Few miles away Malsco's ash gathered like a tiny twirling tornado. Some red flash of light for effect, Malsco regained his form. Laughing, his pet will never be freed. Five thin wires wrapped around his neck. A foot to the back his knees brought him down.
"Mort," chocked from his lips.
"Malsco, your victory is short lived."
"Her curse is eternal. No way to free her now."
Smiling, "You forgot about snake magic."
"Their kind is dead."
"Nope. I know one that still exist," slicing his head from his neck.
Absorbing Malsco's lifeforce, she left before the hunters or demons found Malsco's dissolving body.
Exiting the med room, Gojiro saw the crowd of hunters waiting.
"She's been recursed."
"How's that possible?" asked Altair.
Shrugging his shoulders, "This is beyond my healing ability. This is more a snake magic user problem."
"What's a snake magic user?" asked Jake.
"They're experts of transmutation."
"I know transmutation."
"On a base level. The idea is a snake user can eat poison, ingest, integrate, and transmute into spiritual energy if one has the proper state of mind."
Shaking his aching head, "Where can we find one?" asked Jake.
"Don't know. They're a rare breed that were hunted into extinct by those that didn't want cure for problems be easy and cheap."
"Like who?"
"Head doctors."
Buzz, buzz, buzz went Jake's Titans commentator.
Pushing the reply button on his commentator, "Yes,"
"Jake, need you at the Interrogation Room ASAP," said Nightwing.
"Great," clicking the end call button on his commentator, "keep me updated," said Jake entering the elevator.
Pulling Hazara's torn Cyborg built mask from his coat pocket, he examined it.
"Wonder what went wrong?"
She just needs a little help,
To wash away the pain she's felt,
She wants to feel the healin' hands,
Of someone who understands- Holy Water Big and Rich
Gojiro and the rest of hunters left. Altair and Daria needed to report back at Macross City. It seems she reenlisted and Daria joined her. Daria's on her way being a v-tech fighter. Otomo stayed. Flexing his fingers, he wanted to kill something to release this frustration. So close, she was almost cured. Seeing her in that new mask and fighting beside just added to his feelings for her. He wanted to taste her lips. Punching the wall, stop thinking that way, she's a fellow hunter respect her on that level. Her going to the ball while still wearing her old mask, he wanted to hold her for being that brave.
His mind drifted to burning, blood, death from another lifetime. Their village was burning and those creatures found them. Despite the disadvantage, they killed many. Most of Claus's golden hair had tinted to a deep red. He didn't let go of his weapons and kept fighting. Maiku protected his sister from sharp claws. In return, Miina saved him from the blade of a sword. Midori's nunchaku defended her and attacked her enemies at the same time. With his mind of rage, Otomo fought never knowing how many he killed or how hurt he was. His parents were here so was Rika.
A child's cry among the creatures.
"Aruvis," Claus called out, recognizing his little sister's voice.
There was a survivor. He tried reaching out for her. Almost desperately. And the creatures noticed he lost his balance. The surviving clan's concentration was broken, and it was too late to fight back.
Waking up, Otomo found himself tied to a tree. It was still night, and the village was still burning. He was hurt, lost a lot of blood from a wound in his arm. His weapons taken away. Looking around, he saw Midori and Maiku had their hands and legs tied up and were lying on the ground having been punched and kicked into unconsciousness. Two creatures held Claus to the ground as he yelled at a third standing a few feet from him. Its back to Otomo only able to see strands of long, pale gold hair.
Otomo's eyes widened. Was that creature holding Aruvis?
There was a scream, and then blood everywhere. Claus's sister killed in front of his eyes. He was too shocked to react.
Many of those creatures surrounded him blocking his vision. Otomo never knew what happened to Claus.
Screams and laughter assaulted his ears. Recognizing Miina's voice, he wondered what those creatures were doing to her causing his anger to build up inside him.
And those around him liked it. They brought someone inside the circle. Swallowing hard, Otomo saw it was Rika. Her long black hair was covered in dry blood, most of her clothes were ripped. Her navy blue eyes deprived of the life and determination they once had.
Their clawed hands held torture instruments that Otomo never really used. He did know how they worked and what they could do to someone. That knowledge made it worse.
He tried breaking free. He had to help the others. Had to help her. They dragged her to the opposite side of the tree preventing him from seeing her. for a brief moment, their eyes locked. Before she turned her eyes away, Otomo saw humiliation.
He was cut, broken and burnt for who knows how long. He didn't hear as much as a wince from the girl he loved. At first, he heard the occasional screams from the others as dawn came and the screams ceased. Were they dead? He wanted to get out of there. He knew he couldn't. He wouldn't. He'll die there as soon as those creatures had enough of his pain.
And they seemed to never have enough. With his body broken, they decided to destroy what was left of his mind and will.
The bodies of both Maiku and his fiancée Midori were laid in front of him. Torn apart. Their expressions frozen. Their blank eyes stared at him while their flesh was ripped apart and eaten.
