Times like this Jake wanted to hit the bottle hard again. His pissed off altitude didn't fade away. Walking towards the Justice League conference room, he and the Titans had to stop Marcus, Sin or whatever his name was.

Reaching the conference door, Jake heard

"Have…have the Titans been destroyed because of this?"

Sounded like Terra. The door slid opened. Jake noticed Etana, Hazara still wearing her bridle had a hood covering her head, Otomo, Cray and two hunters Jake never seen before. Ninjas from the look of it. It seems Altair and Daria didn't show up.

With her arms crossed, Terra waited for answer to a question that hung in the air. What now? Every one of the Titan's wondered what's going to happen to them, to the team, their friends and the ones they have fallen in love with. Man, Jake could use some whisky now. Yep, drink for answers that fists and guns can't solve.

"Hi, guys," brought their attention onto him.

Touching Jake's arm, "Heard you got your ass kicked," remarked Hazara.

"By Sin and it seems the purple ninja from my Secret Service days returned."

"Raven informed us."

Was she smiling under her bridle?

"Jake, this is Koko-no," said Etana.

Noticing the long spiky hair which a forehead protector with the symbol of tornado like spiral held up all the way around his head, Koko-no had a slightly pointed nose and a scar starting just beneath his left eye going half way down. It had a slight wave to it. He wore dark loose fitting clothing. On his back a sword almost twice the size of him, he carried like it weighed nothing.

"Darkling Angelo."

Sitting beside Cray was the second ninja with pitch-black hair which was a bit to long and fell over the right eye. His amber eyes showed off the fact that he was part wolf demon like that really mattered. Wore a pair of black pants with a black sleeveless shirt without shoes. The only thing that made him seem like a hunter was the way he stood with a katana hanging on his left side. What did that make Jake with his guns and claws?

"Where's Altair and Daria?"

"They're officially Robotech Defense Force just IRR with organization," said Etana.

"Says who?"

"Victoria, our new boss. You did meet her, haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Truthfully she's better to work for even if she doesn't need healers."

"You guys are talking about the organization that you work for?" asked Beast Boy.

"Truthfully, there's two branches.," replied Etana, "Demon hunters under Wheeler. Demon killers led by Victoria Price."

"Yeah the branch that was an urban legend," remarked Jake.

"Like Batman."

"Better explain," said Jake wishing he knew how Etana snuck whiskey onto the Watchtower, "About the organization and council."

Nodding, "The council is the ruling group of the organization, or the higher ups as you've heard us mention, Nigel Power's is pretty much the only one anyone likes. Power's believes that if given the chance everyone deserves a second chance at redemption."

"And who else is on this council?" asked Beast Boy.

Sighing, "The only other man on the council goes by the name Abraham Wheeler. Then there are the three sisters and no matter what happens they remain completely neutral. When they look at reports all they see is numbers. When our numbers are in danger, then they act. But most of the time, it's too late by then."

"But why is it that no one likes the others on this council," inquired Starfire .

"Well," sighed Etana, "because the sisters wait on everything. They aren't liked because too many hunters are lost in fights that could have been prevented. As for Wheeler, if it ain't human is some way it shouldn't be allowed to live."

"What!" came from the outraged Cyborg.

"You need to know there were two factions under Wheeler," continued Etana, "The first, all of us within this room and a growing number within the organization itself believe that demon's like Dante, Raven and even Inuyasha could make better allies then making them fertilizer," taking another sip of her drink which she placed back on the table, "Those that side with Wheeler believe," staring into the liquid, "anything tainted with evil should be destroyed without hesitation or mercy. They were the first hunters and they believe in complete purity, hence the white wall's downstairs and why everything downstairs seemed to clean and sterile. But even his group doesn't like him."

"That's not truthful," remarked Otomo, "There's Kirk Breed and Kurt Breed, two brothers. They are Wheeler's enforcers and inquisitors.

