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

Zack's Helicopter

Coast of California

5:32am

Archer sat in the back of the Helicopter with Eliot close by watching him, a smoldering cigarette rested between his lips. In front were both Zack and Ayane who sat silent while they headed to the Freedom Survivor. Ayane wanted to look back at Eliot, but did not want him to see her do so. She couldn't help but feel guilty by what happened.

Eliot sat quietly looking out the window deep in thought over the events that played out. Much had happened to him during his time with Archer, many things that had changed him.

Ayane could see the change but did not understand it, what could have happened to change his once innocent demeanor to this one? She needed to get him alone and find out what happened.

After what seemed like an eternity, the Freedom Survivor finally came into view, Zack lowered the Helicopter onto the landing pad as several groups of people gathered nearby with a stretcher ready.

"Were here John," said Eliot as he pat Archer's shoulder, "we made it."

"Wonderful," said Archer sarcastically as he continued smoking, Eliot put his arm around him and helped him out of his seat. The stretcher was rolled over and Eliot helped him onto it before the group of people pushed him off.

Ayane quietly watched Eliot as he watched the men and women roll Archer away. Helena appeared shortly after, she winced lightly when she saw Eliot in his bloodstained clothes.

"Welcome back," said Helena to Eliot as Zack and Ayane moved towards him as well. Eliot simply nodded not knowing what to say.

"What happened?" Asked Ayane bluntly.

"We were attacked by a group of Assassins, Archer almost didn't make it," said Eliot.

"Thank goodness he is ok, if it weren't for you he'd probably wouldn't have made it," said Helena with care.

"Or he would have been just fine, he was probably protecting you!" shouted Ayane in anger.

"Ayane!" shouted Helena.

"Yaa take it easy," said Zack.

"Both of you know its true, you don't belong here Eliot! How many more people must be hurt for you to understand that!" shouted Ayane.

"I need to be alone for a while, I will give you an update later," said Eliot calmly as he walked away.

"That was uncalled for!" shouted Helena to Ayane.

"It's what needed to be said!" rebutted Ayane, "he should not be involved in this, he does not understand the danger he is in."

"His father is in danger and you want him to leave?!" shouted Helena.

"I want him to go before he get someone killed!"

Zack saw it coming but did not stop it, Helena slapped Ayane. Ayane gave Helena a murderous look as Helena grew more angry.

"What does he see in you?" said Helena in french angrily.

"What?" said Ayane confused.

"That man has been through much and the one person who might be able to put a smile on his face other that Archer scolds him like a child!" shouted Helena.

"What could he have possibly gone through that is worse than what that Detective went through!?"

"Archer is used to taking a life," said Helena simply, both Ayane and Zack looked confused.

"What are you saying?" said Ayane as she slowly put things together.

"You know what I said, that man is mentally at war with himself. Any person who looks at him could see that. That is not the same man who left this ship before," said Helena.

Ayane said nothing and thought of what it all meant. Helena took a deep breath and looked at Zack.

"Zack, you have been a big help," said Helena.

"It was no problem, I like Archer and the kid," said Zack calmly.

"I'm going to go and check on Archer," said Helena

"I need to get some sleep, I'll catch you all later," said Zack as he and Helena left, leaving Ayane alone.

What happened out there? She had to know and only one person could tell her. She went off after Eliot as she pondered one last thought.

What have you done Eliot?

Eliot stood on the deck of the ship staring at the sea, the calmness of the ocean soothed his ailing mind. What Ayane said did not hurt him as much as he thought it would. His sadness came from the person who was already dead, Estra. He began to feel somewhat responsible for her death, after all, if they were not there she would not have died.

He finally understood Archer and what he was trying to avoid. He chose the metro to lessen casualties. He imagined what would have happened if the metro was busy but quickly struck it from his mind.

"There you are," said a female voice behind him. Eliot turned and saw Ayane walking over to him.

"I'd rather not do this now Ayane," said Eliot calmly.

"Why not? Your friend is beyond injured, there is no reason for you to stay," said Ayane sternly, "you need to get to safety."

"I'm not going anywhere," said Eliot calmly.

"Why?"

"I need to finish what I set out to do,"

"Why are you so stubborn!"

"Why the hell do you care!" shouted Eliot in anger, shocking Ayane.

"Why do you care? You said it yourself, you and I are different! For the first time, I actually agree with you! We are different!" shouted Eliot.

"Eliot..." said Ayane slightly hurt.

