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In this creation Kuma, the battle-tested samurai, has to overcome one final hurdle, before he can enjoy his favorite thing in the whole white world - hot, steaming ramen. In this MOC, the pagoda received special attention: it was made with excessive detail to match my own vision of what steampunk is, although the colors are, perhaps, a better fit for actual pagodas, than for a steampunk creation. Fun fact - the cat is actually from Japan : ) As always all comments, criticisms and suggestions are welcome!

The masked warrior. Inspired by Samurai X minifig print. Wanted to make a realistic armored figure with brighter-than-usual colors. More images on Cyclopic Bricks.

Wasn't sure where else to post this, Historic seems like the best idea. Here's an alternate model for the 31032 Red Creatures set: Instructions can be found here: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=558155

Here is my latest creation Space Samurais. They are the first part of my sci fi samurai army later I will add a drop ship and a medium tank. Hope you all like it! My Flickr Troopers Commander's Bike Loading Unit Laser-San Flamez-San Pistol-San Gatling-San Backside Backside of the Flamez-San My Flickr

This is my 9th and final entry to this years Colossal Castle Contest. The category was "Miscellaneous - Large Creation". Bushido is a japanese word for the way of the samurai life, loosely analogous to the concept of chivalry. Samurais have been trained in outlying academies to learn this way of life and of course fighting with the sword. I hope you like my asian style and thanks for your comments and criticism ! Greets Disco

Here is another entry for the CCCXII, this time I tried to build something a little bit different. Maybe I got the time to build some more entries this year, hope you enjoy. The Japanese have been cultivating rice since thousands of years. In the medieval age they began to build terraces at the northern mountains of Honshū, to take advantage of these surfaces' agricultural potential. Thanks a lot for your C&C

Hi, I'm visiting Tokyo for a while, and looking for any advice on places to shop, or things to do that are Lego related. I've already gone to the Lego Discovery Center in Odaiba, along with the Clickbrick store nearby. Mandarake seems to sell a bit of used Lego, but so far, that's all I can find. Does anyone have any ideas, from physical stores, to groups/shows? Thanks!

Daimyo's court including the daimyo (lord), two samurai, a geisha and a mendicant priest: And now for something more mythic - two evil ninja and two oni (ogres): And a couple more from Japanese mythology - a kappa (river spirit) and bigfig oni:

Here it is, my second MOC dedicated to my setting, Season of the cherry blossoms. This time, it's a board game for two players, with lots of minifigures and with the possibility to customize the playing map for endless fun. The game manual (be kind to me, it's home made) and building instructions (from LDD, so you know how they look like) can be found on my blog: http://seasonofthech...ego-board-game/ A gallery of photos: If you like it, and would like to support it, you can find it on LEGO Ideas: https://ideas.lego.com/projects/75136

First real post of a MOC in the town forum, I present to you "トレイン カレー" or "Train Curry". This a a small restaurant inspired by the real life "Curry Station Niagara" in Yutenji, Tokyo where my girlfriend and I spent an extremely nice evening as the only customesr during the 2nd worst snowstorm to hit Tokyo this year. If you are ever in Tokyo, I highly recommend a visit as the Station Master (yes he really is one) is extremely friendly and your tasty curry is delivered by toy train. More info on the inspiration for this build can be found here: http://www.facebook....station.niagara So time for a tour. The outside Here you see the building from all sides, its a short blocky 2-story affair. It was built on a 16x16 plate, with a 4 stud overhang on the left side for the stairs to the 2nd floor and a 1 stud overhang for the frontage. It will sit into a 16x16 recess on my train layout, hence no street detail around the building in these shots. The reason for all the 1x1 headlight brick holes will become clear shortly. The sign on the front is my best attempt at brick built Katakana (Japanese alphabet used for western words). Really "train" should be "densha" not "to-re-i-n" however that would call for some Kanji (Chinese style characters) that just could not be realised in the space available. I was tempted to just build 'curry' in western script but thought I'd have a go like this first; let me know what you think! A close up of the steam engine front end in the bay window: I wish I had a window piece without the burger on, but I just cant bring myself to use the poleesh remover of naieel. I'm also hoping to find a better sign for the level crossing post. The inside Having never seen the upstairs of the building that served as inspiration, I settled for a generic small flat interior with compact bathroom (shower and toilet) and an open living area: It looks quite spacious as there is no bed (assume there is a futon stashed away somewhere) and no kitchen (but then there is already a restaurant downstairs, perhaps though I should MOC a rice cooker). The robot is there just because. The Restaurant I tried to pack the restaurant full of memorabilia, picking some key features from the real life inspiration such as the ticket machine where you order your meal, the train number plates all over the walls, the ticket window and station clock, and of course the toy train track around the room for curry delivery. Now you see the reason for all the 1x1 headlights; how I wish Pick a Brick sold 1x1 with stud on side in brown. If I ever get hold of some minifig roller-skates I will build a small train for making curry deliveries, but for now the track is empty. The ever happy station master talks to his patrons: Behind the white wall is a small stove for making curry, In reality there is a bathroom here and the building extends back further into a small kitchen. I had no room for such though (my layout has a train running directly behind the building with only 2 stud clearance). I also forgot to re-assemble the top of the wall for this shot! The right hand wall swings away providing a minifig's eye view: A final shot from behind the bar, a spare station master cap sits on the luggage rack for patrons to wear: And finally here it is in my layout: (see http://www.eurobrick...showtopic=95715 for more on the train layout itself) Thanks for taking the time to look at my MOC. Comments and suggestions welcome.

Hi all! Here is a gallery of a MOC I've realized in LDD. It's part of a concept set in a fantasy feudal Japan, a setting I played with table-top RPGs some years ago. This is the first of a series, and my first project submitted for LEGO Ideas. A small gallery (more can be found at the LEGO Ideas page).

Musha Gundam are Gundam units modelled after samurai, ninja, or other forms of feudal Japanese warriors. I wanted to continue on the line of my mecha like my Gundam Arbalester,Seraphine III and Hammer Judge but with something like a Samurai Link Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/devid7/14236281412/ Link MOCpages http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/388759

Yeah it's that time again. Honestly I wanted to go over this some more, but I was running out of steam and I figured this might rejuvenate me. As always please reply if you have a comment, that way I know if I need to improve. This takes place after Kaeru, so you might want to reread it to refresh. Likewise earlier stories like Knifefish, Automaton, and Knifefish 2 are involved, though only faintly. However you might want to reread them since I am working on a big crossover, as I have been saying since like part 3. Anyone without further ado here we go. Little feet darted across the rooftops, scampering wildly. Below dogs barked, sharp piercing noise that made the runner flinch. She stumbled at each sound, before leaping into an open building. She shivered briefly, before rubbing her head. "Okay, this stinks," she decided, "How do I get them out without him finding out? Ugh this is not how I wanted to spend my last years on Earth." She paced around, before leaping out the window and scaling the building. "Okay I need help," she admitted, "So who exactly can I go to? Pretty much everyone has already left, and we don't have much longer so..." She stopped, as she caught sight of a poster lying on a wall. " Hey, it's worthy shot," she shrugged, before scampering away. --------------------- Tokyo Metropolis, an expanded collection of cities, villages, and with an assortment of special wards. Sunlight sprinkled upon it dancing upon the streets. People watched a televised screen as it played the image of a young woman with orange skin and black hair, standing at a conference. Her face was down as her words were translated to Japanese, saying "...This is what bothers me about so many of our portrayals. On popular television we are shown as rude jerks, arrogant and apathetic. Do not mistake a lack of understanding for a lack of care..." Suddenly a young teenager smashed into a skyscraper's base. She barely winced, her body covered by a