No-Names

"Now this is a level A tier case so let's treat this with some respect, shall we? From the file, it seems the monsters, a.k.a No-Names name provided by Apollo. They seem to originate from Phronesis, although I'm not sure that's the entire case. We lost one of our top five to one of these No-Names that were stronger than anything we see with the No-Names now. What I hypothesize is that the No-Names we're seeing now are somehow different from the ones we originally saw." Kingsley said starting the meeting strong, I can see why he's on the team!

CHAPTER 5: No-Names

"That's good and all and clears the power difference, but we need something more inviting for us to go back to Phronesis to see. Otherwise, we're just monster hunting just to monster hunt." Koji said half awake.

"Maybe it's the difference between Zoe? What if it takes Zoe to create these things?" Aza said trying to figure out a solution. I can tell I'm out of their league, but I can learn! I can learn by watching them and copying their movements! Go for it Z, say something beneficial!

"If that's the case then that means there is someone out there with a high enough Zoe to control monster, but maybe not has high as Apollo since he killed one in seconds. Or am I wrong?" Z said, trying to help with the little detective work he knows.

"Yeah! You guys might be onto something. If that's the case then there should be people to pinpoint down for who made these No-Names, also with this theory we know where they're hiding in Phronesis!." Kingsley said

"Only one problem with that. How will we know where and how to attack someone who's pulling strings? If this is all correct then there has to be a mastermind behind it all. What would be their motive? To be evil just to be evil? That's a low criminal thought process. We need to think less of what the No-Names is because, in the end, we'll have to get rid of them, and more of what's the plan behind them." Koji said still half awake.

"That's a pretty good point, what would be the plan behind this?" Aza said.

The room was silent for a while until I came to an idea again so I started to speak "Maybe to throw us off a bigger plot?" I paused looking around the room to see if he can continue his theory, which was met with a yes from their eyes.

"Koji has a point about having to go and fight the No-Names eventually, the only thing is though what if that to lower our guard. I mean you guys don't work for the government and the government and the Otherside has been at war for a while now. Since this agency is so in the middle maybe they're trying to take it down? Send all our strong people to Phronesis then do a flank?" I said with a hope it sounded like a solid theory.

"See now that's a great idea, we're getting somewhere. I like that theory. The only thing is that this case goes from an A to an SS fast." Koji says waking up a little from what he just thought. "Why's that?" I said, confused about the course.

"Well think about it, if they're planning to do a flank on us."

"Then they know where the base is and how to enter it," Kingsley said with fear in his voice. "

Looks like Kingsley doesn't just eat food all day," Koji said.

"So what does all this mean exactly? If they do know where the base is then they still need a key to get in. Then they'll need the code, we all know this place is made with some of the strongest materials on earth. It cannot be so easily taken down by bombs or a bulldozer. Unless they have a key then they cannot get in." Aza said with confidence in her voice but what I said next ran everyone including Koji blood cold.

"What if they have a key? What if someone gave them a key? What if there is a traitor?" The room went silent. They were all scared that if this was true no one was safe.

"Are you sure you background checked everyone?" I asked since I'm new and have no clue who came here so far and who hasn't however, I'm not delusional. Ever since the Otherside existed criminals have been on the spread trying to seek their success. A criminal Organization group that rivals of that of the Government.

Even in my hometown, even found myself doing shady things just to get an extra buck. It was not for bad intent but when you're grandmother is struggling to get a new meal on the table making it seem like she forgot some money in places like on the counter or in a dresser. Gave her hope which made me happy, so I did what I did for that happiness.

"I don't want to believe that so quickly. So how about we come up with other theories about what the plan with these No-Names is." Kingsley said with audible shaking in his voice.

"Yeah. Any other ideas?" Koji said going back to a half-awake state.

"I like to think there's a mastermind like the previous theory. Yet I think we're thinking at a bigger scale than what we should be, let's think on a more surface level. What if it is someone who has personal issues with the town or themselves? Maybe dealing with loss or a lover who recently departed from them?" Aza said, trying her best not to think it's the traitor theory.

"No that cannot be it. If it was something like that then I better see a five-year-old doing this cause that has to be the most childish thing ever. Learning Zoe, killing other people, making monsters that haven't been seen before. It's all too much for something so light." Koji said with his eyes closed.

