The Age Of Akaige Chapter 9: When Your Lost I'll Find You 2, a teen titans fanfic

The Age of Akaige

By Pakkrat

Chapter 9: When Your Lost I'll Find You (Part 2)

The New York City once known and loved had been shattered. The buildings blown away, and land nearly eroded, it seemed a massive land of nightmares is all that was left of a city where heroes used to unite in one banner. That was befitting as nightmares seemed to own the city now. They have collected into small groups and larger groupings, either sharpening or forging weaponry. Their entrances came normally with weapons, but some made crude weapons from their old ones breaking with the taxing of their steel. Most the creatures that were in this landscape had human like qualities covered in blackened armors, and some bone like decorative armor. One sat in a squatted position outside the camp, looking over the land with his eyes scanning all. He sees in the sky flying a large serpent, his smile of twisted fangs glimmers upon his face once, and he turns yelling back "The lord approaches! Sound the men in recognition you fools!"

The many demons had collected and began screaming, roaring loudly with their masters coming. On the large serpent as his steed Akaige lands to allow the other demon generals, Lokio, Kireshk, Gordaio, and Gaikotsu, to jump off the serpent's scaled back as Akaige sat upon the head's neck-joist letting the mighty Serpentine rear up in exclaimed reverence in the continued crowds of congregation. Kireshk narrows his eyes at the sight of Akaige and Serpentine playing the crowds with slight uncertainty "Why does he do this I wonder?"

"He is the lord of all Kagejin." Gaikotsu muses on the sight before Akaige leaps off "He knows we are to be united in the conquest and behind his lordship. Without his greatness this entire war means little to nothing, in the grand scheme of all things."

Akaige calls the generals into his tent as Serpentine coils around it; he would be guard with his immense size, until called off to ride. The generals sit at his table of bones before Blood and Sinister enter. They sit and Akaige asks "Any news of the shield?"

"It is designed with the ultimate flaw of its own power source. It will last long, but not too long, for in two hours time the reserves will begin to drain, and in this time I believe we may damage the shield with large force impacts, hereby leaving it useless. Without the shield they have no true defenses, and will have to make a move to either assault us, or hold up within their final confides."

"It is a tomb!" Gordaio chuckles to the others, but Akaige holds his chin "They will have no way of escaping!"

"Are there any ways of escape, which we do not have anticipated?"

Blood shook his head no "We checked all the schematics; they have no means that can evacuate enough people at the same time."

"I didn't ask that, are there any routes?"

"No… not unless you count the roof, but who can safely come here and air lift the people inside like that?"

Akaige puts his head up into the air, while slightly thinking it over he pondered loudly "…Safely, none can safely do such a feat but any could dangerously commit this act."

Kireshk laughs a moment under his breath, "Who would be foolish enough to do such a thing?"

"Hm," Gordaio rubs his bald head back from sweat "Don't be fooled mortals can do some crazy things… when it comes to survival."

"Indeed." Akaige stands up and moves to the flaps, looking out Serpentine uncoils to show the Baxter Building ahead of them "However, this is a new stage in the war. We will not attack the fortress, but rather wait."

"Why not strike now? If you say strong impacts will destroy the field's reserve, why not the main energy?" Kireshk is sighed upon by Sinister, "The field is designed for that very attack, we must instead wait for their reserves since that will be the time to drain the shield as it will be weak, and only then at its weakest will force blows affect them."

"And we shall wait Sinister; in the mean time are there any survivors we did not kill? Humans of which were not feasted upon yet?" Sinister and Blood nod to which Akaige laughed to himself oh so darkly, "Then bring them to the nearest point you can towards the Baxter Building," Akaige gives a darker look on his objective "also get some speakers and perhaps an amplifier…"

The large suit flew through the deserted streets tugging along a large truck of weaponry, and the friends he knew in the front, bouncing as they jumped on small debris. Iron Man had to get to the Baxter building, especially since he knew reinforcements won't be coming soon… if ever. "Attention, this is Iron Man, if anyone at the Baxter Building can hear me, please respond, over."

Spider Man heard loud and clear through the suit he got. "Iron Man? I hear you so what is going on?"

"I have a truck filled with weapons and ammo, along with three of my friends. We need access inside the complex, and we need it soon because I can't stop once I'm spotted up ahead."

"Okay, I'll see what I can do!" Spiderman rushes over to Mr. Fantastic, "I need access for the street now!"

"Why?"

"Iron Man is headed in with weapons, he can't stop with all those things out there or he'll be ripped to bits, if we don't go now we may never get a chance!"

Mr. Fantastic understands so he flips a switch opening a hangar door, behind the door Punisher was sitting and smoking his cigarette as the door opened "Hey, what's going on?" He now finds the field dropping… and something large makes its way to the hangar door, 'Holy shit!' He rolls out of the way as the large thing crashes into the opposite wall, and a truck latched onto the thing wedges it in tightly. Punisher stood up and found something running on them, a large group of the demons had begun attacking, so Punisher pulls out two guns releasing a spray of bullets as the beasts closed in. One demon, something like a blackened skeletal zombie hyena thing, ran and strafed through the bullets, about to pounce on Punisher until a large metallic tentacle wrapped the beast crushing its back and tossing it to the mainstream of monsters again. "You should be more careful." Spoke the man in a long brown coat, with his four metal tentacles flapping around before they pull the hangar door shut tightly. "I would hate to have someone like yourself, killed so soon."

Punisher puffs his cigarette as Doctor Octavius, or Doc. Ock, swiped away the smoke with human hands. The hangar began to open and both are chilled as demons began pushing open the door, "Why the hell didn't it lock?"

Mr. Fantastic tries to set the locks but for some reason this incident broke them "We can't lock the hangar! Those things are going to flood straight into the building!"

The hangar door was forced up, and stepping forward was one demon that looked like some undead mess with his face burnt away, except the one remaining eye, the skeletal nose, and his long fanged jaw which let some tongue swirl around his chin in bloodlust. He pries from his sheath on his back a long sword, while the other demons begin to follow inside. Punisher and Doc Ock stand a little less happy with the situation, even if Tigra, War Machine, Hawkeye, and Iron Man came into their backs. "Is that all you humans have?" spoke the skeletal demon, which played role of leader for this troop.

The sight of several more figures did seem to lessen the demons attitude, as a fully red covered devil looking man walks out with a double D insignia upon his chest, this was Daredevil. Several other heroes known as the protectors of this city soon followed, but the appearance of two new figures truly caught the demons. One was a white cloaked figure in armor; whose eyes pierced the soul in sheer stunned enigma, Rorek was his name. The other in his long red coat, knelt with sword out on the field, his head slightly tilted, and those eyes of his sparked in red energy letting his eyes turn a shade of crimson, Dante was his name. The demon who was at the front sees his partners put some distance between him and the heroes, turning back he gulps "Uh oh…"

The battle cry, the heroes charge, and the demons begin retreat or some fight back with these legendary fighters. Dante had his speed of the demon, and strength of ancestral father Sparda to aid his quest. Rorek weaves between many weapons to have the demons surround him, his eyes gleam with the spell before striking his staff across the ground, causing the shockwave to shatter away those who were his enemies. The lead demon had fallen on his back, and merely held up his sword before a metal tentacle cracked the sword, then choked the demon before tossing it to the far distance. Akaige steps over to the demon, as it started to stand it tries to voice in its confused daze "We need reinforcements."

Akaige looks down before unsheathing his sword, and swiping the blade with speed unseen, the sword is returned to the lord's back and latched while the demon's head falls clean off. "I don't remember ordering us to attack." He sheathes the sword, and turns on Gaikotsu "Should we try to get our men sir or perhaps take the fortress?"

"No, look on the roof." Gaikotsu sees the fog covering the roof "Let them hide in their little fort… all the more pleasure to tare it down," Akaige passes the smiling visage of Gaikotsu, finishing, "with them inside."

