Author's Note: I appreciate all of the reviews. The Outlaw Star crew is going up against Thera. Will they succeed and rescue Jim? Or will they fail and die at the hands of The Four Pillars of Hell. And now, I'm taking comments on characters like Locke, Kyen and all of the other new charcaters. So feel free to tell me what you think about them. I'm sorry this took so long to finish, I've been working on other fics and I haven't had the proper motivation to type this. But I gvie my thanks to Kit for the suggestion of the Jim Angst. That's what helped my finish this chapter! Thank you!

Disclaimer: I don't own Outlaw Star.

On with the show...

---------------

Thera the Siren, she is a very unique case. A case that no one has ever been able to solve. It's heavily rumored that she acts like a sort of Siren, which is how she got her name. She lures men with her beauty then takes them prisoner, eventually killing them. No one knows how she got her psychic abilities. Her ties to Kyen the Devil are unknown but they seem to be close. As a member of The Four Pillars of Hells, she is never to be taken lightly and should be avoided at all costs.

"Just be a good little boy and maybe I'll let you be my permenant pet. Ah ha ha ha ha."

Aboard the Outlaw Star, 13 hours into the voyage, everyone was awake. That is, except Aisha and Locke. Gene, Melfina and Suzuka sat in the kitchen to discuss their current situation.

Gene folded his arms. "So Thera got into our heads through that light." He said.

"It would appear so. I saw the same flash of light you did, Gene." Suzuka responed.

"How can we stop her from doing it again though?" Melfina asked.

"That will be very hard. As much as resisting a Siren's call." Suzuka commented.

Everyone went silent. They wern't looking forward to the upcoming battle. Especially with no idea how they could win. They had to think of something if they had any hope of saving Jim.

Chapter 8: To Break A Siren's Hold

Meanwhile, in Aisha's room, Locke began to stir. He groaned and put a hand up to the side of his head, he had a bad headache. He opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. He wasn't where he fell asleep last night. He looked to his left and noticed that he definately wasn't lying against a pillow. His eyes widened and he blushed. Things took a turn for the more embarassing when Aisha woke up. She looked down at Locke and her eyes widened as well. Locke's blush deepened and he quickly sat up scooted a few inches away.

Aisha remembered what she did to Locke last night when she saw his head bandaged up. "Locke, I'm sorry about what I did to you last night." She said.

Locke blushed even more. "...ahh..." His computer took a few minutes to turn on, so he could only nod.

He looked around. Something didn't seem right about what Aisha said to him. He put his hand back up to his head and finally felt the bandages. His was confused, when did he get hurt? Just then, Melfina's voice could be heard.

"Breakfast!"

Aisha's ear perked up and she went running out her room and into the kitchen, leaving Locke alone and still confused. Locke finally got up, grabbed his computer and went into the kitchen as well.

-------------------------------------

By the time Locke entered the room, everyone else was already eating. Locke sat down in his seat and gave his food an odd look. He wasn't sure what it was. Most food was new to him, since he had been held captive his whole life.

"Um, what are these?" He typed.

"Those are called eggs." Melfina answered politely.

"Ah yes... thank you." Locke responded/typed.

"So, let me get this straight, you don't know what eggs are?" Gene asked in disbelief.

"Not really, the only food I've ever had is rice and occasionally some ramen." Locke typed.

"Wow, talk about behind the times." Gene commented. "Well, never fear Locke, Aisha here can teach you all there is to know about food."

Aisha made some awkward sound of agreement while wolfing down her fifth plate of eggs. Locke looked at the eggs again, shrugged and started eating. They were actually pretty good, he thought. It was pretty quiet for the rest of the meal. Locke occasionally held his head from the pain of the headaches. Everyone else watched him while he did it, they knew what happened. But apparently he didn't.

Gene spoke up. "What's the matter, Locke? You got a headache?" He asked.

"Yes, and I don't know why my head's wrapped in bandages." Locke wrote in response.

"You mean, you don't remember what happened last night at all?" Melfina asked curiously.

"Did something happen? After I fell alseep in Aisha's room, I slept right through the night. But this morning I woke up against the wall lying next to Aisha." Locke typed, claiming that's all he remembers.

