Disclaimer: I do not own Better Days/Original Life, or any of their characters. I make no money from this.

A/N: There's going to be a bit of a change with this chapter folks. Well, more like quite a large change; hope you enjoy it!

The Chronicles of Jason

From the Ashes: Chapter 10

/

The first of many things Asura noticed as she opened her eyes was the heat. Dry, scorching heat that made her feel like she was going to wither up and die. If she were to use a word to describe it, the word would be rageful, as if the heat was a sentient thing, with her torment its sole goal. It suited the world around her, scarlet and crimson in all directions that she could see.

The next thing she became aware of as she struggled to understand what was happening was the ground. It was all gravel, sharp, jagged, piercing into her bare skin like hundreds of hot knives. When she tried to move she let loose a scream as it suddenly felt like a cheese grater had gone to work on her back. She could feel the hot rivulets of blood running from her back onto the burning rocks. Another scream of pain left her lips as the blood became steam, scorching her fresh wounds black. She bit back a choked sob as the sound of her own fur and flesh crisping and flaking off her body reached her ears.

And that was when the final thing finally reached her. The screams. Hundreds, thousands of tormented screams echoed through the fiery darkness around her, pounding and hammering at her mind until she screamed back for it to end. Her pleas and begs for mercy only joined in the cacophony of pain, until she could no longer tell where she ended and it began. Soon, she began to question if there had ever been a time when she wasn't a small part in the grand symphony of suffering her battered ears could finally make out from the chaos.

Before she could understand what was happening it ended, like a flame snuffed out by a wind, leaving the world in silence. She opened her clenched-shut eyes to find herself staring out into darkness; the fire, the searing heat, and the screams all gone. Just her and the Void.

"SO MUCH POWER, INFLUENCE, AUTHORITY…AND YET YOUR LIFE HAS AMOUNTED TO SO LITTLE."

Asura spasmed, her eyes bulging as what felt like a massive pressure settled on her body. All the air left her lungs, and she struggled for breath.

"A PITIFUL CREATURE…BLINDLY FOLLOWING PITIFUL, DESTRUCTIVE IDEALS. NOT SEEING HOW OTHERS LEAD HER ON."

Asura wanted to scream in agony but found herself speechless, only able to hang there as the Presence exerted itself upon her.

"YOU HAVE SEEN YOUR FATE...NOW CHANGE…"

The black Void went white, as Asura screamed.

/

Asura shot up in bed, barely holding in the terrified scream clawing to be let loose. Her hands trembled as she ran them over her bare body in a near-panic, looking for any of the burns or slashes she felt in her dream. There were none. With an exhausted sob she buried her face in her hands, hot tears flooding her eyes. Her body felt like it was on fire and her shoulders shook, and she felt like she hadn't gotten any rest while sleeping. She hated it.

The bed shifted, and Asura felt a thin arm rest on her shoulders. Green sat up beside her and frowned with concern. "Everything okay Asura?"

Asura finally got her shaking under control and dropped her hands from her face. A moment later she wiped the remaining tears from her eyes and nodded. "Yeah, yeah…just bad dreams; they mean nothing."

"Life means nothing, my dear." Yawning Green slid off the bed and strolled sleepily to a nearby case. Asura kept her eyes on his butt, only half-listening to him as he spoke. "But, it can still be annoying. That's why I made this, lovely." Opening the case he picked up a syringe from a row and presented it to her. It was filled with a translucent green liquid. "I've noticed you're quite the fan of my stimulant; have some."

"Mmm, I didn't know you made this." She snatched the syringe from his hand and automatically slid the hypodermic needle into her arm. Injecting herself with the stimulant Asura moaned softly, a spasm stabbing through her body. A moment later and she was standing up and stretching, all signs of her previous exhaustion gone. "Much better, Green, that was just what I needed."

Green shut the suitcase and walked over to Asura. "My pleasure Lovely, I wouldn't want you too tired for tonight."

Asura leaned down and kissed him, licking his lips and pulling him close. "Mmm, and what are we doing tonight?"

Her answer was a smirk and a kiss. "The same thing we did last night, of course."

Asura smiled down at him and leaned in for another kiss, before a knock at the room's entrance drew her attention up. Standing in the doorway was Marshall in parade rest, eyes respectfully averted from her naked form. "Asura-hime, I was on my way to inform you that breakfast was prepared, and that the requested information on Dr. Shanikwa Jenkins has arrived. I'm happy to see however that you are both up."

Green had the decency to cover up his groin with a hand as he moved to where he'd left his clothes. Asura chuckled for a moment at this before noticing that Marshall was still there and still avoiding looking at her. "Commander, is there anything else?"

The tall Stallion shifted his footing and coughed. "I also need to inform you that your brother has called. He is waiting for you."

"Ah, I see. Tell him I will only be a moment. Mr. Green can find his own way out." Waiting until Marshall had gone Asura went to her dresser and began setting out her clothing for the day. She smiled as Green gave a kiss to her cheek and a slap on her butt as he left, saying that he had an important meeting to get to. Not that she believed him. Slipping on a loose red blouse and skirt combo with matching boots, she checked her figure out in the mirror for a moment before turning and leaving the room.

