Chapter 1: The Blind Phoenix

Her appearance was artful, her manner graceful. She moved through the party as if she had her own gravitational attraction.

Her id said her name was ‘Ashleigh MacFarland’ and it, like everything else about her it was an artful forgery. One of several owned by the woman whose every facet was an artful forgery.

Behind the Mask, Sumomo sighed. ‘I warned the Elders that things would be quite after the Juno scandal. They’re all going to be tight lipped until that all dies down. Little pay, no real intelligence gains, and the most snooze-worthy party of the season. ‘

Lacy gracefully sashayed into the high-end bar where she was meeting her most important "student." Her dress was perfectly chosen to seem classy and appropriate, but also revealing and enticing at the same time.

Rich businessmen were not unlike other clients in some ways. They did want to practice their English like any other student, but they were also very happy to pay higher rates to do so in the presence of beauty. She had heard some even say it was seen as a status symbol to be out with an attractive foreigner, especially one with as unique a look as Lacy. She could use this to her advantage. Not for the money, although, she will put that to good use ... this dress was expensive! ... but, her goal was ACCESS.

The afternoon sun was tinted through the windows to keep the bar cool. Its subdued rays reflected off a large aquarium that lead patrons from the entrance into the main lounge. She smiled and winked at a blue angelfish whose vibrant colors matched her unusual eye-catching hair. Only the most observant shinobi might also have noticed the water seemed to rise up the side of the tank, ever so slightly, as though the water was pulling towards Lacy as she walked by. The gentle wave that it caused quietly lapped back and forth between the glass once she had passed.

Her smile broadened once she saw her client, "Ah, Suzuki-san, it is a pleasure to see you again!" She bowed and let the excited businessman help her into a chair.

The afternoon was mostly filled with sushi, sake, and small talk in broken English, but Lacy had a gift for making even the most simple conversation exhilarating by being extremely engaging and interested in everything her clients had to say while including some very subtle but effective flirtations: a slight touch of the hand, or "accidental" brush of legs when re-positioning.

Choosing her moment, she casually asked what Suzuki's plans were this evening, knowing full well that he had been invited to the big reveal party.

"Well, actually, I have been invited to the special celebration of Tesla's new luxury sports car, hosted at the headquarters of their new Japanese division," Suzuki said very proudly.

"Really! Oh my god, I love sports cars! You are SO lucky, I would LOVE to be able to go to that event!"

A huge smile illuminated Suzuki's face, "If you would join me tonight, I would be very happy to take you as my date."

Hook, line and sinker ... Lacy thought to herself.

Inside Tesla's headquarters was the real target of her industrial espionage mission. The plans of a new type of battery that has the potential to revolutionize the electric car industry. The Hirasaka Agency would be very interested to get their hands on those plans, so that Japanese automakers would not be left behind.

The party at Tesla's headquarters was extravagant, even more so than Lacy had expected, however, she made sure not to forget about the reason she was here. About half an hour before the scheduled 'reveal' ceremony, she excused herself from Suzuki's side to "powder her nose." Moving her way through the crowd to parts of the building away from the fanfare, she was frustrated to find security guards posted at all the doors and hallways beyond the reception area. Eventually one of the guards even questioned her.

"Oh, I was just looking for a second ladies room, the line-up is so long," she innocently replied in her best Japanese.

The guard smiled and pointed down an empty hallway to the side.

"Arigato gozaimasu," she rushed down the hall as though it was urgent.

Inside she noticed a ventilation hatch in the ceiling above one of the stalls. Pulling her dress up over her head, her sheer and lacy undergarments had already begun their transformation into a thick inky fluid spreading across her body and re-solidifying as a sleek opaque jet-black body suit that seemed to suck light into oblivion. Combing her bright blue hair back into a tight bun she pulled the newly formed hood and mask up and over her head. Her purse had turned inside-out to become a matching black body-hugging backpack that she stored her dress, heels and other useful items inside before opening the vent and jumping into the duct.

Flowing through the complex system much like a scuba diver exploring an underwater cavern, she emerged from a similar ceiling vent in the the R&D room she sought. Having bypassed all the guards, she now only needed to avoid the sensors of the security system that was activated whenever the room was left empty.

Throwing a small pouch of powder in front of her, thin smoke exploded in all directions revealing the beams of the scanning sensors. Acrobatically tumbling through the air, while nimbly avoiding the shifting beams along the way, she made it to a computer on the far side of the room and quickly began hacking. Navigating to the information that she needed she was suddenly prompted by a password manager. Smiling she entered the credentials she had stolen with the help of one of her other "students."

Unfortunately, her smile vanished as the screen turned solid red and an alarm began blaring.

"F@&#!"

Trying not to panic, she smashed open the computer and ripped out the hard drive ... I know a few techno-wizards who should be able to extract the info ... but as she tucked it away into her pack, she heard the door on the other side of the room open.

The poor unsuspecting guard didn't know what hit him as Lacy leapt across the room in a few quick strides. She landed on him from above, her powerful legs briefly finding a flying triangle choke that turned into a flip and throw with her momentum. The helpless guard crashed against the wall in an unconscious heap.

Sprinting out of the room she dove through the first window she saw, glass shattering outward. She must have been 50 stories up, the ground rushing towards her, but she calmly reached into her pack and grabbed her zip line gun. Within moments, she was safely swooping into the shadows of the night ...



... Suzuki was being hurriedly escorted out of the building with all the other guests. The alarms had initially caused chaos in the party upstairs, but security had got everyone under control and were funneling everyone out. He was anxious because he had completely lost track of Lacy. This could look really bad if word got out that he had left a date behind in a time of crisis. The shame brought to his business could be ...

"Suzuki-san! Over here!" Lacy, back in her evening attire, was excitedly waving from a few meters away in the crowded street.

"Oh, Lacy-san! I'm so happy I found you, I was worried something had happened to you."

Squeezing between the crowd, Lacy was able to reunite with Suzuki and explained, somewhat truthfully, that the alarm had gone off just as she was leaving the washroom, so she wasn't able to meet him before being pressured outside by security with the rest of the crowd.

As they walked away from the party down the busy street, they looked just like any of the other party goers heading off to explore the night life of the city after their evening plans had been prematurely ended, except a very keen eye might have noticed Lacy's grip on her purse was a tad firmer than when she had arrived ...

Takezo had been standing perfectly still for about an hour mentally going through every move in precise sequence that he would be using in regards to his next performance. So focused was he on each of the moves down to their minutest detail that he was already perspiring from the intensity of this part of the workout but in his mind's eye he had not even stepped upon the stage. He was currently going over each detail that would lead up to him taking the stage. For the outcome of the actual performance was intricately tied to the events leading up to that performance. However this was not about planning every contingency as that was impossible, it was a matter of intricately knowing each element such that adjustments could be made on that day to allow the performance to maintain the highest level of quality something he demanded of himself and was known for. This level quality went into every part he performed from biggest to the smallest. This particular performances would be one of his smaller parts one that other performers would not have put the kind of focus and energy into that he does due to its minor nature.

However, Takezo never felt any role was too small, nor was any role, no matter how small, insignificant. Each piece had its place and the delivery of each element played intricately into the overall experience by the audience even if they perhaps did not consciously percieve the significance of a bit part. Still even a bit part if poorly delivered would subconsciously be noticed and that would detract from the overall enjoyment. This dedication to detail was reflected in all his performances, be they on the public stage or in the shadows as a Kūkija.

.......

The Oni had been tough but they eventually put it down, and Takezo played is part in the team effort. Now while he had not been one of the primary assailants, his job had been equally important to bringing about the final successful outcome. Regardless there would be no fanfare or specific recognition as that was not the way of the Kurama Shin. They all understood the nature of what they did and why they must always pull together as a team even when performing at an individual task. Each element and each task no matter how small was equally important to obtaining the final over arching goal. The only recognition one could expect from a mission was one of reprisal for a botched performance of one's duties. This was different than failure for there could be many reasons for failure but a botch was due to being unprepared and that can cause the unnecessary loss of vital resources, such as team members if it was not a solo endeavor.

Cycle 1 - Scene 1: Lacy - Drama Scene

After receiving her mission from Agency Headquarters, Lacy researched and planned out her route to the research facility in her spare time between tutor sessions that same day. By nightfall, her English lesson obligations were complete and she was ready to use the cover of darkness to infiltrate this new Tesla building.

Dressed in her jet-black ninja bodysuit, she swooped high above the streets of the city using her zip lines and aerial skills. However, about 10 mins from her destination she noticed something that immediately brought her to a stop, another shinobi was nearby!

While red is supposed to stand out, somehow the white mask and red kimono-like outfit seemed to blend right in to the darkness.

At least, until the mask seemed to cock sideways and stop.

"The odds of this meeting being a coincidence are quite long, but I will ask anyway. What do you seek?"

Initially thinking the figure a statue, a work of art installed upon one of the buildings, Lacy almost goes right by during her excursion towards the Telsa research facility, but instead she stops, feeling drawn to it for some reason. She can feel something special, but by the time she realizes that feeling is the presence of another shinobi, it is too late. She is startled by the sudden movement of the head as the mask turns towards her and speaks. After recovering from the shock, Lacy relaxes and moves closer to get a better look and then smiles in amazement, "Wow, that mask is exquisite, the detailing is so ... beautiful!"

Realizing the figure had asked her a question she shakes her head to snap out of it, "Well, what I was seeking is not important," Lacy seems to be enthralled by the stranger, "for what I see before me is much more intriguing! I'm sorry, I don't believe we've ever met, but your reputation preceeds you." Lacy pulls her hood down to reveal her brilliant blue hair and big bright 'innocent' eyes. "My name is Lacy," she says with a smile, "and I have ALWAYS wanted to meet a Guardian."

"Ah, you are quite sweet. My cousin made it."

Sumomo gestures at Lacy's outfit. "You have a nice outfit yourself. Quite traditional, but functional I assume?"

Lacy smiles and says, "Looks can be deceiving," as her sleek pragmatic ninja suit suddenly takes on an inky fluid-like property and begins to transform it's shape. By the time it re-solidifies, Lacy is wearing a matte black kimono with silky black embroidery so that the pattern is only visible a bit at a time, when a fold catches the reflecting moonlight. A keen eye would make out the pattern to be stylized tentacles of a squid or octopus.

"Shall we get to know each other better over some tea?"

The two shinobi wander off into the night in conversation. Lacy is happy to have finally met this Guardian Oni that she has heard so much about, although she is frustrated that she is unable to delve into Sumono's hidden secrets using clever conversation and charm, at least for now ...

Takezo took a moment to carefully inspect the Ninpō as this might be crucial information needed for later on. Then he went about getting the Hō-ō to eat the bamboo grains and pellets he had brought with him. It was here that he learned truly that the Hō-ō was more than just a bird as it spoke to him. He told the Hō-ō he had come to free it, which was not a lie but it was not the entire truth either. Once he had fed the Hō-ō he proceeded to take the quill and ink and make the symbols upon the its body telling it these would be necessary for it to gain its freedom once they got it out of this place. Once all was in place and the ritual had been spoken, he signaled the transport team to get things in place and then proceeded to place the cage upon the collapsible cart he had brought with him and encased the cage with material that made it look like an innocuous box. From here the rest of the exchange went as smoothly as the gaining entry and soon the Hō-ō had been replaced by its look alike peacock. And the he and the Hō-ō were in route to the safe house.

Upon sneaking into Tesla's Research Facility, Lacy opens the phoenix's cage to find the plucked peacock. Cursing to herself about getting distracted by Sumono, she takes the poor bird under her arm ... there must be an animal shelter that will take the bird ... and intentionally trips the alarm as she leaves so that the perpetrator will have the authorities to deal with, a complication they clearly wanted to delay.

