--Man! It has been far too long since my last update! My thanks to those of you out there who sent reviews! However, whether you care or not, I am going to wait on judging the Character Popularity Poll. Hotaru-Oneesan thought it would be stupid to decide after only having announced it one chapter ago, and I must say, I'm inclined to agree. Now, as always, let's save the boring chat for after the chapter. Enjoy, my shipmates! - The Cap'n --
Part 11- Discovery! Robin's Hidden Power!
(It is now about fifteen minutes since Hitsuji's self-inflicted demise. Usagi and Nezumi have been explaining the situation to Ushima, whom they had needed to keep from attacking the teenaged heroines upon his awakening. Terra has used her powers to pull apart the ground into a decent grave for Hitsuji and buried her neatly. She next makes a small pillar of stone rise up as a grave marker. Once she finishes, she cringes a bit and touches the bite wound on her shoulder. Raven steps over and lays her hands on the injury, emitting a white glow from her palms.)
Raven: I'm sorry that I can't heal it perfectly. If Gabriel were here, my powers would be strong enough, but…
Terra: Don't worry about it; I'll live. It's feeling better already.
(She pauses for a moment, then shoots an accusatory look at Nezumi.)
Terra: And you'd better not have rabies!
Nezumi: Hey!
(Raven finally ceases her healing spell; Terra's shoulder still has some damage, but it has been reduced to several scabbed-over cuts. She flexes her arm a bit, decides it is working well enough, then turns to Raven.)
Terra: Thanks. So, shouldn't we get going? The others are going to need us.
Raven: Yeah… Breezy, are you coming?
(The blue-haired girl rises to her feet, wiping the back of her arm across her somewhat red eyes with a deep sigh.)
Breezy: Ahhh…Nothing like a good cry…Okay, let's go! Even if it means more fighting, I have to honor my promise to Granny! We need to find her granddaughter fast!
(Breezy produces a second hair-tie from a concealed pocket and re-does her ponytail, then she and the other two make ready to leave.)
Usagi: P-Please wait!
(The girls turn to her with raised eyebrows.)
Raven: What is it?
Usagi: Well…it's j-just…you must be t-tired after your battles…s-s-so…
(Ushima strides over, thumping his chest with one fist.)
Ushima: Little friends can rest while riding Ushima! Ushima carry all of you! Climb on!
(The giant shuts his eyes, and his body begins to morph again. His chest widens, the ribcage becoming much more vast. His hands and feet solidify into heavy black hooves while his clothing merges with his body. The giant form is covered in a light layer of dark grey fur, then the transformation ends as his skull reshapes into a bovine form.)
Nezumi: Ushima has volunteered to carry you three on his back so you can recover and still reach your friends. He can take you as far as the village entrance. Beyond that, you're on your own.
Terra: What about you two?
Nezumi: Usagi-chan and me are gonna go find her parents and stop those assassins. We should be able to make it in time…
Usagi: Nezumi-san, are you certain t-that you are well enough t-to travel… You were wounded so b-b-badly…
Nezumi: I should be alright now. That girl might be spooky, but her healing talents have merit.
Raven: Uh…Thanks, I think…
Usagi: Um…l-listen, I know that I sh-shouldn't ask this, b-but…could you p-please do me a favor?…Of course…I know that you're already doing s-something for Hitsuji s-so you don't h-have to…
Breezy: Don't even worry about it. What is it you want?
Usagi: If…if you see Akira-san…would you p-please apologize to him f-for me?
Terra: Huh?
Usagi: I j-just know he m-must be f-furious with me…I've been l-l-lying to him all this time, and he's looked up to me like a b-big sister…I can't apologize myself. I don't even d-deserve to l-look him in the eye…
(The three teens exchange a sympathetic glance.)
Raven: Don't worry. We'll see that he gets the message…and if we explain the position you were in, he might not be too mad.
(The shopkeeper manages a nervous half-smile.)
Usagi: Th-thank you… Good l-luck to all of-
(Usagi's mouth snaps shut and her eyes begin scanning the area frantically.)
Nezumi: Usagi-chan? What is it!? What do you hear!?
Usagi: Behind the rocks…scales moving over the ground…the sound of slithering…
Nezumi: Hebi! Where is she?
Usagi: She's already c-climbing back up…what should we do?
Nezumi: Nothing we can do; even with Hitsuji, we'd be no match for her.
Raven: What's going on? I've been sensing another presence nearby, but since they didn't try to attack…
Nezumi: One of our comrades. Master must have sent her to verify our mission's success. She'll have heard everything… Look, the three of you need to get a move on now! Once Master finds out, he's going to hit all of you fast and hard! Ushima, take them, now!
(The three girls give shouts of surprise as Ushima approaches them from behind, using his horned head to lift them onto his back in turn. The ox circles around and begins a fast, steady climb up the mountainside. Nezumi and Usagi turn to each other, nod, and dash off in the other direction.)
Terra: Alright! Just wait, guys! We're coming!
Breezy: For the good of the beautiful Earth!
(Very far above, the remaining group of heroes has finally reached the cave that hides the entrance to Fubuki Village.)
Cyborg: Whew! About time! Thought we'd be climbing this thing clear into next week!
Penny: Good thing about that rockslide before. I was worried about what the girls might be doing down there to cause all that shaking, but, thanks to that…
Photon: Yes… a cascade of rocks that not only stopped before hitting us, but the pile-up created a secure foothold that drastically shortened our climb…almost like a stroke of luck, one might say…
(He raises an eyebrow at Lucky Penny with a grin. She responds with a small blush and looks rather pleased with herself. Snap frowns and clears his throat.)
Snap: Oy, enough with the chatter! How are we supposed to get in?
(He jerks one partially-gloved hand in the direction of the wall that opens into the village.)
Cyborg: Got it covered. Watch this.
(A small panel on Cyborg's shoulder opens, and a tiny, silver device extends out on a mechanical arm. The device is a box shape, somewhat resembling a closed cell-phone. The tiny screen at the top of the device bears a single horizontal line. Cyborg taps a few buttons on the panel in his arm, and the device emits a recording of Frost's voice.)
Voice: "Beneath the ice of the Mountain God, life thrives on!"
(The line on the screen undulates up and down with the sound waves, then stabilizes as it finishes. Everybody waits for a moment, then, when nothing happens…)
Beast Boy: You sure that's the right recording? Everything that girl says sounds pretty much the same to me.
Penny: Wait…
(She snaps her fingers.)
Penny: Of course! There's our problem; we don't have the key!
Snap: Key?
(Penny points one finger at her own throat.)
Penny: That little trinket Frost had around her neck. We need that to make the password work.
Starfire: Please…if nobody would mind, there is a method used on my planet for just this type of situation. If I may…?
Robin: Go for it, Starfire.
Starfire: Then, I shall!
(The alien princess turns her face towards the wall. Her eyes fill with a green glare, then an Optic Blast bursts forth, striking the stone with concussive force. The smoke clears in seconds, revealing a messy hole that is even wider than the normal opened entrance. The heroes are likewise revealed, covered in a slight layer of rocky soot. Starfire grins with a small laugh while the others sweatdrop.)
Robin: Er…nice work, Star…
Beast Boy: Yeah; when in doubt, blow things up! Who says video games don't teach you anything?
Photon: Raven says that. Frequently.
