Disclaimer: I do not own Dead or Alive or Ninja Gaiden, they are owned by Team Ninja and Tecmo.

Metro

Los Angeles

11:30pm

Archer and Eliot sat in the empty metro and waited. They knew the possibility of another attack happening to them and this time they were prepared, or at least Eliot liked to think they were. He was feeling nervous while they essentially awaited being attacked.

Archer was feeling similar, but the only difference being that he had been here before. He kept calm in these situations, always trying to think ahead of his enemy. He took notice at Eliot's obvious nervousness.

"You'll pop a blood vessel before the action even starts," said Archer.

"Can't help it, I feel like there is a giant target on our heads," said Eliot as he crossed his fingers.

"Your not off, were just some giant pinata's for those assholes to hit. Except were wearing the blindfold," said Archer as he tried to stay calm. Eliot slightly smiled and looked at Archer.

"How do you do it?" asked Eliot.

"What?" said Archer confused.

"How do you stay calm and make jokes in these situations? Arent you scared?"

"Course I'm scared, shitless I might add, but fear is something we can't use. Gotta keep our wits to survive,"

"Your right, just can't seem to find my wits at the moment," said Eliot attempting to be calm.

"A cigarette usually helps me find them," said Archer with a smile.

"It will also help you find cancer," shot Eliot back. Archer laughed lightly as he began looking around. He saw one other person on the metro in their car towards the back. It was a homeless female who was asleep. Other than her, no one else was in their car.

Archer took a deep breath and tried to relax, attempting to focus on the sound of the metro. Suddenly the lights cut off inside their car.

"Archer?!" shouted Eliot as he stood up

"Right here man," said Archer as he pulled out his lighter and lit up, "looks like the other cars have been affected to."

"It can't be a coincidence," said Eliot as he looked around the car as best he could, "why did we get on this again?"

"Fewer people down here, I'd hate for someone else to get caught up in the crossfire," said Archer calmly as he began moving.

"Where we going?" said Eliot trying to stay calm, but the darkness was eating at his nerves.

"We need to get to the driver, maybe he knows whats going on," said Archer as he pulled out his pistol and entered the next car.

They moved slowly through the car, trying to see in the immensely dark area. Archer could make out no one else on the car, he moved to the next set of doors and entered the next car, trying to maintain calm.

The next car was the final one, he continued moving slowly through the car. Eliot stuck right behind him, constantly checking behind them in case of an ambush. They reached the door to the driver, Archer lifted the lighter and tried to look through the window. He could see very little inside the drivers area, but one thing was for certain...Their was no driver.

Archer felt his stomach drop, he now began to wonder what was next. Suddenly the metro's brakes were engaged, sending both archer and Eliot to the ground.

"Shit!" shouted Archer as he held on to a bar next to him, Eliot did the same as the train finally came to a complete halt.

"Whats happening?" said Eliot as he stumbled back to his feet.

"Someone hit the brake!" said Archer as he got to his feet as well. The lights to the metro car turned back on. Archer looked around and yet again felt his stomach drop.

At the opposite door stood a large man with a big brown beard and long hair. He wore a fairly expensive set of black tactical armor and held a silenced MP5 with laser. The man balanced the laser right at Archer's chest.

"Been a long time Archer," said the man with a grin.

"Not long enough," said Archer as he slowly go to his feet and raised his hands. Archer looked down at the ground in search of his gun.

"You wont find it in reaching distance, it slid under the seat behind your friend, your fairly fucked Archer," said the man with a large grin.

"Oh well, worth a look. So what happens now Samson," said Archer calmly.

"Now? Now you die, as well as your friend," said Samson as he looked at Eliot, "tit for tat kid, you take one of ours, we take one of yours."

"The kids got nothing to do with this," said Archer as he moved in front of Eliot. Eliot stood there, trying to think of something to do. It was then that he took notice of the shiny revolver shoved in Archer belt on his back. He already had the experience with it, seeing how it was the same pistol he used. He debated on how he should proceed, but every time he had an opportunity to grab it, guilt and panic stopped him.

"Is that fear I hear Archer? Civilian life has made you soft, but that whore of yours probably did the most damage to ya," said Samson with a laugh, Archer's eyes darkened heavily as he took one step forward, silencing Samson.

I gotta do this, cmon Eliot! Do it!

"Maybe I make it Samson, maybe I don't. Call her a whore again and were gonna find out," said Archer deathly calm. Eliot continued battling with his mind.

I...Im afraid... I can't kill again!

"There you are, that's the Archer I knew. A cold-blooded dog! You were efficient and ruthless, what happened to you!?" roared Samson. Archer slightly twitched, Eliot could sense Archer's calm slipping away as he tried desperately to get a hold of himself.

