Warnings: Torture, though mild. Things may become more graphic with upcoming chapters. Don't like the idea of poor Jack being tormented? You prefer Jack without bruises and mental anguish? Then don't read. You've been warned.
Author's Note: Furthermore, this story will contain non-consensual situations. A lot of people are probably going to wonder what possessed me to write this and there will probably be a couple saying 'Aku would never do something like that! He despises Jack!' I agree, Aku does hate Jack so how far will the demon go to break him? Everyone has their own opinion though. Flame if you must. I value everyone's view, even if it bashing me, though constructive criticism would be better. ^_^;
Jack awoke to find that he was in the center of a vast room and his figure was now being held spread-eagle by four sets of black rope extending to the ceiling and floor. He hung there, squirming, eyes squeezed shut from the pain in his shoulders, from the rough material biting into his wrists. Sweat was starting to form on his forehead. Never in his entire life did he feel so vulnerable. A dark figure came from behind, resting its head on the samurai's shoulder. Jack snarled and shrugged his shoulders in attempt to force the demon off but it only enticed Aku to maintain his embrace.
"Why am I tied like this demon?" Jack hissed.
Aku sighed. "Why must keep annoying me with your questions?" A long, black finger pointed to a shimmering screen on the wall. "In a few minutes the entire world is going to see your miserable face and your first punishment."
Jack frowned. "I do not understand."
"I didn't think you would," Aku chuckled. "I'm going to make an example out of you samurai. Once everyone views what I can do to the greatest of warriors no one will dare to rise up against me ever again!" The demon backed away from the samurai, gazing over his figure. "Something isn't right though. Ah, here it is."
The samurai's eyes went wide in shock the top portion of his robe was torn off, leaving him with a bare chest. Nausea crept into Jack's stomach as he felt sharp fingers grazing over the naked flesh of his back. A shudder coursed through his spine from the sensation.
"What is the matter samurai?" Aku asked. "You do not care for my touch?"
Jack remained silent.
"I'll take that as a no," Aku said. "Perhaps in time you will learn to appreciate my ministrations. I can bring forth both pain and pleasure. Your behavior will determine which of the two you will receive."
The samurai's face blushed a furious crimson. He didn't want to listen to this. Jack turned his head as far as it would go and then spat into the demon's face. Aku was taken back by the action and was left gapping in brief shock. The twitching lips curled to a smile as the demon wiped the residue off.
"Hm, just like your father in so many ways," Aku laughed. Snarling, Jack thrashed in his confines. "Don't bother. You will never escape. The time draws near. Soon, you will be on display for everyone to see."
*
The Scotsman sighed in content as he gulped down his ale. He was on another long journey, particularly to get away from his wife's ever watchful eyes and ears. Trekking there had certainly been an adventure considering most of the land was full of potholes and ditches from the Canines and their archeological dig. The pub was near the seaport and boosted a lot of various species. Three Triseraquins were seated in the corner and several Canines in the other. It was an improbable sight but the Scotsman shrugged it off. The amphibious beings were enjoying their new found freedom from the ocean floor and had resumed their social activities with the other races as the dogs were taking a break from their excavation.
The TV screen around the bar flickered and the image shown was that of Aku. The Scotsman continued to gulp down his drink while everyone else had stopped to gaze at the screen.
"Greeting miserable inhabitants," Aku said. "You should have known that for some time there has been a warrior by the name of Samurai Jack wandering this desolate planet with the mission to destroy me. Also you should learn that the bounty I had on the warrior's head has now been discontinued. For you see, little people, I have finally captured the samurai!"
The Scotsman gasped, coughing up most of the ale, as the image turned to Jack, tied tightly and flaying.
"Take a good look at him. So this is the man most of you saw hope in? Is this the man that promised to liberate you from my rule and bring you peace? Ha! The only thing he has succeeded in doing is bringing more misery upon your wretched, pointless lives! The magical sword he bore is also in my possession and without it he is just an ordinary, feeble man. Look at him! He cannot even break free of the ropes that I tied him with. He is weak, do you not agree? Now all of you will watch him suffer for his insolence and take this as a lesson! This is one of the many punishments that will be subjected to those that oppose the almighty Aku!"
