" Greg asked as Rio wrapped her arm around his neck and rubbed his head.

"You're my number one student, of course I know you won't let us down." Rio smiled at him. "But…I want to tell you one thing before we head out."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Greg…if anything serious is bothering you…anything regarding about your powers that is, I want you to be honest as always and come out and tell me something, got it?" Rio said. "I know what's been troubling you since yesterday and I didn't want to pressure you further with what's going on already, but please, consider what I just told you. You know we're always there if you need someone to talk to, even if it's something you don't like doing, talking about yourself and your past."

Greg looked at her silently first, before nodding at her. "Alright, we'll do it first thing once this mission is over."

"Huh?" Rio looked on in surprise, not expecting this from Greg. "Are you serious?"

"Of course, I don't want to stay in the dark about myself forever." Greg replied. "It may be bothering me for the longest while now, but I'm sure when we get this whole thing resolved, maybe we can focus a bit about my past and how come I couldn't remember anything until I met you guys."

"You're probably right…well, if you're so determined about it, I will be there to help you in anyway I can, Greg." Rio smiled at him. "But for now, let's focus on reuniting our family by saving Lilica, alright?"

"Not to mention doing the same with reuniting Seraph with Yuina and fixing this problem with Mantis that Reese started." Greg said as he took up a cache like suitcase where most of his items were stored. "Let's go downstairs where we will meet up with the others and coordinate a plan. Knowing Maki, she may have worked up one hell of a plan that should work for the time being."

Rio nodded silently as she followed Greg out of his room as she pondered what he just told her.

(Greg, in all the years since we started to take care of you, there were things about you that made you so unique, even if you didn't have those cursed powers. You were always a bit pure-hearted, headstrong and always considerate about others than yourself in most situations, but then again, you also were a bit naïve, frightened and mostly lonely whenever you have to face yourself.) Rio thought to herself. (Even after you've grown to be a stronger man than you are now after this, you'll always be my son and that is enough to make sure I'll help you deal with your problems, no matter how complicated the problem looks. You have my word on it that I will see to it that your curse will not trouble you forever, Greg.)

The two eventually entered the living room where they met everyone else consisting of Team Warrior, FOXHOUND and now, the Shinsengumi swordswomen group.

"Good morning, Greg Kinezono." Pei stood up to introduce herself to Greg. "We're the special team that was sent to assist you on this mission."

"You should have heard them before talking to Riku and Tot, Greg. They happen to be the famed Shinsengumi." Maya said causing Greg to nod.

"I didn't know that Garland had such deep connections. Anyway, it truly is an honor to meet the famed swordswomen that I've only heard about." Greg said as he bowed to the three women.

"We were just telling your mother that we won't trouble you for financial support because of this, we're only doing this since you're a friend of Garland's, so we hope our assistance would be of a great benefit from you." Kanashii said as Greg nodded.

"Much appreciated. I highly doubt any of you would let me down when we will need your help as the situation calls for it." Greg replied as he looked back at Rio. "Hey, I don't see Maki or Nanvel anywhere."

"Oh, they've been busy coordinating a plan for the mission before some of us woke up." Rio spoke as she was done checking her USP as well her tonfars when she noticed the two of them enter the room with Seraph and Nastasha. "Speak of the devil; we were just talking about you guys."

"Sorry for the delay, everyone, but I do hope now you all are gathered and ready to listen to what I have to say to you." Maki said seriously as she cleared her throat. "Alright, it is time for the plan to rescue Lilica and Yuina to be revealed. Nanvel, show everyone the map please."

"Got it." Nanvel said as she pulled open a map, revealing red circles and 'x's drawn about various places while Maki talked. "As of last night, we've confirmed the location where Lilica is being held. It happens to be two hour ride from our current location now to the edge of an abandoned area of old Tokyo. The passageway runs from there to two points of the city, Tokyo-2 and Tokyo-3. Both points leading to the two cities have been sealed off, but I have reason to believe that our destination is midway between those areas underground."

"So, we're going to the underground layers of the sunken parts of old Tokyo where Mantis is supposedly hiding, huh?" Rio asked.

"Yes, that's it." Maki replied. "According to what Greg saw last night, there must be an underground fortress or a citadel that would make the perfect place for him to hide out. You'll have to use the sewers in the city areas to get there."

"How will we know exactly where Mantis will be?" Dee asked.

"Don't worry, we already pinpointed the exact location where the beacon Lilica sent is and we really don't doubt it since it was confirmed last night." Maki explained. "However, don't expect to just waltz in without some kind of resistance from the enemy."

"Of course, he may have reinforcements waiting to ambush us, so we need the extra manpower to take out the pesky Tengu wannabes that may try to stop us." Rio said.

"That and even more probably, sensei." Greg said seriously as he folded his arms. "Don't make it sound like an average WARRIOR mission, we could run into some powerful foes later."

"Yeah, you're probably right." Rio said. "That is why we got the extra help, right?"

Greg nodded as he faced Nagi, Riku and Tot then at Maki once more. "So, what should we do, aunt Maki?"

"Riku, from what I've known about you thus far is that since you and your partners work the best altogether in a mission, you'll be a Support Team of sorts. Your point in this mission is to provide secondary back-up for Rio and Greg." Maki said to him as the ninja complied.

"We got it, Maki." Riku nodded his head.

"Miss Kanashii, it would be best for you and your partners to assist them as well, just in case." Maki turned over to the Shinsengumi group. "You'll be acting as a Striker Team until the need for a shift in the role is needed."

"Alright, we understand as long we can still help out." Kanashii simply leaned back and nodded, while her partners agreed along with her.

"And Rio, you, Greg and Maya will be the Attack Team. As usual, you'll take point." Maki said.

"Understood, Maki." Rio said as she smacked her fists together. "This should get my blood pumping after being out of action so long when Mantis put me on the critical condition list a couple of days ago."

"Nanvel, Nastasha and I will be providing services over the Codec, such as giving intel, mostly providing all of you with much needed intel and directions to the point where Lilica and Yuina are being held. The frequency is 146.90." Maki spoke as he turned to Seraph. "Also, you will be pleased to hear that Seraph has decided to be part of the Codec team for today as well."

"Really, Seraph?" Tot asked surprised as the biodroid nodded.

