Teen Titans; Galactic Eros Arc – Finale – Chapter 11: All Lies – Your True Face Hides in the Dark

/

Ignito's idea of a pleasant evening didn't include being shoved down deep due to some silly mind controlling pheromones or even a blasted ray gun. Raku was following the man blindly down a dark alleyway in the heart of Tokyo, and he could only watch as his young vessel – self was taken out of sight and mind from the teen's unfazed comrades.

Former enemy, as he'd find out more about this perpetrator in a few moments.

Dogs laid on the ground, yet this dog wouldn't heel.

He was not one of the guardian mutts. No, no. He…was created to burn a few chapters off of a person's fate.

All, including the Chosen.

Raku wasn't meant to be like other spirited beings, however. He was a fate – taker and wish maker.

Granted that Raku learned to use their magic properly. There was some… danger afoot, and it was not "six plus" feet as the man; while his companion was stumbling on after in vain for an answer. The male seemed to tower above them both in his stuffy black business suit.

Aiden was wrong, they all were. How had they ben so impishly simple- minded? Ignito couldn't stand this, debauchery of the sacred. The chosen had a crush on someone female…. Well, he could not tell it all here. Raku would have to solve this mystery on his own as the curtain closed softly…

A door shut, and they were left inside a dimly lit warehouse with very little time to chat.

The disguised Slade turned to face his companion swiftly. "I have a message; one is from the warrior Astarte, the other….is from my current partner. I think you may know her as –

"Ah…. Yes…The one after Aiden you say…" Raku gulped and timidly nodded. "Why the god- woman? She does not know of –

"Right now, I won't talk for that soldier. Or her, or her squad." Slade expressed his love – hate relationship with Sarah after "Or."

"I only wish speak up; by what I have to say to you, here and now."

His glance was direct. His words bluntly uttered as Raku gaze up at his enemy's enemy.

His supposed way out…

" You need to stay away from Aiden, if you don't –

"I'm not going to leave –

"You just did." Slade raised a brow; his smirk wasn't really true to the teen. It was a mockery of his ideals, simply put. His false face now though, was still there. The dark hair and false eye did nothing to cover up his lying mug.

"I…" Raku rubbed his arms and shook his head slowly stepping back, frightened by what he had…commented...

"I, was hurt…. Aiden…He, had! –

"He wasn't wrong. You just pushed and pushed…Almost like Roku might hav –

"He's dead to me!" Raku growled out. Quickly, he put another set of hands over his mouth. Summoned, was a boy with a low whimper. A fear of his inner face.

"What is…. Happening to me?? I…I've never felt so –

"Angry? Annoyed at a lover? Ah, though, he wasn't one." That stung as Raku ground his teeth. His fangs trying to stay hidden.

"Just give up on your crushed heart and THINK." Slade pointed to his own skull to make his point crystal.

Raku's emotions were not in his control. He knew that face, the one the sad little half – jinn boy tried to hide. He'd exploit it, and kill him before this next coming crisis left his Earth looking like the inside of the boy's subconscious.

Complete chaos in its wake. They all wanted him dead. Even a few war gods had gotten to Astarte's ear. Slade had tried to offer up a solution back during Lilith's dead -end take over. Staying under her radar though was a risk he wasn't willing to take. They'd even shared the same bed. She'd changed back then…He'd even offered to bring the boy back to her for a proper trial. No strings.

All Slade wanted was a very, very long vacation. Maui might be nice. Costa Rica? Naw, he could have an adventure any day….

However, his other employer wanted Raku out of the way. He was just a love sick puppy, one that couldn't have his bone as much as he begged and whimpered away like this sad statue.

"I'm…. Going back." Raku's eyes prickled. "This was obviously a big mi-

"Maybe, but you've made a decision and I won't have you gone from here, until this deed is settled through." Slade sent a shot from a dart at the boy's neck. He'd only sent it when Raku's eyes were to the door?? Well, Shiva had set up the shot timing. Slade was great at the negotiations. The dart was automated. Full of Mir's toxins to send the kid back to his nether real in the ground.

"We need you to do a small favor, on your part. You'll make sure your part is played, and then…. maybe you'll get your wish…"

Slade looked down at the drowsy jinn as his head wobbled side to side. A drug…. A….

