A/N: Negima Uzumaki: Given how I intend to portray Saki, he won't be surprised that Jack survived; rather, he'd be intrigued as to the extent of the boy's abilities. Foxbear: I'm glad you like the interactions between Jack and Zangetsu. I hope to add some more banter as the story goes on. Guardian of Azarath: I'm sorry that the chapter was a little short. I realize that when you make long chapters, you're expected to keep up that pace. I'll try to do my best with this one. Lionfire42: Yes, Zangetsu is a reference to Bleach. I've changed it so he is one of the Thirteen (since most of their names are not known). The only difference is that ShadowStrike's sword is based of his bankai form.
Chapter 5
In the research lab of the JSDF Yunagi, Oroku Said, Prime Minister of Japan, and Silas, leader of MECH were watching as their men prepared to examine the inner workings of Optimus Prime. The leader of the Autobots was pinned down by bolts made from the hardest metal on their planet, reinforced to insure that escape was impossible. The machine's gaze never left the two men watching the proceedings, his optics cold and angry. Saki merely chuckled inwardly at the Autobot's attempt to frighten him. In all honesty, he could care less about the Autobots and their civil war.
When Silas had approached him for support of MECH's efforts to capture of these aliens, Saki waved it off as unimportant. Whether or not the Autobots managed to defeat the "Decepticons" in their conflict and keep the Earth safe was not his concern. His own plans ensured that no matter the victor, he would wind in control at the end. One thing both sides had in common was their underestimation of humans and their abilities. In their minds, humans were weak lumps of flesh that could be crushed under their heels at any moment.
However, humans were probably one of the most dangerous species out there because they were so grossly underestimated. This gave them an advantage over their enemies. While these aliens carelessly used minimal efforts to conquer the Earth, the humans could capture their weaponry and adapt it to their own. By the time the aliens started to fight seriously, the war would already be lost. These "Cybertronians" were no different.
They may have claimed to be humanity's ally in the fight against the 'Cons, but Saki knew otherwise. The only reason this war was brought to their world was because these machines saw fit to bury their energy source on their planet. While it was millennia before their race had managed to evolve to intelligent beings, the fact remained that this war was destined to come to their world, regardless. When the Autobots informed them of this, numerous business men around the world appealed to mine the source and use it for their products. The Autobots, more so their medic, objected to this, claiming it to be their lifeblood.
Such nerve! They bury the "energon" on their planet and expect them to not use it for their own benefits if they managed to mine it. However, the United Nations agreed to the Autobots request that the energon remained un-mined by humans. That angered many who thought it could prove to be a useful alternative energy source, but the decision was final. So Saki paid no mind to the Autobots and their actions. Despite initially blowing off Silas' request, Saki became intrigued when he learned that MECH had learned how they managed to obtain vehicle modes.
Such abilities could be useful if put to "good" use. As the scientists continued preparations to begin experimenting when a ninja appared from the shadows. He kneeled before Saki, "Master, urgent news."
"What?" he raised an eyebrow.
"An intruder has infiltrated the ship and killed a MECH soldier. The others are currently pursuing him, but he continues to evade us."
Saki growled, "Tell the men to prepare themselves. I will return shortly."
"Where are you going?" Silas asked, his gaze never leaving Optimus Prime.
"To get changed," Saki smiled darkly. "If we have a guest coming, I want to look my best."
ShadowStrike Rising
As Jack descended down a flight of stairs on his way to find and rescue his family, he couldn't help but think about the MECH soldier that he killed. The sound of his bones crunching against his blade echoed throughout his head. He had never heard a more sickening sound in his life, not even when the Autobots took out 'Cons (though it was rare for him to see them fight). He had only done what Zangetsu had told him and followed his instincts. Did that mean his instincts were that of a killer?
How could that be? Jack detested violence, even against the 'Cons, no matter how much they deserved to pay for their crimes against the universe. His mother worked at a hospital, where she treated wounds often inflicted by violent people. When he saw some of those people, he felt his insides twist in revulsion at the sight. Sadly, people could come up with the most sickening ways to hurt each other.
He shook his head of such thoughts and tried to think of something else, "Zangetsu. You said before that if the Matrix is damaged, all will be lost. What did you mean by that?"
"The Matrix was bestowed to Optimus by Primus as a last resort to preserve Cybertron when it had become poisoned by the Great War. Along with the wisdom of the Primes, it carries a piece of Primus' spark, the spark of Cybertron itself. It is the only way for Primus to survive as he directs all of his energy to healing Cybertron's core. The process was made only worse when Megatron hurled a large chunk of Unicron's blood at the planet."