"That is correct, Tot-san. I know I may not have intelligence in the military arts as you have, but the most I can do is temporarily give you some comfort and inspiration when you think the situation gets too hard for you. It's the most I can do for everyone who has helped me so far." Seraph said as Rio nodded.

"Well, I think that's rather nice of you, girl." Rio said. "But I know you're probably eager to see Yuina again, so it's understandable that you wanted to help out with the support on the Codec crew so you can see her from here. Rather sneaky, but convenient, I must say."

"Also, I will be responsible for transporting you guys to and from the sneak points." Yuji said. "Just leave the flying to me, everyone."

"We're counting on you, Yuji." Maya said, smiling at him before looking at Maki. "So, Maki, what do you suppose should happen when we get to Mantis?"

"Hmm, good question, Maya." Maki said as she looked at Greg who was sipping coffee. "Why don't we ask Greg?"

At the mention of that, Greg swallowed more than he can handle as he started to cough harshly while Rio tapped his back. When Greg relaxed himself, he suddenly looked at everyone.

"Hey, you really don't mean that I should have a plan for that, don't you think, aunt Maki?" Greg asked.

"Yeah, Maki. That was a bit too harsh, you know." Rio said. "He's just as nervous as everyone in here about the mission."

"I know, but I just want to be assured that whatever Greg has in mind won't lead to disaster later." Maki said seriously. "But, Greg, this is a chance for you to ask Mantis what went wrong that led to all of this, so just consider everyone else around who is helping you and their safety as well as their cooperation. Don't go facing such a powerful foe like him by yourself."

"I know, aunt Maki. You have my word I won't do anything reckless." Greg said seriously. "Besides, there's too much riding on this, all I want to do is try and right the situation and just move on, I really don't have any intention of killing Mantis since he was a victim in this to begin with."

"He's really serious about it, Maki. Geese made sure to give him a stern talking about how he should use his power before we came back and Greg took everything to heart. I doubt anything wrong will happen since it's everything should work out fine." Rio said as Maki sighed gently.

"Well, if you say it like that, Rio. I have faith in Greg too." Maki smiled at Greg then at everyone. "Please, all of you, be careful out there and try your best to support one another."

"The time is now seven minutes past ten, so you'd better start your traveling if you are to get there on time." Nastasha said. "It is a two hour trip after all to the destination after all."

"So, by the time we get there, it will be noon time, huh?" Rio asked as Greg muttered something that caught her ears.

"'Advancing Towards Twelve O-Clock'." Greg said simply as Rio looked at her surrogate son.

"Huh? What was that, Greg?" Rio asked as he simply shook his head and smiled lightly.

"Ah, its nothing, sensei. It just has a good ring to the mission, we should refer to this as from now on, that's all." Greg said as Rio held her squeal when she heard this and began hugging him in front of everyone.

"Oh, Greggie! You come up with some of the greatest things to say sometimes!" Rio said as Greg suddenly wrestled his way out of Rio's grip, catching his breath.

"Sensei, please! Not this again." Greg's face started to fluster as everyone laughed lightly to this while he fixed his Sneaking Suit. "We should be on the way to the sneak points already."

"Okay, fine then, Greg." Rio said getting up as before they left the room, Maki's voice stopped them.

"Hey, Nanvel, wasn't there something you're supposed to give to Greg?" Maki said to Nanvel. "Give it to him."

"Okay." Nanvel smiled and took out a long silver casing with a leather strap from one end to the other. "You would probably need this, Greg."

Greg noticed the casing and looked on at his surrogate aunts. "You don't mean…it's really okay that I can use this?"

"Thought now's the right time for you to start using more often." Nanvel said.

"What is it, Greg?" Riku asked.

"Oh, this? It happens to be a trump card of mine." Greg simply said as he placed it over his shoulder and the long casing lied vertically across his back. "You all will get to see what it is, but I myself am hoping I won't ever have to use it unless the situation calls for it."

"I see then." Riku replied. "Well, just don't keep us in suspense with what other surprises you have, alright?"

Giving his friend a silent nod, Greg fixed the strapping of the casing before facing everyone.

"If that's everything, we can start gathering our equipment and head out of…" Before Greg finished, he noticed Nanvel was crying silently behind him. He turned around to see her in tears.

"Aunt Nanvel? What's wrong?" Greg asked.

"Sorry...I was just thinking about how I could have helped out in the field today, but..."she sniffed. "...I still don't understand why I must stay here. Lilica's my friend too. I deserve to be with you guys and back you up."

"And that's what you are doing. But no one can really tell what could happen here while we're gone for the rescue mission." Greg said, trying his best to comfort her. "Maki and you are the best known for holding the fort at times like this and supplying us with information that we will need. Besides, you're much safer here than we're going right now."

"I hope that…I'm not being a burden to you, or Rio and Maya, or Riku and his partners. The only thing I'm good for is inventing stuff, not combat." Nanvel said, hanging her head slightly.

"And just how many times has your intelligence has pulled our chestnuts out of the fire in the past, hmm?" Greg asked, resting his nano hand on her shoulder. "Right now, you're just as valuable here with us when the fighting starts. But, we need an extra set of eyes and ears to look out for trouble that may catch us off guard. You're like a fifth wheel to us right now, Nanvel...you're the only one who can warn us beforehand of whatever dangers we run into. Please, Nanvel...don't kick yourself at a time like this. I bet Lilica's depending on you too to help us out. You know for sure we're counting on you."

"He's right, Nanvel." Rio nodded behind him. "You've never failed us before and you sure as hell won't start now. We need you more than ever to cover for us."

"I can vouch for Rio as well, Nanvel." Riku said. "You were there for information when I needed it for my one my own missions and not just because we at FOXHOUND nearly don't have minds as brilliant as yours, but simply because I trusted you for getting it no matter what, not to mention you're Greg's family. Not to mention a gadget you lent me then probably saved the life of a friend of mine. You're the best of your field to do this for us, even at a time like this."

Nanvel looked at everyone who nodded at her and then back at Greg as she smiled weakly at him. "Thank you…everyone. I'll see what I can do. You can count on me."

"That's good to hear." Greg nodded at her. "Everything will be okay...we'll get Lilica back for you and everyone else, I promise. Maybe if you do well, I'll get you your favorite snacks to celebrate the victory."

"Please make it Moxodamari cream puff this time, huh?" she smiled at Greg, before giving him a tight embrace.

