Shardclaw: Welcome again to another crazy chapter for Oh My Metal Gear 2: Substance. Sorry again for the long wait, but I kind of took a short break from working on fiction lately to focus on my lagging gaming schedule and boy, I do have quite a number of titles, both new, current and several old titles to finish up. But enough about my problems for now….

Taken by the number of good reviews from the last update, I was glad you like my interpretation of some of the anime characters that will be more active in this story later, so without further ado, let's get this crazy OMG focused arc started as we'll finally catch up on things going on at Snake's and friends side, while also we start hanging around some of the matters regarding the characters that are expected to show up at the Goddess's temple and even some hints of what's to happen sooner or later in the story.

Before I start the chapter though, I made sure to edit some of the minor errors from the last update regarding a few of the character's names while I was working on and before I had to post this update, not to mention repost the missing chapter 3 for this fic which I had to rewrite all over from scratch with some new added content, but I can assure after all the work getting these chapters ready, you'll appreciate it as I did. Enjoy the update.

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Oh My Metal Gear! 2: Substance

Chapter 8: Old Friends, New Enemies, part 1

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Somewhere in back New York at Philanthropy's secret and almost defunct headquarters, a tall attractive Caucasian female woman with dark brown long hair dressed in a casual t-shirt and long jeans which were all covered by a lab coat sighed in frustration as she sat behind a desk cluttered with bills overdue utility bills. They were all addressed to Philanthropy after it began its operations since FOXHOUND disbanded, meaning they were responsible for paying the rent and electricity bills to keep the base running. Now, after some months of rare Metal Gear findings, the headquarters are now running low in financial funds, since they weren't sponsored to begin with.

"This is getting really tiresome…" The woman rubbed her forehead as she looked at the piles of bills. "First Snake and Otacon go missing after they get set up from that whole tanker affair, now the rent's gone up significantly! If something good doesn't happen soon, we may as well close down Philanthropy for good soon because we are under funded."

"Things would have been better if Roy was still with us to at least keep things in order." Another female voice spoke as she stepped in with a tired look on her face. It was Mei Ling, who was still in her Philanthropy uniform. "But he did go back into retirement after Shadow Moses; he needed his rest after what has happened, Naomi."

The woman named Naomi Hunter, who once served as the medical analyst for FOXHOUND during the Shadow Moses and is now part of Philanthropy, looked at her partner in silence as she picked up a random clutter of bills.

"I'm so tired, Mei Ling. I thought life in this organization would be easier than when we worked in FOXHOUND, but boy, was I so wrong." Naomi spoke.

"It can't be that bad, Naomi. Besides, I'm certain the reason you came to join us was that you were very worried about Snake and that whole Fox-Die thing he has right now." Mei Ling said with some worry in her voice. "Someone with your field of knowledge is probably needed in our group to check up on Snake before something wrong happens."

"I know…but Philanthropy has only a handful of skilled operatives working right now, while Snake and Hal are busy with the hard work." Naomi said. "I can go as far to say we are a bit low on manpower at the moment or else we wouldn't be having all these problems."

"I know…we recently got a professor and his daughter, Natalie working with Otacon from time to time, but even they need the money to get by." Mei said sighing. "In any case, I just came to tell you how things went at the meeting with VESPER."

"Ah, yes. I almost totally have forgotten about it." Naomi said. "Well, how did things go?"

"Better than we hoped for. It seems Roy did put in quite a word to VESPER's commanders about our activities and are willing to give us a hand in the matter of Snake being framed as well." Mei Ling said. "They are even willing to let us stay at a safe-house to continue our Metal Gear hunting missions at a mansion in Japan."

Naomi suddenly stood up as she heard this. "VESPER offered us a stay at a mansion?"

"Not just any mansion, the Hanaukyo mansion owned by the young heir, Taro himself. It seemed his family and VESPER had some ties in the past as well." Mei spoke.

"You did say that is where Snake and Hal are at the moment, right?" Naomi asked, receiving a nod from Mei Ling. "I do remember hearing Snake saying he's got some friends over there, chances are that he's staying with them."

"Of course, that's what Hal told me." Mei said.

"Does he or Snake know that we've been offered such a privilege?" Naomi said, stepping closer to Mei directly at her face.

"Not as yet. Actually, we need to hear from them first before we can get this alliance with VESPER on the go." Mei said.

"Well, what are we waiting for, Mei?" Naomi said, taking off her lab coat. "We have to hurry and convince those two about this alliance or else Philanthropy's done for."

"Huh?" Mei Ling asked in surprise. "Wait a second, Naomi. I know this is kind of urgent that we have to get this alliance started, but do you think Snake is ready to make a decision about this whole affair?"

"If we go ahead and say yes to VESPER about the alliance, Snake would only grunt about it, knowing him. Besides, I'm sure he is curious as to who is responsible for framing him and this could be a first step to finding the truth." Naomi said.

"I get you, but I don't think he would be happy about it when he finds out that we're suddenly visiting him out of the blue." Mei said. "Or maybe you're just curious to see what is it that is keeping him in Japan this long, hmm?"

Naomi's cheeks turned slightly red at Mei's suggestion as she stepped out of the room hurriedly.

"In any case, we can't waste any more time here. We'll leave the matter of the utility bills for after we convince Snake to get allied with VESPER." Naomi said. "We got a long trip to Japan, so let's get prepared, Mei."

"Yes, Naomi. I'm on it." Mei said jokingly as she walked out of the room with her friend.

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"Is everyone alright?" Mikhail's voice shouted amongst the small group of Steel Angels that were with her the moment she recovered consciousness after being trapped in the time fold back at the Academy. Kaga, who was with her partners, Tsunami and Kaori, nodded groggily as they approached their leader.

"Yeah, a bit still shaken, but we're okay." Kaga spoke while still acting tough as usual, despite she was just sent through time and space to an unconfirmed location. "What the hell just happened back there?"

"Something that was beyond our control, that's what happened, Kaga." Mikhail replied simply, looking around to see that the group was in a back alley of some sorts that they were never was familiar with. "It seems we've been given an unwanted invitation through time, everyone. I just hope Kurumi and the people with her haven't gotten into a just as bad predicament as we did."

"I doubt it, Mikhail." Tsunami spoke, fixing her dress. "From the way things looked back when the generators at the Academy blew up and the circumstances surrounding them, I fear to say what has happened to Kurumi's group."

(Please be okay, you guys.) Kaga thought to herself, clenching her fists. "So, what shall we do now?"

"It is best we search for information that could help get familiar with this time period for the time being until we can find a way to get back to our original time. Judging by the appearance of things here, we've must ended up somewhere in the second millennium." Mikhail said.

"Good for us, it would be troublesome if we ended up either ahead of the time when we were first developed or even further back in time where the Academy is." Kaori said.

"Lucky for us indeed, you guys." Kaga said. "Okay, we'd better start the recon mission. Everyone should stay together and ask anyone you come across for help."

"We got it." Kaori and Tsunami said in unison as the group left the alleyway and stopped to see themselves in a public street which looked more like a mini shopping district. The sidewalks were crowded with lively people of many types and personalities, standing near food, grocery and snack stalls.

"What kind of place is this?" Kaga asked, as she looked around a bit and almost ran into a short fourteen year old blonde schoolgirl with a single, bouncy ponytail at the back of her head. She had a very cute and babyish face and brown eyes. She was busy stuffing her face with meaty pot-stickers. "Whoa, watch yourself there, kid."

"Mmmm….oiishi." The girl replied as she took one bite of the pot-sticker and licked her lips with a big smile when she finally noticed Kaga standing before her. "Oh, excuse me, I was so immersed in this snack, I hardly noticed anything else."

"Hey, Chizu, wait up!" Another young girl's voice called out as the girl named Chizu looked to see a slightly taller girl with tanned skin and short cut, blue hair and another around her height with long, straight dark hair. They too were wearing school uniforms of cream blouses and brown skirts. Amongst the three of them, she had the biggest chest of the trio.

"Who's your new friend, Chizuko?" The girl with the long dark hair asked as Mikhail approached the trio of schoolgirls.

"We've only just met." Chizuko replied simply. "We've never seen you guys around here before, are you new here?"

"Yes, in a matter of speaking." Mikhail said. "We happen to be foreigners from a far away country and we just arrived to this place. By chance you could tell us where we are now?"

"Oh, you're in the Hiryu City shopping district, part of this zone's major business areas." The tanned girl said as she introduced herself. "I'm Miyuki Sakura, welcome to the city, by the way."

"I'm Rin Todokiri and the glutton with us is Chizuko Oe." Rin said, resting an arm on the ever so cute Chizuko, who kept eating away.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, girls. I'm Mikhail and this is Kaga, Kaori and Tsunami." Mikhail said as she introduced her group.

"So, you really have never been here to Hiryu before?" Rin asked as Tsunami shook her head.

"No, this is our very first time at a place like this." Tsunami replied as Kaga nodded.

"Hey, by chance you could tell us which year is this?" Kaga asked, suddenly causing question marks to appear on the trio's heads.

"Huh? It's 2007, of course. Didn't you guys know that?" Miyuki said as Kaga and Mikhail looked at each other in silence at first before looking back at the schoolgirls they just befriended.

"Sure, we do know, Miyuki. We just wanted to confirm something that's been on our minds since we arrived here, that's all." Kaga replied.

"Uh, okay. Whatever you say…" Miyuki said as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Hey, since we're here, we could always give them a tour until it's time to get back to school." Chizuko said. "How about it, you guys?"

"Are you sure it is alright that you could do that?" Mikhail asked.

"Well, yeah. You guys could hang out with us until later." Miyuki replied.

"Yes, this city has a lot to offer to strangers in terms of history." Rin smiled to the group of newcomers. "We would be glad to show you around to the best places."

"However, we really can't stay out too late once it's past evening time, so you're on your own from there." Chizuko spoke as she paid attention to Kaga and her friend's attire. They were pretty strange clothing for people who claimed to be foreigners from another country.

"But don't worry, there's a teacher who stays late at school almost every evening and helps the students with the clean ups and the preparations of the upcoming school festival. Maybe he can do a better job of finding a place for you guys to stay in, like a hotel or something." Rin said.

"Are you talking about Mr. Ryuga, Rin?" Miyuki asked as Rin nodded.

"I'm sure he would be able to help guys you once you tell him that you met us." Chizuko said. "I would know since he saved my life once awhile back, so he's really a dependable person."

