H A R D |< O R M E V O I _ _ V by Robert Kwong Completed 2/04/2001 "This is the 90's. Even fated love will fail." Ayukawa Madoka "Where the red hat blows to, my heart will follow." Kasuga Kyosuke act iv: ryu-demption -=[ BANG! ]=- There was a bright white light! I felt my body go numb. It seems what they say about the journey to the afterlife was true. Before my last conscious thought left me, I envisioned my friends. As I opened my eyes, I realized... This was no heaven or hell. It was my place, my studio apartment in the Village, in the land of the living. I was frightened, shivering, with a cold chill rippling through my spine. It was a nightmare I experienced. It was not surprising following the traumatic experience I endured. It was that black ninja, whose face was covered. I had resuced the girls from this unknown kidnapper. I had pumped several rounds into him. As I went over to unveil this masked assailant, he suddenly grabbed my hand! What happened afterwards was a complete blank to me. I must have blacked out then, just like the times I got drunk and didn't remember what happened afterwards. I must have escaped somehow. I must have kicked him away. And ran. With all my strength and energy. My legs which served me as a dancer now acted as my sole means of escape. But this nagging feeling kept gnawing at me. Will he be coming after me to shoot me in my sleep? That would explain my nightmare. But it seemed so real and vivid, how could that be? And what's this? (She sees a black book lying on the floor beside her bed) [Transition] We see smoke rising from the gun, but the chair is empty! Ryusei: What type of joke you are playing here? Where is the girl? Black Dragon: This shennanigan is not my doing! "Ha ha ha ha. You do live up to your name, ruthless Ryusei. You have passed the test." Ryusei: Who is that? "Forget your associate so soon?" (We hear the clanging of metal balls in the distance. Another figure emerges from the background.) Ryusei: Goro! What are you doing here? Goro Shimazaki: To oversee the proceedings. I have a fascination with the occult. Ryusei: What happened to the girl? Goro: She must have been rescued by the Esper in town. My associate has felt the presence. Black Master: Indeed I have, my master. Shall I pursue them? Goro: No need. They must be lone gone by then. But no matter. The most important thing is that you have met my expectations, Haroken-san. Didn't I tell you, Black Dragon? Black Dragon: Indeed. Your prognosis was correct. Ryusei: So you were behind this coup! Goro: You give me too much credit. I am merely a patron to the 'Black Dragon'. What he does is his own business. Ryusei: So ka. I was a fool to think I could be a match for the both of you. Goro: Indeed you were. But now, you will serve as my servant, just as the Black Dragon is mine. Black Dragon: Yes, my master. Ryusei: What do you want of me? Goro: Only your cooperation, and your allegiance. You already passed the first stage. Ryusei: You mean by pulling the trigger? Goro: Hai! I was not sure whether you had it in you. But you do have icy, cold blood flowing in your veins. Ryusei: Is that all? Black Dragon: No, White dragon. 2 more test remain before your initiation to the new order is complete. Only then will I reveal your precious past. Goro: I'm afraid he is right. Ryusei: What must I do? Goro: Since our fair maiden has escaped, it is up to you to retreve her back again. Bring me her and the box to me at the Kamui 9pm tomorrow evening for the ceremony. Ryusei: Ceremony? Goro: Yes. Tomorrow, we set sail on the 'Kamui'. You will bring the 'box' to me then as agreed upon. That will seal your induction. Ryusei: Very funny. Black Dragon: What do you find amusing? Ryusei: This gun. (unloads it and drops the shells to the ground) It's loaded with blanks. Black Dragon: I didn't want to take the chance that you would try to shoot me instead. Not that it mattered. Ryusei: A wise precaution. But I won't be needing this anymore. (tosses him the gun) I will be on my way. (As Ryusei leaves) Black Dragon: You believe he will bring her to us? Goro: No doubt. He is but a slave to his past. [Empire State Building] (As the elevator door opens) (A shot rings out in the air!) (*OWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!*) #1: I have been waiting for you X-per. For a long time. Now, I get to settle the score with you. 1 on 1. Get ready to say your prayers pilgrim! "What are you ...