A/N: Your reviews are accepted and appreciated. I hope you all bear with me because you may not like this chapter.

Chapter 23

The sun sat in the middle of the sky over the Ninja Tribunal's monastery. The town stood quiet as it always did in the centuries in existed. Within the small the house that served as the home of Jack Darby, said boy and Tribunal master Chikara sat in each other's arms. The two were pondering what was preventing Jack from mastering the Ninja Art of Strength. They had gone over every possible variable, but could find no answer.

Jack had become stronger physically, but his mind remained weaker. He could crack the surface of the rock, but not shatter like Chikara could. He had all but master Spirit, Weapons, and Stealth so he could focus more on Strength, but no matter how hard he tried, the aspect evaded him. Jack could feel his frustration building as he racked his mind for an answer. Part of him wondered if it stemmed from his "relationship" with Chikara.

At first, they had kept as civil as they could, but as time went on, they found themselves in each other's company more often. They would go over his training and studies into ninjutsu in the library, but in his home they did nothing but enjoy each other's embrace. For the most part, yes, it was a physical relationship (not in the way most people would think). No words would be said for long periods of time. They would only just spend the late nights wrapped in each other's arms, their lips mashed together.

Jack could sense Chikara's uneasiness at the whole thing. She was a ninja master who had been in battles that determined the future of the world. She had been used as a weapon by Emperors for years, as the Tribunal had been. And yet, she was upset at the idea of being used by a teenage boy as a replacement for a lost love. Jack could certainly understand would not blame her if she ever decided to end the affair; at least, those were his thoughts at first.

More recently, he found himself becoming more enamored with her as their meetings went form passionate get-togethers to talking about their personal lives before being introduced to the world of ninja. Chikara had been a bounty hunter, seeking rewards for the capture of those who'd broken the law. She had caught some of Japan's most notorious criminals and brought them to justice (at least what was left of them). She had made many enemies, but had also found a few friends in Chiaki, Juto, Hisomi, and Oroku Saki. The five of them together became ninja and the rest was history.

Despite having lived for centuries and seeing just about every surprise life had to offer, Chikara was still fascinated by Jack's tales of the Autobots. She had made many comparisons between them and the Tribunal. Optimus being like Chiaki, Bulkhead being like Juto, Bumblebee, being like Hisomi, and herself being like Arcee. Jack wondered if that meant Ratchet would end up like Oroku, but dismissed the thought as he could imagine the Shredder being a grumpy old medic who shouted "I NEEDED THAT!" every time something broke. They had both laughed at the thought, something Chikara hadn't done in years. In the past few weeks, she had done many things she never thought would happen again.

Indeed, her heart began yearning to be at Jack's side more and more. Her feelings for the young man grew stronger by the day as she witnessed how much passion he had for his training. She felt hurt whenever the thought of him using her crawled its way in. However, she had noticed a change in his eyes. Whenever they were together, his eyes appeared to be looking far off, no doubt imaging this Arcee rather than her.

Now, his eyes were more focused on her, seeing her for who she truly was, loving her for who she truly was. She did not want to ask him anything for fear the answer may ruin the tranquility between them. She simply took what she had and made the most of it, for she had the feeling that something was coming that may ruin everything. She knew her and the Tribunal's time was etching away ever quicker. The Shredder had adapted to this new, modern, world.

They had not; Chikara knew the others sensed it coming too. She repositioned herself in Jack's arms and captured his lips in a kiss. Though caught off guard, the boy responded with an eager pleasure. It had usually been him who initiated these moments, but this change of pace was welcomed. He laid her on the table, trying to keep his unruly thoughts at bay.

Her hands glided through his hair, pulling him deeper into their kiss. He ran his hands up and down her body, savoring its silky smooth feeling. He knew better than to go any farther than that. He had always had control of his hormones, something he never bothered questioning. After a while, they pulled apart leaving only small inches between them, their breaths mingling.

"That was unexpected," he smiled. "Something on your mind?"

"Nothing," she said, repeatedly pecking his lips, savoring their taste. "I am simply enjoying our time together for how ever longer it lasts."

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Once we figure out the cause of your trouble mastering Strength, your training will be complete. You will be free to leave the Tribunal monastery and return to your dimension. There, you can complete your task of locating and recovering the lost Iacon relics."

"And why can't I stay with you?" he asked.

"It would be inappropriate considering your training would be complete," she replied, shifting her gaze away from his.

"And what makes you think that's the only reason for me to stay here?" he asked. "What if I had found another?"

"I would not know of such a reason," she said. Jack sighed; obviously she wouldn't budge unless he said those words, but he wasn't going to give in so easily.

"I've been here for nearly two months now and already completed most of my training. I shouldn't have to try harder unless I had a reason. A resolve that can't be shaken or corrupted."

"And what would that be?"

"A desire to protect something important to me," he nuzzled her neck.

She shuddered, but kept her composure, "What? Your wooden doll?"

"No, but he is rather handy," he smirked against her skin. "What I want to protect is you?"

"And why is that?"

Jack sighed, "You're a ninja master and you can't figure it out?"