Slade stepped back. Raku started to cough, then he did a full-on hock, right onto the warehouse floor.

The poison, in a sloppy mess with his last meal. Worst of all, his eyes had turned to a hellish red.

~I don't like to dwell on the past…. But we should speak…. Will? ~ The boy's possessor had the body it had overtaken wipe its upper lip with the back of Raku's white and black shirt sleeve.

"You…. survived, how?" Slade looked panicked, but was really more dangerous in how his movements were at a level no man could hold to his resolve. No normal human, for he was a super soldier. Ready for anything.

Lolling about with a laugh and a small sigh, Raku's body - taking self eyed Slade as if he'd pounce on top of the man in mere moments.

~ No, I was always something to my Lord's memory. I am POWER. Control is an illusion. ~ The fake daemon reminded Slade of Roku, but it wasn't him. Not all of him.

"You, are the one that took control at the event…. What –

~ Ignito. ~ The being prided itself. ~ Lord Ignito is too droll. ~ The being was a bit too relaxed, more so over - powered by how it spoke in its vessel's younger voice. A tiny terror below the skin. It was holding back?

~ Ignito is fine, then? Good! I won't be letting you harm what I intend to imbue with absolute "magic." ~ Ignito made it sound like he had a prodigal child to train as his right hand. He did, a prince no less.

"I'm still going to try and keep you out of our plans, it's in the contract and that boy is –

~ Not demon. Not daemon. Olden. Older than the gods, as old as any reapers. ~ Cryptically worded the creature.

"An Immortal? I can't say I'm any less shocked than the first time we met. Your plaque was coated in rust and grime. The dragon? If you are a part of that beast, I think it would jog his memory." Slade pulled out his staff from his pantsuit's leg. Never leave home without some form of protection.

~ No, we…have, new stories to tell. Stories to write. A keeper of records, a relic of –

" Enough of your stalling." Slade snapped. "I know you have another face under all of that perfection you so value in your little puppet."

~ I'd never! ~ The godless being seemed disturbed by the male's accusation. ~He is the light that will rebuild the past, restarting the -

"And that isn't like Lilith's plan? When she raped him and made him her pet? Did you come out of her, after all? Aspect? Vermin? A copy?" Slade sneered at the mere mention of the woman's plan to self – destruct the earth.

~ No, no! She is of no value to us. I live because my lord lives My, creator….and I will do everything in our power to fix those who are without saving. And the gods which had us placed away within the dark……~

The darkness would have scared any other killer for hire, but Slade had met hell's breadth at his neck. He'd felt it frown down upon him and he'd survived an apocalypse or two. He was one of those many men that just didn't scare very easily.

~ They will bow, and this boy shall finally have their respect after so much of our time apart… ~The grinning devil was growing out his ears and hair as it fell from its tail. ~ This boy…. I'll wake up his power. I was interrupted once. The chosen is unworthy to have it…. As such a wish cannot be fulfilled. ~

The mad character had Slade to shield himself. "If you are going to take me out, then you'd better be true to your threats. I'd say, you are bluffing." Slade narrowed his eyes as Ignito shook his head. From behind, a pocket in space was opening –

"Raku! Stop it!"

The boy's mellower eyes returned. He gasped and looked to the entranceway of the warehouse. His ears and hair back to how they had been. An illusion. Somehow, Slade in the scare of it all had managed to slip away undetected. Raku fell to his knees as his possessor receded back within the boy's subconscious. The portal it had tried to summon had also vanished.

The ones calling out did also to shock the teen.

Nightwing had gotten the call, and was going out around the perimeter with Dami to look for Slade. He had a hunch he'd not have gotten far.

Aiden was there, but he'd not called out this time. It was Ami and Kazuya with Kay who had come to his side as Aiden kept his distance. Ami had called out, not…

Raku wistfully looked over at his crush and thought about what Aiden had said that evening…He then turned to smile up at Kazuya before collapsing into the kitsune's caring grip.

"Aiden…" Ami looked over as well and whispered to herself that name. Something was happening that could ruin them all if nothing was done…As if, she could predict the –

"We can't stay. Dami and your father will handle the one responsible for now." Kay bit his cheek and pulled out his cell.

Aiden added as he'd finally decided to have a say, but not because of Raku.