shell of glowing purple energy armor. She slid down from the tower, landing with a thud on the sidewalk. A headband bound her long black hair, and her eyes were uneven in hue. The purple energy covered her from her head to her feet, all but impenetrable. A dirty jacket lay over her chest, with torn jean shorts covering her lower torso. She was fourteen years old, a runaway. Karuta clenched her fists, causing the construct over her hands to tighten. She didn't know where her powers came from, all she knew is that somehow she was born of two worlds. But she just didn't know what that meant. She had gone by many names since she started fighting crime, Asami and Kaeru were the latest. But she had moved beyond them, despite her young age. Karuta suddenly bounced into the air, narrowly avoiding a lean woman's swing. The older human was dressed in a black and gold suit of armor, smooth against her body like silk. Her face was cloaked aside from her mouth, and she was in her middle twenties. Slug over her shoulder was a bag, an assortment of yin sticking out from it. "Back off kid," the woman said as the two of them eyed each other, "I prefer not to fight children. Just leave me alone and no one gets hurt, alright?" "Please, I grew out of childhood years ago," Karuta encircled the woman, "I cannot just let you walk away." "It's not like it's yours," the woman said, "Or anyone who deserves it. But fine, if you want to fight me so badly, I will oblige you." She barreled down on Karuta, smashing he across the street. Karuta caught herself on the pavement, and slowed the woman to a halt. With a twist Karuta swung her, sending her flying towards a skyscraper. Suddenly the woman righted herself, and froze in midair. "You can fly?" Karuta marveled. "You do not know what I can do," the woman suddenly ignited her hands, before hurling blue bolts of energy at Karuta. The shots absorbed into Karuta's armor, begore the young vigilante bounced into the air to strike the woman down. The woman swiveled away, just as Karuta reached out. With a squeeze she caught the woman, before falling back down to Earth. With a song she smashed the woman into the ground, flinging her again and again into the streets. The woman suddenly muttered something under her breath. Immediately her body ripped free, and she wrapped into a ball of blue energy. With a fury she began to rebound about, smacking into Karuta and smashing against the buildings of the city. As Karuta stood up, she saw rubble falling down towards a group of citizens, watching her fight. Quickly she barreled down to them, before throwing up her arms. With a thud she shielded their bodies, catching the debris. "Run," she ordered, leading them to scatter away. The woman suddenly ricocheted into Karuta, still a sphere of power. Karuta smacked into a tower, leaving her to stumble from the low. The woman recoiled back into human shape, before flying into Karuta. Karuta skidded across the street, landing with a thud. As the woman landed on her, Karuta caught her leg, and flung her into a skyscraper. Both of them pulled themselves up, barely fazed by the battle. The woman smashed forward from the building, knocking into Karuta. The youth swung out her arms to catch the woman, before smashing her into the ground. "You are really strong," Karuta admitted, "What is your name?" "Just call me Go Go Tomago," Immediately Tomago turned back into a ball of energy, and plowed into Karuta. The armored teen went flying, smashing into a tower with a thud. The building shook, even as Karuta leapt off and crashed into the speeding Tomago. The criminal returned to human form, briefly dazed. Grabbing Tomago in her hands Karuta swung her about, bashing her again and again into the ground. The street cracked from the blow, before Tomago managed to catch herself. With a twist she vaulted into the air, hovering upwards. Tomago suddenly charged downward, fists extended. Karuta quickly leapt out to meet her, impacted her fists with a powerful punch. The two fell back, knocked into the ground. Tomago flexed her fists, and declared, "Go Go Tomago." Her body wrapped back into a ball, before barreling down into Karuta. The armored teen pounded into a skyscraper, before tumbling down onto the street. Tomago skidded to a halt, hovering overhead. "Give up kid," she said, "You aren't going to win against me." Karuta stood back up and said, "You are wrong." She quickly charged, slamming her fist into Tonago's exposed face. Tomago smashed into the ground, skidding around. "Yes," she stumbled upright, "You found a weakspot. I'll have to remember-" Karuta smashed her fist into Tomago's head again, plowing her into an apartment complex. Tomago stumbled, before throwing up her hands in front of her face as she recovered. As Tomago stood shakily Karuta swiped her into the air, and began to smash her down over and over. Tomago hit the ground hard, embedded in the street. As onlookers gazed at them Tomago muttered, "You really care this much about money?" "Not money," Karuta, "I saw what you did. If they were gang or Yakuza I would have no problem, but you threatened innocent people. Endangered them in our fight." "Well at least you-ah-ha-aren't a totally fool," Tomago said just as police arrived, "Here I thought you were fighting over a rich man's yin." "I do not work for anyone but the people," Karuta suddenly burst into the air, bouncing away as the police began to bind Tomago. The vigilante jumped off into the distance, leaving the scene behind. --------------------- Karuta walked through the night city, still wrapped in her purple shell. Rain fell down around her, rubbing off of her protective armor. Inside her armor all she could see was shades of purple, color was barred from her world. As she walked she suddenly stopped, and listened. As her eyes looked about they narrowed, then in a burst she sprinted forward. With a leap she jumped forward, before smashing her fist down. Immediately she stood up to reveal a crushed rat, smushed by her fist. She winced at the dead rat, its shattered body lay limp. She grabbed it through her constructs, and stared at it. Finally she walked away, still indirectly clutching the dead rat. She made her way through the city, until finally settling in an alleyway. Looking about, she dragged out a chunk of wood. Ripping it apart she got to work, sparking a fire. As it burned she held the rat to the fire, cooking it carefully. As it cooked she heard something behind her. She turned around to see a similarly aged child, staring at her. Karuta nodded and asked, "Excuse me, are you a runaway?" He nodded, though he wrinkled his nose at the burning smell. Karuta turned back to the rat, roasting it all over. "Are you hungry?" she asked. The child nodded, despite his displeasure. Karuta pulled the rat back suddenly, it's body about evenly cooked. "Don't eat them raw," she ordered, as she pulled out a sharpened stone. She hacked her way into the rat, separating the meat from the guts. Tokyo had an infestation of rats, and over the last year she had learned how to cook them fairly well. She handed him a chunk, even as she muttered, "I gratefully receive." Then she recoiled her armor, and began to plow her face into the rodent. "You a runaway?" the child asked as he looked at his chunk of meat. "Yes," she said, finished with her meal of sorts. She looked at him, before glancing at her hands. "But you are a superhero." Karuta looked at him, "It is a long story. Not everyone appreciates my power, some fear it. I could not stay with my parents." She paused briefly, sure she had forgotten something. "Why are you here?" she asked suddenly. "I don't want to talk about it." Karuta nodded, saying, "Yes. What is your name?" "Akio." "Karuta," she answered in turn, as he started to eat the rat. Karuta was the name of a kind of Samurai armor, and given her powers it was the name she had selected, with help from the press. Akio devoured the rodent with a frenzy. Karuta observed the feast, even as she regrets her armor. "Are you still hungry?" she offered, already listening for rats. "Yes," he said. "Come," she said, "I'll find another." Spotting his look she remarked, "Food is not extremely stable here. The recession has not helped." She flinched a little as well, not liking the look in his eyes, like a dropped egg. "Okay." he followed her out of the gap in the buildings, just as she paused. "What is it?" he asked with wide eyes, "Aliens?" "Not sure," she answered, "But it is fast." She held out her fists in a tight position, ready to strike. Suddenly a blurred figure ran past, darting in a zig-zag. With a flip the stranger touched Akio, before darting off. Akio hit the ground from the raw speed of the strike, half dazed. "What was that?" he asked as Karuta pulled him up. "Not sure," she admitted, "But I think I should find out. Wait here." In a burst she leapt into the air, before landing and rebounding further along. With great bounds she jumped after the runner, even as they weaved. The runner suddenly flipped, rebounding off the side of a building. They vaulted up, landing atop another structure. Immediately they darted forth, jumping across the roofs. Karuta launched herself into the air, crashing atop another roof. She quickly bounced to the next, swinging and thrusting her body with her motions. The runner