Dark Desire

by alwaysdoubted, NeoBlu

Summary:

A routine mission inexplicably goes haywire and places Raven in a dire predicament. The ensuing months unveiled something neither he nor Tatyana (Master Raven) expected, reshaping their views of themselves and each other.

Ch22 - Brainstorm / WIP

Chapter 1: Apprehension

New York Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital — Emergency Room | 9:35 P.M.

---

"Get the ER prepped—now!"

"All hands on deck!"

"Multiple incoming! This one's critical!"

The hospital exploded into organized chaos as sirens wailed in the distance. Doctors and nurses rushed to their stations, carts clattered across linoleum floors, and the automatic doors burst open with a metallic snap.

Paramedics surged in, pushing a gurney at full speed. The patient—bloodied, limp, and pale—was barely clinging to life.

"Clear trauma bay one!" a senior physician barked.

The body was hoisted onto the operating table. Two nurses inserted IVs into each arm with swift precision as machines hummed to life, vital signs blinking erratically across multiple monitors. A doctor in his fifties rubbed defibrillator paddles together, eyes locked on the screen.

"Clear!"

He pressed them against the patient's chest. A jolt sent the body upward—then it crashed back down. Still no heartbeat.

"Again!" he shouted.

Another shock. The monitor flatlined.

On the table lay Raven, motionless, his body riddled with three gunshot wounds as blood seeped from his side, chest, and thigh.

---

Waiting Area

The air was thick with tension and disinfectant, silence coiling around the room like a fog.

Several of the United Nations' elite operatives sat slouched in the rows of chairs, their uniforms scorched and riddled with soot, their skin bruised and scraped. Eyes stared blankly ahead, replaying a battle none of them entirely escaped.

In a corner, separated from the others, sat Master Raven, commanding officer of the UN's most covert unit. Her stare was catatonic, eyes locked on a crack in the wall. The streak of blood running from her temple had dried to a deep rust over her complexion with several faded scars. Master Raven's black and blonde braids were tied back into a high ponytail, with the sides and back of her scalp shaved clean.

Her uniform was torn in separate places, revealing a bodysuit reinforced with armored plating: pauldrons, gauntlets, greaves, and a finely crafted ninja sword strapped to her back. A cobalt muffler lay limply around her neck.

Despite a combat-hardened appearance, Master Raven resembled a ghost of herself—still, battered, and numb. She bore a mild concussion, a bruised shoulder, and two cracked ribs. By all rights, she should have been in intensive care.

Yet she refused to leave the waiting room.

The UN had deployed its top agents on a low-risk surveillance mission: to track down Jin Kazama, who had failed to purge the Devil Gene after defeating the monstrous Azazel.

Other powers had garnered the same intelligence.

Heihachi Mishima sent the Irish assassin Nina Williams and his Tekken Force to obtain his grandson's body. From the shadows, Sergei Dragunov and his Russian unit moved in. Their collision turned the mission into an open warzone, forcing the UN to dispatch Master Raven and Raven to intercept.

In the chaos, Nina engaged Master Raven, the two dancing through combat: precise, deadly, and evenly matched. Meanwhile, Raven clashed with Dragunov in a brutal stalemate.

Then everything unraveled as explosions tore through the streets amid echoing gunfire.

A sudden bang jolted everyone in the waiting room.

A squad of men marched in, their business suits sharp and their faces unreadable. At their head was Dwight Jones, Director of UN Special Operations, in his mid-forties. His tailored attire did nothing to conceal the storm in his eyes. He made a beeline for the battered squad.

"What the hell happened out there?" he growled. "One of our top agents is on the table, fighting for his life. Start talking."

A soldier stepped forward, his voice firm but weary. "Sir, we were caught in the crossfire—Russian military, the Mishima Zaibatsu—"

"I know who was involved!" Dwight snapped. "It was supposed to be a simple recon mission."

Master Raven rose to her feet and walked straight to him, her limp barely noticeable. "You're looking for someone to blame? Blame me."

Jones's posture softened as he studied her for a beat before nodding slightly. "Go on."

"Nina Williams got in my way before the others could regroup. Then Dragunov's squad hit us from the flank, leaving us outnumbered. Raven and I held them off, but he pushed me out of the line of fire when I lost balance and took three rounds."

Her voice wavered, barely. She clutched her shoulder and winced, eyes closed as the memory stabbed through her.

Dwight exhaled slowly as his voice dropped. "Everyone—go get checked out. That's an order."

No one protested as the squad stood and shuffled off, shoulders slumped.

As Master Raven turned to leave, Dwight raised a hand. "Follow me."

His request offered no protest.

Outside the OR, the hallway was sterile and still. Through the double doors, doctors hovered over Raven's bloodied form to perform emergency surgery. Master Raven stood frozen, unable to look as her mouth trembled with angst. Her top subordinate was on his possible deathbed.

Dwight placed a hand on her shoulder. "Tatyana..."

Her breath caught. Dwight never used her real name. Ever.

"This wasn't your fault. I gave the order to find out where Kazama was being kept and unknowingly sent you all into a death trap. I didn't think it through—and now Raven's paying the price for my mistake."

He stared toward the OR doors, jaw clenched. "Everyone on this mission is going on medical leave. You included. We'll monitor Raven and update you as soon as we know anything."

"But—"

"No. Get treatment, go home, and rest."

Tatyana hesitated, her voice barely rose above a whisper. "And if he doesn't make it? What happens to the team?"

Dwight didn't glance at her and placed his hands in his pockets, speaking with quiet finality. "They've tied my hands. I'll have no choice but to disband it."

His words cut through the kunoichi's soul as her sword did through even the densest metal.

"I'm sorry, Tatyana."

Without another word, Dwight turned and walked away, disappearing into the parking lot beyond the sliding doors. Tatyana remained alone in the hallway, her mind spiraling.

'Why?' she thought, watching the faint outline of Raven's body through the frosted glass. 'Why would he sacrifice himself for me?'

The impending silence pressed in, heavy and absolute, with no answers.

---

Manhattan | 1:16 A.M.

Tatyana moved briskly through the quiet streets on Manhattan's fringe, the city's towering lights glittering behind her like distant stars. Dressed down in fitted black jeans, soft flats, and a white long-sleeved shirt, she looked more civilian than ninja. Her mission uniform was stuffed inside a duffel bag slung over one shoulder. Her sword, however, remained strapped across her back—a habit that refused to die.

She reached her building and ascended the stairs with a sluggish gait. Keys jingled in her hand as she unlocked the door.

The loft welcomed her with silence and a panoramic view of New York's skyline, casting soft reflections on polished floors and modern furnishings. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathed the space in ambient city light. The kitchen was pristine—barely used save for a row of glasses, a collection of takeout menus, and a mini-fridge in the corner stocked with strong liquor.

Tatyana rarely drank. Tonight, she didn't hesitate.

She dropped the duffel by the door, crossed to the fridge, and pulled out a bottle of aged whiskey. After setting a glass on the counter, she poured two fingers and downed it in one go. The burn coursed down her throat like fire, but it didn't scorch enough.

Afterward, Tatyana grabbed the bottle, headed to the living room, and collapsed into a plush brown chair facing a massive flat-screen TV. The remote sat untouched on the glass coffee table as she grabbed it and turned on the news.

"Breaking tonight: devastation rocked the city as Russian operatives, forces from the Mishima Zaibatsu, and UN Special Operations collided in what officials are calling a 'black zone conflict.' The firefight lasted nearly an hour and left dozens injured, the latest in a string of global escalations stemming from the Devil Gene conflict..."

Tatyana tuned out the news anchor, their words washing over her like static. She sipped again—slower this time. Her jaw clenched at the aftertaste despite welcoming the discomfort that kept her from remembering.

Except it didn't.

---

Hours Earlier

The chaos blurred together—gunfire, smoke, the deafening blast of a tank shell.

But one moment stood in sharp clarity.

Raven.

Appearing like a shadow out of nowhere and shoving her to the ground as bullets shredded through the air. Three of them were buried deep into Raven's chest before he collapsed.  Master Raven caught him—barely. Her breath hitched. Her heart stopped, his blood already soaking her gloves. She didn't, or rather couldn't, scream as direct orders left her lips before panic took hold.  Three agents rushed to evacuate Raven. She turned her back on him—on the bleeding, broken man who had saved her—and returned to the inferno.

A Zaibatsu tank opened fire, the missile leveling two blocks in seconds. The heat seared her skin. The blast rocked her off balance. Somehow, all her remaining operatives survived.

The dust settled, and there they were: Nina, Dragunov, and Tatyana.

A silent triangle of war.

Dragunov, inscrutable as always, gave a curt nod—then disappeared into the flames like a phantom.

Nina stayed, brushing ash off her shoulder.  "You gave me a run for my money. We'll have to do this again sometime."  She then paused, her glance shifting toward the blood on Tatyana's uniform, her lip curling  in that signature smirk .  "Sorry about your boyfriend."

The utter audacity.

Tatyana's blade was already half-drawn. Her muscles coiled, blood boiling—but she froze. Raven was still out there and bleeding.  She glared before  vanishing,  teleporting near the hospital's entrance before bursting through the doors. Doctors and nurses scrambled inside. The smell of antiseptic and iron hit her like a wall.

And there was Raven, u nconscious on the gurney.  A team of medics hovered over him, his chest wrapped in fresh gauze, soaked crimson with shallow breaths, one arm dangling limply off the side.

For the first time that night, Master Raven's composure cracked as t ears slid down her cheeks, uninvited and unnoticed.

---

Tatyana dragged her fingers across her temple, pressing hard as if pain could erase memory. She stared at the TV, but it had long gone black—just her reflection, warped and glassy, staring back.

Raven had always followed protocol to the letter, embodying the mission-first ethos. Cold, efficient, unshakably loyal to duty, but never to her. And yet, he'd thrown himself between her and death.

Why now?

She was his commanding officer. Trained to endure and survive, never to need saving. Raven knew and believed in that. And still, he chose to break every rule for her.

'Was I so blind and unaware?'

If he died, Tatyana would never have the answer. That uncertainty burned worse than any whiskey.

She thought briefly of returning to the hospital, demanding an update and a reason. But her limbs were heavy, her mind fogged, and her body fatigued. The whiskey blurred the edges of everything. Even if she got there, Raven was in no condition to speak.

Resigned to that knowledge, Tatyana dragged herself upstairs. The sword, now unlatched, lay beside the nearby nightstand like a ghost of her duty. She collapsed onto her king-sized bed, still in her jeans and shirt, not bothering to change. Her muscles ached with throbbing ribs. But it was nothing compared to the storm raging inside her chest.

Tatyana had trained her entire life to suppress fear and conceal her emotions beneath a veneer of calculation. But now—here, alone—one feeling pushed past the others. Something raw and unexpected.

Heartbreak.

Chapter 2: Epiphany

Two Days Later | 3:25 P.M.

Soft golden light filtered through half-drawn curtains, casting long streaks across the loft's polished floors. The Manhattan skyline, bathed in a sunrise glow, remained a breathtaking sight. Still, no view or fresh start could erase the failures of the latest mission.

Tatyana stirred as sunlight brushed her face. No hangover, surprisingly—not that a migraine would've mattered. Still in yesterday's clothes, her body ached, stiff with stress and exhaustion.

She needed a shower.

Moments later, steam filled the bathroom. The hot water hit Tatyana's skin like a balm. She lathered soap over her mahogany complexion, letting the water cascade down her back, as she tried to scrub away more than just sweat and grime. The shower lasted nearly half an hour, but it didn't cleanse the guilt.

Toweled off and changed into fresh clothes—black joggers and a navy tank top with her hair back in its usual high ponytail—Tatyana made her way downstairs. Her stomach growled as she opened the fridge and grabbed an apple. She had barely taken a second bite when the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

Someone else was here.

Without hesitation, Tatyana teleported into the living room and froze. A man stood silently near the fireplace, his back turned: familiar, still, unshakable.

"Raven!?"

He turned slowly—bandages wrapped over his right shoulder and chest, exactly where the bullets had struck. And yet, there he stood as if nothing harrowing ensued.

"I figured to find you here."

The shock wore off quickly for Tatyana, giving way to agitation. "What the hell are you doing here!? You're supposed to be recuperating!"

He raised his uninjured hand in calm dismissal. "I'm fine. It's just—"

"Just three gunshot wounds?" Her voice cut like a blade. "Since when is that something you shake off!?"

Raven had seen Tatyana angry before, but never like this. Her rage, while genuine, was tempered by worry. Relief clung to the edges of her voice, though she masked it well.

She crossed her arms tightly. "Let me rephrase. Why are you here?"

Raven moved to the couch and lowered himself with deliberate care. "The doctors said I wasn't going to make it. But they were wrong. I recover fast, and I couldn't stay in that hospital any longer."

Her expression softened, but only slightly. "Even so, you don't just walk away from injuries like that in less than a day. And don't tell me it's nothing—"

"It's been two days," Raven interrupted. "Not one."

Tatyana blinked. Two? That couldn't be. She glanced at the whiskey bottle still sitting on the glass table—empty.

'Never again,' Tatyana scolded herself, tossing the empty bottle in the trash.

She hated being caught off guard, especially by him. There were plenty of things to regret about that night—but none more than Raven seeing her like this: disoriented, distracted, unprepared.

Tatyana sat beside him, composing herself. "For the record, I don't appreciate you waltzing into my apartment unannounced."

"I had reason," Raven replied. "Your front door wasn't locked, and the alarm wasn't initiated."

That hit harder than expected. Tatyana always secured her home before bed.

Silence settled between them, thick and uncomfortable. Raven looked out toward the balcony view. His stoic demeanor never changed, but something about it felt heavier.

"I get why you didn't want to stay at the hospital," Tatyana finally said. "But why come here? I'm not the one who took bullets."

"Funny..." Raven said flatly. "...coming from someone who blacked out drinking."

She winced. Fair.

"I didn't want to talk to Jones, let alone sit through a debrief. The hospital was torture enough with everything going haywire. I needed quiet." He looked at her. "But I can leave if I'm intruding on your privacy."

"No, it's... fine," Tatyana conceded, tension ebbing. "Can I get you something? Water? Fruit?"

"Water with no ice, please."

She left for the kitchen and returned with two glasses, handing one to him. He watched her as she sat composed again, but only on the surface. Beneath, the same storm brewed.

"I'm glad you're recovering." Tatyana took a small sip. "But part of me thought you wouldn't make it, as much as I wanted to lie to myself. I still feel guilty that you took those shots for me. That should've never happened."

For a moment, Raven didn't speak while studying her. "I accept your apology," he said at last. "But I'm also to blame for not getting there soon enough."

"You never should've needed to."

Tatyana sank back into the cushions, sighing. So much unspoken tension had lingered between them until now. She let out a small, tired laugh.

"What?" Raven asked.

"Nothing... Just thinking how a restart might be wise." She glanced at his bandages. "But you still don't look like someone ready for active duty."

"I'm more than ready. I've had worse."

Tatyana frowned. "Then why risk your life for me? You, of all people, know how much I hate owing someone. And this is a debt I can't ignore."

"I can't explain it clearly," Raven admitted. "Instinct, maybe. Orders didn't matter in that moment."

She stared at him, absorbing the weight of his words.

Raven hesitated. Then:

"We've worked together for years. You're the one person I trust without question. I'm not ready to lose that. Maybe I don't show it often, but I value whatever this is."

That caught Tatyana off guard. Raven never said things like this aloud.

"Our team's seen too much loss. I've made peace with the past. I don't want to repeat it."

She nodded slowly. "Master's death wasn't our fault."

"And I've accepted that. But the mission ahead won't be easy. We'll need to watch each other's backs more than ever."

The clock read just past 4:00 P.M. Hours had passed unnoticed in conversation. The tension was gone now, replaced by something quieter—an understanding neither had expected.

Raven checked his wristwatch. "It's getting late. I should go."

"To where?"

"HQ, to finish recuperating per Jones's directive. At least until we figure out our next move."

He stood, took his glass to the sink, and headed toward the front door.

Tatyana followed. "Wait..."

He turned.

She stepped closer. "I'm... glad you're okay. And thanks for having my back."

Raven gave her a slight nod. "You'd have done the same. Call me if you need anything or if something arises."

He opened the door and stepped out. Tatyana closed it behind him, then leaned her back against the wood. Her eyes shut, mind racing. Their conversation stirred something—confusion, clarity, and perhaps something more.

'Dwelling won't help. It's best to let time decide the next move.'

Chapter 3: Mishap

New York UN HQ Training Facility — One Month Later | 8:07 A.M.

A powerful punch slammed into the heavy bag, causing it to sway wildly on its chain. Another blow followed—stronger, more precise—ripping it clean off its hinges. The bag flew across the room before crashing into a corner, rupturing on impact. Sand spilled across the padded mat in a slow, steady stream.

Raven exhaled through gritted teeth, leveling his breathing. It was the fourth bag he'd destroyed in less than two hours. His sweat-soaked skin glistened under the overhead lights. His body screamed for rest, but he kept pushing despite his left shoulder throbbing in protest and still healing. The range of motion wasn't entirely back, but he worked through the pain.

'I shouldn't be surprised.'

No one at the New York branch trained harder. Raven was disciplined to a fault, relentless, and obsessed with efficiency and perfection. The only one who matched his work ethic was his superior.

Master Raven.

They had barely exchanged words over the past month, limiting interaction to mission debriefs and operational updates. After the clash with the Zaibatsu and the Russian military, both factions had retreated—silently, but clearly regrouping.

Raven knew it wasn't over. The quiet before the next storm. And that's why he was here: training in preparation.

Their next operation was imminent—a covert infiltration of a Spetsnaz weapons facility. High-risk, high-reward. And potentially deadly.

"There you are."

He didn't need to turn to recognize the voice.

Master Raven leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, observing quietly. She wore a modified version of her mission uniform—sleek, flexible, and unmistakably hers.

"You didn't answer your pager," she remarked.

"You found me," Raven replied without turning, continuing to stretch. "That means I wasn't lost."

"I came to check on you." Master Raven's gaze shifted to the broken punching bags piled in the corner, her brow arching. "There's a quota you're trying to hit?"

Raven shrugged. "Just working out the discomfort. Helps me focus."

"Want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Stop being an asshole. I'm not accusing you of anything."

His lips pressed into a tight line, and a long pause followed. The last time they'd spoken this candidly was at the loft, which hadn't been revisited since.

Tatyana exhaled. "Well?"

"Apologies," Raven relented, finally turning to face her. "I've been... thinking about what you said. About not dwelling on the Master's passing. Easier said than done."

She approached, placing a hand gently on his shoulder. "I think about him more than I'd like to admit. But you know what he would've told us—don't waste time worrying about what we can't change. Regret wasn't in his vocabulary, and he doesn't want us stuck in the past."

Raven didn't respond. His stoicism rarely cracked, but Tatyana studied people well. His body language revealed everything he didn't say.

"Let's meditate and spar to clear your head," Tatyana suggested.

He nodded, subdued.

They sat cross-legged on the floor. Raven closed his eyes, letting his mind drift. At first, he envisioned Dragunov—the expressionless menace who always loomed like a ghost. Their encounters never ended cleanly, and Raven knew they'd meet again.

But then his thoughts drifted to the moment he shielded Tatyana from enemy fire, the present strain between them, and the questions that remained unanswered.

He opened his eyes to see Tatyana already standing, stretching. The way her body moved—fluidly controlled—spoke of years of discipline. He stared for a moment longer than anticipated.

"It's impolite to stare," Tatyana teased.

Raven blinked, caught.

She smirked. "Relax, just messing with you. Ready?"

He gave a wordless nod as they took their stances.

Silence.

Then movement—swift and precise. No wasted motion as blades danced. Each one testing the other with calculated strikes. It was more than a spar; a chess match of warriors who perceived the other's every rhythm.

For the first time since the incident, Raven felt alive.

Tatyana's eyes sparked with intensity. Momentarily, she looked less like a commanding officer and more like a rival from their younger days—back when competition was everything.

That flicker of nostalgia cost Raven.

A sharp kick cracked across his jaw, knocking his glasses askew. Dazed, he barely recovered in time to block a follow-up sword strike and rolled backward, unsheathing both blades.

"You've got more than that, Raven," Master Raven taunted.

He surged forward, deflecting her next strike. They clashed again, steel ringing, each pushing the other to the edge. He landed a few blows to her midsection, but she remained relentless.

Raven moved with power, but Tatyana had the edge in agility.

Tatyana ducked under a swing and pivoted into a sweeping kick—but her foot connected with Raven's injured shoulder.

CRACK.

The blade held in that hand narrowly missed nicking Tatyana's forehead, falling with a clang. Raven cursed in pain, collapsing to one knee after his shoulder was dislocated upon impact.

Tatyana's heart stopped, and the color drained from her face. She dropped beside him, helping him sit upright as he clutched his shoulder.

"Dammit... I wasn't thinking," she hissed, activating her comm. "Tyra, it's Tatyana. I need medics in the training room."

Turning back to him, Tatyana reached for his arm. "Let me—"

"Pop it back in," Raven grunted.

She blinked. "What?"

"Just do it."

She hesitated, then carefully gripped the dangling shoulder. "Hold still."

One firm push. Another groan.

The shoulder slid back into place with a sickening pop. Raven's jaw clenched in agony. He didn't scream—but the tremor in his breathing said enough.

Seconds later, Tyra and the medics burst into the room, prompting Tatyana to step aside.

---

Medical Ward | Later

The halls were too quiet, morbid.

Tatyana sat alone outside Raven's designated room, elbows on knees, hands clasped together, head bowed in reflection. Her recklessness had proved costly again. It wasn't supposed to escalate during the sparring session—not to that level. She hadn't meant for things to go so far, yet they had.

And Raven paid for it.

The scans had shown a clean dislocation—painful, but not permanent. Still, recovery would take time that they didn't have. The upcoming infiltration mission loomed closer, and Raven couldn't board that assignment unless fully healed.

'What the hell is wrong with me?'

No reasonable answer came.

Master Raven couldn't justify her lapse in judgment. Maybe she'd been trying to prove something or was still emotionally unbalanced.

Raven had every right to be angry. And though he hadn't lashed out, his silence cut deeper than any reprimand.

Tyra chose not to pursue the matter after learning the details. Not her business, she'd said—and she was right. This incident wasn't about protocol.

It was personal.

Tatyana wasn't sure what good confronting him would do, but she had to try. He needed to know they were still on solid ground—if not as commanding officer and agent, then as people.

Inside, Raven lay still, his gaze locked on the ceiling tiles above. His left arm rested in a sling, his chest bandaged tightly beneath the hospital gown. The doctor had prescribed heavy painkillers, estimating his recovery at a week—maybe less, given his resilience.

A soft knock pulled him from his thoughts. "Come in," he called.

The door opened, and Raven expected a nurse.

It wasn't.

Master Raven entered with quiet steps, closing the door gently behind her. Even the usually unreadable Raven couldn't hide his surprise.

"How are you feeling?"

"Could be better," he replied.

She moved to his bedside and pulled a chair closer, the silence between them holding weight.

"The doctors told me about your injury." Master Raven's eyes went downcast. "You suffered a near-complete dislocation. Fortunately, it wasn't worse."

She exhaled, jaw tight. "It was my fault. I pushed the spar too far. I ignored the fact that you weren't fully healed. I—"

"You don't need to apologize," Raven interrupted.

"Yes, I do," she insisted. "You're my responsibility. And I let my pride override my judgment, which is unacceptable."

Raven shifted, the movement stiff but manageable. "I could've said no. I knew I wasn't a hundred percent, but accepted anyway."

He paused, then added, almost absently: "It's been a while since we... trained together."

Tatyana's brow lifted subtly at his hesitation. He didn't finish the sentence or clarify what he meant. And yet, somehow, she understood.

A long silence followed before Tatyana stood. "I should go."

"Stay."

The word hit her like a gust of wind. Raven had never said that to her—not in all their years.

She sat back down wordlessly.

"Can we talk about it?" Tatyana asked after a moment. "Our spar wasn't normal, and you and I both know something shifted."

"A moment of hesitation," Raven replied. "That's all."

"Raven..." Her voice softened. "You threw yourself in front of bullets for me. That wasn't reflex or even protocol. I've seen how you operate—you don't take unnecessary risks."

"It wasn't unnecessary," he said quietly.

Her heart skipped a beat, but he didn't say more. And she didn't push.

---

Flashback

"Ugh!"

Master Raven skidded across the ground, her breath knocked from her lungs after a sharp kick to the gut from Nina. She grunted, catching herself with one hand while gripping her side, pain blooming beneath her palm.

A sharp inhale.

Her commlink suddenly crackled to life. "All—field agents, retre—It's... a death tr—!"

She blinked. "What!?"

Before Master Raven could process Dwight's garbled warning, someone slammed into her from behind—hard.

Pow!

Pow!

Pow!

The gunfire rang out in brutal succession.

Spinning, Master Raven caught him—Raven—just before he collapsed, blood pouring from three gunshot wounds.

---

"How were we supposed to know it was a trap?"

"I didn't want anyone getting hurt..."

"Quit dancing around and say what you really mean!"

"Maybe I can't say it!"

"Why!?"

The room grew still. Raven stood frozen, struggling to untangle thoughts he had long buried under silence and duty.

Master Raven waited, gaze steady but searching. She'd always known things were complicated between them. It wasn't just the usual briefing room interactions, nor the silent understanding shared on the battlefield. There was something unspoken, heavy, and unresolved.

Each was running out of excuses.

"We can't keep ignoring this... thing between us," Master Raven stated, voice low. "It'll keep coming back stronger until one of us breaks."

A breath escaped Raven, slow and shaky. One he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"Fine," he conceded. "I didn't want anyone getting hurt or killed, especially you. I understand that casualties are part of what we do, but that mission, and what happened after... I haven't been able to think clearly since. You've been on my mind more than I'm willing to admit. And I—"

She stepped closer, nodding slowly. "It seems we both feel the same. I didn't understand why you stepped in front of those bullets then. But now I do, and I'm glad you did."

"Where do we go from here? What do we even call this?"

They stood at the edge of something uncharted, unlabeled. Most would have buried and ignored it, but not them, after everything they had been through.

Master Raven gave a small, thoughtful smile before rising from her chair. "This doesn't need a name for now. But my door's open if you want to talk again."

Raven nodded, grateful. "Thanks... Tatyana."

She paused with an arched eyebrow, faint amusement dancing in her eyes. "Don't get used to calling me that."

Chapter 4: Infiltration

UN HQ, New York — Three Weeks Later | 3:41 P.M.

Tatyana found herself in unfamiliar territory—not on a battlefield or in a high-stakes infiltration. But staring at her laptop, knee-deep in a pile of mundane paperwork and bureaucratic posturing.

Her eyes glazed over as she sifted through reports—until a series of beeps stole her attention. A live surveillance feed blinked onto her screen, showing a team of Tekken Force soldiers loading crates of weaponry onto a military-grade transport plane.

Curious, Tatyana tapped the camera icon to expand the feed.

"Move it! We need this stuff in Hokkaido ASAP!"

Tatyana raised a brow. 'Hokkaido? What could Heihachi be planning there?'

Before she could speculate further, a notification pinged—a message from her most trusted informants.

I have something if you have time to talk.

Tatyana typed her reply. Where and when?

Two days from now. Shinjuku.

---

Shinjuku, Japan — Two Days Later | 10:52 A.M.

Tatyana—now in her Master Raven identity—approached a roadside café tucked discreetly between high-end boutiques and ramen stalls.

At a corner table sat a man in a black hoodie and crimson cap, sipping from a cup of coffee like he had all the time in the world. He spotted her instantly, subtlety never being his strength. But who could complain about the results he produced every time?

"This place is too bright for your taste," Tatyana greeted, slipping into the chair across from him.

He chuckled. "Nice to know you didn't ghost me. You're easier to track when you stick to your 'atypical.'"

"What've you got?"

He leaned forward, his voice dropping. "Word is... The Mishima Zaibatsu is attending a conference summit. Not just a run-of-the-mill either—this one's got global weight. Every country involved in the rising conflict is sending someone."

Tatyana's brow furrowed. "Is Heihachi here?"

"Can't say for sure. But I saw Nina Williams near the venue more than once."

"Odd. This kind of summit requires a figurehead—someone with authority and status. If Nina's attending in Heihachi's place, he's either hiding or putting up a front."

"Exactly. Something feels off." He reached under the table and passed her a backpack. "Your suit, blade, encrypted earpiece, and casual wear. You'll stand out too much otherwise."

She took it, arching an eyebrow. "What's wrong with my uniform?"

"You look like you're about to assassinate a diplomat, not blend into a crowd."

Tatyana smirked faintly. "Fair enough. Keep investigating."

---

Hotel District | Midday

Tatyana merged into the crowd, now dressed in a fitted white turtleneck with the sleeves rolled up, dark jeans, and clean sneakers. A pair of dark sunglasses sat atop her head, and her locs were worn down, flowing freely across her shoulders. The comms device in her ear was barely visible.

The streets were alive—vendors calling out, traffic humming, chatter swirling around like wind. But her mind was elsewhere.

"I didn't want to lose you that night—not just as my subordinate."

"What do we even call this?"

The words echoed louder than the city.

It still surprised Tatyana—how Raven had admitted not just the act of protecting her, but the feeling behind it. He rarely spoke plainly, and it was rarer still that she didn't push him away.

---

Pre-Mission | Two Weeks Ago

Master Raven stood in her office, tying her dreadlocks into a high ponytail. Raven watched quietly from across the room.

"I don't want you going on that mission," she expressed, not looking at him.

"You think I can't handle it?" Raven adjusted his gloves. "Worried I'll screw it up?"

She turned to him sharply, her expression unreadable—half irritation, half concern. "It's not the mission I'm concerned about. It's you."

He said nothing.

"You're not fully healed. I'd go in your place if it wouldn't raise suspicion about us."

"Blame Dwight. He signed off."

"He wouldn't have unless you pushed for it." She tossed a tie onto the couch, too frustrated to put it on.

"You're worried we won't come back."

Master Raven's hands paused mid-adjustment. That struck too close.

He stepped closer. "We'll return without delay."

"You speak like it's guaranteed," she murmured.

"It's recon and infiltration, each of which I excel in."

"Not with your condition. We both know that."

"Tatyana..."

Her name hung in the air, unfamiliar in his mouth—but not unwelcome.

She tensed, which Raven noticed, unable to hide the tremble in her shoulders anymore. Her uniform no longer shielded her as it once did.

"I promise we'll all return," Raven vowed.

Tatyana finally looked at him, her expression softening. "Okay. But call me immediately if something goes wrong."

Raven nodded. "Understood."

---

Tatyana exhaled deeply as she crossed a pedestrian walkway, eyes scanning the crowd. The mission ahead was critical—but so was everything unspoken between them. She hated distractions, especially emotional ones. But she couldn't ignore this.

Suddenly, Tatyana's head snapped upward, her instincts flaring in response to a familiar aura: cold, detached, predatory. Tatyana pressed her back against a nearby pillar, tilting her head just enough to survey the lobby through the glass doors.

Nina Williams.

She emerged from the hotel dressed in a fitted black business suit, heels clicking on polished tile with piercing, glacial eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. Flanked by a security detail of heavily armed Tekken Force soldiers, she exuded a menacing authority.

Tatyana's jaw tightened, her fist instinctively clenching at her side. She had no interest in reviving a petty rivalry—not when the stakes were this high. But that didn't mean she had forgotten Nina's nearly indirect killing of Raven. She wouldn't refuse a rematch without interference.

She watched silently as the entourage moved outside and climbed into a convoy of armored black Escalades. Tatyana slipped into the shadows of a nearby alley, then leapt upward, scaling the building like a phantom.

From the rooftop, Tatyana trailed the motorcade, bounding from one building to the next, keeping to the shadows until the vehicles pulled into the underground garage of a nearby luxury hotel.

'Almost There...'

Tatyana crouched near the rooftop's edge, ready to descend and track Nina's path to her suite. Just as she prepared to move—

"Agent." The voice crackled in her left earpiece. "We need confirmation on Tekken Force activity in Hokkaido. Immediately."

She exhaled, low and sharp. So close. "Understood."

Poof.

With a burst of wind and light, Tatyana disappeared.

---

Hokkaido | Several Hours Later

Reappearing on a distant rooftop, the wind tugging at her hair, Tatyana's eyes scanned the snowy landscape.

Below, a massive Tekken Force compound had taken over the outer perimeter of what used to be Violet Systems' testing facility. Their emblem was stamped across cargo crates, temporary towers, and armored transports.

From her perch, Tatyana zoomed in with her visor. She spotted a silver-haired man speaking to one of the soldiers—his profile unmistakable.

Lee Chaolan

CEO of Violet Systems

Heihachi's adopted son & Kazuya's adoptive brother

Her eyes narrowed. 'What the hell is Heihachi planning?'

---

Siberian Wilderness  —  Operation: Ice Veil  | 2:46 A.M.

The moon hovered high over the frostbitten expanse, casting silver light across the skeletal trees and the angular shadows of a military compound tucked deep in Russia's buried tundra. The Spetsnaz weapons facility rose from the snow like a dormant beast—silent, fortified, and coiled with menace.

Raven stood at the tree line, arms folded, posture unreadable. Ice crunched under his boots as he scanned the high walls, gun turrets, and roving patrols. Behind him, his handpicked strike team crouched low in the underbrush, layered in cold-absorbent stealth gear.

Intel was clear: Infiltrate the facility. Destroy the weapons cache. Extract intel on the Spetsnaz's connection to G Corp and/or the Mishima Zaibatsu.

Raven spoke in a tone as sharp as the wind cutting through the trees. "Remain vigilant. This place is wrapped in layered security. You know your parts. In and out—no errors."

Mia, his second-in-command and tech specialist, adjusted her headset, fingers dancing across a tablet's screen. "Main entry's crawling with guards. Thermal shows six outside, three on the catwalk, and two on rotation. We'll need to go around."

Raven pointed to a narrow trench snaking behind the compound, half-buried in snow and shadow. "Utility crawlspace under the fuel depot. We breach from below."

Without another word, the team melted into the forest.

They moved like phantoms—barely disturbing the snow as they slinked from cover to cover. Raven took point, his motion fluid, every step measured.

Behind him: Mia, watching guard rotations via her live feed. Carlos, a demolition expert with C4 strapped to his belt. Sarah, medic and field sharpshooter. Two additional operatives—quiet, lethal, precise.

A passing patrol marched fifty feet ahead. The team dropped flat. Only the breeze moved.

Once the coast cleared, they slipped into the trench and reached a steel grate guarding the crawlspace. Carlos pulled a magnetic cutter from his pouch and sliced a silent hole.

Click. Slide. Gone.

One by one, they slipped into the facility's underbelly.

Inside, the factory was a maze of metal and steam—narrow corridors coiled like intestines, broken only by the rhythmic thrum of machinery.

Raven raised a fist—halt. Footsteps approached, belonging to a pair of Spetsnaz guards turning the corner. Two swift strikes resulted in silent takedowns. The bodies were stowed out of sight, not a whisper left behind.

"I'm into their camera system, looping patrol feeds," Mia whispered. "Three-minute window."

"Carlos, prep charges. Sarah—eyes on that west corridor."

The team fanned out, planting explosives beneath rows of munitions crates stamped with Cyrillic identifiers and symbols Raven recognized too well—Zaibatsu markings.

"Confirmed," Sarah murmured. "G Corp tech mixed in, a joint operation."

"Heihachi's fingerprints are all over this," Raven muttered.

Advancing further, something tugged at his gut. Not nerves, but a recent memory.

Dragunov.

Their last encounter still echoed in his bones: The cracked rib. The blood-choked silence of a fight neither of them won.

Raven scanned every shadow. 'He's here. I feel it.'

But there was no time to hunt ghosts as the team regrouped in a storage bay.

Mia studied her screen, eyes narrowing. "Signal interference. We're being jammed."

Before Raven could respond—

WEOOOOOOHH!

The base erupted in klaxons, red strobes flashing as steel doors slammed shut behind them.

"We're blown!" Mia shouted. "Multiple tangos inbound!"

"Fall back!" Raven barked.

Guards stormed the corridors, shouting orders, opening fire. Carlos hurled smoke grenades, and the world vanished into choking gray.

Through the chaos, Raven's voice cut through: "Stick to pairs! Follow the marked route! Mia—guide us!"

Using thermal imaging from her tablet, Mia led them through maintenance shafts and catwalks. Explosions rocked the facility as Carlos's charges detonated, sending fireballs roaring through the lower levels.

One operative went down—non-fatal. Sarah dragged him to cover, providing suppressive fire while Raven cut down a pair of guards with his twin blades.

"Jet is four klicks east!" Mia yelled. "Auto-pilot's warming up!"

Breathless, bloodied, but unbroken, the team escaped through a side exit and sprinted into the snow-covered wild. Chased by gunfire and floodlights, they moved like shadows beneath the moonlight. Within minutes, they reached a clearing.

Their jet waited, engines roaring with the latch open.

They dove aboard as the landing ramp sealed behind them. The aircraft lifted, cutting through the frozen air like a bullet. Below, the facility burned.

Mission accomplished.

The hum of the engines was a lullaby of relief. Inside, the team sat in silence—some wrapping wounds, others simply breathing.

Raven checked each face. All alive, shaken, but standing. "Everyone okay?"

Carlos, bruised and bleeding, offered a crooked smile. "Still in one piece, boss."

Mia, slouched against a bulkhead with her tablet on her lap, nodded. "You pulled us through another hellhole."

Raven placed a hand on Carlos's shoulder, nodded at Sarah, then turned toward the cockpit. He opened a secure line. "UN HQ, this is Raven. Operation Ice Veil was successful, with the factory destroyed to disrupt the next arms deal. Additional intel secured."

The voice on the other end crackled through the comms. "Copy that, Agent Raven. Proceed to debrief upon arrival. Also, Master Raven has requested your presence."

Raven raised an eyebrow and leaned back in the seat. 'Of course she did.'

Notes:

Finally back after a longer than intended hiatus! Glad to get this next chapter out with help from a talented writer in her own right! Thanks again, NeoBlu, for your help and assistance!

Chapter 5: Exposure

Chapter by alwaysdoubted

Kobe, Japan — Ichitani Hotel 1st Floor Courtyard | 5:13 P.M.

The lounge lights were low, bathing the space in a warm amber haze. Master Raven sat alone at a corner table, a neat stack of files from the New York hub spread before her. Her gloved fingers turned each page with methodical precision, but one folder refused to let her pass it by.

Lee Chaolan—CEO of Violet Systems. Public mogul and an enigma wrapped in polished, eccentric charm.

Her gaze lingered on a clipped interview transcript, the only one Lee had granted in years. The words weren't just boastful—but calculated, meant to be heard by the right ears.

"After uncovering the truth about Kazuya and the Devil Gene, I was exiled from the Mishima family. Heihachi Mishima? A minor obstacle. The Zaibatsu is a mere stepping stone, and I will use its every misstep to my advantage."

The statement read like a chess player announcing his next move—confident, recognizing the board was already tilting in his favor. Even one piece shifting could redraw the entire map of a volatile network of alliances, betrayals, and supernatural power struggles.

Master Raven closed the folder with a muted snap, her senses already catching the faint rhythm of approaching footsteps. Her head turned slightly—three silhouettes entering from the courtyard, the sharp edges of their movement identifying them long before their faces did.

The team, back in one piece.

"You made it back," she said evenly, scanning their faces for signs of injury.

Sarah dropped into a seat with a tired grin. "Wasn't easy. Raven pulled us out when things got ugly."

Master Raven gave a single nod, her expression unreadable. "Take the night off. You've earned it."

"Thanks, Master," Mia said, her voice carrying exhaustion.

The trio began to drift toward the exit, but Mia slowed when she realized Raven wasn't moving. "You're not coming?"

He glanced over his shoulder, voice calm but final. "Negative. I'll catch up later."

Mia studied him for a moment, then nodded and followed the others out. The glass doors closed behind them, leaving only silence—and the quiet weight of the unspoken—between the two remaining operatives.

They moved toward the lounge's glass exit, the muted reflections of city lights playing across the glass. Master Raven led without turning back, speaking only when the low hum of the courtyard fountain masked their voices.

"Glad you arrived promptly."

"HQ said you wanted to see me."

"That I did." She opened the door, letting the cool evening air roll in. "This conversation is better kept in private."

Her gaze was forward, but the faintest flicker of relief crossed her eyes, gone before he could be certain it was ever there.

---

Private Penthouse Suite — Ichitani Hotel | 5:24 P.M.

The elevator doors whispered open to the muted luxury of the penthouse as city lights spilled in through floor-to-ceiling windows, painting long streaks of amber and cobalt across the polished wood floors.

Master Raven walked ahead without a word, loosening the dark red tie at her neck. The faint scent of cedar incense lingered in the air, curling upward like silent smoke signals.

"How's your shoulder?" she asked, still facing the window.

Raven studied her reflection in the glass before answering. "Sore, but manageable."

Master Raven turned, expression unreadable. "The intel from Siberia will shift the balance against Spetsnaz. Their days are numbered. But—" Her gaze narrowed. "You should run another stealth drill with your team."

"The mission was a success," he countered.

"And yet they still spotted you," she replied, tone cool as steel. "If you'd hesitated even momentarily, Dragunov would have had his reunion."

He folded his arms. "Noted. But since we're in this—"

"Who said it was a relationship?" Master Raven cut in, tossing the tie over the back of a chair.

"I'm not saying broadcasting it to the entire clan. But if we're going to do this, we need transparency—something beyond mission reports every time."

Her voice sharpened, a hand on her hip. "It's been days. You think that's enough time?"

Raven saw it—her old, ingrained habit of deflecting when the topic cut too close. "I get that this is new for you. Hell, it is for me. But you can't keep hiding behind that cold exterior forever."

Master Raven's glare was a blade in the dim light, yet he didn't flinch despite hating that look she gave him.

"I don't have time for this," she said, turning toward the hallway.

A pair of shades landed on the couch a heartbeat before Raven's hand caught her wrist, pulling her back against the wall.

"What the hell are you so afraid of?" His voice was low but edged with danger.

"Let go, Raven."

"Either talk, or move me yourself."

Her honey brown eyes burned with venom - an intent to attack as the hand Raven had gripped was clenched tightly into a fist. Master Raven could have struck—but didn't. Something in Raven's tone stilled her, and fighting him wouldn't solve anything.

Finally, she exhaled. "There are a thousand realities a human could face, but it only takes one to break the strongest soul."

Those words—an old lesson from their late master — pulled each agent back to years past, when the emotion of fear was a tool, not a weakness, to be used to their advantage. Raven hadn't heard those words in quite some time, his hold on her wrist loosening.

"I can face most things as your clanmate," Master Raven continued, quieter now with a gaze of uncertainty. "What I can't face is... losing you. If we do this, and you don't come back—"

"You'll see me come back," Raven said firmly, finally releasing her before his thumb caressed her wrist. "I'm not invincible by any means, but no mission or enemy will stop that. I mean that more than you'll ever understand, Tatyana. All I'm asking is for you to let me in."

Her hesitation was brief. "It's not something I can just say."

"Then show me if need be. Actions are always better than words."

Master Raven did—closing the distance and pressing her lips to his. The kiss was deliberate, lingering, her hands finding his shoulders while his settled at her waist. Heated tension bled into the air between them, the unspoken finally given form. She pulled him closer, to which Raven obliged by tightening his embrace.

When they broke apart, Master Raven's voice grew softer. "It's not the apology you deserve."

"Yet you told me all I need to know."

"Where do we go from here?"

"We could visit the Cherry Blossom, just you and me," Raven suggested. "See where the night takes us."

A rare, genuine smile touched her face. "I'd like that."

But before the moment could deepen, her earpiece gave a sharp double-beep.

Master Raven froze and huffed, touching her ear to receive. "Report."

A voice crackled over the secure line. "We've intercepted communications from Violet Systems. Lee Chaolan is on the move to meet a possible contact with Mishima Zaibatsu assets."

Her entire posture shifted back into the mission—her shoulders squared, eyes cold. "Location?"

"Hokkaido. Multiple Tekken Force units confirmed in the area."

Raven stepped back, recognizing the instant transformation from woman to commander. "So this is why you called me up here."

Master Raven moved toward the desk, flipping open the Violet Systems dossier and spinning it toward him. "Lee is suspected of playing both sides of the Zaibatsu war. No one knows his real endgame." She tapped the transcript of his recent statement, words underlined in red.

'The Mishima Zaibatsu is a mere stepping stone, and I will use its every misstep to my advantage.'

"He's positioning himself for something big. And the Zaibatsu suspects the same if the Tekken Force is shadowing his territory. We lose any leverage if they get to him first."

Raven scanned the page. "What's our move?"

"We quietly track Lee, confirm his movements, and intercept any exchange between him and the Zaibatsu."

"Understood."

Her eyes locked with his, lingering a moment longer than necessary after ending the call. "For now, though, some downtime would do us both some good."

---

An Hour Later

They left the penthouse in civilian clothes, blending into the late-evening bustle of Kobe's main streets. The crisp air carried a faint scent of grilled seafood from a nearby vendor. Raven's eyes were constantly moving—mirrors, windows, rooftops. Master Raven's gait remained composed, but she, too, occasionally tilted her chin as though adjusting a scarf, scanning the street behind them.

The Cherry Blossom sat tucked between glass-walled boutiques, its lantern-lit doorway welcoming but guarded by the soft hum of a camera above the entrance. Inside, amber light spilled over polished wood, and the low thrum of shamisen music wrapped the small dining room in intimacy.

Their table by the window gave them a panoramic view of Kobe's glittering skyline. From the street reflection in the glass, Raven could make out a man in a dark coat standing under a flickering streetlamp. He didn't mention it—yet.

They eased into conversation as they dined, the sharpness of earlier arguments worn down to something gentler. They spoke of old clan days, trading quiet laughter over near-failed training drills and the late master's unorthodox lessons. Raven refilled Master Raven's sake cup without asking, and she accepted without breaking eye contact.

"Kobe is beautiful at night," she murmured, watching headlights snake along the harbor roads.

"Better than most of the cities we've infiltrated," Raven replied, taking a deliberate sip of sake. "Almost makes you forget why we're here."

Master Raven's mouth curved faintly. "Almost."

For a few moments, they let the silence sit, broken only by the clink of ceramic and the muted chatter of the last few patrons. Somewhere outside, a siren wailed briefly, then cut off.

They toasted—"To new beginnings"—and for the briefest moment, it felt like the night might actually belong to them. Raven reached across the table, fingers brushing hers. The gesture was deliberate, but his gaze flicked, ever so slightly, past her shoulder toward the restaurant's doorway.

She noticed. "Something?"

He smiled faintly. "Just making sure our cover holds."

They paid in cash, stepping back out into the cool air. The man in the dark coat was gone, but the hair on Raven's neck still prickled. They wandered toward the park, hands entwined, speaking in low voices. The cherry blossom trees stood bare-limbed in winter's grip, their skeletal branches etched against the starlit sky. Somewhere above, a faint, almost imperceptible whir drifted past—too soft for anyone but trained ears.

Master Raven leaned her head against Raven's shoulder. To anyone watching, it was the picture of a couple enjoying a quiet evening. Only they knew her other hand was tucked into her coat pocket, fingers resting lightly against the hilt of a concealed blade.

---

Mishima Zaibatsu Surveillance Hub

In a secure, dimly lit room, a wall of monitors bathed suited analysts in cold blue light. One feed showed the restaurant window, another the park path beneath skeletal cherry blossoms.

"Subjects A and B are maintaining cover," one analyst murmured, tapping keys without looking up. "Transmitting report to Heihachi-san."

---

G Corporation Surveillance Suite — Across the City

The glow of high-resolution feeds flickered across the faces of G Corp operatives. The same couple appeared from a slightly different angle—zoomed in, sharpened, and tagged with digital overlays. No one spoke. The only sound was the quiet hum of servers as the operatives tracked the agents' every step, glance, and touch.

Chapter 6: Interlude: Head of the Raven Unit

Chapter by alwaysdoubted

Summary:

Small break in the action to introduce one of Tekken's newest fighters.

Victor Chevalier, leader and founder of the UN's Raven Unit, descended the short staircase of his private yacht with a subtle smile.

In one hand was a sleek black briefcase adorned with silver accents. The other cradled a crystal glass filled with whiskey and a spherical ice cube. He strolled over to and leaned against the guardrail, taking in the breathtaking view of the setting sun casting a golden hue over the iconic Eiffel Tower. The bronzed structure stood tall against the backdrop, a sight that never failed to captivate.

The tranquil symphony of waves blended harmoniously with the ambient music and the crowd's lively chatter as Victor indulged in a sip of his whiskey. This wasn't a typical party, but the Chevalier Yacht was known for offering its tourists a unique glimpse of Paris. A sly chuckle escaped Victor as he caught the attention of a woman dressed in a captivating red gown that accentuated her curves. Her fiery red hair added to her allure by catching the sunlight at an angle before giving a playful wink. Victor reciprocated with a teasing smirk, leading to her flirty giggle.

Amid this fleeting connection, Victor's serene ambiance was disrupted by a series of beeps emanating from his phone. With a raised, slender eyebrow, he retrieved his phone from the inner pocket of his impeccably tailored suit jacket. The new notification demanded his immediate attention, though it arrived sooner than anticipated.

RAVEN

Victor tapped the message, revealing the unexpected sender's message: Tatyana and I are in Kobe. You available for a drink and some casual conversation?

Unable to hide his smirk, Victor replied promptly. Of course, but try not to wait for long.

Always fashionably late, Victor. We'll be at the New Moon Bar.

As some say, I'll be there before you know it.

Of course.

Victor returned his phone to its pocket, picked up his briefcase, and headed toward the yacht's rear with a half-filled glass of whiskey. Deftly placing his drink on the tray of a passing waiter, he maneuvered through the bustling passengers before activating an intercom discreetly embedded in his specialized sunglasses to issue a brief command.

"I require my private jet."

"Right away, sir. A jet will reach your vicinity shortly."

"Excellent."

The arrangements were in motion. Victor stood at the yacht's stern, checking the time on his polished silver watch, reading five forty-nine in the evening. Amusing for his standards. Without uttering a word, Victor propelled himself airborne.

Fwoosh.

A streak of cobalt blue flashed as Victor phased into the cabin of his sleek, black private jet. Settling into a plush seat by the window, he watched Paris's city lights transition into a twinkling canvas below before gradually receding in the distance.

The pilot's voice sounded over the plane's PA system. "Where to, sir?"

"Kobe, Japan. I have a small reunion with my top agents to attend."

"Understood."

The jet's engines roared to life, propelling Victor toward his destination with the elegance and precision that matched his exquisite taste.

Chapter 7: Ambush

Tokyo, Japan — G Corp Millennium Tower, Penthouse Observation Deck | 7:39 P.M.

The room was a cathedral of glass and shadow, high above the city. Only the glow from an array of monitors lit the penthouse — shifting angles of grainy footage from Kobe: Raven in a corner booth, Master Raven leaning in, their words lost to the hum of surveillance mics with glasses of sake between them.

Anna Williams sat with one leg draped over the arm of a leather chair, her crimson dress spilling like liquid fire under the monitor's pale light. She toyed with the stem of a wine glass, her head tilting with a feline smirk and narrowed eyes on the intimate exchange onscreen.

Bruce Irvin leaned forward in his chair, pale green shirt and combat vest with green fatigues creasing at the elbows. His posture exuded the silhouette of a soldier who'd never entirely left the battlefield with trained eyes locked on the feed.

"Oh, this is getting good. Almost too perfect," Anna murmured, voice velvet over steel. "Two birds tangled in the same nest."

Bruce's jaw worked. "You're spewing drama, Anna. I'm observing a security breach."

"Or an opportunity. Think about it, Bruce. People are most vulnerable once you see where their heart lives. Every mission, one thing leads to another, and next thing you know..." She traced an invisible line along the screen over Raven's figure. "...I'm in Raven's bed. Hearts make easier targets, and I've broken stronger men than this bird."

Bruce grunted. "Try it, and you'll be the one needing extraction, or make them watch their backs harder. That 'chick'—" he tilted his head toward Master Raven's image "—isn't exactly forgiving and would take your head off for sport."

Anna's eyes glinted, matching the wine swirling in her glass. "Forgiving isn't part of my vocabulary. Interfering is. That's what makes it fun. Besides, she looks fun to fight."

"Better interference would be to wait for this mystery contact, then hit them with JACKs and an assault team." Bruce finally looked at her. "Cleanly efficient."

---

Mishima Zaibatsu, Main Observation Room

From the top floors of the Mishima Zaibatsu complex, Tokyo's skyline looked like a grid of prey waiting to be hunted.

The main observation room was a cathedral of glass and steel, walls lined with the latest military-grade surveillance rigs. On the central screen, a live feed showed duplicate footage of G Corp's Master Raven and Raven in the Kobe restaurant — the camera angle was tight enough to catch the subtle passing of a phone between them.

Beside the display, Nina Williams stood in her all black garb, one gloved hand resting on the grip of her Fort 12. Her cool blue eyes shifted to Heihachi Mishima, who sat beside her like a granite statue.

"Want me to crash their little rendezvous?" she inquired, voice dry with amusement.

Heihachi's laugh was low and thunderous. "The timing is tempting yet perfect, dear Nina."

The metallic click-clack of her pistol's slide echoed in the room. "I'll make sure they get my warmest threats."

"No."

The word cracked like a whip, Nina's finger pausing mid-motion above the trigger guard.

"You'll only observe this operation and not set foot near them." Heihachi turned from the feed just long enough for his shadow to loom across her. "Never place all your pieces on the board before the game begins. We wait to see who this third party is and what they're capable of — perhaps someone clever enough to insert themselves into their orbit."

---

Anna was leaning in close to the screen now, chin in her palm. "Efficient, but dull. Where's the fun in that? If I were her, I'd be more worried about keeping him alive. Break his heart first — then watch him fall apart in the field."

Before Bruce could respond, the door lock clicked before swinging open with controlled force, each freezing.

Stepping inside was the dreaded Kazuya Mishima.

His dark trench coat cut through the gloom, the faint red burn of his left eye catching the monitor light. He didn't look at them while crossing to the long desk, the cityscape of Tokyo a jagged silhouette beyond the glass.

Anna was the first to speak. "Welcome back, boss—"

"Spare me," Kazuya spoke, voice low and precise. "We make no move until after identifying this unknown. Not a moment sooner."

"But we have a perfect window—"

His head turned slowly, that glowing eye locking on hers. "Don't test my patience, Williams. This is nothing more than reconnaissance."

The words were calm, but the air thickened. Anna sat back, crossing her legs, though her gaze stayed locked on him. Silent, Bruce returned his attention to the feed.

---

A monitor on the far right flickered briefly — a frozen image of a man in a tailored suit, half-shadowed, a glass of whiskey in hand. Heihachi's gaze lingered on the still frame.

Nina's eyes narrowed with folded arms, weight shifting to one hip. "So we sit on our hands while G Corp watches the same show?"

"Hardly," Heihachi rumbled. "We're reading the board."

Her gaze darted to the screen. "And if that's who you think it is?"

"Then we ensure he's more useful to us alive than to them dead."

Nina gave a slow, knowing smile as she strode out, heels clicking on the polished steel. "I'll prep a squadron for standby on the stealth carrier."

---

One monitor zoomed — Raven's phone screen visible now, thumb hovering over a single letter: V.

A flicker of calculation crossed Kazuya's expression. His gaze shifted, not to Anna or Bruce, but to another monitor at the far end of the wall — one running silent archival footage—the frame: a Parisian skyline at dusk with a yacht drifting along the Seine. The image froze on a man in an immaculate suit, holding a glass of whiskey as he spoke to an unseen guest.

Kazuya's lips twitched — not quite a smile.

---

Alone, Heihachi leaned forward in his chair, eyes locked on the feed. The old warrior's grin was sharp enough to cut glass.

"Your move, Kazuya... and let's see who this other player serves."

---

"Continue monitoring," Kazuya, backlit by Tokyo's skyline, ordered with his voice dipped in quiet certainty. "Our mystery piece will reveal itself soon enough. They'll arrive, then we close the trap."

Neither Anna nor Bruce asked the question lingering in the room: who that piece might be.

On both sets of monitors, the same scene plays out — Raven and Master Raven walking through the Kobe park, oblivious but alert. A figure in the distance, just out of focus, approaches from the far end of the path.

---

New Moon Bar

The New Moon Bar hummed with low jazz and the murmur of late-night conversations. Shadows clung to the mahogany corners while muted gold light glinted off crystal glasses. Raven and Tatyana occupied a table near the back wall, angled so they could see the entrance and the street beyond through the frosted windows.

"You think he'll show before closing?" Tatyana questioned, her gaze flicking briefly toward the front door — not out of impatience, but habit.

Raven smirked over his beer. "It's been years since we last saw him. Paris or not, he's not missing his two best agents."

"In the city of love, wine, and women?" Her tone was light, but her hand traced the rim of her glass as if counting the seconds. "He'll cut it close."

"Give him a break. Silver hair and a suit turn heads."

Tatyana arched a brow. "Black suit, dark tie — that's what commands a room, Raven."

"You sure? Could be your hair."

"Maybe. But Victor's flashy, even for a man in our line of work."

A soft but deliberate ahem sounded behind them — not loud enough to draw attention from the rest of the bar, but enough to make them both straighten. The click of polished leather shoes confirmed the identity before they turned.

Victor Chevalier stood in the low light like he'd stepped out of a black-and-white film, armored briefcase in one hand, the other tucked effortlessly in his pocket. His suit caught the gold glow from the bar lamps, and a few patrons instinctively looked twice before returning to their drinks.

"You're not wrong, Tatyana," Victor replied, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

She smirked knowingly. "Glad you finally admitted it."

"Good to see you both again." Victor clasped Raven's shoulder briefly before taking the seat opposite them. "You're looking better off than last time."

Raven leaned back, one eyebrow raised. "It's only been a few years."

"A few too long." Victor's glance was casual but measured, noting the exits, the bartender's line of sight, the couple at the corner booth who hadn't touched their drinks. "Shall we?"

Glasses were ordered — Tatyana her whiskey neat, Victor a deep red Bordeaux, Raven sticking with beer. Their banter flowed easily, threading through old stories and shared scars.

"I still don't get it," Raven said between sips. "You two sparred after lights out plenty, but I still don't buy that chin scar came from Victor."

The Frenchman raised both hands in mock surrender. "An unfortunate accident. On my honor as a ninja."

"More like 'on your aim,'" Tatyana added dryly. "We didn't even notice the blood until three rounds later. Adrenaline's a hell of a thing."

"Sounds like kissing up to me," Raven teased.

Victor chuckled, but his eyes darted briefly toward the bar's mirrored wall — not to admire himself, but to catch the reflection of a man who had been watching them too long.

"I'll injure you both equally if that helps settle the matter," he said lightly. "Fairness above all."

Raven grinned. "Sounds like the wine talking, Vic."

Victor swirled his glass slowly. "Or maybe I just know when to keep my friends close... and my best agents closer."

The three laughed softly, but under the table, Victor's briefcase clicked open an inch. Inside, a small black drive sat in a custom foam cutout — the real reason for this reunion. The conversation didn't pause, but their eyes spoke a language entirely different from one another.

"This..." Victor said softly, sliding the drive toward Tatyana. "...is why we're here. New movement inside G Corp's high command. Your timing couldn't be better—"

---

Several Blocks Away

Through the scope of a high-powered rifle, the world narrowed to a wine glass. Nina Williams adjusted her aim from her perch in a cherry blossom tree.

"Squadron Seven, prepare for deployment."

"Understood," came the reply.

Her lips curved. "Time to send a message."

She squeezed the trigger.

Crash!

Victor jerked back as his wine glass shattered in his hand. Before the shards hit the floor—

Click!

"Turn around slowly and put your hands in the air! Now!"

The bar went deathly silent.

Tekken Force soldiers and assassins fanned out, automatic rifles aimed. Master Raven huffed as a muzzle pressed to her temple. She raised her hands, catching Raven's gaze for the briefest second—signal received. Raven's shades flashed data across the lenses.

42 TEKKEN FORCE SOLDIERS

10 TEKKEN FORCE ASSASSINS

Victor placed the briefcase on the table without hurry.

"You too, old man!" barked a soldier.

Instead, Victor unclasped both latches, opening the case to reveal his sword and sheath. He rose smoothly, not needing to glance at his two agents.

Nina's voice hissed through a soldier's comm. "Detain them."

Before anyone blinked, Victor's hand found his gun. A quick roll forward propelled him forward as bullets rang out inside the bar, his two subordinates splitting in different directions. Victor slid before aiming at one soldier's head.

Pow!

He pulled off a one-handed backspring the next instant before firing another shot at the soldier behind Master Raven.

Pow!

Slipping his gun back into its holster and pulling out his dual karambit knives, Victor gripped each with a challenging grin.

"Hah!"

He landed a kick on a soldier before spinning away from an assassin's fist. Victor weaved backward from a kick, his foot sliding around to duck under a fist before countering with a roundhouse that caved in the soldier's nose. Master Raven swiftly slit a soldier's throat. Another soldier was sent flying just as she sliced the throats of two others. Victor backflipped towards a soldier, his toe catching his chin and sending him airborne. Master Raven gripped the hilt of Victor's blade, her motion cleaving the soldier in half. Once gravity pulled her back down, Master Raven pulled off a no-hands cartwheel to narrowly dodge a bullet, her brown eyes holding a new, deadly glow - the assurance of blood. She blocked a punch with the blade and stepped forward, landing the hilt on a soldier's skull before sliding under Victor's high kick that allowed her to slash a soldier behind him.

"Uh!"

Master Raven threw herself back just as an RPG missile shot off from the crowd of soldiers. She watched it sail over her while suspended in the air, rolling around to swipe a soldier's leg before glancing at her boyfriend.

"Raven!"

She tossed Victor's blade in his direction. In a fluid motion, Raven phased before a soldier and landed a 'Crusader' in his chest before catching the blade and sprinting to the other side of the bar.

Boom!

Glass shards and bullets flew, the explosion propelling Raven forward with narrowed eyes behind his shades. The only sounds were the distant hum of neon signs and the soft shuffle of footsteps. Suddenly, a group of soldiers converged on his position. With swift but silent movements, Raven darted forward in a blur of black to close the gap between him and the first soldier. His movements were a dance of precision and grace, a deadly waltz that left no room for error. The soldier attempted a clumsy swing, but Raven evaded it effortlessly with a fluid sidestep, leaving the enemy off balance.

Clashing steel echoed as Raven unsheathed Victor's gleaming blade, which cut through the darkness. He evaded a series of strikes with calculated finesse, each movement a testament to his honed skill. Though trained, the soldiers struggled to counter Raven's lightning-quick attacks. His ninjutsu techniques were on full display - swift teleportation allowed him to appear behind an unsuspecting soldier before delivering a powerful kick that sent him sprawling. Raven used minimal effort despite their numerical advantage, as his adversaries found out after being outmatched by his flawless skill and fluidity, matched only by his lethal precision. He dispatched the last Tekken Force soldier with a final, sweeping strike, incapacitating their scores.

The trio stood back to back amid the smoke, bodies, and blood. Victor loosened his grip on his karambit knives, Master Raven sheathed her superior's blade, and Raven stood ready.

"Was grabbing my weapon necessary?" Victor joked.

Master Raven grinned. "I didn't think we'd be ambushed."

"At least you two have a weapon," Raven grumbled.

Victor laughed. "Alright, let's finish this off."

Master Raven and Raven executed the nine Kuji-In hand signs in unison.

"Uh!"

"Seya!"

Clones shot forward, Master Raven hooking an arm around Victor's as he ducked a soldier's kick. The master kunoichi swung around his body several times. Raven phased through each to dodge a soldier's downward fist.

"Uh!"

Master Raven grunted and bounced off Victor's back before landing a high kick to a soldier's head. She flipped over Victor as he crouched down to swipe a soldier's feet from under him. Raven's clone jumped in, pushing another soldier forward. Master Raven spun and sliced the soldier's abdomen before shoving the tip through another's eye socket and tossing the blade in Raven's direction again. Victor ducked it and shot at the three that bolted for the kunoichi. Victor's light eyes caught sight of another assassin running in his direction. He beckoned him to come closer and passed Master Raven one of his karambit blades. Raven ran forward, his twin blades in hand.

Just as an assassin aimed his fist for Victor, he threw himself back into a kip-up. The world seemed to slow down as Master Raven and Raven sliced through his neck in a clean swipe, going both directions.

"Hah!"

Landing on his feet, Victor swiped the short sword from the assassin's body. He blocked two punches and connected with two quick jabs to a soldier's chin. He finished with an uppercut that sent several through the window. His quick eyes caught sight of a heavily armed soldier with a minigun.

"Ahead!" Victor yelled.

Master Raven followed his lead and ran after him. Raven weaved through three men, his heel connecting to the back of another soldier's head. Twisting his body, he threw the sword in the kunoichi's direction. She ran for the heavily armed soldier. Victor rolled back as she flew over him, curling into a ball and aiming her feet at him at the last minute. He blocked with his minigun. Bouncing from it, she threw the blade like a spear, impaling the skull. Victor sprinted forward, Raven and Master Raven following closely behind. They jumped over his blade as he sliced through seven soldiers in one swipe. Raven picked up the minigun.

"Retreat!" A soldier who looked like the leader commanded.

Bullets flew as all but five Tekken Force soldiers were left alive. Victor narrowed his eyes, throwing the short sword at one soldier running back for a nearby armored Hummer. His dead body lay in front of what used to be the bar's front door - now destroyed from the rain of bullets.

Raven dropped the emptied minigun. "I hate guns." He and Master Raven returned the older man's blade and sheath to him. "Almost like old times, Vic."

"Almost," Victor agreed. "Nice to know you two can still handle yourselves."

Master Raven pivoted from her kill, blade dripping, and caught the faint blink of red atop a fallen corpse. She slid the weapon home in one fluid motion, knelt, and plucked the comm device from the body, its casing still warm.

"Consider yourselves lucky," came a cold, measured voice in her ear — one she knew too well.

Her gaze lifted instinctively, tracing the skyline until it caught the pale blossoms swaying in the night breeze. There — a sniper's silhouette among the branches, scope glinting faintly—perfect line of sight and trap.

"Nina Williams," Master Raven said evenly. "Babysitting Heihachi's army now?"

"This was a warning," Nina replied, her tone like a knife through silk. "Stay out of our business."

Master Raven's eyes narrowed. "Disappointing warning."

"Next time won't be."

"If you bother to show yourself, coward."

A pause — soft static on Nina's line. "Careful."

"Careful is for rookies," Master Raven retorted, scanning rooftops without losing track of the sniper's position. "And I've seen better hiding spots."

The comm hissed as Nina drew breath to answer — then Master Raven crushed it between her fingers, shards falling with the same finality as her tone.

Victor stepped over a fallen assassin to join her, his karambits still in hand. "Another bar gone," he sighed. "I should start carrying insurance forms."

"We don't have time," Raven interjected, already checking the street for incoming forces. "They knew exactly where we'd be."

Master Raven's gaze swept the rooftops one last time before she turned. "Which means they've been watching us. We move — now."

Without another word, the three slipped into the Tokyo night, boots silent against rain-slick pavement, their exit as precise as the fight that came before it.

---

Back at Mishima Zaibatsu

Heihachi's roar shook the main observation deck. His fist crashed into the Tekken Force soldier standing closest to him, the blow launching the armored man across the room. Steel wall met bone with a deafening clang, leaving a dent big enough to catch the body as it slid to the floor.

He didn't even spare the soldier a glance. "How hard is it to kill two ninjas!? Useless!" His gaze locked on one of the live feeds. "And who the hell is that?"

The image froze mid-frame—Victor Chevalier, stepping through the smoke with sword in hand.

Nina's voice crackled through the comm inside the room. "Victor Chevalier. French National and former Navy. Currently working for the UN under the codename Phantom Raven. He's not just in their company but operating with them like a well-oiled unit."

Heihachi's frown deepened. "I know of only Raven. He's crossed my tournaments before. But who is that woman?"

"Goes by Master Raven," Nina replied. "Her record's sealed tighter than most government black files. Multiple aliases and no confirmed origin. Moves like she trained him or with him."

On the feed, the trio blurred into the press of Kobe's nighttime crowd, vanishing just before police lights cut through the scene.

Heihachi's hand curled into a fist, his voice a low growl. "Find me everything on her. Leave no gaps and remove all speculation. These three will prove to be more than a nuisance."

---

Back at G Corporation

Bruce leaned back in his chair, arms folded, as the footage from the bar fight looped on the wall screens. "Old man's got moves." He nodded toward Victor's fluid strikes. "If I didn't know better, I'd say he trained the Ravens."

Anna smirked, but Kazuya's gaze stayed fixed on the briefcase in the corner of the feed—the moment Victor had opened it, revealing more than just weapons.

"What's in that case?"

Bruce tapped a few keys, freezing on the frame where the hard drive was visible in its foam slot. "Data unit under the highest security and military-grade casing. No telling what's on it without getting it in our hands."

Kazuya's Devil eye flared, the red light spilling across the glass table. "I want everything on Victor Chevalier—operations and UN contacts. Find out the connection between these three." He glanced at Anna. "And dig deeper into this woman. I already know Raven from the tournament, but his superior is hiding more than she shows."

Anna arched an eyebrow. "And how do you want me to pull that off?"

His hand rubbed slowly over his chin, the gesture more predatory than thoughtful. "By starting with my pompous brother."

Anna gave a dry laugh. "I left Lee for a reason. What's your angle?"

"Play both sides," Kazuya elaborated, voice low and deliberate. "Extract anything he knows about this hard drive, and if he has any information about this woman."

Anna's smile turned feline. "A game of chess, then. I do like an opponent who thinks he can win."

She winked at Bruce before rising from her seat and heading for the elevator.

"Don't do anything stupid out there," Bruce called after her.

She didn't answer—just flashed her teasing smile as the doors slid shut.

Bruce exhaled through his nose. "Better hope she doesn't blow it. It'll be twice the trouble if her sister gets involved. And men always fall for her tricks every damn time."

Kazuya smirked, his gaze still locked on Victor's image frozen mid-strike. "That's why Anna is my assistant, Bruce. The right piece in place changes the board's landscape."

Chapter 8: Confrontation

Ichitani Hotel – Private Penthouse Suite | 8:23 P.M.

The air was still charged from the fight — not the gunpowder-and-blood kind lingering in the bar, but the quiet, suffocating tension of people who knew they were now targets.

Raven paced near the window, his reflection framed by the city's neon glow. "How could we have been so careless?" The words were low, meant more for himself than the others.

Victor set his briefcase down on the glass coffee table, his tone measured but edged with sarcasm. "I was expecting a lively conversation tonight, not a full-on assassination attempt. Clearly, my social calendar needs revising."

"We can't stay here," Raven said, his gaze never leaving the skyline. "They know we're close."

"But not where," Master Raven corrected, flicking on the TV with the remote.

The broadcast cut straight to the footage from earlier — the shattered bar, the cordon of flashing police lights. Over it, the anchor's voice rang out:

"Tonight's violent attack, allegedly orchestrated by the Mishima Zaibatsu's Tekken Force, has drawn swift international condemnation. Violet Systems founder Lee Chaolan has already dispatched his proprietary android cleanup units to restore the scene."

The image shifted — Lee's face, perfectly lit, smiling for the cameras. At the same time, rows of sleek androids methodically lifted bodies and swept debris into armored trucks.

Raven's eyes narrowed. "A lot of PR for one bar."

Victor leaned forward, studying the footage. "Logistics. Those aren't his commercial models — those are Omega-class androids infused with classified tech."

Master Raven didn't blink. "Which means Lee's either feeding the Zaibatsu or playing his own game. Either way..." She rewound the clip, zooming in on the serial number etched into one of the android's armored chassis. "We might have a way in."

Victor's smirk was faint but telling. "A lead worth risking our necks for?"

"To find out why he decided to get involved tonight," Master Raven replied, her eyes locked on the screen.

---

New Moon Bar – Exterior | 8:31 P.M.

The street glistened with the aftermath of the cleanup. Glistening androids in violet livery moved with clinical precision, loading black body bags into unmarked trucks. Lee Chaolan glanced at his watch, then at the last streak of blood scrubbed from the curb.

"All right, that will do," he murmured. "Aki."

His secretary stepped forward, tablet in hand. "Yes, Mr. Lee?"

"Set a meeting with the owner tomorrow at five. I want this place back in business by the weekend."

"Understood."

She made the note without breaking stride as they walked toward the waiting white limousine. Always the gentleman, Lee opened the door for her first. But the faintest hint of perfume reached him before he slid inside — the scent of champagne and roses.

He already knew.

Inside, Anna Williams sat like she owned the seat, one leg crossed, silk dress catching the passing streetlights. Her smile was the kind designed to make a man forget his own name.

"Lee..." Her hand found his thigh as if it had always belonged there.

Lee clasped her fingers without hesitation, smirking. "Finally came to your senses, Anna?"

She tilted her head. "Would saying I missed you be enough?"

"That depends." His tone was velvet, but his eyes assessed her like an opponent across a chessboard. "Whether you came here for me or for someone else's game."

She laughed it off, leaning closer. "You wound me."

Outside, the violet-lit androids vanished into the night. Inside, Aki's reflection in the tinted glass showed she was already making mental notes.

Lee let Anna unfasten two buttons of his shirt before leaning to her ear. "Kazuya should have known better."

Her hand stilled. "And what makes you so sure?"

"Because you're here. In my car. In my city. And because I know how Kazuya plays — he sends a queen to distract the king." He brushed his gloved fingers over her wrist, tightening just enough to make the point.

"Then you know I'm no one's pawn."

"Good. Then perhaps you'll appreciate this offer..."

---

Lee's Seaside Mansion | 45 Minutes Later

The same gloved hand now held a champagne flute as Lee welcomed guests through towering glass doors. The mansion hummed with low jazz, the scent of orchids and saltwater drifting in from the balcony. Anna stood beside him, draped in evening light, the image of a willing accomplice.

But Lee kept his voice low, meant only for her. "Join me, Anna, and you can hunt Nina with any weapon and vehicle I own. All I ask is that you belong to me. Entirely."

She held his gaze, breathing slowly. It wasn't surrender — not exactly — but the part of her that wanted revenge against Nina burned hotter than her loyalty to Kazuya.

"I'm all yours."

Lee's smile was razor-sharp. "Excellent. Let the party begin."

The champagne flutes clinked, and somewhere in the crowd, Aki's eyes stayed fixed on Anna — already measuring the cost of this alliance.

---

The muted glow of the Kobe skyline bled through the penthouse windows, fractured by the reflection of a muted news broadcast. Master Raven's gaze stayed on the footage — Lee Chaolan's mansion, its glass walls glittering like a lure in dark water.

"Lee's throwing another party," Raven said, his voice flat.

Her lips curved into a smile that was almost a smirk, yet still a challenge. "Perfect."

That single word drew two sets of eyes. Raven knew that look — rare, dangerous, the one she wore before missions that didn't leave much margin for survival. Even Victor's usual easy confidence flickered into wariness.

"You already have a plan," Victor guessed.

"Simple," Master Raven replied, stepping into the light. "I go in as just another guest. Lee's never seen me in the field — I blend in, ask him directly. People underestimate partygoers."

Victor chuckled once, low. "Bold. But walking in alone is a short road to trouble. You won't have an exit if things go sideways."

She tilted her head. "It's a seaside mansion. I can exit on a jet ski before his guards finish their champagne."

Raven slid his shades back over his eyes, though the set of his jaw betrayed more than professionalism. "Lee has a habit of... getting close to new faces. Yours especially."

Victor's glance between them was almost imperceptible, but the corner of his mouth twitched. "I think I understand."

Master Raven's tone softened. "I know what you mean, Raven. But the mission comes first."

"Then compromise," Victor cut in smoothly. "We'll drop you off, and Raven stays with me in the car, close enough to move if you signal."

She considered it, then nodded once. "Fine."

Raven's agreement came slower, each word measured. "Understood."

Victor pushed away from the wall, grabbing his coat. "If we're infiltrating a party, you'll need the right entrance. Let's go find something that will turn heads for the right reasons."

Raven didn't move. "I'll pass. Meditation suits me better tonight."

Master Raven lingered in the doorway, reading the silence in his stillness. She let it go, following Victor out.

The door shut. The room felt too quiet. Raven let his shoulders sag, eyes fixed on the television's looping footage of Lee's mansion. "One day," he muttered, "and we can't even have a moment of normalcy."

His phone chimed as he glanced at the screen. A message from Tatyana:

I know what's bothering you. It's not what it seems.

---

Nearby Mall – Luxury Boutique | 9:30 P.M.

The boutique resembled a structure crafted entirely from glass, with gold trim and a serene atmosphere. Diamond-stitched dresses gleamed under perfect lighting, some locked behind bulletproof cases. A pair of armed guards stood near the entrance, scanning every customer like they were vetting them for royalty.

Victor strolled in as if he owned the place, adjusting his cufflinks. "Been too long since we prepped for a mission like this," he murmured. "So... dress?"

"Classic black halter," Master Raven replied, already moving toward a rack of evening wear.

Victor trailed after her. "Black's fine. But Lee's a peacock. Metallic accents, gold trim—"

"Too on the nose," she cut in, eyes scanning the displays. "Silver, sleek, and strikes without announcing itself."

He gave a slight nod, but his gaze sharpened. "How's Raven?"

"Concerned about the mission."

"I know you better than that, Tatyana."

Her shoulders stiffened at the name. "It won't interfere with the op."

"When?" he pressed.

She turned back to the dresses. "Not now, Victor. We stick to the task."

Her superior nodded. "Fair enough. An eye-catching dress shouldn't be hard to find. Maybe red would be fitting, eh?"

A voice slipped in behind them. "I couldn't help overhearing..."

The voice was light but edged. The agents turned to see a woman standing there who didn't belong in the boutique—or maybe she belonged everywhere. Slim frame, long black hair streaked pink, skirt cut asymmetrical with a chain at the hip. Her Converse shoes clicked softly on the marble floor as she moved closer, her hands behind her back, as if she'd just strolled into a high-security briefing.

"Name's Kaida," she said with a faint smile. "You want Lee's attention? Go metallic and add diamonds. He'll think you're custom-made for the room."

Victor tilted his head. "Little Dragon."

"Cute, but don't 'kid' me," she said flatly. "I'm twenty-two, and last week I slipped into one of his parties without an invite. His androids don't check ID if you look the part."

Her gaze swept Master Raven from head to toe. "Jeans aren't it. But silver? That works." Then, to Victor: "You—earrings. Now."

Both agents exchanged a look. "Uh—"

Kaida's smile sharpened, her voice dropping low enough for only them to hear. "You've got eyes on you the second you step out that door. Let's not waste time."

She stepped back, chin tilted toward the fitting rooms. "Move it, people."

---

15 Minutes Later

Victor sat outside the dressing room with Kaida, a row of diamond-studded earrings glinting in velvet boxes beside him. His watch ticked past 9:30 P.M. — time bleeding faster than he preferred.

The door clicked open. Tatyana stepped out in crimson silk, the dress ballooning into rose-like folds with a trailing slit. Elegant, yes — but theatrical. Too loud for subtle infiltration.

"Too gaudy," she muttered, tugging at the fabric.

Victor exhaled through his nose. "Agreed. Lee would see you coming a mile away."

Kaida, crouched with predatory energy, tilted her head. "Try this." She held up midnight blue with a daring cut.

Minutes later, Tatyana emerged again. This one was sleek but plain, its high collar and clean slit leaving little impression.

"Too simple," Kaida said first.

Tatyana gave a slight nod of agreement despite Victor pinching the bridge of his nose, patience thinning.

"We don't have the luxury of trial and error right now."

Kaida had already stopped listening, her gaze snagging on a mannequin across the showroom floor, clad in something darker, sharper.

Her breath caught. "Wait. That one."

Tatyana followed her eyes, and her cool mask cracked momentarily. "Yes."

Victor stood. "I'll get the clerk."

---

9:42 P.M.

Kaida leaned back against the wall outside the dressing room, arms crossed, eyes glittering. "This is it. Trust me."

Victor raised a skeptical brow. "You're too sure of yourself for someone barely old enough to drink."

"Yet old enough to spot weakness. And right now? Yours is doubting me." She smirked. "Guys never understand. You can see it, but you won't know until she wears it. I have to go since I promised my dad I'd be back at the hotel by ten. Please let me know how the party goes if we meet again. See you around..."

He held out his gloved hand. "Victor."

She took it. "Victor. Later, T."

"Uh... bye?"

With that, the young girl quickly walked toward the store's glass exit doors and into the waning crowd leaving the mall.

Victor stood from the cushioned seat and leaned against the wall. "Feisty, isn't she?"

A chuckle sounded from the other side of the dressing room door. "That would explain her name."

"Reminds me of you when you were her age."

"To be fair, Raven was more of an annoyance than he let on when you weren't watching."

Victor paused, his eyes closed, as he listened to the world around him while formulating his next set of words. The subtle sounds of fabric brushing against skin, cars zooming past, and shoe taps on the sidewalks. A tiny whisper of wind filled his ears.

"You're certain about this plan, Tatyana?"

"Completely."

"It's not the exits I'm worried about, but Lee's state-of-the-art androids."

"I've faced robots before."

"None with possible scanning to store personal data." Victor stood from the wall. "Now isn't the time for arrogance."

"It's not arrogance. I would know when I'm over my head."

"Still..."

"Trust me, I plan to keep my head on straight. Just because I use my other talents doesn't mean I've lost my mind, Vic."

"You done in there?"

The door clicked again.

Master Raven stepped out — no hesitation this time.

Black satin clung like liquid shadow, molded to her form with effortless precision. A single strap anchored the triangular collar, plunging into a daring slit that climbed her thigh. Metallic lavender accents traced the neckline and edges, catching the light in razor slashes — not decoration, but distraction, drawing every eye exactly where she wanted it—controlled and calculated.

She didn't just wear the dress but became someone else in it.

Victor lowered his sunglasses, words few and far between. "Now I see."

Tatyana glanced at her reflection in the boutique mirror. For the first time that evening, she allowed herself the faintest smile. This attire wasn't a disguise, but an armor—a cover identity forged for infiltration, seduction, and survival.

---

10:05 P.M.

Raven sat alone, the low murmur of jazz spilling from a speaker on the coffee table. The piano's bright chords clashed against the images on the muted television—Combots scrubbing blood from a shattered barroom floor as a female reporter donning a striking red suit reported from the now-empty bar wreckage. Even in victory, the Zaibatsu erased their failures with machine precision.

"As you can see behind me, there are still several Combots cleaning up the destruction left," the reporter relayed via the TV caption.

He turned the volume down until the music was little more than a heartbeat. Too much noise clouds focus, and too much silence lets the doubts creep in.

Tatyana. Victor. Delayed by a dress. Or so he told himself.

Raven moved to the center of the suite and knelt, settling into the discipline drilled into him since childhood. Slow inhale, steady exhale. Every breath was another wall against the storm of suspicion pressing at the edges of his mind.

Lee's theatrics and Tatyana within his orbit. A mission wrapped in silk and perfume. Raven assured himself that he trusted her—he had to. But the thought repeated anyway: What if Lee sees through her before we do?

The jazz played on, light and careless, a cruel soundtrack to the knot tightening in his chest. His eyes stayed shut, his body perfectly still, but his pulse betrayed him, a subtle reminder that even ninjas could bleed.

He drew one last breath, sharp and deliberate. The calm held—but it was before impact.

---

10:23 P.M.

Victor tapped his chin, eyes narrowing as if something gnawed at him. "I feel like we're missing one last detail."

Master Raven arched a brow. "We have the dress. The intel's waiting. What more do you want?"

He gave her a knowing smile. "Don't pretend you're not rushing me to see it again."

Her smirk curved slowly. "Can't blame me for trying."

"Then wait by the door. I'll make this quick."

She shook her head, heels clicking as she walked away. Victor always had to add his little touches—flair over function. But he was rarely wrong. She still remembered when he'd insisted on replacing her suit's standard shoes.

---

"Kick me."

"What?"

"Trust me. Aim high."

One snap of Tatyana's leg later, her heel had sliced the air an inch above his head. No stiffness, no falter.

Victor hadn't even blinked—just grinned. "See? Ninjas can be deadly fashionable."

---

Now, as he waved down a clerk, she almost smiled at the memory.

"Do you carry cuff bracelets?" Victor asked the man, his tone clipped.

"Yes, sir. Fancy or practical?"

"Durable," Victor said. His eyes flicked toward the dressing rooms, then back to the clerk. "Strong enough to last the night, and sharp enough to cut if necessary."

The man hesitated, then nodded. "This way. We keep our bracelets in the back with our shoes."

Victor followed, muttering under his breath: "Every queen needs her crown."

---

10:42 P.M.

Raven adjusted the strap of his glove, pacing the length of the suite. His blades sheathed across his back, his suit pressed to neatness, but the quiet refused to settle. Meditation had dulled the edge of unease, not erased it. Something about tonight — Tatyana walking into Chaolan's den — hummed wrong beneath his skin.

The lock clicked.

Finally.

"What kept you?" Raven's tone was sharper than he intended. "It doesn't take an hour to pick a dress."

Tatyana slipped past him with a sly smirk and disappeared into the bathroom without answering.

Victor, loosening his tie, explained like a man who enjoyed holding back secrets. "We had a complication and a solution. You'll understand when she steps out."

Raven's brow furrowed. "This better not be another one of your theatrics."

"Sometimes they are the point," Victor murmured, sinking onto the couch. He tapped a slow rhythm on his knee, every inch the man who had orchestrated this reveal for maximum impact.

Minutes stretched. Raven found himself at the balcony, eyes scanning Kobe's coast but mind circling the same thought: 'At this rate, we'll miss the window. Abort might be cleaner.'

Then her voice — low, rich, deliberate, reading his thoughts.

"That won't be necessary."

Raven turned.

Tatyana was no longer the comrade in fatigues and loose ties. Standing in the center of the suite was a woman of sharpened elegance: a black halter dress cut to accentuate every line of her figure, metallic lavender trim catching the light like drawn steel. Silver bars traced her ears, gold cuffs caught the glow against her skin, and her eyes — dark, rimmed in shadow — no longer belonged to the disciplined kunoichi he knew. They belonged to the mask she would wear tonight.

For a fraction of a second, Raven's breath hitched. "Tatyana..." His voice betrayed him before he could regain control. "You look..." He swallowed. "...lethal."

Her lips curved — not into her usual smirk, but something closer to promise. 'I'm keeping this.'

Victor rose, satisfied, the faintest of smiles tugging at his mouth. "Exactly the effect we need. But there's no time for reverie. The car is waiting."

Through the glass doors below, headlights cut the night — a sleek limo idling like a black shark at the curb. Not a transport, but an entry point for a trap waiting to spring.

Victor gestured toward it with a showman's flourish that didn't quite disguise the gravity in his tone. "Your cover begins the moment those doors open. Ready yourself, Madame."

---

Lee's Mansion | 11:16 P.M.

The champagne in Lee Chaolan's hand caught the chandelier light, a glimmer of wealth and artifice. He tipped his glass toward the New Moon Bar's owner, raising it like a toast to survival. In the distance, muffled music pulsed through marble walls, and the low hum of laughter carried from the ballroom.

Anna leaned casually against the glass guardrail beside him, the night's reflections shimmering across her red satin dress. "I'm surprised, Lee. Thought even you would be tired of parties by now."

Lee's silver hair shimmered as he turned, grin effortless. "Oh, I am. But I've learned that indulgence is a weapon, my dear. As you once told me, 'life waits for no one.' Why waste it brooding like a Mishima?"

Her laugh was warm but edged. "Kazuya was beautiful to look at. It's a shame he never knew how to enjoy himself. Always obsessed with his father."

Lee sipped, eyes glittering above the rim of his glass. "Like you and Nina, then?"

Anna's nails grazed the rail, sharp against glass. "Don't compare it. That's not hate—it's rivalry. One that ends with her on her knees."

Lee chuckled, though his gaze never softened. "Decades later, and the fire still burns. Impressive, if slightly predictable."

The words landed like a tease, but beneath them lingered steel. Anna tilted her head, studying him as if measuring the distance between predator and prey.

"You still appreciate passion, then?" she asked, her hand sliding deliberately over his wrist, curling up his arm with practiced grace. "So tell me. When do you and I finally catch up?"

Lee let the contact linger, savoring it like the champagne on his tongue, before drawing back just enough to remind her who held the stage. "Soon. But first, my guests require attention as much as you do."

Anna's lips curved, half amusement, half threat. Rising from the rail, she let her fingers trail across his back before stepping into the glow of the party. "Don't keep me waiting, handsome."

Lee watched her disappear into the crowd, his smirk still etched on his face. To the untrained eye, he looked amused. In truth, his mind was already shifting pieces on the board.

---

Outside | 11:18 P.M.

The limousine rolled to a stop at the foot of Lee Chaolan's mansion, its polished frame catching the last shimmer of the courtyard lights.

From the driver's seat, Victor studied the woman in the rearview mirror. Her smirk wasn't playful, but calculated —the kind that belonged to someone stepping onto enemy ground, already planning her first strike.

"You're sure about this?" Raven asked from the passenger side, his voice flat, taut as a drawn blade.

Master Raven's eyes stayed on the glittering mansion doors. "This mission doesn't call for subtlety. It calls for presence."

"That's what worries me," he murmured.

The corner of her mouth curved higher. "Be patient, Raven. You'll see."

Victor gave a quiet laugh, but Raven didn't move. The silence between them thickened until the limousine door opened. A Combot servant bowed low as a stiletto heel touched the pavement, followed by the sweep of satin against flawless skin.

Inside, conversation faltered and glasses stilled midair. The crowd's attention turned in unison as if the music itself had paused to acknowledge the arrival.

From his perch above the living room, Lee Chaolan felt it immediately—the current of the party bending toward the newcomer. He rested his gloved hands on the glass railing, his gaze sharpened.

A woman unlike anything he'd ever seen walked through the threshold like she owned the room. Black satin traced her figure in deliberate lines, silver glinting at her wrists, each step unhurried but commanding. She wasn't blending in; she was seizing control.

Lee smirked. "The lady of the hour has arrived. Name?"

At his side, Aki glanced from her tablet. "Not on the guest list," she replied crisply after a scan. "Shall I remove her?"

Lee's eyes never left the woman. He watched her pause, tilt her head slightly, and—almost lazily—let her gaze lock onto his. A smirk answered his own.

"That won't be necessary," Lee said, a grin spreading like a blade catching light. "Let her roam. Whoever she is, she's not here to drink champagne."

From across the room, Master Raven broke eye contact first, drifting deeper into the mansion's glow, every inch the infiltrator cloaked in allure.

The game's first move had commenced.

---

Victor slid a fresh magazine into his silver Sig Sauer, the click loud in the still night. Moonlight cut across the weapon's polished slide as he pulled it back and checked the chamber.

"Do you trust her?" he asked, voice flat.

Raven didn't move from where he stood against the limousine, arms folded, eyes locked on the sprawling mansion below. From this height, the glass walls threw back shards of light, making the party inside look almost too perfect.

His jaw flexed once before he answered. "Of course I do."

Victor studied him over the pistol sights. Raven's posture was sharp, rigid, like a blade honed too fine. "You say that like you're convincing yourself."

Raven's gaze narrowed. "She can handle herself."

Victor holstered the weapon with measured calm. "I know she can. The question is whether you can let her."

He stepped closer to the edge of the garage, his eyes sweeping the mansion's balconies, the glowing rows of windows, and the security patrols shifting in a subtle rotation.

"You're wound too tight, Raven. That's how mistakes happen."

Silence stretched. The muffled thrum of bass reached them even from this distance.

"She went in smiling," Victor added quietly. "That's a good sign. You don't smile like that unless you've already decided how to win."

Raven's eyes tracked the party below, his voice lower now. "Or how to burn it all down."

Victor smirked faintly, though his hand hovered near the holster. "Then let's hope she knows the difference."

---

Balcony Overlooking the Sea

The night air carried salt and jazz, the calm sea shimmering beneath the glass guardrail. Master Raven stood at its edge, exhaling slowly, letting the breeze tug at her braids. For a moment, she let the stillness wash over her.

Then she felt it — another presence.

A short man in a blood-red suit swaggered up, reeking of expensive cologne layered poorly over last night's perfume. He leaned against the rail, blocking her view with a grin too polished to be sincere.

"Never seen a woman like you at one of these parties. You new in town?"

She gave him a measured smile, her tone velvet but distant. "Supposed to meet a friend. Looks like she left me to mingle."

His grin widened, flashing a gold tooth. "Not shy, are you? Don't lie to me."

"Selective," she corrected softly.

The rejection bounced right off as the man reached for her arm, grip tightening when she didn't step closer. "Come on, baby. A woman like you shouldn't be alone. I'll show you Kobe the way it's meant to be seen."

Before she could break his wrist for the insult, another voice cut through the tension. "Is this man bothering you?"

Lee Chaolan approached, hands folded neatly behind his back, silver hair catching the light.

The red-suited man stiffened, then growled: "Back off, Lee. She's mine tonight."

Lee didn't raise his voice, only his brow. "Don't make me repeat myself, Roman. She does not wish to go with you. I suggest you leave while you still have your dignity."

The man snarled and swung. Lee caught his fist midair and twisted, breaking the man's wrist. He didn't have time to react before a fist landed against his jaw, knocking him unconscious upon impact. Shaking her hand, Master Raven inhaled sharply as a slight sting erupted in her ring finger after striking a gold-braced tooth. Roman crumpled without a sound, dragged away moments later by silent Combots. The party's chatter resumed as if nothing had happened.

Lee adjusted his cuff, gaze shifting to the woman before he stepped closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear. "Quite the punch. Happens often?"

Master Raven let her lips curl into a smirk, her eyes catching his with deliberate weight. "Not really, but you seem to have a habit of showing up at the right time to help a woman."

"Guilty as charged. Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier." He bowed slightly. "I'm Lee Chaolan."

"The famed, suave founder and owner of Violet Systems. Your reputation precedes you. I was beginning to understand the kind of man who commands both fear and loyalty."

Lee grinned. "And you are?"

Her hand brushed the lapel of his jacket. "Sorry, I don't give that out very easily."

Lee gingerly caught her hand in his palm. "Can I at least know why you grace my party with your presence?"

"I was hoping you and I could have a conversation of our own..." She tugged gently at his tie, pulling him half an inch closer. "...about your true motives."

For the first time that night, Lee's smile faltered into something sharper.

---

Lee's Bedroom | 11:34 P.M.

Anna's manicured nail tapped against the rim of her champagne glass as she shifted on the silk sheets, irritation curling through her like smoke.. The bubbles had long gone flat, and so had her patience.

"What's taking him so long?" she hissed, voice low but dangerous.

The thought wasn't anxious, but venomous. Men were weak, predictable creatures — and Lee Chaolan, for all his refinement, was no different.

Anna rose from the silk-draped bed in a single, fluid motion — heels striking the polished floor like deliberate gunshots. Each step was poised, theatrical, meant to kill the silence as she glided toward the living room balcony. Her eyes narrowed the instant she spotted Lee.

He wasn't alone.

There, against the wall, the silver-haired devil leaned too close to a woman Anna recognized immediately. Black silk draped over flawless curves, eyes flashing with the same quiet confidence Anna had seen in her own mirror a thousand times. A smirk, a hand, and an intimacy that wasn't hers.

Anna's grip tightened on the white guardrail until her knuckles blanched. The angelic mask she often wore cracked into something sharper, predatory. The venom in her stare could have poisoned the air itself.

'What the hell is she doing here!?'

Her lips curled, equal parts fury and promise. Jealously and rage simmered, yes, but beneath it flickered calculation. This ploy wasn't just about Lee's wandering attention. It was a territorial intrusion. If Lee thought he could flaunt another woman in front of her, he had underestimated the wrong Williams sister. This interloper had walked into her hunt, her carefully laid game.

And Anna Williams didn't share her prey.

Master Raven's gaze flicked upward to Anna, standing at the doorway of Lee's bedroom, her hand curled on her hip, her eyes as daggers aimed straight at her. The red silk of the brunette's dress shimmered under the chandeliers, but it was the venom in her gaze that carried the sharper edge.

"I'd rather talk somewhere... private," Master Raven murmured, never looking away from her adversary.

Lee removed his hand from her waist and offered his arm with theatrical charm. "I can arrange that."

The gesture only deepened Anna's scowl. She glided forward — not stomping, but prowling, every step deliberate like gunfire on marble. Her voice, velvet wrapped around steel, cut through the music like a knife.

"Hate to break the illusion, darling, but your 'mystery woman' isn't what she pretends to be."

Lee's grin widened, as if savoring the confrontation. "Nonsense, Anna. She's my guest, and I expect my guests to be treated with courtesy."

Anna's eyes narrowed, cold fire burning beneath. "I'm serious, Lee. She's—"

"Enough."

Lee's single word, backed by a flick of his gloved hand, silenced her. For a moment, Anna's poise faltered — the public rebuke stung.

"Give us time to get acquainted," Lee added smoothly, turning away. "You'd do well to remember your manners."

Anna stood frozen in place, fury masked by a smile that didn't reach her eyes. As the pair drifted toward the hall — arms entwined, steps perfectly in sync — she tightened her grip on the railing until her knuckles paled. Her silence wasn't defeat, one of a blade waiting for the right moment to strike.

Lee's eyes gleamed as he admired the woman beside him, drawn by her calm poise and the faint, knowing smirk that promised danger.

Master Raven leaned close, her voice low, intimate enough to be mistaken for a lover's whisper. "So what of your partnership with the Mishima Zaibatsu?"

Lee's smirk hardened into something sharper. "Only a stepping stone. A means to what I truly deserve."

She rolled her eyes discreetly. 'Typical.'

A flick of Anna's wrist produced a steel glint between her fingers. The knife spun through the air — only for Master Raven to catch it inches from her eye. Lee jolted back, his champagne nearly spilling. Anna didn't pause; her high heel arced toward Raven's head, silk dress flaring like a battle flag.

"What did I tell you, Lee? No civilian does that," she hissed.

Master Raven's shrug was almost lazy as she casually avoided the kick. "True. But face it — he's already lost interest in you."

The barb hit its mark.

Anna came at her, fury sharpening every strike — kicks, fists, claws. Master Raven moved like a shadow, parrying and striking cleanly to Anna's chest and jaw. She absorbed the blows, eyes blazing.

"You'll regret that," she spat, twisting into a vicious heel strike.

Master Raven veered aside, reading Anna's footwork like a code. Their bodies blurred in close quarters: elbow, knee, a cartwheel escape, a brutal shoulder drive. Anna was raw aggression; Master Raven, precise discipline.

Then the escalation — steel flashed again. Knives fanned out in a lethal arc. Master Raven vanished, Ki flaring, only to reappear at the wall with a kick that Anna barely blocked. The exchange spun into a flurry of claws, kicks, and counter-kicks. A heel slammed into Master Raven's sternum, drawing a grunt — but the kunoichi dusted herself off, cool as stone.

"You're lucky this dress is black," she said evenly.

Anna's laugh was venomous. "Black suits you. Bland."

Master Raven's reply was ice. "Yet his eyes are on me, sleaze."

That broke Anna's restraint.

She lunged wild, knives flashing again — but Master Raven was already in motion. A heel swept her down, a clone feint spinning her balance, and then the real Master Raven closed, boot pressing to Anna's throat, weight precise, merciless. The Derringer clattered uselessly from Anna's grip. Her chest rose and fell with fury.

Master Raven leaned, her gaze cold and steady. One step more, and the fight was over. But she held, letting the silence choke tighter than her heel.

"Stop!" Lee's voice cracked like a whip. "Nobody needs to die. Who are you, and what do you want?"

Master Raven didn't turn; her heel pressed into Anna's throat. She tilted her head, her voice calm as steel. "That's classified. I want some info from you. Then I vanish."

Lee's grin returned, brittle around the edges. "And what makes you think I'll hand them over?"

Master Raven bore down a fraction more to call his bluff. Anna's breath hitched into a strangled cough, her face darkening at the heel against her throat.

"Your call."

"...Fine." Lee lifted a gloved hand. "Ask away."

"Why ally Violet Systems with the Mishima Zaibatsu, when the world wants it destroyed?"

Lee's tone sharpened with disdain. "Because I profit from its downfall. Kazuya and Heihachi will tear each other apart. I'll claim the remains as the rightful heir at last. Being cast out of the Mishima Family after discovering the truth of Kazuya's Devil Gene, I want to ensure the world knows who the true heir to the Zaibatsu is."

"You don't stand a chance against them," Master Raven said flatly.

"I don't need to, and that's the genius of it!" Lee countered, eyes glittering. "When devils slaughter themselves, the survivor will be too broken to stop me. Then I step in."

"The partnership is a transition into the leading spot. Nobody will question it." Master Raven chuckled. "Clever."

Lee grinned. "A perfect game of chess."

"A dangerous one at that," Master Raven murmured. "Tread carefully, Chaolan, as we'll be monitoring very closely."

Lee's smirk deepened. "All the better, my dear."

Only then did Master Raven glance down at Anna, her heel digging just enough to draw a gasp. "As for you, Williams. It would be unwise to continue this game of switching power players. You're the only one risking getting burned. And you can keep your playboy. Not even remotely interested."

Poof.

She was gone after releasing her weight — dissolving into shadow, leaving nothing but a wisp of displaced air.

Anna coughed hard, fury burning through humiliation. "That... fucking bitch!"

Her hand twitched toward another blade, but Lee's silence froze her. He had stepped to the railing, eyes locked on the ballroom below. The vision of Master Raven—the dress, the smirk, the vanishing act—stamped into his mind. His gloved hand stroked his chin, a predator tasting obsession.

'I must see her again.'

The answer slid cold and intimate through his thoughts: 'You will, Chaolan. When you least expect it.'

Lee blinked and stiffened, searching the empty room.

'Like I told your bimbo, I'm spoken for and off your list of airheads to seduce. Know this—don't waste your charm. Pursue me, and you'll burn.'

The echo faded, but the warning lingered like a blade at his throat and was not to be taken lightly.

The armored limousine door closed with a heavy seal, cutting off the mansion's music and leaving only the low hum of the engine. Moonlight poured through the tinted glass, striping the leather seats in silver.

Victor studied his operative from across the cabin. Tatyana sat back, one leg crossed over the other, her dress slit catching the glow like a blade unsheathed. The smile on her lips wasn't victory — it was something darker, the kind he hadn't seen since her first Close Encounter mission.

"Tatyana..." His voice carried both warning and curiosity.

She didn't glance at him. "I got what we needed and more."

Something small glinted as she flicked it across the gap. Victor caught it midair. A throwing knife — its edge immaculate, its weight balanced — and along the steel, a name etched deep: Anna W.

Victor turned it in his hand, the moonlight sliding across the engraving. "She's working for Lee?"

Tatyana leaned into the shadows, her grin widening. "Anna never works for anyone but herself. My guess? Lee promised her what Kazuya couldn't." A pause. "She's flashy and reckless. Easier to draw out than I expected."

Victor's brow furrowed. "I'm almost afraid to ask... did you enjoy yourself?"

"Plenty," she purred. "I'll save the details for the penthouse."

The cabin fell quiet again. Only the hum of the engine and the faint scent of gun oil from Victor's holster lingered in the air. Across from her, Raven hadn't spoken since she entered the car. His eyes remained fixed forward, unreadable, his silence a deliberate barrier.

Victor glanced at him in the rearview mirror. Whatever was building behind those eyes — he'd wait until behind locked doors and walls were theirs before letting it out.

---

G-Corp Headquarters | 12:11 A.M.

"Why hasn't she checked in?" Bruce muttered, arms crossed, his tone edged with irritation more than concern.

Before Kazuya could respond, the front doors swung open and a G-Corp operative hurried in, tablet in hand. His steps faltered under Kazuya's gaze, but he pressed forward. "S-sir... a voice message just came in from Violet Systems."

Kazuya's eyes narrowed. "Play it."

Beep.

Lee's smooth voice filled the room. "Kazuya, a little professional courtesy. I thought you'd appreciate a warning about the gift you sent me."

Bruce frowned. "Gift?"

Then Anna's sultry tone purred through the speaker, dripping with mockery. "Nothing personal, Kazuya. Our goals don't align. Don't wait up for me. Oh—and be sure to take Bruce out for some fresh air occasionally. He gets cranky when he can't play soldier." Her laugh lingered for a second before the message cut. "Ciao."

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Bruce let out a humorless scoff, though his jaw was tight. "Shouldn't even be surprised..."

Kazuya didn't answer. His expression remained carved in stone, but the glow from his right eye flared crimson, bleeding menace into the room. The operative holding the tablet instinctively stepped back, as if the heat alone might burn him.

---

Ichitani Hotel | 12:19 A.M.

The click of the cuff at Master Raven's wrist broke the silence. "Let me get out of this dress."

She disappeared into the bedroom with the same unhurried grace she'd walked into Lee's mansion. Raven's eyes lingered on the doorway, jaw tight. The sway in her step still haunted him, a weapon disguised as allure. He exhaled and dropped his gaze to the floor before glancing at Victor.

"You buy her a dress, and look what happens," he muttered. "That's on you, Vic."

Victor gave a low laugh, snapping his suitcase shut. "What can I say? Even operatives need a cover story. That's her idea of fun. It's terrifying how fast she can turn that switch."

"Scary," Raven admitted.

"Exactly." Victor shook his head. "Next time, I'm sending you shopping with her."

"No promises."

The bedroom door opened. Gone was the femme fatale; back was the agent in her dark suit and loosened tie, blade sheathed at her side, a duffel bag in hand. The mission mask had slipped off, but something in her eyes still gleamed — adrenaline refusing to fade.

Victor checked his watch. "What did Chaolan give you?"

Master Raven dropped the duffel onto the table with a dull thud. "Confirmation. His alliance with the Zaibatsu is a charade. Lee's biding time, letting Kazuya and Heihachi bleed each other dry. When one's standing, he plans to move in and crown himself the heir."

Victor arched a brow. "And the public buys it?"

"He believes so. Partnership makes it look like succession, not a coup. But Chaolan isn't delusional — he knows he can't take either of them head-on."

"Which means if the Zaibatsu falls apart entirely, he's left grasping smoke," Victor concluded.

He slid his phone out, scanning a text from the pilot: Plane is ready.

Pocketing it again, he nodded. "We'll debrief in the air." Victor left first, the door clicking shut behind him.

Raven stayed. Arms crossed, he studied her — no mask or pretense — just the woman he knew and the operative she could so effortlessly become.

"Are you alright?" His voice was low, taut. "He didn't—"

She cut him off with a shrug, her tone casual but eyes sharp. "Nothing I didn't allow. I'm fine."

"And Anna?"

A wry smile touched her lips. "Not her sister's equal, but she can kick."

He shook his head. "I didn't like it. Any of it."

"You and Victor both."

"You know what I mean."

Her expression softened — the faintest sympathy in a face trained for masks. She stepped close, the scent of powder and steel clinging to her, and pressed a light kiss against Raven's cheek. A dark print of lipstick bloomed on his skin like a mark of possession.

"You have nothing to worry about," Master Raven whispered. Then, with the slyest grin: "Besides, we didn't finish our date."

He faltered. "R-right."

"Relax, Raven." Her hand lingered at his collar, tugging the loosened tie just enough to remind him of the line between the agent and the woman. "You can and should trust me."

The words hung in the quiet room like an oath and a dare, the night far from over but closing in her favor.

Chapter 9: Pact

RAVEN STEALTH - 12:41 A.M.:

In the opulent confines of the private jet's main cabin, Victor sat across from his two agents on their return to Neo City after a triumphant series of successful missions.

"After the conclusion of the sixth tournament, I suspect Heihachi will seize the opportunity to eliminate Kazuya once and for all."

Master Raven raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Seems likely. But in full view of the entire world?"

"Very likely," Victor affirmed, his eyes revealing a hint of revelation. "However, I did uncover something."

Click.

A discreet button on the compact circular table conjured a holographic keyboard. Victor swiftly entered several commands, bringing forth an image of Master Raven resheathing her blade. In the background, Heihachi loomed with his back to the camera, overseeing a group of soldiers loading a substantial piece of machinery onto a truck.

Raven observed closely. "Looks like a-"

"Satellite," Master Raven finished.

Victor nodded. "You thwarted one of their most perilous transactions to date."

"Heihachi intended to assist Dragunov with a satellite..." Raven mused. "What became of it?"

"This," Victor responded, his fingers dancing across the holographic keyboard.

Moments later, a series of images materialized on the screen. Various images showcased Lee proudly displaying his newly acquired satellite during a tour of the Violet Systems headquarters. One image even featured a newspaper headline detailing the agreement.

VIOLET SYSTEMS CEO BUYS MISHIMA ZAIBATSU - SATELLITE

Despite strains between Violet Systems and the Mishima Zaibatsu, Lee Chaolan had secured a high-powered satellite from the conglomerate giant. Master Raven tapped the satellite's image on its pedestal, revealing some key features.

* High-powered laser

* Exact location hovering

* Cloaked Device tracking

* Security camera tracking

* Invisible to Radars Ghost Data Tracking

Raven's gaze narrowed. "Quite the technology. We were fortunate to intercept that deal."

Composing herself, Master Raven pinched the bridge of her nose. She blocked out Victor and Raven's voices to delve into her memory bank and retrace a crucial conversation involving herself, the UN director, and Victor.

---

Master Raven peered over the Director's shoulders in observation as he briskly scanned his computer's glass monitor. Unfolded before them was a world map adorned with crimson dots signifying the locations of Raven agents. A concise box of information accompanied each dot, detailing the mission name and the agents' current status.

"You can still keep tabs on them?" Master Raven inquired, skepticism etched across her face. "Isn't that a vulnerability to potential unwanted intrusions?"

"Not at all. Victor and I took measures to cloak the other agents' data, making it nearly untraceable to external entities," Dwight assured. "We call it Ghost Data."

"Intel, agent aliases, identities, and any personal information related to the Raven Unit are concealed from both the public and the standard UN network," Victor added, hands clasped behind his back. "Our paramount concern is safeguarding this information within our circle and among select higher-ups."

Master Raven arched an eyebrow. "Have you devised a contingency plan in case someone attempts to trace it?"

Victor paused momentarily. "Not yet, but you've raised a valid concern."

"Luck alone won't be enough to safeguard-"

---

"Wait," the master kunoichi finally spoke. "Vic, have you formulated a plan for Code 39R?"

The name designated for an emergency operation addressing the compromise and public release of all Raven agents' information hung in the air, laden with urgency.

Victor acknowledged with a nod. "Certainly. But even that requires further refinement and raises some concerns."

"I recall a news report on the Mishima Zaibatsu deploying their satellite several years ago. So far, the public knows only of a second model," Raven interjected. "Our focus should shift to uncovering how many more they possess and their respective locations."

"If the Mishima Zaibatsu possesses multiple cloaked satellites capable of detecting Ghost Data, what's preventing Heihachi from pinpointing our unit and neutralizing them?" Master Raven speculated.

"Too intricate..." Raven declared. "You start at the root of a problem to eliminate it. He'd target the UN's HQ in Neo City and execute the same strategy against any military force or government opposing him."

Victor powered down the computer. "We'll need comprehensive intel to dismantle those satellites promptly."

Master Raven groaned with frustration, failing to conceal her disdain for the impending reality. "Which means engaging in another conversation with Chaolan."

"We'll assess what information we can extract from him once we're back at HQ," Victor concluded.

---

Neo City; UN HQ, Underground Conference Room - 2:47 A.M.:

Master Raven crossed her arms with sheer disgust. "Tell me you're kidding, and this is not some sick joke."

Victor sighed, recognizing the tension in her stance. "I know you don't want to interact with Chaolan, Tatyana. But we have a new objective to complete."

"Playing along wasn't part of the plan, Chevalier."

The older man released a frustrated breath, aware that her use of his actual name only occurred when infuriated. Victor sensed the subtle suppression of her ki, a precursor to an imminent blaze that could spiral out of control.

"Can you at least play nice? We need this to work."

"I'll keep my mouth shut if it means playing nice. But no promises once I start speaking."

"Fair enough."

Victor and Master Raven returned to the front of the room, rejoining Raven and a group of analysts stationed at the console control system.

"Calling Lee Chaolan in... Three," the analyst in the middle initiated. "Two."

Raven exchanged glances with his girlfriend, telepathically inquiring, 'How are you feeling?'

Master Raven remained fixated on the screen. 'Like I could slice a tank in half right now.'

'It's only for a few minutes, Tatyana.'

'Too long for my liking. Lee will probably drag this out during this alliance.'

'Hoping for the worst?'

'It's a game of chess. With the right moves, you can get what you want out of almost every situation.'

"One."

Beep.

Beep.

The screen transitioned to an image of Lee Chaolan lounging in burgundy satin sheets, accompanied by a bare Anna Williams resting on his chest. The sheets were their only modesty while reclined in bed. Master Raven fought the instinct to cut the feed with abject disgust. Despite Victor and Raven in view, Lee's dark eyes zeroed in on the dark-skinned beauty in the suit.

"Ah..." His lustful grin returned. "The Mistress of the hour. Nice to see you again after you left so quickly from my grasp. I presume you called to have an official date? I'd love to take you on a yacht under the stars."

Master Raven opened her mouth to speak, but Raven quickly intervened by gripping her fisted hand. Lee only smirked at the gesture but chose to remain silent.

Victor clasped his hands behind his back. "Lee Chaolan. Our sources indicate you own a Mishima Zaibatsu satellite."

"Yes, and what of it?"

"We believe you have valuable information."

"Hmm, ask away."

"Does the Mishima Zaibatsu have any other hidden satellites?" Raven inquired.

