Chapter 9:

"Well…" Ebony began haughtily, "Look what the cat dragged in…or should I say Hawk?" she said, smiling at Rain in a most devious way.

Rain looked around her desperately, but Ebony's tribe had closed ranks on her. She was surrounded on all sides by girls carrying large bows and arrows and a few with large clubs and small, sharp swords.

"Come to play, Rain?" Ebony asked.

Rain turned to face her old leader, "What are you doing here?" she asked her, looking Ebony squarely in the eyes with all of the dignity she could muster.

"Me? Oh, I'm just chasing a little power and chaos," Ebony replied casually. "I think the more appropriate question is what are you doing here?"

Rain eyed her suspiciously as her mind raced to come up with an answer.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue." Ebony supplied. "Let me help…hmmm…"

"Ebony, I can explain," Rain said quickly.

"Save it," Ebony said harshly. "You've been playing house with that oversized bird-man, that's what you've been doing."

"He's my husband."

Ebony scoffed, "Honey, husbands are meant to be disposable."

Rain flinched at Ebony's words.

"So…I haven't seen you in awhile; ran away to the Ecos, huh. Think they're better than me, than my tribe. Are you happier with them, Rain?"

"They're a peaceful tribe, there's no war." Rain replied.

"There wasn't any war…" Ebony hissed, "Ebony's in town now, and war's come with me…But that's not what I asked, and you didn't answer my question. Are you happier with them, Rain?" Ebony asked again.

Silence reigned for a moment as Rain though over her answer. Was she happier with the Ecos? Yes, she had been happy there…they had taught her about family, about simple living, about peace…but there had always been something missing. Ebony was looking at her expectantly.

"Yes, I've been happy with them," she said at last.

"Oh…that's sweet," Ebony said taking a step towards her. "Wrong answer."

The girls surrounding Rain trained their weapons on her.

"Any last words?" Ebony asked with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Rain surveyed the arrows and swords that were to be her end. Turning back to face her enemy she asked the questions that filled her mind in what she believed would be her last moments.

"Why? What are you after? Why the Ecos, what have they done to deserve this?"

Ebony took a step closer and stood as tall as she could as she faced her old tribemate, "Peace…Peace is the enemy. Peace destroys lives, destroys relationships. Mega, the Technos, they ruined our lives, killed the dream…and now the only thing left is Power and Chaos. The city is over; done…the future is here. And I'm going to be the ruler, I'm going to be the queen."

Ending her speech, Ebony stepped back and surveyed her prey. Rain appeared to have mellowed, settled, but there was still a bit of the old Loco in her. She could be molded, manipulated into helping her in her quest. There was still a bit of bloodlust left in Rain's eyes. Then a thought occurred to her…

"The word was that you ran off with a Techno. Trey, was it, one of Mega's inner circle, I believe. Is he with the Ecos? Is he living a life of peace?" she asked, spitting out the last word as if it was a curse.

Rain thought of Trey. He loved her, cared about her. He was family. Did she betray him now and gain her life? Rain looked around again at the weapons focused on her, and thought of the death that they promised. Then she looked back at Ebony and took a steadying breath.

"Yes, Trey's living with the Ecos now."

Ebony motioned to the group around her to lower their weapons. "Well then, maybe I can find a use for you after all."