suddenly jumped onto the side of a taller building, before leaping off onto the street. Immediately Karuta leapt after them, leaping about as the stranger ran. The runner wove into an alleyway, sprinting from the darkness. The purple glowing warrior followed after, her eyes narrowed. There was something off about this runner, something in the proportions. As Karuta landed after a leap she pulled back, before charging fast. She barreled forward, a radiant blur. Suddenly she swung out her arm, catching the runner. "Who are you?" Karuta asked as she looked. It was a young woman, beautiful with long black hair and an orange stripe. "You are wonderful," the runner laughed, "Did you see how fast you were going? You were like 'boom,' and I was like 'whoosh.' Great huh? Okay, second round, let's go!" Karuta held fast, waiting. "Okay spoilsport," the runner laughed, "How about you call my Maiko?" Karuta gave her a stare, before the woman, "Oh come on, I am sure Karuta does not describe you completely. But you are right, I'm not in training." "Why did you beat him?" "Oh I just poked him," Maiko laughed, "I was just moving a bit too fast. I'm sure he is fine." "How are you so..." "Awesome?" Maiko bent her spine, before vaulting out of Karuta's grasp, "Fast? Agile?" Karuta kept her stare, before Maiko smiled, "Oh well, I was hoping to have some more fun before it was time to get to work. Well at least I got a race out of it. Anyway, I need help, and judging from what I've seen you can do it." "What do you need?" Karuta asked, "And please, who are you?" her eyes probing the stranger. Maiko laughed, "It's complicated. But I guess the first thing is that European Gods are not the only spirits to exist." Karuta caught sight of something sticking out from behind Maiko's skirt, and sighed, "Nogitsune?" "Hey I could work for Inari," Maiko defended with a grin, "But good to see you know the stories." "Kitsune," Karuta said, "It is hard not to hear stories. Foxes that live over a hundred years, and gain the power to take human form. Some work for the Kami Inari, others are just tricksters, the Nogitsune." "Yes miss exposition," Maiko sighed, "But seriously I might have made a fairly large mistake which I could use help getting out of." "What have you done?" "It's a long story," Maiko stretched her body, "But the many thing is I accidentally reveled myself to the wrong group of people, and they have abducted our young. Well, younger anyway." "Giri?" Karuta narrowed her eyes, recollecting the organization that studied and experimented with her. "Who?" "Not important. So who is it?" "I think they call themselves Everwraith," Maiko shook with bored energy, "I don't know. My people are pretty good at avoiding humans nowadays, but the foxes too young to shapeshift are really vulnerable." "So where are they?" "So you'll help? Great," she twisted her body like her spin lay in pieces, "They have a facility in Ota, I can show you it." "And why do you need me?" Karuta crossed her arms. "They, um, they have dogs," the fox spirit winced, "So, um, I can't exactly go there." Karuta nodded, before turning to walk away. "Excuse me, don't you want to deal with this now?" Karuta gave her a look, "When I go to war I prefer to know what I am getting into, especially with a wannabe ally. A trickster may live out details and aspects of the situation. Assuming you are a Kitsune." "What do you mean?" Maiko turned after her, "Humans are not that fast. Well normal ones anyway." "I just prefer to get some information first," Karuta answered, "I will meet you back where you jumped the boy tomorrow. But first I need to make sure he is safe." "Oh come on-" "Tomorrow," Karuta ended the debate, pounding into the air. She bolted up and down, headed back toward where Akio waited. --------------------- "Are you ready?" Tsubasa nodded, even as she looked at her arms. "Please," she asked, "You are sure nothing can be done for them?" They were thick and bloated, and had been increasing get thicker over the past few months. "To have so much power they need raw mass," a scientist answered, "You are not magic, you cannot make something from nothing." Tsubasa dipped her head, before focusing on her hands. Suddenly they stretched and shook, twisting into sharp blades. Tsubasa swung her blade-arms about, slicing through the air. Then with a bend her hands twisted, extending into twin balls and chains. "Good," a scientist remarked, "The Knifefish technique was successful. And you were worried that the research would be useless." "I apologize," the first scientist answered, as Tsubasa recoiled her spiked organic balls into her bloated hands, "Imagine what we could have gotten if AIM hadn't collapsed." --------------------- Karuta walked up to the office of the Giri Corporation, headed into the front door. A man approached her, a guard who towered over her natural height. "I am sorry, but no visitors are allowed," he tasted, barring the path. "I need to speak to Mr. Oshima," she grew a purple radiance over her hand, "I need to share some information with him." The man's eyes widened as he replied, "I will inform him of your arrival." She nodded, before growing her shell over her whole body to wait. The man soon returned, saying, "Follow me." She nodded as he turned around. She took a big sigh, before walking inside. The two of them walked down the hallways of the large building, reaching an elevator. As the two of them rode down the man asked, "Um, what was your impression of Miss Leiko?" "Who?" "Tomago." Karuta sighed and said, "I do not know. She was very angry, a little too self centered. But she was not as bad as say the Red Skull." "I see," the man glanced at his hands, even as they reached an underground bunker in the building. "Asami," Mr. Oshima walked up to her, grinning. "Have you come to work with us?" "No," she said coldly, " Just information." "I wish you were not so stubborn," he sighed, looking her over, "Look at yourself, you are dying." Her check had a patch of a green cut, nearly masked under her shell. "I am not returning..." she paused, "...Before I work some things out." "Still," he said, "You shouldn't be living like this. At least become a net refugee, there are worse things." Net refugees were unemployed or underemployed individuals who slept and sometimes lived inside Internet cares, a fairly new phenomenon. It wasn't free, but it was a lot cheaper than capsule hotels. "...I am not sure how young they will allow." "I could find some that would allow you to stay there." "...Alright," she answered, "But we need to focus. What do you know about Everwraith?" Mr. Oshima sat down on a chair and answered, "We have been tracking them a little. They are a group founded by families whose relatives died in Nagasaki and Hiroshama. They are very devoted to the concept of Japan, to worrying levels." "Anything about foxes?" "Yes," he stated at her, "From what our spies tell us, they believe they discovered evidence of Kitsune. It appears to have inspired them to experiment on foxes in an attempt to unlock their genetic potential. That way they can 'protect' us with the power of spirits. Do you know if there is truth to this?" "...A woman claiming to be a Kitsune approached me," Karuta turned away, "I have seen no contradiction in what she told me." Mr. Oshima frowned, his eyes lost. "What did the fox spirit want?" he asked. "Help liberating the foxes," Karuta answered, "Or a least that is what she said." "Could you maybe wait for-" "No," Karuta walked off, "...How is Takuya?" "We have a treatment that blots out the other memories," Mr. Oshima looked on, "He so far seems sane, except for his form. We are not sending him into the field yet, we still need to make sure he can survive." Karuta nodded, before asking, "Will you use him?" "If we can keep him sane," Mr. Oshima answered, "But honestly some us have lower standards of sanity. Aside from you we have no one but villains, America has enough that they can have heroes for show." "Like who?" "Knifefish for instance," he replied, "Surely you notice she goes on very public missions and never kills anyone? Not to mention she is a minority, made her own powers, and supposedly wanted to be a hero because of New York. She has some power and she clearly has an agenda, but she seems like a symbol. And from what I hear from SHIELD, they also just want her to feel like she helps so that they can get her help in making super soldiers." "Does she know?" "I do not know if she is even aware." Karuta dipped her head and said, "I appreciate your honesty." She walked off, heading back to the elevator. --------------------- Karuta walked forward, pacing about. As she walked she heard a tap, as Maiko skidded towards her, "So you coming?" the Kitsune asked. Her tail still crept out of her skirt, a fluffy red thing. "I think so," Karuta said, "But please, I need to know what you are capable of. Show me your transforming." "Cool," Maiko grinned, "So what do you want to see?" "Me." Maiko frowned, "Um, that won't work. You just look...weird. Like two pictures overlaying each other. You're all blurry. I don't even think a nine tails could take your form." "I...can buy that," Karuta looked down, "A man once told me I was born of two worlds. But how many tails do you have?" "Oh I'm just over a hundred years," Maiko tucked her tail