"Sure. I'll do my best to accommodate that for you." Greg nervously said, knowing the cost of such confectionaries. (Though, it may take a majority of my remaining pay from FOXHOUND just to get it.)

"It will be all worth it." She replied.

"Alright, you guys…we're behind time here. Shall we get going?" Dee asked.

"Of course, we have no time to waste. Our friends await our rescue." Greg as he then looked at Seraph. "Don't you worry, Seraph. Just leave it to us to get Yuina back to you, everything's going to be okay."

"We'll make sure to take good care of Seraph until you come back, Greg." Maki said as she, Nanvel and Nastasha stood around a comfortable looking Seraph.

"Please, each and every one of you, do be careful." Seraph called out to them as they leave.

"We'll do just that, Seraph." Greg said nodding to her. "See you later with Yuina then."

As the party group of part FOXHOUND, part WARRIOR and whole Shinsengumi left the room in an orderly hurry, Nanvel sighed to herself as she turned her focus to the monitors in front of her.

"Well, guys…let's say we get down to business and start helping out as well, shall we?" Nanvel said to the deck of computers in front of her. "We've got a lot of work ahead of us."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

About two hours later, the group had found the appointed coordinates where Lilica and Yuina were reported to be held captive. But they didn't know it was part of the murky sewers of old Tokyo. Going underground below the abandoned streets was no easy trek, as they had to wade through the dark and enter some near hazardous zones, as they progressed closer to their objective.

"Damn...this place is dark, wet, and miserable...why did Mantis have to pick out a place like this to hold Lilica?" Rio complained to herself. Right behind her was Maya, and Greg. "He should have picked someplace like Acapulco or something warm?"

"Don't complain, Rio. Any bad guy can pick an even much worse a place for holding someone we hold dear." Maya said. "So try to be grateful for that, okay?"

"Or more likely used this place as a perfect set up for a trap." Greg said simply. "According the GPS locators that Nanvel installed in our Soliton radars, we've gotten quite a distance to cover still from our pickup point."

"At least we used them to get us to the right tunnels…it's like a labyrinth down here!" Rio exclaimed.

"Now, now, sensei Rio…we'll be there shortly, just be patient a bit longer." Greg stopped for a moment to survey the area. He felt a presence close by and looked around.

"Anything wrong, Greg?" Riku asked somewhere close by to his position.

"I don't know...I just had a feeling we're being watched by someone." Greg sneered, looking into the darkness as he shook his head, trying to shake off any bad feelings he had at the moment. (Can't go thinking like this right now…I got to keep my focus for later.)

"Let's get a move on. The longer we stay linger around here; the chances are higher for the enemy can catch us before we can do anything to them first." Kanashii spoke.

"You're right." Greg replied as the group continued to trek some more into the depths of the sewers. Just after walking some more, he heard his Codec rang. He placed a finger on the call button.

"Psychic Panther here." He simply replied.

"Greg? It's me." Nanvel's face appeared on the screen. "I'm calling up to tell you that the satellite's picked up strong enemy activity several meters from where you guys are."

"Could it be Mantis?" Rio spoke.

"No...that's really the strangest part. It seems to be more than one of them." She replied. Then Maki's face appeared on the screen.

"Rio, Greg...you guys take caution ahead. I don't think Mantis is going to just let you enter without having a fight with some of his protection." She spoke.

"Can you tell how many are there, Nanvel?" Maya asked.

"About a number of seventy five, possibly more." She replied.

"Did Mantis have an army waiting just for us?" Rio exclaimed.

"Don't be discouraged, Rio. We believe in you and your comrades' abilities to see through this in order get to Lilica and Yuina in time." Seraph's face appeared on screen.

"Thanks for the pep talk, Seraph. We're advancing just more cautiously from now on." Greg spoke.

"Greg...you guys just continue to be careful out there. I have a gut feeling that...HEYYY!" Just then, her end of the Codec was cut off as Greg glared at the other screen in shock.

"Nanvel?" Rio shouted in panic. "Greggie...what happened? Her frequency just got cut off!"

Maya looked on in shock. "Don't tell me she's been kidnapped again!"

"I highly doubt that…I still sense her frequency online, but she's not able to reach us somehow." Greg said seriously. "Was there probably interference from an outside source?"

"Who the hell can be listening on us right now of all times?" Rio asked. Just to answer her question, the Codec rang once more as Greg answered it quickly.

"Good day, Kinezono." A face that Greg and probably, the remainder of FOXHOUND hated so much appeared on the Codec screen. It was Matthew Reese. "How goes your...'vacation'?"

"Reese." Greg simply said as he growled at the older man. "Why are you calling me up? And more importantly, how did you get my frequency?"

"Just checking up on how you've been, that's all. Now that I know that you all are probably in the middle of a mission to rescue someone dear to you like family." He replied, with almost no remorse. Greg wasn't surprised Reese knew about this.

"Don't try to act innocent, you traitor! We all know now who you're really working for!" Greg shouted. "You're the one who started this in the first place."

"So you're the freak who had started all this mess!" Rio's face appeared on the screen. "When we're done here, we'll be coming after your hide next, asshole!"

"Temper, temper, Miss Kinezono. You know what they say about bubble brained, blonde bimbos with large chest sizes who get mad." Reese said with a near lecherous grin and laugh at Rio.

"What did you say?" she exclaimed. "You got a problem with my looks, you senile, heartless, twisted freak!"

"Rio...I know how much you want to tear this guy up for all the things he has done, but you shouldn't worry." Riku said in his screen. "He has enough of his rotten self to go around for everyone who wants a piece of him, so be patient."

"Don't count on it, young Hanabishi." Reese said. "I'm sure youngsters like you will never comprehend the status of power I'm at above all of you freaks."

"Freaks? Some of us have no choice but to live like this. What we do with our powers shouldn't be any of your concern or that of the Patriots'." Riku stated.

"And what just what do you intend to do about it, hmm?" Reese asked. "Certainly, you feeble youngsters aren't thinking of challenging us, aren't you?"

"If it has to come to that to set things straight, then we'd be happy to try, with you as starters, Reese." Rio said.

"I must commend all of you for finally catching up with the truth, but what good would THAT do for all of you if you are to attempt anything?" he replied back.

"Oh, a whole lot can do wonders, old man." Rio growled at Reese.

"Just tell us one thing: Was having Mantis kill off Yuina's Hattori's aunt while she was protecting her niece from him part of the Patriots orders?" Greg asked sternly.

A small grin approached Reese's cigar stained teeth. "Not theirs. Actually, the order came directly from me."

"What?" Tot exclaimed. "So you're responsible for murdering her, it is the truth, isn't it?"

"But why did you do it?" Riku asked, in a demanding tone now as Reese coolly replied to everyone else.

"All I did was order Mantis was kill off anyone who got in his way and leave Yuina alive and unharmed...for now." Reese spoke. "And like an obedient dog, he has obeyed rather well to his masters."

"That's just wrong! You're actually tarnishing the good name he has by having him murder an innocent." Nagi exclaimed. "We won't forgive you for that, Reese."

"I'll admit it was odd that he spared Kinezono's master, since it wasn't part of the plan." Reese said. "Yet it seems that he did the right thing when he created the perfect trap for all of you later on."

"You have no conscience at all, don't you? You senselessly go about ruining people's lives for the Patriots needs, like they are not that important." He said. "Just be warned that there are people who will hunt you down for what you've done…you won't be able to hide from them forever."

"Your words can't faze me, Crow. My position rises even more higher than the likes of you feeble recruits that you can't do a thing against me." Reese said.

"I have had just about enough of listening to you talk." Nagi said bitterly. "I'm sure everyone who knows you agrees with me as well."

"Crow…don't try to waste your energy getting sense into him." Greg said as his eyes lowered and came close to that of an evil look at Reese. "I bet he must have some sick sexual fetish seeing young people like Yuina Hattori suffer."

"WHAT!" Reese exclaimed in anger. Greg was actually embarrassing him in front of his friends and was now really angry. If anyone around Greg who have never seen him angry before, this was a first for them as his mild and calm expression changed quickly to that of intent to kill the person he was speaking to on the Codec. "How dare you say such things...?"

"Shut up!" Greg shouted back. "If you say anything more, I'll change my mind and come after you myself, you dirty, old pedophile. But then again...I have no time to waste with the likes of you. If I won't come after you, then I'll just leave it to my friends in FOXHOUND, who will surely be more than glad to hurt you a lot for all the things you've done."

"Hmph. You think you 'freaks' can touch me as you are?" Reese replied.

"Underestimate us and we'll do more than touch you." Greg said at Reese. "Why you even exist in the first place escapes us all, but I'm sure we'll be solving that problem soon enough when we get to you."

"You're willing to go that far to stop me? You're welcome to try, but I don't think killing me will stop what the Patriots have in store for all of you." Reese said. "That is, of course if you'll live by that time."

"What the hell that is supposed to mean?" Rio exclaimed.

"I have my very own welcoming committee that has orders to deal with Mantis once and for all. He no longer is useful to me, as the same goes for Ebett and Yuina Hatori as well." Reese smiled.

"You sick bastard! So you were using Mantis all along until you really didn't need him anymore, is that it?" Nagi shouted.

"So, what about it?" he replied. "Mantis...Kinezono...they are the same breed of freaks that share something that no other commando in FOXHOUND ever had. Super soldiers that make up the new anti-terrorist group...ha! That's quite a fairy tale. I have seen all of what every one of you is capable of, and I intend to do something about it...starting from you, Greg Kinezono...or should I put it...Gregory Matthews?"

"Don't you ever dare mention my real name! You have no right to say it! It's because of evil people like you…my mother and even my younger sister had to die for NOTHING!" Greg shouted over the Codec and was even on the verge of tears.

"They were worthy sacrifices for the Patriots causes, nothing more." Reese said, causing Greg's heart to suddenly drop heavy with emotion.

"SA…SACRIFICES!" Greg exclaimed over the Codec.

"Yes…over the years, this has been one of the many courses of how the Wisemen's Committee were successful in gaining control over the years. Your family is among the many to be part of the Patriots long list of 'deeds' for a creation of a better humanity." Reese said.

"You're just a bunch of murderers, and that's all you'll ever be!" Greg shouted, his hands shaking and his voice trembling. Fear, anger and despair were starting to overwhelm him that it started to affect his better judgment.

"Really, now. Don't make me laugh, Kinezono. The only murderer around here is you, having served my purpose for all this time since you've become part of FOXHOUND, but now, your usefulness has come to an end. Consider this your permanent termination from FOXHOUND. You could have been well behaved enough for my appreciation, but there's nothing I dislike the most than having a colored outcast such as you in my group posing a serious threat to my plans." Reese said. "Farewell."

With that, the Codec shut off. Greg can be seen clenching his fists, tears welling up in his eyes. Rio looked at Greg with a sad look in her eyes.

"Greg...I...I don't know what to say..." she muttered. Suddenly, she heard Greg started to breathe heavily as he was crying bitterly, slamming his fists hard against the dirty and mucky sewer walls as if he wanted to injure himself.

"Why…? Why didn't we sense this before?" Greg cried out as he started to double fist the wall next to him repeatedly. "How foolish of us that we didn't see the signs before this happened!"

"Greg! Get a hold of yourself. This is exactly what Reese wants." Rio said as she stepped closer to Greg to pick him up. "Don't let what that wankster said get to you…he's trying to get your spirits down before the big fight."

"But…" Greg tried to speak, but Rio simply took his fists and gently placed them together while holding them as she smiled at her son.

"Besides, don't go destroying these precious fists of yours. You will need them to protect Lilica and Yuina as well as helping Mantis out." Rio told him.

"She's right, Greg. Now's not the time for you to be timid or to have any negative thoughts…we need you to keep your focus with us right now to continue this mission." Maya said.

Greg looked at Maya and Rio for a moment, before nodding his head a bit. "Sorry…for letting all of you see that…my weak side. The stress must be getting to me now…but if only I knew why would someone like Reese hate people like me so much? Is it because I simply exist that he must hurt me like this?"

"I wish I knew too." Rio said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "But we can deal with him after this mess is done. We have to rescue Lilica."

"You're right...Reese can wait, this is a more important matter we must deal with." Greg said as he reached for his pouch of pills. After taking some antidepressants, he snapped back his head and breathed deeply for a few seconds until his mind was clear once more.

"Feeling any better, Greg?" Riku asked.

