Wait-for-sleep: Actually it's not going to be either Hwo/Asuka or Steve/Asuka. Read my previous fic for more details!

OK, this is going to be the last chapter in quite some time, as I'm going to be busy making the transition back to college. I do hope it's good.

And just FYI, the conflict going on in Tekken's Israel is in no way connected to what's going on now.

--------

Mishimas were never known for top-notch parental abilities and I am no exception. I have yet to do anything with my son Jin that would be considered "fatherly" in any way, shape or form. In all honesty, if Jin were to die a horrible death, I would not shed many tears, if any. Of course, his hatred of me is quite understandable: I was never there for him growing up, and I am the reason he is cursed with the Devil Gene that eats away at him so.

However, he himself has never really attempted to get on my good side, either. The previous King of Iron Fist Tournament is ample proof of that. When he was looking for the whereabouts of Jun, for example, I offered him my hand in assistance, and all I received was a fist to my cheek. Was I not his father? Was I not the one who gave part of my vaunted power so that his mother whose bosom he clings to so desperately could live again?

I have tried to turn a deaf ear to his threats for some time, selling myself to the notion that we had a common goal and would be much better off working together than butting heads. Even I have a limit to my patience, however. So when Astaroth confirmed that Jin was part of this Shinkenger group, I quickly made plans, and a new creature, to punish him.

At the same time, I also prepared to implement the next stage of my primary scheme…

--------

The Mishima Peace Conference is sponsored by the Mishima Zaibatsu and sanctioned by the UN. In order to gain the trust of the leaders of the world after his son's chilling reign over the Zaibatsu, Heihachi Mishima created the "Tekkenshu" to curb world hunger and to solve global conflicts. Once he had gotten a good foothold into world affairs with his Peace Crusade, he founded the Mishima Peace Conference to be held annually, similar to what the United Nations implemented. Since Heihachi Mishima was not available to attend, however, Jin Kazama would be the lead speaker at the conference, which was to be held at the Tokyo Dome.

There was one person in particular Jin was looking forward to seeing again: Doren Sharon of the Israeli Defense Force. With his country once again in the process of falling into war, the first lieutenant decided to oversee the conference himself to guarantee that negotiations went smoothly. Doren's fighting prowess with his unique fighting style of Krav Maga made him a semi-finalist in the previous King of Iron Fist tournament, but his true claim to fame was his negotiation abilities.

It's too bad I can't ask for Lt. Sharon's help against Astaroth, Jin thought as he waited for the Israeli's flight to arrive as he sat near the gate, but there is no way I can ask him to fight that thing! He's just a normal man, while Astaroth is a monster…

Suddenly, Jin noticed someone coming to sit next to him. The man was fairly tall, dressed in a brown trenchcoat and wearing beige pants with black leather boots. His messy black hair and pale skin made him stand out, but what really got Jin's attention were the man's pale blue eyes and his scar just above the left side of his lip.

Sergei Dragunov! What is HE doing here?

Jin had run-ins with the Spetsnaz officer in the past, and none of those run-ins were pleasant experiences. When the two first met, Dragunov subdued Jin and dragged him to Russia, where he was subjected to inhumane experiments. Even though Jin returned to Japan in one piece, he would never forget the pain he had to endure while in captivity. "Hello, Dragunov," Jin said coldly as he glared at the Russian man. "Probed anyone lately?"

Dragunov's head slowly turned to meet Jin's gaze, and then turned away once again. "…that was uncalled for, Mr. Kazama…"

"…so you can talk," Jin raised an eyebrow as he heard the Sambo expert speak: something that he had never heard him do. "How about you tell me what you're doing here?"

"…I am not here to fight you," Dragunov spoke very quietly in a thick Russian accent while his gaze did not leave the door to the docking gate. "That is all you need to be aware of…"

Now arriving, Gate 21, non-stop from Tel Aviv. Welcome to Tokyo.

It did not take long for Jin to find Doren as the door to the gate opened and a flock of people came rushing out of it. Doren was a good six-and-a-half feet tall, with a powerful physique to boot. He was wearing purple-and-blue camouflage pants and brown army boots, as well as a gray t-shirt with the letters "IDF" splashed across the chest in blue. His handsome face, wire-rim glasses, long black hair tied back in a ponytail and a thick singular bang hanging across the right side of his face made him instantly recognizable to Jin.

