Musical selection for the Chapter...

Expansion Union - Playing With Lightning

Stabbing Westward - Save Yourself

Assassins Creed Rogue - No Hope

Anno Domini Beats - Meaning Of Life (instrumental)

Chapter 18 – Lives On The Balance

The Main Keep, Stella's Castle…

Raven: "Now to find Stella."

Zafina: "Raven!"

The Dark Talon turns around to see Zafina present at his sight. He wondered what had happened to Zafina over the course of time since they left the USA. First, Zafina checked to see if Raven was doing alright.

Zafina (Stops close to Raven): Forgive me. I was sidetracked by that vampire's minions. Are you alright Raven?"

Raven (noticing his cuts.): "I think I'll manage. What of your training?"

Zafina: "I did complete my training. However, I'm still having difficulties understanding the full power of the Ashrune." (Takes it out.)

Raven: "Amazing. It's really bright."

Zafina; "I will use this blade to kill both Yoshimitsu the 17th and Stella."

Raven: "I've already dealt with Yoshimitsu. We just need to find Stella."

Zafina (sheates the Ashrune): "What? How?"

Raven: "I was forced to use a special charm made by Jun Kazama when the Paladins asked for her help. She didn't want to fight, but offered to use her genjutsu skills and aid us."

Zafina: "I see. How many more do you have?"

Raven: "She only made three, and it took a lot chi out of her. I gave the others to Kunimitsu and Lars. I don't know if they have used them yet."

Zafina: "Well. What's done is done. We should press forward, agreed."

Raven: "Understood."

Westside of Stella's castle, fountain courtyard…

Lars: "Dammit! These bastards are annoying!"

Lars dodged the onslaught of poison spit one of the creepers was using at him. Dragunov was still shooting at the last creeper who also tried to kill him with poison spit. Dragunov hid under the columns just under the west wing of the castle. The creeper could still smell his scent and did not hesitate to seek him out. However, the creeper did not find the actual body. It was just Dragunov's bulletproof vest and jacket. Hiding in the darkness, Dragunov blasts the creeper on the head with the plasma gun.

The last creeper was chasing Lars into the castle wall, until Lars made a maneuver and back flipped over the creepers' head. He would use his ultimate finishing move, the Zeus uppercut. This time he channeled the ki and punched it horizontally heading straight for the creeper. The creeper had no chance to escape and is electrocuted to death. Lars breathed heavily from exhaustion. Once Lars was sure everything felt over, he turns around only to get shot in the chest by Dragunov's plasma gun. The armor Lars wore saved him from the plasma blast, but the force sends him sliding into the ground. In pain, Lars couldn't believe Dragunov's indiscretion of wanting him dead.

Lars: "Dragunov…don't do this…our enemy…is…the same."

Dragunov (points the gun at Lars's head.): "Die!"

Alisa: "SKY ROCKET SUPER PUNCH!"

Out of nowhere, Alisa descended from above, connecting Dragunov with one of her signature attacks. Her left hand was not completely destroyed by the blast as the remaining parts began to regenerate and connect back to the arm. Alisa lands on the surface and rushes to Lars' aid.

Alisa: "Lars! Are you ok!?"

Lars: "Wha…Alisa? Why aren't you…with your squadron?"

Alisa: "They're ok. I told them to fall back in case any on them were seriously wounded."

Lars (still bleeding): "Aaagh…at any rate…I'm glad you showed up…I thought…I was…a goner."

Alisa (examines Lars): Your vitals haven't been hit. However you still need treatment for your blood loss. I'm going to take you and Dragunov back to the plane for surgery."

Lars: "No….Alisa…just patch me up…I can…still fight!"

Alisa: "I'm sorry, but I cannot obey that order!" (Picks up Lars using her right arm, placing him on her shoulder.)

Lars: "Alisa…." (Losing consciousness.)

Alisa: "I'm going to save you no matter what!"

The android also flew and picked up Dragunov, who lay on the ground knocked out. Alisa was also concerned about the plight of her friends, Raven and Kunimitsu. After she dropped off Lars and Dragunov. She would return and look for them.

Inside the ground level, Ballroom on the north side of Stella's Castle…

Kunimitsu: "Where are those keys?"

Manji ninja: "I heard that Stella keeps them inside her dresser. The drawer that she stores her makeup in. Now please let me go."

Kunimitsu: "Like I'm gonna do that."

The fox ninja chops the ninja who tried to ambush her in the jugular vein. The ninja hits the floor unconscious. Kunimitsu exists the ballroom and finds the hallway leading to the staircase above. Stella's room was on the second floor which was still halfway exposed because of neglect, yet her chamber room was fully restored. Kunimitsu notices the door already open. No time to waste. Despite the blood stains scattered all over the floor, Kunimitsu paid it no mind and went directly to Stella's dresser. After scanning some drawers, Kunimitsu finally found the one drawer with Stella's cosmetics. Indeed, the keys to unlock the cells were inside.

Kunimitsu: "Nice! Better hurry!"

The kunoichi wastes no time leaving the room heading back below underground to save the children.