"He left. We just didn't know after who. How can we even –

"Shut. Up."

Anna slugged her brother in the noggin and made the two magicians in front of her cringe. Dami had gone home with the twin foxes' help. He'd not needed to. He had not told them that he'd be rushing after Slade for some decent payback.

"Apologize, now." Anne looked into his eyes as he hoped his twin had been joking. "You used to hate him too. Why can't I –

"You made a promise –

"And…As of this moment, I renounce it."

Raku made a sound and even Aiden's hazel eyes almost changed to amber and green.

"But –

"No. It won't work…you and I…Aren't what I once believed." Raku shook his head, not telling them that it was Ignito talking with those words.

"You'll be killed!" Anna stated this, as if he was her kid brother and not some snobbish sibling she'd decked upside the head. Aiden couldn't stop staring at the floor. He, really didn't care?

"Then I'm appointing my new teacher. Aiden isn't one to idolize, any longer…" Raku picked himself up and bowed to Kazuya who did not know what to add. This, was too sudden! What had this evil mind told him while he'd been spirited off into the night?

"I want to appoint you, as my newest contracted; unofficially, and most of all…a teacher. A mentor. You know of my potential and wished to help liberate me from my demons. To show me another path…" He swallowed and saw Aiden's fists unclench. "The Chosen, has failed and…I no longer feel safest by our contracted law…please!" To the others, Raku's plea was a genuine desire that needed to be met by a hand to guide his choice. He was in a basic kow tow, and Kaz was…. confused.

He was so sure, too confident. Raku knew little about his temporary teacher's intentions…Kazuya put up a palm to interject, "I won't make a final decision, yet I want to know now."

Raku looked up to see Kay's staff at Aiden's throat.

"Don't move."

/

"What's going on??" Yumi looked to find that her home wasn't the happiest den of foxes and guardians. Ami was fighting being pushed back with Anna, as Shoji and Kay with Kaz and Ron took to examining Aiden's chart.

He wasn't himself. But a small waft had sent Kay's animal instincts on a wild ride.

"Pulse…Aha. There. See?" The did. The kid's changes were so minor that Raku didn't pay enough attention at first. He just…. he'd forgotten…what had he! –

"Is…" Raku was interupted;

"If I told you what, could we expect a clear answer?"

Raku saw Yumi's face darken. "I don't understand all of this, but you have to let –

"Taint."

Anna blinked at the word. "Magic?"

Ron shook his head, "No, something, else. Not spirit nor daemon…. I think Princess Mir did this –

"The attack in the Con!" Ami leaped up and gasped. "It wa the only place we fought her!"

"Could mean that…but that scent –

"Floral, and fresh too."

"So…You mean to tell me…" Anna gulped. "My brother –

"Has met her, not once…but more times. Like his life force is being sucked dry." Shoji said it and all of the groups, couldn't wait to add in on their take.

"When? Was it when he ran off that time? He's been…."

"A…Girl…wait! Yes, he's seeing someone else. Ig…. Ahh…. I known because, he mentioned it but…" Even now, Raku still felt like a traitor. Ignito's name was a threat to them. "He was, just…He yelled at me and…I though –

~ He does hate you though. Don't forget what you said…~

Raku gulped. "I'm still considering it; I have to be safe and…Aiden's attitude is…dangerous."

"When did you start to notice anything off about –

"When…." Raku was having trouble. How could he tell them about his embarrassing confess –

"When you told Aiden about your feelings, right?"

" Ami." Ron tried to sympathize with the boy, but she was right. He needed the push.

"Y – yes…" Raku nodded, not proud of his honesty right now. "He, was sort of…pushing me away. I wasn't…. I thought he wanted me to go away."

"He's a dick, not very reliable." Dami swished in through the window as himself. No Robin, since he didn't need to bring enough attention to himself. Dick Grayson just walked through the door. The run in with Slade? He refused to talk about it.

"Not funny." Grayson came in and threw himself onto Yumi's extra sofa set – up. "What were we going after? A stray lead, Grayson? You slacker! Slade is throwing you off his trail on –

"What are you two doing?" Shoji frowned at Dick as the rest finally fell into place.

