《Sector 27》


 A Deal

    The year was 2115 in the outskirts of Sector 8; the month was December. It was almost Christmas Eve. Yet one couple had no thoughts of such a joyous season, they had just heard the worst news of their entire lives.


    ¡°Your baby is going to die.¡±


    The would-be mother held onto her husband¡¯s hand, tears streaming down her face at the terrifying news, ¡°Doctor, you can¡¯t mean that. There must be something... You have to save her!!!¡± she held the large bulge in her stomach. She couldn¡¯t imagine losing the joy that she had carried for 8 months.


    The husband let his head hang, ¡°We¡¯re sorry doctor. This news is just¡­it¡¯s so unexpected. Is there really nothing that can be done?¡±


    The doctor shook his head, ¡°The child has a rare disease, and even if it were to be born naturally it wouldn¡¯t be able to withstand the nitrogen in the air. Its skin would melt off of its body. It¡¯s better to abort the pregnancy. We¡¯ve scheduled it for tomorrow morning,¡± with the usual lie told, the doctor took his leave.


    The wife tried to sob quietly as she hugged her unborn child. The husband put his hand on his wife¡¯s back as she cried. Neither of them could believe that this was happening. Everything was going so well; they had money, they had a house, they had love, yet their child was going to be taken from them. What did we ever do wrong?


    The shadows in the room pulled further into the center, the lights growing dim.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Why would God do this to us?


    ¡°A wonderful question indeed, sir,¡± from the corner of the room came a cloaked figure. Her voice was as smooth as silk and the small bit of skin the couple could see, was as white as snow.


    ¡°What are you doing in here? Who are you?¡± the husband felt fear crawl up his throat as he looked up at the cloaked woman. Had it not been for her voice the husband would have assumed this cloaked figure was a man by the alarmingly large stature it had.


    ¡°Oh,¡± the woman rubbed her fingers together, ¡°I don¡¯t think you are going to care about my name in a few minutes,¡±


    The wife tried to open her mouth to speak but felt her tongue go dry. She shook in terror of the mysterious woman.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to have to ask you to leave!¡± the husband stood firm. He had just heard the worst news of his life- he didn¡¯t need whatever this was on top of that.


    ¡°If you insist, of course I will leave, but I haven¡¯t even offered you a trade¡­¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t want anything, please leave!¡± The husband walked towards the door to escort the cloaked woman out.


    ¡°Well that¡¯s just not true now is it? What if I told you I could save the daughter you have?¡±


    The parents froze, not knowing how to respond to such an absurd statement. But what if it¡¯s true? What if she can save her?


    ¡°How?¡± at the idea of her child surviving, the woman spoke. Her hands planted protectively on her stomach.


    The husband could feel the smirk grow across the cloaked woman¡¯s face- the last words the couple ever heard followed:


    ¡°Let me show you-¡±

 Day Life

    6 Years Later (2121): Sector 1-Tenno Academy Class 2A


    Aku opened her eyes to the sound of the lunch bell. She saw the rows of empty desks- the screens all flashing the lunch menu of the day: curry. Aku stood from her desk and yawned widely as she made her way to the door; her body was stiff. The hallway was filled with students chatting and running their separate ways. She glanced out the large window that made the outer wall of the building. The buildings of Sector 1 shot out from the ground in sharp angles with round edges. Aku lazily opened the door to class 2-A.


    ¡°Aku!!¡± Arisa called happily from her seat; her low brown pigtails bounced softly as she moved. She was in a bright mood as usual, ¡°Were you asleep in class?¡±


    Aku smiled as she sat across from her and began to rebraid her own long blonde hair, ¡°Not all of us are excited to be at the academy Arisa.¡±


    ¡°Arisa,¡± Keiko pleaded as she lifted her head from the desk, ¡°you¡¯re going to share your lunch with me right?¡± her eyes poked through the pink hairs that hung over her face.


    Arisa folded her arms and pouted, ¡°Why do I even make you lunch in the mornings if you¡¯re just going to leave it on the counter?¡± She shook her head and pushed the lunch box between her and Keiko.


    ¡°Ahh!! Arisa is always so sweet to make lunch for her loving sister,¡± Seiji was suddenly leaning on the desks they had pushed together, ¡°Where is my loving lunch?¡± his free hand twisted the ends of his pale brown hair he tied over his shoulder.


    Aku rolled her eyes, enemy.


    He pointed to the far side of the classroom, ¡°You think any of those agents know how to cook?¡±


    Aku turned to look at them; her eyes fixated on the special crest adorned on their uniform sleeves. Shoutarou and Ryuichi were laughing and eating their bread hastily while Hiroto appeared fast asleep at his desk. Enemy, enemy, enemy.


    Keiko and Arisa laughed slightly but Keiko¡¯s face shifted when she saw who approached behind Arisa.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know how Keiko leaves such delicious looking food at home,¡±


    Arisa looked behind her to see Kyoushirou smiling at her. He had a thick neck and wide shoulders like a knight¡¯s shield. She tried to hide her blush, ¡°It¡¯s only delicious looking,¡±


    ¡°Kyou!!! You have to hear what Ryu answered on his homework!!!¡± Shou shouted and Kyou walked over to them. Aku¡¯s gaze followed him, enemy.


    After a few moments of eating Aku stood from her seat, ¡°I should head back to class.¡±


    Keiko stood as well, ¡°I¡¯ll walk with you- I need to wash my hands anyways.¡±


    Arisa smiled and waved as the two left. But when they stepped to the door a wave of girls were pushing through them, ¡°Seiji!!¡±


    Keiko growled at the annoyance. This always happened during lunch. They could hear Seiji from his desk, ¡°Ahhh how nice to see all of you!¡±


    Their tones and faces grew serious as they stepped into the empty hall, ¡°So you think the rumors are true?¡±


    Aku nodded, ¡°There is a new agent joining their ranks...from Sector 21,¡±The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°This is getting too risky...I don¡¯t know how much longer we can hide like this.¡±


    ¡°We have to...it¡¯s not like we can leave.¡±


    Keiko sighed, ¡°I know,¡± the two stepped into 2-B, ¡°Just be careful. See what you can learn about him but keep your distance.¡±


    Aku nodded, what else would she do?


    ¡°It¡¯s going to be great here! You¡¯ll see the clean sectors have a lot more to offer,¡± Ryu walked into the classroom with Kyou and a tall student following him.


    Before Aku or Keiko could say anything the bell rang and Keiko ran out to get to her class. Aku took her seat and stared intently at the new tall student. Something about him made her senses alert. She didn¡¯t like there being a new STAM agent and she certainly didn¡¯t like the look that this one had in his eye, to think a child of Mr.Black might feel hesitant about a mere human.


    ¡°Alright class take your seats. We have a new student joining us today. He is a transfer student directly through STAM,¡± the teacher grinned pridefully, ¡°so I will let him introduce himself,¡±


    The boy stood at the front of the class with his hands in his pockets. He was tall and thin, his arms seemed nearly too long for his body. His dark greenish hair was shaved short on the sides while the hair on top was pulled back into a small bun, ¡°I¡¯m Reikokuna Kenji from Sector 21. Nice to meet ya¡¯ ¡± he grinned in a way that made Aku¡¯s skin crawl. The new agent.


    End of the School Day


    Kyoushirou was waiting at the front entrance of the academy; he was always the first one out of the school. He leaned against the wall of the gate and tried to ignore the murmurs about him, ¡°That¡¯s him- Rank 1- Kyoushirou- the leader- the face of STAM-¡±


    He sighed, you¡¯d think they would be used to me being here by now¡­


    ¡°Yo Kyou!¡± Shou grinned as he, Seiji, and Ryu walked up.


    Kyou looked behind them and saw Hiroto making his way over, ¡°Where¡¯s Kenji?¡±


    Ryu looked around confused, ¡°What do you mean? Didn¡¯t he come out with you?¡±


    ¡°We lost the new kid already?¡± Seiji chuckled.


    Hiro walked past them with his hands in his pockets. He yawned widely as he spoke, ¡°He ran out ahead of Kyou. He¡¯s probably already at STAM.¡±


    Sector 1: STAM HQ- Combat Facility


    The 5 agents were standing above the facility in the operation room. All eyes were in the room below on Kenji as he warmed up for the upcoming test.


    ¡°Ah, this brings back memories,¡± Ryu rubbed his hands together, ¡°Remember how scared I was that a real mutant would jump out during the test?¡±


    Shou laughed, ¡°You almost pissed your pants you were so scared.¡±


    ¡°This is stupid!¡± Seiji was grinding his teeth and stood with his arms crossed, ¡°We all went through this when we were kids! Now this guy shows up and gets tested? It¡¯s unfair.¡±


    Hiro rolled his eyes. He was leaning against the wall, ¡°You worried he¡¯s gonna take your rank?¡±


    Seiji scoffed, ¡°Are you kidding? I¡¯m worried we are wasting our time on this new guy. He doesn¡¯t even have a weapon!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s got that spear thing though?¡± Ryu pointed to the long wooden spear that Kenji was using down below.


    Shou shook his head, ¡°It¡¯s not from STAM.¡±


    ¡°He doesn¡¯t have an anti-mutant weapon??¡± Ryu pushed his face against the glass trying to get a better look, ¡°How is he gonna be an agent?¡±


    Kyou was sitting at the main control seat. His brow furrowed and his scowl concerned, ¡°STAM made an anti-mutant weapon for him.¡±


    Everyone turned to Kyou but Kyou¡¯s gaze was locked on Kenji below.


    ¡°He laughed at them and told them he was an anti-mutant weapon.¡±


    Seiji scoffed, ¡°What an asshole. There¡¯s no way he will last.¡±


    Kyou knew better. He knew what Kenji was: a mutant killer. His home town was famous for their brutal nature toward mutants. They hunted mutants for sport and displayed their corpses on the borders of their land. Kenji had been hunting mutants since he was a young boy, just like the other STAM agents. But Kenji was doing it without the help of weapons- it was just him and a spear. Kyou took a breath and spoke into the microphone to Kenji, ¡°You are about to begin the combat assessment. You will be thrown into a combat situation against holographic mutants. Your job is to handle as many mutants as possible without harming any humans...¡±

 Night Life

    Chapter 3: Nightlife


    The end of day felt like a normal routine. Keiko, Arisa, and Aku made their way to the East bound train. Arisa, seated on closest seat to the door, was flipping through her notes asking Aku about various things they had learned today. Keiko stood beside her, leaning against a pole.


    It was a long train ride from Sector 1 to the end of the line in Sector 25. By the time they got to the final stop the sun was already turning its usual pink color.


    Sector 25: The Border


    ¡°We weren¡¯t followed right?¡± Keiko looked over her shoulder once more. While the landscape in Sector 1 is a dense city, here there were still remnants of the war. Buildings were crumbled, stores deserted, and the first sign of weeds were sprouting from the dusty earth.


    ¡°As if anything is alive out here but us¡­¡± Aku looked at the large fence that marked the border between Sector 25 and Sector 27. There was just one sign on the fence that read: SECTOR 27 DANGER with the radiation symbol below it.


    ¡°Come on you two!!¡± Arisa pushed them forward, ¡°Red is waiting for us.¡±


    The three entered the dead sector  through a hole under the fence and continued walking through the wreckage of what was once Tokyo. Whereas Sector 25 still had buildings and the occasional person, this place was flat and empty. The only thing they could see was the remnants of a tower far off in the distance: their destination. Keiko knelt down in front of a small shrine and slipped her hand under the stone circle.


    ¡°Arisa, stay close this time please,¡± Keiko stared up at her as she raised the secret entrance.


    ¡°I won¡¯t get lost again- jeeze¡±


    The three climbed down the ladder and were in the subway. The once dead sector suddenly came alive underground- but they were not in the company of humans. A man with wet skin rushed by them, a woman with long thin blue fingers was burping her purple child, and a large cow-like man was handing out flyers for his ramen shop. This was the only sector where mutants could roam around freely and this subway was their link from MRPA to the other sectors.


    ¡°Hurry that¡¯s our train,¡± Aku pointed to the boarding train and the three ran to jump on it before it departed.


    ¡°Arisa, here,¡± Keiko pointed out the only open seat on the train and pulled Arisa over to it to sit. Keiko and Aku stood in front of her for the short train ride.


    ¡°Now Arriving : 27th Sector Hospital¡±


    The three followed the flow of traffic off the train and walked into the hospital entrance with the others. The hospital in Sector 27 was the most advanced hospital in Japan. Even the newly finished hospital in Sector 1 was not as well equipped as this one. With their extensive use of radiation treatments and access to complexities of the omega cell, this ¡°dead¡± sector was actually spearheading all mutant related research.


    They took the stairwell down 3 levels- it was the most deserted of all the levels of the hospital as it cared for the patients in comas or life support. They walked to the very back of the hall and turned the corner into the dead end. Keiko placed her hand against one of the tiles on the wall. The holographic display of the wall flickered before giving way and creating an opening into another room. The three walked into the room, the hologram re-appearing behind them.


    The entrance released Keiko and Aku from their human-like shells as they all entered a small room. ¡°Ah I feel so stiff,¡± Keiko immediately went to tie up her long red hair immediately exposing the scaling along the side of her face and down her neck.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    ¡°Do you think that¡¯s how humans always feel?¡± Aku gave a small laugh as she went to the wall and tossed them both their uniforms. She pulled her now white hair out its braid. Her skin seemed whiter and the whites of her eyes were a deep red.


    ¡°Aku do you have a mirror in your bag? I can¡¯t find mine¡­¡± Arisa was searching through her bag on the ground- her appearance unchanged.


    ¡°Here you go,¡± Aku handed it to her and started to change.


    Arisa looked into the mirror and immediately her face started bubbling. The tone of her skin grew tanner, her eye shape sharper, the color bluer, and her hair fell black. As the change settled, so too did the bubbling, ¡°Why can¡¯t shapeshifting be pretty?¡±


    Once they were all ready they opened the doors to the bustling MRPA HQ and made their way to Red¡¯s office.


    Red¡¯s Office


    The 3 agents say at the large table as they waited for Red to give them their mission. The wall at the end of the table lit up and they were greeted with the large silhouette of Red- the leader of MRPA, ¡°Hello Black Agents,¡±


    ¡°Ey not you too now Red,¡± Keiko rolled her eyes, ¡°It¡¯s bad enough that¡¯s how STAM has labeled us.¡±


    ¡°Doesn¡¯t that make us famous though?¡± Arisa smiled.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t there a mission, Red?¡± Aku was playing with the ends of her hair, not really paying attention.


    ¡°Ah- yes...The problem is MS. The Mutant Suppressant drugs are causing a problem.¡±


    Keiko jumped up, ¡°Are they not safe?! What about Arisa?¡± her mind quickly jumped to worry for Arisa- the only one of them who took MS.


    ¡°There is a mutant that is selling MS to humans,¡±


    Arisa¡¯s eyes were wide in shock, ¡°To Humans?¡±


    Sector 1: STAM Headquarters


    ¡°I¡¯m sure you all met our new comrade at school today. Kenji is now an official disposer in our agency,¡± Shizune, Blue¡¯s secretary spoke in her usual lifeless voice. She was a wide woman with a small head and large hands, ¡°He will be the new partner to Kyoushirou,¡±


    Kyoushirou didn¡¯t act in outrage as the others had expected him to. He just nodded without a word: although they all understood that Kyoushirou was only holding in his anger: Blue didn¡¯t care about how they felt about his decisions and Shizune would ignore him.


    ¡°Now, on to the next order of business. The mutants have begun to bare their teeth against the humans,¡±


    Seiji scrunched his face, ¡°What is it they are trying now?¡±


    A screen turned on to show a blown up image of a pill, ¡°what you see here is a Mutant Suppressant. When taken by a mutant it allows their physical deformities to disappear for about a day. We are still studying it but there is a bigger problem and that is the fact that this pill is being sold to normal humans,¡±


    Kyoushirou perked up, ¡°Normal humans? Why?¡±


    ¡°It appears that when a human takes this Mutant pill, also known as Free, the human experiences hallucinations and extreme amounts of dopamine and other chemicals are released. What the humans don¡¯t realize as they buy and consume this drug is that it is deadly. The components of this pill suppress the omega cell found in mutants that humans don¡¯t have. The effects of the pill end up tearing apart a human¡¯s brain tissue and they die,¡±


    ¡°You mean the mutants are distributing this on purpose?¡± Shoutarou crossed his arms.


    ¡°That¡¯s right. We found the mutant who is dealing these pills. Rank 2 team- this mission is yours. Blue wants all mutants captured- you are free to dispose of the Free dealer,¡±


    Seiji and Shoutarou bowed deeply, ¡°We accept the mission,¡± the two agents left on their mission immediately.


    ¡°As for the rest of you, Blue wants you out scouting Sector 7 and Sector 12. There have been reports that lead us to believe there are mutants that you can bring back for studying,¡±


    Sector 27


    ¡°I need these Mutants to realize the dangers of what they do. I know it is for money and they don¡¯t know what MS can do to them but it must be stopped. 013, you will go to the head dealer. He is a mutant named Durim, I¡¯ve sent all of his data to your omni-book,¡±


    Keiko grinned, ¡°Leave it to me,¡± she left the large office.


    ¡°What about us?¡± Arisa looked up at the silhouette of Red.


    ¡°I want you and 014 to go and warn a mutant in Sector 12. There have been several reports now that MRPA has had to intercept to keep his identity a secret. His name is Ping, I¡¯ve sent the information to your Omnibooks,¡±

 Finding Durim

    Chapter 4: Finding Durim


    Sector 19


    The marketplace was dark and crowded. People squeezed narrow openings and vendors shouted to no one in particular to buy their products.


    Keiko had a cloak on, her head and most of her face covered by the large hood. She was searching for him: Durim. The omnibook took the form of a normal watch but with it connected to her nervous system she could use facial recognition without blowing her cover as an agent. The omnibook linked her vision to the MRPA database of all the categorized mutants. Her eyes buzzed over the crowd, red, human, red, human, red. She walked through the busy market, people all trying to push through the crowd. She saw a building where two men stood outside the door, green, mutant; there¡¯s Durim¡¯s men. She grinned as their profiles from MRPA¡¯s database showed next to their faces.


    She walked to the building and went to open the door when one of the men stepped in front of her, ¡°And where do you think you¡¯re going?¡±


    She realized that she hadn¡¯t thought this part of the plan through. If she revealed herself as an agent, they would warn Durim of her coming. If she fought through them, she might draw police, or worse; STAM agents.


    ¡°Oh?¡± one of the guards looked under her hood and caught a glimpse of her face, ¡°You must be one of the Boss¡¯ new women,¡±


    The other guard sighed, ¡°Another one so young?¡±


    ¡°You are too old fashioned man,¡± the original guard set his hand on the door, ¡°Now a days age doesn¡¯t matter, the younger the better,¡± he opened the door and ushered her inside, ¡°He is in the back room,¡±


    She walked down a dark hallway and opened up the next door to be attacked by loud music, he does his business in a night club?! No wonder he was so easy to find. She pushed through the crowd of women that were dancing on the bright dance floor. This club seemed to be filled with only women: all hardly dressed and dancing. She made her way to the back VIP room and found him sitting on a large couch, woman were all sprawled on the couch, on the floor, on the table. They were all moaning and rolling around.


    ¡°Ahhh a new customer I see,¡± Durim grinned and placed his hands together. Durim dressed rather tacky for a drug dealer, his hair was shaved close to his head- his eyes were sharp.


    Keiko looked at the woman in horror, ¡°What¡¯s wrong with them?¡±


    Durim laughed, ¡°Wrong with them? No, no you misunderstand. Everything is right with them. Have you ever taken Free? I suppose by the stunned look on your face that you haven¡¯t. All of the people here are experiencing the pure joy of what it is like to feel your brain release all of the chemicals it holds back. They are experiencing 100% of every sensation,¡± he traced his finger across a woman¡¯s leg and she tensed and arched her back as she moaned and suddenly fell back down, breathing heavy- ¡°If you¡¯d like to try I could arrange something-¡±


    Unable to listen to his babbling any longer she pulled down her hood and stretched out her hands, the doors slamming shut around her, air huh?


    Durim was too shocked, ¡°Y-y-y-y-you¡¯re 013¡­you¡¯re the elemental¡­. you¡¯re MRPA!¡± he glared at her, ¡°What do you want, agent?¡±


    ¡°Your happiness drug is killing people! You¡¯re a murderer!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s not true I-¡±


    ¡°MS is made for people who need to hide! It isn¡¯t a toy that you can just sell and make money off of,¡± she reached out her hand and Durim was shoved forward violently by a gust of air. She snatched his collar and brought his face to hers, ¡°Or did you forget your dependence on MS. I wonder Durim, when¡¯s your next dosage?¡± they both turned to look at the clock: 11:59, ¡°Oh, looks like it might be soon,¡±Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Durim began to try and squirm away from her, ¡°Please, I need to take it if I don¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°What Durim, what happens if a mutant doesn¡¯t take MS?¡±


    Durim pulled out a bottle of pills that Keiko quickly smacked out of his hand, ¡°No!¡±


    ¡°Oh I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m just so clumsy,¡±


    Durim¡¯s face began to bubble and Keiko dropped him, ¡°Ahhh!!¡±


    ¡°This is why you have MS! If you try to murder more people for some quick cash I will be back for you!¡± she pushed her boot onto his chest.


    He hissed at her. Durim was a mutant, his body was covered in scales and his tongue was a snake¡¯s tongue, his yellow eyes glared at her with such hatred. The women in the room screamed as they saw him, but were unable to move due to the drugs in their system.


    ¡°Now are you going to behave or do I have to revoke your prescription privileges?¡± Keiko pushed her boot heel into his head.


    He shook his head, ¡°Fine, fine. Sssss I¡¯ll do whatever Red wantssss me to do,¡±


    ¡°Who¡¯s a good snake?¡± she tossed an MS pill to him and he caught it in his mouth. His body immediately turning back into a human form.


    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for this 013! I may be loyal to Red, but you. You¡¯re nothing! If you think I¡¯m the only mutant giving out Free-¡±


    The doors slammed open and suddenly there was gun pointed at Keiko¡¯s head. Shoutarou sighed, ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk. Agents should know better than to leave their tracks behind,¡±


    Sector 12


    ¡°Do you really know where we are going 00?¡± Akumako sighed as she followed Arisa through the woods.


    She turned around abruptly, ¡°YOU were the one who insisted we not take the streets! If YOU wouldn¡¯t have insisted we would be there already but nooooo we just had to go through the scary woods at this late hour. And you know what else, YOU were supposed to be navigating because YOU said that last time¡­¡±


    Akumako closed her eyes and drowned out Arisa¡¯s ranting. She would calm down in a moment and they would make progress- her thoughts were interrupted by one loud snapping sound-in one swift motion Akumako covered Arisa¡¯s mouth and hid behind a dense bush. Arisa¡¯s eyes were wide in shock but she didn¡¯t fight the sudden move. Akumako looked through the small gaps in the bush and saw them.


    -------~~~~~~~---------


    Kenji was walking a few paces behind Kyoushirou, one hand thumbing through the handbook on the dog tags and one hand dragging his staff through the ground behind him, ¡°So...white mutants are babies and they get stronger up to blue mutants are agents of a mutant organization?¡± he sighed in frustration, ¡°They¡¯re organized??¡±


    Without turning around Kyou responded, ¡°For several years STAM has been facing mutants with structure, intel, and uniforms. We don¡¯t know what their organization is called but we know their HQ is in the 27th Sector.¡±


    ¡°Hmm...what are these black agents then?¡±


    ¡°The top 3 agents of the mutants. With white to red mutants we contain first, blue mutants we dispose of because they are too dangerous, but the black agents¡­.we try to contain them so that we can study them.¡±


    Kenji turned off the dog tags display and nodded, ¡°Right...right¡­.what¡¯s containing mean?¡±


    Kyou turned to look at him shocked, ¡°Are you serious?¡±


    Kenji smiled and scratched his neck.


    Kyou groaned, ¡°STAM is made up of officers and agents. We 6 are agents and we take the most dangerous missions that involve capturing and controlling illegal mutant activity,¡± he paused to make sure Kenji was following along and sighed again, ¡°We agents are broken up into 3 teams, those teams have 1 container, me, and 1 disposer, you. Containers lead the team and contain the mutant, disposers are to dispose of the mutant if anything happens to me- the container. Make sense?¡±


    Kenji nodded slowly, ¡°So that makes us a killing team ey???¡±


    Kyou could see the dark grin cover over Kenji¡¯s face, ¡°Our job is to keep humans safe,¡± he felt a throbbing from his head, ¡°You really think I want someone like you on my team?¡±


    ¡°Heyyyyy what did I do man? I just got here,¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what you did, I don¡¯t need a disposer on my team. All I need is my own Containing ability so why don¡¯t you just back off? You aren¡¯t even a disposer! You don¡¯t have an anti-mutant weapon-¡±


    Kenji pointed his spear at Kyoushirou¡¯s neck, ¡°Listen up weakling. I don¡¯t need any fancy weapon that you people can create. Mutants die just like humans do so I¡¯ll stick to my regular weapon-¡±


    Kyoushirou pushed his spear aside, ¡°Just remember, newbie. You pull anything on a mission with me and I will report you. By STAM protocol you don¡¯t get to move a muscle until I give you permission or die. Keep that in mind, ¡± the two began to slowly continue their walk.


    Arisa slowly let out her breath, she could feel her cheeks flush from just looking at him, Kawamiya Kyoushirou...you¡¯re upset about having a disposer on your team?...could it be...


    Akumako didn¡¯t move until her ears could no longer hear their steps, Reikokuna Kenji¡­as I thought you were one of them¡­


    ¡°Let¡¯s get moving before they make more rounds,¡± Akumako stood and brushed off the dirt from her leg.

 The Fragile Truth

    Chapter 5: The Fragile Truth


    Sector 19


    ¡°RUN!!¡± Keiko screamed out to Durim as she pushed Shotarou¡¯s arm up with a gust of air. Shoutarou was shoved backward and caught his balance on the wall. Using the opportunity Keiko blew a large hole through the back of the building. Her eyes caught Durim cowering in fear beside the couch. She grabbed him by the collar and screamed, ¡°GET OUT OF HERE!¡± She stood him on his feet and blew another hole connecting the VIP room to the rest of the club before jumping out her original exit. Normally she would have just disappeared, but if she didn¡¯t give chase she risked the capture of Durim and perhaps the other mutants around. Their safety came before her own- not that she enjoyed running for her life away from STAM agents: but she could atleast put up a fight.


    ¡°Shou! She¡¯s getting away!!!!!!¡± Seiji was already following her; his eyes were glued to her back as he chased her, I¡¯ll get you this time black elemental¡­.this time...you¡¯re mine. He threw one of his daggers and grinned as she fell to the ground- the dagger stuck in her calf, ¡°Come on Shou keep up!!!¡±


    Keiko left the dagger in her calf and jumped back up to her feet and kept running, further¡­I have to lure them further away. She turned to see another dagger coming and blocked with a gust of air before she continued to run.


    ¡°Shou! She¡¯s headed for the market! If we lose her in the crowd we will be done for!! Take her out!¡± Seiji screamed at his partner with his eyes locked on the mutant agent.


    Shotarou stopped running and lined up his shot carefully between her shoulder blades, ¡°Yes, yes Seiji¡­..Fire,¡± a blue plasma-like bullet rushed through the air and hit Keiko.


    Keiko fell to the ground immediately, her body suddenly numb, shit not paralysis¡­she couldn¡¯t move. She had been shot in the shoulder- but close enough to her spine to immobilize her entire body. If she didn¡¯t regain control soon she would be captured. She felt Seiji¡¯s foot push under her and roll her body over. The dagger still left in her calf pushed deeper against the dead weight of her leg. She could feel her leg begin to go numb from the blood loss.


    ¡°Nice shot Shou. Looks like she is paralyzed here for a bit,¡± Seiji licked his lips as he stared down at her her, ¡°We finally go the elemental¡­.come on, come on 013. The powerful elemental 013 can only do this much? Come on!!!¡± Seiji stood above her twirling a dagger between his fingers, ¡°Come on Mutant. Beg for your life,¡±. Keiko glared up at Seiji, begging her fingers to start moving, please please please. I have to..I have to¡­.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    ¡°You know the rules Seiji,¡± Shotarou walked over to her side, ¡°I¡¯ll knock her out,¡± he pointed his gun at her head again.


    Keiko took a deep breath and closed her eyes, yes! She felt a slight twitch in her fingertips as her eyes shot back open. She pushed both of them back with a gust of air and got to her feet slowly as the paralysis still had a tight grip on her.


    Seiji and Shotarou were holding tightly to the ground as to not get blown away by the air swirling around 013.


    Keiko cursed under her breath at the leg that had become useless as she balanced on her right leg. She took a moment to glare at Seiji before bring the vortex of air around her and using it to carry her off, away from the two STAM agents.