(The Titans step through the wreckage and get their first glimpse of the village. All of them gasp in horror at the sight of the wreckage.)
Snap: Cor! We were only gone for about a half hour! How could they-! In just that time-!
Robin: This is what he was talking about… when we were on our way here…this is what Medic was warning us about. These people are definitely no ordinary clan of assassins.
(Cyborg's arm suddenly begins beeping rapidly with a shrill tone. He holds it up to his face and types something into his forearm. His eyebrows shoot up.)
Cyborg: No time for sightseein' y'all! We got company!
(Even as he says this, the snow in front of the Titans suddenly explodes in a burst of white crystals. As the frozen dust settles, it is revealed that the heroes are now surrounded by an army of the masked Zodiac henchmen. A few of them snicker wickedly as they draw their swords. One of them steps forward to address the Titans in broken English.)
Ninja #8452: A greeting to you. This village is property of Mitsurin Sarujima-sama. Give names and swear allegiance to Zodiac Master or we kill you all!
Robin: Wanna bet? Titans-!
(Photon cuts Robin off as he swings his staff outward as if to hold the West leader back.)
Photon: Wait a moment, Robin. We need to save our energy for rescuing the others. We can't afford to fight this many people, no matter how easily they may fall.
Robin: Well, yeah, but…we still have to pass by them. What are you suggesting?
(Photon grins deviously.)
Photon: Just sit back for a moment.
(He shuts his eyes and focuses on the technique Raven showed him, forming links with the minds of each of his companions.)
Photon: (thinking) Everyone, can you hear me? Relax, it's just something Raven showed me, don't get too excited. I can't speak out loud or they'll know what I'm up to. Everyone just keep still, and do as I instruct…
(A minute later, he turns his attention to the ninja that addressed them.)
Photon: You dare threaten me? Have you any idea who I am!?
Ninja #8452: No. Don't care.
Photon: I am the most vicious and ruthless sorcerer in the entire world! I am without peer, so much so that comrades hold no meaning or use for me! Entire armies are as insects before my power! Behold!
(He turns and points the end of his staff at his friends as he shouts an incantation.)
Photon: Calumnia Conflo!!
(A huge ball of fire erupts from the end of Photon's staff. His friends have time for one horrified expression before they are swallowed in a burst of flame that completely incinerates all of them in seconds. The enemies shrink back, many of them with fearful expressions, faces glistening with sweat. The flames lick at their faces, and the heat seems to be becoming more intense by the second.)
Ninja # 225: "What…what power…"
(The young sorcerer's body begins to glow with a bright light, then the air around him begins to waver and all of the ninja feel a strange pressure on their bodies, an outward pressure that seems to be being emitted from the blue-haired young man. Photon gives a maniacal laugh as he watches the flames grow taller, then suddenly whips around, aiming his staff at the crowd of ninja.)
Photon: Now your turn, if you wish…
(That is all it takes. Every last one of the ninja lets out a terrified yell before they turn as one and run in the direction of the Kosetsu mansion as if the devil himself were on their heels. From behind Photon, there is a sudden voice from nowhere.)
Beast Boy: So…I'm guessing they bought it?
(A wicked smile shows off Photon's holographic teeth.)
Photon: Hook, line, and suckers.
(He waves a hand and the invisible hologram fades from his friends, who, of course, were never in any danger.)
Penny: You'd think they would have noticed the snow wasn't melting at the very least…
Photon: A man who follows a subjugator for money will believe anything. Good thing too, because that was about the pinnacle of my illusion capabilities.
-- The spell he cast literally translates as "false fire." –The Cap'n --
Beast Boy: Hey, what was that other thing? Whatever it was you were doing that made the air get all heavy?
Photon: That? I allowed my magical energy to spike to nearly its highest level for just one second. Just enough to throw a scare into them; I can't afford to waste too much power, given what I've got ahead of me…
Robin: "What you've got ahead of you"? And what is that?
Photon: Er…I meant, of course what we've got ahead of us. There are still eight of the top-level Zodiac to deal with. We can't get complacent. (thinking) I can't let them know what I'm up to. If I do, they'll try to help. I have to face him alone. I have to win on my own power or it's meaningless!
(Robin raises one eyebrow, almost as if he knows what the magician is thinking. However, he says nothing more on the matter and motions for everyone to follow as he leads the way deeper into the war-torn village. Meanwhile, back in Sarujima's dimly-lit throne room, those who remain of the Zodiac Clan top twelve, minus Hebi, are all gathered around Sarujima. The six who are wearing robes all have their hoods lowered, and a quick close-up of Kenji shows a somewhat dull expression in her eyes, like that of someone who has not slept well owing to a nightmare. The Zodiac Master himself is seated at his throne with an impatient look on his face.)
Sarujima: "What does she think she's doing? She knows that I detest waiting."
(Just then, there is a reptile-sounding hiss from the shadows and Hebi steps lightly into view, her entire body except for her head hidden in the confines of her dark blue robe.)
Sarujima: "You are late. What is your report?"
Hebi: "I am afraid I bring you bad news, Master."
Sarujima: "If you are concerned that the Advance Guard failed to capture Igaku Akira, you needn't worry. Judging from that shout I heard not long ago, I believe that he has already entered our stronghold. I will simply apprehend him at my own leisure. Now, what is the status of the Advance Guard's mission? Have the outsiders been dealt with?"
Hebi: "That is precisely the problem, Master. Only three of the intruders were engaged in battle with the Advance Guard. The others have likely reached the village gates by this point."
(Sarujima frowns at this news.)
Sarujima: "Incompetent fools…well, have the three that they managed to stop been defeated, at the very least?"
(Hebi shakes her head.)
Hebi: "The intruders fought and overcame them. They were apparently much stronger than we anticipated."
(Sarujima's lip curls in anger and he pounds a fist on the arm of his stone chair.)
Sarujima: "How dare they fail me!?"
Tatsumaru "Where are the Advance Guard at this moment?"
Hebi: "Usagi and Nezumi have fled to the Southwest, presumably to the area where Usagi's parents reside, in order to impede your assassins. Ushima is currently conveying the three intruders to the mountaintop."
(The Zodiac Master gives a disgusted grunt.)
Sarujima: "I might have known that cowardly girl would surrender."
(Gobuta shakes his head.)
Gobuta: "Ushima…what is there that you can't be tricked into doing, my giant friend?"
Tatsumaru: "And what of the Advance Guard leader?"
(Hebi hesitates for a moment, glancing briefly at Toriko, then replies.)
Hebi: "Dead. Haiiro Hitsuji has been killed."
(This news has immediate impact on Toriko. The young Elite-class has on an expression that suggests she has just been punched in the stomach. However, after only two seconds, horrified surprise gives way to thoughts of vengeance. Her hands curl into extremely tight fists and an angry snarl begins to appear on her lips when Sarujima glances at her.)
Sarujima: "Is there something you would like to say, Toriko?"
(The girl's burning ire immediately seems to fade, to be replaced by an expression of pitiless calm.)
Toriko: "Of course not Master. My only thoughts are always of the well-being of this Clan. I have no need for trivial things such as emotion."
(Then old man nods his approval.)
Sarujima: "Good. That is as it should be. So…what is to be done?"
Torachi: "I told you that the Advance Guard were incapable of this job, Master. They are weaklings, all of them! A coward, a fool, a brainless oaf, and a senile old dwarf that falls asleep standing up!"