Lee nodded. "They currently have eight total orbiting the Earth as we speak. I've been tracking them in case Heihachi decides to act on his final plans of eliminating Kazuya and Jin."

"You have the exact locations of where they're hovering?" Master Raven questioned.

"I can even send you my current findings."

Beep.

The screen split between Lee, a world map, and small Mishima Zaibatsu logos pinned at different locations - each with a pair of exact longitude and latitude coordinates. Master Raven's stoic, dark gaze quickly transformed into one of raised eyebrows and widened brown eyes.

UN Neo City HQ.

Millennium Tower G-Corporation's HQ.

Violet Systems HQ in Hokkaido.

Presidential Palace in Poland.

Unknown location: Yggdrasil.

Unknown location: RAVENS-2R Underground.

And... Chevalier Palace [Seine River, France]

"Shit..." the kunoichi muttered.

"Putain!" Victor cursed silently. (F word in French)

"Exactly," Lee continued as Anna adjusted her position. "Each one is equipped with a high-powered laser that can level anything it hits. Only the infamous Devil Gene users can survive such a blast since Heihachi doesn't have the gall to kill Kazuya instead of playing this game. It's swift and deadly, only giving anyone a total of seven seconds to escape before they are vaporized instantly. Considering that most people cannot teleport, they are souls on borrowed time."

"We need to disable them before Heihachi decides to make his next move. Is there a way?" Raven stated.

Lee smirked. "Yes, only I know the codes to shut down the network of seven. The one over Millenium Tower is out of my control."

"So," Victor began. "Tell us-"

The silver-haired man chortled. "You think I'd just give that up so easily?"

"This isn't a game, Chaolan," Raven growled. "People's lives are at-"

"Ah, but it is a game. You can spend your days wondering how long you have before Heihachi sends you all into a panic or play along. I don't need to worry since most of my workers here are androids, and I always have a backup base. I presume your clan does not."

"Fine," Master Raven gritted. "What do you want?"

'Checkmate,' Lee thought. "We'll discuss my terms when you arrive. I look forward to seeing you again, Mistress."

Beep.

The call ended, leaving an apprehensive silence within the expansive room. A noticeable frown formed on Victor's face at their current predicament: a no-win scenario for everyone involved.

"Both of you take your leave," Victor addressed his agents. "We depart for Hokkaido later today."

With that, both agents quickly and quietly left the room.

---

Tatyana's Apartment - Two Hours Later:

The Raven duo lay side by side in bed following the aftermath of their conversation with Lee weighing on their minds, hindering the solace sleep usually brought. Raven sported only a pair of dark blue shorts, while his girlfriend opted for a black bra and underwear.

"Glad I'm not the only one having trouble sleeping," Raven broke the silence.

Tatyana sat up as the dark red velvet sheets rippled from slipping out of Raven's grasp around her waist, her untied dreads concealing her back and shoulders. "It's not the mission I'm concerned about."

"Huh?"

"It's you..."

Raven took a small breath before reclining back, hands under his head with a gaze fixed on the ceiling. "I get it. But I promise to control myself."

"Lee is persistent and knows which buttons to press, meaning he's done this before," Master Raven added before pausing. "Thank you... for earlier."

Raven raised an eyebrow before quickly realizing what she was referring to. "We couldn't let the conversation go south. Should Lee continue his antics, I trust you'll do the same?"

"Without hesitation."

"Good, 'cause we need a day off after this is over. Another date would be nice."

A small smile graced Tatyana's face. "It may be sooner after all this."

Raven looked over at her. "Need something to look forward to, after all."

Tatyana laid back down next to him and pecked his cheek. "The quicker we get this done, the better."

"Agreed."

---

Hokkaido, Japan - 2:20 P.M.:

The trio of agents emerged from the UN Stealth Jet, finding themselves at the entrance of Violet Systems Headquarters. Victor held his briefcase, Raven sported a backpack, and Master Raven gripped a duffle bag. Awaiting them at the polished glass doors was Lee's assistant, Aki. She wore her usual black heels, a black mini-skirt, and a neatly tucked-in dress shirt. Glasses adorned her face, and her brown hair was fashioned into a neat bun with several loose strands.

Aki bowed slightly to acknowledge the agents. "Welcome to Violet Systems. My name is Aki. Mr. Lee is waiting in the underground lab. Please, follow me."

Descending on a wide metal platform, the group entered an underground laboratory bustling with Combots and scientists perfecting their prototypes. Aki led the UN agents through a metal sliding door to two wooden doors at the end of the hall. Standing at attention, the Combots opened the doors to reveal a room contrasting the underground's sleek metal design. Wooden walls, a thick wood floor with a fireplace, and awards for technological advancements adorned the space. In the center, a red leather couch and a table with wine and glasses awaited. Anna sat on the sofa twirling a throwing knife, her gaze narrowing as Master Raven entered.

Lee stood with an expectant smirk. "Glad you all made it safely. Especially you, Mistress. I hope you and I can come to be closer than just allies. I want to ensure this relationship is pleasurable to the newest jewel in my life, especially with this newfound alliance."

Unimpressed, Master Raven cut to the chase. "What are your terms, Chaolan? And I have a name."

"Where are my manners? Speaking of business so soon, Master Raven? I would like you and I to get to know each other over a glass of wine before visiting the Zaibatsu building.

"This is nothing more than business."

Lee smirked before winking at her. "For now, anyway."

He turned to her allies, noting Raven's trembling shoulders with amusement. "In return for my aid in this little problem, Mistress and I will go into the Zaibatsu Building and disable the satellites from the inside while you two, alongside Anna-"

"I'm not working with-" Anna injected.

"Wait on standby should we need backup," Lee explained. "But if you're uncomfortable with that, I will communicate the codes by an earpiece but only to my Mistress."

Raven stepped forward. "You-"

"I presume you're not willing to compromise?" Victor interjected.

Lee laughed. "Of course not, but I'm a sensible man. I'll give you the option to choose. However, I suggest you decide hopefully before eight tonight. Heihachi will oversee the first half of the tournament's semi-finals, giving us a few hours to take down their toys and escape without much trouble since Nina will be joining him."

The agents shared mirrored annoyance, particularly Master Raven. "Neither of those choices is worth wasting time."

Victor nodded. "Unfortunately, but we have a mission to complete."

Raven's jaw clenched. 'When do I get to wipe that smirk off his face? Before or after we throw him behind bars for collusion?'

Master Raven glanced at her boyfriend. 'Impossible without evidence Lee has assisted in their war crimes. Besides, we still need him... reluctantly.'

Her attention turned back to the mogul. "Fine, you can tag along. But if your tomfoolery interferes with this objective, I'm calling Raven to assist."

"What!?" Both Victor and Raven shouted in unison.

'We didn't even decide-'

"Are we clear?" Master Raven blocked out her boyfriend's telepathic objection.

Lee inhaled sharply. "Clever... Alright, we have a deal. I'll be on my best behavior."

"Good. One more thing." Master Raven eyed Anna. "If your friend with 'expired' benefits attempts to sabotage this mission or threaten my teammates, I will not hesitate to conduct an immediate disposal."

Anna fumed. "Now listen here, you-"

"Surely there won't be any reason to do so, Mistress," Lee tried to reason.

Master Raven shrugged. "Then simply don't give me one. We'll decompress until the designated time if we're done here."

Unable to persuade her, Lee relented. "Excellent. Aki, please show them to their rooms. And make sure Mistress has the best suite in the building."

The brown-haired secretary nodded. "Follow me, you three."

Walking past the double doors, the Raven agents said not one word. Yet, Master Raven could tell her presence was felt with the demands she laid in place. She wasn't even surprised by Lee's antics, knowing it was his way to wedge between her and Raven. This, however, gave her something to work with in case he stepped out of line.

Unknown to everyone, Master Raven spoke telepathically to Anna, who was startled enough to mishandle her blade and nick her fingers. 'Careful with those butter knives, scarlet. You might have more than an accident. And keep your womanizer on his leash.'

---

Lavender Suite:

"This is unjust," Victor commented.

He and his agents stepped into Tatyana's room for their stay. The expansive room had a spacious hot tub, a king-size bed, a balcony, a flatscreen TV mounted on the wall, and a full walk-in closet with an attached bathroom. A punching bag and a powered-down Combot occupied one corner for practice.

Master Raven sighed. "Victor..."

"Why do you get the one with a balcony?"

"Victor," Raven scolded.

"Are you up for sharing rooms? I'll sleep on the floor, but I can't promise I won't hog the hot tub. I do-"

"Victor!" Both agents interrupted.

The older man cleared his throat. "To the matter at hand." His gaze hardened as he and Raven stood with eyes on Master Raven. "Explain yourself, agent."

Master Raven anticipated this. Unsurprisingly, Victor disliked having decisions being made without his input. Master Raven was particularly cautious, given her stubborn nature, despite never outgrowing this habit. One of the reasons she achieved the rank of master in the unit was due to the cost of her impulsive nature. It paid off most times, but the risk sometimes outweighed the reward.

"Don't jump ahead before you know where you're landing."

"Do you always speak in poetic statements about things like this?" Tatyana questioned.

Victor didn't respond; his dark eyebrows furrowed.

She sighed. "Alright. What's the verdict?"

"Underwater meditation for the next two hours."

"But-"

"Now."

Tatyana flinched but kept her composure. "We have a better chance of getting things done when Lee is present since we can't keep him on track when he isn't. He'll talk constantly if you let him try to drag this out as long as possible. Now, he'll be forced to stay focused with the prospect of Raven hindering his plans. With that in mind, Lee's antics will be minimal when I could call for backup anytime. We risk compromising the mission, or we play along."

"A game of chess," Victor repeated, understanding why she had acted hastily. "Consider yourself fortunate. Start preparing for the upcoming objective."

Both agents nodded silently before Victor swiftly left the room.

Master Raven exhaled. "That was close."

"Perhaps too close." Raven crossed his arms. "What were you thinking, Tatyana?"

"I wasn't trying to decide without either of your inputs. I want this whole thing done just as quickly as you do."

He sighed. "I suppose. This is almost like old times. You still tense up when Victor gives you that look."

"Don't remind me. I still have flashbacks from the last punishment."

"You never did tell me what that was."

"Sparring while keeping my haze up. I hated that since it gave me the worst headache ever."

"Even now?"

"Nothing gets easier in master rank."

"Noted. Mind if I use the hot tub?"

"Not a word to Victor, Raven."

"Wouldn't think of it."

Raven breathed a sigh of relief before relaxing into the hot tub. Usually, a chuckle would've emitted from his girlfriend. No sound occurred - only a slim detectable sense of her ki, stronger than earlier. Master Raven always subconsciously lessened it without much effort, even when fighting or around her clan mates.

Craning his neck, Raven eyed her as Tatyana stood on the open balcony. He watched as she took a few deep breaths before perching onto the metal guardrail in one seamless motion. She exhaled slowly, lifting her body with both arms until she stood perfectly straight in a handstand.

"Weirdo."

"It's majestic," Raven defended himself. "Like watching a panther stalk its prey from the shadows."

A confused expression painted Master Raven's face. "Two different things you're talking about here. Meditation to an animal stalking prey. That hot tub is numbing your brain."

You should join me. Feels too spacious right now."

"Tempting, but I don't wanna get distracted and risk Victor barging in. It's bad enough I have to tolerate Lee's buffoonery."

"How about we go out instead? Have some ramen, sushi, or see the wisteria tree."

"Please don't think you can act like you're not annoyed by this situation as much as me."

He shook his head. "It was worth a try. I hate how bold Lee thinks he can be without consequence. Is asking for a chance to break his nose too much?"

She snorted. "Not at all, but don't expect that to be easy. Lee Chaolan knows how to handle himself in such situations very well."

"Figures. For once, I can't wait to get back to Neo City."

"No argument from me."

---

Violet Systems Entrance Courtyard - 7:24 P.M.:

Lee rose from the armored vehicle, raising an eyebrow as the three agents approached, two clad in their mission suits. His gaze lingered on the woman in her upgraded attire, a cropped armored upper body revealing more skin with golden details.

He bowed. "Mistress, you look simply alluring in that suit."

Victor cleared his throat. "What's the truck for?"

"For my distraction, of course," Lee replied. "I'll explain once we reach our vantage point. For now, I welcome you to my state-of-the-art armored carrier. Hop in, and we'll be on our way."

They entered the vehicle and found the cabin surprisingly spacious. Another Combot operated the car. No one spoke during the journey, including Lee. However, that didn't stop him from winking or grinning at Master Raven, who sat across from him with a bored expression. Raven sat on her left side, looking out the window while resisting the urge to hold a blade to the tycoon's neck. Anna twirled a throwing knife, glaring at the kunoichi while secretly plotting her demise for their previous encounters. The armored carrier eventually came to a stop.

"We have arrived," Aki announced.

Lee nodded and looked upward as everyone except Aki filtered out of the vehicle. "Up there is where I scout the Zaibatsu building. I usually take the elevator, but I thought you could show me how your teleportation works, Mistress." He placed a hand over his chin, admiring her physique. "After all, it is faster, and-"

Master Raven rolled her eyes before Victor touched Lee's shoulder.

Poof.

Lee fell to his knees, his head ringing from a sudden headache. He inhaled sharply as Victor gave both agents sharp looks, and they held in their snickers with small grins.

'Not a word out of either of you.'

"Ah... that's what teleporting feels like? Feels like I've been ripped apart to a molecular level and suddenly forced back into one piece."

"Technically, you're not wrong. The intricacies of teleportation are deeper than that," Victor explained. "On your feet. You still need to elaborate on this plan of yours."

Lee chuckled nervously, gradually getting to his feet. "I'm sure the headache will eventually fade. A warning would be much appreciated."

He blinked hard as his vision regained focus before turning toward the building and pointing at the entrance. "In the back of the carrier are several Combots that will distract the Tekken Force guarding the entrance while we make our way inside to the fiftieth floor, where the central office is. The console in the center of the room is the only way to shut down the other satellites - four guards at the door and two inside. Nina shouldn't be a problem as she's with Heihachi setting up the arena for the tournament's semi-finals."

"You don't have a plan to deal with Nina if she appears?" Victor questioned.

"Mistress and I will ensure she won't interfere."

"Don't underestimate Nina's lethality," Master Raven warned. "She can and will kill you if you're not careful."

He laughed haughtily. "I've fought Nina before and highly doubt she could land a hit on me. If I suddenly died, the partnership wouldn't look good for the Mishima Zaibatsu."

"Do you have a point of entry?" Raven questioned.

"Isn't that your job?" Lee replied with an arrogant grin.

Raven fought the urge to retort as Victor eyed him before tapping a button on the left side of his cybernetic sunglasses. The thermal mode activated and quickly lined the patrolling soldiers in color. Armed guards patrolled every level, some wielding miniguns and missile launchers with security cameras in every hall. Victor grimaced in slight frustration. Infiltration from the roof or sides would compromise them. Teleporting inside could be caught on surveillance. The only safe entry to the fiftieth floor was using the elevator, but not in a way the kunoichi would find pleasurable.

"Entering from the roof or sides would compromise us," Victor explained. "But we could cloak your entrance through the front door with smoke bombs and an explosion."

"Seems prudent," Master Raven remarked.

"Afterward, you'll need to use the elevator from the underside. Only one of you has shoes with auto-magnetic soles."

Lee grinned while the kunoichi's jaw clenched with a hand on her hip. "Please tell me there is another way to do this?"

"Afraid of getting close and personal, Mistress?" The tycoon knowingly questioned. "I promise not to speak too much. That would ruin the moment, and I doubt we would want that."

Raven glared daggers at the shorter man.

"That's your only entry point unless you have a better idea. As for the cameras, we could use a short-range EMP for temporary interference," Victor added.

"Genius. With the ones I have on me, we could get in there without being seen. However, we'd only have six minutes before the cameras reset."

"While going in blind," Raven finally spoke, his eyes landing on Master Raven behind his shades before switching to the tycoon. "There can be no mistakes infiltrating the building."

Lee clasped his hands behind him. "Understood. Let's give the Tekken Force a show to remember, shall we? And don't worry about Anna. She'll keep watch at her spot."

"So long as we're all in contact after you're inside," Raven replied.

"Of course," Lee added, "So, do I take a deep breath before you start tele-"

Master Raven gripped his arm in a vice grip. "Brace yourself..."

Poof.

Raven chuckled while Victor shook his head. "You two will be the death of me."

---

Lee inhaled sharply, leaning against the armored vehicle. The ringing in his ears subsided faster than it did the first time. His vision was still slowly sharpening even while staring at the concrete below him.

"That wasn't what I meant when I said warning," Lee remarked sharply.

"On your mark, Chaolan," Master Raven stated, paying no mind to his words.

With a deep inhale, Lee stood from the vehicle and retreated to its rear. Opening the double doors and backing away, fifteen Combots exited the car and stood at attention for their following command. Some were even equipped with extra armor and weapons. Lee tossed an object toward Master Raven that landed in her palm; she held a silver rose with a red button at the center and a timer on the left side.

"That is the EMP," Lee explained. "Feel free to set it off while we infiltrate the building." He activated the device in his ear. "Everyone has their timers set?"

"Affirmative," Raven answered from their communication devices.

"On Standby," Victor replied.

"Blah blah blah. Let's get to the fun part before the night's end." Anna remarked.

Lee chuckled. "Alright, Numbers One, Two, and Three."

Beep.

Beep.

The first three Combots' eyes turned blue.

"Attack."

Beep.

The three robots ran towards the Tekken Force soldiers. Lee then tapped his hand on the vehicle, and a small cannon appeared from the vehicle's top. Several gunshots rang out as the smoke bombs flew overhead, one landing near the entrance while the other detonated inside the building.

"Number Four, shoot your RPG at the entrance in five seconds, but only after we start running."

Beep.

It nodded, holding its missile launcher tightly.

"Combots, attack!"

Without another word, the others ran toward the smoke and bullets.

"Good luck."

"Thank you, Raven," Lee replied.

"Wasn't talking to you, Chaolan."

He looked over at Master Raven, who only shrugged. "Pay him no mind."

"Easy for you to say," Lee mumbled.

"Follow my lead."

Without another word, the kunoichi ran for the entrance.

Five.

Fast footsteps tapped the ground as she raced through the smoke, her feet almost seemingly levitating.

Four.

Lee followed closely behind, looking straight ahead for any upcoming danger.

Three.

A soldier stood ahead, aiming his gun into the smoke.

Two.

Master Raven jumped while crouching into a ball and flew overhead while Lee slid under him.

Thud.

One.

The master kunoichi landed and recovered without a single stumble.

She inhaled sharply, both rolling to the ground as a missile shot over them. The ground shook.

"Now!"

She pressed the button at the rose's center. Victor narrowed his eyes, the timer counting down in the left upper corner of his sunglasses right lense counting down.

5:56

5:55

"Now, we wait," Raven remarked.

Fire shot out from the elevator doors, one they could see already heading for the upper floors. Master Raven inhaled deeply, squatting to the ground as she raced ahead of Lee. Her foot caught onto the guardrail as the elevator rose above her head. She grunted and leaned back before jumping. The glowing circles in her boots' soles pulsed.

Ting.

She slid before landing on the elevator's underside, leaning her weight on her left leg and coming to a stop. Master Raven looked back to see Lee racing toward her.

"Come on," Master Raven ordered while entering a lowered crouch with a hand held out.

"Tuh!" Lee grunted, jumping off the guardrail as well.

Lee inhaled sharply, feeling his muscles slightly strain as he held onto her. "Excellent catch!"

He gave a thumbs up with his free hand before looking down, the deepening black void below sending a chill down his spine as he swallowed hard. "Not to be a pushover... but do you mind helping me up?"

"I'm not carrying you, Chaolan. Now, hope I don't drop you a thousand feet," Master Raven snapped.

He nodded and was able to hold himself with her assistance. Neither spoke a word while the elevator began to climb its metal scaffolding to the top of the building.

"Level forty-nine is just ahead. The hall to your right leads to Heihachi's main office," Lee stated. "Think you can swing me over?"

"Glad we're on the same page for once."

The woman swung her arm, allowing Lee to use his momentum in a joint effort.

"I won't save you if you fall."

"Wha-"

She let go, and Lee soared towards the hallway with flailing arms as he sailed over the patrolling soldiers. He landed with a slight grunt from the impact against the metal ground. Fortunately, no one heard. Master Raven launched into the air and quickly covered the distance to the rising elevator. She landed gracefully and rolled into the hallway before hiding behind the corner of another intersecting hallway. Her eyes narrowed on a soldier pacing at the guardrail who tapped the side of his helmet. His moments grew frantic as the other soldiers began shouting commands to head down to ground level. Her ears picked up the sound of impending footsteps coming closer, seemingly heading this way.

Lee was too busy dusting himself off just as Master Raven pulled him to cover by the tie of his suit. He opened his mouth to speak but froze as several Tekken Force soldiers ran past them without spotting them. They waited several long minutes before Lee placed his hand on the wall beside the kunoichi's head. Her eyebrows sunk in annoyance, blinking in surprise when she turned to face him.

"Finally..." Lee's velvet tone caught her ear. "It's quiet enough for us to talk."

She shoved him back. "Back off, Chaolan."

He chuckled while stepping back. "As you wish, Mistress."

Tatyana rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time. "Where to?"

"This way."

Lee sprinted down the hall, Master Raven hot on his tail.

---

Iron Fist Area - Main Office:

"Commander!"

Nina turned to face a Tekken Force soldier. "We're being attacked! Our communications with the others is down!"

"How?"

"We don't know. Possible EMP or some other device. All we know is that a team of Combots is attacking us!"

"Is that so?" Nina headed for the rising elevator. "We have a few unwanted visitors."

---

Lee and Master Raven peaked over the corner, four soldiers standing on guard outside the door.

"The two inside are probably busy getting the coms and cameras back up," Lee explained. "How much time do we have?"

"Two minutes and thirty-eight seconds," Master Raven answered. "Don't get shot once we're inside."

"Are you worried about me, Mistress?" A smirk followed his question. "I assure you, I—"

"Hardly, Chaolan. You can't teleport."

"Right... Still, it will take more than bullets to take me out."

Master Raven huffed, now holding four kunai in hand. "Maybe, but it only takes one well-placed shot."

"Do you want me dea—"

"Shut up and focus!"

Master Raven's tone was sharp as the bladed kunai she tossed at the four unsuspecting soldiers, each landing in their skulls as blood pooled around the now-dead bodies.

"Let's go."

She sprinted toward the entryway; Lee followed closely behind before he sped ahead of her. Master Raven reached for the hilt of her sword in a secure grip. The automatic metal doors slid open as a group of soldiers inside looked up from the console.

"Wah!" Lee grunted, his flying kick sending the first one toward the far wall.

Poof.

Master Raven slid her blade from its sheath, swinging it downward.

Shing!

The soldier paused before a clean slit soon appeared through his right shoulder down to his left side, falling lifeless to the ground. With a quick twist of the blade, Master Raven viewed the blood on the silver edge dripping on the floor before sliding it back into its sheath.

"Get to work, Chaolan."

"A guy can't stare in wonder at the deadly jewel in his presence?" Lee inquired, winking at the woman.

Her eyes eyebrow only sunk lower. "Now."

He laughed. "As you wish."

With that, the quirky mogul went to work on the console. Master Raven waited by the door in case any other soldiers raided the room, her hand hovering over the hilt of her sword.

---

"You think it's going well in there?" Raven asked, glancing over at his mentor.

Victor kept his cold stare on the building. "Should be. I doubt Tatyana would let Lee fully distract her."

"Hmmm..."

"What the hell is taking them so long?" Anna voiced her impatience.

"Disabling a satellite isn't a simple push of a button," Victor replied.

"That wasn't a question, old man."

Raven chuckled as Victor sighed in annoyance.

---

Lee tapped away at the screen. "Satellite Z-01 is down; Z-02 is taken care of." The silver-haired man crossed his arms. "Y'know, I would work faster if I had some motivation. Perhaps a little small talk would help?"

"Lee!"

"Okay, okay," he conceded, returning to work on the console. "I suppose we can talk about my reward once this annoying bit of work ends."

"That isn't what we agreed to."

A small laugh sounded from the silver-haired man, and Master Raven's jaw tightened at his horrible attempt to humor her.

"Just focus on your current task at hand."

Lee's voice was still thick with laughter. "Right away, Mistress. Z-03 is down. Hmmm... Z-04 is down."

"Fifty seconds left," Master Raven declared.

"Noted. Alright, four down, three to go! Ok, Z-05 is permanently offline."

---

"Be prepared to jump in," Victor announced. "We could face heavy resistance."

Raven nodded.

---

"Aki."

"The vehicle is ready for immediate departure, sir."

"Good."

"We might have this done in record time. We work well as a team, maybe even better than you and your subordinate."

Master Raven quelled any inclinations to decapitate him on the spot. "Thirty seconds."

"Luckily, I prefer a game of hard-to-get. Sometimes, the chase is more thrilling than the easy catches. The harder the chase, the more satisfying it will be to claim the prize. Ok, Z-06 is-"

Pow!

Master Raven narrowly pulled off a backhand spring... just as a bullet landed where she had been.

"Not so fast."

That familiar voice sent a chill to alter the already tense environment, a slender woman standing at the door aiming her dual Fort 12 pistols at the duo.

"Nina Williams..."

Master Raven's tone was full of tempered but audible anger. The other half of the Williams siblings harbored the same ill feelings since their first encounter in New York and the failed assassination in Kobe. Neither had to ponder how long before another meeting would commence with the current stakes higher than ever.

Nina's smirk was unmistakable - small but menacing. "Master Raven."

Lee was appalled. "You two have met each other?"

"An understatement," Master Raven answered.

"But this will be the last time you interfere." Nina aimed her pistols. "Hold still, and I'll make this painless."

"Agent," Victor spoke into Master Raven's commlink. "What's your current status?"

---

Beep.

Heihachi reached into his suit pants pocket to retrieve his phone - a new notification causing his thick eyebrows to crease. He tapped it, and the screen showed live footage of Lee, Master Raven, and Nina in a standoff. Heihachi glared at his phone with disdain.

---

"Nina," Anna seethed.

"Now isn't the time to jump in, Williams," Victor stated. "You could compromise the mission-"

"Shut up, old man."

Click.

The brunette's line cut off as the silver-haired fighter shook his head before glancing over at Raven, who let out a small chuckle. "Probably should've seen that coming."

"Right..."

---

"Too late as always," Master Raven remarked.

Nina strode forward, not taking her eyes off her targets. "Famous last words. Now then..."

The kunoichi's eyes landed on the door, ears picking up heels pounding the floor and closing in on their location.

"Prepare to d-"

Nina weaved back from a throwing knife's sharp edge before blocking her new attacker's kick - her hated sister.

"How the hell did you get in here!?"

Anna flashed a vengeful grin. "I don't see why you're so surprised, dear sister. Where you go, I follow." Her expression soon turned dark. "And I won't stop until you're begging for mercy."

Master Raven couldn't resist another barb. "Dumb and dumbest at it again."

"HEY!" Both sisters shrieked.

While the siblings fought, Master Raven and Lee bolted for the door.

The silver-haired tycoon laughed. "What I tell you? Nina didn't have the brains to take us out."

"You're not the one she wants dead. Doesn't take a genius to figure that out."

"But why didn't you tell me you and Nina knew each other?" Lee questioned. "If I'd known, I would've invited her to my favorite club to celebrate this alliance. Speaking of, I think—"

"Would you please, for once, shu-"

"Agent!" Victor's voice bellowed from the left side of her faceplate. "Calm yourself. What's your status?"

"Currently making our way back to ground level," Master Raven answered with obvious irritation. "Prepare to leave once we're outside."

"What of Anna?"

"Don't worry about her," Lee interjected. "She'll find her way back after having fun."

"Understood," Raven added. "We're waiting outside."

Soon, they made it to the elevator. Lee slid to a stop and touched the guardrail. "You don't happen to have a parachute, do you?"

"Try to keep up," the woman said.

"No, wait. I—"

Poof.

"Gagh!"

Lee clenched his jaw due to the throbbing pain, forcing himself from his knees as he ran behind the kunoichi through the smoke and fire. Victor and Raven stood atop the armored vehicle; the remaining three Combots began to back away towards them. Lee inhaled sharply, eyes blinking as his blurry vision worsened. Master Raven deflected wayward bullets with her blade, creating a safe path toward the armored vehicle.

In a final effort, Lee raced ahead. "Tuh!"

His hand caught the handle of the passenger side door just as the vehicle began to speed off. The door closed as the last Combot slipped into the back-end carrier.

"Uh!" Master Raven grunted, jumping towards the vehicle.

Victor and Raven grabbed a hand to pull her onto the metal roof, allowing Master Raven to recline on her back between them as they kneeled on the truck's top.

"I hate him..." Master Raven breathed. "...so much."

Raven chuckled. "A game of chess, huh?"

"Shut up, Raven."

Both men laughed before Lee interrupted their conversation. "Anyone up for a few drinks? My favorite spot is open for dancing to celebrate our new alliance and successful mission."

"No." The three agents replied in unison.

"Suit yourselves, but I don't intend to let you all leave without a goodbye. Especially not you, Ms. Raven."

---

Violet Systems HQ:

At Lee's establishment, he, Anna, Aki, and the three agents stood at the courtyard entrance. A few Combots had already taken their bags to the UN stealth jet behind them, one of Lee's small gestures for their assistance.

Lee stepped forward and took Master Raven's hand. "Are you sure you can't stay another day longer?"

She didn't have time to react before he spun her around, his hands intertwining with hers while the other looped around her waist, leaning slightly at an angle. "I'd love to take you dancing under the stars and bask in your radiance under the moonlight."

Victor cleared his throat. Lee's grin quickly changed to blatant annoyance as his dark eyes dimmed.

Standing back up, Master Raven stepped back with a sharp glare. "I suggest you keep your hands to yourself from now on, Chaolan."

He peeked over at Raven, who stood silent. Yet his muscles were apparent by his clenched hanging at his sides.

Lee looked back at the woman. "No promises. I can't help what I do when you continue to hypnotize me, Ms. Raven."

"Be careful of your next move in your alliance with the Mishima Zaibatsu, Lee," Victor added.

He nodded. "Scout's honor."

"We'll keep in touch," Victor stated before he and his agents began walking toward the UN stealth jet.

"Sir, a call for you," Aki notified Lee of a video call.

It was one the silver-haired devil was expecting after today's events.

Beep.

Heihachi's face filled the screen of Lee's phone, and the silver-haired tycoon smirked. "Looking lively today, old man."

"Save your formalities, boy." Heihachi's glare hardened. "I suggest you keep your inventions away from my building and any company you keep. Who was the woman who assisted you in invading my privacy?"

Lee chuckled. "No promises, and I don't take kindly to your toys aiming at my business. As for my partner, that's between me and her. Until next time, father."

"You little-"

Lee abruptly ended the call. "Excellent."

---

UN Japan HQ - 11:03 PM:

"Despite the minor hiccups today," Victor began. "The mission went well. But I need you two to control yourselves when certain actions are taken."

Master Raven chuckled. "What? It was funny. I knew how he would react to teleportation. Admit, Vic. He looked like he was going to pass out."

Their superior held his stone-cold look, not grinning in the slightest. "You shouldn't be laughing; I fondly remember the trouble of your first few teleports, Tatyana. You ended up-"

"Okay, okay. Jeez. I was sixteen, to be fair."

His eyebrows creased under his dark shades. "I expect better from you two the next time we deal with Chaolan or anyone outside the higher-ups."

"His actions today were blatant, and you know that, Victor," Raven finally said. "Had that been anyone else, none of us would've hesitated to alleviate the problem before it escalated."

"Noted. This will be addressed should we find ourselves requesting Lee's aid. At the very least, keep the laughter silent. See you two in the morning?"

"Bright and early," Raven replied.

"Good."

Victor strolled back into the building, leaving the two agents to enter Master Raven's sleek black BMW M2. The vehicle, adorned with chrome trimming, rims, grille, and Xenon lights, was a formidable machine designed for urban navigation and swift escapes. With bulletproof tires, a nitrous kit, and a fully armored body, it was a ride prepared for any situation. Tatyana glanced at her boyfriend, who sat without uttering a word. She started the car and pulled away from the curb. Merging onto the freeway, the sparse traffic provided a welcome relief after their encounter with Lee Chaolan. The only sound was the serene purr of the vehicle.

Cruising at sixty miles per hour, Tatyana sighed before reducing the car's speed to fifty-three. "Raven, we can't wait until we're at my place for this conversation."

"Why not?"

"It's better to get it out than wait until things explode in a moment of anger."

"Agree to disagree, Tatyana."

She raised an eyebrow. "You afraid someone will hear you yelling?"

"That's not-" Raven huffed. "Look, I'm not discussing this until we return to your place."

Unease grew between them. Master Raven gripped the steering wheel, merging into the farthest lane and stopping at a red light.

She looked at him. "Look me in my eyes and tell me you don't want this conversation right now."

He looked at her, his frown deepening as their stares held even.

"With your glasses off."

He removed his shades, meeting her brown eyes with his dark ones. They burned a bright gold to match her anger, yet he remained silent. The stoplight turned green.

"Fine," Tatyana muttered lowly, returning her attention to the road.

Raven placed his shades back on and gazed back out of the window. A light rain began, mirroring the mood of the bickering couple. Master Raven pressed the gas again and reached sixty-three mph. She turned into a shady section of buildings before parking in an abandoned body shop's lot underneath a highway. The light rain turned heavy, with strands of lightning occasionally flashing. Raven exited the car once it stopped, slamming the door behind him.

Tatyana got out, leaving her car door open to follow him. "Raven-"

"This couldn't wait, could it?"

"Not with the way you're acting."

"What did you expect? To sit still with all that's been happening? Be okay with some other man boasting in front of me?"

Master Raven crossed her arms. "Now it's my turn to ask. What are you so afraid of?"

He glanced over his shoulder at her. "I- nothing."

Despite standing only a few feet away, Raven's silence and refusal to speak made it seem like they were worlds apart.

"Raven..." Tatyana's voice grew softer with concern. "What is it? I'm not here to judge you but to understand what's happening. You already did that for me."

"It's stupid," he mumbled. "Can we go now?"

She waited, unwilling to let this slide on a sour note.

"Why does it matter? We don't have to deal with him anymore, so it's pointless even to discuss this."

"We'll have to one day or another. I want to settle this now."

"But what if I don't?" Raven questioned, his tone cold and biting.

Silence again.

Raven sighed, walking over to the car trunk. "Look, I... Lee will get his sooner or later. But you can't blame me for feeling... envious."

The woman's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?"

"You heard what I said..."

"Envious? Wha- why? I'd never—"

"I can't help but think it's not enough to say anything. Yes, I probably sound stupid, but it's infuriating to see that stooge get away with harassment. And I can do nothing without repercussions from yourself, Victor, or Dwight, God forbid. Look at me and Lee - two completely different people. He could control the entire globe with money, power, and influence if he wanted to. What exactly am I compared to that? Nothing but an errand boy."

Master Raven closed the distance between them.

"It just seems like we can't even have one moment of normalcy before some-"

Tatyana silenced her boyfriend with a single finger against his mouth; Raven was mute. Gone from her were irritated and exasperated eyes. In their place instead was something rarely seen by coworkers, Victor, or even Raven himself - compassionate empathy.

"Listen to me. Why measure yourself against a self-absorbed billionaire when he pales in comparison to you?" Slowly, Tatyana withdrew her finger. "We're a team, and I have no reason to involve myself with a man whore who will never settle down who's at least twice my age. His preference is proof of that."

Raven's expression remained guarded. "It's hard to ignore."

She stepped closer. "I understand, but your strength lies in different qualities. Lee may have his resources, but you have the skills and loyalty that can't be bought. Besides, I'd sooner commit suicide before I allow a grandpa to rob my cradle. The only reason Lee so-called 'desires' me is from a perceived fetish."

"You don't mean..."

Tatyana nodded. "It's painfully obvious. Lee craves a forbidden fruit. I'm certain he's seen women like me in his travels, yet I'm the one he covets as another conquest. Anna can only do so much for his taste."

Raven absorbed her words before his shoulders slumped. "It just feels like I'm... not enough."

Gently tilting his chin upward, Tatyana met his gaze with a sincere smile as her thumb brushed against his cheek. "You're more than enough. Our missions succeed because of you, not who has the most influence or wealth. You're invaluable to this team, Raven. To hell with what Lee says or thinks about us. More importantly..."

She inched closer, their lips mere inches away. "You're invaluable to me."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Raven's lips. Tatyana took the initiative and gradually closed the distance in a kiss that rendered all strife and hostility from today meaningless. Raven reciprocated her affections by wrapping his powerful arms around her shapely frame to pull into his torso. Emboldened, Tatyana's palms found their way onto his shoulders before caressing them. The rain persisted amidst their intimate moment, but it felt less oppressive.

They didn't separate for quite some time, content sighs leaving each other before Tatyana spoke again. "No one said this would be easy, but I got you like you got me." She reluctantly removed herself from his embrace. "Come on."

---

Tatyana's Apartment - Half an hour later:

Warning: Lime alert, read at your own risk

Soft jazz melodies played within Tatyana's space as a trail of wet clothing led to the place's lone bathroom. The drive back for the duo was under pleasant circumstances following their heart-to-heart. Raven and Tatyana knew a fresh shower was needed and therapeutic before morning arrived.

The world vanished as the pair savored the warm, cascading droplets and each other's presence. Raven was behind Tatyana, lathering her body with the available soap. He took his time reaching every crevice; his lady's back nestled against him. Tatyana felt herself drowning in his touches and wished it had never stopped. She internally questioned why they hadn't done this earlier. Moments later, Tatyana shifted behind Raven to soap down his broad back, fighting the temptation to...

She bit her lip sensuously at the thought.

Nothing else occurred afterward, as the shower ended after twenty minutes. Tiredly, Raven and Tatyana retreated to bed together, not bothering to wear any clothes in evident fatigue as the latter rested against his chest. It wasn't long before she became lost in his heartbeat, Raven's arms securing her waist in a gentle grip.

Chapter 10: Balance

Tatyana's Apartment - 12:02 P.M.:

With her dreads tied back in a ponytail and adorning her usual black bra and underwear, Master Raven entered the living room to find Raven in only a pair of shorts while reading a book on the couch.

Raven glanced in her direction. "You slept a little later than usual."

She shrugged. "Rest was needed, at least for one of us."

"I couldn't watch you sleep all day."

Master Raven snickered before opening the fridge. "You hungry?"

Silence. Raven was too immersed in the book to hear her question. Master Raven shook her head before plucking a grape from the bottom left compartment, aiming ever so slightly at her intended target. The fruit bounced off the bridge of Raven's nose as he closed his book and held the grape between his fingers.

"Starting a food war?"

Master Raven merely smirked. "Any suggestions for brunch?"

"Something light, I suppose."

"Omelets it is, then."

She grabbed a carton of eggs, shredded cheese, and several other items from the fridge.

Raven tossed the grape upward as it landed in his mouth. "About this date..."

"I was thinking about it when I woke up," Master Raven began, cracking two eggs into a mixing bowl. "I want to go dancing."

Her boyfriend's expression became confused. "Never painted you as one to dance."

"Why not? You could show me since you're good at it. However, you'll need a suit."

"Taty—"

She displayed a child-like pout. "Please..."

Raven shook his head. "Alright, I'll find something. Be prepared to learn a few things. Anything else you have in mind?"

"Stargazing. Like back when we were still in training."

"Don't remind me. I still can't believe I followed you out there twice. That wasn't worth getting in trouble."

"To you, it wasn't." Master Raven flipped over the first omelet. "Sneaking out of the training facility was fun."

"But out of Chevalier Palace? I'll give you that the stars were nice out. Still, it wasn't worth the trouble," Raven added.

She laughed. "Oh, come on. I heard you gasp when you saw the moon."

He settled back onto the couch. "To be fair, full moons are always a wonder. I couldn't tell if Victor was annoyed or impressed that we managed to sneak out to the top of the Eiffel Tower."

"He was impressed with you. Me, on the other hand... not so much."

"So you did get in trouble. I thought Victor left you with a warning since you were sharper than usual in our sparring match afterward. What was the punishment then?"

"A thousand sit-ups hanging off one of the beams," Master Raven recalled with a shrug. "Had to start over completely if I stopped. I did that seven times."

Raven winced inwardly. "Sounds challenging. I would've passed out around seven hundred. It makes me realize how much of a bad influence you are."

She narrowed her eyes. "I will flick another grape at you."

He smirked. "Try me."

Another grape landed in his left eye.

"Ah!"

---

Parking Lot - 7:14 P.M.:

Raven leaned against the hood of his girlfriend's car, hands inside his pockets as he waited for Tatyana so they could finally have some fun. Despite how calm everything was between them now, that didn't settle his anxiousness.

'What if my nerves mess up the dance? What if I slip? What if—'

"Raven..."

His head shot up from the ground below his black Oxfords as he turned around. Again, Raven's breath froze in his lungs.

Tatyana was in that stunning black halter—golden cuffs around both wrists, silver bar earrings, and closed-toe strapped stilettos. The crescent moon's light amid the sea of stars highlighted the natural glow of her flawless skin. She remained as stunning as ever, and it appeared as if nighttime was the only way Raven could admire her beauty without the sun's glare or the sounds of heavy traffic interrupting his trance.

A smirk found its way onto Raven's face. "Sure you don't want to cancel last minute?"

"And miss what you have in store for me?" Tatyana returned his smirk. "Not a chance."

"You're not making it any easier talking like that."

"I use it only when needed."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe you, though I'll probably find out sooner or later." He opened her car door and bowed dramatically. "Madame."

Tatyana laughed at the overdone but kind gesture as she sat in the passenger seat. Raven ensured her dress was inside before closing its door and entered the driver's side. Getting in and starting the car, he couldn't help but steal another glance over at her before pulling out of the parking lot.

"I hope you aren't this distracted when we start dancing."

"No promises."

---

Downtown Manhattan - 7:45 P.M:

They arrived at one of the fanciest restaurants in Neo City, a high-class place named Night Spade, where only the most notable socialites converse, show off to their friends, or pick up any woman willing to jump into their arms. Valet parking, live music, and an outside VIP section were only a sample of this establishment's many perks.

Arms intertwined, the Ravens walked toward the host in his uniform: a black dress shirt with each sleeve rolled to his elbows, a magenta tie, black suit pants, and dress shoes. He was slightly shorter than Raven, with slicked-back black hair, green eyes, and tanned skin—an Italian.

"Ah, Raven," the man greeted. "Nice to have you back again. I saved the best seat in the house for you and your lady."

Raven chuckled. "No special treatment tonight, Bastian. I'm just like every other customer that walks in here."

"Nonsense," Bastian's head shook before eyeing his date. "Can you believe this guy? He turns down privileges like it'll kill him."

His remark made Tatyana laugh as Bastian emphasized his point with a playful eye roll and sigh.

"Not another word," Bastian said before Raven could offer a retort and grabbed two black leather menus from his stand. "Follow me, please."

They traversed through the expansive restaurant with walls decorated in silver trimming and intricate details along dark velvet. Each table was adorned with pure white tablecloths, polished glasses, and tableware. Black and white marble flooring and low lighting set a relaxed, elegant tone. The patrons sitting inside were well-dressed but had their attention diverted by the new guests, especially Master Raven. No other woman had dared to wear such a bold dress with natural diamonds and eye-catching hair. Raven couldn't help chuckling to himself that didn't go unnoticed.

"What's so funny now?" Tatyana quipped.

"They always look at what they don't have."

"You always this arrogant, or is it just the suit?"

Raven shrugged. "It's probably the dress."

Tatyana's eyes rolled despite another laugh escaping her. They finally stopped at a wide circular elevator with a golden cabin, glass walls, and sliding doors. Following Bastian inside, the elevator rose to an overlooking lounge with a single table and plenty of dancing space to keep an intimate mood, with open glass doors at the back leading to a balcony view of the city. Near the room's entrance was a polished wooden guardrail that granted a full glimpse of the dance floor and the band, which had yet to arrive - only a single piano player was on stage. He played soft, simple, but jazzy melodies on the ivory keys.

"I hope you'll find this seating to your liking, sir," Bastian added, placing the menus on each side of the table.

Raven nodded. "This isn't gonna cost extra, right?"

The Italian laughed. "This guy. Shall I get you two started with wine? Champagne, perhaps?"

"Have any raspberry wine?"

"A fine choice. Coming right up, sir."

Once Bastian had left, Master Raven raised an eyebrow. "Special treatment?"

Raven sighed before pulling the chair out for her. "I came here with Victor once to help him corner a criminal for intel on a gang of arms dealers who were getting too comfortable using this place as a cover-up for their HQ. He also happened to be friends with the owner."

Tatyana sat. "This is a regular thing for you here?"

"It's one of the reasons I don't come here often, but this place would be best for the dancing part of our night.

"Come here often?"

Once again, Raven shrugged as he sat down. "Sometimes. I usually just read and keep it simple with a square of their tiramisu or pannacotta."

"Noted. Any suggestions?"

The couple began skimming their menus. Though unintended, Raven did so to keep his gaze from wandering too long. He had no reason to wander anymore, with Tatyana being his alone. Yet it didn't stop his mind racing because that teasing dress clouded his focus.

Raven tapped against his chin. "The Vitello Tonnato and Chou Farci are good, but I have yet to compare their Ratatouille to Victor's."

Tatyana looked up. "Seriously?"

"What? I like to experience different ways a dish can be made."

"Who knew one of his favorite movies would be about rats aiding a chef?"

"Considering one of his many talents is cooking, it's unsurprising. I still can't believe he made us train the day after that movie feast."

"Is that regret I hear?"

"No, but I'll remember that next time he wants to watch a movie with cooking in it."

Soon, Bastian returned with their bottle of raspberry wine and poured it into Tatyana's glass first, then Raven's afterward. "Now that I've been relieved of being a host for tonight, I will take your orders."

"I'll have the roasted vegetable terrine," Master Raven said.

Bastian nodded quickly, writing it down in his notepad before looking at Raven. "Ratatouille."

Tatyana laughed again. 'I'll have to ask Victor about that.'

He nodded before scribbling it down. "Any plans for dessert?"

They shared a look before Raven leaned back in his chair. "We'll think about it."

"Very well. I'll ensure the chefs put extra care into your dishes."

"Bastian... Fine. Does the band know any song worthy of a tango?"

Their waiter rubbed his chin. "I think so, but I'll ask to be sure."

"Thank you."

The younger guy nodded before leaving for the elevator.

Raven smirked. "No dessert?"

Master Raven shrugged. "Never was a fan of sweets."

"Here's hoping I can change your mind. You got to try the tiramisu."

"Again, not my thing, Raven."

"Maybe, but I don't plan to back down without a fight." Raven rose from his chair. "Since we have time..." He held out a hand. "May I have the honor of teaching you how to dance?"

She stood and accepted his offering. "Try not to get too distracted. Where do we start?"

"Okay," Raven breathed, a slight nervousness he hoped she didn't pick up on. "Our hands intertwine. Your other hand goes on my shoulder. And my hand goes here..." His hand landed at her waist. "The hard part is movement, but it gets easier once you get the hang of it. For now, you're just mirroring me. We'll go back and forth."

Tatyana nodded, focusing on Raven's words as thoughts of stealing a kiss filled her mind, her eyes wandering slightly.

"Back."

He stepped back while observing her feet. She followed with a forward step using her corresponding foot.

"And forth."

He stepped forward; she stepped back. They continued the pattern several times.

"You're getting it. Stepping becomes easier but harder when you add something extra."

Tatyana's expression was wracked with confusion, to which he smiled. "We're playing off each other. Thinking on your feet with dance is almost like fighting."

She nodded.

"If I were to spin you, like so..." Raven held her hands to perform a spin, each arm fully extended to create a new distance with their hands still intertwined. "Then I spin you back to me."

Tatyana spun and ended up against his chest, his hand holding her waist while the other stayed locked in hers. She felt his steady heartbeat amid a warm embrace.

"This is where it turns into a slow sway before I spin you a final time; leaning afterward is for show and for people who can pull it off."

They separated as Tatyana cleared her throat. "Seems easy enough."

"But the real challenge is doing this to actual music."

She gradually blinked, her voice a lustful invite. "Don't tell me you're underestimating me, Raven."

He swallowed hard. "N-No. I don't want you to get ahead of yourself."

"Surely my years of training and fighting account for something."

"I'm one instant from ripping that dress off you."

Tatyana smirked. "Good."

Raven loosened his tie. "Let's test your balance on the dance floor, shall we?"

"Only if I can lead."

He cleared his throat. "You like torturing me, don't you?"

Tatyana's gaze narrowed with sensual intentions as her teasing smirk persisted. She knew her influence over him would make the night more enjoyable if Raven could call it such or torture.

She winked. "Just a little to see you squirm."

He rolled his eyes. 'At least the dancing and food will distract me.' "I don't know what I expected. It's not as good as Victor's, but it's a close attempt."

Tatyana shook her head, her glass of wine in hand as she swiveled it. She'd quickly finished her terrine since Raven spent most of the conversation playing food critic with his dish, watching the dark alcohol wave inside the glass.

"You're a food critic now?"

"Victor's cooking might have spoiled me. Now I can taste the differences between the spices they use."

"Exaggerating much?"

"I like to think my tastes are mature."

Tatyana took a sip of her wine. "That would explain one thing."

Raven pointed his fork at her. "To be fair, neither of us act our age."

"If I had a scar for every time I heard that..."

"Paper cuts everywhere."

Tatyana's attention turned to the dance floor as her ears picked up the familiar sounds of soft guitar strings and drums - a small smile forming as she placed her glass down. Soon, a soft female voice echoed.

Don't you notice how,

I get quiet when there's no one else around

You and I have an awkward silence

Don't you dare look at me that way

Raven smirked and took one last bite of his Ratatouille, fixing his tie at her side before extending a hand. "May I have the pleasure of having this dance with you?"

She took his hand. "Of course."

On the dance floor, they swayed to the music. Raven could see (and feel) his girlfriend's nervousness despite the song's calm but up-tempo beat. She had stiffness and kept her attention on her feet to ensure she didn't step on his.

'I hope I don't regret this,' Raven thought, his hand sliding from her back to her waist.

Tatyana looked up, noticing the change in his hand's position. He spun her around, and she mimicked as if by habit. She held his hand before their arms extended. Raven pulled her back to him and resumed position number one.

"Raven!" she said quietly enough for only him to hear, her startled tone amusing.

Oh, how I wish you'd wake up one day

Run to me, confess your love, at least just let me say

He whispered in her ear. "It was only to loosen you up. Your eyes haven't left your toes since we started."

Tatyana's facial expression turned into annoyance and slight disappointment.

"But, you didn't look down in that small spin and reset."

Below, their steps were synchronized, going back and forth with ease.

"No looking down," Raven continued before tipping her chin upward. "Eyes here."

The tension in her shoulders eased slightly. "Okay."

"It comes naturally when you're not thinking about it or focusing on missteps. Like so..." Raven spun Tatyana around, followed by a slight dip.

She laughed. "Okay, I get it."

"Found that amusing?"

"A little."

They continued their intricate dance of steps. Tatyana's footsteps looked seamlessly in tune with her boyfriend to the untrained eyes of the couples around them. Her apprehension vanished as she repeated the familiar pattern, and several laughs were shared between them until the hint of the next song began.

Raven raised an eyebrow. "A sped-up version of Sway... You up for giving the people a show?"

Tatyana's voice reverted to her hypnotizing tone. "Take me, Raven."

He inhaled sharply, his hand finding her waist again. Their free hands intertwined as a new set of couples joined them, and a new male singer in a suit took the microphone.

When marimba rhythms began playing, Raven firmly held his girlfriend's waist as their steps synced. His free hand glided over her waist during their smooth spin. Each stepped out and in again to remain in lockstep on tempo. They swayed, each sliding a foot along the floor. Raven spun around with his hand extended to allow Tatyana to grasp it. He smirked, turning her again and dipping slightly before quickly standing again. The other couples quickly cleared the dance floor for the two and watched them dance. The Ravens were too enraptured to notice everyone observe as they swayed and swiveled, becoming lost in the music. Raven's feet twisted as he smoothly merengued toward his partner and spun before taking her hand and leading her back to their first position while dancing behind her. Tracing her steps like a mirror, his hands trailed down her form until they again held her waist.

Their steps mirrored each other without a single flaw in sight - at least to untrained eyes. Tatyana seemed to catch on with each step taken. Raven held his composure as they extended out, inhaling sharply. She swayed her hips while sauntering toward him. Their hands intertwined again, and Raven returned to leading their steps again. He spun her again, and this time, Tatyana extended out. Slipping from his grasp, she strolled around him with a hand trailing his chest until it gripped his tie. He began to salsa toward her, closing the distance as she pulled him toward her. Biting his lip, Raven's hand trailed her waist before turning her around, their steps falling back into sync with her back to his chest. Raven held one hand to the front of her waist while his other intertwined with hers. Their bodies stayed close and executed a mini salsa dance with their feet. Raven mirrored her steps again with a smirk on his face. He slipped his hand from her waist, shifting around as the violins began to sing - sharp sounds of hypnotizing sultry. His hand traced her sharp collarbone, and his other hand intertwined with hers as they stepped. He turned her around, letting Master Raven spin out with a smirk. Raven grinned as they walked in a small circle before their hands finally met. They were mirroring steps again before falling back into their up-tempo rhythm. Master Raven's hand glided towards his shoulder and looped around his neck. Raven's hand was positioned at her waist to keep each other's gaze. She took two steps forward, he two steps back.

A sharp pause of silence ensued.

Their feet glided and stepped in unison, even as they were impossibly close. Master Raven's hand met his again with a raised eyebrow. He chuckled, his hand trailing her arm.

"Should I go for it?" Raven asked, whispering in her ear.

Her silky tone tempted him once more. "Don't hold back when you do."

He spun her around once, and they both extended out. They were leaning back with their stance extended out once more. Raven pulled her back to him for another graceful spin. The dress ruffled in the air and swirled around her. The diamonds braided into the dress's body caught the light perfectly. A final spin and dip, Raven's hand loped around her waist while holding her leg.

Silence emerged, the world on pause as they held each other's gaze. Both breathed slowly with content smiles. A round of applause began around them, the shock setting in as they stood, chuckling nervously as they bowed. The applause died down before everyone retreated to their seats.

With visible sweat on his brow, Raven loosened his tie. "I... need to use the bathroom. I'll be right back."

"Okay."

---

Raven took a deep breath in the restroom, staring pensively at the mirror. He took slow, deep breaths and felt his heart practically jumping out of his chest. The ovation from the observing couples was still fresh in his mind, and Raven presumed he looked like the wrong date for leaving her so quickly.

"Was it that good?" he questioned, eyes narrowing at his reflection.

'Did it look like we were that close?'

"Yeah," the guy next to him remarked.

He was a short, pale guy with dark brown eyes wearing a dark red suit and short brown hair combed into a faux hawk. The guy began to re-tie his silver bow around his neck.

"That was quite the show you put on with your wife out there."

"Uh..."

The guy laughed. "No need to be modest. I'd show off too if I had a connection with a woman the way you do."

"Thanks," Raven replied, nervously clearing his throat. "You're married?"

He shook his head. "Recently divorced. The wife turned into a selfish whore and ran off with some French guy... But I'm good so long as I get to keep my two sons. Enough about me, though. You're a lucky man."

Raven nodded. "In more ways than one."

"Be sure to love and treasure her. And don't let her go 'cause I might slip in and take her."

They shared a brief laugh. "I'll be tipping my glass to that. It's nice to see strong couples like you and your wife still around. It gives me hope for this war-torn world, y'know?"

Raven shrugged. "Yeah."

"But don't let me keep you. I'm sure your prize is waiting."

The agent fixed his tie, almost smirking at his reflection. Walking out of the bathroom, the two went their separate ways.

'My... wife?'

---

Raven returned to the overlooking VIP section and found Tatyana waiting for him at their table. She rose from her seat but noticed his jaw clenching occasionally in thought while glancing back towards the dance floor.

"Something bothering you?"

"Just... thinking about if I should order dessert or not."

Tatyana raised an eyebrow, able to tell it was more than that, but would wait to question him later. "Okay."

"Do you wanna get out of here or have one last dance?"

"Brooklyn Bridge can wait a bit longer."

He nodded. "That's a first, but I guess there's no excitement in high places with no chance of getting caught anymore."

"Mr. Goody Too Shoes would say that."

"Hey, I know how to follow orders. Your persuasion was too good, unfortunately."

"True. Then again, you could've teleported back inside the facility."

"Touche."

Raven and Master Raven made their way through the empty dance floor, arms intertwined as they walked. In the agent's other hand was a to-go box containing a slice of tiramisu. He looked off the side, the guy from the bathroom sitting alone as he raised his champagne glass, nodding at Raven.

"Be sure to love and treasure her..."

Jaw clenched, Raven turned around. 'Neither of us is wearing a ring...'

---

Neither ninja uttered a word, even as they reached the car - a comfortable silence but still tense due to Raven's thoughtful quietness. Not even as they entered the vehicle was a word spoken as he began driving. It continued despite the trek through the nearly empty streets. Raven went with one hand, his other creeping towards his girlfriend's. The warmth of her slender hand and the feel of her dark, smooth skin calmed his mind. However, it did nothing to stop the thoughts of his conversation earlier.

Tatyana averted her eyes from the window, noticing the newly defined wrinkles in his suit where his biceps sat. 'It's probably nothing.'

She resumed watching the city pass by, hoping he would reveal his thoughts soon. After all, they had promised to be more open with each other. They finally stopped at a space near the Brooklyn Bridge.

They exited the car; Raven narrowed his eyes. "Middle one, right?"

Tatyana only smirked.

Poof.

"Careful," Raven remarked as his hand snaked around her waist.

Tatyana leaned back into him as he stood behind her. The couple stood at the edge of the bridge's middle tower on the left side. A calm wind blew in the warm night as they admired the scenery. The stars glowed in the pitch-black sky, pairing well with the dark sea and city lights. Only the sounds of the distant traffic, the calm wind, an occasional plane flying overhead, and their heartbeats occurred. Tatyana closed her eyes, tuning out the world around them as her ears picked up the deep sounds of their heartbeats harmonizing.

"This is way better than the times at Chevalier Palace," Tatyana broke the silence while staring upward at the stars.

"Why's that?" Raven questioned.

"It's pretty self-explanatory, but... I can't even believe we did that."

"I figured we could put on a show, though I thought you'd need more time to catch on. But you're a fast learner, so it makes sense. The crowd watching was entertained."

"Glad I wasn't the only one caught off guard. I had fun, though. It was beyond breathtaking."

"Dancing with you was..."

"That was quite the show you put on with your wife out there."

She noticed his pause. "Hmm?"

"Was quite the experience," he finished, one of his hands moving from her waist.

Tatyana craned her head. "Is something bothering you, Raven?"

"No, I'm just thinking."

"Already about the next mission?"

"Kinda. I don't want to return to the field after a night like this."

"You and I both, but at least we don't have to worry about seeing Chaolan soon."

"Something I won't complain about at all."

A comfortable silence sat between them as the Ravens admired the stars and reveled in each other's embrace. However, the conversation from the bathroom remained at the back of Raven's mind.

'Could it go that far between us with our roles in the unit?'

---

Tatyana's Apartment - 10:09 P.M.:

Click.

Raven closed the door behind him and turned the lock before spinning Master Raven around as she laughed. "I know you can be a bit of a show-off, but I find it hard to believe you won't admit it on the dance floor."

She chuckled. "I'm serious; I was winging it."

"Calling me a liar?"

"No..." Master Raven smiled. "We just work well together."

"True, but," Raven kissed her cheek. "We've never worked that well before."

She leaned her head back into his chest. "To be fair, we've never done that before."

Reluctantly, Raven pulled away from his lady to retrieve the paper box and a spoon. The couple conversed into the late hour, and Raven wanted to change his girlfriend's mind about sweets. She resided on the couch wearing lounge clothes: an oversized T-shirt and cotton shorts. Raven was still in his suit pants but without his shirt on as he walked over with the box already open in his hand.

Master Raven raised an eyebrow. "You were serious about that?"

"A hundred percent."

"Raven—"

"Let me stop you before you change your mind. You may not like typical cakes, but you haven't lived until you've tried tiramisu." He held out a spoonful. "Here."

Shaking her head, Master Raven opened her mouth. Raven held a metal spoon with some dessert and fed her, waiting for her reaction as the utensil gently slipped it from her lips. The woman's eyebrows furrowed in a pause to savor the mild but bold sweetness of the mascarpone cream. Surprisingly, it paired well with the coffee-dipped ladyfingers.

"It's good," she admitted. "But again, I'm not a sweet person."

Raven gave a defeated smile. "It was worth a try."

"So..." Master Raven's head tilted slightly. "What's been bothering you?"

He sighed, which hung slightly. "You noticed?"

"You didn't need to say anything for me to tell something was on your mind."

"Right."

After sticking the spoon into the tiramisu and placing it on the coffee table beside the couch, Raven rubbed the back of his neck. "After the dance, I conversed with a guy in the restroom, and he thought we were... married."

Both Master Raven's eyebrows raised, not expecting that.

Raven's eyes closed. "What he said has been in my mind, and I couldn't stop thinking about it since. His exact words were, 'I'll be tipping my glass to that. It's nice to see strong couples like you and your wife are still around. It gives me hope for this war-torn world.' Since then..."

He paused, shoulders sinking with a deepening feeling of uncertainty.

"I couldn't stop thinking about what would happen to the world, the Unit..." Raven glanced at her. "And us. Would we even fit back into the world of normalcy again? I know I'm probably getting ahead of myself, and you think I'm crazy."

A hand ran over his blonde mane. "Would we even fit back into society as citizens?"

Master Raven stood from the couch, pacing slowly. "The clan is mostly all we've ever known - no more missions or training. I understand what you mean, but we can't fear the future."

"True," Raven agreed. "I know once this is over, my dad will call me to tell me the good news." 'Should I even call it that?'

"That will be quite the conversation."

He turned with his gaze on the floor with both elbows on his legs. "But that's not what I'm worried about. It's what happens between you and me."

The woman stayed quiet, unsure how to answer or comprehend his question. "It's... a lot to consider. I will only suggest we not get too worked up about it. I don't plan on leaving without good reason. Even a world of peace needs a few shadows to keep it that way."

"Dark but reassuring."

---

Neo City; UN HQ Underground Conference Room; 7:03 A.M.:

Victor turned to face his two agents as they walked in. Dwight was sitting in a nearby chair at a desk with a folder of files and a badge in front of him.

"Agents," Dwight acknowledged.

They nodded before Victor spoke. "As you both know, the tournament is entering the second round of the semi-finals. Dwight and I decided to enter Raven in it. Being inside could help us gather intel on Heihachi's next move and keep an eye on Kazuya."

Dwight stood up and tossed the badge in Raven's direction. Catching it, the agent looked over the information below: a picture of himself in his current uniform.

Raven "Shadown Agent" [Late Entrant]

Ninjutsu

Unknown Origin

"You're competing as a late entrant, but you'll need to be on guard since Heihachi will recognize you from your previous entries."

"With that being said..." Dwight eyed Raven, still amazed at his recovery from the botched operation several months back. "Be on your toes, agent. Once you're done, disappear and find no intel on Kazuya's next move or Heihachi's plans. Do I make myself clear?"

Raven nodded wordlessly.

"Tatyana, you will watch and assist Raven if and when the situation becomes critical. Outside that, search for any intel on Sergei Dragunov and Lee Chaolan—at least what the latter's willing to tell you. And steer clear of Nina and Anna Williams. Nobody can know you're there. Any known allies caught trespassing during tournament hours will disqualify anyone connected to them."

Victor raised an eyebrow at his agents, whose shoulders tensed at the mention of the flamboyant tycoon. He supposed it couldn't be helped after his theatrics during their mission earlier in the week. Luckily, Dwight didn't notice.

"Your first match is tonight at 8:30 and will be held at the Arena in Tokyo. I will be watching from my office while Victor will observe from our HQ in Kobe. Understood?"

"Affirmative, sir," the woman answered.

"Good. The stealth jet should arrive in a few minutes. Your bags are waiting for you there."

---

Aboard the UN Stealth Jet - 8:48 A.M.:

Master Raven's visible annoyance was apparent. "Do we have to deal with Chaolan again?"

Victor kept looking out the window while sensing both agents' displeasure. "It's only for a short period. The tournament is our only way in without raising immediate suspicion."

"Fight, observe, and stay hidden," Raven stated. "Got it."

"Not a single word if he tries anything more than our last encounter."

"Do what you must, Tatyana," Victor relented.

---

Kobe, Japan - 3:21 P.M.:

Raven gazed out the window of the armored limousine, his eyes landing on another projection screen on a building that advertised him as a new, late-arriving fighter in the King of Iron Fist Tournament. He rolled his eyes under his red shades.

"That's the third one in the past hour. Doesn't everyone in Japan know about this tournament by now?"

Master Raven couldn't help but smile. "Anxious to fight?"

"Just tired of seeing my face everywhere."

Victor smirked, stroking his beard. "The limelight isn't for everyone, but enjoy it. It could give you a leg up."

"On what? I'm sure the spoiled rich girl wouldn't care if I didn't give her a hard time in front of the cameras. It's... unsettling."

"Good thing it's only temporary," Master Raven interjected. "At least put on a show."

An annoyed expression plastered onto his face at her knowing but playful look. "What? Like you did?"

She cocked an eyebrow. "Fighting Dragunov is child's play, Raven."

"Alright, you two," Victor began, his expression turning serious. "We all have our objectives to complete for the time being. I presume you each will prepare for the task ahead without any distractions."

Both agents nodded in unison.

"Understood. At least attempt to make a few friends, Raven."

The agent groaned before teleporting to the rooftop. Raven stood tall, his shoulders relaxed, and his eyes opened as a cool breeze wafted. He only wore black sweatbands on both arms, jeans, a belt that held his sheathed blades to his back, and a pair of armored Tim's. He stood with his arms crossed and blinked before backflipping off the rail just as a kick from his master's clone missed him.

He landed in a low crouch. "Going to fight me in your suit?"

Master Raven approached and stood before him. "If it were a fight, I wouldn't have missed it."

"First to three or five?"

Her slender hand shifted the braced hilt of her chokutō blade. "I was thinking we up the ante this time. How's the arm?"

Raven took up his stance. "Good enough to make this interesting."

She gripped the blade's hilt as it slid from its metal sheath, branding the weapon before pointing the tip at her subordinate. "Your move."

He sprinted toward her. Master Raven stepped back, eyes catching his hand as it went for one of the blades at his back. She weaved back as he sprung into a series of backhand springs. Master Raven backflipped. Raven inhaled sharply and leaned back from her extended toe. He hesitated, her sharp heel narrowly missing him as she landed. He grabbed his other blade and aimed for her feet. Master Raven placed a hand on the ground and executed a sideways corkscrew over his blades. She landed and pulled off 'Quicksand' to send her subordinate airborne as her clone shot forward for her to follow behind. The clone swiped its blade at Raven as he twisted to avoid the swipe. He gripped the clone's shoulder to push himself off towards his master. Her jaw clenched before she slid, pulling off a no-hands cartwheel before recovering.

Shing!

A clash of blades sparked, and Master Raven blocked without facing him. Raven jumped back just as her heel nearly grazed his nose.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're having too much fun," Master Raven remarked.

He shrugged. "I could say the same about you."

"Don't hold back."

"Noted."

Raven dashed forward, sliding as he did the nine Kuji-In hand signs. Weaving back, a clone appeared. She blocked its kick, ducking away from a bladed swipe. Clones surrounded her at every angle. But she kept up easily, dodging, blocking, and soon making the clones disappear with a simple hit. Raven saw his opportunity to strike. She landed an uppercut to a clone. He landed 'Stinging Low' against her knee, forcing Master Raven to stumble while his middle kick pushed her back further. Raven sprinted as Master Raven waited after recovering. He executed 'Alternating Smash,' but she blocked and countered with a high kick. Raven smirked, but she missed him as he appeared before her to land a 'Sudden Strike.' Hit upward, Master Raven couldn't brace herself as another clone of Raven's slammed its shoulder into her back.

"Seyya!"

Raven gripped her tie and threw Master Raven overhead, watching her land on the ground. Smirking, Raven sheathed both blades before his eyes widened underneath his shades. Two Master Raven clones met him with a double-palm strike to the chest.

"Agh!"

He flew off the roof and landed next to Master Raven as she gave a soft laugh.

"Always with the last hit." Raven got up and dusted himself off.

She smirked. "Call it even?"

"Sure."

Poof.

Master Raven slid to a stop on the roof of another building shorter than the UN building before loosening her tie. "Underhanded but clever move. How long were you waiting to pull that off?"

Raven stood from his low crouch and shrugged. "A while. I know grabbing the hair is strictly off-limits."

She couldn't help but chuckle nervously, rubbing the back of her neck with her left hand. "Yeah..."

The two remembered the incident well.

---

Raven was seventeen, Tatyana sixteen at the time.

The woman's dreadlocks were already several inches past her shoulders. They'd finally reached the level of being able to spar with small weapons without supervision a week prior. They couldn't stab each other - a single cut marked a loss, while a win only occurred when one pinned the other with their blade at the throat, head, or heart. So far, Raven had won with two to zero and wanted a quick victory. The two Jōnin shinobi walked in a small circle. Each ninja smirked with Raven's kunai blade held in a reverse blade and Tatyana holding her kunai in her right hand.

"Come on," Raven goaded. "I wanna make sure I have a long victory dance."

"Your way of having fun was doing this?" Tatyana pointed to a tiny, uneven x-cut just below her left eye.

He shrugged. "Maybe, but you can keep talking. Either way, you're going to lose."

They both took their stance, each focused on the duel.

"Come on," Raven breathed.

"Uh!"

Tatyana sprinted in his direction. Raven skipped back and avoided her quick kick, weaving forward to evade another missed kick before landing an elbow into the middle of her chest. He stepped back, taking hold of one of the dreadlocks hanging from her ponytail and pulling hard enough before he kicked her feet from under her.

Thud.

"Hah! Three to zero, I wi—"

SMACK!

The rigid heel of her sneaker met his jaw. Raven stumbled back and blinked in utter shock. He saw his sparring partner's face, stone cold, and focused brown eyes glowing bright gold—the first time he'd seen it.

"Taty—"

She nailed her knee into his stomach before kicking his leg. He inhaled sharply, blocking another kick.

"What are you—Ak!"

Tatyana tackled Raven to the ground, spinning the blade in hand. Raven held his breath with widened eyes in fear and shock as she brought her hand down to his throat. The point of her kunai grazed his skin, and soon, he could feel the sting of its tip as it poked into his skin. He blocked, holding her back even as she seemed to gain a sudden burst of strength from losing.

"T-Tatyana…" Raven strained through his teeth.

The cold point of her kunai slowly inched towards his neck.

"Hey!"

An older agent pulled Tatyana from Raven, who scrambled to his feet as Victor separated the two with surprise and concern evident in his features. "What happened?"

The young girl kept her focus on her sparring partner with a vicious glare. "He grabbed my hair."

Victor and the older Raven agent glanced at each other in confusion. They had never dealt with a situation like this before.

The silver-haired man sighed. "Alright. Let's take a break. To your dorm room, Raven."

Raven did as he was told and ran past them in what seemed to be fear.

"My office. Now."

Livid, Tatyana launched her kunai as the blade speared into the wooden floor to its base.

"Fine."

Victor's eyebrows raised at the blade, impressed and taken aback after pulling it from the ground. 'There's more to her skill.'

---

Victor sat in his chair with the agitated girl before him, fists clenched at her sides with shoulders falling and rising slowly.

Tatyana's tone was sharp. "How come he's not the one in trouble?"

"I never said his actions would go unpunished, Ms. Summers," Victor corrected. "But what you did in reaction must be taken care of first."

Her jaw clenched, but she stayed quiet.

"I know I will never truly understand the true meaning of your hair to the extent you do. But you have to understand having long hair leaves an opportunity for an enemy to take advantage. With Raven,"

"He's never once grabbed it, and now—"

"You two are close, but he cannot read your mind, Tatyana," Victor said, his light blue eyes narrowing. "I suggest you use the next hour to meditate and have a conversation with Raven to set some boundaries."

"I couldn't help it. I don't let anyone outside my family touch it, and I'm not about to ease up just because we were sparring."

Victor nodded slowly. "So termination was the best course of action in return for his actions?"

"I wasn't going to kill him. I-I don't know..." Tatyana's fists relaxed and unclenched. "I wasn't going to kill him. Something snapped, and I just wanted... It's the first step to being violated, the last thing I want from friend or foe."

A slight grin formed on the man's face. "I hope you remember that as your hair grows, especially if you face an enemy who employs dirty tactics."

"Yes, sir."

"But..." Victor rose, placing a gloved hand on the polished wooden desk. "I do expect you to stop holding back. At your worst, you revealed how much you can do. Consider your training doubled for the next two weeks."

"Understood."

"Dismissed."

With that, Tatyana left his office, a new weight of guilt settling on her shoulders while the sting of regret lingered. 'He must be terrified out of his mind because of me.'

She hung her head low, walking down the facility's vast hall. Tatyana stopped at the sliding door with the letters T & R on the left side. She stepped forward, and Raven's head shot up as she entered. He jumped from the bed and instinctively stepped back, thinking another attack would happen. Despite staring at him, she noticed his slight movements. The weight worsened.

"I deserve that."

"Look, I'm sorry that I—"

"Don't," Tatyana began, leaning against the doorway with crossed arms. "It's not your fault—not entirely, at least."

"What!? I—"

"You didn't know, and I didn't tell you. I can't expect you to know certain things when I don't say anything."

His eyebrows raised in surprise, easing out of his defensive stance.

"I wasn't gonna kill you for that."

His eyebrows furrowed. "I find that hard to believe."

"Okay... I deserved that, too. I snapped and... I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive me, but you at least need to know that."

Raven allowed himself to relax. "Forgiven... But you hit harder than you let on. I promise never to grab your hair again, and I'm sorry for doing it in the first place. That means more to girls than to guys, I guess."

"A lot more."

"Victor didn't want to talk to me?"

Tatyana shrugged. "I don't know, but you're not getting off easy either."

"I thought as much..."

---

Since then, Raven has been extra careful about where he grabs and slices when sparring and is sure to miss if he comes too close. Tatyana might kill him if he touched her hair again or not even see the afterlife if he accidentally cut one of her dreads. It was a learning experience for both ninjas as Raven learned how dangerous his superior could be. Tatyana knew from that incident to set boundaries and stop holding back.

Neither liked talking or mentioning the incident in a mutual understanding, especially Master Raven. Sure, she showed off her deadlier side when not restraining herself, but it wasn't worth it. The look of fear on her eventual boyfriend's face was burned into her memory. Even now, she always noticed the extra shift in his foot and purposefully missed attacks.

"Shall we go again?" Tatyana challenged with a smirk.

He took up his stance. "First to five. Your move this time."

She grinned before sliding her chokutō blade back into the sheath at her back, the blade singing with a quick but high-pitched ring before the tsuba met the scabbard. Master Raven took up her stance as well. Raven could see a new focused edge in her stare, an instantaneous shift unnoticeable to the untrained eye.

He counted in his head. 'One; Two; Thre—'

"Gah."

Raven stumbled back as the toe of her leather heel missed him by inches. Inhaling sharply, he blocked another kick before the opposite knee landed in his gut, prompting a grimace. He caught sight of her next attack.

Smack!

Agile, Raven caught Master Raven's fist and pinned her arm behind her back before caressing her waist.

"Raven..." She murmured with playful suspicion.

"You started it." Raven inched toward her ear. "How about we do something different instead?"

She laughed before maneuvering out of his grasp. "You heard Vic. No distractions."

"All work and no play. That makes it one to zero."

Master Raven nodded. "Shouldn't be that hard to win."

"Prove it."

---

Tokyo; Iron Fist Arena - 8:12 P.M.:

Donning her mission suit, Master Raven stood atop a building's roof in observance as her subordinate climbed a flight of stairs to the arena. The flags attached to her back waved in the warm night's calm wind.

"Remember, Raven," Victor's voice emitted from the armored covering on his right ear. "You don't need to win. Just stay in long enough to find any valuable intel. Be on your guard; Heihachi will do anything to put on a show for the public if it benefits him."

"Understood," Raven replied.

The security guards in dark suits didn't bother stopping Raven or asking for his fighter pass before a guy in a red and black dress shirt, jeans, and dress shoes walked over to him. He had pale skin, slim hazel eyes, and thick brown eyebrows to match his mustache and anchor beard. Over his short brown hair was a mic headset. In his hand was a tablet with a watch covering his left wrist. A silver chain hung around his neck, and a thicker one hung from the belt loops on the right side of his pants. A black band was fastened around his arm with a Mishima Zaibatsu symbol and the words 'Match Coordinator' underneath, the emblem and words made of gold stitching.

"You're early," he said, looking at his watch. "You know your match isn't until eight thirty, right?"

"I don't do last minute. I like to know who I'm facing," Raven stated.

The guy nodded. "Follow me."

Taking the lead, the agent took a few short seconds to scan the central area as they walked. Neon lights, giant holograms of the fighters inside the glass ring. Segmented pools of crowds cheering on each fighter between the stage and walkways to the ring. Several armed Tekken Force soldiers stood near the exits, entrance, and ring. All the while, Heihachi oversaw everything from a balcony at the arena's forefront, sitting in a golden throne chair with several Tekken Force soldiers standing behind him and Nina at his side.

"So," the match coordinator began. "We didn't have time to give you a separate room. I suggest you sign up earlier next time if you don't like having roommates. That being said..."

They traversed a long metal hall lined with bright lights. Five sliding doors on each side had emblems engraved for each fighter inside, and two soldiers guarded each door. Raven tensed slightly, sensing some soldiers' eyes following him. They continued walking before reaching a door with a golden lion's head above it.

Lars.

"Until we find a room for you, you'll be temporary roommates with Lars Alexandersson."

The door slid open, revealing the rebellion leader making a call on his phone with a towel draped around his neck. His white jacket and shirt lay on his bed while in his pants and boots.

Seeing the two, Lars spoke through the phone. "I'll call you back."

"Weirdo. Can't bother to put on a shirt when I open the door," the Match Coordinator grumbled before clearing his throat. "A soldier will arrive at your door when your turn to fight arrives. Four of them will escort you to the arena. Once the announcer or Heihachi calls your name, make an entrance and give them a show."

"Who am I going against?" Raven questioned.

The shorter guy looked down at his tablet. "You're supposed to be fighting Paul, but Heihachi said he could be an ally or placeholder."

Loading page...

Raven didn't respond and left the room, walking toward the arena entrance.

"From the darkness of the unknown, the Shadow Agent! RRAVEN!"

He landed on a low knee in the ring, lifting his head towards the drone camera. "Resist," he started, rising from his knees with fisted hands at his sides. "And be eliminated."

"Their opponent tonight, the Cold-Blooded Oppressor! KAZUYAAAAAA MISHIMAAAA!"

Kazuya strolled into the arena, wearing his usual white pants and gloves, and eyed Raven and Paul maliciously. The former was familiar with Heihachi's biological son, having crossed paths and fists in the fifth tournament.

"It's one of the defining matches of the tournament!" the female announcer continued. "Should any fighter be left standing, they can advance to the finals! If Kazuya wins, he goes to the finals! They will advance if Raven or Paul are left after taking down Kazuya. Fighters, are you ready?"

Paul smiled at Raven, holding his hand out for a handshake. "Looking forward to fighting with you, partner."

Raven kept his eyes on Kazuya. "Focus on the fight and stay out of my way."

The blonde American chuckled nervously. "Okay, pal."

Master Raven crouched on the metal railing with keen interest. "This should be interesting."

Kazuya cracked his knuckles, his right eye glowing vibrant red.

"Ready?"

Raven and Paul took up their stances.

"Fight!"

Kazuya eyed Raven and Paul, focusing on the ninja while knowing the latter needed to be kept at a distance.

Paul looked over at Raven. "So... do we just rush him or—"

Raven rolled his eyes, sprinting for the Mishima as Kazuya waited.

"Seya!"

Raven grunted, aiming a flying spin kick at the Mishima. Kazuya ducked, aiming an uppercut of his own at the ninja. Raven entered 'Haze,' landing behind the taller man. Kazuya skipped back as the ninja missed a flurry of low and mid-kicks. Paul saw his chance, running toward the two. The Mishima blocked a punch from the ninja, glancing back.

"Hah!"

Paul grunted, landing a 'Gunba' on Kazuya's feet. He flew in the air. Raven shot forward, landing a backflip kick to the Mishima's chin.

Master Raven smirked from her vantage. 'Finally decided to use that move. Took you long enough.'

Kazuya quickly recovered, blocking a heavy half-step 'Phoenix Smasher' from Paul before weaving away from Raven's 'Sudden Strike,' countering with a flying kick to the agent's back.

"Yah!"

Paul grunted, aiming a hard right hook for the Mishima. He blocked, and the impact alone sent Kazuya sliding back.

Smack!

Kazuya's back slammed into the wall before he glared at the two men and then looked to where Heihachi stood. The older man grinned and soon laughed. He knew Paul would give him an actual fight, but with Raven, this match was more of a loss waiting to happen.

"I won't lose," Kazuya growled.

With that, he ran for the ninja, meeting him halfway. Executing 'Oni Front Kick,' Raven acted quickly, countering with 'Chronos Lathe.' The sole of his boot landed squarely in his gut.

Thud.

"Ah!"

Kazuya grunted, stumbling back. He didn't have time to counter Paul's uppercut.

SMACK!

Recovering quickly, Kazuya slammed his head into Paul's before he connected a spinning back fist to Raven's head. The ninja stumbled back, leaving him open.

"Hphm!" Kazuya grinned and landed 'Lighting Screw Uppercut.'

"Gah!"

Raven was sent flying. Kazuya shoved Paul away, sending the agent to the wall with 'Hell Lancer.'

Crack!

Raven landed on the ground, and the glass wall behind him cracked heavily from the impact of his body. His arms shook as the new heavy pain of the Mishima's hits finally set in.

Master Raven straightened from leaning on the beam. "What's his status, Victor?"

"Two more hits like that will put Raven in critical condition. Agent, make a final move to put Kazuya on edge."

Raven inhaled sharply, slowly lifting himself off the ground before channeling his Ki. The damage from Kazuya's attacks almost wholly disappeared. He entered 'Soul Zone,' and a clone shot forward. Raven followed closely behind. Kazuya ducked under Paul's fist, catching sight of the ninja coming behind him with a demented smirk.

"Dorya!"

The blow sent the blonde fighter back with a simple palm strike. Paul ran back in. Kazuya weaved back from the clone's kick and ducked Raven's fist before a punch connected against his jaw.

Thud.

"Seya!"

Raven grunted, stepping into a complex right hook, only for Kazuya to catch his formed fist.

"Dorya!"

He landed 'Roundhouse' on Raven's head and finished with 'Soul Thrust.' Raven landed harshly on the ground, inhaling pained breaths through clenched teeth as blood dripped from his mouth. His vision blurred to a slow halt before Kazuya's kick to his temple. Paul foolishly rushed in, hoping to take the last attack. Master Raven looked over at Kazuya, catching the sight of his third eye atop his forehead glowing brightly with rage. She dived toward the arena just as Raven slowly stood on his feet and looked up.

"Uuh!"

Master Raven tackled him to the ground as a powerful laser tore through the arena. They rolled on the ground before recovering, each landing in a low crouch. The arena was rendered silently fearful.

Heihachi rose out of his chair. "Kazuya Mishima reveals his true colors as a devil! Shoot him down!"

The Tekken Force soldiers aimed their guns as the crowd erupted in screams before flooding the doors to vacate the chaotic scene. Kazuya flew through the rain of bullets, going straight for Heihachi on the overlooking balcony. Heihachi tore his chair from the ground and tossed it in Kazuya's direction just as a laser shot in his direction.

BOOM!

The chair exploded into ash, hurling Devil Kazuya backward as his wings flapped to keep him suspended in the air.

"This isn't over, Heihachi!" Kazuya roared.

He shot through the circular opening in the arena's ceiling, disappearing into the night. By then, Paul had gone with the crowd in a panic, not wanting to risk the chance of getting shot. Now, the Tekken Force soldiers and Heihachi's attention was on the two agents standing back to back while surrounded.

Nina removed her shades with narrowed eyes. "She's here."

"Follow me," Heihachi demanded, walking away from the thick metal guardrail.

Master Raven looked around with concern. "Raven—"

"Don't worry about my condition," Raven gritted.

She stayed silent, a hand slowly reaching for the hilt of her blade.

Pow!

A soldier fired off his gun, but the master kunoichi deflected the bullet with a simple twist of her weapon. Heihachi and Nina appeared through the throng of soldiers, only to find one sinking to the ground with a ricocheted bullet in his eye that instantly killed him.

"Remove that body from my sight." Heihachi's attention turned to the UN agents. "It seems you two are causing more than enough trouble..."

Raven crossed his arms. "Heihachi Mishima."

Neither Master Raven nor Nina said a word during the tense standoff, their heated stares enough to melt the stadium.

Heihachi clasped his hands behind his back. "Instead of making this a long, drawn-out conversation of questions..." He eyed Master Raven. "I want to speak privately with your superior. Nina..."

"Sir," the blonde replied.

"Escort Raven to their new quarters and ensure it has enough room for two."

Nina uttered a displeased growl before reluctantly walking in the opposite direction. Raven kept a reasonable distance from behind, knowing a lowered guard in her presence was a grave mistake. He shared a knowing glance with Master Raven, who mirrored his expression.

'Stay calm and vigilant. I doubt Nina tries anything without invoking Baldy's wrath... but it hasn't stopped her before.'

'I'm more concerned with you, Tatyana. As I learned during our first encounter, Heihachi is no ordinary man.'

'Noted. Victor can bail me out in case something goes awry. Scan our room for anything out of the ordinary.'

'Understood. Be safe.'

Cutting off their telepathic conversation, Raven followed Nina through the wall of soldiers, mindful of keeping his guard up in case an ambush occurred.

Master Raven's eyes landed on Heihachi as he gestured with his head. "Follow me."

---

Fighters' Living Quarters: 

"I'm surprised," Raven began. "Thought you'd be the first to fight in the tournament."

They walked to the end of the hall and entered the elevator, with Nina pressing the three-button. The steel door slid closed, and Nina resisted slipping one of her pistols from the holster on her leg. She knew it would be a foolish attempt with an experienced ninja right behind her who could slit her throat without much effort.

"Anyone with a reasonable mind doesn't need to see my skills to fear my name." A humorless laugh escaped her. "You and your girlfriend are both targets waiting to be shot. And I..."

She looked right at him. "Don't miss."

"Your attempt at Kobe says otherwise. You could've easily killed Victor but opted for a 'warning' shot. And we know how that ended."

No other words were said as they reached the third floor and entered through the first door on the left side of the hallway with the number '315' etched in the metal engraving. Nina obtained two key cards from her pocket.

"Enjoy your stay, though you're living on borrowed-"

To her bewilderment, a Raven clone plucked each key out of her grasp and disappeared after handing them to the original.

Raven merely inserted them into his pocket with a bemused expression before opening the door. "Looks like your trigger finger isn't the only aspect growing rusty."

---

Mishima Zaibatsu; Main Office:

The dim lounge of the arena almost seemed like the perfect setting for the conversation - the odd spacing wedged between the bar and the main TV to view the matches below.

'Almost enough to watch a fight if it breaks out,' Master Raven thought, sitting in a chair behind Heihachi before spotting a silver Desert Eagle next to a glass with ice cubes. 'He's not foolish enough to try and shoot me. Heihachi would rather end someone with his bare hands.'

"Shall I interest you in a glass of whiskey?" Heihachi inquired.

"I—"

"Play the field, agent," Victor reminded from the faceplate's left ear. "You can seize the upper hand later."

"Sure."

Heihachi turned around, two glasses in hand and a glass bottle of whiskey in the other. "For a cold woman, you seem to sit like someone with more power than you realize. Like a queen upon a throne of some sort."

Master Raven couldn't help raising an eyebrow. She sat as usual in a chair, her right leg crossed over her left, arms resting, and back straight while keeping her focus on whoever she was talking to. The oldest living Mishima seemed more partial to the simple things than most suspected.

"You're in my territory, yet sit as if you have anything that could put me in prison," Heihachi deduced before pouring whiskey into each glass.

"Power doesn't always evolve in the form of force. Sometimes, it originates from the shadows to make things appear, disappear, or collapse. Or from doing what breaks us," Master Raven responded.

He nodded before giving her a glass. Master Raven took it and swirled the alcohol inside the transparent surface.

"But let's not pretend here. Business is business." Her expression turned cold as she resumed her queen-like position. "So, talk."

A smug grin spread across Heihachi's face. "Straight to the point, I see. Taking out my satellites was one thing, but don't believe you're out of the woods yet. I still know where each of your hideouts are."

"Yet you didn't send any raids to them. Considering how incompetent your army is, I highly doubt they could even take out my most novice agents. It would take at least twenty Ninas to eliminate half of my subordinates."

"Perhaps, but I'll make this less troublesome for you. Tomorrow night, you will fight me in a match."

She took a small sip of her whiskey. "And if you lose?"

Heihachi laughed boisterously. "If I lose!? You may be a clan leader, but you're no match for a Mishima's deadly fists."

"If you lose?" Master Raven repeated, her voice sharper than when she first asked.

"Nina won't be sent to finish her failed mission."

"Typical of a man of your stature. A draw?"

Heihachi rubbed a hand on his chin. "We'll have to see if you survive that long. Your lateness will cause Nina to pay Raven a visit, and I doubt you'd want to find him dead in your room."

Master Raven bristled before placing her glass on the circular table before the chair. "I'll keep that in mind during our match."

"Good." Heihachi breathed. "Speaking of..."

Suddenly, Master Raven ducked as a fist flew overhead before she met his attack with a palm strike to his chest.

Heihachi slid back from the impact. "Ha ha! You were holding back! What's stopping you from killing me right now?"

"There's more to a fight than who's left standing, Heihachi," Master Raven retorted.

"That hit seemed to say otherwise."

"A fight could be a means to an end, the start of something worse, or the beginning of one's descent into bloodthirst. It's an oddity people like yourself believe is justified, especially surrounding your wife's... disappearance."

He growled at her insolent accusation. "And what does that make you? A righteous killer?"

Master Raven scoffed. "I'm merely a shadow. You can't punish dark whispers in the wind or phantoms of individuals that don't exist. Better be prepared for tomorrow, Heihachi Mishima. Insufficient rest for geysers will lead to complications."

Poof.

Now alone, Heihachi slipped his phone from his pocket and called a contact labeled 'Silent Assassin.'

---

Nina stood outside the closed metal door of the ninjas' shared room. Before debating a possible retaliation, she had an incoming call and quickly answered.

"Keep an eye on that woman. Don't lose sight of her when she leaves their room tomorrow."

"Understood."

Nina ended the call and looked up from her phone, her gaze meeting the woman in question with a silent ferocity.

Master Raven cast her a cold side glance. "Out of my way."

She brushed past Nina as their shoulders bumped. The assassin's hand hovered over her holstered pistol. She thought better of it and watched the taller woman disappear behind the sliding metal door. Nina began walking back to Heihaci's office before...

'It must be something being Heihachi's stool pigeon,' Tatyana's voice echoed in her mind. 'You'll be dealt with soon enough.'

Nina growled. "Better plan on backing those words."

She reached the elevators and grabbed her phone to view the security cameras inside their room. "Of course..."

The other four cameras were left with static screens as red words flashed at the bottom - NO SIGNAL.

Chapter 11: Desire

Iron Fist Arena, Third Floor [Room 315] - 11:49 P.M.:

Raven groaned, slowly sitting up while cradling his sore side. Master Raven prepared to speak as he winced in discomfort.

"There's one left behind the corner."

She glanced at the wide bookshelf between the beds in front of the expansive window - on its top shelf lay several destroyed cameras. Turning around, Master Raven caught sight of a camera mounted in the room's left corner, rotating to focus on her. She swiftly drew a kunai and threw it at the camera. With a pained grunt, Raven slumped onto his bed as his head began to throb, vision blurring amidst ringing ears.

His girlfriend rushed over to steady him before activating her commlink. "Vic, what are his vitals?"

"Four cracked ribs and a heavy concussion. There should be a device to call a medic somewhere in your room," Victor replied.

"By... the door," Raven hissed through gritted teeth.

A panel of three buttons sat on the left side of the door. One had a black flame icon, the second a red cross, and the third a lock symbol. Master Raven slammed her fist onto the red cross button. After a tense wait, two medics rushed inside. Master Raven sat across in observance as the medics tended to her subordinate.

Raven inhaled sharply, his voice hoarse with pain. "That conversation between you and Heihachi..."

Master Raven's jaw tightened. "That's what you're thinking about right now?"

"Tell me..."

She sighed. "He and I have a match tomorrow night. If I don't show up, Nina will visit you. Given your condition, I have no choice but to fight him."

"Noted..." Raven groaned. "I can give you a few tips on what you'll be facing."

She shook her head. "Not right now. Heihachi seemed defensive when I mentioned his wife."

"Questioning Lars will put him on edge, possibly leading him to think we want to assassinate him."

Master Raven crossed her arms. "That's why you should ask him."

The medics finally finished tending to Raven's wounds, one speaking on their behalf. "Keep him awake for three hours and only moderate physical activity until further notice."

With a nod, Master Raven waited until the medics left before speaking through her commlink again. "What's our next move, Vic?"

"Rest for tonight. We'll proceed tomorrow."

"Understood."

Beep.

Raven sat up slowly, still hunched but looking less likely to pass out. "What was that conversation with Heihachi really about?"

She shrugged. "Apart from some remarks about Chaolan and us taking down his satellites and the unit's stronghold, nothing else was discussed. But he did take a swing at me."

"That soon?"

"He wants to test if I was worth his time, even daring me to terminate him there."

Raven's eyebrows furrowed under his red glasses. "This could be either bad or good."

Master Raven tilted her head. "Elaborate."

"You should hold back."

"What?"

Raven recognized that tone; Tatyana had never liked restraint since Victor intensified her training during her teenage years. It felt less like a real fight, and having openings but not exploiting them because it would be too easy was frustrating.

"I don't get what you're suggesting."

"You and Victor are stronger than Heihachi, but he doesn't need to know that. If you win, it could make Heihachi feel threatened. Making him wary could give us leverage when we find and neutralize that journalist."

"I see," Master Raven mused.

Her boyfriend lay back down. "If I'm not too sore from tonight, I'll give you some pointers in the underground gym. Maybe you'll meet Lars."

"Making friends..." She scoffed. "Looking forward to that."

Raven chuckled. "Not everyone outside the unit is an enemy, Tatyana."

"But not everyone's a trustworthy ally either."

"Says the skeptical agent."

---

Next Day - 12:33 P.M.:

Raven slowly rose from his bed with each movement producing a groan. His boots thudded on the dark carpet, a reminder of the inflictions permeating his body. The pain was more bearable compared to last night, lacking the sharp sting in his back. Raven glanced at the vacant bed across from him, surprised by its emptiness.

"Where—"

The metal door slid open, and Master Raven entered, dressed casually in black shorts, a cropped hoodie, and red mid-rise Converse shoes. She carried two bento boxes in one hand while her other held a duffel bag.

She gave a relieved sigh. "You're awake I swung by Vic's place to grab some decent food instead of the stuff from the arena's food court."

"What's in the bag?"

"Extra clothes."

"We should hit the gym for practice after this."

She nodded, handing him a bento box. "Hopefully, you won't strain any muscles."

"I could say the same for you, considering how much you train."

She chuckled. "Sometimes pushing the limits in training pays off when it matters."

---

Public Gym - 45 minutes later:

Inside the dimly lit gym, the air buzzed with fighters pushing their limits: the thud of fists against punching bags, the weights clinking with each lift. Amidst this, a hush fell over the room as all eyes turned towards the entrance - a mix of suspicion and shock as Master Raven strode in accompanied by Raven.

Lee's voice sounded with admiration and playful banter. "Ah, the lady graces us with her presence."

Anna stood beside him with a sharp glare. "Shut it, Lee!"

Meanwhile, Law's smirk hinted at curiosity as his gaze lingered on the newcomer's figure. "Who's the new girl?"

"Don't know, but don't get any ideas." Paul, ever pragmatic, cautioned against making assumptions. "She must be skilled if Heihachi allowed her entry at this hour."

"How much you wanna bet I can get her on a date?"

"Judging by the same tattoo, she looks cold and focused like Raven."

Amidst these interactions, Lars focused on his training, landing the second hit of 'Outpost Blitz' to the speedball on the far left side of the gym. He paused before eyeing the duo that entered.

Alisa tilted her head at Lars's interest. "Do you know her?"

Lars shook his head. "No, but we're about to find out."

Master Raven could feel a presence approaching her and Raven during their meditation, spotting Lars and Alisa walking over as she stood.

"Lars Alexandersson and the Bosconovitch android."

Recognizing the connection from a previous encounter, Lars nodded in acknowledgment. "You know us?"

"She's my superior," Raven interjected while sitting Indian-style on the floor mat. "I reported my findings to her during our brief acquaintance in the sixth tournament. To say she knows about you would be an understatement."

"Makes sense. So, Raven and... Raven?"

"Master Raven," the kunoichi corrected.

"Got it. You both entered the tournament late. Do either of you have a match tonight?"

"Our usual recognizance. As for the upcoming match, I'm preparing to fight Heihachi."

"What!? How-"

"Classified information."

Lars pursed his lips. "I see."

"Actually..." Raven spoke. "I'm certain my master wants to test your mettle beforehand."

'Raven-'

'Trust me. It'll come in handy later tonight.'

Lars rolled his shoulders. "Any rules?"

"First one to three hits wins. If one pins the other to the mat with a grab, it's an instant win," Raven explained.

"Seems easy enough," Lars remarked. "I won't hold back."

Master Raven smiled. "Neither will I."

They separated several feet apart on a sizeable sparring mat. Alisa and Xiaoyou, who had entered late, cheered on Lars's side while Raven and the ever-arrogant Chaolan sided on Master Raven's. The other fighters observed on the sidelines, curious about this newcomer's skill.

"I bet you she's is going to get swept," Hwoarang remarked.

"Shut up, will you?" Asuka retorted.

Lars's eyebrows furrowed as the woman's eyes morphed into a golden glow amid each taking their stance. 'Ninjas are strange.'

The anticipation grew palpable.

With agile precision, the sparring match unfolded to showcase Master Raven's speed and Lars's adaptability. He skipped and slid forward, his footing arranged to execute 'Electric Jolt.' Lars inhaled sharply as Master Raven pulled off a sideway corkscrew flip over his kick and landed before aiming a reverse heel kick toward his head. Lars blocked, though with widened eyes, as the rubber sole of her sneaker was centimeters away from his temple. Any second later, he would've been open to her next attack. Each fighter stood still, unmoving from their current stalemate.

"Woah..." Hworang breathed. "He almost got his head knocked off."

He grimaced and held his side as Asuka elbowed him there. "Shut up!"

"Huh," Lars said with a chuckle. "Nice move."

"Thanks. Follow your instincts, not your eyes, Alexandersson," Master Raven remarked.

"Right. First to three hits."

Lars rushed forward, hesitating as the woman skipped back. He ducked under her high kick.

"Tah!"

He swiped her leg with his hand before slamming a shoulder into her chest. She grunted and blinked before catching his fist and landing an elbow against his jaw. Lars stumbled back before recovering with 'Spinning Cutter.' Master Raven leaned into a backflip towards him.

"Agh!"

The Mishima groaned as her foot connected with his chin.

"Woah, they're even!" Paul exclaimed.

"Who you think's gonna win?" Law inquired.

Yoshimitsu rubbed a hand over his chin, keenly interested in this match but particularly with the woman. 'She's repressing her true strength.'

Lars recovered to execute 'X-Ray,' forcing Master Raven to roll back. She catapulted herself back onto her feet before jumping airborne for a simple high-spin kick. He backed away to avoid it and stepped forward, but Master Raven took a running step as he tried 'Spinning Cutter' again. She jumped, leaned back, and landed on her feet unscathed.

'She missed on purpose!' Lars realized.

He slid his foot around for a 'Shadow Cutter.' Master Raven easily front-flipped over his foot before Lars swung a messy roundhouse punch just as she disappeared under his fist. A solid uppercut landed against his chin, sending him flying. The audience winced at the sound. Landing on the sparring mat, Lars's jaw and back stung from her barrage.

Law cleared his throat. "On second thought, maybe I should focus on the tournament instead. I don't want her angry at me after a breakup."

"Lady's got skill," Hwoarang said. "Maybe I should ask for a match sometime."

Asuka laughed. "You'd get your ass kicked. No offense."

"Hmph. None taken because I'll show you who's boss when we get matched up."

Lars inhaled sharply before sitting up, and Master Raven stood over him with her hand held out. He took it and got off the floor.

"Nice moves, but I thought you'd hit harder than that."

Master Raven chuckled. "My intention wasn't to injure you. How's your jaw?"

'It's more than that,' Lars thought but replied, "Only stings. How's your... uh—"

She smiled. "It's fine. Don't worry about it."

A small smile formed on the brunette's face. "So—"

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

"Quite the match, you two!"

An unwanted, arrogant voice sounded behind the two fighters. Lee walked over, and Raven followed the silver-haired tycoon but not too closely behind. Master Raven fought the inclination to groan, as she knew it was another ploy of his to worm his way into the conversation.

"Once again, Ms. Raven proves her lethality. Maybe you could take a few pointers, dear brother."

Master Raven rolled her eyes. "Anyway, Alexandersson. You held your own. I'm impressed."

"Likewise."

"So, Ms. Raven. You and I should..." Lee's mischievous smirk appeared as he approached the master kunoichi. "Exchange pointers since we have time."

Raven stepped between them. "My superior and I will discuss our plans privately."

The tycoon's smirk widened into a grin. "That so? A pity. We'll chat in due time."

Going silent, Raven walked away with Master Raven following after him as they made their way over to the small sparring room on the left side of the gym. The thick glass doors slid closed.

She gripped his shoulder. "Thanks. You saved me the trouble of caving his nose in."

"No problem. Learned from last time to not lose control again," Raven replied before crossing his arms. "What's our next course of action?"

"Once the sun sets around 7:45, I want you to question Alexandersson on the journalist Nathan Bryant. I'll listen in on the conversation."

Raven's eyebrows creased. "Won't Lars get suspicious?"

"He's of no concern to us. So long as he and his rebellion don't interfere with our objective."

"Understood."

"What was the point of having me spar with Alexandersson?"

"Mishimas hit hard and fast; Lars is no exception. If they can't break your block, they'll go for a low and use a hard attack to hammer the upper body's vital areas: the head, chest, and stomach. The only difference between Lars and Heihachi is the older Mishima will go for the chest. Then there's the repetition, like so..."

Raven rushed forward and launched a high kick. Master Raven leaned back, catching her footing. He fell into a pattern: Low kick as she skipped back, low kick, mid kick. She blocked, able to seize his foot. Raven spun around in the other way for another high kick. She ducked, and Raven smirked while aiming his uppercut.

"Gotcha."

Master Raven looked down as his fist sat a few centimeters under her chin.

Raven let his hands fall to his sides. "The Mishima's thrive on lows that force you to duck or dodge. Don't move forward when evading. It'll leave you open to take an uppercut."

She relaxed. "Noted."

"If they can't break your block with speed or repetition of lows, they'll resort to brute force. Heihachi will use his strength to do so using headbutts or parry holds. Another tactic he uses is shoving you back to the wall or floor."

"Anything else?"

"Be careful showing off."

Master Raven failed to hide a smirk at the notion.

"I saw your footing. You were going to show off against Lars and finish with a flashier move but toned it down at the last minute."

"Come on, Raven."

He looked knowingly at her. "Save it for a less critical fight."

She huffed. "Fine, but I can't promise I won't sneak something in."

"Expect Heihachi to respond with pure malice. Showing off will make him feel like you're taunting him. Just fight and play it even."

Master Raven nodded. "Alright."

"But, uh... Want to continue working out? Or-"

"Join me at the pull-up bars."

From afar, Yoshimitsu observed the master kunoichi hanging on the long steel bar by her legs while crunching upward at a practiced speed, making it look easy. Raven was beside her doing pull-ups, keeping up with her speed in near synchronization.

'Quiet the woman indeed,' the space ninja deduced.

---

Later:

Master Raven's earpiece emitted a brief beep, signaling an incoming communication as she tapped the left side of her faceplate. "Victor."

"Yes, agent."

"I'll be moving to apprehend the journalist shortly. Prepare for transport back to HQ once I have him in custody."

"Understood. I'll ensure a vehicle is ready for extraction."

Satisfied, Master Raven settled on the open window sill to survey the surroundings. She glanced over at Raven, who rose from his resting place and went to the door. Outside, Nina stood by the guardrail with several Tekken Force soldiers, her gaze shifting as she turned in Raven's direction.

"Going somewhere?"

"Just a conversation with an old acquaintance."

"Trying to cozy up to Lars?"

Raven's response was curt. "I'm not here to make friends."

He proceeded to the elevator without further exchange, reflecting his no-nonsense attitude.

Observing Raven's departure, Nina directed the vigilant soldiers to hold their position. She then quietly descended the nearby stairwell before reaching the first hall where the fighters trained. Positioning herself strategically behind a corner, Nina watched the agent enter Lars's room. She slipped her phone out to tap a security camera icon.

"You wanted to talk?" Lars inquired with a hint of wariness.

Raven wasted no time getting to the point. "I need information regarding the journalist you're associated with: Nathan Bryant."

Lars's defensive posture was evident. "What does the UN want with him? Are you planning to eliminate Nathan and cover it up?"

"We require crucial intel Heihachi entrusted to him. Where is he currently?"

Master Raven observed the exchange from outside and couldn't help but note how smoothly the conversation unfolded.

"He'll be transported back to America under heavy surveillance with the kill-on-sight order from Heihachi. My operatives have a jet prepared at Suno Harbor west of the arena for immediate departure."

"A kill-on-sight order. I hadn't expected Heihachi to resort to such underhanded tactics."

"Classic Mishima approach."

"And where do you fit into this?"

"You're assisting my soldiers in his transportation?"

"In a manner of speaking."

"How so?"

"Thanks for the info."

As Raven headed to the elevator, Lars drummed his fingers on his chin. 'Why would he inquire about the journalist? He didn't even teleport away afterward, as he always does. Unless—'

He swiftly reached for his phone on the nightstand by his bed, dialing Commander K. Genshi's number from speed dial. "Commander, brace yourself! We're—"

"Sir, we're under assault by an unknown intruder! Send re—ARGH!"

"Genshi? Genshi!"

The sounds of gunfire drowned out the rest of the call. This revelation prompted Nina to act swiftly, realizing Raven wasn't pursuing the journalist directly before mobilizing a squad of soldiers, assassins, and armored vehicles.

"I need immediate transport to Suno Harbor!"

---

Master Raven dashed and leaped across the rooftops, her movements fluid as she navigated the bustling cityscape toward Suno Harbor.

"Victor, have you secured a vehicle?"

"A Mazda Shinari," Victor's voice crackled through the comms.

"Of all the choices, you went with that," Master Raven replied with amusement.

"It's the quickest option available that doesn't look like a tank."

"Speed won't matter much if we come under fire."

"Fair point, but my driving skills, coupled with your sharp eyes, make us a formidable force against any opposition."

"Agreed."

Arriving at the scene, Master Raven effortlessly deflected bullets from the trio of soldiers with her chokutō blade and swiftly closed the distance. As one soldier swung the butt of his gun, she blocked and countered with a lightning-fast strike to his jaw, followed by a precise kick to the soldier behind her. Meanwhile, the third soldier drew a machete, aiming a wide swing at her midsection. Master Raven dodged the attack with fluid agility and retaliated with an upward palm strike that sent him staggering.

Without looking at Nathan, she threw a shuriken in the reporter's direction.

Shing!

The KP-01 Sig Sauer pistol in his hand dropped to the ground. Nathan backed away, visibly shaken as the chaos unfolded, his features a testament. He had messy brown hair, a full beard, and dark silver eyes reddened from lack of sleep. He wore a gray trench coat, black dress shirt with an unbuttoned collar, jeans, and black oxfords. Glasses were gone from his face, a red military watch around his right hand, a black backpack over his shoulders, and a briefcase in his possession.

"W- who are you? Did H-Heihachi send y-you?"

Master Raven sheathed her blade. "I'm from the United Nations, here to help you."

"You killed those men. The UN doesn't hire assassins."

"There's a lot of things the public doesn't know."

"W-what?"

The unmistakable thump of helicopter rotor blades slicing through the air drew Master Raven's attention. Her gaze snapped skyward, locking onto a Mishima Zaibatsu helicopter with its tactical design apparent from a distance. The piercing beam of its searchlight narrowed down on their location. A sniper's silhouette glinted against the night through the chopper's open doors.

"We're running out of time, Bryant," Master Raven's voice cut through the tension, urgency lacing every word. "You can either face that Zaibatsu helicopter and meet your end, or you can trust me and live."

Nathan's hesitation was palpable, fear mirrored in his wide eyes and trembling voice. "Okay..."

Assisting her hostage, Master Raven guided Nathan as they hurried towards their getaway car. Victor's composed demeanor contrasted with Nathan's panic.

"Who are you?" Nathan questioned.

"We'll explain later. Get in and fasten your seatbelt."

Nathan hesitated and looked up to see the pursuant helicopter descending. He immediately entered the backseat as Victor occupied the driver's side while Master Raven opted to hop onto the roof; the circles in her boots' soles pulsed with magnetic energy.

Victor slammed on the gas with the steering wheel turned before switching to the brakes. A thick ring of tire smoke emerged from the rear as the car swung in a half circle before zooming back into the main streets.

Nina watched a silver vehicle shoot past her convoy and pressed the communication device in her ear. "Vehicle A12, give chase."

The scene shifted into a high-octane pursuit throughout the Toyko streets. Victor expertly narrated through the chaos of screeching tires and flashing lights. His skillful maneuvering and Master Raven's perceptive observations kept the tension taut as they evaded their pursuers. The latter looked behind as the bright lights of an armored Tekken Force Hummer pursued them with a soldier wielding a minigun sticking from its top.

"Vic-"

The car suddenly weaved to its right.

"Not much traffic, but the trucks are everywhere!" Victor shouted from below.

"We need to lose them!" Master Raven responded.

Victor began weaving in and out of lanes to avoid the Hummer. Master Raven's vision caught sight of a newly constructed dead end with more armored vehicles and soldiers blocking the street, the leading general wielding an RPG.

"Turn left!" Master Raven ordered.

Gripping the steering wheel, Victor switched to the brakes as the car drifted into a wide corner and used one hand to cut the wheel before stepping on the accelerator to turn down the adjacent street.

Nathan let a strangled breath loose. "Are we safe now?"

Master Raven's eyes narrowed at the lack of cars on this street. "Wait... It's a tr-"

Reactively, her entire body lowered to the car's hood as a missile sailed overhead that missed by mere centimeters before detonating in the street several feet ahead of them. The impact shook the ground enough for Victor to slam his foot on the brakes. The car drifted in an erratic circle before coming to a complete stop. Surrounding the Madza were several Tekken Force soldiers and a lethal assassin.

Victor grabbed his scabbard from the backseat and eyed Nathan. "Stay in the car."

Nathan tightened his grip on the briefcase, feeling the weight of the situation as the Frenchman shut the car door. Victor and Master Raven stood coolly side by side, unruffled by the armed soldiers encircling them. The former fastened his scabbard to his belt, determination visible behind his tinted shades. The third assassin, positioned between his allies, carried a slender cleaver sword sheathed at his back.

"Shall we deal with him now or later, Maven?" Victor inquired, twirling his karambit knife deftly between his fingers with a smug grin.

Master Raven rolled her eyes. "Victor, please refrain from calling me that. As for your question, save him for last."

"Agreed, then. Our final dance."

Meanwhile, Nina perched on the armored truck's hood, her fingers resting lightly on the TrackingPoint Model XS1 sniper rifle readily loaded. "Nathan stays unharmed and alive."

The swarm of soldiers converged on their position. Gripping the hilt of her chokutō blade, Master Raven pulled it out of its sheath. Victor's thumb hovered over a button near the tsuba. She threw her sword, aiming hilt first at the soldier behind Victor, whose katana shot from its scabbard toward the soldier behind his subordinate. They landed against their marks, colliding with each soldier's head. Time slowed as the two glanced at each other, already knowing their next move. Each spun in opposite directions, gripping the other's weapon and slicing through the soldiers.

Victor raised an eyebrow at his subordinate's blade. "Is it me, or is this lighter than I remember?"

"Probably you."

"Hmm..."

Master Raven gripped the weapon and waited as Victor stepped forward, leaning away from a sword slash before attacking with his own. The soldier fell dead to the ground. He blocked a kick and stepped into a forward swipe, slicing the soldier's head half. He kicked another away as Master Raven ducked a blade swing before countering with a quick stab to the eye. She backflipped away from a forward slash. Victor slid under and swept a soldier's leg and slipped his gun from its leg holster to fire four shots, each hitting a soldier as they crumpled lifeless around them.

More rushed forward, but Master Raven easily dodged their attacks and blocked with the long katana. One soldier reached for his gun, only for her to roll forward and slice through his upper body. A hail of bullets met the slim katana and ricocheted away harmlessly as sparks flew. An incoming fist met the soldier's jaw, making him stumble backward. Victor ducked a messy right hook and countered with a quick kick variation to the soldier's knee and stomach. He stepped back and shoved the end of the chukutō into the soldier's skull. Master Raven sprinted toward a trio and simultaneously deflected their gunshots. She jumped and continued averting their gunfire using her armor before disappearing in a haze. She landed into a low crouch behind them, blood dripping from the sword as the soldiers behind her collapsed.