The fog cover disappears and Magneto has sparks over his eyes. He moves the many turrets, and forces them to fire on the demons that were trying to escape. He did not want any mercy, on this enemy he knew exactly what they were like. They would stop at nothing, to kill the weak, to kill their prey, and that was how he would treat the enemy, if he must… as he must. On the ground, Punisher saw the door has begun closing again "Hey, get back to the base!"

A monster scrambles the ground; it was the same demon that killed the Simmons family. It swashes the ground, closing on Punisher who gave cover fire, but as it leaped and Punisher turned to fire, a strange green bolt strikes the monster and breaking it into two halves. The upper body keeps squirming, while the lower half was slowly twitching to death. Spawn steps his foot down, letting the creature tear on his leg with its claws and snapping out of reach with their jaw. Iron Man still in the Hulk Buster, he asks while passing Spawn, "You find what you were looking for?"

Spawn narrowed his eyes on the still snapping beast. He points his gun firing the whole round into this thing, until all that was left is a stump, "Now… I did."

The gate closed with everyone inside, even Magneto came through the roof entrance with the others he escorted. Mr. Fantastic offers out his hand, and shakes it with Magneto, "Thanks for the help, they disabled the automated turrets, so your help, really, was marvelous timing."

"I'm glad we could be of assistance. What have you been doing all this time?"

Storm skimmed around, noticing many people huddled about and moving things here or there, they seemed only normal citizens, so she asks "Were you trying to gather all these people and escape?"

"It was the main idea, but we never expected anything like this. With those things on the streets, escape is nearly impossible. The only alternatives are air lifts now; however, the Justice League has not returned our requests."

"They will not, because there is too dangerous a chance people would be lost, and recently the league was shattered, badly."

"I see…" Mr. Fantastic let himself fall into a slight depression, but the sounds from outside awoke him. Screams echoed the halls, through the outside, and each more blood curdling than the last. Looking through the windows people were being brought onto a rooftop, and slaughtered, before a loud speaker. The screaming was so loud; no one could just ignore them. Some of the people who survived recognized their friends and family, making it maddening to see and more so hear what was happening. Rorek took the situation on himself and began chanting something, the last word echoed with his arms going out and surrounding the building with a strange charm blocking the sounds outside of its barrier. On the roof Akaige lifts his claw to stop the next killing, and he seems to watch the tower as it was glowing, "About time things started picking up."

People were still crying, and some were breaking down begging to go outside. It became chaotic, and the only thing left were to try and get people back on the ball, or so Dante thought so. He looked around and saw some crates, so he pulls the chair from under Flash saying, "Sorry pal I need that!" Dante swings the chair around, and somersaults onto the crates before flipping on the others by the heel, exclaiming "Yo, listen up!"

The people did not listen, most were now trying to push to the lower areas and begin breaking out. Dante pulls out two guns and fires on the doors, making people stop their running. "Listen up. Those people are dead." The people inside gave slight moans and some screams at Dante, but he screams back "LISTEN! These damn things are killing your families! You can't save them, but you can do one thing, save yourselves! If these freaks break in, we all die, and then what's next? I guess you don't care do you?" Dante points his guns on the ones at the door "I know I won't let these little you know what's kill me, but go down fighting every last one. If I were you, I'd kill as many I can… for each person I loved they took. It may sound bad, it may sound dangerous, but if you do the math, they have to do some serious shit to kill all of us!"

It strangely caused many to back from the door and stop trying to leave. Eventually, people huddled together, and cried, but they did not want to go outside, one did ask about a gun for later and Dante smirked before jumping down. Rorek was looking a bit baffled "I see that your speech worked no matter… how colorful… it may have been."

"Hey, thanks, I appreciate it pal! Now why don't you use some magic to get me a burrito or something? I'm starving." Dante walks off to check some things leaving Rorek to ponder, "Where in the heavens did I deserve this person as my warrior ally?"

Dante did step off to a corner, asking, "So who the hell are you all of a sudden, Braveheart?"

Every second now counts more than before. Mr. Fantastic left himself in thought, while Magneto, Storm, Iron Man, and Spider Man began hatching any plans as in some hours from now they would be defenseless, and this was not a spot any of them liked. Though some of these people could fight, others were too injured, or incapable of fighting to even try to make them. As Mr. Fantastic runs his hairs mixed of brown and gray, a blue haired beast named Dr. McCoy, or Beast, offered a solution. "Gentlemen, allow me to interfere with a solution."

"Oh please do, we're all on the foggiest limbs here!"

"Indeed, the way the other survivors and I of the X-mansion made it safely was the help of one particular group called the Morlocks. They're a group of mutants, hiding within the sewers, and their years allowed them knowledge of these sewers and time to make secret places to hide, as well commute. If we could find some team that could use the tunnels to reach the outside, and contact the Justice League with proper coordinates, perhaps those people could set a rescue outside the band of rogues outside's reach."

Magneto was intrigued "It sounds reasonable. They call the ships to save us, and anyone we can will be taken through the same tunnels. The ships pick up the more troubled people, while others stay to defend. Those needed for the call would have to be fast…" Magneto sees Flash who has a pale look, "You mean me?"

"Yes and perhaps…" Magneto is slightly worried but to answer in his place was Quicksilver "Don't worry, I heard the whole thing. Hey, I might get to be a hero won't that be a switch?"

"You don't have to, if you don't want to."

"Uh, I still don't want to." Flash was ignored as Quicksilver gave a thumbs up, "Looking forward to it old man. A chance to show," Quicksilver grabs some flashlights and attaches them to a belt, "just how good I really am."

Flash sighs as the two shake hands on it, "Man…"

Iron Man is one looking for a way out for the others, but he already has a feeling it will not work "Sure two guys might sneak thru, but how about several 50 or so people? Hell, maybe even a hundred could be on the injured lists! There is no way we can move them without them being seen."

Susan Richards has a defiant smirk "Actually, we can. I have the ability to cover an area with invisibility, so if they stayed together with me, I could make them all invisible as we make for an escape. It might be difficult, but with the price I think I have the incentive to keep going."

"Susan…" Reed stood, but she grabs his face "I can do this trust me."

"What about the rest of us?" Spawn has entered the fray "I understand you want to save lives, yet, what about those of us who still will be here. Those moments later and life here is doomed. If we have no means of escape, we all will suffer."

Mr. Fantastic gives some thought "For now, we use this plan, and get those we can to safety. Find Calypso, leader of the Morlocks, and have her take you through the sewers out of the city. Once there, do just what we said, and try to contact the justice league once we have their help we may survive this mess, or rather some of us may."

Starfire flung her bolts, but the soldiers who attacked kept coming. Even with Batman, and Red X using their tools, Colossus, Sabretooth, and Kitten with their mutant powers, and Ice mixing it up when she had her cold powers, all the soldiers will just keep coming.

The soldiers charge them into a strange facility door, Star turns back letting her hands glow brightly "I will not allow you to harm my friends!"

"Sorry, but this is a necessary thing girl. Your friends are enemies to General Mikhail, and so now you must be removed."

The group was scared and completely surrounded, when the doors opened up letting one solitary figure walk out in a green jacket and black pants, his hat a Russian fur hat with a red star on it, goggles shield his eyes from the snow. "I warn you men with guns… leave now, or else."

The soldiers make a move, but Madame screams "Hold your fire!" The men back up, and she steps over to them "We'll retreat for now. Mikhail wants us to return for loading duty." She whipped her hair before the turning face, and a slight turn of her cheek only added to the frustration of her face and voice "Keep out of our ways, or next time I swear we will not hold back." The soldiers begin returning and Madame took a moment to look at the man who stopped them, with her smile. The man gives a bow to the others still there "Hello, my name is Red Star."

"Red Star?" Sabretooth gives a toothy smile "About time we found you, we need to talk."

Red Star offers them a chance to come inside, so they all enter following their host. His home was some former base, which Sabretooth felt slightly annoyed as his past was the same way with a base. Eventually they are offered a seat at a table, Red Star leaves and returns with some bowls of a strange meal. The group has mixed feelings, Colossus, Ice, and Star each devour their meal, Sabretooth pokes his meal as, Kitten was wondering if she could eat this and phase the food to Colossus's stomach. Batman shrugs "Sorry, but my… mask, has no spot to eat from. No spot for my mouth means no chance of eating."