    Sector 12


    Arisa knocked on the door to the small, isolated house that belonged to Ping, ¡°Hello?¡±


    They could hear footsteps in the house and the door opened slightly to reveal a young boy that held his head down but looked up at them, ¡°Y-yes?¡±


    ¡°I am Agent 00 with MRPA,¡± Arisa moved her coat to show the crest on her uniform, ¡°We just wanted to stop by and warn you that your identity will be compromised with the next report that comes through. MRPA cannot protect you if you do not try to keep your own-¡±


    ¡°Open the door,¡± Akumako stood with her arms crossed and glared at Ping. She had seen through the small crack in the door; there was another boy on the couch, his body limp, ¡°00,¡±


    Without hesitating Arisa kicked the door open and Akumako grabbed Ping and restrained him with his arm behind his back, ¡°What is that? Your human friend on Free?¡± Akumako pointed at the couch with another young man lying on it; his eyes were rolled back in his head and his body twitched softly, ¡°You better hope he doesn¡¯t die¡­00 search the house,¡±


    Arisa looked for a moment longer at the shock and defeat on Ping¡¯s face, ¡°No wait! Don¡¯t please, if you-¡±


    Akumako pressed her elbow in his back, ¡°Not another word from you,¡±


    Arisa touched the human¡¯s neck softly to make sure he was alive before beginning to search through the bedrooms. She came across the door that lead to the garage and felt her stomach clench in dread. Just in case, she shifted her right arm into a blade and opened the door, ¡°014!!!!¡± she screamed in disbelief.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Aku called back from the living room.


    ¡°We have a problem¡­.we have a big problem¡­.¡± She looked at the massive amount of boxes in the garage, all of them containing MS, the drug Free. This is a much bigger problem than we thought.

 Rank 2

    Chapter 6: Rank 2


    Sector 19


    Shoutarou hummed to himself as he sat on the couch in the now quiet night club. STAM¡¯s forensic team was all over the building collecting samples and trying to find any information that they could. He looked over at his partner who was holding his head in his hands, ¡°Come on Seiji, so what the agent got away? No one has ever caught one of the black agents,¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­¡± Seiji was controlling his emotions from coming through his voice.


    Shoutarou rubbed the back of his neck and grabbed the small necklace around his neck. It was a pair of dog tags with his name and identification number printed on it. On the back there was a small finger print scanner- but he didn¡¯t need that right now. He tapped on the small plate and it came to life with a projected screen, "Look, we haven''t even lost rank with this. If you think about it we might even gain a rank since we actually did someth-"


    ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­¡±


    Shoutarou sighed, ¡°Think of what we did do, huh? We probably just permanently shut down one of the first drug houses in the Sectors. You and I started the movement to get rid of Free from-¡±


    Seiji jumped up and kicked the couch he had been sitting in, ¡°IT¡¯S NOT THAT!!!¡± he let out a scream of frustration as he threw one of his daggers into the cushion, ¡°It¡¯s that damn elementalist!! She was out there taunting us! She knew that I would give chase to her over capturing one or two mutants and left me looking like a fool!!!¡±


    Shou stared blandly at Seiji¡¯s display. He seemed to always have the worst luck when it came to the 013 agent, he touched the scar on his right eye brow, i guess we''ve all had some bad luck¡­ his mind started to play back that distant memory, of the first time they had met agent 013.


    2118: Sector 8


    ¡°Another job well done, eh Shoutarou?¡± Seiji grinned as he walked alongside the mutant trapped in the cage, ¡°I think we might be the luckiest team in the group. Every mission we¡¯ve been on has been successful!!¡±


    ¡°We also haven¡¯t run into any MRPA agents,¡± Shoutarou grinned as he pulled the cage behind him, ¡°If we keep this up we will be the top ranked in no time,¡±


    ¡°Haha! And then that smug Kyoushirou won¡¯t be able to say anything to me!!¡±


    The two boys walked along happily through the streets as they finally left the crowded city and pushed through the park, ¡°You know, I wouldn¡¯t mind running into an agent¡­.then we would really be able to kick out Kyoushirou from rank,¡±


    ¡°Are you nuts Seiji? The black agents are crazy. We wouldn¡¯t stand a chance,¡±


    ¡°Come on, I¡¯ve been dying to try out our weapons against a mutant that can put up a fight. Not one of these light ranked,¡± he knocked on the cage.


    ¡°Don¡¯t jinx us please, I don¡¯t have that kind of confidence,¡±


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have that kind of confidence,¡± the two men froze suddenly at the strange voice.


    ¡°Show yourself!!¡± Shoutarou pushed his thumb on his dog tag and pulled out his pistol. He looked over his shoulder to see that Seiji had pulled out his daggers already as well.


    ¡°I suppose this is our first meeting...¡± from between the trees walked a girl with a cloak on, ¡°Perhaps I should introduce myself,¡± she pulled down her hood to reveal her bright red hair and a half grin, ¡°I¡¯m Agent 013...of MRPA,¡±


    Shoutarou gulped in the presence of one of the black ranked agents, ¡°Shoutarou, a container,¡± he nudged Seiji who seemed too stunned to move, ¡°this is my partner, Seiji,¡±


    ¡°The disposer right?¡± 013 smiled at them and Shoutarou nodded, his fingers tightly wrapped around his gun, ¡°So could you please release my friend in the cage?¡±


    At the absurd question, Seiji snapped out of his stupor, ¡°Like hell we will! You can take him over my dead body!¡±


    013 seemed to ignore Seiji almost completely as she stared into Shoutarou¡¯s eyes, ¡°I¡¯d really like to not fight any agents tonight,¡±Stolen story; please report.


    Feeling almost captivated, Shoutarou sighed and shook his head, ¡°I¡¯m sure you know we can¡¯t just give him to you,¡±


    013 nodded and pulled off her cloak. She was in a skin tight suit with the MRPA crest on the chest. Her presence was intimidating as she tossed the cloak on the ground and stood before them, ¡°Then I guess I have no choice. I must say you two are unlucky to meet me on a day like today¡­.¡±


    ¡°Why is that,¡± Shoutarou raised his gun and pointed it at her.


    ¡°Because today I am at my strongest,¡±


    Shoutarou squeezed the trigger to fire, but 013 had already dodged and was suddenly underneath him. She grabbed his arm and pushed her leg into his stomach as she threw him into a tree.


    Shoutarou lost his gun the moment his back made contact with the tree. His back slid down and he coughed to catch his breath, but he saw a bright light coming toward him. He jumped to the side as fast as he could and looked back to see the tree was now a lump of burning ash. He turned to see 013 with that same half smirk and a ball of fire in her hand.


    Seiji attacked from behind but 013 knelt down and leg sweeped him to the ground. Shoutarou quickly scrambled for his gun and fired twice at the agent.


    013 screamed at the impact of her arms falling limp by her side. Sensing danger she jumped away from the two boys and examined her arms, ¡°Paralysis?¡±


    Shoutarou made his way back to Seiji and helped him up, ¡°That¡¯s right. You¡¯re lucky I missed your spine,¡±


    ¡°Come on Shou, we can take her,¡± Seiji held tight onto his daggers as he glared at the agent who swung her limp arms around.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be so sure around that,¡± 013 grinned and lunged forward again, attacking both of them with fire laced kicks. Seiji blocked a kick aimed at his head and quickly used his other dagger to stab her calf. Without stopping to scream of the pain, the agent swung her other leg around and kicked Seiji right in the side of his head and sent him flying into a tree.


    ¡°Seiji!!!¡± Shoutarou ran over to see that he was knocked out cold. He turned hesitantly back to the agent who was trying to figure out a way to pull the dagger out of her leg without her hands.


    ¡°That boy is fine. He is just unconscious,¡± she grunted while trying to reach the dagger with her mouth.


    Shoutarou quietly walked back over, ¡°Let me get that for you,¡± he bent down to her leg and pulled the knife out quickly and dropped it to the ground.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised,¡± 013 said as Shoutarou backed up to stand beside the cage,


    ¡°Why is that?¡±


    ¡°You could have shot me just now and I would have been captured right?¡±


    ¡°Right,¡±


    ¡°But you didn¡¯t,¡± she smiled at him while her eyes stared at him up and down trying to understand.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to defeat you with such dirty tricks...¡± he clenched the grip of his gun and pointed it at her again, ¡°Everyone deserves a fair fight,¡±


    She grinned and knelt down to lunge at him again, ¡°You¡¯ll regret that naive thinking soon enough,¡±


    Shoutarou lined up his shot and fired, but once again 013 evaded the attack. She wrapped her leg around his arm and pulled him to the ground; his gun once again falling from his hand. 013 got to her feet first and kicked the pistol away from the groping hands of Shoutarou, ¡°Fair fights will get you killed,¡± she pulled back her leg and kicked the side of his face, knocking him out.


    Shoutarou could feel a stinging pain on the side of his face as Seiji screamed at him to wake up, ¡°Shou! Shou wake up!! The mutant is gone! That black agent and the one we caught earlier...¡±


    Shoutarou slowly opened his eyes and groaned at the pain in his face.


    ¡°You look like shit Shou. What happened?¡± Seiji helped sit him up.


    Shou groaned again and lifted his hand to the stinging in his face, ¡°She kicked me and I knocked out¡­.¡±


    Seiji nodded, ¡°Man she kicked you hard¡­.¡± he picked up a small bloody piercing from the grass.


    Shoutarou moaned, ¡°Not my eyebrow piercing¡­.that thing was brand new too¡­..damn that 013,¡±


    ¡°I swear I will not rest as an agent until I have her head as a trophy. The Elementalist will die by my hand¡­.¡± Seiji clenched his fists and jaw tightly.


    Shou sighed and wondered how long it would be before Seiji broke protocol. He had come close several times in the past, but it would only get worse.


    The Present


    His thoughts were halted by the light ring of his cell phone. Seiji¡¯s temper calmed immediately as he recognized Shou¡¯s ringtone.


    Shou coughed a few times to clear his throat before answering the phone, ¡°This is Agent team 2, Container,¡±


    ¡°Mission report agent,¡± it was Blue¡¯s secretary on the other side of the call. Her voice was lifeless and bland as always.


    ¡°We located the hideout and were drawn into battle with the Elementalist 013,¡±


    ¡°A black Agent? Continue,¡±


    ¡°She managed to escape with several injuries and the Free dealing mutant also ran. The hideout is being swept by forensics and the humans that were here have been taken to the hospital for treatment,¡±


    ¡°Understood. Follow up with all the humans from the hideout and then report back,¡± there was a faint click on the line as she hung up.


    Shoutarou sighed deeply as his hand dropped from his ear.


    ¡°And?¡± Seiji asked curiously.


    ¡°How many humans would you say were sent to the hospital?¡± Shou looked up at the ceiling.


    ¡°I dunno. Around 60?¡±


    Shou clenched his fist and shook it up in the air, ¡°Why didn¡¯t I do my homework during lunch?!?!¡±

 The Ropes

    Chapter 7: The Ropes


    Sector 1: STAM HQ


    ¡°Are we going to have to do more of these patrol missions?¡± Kenji whined as they walked through the front doors to the STAM building.


    ¡°Shut it-¡± Kyou barked at him with a clenched jaw as they were suddenly surrounded by cameras and media crews.


    ¡°Rank 1 Container!¡±


    ¡°Kawamiya Kyoushirou- would you care to make a statement about your new partner?¡±


    ¡°Are you concerned about having a partner from sector 21?¡±


    ¡°Many are saying that STAM is accepting bribes from the Light Party- care to comment?¡±


    Kyoushirou smiled stiffly and dropped a hand on Kenji¡¯s shoulder, ¡°As Rank 1 I can assure you that there is no one more suited to being my disposer than Reikokuna Kenji. Blue¡¯s decision to add him to the Ranks was based on his ability and his passion to work for STAM,¡± he nudged Kenji forward slightly,¡±Now if you¡¯ll excuse us-¡± he pushed Kenji through the crowd to the security desk. He kept his hand on Kenji¡¯s shoulder until they were out of the media¡¯s sight inside the elevator.


    ¡°What was that?¡± Kenji smirked, ¡°I¡¯m the best fit for your-¡±


    ¡°We can¡¯t allow the media to find the smallest flaw with our unit,¡± Kyou interrupted, ¡°We agents need to be spotless in order to operate the way we do,¡± he shot a glare at Kenji, ¡°If I had it my way you would still be in that poisoned sector you come from.¡±


    The doors opened and Kyou stepped out first, ¡°I¡¯ll show you your room,¡±


    Kenji scoffed and followed him. The way he saw it this sector was the poisoned one.


    ¡°The other ranks all share rooms-¡± Kyou waved at the doors as they walked passed them, ¡°Shou and Seiji are there, Hiro and Ryu are there.¡±


    ¡°We have to share a room?¡± Kenji groaned.


    ¡°Rank 1 is special. We get our own rooms,¡± he pointed to the door at the very end of the hall, ¡°That¡¯s mine- and this,¡± he opened the door next to his room, ¡°is yours. Your dogtags are your keys. Just tap them on the sensor.¡±


    Kenji nodded, ¡°Is that it are we done?¡±


    Kyou turned to walk back to the elevator, ¡°Patrol was our only mission. Now we are on call incase there is an emergency. Do whatever you want.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going?!¡± Kenji called after him.


    Sector 27: MRPA''s interrogation room


    After Arisa and Aku had found all of the MS in Ping¡¯s house, they brought him back to MRPA HQ for questioning...but he didn¡¯t seem very keen on talking.


    "Listen Ping, you better start talking. I''m getting rather impatient here," 014 paused to look at Ping''s unchanged face, "Why did you have over 100,000 doses of MS in your garage?" she paused again hoping he might answer, "Who do you bring these to? I know you don''t sell them yourself so who is your dealer?" she growled in frustration as Ping sat, unwavered by her questioning. She looked down at her watch and sighed deeply, "Alright, fine. Let''s see if you figure out the answers after a night in a cell, get up and start walking," 014 pushed Ping forward through the doors and walked him down further into the basement and into the holding cells of MRPA, "Keep walking," she pushed him again down rows and rows of cells until they were at the farthest cell back, "Welcome home," she faked a smile as she locked the cell tightly, "Maybe in a few hours your lips will loosen up a bit," with that 014 angrily walked away.


    Ping listened carefully as her heavy footsteps faded; it wasn''t until they were out of his range that he let out a breath of relief, So far I''ve been lucky...but Kimaru-sama probably doesn''t know that I''m gone...if I don''t show up for the delivery tomorrow Kimaru-sama will be behind on his sales, and if I ever get out of here...I will have to pay for that mistake...


    "Pssst,"


    Ping was suddenly pulled from his thoughts as he jerked his head to the cell to his right, "Durim?!" his eyes were wide at the familiar face.


    "Oh? You know who I am?" Durim grinned at the younger boy.


    "Of course! You''re the only-" Ping looked around and lowered his voice before continuing, "You''re the only one of us suppliers to make it to dealer. You''re like a legend to us below you,"Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Durim grinned and ran his hand over his head, "It''s good to know they keep you suppliers so well versed," his face turned down and he looked seriously at Ping, "Listen Kid, you and I both know what will happen to you if you don''t make your delivery,"


    Ping nodded, fear creeping over his face, "They''ll kill me,"


    Durim nodded solemnly, "I know what it¡¯s like..the threats, ¡°his face grew dark,¡±so I''ll tell you what: you tell me where to go and I''ll make your delivery for you."


    Ping, though happy about the proposal, remained skeptical, "How are you going to do anything locked up here?"


    Durim scrunched his face and make a loud clicking sound with his tongue, "You think this operation would have lasted if we weren¡¯t able to void MRPA? I have my ways you just need to trust me."


    Ping nodded, "If you would help me out then..."


    Durim nodded with his eyes closed, "You just have to give me some instruction,"


    Ping looked around again and lowered his voice further, "I''m pretty sure MRPA has taken my entire stash so you''ll have to go to one of the pick-up points. The ones that you used when you were a supplier are still green...I''m supposed to make my delivery tomorrow night at 11. Kimaru-sama''s men pick up the delivery and bring it to him,"


    "Where is the delivery take place?" Durim whispered back.


    Ping looked down seriously, "Sector 6, the back alley''s of the factory district,"


    Durim stood up suddenly and pushed several buttons on his watch, "014!!!!"


    Ping fell back shocked at the voice that came out of his mouth. It wasn''t the voice of Durim, but of a girl.


    "Oh 00, did he talk?" from down the hall Ping could hear the footsteps of the agent 014.


    "Yupp!! Now let me out of here, these cells are dirty,"


    Ping stared in horror at the person he thought was Durim, 00? As in Agent 00?!


    014 opened Durim''s cell, "Are you gonna stay looking like him forever?"


    Durim smiled as he hopped out of the cell, "Oh, I guess I can change back," he took out a small mirror and immediately his body bubbled over and morphed in into a shape that matched the voice; as agent 00. She held tightly onto the pants that were now much too large for her body.


    Ping gawked at the shapeshifter, "But your voice! Shapeshifter''s can''t change their voices!!"


    00 stuck out her tongue at Ping, "With Omnibook I can sound like anyone see," she pulled up the interface on her watch and started speaking again, her voice just like Durim''s once more, "The only problem is that the nerve connection hurts," she clicked more buttons and turned to 014, her voice back to normal, "I don''t know how 013 keeps it on all the time...."


    014 grinned at the shocked Ping, "Come on, it''s late and we need to get back,"


    Ping screamed after them, ¡°You dirty agents! You¡¯d sell out your own kind for some fucking humans?!¡±


    Arisa turned back around, her face serious even in her oversized wardrobe, ¡°You are protected. What do you think STAM would do if they had found you instead of us?¡± she bit down hard against the tears welling in her eyes, ¡°But murder is murder.¡±


    The Infirmary


    "Can I go yet?" Keiko sighed as several nurses tended to her wounds.


    "Agent 013, you need to be more careful! Those STAM agents weapon''s are designed to do a lot of damage to we mutants," the head nurse glared at 013 as she rolled her eyes, "Now listen here if you continue to fight that agent with the gun, you will have your body paralyzed and they will capture you!!!" she shook the receptacle holding one of Seiji¡¯s daggers, ¡°Do you even know how much blood you lost from just one of these?!¡±


    "Yes, yes I understand Head Nurse. I can''t avoid it, sometimes I just have to fight them..."


    "013!!!!!" Arisa suddenly ran into the room, "Are you alright? I heard you ran into Shou and Seiji??," her eyes immediately found the bandage around Keiko¡¯s calf and the many sensors stuck to her body.


    Keiko immediately swung her legs off the bed and smiled, ¡°Nothing to worry about,¡± she plucked the sensors off one by one, ¡°We¡¯re done here aren¡¯t we?¡± she asked the head nurse behind her.


    The nurse sighed and shook her head as she walked off.


    Arisa pouted, ¡°You should be more careful when you fight them...¡±


    Keiko grinned, ¡°Is Aku waiting for us by the Epsilon Gate?¡±


    The Epsilon Gate


    The Epsilon Gate was a thirty foot giant that resembled a Torii gate. It was a massive gate in a small corner of the MRPA building. Arisa happily jumped into a rolly chair after having had changed back into her school uniform, "Say, do you have a mirror?" she turned to one of the white coats.


    "Of course agent 00," the man pulled out a small mirror and handed it to her.


    She smiled happily, "Thank you very much," Arisa held the mirror between her knees and started shifting her hair and face back into the human "Kuma Arisa" shape.


    "Can we go through yet?" Akumako yelled across the room to the many white coats tapping on screens.


    "Just a second, Agent 013 needs to go first,"


    Akumako rolled her eyes and sighed deeply, "...but I was here first..."


    "Haha, step aside 014," Keiko grinned widely as she pushed in front of her, "Just say the word and I''ll walk through,"


    "OK, we are ready....now!" suddenly there was a fuzzy mist that filled through the gate and Keiko stepped in. Arisa tried to look to actually see the change happen. But it was too blurred. When Keiko stepped through the thick mist she was no longer the MRPA agent 013, but Kuma Keiko.


    "Ugh this shell always makes me feel stiff," Keiko complained as she stretched out her shoulder.


    "At least you don''t have to take MS," Arisa stuck out her tongue, "They taste gross,"


    Akumako quickly walked through the Epsilon Gate and braided her long blonde hair loosely, "Come on, we should get going before it gets too late,"


    "Did you pick up your doses for the week?" Keiko looked at Arisa as she picked up her school bag.


    "Hmmm, I''ve got them,"

 A Black Pouch

    Chapter 8: A Black Pouch


    The Next Day: Sector 1-Tenno Academy


    "It''s so rare to have you come to school so early with me, Keiko," Arisa smiled as she changed her shoes at her locker.


    Keiko groaned as she bent down to change her own shoes. Her eyes were half asleep and she yawned widely, "I don''t know how you get up this early everyday just to come here,"


    Arisa grinned, "If I don''t I won''t be able to keep my place as first!!" she pouted at her, "I''m sure if you tried you would be a top student too!"


    Keiko waved her hand in front of her face, "Not a chance, I like sleeping too much,"


    A Few Hours Later: Class 2A


    Arisa stretched her hands high up in the air as she finished her studying for the morning. She turned around to Keiko to say something but saw that she was fast asleep on her notebook, "Why even come with me if you want to fall asleep?" she stood up and left the classroom for the bathroom to splash some cold water on her face. She liked the school right before people started to arrive. The halls were quiet with only the hushed sounds of 1 or 2 students.


    She looked up from the sink to see the water drip from the tip of her nose, ¡°Kuma Arisa,¡± she stared into the face she no longer recognized, a face that she put on every morning, ¡°shapeshifter¡­¡± she whispered to where only she heard those tormenting words under the dull sound of the water. As she looked into the mirror she felt that familiar bubbling sensation under her eye, ¡°No¡­¡± she watched as tears welled into her eyes, the left one a completely different shape than the other, ¡°Why can¡¯t I control you¡­.why is it only me?¡± her tears slid down her face as her gaze was fixed on the mix-matched face she had become. Arisa shoved her hand into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a small black pouch. Sniffling back her tears she pulled out the small capsule pill, ¡°MS is the only thing that will control it...¡± she popped the pill in her mouth and her eye stopped bubbling, her cells had calmed and she shifted her eye back to the normal look she had become accustomed to.


    Arisa suddenly slapped herself on the cheeks quickly, ¡°Come on Arisa!¡± she put on her best smile and made her way back to the classroom humming quietly to herself¡­not noticing the small black pouch that fell from her pocket.


    -------~~~~~~~---------


    "Good Morning Arisa!! Oh and Keiko as well," Shoutarou walked into the classroom, his bright personality breaking through the silence.


    Arisa smiled and put her finger over her lips, "Shhhhh, Keiko is asleep,"


    The crouched figure of Hiroto slipped into the room behind Shou.


    "Good Morning Moru-kun!" Arisa brightly whispered and waved enthusiastically.


    Hiroto felt his face get red and only managed a weak wave before curling into his usual position in his desk.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Arisa jerked her head as she heard the familiar sound of fan girls come down the hallway. She looked nervously from the sleeping Keiko to the doorway when he walked through with his large gathering.


    "Ladies, ladies you know that you all are very important to me, but it would be cruel of me to leave my noble duties of mutant killing to date any of you," Seiji said with his eyes closed and his hand on his heart, "Alas, I must soldier on without love," he put his hand under a girls chin and spoke close to her face, "If I were to give in, I could put such a beautiful face in harm''s way,"


    The girls all squealed and praised Seiji for his valiant acts.


    Arisa looked nervously at the waking Keiko.


    "Ichiro Seiji!!" Keiko jumped from her seat and turned to face him, "How can you be so loud so early in the day?"


    While the girls got silent in fear, Seiji smiled his play-boy smile and pushed his bangs from his face, "Oooh dear Keiko, I know it pains your heart to see me out in the field every night. But I am keeping you safe, just last night I was fighting against a black mutant all to insure your safety!!"


    As the fan girls swooned at Seiji¡¯s speech Keiko opened her mouth to scream at him but bit her tongue when a first year student walked in. She had short green hair tied back and looked cautiously around before setting an envelope down on the teacher''s desk and leaving.


    Keiko raised an eyebrow at the girl- her nerve connection to MRPA activated at the sight of her: a mutant. Following her instinct Keiko walked from the classroom and followed the student from down the hall. There should not be other mutants in this school.


    ¡°Kei!!¡± Arisa called to her from the classroom.


    Keiko turned back to see the girl turn the corner and walk away. With a sigh she looked at Arisa again deciding to let the issue go, ¡°I want some bread from the cafeteria. Wanna join?¡±


    Arisa bounced happily beside her.


    -----------


    Kyoushirou couldn''t help but smile as he watched Arisa laugh and smile with Keiko. She was always in a good mood and it was her smile that made him smile- even when he was at his worst. He turned away from her and walked toward the fountain when he felt a crunch under his foot and looked down to see a small black pouch, a pouch? Kyou knelt down and picked up the small bag and peered inside.


    "Watcha got there?" Aku poked her head over his shoulder to see but Kyoushirou quickly pushed the pouch into his pocket.


    "Oh, nothing...it''s nothing," he quickly shuffled away toward his classroom, his mind buzzing, Free....someone at Tenno is using Free...or could it be....a mutant?


    Akumako glared narrowly at Kyou as he turned the corner into the classroom. Something inside of her turned, some part of her gut was telling her to find out what it was that he was hiding.


    The End of the Day


    Keiko didn''t open her eyes as the final bell rang. She felt the gentle poke on her arm from Arisa and raised her eyebrows in acknowledgement. Arisa whispered faintly, "Aku-chan and I will go first,"


    Keiko nodded slightly and felt Arisa get up from her seat.


    "Oh, Arisa-chan! Leaving so soon?" Shou grinned at her.


    She nodded in response, "I promised Aku-chan I''d do some shopping with her,"


    As she heard Arisa leave, Keiko lifted her head from the desk and stretched her arms out above her head and let out a soft yawn.


    In that moment Seiji was stunned. He had never seen something as candid and as perfect in that moment. The way the warm sun brightened her hair, the way her slender arms reached high above her, the way the tears in her eyes from yawning welled in the corners of her eyes; it was a moment that he could never forget.


    "Seiji?"


    The loud voice of Shoutarou brought Seiji back from his thoughts, "Huh?" he turned to Shou and started to half listen to him, but his eyes couldn''t help but follow Keiko as she packed her bag and left the room.


    "Oi, Seiji!"

 Dead End

    Chapter 9: Dead End


    Sector 27: MRPA meeting with Red


    "No," 013 spoke harshly with her arms crossed over her chest, "I won¡¯t let 00 go by herself pretending to be Ping. It''s too dangerous."


    "But-" Arisa''s voice was weak and quiet.


    "I agree. If we send 00 in there all alone she will surely be caught!!" 014 nodded as she spoke.


    "But-" Arisa tried to raise her voice but it was no use.


    "I had no intention of sending her anyways. Agent 00 is too important of an asset to allow her to conduct a solo mission..." Red continued.


    Arisa clenched her fist and looked to the ground. She knew that a mission like this was dangerous, but she didn''t want to be protected. She didn''t want to wait safely while her friends risked their lives for her, "NO!" the strength of her own voice frightened her as she finally grabbed the attention of Red, 013, and 014, "I can do this," she pleaded to her sister, "I know I am not a fighter and I understand how dangerous this is, but I''m the only one who can do this! This info from Ping is our only lead! If we don''t do this...we may never get the chance! I won¡¯t let more humans die!"


    There was silence for a few short moments before Red spoke up, "I''m sorry 00, but the answer is no. I won''t risk your safety for that."


    "But Uncle-"


    "I said no Arisa!" his voice was absolute and booming, it was rare for him to use her real name, "You will stay here! 013, 014 go and find Durim!!!" with that the screen that Red stood behind went dark and the room fell silent.


    013 looked at 014 and nodded for them to get on their way.


    "Keiko, please," Arisa begged as they walked past her, ¡°Think about how many humans are in danger- please!¡±


    Keiko looked back at Arisa with regret filled eyes and shook her head as she left, "We will look for Durim and find another way," she left the meeting room with Aku close behind her.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Arisa fell to her knees in the large room and bit back tears. She hated this. She hated being weak...she hated being the only one who had to stay behind. She always got patrol missions...or infant retrieval. Never was she allowed alone in the field either¡­.just once...just one time she wanted to help...she wanted to be needed by the team, ¡°I can do this,¡± she cried through the tears, ¡°I can do this!¡±


    Sector 19: The market near Durim''s club


    "You think Arisa is mad?" Keiko walked slowly through the crowd; her eyes absent mindedly scanning over the humans and mutants.


    014 shrugged, "She probably just feels left out. We can make it up to her I''m sure."


    "I wonder if she is really mad at me."


    "Why at you?"


    "The way she looked at me as we left...I just-"


    "You''ll have to save your guilt for later," Aku looked at the building that was across the street, ¡°We¡¯re here.¡±


    Keiko nodded, "Durim''s men aren''t here, I wonder if the building has been ripped clean by STAM."


    "We might get lucky. Maybe Durim came back for something. Either way if we don''t find him we will have no choice but to send 00,"


    Sector 27: MRPA HQ


    Arisa was going about her normal work duties in the infant room. One of the most important missions MRPA agents do is going to hospitals and homes and protecting new born mutants from being killed or taken to STAM. All those baby mutants are brought back to MRPA where they are cared for. Many of these babies would grow up to become MRPA agents of their own. For many of these babies, MRPA would forever be their family and home.


