A/N: Thanks for the reviews!
Chapter 21
In the Autobot base, Ratchet was hard at work monitoring the scanners for any Iacon relics that might be unearthed. While there were a plethora that did not have tracers on them, the medic was certain that there were just as many with them. However, without the Iacon database from Cybertron, they would have to rely on the Decepticons unearthing the relics and bridging to the location before they had a chance to use them. He was certain that Soundwave was hard at work decoding the database at this very moment. Thankfully, even the Decepticon spy master would have difficulty cracking the Autobot codes in the database.
They were, after all, created by Alpha Trion himself before his disappeared to rejoin the Thirteen. As Ratchet continued working, the others, save for Arcee, were in search of Jack. It had been three months since his disappearance and they hadn't even found a strand of hair. It was as if he'd vanished off the face of the Earth itself. As the medic continued his work, his thoughts shifted to the femme.
Because of the extra work load he'd been forced to take by Arcee's predicament, repairing her body was a slow process. He barely found time to work on it before something demanded his attention. He'd been forced to aid in energon raids and go on patrol for Decepticons. Oddly enough, the 'Cons had been quiet for the past three months. It was unlike Megatron to be so quiet; Ratchet knew they were up to something (he always was).
While Ratchet continued his work, Arcee sat on the couch trying to concentrate on something other than her missing partner; she failed. She couldn't help but go over every scenario that might've happened to Jack to explain his extended absence. He could have been in place without proper reception. His cell phone and comm link might be somewhere in base (it was certainly small enough to be missed). Or worse, Megatron or Airachnid might have gotten their claws on him.
That thought sent chills up Arcee's spine; she didn't want to think that was the reason the 'Cons had been so quiet lately. Were they torturing him at this very moment, savoring in his screams like the monsters they were. Arcee shook her head; she was being crazy. Megatron wouldn't pass up a chance to gloat about capturing and torturing Jack, no matter what. With her mind at ease again, she returned to wondering where her partners was.
She missed him so much; his black hair, his blue eyes, his handsome smile. That thought alone was enough for Arcee's cheek to heat up (even when she was still a Cybertronian). She was baffled by her thoughts about him, remembering all of the times they'd shared a laugh, or gone riding. She'd talk to June about this, but her response was not what she expected. The nurse widened her eyes, before a quizzical looked crossed her features.
She then smiled and told Arcee that she there was nothing wrong with her then muttered something under her breath about a sickness. She continued to think about where Jack was and if he was safe.
"You are worried for him?" Solus Prime's voice entered her thoughts. She found that the female Prime often came to check on her and make sure the process of being human wasn't affecting her emotional state.
"Yeah," she sighed. "I've been worried about a partner before, but never like this. With Tailgate and Cliffjumper, it was different. When they were gone, it was because they'd been sent on a mission. I knew they could handle it, so I never worried."
"Yet you worry for Jack," the female Prime stated.
"Jack's human," she said. "Empowered by the Thirteen or not, he's still human. But that's not why I'm worried. I'm worried about what to do when we find him. How to explain this. June said I was in a very attractive body, so Jack might be a little put off by me at first. He has a habit of being shy around beautiful women."
"Odd," Solus replied. "Though he was rather sheepish when I gave him a kiss for retrieving my Forge."
"Yeah, well that's different, he's always… What!"
"Is there something wrong?"
"You kissed him! Why would you do that?" the femme could feel something bubbling inside her. It wasn't outright rage, but it was close to anger.
"I merely asked him what reward he would like for retrieving my Forge and he told me 'A kiss would be nice', so I complied." Arcee couldn't believe what she was hearing; Solus Prime had kissed Jack and was acting so casual about it. If she had been the one to kiss, her head and his would have been left in a daze. Wait, why was she thinking that? It wasn't like she and Jack were sparkmates or anything, but still.
"Uggh! Jack, you'd better hope I'm not the one to find you first," she growled.