Doren spotted Jin and waved hello as he walked over to where Jin and Dragunov were sitting. "Hello there! It's good to see you two again!"

"…you mean you know this guy, Doren?" Jin raised an eyebrow as Doren spoke to Dragunov with such familiarity. Even though Jin was aware that Doren beat Dragunov in the previous King of Iron Fist Tournament, he didn't expect him to be formally acquainted with such filth.

"Are you kidding me? I still owe the captain a rematch," Doren smiled as he put down the backpack he was carrying and looked out into the crowd of people that were exiting Gate 21. "By the way, can you help me spot my wife? She has white hair and she's wearing-"

"DOREN!"

Jin, Doren, and Dragunov all jumped up in surprise as a loud, female voice rang in their ears. Running towards them was a stunningly beautiful young woman with snow white hair, wearing a white t-shirt, black jean-shorts, and a dark red leather jacket with the sickle and hammer of the Russian flag etched on the back. What caught Jin's attention most, however, was not her intense beauty, or even the gourd that she was carrying in her hand.

It was the fact that her eyes were a very pale blue, just like Dragunov's.

"Doren, why didn't you stay behind and wait for me?" Natasha continued to shout as Doren backed away slightly and put his hands up.

"Hey, easy, 'tasha," Doren rubbed the back of his head lightly. "Everyone was getting out of the isle really quickly! I didn't have time to wait up! Besides, we all get out of the same gate!"

"Natasha," Dragunov walked toward the woman as she put down the gourd and backpack she was carrying. "It has been a very long time…"

"…BROTHER!" Natasha quickly forgot about her husband and wrapped her arms around Dragunov. "It really has been a long time! You've become quite the national hero back in mother Russia, from what our aunts and uncles tell me!"

Unbelievable, Jin looked on in astonishment at he watched the two siblings break their embrace. That Russian scumbag has a family? Jin approached Natasha and shook her hand, temporarily ignoring the fact that she was the little sister of a hated enemy. "Hello, Mrs. Sharon. My name is Jin Kazama, and I fought your husband in the last tournament."

"I've read all about you in the papers," Natasha returned the handshake as she gripped Jin's hand firmly. "Perhaps later, we can show each other some special moves…"

"Special moves?" Jin raised an eyebrow as he let go of Natasha's hand. "But…I thought you were married…"

"BWAHAHAHA," Natasha erupted in a hearty laugh as she picked up her backpack and gourd once again and began heading for the luggage claim. "Doren told me you were strong, but he never told me you were funny, as well!"

"…I find your humor in ill taste, Kazama," Dragunov hissed at Jin as they, along with Doren, walked after Natasha to the baggage claim.

"Hey, captain, lighten up," Doren walked between Jin and Dragunov when he noticed the violent intent burning in their eyes. "It was just a little joke! I mean, I'm her husband, and I didn't find it offensive!"

"He's exactly right, Sergei," Natasha handed her elder brother a small metal bottle that she pulled out of her backpack. "This is supposed to be a time of family and friends, so drink up and be merry! I even brought my own home-brewed vodka that you enjoy so much!"

--------

After five minutes of navigating across the labyrinth that was the Tokyo Airport, the unlikely quartet finally found their way to the luggage claim. Although Jin still did not enjoy being around Sergei Dragunov, he was still fascinated at how differently he was acting as opposed to when they first met. Dragunov had always struck the Japanese youth as a man who did not speak because he was always plotting something dark to please his superiors. When he first saw Dragunov at the airport, Jin had expected the Russian to attack him.

But to his surprise, Sergei had yet to do anything of the nature. He not only spoke, but engaged in proper conversation with both his sister and Doren. I still don't trust him though, Jin thought to himself as he sat down next to Doren while Dragunov and Natasha went to the other side of the luggage claim to find their belongings. I'm willing to bet he's just waiting until his family isn't watching him to do something evil…

"You don't trust him," Doren said out of the blue as he continued playing his Sony PSP, almost as if he knew exactly what Jin was thinking. "I suppose being nicknamed 'the White God of Death' does have an effect on one's social popularity…"

"Actions speak louder than words, Lt. Sharon," Jin turned to meet the Israeli's gaze. "You probably don't know what that monster you call a brother-in-law is capable of."

