LES MUSICIENS DU MONDE ARC III 2011 TO 2016

by DanteVirgil09

This is the final arc of this particular saga where it is reaching closer and closer to its climax. When transcending choice for others and making them for some, where every emotion and motive for all characters will have to face and handle to the best of their abilities. Will everyone rise and pave their destinies or fall from grace? But all roads lead to the stars in the end.

12. JULY 2013 PART DEUX

LES MUSICIENS DU MONDE

A CROSSOVER STORY

2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

This is the continuation of the first part. I realized this chapter had a pacing that screamed two parts. I've been trying to squeeze it all in one like the recent chapter, but the material left to put down for this particular event needs two parts. Whatever the case that left me in this situation, sometimes I want to pray to the Virgin for guidance. Or make a human sacrifice to my ancestral Mayan gods. Whatever, here is part two. Enjoy.

JULY 2013, WEEK THREE

Philadelphia, PN, USA

[Little Italy, Monday, 5:40PM]

Elizabeth, her daughter Sophia, and her husband Jonathan were huddled in their home. The past day has come and gone and winding down. But with light still out, but dimmed by the demonic hordes above, she wondered if the daylight was indeed weakening them. But with the night coming, they had to make sure the home defenses would hold up. News was going around that Danny was not in Philadelphia at the moment and the local home guard of ghost hunters were on the line, mainly those who knew him from high school like Paulina, Dash, and a few others. Jonathan shut off the lights with only the phones working and the Wi-Fi. The curtains were drawn with and the only light inside was candlelight. He looked at his wife who stroked her daughter's hair as he finished making tea, and approached her from the kitchen and into the living room, "Dear?"

She looked up and sees him with a platter with a teapot, and cups of tea for them, "Oh she's asleep. Shame. I was going to offer her a cup," he set the platter down on the table.

Elizabeth smiled, "Thank you," she took a cup and sipped the warm liquid. The warmth of the tea settled her nerves as she looked up at her husband.

"Sit, please."

He nodded and sat down on the floor with her, and taking his own cup to sip. The warm liquid comforted him and then after a moment of silence he looked at her, "Between your brother and his friends, and now this…all those stories I grew up with…they're all true."

She didn't say anything but nodded. Then she heard him continue, "And no doubt he is in this mess to try and solve."

"It's worse than that," she spoke and that caught her attention, "It's the fact that a some group did this and shouldn't have. My brother doesn't have to go and help them…but he is my brother. He'll do what he can for his friends and protecting his family, even if he's thousands of miles away."

He hugged her and the wind outside grew fiercer, but the windows and protective seals inside held on. He shushed her as she cried a bit. She wanted her family together again in some way. She felt silly but his assurances comforted her. Their daughter slept on and then Elizabeth calmed down.

"Jonathan wait here."

She got up and went to their bedroom upstairs. She came back with a brush and black ink. She then dipped the brush in it. She then put Latin text on his forearms, "Just in case…you can kick their ass if they breach our defenses," she told him.

His heart beat faster but nodded in determination, "Understood, love."

She smiled and looked up at him. She stopped and kissed him on the lips, "Eu te amo. (I love you)," she whispered lovingly in Portuguese and he returned the kindness, "Eu também te amo. (I love you too.)"

She finished and he did the same to her, being instructed by her. Once done, they sat close to their daughter and enjoyed the comforting silence despite the insanity outside. Meanwhile, a group of magi were looking westward from a building down the street and one spoke, "Looks like they're in the lion's den."

The muscled mage spoke as he gripped his broom upright. The girl on the team of five also spoke up, "They're going to die or die trying to save the world."

The leader gripped his broom and spoke, "Well we're not going to let that happen. They saved Philadelphia, New York, all of Europe, and prevented an all out esoteric civil war from the rogues. We'll fly to the western boundary of the city, open a gate and arrive in time to help."

He got on his broom, "Brooms!"

The rest of the team got on their brooms and he hollered out, "Fly!"

The team of five headed west towards a spot in West Philadelphia, towards the suburbs and when the last house was seen, and the countryside began, one of the five held out his wand. He uttered words and the arch came from the ground. It was carved with Native American totem animals alongside it and the doors opened. The five flew into the arch, bathed in light one by one. Then the doors closed and the arch returned to the earth.

~Music Bit: Game of Thrones Main Theme~

The world tilts on its axis as the game begins…the world turns to show us the board…

BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA

Casa Rosada rises from the earth alongside the outside and structures of the capital. Leading up to it is the 9 de Julio Avenue with the obelisk rising like a needle.

PHILADELPHIA, PN, USA

The Continental Congress building stood proud even as the modern skyline surrounded it and a green layer of energy surrounding it. Seagulls flew in the south towards the harbor.

TOKYO, JAPAN

The city grew like a mass from the ground and spreading outward like a confused octopus. The skyscrapers of Shinjuku looking upward along with the famed Tokyo Tower, while a shadow from the south is looming overhead.

TAIWAN

The capital of Taipei forming with Taipei 101 rising upward likes a stack of Legos. Then to the south, the mountains rise and mists form around the southern tip towards the sea.

WUDANG MOUNTAINS, HUBEI PROVINCE, CHINA

Mists formed and surrounded the mountains with temples adorning them and towards the south a D-20 Plumber's training facility formed with the sound of metal and machinery.

CAUCASUS MOUNTAINS, GEORGIA

The light layer of snow still was atop the mountains that divided Russia from the Middle East to the south. A shadow of a winged creature was shown flying across a hidden valley of rock and grass.

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

Fighter jets flew over the city with waves of the sea crashing along the old walls of the old city. Seagulls flew over them as well.

MARSEILLES, FRANCE

Seagulls flew over the harbor of the port city. Yachts, buoys, ferries sailed in and out of the harbor. Wisps of smoke flowed upward with the smells of exotic Mediterranean cuisine. A dark cloud is coming from the southwest.

KENT, ENGLAND, UK

Towns, farmlands, villages, livestock flowed across the breadbasket of England. To the west were the glittering spires of modern London. Another dark cloud is coming from the south.

DUBLIN, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

In the courtyard of a church, party balloons, streamers flowed about with a wedding altar set up. Thunder is heard from the southwest as the lens flew over the city.

PLUMBER HQ, BELLWOOD, TX, USA

Across the sea towards the US, the lens flies over the Texas region just northwest of Houston. Down the hole drilled into the earth is a vast cavern that houses the alien habitation of aliens called Under Town. Then looming in the distance is the Plumber HQ for all of Earth. Alarms sound inside.

(PLUMBER ACADEMY, DEEP SPACE)

Two hundred light years from the Solar System lay the famed Plumber Academy. Law enforcement officers, researchers, tacticians, and others come here to establish diplomatic relations to ensure galactic security. Inside the main control room, an alarm sounds for Plumber HQ on Earth, signaling a Level 3 alert.

~End music bit~

"Roanapur. A natural gathering point for criminal organizations; The Hong Kong Triad, Hotel Moscow, La Cosa Nostra, the Colombian Cartels, and countless others. During the Second World War, the Japanese dredged the harbor of Roanapur into their naval base. After the war, it became a transit port for drug smugglers. Now it's worse. The city is like a rat's nest. And you want me to save those kids, in a place like this? Think! Forget about your self-doubts and think. Come on, you can do this!"

Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail episode 2

Rokuro "Rock" Okajima

TOKYO, JAPAN

[Nerima, Tuesday, 7:34AM]

Shinji opened his eyes and gasped silently. He looked up and noticed he was in a home, a traditional home with tatami floors and sliding doors. The room was bare with him lying atop a futon. He lied down and uttered, "別のなじみのない天井。 (Another unfamiliar ceiling.)"

