Death Stalker

Mr. Kemper walks in bringing their conversation to an abrupt end. "Hey kids" he says.

"Hi" they respond.

"I got your video yesterday. From the look, things are escalating pretty quickly and I need to take care of them before they get worse"

"Also in as much as I hate what you kids are doing here, messing with pretty dangerous people who can harm you easily in a way or another, there's no denying it that at the moment, you kids are this cities last ray of hope"

"I have been working on this case for quite some time and things are not as plain as they seem. Everything happening is deeply connected to a core history and grounds upon which this city achieved it's success."

"What you have started will bring to you things you probably are better off not knowing about but all the same, being this city's last ray of hope, one that is going to bring smiles on the faces of the people of this city once again I'm going to trust you with this information and also that you do what is expected of you"

With unclear expressions on their faces, they nod. Gideon's face was especially unrecognizable as fear grips him and he clamps his hands tightly together.

"Last year, we got wind that the one behind all the shady things going on in this city had a major operation center in Pennyville. Right at the city's center, they operate from the highest building in the city, the Lynch Tower."

"We lost several of our men trying to acquire evidence to take them down and yet the tower as well as all its shady activities are still up and running. It is registered as a governmental organization which makes the situation even more complex, though from information we got, the government is unaware of what is going on there, making it more difficult for us to take any action without appropriate evidence."

"I bet they pay the government a ton to pretend they don't even know about it" Shiro cuts in.

"We can't say for certain but since you work outside the law, and basically not answering to anyone, so for a start, I want you to shut down their operation. You should know though; the building is heavily guarded."

"As you take them on, I would as well go and deal with the imposter posing as general Lee. Do be careful. I have already given any other information you need to Melanie. Alert me when you are ready. I have got some business to take care of. I will see you later" He concludes and without saying another word walks out with Melanie.

"No time to even ask questions?" Gavin asks

"Ask them to Melanie, she's coming back"

"Forget it"

"It's time to do some detective work" Gideon says sitting behind a computer.

"What are you doing?" Zarx enquires.

"Nothing much, just trying to document everything we discussed. Might come in useful"

"Alex has already done that"

"Great, so my skill set is useless here"

"No, not exactly. I wanted to write some codes for a programme I'm developing and looking at the way thing have turned out, you are just the right guy for the job"

"Cool. So when do I get started?"

"Right now in fact. Search D17, project 5. Everything you need to know is there"

"Okay, on it"

"So what about the silver coated bridge?" Ace asks

"I think it's best to leave that for the time being."

"Alex is currently searching every media he can access. Maybe she would find something sooner or later. So as Shiro said I think it's best to leave it for now"

"Okay"

"Melanie, what other thing do we need to know about this Lynch Tower? Do you have a picture or something?" Shiro asks.

"Yeah, let me check my phone"

"No need" Zarx interrupts. "Alex already found it".

The hologram of a very high tower is projected across the entire training arena. The tower resembles an ancient Egyptian hourglass but with long tubes for bulbs. It has beautiful carvings on it with a beautiful black and gold color.

After studying it for a while, Melanie steps back for a moment then says "We need to get a close up look though, but how do we do that without drawing attention?"

"I've got an idea. Who wants to go cycling?" Gavin asks smiling as the others stare intently.

CAMCOT 9 YEARS AGO

GAVIN'S HOUSE

2:15 PM

"Gavin, you got into a fight again? Did you ever listen to anything, anything I told you before?"

"But mom he started it" Gavin cuts in.

"I don't care who started, because of your recklessness and impatience, now someone's kid's been hospitalized. Always getting angry at the slightest thing…"

"Mom…"

"Quiet Gavin, I don't want to hear any more of your complaints" she snaps. "I have had it with this behavior of yours. Get in there and get your things ready. You are going to grandpa's"

"Mom please any place but there please" he pleads.

"Gavin, I don't want to repeat myself. Get going before you irritate me even more" she says leaving him in the living room staring at her back.

MONTHS LATER

GARDOT

7:00 AM

"Come on old man, haven't I had enough punishment already?"

"This is not a punishment Gavin, it's training. You need to work on your anger"

"Isn't that what I have been doing for the last one and a half years?"

"Yes, you are improving at controlling your temper, but you are still too impatient. Patience is a virtue, and until you get that right, you are staying here"

"Come on, I'm more patient than you think old man"

"Doesn't look that way to me, but if you say so, I will take your word for it. Get your sword and come for your next task. Let see just how patient you are".

He frowns and walks away, returning with a sword and a small bag. His grandfather hands him an earthen pot with a clear instruction "Carry this up Mount Edal without spilling the water or breaking the pot. When you get to the top, you would see a stone basin, pour the water in it and return before sun set"

"I would be watching you, so don't try any silly tricks. If a drop of water falls from this pot, you would have to start all over again. Can you take up the challenge or would you go back into hiding"

Gavin stares blankly at him for a while and mutters "Who the hell does this old man think he is?"

"I didn't quite catch that" his grandpa declares with a cold glare

"It's was nothing" Gavin remarks unconcerned before walking away.

MOUNT EDAL

3:00 PM

Between a group of trees stands a basin with ancient carvings and its sides look like the shell of a tortoise. Walking through the group of trees at a slow pace, Gavin pours the water into the basin, sweat dripping from his entire face. "Phew" He lets out a sigh and puts the empty pot into his bag and sits to rest.

After a few minutes' rest, he begins descent again. Half way down, he hears an object cutting through the wind and dives to one side avoiding the projectile causing him to roll down and strike a nearby tree.

"Argh!!" He lets out painful groan. Quickly standing, he unsheathes his sword and blocks the next one. His attacker dashes forward like a swan for its prey as his weapon cuts sharply through the air towards Gavin's neck. Noticing the threat coming he swings his sword sharply with utmost fluid movement and precision, intercepting the on coming attack. Clang!!!! The two weapons collide sending a echo through the silent mountain range as the two are sent sliding backwards. The two stand staring at each other.

"Who the hell are you?" Gavin demands

"Sorry about that. I mistook you for someone else" his attacker replies with a bow.

"You mean those guys over there?" Gavin asks pointing his direction. Following his finger, his attacker turns to look back. "So there you are" he says.

"Watch out" he shouts to Gavin who turns and parries an attack. The two move closer to each other as they are surrounded from all sides by five men.

"Who the hell are these guys" Gavin questions.

"I don't know but they have been tailing me for quite a while now. I assume they are after something I have"

"Whatever. Let's get this over with, I have go things to do. I would take the two to the right"

"I would take the others"

Gavin launches himself forward attacking the person before him from below but his attack is nullified. He removes concussion pellets from a pouch on his belt and throws it into their faces. He quickly over powers them as they are dazed by his attack.

His attacker on the other hand engulfs himself in smoke with his attackers. When the smoke clears, the three are down.

"Thanks for that. I'm Death Stalker by the way" says his attacker.

"Um… I'm samurai… I mean Silent Samurai"

Noticing Gavin's shoes he mentions "You are member of the Samuko clan"

"Yeah, how did you figure"

"You wear their colors."

[Didn't you notice that before attacking me?]

"I have a message from my clan head. Can you please deliver this message to your clan head for me?"

"Sure"

Death Stalker hands him a scroll.

"You seem to be new here. So be careful around these plains. Danger is always lurking around here and the Kukoses may be the least of your worries" he says and drops smoke pellets, no where to be seen after the smoke clears, he is gone.

"What's up with ninja's and smoke and who the hell are these Kukoses he is talking about?" Gavin says with a cough. He turns and races down the mountain at top speed.