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April 9th, 2002

A young turtle stepped out of the car, staring towards the dockyard that had been emptied of its workers. Flashing lights covered his face in red and blue, his twenty-something face lit up with small tusks and a narrower head. He straightened out his blue police vest, checked his radio and positioned his patrol officer's hat as he waited for his orders along with two-dozen others like him, amongst a gaggle of police cars sitting on the waterfront.

"Alright, LISTEN UP!"

A large white bird with vibrant winged hands strolled out in a captain's uniform.

"We have reports of a confrontation between Denshirou Ighorashi and a rival alliance! Alpha team you mark the west area, gamma team shall cover the east, the rest of you follow me! Are we clear?!"

"YES SIR!" the officers saluted as one.

Gaho Murata was one of "the rest", trying to calm his breaths as they headed over to a large abandoned-looking warehouse at the edge of the docks. All was quiet, at least for now as the officers slowed down their steps and crept silent as they could in a half-running pace. The night was dark, the moon hidden behind the clouds which made half the officers nervous.

The captain stopped beside the corner of the warehouse, motioning his troops to the side with a tap to his earhole. The sounds of an argument could be faintly heard from inside, confirming his suspicions as the falcon swept out his wing to separate his group into two.

"Kusanaga, take your group, go to the side door. The rest of you, stick with me as we open the front."

"Yes Garuko-san."

A brown serpent saluted, taking Murata along with four others to the side entrance of the large old building. The paint had long since peeled off from its side in sad flecks and tarnished gild, the company logo now almost completely gone with only its outline left.

"Weapons braced, but hold fire," said the snake, "do not engage until I say. Murata, open the lock."

"Yes ma'am," he nodded stepping forth.

With surprisingly dexterous hands, the turtle carefully picked open the lock with a twist of a special tool as they stepped inside. Sneaking behind a set of crates, the officers moved as one following Kusanaga as they brought out their energy-dampening pistols, the sergeant carrying a rifle as she checked her sights, clicked the magazine and cocked the chamber as it softly whirred with a blue line trickling down it.

In the central floor of the warehouse, they saw three figures standing several feet apart. One was a black dragon of hard-set jaw and a stunning red suit that glinted in the light, shimmering like blood forming around his muscles. The other two were in darkness, but one could see their sharp metallic bodies with angular draconic faces, tri-pointed horns stretching back from their bullet-silver snouts.

"You have one last chance," said a female shadow, "to correct your transgression."

"The only transgression I have made," said the black dragon with arms spread, "is bettering your territory with my presence. My business acumen has far exceeded your little clubhouse, but if you so desire to live in poverty-"

"Is that how you beg?" snarled a male voice in the dark. "I thought you were the patriarch, not some hatchling wearing his father's suit."

"At least I don't pretend to have a wife. Speaking of which, I met a lovely little lady, Kane-chan I believe she's called-"

"Wh-WHAT?!"

"I'm sure she would love to be part of this arrangement...other than the one you're having with her."

"SHUT UP, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER?!"

"I warned you about this," snorted the female, "I told you dipping your wick into other ladies would get you ruined."

"This is NOT THE TIME!"

"WHEN IS IT THE TIME THEN?! Now shut up and focus!"

She snapped her fingers causing a small horde of gangsters to appear from the dark, an army of kaiju in closed quarters dressed in fine suits. Murata however noticed someone higher up on the rafters, a metallic head glinting in the light as the dragon clapped his claws.

"Ahhh, Osaka never ceases to bore me. Kane-chan told me a lot of things after some...persuasion, but imagine my surprise when I find you did the same thing to make her-"

"SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH!" the male shadow roared. "MY AFFAIRS ARE MINE AND MINE ALONE YOU LONG-NECKED BASTARD!"

"I don't care what my husband does," the wife waved her hand, "I only care that he cleans up his business when he's done and leaves no trace."

"Was that part of your wedding vows?" the dragon grinned. "Do you cherish the time you have together, when he's not skulking about with some bat-winged harlot whilst you are the real mastermind behind the operation, madam? Your entrepeneurial spirit I can tell from here, in fact I daresay in another time and place, we could have been...colleagues."

"I do my work as I see fit," she crossed her arms, "and you are nowhere fit for me, now take your damn stench out of my domain, or else I open fire."

"How noble." He walked back two steps. "To see such devotion in these uncaring times. Through sickness and in health...til death do you part."

The dragon clicked his fingers, and suddenly the walls moved. A horde of kaiju stepped around the dragon to form three half-circles shielding him, the sound of energy phasers and toxic beams charging up with little lights from each body.

"I will not ask again. Consider my offer, before you honour your last vow."

"Consider THIS offer instead, Ighorashi."

She nodded to her husband, both of them starting to shimmer with a dark glow as their faces shone with evil, one with a single eye, the other with three. The shadowed couple swept their arms wide where a dozen tentacles formed, crimson threads like veins pulling free as the mob behind them charged their own powers with them, fire and ice and lightning brimming to the surface.

Watching all of this, Murata's group waited for the order to come as the serpent sergeant put up her hands gently, motioning the seconds ticking down as Gaho looked up still at the mysterious silver-headed youth. There was a sudden flash, an explosion at the front gate as Ighorashi turned with his group, seeing the white falcon marching through with his squad who barked orders with guns pointing.

"NOBODY MOVE!"

"ON THE FLOOR NOW!"

"PUT YOUR HANDS, WINGS AND TENTACLES UP OR WE FIRE!"

Another explosion came from the eastern side, blasting open a door higher up on the rafters as the western side also exploded with Alpha and Gamma teams charging in. Rifles were pointed and flashlights were blazing, as creatures shouted louder with orders given.

"Denshirou Ighorashi," the falcon captain marched forth, "nice to see you."

"The pleasure is yours," snarled the Jinuchu leader, "do you have business with them and not me?"

"I have business with all of you, now either come quietly and make this easier on yourselves, or we do this the hard way."

"What do you think dear?" the shadowed male turned to his wife.

"Oh, NOW you consult me," she rolled her three eyes, "did you use up all your brainpower convincing your whore to abort?"

"NOT, now, let's survive this first!"

"I will survive, but you, I'm not betting on your chances-A-AAAARGH!"