He looked to his left and noticed his clothes were folded. He looked under the covers; thankful his underwear was still on. He lied down and the sun was out, but the light was dimmed by what was going on. He can faintly hear the screeches and growls in the distance, but overall they remained in the skies scouting around. He sighed and sat up. He felt a patch on his back, where the demon burned his back near the center but below the shoulder blades. He puts on his shirt, then his trousers. His socks last. He got up, glanced briefly at a line of salt near the sliding glass doors leading outside, towards a traditional garden with a koi pond. He walked to the other set of sliding doors and found he's in a hallway. He walked down the hall, his steps faintly heard on the hardwood floor, at the end of the hall a flight of stairs leading down to the ground floor. Fifteen steps later he is now in the walkway by the front door. He turned left and opened a sliding door, which led to a sitting room.

He looked around and finds the three women he helped, resting on the tatami floor with pillows and blankets, as well as the four young men who came in at the right moment to bail them out. He looked at one, in a traditional robe of dark red, his hair tied in a ponytail and holding his katana. The other was another also in traditional clothes but Chinese, a sleeveless shirt, black trousers, arms crossed and short hair. The third was resting leaning to his left, wearing a white shirt with a bow tie, his blue blazer as a light blanket, and his tousled hair as well as youthful look made him the youngest of the four. Then there was the fourth one, wearing a short-sleeved white-buttoned shirt with a blue tie loosened at the collar, his brown slacks and sleeping in the right fetal position. He was the oldest of the four and Shinji was more wary of him instinctually. He felt a bit of pain still on his back as he touched his back.

Then a robed man came in from the kitchen, "ああ、あなたは起きている。 私の息子が他の人と一緒に到着したとき、あなたは悪い体調でした。 それで私はあなたにパッチをあてて、あなたの持ち物を客室に置いた。 申し訳ありません、ミスター・ソトと呼んでください。 (Ah, you're awake. You were in bad shape when my son arrived with the others. So I patched you up and had your belongings in the guest room. Oh pardon me, call me Mr. Soto.)"

Shinji nodded and bowed, "ありがとうございます。 何とか返済する必要があります。(Thank you very much, sir. I have to repay you back somehow.)," he said but the man held up his hand and shook his head.

"必要はありません。 しかし、外の状況は物事を望みのままにします。 そのため、地元の難解な評議会と、桜の森の同胞団の仲間から、塩で家を守るようにというメッセージが届きました。 そのため、現時点では安全です。 (Not necessary. But the situation outside does leave things to be desired. Hence, a message came in from the local esoteric council, and their allies in the Brotherhood of the Sakura Forest to have the homes protected by salt. So at the moment, we're safe.)"

Shinji nodded and looked around at the sleeping people, "この嵐を乗り切るのに十分な在庫があることを願っています。 比喩的に言えば。 (I hope you are well stocked to weather this storm out. Figuratively speaking.)," he walked with the man to the kitchen as the man chuckled a bit.

"私たちです。 しかし、これが過ぎるとすぐに庭を手入れする必要があります。 (We are. But as soon as this passes, I do need to tend the garden.)," he sets down the cups of coffee for the both of them, "除草が必要です。(It needs weeding.)"

Shinji nodded as he took his cup of coffee and sipped the comforting liquid. He looked around, "あなたが一人で住んでいますか？それともあなたの息子と？ (Do you live alone? Or with your son?)"

The man nodded, "息子が7歳のときに妻が亡くなりました。武術で才能のある少年を育てるのは大変でした。14歳で、彼は中国中を旅行し、韓国で終わることに決めました。彼は自分自身をテストして何かを作りたかったのです。彼は1年前に家に帰り、それ以来、彼は地元のヒーローになりました。彼は私たちが話すように眠っている武道家です。 (My wife passed away when my son was seven. It was challenging to raise a gifted boy in the martial arts. At fourteen he decided to travel across China and finishing in South Korea. He wanted to test himself and create something. He returned home a year ago and he's since been a local hero of sorts. He's the martial artist sleeping as we speak.)," the man told his tale briefly before drinking his coffee.

Then he looked at the young man across from him. He wondered how a man with no mystic powers or magical prowess survived a blow to the back. Shinji was just sitting in silence, closed his eyes and tried to calm his mind. Then he heard some shuffling footsteps and he turned his head and sees Michiko, "How are you," she asked.

"Well enough for coffee. Now…I need to make a call," he got up and used the cordless phone in the living room.

He dialed his home number to talk to his parents. Meanwhile the four young men slowly stirred as the smell of breakfast filled the air. The martial artist and swordsman made their way to the kitchen to get food while the young detective looking chap checked his phone for texts. The young businessman however got up to check missed calls. As soon as Shinji finished assuring his parents he'll be safe as best he can, he hung up and turned to everyone present who now looked at him.

"おはようございます。(Good morning.)," he greeted politely and bowed, everyone else did the same but the two at the table just waved as they ate.

Then his cellphone rang and on the other end was a familiar voice, "Hello," Shinji heard and it was Emiko, "Don't speak just listen."

Shinji breathed in and waited for her to talk. And she did, "I have tracked you to Nerima via the GPS on your phone. Now a car will come to pick you up in twenty minutes. Get whoever can be useful and go to Taiwan to investigate the demon portal that opened there. Now, the appearances of monks and priests there will make the situation easier. Once done there, head to the US where two extra portals opened. Now, what do these three locations have in common?"

Shinji needed little time to understand the subtext and answered, "If what you're saying is true, then we ought to talk to him won't we?"

"What makes you believe he will tell you the truth?"

Shinji was now frustrated and rubbed his hair back as he listened to her, "Listen, I know he tried to ease the tensions between you three pilots and the Plumbers as a whole. But if he's willing to go this far with esoterics, the very people your lot tried to protect and did at personal cost; you know what he might do later to you three."

Shinji rocked back and forth a bit before hitting the wall, "Fuck!"

He leaned against the wall as Michiko approached him and waved her to stay calm, "Okay…I'll get ready," he was silent for a minute before asking, "It's going to be a long day won't it?"

He heard her chuckle, "I'm sorry. I'll have a driver to pick you and others up. Those you deem necessary. I'll join you lot at the airport. Keep a steady heart," he nodded and thanked her before hanging up.

"Is everything all right," the man of the home asked and Shinji nodded a no, "I need to clean up a bit," he rushed upstairs to rinse his face and then saw a spare toothbrush in a plastic wrapping. He started to brush his teeth and once done he headed downstairs again to find the rest of his belongings near the couch. He searched his bag and there was his passport, ID, driver's license, and his 1911 Colt disassembled and he took them out to assemble the pistol.

Meilin noticed this and walked up to him, "Do you have ammo?"

He showed her two magazines, "It's all I got, unless you can pull strings between here and Taiwan. Because, we're eventually heading back to the US to take care of some business; are you coming along?"

She smiled, "I got some in the van outside. But we need something to kill those demon fuckers too," she told him and as the two discussed plans to get to Taiwan and if the situation there is calmer than expected, the United States. Then the young detective interrupted the two. Surprising the two by speaking in English.

"Sorry. I couldn't help but over hear your talk. I'm Soichiro Kudo, senior year student, and detective for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, part-time anyway," he smiled and paused before continuing, "I would like to help you out in this…"

But Shinji interrupted him, "No. I'm sorry, but this is beyond your usual white-collar crime, kidnappings, or homicides. We got demons running if you hadn't noticed already. You go with the two women to the shrine west of here. Along with the businessman uh…what's your name," he looked to the adult standing with a polite face.

"Oh uh, I'm Koichi Yoshimura. But I would have to disagree. Soichiro and I can help with logistics in finding the truth and arrange supplies once we arrive to our true destination," Koichi said also in English and Shinji looked at him and Soichiro.

He thought for a moment before asking them this question, "Have you both traveled outside of Japan?"