"Your right, I don't understand your world! You kill many people and can live with that! You watch people die and show no remorse! I am not an assassin or ninja, I do care and feel and it hurts! You're a ninja and I'm just a naïve boy!" shouted Eliot as his eyes began to water slightly, he wiped his eyes quickly before anything fell and continued, "You have your mission and I have mine. Stick to what you do best and leave me alone."

Ayane stood there shocked as Eliot walked away from her. She felt this before when she was a child, abandonment and loneliness. Ayane almost committed suicide when she felt that Hayate hated her, now those same feelings began to rise again.

'Why? Why cant I hate you?' she thought to herself. She wanted to stop feeling this way, but just could not shake it. She felt her defiance kicking in next, she would not be hurt again.

I will not give up on you Eliot

Medical bay

Freedom Survivor

5:24am

Helena sat next to Archer and watched him for a while. Archer had several bandages around his arms and chest as he lied still in bed. She could only imagine what happened to them both that would cause this.

She would have asked Eliot but just as Archer was hurt physically, Eliot was hurt mentally. She understood Eliot's pain, having gone through her own mental anguish over her mother. She knew that answers would come in time, she just needed to be patient.

The door to the room opened and Eliot stepped inside. He wore clean clothes which consisted of his signature dark Grey long coat along with a Grey button up shirt and black pants with boots. He walked over to Archer and stared at him.

"How is he?" asked Eliot.

"He'll need a lot of time to recover, with proper rest he should be ok" said Helena. Eliot nodded as he continued to watch Archer, Helena thought it a perfect time to find out what happened.

"How did this happen? Who attacked you?" asked Helena.

Eliot told her everything that happened, from the discovery of Harpus, to the assassination plots against them. Helena was shocked at how much transpired in such a short period of time.

"We are close Helena. Donovan would not send assassins after us if we weren't," said Eliot.

"That may be true, but this is getting dangerous for the both of you," said Helena worriedly.

"Yes, but that was inevitable. Donovan has sent his assassins and we have stopped them, it will be no different now," said Eliot confidently. Helena was shocked by his new attitude of confidence, she felt motivated by him and believed what he said.

"So what do you plan to do?"

"I need to get back to Downtown and continue the search, the assassin must not be led here,"

"I support you Eliot, but don't you think that it is dangerous?"

"I do, but its better than waiting for something to happen," said Eliot. Helena nodded and continued to stare at Archer. She would personally take care of Archer, but who would watch Eliot? She just needed to have faith in him and hope for the best.

Everything will work out in the end

Unknown place

6:33am

"We've searched everywhere sir and can't find her," said a uniformed man.

"Keep searching till you do, she couldn't have gotten far!" shouted Rig, the uniformed man bowed and ran off. Rig looked at Harold slightly annoyed.

"How could she have escaped the chamber?" said Rig Angrily.

"I have no idea, due to the damage it will take time before we can look at the data," said Harold.

"Whatever she did woke everyone up, Miyako called and said that all the pods have been opened," said Rig.

"But...How is that possible?" asked Harold.

"Oh its simple, I gave them a way out," said A voice. Both Harold and Rig turned to the voice and saw a man. The man had long black hair, tanned skin, a slender nose and lips. He wore a black jumpsuit with a pair of black aviators which concealed his eyes.

"Who the hell are you!?" shouted Rig.

"The name is Alister, the fifth assassin," said Alister calmly.

"You," said Rig as he walked right in front of Alister, "where the hell have you been?"

"Busy," said Alister simply as he walked around Rig and to his desk chair, sitting down, "we need to talk."

"How did you give them a way out and why?" asked Harold curiously.

"You all disappoint me, there is not one system in this world that I do not have access to, even your primitive Harpus machines. As for the why, things had to change and at that time it was the perfect time." said Alister calmly.

"Oh really, what gives you the right to hack my system!" said Rig angrily.

"You hired me to take care of your problems and this will, I have unleashed the super ninja into his true form, this is how they all escaped," said Alister.

"You did what!?" shouted Rig.

"It's quite simple, by unleashing Hayabusa, the ninja will turn their focus from you to him, giving you time to complete your test. I am certain this will play out as Hayabusa in this form is a threat to the human race and one that must be dealt with quick in order to reduce casualties," said Alister.

"What testing are you talking about? That pod contained what Harpus we had left!"

"Your father has acquired more of this substance and is currently en route as we speak, before initiating my plan a chopper was sent to pick him up and the substance. The ship has been rerouted to Japan, which should throw Helena Douglas off his trail for a time. As for Archer and Eliot...I have plans for them," said Alister with a grin.