Dami scoffed at Dick's posture as he explained for the both of them in his own words. "Slade's here with two missions. He's just that sly. We fought the crook, but he got away. Nothing but a rip in his suit. I even made sure to –

"Soo, do you always boast about your battle – fantasies, or do we just sense a bit of a king in this one?"

Haru came in the door after Kaede. She snickered and was currently sixteen now. Her old self had come back. Ami almost felt a bit left out!

"No, but it doesn't help to feed the doldrums." Grinned the cop. Haru blushed, not knowing the word well enough to interject.

"Dami here scared off the perp." The man shrugged , yawning and leaning back with a cat – stretch into Yumi's sofa cushions. She was positively stalk still. That, was so improper in her culture!

"I, suppose you found something…" She motioned to lift his shoes from –

"Oh! Shoot, sorry." Dick was up in a jiff as he dragged himself and his shoes back to the entryway by the door. "Customary. That was rude, I apologize." He even bowed for good measure.

Dami huffed and followed suite. He'd been going off with the Grayson boy on mission Gotham, but this was out of the ordinary. He didn't hate his brother, but it was odd that Dick felt like his uncle at times.

As Yumi let out a sigh in thanks, Raku did something to lighten the mood. As if on puppet strings no more, he got up and went over to place a hand onto Aiden's chest, then his head. Like a true shaman…

He saw a very strange figure surrounded by stars.

/

Raku awoke to the cool breeze of the night; the air and a in the room... it was Yumi's guest room? No, not that.

He got up off of the low bed and noticed that his clothing was different than before. Was this not their home? Where –

Then, it hit. This room wasn't her guest room. It was –

He shoved open the door as a large streak of light filtered in, blinding him temporarily.

In the kitchen by this place's island, three, not two figures were up with the moon.

"You up, sleepy?" Yawned a rather restless kitsune. Kaz now looked like the shrine loving Inari. He'd gotten into the sake, while even a full moon couldn't keep his restlessness at bay.

At the table was Ron, with Kay and… no Aiden…It was inside their new apartment. He was, left with the adults now.

Raku had a look that broke the senses apart of all his fox comrades. For the first time, he was to his knees and he cried large tears, as Ron went to brew a pot of something sweet and soothing for the kid's throat.

It was official. Aiden, had broken the boy jinn's heart.

/

It wasn't the only strange thing to occur that week. Dick had made his base up; computers, tech, weapons, and intel through an informant back home in Shoji's apartment. The good thing? Vee could luckily stay rent free at Kay's flat nearby to sort things out with Aiden, who'd also had a change since the daemon Raku's nervous breakdown.

One night, days later, Aiden didn't come home. Raku didn't speak, as Ignito's infectious words swam through his head. Aiden was bad, he deserved better. This training wasn't enough. They were wrong to treat him like a scared child.

All to turn the kid from his original goal; all because Aiden had believed in him, and now?

He'd lost that light. He'd tried to use his magic now and it was, harder. Like steel. Not as flexible as before. Kazuya was starting to worry and even turned to Shoji for advice.

Anna went to scout out Slade's base of operations, only to come up empty handed – or positioned into a painful face plant onto the pavement. And blacked out, outside of Tokyo Central Station.

Kaede, Haru, Ami and Dami hung out more often and Dami was introduced to the world of the fan girl for the first time.

Boy, did he have a lot to comment over!

Still, Mir's strange plan was almost a joke this time around. She was busy siphoning off Aiden's magic, Vee had explained. Like an enchantress, her spell (toxin) dragged the nineteen-year-old out into the night to find her and be sucked bone dry. Thing was, it didn't really show. He looked the same by breakfast. No clues, no sagging features.

The foxes soon went out together to tail Aiden; to see where his tryst was going to commence. Every time they got a shot at finding a clue, poof.

A green or white powder knocked them out.

Anna's face plant situation was starting to sound easier than being left drugged and left in the park in a heap.

"I'm SICK of this!" Anna threw her boots onto the mat and walked into her temporary pad for the last time that day. "He's being played like a fiddle! What the heck am I supposed to do??"

"Cool your head, soldier. You'll wake the neighbors - two floors up."