in, "Only have two. But yeah, anyone other than you. Or you know, my form." Maiko grinned, but there was a drooping of her ears. "That boy," Karuta said, " Akio." Maiko nodded before folding into herself. Her arms twisted slender and short, as her egs shortened as well. Her chest shrank into herself, as her hair sucked into her face. Clothing recoiled then regrew, as a bump grew on her neck. "Well?" the shapeshifter asked, cartwheeling around Karuta. "You have skill." Maiko grinned as she returned to the shape of a young woman, before shaking herself off. "So are you about ready to help me?" "Yes," Karuta accepted, "But do you have other abilities, like possession?" "Rumor," Maiko said, "We can't possess anyone. Though we can turn into the humans and act crazy, I think my dad spent some years doing that." "Nogitsune," Karuta nodded, "Tell me where I need to go." Maiko grinned, before scampering forward. Karuta followed her, even as a third individual crept along. --------------------- Karuta watched as a facility came into view. It was a large place, cold and hard. It towered over them, even as Maiko hung back. Maiko suddenly winced as she caught sight of a duo of dogs, patrolling under the guiding hand of a guard. She recoiled slightly, looking at the sharp teeth. "You realize you are bigger than them now," Karuta offered. "Doesn't matter," Maiko shuddered, "I still smell like a fox to them. Prey. I...I think you can handle this so I'm going to watch from over here okay? Sounds great-" Karuta caught her arm in her purple construct of a fist. "You are more agile than me. I will need you to free your people while I cause a distraction." "Okay, that is-" "But I need to know," Karuta said, " Why would you have exposed yourself to them?" Maiko scratched her ears, "Um, well, we kind of are leaving. All of us. Even the foxes. It's complicated." "Why?" "Inari is kind of...disturbed by humanity," Maiko looked down and itched her leg, "And I know, Nogitsune are not exactly angelic, but every since WWII humans kind of lost their appeal. The camps this country and others had, the bombs, and then he learned that aliens can be monstrous too. We-our evil is on a small scale, this kind can wipe out planets." "I only just got my powers," Maiko sighed, "And now I have to go? I barely had a chance to do anything with them. So I spent some time about a year ago taking out my frustration in a montage of pranks, and well, I kind of didn't care who saw. So that is pretty much it." Karuta nodded, " And why don't your people that are still there help?" "Oh that isn't really important," Maiko grinned quickly, "Let's just go save them already. Come on, don't we have dogs to deal with?" Karuta have her a look, before slowly agreeing, "Alright I-" She paused, listening. Satisfied she stopped before saying, "Okay, get ready to scale the side, if you can." Maiko nodded, before staring as Karuta rubbed her head and chest against Maiko. "Why are you doing that?" Maiko giggled as Karuta stood back. "To make a better distraction," Karuta began to walk up to the facility, her shell retracted. "Excuse me?" she asked as she reached the guard, "Is this the facility where foxes are being held in an attempt to understand the nature of Kitsune?" "Sorry I don't-" the guard began, just as his ops began to growl and bark. "Another one then," he said, unhooking the canines. The blogs charged, just as Karuta summoned her complete armor. Then with a swing she swept the dogs into the air, knocking them away. "You-then you-" The guard stammered, "But Kitsune don't have that power." "You have a lot to learn," Karuta bounded forward, slamming her fist into the man, knocking him with a thud to the ground. "Good to know Maiko isn't lying though," Karuta flexed her fist, before charging forward, smashing through the doors. Immediately guards unleashed their dogs. Which leapt and latched onto her constructs. With a spin she knocked them off, before punching and kicking the guards to the ground. Karuta sighed as she caught a guard, before slamming him into a wall. Guns were barred from the general public in Japan, not that they would do much good against her. Karuta slung the man into another guard, even as a trio of dogs tackled her. As she spun them off, the dogs pulled themselves off, before getting another sniff. They hung back, confused. She clapped her head, before leaping into another grad. She could hear one of the sentries issuing orders, though it was muffled by the crashing of her fists. Karuta twisted suddenly as a fist smashed into her. She skidded back, shaken. Inside her shell she could not be hurt, but she could be knocked about. Karuta looked around to see a woman, her arms bloated and thick. Her arms were covered in a stretchy material, cloaking them. With a twist the woman flexed her hands, shifting them into ball and chains. "You worked fast," Karuta observed, watching the woman as she spun her changed hands around, "Assuming you are not naturally a shapeshifter." "I am not," she answered, gesturing to the confused dogs, "And neither are you." Karuta shrugged, flexing her purple fist. "True enough," she admitted, "I hoped it would take them longer. Still, I am surprised you managed to make such quick work of Kitsune." The woman swung her fists, bashing into Karuta. The vigilante skidded back, her balance distorted. Karuta pulled herself up, before slamming her fist into the woman. The foe flew down the hall, but managed to roll and land cleanly on her feet. She flexed her weapons back into hands, even as Karuta charged. --------------------- Maiko scampered up the side of the building, sniffing about as she went. Her body struggled not revert as she climbed, her hands shifting back and forth into paws. Her twin tails stuck out behind her, though she kept most of her physical form sealed away. With a a twist she caught a window, and clutched to it. With a twist she swung her body, before shattering through the glass. With a roll she landed inside, before scampering up onto the ceiling. She made her way along, sniffing as she went. Suddenly she heard a growling sound, and a sharp bark. Immediately her eyes widened, as she started to bolt. In a panic she scratched across the ceiling, leaving claw marks as she went. As she rounded a bend she finally saw it, a dog, lean and sharp toothed. It glared at her, before leaping at her. Maiko trembled, even as she heard guards coming towards her. Shaking she dragged herself along, even as the dog followed. "They don't eat people," she muttered over and over, " They don't eat people." Finally she reached a door, as the dog barked below her. With a swing she kicked through the glass, and landed inside. She was on a staircase, built onto the side of the building. She tried to catch her bearings, but did not have tie to relax. Sniffing around she took off, even as she heard the door behind her open. --------------------- Karuta swung her fist at the woman, who blocked with an equal punch. The two stumbled back, even as the woman bashed her fists together in anticipation. The teenaged vigilante suddenly charged, smashing first one, then two fists of purple energy into the woman. The foe blocked, but still skidded far down the hall. With a tightening of her fist the woman ran, before slamming her fists into Karuta. The teenager stumbled back, as the woman swung again and again into her. Karuta staggered about, her body off balance. With a roar the woman caught her, and lifted Karuta over her head. Then with a toss she threw Karuta into a wall, knocking her into an office room. "I find it odd you asked the crook her name but not me," the woman darted forward, ready to smash. "What is your name?" Karuta asked as she pulled herself up, her purple shell protecting her. With a flip she dodged the woman, crashing against the floor. Then Karuta bashed her, knocking the foe into a wall hard. Karuta pounded twice into the woman, before flinging her to the ground. Then with a leap Karuta jumped, smashing onto the woman with her elbow. As Karuta stood up the woman groaned, pulling herself upright. Her hands morphed, drawing some of the growths from her arms into them. Her fists grew to the size of a head each, even as she and Karuta ran at each other. Karuta stumbled back as the fist clubbed into her head, just as the woman followed up with a strike to her chest. "It is Tsubasa," the enemy answered, twisting her arms into a hammer-like shape. Karuta caught the next swing, before swinging her foot into Tsubasa. "I hope not," she remarked at the name, before driving her fist into the enemy's mouth. Tsubasa slammed into a wall, her mouth bent oddly. A muffled roar gagged from her jaw, even as her arms shifted into muscular limbs. With a spin she bashed into Karuta, flinging her hard. Karuta crashed through the wall, landing outside the building. She gasped for air as she smacked against her shell, stunning her. Karuta lay stunned, even as Tsubasa charged. Fists smashed into Karuta, keeping her incapacitated. Her armor held up, but she could not move. And she did not want to see what would happen if she lost consciousness. Suddenly Akio tackled Tsubasa, causing her to stumble. He wrapped his arms around her neck, squeezing. Tsubasa gagged, and immediately swung her fist behind her. The fist smashed into Akio, knocking