"I see, we'll look for this Ryuga person you speak of once we complete the tour of the city. Thanks for your help." Mikhail said as she and the group of Steel Angels with her decided along that it would be best if they would stick with the trio of schoolgirls for the time being, so they can learn as much as they can about the city they were now residing in, Hiryu.

"Okay, then, let's go!" Miyuki waved her arm to the direction where they will take their new mysterious friends for a walk around Hiryu city, giving the Steel Angels a chance to gain information of the timeline they were in.

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"Good morning, everyone!" Megumi Morisato's cheery voice rang from the doorway of the Goddess shrine as she and Otacon took off their shoes and entered the abode. Megumi and Belldandy were in the kitchen getting breakfast ready for everyone to eat, while Snake, Urd and Keiichi were watching the news on the television.

"Good morning, you guys." Keiichi said as he waved to them as Snake does the same with a grin on his face.

"So, Hal, how did your first night with Megumi go?" he asked causing Otacon to fluster.

"Ah, really, Snake. It's too early for you to find out about the details, okay?" Otacon replied while Megumi nudged him.

"You don't have to be shy, Hal-chan. I know you couldn't keep your eyes and hands off from me whole evening yesterday, couldn't you? Especially when it was time for bath time too I must add." Megumi teased him, causing Snake to roar with laughter.

"It's as I said, guys! Nothing happened, so don't listen to everything she says, okay?" Otacon said, rubbing his head. "So, what are we having for breakfast this morning?"

"There you go, changing the subject before it gets interesting." Skuld spoke, placing a tray of herb tea, and well cooked onigiri and vegetables in front of him as his answer. "Compared to two other people I know who aren't afraid to show how they feel for each other…"

"Yeah, yeah, rub it in, pipsqueak." Urd warned Skuld as she held unto Snake some more. The news program they were watching was still about the sunken tanker and the naming of Snake as a renowned criminal now. It seemed to still bother him and everyone else in the room a bit.

"Oh, dear. Are they still talking about you that way, David?" Belldandy asked as she started eating.

"Looks like that's the only important thing they can report these days." Snake spoke as he looked at Otacon. "What do you think, Hal?"

"I wish I know more as you do right now, Snake. But we can only wait for an answer from headquarters about what we should do about this whole thing, not to mention that the new Metal Gear is still out there in Ocelot's hands." Otacon spoke.

"Right…we might as well wait till Mei Ling says something about that meeting you mentioned with that VESPER group and see how this turns out." Snake said.

"Does this mean that you will eventually get to the bottom of who framed you soon?" Urd asked.

"Well, we can't stay in hiding forever and do nothing about it, Urd, that's for certain." Snake said. "There's a good chance you and your sisters would eventually be in danger too if these guys come after you."

"Yeah, they look like they mean business with Snake and his anti Metal Gear activities, there's no way we can get you involved." Otacon said. "You guys are among the best set of friends we can have, it's just that this is probably a bit out of the ordinary for you to handle."

"I think 'ordinary' is the understatement around here, Otacon. You've have yet to see some of the other guests and events that happened in the past." Keiichi said, drinking some hot tea. "I know these guys are dangerous, but Belldandy and the rest of us have gone through just as bad in the past, what's the worst that can happen?"

"Yeah, just like he's saying. So, come on, Otacon. It can't be that bad." Skuld said. "And we did say we will help you in anyway we can, you're not alone in this fight. You and Snake helped us before, you know."

"A battlefield's not a place for children, Skuld." Snake said seriously to her.

"Who are you calling a kid?" Skuld stamped her feet as Keiichi spoke.

"He is right, Skuld. Snake is used to fighting more than all of us do right now. He just wants to see us safe because there's no telling what these guys could pull next." Keiichi sighed.

"But…all I want is to just help both Otacon and Snake-onnichan…" Skuld said, nearly on the verge of tears as Snake looked at her.

"Skuld…" Snake said solemnly, knowing how Skuld must think of him now after the short bit of time he had stayed with the Goddess sisters. Even if she is a genius inventor goddess, this new enemy that has put Snake and Otacon in a bind may also be prepared for the likes of her as well. He didn't want to think about putting someone who he now considers as a kid sister into that kind of danger.

Skuld's face soon went into a sulk as Belldandy patted her younger sister. "Skuld, you know David means well, he is thinking of our safety too after all. Keiichi is right about it as well."

Skuld pouted silently as Snake placed a hand on her head and smiled at her.

"I understand that you really are set to help me and Otacon out and I appreciate your dedication, Skuld." Snake said to her. "But you have to think that your family is important too and what we're going up against. Are you sure you really want to become part of something this dangerous?"

"I told you guys, I want to do whatever I can as a genius and a friend to help you." Skuld said. "Besides, if Washu and Ryoko are brave enough to pitch in, I want to do the same too. And I'm also curious as to what we can expect if we look into the matter further, so we can always be on the ready. So, please, pretty pleasse, Snake-onichan?"

Snake sighed as he smiled at Skuld. "Really, you know that I couldn't say no to a brat like you, especially whenever you pull that 'little kid' act. I'm too defenseless against you. If you're that set to do this, I got no problem with it. You just promise me that you will still take care of your sisters as you're helping us, got it?"

"Sure thing." Skuld smiled as she started to blush. Snake only shook his head with a grin as Megumi, Keiichi, Otacon and Urd laughed at this.

"It seems like Skuld's taking a real liking to you, Snake." Otacon said.

"She's just happy that at least I won't be bothering her too much since Snake will be keeping me occupied while he's here." Urd said.

"We only covered each other when Sentaro visited her the other day and I introduced myself to her, nothing major to be making a big deal out of." Snake replied as he shrugged his shoulders.

As the morning news report went into the commercial break, the television set showed a sale on a line of doll like figures in human size with clear eyes of various colors with two large, metallic coloured head pieces at the sides where the ears usually are. A line scrolling across the screen indicated that these were now on sale at the local electronic stores in Nekomi.

"Hey, it's another commercial about those Persocoms that went on sale recently around the shopping districts of the city." Megumi said, looking at the television.

"Oh, yeah, I heard the sempais and Chihiro were talking about them a lot at the last club meeting." Keiichi said. "They're becoming the talk of the town around here."

"Persocom? Aren't they those newly state of the art computers that were designed in the shape of a human?" Snake asked.

"That's right. I heard they also come in various other forms such as toy figures and even animals. You can go as far to saying they could be the next evolvement of computers itself." Skuld replied.

"Too bad they're so expensive to purchase and maintain. I heard they cost a fortune." Megumi sighed. "It would be so nice to have one around the home to help out with my campus cramming…"

"So, you can have a Persocom do medial work for you if you wanted to, huh? That's pretty convenient." Snake asked.

"Persocoms are becoming a big trend right now all over the world, Snake." Otacon mentioned as a small light bulb lit over his head. "Maybe we could consider having a crew of them taking care of all the unnecessary paperwork in Philanthropy, don't you think?"

"Aren't those things quite expensive and troublesome to maintain as Urd said?" Snake asked. "If we were to do that, Hal, we'd be more into debt than ever if we buy even one of their models."

"True, but it shouldn't be any trouble if VESPER is supplying us with a few of them to begin with." Otacon replied.

"Maybe you should have told Naomi or Mei Ling to include a few of those Persocom units to serve in Philanthropy when they had their meeting with VESPER awhile back. But I guess we can always make requests on the long run." Snake said, shaking his head. "And besides, Otacon, I'd never thought you'd be in this of a hurry to have an actual computer like a Persocom work with us."

"Just think for a moment about it. Persocoms are known to be as powerful as any of the current made computers out there, but they are designed to handle tasks computers can't normally do." Otacon replied. "Being a hacker, I know that there are endless possibilities if we had at least one Persocom we can personally use to hack with into a network that the computers I normally use to work my magic on with less difficulty."

"You got a point there." Snake said. "There's a chance using one of those things efficiently can get us access without being detected by the enemy computer's defenses. But we can't be risking hardware as rare as the Persocom to handle hacking tasks."

"Snake's right, I heard parts for Persocoms are really hard to find or replace." Skuld spoke. "You'd have to treat it as if it was just like any other living being if you want it to last a while."

"Hmmm…" Snake simply sighed, thinking of the prospect of the Persocoms in the world and decided to give it serious thought for another time.

"Well, Belldandy, thanks again for the breakfast, it was delicious as usual." Megumi clapped her hands and bowed to Belldandy as she stood up.

"Yeah, it was very tasty and healthy." Otacon said to her as well.

"I'm glad you two enjoyed it. But, Megumi, if it's no trouble, it wouldn't hurt to ask for a few of my breakfast recipes so you can start to serve Otacon as well." Belldandy noted, causing Megumi to blush.

"Oh, not you too, Belldandy. But, I will consider it, thanks for the offer." Megumi said as she glanced at Otacon, who shifted a bit uncomfortably whenever she looked at him.

"Megumi, I got to ask before you go, have you finished watched your copy of 'War of the Worlds' as yet?" Urd asked. "I really wanted to see that movie again one of these days."

"Yeah, I still do. If you want to, you can come over to my place before I run off to the campus for it." Megumi replied. "But I recently got the 1953 original, director's cut of the movie on DVD recently, you want to see that one as well?"

"Of course, I do! You know I'm always into the classics!" Urd said almost excitedly.

"Okay, then." Megumi nodded. "Oh, since you're into action flicks as well, you should probably borrow Otacon's copy of 'Versus', it was a pretty cool and well done movie, despite some of its quirks."

"Yeah, Megumi's right about that. The action sequences in that movie were something out of this world." Otacon said. "It was like watching a real live action anime."

"Alright, I'll come over to borrow these movies from you guys at once." Urd said with a smile.

"I didn't know you were quite the movie buff, Urd." Snake said while Urd shrugged her shoulders.

"It's all she ever knows more often than anything else, anyways." Skuld said in a low tone.

"What's that supposed to mean? All I want is something decent to watch with Snake while he's staying here, alright?" Urd asked, placing her hands on her hips. "You wouldn't mind watching movies with me for the whole day, don't you, Snake?"

"I really don't. I do want to spend much quiet time with you before anything could happen; we might as start with this." Snake said.

"Oh, David…" Urd said, feeling her face turn crimson in front of everyone in the room.

"Onee-sama, Urd's blushing." Skuld said mischievously as Urd twitched her eyebrows.

"Don't push it, you brat, or I will sick Snake on you." Urd replied to her. "I'm going over to Megumi's place now to get those movies, is there anything else you guys want while I'm out?"