"Hah!" The last assassin swung his cleaver sword.

Rolling back in time, Master Raven parried the blade with eyes on Victor, who toyed with two soldiers while three more converged. Without thinking, she tossed his weapon blade first in his direction. The katana buried itself in the head of one behind Victor. Master Raven inhaled sharply before blocking the cleaver with her arm and slamming a fist against the assassin's face. Victor smirked and teleported before a surprised soldier, who grunted after a powerful knee to his gut that sent him sprawling. After pulling his sword from a dead body, Victor focused on the remaining four. Spinning, he sliced through one's throat. Teleporting behind the two executing 'Durandai,' he cleaved the one on the left in two. Landing a kick to the one right, Victor sprinted for the one farthest from him and slid to a stop, an armored fist missing his nose by inches. He sliced the soldier's throat and didn't bother looking behind him while shoving the end of his katana through his stomach. Pulling the blade out, he tossed the chokutō blade in his subordinate's direction. Master Raven pulled off a backward handspring and caught her blade before blocking the assassin's cleaver just in time. Sparks flew as each blade slid across the other. The assassin stumbled but quickly recovered, brandishing his blade as the two agents approached him.

Master Raven sheathed her sword with a swift, practiced motion - the metallic whisper of steel sliding into its scabbard. "Maybe you should go start the car?"

Victor, standing nearby, responded with a confident smirk. "And miss out on this? I think not. I'll hit him with a low, and we'll finish him swiftly."

"Sure," Master Raven replied casually, though her eyes betrayed a subtle concern.

The assassin gripped his blade, running for the woman. Master Raven rolled back just as his blade missed her. Victor hazed through him, aiming his sword. The assassin blocked, leaning away from the woman's fist. Victor kicked in his leg. He fell to his knees. Master Raven landed a punch to his side, stomach, and collarbone. She landed a left-right combo on his jaw before and didn't give him a chance to recover before spinning into a high kick. He was sent flying but recovered midair and landed on the asphalt as the agents sprinted toward him. The assassin gripped his cleaver and swung, only to see with wide eyes that Master Raven pulled off a corkscrew flip over his blade, slicing his neck while Victor landed a forward kick to his chest. The decapitated head flew backward and hit the truck Nina sat on, to which she grimaced as the agents smirked. Retreating to their getaway, Victor slid his sheathed blade from the hold at his side before slipping into the car. The vehicle sped away, its engine roar echoing into the empty streets.

Agitated, Nina grabbed her phone. "After them!"

Nathan's voice trembled with urgency. "I-is that it? Did we lose them?"

Master Raven glanced behind them. "They're not tailing us anymore, but don't assume we're out of danger just yet."

She remained vigilant despite the Kobe UN building looming in clear view. The unsettling silence, juxtaposed with the smooth maneuvering of their vehicle through light traffic, heightened her senses. Abruptly, the car swerved left, Master Raven barely maintaining her balance as three sharp gunshots echoed. She instinctively shifted lower, gripping the sleek surface for dear life.

"Helicopters!" Victor's voice carried urgency.

His eyes darted to the backseat, where his sword lay sheathed and out of reach for himself or his subordinate in this desperate situation.

"My sword."

Nathan's brows furrowed in confusion. "What about it?"

"It's in the back—"

The car jolted as bullets hit the passenger side, evoking a gasp from Nathan as the vehicle maneuvered around a taxi.

Master Raven clenched her jaw, the strain evident. "Are you trying to throw me off the car!?"

Determined, Victor pressed harder on the gas pedal. "Toss it out the window to her!"

"What!?"

"Now!"

Nathan did as told, grabbing the armored scabbard and tossing it upward. Master Raven caught it and clipped it to her back over her blade before jumping off the hood toward a building. Quickly executing a few hand signs, a clone appeared and followed her lead. She landed on the side of the building, running along its surface while gripping the katana's hilt as the scabbard's dim glow brightened. The clone jumped off the building; Master Raven did as well. Her clone leaned back in position ever so slightly. She landed on its crossed forearms before pushing off towards the first helicopter. The soldier armed his machine gun at the incoming kunoichi. She smirked and slid the blade back into the sheath before flipping into a swan dive towards the other chopper descending to ground level. The pilot saw her coming and pulled the cyclic stick left. Master Raven maneuvered ever so slightly to fall through the small cabin's open space. The soldier slipped his pistol from the holster and aimed with a shaky hand while holding on to the aircraft's wall. She blinked before pulling one of the pins of his grenades as a bullet ricocheted off her armored knee. Master Raven turned around and dove out toward the moving car, breathing heavily as the grenades detonated inside the helicopter and crashed against the other. The scene resembled a fiery inferno.

Victor exhaled a small sigh of relief. "Finally..."

The vehicle slid into the UN building's underground tunnel, greeted by the vigilant presence of armed UN soldiers armed with heavy weaponry. They meticulously surveyed the entrance until the secret panel concealing the tunnel snapped shut. Victor switched off the ignition, pocketing the keys while Master Raven gracefully leaped off the hood and sheathed her katana. Nathan's eyes widened in surprise inside the car as he observed the flurry of activity: soldiers patrolling, securing hallways and doors, tending to armored vehicles, and replenishing ammunition.

"Let's go," Victor commanded after opening the car door.

Nathan hesitated, his gaze darting to the soldiers nearby, two of whom were conversing with the armored woman outside.

He shook his head before stepping out. "So... Thanks for saving my life back there and all. But you guys will help me get out of Japan, right?"

Victor and Master Raven exchanged glances before the latter replied. "Unfortunately, any movement would jeopardize your safety. You're under our protection now."

Nathan's complexion paled. "What!? I can't stay here! They'll kill me! I haven't done anything wrong!"

"Although true, Heihachi won't let you leave alive if given the chance. Your best chance of survival is to remain in this facility until further notice. I'm sure you have questions, Nathan. We certainly do."

"W-what?"

Stepping forward, Master Raven was about to speak, but Victor intervened with his arm out. He knew his agent's direct approach could be unsettling despite excelling in interrogating hardened criminals. Dealing with civilians required a gentler touch to elicit cooperation.

"Your suitcase. I assume you have the journal that contains the truth about Heihachi's past before the Devil Gene's influence."

Nathan nodded hesitantly.

"In that case, we need to discuss. Your cooperation will expedite matters." Victor glanced at the two soldiers. "Ensure our guest has a good meal, new clothes, and a comfortable resting place."

Nathan paused as Master Raven's intense gaze sent a shiver down his spine. He couldn't shake off his unease despite her role in saving him from the Tekken Force. Perhaps his unease was fueled by her piercing stare or the prominent kanji tattooed on her shoulder.

死. Shi. Death.

Such tattoos were typically associated with the yakuza, criminals, or ominous figures bearing misfortune.

'Good people don't have tattoos like that,' Nathan thought, clearing his throat. "Uh... sure."

Victor nodded. "Good."

The soldiers escorted Nathan into the heavily guarded facility, leaving Victor to check the time displayed on his glasses: 9:07 P.M.

"You should head to your match. Things could escalate if Heihachi and Nina act rashly," Victor advised. "As for Bryant, I'll handle him until your return for a proper interrogation. Some of my men and I will monitor the match."

"Understood. I'll give him a fight to remember."

Poof.

With that, Master Raven disappeared as Victor turned and left to file his report on tonight's events.

---

Iron Fist Arena - Room 315:

Poof.

Raven closed the book titled—Technological Advances of the Mishima Zaibatsu—earning a raised eyebrow from Master Raven after materializing inside the room.

"Seriously? That's your pre-match read?"

He shrugged before tossing the book. "It was that or History of the Mishima Zaibatsu. Figured this had more gadgets. They'll summon you soon, but you still have time for meditation. Your balcony leap should make a memorable entrance against the old man."

Master Raven gave a wry smirk and settled into a cross-legged position before closing her eyes. With a deep breath, she channeled her Ki to bolster her strength for the impending battle. In a match against Heihachi, evasion wasn't an option—she needed every ounce of energy to withstand his imposing might. Raven couldn't help but sense the surge emanating from her. A stronger, more tangible aura would mark her presence unmistakably, even to the most seasoned fighters or cunning ninjas lurking miles away.

---

Mishima Zaibatsu - Private Dojo:

Heihachi raised his head, eyes snapping open after a solitary meditation session in the intimate dojo hidden behind his office. A wicked smirk curled his lips as he contemplated the impending spectacle.

"She's arrived... Nina."

"Sir."

"Proceed with the announcement. I'll be entering the arena shortly."

Exiting the dojo's serene ambiance, Nina approached the balcony overlooking the raucous arena. The crowd's fervent cheers reverberated, mingling with the upbeat music that signaled the commencement of the night's final match—a showcase featuring Heihachi against a mysterious adversary unveiled live on television. This bout marked the culmination of the semifinals, a tradition that always promised a riveting display.

The Match Coordinator received the cue from Nina. "We're going live in three... two... one."

Beep.

"As customary in the Iron Fist Tournament, the climax of the semifinals brings forth a showcase match! Tonight is no different!" proclaimed the female announcer, her earpiece doubling as a microphone for special occasions. "In this evening's spectacle, the head of Zaibatsu will clash with our newest contender! Nothing tangible hangs in the balance except nothing short of a captivating exhibition! Without further ado, let the showdown begin! Representing the Mishima Zaibatsu, renowned for his bone-shattering strikes, the King of Iron Fist... HEIHACHIII MISHIMAAA!"

The elderly combatant leaped from the balcony with formidable might, his landing creating visible craters inside the arena. "May my opponent prove worthy of my fists."

---

Raven glanced back at his superior, who remained deep in meditation. "Good luck, Tatyana."

He exited their shared room and made his way to the elevator, seeking a secluded spot away from the bustling crowd and the prying eyes of fellow fighters. Just as Raven located the participants' exclusive seating area, Lars angrily approached him.

"I don't appreciate your superior attacking my men earlier," Lars reprimanded.

"It wasn't personal. I was executing my mission," Raven maintained his composure. "Your men knew the risks when they committed to being soldiers—the frontline casualties of any conflict."

"You manipulated me while she listened in."

"It's not manipulation, Alexandersson. I was following orders to achieve my objective, nothing more. As I mentioned earlier, we might be adversaries with each passing day. If you'll excuse me, I have a match to observe."

Raven walked away, leaving Lars with crossed arms and a look of disdain. He quickly found an unoccupied section near the far right of the reserved seating and settled into a surprisingly comfortable seat, relishing the calm until an unwelcome voice disrupted his peace.

"Ah, Raven. I was hoping to catch you here," Lee Chaolan said as he sat beside him.

Anna was by his side, watching with a vested interest for possible vulnerabilities to exploit.

"Wasn't there a VIP section where you could lounge, Lee?" Raven inquired, slightly annoyed by the interruption.

Lee chuckled. "Of course, but I couldn't resist witnessing Ms. Raven's skills up close. While she may not be on Heihachi's level, her martial prowess is undeniable."

'That's not the only thing you're drawn to, opportunist.'

"Emerging from the shadows, the Elusive Kunoichi..."

Heihachi's gaze sharpened, his glare intensifying.

"MASTER RAVEN!"

With a poof, Master Raven teleported into the arena. "Target acquired."

"Are you ready?" The announcer echoed through the arena, prompting Heihachi and Master Raven to assume their fighting stances.

And then...

"FIGHT!"

Master Raven channeled her ki, a silent focus enveloping her.

Poof.

Heihachi stepped back and leaned away from a high kick before blocking a punch, rearing his head back to execute 'Chrome Dome.' Master Raven hazed under the attack and countered with a fist aimed at his chest. Heihachi matched her attack with a palm strike, the blow eliciting a small grunt through Master Raven's teeth as she rolled back. Heihachi slid with a slight grimace.

"Hmmm."

With a simple hand gesture, Heihachi beckoned her to come closer. Master Raven knew better than to be goaded into attacking, a typical move of a novice fighter. Heihachi was arrogant, though it was odd he'd do it against her.

She sprinted towards Heihachi, who stood his ground. Getting close enough, Master Raven shifted her stance with both hands planted on the ground. Heihachi weaved back amid her double corkscrew kick, missing him by mere inches as he ducked. Skipping back from a low, Master Raven backflipped toward him. Heihachi stumbled back but retaliated with a 'Demon Uppercut.' The kunoichi flew, allowing Heihachi to rush forward as she tumbled but recovered quickly, curling into a ball just as his 'Wind Caller' kick sailed overhead. Landing on the ground in a kip-up, Master Raven held her stance and relaxed her spine. Heihachi's first 'Monzenbarai' kick missed. She launched herself onto her feet to block the Mishima's fists.

Lee shot up from his seat. "Did you see that!?"

Heihachi backed up before parrying her low kick and lodged his fist into her stomach before connecting with an elbow against her jaw. He smirked while blocking her kick. Master Raven grimaced and spat out a wad of blood but didn't register Heihachi had hooked his hands around her leg. He swung her around twice before releasing as she landed in a heap - a slight but sharp sting erupting in her back. Her fist clenched slowly, and Raven tensed in his seat with keen eyes after catching the first sign of irritation. He knew she hated holding back but having to restrain herself for the objective's sake.

"Just a few more seconds," Raven breathed.

Twisting her body, Master Raven stood tall to see Heihachi's cruel smirk. "Quitting so soon?"

Master Raven fully sprinted toward the older man. He waited and spun into a back fist. She rolled forward and countered his high knee with an 'Elbow Strike' while drawing her blade. Heihachi stumbled back, astonished as the silver edge nearly gouged his eye. She gave him no time to recover with a swift kick to the knee before another landed against his stomach, and one final kick met his jaw. Heihachi breathed through his teeth in pain before skipping back. Master Raven's chokutō blade spun as the older man's eyes flicked to it, though she seemed to give it no attention. She ducked under his 'Lightning Strike Fist' before gripping the sword by its blade. The braced hilt landed forcefully against his jaw before Heihachi caught her hand and landed a devastated 'Chrome Dome.' She stumbled backward, not having enough time to dodge or counter his 'Spinning Demon Kick.' Master Raven scrambled to her feet and blinked as Heihachi eliminated any space with a forward palm strike. Thinking quickly, she aimed a mid-kick to his side.

Raven and Lee winced as the crowd sounded a defining 'OOH!' in shock.

Heihachi and Master Raven each slid back from the impact, the latter gripping her arm after the latest attack popped her right arm out of its socket. A single trail of blood slid down her face as she glowered at her opponent. Heihachi kept the woman's gaze with a hand over his left side after she managed to fracture three of his ribs. Blood also dripped from the corner of his mouth, which he wiped off his mouth with his forearm before crossing them.

"It seems our match has ended in a shocking tiebreaker!" the female announcer boomed. "Quite the fight indeed! Maybe a rematch is to determine a true victor in this spectacle! This concludes the semifinals of the King Of Iron Fist Tournament Seven! Tune in next Friday for the beginning of the finals, where eight fighters go head to head for a chance to face Heihachi Mishima and claim their champion title! GET READY FOR THE NEXT BATTLE!"

Master Raven gritted her teeth in discomfort while gripping her arm before... Crick. She rolled her shoulder and felt a sting from shoving it back into alignment.

Heihachi approached her. "You fought well. I was wrong to underestimate you."

She raised an eyebrow, surprised he complimented her before his deep cackle sounded. "But don't think you bested me because of a measly draw. I look forward to crumbling your spine."

Master Raven placed a hand on her hip. "Then you know I'll ensure the opportunity doesn't arise."

"I'll be waiting outside," Raven's voice sounded from her earpiece. "Victor sent a vehicle for transportation."

"Understood," Master Raven replied.

Poof.

Lee shot up from his seat. "That was quite the match! I've never seen Heihachi in a draw before. Can you believe it, Rav—"

The agent had already vacated his seat, not bothering to stay for extra conversation.

"Huh..." Lee shrugged. "Guess he wasn't up for conversation. Quite the match, right dear?"

Anna's brown eyes narrowed while gripping the throwing knife's handle. "Indeed."

---

Ding.

Nina straightened from the guardrail as she and the soldiers turned toward Master Raven's direction, who confidently entered the hall from the elevator. "Quite an interesting fight you put out there. I'm sure Heihachi wore you down from that last hit."

"Mistaken as usual, Williams," Master Raven replied coolly with no hint of exertion. "I wasn't trying to win."

"Really?" Nina's voice carried a hint of skepticism as she handed her shades to a nearby soldier. "Prove it then."

Master Raven calmly turned, a flicker of a challenge in her eyes. "You'll regret attempting to piss me off."

"That's if you can hit me."

Without hesitation, Nina instinctively surged forward with her hand on the pistol holster on her left leg. Master Raven deftly leaned back, bullets from the pistol ricocheting harmlessly off her armor before she landed a precise low kick to the assassin's knee. Nina staggered but swiftly recovered, narrowly evading the ninja's subsequent high kick while deftly flipping her pistol. Undeterred, Master Raven ducked beneath the missed pistol whip and countered with a lightning-fast three-punch combination aimed at Nina's midsection, collarbone, and jaw. Nina managed to catch the final punch, swiftly spinning her pistol in response.

Meanwhile, Master Raven simultaneously pressed the magazine release button. As the blonde kicked at the ninja's stomach, the magazine landed in Master Raven's waiting hand. For a while, they stood locked in a tense stalemate, Nina's pistol aimed at Master Raven's temple while the latter held the tip of her chokutō blade at the blonde's neck. The tension broke as Nina pulled the trigger.

Click.

Master Raven's smirk was unmistakable as she held up the magazine. "Missing something?"

Annoyance flickered across Nina's features. "Lucky move. But it won't hold forever."

"Don't count on it," Master Raven replied calmly, tossing the magazine.

The ensuing clash was swift and intense. Nina ducked beneath a sword swipe, executing 'Stiletto Heel'. Master Raven effortlessly evaded the attack, her movements fluid and calculated. However, her lapse in judgment allowed Nina to capitalize, landing a punishing blow with her heel against Master Raven's jaw. In a split-second decision, Nina seized one of her long dreads to leverage a swift sweep that brought the agent down.

"The long hair was a poor choice," Nina quipped.

Master Raven's response was wordless, her golden eyes filled with fury as she launched forward with renewed vigor. Nina deftly pulled back the slide of her pistol as her opponent closed the distance. With a nimble step back, she avoided a sweeping kick, only to feel the impact of a low strike to her calf, followed by a sharp palm strike to her chest before...

CRACK!

The impact reverberated and caused the guards to cringe as Master Raven's knee struck Nina's nose. Blood trickled between her gloved hands as she instinctively clutched her now broken nasal bone, the pain searing. Despite the agony, her gaze of hatred remained fixed on her adversary. Master Raven resheathed her blade with practiced ease, her demeanor returning to its stoic calm despite a simmering contempt.

"Clean yourself off. You're a disgrace."

Poof.

---

Outside the Iron Fist Arena:

Raven couldn't ignore the intensity in his girlfriend's expression when she burst through the door—a sharp glare that seemed to melt anything. It was one he'd only seen once before that left an indelible mark on his memory.

"What happened up there?" Raven's voice carried genuine concern.

"Just drive," Master Raven snapped, her tone devoid of warmth.

She didn't bother to meet his gaze. Raven glanced down and noticed how tightly her hands balled into fists. He remained silent in understanding that now wasn't the time for questions. They entered the car as Raven eased it off the curb and smoothly merged into the sparse traffic that filled Tokyo's streets.

---

UN HQ - An hour later:

Tatyana gazed at the showerhead, lost in thought as the warm water immersed her nude physique. She hadn't spoken much on their way back and had retreated quickly upon their return; the day's events had weighed heavier than usual. The shower offered partial relief, but she couldn't stay there forever. Turning off the water, Tatyana dried herself off and wrapped a towel around her braided hair.

'Deja vu. I shouldn't have lashed out like that.'

Those words carried a heavy truth.

Raven didn't deserve her wrath and wasn't at fault for what had transpired. Tatyana still carried a guilty burden from their childhood, even if her current agitation wasn't directed at him. Nina had provoked her, and pulling her braid was a provocation that demanded a response. Drying her braids didn't take long, though Tatyana winced as she subconsciously rolled her sore shoulder. Such a hit from Heihachi would have incapacitated most people for months. A checkup in the infirmary had revealed no structural damage, but that was the least of her concerns as she put on comfortable dark navy undergarments and a robe to lounge in.

Sitting on her bed, Tatyana pondered the day's events but continued lingering on her boyfriend. Their relationship had started off rocky but grew into something meaningful. She became more approachable with having Raven around, unlike her isolation from the rest of the team. In return, Raven had mellowed to some extent to reveal more of his thoughts to her.

Tatyana almost missed the door knock amid her musing. She sighed and secured her robe sash before opening the door to find Raven in sweatpants and a simple T-shirt, much to her surprise.

"Hey..."

"Wasn't expecting company. Everything alright?"

"Yeah, I just... wanted to check on you." Raven spun on his heels. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Tatyana grabbed his shoulder and turned him back toward her. "We need to talk... about earlier."

She gently ushered Raven inside and closed the door behind them. The UN spared no expense for their agents' living quarters, and Japan's branch was no exception in providing comfort and luxury. Tatyana sat on the bed with Raven nearby and a respectable space between them. They sat in a comfortable silence.

Finally, Tatyana exhaled. "My outburst earlier wasn't because of you. Everything was fine until I ran into Nina on my way out. She assumed I was exhausted from fighting Heihachi and decided to challenge me. So I indulged her."

Raven nodded in understanding. "I had a feeling something was off. Did she...?"

"Received a broken nose for her troubles. However, that doesn't excuse how I acted..." Tatyana eyed her boyfriend. "The time we've spent together these last few weeks has been some of the most fun I've had. And it reminds me that I'm not just a Master Ninja, but a woman. I often forget that. But our conversation near the body shop and our date the next night has shown me how similar we are."

She didn't flinch as Raven placed his hand atop hers. "I apologize for what happened, though Nina got it worse than me."

Tatyana shook her head. "You didn't deserve that either, even if we were kids."

He gave a soft squeeze. "I never held that against you, Tatyana."

Each lost themselves in a longing gaze, words unnecessary at this juncture. Tatyana reached up to slowly remove Raven's sunglasses to view his complexion marred by the 'X' scar on his otherwise handsome face. She found beauty in his imperfections, much like he did with her facial scars.

Warning: Lemon alert, read at your own risk

Song Inspirations: 'Endless Love' by Luther Vandross ft. Mariah Carey / 'Love Me Now' by John Legend / 'Desire' by Raheem Devaughn / 'Hrs & Hrs' by Muni Long

Tatyana drew closer to seize the moment. Raven's actions mirrored hers as they shared a kiss filled with affection and a hint of desire. Her free hand slid behind his back to pull him closer and deepen their connection as he tentatively massaged her waist. Moments passed before Tatyana shifted to straddle Raven as they gradually reclined on her bed. There was no resistance, only mutual approval. What began with uncertainty had now transformed into something undeniable.

Separating briefly, they gazed into each other's eyes before Raven reignited the passion by claiming Tatyana's lips again. She tugged at the hem of his shirt and pulled it overhead as her robe sash came undone. Tossing the fabric aside, Tatyana memorized the contours of Raven's defined chest as her palms traced over them with pleased hums. Raven didn't remain idle and combed his fingers through her damp hair, mindful not to tug - no protest was offered. The two agents prolonged their intimacy with each kiss and caress, no longer caring about the blurred line between subordinate and superior. Each knew it was only a matter of time before most of their contemporaries learned of their relationship. That didn't matter now; only the shared knowledge of their feelings did.

"Rashad..."

Raven blinked, unsure if he had heard correctly, nor couldn't remember the last time anyone spoke his real name. Yet it was said by the person he had come to trust more than anyone. They weren't in public, a war-torn wasteland, or participating in a fierce battle. It occurred within the sanctuary of her room for only him to listen. Raven's eyes widened slightly as Tatyana slipped out of her robe and discarded it in a pile with his shirt. She reached for her bra but stopped after he grasped her hand.

"Wait... Are you sure?" Rashad asked for confirmation.

Tatyana paused in thoughtfulness. "I am... because I want to."

"I only ask due to your shoulder... and that you're not uncomfortable."

She leaned closer, her breath tickling his mouth. "Nothing I can't handle. Besides, it lets us pick up where we left off the other night."

"What about the interrogation?"

"Victor's demand for an explanation can wait until tomorrow. You're my priority tonight."

Rashad nodded. "Then allow me."

Sitting up, his hands moved toward Tatyana's back to unclip her bra. A soft snap occurred, followed by the garment's removal as Rashad delicately kissed each of her shoulders. Tatyana shivered out of excitement but remained patient, her eyes not leaving him before covering her bosom. Rashad kissed her again in an internal acknowledgment that this was the point of no return.

"You're beautiful..."

His remark caught Tatyana off guard, but she accepted his declaration as her arms slowly lowered to expose her chest. Rashad was mesmerized by her breasts' graceful slope even after seeing them before. Carefully, he took one in each hand to massage before trailing kisses along her neck to where it met her collarbone. Small moans left Tatyana that grew louder as Rashad's lips encircled her left teat while he kneaded its twin. His tongue lashed away, further stimulating his lady's innate urges by alternating between each breast. Fervently, Tatyana brought Rashad's mouth back to her own and audibly exhaled as his thumbs hooked inside her panties to slide them off her person. The favor was returned for his sweatpants and boxers, leaving each agent bare of clothing. Reversing positions, Rashad loomed over Tatyana during a passionate kiss but left enough room for her to caress his chest. Soon, a hand trailed his abdomen toward his waist until finding its intended target. She was impressed at the feel and length of his size and began stroking, reveling in her lover's groans.

Tatyana reluctantly removed her hand before things escalated. "Hang on."

She reluctantly moved away to retrieve something in the nightstand's drawer - a condom. Rashad raised an eyebrow, contemplating if his superior had this planned.

"Don't take it personally. Just don't want to take any chances," Tatyana admitted.

Rashad shook his head. "Wouldn't think of it. First time, too?"

She nodded before joining him on the bed. Rashad took the wrapper and opened it before stretching the protection over himself. He watched Tatyana recline as she brought him with her during another delightful kiss.

"I feel stupid for asking, but are you sure this is what you want?" Rashad asked again.

Tatyana's response was a simple kiss before separating. "I'm all yours."

With assistance, Rashad inserted himself and broke past her barrier. Tatyana fought the urge to scream to not draw unwanted attention. The last thing either needed was to answer invasive questions the morning after.

"Oh, damn. Rashad..." Tatyana rasped, taking short breaths as the initial sting faded into something pleasurable, bordering carnal.

Intermixed groans grew aloud as the sheer intensity coursed amid their union. Rashad began thrusting at a tender pace to judge her reaction, hisses of discomfort and satisfaction emitting with each movement. He kept a smooth tempo and bent down to kiss her again while supporting his weight on his arms. Tatyana let her hands wander his chiseled torso to distract herself from the immense pleasure.

"Ahn!"

Tatyana cried out after a precise thrust hit her spot, causing her hips to gyrate as her bosom swayed. Nails jutted out and clawed Raven's back, leaving numerous scratches on his skin. It propelled him to double his efforts as their rut continued. Rashad felt her tighten around him suddenly, signaling a climax that left Tatyana breathless as she used his shoulder to repress her howl of pure bliss. Panting, Rashad slowed his movements to allow for a brief respite. Yet it was for naught as Tatyana's hands pulled at his waist into her.

"Please, don't stop..."

Suddenly, Tatyana rolled their bodies to end up on top after shoving Rashad down. She adjusted before gasping loudly at being filled again. Rashad groaned louder, enamored by his girlfriend's chest swaying with her erotic bouncing. He removed his hands from steadying her waist to toy with her sizable bust, each's pleasure doubling. Tatyana's head hung back with moans reaching a zenith as her willpower eroded every time Rashad withdrew and filled her with a forceful push that rocked her to the core. She felt her folds pulse and grabbed Rashad by the shoulders before pulling him upward for a chaste kiss that involved a tongue duel. Their bodies remained upright as they held each other without losing rhythm.

An unfamiliar sensation welled inside Rashad, the feeling of eruption. "Tatyana... (groan) I can't-"

She effectively silenced him with another heated kiss while holding his face. No other protest was offered as they lost all semblance of control. Loins collided nonstop in perfect sync, flesh slapping against one another. After giving into their desires for what seemed like hours...

...bliss had been achieved.

Rashad succumbed first, gritting his teeth before releasing his essence. Tatyana wasn't far behind him and again used his shoulder to stifle a shriek of ecstasy. The pair collapsed after a rousing evening together, and Tatyana felt an empty void after he slipped out of her.

End of Lemon

"You okay?" Rashad asked with his hands settled just above her waist.

Smiling, Tatyana kissed his pectoral. "Better than okay. They say you always remember your first time."

Settling alongside each other, the pair eased into a peaceful slumber.

Chapter 12: Preparation

UN HQ, Underground Personal Room #3 - 9:50 A.M.:

Tatyana's eyes fluttered open with last night's ecstasy still fresh in her mind. She was atop Rashad, his arm wrapped around her with their other limbs entangled with the comforter up to their waists. A steady, calm heartbeat sounded against her ear as his chest gradually rose and fell. Her sleeping boyfriend awoke with a groan, vision clearing enough to see Tatyana eye him with a flirtatious smirk.

"Did I wake you?"

"Rather it be you than Victor." Rashad's small smile soon thinned. "He's going to want answers."

"He'll get one, but I'll handle it."

"You sure? I get it you're my superior, but—"

Tatyana kissed him. "Trust me."

"Alright."

They arose from her bed, Rashad admiring his girlfriend as she stretched and smirked at the thought of exploring her figure again.

Tatyana caught his stare and couldn't help but smile before snickering. "Relax, lover boy. Besides, we still need to have a conversation. Last night, our tryst notwithstanding, was not my proudest moment."

Rashad ran a hand through his head. "I get why you're so defensive about your look."

"Close, but it's not only that."

Tatyana guided Rashad into the shower for a brief respite amidst their busy schedule. Their tender interaction included kisses that spoke volumes about their standing in a quiet moment without distractions. Each knew their focus would soon shift to Nathan's impending interrogation. Time was of the essence, and Tatyana needed a clear mind to extract crucial information. Consequently, their shared shower was efficient and lasted at most 10 minutes.

Rashad adjusted his glove while observing his reflection. Master Raven remained in the shower, taking extra time after the previous night's indulgences and her recent encounters with Heihachi and Nina.

"Can you explain it again?" Rashad's voice broke through the misty air to seek clarity. "I feel close, but I want to ensure we're on the same page."

A chuckle resonated from behind the foggy glass. "My hair is a defining aspect of my identity, much like your shades are to you."

"I remember how uncomfortable I was with my new appearance..."

His recollection of the X-shaped scar tinged with discomfort - the constant reminder of a painful past and the unresolved conflict with his arch-nemesis. Despite Dragunov's lack of recent activity, the memories lingered.

Master Raven emerged from the shower clad in a towel with one wrapped around her hair with an eyebrow raised. "It took time for you to embrace your new look, just like mine."

Rashad nodded. "What started as a symbol of failure has become a part of my identity—a bit like your hair. Though I can only imagine the effort you put into maintaining it."

"You'd be surprised," Master Raven quipped. "Let's just say I'm rather protective of it."

---

Nineteen-year-old Raven sat alone against a stone wall in the main training room of Chevalier Palace while engrossed in chapter five of 'Ki Channeling' by Izuko Jinzei. Silence enveloped the room, a rare occurrence attributed to the curfew that had emptied the usually bustling space by 9 P.M. Raven had chosen this quiet hour deliberately, awaiting his roommate's conclusion of a conversation with Victor. He was eager to reignite their debate about the Manji Clan's status as actual ninjas.

"A week off?"

A sudden voice disrupted Raven's concentration, drawing his attention away from the intricate teachings of Ki Channeling. His gaze snapped up from the pages; curiosity piqued as he listened intently.

Victor, a figure of authority with calculated charisma, stood with crossed arms and a demeanor blended with curious amusement. "May I ask why, Ms. Summers?"

The query was directed at Raven's roommate, Tatyana - a confident young woman who belied her age.

"Since I'm taking full responsibility for my hair now," she began, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness. "I need time to take care of it. I'm sure you foresaw this conversation coming sooner or later, sir. After all, it was only a matter of when."

Victor's rich laughter filled the room and echoed against the stone walls as he tapped a finger thoughtfully on his desk. "Will this be a regular occurrence with you?"

"At least one week per month for upkeep. Plus, I don't want to keep driving Ramone rugged when it's hair day."

"Granted."

Tatyana's reaction was immediately jubilant with a fist pump. "Yes!"

However, Victor quickly added a caveat. "But I expect you to catch up on the things you miss when you return."

"Understood."

Victor softened his demeanor. "Clever indeed. Didn't think my own words would come back to bite me."

"Who said ninjas can't be stylishly stealthy?" was Tatyana's playful retort.

---

"Does it truly take an entire week to manage all that?"

"Absolutely."

A playful smile graced Raven's features. "I find that hard to believe."

Tatyana strolled past him. "Believe what you want. Just know that I have my stylist on speed dial."

"Still seems unfair that you get a week off."

"If you had to manage this..." Tatyana gestured to the towel wrapped around her head. "...you'd understand the struggle."

"Why not cut it shorter and make life easier?"

She shot him a whimsical glare. "No chance."

Rashad shrugged. "Just a thought. Have you ever considered using one of your dreadlocks to choke someone? I bet it's stronger than rope."

Tatyana averted her eyes, recalling an embarrassing yet humorous incident involving her dreadlocks during a mission. "That's something I'll take to my grave."

"Wait, did you—"

"Nope, not saying a word."

"Fine, keep your secrets. I'll let you get dressed in peace."

Rashad retreated towards the bathroom in feigning dejection but paused at the closed door to turn back with a playful pout. "Can't blame me for trying."

"Out."

"Alright, alright."

---

Interrogation Room - 10:14 A.M.:

Victor arched an eyebrow, a fixed gaze on his two approaching subordinates. Raven was clad in his mission suit, while Master Raven opted for her business attire, accentuated by the sharp click of her heels against the marble floor. Victor tore his attention momentarily to observe Nathan through the one-way glass, who sat in solitary vigil at the metallic table with a restless finger drumming out a rhythmic apprehension. His gaze repeatedly flickered towards the door, fingers tightening around the suitcase handle in his grasp. Dressed in black cargo pants, a nondescript gray t-shirt, and a dark blue jacket emblazoned with the emblem of the United Nations on its shoulder, Nathan projected an air of tension underscored by his replacement glasses perched on his face.

Master Raven stood next to her superior. "How long has he been waiting?"

"Fifteen minutes, but I had to delay the interrogation by an hour. Let's go."

Cli-Click.

Nathan's abrupt movement halted as his eyes darted between the two agents, his gaze betraying a mixture of fear and anxiety. Once tapping with nervous energy, his fingers clung tightly to the suitcase as the leather underneath strained in his grip.

"Let's level the field, Nathan," Victor spoke evenly from across the table, his tone firm yet not devoid of empathy. "You may ask only three questions."

Nathan's gaze flickered towards Master Raven, his curiosity and unease evident as he remembered the intricate markings that had caught his attention yesterday but were concealed beneath her attire today.

"What's with the tattoo?"

Master Raven's reaction was subtle yet palpable—a tense jaw with suspicion in her eyes as they lingered on Nathan. She noted his concealed pocket knife, a detail that didn't go unnoticed despite their heavy silence with unspoken tension.

'They're not reacting to the knife...' Nathan held back a sigh of relief, realizing they deemed the blade inconsequential.

Master Raven's response cut through the quiet room, her hand now holding a kunai as a silent reminder of the consequences of breaching their trust. "If I answer, you forfeit your role as a journalist. Revealing any of this outside these walls will have dire consequences."

Nathan swallowed hard, grappling with the weight of her words. "But the public deserves to know."

"You've lived long enough to understand not all information should be disclosed. No matter how flawed, the systems in place rely on shadows and sacrifices to maintain the facade of freedom," Victor's voice remained steady. "This is no different."

The exchange left Nathan with more questions than answers, shaking his understanding of the world. "Right. There's always a catch or something you won't me. It was the same way with Lars. He always told me the basics but always withheld information. What's the other catch?"

Master Raven's smirk became mysterious, almost relishing the intrigue. "We must secure the suitcase before proceeding."

Nathan's sigh carried a hint of defiance as he placed the knife on the table, showing his resolve. "Answer my question first."

"This..." Master Raven gestured toward the tattoo covered by her attire. "...is the mark of the Raven Unit - an elite cadre trained by my superior."

The silver-haired Frenchman nodded knowingly. "I established the unit to expedite the UN's operations. They are known for their mastery of ninjutsu, specializing in tasks like assassination, sabotage, and detaining targets among their specialties. I trust you can fill in the rest."

A revelation struck Nathan as he deftly flipped the locks on the case. "Wait, you're Claude's child!? Silver Spoon Chevalier!"

Victor's groan was palpable, yet he remained silent.

"I never pegged you to lead a clan of ninjas. Your exploits are commendable, but trust doesn't come easily," Nathan relayed.

"We don't require your trust, only your cooperation and honesty," Master Raven stated firmly. "Anything less will be dealt with accordingly."

Nathan's skepticism was evident as he leaned forward and slid the suitcase toward them. "Most of your questions will be answered by what I've written on my laptop and notebook."

"How did you encounter Lars Alexandersson?"

"After extensive research on the Mishima Zaibatsu and Heihachi Mishima, I was ready to drown my frustrations in a bar," Nathan recounted with a shrug. "Word got around to Lee Chaolan, who appeared and led me to Violet Systems HQ, where I learned more than any book could tell. Left alone to absorb the information, I soon met Lars and Alisa Bosconovitch—odd, considering she was considered deceased."

Master Raven closed the notebook with a soft thud, her stoic demeanor hinting at an underlying curiosity that she rarely let show. "She is. The Alisa Bosconovitch you met is an android built by her father amid his grief soon after she died."

Nathan's eyes widened slightly, the puzzle pieces falling into place in his mind. That makes sense. Okay, my next question. If your clan is a bunch of good guys, why do you have that on your shoulder? Tattoos like that only belong on shady Yakuzas rather than agents of the UN."

"Each military or mercenary force has its marks. Ours are simple: blonde hair and the tattoo of our purpose. When we appear from the shadows, we do one thing only: Terminate our target," Master Raven answered.

Nathan swallowed hard, a sense of gravity settling in his chest. "Shadows, Ravens... and death - a gesture of malicious unkindness."

"Clever words, Nathan," Victor acknowledged.

Master Raven rolled her eyes, a subtle sign of exasperation. "Did you intend to stay with the Rebellion Forces even after you returned to America?"

"That was the plan," Nathan disclosed his firm resolve despite the uncertainty in his tone. "Lars had a group stationed in Neo City that would take and hide me as long as possible until Heihachi had died or the Tekken Force soldiers stationed in the US retreated. Before that could happen, you guys stepped in."

"Why are you researching the Mishima Zaibatsu?" Victor questioned.

Nathan's eyes turned dark with a new yet old anger, his eyebrows furrowing. "To kill Jin Kazama for the death of my family. His war took everything I loved, and I wanted nothing more than to shove my knife through his neck. But..." His anger dissipated as quickly as it came, replaced by a heavy weariness. "Lars talked me out of it. He said we needed Jin alive as a last resort to end the Mishima War. I can't tell whether I regret not leaving Lars or not taking my chance to kill him. I'm no murderer, but things become black and white when I have nothing to lose."

The agents exchanged silent glances in a mute understanding as neither had expected Nathan's story to take such a dark turn.

With tired eyes, Nathan spoke again. "You got what you wanted. Where does that leave me? Mishima Zaibatsu is after me, and I don't want to stay here for the rest of my life."

Leaning forward, Victor placed his hands firmly on the table. "Would a Witness Protection Program suit you?"

"It's a straightforward arrangement," Master Raven explained, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "You'll have UN soldiers as your protectors strategically positioned in selected residences across various locations. You'll assume a new identity and occupation to enjoy 24/7 security at your usual haunts. We'll maintain strict surveillance, meaning your past journalistic work will be scrubbed from public view. All online and device activities will be closely monitored." She narrowed her gaze. "Any breach of the agreement and divulgence of tonight's events will result in immediate termination."

"T-Termination of the Protection Program?" Nathan stammered.

"Swift and silent death," she replied flatly.

Nathan tapped his finger nervously on the table. "No third option?"

The two agents offered no response, silently conveying there was none.

Taking a deep breath, Nathan reluctantly agreed to the terms. "I agree."

Victor nodded appreciatively. "Thank you for your cooperation, Nathan."

"Sure..."

"Your assigned soldiers and surveillance officer will be with you shortly. If you are in a crisis, one of my subordinates will respond to your location."

"Any specifics on who that agent will be?"

"You're looking at her."

Nathan's jaw tensed in a lack of trust, but he remained silent and nodded.

"Any other questions?" Victor inquired.

"None," Nathan replied curtly.

Victor closed the suitcase with a click, a sound that echoed in the otherwise silent room. He lifted it off the cold metal table, the weight a tangible reminder of the mission's gravity. As the agents exited without further words, Nathan was engulfed again in the deafening silence, his thoughts swirling amidst the room's stark emptiness.

Raven glanced at his superiors with subtle satisfaction. "That went smoothly."

"Only because Maven here couldn't stare him down," Victor quipped with a smirk.

"Vic..." Master Raven's tone carried a mixture of amusement and reprimand.

Undeterred, Victor continued, "But really, the metal she wears suits her well."

"What's our next move, Victor?" Raven inquired, his focus shifting back to the task at hand.

Victor rubbed his chin thoughtfully, already processing the strategic steps ahead. "We maintain our facade, observe Heihachi whenever possible, and delve into Nathan's notebook for valuable insights. Meanwhile, I'll coordinate with Red for his relocation."

As the agents prepared to depart, a sudden announcement over the PA system shattered the calm. "Soldiers are to relocate to the ground floor immediately! Tekken Force Rebellion leader Lars Alexandersson and his armed unit have breached the building!"

The trio hastily sprung into action, following the flurry of running soldiers toward the staircase leading to the upper levels. Amidst the commotion enveloping the building, a standoff unfolded as UN soldiers confronted the Rebellion forces. With an intense gaze that betrayed his determination, Lars sought out the Raven ninjas for a needed dialogue.

Master Raven, Raven, and Victor materialized during the standoff, positioning themselves at the epicenter of the UN soldiers. Lars' piercing stare locked onto Raven and his superior, reflecting a readiness for discourse.

Raven's gaze hardened behind his shades as he addressed the intruder. "Why have you stormed into this facility, Alexandersson?"

Lars responded with defiant smugness. "That tracker on Nathan's knife proved quite useful."

"There's no need for unnecessary bloodshed," Victor interjected, seeking a diplomatic resolution amidst the charged atmosphere.

The tension palpably eased as Master Raven commanded, "Stand down."

Soldiers on each side hesitated but lowered their weapons, mirroring the fragile ceasefire.

"I want to speak to your agents alone," Lars's urgent tone broke the silence.

"Not an option. You speak to all of us or leave immediately. Otherwise..." Victor's hand rested on the hilt of his katana. "...we'll enforce your departure."

With begrudging acceptance, Lars instructed his soldiers, "Wait for me outside."

They complied without protest and exited the building to await their leader's return.

"Follow me," Victor ordered, leading the way with Lars in tow under the watchful eyes of both Ravens.

---

Underground Soldier Base, Empty Corridor:

Victor's gaze narrowed. "Is your sole purpose here to retrieve Nathan?"

Lars measured his response. "That, and I seek answers regarding the assault on my men as they attempted to escort him to safety."

"The plan was mine, though Raven followed orders," Master Raven interjected with folded arms. "Your grievance is not our concern, Alexandersson. We all have duties. You surely grasp this concept as a former soldier. Transporting Bryant via air vehicles wouldn't have thwarted Nina's infiltration and seizure of him from your custody. It was a calculated move to avoid playing into Heihachi's hands."

"That doesn't excuse my men's injuries," Lars countered.

"It was between that or exposing them to the Mishima Zaibatsu," Master Raven retorted, expressing her disinterest in prolonging this discussion.

Victor intervened, directing his attention to Master Raven. "Let's refocus rather than assign blame."

"I fail to see how his anger is my doing; typical Mishima behavior."

The silver-haired combatant sighed. "Our common adversary is the Mishimas. Instead of escalating tensions, can we agree on an alliance? Our resources are strained enough without aiding Heihachi in our destruction."

Nodding towards Raven and then addressing Master Raven, Lars stated firmly, "For this to work, your agents cannot impede our operations. Further interference will result in force."

Master Raven maintained her composure. "Such actions would be unwise, but we will only intervene when necessary."

"Agreed," Lars conceded.

Victor concluded, "We anticipate a fruitful collaboration, Lars."

"I wish I shared your optimism."

As Lars departed with a contingent of soldiers, Master Raven scoffed. "Soldiers—always brash and trigger-happy, as expected."

"That may be true, but we have one less concern for now," Victor remarked. "The plan hasn't changed despite adding Lars as an ally. Be prepared for whatever Heihachi has planned for the finals. However..."

Victor turned around, facing his subordinates with suspicion. "Is there a logical reason why you were each tardy yesterday? I expected your presence once last night's match ended."

"We intended to report immediately, but my confrontation with Nina afterward left me in a foul mood." Master Raven took a deep breath. "She pulled my hair, and Raven opted to calm me. Going into the interrogation in that state wouldn't have been productive or ideal."

"Hmm... understandable," Victor mused. "But don't make this a habit. Consider this a warning."

---

Iron Fist Arena, Fighters' Lounge - 15 minutes later:

Master Raven and Raven strolled into the building's lounge, finding solace in the plush chairs encircling a delicate glass coffee table as they delved into the journal's contents.

"Hmm..." Master Raven turned the page in Nathan's notebook.

Raven settled into a nearby chair. "Discover something?"

She handed him the book. "It appears Kazuya harbored a deeper grudge against Heihachi than mere vengeance."

His gaze swept over the pages, astonished at the words jotted in black ink.

"Kazuya desired my demise not only because I had hurled him off the precipice of fate but because he believed I mercilessly ended his mother, Kazumi - originator of the accursed Devil Gene. His assumption wasn't unfounded, though I cherished her dearly. Perhaps I was naive to think she reciprocated those feelings."

"She transmitted the Devil Gene to Kazuya. But why did Heihachi adopt Lars and Lee?"

Master Raven rested a hand against her chin. "To disprove his connection to the Devil Gene. Suspicions arose as the truth surrounding Kazumi and the Hachijo Clan remained obscured."

"Quite the unconventional method of proving innocence, but it's shedding light on things I hadn't considered," Raven pondered.

"That also clarifies his defensive stance when I probed him about his wife's disappearance. He eliminated her to safeguard himself despite her being tasked with his assassination; circumstances left him no choice as she persisted."

Raven furrowed his brow before shutting the book. "He tested Kazuya's Devil Gene hypothesis by tossing him off a cliff. What about Jin?"

"Miraculously survived a hail of gunfire in the third tournament, an experiment Heihachi conducted to confirm the Devil Gene's supposed absence. He aimed to eradicate his son and grandson for the same reasons, unable to bear relinquishing his dominance. Jin and Kazuya obstructed his path, yet..." Master Raven crossed her arms. "Kazumi's demise marked the genesis of animosity between father and son. Kazuya despises Heihachi; Jin loathes Kazuya. Unlike his predecessors, he aspires to end this legacy."

"Thus, Heihachi emerges as the antagonist driven by power and the desire to obtain the Devil Gene."

"His Machiavellian tactics won't suffice," Master Raven concluded. "Kazuya and Jin won't yield as Kazumi did."

"Indeed..."

"MISHIMA ZAIBATSU SHOT DOWN THEIR SATILITE...?"

The agents' eyes landed on the TV screens near the front desk, showing live footage of fiery light streaks descending over the city. The feed glitched as one crashed into a building, sending glass and debris everywhere until the footage blacked out.

"The laser of Heihachi's second plan to kill Kazuya failed horribly."

"If that can't kill him, what can?" Raven questioned.

Master Raven's expression went grim. "Only a devil can kill another."

Chapter 13: Shift

Iron Fist Arena; Third Floor [Room #315] - 7:32 P.M.:

Raven narrowed his eyes, the time appearing in the right lens of his shades. "Hmm, the tournament would've started by now. Something is amiss."

Beep.

Master Raven tapped a holographic button that hovered over the thick metal armor on her right arm. A paused video screen of Nina Williams appeared above her wrist, taken directly from the Iron Fist Tournament's website. She couldn't help but snicker at the blonde's disfigured nose covered by a wrap, standing with hands behind her back as the Tekken Force soldiers stood at attention.

"Spectators and Fighters of the King Of Iron Fist Tournament Seven," Nina began. "I regret to inform everyone that tonight's tournament final is canceled. Heihachi has an important business matter to address. The tournament will continue as scheduled upon his return. Until then, stay tuned and stay strong fighters."

The video ended with no black screen, logos, or the selection of merchandise that consistently played after the announcement.

"That doesn't look like the Zaibatsu Headquarters..." Raven stated while focusing on the background behind the soldiers.

Master Raven's skepticism was apparent when the holographic screen and buttons faded from sight. "A carrier helicopter. Perhaps he sent Nina out to take over another nearby territory."

"If so, why cancel the tournament? Unless Heihachi is going with her."

The metal door suddenly opened, and the match coordinator, accompanied by a few soldiers, stood in view. "Unfortunately, the stadium is under lockdown until Heihachi returns from his trip. All fighters must immediately vacate the premises until further notice."

Glancing at each other, Raven grabbed his duffle bag on the floor as the duo vacated the room without another word. They eyed the soldiers lined up along the walls suspiciously, watching through their helmet's glowing visors.

Beep.

"Agents," Victor's voice said from their communication devices.

They continued walking as Master Raven gestured for Raven to go ahead while trailing him. "Victor. What's going on?"

"Don't know yet, but I've sent a vehicle for you two. We'll debrief once you arrive."

"Understood."

Beep.

They soon found Lars, Alisa, Lee, Anna, and several other fighters waiting outside. Some were visibly confused or annoyed, their bags and luggage nearby as they went their separate ways. Lars leaned against the metal railing on the steps, arms crossed as he listened to Lee rant about his disappointment in the canceled tournament.

Seeing the agents approaching, Lars straightened his posture. "You were are the last ones out. I don't know if it's just me, but Heihachi canceling the tournament doesn't seem like something he would do without a cause. Let alone lockdown the arena."

"Our thoughts exactly," Master Raven replied. "Figured we report back to HQ and figure out what's happening."

Lee smirked, his eyes looking over the woman's figure. "Ah, Lady Raven. Since you need a ride, I thought my comfortable limousine would suffice."

He gestured to the purple limousine waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

She rolled her eyes. "We have a ride of our own, Chaolan."

No sooner had Master Raven spoken, an armored black Hummer pulled up beside the limousine - a UN soldier stepped out the passenger side to guard the vehicle until the agents entered.

The silver-haired tycoon rubbed the back of his neck. "Right... Maybe next time, we can have a party to celebrate your match against Heihachi at another time. I'm sure the opportunity will arise sooner or later."

"You're hoping it will," Raven grumbled, walking away.

Master Raven held in her laugh as they approached the armored truck. 'That was mean.'

Raven shrugged. 'Couldn't resist.'

---

UN Headquarters - First Floor:

Victor coupled his hands behind his back. "This doesn't make sense. Why would Heihachi postpone the tournament so suddenly? Since he wants to kill Kazuya, nobody would question it during the tournament."

"Despite everything we know," a voice belonging to Lars spoke behind the two agents as he and a few of his soldiers approached. "That leaves us with more questions than answers. Since you all are figuring out your next move, I thought I'd stop by to see if I could help."

Victor nodded. "Glad to see you onboard, Alexandersson."

"Wherever Heihachi could be going... Maybe he wants to avoid anyone taking over the Mishima Zaibatsu? I scouted the place before coming here. It's on complete lockdown."

"Or," Master Raven interjected. "Maybe he doesn't think he'll be coming back?"

Before anyone else could speak, Lars's phone rang loudly in his pocket as he grabbed it and looked at the caller ID - Lee C.

He put the call on speaker. "Glad you picked up this time, dear brother."

The rebellion leader scoffed. "What is it, Lee?"

"I spotted a group of Mishima Zaibatsu helicopters approaching Kobe. Nina and Heihachi are inside the center-most aircraft. I'm guessing you would like to follow them?"

"Where are you now?"

"Preparing for takeoff in my new stealth jet. I have room for two other people if you want to bring any friends. They'll be out of Japan's airspace soon, so I suggest you hurry."

"Got it. Thanks, brother."

"You can thank me by getting to ground level. I'll arrive at your location shortly."

Beep.

Suddenly, gunfire and explosions broke out. Behind them, Tekken Force, Rebellion, and UN soldiers engaged in a shootout. Alisa even joined to keep the Tekken Force soldiers from entering the building. The fighters rushed outside toward the chaos. Master Raven narrowed her eyes, a hand landing on the braced hilt of her chukutō blade. Raven followed behind her with a few shadow clones and his dual daggers in hand. Victor gripped his pistol, his eyes veering left as a Tekken Force Soldier skipped forward with an armored fist drawn back. The silver-haired fighter smirked, gripping the hilt of his katana.

The soldier swung a punch at the older man. "Hah!"

Victor turned on his heel ever so slightly, the soles of his dress shoes sliding against the dark pavement. He ducked under the punch and slid his katana out to slice the soldier in half before aiming his gun. Victor weaved back, landing a low kick to another soldier's knee, another at his gut. He spun the blade in hand and slit another's throat. Sheathing his katana, the Frenchman blocked a kick and weaved back from two missed punches. His quick eyes caught the sight of a soldier aiming his machine gun. He holstered his pistol and sprinted toward the soldier. With a sharp inhale, Victor unsheathed his katana as bullets ricocheted off the blade.

"Ayyahh!" Victor grunted.

Gripping the blade with both hands, he cleaved the soldier in half. Raven backflipped toward a soldier and sent him flying airborne. Master Raven slid her weapon from its sheath, slicing him in half. Landing on the ground, the younger agents ducked, dodged, and cleaved through soldiers. They kept in sync without a single misstep as Master Raven kicked away a soldier. Simultaneously, Raven landed 'Sudden Strike' on his head. She blocked a punch, leaning away from a heavy fist, before executing a no-hands cartwheel over Raven as he rolled back. Her feet connected with the back of a soldier's head before slicing it from his shoulders. Raven executed 'Quicksand,' a clone landing a flying kick to the soldier's body. Just as a soldier neared him, Raven punctured his throat.

"Tah!" Lars grunted, landing 'Electric Jolt' to a soldier's stomach.

Sliding forward into an uppercut, Lars ducked under a kick and sent the soldier reeling back with 'Power Slug.' His two quick jabs connected with another's jaw before finishing him with 'Outpost Blitz.' Two bullets nearly missed him, instead burying themselves in the skulls of the soldiers behind him. Victor smirked at him, quickly reloading his gun and pulling back the slide. Master Raven's palm strike to the chin sent a soldier to the floor. She jumped back, a fist nearly colliding with her nose. She blocked a soldier's double neck chop before smashing her head into his mouth. She inhaled sharply and leaned away as a pair of rocket hands nearly caught her jaw. Instead, they shot toward the crowd of soldiers.

BOOM!

The fighters regrouped, standing back to back.

Master Raven gripped the hilt of her sheathed blade. "There's too many of them! We need backup."

Victor gripped his karambit knives. "More reinforcements should be here soon."

"Hopefully, Lee will get here before they outnumber us," Lars remarked. "Anyone have an escape plan?"

"Not unless you can teleport," Raven answered.

Lars rolled his eyes. "Right..."

The sounds of a jet's engine caught Victor's attention. His high-tech shades outline a vehicle in the distance, one coming closer to their location - a dark purple stealth jet with silver lines.

"Master Raven, go with Lars," Victor ordered. "Raven and I will hold them off until reinforcements arrive."

She nodded. "Understood."

Raven and Master Raven executed the nine Kuji-In hand signs as soldiers approached again. Two clones of each agent shot forward as the fighters clashed with the enemy soldiers again. Lee turned the yoke steering wheel, the jet banking around the building, turning on its side as it neared the chaos. The tycoon flipped a silver switch as the landing hatch in the second-level cabin slowly lowered. He clenched his jaw, lowering the jet ever so slightly.

"Lars!" Master Raven called, watching the incoming jet after sliding her weapon back into its scabbard.

He nodded. "Alisa! Stay with Victor until I get back!"

The pink-haired android nodded, mashing a soldier to the ground with a single punch. Master Raven landed a foot on the wall, jumping off before her knee connected with a soldier's head. The master kunoichi sprinted forward, jumping into the air and curling into a ball.

Poof.

Clink!

Lowering into a crouch on the hatch, Master Raven waited.

"Lars!"

Looking in the Frenchman's direction, Lars spotted Raven and Victor holding a riot shield over their heads. He ran straight for them before leaping. Raven and Victor lifted the shield. Lars's momentum carried him towards the jet, reaching out a hand to the master kunoichi. Gripping his hand, she pulled him onto the hatch just as it began to close. The gunfire and explosions were soon muffled and faded into the distance as the hatch quickly closed.

Both stood from their crouch, Lars dusting off his outfit. "Thanks."

"Welcome aboard the Silent Violet luxury jet," Lee's voice spoke from the PA system. "Please enjoy the spacious cabin, and feel free to visit your lovely pilot in the cockpit."

"Charming as usual."

Lars and Master Raven headed toward the staircase leading to the cockpit. They found Lee observing the radar while steering his prized jet there.

Beep.

Beep.

"Lars," the silver-haired tycoon began. "Please tell me you brought a friend. I understand your focus on your army, but I'd be bored if I just had to sit with you for the next few hours."

The Rebellion leader crossed his arms. "A friend is a bit of an overstatement."

Lee's eyebrows furrowed as he stood from his seat. "Well, who did bring with—" A lustful smirk formed on his face, his dark eyes roaming the woman's figure in her mission suit.

She stared back unimpressed, her tone icily sharp. "If you're done staring, show me how to fly this jet."

"I assure you, Ms. Raven. That won't be necessary. I made sure to have this stealth jet with a fully functioning auto-pilot. Figured it was the best precaution for random trips that could take a few days like this one."

"Still wouldn't hurt to know should something happen."

"Of course. By the time I finish teaching you, you'll be a master at flying any air vehicle, new and old."

"Wonderful..."

---

12:09 A.M.:

Master Raven sat alone in the cockpit. Lee left a few hours ago to rest until they arrived or the sun finally rose. He'd spent time explaining and flirting with her in the jet's cockpit. She couldn't wait for him to leave her alone despite learning much in a few hours. Now, she had her thoughts... and worries. Neither Victor nor Raven had called to update her on the situation back in Kobe. She knew they could handle themselves, but there were still too many soldiers even after they managed to take down scores of them as a group. Master Raven sighed before looking at the radar. Five dots sat inches in front of them, indicating four armored tactical helicopters surrounding an armored carrier helicopter—no slight changes in formation.

"HQ to Master Raven. Do you read me?"

"Loud and clear, Victor," Master Raven replied, letting out a relieved sigh.

"What's your status?"

"Still tailing Heihachi to an unknown location. They have yet to discover us or alter their flight formation. They seem to be going straight to wherever they're heading."

"Understood. Remember to get your rest, but stay vigilant. Wherever Heihachi is going, it must be something we cannot afford to miss."

"Will do. What's the situation at HQ?"

"The Tekken Force retreated soon after reinforcements arrived. We suffered only property damage, but nothing we can't recover from. Raven has minor injuries and a mild concussion, but he's okay."

Though not the news she wanted to hear, Master Raven was grateful that was the extent of her boyfriend's ailments. "Alright."

Knock.

Knock.

"I've got company. I'll contact you once we've arrived at the unknown location. Master Raven out."

Beep.

"Something you want to discuss, Alexandersson?"

Lars sat in the co-piolet seat beside her, crossing his arms. "That sparring match we had. What was that really about?"

Master Raven kept her focus on steering the jet. "A simple spar, as my subordinate stated. But also an analysis assessment for my match with Heihachi."

"Why were you holding back?"

With a simple button press, Master Raven put the stealth jet on autopilot and swiveled her chair to face him. "I'm disappointed it took you so long to figure that out."

"Answer my question."

"You would have suffered a concussion if I didn't. Your close block was the only thing stopping me from accidentally fracturing your skull."

Lars's jaw clenched as her answers didn't give him any clues to edge her on for more than a cold response.

"Raven knew?"

"Naturally."

"So, you were just using me for combat analysis?"

Master Raven crossed her arms. "Affirmative."

He growled. "Ninjas... Always secretive for no reason."

"Like a soldier..." the woman retorted. "...every kind of militant force has its purpose. Ninjas would be nothing but memories of old Edo if they told everyone their secrets. Don't let it get to you, Alexandersson. It's nothing personal, just business. Raven and I were doing what we deemed necessary to complete our mission. If that gets us closer to our goal, we proceed as planned."

"Of course," Lars breathed before standing up. "I hope you know I won't be holding back the next time we fight."

Master Raven turned back to the controls. "I'm counting on it."

With that, Lars departed from the cockpit.

"Soldiers..."

Silently, Master Raven's breathing slowed to allow her an easy passage into meditation to save her energy for the possible fight to come when they landed.

---

Ireland; Fagradalsfjall Volcano - 6:05 A.M.:

Lee and Lars ran into the cockpit, their steps shaky due to the severe turbulence the jet suddenly entered.

"What's going on!?" Lee exclaimed in a panic.

"We're flying through volcanic territory!" Master Raven shouted. "Radar has failed, and I'm having difficulty keeping track of Heihachi's helicopter!"

Boom!

The jet shook again, the lights blinking in apparent chaos. Lee and Lars stumbled before rushing to fasten themselves into a seat. Within moments, the sky darkened as it entered a nearly pitch-black curtain, ash falling like a hard snowfall. The squadron of helicopters accompanying Heihachi seemed to vanish amid the smoke billow.

Master Raven's jaw clenched as she spoke through gritted teeth. "Great..."

Silence filled the air, signifying an eerie calm.

'Too calm,' Master Raven thought.

The radar suddenly turned back on with the five dots disappearing, nothing ahead or behind. Rumbles emerged from the atmosphere around them with nothing but a dark fog as far as the eye could see. Nobody dared to speak before the jet shook slightly. Master Raven gripped the yoke and pulled it left as a round of bullets sounded from behind. The jet dove through the smoke, spiraling into a downward corkscrew as the haze thickened. A volcanic thunder rumbled around them as the hail of bullets split the air behind them, nearly landing on the jet. The smoke blinked into a white void in a split second, and sounds of crackling electricity filled the smoke.

CRACK!

A bolt struck the stealth jet. The stealth Jet went dark as the power suddenly went out, sending the vehicle into a free fall.

Lee gripped the arms of the co-pilot seat. "Give it a few seconds! The backup power should come on shortly!"

Master Raven tensed as gravity rapidly pulled the aircraft down.

Beep.

The radar flickered back to life as the engine suddenly roared to life. Master Raven pulled up the steering yoke, and the jet suddenly sped above the dark ground and exited the thick smoke. It soared inches above a sea of molten lava before ascending again, banking left at an angle. The three fighters looked on in awe at the sight below them - a cliff above the fiery chaos with nothing but a dark sky, a magma ocean, and mountains of fire below them. G Corporation and Mishima Zaibatsu helicopters sat several yards away, watching in anticipation as Heihachi and Kazuya stood in the center of the cliff.

Lee's eyes widened. "They're ending it here?"

Master Raven turned the yoke to level the jet before finding an area to land away from the enemy forces on a small cliff. Before exiting, Lee activated one of his camera-equipped drones.

---

Kobe, Japan; UN HQ [Underground Soldier Base] - 6:05 A.M.:

"Raven," one of the Rebellion soldiers said.

Raven focused on the various soldiers scrambling around the base. Numerous medics tended to the injured soldiers while others quickly suited up to guard the area surrounding the building. Victor conversed with Lars' second-in-command, Genshi, over the next course of action for their newly allied forces.

"What is it?"

"We're getting a live transmission from one of Lee's drones."

"Put it on screen."

With a simple swipe on the soldier's phone, the live camera footage filled the giant screen and several linked TVs throughout the underground base, catching every soldier's attention.

"Agent," Victor spoke into his commlink. "What's your status?"

"We've landed. Sending you the coordinates."

Data appeared at the top left corner of the giant screen, causing Raven's eyebrows to furrow. "Ireland?"

Victor smirked. "Once known as the 'Precipice of Fate,' where Heihachi first threw Kazuya as a child. Now, it's known as 'Devil's Pit,' an ironic place to end their feud. Stay out of sight, agent."

"Understood."

---

Yddgrasil:

Soldiers crowded around multiple hologram screens in their main base.

"You think they'll kill each other before either can win?"

"I hope they do," another replied. "Maybe then I'll be able to live outside this soldier work."

---

All three onlookers watched with bated breath as Heihachi and Kazuya stood at a standstill, glaring contemptuously. The molten fire around them matched their mutual apathy.

Heihachi sported a stern frown as a singular tear running down his face. "Let's settle this."

"It's time for you to meet your end," Kazuya seethed.

Each Mishimas began channeling their Ki, a blue aura surrounding Heihachi as electricity danced and sparked around his body. Kazuya's right eye glowed bright with hatred, his purple aura fading into visibility around him. Without warning, father and son sprinted, each reeling back a fist until they swung.

Thud!

Their fists collided, neither passing the other in a small sign of their similar skill level in hand-to-hand combat. The impact sent Heihachi and Kazuya recoiling a few feet before the older Mishima recovered and charged toward his son. He slammed a shoulder into Kazuya and sent him reeling into a rock. Heihachi pressed on his advantage to execute a 'Spinning Demon Uppercut.' Kazuya quickly got up to block his father's punch before landing a kick of his own. Heihachi scrambled to his feet to counter with 'Demon Shout.'

"You deluded fool!"

Heihachi aimed another uppercut at his son's jaw. Kazuya grimaced after the blow but landed a low kick to his father's leg, causing him to stumble back. Ducking under his son's fist, Heihachi leaned away from a high roundhouse kick, smirking as his 'Shingetsusen' kick sent his son sprawling. Kazuya rolled back to parry Heihachi's 'Demon Breath.' Stumbling, he was hit with a spinning high kick. Using the momentum of his kick, Heihachi swung around his other leg before sending Kazuya airborne with a 'Dragon Uppercut.' Groggily, Kazuya stood on one knee with ragged breath. He then charged Heihachi and launched a flurry of fists as the older man stood uninterrupted before doubling over as a fist lodged in his stomach. A devastating uppercut sent him sliding backward.

"Is that it?"

Kazuya retaliated with a kick that sent his father flailing, his third eye opening as he waited.

"Not yet!" Heihachi stated while slowly standing vertically.

"Why won't you just die? That does it..." Crossing his fisted hands over his face, Kazuya roared in anger as the purple aura from earlier reappeared and engulfed his entire body. "AAAaaaaah!"

The aura exploded into wild flames, revealing an evolved creature from the smoke.

"The devil finally awakens," Lars remarked.

No longer was Kazuya human, but the living reincarnation of a devil. He stood several inches taller with purple dragon-like skin and small spikes protruding from his body. Two wings with bright red webbing stood from his back, each with four eyes. Several glowing lines of red were engraved into his body in a frightening display of how hot his rage for his father burned. A scaled tail with a pointed end waved slowly behind him.

Heihachi looked upon his son with eager eyes. "This is what I was waiting for."

Channeling his Ki, a bright blue aura emerged around the older Mishima. Shreds of his clothes waved in the air as he stood his ground. Both glaring at the other, waiting to attack.

"Hmph!"

Heihachi grunted before running toward Devil Kazuya as he flew. With a spin, the older Mishima executed 'Demon Wings' to hurl Devil Kazuya into a nearby wall. Heihachi rushed forward just as his son fired a laser from his chest. The elder Mishima rolled away and executed a heavy combo. 'Demon Backhand Spin, Chrome Dome, Spinning Demon, and finished with Dragon Uppercut.' Devil Kazuya recovered quickly and leaned back far enough from his father's fist to catch it, smirking as he smashed his head into Heihachi's. Another punch landed in his stomach, jaw, and chest. Heihachi grunted and ducked under a high kick before landing 'Demon Breath.'

"Gagh!"

Devil Kazuya inhaled sharply and shot another laser that seared Heihachi's flesh upon impact, leaving an ugly slash wound. The older Mishima slowly rose and stepped back from his son's clawed hands, only to be grabbed by the neck.

"Hah!"

Launching Heihachi into the air, Devil Kazuya's wings flapped to pursue him while he smashed a fist into his stomach. He gripped Heihachi's neck again and flew back towards the ground, which cracked from the impact of the old man's body—a noticeable dent left in the earth. Giving him no time to recover, Devil Kazuya powered up his eye laser forming over his chest.

"It's over!" Kazuya yelled. "Now die!"

The eyes on his chest and wings fired off several lasers in Heihachi's direction.

BOOM!

The world exploded into blinding white light, blinding Master Raven, Lars, Lee, and the watching soldiers as they shielded their eyes. Blinking, their eyes adjusted as the blinding white light slowly faded, their attention back to the Mishimas amid the carnage of destruction. Heihachi's seemingly lifeless body lay on the ground. Kazuya looked on with a demented smirk, but his victory was short-lived when the older Mishima's hand clenched as he slowly rose.

"You can't be serious!" Devil Kazuya growled.

Heihachi reached a vertical base in evident pain, both hands on his knees as each tired breath exerted much effort. Finally, he channeled his ki again, electricity dancing across his form.

"Kazuya!" Heihachi howled.

"Be quiet, you pathetic fool!" Devil Kazuya shot back.

"Hmph!"

Heihachi sprinted for Devil Kazuya as the latter fired off his laser. Heihachi rolled underneath the beam, continuing forward with 'Spinning Demon.' It turned into 'Demon Backhand Spin,' 'Eishomon,' and his 'Shingetsusen kick.'

Devil Kazuya stumbled back, narrowly avoiding his father's palm strike before landing 'Tsunami Kick' and 'Hell Lancer.'

"Pathetic!" Devil Kazuya stated.

He blocked his father's fist and grabbed his arm to swing him around. Heihachi stood from his knee, back aching from the impact of the boulder behind him before rolling left, just as Devil Kazuya's fists shattered part of a boulder where his father stood. Seeing his chance, Heihaci rushed forward with his channeled ki and waited. Devil Kazuya flew toward the older man, reeling back a fist to finish this fight. Heihachi parried his son's fist, landing one of his own on the back of his head. He stepped forward to punch Devil Kazuya's chest, taking another step to smash his skull into his son's, bouncing the devil off the ground.

Heihachi stood tall from his widened stance. "You're delusions of grandeur end here!"

Heihachi finished Devil Kazuya with a powerful 'Demon Breath.'

"Gagh!"

Devil Kazuya crashed against a rocky wall, disappearing behind a dark ash veil from the impact against the rocky side of a ragged stone pillar. Heihachi fell to one knee to keep him steady as he breathed heavily. His eyes narrowed, and he waited to see if Kazuya would reappear from the rubble. Soon enough, he did, but no longer in his devil form.

Heihachi chuckled half-heartedly. "Still alive?"

"Damn you, Heihachi..." Kazuya cursed, his body slumped over as he trudged toward his father.

Father and son suffered damage beyond words, battered and worn out from trying to overpower the other. They stood mere inches away, looking on with an equal vision of hatred until both Mishimas buried a heavy fist in each other's jaw. Stumbling back, the younger Mishima grunted before retaliating again with another fist, colliding against Heihachi's jaw. The force pushed Heihachi back even as Kazuya stumbled to keep his balance. In his slow recovery, Heihachi landed a sluggish but hard fist on his son's face. Kazuya turned around, landing a quick punch to his chest. Heihachi grunted in pain and landed another punch to his son's face.

For several minutes, this continued until finally, one hard head bash from Heihachi sent Kazuya stumbling back. He paused, gazing at his father as he stood tall and strong, just like how he did when Kazuya was a child. He blinked; Heihachi was no longer the old geyser. He was young again with a full head of spiked black hair, a horned mustache, and dark eyebrows. Those same familiar dark eyes bore down on him with disdain.

The younger Heihachi kicked his child away with a simple attack. The young Kazuya quickly lifted himself from the ground, looking up at his towering father, who showed the same apathy hardened with vivid disappointment at the child's weakness.

Kazuya slowly stood, his eyes blinking.

"You think you're tougher than me?"

"I'll snap you like a twig."

"Your delusions of grandeur end here!"

"I'm going to get everything back!"

Incensed, Kazuya bellowed a fiery yell, running toward Heihachi and striking him squarely in the chest. The impact sent out a purple shockwave from the older man's back that dispersed just as quickly as it appeared. Kazuya looked up, watching his father freeze until he tipped over and landed unmoving on the heated stone ground.

---

A wave of cheers erupted from the UN soldiers at the sight of Heihachi's dead body.

Victor's jaw clenched, his light eyes narrowing. "Calm yourselves! The turmoil of this Mishima Feud isn't over yet."

---

Master Raven crossed her arms. "Heihachi Mishima has been terminated."

The three fighters glanced at the Tekken Force soldiers stationed on-site, who began to scatter around their armored vehicles. Master Raven focused her senses until she could make out what the soldiers were saying beyond the sounds of the raging fire.

"Back to base! Move it!" Nina ordered.

"Faster!" An armored commander barked.

Within a few minutes, the soldiers piled into their helicopters and vehicles before vanishing behind the veil of the blood-colored sky.

Lars looked over at Master Raven. "You're not going after them?"

"Not my current objective. Nina will show when it suits her."

He nodded as his attention turned back to Kazuya, who looked down at Heihachi's dead body - an expression of relief mixed with tempered anger. Almost as if he couldn't believe he'd finally killed the man that tormented him all these years. Picking up his father's carcass, Kazuya walked over to the cliff's edge. He took a deep breath before tossing the body, blinking as he watched Heihachi descend into the ocean of lava.

Kazuya clenched his hands into tight, shaky fists. "A fight is about who is left standing. Nothing else."

Heihachi's body hit the molten ocean below, cindering and melting before sinking below the surface - never to rise again. A smirk quickly formed across Kazuya's face that turned into a devilish grin while walking away from the cliff. The purple aura emerged from his body again as he laughed manically - a low sound of triumph turning loud with insanity. An eruption of purple energy occurred as Kazuya activated his devil form, his wings flapping while ascending.

"Finally..."

Continuing to laugh, Kazuya flew over the three fighters. He didn't bother to look at them despite knowing they were there. He did glance back at his adopted and half-brothers, revealing his sharpened teeth as if to say: "You'll be next."

As Kazuya flew away, the G-Corporation soldiers retreated into their helicopters and disappeared their leader. Once he was gone, Master Raven walked toward the jet with Lars and Lee trailing her.

"I can't believe it... Heihachi's finally dead."

Lee clapped his hands. "How about a party? I'd say the old man's demise is something to celebrate! He's lived a long life, and we must live ours now that he's gone."

Master Raven paused but bit her tongue for what she really wanted to say. "This isn't time for a celebration. Kazuya's still at large, and we should be on high alert when he returns sooner or later."

Lee couldn't help but groan inwardly, rubbing a gloved hand over his chin. "I suppose you're right. But..." His mischievous smirk returned. "May I take you out for a nice dinner by the Kobe coast? I know a wonderful place that serves the best hibachi."

She didn't answer; instead, she entered the jet and immediately headed for the cockpit.

Lars gave a small laugh. "Tough crowd."

The silver-haired tycoon scowled. "Shut it, Lars."

---

Master Raven and Lars sat in the cockpit, skimming over the recent headlines and new reports as the kunoichi focused on flying the stealth jet back to Kobe.

Lars sighed as he sat back in his chair. "Nothing new. Most of it still covers the aftermath of the satellite crash and Heihachi's sudden tournament cancellation. I highly doubt this will—"

"Wait..."

Her sharp ears caught the sounds of the female reporter's voice, and she could hear her clearly as day, although the volume was low.

"Amid the cancellation of the tournament, we've just received word that the G-Corporation military is pulling back and retreating."

"Turn it up," Master Raven requested.

With a quick twist of a nob, the volume of the wide glass screen in the middle control panel rose to an audible level. Lars' eyes widened slightly, watching the image change to live footage from Tokyo to the US and everywhere else the conglomerate held operations.

"All over the world, the G-Corp military is suddenly ceasing fire and leaving their various areas. We have no reason they suddenly retreated from fighting the Tekken Force and several military forces globally."

Beep.

"Agent," Victor's voice sounded from the left side of her faceplate.

"Responding," Master Raven replied.

"Did you catch the news?"

"Affirmative, watching it as we speak."

"Good. Although Heihachi's demise solves one problem, Nina remains at large. We know she'll do something with her newfound command over the Mishima Zaibatsu added with Kazuya disappearing. Things are becoming more complicated."

"Is there a plan?"

"No, unfortunately. The best we can do is keep our soldiers on high alert and aid in the fight against the rogue Tekken Force soldiers."

"Of course. I should be arriving back to base in approximately twelve hours."

"Understood. Victor out."

Beep.

"What was that about?" Lars asked.

Master Raven shrugged. "Nothing much. Nina will undoubtedly take over the Tekken Force. Kazuya's disappearance leaves G-Corp's forces in a quandary."

Lars' eyebrows creased. "You're not worried about Nina?"

"Not as much as you might be, Alexandersson." Master Raven put the jet on autopilot before leaning back in the pilot's chair with crossed arms. "Although Nina knows how to command a large military force, she works best as a secondhand or alone. Nina most likely won't reappear with the Tekken Force behind her. She'll leave them to their demise against the G-Corp military. I expect her to play it smart and join Kazuya, especially after Anna left him."

"Noted. We should rest before entering Japan. I'm sure you're tired from staying awake on the way here."

Master Raven rose from her seat. "Agreed. Let me know when we've arrived."

Lars nodded as she left through the doorway. Entering, Master Raven sighed in annoyance at seeing Lee Chaolan in the room, wearing only a unicorn speedo atop his bed built into the wall across from hers. He looked over a Playboy magazine, spotting a picture of Anna's previous feature for the 2023 calendar.

Lee closed the magazine, looking in her direction to his usual lustful smirk. "Finally up for conversation, Ms. Raven?"

She hid her disgust. "Not at all. I need to rest without interruption, Chaolan."

He chuckled. "You think I'd be so rude as to interrupt a woman and her beauty rest?"

"You tell me since you habitually do other things."

She pressed an orange button as a duo of compartments slid from the wall. One had a mannequin head on it for helmets, and the other a wide drawer for removable armor.

"What other things?"

Master Raven reached up to remove her faceplate, placing it onto the dummy's head. "Fill in the blank."

Lee closed his magazine. "Of course."

She pulled back the locks on her left gauntlet, the armored gauntlet loosening and slipping off her arm as she placed it into the compartment.

The silver-haired tycoon sat up, sitting on the edge of his bed with a sly smirk. "So... you and Raven—"

"Is none of your business," Master Raven sharply cut him off, placing her second gauntlet in the compartment.

"So there is something between you two. How long have you..." Lee trailed off, getting up and taking a few steps toward her. "Nevermind. I want to know this..."

"I will not answer any of your perverse questions, Chaolan," Master Raven replied coldly. "But..." Her empty hands clenched into fists. 'As long as you don't kill him.' "I do require your assistance in removing my armor."

Lee almost grinned, licking his lips as he took several more steps toward her again. She could feel his body centimeters behind her.

"Any slick move you pull won't be tolerated, Lee."

He chuckled again, not bothering to hide his excitement. "I'd be a fool to turn down an opportunity like this, but I'm no scoundrel, Ms. Raven. I'll only do what you feel comfortable with. I'm no stranger to taking it slow. What shall I do first?"

"Exo Spine, second vertebrae," Master Raven announced. "Lift it and press the red button underneath."

Lee's eyes couldn't help viewing the well-built piece of armored technology sticking out from her back. The Exo-Spine's quiet hum sounded as it glowed with a blue light between the tiny crevices.

'Interesting.'

Despite wanting to ask the master kunoichi about her Exo spine, Lee did as instructed. The light pulsed thrice before a loud Cli-Clunk sounded from the neck region. Master Raven inhaled sharply, a fist clenching tighter as the sudden pain shot through her right side.

Lee's head shot up, noticing her discomfort. "What—"

"Lift the armor, but be careful," Master Raven instructed. "It's heavier than it looks."

The silver-haired tycoon chuckled, placing his hands on each pauldron's underside. "Come now. How heavy could they—" Lee grunted at lifting the moderately sized weight in his hands. "Jeez, how much does this weigh?"

Stepping back, he watched the Exo-Spine slide from under the small opening at the suit's back - one he noticed had another thick layer of metal down her back.

"Four pounds of reinforced metal able to deflect bullets like the armor I wear on my hands and feet," Master Raven explained. "The Exo-Spine has compression abilities to keep the armor in place and numb pain from combat until removal."

His eyebrows raised in shock. "Quite the build beyond its look. I thought this was all for show."

Master Raven rolled her eyes.

"You seemed more like an agent who preferred style over functionality," Lee elaborated. "But does this have any biotech capabilities? Are there any more like it? Who built it?"

She finally relaxed enough to chuckle. Despite disliking the silver-haired tycoon's wolfish advances, they shared one thing in common—a knowledge of the technological side of gadgets and tools.

"No, but I should add that." Master Raven turned to face Lee. "Fortunately, it's one of a kind, which I designed and built. Victor assisted, but it's mostly my idea."

Lee's mouth fell agape slightly. "Y-You? As much as I'd want to take you out to shine in the moonlight, I'd love to study such an intricate piece of tech. May I study it while you rest?"

Master Raven smirked, taking hold of linked pauldrons with one hand, which she hefted easily. "No offense, Chaolan, but the Unit doesn't want one of its technological advances in the hands of a robotic mastermind. And especially not in the view of the public."

He sighed, his shoulders slumping forward. "A valid point. But can you tell me how you devised this and how it works with your suit?"

The master kunoichi placed the pauldrons and the Exo-Spine into their respective compartments before taping the wall button. The mannequin head and compartment soundlessly slid into the wall, locking themselves inside.

"That..." Master Raven crossed her arms, giving him a sharp, deadpan expression before pointing to her head. "...stays up here."

He smirked, craning his head at a slight angle. "Hmph. Clever one you are, Ms. Raven. Well, do you need your injury tended to?"

"Just a few sore ribs. Nothing I haven't handled before," Master Raven dismissed his charity.

"Cracked bones don't heal that fast."

"Ki isn't just for teleporting."

He nodded. "I stand corrected. I'll leave you to your beauty rest. Amusing as always, Ms. Raven. I hope we can converse again, perhaps on shared ideas of robotics and cybernetic advances. I'm sure you've heard of the Theory—"

"Of a Cyborg by Dr. Cole Abel or Wires of the Human Mind by Tsuma Mitsubishi?" Master Raven finished with a slight but noticeable smirk.

Lee laughed and clapped his hands. "Maybe both. You and I could learn and even help each other out."

"We'll see."

He finally began leaving the room. "Sleep well, Ms. Raven."

---

Itabashi, Japan 11:17 A.M.:

Master Raven sat with crossed legs in the center of the cabin floor, breathing steadily with closed eyes as she channeled her Ki. Her hands were at an equal level near her chest, posed into the Tora [Tiger] hand sign. She blocked out the world around her without much effort.

Tap.

Tap.

Lee leaned on the door frame with a wry smirk as Lars stood behind him. "See what I mean? She's mesmerizing even while meditating."

"I highly doubt Master Raven would want us watching her while she's resting," Lars rebutted. "Besides, we should watch the radar if a Zaibatsu helicopter shows up."

"Nonsense, bother. There's no harm in watching so long as we don't disturb."

"I don't think—"

"I hope you know I can hear you despite your whispering."

Lars laughed nervously, rubbing his neck. "Uh, sorry." He shot his brother a dirty look. "Put on a shirt, idiot!"

With that, the rebellion leader quickly left for the cockpit.

Lee grumbled. "Coward."

Master Raven opened her eyes, resting each hand on her armored knees. She ignored the fact that Lee only wore his dress shoes, suit pants, and belt. He hoped showing off his chiseled physique would help sway her thoughts on him. It did nothing but the exact opposite.

"Do you always talk about your guests in earshot of them, or am I just unlucky?"

"My apologies, Ms. Raven," Lee replied with a bow. "I couldn't help but show off your ethereal beauty during your mediation. You seemed to glow under the light, and I couldn't help but watch."

She unfolded her legs and stood from the polished white floor. "Flattery won't do you any good, Chaolan. If you're going to be rude, at least have the decency to do it in another room instead of three feet away."

His head tilted slightly. "Is it talking behind your back if I'm complimenting you?"

She said nothing, walking over to the button near her bed. The dummy's head and the compartment holding her armored vambraces and armor slid from the wall.

Lee nodded, taking in the woman's silence as a cold answer. "Of course. I was foolish for doing such a thing in your presence."

The two clasps to the left gauntlet automatically locked around Master Raven's right arm as she glanced at Lee.

"Will you need help with your armor again, Ms. Raven?"

"Affirmative."

---

UN HQ, Underground Soldier Base - 12:01 P.M.:

Victor turned around as Master Raven, Lars, and Lee entered the room. Raven hid his grimace of annoyance at Lee's arrogant smirk.

"Agent. Lars. Lee," Victor greeted.

Lee nodded. "Nice to see you again, Victor."

The Frenchman's eyes rolled under his shades. "Glad to have you back, agent."

"Couldn't get back soon enough," Master Raven replied. "What's the situation between G-Corporation's military and the Tekken Force?"

"The Tekken Force numbers are dwindling greatly, and the G-Corporation military is still drawing back," Raven briefed.

"Any trace of Nina?"

Victor coupled his hands behind him. "None. The most we could gather was word from a soldier near the Zaibatsu building. He pulled over to the commotion while responding to a rescue call. Nina yelled at the soldiers before they turned their guns on her. She fled into the building as an explosion occurred and a rogue helicopter escaped into the night."

"So she got away then..." Master Raven began, the spite in her tone audible with no intention of disguising it.

"I wouldn't say that," Lee reminded while fixing his tie. "Where Nina goes, Anna follows. My beautifully thorned rose will find her within a week or two."

"Right, because you can't bother to do the simple work yourself. Your success is making you lazy."

Raven used all his willpower to keep himself from laughing. For once, Lee shot Master Raven a noticeable glare, which she promptly ignored.

"Anyway, what's next, Victor?"

Her superior sighed. "You and Raven will be on call until I get orders from the higher-ups. For now, we wait."

"Understood. In the meantime, we'll update our group on the new developments. Notify us if anything else transpires," Master Raven said.

Victor nodded. "Dismissed."

With that, Master Raven and Raven turned on their heels to gather their Unit for an impromptu meeting, not even bothering to acknowledge Lee as he, Victor, and Lars had things of their own to discuss. Their trek down the hall was quiet, without anyone in sight to eavesdrop.

'I trust Chaolan was back to his old tricks again?' Raven inquired via telepathy to keep their conversation private.

Master Raven failed to hold back a huff. 'Don't remind me. It wasn't the most pleasant of flights. A training session in the woods would've sufficed. How's your concussion?'

'Not as bad as first indicated. The doctors have already cleared me to return to duty. You?'

'May need to get my ribs checked out. Chaolan offered to treat them, but we both knew how that would've turned out. So I saved myself the trouble and from tossing him off the jet.'

'Now who's the mean one?'

Laughing, Master Raven eyed him. 'Guess that's me for now. But I've been thinking about something...'

'I'm listening.'

'We should tell the group... about us.'

Raven stopped, as she did so as well. 'You sure?'

She nodded. 'Better now than later.'

Each understood the gravity of their position and walked briskly down the corridor as their footsteps echoed off the metal walls. They reached the meeting room where Mia, Carlos, and Sarah were waiting. Mia, with her short-cropped blonde hair and piercing blue eyes, looked up from the holographic map she was studying. Carlos, tall and muscular with a calm demeanor, leaned against the wall, arms crossed. With her dark curls and analytical mind, Sarah typed furiously on her laptop but stopped when the duo entered.

"Ma'am, Sir," Mia greeted.

Raven stepped forward. "At ease, everyone. We have updates on the global situation. The Tekken Force is significantly weakened, and G-Corporation is pulling back its military presence. However, there's no news on Nina—who escaped during a commotion near the Zaibatsu building."

Carlos furrowed his brows. "Her on the loose is never good news."

"Indeed," Master Raven interjected. "But that's not the only reason we called this meeting. There's something else we need to discuss."

Sarah closed her laptop, eyes filled with curiosity. "What is it?"

Raven glanced at Master Raven, who gave a slight nod. "We'll be straightforward. Master Raven and I are... seeing each other."

A stunned silence filled the room. Mia blinked, processing the information. Carlos raised an eyebrow, though his expression remained neutral. Sarah's mouth opened slightly and then closed as she searched for words.

"That explains a few things," Mia finally broke the silence. "Your coordination in the field, the way you two understand each other without speaking. It all makes sense. But why tell us this now?"

"Having this linger over our heads wasn't good for the team's sake. We both understand this is coming out of nowhere, but at least you all are aware," Raven stated.

Carlos pushed off the wall. "Understood. We're a team, and trust is what matters most."

Sarah nodded slowly. "Agreed. Does anyone else know?"

Master Raven's expression was resolute. "Only Victor, and we plan on keeping it that way for the conceivable future. Dwight is the last person who needs to know for obvious reasons."

"We believe honesty is crucial, especially with our current challenges," Raven added.

Mia smiled slightly. "We appreciate the honesty. Helps keep all of us on the same page."

"That it will, you have our word. Until Victor notifies us of our next objective, I've decided to have everyone take the next few days off," Master Raven relayed.

"Wait, days off?" Carlos asked, surprise evident in his voice. "Are you sure that's wise with Nina on the loose and the current situation so unstable?"

Master Raven nodded. "It's necessary, even for us. We've been running on fumes too long, and exhaustion leads to mistakes. A few days off will reshape our focus as a group."

Sarah leaned back in her chair, her eyes thoughtful. "Any specific instructions for the downtime?"

Raven shook his head. "Nothing beyond staying reachable and ready to mobilize if needed. Use the time to unwind, but stay vigilant."

"Sounds like a plan." Mia stretched her arms. "I could use some downtime to recharge."

Carlos gave a small smile. "I suppose I won't argue with some rest. But I'll be ready if anything comes up."

"Same," Sarah agreed, closing her laptop with a decisive click. "I'll use this time to look over some intel and strategize. Just in case."

Master Raven's gaze softened as she looked around the room. "Thank you for your understanding. Let's make sure we use this to our advantage."

The meeting ended as the team began to disperse, each member reflecting on the unexpected revelation and the upcoming break. Mia and Carlos headed towards the door, discussing potential training routines to maintain their edge.

Sarah lingered momentarily, her mind already sifting through this recent intel. "Ma'am, if something does come up with Nina or the G-Corporation, promise you'll call immediately."

Master Raven gave a reassuring nod. "Of course."

---

One hour later:

Rashad and Tatyana walked in comfortable silence as they retreated to her room, the city lights casting a gentle glow on their path. The tension of the meeting slowly dissipated, replaced by a sense of relief and anticipation. They reached her room, which remained unchanged, save for an exchange of new bedsheets. They settled on the couch as the day's weight lifted off their shoulders. Though the war had toned down, a battle was still waiting to be fought and won.

Tatyana leaned back, closing her eyes momentarily. "Thank you for supporting my decision to tell them."

Rashad reached out to gently take her hand in his. "It's better for the team... and for us."

She opened her eyes, meeting his gaze with a small smile before leaning closer. "No argument from me."

His fingers brushed a strand of hair from her face. Tatyana's smile widened before she closed the remaining distance between them, pressing her lips to his in a tender, lingering kiss filled with gratitude. When they finally pulled away, she rested her forehead against his.

"Let's get some rest. We've earned it."

They stood up with entwined hands while heading to the bedroom. After changing into longue clothes, they slipped into bed, and the familiar comfort of the space enveloped them. Rashad wrapped his arms around Tatyana to bring her close. She sighed contentedly while resting on his chest, his heartbeat soothing and lulling her into a sense of security.

"Goodnight," Tatyana whispered, her eyes growing heavy with exhaustion.

"Night," Rashad replied, kissing her forehead gently. "Sleep well."

Chapter 14: Development

Neo City; Tatyana's Apartment - Two Weeks Later:

Master Raven leaned against the wall with crossed arms as she stared at the polished hardwood floors beneath her heels, car keys in hand while waiting for Raven to finish getting dressed. He stepped into the living room not wearing his upgraded mission suit but instead an all-black outfit: dress shoes, suit pants, a brown leather belt and silver buckle, and a button-down shirt tucked into his pants. The collar's top remained unbuttoned, and both sleeves rolled to his elbows. His classic leather gloves were over each hand, added with a high-tech watch on his left arm. One hand held his shades while the other had her dark red tie with its clip already on it.

Placing his shades onto his face, Raven tugged at his collar. "I forgot how constricting formal clothes were. How do I look?"

Master Raven stood from the wall with a knowing smile. "It fits you, but I prefer the full uncovered version."

He chuckled, walking over to loop the tie around the collar of his girlfriend's dress shirt. "Of course you do."

They shared a small kiss, and the slight smile on Raven's face was replaced with a quizzical expression while tying her tie. "Don't you think it's unusual how we haven't been called for a mission or intel updates these past few weeks?"

"Although odd," Master Raven began. "It could just be a pause in the Mishima War. Either way, us being called in could mean something big."

Click.

Raven ran a finger over her tie clip. "As reassuring as that is, maybe it's something we're not expecting."

"You think so?"

"Only one way to find out."

---

UN HQ - Victor's Office:

Victor's eyes were focused on his agents standing at attention before him, hands behind their backs as he picked up his tablet from the glass desk. "Despite the momentary peace with a few ongoing fights with the Tekken Force, we have a new and old problem involving Sergei Dragunov. Please, sit."

Each did so in a dark leather chair facing their superior. Victor placed the tablet in the middle of the desk, a holographic screen with three smaller ones on its left projecting.

"While deploying several soldiers to aid in fighting off groups of Tekken Force soldiers, I found something interesting."

The holographic screens displayed a neatly dressed Sergei Dragunov entering warehouses and empty lots. Each camera gradually zoomed in to find him 'talking' with Tekken Force soldiers. At the bottom of each screen was a location. Raven's gaze narrowed as Dragunov held and pointed at a wanted poster of Nina Williams before one of the soldiers slid open the warehouse door: New Zealand, United Kingdom, Ireland, France.

Master Raven tapped the tablet's screen, and the holographic feeds faded as she sat back. "It seems our old friend has found new acquaintances."

"Possible Russian army recruits?" Raven suggested.

"Perhaps as a separate unit," Victor replied. "Russia isn't one to integrate with outsiders so willingly."

Raven raked his hand through his short hair. "Or it's a possible bribe involving Nina's head for their cooperation."

"Seems likely with the Tekken Force left to occupy the eastern side of the world. Either way, I've figured out a simple triangulation of places Dragunov visits for these meetings. His most popular spot resides in Warsaw. Summers, you'll track Dragunov while Raven and I are on standby to provide backup during his next meet-up in two days. He'll either be near the Vistula River below Roweki Bridge, Żerański Footbridge, or Port Żerański. Oddly enough, Dragunov seems to be most comfortable near water."

"A second escape if there's a bust. Local police probably don't have boats on hand," Raven deducted.

"This should be easy," Master Raven remarked, smirking.

---

Warsaw, Poland; PKP Cargo Connect Terminal - 8:22 P.M.:

The rear tire of a motorcycle slid across the gravel and sand, its engine's roar quieting to a calm purr under the bridge.

Nina stood from one of the concrete pillars. "Didn't think you'd be able to get it back."

"Aw, come on, Nina."

The man's smirk accentuated his thick Australian accent. He was slightly shorter with pale skin, short, spikey brown hair, bright green eyes, and a matching stubbled beard. On his feet were black combat boots, a sleeveless camouflage collared shirt, dark gray cargo pants, and a holstered Smith & Wesson M&P R8 Revolver strapped to his left leg. He dismounted the motorcycle, his boots' soles resonating from the ground, which signified a heavy foot habit as a way to announce his presence.

"You know I always get my vehicles one way or another. I never fail when it comes to a pair of pretty wheels."

"You're reckless, Mech," Nina stated with a knowing look.

The shorter man rolled his eyes. "What's the point of an epic alias if you shorten it? Making me sound like a stupid robot. Mechanic, Nina. The Mechanic."

She chortled before approaching the bike, her preference for transportation - a black BWM R 1250 RS Achilles Drag Bike. Nina's eyes inspected each feature, instantly spotting the modifications on the outside. Two rear wheel carry cases.

"Would you prefer if I called you by your first name, Toby?"

His jaw clenched. "Always the difficult one."

"Anything I should know about the upgrades?"

The Mechanic kneeled, placing a hand on the padded leather seat as he looked over the engine. "Couldn't do much for the engine itself, but I did upgrade the brakes for a smoother drift, loosen the back wheel's suspension just enough to increase the speed, and added the nitrous kit under the seat pan."

Nina's eyebrows furrowed. "Took notes from Jin's Enigma Type 5843?"

The Mechanic nodded. "That kid was a genius with the technicalities of that tech'ed up piece. A lighter back wheel with high speeds gives you a nice nitro drift for wide and sharp turns, emphasizing the torque's power. Too bad he let it get destroyed. It's taking me forever to find which dump it landed in. Thanks for the blueprints, but I wanna get the real thing to understand the machinery better. Besides that, there are dual cases on the back end. One can hold the sniper on your back, and the other is for extra ammo."

"Thanks, Mech," Nina said before sliding onto the motorcycle. "Don't worry about payment. My partner will wire it to you soon."

"Still working with that stickler Tekken Force Commander?" He questioned with a bored look.

"Haruto gets results and keeps his mouth shut."

"Yeah, yeah. I get it. So, we still meeting that Russian guy, right?"

"Correct, but I'll do it alone for the first one to ensure Dragonuv won't double-cross me."

"Right. See you around, blondie?"

Nina slipped her glasses on. "Don't call me that."

The Australian man shrugged his shoulders, giving her a wide cheesy smile. Nina pulled on the motorcycle's throttle and lifted her feet as the vehicle quickly picked up speed. A trail of wheel marks was left in her wake as the Mechanic watched Nina disappear into the night, the engine echoing into the silence. Soon, nothing but distant street lights, the pitch-black sky, and the darkened calm waves of the ocean remained.

Beep.

He slipped his phone from his pocket as a new text notification from a familiar contact met his eyes. Commander H.

Money has been wired. Next time, don't ask questions. Two Days from now: Port Żerański [8:32 P.M. Sharp] DON'T BE LATE.

"Does she always need to have him in her ear listening?" the Mechanic grumbled before walking away. "If the money wasn't so good, I'd blow that guy into bits and turn his bones into a prize for my car's front bumper."

---

Vistula River; Coastal Loft - 11:17 P.M.:

Cli-Click

Victor opened the polished wooden door and entered the simple living room of the quaint loft. His agents came in afterward, each looking around.

"I know it's not much or what you both are used to, but it's the best I can do to keep our presence in Poland discreet," Victor began, shoving his hands into his pockets. "We can't risk word of us being here getting to Dragunov and scaring him off. Four bedrooms, an underground lab to freshen up your weapons, or bring extra gear for the mission. Feel free to spar outside or meditate under the river. The extra bedroom is for checking the surveillance cameras around the area and another way to stay in contact."

One of Master Raven's slim eyebrows raised. "You're not staying?"

"Negative. I'm heading a small squadron to set up new cameras and see if we missed anything. I should return before 1 A.M. Can you behave while I'm gone?

A smirk formed on her face. "We're not kids anymore, Vic."

He chuckled while heading for the door. "Don't wait up."

Victor exited outside to the armored UN Hummer parked outside. Master Raven viewed the brick wall on the right side stretching to the small kitchen. Empty shelves lay where books used to be, and surprisingly, modern furniture and décor clashed with the antique drawers and ceiling fans. There was even a nearly empty bookshelf with a bright red record player and a cart of vinyl records. The house was a weird mix of a homey rustic foundation of brown wood and brick with black and dark gray modernity. It teetered on the edge of being ugly, nearly displeasing to the eyes for its inability to be symmetrical.

"Well..." Master Raven began, her face twisting into something of displeasure. "At least it's not entirely dated. Victor could've asked me to redecorate beforehand."

She was accustomed to more sleek, modern designs that blended with its environment. Possibly due to Victor's influence, though there were better setups.

Raven closed the door behind her and locked it. "Honestly, I would've preferred the original furniture to this."

"Same."

"But, now that Victor's gone..."

Raven placed his single carry-on luggage by the door before his hands slipped around her waist, a playful smirk on his lips. "You and I could converse over wine out on the roof."

She laughed at his suggestion. "Raven, come on."

He laid a soft but teasing kiss on her neck. Master Raven inhaled sharply as several tempting thoughts filled her mind. She gripped his shoulders but regained a semblance of control even as Raven worked the knot of her tie loose.

Unwillingly, Master Raven stopped his hand from pulling the tie completely loose. "I need to focus on this mission."

He pouted playfully. "Just when I was getting used to having a vacation. We should familiarize ourselves with our current surroundings."

"Yeah. However..." Master Raven gave him a deep kiss, her following words enounced with a drawl. "That doesn't mean we can't continue this later."

---

Rynek Starego Miasta [Old Town Market Place] - 12:18 A.M.:

Victor walked amid a sparse crowd near the narrow street leading back to the city, appreciating the simplistic peace. People laughed and talked while enjoying the street food, art, and desserts of several vendors around the courtyard. He even spotted a lucky woman being proposed to near the stone guardrail near the ocean. Nice to know there were places untouched by the war.

"I don't have time to deal with a mute Russian. Unless you have information on Nina, get out of my sight!"

He paused mid-step, that velvety tone laced in silk and ice vividly recognizable - a biting voice of a particular female. Victor turned left and spotted two armed Russian soldiers guarding a stone doorway beyond the alley. He quickly slipped behind the corner of a building just as one soldier turned his head. Looking upward, Victor saw a flag pole with a red flag with golden words in Polish and a picture of the prime minister in her Karate Gi. He chuckled while channeling his Ki.

Bzzzt!

Victor teleported to the flagpole and crouched into the building's shadow as he overlooked the square courtyard below. Inside were some familiar faces. Anna Williams and a fellow next to her were confronted by Sergei Dragunov and what seemed to be his translator. Several armed Russian soldiers stood around as well. The brunette assassin wore a brown mink coat over her red dress and golden sunglasses. She had a hand on her hip, standing with impatience and purposefully showing off the throwing needles strapped to her upper left thigh.

The guy beside her was brown-skinned, shorter than Dragunov but taller than Anna. He had a sharp, faded buzzcut of hair with a goatee and matured, chiseled features. He wore an all-black outfit consisting of dress shoes, suit pants, a leather belt with a pure gold chain hanging from the belt loops on the left side of his pants, a dress shirt tucked into his pants but halfway unbuttoned in a blatant attempt to draw attention to his muscular upper body. A blood-red collar fastened around his neck with a rose quartz bar hung from the center. Over his shirt was a leather trench coat with white fur lining its opening and collar. The right side of his jacket was decorated with red designs that resembled slash wounds from a knife. Sitting in the chest pocket was a single fresh red rose. Golden shades with mirrored lenses sat on his face, golden studs in his ears, and a bowler hat atop his head with a satin red band around it. Several gold rings were on his right hand as they gripped his cane, as well as a striking white shaft and a rose quartz handle shaped like a bishop chess piece.

Victor couldn't help but smirk at the show-offish attire, reminding himself of when he still had his natural black hair and beard. Two guys in dark red suits stood behind Anna and the guy. One holding a black, metal-braced suitcase. Dragunov seemed to growl in annoyance as the guy spoke.

"Listen, old man," the guy quipped with arrogance, the tone of a typical American playboy. "I suggest you get lost before I have to get ugly." His face turned dark with intent to kill as the grip on his cane increased. "Anna and I got a place to get to."

The Russian glared at the guy, but Anna spoke before he could say anything else. "Wait, Bishop."

Dragunov extended his arm to hold out a wanted poster. Anna took it and skimmed over the information about her sister from Mishima Zaibatsu. The bounty was near $1 Billion in cash. She could do a lot with that money, not that Anna needed more. However, having newer weapons, jewels, and VIP club nights to create a harem of men to amuse her appetite sounded appealing since Lee was pissing her off about her latest enemy.

Anna flipped over the poster to see words written in thin, cursive black ink. Tomorrow - Port Żerański [8:32 PM]

"So... you're looking for my dear sister as well?" Anna questioned. "Sorry to burst your bubble, but Nina is mine."

Dragonuv held his hands up in a mock surrender just as the translator cleared his throat. "Oh, no. Sergei has no intention of taking that from you but has something else in mind."

He extended his hand to offer a handshake; Anna looked at it confused and hesitated before accepting it. "A truce. I'll be there."

Dragonuv nodded triumphantly before walking away.

Bishop looked over at the brunette. "That is one weird-looking dude."

Victor watched as the assassin and Bishop departed for their red and white 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre EV with gold trimming and rims. 'Anna et Dragunov... Il semble que nous ayons plus de probléms que nous ne le pensions.' (Anna and Dragunov... Seems we might have more trouble than we thought.)

He teleported back to the ground, walking away while pressing a button on the right side of his sunglasses. "Démarrez le véhicule, je dois retourner au loft immédiatement." (Start the vehicle, I need to head back to the loft immediately.)

The soldier cleared his throat. "In English, sir. We have a rookie driver, remember?"

"Right," Victor remarked. "Start the car. We're going back to the loft."

"Understood."

---

Coastal Loft - 2:50 A.M.:

Tatyana sighed while reviewing a book, tapping a stylus on the polished wooden counter in her lounge clothes. Her suit jacket and tie hung on the back of the chair she sat upon. Next to the book was a tablet lit up at an angle, its screen filled with detailed but unfinished blueprints. She eyed the diagram of the brain's nerves correlating to the eyeball, the book 'Theory of a Cyborg' littered with sticky notes she'd jotted over the years and something she never traveled without. The late Dr. Cole Able was a man with ill intent behind his genius, yet there was no denying that his work proved fruitful after his death. In fact, it became the very foundation for some of the most notable gadgets in the unit - her suit being the latest example.

"Human nerves are just wiring in a different material," Tatyana breathed.

She sighed frustratedly, stuck on finding a solution to intertwine the optic nerve to the wiring of a powerful scanner with overlaying abilities without ruining connectivity to the brain or damaging the user's sight. Tatyana considered adding an extra bio-sensing alarm to alert nearby agents when the wearer reached critical condition. So far, nothing tangible.

Rashad walked into the kitchen wearing nothing but black shorts, rubbing his eyes with a voice hoarse from sleep. "Still brainstorming?"

"Yeah."

Tatyana glanced down at her half-done blueprints and layouts of an unnamed piece of cybernetic technology. Raven gave a small kiss on her forehead, causing her to chuckle with a small smile that was soon placed by exasperation.

"You want me to make you a cup of coffee?" Raven asked, curious about her design.

"Thanks, but no. "I'll be heading to bed soon."

He almost laughed. "You said that two hours ago."

She closed the book but bookmarked the current page. "Just stuck and can't get past the nerve wiring with optic, abducens, and trochlear nerves."

Raven smirked, loving how she got nerdy despite only having a basic understanding of such terms. "Ever tried combining it into one wire?"

Master Raven huffed before sitting back in the swivel chair. "That's the thing. Doing so would cause them to overload the scanner. Trying to manage multiple functions beyond overlaying information on the pupil will eventually make basic eye movements extremely difficult."

He raised an eyebrow. "What about separate ports in one wire?"

"That would need an entire skull rescale."

Raven paused with vivid confusion, causing Tatyana to laugh before elaborating. "Resizing the skull to fit more wiring means splitting it open and filling the space with metal, not to mention a skin graft."

Her boyfriend's expression was now one of horror.

"It's only an idea. The other thing I'm working on is nearly done. I need some assistance polishing it to use for the unit."

"New early Christmas tech?" Raven asked cheerfully, rubbing his hands together.

"Not yet, but—"

Cli-click

Both agents turned to find Victor standing at the door with a stone-faced expression they only saw when situations grew drastic during a mission.

"Victor," Master Raven greeted. "What did you find?"

---

3:31 A.M.:

"Dragunov and Anna..." Raven paced through the dining area. "Didn't think she'd be low enough to partner with Dragunov to cross her sister."

Master Raven cocked an eyebrow. "It's not surprising. She's not known to be sleazy for no reason."

"If that's the case, I should go with Tatyana. We need more on the inside to detain them."

Victor coupled his hands behind his back. "I don't need two of my best cards on the table at once, Raven. For now, we're only shadowing Dragunov until we know his intentions. He could have something else planned, and we risk being caught in something else if we act too soon."

"But—"

"Tatyana can handle herself against both Anna and Dragunov. We continue as planned and proceed from there. Don't think I've forgotten your disdain for Dragunov. I cannot afford emotionally charged mistakes on this mission."

Raven sighed. "Understood, sir."

Victor nodded. "Good. I need to discuss a few things with your superior."

Raven rubbed a hand over his neck before walking down the hall back to his room. Master Raven watched him leave, catching the tension in his back muscles. She was sure Victor noticed, but neither chose to speak until he entered his room and closed the door behind him.

"Vic," Master Raven began. "I know you mean well, but you didn't need to say that."

He shook his head. "I know... but Raven can get passionate given the chance. This needs to be played safe. Raven nearly lost sight that day, and I don't want to find out if he's willing to return the favor. It's something that's weighed heavily on my consciousness."

"Of course. Just be mindful is all I'm asking." She turned back to the tablet and book. "Did you pin a location?"

"Tomorrow at Port Żerański, eight thirty-two in the evening."

"Got it. Anything else?"

Victor placed a hand above his chin. "I caught sight of one of Anna's allies, an American guy called Bishop. Reminds me of when I was younger, a show-off with a sense of style. Anna seems to have powerful allies. We'll need to detain him for questioning and possible crimes."

"If Bishop's close to Anna, he's probably a shadow accomplice to her assassinations."

A small silence sat between the two. Master Raven could tell her superior was looking over her shoulder to view her research on her tablet and book, intrigued as always when she was creating new tech again.

"Making another upgrade?"

She shrugged. "Two, actually. Nothing concrete yet, but I have a basic idea of what I want them to be capable of doing."

"Oh?"

"A retinal scanner and bio-sensing alarm to display the critical condition of an agent on a mission."

Victor nodded. "As much as I would love to assist in these ideas, you need rest after going at this for a few hours. I'll review and add a few notes. Get rest, Tatyana."

Sighing, Tatyana placed the stylus pen on the counter. She grabbed her suit jacket and tie before walking down the short hallway, stopping at the door next to Raven's. "Goodnight, Vic. See you in the morning."

"Of course. Oh, and I'll be making breakfast."

"Nooooooo!" Master Raven groaned playfully, earning a laugh from the older man as she disappeared behind the closed door of her room.

---

11:56 A.M.:

Victor scooped a ball of vanilla ice cream onto the second plate of crepes, one with light chocolate crème instead of the usual vanilla. Setting down the small container of ice cream, he grabbed his powdered sugar shaker and sprinkled a light blanket over each plate.

Click!

The pair of footsteps reached his ears before being joined by another.

"Good morning," Victor greeted, pouring two glasses of orange juice.

Master Raven and Raven sat at the counter, neither wanting to start a conversation before eating. Usually, their superior started conversing, especially with an apron over his dress shirt and suit pants. That usually meant they were going somewhere right after breakfast.

Victor chuckled. 'Just like teenagers.'

He placed the plate of chocolate crepes in front of Raven and the other by Master Raven. Each had a fork and was topped with several blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries.

"I suggest you both eat up. We have some catching up to do."

Master Raven raised an eyebrow as Victor gave them their glasses of orange juice. "What for? Sparring? Assessing a point of infiltration?"

"Yes, among a few other things. Considering how you two actually woke up in time for breakfast, you must've tamed your desires well enough."

His agents looked at each other, sharing confused expressions.

"What?" said Raven.

Victor crossed his arms, leaning against the oven and showing a knowing smirk.

Raven shook his head before stuffing a crepe into his mouth. "Are you going say it or make us guess?"

A laugh emerged from Victor. "Although I understand that relationships can complicate things with work, the timing of your lovemaking just before the interrogation was amateur hour at best."

Raven nearly choked on his crepe, coughing as he pounded a fist into his chest. Master Raven almost spit out the orange juice in her mouth but swallowed hard to avoid spraying it at her superior.

"VICTOR!"

His smirk widened at her outburst, almost becoming a grin at their evident surprise. "Sure, I get it to ease off tension. But it seems you two forget I'm no stranger to such a thing. I know a thing or two, especially with my history of rumors and trail of women I once left in my wake."

"Lost my appetite." Raven dropped his fork onto his plate, pushing it away with a deep frown. "Thanks, Vic."

Master Raven's face was buried in her hands. "This can't be happening."

"Though your attempt to be discreet was clever, I know well what you didn't say," Victor continued. "With that being said, keep that part of your lives on a strict basis where it doesn't interfere with work. I need you both on time until I say otherwise. Do I make myself clear?"

Raven nodded, eyes slightly narrowing. Master Raven continued concealing her face as the only action to save herself from further embarrassment.

"Crystal..."

