A/N: Thanks for the reviews! MELeeSmasher: A sequel to "Moments" is in the works (of sorts). VFSNAKE: Jack and Sunny's relationship will be like a father/daughter and will play a big role later on. Foxbear: It would appear so. Ultimate10: The wait is almost over. Metalhead411 suggest that I put up a story I had planned to write later. It involves Jack, Miko, and Raf being brought over to the Decepticon side in the beginning of season 1. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 30

In the middle of Tokyo, Agent Fowler and Mizuki McCloud were walking through the area, having stopped at Japanese restaurant for some food. In their hands, they carried sushi, fried rice, and chicken. The two special agents talked about the mission at hand.

"For months, we've been trying to get something on Saki to take to the U.N.," Mizuki explained. "Our agents have either been made and had to put extracted or gone MIA. We think there's someone on the inside of the JSDF leaking information to Saki. That's why we've asked for the U.S.'s help. From what I've heard, you and Saki have a score to settle."

"As you know, Saki is working with the terrorist organization, MECH. He's been supplying them with ample funds for their experiments."

"Which involve the Autobots," Mizuki interrupted, smiling at the shocked look on Fowler's face. "It the JSDF's business to know what Japan's allies are up to."

"They want to use the 'Bots' technology to create weapons of mass destruction so they can usher the world in a 'new order'. They've made some progress by capturing and studying the Decepticon, Breakdown. Luckily, the 'Bots got him out before anything more could happen to him."

"Now they've got Saki's attention and he won't rest until they're dismantled and destroyed," Mizuki replied.

"You mentioned before that the safe house is in a neighborhood plagued by gang violence and there was a shooting earlier today?"

"I did."

"Who are the parties involved?"

"The Shinigami and the Hollows. The Shinigami aren't really a gang. They're just made up of people who don't feel like they belong anywhere. They just hang out and don't cause any trouble for the police or the neighborhood. The Hollows are a different story."

"Not your typical tough guys who back down from confrontation?" Fowler asked.

"The opposite; they seek it out. They loved to test their metal against anybody who's willing. Of course, they use their numbers to their advantage. They've been pestering the Shinigami for years, but more recently, they taken it to a new level. The shooting earlier was the Hollows trying to kill the Shinigami."

"Isn't there anything the police can do?" Fowler asked.

"No," Mizukis shook her head. "They're all under Saki's influence. They won't do anything unless he approves it. As long as the Hollows and Shinigami don't mess up his plans, whatever they may be, he doesn't give two shits if they kill each other or innocent civilians."

"Then it sounds like we need to head down there and teach them a lesson," Fowler stated. "Where is this neighborhood exactly?"

Before Mizuki could answer, her cell phone rang.

ShadowStrike Rising

At Minamoto Hospital, Agent Fowler and Mizuki walked through the halls to their destination. Their plans to go to the neighborhood where the safe house was located were put on hold by the call Mizuki received. Her mole in the police force informed her that the shooting that had taken place was stopped by an unknown party. Whoever got involved, they managed to put one of the Hollows in the hospital. The Powers That Be told them to head there and collect any info.

They had spoken with a nurse about the where the gang member was and how he was put there. She explained that he'd been carried in by his friends with cut straight through his body. When the doctors asked how it happened, the gang members told them that some crazy guy in a costume attacked them. The gang members quickly left afterward, muttering something about getting even with the one responsible. Fowler and Mizuki would have to worry about that later; right now, their orders were to interrogate the gang member on what he saw.

They entered his room to find him lying in bed, complaining about the pain and how it hurt like a "mother". The agents shook their heads and walked in, pulling up chairs by his bed. They sat and Mizuki got his attention, speaking to him in Japanese. The gang member smiled perversely and responded, earning a cold glare from Mizuki. Whatever she said next seemed to piss him off because he started screaming at her.

Fowler just sat there, waiting to for Mizuki to finish up so they could get a move on. Right now, he regretted skipping the U.S. Army's course on translation of foreign languages. He was forced to remain in his seat while these two hashed out whatever it was they were hashing out. Finally, Mizuki said something that left the gang member speechless and pale. He started talking in slightly scared voice, but from Mizuki's gestures, he was telling her what she wanted to hear.

She stood and thanked him (that much Fowler knew) and they departed for the safe house. Fowler wasted no time in asking her what he saw, but her response was rather unsettling. She said he told he was attacked by a ninja, no doubt meaning the Saki's Foot Ninja. Looks like these kids have gotten themselves in a mess load of trouble.

ShadowStrike Rising

Within the small house that Jack and Sunny called home, ShadowStrike discussed his plans for the Hollows and how to get them off the Shinigami's backs. They were slightly opposed to the idea of the ninja killing them (except for Akio), but they elected to keep their opinions to themselves and avoid the ninja's wrath. His plan was simple; lure the Hollows to an old and abandoned warehouse. ShadowStrike would trap them there and take them all out, simple as that. Of course, the ninja was somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of leaving Sunny with the gang members.