(gasp, gasp), talking about?" (#1 walks over very deliberately) #1: I have been preparing for this moment for a long time. You murdered my partner. You choked the life out of him without laying a hand on him. Every detail I saw. But you ran away like a coward before I could shoot you down. You and your powers! I still remember that day. 5 years I have been hunting you down. And now it ends. "Matte! I don't know what you want, but leave Madoka out of this." #1: Madoka? "Please don't Lone Wolf!" (#1 turns around and sees Kurumi behind him!) #1: What are you doing here? Kurumi: Don't shoot anymore. That's my oniichan in the elevator. #1: Your oniichan? What are you talking about? Stay back! Kurumi: I'm telling the truth! Please believe me! #1: We'll see. Stay behind me. (They approach the elevator to see Kyosuke lying there, bleeding.) Kurumi: Oniichan!! Kyosuke: I'm alright. I'm only shot in the arm. Kurumi: See Lone Wolf! I told you it was my oniichan. You got the wrong person. #1: Gomen. You were fortunate I was not aiming for your heart. Kyosuke: Bakayoro! What were you shooting at me for? #1: You are not the person I seek. But you should not be here. This building is off-limits to visitors at night. Kyosuke: Madoka called me up here. What did you do to her? Did you shoot her as well? #1: Kuso! You're nuts? No one is here but me. Kurumi: Oniichan! Don't talk to Lone Wolf like that! We need to get you bandaged up, honto? (drags him out of the elevator) Kyosuke: Hey! You're dragging me by the arm that was shot on! Kurumi: Oops! Gomen! #1: But if I was here the whole night, how did you get behind me? Kurumi: Oh, I used the Power! to get up here. Oops! (#1 raises his gun and points it at them now.) #1: What is this? This must be a X-per trick! You are not who you appear to be. An apparition to deceive me! But I won't fall for it! You may have tricked my partner but you won't trick me! Kurumi: No, Lone Wolf! You don't understand... #1: Oh, I understand alright. I understand you people are the ones responsible for my partner's death. You and your wicked powers. He never had a chance. I vowed to avenge him, waiting for my chance. Now that day has come. This will now end, for both of you! (The elevator door opens again!) This time, Ojiichan and Muroke comes through! Muroke: Stop what you're doing #1! #1: Stay away Muroke! I have this under control. Muroke: No you don't! They are not the ones you seek. Kaori is safe! #1: Kaori? Where is she? Muroke: She just called me. Hikaru found them. #1: You're just saying that because you want to spare them! I know they have the Power! They must have bewitched you! They must die! Muroke: Snap out of it! You are not thinking straight! You're letting your rage control your emotions! #1: I already told you to leave. Now git! Ojiichan: He do not understand. Little boy, kindly escort Kurumi-chan with you back. I shall take her place. We should not involve woman and children in this matter. Muroke: But I'm not a boy! Ojiichan: Go! Kurumi: But Ojiichan.... Ojiichan: Respect your elders. Now is that acceptable, young man? #1: Yes...it is. This is a matter for us men. Now X-per, are you ready to die? Ojiichan: Anything is fine. But I am not who you think I am. (Kurumi and Muroke enter the elevator to leave, with Muroke tugging on Kurumi's arms to keep her back) #1: Whatever you are, now it is between you and me. You can kiss your ass goodbye, evil X-per! Ojiichan: Oiii! You can't call me evil! I happen to be a good man! #1: There's no such thing as a good X-per. I will not rest until I have hunted and killed every one of you! Ojiichan: Ah so ...you will not let go. So let it be. But where is your gun? #1: Eh? Ole Betsy! (We see it floating 5 feet in the air!) #1: I don't need my gun to finish you. I'll just snap both of your necks off! (#1 rushes at them!) (Just then, a light shines through the window, and we hear a helicopter sound. Blaring out on the blowhorn) "EVERYONE FREEZE! PUT YOUR HANDS UP! YOUR ARE TOTALLY SURROUNDED. YOU CANNOT ESCAPE." (The windows are smashed open, with black-uniformed troops gliding in and pointing their machine guns at them) "Hands up! Reach for the sky!" (The elevator door recedes and coming out are the elite forces, holding machine guns in black fatigues, forming a circle around them.) And a figure emerges from them and says: " On behalf of the XIA, I arrest you!" [At the Docks] I heard everything. I saw everything. After having seen Haroken entering the building, I stowed away behind him. Within that stage area, I witnessed the confrontation between him and the black mask figure. And I saw Hikaru-chan, tied up. It seemed surreal. Haroken-san's confrontation with the rival with Hikaru-chan stuck in the middle. Like the reflection of the play repeating onto itself. Filling in for that part, Era across from Hikaru opened my eyes. I saw what she saw, felt what she felt. So this is the feeling of doing something you dreamed about. One that consume your thoughts day and night. Hikaru's initial dream was to dance, but her real dream was to make something of herself and confront her worst fears, expressing herself in front of the people she cared about, baring her soul and emotion. Every word she spoke was with conviction and will. She shined brightly as a star should. As I stood across from her, I finally realized she didn't need me to protect her anymore. She was now a woman, who now can stand on her own two feet. Within that moment, I saw something in myself too. That I had been wasting my life away, sulking and brooding. What have I done with myself? Where was the fire within me? Was it extinguished all this time? Had I become too complacent? I now realized that I had to find out what makes me tick. I had to find myself before I can give myself to anyone. Only I can save myself. But I was so