(The tiger woman pauses, then smiles nastily.)
Torachi: "Of course, now she can sleep as long as she wishes, so things seem to be fine for her, at least! Ha ha ha ha!"
(As Torachi's cold laugh echoes around the dim chamber, Toriko's expression remains fixed, but her amber eyes are brimming with fury, betraying her true feelings. She bites her lip to keep from speaking, pressing her teeth in so hard that her lower lip begins to bleed. Sarujima stands and shoots a cold glare at Torachi, which silences her laughter.)
Sarujima: "Do not presume to tell me the strength of a team that I have hand-picked myself. Remember your place, Torachi."
Torachi: "Of course, Master. Forgive me my moment of fun."
(Asuma steps forth, exhaling a cloud of smoke.)
Asuma: "Shall I lead the Intermediates out to crush these intruders, Master?"
Sarujima: "No."
(The bartender raises an eyebrow.)
Asuma: "Is it not vital that we stop them?"
Sarujima: "It is. But I must consider what I know. I half-expected Usagi's cowardice to betray me in the end, so that isn't much of a shock. Nezumi's habit of playing with his opponents was likely his downfall, and Ushima was never the smartest person under my command. That the intruders could defeat those three comes as very little surprise. However…Hitsuji is a different matter entirely. Even most expert-level martial artists wouldn't last more than a minute against her. If the intruders have managed to kill her, then they are more dangerous than I first thought. Therefore…"
(He steps away from his throne, the single prongs of his geta clacking against the stone floor.)
Sarujima: "I shall see to this matter…personally."
(At this moment, the prime target of Sarujima's plans, Medic himself, is trying to hunt down either his kidnapped friends or the Zodiac Master; whichever he finds first. However, navigating the mazelike halls of the colossal mansion is proving to be a more demanding task than he originally planned for. He nears the end of one hallway, then, having come to a fork, hesitates for a moment before turning right.)
Medic: Where…? Which way? They must be somewhere in-
(His eyes widen and he skids to a stop about midway down the hall.)
Medic: Well…this is troublesome…but it may work in my favor.
(He begins a slow purposeful walk towards the walls about three feet ahead and to his left, speaking, apparently to himself as he moves.)
Medic: Tokage Hada- Art of the Lizard Skin. A useful trick, that. A bit above the basics, so not just any thief can master it. Therefore, you are likely missing ninja from another village…Koimori Village? Amegafuri? Either way, it does not matter, because…
(Without even seeming to move, he launches ten stars from inside his jacket. Each one sinks into what appears to be the wall, but a couple of pained grunts are heard followed by two humanoid forms in the color of the wall falling away from it. As soon as they hit the ground, their forms revert to their black uniforms over human skin.)
Medic: …These infrared contacts allow me to see your body heat. You might as well be shouting, "I am right here!"
(One man is unconscious with six shuriken stuck in his body. The other, while still awake is in obvious pain, but attempts to attack. He lunges, drawing his short sword. Medic is on him in a flash, seizing his sword hand and guiding his blade so that it sinks straight into the opposite wall. Medic yanks the hilt to the side, snapping the blade clean off, then rams the butt of the hilt into his would-be assailant's midsection, dropping him to the floor. The doctor-ninja yanks the man up to eye-level and presses a kunai knife to his throat.)
Medic: Now, let us see if you can be of any use. Where is Kosetsu Yukiko-san being held?
(The defeated ninja gives a pained, but defiant laugh.)
Ninja #315: "You are wasting your time. No matter what you do, Sarujima-sama will kill you in the end."
(Medic presses the blade in harder and leans right into the man's face, glaring menacingly, the red contacts making his eyes seem to burn.)
Medic: "Maybe so, but that does not concern you. At the moment, your only worry is this; you will either tell me what I want to know, or I will kill you. Now where is she!?"
(Outside, the Teen Titans, as well as Lucky Penny and Snap, are about a quarter of the way to the Kosetsu mansion. Overhead, Starfire is keeping a bird's-eye view on the area ahead to watch for incoming threats. Snap glances around, looking disappointed.)
Snap: Well, this is right boring. I thought there'd at least be someone up here I could fight!
(Photon makes his holographic eyes roll.)
Photon: Really, you need to get some new hobbies, kid.
(Snap's face turns crimson as he fumes.)
Snap: Listen you glowing git, if you call me a kid just once more-!
(At that moment, Starfire gives a yell of alarm. Everyone glances up.)
Cyborg: What's up, Star?
Starfire: Up ahead…at the top of new friend Frost's home…there are two people. I cannot see them very well, but they must not wish us well or they would be trying to make their presence known. They are likely our enemies!
Robin: Probably trying to catch us off-guard by striking from above… Well, we'll just see about-hey!
(As Robin had reached to draw some energy disks, Lucky Penny had grabbed him by the wrist, stopping his motions.)
Penny: Hang on! They don't know we're aware of them, right? What d'you think they'll do if they figure out we know they're up there!?
Robin: Well, if we get in the first shot and hit 'em hard that won't be a-
(At that second, the area around the Titans inverts its color scheme for one half-second. As before, the inversion is visible to none of them, but they do feel a strange pulse through their bodies.)
Beast Boy: Uh…did anyone else feel that?
Penny: Feel what?
(Cyborg checks the area read-out on his arm and shakes his head.)
Cyborg: I'm not picking up anything. Must have been just a- whoa!
(The metal man cuts off as what appears to be a tentacle formed out of the snow itself suddenly springs up and binds his legs together. Most of the others gape at the sight, but have no time to react as the ground beneath them all suddenly seems to come to life as a mass of writhing coils, all composed completely of snow crystals. Starfire is yanked to the ground as her ankles and wrists are bound together by two of the frozen bonds. Once she touches down, a third length of snowy rope encircles her throat, squeezing hard. Angered, she charges up her eyes and fires an Optic Blast at the offending tentacle. However, instead of blasting it to pieces, her attack passes harmlessly through her target, and connects with one of the half-destroyed houses, reducing the building to splinters.)
Snap: Get off me or I'll tear you apart one….er….whatever you have at a time!
(When the bindings on his arms do not release, he attempts to bite them. However, the tentacles shrink out of the way the second he moves and his teeth clamp down on his own wrist. As his eyes water from the bite, Snap notices that his captor has moved to encircle his hands, restricting him from snapping his fingers. High up on the rooftops, exactly where Starfire had been pointing stands Sarujima, glaring down at the assembled teenagers. Beside him, Tatsumaru is likewise surveying the scene with an equally cold calm. To the eyes of the two great ninja, the heroes are being held by nothing more than the air around them.)
Sarujima: "How ephemeral are the human senses…so eager to snatch up the first suggestion that is pressed upon them…Against such weak wills as this, I shall not need to dirty my hands."
Tatsumaru: "The three that defeated the Advance Guard are not among them, Master; their ranks are too thin."
Sarujima: "It makes little difference. I will kill those others at my own leisure.
(Suddenly, the old man glances down at his victims, his attention caught by something.)