"So if it's damaged, what will happen?"
"If the Matrix is damaged or destroyed, then Primus himself may fade out of existence. If that happens, Cybertron is doomed to forever remain dead and our race will die with it."
"My God," Jack gasped. "What about synthetic energon? Couldn't that do something?"
"You were already told of its effects. It caused addiction and hostility. Without the proper technology, the Autobot medic, Ratchet, cannot perfect the formula. Even if he managed to do so, if the Matrix is lost, there would be no point."
"Then I've got to get Optimus and the others out of here so that doesn't happen," Jack decided. He jumped down the rest of the stair and crept around, making sure to stay out of sight. He looked around for any sign that might lead to the 'Bots. He noticed a MECH scientist walking down the corridor and pounced him. "Where are the Autobots," he grabbed his throat.
"Down the corridor," he choked out. Jack threw him to the side, knocking him out. He ran down the passageway and came across a large pair of doors. There was no doubt that these were the doors used to bring the Autobots inside the room. But their size was a problem.
Bringing them through would require that the doors remained open long enough for each of them to be brought in one at a time. That left them wide open to attack, so there were probably a large number of MECH soldiers on the other side. Using that door was out of the question; Jack looked around and found a human sized door. He walked up to it and placed his head against it, trying to determine how many people were in there. He heard voices inside.
ShadowStrike Rising
Within the holding cells of MECH's mobile base, Agent Fowler, June, Miko, and Raf were being held in a steel cage while the remaining 'Bots, Arcee, Ratchet, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee were bound to the walls. Several MECH soldiers were keeping guard, despite the Autobots restraints. Everyone kept their gaze fixed on the door where Optimus had been taken through so MECH could begin experimenting on him. All they could do was watch as their leader was taken away.
Miko sat on her knees, afraid to look at her friends. She feared that if she made eye-contact with any of them, she would be met with cold, angry glares. She was afraid they would blame her for their current predicament. And why shouldn't they; she already did. Because of her, Jack was gone.
Ever since she met the 'Bots, Miko be enamored with their adventures. When she saw Bulkhead ripped the spark out of a 'Con, it was the most incredible thing she had ever seen. When she saw that, she knew she had to get in more on the action. Every chance she got, she would follow Bulkhead into battle to watch lay the smack down on the 'Cons, especially Breakdown. That didn't sit well with the others.
Ratchet, June, and Fowler constantly scolded her for doing something "so wreckless" while Optimus voiced his disapproval of her actions, often scolding Bulkhead for not doing anything to prevent them. Arcee and Bumblebee paid no mind to it, often focusing on more important issues, like fighting the 'Cons. Jack and Raf always tried to stop her from going, claiming that it wasn't safe. And that just made her angry. How could they try and stop her?
They should have been joining her! She knew there were plenty of kids Raf's age who die to see the 'Bots and 'Cons throw down. And she could never understand why Jack wasn't amazed by the whole thing. While Raf acknowledged that being with the 'Bots was cool, Jack was different. When she followed the 'Bots into battle, Jack often scolded her like a little kid.
This led to numerous argument between them, but despite it all, Jack did all he could to protect Miko and Raf from danger. Whether it be the 'Cons or Vince, Jack had their backs. He was like their big brother and she cared about him as such. But now, Jack was gone and it was all her fault. When she heard the Prime Minister of Japan had been kidnapped by MECH, Miko just had to go along.
In her mind, rescuing the PM meant he would grant her any favor she wanted; and she wanted to stay by Bulkhead's side. At the end of the school year, Miko's student VISA would run out and she would have to go home. While she loved her parents and missed them, she didn't want to be away from Bulkhead. It may have sounded stupid, but Miko had come to develop a crush on the Wrecker, but she knew nothing could come of it. Despite her feelings, she knew separation from Bulkhead wouldn't just hurt, it would kill her.
When the PM betrayed them and threw Jack over that cliff, Miko's entire world stopped and replayed the moments leading up to it. Her teasing Jack about his mother's overprotectiveness, the call about the PM from Folwer, her following the 'Bots and dragging the others along (not that she asked them to come). Getting captured by MECH, Jack fighting Silas, and then Jack being stabbed and thrown over the cliff by Oroku Saki. She just wanted to open her eyes and find out it was all a terrible nightmare, but it was all too real. Jack was dead and it was all her fault.
The door where they had been dragged through suddenly burst open, revealing a ninja. His dark red masked eyes narrowed at the sight of the MECH soldiers.