"On the contrary, I know exactly what Sergei is capable of, and what kind of sins he's committed in the past," Doren turned off his PSP and put it in his pocket. "However, people change over time, Jin. Initial impressions aren't always set in stone, so be sure to keep that in mind. Besides," Doren's voice became quieter as he finished bitterly, "compared to my past, Sergei's is probably a fairy tale…"

"…again, actions speak louder than words," Jin turned away and looked out to where Natasha and Dragunov were picking out luggage from the winding track at the baggage claim. "However, I do trust you, so I'll give him another chance…"

Suddenly, the sound of gunfire fell upon their ears as everyone in the luggage claim stopped whatever it was they were doing, confused as to where the shots were coming from. Quickly jumping into action, Jin and Doren rushed out the entrance of the airport to take a look outside, with Natasha and Dragunov quickly following them.

What they saw was utter chaos…

The parking lot was littered with the bodies of policemen and lizard-men as the Tokyo Metro police fired upon a large horde of the creatures, who were trying to approach the airport. Some of them fell to the hail of bullets, while others pressed onward to savagely rip apart the officers before he or she had the chance to use their weapons.

Oh no, Jin looked on in horror as he watched the lizard-men continue to literally tear through the perimeter that the police had set up. Why did they have to show up on the day that the world leaders are arriving in Tokyo? Jin was about to transform when he noticed that a news van arrive not too far away from where the action was happening. Blast! I can't morph here if there are cameras on me! This might just be a ploy by the enemy to find out who I really am…

As Jin continued to think about what his next move would be, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air as the luggage claim was infected by the same chaos that was going on outside. Popping out of the floor was another lizard-man, but Jin noticed that this one was different from the others. Rather than a red hue that its breathen sported, the skin on this reptile was dull silver, with pink stripes splashed across it. Once it had fully exacavated itself, the lone Lizard-man began picking up luggage from the track and tossing it as if it were in a school cafeteria having a foodfight.

"Doren, can I trust you to handle things in here?" Jin continued to shout, even though Doren was next to him. He was caught between a metaphorical rock and a hard place, and he needed to get somewhere where he could morph with no one watching. More importantly, if Dragunov was occupied elsewhere, Jin wouldn't have to worry about the Russian deciding to stab him in the back.

"Don't worry about us, pretty boy," Natasha answered her husband's question as she popped open her gourd and took a swig of its contents. "Just do what you have to, and we shall handle things inside!"

As Doren, Natasha, and Dragunov rushed back inside to engage the creature attacking the luggage claim, Jin quickly looked for a place where he could be alone. Spotting an alleyway, Jin waded through the crowd of people that were fleeing the luggage claim and ducked into the alleyway, quickly charging his ki and transforming.

Whenever Jin morphed into his Shinkenger alter-ego, he always felt slightly-lighted for the first couple of seconds. The rush of having such energies course through his veins in such an instant certainly took time to adjust to. Once he shook off the disorientation, Jin left the alley and again waded through the frightened mob to enter the parking lot and confront the lizard-men…

---------

"Come on, everyone get out! You can get your belongings after all this has blown over!"

Natasha quickly herded the remaining people away from the wild Lizard-man as Doren and Dragunov did their best to hold off the cold-blooded reptile. Even though Natasha's thick Russian accent made it difficult for people to understand her, they quickly caught the gist of what she was getting at and exited the room.

However, the lizard-man managed to shake free from Doren's grip and attempted to attack Natasha while she was occupied. The Russian woman turned around just in time to see the creature leap into the air in preparation for a lethal pounce. However, Dragunov reached out and caught its tail in mid-air, and it fell on its head with a thud. Mounting the creature, Dragunov grabbed it by its neck and began punching it in the chest.

The technique would have been effective if he had been dealing with a human, but a reptile was a different manner. Taking advantage of its long mouth, the lizard-man got hold of the arm that was holding its neck and bit down hard. Dragunov grunted as he let go of the creature and got back up, gripping his arm in agony.

