Act 4: Crocodiles in the Sewers
Night began to creep over Metropolis as the three teenaged heroes left the Metropolis Mall. But they didn't leave quietly, of course, as they discussed what could be on Naraku's agenda. It would be obvious that he would be looking for the Shikon no Tama once more; it was a question of where the remaining shards where. More investigating would be required.
"…so tell me more about this jewel." asked the young male superhero.
"Well, the jewel was made a very long time ago by a powerful priestess like myself," started Kikyo "Its power comes from the souls of dead demons that the priestess purified. At the moment of her death, the jewel as we know it came into existence."
"But we'll need more recent info on the present whereabouts of the jewel." said Talim, looking up and down the glass windows of the women's department stores.
"We'll go to my hangout place then." Conner said.
"Where's that?"
"The North Pole."
"You must be joking."
"I'm serious." said Conner as he rose into the sky.
Talim looked at Kikyo with a strange expression as she picked up Kikyo, extended her wings and flew after Conner.
The three stood inside a gigantic, crystalline, ice cavern with gadgets, statues and columns as far as the eye can see. Strange monuments representing a lost world stood valiantly and the cold artic wind blew outside with a fierce fury to dissuade outsiders. Despite the grand size, they were the only three people here at the moment. Superboy approached the awestruck girls with a small grin.
"Welcome, ladies, to the Fortress of Solitude." he said.
"Wow…" said the girls, their necks cranked up to the ceiling.
"Of course, this place isn't mine." Conner said as he went over to a large computer office area.
"Then who's is it?" asked Kikyo.
"Superman's"
"You know Supe- Oh, yeah, duh. Superboy. Superman." Talim said correcting herself.
Conner Kent sat in front of the monitor and proceded to type in "Shikon no Tama" into the computer. Two second passed before files referencing many famous jewels and artifacts such as the Amulet of Doctor Fate and the Materioptikon which belonged to Doctor Destiny, appeared in great numbers. Among them was the Jewel of Four Souls, complete with info, images and history.
"Okay, here you go, girls." said Conner, leaning back on the chair. Talim looked closer at the screen and read the text.
"Well, supposedly after the jewel was shattered for the second time, all references disappeared and the Shikon Jewel was forgotten in history. Recently, people have attempted to find the shards but resources have stated that the pieces have either been destroyed…or re-collected. Uh-oh, do you think the jewel was collected again? And if so, by whom? I'll give you one good guess."
"No, I don't think anyone has completely restored the jewel yet." said Kikyo.
"And how would you know that?" asked a skeptical Talim.
Kikyo reached for her neck and pulled out a small, pink crystal shard. "I need three of these to live."
In the skies above Gotham City, a small whirlwind began to form. The whirlwind floated down until it touched the ground of a small, dark, damp alley. It was nearly midnight and the only sounds were a few passing cars and the occasional distant gunshot. Gotham City was not a place for everyone, but Kagura would try her luck. She stepped out of the whirlwind and looked around. It was silent and dark but it's not she hadn't experienced it before. Why had Naraku sent her here? she wondered. Oh yeah, to find this Croc guy, whoever he was. Apparently, he had made a deal with Naraku, like everyone does. Kagura made her way down into a sewer, almost getting lost in the wet maze. After walking for 10 minutes, she found herself in the lair of Killer Croc.
"Croc?" she asked the gigantic reptilian monster man.
"You the broad?" he asked.
"Erm…sure. I have what you want."
"You positive this'll make me stronger?"
"Of course."
Kagura took out the small shard and placed in her palm. She recited a small chant and then handed it to the giant.
"All you have to do is get inside you somehow." she said to him.
"No problem!" said Croc as he swallowed the shard. Kagura looked surprised but then smirked. She then turned around and started to leave.
"Remember, if the kids come, get rid of them."
"You got it."
"Thanks. Goodbye." she said and with that, she left the sewers of Gotham City.
Kikyo showed the jewel shards to the two kids and then reinserted them back into her neck. She had a look of shame and embarrassment as she looked away.
"Why didn't you tell us that you had jewel shards?" exclaimed Talim.
"Easy now, Talim, can we use those shards to look for the others?" asked Conner?