Koichi answered that he's been to the US, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Colombia. Soichiro the youngest of the four said he's been to the US and the UK. The martial artist and the swordsman looked on and were serious, partly due to understanding little to no English. The martial artist can pick up vibes that several will head out to the fray soon; he wanted to join in on the action. The swordsman was conflicted in staying put, or helping putting up a good defense at the shrine where safety is. However, the other side to his ego is not letting his 'sparring partner' get all the glory. But he was also interested in what these other people have planned.

Shinji then walked to Mr. Soto, "地図はありますか？東アジアか世界全体のどちらか？(Do you have a map? Either of East Asia or the world as a whole?)"

He smiled and nodded, "私はそれぞれ一つ持っています。しかし、それらは時代遅れであり、1960年代の国と領土があります。(I have one of each. But they're out of date, with nations and territories from the 1960s.)," he responded and Shinji chuckled.

"それは大丈夫だろう。(That would be fine.)"

The man got up and walked to his study on the other side of the home. The martial artist got up, as did the swordsman. The first approached Shinji, "私は拓也ソト、武道家の非凡です。でも、それらの難解な使い魔を扱うのポイントに、タフな状況を処理する際の経験を手に入れました。このパーティーに参加したいです。 (I'm Takuya Soto, martial artist extraordinaire. Got experience in handling tough situations, even to the point of handling those esoteric familiars. I wanna join in on this party.)"

The swordsman looked at his friend with a glance, "これは通常の状況ではありません、バカ。(This isn't the usual situation, moron," he commented and then looked at Shinji, "私は亮森川だと、これらの問題の経験を持っています。助けに来なければなりません。私は私の剣で追放霊に才能を持っています。 (I am Ryo Morikawa and have experience in these matters. I should come along to help. I have the talent to banish spirits with my sword.)"

Shinji nodded and considered your options, "来ます訓練の司祭である私の友人を助けることができます。 (You'll come. You can help a friend of mine who is a priest in training.)," both of the young men nodded in earnest.

He turned to Meilin, "Your weapons with the blessings of a priest can do damage. So you'll come as well."

He then looked to the detective and businessman, "Soichiro, you'll look into the data I'll probably have in my account. You'll analyze it and see where the patterns converge. Koichi, you'll contact your team and have them to look into the law enforcement and military forces around the southern United States. And if they also have resources to provide, then tell them to be on standby before arriving at the final destination."

Both of them looked curious and nodded in agreement. Then Shinji turned his attention to Takuya after noting Ryu's preparedness to handle what was coming, "あなたが来ますが、私たちは何らかの方法であなたを整える必要があります。だから、患者下さいなります。 (You'll come, but we need to outfit you in some way. So be patient please.)"

He nodded, and then turned to the two remaining women, "You two will head to a shrine in the west as planned. I can only bring people who may provide assistant. It's no offense to the both of you. I'm just being practical."

Hyun-Ae nodded, "Just be careful," he nodded and then Michiko nodded to him in silent agreement, "But don't skimp on the details. Both you and Meilin here gotta tell us the scoop on what went down back home."

Hyun-Ae added and Meilin smiled. Shinji was too preoccupied with this in mind so those who were coming waited for their ride to come. Twenty minutes came and a driver came out in a good mood, "こんにちは！私はソニーですよ！俳優の千葉ソニーのように！レディー・高城は空港で私たちを待っています！来ている人は車に急いで！ (Hi there! I'm Sonny! Like the actor Sonny Chiba! Lady Takashiro is awaiting us at the airport! Those who are coming, hurry into the car!)"

Takuya and Ryo rushed to the large car to transport them. Meilin got into her armored vehicle. Hyun-Ae and Michiko walked together, "So what about us?"

Then Shinji heard the jingling of a khakkhara, or the shakujō as it's known in Japan. He turned around and it was Koji, standing on the railing of the home's stone and wood walls; dressed in his robes, but they now look different. Ready for battle so to speak. With the robes looking more practical as opposed to ceremonial, minus the hat, and had beads around his forearms for chanting and defensive tactics.

He jumped and landed in front of Shinji, "How are you?"

"Better. Now, can you open a portal for these two to head for the shrine you were at earlier," he asked and Koji smiled.

He raised his staff and tapped the ground three times. Uttering a sutra a stone portal formed from the ground and it was ten feet tall and ten feet wide. The doors opening and on the otherwise was a peaceful green valley where a shrine was atop the hill with stairs leading up to it. Statues lit the way and Koji ushered the two girls through. Hyun-Ae went first and Michiko second. The latter looked back at Shinji who smiled to her, assuring her that they'll be safe. She nodded and ran through. Koji tapped the staff three times and the gate closed and sunk into the ground once more.

Koji held his staff as both walked to Meilin's armored car, "Now, off to battle," Koji said and Shinji surprisingly smiled, "Absolutely."

~Music bit: "Blackhat" by Ryan Amon from Blackhat OST~

[Haneda Airport, Ota City, 8:30AM]

Choosing the best route to avoid the gridlock of the city, they opted to use the expressway. However they also cut five minutes using underground tunnels executives use to reach their business appointments on time. This is an open secret for many in the capital, as many were re-purposed after the dark years of World War II and the Post-War reconstruction. Once at the airport they sped through the gates and now on the runway. They see a private jet, in this case it the simplicity of a Cessna Citation X but with a slightly longer body. There was Emiko and the flight steward and stewardess ready to welcome the passengers.

"Weather is going to present a minor problem! But it shouldn't be too awful for us," Emiko shouted over the noise of the engine's hum.

Shinji nodded and then he led the others to go ahead of him and onto the plane. Inside was surprisingly spacious, akin to the interior of the Dassault Falcon 900LX. Plush seating and towards the end of the cabin are two computer monitors for work and Internet. Shinji was relieved and went to the available monitor. One of them occupied by Soichiro Kudo and the young man already turned his on. A password was needed so Emiko came aboard and told the two what password was need. The two logged on and then Shinji connected his laptop to the network and logged on with his account. Now he was connected to the LMM network and was now live chatting with Dante who was now in the United States.

"Soichiro. I'm going to receive some data while we fly to Taiwan. I want you to decipher the intelligence collected in order for us to make up a plan. Understood?"

Soichiro smiled, "Not my first time," and Shinji nodded. Then in seconds, Shinji received what was going on the ground.

He shared the data with Soichiro and then Shinji turned to Koichi, "Are you in contact with your team?"

Koichi turned his head as he connected the satellite phone with a low-jack radio of sort, "I am at the moment, but I'm not sure if current satellite connection will hold up due to present circumstances."

"Strengthen the signal as much as you can. We need every bit of it until this is resolved."

Koichi nodded and dialed in on the frequency. Outside the plan Meilin loaded the plane with her equipment and called her base to contact her superiors in the US about the situation. She was told that a base in Texas near the epicenter would be able to equip her. Once done, she entered and lastly by Emiko. The plane's door shut and soon the plane was reversing and heading for the runway for takeoff. The engines roared outside while inside the noise was muted. Shinji then turned to Takuya and Ryu, "前に飛んだことがありますか？ (Ever flown before?)"

The two nodded nervously, "いいえ！ (No!)"

Shinji chuckled nervously, "私を許したが、これは私たちの唯一のオプションです。 (Forgive me, but this is our only option.)," he told them. Moments later the plane sped fat on the tarmac and took off. Everyone was either calm or in the case of the two martial artists, scared.