Then it happened. An explosion unplanned in the middle of the room, blasting the Daiei leaders back as everyone started shooting.

"SHIT, GET DOWN!"

"OPEN FIIIIRE!"

"STAY WHERE YOU ARE!"

The next thirty minutes was a hellscape. Fire projected across the sky, burning through heads and melting limbs with screeching agony; ice projectiles plunged through bodies and split skulls in half with piercing force; bolts of lightning tore apart both cops and criminals before detonating crates with volatile contents. A blazing inferno soon lit up the room, deep red walls of flickering fury like a beating heart.

Violent screams filled the air as gangsters gunned each other down with violent shots of liquid flame, savage shards of ice and vile toxins that sent kaiju into anaphylactic shocks. Thugs and coppers crumpled with heaving gasps and screaming sobs as their hearts collapsed and blood spittled down their eyes. Rifles and pistols fired with dampening bullets to knock down as many of the criminals as they could.

The bullets barely penetrated, which was their intent, to shut down powers and abilities as creatures staggered clutching their chests. Blasting fire became sparks flickering out with a sudden wheeze, ice would turn to water as those who managed to survive the initial onslaught, would stagger into corners and resort to their fists in fighting back the cops who would cuff them.

"YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!"

"STOP RESISTING!"

In the midst of all this, the flames rose higher as other officers came with water-based powers to blast away the inferno, pouring high-jet shots that crunched into walls and blackened the damp floors. Murata however couldn't stop looking at the stranger in the rafters with her silver head, ascending the stairs to try and take point amongst the carnage.

The creature scrabbled along the beams and grabbed onto the central strut directly above the heads of the Daiei Alliance, the husband and wife backing up into a hiding spot as they fired off beams from a dozen tentacles. Murata climbed up into the rafters and saw the stranger wearing a yellow maintenance outfit.

"HEY, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"

"WHAT?!" she looked back.

"DO YOU NEED HELP?!"

"NO, I...I AM TRYING TO HIDE, LEAVE ME ALONE!"

"IT'S NOT SAFE UP HERE, COME WITH ME!" Murata offered his hand. "I'LL GET YOU OUT!"

"I DO NOT NEED YOUR HELP, BEGONE!"

A fiery beam ripped through the roof to melt one of the beams, causing them to suddenly creak and bow when they lost their stability. Murata saw someone actively shooting at him, a brazen lion with a fiery mane as the turtle shot back with his pistol to punch through his chest and knock him down.

"MA'AM, PLEASE COME BACK, IT'S NOT SAFE!"

"THIS IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!" she screamed. "LEAVE ME ALONE, OR I SHALL MAKE YOU PAY!"

The turtle refused to back off, rushing towards her and leaping over the gap in the beam which violently shuddered as the silver-headed kaiju staggered back against the support. She grabbed for the bolts of the crossbeam and slowly twisted them in her claws as Gaho put up his hands.

"Ma'am...please, it's too dangerous, I don't know who you are but I don't want to see you get hurt-"

"I am NOT your pathetic damsel, officer," she snarled in half-lit darkness, "this night is what I've been waiting for, and you will NOT stop me!"

"Stop what?!" he cried. "This place is about to blow, you're a civilian aren't you?!"

"...yes!" she slitted her four golden eyes. "But I have my duties!"

"It's too late for that! Come on, hurry!"

"GET, AWAY FROM ME-A-AAAAAAGH!"

As if emphasising his point, the rafters crunched down with such force that the worker staggered and nearly fell from the beam. Murata lunged to grab her by the arm, hoisting her back up as she tried to push herself away, but he wouldn't stop. Then the beam finally gave way, swinging downwards at a right-angle when its remaining bolts kept half of it supported, causing it to sweep over the Daiei leaders' heads, and straight into Denshirou Ighorashi.

Crunching his entire body, the black dragon was thrown against the opposite wall, which suddenly came apart like brittle cardboard and folded from the intense heat along with the structural damage of thunder and ice. With a violent scream he tried to pull himself free from the crushing beam, but was buried soon amongst the rubble that turned to a mountainous grave.

Gaho and the worker had managed to leap onto another beam, the young officer holding her tight as they watched the battle come to an end. Dozens were dead, more were crippled on both sides as the remaining officers gathered up the criminals, including the Daiei leaders, and dragged them back to the police cars. An entire wall of the warehouse had now collapsed, the moon now brightly shining through upon the rafters.

"Are you alright?" Murata asked looking to the worker. "That was really dangerous, you could've been killed-"

"DON'T touch me!" she threw back her silver head with four gleaming eyes. "Y-you...you ruined everything."

"What? No, the place was coming down, do you work here?"

"Not anymore." She snapped walking away.

"Ma'am, ma'am wait!" The turtle stood up on the beam. "My name is Patrol Officer Gaho Murata, I need to talk with you about the events of this night, please! Will you cooperate with me for a testimony?!"

"You want a testimony?" The worker looked back to him. "Fine. I'll tell you one thing. You will pay for this one day...Gaho Murata."

Before he could comprehend her threat, the officer watched her sprout tentacles from her outfit, sweeping the jacket off her back and suddenly take flight with membranes stretching between her tendrils. He tried to call out, but she wouldn't look back, shooting off into the sky with a soaring pace as her body silhouetted in the moon. A shining head of steel, her tentacles stretching wide like an angel of death.

"MURATA!"

He turned to look back at the serpent calling from the platform.

"Who was that?!"

"I...I don't know," he shook his head, "she was a worker, she was in danger, the rafters were going to collapse-"

"Are you hurt?!"

"No. She's gone, I'm sorry ma'am, she escaped."

"That's fine," she motioned him, "we can find her later, right now we need your help clearing out the rubble for Ighorashi's body."

"Yes, Kusanaga-san."

Climbing back down, Murata would never forget this night as they started to lift and carry the deceased criminals. Those wounded would be taken by ambulances that had been parked further back awaiting casualties. The only thing that kept his mind together, through the violent chaos and the sight of his own fellow officers with torn faces and melted flesh, was that strange worker who had fled into the sky.