him against the ground. As he lay scrapped by the street Tsubasa morphed her arms into blades, hooked bony appendages. With a twirl she swung down, forcing him to roll away. He dodged, just as Tsubasa swung again. The hook struck his back, causing him to collapse. As Tsubasa held him up a violet hand caught her arm. Karuta bent Tsubasa's arm, tearing into her other arm with her hook. As the enemy stumbled Karuta grabbed Akio, and lay him gentle as she could waste. "That won't help you," Tsubasa mumbled in a muffled tone, "I can just shape the cut away." "Yes," Karuta answered, " But you clothes are torn. Tsubasa widened her yes, just as a dog leapt onto her arm and bit down hard. "It was not so smart to train them to attack Kitsune," Karuta remarked as the formerly puzzled dogs bit into Tsubasa, ripping into her skin. The foe shoved them back, just as Karuta punched into Tsubasa's gut. The enemy fell back, torn and cut. With a glare she proved her namesake, shaping her arms into large, flat, feathered wings. Tsubasa flapped down, bolting herself into the air. She rose up ahead, flying far out of jumping distance. Suddenly a dart zipped into the air, striking into Tsubasa. As she fell men and woman rushed forward, dressed with the symbol of the Giri Corporation. "Thank you," Karuta dipped her head, "Take care of him." "Of course," medics rushed forward, even as Karuta jumped away. With a crash she smashed into the side of the building, causing it to quake. --------------------- Maiko sprinted on, shifting between running on two legs or four. She scattered in a scamper, plowing into another look. With a skid she stopped, and came to the lock. "Okay, it's easy," Maiko panted, "I mean, dad can do it, he only has five tails on me." She focused on the door, even as her hands shook. Then, rapidly, her index finger morphed into a key. She jabbed it inside, twisting. "Woo yeah," she cheered in English, before slipping inside. As she made it in she found herself in a room of cages. Quickly she slammed one behind her, barricading the door. Maiko breathed out, before looking around. Scores of foxes stood in cages, their ears perked at her. "Okay little guys," she shifted her claws out, "This shouldn't take long." She looked at one of them and winced. "Ugly little children," she laughed nervously, "Bet you can't wait to reach a hundred years." Outside she winced as she heard barking, harsh and sudden. The foxes cowered slightly, as her eyes enlarged. Suddenly there was a great crashing sound, and then a series of swinging and pounding sounds. As Maiko listened a purple fist mashed through the door, before it began to tear the door down. "You alright?" Karuta asked, looking down at Maiko. "Yeah, of course," Maiko answered, grinning. Karuta gave her a look, unblinking. Maiko sighed finally and said, "It's hard, you know. I meSn I am so much,ore than a fox now, so much more. But still, there is a little bit of me that still thinks dogs can eat me, and are bigger than me." Karuta was silent, before turning away and ripping the cages apart. "Listen," Karuta said, "There is a group called Giri, I mentioned them earlier. They are good guys, trying to protect Japan, but they can be rash and desperate. In an afford to replicate met hey drove a man mad, and he has still yet to fully heal." "Okay, why do you bring this up?" "Because they are outside," Karuta answered, "And though I like to believe they would not attempt to experiment on your people..." Maiko frowned as Karuta continued, "They captured a hybrid of human and Kitsune, so they probably will not need to take them. But still, you might want to go out of the back." "Thank you," Maiko grinned softly, "Hey, good luck with the whole vigilante thing. If you ever need my help, well, before we go..." She trailed off, before sprinting off with her foxes in tow. --------------------- Leiko sighed as she eyed the walls around her. She was in a jumpsuit, a white and cyan shade. She didn't know where she was, but a transparent wall surrounded her on all sides. "If I had my battlesuit," she punched the glass barrier, causing her to wince in pain. "Tanaka Leiko," a voice said. She glanced around to see an elderly man. His arm was strangely burnt, almost shriveled. He held something in his hands, wrapped up carefully. Behind him stepped two strange figures, each odd in proportions. One was somewhat hulking in appearance, with a thick head and a large body. His skin seemed almost fluid, a tan chunky ooze. Aside him a woman stood, her black hair tied back. Her arms were thick and bloated, and constantly seemed to shift in shape. "What do you want?" Tomago asked, her arms crossed. "I want to make you a deal," the elderly man said, "We have been trying to access to your suit, but it refuses anyone other than you. It has bonded with you hasn't it?" "Yes," she smirked. "The world is changing," the old man said, "More than ever we need heroes to protect us, champions. Most heroes come from America, from brutes like the Hulk to street heroes like Spider-Man. The Avengers cannot defend all of the world, we need our own protection. And while Karuta is brave and strong, she is still young and singular." "I am going to offer you a deal," the man said, "You will be pardoned and given your suit, if you agree to join our team." "You want me to be a superhero?" Leiko asked, "Will I be legitimate like Thor, or a publicity stunt like Captain America and Knifefish?" "We have four superhumans," answered the old man, "We can't afford waste you on publicity." Tomago opened her arm, placing her hands on the cage. "I would like to be free," she admitted, "Alright. So I assume these are my teammates?" "Yes," the elderly man said as he opened the bag to revel her battlesuit, "Clayhand and Tsubasa. We are working on Karuta, though she is currently independent. She will come if necessary." "Understood," Leiko sighed. "So where exactly did you get that suit?" Go Go Tomago grinned, "It fell from the sky, with a little gray man." Mr. Oshima's face fell into a forced calm, though his eyes grew in fear. --------------------- Karuta collapsed onto a bed, and breathed. "I could do this forever," she groaned, spread out on the bed. Akio hung around her, limping. "You okay?" she checked. "Yeah," he grinned, "That was cool though." Karuta shrugged, plowing her face into a pillow. "So...what is your name?" Akio ventured. Karuta answered automatically, "I gave it up." Akio nodded, sitting down. She sighed finally, "It doesn't matter, but it was Asami-" Suddenly she heard someone babble English behind her. She turned to see an orangish tan woman, at least five years older than her. She was dressed in a shirt with some sort of fish on it, lean and blade-like in shape. Her hand was in her pocket, squeezing something. "I'm sorry," Asami said, "I don't understand-" "I do," Akio smiled, "She says she is looking for you. Well, Karuta anyway." Asami said slowly, "Ask her how she found me?" Akio babbled in English, and the young woman replied. Akio explained, "She says she knows someone who can scan for radiation. She claims to be Knifefish." "Oh, the SHIELD publicity stunt," Asami yawned, "Tell her I am not interested in SHIELD." There was a pause as Akio relayed the message before translating, "Knifefish says she is not hear because of SHIELD, as far as SHIELD knows she is just taking a brief trip." Asami forced herself up and looked over, "I am interested," she admitted, "What does she want with me?" "Knifefish says she is being used by SHIELD," Akio answered, "And she doesn't want to be. She wants to be a...hero? A real one. And she thinks SHIELD can't really be trusted they-Asami SHIELD provoked the aliens!" Asami was fully awake now, her body wrapped in purple. "Why does she work with SHIELD knowing this?" "They are still the best route for helping people," Akio said, "And SHIELD has agreed to help other autistics if she helps them and makes superhumans for them." Asami stared at Knifefish and said, "Please continue." "She wants to form a...team," Akio said, "One that will unite the next time the world is threatened or when SHIELD messes up. A team to protect people and clean up SHIELD's messes. Like...I don't know this word, 'Custodians?'" Asami paused and said, "When the world is in danger I will be there. Tell me where to go then, I will protect people here in the meantime." Knifefish nodded and babbled eagerly, as Akio translated, "Thank you. Good...fortune? protecting Japan in the meantime." Asami dipped her head as Knifefish hopped out, electricity humming at her fingertips. --------------------- Robin stepped out of the Internet cafe and stretched. She kind of stared, while her breath grew tight and her hands clenched. Slowly she returned to the alleyway, walking into the shadows. A bronze robot stood waiting, his body straight. "How did your task go?" he asked. "Still mad," Knifefish answered, "But she is in." Isaac nodded, "That makes four of us." His body opened up, revealing his hollow inside. As Knifefish stepped inside he said. "Those deaths were necessary. I could not disarm them and they could regenerate any broken bones." "Did you try another way?" Isaac fell silent as she remarked, "Still mad." She squeezed her yarn catfish at the thought, even as Isaac took off into the sky, bursting towards America.