"Locke... I punched you in the head last night. I'm sorry." Aisha said, looking down at her empty plate.

Locke blinked a few times then typed, "Oh, well, it's ok Aisha. Accidents happen." He smiled at her.

"You're not mad?" Gene said, surprised.

Locke typed, "Not really, I only have some headaches now. But those'll go away soon. No serious harm was done. I'm alright, really, I am."

"You have excellent self-control, Locke." Suzuka commented, looking up from her tea.

"Everyone, we'll be arriving at our destination in about fifteen minutes." Gilliam spoke up.

Gene stood up. "Alright, let's get this party started." He exclaimed.

Everyone scrambled around the ship to prepare for landing. Locke remained in the kitchen, having nothing to really prepare. But soon, the fifteen minutes went by and the Outlaw Star landed on the second moon of Me-Gann. One by one, they exited the ship. Fifty meters away, Thera stood waiting for them along with Jim. Jim remained silent with his eyes closed while standing a little bit in front of Thera.

"So you've finally arrived." Thera said.

"Let's do this the easy way. You give us back Jim and we'll give you Locke." Gene announced.

Thera smiled devilshly. "Good, I knew you'd come around. We'll make the switch at the same time." She said. "Fools, they have no idea I know what they're up to." She thought.

Gene turned around to Locke. "Remember the plan?" He asked. "After you walk past Jim turn and run back towards us. Got it?"

Locke nodded and stepped forward. Jim walked forward as well. They both walked towards each other at the same pace. Jim stopped a little bit before Locke. Locke stopped as well, in confusion. This also confused everyone except Thera, who was grinning the entire time. Locke looked at Jim, his eyes were still closed. Jim suddenly started to chuckle. Locke tilted his head to a side in confusion. before he realized what was going on, Jim leapt forward and punched Locke, in the head, right where Aisha had punched him last night. Locke went tumbling to the ground, clutching his head in pain.

"Now, Jimmy!" Thera ordered.

Jim jumped aside as Thera launched a Tao spell at Gene and the others. Luckily, they all narrowly dodged the attack. The battle had offically started now.

"Damn it! She tricked us!" Gene exclaimed, drawing his Caster.

Thera giggled with delight, "Ok, now bring him to me."

Jim obediantly grabbed Locke by one of his legs and started to drag him to Thera.

Gene pulled out his smaller handgun and shot the ground in front of Jim. "Jim, stop it! Locke's your friend. Let him go." He shouted.

Jim stopped walking and just stood here for a moment. "I'm sorry Gene, I'll get in trouble if I talk to you anymore." He said quietly.

"Jim... take Locke back to my ship and wait for me." Thera ordered.

Jim continued to drag Locke away, off towards Thera's ship. Locke was still in too much pain from the punch to his wound to fight back.

"Damn it! Jim!" Gene shouted, running after Jim and Locke.

Thera launched another Tao spell at Gene. He stopped running and fired his Caster just in time to block the spell.

Thera suddenly looked angry. "You've all gotten in my way enough already! Now it's time for you to die!" She yelled feriously.

"You're wrong, it is time for your foolish reality to finally be ended." Suzuka said, holding her sword in front of her.

"Yeah, trying to kill me in my own head, now for a little payback." Aisha commented, while cracking her knuckles.

"Melfina, you stay back alright?" Gene turned to face Melfina, only to find her not there. "What? Melfina! Where'd she go?" He asked himself.

-------------------------------------

Melfina ran after Jim as fast as her feet would take her. She had enough of standing idly by while Gene and the others risked their necks. She wanted to do something to help, she could at least save her friends. She had finally caught with Jim and Locke as she stopped to catch her breath.

"J-Jim! Wait, please, stop! Let Locke go." She pleaded. "Don't listen to Thera. She's only using you. We came all the way here to bring you back with us. Please Jim..."

Jim stopped dragging Locke. For a moment, he just stood there silently. Suddenly he dropped Locke and brought his hands to his sides. He started shaking slightly, going through inner turmoil.

-------------------------------------

Jim stood alone within the deep dark chasms of his mind. He was shaking and trembling. He wanted to go back with Melfina and Gene and all of the others, but something was holding him back. Jim looked up as a solitary light shown in front of him. There appeared another him, it stared back at him the way he was looking at it.