Looking confused, "Why is that?" asked Jinx.

"Wheeler saw that demon's could be good sources of info," replied Etana.

Not wanting to think about that statement, Terra still asked, "What do you mean?"

Returning her gaze to her drink, "He would torture demons for any information they had and usually had them tortured to death after the information was collected. And the other hunters that had sided with Wheeler didn't believe in doing that. They thought that demons need to be killed outright important information or not," bringing silence to the room.

"And he gets away with this?"

"Every time," growled Etana.

She hated the idea that Wheeler being around enough to order her around and she couldn't do nothing about it.

"How does Rath and Jess and…" came from Raven.

"Demon Knights or demon killers. They are known as demon killers by demons. Our informers told us that little nugget of information."

"Again how do they figure in this?"

"It seems Victoria is part of the council. She reports to the council about the Demon Knights. Now under Victoria, we answer to Alice Carroll who seems to find information or equipment that we can't believe exist. We're to investigate while the knights we're assigned to judge the situation. They act according. Either they solve the problem or it's left to us."

"So we do all the work," remarked Jake.

"Surprising no. We're given free reign however Victoria will drop a ton of bricks on us."

"The knight I'm assigned to is an asshole," remarked Jake.

"Actually they all are. Chun-Li, my knight, Hyakuretsakyaku…"

"Hi yeah yak?" replied Beast Boy.

"Chun-Li rapidly kicked her," corrected Otamo.

"Yes, rapidly kicked me for making fun of her thighs. Raven mentioned Rath and Jess."

"Rath been flirting with Raven," said Jake really needing a drink, "Jess.."

"Wants to rape him," remarked Raven.

"Jake, you need to find a new line of work," remarked Harzara with her fingers.

"Now back to the current problem?" asked Nightwing, "What's are our options?"

Giving him a look, "Like I said," remarked Jake, "I'm going to finish any bottle I can find, have a smoke, and then I'm going to hit the streets and kick every demon hard ass till I get the info I need."

"Then what?"

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Pushing the reply button, "This is Nightwing."

"Nightwing, this is Batman. Put your meeting on hold. Turn on the monitors. It seems your enemy got announcement to make."

Turning on the monitor, Sin's face minus his ninja mask appeared.

"Are you sure this is on? This is want I get for out sourcing to imps," looking straight at the screen, "People of Jump City. Wait, no got to be truthful. Dumb asses of Jump City, that sounds better. This is Sin. Cause underneath this heart beats the heart of man. You have twenty four hours to leave Jump City. If you choose to stay, you forfeit your existence and become slaves to my demon army. In other words, you don't want to stay.

Now if your martyrs and saviors that go through the same door. Yes, listen all you butchers, saints and sinners we've all been here before. Namely Jake Spiegel aka Gunslinger, that sounds like a porn name, can find his hand and if he wants a arm up on me. The Titans can lend him a hand to stop me and my army at this coordinates. Now end transmission. End transmission," slapping his forehead, "Next time kidnap actually technicians." Transmission ended.

"Alright hunters," said Jake, "time to go."

"No!" said Nightwing, "You're staying Jake."

Jake shot Nightwing a look that told him Jake wasn't in a playing mood. Nightwing returned the same look causing Jake to glance around the room. Mixed emotions ran high. Nightwing disgusted with Jake's liquor use and dismissive attitude. Starfire scared. Jinx was unsure what to think. Beast Boy depressed. Raven gave Jake a cold look, bordering being mad towards Jake.

Staring back at Nightwing right in his eyes, "I'm a hunter first. Titan second."

"Actually Jake," remarked Etana, "You're a Titan first and a JAFO second."

"What the fuck is a JAFO? I've been hearing that and no one gave me answer."

"It means you are Just Another Frustrated Observer," replied Otomo.

"Or," from Hazara's fingers, "Just Another Fucking Observer."

Why did Jake get the feeling Hazara was enjoying this?

