Yo, guess who's back again with another chapter? It's probably the fastest time between two chapters thus far, but unfortunately, not fast enough all things considered. Eh, c'est la vie, I guess.

But enough about that, now's time to kick back with the latest chapter. Enjoy! :)

CHAPTER 7

Meanwhile in Outworld, young Kimiko was in negotiations with Ms. Rubella Mucus, queen of the Shokan. By the Shokan queen's side were her fellow Shokan, younger versions of Pete and Francis, along with the last living Saurian Randall Boggs.

"You are passionate, Princess Kimiko," said Ms. Mucus, "but I ain't persuaded."

"Queen Mucus, haven't your people fared better under Tork Tiger than Aku?" young Kimiko asked.

"In some ways. But we can only guess which emperor will prevail in this struggle. We gain no advantage, choosin' sides now."

"Princess!" called young Omi as he and young Timmy were escorted in by two Shokan guards.

"Omi? Why are you here?" asked the Edenian princess in confusion.

"Tork Tiger has been captured by the Tarkatans. We must act quickly, before he is executed."

With an angry snort, Ms. Mucus stood up from her throne. "My people will not rally to an emperor held in chains."

Young Kimiko, however, still had hopes of gaining the Shokan alliance. "We have Earthrealm's support, your Highness. With yours, we can guarantee victory."

"There ain't no path to victory without the Tarkatans. If they can be swayed to Tork Tiger, it would be to our advantage to join him."

". . . I will return, Queen Mucus, with the Tarkatans at my side. Together we will march on Aku."

Meanwhile, back at the Tarkatan camp, Tork Tiger was put in a cell, after his subconscious body was dragged by two Tarkatan warriors and Rumpelstiltskin. The current Outworld emperor positioned himself in a crouched pose.

Aku and Shego then watched as young Mary, Shere Khan, and Vanellope and Ralph were dragged to their own cells.

With a smirk, Aku turned his attention to his loyal servant. "What is it about Mary Melody's blood which intrigues you, Shego?"

Shego returned the smirk under her mask. "Edenian blood is most sweet, your Excellency. It is also a rare commodity."

Overlooking the camp, from the same spot as young Mary and the others from earlier, were young Timmy, young Omi, and young Kimiko. They watched as the caravan started moving.

"Where are they taking him?" young Omi asked.

Young Kimiko speculated out loud. "To the Koliseum, no doubt."

Young Timmy had a determined looking glare. "Then we attack now."

"We'll never sway Dag to Tork's side by taking the offensive. We must turn Dag first, then attack Aku together."

"The Tarkatans won't grant an audience. Their instinct will be to attack."

Young Omi then pointed out, "Not to mention Mary. At the first sign of trouble, they could kill her."

As the Edenian princess tapped her chin a moment, she raised her eyebrows in epiphany. "I have an idea."

The three then walked into the camp in disguise, with young Timmy and young Omi disguised as Osh-Tekk warriors and young Kimiko posing as a hostage.

"Who is in charge here?" young Omi asked.

As the three walked onward, two of the Tarkatan guards behind them sniffed the air in suspicion.

In Aku's tent, Shego was interrogating young Mary, using her blood magic via her hands against the green-clad Edenian's temples. Young Mary was in pain from the warrior's torture.

Based on the look of her eyes, Shego wore a smirk under her mask. "Almost done. Then time to feast."

As the red-clad warrior's magic intensified, so did young Mary's pain as she screamed in agony.

The three heroes then walked into the tent. Sensing their presence, the red-clad warrior ceased her interrogation as young Mary fainted.

"Princess Kimiko?" asked Shego.

Young Omi spoke, helping to continue the ruse. "Our gift for Aku. We wish to join his fight against Tork."

"All those years, the emperor's high and mighty daughter. Now brought low by common soldiers. Have you learned, finally, you are no better than the rest of us?"

As Shego was preparing her blood magic on young Kimiko, young Omi stepped between them. "She is for Aku. We demand to see Dag."

"You won't be seeing anyone . . . Omi."

The three heroes panicked, as their subterfuge was found out.

Shego pointed at them before shouting to the Tarkatan guards, "Grab them!"

Soon the fight broke out as young Omi and young Timmy fought off and incapacitated the oncoming Tarkatan guards. Young Kimiko then went toe-to-toe against Shego—while still maintaining the upper hand. After getting a kick to the face, Shego took the advantage of running out of the tent. Young Kimiko soon ran after her.

Outside the tents now, Shego took a fighting stance. "You betrayed your father, Kimiko!

Young Kimiko posed to fight as well, glaring. "I was Aku's 'daughter' by conquest. He stole Edenia from its rightful ruler, the father I never knew."