"Alright Mr.shut everything down, what do you have to offer?" Aza said, annoyed.

"Well going off the info we already have, we know this person has been training Zoe for a very long time. Whoever this is then assigns people who are weaker than him to make a Rokus in Phronesis for an unknown reason. What this tells us is this person isn't a broken-hearted idiot like your theory, but someone with influence. Someone strong enough to make people work for them and follow his command. I don't think it's the government, yes getting one of us if not all of us killed would be a huge reward for them. At the same time, making a new species that could ruin their perfect little party of everything alright in the world isn't on the table either." Koji said, looking at Aza with a smug look.

"Then how about the other side?" Kingsley asked intrigued by this theory.

"That's a possible candidate. They've been fighting against the government for years, so ruining that perfect world persona would be beneficial to them. However, they killed one of our top-five when he was just patrolling our state. Unless he was a traitor it killed him for no reason."

"Maybe it was a message to us?" Kingsley said, trying to add on to the theory.

"That's very well possible but I was thinking more of a test. To see if these things can compete with the top-five in our organization. You also have to account for the fact it killed Dion on the outside of the state, not the inside. So that would mean it was planned from the start, which would mean it was made strong enough to fight a top-five. Which in return means we're most likely the target and since Dion was walking around and they got the drop on him, they know where in this town. Lastly, Dion was a previous top-five that died to a No-Name, Z but there's another Dion that here and alive."

"Thank you Koji, I was just about to ask."

"Well, that works for anyone, right? Does it have to be the other side? What if this is just a domino in a line of them?" Aza said.

"Well if we think of it like that we'll just be looking for a certain piece of a grain of sand in a sandbox. It's pointless to think that way right now, it's better we keep our eyes peeled for suspects while having a conscience that it is most likely the other side." Kingsley said, trying to think of other theories.

"Well, there is one more thing I like to talk about, the No-Names." I said out of nowhere.

"I just wanted to grab a little more information on them. Like has anyone defeated one? Or know how to defeat one?"

The room went silent even Koji opened one of his sleepy eyes before Koji did a small chuckle and said "Then I guess it's just a part of the process." Before Koji completely fell asleep.

"Well since he fell asleep I suggest we call it for today and pick it up when we have more information. Now we usually have to vote if we want Z in the Department but, I'm pretty sure it's anonymous. Unless it's not?" Kingsley said looking around for any disagreements, but like his theory stated no one complained.

"Alright, you're on Z. Great work today! Ready to grab that lunch?"

"Sure! Wanna come to Aza?"

"No, I'm going to go shopping and I'll need an extra hand. Good thing Koji is not doing anything because he has enough time to sleep and he has enough time to hold stuff." Aza said, looking at the sleeping Koji with devil eyes.

"Z first tip doesn't make her mad."

"Listen to the boy Z. I can make your life a living hell," Aza said before waking Koji up and telling him there was a swordsman who said they could carry more bags than he can.

"See, she is twisted and she is really smart. She's not the one you want to mess with."

"I can see now Koji's ego just got turned against him, poor poor guy." I said, looking down in disappointment.

"Alright let's grab that lunch and we can talk to Pete while we're there."

"Alright let's go!"

"Oh well if it isn't my two favorite boys on earth! What can I get you guys?" Pete said with his usual gleam smile.

"Two bowls of bulgogi for me," Kingsley said.

"Your usual I see. What will it be for you Z, I haven't made anything for you in a while so you name it, I can make it." Pete said doing a cool trick with his spatulas.

"Well can I also get a bowl of bulgogi, with rice please?" I said sitting in a seat next to Kingsley. "You got it 3 bowls of bulgogi one with rice is coming right up. Watching Pete in the kitchen was like seeing a magic show for the first time, everything he did seem unreal or fictional.

"Here you two go! Two delicious meals made by Top Chef!" Pete said placing down the food in front of them. Kingsley eating the food and never getting enough of it as usual. I took my first bite of Pete cooking in a long time. Tears were coming down his face, has I remember eating at Pete's Pizza place for the first time. The taste of Pete's cooking was so good, that I started to remember the good moments in my life leading up to this. All from that one day that horrible but good day.

...

