Ikra woke up with a start in the morning. She had a nightmare, or at least hoped it was a nightmare.

So much death, so much pain, all because of a being that had big eyes, claws, fire in the place above each of its eyes, horns, terrifying horns on its head, a black body that looked like it was aflame at the bottom; the very definition of evil. She was a bit scared. What the hell was that? What did this nightmare mean? Was it even a nightmare at all?

She slowly got into a sitting position. She felt light-headed and looked to her side. She saw a glass of water on top of a dressing table next to the bed. She hesitated a little when she made to grab the glass but she soon steadied herself and took it.

She looked at it curiously. Was this meant for her? She didn't feel like taking something that didn't belong to her- no telling what might come from it.

She put the water back on the dresser and got out of bed. As she did so, however, she immediately fell on her knees. Her legs felt like jelly. She mentally prepared herself and then slowly, with difficulty, got back up to her feet again. Her legs shook but she willed it out and then looked around the room. It seemed very nice and cozy with decorations.

She made her way out of the room and found that this wasn't just a house with copious space, but some kind of place with lots of medicine and tools.

"Goodness me! What on earth are you doing up?" Aster said as she made her way out of a room.

"Sorry, I just wanted to look around," Ikra replied lamely and she knew it, but she couldn't think of anything else to say since she didn't know the reason herself.

"Well, don't strain yourself. When I found you yesterday, you were very weak," Aster said seriously.

"Okay...What are all these?" Ikra asked curiously, motioning to all the equipment.

"Oh! My home also acts as a Pharmacy. All of this is used to help me with my work. I'm I qualified doctor, or at least I used to be," Aster said, the last part with a hint of sadness.

"Used to be?" Ikra asked, her eyes shone in curiosity.

"It's nothing... How are you feeling, Ikra?" Aster asked, removing spectacles from the left breast pocket of her lab coat and putting them on, peering at the girl.

"Actually, I feel much better than I did yesterday," Ikra said honestly.

"Still don't remember anything, huh?" Aster said knowingly, the moment the girl answered to the name Ikra, that's when Aster knew that she was still suffering from amnesia.

"No," Ikra said, head dropping.

"I see... Just give it time. I'm about to open my shop in a few minutes and I could really use some help, if you are willing to," Aster said indifferently.

"Uhhm...Okay, I mean it's the least I can do," Ikra said, fingers twitching anxiously, eyes darting about.

"Thanks. Don't worry, I won't give you the hard stuff," Aster said.

"Okay," Ikra said.

Aster got a good look at Ikra. She was a very beautiful girl indeed. Those big onyx eyes that only conveyed innocence, that adorable little face. Ikra looked no older than eighteen and Aster was truly concerned on what this girl could've been exposed to before her amnesia period; she was found naked for crying out loud!

"Come with me," Aster said as she went down some stairs that Ikra hadn't noticed at first. They made their way down the stairs and Ikra saw an immediate change in scenery. Unlike upstairs, this place looked like a real pharmacy, although she didn't know how she knew all these things.

Aster put a "We Are Open" sign in the front of the store door. She looked back at Ikra and gave her a small smile.

"It doesn't usually get that busy since people are opting to have mechanical appendages instead of biological ones," Aster said.

Ikra looked out of the window of the store and could see many flying vehicles and different creatures interacting to each other. This had Ikra conclude that she wasn't that different from others after all.

"So much happening in the present. Kind of wished it was the past, back in the days when things weren't as busy as now," Aster mused.

"Uhm... Aster?" Ikra asked uncertainly.

"Yeah, Ikra?" Aster replied.

"What do you want me to help you with?" Ikra asked.

"Just stay by the counter and take notes of requests and appointments," Aster said.

"Oh," Ikra said with a hint of disappointment.

"If you don't want to do that, then I could ask you to go to a friend's shop to get me the latest shipment of medicine available...but that wouldn't be such a good idea," Aster said.

"Why not?" Ikra asked confusedly. She really wanted to go outside. Something seemed to be...calling her from out there and she couldn't explain it.

"Well your have amnesia and I'm sure people might take advantage of that. Adding to the fact that you are most probably still weak from the alley then it isn't advisable to go out there," Aster said.

"They wouldn't know I have amnesia. I'm sure I can take care of myself Aster," Ikra said.

