Sitting in the locker, Altair watched Daria trade her light blue coverall for an orange TLSS flight suit.

"I don't understand what you're upset about," replied Daria zipping up her flight suit.

"You called a v-tech just a plane," said Altair.

"It's got wings, cockpit, engine no different then a F-14 Tomcat."

"Unless a tomcat can turn into battroid, gerwalk, and fighter."

"It won't be a problem, Altair."

"I still got a bad feeling about this test flight."

"What's wrong?"

"I've been reading Jake Spiegel's file."

"And?"

"He missed the Shadow War by a month."

"That's a problem?"

"From I'm understanding, yes. Maybe my experience as a medical officer jaded my thinking process."

"Actually, what did you do during this war?"

"Just patched up of fighters not explain to them how to do their jobs."

Smiling, "Let me relax your worries."

Weakling smiling, Altair followed Daria towards the hangers. Reaching the ladder of the VF-19 Excalibur, Daria turned and watched Altair being drove to the watchtower. Climbing into the cockpit, she buckled herself in. Going through her checklist, no problems. Looking to her left, she saw a VF-11 Thunderbolt. She let out a low whistle.

"Ready to enter the Danger Zone," came from her headset.

First a thumbs up then, "Yes, let's enter the zone," from her lips.

Whoooosh, she shot forward from the thrusters. That sudden thrust of g-forces knocked the wind from her lungs. Recovering, she pulled the stick back lifting herself into air. Smiling, she barreled rolled herself upside down. That sight of the ground from the air never gets old.

"Bluestreak," yes that's her call sign, "remember this is a training exercise. No horseplay and you let your opponent get the upper hand."

Rolling right side up, she saw the VF-11 to the left of her. Ok, watching the right wing of VF-11 tilt up then slam onto the VF-19 left wing. The third slam caused the VF-19 instrument panel to light up and beep.

"Motherfucker," escape from Daria's lips as the VF-11 pulled in front of her.

Locking her weapons, VF-11 begun ascending. Daria gave chase. Afterburners kicked in. Mach 5 the alarms went off. Reaching Mach 5.5, Daria felt dizzy. She shook her head. Sleepy. Eyelids heavy. No. Stay awake. When did monsters use bombs? Daria passed out.

Darkness around. The streetlights were out. Sirens blaring. The base being attacked. Where's mommy and daddy? Mommy? Why did you look strange? No, mommy don't eat me. Mommy beheaded. Electricity crackled from mommy's beheaded body. It crawls to the figure that beheaded mommy. Screams from this figure as the lightening enters his body. Explosions. On his knees, more monsters caution to proceed then figure then kills with his sword. Walking towards the frightened child, his steps echoed.

Placing his hand on the child's shoulder, "What's your name child?" he ask on his knees.

"Daria."

"Daria. Daria. Daria."

"Daria, wake up."

Opening her eyes, the concerned face of Altair entered her field of vision.

"When did you get wings," sitting up, "and learn to fly."

Hugging Daria, "You, idiot."

Smiling, Daria noticed a redhead dressed in a black gold stripped flight suit with yellow black stripped shoulder pads. A bandana covered her head. A pigtail of red hair draped over her left shoulder. A black and gold ring securing the pigtail, it gave the illusion her hair was shorter then it really was.

Resting her eyes on the two demon hunters, her nose caught that burning garbage.

"You still got that foul stench," the said redhead staring at the white hair albino.

Half smiling, "Shouldn't you be at Area 53?" asked the woman wearing a black SDF-3 military officer's uniform.

"Got tired of scaring the marine life."

"Nestea learning new words?"

"Colorful words. What do you need?"

Handing her a bundle, "Can you fix this?"

Untying the bundle, she unrolled it.

Studying the contents, "Wow, been awhile I've seen this," rolling it up, "Something to do. How's Suzie?"

"She still with Rath."

"And what's he doing?"

"Searching for missing hunters and rogue knight named Kenaz."

"And what about those two hunters?" motioning towards Daria and Altair.

"They're checking into the possible resurrection Dolza."

"Great another war prevention. What me to shadow them?"

"Would you please?"