Here we are again, with another story in my saga. Right after the back I want to say there are no mutants as far as I know in my stories. The choices I made with the protagonist were because the choice of Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch in Avengers 2 gave me precedent, and the character was the best suited for my storytelling needs. Plus pretty much every Japanese character in Marvel is from the X-Men comics, so I didn't have too many options. Likewise I would like to apologize if I offend anyone with this, it was not intended. If it does offend send me a private message explaining what I did wrong, so that I may improve. Also some of you might figure out the twist early, depending on what you know of superhero shows and crossovers. If not, it will be explained in detail in at least the sixth story. I will say part of the reason I wrote this is because of a fondness I have for a certain underdeveloped character, who I cannot write for in her own domain because of my need to be potentially "in canon." Anyway with that here is Kaeru. (it means frog) Originally this had another title, but I felt like Kaeru fit more. Tell me what you think of this, as always. Over two years ago Hisako Ichiki stared in shock, as the story unfolded in front of her. Before her lay the American city of New York City, projected in real time. There in the sky lay a great hole, where tremendous whale-like beasts flew from its reaches. Alien skiffs flowed out of the portal as well, carrying an extraterrestrial army. Her parents sat behind her, with her younger brother leaning against her on a futon. The beige ceiling shone from the light of the television, illuminating the apartment. Her parents held each other, as the alien armada swarmed from the sky on the screen. Hisako watched as a flash of red and gold zipped across the screen. "...the American superhero Iron-Man appears to be fighting the aliens," a reporter stated, "alongside a number of other powered individuals. A new Captain America appears to be-" She could see that Captain America, a man draped in the colors of the American flag. It was probably tacky, but Hisako was busy focusing elsewhere. The man made his way across the battlefield, pulling people to safety. As Captain America protected a teenager from falling rubble, Hisako felt something stroke her. She looked over her shoulder suddenly at the brushing sensation. The others were enthralled by the battle over New York, there was no sign of movement. Slowly Hisako turned her attention back to the screen as well, even as explosions fireballs danced onscreen. As she watched a slithering feeling coiled around her, distracting her. Breathing became harder, causing Hisako to gag. The room seemed to tremor, as the words and sounds of the world began to fade away. With a thud she hit the mat, and began to spasm. Her body flayed and danced, shaking violently. She could see her parents running to her, as she shook on the floor as her brother held her. Lights flashed around her, as her body convoluted. Snatches rushed into her ears, beats and rhythms. Purple flashes burst inside her skull, overpowering her senses. The world melted away under a pounding boom, squishing into ooze. From her spasming body she could see images split and crack. A whistle began to pierce the mad sight, ripping from her mouth. And then it was over, and lost. --------------------- Modern day Bright lights twinkling against a dark sky. Neon glows radiated into the streets, beamed down and across from mighty towers. A bay splashed in the night, lit in patches from the metropolis prefecture. Above the city glistened the moon, bright and round. As the satellite stood overhead there was a tapping across the rooftops. A figure ran along their length, leaping forth. As the figure moved she suddenly stopped, and breathed. She wore a green and yellow jacket, covered in a layer of dirt. A headband crowned her head, and her hair fell from her face. Her eyes gleamed uneven in color, and her age was youthful, just in her teens. Suddenly her hands and feet ignited, as a purple energy coiled around the ends of her limbs. She clasped her hands together, before leaping twenty feet away in a single bound. She landed onto another building top, before jumping again. She soared over the cityscape, leaving a violet streak behind her. Times change. Ever since the Battle of New York the world has felt the sting of fear. Aliens had come from a tear in the sky, endless in number. The only reason they were stopped is because of six American superheroes. And the rest of the world did not have that defense. She bounced again, looking around as she leapt. This was Tokyo Metropolis, capital of Nippon-koku, or Japan as it was known. The city danced in the moonlight, as she made her way in bounds and leaps. She suddenly swiveled as she heard a violent pop. With a tightening of her fists she spun towards the sound, jumping across the rooftops. Her fists radiated purple, clenched in preparation. Since New York, crime had increased across the world. Even places like Japan were crime had previously been decreasing faced spikes. Governments of the world could do nothing against aliens or gods, they couldn't protect their people from the coming storm. And that realization had begun to spread fear to the world. As she bound across the city she listened. She had only normal human hearing, but she was learning to focus it. As she moved across the cityscape she heard another flash of gunfire. Guns and swords were restricted from the general public in Japan, but nowadays the desire for self-defense overruled following the law. She empowered her feet, bouncing from roof to roof. With a thud she landed, catching sight of knives and cold steel twinkling in the night. Two small group of men lurked in the alley, their guns cocked and pointed as knives hung by their sides. "Excuse me," she ordered, "Do not waste your lives. Go home." "What are you?" guns suddenly coked towards her. "A vigilante," her green and brown eyes glanced around, "Quit this violence, it will only weaken us for when the aliens come." "How do we know you aren't an alien?" a man asked coldly. They were teens, though older than her, probably not in the Yakuza. Despite their heightened presence, the Yamaguchi-gumi gang still didn't completely dominate the city, and small time gangs still banded together. However ever day more small gangs joined to Yakuza, for protection from the aliens. "Same reason we know Iron Man isn't an alien," she answered, eyeing him, "Please." Just as a shot fired she was in motion, charging. In a streak of purple she ran forward, slamming her fist into the closest man. As he went flying she held up her forearms, blocking a barrage of bullets with her radiant glow. Quickly she leapt, swinging her foot into another man. As she landed, she flipped herself, streaking violet behind her. She spun her torso, slamming her feet into another fighter before vaulting to the other side. Suddenly her arm exploded in pain as a flung blade drove itself into her shoulder. The vigilante winced, before grabbing the dagger. There was a trembling, before it shattered into splattering of dust. With her free arm she leapt and swung, knocking the fighters to the wall. Her left arm trailed behind her, still bleeding. Flinging her arm up she blocked another knife, letting it clink to the ground reflected. She flipped and bounded, smashing her fist into all of them and sending them flying. Finally she leapt back to the center, the two sides pounded into submission. She tore into one of the fighter's clothes, and began to bind her shoulder. As she twisted her body around her jacket lifted, exposing scars lying across her chest. A few wounds were discolored, poisoned by infection. She took out a deep breath, and looked over her hands. Purple coiled around her limb, as she forced her left arm to move. Then she spun and walked over to an moaning teen. "Please," she hauled him upright, "You will answer all my questions." --------------------- One year and nine months ago She tore into a rotten fruit, biting through the moldy taste. Her eyes locked close, as she swallowed down the food. Shaking off she dived back in, scavenging off the waste of the city. Night had fallen, the best time to move freely. As she dived in she noticed a light beat onto her back. She swiveled, to see a man in a suit behind her. "Sorry," she leapt down, "Do you want something?" The man held a strange device in his hand, which began to buzz as it hit her. "Incredible," the man muttered, "You are a strange girl miss...?" "I don't have a name," she tensed up. Instinctually purple boots emerged onto her feet, as her eyes flickered behind him, calculating. "No need to be worried," he held up his arms, "We have heard of what you can do. The Frog; able to jump ten feet in any direction. It is marvelous." "Please, why are you here?" The Frog asked, her expression hard. "I represent a group of politicians and business men," he said, still open for attack, "We have an offer for you. Japan is currently under protected. Though SHIELD guards our lands, we worry that our lack of champions will doom us. We would like you to help us." "I already protect Japan," she defended. "You almost died in that fight two days ago," he replied, "You are going to get a lot more scars if you just smash into people. You...how old are you?" "Twelve," The Frog answered carefully. "You are young to be on your own." She was silent, her face betraying nothing. "We can help you," the man said, "Give you resources, food, training, let your wounds heal. All we want is to let you be the best hero you can be." She paused, before answering, "...Alright." "Thank you very much," he dropped his arms and gestured for her to come inside the car, "May I call you Kaeru?" "Please, I will walk," she said, "But okay." The man gave her a look, before entering the car. As it started to back up she paused, thing. Then with a leap Kaeru bounced, chasing after the vehicle. --------------------- Modern day "Sir," a man walked up through the narrow hallways of the Giri Corporation, "We have more sightings of Kaeru. She engaged a group of small level gangs, before leaping out of sight." Another man turned around, dressing in a black suit. He had graying hair, black mixed in at points. Glasses hung from his face, hiding brown eyes. His left arm was behind him, unseen. "She grows more bold every day. Are the public still unaware?" "For the moment, though rumors have begun to form." "Send a patrol," the man stated, "Ask the thugs which direction she was headed in. We cannot afford for her to vanish again." "Yes sir." The man departed from the room, already making the call. --------------------- One year and five months ago "You are marvelous," Mr. Oshima said as he watched Kaeru leap and jump. Her feet launched her across the air, allowing her to crash into the trainers. Kaeru stood up and gave a slight grin. Suddenly a trainer knocked into her, forcing her to