=============

October 17th, 2014

It wasn't until Murata stepped off the train, that he realised how familiar Shutenbori was to him. A blinding oasis that sat upon a river, the lights beneath the twilight sky dazzled him with shocking red and yellow, the sign of the district in brilliant kanji flickering across his face as he stepped into the central strip with his suitcase in tow, dressed down from his usual officer attire but still in a polo shirt and slacks. To his right were coffee shops and a Stega arcade. To the left, an endless row of restaurants.

A feral king crab adorned the biggest restaurant of the area, waving its legs and claws inviting patrons to come enjoy the freshest seafood. Bugs rode on bikes, mammals rested their paws on benches, and reptiles were drunkenly singing in the streets. The pounding of a drum could be heard from one restaurant down the way as Murata stepped into the electric wonderland.

"Place hasn't changed a bit," he muttered shaking his head, "alright, Gondo-san said to meet with our contact, don't know their name to keep secrecy, eyes are everywhere round here."

He checked the time on his phone, a few minutes until he would meet his contact as he looked back the way to see a takoyaki stand in a large alley opposite a Poppo store. A red-eyed monster was manning the stand, his head resembling a dark fish with huge overgrown teeth that twisted into a smile.

"HEHEYYYY my good sir, you fresh off thuh boat?!"

"I am," said the turtle, "but I've been here before."

"Awww welcome back stranger!" the fish rolled balls in a vat. "You must be plum famished after yer ride from Tokyo."

"Huh...I am actually, how did you know I was from Tokyo?"

"I been in this stall fer five year opposite that there station, I memorised thuh times o' every damn train speedin' through, an' I know that on Thursdays that Tokyo train comes through arrive at 6:13pm on thuh DOT!"

"Wow, that's impressive! You like trains?"

"Is a li'l hobby o' mine, back home in Massachusetts I used to go down thuh station an' watch 'em go by."

"Oh you're American?" Gaho grinned. "I have a friend from New Jersey."

"HAH, awww that poor sunuvabitch I wouldn't wish that on mah worst enemy, I'm Dagon Marsh by thuh way!"

"Gaho Murata," they shook hands, "what brought you to Shutenbori?"

"Ohhh yanno, work." Dagon rolled more balls in a meaty stew. "Came out here during thuh big atomic rush back in '91, hoo I missed thuh boat on that!"

"Ahhh, you got here right at the end of it."

"Mmhmm, but I dug mah flippers in! Us Marsh folk are stubborn bitches, you ask anybody down Innsmouth an' they tell you that, great-grammy loved that rep but my mom sure never did."

"I thought you were a born-and-bred local," Murata nodded, "your accent's perfect."

"HAHA, awww thank you kindly Murata-san!" Marsh took a bow a with dagger-toothed grin. "Always had a gift fer mimicry, used to drive pappy's head up thuh wall, but I dug mahself in, learned thuh dialect an' worked in sum takoyaki place down thuh street."

"And now you're out on your own?"

"Mmhmm, learned thuh skills to pay thuh bills, done good enough an' found a primo locale, speaking of, back to mah original point, how 'bout sum takoyaki?!"

"Hmhm, alright, I'll take a two-piece."

The monster wrapped up a few meaty balls and stabbed them onto sticks after Murata paid, handing a small pack to Gaho who took the first bite with a shivering moan.

"MMMHH, mmmmhhh! AWHHH that izh good!"

"Glad you like, ain't never had takoyaki 'til you had thuh Marsh special!"

"This is incredible, MMMPH! I'll need to take some of these back for my buds when I head home."

"I'd sure 'preciate it Murata-san, SO!" Dagon leaned over the counter. "Whut you here fer my new friend?"

"I'm actually looking for someone," Gaho pulled up his phone, "have you seen this lady in the past few days?"

"Hmmmm." The stall owner squinted at the picture of Gerumba. "Don't quite recall her, but if yer lookin' fer sumbody, y'all should check thuh pawn shop, that guy down there knows everything about everything in Shutenbori."

"Thank you, I appreciate it." The officer bowed. "Take care Marsh-san, I'll see you around."

"You too Murata-san!"

Taking a walk down west, the turtle enjoyed his takoyaki as he looked round the many restaurants serving all the local delicacies, mostly deep-fried seafood and vegetable tempura. The arcade was booming full of teenagers huddled around fighting games, whilst kaiju in their middle ages went to the indoor golfing spot just down the road.

At the end of this street was an enormous establishment with giant pillars and lavish glass doors, the walls of gold stretching upwards like a fortress and the words " CABARET GRAND" resplendent across the front. Heading south, Murata crossed over a bridge above a giant river, where tugboats passed underneath the disappointingly-straight bland thoroughfare that had stairs down to the riverbank.

The southern half of the district was far less impressive than its northern brother, the restaurants more low-key with one traditional place reminding Murata very much of Sushi Gin back home. Another Poppo store by the corner next to the bridge, with smaller cabaret clubs and less reputable establishments lining the way before he found a small triangular-shaped park where youths were smoking joints. Cannabis, it smelled like, making Murata sigh with relief at not having to deal with actually-illegal drugs.

"Gaho Murata?"

He turned to see a rhinoceros in a beige coat with two giant horns from the top of his head.

"Arsinio Zittelli, Osaka PD," he produced his badge, "your boss Gondo told me the details."

"Ahh, thank you," the turtle shook his hand, "have you found anything the past few days?"

"Not really, the Daiei Alliance been keeping quiet, I got a few contacts that'll let me know but I should tell you that you're only here for the kidnapping case."

"I understand, did Gondo-san forward you all the details?"

"He did. We're real grateful for your cooperation, there's little we know about Lady Iris other than her right-hand kaiju."

"You mean Gyao Shin Kaneyama?" Gaho gritted his beak.

"Exactly," Arsinio walked up the street, "they had to reorganise their structure a lot over the past years and since then it's been tough to infiltrate."

"Do they have a base of operations?" asked Murata following.

"The Cabaret Grand, you saw it when you came in, biggest club in the entire damn city."

"It's a real eyesore, certainly."

"Hope you don't mind we can't bring you to the station, we're having some renovations done and security risks are real high."

"Really?" Murata squinted as they turned a corner. "You can't even let me come in?"

"It's real complicated," Zittelli waved his hand, "we're remodelling our entire security and we're limiting the number of creatures who can come in."

"But you talked to my boss, you know I'm legit."