Lady Kikyo nodded and retook one shard out of her neck and placed on a nearby table. Talim sat across from were Kikyo took her seat, eyeing the shard of the Shikon no Tama. It glowed a bright pink in her green eyes. Finally, after years of searching, it was here in front of her…
"We can use a small ritual that can locate the other shards. All we have to do is concentrate on this shard's power and it'll reveal the closest shard to us. Miss Vondor, if you will help me please." explained Kikyo.
"Talim, just call me Talim."
"Yes, of course."
Kikyo took Talim's hands and looked deeply into the shard. Upon seeing this, Talim did the same as her. The priestess instructed her to focus her energies onto the shard. Seconds later, the two were consumed into purple light. Their hands clamped tighter unto each other as both gritting their teeth in deep concentration. Both their eyes glew and shone simultaneously with the shard. Conner like along with awe until they glowing stopped and the girls backed off, huffing and puffing.
"…you get anything?" asked Conner
"G-G-Gotham City."
It was 9 PM and low clouds hung over the darkened city as the three appeared atop a building. Kikyo looked out across Gotham City at some of the recognizable landmarks such as police headquarters, Wayne Tower and, in the distance, the notorious Arkham Asylum where Gotham's worst and most insane criminals went after they were caputured.
"What a dreadful place," said Kikyo "This is nothing like Metropolis."
"Yep, that's true. Gotham has a problem with crime and whatnot. It's been going down the toilet for awhile now." Talim commented "You might wanna avoid the alleyways at night."
Kikyo nodded and looked up at the dark sky. Slowly moving across the clouds was an oval-shaped light with the image of a bat in the middle. The light was being projected from somewhere not too far away.
"What's that?" asked Kikyo as she pointed to the light.
"Just a signal. My friend is at work right now." said a smirking Conner as he followed Talim down the building.
"Who?"
"I'll tell you later."
Talim led the way down the sidewalks while Kikyo and Conner followed close behind. The streets were almost empty except for a few homeless and shopkeepers closing up for the night. Amazing, thought Kikyo, Even with all this advanced knowledge, humanity still faces the same problems as before.
She turned her attention away from them and too Talim.
This girl, she too was affected by Naraku. Must everyone suffer because of him? That's why I'm on this mission, to destroy him. I only hope I can help her out.
Kikyo then took a glance at Conner as he was minding the tall skyscrapers. But he wasn't affected by him in any such way, though. Why does he help us? Pity? No, he thinks there's someone else behind this but… then why go to such lengths to stay and fight with us? I can sense greatness and such compassion I've never felt before in anybody. He cares…for other people. Is that why…?
"Hey Kikyo!" yelled Talim to the priestess "Hurry up!"
"Oh…forgive me…I must've been daydreaming…" Kikyo admitted, looking away from her. Talim then stomped off ahead of them.
"Hey, you ok?" Conner asked Kikyo.
"Yes…please don't worry…I'll be fine."
"Worry about what?"
"Nothing. Let's catch up, shall we?"
The two caught up with the red head as she stared down a dark alleyway.
"What is it?" asked Conner.
"I heard something…"
"The jewel shard! It's down there!" Kikyo inquired.
A footstep, then another. The sound of a trashcan being pushed aside was heard before a loud, reptilian growl. Nails scratched the walls as the three kids backed up.
"What is that?" asked Talim.
Finally, out of the shadows, came the Croc. A large, towering, powerful man-reptile who looked it was ready to eat. He eyed each of the teens like a raptor to its prey. Despite the appearance, Croc's movements were in everyway human.
"Alright, kids, give 'em up!" said Croc.
"Killer Croc! You made a deal with Naraku?" asked Conner.
"Ol' spidey? Yeah, I did. He said after I got through with you that I'd be able to turn back to normal, as opposed to be being…ya know, this." the Croc said, looking up and down his body.
He got closer to the three and growled loudly. The stink of the sewer was strong in him, appalling sensitive Talim.
"Naraku tells you lies! He will not help you!" Kikyo told Croc.
"Sorry, babe. Business is business!" said Croc as he swiped at her.
She dodged and readied her arrow. Talim shot a blast, only to be whipped back at her by Croc's mighty tail. Conner was able to land a blow that knocked him into a garbage can. The reptile got up and dusted himself off.
"Got some punch there, kid." he said.