Sarujima: Hm…? What is this…? A sudden stronger will that is rising up on it's own …I may be mistaken, but I sense some…resistance…among this group before me…half-power will not suffice. Best to increase the power of the vision and end this now… Let us see…"
(Below, Beast Boy is assuming form after form, trying to shake his bindings, but the frozen bonds simply adapt in seconds to whatever shape he tries. From a tiny mouse to a great wooly mammoth, the green teen remains held. He shifts back to his human aspect at last, struggling to think of a new approach, when he feels the snowy tentacles growing warmer around him. Before he can begin to come to grips with this, his restraints violently burst into flame. However, the fire that now covers Beast Boy is not a typical orange or red shade, but a bright, searing shade of white, just the same color as the snow that birthed it.)
Beast Boy: What- What is this!? What's going on here!? Ah-! Gyaaaaaaa!!!
(All around him, similar screams of pain go up as the others find their bodies being enveloped in the pale flames. Cyborg is gazing in open-mouthed terror at his hands as the metal fingers slowly begin to melt away from the extreme heat. Starfire is crying out loudly from the agony, tears of pain cascading down her cheeks as she watches ugly black patches beginning to overtake her skin, the flames charring the once-pristine flesh into a twisted, smoking monstrosity. Photon is not faring much better than the others. He is not seeing the visions clearly enough to be restrained from moving, but his body is still racked with a blistering pain.)
Photon: (thinking) Ergh! This…is unreal! My Dragon's Bane shows me that there is definite magic at work here…but I can just barely make it out! This is an illusion, one of very high-caliber. It affects sight, sound, touch…I can even smell the burning and taste the ash in the air! To attack all five senses, this is not the work of a novice. At the very least, the visions are blurred, so I may have a chance to stop this before it's too late…Now, who's casting this…?
(The scene is shown through Photon's eyes, making the world look slightly different. First of all, when he glances at Starfire, Cyborg, and Snap he sees only some vague shadows of the fiery tentacles, his inherent gift protecting him from most of the illusion. However, he can also clearly see something the others cannot; a pulsing, poisonous yellow light surrounding the heads of many of his comrades. Extending from the yellow aura are tiny filaments of its substance that all seem to be joining together as they extend further away from the teens. Photon follows the glowing threads with his gaze and connects them to a shadowed figure atop the roof of the Kosetsu Manor.)
Photon: (thinking) There it is; he's doing it. And…
(His eyes widen.)
Photon: No…(thinking) It's impossible! It can't be true and yet…the Dragon's Bane does not lie. This aura…and the one I saw earlier while viewing the village from above…one and the same! This is the work of the one Frost identified as her father. Why would he attack us? He couldn't be confusing us with his enemy…? Well, more thought on that later. At present, I need to-
(His thoughts are cut short by sudden, unexpected shouts from behind.)
Robin: Come on! Starfire, snap out of it! Beast Boy, Cyborg, wake up!
Penny: Alastor! Alastor, can you hear me!? It's me, Penny! Come on, your sister's here, you're going to be fine, now come to your senses!
Photon: (thinking) Huh…? I could see this illusion missing Penny by sheer dumb luck, but Robin should be a different matter. How is he-?
(As Photon turns to glance at the only two of his comrades who appear unaffected by the visions, he is greeted by an extraordinary sight. His eyes widen further than ever and he actually begins to shiver.)
Photon: Wh-What…is that!?
(He is referring to his view of Robin. Seen through the Dragon's Bane, Robin's entire form is wrapped in a brilliant golden light, like the rays of the rising sun.)
Photon: What in the name of all that is magical…? How…? My Dragon's Bane shows me nothing; no information on this at all! That can only mean…either this is no magic, or…or it is a level of enchantment far beyond my power to read through!
(He approaches the Western Leader, still wide-eyed and confused.)
Photon: Robin…how…what are you…since when…?
(Robin raises an eyebrow, confused, and apparently oblivious to anything unusual about himself.)
Robin: What is it? Can you see what's happening to them!? How do we stop it!?
Photon: Robin, you're…really okay…? You don't see anything? There's no pain?
Robin: What are you talking about!? We don't have time for this! Can you break them out of this or not!?
(Photon shakes his head, the burning pain surrounding his body coupled with Robin's shouts reminding him of the dire situation.)
Photon: Oh…Right! Our friends have been caught in a snare of illusion. It is forcibly giving them the feeling of being restrained and burned alive, with accompanying visions.
Penny: What!? What kind of monstrous vision is that!? Who uses such a thing on a child!?
Photon: I'll tell you about the one responsible in a moment. For now, the quickest way to break an illusion of pain is…
(He steps up behind Cyborg and Starfire, drawing his staff.)
Photon: …induce some real pain.
(He swings in a high arc at Cyborg, catching him in the back of the head, then swings the staff backwards, ramming the end into Starfire's midsection. Cyborg gives a pained shout and clutches his head while Starfire stumbles back, coughing a bit. Both them turn to Photon, eyes blazing in anger.)
Both: What was that for!?
(Cyborg pulls back one enormous metal palm and delivers a heavy slap to the back of Photon's head. The sorcerer stumbles forward, dazed. His hologram momentarily drops, to be replaced by two much smaller holograms; a pair of tiny black birds (ravens, natch) that are circling his head and squawking. After a second, he shakes his head hard and the miniature birds fade as his usual hologram reappears. There is a throbbing ache in the back of his head, but the burning pain of the illusion is gone. He gives Cyborg a weak grin.)
Photon: Yes, just like that. Thanks.
Cyborg: What're you talkin' about!? Why'd you hit me!?
Photon: Well, that's the way to stop an illusion. The stronger the vision, the stronger the outside force needs to be in order to break it.
(Picking up quickly on the idea, Robin walks over to Beast Boy and grabs one of his arms. With a quick motion, Robin has his friend in a submission hold, one which would probably dislocate his arm if it was twisted half an inch further. Like his friends, Beast Boy gives a loud yell of pain, followed by an angry protest, but seems to have woken up.)
Penny: Alastor! Can't you hear me!? For the last time, wake up!!
(On the last word, Penny winds up and punches her brother right in the nose, hard enough to knock him on his back and leave a three-foot skid mark in the snow. He blinks twice, then brings up a hand to his nose. He gently pushes it gently in either direction with a small cracking sound, then leaps to his feet.)
Snap: That hurt, you prat! I should break your arms, then get hold of your pointy head and-!
Penny: Just shut up and be grateful you're alive! Honestly…
(Up above, Sarujima's usual impermeable calm shifts to mild surprise.)
Sarujima: "Hm!? How…?"
Tatsumaru: "Master?"
Sarujima: "I do not understand… They have…somehow broken free of my illusion! My ability in that area is supposed to be unsurpassed by anyone! That resistance I felt before… That boy in the mask; this is his doing, I can feel it now! Perhaps…full power is needed."
(Down below, those who had been affected by the illusion are seething with anger at Photon when they find out that the round of hitting each other was his idea.)
Photon: Now hold on! It had to be done, or we all could have-! Huh?
(He glances up, and notices that the shadow on the roof is building up another illusion, far stronger than the previous one.)
Photon: No! They're doing it again! If that connects, it'll kill us for sure! Unless…
(He glances at Robin, raising an eyebrow.)
Photon: I wonder…Everyone! No time to lose! Grab onto Robin and don't let go!
Robin: Wait, what!?
Photon: Don't ask! Do it!
(Everyone is confused, but they move to comply, each placing a hand on Robin's shoulder or back.)