skid. She slowly pulled herself up, before crashing forward in a jump. As the trainer sidestepped Oshima called out, "You can not just keep crashing. Be too predictable and you will be beaten." Kaeru nodded, before leaping again. As she leapt she swung out her fist, even as the trainer stepped away. She rolled onto the floor, before rebounding off of a wall. With a crash she slammed her fist into the trainer, knocking him across the mat. Kaeru breathed, even as new trainers arrived. "Mr. Oshima," the man turned to see a young adult coming forward with a file of papers, "We are finished with SHIELD's research on the Tesseract." Oshima fished through the file as Kaeru fought on. He sighed, before handing it back. "Barely similar," he sighed, "What is inside you child?" Kaeru bounced onto the floor, smacking her fist into a trainer. The trainer skidded back, even as Kaeru grinned. In a burst she charged, leaping over the trainer before knocking into them with her twirling feet. The young man kept a firm gaze on Kaeru, but kept his mouth silent "You disapprove?" "Apologies sir, but she is not even thirteen," the young man said, "She should not be put into combat. She should be in school." Oshima nodded, "What is your name?" "Takuya Yamashiro." "Why did you sign up here?" "So that our people need not fear the future." Oshima sighed, "Do not worry, we do not plan to keep her here for long. Once we figure out how to duplicate her power we will find a place for her." Takuya dipped his head, just as there was a flash. The two turned suddenly as Kaeru's fist turned purple, smashing a trainer into a wall. Quickly she ran to the man, and began prying him from the wall. "Apologies sir," she said, "I...I did not know I could do that." "Keep running tests," Mr. Oshima muttered to Takuya, "We need to know what we are dealing with here." The young man nodded, before departing the room. --------------------- Modern day Kaeru leapt through the city, moving across the rooftops. Night had fallen again, as the moon began to wane. Her shoulder still winced, but it was a dulled now. The knife had only scraped her, no real lasting damage. With a jump she flung herself onto the side of a warehouse, sealed up tight. With a press of her purple fists she felt the side, and let her fingertips shatter the wall to scrap. She landed below, inside the empty building. Her violet hue recoiled, reentering her body. Kaeru looked around, filling around the floor. Suddenly she heard a click, and her purple glow sprang to life. With a flip she spun around, knocking a man to the ground. "Where are they?" she asked, her purple hand clutching his neck. "What are you?" "A vigilante," she threw him down, "Where?" The man pointed shakily to the back of the wall, to a cabinet. "Thank you," she said, before pounding into his chest. She quickly kicked him in his crotch, knocking him into a wall. As he collapsed Kaeru shoved the cabinet aside, revealing a hatch. Stepping back she smashed through, landing in a layer below. Her arms threw up as she rolled up, just as bullets began to fire. With quick steps she charged, letting the metal rebound off her gauntlet. People scattered as she ran, though most shots bounced upwards. With a swing she smashed her fists into the shooter, knocking him down. As another fired at her she spun, blocking with her foot. Then with a leap she tackled him, plowing him into the wall. As he slid she swung, pounding into his chest. As the man crumbled Kaeru turned. Young foreigners crowded the room, staring at her in shock. "Go," she said, pointing to the ladder, "Go out of the main entrance. Head that way until you reach the train station. Then take a seven mile walk to the left. The people there should help you." The girls nodded, before moved out on mass. One hung back before saying, "Thank you." Kaeru nodded, before letting out a rare grin. She quickly frowned before saying, "Just, enjoy it here while you can." The girl nodded slowly, before departed after the others. The vigilante sighed as she looked at the bludgeoned men, her fists tight. She smashed her fist into his jaw, cracking it. Gradually her hands calmed, before she leapt through the ceiling onto the surface. As she landed her feet and hands recoiled their radiance, and she walked away. As she walked her face settled into her usual stare, focused and searching. As she walked across the city she heard a flood of cars coming towards her. Immediately her legs shifted purple, bolting her onto a rooftop. Quickly Kaeru turned around to see cars pulling up, as men armed with an assortment of nonlethal weaponry emerged. She sighed, before turning away. Then with a leap she leapt across the another building, even as the men and women swiveled after her. A barrage rushed after her, even as she launched herself further. By now they were back in their cars, leaning out to fire occasional shots. Kaeru just stared, before bouncing away. Suddenly she threw herself onto a skyscraper, catching onto a higher peak. Then she leapt again, scaling the tower in jumps. With a flip she landed on the top. As she looked around she sighed, just as a whirl of a helicopter appeared behind her. "Please, Kaeru," a man said from the vehicle, "We just want to talk." "Sorry, Mr. Oshima, but what about them?" she gestured below. "They are scared." Kaeru sighed, "Fear explains, it does not justify. I told you, I cannot work for you. Not after what you did. I protect people my way." "Mistakes were made," Oshima said, "You know we just wanted to protect our home." "Excuse me, but you should have stopped after him," she said neutrally, "We both know that you kept trying. Fear explains." "Please Asami," he said, "Clayhand has escaped." Kaeru swiveled, "Where did you hear that name?" "We have been looking for missing children since we found you," he answered, "Asami Ichiki was the best match." Kaeru scowled openly, startling everyone. "I am not her any more," she said, "I grew out of it. I will grow out of Kaeru too one day. But how do I know Clayhand has escaped?" The helicopter moved forward, as Oshima stepped forward, his graying hair blowing from the wind. Pulling his left sleeve down he showed a shriveled hand and arm, burnt viciously. Kaeru sighed, "I am not so young now...Will you make the woman who left that building are cared for?" "Yes." "Then tell me exactly how he escaped from you," Kaeru asked. --------------------- One year ago "It's a simple procedure," a scientist said as she locked Takuya in place, "It will not take long." Mr. Oshima watched from the side as the device hung. He stood behind a glass barrier, reinforced just in case. "You are sure this is safe?" "It is difficult to be certain sir," the scientist answered, "This radiation seems identical to the kind she possesses, but without knowing how Kaeru was altered, we cannot be positive." Mr. Oshima nodded, before turning to an assistant. "Bring her here." She nodded, before departing. Mr. Oshima stared even as Kaeru appeared, "Excuse me, what is it?" she grinned, before catching sight of Takuya. She tilted her head at the sight of the young adult strapped to a bed. "We are trying to empower him with your abilities," he answered. "...Oh," Kaeru's face fell as she looked at Takuya, "Um, I guess I could use some help when I go back out." Mr. Oshima gave her a look slowly, before stating, "Begin." With a whirl energy surged into Takuya, flowing into his arms and legs. His body shock and spasmed, trembling violently. A wail ripped from his mouth, inhuman and painful. "Please stop it," Kaeru said as the young man's body shook and jerked bout, "You're hurting him!" Mr. Oshima stared for a second clenched up, before saying, "Turn it off." As the machine stopped Takuya fell through his bonds, collapsing on the group. Skin dropped from him, splashing on the floor. The group stared in horror, as he slowly stood up, his skin bubbling into a tan mucky shade. "Two," Takuya moaned in a twisted thick voice, "Two in one." He shuffled forward towards the group, squeezing onto the glass. "Two in one." His body melted further, turning into a gooey ooze. With a shove he splashed onto the wall, seeping in a wall off goo. Kaeru stood back, before turning, "Please, what do we do?" Immediately the glass shattered, spraying the group. Kaeru threw herself in front, blocking the bulk of the shrapnel with her glowing arms and body. The gooey man blasted into her with a oozing fist, knocking her to the wall. There was a sizzling sound, as Kaeru's skin scorched from his acidic touch. As she struggled she managed, "Stop this sir," she pleaded, "Try to think." "Two in one!" he flung her into another wall, even as men backed away. As she smashed the wall her feet sparked purple, before vaulting her into the blob. With a splash she crashed through him, skidding behind. Her skin was burnt all over, though nothing too permanent. As she looked on Takuya reformed, twisting back into a vaguely human shape. He suddenly lumbered forward, moving onwards her. "Two in one!" "Yes," she said before kicking into him. Her foot sank in, trapping her in his chest. With a shove he threw her out, skidding Kaeru to the floor. Kaeru gave a look, before heading to the main part of the room. She spun on her heel, in time to see Takuya still lumbering towards her. She nodded, before leaping into the air. With a swing she smashed the sprinklers, letting water rain down. Takuya oozing and mushed at the water, his body squashing under the rain. With some effort he gurgled forward, swinging his arms at her through the rain. Kaeru leapt forward, splattering him to the wall. As she rolled away he caught her, before slamming her to the ground. With a twist Takuya shoved her again and again, knocking the wind from her grasp. Suddenly men rushed forward, tasers in hand. The electricity pumped into the mutant, causing him to stumble. As he splashed into fluid Kaeru lay on the ground, hyperventilating. "Are you okay?" Mr. Oshima made his way to her as men and woman struggled to collect the goo. Kaeru nodded faintly, even as she stared at Takuya's ooze. --------------------- Modern day Kaeru hung to the helicopter as it flew, refusing to enter its body. As she clutched to the side. Mr. Oshima stared at her, watching the fourteen year old as she clung on, her hands and feet purple. "You can come in." "No thank you." "...Some of us worry you have become too violent." "I fight in proportions," she answered, "Smaller crimes are treated kinder, inhuman acts are pounded in. I am fighting a war." "Have you ever killed anyone?" There was silence before she answered, "No, I have not, there is too much death of criminals already. Some are just disabled or children, they cannot help themselves." "You are a child." "I gave that up when Asami died." Oshima smiled a little, and said, "I still see a little optimism in you." Kaeru paused, before saying, "Where are we going?" "...Clayhand was seen moving towards Osaka," Oshima stated, "He was plowing through the countryside, so