Cracking one eye open, he saw Raven still had her arms tightly around him. Her body looked uncomfortable, yet she still had a smile on her sleeping face. Slowly drifting back into that deep sleep he was enjoying earlier which wasn't happening, he was still awake. Not wanting to disturb her, he kept his head on his pillow letting his mind wander. Go ahead use the bathroom. Airhead's got nothing interesting going on in his head.

First thing there was the fight against Blood, where let his rage free and Raven almost paid for it. He almost killed the one he cared for the most. How could he have done that? He lost too much as it is. Along with his reason.

Staring at his hands, "This is covered with more blood then the beach head of Normandy. I'm a killer, and nothing more."

Laying there, thinking who knows how long, till Raven begin to stir. Slowly she woke up. He saw the confusion in her eyes. Dawning on a realization, she blushed.

"Morning," he said causing her to looked up and her blushing to reddened, "Sleep well?" .

"Yes, I'm sorry about coming to you last night."

Sitting up, "Don't be," kissing her forehead, "Best night of my life."

She smiled, then went to a stern look.

"Are you ok?"

It felt like she was reading his feelings, so he tried bluffing.

"Yea, I'm fine."

Glaring at him, "Jake, I have empathic powers, I know that you're upset over something."

Looking away; his previous thoughts come back.

"It's just something I need to deal with, I'll be ok."

"Jake," turning his face until their eyes locked, "Please, you've helped me let me help you."

"No, Raven," he snapped relaxing for a moment to relax, "I'm sorry, but there's a reason."

"Jake, I don't understand."

Getting out of the bed, he took a moment to steady himself.

Without turning, "I almost killed you Raven," giving her a moment to remember what he was talking about.

"Jake, I know you weren't in control. I know about your rage, and I know that is not you."

Giving her a cold look over his shoulder, "Raven, you got lucky this time, but what would happen next time?" looking at his right hand, "The next time," rubbing his knuckles, "I might not control myself."

"Then let me find a way to help you, Jake," approaching him. "You have been strong to help me, but now, let me help you."

Turning around, he stared at her.

"I can handle it, Raven, I'll figure something out." This be awhile.

"Sometimes, you can," she signed, "but an emotion, given enough power, could take over."

Closing her eyes, her fingers forming a W. Mumbling, her powers slammed Jake against the wall.

Unable to move, "What are you doing?" asked Jake with confusion that turned to being pissed off.

Walking towards him, her hands held his face.

Looking straight into his eyes, "I will help you Jake, because you won't fight this alone, not after what you've done for me."

Her powers flowed from her eyes entering his mind through his eyes.

Entering Devil May Cry, the stranger wore a trench coat with a hood covering his head.

"Bet you were pissing your pants, dear brother," got picked up by his ears

Looking up, his eyes stared at gauntlets and greaves secured to a plaque. Sitting at the bar, he got whiskey. Paid for a whole bottle. Filled a beer mug with the whiskey. Half a mug left when Dante, a drunken Dante, slapped his back.

"Hey, mate. Let me tell you how I defeated Beowulf for those gauntlets and greaves."

"Do tell," refilling his mug.

"Avoiding his feathers while I jumped, slashed his good eye," mumbled the drunk Dante, "Used air hike to avoid his rushing leap attack. Impressive?"

"Strange lie."

"Strange tal…wait are you calling me a liar?"

"Yes, since I never fought you before. Those are mine. A demon stole them from me. So hybrid, can you cash those checks that your mouthed has created."

Going for Ebony and Ivory, Dante discovered Edony's grip being slammed against his temple. Coughing up blood was something new. Placing Dante's weapons on the bar, the stranger pulled a tofu from under his trench coat. He brought the weapon against Dante's body breaking bones.

"Hey, Stranger," remarked Vergil, " My brother's hard headed. Put a little more effort and power in your blows to knock some sense into his skull."

Smiling, the stranger need that. Leaving Dante in his own blood, the stranger used a pole with claw to retrieve the gauntlets and greaves. Placing them in his satchel bag, he headed towards the exit.

"Stranger, what's your name?" asked Lady.