"Brother, are you all right?" Natasha quickly kicked the lizard-man away from her brother and ran to his side. It was a deep bite: Dragunov was bleeding through his trenchcoat. Her pale blue eyes sparkling with rage, Natasha pointed an accusing finger at the creature. "You mongrel! You're going to pay for that! Doren, don't interfere unless I say so!"

Knocking Doren away with a tail whip, the lizard-man turned to face its next adversary. With her gourd wrapped around her shoulder, Natasha grabbed the creature's arm as it tried to scratch her, then countered with an open-palmed strike to its neck. The creature coughed in her face as it backed away slightly, surprised by such a counter. That pause was enough time for Natasha to send it sprawling away with a flying punch.

The Lizardman landed on its feet and hissed at the woman. Charging at her with fury, it lashed out with its sharp fangs. Natasha, anticipating the move, ducked under its snout and shot out both of her hands, and struck the creature it its soft underbelly with a pair of finger-first lunges. Once she had done that, she put her hands on the ground and shot out both of her feet to send the creature backwards once again with a low kick.

However, this time the creature recovered faster that Natasha had expected. Taking advantage of the time Natasha took to get back up, the Lizard-man sent her flying with a head-butt.

"Grr…tougher than you look," Natasha rubbed where she had landed and stood back up, undoing the lace that wrapped her gourd to her shoulder. "I did not think I would have to use this here!"

"Hey, Natasha, just remember that Sergei and I are here," Doren called out to his wife as he finished wrapping Dragunov's wound with a piece of his trenchcoat.

"Ha! There's no way I am going to let you boys have all the fun!"

With that, Natasha popped open the top of her gourd and began to drink its contents. Making loud gulping noises, she continued guzzling whatever was in the gourd, with the bottle now hanging upside down above her head. Finally putting the bottle down and capping it back up, Natasha wiped her mouth off and groggily assumed a fighting stance. "OK, comrade-hic-…let's see what you're all about!"

The creature tilted its head in curiosity as it watched Natasha seem to struggle to maintain balance. Her cheeks were red and her head bobbled back and forth. Dragunov prepared to step in, both Doren held him back. "She's a martial artist like us, captain. We need to respect her wishes."

"What is it that she drank, lieutenant?" Dragunov watched in awe as Natasha stumbled past a forward hand thrust and groggily jump over a low tail whip. The Spetsnaz officer could tell that she was using a form of Drunken Boxing, but he was concerned about just what was fueling her technique.

"To be perfectly honest, she never tells me what she puts in that gourd," Doren looked on as his wife bopped the creature on top of its head with a wild punch. "It can be anything from sake to paint thinner…"

"What sort of a husband are you, letting her consume that?"

The blows continued to rain down on the lizard-man's head as Natasha continued to swing her arms wildly. With a lunging drop kick, she kicked the creature in the face and sent it toppling to the ground. The creature, slightly dazed from the near-endless barrage, shook off its confusion and once again prepared to attack…until Natasha pulled out a lighter.

"And for my-hic-next trick…the reason you should not drink and smoke at the same time!" Putting the lighter in front of her mouth and flicking it until a small flame came from it, she blew on it with alcohol-filled breath and created a flame jet that burst into the lizard-man's eyes. Blinded by the fire, the Lizard-man thrashed wildly and stumbled…right into Doren and Dragunov's hands…

With both soldiers grabbing its arms, the lizard-man was escorted to the door and tossed as far as Doren and Dragunov could muster. Landing in the street, it was promptly run over by a speeding taxi.

Hearing a slow applause, Doren and Dragunov turned around and saw two figures dressed up in strange costumes. One of them was dressed in blue, and the other was dressed in yellow. Both of their faces were covered with helmets of the same color. "Whoo…I must really be drunk…" Natasha began to feel light-headed as she looked at the two colorful fighters. "Tell me…are you two Sentai people on our side?"