"Yeah…a lot more better I was before Reese called." Greg replied, getting himself back to focus.

"Hey, now that Reese has come out in the open with everything, maybe we should let everyone else at FOXHOUND know about this as soon as possible." Nagi spoke.

"You think that is such a good idea?" Maya asked him. "There's a good chance Reese or maybe even the Patriots could still be listening in to us."

"As Maki said, we have to step up a bit on being cautious from now on. If Reese has managed to contact us, I can imagine what else he is capable of for jeopardizing this mission." Rio said.

"He would want us to contact the Colonel, which would make it easier for him to get to us with his forces." Greg said. "However, he failed to forget that I've got other contacts we can rely on as well…"

With this, Greg got on one knee and contacted Nanvel once more. Her face reappeared on screen.

"Nanvel? Are you okay?" Greg asked.

"Yeah...it seems like that Reese cut off my frequency and butted in." she said.

"Did you at least get a trace of his location, or at least the relay point of where he was conversing from?" Rio asked.

"I tried that, but it seems that the system for the GPS was overloading with too much data at the time. I couldn't get a fix on is location." She confessed. "I'm so sorry, Greg."

"That's okay...it was expected, but you at least recorded the conversation data?" Greg asked.

"Every word he said." Nanvel said confidentially.

"Okay...make a copy and connect me to frequency 147.72." Greg said. "Tell the person on the other end to let every FOXHOUND member hear this and contact me afterwards."

"I got you, Greg." Nanvel replied, connecting the frequency to NERV'S Lt. Maya Ibuki's. Just then, she answered.

"Lt. Ibuki here...Psychic Panther, is it really you? What is it, is something the matter?" Maya Ibuki asked.

"Miss Ibuki, I'm in a middle of a jam right now and I'm sending something important to you." Greg said. "Get everyone else from my group to listen in. They need to know how important this is."

"Okay...I'm receiving the file now." Maya said, seeing the uploading of the file was close to completion on her NERV console. "But why won't you contact them yourself?"

"I really can't go into details right now, the conversation alone will tell the whole story." Greg replied. "Have them contact me right afterwards."

"Alright then...I'll make sure the message gets through." Maya said, switching off her Codec. Just then, she saw Michael Hansen stepped into the Command Centre with Garland Durev and Dr. Ritsuko Akagi.

"Michael, you're here just in time." Maya stood up to talk to him. "Your teammate, Gregory has just sent something that you all should hear. He wants your other friends from FOXHOUND to gather around and listen in as well. It sounded pretty urgent."

"Sounds like something big have started to happen on his end." Michael said.

"Yes, I can only guess what Greg is up to now." Garland said. "I'll go get Linn and the other children right away."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Back at the underground sewers of old Tokyo, almost seven minutes later, much deeper in the sewers...

"How far again do we have to go until we find someone to shoot at?" Maya said, holding unto her sniper rifle.

"Our buddies back at FOXHOUND haven't called back yet, Panther." Riku said.

"I bet it won't be much longer that we have to wait for them, they will call eventually." Greg said as he was keeping a close watch of his surroundings. Then his Codec rang again. "Good timing."

"Greg! Are you okay?" Linn exclaimed over her end of the Codec.

"I'm fine, Linn. So far, nothing has happened to us yet, but you can bet this won't be the case for long." He replied seriously.

"I just heard everything from Garland and Michael then we heard Lt. Ibuki's recording. You know I had to call you. We are really worried about you." She said.

"Hey, if Riku and his partners along with my family are with me, you know there shouldn't be any reason to be." Greg replied.

"I guess you're right, but still…." She nodded her head, a bit more relaxed than before.

"We heard the conversation between you guys and Reese…we know everything now, Greg." Garland said as Greg simply remained silent.

"We know we should have suspected this of him before, but none of us were prepared for this." Nagi spoke from his Codec as Michael started to speak now.

"That may be true, but really, we can't dwell on what we should have done in the past." Michael said. "Certainly if we all knew Reese was posing a threat all this time, we could have done something to stop him before he went through with this."

"He's right, you guys. We can worry about what we can do about Reese later, but what's more important is what you're guys doing to do now." Garland said. "Especially you, Greg…have you made up your mind to confront Mantis?"

"Greg...you're really going to do it, aren't you?" Scorpion asked now.

Greg remained silent for a bit as he clenched his fists and after looking at his comrades, he sighed a bit to continue talking.

"I wished there was another choice, but it looks like thanks to Reese, we've come to this." Greg said. "We've come fully prepared for the worst case scenario that he may throw at us, but it doesn't hurt for back-up from your end at a time like this."

"Really, Greg…what would have happened if you hadn't asked for help?" Michael said to him. "We told you before, we're willing to pitch in anyway we can, even if we are not close to you."

"Thanks for the sentiments, guys. Let's focus on the mission like we always had when we're together." Greg said, as he switched frequencies. "Nanvel, how's the situation thus far?"

"Well, I got some good and bad news." Nanvel she reported. "The good news is that there is a tunnel clearing only about two more kilometers from your position where I'm reading some heavy activity from the enemy. They must be planning an ambush."

"Certainly the bad news can't be worse than the good now, can it, Nanvel?" Rio asked.

"Actually, it's the opposite…the entrance you guys came in is now sealed off and now the enemy has sentries posted around it." Nanvel replied.

"So much for using that path as the escape route…" Maya said.

"Don't give up hope, the sewers must have many accesses back to the outside, give me some time to find some routes that you can use." Nanvel said. "In the meantime, I'll stay online to keep giving you guys support."

"You're doing a great job with that so far, Nanvel…keep it up." Greg said to her, causing her face to redden a bit.

"Gee, Greg…how can you say that with such a straight face?" she blushed.

"Rio! Are you there?" Linn exclaimed. Rio's face appeared on one of the screens of Greg's Codec as she started to speak to Rio now.

"Hey, Linn...long time no see." Rio sarcastically said.

"I thought because of you, Greg was going through so much...but the real enemy is Reese." Linn said in a mellow tone. "If it's not too much trouble...please, look after him through this mess."

"Yeah, sure. I'll be sure to do that." Rio said. "Nothing will happen that will take him away from you...or me. I can promise you that."

"...Thanks, Rio." Linn said. "I know he's in good hands with you...some of the times."