ShadowStrike Rising
In the monastery of the Ninja Tribunal, ShadowStrike and Hisomi were walking along a path in the mountain. ShadowStrike looked over the edge to find a long way down to a ravine. It was nothing short of a miracle that this place remained hidden from the world. ShadowStrike was starting to have his doubts; was he even in Japan? He turned his attention back to Hisomi.
The ninja master of Stealth walked silently along the path, not even uttering a sound with his feet along the path. He was indeed the embodiment of Stealth, but there lied the problem. If he didn't speak, how was Jack supposed to train with him. He didn't know any form of sign language, nor was he that good with body language (unless it was pretty girl). The ninja acolyte gave an audible sigh as his thoughts drifted to the sword on his back.
Getsuga was certainly different from Zangetsu and not just in their Japanese translations. The sword held a calming feeling to it that helped ease Jack's thoughts about everything. His connection to the Thirteen was cut off and he was free from any attempt by the Liege Maximo to manipulate him again. Jack wondered just how powerful this sword truly was. He continued these thought as he bumped into something.
He stumbled back before looking up at Hisomi; the man must have stopped while Jack was lost in his mind. He looked ShadowStrike with his glowing orange eyes. The ninja shuddered; how in the world did their eyes get like that? Would his be the same afterward?
"Umm… Hisomi," ShadowStrike spoke. "I'm not too keen on the whole silent ninja thing, I guess that's why I'm here to learn about Stealth, but how can you and I communicate if you don't speak." The ninja master laid out his hand and placed two on, mimicking a running movement. "You want me to run?" ShadowStrike asked. He nodded and gestured to himself and to ShadowStrike and made the same movement.
"You wanna race," ShadowStrike deduced. "Is that my first test?" Hisomi nodded and got into position, the markings on his body glowing. Before the ninja acolyte could react, Hisomi dashed off at an increadible speed, moving like orange blur through the mountain. Even with his mask on, one could still tell that Jack's jaw dropped. How in the world was he supposed to compete with that!
Before he could react, Hisomi sped up from behind and stopped in the exact same place he started from. He didn't even break a sweat of look winded. Hisomi gestured to Jack to do the same.
"Are you crazy?" he asked. "You moved like a hundred sports cars! How am I supposed to do that?" Hisomi gestured to his heart, then ShadowStrike's, where their spirits lay. The ninja sighed and got into position, trying to channel what energy he could into his body. He tried to rely on his instincts again, but nothing happened. He got out of position and paced in small circle, trying to understand what he could do.
It was apparent that speed was essential to Stealth, but Jack didn't know how to move so fast. Jack returned to his position and closed his eyes, "I don't suppose my wolf spirit could give me hand." On cue, Jack could feel the familiar energy of his animal spirit fill him. The vision of the forest appeared again, ShadowStrike seeing it through the wolf's eyes. He could see the forest speeding past him, the moon glowing in the sky.
His body glowed as he took a step forward and charged off. ShadowStrike moved like a black blur, hopping from one ledge to another. Before he knew it, he was back at the starting point where Hisomis awaited him. Jack returned to normal and fell to his knees, panting heavily. He looked up to find Hisomi offering him a hand, a slight smile on his face.
Jack smiled back and took the ninja master's hand. Hisomi made hand signs and teleported himself and Jack back to the Tribunal trone room, where the others awaited.
"You done well on for your first day of training, ShadowStrike," Chiaki spoke. "You have exceeded our expectations. While some of your abilities need refining, you are proving to be fine acolyte. Your training is over for today, you may rest."
"So what now then," he looked outside a window to find the sun still out.
"You may explore the monestary's collection of knowledge," Juto said. "There, you will learn more about the history of the ninja. The doll will show you the way." The wooden creature manifested and Jack followed it.
ShadowStrike Rising
Back at the Autobots base, Optimus, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee returned from another energon raid. Once again, the Decepticons had not made a move. Perhaps their own stock pile was full or they were off trying to create chaos on another world. No, Megatron would never leave Earth so easily. Whatever the reason, the Autobots would be ready whenever the Decepticons chose to return to the battlefield.