She made her way down a short hall and into a well-lit living area, the windows and door out to the patio to her right letting in thick streams of early-morning light. A soft purr of delight as the light warmed her fur came from Asura as she settled down on a couch facing away from the sun and pressed a button on the table before her. A blinking light turned off, and above the table materialized a full-sized hologram of her brother.

"Hey Aniki-senpai! I'm so sorry to keep you waiting, I was held up!"

Through his hologram Deva glowered down at her. "Your apologies are pointless Asura, as is your insistence on using this…distasteful language Asura. Don't bother with what kept you and tell me what you have learned so far. Just yesterday we began the Russian Operation, and I have little time to spare."

Asura bit her tongue to keep from snapping back, knowing it would do her no good. He was, after all, a thousand miles away. Instead she took a glass of orange juice handed to her by Marshall, took a drink, and then began. "Mr. Green is almost totally opposed to the Organization's philosophy. He is obsessed with pleasure of all kinds, and from my limited interactions with him seems to arbor a penchant for destruction and carnage. Through prying I have learned he is in control of the three largest drug-trafficking rings in the country, as well as several brothels."

"And his thoughts and feelings in regards to the Organization?"

Asura took another sip of her juice and frowned. It was sourer than she preferred. "He enjoys being a part of us. Preliminary psychological profiles are guessing he grew up powerless in some way, and subconsciously avoids ever feeling that way again. Probably related to his damn shortness; seriously, have you met this guy?"

Deva stood silent for several minutes as he seemed to process this information. "I see…very well, continue as you are for now. No moves shall be made on him for the time being. We shall not maim ourselves over a mere…philosophical discrepancy. When he becomes a problem however, kill him immediately. Now, goodbye."

The transmission ended, and Asura slowly leaned back into the couch. Her face was marred by a frown as she thought over her brother's words. The phrase "philosophical discrepancy" echoed in her head, and she was plagued with the strangest feeling that she was missing something.

/

Jason flipped on the TV and leaned back into the couch, a bowl of cereal in his lap and a glass of orange juice on the end table beside him. On the screen a young and overly-busty Rabbit who looked like she wasn't even able to spell America was going on about the latest events in Iraq. Several political pundits, including one who claimed to have contacts in the U.S. embassy, were all yammering on about the ramifications of this and that. Each one claimed to represent a separate viewpoint, but to Jason they were all the same; incessant yappers. He quickly tuned them out and began to eat his breakfast.

Angela walked in from the kitchen, looked at Jason, looked at the TV, and then looked back at Jason. "How are we getting MSNBC here?"

Jason swallowed the bite in his mouth and smirked. "It's nice what you can get for a grand or two to the right people at the right apartment. I paid for an executive suite, I got one."

"Oh…" Angela sat down beside him and looked over at him, and Jason got the distinct feeling a conversation was coming that he wasn't going to enjoy. Several minutes passed by in silence, except for the grinding of Jason's artificial teeth on the cereal and the TV. Finally, Jason got fed up with the nervous silence and broke it.

"Ya know Angel, I don't actually have all day."

Angela flushed, embarrassed, and looked fully at him. "Sorry. This is just a problem I've been thinking about for a bit. Now that you are…well, getting close to fixed up, I need to know; what now?"

Jason knew what she was talking about. He had been having similar thoughts. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Angela sighed and frowned at him. "Jason, you know what I'm talking about. We aren't part of the Company anymore, and even working as a doctor three kids will be stretching whatever paycheck I'll be getting. And that's not even bringing up our problems with Mr. White!"

A crack appeared in the now-empty bowl, and Jason quickly set it down. "I wasn't aware we had any problems with White. We're just a couple of cast-aside civilians, aren't we? Whatever conflict that may continue between White and the Company has nothing to do with us."

"Bullshit." Angela moved closer. "This isn't some foreign conflict we can just walk away from! We have friends in the Company, family! And even if we didn't, who knows what kinds of plans White's organization has for…well, anything!"

"I don't care."

Jason began to haul himself from the couch, stopping and looking back at Angela as he felt her hand on his shoulder. He didn't really have anywhere to go; Nikki was still pouring over the data, working to figure out what exactly was going on with Jason's legs. Angela knew this, and kept hold of him. "Jason, please, I'm sorry for bringing it up. I just…I don't feel right abandoning people we worked with for four years to face White on their own. I don't like abandoning anyone, ever."

Jason listened to her and looked into her eyes. He found sadness, and letting out a tired sigh leaned back into the couch. He could understand where she was coming from; that was what made all this so hard in the first place. He reached his hand up and took hers in it, squeezing softly and locking eyes with her. He tried his very best to bring back his old grin, the cocky one he'd always give to her or Fisk when they were nearing the end of a mission; but it was gone, warped irreparably by recent pain and sadness.