IM NOT A KILLER! IM NOT A KILLER!

"I know what happened to you Archer, and whether you like or not, that whore did this! She's better off dead!"

Archer launched at Samson as Eliot Grabbed the pistol on his back, Samson fired two times into Archer, hitting him in the arm and shoulder, but Archer still made it over to him, slamming his fist in his face. Samson tried to recover as he aimed the MP5, but Archer ripped the weapon from his hand and tossed it aside. Archer began swinging with all his might, hitting Samson several times in the face.

Samson countered the next hit, punching Archer in the stomach, Archer fell slightly, but before he could recover, Samson wrapped his arms around Archer's neck and tightened his hold. Archer began to struggle as he felt the vice like grip of Samson's arms around his neck.

Eliot jumped up and ran over to Archer, kicking Samson in the face. Samson loosened his grip, giving Archer enough room to slam the back of his head into Samson's face. Samson gave out a painful moan as he picked up Archer and threw him at Eliot, sending them both to the ground.

Samson stood fully up as he looked around for his MP5 only to stop dead in his tracks, Archer and Eliot also looked and were shocked.

The homeless female that sat on their car from earlier was now standing at the other end, Samson MP5 tucked firmly in her hands as she steadied it on his chest.

"Don't Move!" she said with a commanding voice. Archer stood slightly up with his hands raised.

"I'm a police officer," said Archer as he stayed still trying to not startle her.

"Got any Id?" she said simply, her eyes never moving from Samson. Archer slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out his badge, she gave it a nod.

Eliot got to his feet and took a breath of relief, "thank goodness you were here, if he got to that gun, we'd be dead,"

"No problem cutie, names Estra" she said with a wink. Eliot smiled back, slightly blushing. Archer smirked wide.

"You got a fan," said Archer as picked up his pistol which was underneath the seats. Just as Eliot was about to laugh, he heard a volley of bullets.

The world slowed in Eliot's mind as he saw Estra fall to the ground, and then saw Samson who wasted no time diving for the gun. He could hear Archer shouting no, but it was all so slow as if time was about to stop.

Samson dived for his weapon and turned slowly, only to receive two shots to the chest from Archer. He grunted but was able to fire back, hitting archer in the stomach and arm. Archer fell but fired back, hitting Samson twice in the head. Samson fell all the way back and lied still.

Suddenly the doors at the end of the car near Estra's lifeless body opened, revealing a female who entered, only she was dressed the same way as Samson. She looked at Samson, then at Eliot. Her actions were slow as she began to take aim at Eliot. As if possessed, Eliot lifted the pistol and fired.

The bullets hit her MP5 and shoulder, sending the weapon flying out of her grasp. She dropped to the ground and attempted to grab the weapon, but Eliot shot her in her unarmored hand. She screamed in pain as she fell to her side, clutching her hand.

Eliot's eyes began to water as he leveled the gun at the woman, he walked passed her and to Estra, kneeling next to her. Estra was not a pretty woman, her skin and body showed the difficulties she suffered while on the streets, she was extremely skinny and had many scars. He could never understand her struggle or why she did what she did.

Eliot stood up, his anger beginning to flare up, he looked at the screaming woman as she kept holding her hand. With a shaky, he slowly brought the pistol up, aiming at her head.

"Eliot no!" shouted Archer who was on his back holding his bleeding stomach.

"She deserves it John, they all deserve it!" shouted Eliot in rage.

"Listen to me Eliot, if you do this, then your no better than them. Think about Estra! She could have came in here firing, but she died doing what was right! Don't dishonor her sacrifice!"

Eliot let the last part of what Archer said ring in his head. He looked at the gun in his hands and began to wonder what happened to him. The innocence he once had was now shredded, replaced with something else.

Eliot lowered the gun, realizing how close he had just become to losing his way. He was going to kill her in vengeance and be no better than her. Estra did not deserve that and he was not about to stain her memory.

"Some man you are, need permission to take revenge?" said the woman in a thick Russian accent, "She was just another bum!"

Eliot felt his anger return full force, but before he could do anything, Archer shot the woman. The woman fell flat, blood began flowing from underneath her. Eliot stood there quietly as he looked over at Archer.

Archer's sat still for a moment, a smoking 45 in his hand. Eliot's mind was everywhere, but eventually he realized just how badly injured Archer was. He snapped back to reality and ran over to Archer, kneeling next to him. He next realized that his knee was in a puddle of blood.

"Your hurt bad," said Eliot in a panic, "I have to get you some help."

"No cops or anyone that might call them," said Archer trying to stay calm.

"Then what do we do?"