Photon: Now I'll see…If I'm right, then…
(He keeps his eyes on Robin, watching carefully. After a moment comes exactly what he'd been waiting for; a bright golden aura, only visible to Photon's Dragon's Bane, springs up around Robin, then proceeds to expand and envelope all of the others who are contacting him. The yellow light that had been forcing the visions on the Titans before strikes the barrier of light, then recoils like a whip, violently snapping back towards its caster.)
Photon: (grinning) Thought so…
(Above on the roof, Sarujima is suddenly struck with an invisible force and begins to fall. Tatsumaru puts out a hand to catch him while never even changing his calm expression. Sarujima shakes his head and regains his footing, but is now plainly rattled.)
Sarujima: "It can't be! The full force of my ability…and that boy deflected it! There is nobody of this world who could perform such a feat! Not unless…"
(For the first time, a look of real fear crosses the old man's face, giving way after a moment to a thoughtful expression.)
Sarujima: "So. That is what I am faced with. This may destroy our entire operation…Tatsumaru, we must regroup."
Tatsumaru: "Of course Master."
(The dragon man turns to leave with his Master, then pauses and glances back.)
Tatsumaru: "That young man…"
(Sarujima turns and glances down to where Tatsumaru is looking.)
Sarujima: "That blue-haired boy? What of him?"
Tatsumaru: "I am not certain…but he has an interesting air about him. Familiar, almost…"
(The Zodiac Master and his Second-in-Command return inside without another word while the Titans assess the situation below.)
Robin: So…what happened? And…
(He turns to Photon with a raised eyebrow.)
Robin: How'd you know how to stop his attack? More importantly, how did that stop it?
Photon: I can't say for sure… During his first assault, I saw… Well, I don't really know what to call it. There was some sort of golden aura radiating from your body. But…I couldn't read anything on it. My Dragon's Bane will only glean no information in two instances; the absence of magic entirely, or in the presence of magic that is far too powerful to be appraised. Given that it deflected a magical attack of a level almost outside of my ability to look through, I'd bank on the latter of the two.
(There is silence, then…)
Beast Boy: So…you're saying Robin has some kind of all-powerful magical barrier around him?
Photon: Well, I wouldn't go as far as "all-powerful", but-
Cyborg: Wait a second! How is something like that even possible!?
Robin: Don't ask me. I don't feel any different than usual.
Photon: Then you have no idea what might have caused this? How you came to possess this ability?
(Robin shakes his head.)
Photon: Hmmmm…If you'd been dealing with any powerful magic lately, I'd know; Raven would have told me everything. So, it must go further back. Back before…
Cyborg: Before you were on good speaking terms with Raven? Before you decided to get over your huge ego and just be honest with her and yourself?
(Photon flinches a bit.)
Photon: If you want to put it that way, I suppose…
Beast Boy: Before you got it through your head just how much you wanted to hold her close and never let go-!
(Here, the changeling's words have taken on a bit of a dramatic tone, and he is accompanying it with some rather comical poses. However, he cuts off when Photon's staff is poised an inch from his nose, the end of it glowing menacingly.)
Photon: That will do.
(Beast Boy grins timidly before stepping away.)
Penny: Have you ever seen magic of this caliber before?
Photon: Only twice. One was the first time I ever got Raven truly angry. When she lost control, some of the power of her father, which she then possessed was allowed to leak through and…brrr…
(He gives a shiver that has nothing to do with the frigid air on the mountaintop.)
Photon: And the other time was when I witnessed my Captain using what was, at the time, the greatest power at his disposal.
Robin: The artifact of darkness. The Fiend's Eye.
Photon: Precisely. The illusions cast by that Eye put out a magical force unlike any I have ever seen. It is to be expected, as the Eye originally belonged to an immortal being. Nothing could stand against such great power.
Starfire: That is not so! There is a greater force than even that; the bond of friendship! Robin proved this! He threw off the illusions of that terrible Eye and saved all of us!
Photon: Ah. Now that you bring it up, I do remember that… Robin was the only person I've ever seen break out of-
(At that moment, Photon's mouth drops open as the full weight of this line of thought hits him. He turns his head to the floating Tameranean princess and collects his scattered wits enough to speak.)
Photon: Starfire…I do believe you are one of the greatest geniuses of this age.
Starfire: Uh…I thank you?
Beast Boy: What? What'd she say?
Photon: It's so obvious now! Why didn't I think of it? Robin-- you are the only known human at this time to ever have broken free from an illusion cast by the powers of an immortal. Therefore, it makes perfect sense! Any illusion that is of a lower level, even if only by a small margin…!
(The Boy Wonder finishes the sentence, the beginnings of a smug smile forming on his face.)
Robin: Shouldn't affect me at all. Well, well…
Penny: I think…we may have just found our ace in the hole against these people.
(Beast Boy opens his mouth to say something, but stops as his communicator suddenly comes to life with the familiar tones. He pulls it out and clicks it on. Terra's relieved face is seen on the tiny screen.)
Terra: Beast Boy! Perfect! I was worried for a moment nobody would answer!
Beast Boy: Terra? What's up? Does this mean you guys won?
Terra: Well…yeah…at least…the four that we fought won't be coming after us again.
Cyborg: Well, that's good news…what's up? You sound upset.
Terra: Well…we ran into some…bizarre circumstances with one of the enemy; the old lady. And…well…she kinda…died.
(This sparks a round of shock from everyone on the receiving side of the transmission. Robin grabs the communicator and stares into Terra's eyes.)
Robin: How did this happen? You know that no matter what our enemies do, we don't sink to their level. We don't resort to killing!
Terra: Of course I know that! But this was an accident! None of us tried to make it turn out that way, I swear!
(Robin's gaze is momentarily one of suspicion, but it immediately subsides.)
Robin: Forget it. There's nothing that can be done about it now, and we don't have the time to waste on arguing. Did you get any useful information? Where are the other three that you fought?
Terra: Two of them ran off somewhere else. They've got their own problems to deal with right now; they won't give us any more trouble.
Cyborg: And the last one?
(Breezy shoves her grinning face into view.)
Breezy: Mr. Giant is giving us a ride! He's really not such a bad guy.
(The other Titans blink in confusion.)
Snap: Mr. who, now?
(Terra pushes Breezy out of the way.)
Terra: The big guy. He's giving us a lift so we can conserve our energy for all the fights once we reach the top.
(From off to the other side, Raven's voice is heard.)
Raven: Hey, let me have that for a second!
(The view on the screen blurs with motion for a second, then Raven is shown, hood down, looking slightly frantic.)
Raven: Is Gabriel still with you? Put him on! I need to talk to him, quick!
Robin: What's the problem? Can't you just tell us what-?
(With another blatant nose-thumbing at the laws of physics, Raven's entire head pops up out of the tiny communicator to shout right in Robin's face.)
Raven: Put him on!!!
(Raven's head zips back to its proper place. Robin hands the communicator to Photon while checking his left ear for possible deafness.)
Photon: Sounds a bit urgent; what is it Raven? You wanted to- (gasp) You're bleeding!
(Raven puts a hand to her forehead and wipes away the blood from her gemstone. The cut had re-opened when she shouted.)
Raven: Don't worry about that. I'm fine. Now listen, you have to know; before she died, he old woman gave us some information. We know the identity of the Zodiac Master.
Snap: Brilliant! Tell me his name, and I'll go smack his head in right now!
Raven: It's not going to be that simple. The one who leads the Zodiac…it's Frost's father, the illusion master!