"I've been fresh out of smokes since yesterday, so I could use a new pack of cigarettes. You should know my favorite brand, Urd." Snake said.

"Those things will kill you first before Patriots does, David. I'll just bring you some beer and warm sake instead." Urd said as she looked at Skuld. "And as for you, don't even bother saying it. It's ice cream, right?"

Skuld simply nodded in silence with a smile to her older sister's reply, knowing she'd often brings her favorite brand of ice cream out of kindness at times.

"I also have this short list of groceries that we would need for tonight's dinner, Urd." Belldandy said, offering her a slip of paper. "You will be alright?"

"Yep, don't worry about me." Urd smiled. "You guys can go on ahead; I'll catch up with you eventually."

"Well, be seeing you guys later." Megumi said, waving to Snake and the group.

"Yeah, Snake. Keep in touch in case something comes up, okay?" Otacon asked him.

"I will. You do the same too and try to keep a low profile when you on the outside." Snake told him as he watched Megumi and his best friend leave the temple.

"Now, I should get changed and be on the way." Urd said as she looked at Snake. "You're going to be alright, David?"

"I should be, I can get used to this peace and quiet for the time being. It's really relaxing." Snake said to her. "You go ahead and run your errands for everyone. I'll be okay by helping out around the house. I'll be waiting for you when you get back."

Urd gave him a smiling nod as she left the room as Keiichi himself stood up.

"If you'd like, Snake, you can assist me in the garage with Skuld and I doing some minor repairs on my motorcycle." Keiichi offered.

"Thanks, kid, I'd like to help out around here as much as I can." Snake said as Urd stopped him by holding unto the collar of his dress shirt. "What's up, Urd?"

"You've gotten used to this quite quickly, haven't you?" Urd asked him.

"Well, you guys have gotten to grown on me quite a bit." Snake said to her. "I don't really mean to get soft while the danger's still high, but at least it's getting my head cleared from the problems. I'm just trying to make the best of it before the fighting starts."

"Of course you are." Urd replied to him. "Enjoy it while you're can though, this temple is famous for a lot of strange things happening. If the Patriots don't find us first, you can bet something else on the weird side is going to happen. Just be on your guard while you're here, okay?"

"I'll remember that." Snake said to her as she smiled at him before taking her broomstick which she uses for flying.

"Be seeing you later, David-san." Urd said as she kissed him gently on his cheek and stepped outside. Before Urd hopped unto her broom to leave, she took a glance of the blossoming red cherry trees that were scattering leaves all over the garden. Seeing this made her sigh heavily as it brought back some memories of being in love a long time ago.

"Hmm, so it's the season for the plum blossoms once more, isn't it? That can only mean one thing" Urd said to herself as she thought of a particular god who represented plum blossoms who was actually her boyfriend for awhile and was a bard whose instrument of music was an enchanted harp. The two were off to a good romantic start for awhile, until he took off on a journey to seek something very valuable to him. Since then, she always considered the relationship they have was already a ruined one and broke up with him. Now after the times she had spent with Snake thus far, she had almost forgotten that she was still concerned for her ex boyfriend.

"Troubadour…does this mean that you're going to visit again after all this time?" Urd said to herself as she took a proper seating of the broom she usually uses to ride on and made her way from the temple while Belldandy, who was observing in silence from inside, understood what her older sister was thinking about.

(Urd, even now, you're still concerned about Troubadour-san, aren't you?) Belldandy thought to herself as Snake entered the kitchen with dishes and tea cups that needed cleaning.

"Hey, is something the matter, Belldandy?" Snake asked her. "You look troubled."

"Oh, it's nothing, David. I was just looking outside at the plum blossoms in the garden, that's all." Belldandy replied to him as Snake took notice of what she was talking about.

"Yeah, I really have to say that's one garden I'll enjoy getting used too while I'm here." Snake said with a nod. "It's time for them to season again, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is." Belldandy replied. "Now that I look at it, the garden looks like a part of heaven every year this time and it reminds me of how I enjoy watching the leaves fall during sunsets with Keiichi every evening."

"Keiichi's pretty lucky to have it like this with you guys." Snake said as smiled at Belldandy.

"You're just as fortunate as well, having to come back to us when we all have missed you and Otacon so much." Belldandy said. "Though I only do wish we can do more to help you with your situation with the Patriots…"

"Don't worry yourself, Belldandy. I'm sure things will work out eventually. My superiors in Philanthropy are still trying to get things worked out anyway and I'm sure they will have plan for this soon." Snake said to her as he heard Skuld's voice call out to him.

"Snake-onnichan!" Skuld hopped inside the kitchen as Banpei was tagging next to her. Snake turned to the younger goddess who was smiling at him.

"What is that you want now, Skuld?" Snake asked her.

"Can you be a big dear and get the mail for me? I'm supposed to be getting my new issue of Inventor's Monthly today and I'm kind of busy with Keiichi at the moment with his workshop repairs as you can see." Skuld told him nicely as she showed him the oil and grease smudges on her hands and face. The sight only made Solid Snake surrender to her level of cuteness and shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, I got no other choice but to try to be useful around here." Snake replied as he rumpled the top of her hair and walked out. "I'll be back shortly, kid."

As Snake made his way and walked to the outside of the garden and made his way to the mailbox, he suddenly stopped as he felt something didn't feel right as his right hand was stretched outwards to the gate.

"Huh?" Snake asked himself as he felt his warrior's intuition kicked in suddenly, sensing danger. He then leaped back a couple of feet to avoid three shuriken which were suddenly thrown at his feet.

"Intruder! Have you come to endanger Belldandy-sama's life?" Snake heard a female voice called out from somewhere as he looked around, yet saw nothing at first. It was then he looked to the ground before him that he almost jumped out of fright

"What the hell?" Snake simply asked, as he saw three, uber cute, miniature sized female ninjas stand in different fighting postures before him. They were all female, dressed in differently coloured kuniochi wear. One of them had long black, wildly grown hair, while the one standing the closest to her had short brunette hair while the third had short cut, black hair.

"So, our information was right. The criminal Solid Snake has come all the way here to assassinate our dear lord, Belldandy!" The black haired one known as Kodama spoke out. "What have you done to her?"

"Wait a second here, what's going on here? And you guys got it all wrong!" Snake said in defense.

"Silence! If you've already slain our Belldandy-sama, we'll avenge her by taking you down using our most brutal ninja techniques! Prepare yourself!" Kodama said, taking out several daggers and shurikens at the same time, which surprised Snake.

(How can a little runt like that hold that much stuff? She must have mastered the Hidden Weapons arts more than I have.) Snake thought to himself as he got into a pose to defend himself.

"Kodama, beware! This man defeated even one of our brothers in the infamous Shadow Moses mission. I will assist you." Hikari, the blonde ninja of the three spoke, which caused Snake to grow curious.

"You three…knew Grey Fox?" Snake asked suddenly.

"We only heard the stories about him, thanks to the information we've been gathering throughout our journeys around the world." Kodama said in a serious tone. "But that is not for you to find out, since soon in minutes, Belldandy-sama will be avenged!"

"Damn." Snake said simply as he got back into his fighting pose. However, Skuld and Belldandy came out in time to see what was going on.

"What's with the racket out here?" Skuld said, as she then noticed the three ninja masters standing in front of Snake. "Ah! It's you guys! You're back!"

"You know these three, Skuld?" Snake asked her as Skuld nodded at him, while Kodama noticed Belldandy approaching them and Snake.

"Belldandy-sama, you're still alive!" Kodama said as she and her comrades bowed to her. "We all thought something might have happened to you when we found out the criminal, Solid Snake was said to be here."

"Kodama-san, Hikari-san, Senrigen-san…you've come home at last." Belldandy said as the three ninjas turned from Snake and began to bow in front of Belldandy and Skuld.

"Belldandy-sama!" Kodama cried out. "We've heard all about what's been happening, so that is why we all came here to see if you were unharmed. We all thought you were…"

"Now, now, Kodama, I'm doing quite well. Thanks for your concern anyway." Belldandy said as she stretched her hand to let the ninjas leap and then perch on her shoulders. Snake stood there almost dumbfounded seeing three of the smallest living persons that ever existed were sitting on the shoulders of a goddess.

"But still…why is HE here?" Hikari said in a nearly dangerous tone as she pointed at Snake. "We saw him all over the news, so why is he here with you, Belldandy-sama?"

"Yes, has he taken the temple by force and made you his hostages?" Senrigen said as Skuld shook her head and ran across to Snake.

"You guys got it all wrong!" Skuld cried out. "Snake's actually one's of our good friends, he's just shacking up with Urd for the time being and that he can stay out of danger for awhile."

"Well, thanks for covering me like that, Skuld." Snake said as he rubbed his temple, almost feeling embarrassed.

"But it's so true!" Skuld said.

"Is this for real? You and this legendary soldier know each other?" Kodama asked, now leaping off Belldandy and close enough to Snake to observe him while her two comrades did the same. It was then Snake realized a common trait the three ninjas shared…they all had small, rat tails swinging from the underside of their backs.

"Yes, he and another good friend of ours who is his best friend helped us out some time ago when the Nekomi campus was in danger." Skuld replied and explained. "We're just returning the favor of keeping him safe for the time being, because he was framed by some potentially dangerous enemies who want to stop his activities of stopping Metal Gear development."

"No way…then Solid Snake never really did anything bad to begin with?" Hikari asked.

"That's what we're trying to tell you guys. He was set up big time." Skuld told them.

"I think you guys owe David-san an apology." Belldandy said to the three female ninja masters. Kodama looked to her comrades got some understanding nodding gestures from both Hikari and Senrigen as she then leaped up to Snake and perched herself to his left shoulder.

"Hey!" Snake said suddenly as Skuld assured him they weren't going to hurt him.

"Relax, Snake. I think they're just trying to say they're sorry." Skuld said.

"Yes, we're truly sorry for jumping to conclusions, Solid Snake." Kodama said as she and her comrades bowed to Snake apologetically. "We were so stressed over worrying about Belldandy-sama's safety after learning that you've known about her and her sisters, so…"

"Hey, you don't need to apologize. I know if Belldandy meant that much to everyone else, they would have worried just the same." Snake replied.

"Allow us to introduce ourselves to you, Solid Snake." Kodama said as she introduced herself as the ninja master of glamour, while Hikari was the ninja master of flash and Senrigen was the master of clairvoyance. She also went by the name of Nozomi, but only her close friends like Kodama and Hikari could call her that.

