A/N: Thanks for of your support. I'm glad you all liked that little one-shot I put up yesterday. I'm thinking about doing another. Not a sequel, but one that focuses on Jack and Optimus. Let me know what you think.
Chapter 29
The airports of Japan were filled with people entering and leaving the country. Some families bid their loved ones farewell while others welcomed them with open arms. Security directed the passengers to luggage pick up while monitoring the oncoming crowds. They watched the metal detectors to ensure no one was coming in or out with anything suspicious. From one of the entrances, Special Agent Fowler exited his plane, having arrived in Tokyo, Japan.
It was the man's first trip to the Land of the Rising Sun and he was a little nervous. Even during his time in the Army, he never saw much of the world, mostly due to the conflicts at the time. After becoming a special agent for the United States government, he still didn't see much of the world. Fowler swallowed down any nervousness at the moment and began searching the area. He was told that there would be a translator awaiting his arrival, though he had his suspicions.
In this country, Fowler had no idea just how many actual allies they had other than the U.S. troops stationed here, but there was no way he could involve them. There was no telling how many people were under Oroku Saki's influence. For all they knew, this "translator" could turn out to be some "super ninja spy assassin". But beggers can't be choosers so Fowler just had to trust in Uncle Sam's decision making. He continued looking around until his eyes fell on a figure holding a sign that read, "Bill Fowler".
She was of average height, had a slim build, black hair, tan skin, and amber eyes. She was wearing a tuxedo-esuqe suit. Fowler walked up to her and extended his hand, "Special Agent William Fowler, codename: Blunderfish."
She took it and smiled, "Mizuki McCloud, codename: Chilling Mist. I'm a representative of the JSDF and will be escorting you during your stay." Noticing Fowler tense up at the mention of her department, Mizuki continued, "As for whom I work for, know the JSDF is committed to seeing Oroku Saki out of office and in a prison cell where he belongs."
"And how do I know that? Last time I dealt with JSDF, it was an aircraft carrier, carrying a terrorist group."
"MECH," she replied. "I assure you, Agent Fowler, that the vessel you were held prisoner on was decommissioned years ago. Saki had his engineering staff rebuild it and update its tech and given to Silas as a 'gift' to commemorate their alliance."
Fowler seemed to relax and nodded, "Where to?"
"There's a small safe house that we reserve for occasions like this," she explained as Fowler got his luggage and made they began walking. "For the most part, it's abandoned. There's food, a bed, and a shower there already. Since we barely use it, it's pretty much off the electrical grid."
"When do we get there?" Fowler asked.
"Don't be in such a rush," Mizuki smiled. "I'm sure you could use a bite to eat after the flight here. Besides, the safe house is in a pretty rough neighborhood and there were reports of a shooting going on earlier today, so we may have to wait until the heat dies down."
ShadowStrike Rising
Having retreated back to the house he and Sunny shared, ShadowStrike sat in the living room with the group who called themselves, "The Shinigami" (A/N: Five points for anyone who can get that reference). They dressed in all black outfits, but claimed they weren't gothic. Their leader, Mikoto, sat in the chair across from ShadowStrike, watching the ninja aborb the information he'd just been given. Having earlier today, saved the Shinigami from an attack by another group, "The Hollows", the ninja gave them a chance to explain what that firefight was all about. Mikoto agreed to explain, but not there as the police were on their way.
The Shinigami were just a group of kids who were considered outsiders to the world. They started the group to find others just like them. They never caused anyone trouble and mostly kept to themselves. Not to say there weren't issues of violence whenever one of them was pushed, but hey; that's what being in a gang was all about. While they made it a habit not to mess with anyone, there was always one group that seemed to enjoy pushing them.
The Hollows were a gang of punks who seemed to be the opposite of the Shinigami. Whereas the Shinigami kept to themselves and stayed out trouble, the Hollows sought it out. They enjoyed causing trouble so much that they would routinely cause a riot at the police station. Pain was like a drug to them and they were hooked.
"So these 'Hollows' guys are looking to wipe you out," the ninja inquired.
"That's pretty much the gist of it," the girl, Rei, replied. "They've decided that 'punks' like us don't to deserve to be around anymore. We've done our best to avoid them, but they cornered us today."
"Those fuckers killed our buds!" the third guy, Akio, shouted. "I'm gonna kill them!"
"Calm down, Akio," Rei said. "We're all just as upset about this as you are, but we can't let our anger get the better of us. That's what they want."
"Rei's right," Mikoto said. "We just need to lay low for a while until the heat dies down."
"IT'S NOT GONNA DIE DOWN!" Akio shouted. "Those bitches made it perfectly clear they ain't gonna stop until we're all dead!"
"Your friend's right," ShadowStike said. "If these Hollows guys want to kill, they're going to, even if you try and ignore them."
"Then why don't you help us?" Mikoto asked. "You saw the way the Hollows ran when you attacked them. If you keep them away from us, we can go about our business."
"No thanks," he replied. "I've got more important things to do than play 'Bodyguard' to you three."
"You fucker!" Akio stood. "You think the Hollows are just gonna leave you alone after what you did to their boys! They'll come after you and kill you and this little bitch here!" Aiko suddenly found ShadowStrike's blade across his throat.
"I'd appreciate it if you keep the language PG," he said. "And not refer to the kid there in that matter of wording." Aiko gulped and nodded. ShadowStrike removed his sword from the gang member's throat and sat down, sword still drawn.
"Akio's language aside," Rei said. "We'd appreciate it if you would at least take us home. Our gang's hangout is a few blocks from here and we won't make it to a street corner if the Hollows are still around."
"Last time I got involved in someone else's war, it didn't end well for the parties involved," ShadowStrike said somewhat solemnly, still remembering his fallen partner, Arcee. "If I get involved, all of you will end up dead regardless."
"But if you don't, then who's to say the Hollows won't go after another gang next time? They won't stop with just us, and how long until they start targeting civilians?"
"Isn't that what the police are for?"
"The cops don't do shit about it!" Akio said. "They're all too busy kissing the PM's ass!"
"So you see now?" Rei said. "The police won't help us and the Hollows won't stop once they kill us. We need your help to stay alive."
"You don't need my help," ShadowStrike replied. "You need to fight back."
"If we do that, then we just invite more of this behavior," Mikoto said. "The Hollows will see it as an invitation to attack us."
"What about your friends out there?" ShadowStrike asked. "Are you just going to ignore the fact that they're dead and pretend it didn't happen?"
"Of course not!" Mikoto said, dropping his calm image at last. "Those are our friends out there! Guys like us who didn't fit in! We were just hanging until the Hollows showed up and started pushing us around! I want nothing more than to find them and put a barrel in their mouths, pull the trigger and go home, but if I do that, then I put, not just myself, but Rei, Akio, and my own family in danger!"
"Alright then," ShadowStirke replied calmly. "I just wanted to see how you would react when someone put their deaths in front of you like that. I'll help you by getting rid of the Hollows myself."
ShadowStrike Rising
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter, but I'm kinda running on empty at the moment. Next time: Shredder returns and meets with a "business" associate. Meanwhile, Fowler and Mizuki return to the safe house to find shocking vistors. You all know where I'm going with this.