Tapping Dante with his foot, "Remind the punk." he said, "It's Beowulf and the gauntlets and greaves are returned to their proper bloodline. "

Leaving, he left a story to remind Dante about those that can humble him.

Waking up on a paved road, Raven wasn't sure what she was doing here until she looked up. She saw a sky looking much like the stars in her mind whenever she enter her mind expect for the destroyed city skyline.

"So you are Ms. Roth that young Mr. Spiegel has spent so long dreaming about," came from an aged voice behind her.

Snapping around, she didn't a very aged man dressed in a yellow robe. She guessed his age around the 80's easily and he looked a lot like Jake with white hair and a long white beard.

"You're one of Jake's emotions, aren't you, you're intelligence."

"That is correct Ms. Roth, I am intelligence, and I guess that you could call me a guide as well," gripping her arm, "but, please, come Ms. Roth, it is not safe for you here in the open."

"Why? What's out here?"

"The one thing you came to seek, but now is not the time. We need more…"

Suddenly a roar sounded around them, followed by a crash behind Raven. Whirling around, she saw a creature with deep red fur like a werewolf crouching on all fours.

"It's amazing; the one creature Jake is the most like is the one that controls his anger. Pity really," grabbing Raven, "Come, we must run."

She didn't move.

"Now."

Raven wanted to stay. However the way the beast moved, she didn't want to face it by herself. Before she could turn and run, the beast charged her. Watching as the beast came at her, she readied herself for a fight. A scream then a second figured appeared in front of her tackling the beast. She caught site of him. It was another one of Jake's emotions. Since Jake's intelligence was dressed in the same yellow that hers always wore, she assumed the same in this case that the one fighting was Jake's Bravery even though, he wore green army print pants with empty ammo belts around his chest with dark green paint on his face along with what looked like to be dried blood.

"Hey brainy, get her out of here, I'll hold this thing back," Bravery called out fighting the werewolf creature.

Nodding the old man grabbed Raven's arm.

"Come, he is the only one who can fight by himself against that creature. But we must still find others if we wish to defeat the beast."

Making their way from the fighting, Raven thought about helping, however she knew she would still needed help from anyone who could offer it. They finally stopped running once they heard the sound of the fighting disappearing, and the fact the old man grew tired quickly.

"Forgive me, but my age has slowed me down greatly," he said trying to regain his breath.

"How is it that you're so old? The other emotion I saw was more of Jake's age, but your so much, older."

Giving a small laugh, "My dear Ms. Roth, Jake is much, much older than you know. I'm afraid, that even I don't know just how old he is. You see, every dimension, every reality, is different in time. What may take a week here, may only take a blink of an eye somewhere else. And being a hunter, you know that, but you can't change it. Before you know it, years have passed at your home, and yet, you are still the same age as when you left. But I grew older because of the knowledge I have gained. As for Jake's other emotions, they may seem younger do to the fact they are more linked with his body and heart than his mind."

Thinking for a moment, and it seemed to make sense. Before she could ask something else, she detected movement near her. Studying location of the movement, she took a fighting stance just in case the beast had found them again. Something small slammed into her causing her stumbled backwards. Her surprise to discover what had slammed into her, was a small child trying to bury himself in her arms.

Hiding inside her cloak. "Please, don't leave, I don't want to be alone," he whimpered over, and over again.

Sighing, "Then again, some of emotions are still young, I am sure that you realize that the one in your arms is Fear. When the beast was first released, Jake was place into solitary confinement for a year. During that time, the loneliness nearly drove him mad. Being alone is the one greatest fear that Jake possesses. Which is why, he has so many friends. So in some way, he doesn't feel alone."

"And now, he's afraid that because of his maddened rage, he could kill me, and end up more alone then before," Raven finished.

"That is correct," standing up, "Ms. Roth," approaching Raven with his hand out, "Now come Fear, leave Ms. Roth alone."

"It's alright, I don't mind," causingFear to look up as Raven stared into the child's eyes, "I won't leave you."

Didn't bring a smile to the child's face. It did slow the crying down to a couple decibels.

Returning her attention to the old man, "Where are Jake other emotions?"

Just shrugging, "I do not know, they wander freely, doing as they please really."

Another sound of movement, this time with a voice.