Blam! Croc punched Conner away into a nearby car. Kikyo released her Sacred Arrow which struck Croc in his left shoulder. He wailed but retaliated by throwing a lamppost at her which knocked her into a store window. Talim, who had been charging up her attack, finally let it go at the reptile man. The purple energy attack smashed into the ground right in front of Croc, sending him soaring into the night sky. As he struggled to regain his balance, Conner slammed into him in midair. The two fell onto a semi truck parked in the street, Out of the wreckage, Conner picked up the beaten Croc and threw him into the street.
"You're done, Croc. Give up the Jewel Shard." said Conner.
"I'm… not beaten yet, kids!" he exclaimed.
He moved his scaly claw to his neck and pressed it. A bright flash emitted through the street as Croc grew in size. He growled in pain and excitement, pounding the pavement and rocking the buildings around him and the teens. They backed off as the creature roared and then eyed them.
"I told you it was business. But I'm going to enjoy this very much." he said in a much more menacing voice. He was twice the size he was before with spikes penetrating from his skin. His eyes were blood red and his claws were even longer. Kikyo commented that he smelled like the jewel shard. Croc smirked as she said it.
"Man! This is…insane! The power! Man, oh man, the power! I'm more powerful than ever! Nobody will ever stop me!" he wildly said as he tested his newfound powers, which included fire breath and increased speed.
"We will not let you get away, monster!" yelled Kikyo as she let fly her arrow. Croc dodged the arrow and made a swipe for Kikyo, which was deflected by Conner. He was thrown back into a wall while Talim blasted him several times, all to no effect. She, too, was knocked away. Kikyo was the only one left standing.
"You think you can take me, girl?" Croc asked Kikyo.
"I've defeated demons more powerful than you." she stubbornly said.
"Oh yeah?" he said as he blew his flame breath at her. Kikyo's mystical barrier deflected the attack and pressed her own attack with several swipes and kicks. Sadly, the attacks were no effect on the much superior Killer Croc.
"Hehehehe! See? Nothing you can do can beat me!" laughed Croc.
Kikyo sighed and lowered her bow and arrow. Conner cried out from the wall to what she was doing. The reptile laughed and said, "No more? Ok then!"
He swiped his mighty claw at the priestess. With great speed, she dodged the swipe, lifted her bow and arrow and fired it at where the jewel shard was located on his body. The arrow bounced off the jewel, breaking it into two pieces. Without the energies from the jewel, the reptile man withered away back to his original form; the shock of the sudden loss knocked him unconscious. Kikyo sighed and walked over to her two teammates.
"Wow, never knew you could do something like that." said Talim, smirking a little. Conner nodded along and said, "Nice going."
The priestess blushed a bit and looked back over the fallen Croc. She picked up the two Jewel Shards and placed it in her pocket.
"What do we do with him?" she asked, pointing to Croc.
"My friend will take care of him." Conner said,
There they left him, tied him up to a pole with a sign that read, "Bats, got you a present. From, Superboy."
Act 3
The wind sorceress Kagura flew through the air with intent on what Naraku had assigned her to do next. She was to meet with Darkseid's associate and report back to Naraku. Kagura hated whenever he made her do this; it was a waste of her time. But as long as she was bound to him, she had no choice. She flew over some mountains in what seemed to look like the California coastline. The waves crashed and the cool breeze blew over her hair as she landed by a small thicket.
"Well, this is were that guy's supposed to meet me." she sighed "Ok, now where is he?"
Then, suddenly, behind her was a loud booming noise that nearly knocked her over. She turned around to see that a Boom Tube had opened up behind her. Out of the translucent tunnel flew a man on a strange craft with an equally strange, green helmet. He stepped off the craft and saluted.
"So, you must be that guy my boss told me about." said Kagura.
"I guess I must. My name is Steppenwolf and haven't much time. " he said.
"So what do you want?"
"My boss wants to know why you guys are taking to so long in killing the half demon."
"Naraku just works that way"
"Lord Darkseid doesn't like to wait."
"Why's he do interested in killing her anyways?"
"I don't know really. He would only spend this much effort in killing one person if they were a threat to his power. "
"So this Talim girl is a powerful half demon? Ha! Yeah right!"