"I see now. But I'm really impressed about one thing though, you said you three were all over the world recently, am I right? Don't mind me asking, but why was that?" Snake asked.

"Yes, we were curious about the outside world and we also wanted to gain further knowledge of our ninja arts as well expanding them to those who wanted to become part of our clans. Since Belldandy-sama allowed it after becoming her own personal ninjas, we were on a planet wide journey that lasted for almost two years, gathering and making our forces stronger than before." Kodama said.

"I see now, that is quite impressive for you guys. But I got ask as well…why are you three so small, not to mention, having tails on your backs like that?" Snake asked as Hikari answered him.

"You see, we were once originally servants for Mara until she made us like this for several attempts to defeat Belldandy-sama a long time ago. It may come as a surprise to you, but we were once rats, Snake." Kodama said as Snake stepped back.

"You guys worked with Mara as rats?" Snake asked bewildered. "Then, what made you change your minds about working for her?"

"It was all thanks to Belldandy-sama and her kindness and the power that she showed us which let us changed our minds and made us become run away ninjas." Hikari said. "Sure, Mara wasn't too pleased when she heard about this and I'm sure she still is about it."

(Certainly, staying here can't get any more stranger than it is. Maybe Keiichi was right about the term 'normal' around here and I should take his word for it.) Snake thought to himself as he kept staring at Senrigen that was perched on his right shoulder, while Hikari was still looking closely at his face. They both smiled at him as he looked at them, since they were beginning to take a liking to him.

"Well, you three must be tired from your journey. I'll go and prepare some refreshments for everyone inside." Belldandy said as the three ninjas remained perched to Snake's shoulders and head.

"Snake-sama…now that we know that you're an ally to Belldandy-sama, you have our word that we will do everything in our ability to assist you in this matter that has put you in danger." Kodama said to her.

"It's the most we could do for you, since you've helped our master and those closest to her in the past and they seem to have put their trust in you." Hikari said. "Please, will you let us help you?"

"We are also curious about hearing from your own experience about the legendary Grey Fox. Some of our brothers who came from Shadow Moses just to seek us have said to seen you in battle, but we'd rather hear it from you the most." Senrigen said to him.

"Snake, it looks like you got some more new allies to help you." Skuld said to him.

"It appears so. Alright, I'll fill them in on the situation since we're all friends here." Snake said as he nodded to Skuld.

Kodama, Hikari and Senrigen nodded to each other with smiles on their faces, acknowledging the fact that Snake just made some new and unusual friends with them today. But the long path of recruiting assistance for his mission is still far from over….

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Meanwhile, in an underground cavern deep underground, a particular villain was scrounging through a destroyed cavern that was filled with broken monitors. It looked more like the remains of a destroyed playroom as well.

Turning over the rumble in front of her, Mara stopped to examine the room some more as she have heard about the existence of a Jurian demon named Yuzuha who was defeated by Tenchi Masaki, Ayeka Jurai and Ryoko Hakubi and came to investigate. Maybe what she can learn from the evidence left her from the post battle can give her some aid.

"So, this used to be Yuzuha's shack, huh?" Mara asked herself as she kicked around the place. "Really, not even I can keep this place this messy. I got to give this Jurian demon some props for that. Now, at least one of these monitors has got to be still working…"

Still inside the partially destroyed surveillance room, Mara eventually comes across a monitor that was still active. Not being computer savvy, she was still familiar with accessing secret files, thanks to her previous partnership with Revolver Ocelot before he betrayed her.

(I must really thank that Russian for getting me used to this technology, at least what I learned from him before he set me up is how to access confidential files such as these.) Mara said as she was able to access a record of Yuzuha's experiments.

"What do we have here?" Mara asked herself as she started to look over the files which were dated at certain points in the experiment's course.

Day 1

My grand plan to exact revenge on the Jurai clan has gotten off to a good start. I've easily managed to steal a lock of the traitor's descendant hair with ease and have already begun to assimilate the DNA extracted from it into a vessel containing of my own specific genes. With my knowledge of demon magic, mixed with the cloning and duplication formulas that I've finally perfected after all these years of planning, I shall be able to create a perfect union of light and darkness in the form of a child…that child will be our very own creation and only mine to control.

Day 3

The progress for the experiment is turning out better than I hoped for. From a single lock of hair combined with my own DNA, an actual embryo was created within the hour it was mixed and is rapidly growing. The embryo began to grow into an average size of a normal, healthy baby in only a matter of hours thanks to the increase of the growth rate I myself have included into its DNA. The gender of the embryo actually turned out to be a female with blue hair, since she has my genes as well, the hair color matches. I assume it would be able to grow into a toddler in just a matter of hours, and in another matter of days, into a healthy teenager.

The plan is going well without a hitch and once she is of learning age, I will begin to train the girl all she needs to know very soon…

Day 7

I've given the subject a name, as she will be referred to from now on as Makuya. I've given her the relevant training using the Jurian blood within her to be able to use the Light Hawk Wings, an inheritance from her father, Tenchi, as well being able to use the powers of a true bred demon within her. She is a quick learner and I was able to convince her of the fact that Tenchi is her father. I will surely use this to my advantage as I will use Makuya to win her way into those foolish hearts that are with Yosho who betrayed me…

My plans are to eventually set Makuya free into the world and have her bring Tenchi to me, allowing Yosho and the others that have been with him into my trap where I would be able to manipulate them. Then I will dispose of Makuya once my revenge has been exacted.

Soon, my dear Yosho, you will pay for making me suffer for all these years…

As the file ended there, Mara got a clear understanding of what happened now as she begun to think to herself.

(I see…so the rumors of the first closest heir to the Jurai throne of being a father are true. Yuzuha must have been a genius to cook up something that dangerous in only under a week too. This is some incriminating details I could use.) Mara thought to herself. (If only she was still around, I could use her knowledge against Ocelot and those who are supporting him, but since that's the case…I will have to use some other methods. Having a demon fused with Jurian blood working under me would level the playing field in more ways than one for me.)

"Aren't you going to fill me in on your next scheme or are you just going to keep it to yourself this time, Mara?" another female's voice spoke from behind as Mara suddenly turned around and to her shock, saw a young girl with tanned skin and long silver hair that was tied into several locks and was dressed in a short red vest and pants. She had a wicked smile on her face as she sat their innocently in front of Mara, who was for some strange reason, scared shiftless.

"Ah…Hild-sama…why are you here? How did you find this place anyway?" Mara muttered at the sight of the most powerful demon that ever lived, who also happened to be Urd's own mother of pure demon blood. Although she looked like a child now, she could change her appearance by a simple thought and reveal her true appearance as a very beautiful and voluptuous woman. It was the simple looking hair locks that she wore that suppressed her true powers as a High Class demon.

"Oh, I was just in the neighborhood when I ended up this way, so I might as well see how things were going with you. It's been awhile since I visited this place though." Hild said as she walked closer to Mara smiling. "May I ask what is it about this place that interests you so much?"

"I'm just looking for several clues that can help me exact revenge on a man named Revolver Ocelot and his employers. Surely you already know of the details, Hild-sama." Mara said to her.

"Ah, you must be referring to the western branch of the Philosophers who call themselves the Patriots." Hild said with a grin. "I've heard much of those guys for awhile now thanks to the underground network which fills me on the activities on the human world."

"Hild-sama, I cannot allow Revolver Ocelot get the best of our kind. He has to learn the hard way that we are not to be fooled so easily." Mara said as Hild shook her head.

"I understand that you want to get back at this man for using you like this, Mara. I for one, am curious on what is it you have in mind for handling him, but before that…" Hild was close enough to stare down at Mara who started to freeze out of fear. "I've been hearing some new rumors regarding my daughter and her sisters right now. Mind to share with me what is it about this man named Solid Snake being apart of their lives, hmm?"

Mara stepped back suddenly as Hild approached her even more.

"I will be able to help you, but you must show your worthiness to me this time, Mara. So, before you go on about the Patriots, my dear Mara…I want you to fill me in on what you know about Urd's new boyfriend so far." Hild asked with a wicked smile, causing Mara to stutter.

"What…what makes you so interested in knowing about Solid Snake, Hild-sama?" Mara asked.

"Oh, you don't need to know more than you intend to for the time being. I have my own little plans for him too, you see." Hild said as Mara shivered in front of her superior. "Now, let's start from how you got mixed up with these affairs, Mara, starting from that incident back at the campus awhile back…"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Meanwhile, back on the outside world on the countryside of Kizaki Lake, at a house situated on the hill near a roadside….

"Where could Karen be? She's awfully late coming home today." A red haired teenage girl with clear blue eyes looked over the horizon from her porch. She was sporting a yellow jeans and short cut jeans. Inside the room next to her, two other females was with her, one of them is a slightly older teen with long flowing, dark hair and was wearing squared glasses as well a cute little leather choker around her neck with a small heart ornament to hold it in place. The casual red tight t-shirt and khaki jeans that she was wearing showed off a slender figure for her age. The other female with her was in her mid twenties with long flowing hair that was a dark lavender color with matching eyes. She also was wearing glasses and a long dress that also showed off her figure.

"Want me to look for her, just in case?" Tsubaki Oribe, the older teen who was one of the senior heads for one of their school's clubs, spoke.

"I'm sure she's alright, though the area is kind of new to her. Besides, Miina, Miss Kazami and Tsubaki are guests came to visit all of us. I should be the one to go and look for her. There's some stuff I got to pick up from the computer store anyway." A male voice spoke as Maiku Kamishiro entered the room, handing Tsubaki some documents that he personally was working on. "Here are those worksheets for next week's club activities, class pres."

"Thanks again for the favor, Kamishiro." Tsubaki replied as she looked at Maiku, who had blue eye with short cut purple hair and was a committed programmer who was living alone recently until he learned about his relation to one of the two girls that was staying with him for awhile. She herself had a crush on him for awhile, but her true affections lied with Maiku's eccentric friend, Kousei Shimazaki. She was rather pleased with the relationship that they had which was falling apart before was resolved and things are getting better between the two of them.

The former star athlete who was Miina Miyafuji simply sighed at her boyfriend and nodded. "Alright, I guess I can manage to handle the fort a while longer."

"Still, it's not like her to be this late, unless the Herikawa needed her." Mizhuo Kazami spoke. She was known the most around the school she worked in due to the fact that she married of her students, Kei Kusanagi just to hide the fact she was an alien sent to observe Earth.

"If so, they could at least call us and told us she's with them." Maiku said seriously, as he was very worried about his newfound younger sister.

Soon, they heard the door slid open and Karen's excited voice call out to the people in the room.