*
Jack snapped his head back in a howl as one of the demon's tendrils smashed into his torso. The tendril recoiled and whipped back into his flesh, making his lower torso feel as if it had caught fire. The samurai's head was jerked forward at the force of the blow and a loud ringing stormed his ears from the swats. Stinging welts were beginning to appear along his backside. His cheeks were beet red while tears dripped over them. Humiliation was rampant in him for everyone could see him tied in such a degrading manner as the demon beat him from behind. Another agonizing smack was delivered to the battered flesh. The skin had broken and Jack could feel a warm liquid leaking down the side. Aku ceased his assault for a brief moment to lean next to the samurai's right ear.
"My poor little samurai," Aku whispered. "You should know a group of your close friends are watching your ordeal. Are you embarrassed?" Jack shook his head, attempting to fend off any visible feelings of shame to the demon but he failed miserably. "You can end your own misery if you would only ask me. It's really not that difficult old friend. All you have to do is request that I stop, admit my great supremacy to those worthless beings all around the world, and then the transmission shall end resulting in the end of your humiliation."
Jack's eyes widened. How could the demon expect him to do that? Begging for mercy would only cause him more grief especially knowing that his comrades were viewing his every move. He made his decision realizing the extent of the consequences.
"I will do no such thing demon," Jack snarled, loud enough for all to hear. "Why would I beg for something from a vile creature like you? Your power is meaningless demon! If I fail at my quest in vanquishing you there will be someone else to take my place!"
Aku's face contorted with rage and he swung the tendril back into the samurai, eliciting yet another strangled cry. The blow was far brutal then the last, completely searing his skin.
*
"Why doesn't he beg for mercy?!" someone in the pub yelled. "Aku will surly flog him to death."
"What difference does it make?" someone else piped in. "He's as good as dead anyway."
"I wouldn't being say that now," another man interrupted. "Yes, indeed, people who are sent down to The Pit of Hate never come out alive but there are rare occasions when someone is released. Those that do survive are messed up for the rest of their lives."
"What are you talking about?" the bartender asked.
"I mean, whatever unspeakable acts are committed against them in that place, it traumatizes their souls for the rest of their days," the man answered. "I saw one such person in my old village. Poor fellow. All he did was speak out against Aku's rule once and he was taken away. A week later I saw him in one of those insane asylums." The group murmured, losing track of the TV screen and the wailing samurai. "Oh yeah, he was in there. I saw him sitting in the far corner through the window mumbling to himself and screaming whenever one of the workers tried to touch him. Retched man went ballistic when one of them tried to shove medication in his mouth. Broke two of the orderlies necks and then killed himself by slicing his throat with a pair of scissors he found on the bodies. Yup, I saw it all happen outside the window."
"That makes no sense!" one more yelled. "Why would Aku let an enemy live?"
The man chuckled. "Because my friend, that demon is sending us all a message. He lets a person go free from the pit to remind us of his dominance. By sending us that empty void of a person he's saying, 'If any of you people in the world, no matter the race, cross me in any manner this is what I can have done to you and there's not a thing you can do to stop me.' Just like what he's doing to that poor chum on the screen. He's trying to keep us in our place by instilling fear in our meek souls."
The group shuddered and glared back at the screen. The assault on the samurai's body still continued, drawing out yell after yell of agony. Still, there was no sign of him giving in to Aku's will.
"But if only he would admit that Aku's power is immense then maybe this would stop," a waitress said. "He could save himself."
The Scotsman lowered his head. "He's far too proud to grovel to that demon and I highly doubt that Aku will kill him. The demon plans on keepin' him alive."
The Scotsman cringed at the sound of the snapping whip-like tendril. He averted his gaze from the screen, unable to keep his sight on the ragged figure being struck. It seemed forever until the noise died down. The man gazed up to see Jack breathing raggedly and limply hanging on the ropes. His entire back was cut open, blood staining the lower portion of what remained of his tattered robe.