Soon the heads of his teammates were on the ground before him. Followed by Aruvi's. Their faces, their eyes…
They would soon bring Rika, too. He feared that moment the most. A body fell in front of him. Blood stained hair brushing against his feet. It was all cut. Maimed. It didn't breathe. Didn't move. He was despaired. It was Rika. Blood poured from her wrists.
Those monsters got tired of him. He was going to be next. Thank the heavens. He would feel no more. Forget it all.
"Master Jubei, release me from these torment."
"Otomo, you are swordsman and its your destiny to fight. Fight with all your ability. One day when your own darkness defeated you then I'll release you."
It was too soon for the heavens to take him. Three people quickly killed the remaining creatures. Even though he was dizzy, he tried to keep his eyes open watching as bloodied bodies fell around the three. One of them used a gun, another was a sword adept, and the other one used fists.
Then there was his new section leader. Haraza's recruiter . Ordered them to help Jake. Her gray eyes rested on him. With a smirk, "That wasn't the first time you lost your village to demons, was it?"
How did she know that buried secret that even the organization didn't know?
His mind returned to the present. Entering the med bay, he stared as she rested. Slowly walking, his footsteps didn't echo in the room. Hazara sprung up crying. Staying on the bed, she brought her knees her chest rocking with tears still flowing. She didn't hear him enter or as he silently moved closer until he sat beside her and gathered her into his arm. Jumping slightly, calmed down once she realized who wrapped their arms around her. Crying into his shirt, she gripped his shirt with such strength he couldn't pull away if he wanted to. He just sat there letting her cry. She had been alone long enough in her life. He won't leave her now. He won't ever leave her again until the alarms went off.
Stepping off the elevator, Jake headed towards the group of Titans outside the Interrogation Room . Staring through the one way mirror he saw a young woman similar to Starfire except she had black hair.
"Here," handing the torn mask to Cyborg, "It seems a demon can remove it."
Studying the mask, "What was the design flaw?" asked Cyborg placing the mask on a table only for a pair of unseen hands to take it.
Crossing his arms, "So," Jake said keeping his eyes on Blackfire, "who's the Tamaranean?"
"Blackfire, Star's criminal sister," remarked Nighthawk handing Blackfire's file to Jake, "She wants Star's help and only will tell Star the reason."
Reading the file, "Do we trust her enough to go along with this?"
"How do we know this isn't some kind of bluff?" remarked Cyborg, "Wouldn't put it past her to try."
Staring at him, "And what about me?" said Jinx, "Would you be asking the same things if I were in her shoes?"
Revealing a confused look, "No, I care for you too much not to believe you."
"But all the same," said Nightwing rubbing his chin, "I do think I would treat her differently, no offence either of you, two. How could we know Jinx was to trust back when she was first no longer bond to Blood? How do we know she wanted to change, we had no idea."
"And now," said Starfire, "the same thing is with my sister. I wish to trust her, but I am not certain if I should."
Sighing, "What about the galactic prison she went to?" asked Jake, "Any chance we could talk to them, see if she broke out or something?"
Nightwing shook his head, "We have no clue as to how to reach them."
Staring at Raven, "Did you feel anything off with her?" asked Terra.
Shaking her head, "No, as far as I could feel, she's scared, but it isn't us."
There were a couple of sighs among the group.
"Night," said Jake looking at him, "mind if I took a bit of time with her? Maybe with me talking to her, I could come up with something as to whether or not we trust her."
Rubbing the back of his head, Nightwing nodded his head.
"Alright, go for it. But don't get to close and don't relax to much in case she gets free."
Jake nodded as he moved to the door of the interrogation room Blackfire was sitting in.
Entering Jake had a blank look on his face just like his brain.
Rolling her eyes, "Try to do the right thing," said Blackfire, "and they don't believe me, so they send the rookie, is that it?"
Raising his right eyebrow, "Oh, I'm no rookie," he said seating across from her, "far from it actually." Yes, he's a rookie.
"Yea, sure," she said smirking, "you know, I might be better company with these off," indicating to the metal encasements covering her hands along with the power restriction collar around her neck.
Keeping his blank face, he drew his gun faster then a eye blink.
Bang. A single shot fired from his gun just scratching her cheek, leaving a red line along with a trickle of blood.
She stared at him keeping his firearm and Jake in the same field of vision.
Listening to the shell casing bounce off the floor, "Guess, you are the crazy one," she said in a tone that some could say sounded better then Jake's serous tone.
"No," he said with the hint of a smile, "if I wanted you dead, you would be dead. I'm just showing you I'm no rookie. Now, unless you no longer enjoy walking, I suggest you tell me the real reason you're here."
"Only to my sister not to a child trying to prove his manhood."
Grabbing Blackfire by her neck, Jake slammed her against a wall.
Titans were ready to stop Jake from killing her.
"He's testing her," mumbled Raven.
"A little extreme for a test, don't you think," growled Nightwing.
"Give him a couple more minutes," watching Jake pinning Blackfire against the wall with a gun barrel aimed at her stomach.
Pressing into her face, "Your record says that you've tried to frame your sister and single handily tried to take over a planet, now why the fuck should I or anyone believe your story. You got five seconds to tell me."
