Slowly waking up, his senses sluggish from the wine he guzzled last night. Where was he? Noticing the moon streaming through the barred window, he was lying in the upper cell of prison.

Rubbing his forehead, that's right. Tanada, King Nimrod's sister, was mad. She was smart enough not kill him right away. He was the commander of the black spearmen, the strength of Nimrod's army.

What? Noticing the bars of the window bent and buckled, it sobered him up. Something was in this cell with him. He froze to the sight of a motionless, statue like figure crouching at the head of his couch in the shadowy moonlight, a misshapen, deformed outside the boundary of sanity. He made out a pig like head.

It moved causing Amboola to shriek and spring up. The creature sprang at him ripping his throat out with its deformed claw like hands.

Avoiding the speeding carriage, if he wasn't focusing on her location, never mind, the rider continued the slow ride through this dead town. Actually it wasn't dead, he sensed people. They were hiding. Even the taverns were closed. He need a place to sleep and check on any mercenary work. Strange, he doesn't carry a sword. His target or someone like them entered this city.

In different part of the city, a clatter of hoofs belonging to six men and a woman broke silence covering the street. The six surrounded the woman. Her thick black mass of hair confined by a gold fillet. Her dusky skin covered by a short silk skirt girdled at her waist. Gold plates brassier crusted with jewels covered her breasts. Her straight features with her bold scintillate eyes full of challenge and sureness. She rode and handled her steed with eases and certitude.

Stopping, they saw a crowd of people blocking their way.

"Milady, we should go around," said the middle solider in the front row.

"If they don't move," ordered Tananda, "crush them under our hooves."

Stones struck them stopping their forward progress. Hands gripped the reigns of her horse while fingers clawed at her. Her skirt ripped as hands clasped her arms then pulled her and her horse down. Her brassier snapped off as shoots to kill her grew from the crowd.

The hands pinning her begun loosen then shoots to kill her got replaced with bones snapping. Getting to her feet, her back rested against a wall as her chest heaved for breath. Her brown eyes watched what was the crowds' new interest. It was a dark blonde male wearing a sleeveless shirt cloth pants cow hide boots. His skin tanned by the sun. He moved through the crowd like a snake through grass. Injury fools that didn't realize running to live another was better then dying by Tananda's hands.

More troops arrived surrounding the troublemaker. Lances drawn ready to drive through him.

"STOP!" caused the soldiers' heads to the naked Tananda.

"Milady," bowing the head of the guards.

"This crowd nearly torn me apart. What took you so long?"

Looking at his men of ten, "We had to wait for the crowd to scatter."

Nodding as she thought about what his said, she signaled to the guards who in turned ran their lances into their former captain.

Turning her attention to her rescuer, "May I ask why you're in Yaralet, stranger?"

"Looking for work namely mercenary work."

"Penniless vagabond that doesn't need a sword."

"Been able to survive without one."

"Your name?"

"Manko."

"Did you do any caravan work?"

"Worked the Shifting Sand line."

"Yes, your handling of that false prophet reached us. Let's go, my new captain of the guard."

Smiling, he grabbed a silk cloth then handed it to her.

"No, let them see the perfection they do not have," she said.

Shrugging his shoulders, he followed his new boss.

Staring at the yellow tour bus, "Are you kidding?" replied Beast Boy.

Standing beside the bus, "Orders from the new boss since the Titans don't a have reality shifter," said Altair, "We must travel by bus."

"You know she won't like you saying reality shifter," remarked Etana.

"It sounds more interesting then stargate."

Altair wore a white dress with a matching jacket with blue patches that completely covered her shoulders and had red strips wrapped around the patch and separating the blue. Jake recognized it as the Robotech Defense Force's Medical Officer's uniform.

The bus doors swung opened.

"Welcome to The Yellow Magical Mystery Bus Tour," come from the intercom.

The ladies went first followed by the guys. Nightwing and Staarfire sat together in the front. Beast Boy and Terra sat in the middle with Cyborg and Jinx across from them. Jake and Raven were in the back. Altair and Etana sat across from Nightwing and Starfire.

