Trapped

The place had more experiments along its walls than Sierra's birthplace. But these seemed to be of more malevolent intentions, all of them had something to do with war. In fact, Sierra managed to find an old discarded Bazooka in the corner. Apparently, the Demons had thought it was useless, and threw the ARM out. But for a woman born to hold a gun and who'd spent the last two years wielding one, it was a welcome addition to her pack. Almost as welcome as the Magnum Fang attack Lyle learned from a statue in the laboratory's outer sanctums, and the Phaser Zap he'd learned from its brother.

"Let's get going," ordered Sierra, "The demons aren't going to just wait for us." She took off, with the team at her heels. It felt good, to have these people around her. After all this time, Sierra'd come to realize that these people would never leave her. They were her friends, and she could trust them.

Soon, the team arrived at what appeared to be a training ground. Kogatana stood there, ready for a fight. He brandished his daggers, and licked one with his tongue. It made Sasha and Jacob start to gag, while Sierra and Lyle just rolled their eyes. No one was impressed with him.

"Foolish humans, you will never defeat me. You will die by my sacred blades, just as you deserve. Now, fight me and die like good little servants," he stated. A wicked gleam came over his red eyes, as he looked at Sierra. It made her nervous, what was wrong with this wacko Demon?

She asked him, "Do you have to stare like that? Don't you know that you're looking at a lady right here, and a lady who doesn't want to be stared at like that. I've seen men act like you before, and I know how to deal with it. All you do is punch them where the sun don't shine, and they leave you alone." She gave him a look that said that she wasn't afraid to do something like that if it came to it.

Kogatana took a step forward, all while looking into Sierra's eyes. "You have no idea of your existence, or you are mistaken. Those eyes tell me everything, you are a Demoness. Come, dear Sierra, come with me. Join us in our quest to conquer Filgaia. You know the people will never accept one of us, those who they see as Demons, even if they don't remember the times when we were their overlords. I will talk to Lady Shihaisha on your behalf, and Lord Kaibutsu too. They will be glad to add another Demon fighter to the force, especially one as powerful as you. Then, you can become my bride."

"NEVER!" screamed Sierra, "I will never join you. I am no Demon. Granted, I'm not a human either, but I am still not Demon. My people were created to destroy the demons, and by the Guardians, that's what I'm going to do." She tried to fire Arc Smash, but something was wrong. Sierra found that her body was paralyzed, although no one had laid a hand on her. What was going on?

"Surprised? You should be. I have the power to freeze the body of anyone I want, without even touching or casting a spell. All I have to do is to think them frozen, and they are. Now then, we will go and leave these weak humans behind. Really, you nearly had me going there, what with your talk on being of a race created to fight us," Kogatana laughed. Before the others could stop him, he picked Sierra up with his left arm. Then, he teleported away, taking the lady gunner with him, and leaving the others wondering how in the world they were ever going to be able to track him down and free her.

* * *

Sierra was frightened. Kogatana hadn't bothered to take her to a jail cell or anything like that. Instead, he'd brought her to his own quarters. Fear filled her heart, he was planning to rape her. The man was crazy and desperate enough to do something like that to the young Holmcross.

Kogatana said, "Now just hold still for a little while, I'm not going to hurt you. You should feel honored, you will soon be the wife of one of the most powerful Demons in existence. I know I'm not Lord Kaibutsu, but I'm still strong. One moment, just put this on." He picked up a circlet from the counter, and began placing it over the woman's head. Then, he pushed a few buttons on the side.

Sierra began to feel weak and sleepy. "What are you doing to me? This circlet, what in the name of the Guardians is it? I can tell it's no normal piece of jewelry, you've enchanted it."

"Correct," the Demon replied, "This circlet will give me complete control over your mind. Soon, you will be nothing more than my mindless servant, you'll do whatever I ask. Including, agree to become my wife. Relax, it won't hurt you one little bit. You'll feel a pinch, and then it's all over. Your senses will be dulled, they will only respond if I tell them to." He let out a wicked laugh, and looked over his prisoner. Her eyes were wide and full of fear, just the way he liked it.

But the Demon hadn't been counting on one thing. Kyoku was still in Sierra's sack. Before Kogatana could imput the final command into the ring, the one that would make her his slave, the Wind Mouse jumped out at him, and bit him on the nose. Kogatana shrieked in pain, giving Kyoku just enough time to bite Sierra back to her senses. The girl then pulled off the headband.

"Thanks for the invitation, but I think I'll just take a rain check on that. See ya' later, gotta go rejoin the others," she stated. Then, Sierra and Kyoku ran out of the room.

Kogatana vowed, "I will make you mine, Lady Sierra. Your Demon's blood will eventually lead you back to me. I always get what I want, and what I want is you." He let out a demonic laugh, that rang throughout the entire corridor, startling all who inhabited it.

* * *

Lyle was excited when finally Sierra made it back to the others. She told them exactly what had happened. The swordsman then took the girl in his arms, just to make sure that she was real. "Oh, Sierra, I was so worried. Please, I never want to see you hurt. I know you think of me as a playboy, but I've come to realize that I am in love with you, and want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"Lyle," she replied, "I don't know what to say. I've never seen this side of you before. Maybe I can learn to love you too. But, please give me time. Knowing your true feelings, I am willing to think about it. Now's not the time anyway. We've got to stop the Demons before all is lost." She held up her Arc Smash, and pointed it down the corridor, telling them that she was ready to fight.

- - - -

Teefa's Last Words…

Tee hee, the demon doesn't know what he's dealing with. Well, unlike Sigfried, he wasn't on Filgaia during the Demon War. Remember, this team was checking on a different quadrant in the universe. He thinks red eyes all equal Demons. And I am also beginning to plan for another story. All about Jet and Virginia's children on their own adventure. I've just got to fix the storyline up. All I know is that it focuses on an ancient prophecy, Cecille from A Mother's Legacy is returning and toting a rifle, Lilka's got Duel Pistols, Ashley has a machine gun, and Leon Vanderbuilt will start out as Lilka's rival. Still need an enemy.