"I'm a hunter!" shouted Jake, "And this isn't a goddamn game."

"Then why are you acting like a child?" asked Nightwing, "Jake so far your immature attitude worked because you proved to be asset to the Titan. However, you pulled this 'I'm a hunter' crap when you think the Titans can't handle things."

"You don't like the way I'm dealing with things, then leave. No one is holding you here."

Glaring at Jake with his arms crossed, "What are you talking about?"

Giving him an angry look, "You damn well know what I'm talking about, you don't like the way I'm doing this, you make a face every time I take a damn drink, and you're searching for the answer I won't give you."

Staying stoned faced, "And what answer am I looking for?"

"You're waiting for me to jump up and tell you the Titan's are going to win, but I'm not. The Titan's will not take part in this, it isn't your fight."

"You're a Titan," said Cyborg, "It's our fight to."

Turning to Cyborg, "And what are you going to do…throw spit wads?"

"It didn't occur to me until after Blood's battle and the war to free Tameran," said Cyborg, "but someone of us has walked with death and I'm proof of that."

"I mean heck," said Jinx, "some of us with Blood were beaten pretty close to death, so yeah I'm sure as hell I'm in this."

"And don't think I'm green because I wanted to be," whispered Beast Boy bringing everyone's attention onto him, "I don't remember what it was called, but back when I was a kid I came down with a deadly sickness. To me the details are sketchy at best, but I know I died at one point."

"But can you kill even before the Tameran war?" asked Jake looking around the room, "Nearly dieing is only apart of it, you think demons aren't in some way souls? That is true in some ways. Sometimes, they may have once been human?"

Unable to sit at this point and Etana's glass was empty. Damn where was his cigarettes?

"So all of you have nearly died once big freaking deal, but until you killed, then it doesn't really matter. You'll freeze up and panic," leaning back against a wall, "And put others around you at risk," rubbing his hands.

Damn he needed to get this edge off.

"So unless you've killed before, don't even think about coming."

"I have killed," said a voice that shocked everyone.

They stared at Starfire with her head down allowing her hair to hid her face.

"When I was younger, before I came here, I was taken from my home. And I was, as people say on this planet, sold into slavery to keep the peace."

Everyone in the room was silent.

"I was a captive for a cornok for what I would believe would have been one earth year; things happened to me that I'm not pleased about. Things…I am ashamed of."

Nightwing slowly tried to place his hand on her shoulder only for his wife to hold her hand up.

"Please, boy that is friend, allow me to finish," with innocence gone from her eyes, leaving only self-loathing. "At the end of my time with the cornok he deemed me unworthy to live. I was to be ripped apart by being thrown into an engine intake of his ship."

The shock hit them. It was like being run over by a steamroller. Not believing his ears and eyes, he saw the despair, the pain meaning there was truth behind her words.

"But I can still remember the threat made against me when they took me to be killed. He said I had been so good, that my sister would do just as good, and she would be fresh, that was the first time I unleashed my righteous fury…" curling her fists.

Putting a hand on her arm, "Star," said Nightwing, "Kory. Why didn't you ever tell us?"

Pulling away, her back pressed against the opposite wall being afraid to the point being scared out of her mind.

"What would you have thought? You've never even shown me your face until we got married!" with tears free flowing, "I am a monster. I should be in jail like the people we put away, I am no better then them," bordering on hysteria.

"Bullshit!" yelled Jake, "If anyone here is a monster, it's me," second that motion, "you did what you had to do for three things," counting with his fingers, "You fought to survive, you fought to protect your sister, and most importantly, you fought for your freedom. There's too few who do that." Except for Jake, he needs a cavalry to protect his freedom.

"That is what you think, but Jake-" said Starfire not fully believing him.

"I don't believe him," thought Hazara.

"But nothing! Star," added Jinx, "Even I was too weak to fight for my own life."