Now that she had a good look at her, Ikra guessed the woman looked like she was in her late twenties.

"Are sure, Ikra? There's no telling what this city has in-store for you if you leave this place," Aster asked raising an eyebrow, she didn't expect Ikra to be so ready to go outside so readily.

"I'm sure," Ikra said with a hint of nervousness. She wasn't a test subject, so even if she did have amnesia that didn't mean she was useless.

"You don't even know this place," Aster said with a frown. What is this girl thinking?

"I can manage Aster. Don't worry about me," Ikra said strongly.

"...Very well, but I will give you detailed directions to follow in order to get to the intended destination," Aster said evenly.

"Thank you," Ikra said with a small smile.

"Good luck," Aster said softly.

Samurai Jack made his way through the city. His journey to find a way to get back to his time continued.

When he first arrived in the future, he had to admit that places like this, with all the lights, the tall buildings, and the flying cars were very intimidating at first but thanks to his training, by countless cultures, in the different arts of combat, he was easily able to adjust to the new scenery.

The future looked really bleak from his point of view, dull and torn cities emphasised his thoughts. Where he came from things were so bright and natural, easy and peaceful. Now however it seemed Aku had turned this planet to his personal hell. When he first found out that Aku ruled the entire world he was shocked to the core, not only did he fail to slay Aku at his weakest but the results were ten times worse.

At first, Jack went into depression; he had failed; he had been arrogant and allowed Aku to use his dirty tricks to send him here, to the future. All the efforts of the gods and his father were in vain.

However, he bounced back when he saw what Aku had done to the world and vowed to terminate that monster at all costs, whether he did it in the past or the future didn't matter to Jack. He had seen a lot of things on his journey to find a time machine. He had fought many foes and made allies on his stay in this time period, the Scotsman being one of them and that made him grateful for this experience. He was used to seeing many bizarre things, so he didn't at all seem surprised with seeing so many different creatures and robots going around the city, doing their jobs and making conversation.

He was told, by a man he saved from Aku's drones, to pass through this city and make his way through a dessert, if he searched carefully enough then he would find what he seeks. Jack didn't even know what to say to that, it was as if the man read his mind. He didn't even care if it took him days to get through the desert, he would endure it for the sake of the world and then finally be able to defeat the Shogun of sorrow, Aku. He was lucky to have made his hat out of wheat today, this heat was really rough on anyone.

He walked through the city, not worrying about anyone attacking him; he could easily handle himself. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary here, just the standard confrontation and fight, neither needing his assistance, besides he had bigger things to do.

Ikra walked through the city very carefully, fully prepared to run if need be. She was starting to regret coming out of Aster's house/pharmacy. Compared to everyone else, she seemed so small and fragile, she didn't like that feeling at all. She tried to be as invisible as possible, most of the people she passed looked like nothing more than criminals and she didn't even want to think on the possibility of becoming a victim. She saw a lot of guys looking her way at one time and that made very nervous and worried. Aster told her that the destination to her friend wasn't that far and she could easily walk there but right now Ikra felt like she had been travelling for miles.

"Good afternoon, Miss," A human looking man, wearing a nice black suit, greeted.

"Uhh afternoon," Ikra said awkwardly.

"I've been in this city for a while now and I'm pretty sure that I never met or seen you before. You are very beautiful. My names Garfree. Pleased to meet you," Garfree said as he bowed politely.

"Uhhm thanks?" Ikra blushed then looked around nervously and noticed a lot of eyes on her. She was attracting a lot of attention and that was really bad.

"May I have your name?" Garfree asked politely, seeming to ignore the busy and on looking citizens.

"I have to go," Ikra said quickly and decided to leave before things got out of hand but this man seemed to have other ideas.

"Wait! May I ask to where? Maybe I can be of assistance to you," Garfree asked politely.

"...Well... I have to go to this place called Jeff's Store. Do you know if there is a shorter way to go to it other than this long road?" Ikra asked indicating to the road.

"But of course. I have been around that place a number of times and I know the best way to get there quickly. Just follow me," Garfree said.

"Thanks," Ikra said in relief.

They walked in silence to the destination. Ikra was a bit confused, wasn't Garfree the one that was talking a lot? Now he was totally silent? She didn't mind the silence but she was starting to get a bad feeling the deeper they walked into the city.