confused? What should I do? I needed time to myself to figure things out. But first, there was another mystery I needed to unravel. Who exactly is this Ryusei Haroken really is and what his intentions towards Hikaru. [XIA facilities] Me and ojiichan were blindfolded and takened inside a car where we were being transported. I had no idea where we were going. But apparenlty, it was secret enough to go through all the trouble to hide it from us. I wanted to flash out of there once and for all, but when I tried to use the Power!, it seemed to fizzle out completely. #1 had indeed shot me with something that neutralized my Power. I still felt very weak. Soon afterwards, we got out of the vehicle and entered a building. After several minutes, going up the elevator, we were escorted to a holding cell. Ojiichan: Ah. So stuffy here. Kyosuke: Of course it is! We must be in some sort of detention center. This cell seems to be fortified by lasers. But why? Ojiichan: They are afraid of our kind. Kyosuke: Our kind? You mean Espers? Ojiichan: Yes! Pay attention! Kyosuke: But why? Ojiichan: They know of us, or more precisely, they know of X-pers. Kyosuke: X-pers? What's the difference? Is it the American version of us? Ojiichan: No, no. X-pers and Espers are separate. But they are close together too. Kyosuke: What type of double-talk is that? Ojiichan: X-pers have the Power! We have the Power! But they more dangerous. Kyosuke: How come you never talked about it before? Ojiichan: You never asked. Kyosuke: Well, we are not going anywhere. so tell me. Ojiichan: Sooo. You want to know. So I tell you. The big clash and the old bitter rivalry. Going back far far back. One and the same we were at a time, but later was the split into 2 lines: one Esper, one X-per. Kyosuke: The same line? But where did that original line come from? Ojiichan: Only the ancients know. Only a poem a clue remain -- a verse passed on by mouth to mouth for each generation. 'From the air we are born, through the air they fly, and out of air they leave and return back home.' Kyosuke: That doesn't make sense! Ojiichan: It's a riddle! If you know it already, then it's useless! Kyosuke: Ok! Go on then. Ojiichan: A separation happened because we believed differently. Us Espers believed in keeping the Power! a secret. We lived in hiding to keep the Power! a secret. Good reason we not want others to know. Otherwise we be hunted down and that would be the end for us. Kyosuke: So that explains why we were suppose to keep our secret. But what about the X-pers? What's so different about them? Ojiichan: Much, much different. They use the Power! to hurt people. Control and take advantage of others, they do. So they formed the ninjetsu. Kyosuke: Ninjas? Are you sure? That sounds far-fetched! How can they all be ninjas? Ojiichan: No, no. Not all are ninjas. Only some were. But system formed by them. Ninjas could do unexplainable tricks. Of course, most really is the Power! at work. A religion to them to follow black art and pursue black path. Many ninja sect formed: Iga, Kouga, Mikage, and Fuuma. But the most dangerous: Hokage. Kyosuke: But then why didn't the ninja totally dominate Japan's history if us Espers were hiding away and avoiding contact? Ojiichan: Many, many reasons. Fighting among the faction ninjas to keep their power in check. Each would not let the other grow too powerful and they often fought amongst themselves. Also, not all of us were hiding. Some of my ancestors made the sacrifice to leave the village, never to return to balance out the power of the ninja and of the X-per. They made up the core of what we know as the samurai. Of course, they kept their Power! a secret to the death. Not only their Power! but also their leadership and tactics and loyalty helped keep the ninjetsu in check. Kyosuke: Ah, so that's how it is. But how does that explain why were are detained here? What is this XIA? How come they know about us and our Powers? What are they going to do with us? Ojiichan: That is a mystery, even to me Kyosuke. But it is not surprising. Fear drives everything. Kyosuke: What do you mean? Ojiichan: Me and your obaachan traveled many times around the world and can hear all the folktale stories and legends. All of them have one thing in common: beliefs in the supernatural. The Chinese have a fascination with it and embrace it. People elsewhere tend to scoff at it. But us old folks still respect it. Other people are afraid. And when powerful people are scared, they do something to fight it. Kyosuke: I think I understand now. These Power! we have can be exploited during times of conflict. Like war. Ojiichan: Ping Pong! Supernatural, telepathic attacks was hidden tool of war,like World War II. Some X-pers were high up in the Japanese government and engaged in telepathic warfare. The same was done by the Chinese's telepathics engaging in the war of the minds. With that much psycho-kinetic energy, they cancelled each other out to stalemate. That is why we ESPers do not wish to be used as a tool of war. It would be a abuse of the gifts we have. Kyosuke: So you never fought in World War II? Ojiichan: Hai! I stayed