"Damn that demon," the Scotsman cursed under his breath. "This will not be tolerated!" His train of thought was disrupted as Aku spoke again.
"Take one last look at your savior as he is for when you see him next he will be a lot worse off. He will live a long, arduous life in the realm of Aku as reminder to all what may happen to those who would resist me."
The screen clicked and the image went dark. People in the room remained silent for a moment, some left showing signs of crying, and then the majority went back to their previous engagements as if nothing had happened. The Scotsman stared in disbelief. It appeared as if none of the people were pondering on saving Jack, save himself. If the broadcast had truly been shown all over the world then was a high chance that others were thinking about rescuing the samurai. But he couldn't wait around to find out.
"I cannot allow Jack to live the rest of his days bein' tortured by Aku," the Scotsman growled. "I'll go and fight to free him myself even though it will surly result in my death. He's my friend and I never abandon a friend no matter the situation. If only I had others to aid me though." In the corner of his eye he saw the Triseraquins arguing amongst themselves, muttering something about rescuing Jack, while the Canines in the far corner were doing the same. "Well, it seems that I've found a group of recruits. Better go introduce myself although I'm not goin' to enjoy workin' with smelly fish things and droolin' dogs. Ugh, the things I do for that samurai."
The Scotsman wandered over to the table where the beings snapped their mouths shut and stared idly at him.
"Greetin's there," the Scotsman chirped. "I couldn't help but overhear you talkin' about Jack. I assume you know him?"
One of the Triseraquins snorted. "Of course we know him."
"He's our friend," another added.
"That's good," the Scotsman noted. "I too happen to be a friend of his and have plans of comin' to his aid. Mind if I join you....."
"I am called Connery. This is Guiness and Ringo." The other two amphibious beings waved to him. "Just what relation are you to him? He saved our underwater city from desecration at the hands of Aku. Did he rescue you?"
The Scotsman laughed. "Are you kiddin'? I don't need him to be rescuin' me! He, er, helped me save my wife from carnivorous demons. That's about it but enough of this drivel. Come up with any plans yet? I'm guessin' that freein' Jack should be easy enough."
"Well...." Ringo started.
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation fellows but something mentioned about saving Jack," a Canine said. "My team and I would be more then willing to aid you on this quest for you see he too once saved our race from...."
"Ack, take a seat and shut your snouts," the Scotsman snapped. "We're tryin' to come up with a plan here!"
"So sorry," the dog squeaked. "By the way, I'm Rothchild and joining me are Dryfus and Angus."
"Yeah, yeah, nice to meet you now take a seat!" the Scotsman snarled. "Time is wastin'!" He turned back to the Triseraquins. "You were sayin'?"
"Relatively speaking it should be easy to rescue Jack," Ringo continued. "However, finding him is another story. You see, Aku isn't just stationed at one location as we previously thought. We've done our research and found that he has over two hundred castles or lairs scattered all over the world."
"Two hundred?!" the Scotsman coughed.
"Yes, and I fear that isn't the only problem," Guiness added. "Even if we were to find Jack in one of the many lairs that doesn't mean we'll find the sword with him."
"But wouldn't Aku want to keep the weapon close to his side?" Rothchild asked.
"I doubt Aku would keep the only weapon that could lead to his destruction in the same place that he holds Jack," Connery sighed. "Aku is far too smart to make a mistake like that." He lowered his head. "This is were the difficult decision is made I'm afraid. What do we go after first: sword or samurai?"
The Scotsman stood upright in a huff, knocking over his chair. "How can you even be considerin' that?! We go for Jack! A life is far more precious then a piece of metal!"
"Think about it for a moment would you?!" Ringo scoffed. "I care for Jack's well-being as much as you do but we have to think about the welfare and fate of this planet! If we spend all our time and resources on rescuing Jack where will that lead us? As Aku stated, Jack is just an ordinary man without the sword. Even if we save him and nurse him back to top condition what match will he be to the demon without the sword?"