In the meantime, finding Jack was their main priority. Optimus had looked everywhere for the young man, but could find no sign of him. Perhaps even more disturbing, Optimus could no longer sense the Key to Vector Sigma. Even if Jack was managing to block out the Thirteen, there would have been no way for him to keep the Key from sending signals to the Matrix of Leadership. The thought that this was possible greatly unnerved the Prime.
"Ratchet," he addressed his medic.
"Still no sign of him, Optimus," he replied without turning from the monitors. "It makes no sense, even if we can't locate him through his sword; the Key to Vector Sigma should be giving off a signal."
"Keep searching, old friend," the Prime sighed. "I know in my spark that we will find Jack."
"Maybe the Thirteen are having better luck," Bulkhead suggested.
"I doubt that," Arcee said. "Solus told me that they've lost their connection to Jack and are trying to reestablish it. Nothing's worked so far." The Autobots sat in a brief silence before June drove in with Miko and Raf. Seeing the expressions on the 'Bots faces, they knew that it meant Jack was still missing. They took their places on the couch just in time for the proximity sensor to blare, alerting them to Agent Fowler's arrival. The doors slid open to reveal the government agent.
"Anything," he asked.
"Nothing," Ratchet replied. "At first, I thought it was the Earth tech, but I'm starting to wonder if Jack is even in our dimensional frequency."
"You think he's in the Shadowzone?" Miko asked.
"It's a possibility," the medic pondered. "Let me makes some adjustments and-"
"Your computers will do you no good," a smooth voice said. The Autobots looked around before their optics fell on a figure standing right behind Agent Fowler. It was none other than Oni-Kage. It was clear from their reactions that Jack hadn't told them about his encounter with the ninja.
"Who are you and how did you get in here?" Fowler asked as he drew his gun, only to find the bullets missing. On-Kage held up a hand and allowed the bullets to drop to the floor.
"I am merely here to find my brother, ShadowStrike," he said. Everyone gasped and turned to June, who shrugged.
"He's not my son!"
"I did not mean 'brother' in a familial sense," the growled, his smooth voice becoming harsher. "We are similar in many ways. Like me, there is something inside of him. A power festering; it need only be nurtured and he will become my greatest challenge."
"If you know where he is, then speak up, skully!" Miko walked up to the ninja. Oni-Kage looked down at the girl and tilted his head.
"You are his women?" he asked.
"No!" both Miko and Arcee responded, former staring at the latter, who looked sheepish.
"Where he is in a place where computers are worthless. Where time had stood still. Where ninja go to train and become masters."
"You know of this place?" Ratchet raised an optic ridge.
"It cannot be found unless you know where it is," he replied as he walked toward the shadows. "Rest assured machines, my brother will return, and when he does, I will fight him and bring him down. Think to interfere and you will be destroyed." His task complete, Oni-Kage disappeared in the shadows.
ShadowStrike Rising
The moon hung over the monastery of the Ninja Tribunal as Jack sat in the small house that served as his home. He had been to library and combed as many books as he could, learning techniques that might help him along his training. He'd also been searching for any information of the Ninja Tribunal's history. He could find no such documents and settled with the ones he'd already found. He set them on the table and scanned them with his eyes.
The information here was about learning to channel the animal spirit during training. It would help with Spirit, Weapons, and Stealth, but not Strength. With Strength, it seemed Jack would need to find something else altogether. Jack yawned and stretched as he put the documents away and readied himself to retire for the night. A knock on the door interrupted those plans.
Jack crossed the room the find none other than Chikara standing outside his house. Jack was both surprised and shocked at her outfit. She was wearing a green silk kimono and her greenish-white blonde hair was let down, flowing in the wind. The moon reflected off her skin, making Jack gulp. She gave him a small smile.
"Good evening, ShadowStrike. Are you going to invite me in?"
"It took a moment for Jack to register her word, "Oh! Right, come on in. It's pretty much your place anyway. I'm just staying here until my training's done, right?"
"You still have the choice to remain here with the Tribunal until you feel that you are ready to leave." She sat down at the table, her silky smooth legs showing. The sight of them was enough to drive Jack into a state of madness, but he had to remain calm. He sat down next to her (not the best way to calm himself down).