Anna froze. As she turned her head to the side slowly, her blazing hazel sights spotted a way to take out that anger more…productively –

" You!" She swatted at the man and let a few pieces of furniture perish by her tossing and batting away of the objects at the crime lord. "Slade! You have some –

"So, you still remembered? I'm touched, but your delusional brother is far from my goal." He held back her fists; and knowing she'd use her fire to scorch him silly, he kicked out at her chest to jut the red – head's world a - sway. She coughed and looked madder, maybe not the wisest location…

"Damn! An…. haa! –

"Not tonight, my dear." Slade dodged a punch and used his leg to trip her. She was too frustrated to fight him properly. The plan led to the sweating girl breaking her fall with her palms to the carpet. He dusted off his own palms. She growled at his face, though less thankfully came of that verbal threat. Kaede had better tiger teeth than a fire bird.

"I need your help. My new -

" Why , would I help a creeper li-

"Your father and I have a mutual understanding, mostly that's why you could benefit from any new information." Slade's one eye and patch stood out as he walked over by the door. "I could leave. Well…See you, then –

"No! Wait." Anna stopped her hammering chest a bit, to be calmer. She needed to focus.

"Good girl. You'll listen? Alright. This by the way, involves your brothers –

/

"Huh?"

Slade cocked his head to the side and waved a palm in her face to see if he'd frozen time. As she gaped, he could tell Anna was just as surprised to see her papa's rival in both wit and charm smirking back.

"Are you in there still?"

"I am." Sniffed the red head. She batted back his wrist. "You have something to say, so say it. You've invaded my privacy. So, what else can go wrong?"

" Humph, never ask yourself a dangerous question like THAT, Anna. Trust your good ole' Uncle Wilson, I've done the exact same."

"First name basis, Slade. No uncle bull, please." She put out a palm. "See? Now we're even." She grinned smugly and sat up.

"Rap for me then. I'm all ears." Cross legged on the bed, Ann might have been willing to grade his performance. She did after all have a fantastic teacher. Astarte also had rather supple curves…..Which was besides the point!

"Charming as a snake, just like your papa. Oh dear. What a position I've gotten myself into…" Slade shook his head with a chuckle. "Like looking into a mirror. It began a few weeks ago. Mir showed up and then, he…instructed me to join in on the fun. Thing is, I'm not having much fun anymore."

"Turning tail? Expected, as much." Anna shrugged and lied. Was he serious? Changing sides? Had to be a trick.

"Really? And you then KNEW that Mir was your mother's niece? Or that you and Aiden are able to face the Tameranean warrior queen, Blackfire?"

"Somewhat."

"Be honest." Slade frowned. "Being impolite with me won't get me to leave any time sooner. You know that. Your father knows it very well."

Ann sighed* loudly, and waved for him to finish up. She had to catch a few sheep in dreamland. Like, an hour ago.

"Well then. Why don't we continue, hm?"

"Go wild." Anna just let the egomaniac go.

He told her about Raku's hidden face; the one he'd kept out of sight since Raven had caught a glimpse last year before Lil's return. (Chaos round one and two arcs.)

The, being "Ignito" that wanted to keep his relic "pure."

That Raku was a savior of some kind to this demented daemon that looked too much like Lord Roku from the old tales.

That Slade had decided to keep Mir from taking control of the planet – not just to piss off Lex, but because there was a problem with that too…

"Queen Blackfire is taking orders from another figure. I didn't see it, but I have a hunch it's not from here. Not from this world."

"Astarte and you…"

That part made her turn white. "Go on…"

"First, your mother. She is still with the Titans? And your father –

"He came here to stop, you. Was the word."

"To stop me from warning you, because he thinks I'm trying to warp that "feeble" little mind with some ulterior motive of mine. Are all cops as paranoid as he is?"

"He should be." Ann threw her head to the side with a whistle through her nose. "After what you put my dad through, I'd denounce a team up with you even if it meant losing my moral compass –

"No, I don't think you would reject my help. Actually, quite the opposite."

"Excuse -

"I think, you want to be freed of her. That pirate who took your rights and left you in such a state. To beckon your conscious to speak up –

"I am free!" Anna was feeling more patronized every damn day from her old history! Was he going to go that far?

"I'm more than I ever was…" Anna realized it. He did have her down to a fault, but that wasn't the only reason why she'd stuck around Santiago's base to learn a few tricks from the former war goddess Astarte's incarnate.