"Yeah whatever, Anyways, just tell Naraku to hurry up. He was one month to get it over with." And with that, Steppenwolf got into his craft, opened a Boom Tube and disappeared into the tunnel.
"One month is too long. I'll have to make my move now if I want to be free from that monster. Don't worry, Steppenwolf, the demon will be dead and so will Naraku." she said smiling as she flew off.
The sound of roosters awoke Conner Kent from his deep sleep. He looked outside at the Kansas sunrise and looked at the clock. It was 6 in the morning. Deciding to take a shower, he headed to the bathroom. After awhile, he came down and greeting his aunt and uncle.
"Morning, Aunt Martha. Morning, Uncle Jon." he said as he took the orange juice his aunt handed to him.
"So where are your new friends?" asked Martha.
"They're at Talim's cabin." he said as he finished the juice and grabbed a small TV "I'm heading there right now."
"Don't get into too much trouble!" yelled Jon as Conner flew away.
The nice, cool, morning air breezed over Kikyo as she walked in the forest near the cabin. Kikyo was used to the forest as she spent most of her time in one. The cabin came back into view and headed towards it. She entered and saw Talim eating breakfast on the one table.
"Where've you been?" she asked her.
"Just out for a walk." answered a soft spoken Kikyo.
"You should tell me these things before you go."
"I didn't want to wake you."
Talim rolled her eyes and got back to her breakfast. Kikyo eyed her for a bit. Here was this girl who didn't seem to care much for her or even the boy. But she goes to great lengths to get vengeance and to claim the Shikon jewel shards.
She cares great about her friends, thought Kikyo And when Naraku killed them, it devastated her deeply. Now, she's afraid of having anymore.
"Talim?" said Kikyo.
"Yeah?"
"Do you miss your friends and brother?"
Talim stopped eating and looked down. She then immediately got up and walked to the other side of the cabin.
"What is it?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Why not?"
"I just don't!"
Kikyo walked over to her. Talim hid her face from her.
"Is that why you're so angry all the time? Are you afraid of having friends again?"
"Shut up!" yelled Talim as she pushed Kikyo down "You have no right to talk about past!"
"I just wanted to hel-" started Kikyo, but then she was slapped by Talim. Kikyo looked away as she held the spot where she was slapped. Talim ran outside to the porch. Kikyo got up and went over to the door.
"Get away me." said Talim.
"You get anywhere by being mad at everyone."
Talim whipped around only to be greeted by Kikyo's bow and arrow.
"But I still must be prepared. You are a demon, after all."
They met eye to eye, not one of them budging. Then suddenly, Talim smacked the bow away and punched Kikyo in the stomach.
"I told you not to!" Talim yelled and Kikyo.
Kikyo then kicked Talim away, causing her to go tumbling down the porch. Kikyo regained her bow and pointed it at Talim. Talim got up with her hands blazing with demonic energy.
"Stupid priestess!" yelled Talim.
"I was only trying to help!"
"Why?"
"Because that's what friends do!"
"Who said you were my friend?"
Then they launched their attacks, neither of them hitting the other. When all the dust cleared, Conner was flat on the ground.
"Owwwww…" moaned Conner as he took an arrow out of his left arm.
"Kent! What are you doing here?" said a bewildered Talim.
"Looking for you girls! What the heck are you doing?" he asked.
"Nothing. Just tell the priestess here to leave me alone!" said Talim.
Conner got up and looked at them both, then down to the hole in his arm.
"That looks bad. Let me take a look at that." said Kikyo. She took him by the arm and led him inside.
"Oh sure! Take her side!" whined Talim.
"I'm taking anyone's side. There's a freakin' hole in my arm! The least you can do is to help Kikyo."
Talim sighed, nodded and went in.
Conner sat on a chair and pulled up his bloody sleeve. The hole had shrunk to half its size and had stopped bleeding.
"What?" asked Kikyo.
"My body works differently than yours, Can you grab me a towel?" he said.
Kikyo got up and left to the bathroom as Talim sat next to him and eyed him. Conner looked over at her, looked away and looked back. She sneered at him.
"What?" he said.
"Way to make her like you."
"I'm not making anyone like me!"
"Sure! Look at the way she looks at you! It's all blushing and light staring with you."
"Yeah right."
Talim looked over at the bathroom and then looked back at Conner.