"Who're you?" Jim asked his phantom.

"I'm you, moron. I'm all the pain and suffering you have welled up inside of you. I guess you can call me Angst, for now." It responed.

Jim looked confusedly at Angst. "'For now'? What do you mean, 'for now'?" He asked curiously.

Angst smirked and chuckled a little. "Pretty soon, after Thera's done with us, I'll be all that's left inside of you. And when that time comes, I'll become Jim and you'll be nothing but a empty shell. Just a representation of your old self, or what will be your old self." It answered.

Jim was taken by surprise after hearing this. "What?! No! That can't happen! I won't let that happen! I have friends who want me back with them!" He yelled, angered by Angst's words.

Angst laughed louder. "Wow Jim, of all people, I didn't expect you to be so stupid. Don't you realize it yet? When you got kidnapped, your so called 'friends' replaced you with Locke. He's a much better companion than you." It said, taunting Jim.

Jim grabbed his head in a sort of painful anger. "Shut up! Shut up!!! You're lying! T-They'd never..." Jim yelled, tears forming in his eyes, as he fell to his knees.

"You're pathetic, Jim. I can't believe I'm actually apart of you. But, I'll give some great advice." Angst said, grinning.

Jim looked up at Angst, "L-Like what?" He asked shakily.

Angst's grin grew larger. "Just kill Locke. Do that, and your 'friends' will take you back for sure." It answered.

Jim's eyes opened wide as the thought processed, "Kill Locke...." he murmured.

"Do it, and everything will be alright. And you'll just be filled with good feelings." Angst lied.

Jim stood up slowly, his hands shaking. "Alright... I'll do it. To get my friends back..." he muttered with anger.

-------------------------------------

Jim turned around slowly and looked at Locke, who was still cringing in pain. Jim stood over him with a menacing look on his face, a look that fits with a murderer. He knelt down and slowly wrapped his hands around Locke's neck, starting to choke him. Melfina's expression changed to pure horror as she witnessed this happening.

"Jim, what're you doing?!" she shouted, running over to him.

She tried to pull him away from Locke, as to stop him, but he fiercely pushed her away. She stumbled back and lost her footing. She fell backwards and slammed her head off a nearby rock, knocking her unconscious. Locke saw this and went into a state of shock. How could Jim have done such a thing to Melfina? Locke felt an incredible surge of emotion about to explode. Was it...anger? Locke took his left hand and quickly punched Jim in the face. Jim fell back, giving Locke time to stand up. Locke was overcome with rage and had the urge at beat Jim into a bloody pulp.

Jim looked over at Locke as he held his jaw. "Why?! Why can't you just die! I want my friends back!!!" He yelled.

Jim charged furiously at Locke and swung at him with a hard right hook. Locke dodged the punch and delivered a swift kick to Jim's gut. Jim hunched forward back then quickly rammed heads with his foe. Locke stumbled and clasped his head in pure pain. His head throbbed and his vision blurred just as Jim came back with three bare knuckle punches to Locke's wound again. Locke cried in pain and fell to the ground. Jim knelt over him and starting repeatedly punching him in the head.

-------------------------------------

Suzuka charged at Thera and swung her sword horizontally. Thera blocked it with a very strong light shield. Aisha ran in readying her claws for an ample slash. Thera's eyes flashed an amber color and Aisha was sent flying backwards by a wave of energy. Gene aimed his caster carefully and shot it at Thera, only thing is that Thera as usual threw his aim off.

"Let's rock!" Thera yelled, as the ground around her suddenly unearthed itself in two pieces.

The boulders spun around her before viciously launching themselves at Suzuka. She jumped on top of the first rock and then leapt into the air and split the second rock in two with a single downward swing of her sword. Aisha, ferious about being thrown aside like a rag doll, came charging back at Thera. She leapt over Suzuka and came down with a forceful kick. The impact shattered Thera's light shield, making her stumble back.

"Ah! Damn you, Ctarl!" Thera growled.

Meanwhile, Gene was loading the #9 Caster shell into his Caster. He had to wait for the perfect time to fire, so Thera woldn't screw up his aim. This was one shot he coudn't afford to miss.