    Arisa found joy here caring for the infants. She would shift her face into strange shapes to make the small ones laugh or care for them when they cried. Currently she was tucking them all in for bed. Her shift would be over once the last little one closed their eyes and dreamed.


    She turned on the glowing night light that set the ceiling and walls to look like a clear night sky with millions and millions of stars and dazzling colors. She shut the door silently behind her.


    Arisa felt lifeless as she walked down the hallway.  I shouldn''t...she she turned the corner, I mustn''t do it...I was told to go home. She held tightly onto the door, they told me not to...I am not allowed to do this. She pulled open the door and closed it behind her: the door reading HOLDING CELLS.

 Distress

    Chapter 10: Distress


    Sector 19: Durim¡¯sClub 19:00


    The black agents walked across the street and pushed open the door to the now quiet nightclub. A small green light came on behind the door as they kept walking, "I can''t believe this place is deserted already," they walked through the empty club and into the VIP room.


    "Looks like STAM ripped this place apart already too," 014 dragged her finger across the window sill to see it come back dustless.


    Keiko sighed, "Looks like we won''t find him here...any clues as to where he would go?"


    "I don''t-" Aku suddenly felt her hairs stand up straight, "DUCK!"


    Without hesitating, Keiko dropped to the ground just in time as the wall behind her was busted open and Ryuichi flew through the hole. He had his fist pulled back and flew toward Aku. In only a second Aku grabbed Ryuichi by the arm and threw him through the wall behind her, "013, let''s get out of here quick!"


    Kei jumped to her feet and nodded but was quickly pushed back to the ground and pulled out of the hole in the wall.


    "Look what I caught in my trap," the voice she was being pulled toward sneered.


    Keiko looked over and saw Hiroto, shit.


    Aku ran out after her, pulling her katana out through a shadow, and quickly cut through the string, "Come on, come on!" her voice was serious.


    Keiko jumped to her feet and sent a huge gust of wind to Hiro who braced against the attack, "They''ve ambushed us. We can''t get out of here Hiro has made a barrier!"Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    "What?!" Aku looked around and faintly saw the steel strings that blocked all route of escape, "Can you take him?"


    Keiko nodded, "If you can take Ryuichi,"


    Aku clenched her jaw, "We just need an opening,"


    "I¡¯m on it!" Keiko pushed off the ground with extra air and flew toward Hiro. If she could just get him to break the barrier, they could escape.


    "Ryu!!! Take them out now!!" Hiro screamed as he began blocking the elemental¡¯s attacks.


    "Right!" Ryuichi punched his gloved fists together and sent sparks flying.


    Aku looked at his gloves nervously, his anti-mutant weapon was a tricky one to battle against, and Keiko was fighting with her weakest element. It would be up to her battle with Ryuichi.


    Ryu lunged forward first and bent down low to hit her in the ribs. She quickly moved to barely miss the attack and pushed her knee deep into the soft spot between his ribs. Ryu lurched at the impact and fell to the ground to catch his breath. Aku didn''t waste anytime to continue her attack and jumped up to land a kick on his back as he coughed for air. Ryuichi quickly fell on his back and caught her ankle, burning it with his glove, and threw her across the field all the way into the barrier.


    She turned to see Keiko''s wrist get caught in one of Hiro''s strings. Hiro send a current through it and she was jolted with a big burst of electricity but quickly knocked Hiro to the ground and freed herself from his grasp.


    The two mutants quickly stood back to back and faced their opponents. Their breath was heavy and they both were determined to make it out as they were about to lunge for their enemies they felt the small bracelet around their wrist buzz. Keiko saw the message come up in her eyes thanks to the nerve connection from the omnibook and gasped at the message, "00- she''s hit the distress button!" Without having time to react to the news, they were pushed back into battle, uncertain of what was going on.


    Sector 6: The Factory District


    Arisa stood, her nerves taking her as she stood in a darkened room. She took a deep and shaky breath as she stood face to face with someone she didn''t expect, not that she wore her own face. Ping said that he didn''t come directly! What have I done?


    The tall man grinned wildly, a wooden sword draped over his shoulders, "So tell me Ping, how much did you bring for me this time?"


    Arisa gulped hard in the face of the dealer, Kimaru....the dealer.

 Arisas Fear

    Chapter 11: Arisa¡¯s Fear


    Sector 27: 18:30


    Arisa was in the warehouse of MRPA, walking down row after row of confiscated material from mutants. At the very end of the room she found the MS from Ping''s house and began stuffing the individual bags from the box into her duffel bag, i need to fill up two of these...that''s what Ping told me to do. She let out a deep sigh as she zipped the bag closed. Her hands were cold and shaking as she took another deep breath, I can do this. I can do this....I can....I can....I can''t, she dropped her head in her hands and tried to shake off her fears, it''s OK, Kimaru won''t be there....Ping said that Kimaru sends men to pick it up for him...I won''t be in danger...she pulled up her head and grabbed the bags before she slipped out the building. Her heart was racing and her skin felt cold and wet at the same time. She was scared; but she would do what she had to do. She would prove her worth this time.


    Sector 6


    As she made her way closer to the Factory District she pushed several buttons on her watch and winced as the small prongs pushed into her wrist. Within a few moments she saw the welcome screen of MRPA''s database flash in her eyes and changed her voice to Ping''s through the system. She took several deep, shaky breaths as the gravity of the situation started to take hold, ¡°You can do this,¡± she prompted herself, pulling out a mirror, ¡°You got this!¡± She shifted her face into Ping¡¯s; her breath continuing to be shaky and disjointed. After checking the details several times she continued through the Factory District, weaving through containers until she heard someone "psst" at her.


    She turned quickly and saw a man in a loose suit, "You''re late, we were worried you wouldn''t show."


    Arisa grinned shyly and rubbed her neck, "There were some agents out and about, you can never be too careful right?"


    "I suppose. Follow me, Kimaru-sama wants to inspect the delivery personally,"


    Arisa hesitated on her first step, "K-K-Kimaru-sama is here?!"


    The man smirked, "Yea so you better be on your best behavior,"


    Arisa gulped hard as she followed closely behind the man, it''s too late to run away...but if I stay I could get caught...I could call for help...but...but I could still make it out of this without a problem...I shouldn''t- as she turned the corner she saw the scope of the problem she had walked into to. There were armed guards everywhere; her mind was buzzing, hit the distress button, don''t call for help! Even if Kimaru is here you can still complete the mission. You don''t have to call for help,...not yet.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    The man she had followed motioned for her to enter the heavily guarded warehouse container. The door closed behind her with a bang. She narrowed her eyes as they slowly adjusted to the dark room.


    "Is that you Ping?" the voice in a velvet arm chair asked without turning his face to her, "It''s about time I met my trusty supplier face to face don''t you think? After what happened to Durim..."


    Arisa swallowed hard as she walked slowly over toward Kimaru, "Yes I probably should have tried to pay my respects to you earlier,"


    "That''s alright Ping. I can meet you now and we can work well together in the future,"


    Arisa turned to face Kimaru, he was a man in his early thirties. He wore an open Kimono top with ripped jeans and wooden sandals; there was a wooden sword leaning against the arm chair.


    Arisa bowed as deeply as she could while setting the bags on the ground, "It''s an honor to finally meet you," she looked up from her bow to look at his rust colored hair that was long and disheveled and there was a hint of stubble across his face.


    Kimaru waved his hand nonchalantly, "Let''s talk numbers," he turned to grin at her and she smiled as genuine as she could, Nee-chan...Akumako....give me strength.


    Sector 1: STAM


    Kyou was sitting in his childhood home. His father sat across the table in a royal blue chair, but his face was hidden behind a shadow. The seat beside his father, his mother¡¯s seat, was empty and red. The seat beside Kyoushirou was his little sisters seat- that too was empty. His sister¡¯s seat suddenly burst into flames he saw his father jump from his chair and scream- his sister¡¯s chair suddenly froze blue.


    In fear Kyou stood and turned running from the table.


    ¡°Ko-shi!!!¡±


    He stopped immediately at the sound of his sister¡¯s bloody scream, ¡°Koko!!!¡± he ran back into the room to find he was in the STAM briefing room, ¡°Where is she?!?!¡±


    But the place his father had been seated at was empty.


    ¡°KO-SHI!!!¡± his sister screamed again.


    Kyou screamed and ran into the hall; he was in the STAM building. He ran straight for the stairwell and barreled down the stairs. The stairwell slowly started to freeze over and he saw his fingertips turn blue- but he kept running.


    At the lowest basement there was just a rock wall where the door used to be. He kicked through it and the wall crumbled away. He ran into the snow-filled hallway, ¡°Koko!!¡± he screamed frantically.


    ¡°KOSHI!!!¡±


    He was thrown against the wall by a gust of wind, an icicle piercing into the soft spot between his shoulder and collarbone.


    He screamed out and felt his body shudder, ¡°DON¡¯T WAKE UP!!!¡± he squeezed his eyes shut and ripped the icicle from his body and kept running. His vision was shaking.


    He slipped on the ice but grabbed the doorknob to where Koko was.


    ¡°KOKO!!!¡±


    The door flew open and he was hit with flames and a final scream, ¡°KOSHI!!!!¡±


    Kyou jumped from his bed and fell to the floor covered in a cold sweat, ¡°Koko!!¡± he called out and clenched his fist. His body shook with anger as he buried his face into the ground. Slowly the shakes changed and he bit back the tears in his eyes.

 Rescue

    Chapter 12: Rescue


    Sector 19


    Akumako winced at the steaming flesh on her arm from where Ryuichi had punched her. She had burns all over her body. Her vision was foggy and her head seemed to go in and out of awareness.


    "It''ll take more than shaking your head around to stay awake," Ryuichi grinned over his steaming glove, "Your brain is losing oxygen thanks to the omega cells clumping around your burns. Soon enough you''ll pass out and then we just have to worry about the other one," it was true. All STAM agents were equipped with anti-mutant weapons that affect the omega cells only found in mutants one way or another. As a container, Ryu¡¯s weapon forces a mutant to pass out due to lack of oxygen.


    Aku glared at him, "As if this level would be enough to take out me...," a child of Mr.Black.


    Ryuichi growled and ran in for another attack. Aku knelt down thrusting her hand into her own shadow and pulling out her katana lunging toward him, their weapons sparking upon impact.


    ------------


    Hiroto glared at the elemental, he didn''t have the ability to dispose of her like his position expected of him. He wouldn''t be able to start the killing until Ryuichi gave him the okay...or if he died. For now he was only allowed to wound her...but his weapon was more powerful than just wounds. Hiroto looked at the weakened agent from top to bottom. There were small cuts all over her from his steel string. Normally there would be a large electric current flowing through her body that would stop her heart, but he couldn''t use it yet. He had to keep the voltage low.


    The elemental heaved in a deep, wild breath of air as she lunged forward. Hiroto blocked the attacks carefully. This was the first time he had fought with the elemental in such a rage. She was usually calm and collected, but there was something angry about her; something unhinged. She had openings everywhere...this might be his only chance to take out a black agent. He pulled out a small length of wire and cracked it like a whip. He snapped the whip on to her ankle and threw her to the ground. He followed it by cracking the whip once more and slicing her arm lengthwise. The elementalist screamed in a mixture of rage and pain.


    She jumped to her feet and held her bleeding arm, I don''t have time for this...Arisa...Arisa is in trouble! I need to save her! I HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE!


    Akumako looked over while pushing Ryu''s attack back, "013!!! Breathe!!!" she screamed the order. It didn¡¯t happen often but if Keiko lost her composure during a fight this was the simple command to snap her out of it.


    Keiko froze at the words, and let out a huff of air in her lungs. She closed her eyes as she heard Hiro charge toward her. The image of Arisa''s smiling face flashed in her eyes as she let out the first breath, one. As she inhaled the second breath she let her mind go blank as she heard Hiro''s feet sink into the Earth as he reeled back his attack, two. As she inhaled her last breath she saw Arisa making their lunch for the next morning, three. Her eyes shot open and she slipped a gust of air under Hiroto''s foot to catch him off balance and slammed him into the ground with a large ball of wind.


    He stood messily to his feet and cracked the wire whip once more. Hiroto gritted his teeth together; she wasn''t the same person that he was fighting only moments ago. She was calm and composed. Her movements were with purpose and her face wasn''t filled with anger anymore. This is the black agent...the elemental. This is the mutant STAM can¡¯t capture. He gripped tightly on his whip and yelled out as he sent the steel whip flying toward her. The whip wrapped around her wrist and he grinned, "Looks like your time is up 013!!!"


    She looked at the whip calmly, "Don''t make me laugh Hiro," she gripped the whip and yanked it toward her, sending Hiro flying in her direction. Using the air to keep him in motion she flung him past her and into his own steel barrier. The barrier, in reaction to it''s owner, collapsed and protected Hiroto from the impact. In the moments the mutants had, they quickly vanished from the battlefield and left to search for Arisa.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Dammit!!!" Ryuichi cried out before slamming his hand into the dog tag around his neck. The  gloves on his hands folded away from his skin and were once again locked within the dog tag, "Come on Hiroto, let''s check out the night club again," he reached his hand out to Hiro who was laying on the ground.


    Hiro let out a deep sigh as a raindrop fell on his glasses. Without taking Ryuichi''s hand he stood to his feet and brushed off his pants.


    ------_____------


    "Where are we going?!" Aku called out to Kei who was several paces ahead of her.


    "We have to get to Arisa!! It¡¯s obvious where she is- even though we told  her not to!!" Keiko''s voice was panicked and strained, now that the fight was over her emotions had taken her once more.


    "Has she sent the signal for back up?"


    Keiko suddenly stopped running and shot an irritated glare back at Aku, "Why are you asking?"


    "Well, maybe everything is fine. Maybe she uncovering another lead like we nee-"


    "Whose side are you on?! You said yourself that you didn''t want her to go!! Are you saying we should just stand by and let her do this?!"


    Aku let out a sigh, "Look I know she is in danger and that you don''t want to see her hurt...but she is an agent," she chose her words carefully, "she has done all the basic training...she knew what she was getting into when she decided to do this and-"


    "She went against orders 014!! This isn''t just about me and my feelings! This is about her disobeying Red!"


    Aku sighed again, she knew it didn''t matter anymore what she said. Keiko wouldn''t listen anymore, "Just don¡¯t rush in there and injure a bunch of people,"


    With that the two headed off through the rain, to Sector 6.


    Sector 6


    "Ok Ping. Give me my delivery," Kimaru grinned a way that was both welcoming and menacing.


    Arisa nodded and grabbed the two bags with her sweaty hands, handing them to Kimaru who opened the bag hopefully, "Looks pretty good looks pretty-" he suddenly shoved his hand into the bag and pulled out the capsules, "Are you fucking kidding me?"


    Arisa''s breath stopped as Kimaru''s gaze fell on her, "What the fuck is this Ping?!!" he threw the bag on the ground, sending pills spilling outside. He grabbed Arisa by the collar and put a pill near her face, "Now tell me Ping, why oh why would you bring me marked pills?"


    She nervously looked at the pill, her eyes glued to the small stamp on the pill of the MRPA crest.


    "Now where would you get this amount of MS without setting off MRPA''s security?!" he paused awaiting a response, "This delivery is USELESS!" he threw the pill in his hand on the ground, "I CAN''T SELL MARKED PILLS, PING!!!"


    As Kimaru continued to yell, her mind was buzzing. She had messed up. This was no longer a simple delivery mission, her cover was about to be blown. This wasn''t according to plan, anything could happen now that she made a mistake. He could attack her, he could kill her even...or worse, he could figure out that she was an agent. She took a step back as her panic began to take her.


    "Ping?" she dared not answer, "PING!!!" Kimaru grabbed her by the collar again, "ANSWER ME!!! How are you going to take responsibility for making me lose so much business?!"


    Arisa closed her eyes and tried to stay calm, I know MRPA knows I am here...those messages have popped up in my eyes. Which means Keiko and Aku are probably on their way...do I fight them? I can¡¯t fight this many guards...and Kimaru¡¯s a mutant, I have no idea what to expect from him¡­.what do I do?


    She remained silent as Kimaru''s rage rose but was redirected to a loud banging noise from the door, "What is that?" he turned to one of his men and motioned for him to check it out. The guard nodded in response and opened the door to the warehouse. He was suddenly thrown completely back to the other wall of the room by a gust of air as 013 ran in, "00!!!"


    Arisa''s face brightened and she quickly slipped out of Kimaru''s grasp. She turned her head to see 014 grabbed guards through the shadows. Kimaru quickly started running to the back of the warehouse. Arisa turned to see 013 and 014 held back with the sheer number of guards. This is my only chance. Arisa ran after Kimaru, quickly catching up to him, "Kimaru-sama!!"


    He turned his head just in time to see her shift her hand into metal as it came in contact with his face. His body fell to the floor and Arisa quickly pulled a ring off her finger that grew to the shape of handcuffs. As Kimaru awoke he was already bound and sighed as he clumsily stood to his feet.


    Arisa shifted her arm into a blade and pointed the tip to his neck, "Start walking, back to the others,"


    Kimaru grinned but followed her orders, "I see, you are the infamous shapeshifter of MRPA, Agent 00,"


    Arisa shifted her form back to her agent form and pushed the buttons on her watch, disconnecting the nerve unit of the omnibook, "Don''t talk,"


    "You are definitely prettier than Ping," Kimaru grinned at her as they walked back into the warehouse.


    "013, 014!!" she called out to show that Kimaru had been captured.


    014 grinned and gave her a thumbs up, but 013 stomped over and grabbed Kimaru and pulled him away from Arisa without a word.

 Disobeying Orders

    Chapter 13: Disobeying Orders


    MRPA: Red''s Meeting Room


    "How could you do this?!" Red screamed from behind the screen. His silhouette stood with his fist¡¯s pushed into his desk top , "Agent 00 you completely disregarded my orders! You were NOT to go on that mission and certainly not alone!"


    "But I-" she jumped up.


    "Not another word! Nothing you say right now will change the fact that you disobeyed me," they could hear a deep, frustrated sigh as he slumped back into his chair, "Agent 00, as of this day, you are suspended from active duty."


    Arisa fell to her seat, defeated at those heavy words, suspended?


    "Red, don''t you think suspension is a little-" Aku spoke up in Arisa''s defense, ¡°She did complete the mission-¡±


    "Agent 014," Red interrupted, "Since we have Kimaru in custody, you will be interrogating. You will not leave until the details of their operation is exposed entirely understood?"


    Aku nodded silently.


    "013," Red spoke seriously, "Take 00 home. Report back here tomorrow."


    The screen that Red was behind turned black and 013 stood to leave, "Meet me at the Epsilon gate when you are ready," without another word she left.


    Aku sighed and put her hand on Arisa''s shoulder, "You know she isn''t mad at you...she was worried and-"


    "It''s ok...I know I was wrong. I shouldn''t have gone..." as defeated as she felt at that moment, Arisa held in her tears.


    "Arisa, even though you went against orders, I think you did the right thing."


    Arisa looked up hopefully, tears welling in her eyes, "Really?"


    Aku nodded, "Of course. You did catch him didn''t you? Don''t get so worked up about this. They just don''t like the idea of you in danger,"


    Arisa nodded and wiped her tears away, "Thanks Aku,"


    "Now take your MS and go meet your sister to go home,"


    Arisa smiled and dug through her bag when her heart stopped, "Where is it?" she frantically started pulling things out of her bag, "It''s gone, it''s gone!!" she peered into the now empty bag in defeat.


    "What''s gone?" Aku looked down at her confused.


    "The black pouch I keep my MS in...it isn''t here...."


    "You lost it?" Aku sighed knowing that if Keiko found out, it would only make things worse.


    Arisa pouted,"I don''t know where it could be...if I don¡¯t have it then my shifts, I won¡¯t be able to control my shifts!"


    Trying to keep her from crying Aku smiled, "I''m sure you dropped it somewhere outside. We can go refill your prescription with Ms.Mary. Don''t worry about it,"Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Arisa nodded and pushed everything back into her bag, "Will you come with me?"


    3rd Level Basement: Pharmacy


    "Ooh zerochii,it''s been a while," from behind the counter of the pharmacy table the woman smiled at Arisa.


    "Ms. Mary!" Arisa smiled brightly at her as she jumped at the counter, "Can I get an advance on  my MS perscription? I lost my last couple doses,"


    Aku stood behind her, her gaze pinned on Ms. Mary, she didn''t care for her. She had short black hair with bangs that covered half of her face completely. She has a small frame covered by her oversized white coat. If it weren¡¯t for the large MRPA crest on her breast pocket she could be mistaken for a human.


    Ms. Mary''s face turned from a smile to a downward gaze, "I''m sorry zerochii, but we are already backed up on orders today- thanks to this mess with Free all our dosages are being checked for tampering. I can''t fill it for you until tomorrow afternoon,"


    Arisa''s head dropped on the table defeated, "What am I gonna do? I can¡¯t control my random shifts without MS...When 013 finds out I don''t have any MS she will kill m-"


    "When who doesn''t have any MS?"


    Arisa felt the hairs on her neck stand up as she heard the voice. She dared not turn around in fear.


    "00!" Keiko stomped her foot on the ground and Arisa jumped up in fear, "You LOST your MS?!"


    Arisa smiled weakly and avoided eye contact, "Well, I just...I mean...I-"


    "We''re leaving. Right. Now," Keiko glared at her.


    ¡°I...."


    "Zerochii!! I''ll have it ready for you tomorrow!!" she waved happily as Arisa trailed behind Keiko.


    Aku spared one last ugly look for Ms. Mary as she looked down at her phone, ¡°013!¡± she called to Keiko before they left completely, ¡°The interrogation will have to wait for tomorrow. I have to go.¡±


    Keiko nodded, ¡°He can rot in the cell for a few hours first. Go ahead.¡±


    Sector 1: STAM


    Ryu and Hiro walked into the STAM building and were surrounded by the usual amount of press. He could see their disappointment with seeing just Rank 3.


    ¡°Container Mumei! Is there any comment you¡¯d like to give the press? Perhaps about the rumors of-¡±


    ¡°I will not be making any comments tonight. Everyone please be safe getting home tonight.¡± he smiled at them and made his way through the reporters with Hiro behind him.


    The two rode in silence in the elevator and as they stepped out Hiro turned to head to their room.


    ¡°Where are you going? Don¡¯t you want to eat or something?¡± Ryu pointed to the cafeteria at the other end of the hall.


    Hiro didn¡¯t turn around, ¡°I¡¯m going to bed.¡±


    ---


    Ryu was sitting at a table alone- his food untouched in front of him. He didn¡¯t know why but he was always in a bad mood after fighting the black agents. Was he upset that he failed to capture them? No that didn¡¯t seem to be right. Was he afraid of fighting them? He couldn¡¯t be sure, but that didn¡¯t feel right either.


    ¡°What¡¯s with the frown?¡± Seiji sat down across from him and grinned, ¡°Shou and I were patrolling all night and he kept humming that song- you know the one that he¡¯s been obsessed with for forever?¡±


    Ryu smiled softly trying to push his strange thoughts away, ¡°Hiro and I got the elemental and the albino.¡±


    Seiji gawked, ¡°You had to fight 2 of them?!? And the elemental!!!¡± his eyes seemed to light with fire as he talked about her, ¡°And? Did you get em?¡±


    Ryu shook his head, ¡°They ran away the first moment they got.¡±


    Seiji groaned, ¡°Typical. That elemental is a coward.¡±


    Ryu¡¯s smiled faded once again and he poked at his food, ¡°Seiji?¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°How do you...feel?¡± he paused realizing he couldn¡¯t go back anymore, ¡°After fighting a black agent I mean...¡±


    Seiji pondered for a second, ¡°Usually pretty angry,¡± he shrugged, ¡°they always knock us out and run or just avoid a fight in general. But they always get in the way of our jobs.¡±


    ¡°Hmmmm...¡± Ryu nodded unsure.


    ¡°Why?¡±


    Ryu shook his head and smiled, ¡°I must be hungry!¡± he took a bite of his food.

 A Fateful Meeting

    Chapter 14: A Fateful Meeting


    The Next Day: Tenno Academy Class A


    Keiko sighed deeply as she sat in her seat, her mind thinking only about the words she spoke to Arisa, was I too harsh? She thought about how she had turned Arisa away this morning. She had stood there already dressed in her uniform. When Keiko lectured her about losing her MS and having to stay home her shoulders slumped forward and she just nodded silently.


    Keiko sighed, she didn''t want Arisa to be sad, but what could she do? She had to keep Arisa safe! That is the only reason her and Aku are in this dangerous school situation, for Arisa.


    "Oh, Keiko, where''s Arisa?" Shou leaned on her desk and smiled at her.


    "She said she wasn''t feeling too well," she responded plainly as she unpacked her bag.


    "Ohhhh, does that mean you will be taking notes for her?" he asked playfully, "Think you can stay awake today?"


    She chuckled in response, but turned when Seiji¡¯s voice cut through her laughter.


    "Oh, poor poor Hiroto, got beaten by the elementalist huh?" Seiji grinned as he poked at Hiro.


    Hiro sighed, "Speak for yourself, you''ve never beaten her either. At least Ryu and I were fighting 2 on 2,"


    "What did you say to me?" Seiji growled angrily, "Don''t forget who is a higher rank than you,"


    Hiro glared at Seiji, "What rank? You''re a disposer just like I am. Don''t get so full of yourself,"


    Seiji grabbed Hiro by the collar, "Watch your mouth third rank,"


    "Hey, hey, Seiji come on. We''re in class right now huh?" Shou laid his hand on both of their shoulders, "Let''s play nice here hmm? Especially since people are watching," he whispered to Seiji who immediately let go and turned his head around to see Keiko staring at them.


    "Kuma Keiko?" Kyoushirou walked in, sparing a glance at his subordinates as he walked over to Keiko. He spoke plainly and with distance- he felt awkward speaking to the sister of Arisa, "Akumako and your sister are absent today?"


    Keiko nodded up at Kyoushirou, "Arisa wasn''t feeling well and Akumako took the day off to take care of her. Since her and I are in the same class I''m taking notes for her,"


    "Ah, should I give you notes for Akumako?"


    "I''m sure she would be happy to have them,"


    "Ok, I hope Arisa feels better," he turned to leave the room but was pulled into Shou''s arms.


    "Hmmm you just hope she feels better?" he teased, ¡°Do you want to visit her with some soup after school??¡± he teased.


    Kyou''s face turned red as he nervously looked back at Arisa''s protective sister, "Sh-shut up! w-why would I do that?" after pulling away from Shou he quickly stumbled out of the room.


    Seiji snorted out a laugh, ¡°Our great leader s-s-st-t-t-tuttered!!!¡± he blurted mockingly.


    Shou too was laughing, ¡°Did you see how red he got???¡± he took a shaky breath, ¡°How does it feel know the Rank 1 of STAM has a crush on your sister?¡±


    Keiko shot a glare at him, ¡°He can feel whatever he wants,¡± she bit down trying to compose herself, ¡°But if he will have to go through me if he wants Arisa.¡±


    Shou felt his throat close up at such a strong response. The hairs on his neck stood up and he felt frozen.


    The bell chimed, snapping him from his state and let out a shaky laugh, ¡°Relax Keiko it''s just a joke¡­¡± but as he made his way back to his desk he couldn''t shake the feeling weighing on him- the familiar sour taste forming in his mouth.


    Sector 3: The Apartment


    Arisa had fallen back asleep after Keiko forbade her from leaving. When she woke up she could feel her face was morphed strangely. She always woke up shifted when she was restless the night before. She shifted herself comfortably into her Kuma Arisa form that she was so used to and went to the kitchen to make some food for her and Aku. There was a small sticky note on the counter in Aku¡¯s handwriting, ¡°Running and errand. Let me know if you need something while I¡¯m out- Aku¡±


    Arisa sighed, ¡°I guess it¡¯s just me for a little while...¡±


    Sector 1: Thrice Inc


    Aku stood in front of the large, grand building and walked in casually. Most buildings in this Sector were made of clean steel and glass, but the inside of this building was all white and black marble. The lobby was filled with smooth ¡°clean¡± plants and their bright green colors were in such contrast to the white walls that she couldn''t resist looking at them. At their radiation free beautiful forms and smoothness. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    She was by far the youngest there but it didn¡¯t seem to matter as everyone was too busy to give her any notice. She opened the door to the stairwell, immediately jumped into a shadow, and arrived at the top floor stairwell. She walked out into the dark hallway and headed straight for the overly large doors at the end. She knocked once and the door opened for her.


    ¡°You called for me Uncle?¡± she bowed deeply as she walked in.


    ¡°Ah!! Akumako my favorite child,¡± Mr.Black swiveled in his chair to turn to see her and immediately frowned. He was a thin man with frizzy brown hair held tightly in place with gel. His bones sharply poke from his face and his skin just barely showed the signs of aging. His eyes were sunk slightly into his face and those near black disks seemed to burrow through her, ¡°Well we can¡¯t do anything with you in that dreadful shell of yours..Chihiyo?¡±


    From the corner Chihiyo stepped forward. She was thin and elegant with white skin that held no imperfections. Her hair seemed made of silver but her pale eyes were sharp and cald. Aku was covered in a thick black cloud, when it dissipated her human shell too was gone.