"Hey, don't forget about us, you guys." Riku's voice cut in. "Me and my partners will do our utmost to help Greg through this…you have my word of honor as an shinobi of the Hokage."

"We can vouch for Riku and stand by his word. He really means what he says." Nagi said.

"Thanks, Riku. And the same goes for his two partners whom I've heard about." Linn nodded to him with a confident smile. "I trust all of you to help Greg through this. I do hope we all get to meet each other once this mess is over with."

"Yes, same here, Aramaki-san." Nagi said with a grin. "After all, Riku's always spoken highly of you as well."

"I've heard quite a bit of good about you two from your leader and I don't think I should doubt your abilities to help my boyfriend out." Linn replied.

"Well, thank you, Aramaki-san." Nagi said, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Please, we're all comrades and friends here…you can just call me Linn, Nagi." She winked at him, causing Nagi to blush a bit.

"Nagi-kun…" Tot stared at Nagi a bit, causing him to gulp.

"Sorry that I have to interrupt this little happy-get-together conversation, but I'm reading something approaching your way at an insane speed!" Nanvel exclaimed. "It's heading straight for..."

"Sensei Rio, look out!" Greg shouted. Just then, he took out the weapon from the casing wrapped around his back and it revealed a long, metallic pole-arm that had markings running down on its hilt and a three jointed spear at the end. He spun the Lance in time to deflect a circular, metallic object which came at them from the deeper areas of the sewer tunnel from Rio's body. He then turned his back and stepped a stance to deflect a dark wave of energy which was thrown at Maya using the weapon, but the power of the wave sent him sliding on his feet some distance away as he turned his body to stop sliding and landed on one knee, before he faced forward and quickly drew his SOCOM into the darkness, firing three shots blindly at it.

After a tense moment of silence, Greg suddenly reloaded his gun while holding unto his lance like weapon while he glanced at Rio and Maya to make sure they are okay.

"What the hell…?" Greg shouted as he rested on one knee, still aiming his gun at the darkness. "Maya, Rio, are you two alright?"

"Yeah, we're fine, thanks." Maya said.

"Okay, what just happened?" Rio asked still in a daze.

"Even if it was just for a split second, I can clearly tell that it was a chakram." Kanashii said seriously. "And it was used by a very skilled person who knows how to use it well."

"A chakram?" Greg asked turning to the Shinsengumi group. "Isn't that supposed to be a circular bladed throwing weapon used in mythical times? You're saying there's someone who exists who knows how to use it?"

"Yes…only one person alive can be capable of that, Kinezono." Pei told him. "He's a highly dangerous and talented mercenary who goes by the name of Shade."

"No, not him again of all times." Riku muttered silently as Greg noticed the distressed look on his face. Before long, they heard a lecherous, twisted laughter from the depths of the sewers before them. Soon after, the darkness before them somehow started to envelope them as if they were part of an illusion.

"Ha ha ha…and here I was expecting a second rate psychic. You're a whole lot better than I expected, Greg Kinezono. But there are much more skilled soldiers of your type who could have done better than that showy performance you just pulled." The voice was male, but even from a distance; it intimidated the group with a cold and dark tone, as well as Greg, who only reacted by drawing his weapon again.

"Show yourself!" Greg demanded. "Who the hell are you?"

"You heard the young lady, I'm known as Shade." The voice replied, now it seems it have somehow surrounded the group with its echoing, foreboding presence. "I've heard much about you, Kinezono…the second psychic ever to join FOXHOUND. You've gained quite the reputation, though you have many years to catch up to the likes of Mantis."

Greg remained silent as he tried to analyze the new enemy before him. (Dammit…what is with this guy? I can't seem to make a single thing out of him. It's as if he's part of the shadows themselves. I can sense some forbidden arts in this act he's putting up as well.)

"Oh, give it up, Kinezono. I know what you're trying to do…but it's impossible for you to tell where I am and what I'll do next." Shade's voice said to him.

(So much for reading his thoughts…he must have some immunity for psychics.) Greg thought to himself. (Still, to think someone this day and age would go through the trouble of using mind tricks like this…he must really mean business if he's trying to stop us from getting to Mantis.)

"So, young Hanabishi…it seems fate has drawn us together once again to meet. I shall not forget that I still owe you and your friends for facing me two years ago both back at the Mikage base and boat." Shade drew his attention to Greg's friend now. "I'm hoping you, the psychic, and the girl have improved since the last encounter we had. If you haven't, well that's too bad for you. At least with you three males out of the way when I'm done with you, I can be more assured of having quite the time with the ladies that are accompanying you on this mission, before I go to complete my own."

"This won't be like the last time, Shade. The three of us have gotten stronger and you're going to have to deal with more people this time." Riku said sharply. "We have Greg with us now…don't you underestimate his skills as he will find a way to get through this mission."

"As always, you make me laugh, foolish child ninja. But then again, I would love to see what your psychic friend has in store for me." Shade said. "I'll be waiting for you all, so if I were you, I would use the time to make your final prayers short and swift."

"Wait, Shade!" Greg shouted, but all he got was a dead silence before him into the darkness. Silently pulling back his gun, Rio then broke the silence among the group.

"Riku, you'd better start telling us as much as you know about this guy before we start wetting ourselves." Rio said to Riku. "That pervert seemed to know you and your partners better than we do right now."

"Yes, Riku. It's best you start telling what you know about this guy." Greg said seriously.

"We first encountered Shade two years ago during a mission for FOXHOUND." Nagi spoke out. "He's an experienced high level ninja whose side job is a mercenary. He's very skilled in the killing and fighting arts, meaning he's been in the battlefield more than any of us put together."

"He's also got hidden powers as well. One of them is the power to regenerate lost tissues and limbs at inhumane speeds." Riku added. "I've heard other rumors that he's got other powers at his disposal, but he somehow sticks to using his brute strength, his techniques and brains to fight…its as if he's reserving his most powerful skills in reserve in his sick game of hunter and the hunted."

"Is he really THAT tough?" Rio asked in bewilderment.

"Very...if we had more time, I could tell you guys how much trouble it took just for not only us, but other people who were involved in the mission where we first met him, who even had to help us take him down for a count just once, which wasn't really enough." Riku continued in a miserable tone. "I know I said earlier the three of us have gotten stronger since then, and we have you guys here to help, but I doubt that could even help. To put it simply, Shade's practically unstoppable in a fight."