"Now! It's time for you to die! Accept your fate and leave this world!!!" Thera screamed.

She began chanting another Tao spell. As she continued the incantation, light blue flames began emitting from her body. The flames started to form into a large dragon. Thera screamed again and then the dragon began moving right towards Gene at increasing speeds. Gene's eyes widened. It was now or never!

"EAT THIS!!! YAHHH!!!!" He yelled, pulling the trigger.

A bright red blast of energy forced its way out of the Casters barrel. It collided with the burning dragon and completely cancelled it out. A dull silence followed and no one made any kind of movement. But as quickly as the silence had come, it was replaced with a loud sound followed by a bright light sparkling in midair. The light quickly transformed into a huge blast of wind as it rocketed towards Thera. Before she could do anything, Thera was enveloped by the wind and blasted an extremely far distance away. Judging by how far and how high she was thrown, she would mostly die upon impact with the ground.... The fight was over. Gene sat down on the ground and let out a deep sigh of relief. But suddenly he was overcome with a troubled feeling.

"Oh shit! Jim... and Melfina and Locke!" Gene quickly stood back up and ran off in the direction Jim had gone with Locke and Melfina. Suzuka and Aisha ran after Gene.

-------------------------------------

Locke's vision was getting blurrier by the second. Jim kept relentlessly punching Locke in the head. But suddenly, he heard a scream; it was Thera scraming in pain some distance. Jim stopped punching Locke and got up. He grabbed his head in pain as Thera's hold was breaking.

-------------------------------------

Jim fell to the floor, clutching his head. Angst stood in front of him with a murderous look on it's face.

"You little bastard! Why didn't you kill him?!" It yelled feriously.

"I can't!" Jim sobbed. "He's my friend too! Thera had locked away that fact so you'd have a reason to plague me like this!" He stood up shakily.

"Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about!" Angst yelled back. "I'm a manifestation of all you bad memories and thoughts. Not so that Thera wanted to control you, She just found me convienent. I'll be here and you can't say otherwise!" It kicked Jim in the stomach before vanishing.

-------------------------------------

Jim's body had finally exhausted itself and Jim fell unconscious along with Melfina and Locke. After awhile, Gene, Suzuka and Aisha found the three of them laying on the ground. Gene ran to Melfina and shook her lightly.

"Melfina! Melfina, are you alright?!" He asked, worried sick for Melfina's well being.

She groaned a little and opened her eyes. "Gene, you're okay, thank goodness." She said quietly, smiling.

Gene couldn't help but smile. "You don't have to worry about me, Mel." he said back to her.

Suzuka stood over Locke's unconscious self. "Gene, you might want to have a look at this." she murmured.

Locke's wound had opened back up and was bleeding again. The blood covered up some of the bruises he had all over his head. Gene, Melfina and Aisha walked over and looked at him.

"Damn, this is horrible. We have to get him back to the ship, pronto!" Gene exclaimed.

Aisha picked up Locke, carrying him under her right arm and Gene picked up Jim. They all slowly made there way back to the ship.

-------------------------------------

Off near Thera's ship, Thera lay of the verge of death. She had somehow survived the impact from her collision with the ground. She slowly crawled towards her ship's hatch.

"D-Damn them... I'll kill them all... if it's the last thing I do." she said weakly to herself.

Suddenly, a blonde haired man wearing sunglasses appeared in front of Thera. He had wings sprouting out from his back and he held a long scythe.

"That last thing that you do... is beg for forgivness." The man said, peering down at the crippled Thera.

"Angelglory, now is not the time... to settle our rivalry." Thera groaned.

"Rivalry? Hah! If you call completely destroying my reason for existing as a human, then yes we're rivals." Angelglory said sharply. "If I ever see you again, you'll meet a fate far worse than a death by normals means. Go..." he motioned towards the hatch of Thera's ship.

"T-Thank you... I've left my Angelic Syndicate alone for too long now, anyway." Thera muttered as she crawled into her ship.

After crawling into the pilot's seat, Thera revved her ship up and flew off into space. Angelglory, watched the ship fly off with a hatred in his eyes. Now it was his turn to kill Gene and take Locke.

-------------------------------------

So, how was that? Sorry for any typos but my computer has no spell check. R&R, please. Thanks!