City of Heroes

Birth of the Brotherhood

Disclaimer: I don't own City of Heroes.

Mini-Issue #3: Blade of Honor 2 of 2

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Right now in Kings Row a staredown was in progress.

Three men, two against the one furthest away. The lone enemy had just revealed himself as a warrior called Devil Blade, and though he was old there wasn't much the other swordsman among them could do to bite back the shiver that ran up his spine. There was something just not right about the ancient looking man.

Mashiro didn't know what to think. He knew for a fact that he had no fear of Devil Blade, but he felt it none the less. However it felt as if it were coming from outside of himself. Not even fear at that, just a definitive waryness that told him to tread carefully. 'What could this feeling be..? It feels almost like the.. the armor is telling me this..!' Before Blue Samurai could fully investigate this his comrad Breakneck vanished in a blur of yellow. "No, Breakneck stop!"

It was too late though as the speedster was zipping around Devil Blade, laying in punches in rapid sucession even though it appeared they had no effect. The old man was letting every blow hit him without trying to dodge it, instead his eyes were closed in concentration.

Blue Samurai recognized it as a form of meditation to reduce the pain felt. Any damage done to him would be normal, much like those bruising punches being landed on him now but the actual pain would not be felt until later or if his concentration was broken. Whoever this Devil Blade was the man was displaying his knowledge pertaining to the Eastern arts.

Then with a quick jerk Devil Blade thrust his hand out, catching Breakneck by the throat! The speedster's suprise could easily be seen in his eyes as the old man lifted him two inches from the ground before launching him in a high arch that ended back near Blue Samurai. Breakneck winced a second before he passed out, most likely from the bone jarring stop that occured when Devil Blade had caught him. It was with a cynical air that the mystery villian began to make his way forward, eyes narrowed and focused only on Blue Samurai. "You have a choice now boy. Surrender your armor and at least earn a small chance at survival or be destroyed along with it."

Mashiro frowned thoughtfully and looked down at his armor. His self preservation was the first thing in his mind. Up until now all he had stopped were armed thugs and mercenaries like Jack. Never before had he come across someone that could challenge him in his own area of expertise. Considering if Devil Blade told the truth then he had more then a century of experience under his belt as a sword fighter. For just that moment Mashiro wanted to throw the armor off and run.

Then, within him it was as if a dragon had awoken, hissing it's displeasure at his fear. The blood of his ancestors knew this evil and had been fighting against Devil Blade all this time. It would not allow Mashiro to surrender.. to lose a battle with such.. dishoner. Slowly the man known as Blue Samurai shifted into a ready stance, hand on the katana hilt. "If you desire to destroy this armor, then you must defeat me to do it!"

Devil Blade looked the man over as if he'd expected no less and finally brought the broad sword into a ready stance. "Very well Blue Samurai.. I have fought countless incarnations of you and this one shall fall just as easily."

Within the heartbeat of a second both men charged, roaring with all their might as blades clashed in a solid draw. Blue Samurai snarled and tried to press further, only to be stagged when Devil Blade reared back and punched him squarely in the jaw. The ancient warrior snarled in cold amusement as he now began to swing with all his might, not attacking Blue Samurai but his katana. Afterall, break the warrior's primary instrument for his spirit and the rest would be quick to follow. An over head slash brought about a loug screech of metal, sparks flying before a horizontal slash by Devil Blade had the same results. He continued slashing in rapid sucession, driving the less experienced warrior back at an uneven pace.

Blue Samurai yelled and brought his sword up at a precise angle, deadlocking their weapons yet again.. only to feel a stiff kick to the inside of his right knee, almost making him fall over. Devil Blade followed up by stabbing forward, only cutting a shallow cut in Blue Samurai's face due to Mashiro's reflexes. The old man smirked. "You are hardly worth my time child.." He countered a sloppy attack by kicking Blue Samurai's wrist. "So pathetic.. I will not waste my time any longer."

Devil Blade leapt high into the air, avoiding another attack and landed almost near the end of the street. With a taunting smirk he called, "When you're actually a worthy opponent I will return for the armor. Annoying as it is I do follow a code. Farewell.." With that the man dashed down another street, too quickly for Blue Samurai to react.

Blue Samurai could only hang his head in shame.. to be thought so lowly of that an enemy would tell him to get better was one of the worst insults he could think of. He took off his helmet and tightened his grip on it for just a moment. Frustration and anger were the main things coursing through his thoughts. So engulfed was Mashiro in his own self criticism that he didn't notice as Jack Culane slipped away quietly.

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Devil Blade came to a stop in a back alley some blocks away, snorting to himself as he remembered how poorly the child that dared stain the title of his greatest enemy had done. Perhaps for now he would retreat back to his private residence or see what the other heroes of Paragon had to offer.

The sound of two hands clapping snapped Devil Blade out of his thoughts. He jerked his head in the direction of the noise to find himself facing one of the most bizzare women he'd ever seen.

Clad in black leather and bone like armor, long white hair and lifeless pearl colored flesh. Her eyes were pure white as well, made more distinctive by the black markings around them. "That was very impressive.. my master had heard of a man with great blade skill.. but I had my doubts you existed."

Devil Blade held his sword up with one hand, not sure as to whether she was a threat or not, but the spectral feel of the air coming off the woman made him hesitate. "Well I do, why have you tracked me down? Wish to challenge me do you?"

The woman just gave a nuetral smile that spoke for her: You're out of your league old man.

She answered him seconds later. "Actually.. my master wishes to acquire your services. He believes that you may wish to be in on our grand schemes rather then chasing around a suit of armor. Why have a minor victory when you can be part of a force that brings all of Paragon to it's knees?"

Devil Blade's expression grew sterner. "How can I be sure your master's scheme is worth my time? While I am long lived even I do not wish for a waste of time to simply pass it."

Ghost Widow just smiled again and walked forward, the alley growing darker as she drew closer to the man. "Oh trust me Devil Blade. You will enjoy yourself.."

Rane: Oooo what a cameo! What sort of plan is Ghost Widow talking about? Could it be that Paragon's greatest villian is deciding it's time to get back to business!