    ¡°I need that! How am I supposed to walk around like this?¡± she pointed at her white hair and her red eyes, ¡°STAM is right across the street!¡±


    Mr.Black waved his hand, ¡°When you come back Chihiyo will give you that horrible shell back hmm?¡± he slid a manila folder across his desk the tab reading BROWN, YongGuk.


    Aku sighed and took the folder from his desk, ¡°Time limit?¡± she asked dully.


    Chihiyo answered for Mr.Black, ¡°2 hours is the window,¡±


    Aku nodded, it was plenty of time.


    A Few Hours Later: The Apartment


    Arisa sat on the couch with her arms wrapped around her knees, she felt so useless just sitting at home. She felt useless at MRPA as an agent. Arisa felt like a burden to them sometimes. Especially when they babied her.


    As her thoughts wandered she looked over to the kitchen and saw that Keiko had left her lunch like always, "Tsk,tsk, she always forgets her lunch," suddenly an idea came to her, "I know! I''ll just stop by to bring her lunch! I won''t even stay to eat with her...I''ll just bring it,"


    Happily, she jumped to her feet and grabbed the lunch as she left the apartment to make her way to school.


    Tenno Academy


    She walked through the gates to Tenno Academy and stopped,"I should call her so that no one sees me," she pushed her hands into her pockets and sighed, I can''t believe I forgot it...oh well, I''ll just bring it to her...


    She walked through the courtyard and opened the doors to walk through the halls. She climbed the stairs to get to the second floor and made her way to the end of the hall where Class 2-A was. I''ll just pop in and be out in a hurry. I can even grab my math book and get some work do-


    It was in that moment that she felt it, that horrible bubbling feeling crawling over her back. She immediately stopped moving, her heart pounding as she shut her eyes completely, not now...please not now....For a moment she thought that maybe it would go away, that her body would not shift in the way it usually did; but then it erupted. The small bubbling became boiling. Her entire back erupted in the uncontrollable shift. She bit back a scream as she felt her bones grind against one another.


    She dropped the lunch and ran to the restroom, tears falling from her face that had shifted into feathers.


    The Nurses Office


    "Stupid Shou, giving me a headache with his crazy questions..." he mumbled to himself as he left the office and made his way back to class.


    As he turned the corner his thoughts were cut of by the spilt lunch in the hall, A spilled lunch? He walked over to it and sighed, "How can someone make a mess like this and then just leave-" he got silent as he saw the trail of feathers. They led from the mess all the way to the girls bathroom. He thought of the black pouch he had found before. Could there really be a mutant in Tenno? In this school?


    Making little noise he walked slowly, pulling out his dogtag incase a mutant had made its way inside. He looked around to make sure no one was looking and poked his head into the girls bathroom. The Shapeshifter?! He could only see her back as she bent over the sink, her fingers white from the force she held to it. Her shirt had ripped and from it there was a giant, grey wing.


    This is my chance to finally capture the shapeshif-


    The girl lifted her face to the mirror and he saw her, Arisa?! There were tears streaming down her face and she was biting into her finger as to not make a noise. The wing on her back started changing and pushing back into her skin and from her mouth a small cry fell out. Her legs gave out and she fell to the ground on her hands and knees as the wing slowly pushed back into her body. The tears were now streaming off her face and pooling below her.


    As Kyoushirou watched he felt a stinging pain in his chest. She was in so much pain, she was crying. He felt tears well in his own eyes and wiped them away. He couldn''t watch anymore, he wanted to help her...but how could a STAM agent help a mutant?


    -----


    Arisa stood to her feet as the horrible bubbling went away. It had been so long since she missed a dosage of MS that she forgot how aggressive her powers were; how out of control they were. She washed her face and wiped the tears away as best she could. Her back still hurt and her muscles were sore all over, not to mention her shirt was ripped. It''s probably best I go home without letting Keiko know I was here...she would be furious...what was I thinking? Before she started crying again she decided to go home. She walked out of the bathroom when she saw someone come over.


    "Arisa!" Kyoushirou ran over with a shocked face. Arisa''s heart stopped, she didn''t know if he had seen or if-, "What happened? I thought you were sick- are you OK did you fall?"


    Arisa let out a sigh of relief, "Keiko left her lunch...I wanted to bring it to her and I....I slipped,"


    Kyoushirou looked at her fondly, he couldn''t believe that he had just seen her in so much pain, now she just looked at him with her smiling face, "Your shirt!"


    Arisa blushed, "I think it snagged on something when I-"


    Kyoushirou took off his jacket and put it over her shoulders, "Here take this,"


    "Kyoushirou, I could never! This is your-" she tried to pull away but his hands were firmly on her shoulders.


    "Please, I couldn''t live with myself if I let a sick girl go home without a jacket," he looked into her eyes and blocked out the part of his mind screaming at him for helping a mutant. He told himself that she wasn''t mutant, that he didn''t see anything. He desperately ordered himself to believe that lie. He never wanted to see her in that kind of pain ever again...he couldn''t see her like that.


    Arisa tried to hide how red her face had gotten and smiled, "Thank you, I''ll return it to you tomorrow,"

 Agent 00: Kuma Arisa

    Chapter 15: Agent 00: Kuma Arisa


    The Evening: Sector 27: MRPA Interrogation Room


    Aku slammed the door behind her as she left the room, "I''m so done with him!! It''s been hours and he hasn''t told me anything!!!!" she screamed in frustration.


    Keiko turned the corner and waved, "Need a break?"


    Aku smiled, "Is it that obvious?"


    "Only a little," she grabbed the doorknob to the room, "I''ll see what I can do,"


    Keiko closed the door behind her and sat down in front of Kimaru, "I hear you haven''t exactly been cooperating.¡± The room had 3 dark green walls. Kimaru sat at a steel table with his back to a flat wall, while Keiko sat across from him, her back to a corner.


    He grinned, "Are all of the agents here only pretty ladies?"


    Ignoring his comment she pulled up his information on the omnibook and displayed it on the table before him, "Seishi Kimaru, age 33, mutant type: human anatomy, abilities: invisibility?" she looked at him skeptically, "Why on Earth would you allow yourself to be caught if you have that kind of ability?"


    Kimaru looked away, "I-"


    Keiko chuckled, "Oh I see, you don''t have control of it, is that it? You never honed your ability?"


    He glared at her, "How can you-"


    "How sad. You have abilities that would help you as a dealer, but you can''t use them. What a shame," she smiled at him, "You''d made a pretty decent agent with an ability like that.¡±


    His glare held, "I would watch what you say to me,"


    She grinned, "Why? Are you gonna hide from me?"


    "What about that other agent, 00? Where is she?" he turned his gaze from her suddenly.


    Keiko clenched her fist, "She isn''t here-"


    "Well I''ll tell you what Quick-tempered-agent. If you bring her, the agent that actually captured me, to this room in 15 minutes- I''ll tell you everything. I''ll tell you the other dealers, who their suppliers are, where the suppliers pick up their drugs- everything I know."


    Her gaze narrowed, "Why should I believe you?"


    He locked his eyes with hers, "Can you really risk this kind of information, agent?"


    Keiko jumped to her feet and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Aku turned the corner, her eyes wide after hearing the news, "Are you going to call her?"


    Keiko clenched her jaw, "She is on suspension, we need Red''s orders," she opened her omnibook and hit Red''s name to call him.


    "Agent 013?"


    "Kimaru says he will tell us everything if 00 is here in 15 minutes,"


    They could hear a deep sigh in frustration, "We have no choice, call her in," he ended the call immediately and Aku pulled out her phone.


    The Apartment


    Arisa shot up from her bed as Keiko relayed the information, ¡°He said he needed me?¡±


    ¡°Hurry up and change. Aku will be there in a moment,¡± it was clear that Keiko was annoyed with having to call her in but Arisa¡¯s mind was already buzzing with hope. If she could really get all the information from Kimaru, she could end her suspension!Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    She stumbled over herself to the bathroom to shift herself into the right shape.


    ¡°Arisa!!!¡± she heard Aku from the living room no doubt having come through the shadowy corner behind the cactus, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    Arisa ran into the living room panicked, ¡°Where¡¯s my spare uniform?!?!¡±


    ¡°In the wall safe as always-¡±


    ¡°It''s not there!!!¡±


    Aku sighed, ¡°Then it''s probably at MRPA. Forget it there''s no time!¡±


    Arisa looked down at her pink pajamas and fuzzy slippers and scoffed, ¡°Let me just-¡±


    Aku snatched her wrist and pulled her to the shadow, ¡°There''s no time!¡±


    The MRPA Basement


    Keiko was pacing in front of the shadow Aku has left from.


    ¡°Wait I need to-¡± Arisa fell silent as she realized she was already at her destination.


    Keiko didn''t have time to notice how ridiculous Arisa looked and pulled her to the interrogation room where Kimaru was, ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous. You can do this,¡± she held a firm gaze with Arisa who smiled as best she could before nodding.


    Arisa opened the door and walked in trying her hardest to not think of how embarrassed she was. She knew that it would only take Keiko and Akumako 10 seconds to get to the other side of the one-way mirror, I can do this¡­


    Kimaru smiled at her with that dark smile, ¡°How nice of you to show up, Agent 00 that captured me,¡± his eyes were amused as they traced her pajamas up and down.


    Arisa coughed and quickly sat at the table to hide her now shaking legs, ¡°You said you would talk to me¡­¡±


    Kimaru grinned once more, ¡°Bite me, Agent,¡± he bit down hard onto his back molars.


    Arisa heard a cracking sound like glass right before Kimaru fell on the table, his body was shaking and foam was coming from his mouth. Her world turned dark, what do I do? What do I do?! I can¡¯t let him die! I have to save him, I need to save him!


    Sector 1: STAM


    ¡°I hate late night drilling!¡± Ryu whined as the agents left the training room.


    ¡°They gotta make sure we are performing at our rank standards,¡± Kyou sighed while holding a towel around his neck.


    ¡°Weeeell since we have the rest of the night off...¡± Seiji grinned and nudged Shou and Ryu, ¡°We could go out tonight, eh eh?¡± he wiggled his eyebrows excitedly.


    Shou grinned, ¡°I¡¯m in! But you can¡¯t start showing off your STAM badge again.¡±


    Ryu rubbed the back of his neck, ¡°I dunno guys...it¡¯s a weekday-¡±


    ¡°Oh please Ryu we know you¡¯re coming-¡± Seiji wrapped his arm around Ryu¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Anyone else want to join?¡± Shou grinned.


    Hiro rolled his eyes and walked silently past them.


    Kyou shook his head, ¡°I¡¯ve got to submit reports tonight.¡±


    Kenji looked at Kyou and then grinned at Shou, ¡°I wish I could but I have tons of studying to do if I ever want to catch up.¡±


    Seiji stuck out his tongue at them, ¡°Suit yourselves~~~¡±


    ---


    Hiro¡¯s hands were deep in his pockets as he walked through the hall; there was a small, stinging headache forming in the back of his head. He had seen something today that brought back painful memories: Kyou and Arisa. He had been walking back from the library when he saw it: Kyou wrapped a jacket around Arisa- his own jacket. She blushed; he blushed. Hiro gripped down on his book. She was mine. He pushed the thought from his head trying desperately not to remember that story. In their first year she was his seat partner. She was warm to him, she smiled at him-he smiled back.


    But she had fallen for Kyou- it was obvious and he didn¡¯t even try to fight against it. For the most part he managed to ignore it, but today it hit him. He closed the door behind him as he entered his room. In the pitch darkness he let out a heavy sigh and let his head rest against the wall. Why Kyoushirou?


    ----


    Kyou and Kenji walked in silence to their rooms; their doors closed only moments apart. Kyou emerged from his only a moment later with a tablet in his hands. He made his way down the grey hall and slowly Kenji¡¯s door opened.


    Kyou stepped into the elevator and when it closed Kenji ran for it- the top floor blinked, ¡°Blue¡¯s office?¡± Kenji felt himself say out loud in disbelief. He ripped open the stairwell door and flew up the flights of stairs oh dear leader what could you be doing at Blue¡¯s office? No one is allowed to meet with Blue¡­


    He cracked open the door slightly and saw Kyou walking down the empty floor to the only door on the level. Kyou ran his hand through his hair and sighed before waving his hand in front of the door lock and typing in the code. 210373¡­? Kenji strained to see how Kyou¡¯s hand moved through the lock. There was a faint beep and the door opened. Kyou entered the dark room and the door locked behind him.


    From his vantage point Kenji looked around and saw a camera. He closed the door to the hall and made his way down the stairs, Kyoushirou, kyoushirou¡­.how are you meeting with Blue?

 True Feelings

    Chapter 16: True Feelings


    Sector 27: MRPA Interrogation


    Arisa was panicking as Kimaru¡¯s head laid in a pile of ever growing foam. What do I do, what do I do?!? I can¡¯t let him die!! I¡¯ll never get off suspension if I don¡¯t save him!!! What am I going to do?!


    In a panic, Arisa tried to pull Kimaru up from his seat but quickly buckled under his weight and sent him crashing to the ground, ¡°No, no, no, no!!!¡± Now even more frantic she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him up with all of her strength, ¡°Ok here we go,¡± she bent her knee and started to stand up with him, but his body slipped out of her grasp and his groin slammed down into her bent knee with all of his weight. Out of sheer reflex, Kimaru¡¯s poisoned body vomited out all of his stomach contents, all over Arisa, before falling on his side.


    ¡°00!!!!¡± Keiko slammed open the door in a panic only be stunned motionless at the scene, ¡°What happened?¡± she asked horrified.


    Arisa was pouting, tears already streaming through the goop on her face. Her body was fixed in that position, her arms holding something invisible while she was on one knee. Her eyes stared at Keiko with such fear that Keiko quickly turned around, ¡°We need a medic!!!!¡±


    Aku¡¯s hand covered her own mouth. She held back the laughter threatening to erupt from her at the sight, poor Arisa.


    Red¡¯s Office


    ¡°What happened?¡± Red asked, confused, from behind his screen.


    ¡°00 saved Kimaru¡¯s life,¡± Aku spoke up first, ¡°He was trying to poison himself but she saved him,¡±


    Keiko sighed, ¡°She made him throw up while he was unconscious,¡±


    Red hummed for a moment, ¡°And he is fine?¡±


    ¡°He is in the infirmary, but the Head Nurse said that he would live thanks to 00,¡± Aku grinned slightly.


    ¡°And where is Agent 00 now?¡±


    ¡°She was pretty traumatized¡­.so we sent her home,¡±


    The Apartment: Sector 3


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Arisa hummed to herself happily as she dried her hair. She had been hosed down at MRPA HQ and she just finished an hour long shower. Now that she finally felt clean she could relax. She looked at her reflection and sighed softly at the face she had come to know as her own- not that she knew what she was supposed to look like. Her only home and family has been MRPA. She never met her parents but she always just assumed they were dead. Her mother was definitely dead as all mothers of mutants die one way or another. But she had idea, no stories, no pictures. She had started shifting when she was just a baby- maybe while in the womb. She would never know if this face was her face, or if she would always wear a mask.


    She shook her head softly and let her hair hang down, ¡°Hmmm Kei and Aku won¡¯t be home for awhile¡­I should have some snacks out for them when they get back,¡± she happily bounced into the kitchen and started to make some sandwiches when something caught her eye.  Kyoushirou¡¯s jacket!


    The day had been so exciting she had forgotten all about it; but there it was, neatly laying on the couch. She picked it up hesitantly and couldn¡¯t help but grin, ¡°Kawamiya Kyoushirou,¡± she ran her finger across his name tag fondly, ¡°the top agent at STAM,¡± she knew she shouldn¡¯t be praising him, but it was an impressive feat to be the best, ¡°the solo container,¡± deep inside herself she hoped that he might have a soft spot for mutants. That maybe he didn¡¯t want to hurt them or hate them.


    She looked around the apartment, just to make sure it was empty, and slowly slipped the jacket on. It was much too big for her but it felt so right. Her mind started to wander to when he gave it to her, ¡°Arisa please, I can¡¯t let you go without something to remember me with,¡± she day dreamt he might have said that to her.


    She turned her head dramatically, ¡°But Kyoushirou, this is your jacket, I couldn¡¯t possibly-¡±


    She turned again as if she were Kyoushirou, ¡°I insist, take it,¡±


    Arisa felt her face turn bright red, and let herself fall on the couch. Reality started to sink in, ¡°He is a STAM agent¡­if he knew who I was¡­.he would kill me¡­.he wouldn¡¯t like me¡­he likes ¡®her¡¯ Kuma Arisa the Human¡­..he could never like me¡­.the shapeshifter¡­.the black agent of MRPA,¡± she felt tears well in her eyes and quickly jumped up and smack herself on the cheeks, ¡°Come on Arisa! You don¡¯t need to bog yourself down with the bad stuff,¡± she quickly took off the jacket and tossed it on the couch before continuing to make the sandwiches. It was only seconds before she picked the jacket back up and hung it on a hanger in her room, maybe¡­just maybe¡­.


    ¡°Arisa? Aku and I are back!¡± Keiko called from the front room.


    ¡°I¡¯m coming!!!¡± she turned to leave, but took one last look at the jacket hanging, and grinned.


    Sector 1: STAM HQ


    Kyou closed the door to Blue¡¯s office behind him and leaned against the door with a sigh. His mind was heavy and the aching in his head only weighed him further down. He thought about Arisa, about the mutant he had protected today. What would his team do if they knew? He imagine Hiro with his whip around her throat, Shou¡¯s gun against her head, Seiji¡¯s knife against her throat, Ryu¡¯s hands burning her wrists, but worst of all he imagine Kenji¡¯s spear pointed at her and the sick grin across his face.


    Kyou shook his head of the images, ¡°Don¡¯t think about it...don¡¯t think about it...¡±


    He walked into the elevator and rode it back to his floor, where Kenji had been waiting for him.


    ¡°Heeeey partner!¡± he grinned and wrapped his arm around Kyou¡¯s shoulders, ¡°Were¡¯ve you been? I¡¯ve been lookin everywhere!¡±


    Kyou slid out from Kenji¡¯s grasp and gave him a hard gaze, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    Kenji flared his nostrils and put on a bright smile, ¡°I brought you some pudding,¡± he held up the small white bag, ¡°you like green pudding right?¡±


    Kyou turned to his room, ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± and closed the door behind him.


    Kenji let his arm drop and the smile fell from his face, ¡°Sooo it¡¯s a secret that you meet with Blue huh? Interesting¡­.¡±

 Completing the Mission

    Chapter 17: Completing the Mission


    STAM HQ: The Next Morning


    ¡°HOW DARE YOU SHOW YOU FACES HERE!!!!¡± Blue¡¯s voice screamed through the recorder in Shizune¡¯s hand, ¡°You have been nothing but failures! No mutants being brought in, only Black agent encounters riddled with failure!!!¡±


    Shoutarou winced at the screaming. He hated being yelled at.


    Blue sighed aggressively,¡°Shizune will give you all your orders,¡± there was a small beep as the recording ended and Shizune put the device away in her pocket.


    Her eyes were pale and lifeless, her tone was just the same, ¡°Each team will bring in two mutants of Yellow or higher rank. If these conditions are not met then you will be demoted from your rank as agents and be moved into officer status,¡± without another word, she left.


    ¡°What a drag,¡± Seiji sighed, ¡°Two yellow mutants will be easy...as long as those Black agents don¡¯t get in the way,¡±


    ¡°It will be fine, I don¡¯t think any of us will get demoted,¡± Ryuichi grinned.


    ¡°Well,¡± Shoutarou stood from his seat, ¡°Let¡¯s head to school then,¡±


    Tenno Academy


    Today at Tenno Academy, like every 2nd Wednesday, was PT day. Half of the school hours were delegated to military physical training. While the boys had already done their sparring and training in the early hours of the day and were now allowed to play basketball until lunch, the girls had just started their sparring on the other side of the field.


    ¡°Ahhh! This weather is so nice!! I loooove PT day!¡± Shoutarou reached his hands high above his head.


    ¡°Ugh-¡± Seiji dropped his arm over Shou¡¯s shoulder while shaking his head, ¡°You know what the only good part about gym day is?¡±


    ¡°Watching the girls side of the field!!¡± Ryuichi squeezed his head between the two of them as they all stared.


    The girls were all standing in a circle on the other side of the field, no doubt preparing for sparring practice.


    ¡°Hmmm this is the best school ever,¡± Ryuichi grinned.


    ¡°Whoever decided that short-shorts and tank-tops would be the girls uniform was a genius,¡± Seiji nodded.


    ¡°Are you guys going to stay over there forever or are you going to play the game?!¡± one of their classmates called.


    During a short water break Kenji joined the group and nodded over to Kyou who was sitting alone away from the field, ¡°So what¡¯s up with Kyou?¡±


    Seiji laughed, ¡°What isn¡¯t up with him?¡±


    Ryu nodded, ¡°He¡¯s probably moping over Arisa again.¡±


    Kenji raised an eyebrow, ¡°Arisa?¡±


    Shou grinned, ¡°OHHH you don¡¯t know! Kyou¡¯s been crushing on her for a long time now...¡±


    Hiro rolled his eyes and left the group silently. Kenji briefly caught Hiro¡¯s gaze before continuing, ¡°So why hasn¡¯t he said anything?¡±


    Seiji shook his head, ¡°Where would we find time to date? Don¡¯t you think I¡¯d be dating all of those women down there if I had the time?¡±


    Kenji nodded while Shou laughed, ¡°You couldn¡¯t date ALL of them,¡±


    ¡°Sure I could-¡±


    ¡°Well you couldn¡¯t date Keiko,¡± Shou stuck out his tongue as Seiji¡¯s face burned red.


    ¡°What was that?!¡± Seiji lunged for Shou but he quickly ran off laughing and telling Seiji to calm down.


    Kenji stared at Kyoushirou for a long time, Kuma Arisa¡­.so she¡¯s someone special to you huh?


    -----


    Kyoushirou wasn¡¯t playing basketball with the others, he didn¡¯t like team sports. Besides, his mind was heavy.


    He was watching Arisa as she bounced happily with her sister and Akumako who had just finished sparring. Arisa is the shapeshifter¡­.agent 00¡­.a black mutant. He didn¡¯t know what to do. He felt lost. It seemed like the only thing on his mind was her. The mutant that stirred his heart...the mutant that confused him...the mutant he had orders to capture on sight.


    He sighed and ruffled his hair. He couldn¡¯t help but smile at her...she was beautiful with her brown hair¡­.he wondered if maybe there were other shapeshifters¡­.maybe the Arisa was a mutant...but maybe she wasn¡¯t the black agent. Maybe she wasn¡¯t¡­.but he knew it would be too good to be true. Their mannerisms, the way she held herself...not to mention STAM has no other records of a shapeshifter and he had never come across another.  He wished he could forget, that he could see her as only a human¡­.he didn¡¯t want to remember. He shuffled his hair and made his way to the locker room.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    There was no point in staying in PT anymore, he didn¡¯t need to be there anyway.


    Kyoushirou changed back into his uniform- without his jacket of course, and left the locker room.


    ¡°Kyoushirou-kun!¡±


    He stopped startled and saw that Arisa was bowing with her arms outstretched handing him a bag. He took it and saw that his jacket was neatly folded inside. He felt a smile pull across his face again, ¡°Thanks Arisa I-¡±


    ¡°You didn¡¯t see anything yesterday did you?¡± she blurted abruptly. Her face turned bright red as she realized what she had said, ¡°I mean- I uh- you know I fell and I¡­.I¡­.¡± her face was turning more and more red and before Kyoushirou could say anything she turned and ran into the girls locker room.


    He looked in the bag and saw a small note written in her cute, neat handwriting, ¡°Kyoushirou-kun, thank you for your jacket!¡±


    He sighed, I saw everything. I saw you yesterday¡­.I saw you- Kuma Arisa¡­.I saw you.


    Sector 13: Residential District


    ¡°Don¡¯t be so nervous,¡± Hiro finally broke the silence between them as they walked through the street, ¡°The officers have nailed this place before.¡±


    Ryu smiled and waved at a woman and her child as they walked by, ¡°I can¡¯t help it that I¡¯m worried. I don¡¯t wanna be demoted to an officer...¡±


    Hiro rolled his eyes, ¡°We¡¯ll be in and out in 5 minutes.¡±


    Ryu rubbed the back of his neck and motioned to the green house just ahead, ¡°That it?¡±


    Hiro nodded, ¡°I¡¯ll take the back,¡± he took a step back and wrapped around the adjacent house.


    Ryu took his steps carefully up to the front door of the house and knocked loudly on the door, ¡°STAM agents open up!¡±


    He listened closely through the door and heard glass shatter and a scream. Without hesitating he slammed his gloved fist into the door and ran into the house. He saw Hiro standing in the backyard, the glass door shattered, ¡°Hiro!¡±


    Hiro snapped around to glare at him, ¡°You idiot!¡±


    Ryu was taken aback, unsure of why Hiro was angry.


    ¡°Did you expect 2 mutants to just open the door for a STAM agent?¡± Hiro tugged on a metal string to show the mutant couple he had captured tied up in the strings.


    Ryu laughed nervously, ¡°I knew you¡¯d grab ¡®em...¡±


    Hiro groaned, ¡°Get the cage. Let¡¯s get out of here.¡±


    Sector 4: East Train


    ¡°This is stupid!¡± Seiji whispered into his earpiece. He wasn¡¯t in his usual STAM uniform, but in casual clothes and sunglasses to hide his face.


    From the far side of the train Shou was leaning against the door, ¡°Shut it I¡¯m sure this will work.¡±


    The train was crowded. This was the most popular train for people leaving both work and school, and this was the busiest hour.


    ¡°I¡¯m just saying. How are you gonna contain anything with it so crowded?¡± Seiji¡¯s eyes were all over the train looking for any sign of a mutant.


    ¡°Will ya just trust me?¡±


    The doors opened and a new group of people pushed on and off. This was it, the next stop wasn¡¯t for 6 minutes which was plenty of time. The moment the doors closed Shou reached for his dog tags and pulled out his pistol, ¡°Excuse me everyone!¡± he shouted, ¡°I¡¯m R2 Container Shoutarou with STAM,¡± he projected his dogtags so they could all see, ¡°I am doing a routine inspection of passenger to make sure everyone is safe. This gun can only hurt mutants,¡± he held the gun up to his own head and squeezed the trigger before anyone could even react. The gun fired but Shou¡¯s smiled remained, ¡°See? So if everyone will hold their hands out to me and I will come by and verify that there are no mutants on board this train. Please cooperate,¡±


    The man beside Shou held out his hand immediately, ¡°There better not be any mutants on this train!¡±


    A mother held her daughter close, ¡°We are safe right?¡±


    Shou took her hand and verified that she was indeed not a mutant, ¡°You¡¯re just fine.¡±


    Meanwhile, Seiji was watching the back of the train for anyone who seemed nervous. He too could use his weapon to test out humans, but a knife is still a knife.


    As Shou made his way through the train and man in a suit loosened his tie, set down his briefcase, and placed his hands behind his head, ¡°Do not shoot me. I am a mutant, and I will go peacefully.¡± tears streamed down his face.


    Though there was no room on the train people moved aside and screamed at the confession. Shou approached the man and traded his gun for his omega-cuffs.


    ¡°NOO!¡±


    A younger man jumped up over the people in the train for Shou. Passengers screamed and climbed over each other to get away.


    In that moment Seiji lept from his seat, grabbed the man¡¯s leg and threw him to the ground. After a short struggle with the man Seiji pushed his knee into the man¡¯s lower back and held his arms behind him.


    ¡°Nice one partner.¡± Shou gave him a thumbs up.


    Seiji shrugged pulled off his glasses and cuffed the man.


    Sector 2: A local bar


    ¡°What are we doing here?¡± Kenji was sitting with his arms crossed at the table, ¡°This is boring! We are supposed to be-¡±


    Kyou shot a glare at him, ¡°Feel free to leave. I can do this without you.¡±


    Kenji groaned.


    Kyou was keeping an eye on the two people in the corner of the bar. He had seen them the moment he and Kenji had turned on the street across the park. He had felt it in his gut, something about them. He followed them, and of course Kenji followed him, woefully unaware that Kyou was already on the scent of their mission.


    He was about to turn away from the pair when they entered this bar but then he had seen it. The younger one had clearly said the words ¡°back to 27¡± and he was sure.


    They had been sitting in this bar for 13 minutes and Kyou had been reading their lips the entire time. He didn¡¯t want to make a scene in the restaurant and would prefer to make the arrest outside, but Kenji was being restless.


    ¡°For fucks sake why did we even leave STAM?¡± Kenji blurted and Kyou cursed under his breath.


    The pair had heard. Their faces were suddenly white and their eyes were glued to the table where their hands had no doubt gone cold.


    Kyou got to his feet and took two steps to the table before one jolted up and ran for the door.


    Kenji¡¯s spear was suddenly centimeters from the young mutants face. He had thrown it into the wall to prevent the mutant from leaving.