"Hey, I take that excuse… er, point." Red X has shifty eyes "Yes that does nicely."

"Can't you guys just roll up your masks?" Sabretooth is smirking but Batman growls "Batbladeatyourgroin." Sabretooth is confused, till he feels something at his lap, "Uh… never mind what I said."

"I thank you for feeding us," Star places her twelfth bowl on the table "However, why did those soldiers retreat upon your arrival?"

Red Star was slightly off about this, but he did give in. He explained the city; it was not destroyed by the demons, but rather his own power. The many things he had to go through, the source of his powers, and his ongoing curse being the greatest try for a Super Soldier. It was a tragic tale only Sabretooth could understand. "So you see why I have become secluded within this place."

Sabretooth stood up and snorts "Sure thing, but now you have to come with us."

"I ask you forgive me but I must stay here."

"Do you not wish to help your people?" Starfire floated from her stool and closed on Red Star he gave her a sad look, "It is in your eyes and face, you truly wish to help them. It is unknown what will become of them if our enemy should take them."

"I understand… but my life has been forfeit for a long time. Since the day my power crippled the city, I have lived here to protect those outside. If I leave, it will only bring pain… it is better if I stay here."

Red Star was soon caught in a heated attack of his person; Starfire claimed his will to stay was fear, fear to take responsibility, to hide from his mistakes. Her words each struck him harder than the experiments, and soon his body burns. "Please, forgive me!" Red Star ran to a large device, and screams are heard soon after it powers up, than down. When it is over Red Star exits with a tube of red substance "You see now why I must stay! If I do not many are in peril."

Red X was wide eyed as Batman looked over the tubes "This is Xinothium the purest kind you can find."
"I had to make a copy of the belt, and now that stuff… with it I could really hit some high-end work!"

"I think you should reconsider, X, this substance may be pure but quite radioactive. If anything the suit could work you, not the other way around."

Red X shrugs, but Batman didn't give him the chance to try the Xinothium. Even so the place Red Star took the Xinothium made Red X nearly weep with a trove of the material in grasp but so far from reach, in his eyes only a bat's wing out of reach. Starfire saw Red Star doing this and she lowered her eyes "So you will stay here?"

"…." He loads the canisters "I must."

"Then not only are you a coward, but also a traitor to your very people."

Those words did not give rage, but disappointment and shame. She turns leaving and soon all the others follow. Sabretooth looks up a moment before snorting "This is a bad time for Magnus to be wrong about someone."

Outside, the team stood with the snow now falling harder than before. "It has become quite frigid, travel will be very difficult."

The sound of an engine, and the others see Red Star exiting one hangar with a snow-speeder "I thought it over, and perhaps WE could get there quicker with these than by foot!"

Starfire latches onto him tightly, which he blushes from that. "Um, you must share the seats as I have few to begin with."

"Very well! I shall accompany you friend Red Star!"

Star sat behind him like it meant nothing, but her warmth on his back was not only distracting but it was also embarrassing, "Yes, well hold tightly… but not too tight."

Sabretooth took a speeder, giving a glare to the others as he didn't plan on sharing. Colossus still held Kitty in his body, though he found it odd she offered him a kind voice humming in his mind "What is that song my Kitten?"

"Huh?" She giggles "Your Kitten?"

"I meant nothing merely the song is quite nice."

"I can't remember… something like, 'Kiss from a Rose'"

Colossus nods asking "May you sing it for me? Your voice is quite beautiful for such a journey." He noticed himself slightly becoming warmer "What is that heat?"

"Oh…" Kitten phases out from his body, showing a slight blush she quickly retreats, "Nothing really."

Red X sat behind Batman, but Ice gave a look to the group "I need a ride!"

The teams all look at Sabretooth, but he wasn't willing… she however jumps on and hugs his waist "Thank you Tiger Man!"

"What!" He snarls before giving up, "I hate this mission…" She hugs tighter, "I mean, really hate it."

Spirit Detective, it sounds so prestigious… but in reality it is just dirty work for the spiritual guru of all who die, Koenma. Yusuke is the spirit detective, and his job is to stop the spirit world from becoming too full, or the demons too outrageous. He failed both accounts now and, boy, he hated seeing it happen… he hated more that he has to clean this mess up. His team of partners had found themselves trying to save tons of people from horrid monsters that threatened to take their lives. As Yusuke, Kurama, and Hiei made it impossible for the demons to attack people by blocking these demons from human lives, Kuwibara, the student and friend of Yusuke made his talent to keep people moving…

"I said run or I'll break your necks!" truly his best talent at work here. This talent worked well as Kuwibara made his skill motivate the people, after forging a sword of his own spirit energy; he cut any demons that did sneak in trying to take a human. It was really a try to get survivors out, but when you get into this how far can you take all these people? Where can you take them? Hell, where can they go? Yusuke knew it was pointless in the end because tons were dying, especially while they protect these few. Even if that was the case, he had to keep trying… he had to. She, his love, if she's out there or gone would want him to. "Keiko…"

Yusuke gave a raging snarl on the demon leaping on him, and in his palm a power raises. The talent of Yusuke is his soul was able to make him unstoppable. Yusuke flung out his palm and his energy obliterates the demon, as well as several others behind it. The more he needs to protect and the greater his power became. He was only able to use the power in him when protecting those he loved, a strange talent for a boy seen as a thug and loner, though his friends were his only true possessions.

Kuwibara always felt the rivaling bond with Yusuke. Even if they fought it was more the need to keep trying to prove to the other they were inevitably equals. 'Damn Yurimeshi, he always shows off like that! If I were able to do those energy wave things… well, I'd show him a thing or two!'

The people kept marching on until they were safely on their way, wherever it may be. At this point Kuwibara makes a full turn about, and screams "They crossed the bridge!"

The bridge was a wooden one, which under it had a violent river. Yusuke turns and in several finger shots of his spirit gun, he shatters the bridge making it impossible for those demons that moved on land to follow. Any demon that flew was taken out earlier; it was their plan to get them over the bridge and out of the way, before dealing with the other monsters. "Okay…" Kuwibara takes his place next to the others, Hiei gives a discerned look "What's the plan now, detective?"

"Oh, you know, fight off a large force of monsters, and escape with our hides… not hard at all!"

The team was up against what looked like a tide of demonic creatures, ranging from tall skinny monsters to short and stubby slug like things. It sure seems hopeless but from the sky they are saved with an inferno, soon burning the monsters away into ash. With the awesome show of strength the spirit detective and his team turn skyward, and they see their fiery savior. This man of fire slowly lets a platform with two girls and a young boy down; they get off and begin greeting the newest friends. "Thanks for the help."

"Shiro-sama is very powerful, isn't he?"

Hiei gave no real emotion, but a solid look followed Shiro who was walking from the group and to the ashes he left "He is unbelievably powerful. Where are you headed?"

Young Conan came up with his own scrupulous stare, "We heard of a rescue team arriving at Tokyo tower. So we started our way there."

"Really? Can we tag along?"

"Of course," Mamimi moves over on the platform to give space, "you might wish to hurry Hades will be searching for us soon."

"Hades?"

Conan shook his head "Don't worry about her; the game she plays might be part of a delusional state. The man over there is Shiro, but she thinks he's Canti-sama from that game she has on her waist. Then you take her obsession with fire, and I guess she may be a pyromaniac only adding to her psychosis."

Kurama knelt down and pets Conan "You certainly are a smart boy, let alone brave not being scared with all that has happened."

Conan ignores him and returns to Rachael "You'll be okay Rach, trust me."

"Conan…" She has a tear falling from her cheeks "You think Jimmy is okay?"

Conan has a face of shame, he was Jimmy! Well, before the damn drug of those criminals he was Jimmy Kudo. "Of course Rach he's fine."

Getting on the platform they slowly flew off towards their destination.