Remaining silent, Terra moved next to Jinx to give her support to what she said. Nodding in agreement, Terra had been a unwilling apprentice of Slade.

"We told the same thing to Jake, but we don't care about your past," said Cyborg, "You've been one of us since the start of the Titan's. We aren't going to turn you away now."

A light of hope was dawning in her eyes.

Turning back to Nightwing, "What do you think, husband?" she asked with fear in her voice.

Standing there for a moment, thinking over a decision, Nightwing's lowered head snapped up. Marching with a purpose to where Starfire, his wife, stood. Seeing no emotion on his face, her eyes went wide with fear growing within her until he quickly, softly, put his hands around her waist and pulled her into a deep passionate kiss. The shock washed over her for a moment till she closed her eyes and melted into it.

Breaking their lip lock, Nightwing stared into her eyes.

"There is you answer," he said, "I love you Star, nothing will change that."

The tears that had died began to flow once again in happiness this time.

Thinking it over, Jake made his decision.

"Ah hell," bringing everyone's attention Jake with an evil grin across his lips, "arm up folks, we got a fight to win," giving them a serious look, "But once the battle starts, hold nothing back, or else you won't be coming home. This one's for keeps, and we won't be able to watch each others backs like normal."

Like he was really practicing that.

They nodded in understanding.

"Found it," bringing their attention onto Etana and Otomo studying a map layout on the monitor.

"Thanks to some well used, persuasive technical skills," said Otomo looking out of the corner of his eye in Hazara's direction with a hint of a smile on his lips, "We found that the hell-gate for this army will be in the lower desert just below the canyons, but it will also be close to the forest."

"So be ready to fight blood dogs and hound cats," said Angelo with almost a smile.

Noticing Beast Boy's confused look, "Think wolves and lions with blood red fur that enjoy flesh of teenagers," went Hazara's fingers.

Beast Boy just scratched his head in confusion.

"How much longer do we have?" asked Cray.

Checking his watch, "About three hours," said Jake.

Rubbing his chin, "And even flying," said Nightwing, "it will take us three and a half hours to get there, so we should leave as soon as possible."

Smiling, "Good, then everyone, gear up we got an army to take out."

Noticing Hazara exiting, Jake chased after her.

"Hazara!"

Stopping, she turned giving him one of her 'what now' looks.

Staring at her. "Back in the tower, the Malso had complete control over you, didn't he?"

It seems Jake forgot Malso was dead. Giving him a look that would have left a smoking hole where he stood, no response.

"I asked you a question, now answer it," in a voice that made R. Lee Ermey sound like a pussy. Ask Jake. He believes his own press.

Realizing, she needed to answer his question. She couldn't ignore his 'real order' for once. With Malso died, she decided verbal sparring hurts more then actually physical sparring.

She nodded yes.

Standing right in front of her, "Show me your shackles," I ordered.

Rolling her eyes then smirking, she brought up her arms.

"Where's your shackles?"

Touching his arm, "Removed them before killing Malso, dumb ass."

Grabbing her shirt, "Lose the attitude," which she laughed, "My orders are the only orders you will follow tonight and no one else's," leaning into her face, "Against the army you will hold back and save your strength. You will also not die till the alpha demon is dead. You will live to see tomorrow, and you will survive to live the life that you should have," staring into her eyes, "am I clear?"

"Save your speeches for those who need them. There was a moment you were worth my time."

"Meaning?"

"You're a loud mouth winnable who believes his own press. Now Sin, a demon, is calling you out as fraud. Time to put up or shut up, Jake," saluting him with a middle finger, "Yes mein fuhrer!" walking away.

"What the fuck is her problem?"

"You," bring Jake's attention on Otomo, "Jake, I respect you and I'm still willing to protect Raven. You need to realize there's hunters lining up to fight you."

"Why?"

"There's a betting pool that you won't survive long now you're a JAFO," placing a paper, "Here's a memo," walking away.

Reading the memo, "That bitch."