And perhaps it will give me the opportunity to pick-up the trail myself ...

Sumomo was proud oni-blood, born of generations of beings not well known for subtlety. However, as the guardian of the First Gate, her training was specifically involved some subtlety.

Using one of these abilities, Sumomo assumed the guise cleaning person and made her way into the lab. She found almost immediately that the phoenix had just recently been stolen.

Carefully listening in to every conversation, it was Sumomo’s hope to pick up anything useful, including how the phoenix had been captured in the first place.

Sumomo curses a bit as she leaves the lab. It seems she might need to call on some outside help for this one.

Aaron immediately becomes a cool and charismatic diplomat in the prescience of Shinjou Taizo. "Sir, I had heard about some interesting energy renewal and medical programs being run out in your facility and I was hoping to get an unofficial tour. As I’m sure you’ve heard, I’m with the government here and I would love to offer any and every assistance I can in making these projects a reality. If they are worthy of course."

He looks around the office, taking everything in and looking for anything of interest "Including if anything goes missing or resources could be used in your favor. Can you think of anything you’d need help with?" Of course most of this lies. Or at the very least would take some pulling of strings from Aaron to make happen, but if fast and clear lies get him next to that Phoenix, then that’s what needs to be done. He also knows that powerful men like this love having a few government men in thier pocket to be played as needed. He doesn’t mind being in the pocket, especially since he’s a Joker.

Aaron took a step closer to the man, not intimidated. "There’s several reasons why. But first and most pressing is the fact that I knew. So if that’s the case I must posses certain skills which could help me, help you." He actually didn’t know but that’s why he likes to leave threads dangling, so people walk right into his web. "Second, as I said, I’m a government employee, something happens to me, you won’t have any friends any longer. And third, if you come at me, I promise you the most you can pray for is the narrowest of Pyhrric victories. And that’s giving you some credit." with this last line he dropped the affable demeanor he had put on in the lobby, and the cold steel look of a man with a mission came over his face.

Then he shrugged. "It’s up to you. Give me a lead, let me help you, compensate me and we all leave happy. Or let me walk out of here and we both go about our business, alive and we’ll if a little unhappy. Or being all of the forces of Tesla down on me and face something more costly than a space launch"

"So... do we have a deal?"He puts his hand out to shake.

Aarons face loses the intensity it just had. "You’ve got it. I’ll be glad to do that. But before that, let’s get it back. Do you have any idea where I can start looking or who may have stolen it."

He’s glad he got pass having to fight everyone in the building and wooed this man to his side. But if the Phoenix is already stolen, then time is of the essence.

Aaron takes the list, trying not to take a deep joyful breathe. One step closer to completing his mission. One step closer moving up in rank to fulfill his goals.

"I’ll let you know what I find out. Thanks. " As Aaron leaves, he contemplates the potential that he’ll almost definitely double cross this man.

But that’s the life of a Shinobi.

After Aaron leaves the building, he enters his car. Sitting in the driver's seat, he gets the feeling that something is wrong. He looks in the rear view mirror.

A young man around his 20s is lounging across the back seats of the car, surfing his phone. He looks up and gives a smile.

"Took you long enough."

A dangerous grin crawls across Aaron’s face. "Sorry to keep you waiting... not my intention." He turns around in his seat to look at him. "How goes it young man? And who are you?"

Taizo continue to casually look at his phone, waving a hand in annoyance.

"I know enough. I just want to see what kind of guy that old fart picked as his hunting dog."

"Haha..." Aaron says with no mirth. "More like I picked him. It doesn't matter though. A job is a job. Are you hunting the Phoenix as well? Maybe we can exchange some information... Make everyone's jobs and lives a little easier. What do you say?"

The number one skill of any Hiraska Agent is getting people to do what they want. Aaron tried to inflect a tone in his voice and body language to make Taizo want to help him. Or at least want to tell him what he's doing. He cast his memory back through his files, trying to remember anything significant about this kid.

In all his years of experience, Aaron still wasn't exactly sure what to do with a stranger in the backseat of his car...

"Maybe maybe not Young Blood. You know the saying. The proof of the acorn is in the tree. So what’s next. You want to fight me to get some info? Team up? Your life is in your hands.".

Aaron stared at the young man through the rear view mirror, his eyes the only part of his face showing. This felt like the second time in only a few minutes he stepped out onto this same branch of violence. Would it break this time?

Taizo makes a face like he really wants to let loose, but restrains himself likely due to the location.

"Ehh, fighting you would make too much noise. And I'm definitely not going to team up with a puppet like you."

He opens the car door and hops out.

"See ya."

Aaron watches him go. He got nothing from that exchange except the knowledge that even more people are working on this. It just meant he’d have to be first and best.

He fired the engine, and drove towards the location that he just received

Realizing that he would most likely not be alone for too long and being highly curious Takezo starts talking to the bird while examining the cage it is contained in. "So do you have a name or can you even talk." He had heard that some of these things even though they appeared to be animals were quite intelligent and could speak so it was worth a shot.

'Huh stupid bird' Takezo thinks but acting on what he would like to do, which would in the end to nothing and definitely not satiate his curiosity, instead tries to be diplomatic, "Look I gave you some food I got you out of that dark horrible place and when I can figure out how to safely get you out of this cage I will do that as well. So why be so nasty."

Takezo, feeling pretty sure the bird will not be going any where, makes a show of investigating the seals, perhaps hoping to put the bird at ease or at least to get on its better side, then nods to himself. He goes about making a more hopefully comfortable bedding spot for the bird then returns and removes a lighter and burns each seal then goes about opening the cage and carefully and gently moving the bird to the nicer bedding spot offer it some more seeds and water and sits down next to the bird. "Look from my understanding you do not have much longer before you reincarnate and I am just trying to make that time more pleasant. I really do not want anything from you but I am curious about you and was hoping to just chat with you while we waited. I mean if I knew a bit more about you it might be easier for me to keep you safe."

Takezo continues to be pleasant, "True nobody I have ever encountered does anything for nothing but there are many folk who do things just for the gratification it gives them for having done it. Helping others sometimes is its own reward and making new friends can be a great reward. So yeah, I am hopefully not doing this for nothing, but the something that I am doing this for is fairly benign. Is there anything else I can do to make you more comfortable, do you like music?"

Not knowing what a bird would like to hear he considered playing his Biwa but noting the tiredness of it he chooses to play the more meditative Shakuhachi.

Introduction to Scene (HERE) ...

As Lacy enters Ippudo Roppongi, a ramen restaurant, she recognizes Shinmen Takezo immediately. He appears to have just sat down for lunch at a table by himself. Unexpectedly, he looks up at her and makes eye contact. Wow, he is strikingly handsome ... she thinks and then realizes that she's awkwardly staring and smiling at him in a less than professional way. Thinking quickly, she re-adjusts her strategy ... can't be a Hollywood agent now ... I'm a fan, an awkward but excited fan ... she recovers and quickly looks away shyly, trying to act a little star struck.

Moving away from the entrance, Lacy moves towards a table in a different direction, but then after a few seconds she steals a glance and sees Takezo has picked up a menu to read.

Lacy takes a big breath and then winds her way towards Takezo's table acting shy but excited.

"Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, but aren't you Shinmen Takezo? Or should I say Bandō Mitsugorō V?" Lacy laughs nervously. "I'm a big fan. Would you mind if I join you for lunch? I would love to chat about Kabuki Theatre."

He saw Salacia before she even entered the restaurant and he had a pretty good idea why she was here but he also was curious as to what her approach would be. He picked up the menu, even though he had not looked at one of them since establishing this as his got to place for Ramen and tea. The fact that he had a menu at all was just tradition, something as important to this establishment as it was to him. At Salacia's introduction he answers, "Of course Miss Cove, please have a seat." and then sets the menu on her side of the table facing her. Indicating she could order something on him. He notices that his usual waitress is approaching and he just singles her to bring some tea by tapping the tea cup. She was intelligent she would see the new arrival and understand they were not yet ready to order. "It is actually a pleasure to meet you in a somewhat less... formal setting. How have you been of late?" Well it was quite apparent Takezo knew her but how, did their organization have a file on her or did he know her some other way? He did just sort of say they have met before in a more formal setting, but what did he mean by formal?

Lacy doesn't let her surprise show, but the fact that Takezo recognized her catches her off guard. She quickly searched her memory ... His face does look familiar beyond her recent research ... Formal event? ... Hmmmm ... she thinks as her mind begins to put the pieces together. The one time she had seen Kabuki Theatre was awhile ago when she had first moved to Japan. She had been looking for something to do that would teach her about traditional Japanese culture and had been invited to a performance by one of her first student-clients. The memory flooded back now. After the show, they had attended a fundraising after-party. It was a very fancy black-tie event and many of the Kabuki performers joined over the course of the evening. Yes, she had met Shinmen then ... His memory is incredible! ... she thinks enviously ... Although, I am very 'memorable' ... unable to contain her vanity.

A more concerning thought crosses her mind ... I was only an Initiate for the Agency back then. As I recall, I was not very good at hiding my secret identity from those with an experienced eye. Takezo may have recognized that I was a ninja in training and kept track of me since then ... Alternatively, he might have predicted that he would be pursued by other shinobi given the value of the phoenix and prepared accordingly. If the Agency has records of suspected ninjas from other clans, it's entirely possible Kurama Shin does as well and I might be on that list.

Lacy's thought process only takes the blink of an eye ... Well, at this point, it's not the worst if he knows I'm a shinobi. I just needed to get close enough to confirm that he is the thief and assess the options. I was worried he might run if he suspected a ninja coming from a far. I must be careful, but no reason to blow my cover yet in case he doesn't know. It may yet be an advantage ... she concludes.

"Oh, you remember me! Wow, I'm so flattered! That fundraiser event was a while ago. I wasn't even really a fan of you then as that was my first show, but you captured my heart and I've been learning about Kabuki ever since," she lied. Although since identifying Takezo as her prime suspect, she had researched a lot about him, his performances and Kabuki in general. She had become very intrigued by the art. She remembers his performance and how impressive it had been. So it was an easy lie.

Lacy excitedly sits down to join Takezo and asks, "What role are you currently preparing for?"

Takezo smiles wryly, "Well right at this moment I am preparing for a very important role, as a most consummate dinner partner to a very beautiful lady." The tea arrives and he nods to the waitress, a simple gesture but she knows had he wanted to order he would have said more. With a practice graced and measured movements, he proceeds with the tea pouring for them both. Letting her choose which cup she wanted. "So how much have you learned about Kabuki, may I ask?"

There was something about his manner and familiarity that suggested that perhaps there was a bit more to his statement than having met once at a fundraiser or that he might know she was a Shinogami. He seemed completely relaxed in her presence as if he believed no harm could come to him by her or he would not care if it did. This was not the way of most Shinogami, as there was always at least a level of guardedness when in a social setting. Further, all the details she had read about him had him being a highly trained Shinogami who paid very close attention to detail which would definitely carry that slight edge she had come to notice in other Shinogami but it was not there, at least not right now but why? Did he discount her, no, that did not match his profile at all then what? There seemed to be a mystery within a mystery here and yet he seemed as if he were content just spending time with her.

Lacy smiled. She was beautiful, but she never got tired of hearing someone else tell her because she made an effort to look her best. At least when it seemed sincere. She explained what she had learned about the rivalry between various tachiyaku and that she personally thought Bando out classed Nakamura by a long shot with a wink. His manner made her relax and enjoy the rendezvous. She asked how Shinmen kept his edge in the epic artistic battle between rival tachiyaku. Lacy became absorbed by the in depth conversation. She was taken by the charm of Shinmen, his knowledge of the story lines and the motivations of various characters including others' roles and the potential meaning, philosophy and commentary on society. He explained many of the dances and moves and the long journeys in personal growth that it took to accomplish some of them. They almost seemed epic adventures in their own right. Lacy was impressed and captivated.