Beast Boy didn't like the team he was in anymore. J'onn was too serious, Rouge too careful, Gambit too preoccupied, and Pyro was too… "Ah!" Beast Boy trips and finds the metal pipe melted into his way, "Oops my bad!" Pyro was laughing to himself while Beast Boy gave a low growl… Pyro was too much a jerk.

"Quit your foolin' around fellas I think we have something going on ahead." Rogue floats over a slight mountain of rubble; she finds a ninja with black gauze over his head looking down below her on some debris. He's stalking several people on the ground; one was a young man with a wooden sword handle "So this is the girl Ayeka, princess of Jurai? That fire monster works for Akaige, and he says she and the little sister are our targets. Remove them at all costs, and Akaige will give me special appreciation! It is Reptile's time, it is!"

Reptile began to create two large orbs of green energy in his hands, but the sound of Rogue made him turn and throw, Rogue is struck by two seismic orbs causing her to spiral off and to the ground towards Tenchi and his friends. She got up and found two log things closing in on her. "Uh-oh."

Reptile tries again, but this time he feels a strange heat on his back. Turning around a large dinosaur roars on him and Reptile screams "Stop, we're brothers!" The dinosaur snaps on Reptile making him tumble off the rubble mountain to the ground. Reptile slowly shifts his weight; he now found the two log beings at him, "Not good, this is."

The jolts of electricity begin but Reptile somersaults back on the mountain slightly higher, and then with his one hand he tosses an orb that booms the two logs away. "I am not so easily fooled!"

Behind Reptile J'onn phases through to the back, Reptile turns and J'onn punches the ninja to the ground "Indeed."

Slamming on the ground, Reptile flips up and finds everyone was now surrounding him. His eyes seem to shine before tossing his smoke bomb and disappearing. Rogue is suddenly pulled down by her ankle, next she's tossed at J'onn. Beast Boy jumps down and turns to a wolf sniffing the air, but his whelp and rising into the air seemed he had been head kicked from one side. Ryouko tossed her energy bolts, but the wolf is brought into them as a shield, making their force cause Beast Boy to return to his human self. A laugh of pleasure and Ryouko tossed her bolts there, almost hitting Washu before she ducked, "You're doing more damage than anything else you idiot!"

"Hey, at least I'm trying!" Ryouko stops tossing her bolts trying to see this invisible enemy. Reptile leaps into a dirt patch, which caused dirt to rustle; Ryouko does not see this but Gambit did. He turns to a large boulder, still on the top of the rubble he tosses the boulder down but Reptile merely laughs when it missed. Gambit smirks his way still while the boulder was glowing, folding two arms he knows his power energizes things with kinetic energy, causing the atomic structure to decay and explode. The larger the item… the larger the boom, and Reptile found that out on hand with the boulder blowing up. Reptile is flung into the rubble head first, his arms and legs flinging madly with the impact.

Gambit skids off the mountain laughing to the sight "Guess I won this deal partner."

Reptile pulls out of the rubble to have himself surrounded by everyone, "Uh…"

"Can it dino-boy." Washu moves the others out of the way "We're looking for someone named Sasami."

"The other princess? Then you are doomed to fail for our general has his mission to destroy her."

"What!" Ayeka knocks everyone out of her way "Who dares try to harm my sister? What did she do to you?"

"The girl did nothing to us, but Akaige warns if she and you live, than all is dangerous ahead. The empire of Jurai can not join the forces of the Earth." Reptile licks his lips, "If the princesses are killed in part to a war on earth, then Jurai will turn from this plight. We wish to destroy both princesses before they escape, meaning your sister and you Ayeka."

Ayeka was disgusted, but she was still wondering, "Who is in charge of our murder?"

"A mutant called, Holocaust."

The X-men were soon shocked to that name; the attacker of the mansion, and crazed lunatic who killed Scarlet Witch. "He's here?"

"Yes, and last I heard he was slowly tracking the girl Sasami! She will not last beyond the rescue team coming for you!" Reptile has slammed a smoke bomb and quickly ran for it. The others are left gagging on the smoke before Ayeka began breaking down. Her little sister is in danger, and she had no idea where to find her "Wait… the rescue point! She was headed there, I know it! She heard us talk about it, and then left, we have to hurry!"

Ayeka began running with the others following. Rogue floats slowly "Holocaust killed Scarlet Witch, and so many of my friends, how can I fight him now?"

Gambit was a little surprised; he offered a shoulder with the Cajun grin, "You know, not everything needs to be taken alone."

"I'm fine, really."

"Aw, being strong again? It isn't everything; sometimes weakness reminds us we're still human." Rouge flew into the air and ignored him, B.B. kind of chuckled and the Cajun gave the dirtiest look imaginable, "Ah, who asked you?"

Naota and Ninamori were ahead of the group showing that they held each other's hands. Haruko kind of snarled each time she looks at them, and Sasami kept showing her distaste of it with her sighs and moans. Canti stuck to the back, a question mark on his head each time he noticed their strange behaviors. With the little group forging over the destroyed scenery, it would seem no different than any other walk through Japan, even with the one lone figure skating behind them. Little Slugger, he's been watching several hours now; he has been waiting for a moment to get the girl. It was his mission, kill the girl, and kill princess Sasami. What was different is in this world, everyone was loosing themselves to their pain. Little Slugger was loosing himself in the pain and slowly morphed to a tall, giant beast having the tusked face of a monster. A moment Sasami trips, Slugger screams and rushes on the girl, hoping to kill her. When close to her the other weapon blocks him, a guitar. Haruko pushes off Slugger asking "What is with this damn kid?" she now noticed the creature like appearance, "Uh, I mean, monster kid… thingy?"

Naota saw Slugger which brought memories back to him. This was the same creature, even if larger than before; that hurt Ninamori. When Slugger made his charge again Naota pulled the bat from his brother off his back, and blocked the other swing. What gave Naota's bat the power to withstand the strike seemed impossible to fathom, but Haruko saw on Naota's brow the symbol of Atomsk. 'How in the…'

Slugger strained against the other bat, before finally loosing balance. Slugger fell onto his back and screamed; Naota quickly disarmed the creature from its weapon. Naota swung his bat on the monster, and it was wide eyed with its form shattering as if a bad dream. Naota took breath after breath, his mark invisible again. The two girls Sasami and Ninamori began screaming for his power, but Haruko lost herself, he's still filled by Atomsk. Canti saw Haruko and she looked at him "How about you? Can you still feel Atomsk?"

Canti looks at Naota then began walking on like before. Haruko rode over to the remains of Slugger, his bat. She kicked the bat and it shattered. This monster of a warped mind had no chance of surviving. Little Slugger was a mental distortion from a mind of pain. Now gone it should be easier, "Hey you guys!" Sasami screams pointing to Tokyo tower, "We're almost there!"

The Watchtower was where Robin decided to go so when the HIVE teens exited they expected to be thrown into stockades, instead Green Lantern and Wonder Woman greeted them. Wonder Woman asks "Billy Numerous?" He sighs letting out his arms "You can multiply, correct? We could use your help getting some things moved around, and if you fit in some space suits I'd like your help buffering the armor outside."

"Wee-doggy! This sounds like a kick-arse time!" he ran off with her leaving the others kind of surprised. Lantern finds Amazo now walking over "The one they call Gadget can come with me to begin some research on the recent events."

"Whoa! You're the hardware that took down the Justice League before! It'd be an honor!"

Lantern now asked "Seemore, you're supposed to be pretty eyeful with things. I have some need of a watchperson with the towers reactor, Mammoth I hear you're strong and the docks need all the muscle they can handle!"

The two give slight smiles but Mammoth asks the magic question, "Um, can we eat soon?"

"Sure we have pie to…" Mammoth and Seemore were cloud renditions of themselves with the words 'Pie' echoing the halls. "Um… Mammoth?" Lantern puts his hand through the cloud teens "Seemore?"

"Looks like their off on their way." Robin jumps back in the ship, "I have to try and find several others that were Teen Titans. You can stay here and offer your help."