"So what brings you here?" he asked.
"Your research into our past," she replied.
Jack rubbed the back of his head, "Yeah, sorry about that. I was just curious-"
"As to why our armor is similar to that of the Shredder's?" she finished for him. Jack nodded sheepishly, "You needn't be embarrassed. We would have told you soon enough."
"Sorry," he muttered. "I'm guessing that fifth seat in your throne room was his."
She nodded, "It may not appear it, but we are much older than we appear."
"I've met people like you before," he smiled slightly.
"In the feudal era of Japan, we five served as the protectors of the Emperor. We were his most elite soldiers, sent into any situation that proved to be too much for his armies to handle. We executed every mission with extreme precision."
"You guys were the first special forces than," Jack said.
"Indeed, we were, but Oroku did not always agree with the Emperor's decisions. More and more frequently, we found ourselves being sent on missions that barely required much effort, even from rookie soldiers. We did not agree, but we remained loyal all the same. Then the day came when we received the order to attack and town of rebels."
"Were you tricked into attacking civilians instead?"
"No," Chikara replied. "They were indeed rebels and we managed to finish them without much difficulty, but one of them was Oroku's wife. She had been sent in as a spy, feeding us information on their plans."
"So it was a mistake?"
"No, the Emperor purposely did not pull her out before we attacked. He felt that her presence gave Oroku a reason to defy him. Without a wife, Oroku would have nothing but the Emperor to live for. And indeed, the charade worked until Oroku fell into darkness. He dabbled in the dark arts in order to speak with his wife's spirit again. We they were reunited, she told that she received no word from the Emperor to abandon her post amongst the rebels."
"But how did he know it was on purpose?" Jack asked.
"Because the Emperor confessed," Chikara said. "He had become so powerful and arrogant that he no longer saw the need to keep secrets from us. Oroku attacked him in a blind rage, only for his men to cut him down. As he was to be executed, he looked to us, his brothers in arms, for help. We were bound by duty to our emperor and so did nothing while he was executed."
"And yet he's walking around today," Jack inquired.
"As his spirit sank into darkness, a demon sensed his hate and offered him revenge. In his anger, he accepted the demon's offer and became the Shredder. It did not take him long to gather a following and storm the palace. He killed the Emperor and got his revenge, but he no longer cared about such things. He now only sought world domination. As such, we have done all we can to stop him for so many years. But he evolves with the world while we remain attached to our old ways."
"There's nothing wrong with that."
"But it has left us at a severe disadvantage against his forces. We may be able to defend against his men and their fire power, but many of our students have not been as fortunate. We know it is only a matter of time before the Shredder comes for us."
"You said his wife is dead, but he has a daughter," Jack remembered Karai.
"She was born of him and another woman before her death. It was her desire for to have a child so her family could live on. Despite this, Oroku treats Karai as he would if she were his wife's child."
"I know what it's like when the people you care about turn on you, only I deserved it," Jack said, remembering the night Arcee died. "But I can't imagine living in so much hate for so long."
"Anger is a parasite. As long as there is enough hate, it will feed and grow. Of course, we are the ones who helped that parasite infest Oroku's body. If we had only fought to save him…"
"You're ninja, honor is as much a part of you as Spirit, Strength, Weapons, and Stealth are. You would be as fault if you didn't feel guilty." Chikara turned and met Jack's eyes. They were different from how they were before; from surprised and timid to strong and caring. She smiled and he returned to it before noticing how close they were. He gave a small cough before getting up, only to find her hand on his.
He looked into her glowing green eyes and sat back down. She got closer to him and slid her arms around his neck. She leaned and brushed her lips against his. Jack wanted to pull away, but the feeling of her soft lips dulled his sense as he closed the distance between them.
ShadowStrike Rising
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed. I know you're wondering why I'm pairing Jack with Chikara, but let's not forget he thinks Arcee is dead. And this "relationship" will play a role in coming chapters. Next time: Jack continues training to master Strength.