"I know, I know but it's what MY boss said, and frankly she's an ass with a stick up her own so I'm not going to argue. We do have a safe house for you that I'm taking you to."

Heading to the centre of Shutenbori, a long street cut through the south side to a corner where several brothels clustered together. Murata noted the pawn shop they passed by along the east, almost exactly like the one in Kaijurocho with its well-varnished front and strange antiques. It was closed in the late evening, but Murata noted its location for later.

Beyond that was a large bookstore, and beyond that further was a small doorway up a flight of stairs that led to a boxy apartment on the second floor. It was barely two rooms, a shower and a bed with a window towards the eastern bridge.

"It's not much," Arsinio shrugged, "but it's a roof over your head."

"Appreciate it," Murata bowed, "is there any info you can tell me right now?"

"Only that Gerumba's in the custody of the Daiei, and she is not harmed as of yet."

"Her family had a restaurant here, do you know where it was?"

"Yeah it used to be in the outdoor mall," the rhino pointed south, "just round the corner, you can ask someone local and they might help you get more but, for now I got this."

He handed Murata a small sheaf of papers from his pocket, detailing various locations with addresses of note.

"Thank you, Zittelli-san," the detective nodded, "any place you recommend I check first?"

"You came in rather late so," Arsinio rubbed his chin, "you might want to try the Sunshine Cabaret, they tangle with Daiei's club a few times so you might find a lead there."

"I hope you don't mind if I keep my status hidden, creatures tend to get cagey around cops."

"Agreed, that's why I think you'll have better luck than me." Zittelli bowed taking his leave. "I left my number on the back of the paper, but text me only, since I'm running a few cases I don't wanna be interrupted."

"Understood," Murata sat on the dinghy bed, "thank you again for the free room."

"You have a good night."

Gaho laid down on the bed once Arsinio had left, putting his suitcase to the side before he rolled onto his back, staring at an odd patch in the ceiling and waiting to fall asleep. A text pinged on his phone when he was just starting to feel drowsy, grumbling as he pulled it out.

Sauress-san - Hey, you make it okay?

Murata - Yeah, just about to go to sleep. Things okay back there?

Sauress-san - It's fine, chief is running me ragged already.

Murata - Damn. Well, good luck then.

Sauress-san - You'll pay for this. I'll make sure you're on parking duty.

Murata - Joke's on you, I like parking duty.

Sauress-san - Gods, DAMMIT you insufferable ass, anyway take care, stay safe.

Murata - You too partner.

Another forty minutes would pass before he finally went to sleep, the blinding lights of Shutenbori filtering through the grime of the window, the dust thickening on the walls in a filthy rainbow of red, ochre and bronze. The stars were barely ever seen, and so they would disappear, lost within technicolour dreams.

As the night was banished and the sun would rise, the lights turned off at last beneath the grandest shine of all. The rose sky became a peerless blue as Murata hoisted himself from the bed and felt immediately dirty, taking a shower and putting away his clothes to switch out for a new shirt and pants, one that made him look just as old and stiff as the previous set.

Stepping outside, Shutenbori somehow looked worse than it did at night, the sun peeling back its gaudy flesh to reveal the streets littered with grime, greasy wrappers and urine strains. Hungover creatures staggered against doorways heaving from last night, cursing the sun with feeble rage and bleary eyes.

"Alright," Gaho looked over the slip of paper Zittelli gave him, "let's see what we have here...Sunshine Cabaret he mentioned was a good first spot...but that Marsh-san told me about the pawn shop so I should check while it's nearby."

Heading along the street directly west, he found the store once again seeing it was somehow still closed with an hour until opening.

"Damn, back in Kaijurocho it would be open by now...maybe they're short staffed, I guess I'll check out the other spots first."

Taking the road south back towards the park, Murata noted the address of the cabaret club first as the closest location he could reach. The farthest southern street was full of gambling parlours, but he found a ritzy little joint with a sad-looking sun smiling above its door with the word "SHINE".

"Hello, anyone inside?"

"UHH, yeah?!"

A large abominable snowman in a dishevelled waistcoat struggled out of the much-too-small-doorway to peek into the sun.

"We're not, o-open yet, sorry sir."

"That's fine," Murata nodded, "I'm not here for that, I wanted to ask about your recent spats with the Daiei Alliance-"

"SH-SH-SHHH!" the yeti shook his head. "Not out here, someone might be listening, come inside!"

Stepping back to bring the turtle in, the hairy ape with his grey face and buggy eyes had a tense look of vague terror. The club was normally pleasant, with red carpets and false-wooden pillars beside large semi-circled chairs in luscious vanilla. But then Murata saw the broken glass, the gouged tears in the seats and spilled liquids across the carpet.

"Sorry about the place," said the snowman, "since yer asking about the Daiei well...see for yourself. Are you a reporter?"

"Yes, actually," the turtle flipped open his notebook, "my name's Gaho Murata, Tokyo Times."

"O-OH!" the yeti stepped back before bowing. "You're...you're a long way from home."

"I was here on other business, but a story's a story."

"Well my name's Hibasaki, how can I help?"

"I'm here to investigate an incident involving the Daiei Alliance, have you seen this lady anywhere?"

He showed Gerumba's picture on his phone as the yeti squinted.

"Iiii...it's weird but, I think I seen this lady before, just don't know where."

"Her name is Jin Gerumba, does that help?"

"Gerum...ba, OH!" the snowman clicked his fingers. "Yeah, there wuz a restaurant in the outdoor mall, WorldFair I think it wuz, the owners were called Gerumba!"

"WorldFair?" Murata squinted. "That's an dd name, was it one of those all-in-one places?"

"Oh yeah it wuz real popular, they done pizza, noodles, haggis, mostly non-Japanese foods, the owners were real skilled but the best part wuz their drinks section. I don't know how they managed to get so many kinds, it were a better selection than most bars do!"

"I heard it was closed down," said Gaho jotting notes, "any reason for that?"

"From what I heard the owners retired," Hibasaki rubbed his scalp, "damn shame too, it wuz a real nice place but they had no one to take over."

"Did Jin Gerumba not want to take over?"

"Well...there were rumours." The yeti crossed his arms. "Some awful stuff I didn't wanna believe considering how nice the Gerumbas were."