(Everyone nearly falls over at this news, and Starfire actually comes close to falling right on Cyborg's head.)
Robin: He's what!?
Raven: I know it's hard to believe…but we have to be prepared to accept the worst.
Photon: Actually…that does explain quite a bit…
(His expression is reminiscent of one who is desperately wishing that he could have had this information sooner.)
Raven: You guys didn't…have a run-in with him already, did you?
Cyborg: Uh…just a brief one…
Raven: Ah…Well, nevermind, you're all safe, and that's the important thing. Gabriel, pay attention. You have to know this! The one I'm sure you've been seeking, the one with the power of the Dragon… I got some information on him, too.
(Photon's eyes center squarely on the communicator screen; he is listening intently.)
Raven: He's the next-most-powerful from the Master. He's the Second-in Command of the entire Clan.
Photon: Hmm…A powerful one, then…
Raven: Exactly. He's already killed more than two-hundred people who have tried to fight him; that man always fights to the death.
Photon: Does he…? Hmm… Sounds pretty dangerous…
(Raven breathes a sigh of relief.)
Raven: Yes. That's why-!
Photon: That's why I'll have to make sure that I don't underestimate him! I'm gonna hit him with everything I've got!
(Raven's face clouds up. This is definitely not the direction she'd been trying to steer him. The scene shifts to the other side of the transmission, showing her and the other two on Ushima's back, more than halfway to the summit by this point.)
Raven: That's what I thought you were going to say…
(At this moment, the screen of the communicator dissolves into static.)
Raven: …but I've been trying to warn you that-! Hey!
(She stares at the communicator in disbelief as the static gets worse, then the tiny system shuts off with a quiet blip. She shakes it for a moment, then spots a small light blinking red on the side of the device. Her jaw drops open, then she turns to Terra with a rather scary look on her face.)
Raven: Tell me you remembered to charge the battery…
(A look of panic crosses Terra's features, followed by a nervous laugh and a shrug. Raven grabs her by the shoulders and starts shaking her violently.)
Raven: What's the matter with you!? Doesn't Robin always tell us to make sure our communicators are fully charged, just so this sort of thing doesn't happen!? Well!?
Terra: I'm sorry!!
Breezy: What about your own communicator?
Raven: If it were that easy, I wouldn't be so upset!
(Raven thrusts a hand into the fur-lining of her robe and pulls out a tangled mess of twisted yellow metal with a cracked screen in the center of it.)
Terra: When did-!?
Raven: While I was fighting the old lady. That first time she head-butted me, she caught my communicator and busted it. Now how am I supposed to warn him!?
(Several rocks along the path reduce themselves into gravel. Terra puts a hand to Raven's shoulder.)
Terra: First, calm down. Second, don't be so worried! He'll be alright. Photon is a very powerful guy. I'm sure he can handle himself.
(Raven lets out a deep sigh and spends the rest of the climb staring at the mountain summit, lost in thought. Meanwhile, the main focus of her thoughts is staring at the blanked-out screen of Beast Boy's communicator, puzzled.)
Photon: Huh… She cut off so suddenly. Wonder what that was about? I hope she's alright, that cut looked pretty nasty…hm?
(Photon pulls his head back as Robin leans in close to him.)
Robin: So that's what you were talking about before…you're looking for a specific member of the Zodiac so you can fight him all by yourself! What are you thinking!? We came back up here to save our friends and this village! This is no time for personal concerns!
(Photon simply frowns and turns away.)
Photon: This is none of your affair, Robin. Dragons of any kind are a rare breed in this age; this may be the only chance I ever get to prove myself worthy of my clan's name. We need to defeat that person at some point anyway.
Robin: That's no reason to try and fight alone! You'll get yourself-!
Photon: I am not open to discussion! Let's keep moving!
(The others stare at him with expressions of confusion, anger, and some worry before resuming their march towards the giant mansion. The view changes, taking the scene to a middle area of the mansion and entering one of the rooms further in. The first thing that can be seen is Captain Echo's face, bearing an annoyed scowl. He is also, for some yet-unknown reason, missing his eye-patch. Even more odd is that his face seems to be as red as his hair, which at the moment is all standing on end. These mysteries are solved however as the scene pulls back to reveal him hanging upside-down from a thick chain, his entire body save for his head cocooned in the same metal links. On the chains at random points are tiny slips of paper bearing kanji symbols. Right below Echo's left shoulder is a heavy-looking padlock, which is holding his bonds secure.)
Echo: Hey! Let me down from here, ye skitterin' weevils! I'll have the lot of ye drawn, quartered, an' served on me dinner table!
(Echo is flailing around as he yells, struggling against the chain. Below him, two black-clad ninja are guarding the door to the room they're in, and watching Echo with amusement. Both guards have removed their masks, and one is wearing Echo's patch, probably as a joke. The Captain's cutlass is leaning against the wall near them.)
Ninja # 854: Shut it. You have no escape. Master's seal talismans keep your power in check. None but lowest energy emissions can escape your body.
(He turns to his companion.)
Ninja #854: "And take that stupid thing off! You look like a fool."
Ninja #32: "No! This is very fashionable! The women go crazy for men in eye-patches!"
Ninja #854: "You're hopeless…"
(Meanwhile, up above, Echo is fuming as he glares down at his captors and glancing at a key that is stuck on an iron peg in the wall.)
Echo: (thinking) If it weren't fer this stupid lock, I'd already have their heads…But what they tell me seems to be true. I can't emit a powerful enough sound wave to crack this thing. How can I…?
(Just then, an upside-down skull-and-crossbones appears over Echo's head. The skull lights up for a moment, then the entire thing abides by the law of gravity and crashes to the floor. Shrugging as best he can with his shoulders bound, Echo grins down at the two ninja. They have momentarily turned away from him, so neither notices as a layer of blue light outlines Echo's face.)
Echo: (thinking) If I remember, these clods are under the impression that me only power is bursts of energy. Maybe…
(From between the two ninja suddenly comes a loud, clear voice that sounds exactly like the ninja wearing Echo's patch.)
Voice: Our Master is a useless fool with the strength of a houseplant.
(The other ninja's eyes widen as he cuffs his comrade upside the head.)
Ninja #854: "What are you thinking, you imbecile!? If Master even thought we had whispered such a thing…!"
(The other man shoves him away, looking angry.)
Ninja #32: "What's your problem!? I never said anything!"
Ninja #854: "I was standing right here! I heard you!"
(Echo grins and watches them argue. After a moment, however, they seem to have settled the dispute and return to guard duty, looking slightly upset.)
Echo: (thinking) Heh…good. Now just one more push oughta do it.
(A disembodied voice comes once again from the same spot in the air, this time sounding like the other guard. As before, Echo makes sure that only one of the men can actually hear it.)
Voice: The tiger-lady is nothing but hot-air. For all her talk, she's really gentle as a pussy-cat.
(The ninja in the eye-patch turns white as a sheet before turning to his fellow guard and punching him square in the nose so hard that the other man actually flies a few feet through the air before crashing down.)
Ninja #32: "You utter moron! Don't even say that as a joke! Do you want Torachi-sama to turn us into shoe-strings!?"
Ninja #854: "Why'd you hit me!? I didn't even move!"
Ninja #32: "Don't try to tell me you didn't say anything; I'm standing a foot away! There's no way I heard wrong!"
