Who: Finally I was in hell my computer broke. But now it's better so everything is right with the worlds. Alright second to last chapter and I'm all types of giddy.
Hiei: Are you finally going to let me kill that upstart second-rate demon.
Who: (laughs evilly) Wouldn't you like to know. (snicker)
Kurama: Who? Perhaps you should take a deep breath.
Who: I'm just fine now let get it started. I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho but the story all mine all twenty four, and soon to be twenty five chapters, twenty six if I add the bonus feature chapter.
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(A/N. Sorry for out of characterness and suckiness of this chapter.)
Upperhand
It was not long before the four spirit detectives found themselves making their way through a large warehouse type building that was proving itself to be more like a labyrinth. The only thing that showed the crew that they were going the right way, were the demons that were attacking them at every turn.
Between the demons, rounding the many corridors, and the of the demon compass telling the detectives they were growing ever closer to their objective; the boys were quickly making their way through the compound, in a surprisingly stealthy manner. Despite the fact that Yusuke had blown down the outside wall to get in and Hiei Kuwabara and Kurama were slashing up demons left and right causing chaos and panic.
"This way" said Yusuke as the detectives came to a fork in the path, he pointed to the left, and then quickly ran down the hall. Before the detectives stood about seven low class demons.
"Great, Urameshi a dead end" said Kuwabara not even giving any consideration to the demons that stood in the room, just the wall behind them. However, the demons seemed all too ready to fight, that is up until Hiei killed one of the demons within a matter of seconds. The creature was not even able to see Hiei's katana slicing him in half. The six demons left standing began to quack with fear, for although they were not very bright; they knew well enough that the four detectives in front of them could kill them in a matter of seconds, and they were not prepared to die just yet.
Quickly, the last six demons took to running, and it seemed that the spirit detectives were kind enough to allow safe passage to them. All except for one, who had fallen onto the ground. He shivered like a frightened child when the four daunting faces of the spirit detectives were hovering over him.
"I pray thee, do not slay me, I'm young yet." The demon moaned in a fearful voice that would have made even the most blood thirsty creature consider his plea; not out of pity or compassion, but out of sheer nausea. The thought of killing a creature that acted so pathetic would have been like a sickening inconvenience, at best. The demon gave one more frightened wail that just made the spirit detectives feel a little embarrassed. He was whimpering like a two year old, after all.
"Oh geez, come on" said Yusuke, rolling his eyes.
"This is just sad." Kuwabara stated, his spirit sword vanishing into the air.
"We're here to find Gladamus and destroy him. Tell us where he is and we might just let you live" Kurama stated in a daunting yet placid voice. The demon on the floor twitched, then pointed a shaky finger toward the wall.
"T…Th…There, at hand, to your backs." The detectives followed the demon's finger with their gaze, but saw nothing but a wall, and while Yusuke could just have blown down the wall with his spirit gun. The detectives were going for subtlety, after all they'd made it all the way through the secret compound without tripping any alarms, so it was preferable to keep it that way.
The element of surprise could be the difference between finishing this mission and being killed.
"I think he's a little confused" stated Hiei looking down at the demon imposingly, his red eyes giving the demon on the floor a fix glare that promised only death. "Perhaps he needs his mind jogged to help him remember." Hiei's hand were at his side grasping the hilt of his weapon.
"I pray thee, doest not harm to me." The demon sniveled, as he balled himself up looking, if possible, even more cowardly. "Strike thrice upon the fortification, and a portal shall revile thyself to thee."
Yusuke, and Kuwabara, who had in all truth been confused by every word that came from the demons mouth just stared at him blankly, eyebrows raised, and mouths slightly ajar. "What the hell does that mean? Talk normal or I'll kill you just for pissing me off." Said Yusuke tired of hearing riddles.
"He wants us to knock on the wall three times Yusuke." Stated Kurama, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Well! He could have just said so." Said Yusuke. "Who talks like that anyway?" The boy mumbled angrily under his breath.
The detectives disregarded the demon as he sniveled on the floor; his fate was never really too much of a concern to them so they did not really care when he shot up from the ground. Kurama had knocked on the wall when a very loud sound pierced the air. It was the alarm system finally going off.
"Aha, fools be you all, to so easily be defrauded. Now you shalln't live to regret the folly in this altercation. For you three shall all be vanquished by the master. Slain all by my lord Gladamus!" The demon's hand was on a large red button, that had somehow eluded the attentions of the spirit detectives; now it was to late for any of them to fix the problem. The boys could only watch somewhat helplessly as the demon made his escape quickly racing away. Kuwabara was prepared to chase him down, but was stop as Kurama rested his hand on his shoulder shaking his head.
"He's not important" Stated the red head; slowly his eyes, and those of his companions turned toward the large double doors that had appeared before them. "I assume the real fight lies beyond those doors." No sooner than Kurama had finished his sentence did the large double door open. With little hesitation the boys entered the room.
"Well. Well" said a voice that was all too familiar to the four spirit detectives that had entered the room. "You made it this far. I'm impressed. Not to mention a bit surprised. You four were supposed to be dead. Perhaps you four aren't as pathetic as I believed." The detectives heard the sound of Torrin clapping his hands rather softly. "Good show good show." Torrin's voice sounded almost relieved, despite the fact that he knew the spirit detectives were out for his blood.
"Perhaps it is not a bad thing you four are here. Though you have wasted enough time in coming."