"You've probably felt guilty with those powers. For having so much control. Whenever you try to lose it, you never fail to reel back in that fire." Slade smirked back, "You are a perfect balance of the sun's magic that the fire bird gave to you. Your father must –

" Why are you here?" Anna stood up. She felt, exposed to him…Right…this was her dad's enemy! Why was he explaining….

Oh no…He….…

She came to a pause.

Was he, asking her to join….no! No. effing -

"I can't. I can't worry them…. Thank you, for telling me. We have to find Aiden and we will. I have –

"Then you'd want to know where she's currently keeping their secret meetings, correct? I happen to have a detailed list." He dug out a scrap of folded paper from his jacket pocket. " If, you promise not to tell anyone about our meeting tonight."

"You know they'll just probe me for –

"Use your magic to block them then." Slade frowned as he was about to put away the slip –

"No, wait…Ok. I'll do that but, nothing else that could…Ruin this."

"You have a bright future ahead of you, my dear." Slade came up to hand her the slip of paper. "It's all within memory, no need to make a copy."

Was he this, different? An actor. A liar. A, gentleman?

A criminal. A warrior, like her. And…

A con man.

Nope.

"Yeah, then you can go." She pointed to the door. Then the window. "Take your pick. Whichever makes that "flashy" side of yours turn to ash faster in my presence."

" Hello, and have we officially met?"

Anna smiled up at him. "The person you want from me?" She lowered her eyes, as if to toy with him.

"She's not for sale."

Slade would have laughed, but this wasn't the real Anna. This was strange, even for him.

"You're the fire bird's creation. Aren't you."

"Yup." The creature was of Anna, the fire bird she'd held in her palm was…. a face like Lori or even the foxes. She was born to save a plane from utter destruction. Or to destroy it all in one blow. Her eyes were more amber than hazel now.

~ Figures.~

Slade went to the door, not trying to be a pain. Still, this changed a lot. She had an aspect, one that had remained dormant. A new tool to his uses.

"We'll be in touch." Slade saluted the girl politely and left.

His eyes on the next protector that looked up at him with a glaring stare. In the hall, he'd had a haunting by a rather adorable hybrid creature.

/

~ You are breaking our deal. ~

He rolled his eyes at the spectral Autur. The lioness goddess of Hathor's aspect reborn, the loving maiden and this bestie of the Fire bird of the Golden dawn's rites. The Phoenix's little lackey.

~ Anna could be an asset in our war. You want them to understand reason? Then, be wise and use her. ~

"Easier said than done, kitten." Slade shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. Walking to the stairs, he'd be a bit adventurous. The heat wasn't as bad on this level.

~ I'm talking about the one who's gotten an army. The wise one is not as she was –

"So? You want me to do your dirty work or you'll pluck out my other eye? I can craft as many as I need. Science is better understood in OUR time. To a god, that's ancient history."

~ Simpleton. ~ Autur sniffed and crossed her arms as a spectral being. Her tail swished at the man's argument.

~ The fire – bird wants that jinn in pieces before we are to reclaim this relic's –

"Raku isn't going to come out of this like you want. Now that Mir has hurt something of his, the jinn will be freed from its magic compartment. You may have to kill him, and Aiden won't survive."

~ She's following a monster from our realm! You must do something to speed this process along before…. Before all life is dead. The phoenix maintains a balance. ~ Autur explained nervously.

"Does this world even care for order? It's your construct, while humans are…. simple. We can't save you, but you can do more for us."

~ We could, if we survive. The spirit world and mortal realm are never to meet. Chaos will reign. I will not stay to witness your demise, super – humanite. ~

"Is that right?" Slade cocked a brow as she followed him to the last floor down. "Ah, may I ask; do you have a form like Isa or Astarte? A human one?"

~ What? ~ Autur looked back at Slade in disgust. ~ I would never lower myself! Those are the ones who beckon on the fall of our plane! You…you have no choice. Astarte orders it. Build up your army. Brace yourselves for the onslaught. And, get rid of the invader and our escaped convict from the stars. ~

"I have quite a tall order…Mind if you put a few more zeroes on –

~ Your life will be extended. Fine! ~ Autur was going to be in trouble for this, but it was a dire need. His need to, assist.