"It's true." she said as she smiled evily.
"She's a Japanese priestess from the feudal era! What makes you think she'll like me?"
"It's that shim-, um, shill, uh…"
"Chivalry?"
"Yeah that! Chivalry. They loved that stuff back then. Not today though, since girls are more liberated these days. I know I wouldn't want a chivalrous guy." Talim boasted.
"Yeah, like any guy would want you…" Conner whispered.
"WHAT?"
"Nothing." Conner smiled.
Kikyo came back out with the towel and handed it to him, who cleaned up the blood on his arm.
"Hey, I thought, like, you were, like, invulnerable." asked Talim.
"Well, Kikyo's a priestess. It's some form of magic she practices. I have no defense against magic." he shrugged.
"If you don't mind me asking," said a quiet Kikyo "but what are your abilites?"
Conner placed the towel on the table and stood up. He grabbed a knife of the counter and handed it to Kikyo.
"Stab me."
She arched an eyebrow and looked at him. He nodded to her to do it. Her arm flew through the air and landed the knife on his chest. The metal of the knife shattered, sending many tiny pieces across the cabin. Conner stood there, as if nothing happened.
"Boy of Steel." said Talim.
Kikyo smiled and asked, "Anything else?"
He led them outside, where he told them to stay by the door.
"My strength and my heat vision." he said. He then uprooted a nearby tree and flung into the air. Conner stared at it, and then red heat beams escaped from his eyes, reducing the tree to ashes.
"Impressive!" said Kikyo.
"Yeah, but enough playing. Let's go back inside and plan what to do next."
Conner brought out the small TV and placed it on the table. He flipped to a news station and left it there.
"Any ideas?" asked Talim. The two other kids waved their head.
"Can't you try that shard finder spell thing you two tried last time?" asked Conner.
"It taxes your energy a whole bunch. We have to wait a day for it to recharge. A lucky for us, we have an hour left." explained Talim as Kikyo nodded.
"So we just wait here then?"
Talim nodded. Conner sighed and rested back. Kikyo looked around the room.
"I'm going to the can." she said as she headed to the bathroom. The door slammed and a news report came on. Conner's widened and turned up the volume.
"The people of San Francisco owe their thanks today to the superhero group known as the Teen Titans. Just a little while ago, the Golden Gate Bridge was attacked by an unknown being with a hood. Fortunately, this mysterious figure was thwarted by the Titans. The figure disappeared, but the bridge and the people on it were saved. More as it comes."
Kikyo looked at the screen and saw the teenagers in the fight. There was boy in a red suit, black and yellow cape and black mask apparently leading the group. A green boy and then suddenly, a green bird. An orange girl with flaming hair. The boy that was half metal and then a blonde girl with the red suit and lasso. She looked at the expression on Conner's face; it was full of remorse. He stood up and walked to the window.
He was part of them once, anyone can tell that. But something happened with them. Somebody did something bad to one another. Shall I ask him? He does seem more level-headed than the redheaded one. Here goes…
"Conner?" she asked him.
"Yes?"
"…You knew them didn't you?"
"…yeah." Sad Conner as he walked to the door.
Kikyo looked at him and thought, I guess he has problems too. He isn't as cheerful as he seems. This boy is more resilient than anyone I've ever met. I think there's more than just the problem with his friends.
"May I ask what happened?"
Conner turned around and looked at her. "I attacked them, you happy?"
"You…did? So is that why you're no longer with them?"
Conner nodded and looked at Talim, who had just walked out of the bathroom.
"Yeah, I've always wondered why I never saw you with them anymore. Why'd you do it?" asked Talim.
"It was my fault entirely. I was under mind control. It's just that… ah, whatever. Point is I left them."
Kikyo looked away then at Talim, who had a small smirk on her face.
"What's so funny?"
"She pries a lot, don't she?"
Conner looked at Kikyo then back at Talim. He then shook his head.
"Well, today's your lucky day, Wonder Boy. You've just joined my little ragtag team here." said Talim.
Kikyo's eyes lit up. 'Wait, we're a team?"
"Well, yeah, even though we've a got a nosey priestess and a clueless superhero." said Talim.
"…and an annoying half-demon." Conner said under his breath.
"WHAT?"
"Nothing."
Kikyo walked over to the both of them.