"Be sure to keep all feet, hands, elbows, and kneecap within the ride at all time," said Daria over the intercom.

"Will you just send us there already?" sighed Jake.

"Fine, don't get crabby about it," came the reply.

"Help, I'm steppin' into the twilight zone
Place is a madhouse, feels like being cold
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to go now that I've gone too far? (Oh oh oh
)" came over the intercom.

"Really?"

"I didn't program the play list."

"We all live in a yellow submarine
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine
We all live in a yellow submarine
Yellow submarine, yellow submarine"

"Turn it off."

Bus started shaking.

"Ok," Daria's voice came out of the loudspeaker, "shifting in three, two, one."

Raising his hand, "This isn't going to hurt," asked Beast Boy, "is it?"

Shaking his head, "No, it shouldn't," remarked Jake.

"Unless you've got sensitive hearing," remarked Altair, "then you'll get a bad headache."

"Calm down already," said Etana in her military uniform, army by the look by the look of it.

She didn't have quite the amount of patches that Jake did, but she still had quite a few that she could brag about.

Bright light flashed through the interior, surprising not blinding anyone. Lights streaked past the windows.

"What's with the light show?" asked Beast Boy.

"Believe those are stars," answered Nightwing.

"Or atoms," added Cyborg.

Another flash of light. Followed by a loud pop radiating through bus along with the bright flash that reflected off the walls. Even though it was bright, it didn't even make anyone blink.

Bus door swung opened and they filled into a white room. They saw no windows and only one door in or out.

Smiling, "Well, that's over with," commented Jake.

"Dude," said Cyborg, "all there was, was a pop. How could we have gone anywhere?"

Looking at Cyborg, "Um, dude, this is not Star Trek," remarked Etana, "so what did you expect?"

The door opened, and the group entered area of white hallways. Waiting for them was Cray, Otomo, and a rather looking rather down Hazara dressed in their formal wear. They were invited to the same ball and being honored like the Titans. The only hunter that was missing was Daria. She had to refuel the bus. Lucky girl.

Cray hadn't changed much. He was still wearing his fancy shirts and slacks, but gone was the long coat, as well as his spear and gun holsters.

Otomo wore a black silk kimonos. Guess that's formal. He stood beside Hazara in a simple dress. There was nothing exciting about it, or anything that made her stand out except a lot of blush to hid her black eye. Jake thought the pain from all of her killing was still there, not even beginning to fade away.

"Dude," whispered Beast Boy, "where are we?"

Jake looked at Beast who was looking out a 'window.' Jake walked over and looked out.

"That my friend is why we don't have to worry about the organization headquarters being attacked. Where we are now is the void." Wow, more misinformation.

The other Titans came and looked out the windows into complete blackness. Actually it's blue, by now you figured Jake's not exactly open minded. No stars, no earth, nothing. It was as if they were in the middle of a black hole, and the building they were in was the only source of light.

"All that is in this reality," said Otomo, "is what we call the main hub, which is the headquarters of the organization that we are standing in now."

Looking at his watch, "I know it's impressive," remarked Cray, "but we need to get going. Let's not give a reason to Powers and have him send a bunch of hunters after us."

The other hunters nodded, and moved down the hallway, the Titan's following, and taking in the sights behind them.

All gathered for King Nimrod's banquet. His sister sat to his left.

Pounding of the drums indicted tonight's entertainment was ready. Slow deliberant steps in straight line. The redheaded with a batch of white over her left eye wore a green gold trimmed outfit with rawhide tassels hanging from her belt. Bowing, she loosened up by flexing her stomach. Circular motions for her neck. Moving her chest like a Z followed by a little shake of her hips. Picking her tempo up with the drummer. Little whip action of her red hair then twirled counter clockwise caused the rawhide tassels lift ready to snare a prey that came within range. On her knees flexing her abs added to the temptation to touch to prove that she was real or some exotic dream.