"I heard the Daiei Alliance owned her family's restaurant," said Murata still scribbling, "but they couldn't make payments so they essentially sold their daughter into slavery."

"Y-...yeah." The snowman sighed deeply. "Nobody wanted to confirm it but, it wuz one o' them things that spread around like a bad stink."

"Do you know where her family is now?"

"Naw, they left a good while back, never told anybody where they went."

"What about her son?" Gaho squinted. "Gerumba-san told me she had one."

"Wh-wha?! Shi that's the first I ever heard of it, is he alright?!"

"I don't know, I just wondered if you knew."

"No idea," the yeti shrugged, "sorry sir."

"That's fine," Murata kept writing, "can I ask you about what happened with the Daiei Alliance here?"

"Well..." Hibasaki pulled up a seat, "wuz minding my own business, the girls rakin' it in, wuz a real good night! Then all a sudden that bat-winged psychopath came in tearin' up the place screamin' about how we're takin' their business!"

"Bat-winged," the turtle clenched his beak, "Gyao-Shin Kaneyama?"

"Yeah, she's whut you call the right-hand of Daiei, Lady Iris' murder-agent to cause death an' destruction."

"So you're a business rival?"

"I mean, technically yeah, but we barely make that much money, nothin' compared to whut they make at the Grand!"

"Probably a scare tactic," Murata nodded, "I've seen that sort of thing, it's to make sure you don't rise above your station, does she do it often?"

"Yeah actually," the snowman rubbed his arms, "we can't do nothing against 'em, an' the cops are next to useless out here."

"Hmm, I see. Do they have any hideouts, or places they frequent?"

"Mmmm...there's a mahjong parlour they favour, down about west o' heres called Karbone, you can find someone there who'll get you inside the Grand. But the parlour's real exclusive, you gotta get a referral from a member basically."

"I see," Gaho scribbled it down, "I don't suppose you know anyone who is a member?"

"Nope, sorry," Hibasaki shrugged, "I hope you can do somethin' to stop them, but if you are reportin' stuff then don't mention me, please."

"I won't," the turtle closed his notebook, "take care, and try to keep out their sights."

"You too, Murata-san!"

Heading out of the Sunshine club, the sergeant detective briefly headed west to make note of Karbone's before slipping back out of sight. Taking a walk through the little park, which somehow looked even grubbier in the daylight, he saw a few teens playing truant in the triangular patch of dead grass with a single public toilet and a few swings.

The saddest part was that it was bigger than the ones in Kaijurocho. A karaoke bar sat at one end of the neighbourhood, wedged between little taverns and apartments as he briefly considered wasting time with some music before turning his beak at the thought.

"No...not since that party we had at the office, gods that was embarrassing. The guys gave it to me brutal leaving squeaky toys on my desk for a damn month-"

"S-STOP, STOP HIM!"

Someone barged past and he immediately checked his pockets, seeing a hooded figure being chased by a screaming tiger.

"HE'S GOT MY BABY, HE STOLE MY BABY!"

"WHAT!?"

"S-SOMEBODY STOP HIIIIIM!"

Murata jumped into action, barrelling north after the kidnapper who dodged round the corner and grabbed a bike to throw at the detective. The turtle ducked fast letting it bounce off his shell, pounding his feet faster as he closed the distance with the thief who rushed past the pawn shop and turned sharp towards the eastern bridge.

Vastly more impressive than its straight-edged western sibling, the large stone crossing was shaped like a wide circle with low partitions that acted like a bench. The kidnapper cradled its victim tight to his chest, leaping off the low wall to almost kick through two cranes before jumping straight off the railing towards the riverbank down below. Creatures gasped at such a daring leap as they watched the figure roll over the pavement.

"HEY, STOP!"

Murata was not so foolish to make a leap from the railing. Instead he found the stairway and jumped onto the bannister to grind with his boots, diverolling with his curved shell to vault off the ground and onto his feet to keep running with momentum. The riverbank was on two levels, one close to the water, and one close to the row of souvenir shops as the hooded thief dodged between pedestrians.

"STOP HIM!" Gaho shouted. "HE'S A KIDNAPPER!"

Three wasps were alerted as they blocked the criminal's path, dressed in rugby shirts with surprisingly-large bodies that formed a wall of meat. But the kidnapper jumped over the railing between levels and completely bypassed the wasps, who opened up to let Murata through as the turtle kept chasing to the western bridge.

Charging up the stairs, the thief took a hard left and went south through a small crowd of baseball players that stumbled out of his path, one of them dropping his ball as they shouted rude names. Murata swung low to pick up the ball and closed one eye, taking a sudden pitch as he reeled back his fist and hurled it straight at the thief's head.

The kidnapper fell at a 30-foot distance, the ball recoiling off his skull as he staggered and grabbed the portable sign of the Poppo store. He tried to swing it behind him towards his attacker, but Murata was much faster than expected and socked him the moment he turned.

"Strike three, buddy."

A shiba-inu laid on the ground before him, wrapped in a dark jacket and clutching a box to his chest.

"Where's the baby?!"

"Wh-what?!"

Murata pulled him by the shoulder and dragged him down the street.

"WHERE, is the baby?!"

"I don't got no baby dumbass, who the fuck are you?!"

"The guy who's going to kick your ass, I'm taking you back to that lady."

"EY BRO!" a shark amongst the baseball players waved to him. "You beaned that boy good, you do play-offs?!"

"Nope!" Gaho waved tossing the ball back. "Just company softball, you have a good day!"

Pulling the shiba back to the park, after a long journey of fidgeting that soon put the mutt in a headlock, Murata hoisted the would-be kidnapper up to the tiger's face, an orange lady in a sharp cream suit that scowled at the thief.

"How COULD you?!" she snapped at him. "I gave you the best years of my life, and you do THIS to me?!"

"It's MY baby you bitch!" he snarled back. "I don't care what the courts say, I bought it for you!"

"HE HAS A NAME YOU WHORE!"

"YOU LOVE IT SO MUCH WHY DON'T YOU MARRY IT?!"

"ALRIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH!" Murata shoved them back before they came to blows. "What the hell is going on, is this a custody case?"