ShadowStrike Rising
Jack burst into the room, surprising everyone by his new appearance (not that they knew it was him just yet). Several MECH soldiers drew their weapons and aimed them at the boy. Rather than draw his sword and risk taking another life, Jack took a stance and prepared to attack them. With the quick speed that his new form provided, Jack quickly disarmed the men and attacked. He elbowed one of them in the gut and threw him over his shoulders, into the other men.
He quickly kicked the other man in the face and spin kicked another. He kneed one soldier in the gut and tossed him into another man, sending them both into the panel that controlled the 'Bots restraints. Jack drew his sword and destroyed the panel, freeing the Autobots. They drew their blasters and the MECH soldiers stood down, raising their hands in the air. Jack swiped the card he'd taken from one of them during the fight and freed Fowler, Miko, and Raf.
June sat on the floor, her eyes red and puffy from crying over the loss of her son. Jack entered the cell and approached his mother, ignoring the others' questions about who he was. He knelt down and brushed her hair out of her face. She looked at him in surprise. No doubt, she didn't expect such a kind gesture from someone who looked like him.
"Mom," he said softly, though she heard him. Her eyes widened before Jack changed back to his human form. He heard gasps of shock from everyone behind him, but he ignored it. His mother's bottom lip began to quiver, meaning she was about to go into another crying fit. Before Jack knew it, his head was turned to the side and his cheek stung. His mother had slapped him.
"Jackson Darby," she whimpered, "you're going to have to do a lot of chores to make up from coming back from the dead and not calling." She wrapped her arms around her son and hugged him tightly, crying into his shoulder.
"Later Mom," he said, surprised by his own tone. He turned to the others, "Where's Optimus?"
Ratchet recovered first, "They took him into another room not far from here. It's right through that door behind us."
"Jack nodded, "Stay here."
"And what are you going to do?" Bulkead asked.
"Go have a chat with them," he reassumed his ninja form and walked toward the door.
"Jack," Arcee called from behind him, "is that really you?"
"You bet, partner." Even behind his mask, you could tell he was smiling. He saw another human sized door and went through it. He was met by several scientists, Silas, and Optimus Prime.
"And what, pray tell, are you?" the scarred man raised an eyebrow.
"You're worst nightmare," Jack growled. He knew the scientists were unarmed and the only real challenge was Silas. He took a fighting stance and charged at Silas, the scarred man smiling for some reason. Before he knew it, an arm flew out of nowhere and knocked Jack down. Before he could regain his bearings, his leg was grabbed and he was thrown back into the room with the others.
"Jack!" he heard the others call. Jack looked up and saw a frightening figure before him. He was clad in silver armor, orange fabric beneath the arms and black fabric on the legs. On his right hand were three long blades that looked like they could tear through flesh easily. On his head was samurai-like helmet, a trident-like ornament on top.
His face, save for his dark eyes, was covered by a metal plate. All along his armored body were blades, gleaming in the light of the room. On his back was a sword, concealed by flame decorated sheath.
"What fool be this, so weary of life," he growled, his voice a mechanical rasp. "That he dares to enter the lair of the Shredder!"
Jack struggled to his feet, "This 'fool be here' to rescue his friend! And he won't let some walking cheese grader get in his way!" Jack charged at this "Shredder" and threw a punch, only for it to be caught by the man's clawed hand. He lifted the boy up and threw him against the wall. Jack grunted with pain as he struggled to his feet, only to find the Shredders' foot in his face. He shook the cobwebs from his head and ignored the throbbing pain.
"You may look like a ninja, but you lack the fundamental values," the Shredder spat.
"I've still got my learner's permit," Jack panted. "If you could direct me to the nearest Department of Ninja Arts, I'd be greatful." Shredder charged at the young man again, raising his clawed hand to strike him down, only to be met with Bulkhead's wrecking ball fist. The Shredder was sent into a wall, briefly stunned, though something told Jack it wouldn't be for long. He gathered himself and quickly re-entered the room where Optimus was being held. He found MECH, trying to evacuate him.
Jack drew his sword and slashed the Prime free of his bonds. Optimus rose and rammed right through the doors and regrouped with the other Autobots.
"Optimus," Ratchet said. "Are you alright?"
"I am fine, old friend," the Prime said. "Who is this?"
"It's Jack!" Miko said excitedly. The Prime's optics widened in shock, but before he could say anything, he found himself and the others back at base. He looked down to find Jack, now in human form, on his knee, panting heavily.
"Still not use to space-bridging the old fashioned way," he smiled at the others before losing consciousness.
ShadowStrike Rising
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed! Next time: As Jack recovers and explains things to the 'Bots, Shredder and Silas discuss their findings. Meanwhile, the Thirteen reveal their plans for Jack.