"Then I'll physically harm you until I see my sister."
"Three seconds to stop you."
"No, I'm giving the other Titans a five second head start."
Laughing, Jake checked his commentator, "You're on your own, Jake," appeared on screen.
What Jake didn't realize was as the bullet grazed Blackfire's cheek, she moved enough for the bullet to damage her collar. Moving his eyes from the screen to Blackfire's glowing purple eyes, he saw her evil smile.
"Now my turn," sudden burst of power blew the metal encasements off.
Slapping Jake's gun out of his hand, she grabbed the collar of his coat. A sudden movement upwards, they burst through the ceiling as she used him as a shield. Jake's head slammed every steel beam as they went up the full distance of the Tower.
Hazara fell back to sleep while Otomo had to leave when the alarms went off.
Exiting the shadows, Alice smiled still can't be detected. Brushing a lock of Hazara's hair to get better look at her face, she listened to her breathing. Taking Hazara's daggers and sash, she gently pushed her awake. Her hand shoot towards her daggers which were gone. Seeing Alice, she franticly talked with her fingers.
Holding her hand up to stop, "Hazara, take off your mask."
Shaking her head no.
"Luana, I want to hear your normal voice for once. The poison," swallowing a pill, "That gives us two hours to talk."
Removing her mask, Hazara noticed Alice glowing orange.
Placing Hazara's ruined mask in Hazara's hands, "Cyborg didn't see the fine print. That's why your replacement mask failed," said Alice, "There's rune markings on the nanobytes."
"Cyborg didn't know to add them."
"Correct. You see the man who built your original mask, is the same person I want you to see about removing your curse."
"Where is he then?"
"Busy rescuing forgotten hunters."
Exiting through the Tower's roof, Blackfire hovered in the air still gripping Jake's neck.
"Can you fly?" she asked.
"No," smiling, "I just heal very quickly."
"Heal from this," releasing him.
Falling like a stone, Jake repeated his experience from being dropped by Sin except this time he did a belly flop into the ground. Groaning and crawling, he turned on to his back until a foot slammed into his stomach knocking the remaining air from his lungs.
Gripping Jake's neck with her eyes and right hand crackling with purple energy, "Where's my sister?"
"Sister, why did you hurt slinger of guns if you came in peace?" brought her attention onto the hovering Starfire with her eyes glowing and star bolts ready.
Depowering, Blackfire looked fatigued.
"Cause you're the only one who understands what I'm about to say," gasping for air, "Val-Yor plans to attack and wipe all Tamaranians from existence. Even though I might have tried to conquer it, I am still loyal to Tamaran, just as," kicking Jake, "this child is loyal to Earth. Val-Yor hates our people more then anything, a lot of other races know this. And with taking out one of two of the galaxies biggest fears, he became a hero to several races and because of that, they would follow him into battle, even against their better judgment," looking down, "I have changed. I know you don't believe me."
"You know what will happen if you go back," said Starfire.
"I know that's why I came to you," with tears rolling down her cheeks.
Starfire wrapped her arms around her sister.
"Blackfire kicked Jake's ass," said Beast Boy.
"I know," said Cyborg, "Think Raven's been wearing him out. Too much woman for him."
Standing up, "I was weakened by a poison," replied Jake.
"Sure," said Terra.
"And you still pissed her off," remarked Jinx.
"He was testing her."
"Too much testing may get him killed," commented Nightwing.
Sighing, "Any idea on just how large of a force this Val-Yor guy has gathered?" asked Jake.
Blackfire shook her head no.
"Listen good, cause I am not going to repeat myself. I'm going out on a very small branch trusting you, and if you so much as blink at someone in a way I see threatening, I will shoot you and make sure you die a slow, extremely painful death. And, you, will, feel, every, once, of, it. Am I clear?"
She nodded her understanding of his threat, then added, "I know someone scarier then you."
"If we're flying to Tamaran," said Cyborg, "The T-ship can only hold five, so who's staying behind?"
Scratching his head, "What do you mean?" asked Beast Boy, "who's staying behind?"
"Yes," added Starfire, "My sister and I can withstand space travel, so that frees up my space on the ship."
"Wait, why did Blackfire use a space pod to get here?" asked Beast Boy.
"It's tiring to fly when one's in a hurry," responded Blackfire.
Nodding, "I know that Star," remarked Cyborg, "but we got three new people and that's only one seat. And the pods can't hold more then one, no buts about it."
"Well," said Jake, "How long would it take for you to prep your ship?"
"God," he said figuring everything he had to do, "two hours minimum."
Nodding, "Well, if I can work it with the organization," said Jake, "I can probably get my ship from the Robotech reality. And that can be fitted as a two seater. So if say, Raven came with me, that would free up enough space in your ship and everyone could still go."
Blinking, "You have your own ship," said Cyborg.
Rubbing his temples, "Yea, but in another reality," said Jake, "It's going to be hell to bring it through," walking towards the door, "just give me and Raven a bit of time, but if you're ready to launch, don't wait on us."