Victor slipped the apron over his head and folded it into a neat square. "I do wish you both sustained happiness. Next time, at least have the decency to show up on time or do it on an off day if you can't be bothered to get up." He picked up his tie from a chair and tied it around his neck. "Eat up, as we have much to do before the evening arrives. I'll be in the waiting car outside."

Slipping his suit jacket on, Victor left the house and approached the silver 2023 Cadillac CT5 V.

Raven shook his head with calmed, measured breathing. "I hate it when he does that."

This was a rare occurrence for Victor, which is why neither agent was prepared for such a turn in the conversation. One had yet to happen since they were nineteen and twenty, respectively. Every time it occurred, they would always be left feeling more embarrassed than ever in years. Raven looked over at his girlfriend, who'd finally removed her hands from her face.

Master Raven released a shaky breath. "I swear I've grown since sixteen, but that's just... ew."

"Ditto."

---

The car ride to Port Zeranski was silent. No one wanted to speak while still feeling the after-effects from breakfast. Sure, it was delicious, but it didn't distract from the awkward silence between everyone. Master Raven stared out the window, watching other cars, people, and buildings pass by.

She eyed her superior via the driver's mirror. "Was earlier necessary, Vic?"

"I do mean well, truly," he stated while focused on the road. "Just needed to ensure you each knew there's a time and place for such things. However, if you need any extra ideas or advice, I know plenty of things."

Victor looked in the rearview mirror to meet Raven's gaze, the latter's eyes rolling in annoyance. "Especially on—"

"Gross! Change the subject!" Master Raven exclaimed.

Victor laughed. "You did ask, to be fair."

"I didn't ask for that."

"So, I looked over your notes for your Retinal Scanner and thought it would be better to make it a contact lens that connects to the Visual Cortex."

Master Raven nodded. "That might work. That still leaves the trouble of squeezing the processor into the brain and integrating metal with organic material."

Victor tapped a finger on the leather steering wheel. "We still need a central point for the microchip made with compatible software that can't be hacked or bugged."

"I could use the same software from my suit for the Retinal Scanner but would need to modify a few things and compress it without getting rid of its foundational coding."

"Doing all that would take several days. You plan to get the upgrade soon?"

"Negative, it's just an idea. As for my bio-sensing tech, it would take a simple update of the shared software for the unit's ear communication devices. Should take a day at most."

"Confirmed," Victor nodded. "Remind me to start on that once we return to Neo City."

---

The agent trio crouched on the roof of a building overlooking a run-down and seemingly unused warehouse near an empty docking area. The only sounds heard were the rolling waves, distant sounds of traffic behind them, and the occasional beeping of a truck reversing from the loading area.

"This is the place?" Master Raven asked, looking over at her superior.

Victor nodded his head. "But it looks..."

"Empty," Raven finished. "Nobody will check for an empty warehouse at night when there's nothing around it to move or ship off. The perfect setup for a meeting with two escape route points. A car in case the police block the port entrance and a boat at the docking area for a sea getaway."

"I don't understand why Dragonuv wants to meet here. It's practically out in the open. Our vantage point is the perfect spot to set up a lookout and sniper."

"They never suspect what's in front of them, Master Raven."

Victor's reminder was followed by pressing a finger to the button on the right side of his shades. The warehouse was covered in a blue outline. Soon, two parts were visible in a yellow tint. The open window at the second-level catwalk and by the ocean where a boat could be placed, ready to leave if there was trouble.

"You have two points of entry. By the water or through that small window."

"I'll take the window. The catwalk is the best place since I'm just there to observe. But I'll watch for any guards and deal with them quietly."

"Good—"

The trio paused, lowering themselves to the roof as the warehouse door slid open. A guy with spiked brown hair dressed in a sleeveless camouflage shirt and gray cargo pants exited. He looked around before scratching the back of his head. No sooner had he taken three steps, a 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre pulled up toward the entrance, the same one Victor recognized yesterday and the driver who promptly exited the vehicle. A confident smirk etched his face as he left his car door open with his cane in hand.

"Bishop," Victor remarked.

"That's him?" Master Raven asked.

Her superior nodded. "This is no ordinary meeting."

They all fell silent, watching and listening to the men conversing below them.

Bishop leaned against the hood of his car, gripping the cane handle as he glanced over at the shorter man. "This is the spot?"

The guy nodded. "Yeah."

Bishop licked his lips, seeming to glare at the warehouse in disgust - chipping paint, rusty outer piping, and foggy old widows. "Not my type of scene, but if it's what Anna wants, she gets. At least the inside looked better than the outside."

The other guy sighed. "It's not about the look, Bishop. We're just here to secure a deal."

"Speaking of," Bishop interjected before standing from his car. "You still owe me a new ride after your last stunt turned it into a flaming scrap heap, Mechanic."

"The Mechanic and a Bishop," Raven stated. "Clever codenames, but we can track them on that alone."

Master Raven stood as she backed away from the roof's edge and out of the two men's sight. She tapped the underside of her armored wrist, holding up her arm at an angle as the holographic screen faded into place.

"Your custom GAZ model is inside the warehouse. It's on this supped-up car ferry, and I even had it modded and painted the way you wanted."

Bishop narrowed his eyes, leaving a tense silence between the two while carefully choosing his following words with a glare. "I'll believe it when I see it. And if it's not there, ya girl's gonna need to find a new Mechanic."

"Bishop, come on—"

He began to walk back to his car's open door. "Don't worry yo scrawny little ass 'bout it. If you're right, you shouldn't be nervous. This deal needs to happen, and you better not fuck this up."

"I won't!"

"Good."

Bishop slammed the door to his car without another word. The Rolls-Royce backed away and swiftly turned around, turning left at the gate and slipping into the sparse traffic back into the main city streets.

"Americans... fucking assholes." The Mechanic shook his head before disappearing back into the warehouse, the door sliding closed again.

Raven and Victor stood from their lowered crouch, walking over to Master Raven as she pulled up new information about The Mechanic and the Bishop. The screen splits in half, with each side showing a headshot of the two men, basic information, and their list of crimes.

"THE MECHANIC"

NAME: Toby Greene

AGE: 34

HEIGHT: 5'8

ORIGIN: Perth, Australia

WANTED IN: Australia, Italy, Spain, Brazil

KNOWN CRIMES: Arson, Breaking & Entering, Grand Theft Auto, Vehicular Homicide, Smuggling [Weapons], Street Racing, Evading Authorities

KNOWN ALLIES: Silent Assassin, Bishop, The Doctor

"BISHOP"

NAME: Jacob Ares

AGE: 31

HEIGHT: 6'0

ORIGIN: Riverdale, Georgia; USA

WANTED IN: United States, Spain, Egypt, Italy, Poland, UK, Japan, North Korea, China, South America

KNOWN CRIMES: Murder, Kidnapping, Smuggling, Arson, Aiding Tekken Force Soldiers

KNOWN ALLIES: Silent Assassin, Scarlet Lightning, The Mechanic, The Doctor

"That's strange."

Master Raven's eyebrows furrowed at the names of the known allies for both men. She tapped the last name of Toby's known allies. The trio of agents was stunned at the new profile that filled the screen. Not even a mug shot of the guy appeared in his profile.

"THE DOCTOR"

NAME: Aron Atlas

AGE: 27

HEIGHT: 5'7

ORIGIN: Brookhaven, Pennsylvania; USA

WANTED IN: United States, Canada, Japan, China, Australia, UK, France, Italy

KNOWN CRIMES: Medical Malpractice, Unauthorized Human Experimentation, Murder, Serial Kidnapper

KNOWN ALLIES: Scarlet Lightning, Silent Assassin, The Mechanic, Bishop

KILL ON SIGHT

Victor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Whoever The Doctor is, he must be quite the threat - a wolf in sheep's clothing. We'll need to exercise caution and eliminate Aron if deemed necessary."

"Understood," Master Raven replied, the screen fading from sight as she lowered her arm.

---

Port Żerański - 8:37 P.M.:

Master Raven watched as Dragunov and his translator entered the warehouse, the door sliding closed behind them. The flags at her shoulder blades waved behind in the calm wind, but she could hear the muffled but audible voice from inside the warehouse.

"Finally, I was getting impatient," Anna declared, placing a hand on her hip. "It's rude to make a lady wait."

The young translator cleared his throat. "Our apologies. We had to make sure we weren't followed. Although UN soldiers weren't discovered, we can never be too careful with our shared number of outside interferences."

Master Raven took a few running steps forward. She jumped off the edge of the building before diving towards the open window, curled into a ball, and landed in a low crouch with a hand on the ground to keep balance. Her eyes flicked right just as a Tekken Force soldier stepped in her direction. She rolled behind him, hooking both hands around his chin and the back of his head to twist with one swift movement. She carefully placed his body on the floor with as little sound as possible before lowering into a crouch again, watching the scene below her from the guardrail. The warehouse was mostly empty except for a modified car ferry with the body of a speed boat and an attractive custom-made car. There were several military-grade boxes probably carrying ammunition and weapons. Bishop sat on the car's hood while armed Tekken Force soldiers stood in attention.

"So, how do you suggest we take Nina out? Trapping her won't be easy, especially if she has The Doctor and Haruto behind her."

Dragunov held up his hand, a sign to stop, before he pulled out three pictures from his pants pocket and tossed them onto the box next to him. Master Raven thought her eyes were deceiving her, but the pictures were of... her, Raven, and Victor.

Anna was none too pleased. "What the hell do those ninjas have to do with anything?"

"Brash as usual, airhead..."

As her moniker suggested, Nina silently appeared into view behind a back door. "If we're going to have an alliance, we must eliminate our common enemy. It's better to start with Raven and work our way up, as an ambush does us no good and isn't an option. We have to play this smart."

---

Click!

A pair of muzzles were aimed at Master Raven's head. "Hands where I can see them. Now."

Reluctantly, Master Raven rose from her crouch with a low growl as the soldiers kept their guns pointed at her.

---

"Sir, we have company," a soldier announced.

The group of criminals watched the guards approach the ground floor. Anna glared venomously at the new intruder, Nina smirked, and Dragunov held a cold focus. Bishop ogled the woman up and down and licked his lips, smirking with a blatant lust that the intruder easily ignored.

"Anna, let me handle this one. I could show her a good time while your three handle—"

"Shut it, Bishop!" Anna snapped.

"Isn't this ironic?" Nina quipped, taking in the taller woman's angry stare with pleasure. "Didn't think you'd be stupid enough to get caught so soon."

Anna twirled a knife in her hand before gripping it. "Enough talk. Let's save ourselves the trouble and kill her now."

"My thoughts exactly."

Nina's eyes had turned dark with the intent to kill, her hand already reaching for the pistol holstered on her left leg. Before either Williams sister could attack, Dragunov stepped before them and pointed at the three pictures before tapping his temple. He stepped back as Nina sighed in disappointment, unable to enjoy splattering the woman's blood across the concrete and tossing her body into the sea for her comrades to find.

"Fine..." Nina through her teeth before her glare grew icy at their prisoner. "Consider yourself lucky."

Master Raven smirked. "Luck has nothing to do with it. So, the great Nina stoops to allying herself with Dragunov after Heihachi's fortunate end. I guess everyone hits rock bottom at one point or another." She eyed Anna. "Your emotionally constipated sister isn't useful without her sugar daddy. Now the scarlet cougar has a neanderthal at her disposal. Yet each has eyes for me, unflattering as I feel about it." Her attention turned to Dragonuv. "And emo boy here is child's play at best."

The Russian growled audibly, his leather gloves squeaking from tightly clenched fists.

"If I were you, blondie, I'd be wary of their interests. Anna is no stranger to double-crossing for her own benefit. I'm sure you already knew that since Mommy and Daddy aren't here. It must be a fun party for them in hell."

That last remark enraged the Williams sisters', their shared anger apparent with each word Master Raven spoke. Anna's grip on the knives in each hand tightened to the point where her knuckles turned ghostly white. Nina clenched her jaw, fully gripping the gun at her leg but resisting the innate urge to shoot the taller woman's throat and watch her slowly choke on her own blood as she drifted into death's cold embrace.

"I hope twiddle-dee and twiddle-dum come with more than just words the next time we cross paths."

Poof.

Snap!

The throwing knife in Anna's hand broke into two clean pieces. "THAT BITCH NEEDS TO DIE!"

---

Raven and Victor stood from leaning on the armored Hummer, the latter smirking as he looked at his subordinate. "Was that last part really necessary?"

Master Raven crossed her arms, unamused in the slightest. "I want that retinal scanner."

Victor's smirk disappeared in a blink before glancing over at Raven and then turning back to her. "Uh, about that..."

Chapter 15: Trial - I

Chapter by alwaysdoubted

Port Żerański - 8:59 P.M.:

Anna glared at Nina, who mounted her motorcycle. The trio of criminals stood outside as the Tekken Force soldiers began moving the crates of ammunition and firearms. Bishop waited inside the Rolls-Royce while one of his red-suited goons drove the boat to his ocean-side mansion. His driver-side window was down as he smoked a half-burned-out cigar.

"It better not be a long wait to paint that bitch in her blood."

Nina eyed her sister. "It won't be. I have a simple but effective plan to catch more than just their attention."

Dragunov shoved both hands into his pocket as he and Anna waited for her to elaborate.

"I'm willing to bet their group has an informant. I even caught a glimpse of a guy in a red cap sneaking around my hotel in Shinjuku," Nina stated. "If there's more like him working with those ninjas, it won't be hard finding the rest."

"And how do we do that?" Anna questioned.

"Leave it to me. I need you to be ready for a small game of tag."

The brunette smirked evilly, knowing full well what that meant, as the new throwing knife in her hand spun at a practiced speed. "Perfect time to redecorate, dear sister?"

"For the time being. I'll need you at my location once I confirm our target." Nina eyed Dragunov. "We'll be in touch. For now, sit back and let us handle this."

He grumbled in response as if to say, 'Fine.'

With that, Nina pulled back the throttle of her motorcycle.

"I guess this means it's time for a shopping spree, Love?" Bishop remarked.

Anna grinned. "You have no idea."

---

Nina slipped under a stoplight, leaning left to round a small corner. A signal from the device on her right ear beeped, signaling a call. Before she could speak, a cold, calm voice entered her ear.

"Hello, Williams."

She feared no man, but that cynical tone always chilled her spine - absent of warmth and humanity, with an underlying tone of lust to cut someone open for the sake of admiring their bones or to amuse himself. Frigid, like his scalpel.

"Doc," she replied calmly.

"Haruto informed me that you needed my expertise, so I figured it was time to talk."

"I'll need new knives, a few more lessons, and some names."

"Will Anna be involved as well?"

"Yes..." Nina weaved her bike from behind a truck.

He chuckled darkly, and Nina swore she could envision the wide, toothy grin painted on his face. The way his tongue seemed to twist between his abnormally long canines and his purple eyes glowing with excitement.

"Perfect. Who are you looking for?"

"Raven Unit informants." Nina pulled back the throttle. "I want every name as soon as possible."

He laughed. "Consider it done. See you soon, Nina."

Beep.

Nina tapped the break, leaning her foot out as she entered an alley that led into an underground tunnel. The back tire slid across the pavement to a stop as Nina stood from her riding position before taking a deep breath.

"That guy..."

Her phone vibrated inside her leather jacket pocket. She pulled it out and was met with a text from a familiar contact labeled Haruto.

Damn it, Nina...

Under the text was a voice message, Nina's eyebrows raising at the sight. "He never sends voice messages."

She tapped the play button: 'We are so fucked... I hope you plan on killing these people cause we'll have a new guilty conscience if Aron gets his hands on them, especially those ninjas. Let's get this done before I call this off.'

Usually, the Japanese commander sounded stone-cold and entirely sure of himself. He was stubbornly strong without hinting at his thoughts, especially not over the phone. This time, he sounded petrified and nervous in the voice message. There was something about Aron and his entire persona that was hard to stomach, let alone deal with. It was difficult to pinpoint when his role, voice, stare, and overall personality were beyond unnerving.

'Nothing made him nervous...'

---

Elsewhere:

The ride back to the coastal loft was silent, tense with unspoken words.

Master Raven preferred silence when angry to avoid any unwanted confrontation until she could release it in meditation or practice on a punching bag. Raven nor Victor spoke after her cold words several minutes ago, the latter wanting to but keeping his silence. Victor could only eye his agent to try and decipher her mindset while Master Raven sat with crossed arms, head hung low. Her finger slowly tapped on her arm, silently waiting for them to arrive at the loft. The armored Hummer stopped, and the soldier in the driver's seat turned around to the agents in the cabin.

"We're here."

Raven kept his distance as Victor opened the door, and Master Raven hastily exited. They entered after Victor as he began taking off his suit jacket.

Victor began taking off his suit jacket. "Surveillance Room, ten minutes. And change out of your mission suit."

Master Raven headed for her room without another word. Victor sighed, shoulders visibly dropping. He'd seen her angry before but had never seen that look, hoping this wasn't another brash decision out of anger. Master Raven fastened the belt around her waist before hearing Raven's voice from the other side of her closed door.

"May I come in?"

"Sure."

The door slowly opened with a creak, allowing Raven to slip inside without a word before sitting on her bed. The tense silence still sat between them. He looked down at the floor, leaning his elbows on his knees.

"Were you serious about that?"

"You mean the retinal scanner?"

He slowly nodded.

"Of course I am."

Raven's dark, slim eyebrows creased. "I get that you and Nina are at each other's throats, but you can't just make decisions like this when you're angry."

She paused. "It's not just anger anymore."

He sat up with narrowed eyes. "I find that hard to believe. You could get shades like Victor and I."

"One..." Master Raven began as she turned around. "Although that failed mission in an attempt to observe the meeting is a reason, I can't always rely on my instincts. Second, it was only a matter of time before it happened."

Raven shook his head. "There's always an alternative. You can't just make this decision so quickly after not without going over the risks, this—"

"Rashad..."

He paused instantly as Tatyana honed on him with a laser-like focus - a leveled mix of determined fury still visible even after the twelve-minute drive from Port Żerański back to the loft.

"I understand you're worried, but I've decided on this. Some things don't change. You and I know that well enough with each other."

He sighed. "You're being stubborn again."

Her eyes narrowed. "Even the sharpest mind will need assistance from a machine sooner or later."

Rashad stood from her bed. "But you could just—"

"I'm not changing my mind." Tatyana picked up her suit jacket off the bed. "Victor and I are heading out. He hasn't told me where we're going, but I know the location well. Hopefully, we'll be back before it gets late."

Rashad headed for the door, pausing just as he hooked his hand around the polished, silver knob. "I hope you think this through, Tatyana... because you won't be the only one paying the price if something goes wrong."

He left the room and left his girlfriend to consider his words. Rashad knew full well that talking to Tatyana right now without getting abrasive wouldn't be the best idea, especially when Victor was possibly in earshot. He hoped she would consider the consequences of this decision beyond just an upgrade.

---

Victor sensed Master Raven enter the room, sitting in a swivel seat on the left of the camera surveillance room where the screens stayed on most of the day. His eyes stared at the empty camera screens, not bothering to turn around and face his agent. Master Raven closed the door and leaned against the wall, waiting for her superior to speak. A heavy mute lingered as she internally dreaded her superior's first words.

"You spoke to Raven?" Victor's tone was expectant, with no audible emotional cue toward the current situation.

"He's... understandably upset."

"Did you tell him we're leaving?"

"Yeah."

Victor's finger repeatedly tapped the chair arm. "Make no mistake, Tatyana. I won't direct you, but realize this decision won't merely affect you. Becoming the clan's first cyborg is uncharted territory, should you survive. Considering your stubborn nature, I'll give you some time to think. We're going to an underground UN soldier base an hour from here. Once inside, we'll discuss with the best surgeons in Poland to map out the procedure to insert the Retinal Scanner."

"But..." Master Raven started, knowing too well her superior always had a caveat.

Victor narrowed his eyes, turning to face her as his light blue eyes landed on the book and tablet in her possession. "The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow at five-thirty in the afternoon, so you have until then to change your mind. If not, we'll commence as planned, and this decision will be final with no second guessing. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal, sir."

"Good. I also notified your parents. They demanded the first jet over here and will land in Poland by eleven twenty-two tomorrow. They're scheduled to arrive on post in the afternoon."

For the first time in years, Master Raven's blood froze. She hoped not to drag her parents into this, but Victor was never one to keep anything from former agents he worked with in his younger years.

"Vic—"

"It's too critical of a decision, Tatyana," Victor reminded, his tone firm. "I won't mislead former agents with something this drastic, especially your parents. I'm ensuring you hear both sides of the situation and not just your own."

Master Raven sighed again. "Understood."

Standing from the chair, Victor fixed his tie. "I wish you had more time to think this through, but we're short of it with Dragunov and the Williams sisters targeting us."

"I've made up my mind, but I get it."

"I sincerely hope you do, Summers."

Victor followed Master Raven out of the surveillance room. Raven leaned against the doorway of his room, watching as the two left through the loft's front door. They glanced at each other before Raven retreated inside his room. Master Raven wasn't surprised, but the silent treatment stung more than she realized.

---

Pałac Kulutry i Nauki [Palace of Culture & Science] - 9:34 P.M.:

"I forgot we had a base under this place."

Looking over at her superior, Victor offered no response. His neutral expression remained before closing the driver-side door and walking toward the elegantly designed building. It was a mix of Britain's Victorian-era architecture with a mesh of small Grecian details, paired well with statues beside the main exit to the side. The tall spire at the top of its intricately detailed clock tower reached toward the sky. A tan brick and white marble pillars almost seemed to glow in the night. The courtyard was mostly empty, except for a few cars and several Tekken Force soldiers standing in the background.

Tatyana followed silently, though she hated this silence between them despite knowing it wasn't personal. Victor was sticking to his plan, but she couldn't help but feel like a teenager in trouble again. Her shoulders tensed underneath the suit, new wrinkles defining themselves in the dark fabric.

'Hopefully, this won't last long.'

Superior and subordinate traversed the small hallways before reaching a black staff-only door with a numbered keypad where the handle would be. Victor quickly typed a small sequence of numbers; each keypress emanated a small beep - 70427

The door unlocked and opened automatically. Slipping through the entrance, the agents entered a golden elevator with three numbered white buttons on the right side. The second button glowed red, indicating their current floor, which was the ground level. Victor tapped the number three button, and a slight hum sounded from the camera just above the doors.

A robotic voice spoke. "Scanning... Welcome, Phantom Raven and Master Raven."

The elevator shifted, descending below ground level into the hidden underground base.

Tatyana placed a hand on her hip. "You're not gonna talk me out of this?"

Victor rolled his shoulders before coupling his gloved hands behind his back. "I'm here to assist if you're too persistent in getting the Retinal Scanner implanted. My only hope is that everything goes right and you're fully informed of the pros and cons of such a thing."

"Right..."

"As I've watched you grow into the woman you are now, Tatyana... I have confidence that your intelligence regarding this subject will serve you well."

A small chuckle sounded from Tatyana; the silence between them seemed to lighten enough for her to relax. She could always count on her superior to say something reassuring in uncertain times.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing a room identical to the underground base beneath the UN Headquarters in Neo City. The only difference was the decrease in soldiers due to the Tekken Force's presence in Poland. A few standing holographic screens projected the Polish flag around the room.

Upon entering, a man slightly shorter than Victor approached them. He was extremely pale with wrinkles on his face but still looked healthy for his age. Tired hazel eyes, ruffled, short, greying black hair sat upon his head and a matching black, short beard with a single stripe of gray under his bottom lip. He wore a pale blue button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves tucked into his black suit pants. He wore black oxfords with brown soles and a tan leather watch fastened around his left hand to match the dark emerald stone wedding band on his left hand. Clipped to his belt loop was his badge with lines of information and a small picture of him giving a corny smile.

Borys Anatol - Neurosurgeon

Experience - 15 Years

Medicover Hospital [Leading Surgeon]

He held out his hand to Victor, a friendly, bright smile on his face despite being a neurosurgeon. Tatyana half expected him to be more tired and eager to retire.

Victor shook his hand. "Dr. Anatol, nice to see you again."

"Likewise, Victor," Borys replied, his Polish accent emphasizing the k and t in his words. "Glad you're still in good health."

His face lit up with a familiar glee at the sight of the woman. "Ah, Tatyana. My, you're tall as ever now! What did Victor feed you?"

Tatyana laughed. "The usual fruits full of growth hormones and chemicals."

The surgeon chuckled. "Of course. Time has flown since you were last in Poland. Nearly feels like a decade since I last taught you how where to aim a knife for a quick kill."

"You always said to go for the jugular." She then shrugged. "Or just neck snap if you don't feel like it."

Borys nodded while laughing. "Ha ha! And here I thought you forgot about that little joke. As much as I wish you could show the new things you've learned, I know you're here on business and have little time to dillydally. My partner is waiting in the upgraded operating room. Please, follow me."

As he led them down a vast hall, Tatyana again. "I'm surprised you're still jovial as ever, Borys."

"With the war and these... skurwiele [Fuckers] patrolling around the city, I try to keep my head up. Not having to operate on people since most don't come back from this war is, in a way... a relief. I stay positive, not just for me but my little girl."

"Piper," Tatyana named. "She'll be turning fifteen next week, right?"

He placed a hand over his chest. "You remembered! I'll tell her you and Uncle Vic wish her the best on her birthday."

Victor smirked. "I'll send over a gift when I'm not too busy."

Borys shook his head aggressively. "Oh, no! The last time that happened, I had to send it back. Let Tatyana pick the gift if you're going to get her something. I can't have her turning spoiled at a time like this. Something like a practice katana, not an actual sword, Vic."

The silver-haired fighter rolled his eyes as his subordinate laughed.

"So, Tatyana. Do you have a prototype of this device of yours?"

Tatyana passed him her tablet. Borys's eyebrows furrowed as he pressed the power button, looking over the detailed 2D drawing with additional notes. He nodded after skimming through, but his eyes soon widened in shock at the blueprint's complexity.

"Oh my..."

---

20 minutes later:

Tatyana skimmed over the Retinal Scanner's blueprints while sitting at a mounted table that lined the back wall of the expansive room. It had several pieces of equipment able to make robotic advancements on the spot for these procedures. She was looking over the final changes Victor made, tuning the world around her out as Borys, Victor, and another doctor conversed among themselves.

"Tatyana," Borys called.

He stood behind the young woman as she turned and eyed the guy beside Borys - a shorter, bald, skinny guy with tanned skin and green eyes. His dark auburn eyebrows, sharply trimmed anchor beard, and mustache were the only facial hair present. He looked younger than Borys in a white lab coat, pale blue dress shirt, black pants, and dress shoes.

"This is Piotr August," the older doctor introduced. "He'll be assisting in the procedure and specializes in cybernetics. He's not on your level in that expertise but will ensure everything is in order during the procedure."

Piotr held his hand out with a small smile. "Nice to meet you."

Tatyana took and shook his hand. "Likewise, August."

He pointed at the blueprint on her tablet. "The processor doesn't have the designated material to connect to the brain."

She let out a frustrated sigh. "Still haven't figured that part out yet."

Pitor placed a hand on his chin. "I would give a few suggestions, but padded plastic isn't the best option, and thick rubber wouldn't be as flexible. Do you know anyone who could help with this part?"

"I... happen to know someone, though he isn't very favorable with me at the moment," Tatyana admitted with an eye roll.

---

"Ha ha!" Lee grinned widely at the laptop screen. "I knew you would call for my presence sooner or later, Ms. Raven. Should we celebrate with a luxurious visit to the Bahamas or play a small game in my red room with a few glasses of wine?"

"Can it, Lee," Tatyana sharply remarked. "This is a business call because I need your assistance on this piece of technology."

"Oh?" His eyes lit up with a glow of intrigue. "What for?"

"A retinal scanner I've worked on for the past few hours. I'm in Warsaw, Poland. When can you get here?"

"Eight hours by my private jet."

"Meet me at noon in the Palace of Culture and Science tomorrow."

Lee smirked. "I'll be sure the bouquet of roses is nothing short of an eyesore."

Without another word, Tatyana ended the video call. "God, he's annoying."

Borys walked over. "Do you want to review the procedure tonight or wait until tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow. Thanks for doing this, Borys."

The Polish man chuckled. "No need to thank me. It's the least I can do. So, I'll be seeing you and Victor again?"

"Count on it."

---

Coastal Loft - 11:15 P.M.:

Upon entering the polished wood door of the loft, Tatyana could feel the weighted tension return. Despite Raven's room being slightly ajar, she could see he was still awake and lying on his bed. Tatyana glanced over at Victor, who nodded. She walked toward his door, hesitating as her hand landed on the doorknob. Taking a deep breath, Tatyana opened the door and stepped inside. Raven looked over, silently watching her with skeptical eyes. Tatyana placed her book and tablet on the short bookshelf beside the door.

"Couldn't sleep?"

"Somewhat," Raven blinked while staring at the ceiling. "You're still serious about this whole thing?"

She sat on the side of his bed, glancing over as he adjusted his recline. "I meant what I said. But... I was acting recklessly due to my anger with Nina."

"Glad to know I wasn't the only one who thought that."

"I'm still going through with it. It's just now; I won't be facing merely you when it happens tomorrow. Victor called my parents and said they'll be here by eleven tomorrow."

That got Raven's attention as he slowly sat up. "Really?"

"Should've seen it coming." Tatyana let out an uncharacteristically shaky breath. "I don't know how I'm gonna face my Dad after this."

A new silence seemed to devour and replace the tension with palpable nervousness. Raven noticed his girlfriend habitually tapped her finger when nervous. He scooted towards her, wrapping his arms around her waist, head resting on her shoulder with each leg hanging off the edge over his girlfriend's legs.

"Rashad—"

"It's okay to be nervous, Tatyana. You can't let what your Dad thinks stop you. He has reservations with this more than I do, but he'll trust your judgment since it's your decision."

"That's what I'm worried about. I'm rarely wrong, but what if this is one of those times where I am?"

The uncertainty in her voice was no longer hidden in focused determination.

"They come and go nevertheless. Are you still going to do it?"

"Yes..."

"You understand the risks?"

"More or less."

"If you can say that aloud, you should have no issues. Your father's a big part of your life and your initial trainer before Victor stepped in. He'll have to understand his daughter knows what's best for herself even with the high risks."

Tatyana gave a humorless laugh. "I suppose. You'll still try to talk me out of it?"

Rashad shook his head. "You already know where that got me, but I hope everything goes well. Besides, you have your parents to deal with now."

"Trying to make me nervous again?"

"If it distracts you from making that decision."

They both laughed this time, and a small but present smile formed on his girlfriend's face. "Thanks, Rashad."

"No need to thank me. I'm ensuring you don't stay up late ruminating this decision all night."

Tatyana gave him a longing stare. "I wouldn't be ruminating, but considering every angle."

"Sure."

Soon, the agents found themselves lying in bed with Tatyana still wearing her suit. She laid her head on Raven's chest as her long, untied dreadlocks pooled lazily around her shoulders.

"Despite my disagreements, sometimes you must trust the decision and hope for the best. Something I suddenly find hard to do at the moment."

"Worried about me?"

"An understatement."

"For now, I'm sure of what I'm doing. However..." Tatyana's head rose off his chest. "Remember what I said last night?"

Raven's eyes softened. "I do."

"Victor's gone, and I want to forget about all this for tonight."

"Anything you want, Ty."

The pair kissed as Raven's arms encircled Tatyana's waist while her hands palmed his shoulders. He gently rolled their bodies to end up on top before she rose to a seated position, loosening and discarding her tie. Raven meticulously unbuttoned her dress shirt to expose her shapely midriff. Tatyana deftly removed his shirt and peppered his neck regions with kisses.

Neither spoke again except for faintly murmuring each other's names.

---

Pałac Kulutry i Nauki [Palace of Culture & Science] Underground UN Soldier Base [Cybernetic Operating Room] - 12:14 P.M.:

Victor listened intently as Borys explained how they would go about the surgery procedure before his eyebrows lifted in shock. "What!? Have you gone over this with Tatyana!?"

"Uh... not yet," Borys answered nervously. "She was preoccupied with her blueprints, so I figured it would best not to disturb her. I'd hate to mess up her focus, as she seems so intent on getting this done. I saw her working on software before I came to talk to you."

"Borys..." Victor sighed, his shoulders sinking under his suit. "This is—"

"Splendid!"

A familiar but unwanted voice sounded from the front door. Victor looked over at Tatyana from across the room, too enveloped in her tablet to be distracted by the tycoon's loud entrance. He almost chuckled but held his visible annoyance as Lee and his assistant approached them, an armored aluminum briefcase in his right hand.

"Chaolan, you're late," Victor spoke through his teeth.

"Hi to you too, Victor," Lee replied with a smirk. "My apologies. I would've arrived sooner but I was so fascinated with Ms. Raven's Exo-Spine that I tried replicating it myself. The process was harder than I presumed due to the small intricacies she put into its functionality. Perhaps you could help me with this—"

Tatyana's head shot up from her tablet. 'What?'

"Those are not my secrets to tell. I do suggest you tread carefully, Chaolan. We may be allies now, but my best subordinate is no stranger to keeping her technological advances from the outside world."

Lee sported a devilish grin. "What exactly are you saying, Chevalier?"

"Not a word. I'm merely warning you to avoid unnecessary conflict," the Frenchman stated.

"Do you think I'm a fool?" Victor merely smirked as Lee huffed. "Where is Ms. Raven? We have much to discuss."

A mere nod of Victor's head directed Lee toward the back of the room.

"Ms. Raven," Lee grinned. "Glad you—"

"You're late," she interrupted, her tone colder than usual.

He cleared his throat. "No greeting? I get working on a piece of tech can be frustrating and tedious even, but—"

Master Raven faced him with an unbridled anger that shook the arrogant tycoon. "Save it. I fully understand your desire to devise the most impressive technological advancements. Still, you'd be a fool trying to replicate what isn't yours."

Lee fidgeted with his tie. "Are you going to make me that fool?"

"If you'd stop to think with your brain instead of lusting after what you can't have, you'd consider that you're not the only one who knows how to wipe and scramble seemingly impenetrable databases."

"Oh, come on, Ms. Raven. You wouldn't dare do that to me."

"If only you really knew me. Consider this your final warning, as I won't have any qualms about neutering your ass. Wouldn't want to disappoint your scarlet bimbo, correct?" Without another word, Master Raven returned to typing the code for the software.

Lee swallowed hard with a nervous chuckle before placing his briefcase on the table. "Right... so, anything I can do to help?"

"You can start by looking over the blueprint," Tatyana answered, her voice still cold.

"How will I—"

She tapped the corner of her tablet's screen, and a new wide holographic one appeared.

Lee rubbed a hand on his chin while examining the projected blueprints. "It looks sound, but I can see the trouble with the wiring connecting the processor to the retinal scanner. You'll need something to contain the wire in case it frays or is damaged, along with not possessing the necessary processor."

"Got any ideas?"

"A silicone sleeve should help with keeping it from injuring the host. I have small processors that can hold a microchip for the software and can harness a human's natural bioelectricity directly from the brain and convert it into information. It uses a small amount of bioelectricity to maintain peak functionality."

Tatyana's eyebrows creased. "But you work with androids. How is that possible?"

Lee smirked. "I was testing and perfecting the process with a synthetic brain and a pair of two slightly long needle rods. May I ask who we are making this for?"

She didn't bother looking his way. "You're speaking to her."

"W-wha!?"

Master Raven rolled her eyes and ceased typing before sitting back in her chair, waiting for him to finish.

"I don't mean to be a bummer, Ms. Raven," Lee began, his tone full of concern. "But you do know the dangers of doing this, right?"

"Enough to comprehend, but I'm not afraid of death," Tatyana answered as she swiveled in her chair, glancing at Victor. 'It's the ones I'd be leaving behind if it goes awry...'

"I see... You do know this is completely irreversible as well?"

"No, I had no idea Chaolan."

Lee chuckled nervously, detecting her obvious sarcasm. "Of course. I... Being a cyborg would be intriguing, but I hope you live to experience it. It would be a shameful loss if this doesn't go as planned. What should I do next?"

Master Raven slipped a microchip from her table, one with a blue death kanji engraved onto its surface. "You can start by constructing this."

Lee nodded before snapping his fingers. "Aki."

"Sir," his assistant replied.

"Would you be so kind in assisting with the dimensions of each piece as we go along?"

"Of course. Ready when you are, sir."

---

Pałac Kulutry i Nauki [Left Wing Outside Courtyard] - 4:22 P.M.:

Raven looked in the rearview mirror of the driver seat inside an armored Hummer, an armed UN soldier occupying the front passenger seat. He caught the older couple's gaze from the backseat, who were finding it hard not to show their anxiousness - at least the woman was.

The man noticed the agent's stare through his glasses. "Go ahead, Raven. We'll be there in a few minutes."

Nodding, Raven exited the vehicle.

---

Tatyana's slim eyebrows furrowed; the sight of polished copper needle rods at the end of two wires was unnerving. "Where would those go exactly?"

"These would have to be plugged into the brain, specifically under the occipital lobe," Lee explained. "The rods are how it gets the bioelectricity, but there's no need to worry about it being painful. The worst is a headache lasting two days; nothing strong painkillers can't fix."

"That doesn't help," Tatyana remarked as an eerie shiver shot down her spine.

Before Lee could explain further, their ears caught the sound of heavy footsteps - boots hitting the ground. Tatyana let out a sigh of relief at seeing her boyfriend donning an all-black outfit as usual. Timbaland boots, jeans, and a short-sleeved t-shirt tucked into his pants.

"Raven," Tatyana breathed while greeting him with a hug, which he reciprocated.

Beside them, Lee growled lowly. 'He's so beneath her.'

Tatyana somehow picked up on the near inaudible sound. "Something wrong, Chaolan?"

Caught red-handed, Lee turned away in embarrassment. "N-not at all, Ms. Raven!"

Separating, Tatyana spoke again." Are they..."

"Yeah," Raven answered, seeing her relax. "They just need a few minutes before entering. Your father didn't want me to wait, figuring you'd be nervous for this reunion."

"It's been six years since I last seen them. I guess it's time I join Victor in the hall."

Raven's eyes landed on their intertwined hands, noticing the slight shake in her hands. "Listen, I'm nervous for you. Your Dad's stare still freaks me out, but you got this. He'll still have to respect your choice."

"That doesn't make facing him any easier..."

---

Victor, Master Raven, and Victor waited outside the Cybernetic Operating Room. The master kunoichi sat in the middle of a trio of cushioned chairs. Victor and Raven stood, each sensing the woman's unease as she stayed silent, arms crossed while tapping a finger on her arm.

Master Raven inhaled deeply, knowing the sound of those footsteps well - heavy, calm, yet commanding sounds of boots hitting the ground, followed by light taps of heels and a pair of suede booties. She stood from her chair and loosened her tie. Victor nodded at his former agents, a proud smirk formed on his face. New tension settled in the hallway, quickly silencing the small moment of comradery.

Emani and Kevon Summers - Tatyana's parents and former agents of the Raven Unit back when Victor still had sharp black hair.

Kevon's complexion resembled his daughter's, with a muscular build. He still stood tall and strong despite being well into his fifties. A square jaw accentuated the sharp facial features that Tatyana shared with him. Slender dark brown eyes, small ears, and lips. He donned a primarily black ensemble - armored-plated-toe combat boots, cargo pants, a tank top tucked into his pants, and a brown leather jacket. And like his daughter, he also had three noticeable facial scars. A short, ragged one across his nose, another on the left side of his jaw that cut into his beard, stopping a few inches short of his eye, and a final one beginning atop his left eyebrow and ending just below his cheekbone. Kevon also had a chin curtain beard with a thick streak of gray at a square at its center, a square of dark gray facial hair under his lip, and a painter's brush mustache. The sides of his head were shaved into a low buzzcut with geometric lines, a small afro, and a patch of blonde hair on the right side. The roots of his air showed visible gray and white hairs. Kevon stood two inches short of being at eye level with his daughter.

On the other hand, her mother, Emani, stood slightly shorter than her husband and had a lighter complexion than her daughter and husband. She possessed a curvy figure that complimented her toned muscles. She had light brown eyes and shared her daughter's head shape and hairstyle. Carved into the right side of her face were thick scars resembling a claw slash from a wild animal, courtesy of a former friend who joined the Mishima Zaibatsu. They started from her jaw and ended at her eye. She wore a red t-shirt top, jeans, and black short-heeled booties. Over her t-shirt was a wool, dark gray peacoat. Her hair was shaved down at the right side while long, thick dreadlocks hung down her shoulders. Several strands were faded blonde and streaked with white, clearly the primary influence on Tatyana's hairstyle.

"Mom," Tatyana said, her eyes switching to her father. "Dad."

"Six long years..." Kevon chuckled with a shake of his head. "I keep forgetting how tall you are since you rarely visit. Video calls never do you justice."

Kevon sounded at ease despite his deep voice, often firm in dire situations. He was relieved to see his daughter again, almost as if he would laugh at his own statement.

She let out a small chuckle. "Right."

Tatyana found herself within her parents' embrace. Her father's strong arms were still comforting, and her mother's soft lavender scent brought back vivid memories of home in Philadelphia. Hard days of training with relaxing weekends and the occasional shenanigans of helping her mother make brownies and banana pudding for family gatherings. She used to have a sweet tooth as a child before entering the Raven Unit at age fifteen. Her favorite pastime was her father regaling her with his mission stories almost every night over dinner.

'It's still weird I have to crouch to hug my folks.'

Her father laughed. "You're in heels, girl."

They separated as Tatyana chuckled again. "Right. I knew that."

"Despite how much I wish we could catch up," her mother began. "You know why we're here."

Reluctantly, Tatyana nodded. "I know."

"Please, take a few minutes to catch up," Victor interjected. "Your daughter could use a break after her activities today. When ready, return to the room where Borys will discuss the procedure."

"Thanks, Vic," Emani acknowledged.

With that, the Frenchman and Raven headed for the metal sliding door of the Cybernetic Operating room. Raven paused near the door, giving his girlfriend a slight but noticeable smile. She didn't have time to react when Kevon cleared his throat as the metal door slid shut behind them.

"So, you mind catching us up on what's happened recently?" Emani asked, giving her daughter a knowing look.

She and Kevon each noticed Raven's gesture just as much as their daughter.

"Well..." Tatyana rubbed the back of her neck. "We're currently dealing with the three-way alliance of Dragunov and the Williams sisters. So far, it's been tedious having to deal with Lee Chaolan as an ally... but I'm slowly getting used to it. But I had this one CE Mission and had the chance to fight Anna. Dad, you should've seen it! She was no challenge, but it was a pretty good workout. I won with no problem, of course. I can confidently say she's probably the easiest opponent I've ever faced."

Emani smirked. "We're glad you've been having fun while in the field. But we don't mean recent business."

"Mom," Tatyana whined.

"What's going on with you and Raven?" Kevon questioned with obvious suspicion.

"Dad!"

He stayed silent and eyed her with a silent ferocity.

Tatyana would be red as a tomato if she weren't graced with ebony skin. "He and I... Well... He's my boyfriend."

"Took you both long enough," Emani remarked.

Kevon crossed his arms. "How long?"

"Uh... about three months," Tatyana answered, nervously coupling her hands behind her back as she tapped the toe of her right heel on the floor.

"No call, no text. Could've at least sent an email," Kevon rambled.

Tatyana's hands found her hips. "To be fair, telling you like that would've been inadequate. News of that degree should be told face to face. Besides, I know how you get and don't want to be up at four in the morning cause you decide to visit randomly, Dad."

He laughed. "I was going to anyway. It was only if and when your mother was coming with me."

Emani giggled. "I wasn't going to come with him if he did."

"You couldn't stall him, Mom?"

"Nope!" The older woman playfully shot back. "I'm happily retired and need sleep. What do I look like taking a several-hour flight for some nonsense? This man drives me crazy already, so I don't want to deal with more in a different country."

Tatyana laughed, glad to see the banter between her parents still present. Even after decades of marriage and the hard times of the Unit, they could still joke with each other like they were still young ones in love. Tatyana missed that and hoped she would be as happy as they were in marriage one day.

'Maybe what Raven told me a few weeks ago...'

Kevon shook his head. "A guy can't help it. I've seen how men look at you, and I'm not risking it with anyone. Are you and Raven serious about each other?"

His daughter paused expectantly before answering. "Yes..."

"Good, cause if he breaks your heart, I'm breaking his—"

"Dad!"

Her parents laughed as their daughter's eyes closed while holding the bridge of her nose. "Please tell me you won't grill Raven about this?"

"Sorry, Ty. Raven is no exception to the rule per my prerogative."

"Can you not scare him off?"

"He'll accept my hard outer exterior if he's worth it."

Emani laughed. "Okay, lighten up, Kev. Don't freak her out, too."

Tatyana shook her head. "I'm pretty much past that point, Mom. I'm so doomed..."

"Maybe later you could show me the new moves you've learned since your last visit."

The master kunoichi smirked. "Think you can keep up?"

Kevon bobbed on his feet. "Try me."

"Do you guys always have to do this?" Emani asked in exasperation.

"It's a tradition at this point, sweetheart." Kevon eased into his stance and beckoned his daughter to come closer with a simple gesture. "Come on."

Tatyana swung a fist as Kevon leaned away to block her punch. He ducked her high kick, stepping back before noticing a shift in her footing. With a small grunt, Kevon hooked his foot around hers, bending enough to trip her. Tatyana almost fell had it not been for him gripping her tie.

Kevon laughed. "What's the score now? Thirteen to five now, right?"

Tatyana crossed her arms and huffed. "I hate that I never see it coming. The score is actually twenty-nine to five. You always get it wrong when you win."

Her father helped her return to a vertical base. "Don't worry, you'll get your wins when I'm in a wheelchair."

"So never, basically? Got it."

"If you two are done fighting like amateurs, we can get on with this whole thing," Emani interjected.

"Amateurs?" Kevon repeated, placing a hand on his chest in mock hurt. "Ouch."

Tatyana chuckled before returning to the operating room with her parents close behind. Upon entering, they found Borys discussing something with Lee while looking at a closed small wooden box and a mannequin head on a silver cart next to the surgical table in the center of the room. Borys noticed them approaching, and the conversation with Lee paused. The silver-haired tycoon stood with his hands behind his back.

"Are you ready to go over the procedure?"

Tatyana nodded. Behind her, Kevon and Emani shared expressions of concern.

"Okay..." Borys picked up the clipboard next to the mannequin head, which seemed to have moving parts. "This procedure is crucial and can only be done once. Our way of execution is fairly simple."

He tapped the button at the back of the mannequin's head, opening half to reveal a 3D model of the brain, its stem, nerves, veins, and muscles.

---

4:45 P.M.:

"Easier said than done," Kevon stated. "What are the downsides?"

"Even after a successful surgery, the downsides are precarious." Borys scratched the back of his head. "Tatyana could lose complete functionality in her right eye. She could go blind, slip into a coma with no possibility of waking up, become paralyzed from the neck down, or die during surgery. Opening the brain is risky, even for the most experienced neurosurgeons. I don't mean to be negative, but you have possible funeral plans and a written will, right?"

Raven tensed as he listened to the Polish doctor divulge the possibilities that could occur, grimacing slightly at the thought of burying Tatyana too soon. A gasp sounded from Emani, and tears began to pool in her eyes.

Kevon's gaze hardened. "What about using anesthesia and channeling ki to keep her alive during surgery?"

Borys facial expression twisted into one of uncertain nervousness. "As much as I'd want to, the uncertainty of the ki interfering with brain activity and possibly awakening Tatyana during surgery is too high of a death risk. The most I can do is give her enough to be unconscious but not fully to keep the risk of slipping into a coma low. The best we can hope for is good odds; your daughter's will to stay alive will see this through."

"So that's it!?" Kevon growled.

Borys hung his head, shaking it slowly at the arguments to come, the most hated part of his job.

"Dad—"

"We are not doing this!"

"Dad—"

"NO! That's final!" Kevon stormed out of the room.

Tatyana sighed, hating when he got like this. "Mom—"

"I'm sorry, Ty. But you're father's right. We're not losing you over a risky upgrade."

The comment stung, but her mother did have a valid point. With that, Emani left for the door to calm her husband outside. Tatyana could only sigh.

---

4:52 P.M.:

Kevon angrily paced the hall while Emani sat in a chair on the left side of the wall, her head in her hands concealing her emotions. Tatyana hadn't seen her parents this distraught since Victor's near trace with death during an encounter with Dragunov on an oil rig in Siberia. Several grumbles were muttered under Kevon's breath.

"This is stupid, to say the least, Tatyana. You can't just go off on an impulse of anger to risk your life for a piece of tech. You can still use your instincts or get shades like Victor."

Again, the comment stung.

"My instincts can only go so far, and glasses aren't my style," Tatyana stated. "It's not enough to be sharp anymore. I was caught and would've returned with debilitating injuries had it been a more critical situation. The world is becoming more technological, and we have to be able to keep up."

"Do you hear yourself right now!?" Her father questioned. "I can't tell if you're just being stupid or too stubborn to see the hazards of this whole thing."

She crossed her arms. "Stubborn, huh? Wonder where I get it from."

"You're father's right, Ty," Emani finally spoke, her voice soft with fear as she slowly exhaled and removed her hands from her face.

Tatyana's heart sank when she saw her mother's expression - mournful on her gracefully aged features with dimmed, pleading eyes. She held every urge to look away, knowing the cause of her parents' distress was enough to make her hands shake.

"It's too much of a risk for one piece of tech. We understand you designed it yourself, but neither of us is willing to lose you over this."

Right then, Tatyana's heart said to call off the procedure altogether. Still, her mind nearly clouded every thought with one single statement.

'If you run now, you'll never be as strong as you thought you were.'

"I swear I was hoping you'd make a stupid decision like every kid in their twenties, but you never did. I was proud but always dreaded that day, fearing what stupid decision you'd make when it finally came. But this? Tatyana... This is beyond idiotic and avoidable! You may act mature for your age but still young."

"Dad, I risk my life every day out there. This is no different."

"Yes, it is," Emani stated after standing from the chair. "Your father and I were proud when you wanted to join the Unit. It was in your blood. But I'd be lying if I said we endorsed it. Victor swore to pull you out if things went too critical during your first field mission. We dreaded every moment, hoping not to get that phone call. We took risks daily, and knowing you're out there is hard on us. You're not invincible, even with your skill. This time, we're both saying no. And neither of us are changing our minds."

The sharp expression on Emani's face struck a nerve with Tatyana. It hurt to know they didn't think she'd be capable, but not as much as the reassurance they'd rather her be angry than dead. She understood this pain well enough to know they meant well.

Kevon paused to regulate his breathing after stopping his pacing. "Our family will always be here, but Ty... you're not just our kid. You've grown into this wonderful woman, a deadly agent, and a daughter I'll gladly show around. And I—I'll be damned if I lose you while I'm still breathing and had a chance to stop it! Don't go through with this. You're not replaceable, and I'm not ready to lose the other treasure in my life."

"Please, Ty," her mother added, pleading with their daughter. "What would Raven think?"

Tatyana failed to stifle a gasp from leaving her hips, hands shaking uncontrollably before clenching into fists to hold back emerging tears.

'If you run now, you'll never be as strong as you thought you were.'

A hand on her chin, Tatyana's finger tracing the scar on the left side of her lips. Her first that accompanied her first kill.

---

Blood had stained Tatyana's hands as she shoved the blade of her dagger into the guy's stomach. Crunched bones, along with squelched flesh and organs, filled her ears; the aroma of blood invading her nose nearly caused her to vomit.

Only one thing flashed through her mind.  I… killed.

---

Tatyana blinked, letting her hands relax and fall with a calm voice devoid of anger. "Mom, Dad... You guys trust me, right?"

"Of course we do," Emani answered.

Kevon nodded his head. "With our lives."

"This may seem reckless, but you must trust my decision despite the inherent risks. There's uncertainty with everything, but it will take much more to kill me. And it sure won't be a surgery. If I do pass, you both can spit on my grave and have the words stupid on my tombstone."

A small smile soon formed on Emani's face, and a chuckle sounded from her father. "You know we'd never do that," Kevon said with a half smile.

"Yeah, but I just needed to emphasize how serious I am. But Dad..." A knowing expression painted Tatyana's face. "Please go easy on Raven while I'm gone."

He narrowed his eyes. "Not a chance."

Tatyana's shoulders fell. "Help me out here, Mom."

"Three months and no info? You brought this one on yourself, Ty."

"Great..."

---

5:11 P.M.:

Borys cleared his throat while eyeing the kunoichi with concerned hazel eyes. "Are you ready to proceed, Ms. Summers?"

She glanced back at her parents, who showed hopeful looks mixed with worry. Her eyes then found Raven, his expression subdued before he gave a curt nod.

Turning back to the Polish neurosurgeon, Tatyana nodded. "Affirmative."

Borys released a shaky breath, knowing a full day and night's work was ahead. "Piotr, Lee! Prepare yourselves for a long night. We have much to do and cannot afford any missteps."

Tatyana looked over at Victor, who nodded with a thumbs up.

---

5:22 P.M.:

Tatyana sat on the surgical table, feeling underdressed in a hospital gown with her black bra and suit pants underneath. She had a small moment of solace while her father, mother, and Victor went outside for some needed fresh air after that conversation. Borys, Piotr, Lee, and his assistant were preparing the required tools and Retinal Scanner for the procedure.

"Your father yells pretty loud," Raven remarked.

Tatyana chuckled nervously. "He did that a lot while training me. You were worried?"

A small smile formed on her boyfriend's face. "Can you blame a guy? Your father can be a bit-"

"Don't. I love you, but my Dad is off-limits despite being unreasonable sometimes. Only I'm allowed to say that."

"Point made. I just can't- Wait... Repeat what you said earlier?"

Tatyana decided to use telepathy to keep this part of their conversation private, especially from Lee. 'I love you. And not just because I'm about to undergo this procedure.'

Raven was shell-shocked at her admission coming so suddenly, so much that he was rendered momentarily speechless. 'I... why didn't you say anything before? Not that I'm complaining.'

'Just never found the appropriate setting until now. Horrible timing, I know. Spending this time with you, whether during missions, out in town, or privately, has been... wonderful. I know what I'm doing hurts you like it is my folks, but it's not out of spite.' Caringly, Tatyana reached a hand up to caress his face. 'Do you... see us having a future together?'

Regaining a semblance of clarity, Raven grasped her hand. 'I want to. No matter what happens, I'll be by your side like I've always been.' He gestured with his head in Lee's direction. 'What's he still doing here?'

'He'll be supervising the implanting process of the scanner and making sure it works before they close my skull.'

'I don't trust him, Ty.'

'Neither do I, but this is too important to leave out any loose ends. Which reminds me...' Tatyana dug into her pocket and took out the microchip from earlier. 'Give this to him for me, please.'

'Only cause you said please,' Raven replied before shocking Tatyana with a deep kiss. 'And I love you too. We'll be waiting on the other side.'

---

5:30 P.M.:

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

Borys took a deep breath. "Okay, making the first incision..."

The group stood behind the thickened glass walls enclosing the surgical table with six feet of space at each side to give the surgeons space to perform the procedure without outside interruptions. Only Borys, Piotr, Lee, and Aki were allowed inside the glass room. It was unnerving to see them stand over Tatyana's unconscious body, let alone with her brain and skull nearly on full display. The only hint of her consciousness was the occasional beep of the vital signs monitor on its stand.

Kevon stood next to his daughter's boyfriend. "She didn't warn you, did she?"

"Hmm?" Raven turned his head to the shorter man beside him.

"She figured it would be more of a real conversation if you didn't see it coming." Kevon's face became cold to accentuate his seriousness. "What is it you want from my daughter?"

"Kev, not now," Emani warned.

He shrugged her off, looking back at Raven and waiting for an answer.

"I don't get what you mean by that, sir."

"Cut the crap. You know exactly what I mean, Rashad. I know how men look at her, and I need to make sure you're not one of those lusting fools."

"With all due respect, since we're going by names now, Kevon. I have no intention of lusting after your daughter the same way outsiders do. I'm doing the exact opposite."

"Apologies, but I can't seem to believe that. I know when I'm being protective, but your exterior isn't doing much convincing."

Raven narrowed his eyes before returning to watch Borys and Piotr as they continued the surgery.

"You're not the only one with someone to lose here. Sure, I may not know Tatyana as well as her parents, but she's the love of my life, and I don't intend to let go of her. You may or may not believe me, but..." Raven removed his sunglasses. "Your daughter means more to me than words can describe. Whether you approve of me is your issue. But please understand that losing your daughter would mean losing the only person I'd want to share the rest of my life with."

Kevon nodded with crossed arms. "Glad to know, but I hope you put action behind those pretty words."

"I fully intend to."

"Good."

---

Post Surgery - 12:06 A.M.:

Borys examined the vital signs monitor on its stand, eyes narrowing at the screen. The bed holding Tatyana's unconscious body had been moved to a smaller, separate room that resembled one of a hospital. The surgery had been a success, but she still had yet to wake up and show if there were immediate side effects. Bandages stained with blood had been wrapped around her head to cover the stitches and cuts in her skull.

"Everything seems normal and stabilized. Tatyana's brain activity is minimal due to the anesthesia and should increase when she wakes up," Borys announced before glancing at her hopeful parents with tired hazel eyes. "You're free to stay as long as you like, but I can't say if she'll wake up tonight. The best we can hope for is she'll awaken tomorrow. However, it's proven that talking and holding hands help patients wake up from unconsciousness. I've also left a bottle of painkillers for her to take that should help with the pain adjustments of the copper rods in her head. Only give her two for now. If there's anything else you need, please call me. I'll come as soon as I can."

"Thank you, Borys," Victor said.

The Polish doctor nodded and left the room to talk with Piotr outside.

"Lee," the Frenchman called.

The tycoon looked up from his tablet. "Yes?"

"How long should it take her to adjust to its functions?"

Lee cleared his throat. "Full adjustment with vigorous practice should take five full days. It won't be hard to learn because of its ease of use and blink-sensitive capabilities. The sync with the UN Database and software upload went smoothly, so I have no doubts it will serve her well."

Victor nodded as he coupled his hands behind his back. "The best we can do is hope she wakes up soon."

Kevon sat beside the bed, his rough hands intertwining with Tatyana's soft, nearly lifeless one. It still channeled a comforting, soft warmth.

"Come back to us, Ty..."

---

Next Day - 2:23 P.M.:

Beep.

Beep.

Tatyana groaned, her right hand slowly clenching as she stirred. Kevon, Emani, and Raven froze while eyeing her in bed, waiting for any words. She attempted to open her eyes, only to be met with the stark, bright lighting. Her mouth opened to speak, but her ears began ringing as an intense pain erupted in the back of her head. The vital signs monitor began to beep furiously as her eyes rolled back.

"Fuck! Call the doctor!" Kevon roared in a panic, rushing over to his daughter. "Tatyana!? TATYANA!"

Words muffled into silence as everything blurred into a morbid silence...

Chapter 16: Trial - II

Pałac Kulutry i Nauki [Palace of Culture & Science] Underground UN Solider Base [Cybernetic Operating Room] - 2:27 P.M.:

"What happened!?" Borys questioned, keeping his eyes on the monitor while inserting a needle into the IV Bag's injection port hanging from the monitor. Fluid nearly filled the entire injection port.

"Tatyana was going to wake up, but her eyes rolled back into her head, and the monitor went off," Kevon explained.

The monitor still beeped furiously as the room's only sound with the group watching, fearing the worst. Piotr landed two fingers on Tatyana's neck, his jaw clenching as he felt her pulse jump under his fingers.

"Shit..."

"What's wrong?" Kevon demanded.

Borys rubbed the back of his neck. "We might need something stronger."

Beep.

"Answer me, damnit!"

Beep!

The Polish Doctor looked over the monitor, hiding his face to avoid panicking in front of the group behind him.

BEEP!

"Tatyana's brain activity has increased, but so has her rate. The pain kicked in sooner than we anticipated. She's fighting to wake up, but the pain from the metal rods is more than she can handle. Tatyana is in pain but not fully unconscious. If she doesn't relax soon, the morphine won't be able to kick in due to her adrenaline levels. She could die from extreme heart palpitations. The pain loop keeps it on overdrive, making it worse," Borys explained.

"Can't you fix it!?" Raven exclaimed.

"Medicinal drugs can only do so much; even the stronger ones don't usually work," Piotr added. "Ninjas' brains are always tricky. We could try anesthesia to help slow her heart rate. Alongside the morphine, it could do some good. However..."

Emani was near tears. "Borys...?"

"There's a chance Tatyana might slip into a coma. If not, she should wake up around five with a severe headache. Lee told me there would be the possibility of a pain surge with the needles inserted into her brain."

Kevon didn't hesitate. "Do it."

Borys nodded. "Piotr..."

"On it."

Piotr rushed out of the room and quickly returned with the anesthesia. Borys hung the new bag on the vital signs monitor just under the screen, slipping the needle at the end of the plastic pipe into Tatyana's arm and tapping it down. He squeezed the bag and watched the clear liquid disappear into the needle. Gradually, the beeping subsided to a regular tempo.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

Borys's eyes narrowed as he tapped a finger on his chin while studying the monitor. "Her adrenaline levels are falling, and brain activity is decreasing. We might be out of the woods, but keep watch. Tatyana will need some friendly faces when she wakes up."

Emani let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Ant."

He nodded. "No need. Just doing what I can to help a fellow family friend."

---

5:26 P.M.:

Kevon sat with Emani on one side of Tatyana's bed while Raven sat on the other. He held his daughter's hand while her boyfriend only stared longingly, hoping she'd wake up and say something witty like she always did when he was concerned for her wellbeing.

---

"Did you wait at the clinic's door like lost a puppy, Raven?"

He crossed his arms before huffing, "No. Cause I don't care about you at all."

Tatyana laughed. "Glad to know you and I are on the same page."

He rolled his eyes, but a small smile soon formed as she patted his back. "Thanks for waiting up."

---

Raven chuckled. "I remember times like this back under Chevalier Palace."

Kevon glanced over at the blonde-haired agent.

"I'd be waiting outside our built-in clinic for her to come out each time." Raven shook his head. "She'd always joke about it as if getting hurt was scrapping a knee. She never took it seriously. I remember feeling so bad when—"

A sharp inhale sounded from between the men. Tatyana's soft hand clenched, gently holding onto her father's hand. His rough skin and thick knuckles nearly put a smile on her face.

"Please don't... tell my Dad about that," Tatyana stated, her voice hoarse due to her dry throat. "He might jump over me and send you to the ER too."

Kevon laughed, sniffling as tears of joy slipped down his face and Emani's. "Don't you ever scare me like that again, girl!"

Emani let out a happy weep as her tears fell. Tatyana's eyes fluttered open, the stark lighting blinding as her vision began to sharpen. A sudden pain in her head reignited, not as intense as before but enough to still hurt. She smiled weakly after meeting her parents' eyes before looking at Raven.

"I told you guys. It's going to take more than surgery to kill me..." Tatyana felt her skull. "How long was I out?"

"That's not important," Raven quickly answered. "What is is that you're alive." He handed her the prescribed painkillers. "Here, doc's orders."

"Painkillers for breakfast? Lame."

After taking two pills and drinking some water, Tatyana inhaled sharply. "I hate pills. Did Borys say when I could leave?"

"No," Emani answered. "Considering your current condition, Ty, you shouldn't be going anywhere anyway."

Tatyana slowly blinked her eyes. "Fine. I'll stay in bed."

Kevon chuckled. "Glad you're back."

Click.

Victor and Borys entered the room, the Polish Doctor holding a keyboard and pen. The Frenchmen had a bag and his subordinate's tablet in each arm. Borys smiled at his most recent patient, conscious after the panic from hours ago.

"Glad you're finally awake," Borys remarked with a nod. "I was starting to get worried. I don't mean to intrude, but I need to check off a few items before I can determine the severity of her scars. Alright, Ms. Summers. I'll need you to move your appendages as I call them out."

Tatyana nodded as the searing pain behind her head subsided to warm numbness as if it wasn't there, the strong painkillers doing their job.

"Hands."

Although slow, both her hands clenched into fists before relaxing again.

Borys checked the first box. "Knees."

Tatyana lifted her legs, both knees tenting the long hospital wedding gown.

Another box checked. "Good, good. Feet."

Her black leather heels moved from side to side before relaxing. Emani sighed in relief, knowing her daughter wasn't paralyzed.

"Seems like it was a success," Borys surmised. "Victor."

"Hmm?"

"Tatyana is not to do strenuous activity for the next few days." The Polish Doctor tapped a finger on his chin. "However, considering the fast healing capacities of a ninja, the bandages can be removed as soon as each cut has healed. Considering how fast you heal, it should only take a day or two. Take one painkiller daily after breakfast, and please take it easy, Tatyana. I don't want to reopen your head to fix an overloaded scanner because you can't sit still."

She rolled her eyes as Raven and her parents chuckled. Victor smirked at the comment but said nothing.

"What do you think we've been trying to tell her for the past six years?" Kevon remarked.

"Right," Borys added. "Feel free to leave once you can walk, Tatyana."

Emani opened her mouth to speak, but Borys stopped her. "Please, no need to thank me. Just doing what I can to keep a family together. Tatyana alive and well is thanks enough. Until next time, friends."

With that, the Doctor left the room.

"I'm surprised," Tatyana began. "Lee didn't want to come to ruin the mood?"

Victor chuckled. "Left early on purpose, ironically enough. He couldn't bear the thought of seeing you bedridden. I guess he'd rather wait to see your healthy glare another time we have to cross paths."

She laughed. "One less thing to worry about. What's with the bag?"

"Clothes, and I made you breakfast."

"Thanks, Vic."

He nodded, pressing the power button on the tablet and swiping left until reaching the instructions for the retinal scanner. "The use of the scanner is straightforward, but I'm not going to go through the full uses yet with you. I just need to make sure it works. Blink twice."

Tatyana followed his instruction, and a small beep sounded from her tablet. Her eyes widened slightly as a blue line ran down her right eye. Scanning her surroundings, an outline of white light appeared over Victor, Raven, and her parents.

"See anything?"

At the bottom corner of her eye were the words Syncing…

Soon, information on the four people in her sight appeared in her vision.

CODENAME: Raven

REAL NAME: Rashad Xaviers

AGE: 27

RANK: Jōnin [2nd Ruler]

NINJUTSU TECHNIQUE: Shadow Clones, Phasing, Slight Teleportation

WEAPON: Dual Daggers

STATUS: Alive [Temporarily Off Duty]

CODENAME: Phantom Raven

REAL NAME: Victor Chevalier

AGE: 62

RANK: Mentor

NINJUTSU TECHNIQUE: Teleportation [Glitched]

WEAPON: Charged Katana, Dual Karambit Knives, Sig Sauer p3204 Pistol

STATUS: Alive [Temporarily Off Duty]

CODENAME: Lotus

REAL NAME: Emani Jada Summers

AGE: 54

RANK: Iron Fist Mentor [At Time of Retirement]

NINJUTSU TECHNIQUE: Teleportation [Smoke]

WEAPON: Dual Wakizashi Blades

STATUS: Alive [Retired]

CODENAME: Master Raven 03

REAL NAME: Kevon Eli Summers

AGE: 56

RANK: Master [At Time of Retirement]

NINJUTSU TECHNIQUE: Teleportation [Smoke]

WEAPON: Shuko Tegaki Claw Blades

STATUS: Alive [Retired]

"Huh, that will take some time to get used to. I forgot you were sixty-two, Vic," Tatyana jested.

The silver-haired fighter rolled his eyes in annoyance while Kevon and Raven laughed. Victor hated being reminded of his age, though he still moved as he did in his late twenties. He always ignored his age after seeing his first silver hair follicle at forty-nine. Age was a reminder of his long years. Victor avoided that topic despite a fulfilling life, but his close agents were always an exception.

"Good. It works. Blink once for rest mode. Twice for on and off."

She blinked once.

The words Rest Mode sat in the bottom corner of her eyes before three dots replaced them.

---

7:21 P.M.:

Tatyana sat cross-legged on the hospital bed, donning her untucked button-down shirt as she ate from the bento box Victor made. Katsudon - a heavy fruit salad along with two brownies. The agents bonded over shared stories as Kevon detailed a sparring match between him and Tatyana when she was sixteen.

"What!?" Tatyana remarked, her head shooting up from her bento box, muffled by the food nearly packed in one side of her mouth.

Emani shook her head, chuckling. "Mouth full, Ty."

Raven chuckled at her childish action. 'Cute.'

After swallowing her food, Tatyana cleared her throat and pointed her chopsticks at her father with a wry smile. "Okay, that is not what happened."

"So, I didn't slam you to the mat?" Kevon retorted with a grin.

"You do this on purpose! I would've won if you hadn't phased back."

Her father held his hands up in mock surrender. "It was an accident!"

Tatyana rolled her eyes. "Show off. I was one second away from winning when he cheats, and—"

"Oh, here comes the ankle sweep, and oh no..." Kevon punched his fist into the palm of his other hand. Smack. "Mat slam. K.O.! Round three win."

Raven and Victor laughed while Tatyana rolled her eyes. "You still cheated."

Emani nodded. "She's right, Kev. That would technically make the score twenty-eight to six."

"It's been ten years since that happened," Kevon recounted. "You two holding grudges now?"

"Don't even. I was merely the referee," Emani playfully shot back.

"You waited ten years. Shame, Jada. I thought you didn't take sides."

She raised an eyebrow with a knowing expression. "I'm gonna remember that next time your Mom visits."

Kevon nervously gulped. "No need to bring Sheila into this. I'll take my loss."

Raven chuckled before discreetly looking over at his girlfriend. 'You lived with this at home?'

Tatyana nodded with a bemused smile. 'All the time.'

'Beautiful, isn't it?' Victor jumped into their telepathic conversation. 'Love like this never comes easy, but it's never a bore to experience.'

'One day, hopefully,' Raven thought.

'One day...' Tatyana repeated.

"Okay, okay," Kevon relented. "Why am I always the bad guy? You've had some moments too. Oh, I remember well. Your visits to the lake were more than eventful."

Tatyana spoke through her teeth in bashful annoyance. "Do you have to mention that?"

Raven grinned mischievously. "What time? What happened?"

"Raven," Tatyana warned.

Emani laughed. "Okay, that wasn't me cheating, but..."

Tatyana's head shook before it hung low. "God, why?"

Her mother laughed. "I was trying to fix her balance outside walking on rails. I took her to a lake near our place in Neo City, where a wide dock was stuck six feet from land. I made her practice a handstand on the edge. Five minutes in, she falls!"

"God, the water was so cold," Tatyana recounted. "But at four in the morning, Mom?! A girl needs her rest."

Emani shrugged her shoulders, her face non-verbally saying, Not sorry.

A few laughs ushered from the men as Tatyana grumbled. "I hated Saturdays for that specific reason."

"It did help with your balance, so you should be proud," Victor stated.

"Wait, wait," Kevon interjected. "Didn't you push your mother into the water at one point?"

Tatyana laughed with a proud expression. "Sure did."

Emani sighed, containing her laugh.

"It was so funny. Mom climbed out quickly, screaming: Ah, it's so cold! Oh my god! Oh my god!"

Emani laughed. "We cut training early and went home to a much-needed mug of hot cocoa."

"Lucky win, I'd say," Raven remarked.

"I should've grounded you for that, Ty."

Tatyana smirked. "Are you mad you didn't see that coming or the fact that I did?"

"Both," her mother snipped, crossing her arms.

The group laughed again, but a sharp sound caught their attention.

Beep.

Beep.

Victor obtained his phone from inside his pants pocket and stood from his seat. "Business calls once more. As much as I'd like to hear more embarrassing stories of your childhood, Tatyana, I have to see the current situation on our criminal trio."

"Booo!" Kevon disapproved. "You never hang out."

"Don't worry, I'll catch you next time at Thanksgiving. I'll bring the beer."

"Deal."

Victor nodded, looking over at Raven and Tatyana. "I'll see you two at the loft once finished with this."

"Understood," Raven replied.

With that, the silver-haired agent left the hospital room.

Kevon also stood from his chair. "I guess that means we should get going too."

"Why?" Raven protested. "I was learning so much."

Tatyana glared at her boyfriend. "Shut up."

Emani laughed. "Yeah, don't wanna distract her from eating. She's barely touched her brownies."

Her daughter's eyes rolled before she thought of something from earlier.

"Took you both long enough."

"Uh... Mom," Tatyana called, the uncertainty in her voice audible as she tapped her chopsticks on the box's edge. "About earlier, what you said about Raven and I. What did you mean by that?"

Kevon raised an eyebrow, slipping an arm through the sleeve of his leather jacket.

Emani racked a hand into her long, flowing dreadlocks. "It was only a matter of time before you both got together. Plus..." She winked at her daughter. "Mother's intuition. Sure, you could've dated anyone else, but having a relationship with a normal guy outside the clan would've been too mundane for you. Like your father, you need someone who can keep up, if not be nearly the same level. Despite only seeing you a few times during training in Chevalier Palace, it was clear how you and Raven interacted during spars, conversing and always getting in trouble."

Raven pointed an accusing finger at his superior. "Your daughter is a bad influence."

"It was no surprise and would only be a matter of when. Honestly, you two took the longest to admit it."

Both younger agents couldn't help but laugh.

"That would explain your small jokes back then, Mrs. Summers," Raven commented, remembering one of her commonly used jokes.

---

"Another pair of love birds in the nest," Emani said with a smirk.

Tatyana looked over with vivid confusion. "What?"

"Oh, nothing. You'll understand soon enough."

"Okay...?"

---

Tatyana shook her head. "Missed that one completely."

"You both did. But you're father's right. We should get going, as I'm sure Victor will have you two working again once you leave here."

Raven sighed. "Not looking forward to that, but this was fun."

A soft smile formed on Emani's face as she stood. "We should do this again when it's not a doom situation."

"Hopefully, it won't be at my expense," Tatyana growled lowly.

Kevon walked over and kissed his daughter's cheek. "No promises, Ty. We'll stay in Poland for two days to ensure you're okay."

"And do call should you need anything," Emani finished.

After sharing a hug and final goodbye with each of her parents, Tatyana and Raven stood.

Kevon eyed him up and down before extending his hand. "Good seeing you again, Rashad."

"Likewise, sir," Raven replied with a firm shake.

Kevon stood outside the room, knowing his wife would speak with the blonde-haired agent.

"Apologies for Kevon's... aggressive behavior. He's extremely protective of Tatyana regarding other men outside the family."

"It's no one's fault, Mrs. Summers. She's worth protecting."

Emani's expression softened as she touched Raven's shoulder. "Not just Kevon, we all are. You're part of the family now, so you have our support and scrutiny."

Raven nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "I understand and will do my best to live up to it."

Emani showed a warm smile. "I have no doubts you will. Your mother would be proud, as I'm sure your father is. But I should go before Kevon starts worrying I'm giving you too much advice."

Nodding, Raven and Tatyana watched as the older woman departed, but not before giving each a reassuring smile. Tatyana was about to discuss something with her boyfriend before hearing her mother's telepathic voice.

'Take care of him too, Ty. You're no longer a single entity now.'

Tatyana looked at her mother. 'Right.'

With that, Emani left the room and joined her husband.

Raven crossed her arms. "Would your Dad fight me for that?"

"Probably, but I'm not willing to test that theory. Dad's warming up to you since I told him you're serious about us. If anyone threatens or fights you, it will probably be him. Luckily, you weren't around to hear that one."

"I don't even want to ask, but as your parents said, eat up. Victor needs us back at the loft for a new mission briefing and to get you adjusted to your upgrade."

She sighed. "Despite the torture of embarrassment, I was actually enjoying being bedridden."

"That's a first."

Tatyana shrugged. "Duty calls. Whatever's next will require our immediate attention."

---

Atrium Promenada [Shopping Mall, Rooftop] - 8:20 P.M.:

Nina's phone vibrated in her hand with a new text notification. A total of four texts from The Doctor. She tapped the notifications, each showing a brief list of details of the informants' names she requested. Her blue eyes narrowed at the first message.

Informant #1

CODENAME: Aux

LOCATION: Neo City, Downtown [Avery Heights Apartment, Room 340]

NOTE: 4 Soldiers On Patrol

Skilled in close combat & uses a bowie knife when fighting

Informant #2

CODENAME: Moon

LOCATION: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

NOTE: 2 Soldiers On Patrol

Skilled in karambit knives and poisonous dust [Distracting her opponents]

Is very fond of arson and bombs

LEAVE HER ALIVE FOR ME TO STUDY…

Informant #3

CODENAME: L3xi

LOCATION: Paris, France [Seine River, Royal Larrieux Hotel-Penthouse Suite]

NOTE: 7 Soldiers on Patrol

Skilled in using a chain as a weapon with boxing

Informant #4

CODENAME: Red Capulet

LOCATION: Unknown [Never stays still]

NOTE: Often travels alone

Skilled in dual wielding, prefers a pistol and short sword

Subject is never far from where the one named Master Raven is [10 Mile Radius]

A heinous smirk plastered itself on Nina's face. "Perfect."

She turned around as the man of the hour and her long-time partner in her early days working under the Mishima Zaibatsu. He was a tall man with tanned skin, slim dark brown eyes, a pointed nose, mature facial features, and a neatly trimmed box beard connected to a low-shaven undercut. He wore a mostly black outfit with red detailing on his top. Black dress shoes, suit pants with extra armor strapped to his knees and upper thighs, and a Canik SFx Rival-S holstered at his waist. His armored Tekken Force vest with red detailing was fastened to his upper body. Over that was a long black trench coat and armored tactical black leather gloves fastened to each hand.

"Found your first kill?" Haruto questioned.

He raised his thick eyebrow, accentuating his hardened ocus, a usual cold stare resembling a glare. One that said, I could kill you.

"Codename is Aux. He's in Neo City, downtown specifically."

Haruto crossed his arms. "Hmm... Aron seems excited to get another job. That or he set his sights on a new plaything."

She scoffed. "Master Raven is my kill, but Aron should be in town. I need to sharpen my knife skills for this plan."

The former Tekken Force Commander narrowed his gaze. "I don't trust him. You didn't give him much to study in return. You're not careful; he could take that kunoichi right from you."

"I can handle it. Are you prepared to leave?"

"I'll send you a location. Make sure to pack everything before you leave. We can't afford noticeable traces."

Nina smirked. "Routine as usual, Haruto. I'll be there."

"Good."

Haruto began walking away, his footsteps echoing into the calm night silence before stepping onto the roof of an outdoor elevator and then jumping off. The ends of his trench coat flapped in the air behind him like a pair of long tails of a shadow. The rhythmic sounds of a subway train's wheels loudened in the tunnel he was heading for.

Nina blinked as Haruto seemingly disappeared into the tunnel's shadow. He leaned against the train's outskirts and stood on the connecting chain.

---

Vistula River; Coastal Loft - 9:31 P.M.:

Raven's eyebrows furrowed, scrolling through the functions of the retinal scanner on his superior's tablet screen.

· Thermal Mode

· Instant Information Retrieval

· Identification Scanning

· Enemy/Target & Location Tagging

· Calling Autopilot Equipped Vehicles [Precise Location]

· Automatic Hacking

· Weak Point Detection

· Mission Suit Sync

"That's... a lot."

The Ravens stood in the living room, waiting for Victor to return. In the meantime, they figured to familiarize Master Raven with its functions.

"The good thing is you can blink off some of these. The other news is that most of this will require subconscious focus. Did you add a three-way surveillance feature?"

Master Raven nodded. "In case I need to relay important information without compromising getting caught during a covert mission. I need to make sure we're all on the same page."

"Makes sense. You'll get the hang of it."

Raven the top of the screen. A smaller screen appeared at the bottom left corner of the tablet's screen, displaying a mini view of himself as he stood in the living room.

"Okay, try thermal mode."

Her eyebrows creased. "How?"

"Blink, of course. It should work automatically if you're thinking about it.

Master Raven did just that, the room painted in purple, with Raven now a still silhouette of yellow, red, and orange.

"Good. Now, mark me like you would a soldier."

She blinked again - A white O appearing over his silhouette.

"Reset."

The colors returned to the small screen.

"Now, scan me."

Soon, information appeared on the mini screen's left side until it began to visibly glitch. Raven looked up at his girlfriend, her right eye now holding a pale blue color. His eyebrows furrowed. 'Is that…supposed to happen?'

Master Raven inhaled sharply, a sting erupting in her head that grew in intensity. A yellow warning sign pulsed in and out of view in the center as the screen disappeared, words now plastered at the screen's bottom.

SCANNER STATUS... Deactivated.

Her eye reverted to its original honey-brown color as the pain slowly subsided.

Raven's eyebrows furrowed under his shades. "Hm... that's gonna take some work. I guess we'll save that for later when your head heals."

Cli-Click.

Victor entered the living room. "I don't mean to interrupt your small testing session, but I require a special vision for a reconnaissance operation. Some soldiers have spotted an unauthorized private jet nearby."

Both agents looked at each other before following their superior out of the loft's entrance.

---

PKP Cargo Connect Terminal:

Victor, Raven Master Raven hid behind a shipping container. The cool night and dark shadows against the bright lighting of a tall lamppost crafted the perfect setting for watching from the shadows. Ideal, at least for Master Raven and Raven, with Victor standing out due to his silver suit. They all could sense the presence of several other people. Not calm, dormant auras of regular citizens. These were stronger and abnormally vibrant. A slight wind blew, the woman's tie waving in the wind.

Raven couldn't help snickering. "This is why spies wear black suits, Vic. Classic and easier to blend in."

The older man rolled his eyes.

Master Raven looked up at a lamppost nearby, a perfect vantage point to see who was in their proximity. She took a step forward.

"Wait," Raven stopped her. "Should you even be teleporting right now?"

She stayed silent, her focus sharpening even as her boyfriend eyed the bandages on her head.

Poof.

Raven sighed. "She's supposed to be taking it easy."

"True, but you know she hates it when you eye her injuries when saying things like that," Victor reminded. "Like it's out of pity since she's injured."

"Just hope nothing bad happens up there."

Master Raven stood on the lamppost with impeccable balance despite wearing heels. She slowly crouched into a low squat, resting both arms on her thighs. With a blink, the retinal powered on. Raven and Victor's glasses showed the expansive lot from atop the lamppost.

"She paired it with both our shades," Victor remarked. "Ingenious."

Able to see the armored Mishima Zaibatsu private jet from her vantage, Master Raven's vision quickly turned purple, words sitting at the bottom of her right eye. Thermal Mode Active. Master Raven narrowed her eyes to scan the lot before her sight landed on a duo of figures. A blue outline appeared as the scanner automatically zoomed in, and several lines of information appeared beside the figure.

Nina Williams

"Silent Assassin"

Assassination Arts

Weapons: Dual Fort 12 Pistols

The unwanted yellow triangle of warning pulsed in her vision again. With a slight growl, the woman blinked it away even as the pain in her head returned. She looked over at the person Nina was talking to. Again, an outline and words appeared.

Haruto Iketamo

"Commander Crow"

Shaolin Kung Fu, Krav Maga

Weapons: A Modded 1911 Pistol [Red Steel Buster]

The pain worsened, and Master Raven inhaled sharply to channel her Ki.

Poof.

Victor's eyebrows creased, and the warning sign turned to a light shade of orange as he looked over at Raven. "What's the warning for?"

"The scanner is sensing strain on her mind. She needs to shut it off for a few minutes."

"I'd com her if she had her earpiece on."

Master Raven grunted, hands gripping a pipe that lined the high bridge near Nina, Haruto, and the jet. She focused on the two again.

"You made sure to cover your tracks?" Haruto questioned.

Nina smirked. "Amateur hour, Crow. I never leave a trace."

"You weren't followed?"

"Of course not. The curious security guard should be found two days from now."

The former Commander rolled his eyes but paused. Master Raven swung herself back and forth towards a small opening of the nearby bridge's leg, big enough for her to hide in and a shadow dark enough. She swung forward...

Tck!

Haruto's head shot up, a few dark birds flying off from the bridge's guardrail. His eyes narrowed, jaw clenching. A single car went by, its yellowed headlights filling the dim night and lining the bridge. Master Raven breathed heavily, sitting with one leg lying down and the other bent with her arm resting upon it. She swallowed hard, feeling her heart pound as her hands stung after nearly slipping had it not been for the pointed toes and rubber heel of her shoes catching the thick concrete. The pain in her head intensified even more as she turned slightly, her eyes landing on the jet while listening to Nina and Haruto's conversation.

"Are you sure you have nothing to do while we're here?" Haruto pressed. "No last confirmation visit with Dragunov?"

"He'll be hiding out until this part is done."

A third heat signature of a person looking over a box caught Master Raven's attention, one that wasn't a Tekken Force soldier standing on guard.

"Is Aron inside?" Nina asked.

Master Raven slid a kunai from her pocket, able to see him through the window. She could kill him right now and foil whatever plans Nina had with this crazed criminal.

"Unfortunately. Aron's been eager to speak with you again."

"Right…"

"If he pulls anything, I'm sending him to visit his victims at first chance."

"Got it. Anna will meet us in Neo City after we've landed."

Master Raven narrowed her eyes, the scanner zoomed in, and another outline appeared in the box he was leaning over. Her slim eyebrows furrowed, the box filled with numerous knives, syringes, and surgical tools.

"What the hel—"

The triangle turned dark orange and quickly to red.

"Agh!"

Both criminals froze before the former Commander shouted, "Let's go! Now!"

Poof.

Raven caught his girlfriend in his arms as Master Raven stood on her feet but felt weak and on the verge of collapsing. One of her hands noticeably shook, and the pain behind her head only seemed to worsen as though it was piercing more than just that area.

Master Raven looked up at Victor's hard look of exasperation before hanging her head low, the bandages darkened with blood seeping through them.

"They're heading to Neo City; I wasn't able to catch why or a specific location-"

"Not another word, Master Raven."

Victor never called her that outside a mission unless agitated.

---

Coastal Loft - 9:57 P.M.:

Raven placed the roll of bandages down on the kitchen counter after applying the last bandage clip to the back of his girlfriend's head. Victor stood behind the counter, leaning against the fridge with his arms crossed. Tatyana sat utterly still, her suit jacket hanging on the back of the chair.

"Done," Raven declared.

"Give us a moment, Raven."

With a mute nod, Raven headed for his room and closed it behind him without glancing back, knowing what would occur. Victor stood from the fridge, walking over directly in front of his top subordinate. Master Raven leaned her arm on the counter, chin resting in her palm. She tore her dark tie from her collar and tossed it away.

"You cannot keep doing this, Tatyana," Victor began.

His voice was softer than she thought it would be, laced with concern that had an underlying sharpness.

"I get that you want to continue to be on top as an agent, and I know you hate being off duty when injured. But..."

Victor paused, a feeling of déjà vu settling on his shoulders after conversing with Kevon two decades ago.

'The irony of it all.'

"I'm not going to allow you to do this again. Especially after being fresh off the surgery fiasco."

Needless to say, Master Raven was shocked. "Vic—"

"No. I've been lenient for too long. Even then, I took risks letting you back into the field with your injuries. It won't be tolerated any longer. As of now, you are to take time off to recover until I say otherwise."

"Victor, come on!" Master Raven pleaded. "That was my first try, and I discovered where they're going. I can't be on off duty at a time like this!"

His silver eyebrows only sunk, accentuating his already displeasure, seemingly cold without his glasses to hide them. "You can and will. They fled because of your impatience, something unbecoming of a Master Ninja. You are on bed rest until further notice. That's an order. Understood?"

She sighed. "Understood."

"We're leaving for Neo City soon, and I fully expect you to head home once we land. If not, there will be severe consequences."

"Yes, sir." Master Raven gathered her jacket and tie before departing for her room without another word.

Victor's shoulders relaxed as he sighed. "Just like Kevon..."

Master Raven sat on her bed, light eyes staring at the carpeted floor below her heels. Her eyes wandered to her sheathed blade leaning against the corner. She scoffed, hating being injured for this reason and sitting idle to feel useless - exactly like her father. It was incredibly frustrating when she wasn't using the time for meditation or relaxation. She slowly brought a hand to the back of her head, fingers landing on the new bandages. It felt foreign and odd as the spot her hand touched stung. A sharp inhale escaped her before she removed her hand.

"Okay... This shouldn't be too hard."

Despite relenting, Master Raven had difficulty relaxing with a mission in progress, even after disputing with her superior. Luckily, she took on her mother's self-awareness, knowing fully when she was in the wrong.

"Just a few days..."

---

Mishima Zaibatsu Private Jet - 11:01 P.M.:

Shing!

A quick hand snatched the knife from Nina's hands before the tip landed at her throat. She inhaled sharply, feeling the blade nearly poking into her skin. A cynical, bloodthirsty chuckle sounded behind her. The edge of the blade was cold against her neck, grimacing as she held still. Knowing Aron could fully see a vein pulse under his blade.

"When they block, swipe their knife and slash... or stab. Either way, blood will be on the floor," Aron explained before chuckling. "I can't remember when you and I were this close, Nina. I still wonder what would happen if I poked your porcelain curtain and saw the color drip freely."

"Can it, Doc," Nina snapped, spinning around and pointing one of her pistols at his head.

Aron stared at her unimpressed before his face twisted into a wide grin, a wicked laugh echoing from the unlicensed Doctor. He bent backward, pointing at the blonde before quickly calming his laughter with a sigh. His shoulders were hunched over as the familiar twisted smirk plastered onto his face.

Tap.

He suddenly stepped toward her with both hands clasped behind his back before bending down to her level. Their faces were inches away, close enough for Aron to count each eyelash.

"Do you feel threatened, Williams? Do I... scare you?"

She gritted her teeth. "You're a creep with more sense of criminal brain than most people I've met."

He chuckled, blinking his purple eyes. "Thank you..."

Aron paused, his gaze leaving her jaw almost seeming to peel back the skin with his stare alone before inhaling sharply. "I hope you know I have my eye on a few people surrounding those informants..."

Slipping her pistol back into the holster on her leg, Nina crossed her arms.

"I want the tall one. Usually, I hate imperfect scars ruining the natural skin's beauty. But... I'd love nothing more than to see how she functions. Her brain, bones, and possibly create fresh scars before I carve away the flesh within. I must have her."

Nina glared daggers at him. "Master Raven is mine."

He smiled, a wide, broken one with his canines glowing in the light. Nina restrained herself from shooting him between the eyes to get rid of that mocking smirk, her hand trembling near her pistol.

"That's if I don't take her first." Aron ran his long tongue over his top left canine, pointing the knife at her right eye as his head tilted at an odd angle. "Let's try again, shall we?"

Nina swiped the knife from him while rolling her eyes. Haruto stepped away from the door to the cabin, hiding in the spacious cockpit's dim shadow. His dark eyes met Aron's teasing purple irises before disappearing out of view.

---

Coastal Loft - 12:01 P.M.:

Master Raven lay on her bed, donning her usual pajamas of a black sleeveless cropped shirt and shorts while staring at the ceiling from being bored of switching modes with her retinal scanner. Her tablet was beside her as she ignored the sting in her head. An annoyed sigh escaped as she placed her arm over her eyes.

'Victor's right. I should've returned sooner. But why—'

A sound at her door pulled her from her thoughts.

"Come in..."

With a slight creak of her door, Raven stepped inside and stood in the doorway, surprised to see his superior still in her pajamas.

"You decided not to come?"

"Victor ordered me to take a few days of recovery and practice with my new upgrade due to last night's close call."

Raven sighed before walking over to stand over her, his eyes landing on the nightstand near the bed. An untouched glass of water with a trio of ice cubes sat next to her bottle of painkillers.

He raised an eyebrow. "How's your head?"

"Usual headache," she casually answered.

A deep frown formed on Raven's face. "Tatyana..."

Reluctantly, Tatyana sat up in bed before taking a pill and drinking the water afterward with an exhale. "Happy now?"

"Doctors orders, unless you want to keep wearing those bandages in your head. I hope you have a more constructive way to pass the time while we're gone. Victor and I will scout Dragunov's last location before doing the same to Bishop's mansion."

"So fun stuff. Come to rub it in my face?"

Raven knew she was only speaking like this due to being forced to take it easy with her current injuries. He chuckled before pecking her cheek. "Take it easy. If not for yourself, do it for me. I want you back at my side, but that can't happen if you're not relaxing properly."

Her agitation softened. "Fine, since you asked and not demand."

"Cool."

Raven exited without another word. Tatyana groaned again and lay back down, alone in her thoughts and boredom. The pain in her head had begun to subside but did nothing to end her itch to follow Raven and Victor. However, she knew better than to disobey the Frenchman's orders.

"If I'm going to be stuck here all day, I should at least do something..."

She stood from her bed, stretching each hand overhead before performing a handstand. She took a deep breath as her arm was at an angle, slowly lifting her body weight.

"Jeez..."

Her muscles strained. Usually, doing a handstand while meditating was effortless for Tatyana. Being bedridden for nearly two days had taken a toll on her surface-level capabilities. The strong painkillers didn't help either. With a resigned sigh, she fell back to her feet with a hand on her hip while rubbing the back of her neck.

"This is going to be one hell of an ordinary day..."

Sitting back down on the bed, Master Raven stared at the ceiling and remained that way for the next several hours. She spent most of it reading and meditating, not bothering to resume testing her retinal scanner further. Instead, Master Raven focused on restrengthening her Ki and taking one of her days of mandatory relaxation. After all, she wanted these bandages off her head to return to fieldwork as soon as possible. Raven reminded her she couldn't do that if she disregarded Borys's instructions.

---

8:48 P.M.:

Nightfall had enveloped Poland, and Master Raven found herself reading a random book from the shelf. It was called 'Marks of a Ninja' by Yukiozo Manji.

Click.

Raven opened the door. "Hey."

"Hey," Master Raven replied, putting the book down.

A smile formed on her face at seeing her boyfriend still dressed in his mission suit. Raven approached before sitting at the end of the bed and lying beside her.

"Been keeping busy?"

"As busy as a flower in the sun."

He laughed. "Sounds boring."

"Don't remind me. Felt weird not being able to meditate while doing a handstand. Never thought I'd miss my routine until now."

"A workaholic even when relaxing. Who has a routine for relaxing?"

"It helps to keep my mind off this whole mission." Master Raven huffed. "You guys are out having fun while I'm stuck here."

Raven rolled to his side to face her while propping his chin on his hand. "You're the lucky one. I had to scope out a tunnel train system built by the Russian army during the fifth tournament. It almost turned critical if Victor hadn't seen that last soldier."

"Like I said, fun stuff."

---

Next Day - 12:14 P.M.:

Master Raven observed her reflection in the mirror as her brown eyes turned gold in the bathroom's light. She stared at the bandages over her head, slightly off-white from being a day old. A hand landed on the back of her head for a tap. The stained bandages no longer stung. Carefully, she unrolled the bandages and placed them on the counter before feeling there again. Her hair was ruffled messily, but there was no scar or seam in her skin where they made incisions. With a sigh of relief and a small smile, Master Raven tossed the bandages and clips into the trashcan by the door before turning off the light and heading back into her room. She reclined on her bed, blinking amid the stale silence of her room before her light brown eyes landed on her tablet.

"Some research wouldn't hurt."

With a short blink, Master Raven's right eye faded into that pale blue as three lines of words appeared across her right eye.

UNITED NATIONS DATABASE

USERNAME:

PASSWORD:

The information almost instantly filled the login page without a second thought. Master Raven quickly searched for Anna Williams in the database, hoping to find useful information.

"SCARLET LIGHTNING"

NAME: Anna Williams

AGE: 43

HEIGHT: 5'6

ORIGIN: Ireland

WANTED IN: United States, Ireland, Japan, Italy

KNOWN CRIMES: Murder, Arson, Breaking & Entering, Kidnapping, Aiding G-Corporation Military, Evading Authorities

KNOWN ALLIES: Bishop, The Mechanic, Kazuya Mishima, Lee Chaolan, Bruce Irvin

Master Raven mostly skimmed over the long paragraphs until she came across a particular name in a paragraph.

Bishop

Eyes narrowed as Master Raven automatically searched for his name in the article. A particular paragraph caught her eye, containing a picture of a newspaper's front page.

BISHOP, A NEW PROBLEM IN POLAND!

A lavishly dressed criminal named Bishop kills crime lord Arnold Istani and raids home for his chess-themed cane.

PARTNERS IN RED

Bishop and Anna Williams were seen together raiding a Mishima Zaibatsu laboratory - an explosion afterward led to over a hundred deaths of Tekken Force soldiers and employees. It's believed that Bishop also has contact with a criminal named The Doctor. Master Raven scrolled to the bottom of the page and viewed the date.

11/2

Cross-referencing recent headlines with that date, she skimmed through several articles and news reports until one headline specifically caught her attention.

ASSASSIN MEETS A DOCTOR, ANOTHER G-CORPORATION LABORATORY ATTACKED!

Blonde haired Silent Assassin clashes with a known psychopath, Aron Atlas. Both were caught on camera fighting before escaping the facility together.

"Wait..." Master Raven searched the Doctor's name and found... "Local Harvard student and G-Corporation intern, Aron J. Atlas miss—"

Ding-Dong.

She blinked before sitting up in her bed. "We have a doorbell?"

Cautiously, Master Raven grabbed a kunai from her nightstand drawer and walked towards the door. Her footsteps became lightly silent with caution as she hid the weapon carefully behind her back. Master Raven's eyes widened at who was at her doorstep.

"Mom...?"

Her mother donned another causal outfit similar to yesterday. Brown, knee-high suede boots with short heels, jeans, and a long-sleeved white turtleneck sweater with a heart-shaped cut below the collar. Resting around her neck was a thin chain of polished gold.

Emani laughed, raising an eyebrow with a knowing smirk. "Were you really going to stab the first person you see at the door?"

Sighing with a subdued chuckle, Tatyana stepped aside for her to enter before closing the door. "Dad sent you here to keep me company?"

"No, but close guess. One of us should ensure you're not straining to adjust to your upgrade. Long story short, mother's intuition. My current job is to keep you distracted. Bandages are gone already, so you heal faster than I thought."

Master Raven nodded, forgetting she'd taken off the bandages earlier today. The cuts resealed themselves without such much as an overnight scar, one of the many perks of being a ninja and always in the best condition. Average and even deep wounds healed after a few hours, days, or even a week.

Emani walked to the record player, sifting through the vinyl to find something to play. "I'm surprised; I thought you'd be out with Victor."

"I overworked my scanner on my first test run and nearly passed out. Victor ordered me to take a few days off."

Her mother paused as she held a record in hand. "Just like Kevon when he was your age. You have to slow down, Ty."

Tatyana leaned against the wall, folding her arms over each other and holding both elbows. "It was only the first run."

"First of many before this," Emani reminded before placing the vinyl on the record player's platter and setting down the tone arm. "I still remember Victor's emails about your unchecked persistence and stubbornness."

Another sigh left Tatyana, taking in the pointed silence between them. It was soon drowned out by a familiar Chaka Khan instrumental with an extra kick of drums and a soft bass. She didn't nod along to the beat despite knowing the song well, Mary J. Blige's voice filling the living room.

I will love ya anyway, even if ya cannot stay

I think ya are the one for me

"Not everything can happen at your speed when you want it to. You have to learn to adjust your speed before something forces you to do so," Emani added.

Here is where you ought to be

"I would tell you that story, but that's for another time. Plus, I don't want to go through reliving that again."

Tatyana raised an eyebrow and opened her mouth to speak but decided against it.

I just want to satisfy ya

Cause you're not mine, and I can't deny it

"So, ever thought about changing up your hair?"

"Mom, what—"

Emani gestured for her to come closer. With an annoyed sigh, Tatyana lowered her head so her mother could get a better look.

"Hmmm, looking fuzzy there. When was the last time you saw Toni?

"A month and a few weeks, maybe."

Her mother shook her head. "How about a touch-up?"

"Isn't Dad going to want you back by a certain time?"

"Girl, I don't have a curfew. That man will be fine without me when I can teleport back if needed," Emani playfully shot back, looking her daughter up and down.

"Seriously, Mom? I can—"

"I know you never leave Neo City without your Hair Kit. Go get it."

---

15 minutes later:

Emani carefully trimmed her daughter's hair. "Other than your recent mishap... about Raven."

Her eyes caught a new tension forming on her daughter's shoulders though seemingly relaxed.

"What about him?"

'There is it.'

"I hope you know the hardest part is yet to come for you two, especially Raven."

"I'm not following."

Emani shook her head. "I mean with our family."

Tatyana rolled her eyes, knowing how blunt and sometimes abrasive her family can be. Mainly her uncle Gerald and her closest cousin's best friend, Donny Lance - a pretty boy who was the same age as Tatyana and used his good looks to become a player. He was better known as Donny Red in the Neo City streets, primarily due to the bright red fedora he always wore. Even with his laundry list of women, he was keen on landing Tatyana as his actual girlfriend. Donny went as far as learning martial arts to get closer. It quickly became less impressive when she broke his nose at the age of sixteen at the last family reunion she would attend before departing to Paris for training. Though she turned down every flirt, rose, and gesture, Donny refused to back down. He'd ask about her at each family gathering and hope for a chance at the next gathering. Tatyana would never admit aloud that she was glad she missed a few holidays if it meant not having to deal with Donny.

"Look..." Tatyana's tone grew sharp as if she were angry. "I know Raven can handle himself, but if anyone has a problem, they can talk to me."

Emani giggled. "Of course. Not worried about Donny?"

"I have no reason to care about that imbecile."

Emani flicked the back of her daughter's head.

"Ow!"

"Family is still family, Ty. Even if you don't like them." Emani began sharpening her daughter's right sideburn.

Tatyana's eyebrows creased before turning her head to the side. "Who's idea was it to make him an honorary member?"

"He did take care of Brienna, remember?"

"Her choice of friends is questionable. I stand by what I said."

"Hopefully you'll remember that when your uncles start scrutinizing Raven. Are you willing to put yourself in the middle?"

"I learned to mind my business well enough, and Raven is my business. If they want to talk, they should also be comfortable doing so in front of me."

Emani nodded. "I'll be sure to keep an eye on you then. However, I do have a question. When did it finally happen?"

"What?"

The clippers' edge glided along the thin line between Tatyana's braids on the left side of her head and her low buzzcut.

"You and Raven. Every relationship experiences a tipping point in which the tension finally releases." Emani sharpened her daughter's left sideburn. "Your father and I had ours—"

"Ew! Mom!"

Emani placed a hand on her hip. "I know you ain't talking. You and Raven have done more than kiss. You're twenty-six, for God's sake, Ty."

"Okay, but why do you need to know?"

"Ty..."

Her daughter huffed. "I can't believe I'm saying this. Don't tell Dad."

The room filled with a mid-tempo instrumental with the occasional bass strum.

How can I love somebody else?

"Spill!" Emani playfully shot back, lining her head.

"We got into an argument, and he shoved me against the wall. Not that I helped the situation by being stubborn beforehand."

Her mother paused, but it was short-lived as a laugh escaped her. "Not as bad as I thought it would be. Your father and I were sparring, and he pinned my arm behind my back. Next thing I know, I'm lying on the mat with him on top of me. Nothing was planned, but I don't regret how you came about."

That image will forever stain Tatyana's mind. "I did not need to know that. My mind is forever plagued."

Emani laughed. "Trust me, if I wanted to mentally scar you, I'd tell you about that canceled Mother's Day visit you had planned."

"Did you guys—"

"That was by accident. I didn't think he'd buy that for me."

"Again, why—"

"And done!" Emani exclaimed, turning off the clippers. "Next time, call your stylist. On time."

"No promises. These past three months have been hectic."

"Didn't think you'd be too busy to visit Toni."

Tatyana removed the red hair cape from her neck and shook it out before giving her mother a pointed look. "Some of us aren't retired."

Emani crossed her arms. "Are you trying to tell me something?"

Both women laughed again.

"Despite being grossed out again, thank you for the much-needed visit and touch-up, Mom."

"Anytime, Ty. I should probably go."

"Actually, you mind staying?" Tatyana shyly asked. "I could use the distraction and a few more hours of company."

---

3:01 P.M.:

Tatyana nodded to the music while looking over the detailed overview of each function for her scanner. Her mother continued to sing along to a Faith Evans song.

"I can't even take my mind off loving you," Emani sang, matching the singer's pitch and power. "And I wanna say..."

She began half dancing and singing to the song while sweeping the loose hair from the floor. Tatyana had, for once, forgotten her current mission to enjoy these moments with her mother. That familiarity and nostalgia of listening to Emani sing and having her around was all that mattered.

Cli-Click.

Victor and Raven walked in, staying silent as they watched mother and daughter jam out to the music. A small smile formed on Victor's face, as it was nice to see her with a smile again - a rare occurrence even in small moments of tragedy. Even Raven found himself nodding along to the music's beat and tempo.

"Oh, Victor..." Emani chuckled nervously, turning down the record player. "Didn't hear you guys come in."

The Frenchman smirked. "It's fine. I wouldn't mind letting you girls have your time to have fun."

"Cute," Raven remarked.

Tatyana smiled shyly while avoiding her boyfriend's curious gaze.

"We've been at this for a few hours, so I should get going. I'm sure you three have business to discuss."

"Very well. Thank you for keeping your daughter busy."

Emani laughed. "No need to thank me. Just keeping her head on straight. I don't want her turning into you."

Victor joined in her laughter. "Good one, Jada."

Tatyana and her mother hugged before Emani said, "Please call if you need anything. I do hope to see you and Raven this year on Thanksgiving. Be safe, Ty. Love you."

"Love you too, Mom."

Poof.

Tatyana's eyebrows creased. "I keep forgetting she's a retired ninja."

Victor shook his head as he joined his subordinate at the counter and sat at her left side. Raven sat on her right side.

"Glad to know you had fun while we were gone," Raven said.

"Mother's intuition, as she said herself. But I needed that," Tatyana admitted. "What happened while you guys were out?"

"We marked the location of Bishop's oceanside mission. We would've scouted the inside for evidence, but our tech doesn't have the X-Ray layout functions."

Tatyana opened her mouth to speak, but Victor gave her a knowing look.

She sighed. "Mandatory time off."

"We did find that Dragunov is heading back to Russia using the underground tunnel system."

Tatyana placed a hand on her chin. "Explains why we couldn't fully track him during his travels to Poland. Does it go anywhere?"

"Great Britain, France, China, and here. We've already sent several soldiers to seize the station under the Prime Minister's Palace."

"Bold place hiding in plain sight so blatantly. It could be from the extra Tekken Force presence here."

"Possibly. Anna is taking a private yacht ride with Bishop to Neo City. We've placed a tracker on the boat and will know exactly when they dock. What did you do while we were gone?"

"Other than getting a touch-up, I found some interesting things about the correlation with Aron, Nina, and G-Corporation. Turns out..." Tatyana tapped the corner of her tablet's screen as a holograph appeared before the trio. "Aron's connection to G-Corp is a bit personal. I found his connection to the company and Nina after cross-referencing an article around Anna and Bishop."

The holographic screen displayed two articles side by side.

Victor rubbed a hand on his chin, his light eyes skimming through the article on the left. "It seems Aron was once a hopeful kid. Something must've changed after he went missing."

"Only for three months?" Raven surmised. "Seems too quick for typical G-Corporation activity. Maybe a ransom kidnapping?"

"Or," Tatyana began. "they could've considered him a failed experiment. Aron going to several facilities for what seems like sporadic killing sprees isn't logical when he had a hopeful future in bioengineering."

"My question is, why would he ally himself with Nina?" Victor questioned. "Is there any camera footage?"

The screen filled with a video. Tatyana blinked and shook her head, realizing she had already started to use it without a second thought. A video showed a tall guy with brown hair and Nina in her leather suit standing inside a hallway littered with bodies of both G-Corporation military and scientists. Several few words were exchanged between them before Nina found herself with an arm pinned behind her back with Aron's knife at her jaw. The tanned edge trailed her jaw as she grimaced, struggling to break his hold.

Tatyana paused the video. "Is it just me, or is that knife... odd?"

"Zoom in a bit," Victor directed.

She enhanced the image as several lines of information appeared beside it.

Classic Bowie Knife

Material: Bone

Animal: Human [Tibia Leg Bone]

Presumed to be deceased, Dr. Jene Hesheki's bone

"The hell..." Raven's face cringed with disgust. "This guy needs help."

Tatyana crossed her arms. "Whatever they did to him is beyond fixing. Termination is no longer a question."

"Limitless potential gone to waste. Prepare to leave tomorrow night. We need to find Nina as soon as we land."

"Aron must know more than he leads on if he could restrain Nina," Raven continued. "He might know a thing or two about how the human body works and will use it against us, considering his desire to be a bio-engineer."

"Dually noted," Tatyana remarked.

---

4:00 P.M.:

Tatyana lay on her bed while staring at the ceiling, preoccupied with researching everything on Aron. Her right eye again held its bright, pale blue color as she sifted vigorously through the UN Database. A spike of pain erupted behind her head, causing her to wince and blink almost frantically.

Knock.

Knock.

She blinked one last time. Rest Mode… appeared at the bottom corner of her eye.

"Come in."

Raven opened the door, now donning a black sleeveless hoodie with blue sweatbands on both arms, jeans, and his pair of Tim's. "Hey."

"Hey," Tatyana replied, sitting up in her bed.

He slipped his hands into the hoodie pocket. "You look bored. Were you just lying on your bed the whole time?"

"Ha, ha. I was doing research on our high-alert POI. So far, despite Aron's sparse record of crimes, I was able to find a few things."

"More than the creepy things we know?"

"That's merely the tip of the iceberg."

Raven's eyebrows furrowed. "I can't tell if I want to know or just wait until we terminate this guy to ask."

Tatyana laughed. "Long story short, he has a total of thirty-nine counts of murder. At least everything the UN has been able to keep track of. Other than that, he's been known to make weapons out of his victims' bones. Knives, arrowheads, swords, and even spine barbed whip—"

"Okay, I get it," Raven stated, gesturing for her to stop. "Are you going to be doing research all day?"

She shook her head. "I'm calling it. Had another pain spike and don't want to risk it."

"Nerdy as usual."

"Shut up." She threw a pillow at him.

Raven easily ducked. "Woah! Jeez, you trying to kill me, woman?"

Tatyana grinned. "I might."

They shared a small laugh as Raven sat on the bed next to his girlfriend. "I was going to head out for some fresh air since we have time to relax before leaving tomorrow. Want to join me?"

"Sure, just give me a few minutes to change."

Raven leaned on the wall beside his superior's room, hands in his pants pockets. It'd only been a few minutes since he'd been waiting but hadn't noticed. He could only think about how happy Tatyana looked while jamming with her mother before Victor spoke. It looked like the conflict of rogue Tekken Force soldiers, but having Dragunov and the Williams sisters on their backs didn't matter. Her smile and vibrant glow spoke of happiness. She looked adorable, to say the least.

'Hope I can make her that happy one day...'

Cli-click.

Tatyana stepped outside her room, placing her hands on her hips. "Too much?"

She wore an outfit Raven hadn't seen since she was eighteen - a revamped version of her trainee uniform. Red mid-rise converses, her dark navy O-yoroi ninja pants with new hip cutouts and pockets, a white belt with the clan symbol for the buckle, and matching suspenders hanging from the belt. A white sleeveless crop top with a turtleneck collar and a cropped red hoodie with the sleeves pushed up to her elbows.

Raven's eyebrows rose as he viewed her up and down, earning Tatyana a laugh.

"Raven..."

"Haven't seen that on you in ages," Raven smirked. "Still looks good on you."

"Thanks," she answered. "Had to get the pants resized. It turns out that I was much skinnier than I am now. Kinda hard to believe I was still growing into my figure back then."

"Age eighteen at the height of five foot nine. I was starting to worry you'd end up taller than me."

Master Raven smirked, speaking in a baby voice. "D'aw, you worried I was gonna dwarf you, w'ittle W'aven?"

"No," Raven answered shyly before looking at the wall. "It's just weird when your boss is taller than you and isn't a guy."

She rolled her eyes as she walked towards the front door. "I should buy some four-inch heels."

He followed her. "Please don't!"

---

Varso Tower:

Tatyana took a deep breath, standing at the edge on one leg with the other bent at an angle while her hands formed the Tora sign in front of her chest. A calm, warm wind blew as the bright sun shone over the city. Several polished buildings glinted in the light, and the sea sparkled under its afternoon rays. Slowly, a content smile formed on her face. Peaceful moments like this were hard to come by, but she enjoyed them to the fullest, especially when meditating underwater. There was just something more ethereal about the aquatic environment that brought true tranquility and serene silence.

Tatyana blocked a punch without moving and craned her neck just as a rubber sole missed her head. She placed a hand on her attacker's chest before shoving him back.

"Gagh."

Raven stumbled back to regain his footing. "Come on, Ty. Watching you take in the sunlight is fun and all, but I can't spend all day meditating."

She laughed. "I have to take it easy. Doc's orders, remember?"

"Those bandages are off your head, and you did dress for sparring."

"Fair point, but I needed a reason to wear this again."

"Sure you did. Can you at least teach me a few moves? I know you have some up your sleeve."

Tatyana opened her eyes to glance at her boyfriend. Raven noticed her mischievous expression, from the subtle raise of her eyebrow to the smooth upward curve of her lip's left corner. She was egging him on, finding her usual amusement in teasing him.

"And what makes you think I do?"

"The crop top was a dead giveaway. Plus, you always practice at the highest vantage point."

Tatyana chuckled, inhaling a quick breath of air through her teeth. She grunted with a hand on the ground and twisted, swinging her legs up to execute a half flare on the roof's edge before placing both hands there. Holding still, Tatyana smoothly transitioned into a handstand with bent arms. The three dreads at the right side of her face hung over with her legs curling towards the edge.

"Show off."

Exhaling deeply, Master Raven closed her eyes and slowly lifted her body. She straightened and lifted her legs to hold a perfect, straight handstand.

"Where'd you pick that one up?"

"Data analysis," Tatyana answered. "I was reviewing your previous fights with Eddy Gordo and decided to modify a few of his moves."

"Remind me to start studying your matches. I—"

The familiar sound of a SWV song met their ears as the master kunoichi's phone rang. It lay on the ground, face up alongside Raven's.

And I know love will be right here

"Who is it?" Tatyana questioned.

He picked up her phone, looking at the caller ID. Dad Without saying anything else, Raven answered the phone and put him on speaker. "Hey, Ty."

"Dad!" Tatyana grunted again before picking up her phone and returning to her feet. "What's up?"

"Is that you on Varso Tower?"

"How could you tell?"

"Girl, I raised and trained you since you were six. You think I don't know damn well how to tell my own daughter's ki from miles away?"

She laughed. "I keep forgetting that. You nearby?"

"Yeah, I was out taking a stroll in a park and had time to stop a jewelry store robbery. Mind if I join you guys?

Master Raven paused, looking over at Raven, who gave her a thumbs up. "Sure."

The phone hung up shortly afterward before...

Poof.

Kevon rolled his shoulders after materializing. He wore an outfit that made both agents feel somewhat underdressed. It mainly was all-black - a turtle neck sweater with a dark gray collar and sleeves, a thin gold chain around his neck, a red military watch on his right arm, suit pants with a gold chain hanging from the belt loops on the right side of his pants, and matching dress shoes with sand colored soles. On his face were black aviator sunglasses.

"Nice spot with a good view," Kevon remarked. "Who picked?"

Just as her daughter opened her mouth to speak, Raven pointed a finger at her. "The tower was a dead giveaway, sir."

"High spots to merely meditate, huh?"

Tatyana rolled her eyes. "Ha, ha."

Kevon quickly folded the sleeves up past his elbows. "Alright, how about a practice spar with your old man?"

Tatyana stretched her arms overhead with an exhale, hands falling to her sides before placing her phone back on the ground next to Raven's.

"Boooo! This lady is playing favorites," Raven jokingly called her out.

She couldn't help but snicker. "Like I'm gonna say no to my Dad."

"Uh-huh."

"Watch and learn, Rashad," Kevon stated, taking his stance to mirror his daughter.

Looking between the two, Raven noticed the similarities in how they stood.

Each had widened their stance with shoulders leaning toward the enemy, the base stance for all agents. Kevon leaned his weight on his left leg with the opposite extended, the rectangular toe of his shoe nearly touching his daughter's foot. His arms were parallel to his chest but crossed with his left hand posed in the sword finger position while his right crossed over his left. His other hand posed into an open claw, ready to tear away at his opponent.

"Ready?" Raven said.

Kevon smirked. Tatyana blinked amid the sunlight as an identical grin formed.

"Fight!"

"Tah!"

Kevon shot forward. Tatyana leaned back as his kick missed her head by mere inches. She blocked his fists, stepping back with each block while looking down at his feet. Kevon's left foot slid forward as he took two steps with an aimed knee. His daughter blocked and ducked as a high kick sailed overhead. Spinning around, Tatyana swung her arm into a back fist that Kevon avoided by weaving back. He crouched to the ground and executed 'Quicksand' to send his daughter airborne. Rolling forward, Kevon landed a kip-up kick to her stomach. Master Raven curled herself into a ball before landing on her feet and recovered for a slow sweep kick.

"Hah!"

Kevon jumped over her low kick and extended his foot.

Thud!

"Ah!" Tatyana grunted as she slid back.

Kevon bobbed on his feet. "Come on! Faster and harder, Ty!"

She blinked with renewed focus on her father. Tatyana sprinted and slid, inhaling as Kevon swung his foot around for her jaw. Springing back to her feet...

Smack!

Her knee landed against Kevon's jaw, and he quickly recovered to channel his Ki.

Fwoom.

Phasing through her following kick, Kevon planted his hands on the ground and grunted while twisting his body, Tatyana's low sweep missing him. He swung his foot to trip her before swinging another for her jaw, which she blocked.

"Nice!" Her father remarked.

Just before Kevon could recover, Tatyana pulled him toward her by his pants chain. Standing, Kevon parried her neck chop before hooking his ankle around her to take hold of her body for a take. Master Raven groaned, inhaling sharply from the ground's impact. Kevon chuckled, holding out a hand to his daughter.

Accepting his hand, Tatyana gave her father an annoyed look. "Every single time."

Kevon chuckled. "You'll get it one day."

"Yeah, when you're too old to stand."

"Twenty-nine to six. Another win is once again secured."

Raven stood, looking both surprised and impressed. "I see where she gets that corkscrew move from. That was quite the spar."

Kevon nodded. "Thanks, Rashad. So... you want to have a go?"

"Sure."

Tatyana raised an eyebrow at her boyfriend. "I'm not picking sides, but be prepared to lose."

Raven laughed. "What? Ye of little faith?"

"I have it, but not that you'll win. Dad over here likes being slick."

"Ha ha! That's gold, Ty!"

"Ready?"

Both took up their stance, stoic faces on each as they waited for Tatyana's signal.

"Fight!"

Raven skipped back just as Kevon stepped toward him, sporting a devious smirk despite his current goal. Without warning, Kevon executed 'Kronos Lathe.' Raven stumbled back as the kick barely missed him before ducking under the shorter man's high kick - a feint as Kevon's fist landed in his gut. Inhaling sharply, Raven blocked a spinning back fist and ducked under an elbow to counter with a quick low kick. Kevon leaned back from the other agent's high kick and threw his head into Raven's chest. Giving no time to recover, Kevon's foot collided with Raven's knee before spinning around to aim his foot at the agent's jaw. Raven slid back, blocking just in time to catch the shift in Kevon's stance into 'Soul Zone.' A clone shot forward as Kevon smirked before flipping over the clone into a cartwheel. Raven skipped back again, watching the older man with keen eyes. Kevon pulled off a back handspring, leaving one foot to come down on the agent. Raven blocked, and Kevon quickly countered with a solid kick to the agent's knee. Turning around, Kevon backflipped as his knee caught Raven's chin before the toe of his dress shoe sent him flying. Master Raven winced at the sound of her boyfriend crashing on the ground. That was a hard landing, even for him. Raven breathed heavily, groaning as he lifted his body from the ground. His back was stung by the impact of the concrete rooftop.

"Okay," Raven strained. "I can see where she gets the need to show off."

Kevon laughed before helping Raven from the ground. "It runs in the family. But it started from Emani. She used to be one hell of a show-off but toned it down after Ty was born."

"I'll remember that in case she wants to test my mettle. Can you teach me a few moves?

Kevon laughed, looking over at Master Raven, who put her hands up in mock surrender. "Don't look at me if he starts using your secrets against you. Just don't start teaching him my techniques. I must warn you, Raven. My Dad isn't a light trainer and damn near a perfectionist."

"Alright," Kevon began teaching perhaps his new protege. "The trick is to bait them with a seeable attack..."

---

Coastal Loft - 8:21 P.M.:

"You weren't kidding when you said your father was a stickler for execution," Raven grumbled after rolling his stinging shoulders.

Master Raven chuckled before closing the door. "Told you. He was just as strict when I was a kid. Probably more so now since I can handle it."

"Smack me in the head if I ever become like that one day."

"Noted."

"Had fun playing outside?"

Victor stood in the kitchen with a magazine skimming over the most exotic supercars of the current year - a glass of wine on the nearby counter.

"Training with Kevon is..." Raven hesitated to wisely choose his following words. "...definitely not like training back under Chevalier Palace."

Their superior smirked, noticing the pause in his subordinate's words. "Close one there, Raven. Hate to ruin your fun, but we leave for Neo City in an hour. Pack your belongings and weapons."

He gave Master Raven a pointed look.

She sighed. "I know, mandatory time off."

Raven chuckled as they began to walk towards her room, his tone changing into a playful, mocking voice. "Oh, no. She's forced to take a few days off. The horror."

"Shut up..." Master Raven sat on the bed to stretch out her legs. "That was a good practice session, but I'll need to relax for the next year after that."

Raven chuckled and crawled toward her, his lips meeting hers as his strong hand landed on her back. "I could think of a few ways we can relax..."

Master Raven giggled in his embrace. "As much as I wish we could, an hour is not enough."

Another kiss followed against her neck, Raven's breath tickling her. "I hate when you're right..."

He moved around her, laying his head on her lap, allowing Tatyana to slowly stroke his hair.

"I like to be on this objective with you guys, but I'm glad for this time off. Could use it to sharpen my Ki and adjust to the upgrade."

"What? No paperwork?"

"Ew. Organizational emails are boring."

"Ironic for a woman that wears the dark suit well."

"Suits are stylish, and heels are a girl's best friend."

Raven's eyebrows furrowed. "Always thought those were diamonds."

Tatyana shrugged. "They're not as impressive when you've seen them all. Besides, I'm more of a dive-into-the-action kinda girl."

"Of course."

---

Neo City, Atrius Inc. Docking Bay - 10:00 P.M.:

Aron slung an armored box of weapons over his shoulders, grinning like a maniacal maniac, which he certainly was. Once again, the unsightly glint of his abnormally long canines caught the moonlight. "Remember, Nina. Always go for the throat."

Nina scoffed with an eye roll. "Whatever..."

Without another word, Aron put on his cream-colored Panama hat and disappeared in the loading area's dimmed shadows. Nina and Haruto leaned against a fence without so much of a glance between them. For now, they took in the familiar silence and atmosphere of the city: the calm ocean waves behind them and the distant engines of cars several feet away. A bright red and white Rolls-Royce slowly pulled into the lot. The dark window of the passenger side slowly rolled down, revealing the infamous brunette Williams.

"What's the plan?" Anna spoke.

"Lay low in downtown for now. I'll contact you once we're ready to take down the second target," Nina instructed.

"Don't keep me waiting, bitch."

The window rolled back up as the car smoothly turned around and disappeared into the night with a sharp purr of its engine.

Nina stood from the jet. "Where will you be while I'm tracking our next mark?"

"The usual, securing our next hideout," Haruto answered. "I happen to know the perfect spot near a construction site - an abandoned apartment building I've had my eye on, even gave it a few upgrades. Vehicle elevator, underground tunnel entrances, exits, and a hidden armory room."

"Subtle as always. I'll be back before midnight."

Haruto nodded as Nina hopped on her motorcycle before pulling back the throttle. The engine roared to life with the rear wheel spinning. She leaned back to perform a wheelie before racing into the night and leaving Haruto. The former Commander spun a cigarette between two fingers while holding a lighter in his palm; the cancer stick soon turned into a white and orange blur. Slipping a pair of dark tea shades from his pocket, Haruto placed them on his face and flicked the cigarette airborne. The lighter opened, a flame dancing from the nickel-plated hood. Haruto caught the cigarette in his mouth, holding the lighter to the tobacco rod's end and waiting for it to cinder. Closing the lighter, an orange glow reflected from the dark tea shades, nearly illuminating the entire right side of the Commander's face.

Slipping the lighter back into his pocket, Haruto began walking as his heavy footsteps echoed into the sparse loading dock.

---

UN HQ, Outside Courtyard - 12:29 A.M.:

"Staying late again, Vic?"

The UN trio stood near the master kunoichi's BMW.

Master Raven placed her duffle bag into the back seat before shutting the back door. "Of course he is. Vic stopped resting after he got his first gray hair."

Victor laughed. "No rest for the wicked or silver-haired foxes. Besides, the nightlife keeps you young."

"I'll remember that when you buy your first cane," Raven rebutted, grinning.

His superior laughed while fixing his tie. "See you in the morning, Raven."

"Of course."

With that, the agents got into their vehicle and drove off.

"You'll be okay being left alone for the next few days?" Raven asked, looking over at his girlfriend.

"What am I? Nine?" Master Raven laughed, easing up on the gas as she neared a yellow light. "I'll be fine."

"I know how you get. You like keeping busy."

She looked at him. "Just meditation and practicing with the scanner. Simple stuff."

The light turned red as several pedestrians began to pass. One guy in a cream-colored Panama hat walked by the car and glanced at the woman, winking under the shadow of his hat. The light turned green.

Honk.

Master Raven snapped out of her trance and eased her foot onto the gas pedal. Raven scanned her features with noticeable concern. Rarely did she ever hold a quizzical expression. Yet this one was a visible mix of familiarity and caution. No one knowingly looked in her direction other than the usual catcall whistles or stares due to her hairstyle.

"You okay?"

"Uh..." Master Raven tapped a finger on the leather steering wheel. "Y-yeah. Just thought I saw something. That's a sign to go to bed."

"Okay."

---

Downtown, Avery Heights Apartments [ROOM 340] - 1:01 A.M.:

Aux's eyes narrowed as he observed the monitors filled with several information windows, the left screen showing news clips and documents on Aron Atlas. He sighed, raking a hand over his short, blue-dyed fade. A notification popped up on the computer monitor on the right from his security camera icon at the top left corner of the screen. His thick eyebrows furrowed, and an image of a guy in a cream-colored hat paused near the steps to the building. He looked up, almost as if to stare at the camera itself.

The UN soldier walked over to the window. "Should we investigate?"

Aux stood from his chair, walking over to the window to carefully lift the blinds as the guy tipped his hat before walking off.

"Leave it, but be on guard," Aux answered. "Besides, the pizza guy is here. I ordered three 'cause I know every soldier loves a classic pepperoni."

The soldier sighed, watching another man with a red shirt and matching bag walk towards the building, his eyes narrowing behind the black visor. "Hmm,"

Aux rubbed his hands together, "Alright, huddle up everybody. Pizza will be here in T minus ten. Q, do me a favor and grab those beers, please?"

"One sec."

Q walked over to the trio of computer monitors by the door.

Beep.

Beep.

Tatyana's eyes fluttered open, her phone vibrating on the nightstand beside her bed. She reached over, careful not to disturb Raven, as his arm was snaked around her waist. Picking up the phone, her eyes were greeted by an image notification from Aux - a picture of the guy in the hat.

Does he look familiar to you? The guy was spotted nearby and stared up at the building. We'll be on high alert until then.

She typed a fast reply. No, but inform Victor and secure the perimeter.

Understood.

Tatyana looked back at the picture. 'We may have a bigger problem on our hands...'

---

Abandoned Buringham Apartment Complex [ROOM 156] - 3:22 P.M.:

"You IDIOT!" Haruto yelled, throwing his glass of water to the wall.

Crash!

Glass littered the floor as water pooled near the wall. Breathing heavily, as he looked at the screen of her laptop. Aron glanced over from admiring his collection of bone weapons.

"You put our target on high alert! How the fuck are we supposed to take him out with soldiers watching for suspicious activity!? You better come up with a plan or—"

"Wait," Nina interjected. "This might give me an opportunity. They'll be watching the main entrance, allowing me the window to strike. From my basic knowledge, most apartments in Neo City have a balcony with sliding doors. I could enter through there and finish them off."

"I'll take care of the snipers," Haruto grumbled. "Nice going, genius."

Aron ignored his words. "It would be best to get the layout of their soldier's positions. As for the informant himself..." He looked over at Nina with his crooked, lusting smile again. "I'll be watching when you begin your dance later today. Don't disappoint me."

Nina's hand hovered over her holstered pistol. "I'll be back. Don't kill each other while I'm gone."

Haruto looked over at Aron, the slightly shorter guy chuckling darkly before focusing on his weapons. "If you're thinking I would kill you now, you're wasting your time. Your inner workings don't interest me like the others."

The former Commander crossed his arms. "Very reassuring. I hope you know that won't stop me from considering putting a bullet in the back of your skull."

Aron laughed. "Bullets, so primitive and easy. You wouldn't be able to kill so frequently if you had to do it without weapons. Feeling the blood soak your hands and—"

"Shut up," Haruto demanded.

Another bone-chilling laugh occurred from Aron. "Of course."

---

Victor looked up, his sharp blue eyes landing on the sniper atop the building as he pressed a button at the right of his shades. "Status?"

"Clear on the rooftop, sir."

"Understood." Victor turned to face his subordinate. "You sure you saw the same guy?"

"Positive," Master Raven answered. "I was sure I was seeing things since he seemed to vanish just as quickly as he appeared."

Victor stroked his beard. "Hmm, you think this could be the Doctor?"

"I don't know. People around downtown can be just typical downtown creeps."

Her superior nodded. "Perhaps, but we can't take any chances. I'll keep Raven on call in case something happens. Whoever this person is... they better hope to not find themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time."

---

5:21 P.M.:

Haruto hid behind a roof box vent, his modded 1911 Pistol in hand with a silencer equipped to the muzzle and a black Sako TRG 61 A1 Sniper Rifle strapped to his back. He pointed his pistol at the soldier standing in the left corner, his finger squeezing the trigger ever so slightly.

"Wait," Nina warned, she hung from a rope near the roof. The hook was firm in place while she listened intently.

Q looked over at the room down the hall, able to still hear the music coming from his room. He shook his head. "Why would they hire this guy? He doesn't even take his job seriously. Playing video games like a kid and is almost always too busy at his turntables to search for intel. Check-in, Mark three?"

"Mark Three, all clear."

"Mark One and Two, all clear."

Q sighed in relief. "Eyes wide, gentleman."

Nina gripped the rope. "Now."

Haruto aimed for the one on his left, quickly shooting down one on the right before gripping the sniper at his back. Looking through the scope, he inhaled deeply and held his breath. Another shot rang out, the single sniper falling to the floor.

"Snipers are down. Make this quick, Nina."

The blonde assassin loosened her grip on the rope and swung toward the designated room. The distance between her and the glass door lessened with each second as she gripped the knife in her other hand.

Crash!

Glass flew inside the entryway, and Nina rolled forward just as a soldier aimed his gun. She elbowed the soldier on her left, throwing a knife at another who aimed his gun. The blade lodged itself between his eyes. She ducked under a high kick, slipping her weapon from its holster and aimed. Three bullets punctured his chest cavity. Another soldier gripped his hunting knife. Taking her own from the dead soldier on the floor, she smirked and beckoned him to come closer. He went on a dead sprint.

"Hah!" He grunted while swiping his blade.

Nina blocked, retaliating with two quick shanks to his side. He jumped back, swiping at her once more. Parrying his blade, Nina stabbed the knife into his eye.

"AAAg—"

She slashed his throat, watching as he stumbled back in shock, holding his neck as it bled profusely through his gloved hands. Blood pooled around her heels and seeped into the carpet floor. She hid near the front door, waiting for the person in the room down the hall to come out.

Aux's eyebrows creased as he looked towards the door, pausing his Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 game. He wasn't sure if the gunshots he'd heard were from his game or outside. Aux grabbed the bowie knife from the bookshelf next to his bed. Holding it in reverse grip as he slowly crept into the hall. His eyes widened at the bodies littering the living room.

"Shit..."

Aux blocked a high kick, and the impact sent him careening to the wall. He inhaled sharply, eyes blinking. Catching the glint of a pistol's muzzle. He rolled back to avoid the gunfire and ran around into the kitchen before vaulting over the counter. He brought his legs in front of him, which landed against Nina's stomach. She grunted and stumbled back. Aux advanced and pulled off a tornado kick. Nina leaned back and jabbed with her knife. Aux smirked before blocking and retaliated with a spinning back elbow. Nina weaved away from the blow and executed 'Head Ringer.'

Aux stumbled back, bobbing on his feet as he wiped away the blood over his lip. "Let's go!"

He charged Nina and rolled forward, springing back up and aiming 'Sudden Strike.' She skipped back as the knee barely missed her nose. Recovering, Aux crouched low to the floor, his low swipe kick landing its mark. Her heel landed against his chin as Aux nearly fell forward, leaving him open. Nina wasted little time shoving her blade into his throat. Aux's smirk quickly turned to one of pained shock as his hands shot to his throat, dropping his knife to the floor.

"That was disappointing..."

Aux couldn't speak as he croaked out blood while his neck leaked from the wound in his neck. Nina strolled over, gripping the hilt of the knife still lodged in his neck. His wide hazel eyes pleaded for her to let him die. She slipped her glasses onto her face and pulled the knife leftward, opening a sizable wound into a long gash. Aux tried screaming, but only blood flooded from his mouth as the knife engraved itself across his neck. With a swift movement, she pulled the blade from his open neck.

He fell to the floor, joining the bodies that littered the floor. The pool of blood surrounding the door, kitchen, and hall on the hardwood floor widened, nearly reaching the apartment door and flowing into the hall.

"Status?"

Nina tapped a finger on the device in her ear. "Mark One is terminated."

"They'll find the bodies sooner or later. I'll see you back at our safe house."

---

Tatyana's Apartment - 6:21 P.M.:

Her phone suddenly vibrated to life, interrupting Tatyana's moment of peace as she sat on the floor with her legs crossed. A call from Neo City's top police detective, Ean Winters.

She answered the phone. "Detective..."

"Ms. Summers. Hope I'm not interrupting, but I need you at the Avery Heights Apartments building. Raven's already here. The crime scene here is… beyond my officers' investigative capabilities."

"I'll be there soon."

She ended the call. 'What could be so bad that they need Raven and me to investigate a crime scene?' Tatyana got up from the floor and called a contact labeled R. Xaviers.

"Detective Winters called you too?"

"Uh... yeah."

Tatyana put the call on speaker and tossed it on her bed before heading to her open closet with only a few outfits on hangers, one of them being the black halter with diamonds woven into its fabric. She couldn't help but smile, which was soon replaced with inquisition.

"Did he tell you why he wants us investigating the crime scene?"

"Whatever happened up there must be way outside his jurisdiction. Especially if all three snipers Victor positioned on the rooftops are dead."

"What?"

"Whoever did this is no normal criminal and had help, considering they can't be in two places simultaneously."

"Makes sense. Where's Victor?"

"He's checking the outside security camera footage. From what I've seen, they haven't seen anything unusual. The important footage is inside, or we're looking in the wrong place."

"I hope it's nothing too serious."

"You and me both. Police work isn't my thing."

"Agreed. I'm getting dressed and will be there in a few minutes."

"Understood. Raven out."

The call ended as Master Raven picked her suit from the hanger. "Something's amiss..."

Poof.

---

6:32 P.M.:

Raven leaned against the armored hummer, arms crossed over his armored chest while fully dressed in his mission suit as he waited for his superior to show up.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Tatyana appeared next to him, staring up at the building as her brown eyes caught sight of a hook and rope hanging from the side.

"Only a few minutes. Detective Winters is inside. Whatever happened in there must be worth the trouble. Nobody is allowed to enter the building for the next two days. He's inside talking with a few soldiers now."

"Didn't ever think we'd need to be called in to investigate a crime scene."

"You and me both. First time for everything.

"Unfortunately."

Detective Winters looked over at the two agents approaching, a mix of concern and disgust on his face. United Nations soldiers blocked both sides of the hallway, guns in hand, in case they needed to use force with any unreasonable citizens.

"Glad you both are here. Looks like a horror story in that apartment. The carnage was discovered by a neighbor, who called the cops. The place seemed quiet as far as I know. A few loud noises here and there, but nothing worth checking out. At least... until now."

Master Raven nodded. "Got it."

"If you need me, I'll figure out what to do with the angry patrons back from work."

With that, Detective Winters excused himself to walk down the hall and downstairs back to ground level.

Raven's eyebrows creased. "The only one staying here was Aux. Usually, he would check in unless he cleaned up or relaxed after taking out the intruder."

"True, but Aux knows the protocol; he would..."

Master Raven's brown irises landed at the bottom of the door, blood leaking from underneath to create a pool around it that shined under the hallway's stark lighting. The soldiers stepped aside, letting the agents closer to the door attached with police tape. Her foot landed in the puddle, the faint scent of blood reaching their noses as they moved closer. Ripping the tape away, Master Raven hooked her hand around the knob and pushed it open.

Raven inhaled sharply. "Woah..."

Meeting their eyes was the living room and front entrance pooled with blood, several bodies of soldiers littering the floor while Aux's body lay in the center of them all. Master Raven swallowed hard, repulse forming on her face. The blood's aroma didn't bother her, but seeing it pool everywhere was more than unnerving. It looked more like a killing spree than someone breaking and entering.

Using her foot, Master Raven flipped Aux's body over and inhaled sharply at the grisly scene. "No wonder why he didn't call in."

Raven nodded, his shades outlining the soldiers' bodies in red. "Most of these soldiers have been shot, except for this one. Knife to the head, thrown from the shattered doors. The intruder must've entered from there and crashed into them. Aux was playing video games when it happened."

Master Raven blinked, a single word appearing at the bottom of her right eye. Scanning… After a few seconds, a few lines of information appeared near the open wound.

Full Open Neck Laceration

She lowered into a crouch to examine Aux's neck wound. The scanner zoomed in closer, and a line of yellow light pulsed along the edge of the torn skin.

Extrema Ratio Fulcrum Knife

Blade Material: Unidentified

Her eyes shifted down to the visible mark on his chin. They narrowed to see a small but visible mark of a heel. Standing, Master Raven went to the sliding doors to imagine the soldiers' position. The way their bodies lay seemed to tell where they were coming from.

'Two beside the door...' She moved her hand, imitating a throwing knife. 'One fell—'

"The intruder had a gun and a knife as well. Nina only uses guns during close and far combat," Master Raven trailed before shifting her stance, posing her finger like a gunman with one eye closed and aiming at a target. "One, two, three. Still, that doesn't explain who-"

"They wiped the inside security camera footage," Raven interrupted.

Master Raven placed a hand on her hip. "This seems too messy to be Nina's work and probably a senseless killing."

"Maybe, but this was no regular criminal. If Aux couldn't take them out, they might be more skilled in combat than him. The one thing we know for sure is that the intruder was female and definitely had help. Taking out the snipers is a two-man job..."

"One removes the extra eyes, while the other eliminates the people inside," she finished.

Raven approached the kitchen counter, spotting a pair of handprints. Looking over at the hall, he spotted another bullet hole in the hallway and its residue leading into the kitchen before disappearing into the blood puddle.

"He ducked a gunshot, ran into the kitchen, and vaulted over the counter," Raven declared. "There was a fight, but the heel must've caught him before the neck stabbed somewhere along the lines."

"No clear motive, but there was a struggle..." Master Raven's eyebrows sunk in frustration. "This doesn't make sense. They swung inside and shot three soldiers, threw a knife at the last one, fought and killed Aux, but left without taking anything while wiping the footage before fleeing. The killing seems... personal."

Her boyfriend crossed his arms. "Your guess is as good as mine. I won't write off Nina's name yet because of the timing after Poland." A deep frown found its way onto Raven's face. "I can't imagine how much this will affect his mom and older brother. Victor won't be looking forward to the funeral."

"Neither of us will..." Tatyana corrected.

---

Abandoned Burningham Apartment Complex [ROOM 156] - 7:52 P.M.:

Nina eyed the plastic knife in her hand. "Didn't think you'd be right, Doc. Plastic knives do work well. However, getting used to the force needed when slicing is annoying."

Aron rubbed his hands behind his back. "The Doctor knows best. Plastic is hard to detect on the skin and makes a perfect mess. They won't suspect you until it's too late. The scene you let was quite the sight. I was proud, I must say. All that blood, flesh and—"

"Cool it, Doc," Haruto snapped. "We get it; you like blood. No time to celebrate, Nina. When are we going after the next target?"

"As soon as you find another place for us to hide out."

The Commander rolled his eyes. "We're leaving when I do, immediately."

Aron sat in a chair, crossing his right leg over his left while twirling the knife. "Oh, I look forward to seeing how well our next patient can endure pain. I could learn something from her use of poisonous powders." That crooked smile formed again. "The possibilities..."

Nina guiltily looked over at Haruto, who stayed silent as he glared at the blonde. He instantly knew she had no plans of letting him near their next target, and Nina wasn't keen on telling Aron that piece of info.

Chapter 17: Trial - III

Five days later: Neo City; Anthony A. Cemetery [UN Lot] - 9:09 A.M.:

Master Raven stood under a tree in an all-black suit with a neon blue tie, Aux's favorite color, as a calm wind gently tousled her hair. The morning sun shone brightly skyward in contrast to the current situation's mood. She watched the funeral nearby through the tinted lenses of golden aviators before releasing a mournful sigh. Aux's mother wept as they lowered a black and silver-lined casket containing his body into the ground. His older brother Jalen held their mother while she cried.

Raven walked over. "He had so much ahead of him..."

His girlfriend mutely nodded in agreement.

Victor leaned against an armored 2025 Cadillac Escalade, hands in his pockets. "Truly. Though unfocused at times, Aux was a resourceful informant who cared for even the soldiers."

Raven chuckled. "I remember the first time he introduced pizza nights. You were so confused, Vic."

"Every soldier loves a classic pepperoni."

The trio of agents shared a humorless laugh at the fond memory and continued watching from their vantage point. Soon, the funeral concluded. Aux's mother, Rachel, and Jalen walked over to the agents. The maternal figure stared at Master Raven with dark eyes full of tears and a contempt expression.

"Find the bastard that took my baby."

Rachel's words were full of deepened rage only a mother could feel at the abrupt death of her child, her youngest at that.

Master Raven knew full well that Rachel didn't mean to detain before removing her sunglasses. "We'll do everything we can to bring the criminals to justice, Mrs. Oscars."

Without another word, Rachel walked away towards another armored vehicle.

Sighing, Ean spoke. "Thank you for what you've done for Aux and my family. You helped us out a lot."

"No need to thank us," Victor replied. "Just doing what we can to assist."

A saddened chuckle escaped the eldest of Rachel's three boys. "The family is gonna go read the will, but Aux had something he's been working on as a 'thank you' for the second chance. Figured my little brother would want me showing you guys."

---

Downtown Harbor Heights; Aux's Private Beach House:

Ean inhaled sharply, watching as the garage door of his brother's modern beach house opened to reveal a vehicle standing alone - a sports model motorcycle that caught each agent's eyes.

"Aux was able to get his hands on a twenty-twenty-four Suzuki Hayabusa, specifically a twenty-fifth-anniversary model," Ean began. "Last time I checked, he was pretty much done. The only thing that needed to be finished was the paint job."

The bike itself had a base matte black paint job with a neon blue glitches design that mimicked Victor's teleportation style with a line resembling a sword slash that went through the golden outline of the death kanji decal on its left side.

"He made sure to equip the bike with typical agent upgrades. Nitrous kit, bulletproof tires, armored body to keep the engine from getting shot, and..." Ean paused, shaking his head as he chuckled. "Aux kept rambling about adding this new feature. He added autopilot capabilities with exact location arrival and summoning."

Victor's eyebrows raised above his silver shades. "Impressive."

Master Raven blinked her eyes, looking over the motorcycle with a slight smirk. "Could be useful in a dicey situation. How long has he been working on this?"

Ean rubbed the back of his neck. "The past two months. He added jump suspicion and a fully functional stealth mode, too."

"Aux always thought of the extra details," Victor remarked. "A clever kid at his age."

Raven crossed his arms. "We'll get it delivered to headquarters."

"No test drive?" Ean remarked. "I was certain one of you would want to break it in before putting it in wait mode for who knows how long."

Raven smirked. "Can it go the same speed in reverse?"

Ean nodded as Raven walked over to the bike. "I'll see you both at headquarters then?"

Master Raven chuckled. "Don't crash the bike."

With that, Raven pulled back the throttle as the electric engine purred loudly and echoed in the expansive garage.

VrrrrRR!

Lifting his foot, Raven pulled the throttle again. Victor couldn't help laughing, catching the grin on his agent's face as he rode down the winding road.

Master Raven turned to Ean. "I'm positive your brother would be happy to know his gift made it to its new owners."

He chuckled, sniffling. "Yeah, he would."

Victor placed a comforting hand on Ean's shoulder. "We'll find who did this. On my honor as Head of the Raven Unit."

---

Raven pulled the throttle again, the front wheel lifting from the ground for a few seconds.

78 MPH

His smirk widened into a grin, engaging the second brake before pressing the green button above the throttle.

Pssssh!

The back tire slid across the concrete, spinning faster than the front wheel as a ring of smoke appeared from the rear tire, drifting in a half circle. Raven pulled the throttle again and leaned back into a wheelie. The engine roared, rolled on the back wheel, and merged into the freeway. He leaned his upper body weight forward again. The front tire landed on the ground. Raven weaved around trucks and cars with ease.

His eyes narrowed, catching sight of a few blocked-off lanes due to a car crash. Raven tightened his grip on the handlebars and shifted to fourth gear.

A cop at the scene sighed, shaking his head. "I don't get paid enough to deal with these tragedies."

The blur of a vehicle caught his attention, and they only seemed to be getting bigger.

"Stop the vehicle!"

Raven lowered his body to the motorcycle, feeling the full force of its roaring engine.

"Stop the—"

The cop jumped back.

Raven shifted again with his foot, pulling back the break slightly. He leaned to his left with the motorcycle. Blinking, the world seemed to slow down as he slid across the concrete, nearly touching the ground while sliding under the stopped truck's shipping container.

Screeeeee!

Pulling the throttle, Raven reversed from under the container as the motorcycle retained the same speed despite going backward.

98 MPH

Raven shifted again.

Click.

He turned the handlebars slightly until facing forward. The wind blew through his black suit jacket as he pulled the throttle again. Seeing an opening in the freeway's guardrail, he turned left.

VrrRRRR!

Thud!

He landed on the train track below, shifting again.

HOOOOOOOOOONK!

The horn of a train sounded behind him, and there were blinding headlights on Raven's back as he chuckled. "Easy."

Another pair of headlights appeared in the distance, quickly closing in on his direction. His eyes widened, the tracks curving to the right. Inhaling sharply, Raven relaxed his grip on the handlebars.

HOOOOONK!

With a swift motion, he turned the handlebars and squeezed the break.

Screeeeeeeee!

Leaning to the right, the motorcycle's tires slid across the parallel rails. Raven drifted along the rounded corner, holding it with a clenched jaw in concentration. He spotted another exit point at the end of the tunnel and increased his speed. The motorcycle once again flew airborne.

Thud.

Raven slid to a stop and placed his foot on the ground. A black armored van pulled into the United Nations headquarters courtyard as his superiors stepped out of the vehicle.

"How'd we get here at the same time?" Raven asked in disbelief.

Victor smirked. "I know a few shortcuts."

His subordinate raised an eyebrow over his red sunglasses.

Master Raven laughed. "I might've told him a few things. How was the ride?"

Raven looked over the motorcycle's dashboard screen, displaying the location, time, and speedometer.

Neo City, United Nations HQ; 10:27 P.M.

0 MPH

"Smoother than I anticipated. The back wheel drift is steady for an electric model. Worth riding."

Master Raven nodded. "Good to know. Just now noticed that it doesn't have any mirrors."

Raven looked down. "Huh... Aux thought they'd be pointless."

"Does it have object detection?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Surprisingly not."

"I'll have a few of our vehicle specialists to add that. Could come in handy when we need it."

---

Abandoned Birmingham Apartment Building [Rm 156] - 11:00 A.M.:

Aron gently and steadily ran a finger around the wine glass before him. Soon, a small ring began to echo, filling the room that reverberated into his allies' ears.

Pow!

Unphased, Aron rolled his eyes as Haruto lowered his modded 1911 pistol.

"That was unnecessary," Aron remarked. "But that would explain your current temper. Certain sounds can put one into fight or flight even before one knows if there's a threat nearby. A blade cutting through the air would cause a person's instinct to kick in, but it would be a slight millisecond too late before they can dodge it, especially in the dark. Interesting, don't you think?"

Nina loaded her pistol. "How long does it take to react to a gunshot?"

Aron chuckled. "Ironically, the time it takes to squeeze a trigger is slow enough to give somebody time to run or hide. Two microseconds are needed to glance at the eyes, and the body goes on automatic survival before the trigger is pulled. You have a sixty percent chance of living unless you're slow."

"You think you have those same odds against me, Doc?" Haruto questioned.

"I wouldn't need to move when a needle dipped in a simple numbing serum would do the work for me. Besides, have you forgotten that I lost my ability to feel pain after my time at G-Corp? Or are you only thinking about the chance to put a bullet in my head?"

Hauto growled. "It would make the world a better place."

"We'll see who makes such a difference if they're still alive by the end of this job. Now, eat up. I didn't kill that man in the market just for your Wagyu Fillet to get cold."

Haruto narrowed his eyes, standing from the table. "I lost my appetite." He returned to his laptop and sat back down at the desk.

"Typical angry soldiers."

Just as Aron picked up his fork, another shot rang out. The fork in his hand clattered to the floor, landing in two separate pieces. Aron exhaled and rolled his neck. He pulled his bone knife from the table and sprinted for the Commander. Nina rolled forward just as Haruto stood from his seat—the tan point of a bowie knife headed for the Commander's head.

Clap.

Nina gripped Aron's wrist while her other hand was on Haruto's chest. "Both of you idiots, calm the fuck down! Nothing will get done if you two try to kill each other!"

"I wouldn't be on edge if you had kept him outta this Williams," Haruto said through his teeth. "Involving him was a mistake."

"It's not my fault your simpleton mind can't comprehend that I have a greater purpose other than being the armored errand boy," Aron stated.

"Enough! Now focus!" Nina shouted. "Did you find our next spot, Haruto?"

The former Commander swatted her hand away before heading to his laptop. "Of course I did. An old military base with a watch tower close to our next target."

The corners of Aron's lips curved upward until a blood-lusting grin, his canines revealing themselves in the light. "Perfect."

Nina eyed him with disgust as Aron slung the armored weapons case over his shoulder. Haruto waited in his armored Hummer. He roll-tapped his fingers on the leather steering wheel, waiting for his partner to get on her motorcycle.

"Sure you don't wanna ride along?"

The Doctor rolled his shoulders, his white-gloved left hand gripping the strap of the armored box. "I'll meet you guys there. Besides, I can tell when I'm not wanted. Besides, I don't want to end up accidentally putting my knife into Haruto's neck and cause a scene."

"Point made. See you around, Doc."

Aron nodded and walked away, placing his light Panama hat back on his head.

---

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Nightingale Casino Rooftop - 2:58 A.M.:

"Still can't believe Aux is dead. Do you think one of us could be next?"

A pair of hazel eyes rolled with a sigh of annoyance at the voice in her ears: a light female one with a heavy French accent.

"Calm down, Lexi. It's probably nothing."

"Come on, Red. You saw the text from Raven. They haven't found a cause or a suspect!"

"It doesn't mean they won't sooner or later. Uh… Moon, you still there?"

"Yeah, just listening to Lexi panicking as usual."

"Whatever. You're not at least slightly worried at all, Moon?"

"Why should I be?"

"Moon, you—"

She couldn't help giggling, imagining Red Capulet shaking his head at her nonchalant attitude toward this situation. Something that was more than routine for the twenty-three-year-old informant.

Lexi sighed. "Vous etes un idiot." [You're an idiot] "If you get yourself killed one day, I'll just say it was to be expected."

Moon laughed again. "Love you too, Lexi. I'll make you my honored guest at my funeral and give you the chore of speaking on my behalf from the stars."

"Ew. I hate it and you."

She laughed again.

"Alright, alright. Coms down until further notice. Keep your eyes peeled, guys."

"Right."

"Will do, Big Red."

A small chuckle sounded. "Good night, Moon."

Beep.

"Moon," a slightly muffled voice called from the outside world.

"Moon!"

The woman in question lowered her body from the bar she hung from with her legs. She has a slender build, visibly toned muscles, and light mocha-brown skin. Sharp hazel eyes, button nose with full lips painted in brown lipstick, and soft features to match her angular face. Her hair was shaved on the sides and back, while the hair on top of her head was styled into two afro puffs dyed a light brown. Dyed brown braids hung from the front of her face; the tips dyed hot pink. She wore a custom pair of black aggressive roller blades with red and gold detailing. Glowing blue wheels fastened into the bearings. Black, high-waisted jean shorts with white suspenders hanging from the belt loops, a cropped, long-sleeved mesh hoodie with graffiti printed on the lower half of the shirt. Around her neck was a rainbow chocker with a golden crescent moon in the center. A pair of silver x stud earrings in her ear paired well with the bright red sweatband on her head. White letters were switched to the side that read, and silver light looks better on you.

A lollipop stuck from the woman's mouth as she held her phone. "Hmm?" She looked at the UN soldier with blatant confusion, resembling a confused child when they didn't know what was happening.

"How long are you gonna be out here?" The soldier questioned. "It's getting late. We should get going before the security guards make their rounds again."

Moon laughed, poking the soldier's nose. "Aw, come on. Live a little, Zeke. It's only been a few hours."

"A few too many." He looked around. "We should head back home."

She sighed, getting down from the bar. The two began making their way towards the latter, which led them back to the ground level.

Moon skated backward with her hands behind her back. "You ever think we'll be able to go on vacation one day? I seriously wanna go to the Bahamas."

Zeke chuckled. "One day, Moon."

"When that happens, I can finally get Red to actually enjoy himself. He has a soft spot for dancing despite having two left feet."

"I'm taking that one to my grave."

She smirked before putting a finger over her mouth with a wink. "You didn't hear that from me either, Z."

"Of course."

"Soldier, where are you?! It's late. You should be back at the safe house by now."

He paused after the stinging sensation in his ear. "Moon wanted to stay out for a few hours. We're heading back right now."

"Get here asap. We can't be caught off guard right now with Aux dead."

"Right. We'll be there soon."

Thud.

Moon raised an eyebrow, looking at the article headline on her phone.

MANIAC STABS LOCAL MEAT SELLER AT THE MARKET!

An unidentified criminal stabs Kev Martin, a butcher, at the local open market at Sunrise Harbor in Downtown Neo City. Locals say the crime began soon after they began to argue about the price of Kev's beef wagyu. He was unfortunately killed by—

"Jeez," Moon remarked. "Pretty freaked up that a guy died over some meat."

Zeke and the informant entered the dark gray 2025 Ford Mustang GTD, the soldier adding, "Another crazy story?"

She nodded. "A criminal stabbed a guy in downtown Neo City over some beef."

He couldn't help laughing, starting the car before pulling off the curb. "Seems like typical activity to me."

Moon raised an eyebrow. "Maybe... this seems over the top than usual."

Bright purple eyes watched the vehicle disappear into the distance of the street, bone knife in hand while running his thumb along the edge.

A quizzical expression soon formed on Aron's stoic face. "Hmm..."

---

Hilton Valley Loft - 3:48 A.M.:

Moon looked over her small collection of karambit knives that lay organized in an open case on a table, varied in size and style. Some are small with teeth, and others larger with gentle swooping edges. However, her favorite was a fixed Mako knife - a gentle swooping edge with a razor-sharp point good for quick slices and painful stabs. She had a custom black one with teeth near the edge, and engraved in pink on its blade were the words, 'Slip and Slice.' She looked over at her laptop, eyes narrowing at the screen while skimming the article until landing on a specific paragraph. Aron has been identified as the main unknown criminal with a passionate hate for G-Corp, going as far as to execute several G-Corporation military and doctors. Due to his drastic appearance change in the three months after going missing, police have not been able to identify and detain Aron.

Moon narrowed her eyes, placing a hand on her chin. "He's a slippery one. Seems like fun."

General Ray raised an eyebrow. "You're crazy. The guy's a maniac if he's this much of a threat to where the UN is having difficulty tracking him. This guy is no slouch, Moon. You may be the best fighter among the informants, but that doesn't mean you can take down everyone."

"True," Moon shrugged. "But..." She picked up the fixed Mako knife, tossing it in the air before throwing it in Zeke's direction.

Thud!

The blade nearly gouged Zeke's eye as he blinked in shock before looking over at the woman. "Moon!"

She giggled. "Sorry, Zeke."

---

8:51 A.M.:

Nina placed her foot on the ground, lightly gripping both handlebars of her motorcycle. The engine purred below as it stood, and she eyed the building with suspicion. It didn't look like much outside, a square building and a tall gray outpost composed of thick concrete and metal. She pressed the headset button in her ear.

Beep.

"This is the place?"

"It doesn't look like much, but it's quite the build on the inside. There are two ways of entry."

She crossed her arms. "Is that so?"

"We'll discuss the details later. Expect Aron to be there soon. I have a few things to take care of, so make yourself comfortable while I'm gone."

Nina rolled her eyes. "Will do."

"Good."

Getting off her bike, Nina took the case that held her sniper from the hold on the vehicle and walked towards the door.

---

Neo City; UN Central Surveillance Room - 11:52 A.M.:

Victor tapped a finger against his chin, watching the camera footage of the guy in the cream-colored hat. Around him, several analysts worked on consoles to keep track of Raven unit members while searching for Kazuya's location.

"Sir," a UN soldier remarked behind him.

Victor turned around. "Yes?"

"We spotted an unidentified yacht near Atruis Inc. Docking Bay. It has Bishop's symbol on it."

"Show me."

Atrius Inc Docking Bay

Victor tapped the button on the right side of his sunglasses. The boat was outlined in blue, with the chess piece symbol meeting his light eyes. It floated a hundred feet out from the docking bay.

He grimaced in frustration. "No wonder we didn't get notified. Anna and Bishop are already here, waiting on Nina's signal." Victor tapped on his earpiece. "Victor to Raven..."

"Responding."

"What's going on with Dragunov?"

"He's returned to Russia, but with the Mechanic at his side. It seems they're working together to modify military vehicles: extra armor plating, weapons, and more goons. The Mechanic's men are a group of wanted street racers and professional smugglers.

"Hmm... Find anything on Kazuya?"

"No, but I've seen a few G-Corporation soldiers around these two locations. Ortiz Farm in Peru and a newly built coliseum in Rome, Italy."

"Understood. Report in when the situation changes."

"Of course. Raven out."

Beep.

Victor sighed in annoyance, slipping his phone and texting a contact labeled 'M. Raven.'

---

Master Raven inhaled during her meditation per her temporary routine of being off from work. She listened to the music blaring from the Bluetooth headphones over her ears.

[Jhené Aiko – Savita ft. Swae Lee]

Her untied dreadlocks waived in the mild summer wind. Looking over the view of the city as it took in the morning's sunlight. Nearby, her phone was lying face up on her bed and vibrated to life. She blinked as a new message from Victor plastered itself across her right eye.

Keep your eyes out for a bright red Rolls-Royce.

She raised an eyebrow before replying, Understood. Did something happen?

Bishop left his boat out at sea. They're already in Neo City.

Did he find the tracker?

No, but he's smarter than I thought. It seems like the Williams sisters' friends aren't typical criminals. At least not Bishop & Aron...

Or he just knows more than the average criminal. Anna might've told him a few things due to her experience dealing with us.

Maybe, but we can't afford to underestimate them.

I'll contact you if I see anything.

Noted.

Master Raven's slim eyebrows furrowed. "Hmm..."

---

Abandoned Harrington Military Outpost - Watch Tower:

Nina looked through the scope of her TrackingPoint sniper rifle, four black lines and the center red dot landing on an unblocked window - a woman with light brown skin, a sharply shaved head, and a pair of afro puffs atop her head.

"Hmm..."

Nina looked closely before zooming in with her scope. The woman turned around; a crescent tattoo sat on the left side of her neck.

"Bingo."

A soldier pulled a black curtain over the window. Nina scoffed and rolled her eyes, and before looking through her scope again, she heard the sounds of a car engine coming to her ears. Leaning over the guardrail, she spotted Haruto's armored truck at the main building's entrance. She looked at the watch on her arm. 12:43 P.M.:

"Took him long enough," Nina remarked, picking up from her sniper and heading back inside.

Haruto watched as several Tekken Force soldiers moved his armored weapons, ammunition, and technology cases. He almost smirked at the sight of the assassin. "Familiarize yourself with the place?"

She rolled her eyes. "Typical military base, advanced communication systems, empty armory, and vehicle deployment."

"See the tunnel?"

"Tunnel?" Nina repeated.

Haruto walked away. "Follow me."

Nina followed her partner to the communications room; Haruto glanced at the powered-down console.

"Working with military bases in the Mishima Zaibatsu has its pluses. One of them being the hidden configurations of a base. Evacuation tunnels, slim hallways for hiding or slipping out of sight, and stealth vehicles. They always build it in plain sight. One useless button in English, Greek, or Arabic."

His dark eyes scanned the console, landing on a green button with a Greek word under it. Σπλιτ. Split. He pressed the button.

Click.

The console began to clunk and clank as it slowly slid apart until a seam in the middle appeared and soon split open. It revealed a short hallway with a sliding metal door at the end with a keypad nearby.

"I traced the tunnel's directions, and the other one behind the door leads directly under the loft where the next informant stays, specifically the living room. Instead of coming in through the window or a simple sniper shot, we could use their same way of entry to throw them off."

Nina nodded. "How many guards are in the tunnels?"

"Six," Haruto answered. "Two by this door and other four down the tunnel. The two guarding our target shouldn't be a problem for you."

"Noted. The plan seems sound."

"Seems... You still haven't told him your true plan to take our new target alone."

Nina gave a knowing look. "I'll tell him when he gets here."

"You better, or we'll have a new problem. Aron could put the cops on us with a simple anonymous tip. That's if he doesn't want to give us some new scars first."

She waved him off. "No need for the reminder. I'll handle it."

---

5:19 P.M.:

Nina screwed on the silencer to her second Fort 12 pistol, looking over its polished barrel as it caught the bleak lighting of the communications room. She was so focused on her current task that she didn't notice the person coming in.

"Hello again—"

She grabbed a throwing knife and swung her arm back.

Clap!

Aron chuckled, holding her wrist just as the blade in her hand froze, a close centimeter away from his eye. "I'd be impressed if you could harm kill me."

She lowered her hand, placing a hand on her hip with a new but familiar glare aimed at the crazed surgeon. "The least you could do is announce your presence or be less of a creep."

"When will you drain the color from this informant's throat?"

"About that..." Nina took in a deep breath and crossed her arms. "You're not going. Stay here with Haruto."

The Doctor held a look of surprise on his face. "Oh? Understood, Williams. Very much understood."

Without giving Nina a chance to explain, Aron quickly left the room. The taps of his dress shoes against the concrete floor faded into the distance until she was alone again.

"That was... easier than I thought."

Alone in his chosen room, Aron slipped the long dagger from the sheath strapped to his leg. A small smile formed on his face as the blade sang from him, sliding it from its sheath. He eyed its newly sharpened edge, never using it unless to prove a point. Aron's jaw clenched, his eyebrows sinking slowly.

"Fine... Just fine..."

He took a deep breath, his glare morphing into a laugh. "Just what the Doctor needed."

---

5:23 P.M.:

Nina slid the magazine into her second Fort 12 Pistol, placing the communication device in her ear. Standing at the closed door, she put a hand on her hip. "On your mark, Haruto."

"Understood. Opening the door in three..."

Aron's eyes narrowed as he watched the former Commander work away at his laptop.

Haruto looked over at the empty hallway despite feeling a pair of eyes on him while focused on his laptop screen. "Two..."

Aron exited the doors of the military base, stepping out in the afternoon sunlight toward the loft.

Two.

Nina took her other pistol from her holster, fingers hovering on the triggers.

One.

The doors slid open.

Pow!

The soldiers' bodies fell to the floor before they could react. Gripping her firearms, Nina sprinted down the tunnel. She jumped, turning upside down as she aimed at the first set of soldiers.

Pow!

Flipping midair, she aimed again.

Pow!

Pow!

Pow!

Pow!

With a small grunt, Nina landed on the ground and rolled forward with a smirk. "This almost seems too easy. Making the elevator motion sensing was a big mistake."

Upon fully stepping onto the circular platform, it began to rise.

---

General Ray looked over at Zeke. "Check-in, soldiers. Groundhogs, status?"

Silence.

"Groundhogs, respond."

Again, silence.

Cli-clunk.

The general and Zeke stood ready, aiming their guns. Moon grabbed her fixed Mako karambit knife.

Two shots rang out before either could see the person stand on the platform. General and Zeke fell to the floor. Spinning her guns in hand, Nina slipped both pistols into the holsters strapped to her upper thighs.

"Now, let's get this over with," Nina remarked, taking her plastic fulcrum knife from the scabbard next to her right pistol.

Moon's grip on her blade tightened as she took a defensive stance. "No wonder why Aux was killed..."

Grinning, Nina rushed right for the taller woman. Moon leaned back from two missed blade swipes and blocked Nina's punch before a heel landed in her stomach. Stumbling back, Moon changed her stance by leaning her weight on her left leg while keeping her arms up near her face.

"A Raven wannabe," Nina remarked.

Moon's gaze sharpened. "Better than an old relic."

She ducked a high kick, skipped back, and leaned away from another before rolling under a knife swipe. Moon parried Nina's punch and threw her head into the assassin's chest. Grimacing, Nina slipped her gun from its holster.

Pow!

Moon rolled forward, springing back up into 'Sudden Strike. The assassin stepped back, instead taking a hard arial roundhouse to the jaw. With a spin, she swiped her knife.

Shing!

Moon caught her hand, the blade poking through the other side of her palm.

"What...?"

Moon smirked and launched a kick, which Nina blocked but slid back from the force. The informant ran, ready to end this.

Crash!

The window in the living room burst open as Aron jumped through with a feral grin. Before Moon's kick landed against Nina's chest, Aron swiped her feet with a low kick. He then hooked his hands around one of her ankles and swung her around. Aron let go after two swings, and Moon crashed against the nearby wall, inhaling sharply from the impact.

"What the hell are you doing here!?" Nina growled.

Aron pulled the white glove tighter over his left hand. "I'm taking what I'm owed, Nina."

Nina's grip on her plastic knife tightened as her leather glove creaked. "You—"

"Hah!"

Both criminals stepped back as Moon's 'Chakram Kick' missed them. Aron and Nina looked at each other as another revolting grin appeared on his face, purple eyes glowing in excitement.

"Perfect."

Aron leaned back as Moon's split kick missed his head, smirking devilishly at the informant after blocking her blade with his hands before jabbing his short sword just under her rib. Just as Nina's high kick missed him, he threw himself to the ground.

"Get out of here, Aron!"

Aron laughed before tripping her with a low kick and taking hold of her wrist. Swinging her around, Moon's forward punch landed solely on the blonde's sternum. He lazily weaved back from her 'Backhand Blow,' laughing as he shoved her to the wall.

"Ah!" Nina grunted.

Turning around, Moon blew a handful of green dust in his face. He blinked in confusion, watching the world slowly become fuzzy and distorted. His mind felt slow, but his skin buzzed.

He chuckled. "Oh... that's nice."

Nina got back onto her feet, slipping a pistol from her holster. Aron swayed on his feet, moving from side to side as if drunk.

"Hah... come on."

She aimed for his feet.

Pow!

Rolling forward, Aron stood up and extended his foot, kicking Nina back as Moon aimed a sliding kick at his foot. Pulling off a corkscrew flip, he landed on the ground and twisted his body before swinging his feet around. Tripping both women, he smirked. His heel landed against Moon's chin while another kicked Nina's knee. Back on his feet, Aron stumbled into the informant and shoved his shoulder into her.

"Urgh!" She grunted before swinging her knife.

Aron blocked with his short sword and feinted a kick, which Moon went to block. Aron smirked and threw his head into her nose. Nina rushed forward. Aron jumped to execute a spinning butterfly kick. Moon stumbled back as another heel connected against her jaw. Nina ducked under his kick and swung her foot around. Aron held in his grunt and counter with a kick to Nina's knee, another to her stomach, and finished with one to her side. He easily parried her punches before smashing a fist into her jaw. Aron leaned forward just as Moon's knife missed him again. He spun around, the hilt of his short sword connecting with Nina's temple. Spinning into a knee, Aron's elbow connected with Moon's side before he stabbed her in the same spot. He stumbled back from another dust cloud and inhaled it before feinting a downward hook. Moon blinked as Aron's feet landed on her chest before backflipping. While in midair, he tossed a syringe in Moon's direction, landing precisely in her neck.

Nina aimed her gun for a kill shot to Aron's skull, who landed and spun around. She froze after feeling the new cold edge of his toothed short sword at her neck, the grip on her gun tightening. Behind them, Moon pulled the automatic syringe from her neck; the pale yellow liquid nearly emptied only after a few seconds. She breathed heavily as her limbs grew weak before collapsing. Nina spun out of Aron's hold and aimed her gun between his eyebrows. Her jaw stung sharply with the impact of Aron's fists, but not enough to make her mouth bleed.

Aron's crooked smile only widened. "You continue to amaze and disappoint me, Williams." His smile thinned into a dark glare. "I'm merely taking what you refuse to give me."

"Nothing is deserved, Aron," Nina hissed.

"That's where you're wrong. Everything that happens is either cause and effect or deserved by karma. You and I might share the same fate of meeting our grim reaper." Aron's shoulders slouched forward. "It depends on which of us survives long enough to postpone it."

"I made it clear you weren't supposed to be here!"

Aron glared. "You're the one that called me, remember? You know what happens when I don't get what I want. You owe me!"

"I don't owe you shit, you delusional Scarface."

The Doctor's eye twitched, and a broken, forced smile appeared. "Fine."

Nina crossed her arms. "You got what you wanted. Kill her, and let's go."

"No," he breathed greedily. "I need her alive."

With that, Aron approached the weakened informant. Moon's eyes widened with fear as he straddled atop her, spinning his blade in hand as his darkened purple tongue licked his top canines.

Aron inhaled deeply with a snarl. "This might hurt."

Nina swallowed hard before looking away. Not even she was this demented when it came to inflicting pain. Aron began carving his knife into the left side of Moon's mouth while simultaneously pulling her jaw. He grinned from ear to ear as blood splattered his fingers, working his way slowly across her mouth and cutting her lips corners wider.

"AAAAAAAaaaaaaaarr—"

Aron flipped through the tiny journal, eyeing the red and black pen ink notes. "It seems she knows something about the old tactics of herbal dust mixtures. Clever."

Nina stood from the desk of security camera feeds, successfully wiping the camera footage. "Are you done? We need to get going. The soldiers didn't conduct their daily check-in today and probably sent a team to investigate."

Aron shrugged, taking pictures with his phone before placing the book on the desk with the three monitors.

With that, they headed back for the platform.

---

Kingston Hospital; Room 05, Ground Level Floor - 7:21 P.M.:

A guy in a red cap rushed into the hospital room, one that had a few UN soldiers standing guard around it. Inside, a woman lay nearly dead on the bed in the room's center.

Beep.

Beep.

His shaky hands clenched into fists as hot, angry tears pooled in his eyes. Several bloodstained bandages wrapped around her midsection just under her chest. A bandage across her broken nose with several plastic tubes sticking from her arm and more dark stained bandages wrapped around her head.

Moon inhaled weakly. "R-red... Stop being such a grouch. Let me see you."

Red walked over, his heart nearly caving in after noticing how pale and sickly she looked. "W-who did this to you?"

She blinked slowly. "I can't even remember. I blacked out on adrenaline and can only remember small things."

He grabbed and held her hand tenderly. "I promise, I'll—"

"Don't... It's not your job."

"But I—"

"Red, i-it's okay."

"But you-you're not—"

Moon chuckled, a small but pained smile forming. "I'll be fine. I just need some time and... rest."

He kissed her hand, rubbing the back of her palm with his thumb. "I'll do what I can to help. I swear..."

---

Master Raven noticed Victor pause, hesitant to tell her why he called.

"It's Moon... They came after her. She's in the hospital."

"What!?"

Victor stood from the wall at the sight of his subordinate stomping down the hall. She looked apoplectic, even in her suit.

"Summers-"

"What the hell happened to her!?"

The silver-haired samurai placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "I know she means a lot to you, Tatyana, but take a deep breath. Moon's condition is bad, and the last thing she needs is to address one of her superior's questions. Keep them light and quick, okay?"

"Vic—"

He gave her a knowing look. "I mean it. She's not in any condition to do much talking right now."

Sighing, Master Raven touched the glass door and breathed deeply before exhaling. Afterward, she entered the room, surprised to find Red Capulet holding Moon's hand as she lay in bed. Master Raven could feel that familiar outrage simmer in her chest, rising like wildfire. Moon almost chuckled at her superior.

"Hey, Taty..."

Master Raven reined in her anger. "Moon..."

---

Nina looked over at Aron as they sat around the communications table. Haruto silently worked on his laptop while the Doctor cleaned his short sword. For once, the two men weren't trying to kill each other. Perhaps because Haruto finally got to see how dangerous Aron was on camera. Nina didn't dwell on the matter while cleaning one of her pistols.

The white glove on Aron's hand was still stained red with the informant's blood.

"Doc..."

"Hmm," He looked up from polishing his blade.

"What was in that syringe?"

Aron chuckled. "Did it pique your interest, Williams?"

Nina paused, remembering what she saw soon after Moon fell to the floor.

The veins in her hands and arms turned dark, making them more visible to the naked eye. Nina could see Moon's weak hands slowly clenching in pain, grimacing in disgust.

---

"Glad you suits aren't too busy to visit old friends," Moon snarked with a weak laugh.

A ghost-like smirk formed on Master Raven's face, but she held it in for fear of the tears that would finally fall while attempting to hold herself together. "Glad you're still alive, Moon."

"It's gonna take more than that to knock me down, but I guess I was... lucky."

Master Raven raised an eyebrow, waiting for Moon to continue. "All I can remember is the adrenaline rush, pain... and those glowing purple eyes."

---

Nina nodded. "To a certain extent. I'm more curious about what you put in the syringe. I've seen the worst poisons affect crime lords who thought they were untouchable, but I've never seen one do that."

Aron chuckled. "It's a special dosage, even for me. I found it difficult to recover from when I tested the final version. The only difference is the duration for normal citizens and trained fighters."

"What do you mean?"

The Doctor eyed the blade in his hand with an evil smirk, his inhuman purple tongue snaking between his teeth to lick one of his upper canines. Nina held herself from shivering in disgust.

"The serum I made is something I've been working on for years, at least it's non-fatal version."

---

"Still feels like his knife is in my mouth..." Moon added with trepidation. "I... I've never wanted to die so much in my life."

Red sniffled. "D-Don't say that."

"It was so painful. He made sure to cut slow..." She inhaled sharply, grimacing in pain as her head throbbed. "I hope-"

Moon's heart rate beat slowly and hard inside her chest.

---

"This one is somehow worse," Aron remarked. "Instead of intense pain and an eventual silent death, I made this one to..." His canine brushed against his bottom lip. "Linger."

Nina raised a puzzled eyebrow.

"It works its way through the host, invading every vein within the person's body."

---

"I hope... you find whoever i-is doing this," Moon finished.

Ba... DUM.

Her empty left hand clenched into hard fists, veins becoming dark again.

"And tell Lexi... I s-said hi."

Master Raven nodded and quickly left the room as she felt tears pool in her eyes. Victor instantly noticed and pulled her to the side, away from the soldiers. He watched with weary eyes as her heavy breathing increased while refusing to look at him.

"Tatyana, breathe."

She looked up, her brown eyes golden with new and old hatred.

---

"This one leaves the system after a few hours but leaves an indelible mental mark on the person." Aron ran a finger along the silver edge. "The body remembers pain quite well, emotional and physical especially. Pain can drive you to brilliance, ultimate destruction, or a trail to a greater path. And what the mind forgets, the body remembers - scars, trigger pains, and distress. The first wave kicks in and is paired with outside pain; it's beautiful..."

Nina's jaw clenched.

Moon could do nothing but shake in agony as he continued to saw into her mouth. Tearing the edge of her lip even further, occasional blood would spurt up into view. She could do nothing but cry and scream under him as her body failed to obey the intense need to free herself.

---

Master Raven's inner rage bubbled to her chest, one she hadn't felt since she was eighteen when a group of mercenaries nearly killed Raven on their first infiltrate and rescue mission. Victor still remembered how unnerving it was to see her expression against the seven criminals who laughed. They had no idea she would be their last visage before death.

---

"Then the second wave hits..." Aron sighed with a content smile. "It's nothing but slow..."

BA-dum...

Moon's weak smile turned into a deep, pained grimace.

BEEP.

BEEP!

BEEP!

Doctors rushed in and soon began to work on their newly pained patient.

---

"Oh, I made sure it's excruciating," Aron added, the crooked smile again appearing on his face. "The host won't know relief until it subsides completely after an hour."

UN soldiers held Red back as he struggled against their hold to get back to his girlfriend.

---

Her shoulders rose and fell slowly, hands clenched into tight fists.

"Tatyana, please say something."

The muffled screams of Moon as she cried in pain while the doctors worked on her, along with Red Capulet's desperate yells, reached Master Raven's ears. She closed her eyes, but her breathing didn't settle. Victor's eyes widened at the change in her shoulders. He moved back just as her fist landed against the wall behind him. It left a noticeably large hole, revealing the reinforced metal rods, pipes, and wiring.

Pulling her hand out, Victor noticed blood dripping from her knuckles and trailed down her fingers onto the floor—her angered expression went unchanged.

"Tatyana, please. Talk to me..." Victor pleaded.

She exhaled deeply, finally letting herself hear the screams before leaning against the wall behind her and sinking to the floor. "I... know it's not my fault. Nobody saw the pattern. But I should've been there!"

Victor joined her on the floor. "It's not your burden to carry."

Master Raven felt numb to the screams as guilt deepened the heavy weight in her chest. "Feels like it. Moon helped me a lot, and the one time she needed help, where was I? At home, relaxing. I promised Tyra to watch over her niece. What good am I if I can't even help people I care about when the chance arises?"

After a pensive silence, Victor took off his glasses. "Was Moon mad when you talked to her?"

A humorless chuckle escaped his agent. "Moon was never one to be angry, but it only comes out when she feels threatened, which is rare. But... this has me more than worried. What if it changes her? What if she's not the same person we hired when Tyra pitched her the offer when she was sixteen? Pain can do things to a person. Hell, if you hadn't caught mine when I was younger after that group of mercs almost killed Raven... It feels like my fault."

"It's not, Tatyana. You couldn't have known they'd come for her. We were just as thrown off as she was."

"But nobody should be experiencing that."

They both looked toward the room as a doctor yelled, "Hold her down!"

The vital signs monitor beeped furiously, and Red continued to struggle against the UN soldiers. Each listened with heavy hearts, knowing their jobs and everyone connected to them would be in danger. Yet this was different. The Doctor had left his effective mark despite not attacking either of the agents.

"Vic..." Master Raven began, her resolve growing. "I can't sit on the sidelines any longer. You meant well, but I can't anymore."

Though she didn't look at him, Victor could see her eyes were glossed over in pain, shoulders relaxed in mournfulness. Looking down, his eyes saw her hand on the floor beside her, still bleeding from the deep gashes but already beginning to heal themselves.

He grimly nodded. "Bien sûr." (Of course.) "I'll have a vehicle waiting nearby. Feel free to leave when you're ready to investigate the crime scene. Raven will meet you at Chevalier Palace to watch Lexi's location."

She heaved a relieved breath. "Thanks, Victor."

Victor rose from the floor and walked back down the hall, slipping his shades back on as his other top agent called.

Beep.

"Victor," Raven's voice emanated from the connected communication in his right ear.

"Raven."

"I called as soon as I heard the news. Is Moon okay?"

"Stabilized, for now."

"It's that bad?"

"I don't think you'd want to hear it if you were here."

"I see. How's Tatyana?

"I'm not the one you need to talk to about this, Raven."

"She hasn't been answering her phone."

"She's coming to terms with it despite herself."

"What? Why?"

"Her rage boiled over before punching a hole in the wall. I even saw her true anger before she turned near despondent afterward. Saying, 'Hell, what good am I if I can't even help people I care about when the chance arises?' It felt like her one chance, and she couldn't even do that."

"We had no idea, but-"

"Tatyana knows it isn't her fault but can't help but feel guilty. Head to Chevalier Palace once you're done. She'll meet you there. I need you two to watch Lexi when they show up again. Talk to her when you get the chance. She needs someone other than her superior at a time like this."

"Understood… Raven, out."

Beep.

He veered over to the hall and saw Tatyana still on the floor, her head against the wall with closed eyes, a single tear slipping.

---

9:55 P.M.:

Master Raven wiped off her wet hand with a paper towel, looking over at Red Capulet as he sat in a chair next to Moon's hospital room. The door was blocked by UN Soldiers, barring anyone who wasn't an agent or doctor from entering the room. His foot tapped impatiently on the floor, waiting for a chance to check up on his girlfriend. His head hung low as he rolled and flipped a golden coin in his left hand. She didn't bother looking over her injured hand since the cuts healed without a scar. Tossing the towel into a nearby trash can, she approached him.

Tink.

The coin spun in the air as Master Raven caught it in her palm. "Red..."

He slowly looked up, jaw clenched with an agitated expression.

"Listen—"

"Don't bother. I wanna find who did this and make them pay for what they've done to her." Red stood from his chair. "What's our next move?"

They walked toward the hospital's entrance with soldiers following them.

"From now on, we need you in one location. Return to Neo City and be prepared to move once Victor gives you a location."

"Got it." She flicked the coin in the air, and Red caught it. "Let's put these bastards in their place."

Master Raven padded his back. "Stay safe, Red."

"Will do, ma'am."

With that, Red and the four soldiers left to the armored Hummer outside.

Master Raven slipped her communication device into her left ear, tapping the button at its center. "Detective Greyland."

"Ms. Summers. Where did you say they entered from?"

---

Abandoned Harrington Military Outpost; Outside - 10:00 P.M.:

Haruto sat in his armored Hummer, his gloved hands resting on the steering wheel while looking at Nina. He gestured toward Aron with his head, which meant: Tell him. The blonde assassin narrowed her eyes as she leaned against her motorcycle, arms crossed with coldness. She looked over at Aron, who merely chuckled while slowly spinning Anna around while Bishop sat in his Royce, waiting to go.

"I'm starting to think you're the better sister, Anna," Aron's inviting tone rang.

"Starting?" Anna questioned with a laugh.

He shrugged before dipping her, his firm but scarred hand gripping her waist. "I've had my doubts due to recent events."

"Aron," Nina called sharply.

"Buzzkill," Anna remarked with an eye roll.

Aron huffed and stood the brunette up before walking over to the assassin, flxing his pale blue tie. "Is there a reason for interrupting my much-needed reunion? I—"

"You're off the job."

His dark eyebrows furrowed. "Pardon?"

"You're off the job," Nina repeated.

Aron's ease was replaced with brewing anger as he spoke through gritted teeth. "Is there a reason as to why I—"

"You're a loose end, who we can't have messing up our plans. One mishap, and we all end up behind bars. Execution is top priority, and you've become a liability."

His eye twitched with every finger clenching and unclenching. Purple eyes glowed, and eyebrows almost seemed to sink in acrimony.

'Loose end...'

"Nina, Nina," Aron said with new desperation, his cold hands landing on her shoulders. "Surely you can't be serious? After all I've done for you?"

"You're done. End of discussion."

Aron began chuckling, his head shaking before laughing with each hand falling to his side as he glared hatefully at his supposed ally. He took a deep breath before a devilish grin emerged, his canines gleaming in the night. Nina's hand fell to her gun. Before she could blink, his hand gripped her wrist with a finger poking hard into a nerve at her wrist. Nina's hand locked against her will and refused to move. Their bodies were practically pressed together as Aron held her chin up with his finger.

Nina grimaced. "Let go of me, Aron."

He looked upon her in apparent revulsion. "Let's hope you don't regret your decision, especially when the blood trail leads back to the bleeding corpse." Aron bent down to her level as his crooked smile returned. "Luckily for you, I have plans of my own. I'll be watching and waiting, Nina."

She chose to stay silent with a heated glare as Anna winked in her direction. Aron waltzed over to the Rolls-Royce and pulled Anna into his embrace. They spun in a small circle as the brunette laughed again.

"Since I'm free, how about we stop at a clothing store? I could use a refresher in style."

Bishop nodded. "Sure, white boy."

Nina rolled her eyes. "Had to Paris as soon as you're done here."

"Paris," Aron remarked. "Sounds like fun."

Without another word, Nina and Haruto rode away, leaving the trio on their own accord.

---

Hilton Valley Loft - 10:16 P.M.:

The engine of the 2024 Suzuki Hayabusa echoed through a tunnel as Master Raven's hair waved amid its speed. She lowered closer to the vehicle, feeling the engine's power of the engine.

Beep.

Beep.

INCOMING: Dead End ️

83 MPH

She shifted, easing her grip on the throttle.

22 MPH

Soon, the scent of blood reached her nose as the bike quieted into a calm purr. Looking right, Master Raven spotted another tunnel, a shorter one with two UN soldiers dead beside a sliding metal door. Getting off, she pressed the button at the center of her earpiece.

Beep.

"Master Raven to HQ,"

"Responding."

"Do we have anyone studying military architecture on hand?"

"Hmm… I believe so. One moment, Agent."

Several seconds of silence passed before a new voice entered her ear.

"Uh, Ms. Summers! I'm Garret Smithers. I-It's a pleasure speaking to you. I wasn't—"

She couldn't help laughing in her head. 'Rookies.' "I need information, Smithers. Introductions are better outside of a critical situation."

"R-Right. What do you need, ma'am?

"I'm in a tunnel..." Master Raven studied a nearby wall with faded letters and numbers painted in white. "D7-23."

"Ah, the old Harrington Outpost. A small ground-level base, a moderately sized main building, and a watch tower. That tunnel was for evacuation, but the connecting tunnel to the loft was left empty. Extra vehicles were left for sudden transport or evacuation during emergencies or transporting a person of high status in the military. That would explain why it has an extra armory underneath as well. Nobody would think to look there.

"Is the place still in use?"

"No, but you're welcome to check. The place has been abandoned since 2003."

"Noted. Thanks, Garret."

"She said my name. She—"

Beep.

Master Raven chuckled again at the rookie's eagerness.

Poof!

Materializing on the other side of the door and looking around, Master Raven's scanner outlined footprints on the concrete floor that belonged to a heel. Words appeared next to the footprints.

Blood Residue

Foot Print Stats

Sex: Female

Shoe Size: 7 ½

Height: 5'9

Weight: N/A

She followed the trail to the door and opened it; the tire tracks present were still recent. "Lucky timing."

Master Raven knew following the tracks would be useless since the dirt road led back to pavement. And with no street cameras around, she'd lose the trail instantly. She headed back inside and followed the footsteps backward. Her eyebrow raised at the sight of another set of footprints. Again, words appeared on her scanner.

Foot Print Stats

Sex: Male

Shoe Size: 11

Height: 6'0

Weight: N/A

Each set shared the same trace of blood residue.

'A two-person job,' Master Raven mused inwardly before tapping her foot. "Watchtower."

Poof.

A calm wind blew, and the dreadlocks hanging from her face waved in the wind. Master Raven could see the loft from this vantage, tiny in the distance but not far away. Her retinal scanner zoomed in on the house, highlighting the broken window.

"One ran in..." She traced the footprints toward the window. "Didn't think the male would be crazy enough to enter through the window, but this isn't normal."

With a blink, her vision went back to normal.

Poof!

Appearing back in the tunnel, Master Raven's scanner highlighted the bodies in the distance before information appeared on the side of her eye.

CAUSE OF DEATH:

Gunshot wound [Head]

Four Identical gunshot wounds

"The only way they could've killed them simultaneously is by jumping and shooting. A simple automatic would still be too loud even with a silencer."

Walking over to one of the dead soldiers, a bullet hole was lodged in the center of the soldier's cracked goggles.

9 x 18mm Makarov Bullets

A short list of pistols that used those bullets appeared, and Master Raven scrolled through them until one specific model caught her eye.

Fort 12

Only one person she knew used that pistol, and the thought incensed her.

'Should've known that witch was behind this, even if Raven was right all along.' She tapped her earpiece. "Master Raven to HQ."

"Responding."

"I found one of the criminals behind Aux's murder."

"So soon? Who is it?"

"Nina Williams. The bullet wounds are from eighteen-millimeter Makarov Bullets, something used by a Fort 12 pistol. She uses them in a combat situation."

"Got it. We'll be sure to inform Victor."

"Understood. I'll update you when I have any information on her accomplice. Master Raven, out."

Beep.

Getting back on the motorcycle, Master Raven slowly rode up to the descending platform of the living room. The scent of blood hit her nose again with the new sight of an expansive living room. Inside were two soldiers' bodies, several dents in the wall, and a pair of small blood puddles behind her. Master Raven set the kickstand down and got off the motorcycle.

"Standing here, Nina was able to shoot the two soldiers before they could react, leaving her free to fight Moon without any interruptions."

Then she remembered the window.

"The male comes crashing through the window, interrupting her plans. They fight, and somewhere along the line, one of them ends up on the floor."

Even while tracing the footprints of dried blood around the room, they still gave no clue as to who was on the floor. With a blink, Master Raven pulled up the autopsy report from when Moon was first admitted to the hospital. Notes were written in red and black pen ink but telling nonetheless.

Head – Several hits to the jaw and temple

Two identical lacerations across the lower face [Corners of her lips]

Broken Nose [Blunt Force Trauma]

Upper Body – Two Stab wounds under the rib cage [Right side]

Another stab wound [Left side]

"Wait..." Master Raven turned, facing the two small blood puddles on the floor. Her scanner quickly analyzes the footsteps in blue.

Sex: Male

Shoe Size: 11

Height: 6'0

Weight: N/A

IDENTICAL MATCH

She inhaled sharply. "This male suspect is truly a twisted individual... whoever he is."

Glancing at the floor, Master Raven found familiar small piles of dark green dust. Crouching, the kunoichi narrowed her eyes while swiping her gloved fingers against the substance.

"Moon's herbal dust... Vertigo."

That's what her informant called that specific blend as a short name for its list of effects. It mimicked the feeling of being heavily intoxicated, disorienting both experienced and new fighters alike.

"She must've used it on one of them..."

An object glinted in the illuminated part of the room. Her eyes immediately went to it as she walked over and picked it up. It was a custom automatic syringe, a red light near the blood-stained needle, and a thin, cylindrical body with a minimal amount of a light teal-looking liquid inside.

Master Raven's scanner picked up flakes of purple and blue inside the liquid.

Ingredients:

Water

Morphine

Nile's Deathbell [Dried Petal Flakes]

She tapped her earpiece. "Master Raven to HQ."

"Responding."

"Does anyone know anything about a flower named Nile's Deathbell?"

"One second." The male voice continued. "A flower in Egypt - doesn't state a specific region or place to find it. The only thing here is a warning not to touch or ingest. Something caught your eye?"

"I might have a clue." Master Raven paused. "Only one person could know. Send a jet to my location."

"Understood. A jet should be at your location soon. I'll inform the piolet to let the hangar down for your motorcycle."

Turning it in her hand, she spotted a green button near the plunger. She pressed it.

Beep.

The plunger and syringe flattened, transforming into screwable caps on each side. Slipping it into her pocket, Master Raven got back on the motorcycle. The platform descended, and she pulled back the throttle.

VRRRRR.

VRRR!

Lowering her body, she rode through the tunnel and turned along the tunnel's curve.

Beep.

Beep.

She looked down at the motorcycle's dashboard screen; black words pulsed in and out of sight.

WARNING: INCLINE INCOMING

7️8 MPH

Master Raven pulled the throttle. She could hear the jet's engine nearby as she approached the ramp leading to the outside world.

Vrrr!

The vehicle launched airborne. She shifted, her foot landing on the Jet's hangar floor as the rear tire slid across the metal before jolting to a stop.

"Where to, Agent?" The pilot's voice sounded from her earpiece.

"Paris, Chevalier Palace."

"Understood."

Disembarking off the motorcycle, Master sat in one of the cushioned leather seats next to a window. She slipped her phone from the inside pocket of her suit to call a contact labeled Agent D."

---

Giza, Egypt; Under the Sphinx - 9:23 A.M.:

A phone's backlight blared over the silver edge of a khopesh, looking new despite being centuries old. The language engraved on the blade's ridge resembled Japanese with hieroglyphics. A small crystal ball was also at the end of its hilt as a pair of green eyes looked over, Azazel's dark orb also glowing in the darkness.

Delani looked over at her mentor. "I found something."

"Take a picture, and let's go," Zafina urged. "The sun rises quickly, and we don't need any tourists impeding our trip back to the village."

Rolling her eyes, Delani picked up the sword. "It's not like any ghosts are going to want this back. They can't use it."

The ground began rumbling beneath them as Zafina glared at her protégé. "What did you do?"

Fwip.

An arrow grazed Delani's cheek just as a tile fell into the darkness below them.

"Delan—"

"Run!"

The duo broke for the small exit with a window several feet above them. Zafina leaped and landed a foot on the nearby wall, reaching for the widow's edge. Delani channeled her Ki.

Poof!

They landed in the sand and rolled forward several times before stopping.

Delani chuckled as she lay in the sand. "Close one, right?"

Zafina dusted herself off, her tone sharp with annoyance regarding her apprentice. "I told you not to take anything."

"Okay, this was my fault." Delani got up as well and followed Zafina toward their caravan on camels. "But look at the blade."

She turned the weapon in her hand as the engraving of both Japanese and hieroglyphics caught her eye. The crystal ball glowed brightly, even in bright daylight.

"Just like..."

Zafina trailed off, feeling the power of Azazel awaken in her right arm while her hand also began to glow. She inhaled sharply as the demon's energy pulsed in her limb.

"You shouldn't have taken it," she hissed.

Delani sighed, letting her hands fall to her sides. "Okay."

Clipping the blade to the left side of her belt, Delani trailed her mentor towards the caravan. The quick ride back to the village was silent even as the night loomed over their backs until the moon shined at its highest point in the sky. Zafina's phone screen illuminated inside the camel's saddle bag. Pulling it out, her eyes viewed two missed calls from a familiar number, though she wasn't expecting it at a time like this.

Master Raven – 2 Missed calls

Curious, Zafina called the agent back.

"Zafina... I'm guessing you were busy?"

"Yes," she answered. "Delani and I were searching a tomb." Zafina looked over the taller woman already inside her sandstone house, researching several books about the blade's existence. "But due to my apprentice's lack of self-control, things quickly went south."

"Delani, as usual." A chuckle sounded from the other end before Master Raven continued. "Was anyone hurt?"

"Not this time."

"Glad it went relatively well. I called because I could use your level of expertise. I'm currently tracking a high-alert POI who used a serum with a flower called Nile's Deathbell. Have you heard of it?

"That flower is highly toxic and could kill in hours if mishandled. Don't tell me you're—"

"Not me, but an informant of mine was caught off guard by the POI who used it in tandem with other substances."

"What else did they use?"

"Water and morphine."

"A simple paralyzing serum."

"What can you tell me about it?"

"The Deathbell was once only found in Azazel's Tomb as a sacred flower by those who worshipped him before he was sealed away. I set it ablaze but collected a few to study and keep them away from anyone with ill intentions. I suppose I'm not the only one who had eyes on it, which would also explain the armed men I discovered there. They weren't with either of the Tekken Force or G-Corporation military."

"He must've had a secret supplier then."

"Most likely. The Deathbell becomes a paralyzing agent in a small dosage or used with other things, sitting dormant inside the person's system until it finally appears in the form of pain coursing through their veins. It turned them visible with its dark color, rendering them immobile with its sting, paralyzing the entire body."

"That I understand. But why use other elements when a small dosage would do the same thing?"

"My guess would be to hide it's effects. Deathbell bonds well to water and is undetachable inside the body until it kicks in. Something only a specialist of some sort would know."

"Or a doctor..."

"I assume morphine is used to lessen the pain's intensity. I could be wrong."

Master Raven tapped her finger on the arm of the leather seat, eyes narrowing as she stared out the window to rack her thoughts for a hint. 'Moon passed out after the pain kicked in. Maybe it was to prevent death from pain. Being unconscious slows down the body's natural functions, making it easier for the Deathbell to leave its host.'

"Anything else I should know?"

"I discovered that the Deathbell was also used by the Hachijo clan during rituals, mostly by the ones who were given the Devil Gene. Mothers and their children only, along with select elders. This one seems to be a staple amid the clan."

"I'll keep that in mind. Do you have any pictures of the armed men?"

"I think... I do."

Beep.

Master Raven blinked, using her retinal scanner to look at the picture Zafina sent. It was heavily blurred, but she could tell those were men armed in black and gray tactical gear.

"Hmm, nothing seems out of the ordinary here..."

Her eye landed on a red blob. With a blink, she enhanced the image - a familiar red chess piece symbol sat on the short leave of one of the men.

"Checkmate. By the way, is there a cure for that paralyzing serum?"

There was a pause before Zafina flipped through pages in her herbal remedies book, glancing at the notes her tribe kept for curing ailments. "I can send over a bag of herbal sunset rose tea. It's a blend my tribe uses to counteract various poisons. Side effects include mild nausea and lingering weakness, which should be counteracted. The Deathbell poison is particularly stubborn, even with the best ingredients. Whoever takes it should avoid walking more than a few steps a day. Where should I send the tea?"

"Kingston Hospital, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."

"Got it. I hope your informant recovers quickly."

"You and I both. Thanks for the information, Zafina."

"Glad I could help. Best of luck on your mission."

"Same to you. And tell Delani to think less with her head."

A short laugh sounded from Zafina. "Of course. Not that she'd listen."

"Right. Master Raven out."

Beep.

Delani had her hands on her hips before sighing. "I know, I heard her. It was a close call, and we made it out alive. That's all that matters, right?"

Zafina shook her head, her expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Not entirely. While you work on your strategy, I'll prepare a batch of that herbal tea. Master Raven's informant is in critical condition."

"Who was it? Are there any lasting effects?"

Moving to her pantry, Zafina began gathering the required ingredients. "She didn't mention whom, nor was it my place to inquire. The serum could lead to paralysis below the neck or even periodic pain spikes if it lingers in a person's bloodstream long enough. If left untreated, it can cause enough physical and mental stress to induce a heart attack."

Delani winced with a sharp inhale. "Why does everything have to end in death here? Why can't the side effects be something fun? Like enhanced reflexes or photographic memory?"

Zafina shot her apprentice a dry look. "That isn't how the world works, Delani. Even poisons with beneficial effects are extremely rare."

"If I ever find one that gives invisibility, I'm hoarding it." Delani displayed a mischievous smile. "Imagine the relics I could study if no one could see me!"

"Right..."

Zafina refrained from retorting, but Delani's comment tugged at her mind. She understood curiosity and ambition to an extent, but her apprentice's thirst for power bordered on reckless - not exactly encouraging.

After a moment of contemplation, Zafina spoke with a note of caution. "Delani..."

"Yeah?"

"You don't actually mean that, do you?"

Delani shrugged. "More or less. Trust me, I would use that power responsibly and not get into trouble."

"I would hope so."

---

Red Capulet studied the package in his hand, a plain note affixed to its front in careful handwriting:

Herbal tea for Nile's Deathbell

One cup a day — Three Days

Serve cold or warm

Have the afflicted walk a few steps daily

He glanced at Moon lying motionless in the hospital bed, her form unnaturally still beneath the harsh lights. Strong painkillers dulled her expression, and her veins stood out, a stark, sickly purple against her pale skin.

"Hope this works..." Red murmured under his breath as he approached her bed, speaking her name softly. "Moon."

At his voice, Moon stirred, a faint grimace shadowing her face as her dulled and glassy hazel eyes flickered open like there was little left of her behind them. "Red..."

Her voice was thin and weak, barely louder than a whisper, but it was all he needed to hear.

"Here..." Red brought a small cup of tea to her lips, the surface rippling with the coolness of two ice cubes. "I think Summers called in a favor."

Slowly, he assisted Moon to sit up as he held the cup to her mouth. She took a few sips, shivering slightly at the chill but managing to drink most of it. Gently, Red laid his girlfriend back down, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead as she exhaled in a shudder. Almost immediately, her veins lightened—just slightly, but enough to catch Red's attention.

He sighed in relief. "Hold on, Moon. You'll be alright soon."

A faint smile touched her lips at the sound of his voice, a ghost of the person she used to be. Red held her hand, its warmth absent but still grounding and a piece of her.

"One day at a time," he whispered, refusing to let go.

---

Master Raven smirked, calling Victor.

"Tatyana… How are you feeling?"

She could tell he was nervous after her outburst at the hospital. "Better, thanks for asking. I found our killer and her apprentice."

"That was fast."

"Nina and her Doctor. While searching the crime scene, I found a serum and asked Zafina about one of the ingredients. She destroyed the origin of one of the ingredients he used but not before encountering a group of men, ones with the Bishop's symbol on it. Bishop is Aron's supplier when he wants something that isn't on the market."

"Makes sense. If that's the case, you both need to guard Lexi. I'll be in Neo City planning our next move with Dwight. Victor, out."

Beep.

"Count your fucking days, Williams," Master Raven swore aloud.

Chapter 18: Trial - IV

Rome, Italy; Empty Coliseum - 12:04 A.M.:

"Hmmm..."

Raven's eyes scanned the surrounding area to investigate where G Corp had moved their bases of operations. Suddenly, somebody jumped on his back, giggling like a child.

He spoke through his teeth. "Get off me, Ralin."

She did so, laughing with a huge smile as he turned and crossed his arms. "Hi, Raven."

Ralin was a shorter kunoichi but still tall at twenty-five years old, standing at 5'10 with light caramel brown skin, slim light blue eyes, a broad, round nose, and soft features. Her black hair was tied into two high, dreaded pigtails trailing down her back and stopped at the bottom of her spine. Two long, blonde dreadlocks hung from her face, one at each side that stopped at her chest and led back into twin blonde streaks. Two dreadlocks in each pigtail were dyed blonde as well.

She wore armored boots of polished metal and navy blue parts, black leggings with hip cutouts, and a strap of throwing needles on her left leg. Covering her right leg and upper body was a blue left cutout dress with gold lining along the dress, sharp gold swirls around the hip cut out that went down to her ankle with a navy bodice, and u cut that led to the dark turtleneck collar. A long red ribbon was tied around her waist with glowing, neon geometric lines engraved on both sides. Armor with more golden lines fitted her ribcage under the scarf and a short, high-collar vest with armored shoulders. A navy sweatband was fastened comfortably to her left bicep while two matching armored gauntlets were locked around her arms. Each had a black rink of short metal spikes at the top and matching onyx stud earrings.

Raven raised an eyebrow. "Why are you dressed like you had a night out?"

Ralin shrugged. "Cause I did, and I can't woo the men of G-Corp without looking the part."

"Did you find anything?"

"Finding isn't much compared to knowing, Raven."

They stood at the outer ring of the coliseum, overlooking the patrolling soldiers inside.

"The two near the imperial box, the four soldiers around the third and first level are pointed toward it. It's a loose formation to guard an entry point. And if my assumptions are correct, the imperial box hides a platform that lowers into an underground tunnel to the new G-Corp headquarters."

She pointed to the skyscraper nearby, sitting on the hill's edge. Its dark glass takes in the moonlight, and the silver lines between each window pane shined. It overlooked most of the city, with a looming shadow reaching the ocean. A small group of soldiers entered its dark corridor.

"That's comforting," Raven commented.

"Spread-out formations like these are only used when the rest of the soldiers aren't fully in place yet," Ralin added. "Kazuya has another underground tunnel system; that coliseum holds more than lounge spaces underneath. I'm guessing you don't have the upgrade either?"

He rolled his eyes. "Are you done?"

Ralin smirked with hands on her hips. "If Bestie were here, she'd tell you to be nicer to me. You'd get much more out of life if you weren't so mean."

He faced her with his usual annoyed scowl. "If she's your best friend, why didn't she tell you we're dating?"

Stunned silence emerged after his statement.

Ralin paused and opened her mouth. "WHA—"

Raven clamped his hand over her mouth.

Poof.

They now stood on a building several hundred yards away, far enough where they couldn't be heard by G-Corporation soldiers.

Ralin shoved his back. "Are you serious!?"

Enraged, Raven glared at her behind his shades. "Do you always speak and react without thinking!? You could've compromised our location!"

"That's not important. What's important is that... she didn't tell me?! All this time, I was making plans for girl season this Christmas, and she's been hanging out with you. How long?"

"Three months. It started in Tokyo just before the failed Tekken Force ambush."

"Oh... She's so getting it when I see her again! Where is she?"

"We're meeting up in—Ralin..."

Ralin's glare held firm. "Tell me."

Raven shook his head. "We're regrouping at Chevalier Palace, guarding Lexi for the next attack."

"I'm coming with you."

"I'm on a mission, this isn't..." Raven groaned. "Fine."

"She is in so much trouble."

---

Bishop's Yacht; Unknown - 11:00 A.M.:

A pair of purple eyes blinked slowly, taking in the ocean's warm shine under the setting sun. The city's cool breeze swept through Aron's as the ocean's mist provided a temporary comfort. Yet Nina's words still sat in the back of his head.

"You're a loose end."

His hands gripped the metal guardrail as anger rose in his chest. His dark eyebrows sunk, and a glare formed on his usually calm face.

"Aron..."

A familiar velvety voice said beside him as an equally slender hand crept over his gloved one, still stained with Moon's blood.

"She called me a loose end," Aron stated. "I-!" he yelled but soon softened his tone. "am not... a loose end."

"Aron," Anna crept closer to him.

He sighed before turning to face her, his expression one of guilt.

"Pay no attention to what my lesser sister said," Anna said, caressing his face with her hand. "She may forget how important you are, but I didn't. Once we take care of our last mark, you'll be at our second meeting with Dragunov back in Poland. After all, we still have plans of our own, remember?"

That wicked smile appeared on Aron's face again. "Of course, my dear Rose. I remember." He lifted his blood-stained gloved hand with the fluid's shade darkened. "And we'll paint our enemies in a brilliant, red splendor."

Anna giggled. "Exactly."

---

Paris, France; Chevalier Palace [Seine River] - 2:27 A.M.:

Ding.

Dong.

Despite knowing this place well, Master Raven still felt apprehensive about coming back after so long being away. From its familiar white marble porch and towering pillars of armored knights sculpted into place holding the building's fascia up. All four stood at attention with their marbled blade between their feet, both hands resting on the hilt. Though surrounded by modern buildings on all sides with expansive walkways and a courtyard behind it, Chevalier Palace stood out mostly with its gorgeous Beaux design. Gold trimming with white stone and marble, chiseled archways of the 1800s with several amphiphiles carved into the front pedestal where the pillar knights stood. A silver frame with black grilles surrounded each window.

Cli-clunk.

The door opened, revealing a slightly shorter man standing to greet her known as Jean - a man well into his seventies but moved as if he were a young twenty-year-old - donning the classic butler outfit but without the jacket, a dark red tie, and a gray shirt underneath his buttoned vest. With pale brown skin, a bald head with black eyebrows, an angular nose, hazel eyes, and a ragged scar down the left side of his lips that stopped at his jaw and went through his van dyke beard.

"Ah, Ms. Summers," Jean's thick French was comforting despite the current situation. "Victor said I should be expecting you. Please, come in."

Walking inside, Jean allowed Maven inside and closed the door behind her. Her eyes were met with the usual sight of the expansive living room. Several couches, a coffee table, and a wall of filled bookshelves with a large flatscreen in the center. Behind it was a pair of curving staircases with velvet red rugs leading up to the red carpet and hard floors of the showcase area. It held several pieces of armor, weapons, and books of the Chevalier bloodline. Between the staircases was a wide hallway to a polished grand piano that sat alone, waiting to be played. Victor's father, Nicholai, was quite the pianist and jumped at the opportunity to play for the unit members who cared to listen.

Master Raven snickered, still able to hear the echoes of Victor's trumpet from when he would play at random on the weekends. Sometimes, they'd wake up to the jazzy sounds instead of the usual wake-up call.

"Shall I set your bag in the upstairs room, Summers?"

"Uh... no. I'm fine, but thanks. Feel free to retire for the night, Jean. I don't plan on doing much other than meditating."

He raised an eyebrow, "Understood. I shall prepare dinner then."

"Please don't. I'm good."

Jean nodded, speaking with new caution. "Very well; I hope this mission goes well for you. Raven should be here in the morning. Good night, Tatyana."

With that, he disappeared down the hall toward the piano and into another hall on the left side of it. Master Raven's hands clenched into shaky fists, the wrinkles in her shoulders becoming more defined. The echoes of Moon's screams remained fresh in her mind. She breathed slowly and heavily, feeling her anger and Ki spike.

"AAAAAAAAAaaaaaah!"

"Hold her down!"

"Let go of me! She needs me!"

"Aaaaaa—"

"Breathe," she said to herself in a reminder to stay calm.

Master Raven's breathing slowed, but she couldn't ease her nerves. Despite being able to rein in her Ki subconsciously at will, this was a rare time she couldn't.

"Guess I won't be doing much sleeping tonight."

---

3:00 A.M.:

Master Raven sat Indian style over the polished marble floor of her room on the second floor of Chevalier Palace. The Paris wind blew through her room as the moon's sharp crescent shape hung at its peak in the sky, casting a silver light over the city through misty clouds. She wore her usual black shorts and cropped sleeveless shirt, eyes closed while her fisted hands rested on the knees of her crossed legs to force herself into meditation despite her current mood.

Master Raven stared at an identical version of herself, the only difference being her bright red eyes and red hair that was formerly blonde.

"What the hell are you doing sitting here? We should be going after Aron! He needs to die along with his entourage!"

She closed her eyes. "We're hurt, I get that. But hunting him in an angered haze makes our mission me—"

"Who fucking cares!" Anger snarled. "He needs to pay! Let me have him!"

"No! You and I know that isn't the best course of action."

"You're not listening to me!"

The red-haired tackled the normal one, pinning her to the white void below them. "Do you not understand the gravity of our situation!? He hurt Moon! Had they not spared her, there's no telling what Tyra would've said or done to us for not protecting her niece! And Aux is dead because of that blonde bimbo! We should make them feel the pain Moon is suffering and avenge Aux!"

"I'm not moving."

Anger reeled back a fist, which  Master Raven blocked before kicking her away.  The two identical women paused before the red-eyed one shot forward and swung around her foot.  Master Raven ducked and jumped back as a silver blade nearly cut into her stomach.

"Agh!"

She grunted as a hard kick landed in the pit of her stomach, sending her to the ground on her hands and knees. Master Raven inhaled painfully while holding her stomach, g rimacing as blood seeped through her teeth and dripped from her mouth.

Master Raven took shallow breaths. "Do you not understand what you are trying to get us to do? What will that do to us?"

"They're criminals! War criminals and threats to society, at that! What more of a reason do we need!?"

"It's the principle. We cannot—"

"WHAT!? What plausible excuse could you possibly have now!?" Anger cut her off. "We've done this before! There is only one principle... Aron deserves death by any means necessary! The Williams and Dragonuv will follow shortly thereafter!"

Once again, Anger shot forward and wielded her blade erratically.  Master Raven stepped back with each dodge, watching with wide eyes as her chukutō blade's silver tip nearly missed slicing her jaw.  She shifted her stance to block a low kick, but t he hilt of her clone's blade connected with her jaw.  Master Raven's blood froze as she leaned back from a swipe that sailed past her eyes.  Anger's knee caught her chin and sent Master Raven flying.  She rolled several times before stopping, heaving pained breaths as Anger slowly walked toward her.

"You try to act righteous, but you're a killer who will continue doing so, whether right or wrong. Heihachi was right in stating the obvious; we aren't much different from him, his homicidal son, or the two heffer sisters."

"I don't need you to help make a fool of ourselves," Master Raven retorted while  gradually returning to her feet in discomfort. "We have a responsibility to not just ourselves anymore. And I don't want to revert to someone I'm not proud of."

"ENOUGH!"

Anger lunged for Master Raven, her blade turning into a katana. A wooden staff appeared in the other kunoichi's hand.  Spinning it, she held it loosely with both hands and waited.  Anger rolled forward to swipe with her blade.  Master Raven jumped over and blocked the blade from catching her face. She stepped forward into a double stomach jab, leaning back while holding the staff's end to the ground, watching the katana sail over her face. Master Raven caught her foot with the staff and spun it. Anger recovered to execute a corkscrew flip.

"Raa!"

The red-eyed kunoichi spun into her sword swipe. Master Raven held her breath, the staff turning into her chukutō blade.

Shing!

Sparks flew as the metal blades clashed, the impact causing Master Raven to stumble back.  Anger advanced, kicking the other woman's knee.  Master Raven paused as her clone's blood-lusting red eyes stared back. The weapon in her hand disintegrated, feeling  her own warm blood landing on her hand.

Master Raven released a shaky breath. "I need you, but not entirely. We serve a purpose, and I can't let it consume me."

"You—You can't…" Anger stumbled back.

Master Raven grimaced, pulling the katana from her stomach. It turned back into a chukutō, the scabbard appearing across her back.  Anger fell to her knees, knowing the inevitable would happen.

"You are me, and as much as I am you, we cannot falter. You'll have your time, but you must wait. They will pay for their crimes, that I will make certain."

Anger began disintegrating into the air, her voice echoing into the calm wind. "Playing by the rules only gets you burned in the end. You'll regret not using me sooner. So will Raven..."

Where she once stood was now a katana with a red blade speared into the earth. It stood tall and still with a black orb floating above the hilt, a silver eye in its center.

Master Raven watched the last blood drop fall from the blade in her hand, slowly sliding it into the scabbard at her back. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she spoke. "We are one, but you are not all I am."

Another bated breath escaped, her heartbeat slowing. Master Raven could still feel her anger, but it wasn't as prevalent as it had been a few minutes ago. She stood with a relieved sigh and approached the king-size bed of black satin sheets before lying down. After one last glance at the sword on the katana before her bed, she quickly slipped into a dreamless sleep.

---

4:41 A.M.:

Raven gripped the handle of his suitcase. "Wait until daylight, Ralin. I'm sure she's had a long day and is probably asleep."

Ralin glared while gripping the black strap of her Rhythm Nation backpack. "I'll see you both in the morning."

He watched her disappear down the hall just as Jean appeared with a concerned expression. "Uh, Raven. I suggest you be careful when approaching Summers."

"Something happened?"

The butler shook his head. "Not exactly. Earlier, I sensed her Ki spiked for a few long minutes after I left her alone. It's been calm since then, but I would still approach cautiously."

"Understood," Raven answered before teleporting to his superior's room.

Poof.

Standing in her doorway, Raven could see his girlfriend sitting on the side of the bed, dreadlocks untied and flowing down her shoulders and back. The familiar tense silence sat between them again.

"I'm guessing Victor told you what happened?" Master Raven broke the silence first.

Raven nodded. "Said to come talk to you."

She sighed. "Of course."

Raven shut the door behind him, leaving his suitcase there before walking over.

---

4:52 A.M.:

Both agents sat on the floor, a silver light filtering in the open glass balcony doors and casting long shadows across the room. Rashad still donned his mission suit, his blades on the same drawer that held his superior's sheathed chukutō. Back to back, Rashad sat with his legs crossed while Tatyana sat with her right leg bent, resting her arm on it and her other leg lying down.

She swallowed hard. "I'm not as angry as before, but it's... infuriating."

"You know it's not your fault," Rashad reminded. "All of us were thrown off."

"True, but I can't help but feel guilty. It's a domino effect of poor decisions that led to this."

"Do you believe that, or is it the anger talking?"

His superior exhaled, laying her head on his shoulder and staring at the ceiling with eyes glossed over in sadness, anger, and disappointment.

"I don't know, yet I do..."

Rashad glanced back at the wall. "Jean informed me your Ki spiked."

Tatyana's jaw clenched. "All I could think about was Moon's screams and Red's yells as he struggled against the soldiers holding him back. The only thing I swear I could see was red."

"You didn't—"

"No..." She picked her head off his shoulder while looking over her right hand, slightly sore from punching that hospital wall. "But I could feel myself going back to that place."

"Don't blame yourself for what happened, Ty..."

"Easier said than done."

Before Rashad could speak again, Tatyana stood from the floor and approached the open balcony, sitting on the carved stone guardrail. Without another word, he joined her side. Despite the tense atmosphere, they stared at the sky full of stars in a comfortable silence.

"To be fair, I was meditating when my Ki spiked. I was fighting myself about it. Rationality is a curse when you want to release the anger. I held myself from bawling when Moon spoke to me. Nobody deserves that torture, and Aron fully deserves my blade."

Raven looked over at his girlfriend, her brown eyes glowing amid the moon's gaze and stars. "Ty... you have every right to be angry. But we have a mission, and I'm sure Moon or Ralin don't want to see you like this."

She almost chuckled. "Honestly, if it wasn't for my job and you... I would've probably been behind bars for going rogue."

"You're joking."

Tatyana shrugged. "Half-heartedly. Whether I want to or not, it lingers in the back of my mind."

"You worry and scare me, Ty."

"Is it bad I had a feeling you'd say that?"

"Can neither confirm nor deny."

Tatyana blinked slowly, eyes glowing dimly with heavy fatigue as the lack of sleep tonight finally caught up. She turned around, but Raven scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bed.

"Rashad—"

"Sleep now. Argue with me about this tomorrow," Rashad stated, leaving no room for argument.

She faintly giggled, surprised to find herself liking his demand. "Fine."

Placing Tatyana onto the bed, Rashad pulled the red blanket back over her as she formed a warm smile. "Thank you, Rashad."

"No need to thank me." Rashad gave her a small kiss. "We'll need all the rest we can get, especially with Ralin here."

Tatyana's expression faltered with a groan. "Oh, god. Does she know?"

Raven nodded. "She's more persistent than I gave her credit for."

"Great..."

"Your choice in friends is—"

"Hurry up and undress so I can go to sleep!"

Rashad laughed before taking off his high-tech shades and settling next to her. It didn't last long as Tatyana shifted to rest her head on his shoulder, her body curled next to his. Strong hands sat upon her spine as the pair finally went to sleep after an emotional few days.

---

Celebration on the Seine; Chevalier Yacht - 11:33 A.M.:

Aron dug his hands into his dark gray trench coat pockets, gazing upward at the Royal Larrieux Hotel—a cream-colored flat cap on his head, overshadowing the top half of his face. With a small device in his ear, he leaned on the guardrail.

"What's the status of the next patient?"

Haruto scoffed while staring through the scope of his Sako Sniper Rifle into one of the expansive windows. "She seems to be leaving... Williams?"

"We haven't started killing each other... yet."

Aron nodded. "I'll be there in a few minutes."

Nina looked over at her sister, Anna only offering a brief laugh. "He's part of my plan. If we're going to sneak in, we need an expert on extracting the bodies."

An icy glare was Nina's response. "Stick to the plan, A-"

"Shut up and let me do my job, Nina."

Anna giggled at the surgeon's sharp comment towards her sister.

---

Seine River Royal Larriuex Hotel, Penthouse Suite - 11:32 P.M.:

"Lexi," a soldier began. "Do you think it's a good time to go anywhere right now?"

A young girl flipped her bright auburn hair before glancing at the soldier with her classic look of annoyance and boredom. "Tu ne comprendrez jamais, Enzo." [You will never understand, Enzo]

Lexi was pale-skinned with sharp, lavender eyes, dark, slim eyebrows, wavy hair, and a thin nose on her soft but angular face. She stood short at 5'7 with a slender figure that she hid well under her dark clothes.

"Listen, I'm a busy woman, and business waits for no one. I have things I must do, high alert or not."

"Lex—"

The informant rummaged through her expansive closet. "I'm going whether you want me to or not."

Enzo looked over at another soldier, who shrugged in response.

The Italian soldier shook his head, "I am going to be in so much trouble."

Lexi laughed and skipped to the connected bathroom with her selected clothes.

Soon, the young informant walked out of the bathroom dressed in a dark ensemble. A black long-sleeve sweater with a white button-down shirt underneath with a dark blue bow tied around the collar, a black and gray asymmetrical skirt with a single red stripe on the left, leggings, and a pair of short-heeled ankle boots. The skirt was fastened to her waist with a brown leather belt, and a thick metal chain hung from the belt loop on her left side. On her face was a pair of rimless glasses, a red pair of custom death Kanji earrings sat in her ears, and a black leather choker fastened comfortably around her neck. The word caution was painted red in all bold capital letters on the left side. In her left hand was a black ink pen, while her other hand held open a small journal containing detailed notes of several known ninjas and assassins alike. From criminals like Anna Williams to her own employers, such as the Raven Unit. Although she spent most of her time studying the history of the agents of shadows, she kept note of their similarities and differences in tactics and fighting techniques.

"Remind me to ask Raven about the seal he uses for his final move, Santino."

The soldier next to Enzo nodded. "Of course."

"Now," Lexi slammed the book shut. "I need to head over to my father's store for something I've been working on for quite some time and stop at a cafe shop for a nice cup of hot chocolate with a splash of espresso."

Satino's eyebrows creased. "The second errand seems unnecessary, Princess."

This time, Lexi cast him her unmistakable look of annoyance and boredom, even while slipping a communication device into her left ear. "Business is business, and time waits for no one."

Picking up her black trench coat from a hanger in her closet, Lexi took her wallet from the desk next to it and headed for the door. The four soldiers inside her room followed the young woman out of her penthouse.

---

Haruto moved his sniper, watching as the auburn-haired opened the front door. "Mark Three is exiting her penthouse."

Aron smirked, walking toward the yacht's deck entrance, the boat heading toward the edge of a raised stone dock. "On my way now. Williams?"

Nina dropped from the vent in the informant's bedroom, hands on her hips. "I'm inside. Anna?"

The brunette slipped from behind thick curtains in the woman's kitchen and whispered. "Still here. Ready when you are."

"Good. Don't make a move until I'm inside."

---

Chevalier Palace- 11:44 A.M.:

Master Raven slid her faceplate onto her head, quickly locking the wires at the back into place with a click. "You ready to go?"

She looked over at Raven, who slipped his dark sunglasses onto his face and nodded.

"I'll text Victor—"

"BESTIE!"

She groaned. "Oh... right."

Like she was shot out of a canon, Ralin jumped and spun for a kick at her superior. "You..." Master Raven ducked, coupling her hands behind her back. Ralin aimed a high kick for her head. "Betrayed..." Master Raven blocked the attack with ease. Switching, Ralin feinted another kick before slamming her head into the woman's stomach. "Me!"

Master Raven inhaled sharply, curling over as she held her stinging stomach. Ralin was one of the few people inside her clan who could hurt the Unit Master with her attacks.

"Ralin-" was Master Raven's strained response.

"Uh uh!" Ralin cut her off. "I've known you since you were sixteen, and you don't even tell me you've been dating this sack of sadness for three months!?"

Master Raven would've laughed if she hadn't been hit squarely in her gut.

"I thought we told each other everything. Now you're leaving me out of important info?" Ralin questioned.

Master Raven gritted through her teeth. "I was busy for three months with a mission!"

"No excuses!" Ralin yelled. "No call, not even a text with your new upgrade! What if I were to go off and marry some dude and not tell you, eh? Then what?"

Raven smirked. "Which you won't."

Ralin glared at him before turning to Master Raven and taking a deep breath. "Listen, we're all busy in the Unit. It wouldn't kill you to at least call or text every once in a while like you used to. You're the Unit Master and have bigger responsibilities, but you're not the only one in this giant group of ninjas. I could technically take your role right now, and then you'd be less busy... But I'm not ready to handle all that. Next time... at least shoot me a 'Hi.' Just something."

Before Master Raven could speak, Ralin walked away. Raven raised an eyebrow as he watched her leave down the hall before turning back to his girlfriend.

"You don't believe that, do you?"

She sighed in hesitation. Ralin's emotions sometimes jumped when angry, but her true feelings were revealed after calming down. Most, if not all the time, she meant everything she said. Now was no different, primarily since Master Raven was used to it.

"No... Ralin does have a point I can't argue. I could've called during our two-week break after returning home from the tournament."

"You were taking time off to relax."

"True, but that's no excuse. I had several opportunities to text her, at least. When this is over, remind me to call her after we return home."

Raven stayed silent.

"Raven..."

"Fine, but she at least owes you an apology for attacking you."

Poof.

Standing on the roof of Chevalier Palace, the agents could see the Royal Larrieux Hotel from their vantage, only several hundred yards away in the same Beaux design with a light turquoise roof.

Raven pressed a button on the right metal ear cover. "Lexi, you there?"

"Ah, Raven. Bonjour.  [Good morning.] Are you and Master Raven ready to be my bodyguards for next week?

"More or less. Are you at the penthouse?"

"No, I needed to check up on something I've been working on."

"Lexi, protocol—"

"Cette course est importante. [This errand is important.] Trust me when I give it to you. You'll understand more, but you must not tell your superior.

"What? Why—"

"I've said too much. Oh well, I'll leave you to do as you must. Au revoir!"

Beep.

Raven groaned with visible agitation.

Master Raven raised an eyebrow. "What was that about?"

His eyebrows furrowed. "Lexi blabbering off and being more confusing than usual."

"Typical Lexi."

---

Haruto aimed his sniper. "I got eyes on the two at the balcony. Nina?"

"Moving into place now. Be ready to shoot."

"Of course.

Nina slowly crept into the living room and slipped one of her pistols from its holster before sneaking behind Santino to press the silencer to the back of his neck. "One move or call, this room will be the last thing you see."

Pew.

Pew.

The soldiers on the balcony fell to the floor.

"Doc..."

Aron nodded and walked to the door with a duffle bag in hand.

Cli-Click.

"Thank you, dear Anna," the crazed doctor praised. "Haruto should be up shortly."

Closing the door behind him, Anna observed as the sculpted doctor quickly got undressed and put on the dead soldier's uniform but put on his own beret and ski mask. Staying silent, Aron promptly picked up both bodies and hid them in the bathroom before taking up the soldier's automatic AR Rifle and standing on the balcony.

---

Master Raven's eyebrows furrowed, her sharp brown eyes catching a UN soldier walking toward the hotel as she tapped the left side of her faceplate. "Satino, are you guys doing a perimeter check?"

"Not a word," Nina spoke through her teeth at the sound of Master Raven's voice.

Satino cleared his throat. "Affirmative. Andros was coming back from checking the roof."

"Understood."

Haruto entered the room, quickly wiping the security camera footage and footage before stationing himself next to Aron on the balcony.

"Remember, boys," Anna reminded. "Play your role. We'll try to be easy on the knockouts. Get as close as possible and discover as much as possible before disappearing. We cannot have anyone interrupt our second meeting."

"Of course," Aron replied.

Nina's eyebrows furrowed. "Since when did you have a second plan?"

Anna chuckled. "Oh, dear sister. You heard the ninja, I presume. I have my motives. For now, the alliance will stand until it doesn't."

Her older sister rolled her eyes at Anna's smirk as the latter locked the door and returned to her hiding spot.

"Eyes peeled, everyone. Mark three is back with her soldiers," Haruto said, watching an armored limousine park in front of the building.

A girl with fiery orange hair and four guards accompanying her appeared in the distance, walking moderately fast.

"Don't move," Nina ordered.

---

Lexi smirked at the sight of the agents standing near the elevator, spinning her pen between her fingers with a journal in hand. "Ah, my new bodyguards."

Raven shook his head, almost smirking at her comment. "Now isn't the best time for jokes, Princess."

"C'est vrai [True], but I can't help being in a good mood. After all, I get to fill my journal with more interesting things from our Unit."

"Uh... Okay."

With a giggle, Lexi, her group of soldiers, and the two ninjas entered the elevator. Once inside her penthouse, Raven looked around. Lexi sat down at her desk with monitors, crossing one leg over the other as she placed a dark red polyester box on the desk.

"Alors, qui dois-je interroger en premier? [So, who shall I first?] You or your superior?"

Master Raven slowly clenched her hand into a fist, unable to tell if something was amiss or Moon's pain in the hospital was messing with her mind.

She looked over at Raven. "Do you feel that?"

"Yeah..."

Raven began to reach for the dual blades at his lower back. Master Raven channeled her ki ever so slightly, and white wisps of light appeared around her. Nina's jaw clenched, and a new pain intensified in her head. She blinked her eyes, grimacing. Her vision began to turn red, along with the rising pain. Her hand began to shake even as she tried to hold her gun to the back of Satino's head. The pain only worsened with each second until she could no longer point it at the soldier's head. She squeezed the trigger.

Pow!

Lexi yelped as a light bulb suddenly exploded. Nina growled, shoving Satino to the floor and aiming her gun at Master Raven.

Pow!

Master Raven lifted her arm while keeping her gaze on Nina even as the bullet sparked after ricocheting from her armor. Raven drew his blades while his superior slowly clenched her hands into tight fists. The UN soldiers disguised as Haruto and Aron pointed their guns at the intruder.

"You," Master Raven seethed with a renewed glare.

Nina stared back with the same intensity. "Seems like you've learned a new trick. Don't think that will be enough to stop me from taking down another one of your pawns from right under you."

She slid her pistol back into its holster at her leg and pulled out the combat knife from the sheath behind her pistol.

"Let's get this over with."

Satino rolled back, and Lexi ducked to the floor as several bullets rang out from the UN soldiers firing at Nina. She ran towards the agents while effortlessly dodging the bullets before aiming a high kick at Master Raven. The kunoichi easily blocked, eyes flicking to the side as Nina aimed her pistol at the red-haired informant. Lexi rolled away, springing to her feet before sprinting toward the blonde. Nina smirked and leaned back from Master Raven's kick, tripping her subordinate. Ducking Lexi's punch, she stabbed her knife into the young woman's leg.

Shing!

"AAAH!" Lexi screamed, stumbling back.

Nina jumped over the agent, shooting all but two soldiers. Haruto advanced with his knife in hand, and Aron did the same with his pistol. The blonde smirked and parried Haruto's knife swipe, countering with a quick kick to his skull that sent him flying. Weaving back from Aron's punch, she landed a hard hook to his jaw. He flopped to the floor, playing the act of being knocked out.

Nina rolled her shoulders. "Three-on-one doesn't seem fair."

Master Raven landed a hand on the hilt of her chukutō blade and ran for her with Raven tailing. She closed the distance between them as Nina jumped back from the blade that nearly caught her stomach. Out of nowhere, Anna met Raven in the air, her heel landing in his stomach.

"Gagh!" He grunted before colliding back first against the wall.

Raven rolled on the ground before stopping, his eyes veering to his girlfriend. Master Raven skipped back, Nina taking advantage and kicking in her knee before landing her own on the kunoichi's chin and weaving away from Lexi's one-two punch combo. Her follow kick sent Lexi to the wall. Master Raven inhaled sharply, jumping back just as a dagger nearly sliced her cheek. She blocked with her forearm and jabbed Nina's stomach before sweeping her leg. Raven leaned back from a sharp heel, Anna winking at him as she spun away from his blade swipe.

Smack!

He inhaled sharply from the stinging slap meeting his face. Rolling forward, Raven sprung up into 'Sudden Strike.' Anna stepped back and hooked her hands around his shoulders, tossing him overhead. He curled into a ball, landing before ducking another heel kick and parrying Anna's mid-kick. He executed 'Quicksand Catastrophe,' sending Anna flying. Raven saw his chance to aid his superior but didn't count on Anna recovering midair to throw several knives at the duo. He rolled back, a knife nearly missing his skull.

Anna landed on the floor and caught his scarf before pulling. "We're not done yet."

Master Raven deflected a rogue throwing knife and continued her offense against the blonde assassin. Nina inhaled sharply, leaning back as Master Raven's foot flew over her face. She rolled away, smirking while avoiding the taller woman's blade despite it shaving part of her ponytail. She stepped back to the door just as Lexi whipped her thick metal chain in her direction. Catching the chain, Nina yanked Lexi toward her and pulled out her pistol. Master Raven slid, halting her attack as the informant stumbled in front of her.

Pow!

Pow!

Seeing an incoming blade, Master Raven shoved the informant away before it lodged itself in her side and sliced across her stomach.

Shing!

Master Raven halted, grimacing at the new pain paralyzing her body. She stumbled to the wall, moving her head to the side in time as Nina's gloved fist missed before kicking her away.

Nina winced before sheathing her pistol back into its holster. "Our work here is done."

A wind surge blew harshly and threw open the balcony windows as a helicopter's rotor blades sounded.

"This isn't over. You'll pay for breaking my nose with interest," Nina threatened.

Anna winked at Raven before climbing onto the black ladder with her older sister following suit. Master Raven slid down the wall, leaving a visible red streak where the dagger stuck from her back. She watched with a pained glare as the red and white helicopter flew into the distance, holding her new stab wounds.

Raven growled, but Lexi's pained whimpers caught his ears as he rushed to where she lay near his superior. "Lexi."

The informant held a hand on her stomach, feeling warm blood soaking her shirt as it bled through the fabric. "R-Raven..." Gasps sounded through her tears. "God... this hurts."

"Save your energy. Reinforcements should be here soon with a few medics."

Lexi held up a shaky hand, Raven gently gripping it. His jaw clenched as he felt her pulse weaken with each beat.

"I'm... gonna die."

"Don't say that!" Raven exclaimed. "Just hang on, Lexi!"

Master Raven could only watch in silent, deepening regret. She knew well that the auburn-haired girl was losing too much blood at an alarming rate. Lexi was a fighter, but she didn't get the specialized training that kept her from bleeding out too much like Master Raven or Raven had.

"The... box..." She spoke weakly before pointing to where it was.

Raven quickly retrieved it and began opening it.

"Don't," Lexi added, a pained smile forming as she looked at both agents. "N-not until after... I..."

"Lexi..."

"I... had fun... And at least I got to see you two dance one final time. Je vous souhaite le meilleur depuis la lune... et les étoiles..." [I'll be wishing you all the best from the moon... and the stars...]

Raven gripped her hand, her pulse almost nonexistent, "Lexi, come on. You can't—"

She chuckled, her chest falling one last time as sparkling lavender eyes lost their bright glow, becoming dim and polished over. Lexi's hand grew cold, her hand unclenched as her final breath escaped. Raven's head hung low, but he picked up a bitter, saddened laugh from his superior.

"It wasn't rest in peace..."

"Rest in sparkles, Princess," Raven finished, closing the informant's eyes.

---

The agents sat in the back of the ambulance, silent and weighed down by having just watched Lexi slip into death's embrace. Raven removed his shades, his eyes searching the floor while struggling to process the sight of a young girl dying right in front of him. Losing Aux had been hard enough—a man whose life had been on the mend before it was cut short. At least Raven hadn't seen that murder occur. Lexi's death, however, was a blow that hit deeper; it could have been prevented. She wasn't much younger than they were, and now the weight of it pressed down on him. He clutched the small polyester box Lexi had given him, unwilling to open it.

Across from him, Master Raven was barely conscious, the adrenaline fading as the medics worked desperately to stop her bleeding. A numbness had settled over her; only the weight in her chest felt real, dragging her deeper into the haze. Three of their informants—yet only one survived. Moon was still alive, but she'd been exposed to the Nile's Deathbell, and her condition remained uncertain. Master Raven felt powerless, forced to grapple with the knowledge that Aux and Lexi had died under her protection.

She drew a shaky breath, feeling the cold prick at her skin, intensifying as her blood loss took hold. The lights overhead blurred, her vision fading, yet her mind clung to every haunting image from that day.

"Fuck..."

Master Raven slipped into unconsciousness.

---

Beaux Square Hospital; Ground Level (Rm 13) - 1:52 P.M.:

Raven rested his head against the bed where his girlfriend lay, her pale form barely stirring beneath the bandages and thick padding wound tightly around her midsection. She had only just awakened two hours after fainting from blood loss, the slow-healing wound at her side rendering her movements lethargic and her mind heavy. Neither of them spoke. They hadn't the words, not after watching Lexi's life drain away in front of them, nor the strength to contemplate another funeral.

Master Raven finally opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling with a vacant, empty focus. Just as she gathered the will to break the silence, the door creaked open, and a familiar, lively voice shattered the stillness.

"Oh, my god! Bestie!" Ralin rushed over to the bed, a hint of relief lighting her face despite the somber air. "I came as soon as I heard."

Her eyes shifted to the book clenched in Master Raven's hand, the top corner damp and tinged with Lexi's blood.

A flicker of sorrow passed over Ralin's face, and she chuckled bittersweetly. "I'll miss Princess, as much as I hated her constant questions. She never let anything go, watching us with that narrow-eyed glare like she was cataloging every move."

Master Raven's lips curved slightly, though the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "Turns out, she was just a huge fan of ninjas—of the different clans, the fighting styles, the marks they carried. She always wanted to know more."

Ralin's smile softened. "That's... more innocent than I thought."

She looked at Raven, who hadn't moved or spoken since Lexi's death. He sat motionless, gaze locked on the floor, his knuckles bone-white where he gripped the metal side rail.

"Raven..." Ralin murmured gently.

He stayed silent, his grip tightening until the metal creaked, the alloy warping under his fingers.

Ralin rolled her eyes, trying for a hint of levity. "Alright, Mr. Grumpy—"

"Do not patronize me!"

Raven's voice tore through the room, his head snapping up as he got in her face, raw anger glinting in his eyes. Master Raven flinched at the vehemence in his usually controlled expression, unaccustomed to this side of him. The recent weeks had worn on Raven visibly, yet seeing him erupt like this left her momentarily stunned. Even Ralin found herself taken aback.

"Do you even realize what we've lost these last few weeks!?" Raven snapped with frustrated grief. "We've buried too many soldiers to count! Lexi and Aux, two of our best informants, are gone! How am I supposed to react!? You come in here, cracking jokes like we're not the next on their hit list if they find Red! And you think I can just shrug it off!?"

"Oh, I have no idea?" Ralin fired back, stepping closer until they were nose-to-nose. "I was the one covering both your asses while you were in Japan! Don't act like you're the only one who's lost people! And if you think bottling it up and lashing out is the answer, then-"

"ENOUGH!"

The word echoed in the room, an eerie silence falling as Raven and Ralin retracted from their close encounter to see Master Raven sitting upright in bed. She still felt the effects of losing so much blood but couldn't stand by watching her confidant and boyfriend go at each other's throats.

"Both of you shut up and listen to yourselves. This has been difficult for all parties involved." Master Raven eyed Ralin. "No one said you weren't pulling your weight, Li. But give us a break. The last few weeks have been hell after these two funerals."

Ralin hesitated as she took in Raven's haggard appearance. He looked worn down to the bone, tension pulling at his face with slumped shoulders as if the weight of his grief physically bent him. Outrage had left his body taut, yet exhaustion seemed to drain him all at once, his frame slouching.

Raven exhaled, slipping his sunglasses back on before moving past Ralin toward the door. "I'll be outside."

Master Raven watched as he disappeared through the doorway, her gaze lingering momentarily before drifting back to the ceiling.

Outside, Raven leaned heavily against an armored vehicle, tilting his head up to the sky as he ran a thumb over the soft, padded edge of a rectangular box in his hand. A lump rose in his throat as he pried it open, the weight of its contents crushing.

Inside lay two rings nestled in the fabric, one for a man, the other for a woman. The masculine ring gleamed with black-polished facets, its deep, violet-striped band catching the sunlight. The woman's ring, crafted in a loose braid of white gold, held an amethyst at its heart, flanked by two delicate diamonds. Lexi had designed it with Master Raven's favorite color, a hue she'd often teased Lexi about when discussing her endless fascination with ninja symbolism.

Raven's breath hitched as a free tear blurred his vision. He shut the box, fingers shaking while hearing Lexi's faint and laughing voice linger somewhere in his memory, though it felt miles away.

---

Lexi cast him her usual sharp look of annoyance and boredom.

Raven stopped chuckling, noticing her expression. "Oh... you're serious."

"Maintenant que vous avez fini de rire, [Now that you're done laughing,] I can get back to business. What are your favorite colors?"

Master Raven shrugged. "Purple."

"Uh... black," Raven answered.

Lexi nodded. "I can work with this."

"What—"

"Her father is a jeweler, Raven. He owns the Bijoux de France store," his superior explained.

"You do know ninjas don't wear jewelry, right?"

Again, Lexi cast him a sharp look. "Aye, Raven.  I'm only making rings, not giant gaudy necklaces."

Master Raven couldn't help laughing.

"Right..."

---

4 days later; Laurent Mansion; Paris, France [Backyard Lot] - 4:19 P.M.:

Raven perched on a thick tree branch, one leg dangling as he watched Victor's speech from a distance with eyes hidden behind dark aviators. He couldn't bear sitting in the front row, not alongside his superiors or with her father, Jaq, and the uncles clustered around her coffin. Instead, he stayed in the shadows, clutching a small box—the rings she'd once entrusted him.

Dressed like everyone else in somber white, Raven had only made one slight deviation: a pale purple vest, its color softened in deference but still faintly defiant. He looked down at the box, unaware of Victor's words describing Lexi's spiritedness, unorthodox visits to Chevalier Palace's training facility, and relentless curiosity.

"A dangerously clever woman," Victor remarked. "She held secrets like treasures, carrying a journal filled with notes she guarded fiercely."

If Lexi saw Raven right now, she'd probably say: Je n'aurais jamais pensé te voir porter du violet... [Never thought I'd see you wear purple...] You look weird without the dark outfit.

"Shame you didn't live to see it, Lexi..."

Suddenly, Raven's demeanor changed from grief to annoyance after sensing who stood before the tree. Ralin, dressed in an all-white outfit of dress shoes, suit paints, and a pale purple shirt with the sleeves folded back to her elbows and unbuttoned collar, shoved her hands into her pockets, shoulders tensed. He couldn't tell what was in her gaze, nor was he in the mood to find out if their last interaction was any indication.

"Shouldn't you be up there?" Raven's sharp inquiry sounded.

Ralin sighed. "Look, I get that you probably want to kick me across the yard for my outburst. I'm sorry... I know I shouldn't have reacted like that. You... have every right to dislike me. I wanted to apologize for being stupid. Reacting to anger is instinctual to me. I'm working on it."

"Likewise..."

"Huh?"

Raven's glare softened. "You didn't deserve that either, so I'm just as wrong as you were. We're supposed to be teammates, and it's deplorable on my part as a leader. So I apologize for going off on you."

Surprised but understanding, Ralin nodded. "I was expecting something harsher, but-"

"Li..."

She held up her hands in mock surrender. "Got it."

To her surprise, Raven teleported beside her with an outstretched hand. "Truce."

Ralin stared at the hand before taking it for a firm shake. "Truce."

With that, each stayed silent, leaning against the tree as the funeral concluded from afar. Soon after, the polished white coffin was lowered into the ground. Master Raven walked over, her eyebrow raised at seeing her boyfriend and bestie in close proximity without arguing or hurling sly comments - probably out of respect for Lexi's funeral, in her estimation.

"Raven..."

His girlfriend stood at the tree's base, clad in a crisp white suit with a matching pale purple jacket and tie. Raven glanced past her to see Jaq bowed and sobbing in his seat.

"Duty calls?"

"Victor wants us in Poland. Agent Owl spotted Dragunov."

Raven nodded grimly and leaped down, landing beside her. "Thought Moon would be here."

She frowned, her gaze flicking back to the ceremony. "You and me both. Red said she was training, but I didn't think she'd miss Lexi's funeral."

His thumb tracing the box's edges, Raven took a slow breath. "I need a minute."

Master Raven nodded and stepped aside, giving him a clear path to the grave before her eyes veered to Ralin. "We hashed it out. I'm surprised, though..."

"About?"

The younger ninja displayed a sorrowful smile. "I knew we'd eventually butt heads. Yet I didn't believe it would be during something like this."

Master Raven merely nodded.

"This sucks beyond words. However, knowing he has a heart underneath that hardened exterior is nice. Don't tell him I said that..." Ralin grew curious when her friend didn't respond. "How serious are you guys?"

"He already has my dad on his case. Mostly jesting, but I can tell he's skeptical of Raven when he shouldn't be."

"And your mom?"

A small, wry smile found its way on Master Raven's face. "She's encouraging him despite my dad's obvious protectiveness. It's a start, considering how they scrutinized my past choices."

Raven approached the freshly dug hole, hands buried in his pockets. "Lexi... I never understood you beyond your serious questions or obsession with tactics. But now... maybe I do. Your fascination with things others would dismiss, that sense of wonder—oddly endearing for a French girl." He paused, a shadowed smile crossing his lips. "I wish I could say this to your face, but you're probably too busy watching the stars. Thank you, Princess. I'll use the rings wisely. Rest in sparkles."

Raven turned away to find Jaq's tearful, grateful nod, then approached the row of black armored Escalades where his superiors waited as Ralin walked past him. "Li."

She stopped. "Yeah?"

"You need a ride?"

"Thanks, but I gotta meet with Dwight. Wish me luck?"

"You won't need it."

Ralin gave a sincere laugh before climbing into the backseat of a parked armor hummer. Raven was glad they had reached some common ground, a silent understanding of something tethered into more than allies on the same team.

Victor placed a gloved hand on Raven's shoulder as he approached. "Those were fine words."

"They don't change what happened..." Raven replied quietly.

Nodding, Victor entered the car as Master Raven eyed Raven. "That went surprisingly well."

"I thought it over these past few days. She's more than a teammate, but your best friend. The last thing I want to do is you come between that."

His girlfriend pecked his cheek. "Thanks for working it out. That counts for something in my book. I'll tell her that too later."

With that, they climbed into the vehicle, the lingering sadness settling over them like mist as Master Raven's eyes fell on the box in his hands. "What's in there, anyway?"

Raven looked out the window, watching the funeral site fade behind them. "For later. Lexi told me not to spill."

"Fair enough." Master Raven glanced to the front. "Vic?"

Victor turned slightly, glancing back from the passenger seat.

"Mind if we make a quick stop at your house?"

He gave a measured nod. "Of course."

Haruto, still under the cover of disguise, steered the wheel left toward their next destination.

---

Once the Escalade stopped before the mansion, Master Raven quickly exited before vanishing into thin air. The familiar sight of sleek metal, wide sparring mats, and several agents practicing was comforting. Alas, she had no time to sightsee.

"Raaa!"

Master Raven turned her head, the new angry yell of somebody practicing alone in the main sparring room catching her attention. She loosened her tie and unbuttoned her collar before walking to the wooden sliding door. A chain rattled, and metal sang as it sliced through the air in tandem with the shadow that danced with the blade. Angry, loud grunts sounded from the other side, and Master Raven could already tell who it was by the voice alone. Taking a deep breath, she slid the door open and entered.

Upon seeing Moon, the shorter woman's glare slightly softened. Her shoulders visibly rose and fell as she breathed heavily behind a mask that covered the bottom half of her face. She wore black shorts and a hot pink bra with red sweatbands around her wrists.

"Moon," Master Raven spoke.

The informant growled before tossing her weapon, a silver double-sided kusarigama, to the floor at the Unit Master's heels.

"You missed Lexi's funeral..."

Moon's eyes cast downward as her left hand shook before clenching into a tight fist, hot, angry tears pooling in her closed eyes but never falling. "It wouldn't have made a difference."

Master Raven crossed her arms. "You were supposed to be her guest of honor. A bit rude—"

"Don't you think I know that?!" Moon's retort was one of pain and vivid sorrow. "My best friend is dead, and I was carved into like roadkill a week earlier! I should've been there, but I can't go out there like this!"

She tore off the mask that concealed her face, finally revealing the ugly scars sprouting from each corner of her mouth. Ragged, long, and newly pale against Moon's light skin tone. Despite their look, Master Raven remained unphased after seeing worse in her younger days as an agent - both living and dead.

"I can't sit down at her funeral and grieve normally. I don't get how you could either."

"Trust me; I'm just as livid about this as you are."

Moon rolled her eyes. "Right, you look real angry in that outfit."

Master Raven picked up the weapon at her feet and closed her eyes, no longer restraining her Ki.

---

Outside:

Raven sat up in the passenger seat. "You sense it too, Vic?"

The Frenchman nodded. "Tatyana is probably talking to Moon or taking a few minutes to release her frustration."

"Hope nothing bad is going on down there."

---

Moon's eyebrows furrowed before they slowly widened the longer she stared. A red glow appeared around Master Raven, and crimson light wisps emitted from her. The younger agent didn't understand how the air around them suddenly gained an otherworldly air crackling with energy.

"Woah..."

Master Raven's eyes snapped open, staring at Moon with a new focus. Her brown eyes glowed, nearly becoming a bright shade of gold with her noticeable rage.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to decapitate the people responsible for this." She eyed the sickle in her hand, running a finger along the blade. "But I won't lie and say it's easier to run on nothing but anger and pain."

Moon frowned. "Why not? Seems better than feeling it."

"It becomes poison after a while," Master Raven added. "Plaguing your mind until it's the only thing you can feel or think about. When your enemy is dead, then what?"

"It's not that fucking simple, Ty."

"You can listen to me or stumble through your emotions. Don't do this to yourself."

"Don't fucking tell me what to do."

"Then act like you control your own mind and listen."

"Shut up!"

Moon shot forward. Master Raven inhaled sharply, stepping back as she leaned away from a clawed hand that nearly gouged her eye. For a split second, she saw herself in the informant and not the part she wanted to see. Her red glow and wisps of light vanished in the blink of an eye. Master Raven blinked and ducked a sickle-blade slice before deflecting a punch.

"Moon..."

The other woman didn't respond and continued attacking in a rage. Master Raven slid her foot back to block a low kick and spun away from a roundhouse kick aimed at her jaw. Blinking, her brown eyes spotted an opening. Skipping back, Master Raven's heel connected with Moon's stomach. She released a heavy breath, noticing one of the sickles near her temple, centimeters away from impaling her head. Moon stood frozen with the impact of her superior's hit, dropping her weapon as she collapsed to her knees before curling over while grasping her stomach.

"F-Fuck..." Moon cursed, eyes shut tightly.

The pain seemed to be drowned out with overwhelming sadness as her tears returned in full force.

"God... that hurt so fucking much."

She breathed heavily, gripping the tatami wood floor with one hand. "I just... feel hopeless. Aux was killed, my best friend is dead... What's next? You end up in a hospital bed again?"

Master Raven squatted in front of her. "Who knows, but Lexi wouldn't want you drowning yourself in anger. Take it from somebody who nearly did it themselves. Once you lose all sanity, you'll lose all that makes you whole."

"So... what are we gonna do now? We can't sit here and wait for something to happen."

"True," Master Raven agreed. "But take a break. Earning your Chūnin Assailant rank is no easy task when sitting at Cavalry for a few months. Listen to me, Erin. Use the pain as fuel to improve and become something Lexi would be proud of. Using anger to do that means you're falling harder than you think. Your skill will be for naught if that's needed to obtain your goal without it."

Moon slowly nodded. "I guess... I have a lot to work on."

"Yes. But rest for Tyra's sake and mine. I'm surprised she hasn't already beaten me over the head about you."

"You know Auntie doesn't hold grudges like that." Moon winced. "That kick was hard."

Master Raven chuckled nervously. "Sorry, I forgot I was wearing heels. I have to go, but I brought something for you..."

Reaching into the left inside pocket of her suit jacket, she obtained a bracelet and placed it on the floor before leaving. It was a leather cuff with a digital watch face braided into the center - a custom-made communication device Lexi had promised to give Moon one day.

The informant sobbed despite a small smile on her face. "God... I fucking hate you, Lexi."

---

Master Raven slid back into her seat.

Raven looked over, the pale tie loose around her buttoned collar. "You okay?"

She nodded, staring out the window at the passing city. "Moon and I had a conversation and reached an understanding. Off to Poland?"

Victor nodded. "Dwight and I will brief you two on the jet back to Warsaw."

---

UN Raven Stealth Jet -  5:02 P.M.:

The two agents sat before their boss and Dwight while the disguised Haruto and Aron occupied the cockpit with the Mechanic and Bishop. Toby flew the jet surprisingly well for a gearhead.

Toby rolled his eyes under his helmet. "You sure I can't crash the plane now and end our problems?"

"And kill us all with them?" Haruto questioned. "You're an idiot."

"Just saying. We have parachutes."

"Stick to the plan, boys. Infiltrate and stay silent," Anna's voice reminded them from their hidden communication devices.

"Right..." The Mechanic remarked. "This is a load of—"

"Shut up," Haruto ordered to eavesdrop on the conversation behind them.

Master Raven crossed her right leg over her left. "What's the plan?"

"I will be overseeing Red's relocation to an oil rig detention center located in the North Sea just outside Norway," Dwight detailed, "While I secure his location with Ralin, Tatyana will shadow Dragunov at his next meet-up spot with Anna and Nina. Once you infiltrate the building, feel free to detain the criminals as you see fit. Victor and Raven will wait on standby and assist with the detainment of our POIs."

"Understood," Raven replied.

"Anything else we should know?" Master Raven asked.

Dwight placed a hand on his chin. "There's been some slight disturbance in the city with the Tekken Force, so remain vigilant."

Upon landing in Poland, the band of criminals slipped away, and a new group of soldiers took their place following Dwight. They quickly ventured into a quiet hall and turned down an alleyway. Each discarded their disguises and put back on their regular clothes that sat in the four duffle bags along the walls.

Aron took off his helmet. "Where to, Nina?"

"Park Syrenki. Look for the red warehouse a few yards away at seven o'clock tonight. Don't be late."

Toby nodded. "I'll be seeing you assholes later then?"

Haruto rolled his eyes. "Disappear and make sure you're not followed."

Bishop lifted his goggles from his eyes, winking at the former Commander. "We got this, Crow."

---

Warsaw, Poland; Vistula River; Coastal Loft - 5:49 P.M.:

Victor closed the door behind his two agents. "Prepare yourselves for the coming mission. I'll do some digging about this disturbance."

His subordinates nodded before Victor returned to the armored hummer outside.

Raven glanced at his girlfriend. "What happened back in Chevalier Palace? You seemed to be thinking a lot."

Master Raven placed her duffle bag down. "I'm surprised you noticed. You seemed preoccupied with something else."

"I was but noticed after your second Ki spike. Did something occur between you and Moon?"

She huffed before taking a seat on the couch. "I'm not proud of what happened, but I couldn't let her stay like that without doing something. Ironically, I saw a reflection of myself in her."

"You're saying that as if it's a bad thing."

"It was... for a split second. Do you remember when Victor took us to see Grandmaster Leon after our first infiltrate and rescue mission?"

Raven nodded. "How could I ever forget? You looked so..."

Master Raven stared at the polished hardwood floor, sensing Raven's hesitation as he recognized the look that remained in his brain, even if it wasn't because of him.

Silent, burning anger.

The red aura and wisps of light reemerged, Master Raven's Ki push giving Raven and Victor a headache.

"Pain and anger are offsetting to each other. One cannot know anger without pain, and pain can't be felt without anger behind it," she quoted. "I remember being so angry, I attacked him. He held no hard feelings but kicked me so hard I could do nothing but lay there. It was only then I finally listened to what he meant instead of dwelling on the fact that those men nearly killed you. I had the unfortunate pleasure of teaching Moon that lesson. That was when I saw myself in her during that instant second when she attacked... I couldn't let her go on like that."

"Glad it didn't escalate further."

"You and I both."

Raven eyed the record player. "How about a small workout with a little music?"

"Handstand push-ups?"

"Fine, but I'm picking the music."

Master Raven chuckled before standing from the couch. Raven skimmed through the small group of records and put on one by his favorite rap artist.

Uh

His girlfriend laughed. "Of course."

Ha, sicker than your average

Poppa twist cabbage off instinct

Raven nodded his head to the song. "Don't act. I know your dad used to play this in his car when you were younger."

"That's why I hate it." Master Raven grinned. "You and him overdid it for me."

---

Wspolnota Mieszkaniowa Regaty I/II [Condominium Complex] - 6:37 P.M.:

Victor clasped both hands behind his back, standing on an expansive rooftop building. His gaze narrowed behind his shades as several Mishima Zaibatsu armored vehicles and Tekken Force soldiers patrolled the parking lot. They even went as far as to check driver's licenses who wanted to enter the complex.

"Is there a reason why they're here?"

The nearby soldier rolled his shoulders. "A few soldiers say they spotted Jin Kazama in this area. Some have even searched around Park Syrenki."

Victor put a hand on to chin. "Check the park and the surrounding area. I want to know everyone that's entered the building's proximity the past two hours."

Beep.

Beep.

An incoming call from a general alerted Victor to press the button on the right side of his shades.

"Sir, we've spotted Dragunov's vehicle moving from Sieraków Village."

"Understood. I'll send word to my subordinate."

---

Master Raven smirked. "Had enough, Raven?"

Raven chuckled while lying on the floor. "I don't get how you can go into a full plank after doing fifty handstand push-ups."

She laughed before slipping her faceplate on as it automatically connected the wires at the back of her neck. "That was my normal routine when I first got my Kage rank."

"You were only... what? Seventeen?"

"I blame that on genetics."

New words appeared across her right eye. Dragunov's vehicle is leaving Sieraków Village.

She blinked her eyes, and the message disappeared. "Dragunov's on the move."

Raven shot to his feet. "Got it."

Poof.

---

6:57 P.M.:

Master Raven slid and quickly stepped before jumping into a tree, lowering into a crouch with one leg extended as she held onto a firmer branch above her head. Peaking through the leaves, she focused on the vehicles parked before a seemingly new, red concrete warehouse.

"Like watching a panther stalking its prey from the shadows."

She withheld her chuckle as a few armored Mishima Zaibatsu trucks, Dragunov's armored Jeep, and Nina's motorcycle appeared. Several Tekken Force soldiers stood guard around the building. Soon, another car stopped near the warehouse's entrance - the familiar red and white Rolls-Royce. The Bishop exited the vehicle, donning a primarily black outfit. Dress shoes, suit pants, a buttoned dark red vest, and a bright red leather coat lined with white fur. His cane in one hand as he grinned.

"Finally! We're getting to the good part!"

Anna and another man who seemed to look more like a professional henchman than anything. Wearing black dress shoes, white suit pants, a deep red turtle neck sweater, and a white lab coat. His face was hidden well by the shadow of his cream-colored Panama hat.

Master Raven's eyes widened. 'You!'

Without a second thought, her retinal scanner caught pictures of the guy in the hat again. She blinked; the retinal scanner highlighted the Tekken Force soldiers inside in red, the unique band of POIs was covered in purple, and places she could hide were orange. A cross-section of beams near the warehouse's sloped ceiling seemed ideal for watching. Master Raven had to stay away from where the setting sun's rays filtered through the window in the roof.

'Seems easy enough.'

Master Raven thought with a blink, automatically shutting off her scanner's X-ray mode before jumping. While suspended in air, she executed a corkscrew flip and peered through the ceiling windows with narrowed eyes, channeling her ki even as her targeted landing stood thirteen feet below her.

Poof.

Master Raven stood in a crouch, hands resting on her armored thighs.

Bishop, Anna, and the guy in the hat entered the spacious, well-lit building after Dragunov and his translator. Several Tekken Force assassins stood around boxes of weapons and a few military-grade bombs. Nina, Haruto, and Toby sat at a holographic table. Haruto wore his typical outfit: an armored vest, pants with extra plates strapped to his legs, and armored combat boots with his gloves. This time, no leather trench coat covered his muscular arms. Toby wore a simple brown leather jacket, camouflage cargo pants, and faded gray leather boots.

"So," Bishop began. "Mind if I have a turn with that sexy ninja lady before—"

Boom!

---

Victor and Raven's heads snapped in the direction of the explosion as a Tekken Force soldier yelled, "Jin's here! Go, now!"

The Frenchman placed his hand on the hilt of his blade. "A devil arises from chaos again. Raven."

Raven gripped the blades at his back. "Sir."

"We take him alive by any means necessary."

"Understood."

They flew toward the chaos several yards away. Fully possessed, Jin swung a soldier around once, twice. He let go and watched the soldier perish into the flames of an exploded truck. He breathed heavily, chuckling. He flew towards another that fired at him, slashing through his throat.

"Seya!"

Raven grunted as his foot landed against Devil Jin's jaw before rolling to the ground. Recovering mid-air, the jewel engraved into his head began to glow.

"Typical," Raven spoke.

Before Jin could fire off his laser, he sensed Victor and leaned out of harm's way. The Frenchmen smirked before turning to grab onto one of Devil Jin's wings.

"Vrah!"

Victor used the momentum of his fall to toss Devil Jin away as the entity slid back, opposed by the two agents standing side by side.

Devil Jin narrowed his hazel eyes. "Who... are you?"

Victor drew his sword. "You'll find out sooner or later."

Growling, Devil Jin shot toward the two and swiped his claws. Raven rolled back as Victor backflipped overhead. Both landed and quickly countered. Devil Jin leaned back to block Raven's kick before ducking Victor's punch. He tripped Raven before tossing him overhead. Victor aimed his gun.

Unbeknown to the occurring ruckus, a Tekken Force soldier below looked through the scope of his missile launcher.

Jin rolled on the ground but sprung back up before missing his uppercut. Raven landed on the ground near Victor, throwing a shuriken.

Devil Jin shot into the sky with his moniker smirk. "You fools dare to kill me!?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the missile and spun, closing his wings before pointing a fist outward. Redirecting the projectile, Devil Jin hurled it toward the duo of fighters as Victor and Raven jumped back to avoid immediate death.

BOOM!

---

Haruto eyed the soldier. "What the hell is going on out there?"

"Don't know, but I'll check."

With that, a group of soldiers headed for the wide sliding metal door at the entrance. A laser splits through the air, cutting everything in its path. Devil Jin roared in a fury, flying through a hail of bullets while soaring over the park. Both Raven and Victor gave chase, but the former realized the creature's flight path."

"He's heading toward the warehouse." Raven pressed the button on his built-in communication device. "Tatyana! Jin's heading in your direction!"

Master Raven's eyebrow creased as the chaos of bullets and missiles sounded outside the warehouse. She could see several Tekken Force soldiers shooting at something in the sky.

"Tatyana! Abort mission!"

"What?"

A soldier below aimed his RPG. Master Raven turned, her eyes widening.

Jin fired off his laser. "Raaaa!"

"Get out of there, NOW!"

She took a running step toward the left side of the beams.

BOOM!

The surrounding area was encased in a blinding light from a tremendous explosion.

THUD!

"AGH!"

Master Raven inhaled sharply, lying on the warehouse's concrete floor as blood dripped from her temple and stained her metal faceplate. She blinked while disoriented; the smoke ash stung her lungs with each shallow breath.

Dark leather dress shoes filled her blurry vision, Master Raven's ears hearing a half-muffled laugh before a cynical, lusting voice spoke. "There you are. Let's get this injured woman to the clinic, shall we?"

Before she could do anything, a foot landed on her back to press her against the floor with more strength than she had at present.

"Tatyana!?"

A sting at her neck occurred before Tatyana began slipping into unconsciousness.

"Tatyana, do you copy?! Ty-"

The voice in her ears quickly faded into a deafening silence.

---

7:49 P.M.:

Raven breathed heavily, blinking under his dark sunglasses while his arms shakily pushed his body from the grass. The scent of burning flesh and ash filled his nose.

"Ah... what—"

---

Devil Jin roared, swiping his claws.  He jumped back from the missile.  Devil Jin flying through the air, several yards in the air.

"Tatyana! Abort—"

---

Panicking, Raven ran toward the visibly destroyed warehouse, Victor following after him. A ragged, blackened hole was left where the explosion occurred. The top right part of the building was where Master Raven watched from above. Several UN soldiers surrounded the building, arresting the rogue group of Tekken Force while others searched for casualties beneath the wreckage.

Running through the door, Raven's sunglasses scanned the debris as he looked around in a frenzy.

Beep.

Blood Stain – 24 Minutes Old

Polaroid Picture

Raven cautiously picked up the picture, eyebrows sinking with hardened anger. Part of Master Raven's right arm and upper body filled the frame with a blue glow from the light in the upper left corner. A hand covered by a white cotton glove laid on her arm, its thumb hovering over part of the shoulder tattoo. Written in cursive, bold, red ink was a simple phrase.

"The Doctor will see you now."

Chapter 19: Chaotic

Unknown Location:

"We're in so much fucking trouble for this!"

Toby's exclamation reverberated through the open space, heard by everyone nearby. No one was more interested than Nina, who looked over, her slim eyebrows lifting at the sight of a familiar tattoo.

死

Walking over, her mouth hung open while eyeing the body lying across a surgical table. It was the Raven Unit Master herself, unconscious and her body strapped down with thick metal shackles around her wrists and ankles. Several tubes from the nearby bags were filled with morphine and anesthesia under the vital signs monitor. Occasional beeps were rendered down to an eerily silent. Nina's jaw clenched before turning on her heel to face Aron.

"Nina, I—"

SMACK!

The once-light air had changed dramatically as the crazed surgeon clenched his jaw, the left side of his face stinging after the blow. A slight reddish tint emerged as Aron slowly turned back to the offending party, holding a sharp glare.

"Are you trying to get us killed!?" Nina roared.

Despite having her perfect chance to kill the kunoichi, Nina realized it would be a hollow victory.

"Whatever the fuck this is, clean it up and get her out of here! She could be bugged and lead the UN right to us for all we know!

"Williams, I—"

"Enough! Ditch the body!"

Aron huffed, speaking through his teeth as Nina stormed off. "Fine. I'll be done with her in a few hours, and she'll be back in good health."

Nina stopped in her tracks, a dangerous glint in her expression emerging. "Aron—"

A silky laugh sounded behind them from Anna, who sat on a closed weapons crate. "Come on, Nina. Let him play for a while. He might have something in mind that could give us the upper hand."

Nina narrowed her gaze. "I want her gone."

Aron smirked. "She will be if my examination goes to plan."

He picked up a miniature flashlight and spun it in hand before turning it on. Gently, Aron opened Master Raven's left eye as a dull brown pupil emptily stared back. Then he switched to the right, with a bright orange pupil staring back emotionlessly. This prompted the Doctor's curiosity.

"Interesting... This might require further investigation. Anna."

She grinned before replying in a playful tone. "Yes, Doctor?"

"Please escort the civilians to the waiting room. I need to give this patient a thorough examination."

Anna laughed as she stood. Bishop shook his head before walking toward the bunker's open doors where his Rolls Royce parked. Toby and Nina followed after him toward the entrance.

Aron chuckled, a new blood-lusting grin forming as his deep purple tongue ran over the top canines as he picked a camera attached to a microphone. He ensured it began recording before focusing the lens on Master Raven's face while looming over her.

Clearing his throat, he began narrating. "The first-ever female ninja examination: Codenamed Master Raven. An African American, five foot eleven female, weighing one hundred forty-one pounds with brown and blonde hair. I've put the subject under a heavy dosage of morphine to prepare for the procedure. Her breathing is stable, and her vital signs are reading normal. I will now begin my examination procedure."

Aron paused the recording and put the camera on a nearby stand, ensuring the footage only displayed his hands and her head in view. He sat on his rolling stool and took a deep breath. The cold air refreshed his curious, dark mind as he pressed the record button.

"I will now make the first incision..."

From a small rolling table with several surgical tools and devices, Aron picked up a scalpel while eyeing the glint of its silver-edged blade, which took in the room's lighting. He positioned her head ever so slightly. Anna turned up the beeping on the monitor's vital signs as Aron performed his first incision at the back of her skull. His dark tongue ran over his top canines, withholding his urge to admire the red fluid dripping from her dark skin.

---

Victor rolled his shoulders, the invisible weight of guilt pressing firmly against his back. He didn't want to make this call—not now, not so soon after the chaos of Master Raven's nearly botched retinal scanner surgery. Barely a week had passed, and now this: delivering the grim news that Tatyana, their daughter, had gone missing.

He hesitated with a thumb hovering over the call button. His stomach churned, a sick mix of dread and self-reproach. This wasn't just a report but a bombshell that would tear through two people he respected deeply. But there was no choice because of who this involved.

Beep.

Be—

"It's a little odd to be calling so early, Victor. What's going on?"

Victor exhaled, the slightest relief washing over him. At least it wasn't Emani who had answered. He doubted his strength to hear, let alone see her reaction. That didn't mean Kevon was any easier; the man's intensity was unwavering in his later years after their lone child was born.

"It's Tatyana," Victor revealed, his voice lower than he intended.

A pause hung heavy over the line between each party.

"What happened?" Kevon inquired sharply.

"She was conducting an infiltration mission. Everything was going smoothly, but Devil Jin appeared and caused an explosion to throw everything into disarray. Tatyana... was kidnapped during the operation by one of the criminals we're pursuing."

Silence on the other end. For a moment, Victor thought Kevon hadn't heard him. Then...

"What!?"

Kevon's voice cracked like a whip, raw with fury and fear. Victor winced before pulling the phone away from his ear, the sharpness of Kevon's tone echoing in his head.

"How long ago!?" Kevon demanded, his words fast, clipped.

"Forty minutes," Victor admitted, bracing for an eruption.

"And you're only telling me now!? What the hell have you been doing in all that time!?"

Victor's grip on the phone tightened, but he kept his tone calmly measured. "We've been tracking her. Raven and I have teams mobilizing as we speak. Every resource we have is dedicated to bringing her back."

"Dedicated," Kevon repeated, his voice trembling with barely contained displeasure. "She's my daughter. Our daughter. You better pray your resources are enough, or so help me—"

"Kevon," Victor interjected firmly but not unkindly. "I understand your frustration, but trust me and Raven to get her back. I'll keep you updated every step of the way. You have my word."

The line was quiet, though Victor could hear Kevon's shaky breaths, the raw emotions threatening to break free. He knew his former subordinate wanted to prolong his outrage, but Victor could give nothing more.

"Leave no stone unturned," Kevon relented, his voice barely above a whisper. "If anything has happened to her..."

He didn't finish the sentence but felt no need to.

Victor swallowed hard. "I'll text you as soon as we find her."

"You'll call me not a moment later. Find our daughter, Victor."

Wordlessly, Kevon hung up. Victor stood there, the phone still in hand, staring blankly ahead amid a deafening silence. He allowed himself to sag briefly under the weight of it all before steeling himself again. There was no time to dwell. He had a promise to keep no matter the situation.

Raven growled, his glare deepening while running a hand through his blonde hair. UN soldiers scurried back and forth all over the park, continuing the rabid search for the missing Unit Master.

Victor looked over at Raven, who still held the picture. Undoubtedly, his best subordinate was now in the custody of their enemies. They were left blinded with no form of contact and no location to pinpoint. The only thing that came from the urgent search notice was several worried texts between agents Red and Moon. Still, there were no leads on Master Raven's whereabouts.

Beep.

Beep.

Raven tapped the button on his metal ear cover. "Raven!"

He winced at the loud voice ringing in his right ear. "Ralin."

"She's missing!? What happened!?"

Raven sighed before looking at the picture again. "She was infiltrating Dragunov's meetup with the Williams sisters, but Devil Jin attacked. T—there was an explosion, and now she's missing..."

Despite his usually cold and still attitude, Raven's demeanor seemed to falter.

"Look, we'll find her. I promise, I—"

"You can't leave your post with Red."

There was a noticeable pause, and Raven could imagine the shorter kunoichi narrowing her eyes in disbelief.

"I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that. I'm gonna convince Dwight to let Owl take my place. Keep your head up, Raven. We'll find her."

Beep.

Raven let out a shaky breath as Ralin hung up, attempting to still his quick heartbeat. He remained distressed for his girlfriend's safety beyond usually manageable worries. She was missing and in the hands of their enemies. But it was Aron who concerned him the most. The last thing Raven needed to worry about was the deranged guy making another blade from one of her bones or worse.

Victor instantly noticed his subordinate's tense muscles. "The most they found was a simple bullet casing with no other credible leads. All we can do now is search throughout Poland. They couldn't have gotten far."

Raven's sight bore into the burned warehouse. "Maybe... But that isn't the part that worries me."

---

Bishop's Yacht [Second Level Lounge]; Baltic Sea Coast, Poland:

Bishop leaned on the nearby wall, his eyes overlooking the hidden blade hidden in the chess piece-shaped handle of his cane. Neither Nina, Haruto, nor Toby bothered to speak, seemingly awaiting Aron's signal that the coast was clear. Everyone agreed to split up after finding out he had their main target unconscious in the abandoned bunker and barricaded himself in his examination room and workshop. It was now reduced to a waiting game.

Except Bishop. He seemed to dance, slide, and bob to the music blaring from the speakers around the yacht's main lounge.

Chloe x Halle – Ungodly Hour

"Y'all ever think about what kind of fucked up shit he does to people when they end up in his lab?" Bishop asked aloud, looking over at the trio.

Haruto raked a hand into his dark hair. "Why? We'll be lucky if we get away with this... Inviting Aron wasn't my idea."

Nina rolled her eyes. "We needed him for a reason before he messed everything up. Besides, maybe his screwing with her brain might do us a favor before I finally put a bullet in her skull."

Toby impatiently tapped his foot on the floor. "Fucking crazy, mate!" He shot out of his black polyester chair. "We are screwed. H-how the fuck... We should've just left her there and let that fucking crazy bastard just take her and do whatever the hell he wants. If she comes back, we're all—"

"Silence, Toby," Haruto ordered. "We'll figure out our next move soon enough. Whatever Doc has for her will probably be the least of our wor—"

"We are fucked!" Toby yelled, pointing at the former Tekken Force Commander. "I'm no genius either, but it doesn't take Einstein long to remember two plus two equals four! She'll fucking hunt and kill us all! You can't run and hide from a goddamn ninja unless you are one!"

Bishop rolled his eyes at the Mechanic. "Are you done? Chill out, fool. Who cares if Anna trusts him enough to be alone with him in his little bunker?" He swirled the liquor in his glass, the single square ice cube clinking gently. "We're good. So long as none of you end up missing or drag me into your shit with Doc."

Toby left the room with a huff, mumbling under his breath. "Fucking simpleton..."

Bishop glanced at Nina while leaning on the guardrail outside the glass doors, playing with a lighter shaped like a 1969 Pontiac Judge GTO. "He's with you, right?"

She crossed her arms. "Toby is just worried. He does this when things go left unexpectedly."

The arrogant kingpin laughed. "Sounds like ya boy is more trouble than he's worth."

"Toby knows more than he leads on when it comes to a last-minute escape or leading an enemy astray."

Bishop nodded. "He knows his cars for sho.' But since I ain't seen his actual work other than using my old ride as a distraction, Imma see for myself, blondie."

"Don't call me that," Nina gritted.

Aron's eyes honed in on the device within the kunoichi's head. "Hmm?" He reached in, feeling the silicone sleeve with a single finger. "Interesting indeed..."

Anna bent down slightly over his shoulder. "Find something, Doctor?"

"She appears to be a cybernetic, presuming this is an optical. The first of its kind."

Fixing the camera to point at the kunoichi's open head, Anna zoomed in on the metal inside her skull. "What do you plan to do?"

"I need to scan her brain one last time. It appears Master Raven has a device inside her skull lodged into the occipital lobe of her brain. From looks alone, I can see it connects to a wire-braced, full-coverage lens over her right eye. This device could be a holographic projector."

Anna paused the recording. "Who knew you were such a natural in front of the camera."

"Could just be my lovely voice."

Aron chuckled before tapping a button on his mini disk hologram projection device.

Beep.

Beep.

The blue hologram inside the woman's skull displayed the device embedded into her brain. A low hum sounded as it sat on the table near the woman's head. Anna pressed record on the camera again and sat it on a table; her head tilted at the hologram with visible confusion.

Aron's purple eyes narrowed. "Hmm... quite the device."

Tapping on the hologram of the woman's head, it zoomed in as a box of information materialized.

Retinal Scanner [Custom Model]

Aron raised an eyebrow at the short list of functions. "A retinal scanner. The metal rods secure the scanner while using bioelectricity to function. Interesting. I've never seen someone so carelessly have two needles sticking into their brain. The way those nobs are at its side. Maybe cutting a wire or two could trigger several sparks. If my presumptions are correct, this examination will be quite fascinating."

His evil grin returned as he grabbed his scalpel and cut the silicone sleeve while slowly twisting one of the small metal knobs near the back.

Bzt.

Bzzt!

---

Raven paused as a yellow triangle paused in the right lens of his sunglasses. He tapped the button on his right ear cover as a flow of words plastered across his glasses. It forced him to stand from leaning on the armored Hummer.

WARNING:

Bioelectricity current channeling has been turned up

[Unchecked tuning may cause brain damage]

---

Aron worked with diligent but experienced precision, looking over the nerves intertwined with wires. "Several nerves from the eyeball have attached themselves to the wires. Cutting the wire and letting it spark can cause them to react slightly."

His eyebrows furrowed as he flicked his finger.

Shing.

The wire sparked, and a tiny blink of light appeared from its frayed end. Aron cut another wire.

Bzzt.

It sparked again and stung Aron's finger. Inhaling sharply, he pulled his hand back.

"With sparking, the pain paralyzes the brain through the nerves from the eyeball until it eventually subsides."

---

Raven's eyes widened as another warning appeared across his glasses, colored in white and red bold words.

WARNING:

Visual Protection Wire A2 has been damaged

Information Recall Connective Wires I3 & I2 have been damaged

Proposal:

Repair wires or extract scanner immediate—

WARNING: SEVER DAMAGE TO…

WARNING: SEVERE—

WA—ARNI-W

FUNCTIONALITY OF SCANNER HAS BEEN COMPROMISED…

PLEASE REPAIR OR REMOVE SCANNER TO PREVENT—

WARNING!

WARNING!

WA—WARN—INAN—

"Victor!"

The Frenchman disappeared into a streak of blue lines, appearing before Raven. "What is it?"

"Whatever they're doing to her is messing with the scanner! We need to find her!"

"Raven, we—"

"I'll search the city and report back when I find anything!"

Poof.

---

10:12 P.M.:

Aron bandaged the kunoichi's skull, making sure they were neat and secured to her head. He turned the camera and zoomed it out until Master Raven's unconscious form was the only thing it could see.

"This concludes my examination of our patient known as Master Raven. I shall continue my explanation of the procedure afterward."

Stopping the recording, Aron looked at Anna as she studied his knife collection of metal, plastic, and bone.

"Doc..."

"Yes, my dear Rose."

She laughed and loved when he called her that.

"Did you really make these bone knives from humans?"

Aron nodded slowly, removing his white rubber gloves and tossing them into an empty metal tray. "Yes."

He recognized the weapon in her hand, a classic bowie knife with a thick body and a slight curve along the blade's upper half.

"That one you're holding is my first and favorite knife. I shot Hesheki with several strong numbing painkillers and let him scream while I sawed through his leg, starting at his knee."

He chuckled, the familiar dark smirk plastering itself across his face again. "He screamed despite not feeling anything. Just the look of your flesh being cut into can put you into shock too quickly. You don't feel pain, but your eyes see everything. It was nice seeing him react despite passing out soon after. I even did the extra favor of testing its sharpness on Jene myself."

Anna turned, pausing as her skin crawled during the slow but noticeable change in his voice, which was beyond disturbing. "What exactly did... Jene do to you?"

The crazed Doctor smiled wickedly. "If I told you, I'd have to pull your spine out from your throat, Dear Rose."

Her eyes slowly widened. Despite Aron's broad smile, the glow of his eyes and his tone held an underlying seriousness that the brunette had never heard until now.

"You don't mean that... do you?"

Aron laughed. "Worry not, Anna. The last thing I'd want to do is kill you."

She didn't believe that either, despite his supposed reassurance. Aron sat in a single chair with the camera in front of him. Anna directed it at his body and kept his face hidden.

Beep.

Aron's face appeared on the camera's resuming feed. "To the agents watching..."

---

1:52 A.M.:

Raven stood atop Varso Tower, his muscles still tense as he crossed his arms with the lingering memories searing into his mind. He ordered several squadrons to search the entire city of Warsaw. But there had been nothing but radio silence for their vigorous search. Even his investigation produced no hint of a clue or possible leads. The only thing he could lament was the glitched warning that appeared across his sunglasses until the only thing that showed was a pulsing red triangle with no other words or caution messages from her scanner.

With each second, Raven could feel his discontent deepening, his mind at a loss with no plan - only the single desire to find Tatyana.

"Fuck..."

Raven's swear followed his hands hanging at his side, empty hands clenching into hard fists. Breathing deeply, he leaned over the building's edge before closing his eyes. Tatyana's soft laughter echoed in his mind, and the glow of her striking brown eyes stained his memory now more than ever.

---

Near The Prime Minister's Residence:

"Stop here."

The black limousine rolled to a halt, its headlights piercing through the darkness of the cool, silent night. Behind it, an armored Hummer braked abruptly, the crunch of gravel under its tires echoing faintly in the still air.

The limo's door opened, and a pair of polished heels stepped out, followed by a woman of commanding presence. Her tailored overcoat fluttered slightly as she moved, her sharp blue eyes scanning the deserted street. Three bodyguards flanked her, each bristling with awareness, their hands resting near holstered firearms. From the Hummer, a squad of Polish Armed Forces soldiers disembarked with practiced precision, their boots clicking sharply as they formed a perimeter.

"I said leave her!" a male voice hissed from a shadowed alley nearby.

"Damn it, she's heavy with all this metal!" came another panicked reply.

"Just go before we're caught!"

Two shadowy figures slipped deeper into the alley, their footsteps fading into the distance.

The woman's gaze snapped to the movement, narrowing as she gestured sharply. "You two, cover the entrance. The rest of you, with me."

She advanced cautiously into the alley, her footsteps deliberate, her guards trailing her protectively. The dim moonlight reflected off something metallic in the shadows - a glint that snagged her attention.

"Flashlight," she commanded.

One of the guards fumbled with his phone, the LED beam cutting through the darkness and landing on the prone figure of a woman. Master Raven lay unconscious, blood staining the bandages wrapped around her skull. Her katana lay a few feet away, half-hidden under debris.

A sharp gasp escaped the woman as she stepped forward, crouching down beside the unresponsive kunoichi. The faint rise and fall of Master Raven's chest brought a flicker of relief, but her pulse was weak under the woman's fingertips.

"She's alive," the woman muttered, her tone brisk but tinged with urgency. "We need a medevac team, now."

One of the soldiers spoke into his comms. "Phantom Raven, this is Echo-3. We've located your operative in critical condition. Requesting immediate extraction—over."

The woman turned to her guards. "Prepare the vehicle and be careful for spinal injuries."

"Yes, ma'am."

The guards moved swiftly, one pulling a first-aid kit while the others readied a stretcher. The woman lingered, brushing a lock of blood-matted hair from Master Raven's face.

'What the hell happened to you?'

As they hoisted Master Raven onto the stretcher and carried her toward the limo, the woman straightened, her expression hardening again before darting back to the shadows where the perpetrators had fled.

"Double the perimeter and identify who those bastards were."

---

Mia Hospital Room [Seventh Floor]:

Lidia stood outside the doors of the heavily guarded hospital, glaring at the nearby Tekken Force soldiers patrolling the entrance to the front courtyard.

A trio of armored hummers stopped in unison with a slight screech of their brakes. Raven and Victor exited the middle car before the former approached the woman. She donned a dark blue suit with thin white stripes in the pants, black heels, and an unbuttoned collar of her white shirt underneath her open suit jacket.

"Lidia," Victor greeted with a slight nod. "Where is she being held?"

"On the seventh floor for security purposes. Follow me."

Lidia turned and entered the building as the two men followed. Raven forced himself not to break character and sprint as he sensed Tatyana's strong but faint Ki below them.

"Where did you find her?" Victor questioned.

"In an alleyway. My men and I spotted two men in dark red hats escape just as our vehicles stopped," Lidia explained.

"Bishop... He had a hand in this," Raven stated.

"They ran off and left her there before we could stop and question them."

The trio now stood at the window of a moderately sized room with a single bed inside where the armored agent lay. New bandages were carefully administered around her head, a hand clenching at her side with a capped glass capsule in her grasp. The vital signs monitor beeped steadily beside her as a steady light rain occurred outside.

Raven paused, feeling the woman's tablet in hand as he removed his high-tech glasses. He exhaled before heading inside the room, leaving Lidia and Victor to converse outside. The air inside was unmoving. Even standing at the door, he could see she still breathed. Her chest rose and fell slowly. Her Ki was stronger now that he was nearby but still distant. Raven took a deep breath, a shaky exhale escaping him before he slowly approached where she lay. Kneeling at her side and holding her hand,

Beep.

Beep.

"I know you can't hear me, Ty..." Raven whispered. "But I'm glad you were found. Please forgive me for not being there with you."

"Thank you for taking care of my subordinate, Prime Minister."

Lidia nodded. "Think nothing of it. After several years of assisting me in my earlier days of Karate, I still owe you. Borys Anatol has been tending to Master Raven since her arrival. So far, her brain activity at this time appears to be stable. However, he stated that the amount of morphine inside her system is beyond normal, four times the regular amount of dosage."

Victor's eyes narrowed behind his glasses, and Lidia swore she saw the familiar wrinkles of anger behind the blue lenses. "I'd presume they were trying to kill her. Yet they abandoned her body instead."

"No one knows why. Borys did voice his concern about it earlier. Is it true that... she has a retinal scanner inside her head?"

"Yes. Master Raven designed it and the software herself with assistance from me and Lee Chaolan."

"Impressive."

"Indeed. As much as I'd love to converse over simple matters, I have a few things to discuss with Raven."

"Of course. Borys should be with you all shortly."

Without another word, Victor entered the hospital room and removed his shades. "Raven..."

The blonde agent slowly stood from the floor.

"Borys has monitored her since being administered here. Lidia informed me that he found an alarming amount of morphine in her system, four times the normal dosage. This brings me to my next question. What exactly did you see during her scanner malfunctions?"

Raven turned on the tablet, typing a few commands before holding it out to his superior. Victor accepted the tablet; his eyebrows raised at the red words on his blackened screen.

Warning: Retinal Scanner is compromised

Visual Protection Wire A2 has been severed

Information Recall Connective Wires I3 & I2 have been damaged

Bio-Electricity Rods voltage adjustments have been increased

Probable causes: Spikes in emotions / Distorted vision / Hallucinations

"What depraved individual would go through the trouble of digging through her head? Who would even think to look there?"

"That Doctor. When I get the chance, he'll be terminated on the spot," Raven fumed.

"Raven..."

Victor paused, having a hard time finding the right choice of words. He was used to Raven being worried when his Unit Master was injured, but this instance differed.

Before either of them could speak again, Ralin burst through the door. "I came as soon as I... shit."

She paused at seeing her dear friend in bed, the bandages covering her head stained heavily.

Ralin quickly noticed Victor. "Apologies for my language, sir."

"At ease, Li." He sighed as his shoulders sagged. "I'll give you two some time to talk."

Victor excused himself and left the room. A familiar, deafening silence filled the room, and a new weight of melancholy settled upon both agents.

Ralin slowly strolled over with a saddened smile and chuckle. "I'm glad Lidia found her, but... Fuck. What did they do to her?"

Raven's hands clenched into shaky fists at his sides. "Aron tampered with her scanner by severing some wires and turning the voltage power up."

"Which means?"

"There's no telling what they did to her, and we won't know unless she wakes up."

Ralin pulled up a chair for both herself and Raven as each sat down, the latter going back to holding Master Raven's hand. The only sign of her consciousness was the monitor beeping calmly every few seconds.

"What if this is the last time?"

Ralin's eyebrows creased. "I'm resisting my urge to kick you for saying that near me."

"Li—"

"No. It takes a heck of a lot more than that to take Ty out. You should know that more than anybody."

"And you know we're not invincible. This could turn Tatyana into someone we don't recognize when you mess with anything inside the brain. Good or bad. She could end up in a coma, slip into death, or be an empty shell."

"Despite the worst-case scenario..." Ralin blinked as a new hopeful glow in her blue eyes appeared as she stared at her bestie's unconscious body. "I think about the good times and remember what Henzai always said after bandaging me up from a fight."

She swallowed hard before speaking in Mandarin. "An incoming storm doesn't bring immediate destruction. I haven't seen him in a while, but those words have helped me through hard times, this being one of them. We might not be ready for the storm when she wakes up, but that doesn't mean we won't get through it. It's moments like this that I remember our best times together. Not just Kev2.0 and I, but the three of us..." She let out a short laugh. "Like that mission in Cuba. Crysalis Casino."

Raven took off his shades. "Didn't you throw a stack of money at a guy?"

Ralin shrugged. "I aimed for the emergency lock button near the door but clocked one of those jerks."

He let out a small laugh. "If I remember correctly, the lights went out, and we had to fight in the dark."

"Don't remind me," Ralin giggled. "The one thing I always remember is how mad Tatyana sounded after the lights went out."

Raven nodded. "How could I forget that turmoil?"

---

"Li!"

Ralin paused, the bands on her wrists glowing a bright neon blue. "I'm so-rry!"

A fist flew from the dark, nearly grazing the kunoichi's nose. Ralin stepped back and countered with a fist to his jaw. She looked around with the casino encased in pitch blackness except for the few machines and lights. Music was still blaring by the speakers around the main area where the trio of agents stood. Ralin couldn't see much in the dark but could sense her allies' ki. She grimaced with annoyance, knowing she should've practiced fighting blindly, as Victor suggested in her early training days.

"Crap... I can't see any—"

Ralin stumbled back, a stiff boot nearly landing across her face. Looking around, the young kunoichi couldn't see in front of her.

'Crap.'

Master Raven saw nothing but sensed the seven men surrounding her and Raven. Standing back to back with their weapons drawn, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes before counting.

One.

Raven took a deep breath, relaxing the death grip on his blades.

Two.

He exhaled.

Three.

Master Raven ducked a machete blade as Raven weaved back from a knife. She sliced at the guy's throat before spinning away from a hook punch. Leaning back, a punch sailed over her face as she blocked an incoming kick and stabbed another in his stomach. Raven rolled forward, slicing through the sides of two criminals and blocking two blades, countering with a quick jab of his blade's hilt and swinging around his body with a kick.

"Ah!"

Crack!

Ralin landed on the floor between the two, groaning as she forced herself to a vertical base.

"Ha... shit."

"Ralin!" Raven growled. "Now isn't the time to be stumbling around!"

"I wouldn't be if I could see in front of my face!"

Master Raven's jaw clenched. "Stop thinking and listen to the music."

"How am I supposed to—"

It was then that Ralin instantly recognized the song playing amidst their dilemma.

Shiruetto – Cindy Dance

The shorter kunoichi's feet bobbed on their soles, her shoes glowing a bright white while her armbands brightened.

"Let's go," Ralin remarked with a smirk.

The three men from before that tossed her across the bar sprinted in her direction. Ralin spun backward and slid into a low sweep.

"Hup."

Performing a corkscrew flip, her heel landed against one's jaw before she slid into a moonwalk. Ralin ducked his missed punches in an effortless bob and weave.

"Ha!"

Her high kick landed against his chin, effectively knocking him out. Ralin crouched toward the floor as a machete sailed overhead. She twisted and executed a 'Shinobi Cyclone' to sweep the guy's leg before shifting upward.

SMACK!

The last one charged the kunoichi, who only grinned while vibing to the song.

"AAARHG!" He swung a downward hook.

Ralin executed a side flip and curled into a ball before extending her foot.

SMACK!

The lights flicked back on with several bodies of unconscious and dead men lying around the trio. Two ran for the door, one carrying a duffle bag full of money. Picking up a brick of a hundred thousand dollars from the bar counter, Ralin turned around. A red button sat on the left side of the glass doors, an Emergency Door Lock. She threw the stack.

SMACK!

The guy with the duffle bag collapsed to the floor.

"I missed!" Ralin hissed.

Raven paused with a raised eyebrow. "Did you just—"

Beside him, Master Raven shook her head with a noticeable smirk.

---

Victor's gaze remained on the tablet before looking at Lidia, the two outside Master Raven's designated room. This time, Borys joined them. The usually hopeful Doctor was uncharacteristically worried beyond usual concern. Victor mutely observed the Doctor's endless pen spinning between his fingers, refusing to look at anything other than the floor.

"Borys..." The Frenchman spoke.

The pen unceremoniously dropped to the floor as the Doctor sighed. "Although Tatyana seems normal on the exterior, she's anything but inward. I took several X-ray scans before you and Raven arrived. What I found was... disturbing. Her retinal scanner is severely damaged and continuously sparking inside her head. Luckily, the charges are minimal, but that won't happen once she wakes up... If she does."

The Polish Prime Minister and samurai eyed him, awaiting his explanation.

"The damage done remains critical even while she's unresponsive. Her brain activity hasn't shown a jump due to the severed wires, which immediately affect the nerves in her eye. If those are too heavily stimulated, it can cause an overdrive of unrestrained energy, resulting in the brain shutting the body down as a counteractive measure. In other words, a coma. Summers is okay for now, but I don't know when she could wake up. The best we can do is hope she does at all."

"You can't fix her scanner while she's asleep?" Victor inquired.

Borys shook his head. "Not without risking death during the procedure or prolonging the coma longer than necessary. Putting Tatyana back under anesthesia while her body is expelling the morphine from its system would be too large a risk to take. Our best chance is to wait for her to wake up. If not... I'll surrender my medical license without hesitation. I'll do what I can in the meantime, but I don't think I should be the one to tell either of them."

The trio glanced into the room as Ralin and Raven murmured among themselves. Victor found himself in a near-impossible quandary. Tatyana had been retrieved, but the damage her scanner had undergone while in the Doctor's clutches was severe and put her life in grave danger. It was terrible enough to navigate this uncharted territory. But doing so before explaining to his top agents and possibly her parents was an unenviable task.

Victor nodded grimly. "Thank you, Borys."

Staying silent, the Polish Doctor picked up his pen and walked away.

After another pensive silence, Victor addressed his longtime friend. "Thank you again, Lidia. For seeing that my agent was found and cared for."

"No need to thank me. It's the least I can do."

"I only wish we didn't meet under adverse conditions. I would've loved to reminisce over a few spars and wine."

"Maybe once this is all over." Lidia placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "But now your agents need you to lead them."

---

Several hours later:

Lidia watched with a heavy heart as Victor explained Master Raven's condition to his two subordinates through the glass window. His calm words were muffled behind the thick concrete walls and glass, but it wasn't hard to tell that neither agent was taking it well.

Raven sat with his face buried in his hands, and Ralin couldn't bother facing Victor as he continued speaking. Her shoulders rose and fell with visible shaking, and Lidia couldn't tell if it was out of anger or possibly crying. Either way, she couldn't comprehend the weight on Victor's shoulders conveying the seemingly hopeless news about their Unit Master. Victor exited the room after a few minutes while removing his glasses. A hand raked through his silver hair, his expression showing his age more than Lidia had ever seen.

Victor stared at the ground. "And I still have to inform her parents."

"Stay at the Presidential Palace. It's been a tumultuous time, and you all need proper rest," Lidia offered but silently pleaded.

"Thank you, Lidia." Victor's reply sounded empty, as he was mentally drained after today's events.

And it was far from over.

---

Raven dropped onto his designated bed, staring at the ceiling above him in shorts and a tank top. His mind was void of thought except for the looming dread at Victor's words hours ago. Despite his worries, it paled compared to Kevon and Emani's feelings. Like him, Tatyana was an only child, and it tore him apart even to fathom their current well-being.

"Borys detailed that even with Tatyana in good health, she may not wake up soon."

Ralin sat on the bed across from Raven, wearing jogger pants pulled up to her knees and a short-sleeved red t-shirt. Her long hair was still tied up behind her. In her hand was the capsule the unconscious Unit Master held in her hand. Inside it was a USB drive and a rolled-up note.

"Staying hopeful isn't easy... but I'm not gonna give up on my best friend just because of some unfortunate news," she broke the silence.

"You make it sound like it's that easy."

"I wish... But who knows? It could be. Either way, I'm just glad she's alive. After all, things could be worse."

Raven looked over. "Think so?"

Shrugging, the younger kunoichi gave him a small but comforting smile, her blue eyes glimmering with a new hope.

"Don't ever change, Ralin."

A wide smile quickly formed on her face, "Aww, did you just—"

"Don't push it."

Ralin giggled. "Okay."

---

Beep.

Victor took a deep breath, preparing himself for another daunting phone call. It didn't take long for the other side to answer.

"Please tell me if you have good news, Victor."

Once again, Victor was thankful Kevon answered the phone. "We found Tatyana."

He could faintly hear Emani's audible sigh of relief nearby, along with several sniffles.

"But..."

"She's currently in a medically induced coma. One of Nina's allies tampered with her retinal scanner, and we cannot fix it until she wakes up. A checkpoint is needed to see if she's stabilized so Borys can repair the damage. We don't know if she'll wake up soon or at all right now."

"Okay... worst case scenario here. I'm just... thankful our baby was found. Let me know if anything changes."

"Of course."

Beep.

He never knew Kevon to be speechless; only two other such instances existed. The first was Emani's sudden and surprising pregnancy, and the other was rushing to the hospital when she went into labor. Victor hoped things would turn around soon. If this continued, he wouldn't have the heart to tell Kevon and Emani the worst news any sensible parent didn't want to hear.

Their child's death.

Days slowly passed as Victor, his agents, and Lidia waited for Master Raven to awaken. Each second and hour seemed more hopeless than the last. The only thing they could seem to do was wait for a sign of something.

---

Sunday, October 10th - 12:03 A.M. [Day 1]:

Beep.

Beep.

Raven blinked, staring at the floor below his black Converses, arms resting on his knees. He remained seated at his unconscious girlfriend's bedside. Nothing had changed since last Sunday; her chest was moving steadily, with no signs of waking or increased brain activity.

He didn't bother looking up as Ralin entered the room, shoving her hands into her black suit pants pockets. "Gonna go make a stop for coffee. You want anything?"

"Just hot chocolate."

She nodded and exited the room. Raven finally lifted his head, blinking his forlorn eyes. Sighing, he hesitated to reach for the woman's hand and could only stare and hope she'd wake up.

Beep.

Be—

Master Raven's eyes slowly opened as she inhaled a deep breath. She gradually sat up, nearly startling Raven as a new pain in his head emerged at sensing the woman's Ki. It was vibrant, almost pushing against him like a violent wind. He blinked frantically as red light wisps materialized around Master Raven. A spike of pain shot to her head, turning her vision red. She grimaced and gripped her throbbing skull, only able to feel a hot, searing pain.

Raven cautiously addressed her. "Tatyana. You're... okay?"

She tore off the bandages on her head and yanked the needles out of her arm with a growl. Her eyes veered to face whoever spoke as a dark shadow approached, its voice dark and threatening.

Bzzt!

She kicked it back with a grunt. "Uh!"

"Agh!"

The shadow stumbled back. "W-what—"

Raven rolled to the side, dodging the vital signs monitor before it clattered against the nearby wall. He shot to his feet and leaned away from a swift kick.

"Tatyana, what—"

Master Raven shoved the shadow back to the wall and elbowed its head before aiming another punch for its sternum.

Raven dodged. "Ty! Wait! Agh!"

Bzzt!

She swept its leg and sprinted for the window.

"Ty!"

CRASH!

Raven quickly ran to the window and could still see Tatyana despite her standing several feet below him. Master Raven gazed upward, blinking as she breathed heavily, her red vision slowly lightening until the shadow above faded. She stared at the familiar face, their eyes meeting with emotions spiraling in a mixed haze.

Her jaw clenched. "R-aven..."

Wordlessly, Tatyana backed away and seemingly disappeared into a nearby alley's dark shadows, stumbling along the wall while holding her throbbing head.

Ralin entered the hospital room. "Surprisingly, I-" She saw the room in shambles with destroyed equipment and several wads of blood as her eyes spotted Raven at the only escape route other than the door entrance. "What happened!? Did you throw her out the window!?"

Raven blinked. "No! She just woke up and attacked me! Her eye with the scanner was blood red!"

The kunoichi placed the cups on the counter next to the door and approached the window. "Crap. Vic's not gonna be happy with this..."

---

Presidential Palace [Underground Surveillance Room] Watch Room Lounge - 12:15 A.M.:

Sitting in a swivel seat, Raven donned his black mission suit refitted with a few changes - armor-toed dress shoes and a tracker inserted in his belt. He had already dressed the wounds Tatyana inflicted on him before her hasty escape. Lidia, Ralin, Borys, and Victor stood inside with him as he stared at the capsule in his hand - a blue USB drive and a note inside.

"You're sure that's what happened?" Victor questioned his top subordinate.

Raven leaned forward in his chair. "I didn't get these welts by accident, Vic. I don't know why she just... attacked me. Her right eye was bright red. Afterward, she jumped through the window and fled..."

Borys looked at the woman's tablet as the same red eyes met his.

WARNING: SEVERE—

WA—ARNI-W

FUNCTIONALITY OF SCANNER HAS BEEN COMPROMISED…

PLEASE REPAIR OR REMOVE SCANNER TO PREVENT—

WARNING!

W-AG-ING

WAR-ININ-GN

WAR-

"Whatever they did to Tatyana is already affecting her mind, and who knows what long-term effects this could have."

Ralin stood from the couch. "We can track her suit and take her down."

Victor huffed in annoyance, pressing a few commands into the console near the wall. "Her scanner is synced to the suit. With its current malfunctions, her suit can't function properly."

Agent MR572 – Master Raven

LOCATION: UKNOWN. . .

SUIT STATUS: WARNING

VITAL SIGN READINGS: NORMAL

BRAIN ACTIVITY: UNSTABLE….Warning

"So we're blind. Great..." Ralin muttered.

Borys crossed his arms. "We need to call Lee."

Everyone else glanced in his direction with confusion, which was no surprise to the Polish Doctor.

"He's the only other person who knows the scanner like Tatyana. Not as much, but enough to assess the possible damages beyond this random attack."

Before Victor could call the tycoon from the console, his phone rang inside his pocket. He slipped it from outside his suit jacket and put the caller on speaker.

"Lee—"

"Please tell me there's a good explanation for what I'm seeing on my computer right now!"

The group exchanged curious expressions as the usually composed tycoon sounded uncharacteristically panicked.

"I'm seeing nothing but glitched warning signs! What did you do to that piece of tech!?"

"We did nothing," Victor clarified. "My subordinate was captured by one of Nina's allies who tampered with the scanner."

"No! No! No! No! Please tell me if you can fix this, right?"

"We don't know yet. After waking up from being unconscious for an entire week, Master Raven attacked Raven and fled."

"You're ninjas! How hard could it be to subdue a single woman!?"

Ralin rolled her eyes. "No wonder you don't like this guy."

"We called you for answers, Lee!" came Victor's sharp retort. "Are there any long-term effects of the damaged scanner?"

There was a noticeable pause before the tycoon answered. "A few. If the device isn't fixed in seven days, the damage to her brain will have lasting effects, even if the scanner is fixed or removed. Whatever happened when she woke up will be permanent. Did something happen?"

All eyes turned to Raven, who crossed crossed his arms. "Instead of speaking, she attacked me. Her Ki was amplified, and all I could sense from her was just rage."

Victor and Ralin eyed him warily, noticing Raven's tense shoulders despite his calm words. Each saw the event had scarred him mentally like it did the first time.

"I don't know what that means in regular terms, but it might've heightened her negative emotions. Her wrath might be what you all will confront. This is very grim."

"What do you suggest we do?" Victor inquired.

"The only thing you can do is repair the scanner immediately."

"We can't remove it?"

"That's another risk in itself. The best we can do instead is replace some of the wiring. I've been working to replace the needles. Find her. If not... Just find her!"

"Got it," Victor answered before ending the call, a hand on his chin in thought. "That's one part of the problem. The other is figuring out where she went."

---

Somewhere in the Warsaw Alleyways...:

An armored hand felt along the damp concrete and brick buildings. Light occasionally streamed through the opening to the sparse streets of cars and people. The muffled crunching of tires against concrete filled her ears, along with the steps of other people and the soft wind.

Master Raven felt along the wall, almost stumbling with each step with labored breaths. Her tinted red vision didn't dissipate, only turning every drunkard, homeless citizen, or shady criminal in the alley into a tinted shadow. The throbbing pain in her head pulsed but not as painful as it had been back at the hospital. Back with—

Bzzzt.

"Aah!" Master Raven stumbled to her knees, her hands landing on the ground.

Tap.

Tap.

"What do we have here?" A lusting voice said ahead of her.

"Looks like she's lost. Maybe we could help her out," another added.

Master Raven's ears rang, and the pain sharpened as a group of guys approached her. One dragged her off the ground and pinned her body to the nearest wall.

He licked his lips. "Oh, a tall one with many goods to go over."

"Hey! Careful with the goods," another woman stated. "I still need to make her my prize."

Master Raven inhaled sharply as a pointed, polished red fingernail trailed her jaw. The voice of an older female as her breath of hard liquor invaded her nose.

"You, my dear, are truly something. You'll make me rich so I can get out of here."

The woman's cold hazel eyes landed on the guy holding her to the wall. "Break her, and I'll kill you."

The guy rolled his eyes, his cold hand trailing up her thigh.

Bzzt!

"So, where shall I start first? So many—"

Master Raven slammed her head into his nose. He stumbled back and held his now broken nose.

"Holy—She broke my fucking nose!"

Her vision turned bright red.

"No! No! No! Please!"

Master Raven sheathed her blade as she slowly approached the woman crawling away, her broken leg trailing the wet ground.

"Plea—"

An armored boot landed in her stomach, sending her crashing back first into the wall. The woman gasped for air and lay on the ground with paused breaths after the impact against the wall. She watched as Master Raven stumbled deeper into the shadows, leaving the group of heavily injured criminals in the alley.

---

Raven tapped a finger against his chin while staring at the wall. "Vic..."

His superior glanced over from a holographic city map displayed on the screen. "Yes, Raven?"

"Don't you have safehouses across Poland?"

Victor nodded.

"What's the closest one to the hospital?"

Lidia was already heading for the exit. "I'll have a few soldiers wait on standby at the location. Direct them where to go."

Victor tapped the button on his glasses. "I need all nearby units to rendezvous near the Rostven Apartment Building now."

---

Rostven Apartment Building [Rooftop] - 12:33 A.M."

Thud!

Thud.

Tap.

Master Raven sighed, dropping the duffle bag at her feet. The familiar pain in her head slowly worsened. She slowly turned around, facing the two darkened fighters before her. Raven slowly stood from his crouch, hands clenched into fists at his sides.

Beside him, Victor placed a hand on the hilt of his blade. "Master Raven. Surrender now, or we will use force."

She took a step back, the pain in her head searing.

Bzzt.

"I'm..." A hand shot to her temple, Master Raven's voice strained with visible agony as she stood. "I can't... control it. I don't want to hurt you. Just... leave."

Victor and Raven noticed her other hand form a shaky fist at her side, almost forcing herself to remain still.

Raven's eyebrows furrowed before stepping forward. "Tatyana, we can help."

"Go away."

Master Raven inhaled sharply, the pain only worsening as Raven gradually inched closer, with Victor following behind. Her vision turned red with labored breaths, feeling the unwanted but tempting rage creep back again.

"Stop... don't."

He inched closer.

She blinked slowly with a trembling exhale. "P-please... Die!"

Raven jumped back with wide eyes, watching Master Raven's metal-braced foot nearly cave in his nose. He slid back from the impact after blocking as Victor gripped the hilt of his Takemikazuchi blade. He swiped his sword, only to see Master Raven sail over before landing a kick to Raven's shoulder.

"Gah!"

Stumbling back, Raven recovered in time to weave under her high kick. Master Raven avoided another swipe of Victor's blade by lifting her foot and blocking the blade with her knee. She then kicked Raven's sternum, swung around her foot, and aimed for Victor's head. The Frenchman sheathed his blade and ducked under her foot. Executing 'Chastiefol,' Master Raven rolled beneath his blade and ran toward her boyfriend, whose blades were drawn while waiting for her next attack.

Victor grimaced in annoyance before slipping his gun from his holster. 'She knows she can't touch me.'

His refined aim was directed at Master Raven's shoulder below the armor.

Pow!

Hearing the gun discharge, Master Raven executed a no-hands cartwheel just as the bullet sparked below her. Raven swiped his twin blades at her but hit nothing but air as she phased to the ground. Materializing, Master Raven sprung back up and backflipped toward him.

SMACK!

She grunted and tumbled as Victor's shoe landed against her chest, immediately stopping her advance. Her descent ended near the duffle at the roof's edge, the pain in her skull intensifying with her gaze lingering on her two allies. Victor helped Raven to his feet, though his subordinate kept his troubled gaze on his girlfriend. She inhaled sharply, and her right eye dimmed from a bright red to a dark crimson.

"Just…"

Raven's features softened at an unusual scene - a singular tear trailing down Tatyana's face from her red eye...

"Stay away from me."

She picked up the duffle bag and turned before leaping off the roof.

Ralin then appeared. "Should I go after her?"

Victor said nothing, still processing the conflicting emotions at present.

Raven sighed defeatedly. "Tracking her wouldn't be the best option right now. We should return to base and plan our next move."

---

Warsaw, Poland [Location Unknown...] 1:48 A.M.:

Thud.

A duffle bag landed on the floor just as Master Raven growled before tearing off her faceplate and tossing it with ragged breaths. Her heart thumped against her chest, void of all rational thought.

Crack.

The concrete wall sprouted new cracks where her fist landed. Master Raven's glare was fixated on the wall before she felt the last embers of her rage fade. She removed her lodged fist from the crater it caused, slowly unclenching with a new soreness. Her focused gaze wavered with tense shoulders as she came closer. A shaky hand reached toward the daggers at his back.

She blinked. "Shit..."

A chuckle sounded from the other side of the room. Master Raven closed her eyes before forming a tight fist.

"It's not real."

"Get used to it. I won't be leaving any time soon." Anger leaned on the wall, arms crossed with a triumphant smirk.

"Leave me be."

Again, a mocking chuckle. "I'll return when you need me. Or should I say, when you release me? That fight with Raven and Victor was exhilarating. He looked petrified when—"

"Shut up!"

Alone in the cold room, Master Raven stared at her injured hand.

---

Watch Room Lounge:

Ralin paced the room in a frenzy. "What now? I- We can't just sit here and do nothing!"

"Agreed, Li. But it's the only option we have. Your superior is smart and will contact us when she wants to be found. We must figure out how to get close enough to detain her."

Raven remained fixated on the capsule in his hand before tossing it in Victor's direction; the samurai's eyebrow raised.

"She had this in her hand while unconscious. I haven't checked it out and thought it would be good since we're all in the same room."

Victor nodded and unscrewed the cap, letting the note and drive land in his gloved hand. He eyed the USB suspiciously, not knowing what to expect before slipping it into the console. A window of a paused button filled the holographic screen as he tapped the play button.

Beep.

The beginning image was a blurry mesh of colors before it quickly sharpened, revealing an unconscious Tatyana lying on a surgical table. A calm but cold and lusting voice began.

"For my fifteenth examination, I will have the honor of looking at a kunoichi. The first-ever female ninja examination who's quite the specimen. Codenamed Master Raven - an African American, five foot eleven female."

"Aron..." Raven growled lowly, only for Ralin to notice.

The camera zoomed out, and a hand covered by a white cotton glove trailed down her side. "Weighing one hundred forty-one pounds with brown and blonde hair. I've put the subject under a heavy dosage of morphine to prepare for the procedure. Her breathing is stable, and her vital signs read normal. I will now begin my examination procedure."

The camera cut to a zoomed-in shot of Master Raven's open cranium.

"Ew! Skip! I don't want to see that!" Ralin exclaimed in abject disgust.

Victor fast-forwarded the video until the screen showed nothing but the upper body of a man—a false doctor in a white lab coat, white button-down shirt, blue tie, and black pants.

"To the agents watching," Aron began, his voice calm and emotionless to hide his true intentions behind his doctor facade. "Examining Master Raven was truly..."

He paused, crossing one leg over the other. "Interesting. My intention wasn't to dismember this one. This time, I felt it would be better to test a few things instead. What I found was more surprising than I thought. Inside the small but sturdy cranium was a scanner. I have no idea what it was for but upon further inspection... You all watching should be proud, creating the first ever female cyborg as a kunoichi!"

Aron cleared his throat. "Amazing as that is, I wanted to see what some tampering would do. I turned a few knobs and severed a wire here and there. Simple things, such as the sparking of loose wires, will do the work for me. The main goal was to see if she would survive, let alone function. This was unlike any other examination I've conducted to see how she'd handle anger, pain, and possible insanity. However, this was just experimental. I have no idea what damage I've done."

A low laugh sounded from the criminal that quickly turned boisterous but ended with a sigh. The lights dimmed until the only thing that filled the screen was a pair of purple eyes - piercing and glowing dark pupils.

"I merely want to see how much blood she'll spill... if someone doesn't kill her first. This shall be an eye-opening experiment, and I cannot wait to see what happens."

The video ended, leaving the lounge room with a new tension as animosity and outrage filled the air, waiting for release.

Ralin took a deep breath. "Where the fuck is this bastard? I'm putting him in the ground."

Raven stayed silent the entire time but stared at the screen contemptuously, his thoughts identical to those of the younger ninja. Each wanted Aron dead for what he'd done to their Unit Master and to have Tatyana back safe with a stable mind. Without warning, Raven rose from his seat. With a bellow, his fist hurtled toward a glass cabinet as it shattered completely beneath his force.

"You and me both..."

---

Warsaw, Poland [Location Unknown...] - 2:55 A.M.:

Master Raven stared out the room's lone window in the frigid wind that blew through the small opening between the glass panes. She overlooked the luminous city with heightened disdain, unable to sleep nor be idle. Her hands itched to hit something with an innate adrenaline. Ebony skin hungered for adrenaline as that familiar stinging headache returned.

Bzzt.

She leaned against the pillar, clutching her throbbing skull as her teeth gritted with ringing ears. The pain only worsened with her reddened vision, which she could no longer stand.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

---

3:28 A.M.:

Against the wall, while heaving labored breaths, Master Raven sat with bloodshot eyes and a weary mind. Her thoughts were slowed and foggy, but her hands still itched to hit and carve anything in her path. Blinking slowly, she glanced at the duffle bag by the closed door. Only three things sat inside - ten thousand dollars in cash, a laptop, and a USB drive.

"That's right. Get your ass up and do something. I'm bored watching your pathetic self lie around."

"Shut up."

Master Raven followed her retort by standing and grabbing the duffle bag to retrieve the USB drive and laptop. She set both on the nearby desk and quickly hacked into the city's live security camera feeds. Master Raven searched for traces of a red and white Rolls Royce. Soon, an extra window popped up in the middle of her screen. The vehicle stood still at a stop light not too far away from her current locale.

Rolling her shoulders, Master Raven hopped out the window.

Poof.

---

Bishop looked out the window, tapping a finger on the steering wheel. Beside him, Toby held his revolver in hand with nervousness, hoping the metal would somehow comfort him.

"Still nervous, fool?"

Toby rolled his eyes. "Of fucking course, asshole! I've every right to be. If that woman Doc operated on isn't dead, she'll be coming after us."

Bishop only laughed before licking his lips. "You make it sound like that's a bad thing."

"Idiot. She's a fucking ninja who won't give up easily. You may think you have a chance, but she's only after you for revenge if she doesn't kill you first."

The traffic light turned green.

Bishop merely shook his head before steering the car left. "You continue to surprise me, Mech. For a guy who can handle cars, you're a bitch when it comes to fear. Just shut up when we get to my club. Your ride's in the garage. Just—"

Tink.

His thick eyebrows furrowed. "You heard that?"

Master Raven was crouched on a lamppost, watching the car drive past as she eavesdropped on their conversation. The tracking dot she tossed stuck to the vehicle's rear license plate.

"Heard what?"

"It's probably nothin'. Get your ass back to Australia, and you'll be fine. Nothin' some tire smoke and beers can't fix.

"Ha ha ha. Very fucking funny, ya bastard. I'll be the one laughing when your ass gets caught up in some shit."

"As if. The ladies love a smooth guy, and I'm too slick for the feds."

"But you've never had a ninja on your trail. Nina and Anna know how to deal with them. We don't stand a chance."

"Shut up, Toby. That's why I prefer riding with Doc. He knows when to keep quiet and isn't afraid of anybody."

"That's what makes him an imbecile. Doc is smart, but even he will meet his match one day..."

"Whatever. Besides, I still want my fun with that broad before we eliminate her. She'll be the best lay in the sack I've ever had."

"Don't let Anna hear you say that."

Master Raven followed the vehicle from above on a store rooftop across from a luxurious club named Checkmate Palace. She watched as the car parked at the entrance, and the two men disappeared behind the closed doors. Tapping the holographic button over her right arm's metal armor, she marked the location on the screen above her arm with Bishop's mansion in the distance. Gold detailing on the pillars, doors, and high windows blatantly displayed his illegal money. It matched the exterior's white marble, typical for a criminal playboy. Flashy types like him could never lay low as it wasn't in their blood. They couldn't ignore the need to boast.

"Hmm..."

Bzzt.

She inhaled as her vision blurred again into a red tint, not as quickly as in the previous instance but still hot after Bishop's comments about wanting her to himself. Master Raven nearly lost her balance and instead tried teleporting away.

Poof.

Thud.

Master Raven rolled before landing harshly on another building's roof, squeezing her eyes shut while on her side. Teleporting was now problematic.

"Great..."

She gradually reached a vertical base and took several deep breaths, forcing herself to think through the haze of her raging thoughts and desire to mash her fists into someone's nose.

To stay hidden, you must stick to the shadows.

Use cash to avoid leaving a trail.

Keep your face away from present cameras.

Become a wolf amid the sheep.

A smirk soon formed as Master Raven looked over her attire. "Might be time for a serious change."

---

4:54 A.M.:

Master Raven stepped out of the dressing room of a high-end clothing store, placing the red cap over her head. Untied dreads flowed down her back over the dark gray wool trench coat with jeans, boots, and a black turtle neck sweater underneath. She held the strap of a brown backpack over her shoulder with her mission suit inside and a few extra clothes she bought.

She checked the time on the military watch on her right arm. "Okay... what now?"

"What do you think, idiot? Scope out the club and his house."

Master Raven huffed before heading for the exit to find the nearest mechanic or scrapyard. She closed her eyes, channeling out sounds until her ears finally caught the sounds of a car jack clunking slowly.

Opening her eyes, she followed her ears until finding herself at an abandoned car shop. Master Raven stepped through the open garage door, and soon, a hard rain poured outside. Gasoline and motor oil fumes became more potent in the humid air. She tugged her red cap tighter overhead, the thick shadow of its bill almost hiding the upper half of her face. She spotted a guy in a dark blue boiler suit working under a parked car. Specifically, a silver 1970 Chevrolet Camaro. In the corner behind him stood an unfinished sports motorcycle. Looking at it alone, the kunoichi could quickly tell it needed minor engine replacements, a new headlight, and a center monitor with an attached speedometer. In other words, an easy fix.

She walked over to the guy. "Hey..."

"We're closed. Come back tomorrow," he said without turning away from his work.

"How much do you want for that bike?"

"We're closed, lady."

Master Raven let out a small sigh, forcing the rising anger back down even as its comforting blaze tempted her to threaten the guy. "I'll pay in cash. How much?"

The guy looked at her, nearly jumping back at the eyes that stared at him—one a striking brown and the other blood red.

"Uh... five hundred."

Without another glance, Master Raven handed him the money and took the bike.

The guy watched with concern before shaking his head. "At least she didn't rob me..."

---

5:25 A.M.:

Master Raven raked a hand through her hair, spinning the wrench in her hand before wandering upward.

Bzzt.

Her jaw clenched against the usual pain spike in her head, breathing heavily amid the expansive room's oppressive silence. Sitting on a rolling stool with several tools and motorcycle parts lying on the floor, Master Raven worked diligently. Her hideout was an old base used by her father when he was stranded in Poland, which still held hidden compartments of parts, tools, and building manuals after never cleaning the place out. Her gaze landed on a map copy projected onto the wall that the city stopped printing in 2017, displaying hidden tunnels, passages, and even underground layouts of Checkmate Palace and Bishop's Mansion before moving to Poland. She was beyond tired, but her mind wouldn't let her sleep.

Nor would she...

"Weak. I would've had this thing put together thirty minutes by now."

She was starting to hate the sound of her own voice. "Got any ideas?"

"Other than just killing Bishop and Toby, no, but I doubt that's your plan. Anything other than that is idiotic, of course. You can still catch one of them; all you need to do is let me have control for three—"

---

The anger rose again.

Bzzt.

Her grip on the wrench tightened as her hands shook. "No..."

Bzzt.

The reddish tint of her vision only intensified, and the wrench slipped through her fingers.

Clank!

"There you are—"

She opened her eyes, and a pair of bright, ruby-red ones stared back.

SHING!

Sparks flew from the colliding blades.

Squelch!

"Agh!"

Blood leaked from where her chukutō blade impaled his body.

"CONTROL YOURSELF!"

Victor slid his katana back into the armored sheath at his side, looking down at her with disgusted eyes. "You disappoint me, Master Raven."

She stood on her knees, feeling weak as blood leaked from the corner of her mouth and her grip on the blade loosened.

"Get up!"

Anger's wild, happy grin mocked her. "I told you that you would regret it and everything had you not—"

---

Master Raven suddenly shot up from the bed, gripping the blanket before blinking in realization.

Beep.

Beep.

The watch on her arm signaled the change of the new hour - 3:00 P.M. Master Raven slowed her breathing, staring at the floor as perspiration dripped from her forehead while still dressed in her clothes from the night before.

Bzzt.

Looking up, her eyes widened at the nearly fully repaired motorcycle. The only thing missing was the center monitor with its matching speedometer and a few screws to tighten the exhaust pipes.

"Shit... How long was I—"

"Don't bother. I pretty much finished the work for you. All you need to do is get your shit together so we can put this guy down for good."

A sharp look of annoyance fitted itself on Master Raven's face. "Thanks, I guess. Killing Bishop still isn't the goal."

"Does it make a difference? By tonight's end, someone will die, and we know it won't be us."

Ignoring the inner voice, Master Raven headed for the bathroom to prepare for her recon.

---

"Seya!"

Raven grunted, landing on the mat after performing a black flip kick into a 'Kronos Lathe.' A mist of sweat disappeared in the air after he kicked back an imaginary enemy. His gaze into the distance was almost a focused glare, sweat cascading down his uncovered upper body from vigorous training for the last two hours. He wore only the bottom half of his black uniform with his red shades on, relaxing as his hands fell to his sides while standing upright.

Cli-Click.

"Raven..."

He secretly wished his girlfriend had walked in instead of Ralin, though it was no offense to her.

"Victor told me I'd find you here."

As usual, Ralin walked over, hands behind her back for her seemingly coy but upbeat personality. An odd contrast since she was now dressed in her usual attire, a primarily black outfit of dress shoes with pale brown soles, suit pants, and a button-down shirt with sleeves rolled back to her elbow. A sweatband on her left arm and a neon blue band on her other arm, doubling as a communication device and tracker.

"Is there something you wanted?" Raven questioned.

She rolled her eyes, ignoring the sharpness of his tone. "Look, I understand you need to stay preoccupied while we wait for a sign from Ty, but I highly doubt training into oblivion will help."

"What do you do then?"

"Several things, but one of them is practicing Katas. Sometimes, you gotta slow the beat down and count your steps, y'know?"

Raven crossed his arms with a tilted head, visibly confused. "I'm not following."

Ralin laughed. "Excuse my music metaphor. I mean, sometimes you gotta slow down. Instead of exhausting yourself so you don't think, maybe now would be a good time to do so."

"I don't see the point."

"Just follow my lead."

Raven nodded, taking up his stance behind her with a raised eyebrow. Instead of doing her version of the Raven unit stance, Ralin returned to her Kenpo roots: the Front Twist Stance.

"Didn't think you'd revert back to old habits after finding your style with Neo-Ninjutsu."

Ralin smirked. "I practice to keep my memory sharp. Other times, I use it to remember Henzai. He beat my ass a million times as a kid when I was super angry from school. It taught me a lot."

Her adoptive father, whom neither Raven nor Master Raven had the chance to meet despite him being a former UN employee.

Raven began mirroring her movements - a spin into a high-heel kick and corkscrew into Shinobi Cyclone. "Sounds like you gave him a hard time."

She laughed after throwing a punch. "I did and learned many valuable lessons while we talked as he patched me up. But this isn't about me."

He sighed, flowing his stance into a back-turned elbow strike and Crusader. "Right..."

"Word around town says you handled her parents well enough."

Raven flowed into each movement, striking hard but still reserving energy with each step. "Her father's abrasive, but I get where he's coming from. Emani approves but wants to test me."

Ralin laughed before relaxing her left leg and leaning into the double punch of a Left-Right Combo. "That means you've gotten farther than anyone else. Kevon can be a headache sometimes. You should've seen the look he gave me when Ty introduced me."

"You too?"

She nodded. "Yep, probably not as much as he is with you. Trust me, he'll come around. Kevon only cares about someone treating his 'Princess' right. Who said I love you first?"

Raven almost paused in sync and executed the 'Kama Kick' Combo and 'Pendulum Kick' with a small smile. "She did."

Ralin's confident demeanor faltered at his answer. 'Dang it, Ty! Now I gotta do a thousand pushups! Stupid freaking bet.'

"Don't tell me you two placed a bet."

"Not on what you think."

"I suppose I'll know later down the line."

"Noted."

Raven stood up. "Is this how you and Tatyana talked?"

"Hah!" Ralin snorted with hands on her hips. "Not entirely, but I figured you could use some conversation away from what we're dealing with. That wears even on me."

"How did you two talk then?"

A smirk formed on the shorter woman's face before her body shot forward. Raven stepped back but didn't have time to counter her quick kick to his knee and the forward kick that nearly clipped his jaw.

Ralin laughed, the sole of her shoe barely missing its mark. "Caught you off guard?"

A playful annoyance plastered itself onto Raven's face as he pushed her foot back. She recovered and spun before facing him.

"Was that your way of showing off?"

"This is!"

Raven stepped back as Ralin pulled off a cartwheel, a move he'd recently seen. 'Kevon taught her that too!?'

She feinted and went to slam her head into his stomach. Raven spun away, recovering his footing as she stood back.

"Ha ha! Nice one!"

"Are you always this much of a joker while fighting?"

She grinned mischievously. "Makes it more fun with conversation."

"Show me."

Ralin sprinted for Raven and performed a leg sweep. He lifted his leg and blocked her punch before ducking under a spinning high kick. Raven parried each punch Ralin threw before performing 'Haze' as her butterfly kick hit nothing but air. After weaving back from a corkscrew kick, he noticed that Ralin's footing had changed. Her foot slid ever so slightly. He aimed a forward kick at her. Ralin threw herself back, relaxing her spine.

His eyebrows raised. 'Just like Ty did...'

She curled, placing a hand on the ground. Raven lifted his foot to connect the 'Pendulum' kick. She recovered, launching herself over Raven as his foot hit the mat. He turned around, hoping to land one kick. She black-flipped away, curling into a ball. Again, she flipped away and extended her feet. They stood a few feet away with playful but knowing gazes.

"Almost."

"Think so."

Ralin gestured for him to continue. "Come on."

Raven obliged and inhaled sharply as a forward split kick nearly caved in his nose. He stumbled back but blocked her low sweep and spun into a back elbow just as the back of Ralin's heel caught his head.

Smack!

Raven rolled forward and chuckled while Ralin stumbled back, laughing despite her stinging jaw. "Nice one! You've got a spark of something nice there."

"Don't remind me. I remember when I struggled to touch you."

"You still do, but that was progress."

He crossed his arms. "Were you testing me?"

She shrugged. "More or less. But do you feel better?"

A roll of Raven's shoulders prompted a measured response. "It somewhat did."

"That's what I call a nice remix spar. Slow down and speed up for a bit and joke in between."

"Weirdo."

Before Ralin could retort, Victor walked in. "Agents, I need you both in the watch room."

"Found something?"

"Possibly. "

---

The familiar tension in the watch room resettled as Raven placed a hand over his chin, putting back on his black mission top. Each stared at the picture a closing store captured, focusing on several people caught on camera.

Victor tapped a finger on the console. "Any idea which one might be her?"

"Hmm..." Raven narrowed his eyes. "She's very subtle in situations like this. Nothing eye-catching to maintain her cover. What about the red cap?"

The Frenchmen zoomed in on a woman wearing a red cap with a few black letters and numbers written on the bill.

"R, seven, one, one, dot... X?" Raven and leaned back in his chair with hopelessness. "A possible code or password."

Victor shook his head. "Too short."

Ralin hesitated. "It's not a code but a... date."

Raven's head tilted in contemplation, and his eyes widened as a realization dawned. "My birthday... RX are my initials."

"On a red cap?"

"Red Capulet," Victor interrupted with a grim nod, his fingers flying across the keyboard to access live footage. "Clever ploy."

The monitor flickered to life, and the feed sharpened to capture the letters in crisp detail against the cap's fabric. Yet the cap and its wearer remained absent from the streets below.

"Wait..."

Raven zeroed in on the faintest movement—a shadow, barely perceptible, in the yawning maw of a dim alley. As sunlight pierced the gloom, a fragment of black lettering gleamed unmistakably on red fabric.

"That's her..."

The figure emerged faintly—clad in a dark gray trench coat, fitted jeans, and combat boots. Her long dreadlocks cascaded down her back, obscuring her face beneath the cap's brim. She moved with a calculated calm that set Raven's nerves on edge. He exhaled with relief but remained unsettled; his eyebrows knit together in disbelief.

"So," Ralin glanced at her superior, her voice tight. "What now?"

Victor's fingers slowed their rhythmic tapping as he sighed in contemplation. "We wait. Any sudden move compromises her position—and her health. Keep observing and look for any irregularities."

---

Master Raven tightened the last bolt on the touch interface embedded into the surveillance device. Her gloved hands worked with practiced efficiency, though her shoulders remained unnaturally stiff.

"We're being watched..."

Her head tilted ever so slightly toward a nearby security camera. Its small red light pulsed rhythmically, a silent beacon of her exposure.

"Doesn't matter," she murmured with a sharp exhale. "I need this set up before tonight."

"Your idea portrays a reckless risk, parking this close to the club."

Master Raven's lips curved into a faint, humorless smirk. "Kinda the point."

"And if someone's stupid enough to derail you again? Admit it—you enjoy how your allies tremble when we clash. Their fear is palpable."

"Knock it off."

Bzzt.

A faint buzz shot through Master Raven's pupil, coinciding with the unwanted twinge of pain building behind her eyes. She inhaled deeply, attempting to steady herself as the edges of her vision swirled with red.

"Still at it?" Anger's voice slithered through her mind, equal parts mocking and venomous. "You push them, but you'll break first. Only a matter of when."

Master Raven clenched both fists, her breathing controlled but deliberate as the weight of her adversaries wasn't the heaviest burden tonight.

---

Raven's grip on the monitor's edge tightened. "This isn't her usual way of operating. She's planning something."

Victor's mouth formed a thin line. As the shadows thickened and the cap's faint silhouette slipped further into the labyrinth of alleys, every second felt like a taut string threatening to snap. The red cap reappeared at the edge of an alley; several people walked past it. Just as the camera zoomed in, the image blinked into static. Red words pulsed in and out of sight on the screen.

SIGNAL LOST

---

Master Raven slipped her phone back into her pocket, the weight of guilt settling on her shoulders again.

"Aw, don't tell me you feel bad now? It's a little late after what I—we've done. Remember?"

Bzzt.

She growled and shoved her hands into the trench coat's pockets before disappearing into the crowd. Upon making it back to her temporary hideout, Master Raven sat on the bed and stared at the floor below her boots, breathing slowly as the last few fragments of memories played in her head.

Raven inched closer, with everything surrounding them drenched in red. Her boyfriend and Victor were nothing but dark shadows amid the crimson void. Master Raven blinked as Raven stood back, Victor flanking his side as each looked on as if they didn't recognize her.

"Shit..."

Anger rolled her eyes, standing from the wall. "Come on. It wasn't as bad as it could've been."

She pulled the hat from her head, glaring back at the other woman. "You say that as if it's supposed to comfort me."

"It wasn't, but we could be so much worse. Like, right now."

Bzzzzt!

"Aaah!" Master Raven gripped her head, the sting intensifying with her reddening vision. "No... no... n—"

BEEP.

BEEP.

BEEP.

Master Raven reeled against the wall, her dull eyes staring aimlessly into the distance with occasional blinks. She ignored the alarm blaring on her watch and enjoyed momentary peace. Her thoughts slowly came back after halting again. It almost felt good... almost.

"It's eight. I'm bored, and the sun is down. Get up!"

She slowly stood, taking a bag of clothes she bought earlier in the day into the bathroom.

---

8:33 P.M.:

Clink.

A slim, dark finger ran over the edge of a black, polished chocker. Brown eyes blinked at her reflection, almost not even recognizing the other person in the wide mirror.

Master Raven looked herself over one last time in an entirely black outfit with some splashes of color. Enough to direct the eyes where she wanted them. Thick heel lace-up booties with bright purple laces and armored toes, leather pants that comfortably gripped her legs, a magenta belt, a lace tube top with an unzipped turtle neck collar, and matching red sweatbands on both wrists. A thick metal chain was hanging the belt loops on the left side of her pants. Dark red lipstick and a nice amount of mascara to bring out her eyes.

She sighed, fastening a strap of throwing needles to her leg before placing a pair of gold aviator sunglasses onto her face. "This shouldn't be too hard."

"Finally... I've been waiting all day for this."

---

9:27 P.M.:

Thud.

Thud.

Two tall men in dark suits eyed the woman before them with lingering suspicion after watching her skip the long line of people waiting at the club's entrance.

"Listen, lady. You gotta wait in line like everyone else. Otherwise, no entry—"

"Yo! Any of you all seen D-Rek?"

A younger guy with a faded afro, vibrant pink vest, and red tie peeked out the door. He paused when his eyes landed on the woman opposite the two bodyguards. He groaned exasperatedly while shaking his head.

"I keep telling this ni—Apparently, y'all are idiots. You heard Bishop. All the banging babes get in easy, fools!"

Both guards growled. "You don't have that kind of authority, Raymond."

"Ignore them," Raymond stated before holding the door open.

Master Raven smirked, pulling her glasses down with a single finger and winking at the guards. The door closed, and the guard on the right side bristled.

"Is it just me, or did she have a red eye?"

The other shrugged. "This is why I don't drink on the job."

"It was two shots, Derek."

"More than that."

---

Bright, blinking neon lights were on the ceiling, and a glowing white floor with matching lines of light lined the floor, dance floor, and railing on both VIP sections. The DJ mixed a Drake song from the booth at the front of the club. Immediately, Master Raven mentally spotted the exits - one at the edge of the VIP section left and two at the back of the dance floor. Several armed bodyguards were stationed near the club's dancers and exits.

"I'm Raymond," the slightly shorter guy introduced himself with an extended hand and a wide lusting smile.

She politely shook his hand, not wanting to blow her cover too soon.

"You can just call me Mr. R. I'll tell the bartender to pay extra attention to you. Ms..."

Bzzt.

She resisted her innate urge to wipe that look off his face, though no one would blame her for such a reaction. "Raven."

Raymond smirked. "Raven... that you're first or last—"

"Sorry, but that won't come easy."

Her reply was velvet silk in his ears, easy to catch with the music muffled from the walls and door several feet behind them.

"Noted. Shall I get you a shot to start the night?"

"I'm fine. There's a guy named Bishop I'm looking for. Is he—"

The music slowed and quieted down, the club's owner strolling inside with his signature red leather coat from back at the warehouse. Bishop held his cane and stood on a small ledge from the left Royal VIP section. On his head sat a matching top hat with a golden band.

"Hello, party people! I'm here, and it's party time tonight! The DJ will play the best music, and I wanna see all my loyal pawns bring out their wild side!"

The crowd gave a small, ravenous cheer before the DJ switched the song.

Normani – Wild Side

Raymond grinned. "To the left, Ms. Raven."

Bishop exhaled with a grin and reclined into his golden throne chair's black polyester cushion gripping the smooth top of the intricately engraved arms. Carved to look like the bodies of several guns and bullets.

"You hear that crowd?"

Flanking either side of his perch were two scantily-clad women in a red lingerie set with leather knee-high boots, giggling in agreement. One was blonde, and the other was sporting fiery orange hair, each with a pistol strapped to their leg. They were paid assassins disguised as Bishop's favorite groupies.

"Nightlife never fails to amuse. Too bad, though..." Bishop grinned as the blonde sat on one of the chair arms, sliding her hand down his uncovered chest beneath the fur-lined leather trench coat. "I'll be busy swimming in too much kush and ass to go out tonight."

"Got room for one more?"

The trio turned, the girls glaring as Master Raven stood amid the Royal VIP section's opened curtains, her skin seemingly hypnotizing under the red lighting.

Bishop inhaled sharply. "Seems somebody couldn't help themselves..."

Master Raven licked her lips with faux desire. "I'd say it's more than that."

He waved the girls off and pulled his belt loose. They reluctantly heeded his command and vacated the area but kept their distrusting eyes on the newcomer, ready to act if something was amiss.

Bzzt.

She internally cringed as Bishop unzipped the fly of his pants, wanting to stab him there instead. "I need you. Think you can handle me?"

Bishop grinned. "I didn't get the name just for wearing red. Let's see what you got."

Master Raven sauntered over, slowly slipping a throwing needle into her hand before sliding into his lap and hooking a hand around his neck, just as his own trailed down her thigh.

"Damn... where do I start?"

Bzzt!

She aimed for his throat—

Pow!

Her needle clattered to the ground as Bishop kicked Master Raven away. The crowd below exploded with a panic of screams as more bullets rang out amid the chaos. Bishop and a few bodyguards hastily escaped as Master Raven made a beeline for the nearest door.

Pow!

Master Raven paused, exhaling deeply at the new sting in her left shoulder where a stray bullet landed. She turned and faced a slightly shorter blonde who aimed a Taurus PT911 between her brows.

Bzzt.

Her vision blurred red as a twisted, dark smile formed. 'Time for some fun.'

---

A UN soldier entered the lounge. "Admiral..."

Victor, Raven, Ralin, and Lidia turned their attention to the soldier. "We've got word of a disturbance at Checkmate's Palace."

"Bishop's Club..." Lidia stated. "You all stay here. I'll take of it."

Both agents looked at their superior, and Victor only nodded in agreement. Without another word, Lidia and the UN soldier quickly left the lounge.

---

Master Raven ducked a knife's blade, landing two quick kicks to the girl's chest and knee. She stumbled back before gripping the pole near the entrance of the VIP second. Before she could regain her footing, three throwing needles nailed her hand to the pole. Master Raven cackled as the girl's agonizing scream rang out and blocked the other's punch before spinning into a high kick that connected to the assassin's jaw. Using her momentum, she landed another high kick that sent the assassin over the railing and crashing through a glass table.

Several shots rang out, but each failed to land a direct hit. Master Raven ran out of the section and dove over the railing. She rolled and recovered on her feet before bursting through the doors to hop on her motorcycle just as the headlights of armored hummers came closer. The kunoichi grinned after spotting Lidia in the driver's seat of the foremost vehicle. She pulled the throttle as the bike roared to life.

"Funk! Soldiers are here! Back inside!" a man in a red suit yelled.

Master Raven lifted her foot as the motorcycle took off down a corner. Lidia turned the wheel, grunting in frustration.

Screee!

Lowering her body to the motorcycle, Master Raven glanced back to ensure Lidia and her entourage tailed her. 'Good.'

Pow!

She winced and growled as Bishop hung out the window of his Rolls Royce with his pistol aiming, smirking while shifting the bike.

Click!

The motorcycle purred at its increased speed. Master Raven tapped the break, a plume of smoke emerging from the back tire as it slid across the concrete. Leaning left, she turned the handlebars ever so slightly,

SCREEEEE!

The Rolls-Royce slid in a slow half-circle.

"Keep the car moving, damnit!" Bishop yelled, aiming another shot.

Beep.

Beep.

Master Raven looked down at the vehicle's monitor.

INCOMING ROADBLOCK! ️

Another tap of the break shifted the bike to pull back into a wheelie as the car straightened out beside her. Bishop swung a fist, which Master Raven deftly blocked before landing a cross against his jaw. Before he could retaliate, the car turned right to avoid side-swiping a Hummer narrowly. Master Raven increased her speed again, squeezing the brake lever with a death grip.

Spinning in a circle, she reversed into the small space between the stopped hummers and smirked at Lidia while placing an earpiece into her ear. "Don't feel bad. He was never yours to take anyway. And you're too slow for my taste."

Lidia's glare deepened through the glass of the hummer's windshield.

Raven felt a chill go down his spine after hearing his girlfriend's words from the drone footage, eyebrows furrowed. 'That doesn't even sound like her.'

At least not the person he knew or had known. What she is now was nothing like the one a week ago. Raven almost didn't recognize her; from the looks of it, she seemingly enjoyed this more than usual.

"Dang, we should turn this into a movie!" Ralin remarked. "I mean, did you see that? She's cold on that motorcycle."

Both Victor and Raven returned her comment with silent disapproving looks.

She scratched the back of her head. "Uh, sorry..."

---

Master Raven slid to a stop, standing from the motorcycle as she stared at the marble mansion. Nobody stood outside, and she probably guessed they were awaiting her inside. Getting off, she unlatched the chain from her belt loops and wrapped it around her hand twice. The metal clinked and clanked with each calm swing as she walked toward the tall, polished wooden doors.

Bzzt!

The doors creaked as she pushed them back. Master Raven's eyes rolled as she groaned with annoyance. A group of Bishop's red-suited men aimed their semi-automated weapons and machine guns while others held katanas in hand. Even with the tense silence, Bishop reveled in his position of supposed advantage with a smug smirk while giving a slow applause.

"I like the persistence after never having a woman chase after me after shooting at her. You got guts... and quite the ass to go with it."

Bzzt.

The constant shocks inside her brain sharpened, thus heightening Master Raven's urge to permanently wipe the smirk off his face. "A shame you didn't even give me a chance to look at the place. No matter. Do me a favor; quit hiding behind your lap dogs and face me. If you're not a coward, that is."

Bishop's grin faltered instantly. "Fine."

He snapped a finger, signaling the men with the guns to back off. Each lowered their guns while the others stayed put with their blades. Master Raven's grip on the chain tightened, and Bishop's smirk only widened. She black-flipped over a katana's blade and inhaled sharply while channeling her ki.

Poof.

Stumbling away from a sword's blade, she couldn't react to the hard fist that met her jaw. Rolling to the floor, a crease appeared around them as the floor began descending.

Master Raven grunted, spitting out a blood wad. "Your bodyguard hits like those soft killers for hire. Even my rookie subordinates hit harder than that."

Bishop shrugged and slowly walked past her, moving both hands as he spoke. "Even while getting your ass beat, you still keep talking. Respectable, if not crazy." He paused with a hand on his chin, each jeweled and polished metal ring glinting in the light that nearly blinded the kunoichi.

"But every bitch needs to know when to shut up."

Bzzt.

That comment didn't go over well, and Master Raven wanted to choke him with her chain. Bishop approached a control console and pulled a lever down.

WHiiiiirr!

The platform descended faster, causing Bishop's coat to flutter rapidly in the calm wind. "Y'know..." He retrieved his beloved cane. "Some have to be told more than others. You, however..."

Tap.

"Just need the extra kick!"

Thud.

"Ugh!"

Wind gusts whistled through Master Raven's ears as she fell at high speed. The world blurred with each uncontrolled spin. She swallowed hard, attempting to focus despite the stinging in her jaw and torso. With a huff, she dove toward the platform and turned, the soles of her boots landing on the railing that trailed the hole. Below her, Bishop tipped his hat to her and walked back over to the control console. A new room opening appeared, glinting brightly with a golden shine.

Clank.

Master Raven rolled into a ball and stopped into a low crouch before standing. Again, Bishop's shoe landed in her gut. The pain from the stray bullet finally kicked in.

'Since when did being shot hurt this much...?'

Bishop laughed, taking a deep breath, "Doesn't all this gold surprise you?"

Around them, the new expansive room was bathed in gold. The double, curved staircases led to a taller balcony with a polished white marble statue of Bishop. Behind her sat a group of prototype cars, reportedly stolen soon after their showcase. A 2025 Chevy Chevelle Convertible, Modern Ford Torino Talladega Concept, 2024 Chevy Chevelle SS, Italdesign Quintessenza, and a Shane Baxter Grunge Hubless Motorcycle in the center. Several money stacks were sorted on the floor around the room near cases of weapons, explosives, and ammunition. Hanging from the ceiling was an art piece stolen from Beijing, a jade chandelier with Dragons formed from each arm. Red ruby eyes with amethyst claws, diamond rods hanging from each of the dragon's red-tinted lights. This was undoubtedly a hidden room for the spoils Bishop had stolen over the years. The authorities would've never found all of this if they tried.

She closed her eyes, shutting them hard.

Bzzt.

She wanted to—

"Feel that anger! Let me have him! Let me out!"

Her vision turned red once again. Growling, Master Raven rolled to her feet with labored breaths, the chain wrapped around her hand while staring Bishop down with a silent, burning glare.

Bishop laughed, unfurling the right side of his trench coat to show off his red and white Pinidad PS-01 pistol with a golden slide and matching grip panels.

"If only I could've had my moments with you." Bishop shook his head with mock sadness. "I know you would've been amazing in bed."

Master Raven's grip on the chain tightened.

Bishop held his cane's chess piece handle and leaned before crossing his right foot over his left. "Your move, sexy."

"That's it!"

Master Raven sprinted for him. Bishop spun away from a downward hook and blocked her kick with his cane before jabbing her in the stomach and landing the shaft against her jaw.

"Agh!"

Stumbling back, Bishop beckoned her to come closer. "Shamone!"

She sprinted for him again.

Poof.

Bishop skipped back back, holding up his cane with an annoyed grimace. Master Raven rolled left before...

Pow!

A bullet landed where she'd just been. Rolling forward, Master Raven snapped the chain in his direction. He rolled his eyes and let the metal coil around his cane. She pulled back and closed the distance.

Clap.

She swung the cane, and Bishop grinned while sliding his feet back one after the other, with each hand shoved in his pockets to moonwalk and weave away from each missed swing.

"Shamone!"

He ducked under his cane's shaft and sprung upward, aiming an axe kick at her jaw.

Smack!

Master Raven crumbled to one knee.

Bishop gripped and held his crotch, lowering his stance. "Oh! Come on. Show how you move." He spun and stood on his toes before bobbing his head. "Let me see ya move."

Poof.

Master Raven stumbled again, and Bishop's high kick missed her. This gave her the needed opening to smash her head into his nose. Bishop was left momentarily stunned, allowing Master Raven to cut his pants with a needle and expose his Lightning McQueen underwear.

"Perfect."

She evaded his two punches and landed a full-force blow with her fist that held the chain. Bishop fell to the ground in a heap... unconscious. The nearby henchmen aimed their weapons, only to have Master Raven laugh in response with Bishop's cane now in her possession. A small button sat under the chess piece, and she pressed it to see the shaft pop loose and reveal a blade hidden underneath. Pulling the shaft and brandishing the blade, she admired the glint in the reddened light.

Pow!

Master Raven blinked as a shadow held a gun in her vision. "Die!"

SHING!

---

"Wait," Victor remarked via his commlink. "Are you serious?"

"I know it doesn't sound realistic, but that's what we witnessed. We have the place surrounded. The ones that fought back were killed in the gunfire," came Lidia's response.

"Any sign of Master Raven?"

Lidia sighed. "Nothing yet. She's yet to show if there is any sign of her. She might've made her escape by now."

Silence emerged before Victor cleared his throat. "Is her motorcycle still there?"

"Yes. She even left the engine running."

"She's still there. I suggest you keep your distance until she leaves."

"You sure? We need to detain her."

"And we will. For now, it's best to avoid all confrontations without a group. I know her better than anyone and don't want you caught in our mess. She'll exploit your openings and injure you without hesitation or worse."

"Understood..."

---

Squelch.

Master Raven sharply twisted the blade, watching the guy in the red suit fail the scream as blood clogged his throat from the gash in his neck. Slowly twisting the blade in his stomach, the subtle grunt of fractured bones filled her ears. An evil grin soon formed even as she yanked the blade out, unbothered to watch his body crumple to the floor as his blood slid down the weapon until it dripped to the floor.

With a small sigh, Master Raven slipped the stained blade back into its sheath before glancing up at the chandelier. She smirked at the sight of a nearly naked, unconscious Bishop, hanging his with the chain she used to fight him and tied his feet to it. She also slipped his custom pistol into the holster she took from him before tapping the cane on the platform.

Lidia narrowed her eyes as the kunoichi appeared, watching as she walked back to her motorcycle with an expression void of the commotion she had caused. She seemed to revel in the chaos and blood she spilled. Master Raven tossed the cane in Lidia's direction and hopped on her transportation, the motorcycle's engine roaring down the silent, empty streets.

---

10:44 P.M.:

Back in her room, Master Raven looked out the window with a hand placed on the wall before heaving a defeated sigh. She could still see the red and blue police lights on the nearby horizon of Bishop's mansion, and it wasn't long before several more armored hummers pulled into the vicinity of Checkmate Palace.

Bzzt.

She ignored the sting in the back of her head that threatened to split her skull in half. "As we speak, Polish Armed Forces and UN Soldiers are detaining Bishop and his pathetic henchmen."

Master Raven paused, her hand clenching into a shaky fist as the memories from the past twenty-four hours. Her jaw clenched before she forced herself to hold back, "A lot…has happened."

"Of course, you'll omit the fact you had fun slaughtering those men and enjoyed the girl's screams in the club. Killjoy."

She huffed before turning to sit in a worn chair in front of her laptop screen, its red dot pulsing in and out of sight as a recording began from its web camera.

"Where do I start...?"

---

Victor gazed out the armored hummer's window, a light rain drizzle coming down. Neither of his agents dared to speak amid the uncomfortable setting of the past few hours, now being called to investigate a crime scene the Polish Prime Minister herself called a contrasting blood bath. It almost looked and felt... personal.

Raven crossed his arms. "We need a solid group to counteract Tatyana if we want to detain her. She can't touch you, Vic, and Ralin is almost equally skilled to her."

Beside him, Ralin shook her head. "I... don't know. What you guys told me sounded horrible. I don't think I could stomach having to knock somebody out. I fractured a guy's skull once with my head and reserved that for those who deserve it. Doing that to our Unit Master..." She shuddered at the thought. "Do either of you know how to control another person's Ki?"

Victor's attention returned to staring out the window, his wrinkles deepening. "Hmm... We would need level three handcuffs."

Vrrrr.

A motorcyclist shot past them with their headlight off before disappearing around a corner.

Beep.

Beep.

A small map of the city and a blue dot on a nearby building appeared across the blonde agent's sunglasses. "You see this too?"

Victor nodded. "It's not too far from here."

He motioned to the soldier driving, who promptly nodded and turned the car left down a wide alley.

Current Location: Abandoned Roswelt Office Building Construction Site -  Third Floor

The trio looked around, Victor raising an eyebrow at how ordinary and mundane the room was - metal walls, unpainted reinforced walls with a concrete window and doorframe. A surprisingly fully functional AC unit and window that overlooked the target area of the city as a clever vantage point.

"Huh," Victor began. "Nice spot..."

This room seemed familiar to him, but he couldn't remember why. Where had he seen this place before? Why was it familiar? Then it hit Victor like a ton of bricks. This was one of Kevon's hiding spots.

Raven walked over to a desk with nothing except manuals on building, repairing, and fine-tuning a motorcycle, along with a toolbox and a USB drive. He picked up the drive, the black plastic body still warm from her touch. Which meant...

"She left not too long ago—"

Outside the other window of the hummer, several tails of dreadlocks waving in the wind passed in his peripheral vision.

"Wait... She's already taken down Bishop. Which means... she's heading to Australia for the Mechanic."

"Raven—"

Poof.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

Raven sprinted along the rooftops with light, agile speed as the soles of his armored boots barely touched the gravel rooftops. He pressed the button on the device in his left ear,

Beep.

"You better have a good explanation as to why—"

"Listen, Victor. She's leaving as we speak. One of us has to catch her before that plane takes off. Tell all Polish armed forces to head to the airport and search specifically for any flights to Australia."

"Understood."

Clutching the USB in his hand, Raven took shallow, measured breaths before running faster. He could still hear the motorcycle's echo along with the spikey, strong Ki that moved farther away with each step he took.

Beep.

Beep.

SYDNEY, AU PA – 0289 [Boarding]

WARSAW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

WEST WING CAR POOL AREA

"Gotcha," Raven grunted.

---

Master Raven leaned with a broad left turn of her motorcycle, slowing just enough to see the flighting information board on the second floor. 'Good timing so far.'

She lowered her body while entering the flight runway as a ring of soldiers and armored vehicles blocked her path.

"Damn!"

Reactively, Master Raven shifted and pulled the break.

Screeeee!

Smoke clouds billowed from the tires until the bike slowed to a stop against twelve UN soldiers aiming their machine guns and pistols at her.

One stepped forward. "Step off the vehicle and put your hands behind your back now!"

Master Raven slowly did as instructed.

Bzzt.

Her vision retracted to that familiar tint again, and a low laugh sounded while displaying a crazed smile as her right eye turned a bright red.

"I hate doing this..." Master Raven's grip tightened on the chain.

BEEP.

Raven blinked at the new information across the left side of his glasses, signifying a high alert notice.

WANTED ALIVE

Tatyana Summers; Codename: Master Raven

Height: 5'11

Fighting Style: Ninjutsu [Master Rank]

Last Known Location: Warsaw, Poland

Next Presumed Location: Australia

WANTED FOR: Resisting Arrest

Attacking Unit Subordinate & High Officials

Speeding

Causing a Disturbance

Detain at all costs; EXCESSIVE FORCE IS NECESSARY

Next to the information were two pictures of the wanted woman in her mission and formal suits.

"No..."

Raven leaped off a building wall and landed on the roof of a UN armored truck that sped toward the airport only a few feet away. Master Raven sighed disappointedly, analyzing the combat knife before throwing it in the direction of a nearly dying soldier's body. The blade killed him instantly, joining five other dead soldiers on the damp concrete, with the other seven left alive but unconscious - disappointingly easy.

The plane turned towards the runway, lights blinking as it prepared to take flight. Master Raven hopped onto her motorcycle and pulled the throttle back, the engine purring with an echo through the vast space. Several soldiers advanced on her position. She only rolled her eyes and increased the speed to chase the plane moving down the runway.

Raven could see the motorcycle and gritted through his teeth, "Floor it!"

The ring of bodies and unconscious soldiers quickly came into view.

"Woah!"

The truck's tires screamed as they slid to a jolting stop. Looking up, Raven watched the plane ascend into the dark, starless sky. He huffed before hopping down from the truck's roof.

"Damn..."

In his hand was the USB drive that would be viewed.

---

Raven sat alone in the lounge room, staring at the confiscated USB drive in his hand from his Unit Master's hideout. He removed his shades and slipped the USB into a port. Instantly, a new window file appeared on the holographic screen. A simple folder named Evidence [Bishop] and a seven-minute video file were in it. His eyebrows furrowed before deciding to play it.

The feed materialized to show Master Raven looking out the window and viewing the city, one hand on the wall with what seemed to be regret. She wore her mission suit without the pauldrons and attached Exo-Spine.

"As we speak, Polish Armed Forces and UN Soldiers are detaining Bishop and his pathetic henchmen."

A noticeable pause occurred before her hand clenched into a shaky fist - a sign of pain.

"A lot has... transpired." She sat down with a weary breath directly in front of the camera. "Where do I start...?"

Before continuing, a sharp inhale escaped Master Raven as a new glare emerged from the pain of an open wound at the back of her shoulder.

"Shit..."

Soon, her discontent changed into amusement. "I forgot one of those stupid assassins shot me. Amusing she was. Her scream when I nailed her hand to a pole and sent the other flying over the second-floor guardrail... Focus, damnit! Fuck..."

Master Raven got up and rummaged through a small drawer before retrieving several things - a syringe of epinephrine injections, long tweezers, a bandage cushion, and elastic bandage wraps.

Sitting down, she rolled her right shoulder. "Hoping this won't hurt too much..."

With strained, sharp grunts, Master Raven pulled the bullet from the shoulder. As a result, blood oozed freely and trailed down her arm and back. She took in shallow breaths as the pain set in, followed by an intense sting invading her punctured muscles, tissue, and flesh. Clenching her jaw, Master Raven focused on bandaging the wound with the cushion wrap before fastening it with elastic clips. She then relaxed in the chair and released a long exhale, reaching for the syringe before swiftly stabbing the needle into her left arm and pushing down its plunger.

Raven winced in slight discomfort. "Ty..."

A low laugh sounded from her as her eyes lit up with renewed adrenaline flowing through her bloodstream, her right eye turning a bright ruby red.

Bzzt.

"Ah... so much better."

Master Raven took a deep breath, now looking as bad as she felt. "To those watching, Victor... and Raven. I don't know what the hell is happening to me. All I can feel is this burning anger. It's intoxicating, but each adrenaline rush is amazing."

Master Raven took a deep breath, now looking as bad as she felt. "To those watching, Victor and…Raven. In all honestly…I don't know what the hell is happening to me. All I can feel is the burning anger. Intoxicating, but... each adrenaline rush is amazing." She gave a bitter laugh. "And I hate how much I love it."

The video cut to her leaning against the wall. "I can't be near you and don't want to hurt you. Whatever that fucking doctor did to me... I can't control myself! And I—"

Alarmingly, Master Raven gripped her head and shut her eyes with sheer agony until her scream finally sounded with strain as it blasted into Raven's ears. His heart fractured with each second he stared, unable to tear his gaze from the screen as she slid down the wall and continued screaming from the searing pain in her head. The video cut again as Master Raven sat against the wall, staring blankly into space with eyes polished over and dull. She inhaled sharply as her consciousness gradually returned before she rose to her feet.

"The plan was simple. Infiltrate his club and kill—"

The video cut again; Master Raven now held a pistol in hand, Raven feeling she might commit suicide in plain view. "I didn't kill him... though I did debate doing so. Tap the cane on the ground twice when you first enter Bishop's mansion. I'll be in Australia, going after the Mechanic."

Another pause commenced, longer than the previous one, as her head hung low to conceal her face. Soon, a sniffle sounded.

"I miss you so much... And I'm sorry to put you through all this. I never wanted any of you in my mess, and I regret even saying that this scanner has changed me... for the worse. Rashad... what I'm about to ask of you is paramount. Contact my parents. I understand the risks of involving them, and they'll probably tear Victor a new one, but they're the only ones who can help me now. Please... for me. I... I love you."

The video mercifully ended.

Raven hastily wiped away the tears that had unknowingly fallen from his eyes. He pulled out the USB, clutching it inside his shaky fist. 'We're getting you back, Ty.'

---

Beep.

Beep.

Kevon groaned sheepishly at his communication device beeping to life in the night's stillness. He slowly sat up, the cool air chilling his arms as the lamp on his bedside table partially illuminated his side of the bedroom. Emani stirred lightly in her sleep next to him. Carefully, Kevon reached for his phone with hazed-over eyes, blinking away the drowsiness. He quickly unlocked the device with a simple five-digit code and tapped the notification at the top of the screen. Confusion furrowed at his eyebrows at the image meeting his gaze, but they soon formed into shock as the words finally set in.

WANTED ALIVE

Tatyana Summers; Codename: MASTER RAVEN

Detain at all costs; EXCESSIVE FORCE IS NECESSARY

"What?"

Swiping the screen, Kevon saw the wanted notice appear on the TV at the front of the room displaying the security footage of Tatyana fighting several UN soldiers and evading armored hummers on a motorcycle.

"Jada..." Kevon shook his wife gently. "Wake up."

Emani only groaned in response before turning on her side.

"Wake up," he urged more firmly.

Displeased but noting the urgency in her husband's rousing, Emani turned toward him. "Kevon... can it wait?"

"There's a wanted notice on Tatyana."

Her eyes shot open before she sat up from the bed. "What!?"

"Look..."

Kevon quickly got out of bed and pointed at the TV. His grip on his phone tightened as turmoil turned to outrage. "Fu—Victor better have an explanation for this!"

This was the last thing either former agent was expecting. Their daughter, once the proud, undisputed leader of her unit, was now being forced on the run as a criminal. Both were now fully awake, intending to converse with their former superior with more than a few choice words.

"Forget calling him," Emani stated before hastily making her way over to their shared walk-in closet. "We're going to Poland! There's no way in hell our daughter has a Wanted Notice without a goddamn explanation!"

"Bring your mission suit. I'm getting my weapons."

"Already ahead of you."

Emani was already walking out of the closet with the bottom half of her mission suit on. Kevon's vibrating phone stopped them as he viewed the caller ID, surprised by the name filling the screen.

"Who is it?"

"It's... Rashad," Kevon answered with a long exhale.

They shared concerned expressions before Kevon answered the phone and put the call on speaker.

"Kevon, Emani. I know you're seeing the news flash, but it's not what you think."

"Then there better be a damn good reason why the UN listed our child as a criminal for the entire world to see! I want answers, Rashad!"

A shaky breath sounded from the other line as Emani picked up that this news was just as hard on Tatyana's boyfriend. It didn't help that Kevon's shout was nearly loud enough to alert their entire culdesac.

"I'll make it short because we're running out of time to intercept Tatyana in Australia..."

Chapter 20: Struggle

Sydney, Australia: Monday, October 11; 12:25 A.M. [Day 2]:

Victor's gaze remained fixed on the window, his eyes narrowing slightly as another citizen aircraft in the distance descended. The hummer's tires rumbled over the cracked asphalt, but his focus remained on the darkened sky. The aircraft's blinking wing lights flickered in a rhythmic pattern, casting a faint, eerie glow against the towering backdrop of jagged buildings. The city seemed to breathe in the night—a silent, metallic expanse, steel shadows and glass stretching long in every direction. There was something ominous about the muteness, the way everything hummed with potential danger yet loomed still.

Inside the armored vehicle, the silence between Victor and his two agents felt suffocating. The only sound was his fingers lightly tapping against the door handle. This unconscious gesture revealed a winding tension through his every muscle. His eyes remained on the horizon, but his thoughts were elsewhere, and he considered the unfolding situation with a sharp focus.

Breaking the silence, Victor turned his gaze to Raven, his voice cutting through the quiet with a touch of cold steel. "What prompted you to call her parents, Raven?"

Sitting across the way, Raven didn't flinch and merely shifted his gaze to meet his superior's eyes, the shadows in the vehicle deepening the sharp angles of his face.

"The video file on the USB drive," Raven replied, his voice steady but carrying an edge of weariness. "Tatyana knew I would be watching and pleaded for me to call them. If anyone can help her, it's them. We're close but don't know Ty as well as they do."

Victor's mouth pressed into a thin line, his expression unreadable. The words hung in the air between them as they sunk in, the gravity of their meaning not lost on him. His fingers stopped their rhythmic tapping, instead curling slightly against the door's cold, metal surface.

"Noted..." Victor's low, almost thoughtful voice responded. "I just hope they don't misunderstand when they get here."

The hummer lurched as it turned a corner. The shift in movement hardly seemed to bother Ralin, who had been contemplating out the other window. After a moment, she sighed audibly, her breath a soft exhale that seemed to resonate with the weight of the situation.

"Let's hope all goes well... or as well as possible."

Her murmur was tinged with uncertainty and a grim acceptance.

Raven's brow furrowed, a flicker of curiosity passing over his usually composed features while glancing at Ralin, sensing an undercurrent of concern. "You worried about arguing with them?"

Ralin's eyes never left the window, but her shoulders showed a noticeable tension. "No... For this not to grow any worse."

The situation's unspoken weight pressed onto the trio, a constant, oppressive presence in the armored hummer as it barreled through the night. Victor's hand gripped the door, his knuckles turning pale, but his resolve remained unwavering. The rooftop meeting was coming soon—an unpredictable encounter with the parents of a missing operative, the potential for conflict looming.

---

UN Australian HQ [Rooftop] - 12:53 A.M.:

Victor stood rigidly, his hands clasped behind his back. The sharp bite of the cold wind cut through his suit jacket and seeped into his bones, but he held his stance unflinchingly. Behind him, Raven and Ralin stood at attention, their postures sharp as steel. A jet streaked across the sky above, its engines roaring, before two dark figures appeared, descending with precision. They landed effortlessly, crouching momentarily before rising to their full height.

Kevon and Emani stood before them, their gazes fixed, hostile, and unyielding.

Kevon's mission suit was an intimidating sight—primarily black with flashes of dark red. His armored tabi boots made a muted clink as they touched the ground, and metal knee pads glinted under the faint light. His O-yoroi ninja pants rustled with movement, each step a whisper of deadly precision. A line of gold swirls, reminiscent of Raven's suit, wrapped up his right leg, vanishing beneath his red belt. His armored vest and cropped jacket hung loosely, yet they radiated authority. The dark red scarf around his neck fluttered like a flag in the wind, its edges burned and frayed. His fingerless gloves barely concealed the deadly weapon folded within his grasp. The communication device perched in his left ear while a red monocle glowed faintly over his left eye. The cone-shaped metal hat on his head had a neon red brim that pulsed with the Unit symbol engraved at its edge.

Emani was a stark contrast, her dark purple mission suit hugging her frame with an almost predatory grace. The white glowing lines of her suit traced a delicate, glowing pattern that ran up her body, stopping just short of the high collar. Her boots clicked firmly against the ground, the armored knee guards offering elegance and protection. A belt adorned with the Unit symbol cinched her waist, and two Wakizashi blades rested sheathed on her back. Her gloves were light but reinforced, and the metal collar around her neck hummed with a soft purple glow, matching the headband that held her dark hair back. The metal plates on her shoulders were engraved with the same Unit symbol, completing her formidable look.

Victor's voice broke the tense silence, though it betrayed a hint of nervousness. "Emani, Kev—"

"We get woken up at damn near four in the morning to find out our daughter has a Wanted Notice on her head!" Kevon erupted with seething fury. "And not a single phone call from you!"

Emani's voice followed, sharp and cutting with an intensity that could burn through steel. "There better be a good explanation for why we had to find out like every other agent! What the hell, Vic!?"

The tension in Victor's chest tightened as he cleared his throat. "We were dealing with the situation, and I didn't have much time to—"

Emani rolled her eyes and scoffed. "You have our numbers on speed dial, and not once did it cross your mind to call during this whole mess!"

"I want to know why she has this on her head in the first place!" Kevon barked. "What could she have possibly done to have—"

"Enough!" Ralin stepped forward, her voice demandingly sharp as she locked gazes with the older couple. "I get that you're livid and have every right to be. But now isn't the time to vent at Vic. He's just as pissed about this as you are. Ty is out there, and she needs our help."

Kevon's eyes narrowed, dark as the storm clouds gathering in the distance. His gaze flicked from Ralin to Victor. "We're waiting."

Victor paused, the weight of their stares pressing on him. "Following Devil Jin's attack, Aron tampered with Tatyana's scanner. She attacked Raven after awakening and has since gone rogue. I didn't want it to come to this, but I had no choice but to send out the Wanted Notice after seeing live footage of her killing several UN soldiers."

The following silence was thick with disbelief, and the couple's eyes were unreadable and unmoving. They didn't buy it.

Raven stepped forward and, in a fluid motion, tossed a USB drive in Kevon's direction. The small device gleamed in the dim light, silently offering proof.

Kevon and Emani exchanged a brief look, their expressions tight before the former's grudging but resigned voice broke the silence again. "Alright."

---

Underground Watch Room Lounge - 1:54 A.M.:

The video ended, leaving the room thick with silence—one that carried weight, pressing down on everyone present. The atmosphere had shifted; this wasn't just Raven's burden anymore. The undeniable reality of Tatyana's situation had settled into the bones of those who loved her most.

Raven kept his eyes downcast, arms crossed tightly over his chest as he leaned against the wall. The tension in his body was impossible to hide, his fingers gripping at his sleeves. The sound of her scream still echoed in his mind, an agonizing reminder of what she was enduring. It made his stomach knot, made his blood simmer with frustration. He hated hearing it—hated that it was real, that it was her. He could only imagine her parents' feelings if it was tearing him up inside.

All he wanted was to hold her, to promise her everything would be okay.

'Impossible now, unfortunately...'

Across the room, Kevon and Emani sat close together on the couch against the wall, their postures stiff. Kevon's breathing was measured but shallow, his tense arms betraying the turmoil beneath his composed exterior. The long sleeves beneath his armored vest did little to hide the flex of his muscles as he clenched his fists on his knees.

After a long, slow inhale, he finally spoke, his voice thick with restrained emotion. "You weren't kidding... What's happened to our child?"

Emani, still staring at the blank screen where the footage had played, felt the weight in her chest sink deeper. Shock had been the first reaction. Taking its place was heartbreak. Her fingers gripped the fabric of her pants. "And this happened... last night?"

"In Warsaw," Raven confirmed, finally pulling himself off the wall. "She promptly took down Bishop and his men, even tipped off Lidia about where to find his underground stash of stolen trophies. Now, she's going after the Mechanic—Toby Greene. He's one of Nina's accomplices, specializing in vehicles."

Kevon exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples, then let his hands drop while sitting back. He tilted his head against the wall with an unreadable expression. "She made the right call, telling you to call us." His gaze shifted toward Raven, softening just enough to reveal gratitude. "Thank you, Raven."

Raven shook his head, shifting his weight. "No need to thank me."

Victor, who had been quiet, finally stepped forward and pulled the USB drive from the control panel. The tiny device felt heavier than it should have—just like the situation. "We need a plan to detain her. The farthest we've gotten is the handcuffs we'll use."

Emani tapped her fingers against her chin, her analytical mind already piecing things together. "A minor detail, but do we know where she's heading in Australia?"

The room held its collective breath, waiting for an answer none wanted but needed.

---

1:50 A.M.:

A motorcycle's engine roared and echoed through Sydney's sparse streets. Master Raven lowered to the bike, her long dreads flailing in the wind behind her as the speed increased.

83 MPH

85 MPH

86 MPH

The world faded into a streaked blur of lights around her. Master Raven looked upward, her eyes identifying the UN building mere yards away. In a sudden motion, she pulled the brake and skidded to a stop on the gravel shoulder, a spray of dust and smoke swirling around her. Her jaw tightened, and her chest suddenly felt heavier as the death grip on the throttle loosened with a shaky hand. Fresh tears began pooling in her eyes.

"You can't. Not now..."

"Not now? Pathetic. Now would be the perfect time to see how far we can take this. Don't you want to—"

"Shut up," Master Raven shot back tiredly, her eyes snapping shut as she forced her tears back down. "Not..." Pulling the throttle, the kunoichi resumed her trek. "Now..."

A shadow stood on the roof of a building, a warm wind ruffling the gray trench coat draping its upper body. A pair of purple eyes blinked with a focused stare, but a triumphant smirk formed on a male's face.

Aron glimpsed at his wristwatch, listening to the calm tick. "One down, two to go. Now, I won't have to worry about Toby's useless rants of childish fear. All that's left to do is watch the chaos unfold. Only a matter of time before I send the rest of the flock a message."

---

Master Raven tore through the tunnel's winding streets, the engine humming like a caged predator beneath her. She leaned left, her body tight against the bike as she slid behind a sluggish truck. Two police cruisers blazed past, their sirens silent but their presence unmistakable. She exhaled through her nose, relieved but unamused.

A mocking laugh slithered through her mind, laced with smugness.

'I'm starting to hate the sound of my voice.'

The city blurred past as she rode for miles, weaving through the maze of urban sprawl before exiting the highway. The towering skyline gave way to skeletal structures—unfinished buildings and rusted cranes standing like forgotten sentinels. The construction site was quiet, except for the occasional wind blowing up loose gravel.

Her path led her to a forgotten tunnel, its entrance choked with overgrown weeds and faded graffiti. She rolled inside, the distant drip of leaking pipes echoing in the darkness. The dim beam of her headlights guided her to a garage door, its surface coated in years of dust and neglect.

Master Raven's sharp gaze swept over the surrounding bricks, hunting for a particular imperfection. Her eyes landed on it—an old slash mark etched into cracked, polished brick. Sliding off her bike, she approached, flipping open a hidden panel. A single button lay inside.

Click.

The garage door rose without a sound, revealing a compact but efficient hideout. The space was large enough to store a vehicle, and a built-in elevator was at the back. It smelled faintly of old steel and sharpening oil.

Master Raven placed a hand on her hip, eyes scanning the room. "Dad should clean these spots out. It almost seems too easy."

A workshop lined with blades and weaponry sat waiting at the far end, gleaming under dim lighting. A worn couch rested in the center, facing a wall-mounted surveillance system. A mini-fridge, likely filled with rations or expired energy drinks, sat in the corner.

"Blah, blah, blah. What's the plan? I'm bored. We're killing Toby, right?"

The voice was impatient, curling around her thoughts like an unwelcome guest. Master Raven ignored it and stepped onto the elevator. The platform registered her weight instantly, lifting her to the next level with practiced ease. The bedroom above was practical yet spacious, designed for efficiency rather than comfort. A large enough area to train, a modest walk-in closet, and an armory lined one side of the room. Pinned to the opposite wall were two maps—one of Sydney, another of Perth, marked with a date: 10/5/1999. Her eyes flicked to an armor stand beside the bed, where her father's old mission suit rested, a silent relic of his years before reaching Jōnin rank. Nearby, a narrow passage opened to a catwalk high above the sewer system, leading back to the city's underbelly.

"Hmm..."

She moved to the desk beneath the map, her fingers tracing the lines of the streets. Her gaze landed on a building near the red dot marking her location. Pulling the laptop from her duffel, she powered it up and quickly scanned the area through street view.

'Typical buildings... Nothing here—'

A motorcycle dealership stood just a few miles away. Her eyebrow arched as information and images filled the screen. "Perfect. Now, for a plan..."

"Why bother? I already have one—simple! Find Toby and kill him. He deserves it."

Master Raven rolled her eyes. "He already knows what I look like. I need something different."

Her gaze flickered to the metallic mask resting on the armor stand. A faint, dimmed stripe ran along the left side. The gears in her mind clicked into place.

"That's tediously boring. Let me do it!"

She reached for the mask, her fingers brushing over the stripe.

Beep.

A bright green line ignited, tracing the marking. Master Raven slipped the mask over her face, adjusting it as the light shifted from green to a deep, ominous red—matching the glow of her right eye. She tilted her head slightly, testing the fit.

"Not bad..." Her voice was now heavily distorted, warped into something cold, mechanical, and unfamiliar. "This could use some tuning."

"I'll return when things get interesting."

Bzzt.

She winced but ignored the irritating sting at the back of her skull. It was just noise, nothing more than background interference that wouldn't matter.

Not yet, anyway.

---

Perth, Australia - Mech's Mod Shop; 3:44 A.M.:

Click!

"It was just hours ago that Polish Armed Forces and Prime Minister Lidia Sobieska finally detained the infamous Bishop. The once untouchable Jacob Ares was found at his home, hanging from the stolen chandelier art piece from Beijing, China. All thanks to a UN agent who is also—"

Toby scoffed and rolled his eyes, barely noticing the reporter's voice crackling from the old TV in the corner. With beer in one hand and car keys in the other, he pushed himself off the couch annoyedly.

"Fucking bastard... I told him. But of course, nobody listens to an Aussie." He took a swig from his bottle, the bitter taste doing little to soothe his irritation. "At least I can outrun 'em. Ninjas are ninjas, but nothing beats wheels."

His gaze drifted across the dimly lit garage, where his crew worked hard on his latest escape plan: a modified 2024 Cadillac Escalade. Its sleek, bulked-up matte-black frame with reinforced armor plating and freshly mounted automatic weapons along the sides gleamed under the flickering overhead lights. A thick wire cable snaked from the hood to a nearby workbench, where a laptop displayed diagnostic readings.

Toby smirked. 'This baby's gonna tear through any roadblock they set up.'

"Aye!" His voice cut through the low hum of power tools.

One of his men turned, wiping grease off his hands. He was a stocky man with a simple red mohawk and a black goatee. His denim vest sported white skidmark designs across the shoulders and collar.

"Yeah?"

"Where's Travi and Cargo?" Toby asked, swirling the last of his beer before taking another gulp.

The mohawked man shrugged. "They said they might not make it to the race. Stuck at a gas stop off Kenrie Road, having trouble supping it up with the Nitrous kit and whatnot."

Toby sighed, rubbing his forehead. 'Fucking amateurs.' "Can one of you guys call them back? I need new blood. We gotta run soon, and I don't mean setting up shop elsewhere."

"On it!" another guy called from behind, already pulling out his phone.

Toby looked at the armored Escalade, his fingers tightening around his keys. He had no intention of getting apprehended in the same trap that took Bishop down. If the UN wanted him, they'd have to catch him first.

---

Quik Fuel Gas Station:

Master Raven pulled into the empty lot of a well-lit gas station, the steady hum of her motorcycle filling the quiet night. She instinctively pulled the cap tighter over her head, knowing the nearby security camera was already tracking her movement. Its mechanical eye zoomed in with silent curiosity.

She set the bike's kickstand down with a practiced motion and stilled as voices carried through the cool air. Across the lot, a group of men crowded around an open car hood, arguing over the engine's issues. Wrenches clanked, an occasional burst of laughter cutting through their bickering. Two other guys leaned against their customized cars, arms crossed, waiting impatiently.

Master Raven's sharp gaze flicked to the red embroidery stitched into the dark green vests they all wore:

Mech's Body Shop

'Interesting.'

Ignoring them for now, she entered the gas station shop, her boots tapping against the tiled floor. She brought a USB drive to the counter and slid it across to the cashier.

The man—middle-aged, unshaven, and unimpressed with life—sighed as he rang her up, barely suppressing his irritation. "Again, I gotta deal with these idiots."

"That group outside?" Master Raven gestured subtly through the window.

The cashier flinched at her voice's robotic distortion before chuckling and shaking his head. He slid the USB drive back across the counter. "Yeah, you kids and your fancy voice mods. Those guys always bring trouble. I've told 'em off a million times, but they keep coming back."

She slipped the drive into her pocket. "Guess they know a good spot when they see it. You know them?"

"Toby and his so-called workers—more like reckless street racers. They're the talk of the town, always pulling off these crazy, high-speed races and drawing police attention. Not that it ever matters. They either outrun the cops or crash and burn."

Bzzt.

A smirk formed beneath her mask as something inside her clicked into place. "Sounds fun."

The cashier snorted. "Be my guest. Those guys are bug-nuts crazy. If you're smart, you'll steer clear. If you're stupid, you'll get mixed up in their mess. They've got more crimes to answer for than I can count—and more than a few bodies to their name."

Master Raven didn't respond. She turned on her heel and exited the shop, her eyes already locked on the crew by their cars as she walked back to her motorcycle.

Time to introduce herself.

---

The group huddled around the sleek, low-slung beast of a car, its midnight-blue paint gleaming under the harsh gas station lights. The hood propped open, exposing the machine's guts—coils, pistons, and tangled wiring—while a faint smell of burnt rubber and gasoline lingered in the night air.

Cargo, a broad-shouldered man with a shaved head and hazel eyes, rested an elbow on the front fender, his brows furrowed in frustration. Luna, a wiry woman with oil streaks on her hands, bit her lip, tools clanking in her grip as she worked. Travi stood nearby, arms crossed, tapping his foot impatiently.

"Luna, please tell me you know what you're doing," Travi groaned.

"Shut up and let me think for a sec!" she snapped, wrench slipping as she cursed under her breath.

Cargo shook his head, rubbing a hand down his face. "Mate, how the hell did you mess up a perfect Bass 700? A one-of-a-kind! If Toby finds out you botched the—"

"Having trouble there?"

The group froze at the smooth, distorted voice and instantly whipped around. A tall figure stood several feet away, arms casually resting in the pockets of a sleeveless burgundy hoodie. Her long dreadlocks swayed as she tilted her head, and the faint red glow from her mask's visor flickered in the dim light. She wore a red cap pulled low over her face, jeans, and scuffed combat boots that spoke of miles traveled.

Travi's expression twisted into a sneer. "Unless you know a thing or two..." He flexed his fingers before sliding a brass knuckle onto his hand. "I suggest you keep walking, mate."

Bzzt.

Master Raven resisted the urge to knock his teeth in with a well-placed punch using his brass knuckles. Instead, she exhaled through her nose and glanced at the car.

"Equus Bass 700," she stated evenly, glancing over the vehicle. "6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine. 640 horsepower at 6500 rpm. 605 lb-ft of torque at 3800 rpm. 6-speed rear-mounted dual-clutch transmission. 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds. Top speed of 200 miles per hour. First of its kind, right?"

The crew exchanged glances, eyes widening slightly in surprise and approval.

Cargo leaned off the fender, nodding. "You sure know your stuff. Fellow gearhead or just a hobby?"

"Bit of a gearhead."

"People 'round here don't offer help for free unless they're dumb, desperate, or looking for a thrill. Which one are you?"

Master Raven rolled her neck, cracking a few joints. "A little of each. What I want is information. I need to find the Mechanic."

Cargo's grin widened. "Bold. I like her already. Tell you what—help us fix this beauty, and we'll let you run her in tonight's race. Sound fair?"

She chuckled, stepping closer. "What's wrong with her?"

Travi frowned, jabbing a finger at Cargo. "We can't keep inviting strangers—"

"Aw, shut up, Travi," Cargo waved him off. "The Mech said we need fresh blood. Anyway, we gotta loosen the suspension and rewire the nitrous kit to the second shift near the wheel."

Master Raven crouched slightly, running a gloved hand along the car's sleek body. "Custom shift mod?"

"Correct."

"Easy fixes." She cracked her knuckles. "You probably just need to loosen the axle springs on the back wheels and connect circulation pipes to the nitrous kit."

Cargo and his crew's skepticism laced with growing curiosity. The mystery woman had walked up to them like she belonged, and now she was spouting off precise modifications like she'd built the damn car herself. That kind of confidence wasn't something you faked—not in their world.

Luna scoffed. "Alright, gearhead. Let's see if you can back up that talk."

Master Raven took that as an invitation. She stepped forward, her presence imposing yet smooth, and crouched beside the car's rear wheel. A glance at the setup confirmed her suspicions—whoever had last worked on this beast had over-tightened the axle springs, throwing off the balance.

'Rookie mistake.'

Reaching into the open toolbox, she grabbed a wrench and got to work. The crew watched as she loosened the springs with practiced efficiency, her movements quick and decisive. Within moments, the suspension sagged slightly, falling into the proper position.

Luna folded her arms. "Lucky guess."

Master Raven didn't acknowledge her, already moving on to the nitrous system. She slid under the car's underbelly, her fingers tracing the tubing until she found the misalignment. The circulation pipes didn't connect—one wrong activation at high speeds and the entire system could have backfired.

'Amateurs.'

She made precise adjustments to secure the pipes, ensuring smooth nitrous flow for the second shift. Then, she slid back out from under the car, wiped her hands on her jeans, and stood. "Done."

Master Raven placed her hands on the leather steering wheel, tapping the left-shifting switch. The engine hummed and roared.

"Whooooooo!" Cargo yelled from the car's backside before getting out. "Ha ha! We're back in business, baby! Huh. Either you're outstanding, or we're horrible."

"You're terrible," Master Raven deadpanned.

There was silence—then Travi laughed, slapping Cargo's shoulder. "She's got you there, mate." He faced Master Raven. "You've got our attention. Think that skill can carry you through an entire race?"

Master Raven crossed her arms. "When?"

"Midnight. Hope you got a ride that can keep up."

She glanced at her motorcycle, the corner of her lips twitching under her mask. "I'll manage."

Luna, still unconvinced, scoffed again. "We'll see about that."

Master Raven rolled her neck and flexed her fingers. 'One step closer to Toby.'

Cargo chuckled, straddling his motorcycle as he smacked the side of Master Raven's ride with a firm thud. "Alright, I'll take care of your bike while you try not to bang up this one, yeah?"

She gave a curt nod, fingers flexing over the steering wheel. "Got it."

Across the lot, Luna and a third guy—built like a linebacker with a shaved head and a sleeveless hoodie—strolled toward a heavily modified 1970 Chrysler Imperial. Its matte-black body gleamed under the flickering streetlights, and aggressive neon-green skull decals stretched across the hood. The girl clinging to the guy's arm wore a cropped leather jacket, popping gum with a smirk as she eyed the competition.

The low, guttural growl of the engines hummed through the air as the racers climbed into their cars. Cargo revved his bike, letting out a sharp horn blare before peeling out of the gas station. Master Raven pressed down on the gas, following his lead onto the open road.

Bzzt.

Her vision twitched—her fingers gripping the wheel tighter as the unwelcome sensation crawled up her skull. Would it be so bad to floor it? The thought was tempting. The car purred like a caged beast beneath her hands, ready to be unleashed. But she shook it off, focusing on the road ahead. The night air was still, save for the distant hum of the city beyond. It would've been almost peaceful without Travi's grating voice breaking the silence.

"So, how long have you been in Sydney? It doesn't sound like you're from around here."

Master Raven's gaze remained locked on the road. "Not long. Just visiting a friend."

Travi let out a skeptical hum. "Right. Must be some friend if you're willing to street race."

"You could say that."

"You even know how to street race? People 'round here like to—"

Bzzt.

She winced, the sting flaring again. Her patience snapped. "Shut up, would you?"

A beat of silence.

"Alright, jeez." Travi raised his hands in mock surrender. "No need to be rude."

She ignored him, keeping her eyes on the road as they pulled up to the pier, a stretch of open pavement leading to the industrial district's outskirts, where five other racers awaited. Their cars varied from battered but powerful street beasts to sleek, polished machines that looked custom-built for chaos. Spray-painted designs stood out under the glow of neon undercarriages—flames, jagged stripes, even a few with numbered decals from previous wins.

Travi gestured toward the lineup. "This is where I leave you. Standard rules—whoever crosses the finish line first wins. But more importantly," he smirked, "you'll get to talk to the best cruiser the east side of the globe offers."

Master Raven barely glanced at him, instead scanning the competition.

Travi followed her gaze, nodding toward a specific car at the end of the line. "Watch out for him."

A 2025 Ford Mustang GTD sat at the ready, its polished black paint glistening like obsidian under the streetlights. White neon lines traced its razor-sharp contours, emphasizing its aggressive stance. The driver leaned against it with an air of nonchalance. Still, the way his fingers tapped against the hood suggested he was already envisioning his victory lap.

"That's Xeon," Travi added. "Bit of a show-off, but get in his way? He'll make you regret it."

Master Raven rolled her eyes, unimpressed, though her pulse thrummed with anticipation.

"Be sure to check your GPS," Travi reminded, stepping out of the car. "And use the nitrous wisely. I'll be rooting for you, rookie." He shot her a thumbs-up before backing away.

Ahead, Luna stood front and center between the two rows of vehicles, her grin wide and electric. The bandana in her hand fluttered as she held it high above her head. Engines revved. Adrenaline surged. Master Raven rolled her shoulders, her grip tightening around the wheel. The scent of gasoline filled her nostrils, shaking away any remnants of boredom.

Luna's voice rang out, cutting through the thick night air. "Ready?"

Master Raven exhaled slowly.

"Go!"

Luna's arm slashed downward, and the race erupted into chaos. Tires screeched. Smoke billowed as the cars tore forward, the roar of engines shattering the quiet of the pier.

Master Raven's knuckles tightened against the wheel. She glanced at the GPS and the other racers, who were already jostling for dominance.

Upcoming turn in 5 yards

It was time to show them what actual speed looked like.

"Alright, newbies. Don't die, and remember, there are no—"

Click.

Master Raven silenced the radio with a flick of her fingers, her voice as sharp as a dagger. "If I wanted to hear idiots talk, I'd watch you all fail to fix a car."

Her gloved hand drummed against the steering wheel.

One

Two

Three

The neon-lit city blurred as the racers surged forward, engines growling like hungry beasts. The first turn loomed—an unforgiving left that would separate the weak from the worthy. Without hesitation, Master Raven shifted gears and ignited the nitrous.

PSSSH!

Her grip on the wheel tightened as she yanked it left, the rear tires shrieking in protest.

SCREEEEEE!

The car swung around the bend in a flawless arc, kicking up sparks as the metal kissed the curb. The other racers struggled to keep up, their headlights fading in her rearview mirror.

Her eyes narrowed. 'Where's—'

Honk. Honk.

A pair of eerie, glowing neon lights blinked ahead.

Xeon.

The street king of Sydney nodded from behind the visor of his sleek, black helmet. His Ford Mustang GTD, all obsidian with razor-sharp neon lines, slithered ahead like a predator at play—a bass-heavy beat thumped from his speakers, syncing with the pulsing glow of his helmet. Master Raven pressed down on the gas, shifting gears with precision. She flicked the wheel, the Equus Bass 770 spinning in a tight circle before snapping back into position beside Xeon. Their cars tore through the highway, shadows stretching long beneath the glow of streetlights.

Then, a tunnel swallowed them.

Thud.

She rolled her shoulders, switching off her headlights. Darkness embraced the road, only the dim glow of passing exit signs offering visibility. Xeon slammed his foot on the brakes. Master Raven barely had time to process before the headlights behind her expanded—white, blinding.

A train.

She shifted gears again, adrenaline pounding in her veins.

91 MPH

101 MPH

The roaring mass of steel behind her gained ground. She had seconds, seconds, to react. She hit the nitrous.

VrrrrrRRR!

The Equus surged forward, hugging the tunnel wall as if it were an extension of herself. Sparks erupted as the car scraped the concrete, but Master Raven held steady, launching over two other racers before landing with a brutal thud next to a neon-pink sports car. The driver, a guy with bleached hair and a cigarette dangling from his lips, turned just in time to mouth, "What the fu—"

CRASH!

There was a sickening crunch of metal and glass as another racer slammed hood-first into a parked semi. The impact sent shrapnel flying, the explosion illuminating the tunnel in a violent burst of orange and yellow. Master Raven barely blinked, eyes locking onto Xeon as he veered left.

'A blinker?'

Her mind whirred, processing every possible outcome. Left: A long drift back into the main city streets. Right: A downward spiral drift leading into a near-suicidal jump over the harbor's chasm.

She yanked the wheel toward a hidden break in the bridge's guardrail.

THUD!

The Equus bounced onto a metal scaffolding structure, its suspension groaning under the sudden impact. Lights streaked through the gaps in the rusted panels, revealing a labyrinth of interwoven steel beams and forgotten construction platforms. Above her, Xeon's Mustang screamed along a higher level.

She smirked. 'Perfect.'

SCREEEEE!

The metallic shriek of her tires echoed through the skeleton of the unfinished bridge.

SCREE!

Xeon reacted too late. He slammed his foot on the brakes, but—

THUMP!

The Equus landed before him, cutting him off in one smooth motion. His grip tightened on the wheel, knuckles whitening beneath his racing gloves. Then—

BOOM!

A former competitor, now a flaming wreck, rolled past them, careening into an oncoming semi. The explosion sent a shockwave of heat through the underpass. Xeon swerved, slowing down along with the three remaining racers. Master Raven didn't. She jerked the gearshift back into neutral, loosening her grip before slamming the nitrous switch.

PSSSHH!

The Equus dipped, gliding under the airborne truck as if she'd rehearsed it a thousand times. The second her tires kissed pavement again, she shifted gears, hit the brakes, and drifted—a perfect, hairline right turn. The checkered flag flapped wildly in the distance. Xeon was closing in—too fast.

Bzzt.

Her lips curled. "Wrong move."

With a calculated bump to his front wheels, she sent his Mustang into a chaotic spiral. His tires caught the pavement at the wrong angle—

FLIP. FLIP. FLIP.

The black-and-neon beast tumbled into the distance, slamming hood-first onto the asphalt before rolling violently. She crossed the finish line.

Rev. Rev.

Master Raven let the engine purr as she surveyed the wreckage in her rearview. A swarm of Toby's mechanics rushed toward Xeon's overturned Mustang. For a brief moment, she almost felt bad for him.

'Almost.'

"Shit." She sighed, rolling her neck. "Focus, damnit."

Exiting the Equus, Master Raven took in her surroundings, the afterparty of victory.

The car wash loomed like a forgotten relic, its rusting metal framework barely holding together beneath layers of vibrant graffiti. Neon paint swirled in chaotic splashes, the remnants of past street crews marking their dominance. Flickering overhead lamps bathed the scene in a sickly yellow glow, casting jagged shadows against the cracked concrete.

Beyond the walls, the after-race energy simmered. Engines idled, their low rumbles blending with the rhythmic hissing of compressed air guns. Hooded mechanics crouched around hyper-tuned machines, their hands stained with oil and grime as they tightened bolts and swapped out scorched brake pads. The air reeked of gasoline, burnt rubber, and the greasy aroma of cheap street food sizzling on a makeshift grill. Spectators lined the edges, their phones raised, capturing the victor's return. Some whispered in awe, others in disbelief—a rookie had done the impossible.

And Xeon was pissed.

Two men hoisted the fallen racer from his overturned Mustang, but he shoved them off when he found his footing. His body language screamed barely restrained fury, yet as he approached Master Raven, his movements were smooth and controlled.

She gave him a quick once-over, unimpressed.

Black boots with glowing white soles, joggers slashed with neon streaks that morphed from spikes to red, turquoise, purple, and green cracks. Magenta straps lined his sides, cinched together with a stark white belt. His hoodie zipped tight and pulsed with white glowing veins running down the sleeves. The full cyberpunk mask that concealed his head hummed with static energy, obscuring even the faintest glimpse of his face. Even his hands hid beneath armored tactical gloves.

Master Raven didn't like that. She excelled at reading people—the flicker of an eye, the twitch of a jaw, the hesitation before a lie. She had nothing to work with with this guy—just a faceless enigma wrapped in synthetic shadows, similar to herself and Raven.

His mask emitted a low, digitized chuckle, distorted yet unmistakably cold. "We'll talk after you speak with Cargo."

Bzzt.

She crossed her arms, stance solid. "What makes you think I'd want to talk to you?" 'Or that I don't just snap your damn neck instead...'

Xeon leaned in slightly, the faint glow of his mask reflecting in her sharp brown eyes. His voice, still processed through whatever tech coated his helmet, was a soft menace.

"You can't fool me, Master Raven. Unless you want Cargo to know about you, I suggest you take heed."

A chill scraped its way up her spine as Master Raven didn't expect Xeon to know who she exactly was, but she didn't let it show. Instead, she exhaled slowly through her nose, eyes narrowing. Before she could speak, Xeon slipped into the passenger seat of the Equus like he belonged there. Silent; waiting.

She clenched her jaw but let it slide—for now.

The rumble of another engine filled the lot. Cargo pulled up confidently, parking his bike and swinging off with a grin. He jogged over, his energy infectious despite the undercurrent of tension.

"You have something special, mate! Nice going out there! I mean, really! I've never seen anyone take down X like that!"

Master Raven barely acknowledged the compliment. "It wasn't that hard."

Cargo laughed, clapping her on the back. "Not one for small talk, eh? Fair enough. Let's get you sorted."

Behind them, Travi was busy flipping through a fat stack of cash, a satisfied smirk curling his lips. "Always bet on the rookie. Nice pick, Cargo."

The bald man chuckled. "Just my usual charm seeing me through. This here's your lucky winner." He turned to her, expectant. "What's your street name, kid?"

"Haze."

Travi tilted his head, the name rolling off his tongue as he studied her closer. His expression flickered—half recognition, half curiosity. "Well, welcome to the band of merry men. Since it's your first race, I'll let you keep the Equus for a few days. See you around?"

"Yeah," Haze answered, tone neutral.

"Good." Travi stuffed the last of his winnings into his jacket before nodding toward Cargo. "He'll give you the details."

Without another word, he disappeared behind a locked green door. Haze's gaze lingered on that door.

Beep.

Cli-Clunk.

A heavy automatic lock sealed it from the inside; you could not enter unless someone wanted you to.

'Duly noted,' Haze thought.

Cargo rocked on his heels. "The real work doesn't start until day three, but it's worth the wait. Head to Arlo's Keg Pin off Denton Highway later tonight, around six. From there, you'll run supplies to an outpost in the wilds. Got it?"

"Of course." A smirk tugged at Haze's lips as she subtly dropped a tracking dot onto the pavement.

Cargo grinned. "Oh, and keep the bike. It's probably better used here instead. See you around, Haze."

Rolling her eyes, she walked toward the Equus, slipping into the driver's seat.

Xeon spoke before she could. "Not here. Just drive, Haze."

Bzzt.

Master Raven's fingers flexed on the wheel at how he casually spoke her fake name, the urge to slam his masked head into the dashboard nearly overwhelming. Yet she couldn't risk exposing her identity to the crew when Toby was within her grasp. Instead, she exhaled, eased into gear, and pulled the car out of the lot.

The night was far from over and only just beginning.

---

5:13 A.M.:

The underground watch room was eerily silent, its dim overhead lights casting long, stretching shadows down the metallic hallways. The faint hum of unseen machinery pulsed like a heartbeat beneath Raven's bare feet as he walked, a towel draped over his shoulders. The air still carried the lingering coolness of his post-workout shower, water droplets trailing down his chiseled arms before soaking into the waistband of his black sweatpants. He had exhausted himself with handstand pushups, trying to bury his thoughts beneath muscle strain and rhythmic breaths. But the memories had clawed their way back—his training with Tatyana before the chaos began before everything unraveled.

Now, uncertainty gnawed at him like an invisible assailant.

Through the corridor's reinforced glass windows, Raven spotted them—Tatyana's parents. They stood on the narrow balcony, both still clad in their mission suits, their figures bathed in the faint glow of the cityscape beyond. Their hands rested on the guardrail, postures rigid yet weary, the weight of unspoken grief pressing into their shoulders.

Raven hesitated, feeling underdressed and vulnerable, even in sweatpants and a towel. But something about how they stood there—silent, lost in thought—pulled him in. Taking a slow breath, he slid the door open. The cool night air greeted him, carrying the faint scent of metal, rain, and the distant hum of civilization.

"Couldn't sleep either?"

Emani turned her head just slightly, her profile cast in pale moonlight. "Unfortunately..."

Raven exhaled, resting his hands against the glass railing. His fingers tapped absently against the smooth surface, an unconscious attempt to fill the silence. "I can't even imagine how you two are taking this..."

Silence settled over them again, stretching for long moments before Kevon finally spoke. His voice was low, weighted with reflection. "Sometimes, I can't help but think back to before."

An arched brow signaled Raven's quiet patience.

Kevon's eyes darkened with the weight of memory. "I trained Tatyana earlier than usual, knowing our baby was stubbornly strong. Yet the first sign of trouble was my fault..."

---

"I'm done!"

The shout rang through the quiet clearing, sharp and trembling with frustration.

Kevon barely shifted as his daughter shoved against his chest, her hands pressing against his solid frame with all the force her thirteen-year-old body could muster. The impact barely moved him, but its intent sent a ripple of unease through his gut. Tatyana yanked the hood of her gray jacket over her neatly braided hair and turned away. Her sneakers crunched over dirt and fallen leaves as she stormed toward the car.

"Tatyana!"

She ignored him, her pace quickening.

Kevon inhaled sharply, forcing patience into his voice as he caught up to her. "We're not done for the day. We just started Ki channeling. Come on, you—"

"No!"

She spun around so suddenly that Kevon nearly stepped back. Her dark eyes blazed with frustration, her fists clenched at her sides. "I don't want to do this anymore! I hate it!"

His gaze sharpened, a stern crease forming between his brows. "Are you quitting just because you think you can't do this? Ty, you wanted to be a ninja, and now—"

"I HATE IT!"

Her voice cracked, laced with something more profound—exhaustion, maybe even fear. For the first time, Kevon looked at her. Beneath the defiance, her face was taut with frustration, her lips quivering as unshed tears gathered in her eyes.

He had pushed her. Too hard.

"I used to look forward to training," she whispered, voice breaking. "But now I go home sore or with a headache. I hate it! I don't wanna be a stupid ninja anymore!"

Kevon's throat tightened. "Ty, I—"

"I wanna go home."

The finality in her voice struck Kevon harder than any blow ever could. He stood frozen, warring with himself for a moment until he finally let out a long, measured sigh.

Slowly, Kevon pulled his keys from his pocket. "Okay..."

---

On the balcony, Kevon shook his head, his fingers gripping the railing as if grounding himself against the memory. His chest rose and fell with a slow, heavy breath, and his eyes momentarily glistened.

"I regrettably learned that day."

Emani's voice was soft but firm as she added, "Usually, a few hours of silence is all that's needed. When that happened, I knew something had to change. Of course, the conversation afterward wasn't easy."

---

Kevon paced their bedroom, his fingers threading through his short, pale afro. "I mean, she was bold for yelling at me," he muttered, half-chuckling.

Emani, sitting on the edge of their bed, didn't smile. Her gaze remained hard, steady. "Eli..."  He stopped.  "Do you hear yourself right now?"

His fingers fell from his hair, his expression sobering.  "She was bold, yeah. But there might be something there. I gotta help her tap into—"

"Listen to me."

Emani stood, closing the distance between them. Her voice was unwavering, her presence demanding his full attention.  "She's your daughter, not a subordinate in the Unit. You need to ease up."

Kevon opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off.  "Ty's just a kid at thirteen, Kevon. Not a twenty-year-old soldier with years of training."

The weight of her words pressed into him, seeping into his bones. His shoulders, once tense with unspoken frustration, finally eased.

Emani's gaze softened as she glanced toward the hall, where Tatyana's bedroom door remained firmly shut. "Give her a few days to mull it over. For now, let her rest."

---

Kevon let out a small, exhausted chuckle, shaking his head. "Hell, I was almost worried she'd quit for good. Ty didn't speak about training for an entire week. And then, I realized something I didn't think I needed to learn. Everyone needs a push here and there, but it's one thing to know when to do so. I think back to that day once in a while—especially now, more than ever."

"Tatyana got her strength from both of you," Raven murmured.

Emani's lips curved into something like a smile, but worry shadowed it. "There's only so much it can do at this time." Her warm brown eyes then settled on him. "How are you holding up, dear? I know this hasn't been easy for you either."

Raven hesitated, not expecting the question. "It's... been difficult," he admitted, voice quieter. "I wasn't there when Tatyana needed me most."

Kevon sighed, his hands tightening on the railing. "Victor told us what happened when that Devil attacked. There was nothing you could have done to prevent something so unpredictable. Blaming yourself won't change our predicament."

"I know..." Raven exhaled. "But I still feel responsible."

Emani placed a gentle, comforting hand on his arm. "Our child is strong, Raven. We'll find a way to help her once we get close enough. And I hope what I have planned will reduce the harm that device is inflicting in her head."

Kevon straightened, his focus sharpening. "What would that be, Jada?"

Raven was equally curious.

A knowing glint flickered in Emani's eyes. "I'm sure you boys have heard of Dojutsu—the Ninja Eye. I prayed all these years that I wouldn't have to use it. But I'll be damned if I lose my child."

---

The night stretched endlessly over the open highway, the black asphalt glistening beneath the neon glow of streetlights. Master Raven gripped the wheel with an ease that belied her sharp focus, her gloved fingers tapping rhythmically against the leather. The muscle car's engine thrummed like a restless beast, its deep purr blending into the silence that settled between her and the masked stranger beside her—only the occasional flicker of headlights from passing vehicles cut through the tension.

She side-eyed her passenger, Xeon, who sat slouched in his seat, arms crossed over his broad chest. Though that sleek, reinforced mask concealed his face, she could tell he watched her just as intently—a measured assessment.

Master Raven silently exhaled through her nose and flexed her fingers on the wheel, weaving effortlessly through a cluster of slower-moving cars. "So, what do you want?"

Xeon let out a low, mechanical chuckle, distorted through his mask's vocal modulator. It was eerie and unnatural, like a machine mocking human amusement. "Simple. I want Toby and his goons wiped out. They don't keep up with the news, so they haven't seen those wanted posters of you yet. Imbeciles."

The word nearly made Master Raven laugh since she used it on occasion.

"If you decide to cooperate, I'll disclose any extra intel you require about your targets."

Master Raven nodded once, her expression unreadable beneath her mask. "Most people try to force a partnership first. You seem to know better."

Xeon shifted, his posture relaxed, but his tone betrayed keen observation. "I know enough." There was a pause before he tilted his head slightly. "Do we have a deal?"

She didn't answer immediately and instead pulled the car over, easing onto the gravel shoulder with practiced precision. The engine idled in a steady, muted growl as Master Raven leaned back in her seat. Just ahead, the road curved sharply into the darkness, disappearing into the dense skyline of abandoned industrial buildings. A lone motorcyclist roared past, the red taillight shrinking into the night. Her dark eyes followed the vehicle until it vanished beyond the bend.

Then, Master Raven turned back to him. "Deal."

Xeon's mask tilted as if he hadn't expected her to agree promptly.

Master Raven drummed her fingers against the steering wheel once more. "Since you seem to know so much... How does Toby move?"

Xeon's laughter came again, low and cynical, the sound that would make most people's skin crawl. There was something unnatural about it, ghostly almost. Yet Master Raven didn't mind, if not liked its sound.

"Like a motorcade. Armored trucks, guys with automatic weapons and blades—just in case some lunatic tries to take Toby out while he's on the move. Even the cops won't touch them," Xeon mused, his voice lowering conspiratorially.

A slow smirk curled beneath her mask, the crimson line running across it pulsing like a heartbeat. Her excitement bubbled beneath the surface, an intoxicating mix of adrenaline and anticipation.

From the backseat, Anger—her ever-present, quiet madness—sighed dramatically. "Finally! A plan I like!"

Master Raven let out a short, low laugh that carried a distinct edge of insanity. It wasn't the wild, unhinged kind but rather the knowing, dangerous amusement of a woman who had seen too much and lived too long in the shadows. She reached up and removed her mask. Her eyes flared to life, illuminating the dim car interior with a brilliant, unnatural crimson glow.

Xeon stiffened, his breath catching as the eerie glow reflected in his visor. "Holy..."

Master Raven turned to face him fully now, her lips curving into a slow, razor-sharp grin. "Do you know where I could get supplies to make a weapon?"

Xeon remained frozen for another beat, his masked gaze locked onto hers. Then, slowly, his head inclined, the glow from his mask catching the edges of her face. "I do..."

His head tilted slightly, and for a moment, his posture shifted to something looser and more casual—but there was an edge, a weight behind his following words.

"I've heard much about you but never expected to see that up close."

Master Raven's glowing eyes remained locked on him, her expression unreadable.

"Though I wonder... would he approve of what you're becoming?"

Master Raven's smirk twitched. "He?"

"Don't be coy." Xeon turned his head slightly as if examining her from a different angle, his tone lower and more deliberate. "Your shadow, the one you think about when no one's watching."

For the first time, the air inside the car turned still. The thrill, ease, and amusement—all coiled into a taut wire, waiting for the tension to snap. Master Raven's fingers twitched against the steering wheel, but she said nothing.

' Raven... why did he never mention this guy?'

"Can't say I expected subordinate and superior relations." Xeon chuckled, tapping a finger against his temple. "But hey, what do I know? Your suitor should tell you more about our past exploits if you're not too far gone."

"Tread carefully with your next words."

"We both want the same thing, so ditch the empty threats. They don't suit a woman like yourself anyway."

---

5:38 A.M.:

Master Raven strode into the underground den, her sharp gaze flickering over the scene before her. The club pulsed with an ominous crimson glow, the deep red lighting casting wicked shadows along the walls and floor. The air was thick with sweat, alcohol, and gunpowder.

Lasers sliced through the smog, illuminating the dance floor where bodies moved in perfect sync with the deep, pulsating bass of the music. The beat was dark and intoxicating, a rhythmic call for those who thrived in the underworld's embrace.

Scantily clad dancers twisted and swayed, their bodies glistening under the neon lights, while groups of suited men and mercenaries handled deadlier business off to the sides. Guns were loaded, knives twirled between fingers, and grenades casually rolled across tables like poker chips. The club was more than just a haven for pleasure—it was a war room wrapped in temptation.

From above, a shadow loomed.

Perched above the DJ booth, a man draped in segmented metal armor and a dark red hood sat motionless. His face remained entirely hidden beneath the heavy fabric, but Master Raven could feel his gaze boring into her - watching and studying.

She smirked under her mask. 'He'd have to pay for a front-row seat for a show.'

Xeon sifted through the crowd, barely acknowledged by the chaotic energy around them. Master Raven followed, stepping lightly through the bodies until they descended a set of grated stairs leading into a dimly lit chamber below.

A man stood waiting.

Dressed in armored white pants and silver boots, the man exuded the nonchalant confidence of a seasoned weaponsmith. Blades and firearms adorned the walls like trophies, each customized and deadly. Open ammunition cases were scattered across the floor, metal glinting under the dull overhead light.

A slow, irritated groan cut through the tension. "Don't tell me you need another lucky favor, X..."

The man pulled a blade from a steaming vat of oil, the alloy glistening as he laid it on a nearby table. His voice carried the weariness of someone who had spent far too many nights entertaining rogues and killers.

Xeon leaned casually against the wall. "I don't. My friend here needs weapon supplies."

For the first time, the weaponsmith—Hilt—turned his attention toward her.

Master Raven also examined him. He was slightly shorter than expected, and his frame was lean but fit. His skin was tanned, contrasting with the stark white hair and short beard that framed his face. Over his eyes, mirrored pink-lensed goggles reflected the dim light, giving him a strange, almost surreal look.

"Your friend..."

His voice shifted, dipping into something unmistakably suggestive. Hilt slowly and deliberately raked his gaze over Master Raven, drinking in her presence with thinly veiled desire. She resisted the immediate, overpowering urge to carve out his eyes.

Bzzt.

The faint vibration of an electronic device in the background broke the moment.

"I need enough chromium to forge an Ōdachi," she stated, her voice even.

Hilt whistled lowly, his amusement lingering as he rummaged through an armored case. "That's a request I don't get every day." After a brief search, he pulled out a moderately sized black box and slid it onto the table. "This should be enough for the blade and an extra katana if you wanna go full metal. Consider this on the house."

Master Raven exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes as she took the box. She didn't dignify his sleazy attempt at charm with a response.

Xeon nodded. "Thanks, Hilt."

The weaponsmith grinned, a cocky smirk stretching across his face. "Don't come back without her next time."

Master Raven didn't flinch, already heading toward the stairs. Xeon followed close behind as they emerged back into the neon-lit chaos above. The music hit them like a wave, heavy and intoxicating, vibrating through the floor beneath their feet.

"Sorry about that," Xeon said, adjusting his gloves. "Hilt can be... blunt."

Master Raven rolled her shoulders, her annoyance still simmering. "If by blunt, you mean lecherous, then yes. He's—"

Before she could finish, a broad shoulder slammed into hers. Her head snapped to the side, eyes locking onto the stranger who dared to cut her off. He was slightly taller than her, clad in a worn leather vest with a smug expression to match.

"Mind watching where you're goin'?"

His words barely left his mouth before she moved. A flick of her wrist produced a blur of silver within a single blink. The man hit the floor with a dull thud, a small, wet gash carved into his neck. Tiny blood droplets spilled onto the polished surface, reflecting the neon lights above in a grotesque shimmer.

Xeon inhaled sharply. "Did you just—"

"Walk," Master Raven ordered coldly, biting back the smirk threatening to creep onto her lips. The rush of her action was sharp, electric, and intoxicating.

Xeon obeyed, though his head turned slightly, his mask hiding whatever expression he wore.

Above them, on a concrete balcony, a pair of sharp, amused purple eyes observed the entire exchange from behind a pillar. A glass of water sat in hand, a single ice cube swirling lazily in its depths. A chuckle sounded.

"Oh, what fun you'll be to toy with," he mused, the corners of his mouth twitching into the ghost of a smirk.

His fingers curled around the glass. "Once the measly Mechanic is out of the way."

---

The muscle car roared as it sped down the empty highway, slicing through the cool night air. City lights shimmered in the rearview mirror, growing distant as the underground club became nothing more than a glowing speck on the horizon.

Inside, Master Raven leaned back in the driver's seat, her fingers gripping the wheel as a sharp laugh escaped her lips. The rush, the intoxicating pulse of chaos, fueled her, sending an eerie thrill through her veins.

Beside her, Xeon sat still, his metallic frame unreadable. But after a few minutes of tense silence, he finally spoke.

"Did you just—"

Master Raven cut him off with another laugh, shaking her head.

"Don't know why you're so shocked. You know who I am and what I'm capable of. The real fun doesn't start until Toby begins to run."

Xeon exhaled slowly, his robotic voice laced with an uncertainty he rarely showed. "Right... I'll meet you outside of Arlo's."

Without another word, he stepped out, slipping into his Equus Bass 700. The sleek, obsidian-black vehicle growled to life before vanishing down the road. Master Raven lingered momentarily, watching until the taillights disappeared into the night.

Then, she moved.

Her boots hit the pavement silently as she slipped into the darkness of an unfinished tunnel beneath a construction site. The stale scent of concrete dust filled the air, mingling with the distant echoes of dripping water. The subway station ahead was dim and abandoned—save for the ominous glow of her mask, the only light in the suffocating black.

Bzzt.

"Finally! Back here so we can get something done!"

A surge of irritation coursed through Master Raven as she snarled, her right eye pulsing with an unnatural crimson glow. "Shut up! What you pulled back there was unnecessary!"

Her voice carried through the tunnels, bouncing back at her like a twisted mockery.

Anger—her—cackled, the sound reverberating inside her skull. "Good. Now, instead of resisting me—"

Bzzt.

She staggered. Her grip on the black box tightened as her free hand clutched her head.

"No..."

Pain lanced through her skull, sharp and searing. Her vision blurred at the edges, bleeding red as if the world drowned in crimson ink.

Bzzt.

"We're sooo close."

Her breath hitched. "Control yourself..."

Bzzt.

The laughter intensified, echoing within her mind like a twisted chorus of insanity. It filled every corner of her consciousness, blotting out all other sounds. It clawed at her, sinking its talons into her thoughts until—

"SHUT UP!"

Bz—

A sudden, deafening ringing erupted in her ears, drowning everything else in a high-pitched whine. Her head pulsed, her entire body vibrating with the aftershocks of the episode.

Then, silence.

---

When her vision returned, Master Raven wasn't in the tunnel anymore but on the floor.

Master Raven's hands pressed into the smooth surface beneath her—a wooden tatami mat, cool against her fevered skin. Her breathing was uneven, and her body was stiff and exhausted. She clenched her jaw, the metallic tang of blood in her mouth registering for the first time.

Slowly, painfully, she lifted herself onto her elbows. Her shoulders ached, a fresh soreness digging into her muscles as she moved. A groan escaped her lips.

"Hah... what—"

Everything was red. Not just her vision—the room itself.

A jagged crater yawned from the far corner of the wall, a massive chunk of concrete missing as if something crammed clean. Blood splattered the cracks, smeared in violent streaks across the fractured stone.

Her stomach twisted. Her hands, each knuckle raw with the skin split open, fresh blood still oozing. The distant memory of impact—bone meeting stone, flesh splitting on impact—replayed in the back of her mind.

'I did this.'

Again, mocking laughter slithered through the silence.

Bzzt.

Master Raven snapped her gaze to the side, her teeth grinding.

Anger—her—sauntered across the room, her form flickering in and out of focus like a distorted mirage. She was her. And yet, she wasn't. She wore her face, but her grin was wider, her stance looser—almost lazy, as if she had all the time in the world.

"What did you do?" Master Raven demanded, her voice dangerously low.

Anger spread his arms in a phony display of innocence. "I didn't kill anyone... yet. All you need to do is sharpen the blade and combine the hilt. You should probably cover your hands. I needed to let off some extra tension."

"Of course you did," she scoffed.

Her body buzzed with adrenaline, and her skin hummed with unspent energy. She inhaled deeply, forcing herself to steady her breathing, and then glanced at the watch strapped to her wrist: 7:41 A.M.

"Great..."

Her gaze flickered downward, catching sight of something at her feet. The unfinished blade of the Ōdachi glinted in the pale light. Its sleek form was still unsharpened, its wooden hilt adorned with red sageo string, fastening bolts, a habaki, and a simple round tsuba.

It was almost complete.

Master Raven exhaled, rubbing her temple. Only days ago, she had been fighting against her rage. Now, she was becoming it. Years of discipline, control, and rigorous training—undone. A deranged doctor had reached inside and pulled her apart piece by piece until she was barely hanging onto the fragments of who she once was.

Anger's laughter came again, curling like smoke around her senses. "Quite the punchline, literally. Now you know how it feels to be controlled, locked away..."

Master Raven's lips parted slightly, but she hesitated. "I don't... do that—"

"Save it! We have work to do!"

Master Raven's jaw tightened, knowing this battle was far from over.

With a grunt, she pushed herself to her feet and shambled toward the bathroom. She tore through the cabinets for a medkit but found none and settled for adhesive bandages. Wrapping her bruised hands with practiced precision, she flexed her fingers to test the tightness before returning to the main room.

The unfinished Ōdachi waited.

Master Raven moved toward the belt sander in the corner. Its placement beside her father's old armor was an unspoken reminder of her roots. Her fingers curled around the blade, feeling its weight—her weight. With a flick of the switch, the sander roared to life. Sparks danced airward as the steel kissed the grinding belt, the sound of metal honed, slicing through the stillness. Her focus was undeterred. The rhythmic scrape of the blade against the sander was soothing, drowning out the echoes of laughter, the whispering temptations. Slowly, steadily, the red in her eye faded to brown.

Deep within the jagged recesses of her mind, an old memory stirred—one buried beneath years of discipline, training, and pain.

---

The metallic rasp of grinding steel faded into the distant murmur of falling rain. A drizzle swept across the Parisian skyline, veiling the city in a muted navy hue as the last slivers of sunlight dipped beneath the horizon. The glow of streetlights flickered below, their reflections shimmering in the slick pavement like scattered fireflies.

Tatyana sat in the doorway of the main sparring room's balcony, her bandaged arm resting against her knee. She clenched a shaky fist; the gauze darkened slightly from the tension straining her muscles. Frustration curled in her chest, tightening with each uneven breath. Four fresh cuts marked her failures in today's training—reminders of what she couldn't overcome.

A deep sigh escaped her lips, vanishing into the damp evening air.  She hated losing and  feeling weak.

"Tatyana..."

A familiar voice broke through the quiet.  Tatyana didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Hey, you okay?"

She exhaled through her nose, her shoulders growing heavier - another reminder and another person to witness her failures.

"I guess…" she muttered, not bothering to look his way.

Rashad stepped closer, his footsteps silent against the wooden floor, before he sat down beside her. His warmth contrasted with the cool night air, but she refused to acknowledge it.

"Still thinking about today's training?" he asked, voice even.

She rested her chin on her palm, elbow propped on her bent knee. "I prefer to be alone when I want to think."

Rashad hummed, watching her from the corner of his eye. The faint city glow illuminated her features, casting soft highlights against her dark skin. Even in the dim light, he could see the tension in her jaw, the way her brown eyes darkened when she was upset.

"You could try asking yourself what stopped you," he suggested.

Tatyana scoffed, shaking her head.

"Do you hear how crazy you sound right now?" she muttered.

Rashad chuckled. "Maybe you have to be crazy to join a unit of ninjas." He leaned back slightly, stretching out his legs. "You're good with a kunai, but I've noticed some… missteps when you use it."

She ran a hand over her face, but through the gaps in her fingers, he caught a glimpse of one eye peeking at him, sharp and irritated.

"Not helping."

Rashad shrugged, pushing himself to his feet. His gaze swept over the weapons rack on the wall before he reached for a wooden katana and a shorter chukutō.

"Ever thought about going with something shorter?" he asked, tossing the chukutō onto the floor before her.

Tatyana barely glanced at it.

"I don't know why you're bothering to try now," she muttered. "Or why you're not gloating about your win today."

A pause.

It lingered longer than usual.

She finally turned her head, eyebrows furrowing slightly. "Raven?"

Rashad exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Sure, it was a fair win… but it felt hollow." His gaze met hers, unwavering. "I could tell you were losing your motivation. I shouldn't have done that either."

"A win is a win."

He shook his head. "Not when your opponent wasn't at their best."

The rain outside grew heavier, pattering against the rooftop in a steady rhythm. Tatyana closed her eyes for a brief moment before exhaling, her fingers brushing the chukutō at her feet.

"Would you please let it go?"

"Ty—"

"Let me watch the rain in peace."

Another silence.

Then—

"Have it your way."

Tatyana barely had time to react before Rashad suddenly lifted her off the ground, slinging her effortlessly across his shoulders.

"Raven—"

He spun in place, nearly losing balance as she clung to him, a surprised yelp escaping her lips.

"I swear if you drop me—"

A reluctant smile tugged at her lips as he spun again, her laughter bubbling up despite herself.

"Raven—"

He smirked. "Happy now?"

She finally laughed, the sound light and unguarded. "Put me down, you idiot!"

"Not until you're happy."

"Okay! Okay! I'm happy!"

He grunted in satisfaction before shifting his grip and gently setting her down. Tatyana instinctively grabbed onto his shoulders for balance, steadying herself.

Then—

Tap.

Her hands lingered at his shoulders, and his did at her hips.  The weight of their closeness suddenly settled between them, thick and unspoken. The space where their laughter once existed now brimmed with something heavier, something different.

Rashad blinked, clearing his throat. "Uh... feel better?"

A small smile remained on her lips. "I do, actually."

He nodded. "G-good."

Silence again.

But this was comfortable.

Clearing his throat, Rashad turned back to the weapon rack, grabbing the wooden katana before tossing the chukutō in her direction. Tatyana caught it without thinking, her fingers wrapping around the hilt.

"Come on," he said, adjusting his grip on his weapon. "Show me what you've got."

Tatyana studied the chukutō for a moment, rolling it in her palm. It was lighter than she expected and easier to maneuver. Her stance shifted naturally, and her muscles relaxed as she mirrored his posture.

Rashad smirked. "Looking better already, Ty."

She quirked an eyebrow. "Think so?"

"Yeah."

The rain drummed steadily outside, a rhythmic backdrop to the soft echoes of wood meeting wood. Shadows flickered against the walls as they moved, stepping and striking in a seamless rhythm. A few grunts filled the air, followed by the occasional laughter.

The weight of her earlier failures didn't feel so heavy afterward.

---

Master Raven shook her head, her lips twitching into a small, almost wistful smile. "That imbecile..."

Bzzt.

An indifferent scoff sliced through the air.

"Cut the crap," Anger sneered, rolling her crimson eyes. "That was then. This is now. Focus. We have more important things to worry about than him."

The warmth in Master Raven's expression was snuffed out instantly, her right eye darkening into a burning red. The dim room reflected off the freshly sharpened blade she lifted from the sanding belt, its silver body catching the light like a shard of liquid moonlight. The steel was flawless—untouched, untested.

She ran a fingertip along the edge, the metal whispering back in warning.

"Okay..."

Her fingers curled tighter around the ōdachi's hilt, the weight grounding her as she honed on an unseen enemy. Inhaling deeply, she shifted her stance—then swung.

The blade sang, carving through the air with a wraithlike hum. The strain of Master Raven's breath wove into the weapon's melody, a harmony of raw emotion and restrained destruction. Anger, frustration, and pain poured into every motion, the following slash more precise than the last.

Bzzt.

A flicker of crimson bled into her vision.

Spinning, Master Raven stepped into a downward arc, the swing's force threatening to rattle her bones. Adjusting her grip, she twisted into a double upward slash, the steel cutting an invisible path of vengeance.

Bzzt!

The world melted into a searing red void. A suffocating silence swallowed the room whole. The only sound left was the wailing ghost of her blade, cleaving through the stillness.

Bzzt.

The laughter returned - a sickening cackle echoing from nowhere and everywhere. Master Raven's teeth clenched as a jagged spike of pain buried itself in the base of her skull, twisting like a serrated dagger.

Bzzt.

The agony brought Master Raven to her knees. Her grip on the hilt tightened as if it were the only thing keeping her tethered to reality. But it wasn't enough.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Her scream tore through the air, raw and guttural, the sound of a warrior unraveling from the inside out.

A violent shiver crawled down her spine. Her knuckles were bone-white against the hilt as a finger reddened where it pressed into the steel. Her breaths came in ragged, uneven bursts, chest rising and falling in chaos.

Then—

A slow, curling smile. A cruel, twisted expression that didn't belong to her. Master Raven's skin burned hot; her pulse drummed in her ears. Yet the anger welcomed her with open arms. Warm. Familiar. Comforting. A low chuckle spilled from her lips, barely audible at first. Then it grew, twisting into something darker, manic—until her laughter thundered through the room, bouncing off the walls in eerie triumph.

Tap.

A soft patter hit and stained the ground - stray tears.

Bzzt.

Her fingers twitched. She wanted to rip her head off and claw her way out. She wished this had never happened.

But it was far too late for wishes now.

---

9:15 A.M.:

Master Raven groaned, eyes slowly fluttered open. The blur of her surroundings sharpened, but the reddened tint of her vision didn't shrink.

Bzzt.

She gripped the comforter, a deep growl escaping her in a new frustration.

That mocking laugh returned. "Seems you and I are becoming more alike every day. Fun. Now get up. We can't kill the bastard and his idiots on foot."

Once again, Master Raven pulled herself together and headed for the bathroom.

After taking a much-needed cold shower, Master Raven folded the collar of her dark red button-down shirt. Her eyebrow raised at seeing her phone's screen lighting up on the bed. Picking it up, she answered it without a second thought.

"It's Xeon. You have a ride, right?"

Master Raven's agitation spiked. "How the hell did you get this number!?"

"Unimportant. Do you have a ride or not? You can't do whatever you have planned without wheels."

"So what are you saying?"

"I'm waiting nearby. I can give you a ride to the dealership."

"I'll be down in a few minutes..."

Beep.

Anger laughed, her voice laced with amusement. "He seems fun."

Without another word, Master Raven fastened the suit pants to her body with their belt and quickly hastened the holster for Bishop's pistol off the desk. She took a deep breath, picked up the dark gray trench coat, and stared at the soft, warm fabric in her hand.

Just like...

---

Raven tilted his head, looking at her with vivid confusion. "How did you and Ralin become friends anyway? I still don't understand how you and her could get along."

Master Raven laughed. "My Mom asked the same question but was more or less blunt. So—"

---

Master Raven pulled the trench coat over her shoulders, shaking off the lingering thoughts that threatened to consume her.

'Focus...'

The heavy fabric settled against her frame like armor, the worn leather a testament to battles fought in silence. With a swift motion, she slung the duffle bag over her shoulder, the weight grounding her in the moment: no hesitation or second-guessing.

Stepping into the elevator, the soft hum of machinery filled the confined space, but it did little to quiet the storm in her head. The descent felt longer than it should have—every passing second stretching into eternity.

The car door shut with a solid thunk as she slid into the passenger seat. The scent of leather, engine grease, and faint traces of gunpowder clung to the air. Xeon didn't look at her. He turned the wheel, pulling the Equus off the curb smoothly. His voice was calm, detached.

"I'll see you at Arlo's later today, but you better pick something fast. You don't have time to get it modded either."

Master Raven's gaze flickered toward him, the dim glow of the dashboard reflecting in her narrowed eyes. "I know what I'm doing."

Xeon exhaled through his nose, his grip tightening on the wheel. "At a time like this, hopefully you do."

The deep, controlled purr of the Equus' engine filled the void between them, steady and unwavering. Streetlights flickered past, their golden glow slicing through the lingering darkness of dawn. Master Raven leaned back into the seat, arms crossed, inhaling deeply through her nose. The familiar scent of rain on asphalt clung to the city, mixing with the distant hum of life waking up.

Bzzt.

A static hiss slithered into her mind, coiling around her thoughts like a serpent. "What's stopping you from killing Xeon right now? We. Don't. Need. Him."

Her eyelids lowered. The bridge of her nose twitched.

Bzzt.

"Shut up."

"Holding back won't help."

Her gaze drifted to the window, catching the distorted reflection of her face against the glass. Her right eye flickered, a dim crimson shade darkening at the edges like ink bleeding into water. Even in the soft glow of the rising sun, it almost looked black.

A grimace settled onto her face, its weight sinking deeper into her skin. "Great…"

Xeon's head tilted slightly, barely enough to catch her in his peripheral. His gaze dropped to the firearm strapped to her hip, barely concealed beneath her coat.

"Of course you have that," he muttered, his tone carrying the weight of irritation.

Master Raven rolled her shoulders, unbothered. "The place doesn't have metal detectors, right?"

Xeon scoffed. "Of course it does, but I'll make sure it doesn't see your weapon."

She smirked, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Good."

The Equus rolled to a stop at a red light, the faint ticking of the turn signal the only sound in the tense quiet. Raindrops tapped softly against the windshield, thin water streaks illuminated by neon reflections. Master Raven's fingers curled against her thigh, the whisper of metal brushing against leather.

Bzzt.

"Not much longer now..."

She exhaled sharply, forcing the static into the recesses of her mind.

---

Suzuki Motorcycle Dealership:

Master Raven tugged the cap lower over her brow, the brim casting a slight shadow over her sharp gaze. She felt oddly underdressed—no tactical gear, no reinforced uniform, just a simple trench coat and a sense of purpose. Yet, as she stepped through the metal detector, she nearly smirked when it remained silent.

It was reassuring to know Xeon was good on his word.

Her eyes swept across the dealership floor, analyzing every detail with a hunter's efficiency. Employees stood idly near a few vehicles, engaging in hushed conversations, while potential buyers admired the sleek motorcycles displayed under soft, artificial lighting.

None of these would do.

She kept moving, hands casually shoved into her coat pockets, until her eyes locked onto something at the back of the building. A trio of bikes stood on individual pedestals, their presence subtly separated from the rest - sleek, minimalist, and deadly in the right hands.

The deep black of its carbon fiber frame contrasted sharply against its crisp white upper half. It was eye-catching to the untrained eye, but she knew the truth—true power wasn't in aesthetics but in speed and precision.

A man in a sharp black suit and red dress shirt approached. His silver eyes glinted under the showroom lights, and the small Suzuki pin on his lapel marked his affiliation. Below it, his name tag read Geo.

"Ah," he greeted with a nod, his voice smooth and professional. "The Arc Vector Electric Motorcycle is a refined yet powerful ride built for true enthusiasts. It boasts—"

"A 16.8 kWh lithium-ion battery with a permanent rare Earth magnet AC motor and a carbon monocoque frame," Master Raven interrupted smoothly. "Top speed of 124 mph, zero to sixty in 3.1 seconds. A range of 271 miles. Carbon wheels, three standard rider modes, lean traction control, and conventional ABS."

Geo's eyebrows lifted in amusement before he chuckled. "Seems you know more than I expected. That makes my job easier."

She inclined her head toward the bike. "How much?"

Geo placed a hand on his chin, considering. "It's mostly a test model, but two others like it. Seven thousand, five hundred dollars."

"Done."

"Right. I'll grab the paperwork."

Bzzt.

Her eyes flickered toward the desk. Keys hung neatly on the wall—rowed in perfect order, each tag marking their corresponding rides. The Arc Vector's key sat among them, so close and available.

Bzzt!

A pulse of heat rushed through her skull. Her vision darkened at the edges, a crimson haze creeping in. The world slowed.

And then—

Master Raven moved. A blur of motion, a flash of her coat whipping past the desk. By the time Geo turned back, she was already straddling the Arc Vector, twisting the key in the ignition. The engine purred to life, whisper-quiet, nearly lost beneath the gasps of onlookers. Then she was gone. The dealership doors swung wildly in her wake, the only trace of her presence a neatly stacked pile of cash where the motorcycle once stood.

Her laughter mixed with the rising roar of the bike, an electrified hum filling the air as she streaked through the streets. Civilians and security alike stood frozen in disbelief, their shock swallowed by the blur of speed.

The wind howled past her ears, pulling strands of hair from beneath her cap and whipping them through the air. The city blurred, and neon lights streaked like painted lines in her periphery as she weaved effortlessly between cars. The Arc moved like an extension of herself, responding to every weight shift and calculated throttle twist.

Freedom.

The rush of air burned against her skin, numbing the restless, simmering anger in her chest. The static in her mind quieted—replaced by the symphony of speed. With a flick of her wrist, she lifted the bike into a wheelie.

"Whoooooooo!"

For a moment, nothing else existed. No mission, no shadows lurking, no past clawing r. Just the road, the hum of the machine, and the fire in her veins.

A sharp vibration sounded in her pocket.

Her jaw clenched. With a sigh, she rounded a tight loop beneath an overpass, the tunnel swallowing her in darkness. The headlight cut through the black, illuminating the damp walls of a dead-end alley. Rolling to a slow stop, she pulled the phone from her pocket, eyes narrowing at the caller ID.

A single X.

She exhaled through her nose and answered. "What now?"

"Lose the attitude. Do you have a ride now?"

"Of course I do."

"Good. Start making minor adjustments. You'll need them."

The line suddenly went dead.

Master Raven scowled at the screen. "Rude."

Then again, he wasn't wrong.

She smirked, tapping a gloved finger against the sleek body of the Arc. 'Time to make this beast even better.'

---

10:29 A.M.:

Victor's fingers hovered over the cold, metallic handcuffs, their polished surface gleaming under the dim glow of the command center's lights. Something about them unsettled him—an odd weight beyond the physical. With a quiet clink, he set them down atop the console.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

An alert's rhythmic pulse cut through the machinery's quiet hum. Victor's eyes snapped to the holographic map above the table, its translucent blue surface marred by the sudden appearance of a red tracking dot. His brows furrowed. His subordinates instinctively stepped closer, peering at the shifting 3D projection.

Kevon pointed at the blinking mark. "That's nearby?"

Victor nodded, fingers tapping the controls to hone in on the highlighted location. "Seems like Tatyana must've left a tracking dot there. You, Emani, and Raven will investigate."

"Understood," Kevon replied with a sharp nod.

Poof.

---

Cargo's Car Wash:

Three figures stood atop a weathered apartment building, their dark silhouettes framed against the flickering cityscape. The wind howled as they overlooked their destination—a seemingly unremarkable car wash in the city's forgotten corner. The neon sign sputtered with a weak, intermittent glow, painting the cracked pavement below in a sickly red hue. Vibrant and chaotic graffiti sprawled across the outer walls, each color clashing in a display of urban defiance. Rusted spray cans and scattered tools littered the lot, remnants of past visitors.

Raven squinted. "An abandoned car wash?"

Kevon rubbed his chin, his sharp eyes scanning the scene below. "There's gotta be a reason she left a tracker here. Think you can check the security footage, Emani?"

His wife didn't answer immediately. Instead, she pressed her gloved fingers together, activating the tech in her suit. A faint hum followed, and a transparent holographic screen flickered to life above her wrist. The live security feed materialized, displaying the empty streets below from an elevated angle. Emani swiped her fingers left, rewinding the footage rapidly. Hours peeled away in seconds, shadows shifting and reversing until the screen revealed a lone figure stepping out of a sleek red muscle car.

Their unit master.

"A street race meetup spot. Why here?" Raven questioned.

They watched as another figure approached—a bald man wearing a denim vest. His movements exuded casual authority.

Emani didn't hesitate. With a single tap, the feed froze. The screen zoomed in on the man's face, enhancing details before feeding them into the UN's criminal database.

CARGO

NAME: Amis Winston

AGE: 34

HEIGHT: 5'9"

ORIGIN: Sydney, Australia

WANTED IN: Australia, Poland, Sweden, Russia

KNOWN CRIMES: Arson, Grand Theft Auto, Evading Authorities, Murder, Vehicular Homicide

KNOWN ALLIES: The Mechanic, Silent Assassin

Seems to have a close connection with the criminal known as Xeon.

Raven's gaze lingered on the name, which had a vague connection to Cargo. "Xeon... Why does that name sound..."

A sudden chill traveled up his spine, freezing his breath. The sensation was immediate and all-consuming, like unseen eyes piercing through him, peeling past the layers of his suit, digging deep into something more vulnerable. His instincts flared.

Something was watching him.

His heartbeat pounded in his ears as his eyes snapped toward the trees beyond the parking lot. There, amid the swaying branches, stood a shadow. Motionless. Watching.

He blinked, and the figure was gone.

His skin prickled. "Did I just—"

"Raven."

Emani's voice cut through the fog in Raven's mind, pulling him back from the phantom sensation crawling along his nerves.

"Huh?"

"Xeon," she repeated, her tone sharp yet measured. "Does that name mean anything to you?"

His lips parted slightly. He struggled to grasp the faint memory forming at the edges of his consciousness, which slipped through like smoke.

"Perhaps."

Raven's deep brown eyes narrowed at the flickering holographic screen. His gaze lingered on the blackened visor of the mugshot displayed before him. Something about it stirred a distant recollection—heavy, shrouded, just out of reach.

"Show me his profile."

The screen refreshed.

XEON

NAME: N/A

AGE: N/A

HEIGHT: 5'11"

ORIGIN: San Francisco, California

WANTED IN: United States, Tokyo, South Korea, China, New Zealand, Egypt, Dubai

KNOWN CRIMES: Arson, Evading Authorities, Murder, Kidnapping

KNOWN ALLIES: Bishop, The Mechanic, Commander Crow

The only image available was grainy—a mugshot with a cracked helmet. Yet, despite the fractured surface, the visor remained intact, obscuring the newcomer's face. Raven's fingers twitched as he tapped his chin, his brows knitted in thought. The longer he stared at the visor, the heavier the air around him felt. The memory clawed at the edges of his mind.

His grip tightened because he knew that name but didn't know if he wanted to remember why.

---

Water cascaded from busted pipes overhead, making the once-dry warehouse a ruined battleground drowning in decay. Dim shafts of light pierced through the cracked ceiling, illuminating the mist curling in the damp air. The scent of rust, wet concrete, and gunpowder mixed into an acrid perfume, clinging to Raven's senses as he stood among the wreckage.

He had done it.

Raven and his group had successfully shut down an illegal arms trade, its criminals rounded up and detained, and their attempts to flee crushed under the swift force of the UN's elite. But their leader—who orchestrated everything from the shadows—remained.

Xeon.

Raven swallowed hard, his breath heavy as he struggled to steady himself. Water streamed down his face, matting his shaved black hair, and pooled at his feet in rippling waves. The last man left stood across from him, partially obscured by the dancing reflections of overhead light.

Xeon was an enigma. His black attire made him a ghost in the dim setting, only the soft neon glow from his helmet and armored vest betraying his presence. The faint red pulse from his suit flickered against the rising water, its eerie glow making him look less like a man and more like a specter. He gripped a short-staffed, double-sided blade, its polished edges gleaming as he twirled it effortlessly in his grasp.

They moved in a slow, calculated circle—two warriors measuring each other in the rising flood. Xeon's stance was light and deliberate, his boots barely disturbing the water as he adjusted his footing. Trained. Efficient. Dangerous.

Then, his voice sliced through the tension like the weapon in his hands.  "I don't want to do this, kid, but I'm not afraid to hurt you."

Raven's fingers tightened around the hilts of his twin Hamidashi blades, the cool metal biting into his palms.  "Surrender now, or I'll use force."

Shing.

Xeon let out a short breath. "Understood."

With a flick of his wrist, he spun his weapon behind his back and bolted forward.

Splash.

Splash.

SPLASH!

Xeon moved like lightning, dashing through the water before launching onto an ammunition crate. The motion barely disrupted the flood, a testament to his precision. Raven barely had time to react before his opponent dropped down, his blade raised overhead—

Shing!

Raven met him midair, crossing his blades in a sharp parry. Steel shrieked as the weapons clashed, sparks spitting off into the darkness.  Xeon twisted, rolling under Raven's daggers before sweeping his foot low—

Whoosh!

Raven flipped into a back handspring, dodging just in time.  Silver blurred again as Xeon lunged, his strikes fast, aggressive. Raven blocked, the impact vibrating up his arms. His eyes flicked downward— Xeon's foot shifted.  A kick—fast. Too fast.  Raven barely managed to duck as a heel nearly cracked against his temple. Another came for his ribs—he twisted, daggers flashing.  Xeon flipped backward over the strike, barely touched, but still landed a quick snap kick against Raven's knee.

Smack!

And another against his chest—

Thud!

Raven stumbled back a step but retaliated immediately, aiming a forward kick at his opponent's center.  Xeon threw himself back at the last second, Raven's boot missing his face by mere inches.  The criminal hit the ground in a smooth, controlled roll before kipping into a crouch. Raven was already moving again.

"Seya!"

THUD!

Raven's boot connected with Xeon's helmet, sending him skidding across the waterlogged floor. He crashed against the concrete wall, his breath hitching from the force.  But even as he lifted himself from the shin-deep flood, Raven was already sprinting at him again.

Xeon's visor flared red.  "Goodbye."

The words were calm. Certain.

His hand darted into his vest.

Poof!

A smoke bomb detonated at his feet, the thick cloud billowing outward in an instant.

Pow!

A single gunshot rang out, forcing Raven back as the smog enveloped the corner of the room.  The water sloshed violently.  The smoke thinned, revealing nothing but an empty void.

Xeon was gone.

Raven exhaled a slow breath, picking himself up from the flooded floor. His hands clenched into fists as frustration settled in.  His target had escaped.

---

"An elusive criminal, not high profile but not typical either. We clashed twice, and he escaped each time. It seems he's helping Tatyana."

"There has to be a possible ulterior motive for why he would get involved," Kevon assumed, his jaw tightened.

"Maybe..." Raven answered. "Xeon isn't exactly straightforward either. Whatever he has planned must be small for now, or he hasn't told her."

Emani nodded. "Tatyana probably wouldn't think to ask while going rogue."

Kevon pressed the button at the center of his communication device.

Beep.

"What did you find, Kevon?"

"Nothing big, but this location is a street race meetup. We found security camera footage of Tatyana driving a vehicle with another criminal. Xeon."

"Hmmm, we may have more trouble on our hands than we initially thought. Anything else?"

"No, but..."

Kevon's head snapped to the left. A shadow stared at him as it stood behind a lamppost. He blinked his eyes, and a pair of purple ones met his own.

"Kevon?"

He blinked again, and the shadow disappeared. "Uh-No, nothing for now. However, send a few units down to the location. Seems to be a key watch spot for the Mechanic's goons."

"Understood."

Beep.

Kevon looked at Raven and Emani. "We got what we needed. Let's head back to base."

They both nodded.

Poof.

Kevon was just about to teleport away but felt the unsettling chill of eyes on him again. This time, the shadow stared from a dark corner of the taller building above him. His eyebrows creased while slipping a shuriken from his belt and threw it.

Shing.

The shadow once again disappeared, and the shuriken lodged in the wall.

Kevon shook his head with a grumble. "It's probably nothing."

Poof.

Aron pulled the shuriken from the concrete wall, glancing at the new chip in one of its sharpened arms. Just above the center circle, a crescent moon inside an oval engraved into its silver body.

He laughed. "Only a matter of time... but I must be patient still."

Admiring the weapon, the crazed surgeon soon made his way over to the staircase that led back to the street, chuckling as his cruel, crooked smirk returned.

---

12:41 P.M.:

Master Raven's fingers curled over the bike's frame, her grip tightening as she scanned the newly loosened suspension spring. Her vision wavered—blurry at the edges, sharp at the center—like a camera struggling to focus. She took a slow, shuddering breath, her chest rising and falling in the heavy silence of the dimly lit garage.

Her pulse throbbed at her temples, a dull, relentless rhythm that refused to subside.

"F-fuck..."

A voice slithered into her mind, smooth yet edged with cruel amusement.

"Tired again?" Anger cooed, arms crossed, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. She stood in the periphery of Master Raven's consciousness like a phantom, half in shadow, half in fire. "You should sleep."

Raven exhaled sharply, rolling her stiff shoulders. "And let you torture me again?"

"Please," Anger scoffed, tilting her head. "The adrenaline's run its course. At this point, your mind is too exhausted to do anything but freefall into silence."

A trap, one she knew better than to believe that.

"Or worse," Master Raven countered, her voice edged with defiance. "You think I'm stupid enough to fall for that?"

Anger rolled her eyes, the flicker of amusement barely masking her irritation. "I can't function either if we don't get any rest, dumbass."

A breath of laughter escaped Master Raven—tired, humorless. "Good." She wiped the back of her wrist over her eyes, swallowing down the exhaustion clawing at her throat. "Maybe that'll stop you from doing something reckless."

Anger's smirk deepened. "Then maybe I need to prove a point."

The pain struck like lightning. A searing, electric jolt at the base of Master Raven's skull commenced, sharp enough to force a strangled gasp from her throat. Her knees nearly buckled as her head pulsed with unbearable pressure, like unseen hands were squeezing her brain in a vice. The ringing started—high-pitched, violent. The sound drilled into her ears, drowning out everything else.

"No. No. No."

Her vision fractured, drowning in a swirling sea of crimson. Shadows twisted at the edges, writhing like living things. The faint peaks of sunlight spilling through the garage windows became distorted, white streaks lost in the growing red void. She gritted her teeth, her breath coming in sharp gasps.

"No... No. No. No..."

Her grip on reality frayed before the dam broke.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAA—!"

---

A voice—her own, but not hers—roared in her skull, shaking the fabric of her being. Somewhere in the distance, distant yet dangerously close, another voice snapped through the chaos.

"Don't— Control yourself!"

Chains rattled amid darkened fog and light ashfall that mimicked snow. Master Raven followed the sound, stopping at the sight before her. Anger stood over another version of herself. One she knew as her Control, dressed in her formal wear and currently struggling to defend herself against her rage.

Shing!

Blades clashed, the impact sending Control stumbling and eventually to one knee. Anger spun her blade in hand, strolling with a triumphant smirk. "Doesn't feel so good being on the other side of the glass. Unable to watch and instead TAKE IT!"

Master Raven blinked. In an instant, Control stood and blocked the reddened chokutō blade with her silver katana, holding a steely gaze that morphed into a vengeful grimace.

"There it is," Anger stated with a grin.

The world pulsed a lively red like a heartbeat, Control suddenly losing her strength and falling back. Master Raven blinked again, now on her hands and knees.

"Pick up your weapon," Amger's voice demanded around her.

The sword lay on the ground; its silver blade snapped in half.

"Wh-what?"

"Pick up your weapon."

Victor shook his head. "You were once a great master. Yet, I cannot pass my blade to you."

Her eyebrows sunk. "I've trained my entire life and ran errands on your command, and you tell me no?"

"That is exactly why. Just like your father, you're not ready without restrained self-control."

"I am nothing like him."

"Prove it."

She couldn't. "Please, don't leave me."

He rubbed the back of his head. "I can't tell if you're pleading or ordering me not to."

"I—"

"Be honest." Anger's armored foot landed against her stomach.

"Ack!" Master Raven grunted, rolling back and landing on her side.

"You're nothing without me!" She laughed, sounding almost manic. "If it weren't for me, you'd be dead!"

"I HATE IT!"

"Ralin—"

"You're not listening to me. I—"

"Again. Pointless."

"Are you serious right now? This isn't a subordinate and leader time, Ty. I'm trying to talk to you as a friend."

"A friend would know when the situation is redundant and fix it."

She gripped the sand beneath her, and a calm wind soon turned harsh. The sand blew from her tightening grasp, slipping through it like her unwilling ease of control over her rage.

"Wake up."

The manic laugh echoed around her again.

"Wake up."

Keep telling yourself that.

"Wake up."

"Don't you dare turn your back on me!"

Raven shook his head. "Understood." His look sharpened, becoming cold and almost emotionless. "Master."

Another laugh.

"Wake up!"

Chains rattled loudly in the open air, accompanied by the kunoichi's strained groans. "Please... wake up."

She pulled but couldn't move.

"WAKE UUUUUUP—"

---

Master Raven shot up from the bed, breathing heavily with glowing eyes filled with freshly fallen tears from wailing in her sleep. Goosebumps riddled her skin from the nightmare that seemed to linger.

She sniffled before wiping her eyes. "S-shit. Good thing it wasn't real."

"Unfortunately," Anger replied.

"Shut up," Master Raven hissed, staring at the other woman with a dimmed red eye.

In return, Anger only laughed. "Buzzkill. Anyway, it's five o'clock. Get dressed; we've got engagements to keep."

She growled, blinking. The other woman disappeared without a mocking laugh, as was her custom.

---

5:44 P.M.:

Master Raven stood before the cracked bathroom mirror, her gaze locked onto her reflection. The face staring back at her was familiar yet foreign—her features sharp as ever, her expression unreadable—but the right eye, dimmed and flickering with an unnatural red glow, was a quiet betrayal.

The suit she wore was her old one. The battle-worn fabric stretched over her frame, carrying with it the ghosts of past missions. The newer version sat folded in a duffel bag in the corner, untouched. Putting it on now didn't feel right—not today.

She exhaled through her nose, a slow, measured breath. The one time she wished she hadn't inherited her mother's piercing self-awareness.

Ignorance was a gift, a warm, numbing haze. Insanity was cruel only to those who never saw it coming. But for those who did? It was a nightmare—a slow, agonizing descent where every shift or deviation was noticed and cataloged.

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. Even now, the world felt wrong—too bright in places, too dark in others. The people she passed earlier had been nothing more than moving shadows, blurred figures without weight. Even the air itself carried a strange, metallic scent.

"Are you going to do something or waste time?"

Anger's voice cut through her thoughts like a blade. The specter stood behind her in the mirror, arms crossed, expression twisted in disdain.

Master Raven clenched her jaw, her face hardening as she glanced away. Saying nothing, she grabbed her sheathed chokutō from the bed and slung it over her back.

Cli-Clunk.

Mechanical arms from her Exo-Spine locked the scabbard into place, securing it like a second limb. The faint hum of the system syncing with her nervous system buzzed in the back of her mind, a sensation so familiar she barely noticed it anymore. She turned on her heel, stalking toward her Arc Vector. Swiftly, she swung her leg over the seat, gripping the handlebars almost crushingly.

VRRRRRRrrrrr.

The motorcycle roared to life, tires biting into the pavement as smoke curled from the rear.

Screee—

She shot forward, the force pressing her against the seat as she tore across the narrow catwalk. The sun hung low, bleeding through the skyline, casting long shadows over the cityscape.

She blinked hard, her eyes stinging. It was red again.

The world no longer had color—just endless shades of crimson. The trees, once green, were now tinted in unnatural hues, painted over with bloodied fingers. Master Raven's fingers twitched over the throttle. A quiet, nagging urge crept up her spine. The thought of slamming her armored fist into the nearest civilian flickered through her mind like a dying ember, brief but persistent.

She inhaled sharply, forcing her grip to steady. The numbers on the speedometer climbed.

87 MPH

91 MPH

She weaved between cars, shifting her weight as she rounded a sharp corner, the Arc Vector gliding seamlessly between lanes.

Click.

The road stretched before her, twisting into the thickened trees. The sunlight filtering through the canopy did little to ease the tension coiled in her shoulders.

She was close.

Beep.

Beep.

Her hand tightened on the brake, gradually slowing as she pulled into an empty lot. The tavern before her looked like it had better days—weathered wood, dirt-streaked windows, and a sagging roof that threatened to collapse. But the polished cars parked outside told a different story.

One, in particular, caught her attention.

At the far end of the lot sat a newly done Equus Bass, sleek in matte black, its contours traced with glowing red neon. Xeon leaned casually against the hood, arms crossed, and his dark helmet tilted as he watched her approach. She swung her leg over the bike, striding toward him without hesitation.

Xeon released a short, low whistle, his hidden gaze dragging over her. "Dressed to kill?"

Master Raven placed her hands on her hips, eyes sharp. "I'm sure I have a lot to deal with after this. Anything I should know?"

Pushing himself off the car, Xeon slipped into the driver's seat as the engine hummed beneath him. "Make it quick. Cops are faster around here."

She gave him a nod as the Equus Bass rolled toward the entrance. Before disappearing down the road, Xeon honked twice—sharp, deliberate.

Honk. Honk.

She rolled her shoulders, exhaling through her nose. The air inside the tavern was thick—an oppressive blend of sweat, gasoline, and the faint tang of cheap liquor. It clung to the walls, soaked into the battered wooden floors, and settled into the dimly lit corners where shadows lurked.

As Master Raven stepped in, the sound of her armored boots striking the ground shattered the low murmur of conversation. Heads turned, eyes locking onto her with various levels of curiosity, suspicion, and silent challenge. A smirk curled at the corner of Cargo's lips from across the room. His gaze immediately latched onto her dreadlocks.

"Haze, over here."

The watchful eyes of Toby's goons, dressed in black uniforms adorned with Bishop's crimson insignia, followed her every movement. They were undoubtedly new hires, taking over now with Bishop detained the night before. A sizeable wooden counter served as a meeting point - a map lay sprawled across its surface, pinned in place by a loaded revolver and a pistol's disassembled cylinder.

Cargo stood beside it, his fingers idly drumming on the worn wood as he licked his lips with a grin. "You clean up nicely. What's with the costume?"

"None of your business," Master Raven shot back, voice sharp as steel. "I'm here for my chance at racing the Mechanic."

Cargo chuckled. "That's what I like about you—straight to business but not shy about playing hard to get."

Master Raven rolled her eyes, making no effort to hide her growing irritation.

Cargo tapped the map with a gloved finger. "Alright, listen up. Here's the plan."

The other street racers—Travi and Luna—leaned in, their eyes flicking between him and the map.

Cargo's finger landed on a red dot, marking their location, encased in a murky green shape representing the surrounding area. "Job's simple. You'll follow Luna and Travi along Rueburn Highway to the Mechanic's shop," he explained, tracing a path with his fingertip. "From there, we switch cars. You'll transport a few goods and car parts to a drop point in Avelaine Ridge."

He glanced at Travi, who chuckled knowingly. "Or, as we like to call it—the Driftyard Swamps. Try not to get too intimidated by the cars you see there. The Mudsliders don't take kindly to outsiders. Stay quiet, and they won't be a problem."

Master Raven raised a skeptical eyebrow. "So we're supposed to follow the white rabbit without knowing the destination?"

Cargo grinned, leaning back with an air of arrogance. "Thrill is an elusive one. Can't give you all the details on the first date."

Her anger flared, vision pulsing red. "Says who?"

Cargo's smirk widened. "I do, love."

The world flashed crimson.

THUD!

Before Cargo could react, his skull slammed into the counter. The force rattled the map and sent the revolver clattering to the floor. Master Raven's armored boot crashed into his chest, hurtling him through the tavern. His body smashed through a door, disappearing into the small, grimy bathroom at the back.

Gunfire erupted.

Bullets tore through the air, splintering wood and shattering glasses behind the bar. Master Raven dove forward and rolled across the floor. Water and blood pooled beneath her palms as she kicked a door shut with her foot. A uniformed soldier lunged, swinging a knife—

Shlick!

She ripped the blade from his sheath and drove it into his eye.

"AAAAAAAH!" The agonized scream barely lasted before he crumpled.

Another goon charged, his rifle aimed—

Shing!

A chokutō blade slashed downward, cutting through his armor. The man's torso split apart in two, his body hitting the ground with a wet thud. As Master Raven moved, gunfire sparked against her blade—a blur of black and silver, deflecting bullets before sliding into a low dash.

Travi barely had time to react. With a clean horizontal slice, his legs separated from his body. Before his head could hit the floor—

Shing!

Her blade severed his neck, sending it spinning across the tavern.

Pow!

A gunshot snapped past her ear, sparks bursting from the counter. Master Raven vaulted over it, snatching up a discarded machine gun in midair.

BRATATATATAT!

Gunfire ripped through the tavern, the gunpowder's sharp stench filling the air. One by one, the remaining soldiers fell, bodies slumping over the wreckage. As her empty firearm hit the ground, a final attacker sprinted toward her, roaring.

"AAAAAH!"

'Tch.' Master Raven twisted, dodging under his blade—

Shing!

A thin red line appeared on his throat. He staggered while choking on his blood before falling lifelessly on the wooden ground.

Luna's pistol cocked, its muzzle aimed directly at Master Raven's head. "Listen, lady—"

Master Raven grinned, eyes glinting with amusement. "You wanna die, don't you?"

Luna blinked.

Shink!

The combat knife buried deep into Luna's throat. A wet gurgle escaped the blonde's lips as her hands feebly grasped the handle. Blood dripped in thick rivulets down her chest, pooling onto the counter.

Thud.

Her body collapsed, rendered into a corpse.

Stepping over the carcass, Master Raven pushed open the bathroom door to find Cargo inside; his nose bloodied with an expression twisted in horror.

"W-what in the bloody hell... Luna. Travi. You fucking killed-"

She grabbed him by the head, yanking him forward as her grip tightened. "Unless you want to join them, disclose where Toby's shop is."

Cargo laughed through his pain. "Not a chance, babe."

Tok!

His scream split the air as she drove his knife through his palm, nailing it to the counter. "AAAAARRRGH!"

Master Raven leaned in, her voice a lethal calm. "Next time, it'll be your shoulder."

Cargo shuddered, sweat dripping down his temple. "What's in it for me if I talk?"

"Your life."

"Fuck you, Haze!" Eventually, Cargo gave in and pointed shakily at the far end of the map. "That building—left of the right exit on Rueburn Highway."

"Good boy."

With one swift motion, she yanked the knife free.

"AAAAAAAGH!" Cargo howled, clutching his bleeding hand.

She stabbed the knife back down, this time pinning it in a place where his pinky had been.

Cargo collapsed backward, whimpering. "I'm gonna fuckin' kill you when I get out of here, Haze!"

Master Raven rolled her shoulders, sliding her blade back into its scabbard. "If you get out of there."

Vacating the now makeshift graveyard, Master Raven mounted her motorcycle and revved the engine without another glance. The night air was crimson, the city a blur of red streaks as she sped away, weaving between darkened vehicles.

---

UN Wwatchroom [Underround Lounge] - 6:59 P.M.:

"Okay, so we all jump in individually," Kevon repeated. "Victor is covering Raven while Emani and I go for her backside. Ralin, you'll—"

Beep.

Beep.

The corner of the table's holographic screen suddenly lit up with a call—no caller ID or name displayed. Victor answered it, but before he could speak, a cold but cynical voice greeted them. "Hello there, fellow enemies of my enemy."

"Aron," Raven remarked with noticeable, biting vitriol.

The crazed surgeon laughed. "Raven, nice to know you're in good health."

"Don't get so cocky, Atlas. Your days are numbered."

Aron only laughed again. "Perhaps you're correct. But this isn't about me. I just wanted to have a conversation. It seems you all could use it with what Master Raven has been doing."

"I'll be better once you're dead."

"Ah, but that isn't your kill to take. Master Raven is only one-half of what I wanted."

"What you wanted!?" Raven shot back. "If what you wanted was angry agents and threats to kill, you got it! And more than that is coming when we finally cross paths. What's the point of all this, you sick fuck!?"

"What I wanted, I can't give that away to you. As for the point..." Aron's amused, manic laugh filled the room. "The point isn't to kill, Raven. No, your superior deserves so much more than that. The point was to let her see the world in red the way I see it. To trust nobody and to kill everyone if she can help it anyway. Simple, really."

"I swear-"

Aron chuckled. "Yes! Feel that anger! It would prove helpful as of now. I truly am proud and amazed at the lovely trail of red she's left in her wake. Your superior is quite the artisan with—"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Kevon questioned.

"Oh, you'll find out soon enough. Very soon, actually."

The call ended, and a soldier rushed into the lounge as if on cue. "Admiral, we've gotten word of a serious crime scene just outside the city."

The agents exchanged looks before following the soldier out of the room.

---

Aron's violet eyes glowed faintly in the dimly lit surveillance room, their unnatural hue reflecting off the monitors before him. A soft hum filled the space, the gentle whir of machinery underscoring the rhythmic flicker of security feeds. His gaze fixed on one screen—a grainy, black-and-white display showing a convoy of armored Hummers rumbling down a desolate road. Their matte-black exteriors gleamed faintly under the sparse streetlights, an eerie procession of steel and shadow cutting through the night.

Through the distorted glow of the infrared feed, he spotted a familiar silhouette in the driver's seat—Victor, posture rigid, his hands gripping the wheel with controlled tension. A second figure shifted in the back, barely visible through the reinforced glass.

Aron chuckled, a crooked smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he leaned back in his chair, fingers lazily drumming against the metal surface of his desk. "Once again, the flock flies to the next pile of bodies their new crow has left them," he mused, a low murmur laced with amusement.

Reaching for his phone, he scrolled through his contacts until finding the one he wanted—Idiot #1. Aron initiated the call with a deliberate press, his expression unreadable as he listened to the ringing on the other end.

After a few beats, a hesitant, uncertain voice crackled through the speaker. "Uh... Doc? Why are you calling?"

Aron's grin widened. "Calm down, Mechanic. All is well. At least for me. You? Well, I hope you have a backup plan." He let the words hang, savoring the silence before adding. "Master Raven is in town looking coming for you. Might be a good time to relocate."

The response was immediate, a mix of disbelief and poorly concealed panic. "You're joking... right? Didn't you kill her in that makeshift lab of yours?"

A deep, guttural laugh rolled from Aron's throat—dark, unhurried, and utterly devoid of warmth. On the other end, the Mechanic hesitated, clearly unnerved.

"If you haven't already figured it out..." Aron continued, silky smooth. "...agents are en route to investigate the lovely little massacre at Arlo's Keg Pin."

"What?"

"I'd suggest moving to a different part of the world."

The Mechanic exhaled sharply, his tone shifting from disbelief to frustration. "Are you having a laugh at me, Doc?"

Aron tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Not yet. Humor me. What kind of idiot returns to Australia thinking it'll be an advantage? You thought familiarity would be your edge, but it made you easier to track." His smirk deepened. "And you merely accelerated your downfall."

A scoff crackled through the speaker. "Don't lecture me. You don't have anything better."

"Oh, but I do," Aron's tone dropped, the amusement bleeding into something more condescending. "Have fun playing mouse."

"Doc, you better not—"

Beep.

The call ended.

Aron exhaled softly, leaning forward and resting his elbows on the desk. His fingers intertwined beneath his chin, a smirk still lingering on his lips. The shadows from the monitors flickered across his face, accentuating the sharpness of his features.

"That's right," he muttered, voice a whisper against the hum of the screens. "Run, idiot."

---

Arlo's Keg Pin - 8:02 P.M.:

The moment Ralin stepped inside, the stench of blood hit her like a hammer—thick, metallic, suffocating. She inhaled sharply, her breath hitching as her eyes darted over the carnage. Bodies slumped against overturned tables, shattered glass glittering in pools of crimson, and the walls were smeared with streaks of red as if the massacre itself had tried to claw its way free.

"Fuck!"

She recoiled as her boot nearly landed on a body—a blonde woman in a tattered denim vest sprawled lifelessly on the floor. A jagged knife jutted from her throat, the handle slick with drying blood. Ralin swallowed hard and nudged the corpse over with her foot, flinching as the full extent of the wound came into view. The woman's glassy eyes stared at the ceiling, frozen in silent horror.

A familiar, steady voice cut through the tension. "Find something?"

Ralin snapped her head up to see Raven approaching, his dark eyes scanning the scene with practiced calculation.

"If you mean an image that'll scar me for life, then yeah," she exhaled, shaking her head. "I found something alright."

Raven adjusted his glasses, stepping closer. His brows knit together as he took in the mangled body at their feet, lips pressing into a firm line. "I don't think Ty would be cruel enough to do... this."

His hesitation betrayed his certainty.

"Unfortunately," Victor interjected, his tone edged with finality. "That's what happened here." He tapped a small button on the side of his sunglasses, the faint glow of data reflecting in his lenses before vanishing. Turning to the rest of the group, he delivered the cold truth: "Tatyana killed everyone inside."

A heavy silence settled over them, broken only by the distant creak of a ceiling fan still spinning lazily above the carnage.

"But why?" Emani questioned, arms crossing tightly over her chest. "There has to be a connection other than just a simple massacre."

Raven exhaled, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Possibly another spike in her anger due to the scanner."

"No, no," Kevon interjected, his voice tight, almost pleading.

His fingers raked through his dark hair, his chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. The sight before him—the bar bathed in red, bodies slumped like discarded puppets—contradicted every fiber of his being. His daughter wouldn't do this without reason. Kevon's pulse drummed in his ears, the overpowering scent of blood sending a cold ripple down his spine. He tore his gaze from the bodies, scanning the wreckage, looking for something—anything—that would make sense of this madness.

And then he saw it - a map spread across the counter.

His breathing hitched, and his muscles tensed as he stepped closer, studying meticulously. His eyes flicked between the marking and calculations running through his mind.

"Bread crumbs..." Kevon muttered.

Emani shot him a puzzled look. "What?"

"Bread crumbs," her husband repeated, a breath of uneasy laughter escaping him.

Relief flickered across his features—an odd expression given the situation. The others gathered around as he pointed to a black dot in the center of the map.

"We're here." His finger traced the inked mark near a green splotch in the lower right corner. He moved to another dot—a blue one further left. "And that's the meetup spot." Finally, his gaze locked onto a small knife symbol sketched near the top. His voice was steadier now. "And this knife... could be Toby's shop."

Emani quickly pulled up the location on her device. "Courtyard near Rueburn Highway... Mech's Body Shop."

Kevon nodded, his confidence solidifying. "Our girl is smart. We need to head down there."

Victor crossed his arms, placing a thoughtful hand on his chin. "Right, but we should keep our distance. We—"

A faint, muffled noise came from the room's far side. "Hello? Anyone out there?"

The group snapped to attention. The UN soldiers immediately raised their weapons, barrels trained on the only door left untouched by the massacre—the bathroom. The air in the tavern turned electric, thick with the sharp focus of trained operatives ready to strike. One of the soldiers took point, stepping forward with careful precision. He reached down, dragging a body out of the way before gripping the door handle. He took a slow exhale.

The door swung open. A man stood on the threshold, hands raised in surrender - Cargo.

He exhaled, his face a mix of exhaustion and forced bravado. "Nice to see you again, boys. Listen, I—"

"Save it, Cargo."

One of the soldiers holstered his weapon before swiftly clamping thick cuffs around the man's wrists.

"We'll take it from here, Admiral." He turned to Victor with a sharp nod. "Go find your Agent."

Victor barely acknowledged Cargo's presence as he pivoted toward the exit. Without another word, he stepped out into the night, the rest of the team following close behind.

---

Mech's Body Shop - 8:33 P.M.:

Toby dragged a hand through his messy hair, fingers against his temple, glaring at the TV screen mounted on the stained concrete wall. His pulse throbbed beneath his fingertips, an erratic drumbeat of frustration and rage.

"UN agents just left here after a massacre from one of their members gone rogue. Several security cameras caught the brutal murders of multiple people inside, including—"

"Fuck!"

The word tore from his throat, raw and furious, as his arm snapped forward. The half-empty beer bottle flew across the room, shattering against the screen in an explosion of glass and amber liquid. The impact sent a spiderweb of cracks racing across the display, but the feed continued flickering—distorted yet unmistakable.

Master Raven stood among the bodies of his men, her expression impassive. With a chilling finality, her chokutō slid back into its sheath. The image froze—a cruel, digital mockery.

Toby's jaw clenched so hard it ached.

"Toby!" a voice barked from outside. "We're ready to go."

His lips parted, and he exhaled slowly through his nose as his hand drifted to his holster. With a practiced motion, he slid out his revolver, the polished steel catching the dim light of the shop. He thumbed the cylinder, spinning it slowly, watching the bullets rotate in perfect rhythm. Each one was pristine, meticulously prepped, and ready to bury themselves in flesh. His thick, dark eyebrows lowered, his features hardening into something colder, sharper. The smell of gasoline lingered in the air, a familiar, acrid scent mingled with the musk of motor oil and burnt rubber. He inhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders before steadily releasing the breath.

Then he chuckled, low and dry.

Sliding the revolver back into its holster, Toby reached into his jacket and pulled out a box of cigars. He popped one between his lips, the end rolling slightly between his teeth as he spoke.

"Anyone got a light?"

One of the soldiers flicked open a lighter, the small flame casting an orange glow against his rugged face. Toby leaned in and took a slow puff, exhaling a cloud of smoke.

"Thanks, bud."

Without another word, Toby strode toward the front of the shop. Outside, under the dim floodlights, a convoy of vehicles awaited—the remnants of Bishop's Brooke Squadron. The engines of two modified muscle cars rumbled like caged beasts, flanking the massive armored cargo truck filled with the last of his men. Another armored truck idled behind them, its reinforced frame glinting under the flickering neon of the shop sign.

Toby's focus landed on only one vehicle - his jewIt was al.

It was a 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge, its vibrant orange body gleaming under the fluorescent glow and black racing stripes cutting sleek lines down the hood. The chrome shone immaculately despite years of reckless chases and violent getaways. Its leather interior—black with bright yellow stitching—was just as pristine as the day he'd stolen it from his uncle at seventeen.

Toby ran a finger along the smooth, polished hood, his touch almost reverent. "And the last thing that bastard saw was my headlights."

Sliding into the driver's seat, he turned the key. The engine roared to life, a deep, guttural growl vibrating through the frame. He smirked, fingers grazing the dashboard before reaching for the radio built into the car.

Beep.

"On your mark, Mech," the soldier's voice crackled through the speaker.

Toby tapped the blue button beneath it. "Keep your guns ready, boys. We ride until the tires scream!"

With a sudden stomp on the gas, the GTO's tires screeched against the pavement, sending thick clouds of smoke billowing into the night air. The vehicle shot forward like a bullet from a chamber, tearing down the street with a furious roar. Behind him, the armored convoy followed, headlights slicing through the darkness.

---

Unknown Location:

A flash of lightning split the sky, momentarily bathing the world in a harsh, white glow.

CRACK!

The heavens roared in response, the violent storm symphony shaking the night. In its wake, the darkness returned, thicker, heavier—alive with anticipation.

A long blade whispered free from its sheath, its steely song slicing through the humid air. The armored hand gripping the hilt was steady, deliberate. The weapon hummed, the vibration coursing through the wielder's fingers like an electric current.

A wicked smile curled at their lips, their grip tightening.

Beep.

Bee—

"Mechanic's on the move. I'll be hanging back to make sure nothing goes haywire."

A low chuckle. "And what if it does?"

"I have a few bombs set on a bridge before they reach their take-off point."

The response was as casual as it was deadly.

"A bit over the top."

"I never said Toby needed to live. I want him out of the picture like you do."

"Of course. Watch out for the cops, Xeon."

"Be sure to give Toby what he deserves."

Beep.

The call ended, leaving behind only the static hum of the storm and the restless purr of an engine.

Clink.

The ōdachi clicked into place on Master Raven's back, resting over the sheathed chokutō. The weight was fami andiar, grounding. A chill snaked down her spine, not from fear but the electric thrill of the hunt. Her hands gripped the handlebars of the Vector motorcycle, its sleek, black frame gleaming under the flickering neon of the empty street. Rain threatened, and the air was thick with the scent of ozone, gasoline, and the harbor's distant, salty whisper.

Her smirk widened, her bright red eye gleaming like a dying ember in the shadows. The world flashed white once more.

CRACK!

The first raindrops fell, hissing against the pavement.

"Finally... the fun commences."

With a sudden roar, the Vector shot forward, tires biting into the wet asphalt, sending a mist spray into the air. The engine's growl merged with the storm's fury, a beast racing through the veins of Sydney's streets.

She disappeared into the night—a ghost, a shadow, a promise of blood.

---

Victor's hands gripped the armored hummer's steering wheel with unwavering focus, the leather wrapping creaking under the pressure of his fingers. Inside the vehicle, the world was eerily quiet, save for the steady hum of the engine and the occasional crackle of chatter from the radio.

Beside him, Raven sat motionless, arms crossed, his head slightly bowed. Behind his dark sunglasses, his eyes remained closed—not in unrest, but deep meditation. His mind was attuned to the road's vibrations, the distant sirens beyond, and the tension crackling in the air like the prelude to a storm.

Then, the radio's monotonous static shifted, replaced by a reporter's clear, urgent voice. "Mechanic, Toby Greene, and his men are currently fleeing the city—"

Raven's eyes snapped open. The volume dial clicked as he turned it up.

"He and his group of criminals are driving along Rueburn Highway, heading toward a known hideout somewhere near Arlo's Keg Pin—"

"Victor," Raven commanded, calm but firm. "Floor it."

No hesitation. Victor's foot slammed against the gas pedal, shifting gears as the hummer roared forward.

SCREEEEEE!

The massive vehicle lurched, tires screeching, as it took a hard turn and skid across the concrete before straightening onto the freeway.

Up ahead, Master Raven leaned low, cutting the air like a bullet atop her Vector motorcycle. Her body tilted as she rounded a corner, her armored fist trailing along the concrete barrier, sending sparks cascading behind her. Her dark eyes locked onto the red glow of taillights ahead—a cargo truck flanked by three armored vehicles. Her right eye flickered, the embedded tech glowing crimson.

The world blinked into white light.

CLAP!

Thunder rattled the air.

Bzzt.

A slow breath escaped her lips as her fingers traced over the hilt of her ōdachi. The cold steel hummed beneath her touch. Every muscle in her body tensed, adrenaline coiling like a viper in her veins. But there was no wicked smirk—no gleeful anticipation of battle.

Only absolute focus.

"There!" Raven barked, pointing ahead.

Victor's eyes flicked to the motorcyclist weaving through traffic like a phantom, dreadlocks whipping in the wind.

"Think we can stop her here?"

Raven's fingers curled around the hilt of his blade, spinning it with practiced ease. "We have a chance."

Victor's smirk was grim as he slammed the gas pedal deeper, the hummer closing the distance.

Bzzt.

Master Raven's lips pressed into a thin line as she adjusted her position, the HUD in her eye flashing red with proximity alerts.

Click!

SCREEEEEE!

Her tires shrieked as she suddenly cut her bike into a tight drift, spinning in a slow circle just as the hummer bore down on her.

"Crap," Raven exhaled.

Victor barely had time to react before silver glints cut through the dark.

Dozens of Shuriken.

They sliced through the air, gleaming under the streetlights.

THUD-THUD-THUD!

The hummer jolted as several stars embedded themselves into its armored plating. And then—

BOOM!

An explosion rocked the vehicle's front left tire, sending it lurching off the ground. For a brief second, everything slowed.

Raven took a deep breath before launching himself forward.

Poof.

A displacement of air. Master Raven moved. Her hand shot out, gripping the body of her motorcycle, swinging herself around with inhuman precision.

THUD.

Her heel collided with Raven's chest.

"Gah!"

The impact sent him soaring backward, but he twisted midair, rolling across the pavement before planting his boots against the ground in a sliding stop. His breath was steady, his stance unshaken. His sunglasses reflected the fading blur of Master Raven's form—speeding ahead, disappearing into the night with Mechanic's caravan.

"It's not over yet." Raven's brows furrowed behind his shades as he tapped his earpiece. "Li, how's it looking up there?"

Skyward, a small mini-jet whizzed through the sky, its blue lights blinking once before shutting off. Ralin crouched atop the drone-controlled jet, one foot balanced against the sleek surface, keeping her gaze on the fleeing targets.

"All good up here. I can see Ty clear as day."

"Good. Remember, keep your distance."

"No need to remind me, dude. I got this."

Raven sighed through his nose but held his tongue. Now wasn't the time to remind her about every bomb-related accident under her watch.

"Understood." He turned his gaze back to the distant convoy.

"What now?" Kevon asked. "We can't just sit here."

"The best we can do is wait for her to return to her hideout," Raven explained. She can't take down all of us."

Kevon flicked his right hand.

Shing!

His claw blade extended, still sharpened with a few notches from its years of use.

"Kevon-"

"Trust me, Jada," he began, eyeing the weapon affixed to his hand. "I don't want to do it either, but we don't have a choice right now. If Ty's willing to hurt us if we get in her way, we need to level the playing field."

Emani paused, her fisted hands shook at her sides. "Fine..."

Master Raven spun around, returning her focus to the caravan ahead while ignoring her reddening vision as she got closer. She gripped the hilt of the ōdachi, holding the blade out before flicking her wrist.

Shiiiiiing!

The sharp siren song of the weapon filled the air, and she made sure the caravan of vehicles saw her as she came closer.

"Mech!" A soldier yelled, raising the scope of his sniper. "We got company!"

Toby looks up into his rearview mirror, only grinning at the armored kunoichi coming closer. With a chuckle, he took the cigarette from his mouth, tapping the blue button. "Nothing stops a strong set of wheels. Let 0 have her."

"Got it. We'll keep our sights locked on this chick."

Toby laughed, "Chase, chase, chase. Bring it on, lady."

VRRRRR!

The Pontiac's engine growled and sped ahead, the armored and cargo truck doing so too. That left the kunoichi to deal with the two modded vehicles. They began to box her in. She gritted her teeth before pulling the break.

Screeee!

She slid back, stabbing the driver on her right and slicing through the car's tire on her left.

Boom!

Both cars crashed into each other as the kunoichi leaned around the wreckage. The three vehicles quickly caught up; the armed squad member aimed his sniper, the red dot landing between her eyebrows. He squeezed the trigger.

Pew!

Master Raven blinked, her left eye brightening to deadly gold. The world seemed to slow down around her. She shifted.

Click.

She pulled the handlebars, and the motorcycle began to spin. Holding the blade at a specific angle, she blinked.

TING!

Bullets rained down as the kunoichi spun in a circle, pulling the throttle back into a slow wheelie as seven over-armed men on motorcycles flew from the cargo truck. Master Raven lowered to the bike as one flew overhead. Her eyes landed on the guy who stood in the middle of more armed soldiers, covered in sleek metal armor with a metal mask and wielding a long cleaver sword the same length as a katana. The same dark red head over his head. The guy watching her from that shady club. A name engraved onto the blade's body.

3xecutioner 0.

Inhaling sharply, Master Raven held the blade and twisted it.

Shing!

A body and motorcycle tumbled to the ground. Master Raven leaned back, shifting.

Click!

The ōdachi cut through another.

Boom!

She swerved, sliding her chokutō from its sheath to deflect bullets and dodge blades with simple leans and well-placed drift spins.

"Uh!" Master Raven grunted, throwing her ōdachi into the air.

She gripped the break.

Screee!

The Arc Vector slid back, giving her enough room to lean back from a blade. An armed henchmen aimed his gun. Master Raven placed her hand on the Arc's body. Lifting her body, she swung around into a flare. Kicking the pistol his hand before another kick landed at his head.

Smack!

"Raah!" Another henchman grunted, swiping his blade.

She twisted her shoulder, pulling off a corkscrew over his katana and countering with a double drop kick.

SMACK!

3xecutioner 0 jumped toward the kunoichi. Master Raven veered past him, the ōdachi returning from the sky as they sped along the highway. She inhaled sharply and caught it.

SHING!

Sparks flew from blades colliding as they ground against each other. Master Raven gritted her teeth to hold him back. She shifted.

VRRR!

The motorcycle was sent flying, and the two combatants went with it. Master Raven righted herself, letting the ōdachi fall before returning to the falling bike. She slipped Bishop's pistol from the holster and took a deep breath. Master Raven closed an eye, aiming at the men shooting her from the cargo truck.

Pow!

Pow!

Pow!

Pow!

Pow!

Six bodies tumbled from the cargo truck.

"Uh!" She grabbed the ōdachi, quickly sliding her chokutō back into its sheath, and braced for impact.

Thud!

Another henchman readied his katana. Master Raven turned the handlebars and veered left.

CLANK!

The back wheel of her Arc swiped the henchman's front wheel, sending him tumbling down the road. Master Raven leaned back from 3xecutioner 0's blade, again holding him back. Their tires slid across the concrete while they spun in a circle.

"Rah!" 3xecutioner 0 grunted, kicking her back.

The kunoichi swerved as a bullet missed her foot. She quickly blocked and parried his cleaver, twisting her ōdachi.

"Ack!"

The last henchmen following them fell off his bike after being impaled in the throat.

Pow!

A bullet grazed her arm, eliciting an irritated growl. "Enough of this bullshit!"

3xecutioner 0 swung his sword. With a simple flick of a wrist, Master Raven nailed the ōdachi to the ground, swinging around it to block his blade. She narrowed her eyes, weaving around an SUV. One of the shooters pulled the pin of his grenade. The kunoichi pulled on the break, tossing a shuriken at the tires of the cargo truck.

SCREEE—

BOOM!

3xecutioner 0 jumped from his motorcycle as the truck exploded. Master Raven increased her speed and activated the nitrous. Xeon leaned on the hood of his car, a remote in hand, as he watched the scene from below on a hill. Explosives lined the bridge as it crossed a river seventy feet below—a deep, unpleasant fall.

He chuckled before pressing the button. "Good timing, Master Raven."

Beep.

Beep.

Boom!

Toby slammed on the break. "Shit. Shit. Shit!"

Screeeeeeee!

The Pontiac slid forward, the front bumper grinding against the ground even as it neared the destroyed, crumbled edge.

Clank!

The car's hood hung over the destroyed bridge, giving Toby a view of the lake below.

Vrrrr!

Master Raven shot through the flames and landed on the ground, letting her foot down as she slid with the vehicle before stopping. 3xecutioner 0 stood several feet ahead near the toppled armored truck. He nodded, walking back with a cocky attitude as if he'd just won in their vehicular clash. The kunoichi growled, glaring at him as though she could see the smirk behind his metal mask. Soon, his heavy steps faded into silence, and he disappeared into the heavy smoke of the fiery cargo truck.

Getting off her motorcycle, Master Raven clipped the ōdachi to her back. She ignored Toby as he slowly made his way out of the car he left running. She punched the trunk, which smashed the lock.

Thud!

The Pontiac jolted forward, the deep water seemingly grinning at Toby from below. Master Raven grinned and grabbed a thick rope and a jerry can of gasoline.

Toby slowly stood on solid ground and sighed. "Fuckin, final—"

Smack!

He didn't have time to react after a fist landed against his jaw, and a pair of armored hands slammed him to the hood of his car. The windshield below him lay almost wholly shattered. He inhaled sharply, his mind hazed from the impact.

"Ah," Toby blinked his eyes hard, the world finally speeding up again.

He looked up, finding his hands tied to the side mirrors of his car. "What the fuck—"

Master Raven narrowed her eyes. "Choose how this ends, Toby. Move the wrong way and die, the cops take you, or scream too loud, and I paralyze you from the neck down."

"W-what?"

She chuckled with a smirk, her eyes gleaming with joy and insanity. "Killing you would be too easy." Her eyes narrowed. "You deserve worse. So, be a good boy and stay put."

Toby swallowed hard. "R-right. For once, I'd be happy as a twat to see a cop right now."

Master Raven flicked the cap off the jerry can, pouring a trail to the Pontiac before tossing it near the fiery cargo truck. A cough sounded off from the collapsed armored truck. Haruto climbed out the broken driver-side door, slowly reaching a vertical base. His eyes instantly landed on her, even while wiping the blood from his busted lip.

Haruto glared venomously at his assailant. "Pesky bitch."

Bzzt.

Her vision became a deeper red. "What did you just say?"

The shadow amid the red void only cackled.

"AAAAAAAAAH!"

Blood spurted profusely from Haruto's arm before Master Raven pushed her chokutō blade through his flesh, tearing the limb from his body.

"Aaaagh!"

She picked up his modded 1911 from the floor and stalked the dazed former Commander, looking down at him with disgust before slashing his throat. Haruto struggled to scream through the blood filling his mouth as he fell to his knees, his life fading away. Master Raven couldn't stand the sight of him and delivered a powerful kick to his chest.

DONG!

Haruto slammed into the toppled armored truck, drowning in his blood. Master Raven got back onto her motorcycle and sped off into the darkness.

---

Above, Ralin tapped her earpiece. "Bad news: The bridge went up in smoke. Good news: The cops are coming to arrest the Mech. Tatyana is making her way back to her safe house."

"Got it. Tail her."

"But aren't we—"

"Just keep your distance."

"I'm not risking that. It would make more sense to catch Ty at a nearby airport. There has to be a plane heading to her intended destination."

"Alright. Regroup at Perth International Airport."

"Understoo—Wait, do I have to wait near the armored truck again?"

"Li..."

Ralin sighed audibly. "Whatever."

She ended the call, lowering into a knee as the drone picked up speed while rolling her eyes and muttering in Mandarin.「總是板凳李。爛透了」(Always the bench, Li. This sucks.)

---

Xeon entered his Equus, effortlessly reversing off the hill and following the dirt road back to the regular roadways. He called an unlabeled contact in his phone, a slow, long ring.

"What is it?"

He held his chuckle at the sound of her crazed, velvet voice. "Where are you heading next?"

"Don't know. I have no current info on my next target."

"Who is it?"

"A guy called the Doctor. Know him?"

"He's in Russia. Siberia, specifically."

"Got it."

"They're going to block the airport again if you take a plane. I saw the footage already. A freight train to Russia is a few yards from the airport, leaving around 10:40. Don't miss it."

Beep.

Xeon tapped a finger on the steering wheel. "I wonder what Raven will say when we cross paths again."

---

Unknown Location - 10:22 P.M.:

The red light of a laptop's webcam blinked rhythmically, silently observing the turmoil unfolding. The dim glow painted the room in a haunting crimson pulse, barely illuminating the shadowed figure standing before it.

Master Raven leaned over the desk, her fingers digging into the cold metal as if it were the only thing keeping her tethered to reality. Her breath came fast and ragged, her chest rising and falling like a storm barely restrained but winning. A heavy silence pressed into her skull, suffocating her thoughts—if called such anymore. The world around her turned red, every hue, shadow, and lingering memory stained in the aftermath of Haruto's death.

Her grip tightened. A low, unhinged laugh spilled from her lips, twisted and raw. And then—

"I wanted to kill him so bad!" Master Raven shouted, her voice cracking under the weight of something she couldn't quite name.

The echo of her own words rattled in her ears, bouncing off the cold, unfeeling walls. Her shoulders shuddered as the laughter died in her throat, leaving behind only the sound of her breathing—jagged, unsteady.

Bzzt.

Her reflection flickered on the darkened screen, but the eyes staring back weren't her own.

"I... can't tell if I'm becoming the thing I hate or finally freeing myself from being... controlled."

A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips, but no humor existed. "Why hold back? What's the point? We kill... and think we're the good people?"

Bzzt!

Pain lanced through her skull. She hissed, a hand snapping to her temple, fingers clawing through her scalp. Through the cracks between her fingers, Master Raven peered at the screen—at the face that no longer looked like hers.

"I don't think I can control myself much longer..."

---

Perth - Streets:

The city lights blurred into streaks of neon as Master Raven weaved through the surprisingly busy streets, her Vector motorcycle purring beneath her like a beast sensing its rider's turmoil. The duffle bag slung over her shoulders jostled with every turn, but she barely noticed. The wind whipped at her dreadlocks, her face impassive with an eerily quiet mind.

There were no echoes of gunfire, screams, or phantom scent of blood in the air. For the first time in what felt like forever, Master Raven's mind didn't think about violence: just the open road, the power between the handlebars, and the next destination - Russia.

She took a deep breath, rolling her shoulders. 'Just make it there, and I can finally end this.'

The thought should've brought relief, but something cold and distant lingered beneath it. Master Raven rounded the corner, shooting past the airport gates into the plane ramp lot—

Bzzt!

"Aah!"

A sudden, searing spike of pain lanced through her skull. Her vision flashed white, and her grip on the handlebars faltered. The motorcycle lurched, tires screeching, nearly throwing her off as she wrestled the machine back under control. She skidded to a stop, heart hammering, hands clutching the brakes like a lifeline. Her head snapped up, pupils constricting.

"No... no... no..."

Four figures stood beneath the dim parking lot lights a few feet away, people close to her heart. Kevon, Emani, Raven, and Victor.

They weren't just standing but waiting for any faint movement or action. Master Raven could see it in their expressions - worry and pain. Her breath caught, and before she even realized what she was doing, her hands shot to her head as if she could claw the agony out of her skull.

Bzzt.

"D-don't make me do this..."

Kevon swallowed hard, stepping forward as cautiously as a man approaching a wounded animal. "Breathe, Ty."

"Shut up!" she snapped, her head jerking up.

Her eyes burned—not just with fury but with something rawer. Red energy wisps coiled around her body, flickering like embers waiting to ignite. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, but they didn't fall.

"You don't get it." Her voice trembled, but her stance never wavered. "I... can't control it. I can't... I won't!"

Raven instinctively took a step back.

Shing!

Victor's blade flashed in the dim light. Master Raven moved in a blur of motion. She rolled over Victor's blade, twisting midair into a devastating spin kick. Raven barely weaved back in time, the wind from her strike brushing against his jaw.

"Hah!"

Kevon stepped in while swiping his claws, only to have his daughter catch his wrist and shove him back. Emani aimed a sweeping kick, but Master Raven flipped over her extended foot.

Smack!

Kevon's fist slammed into her jaw, pain swelling through Master Raven's skull. Her ki surged.

Poof.

She vanished and reappeared to slam into Raven before deflecting Emani's twin blades just as an arm locked around her throat, and another pinned her free arm behind her back. Raven's grip tightened as he bent back, hooking a leg around hers to keep her grounded.

"Ty! Please stop this!"

She clawed at his arm with ragged breathing, her vision swimming.

Bzzt.

Her parents and Victor began to darken, their forms twisting into shadows that crept closer to suffocate her.

A tear finally slipped down her cheek. 'What am I doing?'

Raven felt the shift in her muscles during the briefest moment of hesitation. "Please, Tatyana. Let us help."

Bzzt.

"GET UP!"

Her heartbeat spiked. Adrenaline flooded her veins. The sorrow in her eyes snapped into rage. Raven inhaled sharply, knowing that look. A split second later, Master Raven's entire body tensed. She whipped her weight backward, flipping over his hold into a cartwheel. Victor's katana slashed, which she barely sidestepped. Kevon lunged as his claws were met with the steel of her chokutō blade.

Shing!

Sparks flew as she drove Master Raven ōdachi into the ground, using it as a pivot to deflect Raven's dagger inches from her throat. She shoved him back and blocked Kevon's kick. A solid shoulder hit from Emani slammed into her solar plexus. Master Raven slid back, coughing, before—

BANG!

Victor's gun clicked into place. Kevon struck while Victor kicked. Even Emani's blows landed one after another in a group effort to subdue her - stomach, chest, collarbone. Raven's dagger flew, which Master Raven blocked with her armored arm as a sharp ringing in her ears occurred. Kevon moved in for a forceful corkscrew kick.

SMACK!

Master Raven collided against the ground hard, blood dripping from her lips as she struggled to rise.

"Ty," Kevon pleaded. "Don't make us do this anymore."

Her fingers tightened around her sword. "I can't..."

The sound of a train thundered in the distance. Master Raven's eyes flicked toward it as she turned and leaped. Within moments, her silhouette vanished into the shadows.

"Tatyana!" Raven yelled.

The train swallowed her whole.

---

Beneath Adleton Building Construction Site - 11:06 P.M.:

Raven didn't waste time surveying the room—his focus was singular and locked onto the task. He straddled the matte black Vector motorcycle, guiding it smoothly onto the elevator platform. A low electric hum thrummed beneath him, resonating through the steel and concrete as the platform lurched to life. The floor beneath him glowed dim white, casting long, shifting shadows against the cold walls as the elevator ascended into the space above. As soon as it reached its destination, Raven twisted the throttle just enough to ease forward, the soft purr of the engine the only sound in the unsettling stillness.

The bedroom greeted him in eerie silence.

It was primarily clean—yet the signs of destruction were unmistakable. Raven's sharp gaze flicked to the wall corner, where a sizeable concrete chunk had been gouged out, the wound jagged and raw. Dark stains of dried blood marred the surface. Raven exhaled slowly through his nose, the sight sitting heavy in his chest.

On the floor, scattered remnants of the missing wall remained, shards of concrete dusted with crimson lying where they had fallen. Raven's boots made no sound as he stepped forward, his expression grim. The bed was in disarray, its sheets twisted and bunched as if abandoned in haste. Clothes lay strewn across it haphazardly, some clean, others still marked with blood smears.

The walls weren't untouched either.

Raven's eyes tracked the sporadic bloodstains, which dried into the room's crevices—signs of a struggle. Then another hole surfaced, this one deeper, fresher. The blood on the floor stared back at him, jagged edges betraying the force that had created it. He sighed, realizing he had known what to find here. Yet being in this space, standing in the echoes of her torment, made it feel all the more real.

His gaze landed on the desk. A tiny USB drive sat in the dim light, a lone piece of clarity among the chaos. Beside it, his brow furrowed as he picked up a mask, its surface smooth and cold.

'She left this behind?'

For a moment, Raven stared at the mask. Then, with measured care, he returned it to the armor stand where it belonged. Pocketing the USB drive, Raven turned on his heel and returned to the motorcycle. He rolled the throttle and guided the bike toward the catwalk leading into the tunnel.

---

Sydney, Australia; UN HQ [Underground Lounge] - 11:44 P.M.:

Raven said nothing as he entered the dimly lit room. The weight of his silence alone was enough to command attention.

Victor turned, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "Raven, what did you—"

Tap.

A small object landed in his palm before Victor even finished his sentence. He lowered his gaze as the pale orange USB drive rested in his hand, the casing dulled by grime and time. What sent a chill down his spine was the single, dried blood fingerprint smeared across its surface. His fingers instinctively curled around it as he looked back at Raven. The agent had dropped into a chair, his posture deceptively relaxed, but his shoulders remained tense. His jaw was tight; his lips pressed into a thin, unyielding line.

Yet, behind the practiced control, Victor saw the fracture lines and a barely contained storm of ranging emotions within his agent.

"Play it," Raven ordered.

Victor sighed, glancing between his weary comrade and the foreboding device in his hand. He could feel it in the air—the weight of whatever they were about to witness. And judging by the look on Raven's face, it wouldn't be good. He slid the USB into the console's port and navigated the files with quick, practiced taps. A single eight-minute video appeared. He hesitated before pressing play.

Master Raven filled the screen.

She stood in a dimly lit safehouse, her figure a shadow against the cold, cracked walls. Her mission suit was still on, but it was tattered and soaked in blood—some her own, some not. The flags on her shoulders were burned and frayed, a visual testament to battles fought. Her eyes—bloodshot, dark-rimmed, hollow—stared at something unseen beyond the lens.

Then—

Crack!

Without warning, she slammed her fist into the cement wall. The stone splintered, fragments crumbling to the floor as she pulled her bruised, bloodied knuckles free. She didn't even flinch. Instead, red energy wisps flickered around her fingers, twisting and coiling like embers caught in the wind. Her breathing was erratic, lips curled with an expression that wasn't a smile.

"I can't feel anything anymore," she murmured, her voice low, almost hypnotic. "Pain doesn't hurt. Everything is numb. And the anger... feels better."

Her shoulders shook before a manic laugh devoid of warmth sounded—a hollow, fractured thing.

"I hate it, how much better I feel. I hate it!"

A shuddering inhale. Master Raven's hands shot up, gripping her head as her breath came in ragged bursts.

"Fuck... fuck," she gasped. "Make it stop... MAKE IT STOP!"

Then, a deafening scream - a raw, piercing wail that distorted the speakers, rattling through the room before the screen abruptly cut to black.

Master Raven was now seated at a desk, idly twirling a throwing needle between her fingers. The camera's angle was different, but the tension was the same. Her posture was eerily relaxed, and her half-lidded eyes were fixed on the needle like a predator contemplating its next move. A low chuckle escaped her lips, continuous and unnerving like she was laughing at a joke no one else could hear.

"Y'know," she mused, her voice lilting. "Stuck with this new perspective... I can tell I'm losing it."

The needle stilled, pressed against the curve of her palm. Her other hand clenched into a tight fist, trembling slightly.

"Fucking..."

She stood abruptly, her movements sharp, restless. One hand dragged through her frizzed braids, tugging as if trying to ground herself in reality.

"Look, I didn't kill him, even though the fat bastard deserved it," Master Raven muttered, voice raw in referring to Toby. "I wanted to hear him scream. Haruto wasn't as... lucky."

Her body jerked, and her eyes snapped shut with an almost painful squeeze.

"Stop."

Her head violently shook.

"Shut up!" she suddenly snapped, whirling—but no one was there.

Ralin's eyes widened from across the room. "Is she... hallucinating?"

No one dared to answer.

But the way Master Raven moved—her head twitched slightly, her eyes flickered toward empty spaces—it was as if someone unseen was whispering just beside her ear. She now stood, a newly notched ōdachi in hand, its blade gleaming under the dim lighting. Dark red streaks marred its length. She ran a cloth over it absently, her lips barely parting as she spoke.

"Toby and his idiots were nothing more than a warm-up.  I'm sure soldiers have swarmed his little shop by now."

She exhaled, slow, measured. "I don't regret it. At all. Those fools deserved every inch of my blade. I did have help in Xeon. Don't bother asking questions about him."

Her eyes flickered toward the camera, amusement curling at the edges of her expression.

"If you need to know where I'm going..." she mused, voice playful but deadly. "I'll be in Russia. Siberia, to be exact. Xeon knows a lot more than I thought."

Another abrupt cut occurred before showing Master Raven slumped in the chair. Her hands and knuckles, newly raw and bleeding, rested on the desk. Each finger trembled, betraying a weakness she had desperately tried to hide.

"I..."

Her voice cracked as she swallowed hard. "I'm so sorry."

A broken breath.

"You all must hate me now. Mom... Dad... Victor... Li... Rashad..."

She exhaled shakily, her whole body trembling. "I don't deserve this anymore."

Her hands came up, covering her face, her shoulders quaking.

"I just want to go home," she whispered between sobs. "I hate it so much. I'm losing myself and can't escape it..."

The following words came out: choked, strangled. "Just fucking kill me... please. I don't want to do this anymore."

Her voice utterly broke. "Just kill me—"

The video glitched, cutting back one last time. Master Raven stood, gripping the desk, her posture once again rigid. A low, bitter laugh bubbled up from her chest.

"I wanted to kill him so bad!" she suddenly shouted, voice raw and furious.

Then—a sigh. Master Raven's laughter faded, something eerily close to clarity settling.

Bzzt.

She exhaled. "I... can't tell if I'm becoming the thing I hate or finally freeing myself from being... controlled."

A smirk showed—empty, hollow. "Why hold back? What's the point? We kill... and believe we're the good people?"

Bzzt!

Her hand shot to her head. The screen froze before the recording abruptly ended.

Raven raked his hands into his hair, his breath slow, measured, and dangerously controlled. Beside him, Emani gripped her husband's hand, desperate to contain her heartbreak.

Kevon clenched his jaw, his tone full of determination. "We will find her if it's the last thing I do. I promise."

---

Unknown Location - 11:53 P.M.:

Master Raven clutched her abdomen, digging into her skin as if she could stop the ache from spreading. Her stomach burned with a dull, sharp throb that radiated through her entire body. She stood frozen, trembling by the force of her own feelings. Her fist clenched tightly and quivered in response to the helplessness within her.

A small, bitter laugh escaped her lips—sad, hollow, like the last remnants of something broken. It felt strange, not the familiar fury she had come to rely on, but a different, sharper sting. A painful awareness of all she had become. Today, for the first time in so long, she felt something other than rage.

The sharp sting of pain from her bruised and battered body, the weight of becoming her parents' burden, the very thought like a suffocating weight pressing down on her chest. Then, an aching pain of being hit not just physically but emotionally. A stab of discomfort twisted through her as she recalled Raven's arms tightly restraining her. His touch had once felt like safety, a welcome tenderness away from scrutinizing eyes. Now, it felt like a tether to the agony she couldn't escape.

Master Raven felt everything - the hurt and broken pieces of herself she tried so desperately to keep hidden beneath a hardened exterior.

Her hand trembled as she pressed against her stomach, fingers still shaking from conflicting emotions. It took all her gathered willpower not to collapse, but she took a gradual, deep breath. The cold, fresh air seeping through the cracks of the train's aging windows pierced the fog clouding her mind. She let frigid oxygen fill her lungs, a balm slowly dousing the fire ravaging her body and mind.

As the coolness seeped into her skin, the red haze that had suffocated her thoughts began to lift. The world, once colored in fiery shades of anger, slowly reverted to normal if there was such a thing. The fog of fury, however suffocating, started to recede, leaving her mind clear for the first time in what felt like days. She could finally breathe again, and it was enough for a fleeting moment.

Then, the vibration of her phone broke the fragile peace Master Raven had managed to carve out of the chaos.

An irritated growl bubbled up in her throat as she grabbed the phone, her fingers still trembling with aftershocks of the storm she'd just weathered. She swiped the screen, her voice cold as ice as she answered the call.

"What?"

"Sounds like you made it."

Master Raven's brows furrowed, a flash of suspicion crossing her face. "I was... fortunate. Nearly missed boarding."

Xeon chuckled, a hint of something almost mocking in his tone. "Be sure to keep a coat. Siberia is cold this time of year. And don't worry about your boyfriend. I'll be sure to send him my condolences."

The words struck like a cold slap across her face. Master Raven's chest tightened at the sting of those words before she fully processed them.

"How do you even know any of this?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet it vibrated with suspicion.

"It pays to stay silent and stay in the background. People talk when they don't think you're listening. As for Raven, he and I have history. Good luck with Doc, Master Raven. I'll be in touch."

Beep.

The line went dead, leaving only the train's dull hum movement. Master Raven stared at the phone screen for a moment longer, the conversation's coldness gnawing at her. In the muteness that followed, an unshakable feeling settled in her gut—a sense he manipulated like a puppet on a string. But there was no time to dwell.

With a resigned sigh, Master Raven dropped her phone onto the seat beside her, sinking back into the worn fabric. She closed her eyes, letting the constant clanking of the train's wheels on the metal tracks lull her into a temporary peace. Outside, the wind howled and battered against the windows. Siberia's chill pressed against the train walls, but still inside. The faint, steady rock of the train seemed to settle her for a moment, like the rhythmic heart pulse—steady, constant. It was the only thing that made sense right now.

The quiet's brief sanctuary allowed Master Raven to give a small, fragile smile. It was fleeting but genuine, and for the first time in ages, she had felt something other than anger or pain—a strange satisfaction that perhaps she had something else to hold onto.

But the moment shattered as quickly as it had appeared.

Her smile faltered, and her body went limp. The weight of exhaustion—an emotional, physical, and psychological toll—finally overcame her. The train's rocking motion lulled her into unconsciousness, her body sinking into the worn seat, her muscles too fatigued to fight it any longer.

Master Raven slipped into a death-like stillness, her mind finally succumbing to the peace of an unconscious void. For once, her thoughts didn't torment her. The false realities, fears, and haunting whispers of everything she couldn't escape fell silent, their sharp edges dulled by the thick, dark curtain of sleep.

In the train's infinite quiet, Master Raven was at last free, even if only until her arrival.

Chapter 21: Unease

October 12; Tokyo, Japan; 12:37 A.M. Tuesday [Day 3] - Mishima Zaibatsu Ground Level Vehicle Deployment Base:

Boots struck the polished floor like gunshots—sharp, furious, and unrelenting. The thunder of Zoey's approach filled the chamber, each step ringing with raw fury. Before her, a formation of Tekken Force soldiers stood ramrod straight, their faces a mask of discipline as their Commander bore down on them.

She was an imposing figure, tall and carved from fire and steel, clad in sleek black armor accented with blood-red trim. Her silver hair tumbled past her shoulders like a war banner, starkly contrasting the storm brewing in her deep-set brown eyes. Her helmet dangled from one clutched hand as she paced the floor like a panther preparing to strike.

She halted mid-step, her voice cutting through the air like a blade.

"I want this entire place on lockdown. From now on, not a single soul gets in—or out. And if someone so much as looks out of a window without my say-so, I'll personally put them through it. Got it?"

「はい、ゾーイ中佐！」 [Yes, Commander Zoey!]

"Then quit standing there like statues and move your asses!"

The room burst into action. Boots scattered, weapons clattered, and orders flew as soldiers rushed to their posts, forming a living shield of metal and loyalty around the perimeter.

Zoey growled low in her throat, pulling her phone from a secure pouch on her thigh. Her gaze sharpened as it landed on a particular name in her contact list. Her jaw clenched, but duty demanded her focus. She slipped the device away and stalked toward the elevator, two guards in tow.

The car rose with a mechanical whir, the silence between the trio thick with tension. When the doors opened, they stepped into the nerve center of Zaibatsu's operations—a sprawling office bathed in pale blue light. Holographic displays floated midair, camera feeds flickering and rotating on the projection table like ghostly sentinels. Technicians and soldiers hovered around the displays, fingers dancing over controls.

One spoke up, voice steady but grim. "The deceased male's body wasn't far from Toby Greene—alias 'The Mechanic'—bound to his vehicle."

Zoey's head jerked toward the wall of screens. There, among the shifting images, a female reporter's somber tone filled the air. Behind her, the mangled corpse of Haruto flickered into view.

"Last night, police identified the body as the infamous former Commander Crow. Haruto Iketamo was killed by an unidentified criminal who intercepted Toby's convoy before vanishing from Perth—"

"What!?" Zoey snarled.

Rage flared across her face like lightning. She stabbed at her phone, selecting a contact labeled N. Williams.

Ring.

Ring.

"Zoey..." came the cool and detached voice, like black ice. "Is there a particular reason why you're calling me?"

Zoey's grip on the phone trembled with fury. Her armor creaked from the force of her tightening muscles.

"Don't play dumb, Nina!" she barked. "My mentor's dead—and the last time I checked, he was tailing your ass!"

"It wasn't my fault," Nina snapped coldly. "Blame the bastard who kicked this whole thing off. Haruto would still be alive if Aron had listened to me."

Zoey's tone dropped, venomous. "Who killed him?"

"A ninja who calls herself Master Raven. But—"

"You're lucky I can't shove my foot up your ass through this screen," Zoey spat. "I'm sending my men after Aron. You and your little science buddy are next."

"You think it's that easy?"

Crack.

The screen began to splinter under Zoey's grip. She could hear and feel that smug smirk behind Nina's voice.

"Aron will cut your men down if she doesn't get to them f—"

"SHUT UP!" Zoey's roar silenced the room, even through the call. "You and that Doc of yours will get a wake-up call you'll never forget."

Beep.

She ended the call, her breaths shallow and ragged. A growl simmered in her throat as she jabbed a finger against the comm device in her ear.

"Deploy Team Crow Q8-41. If you don't take Aron's damn head and put some new scars on Nina, don't bother coming back."

「理解した。」[Understood.]

Fists curled tight, the groan of leather gloves echoing softly as Zoey's armored fingers flexed. Her dark brows furrowed like storm clouds rolling in.

"They better come back with his blood on their boots," she muttered. "Or I'll paint the walls with theirs."

---

Sydney, Australia; UN HQ [Underground Lounge]:

Raven leaned forward, bracing his forearms on the cold edges of the metal console. The holographic screen flickered in shades of blue and gray, casting harsh shadows across his sharp features. His eyes, dark and unblinking, were locked on the footage playing before him—a slow-motion car crash of regret and chaos. The news report droned on, each word another cut to the gut.

The anchor's voice buzzed like static against his ears, polished and emotionless.

"Police are still recovering bodies along Rueburn Highway after the catastrophic bridge explosion—most of the deceased confirmed to be heavily armed mercenaries and illegal street racers. Sources say the security footage was only partially recovered from the black boxes on-site—"

The screen's glow reflected off Raven's furrowed brow. His jaw locked tight, the muscles twitching like a man barely withholding a scream. He didn't blink or move but just watched—as if staring long enough would rewind the past and erase the wreckage Master Raven left in her wake.

"Raven."

The voice came softly from behind.

His head turned slightly, enough to catch Ralin standing in the doorway at the corner of his eye, hesitant, like an unsure shadow of its place in the light. Her voice was gentle, dipped in concerned restraint. She knew better than to interrupt him when he needed silence; his soul demanded stillness. A heavy, fur-lined trench coat and a dark wool cap filled her arms—the uniform of someone about to step into a cold reckoning.

"The jet's ready," Ralin announced quietly. "We can leave whenever."

Raven exhaled through his nose, a low growl caught between frustration and fatigue. His eyes returned to the screen. A new image flared to life—a young, sharp police officer with cropped blonde hair and pale, metallic eyes addressed the media with sterile efficiency.

"The cargo recovered from the scene included illegal vehicle mods, prototype military weapons, and an estimated five million dollars worth of uncut cocaine. We—"

The screen suddenly cut to black, a single white letter blazing.

X

Raven's eyes narrowed, the quiet crackle of static filling the room. "What the hell...?"

Then came the words.

Don't remember me, Raven?

His shoulders stiffened, unrelated to the chill in his spine. "Xeon... What do you want?"

Nothing worth the police's attention. I've seen the fight.

"Get to the point," Raven spat through clenched teeth, his voice low and razor-edged.

Let's chat at Cargo's Car Wash, and feel free to bring your group. But if I smell soldiers, you'll only catch my shadow.

He stared at the screen as the message burned in. "We need to get Victor."

Ralin blinked, caught off guard. "You're serious?"

I'll be waiting.

The words lingered on the screen for a heartbeat before vanishing into nothingness. Raven stood slowly, the chair sliding back with a metallic scrape as he headed toward the door without a word.

Ralin was quick to follow, clutching the coat tighter. "Wait..." Her voice was just above a whisper. "We're not seriously going to—"

Raven was already gone, his footsteps echoing down the hall like the distant thunder of an oncoming storm.

---

Cargo's Car Wash:

The agents exchanged wary glances as they stepped through the open door of what was once a heavily patrolled, long-abandoned car wash. Its entrance stood slightly ajar in an ominous invitation. There were no signs of forced entry, broken locks, or shattered glass. One subtle trace left behind was a single set of boot prints tracked across the dusty tile, painted in ghostly white.

Xeon's signature.

Ralin cocked her head, speaking with disbelief. "This dude serious?"

Raven didn't respond, his silence louder than words. He moved forward with the focused calm of a man walking into a minefield, boots tapping softly on the concrete. The others followed him down a narrow, dimly lit staircase. The flickering overhead bulb cast jittery shadows against the walls.

As they reached the bottom, their eyes widened.

The hidden room below was like stepping into a fever dream of organized chaos—equal parts garage, armory, and war shrine. Four neon-red light strips lined the ceiling and floor, bathing everything in a hellish glow. Chains hung from above like metallic vines, each holding pieces of stolen Mishima Zaibatsu and G-Corporation weaponry—grenade launchers, plasma rifles, and tech that wasn't supposed to exist outside a lab.

Like a crown jewel of criminal craftsmanship, an armored vehicle sat at the center of it all—tall and broad, plated with matte black steel and lit by pulsing neon panels. Twin automatic turrets rested on either side, lazily aimed toward the intruders, like wolves baring their fangs. The interior? Lined with rich crimson leather and blue contrast stitching, tailored with unsettling care.

And sitting atop the hood with a casual, unbothered air was Xeon.

His wool-lined aviator jacket hung unzipped, revealing a black turtleneck beneath. The usual tech wear draped his lean frame—neon-strapped joggers and sleek, glowing black shoes that pulsed with soft light like a walking signal flare. He scrolled idly on his phone, not looking up as he spoke.

"Raven," he greeted with digital distortion—but this time, the grin behind it was naked. "Glad you listened."

Raven stepped forward without flinching. "Never thought we'd run into each other again after all these years. What do you want?"

Xeon's grin faded into something unreadable as he slipped the phone away. His voice leveled into that cold, disarming monotone again. "Nice to see you too. I don't want anything. But let's not pretend you aren't curious. Your crew looks a bit trigger-happy."

Victor took a bold step toward him. "And what makes you think this time will end differently for you?"

Xeon laughed, low and throaty, before hopping down from the hood in one fluid motion. He approached Victor, stopping just shy of him, close enough to invade his space but not provoke it.

"Because, old man," Xeon tilted his head. "I'm the sole connection to your rogue agent with the inside scoop on Aron and the Silent Assassin."

Victor's jaw flexed, his teeth grinding beneath a rising grimace. Xeon hadn't threatened him outright, but every word he spoke felt like a sharpened insult, dipped in truth and twisted into the gut.

"You take me in, and I go mute," Xeon continued, voice soft as silk. "You need me."

Victor inhaled slowly through his nose, holding the tension like a coiled spring. "Then what's the point of luring us here?"

Xeon's smile widened as he spun on his heel and strutted back to the truck, leaning both arms onto the hood like he was setting up a poker hand. "Master Raven's on her way to Serbia. You can thank me later for that tidbit. I've been helping her 'clean up' after The Mechanic, but kept my distance to help when needed. Work with me, and I'll ensure your communication lines to her stay secure. Therefore, everyone gets what they want."

Raven's eyes narrowed, unreadable. "Generous..."

"And I'll give you Aron's exact location... when needed."

Kevon's voice cut in, suspicious as Emani gripped his hand. "Why not now? Our child needs us."

Xeon's gaze flicked to him. "Because ninjas are notorious for stabbing the messenger. Obtain what you need, then vanish like smoke. You'll get your info, just not yet."

He ran a single finger across the truck's grille, circled the headlight lazily, snapped the driver-side door open, and slipped into the cockpit.

Vrrrrr!

The engine purred awake like a panther, its deep growl echoing through the chamber. Inside, the vehicle came alive—the dark dashboard flaring with a dizzying array of weapon controls and encrypted interfaces.

"Remember one thing," Xeon's voice echoed again.

The lights shut off as the engine roared.

Then, silence.

A heartbeat later, the lights flickered back on, the vehicle no longer present. A red dot blinked overhead. The agents turned to look up—a single camera, mounted directly in the center of the ceiling, now focused on them.

Stay where I can see you.

The lens zoomed in slightly, its mechanical hum like a watchful breath.

I'll be in touch.

Ralin scoffed, arms crossed. "Another blind spot."

Raven didn't move but kept his gaze on the lens, eyes like stone. "Not entirely. Xeon's not playing games but leveling the board."

---

Xeon pulled back the lever with a sharp, mechanical click, the hum of the armored truck deepening as the vehicle surged through the subterranean tunnel. The walls around him blurred into dark, weathered concrete stitched with cracks and graffiti lost to time. His fingers curled lightly around the matte-black steering wheel, his movements smooth and practiced—like a conductor guiding a symphony of speed and steel.

The truck's piercing white headlights sliced through the darkness, devouring the shadows ahead as the tunnel stretched onward, endless, silent, and unnervingly still, save for the tires' rhythmic hum gliding over the worn pavement.

With a swift twist of his wrist, Xeon turned a dial on the console between the driver and passenger seat. A low beep acknowledged the command.

The seat eased back a few inches as the vehicle transitioned into autopilot mode. Xeon exhaled and sank into the high-backed chair, the tension in his spine slowly unraveling. The dashboard light's soft glow bathed his face in faint neon hues—blue, green, red—pulsing like a heartbeat in sync with the engine.

From his jacket pocket, he produced a matte-black USB drive, no labels, no markings—just a phantom of secrets. He slid it into a port beneath the central monitor. A series of rapid taps followed as his fingers danced across the holographic keyboard, typing in a password with surgical precision. The interface flickered, then revealed a contact labeled 'Mentor'.

He reached to compose a message, but the contact rang before he could type a word.

Then, the voice—cold, precise, unmistakably familiar—filled the cabin, echoing from the truck's integrated radio.

"Xeon."

The usual razor-edged menace beneath the voice was absent this time, replaced by something subdued. Calmer. Yet that serenity was laced with unease like a blade sheathed but never far from being drawn.

"I made contact with the agents," Xeon said, staring ahead into the murk of the tunnel. "I'm en route."

"Good, good. I need to speak with you anyway."

There was a pause, short but weighted.

"You alright?" Xeon asked, his voice sharp with suspicion. "You sound... off."

"Perhaps a bit... apprehensive. I'll be fine soon enough. Just remember to use the back road. The main entrance is under surveillance."

Xeon nodded once, his eyes narrowing. "Of course."

Beep.

The line cut, and a cold, complete silence returned.

Xeon reached above and flipped a row of toggles on the overhead panel. One by one, the mounted weapons receded with mechanical clanks and clicks, tucking themselves beneath layers of reinforced plating, hidden, waiting.

Fingers returned to the wheel as the Autopilot disengaged.

The truck jerked as Xeon took control, his muscles tensing with the weight of the road ahead. His gaze narrowed, and his jaw tightened.

"One last time," he muttered, voice low, almost a whisper of a prayer—or a warning.

"One last time."

---

Siberia, Russia - 1:44 A.M.:

CLI-CLANK!

A sudden metallic crash startled Master Raven from her slumber. The muffled cacophony of boots pounding against steel and urgent voices barking orders seeped through the train's thin walls. Her eyes snapped open, instantly alert. Russian soldiers were conducting a sweep, their firearms ready to detain or eliminate any unauthorized passengers.

She swiftly retrieved her phone and moved towards the carriage's rear, her movements silent and calculated. Carelessly left on a seat that caught her eye was a thick fur coat. Master Raven donned its heavy fabric to conceal her form before exiting through the back door, merging seamlessly with a crowd of disembarking pedestrians. Her hands reached up to untie her ponytail, her hair cascading freely. A woolen hat was pulled low over her brow, shadowing her features. The city's chaos muffled behind her as she slipped into a dimly lit alley.

Bzzt.

A sudden jolt surged through Master Raven's head, eliciting a sharp inhale with momentarily blurred vision. She staggered as her shoulder collided against the cold, damp wall. Her body trembled, not from fear but from a rising, uncontrollable anger that bubbled within her, threatening to erupt. Her hand clenched into a fist, the leather of her glove creaking under strain.

A wicked grin slowly spread across her face, accompanied by a low, mirthless chuckle. "Fuck..."

"Feels nice, doesn't it?"

That disembodied voice taunted her mind. Master Raven drew a shallow breath, striving to center herself amidst the internal chaos. The ringing in her ears intensified before gradually fading, replaced by the city's ambient sounds—crunching snow underfoot, distant conversations, and her own heartbeat.

"F-focus..."

The laughter persisted, mocking.

"Focus..."

A fist slowly unclenched as eyes opened to reveal a renewed determination. The right eye glowed faintly red, a manifestation of inner turmoil.

Master Raven knelt to remove her armored pauldrons and placed them into a duffle bag. The fur coat adjusted to conceal her suit beneath. With the bag over her shoulder, she exited the alley while scanning the slush-covered streets. Her gaze searched for familiar markers—claw scratches on lampposts, brick walls, or shop windows. Each snow step felt like an eternity until she spotted three slashes on a lamppost. She paused, analyzing the direction they indicated. The marks curved around the post, pointing across the street.

Following the trail, Master Raven observed the scratches leading to a dilapidated shop adorned with broken windows, shattered glass, and splashes of white and red paint. Inside, dusty tools lay abandoned on a wooden table, accompanied by counterfeit blueprints. Her gloved hand traced the jagged edges of the window frame, feeling the remnants of past battles.

"Odd place to set up..." she murmured, stepping through the shattered window.

Crick.

Venturing deeper into the shop, a faint bar of light emerged, revealing a hidden doorway. Instead of a traditional scanner, a holographic password panel materialized beside it. Master Raven's fingers hovered over the panel.

"Three important dates Dad remembered the most..."

She input the date of his wedding.

Beep.

Beep.

Cli-Clink.

The door opened silently after granting entry. Once inside, it sealed shut, plunging the shop back into darkness. A metal elevator ascended, its dim shaft casting elongated shadows. With a soft chime, the doors parted, revealing a narrow hallway lined with polished stone.

The air was crisp, tinged with the scent of oiled metal and aged wood. At the corridor's end, a spacious rooftop quarter unfolded. Dark bamboo floors contrasted against cool stone walls. To the left, a modest bed nestled within a small alcove, accompanied by a bedside table and lamp. A weapons rack bristling with firearms and blades was built into the nearby wall. Above a sturdy desk was a large pinned map of Siberia, its edges slightly curled. Further down, two closed doors hinted at additional rooms. Dominating one wall was a sleek, high-tech console flanked by glowing monitors, their soft hum filling the space. Opposite, a tinted glass wall offered a panoramic view of the city, its snow-covered expanse stretching towards the ocean.

Master Raven dropped her duffle bag and removed the fur coat before her figure sank onto the bed. Her eyes, still tinged with red, stared at the floor as each hand raked through her frizzed braids, grappling with the bloodlust threatening to consume her.

"I need a plan..." she hissed through clenched teeth, fighting the coiled tension within her muscles.

---

Raven Unit Stealth Jet:

Raven exhaled slowly, the breath dragging through his throat like smoke from a dying fire. He sank into the chair, but stubborn and knotted tension clung to his frame and shoulders. His jaw flexed, a reflex he barely noticed anymore. Across from him, the others waited—watching, weighing, wanting answers.

But his mind was still haunted by the conversation with Xeon.

Victor remained unusually quiet, his fingers interlaced with an expression of a still pool of thought. The weight of uncertainty clung like a cloak, already working the angles of a crafted plan without the most critical piece: Master Raven's location.

Kevon leaned back, folding his arms with a frown, his tone laced with forced nonchalance. "Didn't know you had shady friends, Raven."

Raven's eyes lifted slowly, glinting with cold restraint. "That's no friend of mine." He paused with a hardened gaze. "We have a complicated history. I don't usually struggle to imprison criminals. But Xeon is no mere individual. More elusive than Aron and more calculating than Nina."

Ralin's brows lifted, curiosity wrapped in suspicion. "Is there anything we should know about him besides the fact he's a first-class asshole?"

Raven's mouth curled in a wry, bitter smile. "Only that attacking him ends with him slipping through your fingers. Xeon isn't the strongest fighter, but a master tactician, always two steps ahead with a contingency plan stashed away. He's evolved over the years—just like I have."

Annoyance swept across Ralin's face like a storm cloud. "And I'm the one who gets side-eyed in this group? Meanwhile, you've been rubbing elbows with a would-be kingpin in a helmet? Unreal."

Kevon sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "So, we're supposed to wait until he decides to contact us again?"

"Pretty much," Raven confirmed, voice flat. "From what we gathered in Australia, Xeon's not merely freelancing. He's building a network or a throne while vying for the necessary territory and leverage. If he's aiming for kingpin status, he won't stop until he earns or steals the title."

Emani frowned, her hands clasped in front of her, voice calm but tinged with unease. "None of this adds up. This Xeon doesn't seem interested in money. He helped Tatyana take out The Mechanic, and he's now trading information for distance? Running messages to Ty like some middleman?"

Raven's voice dropped, heavy with implication. "That's what makes him dangerous. Xeon isn't chasing a typical prize. He's after something we haven't seen."

"Yet," Ralin muttered, crossing her arms. "Well, I don't like killers who wear masks. That helmet of his? Screams skeletons in the closet. Big, ugly ones."

Kevon groaned, nearly plugging his ears in exaggerated frustration, while Emani let out a soft, knowing chuckle. It was a shallow observation, sure—but Ralin wasn't wrong. People wore masks for a reason, and rarely a good one.

Raven slid his sunglasses off with a tired hand, rubbing the bridge of his nose. His eyes wandered out the window beside Ralin. A dark sky greeted him—black velvet with barely a silver sliver to break its monotony. Just a few scattered stars above a world caught in shadow.

His voice was low, almost to himself. "As long as we work with Xeon, he won't be our problem. He's sitting back to play the long game. That tells me he's more focused on whatever's behind the curtain than what's right in front of us."

Ralin tapped her boot against the floor, frustration brimming beneath her words. "Fine. But that doesn't help us when we're blind and standing still. All we've got are half-fogged footprints and a guy who looks like he walked out of a bad sci-fi reboot. Feels like we've lost momentum since two days ago."

Emani's voice was calm but firm. "Patience, Li."

"Patience can kiss my boots," Ralin scoffed. "Ty's in danger—and we're wasting time spinning in circles."

Kevon exhaled, long and slow, a heavy sigh that carried everyone's weight. The silence that followed was not empty but full of fear, doubt, weariness, and a spark of something else.

A quiet but present conviction.

---

Siberia – Unknown Location:

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

The muffled rhythm echoed like a heartbeat beneath the floorboards, a grim reminder that time was marching on.

Aron rose from behind his semi-circular desk, its surface illuminated by an arc of glowing monitors displaying satellite feeds and real-time security footage. His silhouette cut clean against the flickering light as he smoothed his tie, each motion deliberate, almost ritualistic. The room around him was vast and sterile, the air oddly warm and welcoming despite the undertone of something clinical beneath. The space, cloaked in shadows but pristine, resembled a chapel converted into a laboratory.

A sleek glass table stood untouched near the center as if it existed more for performance than use. Off to the left, a surgical suite gleamed behind a translucent sliding door—an operating table, gleaming tools laid in perfect order, and a high-tech console pulsing softly like a sleeping machine. The metallic scent of antiseptic lingered faintly beneath the more inviting aroma of something sweet and savory wafting from the kitchenette nestled in the far-right corner.

Against one wall, a workbench bore several silver blades in various stages of refinement. The hum of a slow-turning sanding belt buzzed faintly in the silence beside an open, velvet-lined weapons case of Aron's collection—his favorites, glinting coldly like museum relics. Near the workbench stood a single locked door, discreet but deliberate in its message: Secrets lingered here.

Ding.

Aron didn't flinch as the sound rang out from a hidden elevator. He slipped his gloved hands into the pockets of a black aviator coat, the white fur collar rustling as he rolled his shoulders with almost feline grace.

"Ah, Xeon," Aron said with a pleasant, measured cadence. His smile was warm, and his voice welcoming—too welcoming. I'm glad you made it promptly."

"Yeah..." Xeon muttered, stepping through the threshold. His helmet tilted as he constantly scanned the room, always calculating. His gaze landed on the table where several items awaited him: a sleek black case with dual flip-locks, a red envelope sealed with white wax, a vial of medicated eye drops, and a teapot gently steaming beside a single glass of ice.

"Teach, what—?"

"Now's not the time, Z.D." Aron interrupted gently, both hands resting on his former student's shoulders. His touch was strangely fatherly, though tension coiled in his fingers. "I don't have long—and neither do you, I suspect—before I begin my descent again. Please. Sit."

His words were heavy, not final, but something close.

Xeon hesitated before sinking into the chair. The moment carried the quiet ache of a farewell neither was ready to name. Beneath the synthetic layers of his armor, his chest tightened. This meeting felt like the last time they would see each other.

Aron patted his shoulder once, then asked, "Have you eaten?"

"No," Xeon replied quietly. "But I'm not—"

"Nonsense." Aron's tone grew brighter, though his eyes flickered with that same haunting intensity they always had—serene but mad. "You're my guest, whom I take care of."

Xeon's gloved hand curled into a trembling fist beneath the table. There was confusion there, hurt laced with anger. His mentor was talking like a host at a dinner party, as if nothing seemed broken between them.

"Aron—"

"I'm not arguing with you, Z." Aron turned his back, strolling toward the kitchen.

Xeon exhaled, annoyed but too weary to resist further. The silence between them grew deep, filled only by the soft piano notes and rainfall drifting from the speakers, melancholic, like a memory you couldn't shake. The kettle whistled gently. Time again, felt like it was slipping through unseen cracks.

"Aron…" Xeon murmured, tapping his gloved finger on the table. His head hung low. He finally said what had haunted him for months or years.

"Why can't you just... turn yourself in?"

Aron returned, balancing a steaming bowl of soba noodles and a crystal glass filled with clinking ice. His smile hadn't faded, but the kindness in it was too perfect—it didn't reach the cold glint in his eyes. His teeth, sharp and unnaturally white, flashed when he spoke.

"Even if I surrendered, Z.D., they'd execute me. You know that. I've gone too far for forgiveness." He placed the bowl before his student, the scent of miso and sesame oil rising in soft waves. "But... there's still hope for you."

Xeon opened his mouth, but Aron cut him off.

"Please," he said gently but firmly. "Eat."

The younger man obeyed, slowly raising his hands to his helmet.

Beep.

Beep.

The lights dimmed, casting the room in shadows once again. The hiss of the airlock sealed behind Xeon, and he lifted the helmet from his head. His pale, ghostlike eyes blinked against the soft light, rimmed with raw redness. The veins webbed like cracks in porcelain—scars of neglect, of pushing too far too often.

Aron scowled. "I gave you medicated drops made specifically for your condition, and you still refuse to use them."

Xeon shrugged, picking up the chopsticks. "I've got bigger problems than my damn eyes."

"As always," Aron muttered, studying Xeon a beat longer before tilting his head. "The painkillers stopped working, didn't they?"

Xeon didn't answer and just slurped the noodles with mechanical efficiency. His expression darkened with every bite. Despite the years that had passed, his mentor still read him like a journal left open on a desk.

Lowering the empty bowl, Xeon wiped his mouth on his sleeve. "I stopped taking them. Figured there's no point. Wouldn't mind if my eyes rotted out of my skull."

"That can be arranged."

"Don't." Xeon's voice hardened. "I trust you, but not enough to let you do that."

Aron laughed—a low, amused chuckle. "Another possible arrangement."

Xeon didn't laugh. His silence was icy, and yet Aron seemed unaffected.

"Relax, Z," Aron said, pouring tea into the glass of ice. The hiss and clink of liquid hitting frozen cubes echoed in the quiet. His hands, precise as always, made the pour look like a work of art. He slid the glass across the table.

Xeon caught it and blinked once more, his tired eyes unfocused, staring not at the tea but through it. The ice shifting in the glass filled his ears, a subtle, haunting rattle like bones in a box.

Aron raised his cup in a small, sardonic toast. "To your legacy."

Xeon took a sip, his voice dry and hoarse. "Houjicha... Haven't had this in years."

Aron smiled faintly. "Some things never change."

But each knew everything had.

---

Years Ago:

Steam rose in curling tendrils from a clay teacup held between weathered, calloused hands. The old man's posture was relaxed, yet precise—like a coiled spring tempered by time. His deep brown eyes, aged with wisdom and years of combat, stared into the liquid with quiet reverence.

"Listen closely, young one," Ikezami said, voice a low hum like a gentle wind through bamboo. "Tea is a part of martial arts, too. Better than coffee by far. Coffee rushes the soul—tea grounds it. Coffee is for the ones who chase time. Tea is for those who understand it."

A young Xeon sat cross-legged before him, wide-eyed and still, watching every movement with a disciple's devotion. The sea shimmered in the cup-like liquid amber, tiny ripples moving with the world's breath.

"Calm... slow..." Ikezami whispered as if speaking to the tea itself.

Then he rose.

Without spilling a single drop, the old master slid fluidly into a kata—Wing Chun forms etched into every graceful motion. His limbs flowed like water, one hand after another guiding the energy outward—a slow spin and shift in weight.

"Tah!"

He landed in a squat, one leg extended like a crane at rest, arms poised: one splayed open, the other holding the teacup perfectly level.

"Calm..."

---

"...Like the tea. Flowing like water," Xeon uttered in remembrance before his voice grew quieter. "You know, I've never been able to kill with my bare hands, only with a weapon. Doing it bare felt like a disgrace, like betraying Ikezami's teachings."

"But killing is—"

"Don't." Xeon's tone sharpened, unexpectedly cold. "You don't get to decide what's righteous. You're not that kind of man."

Aron stood, the old memory clinging to the edges of his mind like smoke. He unsheathed his bone-handled knife, spinning it deftly before resting a finger on its point.

"Maybe not," he said, voice quiet. "But we all have our truths and justifications. You know that better than most."

Xeon's face contorted, disappointment and anguish bleeding through the tough assassin exterior. "Yeah... I just don't get it anymore."

His breath hitched. Tears swelled in those broken, blood-tinged eyes—raw, unfiltered pain flooding through cracks he'd spent years patching.

"Why, Teach?" his voice broke. "You're the only one I've got left. If I lose you too—"

He surged to his feet, the chair crashing behind him as he paced in a tight half-circle, dragging a gloved hand down his face like he could scrape away the emotion.

"Fuck. If only this were simple."

Aron approached slowly, placing the knife gently on the table before stepping closer. His voice softened—not the voice of the killer, but the man who once raised a broken boy in the art of survival.

"Xeon... a simple life won't undo the past. Simplicity doesn't absolve us—it only hides the truth. And the truth is it's better this way."

"How?!" Xeon snapped, spinning to face him, his eyes red and streaming.

"How is this better?!" he shouted. "I already lost my family before you! I killed my biological father! And now someone's going to kill you! You're all I've got left, Aron! You're my last—my only—goddamn family!"

Without warning, Aron pulled him into an embrace. Strong. Firm. Final. His arms wrapped around the younger man with the warmth of someone trying to delay the inevitable.

"I know," he whispered. "I know it's hard. And it feels like the world's caving in. But it's not over."

Xeon clung to him like a lifeline, tightly squeezing as if to let him stay. Yet even in that closeness, Aron felt like smoke in his hands—slipping away.

"Let me fix this," Xeon pleaded. "We can figure something out. I can—"

Aron gently pulled back, resting both hands on his student's shoulders. His purple eyes, unusually soft, glowed dimly with something other than madness—love, maybe, or resignation.

"There's no fixing this, Z. My path's carved in stone. But yours is still unwritten. One day, you'll find real family again. And when you do, hold onto them and take that second chance."

"I... I don't know if I can."

"You will. And you'll remember my lessons. Not just the ones with blades, but the ones over tea."

Xeon exhaled, shaky but grounding himself while giving a short nod.

"Now," Aron said, the ghost of a grin returning. "Let's ensure your cursed eyes don't rot out of your head."

The assassin chuckled through the tears, returning to his seat. Aron retrieved the eye drops and knelt, carefully tilting Xeon's head back.—adrop, then another. The sting hit instantly. Xeon winced, jaw tightening, body tensing as the burn spread.

"You wouldn't feel this much pain if you cared for yourself," Aron muttered.

"I know..." Xeon breathed, eyes watering again.

Aron set the bottle down. "Two drops every three hours today. Then morning and night after that."

Xeon wiped his face, blinking as the red hue dulled slightly. Without another word, he replaced his helmet.

Beep.

Beep.

The lights in the visor blinked on, painting the world in green hues once more.

Xeon's voice returned, distant behind the mask. "What's the box?"

Aron almost smiled, gathering the envelope, the case, and the sealed box. He handed them over with careful hands.

"The letter's for my brother, and most of the box is his. I left a few things for you as well. Don't open it until you're at your next safe point."

Xeon nodded. "Right."

"Live well, Z.D.," Aron said softly, pulling him into one final hug.

"Will do, Teach," Xeon replied. He stepped back, clutching the items as if they were precious cargo.

Aron sat again at the table, staring at the knife before him. His fingers tapped rhythmically.

"Welcome to your life..."

His voice cracked, low and hollow.

"...There's no turning back."

A hand covered his face. His shoulders shook, sobs caught between laughter and agony.

"Even while we sleep..." he whispered. Then he laughed—unhinged, spiraling.

"...We will find you."

His eyes shimmered brighter, bloodlust rising like a tide.

"Acting on your best behavior..."

The chuckle warped into a maniacal cackle.

"Turn your back on Mother Nature..."

Xeon glanced over his shoulder one last time, the sound of Aron's madness chasing him through the cold. A weight pushed on his shoulders, and his lungs were tight with regret.

"So long, Teach," he whispered.

The assassin climbed into the armored vehicle, setting the box and letter on the passenger seat. As he drove away into the swirling snowfall, the Hospital behind him was swallowed by the thick fog, just like the past.

Just like Aron.

---

Techcrov Avenue – Chevalier Mansion:

The door creaked open under the weight of silence as Raven stepped into the grand, cold halls of the Chevalier Mansion. No warm greetings. No idle chatter. Just the soft echo of his boots against the marble floor.

He dropped his bags unceremoniously near the entryway, ignoring the others as they disappeared into their respective rooms. He had no time for rest. No patience for comfort. Not tonight.

With urgency bordering on obsession, Raven stormed into the war room and activated the central terminal. The glow of screens flickered across his sharp features as he sifted through layers of encrypted data and black-site intelligence.

Xeon.

Every search returned the same useless fragments. Scraps of headlines. Grainy, low-resolution footage. An alleged prison break in Africa—some whispers about the assassination of a deposed Congolese president. All speculation with no names, paper trails, or facts.

Raven's lip curled into a snarl, and his hands gripped the desk hard enough to whiten his knuckles. He let out a low and guttural growl. Xeon was a mythical ghost, and Raven hated myths.

Beep.

Beep.

His head snapped up as Victor's earpiece buzzed with life. The older man pressed it in, answering with sharp efficiency. "Dwight," he greeted plainly.

A voice crackled through, tense and sharp. "What's the status of Master Raven? All I'm seeing are fresh headlines of more massacres across Australia. And still no control."

Victor exhaled slowly, folding his arms behind his back like a general losing faith in his troops but not yet ready to surrender. "We're working on it. She relocated before we could bring her in. We're tracking her deep in Siberia. But we'll need confirmation from a contact aligning with Master Raven."

"You're forming alliances with known criminals now? Victor, this isn't the time to cut deals in the shadows!"

Victor's voice turned to steel. "Believe me, Dwight. I'm well aware. But if we act too soon, we risk turning a bad situation into a global catastrophe."

"We're already out of time!"

"I know," Victor snapped back, temper bubbling beneath his usually level tone. Then, quieter, "We'll handle it soon enough."

"When this is over, Red returns to the safe house. And you and I are having a long-overdue conversation about your people."

"Understood," Victor said curtly. "Victor out."

Beep.

The call cut, leaving the room colder than before.

Victor released a slow and long breath, dragging a hand through his thick silver hair. His mind searched for clarity in a maze of bad options. Nothing but static and dusty protocols emerged, proper or sufficient.

Again, they were blind. Again, they were left grasping at shadows.

He turned to the silent figure still staring into the digital abyss.

"Raven," Victor said, his voice level. "Is there any way we can get in contact with Xeon?"

The younger man said nothing at first. His jaw clenched. His eyes narrowed. Then, with a tired breath, he shook his head. "No."

Victor's expression soured. "Great," he muttered, more to himself than anyone.

The war room fell into silence, broken only by the machinery's soft whirr and the data screens' flickering hum, each failing to illuminate the ghosts they hunted.

---

Yakutsk Military Base – Arctic Snowfall:

The wind howled like a wounded animal, dragging sheets of snow across the weather-beaten outpost nestled in the frostbitten bones of Siberia. The Yakutsk Military Base stood as a silent monolith, its gray steel and ice blending under the weight of the Arctic sky. Soldiers moved like ghosts between war machines, their breaths visible, their fingers stiff beneath layers of frostbitten gloves.

Dragunov stood atop the metal scaffold, overlooking the vehicle yard with gloved hands clasped behind his back. The faint crunch of snow beneath booted feet and the rhythmic clank of tools echoed below, where what remained of the Mechanic's men worked on upgrading armored transports—retrofitting them with cutting-edge tech and brutal modifications.

Tap.

Tap.

The sharp footfalls behind him were deliberate, designed to provoke. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The air itself seemed to tense.

Dragunov growled low in his throat, casting a glance over his shoulder.

"Can it, Dragunov," came the biting retort, the voice sharp enough to cut glass.

Nina Williams stood with her TrackingPoint sniper rifle resting casually on one shoulder, blonde hair whipping in the frigid wind. She pulled back the bolt with a metallic clack, ejecting a spent casing from the chamber.

Tink.

The brass shell bounced once on the steel floor before stopping between them, glowing faintly against the cold steel.

Nina narrowed her eyes, venom coating each of her words. "Master Raven's been busy tearing down my network. She's weakened and vulnerable. All I need is one clean shot, and you know I don't miss."

Dragunov didn't answer, but didn't need to. His eyes said everything—flat, unreadable, but razor sharp.

The translator beside him cleared his throat, stepping forward with practiced diplomacy. "We had a precise plan that did not account for your pet demon's interference. Devil Jin's arrival has thrown everything into chaos. If you want something done right, Ms. Williams, perhaps you should see it through without dragging the rest of us into the fire."

Nina's lips pulled back in a quiet snarl. "We have a narrow window to end this. She's off balance, so we should take the shot while it's there."

Dragunov turned away, his long coat billowing as the wind rose again. He moved without a word, descending the steps with silent finality.

The translator followed, delivering the last word over his shoulder: "We'll speak again after Aron is out of the picture."

Left alone on the platform, Nina let out a bitter exhale, the vapor curling around her like smoke from a dying fire.

"Fine," she muttered, eyes locked on the horizon. "But don't say I didn't warn you if this falls apart."

She glanced down at the sniper in her hands—the cold metal already yearning for a trigger pull.

And the storm raged on.

---

Tekken Force Tactical Stealth Jet – Armored Cabin, High Altitude Over Siberia:

The whine of the engines was a low growl beneath the reinforced hull, muffled further by layers of insulated plating. In the jet's armored cabin, rows of steel-eyed soldiers sat silently. Their breath, fingers clenched around matte-black rifles, fogged slightly against the filtered air. Every man was still, coiled like a spring, waiting for the moment to strike.

The hiss of shifting wind outside scratched faintly at the hull, but inside, only the ambient hum of systems and the electric tension of men trained to kill.

Suddenly, a flicker on the cockpit's comms snapped the silence.

"Pilot Q8-P499."

The voice crackled through, garbled with thick distortion—unnatural, artificial, and unmistakably male. The Pilot's brow furrowed, his gloved fingers twitching on the console as he leaned toward the mic.

「一体誰なんだ！」

(Who the hell is this?!)

"Just a kind stranger." The voice sounded calm, almost amused. "I know the Mishima Zaibatsu doesn't run perimeter sweeps with stealth jets. So unless this is a vacation flight, you're after someone."

「私はあなたに情報を与えているのではない...」

(I'm not giving information to you—)

"Then good luck searching all of Russia without help.  Your target is running shadows in a blizzard. You want him? Tell me who."

A tense silence. Then, the Pilot hissed through his teeth.

「アロン・アトラス」

(Aron Atlas.)

"Smart choice. Word travels fast to Zoey. Yakutsk; Krovghenu Hospital on the seventh floor."

「了解」

(Got it.)

Beep.

The transmission cut out, and the cockpit lights faded to their soft glow. The Pilot exhaled sharply through his nose, flicking the PA switch. His voice echoed throughout the cabin in a clipped, professional tone:

「ヤクーツク、クロゲヌ病院へ向かう。最上階のアロン。小降下に備えよ。10分で到着する」

(Buckle up, we're heading to Yakutsk, Kroghenu Hospital—Aron's on the top floor. Prepare for a low-altitude drop. We hit proximity in ten.)

The soldiers responded in unison—not with words, but with action.

Helmets clicked into place. Shoulder plates shifted, guns locked and loaded. One by one, they stood and rolled their necks, stretching the calm from their bones before the chaos hit.

Amid the tension, the squadron commander stood at the front of the formation. His voice was low, steady, and laced with finality. "Make sure you put a bullet in his head. No theatrics, just an end."

Ten minutes. One target.

A hospital swallowed in snow, and a man too dangerous to be left breathing.

---

Xeon exhaled sharply, a vapor plume curling from his lips into the frigid air. The stealth jet emerged above him, slicing through the overcast sky—its silhouette ghosting behind thin, ashen clouds like a predator masked in fog.

He stood braced against the front bumper of the armored car, the engine still humming faintly behind him. The cold bit at his skin, but the thick wool lining of his aviator jacket kept it at bay. His gloved hands buried deep in his pockets, he tilted his head slightly, watching the aircraft's slow descent with a faint smirk tugging at one corner of his mouth.

Poor bastards, he thought grimly. Marching straight into a graveyard with loaded guns and no idea what was waiting for them. Between Aron's nightmarish traps and Master Raven's unrelenting precision, that Hospital was less a battleground and more a butcher's theater.

Speaking of, Xeon fished his phone from his jacket. Its screen lit up with a pale blue glow against the falling snow. After a quick flick through his contacts, he tapped her name.

Beep.

Beep.

Then her voice—a calm, sharp blade of silk over steel—cut through the line. "Wasn't expecting you to call so soon."

Xeon chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Expecting anything was your first mistake," he quipped, eyes still locked on the descending jet. "You settled in now?"

---

Location Unknown – Yakutsk | 4:45 A.M.

The room steamed faintly in the cold, the last remnants of heat curling off Master Raven's skin like smoke rising from a freshly stoked forge.

She ripped the towel from her shoulders and tossed it aside, her eyes narrowed against the raw, red hue bleeding into her vision. The shower had rinsed away the blood, sweat, and grime—but not the ghosts, not the guilt caked beneath her fingernails, not the stench of war soaked into her pores.

Her new suit clung to her body like a second skin, sleek and dark without its signature pauldrons or armored gloves. She flexed her fingers, still expecting to feel the stickiness of dried blood—but there was nothing. Just skin. Clean, trembling skin.

"Barely. What is it?" Her voice came out sharp, jagged.

"Aron's close." The voice on the line was casual, detached. "Same city. Krovghenu Hospital. Seventh floor."

Her jaw clenched. "You never told me how you know any of this."

"That doesn't matter.  You wanted information, which I provided as part of our agreement. Besides, you should probably get moving—unless Raven and your group beat you to it."

Her spine stiffened. "You talked to them? Wh—what did he say?"

"Nothing worth recounting. But don't worry—I'll inform your group." A pause. "Good luck."

"Wait—"

Beep.

The line went dead.

Master Raven stood in silence for a beat. Then another. The silence hung heavy in the room, pressing against her like wet wool. Slowly, rage stirred in her gut, curling upward like smoke from a fuse.

Crack!

"Ugh!"

Her knuckles slammed into the stone wall hard enough to chip it. Flakes of concrete showered the floor, blood dotting her skin as red welts bloomed across her fist.

And then came Anger's chuckle. "Feels good, doesn't it?"

"SHUT UP!" she roared, the words tearing from her throat like shrapnel. Her chest heaved, her breathing wild, unmoored—like a storm barely held at bay.

Her right eye lit up, pulsing red like a siren warning of something far worse than what lay outside. It throbbed in sync with her fury, flooding her vision with crimson until the whole world seemed to bleed in blood.

Without hesitation, she grabbed her pauldrons, strapping them tight with vicious efficiency. The armored gloves followed, clicking into place with finality.

Outside, the wind howled like a living thing. Snow blanketed the city in thick drifts, and flags whipped violently against their poles. She didn't feel the cold or anything anymore - only the rage and fire in her veins.

She stepped into the storm like a blade drawn from its sheath.

"I should've snapped his neck when I had the chance."

Snow crunched under her boots, the city stretching before her like a silent battlefield. Somewhere out there, Aron was waiting. And Master Raven—battle-worn and half-mad with fury—was done waiting.

"This is going to be a good night…"

---

Abandoned Krovghenu Hospital [Front Entrance Courtyard]:

The abandoned Hospital loomed like a decaying sentinel against the snow-laden sky. At first glance, its façade seemed intact. Upon closer inspection, the graying walls bore the scars of neglect—cracks veined across the surface, and cloudy, shattered windows revealed darkened rooms. Dead vines clung to its sides, their withered tendrils reaching skyward like a final plea for life.

Master Raven stood at the threshold, her breath forming ephemeral clouds in the frigid air. She placed a gloved hand on the sheath of her chokutō blade, fingers tightening around the hilt. She slowly drew the blade with her other hand hovering over Haruto's modified 1911 pistol. The metallic whisper of steel against the scabbard sang through the silence, a prelude to the impending violence. A wicked smile curled her lips; vengeance was close at hand.

---

Beep.

Beep.

Inside, Aron sat before a bank of monitors, his eyes scanning the flickering screens. Two shadows moved within the building: one on the first floor near the entrance and another solitary figure on the fifth floor, Room G4. He chuckled, recognizing the Tekken Force soldiers by their uniforms and the lone woman by her distinctive silhouette—flags fluttering from her attire, long hair cascading down her back, the blade gleaming in her grip.

A grin spread across Aron's face. His main guest had arrived, accompanied by uninvited intruders. He pressed a button labeled "F1" on the control console.

"I welcome you to my humble house of hellish wonders, Master Raven. I'll be waiting on the seventh floor."

Master Raven's eyes narrowed as she continued down the corridor, her footsteps echoing ominously.

Aron chuckled. "Let the fun begin."

Elsewhere, a Tekken Force soldier swept his flashlight across the damp hallway. Water pooled in uneven patches on the floor, and severed wires dangled from the ceiling like mechanical vines.

"Alright, three on the floor below and three above. The rest of us will secure this floor and set up base," the squadron commander instructed.

The soldiers nodded, dispersing with weapons at the ready.

Master Raven paused, sensing multiple Ki signatures above her. Anger, ever-present, leaned against the wall in her mind's eye.

"This will go a lot smoother with my help. Nobody is killing Aron," Anger taunted.

"Except me," Master Raven retorted.

Bzzt.

A sudden surge of energy overwhelmed her senses. "Ack!"

She slammed into the wall, cracks spiderwebbing from the point of impact. The soldiers, alerted by the noise, turned their weapons toward the source. A shadowy figure hunched against the wall, barely visible.

「お怪我はありませんか？」 [Are you hurt?] one soldier inquired.

The dark shadows crept closer; a demonic voice spoke words her mind didn't understand. A gun's muzzle met between her eyes, and a wicked smirk plastered itself onto her face. The figure's head lifted, revealing a demonic visage. A low, guttural laugh escaped her lips as she gripped her blade with a trembling hand.

「あなたは誰ですか？」 [Who are you?] another soldier questioned.

A low laugh sounded from the shadow as Master Raven gripped her blade with a shaky hand. The shadow loomed closer and advanced as realization dawned.

「クソッ！」 [Shit!]

Master Raven blinked, her eyes adjusting.

「それはクソだ」 [That's a fucking—]

Gunfire erupted, but she moved with blinding speed and became a blur. Screams echoed as weapons clattered to the ground. Aron's eyebrows rose as the central monitor glitched from a ricocheted bullet. Master Raven advanced, leaving a trail of bodies and blood.

He laughed. "Oh, she's more than a simple patient to observe."

Elsewhere, a soldier noticed a glint to his left.

「何を—」 [What—]

Shing!

A chokutō blade embedded itself in his skull. Master Raven sprinted forward, retrieving her weapon. Bullets whizzed past as she slashed, severing limbs and spilling blood. Master Raven weaved through attacks, stabbing and shooting with precision. Despite taking hits to her side and stomach, she rolled, slammed enemies into walls, and executed the 'Gremlin Smasher' technique. Drawing Haruto's pistol, Master Raven dispatched the remaining foes. Bodies littered the corridor as she holstered her weapon.

"Hah!"

Shing!

She grimaced, feeling the sting of a knife in her back.

Squelch!

The attacker blinked, a red line appearing across his neck before he collapsed.

Poof.

The last trio of soldiers looked around nervously.

「司令官、物音がしました。まだそこにいるのか？」 [Commander, we heard a noise. Are you still there?]

Only static responded.

「指揮官？」 [Commander?]

Poof!

Master Raven pummeled a soldier's face into mush. Another aimed his machine gun, but she deflected the bullets with her armored hand and pinned him to the floor with her foot.

"Who sent you!?"

「誰もいない」 [None your damn—]

She applied pressure.

「ゾーイ、鉄拳軍司令官！」 [Zoey, Tekken Force Commander!]

Master Raven snarled. "Tell your Commander to back off. Aron's mine. Got it?"

"Y-yeah."

She stepped aside, and the soldier fled toward the staircase.

Aron let out a sharp, amused laugh, eyes locked on the glitching monitor. "Oh, that's delightful," he mused, voice slick with admiration. "She's a natural-born hurricane."

With the flick of a switch on his compact control console—

Ding.

A soft metallic chime echoed down the blood-slick halls of the abandoned Hospital.

Master Raven's head jerked toward the sound, eyes narrowing. Just ahead, a pair of sleek metal doors parted with mechanical grace, revealing a lift cabin's untouched, eerily sterile interior. Warm lights bathed the brushed steel walls in a honeyed glow, a jarring contrast to the rot and ruin surrounding her.

Her lip curled into a wary snarl.

She stepped inside, the gentle hum of the elevator masking her battle-worn breaths. Her gloved finger pressed the button marked 7, and the doors closed.

Ding.

Elsewhere, Aron stood from his throne of monitors. The glow of flickering screens danced across his face as he smoothed the front of his vest and straightened his tie with the kind of pompous flair only a maniac in complete control could afford. He strolled to the lone table at the center of the room, pulling out a chair as though hosting a guest for a friendly dinner.

The elevator doors opened with a hiss.

Master Raven stepped out, and the world immediately began to betray her. Her ears rang—not from gunfire or combat but from something internal, deeper. Her temple pulsed with pressure, sharp and searing. Pain twisted through her body like cold iron needles, no mere malfunction of her retinal scanner—this was different.

She staggered forward, knees buckling, her hand trembling as her grip loosened—

Clang.

The chokutō hit the floor, piercing the tense silence like a dropped scream. Master Raven's vision flickered. Red bled into black. For the first time in what felt like years, she saw the world through her real eyes—and it was spinning. A strained inhale rattled in her lungs. Her hands clutched at her abdomen, blood slipping between her armored fingers like oil.

"What... the hell did you do to me?" Master Raven growled through clenched teeth, voice ragged.

Aron approached, slow and relaxed, head tilting with faux innocence. "Hmm? I don't believe I did anything."

The pause was a vacuum, pulling all sense of stability from under Master Raven. She collapsed to her knees, her blood puddled beneath, hot and slick against the sterile floor. Her strength was leaking away, inch by inch.

"I see now," Aron said softly.

His tone was neither triumphant nor cruel. How a biologist might admire a butterfly pinned to the board fascinated him. His voice changed, carrying a coldness laced with curiosity. It was foreign and familiar.

Master Raven's stomach turned. Something in Aron's Ki scraped against her soul like glass dragged across steel. She blinked hard, trying to make sense of the blurry mass before her—white coat, red gloves, black vest, and those twin dots of glowing violet staring straight into her.

"You're sensing it, aren't you?" Aron continued, rubbing his chin in thought. "My Ki."

He knelt to her level with graceful malice, hands clasped behind his back like a host in a murder mystery dinner. That grin was back, but wrong. Too wide and forced, something broken trembled beneath the surface.

"I'm no student of Ninjutsu, but even I know you can feel others... deeply. And mine doesn't sit well with you, it seems."

He reached out and lifted her chin with surprising gentleness. "You, Master Raven, are... fascinating."

She let out a weak, guttural growl. "What..."

Her hands dug into the floor. Pain in her muscles was one thing, but dwelling in her spirit was unfamiliar. His Ki wasn't just powerful, it was wrong. It pulsed with torment, twisted and dark, seeping into her skin like venom. Ki steeped in anguish, madness, and loss—sharp enough to wound by presence alone.

"H-how...?" Master Raven choked.

Blood pooled around her knees as both arms trembled. Her vision, already drowning in black and red, faded. Her body gave out and slumped to the cold floor.

Aron loomed above her, casting a long shadow over her battered form. He watched as her eyes fluttered closed. Then he smiled—no longer pretending.

"Now..." Aron bent down to scoop her up like a lover rescuing a damsel. "...the real fun begins."

---

6:27 A.M.:

Aron hummed softly, the tune contrasting with the quiet chaos before him. A fast-paced piano melody danced over steady drums and the soft wail of a guitar, trickling from the phone perched carelessly near a rolling tray of surgical tools. The sterile scent of alcohol mixed with blood in the dimly lit room was thick enough to taste.

Metal gleamed beneath the low overhead light as he guided the tweezers into the wound with methodical precision. A slick, metallic clink echoed as he extracted a blood-slick bullet from deep within Master Raven's side. Her dark skin, now marred by trauma and blood, twitched faintly with every touch.

Beep.

Beep.

The heart monitor's rhythm pulsed like a slow metronome, guiding Aron's pace in place of a clock. Each beep grounded him—anchored the chaos in his head to a task he'd done countless times before: himself, Xeon, and even Nina. However, his current patient was different from the rest.

Master Raven lay still under the dim light, her breath shallow but present. Strong as if refusing to die out of sheer spite.

Aron's hands moved like a conductor of a macabre symphony—cutting, prying, suturing what was necessary, never more. Yet, temptation crept to the corners of his thoughts. His fingers hesitated over her ribs, aching to trace the curvature of bone beneath sinew and muscle.

"No, no, no," Aron murmured with a devilish grin, scalpel poised briefly like a paintbrush in a mad artist's grip. "There's time for that later."

Heaving a disappointed sigh, he set the blade aside and pressed thick gauze against each gunshot wound. Aron watched the fabric bloom with red before wrapping her torso with swift, efficient movements. His eyes fell on the stab wound on her side—a jagged tear that bled with stubborn persistence, crimson streaks painting her skin in violent, beautiful contrast.

It pulsed with life.

Aron licked his lips behind the mask, curiosity overtaking protocol. He ran a gloved finger through the blood and held it up to the light, watching it drip in a slow arc. The color was vibrant—brighter than most of the thugs, mercenaries, and degenerates he'd stitched together.

"Hmmm... It seems I missed a crucial detail in my earlier examination." Aron turned his hand, eyes gleaming with admiration at the crimson against the synthetic latex. "The lighter the red, the healthier the patient. That would explain a few things about the careless criminals I used to patch up. But..."

He trailed off, his voice fading into the sterile quiet as he focused on the wound. Without another word, Aron replaced his gloves with a fresh set, snapping the cuffs tight, before retrieving a needle and surgical thread. The glint of the curved needle caught the light like a fang.

"Let's close this up, shall we?" Aron muttered to the unconscious warrior. "No use letting such a fine specimen waste away."

Without another word, his hands worked swiftly and diligently to stitch the wound. Making sure only to puncture Master Raven's skin where he'd mentally mapped out, nothing more or less.

Soon, he'd managed to stitch the stab wound and remove any extra blood from around it before disposing of his gloves. Flexing his finger, Aron rolled his neck as he took a rectangular gauze and bandage wrapping from the rolling table. He applied the gauze, gently wrapped her waist with the bandage, and closed it with a metal band.

Aron looked over Master Raven one last time. Her breathing steadied, and she almost looked peaceful if not for the blood-stained mission suit and frizzed hair. Before he could realize, his hand was already hovering over her stomach, watching to rip the bandages off and watch her skin leak.

He forced the thoughts to the back of his mind before taking off the gloves and reaching for a syringe beside his scalpel filled with a dark, purple liquid. The familiar purple flakes of Nile's Deathbell danced inside.

"That trifle with Toby gave me time to study the medicinal uses that painful flower," Aron remarked, poking the syringe's needle into the injection port.

His eyes landed back on his unconscious patient, not needing to focus on his hands since he'd done this several times before. "Now, if my measurements and previous self-testing are correct, then you, Master Raven, will be the first to go through my levels of hell... With my new concoction, this medicinal serum should leave you feeling revitalized. At least until you hit floor number four."

He chuckled; the excitement of clashing with the crazed agent of his own making was almost too much to bear. The thoughts alone of how enraged she would be were enough to incite a laugh from Aron, but he held himself still.

He took a deep breath and forced his eyes to the injection port of the tables linked to Master Raven's arm. The purple liquid slowly cascaded down the tubes with several drops of morphine, creating a light mix of purple before it slowly disappeared behind the dark skin of her arm.

"For now... rest. You'll be quite the specimen to watch sooner or later." Aron grinned, his purple eyes glowing brightly amid the dim room.

---

The last remaining Tekken Force soldier skidded to a halt atop the blood-streaked stairwell, chest heaving with ragged breaths. His boots, once regulation black, were soaked in crimson, sticky with the blood of his squadmates. He dropped his rifle with a dull clack, his trembling hands resting on his knees as he tried—and failed—to breathe through the copper sting that clung to his nostrils.

The freezing wind tore at his uniform, slithering through every seam and crack, biting into his flesh like ghostly daggers. Every exhale spilled out in thick, shaking puffs of white.

He swallowed down bile and panicked.

「パイロット、病院の屋上でピックアップをお願いします。」

[Pilot, I need pickup on the hospital roof.]

There was nothing but static. Then, finally—

「理解した。」

[Understood.]

The soldier wiped a blood-smudged glove across his face, straightened with a wince, and picked up his rifle again. His muscles ached, his nerves screamed—but the memory was louder. It looped in his head like a cursed reel: that woman, that thing, stalking through the shadows like a demon. Her silhouette had emerged from the darkness as if the building spat her out. Her red eye glowed with venomous rage, the same hate he'd only ever seen in Kazuya Mishima.

She wasn't just angry; she enjoyed it.

Moments later, the fog above parted with a mechanical hum. The stealth jet descended slowly, its sleek form piercing through the grey mist like a phantom from heaven. Its open hatch welcomed him like a sanctuary, the sterile scent of metal far more comforting than blood and gunpowder.

He climbed in and dropped into the armored seat, shoulders slumping as the hatch sealed with a hiss behind him.

Back at the Zaibatsu compound, Zoey stood on the edge of a steel-railed balcony, eyes fixed on the sprawling arena beneath her. Scaffolding groaned as construction crews moved like ants, reinforcing the combat ring for whatever storm would hit next. She folded her arms across her chest, the weight of leadership pressing into her spine like a loaded weapon.

Her sharp brown eyes scanned the horizon, though her mind wandered deeper—an internal strategy war. No Heihachi, Kazuya, or Jin. The Mishima throne was cold and empty, and the vultures were circling.

But Zoey? She'd been here before. This situation wasn't a panic but a routine. Lock the facility down. Wait for the ripple before casting the stone. Move when the other players show their hands. If she hesitated, the Zaibatsu would wait. If she misstepped, it wouldn't. That was the only constant. And after leading under Heihachi's iron fist and Nina's frostbite leadership, she'd be damned to let it crumble on her watch.

Footsteps approached from behind, but Zoey didn't turn. The soldier stopped with his gun in hand. His grip was stiff and twitchy.

「指揮官。」

[Commander.]

Zoey finally turned her head slightly, eyes locking on him with predator precision. "Just you?" she asked, sounding cool as the wind swept the arena. "Unless your squad's still busy gift-wrapping Aron's head, you better have one hell of an explanation for coming back alone."

The soldier shifted awkwardly. His throat bobbed.

「ああ、油断していた。忍者...マスター・レイヴンが私たちの隊を襲ってきたんです。」

[Ah, well... we were caught off guard. A ninja... Master Raven attacked our squadron.]

No surprise registered on Zoey's face. No pity, either.

「彼女は片目を真っ赤にして...隊員たちを殺した...一人の男の頭をドロドロにして...。アロンは私のもの』って。」

[One of her eyes was red... she killed the squadron... even bashed one guy's head to mush... She told me to tell you: 'Back off. Aron is mine.']

Zoey exhaled slowly and rolled her eyes. "Right. Consider yourself demoted, and your training tripled."

The soldier flinched, not because of her words but because the woman he encountered had haunted him to his bones. He saluted stiffly.

「理解した。」

[Understood.]

Zoey turned her gaze back to the arena. Her lips tightened into a subtle sneer, and a dark glint lit her eye. "Your move now, Kazuya..."

---

Chevalier Mansion [Top Floor Surveillance Room] - 11:21 A.M.:

Raven stared at the handcuffs resting coldly on the glowing surface of the holographic projection table. Faint machine hums surrounded him, their rhythmic beeping tracing agents' locations across scattered grids—a digital chorus that didn't soothe but mocked.

He leaned forward, his chin resting on crossed forearms, a trembling fist clenched tight in frustration. The cuffs—symbols of control and capture—taunted him in their stillness. His mind, however, was anything but still. Anxiety churned into anger, twisting darker with every passing second.

Where was she?

So far—nothing. As usual.

The silence felt absolute despite the background hum of specialists whispering over consoles. Their fingers danced over keys with calm purpose, trying to triangulate Master Raven's last known location. Raven, though, was drowning in stillness, helplessness. Each minute of inaction felt like a year scraped off his soul.

He pulled off his sunglasses, their lenses reflecting the sterile light of the room. With a heavy sigh, he placed them gently on the table, like a soldier laying down arms. This slow march of waiting day after day was breaking him. Xeon had been useless, giving no clues—not a city, nor a whisper. As for Aron, it was like chasing the wind.

All Raven could do was spiral.

"Are we... doing this?" he muttered to no one, his voice ragged with disbelief.

"Unfortunately."

The voice dropped from nowhere, calm and quiet—yet it jolted Raven like a gunshot. He sat up sharply, heart lurching into his throat. Kevon stood just a few feet away, like a ghost materializing from the air. Despite catching Raven off guard, he didn't smirk or gloat. There was no amusement in his tone, just quiet solidarity.

Raven cleared his throat, silently cursing his own reaction.

"No need to tense more than you already are," Kevon said, his calm presence like iron beneath the velvet.

Raven raked a hand through his short hair, exhaling slowly. "My apologies. Did you need something?"

Kevon shrugged. "No. But—"

Tap.

A mug landed beside Raven's arm, the steam spiraling upward like incense. A rich, bittersweet aroma cut through the sterile air like a lifeline.

Raven blinked while eyeing it. "Hot chocolate?"

Kevon nodded, the slightest flicker of a smile appearing. "Emani's idea. Said it helped warm her up after the first night here. Figured you could use it."

"...Thanks."

Raven picked up the mug, letting the warmth seep into his fingertips before taking a careful sip. They drank silently, leaning slightly against the table—two warriors stealing a moment of peace in the eye of the storm.

"Wait..." Raven's eyes twitched with surprise at the sharp bite behind the sweetness. "Coffee?"

Kevon chuckled. "Shot of espresso. Ralin insisted you needed a jolt."

Raven rolled his eyes, a brief smirk escaping. "Of course, she did."

But Kevon didn't follow it with laughter. He placed his mug down, crossed his arms, and turned to face Raven fully—his gaze sharpening like a drawn blade. "Let's get one thing straight. I still don't trust you. And my daughter's words? They mean a lot, but they don't speak louder than actions. Especially if the man in question stays hidden."

Raven's jaw tensed, but he said nothing. He didn't have to.

"However..." Kevon's eyes softened momentarily. "I do respect you after what I saw last night. It takes guts to raise a hand and even more to lower it. That restraint? And the choice not to lose yourself? Told me a hell of a lot."

There was a pause. A moment heavy with shared understanding.

"I was the only person Tatyana ever feared fighting. Not because of skill, but because she feared hurting me. Which she did." Kevon tapped under his eye, grinning faintly. "Black eye, two weeks. Hurt like hell. But that fear and guilt? It kept her grounded. You've got that same tether, Rashad. You care. And caring sometimes hurts more than combat."

He stood up slowly, the weight of his words grounding the space between them. Then, Kevon stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Raven's shoulder—a rare gesture of comfort.

"I know you want to tear your hair out, scream at the sky, and wring Aron's neck with your bare hands. Trust me, I see and feel it in your eyes. You're not alone in sharing those feelings or losing sleep, wondering how to fix this without breaking more than what's already shattered."

He stepped back, lifting his mug. "Love without struggle doesn't exist. So meditate, reflect, and feel everything. But this isn't a burden you carry alone. If things go the way I suspect, you might have two families to lean on soon."

He turned and walked toward the door, silence stretching behind him like a long shadow.

"Kevon..."

Raven called before the older ninja could leave as he paused, his hand on the door. "Why'd she give you a black eye?"

Kevon chuckled under his breath, a note of nostalgia in his voice. "Tried to get her to stop holding back. She didn't like that and clocked me hard. That taught her more than I could've said with words."

Raven smiled faintly. "Your teaching methods are... direct."

"True," Kevon agreed as he opened the door. "Not everyone can take a punch to the face and still listen. I'm just lucky she turned out right and picked a guy who can keep up."

"Why—"

Click.

The door shut before the question could finish.

Raven looked down at his mug again, its warmth lingering as the steam faded. "Duly noted... sir."

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of Talons of Death