Ninja: #854: "Are you calling me a liar!?"
Ninja #32: "You looking for a fight!?"
(The two men each draw a kunai and pounce on each other. Echo chuckles, then turns to his true plan. Slowly, he begins to swing his chain, back and forth, trying to swing close enough to the wall to grab the key off the wall. After about five swings, he is nearly on top of his target.)
Echo: (thinking) Great! Now just one more swing back an'-!
(At that moment, the two struggling ninja slam into the wall so hard that the key bounces right off it's peg and flies into the air. Echo watches as it flies up right in front of his face just as he starts to swing back. Panicked, he struggles hard and manages to yank his body forward just in time to catch the end of the falling key in his mouth. He falls back, then swings like a pendulum back into a still position, breathing very hard. He glares in anger at the still-squabbling guards, then cranes his neck to fit the key into the lock. He twists, and there are two clicks; one from the key, the other from his neck.)
Echo: Ow! That can't be good…!
(The chains unravel quickly from his body and he falls. Distracted by the sudden crick in his neck, he doesn't try to maneuver himself and winds up falling right on his head. There is another loud click, then the pirate jumps to his feet, flashing his famous toothy grin, his neck now sitting straight.)
Echo: Ahhh…much better. Now…
(He glances at his cutlass, then at the fighting ninja, then back at his cutlass, and finally shakes his head. He stomps towards his would-be guards, cracking his knuckles. The is the sound of several blows being thrown, then a single loud crunch and Echo is seen walking away from the two guards, each of them with a huge lump in the middle of their foreheads.)
Echo: Let that be a lesson to ye. An' there's actually people back home that think ye ninja could ever be equal to or even better than pirates! Where people get some of these crazy ideas from…
-- Actually, that little plug is some of my own thoughts. Sorry to you ninja-supporters, I think ninjas are cool too, but they just aren't on the same level as we pirates. Don't bother arguing with me on this; I'll just ignore any reviews that try to start a fight on this matter. – The Cap'n --
(Echo snatches up his cutlass and darts out of the room, then suddenly comes right back in.)
Echo: Gimme that, ye dirty thief!
(He grabs his eye-patch from the unconscious face of the guard, then rushes out of the room and down the first hallway he sees. He begins running along the corridor, opening every door he comes to, peeking inside, and moving on. The whole time, he is shouting at the top of his lungs.)
Echo: Hey! Tiger-Woman! Get yer tail out here!! I got a debt to pay ye, an' I'm gonna see ye get it! Hey!
(He continues lie this for several minutes, finally coming to a slightly bigger door that is made of stone, and covered with portraits of spear-wielding men that are carved right into the door. Echo tugs the door open, sticks his head in and starts to leave, then blinks twice, goes back and opens the door wider. The contents of the room is not seen, but a brilliant golden light is coming from inside and illuminating the Captain's form. He stares inside for a moment, then a wicked grin splits his face as he emits a truly evil laugh and steps inside the room, rubbing his hands together. Elsewhere in the building, Gemini is seen pulling hard against her own bonds. She is held fast to a stone wall by metal cuffs around each of her wrists and ankles. Each cuff has a slip of paper attached to it, marked with a different symbol than the ones on Echo's chains.)
Gemini: Oooh, just you wait till I get free! I'm gonna ram my tonfa so far up your-!
Ninja #21: Oh, give it a rest, intruder. You can't pull out of there, and Master's talismans will ensure that you can't make a copy of yourself to do it for you.
(Gemini snorts in anger at her lone guard, a dark-haired woman with a ponytail, then decides to test her theory. She summons a copy of herself, then blinks as she sees a girl identical to herself similarly bonded to the wall right next to her. She sighs and banishes the copy.)
Gemini: So, that aspect of my power is being interfered with…Hmm…I wonder if…
(She shuts her eyes for a moment, seeming to concentrate on something. Her guard raises an eyebrow.)
Ninja #21: What are you up to now? I already told you your power to copy yourself is no help.
(Gemini opens her eyes with a cold expression.)
Gemini: Pay attention. I'm only going to do this once, so don't blink.
(Gemini pulls against her bonds again. This time, the metal cuffs come bursting out of the wall, still attached to Gemini's wrists. Gemini then pulls the cuffs right off of her wrists and ankles, peeling them off as if they were made of tinfoil. Her guard is standing and gaping, too shocked to move. Gemini steps right over to the frozen woman and simply taps her finger against the guard's forehead. The lady crumples to the ground as if she had taken a hammer blow straight to the head.)
Gemini: Next time, you might want to research every aspect of my powers before you try to hold me anywhere.
(Gemini snatches her tonfa away from where they had been hanging on the woman's belt, replaces them in her boots, then dashes out of the room. She sprints down the hallway, turning her head every few seconds.)
Gemini: Aidan…if I can just find him, we should be able to get out of here in no time. I hope he's not hurt…
(Gemini skids to a halt as she reaches a divide in the hallway. The path has split into three different directions. She shuts her eyes and divides into three.)
Gemini #2: It's this way!
Gemini #1: No it isn't! Aidan and I are linked at the heart! He's this way, I know it!
Gemini #3: You're both wrong, it's that way!
(Frustrated, the three girls each put forth a hand for a quick round of rock-paper-scissors. The Gemini closest to the left-hand passage has thrown paper while the others have rock. She jumps up and down to celebrate her minor victory while the others look annoyed. Finally, they all merge into one body and she takes off down the left side corridor.)
Gemini: Wait for me, Aidan! I'll find you, I promise!
(The scene now shifts to one of the highest rooms in the entire mansion, very close to the roof. The Zodiac have taken no chances at all with Frost. She is currently kneeling with her eyes closed, still asleep. Her hands are bound together behind her with a couple of steel manacles around the wrists. That set-up is chained to the wall behind her. She is also currently inside of a tightly locked cell. Every single bar as well as her manacles and chain are marked with a kanji, carved into the metal instead of using paper which could be easily torn away. Standing outside her cell are no less than ten ninja, all poised to attack if anything happens. After a couple of seconds, Frost awakens, slowly blinking her eyes. She glances up, takes in the situation, and a look of pain crosses her expression.)
Frost: "So…it was not just a nightmare…"
Ninja #421: "We apologize for this, Yukiko-dono, but if the Master orders it, we will not show mercy, even to his daughter. Those bonds you are in, as well as the bars of your cell have been specially modified. You will not be able to freeze any part of them."
(Frost narrows her eyes at this, deciding that it is likely the truth. She explores the manacles she is in with her fingertips, finding a keyhole.)
Frost: (thinking) Well…this shouldn't be too hard…but I need to keep them talking...so they don't notice… (aloud) "So, what is it you hope to gain from this? Why do you help in the destruction of my home?"
(While she speaks, Frost moves her hands up to grasp a strand of her white hair. The hair stiffens and freezes over in a second, snapping off in her hand.)
Ninja #421: "Who is to say? Some of us joined out of fear of being attacked ourselves. Others, like myself, are banished ninja with nowhere else to go anyway, and some just prefer to be on the side that seems the most fun."
Frost: "Is that how it is?" (thinking) Normally, I would be unable to form anything suitable out of just ice. But, if I build it up around something…
(The frozen hair in Frost's hand is held up over the keyhole, which lies right between her wrists. More ice begins to build around this, forming the shape of an elegantly-crafted key. The business end of the tool extends down, entering the keyhole.)