"Yeah," the dog scoffed at him, "and I woulda gottten away with it too if it wasn't for you meddling bitch."

"I was willing to hear you out but if you keep talking like that you'll lose my patience."

"Fuck off, who the fuck are you?!"

"My HERO, that's who!" the tiger shoved the inu back. "Sir, may I have my baby back?"

"You mean this?" Gaho offered the box the thief had taken. "You keep your child in a box?"

"Of course, where else am I going to put him!? Ohhh sweetie come here, it's okay, mommy's here."

Cringing slightly, he gave the box back whilst keeping the dog out of arm's length. The tiger opened it to reveal a small racing car, a gorgeous model somewhere between an F1 racer and a sleek convertible, with deep cherry red and fierce headlights.

"It's okay sweetie," the tiger cooed, "awww were you scared baby, it's okay, that AWFUL mutt won't be touching you again."

"Your baby is a toy car?" Gaho squinted.

"It's a POCKET RACER, SIR!" she barked in her strongest Karen voice. "My beautiful baby streetcar named Isaiah."

"THE FUCK IT IS!" the dog shouted. "ITS NAME IS DARK-DESTROYER!"

"That is an awful name," Murata shook his head, "Isaiah's at least unique."

"Who the FUCK are you?!"

"You know maybe I should drag you down to the station for theft."

"Don't bother," the feline waved her hand, "I'll drag him back to court, he's already broke the rules of our separation."

"Fuck your rules, that car is mine!" the shiba stomped his foot. "I don't care about the house or whatever, Dark Destroyer's mine, I BOUGHT IT!"

"AND WHO TOOK HIM TO THE POCKET CIRCUIT FINALS?! Who cared for him, kept his paint fresh and changed his tyres every month?!"

"I KEPT THE RECEIPT!"

"HE'S NOT PROPERTY, HE'S MY CHILD!"

"I'm just going to go," Murata rubbed his head, "do you want help taking him to court, ma'am?"

"No thank you," she bowed to the turtle, "thank you for your assistance, let me reward you."

"Oh, no it's fine I-"

"I insist." She gave him a wad of yen bills. "My baby is worth eighteen times this, it's no trouble."

"O-oh! Well, thank you ma'am." He took it gratefully. "I hope things turn out alright."

"I oughta sue YOU for assault!" the dog turned round on him. "You fucking beaned me in the back of the head!"

"I don't tolerate thieves of any sort," Gaho shoved him back, "if you want to settle your rights, you do it in court, not out on the street like a thug."

Murata walked away before anymore abuse could be hurled at him, the dog giving up after enough legal threats and a call to his ex-wife's lawyer scaring him off whilst she cradled her beloved car.

The day kept on ticking as Gaho checked his phone, seeing the pawn shop would open in about ten minutes as he took a leisurely walk back towards it. Suddenly his stomach started to rumble, and he recalled the takoyaki he had last night as he wandered back to where Dagon Marsh had his stall. The north street of Shutenbori looked strangely sad in the daylight, resembling a carnival shut down without its lights despite the giant crab waving to him.

"I told you before, you need a licence."

"An' I told YOU I got one righ' here."

Murata turned towards the takoyaki stall to find a police officer in front, a badger jabbing his finger at the red-eyed fish who brought out a sheaf of paper.

"See, laminated an' all!"

"I'm going to need to verify this at the station," said the badger.

"Like you did last time, an' put me in a cell overnight?" Marsh crossed his arms.

"That was a formality while we checked your credentials-"

"I gave you my address, I shown you my papers, I even got affidavits from that there Poppo store confirmin' who I wuz!"

"Don't give me that attitude," the cop waved his finger, "that's not how we do things in Japan."

"I very much reckon it is officer," the fish monster tightened his teeth, "I been here since 1991, I got a place I owned since 2005-"

"And where were you before then?"

"If you looked up mah addresses you would know, I showed you them last time you harassed me!"

"I'm not harassing you, I'm doing my job-"

"Every month this past year you ask me thuh same questions an' all you done is waste my time, whut you lookin' fer?"

"Is there a problem?"

Gaho Murata strolled up as Marsh sighed with some relief.

"This is a police matter sir," the badger shooed Murata back, "please wait until I'm resolved-"

"Is something wrong with Marsh-san's papers?"

"Not as of yet, but I'm here investigating-"

"What do you mean yet?" Gaho rubbed his tusk. "Has an allegation been made against him?"

"No, are you his bodyguard?"

"I'm a customer, asking out of concern."

"This is not your business, sir," the badger snarled.

"We're in a public space, officer." The turtle crossed his arms. "If this is not a private investigation I can ask."

"Damn straight!" Marsh pumped his fist. "I telt you before, I got all mah papers in order, I showed 'em to you like I did before!"

"I'm going to need to check them again," the officer turned back to him tightening his eyes, "do NOT make this difficult, you're in Japan now, and you need to respect-"

"I been in this country longer than YOU been an officer, you gonna tell me how to respect thuh law?!"

"If I have to I will!"

A brief snap caused the badger to slam his fist on the counter.

"STOP making this difficult, maybe you Americans half-ass your laws back home but in Japan we respect our officers."

"What?" Murata gasped with beak agape. "What did you just say?"

"I'm telling him to respect the law-"

"I meant the part before that, do you have a problem with him being American?"

"My PROBLEM is this monster is setting up an unlicensed stall!"

"Thuh hell you call this then?!" Dagon waved his licence sheet. "S'not a damn beermat I got 'ere, are you blind?!"

"ONE MORE WORD OUT OF YOU AND I'LL BLIND YOU!"

"Stop it!"

Gaho walked in front between the badger and the vendor.

"Marsh-san, can I see your licence?"

"Uhh, sure."

He handed it over to the turtle who mentally checked everything through years of practice, scanning all the classic mistakes that any creature would make.

"This is flawless," Murata showed it again, "you have read this right?"

"Of course I have!" the officer snapped. "Now stop interfering in police business!"

"Is harassment part of police business in Shutenbori?"

"You want me to detain you as well?!"

"On what grounds?"

"Obstruction of justice, now step aside or I'll take you in with him!"

"You are doing nothing unless you have a warrant." Murata stood firm crossing his sleeves. "If you have no probable cause and all his papers are in order, you have no legal leg to stand on, now either show him your warrant, or stop harassing him!"