Stepping towards the king, she saw a familiar face. Sitting by the king's sister, flames shot in her eyes. No acknowledgement from the bastard. Inching her way with each thrust twirl. Each hip swirl. Only the table separate them.

"Die!" she yelled leaping at that bastard.

Catching her wrists, he slammed her onto his seat then sat on her. Hooking her legs then stuffing a napkin into her mouth.

"Milady. Sire, I'm retiring to my room with my bonus."

Quick nod from the king, Manko shifted the dancer up to press her arms against his back. Still hooking her legs, he gripped her neck. He managed to stand then carried her to his room.

The group walked for maybe a good five minutes through the administration sector of Main Hub until they came to a set of double doors with a single, unarmed guard watching them approach.

As soon as they were in front of him, "You're late," he said, "They are in there waiting for you. Press your thumbs to the scanner. Once registered, step inside."

Stepping forward, Jake knew the others would push him towards the guard if he didn't. Pressing his thumb against the scanner. The screen in front of him lit up displaying a record and his photo. Raven had to bite her lip to control her laughter. It seems Jake had a bad hair day. The two doors swung open.

Turning to Raven, "Shall we?" he asked holding out his arm.

Smiling, she hooked his arm with hers. They stepped inside.

Waiting for them was an older man in a formal waiters outfit, he looked at the two.

"Names?"

"Jake Spiegel and Raven Roth," answered Jake.

Looking at his bill, the waiter marked off the two names.

Looking back at the two, "Follow me, please," he said walking off.

The couple followed, and was lead to a large room filled with people. On one side, a group of several dresses and suits were discussing things among themselves. Were as on the other side, people were talking yes, but only one type of suit was worn by the men and one type of dress by the women. And the middle of the room was a dance floor, which was completely empty, even though classical music was in the air.

"May I present, General Jake Spiegel and Mrs. Raven Roth," shouted the waiter in front of them, moving aside and around to return to his post for the next group.

Both groups were staring at Jake and Raven as they descended a small flight of stairs.

Once they were in the group that Raven assumed had to have been others like Jake, for they smiled at Raven and Jake. But she was wondering something.

"Jake," she asked hearing in the background that Cray and Etana had been announced,

"What did he mean by General?"

Smiling, "Because I'm the equivalent of a six star General." said Jake, "Because of my combat experiences and the fact that only rulers, kings, and presidents have the most power in the countries, I'm right under them. And considering my military background, would you expect anything less?" Not really, JAFO.

Rolling her eyes at Jake's attempt at a bad joke, "I just wanted to ask."

A few minutes later, the Titans and Hunters joined Jake and Raven. Powers wearing an expensive suit rather then his normal gray stood at the podium. He launched into a speech that was boring them. Beast Boy and Cyborg had already fallen asleep and Cray was looking like he was ready to join them. Glancing over at the other side of the room, Raven noted the majority of the hunters were sending her death glares sending shivers through Raven's skin. Noticing, Jake held her hand trying to give her his support. Looking into his eyes, she saw his love.

"And to end my speech," said Powers, "I would like to present the hunters who solely defeat the human monster known as Blood that have taken many hunters lives, the Soul of Virtue's, the organization's highest honor. Also, to a group of hunters, who prevented the coming of an army that would have destroyed countless worlds and slaughtered billions of innocents. And, according to our researchers, the leader of this army was a demon warlord. To this group, the organization would like to present the Tears of Sacrifice to each of you."

Powers's number two man, a scrawny man that none of the group had seen before, held a piece of paper in front of him, saying, "When I call your name, approach to receive your medal or medals.

Jake was first. Giving a light peck to Raven's check, he stepped towards the stage that Power's was on. Walking with a military like march, his face firm. Standing in front of Powers, he gave a sharp salute which Powers returned. Turning to the table next to him, Powers picked up a ribbon with a medal hanging from it. Bending slightly, Powers put the ribbon around Jake's neck. Jake stood straight again as Powers produced a box. Pulling a pin from the box, Powers preceded to attach it to Jake's uniform. Powers took a step back. They saluted each other once again. Quickly doing an about face, Jake marched away without a single word uttered between the two.