The boys looked toward Torrin's voice, their eyes first fell upon a large machine. In fact, it seemed overly large; then again, for its purpose it probably had to be. There was a large screen and it was counting something; though, the boys were unable to understand just what the symbols were counting.
Torrin appeared to be standing in a glass prison next to the machine. He did not look nearly as carefree as he generally appeared, and it looked as if Torrin had had rough reunion from the look of things. Torrin's lower lip was swollen and someone had darkened his right eye. A weak smirk crossed Torrin's lips, as he tried to look as complacent as possible.
"Princess. I am quite happy to see you again." Torrin winked at Kurama, who just rolled his eyes. "I must say it's quite a relief to see you're alive. Sentencing such a beauty to death… well that's just not me. It's certainly uplifting to see you. You're so charming. Of course I'd feel all the more better if we were alone, together, you and I."
"You!" Yusuke nearly shouted after getting an eye-full of Torrin, who he had honestly expected to be dead. "You've got some nerve still being alive."
"Well I assume that means you still want me dead. So sorry that my longevity irritates you Warden." Torrin sighed. "Is that the same with the Oaf, and the Porupine? Well I'll be making you quite happy soon."
"Yeah cause I can finally kill you" Said Kuwabara.
"My, you are really a fool" Torrin said as he looked at Kuwabara. This apparatus that I'm contained within will be my demise unless I'm released."
"Why don't you just let yourself out?" Yusuke inquired looking at the trapped Torrin with doubt.
"Now Warden, do you honestly think that I'd still be here if I could get out. Gladumus is the only one that can release me. You see, this glass like casing is impenetrable. Unless you know of a way to get me out of this."
"You're kidding right?" Yusuke asked Torrin ruefully, "Why would we help you? It caused us nothing but trouble. In fact I think I'll get comfortable and watch you die."
Torrin head drooped, and he heaved a heavy sigh. "How disappointing. I should let you know that should I die here well the world as you know will be destroyed."
"Yeah. How's that" Kuwabara inquired looking hatefully at Torrin.
"Must I really explain everything to you."
"Humor us" said Kurama.
Hiei glared that Torrin who was now looking more complacent than ever. "Just what makes you believe your life holds so much merit?"
"Because Porcupine it does. Once time runs out and the machine starts working…"
"Oh yeah, and how's it supposed to work without that orb, that you lied about. Do you really think we're that stupid. We know that that thing can't work an we know all about your lies" said Yusuke.
"Obviously not. The orb that the Prepubescent Prince has is nothing more than a copy." Torrin spoke as if his words were common knowledge, while the spirit detectives reacted with surprise. "In fact once the machine powers up the counterfeit will detonate."
"A fake, no way! Then where's the real one."
"I'm not confined in this tube for no reason. I have in me a very powerful power source. That I can't even use."
"Well that is certainly convenient for your situation, but you should forgive us if we are a bit skeptical." Said Kurama calmly though the look of suspicion was evident on his face.
"Come now surely you do not believe all of this is just a coincidence. Glady had it all planned from the start. Minus this little twist. But, as much as I love small talk time is running out, and if you wish to be heroes at the end of this you'd find Gladamus, and let me out of here disabling the machine."
"You've got to be kidding" Yusuke said in a disbelieving manner. "Of all the…You're lucky you're still alive." Yusuke pointed at Torrin, and looked as if he would just about explode from what he had heard.
"You expect us to trust you" said Kurama looking much more composed than Yusuke, and Kuwabara who had both had their hearts set on killing off Torrin. Somehow he had found a way to get the better of the detectives, even now.
"So, you don't trust me" Stated Torrin in an inquisitive manner.
"Well, after all that has occurred Ravencroth, you can't expect your words to carry much merit with us."
"Princess" Torrin said lightheartedly, with a soft smile spreading across his face. "Now is not the time for doubts. I am the one with the access key to stop this machine after all. And with it locked away in here with me, your only other option is to get the key to this cell from Gladamus and get me out of here." Torrin's smile grew wider, and more surreptitious.
"You just want to try and trick us again" said Kuwabara angrily. Torrin gave a soft throaty laugh. "Why on earth would you say that?"
"Because you don't have the key" Said Kurama looking at Torrin coldly. "Do you Ravencroth?"
Torrin's eyes grew wide from shock for a moment, then his face quickly relaxed. "What a cruel acusatio…" Torrin's words stopped in his throat once Kurama held out Torrin's little medallion so that the dubious bat demon could see. Torrin's eye twitched with slight surprise then he gave a relenting sigh. "I suppose I've been found out. Bravo Princess."
"You were careless Ravencroth, now that you no longer have the upper hand. It is time that you tell us how to stop this machine."
"I do still have options Princess."
"Yes you do, but if what you say is in fact the truth, your only other option is death, and you do not really wish to die. Contrary to your actions."
"As much as I dislike the thought of being torn asunder by this machine. Why should I do anything to help the four of you. Do you four not intend to kill me in any case? How do I know I'll escape from this venture with my life?"
Kurama gave a very sarcastic smile once Torrin finished speaking. "I guess you don't" stated Kurama in a matter-of-factly tone. "I guess you'll just have to trust that when it all comes down to it, we won't kill you." Torrin gave a slight frown at Kurama's statement.
"How disappointing."
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Who: Nearing the end what will happen?
Kurama: Hopefully we will not have to hear from Torrin again.
Who: He wasn't that bad was he?
Kurama: (looks at who with raised brow)
Hiei: That second-rate demon has overstayed his welcome it is time for him to meet with his fate.
Who: Okay, Okay.