"Hey! That's mine give that back!" A young boy said getting bullied by the town bully.

"Give this back? You must be out of your mind! I'm going to eat this piece of candy and then the next piece. The Only Piece of something your going to see is yourself considering you a piece of shit!" The leader of the ragtag team the bullies we're in the same team that has been running the town kids into shambles for a while.

"Didn't he tell you guys to back off?" A random kid said to the bullies "Shut the hell up you bastard. You're that kid who has no parents to grow up with. Hey, how's your family? Hey, have you ever had a father and son talk? Ha! Ha! Ha!" The boys all joined in on his laughter

"Does this feel good? Does laughing at other people's pain feel good for you?" The boy said getting up and grabbing a brick block on the floor and hitting the boy in the face. That's when he got grabbed by the other two boys while the other one started to laugh.

That's when he started to fully kick in the skull and destroyed the back of the random kid. "Stop!" The young boy who had the candy before it was stolen said.

"Stop!? Stop!? STOP!? You think we're going to stop because some useless waste of human soul told us to. Listen here cause there is something your mommy and daddy's for the some of you at least, didn't teach you. This is the real world, and in the real world status, money, and power are all things that separate you and me. Your savior here is on the floor easy to be kicked, and you're here trying to play peace party. Learn it this way kid, there are people like me and then there are people like you and this piece of useless human being on the floor. Learn the fine line before you end up like this fool." The top bully for their team of delinquents.

That's when the young boy went over and punched the top bully as hard as he can and pushed the other kids, holding down the other boy. Just like that, the tides changed. The bully for the first time we're being held back. "I'm not losing to a parent-less black-haired loser like Z. Also to an extra, no way, no way, no way! The top bully said after his friends ran away, leaving him for no good.

"Shut the hell up already!" The young boy said, kicking him in the mouth, making even the other boy shocked. "Thanks! I didn't want to do that, my name is Kingsley by the way."

"I'm Z. Just Z." Little did Kingsley know, that was the first time Z spoke in a long time.

...

"Z? Z? Z!?" That is all he heard when he turned to his side and saw Kingsley, not a kid begging for candy but instead a the aspects of becoming a grown man.

"Oh my bad, just haven't had food from Pete in a long time. It's still the best food I've ever had in my life." I said, wiping his tears away.

"B- B- Bes- food ever had!" Pete said flustered. "Z!!!" Was all they heard from down the hallway coming into the room. "That sounds like Apollo." I said then seeing an angry Apollo walk into Kitchen.

"Z! We can't delay this anymore, I need to train you now!" Apollo said, grabbing Z by the neck collar and dragging him out of the room.

"Alright Apollo, explain yourself! My food is probably cold now, and you said I can go to you when I'm ready!" I said sadder about his food more than anything.

"The bone is starting to lose flavor. The tides are going to change. I need you to be a decent level of Zoe before that happens. Now to give you a lectern on Zoe. Pay attention young one, Sensei Apollo will give you a teaching that is so impactful and so insightful you will be changed as a person." Apollo said before starting again.

"You'll be perfect. I'll make you a little gremlin but like the perfect little gremlin. Then I'll convince the Alf to let you go on double S cases to make you my predecessor, my prodigy, my practical child at that point HAHA!" Apollo said in a crazy tone.

"This is going to be a wild ride." Was all I could muster and a very lackluster sad way too.

===============EXTRA SCENCE==================

"Kingsley! Where are my swords?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know huh?"

"Nope."

"You didn't touch them?"

"Nope."

"Not at all, today."

"Not a single time."

"That's funny because I had the mechanic department run a scan on the holster of my swords and you're finger prints are all on them."

"That could date back to years ago."

"Alright, then I also have footage of you stealing them while I was asleep."

"Could be a clone."

"Really? Well then I also painted the holster in red pain which your hand clearly as!"

"I was eating spicy food!"

"Lick it."

"My hand?"

"Yes, lick you're hand."

"I-I- fine."

"Do you want to give up now o-"

"There! There! I licked my hand."

"You actually licked it... Alright, even though I know you did it I'll let you pass. Anyone who's willing to lick paint to win an argument is enough for me."

"Does that mean I got away with it!?"

"Well, you just admitted to the crime so... sure!"

"Yeah!"