It was pretty much the same for the others. Cray kneeled, Etana and Altair saluted, and Otomo and Hazara bowed in front of Powers. Powers did take a moment to whisper something into Hazara's ear, which manage to bring a slight smile to her lips, if only for a moment.

Shortly afterwards, the party had gone back to what it was before. The two groups on both side and no one dancing. The most exchanged between the two were glares, mostly focused at Raven.

Taking note, 'We were here for what Powers wanted us for," said Jake then thinking, "no reason to stay."

Glancing around the room, Jake saw Nightwing and Cray glancing in his direction. Catching their eyes, he lifted his finger and silently told them to gather everyone, then motioned with his head towards the stairs.

They nodded their heads and made their moves. Following Jake's suggest to get the heck out of there, and they weren't going to argue.

Watching her mortal enemy walk up the stairs with that bitch of a half demon, she once was Leola Ashford. Now known as Kersis by the organization that created that monster. She was lucky that the organization let her stay after she killed the doctor that changed her, but that wasn't important right now.

What was important was killing the man that took the love of her life away from her. She was at Batur, when Jake raged. In fact, she lead the team that was sent to stop him. Her future husband was with her, along with good friends. And that asshole ripped apart her best friend with those bloody blades he had for enhancements. He shot her lover and teammate in between the eyes. He shot her three times in the gut, then left her for dead.

"And now he has a love in his life," she thought smiling.

Taking that away from him before his death would be a brilliant idea. She would have to wait. Moving now with the hunters and those Titans around, she would be beaten easily. She would watch and wait. Buy her time, and then take everything from him, before killing him like he did to her.

Outside the double doors of the administration sector's main hub, it seemed the guard was having trouble with a redheaded female with a little batch of white hair over her left eye.

"You can't go in there, miss," said the guard.

"Why not?" asked the redhead.

"Your name isn't on the list."

"Actually, does that mean? I never needed an invite to crash a party for the living dead before."

"No name on list. No invite. No going in."

Pulling her shirt collar down, "Not ever for a peek," stepping close for the guard to get an eyeful.

"You don't have a man's chest."

"Really," ramming her knee into the guard's crotch, "Even homos can feel pain," she mumbled pushing the doors open.

The doors closed behind her as she studied the crowd in their evening dress wear.

"Yep, the party of the dead," she mumbled.

"And to end my speech," brought her attention to the man standing behind a podium.

"Thank you Nigel,"

"I would like to present…"

"Liar!" she huffed out.

"The hunters who solely defeat the human monster known as Blood…"

"Luckily for us."

"That have taken many hunters lives, the Soul of Virtue's, the organization's highest honor."

"Sounds like Blood was alright guy."

"Also, to a group of hunters, who prevented the coming of an army that would have destroyed countless worlds and slaughtered billions of innocents."

"Party poopers."

"And, according to our researchers, the leader of this army was a demon warload."

"Was this after they pulled their heads out of their asses."

"To this group, the organization would like to present the Tears of Sacrifice to each of you."

"Screw the tears. Where's the punch?" she thought cutting through the crowd.

She found it.

Tasting it, "This sucks," pulling a flask from her coat pocket, "This should add a kick."

"Jessica, don't even think about it?" stopped her from pouring the contents into the punch.

Turning around, "Victoria, what brings you to this A.K. party?"

"Besides keeping an eye on you, studying my new recruits."

"Those clowns?" pointing to the medal receivers.

"The Teen Titans and the demon hunters who defeated Trigon and Blood. Some of the hunters are my new recruits."

"You're shitting me," laughing, "Those clowns."

"It seemed Trigon didn't crossover and Blood didn't use the Loc-Nar."

"Lucky them because Trigon would wipe the floor with them," handing a tightly rolled up bundle to Victoria, "Heard you're running the HDC now."

"Thanks to your little show in Metropolis which got run on the national news and Wheeler's handing of the Brother Blood incident."

"Well, now get my ass out of Area 53."