"We try to keep away as best as we can from the beast."

Looking over her shoulder, she saw Jake's Bravery walking up towards them with cuts and scratches along his chest and midsection, and smoking a cigarette.

Sitting a few feet away from Raven with Fear in her arms, and the old man beside her, "Ever since Jake started using his healing factor and claws again, it's tougher for us to keep control of that thing."

"Just what is it?" Raven asked, "It's not a demon."

"It's in a way, a formation of Jakes favorite creature, the wolf. He sees the wolf as a noble creature. In a way, he protects his pack for Jake, it is his friends. But, he also has the knowledge to fight alone, hence the single person fitting for so long," explained the old man, "And since the healing factor was spliced into his DNA and the claws were placed into his arms, it's unleashed the beast you saw earlier. And I'm afraid that even I do not know why it was unleashed…but I do know it is something about you; he has held it back whenever he is around you."

"Think we can kick that damn thing's ass back to whatever hole it crawled out of with her help?" asked Bravery.

Glaring at his counter-part. "Yes, I believe we could defeat it with her help," said the old man "and I'm sure Ms. Roth would appreciate a little politeness when it comes to being spoken to."

Grunting, shrugging, taking a drag from his cigarette, "Whatever."

"Forgive him, Ms. Roth, but the only place he seems to be half way decent is on a battlefield."

Raven just nodded, while patting the child in her arms knowing what Jake was like in battle. Sure, he made comments during the fights, but he was all serious. Everything seemed like life or death to him. His face cold and unforgiving.

"So…," she said. "How do we stop it?"

"You can start, by dying," growled a voice which turned into a roar.

It seems the beast had snuck up on them without realizing. It tried pouncing onto Raven.

Staring at it, "I'm not as weak as you think," she said coldly stopping the creature in midair.

Placing the child on a stone near her, she turned to the beast hanging in midair. Emitting power from her hands, she placed her middle finger against the forehead of the creature.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" she chanted.

The creature began to change, Raven stepped back letting her magic do the work. Strolling towards her, Bravery stood near her, ready to go a round two with the beast. The old man looked on rubbing his chin.

"I understand," he said, "You're using your magic to bind Jake's rage into something he can control," which Raven simply nodded, "In a way, he will control it, and he will always know he won't be alone anymore." Soon, the once werewolf like beast, had changed into another version of Jake, who was now lying on the ground, stark naked.

Blushing, trying not to staring, "I take it that the three of you can take care of things from here?"

The old man nodded. "Yes and thank you Ms. Roth, for your help knowing Jake, he would have done something stupid, like run away from his problem." Believe he still does that.

Smiling while still trying to keep her eyes off the naked form, "I'm glad I didn't wait then. I shall leave now seeing my boyfriend like this is not something I really want to remember."

With that, a goodbye from Bravery, and another long hug with Fear, she left Jake's mind better then when she had first arrived. Needs more bleach.

Across the hot burning red sand, two Mospeada VR-052 Battler Cyclone traveled. Their helmets like Egyptian headdress with the facemasks protecting their face from the sand, heat, and wind. It amazed them that there was life. Noticing the jungle that run along the desert. Their understanding the clouds above acted like an ozone layer allowing life to thrive. Again, the universe bluffing the so called experts that don't get invited to improbability drive parties.

Reaching the Valley of Gwangi, they stopped their Cyclone. Studying the landscape, they sensed a small demonic presence. Using their scanners on their helmets, they found a hidden entrance. Pressing against the surface, they went through the rocky surface. Entering the cavern tunnel, they flipped the lights on their helmets. The lava rock looked like it was carved through. Following the tunnels, the clicking sounds echoed through the tunnel.

Revealing their bladed weapons, they continued on as the clinking got louder. Stopping, they noticed six giant crab like creatures ahead of them. Inching closer they noticed five rows of six giant crabs. The front row had their claws opened. Missiles fired from those causing the two hunters to dodge out the way.

The two hunters threw shrunkens and daggers only for them to get embedded in the exo skin of the crabs.

Another row of missiles brought the ceiling down onto the two hunters. The helmets protected their heads from serious injury even though they got knocked out from the impact.