"Because your people, and your bloodline, were weak."

They fought. Shego might have been Aku's own personal construction, a lethal warrior feared by all, but young Kimiko had tackled the red-clad warrior's kind before, back in Walter Wolf's Flesh Pits when she first encountered Vicky. The blue-clad Edenian princess fought harder, fiercer, and more determined.

Against the odds, young Kimiko stood victorious as she looked down at her incapacitated adversary. "There is more to power than conquest, Shego."

After Shego disappeared (via magic) young Omi, young Timmy, young Mary, Shere Khan, and Vanellope and Ralph appeared.

"As requested," said young Timmy as he helped young Mary walk, "zero casualties."

"Mary, are you all right?" young Kimiko asked concernedly. "We must find Dag quickly to save Tork."

Young Mary straightened up. "Dag won't join us. Tork's hate for the Tarkatans runs too deep. If I hadn't stopped him, Tork would've executed them all."

"Way of Big Teeth—grudgy and stubborn!" Vanellope added. Ralph grunted in agreement.

"Yes," snarled Dag from off-screen, "Tork has made his intentions plain."

The Tarkatan general sharpened his arm blades against one another, sparks flying as he grinned in bloodlust, with a horde of his fellow warriors behind him.

Ralph cracked his knuckles in preparation as he growled, with Vanellope on his back hissing.

By symbiotes' side, Shere Khan prepared his magic. "Stay behind us. We shall cover you."

"No!" young Kimiko commanded Tork's three servants, before facing the advancing Tarkatan. "Dag, please listen. No more Tarkatans need to die."

Dag barked angrily. "Tork Tiger threatens all Tarkatans. In the New Era, Aku will rule."

The fight was on. Seeing as how Vicky's combat skills were reminiscent of Tarkatan skills, young Kimiko was able to seamlessly predict Dag's moves. While the Tarkatan general had deadly—and deathly—skills in fighting and hand-to-hand combat, the blue-clad Edenian princess managed to prevail after a series of punches and kicks, before a final strike to his face with the broad side of either of her fans.

As Dag slowly picked himself back up on all fours, young Kimiko pressed on. "Hear me, Dag. I speak truth." The Edenian princess whipped her head around toward her six friends/allies. "Mary, Omi, Timmy—everyone stand down!"

Dag barked out, "Khut! Nar kombat trakka! [Hold! Cease your combat!]" After everyone from both sides stopped their fighting, the Tarkatan general stood back up and turned his attention back to young Kimiko. "Speak. You've earned the chance."

"Aku has pitted Outworld's people against one another for millennia. And for what? The honor of dying in his wars? We must fight for each other, Dag, not with each other."

"Tork wants us dead. He said as much to my face."

"Aid us, and I'll make sure you sit at Tork's table." She then turned around. "Which do you prefer, Dag? To be Aku's slave? Or Tork Tiger's trusted ally?"

Dag paused for a moment. ". . . No one's ever made Tarkatans such an offer. But these are your words, not his."

Young Kimiko turned back around to face the Tarkatan general again. "Help me save Tork Tiger. We'll ask him together."

"Heh. He offers less, I'll slit his throat."

"If he offers less, Dag, I'll help you."

Over at the Koliseum, Tork sat in a stockade, growling in anger and resistance. To one side of the stockade, Rumpelstilskin leaned against it with a satisfied-looking smirk.

Aku faced the seated crowd and spoke aloud. "You've suffered too long at this pretender's hands. But I've returned, and I will save you from his madness!" As the crowd cheered, Aku summoned forth his war hammer. "Only I can rebuild the empire. All Realms will tremble before me! Outworld will again be conquerors, never the conquered!"

"AKU! AKU! AKU! AKU! AKU! . . ." chanted the cheering crowd as the evil Outworlder basked in their cheers.

Aku approached the Outworld emperor, readying his prized weapon. But then . . .

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

Everyone looked on in confusion at the banging going on behind the blocked gate.

As Aku's minions unsheathed their weapons, the gates were busted open and young Kimiko and her band of allies—including Ms. Mucus and Dag and their bands—marched into the arena.

Aku and Rumpelstiltskin approached the advancing Earthrealm allies.

"Where's this boldness been hiding, Kimiko?" asked Aku. "Had you shown it before, I'd have had no need for Vicky."

Young Kimiko's eyes narrowed to angry slits as she walked up closer to the imposing Outworlder. "My 'sister' was an unholy monster. Exactly like you, 'father.'"

The Edenian princess leapt in for the attack with her fans, though Aku dodged them with ease. The imposing Outworlder swung his war hammer in counterattack, but young Kimiko was also able to dodge the strikes easily.