"I'll see what I can do until then you got a unit to train. Have you seen Rath?"

"Ask Susan? She's his observer."

"You don't know then."

"Don't know about what?"

"Susan's dead. Alice saw him last asking about Kenaz."

"Suzie's dead?"

Unscrewing the lid, she took a couple swigs.

"This Kenaz killed her, didn't he?"

"If it makes feel better, he was beheaded."

Clapping for the medal rewardees brought Jess's attention on them again.

Taking couple swigs, "What's her story?"

"Which one?"

"Purple eyed one wearing the charka."

"Rachel Roth aka Raven."

"Raven? That name sounds familiar."

"She's the daughter of Trigon's ."

"Of course, Rath lost her contact after bitch slapping Wheeler."

"You'll going to be alright?"

"Peachy," she said walking towards the medal receipts, "Nice medal," she said to the purple haired girl.

"Thank you."

Holding it closer to her face, "It's amazing what one can do with gold platted tin," she said walking away.

"Bitch," hissed Jinx.

Entering into the ladies' bathroom, Jess found an empty stall. She sat down then emptied her flask down her throat.

Resting her head against the stall, "Suzie," she let out as the tears flowed down her cheeks.

She had her life ahead of her and some bastard took it out.

"Couldn't believe that demon was allowed here," brought her out of her sorrow.

Cracking the stall door open, she saw two female washing up.

"Wheeler's right this place going down hill," said the second female.

"Kersis," thought Jess.

"First those demon knights now they're allowing demons. Hope Wheeler gets control and purge those knights and demons including that baby killing redheaded whore."

"Like that's going to stop me from kicking your ass!" yelled Jess grabbing Kersis's hair and ramming her face into the mirror.

Watching Jake and Titans left, Victoria's grip on her cane relaxed.

"Hello, Victoria."

"Nigel."

"Victoria, now you got the HDC, can we call truce for now?"

"Why? My people battle higher classes all the time and they don't get awards instead get treated like baggage actually baggage receive better treatment."

"Victoria, we been through this. If your people stopped blowing things up…"

"Not their fault the demons fight back and they don't trust the gratitude of politicians. "

"If they only…"

Something busted through the wall and landed on the floor. It was two women fighting actually the redhead had the other woman by the throat.

"Don't feel tough now," pounding her fist into Kersis's bloody face.

"Jessica!"

"Not now, Victoria. Besides rearranging this loud mouth bitch's surgical fixed face teaching her about the meaning of respect."

A blade appeared across Jess's throat stopping the assault.

"It ends now, Jessica."

Staring up, "If you're planning to use it, use it don't waste my time," still gripping Kersis's throat.

"You're suspended until further notice."

"You hear that!" getting up, "The bitch got her leash tighten to save you the endangered demon hunters from getting your ass handed to you proving what a joke you're all are," walking towards the double doors, "This living dead party blows. I'm going to find some real action," walking out of the room.

"Victoria, now you know why the demon knights are looked upon with scorn."

"Nigel, Wheeler started it first."

"There's a warehouse party tonight," came out clear on Jess's head set.

The bug she planned on the medal of that purple hair girl worked. Looks like Jess was going to crash another party. Let the good times roll.

The group managed to back to the tour bus without anyone stopping them,

Looking at her watch, "Wow, two minutes," remarked Daria wearing an orange flight suit, "not shabby."

Except for Raven, the rest of Titans's mouths dropped.

"We've been gone for at least an hour," mumbled Cyborg, "what are you talking about?"

Rolling her eyes, "Time distortion between realities, duh."

"So," sighed Jinx, "what time is it?"

Looking at her watch again, "Only 7:02"

Blinking, "Wow, so we can make that party."

That got all of the Titan's attention, the hunters just shrugged at the idea.

"Yea," Jinx went on, "there's a warehouse party tonight."

That's all it took for the Titans to load onto the bus. The ball might have been pretty bad, but they weren't wasting a Saturday night doing nothing. Only ones left were Raven and the hunters.

Jake sighed, "Any of you want to come?"