    Kyou quickly paralyzed the two mutants and turned to the bar owner, ¡°We apologize for the disturbance.¡±


    The bar owner shook his head furiously, "How dare those things come in here!" he pointed furiously at the mutants, "That you so much for taking care of this. What you agents to do is nothing less than God''s work."


    Kyou nodded, God''s work huh? he looked at the mutants with pity, how long would it be before he had Arisa in his custody?

 A Mutants Life

    Chapter 18: A Mutant¡¯s Life


    MRPA HQ: Infirmary


    When Kimaru finally opened his eyes the sun was already falling from the sky. He was confused, his memory seemed fuzzy. He tried to sit up but found he was too weak.


    I was dying¡­.I was dying¡­.I should be dead¡­.


    He looked around and saw that he was in a hospital room and as he strained to look down at the rest of his body he saw her. She was asleep of course, and Kimaru could only see the top of her head as it rested at the foot of his bed. Agent 00¡­.the agent that saved my life? He wondered why she would save him. He wasn¡¯t a good person, he wasn¡¯t even a decent mutant. Maybe she only saved me cause of the information? Even as he thought those words he knew he was wrong. This agent was different...maybe the red or white haired agent would have left him for dead...but she, agent 00 was different. She saved him. Maybe it wasn¡¯t because she thought he was special...but he was important enough to keep alive...and that was a new experience for him.


    The agent suddenly jolted awake and stared at him in surprise, ¡°Kimaru?¡±


    He nodded his head slowly, not sure what she was going to do.


    The agent''s eyes filled with tears and he felt a hard slap across his cheek, ¡°You idiot! How could you try and kill yourself?!¡± she tried to wipe away her tears but they kept flowing.


    Kimaru couldn¡¯t believe it, that this stranger; this agent, might care for his life. He was a delinquent, a drug dealer. He was putting people in danger- and yet she cared, ¡°I just-¡±


    ¡°No! There is no excuse!¡± with tears still streaming down her face she stared at him seriously, ¡°Every mutant life is precious! Even those that make bad choices, ¡±


    He tried to hold back his own smile but couldn¡¯t, ¡°You win,¡±


    She tilted her head in confusion.


    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you everything I know about the distribution of Free,¡°


    Red¡¯s Office


    ¡°There are four dealers,¡± Arisa started, ¡°Each dealer has their own supplier that picks up unmarked MS from pick-up points. Ping was a supplier to Kimaru. Durim was a dealer whose supplier is still out there. According to Kimaru, no one knows who leaves MS at the pick-up points, but it is always a large quantity of unmarked MS. Kimaru said that the other two dealers are called MeiLin and Teddy but apparently there is a ringleader to the dealers who is in charge of the entire operation,¡±


    Keiko nodded slowly, ¡°So do we know where MeiLin and Teddy are?¡±


    Akumako shook her head, ¡°I don¡¯t see them in the database, they must be unprocessed still,¡±


    Arisa nodded, ¡°But Kimaru did have information on several pick-up points, so we can go to them and raid the supplies and create a shortage in the system. It might cause enough trouble to find a trail?¡±


    ¡°Sounds possible,¡± Red spoke, ¡°This ringleader is concerning¡­.I also wonder where all of this unmarked MS is coming from¡­.¡± he was silent for a moment, ¡°013, 014 go clean out the pick-up points tonight and make sure you get all of them, let¡¯s end this fiasco quickly,¡±


    Before Arisa could speak up in protest, Red¡¯s screen went black.


    Keiko sighed, ¡°He must still think you are on suspension¡­.¡±


    Aku shook her head, ¡°We shouldn¡¯t be too long Arisa, we can go out for snacks afterward if you¡¯d like,¡±


    Arisa nodded her head without looking at them- she didn¡¯t want them to see her cry.


    Sector 14: Suburban ComplexYou could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Julio Steers turned the corner of his street in a full sprint. His dress shoes thumped against the sidewalk nearly as loud as his beating heart. He was so scared; he might already be too late to the most bittersweet day of his life. He could only think of the phone call from his wife he had received just an hour ago. Her voice was shaking, ¡°She¡¯s here-¡± he could hear her bite back a cry, ¡°Your daughter...your daught- hnngggghhh!¡± he ran out of work immediately. His daughter- his baby girl. He bit back the tears welling in his eyes, my wife, Tamia my baby.


    Without slowing down even a moment he made the sharp turn into his apartment building and flew up the stairs so fast he almost ran right past his door.


    Julio¡¯s hand reached shakily for the doorknob through his panting breath. He worried he might faint and took a deep breath. He heard Tamia from inside the house muffle a scream and his hand ripped the door open, ¡°Tamia!!¡± he slammed the door behind him, making sure to lock it.


    ¡°Juliooooooooooo!¡± she called back, his name turning into a soft scream.


    He ran to the back room past the photos of their life together: dates together, balls, their wedding, her family and his, all the memories of her pregnancy. Julio pushed open the door to the bathroom and found his beautiful wife in the bathtub. Her dark curly hair was pasted to the side of her sweaty face. She sat in only one of Julio¡¯s t-shirts in the bathtub filled with only a few inches of water. Tears immediately gushed from her face at the sight of her husband, ¡°Julio! Julio!¡± she reached out to him, her arms shaking.


    ¡°Shh shhh, baby I¡¯m here. It¡¯s gonna be ok baby. I promise everything is going to be ok-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m so scared! I¡¯m so scared! I can¡¯t do this babe I-¡± she bit down hard on her teeth and her grip tightened around Julio¡¯s hand.


    He bit back his own tears, ¡°I know baby, I know, I know,¡± he repeated nervously, ¡°Everything is fine. We are having this baby,¡± he looked at her dead in the eyes. The weight of that pronoun burrowing a hole in their hearts that this baby would never fill.


    She clenched down again, her eyes squeezed in pain and fear, ¡°It¡¯s here- it¡¯s-¡± she screamed, unable to fight her reaction to the pain.


    Julio did everything he could. He gave Tamia ice, he told her to push and relax, her told her how much he loved her, and most importantly he thanked every god that did and did not exist that she was able to birth their child. He had feared for weeks of the alternative- of his wife breaking open like an egg.


    ¡°Push Tamia- just one more!¡± his hands were shaking as they waited to receive the baby. He looked up at Tamia. Her lips were pale, her eyes were sunken into her face, and her body laid limply in the tub.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to,¡± tears were streaming down her face, ¡°Baby I can¡¯t, I don¡¯t think I can. I¡¯m so scared, I¡¯m so-¡±


    ¡°Tamia!¡± Julio interrupted as tears began to stream down his face, ¡°I love you so much. You just need to push one more time baby, and then you can hold our baby girl. I know you can Tamia. I love you so much but you need to hold our baby girl. Just once, please just once.¡± he let the tears fall from his face and they mixed into the tub.


    Tamia sniffed and nodded, ¡°I love you Julio-¡± she took a shaky breath and pushed one more time. Their baby¡¯s cries filled the bath room.


    ¡°It¡¯s a girl, baby it¡¯s a girl!¡± He picked up the child carefully and shuffled over to the other side of the tub. Gingerly, he wrapped his wife in one arm and placed his newborn daughter in his wife¡¯s limp arms. He helped her hold the child.


    Tamia was crying, her voice was hoarse and shaking, ¡°She¡¯s beautiful¡­.she has your finned ears¡­.¡±


    Julio held his wife tightly, his tears pooling on the crown of her head, ¡°She has your third eye...¡±


    Tamia¡¯s body started to shake, ¡°It¡¯s cold...¡±


    He held her closer, ¡°Her name...is Tamia.¡±


    The newborn Tamia started to scream and cry as her mother died in Julio¡¯s arms. Julio began to wail holding his wife in his arms. He knew this would happen. They both knew this would happen, but he wasn¡¯t ready. He wasn¡¯t ready to say goodbye to his wife. His chest tightened and he heaved in wet shaky breaths.


    Julio picked up the baby Tamia and tried to control himself. He washed her and cut the cord that connected her to her mother. He pushed the thoughts from his head reminding him why his wife died. Why this child was alive while his wife was dead.


    After wrapping his baby in a towel, he walked into the living room and coddled his daughter to sleep. He sat there for a long time just staring at his daughter.


    That¡¯s when the doorbell rang.


    Calmly, Julio stood and went the door. Through the peephole he could see the MRPA crest on the chest of the two people outside. He opened the door slightly to get a better look.


    The shorter of the two moved slightly to show the MRPA symbol more clearly on his chest, ¡°Mr. Steers, I am agent 332 and this is agent 213. We are here because of your wife-¡±


    ¡°Tamia.¡± the taller agent interrupted.


    ¡°Yes. Tamia informed us that she had gone into labor...¡±


    Julio opened the door and motioned for them to come in, ¡°It was clean,¡± Julio started as he closed and locked the door behind the two agents, ¡°She is in the bathroom,¡± he motioned down the hall.


    The tall agent walked to the bathroom.


    The shorter agent had pulled up information on his watch, ¡°We¡¯d just like to register your newborn into the system...¡±


    Julio handed his daughter to the agent and let his body fall to the couch. The weight of what was happening started to hit him- Tamia was gone. He felt tears well into his eyes and they erupted in shaky breaths and muffled cries.


    The agent patted Julio¡¯s back in a sign of comfort, ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for your loss- and congratulations on your daughter. She is perfectly healthy.¡±

 Attachment

    Chapter 19: Attachment


    Sector 27: MRPA Pharmacy


    ¡°It¡¯s just not fair,¡± Arisa pouted.


    ¡°Hmmm it certainly is not, Zero-chii,¡± Ms.Mary was sitting next to her while she was on her break, ¡°You were the one who found all of it out, it¡¯s not right that you get left out of the operation,¡±


    Arisa nodded, ¡°And Kimaru was so nice about it all, I feel bad to not be able to help them...¡±


    ¡°Kimaru?¡± Ms.Mary looked at her closely, ¡°Is that the name of the dealer you spoke to?¡±


    Arisa nodded, ¡°He is such a nice man...¡±


    ¡°00!¡± Akumako called to her sharply, though her eyes were glued to Ms.Mary.


    ¡°Oh, 014 back so soon?¡± Arisa smiled at Aku, but Aku grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away without a word, ¡°Bye, Ms.Mary!!¡±


    Ms. Mary smiled, ¡°Bye-bye Zero-chii¡±


    ¡°014, where are we going?¡± Arisa followed behind her.


    Aku sighed and let go of her arm, ¡°I just wanted to bring you to get some snacks from the cafeteria with me,¡± she smiled, and keep you away from Ms.Mary¡­


    ¡°Oooh! What about 013?¡± she clapped her hands together.


    ¡°Ah, she is still out on the last of the pick-up points we got,¡± Aku grinned as she began to pick out snacks from the wall.


    ¡°Hmmm¡­¡± Arisa grabbed at the snacks without thinking- she was back to feeling bad about her own abilities as an agent. As the two sat down with their snacks Arisa finally spoke, ¡°Say¡­.Aku?¡±


    Hearing her own name Aku¡¯s ears perked up, if Arisa was calling her Aku here¡­it meant that she was going to ask a favor from her, ¡°What is it?¡±


    Arisa looked at Aku with big eyes and a pleading face, ¡°Will you train me to be a stronger agent??¡± she paused, ¡°I want to be sent on missions¡­I want to be worthy of the black agent rank¡­.I want to be able to protect mutants,¡±


    Aku told herself to say no. She couldn¡¯t. She couldn¡¯t get close. Just say no¡­don¡¯t get close, don¡¯t make attachments¡­.don¡¯t make this harder than it has to be. She looked up from her bread to tell Arisa that she couldn¡¯t- but those eyes that stared at her were filled with determination. Arisa was serious. She wanted to train, to learn, to stand up on her own feet. Who was Aku to deny her that ability? ¡°Sure,¡± she couldn¡¯t hide her own smile as she watched Arisa¡¯s face light up.


    ¡°You mean it?!¡± Arisa bounced in her seat, ¡°You really, really mean it???¡±


    Aku nodded, ¡°Why not? You¡¯ve learned all the basic training to be an agent. You really only need to work on controlling your powers to be a perfect agent¡­so why not?¡±


    ¡°Oh you¡¯re the best!!!¡± her face fell suddenly, ¡°Can we keep this a secret from 013? I don¡¯t think she will be very happy to hear I am trying to get involved in more dangerous missions¡­¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    As Arisa continued to ramble Aku¡¯s gaze found the TV behind her, ¡°Mr. YongGuk Brown, prominent member of the Bridge party found dead today-¡± Aku brought her attention back to Arisa, she knew what the rest of the report would be: suicide.


    Aku chuckled, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of telling her something like that¡­she would set me on fire for agreeing to something like this,¡±


    Arisa grinned and munched happily on her snacks, but then Aku stood up, ¡°hmm?¡±


    Aku looked down at her, ¡°You said you wanted to train didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Now?!?¡±


    Aku grinned and started to walk off.


    ¡°Ahhh 014 wait!!!¡±


    MRPA¡¯s Training Facility


    ¡°SO what are we going to start with?¡± Arisa bounced around Aku, ¡°Some physical stuff? High kicks? Dodges and punches and things?¡± she jabbed the air playfully.


    ¡°Hmmmmm¡± Aku thought for a moment, ¡°Shift into what I look like,¡±


    Arisa pouted, ¡°Just that?¡± she shifted her face and hair and body type to match Aku¡¯s with little problem, ¡°I can do this easy, I¡¯m used to yours and 013s forms even without a mirror,¡±


    Aku grinned and kicked high in the air forcing Arisa to duck under her leg, ¡°Don¡¯t let one hair on your head shift away and don¡¯t let me hit you,¡±


    Arisa¡¯s eyes widened, she jumped back to put some space between her and Aku. Just holding the shift would be fine, but concentrating on a fight and her shift? That was something she wasn¡¯t good at.


    Aku grinned, ¡°Smart choice- but,¡± she disappeared into her own shadow and came out of Arisa¡¯s shadow. Aku threw a punch but Arisa had quickly jumped up in the air to avoid it.


    As she came back to the ground Aku did a leg sweep forcing her to jump again, but this time Aku slid beneath her and grabbed her ankle and threw her to the ground.


    ¡°Tsk, tsk, tsk,¡± Aku stood over Arisa, ¡°You got hit and,¡± she pointed to her eyes, ¡°My eyes are Red not white,¡± she turned around and walked back to the wall, ¡°Again,¡±


    Arisa jumped back to her feet and shifted her eyes back to the right color. She couldn¡¯t help but smile as Aku ran toward her; she was finally training.


    Many Hours Later: MRPA HQ


    Aku and Arisa kept training until they heard the announcement, ¡°ALL AGENTS WILL REPORT THE AUDITORIUM IMMEDIATELY!¡±


    They looked at each other concerned, ¡°Was that Keiko?¡± Aku helped Arisa up from the ground.


    ¡°She doesn¡¯t sound very happy...you think something happened while she was out?¡±


    Arisa and Aku went to the main stage of the auditorium to see Keiko pacing furiously. She normally addressed the agents in her full uniform, but it looked like she had just returned from her mission. He hair was messily up in it¡¯s ponytail, her knees dusty, and there was a small scratch on her face.


    As the room filled up with Blue agents, Keiko¡¯s patience was all used up. She slammed a button on her omni-book and 5 faces popped up on the large screen behind her, ¡°ALL OF YOU HAVE FAILED TODAY!¡± her voice was coarse and filled with anger, ¡°Your job is to keep mutants safe and out of the hands of STAM! AND TODAY WE HAVE LOST ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AND THERE WAS NO FIGHT!!!¡± she took an angry breath, ¡°STAM TOOK THESE MUTANTS AND NO ONE WAS THERE TO PROTECT THEM!¡± she glared out at all the agents, ¡°I hope you recognize these 2 face in particular,¡± the pair that Kyou and Kenji had captured grew to take the entire screen, ¡°These agents in training were taken today,¡± there was a hushed gasp from the group. Keiko looked down at her omni-book, ¡°AGENT 78!!!¡± she screamed and a young agent in the middle jumped to her feet, ¡°You were to be with them AT ALL TIMES!¡± the agent fell to her knees and started weeping, ¡°ALL OF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE LIVES!!¡± she felt her own throat choke up and bit back her emotions, ¡°Everyone¡¯s patrols will increase, 15 hour shifts.¡± she stormed off stage.


    Arisa jolted to run after her but Aku held her back, ¡°I wouldn¡¯t.¡±


    Keiko stormed through doors, hallways, stairwell, and opened the door to the top floor of the tower above ground. She let the door slam behind her and screamed out into the waste land.


    STAM had won today. They took 5 mutants, probably one more who hadn¡¯t been in the MRPA database, and MRPA had only documented 2 newborns. STAM won.


    Keiko bit down hard on her teeth, STAM was taking mutants and what did she do? Found some hidden drugs to protect humans! Her job was to protect mutants and humans while STAM hunted out the mutants. She sniffled back tears and cursed them- cursed her school friends she would have to smile at tomorrow knowing that they would kill her if they ever had the chance.

 Bonding

    Chapter 20: Bonding


    STAM HQ


    ¡°Rank 3 team,¡± Blue¡¯s secretary, Shizune, spoke without looking up from her clipboard.


    Ryuichi stepped forward, ¡°Returning with two yellow mutants,¡±


    She nodded and scribbled on her paper, ¡°Rank 2 Team,¡±


    Shoutarou stepped forward, ¡°Returning with one Yellow and one Orange mutant,¡±


    She nodded again, ¡°Rank 1 team,¡±


    Kyoushirou stepped forward, ¡°Two Red mutant,¡± all eyes turned to him and Kenji, ¡°status: alive,¡±


    Shizune nodded and looked at them, ¡°Don¡¯t forget that it is your duty to protect this country from mutants, not to hunt the black mutants,¡± with that she turned and left.


    ¡°Two Red mutants?!¡± Seiji mumbled.


    ¡°To think there is such a divide between rank 1 and rank 2 huh?¡± Shoutarou crossed his arms and grinned.


    Kyoushirou immediately left the room without so much as looking at the others.


    Ryuichi sighed, ¡°What up with Kyou lately?¡± he crossed his arms behind his head, ¡°He seems more stoic than usual...don¡¯t you think Hiro?¡± he turned around to see that Hiro was no longer standing beside him, but had left as well, ¡°heh?¡±


    ¡°Who needs those sour pusses?¡± Shou grinned at the rest of the group, ¡°We have the rest of the night off...I¡¯m thinking late night ramen run?¡±


    Ryuichi gave a thumbs up, ¡°We haven¡¯t gone since training haven¡¯t we??¡±


    Seiji grinned as well, ¡°A victory ramen?¡±


    ¡°Oh am I invited as well?¡± Kenji¡¯s hands were deep in his pockets.


    All three of them turned to Kenji and Shou grinned, ¡°You¡¯re part of the team aren¡¯t you?¡±


    The Roof


    Kyoushirou was staring out at the night sky, his arms resting on the rail. He liked to look over the sector- the bright lights and muffled noises of the people below him were soothing. Yet again his mind seemed to wander straight to Arisa, to the mutant he had caught feelings for, why does she have to be a mutant? In truth, Kyoushirou didn¡¯t hate mutants like everyone else did, in fact, he didn¡¯t think mutants were bad at all.


    Sure there were mutants who took advantage of humans with their strength, but humans used to do that to other humans before mutants existed. He let out a deep sigh, Kuma Arisa...what am I supposed to do with you?


    ¡°I knew I¡¯d find you up here,¡±


    Kyoushirou turned around to see Hiroto walking toward him with drinks, ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just you Hiro,¡±


    Hiroto tossed him one of the cans and leaned over the rail next to him, ¡°What¡¯s got you all down? You aren¡¯t usually this outward with your feelings,¡±


    Kyoushirou wasn¡¯t sure what to say, he had known Hiroto the longest out of all the members. He felt like he could trust Hiroto..maybe he could tell him, ¡°Arisa-¡± he stopped dead in his tracks, How could I be so stupid?! Hiroto hates all mutants¡­.he hates them probably the most out of us all!


    ¡°Hmmm? Having problems with your girlfriend?¡±


    ¡°She isn¡¯t my girlfriend and you know that,¡± Kyoushirou took a sip from his drink, happy that he had stopped himself from telling Hiroto¡­.


    ¡°Why not? It¡¯s pretty obvious you like her,¡± Hiroto tried his best to hide the jealousy in his voice, it isn¡¯t fair.


    ¡°You know it would be dangerous for her...what if she would be put in danger because of me?¡±


    ¡°Like mutants are smart enough to actually hold her hostage,¡± You don¡¯t deserve her.


    ¡°I just don¡¯t feel like I could risk it...¡±


    She was mine...You saw how happy I was...how excited I was to introduce her to you...and YOU stole her!!! ¡°I guess you¡¯re right...but is that really it?¡±


    ¡°I just want her to be happy...I want to see her smile everyday and see her blush when she catches me looking at her...¡±


    Hiroto let go of his anger. He had accepted this the moment he saw how she looked at him. Arisa had already fallen for Kyoushirou...and there was no room for him in that equation. I have to let her go.


    2115: Sector 1


    ¡°Yes, yes I¡¯m on my way now. I won¡¯t be late,¡± Hiro yawned as he walked out of the STAM building talking into his phone, ¡°No I¡¯m not wearing my uniform to a brunch mother-¡± Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Unlike most of the other agents, Hiro kept in contact with his family. His mother often hosted brunches with other political figures to help boost the reach of the Light Party and every so often Hiroto would come as some kind of power play for his mother. All of the agents of STAM were revered and respected for the work that they do and Hiroto was no exception. Although his mother had begged him in the past to bring Kyoushirou along because he was the top agent, Hiro never did. It was a nuisance enough for him to come so early on his day off.


    Hiroto¡¯s mother lived in a penthouse apartment right across the street from the Government Quarter, a 4 block stretch of all the government-related buildings and offices. As he walked into the familiar building the man at the desk bowed deeply. Hiroto waved at him without looking at tapped the button for the elevator.


    The lobby had a few people in it, all staring at Hiroto. Some had recognized him he was sure, but some were just curious about why the desk man would bow at someone so young like himself.


    Hiroto walked into the elevator a tapped the button for the top floor. The doors started to close but were blocked by an arm that held the door open, ¡°Ah got it!¡± the man in a pressed suit grinned to himself and nodded at Hiro, ¡°Hurry up!¡± the man hurriedly pulled a small boy, no doubt his son, on to the elevator and hit the button for floor 12.


    The man, distracted by fixing his tie and checking his hair in the bronze elevator reflection, didn¡¯t notice his son push every single button for the elevator.


    The elevator lurched to a stop  and the father glared at his son, ¡°Daniel!¡± he snatched the boy¡¯s arm to pull him by his side and gave a short apologetic nod to Hiro.


    Hiro sighed softly and let his head rest against the cool metal wall and listened to the uniform sounds of the elevator: huuuum, brake, ding, ¡°floor 2¡±, the closing door, huuum, brake, ding, ¡°floor 3¡±. It relaxed him.


    He fell asleep.


    Hiro awoke to his phone ringing in his pocket. His eyes opened lazily as his hand fished through his pocket, ¡°Hello?¡±


    ¡°Where are you?!¡± his mother barked at him, ¡°It¡¯s been half an hour! I thought you were 5 minutes away?!¡±


    Hiro sighed, ¡°I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here-¡± he hung up before she could respond, yawned widely, and stretched his neck. It hadn¡¯t been a good nap.


    He hit the top floor of the elevator again and the doors opened to the small entryway. It was all white and large enough for 10 people to step off the elevator before knocking on his mother¡¯s door. He rang the doorbell to alert his mother of his arrival and opened the door without waiting.


    Nothing had changed of this place since he was a child. Everything was white: the walls, floors, dishes, frames, cabinets, furniture- all of it white.


    ¡°Oh Hiroto!!¡± his mother, in a white dress too tight for her and shoes too tall for her, took quick short steps over to him and escorted him to the main room where the guests were, ¡°You all know my son, Hiroto,¡± she smiled widely and patted his arm as she said his name.


    He bowed and held back a yawn, ¡°Nice to see you all,¡±


    An elderly man with round, golden glasses nodded and waved at him, ¡°How are things at STAM lately?¡±


    Hiroto poured himself a cup of coffee at the long table against the wall, ¡°No different than usual.¡±


    A young man that Hiroto hadn¡¯t met before scooched forward to the edge of the white couch, ¡°Ah you¡¯re the Rank 3 disposer right?¡±


    Hiro nodded and took a sip from his black coffee.


    ¡°Ah Hiroto,¡± his mother hurried over and motioned to the young man, ¡°This is Tao Smith, from the Bridge party-¡±


    Hiro raised his brow, ¡°The bridge party?¡± It was rare for his mother to even share the same air as a Bridge supporter much less allow one to sit on her couch.


    She gave him a forced smile, ¡°Now, now Hiro. Mr. Smith is new to his office and I thought I¡¯d have him over to help him adjust to politics here...¡±


    He nodded. It made sense now, his mother would fund Mr.Smith¡¯s career and help the bridge party, in doing so making her own Light party look good. In the end she would throw him under the bus, scorning the Bridge Party and gaining momentum.


    Tao Smith¡¯s focus was on Hiroto, ¡°So uh-¡± he stumbled, unsure what to call a STAM agent in person. Rank 3 Disposer sounded so stiff and formal, Mr.Moru felt strange considering his age.


    Hiro sipped his coffee, ¡°Hiroto is fine, I don¡¯t mind.¡±


    Mr.Smith nodded, ¡°Hiroto then, what exactly is your job as a disposer?¡±


    The other brunch goers laughed and patted Tao Smith on the back. The old man with the glasses grinned ear to ear, ¡°Oh Tao ma boy-¡± he chuckled, ¡°Hiroto is doing God¡¯s work!¡±


    The other brunchers nodded in agreement.


    One woman with a large hat clapped her gloved hands together, ¡°He cleans the streets of filth!¡±


    Hiro¡¯s mother poked her head out from the kitchen, ¡°My Hiro keeps us humans safe from those rats!¡± she shuddered.


    Tao¡¯s jaw hung open in shock, ¡°Excuse me?¡± his brow furrowed in rage.


    The old man patted Tao¡¯s back again, ¡°Excuse us. You¡¯re a mutant lover-¡± the room gave a soft chuckle at his tone.


    Tao stood up outraged, ¡°Those ¡°filthy rats¡± are living, breathing people! They have jobs, dreams, families-¡±


    The gloved woman laughed, ¡°Families! Have you seen how one of those things are born?¡±


    The man beside her nodded, ¡°They¡¯re murders!¡±


    Tao couldn¡¯t believe how casually the room spoke of the matter. He wheeled around and saw Hiro casually sipping his coffee, hardly paying attention to the situation unfolding, ¡°Hiroto! As an agent you must understand. You have seen mutants, how they live- please-¡±


    Hiro set his coffee down and scratched the back of his neck, ¡°My job is to kill mutants.¡±


    2121 Present Day: Sector 1-The Ramen Stand


    ¡°So you were actually in a gang?!¡± Ryuichi stared in awe at Kenji as he slurped his noodles.


    Kenji nodded, ¡°My dad is the leader of our village even,¡±


    ¡°Wow...life is so different here from the higher sectors...¡± Shou mumbled to himself before drinking his broth.


    ¡°So Kenji,¡± Seiji spoke while picking at some side dishes, ¡°How is it being partnered with Kyou?¡±


    Kenji looked confused, ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    Shou sighed, ¡°None of us have ever been with Kyou except Hiro...and Hiro won¡¯t say a word,¡±


    Ryuichi nodded in agreement.


    Kenji thought for a moment,¡°He¡¯s a jerk,¡±


    The four boys broke into laughter and patted each other on the back as they laughed together.


    Their laughter was quickly broken by all of their phones going off.


    ¡°What they-¡± Shou grabbed his first and read the message, ¡°Ugh-¡±


    ¡°What is it?¡± Ryuichi asked as he reached for his own phone.


    ¡°We have a surprise physical exam tonight...right now actually,¡±


    They all groaned and got up from their seats and walked back to STAM HQ, joking around and teasing each other.

 A Special Someone

    Chapter 21: A Special Someone


    Tenno Academy: Class 2-A


    Keiko was sitting in her seat in the classroom with her arms crossed, eyes closed, and brow furrowed. Arisa and Aku were staring at her intense focus from Arisa¡¯s seat, both chewing slowly on green tea bread and sipping on milk. The food they had brought for Keiko remained untouched in front of her.


    Neither of them dared to say anything to her. They recognized this face as the ¡°I¡¯m-holding-back-my-temper-with-all-my-might¡± face. Keiko had not slept last night but had stayed at MRPA training until 3 in the morning. When she finally came back home to the apartment she showered, ate, and sat in the living room with the pale lamp on. Aku had woken up at 5 and saw her just sitting there. Keiko didn¡¯t say a word, she hardly made a sound. At 6 she stood, changed into her uniform, and left for school with Aku and Arisa.


    They both knew of course why she was silent and angry. Keiko was practically the leader of all the agents. It wasn¡¯t official but she was in charge of training the new recruits, testing them, and teaching them how to control their abilities. All the current and new agents look up to her as their boss. And yesterday Keiko had failed them. Even though it wasn¡¯t Keiko¡¯s fault, Aku and Arisa knew that Keiko was shouldering the blame.


    To make matters worse she had to swallow those feelings and face her enemies: STAM.


    Seiji sat down at his seat beside Keiko, ¡°Good morning~¡±


    Aku and Arisa looked at him with wide panicked eyes. Their gazes going from Keiko to Seiji and back.


    Seiji tilted his head in confusion and looked over at Keiko, back at Arisa and Aku, and then to Keiko, ¡°AHHHH!!¡± he clapped his hands together and grabbed the bread packet in front of Keiko.


    Arisa and Aku gasped silently as the scene unfolded.


    Seiji grinned and ripped open the bread, ¡°Are you dieting Keiko? Are they teasing you with this bread?¡± he took a large bite from the bread.


    Keiko¡¯s brow twitched and Arisa and Aku swallowed hard in fear.


    Seiji slapped his hand on the desk, ¡°I have a story that will cheer you up Keiko!¡± he stood and rested his left foot on his chair as he began, ¡°Yesterday, Shou and I were aboard the Eastbound train-¡± as if summoned the room quickly filled with Seiji¡¯s fans, all crowding the walkways and squealing at his every word. Aku and Arisa were watching Keiko closely.


    ¡°...that¡¯s when Shou assured all the passengers they were safe by holding his gun to his head!¡± Seiji held his hand to head mimicking a gun, ¡°BAM!¡± he shouted and the frenzy of girls shrieked.


    Arisa and Aku¡¯s gaze was locked on Keiko, the furrow in her brow growing deeper and deeper as his story continued.


    ¡°....and then he ran! That¡¯s why I leapt and tackled the mutant trying to flee!!¡± he grinned widely and looked over his shoulder to Keiko as the peanut gallery of school girls clapped.


    ¡°Seiji why are you always so loud so early?¡± Shou pushed through crowded walkway to Seiji, ¡°Go on, head to your own classes. Show¡¯s over ladies off you go!¡± Shou waved the crowd of fans out of the classroom.


    Aku and Arisa relaxed slightly as the deep crease of Keiko¡¯s brow softened slightly.


    Shou smacked Seiji lightly on the back of his head, ¡°What is wrong with you?¡± he motioned to the bread half eaten, ¡°Why would she be on a diet? She¡¯s clearly just in a bad mood you idiot.¡±


    Speechless Seiji looked from Shou, to Keiko, to Aku and Arisa who nodded in agreement, ¡°I-¡±


    ¡°Here, for your headache.¡± Shou set down a steaming cup of tea and a fresh packet of bread in front of Keiko. He glared at Seiji, ¡°Don¡¯t touch it!¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Arisa¡¯s mouth hung open and she covered her cheeks with her hands, she had seen such an average scene play out on dramas before. Could this be-


    Aku smacked Arisa¡¯s hand lightly and shook her head disapprovingly.


    The morning bell rang. Aku waved goodbye, Arisa turned around in her desk, the class found their seats, and Keiko opened her eyes to see the tea and bread.


    She sighed and took a sip from the tea; she did have a headache after all.


    Lunch


    With half the day gone so too was Keiko¡¯s anger. She had slept through the first several lessons and most of her anger and been swept away with it. That was how Keiko handled her anger: training, sleep deprivation, silent meditation, sleep, and recovery. And who knows, maybe the tea softened her.


    ¡°Nooooo, Arisa how could you forget?!?!¡± Keiko pouted, ¡°You always make lunch for us!¡±


    Arisa sighed, ¡°Say¡¯s the person who forgets the lunch I make her all the time,¡±


    Keiko mumbled before standing up, ¡°To the cafeteria!¡± she slinked her arm through Arisa¡¯s as they turned to walk out.


    ¡°Ohhh the cafeteria, how rare for you two,¡± Shou stood in front of them, ¡°You can eat with me for once,¡± he smirked playfully.


    ¡°Oi, are you guys coming or not?¡± Aku poked her head into the classroom.


    ¡°Coming!!¡± Arisa slinked around Shou and ran out, ¡°Hurry up Nee-chan!¡±


    Keiko looked up at Shou, ¡°Heh...heh¡­.see ya there!¡± she jumped over a chair and quickly left.


    Shou chuckled and patted Seiji on the back, ¡°You coming?¡±


    The Cafeteria


    Aku grabbed a packet of bread as usual, ¡°I¡¯m going to get us some seats,¡±


    Arisa picked up a tray and nodded, ¡°Is that all you are going to eat?¡± Aku waved and walked away, ¡°You should eat more!!¡± she sighed as she went through the line asking for food. She tried to stretch out her neck and her legs casually- they were sore. She hadn¡¯t trained in combat in such a long time, and after just one training session her body was feeling it.


    She picked up her now full try and turned to leave the line but bumped into someone and dropped her tray as she too fell to the floor.


    ¡°Ooh, I¡¯m sorry about that are you ok?¡± Kenji bent down to his knees.


    ¡°I¡¯m ok- I¡¯m sorry I should have looked-¡± she looked up to Kenji¡¯s face and froze. She had become accustomed to having the other STAM agents around- but he made her nervous. His eyes seemed to always be looking for something, ¡°I-¡±


    ¡°Oh no!¡± he grabbed her hand, ¡°You must have cut your hand on the tray,¡±


    Arisa looked and saw the small cut: she was so worried she didn¡¯t even feel it. Her throat felt like sand as she pushed the words out, ¡°Oh I did...¡± his grip was tight around her wrist, she didn¡¯t dare even try to pull away.


    ¡°It¡¯s times like this that it pays to be prepared, that¡¯s what my old man always said...¡± with his other hand he pulled out a small bandage and began opening it, ¡°Besides I can¡¯t have you go back with an injury, you have quite the scary bodyguards around you,¡± he rubbed the band aid edges on her skin- his eyes glued to her hand.


    ¡°What-¡± she felt her heart beat faster.


    ¡°You are a special person after. A very,¡± he eyes locked onto hers, ¡°special person,¡±


    Arisa couldn¡¯t feel her legs. She felt trapped into a corner. Could he know? There is no way he could know!!! What-


    His harsh gaze softened as she smiled with his eyes closed, ¡°Here, take my tray. It¡¯s look like we had similar tastes in the meal. I¡¯ll clean this up for you. Go ahead,¡±


    Arisa didn¡¯t dare argue. She wanted to get away from him. She didn¡¯t want to have to be so close to him...he was dangerous, ¡°Thanks-¡± she grabbed his tray and quickly turned to go to Aku. I¡¯ve got to tell Aku, if someone knows- if he actually knows then I have to tell- she hesitated and stood still in the busy cafeteria. Kyoushirou had just walked in, if someone knows...then we will leave. I¡¯d have to leave¡­.her gaze followed Kyoushirou as he walked through the cafeteria, I don¡¯t want to leave.


    ¡°Arisa!¡±


    She jolted her head to see Aku waving at her from a table and smiled as she went to sit across from her.


    ¡°Are you ok? You look pale,¡± Aku fumbled with her bread package.


    Arisa smiled as best as she could, ¡°I¡¯m just a little sore from our training is all,¡±


    Keiko set down her tray beside Aku and sat down as she took the chopsticks from her mouth, ¡°That Kenji guy is quite the klutz. He must have dropped his tray back there in line,¡± she grinned as she dug into her food.


    Arisa sighed quietly to herself as she pushed around the food on her tray, there is no way he knows...I¡¯m just being paranoid¡­..

 The Third Dealer

    Chapter 22: The Third Dealer


    Sector 27: MRPA HQ


    ¡°This is top priority mission,¡± Red spoke seriously to the three top agents, ¡°STAM seems to have captured Mei Lin¡¯s supplier and are going to no doubt raid her place tonight,¡± the screen displayed a picture of the mutant Seiji and Shoutarou had captured- the young boy who was not in MRPA database. No doubt the boy had been tortured and interrogated until they finally spoke. But that information must be classified to STAM.


    Keiko furrowed her brow, why does Red have intel about STAM? How would he know this?


    ¡°Luckily, we too have the location of Mei Lin,¡± the picture switched from the supplier to the dealer. Mei Lin had been entered into the system under suspected mutant. As she had never been arrested or tagged, her information was limited to mere rumors, ¡°Your mission is to bring Mei Lin here before STAM gets a hold of her. With any luck you will beat them.¡±


    Arisa looked down at her feet, she didn¡¯t know why she was here. Any second now Red would say that it would be Keiko and Aku to go- she would not be allowed to go. Once again she would be here while her family was off fighting without her.


    ¡°Red- we need 00 on this mission,¡± Aku spoke bluntly.


    Keiko and Red responded shocked, ¡°What?!¡±


    Arisa looked up at Aku hopefully- Aku winked in return, ¡°Her shifting will become valuable if STAM agents do show up. Her being able to look like Mei Lin might give us the chance to go separate ways and hopefully lose the STAM agents,¡± there was a moment of silence, ¡°00¡¯s shifting skills have been getting stronger and in this case she would not need to be in any combat directly,¡±


    Keiko crossed her arms, ¡°I don¡¯t know about this...¡±


    Arisa quickly grabbed Keiko¡¯s arm and pouted, ¡°I can do this. I really can,¡±


    Keiko couldn¡¯t keep a tough expression when Arisa pouted at her so cutely, ¡°Fine- but you better stick to me the entire mission,¡±


    Arisa nodded happily.


    Their attention was all brought back to Red, ¡°It is settled then. The three of you will go to Sector 13 to Mei Lin¡¯s bath house: Dragon Steam,¡±


    Sector 1: STAM HQ- Meeting RoomThis book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    ¡°You have a very important mission tonight!¡± Blue¡¯s voice boomed through the room even though it came through the small speaker in Shizune¡¯s hand, ¡°There is a filthy mutant selling the mutant drug Free in Sector 13. I want this to be dealt with cleanly- this mutant Mei Lin is a level Red mutant that needs to be disposed of on site- no questions asked. Her bath house is to be quarantined and all other mutants in the premises are to be dealt with by your discretion. It has also come to my attention that it is very likely that Black agents will be there. I want to make myself clear,¡± Blue paused for a moment, ¡°Mei Lin is the objective of this mission. Black agents are to be engaged only if they disrupt the objective. You are NOT authorized to blow the mission to engage black agents. Is that understood?¡±


    ¡°Yes Blue,¡± all six agents responded in unison.


    ¡°Since I have made myself clear- I¡¯m sure you know which team is being sent-¡± the small speaker clicked off and Shizune went back to her desk without a word.


    Seiji glared at his clenched fist, ¡°Unbelievable! Rank 2 brought in the mutant with the intel on this and yet first rank gets the mission,¡± he sarcastically sighed as he looked at Kyoushirou.


    Kyou scoffed at him, ¡°If you want the high priority missions maybe you should actually succeed in a few of them,¡±


    ¡°What did you say?!¡± Seiji grabbed onto Kyou¡¯s shirt, his temper flaring.


    ¡°You heard me- second rank,¡± Kyou glared coldly at Seiji.


    ¡°Hey, Hey!¡± Kenji dropped his hands on their shoulders, ¡°It¡¯s just a mission- no reason to fight about it,¡±


    Kyou pushed Kenji¡¯s hand away, ¡°What¡¯s it to you anyway. You¡¯ve been whining about how much you¡¯ve been wanting to kill a mutant since you got here,¡±


    A sick grin climbed over Kenji¡¯s face, ¡°That¡¯s why-¡± his eyes glared at them, ¡°You¡¯re ruining my buzz over here with your petty arguement,¡±


    Ryu nodded with his arms crossed and looked to call for Hiro only to see had already left the meeting room, ¡°Hey Hiro wait up!!¡±


    Shou grabbed Seiji¡¯s shoulder and dragged him from the room, ¡°Come on, let¡¯s go on patrol-¡±


    Once they were out of the meeting room Shou let go of Seiji, ¡°Why do you always have to fight him?¡±


    Seiji growled in response trying to hold down his anger. After a moment of following Shou in silence she sped in front, ¡°Come with me.¡±


    Shou followed Seiji in the elevator, down through the lobby- where Seiji smiled and waved pleasantly to all the cameras and media, out the door, and several blocks away to a small street vendor cart. Seiji sat down immediately in one of the small bright blue chairs and waved at the elderly woman running the stand, ¡°2 bottles, 2 glasses, an order of spicy rice cakes, and-¡± he paused looking at Shou.


    Shou sighed and sat, ¡°Spongy noodles.¡±


    The woman smiled, ¡°Do you want seafood or leek?¡±


    Shou smiled back at her, ¡°Half-half please.¡±


    Seiji stuck out his tongue, ¡°How can you mix the two?¡±


    Shou leaned back in his chair, ¡°You are such a picky eater- tons of people eat it mixed.¡±


    The woman brought two small shot glasses and 2 bottles. The glass recycled so many times it was a messy mix of brown, green, and clear.


    Seiji grabbed the bottle and poured a shot for Shou and then himself, ¡°To Rank 1, the team who gets to clean up our hard work and take the credit!¡± he drank the shot and grimaced at the burning he felt in his throat.


    Shou rolled his eyes and took his own shot with a straight face, ¡°You know we have to work tonight.¡±


    Seiji waved his hand as he poured them both another shot, ¡°Come on partner. Let me mope a little.¡±


    Shou sighed and clinked his glass with Seiji¡¯s, ¡°To Rank 2- may we soon catch a black agent and get the promotion we deserve.¡±


    ¡°Now we¡¯re talkin¡¯,¡± Seiji said unenthusiastically.

 Rank 1

    Chapter 23: Rank 1


    Sector 13: In Front of Dragon Steam


    ¡°Do we all understand the mission?¡± Keiko whispered to them.


    ¡°Negotiations first- persuasive aggression second,¡± Aku rested her hand on the hilt of her sword that she had already pulled from the shadow beneath her.


    ¡°And if STAM show up- I shift to Mei Lin and cause confusion until we can escape in 2 teams,¡± Arisa could feel her heart racing. The three of them had never been on a mission together- and Arisa had a lot to prove this time around.


    ¡°Remember- if we can get out before STAM gets here that will be even better. We need to be fast,¡± Keiko looked at them seriously. Keiko was uneasy. She had gone on missions with Arisa before, but never ones where they expected to run into STAM. Arisa would be in direct danger tonight. Her palms felt cold and wet; she was nervous.


    They both nodded before turning to the bath house and walking in.


    It was an all wooden house, filled with dense steam and thick smoke. The whole building was just one giant room with several inground tubs that had steam rising from them. The room was filled with people, some in baths some just beside them- most smoking from long pipes.


    As they walked down the center of the room they saw her. Mei Lin was a thin, pale woman. Her dark black hair was cut in a short bob and she wore only a thin, silk bathrobe decorated in dragons made of colorful smoke. She sat in a large chair with people to her left and right holding things for her. As her eyes came to see the three agents she took her pipe from the closest person and waved for them to leave, ¡°Well if it isn¡¯t MRPA- I wondered how long it might be before you found me here,¡± she inhaled from her pipe and blew large, thin smoke rings.


    ¡°We are here to take you into to MRPA custody,¡± Aku spoke- her hand still resting on her hilt.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t that cute- you think I¡¯ll just come with you?¡± Mei Lin remained calm- even with the top three agents before her.


    Keiko suddenly turned her head to the far wall- there was a thick cloud of smoke over there- she thought she could hear someone speaking. Her focus was taken by that voice, she couldn¡¯t turn away. She felt her feet move on their own.


    ¡°You don¡¯t understand!¡± Arisa spoke up suddenly, ¡°STAM agents are on their way right now! They are going to take this place down any minute!¡±


    Mei Lin coughed out smoke as she laughed, ¡°You think I would believe something like that?¡± the men in the baths laughed with her, ¡°This bath house hasn¡¯t been touched by the police for 3 years and yet they are going to be here in minutes? What a bold bluff.¡±


    Keiko was only inches away from the thick wall of smoke when she could finally hear the voice clearly. It was soft and shaky and creaked with the dryness of age, ¡°The true King will transcend onto the Queen Stone- and from their union shall the great evil finally fall¡­.the true King will transcend onto the Queen Stone- and from their union shall the great evil finally fall¡­.¡±


    ¡°This isn¡¯t a joke Mei Lin-¡± Aku gripped onto the hilt tightly, ¡°But if you insist to be taken by force,¡±


    Keiko peered through the smoke and saw him; it was an old man, draped in thin fabrics, who spoke. His eyes were shut as he spoke that same phrase over and over again, ¡°The true King will transcend onto the Queen Stone- and from their union shall the great evil finally fall...¡± he inhaled through his intricate pipe deeply before repeating the phrase, ¡°The true King will transcend onto the Queen Stone-¡± his eyes suddenly shot open and stared at Keiko, ¡°and from the union shall the great evil finally fall.¡±


    The door suddenly slammed open, ¡°STAM Agents! This bath house is now under the ownership of the police force- all civilians should put their hands behind their head and prepare to be processed,¡± Kyoushirou held his arm out in front of him and bent his elbow toward him. There was his anti-mutant weapon, strapped to his forearm.


    Aku only had seconds to respond- she grabbed Arisa¡¯s arm and pulled her under her coat- shielding them both just in time.


    From the metal cross on his arm came a blinding light that infected every space in the room- all shadows were eaten- all smoke was pushed through: all enemies touched.


    As the light faded Kyoushirou spoke again, ¡°Is there anyone unaffected by that light?¡± he waited for a response, ¡°If there is anyone able to move you are allowed to leave. We only want the mutants,¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°Woooooah, that¡¯s quite the powerful weapon you have there,¡± Kenji walked past him and poked one of the men in the bath, ¡°Full mutant paralysis huh?¡± he grinned, ¡°how handy,¡±


    Kyoushirou groaned, ¡°You only have permission to go after Mei Lin, all the other mutants here will be brought back to STAM for testing,¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, I know,¡± Kenji clenched onto his spear.


    Aku was still under her coat with Arisa- they were both able to avoid the light, ¡°Are you ok?¡±


    Arisa nodded, ¡°What about 013?¡±


    Aku shook her head, ¡°We have to continue the mission, shift into Mei Lin. Try and convince them that you are the real one,¡±


    Arisa nodded and shifted to look like Mei Lin- yet her clothes of course remained.


    Aku threw her coat dramatically and looked over to Keiko, she had been paralyzed. But from the looks of it she was able to shield herself from the full force. WIth any luck she would be able to join this fight.


    ¡°Ooooh Blue was right, the black agents are here,¡± Kenji licked his lips as he looked from the still Keiko to Aku. Aku didn¡¯t waste anytime and lunged straight for Kenji.


    Kenji blocked her attack with his spear, ¡°Hey- that paralysis would be really helpful!¡± he screamed back at Kyou.


    Kyou shrugged, ¡°It¡¯s got a pretty long recharge. You take care of her,¡±


    ¡°OI!¡± Kenji screamed as Aku went to chase Kyou. Kenji grabbed her ankle and threw her into the bath, ¡°You are fighting me!¡±


    Kyou ran to the back of the room to see Mei Lin frozen in place- when another Mei Lin suddenly stood in front of the frozen one, ¡°And you are-¡± his own throat closed up as he saw the MRPA uniform- the double zero sewn into the chest-Arisa¡­


    She took several deep breaths, Mei Lin wasn¡¯t in MRPA¡¯s database and therefor she couldn¡¯t change her voice- she would have to try her best to deceive him¡­.Kyoushirou¡­¡±Mei Lin,¡± her voice felt awkward and unreal- but she stayed confident.


    Kyoushirou looked at her skeptically, ¡°Then why are you in the MRPA uniform?¡±


    Arisa glared, ¡°To protect me- from you,¡±


    Aku hated her luck- this bath was murky. Yet within the murk she saw it- a shadow she could use. Where she came back out from was Kenji¡¯s own shadow. She grabbed his ankle and pulled him into the ground. As she came down with her blade she felt his spear connect with the side of her head and send her flying into the wall.


    Arisa tried not to look at Aku or Keiko- even though she begged for their help.


    Kyoushirou wasn¡¯t sure what to do. He knew it was Arisa before him and not Mei Lin- he just knew deep down that it was her. His brain told him to restrain her- to do as his training taught him and capture the dangerous mutant. Yet his body and his heart cried out to protect her, to take her away from this dangerous place and make sure she was ok.


    Aku held Kenji by the collar- her own eye swelling with blood. She punched him in the face over and over again- wishing he would pass out.


    Kenji grabbed her fist and punched her in the stomach, but Aku tightened her grip on his collar and flipped him into the bath.


    ¡°Get away from them!¡± Aku wearily called out as she pushed her body toward Arisa, ¡°Get away!!¡± she picked her katana up from the ground and pointed it at Kyoushirou.


    Kyou stood in front of Arisa, who stood in front of Mei Lin, ¡°Look you don¡¯t have to do this,¡± he glanced behind her and saw that Kenji had resurfaced from the bath, his hands groping for his spear that was just beyond his reach, ¡°We can work something out,¡±


    Aku slashed her blade and gave Kyoushirou a shallow gash across his arm, ¡°I said step away from her,¡±


    ¡°Ok, ok,¡± Kyoushirou stood a step to the side and saw that Kenji drew back his spear and threw it as hard as he could from the bath.


    Aku¡¯s senses pulled her to dodge the flying spear on reflex- even though she couldn¡¯t see it.


    Kyoushirou saw it- headed right for Arisa. He turned to her, wrapped his hand over her waist and pulled her over to him and to the ground.


    Aku turned around angrily and was pulled back into battle with Kenji.


    Arisa jumped up from the ground- unable to think about how Kyoushirou had saved her life- to see that the spear had gone through Mei Lin. Her body no longer still she fell to the ground, already dead. ¡°No!¡± Arisa screamed and turned to Kyoushirou, ¡°How could you do this?!?!¡± she knelt beside the dead Mei Lin, ¡°HOW COULD YOU?!?!¡±


    All of the steam in the bath house suddenly froze: Aku¡¯s and Kenji¡¯s clothes became rock hard in mere seconds. The water in the baths rose up in the air and swept up Kyoushirou and Kenji. They were pushed into the wall with a loud bang before the water froze, trapping them there with sharp icicles pointed at their throats.


    ¡°013!!¡± Arisa wiped away her tears as Keiko stretched her shoulder.


    ¡°Did ya miss me?¡± Keiko grinned, ¡°You look like crap 014,¡±


    Aku sighed as she sheathed her sword, ¡°It took you long enough...water huh?¡±


    Keiko shrugged, ¡°Must have changed while I was paralyzed.¡±


    Arisa looked at Kyoushirou, his body was frozen in the ice- his head forced still by sharp ice, it hurt her to see him like that.


    ¡°Lets get out of here,¡± Keiko looked to Arisa.


    ¡°But Mei Lin-¡± Arisa looked at Mei Lin¡¯s body with regret filled eyes.


    Aku laid a hand on Arisa¡¯s shoulder, ¡°We will bring all the mutants with us,¡±


    Keiko sighed and looked away from the scene, her fist clenched, if only I hadn¡¯t been paralyzed...I could have...I could have...


    ¡°HALT! You are not permitted to be alive. We have you surrounded!!!¡± from the doorway stood STAM officers- their guns pointed at them.


    The three agents were trapped. Keiko glared at the officers, if Arisa wouldn¡¯t have been here...if it just would have been Aku and her- they would have protected the mutants here. But with Arisa here-


    Arisa knew exactly what Keiko was thinking- she is thinking about retreating!! Arisa couldn¡¯t take it, she couldn¡¯t allow Mei Lin to die and then lose all of the mutants trapped here in the bath house. She couldn¡¯t. Arisa quickly turned away to do something to protect the mutants here- but Keiko grabbed her by the wrist and yelled, ¡°014!!!¡±


    Aku grabbed Keiko¡¯s arm and pulled both of them through a shadow, Arisa screaming for them to stop as she too was pulled into the void.

 Consequences

    Chapter 24: Consequences


    Thirty Minutes Later


    The bathhouse was crawling with officers. All of the paralyzed mutants were detained and loaded into STAM¡¯s custody- they would be taken in for processing, testing, and executing. Mei Lin¡¯s body was documented and Kyoushirou had just gotten off the phone with Shizune to report on their successful mission.


    As he hung up he looked at Kenji, his partner that had almost killed Arisa, he felt an anger boil up inside of him, ¡°You better watch your place Kenji!¡±


    Kenji turned to him and raised his eyebrow, ¡°What do you mean? I did exactly what I was supposed to do.¡±


    Kyou glared at him, he was more mad about Arisa having been in danger but couldn¡¯t say that to Kenji, ¡°I had to dodge your attack!¡±


    Kenji remained confused, ¡°You looked right at me! Besides YOU didn¡¯t have to dodge- in fact if you wouldn¡¯t have pulled that black agent out of the way I would have had a two for one,¡± Kenji grinned.


    Kyou¡¯s temper flared up but he found himself, ¡°Our mission was to capture MeiLin and you killed her!¡± Kenji was technically right. He had been following orders. But Kyou- he had broken orders. If he wasn¡¯t careful he could end up jeopardizing his rank, ¡°Just be more careful next time,¡± Kyou huffed as he walked away.


    ¡°Hey where are you goin?! We have to oversee the process!"  Kenji panicked as Kyou waved to him as he left.


    Kenji grinned slightly, ¡°Why, oh why would THE Rank 1 Container¡­.leader of the STAM agents...why would you protect a mutant...¡±


    Sector 27: MRPA HQ


    ¡°How could you do that?!?!¡± Arisa cried out to Keiko as they left the meeting with Red. They had all acted calmly and explained the situation to Red, but now that they had left the meeting room- Arisa finally was able to ask.


    Keiko snapped her head around to Arisa, ¡°What are you saying right now?¡±


    Arisa held her ground. Normally she would have folded the moment Keiko took that tone- but she was serious this time, ¡°Why did we retreat?!¡±


    Keiko looked at Aku before looking back at Arisa, ¡°Because your safety is more important than a few mutants-¡±


    ¡°How can you say that?! Aren¡¯t we supposed to be protecting mutants?!! How can you put my safety above theirs?! We are supposed to sacrifice our lives for theirs!!!¡±


    Keiko turned fully to face Arisa, ¡°If you wouldn¡¯t have been there I would have stayed!!!¡± Arisa froze- unable to believe, ¡°If you wouldn¡¯t be here- if you wouldn¡¯t demand to go on these dangerous missions I could save them! I could protect them. But I have to protect you! YOU! I had to let those mutants become captured by STAM to save YOU!¡±


    Arisa¡¯s eyes welled with tears and Keiko¡¯s anger immediately vanished, ¡°...you don¡¯t want me to be an agent? You don¡¯t think...you don¡¯t think I could save them?¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Keiko sighed, ¡°No...I don¡¯t,¡±


    Arisa felt her heart break. She had been trying so hard lately. She had been working so hard to be an agent, to make her sister proud- but she was just in the way. She quickly turned and ran off, tears falling from her eyes.


    Aku sighed and glared at Keiko, ¡°Why do you have to be like that?¡±


    ¡°She shouldn¡¯t be here, she isn¡¯t cut out to be an agent¡­.¡±


    Aku sighed, ¡°Don''t you see that she is?¡± she turned and ran after Arisa.


    Keiko ruffled her hair angrily as she turned the opposite direction and walked down the hall. She wanted to think about Arisa but the old man from the bathhouse was stuck in her head. Why was she drawn to him? Where did he vanish to after STAM arrived? She whispered to herself, ¡°The true King will transcend onto the Queen Stone- and from their union shall the great evil finally fall¡­..what could it mean? Why does my heart race?....¡± she thought as she walked- the true King? She touched the scales on her face and neck as she walked; the true King.


    -----


    When Aku finally found Arisa she was in a training room. Arisa had curled up into a ball in the middle of the floor. Aku could only make out her occasional sniffle.


    She walked over and sat down beside her in silence for a bit.


    ¡°Aku?¡± Arisa sniffled and wiped away her tears as she laid there.


    ¡°Hmmm?¡±


    ¡°Did she mean it?¡± Arisa sniffed again, ¡°Am I holding you two back?¡±


    Aku was silent for a moment. You shouldn¡¯t be here- don¡¯t get close. You shouldn¡¯t let her- if you want her safe you should stay away from her...you¡¯ll only hurt her. ¡°Keiko is just bad with her words- you know that,¡± she looked over at Arisa, ¡°She just doesn¡¯t want you to get hurt-¡±


    Arisa sat up suddenly, ¡°I don¡¯t want to get hurt either- but I want to help! I don¡¯t want you two to get hurt!¡±


    Aku nodded, ¡°She¡¯ll come around, you just need to prove it to her that you can do this- that you want to do this.¡±


    Arisa wiped away her tears and nodded, ¡°You¡¯re right. If I could just show her that I am cut out for this-¡± she stood to her feet, ¡°So what¡¯s on the table for training today Master?¡±


    Aku jumped to her feet, ¡°That¡¯s the spirit-¡± You¡¯ll regret this decision- you¡¯ll regret getting so close to them...you¡¯ll only bring them pain.