"You have nothing to worry about, madam," ShinkenBlue gave a quick thumbs-up as Doren ran over to catch Natasha as she passed out while standing up. "Hey, thanks for helping us clean up!" Looking over to Dragunov's bandaged arm, Steve walked over to the Russian and asked if he was all right. The Spetsnaz officer nodded once in acknowledgement, then walked over to a nearby chair and sat down. "Well, if everyone's all right, then we'll just be on our way!" ShinkenBlue and ShinkenYellow ran out the entrance of the luggage claim and waved goodbye. "Thanks again, you three!"

--------

"There! That's the last of them," Jin, who had been fighting for nearly fifteen minutes straight as ShinkenRed, sent the final lizard-man into unconsciousness with a forward kick as the police force behind him cheered in triumph. Walking over to the officer that seemed to be their leader, Jin shook the man's hand.

"EXCELLENT WORK, CIVILIAN! YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED BY EVERY HONEST POLICEMAN HERE," the commander shouted at Jin and vigorously shook his hand. Turning to another police member, a European woman, the commander continued to yell. "SERGEANT MOMMY, GET THE CHAMPAGNE FROM OUR PATROL CAR!"

"Umm…that's 'Mimmy,' Inspector Tatsumi…"

"WHATEVER! GET THE CHAMPAGNE!"

"I wouldn't be celebratin' so fast I were you…"

Quickly darting around, Jin and the police followed the unknown voice to a new creature that was even more peculiar than the lizard-men. The creature was dressed in olive green military garb with black army boots. Its hands were brown with claws shaped like spirals, and its face was furry with a long drill-shaped snout. Covering the top of its rodent-like head was a lime green beret with a skull-shaped patch on it. "I'm afraid that this where your life comes to an end, civvy!"

Not another one, Jin shook his head and assumed his fighting stance yet again. He didn't think he'd be able to handle this new monster after fighting for so long without any sort of rest, but he wasn't about to let the policemen get themselves killed trying to take it on. The creature snorted as it assumed its own fighting stance: it was just like Dragunov's Command Sambo stance. Command Sambo…just what I don't need…

Before the creature could begin however, a loud revving sound cut through the air. Everyone turning their heads eastward, they saw a motorcycle speeding towards them at enormous speed. With the police officers and Jin quickly jumping out of the way, the motorcycle sped past them and continued to head for the monster. Then, suddenly swerving, the back of the motorcycle hit the creature and sent it flying. Once Jin had gotten a look at the riders, he let out a sigh of relief. It was Hwoarang and Asuka, already in their Shinkenger suits.

Quickly dismounting the motorcycle they rode on, the two fighters approached Jin. "Hey, where the hell is Astaroth? You better not have killed him without me," Hwoarang's voice was full of disappointment. He had been hoping to engage in fearsome and final battle with the one who killed his gang, not tangle with some sort of strange rodent who dressed like his old drill sergeant back when he was in the Korean army.

"Astaroth didn't show up this time around: sorry about that." Jin rubbed the back of his helmet as Hwoarang continued to complain to him. "By the way, where are Xiaoyu and Steve?"

As if to answer Jin's question, Xiaoyu and Steve came running out of the entrance to the airport and entered the parking lot, approaching their Shinkenger brethren. "Hey Jin, you're not going to believe this," Xiaoyu said excitedly, "but Dragunov helped save everyone in the airport! He even got a bite on the arm to show for it!"

"Dragunov did that?" Jin replied with disbelief. "Huh…I guess there really is hope for people…" Turning to face the mole-like creature that had already gotten back up and recovered from the motorcycle attack, the five Shinkengers stood in line. "OK guys…let's do it, just like we practiced."

"Yeah whatever," Hwoarang waved his hand in reluctant acknowledgement. "We gotta make it look good of the press…"

"ONE," Sticking his left index finger high into the air, Hwoarang fired off a roundhouse kick into the air before entering his Flamingo Stance. "Striking down foes with fatal footwork…Tae Kwan Do-estilo: ShinkenBlack!"

"TWO," Her left index and middle fingers pointing skyward, Asuka went into her defensive stance. "Overcoming foes with daunting defense...Aikido-estilo: ShinkenWhite!"

"THREE," Steve stuck up three fingers in the air and then brought then down to get into his trademark Flicker stance. "Beating down foes with peerless punches…Boxing-estilo: ShinkenBlue!"

