Hey guys! I have a shoutout due for Masters of Fire and Amber for reading, following, favoriting, and reviewing!
Also you know that "T" rating I put on this story? This is where that comes in. It's mostly implied violence, but I just thought I'd let you know.
Keara had spent the past two days scouting and spying, with the help of several Darkthings, checking shadow generators and target points throughout the city, to make certain the Plan was ready to unleash. Now she was summoned again, but this time it seemed especially important. "You wanted to see me, Master?" She asked, now quite used to connecting that title with him.
"Well if I didn't want to see you, I wouldn't have sent someone to get you now, would I?" He said, with the face of one holding back some nasty, exciting plan. (What that face would look like, I'm not sure, but...)
"Well, yes, I suppose..."
"Now, as you have done much to double check my previous and current work, we are ready for the next big step. And I have a special mission, reserved just for you."
"And what is that?"
"There is a certain man in this village that him being held under my control with the rest of the people here is not enough for me. Only his death will satisfy my vengeance. I want you to make sure this happens."
Keara was slightly surprised. "I did not know you ever felt the need to take... those sort of... measures, Master."
"Normally I don't, but that doesn't mean I never do. Why be evil if you're going to draw lines for yourself?"
"Fair enough. But you shall have to tell me who he is in order for me to... Finish him." Even for solid, emotionless Keara, murder was a rather uncomfortable subject, especially when she was the one about to commit it.
"Ah, of course, but I'm just saving the best for last. Our victim is..." He paused several seconds for dramatic effect, long enough for anyone except Keara to lose patience. He grinned wickedly as he finished his sentence. "Your old Master."
Keara almost fell to the stone floor. One did not have to have much emotions to feel this shock. Trying not to scream, she protested, "This can't be! You promised I wouldn't have to hurt them!"
"I promised not to make you hurt your friend, not your former master."
She hated to admit it, but she remembered he was right. Still she fought for a way out. "Why can't you do it?"
"The question is not why I can't, but why you should . What better person to kill him than a former student? Besides, you're the Master of Shadow! Stealthy, quick, and... Dark. You will be the best for it."
Keara felt too weak to continue resisting. He had made up his mind; there was no escape. "A-as you wish, M-master." She bowed.
"Now, before you go, get Raxxon to come with you. He may be of use if you are... Caught."
Keara tried not to think about what that implied. Conveniently a distraction appeared as once again the door was opened and two very familiar Darkthings ran in. They threw themselves at Keara and Deorc's feet. "Please have mercy!" They cried at once.
As they huddled there shaking, another well-known face appeared, racing after the troublesome twins. "I have told you for the last time-" Raxxon reached for them.
"Wait!" Deorc shouted. "Very nice of you to show up, I want you to accompany Keara on her mission."
"Us?" The twins' heads shot up and they grinned hopefully. Raxxon glared and their heads went back down.
"No, Raxxon."
"Aww, man," Norkel said.
"He always gets to do the exciting stuff." Gorkel whined.
"You shouldn't complain about him! He's above us!"
"Yes I should!"
"No you shouldn't!"
"Yes I-"
"ENOUGH!" Deorc yelled. "Fine. If you two are so eager, I'll take you with me. I have something almost as exciting to do."
Both Keara and Raxxon looked at him, confused. "What?"
"Slight change of plans, take too long to explain."
"Yay!" The twins cheered, getting up. "Now, where were we?" Gorkel said.
"This is usually about the time we, uh, get picked up and-"
Before Norkel could finish, it happened. Once more they went flying out through the doorway, landing in a heap in the hall.
Keara tried to ignore the growing knot in her stomach as she approached the dojo. Trying to settle herself, she ducked behind a bush just outside the fenced-in yard. Raxxon was close by and joined her. "What now, Commander?"
"I... Forgot to check if my old sensei is alone now." She replied.
"My scout Zagor informed me just before we left that the light ninja had left here earlier, accompanied by a blue ninja."
"Blue ninja?" Unlike her, Allie had friends, but she hadn't ever mentioned any of them being ninja. But she had more important things to worry about. "Well, it doesn't matter. You wait outside, in case anyone comes. I'm going in."
She slipped into the shadow of the bush, appearing in the shade of a tree in the yard. Then she faded from sight again, this time showing up in front of the house.
She took a deep breath. Maybe it will be easier if he doesn't recognize me, she thought. The Darkthing look she now had of course was a great disguise, but just to make sure, she undid her ponytail and slicked back her bangs to blend with the rest of her hair. She glanced inside the window. Lucky for her, there was not enough good light that she would be harmed by it. He was not in there, and there was a convenient shadow cast by a wall. She didn't even have to open the door to sneak in. In a moment she appeared inside, watching for the Old Master.
She was about to move when he came into the room. He hadn't seen her yet, so Keara took the chance and jumped. But though she surprised him, as soon as she grabbed him he faded into a cloud of- smoke.
Keara had almost forgotten about his element.
She growled, searching for him. He had reformed on the other side of the room. She rushed, but as soon as she had her blade drawn, he vanished again.
This time he drifted into the dining room before he became solid. He looked at his strange opponent. He had never seen a Darkthing up close, but this one reminded him of someone- he dodged and faded as she leaped again.
Keara changed tactics. The room was not well lit, and there were several shadows just big enough for her to travel through. Slipping from shadow to shadow as he went in and out of his smoke form, they traveled around the room as she tried to sneak up behind him.
Finally, she managed it. He stood with no cover, and she was right behind him. She jumped and spinjitzued right into him. Only Keara had never been good with spinjitzu, and merely succeeded in knocking him over.
But as she pounced, he did not move. It had all come together for him. The shadow powers, the face, and lastly the clumsy spinjitzu, gave her away to him. "Keara?"
She stopped. "Sorry, but it's Master's orders." She raised her double-bladed dagger.
"What did he do to you?"
"He showed me my true form. Now I will show it to you." He wasn't resisting, though he had to know by now what she intended to do. She made sure her aim was right, closed her eyes, and drove the blade in.
He gasped, and groaned.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Why didn't you fight?"
He coughed before replying, "I did not think you would really do it. But I guess I was wrong."
He dropped fully back to the floor and closed his eyes. He was not dead yet, but Keara chose to leave him. Then she sensed someone behind her and turned to find Raxxon there, a dagger drawn and ready to strike. "Raxxon? I thought I told you to stay outside."
The Darkthing quickly tried to hide the dagger. "I thought I heard you call for assistance," He said casually.
"Well, you better hope nobody comes in on us." She was still slightly confused. If he had come to help, why did he pull out his dagger, and not his sword? It didn't seem right.
But she refrained from further questioning and stood up. "No matter, I'm done here. Let's go before we're caught." They cautiously moved, expecting to have to avoid sunlight through the windows, but it was dark. They went out and realized that though it had been clear before, it was now clouded and gloomy.
"Strange, but makes things easier for us. Let's go," Keara ran as fast as she could towards the base. All she wanted to do now was get away.
Don't worry, all my readers were caught off guard by this chapter. It gets even crazier in the next one! :D