"Riku, are you're saying that this guy is even stronger than Garland in terms of power, skill and technique?" Greg asked suddenly. Now he was beginning to feel uneasy.

"I hate to say it, but yeah. He's even more powerful than when Garland is in his True Dread or Berserker Demon state." Riku said. "To put it simply, that guy is the next closest thing to invincible, Greg. It won't be so easy to stop him without at least getting seriously injured, and that's just trying to survive meeting that guy."

"Damn, I knew I should have brought my compact claymore mine rocket gun and beta class type grenades for a time like this. It normally tends to get the job done." Maya Jingu whimpered as she huffed, her chest jiggling along as well.

"You'll need a better gun than that to even come close to hurting that guy, Maya. He's also someone…you don't want to meet in a dark alley either." Nagi said, with some sadness and bitterness in his voice. "He gets his kicks out of tormenting people's lives and that includes torture, which is known to be one of his recreations. Another one of them includes…the brutal and savage raping of women."

Maya and Rio looked at each other in frightened silence while Greg clenched his teeth when they heard this as he suddenly noticed Tot's face. Tot had shut her eyes at the mention of that as she remembered meeting one of his victims, an American woman they rescued during the C-Project mission whose name was Gladys Smithson.

"He is a living monster." Tot said quietly. "A monster that just won't die…"

Greg's eyes lowered the instant he heard this and then looked at Rio and Maya in silence.

"You two know what this means, right?" Greg simply said seriously. "If this Shade is tough enough to pose problems for all of us, then this just changes everything we can do about the mission."

"Greg, surely you heard what Riku and his friends told you." Michael's voice said from his end of the Codec. "If Shade is going to be your enemy soon, the best choice is to retreat from him as soon as possible."

"And leave Lilica and Yuina behind? I don't think we have an option here in this to give up on them now, do we!" Rio exclaimed, but Greg put an arm in front of her.

"Rio…ever since I've been in FOXHOUND, I've trusted Michael's better judgment for situations like this, but it looks like we're in a hopeless situation here now if we're going to face Shade just to get to Lilica, Yuina and Mantis." Greg said. "Still…I can't back down because of this man who is probably ten times stronger and better than us in the battlefield. I promised Seraph as a member of FOXHOUND that I will get Yuina back to her, and since Lilica is practically now family to me, there's no way I would give up so easily without a plan to get through to them."

"So just how do you plan to do this without getting anyone killed by Shade's hands?" Michael asked. "Greg, I know how determined you are in this, but you have to think this through if you have no other choice than to face Shade."

"Mr. Hansen, I know this may sound like suicide here, but…" Maya Jingu cocked her handgun and fixed her gun holsters with a big grin. "It's like Greg said Lilica's family to us and there's no way in hell I'm backing down just because we've got to face a guy who is really strong like Riku says he is. My mind is made up to help Greg get Lilica and Yuina back and I don't intend to back down now. I'm prepared for the worst, but I'm not prepared to get myself killed before I see Lilica again. I'll do what I must to see her alive and well."

"Maya, Greg, you do know that we're now stacked against some impossible odds here, right?" Rio asked. "We really didn't count on this last minute problem to show up now of all times to start giving us doubts about advancing further."

"Yes, but I don't ever recall once you being a quitter in the times I hung out with you either." Greg said without turning. "This Shade may be powerful, but are you going to let that stop you from being with Lilica or being with everyone we cherish again?"

Rio twitched her eyebrow as she shrugged her shoulders. "Ah, fine. Not that I was planning on abandoning you guys anyway. I just hate having to fight perverts, but since this guy has his head set on doing things that even Yuji wouldn't approve of if we fail this mission by losing to him and he goes after Mantis, we can't afford failure now, can we?"

"I heard that, Rio!" Yuji shouted from an outside Codec line.

"I guess the only choice left is to devise one hell of a plan to get it through that thick skull of that Shade guy, that we're not going to be so easily intimidated by the likes of him since an important member of family needs to be rescued and things needs resolving while trying to get as little injuries as possible." Rio said, smacking her fists together. "What do you say to that, my student?"

"Sounds like the best option we got if we were to stand a chance against him." Greg said, taking out his combat knife. Sticking it to the wall next to him, he got to one knee and took out his inventory kit. He began to re organize the items and weaponry he was carrying with him as he spoke.

"Riku, since you know about this guy more than us, we will have to switch teams, meaning I will need you with me from now on." Greg said looking at his ninja friend. "Sorry if I have to separate you from your partners, but your help is needed if I have to fight my way through Shade to get to Lilica, got it?"

"Okay, Greg. It's not a problem for me, as long I know I can be of some assistance in any way." Riku replied. "Besides, considering Shade's a master of ninjutsu, I'll at least be able to be of some help in dealing with him."

"Don't worry…this will be temporary for now." Greg said, as he looked at Maya now.

"Maya, I will need your explosive power with me as well. Since we can't actually kill this guy, the most we can do is surprise him and slow him down enough just to get to Mantis location." Greg said. "I'm depending on you to hit him hard and heavy with everything you got."

"Sure thing, Greg, you can count on me." Maya said, smiling at him.

Greg began looking thoughtful for a second, until he suddenly looked at Nagi and Tot.

"Usagi, Crow…you two will be our back up along with one of the Shinsengumi." Greg said, looking at Pei. "From what I got to glimpse from last night, Tot is skilled in the bladed weapons area, so a team of two blade wielders and a psychic like Nagi should be sufficient in covering me and my team when it gets tight."

"What about me, Greg?" Rio asked.

"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you, sensei." Greg said, looking at her. "You're in charge of cleaning house…I'm sure there are more eager boys under Shade's command waiting to confront us, so you and the remaining two Shinsengumi can handle them until I can call for assistance from any of you."

"The thing is that we may need each other's help at some point, so we have to be on guard when we're ready for assistance." Dee said. "Greg, I do hope that this does work."

"We got Michael ready on the Codec to give us some pointers as how we can deal with Shade. Don't you, Venom?" Greg asked

"I have faced Shade countless times before I joined FOXHOUND, but even up to now, I can't say I know of an exact way to defeat him." Michael confessed. "Had I sensed what kind of being he is, I could have prevented him from killing my unit and my fiancé, Maria...I wished I had a definite way of telling you all on how to fight him, but all I can do is watch from here and be sure none of you make any disastrous mistakes."