"I'm not harassing him!" the badger shook his fists. "I'm teaching him a lesson about how things work here, you should know, you live here!"

"So does he!" Gaho shouted. "Now do your job instead of hiding your bigotry behind a badge!"

The officer tightened his fists with a souring look, ready to punch him at a moment's notice as Murata kept his eyes steely-hard against the badger's sneer. Marsh stood behind the turtle, staring down just as hard causing the cop to balk and step away.

"You better watch your step, monster." The badger pointed at him. "Sooner or later you'll fuck up, like you do with your damn takoyaki."

"You mean my takoyaki that's five times winner of ZipEats?" Dagon grinned with a shrug. "Sure, next time you come round, I'll still have my licence all legit, just as it is now."

Stomping away in a huff, the cop marched off down the street with as the monster sighed.

"Are you alright?" asked the turtle.

"Yeah, it happens every once a while," Marsh rolled his eyes.

"What was that about them taking you in?"

"Like I said, it happens," the monster shrugged, "best I can do is keep all my papers in order, an' even with that they try to drag my ass in."

"But I saw your licence," Murata handed back the papers, "everything was legit."

"Yeaaaah. Other folks in their stalls get checked, but thuh ones whose papers are half-assed get way less trouble than me."

"Why?"

"Cuz I ain't a kaiju." Marsh spread his webbed hands. "I been livin' here fer twenny-three years, an' no matter how good my Japanese gets, or how local my accent goes, they still call me a foreigner. My teacher back at thuh restaurant tells me I make takoyaki better than HE does, an' he wuz born here, an' been doin' this twice as long as I have! But even he said 'for a foreigner, yer exceptional'."

"Ugh," Gaho sighed rubbing his head, "I'm sorry, I know we've only met last night-"

"Naw naw, s'not yer fault, just one o' those things I'm sure kaiju gotta deal with back in thuh States."

"That's no excuse, it's not right no matter what and it's disgusting an officer of the law would abuse their power like this."

"Yyyyyep," Dagon sighed shaking his head, "best I can do is give 'em no quarter legally an' make sure everything's in order, you know whut they did after they brought me in an' all my papers were good? They fined me fer wastin' police time!"

"Wh-...what?! Alright, that's it."

With a sudden flash of rage Gaho pulled out a notepad and scribbled numbers down.

"I'm staying here for a while, if any officers come harass you again, you call me as soon as you can."

"Wait, h-hold up!"

"Take it, please." He offered the paper. "I will help you, I'm sure you know your rights but it's always good to have backup."

"...are you sum kinda lawyer?" Marsh squinted looking at the paper.

"I have experience with the police," Murata inferred.

"Are you like one o' them activists?"

"No, I'm just someone whose job deals with law enforcement often, so I'm very aware of the rights that we have."

"Well in that case...I thank ye kindly, Murata-san." The monster pulled out a phone to tap the numbers in. "How 'bout sum takoyaki, just as a thank-you fer stepping in?"

"Oh, I was coming to buy some actually," Gaho rubbed his neck.

"Well not today, this is a gift from me to you, I insist."

"Really? Well, thank you, Marsh-san."

Dagon offered him a pack of sticky meaty balls, with fresh pickled onion and fish wrapped in a gooey centre that made Murata shudder with bliss as he took the first bite of the morning. He devoured every bit he was given, buying a small pack regardless to enjoy for his lunch later on as he headed back towards the pawn shop, seeing it open at last.

From the shop windows he saw strange and interesting items on display, from antique Sengoku armour to classic rare albums by missing artists. The smell of musty antiques filled his nostrils as he saw rows of creepy dolls and fascinating annuals that made poorly-aged predictions of the future.

"Good evening, my good sir." A deep voice rumbled from within. "How may I assist you?"

Behind the counter was a giant whale, his grand body swelling out to push his belly against the wood with a hefty creak, as his lower lip hung down to reveal his gums and giant balleen teeth. His voice was like the ocean depths, and he spoke with the richest accent of nobility.

"I was looking for someone," said Murata as he walked in, "I thought she might have come here."

"Ahhh, a lady?" the whale clutched his pudgy hands. "Aren't we all looking for a fair companion?"

"Not like that, she's...a friend."

"I am sure she is, sir. Could you describe her for me?"

"I'll do you one better." The officer pulled out his phone with the picture. "Recognise her?"

"Hmmmmmmmm."

The shop owner pulled up a comically-small pair of spectacles hanging off the three folds of his neck.

"Aaaaah yes, Jin Gerumba, a dear sweet thing. Family used to own a restaurant in the mall, WorldFair I believe it was."

"Is it still around?" Murata put his phone back.

"Not anymore, the family retired, old as they were they have left Shutenbori and their daughter did not travel with them."

"Do you know where Gerumba-san is now?"

"I recall seeing her yesterday," the owner leaned back rubbing his belly, "she seemed in good spirits, though the company she kept was rather less than reputable."

"What company exactly?" asked Gaho leaning on the desk. "I'm Gaho Murata by the way."

"Kujirou Kamigawa Gein," the whale bowed with his lip touching his belly, "you are not a local I assume, but your name sparks a memory in me."

"I was here some years ago yes, it was-"

"Twelve years hence." Gein snapped his fingers. "The Daiei Alliance faced off against the Jinuchu, Tokyo police collaborated with Osaka's and, well, one could only have called that a massacre."

"You remember that?" the officer shook his head. "Damn, that was the Daiei Alliance back then wasn't it?"

"Indeed," the whale nodded, "a bloodbath they called it in the local papers, creatures were cleaning the dockyards for months, and rumours abounded amongst the youth of vile spirits that seethed with hatred from the shootout."

"I barely remember it, it was all a blur and half the details I wasn't privy to since I was just a patrol officer at the time."

"Goodness, that was quite a trial of fire they put you in!" Gein patted his brow. "But yes, Gerumba-san was here yesterday with Gyao Shin Kaneyama, a most detestable reprobate of the Daiei Alliance."

"She was?!" Gaho leaned forwards. "Where, where did you see her?!"

"The Cabaret Grand, but one should dare not approach it if they are not planning to be a customer. The Daiei Alliance are known for their savagery, and Lady Iris does not tolerate any fools both within and without."