"I believe I may know what the answer is, but I want to hear you say it," she replied.

Jack removed himself from her neck and looked into her eyes, "I love you, Chikara. I know when this started, I admit to have been using you to mend a broken heart. But you've made your own place in it. Believe me or don't, but I love you and I will protect you."

Chikara gave him a small smile, her eyes stinging with tears, "I had thought that was the answer."

ShadowStrike Rising

On the steps of the Ninja Tribunal's monastery, a black portal opened. Out of the portal stepped Karai, Stockman, and several Foot Ninja. The last to exit was the portal's conjuror, the Shredder. He looked up the stairs and felt a sense of nostalgia. How many years had it been since he'd set foot on these grounds?

Far too many for even him too remember. He turned to face his men, "Wait here."

"Father?" Karai looked at him questioningly.

"If the boy is here, then I will give my old 'friends' a chance to relinquish him to me or face long awaited consequences." He removed his Blade of the Archfiend and handed it to Karai and made his way up the stairs.

ShadowStrike Rising

The sounds of wood clapping against wood echoed throughout the monastery, summoning wooden warriors to their positions. They manifested weapons of all sorts, ready to fight off whatever threat approached. The sound of metal slamming against the stone steps of the monastery grew louder and closer. Finally, the Shredder stood tall at the height of the stairs, his eyes scanning the creatures with amusement. He had almost forgotten about these pathetic creatures.

He knew they would be easy enough to dispatch and prepared himself for battle, the metal claws that extended from his hand gleaming in the light. He eyes slowed roamed over the creatures one last time before he lunged at the creatures. With incredible speed, he cut through each of them with ease, reducing them to splinters. It didn't take long for them to regenerate and attack, nor did it take long for them to be cut down again. Shredder knew this was the Tribunal's futile attempt to wear him down, but it wouldn't work.

With a quick hand sign, Shredder obliterated the wooden creatures with ease, leaving nothing left but ash. He continued to make his way towards the temple hall where he knew his old "friends" lied in wait.

ShadowStrike Rising

The monastery's alarm drew ShadowStrike and Chikara toward the temple where the rest of the Tribunal stood around the pool in the center. They ran up to the pool to find the image of the Shredder stalking towards the temple hall. Chikara's expression fell, knowing what was going to happen. She knew it was a matter of time, but she'd hoped she would have just a little longer to be with Jack. She turned to meet Chiaki's gaze.

He, too, knew what this meant and what had to be done, "Chikara, take ShadowStrike to the sanctuary."

"What!" the ninja acolyte looked at them in shock. "I can't hide! It's me that he's after!"

"We are aware," Juto said. "And we cannot allow you to face him as you are now."

"Huh?"

"Your heart is not in the right place," Chiaki said. "To defeat the Shredder, you must have the Strength to kill him. You would only find some way to stop him, not kill him."

"I won't hide like some coward!" he stepped forward. "Even if I do let him live, if I leave then he'll only follow and leave."

"No," Chikara said. "He is here to settle old scores as well and new ones. You must go. We will hold him off."

"I'm not going any-" Jack was cut-off by Hisomi trapping him in a sleeper hold. ShadowStrike struggled before he fell into unconsciousness. Hisomis quickly darted to the sanctuary and returned in his armor. The others donned their armor and prepared for battle. They sat on their thrones, waiting silently for their old friend to make his grand entrance.

As they lied in wait, the Tribunal's thoughts shifted to that day, the day they chose to abandon their brother for their honor. Their best friend, their brother, looked to them for help into seeking vengeance for his wife, but they turned a blind eye to him. Because of them, Oroku Saki became lost in his own anger and hate. The man they had known was gone forever, only the Shredder remaining in his wake. All because of them and their "honor".

The door of the temple was forced open to reveal the Shredder, his dark eyes scanning over each of them. He stalked towards the center, his foot falls echoing in the room, "My old 'friends". How long has it been since we laid eyes upon each other?"

"Why have you come here, demon?" Chiaki spoke, hoping to do everything in his power to avoid a battle, but he knew one was inevitable.

"You know exactly why," he spat. "I know the boy has been here, training with you . I simply wish to test the results of his hard work."

"You are too late," Chikara said. "We sent the boy back to his world just as you arrived. He will face when the time comes, but not now."

"And yet I don't believe you," he smirked beneath his mask. "I know he is still here. I can faintly detect his presence. I would know if he had left; there would be no trace, or have your skills become so dull?"

"We will not say it again," Juto replied. "Leave now."

"I don't think I will," Shredder took a stance. The rest of the Tribunal stood and leaped from their thrones, surrounding him.

"Oroku," Chiaki said. "I speak to you as your brother in arms. End this now and we can settle it-"

"Do not dare to call yourself my brother!" he growled. "Where was our brotherhood when you found out the truth about my wife? Where was our brotherhood when I looked to you, all of you, for aid in avenging her memory?"

"We made a mistake. A grave mistake that has haunted us all these centuries. We have done nothing about your deeds out of that guilt, but we can no longer stand by and let you plunge the world into darkness."