"And?"

~ Oh, and the chosen's family. We promise to protect them even after the war. Why do you do this? Your enemies could be dead by your hands right now! ~ The goddess wanted to know.

"Deal." Slade nodded to the figment as the door to the garage below was opened lastly.

"I'm hoping to do much more to keep this world from going to hell. As of tomorrow, Mir's plan is to show herself to her foes. I'll be sure to expose Raku's darkest parts. That way, he can open up the way to the "stars" as you put it."

~ Whatever you must...I won't interfere. Just, avoid harming the ones who are to save your world from being destroyed by the warrior woman's –

"Relax. We'll have to be better at planning ahead." Slade was in a good mood tonight. Mir's scent must have done it, because h –

"Have to go. We'll chat again."

~ Wait! ~ Autur huffed and with a moan of frustration, she dispersed back to where Isa had her eye on another dispute.

/

Slipping into something a little more comfortable, Mir was sweating bullets. And the bullet she wanted, was on its way.

Her shoulders were draped in silk, her hair was back to green and flaxen. Tomorrow, oh! She was ready to fulfill her duty!

The click of the electronic lock had the girl to peer up. She transformed her body to appear a bit older. Fuller. This had to be ok, right? Her age here wasn't the same as on her home world. She was an adult there, but here?

She was treated like a brat. Oh…when this was all over, she'd just go wild with envy!

The one at the door was radiating. She could feel it. He'd come to her…. Tonight.

"Will? Why the long face?"

"You…...did this…" Slade leaned in the door, panting and out of breath. "Damn…. pheromones…. not again…!"

/

"You should rest…" She got up from the bed and walked over to him. A hand at his patchwork, beard and all. She wanted to sleep with a muzzle on this one!

"St…. you…. are just –

"A kid? Dumb blonde, are you? I'm a woman on my planet. And if I want to take you, I think I just…" She let her tendrils drag him into her arms, into the room as the door slammed shut from behind.

"Tomorrow, we part ways, my darling mercenary! I wanted our time to be special before I have my soldiers take away your limbs and livelihood…Why won't you let me? Please?" She batted her pretty lashes up at the man as he attempted to turn his head.

"Nothing…but…. a, Poison …. ivy…. Copycat! –

"I'm a genuine plant from day one, you trying fuck!" She slapped him silly with a tendril as he shouted at the hit.

"I want to make this vacation; this last day in paradise, the best memory of …. alllll –

She started to squeeze his piece, but he wasn't having it. Slade shrugged off the touch, yet his body was drugged up for weeks. She'd been weakening his defenses. Aiden was one unlucky groom. He'd have to run like wildfire to escape this wraith's –

"Then you wanna' play rough? Sure! I did a lot of role – playing for the remainder of my time on –

"Shut up!" Slade gritted his teeth and could spit fireballs. He didn't want to hear about her alien…. well, if he were a geeky teenager but he wasn't! She was underage in his book, and that was not going to put his reputation in a bind. Not again! (Nod to Judas contract.)

"This……is……a mistake –

"Are you speaking to me?? I couldn't HEAR YOUU!" Mir's green tendrils picked up the angered Slade Wilson and tossed him feet from the large bed. Mir was serious. "Shit! Rapist piece of –

Slade retaliated.

"Wait!"

"What? Is foreplay not your forte?" Mir's expression changed as she asked this.

"No, and you are not aware of who your mother has been trying to help...It wants Aiden, and you won't get him back. He'll become a star and be destroyed from the –

"You…. are too wrong about that! You see…. We forgot to tell them. The eclipse; the one who can stabilize our star, you've already infected him. And it's only a matter of time."

"No…. was that why –

"Courtesy of our employer and aide from the stars! Yes!" Mir grinned at the mention of this mysterious figure from afar. "We'll get our wish, and your reward? Will be to live as my servant! Won't that be soo much fun?? Right…. Willy??"

"Stop that. You're looking less like a temptress and more like a perverted -

"Who cares! You made it all come true!" Snickered the delirious little imp. "And so? You get to either pick; top or bottom? I can play both by the way! –

"No. My role here is to negotiate –

"A settlement. You didn't get the boy, Shiva shot him and I took Aiden's petty little heart. He's got a very weak mind; it was almost too easy! That little bitchy djinn must be having a meltdown for losing his future –

"That's enough out of that mouth of yours…. Come…here!"