"I heard there was a mahjong parlour associated with them called Karbone's?" Murata rubbed his chin. "Is there some way I can get in the Grand through that?"

"Well, let me ask you this."

The giant whale leaned forth to make the counter bend beneath.

"How far are you willing to go for dear Gerumba-san?"

"As far as it takes," Gaho slitted his eyes.

"Would you go so far as to risk everything you have?"

"Is that a threat?"

"Oho no...my good sir, I simply wish to ascertain your will for which I may have a solution to aid you in your pursuit."

"I would appreciate any help," Murata bowed, "please, Gein-san, Gerumba's life is in danger, her son is a prisoner of the Daiei Alliance and I cannot rest until they are safe!"

"And why would that be?"

"Because I PROMISED her I would keep her safe!" he slammed his fists on the desk. "This isn't just one lady, this is a mother and her CHILD in danger of their life! I don't care what power the Daiei Alliance have here, but if I have to take them down then so help me GODS I will!"

"As you wish." The whale stepped back putting up his hands. "My apologies sir, in my business I have seen the stark difference between that of desperate folly, and of noble pursuit and I needed to ascertain which was yours."

He lumbered towards the backroom which had a specially-widened door for his gargantuan frame, as he rummaged around the storage with a clutter whilst Gaho looked round the shelves. Swords glistened on the walls behind cabinets, from foils to sabres to tulwars to katanas as Murata briefly pondered what sort of creature would buy them.

"Heeere we are!"

The portly whale pulled himself through with a heave of his belly making the glass shake.

"I recalled that an old customer of mine had wished to sell their membership to the club, for whatever reason."

"They sold their membership?" Murata cocked his head.

"They had a dreadful gambling problem and wished to extricate themselves, their lover took them to an intervention and after several months of counselling they managed to wean themself off the vice."

"Damn...well, I hope they're doing alright."

"Here it is."

Kujirou produced a membership card, a lavish invitation with stitch-embroidered patterns laminated with gold and blue.

"This is one of the most rare of treasures in all of Shutenbori. Whosoever holds a ticket such as this, can wield great power."

"How much is it?" Murata pulled out a wad of bills.

"Two million yen."

"...that...that's ridiculous."

"This pass is not just elite membership," Gein twirled it in his fingers, "it represents a sinful vice, a gateway to hell beyond which there may not be anyone to save you."

"It's just a membership card, how prestigious is this damn parlour?"

"You have your business, officer, I have mine."

"Wait...I never said I was an officer."

"I know." The whale grinned like the devil. "I hear many things in this city, and whilst you have kept your cover well, Sgt. Detective Murata, you cannot hide your truth from me. Don't worry, I keep secrets safe from the unjust and cruel. But in exchange..."

He flipped the card down on the table.

"I set the bargaining table. I asked you before, how far you are willing to save this dear girl. If you cannot offer me money, then what do you hold most dear upon you?"

"What I hold...dear?" Gaho shook his head.

"What possessions do you have upon you currently?"

"Nothing I can sell, just my phone, my badge, my clothes and pistol but none of them are worth-"

"Your badge." Gein gasped with intrigue. "Please, show me it, I am curious."

Murata stepped back just to be safe, pulling it out from his wallet to show the Tokyo PD symbol and his face with registration.

"Ahhhh...marvellous, fifteen years of service, a fresh emboss, a face that is brimming with justice...one I have not seen in the officers round here."

"I'm glad you like," said Gaho looking at his photo, "my friend told me I have a bad face for photos, said I was too symmetrical."

"Hmhmhm, well I find it rather fetching, a strong face with a weathered hand from the crinkled leather, the many times your fingers have bent it and thrust it forth to protect and serve, like the well-worn hilt of a prince's blade."

"Like a sword?" Murata rubbed over the pleather. "I'm not seeing it."

"Well, may I ask, what drives you to become a police officer?"

"Hmm." The turtle chewed his beak. "This...this is going to sound really corny but, I always hated bullies. I wasn't picked on a lot in school, but punks always kept picking on kids smaller than me because it was easy. I hated it, and the teachers never did anything despite the fact they're supposed to be protecting us."

"So you become the change you wanted to be."

"Yes." Murata rubbed over his badge. "I know there's officers out there who have less scrupulous reasons, or half-ass their jobs, but I believe in the law itself. I know the law isn't perfect, and neither were those who created it. But it was made with the intent for the good of all creatures, and that's what I've always believed."

"I see." The whale bowed patting his tummy. "Allow me to offer you a deal. I take your badge, hold it as insurance, and once you have completed your task, you return the membership card to me."

"Are you serious?!" Gaho snorted. "You want me to give you my badge?"

"Not to sell, I would never, simply as an exchange since I know you shan't leave the city without it."

"I don't know...this doesn't seem right."

"You spoke passionately about the law and how deeply you believe it. But does your law open the way to the dungeon where Gerumba lies? Can you rely upon it to rescue her, a fair maiden from the dark castle that stands so garish above the waters, before she suffers a terrible fate in a strange land that cares not for your laws?"

"I'm not giving up my principles," Murata shook his head.

"I would never ask you to," Kujirou waved his hand, "I am not asking you to surrender yourself to me, just simply your badge, your status, your symbol...in exchange for the key into darkness to save her."

The turtle looked down at his badge, then looked towards the membership card still on the counter, glistening with promise as he thought back to Jin Gerumba. Trapped in a dark room, with the face of Gyao Shin hanging over her, a savage demon whose claws wrapped round the maiden's face. His eyes closed for a moment as he took a deep breath, walked forth, and slammed his badge on the desk.

"Very good, Murata-san." The shopkeeper handed him card. "The Karbone club open once every two weeks, their next opening shall be the twenty-third of this month."

"Six days away huh?" Murata checked his phone. "That's a lot of time to wait but, better than nothing. Thank you again, Gein-san."

"I shall await your return." Kujirou slipped the badge into his pudgy fingers. "Fear not, your possession is safe with me."

With a smile and a wave, the pawn store owner watched Murata leave before he looked down at the badge. His smile faded with a shake of his head.

"I only hope she is worth it, Murata-san...even if she is but a liar."