"Sorry, I'm still on duty," said Daria.

"And I'm going to stay with her," Altair said sharing a look that only Jake caught.

"I would go," said Cray lowering his head, "but I'm afraid I might be an extra wheel."

Smiling, Etana wrapped her arm around his.

"Give me five minutes, and you wouldn't be."

Cray blinked, then smiled at what she was saying.

"Why thank you, Etana."

Otomo shook his head no. Followed by Hazara shaking her head no.

Returning to the tower's garage, they scattered to change from formal wear to party gear.

Staring at his windows, this city was ready to ignite. Amboola's death was already whispered over the city. Tandana got a new captain of the guards. His assassin got caught trying to kill the wrong target. Sighing, extreme measures required. Pulling the statue from its hiding spot. Bowing and chanting the stone surface changed to hairy flesh.

"Kill the new captain of guard."

The servant from section of hell went to do its job.

Entering his room, he dropped her onto the bed. Locking the door, he turned then ducked in time causing her fist slamming against the door instead of his face. Jumping onto his back, her teeth sunk into his ear. Digging her fingers into his flesh made his attempt to toss her off his back to fail. Landing on the floor, his momentum combined with her grip caused his back to slam against her stomach. Using a chokehold, she prevented air from entering his lungs. His elbows couldn't hit her ribs so he tried slamming her against the floor. Rolling onto his knees proved difficult since she would shift her weight that would wear his strength down.

Bracing his knee under him, he stood despite her teeth or fingers digging into his flesh. Slamming into the wall three, four times finally allowed to hip toss her onto the ground.

Pinning her hands over her head, she struggled under his weight. Finally breathing, her brown eyes burned.

"Jackass, you abandoned me," she growled.

"I couldn't afford you."

"Bullshit. You could've killed the owner."

"Then what would I should've done with the other girls. Sell them. Leave them. What was I going to do with them? That's why I kept track of you until I could afford to buy you."

"Really? How about the merchant who placed me in his harem. I escaped only to get recaught and got a bambino cane across my feet for three days."

"Only for a gambler to win you at a game of chance?"

"Yes, only a…you know about that?'

"Yes, for him to get killed and you got paddled ten times a day with a birch switch then forced castor oil down your throat only to get sold to the House of Ill Gotten Gains."

Smiling, "You need a bath, master," she said with mischief in her eyes.

"I'm not your master."

"You won me," leaning close to his ear, "now I'm yours," smiling at his confused look, "Now I must fix that bath, master."

Loosening his grip, she slipped from under him. Standing up, she walked towards the brass bathtub. Testing the water, she struck a match then lit the furnace under the tub. Returning, she gripped his hands then led him to the tub. She pushed his shirt up then slipped his hands away when he tried to help her in undressing him. Leading the naked Manko, she soaked a rag in the warm water then rubbed the dirt and sweat off his skin. Detecting the shaking of her outfit, he watched as she slip her naked body into the water with him.

Rubbing his chest with the rag, "Maybe we should stay longer," she said.

"No, this city is ready to explode," he said studying the bracelet around her left wrist, "And this?"

"It's to prevent me from running until I kill the king."

Kissing her left hand, "Remember I hurt those that I care about," placing her hand on the edge of the tub.

Confused as she watched his left hand press her thumb against edge of the tub.

"Motherfucker!" she screamed as the palm of his right hand foot slammed against her thumb against the edge of the tub breaking her hand.

Sliding backwards caused water to splash onto the floor.

Holding her broken hand, "Bastard!" refusing to cry, "Get away from me!" trying to kick him.

Pushing her foot away, he gripped her left wrist then pinned her right arm with his body.

Trying to massage her broken hand, "Stop crying," placing his thumb against the broken region of her hand, "How less was this coming off?" showing her bracelet between his index and middle finger, "Now," with simple thrust of his thumb and popping sound, "there it's fix," sitting across from her.

"I wasn't crying," flexing her hand, "Now it's my time to get rough," tackling him against the edge of tub.

Licking his finger then sucking on it, their night of rough housing began.