Lacy had asked Shinmen for his recommendation for the meal and it did not disappoint either. It was perhaps the best 'date' she had been on in ages. She chuckled to herself at the humor in that. She got the impression that Shinmen felt the same way, although she kept in mind that he was an actor, so it could all be a performance ... Might as well enjoy the show while it lasts ... she thought to herself. Regardless of how this whole phoenix chase turns out, perhaps they could find some mutually beneficial relationship. It was sometimes advantageous to work with shinobi from different clans when goals aligned.

As the meal was coming to an end, Lacy picked her timing carefully. She wasn't sure whether Shinmen knew there was more to Lacy than she was letting on, but if it was to be a surprise then she hoped it was clear that she was not here to start a fight. She had lots of opportunity to do that already. She wanted information. Perhaps a fight would be inevitable, but that could be determined later. Right now, she wanted to learn the story behind Shinmen's interest in the phoenix, so she could plan her next move.

Before finding Shinmen, she had envisioned changing the subject to the phoenix and had anticipated that the interaction would turn deadly serious. However, now she felt more like it would be like revealing a practical joke to a friend.

Maintaining the flirtatious mood of their conversation, she leaned in closer to Shinmen and lowered her voice to a whisper, "What I'm really interested to know is everything about your most recent performance." She pulls out the peacock feather that she had taken from Kenzo Hayashi's art studio, one of Lacy's previous suspects, and placed it on the table between them. She had dyed it red to match the decoy phoenix. "The one about the tachiyaku who stole a mystical phoenix, replacing it with a red-dyed peafowl." Lacy stares carefully at Shinmen's face, ready to interpret his reaction. Her smile was playful and mischievous.

Takezo was enjoying the dinner, it was pleasant to have company for a change and it was even more pleasant to finally have her company. When it came to ordering he had simply asked her a few questions about her preferred taste and then conveyed that information to the waitress. All the dishes were particularly good but certain dishes on certain days were exceptionally good due to the numerous parameters that can affect the flavor of the dish as such he usually had that which the waitress recommended for that day based on the parameters for his tastes which she already knew.

Everything about what he was projecting was genuine although he understood that she might not be aware of that as he was a performer after all. Still the truth generally had a way of finding purchase even within the most suspicious of minds and he counted on that being true with Salacia.

When she presented him with the red-dyed peafowl feather he smiled warmly, "Ah yes that was a fairly interesting performance, with such a tragic ending. So are there any particular aspects of the performance you are wishing to discuss or are you simply interested in its conclusion?" His manner was the same as when he discussed the more intricate aspects of Kabuki as if the the potential significance of the situation did not concern him or that he was perfectly comfortable with the outcome regardless of what it might transpire into.

Tragic? ... Lacy thought, her face furrowed slightly with sadness or concern about what she was about to learn, "Yes, the conclusion, I think I've pieced together the first two Acts, but what is Act 3, what have you done with the phoenix and why? What's your motivation?"

Again Takezo casually relates things to Salacia as if describing the meal they just ate, "Well it is a fact the current world is no longer a place for individuals such as you and I, nor is it a place for the Oni. As such it is necessary to make sure that both of these stay hidden from the mainstream. Sometimes it is a simple measure to keep things in check, other times more serious measure must be taken. In this case, due to what the Hasuba did, it was determined by our scholars that the only way to release the creature from their control was to terminate its existence here within this world thus permanently breaking any ties the Hasuba had upon it. These were the measure I was assigned and these were the measures I implemented. As I said, this turned out to be a tragedy but within the tragedy existed kindness. I freed it from its physical cage and made it a comfortable bed to lay upon, I had a short pleasant conversation with it, and then I played it some peaceful melodies which I sensed it enjoyed even though it was too weak to even raise its head. So while it is a shame this had to be done, it is done. Going forward we will be monitoring the Hasuba more closely in order to prevent them from exploiting further Oni, perhaps your Agency should do likewise."

Terminated?!? ... The news hit her like a stone! She couldn't believe it initially, but a combination of Shinmen's sincerity, the knowledge that the Kurama Shin were Oni Hunters and the old witch's foretelling from earlier in her investigation, which said she would not find what she was looking for, made Lacy believe Shinmen's story. She couldn't hold in her reaction, "What!?! Are you crazy? Do you know how much that bird was worth? This isn't some play, this is serious! There will be some powerful organizations looking for it, some of them banking on the potential power of the creature. If they discover that you destroyed it they will be out for revenge." She wasn't upset with him, her tone was concern.

It occurred to her that she might not be the only one to have found Takezo's trail. She didn't realize in the moment, but she suddenly felt a desire to protect Shinmen. She looked around the restaurant, a suspicious glance towards the other patrons, wondering if any were shinobi waiting to strike. There was nothing obvious but her senses were now on full alert. When she turned back to Shinmen, she found that she'd reach her hand across the table to hold his. Looking at their interlocked hands, she was confused. Was she holding it for his sake, or for herself?

The Agency was going to be angry, but to be honest, they will be much happier with this outcome than if the power of the phoenix had fallen into another clan's hands, so she thought she would escape the worst of the reprimand for failing the mission. Shifting her gaze from their hands up to Shinmen's eyes, she noticed that he seemed resigned to his fate or confident in his own skills. She thinks he is being a silly idiot. He's either needlessly sacrificing himself for what he thinks is the greater good or simply being overconfident that he'll deal with whatever comes his way. He's clearly a special shinobi, but if the other organizations team up for revenge, then he'll have no chance. He will need a partner.

The fortuneteller's deep ethereal voice echoed in her mind:
"YOU WILL NOT FIND WHAT YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR DURING THIS INVESTIGATION ... BUT IF YOU CONTINUE THE ENDEAVOR, YOU MAY DISCOVER SOMETHING EVEN MORE VALUABLE."

The phoenix was only one part of her mission. She was also ordered to uncover the secret behind the Oni Sumono. Is it a coincidence that she had made this connection with an Oni Hunter or was it fate? Or perhaps the foretelling was referring to Shinmen himself ...

"I need some advice about hunting an Oni. If you help me now, then when the inevitable happens and they come for you, I'll have your back," Lacy suggests squeezing Shinmen's hand to emphasize her feelings behind her offer.

Almost immediately after the words had left Lacy's mouth, a crash from above interrupts any chance for Takezo to reply. Looking up at the noise, she sees ceiling tiles falling towards them. Lacy dives to the side, out of her chair onto the floor. Her arms over her head to protect it from the falling debris. Rolling over she sees a tall ninja clad in matching black head wrap and pants fall from the ceiling and land over her. His chest is bare showing intricate and colourful tattoes ... Yakuza! ... Before she can react a second ninja grabs her from behind, a rope cinches around her torso and she is pulled quickly up through the ceiling and into the guts of the building. She can see multiple yakuza taking part in the ambush, but can't see what happened to Takezo before she vanishes into the darkness above.

Two of the ninjas ascend with her, one on either side holding her bound as she struggles to gain her bearings. Lacy and her captors are being pulled up a shaft at high speed. She can see daylight from an opening at the top of the building with more similarly black-cloaked heads peering down towards them. Recognizing that she's about to get even more outnumbered, she quickly makes a move. She reaches out towards each of her captors, who easily grab her hands to control her only to discover that her hands have transformed into spiky sea urchins. Both ninjas recoil in sudden and drastic pain from the stinging spines that have penetrated deep into their flesh. The distraction is just enough to allow Lacy to somersault, loosening the twist of the rope enough for her to slip out and fall back down the shaft head first. She sees two more ninjas ascending towards her. Completing her somersault, Lacy lands momentarily with her feet on their shoulders to break her fall. However, the impact is so hard that their ropes give way immediately. Lacy pushes off of them with her legs to jump up just enough to grab onto the ledge of a branching horizontal ventilation shaft.

Lacy Scrambles through the vents to escape, she kicks open a grill covering to exit the building and jumps down into the side alleys of the neighbourhood where she can hear distant sirens approaching. It's probably the police responding to the sudden attack at Ippudo Roppongi ... What the hell was that? Must have something to do we the Phoenix ... Lacy thinks as she emerges back onto the busy streets of the city with no signs of pursuers behind her. Shifting her focus to her next task, the shinobi Sumono, Lacy curses the fact she won't have help discovering the Oni's secret. Lacy's thoughts linger on Shinmen and she wonders if he managed to safely escape the strange ambush, and whether their paths will cross again ...

Takezo was about to respond when the crash sound came from above. In almost one fluid motion he rolled backwards in his chair and brought it up over his head protecting him from falling debris and putting a weapon in his hands. As the bodies begin to drop, Takezo launches into action and before the nearest one can touch the floor he whips the chair in a circular motion that causes them to be impaled upon two of its legs. He then lets go of the chair letting it and the body connect with the floor driving the legs through the body. As this happens he is grabbing weapons off that body. He launches towards Lacy but is intercepted metal on metal rings out as slash is met with parry. Then the real dance begins, multiple opponents from all sides, with numerous objects to partner with. He is able to dispatch a few more before the remaining make a quick departure back up the way they had come.

Standing up he focusses upon the amulet he wears about his neck and under his clothes but nothing. So he picks up a cloth napkin and dips it into a still standing water glass and proceeds to clean his hands as he walks to the proprietor and says, "Do not touch anything, call the police, make sure you have the names of anyone still here if they decide to leave and I would suggest temporarily closing things down until the police have finished. Let the police know that I will speak with them as soon as I can, however, my schedule is tight and I have some matters I must attend too." He then makes his way through the kitchen and out the back. Whomever, had attacked had not wanted him but Lacy and he could not help but wonder what trouble she had gotten herself into this time. Still she was safe and that was all that really mattered. In case, however it was a well acted misdirection, he made sure he was not being ghosted by someone or had been tagged by a tracker prior to heading back to check on his most recent charge.

Taizo, after seeing Aaron drive away, looks at his phone, opening a certain app. The fact that Aaron was not conducive to his warning was a shame. But a Minamoto never walks away disappointed. Taizo, while breaking into Aaron's car, had planted an array of his personally designed bugs throughout the car. With this, he should be able to keep tabs on Aaron.

Taizo nods with satisfaction when data starts streaming in, filling up the display of his phone app. With this information, he should be able to handle the old man's dog just fine.

Aaron, after leaving Taizo behind on the street, parks around the corner from Tesla and calls into the Agency asking for the current location of Takezo using the information provided Shinjou. Then peels off in that direction.

He arrives at a restaurant in chaos. The wonderful smells of broths and fried meets waft in the surrounding area. People mill about outside as if something catastrophic had just happened. An aura of danger fills the air as rubble continues to occasionally clatter to the ground.

While slowing the vehicle, Aaron spots his target, Shinmen Takezo. His plan is to follow him to whatever base he's set up and find the Phoenix that way.

Aaron follows Takezo into his lair. He was planning for a full day's stakeout, but it seems like luck is on his side today as he's led right to the Phoenix he's been hunting for.

He takes the area in, trying to get the lay of the land for the future battlefield.

As Takezo moved away from the restaurant he ascertained that he had picked up a follower. Was this part of her plan or was this someone else? Either way he headed to Hamarikyu Garden for a meet and greet. A place more reserved and less in the public eye where things like this could be resolved more discretely. Upon arriving at the gardens he headed to a place that would require his follower to be nearby or lose him and then said loud enough to be heard, "Shall we get this over with and then have some tea?"

Aaron comes out of the shadows... obviously losing the element of surprise.

The area is beautiful. And if he survives the day, he'll have to come back. If... He shakes off the lack of commitment and takes in the scenery and the smells of the park. The sunshine and humidity.

"Ok, then. Let's do this. Unless you want to hand over the Phoenix and it's problems? That'd be fine with me."

"Not sure what you want with a dead bird but tradition dictates that if you best me here it is yours. By the way have you had tea here before if not perhaps after we have concluded this bit of business you would care to enjoy the experience its almost as beautiful as the garden itself. Other than that begin whenever you are ready."

Aaron thinks this one over. At least this fight won't be personal, just between professionals. He can get behind that.

"Yeah, tea would be nice. Never had it here. How about the winner buys? It’s good sportsmanship" With this, Aaron's body starts going a little loose as he gets ready for battle. He remembers someone e of his old lessons A whip is faster than a sword and that reflex is faster than anticipation so he begins to clear his mind and focus on nothing.

He pulls his shades off, tucks them into an inside jacket pocket and is ready.

"Ah it is a must, the experience is the very traditional tea ceremony with all its nuances and the spiritual essence of it is quite uplifting and relaxing at the same time. I think you will enjoy it. Your proposal of the winner buying sounds fair, as I was planning on buying anyway." Takezo gives Aaron a wry smile, then shakes himself loosening up and drops into a crane stance indicating he was ready.

Aaron briefly thinks about swithching the battlefield to somehwere else, but decides against it. This place is as good as another and is secluded.

He then reaches into his pocket and wraps his hand around a device and charges forward to close the distance. Pulling his hand out at the last second to initiate a series of blows, his hand is wrapped in fire! he's wearing a glove with a series of valves and tubes wrapping around it and emmiting flames. Ninjatech.

After winding up and feeling as if his first strike will hit, Aaron prepares his next move. He remembers a lesson from his masters to continuously attack. He readies himself to jump back and create some range after connecting the first punch, then moves into a lunging side kick.

As Aaron approaches Takezo launches into maneuvers that resemble a stylish dance more than combat maneuvers. He meets Aaron's initial attack with a side-step spin and blocking strike to his extended arm with is fiery hand continuing the spin into a spinning back kick but was unprepared for Aaron's quick counter attack.

As his punch goes out, Aaron picks up on something... an incoming attack! A spinning back kick like the one he saw in the poster on the way in. The cleanliness of the strike and sense of strength and foundation that emanated off that poster was a sure clue that his opponent was no slouch in the fighting arena, even if the kick seemed more dramatic than strictly necessary for a fight.

He tried to roll away from the kick while still landing his punch.

Just as Aaron second strike was about to land, it collided with an invisible barrier that then flashed into the shape of a small flaming bird with a shape much like that of a phoenix. Both men are a bit surprised by it as neither were expecting that to happen. Takezo dances back a bit and prepares himself thinking, 'Well I'll be danged, I wonder how many times that will happen'.

Aaron jumps back a few steps, surprised and unhappy. "So... you've made some deal with the Phoenix, or figured how to use it's power huh? Well, no matter. I'll still win him."

He drops down into a fighting crouch to get ready for the next volley. No time to rethink strategy. Just get back into it.

Choosing to change things up a little Takezo switches from the crane style into capoeira moving forward quickly in a series of swirling leg sweeps to control space and erratic tumbling maneuvers to disguise the real direction from whence the true attack will come. Moving both inward and outward without any seeming pattern while building up energy until finally striking out with a low rising chi thrust to the solar plexus.

"Do you need help tending to that, prior to having tea? Otherwise I will wait." Takezo's tone is relaxed conversional as if they had not just undergone a quick intense deathly exchange. Further there is no sound of condescension in is tone as if he holds a good level of respect for Aaron.

Aaron stands. He hits a few points above and below the wound, instinctively following the rote movements his masters taught him about about medicine and energy control. It's not something he can do in the heat of battle but it can come in handy.

Although the wound isn't healed yet, and will slow down and throw off any stealth actions he tries to take, it does stop bleeding. It's enough to blend back in.

He takes a few tender steps to double check his work, he's much more used to dealing damage than healing it, then walks confidently to Takezo. "I'm fine. I'm Aaron, by the way. Let's get that tea."

Takezo escorts Aaron to the center building where the tea can be served. Once inside he proceeds to make the necessary arrangements for the tea ceremony. He dons the provided kimono and makes sure that the selected room and utensils are of the appropriate stature to show full respect to his guest. Once these are settled on he begins the actually artistic ceremonial process of serving tea to Aaron. "So Aaron have you ever participated in a tea ceremony before?"

Aaron takes all of this in. He was thinking of just getting an Earl Grey, but this is something else. "No. I haven’t had the opportunity yet. Seems interesting. Thanks for... bringing me. ".

Takezo goes over the finer points of the tea ceremony and once that is covered says, "I am glad you accepted the invitation, there is no reason agents in the field need be uncivil to one another. If it helps ease your mind any, the phoenix is already dead and what happened earlier was as much a surprise to me as it was to you. Perhaps a final blessing from the creature as I made it comfortable for its final hours. Further I do not believe our organization is at odds with yours as we both have the best interest of the Japanese people in mind. However, I do find it unusual for someone of obvious non-Japanese decent to be focused on such an agenda. Can I ask how you came by putting my people's interest in such importance?"

Aaron thinks on the myriad ways he could talk about how he got here and settles on "I'm a government administrator. A liaison really. It was made known to me that Tesla was working on something with huge medicinal value and it was taken from them. I wanted to get it back. That's really about it. If it's dead, it's dead. But it is a Phoenix. Won't it rise again? If you got what you needed from it, I'll gladly take the remains to back."

The whole time Aaron has been doing his best to follow Shinmen's motions and do as he does. He's trying to make friends with the victor and it seems he isn't a bad guy. At least as far as bad guys go.

"Can you tell me why you're doing this? Why did you take it?"

Takezo thinks on the question a moment combined with the information then responds in a casual simply conversational manner, "It seems you had not received the full story nor the true story. First we, the Kurama Shin, do our best to walk in shadows, move in silence and protect against Oni exploitation and violence. As well as the unnecessary exposure of folks such as ourselves. Basically the normal world need not know of the existence of us nor Oni as it would greatly complicate their lives making things much harder for them than they already are. Now Tesla's imprisonment of an Oni for exploitative purposes was not only wrong but also threatened to eventually expose the presence of the Oni. Either by discovery of what they were actually doing or worse an open war between the Oni and those backing Tesla once the Oni found out what was being done to their kind. Further it had nothing to do with medicine but the creation of energy at another creature's expense. Kind of like strapping you into a chair and using you as a living battery. Sadly we determined that the only way to permanently release this Oni from any potential mystical ties that were being used to bind and enslave it was to enact its mortal death releasing it back into the spiritual realm. This process we use leaves no remains as remains could be used to retain mystical ties. So as you can see our purpose aligns closely with that of your organization as we both have the good of the people in mind, which we have determined means keeping us and the Oni off the public radar so-to-speak."

Hearing what he says moves Aaron a little. A little but enough to confess. After a sip of the tea he spills his secret. "I... see. It looks like we do share a lot in common actually. It seems like you do good work, then. I don't really think anything should be bound and captured against it's wishes, unless it gives up that right. And you don't lose the right just by existing. But in the spirit of this straight forwardness, I have to tell you... that part of my mission, my secret mission, was to get close to you. Form a bond with you. Maybe it would lead me to the Phoenix. Or to others in your order. I don't know, but there it is."

He drinks a bit more of his tea and waits for the response.

"I see, well perhaps that can be arranged. The forming a bond between you and I part. I see no reason that our two organizations through our collaboration cannot work together. Further getting to know one another's culture is generally beneficial to ones own progression through life. Perhaps you can teach me some of your cultures traditions and I can share more of ours. With my schedule I will probably be busy for the next few of days but I am sure we could arrange a future meeting between us if you would like."

Aaron nods. "That sounds like it could be beneficial for everyone."

The two continue having their dried sweets and tea and enjoy a general conversation on various topics.

Cycle 3, Scene 1:

Lacy drops into the shadow of the building across from Sumomo's residence. Only the vapors of her warm breath rising into the cool air of the clear skied night would be detectable and even that was essentially invisible. She focuses on controlling her breathing after the exertion of traveling quickly across the city by roof top so that she would be difficult to be tracked and so her target would not see her coming. Based on her investigation, she expected Sumomo to return home any minute. This time she would discover what Sumono was hiding ... whatever it took.

As the minutes past without any signs of Sumono, Lacy grew frustrated and impatient. Where is she? Unexpectedly her phone vibrates, startling her. It was tucked in a tight pocket in her black ninja suit that hugs the phone against her body. She was surprised because she had silenced all notifications except ...

Pulling back deeper into the shadow, into a small alcove in the building, she checks the message:

~~Target has left the city, abandon mission ... report about yakuza-like ninja interference received. new mission: investigate their involvement ... details available at hq~~

"F*&#!" Her frustration boils over as she spins and side-kicks a metal emergency exit door at the back of the alcove. The bang echos loudly out of the alley. Some pedestrians walking by in the street, startled by the sudden noise from the darkness, hurry their steps in fear of what's going on in the darkness.

The massive dent warped the door enough to let some of the light from inside out into the alley. Lacy starred at it in satisfaction for a moment until the fire alarm began to blare.

"You've got to be kidding me," Lacy exclaims with exasperation before shooting her grappling gun upwards and swooping into the night to escape ...


First the pheonix, now Sumomo ... two opportunities ... two fails ... I'd better surpass expectations on this next mission else my next review at the Agency will not go as I hope.


On her way back towards her apartment, fortune shines her way. In the street below she hears the obnoxious unmuffled crackling roar of souped-up sports bikes speeding through the city. Looking over the edge of the building, what she sees confirms her suspicions. A swarm of colourful crotch rockets are weaving through traffic at dangerously high speeds. The riders wear black leg guards but are bare-chested, showing off brightly coloured full-torso tattoos with similarly designed and painted motorcycle helmets to match.

Lacy had looked into the yakuza-like ninjas who had ambushed her two days ago and they were apparently a rising force in the underworld of the city. They have been publicly flaunting their power more often in recent months including street racing on motorbikes late at night. They were rumored to be lead by a ninja master, probably a "Lost One", who was teaching pupils and now using their skills for personal profit through organized crime.

Well, this looks like as good an opportunity as any to finding out what they're up to ...

Lacy jumps off the top of the building into the cool night air high above the streaking motorcycles. Her zip line gun fires, securing itself somewhere in the darkness of the building tops, controlling her descent. She timed it perfectly, landing straddled immediately behind the rider of the last bike. The rider tries to turn to see what the hell is going on, but was too late to stop Lacy from wrapping her zip line around the rider's waist and locking the release of the line causing the rider to be jerked backwards off the seat. Lacy arches backwards to avoid being knocked off in the process, her legs squeezed tightly around the body of the motorcycle to hold on. The bike immediately pops a wheelie with the rider gone and all the weight on the back, but Lacy reacted quickly to flex her body upright again, catching the grips and shifting her center of gravity to re-balance the bike. Before landing the wheelie, she has already begun accelerating forward. Her bright blue hair has come loose from the hood of her ninja suit, flowing behind her like a comet.

Once she catches up to the rest of the pack, she keeps her distance, not wanting to be noticed by the gang. They "parade" through the city at high speed doing ridiculous stunts and showing off their blatant disregard for public safety and the local authorities before eventually heading back to the industrial sector. They stop outside a small warehouse. Lacy has stopped and ditched her bike a few streets back, sneaking up to watch from the shadows. As the gang enters the warehouse, Lacy climbs up to an open window to look inside.

Taizo pulls out a small box, and turns it on. From its end, a multitude of pale blue rays shot out, sweeping over every inch of the derelict warehouse. Checking the device's screen, he sees that the scan detected no anomalous energy signatures within the warehouse. A sigh leaves Taizo's lips as he pulls out his phone, leaving a cloud of vapor as his breath hits the chilly night air. He crosses off another possible location on his notepad app with his finger.

He turned to leave, but when he detected the sound of engines approaching the warehouse, he halted. The door burst open as a raucous gaggle of suits and tattoos wandered in, tipsily laughing as they were working off the adrenaline high earned through their pursuit of creative traffic law violations.

One of the more alert ones noticed Taizo alone in the center of the warehouse. Her tongue flits out, its split ends tasting the air like a snake. She smiles as a singsongy voice leaves her mouth.

"Kukukuuuu... Hey guyssss, we got a Ninpo userrrr."

Immediately, the gang's eyes lock onto Taizo, while Taizo stared back at them. They slowly draw out their weapons, a hodgepodge ranging from normal weapons like lead pipes and swords to esoteric ones such as three sectioned staves and war ladders. Just before they begin approaching their quarry, Taizo lifts his arm up. A grenade flies out of the sleeve of his designer jacket into the face of the split tongued woman.

"Kuuhh!?"

It blows up, sending a large part of the group flying away, some bits unattached, with the rest scrambling to cover. However, it seemed that these were deceptively well trained fighters, as they quickly reorganized themselves, preparing to overwhelm him in a charge with their numbers.

He punches a nearby crate full of flour, causing it to spill out into the warehouse as a cloud. Hopping back, he waves his hand and ignites a spark, setting off an explosion of flame, immolating those who dare to get too close to the wall of flame which separated the gang and himself.

Lacy leans up against the window and just as she peers through to see the gang confronting the stranger the grenade explodes. The glass shatters with the shock wave and Lacy falls forward into the building. A strap on her footwear catches on a protruding nail in the frame of the window and she finds herself hanging upside down as the heat of the flour cloud detonation wafts up the walls of the warehouse. From her inverted view, the warehouse is a scene of chaos. The unfortunate are writhing in flame or worse. Some are fleeing, fighting fires, or helping the injured, while others are trying to get to the stranger through the flames, their bizarre weapons looking for revenge.

Lacy struggles to pull herself up but can't seem to get free. Suddenly she notices an unusual shadow encompass her, something rushing towards her. Reacting quickly, she grabs a shard of broken glass and slices herself free, falling a story towards the warehouse floor. Above her the jagged hooks of the war ladder crash into the wall right where she was hanging. Then the wind is knocked out of her body by the impact with the concrete floor. Her vision blurs and spins as she gasps for air.

"I recognize you!" says the biker standing over her. His massive arms begin to flex in preparation of hefting the giant war ladder to swing at her again.

But before he can, other gang members begin running up the ladder to escape through the window. "Great thinking Strong Step, that window's the only exit now!"

The hulking biker looks towards the collapsed entrance, now engulfed in flames, then back at the immobilized Lacy with a knowing grin and follows his mates up the ladder.

By the time Lacy peels herself off the floor, her gasps are caused more by smoke than the fall. Fire is all around, no exit in sight and the ladder is gone. Across the warehouse she sees the stranger locked in the throws of battle with the remaining gang members, evading wild attacks: a cinder block whirling on a chain, terrifying strikes from a giant human-sized mamushi that appears to be wearing fragments of a biker's outfit with searing burn marks down one side of its dented head and a pack of angry snow monkey's summoned through a portal that had briefly winked in and out of existence.

Flames rise all around and Lacy starts to feel panic swelling up in her until she sees the pipe through the smoke on the other side of the warehouse. Summoning her remaining energy, she closes her eyes and reaches out. She feels water all around her, hidden in the mains and lines of the city's system below the streets. She pulls with her thoughts and it surges towards her. The pipe on the far side of the warehouse begins to vibrate, faster and faster, until it bursts and water spouts forth. The jet sprays with such force, narrowly missing the stranger, it knocks the remaining gang members and their pets through the collapsed entrance and down the street while soaking everything else in the building.

As the gush fades to a trickle, Lacy collapses with relief and exhaustion into a warm puddle hissing where it splashes against the dying flames. Opening her eyes, she finds the stranger, a teenager, standing over her, drenched from head to toe.

Taizo sweeps a clump of wet hair out of his eyes, frowning with displeasure.

"...And who are you?"

Lacy looks at the kid, incredulous. "You're WELCOME," she says as she struggles to get to her feet.

Her hand is bleeding from a gash along her palm after using the glass shard to cut herself free. In fact, she realizes she's completely missing her shoe. It must have fallen off after slicing it to escape. She does a reasonable job of hiding the discomfort initially, but winces as she straightens, her entire back feels like its going to be a massive bruise from her fall.

After a moment she recovers her composure and slicks back her wet hair to get it out of her face and then looks back towards the kid and says, "My name's Lacy. I've been investigating that gang and happened to follow them here tonight. What about you? What's your name and how the hell did you get mixed up with them?"

Lacy? I believe she was second highest on the list of suspects the old man gave the dog. Taizo doesn't let his frown loosen up as he responds with an unsubtle air of annoyance.

"Yeah, not gonna tell you that."

He tries to swipe the water off of his jacket, droplets spraying off of it indiscriminately.

"Geez, do you even know how much this brand costs? Heard of something called restraint?"

Lacy laughs at the hypocrisy of the teenager's statement.

Pretty sure the water will dry. All this fire damage on the other hand, not sure it will be as lucky as a phoenix, so if any one needs to consider restraint ...

She decides against pointing that out and instead tries to smooth over the situation because she wants to know more about what's going on. The kid genuinely looks upset at being soaked, so she tries to remedy the situation.

"Aww, but you look so cute, like a wet puppy," she says with a wink. "Let me see if I help you out."

She concentrates on the water clinging to him. She can feel it and knows she can still manipulate it. She reaches out and ruffles his wet hair. The water in it seems to cling to her hand in ever growing droplets and blobs like a ferrofluid to a magnet. She pulls her hand back and holds it palm out towards the teenager as more and more water pulls from his clothes almost like a vacuum. By the time he is dry, a shifting ball of water hovers in Lacy's hand.

"There you go, is that better?

She cups the ball of water with both hands and then splashes it into her face to rinse off the dirt, dust, flour and ash. Feeling refreshed, she slicks back her wet hair one more time and takes a big breath of air now that the smoke is clearing. She doesn't bother drying herself. She enjoys the moisture, the feel of the water trickling down her body, the way it makes her clothes cling to her, adding a sheer quality to the ninja suit, an illusion of transparency that some teen-aged boys would likely find appealing or perhaps distracting. Being neither shy nor modest, she continues in a relaxed and casual manner.

"Now then, I'm not bothered to know who you are if you're shy about it, but why don't we discuss what happened here, so we can help each other out and maybe stop something like this happening again?"

Taizo flinches with surprise as Lacy puts her hand on his head. Nobody has ever done that to him. At least, nobody except his mother. But she was long deceased, and her touch only a faint memory.

Initially thinking it an act of aggression, Taizo was about to shank Lacy with his hidden weapons, but quickly realized what she was doing as he felt the water on his body travel up towards her hand. His hands pat down his newly dried clothes, confirming that she pulled off all of the water, and none of his belongings.

The experience was...rather pleasant. Like drying off after a swim.

"Hmm. Yes, that is bett-"

He barely gets another word out before Lacy begins washing her face with the water. The sight of her refreshed after cleaning off the grime brings to mind one question. Is reusing bathwater environmentally conscious or just lazy? Taizo snorts a little, finding himself amused at the ridiculous thought which the scene brought up. Although Lacy's action didn't have the exact effect that was intended, it certainly loosened the irascible Taizo up.

"Alright, I can tell you that much. Not like there's much to say, though. I was just here doing my own thing when those guys came in."

I wonder what HE was doing here? and why? ... Lacy thought, but remembered the teenager was sensitive about his privacy, so ignored that line of inquiry ... for now.

"Not sure how much you know about them, but they are a rising gang in the city making a name for themselves in organized crime. I have a feeling we may have both made it onto their bad side."

She picks up one of the few bags of flour that was neither scorched nor drenched. Ripping it open she tastes a touch and nods to herself knowingly before tossing the bags back to the floor.

"From what I could see, you can handle yourself in a fight. I could use some help dealing with this gang. Any chance I can recruit you to the cause? Might be to your advantage now that they probably want to take you out after ruining some of their goods, not to mention some of their members. Or if that's not enough motivation, perhaps, I can help you in some way in return."

Taizo snorts.

"Petty revenge from that bunch? Nah, I can take care of myself. Besides, I have something else I'm working on, so I won't be able to play buddy cops with you."

Lacy smiles at Taizo's naive overconfidence remembering she wasn't that dissimilar only a few years ago.

"Fair enough, Kiddo."

She notices her missing shoe under some rubble and pulls it out to find it's completely ruined. Well, almost. She manages to put it back on in a way that the sole is under her foot for protection and then rips a strip of material from her outfit and uses it secure the shoe in place ... Not ideal, but should last the night.

"Well, good luck with whatever it is you're working on and hopefully if we cross paths again, we find ourselves working towards a common goal else I might not leave you looking quite as dry next time," she says with a mischievous wink before leaving the destroyed warehouse and vanishing into the shadows of the night.

Taizo looks on as she makes her exit, ragged appearance and all. Her figure fades into the dark as the warehouse's frame creaks from the intense battle that went on inside.

"...Crap, I forgot to put a bug on her."

Taizo turns to leave, his jacket blowing in the wind. Whatever. I have a feeling we'll meet again soon. Maybe too soon.

And so another ninja vanishes into the night, leaving the warehouse to suffer with its wounds.

His appearance was sudden and the fluid dance-like actions that followed were to fast for the surprised escaping group to even counter. Then using the the war ladder one of them drop, he gains access to a broken out window. Upon arriving at the window he watches as the room bursts into an explosion of water that drenches everything within. He pauses to see what happens next. Then with the eminent life threatening danger gone he is needed no more and he presses the medallion he wears hard against his skin and as suddenly as he had appeared he vanishes once more. The only trace of his having been there being a small group of extremely injured and unconscious biker yakuza wanna-bees.

Takezo reappeared where he had left once more dressed normally, it had begun to almost make his heart leap into his throat whenever he got that signal. He was not sure how those biker yakuza wanna-bees hand been involved with the eminent danger but he felt little sorrow for his rather harsh treatment of them as he had no time to play and the fastest means of taking some out was crippling and deadly strikes. Still he was glad he was not truly needed as was the some of the time, other times his appearance took out an eminent danger before Lacy was even aware it had been there. Still he wondered whom the guy was that she seemed rather playful with within the warehouse. Well maybe he would find out at some point later.

Takezo makes his way over to the Ho-o to check on how it was doing and to see if he could make its final moments any more comfortable. "Sorry, for having to leave so abruptly but someone else was in dire need, is there anything else I can do to make you a bit more comfortable, water, food, more music?" Once he has taken care of the birds physical needs, if any, he picks up his flute once more and gets comfortable and once more begins to play. Pausing every once in a while to see if the bird wish to make a request or say anything. It was hard to read an oni but it obviously no longer belonged in this world and it would soon be going to a much better place for it.

"Yes I will remain with you but sadly I do not think you will be reincarnating for to break the mystical hold those others had upon you we had to implement measures to send you back from whence you came in a more permanent manner. I hope that does not upset you too much, we just could not figure out any other means to break all potential mystical holds they may have placed upon you."

"Why do you say that it is foolish, do you not wish to be free again, no longer chained to some others beck and call? I mean yes, it might not be the most desired outcome but surely its better than being a slave."

A bit concerned Takezo outlines the ritual that he had been given that is supposed to stop the reincarnation part thus once the phoenix consumes itself in flames it is supposed to not come back. "So have you had this tried before?"

Takezo ponders this and consults some of the books he has on hand that he had gathered in case such study was needed. He comes across a few references that he finds to be a bit disquieting as he has not the means to enact them but... he might be able to contact someone who does.

In between lessons, Lacy is working in her office, writing up a report about her encounter with the new yazuka gang that had happened the night before when her cell phone rings.

Unknown Name ... Unknown Number

After hesitating a moment at the mysterious call, she answers, "Moshi Moshi, this is Lacy Cove ..."

"Hi Salacia this is Takezo, I was wondering if you might have some time this evening, I have discovered something I think would interest you greatly and wanted to present it to you in person?" Takezo's voice is a practiced modulated tone that conveyed next to no information with its inflections other than perhaps those, that Salacia's training would indicate, were simply part of some kind of planned guidance towards a desired outcome. Still there was enough information within the words to garner some meaning and the fact that he went through the trouble to get her phone number did warrant some level importance to his claim.

Before Lacy can respond the connection goes dead leaving only the sound of static buzzing in her ear.

"Takezo? Takezo?! ... TAKEZO!?!?" she inquires, the tone of her voice getting more concerned. She has had many phone conversations cut out mid-conversation - problems with reception or batteries - but there was something about the sound and circumstances of this one that worried Lacy. She feels Takezo is likely in danger and the situation with the phoenix has likely changed. Quickly checking an app on her phone that traced and estimated a probable location of the incoming call, she grabbed her bag of ninja equipment she slipped out her office to see what she can find of Takezo and perhaps the phoenix as well.

At the same moment Lacy answered the call from Takezo, Taizo was sitting in his armored limo, clicking away at his laptop. After gathering information on Aaron's movements through the use of his bugs, it was child's play to locate Aaron's base of operations. From there on, it was up to Taizo to overcome the electronic defenses put down to protect Aaron's data from intruders such as himself. And they were certainly quite tough. The Hirasaka Agency's strength is in their information after all.The first few measures fell quickly enough, but as Taizo cracked away at the security, he noticed that it somehow was automatically patching up the holes he exploited. So then, it came down to a test of speed. Could Taizo break through the advanced regenerating defenses? His fingers blurred and his eyes dilated to an extreme, his mind set onto a single track. Him versus the machine.

In the end, he won out, leaving his opponents to lick its wounds. Before he could look over the newly obtained data, Taizo's phone sounded an emergency notification. Taizo's eyes narrowed as he took in the new information. If he were to believe the information that his bugs told him, then that meant Aaron was killed. And in quite the auspicious location.

He gives an order to his butler.

"Genzou. Head to the nearest Dragon Vein convergence."

Genzou gives a kurt nod as he changes course.

Taizo leans back into his seat, troubled by the developments unfolding.

The wheels of the limo rolled to a stop at the base of the forested mountain. From here, Taizo would need to climb up the many steps to a hidden shrine, known only to those in the shadows. It was there where Aaron met his last breath, on top of the Dragon Vein convergence.

"Return safely, young master."

Taizo simply nods as he exits the car, and begins his journey to the top of the mountain.

Genzou's word of caution was not without reason. Though it seemed outwardly peaceful, this mountain was a place no sane person would visit without reason. Long ago, a eldritch being beyond comprehension found its way into this reality. Through the efforts of many, a shrine was erected, which acted as its single chain to the world. Much like a rabid dog tied to a stake, it could no longer wreak havoc beyond the shrine's range. It is such that the mountain, the shrine, and the being all have no names, as prolonged exposure to the being which defies identity deprives everything around it of identity as well.

Lacy stops the motorcycle a few hundred meters from the running limo parked at the base of the stairs to the Shrine. The bike was the same one she had "confiscated" from the Yakuza ninjas; she had kept it as a prize for her trouble that night. Up those stairs is where Lacy had triangulated the signal from Takezo's cell phone call. Not wanting to alert whoever was in that limo, she rolls the bike into the ditch between the road and the forested incline and then swings up into the canopy using her aerial skills jumping from branch to branch.

She converges on the stairway, but stays up in the trees as she follows the path up the mountain. The entrance of the shrine is a row of a dozen blood red archways leading to a clearing with massive roughly carved stone pillars reaching up to the heavens not unlike stonehenge but instead of a circular layout, it seems to form some sort of ancient symbol that Lacy doesn't recognize.

Towards the center of the shrine, Lacy can see the infamous phoenix that she has heard so much about. It lies on a stone alter, not much more than a heap of meat, but it's chest is rising and falling, albeit irregularly, indicating that it is still alive ... barely.

On the ground in front of the alter is Takezo's motionless body, a pool of blood underneath drains into the broad spaces between paving stones. The blood was headed down towards the forested slope outside the shrine, but coagulation has slowed it's progress. Takezo's cell phone is a few stones over, the screen shattered from the drop, but the screen was still lit as the call had not properly ended, allowing Lacy to track the location.

Seeing Takezo confirms her worst fears and triggers a flood of emotions that cause her to forget the potential dangers of the situation. Lacy drops from her leafy refuge to the stone path and runs into the shrine ...

As Taizo steps beneath the looming gates of crimson, the sight of Takezo's corpse and the bloodied Phoenix gives him pause. Taizo's grimace of displeasure quickly turned into apprehension as a drop of blood splashed onto his clothes. Raising his head to look above himself, Taizo found Aaron's body hanging from one of the gates from a noose made of barbed wire. The doctor's eyes threatened to pop out from underneath his swollen eyelids, and his bloodied tongue lolled out of bluish lips.

Leaves rustled, breaking Taizo's attention from the gruesome atrocity. Turning towards the source of the sound, he saw Lacy leaping out of the surrounding trees towards the center of polylithic shrine. What was she doing here?

However, before she could make it, a group of yakuza phased into existence, blocking her path. However, unlike at the warehouse, they were far from your average thugs, for thugs love themselves over all others. These gangsters have forsaken themselves entirely to the shrine's identity erasing properties. Try and focus on a face, and you come away knowing nothing about what they look like. Try and count what weapons they have, and you come away with a number that doesn't exist. Perhaps the best way to describe this group would be "the concept of a large group of skilled yakuza". By losing themselves, they gained the power of defying the logic of this world, confounding all that try and oppose them.

Their eyes lock onto both Lacy and Taizo. A chorus of mocking laughter erupts as the Concept of Yakuza draws their weapons.

""̸̥̥͐Ö̸͈́̚ẖ̶͛,̵̨̧̈͘ ̶̟̮̏͝s̷͈̪̋̃o̸̺̒̌ ̸̡̜̏w̶̩̟̅è̴͚ ̶̨̯̾͠h̸̼̍a̷̯̕v̷̱̌̽ë̸̝́ ̷̢͋m̸͈̆o̷̡̊́r̸̤͒̑e̷̯̬̍͐ ̵͖̥̏͊v̴͚́į̸̙̿́š̸ͅï̵̳͕̄t̶̞͍́o̶̟͖̍r̸̝̟͑s̵̥̝̎̀?̵̜͊ ̵̹̟̿A̴̯̕l̵̑̾ͅl̷͓͈͊̋o̶̘͑ẘ̴̞ ̸̇̊ͅủ̸̠́s̴͖͓̎ ̷̩̗̃̕t̵̡͉̓̄o̶̩̖̎̀ ̷̖͊p̷̧͐̂a̵̦͚̽͗y̶̤̍̓͜ ̴̭̈ͅò̶̢̳u̸̩͗̾r̶̙̭͗ ̵͈͐͌ŗ̶͐è̶̲͕s̶̲̤͋p̵̢̛͓̈e̵̛̪̾c̴͔͉͛̊t̴͖̔̈ŝ̷̤͓͑.̵̨̽̓"̶̗̅"

I should have known these Yakuza would be at the heart of this ... Lacy thinks as she skids to a stop to assess the situation.

Hmmm, seems like this group might be a tad more dangerous than those thugs in the city ... she observes their shifting identities and large numbers. She can't seem to follow any particular one without losing track of their motion and position. Looking around for options she finally notices the kid from the warehouse standing near the entrance and another dead body hanging nearby ... What the ... but before she has time to process, she hears the disembodied voices of the yakuza rumble through her body and the sudden onslaught of metal projectiles streaking towards her.

Reacting as fast as she can, she dives for cover behind one of the stone formations ...

Lacy vanishes behind the rocky formation just in time, the hail of metallic weaponry ricochets against the stone. In fact, she picked a pillar aligned just right that many of the knives and shuriken rebounded directly at the attacking mob.

Back against the strangely warm stone, she catches her breath and glances over towards the kid from the warehouse. Behind him another group of the ethereal yakuza materialize.

"Hey Kid! Look out!"

Grabbing two handfuls of the "shrapnel" that was now littered on the ground around her position, she parkours up between two nearby pillars, launching herself into the air in a spinning and tumbling maneuver that peaks with a flurry of metal thrown towards the yakuza approaching the kid.

Taizo clicks his tongue as he leaps away from the eldritch entities' approach.

"Don't look down on me!"

Despite his bravado, this was indeed a tricky situation, one that he didn't think he could handle alone. The Concept of Yakuza scatters as the projectiles launched by Lacy tear through their ranks. They spit on the ground in irritation, sickly phlegm staining the stone.

"̷̠̮̰̑̍͗̽̒͊͌́͠Ỷ̶̧̲̞͙͎̎̽̋̃ŏ̴͍̯̗̻̖́̈́̃͗͂ü̴̢̟̖͈̝͇̖̒̈́́͘ ̷͔̫̙͎̻̦̼͖̎̎̂̀̇̀͛ͅb̸̧͔̙̊͠i̵̠̱̺̻̙͂̋̈́͗͊̉̀̚͘͠t̷̨̡͙̟̪̪̭̝̬̦̑̆̇̄̅́̽́c̵̡̯͈̼̘̞̠͑̓̚h̷̳̰̖̳̳̟͓̩̪̿̈́̇̌̑̒͂̀̐̚!̷̧̧̱͇̤̺̙̖͍́̿͘"̴̻̞̝̓̀̂̇

Lacy sticks the landing on top of one of the ancient boulders, a smile on her face showing a bit of pride in her successful tactic, but the smile turns to disgust at the phlegm-spitting that results. She nods to the kid to acknowledge his help in the maneuver, distracting and drawing the strange figures into a more vulnerable position for her counter and aerial flurry.

Lacy remembers some of the impressive abilities the kid showed off at the warehouse and wonders why he hasn't pulled any of them out yet. He seems to be fiddling with the fancy devices strapped to his body ... perhaps the yakuza-spirits are shifting through the shrine too quickly for his devices to track. Maybe her impact will have slowed them down enough for him to target. She hopes so because looking around the odds are still stack against them.

Deciding not to fix what's not broken, she moves into action at a similar speed, jumping carefully from stone to stone in an effort to continue evading their attacks while maintaining her strategic advantage.

The first knife sliced through the outer layer of his jacket. The rest never made it, as an explosion blew them all away. As the smoke cleared, it was revealed that Taizo's jacket was a rather...intense...form of reactive armor.

Takezo clicked his tongue. With his jacket incinerated, his handcrafted cybernetic exoskeleton could be seen clearly, a reddish glow running through its metal.

"I'll let you know that I am no bastard."

He clenches his fist. Steam, infused with scarlet electricity, spits out from vents mounted on his back. He reels his arm back, servos whirring, and launches his fist forwards, sending a intensely concentrated disc of red energy into the group.

"I am Taizo Minamoto!"

...

And the roiling flames were suddenly silenced, as if they were never there.

"F̷͖͙̺͕̐͗͒̅͠l̸̞̹̙̘̖̼̉̃̄͒a̵̪͓͙̼͂͗̓̍̕m̴̝͙̖͖̆͐̔̾é̴͖̼̠̿ ̷̬͖̩̼̓̑ō̷̰̉̊̄̂̓͝f̶̡̫͔͍͚͆̄̎̉̚ ̶̢̺̟̪̙͚̒̅l̷̮̪̈̇̍̐͘͝ĭ̷̳͕̏̏͠g̴̮̘͚̱̱̈́̍́͜h̶̡͕͙̲̊̒t̵̛̘͔͎͖̞̘̓̄̈́̽̀̀n̶̥̹̝̫͇̗͍͗̾̍i̶͍̺̦̫͇͂͆̄̈̈͠͝ñ̴̪̹̼͌g̴̛̛̛͍͙͈̏̀,̸̖̮̞͓̼̗̮͠ ̶͍͓͙̹̚͝w̷͕͕͎͕̿e̵̡̗̳̳̥͛ ̸̨͕̳̪̲̚ȅ̸̪̞̭x̴̞̠̤̑̃̕͝ć̴̯̗͎͙̣̍ͅo̵͉͓̤̜̿͛̕m̴̳̗̝͔̉̋̈́͋͒͠m̸͓͓͚̮̬̒̀̓́͘͝ǘ̶̠͙̪̩̍̈́̌̇n̴͇̹̟͍̰̅̈́͂̎͒̈͜͜i̵̤͖̯͎̝͇̖̓́͐̿̍͝c̸͕̫̪̙̱̤̔ä̶̦̟̅̎͒͂̐t̶͎͕̩͈̂̓͝e̸͕̪̙͎͕̱͗̎͑ ̸̙̮͙̭̤̰̅̌́̀͗̏ͅy̴͈̱̥̻̅̆͊̃̃o̴͙̭͗̆̕u̴̬̘̥̖͐̊̎̅̈́ͅr̸͖̼͉͓͔̈́̐͑̿ ̴̧̩̗͈͑̿̚͠ȅ̶̩͓̹̞̈̀͆̈́͝ͅͅx̴̨̯͐͌͆̒̀i̷͙̟͈͍̜̔͌͌s̸͍̣̗̘͌́̒̃̕t̶̫̲͈̓̈́̒͘ė̵̗͉͍̌̓̄n̶̳̣̤̻͓͊̾͛̀c̸̲̳̐͐̏̾̕͜é̵̪ͅ!̷͎͙̭͌̈́̾̿͊̈́̏ ̷̰͋̏̈̋̉͛̄T̷̹̒̓̈́̓͑̂h̴̻͓͍̏è̴̩̫́̐́̿ ̶̰͉̦͚̩̾U̷̗̎̏̆͠l̴̪̻͎̻͒̇t̴̝͔̹̳̦͜͜͠ì̷̼̭̟̌m̴̻̘͈̟͉̑͆ả̴̞̘̗̜̪͙̱̐̓͗̚t̵̰̠͓̹͔͕͙̿̂̏͗e̴̢͚̣̅ ̵̝̬̤̦͖̂͐̑͋͘P̵͍̾̄̌͋̔͗́a̸̙̽̏̍̏̚t̸̒̏̐̀ͅh̷̞̉,̴̝̟̳̹͉̿̐ ̷̬͆̌G̴̢͍͙̫̿͗̓̔͜U̷̗̅̿͌̉̐Ḭ̷̘̀Ḋ̴̛͙̠͆̓̒͋Ë̴̛̹̦̙̪̟͙́̆̈́̀̔̐ ̶̛̰͇̪̟͕̰͛̍̕Ư̶̧͓͘Ş̴̥̮̣̪̥̽̈́̏̿̔̍͜͠!̴̧̖͓̥͙͝"

With a unified shout, the Concept of Yakuza banished the existence of the deadly projectile. Those without identity strip others of theirs.

Hope swells in Lacy's mind as she sees the blast from the kid's technological body suit. It seems destined to inflict a crushing blow on this Concept of Yakuza, but her excitement sinks when the flames suddenly vanish just before making contact. The rumbling voice that echos through the shrine in response gives her the chills. However, she senses that despite the surprising comeback, the Concept seems to be on the back foot at the moment. She takes advantage with another aerial assault from her position high up on the stones, this time in the form of a zip-line-aided flying kick that aims to plow through a group of the figures.

Her flying kick scatters bodies like a strike in bowling ... if you can call them bodies ... Lacy follows through using the momentum of the kick to swing back up with the zip line to her position on top of the rocky formations in preparation for the enemy's response.

As soon as Lacy's feet alight on the pillar, she feels her chest tighten, and her bones crackle. Looking over at T̵a̸i̷z̵o̸ and the C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷, L̶a̴c̵y̴ could see similar looks of discomfort on their faces, and also a sense that they've lost some distinctiveness to their features. A change in facial structure here, a change to their clothes there. No doubt, she also was victim to the same effects. The C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷ growled, huffing through clenched teeth. Then they smiled.

""̴͉̭̇I̶̙͌̌ṭ̶͒́ ̸̟̈́s̵̻̲̊̏ẽ̷̳̕e̷̟̅͛m̴̧̔̌ŝ̵̟͂ ̶̝̤̅t̴̢̯͑͛h̴̭͋͜a̶̻̋t̴̖̣̓̄ ̸̜͒w̶̗̌ë̶̦̼́̌ ̷̣̠͑͛ş̷̉͋t̴̗͚͂i̷͒̕ͅl̵̮͗l̷̙̊ ̶̙͑h̸͓͇̾ọ̶͛̀l̵̹̒d̸̠͙̑ ̸͇̥̑̈́s̶̩͉͊̿o̷̡͇̐m̷̬̉e̷̬̘͑͌t̸͖͝ḫ̴̥͛̑i̶͕̩͠ǹ̸͈͠g̴̳̍̿ ̴̟̰̿̽d̸̙͒͌ĕ̴̲͖̔á̵̱̳͝r̷̗͈̀̌ ̸̡͍̑́ť̸̘͋o̸̢̗͗ ̸͑ͅũ̴͔s̸̛ͅ.̷͈̐͂ ̷̩̘͂W̷̜̋͜ȇ̸̹ ̶͔̬̄c̸̱̐̎á̴̧̹͑n̵̛̦̥̆ ̷̘͗n̴̫̽ó̵̲ẗ̵͖́̊͜ ̶̤̀͜s̸͍̀t̶͉̒̑a̷̞̙̓̕ỳ̷͔͓̚ ̸̻̬̎̀a̵̧͇͌͗n̶͍̲̉̎y̴͚͖̆ ̵̤̦͋l̷̫͉͊ó̵̗ṇ̴̳̍g̴̬͈͒̀ě̴͙͛r̶̡͖̚̚.̸͎̳̽͛ ̸̗̖̾S̷̛͕͎ọ̶̃,̸͚͙͒̀ ̵̨̉̐ȅ̴̮͕x̴͙̭͗͒c̸͕̿u̶̧̥͌̑s̵̞͐̔ė̴̤͓ ̵̗̄ȗ̷̘̚s̸̪̊̕,̵̮̓ ̸̫͙̌́w̵̻͓̓́ẻ̴̘ ̷̡͇̃w̶̧̛̞i̵̟͔͆͛l̷̩̉̓ļ̶̊ ̸̝̎̐n̶̺͝o̴̤̒̎ẃ̵͚̈́ ̷̩͓̀̐h̵̰͋̎ą̷̖͛v̵͚̈͝ȩ̸̢̉̈́ ̵̛͙̈́ŷ̶̜͠ò̸̭͑ŭ̸̀͜ ̶͉̆d̶͉͒ĩ̸̳͜é̴̛̥.̸̩̽ ̷̣͐͛"̵̺͕̊"

With a unified flick, a fleet of ritual knives are whipped out from the wrists of their suits.

""̸̝̤̿ͅA̶̡̡̞͌̑͝ņ̶̥͊́ͅ ̴̝̠̖͐è̷̞̕n̷̝̯͗̿d̷̩̭̠̄́̑ ̸̫̼̔̈́̉t̷̺̣̒͜o̴̢͊͘ ̶̡̤͚̔e̵̱̰͚̊̇n̸̡̯̉̔͌d̶̖̣͓͋͊͘ĺ̷̘̼͛̀ḙ̷̬̪͝s̴̘͖̲̈̏̍s̷̭̜͖̀̈̕ ̴̢̠̜͘s̴͎͂̆̒t̷͕̖͛͗ř̴̦̖̚͜i̶̙̮̖̎̌f̷̙̂ē̶̗͘,̵̘̀̍͜ ̴̛̭͓à̴͕̈ń̶̟͓͍d̶̖̋̽ ̷̗͑̀a̷͎̙̘̾̽ ̶̜̭̈͛b̷̢͖͎̈́́ë̸̪͗g̶̪̈́̑̈i̴̫̇̆̚n̸͙̉̉̚n̵̪̿î̷̖͙͒̑n̷̤͕̠͒̇ḡ̷̻̯̭͝ ̴̺͚̖̓t̷͕̐͐ǫ̸̭̀ ̷̟̰͆t̷̺̋h̸̨̲͙́́ẹ̷̓͋̍ͅ ̸̣̮͌̉̇i̵̧̝͐̉͝m̷̝̰̆͠p̶͙̖͉̓͋͊o̷̺͉̿͗͛ͅś̵̞̽ṣ̵͆̾͝i̶̮̫̊̎̄b̵͍̊͐̐l̸̠͈͗é̷̱͇͍̇͝!̷̰͋͗̄ ̷̡̞̼̈́̈́̚T̵̖͙̂̑͝h̸̭̺̞͗î̴̘̑ņ̸̬̱͋k̸̪̠̈́ ̷͖̆͜ó̸̫̅f̴̲̈́͜ ̵̧̐y̷̺̼̖͒o̶̰̜͐̇͗͜ú̸͓͉́͋r̵̛̦̄s̷͇͈̘͗̏̑e̵͕̼͗l̷̢̥͆̇͝f̴̣̫̆͒͝ ̶̹̺̟̎à̵̙s̵̤̫̩̎̒ ̶̬̭̍a̷͕̙͇͘l̸̼̞̊̄r̸̠̣̋̑͊é̸̤̗́̉ͅa̸̘͉͗̀͘d̶̯̞̈́͊͑ͅÿ̷̧͕̈́́ ̴̺͔̐̏d̷͈̉̔̕͜e̴̳̬̐ā̴̡̙͚ď̷̪,̴̢͍͙̃̍ ̸̡̽͐ǎ̴̢̩̉n̵̢̼̔̈d̴͉͆̈̀ ̶̟̹̭̇̌͘o̵̧͈̞͒̆f̴̟̩́f̴̼̫̾͜e̴̬͍͒̌͆͜r̵͇̩̫̊͑̕ ̶͚̖͉͐͠t̴̬͇͒̊o̷͔̔ ̷̨͚̰̌̏ú̴͈̲̠́̕s̵̖̭͜͝ ̶͙̃y̵̼̯̑̿o̴̠̐u̸̟̖̎̐ř̸͇̋ ̷͎͛͝t̵̞̹̘͋̃͘r̷̢̘̀̒î̷̦̱̜b̶͕̂̒͛ụ̵̀̿͂t̶͖͉͒̿ë̶̫̗́!̷̻͌ͅ"̴̭̈́̔́"

They flick their wrists. The knives disappear from their hand. Out of the corner of your eyes, you see a flash near your left hand, and see your pinky fall off.

L̶a̴c̵y̴ 's breath catches and she collapses down to one knee, her hands catching her from completely collapsing, as her chest constricts in pain.