"FOUR," With all her fingers on her left hand up in the air save for her thumb, Xiaoyu brought the hand back down and went into her Phoenix Stance. "Overwhelming foes with blinding speed…Kung Fu-estilo! ShinkenYellow!"

"FIVE," His open palm shooting into the sky, Jin went into his Power Stance. "Smashing foes with the fists of fury…Karate-estilo! ShinkenRed!" Once the rest of the team got out of their stances, Jin pointed a finger at the creature. "Under the power of our divine fists, chaos shall never thrive!"

With the cheers and battle cries of every policeman, world leader, and civilian backing them, the team struck a dynamic pose as their ki crackled across their bodies and the jewels on their chest flashed violently while they shouted out their mighty name. "TEKKENSHU SENTAI…SHINKENGER!"

"Not bad, civvies," the creature gave a thumbs-up with its swirly claw before introducing itself. "I'm Drill Sergeant, the Sambo Mole! And while don't have some fancy pose, that don't mean I ain't got class!" Coming at the Shinkengers with his claws bared and his snout whirring mechanically, the creature let out a battle cry of his own. "I'll make pretzels outta yer limbs, and swiss cheese outta yer carcasses!"

Steve and Xiaoyu were the first to receive a taste of his claws and were sent sprawling away leaving sparks in their wake. Turning to see Hwoarang about to kick him in the face, Drill Sergeant caught the foot and gave it a twist before taking the Korean down into a leg lock. Screaming from the pain, Hwoarang tried to pull his leg out of the leg lock by lifting both his captured leg and Drill Sergeant off the ground, then bring them down to the ground hard. With Drill Sergeant now echoing his victim's scream, he let go of the leg and the two fighters scrambled back up.

Waiting for him to get back onto his feet was Jin, who attacked Drill Sergeant from behind with a straight punch. To Jin's surprise, Drill Sergeant caught the punch from behind and tossed him over his shoulder, sending Jin to the ground with a loud thump. What in the-? He's a lot smarter than he looks!

However, Jin's attack was not totally useless, as it gave Asuka the opening she needed to begin her own attack against Drill Sergeant. Kicking the creature in the face with her Spinning Heal Drop, Asuka sent Drill Sergeant spiraling to the ground. Not letting the creature have time to recover, Steve and Hwoarang ran after Drill Sergeant and sent it flying further away with a powerful haymaker and a forward kick.

Landing on its feet, Drill Sergeant straightened out his beret and rubbed its nose. "I think it's time I taught you privates some underground warfare!" Putting his face to the ground, the mole creature's snout whirred as it began punching through the tar and concrete that was the parking lot. Once he had made a sufficient hole, his claws whirred in unison as he began to dig with his hands, burrowing himself into the ground. By the time the Shinkengers realized what it was doing, the creature was out of sight.

"Damn…where did he go?" Jin and the others looked around cautiously. Although it was possible that it retreated after it realized that the Shinkengers were adapting to his Command Sambo far too quickly, Jin knew that the chances of that happening were next to nothing. He was waiting deep underground…waiting for them to let their guard down.

Suddenly, and hand popped out of the ground beneath them and grabbed Asuka's ankle. "Welcome to hell, little missy," the creature said within the hole that his hand was jutting out of. "I'll be your tour guide!" Asuka fell flat on her face as she lost her balance, then tried to grip the ground with her gloved hands as Drill Sergeant began pulling her down into the hole.

Making a dive to catch her hand, Jin grabbed onto Asuka tight and tried to pull her back in. Following Jin's example, the other Shinkengers grabbed onto one other to make a human chain, using all of their strength to save their comrade from being dragged into the ground. The only problem with this is that Asuka might be pulled apart like a piece of taffy in the process, Jin thought bitterly as he continued to pull. I hope Asuka can hang on!

With one last mighty tug, the Shinkengers broke Asuka free of Drill Sergeant's grasp as he popped out of the ground after her. "That was a dirty trick, you bastard," Asuka got back up and dusted herself off. "Are you afraid to take us on fair and square?"

"This is war, sweetheart," the mole pointed his finger arrogantly before burrowing underground again. "All's fair in that n' love!"