"Just around the corner, through that alley," Garfree said indicating to an alley way.

"Are you sure this is the only place we could take?' Ikra asked nervously while staring at the dark alley.

"Positive," Garfree said with a false smile.

"O-Okay then. Let's go," Ikra said.

They made their way into the alley and started walking through it slowly. Ikra was feeling extremely nervous now and soon the feeling of dread increased when they approached a dead-end.

"I think we took the wrong alley Garfree," Ikra said staring at the dead-end in frustration.

"No my dear, this is exactly where I wanted you," Garfree said lowly.

Ikra quickly looked at Garfree and was shocked. Gone was the gentleman and in his place was someone who resembled a bad man, or at least that was what Ikra thought.

"Garfree?" Ikra asked scaredly.

"I have to admit that this was truly the first time a met you but now I'm going to enjoy ravishing that beautiful young body of yours... Boys!" Garfree said and two big goon looking beasts, who had identical bull heads and huge human bodies, that resembled body builders, appeared.

"Garfree! What's going on?" Ikra asked in fear.

"Isn't it obvious. Your body is mine and I am going to share you with my trusted goons," Garfree said evilly while the beasts looked at Ikra hungrily.

"HELP!" Ikra screamed as she scrambled to the wall that indicated a dead-end.

"Scream all you like my dear but it will not save you. People fear us around these parts so don't think anyone is going to come and rescue you while I have my way with your body," Garfree licked his lips and advanced on a terrified Ikra but was stopped by a voice.

"I never thought I'd see such dishonourable behaviour at this degree but I can assure you that you will not be hurting that girl," Samurai Jack said from behind the bad man.

"Oh? And what are going to about it sir," Garfree asked evenly.

"I will stop you," Jack said seriously.

"...Get him," Garfree waved indifferently and his two goons made their way to the samurai.

Jack didn't even need his sword to take care of them. His hand to hand combat skills were great enough to take on someone three times his size. The two beasts started attacking him with sloppy punches and kicks, which Jack easily avoided and countered. He wanted to make quick work of them so when one of the goons tried to punch him in the face, with it's huge hand, Jack used its momentum against it and directed the initial punch to the other goon, who took it full force on the face.

The first goon was knocked out and the second goon roared in anger and charged at jack with its head lowered, it was going to use its horns to finish off the man. Jack actually looked on boredly as the beast charged at him and waited until the beast was close enough before he moved away and allowed the beast to hit the wall he was standing in front of, head on.

"You tyrant! I shall deal with you myself," Garfree said and then took out a pistol.

Jack quickly un-sheathed his sword and blocked a number of shots from Garfree.

Ikra looked on, shocked at what was happening. She was almost raped. Almost hurt but then this guy wearing white saved her. She couldn't think straight as fear enveloped her. She had to get out of here. She saw her opening and quickly bolted as fast as she could out of there.

"Come back here!" Garfree said angrily as he shot bullets at Ikra but Jack was able to intercept every shot, providing Ikra with time to escape.

"You will not harm her villain," Jack said seriously and took a glance back to make sure that the girl had made it to safety but his eyes widened in momentary shock.

"How dare you! I will end your life you pest," Garfree said as he pointed his hand at Jack and fired a laser beam.

Jack quickly dodged the blast and focused fully on Garfree.

"So you are an evil drone. Then I will make this quick and painless," Jack said seriously and then charged at Garfree with his sword ready.

Garfree shot some more laser beams but Jack was able to dodge everyone one of them and jump into the air. He sliced straight through Garfree and there was a pause before Garfree fInally exploded into a million pieces.

Jack sheathed his sword and breathed calmly but his mind was anything but calm. That girl...she didn't look familiar but something about her was sending red flags to the samurai. Those eyes. Those onyx eyes sent chills down Jack's spine. Those eyes reminded him of...

"Aku," Jack said in horror. How did he miss it!? That had to be that shape shifting monster. This had to be a trick and Jack gritted his teeth in frustration for being so careless. So Aku turned himself into a female again? Jack was going to make sure that he stopped whatever Aku had planned. He ran out of the alley and searched for the Shogun.

AN: Hope you like the story. Let me know.