"Big brother! Miina! I'm home. Is anyone here?" Karen called out as Maiku, Miina, Tsubaki and Mizuho entered the entrance area of their house.

"About time you got home, we were starting to worry about you, Karen." Maiku said as he folded his arms.

"I'm really sorry, big brother. But I was only helping these people here…they seem to be travelers who got lost." Karen said as she stepped aside to let Kurumi's group of friends enter. "I thought you and Miss Kazami can help them out, so I've been telling them about our home and such."

"What in the world?" Tsubaki said as she observed the new group of people before them that neither of them had seen before.

"Karen, just who are your new friends?" Maiku asked as he stuttered seeing the four Steel Angels, Kurumi, Karinka and Saki along with Nadeshiko, and the humans with them, Nakahito, Kamahito, Yoshino Koganei, Eiko Kichijouji, Dr. Reiko Amagi and Dr. Ayanokoji, who were still sporting in their original attires from their post World War 2 era.

"Excuse me, young man. Your sister has been guiding us and telling us about this…area of the country." Dr. Ayanokoji said as he was still holding unto an unconscious Reiko Amagi. "She is right about us being travelers, though."

"Karen, just how much did you tell them?" Maiku asked her.

"I do remember them asking which timeline it was and I told them it was 2007." Karen replied to him. "Then some of them did some of the strangest reactions I've ever seen because they said they came from another time."

Mizuho looked on in silence as a thought hit her while she studied the timeline of each of Kurumi's group of clothing in comparison to the ones everyone else was currently wearing.

(Judging from the archives I've studied in the Academy based on Earth history, these people are indeed from another point of time, more like dated back to the early World War eras. If these people have come from that point of time, did something happen that would have caused an accidental time slip to occur? If so, how come the Federation didn't see this happening, I thought there were measures to prevent these sorts of things to protect intergalactic galaxies as well as the laws that protect them.) Mizuho thought.

During her time on Earth as an undercover observer for the people she worked for, she was aware that possible time 'paradoxes' and 'slips' were becoming a common thing that even the most powerful of space criminals who had access to vast time and space travel were using the knowledge of time machines to mess up time. Her time with old friends, Amane Kaunaq and Kiriko Masaki, also reminded her of a tale Kiriko once shared with her from Washu on how her cousin, Tenchi Masaki was almost erased from existence because of the infamous supernova named Kain was close to assassinating his soon to be parents, Nobuyuki Masaki and Achika Kiyone Masaki in the early 1970's.

(This must be another one of those unexpected accidents that even the Federation or the Galaxy Police must probably didn't see coming or else word of it would have reached Marie by now.) Mizuho thought some more.

"Greetings, desu." Kurumi waved to Maiku and his group as he nervously waved back at her.

"Ah, hello." Maiku replied as he shook his head, staring at the group. He then saw Reiko Amagi slowly coming to as Dr. Ayanokoji noticed that she was waking up. "What happened to her?"

"It's alright; she just fainted from some of the shock before." Ayanokoji said. "Would it be alright with you that we laid her down to relax?"

"Sure thing, I'll help you out." Maiku said, offering to help Ayanokoji and Kamahito carry the still unconscious Reiko into the living room where they laid her on it as easily as they could so she was comfortable.

"I'll go get her something cold to drink." Minna said as she then looked at the group of strangers once more. "Then again, I'm sure every-one of you must be famished, I might as well get drinks for all of us."

"That's a good idea, let me help out." Tsubaki said as Maiku looked at Mizhuo before looking back at the group of people before him.

"Well, Miss Kazami, what would you think of this?" Maiku asked as Mizuho looked on, still in amazement.

"I'm still as dazed about this as everyone else, Kamishiro. But they do look like they are in need of some help, we should probably tell them about much us as we can." Mizuho said. "Since they can speak in Japanese, at least it makes things easier."

"You got it." Maiku replied with a nod as he looked at Karen once more. "Okay, Karen. What did you exactly see when you met these people?"

"I was on my way from the shopping when I was passing the fields and I saw them being dropped out from a bright light. At first, I thought these guys are the aliens that were flying around in those UFOs that were being spotted around the country recently, but they seem too nice to be from outer space." Karen said as she continued eating from her Prech, causing both Maiku and Mizuho to leap up in alarm, while Karinka stood up in a fit.

"Now wait just a minute! You can see for yourselves we're not from outer space, kid!" Karinka shouted as Saki and Kamahito tried to hold her back.

"Karinka, calm yourself, will you?" Ayanokoji warned her as he faced Mizhuo. "You have to excuse Karinka there, she happens to have the shortest temper among all of us."

"But what she said about us being thrown out from that light in the fields was true. We were all at another place when something happened to bring us here." Nakahito spoke now.

"Would you be able to explain yourselves what exactly happened?" Mizhuo asked as Minna and Tsubaki returned to the room with trays of ice and drinks.

"Yes, since I myself have a very good idea what could have caused us to be displaced here in your current era, I could give you the details that you may need to know. But first, we must introduce ourselves so we can get to know each other better. I'm Dr. Ayanokoji and the woman we brought in is Dr. Reiko Amagi." Ayanokoji said as he showed Reiko slowly getting up.

"Doctor…? What's happening?" Reiko opened her eyes as she suddenly saw where she was and opened her eyes wider. "Where is this place?"

"Relax, Reiko-san. You're at my big brother's house." Karen called out to Reiko who looked at her direction, but showed a sulking face. "Is something the matter, Amagi-san?"

"So, it wasn't a dream after all. We did end up in the future and still there's no telling how Mikhail and the group of Steel Angels that were with her are doing right now." Reiko said as Maiku fixed his eyebrows.

"Wait a minute, are you saying there's more of you guys from the past that are around in our era as well?" Maiku asked as Ayanokoji nodded.

"Yes, they were among the first be caught in the time fold explosion that occurred at a facility back in the 1920's, where we originally came from. They volunteered to stop it, but it was too powerful for all of us to stop manually and we were caught up in it as well." Ayanokoji said. "As far as I can tell, they could be wandering through any particular place and time about now without either of us knowing."

"Whoa, this is some heavy stuff." Tsubaki said, sipping her soda.

"I agree. But it would be better if you told us from the start more about you guys." Maiku said.

"Alright, since we already introduced ourselves to your sister who was kind enough to be able to guide us to you, we might as well fill you in on about ourselves." Kamahito said, as he and the group of Steel Angels and humans that were with him took their seats and started to properly introduce themselves to Maiku, Mizuho, Minna, Karen and Tsubaki.

They were also filled in on the facts that Kurumi, Saki, Karinka and Nadeshiko were the few Steel Angels that came to the current era with them while the rest that were sent into the first time fold were all Steel Angels themselves. They then told them of the objectives of what the Angels were designed for, their capabilities and the reasons the base which housed them was transported back into time, really shocked the people in the living room of Maiku's house that day.

In exchange of the information since Ayanokoji and Reiko seemed to trust Maiku and the friends with him thus far, the group that was misplaced out of time was filled in on progress of man in the year 2007 by Maiku, Mizhuo, Tsubaki and Minna.

After about two hours and a half of introductions to each group and explanations later, both groups were stunned from learning a lot about each other after listening to their stories. Maiku was among the first to speak.

"So, you guys were originally from the far future, but you went back into time to preserve this planet from a devastating war that is going to happen. Man, this is really creepy just thinking something like that is actually going to happen to us." Maiku said as Karen held unto his shirt.

"You don't think the aliens are going to be responsible for that war that's going to happen, big brother?" Karen asked in a frightened tone.

"No, although you did say that they have become common in your era now." Koganei spoke, who have been eyeing Maiku the whole time and earning glares from Minna.

"Not just around here, but all over the country and the world too. It only started recently, but it doesn't look like they have any hostility towards us just yet. They probably just want to make their existence known." Tsubaki said.

"So, since you guys are here, does this mean we're still going to be under attack soon?" Karen asked as Saki shook her head.

"I doubt it…we ourselves are doubtful of who exactly will want to put this world into turmoil because we haven't fought these creatures that would be attacking soon, so we have no relevant data of the ones who wishes to destroy this world." Saki replied. "All we can do is to just wait for the time to come and be prepared to defend this world from that evil."

"So, you guys really shouldn't get worked up about it. When those things show up, we'll just have to mess them up big time." Karinka spoke with a grin. "In any case, we need to get in touch with someone who can help us find our friends and get us back into our original period."

"That is out of the question, Karinka." Ayanokoji said. "Surely, we may have ended up in the future, but there is no one capable yet of helping us just yet with those problems."

"So, we're just going to have to sit around and not do anything?" Karinka asked, placing her hands on her hips.

"Allow us to go around the area and get some information for you, it's the most we can do since we got ourselves dragged into this as well." Koganei said as she and her partner stood up together.

"Yes, there has to be someone who could help us." Kichijouji said as Tsubaki stood up.

"Um, I happen to know someone, she happens to be a very reliable source of gathering information just as good as the Echelon. I know this for a fact." Tsubaki spoke. "I could always give her a ring and tell her to be expecting you, if that's alright."

"Yes, please go on ahead and make your arrangements, Tsubaki-san." Reiko said as Tsubaki nodded and got out her cell phone to make her call while Maiku conversed on with Kurumi's group some more.

"Since you guys are going to be stuck here for awhile, you will need a place to stay in. Unfortunately, this house won't be able to accommodate all of you." Maiku said.

"Big brother, why not let them stay at the old house on the other side of the road?" Karen asked.

"You think that place is still suitable for living conditions?" Minna asked.

"It may look run down, but we've been giving it a fair clean up time and again since we found out that Karen and I were related in case something like this happens, haven't we?" Maiku asked as he looked at Ayanokoji. "There's this house we all used to live at across the street. It may still need some serious tending to, but it should be okay for all of you for now."

"If there's any cleaning to do, leave it to us to get it done." Saki said nodding. "We're not just battle androids, but we're also dependable housekeepers. We will get things ready by the meantime for the doctors and the Kagura brothers. You just show us where this house we're staying at is."

"You make it sound as if it isn't a problem to you guys." Mizuho said as Tsubaki returned to the room.

"I just spoke to Ichigo and told her to meet us back at the district. She should be able to help you two for the time being." Tsubaki said as she turned to Maiku. "You guys are going to be okay with all this going on?"

"What's the worst that could happen?" Maiku simply asked as he folded his arms. "I hope the study body president has the relevant information than can help these guys."

"Who knows? She could surprise us." Tsubaki said as she looked at her watch while Koganei and Kichijouji stood next to her. "Well, I wish the best for you guys. I got to go get ready for a date with Kousei in half an hour after I find the president and I don't want to be late. I do hope we'll get to see each other again soon and that you will find the rest of your friends, Kurumi." Tsubaki said with a grin as the three left.

"I have to be leaving as well. Kei and I have an important dinner date later and I have to prepare." Mizuho said as she bowed to Ayanokoji's group. "We'll keep in touch, Dr. Ayanokoji. I do hope you that things turn out well for you. And Kamishiro, please take care of them."

"The same here, Kazami-san. I do we'll meet again soon when things get better." Ayanokoji said to her as she left the door.

"I will make sure to do that, Miss Kazami." Maiku said as Mizuho left afterwards.

"I do hope Mikhail and the rest of the Steel Angels are okay, wherever they are." Nakahito said sullenly.

"Me too, desu. I hope we can find them soon too, desu." Kurumi said, clasping her hands together.

"Hey, it's kind of getting late. Are you guys going to be alright over next door?" Maiku asked.

"We really don't need to bother you guys since you look busy and everything." Karinka said to him. "As for the house you're lending to us, we can get it fixed up for living conditions in no time. We're more efficient than we look."

"Yes, leave it me, Saki and Karinka, desu." Kurumi said, smacking her fists together.

"We'll help too, if you like." Kamahito offered as did Nakahito as well.

"Okay, we got some spare futons that are in storage. Karen and I could carry over those if and help with the clean up if you'd like." Miina said.

"Thanks a bunch, you guys." Karinka replied to her.

Meanwhile, Eiko Kichijouji and Yoshino Koganei were tagging along with Tsubaki Oribe and Mizuho Kazami on their way back to the city, where hopefully the authorities should be able to help them clarify things on what's been going on in their timeline.

"So, this Ichigo Morino character has access to important information, is that it?" Koganei asked.

"That's right. It's really amazing when you think about it. She has her resources and so far, she seems to have never been detected in doing so." Tsubaki said as she stopped a good way to see Ichigo herself approach the group.

"Good evening, people." Ichigo said with a simple wave to the group. She was wearing her school uniform still and was carrying what appeared to be a simple suitcase. She had two teenage figures accompanying her as Mizuho instantly recognized them.

One was a boy with tanned skin and bleached blond hair of a tall stature, while the girl with him had long red hair that was tied to a single ponytail was holding hands with him. They were still dressed in their school uniforms.

"Magamo, Misumi, it's unusual for the two of you to be out this late, but then again, you do seem to be doing this more often than before." Mizuho said to the young couple as Hyosuke Magamo and Kaede Misumi blushed at this. The two of them have gotten past the point of intimacy at a summer vacation and now they are inseparable as they can be seen together often.

"Good evening, Miss Kazami, it's not really like it this time." Hyosuke said, rubbing his head nervously. He may appear to look laid back, but he's actually a very studious and dedicated student with excellent grades and his current goal is to become a part of the Japanese government cabinet in order to change the law system once he leaves school. He's actually much smarter than he acts and looks. "We actually came from the hospital after visiting Matagu."

"Yes, he's still hasn't recovered yet from that incident. The condition's really serious, even though he's in stable condition." Kaede said. She always has had very strong emotions towards Hyosuke long before the incident during their summer vacation two years back.

"I see. We had no idea it was that serious. This makes it, what…the third month since he's been in hospital?" Mizuho asked as Hyosuke nodded, as he then noticed Koganei and Kichijouji.

"Oh, who are your new friends?" Hyosuke asked.

"Oh, we met them while we were visiting Kamishiro." Tsubaki replied, allowing the two spies from the past to introduce themselves. "They're Eiko Kichijouji and Yoshino Koganei. They just happened to be travelers who just want certain information that they need to help their friends. They're kind of lost at the moment."

"So, these are the people you told me about over the phone?" Ichigo asked as Koganei and Kichijouji stared at the young girl intently.

"Yeah, I thought your information network can at least give them a lead to somebody who can help them." Tsubaki said. "You can trust her, you guys. She's really helpful even though she doesn't look it."

"Are you sure about that, Tsubaki-san?" Koganei asked. "She looks so younger than even Nakahito…."

"Don't let my looks fool you guys. I'm much older than you'd think." Ichigo said with a grin. "I also know for a fact that there's something about you two that you'd like to share with me, considering that you and your friends are really not from this…"

"Morino, it would be best for the safety for both Koganei and Kichijouji-san that you'd keep quiet about this for now." Mizuho said as she suddenly cut in, covering Ichigo's mouth while Kaede and Hyosuke looked on quizzically. Somehow, Ichigo already knew about the point of the two female spies' origins. (A/N: See the ending of last chapter for details.)

Not fully understanding why Mizuho want to cover for the spies as a means to protect their secrets, Ichigo decided to play along and nodded to Mizuho before she approached the women once more.

"Alright, you two, since you're looking for reliable information to aid you, I was just on my way home. If you'd tell me about the dilemma you're in, maybe I can come across a solution." Ichigo said, before she smiled. "Come with me and I will take you to places that you never thought was possible…fu, fu, fu…"

Both Koganei and Kichijouji stepped back when they saw the look on Ichigo's face as they knew something was very unnatural about this new source for information. But since they had no other choice than to trust Tsubaki's judgment, the two sighed and nodded their heads at Ichigo.

"Alright, we'll go with you then. We're counting on you." Kichijouji said as Ichigo left with the two spies. As they left, Mizuho felt her handbag shake as she took out her cell-phone to answer it.

"Hello…oh, Kei. I'm already on my way back home, can you just hold on a few more minutes?" Mizuho replied to a young male's voice which answered back to her.

"I was kind of getting worried when you're coming back home. But I'm glad you're okay." Kei Kusanagi, Mizuho's eighteen year old student husband, answered as he was home getting dressed for their date. He had pale skin and bleached short cut hair.

"Something came up at Kamishiro's house while I was there earlier, but everything's okay now." Mizuho said.

"Well, I'm almost done changing anyway. How about I just meet you where the restaurant is instead?" Kei asked.

"Yes, that can work. The dress I have one should be casual enough for the evening." Mizuho said with a smile.

"Oh, yeah. You got a message from Marie's frequency earlier today." Kei said as he fixed his tie. "It seemed really important, since he was making quite a fuss about it. Something about the Galaxy Police going under major investigation on Earth's current situation, not to mention that you got two old friends coming to visit you soon."

"Thanks, Kei. I'll check on it the moment I get back." Mizuho said. "I'll be seeing you in a few, dear."

"Yeah, be careful on the way, Mizuho." Kei said as he hung up, leaving Mizuho to think a bit over what has happened. From all the signs Mizuho has seen today, she could only point out that something big was going to happen very soon.

(First the accidental time loops and the possibility of the Galaxy Police on a major investigation on Earth orbit and SAINT's recent appearances…what could all of this mean and lead up to?) Mizuho thought as she walked home with Tsubaki. (Whatever the case, I just hope Kei and the rest of my friends won't get dragged into something dangerous based on how things are turning out. We'll just have to wait and see when Kiriko and Amane would surely visit eventually….)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Meanwhile, in another part of the country….

It was close to evening time at Hiryu city's high school, where most of the children were now finishing up their classroom activities and were heading home. Among the group of students was one of the only male teachers who stayed behind and was assisting them, who just happened to be the most admired of the schoolgirls attending there.

He had a tall and lean stature that hides a well developed muscular body and had a short straight cut hairstyle that was coloured light grey. He had deep, yet gentle and mysterious clear, crystal blue eyes. Dressed in his casual teacher's uniform of a beige creamed shirt and pants, he was known to everyone as the one of the teachers of the school, the main crush for all schoolgirls and formerly Mahoro Ando's enemy, now a fellow compatriot for keeping the peace in Hiryu city.

But in actuality, he is the SAINT combat android, Ryuga and he was taking his time enjoying his masquerade as a human. His time as a teacher and the times he spent on Earth had made him more and more curious about human nature and he hopes to at least understand and participate in their courses over time. So far, he seems to be enjoying the experience, since mostly these days, he would often get scolded by his older sister, and fellow SAINT android, Sera for coming home late.

(I know Sera would get upset with me for coming home late again, but I really couldn't help it if I've grown too fond of the children here who need my assistance.) Ryuga thought to himself with a grin as he easily took a heavy box that a group of girls were trying to carry from the classroom. "Allow me to get that for you, girls. You don't need to trouble yourselves with it."

"But, Ryuga-sensei…" One of the girls flustered in front of her friends, as the SAINT android simply bent over and took it up with one hand and lifted it over his head.

"This really is no problem." Ryuga smiled at them. "Just tell me where I should carry this."

"We're taking it to the gym. They are the decorations we will need for the school festival soon." One of the girls said as Ryuga nodded his head.

"Ah, yes. I've heard the other teachers been talking about it a lot recently." Ryuga said.

"You will come, right, sensei?" the girls asked.

"Of course, I would. I am a teacher for this school after all." Ryuga smiled as he accompanied the girls to the gym where he dropped off the parcel. To the girl's amazement, he didn't even break a sweat and still looked proper and handsome in front of them.

"Well, here you go." Ryuga said. "It is getting pretty late here, so you all should be heading home before it gets dark."

"Oh, we will, Ryuga-sensei. Thank you so much for the help." One of the girls bowed to him as her friends followed suit.

"Glad to be of help." Ryuga said waving to them. "Well, I'll be seeing you tomorrow. Take care now."

As Ryuga left the room and the girls walked off in a separate direction, they began to talk amongst themselves about him.

"Ryuga-sensei is sooo strong and dashing." One of the girls whispered.

"That is so true. Almost all of the girls like us are so into him." Her friend replied.

"I wonder if he has a girlfriend, but he's always so straight and narrow, he doesn't seem to be the type to be actually dating right now." The other said to herself.

"Yeah, I just hope he isn't taken." The last of the girls said as they walked out of the compound into the schoolyard where the sunset had now rested over the field. As they girls walked home together, a lone figure stepped out of the shadows, one of his eyes glowed a red color as his fists glowed yellow afterwards. An evil grin then crept on his face afterwards as he saw Ryuga walked out of the school and headed in a separate direction.

However, he can't fool Ryuga's sensors and the combat android's battle instincts. Ryuga has been a pure bred warrior who has been used to sensing an enemy's presence.

(Hmm, this one isn't that mangy panther, though.) Ryuga thought to himself. (I guess I should play along and go to a better place where we won't cause trouble for the civilians around here.)

Acting still as if he hasn't noticed it yet, Ryuga let the stranger follow him a good bit away from where other innocents wouldn't get caught in a battle and stopped midway before a park. It was then he sensed something else as he stepped into the park.

"Well, what good timing that I meet you here this evening…Slashie." Ryuga stopped as he then saw a sleek and black panther with clear golden eyes approach from the shadows in the bushels.

"Hmph, seems to me that I have a long way to go before I can sneak up on you. And will you stop calling me by that stupid name, Ryuga. The only person ever allowed to call me that is Harune, got it?" The VESPER created support mech for Mahoro named Slash replied in a low deep voiced male tone. He and Ryuga were deep enemies once, but after Ryuga reconciled with Mahoro and began to live as a human a while back, they are slowly becoming allies.

"Well, you know me already, Slash. So, what brings you here anyway?" Ryuga asked. "Is that you're here to clear your head about that Management cyborg I heard Mahoro and Suguru have taken under?"

"She still makes me uncomfortable. I don't like it." Slash said. "They even gave her a name too, they called her Minawa Ando and she's to start masquerading as Mahoro's little sister."

"I got the details from Ms. Shijiko earlier today, but to think Mahoro is pulling a risk like this…she's rather brave doing this without thinking of any possible dangers." Ryuga said. "Do you really intend on killing Minawa in case she pulls something?"

"I've been assigned to protect Mahoro and Suguru from any types of danger, even if a little girl in the form of a Management cyborg comes close to hurting them, I will see to it that she's stopped for good." Slash said before raising his nose up.

"You're heartless, you know that, Slash?" Ryuga asked.

"What about you? You're just as suspicious as I am too about this, aren't you?" Slash asked.

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of thinking Minawa as a threat, but it's like I said before. If she does pull something, I'm right there with you in stopping her." Ryuga said.

"Whatever. We do have other concerns right at the moment." Slash said coldly. "Besides, I know for the longest while that we're both being watched, am I right?"

"Of course, I have sensed him watching me since I left the school. But then again, I'm sure our friend whose also been tailing me would like to share with us who he is working for." Ryuga said seriously as he turned to the shadows and saw the figure stepped out in front of them with a grin on his face. He was wearing a black and gold outlined body suit as both of his cybernetic arms were glowing in the moonlight.

"I have to compliment the two of you, the latest, modeled created combat androids out of both SAINT and VESPER, to have detected me. You are very impressive toys indeed." The figure said to Slash and Ryuga. "But I have to say that this sight sickens me…to think after all that SAINT has done in the past and now they are hoping to have humankind be united with them…they are nothing but murdering hypocrites!"

"You…how dare you say such things about SAINT." Ryuga said to him, as Slash stepped forward. "Identify yourself now so I can commit your face and name to memory."

"If you must know, SAINT scum, I'm Tarant Shank, the most feared space pirate at your service." The man spoke with a grin.

"So, are you another cyborg from the Management?" Slash asked.

"The Management?" Tarant asked before laughing loudly. "Ha, I don't work for those simpletons. Actually, my employers just happen to be the Patriots, my android friends. And soon, they will show them and everyone else who really are the ones in charge when they get their plans kicked off. Just think of me as a little appetizer of things to come. "

(Did he just say the Patriots, the American branch of the Philosophers?) Slash thought to himself. (If they are involved, then we're all going to be in more serious trouble soon.)

"What business you have here in Hiryu city?" Ryuga asked.

"Oh, it's simple actually." Tarant said as he raised his right arm as it began to glow with a yellow radiating energy. "I'm here to raise some hell by trying out these new toys my new bosses gave me, so I don't you don't mind me tearing this city apart doing so."

"Of course, we do. That is why you have to get through us first." Ryuga said, getting into a fighting pose.

"Ha! I was wondering when I can get you to say such sweet words. But alas, I have to warn you that I'm not to be taken lightly." Tarant said as he pulled out three throwing knives and flung them at Slash, who dashed out of the way in time, before Terrant shot three fireballs out of his arm using the Shining Darkness at him. Several small craters can be seen where Slash was.

"That was…!" Slash shouted. "He has the same power Mahoro has!"

"What?" Ryuga asked, now remembering his last battle with Mahoro Ando. He knew the Shining Darkness was dangerous enough if used by the host as it uses the life force of the host to fully unleash its power every time, diminishing it. This was almost the exact same thing, except Terrant's was slightly stronger.

"Now you see what I meant by not taking me lightly, you lowly machines. I have powers far superior than the two of you put together." Tarant said as he charged his fists with more energy. The energy then formed into a chained whip surrounding his metallic arm.

"Have a taste of my real power!" Tarant said as he swung the energy chain whip around, slicing away at the park benches and light-posts, where they were all cut clean and later exploded upon contact.

"Why does he have the Shining Darkness as well?" Ryuga asked, doing his best to dodge Terrant's attacks.

"Beats me. We just have to focus on beating this guy and make him talk afterwards if we ever want to find out anything." Slash replied, as he suddenly increased his body size and a streak of red mane running down his back sprouted out as a large set of thin, razor sharp claws and fangs appeared as well.

"I agree with you on that one, my friend." Ryuga said as he simply loosened his tie and jacket as this fight got serious. Although he didn't have on his armor suit or his energy sword with him, Ryuga excels just as well in areas of hand to hand combat and was very psychically strong to boot.

"Aw, so you want to get serious now, is that it?" Tarant asked with a devious grin. "Then, show me what you both made of, VESPER and SAINT."

Ryuga suddenly dashed in a blur and reappeared above Tarant who shot an energy ball at the SAINT warrior before swinging his chain whip at him, catching him off balance, while Slash leaped at him and pounced on his chest as if he was going for his throat.

However, Tarant quickly kicked off Slash before he got his mark, while Ryuga spun his body while descending and gave Tarant a swift spin kick to his face, before performing a handstand double kick on his chest as he landed. As he was stunned, Slash dashed at him and cut open his arm with his claws, before he was knocked down from a ram of Tarant's cybernetic knee. Tarant recovered from the knockdown and flipped backward away from the two, releasing a string of several energy bolts at Ryuga and Slash, who dodged the projectiles.

"Not bad, I'm beginning to think that I will enjoy doing this." Tarant said as he swung his energy whip at Slash, who evaded the first few swings of his attack, only to be ambushed by a dual set of knives that Tarant hid during the first initial swings as he cut into Slash with them.

"Slash!" Ryuga shouted as he saw Slash took a serious hit. "Why you…"

"Oh, you want to share the same fate as well, SAINT android?" Tarant asked him as Ryuga dashed at Terrant with a punch that sent Terrant flying several feet, before he recovered and threw his whip that suddenly exploded at Ryuga's chest, totally destroying his tuxedo.

"Arrghhhh!" Ryuga grimaced as Tarant grinned at the two.

"Hmph, is this the best that both VESPER and SAINT has to offer? How disappointing. I thought you were the best from both, but it seems that you have ways of proving your worth, isn't it?" Tarant asked. "Let's see if I can spike things up a bit to see if you an at least give me a test for this marvelous new power the Patriots gave me."

He then took a glimpse of a small crowd of people who stopped to see the fighting and an idea hit him.

"And to think the two of you used to feud often. I've never thought I would be able to have to resort to this, but if the need arises…" Tarant powered up his fist as he aimed it them, causing Ryuga and Slash to stop where they were.

"You fight dirty, Tarant!" Ryuga shouted, seeing among the crowd were the same group of schoolgirls he helped earlier that evening at the school.

"What did you expect, SAINT android? I am a pirate, after all." Tarant grinned. "You've gotten soft, taking a liking to and wanting to be just like these humans. Now that weakness will be your greatest failure!"

"Ryuga-sensei, help us!" One of the girls shouted as Tarant went ahead and fired his energy shot at them. The girls closed their eyes before they thought it was the end for them, until…

"Cease this foolishness right now. I will not forgive you for this act against innocent children, you fiend." A stern woman's voice spoke as the girls opened their eyes to see a tall, slender woman with long flowing silver hair stand before them. It was the Steel Angel, Mikhail who stood in front of them, employing a green force-field around herself and the group of schoolgirls.

"What?" Tarant exclaimed as Ryuga and Slash looked on. "Who the hell are you, you broad?"

"I'm Mikhail. Commit that to memory." She said seriously as the schoolgirls behind her ran away to safety while Kaga, Kaori and Tsunami then took their places next to her. "You have no right to go terrorizing a peaceful city like this, so you better make haste and leave before you get gravely hurt."

"Ha! No woman dares tell me what to do!" Terrant shouted. "Eat this!"

Shooting his Shining Darkness energy once more, the group of Steel Angels separated and dashed out of danger quickly as Mikhail leaped over Tarant and ended up landing directly near a stunned Ryuga and Slash.

"Who are you?" Slash asked. "Are you from Management as well?"

"No, but I can assure you that we are not your enemies. We can save the introductions for later, but for now, do you need a hand?" Mikhail asked Ryuga, who quickly nodded at her.

"Yes, but be careful. That power of his is extremely powerful. I've seen it in combat before." Ryuga warned her while trying his best not to get distracted by her graceful beauty. "Will you be alright yourself?"

"Yes, you need not to be concerned." Mikhail replied as Tarant growled at the group of interferers.

"Don't ignore me!" Tarant shouted as he fired another energy shot from his arm, however, Mikhail had already dashed at burst speed towards Tarant who was ambushed with a flying kick delivered by Mikhail's slender looking, yet powerful legs before he could register what was happening.

"What the hell…?" Tarant growled as he was dazed by Mikhail's powerful attack, before he then got flanked by Kaga's explosive boomerang from behind soon afterwards.

BOOM!

"Guuhh!" Tarant cried out, as the explosion caused some major damage to his abdomen, but not before another one of Kaga's explosive boomerangs struck him from behind once more.

BOOM!

As the smoke cleared, Tarant shook off the effects of the attack and threw two knives that were charged by the Shining Darkness at Kaga, who easily sidestepped away from danger. Terrant swung his whip at her direction, only to be countered by another strong whip that created a series of craters in front of him.

"You won't be getting away that easily." The pink haired, whip wielding Tsunami spoke as she danced around gracefully, striking the places Tarant stood with her long, leather whip. Not getting the chance to counterattack, Tarant growled at the Steel Angel group as he swung his energy whip at her once more in an attempt to negate her attacks.

"You wench! I will show you that I'm much stronger than you!" Terrant said, as his own whip wrapped itself around Tsunami's arm and sent a detonative charge at her, but it was interrupted in time as Kaori then swung her giant scythe consecutively at Tarant, cutting away his energy whip.

"What? There are even more of you?" Tarrant asked in bewilderment as Tsunami countered a distracted Terrant as she snapped her whip around his arm and flung him over, knocking some wind out of him.

(How can this be? The Shining Darkness is supposed to be powerful, yet…why am I still being defeated?) Tarant thought as he saw the Kaga, Tsunami, and Kaori stood altogether.

"It's a surprise that you managed to last this long." Kaga said to Tarant in a taunting tone. "But if you value your own existence, you will leave this peaceful city and its civilians alone or get hurt really bad."

"I can still defeat you freaks!" Tarant said, getting up with charged up fists. "You have no idea of who're you're dealing with!"

"I see this guy still hasn't gotten it through his head." Kaga said, holding up her boomerang over her head as it increased in size, making it big as her own body size. "Don't say we didn't warn you."

"In case you've failed to realize, you're the one who has no idea what you're facing." Tsunami said, as she started to spin her whip in succession with Kaga spinning her giant boomerang, while Kaori spins her scythe. The three began to focus their energy in creating a trinity type technique as a powerful tornado began to from around them.

"We really don't want to be doing this, but before they can get really serious, you'd better surrender yourself now." Mikhail said from a distance as Ryuga and Slash stood next to her.

(Dammit! I won't be able to last longer against this number of freaks by myself!) Tarant thought as he looked at Mikhail and the accompanying Steel Angels next to her, then angrily back at Ryuga and Slash. He knew the situation was hopeless and that he was being outclassed by these strangers.

"SAINT android, we will finish this next time we'll meet! And mark my words that you all made enemies with the Patriots from this day on! I will not forget this." Tarant said as he took out a stun grenade and dropped it front of everyone, which used the distraction to dash off away from his enemies as Slash tried to pursue him, but was unable to catch up because of the wounds he gotten earlier from Terrant's ambush.

"Great, he got away. If I were able to repair myself any faster now, I could have caught up to him a long time ago." Slash growled as he reverted back to his normal panther form and size. "What the hell is going around here?"

"I have no clue…but it seems we're all going to be facing some bigger problems very soon." Ryuga said simply as he noticed Mikhail, Kaga, Kaori and Tsunami walking towards him and Slash. "Um, whoever you girls are, thanks for the assistance back there. May I ask who are you and why are you're here? Are you androids as well, I've never seen any combat models wield weapons that well before expect for Mahoro herself."

"I've introduced myself as Mikhail before to that madman." Mikhail spoke. "You have to be Ryuga, we were told to look for you by three classmates you may know of, Miyuki Sakura, Rin Todokiri and Chizuko Oe."

(Are they friends with these people?) Ryuga thought to himself as he cleared his throat and replied to the women in front of him.

"I'm Ryuga, of SAINT. Yes, I heard you told Tarant Shank that." Ryuga said, watching her closely. "So, you are not from either VESPER or Management and I don't recall SAINT having androids in your form of appearance before."

"It is true based on that you've seen so far, we are androids. We are known as the Steel Angels, created by the Academy from the future." Mikhail said.

"Did you say from the future?" Slash asked. "How come you guys are doing here in 2007?"

"It's a long and complicated story to begin with, trust us." Kaga said. "The most important thing right now we're worried about is that we got separated from our friends who were also brought along with us to probably this timeline."

"So, they are others like you guys here too?" Slash asked.

"Yes, in fact they are many. But we had some human companions as well who got sent into the time fold as well." Mikhail spoke. "We've been wandering around this city since we arrived earlier today, gathering information of the time period and trying to locate them, but to of no avail. That was when we overheard the fighting and met you guys."

"I see now. To think androids made in the future made by humans were this powerful…I can see how mankind got their first step in such technology from the likes of VESPER." Ryuga said as he examined the group of Steel Angels. "In any case, since this world is as new to you as it is to me for awhile now, I will explain to the best of my ability to every one of you about what is happening around here until we can find your friends or at least, find someone who can do that. However, there really are many facts about this world that needs to be said that will take up time."

Kaga sighed as she and the girls with her nodded with one another. "Seems we have no choice but to play along, huh?"

"That sounds more of a complaint, Kaga." Kaori said. "Besides, he really is cute for a space android, we should stick with him until we can find the doctors and Kurumi's group."

"She's right, Kaga. We're new to this part of the future ourselves, we know nothing about it." Tsunami said as she tried to convince Kaga to think otherwise. "Well, Kaga, should we go along?"

"Guess we should. I still have some debts to pay to that Terrant guy who tried to hurt the civilians if we ever meet again." Kaga said.

"Then we should be taking our leave before the local authorities come and give us too much questions we really should avoid at the moment." Ryuga said as he eyed Mikhail. "Well, Mikhail of the Steel Angels, I should start telling you what I know about the Earth at current."

"Of course. Please, do take all the time you want, Ryuga-san." Mikhail smiled at Ryuga, who simply gulped at her reply. She seemed to have taken a liking to the honorable SAINT warrior android because he was concerned about the schoolgirls that Terrant had threatened during the battle and it seems the other Steel Angels with her falling for him as well. Slash simply smirked as he stood up and walked.

"Well, come on, lover boy. We got to get your new fan club to someone who can help them. Maybe Mahoro can at least sort this thing out if we got over to her place." Slash said as the panther android led the way among the group of attractive female androids and one lone drop dead handsome combat android.

Slowly and surely, these beings of man, alien and machine are being drawn together for a specific purpose that will soon unite them for the cause of Earth's safety from a powerful unknown enemy, but who really is the one responsible for this strange union? And how will it affect Solid's Snake venture later?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

ShardclawK: Ryuga is so damn cool and lucky to get such admirers, I tell ya. While all that is going on, we can only imagine what scheme Hild has got Mara into planning things and how the Please characters are going to handle Kurumi's group while our buddy Snake is soon to be getting more guests of his own as well, things should get very interesting indeed.

In any case, I just want to take this time to say thanks to the reviewers who have been enjoying the story's progress and most notably to the last recent update, for all of your comments really encouraged me to keep challenging myself in writing this story even further as I only aim to please the fans who read it. I also want to thank DarkFusion and Ominae especially for letting me in on the character info of the Renza girls, as well correcting the spelling for Tarant's name. It came as a surprise to me when I found out one of the voice actresses for the girls was actually the one for Rose in MGS2, what a coincidence since she will be part of the fic later.

Oh, yeah, I also want to thank one of this story's newest fans, CP9 Survivor, for pointing out the missing chapter 3 of this fic some time ago. I would have gotten that problem fixed as soon as I have noticed it while uploading the characters list that I added to the start of the story for new and curious readers a while back, (it was a very troubling process, I tell you) but that was before I got my own computer to do most of my fiction work on, so I had to write it over from scratch! So, in any case, I'm going to re-write that chapter with some new added content and have posted it in its rightful place before I post the next update for sure, so feel free to check it out when that happens to resolve that matter of Snake escaping the Tanker and how he ended up at the Goddess's temple.

Now, time for an Easter Egg for the movie buffs. On the first recent episode of the Peorth arc in the OMG second season TV series, Urd spoke of borrowing Megumi's copy of 'War of the Worlds' once more. To those who did or didn't know it, the 2005 version of War of the Worlds starring Tom Cruise was a remake of the 1953 original written by novelist H.G Wells, so I included the details of the first movie as well. I also made it so that Urd said that 'she was into classics' earlier in this chapter, paying a homage to the original movie, but its safe to assume that she also like the recent remake just as well. Another thing is that it happened to be one of the movies Para-Medic mentioned in MGS 3: SnakeEater during radio conversations, so that's where most of the inspiration for that Egg came in for this fic.

Another movie reference was the Versus flick that Otacon mentioned as well. It happened to be a live action Japanese action horror movie directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, an action choreographer and director who actually happens to be a close friend of none other than the Metal Gear series' creator, Hideo Kojima. It may come to a surprise to many that most of the action cinematics in both MGS 2 and MGS 3 were inspired by Kojima's influences from Kitamura's Versus, not to mention that Hideo actually played a cameo as a bandit in the feudal action drama Azumi, which was also done under Kitamura. Check both of these if you can find them, they both are really good quality movies.

Koganei: Wow, Shardclaw. You almost sounded like Para-Medic back there, knowing how these movies can be referred to both Metal Gear and Oh My Goddess that simply.

ShardclawK: Just sharing what useful information I have for the good of this fic, Koganei. I did say I have tons of ideas for it at my disposal, you know.

Koganei: Yes, we are all eager to see what other surprises you have in store for your fans, Shardclaw-san. But, I must warn you not to make these chapters too great or else you will have trouble trying to keep up with the maids from the Hanaukyo mansion that will gang up on you for delivering another marvelous update if Dark-san sends his orders once more.

ShardclawK: Oh, no. I won't be intimidated by that army of maids again. They caught me off-guard because they got the order to ambush me without warning last time, but I made sure that sort of thing won't happen again, especially with the other recent girls in my harem. There's a thing called limits, you know and I have made sure to reconfigure up their messaging system, so no girls will attack me even if I updated with an over the top chapter such as this one.

Just then, Kichijouji entered, holding unto a set of wires and a grin on her face.

Kichijouji: Alright, Koganei, I did as you told me to. I sabotaged the messaging system from the girls to Shardclaw-san, so that all the girls he has got from Dark-san so far will gang up on him wearing nothing but skimpy aprons for delivering another cool update on this story.

ShardclawK: Don't you just hate it when the co-host threats you like this? I'd better make a run for it before I'm ambushed again by the maids…

As a cloud of dust was now only seen where I previously sat, Kichijouji and Koganei both do a high five.

Kichijouji and Koganei: Mission accomplished.

Skuld: But who's going to say something about the next chapter?

Slash: Guess I will have to be the one to say it, since Ryuga's busy at the moment, being lovely dovey with Mikhail and all those Steel Angels with her.

Ryuga: And I said before there are no sexual deviants in SAINT!

Slash: Yeah, sure. Whatever, man. In any case, in the next chapter, problems arise for Snake when more guests and old friends begin to show up, including Urd's old boyfriend. Hmm, I wonder what his reaction will be when finds out Urd is now shacked up with Snake?

Wait a second, only Shardclaw himself already knows for sure. You will just have to wait and see what happens in the next chapter, which should be out pretty soon. See you eager readers then.