sightings have been rare." She nodded before saying, "I can leap the rest of the way. With a shove she leapt off the helicopter, landing onto the city below. With a leap she charged, bounding and jumping across the landscape. --------------------- Less than one year ago Kaeru rolled about on her futon, struggling to stay comfortable. Finally she stood up, and stretched. Coming up she faced the door, making her stumble. With a glance back and forth she opened the door, and crept inside. She made her way down the halls, darting across the corners. She rubbed her eyes at the fluorescent lights, shattering through the dark of night. Kaeru suddenly spotted an intersection between hallways in her path. Peering to the side she could see guards talking. With a pause she ran back, letting her feet turn purple. She leapt, soaring through the gap. As she moved he retracted her glow, keeping her relatively unseen. She moved on, navigating the maze of passages. She had no clue where to go, but she would get there. Suddenly she found herself back at the empowerment room, which still hummed. Curious, she slid open the door, and peered inside. A Macaque lay suspended in the device, energy charging into it. Kaeru watched as the monkey shook and trembled, it's body mad. Kaeru stared in shook, watching the primate. Suddenly she threw open the door, shouting, "What are you doing? You are hurting him!" "Kaeru," Oshima turned, "You should be asleep." "You should stop this," she said, "You saw what happened to Takuya, he turned into mud. It is much to early to experiment again." "We have control of the situation," Oshima said. "Why can't you just wait?" she plead as the monkey spasmed, "I can protect you, give them some time." "You are a child," Oshima rounded on her, "You should not be fighting our battles. You should be protected, not used as a soldier." "You lied then," Kaeru said simply. As Oshima started to speak she ignited with purple, and smashed through the ceiling. Guards spun around at the sound, even as she smashed to the outsides of the building." --------------------- Modern day Kaeru leapt through the outskirts, just as day broke. As she leapt about she landed forward, reaching the city of Osaka. She skidded to a halt, looking over the massive settlement. It was like Tokyo, but perhaps less spread out. As she leapt she suddenly stopped, and clutched her head. "Stupid," she muttered, "If they find Takuya how will I know?" She now stood in an alley, alone. Kaeru leaned onto a wall, and took a deep breath. As she existed she heard footsteps, human in weight. She peered over to see a young man and woman, heading to the curb. Traffic was not too strained, though the vigilante couldn't help but eye all the cars. "Please," she urged them, "Run for shelter. Something is coming." "What do you mean?" the man looked at her. "A battle," she let her legs reignite, startling the two of them, "Please warn everyone you can." With that she burst away, as the woman nodded. Kaeru bounded across the city again, dancing across the rooftops. Then she suddenly swiveled to the side, just as she caught sight of Takuya, his goo blasting through the streets. He seemed much bigger now, about ten feet in height. Cars knocked to the side as he lumbered forward, spreading destruction. With a gurgle he shifted towards Kaeru, shooting his oozing arm at her. Quickly she kept to the side, before leaping through him, bursting him from the impact. She quickly leapt back, landing on her purple glowing feet. Kaeru smacked her hands together, even as Takuya reformed into a human shape. With a squish his arms extended, and shot out at her like water from a pressure hose. Tan gunk splashed before her, as she leapt and jumped about. Kaeru leapt to the rooftop of a building, before flexing at Takuya. With a roar the mutated man spurted at her, squishing onto the roof. As he stood his body burnt into the roof, sizzling the cement. The vigilante began to encircle Takuya with leaps, even as the helicopter showed up. The giant swung his ooze at her, forcing her jumps to scatter in pattern. As Kaeru leapt about the helicopter began to fire a barrage into Takuya. Sparks danced from the impact, as electric bullets struck Clayhand. The mucky man swayed and shook, just as Kaeru burst through him. As Takuya reformed, he trembled and churned from the barrage. Suddenly he spun his arms, before flinging one into the vehicle. The helicopter shock from the impact, as part of its wall dissolved and its body quaked. Kaeru burst through him again, regaining his attention. Her eyes locked onto the vehicle, focusing despite the fight. "Two in one," he churned as he regenerated, "Born of two worlds." "...What?" Kaeru asked as her clothes sizzled from passing through Takuya so many times. She still kept her gaze on the helicopter, despite also watching Takuya. "You feel the beat?" he said, swinging his fists, " the rhythm in the streets! Twin pasts met in one collision. Timelines melt as two in one." "End the fusion," he pleaded, "End the madness! Fix everything! Two pasts!" Kaeru leapt over Takuya , just as the helicopter stabilized enough to fire again. Takuya bellowed as part of his body liquified, before swinging his fist into the vehicle. As he swung Kaeru was already in motion. With a leap she leapt in front of the helicopter, spreading out her arms and legs. As she moved Takuya's fist smashed into her, creating a flash of light. --------------------- One week ago Takuya splashed and churned in his tank, no visible holes in the structure it was built of a strange metal, an alloy designed to resist all danger. There were no holes, only sensors to detect him. But those sensors were weak points, and despite their reinforced design Clayhand had managed to tear into them, slowly but surely. The first time he had done this he what'd reached an electric barrier, which had knocked him out in time for his guards to replace his bounds. This had happened three times, and slowly Clayhand was become resistant to shocks. They still stung and damaged his body, but he was less shaking. Enough for him to resume devouring the sensors, but this time without passing out from the electricity. He could feel the guards moving the sensors, assuming his was unconscious. Quickly he surged, smashing through the gaps. Like water he poured out of the tight container, before blasting the guards with corrosive acidic goo. They screamed as he burnt through them, dissolving them into gunk. With a sloppy sound he absorbed them into his body, increasing his mass. Clayhand oozed forward, burning a hole behind him as he went. "Two in one," he gurgled, "Got to separate one into two." He melted away, to begin his search. --------------------- Modern day Kaeru opened her eyes to see purple before her. As she looked around her she found a faint outline over her whole body, structured like armor. Her constructs had expanded from her feet and hands, forming a complete shell over her body. Even her head was covered by a helmet like projection. She flexed her completely covered arms, as Clayhand blasted her. Immediately she began to burn through him. Shattering his goo. Clayhand fell back, just in time for her to smash through him. Bits of Clayhand rained down, before reforming on the streets below. Kaeru leapt down, smashing into Clayhand. Leaping or ward he barreled through him, splattering him everywhere. Kaeru twisted about and ran into a large chunk, shattering the goo in a small explosion. Even as she spun around Clayhand reformed, dragging a bus over his head. With a roar he threw the vehicle, before charging. Kaeru quickly leapt up, catching the bus before lowering it to the ground. As the riders scattered she was tackled by Clayhand, crashing her into an a hotel. As she pulled herself up Clayhand threw her, knocking her into the pavement. Kaeru stood back up, shaken but undamaged. With a grit of her teeth she charged, punches flinging. Clayhand splattered again, giving Kaeru time. Quickly she ran to the street corner, before spotting a fire hydrant lying on the side of a building. With a yank she ripped it open, just as Clayhand tackled her. Kaeru picked herself up, before smashing into Clayhand with a shove. As he burst she ran back to the hydrant, and began to work. Suddenly the siren activated, causing Clayhand to scream in agony. "Lucky," she observed, before finally bursting forth water. The fluid smashed into Clayhand, dissolving him into mush. He struggled to stay stable, though he was all but paralyzed by the sound. "...Now what?" Kaeru asked herself. Takuya dripped and flattened, struggling to stay stable. "Two in one," he moaned, reaching out towards her, "It's...slipping. Splitting..." His body struggled to stay solid, as his eyes ran into puddles. "Please, try to focus," Kaeru urged him. "We can think," he managed, "Our minds are separate for now. It has been so long." "What did you mean by two in one?" "Memories," he said, "Two sets of memories inside us. One of a world of many superheroes, the other of this world. But it is wrong. Unstable. Whatever accident or destiny made you was stronger. We are sorry..." Takuya collapsed into a mound of ooze, just as men and women rushed over to him. As he stood weak the group rolled him towards a large jug, made of a strange metal. Kaeru nodded, before leaping and slamming Takuya into the jug. As it sealed up she asked, "Can it hold him?" "Yes," an agent said, "It is the same material as Captain America's Shield, he will not be able to escape." "Good," Kaeru said. "Thank you," Mr. Oshima stated as he landed, "I see you have mastered your armor." "...Armor," Kaeru repeated, before saying, "Sorry, but now that Takuya has been contained, I have a country to protect." She stepped back, before suddenly bolting into the sky. Wrapped in her armor she bounced away. Mr. Oshima stared as she vanished, letting out a sigh. As he turned around he suddenly noticed a small crowd of citizens, phones and cameras watching as Kaeru jumped away. --------------------- One day later "This is what I wanted to show you," a strange yellow eyed man said in English as he pulled up a website, "They are calling her Karuta. I believe it means a kind of armor." The image showed a young teenager, fighting a large slimy creature. A woman stared behind him as he watched a video of the fight, filmed on a cellphone. "Any idea who she is?" "No," the man answered, "But I think she is young. Nice to see we are finally getting superhumans outside of the United States though." The woman sighed before saying, "I need to talk to him." "Who?" he asked, "Wait you mean-so we are making our play now?" He grinned at the prospect, even as he pulled up another video. "Not yet," she answered, "But we need to be ready. She could help us. I just would like us to be to do this without that savage." "Agreed," the man said, "He's just a brute. Still, if we can get Karuta it might be worth it." The woman nodded, even as they watched the fourteen year old's battle.