Gasping for air once the sensation passes, she barely has time to recover before screaming out in pain as her finger is severed. She grabs her injured hand with the other, blood trickling down both her forearms. She takes a deep breath to steady herself and refocuses on the fight. Her attention is drawn to one of the prominent less-faded C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷ below. It's trying to scramble up the stone towards her.

The memory of an ancient weapon from the salt water kingdoms of legend fills her mind and her clasped hands suddenly begin to morph, melding together and changing in shape and size as they transform into a massive two-handed mace extending from her wrists.

Standing on the edge of the pillar, L̶a̴c̵y̴ swings the mighty scepter down towards the climbing figure like a hammer, the giant conch-shaped head on the end just in range to smash the C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵'s head against the stone surface.

The club cleanly smashes into the side of the facet of the C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷'s head. It explodes and coats the stone pillar with its contents. The rest of the group reeled as the pillar reacted to the gory offering, which was absorbing into the stone like water into a sponge. Meanwhile, T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ was staring dumbfounded at the loss of his pinky finger. However unlike Lacy, he was more contemplative than he was anguished by what should've been an immense pain. He presses the open wound against one of the hotter components in order to cauterize it, while muttering quietly to himself.

"Shit. So it's gotten this bad."

Taking a deep breath, he flexes his shoulders, causing twin jets to pop out from the back of his exoskeleton. Tongues of white flame spat out from the exhaust, propelling him towards the disoriented C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷ faster than a bullet. T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ whipped out his leg, the momentum turning him from a rocket into a whirling tornado of white phosphorus.

His outstretched limb accelerated to breakneck speed, and was about to slam right through the group. However, they once again let out a shout.

"B̷̬̣̺̈r̷̟͇͎̅͛̚a̶̠̼͘̚t̶̨̝̑͜ ̵̙̾c̸̢̭̲̍͗͘l̴̫͖̚͘a̵̹͔̝̍d̶̮͑͗ ̶̬̠̹̉i̸̡̛̼̓́n̶̦͈̅̕ ̵̳͖̪̈̋̕s̷̙̓͝t̶͙̜͌̌ͅe̴̘̻͎̿͗̇e̵̻̍͘l̴̹͝ͅ ̶̨̮̓͠ͅâ̴̤͜͝n̷̛̰͒͘d̴̻̽̿ ̷̪͑̔̎f̴̨͓̋̽̔l̶͓̳̰̈́̇a̷̖̓m̴̳̘̯̊ẹ̶̐̚͠,̸͕̬͗ ̴̼̗͊w̶͎̹͈͋̄̂e̸̞̍̈́ ̶̹̣̭̚̕d̶͉͔̼̂͌͌i̵̙̤̍s̴̹̔͗p̷͇͔̺̈́l̸͔̳̯̓̿ä̶̲́c̴̭̾̾e̸͖̯̔̐͠ ̴̛̪̟͂͂y̴̢͙͙̐̌́o̶͓̒̇́ǔ̶̦r̴̨̢̫̓̒̎ ̶̨̎̇̂è̶̞͜x̷͓̗̄i̸͕͇͔͛s̶̛̤̊́t̴̨̿̈́e̵͎͑̂͗n̴̲̉̿c̸͓̫̞̋͌̅e̴̖̥̍!̸̝̲̓̓ ̶͉̱̗̂̋T̸̤̺͍͆̄͠h̸̭̣̲͝e̴͓̍͊͝ ̴̛̯̬̩̀U̶̫͋̂͠l̷̨̢̳̔̓̑t̴͔̐̆͝ị̵̾͆͑m̴̛͇̾a̵̛̺͉̕ț̷̔͝͝ḙ̴̏̀ ̸̞̺̅̈́P̴͎͙̎̈͝â̶̘͈̣͝t̶͎͔̏̒̚h̶̡͓̀̔͜ ̴̧̟̙͗̕L̶̦̃͗͘Ĕ̸̺̾̍Â̵͉̬͊D̵̙̾̒S̴̢̖͖͠ ̴̥͓͛̕U̸̬̽̒̄S̵͖͙͉̑̍!̸̜̾̕"

And with that, T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ found himself on the other side of the shrine, launching towards the forest. Cancelling boosters, and twisting his spinning kick into a backflip, he managed to kick off one of the trees, landing on the ground.

"Fuck!"

A hiss could be heard, and soon after, the pop of an empty canister flying out from the arm of his exoskeleton.

L̶a̴c̵y̴ let's out a satisfied grunt as she pummels the C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷ with her Mace. Standing upright, her hands morph back into their normal form, minus one pinky, but she doesn't notice as much after the retribution of her attack.

As the kid flies across the shrine, the attention of the C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷ seems to follow, so she takes the opportunity to drop down the backside of the pillar and sneaks towards the back of the shrine where she notices a stream babbling down the mountain. The presence of the water fills her with confidence as she prepares her next attack.

Biting his lips, T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ glared at the C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷, frustrated that his attempts were fruitless.

T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ closes his eyes, and takes a deep breath. Opening his eyes, a newfound sense of determination shone, shaped like the edge of a blade.

"I am who I am."

An aura began to pulsate from the chest of his exoskeleton, the birth of a blue star. The energy expanded gradually, infusing the metal with the light of its mystic power.

"The fire of the heart, the wild beast of the soul. Strength, trapped within a prison."

The metal was now completely saturated with energy, the excess spilling out of the metal like the steam from dry ice. The machine itself was spewing smoke from all of its vents. Taking one step after another towards the C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷, T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ began ripping off the limiters on his suit, one by one, tossing them away like garbage.

"I am who I am! The flame in my heart burns strong, and the wild beast inside hunts all!"

T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ halted, and took on a wide stance. With the bluish flames rolling off of his flame, it was as if he were channeling a great spirit. But it was not power borrowed from another realm.

"I AM STRENGTH!"

With deftness, T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ raised his leg in the air.

"I AM TAIZO MINAMOTO! OVERCLOCK STRIKE!"

T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ slammed his foot into the ground, injecting a frightening amount of energy into the ground. The mighty blow displaced a massive chunk of the shrine's ground, sending it into the air. In the blink of an eye, T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ lept up, and punched the boulder towards the earth, launching it right into the middle of the C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷ like a meteor.

L̶a̴c̵y̴ has to shield her eyes from the blue light cast by the kid's exo-suit until she hears the earth literally crack releasing the boulder towards the C̵̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷. The shock wave of the impact knocks her backwards into the water. From her submerged position she easily sees the blade coming for her this time like a torpedo. A quick burst of her powerful swim strokes allows her to jump and flip out of the water like a dolphin evading the knife as it streaks by.When she splashes back into the water, she floats under the surface for a few seconds gathering her strength and then uses her power to reach out both up- and down-stream pulling all nearby water towards her. As the water surges, she emerged at the surface, now the peak of a tidal wave that crashed forward into the shrine and flushes the few remaining C̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷ down the mountainous slopes. L̶a̴c̵y̴ surfed the wave calmly to the center of the shrine as the excess water drained away. She lands behind the altar, the Phoenix lying before her. Looking across from her was the kid whose eyes were also fixed on the Phoenix.

Hmmm, this could get complicated ...

Leaping on top of one of the stone pillars, T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ watches as the rest of the C̵̵o̵n̸c̷e̷p̸t̵ ̴o̵f̷ ̸Y̵a̷k̵u̶z̴a̷ washes down the hill, an undignified end to the enigmatic entity. That threat dealt with, his eyes turn towards the Phoenix, and Lacey standing beside it.

He jumps down, and walks towards the altar, steam rising every time the white hot metal of his skeleton came close to the wet stone.

"Sorry, but I'm going to need that Phoenix."

L̸̬͎̓a̵̧̪̓̆c̷̦̏̍y̵̮̔͘ cringes as the strange power of the shrine sends a shock of pain down her spike. Her identity ripping further from her soul. She grabs onto the altar to steady herself as the sizzling steps of the mechanical suit approach.

Recovering her composure, she stand up straighter and looks at her fellow shinobi. "I feared as much ... I'm sorry it has to come to this. In other circumstances, I think we could have made a good team," L̸̬͎̓a̵̧̪̓̆c̷̦̏̍y̵̮̔͘ suggests in reflection of their battles against the strange Yakuza clan.

Before she allows herself to get too sentimental, she jumps over the altar with a somersault to land between the kid and the Phoenix in a posture ready for action.

T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ leaps away as soon as L̸̬͎̓a̵̧̪̓̆c̷̦̏̍y̵̮̔͘'s feet touches the ground in front of him.

"I'm warning you. I won't hold back."

Smoke rises as T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ clenched his fist.

"I can't hold back."

"You might not be able to hold back, but let's see if I can hold you back!"

L̸̬͎̓a̵̧̪̓̆c̷̦̏̍y̵̮̔͘ raises her hands causing hundreds of undulating globules of water to slowly float up into the air from small puddles left over from the tsunami attack. Suddenly with a clap of her hands, the droplets streak towards the metal exoskeleton seeking to short-circuit whatever electronics they can find.

T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ doesn't bother dodging. Instead he takes on a horse stance. With a pulse of the exoskeleton's ki, a burst of heat radiates outwards like a miniature supernova, vaporizing every droplet of water that comes near.

"Nothing can keep me down!"

T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ leapt forwards, jets bursting out of the back of his exoskeleton. His fist flies towards L̸̬͎̓a̵̧̪̓̆c̷̦̏̍y̵̮̔͘.

L̸̬͎̓a̵̧̪̓̆c̷̦̏̍y̵̮̔͘ cartwheels out of the way just in time to avoid the large incoming white-hot mechanical glove.

"Close, but not close enough kid! Perhaps, you'd like a ride in the wave pool as well." she says as another Tsunami Wave crests above her and then comes crashing down into the shrine.

T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ says nothing, instead opting to charge up an attack. A thick beam of ki energy fires from his chest into the surging wall of water. The two forces collide. For a second, it becomes unsure which would prevail. However, sparks fly from the suit, and the beam wavered. Slowly, but surely, the wave pushed back T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸'s assault. With a flicker, the beam blipped out of existence, allowing the waves to slam into T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸.

The waters carried T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ like a leaf in a river, slamming him into one of the stone pillars. As the waters receded, T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ lay limp on the ground, suit sparking. With a groan, he attempted to stand up, but the overworked suit stiffened up, its joints rigid. Realizing that he had lost, a shout of frustration escapes T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸, ripping through the shrine's silence.

Heaving in exhaustion, T̴a̷i̷z̷o̸ covers his face with his arms. From underneath, hot tears were streaming out.

Surfing the wave to land next to the broken sparking mech-suit, the teenager sobbing uncontrollably, L̸̬͎̓a̵̧̪̓̆c̷̦̏̍y̵̮̔͘ crouches down and tussles the boy's hair, "Don't worry kid, you fought well. Learn from your mistakes and in a few more years I suspect you will be one of the great Shinobi."

"In fact, in a few years, when you've got a bit more training and fixed up this suit, and maybe old enough to take me out for a drink, then why don't you come and find me. Perhaps we can work together again, things seemed to go well for us when we work together!"

When L̸̬͎̓a̵̧̪̓̆c̷̦̏̍y̵̮̔͘ stands up she is suddenly overcome with gripping pain as the being linked to the shrine rips at her soul once again. After recovering, L̸̬͎̓a̵̧̪̓̆c̷̦̏̍y̵̮̔͘ yells to the kid with urgency, "Now get out of here before it's too late and whatever lives in this shrine takes your remaining life force!"

Turning to the center of the stone formation, the Shinobi champion struggles towards the alter, collapsing to her knees, desperately trying to hold onto her own identity. With her final strength L̸̬͎̓a̵̧̪̓̆c̷̦̏̍y̵̮̔͘ gently picks up the decrepit body of the ancient Phoenix, stands tall and holds it high above her head to bath in the final rays of the setting sun.