Frost: "In other words…you are all cowards."
Ninja #421: "What!?"
Frost: "To give in to fear is the easy way out. I could never be imprisoned by fools like you, who let themselves be ruled by fear."
Ninja: #421: "Strong talk…but if you have failed to notice it, you are already imprisoned, and you won't be getting out of there without Master's say-so."
(From behind Frost there is suddenly a loud click, and her manacles fall away. The ninja surrounding her cell all gasp in fright.)
Frost: "Even the lowest-level shinobi is a good escape artist. And having a great escape expert for a best friend is useful too…"
(Before her guards can move an inch, Frost inhales, then fills the room with white mist. As it clears, all but the bars of her cell and her unlocked manacles are covered with a layer of ice. She calmly takes the key of ice, breaks off the tip, and shoves the broken key into the cell door, building up more ice to form a new fit for the tip. The door swings open and the elite-class kunoichi steps out, glaring at her frozen guards.)
Frost: "The ice surrounding you should melt in a few minutes. You won't freeze to death. Although, if you do, I cannot honestly say I would be too upset about it."
(Frost steps over to the door of the tower room and kicks it open.)
Frost: "Father…how dare you? To deceive Mother and I for all these years, and then attack our home…and now you bring Akira-kun into it as well. No matter what I must do, you will pay for this!"
(Down in the Zodiac throne room, Sarujima returns, still looking a bit worried.)
Asuma: "How is it, Master? Have the intruders been stopped?"
(Before Sarujima can respond, five of his masked henchmen come running in, looking terrified. The one in the center bows low to the Zodiac master before speaking.)
Ninja #8452: "Great Master Sarujima! We are all in danger! We just barely got away!
Sarujima: "What is the problem? I'm in a rather foul mood at the moment…"
Ninja #8452: "I apologize, Master…but an enemy of great power approaches from the village gate! He calls himself the world's most cruel and powerful magician! He destroyed his comrades with a mighty spell just to prove his power…and he did not even flinch!"
Sarujima: "Is that so…if you met him at the gate, that must have been a short while ago…and there should have been only one person approaching this stronghold…"
Ninja #8452: "Indeed, Master. That is why I have come to warn-!"
Sarujima: "So why…did I see no less than seven intruders, roughly a third off the way here when I was outside moments ago?"
Ninja #8452: "M-Master?"
Sarujima: "Is it not obvious? You were tricked, you weak-minded fool!"
(The five ninja cringe back in terror.)
Ninja #8452: "Master, no! Please…spare us!"
(The old ninja master glares coldly at the man.)
Sarujima: "Calm yourself. You have nothing to fear of me at the moment."
(The ninja breathes a great sigh of relief.)
Ninja #8452: "Th-Thank you, Master. Your compassion knows no-"
Sarujima: "Go ahead…Torachi."
(The ninja all look puzzled for a moment, then a collective gasp of horror goes up from four of the masked men as the one in the center is suddenly run through by ten long, black projections. Before he can even scream, Torachi has pulled her claws in two different directions and torn his body in half. Still hidden in the shadows, the tiger-woman is not seen, but a low rumbling can be heard, sounding like the purr of a very large cat. The other ninja scream and start to back away, but before they get two steps, there is a flash of orange from the shadows and they are all pulled away into the darkness. The sounds of screams last for about twenty seconds, punctuated by many tearing and cracking noises and the occasional feline growl. All it once, there is silence, then fifteen seconds later comes the sound of loud crunches, like someone chewing ice cubes. Gobuta shakes his head and sticks out his tongue.)
Gobuta: "Disgusting. No table manners at all, that one."
Asuma: "You were saying, Master?"
Sarujima: "Yes…it would seem that there is a threat to our operation…"
Hebi: "A threat? Master, how is that possible? Your powers of illusion should easily be able to crush these nobodies!"
Sarujima: "Normally, that would be quite true…but that boy…that boy in the mask…Asuma, what did you say his name was?"
Asuma: "That one is Robin, Master. He is one of the most widely acknowledged heroes of the West."
Sarujima: "And with good reason; that boy has fought against the powers of an immortal. My illusions cannot touch him."
(This news has impact on everybody in the room, save for Tatsumaru, who knew already, and Torachi, who is still chewing noisily off in the darkness.)
Hebi: "But…that cannot be! Precious few ever get to fight against immortal-level power, let alone be able to survive it!"
Sarujima: "Then this boy is clearly one of those precious few. It is imperative that he be stopped before he can interfere."
Tatsumaru: "Shall I destroy him for you, Master?"
Sarujima: "No. I will need you, as well as the other Elites to guard me while I am confronting Igaku Akira. Once begun, the ceremony cannot be interrupted, or it will be two days before the next one can begin. There is no room for error. Therefore…Kenji, stand forth."
(The tall woman steps closer, still looking somewhat drained, and glares at the old man.)
Kenji: "What do you need of me…Master?"
(She bites off the last word like a curse. Sarujima pretends not to notice.)
Sarujima: "You have already encountered this boy with the mask, have you not? Do you remember his scent?"
Kenji: "I can track anything, no matter where it is, after a single sniff. There is nobody in the world I cannot find."
Sarujima: "Good. In that case, I am going to make you a deal, just to ensure that the job is done to my specifications. You will find this "Robin" for me. You will kill him. And, as a reward for a job well done, as soon as I have taken what I want from the Igaku boy…I will grant you your desire."
(Kenji looks up, her bronze eyes now wide and filled with desperate hope.)
Kenji: "Master…you…you will let me have it…? I can have it as easy as that?"
Sarujima: "I may have my cruel moments, but I am a man of my word. Kill this boy, Kenji, and your deepest wish is yours."
(Kenji is trembling all over, looking slightly conflicted. However, after two seconds, she raises her head, looking deadly serious.)
Kenji: "As it is wished, my Master, it shall be done."
Sarujima: "Excellent. Now then, Asuma, you and the other Intermediates shall kill the rest of the intruders for me."
Asuma: "Of course."
(Torachi finally steps out of the shadows at this point, grinning evilly and lapping some thick, red liquid off the back of her wrist in a very feline manner.)
Sarujima: "Be on your guard, however. If these intruders could kill Hitsuji, then they are not to be dismissed as easy targets."
Asuma: "Master, with all due respect, and no insolence intended, please remember who you are talking to."
(Asuma throws his blue robe off, and stands in his black ninja outfit.)
Asuma: "I am Tekkoujin Asuma, the Steel Wall of the Zodiac. I will fall to no one."
-- Now then. Welcome to our new shipmate, GoTheDistance, who reviewed my first story not long ago! (Although I am not certain if you have read this far yet.) Apologies again to my loyal readers for this latest of updates, but after losing my first job, finding another is proving to be more than a small problem. Anyone who is interested may check out my profile, where I have updated the look a bit and made it easier to read. I have also added a section of Current Events that I will update every week or so to give people an idea of where my work stands. No, you don't have to look, it's just an idea. Next time, the Intermediate Class will begin their battles with the Titans. That about sums it up right there. Big news for Beast Boy fans; Chapter Thirteen will likely be devoted entirely to everyone's favorite green prankster dishing out the butt-whoopin'. Till next time, and please send me your votes for the Popularity Poll! (See the end of Chapter Ten for details.) May your sails carry you to greater fortune everyday! -The Cap'n --