    STAM HQ


    Seiji and Shou walked through the large glass doors to the lobby of STAM. It was 2 in the morning and yet the lobby seemed to be packed with reporters who formed a wall around the two agents upon their entrance, ¡°Rank 2! Rank 2!!¡±


    ¡°Ichiro Seiji! Any comments on the capture of the drug house Dragon Steam that was shut down tonight?¡±


    Seiji, who was only a little tipsy after walking with Shou, clenched his first, ¡°Rank 1-¡±


    ¡°We cannot disclose any information that you don''t already have,¡± Shou interrupted, ¡°Please everyone leave the building and get your interviews in the morning.¡± he pulled Seiji through the crowd and into the elevator.


    ¡°Mission success huh?¡± Seiji asked.


    Shou looked through the reports on the interface of his dogtags, ¡°The report hasn''t even been filed. How can those leeches know about our teammates before we do?¡±

 Trusting the Enemy

    Chapter 25: Trusting the Enemy


    The Next Day: Tenno Academy- the North Gymnasium


    ¡°Today you all will be doing something a little different in gym,¡± their coach spoke to them. The entire grade was gathered inside the gymnasium, ¡°We are going to do a little team building exercise: Trust Falls,¡± the teacher¡¯s eyes gleamed at the moans across the gym, ¡°Your teams have been pulled from random¡­¡±


    Arisa grinned as she turned to Keiko- excited, ¡°You think we will get paired?¡±


    Keiko sighed and looked up at the ceiling, ¡°Why do I have a horrible feeling about this?¡±


    The teacher started to read names, ¡°Ume Akumako paired with-¡± there was a hush of anticipation, ¡°Reikokuna Kenji,¡±


    Aku tried to keep her composure- Kenji was the last person she wanted to be paired with, how could she trust an agent? Especially an agent that had tried to kill her last night?


    Kenji on the other raised his hand looking for a high five, ¡°Alright! Seat mates!!¡±


    Aku crossed her arms and turned away from him with a scoff.


    The teacher continued, ¡°Sugimori Nell and Kawamiya Kyoushirou. ¡± He flipped a paper on his clip board, ¡°Mumei Ryuichi, partnered with Ichiro Seiji,¡±


    The two friends fist bumped coolly as their fangirls squealed.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­Egao Shoutarou and Kuma Keiko,¡±


    Keiko groaned, she could only hope that Arisa wasn¡¯t also paired with an agent.


    Shoutarou grinned and leaned on her with his elbow propped on her shoulder, ¡°Lucky you Keiko, I¡¯m the safest partner you could have had.¡±


    ¡°Moru Hiroto and Kuma Arisa-¡±


    Keiko looked panicked to Aku who returned her own fear. Neither of them could do anything.


    Arisa smiled brightly (even though on the inside she felt nervous) ¡°Hiroto, it¡¯s just like old times hmm?¡±


    Hiro glanced over at Kyoushirou and saw that he was watching Arisa closely. It was his turn to make a move, ¡°Hmm, just like old times,¡± he patted the top of her head gently and grinned at the fire he saw in Kyoushirou¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Now that you all have your partner''s, every pair will grab a box! One person will stand on the box and fall back, the other will catch their partner do you understand??? I will not tolerate any funny business! If you do not catch your partner you will fail today¡¯s lesson and have to clean the entire gymnasium with a toothbrush do you understand??¡±


    The students all responded in fear. No one wanted to be here after school to clean- the gymnasium was huge, and to clean it with only a toothbrush would take hours.


    As everyone broke off to do their trust falls Keiko sighed and calmed down- it was stupid to think that Arisa¡¯s identity would be in danger from a simple activity like this, yet as she looked over she was relieved to see that Hiroto would be falling first.


    ¡°You should fall first,¡± Shoutarou set the box down in front of her, ¡°I promise to catch you,¡± he winked at her with a big smile.


    Keiko rolled her eyes, ¡°You better,¡± she stepped up on the box and started to feel her own heart beat. It wasn¡¯t faster or harder; she just noticed it. She turned to look at Shoutarou only to see his eyes locked on her own- she quickly turned away. This is ridiculous.


    Shoutarou was grinning ear to ear. Finally it was his turn. Seiji got to sit next to her every day- but now: it was his turn. He had these feelings for Keiko since their first year of high school. She had sat in front of him- every time she turned and saw her smile, his face lit up. He wanted to keep her safe. If there was anyone he didn¡¯t want to see attacked by the crazy mutants of this world, it was her.


    ¡°Ready?¡± Keiko called out to him without turning around.


    Shou held his arms out in preparation, he was going to catch her, ¡°Ready,¡±


    She rocked back and forth gently before letting herself fall off the box. Shou caught a glimpse  of her face- her eyes squeezed shut, she was adorable. Instead of catching her through her arms like they were taught to do, Shou moved to the side and caught her bridal style.


    Keiko¡¯s eyes shot open- her face immediately burning red as her eyes caught his. She felt her heart miss a beat and panicked, ¡°What are you doing? Put me down,¡± she pushed his chest.


    He laughed, ¡°Hey I caught you didn¡¯t I?¡± still holding her, he span a few times laughing.


    Across the gym Seiji was glaring at them, how dare he catch her like that! Who does he think he is? This isn¡¯t some shoujo manga for crying out loud this is serious!The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°Seiji are you ready?¡± Ryu stood on the box not turning around.


    I¡¯m gonna kill him!


    ¡°I¡¯m gonna fall back- catch me!¡±


    PUT HER DOWN ALREADY WHY WOULD YOU HOLD HER THAT-¡°Ahhh Ryu!!!¡±


    Ryuichi crashed into the ground at Seiji¡¯s feet- his face pouting up at Seiji, ¡°You didn¡¯t catch me¡­¡±


    Seiji panicked, ¡°Oh Ryu I¡¯m sorry! What were you doing you idiot? Why did you fall when I wasn¡¯t ready??¡±


    Ryu pouted more, ¡°You¡¯re my best friend and you didn¡¯t catch meee!!!¡±


    ¡°Ichiro Seiji!!!¡± The gym teacher walked over, ¡°Failed- I¡¯ll see you after school,¡±


    Seiji hung his head in defeat.


    Ryu stuck his tongue out, ¡°Serves you right!¡± he huffed.


    Seiji looked back over to Shou to see he had set Keiko down. He was smiling and laughing; her arms were crossed and she was looking away from him with a flushed face. Seiji clenched his fist.


    Aku was standing with her arms out, not looking at Kenji. Kenji looked at the box and mumbled to himself, ¡°is this how you do it¡­.¡±


    Suddenly Kenji jumped from the box at Aku, his arms pushed out in front of him, ¡°Catch me~~¡±


    Aku turned to look just in time to see him collide into her and push her into the ground. Kenji realized that he had done the activity wrong and grabbed the back of her head and spun so that he would be the one to hit the floor while Aku would be safe on top of him.


    ¡°Whoops,¡± he laughed out nervously as the two of them were on the ground.


    Aku glared at him and made sure to step on him as she stood up, ¡°You idiot,¡± she huffed out as she turned to walk away.


    ¡°But wait- you haven¡¯t done it yet,¡± Kenji jumped to his feet as Aku angrily stomped away. Kenji grinned and mumbled to himself, ¡°The people here are just so interesting¡­.Ume Akumako...why do I feel like there¡¯s something I¡¯m missing about you¡­?¡±


    Aku walked over and stood by Keiko, ¡°You put on quite the show.¡±


    Keiko shifted her weight uncomfortably, ¡°You¡¯re one to talk. Kenji catapulted into you...I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t punch him.¡±


    Aku leaned into Keiko, ¡°Hmmmm, but your face is quite red-¡±


    Keiko¡¯s eyes shot open and she laughed nervously, ¡°Me? HA!¡± she flew her hand through her hair, ¡°ME? Pah, pah. That just shows how great of an actor I am.¡±


    Aku narrowed her eyes, ¡°Hmmmmmmmmm can actors make their face turn bright red on command?¡±


    ¡°I-I-¡± she looked around nervously before her eyes caught something familiar. Her face became serious as she stared.


    Aku stood upright once more, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±


    Keiko¡¯s gaze never faltered, ¡°Her-¡±


    Aku followed Keiko¡¯s eyes to Kyoushirou¡¯s partner. She was short, petite, with light green hair that curled under her ears. Aku didn¡¯t recognize her, ¡°What about her?¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s in the database.¡±


    Aku turned to Keiko shocked, ¡°What?¡±


    Keiko narrowed her gaze at her, ¡°Sugimori Nell. What is she doing here?¡±


    Kyoushirou had been up late. His mind had been filled with Arisa, how could he sleep knowing that she was in so much danger? He stood- waiting to catch the girl whose name he had already forgotten- his eyes were glued on Arisa. She stood on the box- working up the courage to fall into Hiro¡¯s arms. He hated it- what if Hiroto discovered who she was? Hiro would kill her! He wouldn¡¯t hesitate! That¡¯s the kind of person Hiroto is¡­a cold-hearted killer. He spared no mercy for mutants- that¡¯s why Kyou stopped working with him. Hiroto always killed.


    As Arisa pushed off the box Kyoushirou¡¯s body moved on its own. With her eyes so glued shut he couldn¡¯t help but think of the night before- how she could have died.


    In one swift moment he swooped in from the side and caught Arisa in the air. She opened her eyes and was shocked to see him- so close to her. She felt her heart beat faster and her face get hot, but she couldn¡¯t look away from him.


    Kyoushirou smiled gently, his eyes looked more sad than usual as he set her to her feet.


    Hiroto couldn¡¯t move. His hands were clenched into fists as his head hung, Kyoushirou¡­why is it always you?


    Kyoushirou stretched out a hand and brushed her bangs straight on her head before turning around only to see that his partner had crashed into the floor.


    ¡°Kawamiya Kyoushirou!!¡± the teacher glared, ¡°You and Seiji are going to have a fun time cleaning the gym tonight¡­¡±


    Keiko slipped her arm through Arisa¡¯s and pulled her away, ¡°What was that?¡±


    Arisa shook her head trying to get rid of her flushed face, ¡°I- I don¡¯t know,¡± she turned her head and looked at him- Kawamiya Kyoushirou¡­why do I have to have feelings for you?


    Keiko glared at Kyou but looked back at Nell, ¡°What about her?¡±


    Arisa looked over to the girl, ¡°What about her?¡±


    Keiko looked around her briefly to make sure no one was near, ¡°She¡¯s in the database.¡±


    Shocked, Arisa took another look at her. There was something familiar about her, maybe it was the soft green hair, ¡°I¡¯m not sure...¡±


    Aku held the door for them out of the gym, ¡°Why can¡¯t we ever have a day of peace?¡±


    Kenji was sitting on his box as the gym grew louder with students rushing to clean up. Seiji and Kyou were arguing just behind him about having to stay after school. He could hear Shou and Ryu trying to calm them down. From the corner of his eye he saw Hiroto watching Arisa, Kei, and Aku leave the gym. When they were gone he hung his head and sighed.


    Kenji was staring at a sign on the wall of the gym that said, ¡°CLEAN YOUR EQUIPMENT¡±. His gaze was empty as he thought.


    The pieces of this academy are starting to make sense. The interests of my teammates were easy to understand. Kyou has been acting strange though. He¡¯s always broody, but it¡¯s worse lately. Something seems different about how he acted around Arisa too, did he get rejected? No there¡¯s no way he confessed...but what could it be. Arisa. She¡¯s always surrounded by the other two: Keiko, Akumako. There¡¯s something about them...why do they seem more than just normal students? It¡¯s almost as if-


    ¡°Kenji!¡± Ryu was waving his hands in front of Kenji¡¯s face, ¡°Come on we gotta go to class.¡±


    Kenji hopped off his box, ¡°Must have spaced out there for a bit.¡±


    Shou laughed, ¡°Maybe you got a concussion from slamming into Aku.¡±


    Seiji grunted, ¡°He tackles a girl and gets away with it but I drop Ryu and have to clean the gym.¡±


    Kenji laughed with the others.

 The Little Things

    Chapter 26:The Little Things


    Sector 3: The Apartment


    Arisa had drawn herself a large bath- the day she just had was filled with twists and turns that she didn¡¯t want to think about. She tied her hair up in a towel and couldn¡¯t help but chuckle as a memory popped up in her mind:


    She was just a little girl getting ready to take a bath with Keiko. Keiko was complaining loudly as she wrestled with her hair trying to put it in the towel but failing. Arisa chuckled and shifted her head to be bald. Keiko¡¯s jaw had dropped at the sight and pouted in obvious jealousy. She grinned suddenly and started pulling the water from the bath and splashing it on Arisa playfully¡­.


    Arisa couldn¡¯t help but smile as she pushed her hair in the towel. She no longer shifted her body to make her life easier...she washed her hair, shaved her legs, she even liked to go to the hair salon to get it cut- she liked her normal life.


    Arisa slowly sank into the tub and tried to relax her fatigue away- but the steam only reminded her of the bath house...of Mei Lin¡¯s death. Arisa felt tears well in her eyes- I couldn¡¯t save her...she died¡­.


    It was then that Arisa finally remembered that she too would have died that night. Kyoushirou had grabbed her and pulled her away...he protected me? She sat upright in the tub- her eyes wide with shock. He pulled me to him...to protect me? She felt a smile creep across her face as she slinked down into the tub again, ¡°Kyoushirou protected me? He protected me...Arisa the mutant¡­.not the human...but the mutant,¡± her happiness was immediately taken away from her- her face pulled back into serious thought, ¡°Why would he protect a mutant¡­.? Could he¡­.could he know?¡± she thought hard- he had given her his jacket after her involuntary shift at school...but he couldn¡¯t have seen that- as an agent there is no way that he would have hesitated to capture a black agent¡­.¡±Kenji¡­.¡± there was something fishy to be seen about him. The way he stared at her, the way he spoke to her...she didn¡¯t trust him.


    Arisa let her head fall into the water dramatically and pushed the air out of her lungs- she wanted to clear her head of all her upsetting thoughts. As she resurfaced she took a deep breath and hugged her knees in the water, ¡°I should talk to Keiko and Aku...they need to know about all of this¡­.but if I tell them...they will insist on leaving the school. School is the only normal part of my life¡­.I don¡¯t want to give that up¡­.¡± she sighed deeply. Usually Arisa was able to snap out of her deep thinking moods and remain cheerful...but this was too serious to avoid.


    Even as she got out of the bath and got ready for bed- her mind was fixated on that thought: Should I tell them? If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    As she laid in her bed and looked into the darkness of her room she still couldn¡¯t decide. She couldn¡¯t pick between her mutant life and her human life.


    The Next Day at Tenno Academy


    Arisa wasn¡¯t in a good mood for the first time. In fact Hiroto had never seen her in any mood but happy before. As he walked in- he already knew something was wrong. Normally he would hear her bright voice, Good Morning Hiroto! but it wasn¡¯t there. Arisa was sitting in her desk looking down at her notebook silently.


    ¡°Good morning, Arisa,¡± he paused by her desk as he walked by.


    Seeming to come out of a trance Arisa¡¯s gaze looked up at him. She gave him a weak smile, ¡°Morning, Hiroto,¡± and looked back down at her blank notebook.


    While he knew something was still wrong- hearing her voice and seeing that she still had the strength to smile was enough for him to believe that she didn¡¯t need his help. Nevertheless, he didn¡¯t sleep that day in classes- he diligently kept a watch on her.


    Lunch


    ¡°What did you do to her?¡± Aku pulled Keiko aside as Arisa lifelessly moved food around in the classroom, ¡°You said something to her didn¡¯t you?¡± Aku glared at Keiko softly.


    Keiko shook her head, ¡°I haven¡¯t said a word to her since yesterday! Maybe she isn¡¯t feeling well?¡±


    Aku shook her head in response, ¡°I think she might still be upset from the other day...that was the first time she had seen the agents take someone out¡­.¡±


    ¡°You might be right...I¡¯ll write Red and get the night off for us. I¡¯m sure she just needs a date-night,¡± Keiko pulled out her phone.


    Aku nodded, ¡°No fighting with her- it¡¯s her day ok?¡±


    ¡°Yea, yea she¡¯s my sister after all,¡± Keiko stuck her tongue out at Aku playfully.


    The End of the Day


    Arisa had finally decided- it wasn¡¯t just her life she was risking by withholding her worries- she could be jeopardizing Kei and Aku¡¯s lives as well. It wasn¡¯t her place to keep them in a place of danger...she would tell them. She was going to tell them.


    ¡°Kei I have something I nee-¡± it was the first time she had opened her mouth to speak to her, and yet she was cut off.


    ¡°Nope Arisa hang on,¡± Keiko smiled at her, ¡°We three have the rest of the day off so let¡¯s go on a date night. Just like the old days hmm? Just you me and Aku, normal high school girls ready to have a fun night, what do ya say?¡±


    Arisa couldn¡¯t hold back her smile. Date night was something Arisa had made them do when they were growing up- and when Aku joined them she was dragged along as well. Date Night was basically what they called Arisa¡¯s Night. The three of them would do anything that Arisa wanted and would take pictures and have a good time. It was just what Arisa wanted, ¡°Hmm hmm,¡± she nodded excitedly, ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±


    As the two grabbed their stuff and left Arisa smiled at Keiko, I¡¯ll tell you after tonight- after my last night as a human high schooler. After tonight- I¡¯ll let go of this life...I¡¯ll be only a mutant.

 Rank 3

    Chapter 27: Rank 3


    Sector 1: STAM HQ


    The agents had been called in for their meeting, their usual meeting. Ryuichi stood there with his hands in his pockets, it was really quiet without Kyoushirou and Seiji.


    Shizune entered the room and stared silently at the gaps in their formation. She scribbled down a note and played the recording from Blue of their orders, ¡°We have an emergency today agents. There is a mutant that has lost it¡¯s mind in Sector 9. It¡¯s running around and terrorizing the sector- not sparing the lives of any human it sees,¡±


    Ryuichi tried to hold back his gasp, it wasn¡¯t as common as people believed it was for a mutant to rampage a sector.


    ¡°Since this is a high level threat I want 1st Rank on it-¡±


    ¡°Ah, Shizune...¡± Ryu interrupted, ¡°Kyoushirou is still at the academy-¡±


    Shizune sighed, pulled out her phone, and held it to her ear, ¡°Kyoushirou is gone.¡± she said flatly.


    After a moment of silence she addressed them again, ¡°Rank 2 will-¡±


    ¡°Actually...¡± Ryuichi spoke nervously, ¡°Seiji is also still at school...¡±


    Shizune twitched in annoyance and put the phone on loudspeaker. Blue¡¯s voice boomed at them immediately , ¡°Ryuichi, Hiroto- take care of this!¡± the line cut off and Shizune sat behind her desk.


    Ryuichi sighed in relief and tried to calm the beating in his chest.


    Kenji chuckled, ¡°I can¡¯t believe you told him twice...¡±


    Ryu laughed nervously, ¡°Me either...¡±


    Shou grinned, ¡°What do you think those two are doing right now?¡±


    ¡°Probably nothing good,¡± Ryuichi picked up his school bag before leaving the meeting room, Hiroto closely behind him. Hiroto had never been a good match with Ryu- personality wise. Ryu was known to be very serious and deep when he wanted...but often he enjoyed being silly. Of course, Ryu knew exactly why he had been paired with Hiro...it was because Kyou couldn¡¯t take it anymore: Kyoushirou- the top agent of STAM- couldn¡¯t handle Hiroto anymore.


    Sector 9: The Main Street


    The sun was starting to set in the sky- the air was cool in a warm, refreshing kind of way. In any other situation- it would be the perfect weather to sit down with a parfait and read in the park...but it wasn¡¯t that situation.


    They arrived and immediately were drawn to the screams of citizens. Ryuichi broke out into a run first with Hiroto several paces behind him.. As people ran past them in fear, they knew they had come to the right place. It was here, in this narrow street.


    The rampaging mutant was uglier than most mutants- his eyes were wide and crazy, his hair was ripped out in chunks and what did remain was tangled and stood up on his head. His body was covered in green scales and his arms were bent back like praying mantis limbs...his hands were now long black spikes that dripped with some kind of liquid. The mutant no longer spoke- but hissed and screeched at the people around.


    Unable to watch this mutant terrorize the citizens any longer- Ryuichi pulled out his gloves, ¡°Everyone please evacuate the area!!!!¡± the people looked to Ryu and Hiro and looked relieved to see that STAM had come to the scene. Ryu quickly charged the mutant and punched him square in the jaw, knocking him to the ground, ¡°Hiro- we need to get him out of here! Make him follow me!!!¡± Ryu jumped over the mutant, making sure to kick him in the side as he did, and ran through the narrow alley way that lead to the open park.


    He looked behind him to see the mutant chasing him while hissing and screeching. He was catching up too! Ryu screamed as he dodged one of the mutants long arms and jumped to the end of the alley to the large open park, ¡°EVERYONE PLEASE EVACUATE THE AREA!!!!!¡± he screamed loudly just seconds before the mutant pushed through the opening of the alley and out in the open. All of the people in the park began to scream and panic as they ran away from the terrifying sight.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Ryu tried to keep the mutant¡¯s attention on him and went forward to attack. The mutant shrieked again and balanced up on its long arms to kick Ryu away. The mutant coughed and cried out in pain once more- hiding his face in the crooks of his arm. He cried out and screamed- his voice becoming more monster-like.


    Ryu didn¡¯t have the ability to attack him- he looked like he was in so much pain...how could he attack something in that much pain?


    Suddenly Hiro¡¯s metal string wrapped around the mutant throat- shocking it violently, but not fatally. The mutant fell over and writhed in pain- it¡¯s eyes no longer remotely that of a human.


    ¡°Orders?¡± Hiro came beside Ryu- his glasses were hanging on his shirt collar: the sign that he was ready to kill without a second thought.


    Ryu looked at the mutant with pity, ¡°We contain the mutant- it seems to be evolving or morphing of some sort...it may be valuable,¡±


    Hiro nodded silently as the mutant rocked back onto it¡¯s feet- screaming at the two agents before jumping toward them.


    The two agents moved in sync- Ryu attacking with his suffocating gloves, while Hiro made openings for him with his strings- but this mutant was resilient.


    Ryu slipped under the body of the mutant- hoping to hit its more human flesh that was left. The mutant¡¯s limbs were tied by Hiro¡¯s strings- and yet it cried out in defiance. Ryu pulled back his arm- determined to finish this here- yet the mutant ripped against the strings- breaking them into nothing. Ryu was suddenly thrown onto his back, he looked over to see Hiro running toward him- pulling out more string but was smacked aside by the mutant¡¯s now extendable arm. What are you? Ryu barely had time to even question this as the other, dripping arm came down to pierce him. He rolled out of the attack- but felt his face get smashed into the ground by it¡¯s legs- over and over again. His mind going dark- Ryu pushing his strength and grabbed the legs of the mutant- throwing him several hundred yards away. He could hear the mutant¡¯s screech and the heavy impact it made as it hit the ground.


    Ryu stood wobbly to his feet, ¡°It needs to be disposed of...¡± he looked over to Hiro whose body was against a tree, barely on his feet.


    Ryu sighed and wiped the blood out of his eyes- his face bruised and swelling- as he punched his gloves together out of habit. The mutant screeched as it jumped to it¡¯s feet and growled deeply at Ryu before it charged. He was ready, Ryu could take this monster. He just needed to focus. It was already weakened so all he needed to do was-


    The mutant wasn¡¯t looking at him anymore. Those large, black eyes were looking past him, just beside him. The target had changed. Ryu turned his head to look.


    ¡°Nee-chan?¡± the small girl sniffed the tears off of her face as she looked around desperately...the small...mutant girl. The girl had large pockets...or holes, in her neck. Ryu looked back at the rampaging mutant- his gaze fixated on the young girl beside him¡­.she couldn¡¯t have been over 5 years old.


    ¡°Nee-chan??¡± the little girl called out a little louder- her body shaking in fear at the loss of her family. She¡¯s just a little girl¡­


    The mutant was getting closer...it would only be a second or two before he got to the little girl...the little girl that was looking for her sister...the little girl in a pink dress with pig tails...the little mutant girl with a sister.


    The little mutant girl screamed as she saw the attack of the rampant mutant- his dripping- spiked arm loomed above her, ready to break her.


    Ryu quickly wrapped his arms around the girl- her body still shaking in fear. Ryu forced himself not to scream- he didn¡¯t want to scare the poor girl anymore. But the mutant¡¯s arm was deep in his shoulder...he could feel his arm begin to go numb.


    The mutant hissed and screeched before ripping its arm out from his shoulder. Ryu held in a cough as he looked down at the little girl- Good...she isn¡¯t hurt¡­.


    Ryu didn¡¯t turn around to see it...but he heard Hiroto- the clean sliding sound of his metal string- as it wrapped around the mutant. He heard the screech of the mutant as Hiroto used the maximum voltage he could- obliterating the mutant into a pile of static ash instantly.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Ryu looked down at the little girl- his eyes feeling heavier with each second.


    The little girl looked up at Ryu with fear, tears welling in her eyes and spilling over. Her body was shaking and the holes on her neck began to pulse.


    ¡°It¡¯s ok...I¡¯m not going to hurt you. My name is Ryuichi. What¡¯s your name?¡±


    The little girl squeezed her eyes shut, small tears escaping from them, and smoke or dust of some kind began to come from the holes in her neck.


    What happened next was too fast for Ryu to understand- the little mutant girl was obliterated.


    Her pink dress laid on the ground beside the small pile of ash that was once her body.


    Ryu turned to Hiro- hatred and rage lining his voice, ¡°WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!¡±


    Hiro shrugged as he put his glasses back on, ¡°That thing was going to kill you. That was poison from her ne-¡±


    ¡°SHE WAS SCARED!!!¡± Ryu fell forward- his body feeling weak he caught himself above what was left of the little, lost mutant girl, ¡°She was just a child...she was just a scared little girl...¡± he felt tears well in his eyes at he looked down at the pink dress.


    Hiro crossed his arms, ¡°It was just a mutant- they¡¯re just trash anyway,¡±


    Ryu felt his eyes get heavy- his limbs had gone numb and cold. He couldn¡¯t stay awake any longer. He felt the tears fall down his face- the warm blood that was flowing down his back. Yet through all the physical pain he felt- his mind could only picture the little girl. The lost little mutant girl...that died- terrified of him.

 Two Faced

    Chapter 28: Two Faced


    Sector 1: The Clean Boulevard


    This wasn¡¯t exactly Keiko¡¯s forte. I mean she had never really been a ¡°fashionable¡± person. In her mind, things like shopping were a waste of time...she could have spent that time training. But today wasn¡¯t about her. Today was about Arisa: and she was enjoying herself to the fullest.


    Keiko was walking just behind Arisa and Aku who walked with their arms linked as they window shopped. Arisa was laughing and smiling and it was such a relaxing sight for Keiko that she didn¡¯t even mind carrying all of the bags that the two had already bought. It wasn¡¯t about her: it was about Arisa.


    ¡°Keiko- want some ice cream?¡± Aku grinned as she pointed to the small cafe they were about to pass.


    Keiko nodded, ¡°Let¡¯s take a break,¡±


    Arisa grinned, ¡°Ooooh I want a strawberry parfait- no a tiramisu!¡± she walked in and sat down at the window seat, ¡°No! A cheesecake!!!!¡± she pointed to the glistening picture on the menu.


    Keiko shoved all the bags under the table before letting her body sink into the chair, ¡°Ahhh- I didn¡¯t realize how tired I was getting.¡±


    Aku picked up the menu, ¡°Hmmm what should I get¡­..¡±


    ¡°Hello- and welcome to Cafe Doux. I am your waiter, Teddy.¡±


    Arisa turned to the man whose voice was soft and maybe just an octave too high to match his trim face and bright blonde hair, ¡°Can I have a cheesecake and...hmmm what should I get to drink??¡± she tried to grab at the menu that Aku was still holding tightly.


    Teddy smiled at her, ¡°I know it¡¯s not exactly what everyone would recommend, ¡° he shifted his weight over to his left leg dramatically, ¡°Buuuut our chef makes the BEST minty green milkshakes- they are to die for.¡±


    Arisa¡¯s face lit up, ¡°That sounds amazing! I¡¯ll take one please!¡±


    ¡°You got it. And you dear?¡± Teddy turned to Keiko with another big smile.


    Keiko hummed for a second, ¡°I¡¯ll just have a cappuccino.¡±


    ¡°Mhm you got it,¡± he turned finally to Akumako, ¡°And you sweety?¡±


    Aku finally put the thin menu down, ¡°I¡¯ll have the minty green milkshake as well- and your triple chocolate fudge brownie deluxe,¡±


    Teddy pushed his lips out, ¡°Ooooh that¡¯s an excellent choice mhm...I¡¯ll get those right out to you girls,¡± he turned and walked away.


    Arisa grinned, ¡°He was...interesting- really nice though,¡±


    Keiko leaned her elbow on the table and looked out the window- her mind seemed to fill up once more with stress now that she had finally stopped moving.


    Aku- while noticing Keiko¡¯s sudden change in demeanor- couldn¡¯t stop herself from glancing back and forth from the kitchen in anticipation of her chocolatey treat.