with your obaachan in the village the whole time. Kyosuke: Not even when the country was being invaded? Not even when the atomic bombs were dropping? Ojiichan: What glory to fight? To kill with the Power!? The ending was known. All I can do is protect the village and let it rest in kami's hands. Even us Espers know we are not supermen. Kyosuke: So ka. The X-pers had already done the damage already. Ojiichan: The history now you know. Many X-pers died in the great war, but some still remain. This group will try to hunt down the rest. Kyosuke: Including us! Ojiichan: Hai. For they cannot tell the difference betwen us and the X-per. Kyosuke: But how can you tell? Ojiichan: You can. You feel the anger in their hearts. They walk the dark path seeking to hurt others and increasw their power. You never would want to meet a live X-per! (A voice echos out from the background) "It is time for your interrogation!" [At Hikaru's apartment] "...I was in the pits, one on one, with the reigning pit champion Dr Deathhook, who had a real hook on his left hand. It was the finale, the championship death match, fight to the death, only one person standing. 40 other opponents had died before trying to wrest the title of pit king from him. He was indeed a fearsome foe, over 6 feet tall, hulking at over 300 pounds. The pits were like a jungle, and us just 2 animals within the surrounding, screaming crowd of crazed fanatics, yelling for blood. All rational thought escaped me, and the only thing I could rely on was my raw instincts. Kill or be killed. No questioning of whether it was right or wrong. We fought for a long time, with me trying to run away most of the time. I knew my only chance against him was my speed and so I employed a hit and run tactic. But then, I was trapped in a corner and he had me, right in his sights. I dodged his initial furry, but then his left hook came across my face, ripping a gash right around my forehead area. Blood was flowing down my entire face, as I slumped down,ready to be struck down. If he struck again, I was good as dead. Instead, Dr Deathhook took his time, celebrating, thinking I was helpless to retaliate. He was going to set me up for the final blow, in grand killing style. I wiped some of the blood off my forehead and tasted it. Why did I do that? What came over me, I don't know, but once I did that, it ignited an inhuman sense inside of me. I felt that I was glowing, amid all the floodlights in the arena shining on us. A sudden surge of power coarsed through me and I went berserk! I got up and ripped the guy's hook off and started stabbing him with it. Stabbing and stabbing and stabbing, what might have been hundreds of times even though he was dead already after the first 20 blows. I was oblivious to everything at that point. I blacked out at that point, given I had lost a lot of blood. When I woke up again, I felt weak and tired. There was an IV hooked up to me. My trainer came over and told me I did good and left the room. I was there by myself again. It was at that point I felt a perverse feeling of satisfaction. I had takened a life and I enjoyed it. Now I knew. I, Ryusei Haroken was ready for the killing business. Hikaru face seems to be in a state of shock as she discovers it is Ryusei's journalbook she is reading! Her face become more anxious as she reads page after page. Then it hits her. Hikaru: The dream I had. Sitting in that chair tied up. Hearing all the heinous crimes of Ryusei. This journal book confirms it! Ryusei! He is a cold-blooded killer! [At the Marquis hotel] Kurumi: What the hell is going on here pipsqueak? What did you guys do with oniichan and ojiichan? Muroke: I'm sorry about that Kurumi-san. I didn't know #1 would go berserk like that. "#1 out of control? That I gotta see! Where is he? He didn't return with you all?" Muroke: Kaori-san! Good to see you safe and sound! Kaori: Yeah, sure you are. Here's Hikaru's friend here too, Natalie. Muroke: Oh, helllooo! Natalie: Hi there! Kurumi: Hey, short stuff! This is no time to go gaga! What happened to my oniichan!? [In the streets] (As Ryusei is walking) "Put your hands up!" Ryusei: What now? A lady mugger now? How peculiar. How much do you want? "Listen up! I don't want your money! Just answers! Ryusei: So it is you, Lady Ayukawa. Shouldn't we stop the violence here, Miss Ayukawa? Madoka: Not until you tell me what happened to Hikaru. What did you do to her? Ryusei: Why ask me? I'm hunting for her myself. Madoka: Don't lie! I heard the whole sordid affair. What my eyes saw was unbelieveable. You disappeared with her and reappeared back in almost the same instant. As if you froze time, and everyone else around you. I know you must have takened her somewhere. Where are you hiding her? Ryusei: How curious, but your eyes must be deceiving you. But you should call her at her apartment first before passing judgement on me. Here is my cell phone. You can make the call. Madoka: We'll see. Stay right there and don't make a false move! Ryusei: I won't. Go ahead. Madoka: Hello? Hikaru? Did I wake you? No? Am I glad to hear your voice! I thought something happened to you. OK. I'll