Thanks to the jet's speed, they were already outside of Japan's mainland and headed southwest. Speeding over the southern islands and now on the margins of the East China Sea, inside the cabin the occupants were working hard on what was going on in Taiwan. Shinji listened over the radio news of storms and local priests heading for the mountains. He unrolled the vintage map of the world and puts one mark on Japan and drew a line to Taiwan. He looked to the part where the Americas were. He circled Bellwood in southeastern Texas near the Gulf of Mexico, thinking what will transpire soon. Koichi was in contact with his team on moving their boat into the Gulf and he told them he'd arrive there very soon, with the international timeline taken into account and will follow up later for new developments. Soichiro was watching the two and already made mental notes:

'真鍋慎二…名前はすでに別名のように聞こえます。 彼のアクセントは、京都の関西出身であることを示しています。 そして、まるで彼が過去を隠しているようです。 それは何ですか？ そして彼は自信と経験を積んでいます。 最も間違いなく旅行しました。 しかし、彼は英語を少しのリズムで話して、彼の教育がアメリカ人よりもイギリス人であったことを示していますが、アメリカやアメリカ人の間で過ごした場所にわずかなアクセントの変化がありました。 でも…彼には何かわからないことがある。 (Shinji Manabe…the name already sounds like an alias. His accent indicates he's from the Kansai region, Kyoto most likely. And it's as if he's hiding a past. What is it? And he carries himself with confidence and experience. Well-traveled most definitely. However, he speaks English with a slight cadence to indicate his education was more British than American, but it did have a slight accent shift where he did spend time in America or among Americans. However…there's something about him I can't pick up on.)'

Up next was Koji who was resting in his seat, holding his staff, '彼はある種の隠された力を持つ司祭です。 高城さんと真鍋さんに馴染みがあるようです。 彼はここで役に立つと思います。(He's a priest with some sort of hidden power. And seems familiar with Ms. Takashiro and Mr. Manabe. He's going to be useful here I'm thinking.)'

He then looked over Koichi, '…これらの3つは簡単に理解できます。 吉村浩一は、おそらくオフショア口座を扱い、企業およびアンダーワールドのビジネスを扱うビジネスマンです。 彼は犯罪行為者ではなく、特定のシンジケートとは関係のない配送会社と関係があります。 彼の動機は何ですか？ (…those three are simpler to figure out. Koichi Yoshimura is a businessman who perhaps deals with offshore accounts and handles the businesses in the corporate and underworld. He's not a criminal in actions, but rather has ties to a delivery company with no ties to any particular syndicate. What is his motivation?)'

He then turned his gaze to the Chinese America and surprising to him, Emiko, 'メイリンは沖縄に駐留している米海兵隊である可能性が最も高く、京都から来た見知らぬ男と争いに参加することに同意していますか？彼女はこのミッションを無断で通過することで懲戒処分を受けませんか？アンバーパレスホテルチェーンの相続人、高城さんはここで何をしていますか？彼女はおそらくこれに乗って何もできません！彼女は？ (Meilin is a US Marine stationed in Okinawa most likely, and she's agreed to enter the fray with an unknown man from Kyoto? Won't she be disciplined for going through with this mission without approval? And what is Ms. Takashiro, the heiress of the Amber Palace Hotel chain doing here? She can't possibly have anything riding on this! Does she?)'

Then finally he turned his gaze upon the martial artists, 'そこにある2つは自分で処理できます。私は街で見たから。しかし、彼らのスキルも興味をそそられました。タクヤは、韓国のテコンドー、拳法の柔道とともに、様々な中国スタイルでよく訓練されています。剣士も同様に能力がありますが、彼の剣は…それらの実体が何であれ、引き受けることができたようです。悪魔！幽霊？何が起こっている？そして、なぜ私はこれを自分自身に許可したのですか？(The two there can handle themselves; from I've seen in the city. But their skills also intrigued. Takuya is well trained in various Chinese styles, along with Taekwondo from Korea, and Judo with Kempo. The swordsman is equally capable but it seemed his sword was able to take on…whatever those entities are. Demons! Ghosts? What is going on? And why did I allow myself to go along with this?)'

Soichiro sighed as he leaned back in his seat and put his hands behind his head and looked out the window. The clouds drifted by and the sun, dimmed by the supernatural darkness still shown. As the plane went higher in altitude, the sun became clearer and the storm clouds were blow or for them, near the top of them. The plane then sped at top speed to head to Taiwan quickly, twice as fast as commercial jets.

TAIWAN

[Xiuguluan Mountain, Central Mountain Range, 8:45AM]

Chanting was heard around the mountains in the distance in the four corners of the compass: North, south, east, and west. Flutes, drum beats, flags from various temples and sects of the island and the southern coast from the mainland were seen and heard.

邪靈，走了！

邪靈，走了！

邪靈，走了！

邪靈，走了！

邪靈，走了！

Various priests and shamans across the island ventured to the mountain range to rid of the demon lieutenants and their soldiers, chanting "Evil spirits, be gone" several times at vantage points. It was the first time in ages where the common folk not familiar with them see their full power at work against otherworldly entities. Sutras thrown at demon soldiers, staffs twirled. The alien officers who survived the decimation of the Plumber base under the mountain found themselves at the mercy and aide of the locals.

A dark portal was soon disappearing atop the mountain as many can see. However, the darkness around them was still felt. Stray stragglers of demon soldiers encircling them and across the island autonomous region, and reports of possession have started to decrease. The alien officers still held their weapons up in the air in case one would swoop down, but thankfully none did.

A priest who sported a beard and wire-framed glasses spoke as he held his staff, "這還沒有結束，直到最後門被大洋彼岸關閉。您完全了解我的意思。(This is not over until the final gates are closed across the ocean. You know full well what I mean.)," he spoke to the alien's group de facto leader at the moment, with the original dying in the mountain.

The group, numbering about 20 looked to their leader, a (insert alien species soon), who looked bewildered, upset, and exhausted. He spoke in Chinese thanks to the universal translator, "好的我們在美國的領導者擁有知識。更不用說武當山D-20的領導人與少林保持著脆弱的關係。 (Aye. Our leader in the United States has the knowledge. Not to mention the leader of D-20 in the Wudang Mountains who maintains a fragile relationship with the Shaolin.)"

The priest nodded, "確實。話雖如此，也許您可以前往中國援助D-20，也可以前往美國。一個關閉的傳送門將把邪惡集中在那裡。做出明智的選擇。 (Indeed. Now, with that said, then perhaps you can either head to China to aid D-20, or the United States. One portal closed will concentrate the evil there. Choose wisely.)"

They were trying to decide what course of action to take, and then a ringing was heard. One of the priests next to the old man answered it, "こんにちは？ああ、高城さん！お元気ですか？はい？はい！それは世話をされています。はい、今私はここに台湾に来る代わりに、米国に向かうことを提案します。わかる？ (Hello? Oh, Ms. Takashiro! How are you? Yes? Yes! It is being taken care of. Yes, now I would suggest that instead of coming here to Taiwan, head for the United States. Understand?)"

The aliens see the priest nodding his head as he spoke in Japanese and then hung up. He then noticed a jet flying low above them and then around the mountain. Inside the jet was everyone from Japan and they looked out the windows to look below at the activity. Koji used his staff to make sure no demon would enter inside the jet and indeed; demons were repelled and flew away from the jet. Then in a mighty burst of speed, the jet then headed northeast and increased its activity.

~End music bit~

ON THE OTHERSIDE OF THE WORLD

BELLWOOD, TX, USA

[Monday, 6:50AM]

Wilfredo stirred awake and sat upright. He looked around and remembered he was no longer in Buenos Aires, but in Bellwood. Or more specifically in Ben Tennyson's old high school in the gymnasium, with everyone else sleeping in his or her sleeping bags. Since arriving yesterday, it was a full on fighting their way through the hordes of demon soldiers and fleeing from those they couldn't fight off without a plan. So Ben suggested they would make his old high school as their base of operations, and due to Plumber Headquarters occupied by what little intelligence they gathered, by four demon generals. He puts on a fresh t-shirt and got out of his sleeping bag. Cecilia was still sleeping beside him and then puts on a pair of sweats. As he finished putting on his sandals he walked around the makeshift encampment of the orchestra, Ben's team, and lastly, Danny's team who arrived last night. He walked to the door and to his surprise, Gwen was already awake; so he walked to her.