Jinx snorts "Sorry, Robin, but I don't help. I'm the Jinx of a team; bad luck's my only luck."

Kid Flash kind of seemed offset by that, "You know you make your own luck. Maybe all you need is another chance."

Jinx gave him a slight stare but he kept this honest smirk, she gave up and turned to Robin "I'm more thinking around the line I'll help you for helping us." She jumped into one of the pods and Robin was confused "I know it's not normal, but I have to repay the debt."

"Um…"

"If she's going." Kid Flash speeds into another pod, "I'll come on along too."

"Er…"

A shadow appears in the other pod, Robin noticed Kid Wicked "You too?"

Wicked points down to the many Billy Numerous running along doing things while shaking his head no, Robin figures it was inevitable "Okay I guess I could use the help."

The Sha-lah bobbed their heads with Slade leaping and thrusting his fists and feet in attacks to the air. His staff weapon was laid on the wall, waiting if not pleading for him to use it, but he didn't have a reason yet. Raven just lay on the ground making Slade wait more and more. Slade does an aerial dual kick, landing in a spry kneel he rises into a heavy combo with his imaginary enemy. The Sha-lah 'oh' and 'ah' with his moves, but he was too busy from the fighting. With their words he merely heard his own blows rushing the air in the tomb. Finally, he did hear footsteps outside the temple. He stops striking and breathes to calm himself, as up the many steps someone will be coming. His mind asks who will come here, who will he have to fight? His answer came in violet skin and blue clothes with golden trimming. "Thanos, Sha-lah."

Fate and Arella sat looking with equal stares around the marble table. "Why did you call me here?"

"I fear for her Fate. She is my daughter, and now I fear for her. Even if her blood is mixed with that demon Trigon I have my concerns," Arella moves from the table to lean on a large window looking outside. "can I let her face that monster alone?"

"You know she will not be alone. If fate taught me anything, the prophecy will not allow her to be alone."

"When she is alone she will lose."

"Yes, I do believe this my lady." Fate now stood up and accompanied Arella "She is so serious and perhaps forcing her to rely on herself was wiser."

"She must not rely on herself, for there is her weakness. Only with the help of others she can go against the monster. When she realizes the power she holds with all life, she will reach a state none of us ever knew."

Fate looked at Arella slowly caressing a golden necklace, "Is that what I believe it is?"

"The item will be hers when you feel she must have it. Please, keep it for her Fate, because one day I know she will need it and also you will need her."

Fate looks out on the marble as it seems to grow darker in the dim room. "Trigon will give this realm to the heir of shadows. Inevitably," Arella places her hand on Fate's shoulder "Raven will have to face herself." Fate opens a portal "Today is the day she will awaken her inner power. This will be when it begins, but not end."

Raven awoke her eyes wide in horror. "No…" It was that day she lost her powers… her mother… all of Azar… her chest felt like it was splintering open from memories toying with her heart's emotion. The way it happened and pain she caused… her eyes watered with every sensation of pain.

Evils Angel slowly made his way to the other side of the room, a cupboard he opens it to start mixing things in a bowl "You're his daughter alright I mean the daughter of Trigon and Arella the high priestess now that is an interesting little… bastard child."

Raven was never used to that title so when hearing it she hissed "How dare you call me that?"

"Hm?" The man of armor shrugs "You mean bastard? It is what you are but nothing worse than a bastard born from forced consent. Just goes to show, poor things are often packaged in tempting wrap."

Those words struck a cord, so Raven flew on the armored man who dodged her and wrenches her one arm behind her back, showing his height and force over her own. "Come now my little bastard, you're never going to get anywhere fighting like that! Didn't Fate and Malchior teach you anything, useful?"

Raven began trying her magic enforced strikes, but these meant nothing to her opponent. After several of those moves he screams in rage and clasps his hand over her throat forcefully pulling her up in the air and holding her there. "You see, bastard, I'm the one in control!" Raven wraiths her fingers over his armored helmet, but he tightens the grip causing her to try and pry off his hands "You have the courage, the will, and the spirit to be a powerful warrior but you need something still. You need some skill to even yourself up with an opponent that has eons of battle experience, I'm a demon why the hell did they expect me to do miracles with you?" The man in armor drops her abruptly adding "Oh, and my name is Vastion, but you may call me Great Lord Vastion for short."

The people in Baxter building just waited for the news. The sewers had no real trouble as Quicksilver and Flash zoomed them and began using a device to call in the plan. In the tower, Seemore answers "Yo? What you want?" Lantern walks up and took the receiver "Never mind him what is it Flash? Did you find Husk?"

"Not yet, but we have a plan to have some ships land and take refugees." Flash sends his coordinates "This is outside the point the Kagejin are congregating. If you send some men and ships, we should be able to get people out safely."

Lantern was skeptical as is his nature… but he also wants to save lives. "I understand. We will send ships as soon as possible you have to get the refugees there as we land ships; we can't lull about letting our enemy drop their force on us suddenly."

"Sure thing, we'll run back and tell the others what is going to happen; okay?"

"Good, until then good luck." The two fast heroes run back to the Baxter building and deliver the news to a relieved group, but now they had a really tough job to take care of. They now had to arrange the escape before having nothing to look forward to but dying from the forces outside the fortress. Iron Man was the one asking "What's next? After we get them safe where do we go from there?"

Mr. Fantastic gave a slight sigh even he didn't know where this was going. "We wait and see."

Outside the little group of veteran heroes Cyborg did more damage control. A young girl scuffed her knee so he wraps her leg "There you go as good as new."

"Thank you Mr. Metal Man." She ran off and Cyborg sweats himself "Um… ah close enough." Cyborg didn't care really so moving on he found a beautiful young teen with blonde hair, blue eyes, even to some degree she looked like Terra but more formed, nicer nose, and some freckles along with the innocent smile that Terra never had. She was helping some young boy lay and rest before they made the transport. She read a bedtime story from the old Arabian Nights; it might have been Aladdin or something. Cyborg sat down listening to her speech, she had a red skirt and top which was bare over her navel, she sat on a tucked jacket which seemed red too and slightly like work boots were on her feet. She seemed a little garish, but if you looked in her glorious eyes the times she shared a look with Cyborg it was obvious she wasn't demanding of a male like role, she had a truly sweet inner self. Something Cyborg often looked for since for him the quality he hoped most saw was his true self and not the machine.

She finished and asked "What did you think?"

"It was a nice story, especially how you took the time during all of this to tell him. What's your name?"

"Paige Guthrie or you can call me Paige." Cyborg nods, "What's your name?"

"Cyborg I'm a teen titan if you ever heard of us." She shook her head no, "Oh, well, we're like super heroes."

"Really? I'm here trying to be a superhero of sorts, an X-man."

"Oh? You're a mutant?"

"Yes, my brother Cannonball has been one of the Generation X mutants I was hoping I could join too." She gives a little smirk shedding her hand of a layer of skin and showed a metallic underneath "I can mutate my skin while shedding the old, turning to stone and metal, or something like energy and faces. That's why I took the codename Husk."

Cyborg is wide eyed, "Husk?" She nods, and he smiles "Just wait five seconds!" he ran to Magneto screaming "I found her! I found her!" Paige had a confused look as he seemed sort of thrilled to learn her codename. When the news was spread to Magneto he nods in seeing her "That is the girl Husk, Paige is a very valuable mutant."

"She's valuable how? I mean she's just like Colossus with his skin altering power."

"Not so, her power is capable of altering to metal, stone, and so many other types of alterations from her own." Magneto noticed Cyborg was looking with slight concern "Do not worry; her power does not harm her in some ways it is a most impressive ability. She can shed her skin and cause that layer to turn, making items and even pools of crude liquids or acids."

"That's really amazing." Cyborg looks at his arm and gets a slight chill "To be able to shed one layer for another I mean that's…"

Magneto lays a hand on Cyborg "One should not pine over their frailty it is what makes us stronger." Magneto sighed in his sight of Charles Xavier "A good friend once told me this."