"You get out of here and go to Helena,I called her before we got here so Zack is waiting for you. There is one more out there, his name is Midale Alister and he is number 5. He is probably the one that is running this show and he is very dangerous," said Archer.

"No! I'm not leaving you here," said Eliot as his eyes began tearing up again.

"Look Eliot! There is no other way!"

"There is always another way!" shouted Eliot as he looked around the train. His eyes stopped on the dead woman in the tactical armor, "don't people who wear that kind of stuff have some sort of medical supplies on them?"

"Sure they do, but I am not fit to do any sort of field dressings," said Archer.

"But I am, I can patch you up just enough to get you to Helena's ship. You can guide me on what to do!"

"Eliot..."

"Listen Archer, either you let me help you or we both go down together," said Eliot calmly. Archer knew at that point he had no choice.

Alright Eliot, we'll do it your way...

Unknown Area

9:39pm

Kasumi sat quietly in the living room on the large recliner silently looking at the roaring fire within her fireplace. She began feeling the presence of Hayabusa more strongly and wondered why. Did something happen to him? She began to wonder what was happening in the real world.

Kasumi looked down at the carpet in front of her and saw Kiyoko and Atsuko sleeping contently. She wanted this life so bad, but deep down she knew it was wrong. What kind of damage did she cause by allowing Rig into her mind? She slightly panicked at the idea of waking up to a massacre.

Kasumi shook the thoughts from her head, she made a decision and she would stick by it, it wasn't as if her life was better in the real world. At least here she did not have to run away and had a loving family by her side.

Kasumi began to stand up when suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her head. She fell to her knee and closed her eyes trying to make the pain go away. Her eyes began to slightly tear as she opened her eyes, but it was then that she noticed she was not in her house anymore.

Kasumi was now in a dark forest. The chilly wind made her slightly shiver as she tried to figure out what happened to her.

"Hello? Is anyone out there?" said Kasumi hoping for an answer, but knowing their wouldn't be one. She began to walk slowly, hoping to find a way out. The forest gave her a sort of eerie feeling of loss, she didn't like it. Suddenly Kasumi heard something behind her, she turned in the direction, preparing for anything.

"Show yourself!" shouted Kasumi. Slowly she began making out an image of some sort which began getting closer, she readied herself for a fight, but was shocked as the image came into view.

"R...Ryu?" said Kasumi confused. Ryu walked with his head slightly down, his face was empty showing no sign of life.

"Ryu...Is that you?" said Kasumi as Ryu began getting closer and closer. Kasumi grew afraid, not understanding what was going on. Out of her fear, she shut her eyes and waited for him to get near her. Suddenly, she could no longer hear the footsteps. She opened her eyes confused and saw that she was back in her house, the fire still crackling.

She took a deep breath but was immediately startled when she saw Atsuko and Kiyoko on both sides of her Recliner.

"What wrong mommy?" said Atsuko.

"N...Nothing dear, did you guys sleep well?" asked Kasumi as she got back her composure.

"Yes," said Kiyoko. Kasumi felt odd around the girls, it was almost as if they knew something happen.

"We do know something happened mommy, that's why we worry," said Atsuko.

"We just want you to be happy," said Kiyoko.

"Of course I'm happy," said Kasumi as she pulled the girls into her, "I am always happy."

Kasumi was being honest, but she could not shake the panic she felt. The panic became worse when she realized a very terrifying fact which lingered in her head.

That was the real Hayabusa

Staples Center

Downtown

4:12am

Archer sat quietly on a bench which overlooked the mostly empty parking area of the Staples Center. His head was down and eyes were closed, but he was alive. Eliot did what he could with the minimal supplies that the duo of assassins had on them. The hardest part was walking out of the metro, the walk had to be an hour or so long.

Archer wanted to just stop and sleep, but Eliot would not let him lose consciousness. Without Eliot, Archer knew he'd be dead on the metro along with the others. Archer slightly looked over to Eliot who was on the phone with Helena.

"Look, he wont make it to the docks. Cant he just come here?" said Eliot frantically. Archer could only imagine what Helena was saying to him.

"Thank you Helena, we will be ready," with that, Eliot hung up and turn to Archer, "you're going to be ok Archer, Zack will be on his way."

"Wonderful," said Archer weakly as he tried to reach into his pocket, but was to weak to even lift his arm. Eliot hated seeing his friend like this, he walked to Archer and reached into his pocket, pulling out the smokes and Zippo lighter. Eliot pulled open the lid and took out one stick and put it in Archer's mouth, lighting it with his Zippo.

Archer took in the smoke to his lungs slowly and exhaled, he could have swore he was already feeling a bit better. Eliot sat beside him, deep in thought.

