Shock & Awe

Chapter 16: I'm Not Sorry

"Ryuko, I don't fight for the hell of it, I fight because I plan on using the life fibers to revive my aunt."

"How would you do that?"

"Simple. If I sacrifice enough life fibers to that clump I believe that she will return to me."

"You mentioned that you took that clump with you... where do you keep it?"

AJ takes a deep breath before removing B.B. he then takes off his shirt and places it on the coffee table revealing to Ryuko a small ball the size of a tennis ball on the back of his shirt. Ryuko covers her mouth in surprise at not only the location of the ball but she looks at his torso seeing scars on his body.

"Where'd those come from?"

AJ sighs while stretching. "Those came from many, many encounters with those sent to capture me and return me to her. I fight for this reason. I fight because I want the Kiriyuin clan to pay in blood for the loss of my family."

"So you fight for vengeance?"

"The same reason you fight."

Ryuko sits back with a sigh. "I guess so."

"So, will you fight with me?"

"I don't know..."

AJ smiles softly patting her head. "I'll give you the rest of the day to think about it. If you feel like getting off your ass, I'll see ya in Kobe. Ciao!"

He steps out leaving her in the house as he places B.B. back on over his shirt starting the motorcycle he begins the drive back to Kobe as he plans out his strategy for attack against the Elite Four.

"Check, One, Two, Come On this is AJ, repeat this is AJ. Come on... answer already one of you." He continues his drive towards Kobe as he takes note of the delay and seemingly neglecting of their communications. "Unless they've found out a way to block our communication it should be working fine. Thomas and I wired it completely fine."

[B.B.: AJ...] "Whats up?" [B.B.: Do you... still hate me?] "Pfft. No, you acted upon your own instincts. I don't blame you, I blame her." [B.B.: And if we meet her?] "I just have to hope that we're strong enough to beat her."

He speeds into Kobe driving directly into one of the schools he stops removing his helmet to see four different lasers pointed at his chest he looks up smirking as they all vanish.

"Hold Fire!" A student yells.

"Nice seeing ya again!"

He gets off of the bike and walks towards the building before walking into a hug from Tomoko.

"Hey, Tomoko. So how's everything going here?"

"We've convinced every school in Kobe to prepare their defenses including setting up special anti two-star defenses that are working with a three man squad then you and Thomas are here to face off against any potential Three Star Uniforms."

"That's progress I like to hear."

Tomoko smiles and nods to him. "Thank you."

He makes his way to the roof of the building as he grabs a pair of binoculars and looks out slightly past the city seeing nothing approaching.

"They should be coming around two in the morning and it's already late in the afternoon. Tell me, what the situation with the out of city communication."

"It's been down since before you left. Thomas is currently working on repairing it."

"Do you think their using jammers?"

"Is it strawberry flavored?"

AJ rolls his eyes. "Really?"

"Sorry."