"Glad as I am you found what you wanted;" Mr. Fantastic points to the many people around them "Can we start moving people soon?"

The camp had demons rushing and moving along while Akaige sat in a bone chair. He clicks his claw on the rest, continuously murmuring to himself. His eyes scan over the building, and every window seeing shadows of people inside rustling on like them. They were not just getting ready for their attack there is more… much more. "Gaikotsu," the grand general bows to his lord's call "Was there any other possible routes? Perhaps something we overlooked?"

"Reports keep saying nothing suspicious appeared in any the other places. Everything seems to be sparse attempts to ready for their demise nothing more." Akaige is still skeptic but Gaikotsu bows before leaving. "There's something bothering me they knew about our coming here… how? Who would warn them? Where did the mystic and mixed-demon male come from?" Akaige never became so worried over things that would be deemed trivial, but with war you can't overlook any possibilities.

When the doors open, to the sewer exits Invisible Woman, Susan Richards, whom hugs her boy Franklin once more before parting and leading the others through the tunnels with the help of Flash and Quicksilver. People held up the wounded and limply helped them along the path. When the group was out and into the halls the doors close and Mr. Fantastic has a chill up his back. 'She'll be fine… she will be…'

In the team, Dante and Rorek followed to the back of the huddled wounded. Dante asks "What are we going to do if this goes sour?"

"Fight." Rorek heard Dante kind of chuckle pleased "I mean fight and let the others escape."

"I know that's what I liked about it. It could be fun."

The two have a strange look at one another's attitudes. Though similar they certainly felt differently on this matter. As the group kept moving the upper world noticed nothing. It was working Susan thought, and if they kept going soon they would be far enough to have no worries. What they did not know was on the streets one large reptile monster with one wing broken and shattered sniffs the air; it turns down towards the sewers sniffing, and sniffing. Another demon walks over asking, "What is it Hojimko?"

The creature turns and growls, the other demon is startled before turning to the others "Hojimko smells blood! He smells blood!"

Hojimko slithers into the drainage spot sniffing on a puddle of blood, and as he did many turned watching it through the invisible barrier. Hojimko scoots up with his red scales clacking on the hard surface of these sewers even when several demons begin following into the sewers. Susan opens her communicator, "Reed, they might have spotted us…" Hojimko watches as a puddle of blood seemed to appear, a barrier slowly rolls off the blood as it moves past them. A scream and the other demons begin charging the invisible field, "Oh my god! Get ready, everyone!"

Screams and panicked hollers echo, with blood curdling roars. The communicator is silenced and Reed has become so pale a ghost was more fleshly colored "Susan…"

The demons rushed quickly on these weak and wounded morsels. They were not; however, ready to rush the more capable fighters like Dante who with his speed fiercely shattered his opponents, along with Rorek who made fierce spells that used the very elements to project death and destruction to these hellish monsters. Flash went back to give support ordering Quicksilver to help the wounded, though that didn't work I mean Quicksilver hated doing what he's told, so both plowed through the fronts of the demons holding off any advance. Susan knew her force field was not going to help the refugees, so she decided to go ahead and try making more shields for the ones fighting when she saw a demon getting close sort of slapping them in the face with an invisible hard-place. With the help it kept those nasty monsters really having a hard time trying to break through.

In his camp, Akaige ushers Gaikotsu, "What's going on over there?"

"Oh, seems the enemy snuck through with that invisible woman and her shields. Is there something you needed?"

"…." Akaige grabs Gaikotsu by his horns and slams him through the ground. He pushes off his throne making his way towards the sewers, "Want something done right, you have to do it your blasted self."

When Dante was able to he calls his demonic self to the surface, seeming to spark lightning over his skin. His eyes glow brighter and red, as they strike more powerful with each delivered blow. Slicing the demons completely in two, he leaves nothing of his enemies except some dust, "You know Robes, I liked the idea of finding something more difficult to kill what is the point to all this?"

Rorek was not sure what Dante meant, but his heightened senses began to feel the change, "No…" Rorek ran next to Dante "He's coming! We have to fall back!"

"Who?" Dante gave a wide grin "Oh Mr. lord of shadows! I was wondering when I got to meet him!"

"Dante this is not a time to play around, Akaige is more dangerous than any normal demon. If we don't make a retreat it may…" Dante ran deeper into the demons screaming "It may turn to shit, or we may come smelling like roses! Come on, or when you died did they rip your balls off!"

Rorek has a flaring power in his eyes, "I know you're just trying to goad me into this but I'm not letting some savage like you get away with those words!"

Dante had a smile with the kind of reaction he got out of Rorek. His little smile however, had lost some nerve when the roof came crashing in and some cloaked, hooded entity was knelt on the crumbled ceiling. 'Who the hell is this guy?'

The other demons made their moves back from the one figure. Dante has his sword ready, but Rorek snaps "That's Akaige, you idiot!"

"So I am." Akaige pushed up from his kneel and lulled his eyes over the two, "Not what I was hoping for with all the commotion you're making."

"Oh yeah?" Dante rushed his sword like a javelin; Akaige barely passed the sword so he now could turn to the side, "Wh…" A boot to the face and Dante looses speed forcing his sword into the wall. Pulling the sword free, Dante blocks the large fanned sword in a slight deadlock with Akaige. The two push on one another, slight sparks form in the grinding metals. "Hm, you could be entertaining after all. Who is your father boy?"

"First, I'm no boy. Second, who cares?" Dante kicks off from the deadlock and struck across the ground sparking several electrical bolts over towards the shadow lord. Akaige is jolted, but these sparks did not harm nor changed his composition. Akaige stood with his sword still drawn, "Very well I can always learn your blood through spilling it."

When things started everyone made sure to give the two fighters room. They were glad when the swords of Dante and Akaige clashed, and from forces mixed the walls of the sewer tunnels began cracking. The impact had rippled the stagnant air across the walls making forces tempt a cave in. A moment the two tap blades so quick the two swords bounce straight off and back behind their heads, still in hand the two quickly recover to tap blades again. With the two bouting and sparking blades, soon they broke apart to look at one another. Dante was looking at his hands with several cuts, Akaige had the same injuries but where Dante bleeds Akaige vented his purple aura. The two now began healing, and Dante gave a slight sneer "Looks like we're going to be going a while if all we can do is cut our hands. Let's pick it up already!"

"If you insist!" Dante charges sword over his shoulder, up and ready to swing down. He's suddenly stopped, as Akaige took that moment to rush forward and slam the butt of his sword's hilt into the half-demon's formed abdominals. When Dante lost his composure; and his sword falters to his side; Akaige pulls his sword back and makes a forward lunge. Dante is able to tap the shadow lord's sword away; he then swung and slashed the back of Akaige. A smile now on Dante's face, he waits with Akaige's turning swing to duck under, and stab the belly of his enemy. Kicking off Dante screams with his next swing, it taps off the sword of Akaige to the ground. Dante is so high in his adrenaline he leaps into a roundhouse kick to put Akaige to the ground, he now lands and turns towards his opponent, sword at the ready but… Akaige was gone. Akaige soon appears to Dante's side with his sword in hand striking the sides of his sword with Dante's, now wedging the other sword into the ground with his forceful tap next an elbow to the face caused Dante to stumble from his sword letting it still in the ground slightly. "How do you expect to defeat me without your sword?"

Dante has a smile curling his lips with the trail of blood glistening from his one cheek. "Well, that's why I have these two babies." Dante pulls up his arms and props two guns towards the shadow lord. He raises a brow while slinging his large fanned sword to his shoulder by one arm, "I'm surprised you even had an answer, a good one at that."