Mir screamed, as his first attempt to wrangle her was thwarted, yet she had a poor recoop time and that let the tables be turned. Slade decided that this wasn't ok. Heck! Rape?? Was Blackfire okaying any of this??

"You'll stay and take this as punishment. I won't have a single tendril in my way."

"You….my phera!-

"I'm not a god to you, princess…" He whispered over her shoulder, making the girl shudder. "But I never make my love affairs personal ones if I can help it… So? Are you ready to receive?"

"Ah…. really?"

"No, this is for trying to overtake me! Brat!"

A smack resounded as her ass was hit again and again by his palm. Washing it off later, wait…. goo?

"Slime…you're trying to feel good from this? I can always try…to even the odds!" A whack and she was turning red from the fire again. Not fun! Not fun!

"You aren't beaten to hate, that's your problem. They made you a princess of warrior whores. You…. never…stood up…to …. your family! Maybe….it…. is...high…. time!"

"OWW! OW OW OW…. OOOW !!!!!" Mir bawled out as hot tears ran down her cheeks. It wasn't fun to play this game…This was torture! Not the love making she'd learned from her training!

"So, ready to say you're sorry? Say "I'm sorry Mr. Wilson for trying to break our agreement, and that I'll stick to the original plan. Say it and I'll stop…" He continued with even harder strikes as the princess only wept all over the bedsheets. "Da…. a……. S…. I...m……. s…ah...sor…sorry……Mr! Wil! Son! For …..try…trying to break….OW! …. ANNNN...our…agree! Ment!..and…. that! I! Will! Stick!...unnn….to…. the! or! Ig! I! naaall!!!!... p…. plaaan!!!"

With that, she came and he'd stopped. Chucking her onto the bed in a miserable lump of fluid from her skin and racking sobs, Slade felt like she wasn't in the wrong. That he'd just undone more in that blow. But he stuffed it down. "You need help, and your mother is only going to make things worse." Slade sat on the side of the bed and sighed. That…was painful for him. He'd just….it wasn't that, but…

"Mama….she….she thinks….I….I. Can…."

"Blackfire is more abusive mentally. At least you know how I am, or can be." Slade rubbed his neck and brought the blanket over Mir's bruised form. "I have a special salve…if you need any. Just ask." Slade went to see if the side chair was just as comfortable. "Raku's losing control, but not from your drug. He spat it out. Nothing left."

Mir pushed her head up and with her lips ajar, she'd finally gotten enough courage to talk. "I…He did?"

"Yup. Another being that was "born" from his magic spoke to me through him. It…is a broken compass. An irregularity." Slade paused and got out some extra bedding; pillow, blanket, from the side closet. "Raku isn't going to help you. You might end up with more enemies because of your crazy mother. She's been abused and that…can turn into a problem."

"What do you mean?"

"Here on Earth even, a lot of powerful figures started up as abused kids, like you. Later, you have a living dictator down the road or worse…"

Mir laid back down, not seeing the big picture. "My body didn't, have a fit…why?"

"Your friend Maxima told me about your condition. Similar to cystic fibrosis on our planet. There are medicines out there. It seems to me, that your family wasn't giving you this mission out of love or respect, my dear."

"I…wanted to believe otherwise, to surpass her. To one day take mother's throne and fix my –

"Your body feeds off of life energy, because your own is too weak right now to survive." Slade might have…done his research. Her toxic slime was not very pleasing in its own way.

"Will you help me? To do something…" Mir's voice fell away. She'd already been tired out by the spanking fit he'd put her through.

"Wonder if her dad made sure she'd never end up in a brothel. I do wish that I had some better part to play."

She'd not heard him mutter the rest as the lights were stilled with the room at the perfect temp again.

"Lex made it perfectly clear. The Drenthaxians are not taking over the Earth. Even if I have to assassinate every member of the royal line to get a decent cut…" He sighed and tried to settle on his seat, upright. "Next time I'm going for the mountain inn. Wintergreen cut back…on our options, again." With a light groan, Slade attempted to stay asleep until his aching back woke him up to readjust. Tomorrow, he'd have his due. Tomorrow.