"That's okay; man…you backing us up is more than enough." Greg said as he looked at his inventory once more. He had a fair share of ammo for his grenade launcher, consisting of grenades and shells and several rounds of ammo for his assault rifle. He then looked on and saw that he had some medical equipment, an assortment of bandages, suture kits, painkillers, antidepressants, serums. It was just about enough for everyone with him, but he considered why he had to pack light.

"I didn't really plan on bringing too much with me…I wasn't planning to focus entirely on fighting today." Greg said. "So far, I've brought more medical items and ammo to use, but I need to conserve these for later."

"It will be impossible for us to try to get through Shade without getting injured too much if we attack him directly." Riku said. "When this guy starts fighting, he never lets off and demands a real challenge from his opponents. Meaning any fight with him will drag on until the opponent is dead."

"That's why we should make this quick, I have no intention of wasting time here or else it will be over for Lilica and Yuina." Greg said. "Nanvel, I'll need to start using the gauntlet set from now if we are to get through in this, so can you start configuring those nanos from now?"

"You will have only thirty seconds until they are fully activated and the rest is up to you. Use the time well, Greg." Nanvel said to him.

"I surely will, Nanvel." Greg replied confidentially, knowing he will have to bear some pain as to make the gauntlets work. He then started to look thoughtful for a moment, before letting the cloak tied around his neck out into the open and used it to cover his entire body to conceal the gauntlets Nanvel made for him. He would know for sure when they have become activated to be used, but he needs to save them for when its time to face Shade.

"Ready, everyone?" Greg asked which got several confident nods from the people around him. "Then let's move out…Yuina and Lilica are counting on us to get to them."

Cautiously, Greg and everyone else drew their weapons on the ready, as each assigned member of the group was with their team set for the encounter of Shade and his command squad. Entering the trail, they finally entered a clearing where several train tracks entered double tunnels.

"My, my…aren't we in a hurry to die today." Shade's voice returned as he suddenly appeared from the darkness of one of the tunnels. He was dressed in a full dark trench coat, but it was apparent that he was surely wearing a protective or a combat outfit under it. "You all saved me the trouble of finding you, Kinezono, now you've made it easier for me to have my fun by killing you and even having my way with the women in your company."

"So, you're Shade." Greg simply replied, his dark brown pupils sternly fixed on his new enemy. Even though he can sense a foreboding sense of evil from Shade, he can't be unfazed by the fact that this man is even stronger than any opponent his friends have faced. The fact that Lilica and Yuina needs to be rescued made his iron will stronger to confront him with least worry now. "My partners told me much about you."

"Oh, they have, have they? And I am quite pleased that they did…remembering how I struck fear into them by my very presence is enough for them to remind them how unstoppable I am." Shade said with a confident grin. "What about you, Kinezono? I'm sure when they told you about me; you must feel some kind of despair at the idea of even facing me, right?"

"Actually, I am, but right now I can hardly afford to do so because I'm more worried about other important things at the moment." Greg replied, clenching his gauntlet equipped fists tighter. (The countdown's getting close to zero, so those nanos will kick in any time soon.)

"Too bad. But no matter, you will soon experience just why my reputation fits my name." Shade said as he raised his hand. "And if you must know, my men have already located the two girls and Mantis; I've sent a squadron to prevent any visitors from entering down there until I meet them personally."

"Shit, he's already a step ahead of us!" Rio exclaimed silently to herself.

"That leaves you and me with some personal time to get to know one another quite well." Shade smirked at the group before him. "I do hope you won't disappoint me, Kinezono."

Greg remained stern and focused as he began to clench his teeth. "I should let you know something from now, Shade…I never fight to disappoint anyone, even someone with high expectations and skills such as yourself. Fighting me will not simply be a pushover."

"Heh, we'll see about that. I'll show you personally why I'm so feared among your friends. Then, I'll enjoy taking your little 'lilac' and pluck her petals one by one!" Shade said, getting into a pose. "I'm sure the little resistance she and her captured friend will put will be most entertaining."

Greg simply leaned his head towards Maya, who was behind him as she nodded to him, knowing it was some signal to begin their plan.

"Like hell we'll let it happen!" Maya said, casually dropping a stun grenade in front of Shade, who only had time to block his sight from it.

"What the…!" The ninja exclaimed.

"Greg, now's the time to spilt up!" Rio shouted.

"I got it! Everyone to their groups!" Greg shouted as the team used this chance to exchange and split up into the groups for the encounter, while they made the retreat away from Shade. The ninja looked around and simply smiled as he knew how this was going.

"I see…you want to play a game of cat and mouse, is that it, Kinezono?" Shade asked. "Well, I'll play along, but I'm quite the excellent hunter and finding each and every one of you will be no problem."

Shade then noticed a red cloak lying on the ground, and as he picked it up, he saw some drops of fresh blood on it.

"This must be Kinezono's indeed…he was wearing this before." Shade said to himself. "I'll track him down and finish him before he can cause any trouble, then finish my job by putting Mantis down."

Shade began to proceed to the tunnel where Greg and his team ran into, with intention of fighting with them to prove his strength and reputation, though the battle will be to his advantage. The battle between these two men will be but a prelude to the real showdown ahead. The question is, will Greg and his friends be able to get through Shade and the Death Squad to find Lilica and Yuina before it's too late, or will they die trying?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ShardclawK: That's it for this revised and much added chapter. I'm sure from the looks of things the upcoming battle will surely show the true essences of Shade, as well with this time everyone else working together to combat Shade.

Some of you may have noticed that I didn't do a KOF section for this revision, but don't worry, I have a proper timing and arrangement for the appearance later in the story as soon things have calmed down for Greg and the rest of the heroes in the story. Also, to those who may or not have recognized the change in the chapter's title would notice it's the same name for a particular music theme from one of my recent favorite PS2 rpgs from Namco, Tales of Legendia. I just couldn't help it as I have been using the soundtrack from that game and others to help me with my fiction up to late and that song was one of best I've heard in any game for awhile not to mention that quote Rio used to comfort Greg after Reese reveals himself was something similar to what Chloe said to Senel in Jay's character quest.

Anyway, I've already begun revision on the next set of following chapters, so you can expect an upload of another revised chapter (or even two, if I work fast enough) soon.