Dante fired his guns bullet for bullet, causing ripples through Akaige's body, arms flailing and legs heaving from the cases of enhanced bullets mused from Dante's devil aura. When enough shots were fired Dante clicks his guns, letting their ammo cartridges pop out so he could click in some new ones. His smirking little grin was fairly cocky as Akaige seemed to be really torn up; from the amount of smoke in the air, and some mist swirling around too. Then Dante lost his nerve as Akaige cracks his neck to the left and soon his body began to heal rather quickly. The clawed arm seemed to bulge with veins and tendons tightening over the hilt. Rorek has recognized the slight change, and his mind recalls that sword's design, "God… not him. Don't tell me he's the one who stole their technique"

"Game's over child." Akaige's eyes slender a bit with his emphasis; "This was not even entertaining to me… not like it was with her." The swing of his sword was forcing a churning line of wind, horizontally swiping over Dante; the invisible force pushed the hunter with it and while Dante's eyes grow wide as saucers, his chest is tightening like a shriveled prune. The gale flings Dante into a wall where he falls down on his butt, his head bops forward than back, it hangs back showing his eyes had gone blank from pain, before sagging his head down in the crevice of his chest. Laying his long fan sword on his shoulder Akaige took several steps forward before Rorek runs over to Dante. Akaige narrows his eyes and grips his sword, and another of his swings creates the invisible strike. Rorek does what he must by forming a field of his magic through the long staff weapon, the shield forced Akaige to begin more random swings that waylay an array of winds on the shield. As Rorek held the field up, his staff began to crack, he's straining and sweat beads over his brow. 'It is the technique but how did he learn it? I thought this technique was lost.'

Akaige has his arm back for another swing as lights shine on him, a large van like vehicle with armor padding and green with yellow color barrels the large tunnels of these sewers. Akaige was going to swing his sword on the van, but a gunshot and Akaige's left leg drops, on one knee the sword technique is interrupted and does not create a gale. Akaige glares the type of glare that would kill but Dante; weakly holding up his gun gave his cocky grin, moments before the van made contact. Opening up its side someone screams get in, Rorek pulls up Dante before running and kicking a sword and gun into the van. The invisible woman asks "Are you sure we should follow these people! We don't even know who they are!"

Dante, his voice shaky from the recent attack asks "Strangers with a van, tons of killer monsters… you really need a moment here?"

The heroes leap in and the van began to peel rubber as it took a path back to the Baxter building. Hojimko the red dragon demon screams but has no way of catching up. The other Kagejin were charging after the vehicle, but some did not even try knowing better. These ones look to the large crushed up wall where Akaige had been launched through. His foot came from the hole, and soon he stood out from the darkness of the next hall with his head down. It seemed like he was somehow ashamed, but when his head rose up slowly the way those eyes began to glow brighter and brighter it was obvious his rage has spiked, "I see… none of them are worthy, none of them except for you…"

Upon a snowy bank overlooking the camp below, the team of heroes staking Russian lands now viewed a sight they did not expect. This makeshift camp was collecting people and putting them in large kennels, empting the kennels to a large transport ship in the far end of the camp, and housing the soldiers chosen as members to these horrid traders' shipments. Starfire is the one most affected; hiding her face from the sight Red Star holds his head down a moment before asking "Will you be able to help me save them?"

"Yes," Starfire has regained herself with a glow in her eyes, the glow of confidence "that I will most definitely be capable of doing."

"Alright, gather around." Sabretooth has the team assemble to him, "Starfire and Red Star, take and open those kennels;" They nod saying something to confirm the mission, "Batman and… hey, where the hell is spooky?"

Batman turns to see that Red X is gone, he frowns internally as he finds footprints, "Sneaky little…" he pulls off from the group, "I'll find him."

"No, we can't waste the time! This is something urgent, Ice you go with Batman."

"I can work alone."

"I work better alone, and I'm in charge remember?" Batman gave a death glare, but Sabretooth only ignored it, "You two take the right flank, can you see if you have the capability to distract those guys to that spot?" The two nod, "Good, I'm going to stride right in the middle, Colossus and Kitten have the ship." he looks to the large red pants wearing man with four small arms, "I have something to check out in the camp. You got your missions?" They all nod and he revs off "Then get to work you slackers!"

Waddling into the camp the four armed mutant, Sugar Man, points his one arm to three soldiers talking, "Get those prisoners to the ship!" He points another arm to four men carrying special crates, "Be careful with those canisters! You know how hard it is to find Chemical X?" the next thing he points to was the sound of revving engines, "Somebody tell me who said you can ride around like you…" Sugar Man leaps out of the way of the speeding bikes; standing from his knees Sugar Man now has a grin spread his cheeks. Sabretooth has stopped to step off from his cycle, a growl edges his lips and Sugar Man points his last arm to Sabretooth, "You, give me the eye you owe me."

"Come and get it… freak."

Batman turned his neck back seeing Sabretooth was going off the end, "Guess he has something to do." Batman was nudged by Ice and both are looking to a large bushel of soldiers, Batman pulls out the batarangs while Ice started to form her daggers of ice. The two leapt off the cycle and in mid-air Batman tossed three explosive weapons causing a large explosion. Landing back to back Ice and Batman stood in middle of several soldiers surrounding them. Batman looks at Ice, she's too young to fight with him… wait, Robin was a hell of a lot younger. The years are really getting along when you can't harp on the world around you.

Soldiers ran forward, they unsheathe rods of metal, some spark in energy as stun-batons. The two separate while attacking, Batman mixed his skill and experience along with brutal fists of fury. Ice was more delicate, she seemed to outmaneuver her enemies before countering with ice shards, ice blocks for shields, sometimes even a type of icy casing that captured enemy feet or arms together to their own or one another's. Batman, who once had a feeling she was inexperienced nodded to her work. Batman asks before grabbing one soldier by the shoulder for a judo throw, "Where did you learn to fight?"

"A royal princess of harsh lands must learn to protect herself. Not to mention," Ice ducks under one soldier freezing his ankles down to the ground, a soldier is too forced behind his punch and knocks his partner out straight. "My powers were always one to learn proper use." She kicked the one soldier who punched his friend, than smiled to Batman before returning quickly to the fight.

"Hm," A soldier is plucked off the ground and thrown into another. One soldier tried to strike Batman but he, without looking, flung his backhand/forearm over his shoulder knocking the soldier unconscious, "guess I need to remember you can't judge a book," Batman ducks under a soldier that leaped for his chest now taking out another one of his buddies, "by its cover."

Red Star puts the pedal to the metal when the fenced prisoners were in sight, he screams with the breaking of metal and Starfire flew off beginning a long barrage to soldiers near their hole in the fence, "Please, all who can run do so now! We shall hold your escape as a possibility!"

The captives were confused but when it clicks what is happening several began a break for it. Several soldiers scramble to the fence with their stun-rods, but Red Star turns his vehicle around and plow them down, opened back up the people scream in escape. Red Star is pleased, his people, family, so many he loved were thanking him. Then the sounds of screaming, Red Star turns to their voices of horror and found a large gray skinned man with blue hood and suit, "Who are you?"

The stone skinned man, his red eyes glow bright and Starfire lands to show hatred, "These slaves are mine, property of planet Apokalipse, and of the master Darkseid."

Darkseid has a faint smile when Starfire tossed a bolt he merely blasted away, a flick of his wrist and soldiers flow behind him, "Surrender, Troq, and I may keep you alive to see your friends die."

"This will not be allowed! I will stop your evil, Darkseid."

"Just try it you filthy," Darkseid flung his fists in the ground to up heave a large ice ball, "Troq!"

The ball begins rolling from his toss, Starfire shot her eyes and the ball halts slowly, it explodes but steam blinds her in the coinciding explosion. Her hands block the heat, but not the fist to her jaw, followed with another to the gut and than the face. Red Star wanted to help but quickly soldiers were rounding up prisoners, Starfire kicks off the larger attacker to give a smile. "Free your people," She launches a counter punch to Darkseid, "I am stronger than I seem!"

Weaving in the air she tossed her fists with heaving blows of her enemy. Red Star is now able to concentrate on his people again. Soldiers noticed his charge but with his speed they had no chance, their forms seem to flop in the air with powerful blows. Tossing them like dolls nothing could stop the super soldier, but a sudden surge of his body caused Red Star to fall in his place. Looking on the faces of his people, the cruel soldiers charging him, no… not now, this was not the time! Red Star screams and backhands several groups of men into each other, he could overload later. He can… die later.