"What plans?" asked Harold.

"I'm happy you asked that sir, after all, you are a big part of this plan."

"What are you talking about?" asked Rig confused.

"You think that Eliot and Archer just got lucky at the internet café? Don't be naive, they were tipped off by an estranged father who was worried about his only son," said Alister as he stared at a sweating Harold.

"I..I don't know what you're talking about!" shouted Harold.

"Oh I think you do, all I had to really do was hack into your network and listen," said Alister as he raised his phone and pressed on the screen.

"hey Dad."

"Eliot, you and Archer need to leave there now, there are men coming to kill you both!"

"What!?"

"No time to explain, just go! Get out of California!"

With that, a click noise could be heard, Rig looked furious.

"Eliot is your son!?" shouted Rig as he grabbed a shocked Harold by the shirt collar and lifted him.

"Please Rig, I need him alive...For now," said Alister extremely calm.

"What could you possibly need him for?" said Rig as he continued to stare daggers at Harold. Alister lips twisted into an evil grin.

A reunion

Zack's Helicopter

Downtown

12:21pm

"Think you can set me there?" said Eliot as he pointed at a tall building.

"Lets stick to less populated areas, like there," said Zack as he moved to a large empty parking lot. Zack lowered the helicopter down and Eliot got out.

"Thanks again Zack," said Eliot.

"Don't sweat it, look I don't know what you're getting yourself into but take care of yourself," said Zack.

"I will, you take care as well," said Eliot as he began walking, he did not have any idea where he needed to be looking first, but decided on heading to Archer's apartment. It was a long shot, but their was a possibility that Donovan was watching it.

Eliot walked through the busy city, no longer a tourist or curious child. He was now calm and careful, understanding the danger that lied in between each busy street. He would not be unprepared for the next fight, he had to keep his wits about him.

When he finally reached the apartment, he carefully entered. Archer's apartment was on the 12th floor, he doubted anything had been changed since they last left it and he was right. When he left the elevator on the 12th floor, he could already see the caution tape in the distance. He pulled the caution tape away and entered the hole that was once the entrance to Archer's apartment.

Archer's apartment was destroyed, the helicopter's chain gun riddled the walls and furniture, leaving s giant mess. Eliot walked over to the broken window which overlooked the city and stared out. He remembered what happened and what he felt when he was last here, if only he knew then what he knew now.

Eliot's phone began to ring, snapping him from his thoughts. He looked at the display and it read Dad.

"Dad?" answered Eliot.

"Try again," said a voice on the other end, Eliot felt his heart skip a beat, but knew who it was.

"Alister," said Eliot as he attempted not to panic.

"You know of me," said Alister.

"Where is my father,"'

"Close, very close. But why don't we do this in person, come to the roof. I will be waiting."

The phone hung up, Eliot stood still. He could feel his heart pounding against his chest. He pulled out from his coat the small revolver, cocking it.

It's now or never

Los Angeles Precint

Downtown LA

1:09pm

"Does anyone have an id on the two in the metro yet?" said Captain Grant.

"It's as if they don't exist, no registered prints and no photos on any database we have access to," said Detective Lewis.

"This is stating to sound like that other case from a day earlier in the parking lot. That guy had no id either." said Grant.

"You think they are connected?"

"It has to be, both cases lack witnesses and very little identifiable information. Ballistic reports on the first case was to a revolver and that gun has not been found."

Suddenly the doors bursted open and in ran a uniformed officer.

"Sir, we just got a hit on the fingerprints for that casing!" said the officer as he handed Grant the report.

"Good job, now lets see..." Grant looked through the report, his face suddenly turned white.

"Sir?" said Lewis noticing the change. Grant dropped the report on his desk and fell into his chair. Lewis did not grab the report, but saw who the fingerprints belonged to. Lewis sighed and sat down as well. A long silence held in the room before Grant finally spoke.

"Due to this evidence, we now have a prime suspect. The casing matched the bullets...the bullets found in the bodies of the victims. Detective Lewis, bring in Detective John Archer,"

"Yes sir," said Lewis as he sighed and left the office, leaving Grant by himself. Grant pulled out a small silver flask and took a swig.

John...What have you done?

Rooftop

Downtown LA

1:10pm

Eliot walked out onto the rooftop and looked around, the 38 revolver firmly in his hand. Across from him he saw a man.

"Alister," said Eliot.

"Eliot, how good of you to come," said Alister.