"How's the weather outside," he asked her as he crossed his arms and looked outside with her.

Gwen looked at him and smiled lightly before returning her gaze outside, "Gloomy but at least a bit of sun is shone. As long as day is present, we have a chance."

"And our message to our allies back in Europe might get through. If we're lucky," he told her.

"Emphasis on 'if'," she corrected him and both returned inside the gym, "Check if the defenses are holding along the perimeter."

As soon as she was about to leave he stopped her by grabbing her hand, "Wait Ms. Tennyson. Don't you find this fishy?"

Gwen looked at him perplexed, "What do you mean?"

"Considering how now we're in Bellwood and suddenly we have a demonic infestation at several vantage points and portals opening elsewhere, don't you think its time to ask Max Tennyson on what is really going on?"

Gwen looked visibly uncomfortable and got free from his firm grip. She looked around and then up at him, "I know…but I also don't want to know. Cause if what you and others are suspecting is true…then he will be punished by esoteric law."

He looked directly into her eyes and answered as honestly as he could, "That is a given. Remember that. Our laws are old and cemented for a reason. It's survival."

She blinked and felt a shudder at his words, "That's…That's cruel."

Then the two turned to the sound of footsteps. It was Danny and Ben, followed by Asuka and Dante. Kevin was the last to join the group. The seven looked at each other with awkwardness and respect. The years have matured them, did not get along when they first met, and now representing three groups in one location, Danny was the first to speak up.

"Aren't we a fine group of misfits," he humored and his glib comment broke the ice with soft chuckles.

"No shit," Ben and Kevin said in unison. The two young men looked at each other and nudged each other, knowing this could be a lot worse.

The two former EVA pilots looked at each other and then at Wilfredo. The three nodded in silent agreement; this strange arrangement felt like an outside force was pulling strings; a game they barely know the rules to. But that cannot be considered, what was pressing was the demonic situation. Dante cleared his throat and everyone looked at him, "What we need to do is to divert the hordes' attention long enough for the magi to arrive."

"And what will the magi do exactly," Ben asked to which he got a response from Wilfredo.

"They'll come and open a portal, also known as the Void Lock to basically send the demons back to their plane. In the meantime, we are the diversion."

Kevin rolled his eyes, "In other words an endurance match. That's gonna suck," and Asuka interjected, "Absolutely."

Gwen then spoke, "But I think for this to work, we need to stick together. If we split up, we're going to be exposed and taken out one by one."

Danny nodded, knowing full well what that is like. So he gave them a warning, "Possession is going to be a problem for everyone here. I don't care who you are, you will be targeted," Danny told the Bellwood trio and the EVA pilots.

Wilfredo then walked off to his douffle bag and got some amulets. He returned to them and handed out the amulets. Each amulet is the Celtic Trinity Knot where the patterns are inlaid with Latin inscription to ward off evil spirits. Then he gave a warning:

"These will protect you from the worst of them and will prevent possession when worn. But don't abuse them. Think of it this way; Kevlar can handle certain rounds but when it comes to semi-automatic or automatic fire, you're screwed."

Kevin and Asuka said in unison, "Gotcha."

The pilots, Danny, Gwen, and Ben received theirs. They all put them on and felt a surge of energy enveloping them. Gwen felt charged up and can see a seal of runes around herself before they disappeared into her body. What surprised her was that the runes didn't look like any Earth language, but alien in nature, 'Was it the language of Anodites', she wondered?

Wilfredo looked at the runes that enveloped her body. So did the others. But then, they all heard thunder in the sky and looked out and upward. He frowned, "We don't have much time left."

At the same time, along the outskirts of the small city of 20,000, several troops of the National Guard and Army Reserve were stationed within the past 12 to 14 hours to keep watch of the unusual phenomenon. The majority of whom are veterans or older soldiers with young recruits in two, knew of the Plumbers existence and aim to keep this a local activity, classified from public eyes. However, since the revelation of esoteric existence in New York last year, classified information is going to be a bigger challenge to maintain. Especially when news of demons and esoterics across the world are protecting the populace from them. But here, the leaders knew what was at stake; the presence of Plumber officers protecting them from alien threats and keeping the peace.

"Sir! The men are positioned ready for your orders, sir!"

A young officer addressed a greying but stern and strong looking general. He continued to look through his binoculars at the darkening clouds over the city. He can faintly see a beam of darkish grey energy emanating from the entry into Plumber HQ. He growled under his breath and told the young officer.

"Tell them to hold their positions. If esoterics are coming to resolve this issue, our roles are escort the evacuated people we ordered last night to re-enter the city. And maintain healthy traffic flow. Understood?"

"What? But we can't just stand by and do nothing!"

The older general lowered his binoculars and turned around. He took out a silver crucifix and next to it was a Celtic Trinity Knot, "We have to. Sending in our boys will put them into the lion's den for a massacre. I know when to pull back. Think about it, you're just as surprised that all those tales your granddad or grandma told ya' were in fact true. Right?"

The young officer nodded and the older general then spoke one more time, "Then I order you to tell the men to remain on standby and follow what I relayed to you. Understood?"

The young officer looked troubled and saluted, "Understood sir."

He left and the older general then picked up the binoculars, "Now let's see what these people got up their sleeves," and then saw lightening and heard thunder in the distance.

MEANWHILE IN EUROPE

MARSEILLES, FRANCE

[2:00PM]

The day and night before was spent defending the city. The efforts of the mystics and magi proved fruitful to ward off the majority of the demonic hordes. The citizens were relaxed a bit, but it was advised to remain indoors. Near the port, Anan was standing in the shadow of a building looking out at the water. She was exhausted and her sari was torn, loosely hanging on her shoulders. She then sensed three people and turned around sharply. She sighed in relief to see Priest Hakeem, Prince Mahbeeb, and his guardian uncle.

"Oh! It's you three! Don't scare me like that!"

"We apologize miss. But we have to be sure this area is secured. And it looks like you're in bad shape," the prince spoke and pointed out her state of condition.

She gave him a dry look and took off her sari. She then turned it into an impromptu sash around her waist. Then put her black hair in a ponytail.

She looked at the three men, "The last of the scouting party were sent back or now in the clouds. But we can't hold them off forever."

"Indeed," the prince's uncle stated as he held the hilt of his scimitar, "We need to find the source and close it."

Anan spoke, "Easier said than done. But where should we start?"

In that moment the priest looked up and his eyes rolled back, now showing only white. His vision pierced through the clouds and then up and up he went, until he saw the darkness of space and below the blue of Earth. He can now see the mana field that envelops the planet and can see jets of energy emanating from the west and can see a faint one in the east, and domes to shield from it across Europe and elsewhere. The one in England was closer therefore as bright as the one in Paris. Then he felt drawn to go across the Atlantic, and then sees the source in…

He blinked and turned to the three people around him, "It's in America. In a town called Bellwood."

Anan, the prince and the prince's uncle looked at each other and then at the priest, "How are we going to get there," the prince asked.

The priest held his iron staff and walked to the port. He tapped the stone ground and then, trembling was felt around them. A stone gate was seen forming from the ground up, measuring seven meters high and seven meters wide. This gate had carvings with sea creatures carved into the stone as well as French, Latin, and Arabic script written along the sides.

"Let this door open to our destination! May our destination be: KENT, ENGLAND!"

"Laissez cette porte ouverte sur notre destination! Que notre destination soit: KENT, ANGLETERRE!"

"Quod aperire ianuam fiat ad destinatum! Utinam nostri destinationem sit:, England!"

"دع هذا الباب مفتوحًا لوجهتنا! قد تكون وجهتنا: KENT ، إنجلترا!"