They may have claimed to be peaceful, but he didn't want to take the chance of them hurting Sunny (or worse). He chose to wait for the right moment before going off and slaughtering the Hollows. The Shinigami didn't pester him as he meditated on the issue of Sunny's safety. Right now, he wished that there was someone he could trust here with him right now. What he wouldn't give to be able to leave Sunny in the care of the Autobots.

And like that, his mind fell into turmoil again at the thought of the 'Bots, Miko, Raf, Fowler, and his mother. It had been five months since he left and he hadn't had any contact with them (to be fair, he did spend two of those months in another dimension). He was sure that they didn't miss him after all the trouble he caused, especially since Arcee was…

'Stop it!' he mentally yelled at himself. 'You can't change the past. She's gone! They hate you and want nothing to do with you anymore! Get over it! You've got a 'job' to do."

"Jack," Sunny came into the room. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he replied rather curtly, still keeping the girl at an emotional distance. He didn't want to risk getting to close to her, lest she suffer the same fate as everyone else who made the error in judgment. Right now, he needed to focus on the task at hand and not get distracted. He turned to find the young girl's face twisted in hurt. He felt a slight pang in his heart, but chose to ignore it.

As he continued meditating, he heard two pairs of footsteps approaching the house. He quickly stood and picked up his sword in case they were members of the Hollows.

"You three," he addressed Mikoto, Rei, and Akio. "Someone's coming and they might be Hollows, so hide." Rather than argue, the three did what they were told and hid in the back room with Sunny. ShadowStrike turned off the lights and hid next the closed door. He waited patiently as the footsteps got closer and closer. He knew they would want revenge, but he didn't think they'd try looking for him.

It would seem that they were lucky enough to find him and were about to be sent to an early grave.

ShadowStrike Rising

Having returned from his trip to the U.S., the Shredder entered his facility beneath his office building. As far as the tabloids were concerned, he wouldn't be back for another day. He enjoyed the confusion on their faces when he popped up in his office, having somehow dodged them at the airport. Eventually, they would get wise to his act (which, of course, would lead to their untimely demise). His search for the boy continued onward.

His men had searched the remains of the Ninja Tribunal's monastery, unearthing as much rubble as they could. Still, they came up empty handed. However, they did find the charred remains of the Tribunal, having been given a proper send off by their Acolyte. Now, the boy was more of a threat than ever, having no doubt been trained by the Tribunal. And his anger over their deaths would only serve to further his resolve to kill him.

The Shredder chuckled at the thought. He welcomed anyone fool enough to challenge him, especially in his own home.

"Father," Karai approached him. "I have something to tell you."

"What is it?"

"There was a breach in security last night," she replied. "It was ShadowStrike." Shredder's eyes widened; he was here? In his own base, looking for who knows what.

"Did he take anything of value?"

"No," she said. "He was rather occupied fighting Oni-Kage until I appeared. Then he ran off, leaving me to deal with a rather pissed off ninja. He told me to tell you that there would be 'hell to pay' if we interfered with him again."

"The ramblings of a barbarian," Shredder scoffed. "I will do as I please with or without his cooperation. If he chooses to interfere with our plans, it is he who will pay Hell."

"Shredder," Stockman called. "You're new 'business partner' just sent over the material you requested. He wanted you to know it wasn't easy digging it up out of all of that rubble."

"You can tell Megatron that he will be adequately compensated for his assistance," the ninja warlord replied. "He only had to keep quiet for the past five months. He acts as though I asked him to end his little conflict all together."

"He's still a little upset, considering the amount of energon the Autobots have collected due to their absence on the battlefield. He promised to pick your bones clean if you ever cause him such a loss again."

"Let him make his threats," Shredder replied. "He knows that we need on another for our plans to succeed."

"And what about Silas and MECH?" Karai asked. "Considering what they did to one of the 'Cons, aren't we on a collision course if they ever find out about us playing both sides?"

"We all desire the same thing," Shredder said. "The destruction of the Autobots and Optimus Prime. If we must keep our dual alliances a secret to see the dream become reality, we will do all we can to make sure Silas and Megatron do not become aware of one another."

"Anyway," Stockman stated. "They've finally unearthed what was left of the mine after the explosion and found what we were looking for." He gestured to lab and Shredder walked over to their newest specimen. He grinned darkly behind his mask as he started as his reflection in the face of the fallen Autobot: Cliffjumper.

ShadowStrike Rising

A/N: I hope you enjoyed! Next time: ShadowStrike discovers who his visitors are and goes out to deal with the Hollows. Meanwhile, the Autobots receive a call from Agent Fowler. And they cannot believe what the Special Agent has to tell them.