"That is why you have been training the boy," he chuckled. "To defeat me. To kill me when the time comes. He won't do it. His inane sense of right and wrong won't allow him to take a life, for fear of becoming like his enemy."

"I think you have been reading too much manga, old friend," Juto prepared to strike, knowing that talking to the Shredder was pointless. At the same time, they all moved to strike, throwing powerful punches at the Shredder. To their surprise, he managed to dodge their attacks. Their four fists connected, sending a shockwave and demolished their thrones. They quickly separated and waited for the Shredder's response to their assault.

They did not have to wait long as he kicked Hisomis from behind, sending him into a wall. Juto and Chikara quickly double teamed the Shredder, kicking and punching at with several combos. He had an answer for every one of their attacks. He caught both of their fists and spun around before releasing them. Both Chikara and Juto were sent into the roof high above and fell to the ground with sickening thuds. As they struggled to regain their bearings, Chiaki was the next to confront Oroku.

He charged his animal spirit and launched several Ninpo as the Shredder, "You will not succeed!"

"And what makes you so sure of that?"

"It is evil's nature to yield to righteousness."

"Now who's been reading too much manga," Shredder dodged everyone Ninpo spells and launched his own, more powerful spells. Chiaki summoned a barrier and managed to hold them off, only for their force to blast him into a wall. Chikara recovered and launched a powerful kick from the air and slammed her foot into the Shredder, leaving a crater in the ground. The smoke cleared to show the Shredder had caught her attack and held it off.

"Stop this futile battle and hand over the boy!" Shredder barked. "I have neither the time nor the patience to deal with any of you!"

"Look at yourself," Chikara said. "Is this the kind of man your wife would eagerly await to return to you?"

"Do not dare speak of her!" he roared. "You have no right! You stood by and let her die! Your hands are just as red with her blood as the Emperor's were!"

"I know that more than most," she said, her voice cracking. "After all, she was my best friend, my sister in arms. I loved her more dearly than anything in my life."

"That only worsens your crimes! Where was your 'sisterhood' when we found out she was killed! When I sought to avenge, you above all others should have aided me!"

"Yes," she said. "And it has been my biggest regret."

"And your last!" Shredder's eyes glowed red as he prepared to finish this.

ShadowStrike Rising

ShadowStrike awoke in the sanctuary of the monastery. He quickly got to his feet and searched for a way out. He could sense something was wrong and he had to get out and see what it was. He managed to locate the door and forced his way out. He ran up the stairs to the surface to find the monastery in ruins.

The buildings were simmering with flames and the fell apart. The streets were covered in their fallen debris. ShadowStrike's eyes scanned over the entire area as he found himself running toward the temple, hoping the Tribunal, Chikara, was safe. He ran for Lord knows how long before arriving at temple to find it in ruins. The building appeared to have collapsed in on itself from the battle that took place. He quickly began searching through the debris, hoping to find something, more importantly someone.

He clawed through the wreckage, throwing whatever was in his way to the side, hoping he wouldn't find something horrible. His prayers went unanswered. Before him, lay the bodies of the Ninja Tribunal. Their armor was singed and their skin was burnt. He quickly ran over to their sides, trying to force them awake.

"Chiaki, Juto, Hisomi! Wake up! Come on! Please!"

"T-t-there is little point in trying to wake the dead," a weak voice called from behind. ShadowStrike turned to find Chikara, her body heavily injured and growing paler, behind him. He quickly ran to her side.

"Chikara, hold on!" he tried his best to remember what his mother had taught him about treating burn injuries. All the while, his eyes stung with tears at the sight before him. He had only confessed his genuine love for her only hours ago. Now she was lying on the verge of death, just like Arcee. He pushed that memory in the back of his mind, "I can help you, just hang in there."

"I am afraid that is impossible," she gave him a weak smile. A smile that conveyed Jack's fears that she was dying.

"I'm not letting you give up!"

"It is not your choice," she coughed. "No ninja, no matter how powerful, can escape death. When it comes for them, they accept it gracefully."

"Not me!" he cried, letting tear fall from his eyes, staining his mask. He removed it to look into her eyes. Their emerald green glow was dimming by the second. Jack's mind was a flurry of emotions and thoughts. He couldn't concentrate on healing her because he couldn't remember how.

"Do not cry," she smiled. "These last few weeks have been the most passionate of my life. You have shown me that it is not always best to live a life free from emotion. You have shown all of us that."

"Stop talking like it's the end," Jack sobbed. He was about to say more when she pulled herself up and kissed him gently on the lips.

"I will always love you, even when your heart goes to another," she said as her the light left her eyes and her body went limp. Jack sat there with her, his mind processing what had just happened. He had found a potential new family, someone to love. Now, it was taken from him again.

"Why," he asked no one particular while cradling Chikara's body. "WHY!"

ShadowStrike Rising

A/N: I hope you enjoyed and weren't too upset by the character deaths. Again, this is all to lead up to Jack becoming the way he was in the original Rising. His lone wolf adventures may only last one or two chapters. Next time: As Jack buries his family, the Shredder continues to plot. As ShadowStrike makes his way to a village he runs into a new problem.