"Oh, no you don't!" Asuka grabbed Drill Sergeant's foot just as it was about to disappear into the ground, preventing him from burrowing deeper. "I'm not going to have some freak like you give me lectures about my love life!" Her heels screeching on the ground as she tried to maintain her ground, Asuka shouted out to the other Shinkengers for help. Coming to her aid, they once again linked together to yank Drill Sergeant from his digging frenzy. This time, Drill Sergeant flew out of the ground as the Shinkengers tossed him out of the hole.

"Now that's more like it," Asuka crackled her knuckles as she ran after Drill Sergeant. "Time to play some whack-a-mole!" Sending the creature careening backwards with a shoulder tackle, Asuka began to crackle with white energy as her her hands began to glow. "Hey guys, let's finish this up. Now that we figured out his strategy, he's finished anyway!"

"Well I don't know what I've been told," Drill Sergeant began singing off key as he outstretched his left arm. "But this is really getting old!" Materializing into his arm was a large metallic bazooka with words "the Business End" etched into it. "My Neutron Cannon will finish this up! Come on, you sissies, I'm ready for anything you can throw at-eh?"

Drill Sergeant's snout whirred in curiosity as he looked at the Shinkengers: their hands were all glowing with power as their jewels seemed to shine brighter than the sun. Not taking any chances, the mole monster got onto one knee and aimed his bazooka. "Whatever the heck you're doing, it ain't gonna work! Say goodnight!"

"Oh, go pop up under someone's lawnmower," Hwoarang shot out as the Shinkengers cupped their hands together as their bodies continued to glow. As they did so, energy most pure began to swirl around their palms as they reared back to fire off their own blast. "Go ahead and fire it off. See what happens!"

"Say yer prayers, civvies. NEUTRON CANNON, FIRE!"

"SHINKEN ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE: TEKKENSHU MAELSTROM!"

Letting loose all of the energy each of them had gathered, the Shinkengers fired off a massive yellow ball of power to counter the dark green beam fired off from the Neutron Cannon. The beam did absolutely nothing to stop it, however, as the ball pushed through the beam and continued to make its way towards Drill Sergeant.

"Oh damn," Drill Sergeant could feel his body began to break apart as the ball hit him and began to tear away at his very being. "Looks like I be gettin' my discharge!" Roaring in pain as sparks began to shoot out of his body, Drill Sergeant fell to the ground and was drowned out in a fiery explosion. When both the ball and the fire dissipated, nothing remained of the creature save for burning chunks.

"…wow, that wasn't nearly as retarded-sounding as I thought it would be," Hwoarang looked at the rubble and whistled in awe the cheers of everyone watching reached a fever pitch. It was becoming clear the Shinkenger team was quickly becoming a national phenomenon, and everyone present felt privileged to actually see them in action.

"Good job, guys," Jin gave a thumbs-up to his teammates as they ran over to celebrate with the policemen. "I think we're really coming together as a team!"

---------

After celebrating with the officers, the Shinkengers quickly made themselves scarce before the media could come after them. While all Hwoarang and the others had to do was get into whatever vehicle they came in, Jin decided to stay behind to see if Doren and the others were alright. He didn't want Doren to get suspicious of him, because Jin knew that Doren's altruism would lead him to fight against Astaroth, and Jin didn't want that gruesome fate to fall upon the soldier. So, after finding a quiet place to de-morph, Jin went back into the airport to see Dragunov, his arm still bandaged, drinking vodka alone.

"…My sister and the lieutenant have already gone to the hotel. You will not find them here." Dragunov took a sip of his alcohol before speaking, knowing exactly what Jin is going to ask him. Turning to the Japanese youth, Dragunov raised an eyebrow. "What is wrong, Kazama? I would expect you to be pleased to see me injured thus."

"…it appears I misjudged you, Dragunov," Jin slowly offered his hand to the Russian soldier. "I apologize for the way I acted earlier."

"Do not apologize," Dragunov continued drinking, denying the handshake. "We may very well be enemies the next time we meet, and I will not show you any sort of mercy if and when that happens…" Looking at his reflection in the metallic canteen, Dragunov continued, "…that is the way of the soldier, Kazama: we must obey orders for the good of our country, regardless of our personal opinion…"