"Couldn't we find Jack and then go look for the sword?" Dryfus asked.
"That would waste too much time," Guiness said, shaking his head. "By the time we free Jack Aku may find a way to destroy the weapon. If that were to happen all hope would be lost. We must go for the sword and then for Jack."
"Do what you want I could care less!" the Scotsman growled. "You can go look for that sword while I go search for Jack!"
"But you don't know the first place to look for him!" Connery called after him. "Did you not listen when I told you there were over two hundred citadels he could be kept in?!"
"I don't care!" the Scotsman yelled back. "I will find him! Go and find the sword if you can! I value his life over a hunk of steel!"
The Scotsman began to storm out of the doorway when the Canines spoke up.
"Hold your horses we can work out an arrangement!" Angus said. "We Canines are good with our noses, can sniff out anything, and could be of great assistance to both sides. Half of us could with the Triseraquins and search for the magical sword while the rest of us go with the Scotsman to find Jack. Along the way we should try to recruit as many people willin' to help as we can. I'm sure there are others who would lend a hand."
The Scotsman shrugged. "I can live with that deal."
"Then we have an agreement?" Connery asked.
All heads nodded in unison.
"Jack never abandoned us in our hour of need therefore we will not abandon him in his hour," Rothchild said.
The hour passed and to the north the Scotsman traveled alongside Rothchild and Dryfus followed by half the force of the other Canines. To the south traveled the Triseraquins alongside Angus who took the part of surrogate leader to the rest of the pack. The journey to save the samurai and the sword had begun.
*
Jack panted heavily on the side of his arm. His hair was a mess, untangling from its top-knot, and matted to his forehead from the perspiration. Sweat was trickling all over his body, causing a stinging sensation to course through his body as the salty liquid mingled with the welts. Glancing down he saw his robe was in shambles, barely kept up by his sash. His peace didn't last for long. Aku was near him once more, shrinking until he was about the samurai's size only a bit larger.
"Aw, are you badly hurt?" Aku sneered. When Jack refused to answer the demon trailed his sharp nail over the cut, making Jack hiss through clenched teeth. "You don't speak much do you warrior? What must I do to hear that voice of yours?"
The samurai perched up. "I speak when I feel it is necessary and I do not have much to say to you, Aku."
Aku laughed. "Hm, you still have a fiery spirit in you. It is going to be a lot more complicated to break you then what I perceived but no matter. I will savor every minute of it. I can't help but wonder, samurai, what would cause you the most woe and dishonor. What would make you want to die?"
A hand snaked around his waist, gently undoing the sash.
"What are you doing?!" Jack screamed, resuming his aggressive thrashing. "Stop!"
The demon ignored the samurai's commands and proceeded to undo the silky belt. Panic was settling into Jack's mind and adrenaline began to surge. Jack fought with renewed strength and he jerked at the ropes until the ones tangling his arms snapped. Jack rammed his elbow into Aku's chest sending the demon flying back in pain. The samurai fell to the ground beneath as the demon looked on in alarm.
Once Jack landed on cold floor he tugged at the binds around his ankles until he had them torn off. He was left staring up at the floating demon, uncertain what to do. In previous battles with Aku the magical sword was always in his grasp. Now he had nothing but his bare fists and feet and those were no match for Aku. Even though he hated it, considered it cowardly, the only option was for him to run until he came across the sword.
Jack turned and ran for an open gateway in the distance but he learned all too late that he was in no condition to run. The blows he had suffered, along with the strenuous amount of time he had been suspended in air, left his legs wobbly. Within seconds he was stumbling across the ground, looking like a pitiful creature using its last ounce of strength to allude a predator. Sighing, Aku drifted down to the floor drawing closer to Jack's crawling figure.
"That was a big mistake my friend," Aku snarled. "You shall learn proper respect for Aku in the Pit of Hate. But first I will finish with what I started."
Jack let out a yelp of fear as Aku's form tangled around him. There was no escape.
To be continued.....