"So how do we deal with this Midale Alister?" asked Eliot, Archer smirked.

"Alister is going to be a tough one, no one knew exactly his role within Shadow 6, but it was assumed he was an Assassin."

"Werent you all?" said Eliot curiously.

"No. Me and Carson were sort of like Mercs, we mostly were partnered up with other groups and handled missions. Fredricks was an intelligence gatherer and interrogator. Samson was all about equipment gathering and usually gave me and Carson orders based on Fredricks intelligence,"

"I thought Six was in charge,"

"He was, but I quickly found out that most of the escapades me and Carson went on were mostly government jobs, jobs given to Six by the government. Six rarely spoke to anyone besides Samson and Midale. So you can think of Samson as a sort of manager of our little group while Six owns it all."

"So what about Alister?" asked Eliot.

"Alister...You ever heard the concept of nuclear deterrence?"

"Thats when an enemy will be deterred from using nuclear weapons as long as he can be destroyed as a consequence."

"That sound like you read that from a dictionary," said Archer as he continued smoking, "but you are correct. No side would want to be destroyed so they do not use nuclear weapons, fear hold both sides back. Alister however, would flip the switch without thinking of his life."

"So he would do what he had to do without emotion of the outcome?"

"Not quite, the person you are describing would press the switch because that is what he is supposed to do. Alister would press the switch just to see the outcome. It can be said that Alister is sort of a chaotic evil, he was a bit of a game changer in many situations. In a sense, he was the illegal part of our group. Their was talks of unsanctioned assassinations of top players, but nothing could be proven."

"But why? Why would he kill these people?"

"From what I knew of him, he wanted to control the flow of things. By removing a powerful person, he could observe the outcome. Always remember something about Alister, he has no allies, he will do things just to feel superior. The only person he would take orders from was Six and he's dead."

Eliot nodded and looked down deep in thought. With Archer in his current condition, Eliot would need to work alone for a bit and watch for Alister. He had yet to make peace with the past and knew he needed to in order to work. He learned a lot from Archer during his time with him, now he just needed to apply it.

I hope they get here soon

Zack had been flying for a while with Ayane, he had to refuel three times. On the plus side, Ayane was fast and did not need him to land anywhere. On the down side, Ayane was always quiet, keeping everything to herself. Zack felt more like a taxi driver than a helpful partner.

Even worse, Ayane wanted to work through the night as well. He wondered what the point was, was she really getting anywhere?

"Zack! Come in! Its Helena!" said a Helena frantically over his radio.

"Go ahead?" said Zack, curious about her franticness.

"I need you to go to the Staples Center in Downtown and pick up Archer and Eliot immediately!"

"You want me to land!? We don't have a landing permit!" shouted Zack.

"I don't care! Archer is badly injured and is at risk of dying!"

Zack did not need to be told twice, "On my way." He changed course instantly alerting Ayane who sat in the back. She put on the earphones slightly annoyed.

"What are you doing?" she asked annoyed.

"Change of plans, gotta pick up Archer and Eliot now," said Zack calmly.

"Why? Did something happen?" asked Ayane as she began to feel a slight panic.

"Archer is gravely injured and needs medical help,"

"What about Eliot?"

"Don't know, I just need to get there pronto." said Zack as he focused on flying. Ayane felt sick in her stomach, if Archer was hurt then that could mean Eliot was as well. She felt angry with herself, she should have stuck with them.

Hang on Eliot, I'm coming!

Unknown Location

5:00 am

The man sat in a chair quietly watching television in his expensive hotel room. He had barely moved since he got there, he just sat and flipped though channels.

His cell phone lightly buzzed in his pocket, he pulled it out and answered.

"Yes?"

"Its Rig, Samson and Fredricks are dead," said Rig slightly angry.

"Shame," said the man as he continued to watch television.

"Are you listening to me? Your friends are dead and both Archer and Eliot still live! NOW GET AFTER THEM!"

The man hung the phone up and set it down on arm rest of his chair. He continued to watch television, for he did not take orders from Rig. He knew what he had to do and he had time to do it. He wanted to make Archer suffer and knew who he had to kill in order for that to happen.

Eliot had to die

The others failed miserably because they relied on force to stop them both. He relied on something else.

In order to trap Eliot, he had to first trap his heart. The man looked down at the small table in front of him and smiled. A single photo sat still on the table.

Ayane...

Authors notes: So sorry for the delay, been wrapped up with class. This was another fun chapter to write and I hope you all enjoy it. I want to thank Rose and Relly's Gurl for their reviews, they are most appreciated.

P.s.s: lol you just had impeccable timing on your reviews, but I do enjoy the passion :D