come by tomorrow and see you. Bye. Madoka: So it seems you are right. Heh? (Madoka looks around and does not see Ryusei at all!) Madoka: Where did you go? [XIA] (#1 is in a holding area, as Kanuka Clancy stands outside with another agent) Kanuka Clancy: What's the report? "He's clear maam. No trace of the 'X' in him. In fact he claims he is Agent 10764568. He seems to be legit." Kanuka: I see. Let me have a talk with him. (enters inside) #1: So. You'll goin' to question me? Kanuka: No need to do that. Here. (toss him an object) #1: Ole Betsy! (brandishes it and spins it around) Still good as new! Kanuka: You're no longer a suspect. You are cleared to leave. #1: About time. But you interfered with my case! Those X-pers were mine! Kanuka: I apologize for that, but your case may overlap into mine. I have higher jurisdiction. #1: You don't understand. This is personal. Kanuka: Irregardless. Unless you wish to assist me jointly. #1: Forget it. I go my own way. Kanuka: As you wish. It's going to be a long night. --[Day 8]=- "Madoka! I'm glad you can make it. Want some mocha?" Madoka: Yes. Please. Hikaru: Here you go. Madoka: Arrigato Hikaru-chan. Hikaru: So what's up? There's a serious matter I wish to discuss with you. It concerns your former employer, Ryusei Haroken. Hikaru: That's wierd. He was on my mind too. Madoka: What I have to say may shock you, but I have reason to believe that he is a criminal boss . Hikaru: Oh. Madoka: Yes, and there's more. I believe he intends to make you his next target! Hikaru: How do you know this? Madoka: A bizarre set of events trying to locate you led me to track Haroken-san. And in following him, I overheard his conversation with the other kingpen. It must be some Yakuza sect known as the 'Dragons'. In the end, I saw you appeared to me, tied up in a chair. Hikaru: Was it in some stage area? Madoka: Why yes! Hikaru: So it wasn't a dream! I knew there had to be more to it than that! Madoka: So you do remember being there! Hikaru: Kind of. But I thought it must be a dream. But then I woke up and found myself in my bed. How could that be? Madoka: No, it's not a dream. I saw you and him disappear together. Then he reappeared. I cannot explain it. But you can't deny that he is who he is. Hikaru: That is true. A charlatan trying to pass himself off as someone who he really isn't. But he's lived a wickedly cruel life himself. And all he wants is to find out about himself. Isn't that what most people are searching for in their lives? Madoka: I can understand such a sentiment. I wondered about that myself lately. But it doesn't apply to a person like him! How can you be reasonable with a man like that? He is a ruthless, individual who knows nothing about compassion and love. How can you forgive that? Hikaru: I thought I couldn't forgive him too. I read all the terrible things he did. Madoka: Where? Hikaru: Here. In this book. (Madoka leafs through it) Madoka: This is uncanny. But I have to warn you. He's coming for you. He's going to deliver you to that gangster! We should leave now before he comes. We can all run away together. Hikaru: I'm not going. Madoka: What? Hikaru: This is a stand I have to take. Madoka: Are you sure about this? This is a Yakuza-type mobster we are dealing with! They show no mercy! Hikaru: Whatever will happen will happen. I will know when what to do when I confront him. [The interrogation] Kyosuke is sitting at a table, with a spotlight on him. Kyosuke: How long does this have to last? "As long as you tell us the location of where you kept your captives." Kyosuke: I keep telling you, I don't know anything about it! "Baka! I know you're lying. Inject him with more truth serum." Kyosuke: All the serum in the world won't do you any good. That's cause I have nothing to tell. You have the wrong man! Why can't you believe me? "You have no rights here! You are under our jurisdiction now! If you don't start talking, you will suffer the consequences. Kyosuke: If you want the truth, I tell you this! First of all, I'm not an X-per, so stop calling me that! I don't know what in the world is an X-per! I am an ESPer and I'm proud of that! I possess the Power! but I don't use it to hurt nobody. I don't know what you have against people with these special gifts but it's wrong! I have rights just like any other person. We should not be treated like this! "Yeah, sure you do. But your kind deserves no rights! Now, here's your shot...." Kyosuke: [At Central Park] We see #1 slumped over a mound of freshly, dugged dirt. (We see a small sign above: 'Taki') #1: My friend, gomen. I was too late to save you. Now both of you are dead. How useless I am! "#1! Over here!" (We see Muroke and Kaori approaching him!) Muroke: See! I told you that he still had on his tracking device. Kaori: Fine! Don't rub my nose in it 'kay? #1: Hush! Can you give those who deserve it some peace and quiet!? Muroke: I'm sorry #1. I forgot about Taki's passing. #1: You may forget, but I will never forget. Kaori, I'm sorry too. Taki was your brother's partner longer than I was. Kaori: Oh! Then I feel bad now, cursing out that dog. #1: You only treated him the same way