"Angel, I really do understand how you feel. I hate this, but there's really nothing that we can do. We've both been blacklisted by the Company; we have no resources to use, and even if we did most agents wouldn't even work with us. We're as good and trustworthy to them as White was after destroying Chernobyl. And what about our children for that matter? I don't want to risk any of them growing up without one or both of their parents. I mean, Fisk grew up without a dad, and look at what kind of guy he's turned out to be. Calling him well-adjusted is like calling Ayn Rand a humanitarian!"

As Jason finished Angela's gaze dropped down, away from his. Almost instantly Jason regretted yelling, but before he could apologize Angela spoke. "Our kids are why I feel like we need to get involved. I can't…I refuse to allow the future of my children to be decided by people like White and Ryan, Deva and Fisk! I don't…don't…" Angela stuttered to a stop and looked away from Jason. To him she looked torn over something, or embarrassed. When she began again her voice was barely above a whisper, and Jason had to strain to hear her. "I'm sorry; it's just kind of a moral dilemma for me. I was raised to keep going and hold on to hope, giving up doesn't come naturally to me."

Jason sighed and rubbed at his face. "I, I'm sorry, I just can't understand you about this."

Angela nodded, stiffly stood up from the couch. "Yeah, I know."

Before Jason could stop her Angela had left, muttering off something about needing to meet up with Kie'sel. Jason watched her leave before heaving a sigh and shaking his head. Some days, like this, he truly felt lost.

Hearing the sound of shoes on tile Jason turned his head and saw Dalfer. "What did I do wrong this time Dalfer?"

Dalfer walked to beside his young charge and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "A little word of advice, Master Jason. No one likes to hear their thoughts and beliefs brushed aside. Carelessly chosen words can often do worse damage than any deliberate affront."

Jason nodded at this bit of wisdom, his eyes turning to watch the news program. A moment later his eyes widened, and a startled shout left him as he turned the volume up. The screen was now showing scenes from some kind of government press conference in Russia:

"This was the scene in Moscow yesterday as Russian President Lutin spoke to parliament and key military figures. While the exact details of the meeting are unknown, known details suggest a groundbreaking new partnership with relatively unknown private military contractor AkameTech. Recent mutterings of regime-"

Jason stared at the video, staggered at what he was seeing happen. His earlier argument with Angela came back and hammered at Jason, and he suddenly felt sick. There, behind the Russian President, stood row after row of armored soldiers, their black-as-pitch armor flowing blending all together like a single beast. On each shoulder was emblazoned a single red eye, slit like a Cat's.

Jason's hand trembled as he gripped the remote, his mind a whirl of thoughts and emotions. How could this happen? What were Organization soldiers doing in RUSSIA of all places? White hated Russia, or at least Jason assumed he did. But even if the Cougar didn't, he wondered, were they really so far along in whatever their plans were to flaunt their presence so…openly? It didn't make any sense, what could they possibly gain?"

"It's…it's not my problem…right Dalfer?"

Dalfer, who had watched the news alongside Jason, turned a graven face to him. "Not at all, Master Jason. Many people have lived long, safe lives without ever, well, concerning themselves with any greater problems. And besides, you have a girlfriend, and a child to concern yourself with, and all the free time in the world now that you don't have to concern yourself with Company problems, right sir?"

"Right…right…" And yet, as Jason sat there, lost in thought, nothing had ever felt so wrong. And for the life of him he just couldn't understand what.

/

"I don't understand! Why do you have to go? Why?"

Castor slammed the lid of his suitcase shut and turned from his bed to glare at Jason. The younger boy whimpered and took a step back, out of his brother's room. He'd seen that look before. He hated that look. Just as he expected Castor stalked forward and grabbed Jason by the arm, dragging him back into the room and then slamming the door. Jason sniffled and sat down on the bed and watched as his brother paced agitatedly from one side of the room to another, collecting various odds and ends into a sack.

"Grrrr, I can't take it here anymore Jason, I just can't! This life, I hate it, and how…just LOOK at the world!"

Jason didn't understand. "But…"

"No, no buts Jason." Moving closer to Jason Castor kneeled down in front of his brother and tried to smile. "Jason…you need to understand. The world, it's sick. Really, really sick. And it's gotten sick because good people have gone too long ignoring the world's problems. If I stayed here, I'd have to take over the company eventually, and I would never get a chance to do what I need to do. Do you understand?"

Silence followed, as his brother's words echoed in Jason's mind. His fingers clenched, curling into the soft velvet sheets beneath him, and he looked up at Castor. "Yeah, I understand…" A moment later Castor stumbled back as Jason's fist slammed into his face. Jumping off the bed the angry teen glared at his brother, panting hard as he seemed to struggle just keeping himself from tackling the older boy. "I understand that you're just a selfish bastard! A coward! You're abandoning me to Dad just so you can get away!"

"No, please, that's not-"

"I hate you!"

Time seemed to stop, Castor staring shocked and crushed. Even Jason seemed surprised he'd yelled that, until with a strangled cry he pushed past his brother and ran from the room. He kept running, down the stairs, across the main entrance and out the doorway into the estate grounds. He ran, not looking back and not returning until hours later. By then…Castor was long gone from the premises…and from his life.

/

A/N: Bleh, I'm not too big a fan of this chapter. Can't really place my finger on why either. Eh, oh well.