Lady Hiroko

As the moon rose into the sky, echoes of pain surged through the air. Mai went flying across the floor of the giant dungeon in the castle. Onikage laughed as she lay on the floor with her hands tied behind her back. He had already gotten in a few good hits. The side of Mai's head was bleeding. She had cuts all over her arms and necks. The bruise on her stomach was getting bigger and blacker. All she could do was take the pain.

"What's wrong, Mai?" Onikage asked as he approached her. "Can't you grin and bear it?" He kicked her stomach again. This time she coughed up blood. Onikage laughed at her helplessness. He was about to kick her again when he felt a presence. He turned around and bowed to Lady Hiroko. She shook her head and walked towards Mai. As she did so, Onikage threw a handkerchief at Mai. "Wipe your mouth. You're bleeding." Mai growled at him as he stood back. Hiroko knelt down beside her and inspected the girl.

"You are far more beautiful in person. I can also sense your power. The power you used with your sword is possibly the greatest power I have witnessed. You could be very useful to me." Mai could feel herself being lifted upright in the air. The ropes around her wrists disappeared. "I have my own powers, too. I can move things with my mind, things that cannot fight me. Since you are too weak, I can control your body for now." Mai's arms were lifted above her and secured by chains hanging from the ceiling. She tried to struggle free. But since she was suspended about a foot off the ground, it was useless.

"So what do you want with me?" Mai asked. "I'm sure you could be doing more important things like itching yourself." Hiroko laughed at Mai's comments.

"I like you. You're feisty and humor. I'm going to have fun with you."

"Cut to the chase," Mai yelled. "You wouldn't have brought me here if you needed me alive, unless if you're twisted and torturous. Oh, that's right. You are twisted."

"Should I cut her tongue out?" Onikage asked.

"No, we need her tongue. As I said, your power is probably the greatest I have ever witnessed, besides Lord Mei-Oh's. Unfortunately, that whore Ayame banished him to another world. But I figured if Rikimaru can travel through the portal and survive, then father must be in there somewhere."

"Hold on. Lord Mei-Oh is your father? Then you must be twisted. Strange, I thought that his offspring would be ugly. But then again, two incredibly ugly people can produce one good-looking kid. Or maybe you got some kind of facial surgery." Mai knew she had crossed the line when she felt surges of lightning go through her body. She screamed as the pain worsened. After the lightning had passed, smoke rose from her body.

"I have more than one power. I can burn and electrify things. As I was saying, Tenrai tried to bring father forth with the sacred jewels and the Shichishito but failed because of Rikimaru and Ayame. Tenrai was a worthless fool. He was nothing compared to my skill.

"I have the power to bring Mei-Oh back to this world. I have one thing ready for his return." She held up the Shachihoko. "Isn't it strange that a reverse-blade sword can be so powerful? It's even harder to believe that a fifteen year old girl can unleash its awesome power."

"Excuse me, but I'm sixteen."

"That's right," Hiroko exclaimed. "You just turned. Sweet sixteen and never been kissed, unless you count the kisses you shared with Jinnai." Mai glared at her again and made a furious attempt to break free from the chains restraining her. "I see I hit a nerve. But anyways, I need five powerful swords to bring forth Mei-Oh.

"The Shachihoko is the sword of protection. The Shichishito is the sword of power. The Izayoi is the sword of strength. And Ayame's twin blades are the swords of speed and skill. These swords will form into one great sword that will give its owner unlimited power over all realms. Now that I have your sword, it will only be a matter of time before I have the other four. And you are going to help me get them. Onikage!"

Onikage stepped forward with a knife. He then brushed it against the dripping blood on her face. Onikage handed the knife to Hiroko and she headed over to an alter. She started chanting as she let Mai's blood drip onto the Shachihoko. The sword started to glow black. She then handed the sword to Onikage.

"It'll only work once. The sooner you use it, the more powerful my pull on her will be." Onikage grabbed the reverse-blade sword and walked back to Mai. He then stabbed her side. As she screamed in pain, he caressed her cheek.

"Don't worry, my love. The wound isn't fatal and the pain is only temporary. It might be painful, but you'll life." The chains disappeared and Mai dropped to the ground. She started shaking uncontrollably. Her body started to burn. The last thing she heard before blanking out was the ghastly laughs of Hiroko and Onikage.

Hey, guys. Thanks for all the reviews again. It'll get better. I promise.