as you did your brother, with your sibling fighting. But I know you meant well. Taki served him and me well. Now both of them are gone. Kaori: (tears streaming down her cheek) Now look what you've done! You've gotten me all emotional! Muroke: (sobbing) TAKI!!! #1: Why are you so worked up for? Muroke: That was...so emotional! I was so mooovveed! #1: Stop being a sissy! Taki wouldn't appreciate hearing your howling! Only he gets to howl! Understand? Muroke: Hai! #1: Let's get going now. We have some unfinished business to take care of. [Telephone call] "Hello?" "Hi Natalie. It's me! Hikaru." Natalie: Star-chan! I'm glad to hear you're safe! We were worried sick about you. Where are you now? Hikaru: I'm back in my apartment. How about you? Natalie: I'm staying with some friends of yours. A Kurumi Kyosuke. My apartment still seems to be a crime scene. Like I'm going to have to clear up this mess with the New York Police. You know it's going to take some time to straighten it out with them. And... Hikaru: Listen, I have a big favor to ask you. I'm not feeling well today, so I need you to fill in for me. Natalie: Me? You want me to do your dancing routines? Hikaru: Yes. Please. Natalie: But I'm not ready yet. I'm not nearly as good as you. Hikaru: You take yourself too lightly. You need to believe in yourself. I know you can do it. I really need your help big-time today. Please. Natalie: I see...okay! I'll give it my best shot. You can count on me! Hikaru: I'm glad to hear. If anyone asks about me, just let them know I'm okay. Natalie: Will do. Thanks Star-chan! Get well soon! Hikaru: Now I'm waiting for you, Ryusei Haroken. [Inside a holding cell] Jackson: (hand to his head) Ah shit! Where am I now? (looks around to see an underground cell) Jackson: Jesus! Man, this is hell! Eating that red shit which was really the 'red dust'! The drug packs a powerful punch! Paralyze the hell out of me! The whole operation's screwed now. Clancy must be furious at me. Easy now, buddy. Gotta stay calm. I'm still alive, so it means the rest of the Dragon group is too. I can still bust all their sorry asses! Only thing I can't figure out is what that Haroken was talking to the bad-ass Black Masked man about? He must have been in on it, selling us out. That two-faced bastard! He played me for a sucker all along. He probably got the money now! But I ain't going to give up now! Not when there's a lick of breath in me yet! (takes off his watch and turns the knob clockwise 3 strokes, then counter- clockwise 3 strokes and pulls it out to reveal a lock-pick device) Jackson: There isn't a lock out there I can't pick! [Hilton Hotel] (Nagasi walking back her hotel room, cleaning herself up) Nagasi: That bitch! Dumping me into a dumpster. Like she's that special! I get my revenge yet! Both her and Hikaru. I gonna get a piece of them! (she enters the room) Nagasi: Oh Ryu baby! You're finally here. Ryusei: What happened to you? Nagasi: Don't get me started on that! I was physically assaulted by that bitch Ayukawa. Ryusei: Ayukawa? Nagasi: Y'know! That Hiyama friend of hers. Ryusei: Don't bring up her name. Nagasi: Why? What she do to you? Did you go and see her? Ryusei: No...forget about it. I'm going out. Nagasi: Hey, where are you going? Ryusei: I have business to conduct. Ja. Nagasi: That Ryusei, ...always going in and out on me! Humph! [The Search Party] Kurumi: We know Hikaru is okay. But Madoka, Kyosuke, and Ojiichan are still missing! Right obaasan? Obaasan: Oi, Oi! Master: We must remain cool-headed. We need to find someone who can help us. Kurumi: Where the hell is that pipsqueak? He told me he's going to find 'Lone Wolf' for me to get to the bottom of things! I can't wait any longer! I'm going to do my own search! Master: Speaking of the devil, here is the girl herself. Kurumi: Madoka-san! Where were you? Madoka: I'm sorry I worried you all. I got a bit carried away trying to find what happened to Hikaru. Where's Kyosuke? Kurumi: He's missing in action! [Unconscious state] It was dark and cold, amid the war-torn landscape behind me. I was back in the battlefields of Bosnia again! Those drugs they injected me must have made my most traumatic experiences surface up to my consciousness. Those thoughts which I had for so very long tried to bottle up and deny. Which was the source of my nightmares for so many months. Now, these dark memories were crashing all over inside my fragile head. Kyousuke: Stop! Stop it! Stop the killing! This is genocide you're committing! "Tell me what I want to know!" I could feel the sonic waves of the mortar shells exploding around me as it crashed into its designated target amid the din of the machine gun fire. And the smell...it was of burning flesh mixed with the cold, dank smell of blood. A trully horrifying, disgusting feeling. And I couldn't bear much of this anymore. Kyosuke: This must end! You cannot continue this! I will expose your atrocities! STOP THE KILLING! "Knock him out now. He is much too unstable in his present state." "Understood." (One of the attendants inject a sleeping reagant into Kyosuke) "That should hold him for a while." Kyosuke: Madoka...you are my strength....where are you now? [Hikaru's apartment] Ryusei enters the apartment, as he notices the door slightly ajar. Ryusei: It's not safe to leave your door open like that. Especially in New York. Hikaru: Why? Aren't you the biggest criminal of them all? Ryusei: So I see that Miss Ayukawa dropped by today. Good. Better to know the whole story than hide behind false pretenses. Make things easier. You must know why I am here now. Hikaru: Yeah. Madoka mentioned it to me. You do what you have to do. Ryusei: That is my intention. I regret having to do this, given our storied association, but business is business. (walks over to Hikaru who is sitting on the couch, staring at something) Ryusei: What are you looking at? Hikaru: Your journal. You must have left it behind last night. I thought last night was a dream, a mirage. I didn't know how real it was until I read it. Ryusei: How careless of me. But no matter. Your time is up anyway. Hikaru: But how did you get me here and there? Madoka told me you disappeared with me and reappeared again! There's no way unless you're an ESPer! Ryusei: Ha! You are so gullible! You believe in that sort of voodoo? I merely knocked you out using my super hold move and utilized my training in the black arts to move quickly to and fro. Ninjetsu is one more skill you can add to my background. Hikaru: So ka, but why? That's one thing I can't understand? Why did you want to save me? Ryusei: Why? Hmm...A very good question...I'm not so sure... Hikaru: Was it because of this? (Hikaru holds up the photograph of her in an orange swimsuit, with a bangle around one of her legs.) Ryusei steps back! Where did you get this picture? Hikaru: Yes, I found it lodged inside your journalbook. Ryusei: What? You have that too? How did you steal that away from me? Hikaru: I did not steal it! I found it by my bedside! You must have dropped when you left me here. Ryusei: Give me back that picture! Hikaru: What are you talking about? You must have takened the picture from me. A picture takened from my adolescence. Ryusei: That's you in the picture? That's impossible! Hikaru: You don't believe me? I can prove it! (she picks up a photo album and turns the pages) Hikaru: Here. Look. (We see the same exact picture!) Ryusei looks with disbelief. That cannot be you! Hikaru: I know my own picture! It was takened when I was 15. Kyosuke was my boyfriend at that time and we had a day at the beach. I happen to pose for him for several pictures since he bought his camera along. Ryusei slumps on the couch now. This cannot be! Hikaru: And here's another picture I want to show you! Here! Ryusei: What are you trying to pull? Are you trying to sway me with kiddie porn? 3 naked children at a bathhouse does not stimulated me. Hikaru: This was even further back then. It was when I was 6. The person on the far right is Madoka. She looks more like a boy here. The person in the middle is me. Ryusei: Then the little boy at the end must be that cursed Kyosuke character. Hikaru: No. (her heads hangs down) It is you. Ryusei: Me? Very funny. What joke are you playing on me? Hikaru: It is not a joke. It is the truth. Yuu-kun. Ryusei: Yuu-kun? Who is that? Hikaru: That is you. Your true identity. Ryusei: My true identity? That cannot be true. Hikaru; You cannot deny the truth no longer; you are not Ryusei Haroken. You are Hino Yuusaku. I heard everything at that place. Including the relevation that broke you down. Ryusei: You mean the mole on my left side. Yes, that was my Achilles' heel which the Black Dragon exposed. No one knows about that at all, till now. His claim of knowledge of my past broke my resolve at that moment. Hikaru: You don't have to worry no longer. I can tell you who you are now. Look at this picture yourself. That little boy has the same mole on the left center side of his hip, just like you have now. (Ryusei examines the picture and then jumps up in shock) Hikaru: You are Yuusaku! Ryusei: Hino Yuusaku...Hino Yuusaku...that is the name of the grave you visited...then how can that be me....it doesn't make any sense at all... I don't know...I do not know who I am or who I once was. It's all gone now. Hikaru: No it's not. Or why do you still remember my face? The face which has been haunting you for all these years. You couldn't bear to destroy that face. That's why you saved me! Ryusei: It's true. I see a face similar to yours in my unexplainable dreams. But that is of my wife. My memories of her are like a stain of blood on a white cotton sheet. No matter how many times I try to wash it out, the stain still lingers on. But you cannot possibly be her! The timing is wrong! Hikaru: Don't fight your feelings now. Ryusei: (grabs his head in anguish) Arghhhhh! My headaches...it's all because of you...when we were young...I always had to follow you, pamper you, protect you, save you from all the problems of the world...but you would just ignore me...pushing me further and further away... Hikaru: (suddenly goes up and hugs him, wrapping her arms around him) It's all right, Yuu-kun. Your headaches must be a sign that your memories are returning to you. Ryusei: (pushes her away from him) It cannot be! This is not right! I cannot be that person! It doesn't fit at all, I am too old for this picture. You're 23 and I'm 29. There is a 6 year difference. That boy couldn't possibly be me. You got the wrong person! Break the illusion Hiyama-san! I am not the man you think I am. Hikaru: It's not too late for you. Please! Come to your senses! You still have a chance to redeem yourself. You may have done bad things, but that was under a different identity. You must have been manipulated. You must not be afraid of the possibilities. The grace of life is shining upon all of us. Ryusei: You cannot love something that you never loved before. I'm sorry, I must leave now. Gomen. [At #1's room] (We see Kurumi sitting outside the door) #1: What are you doing here? Kurumi: I need to talk to you alone. Kaori: I just realized I've got something to do. See ya! #1: What do you want? Kurumi: You know exactly what! What did you do to my ojiichan and oniichan? #1: That is none of your concern. Kurumi: Like hell it isn't! Here! (grabs him by the hand and teleports!) [XIA] Clancy: Any luck extracting information from them? "No maam. They have been quite resistant, especially the younger one. He is currently unconscious." Clancy: And have you found out more of their background bios? "Yes maam. They are both originally from Japan. The old man is retired and has been traveling around. The young one has graduated from college and is doing photograpy work. He also achieved notariety last year. Here. You can see for yourself." (we see a copy of a newspaper clipping: "Amateur Photographer Rescued from Balkan Crossfire") (*flashback to Hikaru's apartment*) Clancy: Why do you have this news clipping? It's quite old. Hikaru: Oh, it's about my sempai! Kasuga Kyosuke! You know I had a major crush on him. He's going to be the best photographer in the world! Remember that name. (*end flashback*) Clancy: I see the relevance now. Thank you. [Action Jackson] I peeled the life-like mask off my face. There was no need for the disguise now. I had fallen into a trap, plain and simple. What Clancy said about this wacko group was true. They were dangerous and to be reckoned with. That head honcho must be really a major son of a bitch to sell out his fellow comrades. I checked out the hallways and saw some crazy things. People dressed up in costumes carrying stuff back and forth. Stuff you see at Vegas at Caesear's palace, but not in New York City. And this was no show. Whatever they were doing, they were sure in a hurry to get it done fast. I knocked out one of the servers and took his togo as a disguise. With it, I could go and poke around more. This was what I was going to do anyway. Sneaking around here to check out the Chameleon. But man, were the tables turned on me. Who was the Chameleon? Was it the black mask dude? It must be that blask mask dude! It was up to me to find out! [In the hotel room] Ryusei staggers into his room. Ryusei: It can't be true...it can't be true! Right at that moment, he looks into the mirror and sees his reflection bouncing right back at him. He also catches a glimpse of the minature buddha, staring right back at him in its cold, gazing manner. Ryusei: What are you looking at? You must be enjoying this immensely at my expense! I'll show you! I'll show all of you! No one can stop the great and powerful Ryusei Haroken! "Is that who you are?" Ryusei: (shock) It spoke? Now I know I'm going out of my mind! "Only calm comes to those who seek it." Ryusei: I tell you what I seek! I seek the truth! About myself! About who I'm really am. Not all the lies I hear around me! "Only you know what you seek." Ryusei: I need answers....I need answers...where can I go to find out? [On the roof] #1: Where have you takened me? Kurumi: To the top of this hotel building. We can talk openly now. #1: I have nothing to say to X-per scum like you? Kurumi: X-per? I don't know what you're talking about, but we call ourselves ESPers for your information. Not X-per! #1: I don't care what you call yourselves. You all can go to hell for all I care! Kurumi: Did you kill them? #1: (laughs) No, but they deserve death. But I would only be wasting my ammo. A bullet from me would be too good for them. Kurumi: Why are you being so cruel Lone Wolf? What have we done to you? #1: Your kind ambushed and killed my partner. I would never forget it. From that day forward, I vowed retribution. Kurumi: You sure as hell got the wrong people here. Our family might have been naughty with the Power! but we never killed anyone! #1: Lies! Just a bunch of lies! Kurumi: I know who I am and where I come from. I don't know what others in my group may have done to your friend, but you can't go blaming the entire group for the actions of a few rotten applies. That's like blaming all the Germans for the Nazi movement. #1: I don't care! There's no such thing as a good X-per? Kurumi: You're wrong there! My oniichan is not a bad person! If anything happens to him, then it will be on your conscious! See if you can live with yourself if you falsely accuse innocent people! I'm going! (teleports out) #1: