The next day Mike wakes up in his bed and looks around. The house is silent. Clearly early morning by the looks of light shining in lightly lapping the carpet. He stretches and looks around. Mike proceeds towards the door and closes it silently to not wake anyone. He settles down the stairs and heads to the kitchen grabbing a protein bar and heading outside. He sits on the balcony and looks at the rising sun relaxed as the sun waves over him. He sees somebody walking up and he turns to look as Piers walks towards him with a large smile on his face.
"What made you so happy? Not like you to be smiling like this." Says Mike.
"Got some news. Fun news."
"Go on." Mike motions to the chair and Piers goes to sit still smiling.
"So your heroics haven't gone unnoticed. You know that. Remember after your performance somebody has taken notice. The Prime minister is in Osaka today. And he wants to meet you."
"Ah yes I forgot about that."
"You don't look thrilled."
"I'm not great at these public event things."
"Come on man, you guys stopped a national terror event. You're everywhere. Small town vigilante turned into a possible minor celebrity. Can't you just take some credit for once?"
"I don't care about being a celebrity but i'm happy to meet the prime minister. Despite my gripes with the government his reign so far has fallen in line with a lot of the reform i believe in. He is a great man. That said, when do we meet him?"
"3 hours. He's a busy man but he's here. He will meet us at the site of the battle."
"Why there?"
"To make you look like a badass? Just take the glory. I'm not one to revel in the spotlight for good deeds but you guys put your life on the line, and let's be frank here. Brian would have wanted us to take some time to enjoy the reward right?"
"Yeah I think he would. Alright, should I tell the others?"
"Of course. Everyone that helped is invited. It will also be on tv so get ready for the lights."
Mike turns red and rubs the back of his head with his left hand. "Great." Mike turns to go into the house and he heads upstairs. He enters one of the many rooms to an awake Lena standing brushing her hair.
"Don't knock or anything creep. I was changing!"
"You are fully clothed."
"Well, yeah but I could have been." She says with a smirk on her face holding back a laugh. "I'm just messing with you Jesus, my morning humor isn't great is it? What's up?"
"Well I have some news."
"You won the lottery? Oh my god I can finally get a new car. God the government salary is pitiful now isn't it?"
"No, Lena that's not it."
"Kazuke is going to start an emo band and he wants us all to join? We will be forced to play in back alley bars and skate shops?"
'No actually."
"Polar learned situational awareness?"
"No, the leader of our nation wants to meet with us as we heard before and he gave us a 3 hour notice to meet him at the scene of the battle."
"Ha! See now you're getting it."
"I'm serious, that's the real news. He took notice of our saving of the city."
"Oh my god that's amazing. Should we tell everyone?"
"Well I was sort of trying to but I've only told you so far."
"Alright, I will help you, but first what's off? You are acting strange again."
Mike stops and kicks his shoes lightly. "Just a bit nervous about being on tv, and not sure if I really deserve to be rewarded for losing and letting a villain get away. Besides, i didn't really - "
"I wouldn't call it fame. That's what you were gonna say right? You didn't do this to be famous. I know how you feel but it's just being recognized for doing a good thing. Something we have earned. Just think about it like this. What's the worst that comes out of it? People know your name and have a good story. Local hero takes down possible national threat. It will make people feel safe."
"You and Piers make great points. I'm not sure what I'm so worried about."
"You're having a moral dilemma. It's ok." Lena throws on her letterman jacket for once, actually zipping it up. "You feel like business isn't finished since he got away. You are wondering why we are being recognized since we didn't really complete the job. There isn't anything wrong with that. You just gotta see the other side too. People need to have some sort of hope to latch on to. Let that happen."
"You guys really know what to say."
"Of course we do, you're a planner, I'm a morale booster. We all play our roles, now when it comes to TV let me handle it! You just take some credit and relax."
They hear noise from outside the room as multiple people walk by. Piers knocks.
"You took too long, man." He says. "I got most of the group ready, come on down."
The two head downstairs and Mike walks forward to talk to the team. He looks at them and freezes up. Everyone looks on waiting for a word but nothing comes.
"Alright guys, we have something big on the agenda today!" Yells Lena hopping up onto the table.
Leon groans and puts his hands to his face. "Don't tell me we are getting kicked out of the beachhouse. This place is starting to grow on me a lot. And I'm not kidding. The bureau doesn't have coffee like this."
Lena laughs and sits down on the table. "No, as you all know the Minister has taken notice of our work and wants to congratulate us on it. The news is he is going to be at the site of the battle in 3 hours. So get ready and we will head out as a group. Dress nice if you can I guess and for the most part just enjoy it. You guys have all earned it. I cannot stress enough how much good you've done for this city and as its registered guardian. I can't thank you enough for making me look great. You all truly deserve the credit you are getting and I've been happy to work with all of you. Thank you guys."
The group gives out a half hearted cheer. Mike begins to walk away and Leon stands up angry.
"I don't think so buddy." Leon grabs Mike and sits him down on the table next to Lena. "This guy right here needs a round of applause. Let's give it up for the leader of this group of clowns. Even if he's terrible at speeches! come on!"
The group cheers and claps again. Mike's straight face turns to a calm smile. "We have to meet him soon so let's get moving. We will all go out front when we are ready to roll."
"To the arena." Says Nathan.
A few hours pass and the group all head out front one by one until the vehicles are filled and head for the once formidable battle arena. The group drives for a while and arrives out front as a small crowd has already begun to form even with the short notice of the minister's arrival. Security is heavy. They form up and exit the vehicles one by one moving towards the front. As they do, fans take notice and begin to scream at them. Mike walks past and notices a child wearing a shirt with the Tozuki brothers drawn in an animated style on it.
"Ms. Oxford! Thank you for saving the city!" Yelled a random onlooker. "
Lena waves at the young woman and continues to walk.
"Seems like most of them only know Lena and Junpei," said Leon to Mike.
"Official guardians of the city. Of course they know them."
They walk to the bottom of a staircase and sit in a row of chairs up front. As people pour in some time passes and eventually everyone quiets down. Right on the hour a middle aged handsome man walks out with multiple security guards in tow. The prime minister. He walks with authority and confidence to the stands and greets the crowd. No more than a moment later he begins to speak.
"Hello, and welcome. My apologies for my rudeness. This event was planned with such short notice and we don't have much time, however that does not discredit its importance. I had heard many months ago of the bravery of these individuals who stepped up to save this city under great threat. While i did let them know i wanted to speak with them, my duties have not allowed me to make it out here until now. Without further wait I would like to welcome them to join me on stage and accept a large honor. At the top stand the man motions them up. As they walk photos flash and the crowd cheers loudly until they are silenced by the motion of the prime minister.
"Now would you please all be silent? We are in the presence of heroes here. You young woman, please come on over." He says welcoming Lena to the stand. She walks over and bows before the man showing honors. "Lena Oxford. I have heard about you many times as the guardian of this city. I am glad I now have the pleasure of meeting you. You and your team have done a great thing here. Showing overwhelming bravery. What would you like to say to the crowd here?"
Lena looks at the crowd and goes to the mic. "Hello everyone! I know I usually give some big speech. This time. I don't think that is what should be done. The credit for this doesn't go to me, or Junpei. The truth is the person leading this group isn't me. It's that man right there." She points at Mizuki.
The Prime Minister smiles genuinely. "If that is so, then why don't you come over here young man?"
Lena returns to the line as Mike approaches. As he does the man smiles and winks.
"Is it true you are the leader of this group of heroes?"
"I wouldn't go that far but I suppose that is the case."
"Then I have you to speak for them, right? You did a great thing. You saved countless possible casualties."
"I was just trying to do the right thing sir."
"You know I used to be quite the fighter in my day but nowhere near your level. Now. This city owes you a bit of gratitude, and not just this city but the country. You stopped one of the biggest domestic terrorists this city has seen in my lifetime. Maybe you're ready for the big leagues in Tokyo? Now what made you want to risk your life like that? For this lovely small town."
"I just like to help out. I believe everyone has a part to play in keeping this whole thing moving. I can't honestly say why I do this but a big part of it has to be my team. These guys keep me going even when it's hard to be the good guy and do the right thing."
The man looks on and smiles. "Now isn't that something? Unity beyond all things. A diverse cast you have here. Now for what we have for you. We have given each and everyone of your crew an award here. You sir get this special new Medal of Honor for protecting your country and outstanding bravery. It has the logo of the city crest, and each of your names on it."
Mike walks up and the man puts the medal around his neck and smiles.
"Now would you write your name here on this tablet we are gonna place here. In the form of a monument."
Mike takes the carver and engraved his name into the tablet. As he does The leader motions Reyna to come next. Mike goes back into line taking place next to Lena and puts his hands down folded.
"Now you look lovely. I heard of your stunning display of power and you played a massive part in this destruction of evil. You are truly a national treasure. Your family name makes you proud. I have heard of its history and I actually knew your mother quite well. Her beauty is not lost on you young lady."
As the man continues to talk and hand out medals he arrives at Leon. Leon walks up and the man skips the handshake, leaning in for a hug. "Leon, my friend. It is of course a great joy to get to give you this award."
"Thank you sir, it is an honor. My time in your service has been nothing short of a dream."
"Truly I value our friendship. Please take this medal."
As Leon leans down to get the medal Karina walks up and stops the process. Everyone in the crowd gasps and the team looks at her confused. She looks at the sky intently.
"Excuse me, what are you doing?" Says the main bodyguard.
"Brody, scan the sky. Now." She says.
"Why?" He replies.
"Do it now! Scan the damn sky!" Karina screams.
Brody slides a small pair of glasses out of his pocket as the rest of the team and crowd looks on. The bodyguards now tense. He flips then on and a loud ping goes off. Brody tightens and shouts. "There is a drone coming in hot!"
Not a second goes by before a large flying object flies in directly for the podium. Kazuke moves fast and gets in front of it, emitting a large flaming barrier from his conjuring. Mike tackles the prime minister, grabbing him out of the way. The rest of the team and the bodyguards ready themselves as the crowd screams in a panic. As the large object hits Kazuke's barrier it hits and to his surprise flies through it like butter. He dodges as the object hits the stage going directly through the podium and straight through the stage into the ground. As everyone struggles to access the situation, the crowd runs screaming.
"The drone appears in the eye's view, flying quickly towards them. The bodyguard's open fire on it as it fires another weapon. Mike grabs the man again and rolls dodging the harpoon-like features as the drone heads directly for the stage with no sign of slowing down.
"It's a bomb!" Yells Kazuke.
Reyna channels for a moment and fires a large thick blast at the drone. It dodges and flies directly at the stage, everyone scatters as the heroes grab people and desperately try to get them out of the way. Karina focuses on the drone and holds her hand out. A moment before impact the drone is captured in a small yellow barrier. The drone slams into the wall of the barrier as a wing cracks off and it slides to the bottom resting there. The crowd continues to panic as the heroes look around for another threat. Brody scans the sky.
"I don't see anything else. I wouldn't risk it though. Get him out of here!"
"You saved me." Says the Prime Minister. He sits on the ground as Mike helps him to his feet.
"Sir, we need to get you out of here!" Yelled one of the bodyguards.
"Mr. Tozuki, I am in your debt. We will speak soon."
"Sir! Let's go!" The bodyguard yells as they motion the man to a large vehicle. Kazuke and Junpei run alongside them to guard. As they arrive, another black government vehicle drives up speeding and the door swings open. An older man in a suit hops out. It's security advisor Kaigazaki.
"Sir, I have bad news. Very bad news." He says.
"The Prime Minister stops at his door and looks at the man.
"Fuchin prison has been broken into. Albert Arkley has escaped."
"Albert Akley, you have to be kidding. How did this information take so long to get here? This could be his doing, you mean?"
"The prison was hit in the night and all communications were sabotaged. They only got us the info when a member managed to escape and reach a payphone. As for Arkley being the one who caused this, It seems unlikely due to how quickly he would have had to act. I wouldn't put it past him."
Lobra walks up holding the large yellow orb generated by Karina. "I would say your guess isn't far off. This drone looks like something he would make. It has his build style and craft."
"I trust your analysis. If that is the case we need to get on this now. That man is dangerous. Before we captured him he was close to creating some sort of horrible weapon of mass destruction. He can't be allowed to walk."
"You guys, I know this is a tough task. Would you be able to go after him? Allow my advisor to guide you. Albert is smart, dangerous but not strong enough to fight you. He cannot be allowed to go back into hiding. If he does he will be a massive threat to society. I will call a Hikari and send one in. Until then please stop him."
"We are on it, leave it to us," said Kazuke.
The team looks around as chaos ensues. The crowd flees. Mike looks down and knows what this means. The war isn't over, a new opponent waits around the corner. The Prime Minister is escorted and carted away in an armored vehicle while the ensemble of heroes looks on in shock at the threat now looming on the horizon.