The door then opened and light emanated from the doorway. On the other side was the countryside of Kent. The four walked through and hope their fortunes will improve. Once they walked through, the door shut and the gate then returned to the earth itself.

KENT, ENGLAND, UK

[Dover Coast, 1:02PM]

The magi were on standby when they then heard a rumble near the coast. They all had their wands or their staffs at the ready. They then see a gate forming from the ground near the water. A stone gate with carvings. It opened and four people came through. They can see and feel they were mystics, an Indian girl, an Arab prince with a bodyguard, and a West African priest. The gate closed behind them and returned to the earth. The magi lowered their wands and staffs, but were far from relaxed. Among the line of magi on the white cliffs of Dover were James Parker and his girlfriend Jane with her brother William. They jumped on their brooms and levitated to the four on the beach.

"You're alive!"

James exclaimed and ran to the four greeted them. The mystics did the same in return. Jane landed to greet them, "How is it out there," she asked.

The prince's guardian shook his head, "Not good. It seems we are in for another day or so of this storm. But as for the source of the activity, it lies across the Atlantic in America."

The two British magi groaned, "America? Again? Where is it this time? New York? Philadelphia? Washington D.C.?"

James and Jane stressed each location that may be familiar. But the priest nodded no on each one. He then held their hands (William held his sister's) and his eyes rolled back turning white. James, William, and Jane's eyes did the same. Their vision turned upward and then across the curvature of the world, up towards the blackness of space and back down to the blue of Earth. Now above the North American continent, far from the east coast and now heading what is Texas; but then something happened. A wave of blackness startled the three in the vision of three to four generals.

"LEAVE! NOW!"

The four awoke and looked at each other, "It's in Texas? I didn't know that was a hub of activity," James exclaimed in wonder and confusion.

Jane then took out a small palantir and held it in her left hand, "Hanford! Hanford! Come in! Can you hear me?"

Then a voice came out of it, a familiar Scottish voice, "Jane! Are you and your brother all right?"

"We are! Listen! We know where the source is! Send out word to our friends across the continent! Understood?"

INVERNESS, SCOTLAND, UNITED KINGDOM

[12:02PM]

"Understood! Leave it to me!"

He then brushed his hand over his palantir and the connection closed. He headed out of his room/study and downstairs towards the rest of his family and staff. He was walking past those who are protecting the home estate and down the hall towards the war room. His father was there, "Father!"

His father was a tall burly man, wore his uniform that was adorned with medals and pins. Other men who wore similar uniforms and adorned with identical metals, depending on rank of course, "Son. What is it? We are planning for a defensive strike against the demon hordes."

Hanford nodded, "I realize that. But listen. According to the mystics who have helped us, and LMM last year, the Nigerian priest knows where the source of the activity is. It's in America in the Texas region. We don't know where exact as his vision was blocked. But Texas is where the main portal is."

His father listened to his son and then walked to the globe. He motioned his finger from the United Kingdom to the United States. A gate would more than suffice to send his son to Texas, as long as his friends from here and across the Channel in Europe are to accompany him. He then went to his vast bookshelf, used a ladder to get to the top. He picked up a dusty shelf and carefully climbed down. He held the chest and walked to his son.

"This is in our family since Cromwell. It was brought in from the continent and now in our safeguard. It's the tome that contains the key to resolving this mess, if what your friends have relayed to you."

"Their information is true. I assure you."

His father nodded and handed to him the chest, "You cannot do this with only the magi. You need the mystics who were there as well. Only a united effort can cease this storm once and for all. And a boost of power honed by the Anodite you have relayed to us from last year."

Hanford then made an uncertain look on his face, as he knew the weight of his father's words in subtext. Then he spoke, "But won't that be a detriment if things do go wrong," he asked and his father gave him a reassuring look.

"Whatever judgment you will make will work. Trust in your history, your training, and your allies. Now, gather what you need and head out."

Hanford nodded and ran off, carrying the chest. Once he got prepared his bag with the materials and wore a tweed waistcoat over his shirt headed out of the home. Outside the door he approached a guard, "Summon the gate. There are friends that need to come here from Dover."

The house guard nodded and tapped the ground with his right foot, uttered the words to summon the door and up from the ground a gate formed. Along the stone arch were carvings of horses, dragons, and Celtic crosses. The door opened and those from the coast stepped through; James, Jane, William, Mahbeeb and his guardian, Hakeem, and Anan. Jane hugged Hanford and looked at the bag and chest, "Is all of that what I think it is?"

Hanford nodded and then looked at the priest, "How bad is it?"

"To the point even my vision was blocked to pin point the exact location."

He listened and then at the arch, "We need help."

Over the course of a few minutes, Jane and Hanford contacted the others who where with them last year. Anthony, Rachel, Henrietta, Angelina, Basilio, Vincente, and Michael. They tried to contact Alastair, but his valet Rajesh told them he was on a diplomatic mission for ruler of Capernaum, Syanna. With those contacted, several gates opened alongside the main arch that led to Wales, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Spain, and Ireland. The contacted magi appeared before everyone else. Hanford and the mystics are glad to have support.

"Now that you're all here, we need all hands on deck! We're going to the Texas region to find the epicenter! And without a doubt in our minds, LMM will be there," Hanford said and they all nodded in agreement.

"Now with the gates, we'll use the main one here to take us across into America. Any questions," he continued, and Rachel raised her hand.

"Is there going to be some room to have fun after this," she asked and he looked at her, "We'll see."

That didn't satisfy her but said nothing. Then the other stone gates closed and they used the one Hanford used to summon those from Dover. The door glowed and the door opened with the priest uttering a West African prayer for protection and assistance from the gods and ancestors to grant them safety and strength for the task ahead. The door glowed purple and priest Hakeem turned to the magi.

"It's time. Let's see where the door takes us," he turned to the Arab prince's uncle/guardian who then stood to one side while the priest stood on the other. The magi see this and walked through the door one by one.

Hanford's father walked to his son and shook his hand and hugged him firmly. He was the last one to pass through the door, followed by the Arab and Nigerian priest. The door closed and returned to the earth with everyone knowing what was given and what will be implemented across the sea.

MEANWHILE IN DUBLIN

Yasmin and Sarah were in a safe spot in the basement, waking up from a fitful night of sleep. The three men took turns in keeping watch after the demonic sprites managed to break through their outer layer of defenses. Sarah's husband Thomas along with her son Liam was around the house defending them from the threat. Craig's appearance and aid really came through. Yasmin was trying to connect with her family and the last time she got in contact with them was nearly ten hours ago and from what she gathered, they're no longer in Buenos Aires but in Bellwood of all places. She was uncomfortable with that fact. The last time any of them were there was for a concert just months after that incident with the Forever Knights. Then communication ceased due to the time difference and moments of connectivity disruption. Yasmin tried texting and Face Time, but nothing was able to get through at the moment. She scooted over to Sarah and took her hand in her own. The two were worried but hoped that this storm will pass over.

Thomas, Craig, and Liam were together now in the sitting room near the door that led to the basement. Their clothes slashed or torn, but the two held their weapons tightly. Whatever was still propelling them was aiding them to fight off the demonic sprites and able to last nearly throughout the night. It was greater than an adrenaline rush, no. It was something unique in their family and by extension with the Millikan family in Scotland, where in times of duress and combat they can outlast many a good soldier or opponent. Craig then came to the two and motioned them to come outside. He relayed the demonic sprites have left and headed upward. The three left the house and saw the clouds dissipating and then checked the 'wind' in question. They noted the wind was heading southwest. Whatever this was, it was moving perhaps to a place to do final battle.