    ¡°Guys...¡± Arisa¡¯s troubled voice brought them both back, ¡°I have something I need to tell you...¡± she dared not look at them- she needed all the courage she could muster up to tell them. She had to tell them- she would be putting them in danger if she didn¡¯t tell them about the suspicion¡­.about Kyoushirou.


    Aku looked at Keiko seriously before setting her hand on top of Arisa¡¯s, ¡°Before you say anything Arisa- listen to us first¡­.¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    Keiko sighed softly, ¡°I know that you must be feeling guilty...a lot of bad things have happened lately and of course that is a problem but¡­.¡± she let out another sigh, unsure of how to phrase her thoughts, ¡°You can¡¯t put the blame on yourself¡­.I know I said some things after the mission and I- I am sorry about that. No matter how upset I was- it wasn¡¯t right to say those things to you because¡­.¡±


    Arisa finally looked up and met eyes with Keiko, ¡°Keiko...¡±


    She left a lump in her throat- it had been a long time since Arisa said her name like that, ¡°Anyways, I¡¯m sorry,¡± Keiko cleared her throat and broke her eye contact, ¡°You deserve to be treated like the black agent that you are. You have proved your ability and there is no reason for me to be like that¡­.¡±


    Aku smiled softly and rubbed Arisa¡¯s hand, ¡°We all fail mission¡¯s sometimes- and even though Mei Lin died, we can still honor her and succeed so that her death won''t have been in vain,¡±


    ¡°Oh? Did I interrupt a touching moment?¡± Teddy came over and started moving their order from his tray to the table, ¡°Don¡¯t cry sweety- you are too pretty to cry,¡± Teddy winked at Arisa as she rubbed the tears from her eyes.


    ¡°Mhm, thanks,¡± she smiled up at him as he placed her milkshake down.


    ¡°If you ladies need anything- feel free to let me know ok? Enjoy,¡± he turned away and smiled- this time much darker with hard, opened eyes,  Mei Lin huh? He walked briskly to the kitchen and pulled out his phone, the screen reading only: M.


    The phone ringed only once before someone answered, a voice he was all too familiar with, ¡°It seems that Mei Lin has gone down as well¡­.what do you wish from me?¡±


    ¡°Keiko do you not want any? This cheesecake is really delicious!!¡± Arisa spoke with her small fork hanging from her mouth.


    Keiko nodded as she sipped from her coffee, ¡°You enjoy it Arisa, ¡°


    Arisa turned to offer a bite to Aku as well but was shocked to see that her plate was already empty, ¡°Where did your brownie go?!¡±


    Aku grinned and rubbed her stomach softly, ¡°It was delicious...¡±


    Arisa chuckled, ¡°Is that¡­?¡± she grabbed Aku¡¯s arm and turned it over to show smudged chocolate, ¡°Mou~ Aku-chan you shouldn¡¯t eat so-¡± her eyes caught onto a small brown spot on her stomach where her shirt had lifted just slightly, ¡°How did you get chocolate there?!?!¡± she exclaimed as she pointed to the small spot.


    Aku looked down, her face flushing at the surprise, ¡°What are you-¡± she looked down to see that in fact there was some chocolate on her stomach, ¡°...how did that get there¡­.?¡±


    Sector 1: STAM HQ- Training


    Seiji was in a foul mood. He had come straight to this training room after returning from school- he had missed the mission. A mission basically designed for a disposer like himself- and yet he missed it. It¡¯s all Shou¡¯s fault¡­if he wouldn¡¯t have been distracting me I could have¡­I could have-


    He tried to clear his mind as he threw punch after punch at the punching bag hanging from the ceiling. He didn¡¯t want to think right now. He didn¡¯t want to have thoughts of any nature¡­certainly not of his failures. And yet- even though he desperately wished to not have those thoughts, they pushed into his mind with such force that he had no choice.


    You lost to 013¡­you let that elemental scum walk all over you¡­again.


    ¡°That was weeks ago¡­I haven¡¯t even seen 013 in a while¡­¡± he slammed his fist into the punching bag.


    You failure! How many times have you lost to her¡­.a filthy mutant?


    ¡°I haven¡¯t lost,¡± he hit the punching bag again- this time causing a loud thud.


    You¡¯ll never defeat her¡­you are too weak¡­.what would your parents-


    ¡°I WILL NOT FAIL!!!¡± at the thought of his parents he punched the bag with such force and such rage that the bag ripped apart. As sand started to pour out from the now broken bag Seiji fell to his knees, his breath was heavy and his knuckles were red, ¡°I will not lose¡­¡±


    ¡°Oi Seiji!¡±


    He jerked his head to see his partner walk through the doorway, ¡°Shou-¡± he turned his body to sit and caught the water bottle that Shou threw at him.


    ¡°When did you get back?¡± Shou sat beside him and gave a skeptical look to the falling sand behind them, ¡°Are you upset about something?¡±


    Seiji poured the cold water over his head and sighed, ¡°Better to let off steam on a bag then a person, ¡°


    They both remembered the time that Seiji had lost it. It was only a year ago but it seemed so much further away- Seiji had grown so much since then. Neither dared to say it but they both thought of the same thing- the girl. The officer that Seiji sparred with that day¡­.she never fully recovered. Her face remained scarred and broken, yet they both remembered the way she smiled brightly as she introduced herself¡­yet neither could remember her name.


    ¡°I suppose you are right,¡± Shou took a swig from his own bottle.

 Partners

    Chapter 29: Partners


    Sector 1: STAM Training Room


    The two partners sat in silence in the training room- the fluorescent lights were buzzing slightly as they switched on. The sun was almost completely gone; its light slowly begin wrapped in darkness.


    Seiji and Shou had been partners since the beginning, it¡¯s weird to think about it now but they were pretty similar when they were 10. Both had lost their family- they had sacrificed their family for STAM- both were determined to prove something... Shou wondered how they could have veered so far apart since then. Seiji had given into his temper and let his rage and anger consume him, Shou always wondered if he had become the person he is today because of Seiji. Shou was patient, he could listen and be calm in the face of rage. He worked better under pressure. All of his personality was in response to Seiji, he contained Seiji¡¯s rage- kept him from making the wrong decision. Shou turned his head to look at Seiji- his partner. Even with all of his flaws, Shou wouldn¡¯t trade Seiji for any other disposer. He doubted he could work as well with anyone else.


    Seiji turned to meet Shou¡¯s gaze- his brow furrowed, ¡°Why did you catch Keiko like that today?¡±


    Every nice thought in his head seemed to blow up at those words. Shou couldn¡¯t believe the question, ¡°What?¡±


    Seiji snapped his head away, his voice more agitated than before, ¡°Do you like her?¡±


    Shou gawked at the bold question, his own anger seemed to boil up. He couldn¡¯t admit to Seiji his true feelings- he snapped away defiantly, ¡°W-w-what? Why would you ask...¡± he turned his head back to look at Seiji skeptically, ¡°Do you like her?¡±


    Seiji¡¯s face flushed immediately, ¡°O-of course not! Idiot...¡± he mumbled as he hid his red face.


    Shou couldn¡¯t help but grin- his playful nature came out as he tried to poke Seiji¡¯s temper, ¡°She is kinda cute though...¡±


    Seiji turned back around to Shou, his mouth hung open in shock, ¡°What?¡±


    Shou grinned confidently and crossed his hands behind his neck as he leaned back, ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure she blushed when I caught her today,¡±


    Seiji jumped to his feet, ¡°She must have been embarrassed!¡±


    ¡°I dunno, I mean I am the Rank 2 Container as a STAM agent¡­.¡± he closed his eyes and sighed, ¡°I¡¯m sure she has a crush on me,¡±


    Suddenly Seiji grabbed Shou by the collar and was standing over him, ¡°Shou!¡± he growled through clamped teeth.


    Shou realized he might have poked a little too hard at Seiji- but wasn¡¯t sure how to calm the fire he had ignited, ¡°Seiji-¡±


    Seiji grinned at the stunned face and retorted playfully,¡°I¡¯m her seat partner and you should hear all the horrible things she say about you,¡± he stuck out his tongue.


    Shou groaned and pushed Seiji away, ¡°Dammit Seiji,¡±


    Seiji laughed hard and spoke with a falsetto, ¡°What¡¯s up with his orange hair? He is just so weird,¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Shou chuckled at the silly voice, ¡°She doesn¡¯t say that,¡±


    Seiji nodded, ¡°You know what else she says?¡± he coughed before using his falsetto again, ¡°I would neeeeever go out with him- even if he were the last man on earth!¡±


    The two laughed and continued to banter back and forth for a moment before Kenji ran into the room, his face frantic and his hair falling out of his bun, ¡°Guys!¡±


    They both turned to the doorway, ¡°What is it?¡± Shou called back.


    Kenji let out a breath of air, ¡°Ryu and Hiro just got back...¡± he breathed again, ¡°Ryu¡¯s been taken to surgery,¡±


    The two jumped up immediately and ran right past Kenji toward the ICU. Shou called back to Kenji, ¡°What happened?!¡±


    Kenji was only a few paces behind them, ¡°He got impaled through his shoulder! With poison!¡±


    Shou cursed loudly and picked up the pace. When they made it there, Hiro was leaning against the wall outside of the locked doors.


    ¡°Hiro what happen-¡± Shou started to ask but Seiji pushed past him and snagged at Hiro¡¯s bloodied collar and yanked him off the wall.


    ¡°Why is Ryu in critical while you don¡¯t have a scratch?!?!¡± Seiji¡¯s voice was shaking with rage and a hint of control.


    Hiro rolled his eyes and pulled Seiji¡¯s hand off his collar, ¡°He got himself hurt!¡± his voice laced with an anger that startled the others, ¡°He protected one of those garbage mutant children and took the full attack of the rampant thing. If it weren¡¯t for me killing both of them he would have died,¡± he looked away from them, ¡°He owes me his life,¡± Hiro started to walk away from the locked doors.


    ¡°Where are you going?!¡± Seiji yelled at Hiro¡¯s back.


    Hiro rolled his eyes and replied in his usual dull tone, ¡°To shower- I reek of trash,¡± and with that he left the three agents.


    Seiji slammed his fist against the wall and fell to his knees- his immediate temper giving way to his grief and fear, ¡°Ryu¡­.he¡¯s gonna be ok¡­.right?¡± he didn¡¯t turn to look at Shou as he spoke.


    Shou nodded to himself, ¡°He will be fine,¡±


    There was silence for a second before Kenji spoke softly behind them, ¡°Hiro killed a child?¡±


    From around the corner Kyoushirou stood, leaning against the wall. He had overhear the entire confrontation while grinding his teeth. He expected Hrio to be ruthless and merciless toward mutants- he was thankful to no longer be partnered with someone as volatile as him...and yet there was good news. Ryuichi felt pity¡­.Ryuichi protected a mutant from death. He hoped that Ryu would make it out of surgery without any complications...perhaps he could confide in Ryu with his secret...perhaps Ryu could help him...Arisa...I will make this world safe for you¡­.I¡¯ll protect you from Hiroto. I¡¯ll keep you safe- I promise.


    ----


    Ryu knew he was dreaming. He could feel the sharp pain in his shoulder, but when he looked down at it there was no wound.


    He remembered exactly what happened. He remembered fighting the praying mantis-like rampant mutant. He remembered protecting the little girl.


    He remembered not being able to protect the little girl from Hiro.


    Suddenly he was right there. The rampant was running toward him. Ryu looked behind him and saw a little mutant girl with snow white hair and a pink dress. He knew what would happen. He knew that he would be pierced by the giant arm of the rampant mutant. He knew that protecting the little girl would end in his defeat.


    He wrapped his arms around her anyway.


    He felt it all over again, the arm of the rampant pushing deep into his shoulder. Again, he did not scream.


    He looked down at the little girl and she was sitting. They weren¡¯t in the park anymore, there was no rampant mutant, his shoulder didn¡¯t hurt.


    The little girl was crying. She was curled into a ball. Her white hair hung around her sides protectively.


    Ryu knelt down in front of the girl. It felt like he said something but he couldn¡¯t make out his own words. The girl looked up at him but Ryu couldn''t see her face. It was fuzzy and blurred.


    He looked down at the girl¡¯s torso and saw red soaked bandages.


    She looked away from him at a door that opened. She started screaming and tried to crawl away from the figure in the room.


    Ryu looked but could only see a black figure, the hand outstretched. He could feel the eyes of the figure on him. A clear, deep voice rang through his head, ¡°Leave her Ryuichi.¡±

 Fame

    Chapter 30: Fame


    The Next Morning- Sector 1: Tenno Academy


    The morning was unusually noisy as Keiko, Arisa, and Aku entered the floor where their classes were. Keiko sighed, ¡°Another one of Seiji¡¯s crowds?¡± she started to walk toward her classroom.


    The others chuckled and Arisa followed Keiko, but Aku turned to her own classroom and froze, ¡°Ryu¡­?¡±


    Arisa turned to Aku and crossed the hallway to peek into her room- a curious Keiko close behind her, ¡°Oooooh,¡±


    Class 2-B was full with many girls, some 2 year students, some first years and some thirds- all surrounding Ryuichi. His shoulder was fully bandaged and his arm was in a splint, he had other bandages here and there as well- but his shoulder was clearly the main injury he had. With his other hand he rubbed the back of his neck and thanked those around him with an air of embarrassment.


    ¡°If it weren¡¯t for you Ryuichi, my mother and sister would have-¡± a young student clutched tightly onto her skirt as she squeezed her eyes shut, ¡°I¡¯m truly thankful!¡±


    ¡°Ryu! You are so amazing to take out that monster! Why are you only rank 3?!¡±


    ¡°Kyaaaa his injuries are soooo attractive!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s basically the hero of Sector 9!¡±


    ¡°Ryuichi! I like you!¡±


    ¡°Rank 3, fighting!¡±


    Ryu nodded his head and tried to accept all of the thanks even though they were all happening at once. Although, he didn¡¯t feel like a hero. In truth he felt like the monster. He had let a little girl die...he couldn¡¯t even save one little girl.


    From the doorway, the three girls watched the scenario with interest, ¡°Hmmmm, Ryuichi saved Sector 9 last night?¡± Arisa asked to the others, ¡°What from?¡±


    Keiko shrugged her shoulders, ¡°Ahhh it must of been Ryu and Hiro who had to clean up that mutant who rampaged Sector 9 last night. There have been more and more of those things lately.¡± unlike normal mutants, who MRPA strived to protect, rampant mutants were beyond protecting. They were mindless beasts that just attacked without thought. If it had been Keiko fighting that rampant, she too would have disposed of it.


    ¡°Oooh...¡± Arisa¡¯s voice trickled away in her concern, ¡°He looks hurt,¡±


    Keiko¡¯s voice dropped to a whisper, ¡°That what happens when you send a human to do a mutant¡¯s job.¡±


    With that Arisa and Keiko left Aku in the doorway.


    Aku¡¯s mind was both blank and full at the same time. Her eyes were glued to the thick bandages on his shoulder; her ears only picking up every other word that the crowd murmured. What was this feeling creeping over her? Worry? No- she was a child of Mr.Black, she wasn¡¯t allowed to worry about anyone. She wasn¡¯t even supposed to care about anyone. She was alone.


    And yet-


    Ryu¡¯s eyes suddenly found her, his dark brown eyes making contact with her own- his eyes that seemed to be hiding a great deal of pain. She was pushed back into a memory. A memory she had thought she had forgotten.


    She has been a toddler at the time- it was one of the few days that she would be at her Uncle¡¯s- at Mr.Black¡¯s care. She was crying. Her eyes were swollen with tears as she looked down at the bloody scraped palm. She sniffed and sniffed and turned at the sound of her name. The young her smiled up at the older boy- his dark skin and warm smile made her almost forget the pain of her hands-


    Aku shook the memory from her mind- she told herself she would never think of those times again- and quickly sat down at her desk and tried to tune out the cluttered noise of the morning.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    That Night- Sector 27: MRPA Orientation Facility


    Keiko stood on a large stage, the MRPA crest projected behind her. She was in her full MRPA uniform which included several ribbons and pins for her service- of course the most impressive part of her attire was the large cloak that was draped over her left shoulder. The oversized cloak barely touched the ground as she paced across the large stage slowly with light, purposeful steps, ¡°Those of you who stand before me today,¡± her voice was more refined than usual. She crossed her wrists behind her back as she turned to face the large crowd, ¡°have made it here through pain and suffering,¡± she began to pace again, ¡°You all have passed several tests in order to become agents of MRPA- but this is not a congratulatory speech,¡± there was a sudden tension in the air as the prospective agents held their breath, ¡°Half of you will not pass this next test, this will be the final test,¡± Keiko grinned wickedly, this was her favorite part of getting new recruits, ¡°You,¡± she pointed to a nervous girl in the front.


    The girls pointed to herself nervously, ¡°Me?¡±


    ¡°Get up here,¡± Keiko crossed her arms over her chest and spoke to the rest of the group, ¡°Each and everyone of you will use your full strength to hit me,¡± she paused to enjoy the gasp from the crowd, ¡°I will remind you that if I decide you fail then you will not become an agent so I suggest when I say use your full strength, you use your full strength. Those of you that manage to pass will be given a level of combat proficiency by me and begin your new training tomorrow. Those of you that fail will begin the training process all over again,¡± she turned to face the nervous girl who had just joined her on stage, ¡°Are you ready to begin?¡±


    The girl let out a nervous breath, ¡°Can I ask a question?¡±


    Keiko grinned, ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°What element are you using right now?¡± the girl looked down shyly. Agent 013 was very well known in the mutant world. She was the only known elementalist of the time and was unrivaled in hand-to-hand combat. People saw her as the strongest agent of MRPA, a force not to cross paths with. Yet now, these fresh, new agents were faced with her.


    Keiko¡¯s grin widened,¡°Alright I¡¯ll give you guys a handicap,¡± she straightened out her left arm dramatically and whipped her cloak around as she lunged toward the prospective agent, ¡°It¡¯s water!¡±


    From above in the balcony, Arisa had been watching with a small smile on her face. She had always enjoyed to get a good look at the new agents- but it was also fun to see Keiko in her element. She was a natural fighter that moved in ways Arisa couldn¡¯t imagine.


    Arisa sighed and pouted slightly, she had been training with Aku for a while now- and while she felt like she was getting better and stronger, she wondered if she would ever be as skilled as them.


    She perked her head up suddenly, ¡°Ah! Training!¡± she jumped to her feet and ran out into the hallway, ¡°Aku¡¯s gonna kill me!!!¡± she ran through the halls, weaving through lab coats and other agents walking around.


    ¡°Ah! Zero-chii wait!!!¡±


    Arisa turned her head and called back without stopping, ¡°Sorry Ms.Mary! I¡¯m late!! I¡¯ll have to talk with you later!!!¡± she turned forward again and sprinted to meet with an Aku that was no doubt irritated by her tardiness.


    Ms. Mary grinned darkly, Poor little Zero-chii¡­.you just couldn¡¯t stay away¡­..


    Sector 1: STAM HQ- Cafeteria


    Ryu¡¯s mood had been down all day. Because of his arm he wasn¡¯t allowed on any mission¡¯s until he gained mobility in his right shoulder again. He had spent the last 3 hours in the hospital section getting his arm rewrapped and his blood filtered for any poison. He was exhausted. His eyes were baggy, his body slumped over, and every part of him hurt. Maybe there was still poison from the rampant circulating through his body, but Ryu knew the pain he felt was guilt. He hated himself for allowing the little girl to die. Every time he closed his eyes he saw her. The little girl with the white hair and bright pink dress.


    ¡°You gotta eat if you want to recover!¡± Seiji dropped a tray of food in front of Ryu and sat across the table from him.


    Ryu hardly stirred from the loud noise. His heavy eyes looked up at Seiji. He didn¡¯t even try to smile, ¡°I don¡¯t have an appetite...¡±


    Seiji groaned loudly and waved his hands around wildly, ¡°It¡¯s not about your appetite! You need food to heal your wound idiot!¡± Ryu winced at the word wound. Seiji took a different approach, ¡°How are you ever going to get a girlfriend if you lose all that amazing muscle?!¡± he saw the smallest glint of amusement in Ryu¡¯s eyes and kept going, ¡°We both know no one would date you for your personality. But now that you¡¯re famous-¡± he grabbed Ryu¡¯s spoon, ¡°-you¡¯ve got to capitalize on this popularity-¡± he scooped up a pile of rice from Ryu¡¯s tray, ¡°-so we have to keep your muscles in tip-top shape for your future girlfriend!¡±


    Ryu couldn¡¯t help but smile and rolled his eyes, ¡°What makes you thin-¡±


    Seiji shoved the spoon in Ryu¡¯s mouth and left it there, clapping his hands together in approval, ¡°There¡¯s a good boy, who¡¯s a good agent?¡±


    Ryu coughed in surprise and pulled the spoon from his mouth and swallowed the rice, ¡°You bastard.¡± he grinned and took another spoonful of food.


    Seiji hummed for a moment as he watched, ¡°You should have hurt your left shoulder.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m left handed though.¡±


    Seiji nodded, ¡°But if you were struggling with your non-dominant hand you could ask a pretty lady, like Ume Akumako, to help you with everything.¡±


    Ryu chuckled, ¡°You¡¯re such an idiot.¡±


    Seiji leaned over the table, ¡°What is that? Is that a little blush in Ryu¡¯s face?¡±


    He scoffed and turned his head down, he was blushing, ¡°Shut up Seiji.¡±

 Collateral

    Chapter 31: Collateral


    Several months ago: Sector 1- Thrice Inc.


    Even though the far wall was made entirely of glass and let through the bright light of neon signs and glowing tracks, the office still felt so dark, ¡°So there you have it. All you have to do is make me all the money that your brother lost back- with interest of course. And aren¡¯t I just the best?¡± Mr.Black¡¯s voice was both soothing and menacing, ¡°I¡¯ve given you the perfect job to ensure your success.¡±


    The girl was almost completely covered by the darkness of the room. She sat in a poor wooden chair with her hands curled into fists on her legs, ¡°But this job-¡± her voice was shaky and nervous, she might have been about to cry.


    Mr. Black slammed his fist on his desk which startled the girl, ¡°Do you or do you not want to save your brother? Because if I don¡¯t get back my investment- I will take it from his flesh,¡± he let out a sigh and quelled his anger, ¡°It will be easy enough- just 4.7 million in drug money. That sounds easy. You already work in MRPA so you have the supplies. And thanks to mutants selling their personal doses there is already a market for ¡°Free¡±, now you just have to broaden it.¡±


    The girl in the chair was shaking in fear. Normally she might have felt anger toward her brother, or sadness or despair- but the only emotion she could feel, the only emotion that seemed to radiate from her soul- was fear, ¡°Ok.¡±


    Mr.Black immediately turned around in his desk chair to look out of his large wall-window. His assistant, Chihiyo, took this cue to speak to the girl directly, ¡°You can come with me now.¡± Chihiyo had a smile that under normal circumstances would have seemed sincere and warm- but to the girl it was cold and snake-like, ¡°We are going to need a small piece of collateral, to make sure you won¡¯t run away of course.¡±


    The girl simply nodded, her body was too overcome with fear to dare and speak to Chihiyo. She forced her body to stand and began to follow Chihiyo through the large wooden doors that she had come through what felt like an eternity ago.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Chihiyo¡¯s voice was not the same sweet tone that she had used to address the girl, her voice was darker and coarser and aggressive, ¡°Mr. Black, she is here to see you.¡±


    Akumako wasn¡¯t fazed in the slightest by the intimidating atmosphere. As she walked by the girl; however, she recognized her almost instantly- but remained silent as she closed the wooden door to the office.


    ¡°What are you doing to her?¡± Akumako said as she turned to face Mr. Black.


    He turned around in his chair, ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you too-¡±


    She sighed and began to say her usual introduction with a voice laced with dread, ¡°Hello Uncle, I have come to give you the results of my last test.¡±


    Mr.Black nodded- his demeanor was more friendly and playful now than it had been with the girl only moments ago, ¡°Now, as you were saying?¡±


    ¡°What is Chihiyo doing to that-¡±


    From outside the office there came a blood curdling scream and cries for help- from a girl.


    Akumako¡¯s body instinctively turned toward the screaming and lurched to help- but her body was suddenly frozen, ¡°Let me go!!¡± she struggled against the invisible hold that Mr. Black had placed her in.


    ¡°My child,¡± his voice was smooth and soothing, ¡°There is always a need for collateral in deal making. You yourself know exactly what collateral means to me. That girl is important to me...and her collateral is more important,¡± he released her from his grasp and she obediently stood before him, ¡°Now, what of your latest testing?¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    Down the Hall


    Chihiyo¡¯s hidden room was the size of a broom closet. Every wall had shelves from floor to ceiling that were crammed with dusty books; empty jars; jars filled with eyes, hair, and unrecognizable parts; old rusted tools; and hanging from the wall was a full-sized doll with dark brown skin and hair shaved close to its head. The rest of the room was taken up by a patient''s chair and just enough room for Chihiyo to stand beside it.


    Chihiyo stood over the body of the girl that had passed out in pain. She placed a large white cloth over the girl¡¯s eye that immediately soaked to a bright red. Paying no mind to the blood now dripping from the girl¡¯s face, Chihiyo closed the newly filled jar tightly, ¡°Thank you Mary,¡± she looked through the glass jar into the murky gel, ¡°Perfect.¡±


    Present Day- Sector 21: The Wasteland


    Raj was running as fast as he could, but they were catching up. It was a group of 5 hunters: the hunters of the blood tipped spears.


    Raj was a journalist. He knew it was a dangerous job, but since STAM had just recruited a new agent from Sector 21, from this group of hunters, he wanted the story. He wanted to write the story of the barbaric hunters and how one of them was now given a license to kill. Raj had known how unwelcoming of outsiders this village was- or maybe gang was a more appropriate word.


    He had been in the small village of tents for 30 minutes asking questions and getting short answers, if they bothered to answer at all. Then the head of the hunters saw him, Chief Reikokuna. He wasn¡¯t the tallest of the villagers, but he was the widest. He wore ripped denim pants covered in the orange clay soil and blood stains. His chest was bare but a cloth, most likely a shirt, was draped over one shoulder. His bamboo spear rested over the other.


    Wanting to get an interview with the Chief, Raj began to walk toward him and waved to catch the Chief¡¯s attention. The Chief stared at him with a sharp gaze. He suddenly screamed a deep, raspy scream. The entire village stopped moving- Raj included. All eyes were on Raj. The Chief¡¯s grip on his spear tightened and in a swift motion he threw it at Raj. The spear grazed the side of Raj¡¯s arm and he yelped out in pain holding his now bleeding arm.


    Everything was silent for a moment before the Chief sniffed the air twice and screamed once more, this time louder and with a distinct rhythmic pattern. The Chief started running toward him and Raj ran away from the village as fast as he could.


    Maybe he had been running for only 5 minutes, but Raj¡¯s heart was racing, his legs cried out in pain, but he couldn¡¯t stop. He feared if he stopped he would be killed immediately. Another spear suddenly pierced the ground in front of him and Raj fumbled around it, the hunters closing the small gap between them.


    He didn¡¯t know if he would be safe, but he saw the boundary line for the village¡¯s territory. Hundreds of spears in the ground hoisted the heads of hunted mutants. The flesh ripped from their bodies from the neck down. Their skeletons dangled in the wind beneath the rotting heads. It was a clear message that Raj had overlooked.


    But he wouldn¡¯t make it to the border, at least not alive. The Chief¡¯s spear pierced the back of his knee and pushed through popping his knee cap from it¡¯s socket. Raj screamed and fell in the harsh dirt of the desert. He cried and screamed, ¡°HELP!! HELP!!¡±


    The hunters gathered around him and Raj pleaded and screamed.


    The Chief looked at Raj and scowled, ¡°Change!¡±


    Raj looked up at the Chief, his vision going in and out he couldn¡¯t believe what he was hearing.


    ¡°CHANGE!¡± the Chief screamed again.


    Raj gasped for air but only breathed dust. He squeezed his eyes closed and prayed to any God or for anything to save him. But then he felt more spears stab into his body. He screamed and cried but the stab wounds were not deep enough to kill him, just enough to break him.


    Against his own will, his body began to morph away from his human form. Small jellyfish-like arms pushed out from his entire body like thick hairs. The stabbing stopped.


    Raj could hear the cheers of the hunters. The Chief had known Raj was a mutant; he has smelled it.


    The Chief slammed his chest twice and the cheering stopped. He stood beside Raj¡¯s head and used his spear to roll Raj on his back so that he could see.


    Raj looked up at the Chief and begged for his life.


    The Chief smiled down at him, ¡°Mutant¡¯s are not life.¡± He held his spear against the windpipe of Raj¡¯s neck and pushed through it in one swift motion.


    Three of the hunters began to clean Raj¡¯s body to prepare it to be hung with the others. The Chief stood behind them with his second in command.


    ¡°Chief, it seems that your son has been accepted.¡±


    The Chief nodded, ¡°Kenji¡¯s been preparing for this for a long time.¡±


    ¡°Finally you will have your revenge. This country should be yours. Blue is too weak to cleanse this land.¡±


    ¡°In due time. Kenji will not fail us.¡±