Rooftop outlook, central part of the castle…

Raven & Zafina walked up to the staircase leading back outside to the roof level of the castle. All was quiet. Raven overlooked the scenery and noticed many dead bodies of soldiers both allies and enemies. However, he didn't spot Lars or Alisa yet. He began to wonder if they were going to show up.

Raven (thought): "Strange. Why haven't I heard from the guys? Did Lars and Alisa abandon mission? They didn't even notify me, so that can't be it. Kunimitsu is still around as well. Did she find the children? Are they free?"

Zafina (Sensing a strong chi): "Raven. Do you feel that?"

Raven (finally senses it.): "Yes, and it's coming straight for us."

A yellow portal flashes right in front of them. Then a figure comes out. As the portal disappears, the figure is none other than Stella herself. Stella gazed her bloodshot eyes at the people who came here uninvited.

Stella (grinning.): "You two have a lot of nerve causing havoc within my territory. For that you will pay dearly."

Raven (to Zafina): "This is it. We will have to fight Stella without the others. You ready?"

Zafina (takes out the Ashrune.): "Of course."

Stella (sees Zafina take out the familiar weapon): "That energy. Could it be the same sword that barbarian sorcerer used on me long ago?"

Zafina: "Yes. Why don't I refresh your memory?"

Zafina quickly goes in on the offensive. Stella's forms a small force field around her hand to block Zafina's strike attack. In response Stella kicks Zafina in the torso forcing the astrologist to back off.

Stella: "Just as I thought. The sword has lost some of its power over time. And I believe you never tapped into its full potential yet. As you are now, you have no chance of winning."

Raven (thought.): "If only I saved the charm from beating Yoshimitsu. If what Stella said is true, then I can only hope Kunimitsu and Lars did not use the charms yet. For now, Zafina and I will have to buy them time."

Zafina: "Fate tells me that you will perish Stella! There is no escape!"

Stella (lighting her eyes.) "You're mistaken, those are my words! So let's play!"

Back underground at the Dungeon levels…

Kunimitsu went back to the underground dungeons in order to free the captive children. She began to worry about Raven and the others. So she decided to leave the area once she freed the first cell full of children. Sure it wasn't a wise choice, but Kunimitsu felt like her friends were already in grave danger. Going to the first cell, the children were grateful once they saw their savior reappear.

Kunimitsu: "I got the keys. Just give me a moment." (Unlocks the gate). There, come out!"

Children: "Yay!"

Kunimitsu: "Listen! One of you needs to let the others out. I have to help my friends."

Oldest Child: "I'll do it! I'll make sure everyone gets out safe!"

Kunimitsu: "Good." (Give her the keys.) "There is a plane not too far from this place. The staff there will tend to you guys once you arrive."

Oldest Child: "How do we get out of here?"

Kunimitsu: "Don't worry! I set up a trail so all of you kids will follow easily. I gotta go!"

Before she arrived, Kunimitsu left some strings attached around the trees while she hopped around the castle perimeter. Oddly enough, the spell inside the barrier did not affect the children. She wondered why at first, but the nagging thought of her allies' safety was far more concerning.

At the Preveneter ship…

The doctors of the preventer already had their hands full treating the lives of the soldiers who returned from battle, now they had to add room for two more patients, the commander Lars and the rogue Spetnaz commander Dragunov. Alisa finally lands at the tent site near the preventer carrying Lars and Dragunov. The head surgeon of the Preventer, Dr. Ginza, waited patiently as his team made the preparations for the treatment of the two men.

Dr. Ginza: "Get ready everyone! The commander is here!"

Alisa (cries): "Dr. Ginza! Please help, Lars' life his hanging by a thread! And so is this man!"

Dr. Ginza: "Team!"

The nurses of Dr. Ginza carefully take the unconscious Lars and Dragunov out of Alisa's arms. Alisa's tears still keep running heavy, not even blinking. Dr. Ginza went to console her.

Dr. Ginza: "Don't worry, everything will be just fine."

Alisa: "I hope your right."

Lying on the operating table, Lars somehow regained consciousness. Then he reaches for the pocket on his right hip and calls out Alisa.

Lars: "Alisa! Where are you?!"

Alisa heard is voice from outside and immediately rushes to Lars' aid.

Alisa: "Lars!"

Nurse: "Commander! You shouldn't move!"

Lars: "But…I have…to give…her this!" (Holds the charm up in the air.)

Alisa (Quickly takes it.): "What's this?"

Lars (fading again): "Use it…to beat…Stella."

Nurse: "Hurry and get the breathing mask, he's passing out again!"

Alisa: "Lars."

The android girl was sure that Lars wanted her to return at the castle. Now that she thought about it, Raven and Kunimitsu were still out there. There was no time for moping about the possibility of Lars's demise. She had to find the two ninjas and help them. With that determination in mind, Alisa asks the doctor to look after Lars and Dragunov as she takes flight from out of the Preventer campsite.

Notes: Ugh, im tired of car accidents! drivers wont leave my baby alone! yea, well anyway. The fight against Stella is underway. Find out how Kunimitsu and Alisa arrive to help Raven and Zafina as they struggle to buy time fighting Stella. And will Lars and Dragunov recover from their injuries? Keep it locked here for more!