"Where's my father?" said Eliot as he raised the gun towards Alister, Alister laughed lightly.

"Now now Eliot, you need to be less aggressive and pay attention," said Alister as he pointed to a nearby building. Eliot looked at the building and another man pointing a silenced pistol at his father whose mouth was taped.

"Father!" shouted Eliot.

"Now that you understand the gravity of the situation, drop the gun and kick it to me," said Alister. Eliot had no choice, he dropped the gun and kicked it over to Alister. Alister picked up the gun and emptied it, tossing the gun to his side.

"Very good, this is going well," said Alister with a grin.

"What do you want?" asked Eliot angrily.

"That's an interesting question, for the answer can be simple. I want John Archer to suffer and the only way that will ever happen is if someone close to him suffers as well," said Alister.

"Let my father go, you have me now!" shouted Eliot.

"Oh Eliot, I don't want you. But I require who is with you, come on out now or Eliot's father will attempt to fly with a bullet in his brain," said Alister. Eliot was confused but eventually it was all clear once he saw the mystery person appear from behind him.

"A...Ayane!?" said Eliot shocked. Ayane gave him a small smile before returning her gaze to Alister.

"How good of you to join us, now surrender yourself," said Alister as he extended his hand. Ayane bit her lip, she was not in a good position to help Eliot's father. Without any other options, she began walking over to him. Eliot grabbed her wrist to stop her, she looked at Eliot with a small smile.

"I'll be ok, there is no other option," said Ayane calmly.

"Don't do this, I can't lose you," said Eliot.

"Y...You never lost me, I just wanted you to be safe," said Ayane, giving into her emotions.

"Please, do hurry it up, we have places to be," said Alister impatiently. Ayane began to walk towards Alister, but Eliot yanked her wrist hard pulling her into him. Ayane and Eliot's lips connected to her shock, but she relaxed soon after, returning his kiss. After a moment, they separated and stared into each others eyes.

"I swear on everything I am that I will find you," said Eliot with determination in his eyes. Ayane smiled deeply and nodded.

"And I will wait for you," said Ayane. With that, Ayane walked over to Alister and stood in front of him.

"Please," said Alister as he motioned with his hand for her to take. Ayane felt rage has she took his hand. Suddenly she felt a jolt of electricity and passed out, Alister caught her before she hit the floor.

"Ayane!" shouted Eliot as he took a step forward.

"Stay where you are," said Alister as he rose his hand up to the gunman. The gunman and Harold disappeared only to reappear in a helicopter. Alister placed Ayane into the helicopter and pushed Harold over to Eliot.

"Happy reunion," said Alister as the helicopter began to lift up. Eliot ran over to his father and took off the tape from his mouth.

"Dad? Are you ok?" asked Eliot as looked at his father.

"Eliot, it's so good to see you, I missed..." A loud bang cut off Harold, Eliot's eyes widened in horror as he turned to the helicopter. Alister stood with a grin, a smoking 45 in his hand.

"Rig sends his love Harold," said Alister as he fired again hitting Harold in the head. The blood splattered over Eliot face as Harold's lifeless body fell to the ground. Eliot shakily looked up at Alister who was laughing.

"Oh and before I forget," Alister threw the gun down towards Eliot, "remember who destroyed your world."

Eliot could not contain his rage any longer, he ran over to the gun and picked it up, taking aim at Alister. Alister ducked into the helicopter as Eliot fired in fury, he kept firing till the slide locked. He felt shaky as he watched the helicopter disappear into the horizon.

It's just a dream

Eliot looked slowly back at his father

I'll just wake up and it never happened

He dropped the gun and knelt next to his lifeless body.

W...W..Why did this happen

The tears fell freely as he pulled his father into him and hugged him.

Oh god, please just let it be a dream

Within minutes, the Police showed up and saw the scene of Eliot holding his father close, an empty 45 with his fingerprints all over it, and a small revolver which also had his prints. It was open and shut for the police who had enough evidence to charge Eliot with murder.

The trial was swift with all the evidence against him and he was put into jail. Captain Grant asked him many times where Archer was, but Eliot said nothing. He just remained quiet, pondering what went wrong.

Hours became days and days became weeks and weeks became months, and yet their was only one thing on Eliot's mind, the one thing that he promised himself the moment his father hit the ground.

I will kill you Midale Alister if it is the last thing I do

Authors Notes: I had a week off from school so I spent it working on this, Thank you all for the support and please keep it coming. Till next time! :D