MEANWHILE

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

[2:08PM]

Delilah was alone on the roof of the synagogue, meditating and becoming one with the invisible forces. She then rolled her eyes back and they turned black, not white like the Nigerian priest. Her vision went upward to the blackness of space to then look below to the blue sphere of Earth. Her vision turned westward, passing the Mediterranean, across the Atlantic, and now found herself in America; descending around Texas and then blackness. However, unlike the priest, she then looked around and saw a town ahead.

"Bellwood, the most normal town in America," she read the sign.

Then she was caught in a dark gale where she then saw dark clouds of demons who encircled above. Then saw people in the distance, some of whom were those from LMM. Then she closed her eyes and found herself on the roof of her father's synagogue again.

She walked down and re-entered the synagogue once more. She found her father, "אני חייב ללכת. אני יודע איפה המוקד הוא.(I have to go. I know where the epicenter is.)"

He looked at her and then at the people around who remained and weathered this storm out. He walked his daughter to the door and spoke, "אם אתה יודע איפה זה, אז יש דבר אחד שצריך לעשות כדי לסגור את הפורטל.(If you do know where this is, then there is one thing that must be done to close the portal.)"

"הסכים.ואין ספק אחד האמגושים או אליהם כאל ידע כל זה גם כן.(Agreed. And no doubt one of the magi or them as a whole know this as well.)"

"אלה שנלחמו לצדך ואחרים בשנה שעברה.(Those who fought alongside you and the others last year.)," he asked and she nodded. He stroked his beard and then gripped her shoulders and brought her in a hug.

"שמור על עצמך. אני יודע מה הרוח שלך היא, טוב כמו שאתה, אבל מסוגל ללכת אל תוך החשכה ולשגשג.היה זרוע של צדק כפי שעבדת לעבר.(Take care. I know what your spirit is, good as you are, but capable to go into the darkness and thrive. Be the arm of justice as you have worked towards.)," he told her.

She hugged him in return and headed out of the synagogue's doors. Outside was her mother who waited for her. Delilah saw her mother dressed in her robes, contrasting with her own modern clothes; jeans, sneakers, and tank top. Her mother then stomped onto the ground and up came an arch with carvings. The carvings were in Hebrew and told the story of King Solomon and his reign. Her mother came to her and spoke, "האם אתה מוכן?(Are you ready?)"

She nodded, "אני. (I am.)"

Her mother hugged her, as did her father, "אל תאבד את עצמך במרדף אחר צדק או נקמה. כלומר כל מה שאני מייעץ לך.(Don't lose yourself in your pursuit of justice or vengeance. That is all I'm advising you.)"

Delilah said nothing but hugged her mother in return. She nodded and sees the door as they soon open to then reveal the town she's seen glowing in light. She breathed in and out and stepped through. She was about to learn that paths in life would ultimately converge. Unfortunately for her, her destination is not Bellwood. She wasn't even close…

MEANWHILE

[Armenian Highlands, Anatolia, Turkey]

Fatma was on her wyvern; the wind projected by the wings of the beast exhilarated her as it flew. Albeit, there were moments of it still trying to throw her off, not being used to having a rider, but it tolerated her presence and power. The dragon aliens were flying in formation around the mountains and at the moment, they were burning up sprites that came from the valleys and threatened to head into towns or the only major city near Mount Ararat, Yerevan in Armenia. She ordered the aliens to only make sure the sprites don't go into the city and keep on this side of the border.

In between moments like this, she rested and learned of the aliens and their mission. They in turn learned from her, her powers, and the wyvern (which they still classified as a dragon). She also learned that in their ancient legends, their first dragons did not have arms as they do and were of enormous size, even bigger than the wyvern she rode. She wondered if there was a coincidence, or did aliens in the past take some from Earth and put them thousands of light years away? She perhaps would never know, nor would the alien dragons. But at the moment:

"You two! Head downward and target the group of sprites from entering a town," she exclaimed and the two alien dragons dove and targeted the sprites with their fire.

Their fire wasn't as effective but it did scare them off. As the sprites flew upward, Fatma's wyvern burnt them to ash. She utilized her own abilities to ward them off or burn them to cinders. The other three to her right were making sure the wyvern was not going to be possessed by a rogue demon in the darkened sky. Their flames did little to scare one off, but Fatma's powers did. Once the activity ceased, she had the winged beast rest on a hill. She looked up and around and saw the other sprites heading upward and the skies lightened a bit.

"Something is happening," one dragon alien spoke. She nodded and looked at the leader of the alien dragon team, "Can you find out what's going on?"

As the dragon alien checked his equipment, she tried to do what she's been practicing; her deep vision into the ether. Her eyes glowed yellow and she found herself heading upward to see a net of energy moving westward and then can see a pillar of energy forming far from her view. Then felt like falling down and then blinked. She was back to normal, she cursed and the beast below her growled, feeling what she felt.

She calmed it down with a pet along its scaly flesh. She looked at the alien who then looked to her, "An enormous amount of energy is converging in Bellwood, Texas. It's…It's where Plumber Headquarters is located."

She cursed inwardly, not liking where this is going, 'Why there of all places,' she wondered. So she slowly got off her scaled beast. The beast crooned calmly and then she out stretched her hands and then a rumbling came from the hillside. The arch had carvings of birds, horses, and had Turkish and Armenian script. She then focused her energy on the arch to think of Bellwood. And if her intuition were correct, her friends would go there or are there already. Then light formed in the arch and the doors opened. The light glowed in orange-yellow. She walked down the hill and turned to the dragon aliens, "Keep an eye on the wyvern!"

"You're going to leave us here," the leader hollered, "We need to go with you to Plumber Headquarters!"

"I don't think so! I will not risk any of you being targeted by malevolent forces there!"

Then the wyvern she rode and tamed came to her, growling, either wanting to roast her or come with her. She couldn't tell, yet. She pet its head, which the beast both accepted and recoiled slightly, and whispered something in Iranian. It growled lowly and then roared to fly off and headed for relative safety to the west. She turned to the aliens, "It's heading westward to safety! Follow it and you should be fine!"

She then ran for the arch and the doors closed, leaving the protesting dragon aliens behind. The dragon aliens then turned around and headed westward, following the wyvern. To their surprise, the wyvern landed within half a mile from the aliens' ship. All of them were filled with dread as if something inside and in their legends; the force called magic did exist. And it did not comfort them that the human female who tamed the wild dragon, a creature reminiscent from their older legends.

ACROSS THE WORLD

[Iwo Jima, Nanpō Islands, Tuesday, 10:15AM]

Aboard the plane the Japanese and one Chinese American passengers are on, they were flying eastward for some time now. Now reaching Japanese atoll islands to the east of the Ryukyu Archipelago, However, even at top speed, by the time they would arrive to America, it would be too late. Emiko relayed it to the pilot so they can land. After some exchange they reached a consensus.

"Why are we landing here," Shinji asked, first looking out the window and then at her.

"We need to open a portal to take us there quickly. Otherwise we won't make it to help the others," she explained to him and she looked to Koji.

"Can you open a portal down at the landing strip and have that link to the closest you can take us to Bellwood?"

He then turned serious and spoke, "I won't know where to open the portal. Besides Shinji, none of us here have been to Bellwood. Let alone, Texas."

Shinji turned to him, "Can you get us close that's all she's implying," he asked and clarified and he narrowed his eyes on his friend and held his staff and then with a sigh he spoke.

"I can get us close. Just let me see into the field."

Everyone else not associated with Koji looked at him as his eyes turned blue white and looked upward. He can see upward and then the curvature of the world. Then he turned eastward, across the Pacific, into the United States and can see different lights from further east coming to Texas. He can see a pinpoint the different portals summoned elsewhere converging on one location. Close to Bellwood, but far enough due to the demonic energies interfering.

"Land the plane on Iwo Jima. I know what to do," he told her.