Everyone else down in the arena started fighting as well.

Young Mary, meanwhile, tinkered with the stockade that Tork was in.

Using the bladed parts of her fans, one of young Kimiko's hits struck home in Aku's side, a black essence escaping his injury.

Roaring in agony, Aku was now on his knees. Before young Kimiko could deliver another strike, Rumpelstiltskin intervened, shoving her out of the way. The blue-clad Edenian princess straightened herself up in no time as she blocked and counterattacked the Naknada and his weapons.

Young Kimiko was able to deliver a Cat-like scratch on one of Rumpelstiltskin's arms with either fan.

Wincing from his injury, the Naknada clutched it before sneering at the Edenian princess. "Ungrateful Shrew. Born to privilege which you throw away."

"Who are you to judge me?" young Kimiko hissed back.

"You have not known cold or hunger. If you had, you would value the gifts Aku gave you."

For someone as scrappy-looking as Rumpelstiltskin, and a mere tax/tribute collector to boot, the Naknada was a fierce fighter—equal to young Kimiko. However, the blue-clad Edenian princess had something that he didn't have: patience and a genuinely honorable cause.

Those two things were enough to keep young Kimiko driving onward and getting the upper hand on Rumpelstiltskin, as she thrashed him senseless with the broad sides of her fans before knocking him out and standing over him. "Be grateful you still breathe."

The crowd cheered on at the skirmish.

Freed at last, Tork followed Aku as the latter shoved Kombatants out of the way to get to young Kimiko.

As the evil Outworlder turned around to face the presence following, Tork tossed sand in his face and blinded him. Seeing his advantage, Tork charged into Aku and slammed him into a wall.

A few onlookers fell out of their seats from the impact.

Dash the Sloth popped up in the corner of the screen, slowly laughing for a brief moment. "HA . . . HA . . . HA."

As for the two hulking Outworlders, Tork started crushing Aku in a Bear hug before the latter butted him in the forehead.

Having his rival disoriented, Aku switched places and placed Tork in a Bear hug, threatening to crush him. After a crunch could be heard, the evil Outworlder picked up the current emperor over his shoulders and, with an evil laugh, delivered a blow to the latter's spine!

Hearing her mentor's cry of agony and seeing his defeat, young Mary gasped. "Tork!"

Throwing his enemy down on the ground, Aku took out his war hammer. Before the final blow was struck, young Kimiko intervened in the nick of time and slashed at the imposing Outworlder's chest, a black essence escaping from that wound as well.

Aku staggered a moment before facing the blue-clad Edenian princess.

"Surrender or face the consequences!" commanded young Kimiko, standing ready to fight.

"Surrender on the brink of victory?" scoffed Aku as he brushed off the second injury and started walking a circle around her. "You are as feeble-minded as Aladdin—"

"King Aladdin!" young Kimiko snapped as she kept her attention on the warlord. "The father you murdered and stole me from!"

"I wanted Aladdin's wife, not his heir. I kept you only to appease your mother Jasmine. Do not expect mercy this time!"

And as the fight began, young Kimiko didn't deliver mercy. No, she fought with a ferocity that Aku himself had never seen before—allowing her gain more of the upper hand. She punched, kicked, and slashed her adversary. However, the warlord didn't back down, making the fight long and hard for the Edenian princess as she blocked his attacks and had her own attacks blocked at times. However, she ended up victorious as she performed the same move she used to end her fight against Vicky way back when.

Breathing hard from an exhausting fight, young Kimiko looked down at the fallen warlord who caused her so much woe all her life. "I'll not inherit your cruelty."

As Aku tried to get back up, young Kimiko kicked him in the face, knocking him back down on the ground. She then ripped off the mask that covered his face before tossing it to the side. Staring down at him still, the Edenian princess readied her fans. She then slashed at the off-screen nemesis, causing the onlookers to gasp and shudder.

Young Kimiko closed her eyes, turned her face away, and make sure her mask was more secure on her face (A/N: Sorry for the irony of that added detail 0_0 ) as Aku's lifeless body dissipated into black dust and disappeared.

Young Timmy was wide-eyed at the sight before whispering, "She did it!"

Young Omi stood by his friend. "Of course she did."

Young Kimiko walked away from the divot in the ground Aku once laid.

"Do you feel anything?" young Mary asked, tending to the wounds of her mentor/friend.

Tork winced briefly. "Aku has crippled me. Left me defenseless."

"Not while I am by your side."

"You would still stand by me? Even with my hardened heart?"

"I know your heart." Young Mary then hugged him, smiling. "It can change."