Emiko relayed to the pilot to land on the island. The island has special significance for Japanese and Americans for obvious reasons since World War II. But today, it's their vacant landing spot. As the plane touched down, Koji held his staff out and uttered a Buddhist Sutra to allow the energies to grant them safe passage. Then an arch formed at the end of the runway. It was stone and like the other arches, carvings were seen along the pillars. Fish was seen, Japanese kanji as well, and then at the top, a crane with wings folded.

The plane then moved forward and entered the arch bathed in light. Koji was right, they weren't in Bellwood; they were east of it…

Port Arthur, TX, USA

[Jack Brooks Airport, Monday, 7:15AM]

To people on the runway and the airport, they were intrigued and scared on the rumbling in the ground. A stone arch formed at the end of the runway, and due to the adjustment of flights because of Bellwood, any more surprises are less than welcomed. The airport workers see the arch doors opening and see a jet moving forward slowly and completely out, the arch closed and returned to the earth. The pilot in the plane relayed what is going on and the passengers they have aboard. Once allowed to park near the terminals, the doors opened. The passengers exited and Takuya and Ryo were praising they were off the plane.

The rest however got into high gear to unload their supplies. Emiko was calling around to see if anyone were nearby. Koji used his staff to send a signal in the aural field to notify the magi if they were indeed nearby to come to the airport. Shinji was getting his bag and then felt a tap on his shoulder. While Meilin was in contact with any military base nearby, Koichi was listening in on the local radio regarding Bellwood, and Soichiro was in contact with his team in the gulf, she spoke.

"You need a weapon."

"I know. Meilin said she can lend some guns and magazines to me and…" But she stopped him and clarified what she meant.

"You need a weapon to show the fruits of your training. You need a sword to go with your guns," she told him and he was surprised by this.

She then went to the compartment along the plane and took out a case. It was indeed for a sword and when she opened it, he was speechless. The scabbard was black and polished. She held it up and handed it to him. Shinji then held the hilt and drew out the blade slightly. To his surprise it wasn't a standard katana sword. This was a sword where it had one purpose in mind; combat. It was dubbed 'little crow' but its official name for this type of sword is the Kogarasu Maru sword. With its unique design, it was older in build than the katana Ryo sported, a cross between a Japanese taichi and Chinese jian swords. The hand guard was of course bronze, but the design on it had two bird emblems; on the top was a white swan, but the bottom bore a black swan. The blade was indeed sharp, and soon enough he was about to see how strong it was (along the blade were also Buddhist sutras to ward off evil).

Everyone else was getting ready and figuring out. While Takuya stretched, Ryo noticed the sword Shinji was bestowed, '彼がその品質の剣を与えられたなら、彼はそれを扱うのに熟練しています。しかし、私たちは彼が本当に彼の言葉の人なのか、彼はすべて良いつながりを持って話しているのかを見るでしょう。(If he was given a sword of that quality, then he is skilled in handling it. But we'll see if he is truly a man of his word, or he's all talk with good connections.)'

Meilin then finished her call to the base and turned to everyone, "We have permission to intervene with the situation in Bellwood. There are men and women stationed on standby to enter the city to take back Plumber Headquarters and deal with the threat. But seeing how nonchalant you three are, I'm guessing we have help of 'magical' proportions."

She looked specifically to Koji, Shinji, and Emiko who arranged this trip to America in this fashion. Then a car honked to get all of them out of their revelry, "Hi there!"

The man's voice came from a rather short individual. He was just less than five feet in height, portly in build, a receding hairline, and clothes that suggested he was an accountant. His car matched him, a 1973 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser with wood paneling along the sides, colored white. He waved to the crew and hollered, "Call me Bob!"

Shinji ran to him and explained their situation. He waved him that he understood their predicament. He showed who else was inside, or rather, who were inside. To his surprise, relief, and shock, it was the magi from Europe. All of them accounted for, as well as the mystic allies from last year. Even Fatma was inside, whom he hugged in a rush. He turned to the others near the plane, "いい加減にして！私たちは先に進む必要がありました！ (Come on! We got to get a move on!)"

Meilin grinned as did Koji and both ran. Emiko followed suit, and the four Japanese in question grabbed their things and ran for the car. Fitting in the car was supposed to be impossible, but the four Japanese who tagged along were surprised by the amount of room in the car. Koji asked the strange American.

"How?"

The portly man grinned as he started the car, "'Cause its magic son! Good ol' fashioned magic!"

The vintage Oldsmobile revved to life and drove away from the airport. Meilin wanted to question how all of their equipment could fit in the back of the car, but when he said magic and remembering the news of what happened in New York and rumors of what happened in Europe, she also wondered other things she heard over the years. As the car drove out of the airport they also noticed a aircraft flying overhead, nothing resembling human. Others inside were wondering who that was, but Shinji looked up.

'Julie? What is she doing out here?'

Above them, in the sky flies a green and black Mechamorph ship. Inside was Julie Yamamoto piloting the ship that was actually a techno-biological alien and to her left, was her friend on Instagram Delilah Zurer and the Israeli looked below and sensed several auras in one vehicle, "The magi and the Japanese are here too! Excellent!"

Julie smiled, "Oh Shinji, Koji, and Emiko are here? Great! Where?"

Delilah pointed behind her and it was a speeding Oldsmobile traveling out of the airport and heading for Highway 73 that would take them to Interstate 10. She looked down and then forward and can see dark clouds to the west. She looked to Julie, "You ready for battle just in case?"

"I've fought against knights and aliens. But I'm scared of demons."

"Good. I would call you a fool if you blindly charged against them. But it would be best if you stay home to defend your family. But first, we find the others in Bellwood before we enact some sort of plan."

Julie nodded and gripped the controls as she then pressed a button to have the ship speed ahead. The Oldsmobile below was also trucking along, with an engine inside that was not a stock engine. In fact, at top speed, it can out accelerate newer modeled cars, outpacing even top of the line German cars. Shinji saw the landscape and like the others, looked wary on what was ahead. He called ahead to Dante's satellite phone. Fatma folded her hands and prayed her friends are doing well. In the distance ahead, sparks of lightening and sounds of thunder rolled in the distance. He looked ahead filled with fear, but drive to go in and get to his friends.

"If you got shields or runes on the hood to shield us from the worst of it, use them. Going in there is going to be unstable as hell," he told Bob who put on the radio with Blaze of Glory by Bon Jovi playing, right in the middle of the song.

"Oh I know that. And it's going to be fun young man. Now hang on," he shifted into third and they went off like a rocket. Everyone in the car listened to the lyrics, and even for those who English is not their main language, the lyrics really spoke to their inner natures at the moment, heading into the lion's den:

You ask about my conscience

And I offer you my soul

You ask if I'll grow to be a wise man

Well I ask if I'll grow old

You ask me if I've known love

And what it's like to sing songs in the rain

Well, I've seen love come

And I've seen it shot down

I've seen it die in vain

At the same time, a torpedo boat was blaring down the gulf along the coast with the captain blaring this on his radio. Sitting next to him was a computer programmer tracking the movement of their co-worker and in the shadows was a young woman leaning against the wall, arms crossed, bobbing her head to the music as the chorus started.

Shot down in a blaze of glory

Take me now but know the truth

'Cause I'm going down in a blaze of glory

Lord I never drew first

But I drew first blood

I'm the devil's son

Call me young gun

As the boat sped west, storm clouds inland towered high into the sky with the darkness and distant growls. Meteorologists chucked up to violent wind changes and atmospheric pressure heard on microphones and news reporters, but to those involved, it was much more sinister. And a signal that time was fast approaching zero hour and Hanford has one ace up his sleeve. Something that in the chest he's safeguarding at all costs.

To be continued…

Part Three will appear in the coming days. No, this is not a prank or a joke. It's been a rough few months since my last update. But now, reaching a decision, the reasons for this new split in the chapter will appear. The song I chose is due to the nature of the people gathering to solve this problem in Ben's hometown.