Tork returned the hug and smile.

Her mask now removed, young Kimiko approached her two allies, before bowing to the Outworld emperor. "It's over, Tork. The throne is secure."

Tork blinked in acknowledgement. "Thank you." He then noticed two of the most unlikely allies approach. "Dag, Ms. Mucus. I have not served your denizens well. Yet still you aided me. I will not forget."

Dag snarled. "We don't need charity. We will share in Outworld's rule."

"That is up to her now."

Seeing young Mary, Dag, and Ms. Mucus look at her, and seeing Tork point at her, young Kimiko didn't know what to make of it. "What?"

Tork smiled. "The throne is yours. You have united Outworld, Empress Kimiko Tohomiko."

A small surprised smile appeared on young Kimiko's face.

Nudging young Omi's shoulder, young Timmy smirked with a wink. "She's now officially out of your league."

Young Omi, however, didn't care as he smiled for the blue-clad Edenian princess-turned-empress.

"I am humbled, Tork." Young Kimiko then spoke aloud for all—from the Kombatants down in the arena, to the spectators in the stands—to hear. "From now on, may all of us fight together as one."

All had cheered before the new empress. Even Vanellope and Ralph cheered, along with Shere Khan smirking with a single nod in approval, while Rumpelstiltskin was tied up and under either of his feet looking miffed.

Dash the Sloth popped up from the corner of the screen laughing at the Naknada's position. "HA . . . HA . . . HA."

"Hmph!" Rumpelstiltskin huffed as he watched Dash move out of the way again.

Meanwhile, after hearing the good news from young Omi and young Timmy once they got back to Barnyard Dawg's dojo, Samurai Jack spoke aloud for all present allies to hear. "The news from Outworld is indeed hopeful. But the location of Eris's Keep remains a mystery. It is beyond the Realms, and has proven to be beyond my sight."

"Samurai Jack?" Barnyard Dawg asked. "Do yas know of . . . the Grim Reaper?"

Foghorn rubbed his chin. "Grim Reaper, of course."

"Who is the Grim Reaper?" Samurai Jack inquired.

Barnyard Dawg explained. "Master of the ancient ship of the dead. Foghorn and I met him durin' our time as Revenants."

Foghorn added, "He travels—I say, he travels in the space beyond Realms—Realms, that is—transportin' condemned souls to the NetherRealm."

"If the Keep lies there, the Grim Reaper may know its location."

"Would he help us?" asked the thunder god.

"It is possible," explained the yellow-clad Shirai Ryu, "but I cannot be sure."

"I urge you both to investigate."

Along with Foghorn, Barnyard Dawg placed a fist over his heart. "We will leave immediately."

Without another word, the rivals-turned-allies walked off on their new journey.

"Locking down Outworld's army is huge," said Sara to the thunder god, "but still, I'd feel better if we had more manpower."

Samurai Jack nodded in understanding. "The Shaolin will join us. Omi and Timmy travel now to aid the monks' preparations."

Young Omi and young Timmy bowed in response before taking their leave as well.

Sara gave a single nod. "Good. I'll be leaving soon to go after Ron and Kim."

Young Boog responded, "I'll go, too."

Julie added, "We're both going."

Sara held up a hand. "No. Samurai Jack needs you for an intel op."

Raimundo shrugged his shoulders. "She makes a valid point."

Young Boog shook his head."We need to get Kim back."

"Undoubtedly," agreed Samurai Jack, "but Eris's behavior makes it clear that, while mighty, she is not all-powerful. Otherwise why would she attempt to steal Jinsei?"

"Think maybe, like, she's still building strength?" asked Julie.

"A distinct probability."

"Then what's her next move?" asked young Boog as he unwrapped a Woo-Hoo Bar.

"With the Dragon Grotto's Jinsei fountain sealed," the thunder god explained, "there is no greater energy source in Earthrealm than the Well of Souls beneath Walter Wolf's island."

Julie prepared her gauntlets. "Then we'd better go check it out."

As the (kind of) father-daughter duo prepared to leave, Tarzan spoke up. "I shall help aid you on your mission."

Samurai Jack sighed. "I regret that I cannot join you. I must keep vigil for signals of Eris further tampering with time."

Sara shrugged in understanding. "We all have our duty."

"I am told you defeated Pitch, Sara Possible. You will defeat the likes of Yosemite Sam. But proceed with caution. If either Ron or Kim die, you will cease to exist. It will be beyond my power to save you."

Hmm, I wonder if that last bit would entail any foreshadowing. . . . Just kidding—we already know what will happen later—but still. Stay tuned for the next chapter!