With Colossus driving and Kitten in him, the two had rolled through the camp to the large ship in the back. A blackened metallic machine was landed in the center/back of this camp. Colossus kicks off the bike and several men begin attacking, he snorts, and with a simple backhand he sweeps them all to the side with his strides. Kitty has now asked "What is wrong with you?"

"My sister, Illyana, she is the only family I knew for so long. My brother is supposed to be dead; someone took my sister and impersonates my brother." Colossus plows a fist through the door of this ship, standing from the strike his metallic eyes have rage all within them, "I will not be so kind to the ones who dare threaten my families."

Colossus is halted with the appearance of a small army, Kitten phases from his head asking "Uh, how about the ones who threaten us?"

Deep inside the ship, a room of décor and fine linen rugs had two figures chatting. One of these figures sat with fingertips clicking together with a drum-roll, the other stood at a large window while viewing the many disturbances. The one sitting was Madame Rouge, "The intruders are of course the ones I mentioned, as also the target."

"I know this…" The large frame is sighing with his red eyes glaring to the outside camp. "What a waste, my dear brother." He turns his frame, still hidden in shadow he nods to Madame, "Go on and finish loading the slaves. I'll interfere if I must."

"I'd say," She stood up with a turn "that's a must."

Madame was gone, another figure appears in the corner his arms crossed, "Shall I interfere?" his Russian voice is deep, mechanical like, and somehow it has no attachment to this world of the living. The man at the window nods in acknowledgement so he points to two soldiers entering. The man who sees them releases his arms, and some sound of machinery echoed with two long protruding metal tentacles. The men would have fought, but their speed struck hard and fast, the two men fell dead and their owner nods asking "Anyone else?"

"I was going to have them escort you to the area…"

"Oh," The man with tentacles had a smirk, letting the weapons enter his palms he sarcastically said "my mistake."

The man at the window, less enthusiastic of his decision to awaken this maniac, points to the kennels to the distance "Just go there and remove my problems."

"Sure thing," he steps over the dead bodies but turns swiftly, "if I see your brother, the one they call Colossus?"

"Kill him." It was so swift and uncaring; Mikhail only looked out the window as the other left. "I have no reason to keep blood ties anymore. That is more for the living, not the dead."

Tokyo Tower, our little teams all were trying as badly as possible to get to this one spot, but only one team could claim the victory of being first. That team was none other than team Sasami; she was not too thrilled when they entered the area. None of the ships have landed, and it seemed as torn and devastated as other areas. Naota was often holding hands with his girlfriend Ninamori, though Haruko who pushed on her Vespa had not the faintest pleasure with their closeness. Canti, the mechanized creature who did housework for Naota stuck near Haruko, no real reason to his action except he had no where else to go. His face turns to Haruko, a beep and she noticed his screen had written in Japanese, 'Don't they look cute together?'

Haruko gave a snarl to which a sweat drop symbol appeared on the robot's upper right temple, he turns away while twiddling his thumbs. Haruko was not really upset with them or what is happening… but she has so many problems with herself. Never was she so willing to help mortals. Especially not like this, it's not like her. Haruko was finally getting so irritated she lashes out on the others, or rather, Sasami who didn't produce their escape. "Where's the damn ships?"

"Huh?" Sasami lowers her eyes, "I'm not sure they should be coming soon." Sasami felt herself getting depressed, but Naota grabbed her shoulder causing a slight blush. "It's okay Sasami; we'll all be here when they come. Let's try and relax the hardest part is over."

Yeah, of course it is… Then again we're talking about the end of the world, a major monster dominated scenery, and even with all these things we still seem to have many more things of terror and horror roaming about tearing some serious damage on the scene… yes, this was the hardest part. Surviving till you have some glimpse of hope. Before, nothing was really apparent to live for, aside from each other; but now they have their chance and hope was strong.

While they had their hope, another group had their appearance. From the sky slowly floated down a large slab of stone, with a flaming herald under it and many slowly getting off. The group of Spirit detectives, along with Sunfire and his new friends were surprised to see others. Yusuke walks over nonchalantly, asking "You here for the rescue teams?"

"Yeah, so are you having fun," Haruko plucked her guitar, "detective?"

"Sure, lots of fun! Look at all the fun I'm having here."

Haruko, even if this sarcasm was the worst, she laughed from him which only got her looks what with the scenery they were sharing. Conan helped Rachael towards the group she was still very frazzled, she motions to somewhere near the tower and he nods. Mimi, the girl that has been fascinated with her game-hero, Shiro-sama, noticed Naota she screamed before lunging on him on to the ground, and next she was sensually kissing him. Naota is frozen, not by the kiss, but three other girls glaring at him to see what a response he gave that kiss. Pushing off Mimi he soon was bombarded by the girls, in a tugging contest each grabbed a limb and tugged on him, except Mimi who only realizing that it may be a game she also joined in. There is slight laughter from everyone else, except Sunfire who has walked off to the distance of the group. After the little bouts of tug and war, people get their little clicks or congregations going, Mimi was off looking for her great savior who she found off near some broken water pipe spraying into a dirt-hole. "There you are; I found you!"

Sunfire gave no response. He was sitting with his one arm hanging off his raised knee, looking at the water play onto the surface and ripple over the collected pond. He didn't like water, but he was willing to watch it. He was captivated in the distortion of his reflection making the dancing flames dance more with the gyrating ripples. Even Mimi, who has always been obsessed with flame, took time to watch his flames dance on the water's surface.

Mimi did not know what to say; to her this was an angel from the heavens. Her mind has seen the great fire-angel over and over, not that she saw this, but he certainly looks like what she could expect. "So," Mimi gave a slight smile "have you any ideas on what's next?"

"No." Shiro did not look at the girl but he did go on answering "I believe you will escape, I will stay to fight. I deserve to fight here, and die here."

"Why?"

Shiro, his eyes gave no show to her but in the way they glisten, the way they also dulled, he shows sadness to the world. "I failed my friends, my family, and so many people who believed in me. They died and I did nothing to help them."

"You helped me, the others too. If you didn't we would have died."

"I have committed the sin of failing my honor. To that, I can not ignore this falsehood. I will die here and repent for my sin."

"How does dying repent for sin?" Shiro looked over to the girl; she had struck her palms to the ground and started crying, loudly even. "I can't see how you think that! If you're so full of pain for what you did, do something to help those who you wronged! Death solves nothing; it only eases the pain of living! You want to quit, go ahead! I know Takun would never have quit…" She lowered her head and tears now streak onto the ground, "I know… I know that he still loves me."

Shiro was not really caught in her speech, but her pain did make him worse. "I am sorry if I disappoint you. I… I merely can not condone what I did. Earlier..."

"No, let them go!" Sunfire, the man in red flamed clothing spandex ran forward sparking flames on the monsters. They scramble about and people run behind Sunfire, he grows the flames willing the people protection. Several were his friends, others his family, all were his people and he vowed the day he was born with these powers to fight for them all.

Sunfire could easily beat these creatures. They have no defense for his fire powers, but soon a flame did counter his and scorched the land around him. Sunfire, able to endure flames of any heat, was unaffected from this flame even when it passed his defense. However, the ones he was protecting… they were burned alive. Sunfire heard them scream, turned to watch them run on flame, and roll in desperate attempts to save themselves. His eyes seemed full of pain, and the only thing changing those eyes to hate was laughter, his laughter… the man with the club arm.

The two fought, Sunfire used his powers and the club armed man used his own. In the desperate attempt, Sunfire releases all his power to create a huge inferno. His powers engulf him, his flesh began to cinder and scorch, eventually the area melts and flames appear through thin air. He would have thought it over, the fires rose to the clouds above, but the monster did not appear afterwards… surely it was dead. Sunfire also realized others were dead too. The flames spread too quickly and more of his people die from his power… he failed them, he failed those he loved.

His mission after that was to die. He wanted to die because he killed them, he deserved it. Yet, his flying about searching for death crossed paths with a girl praying for some angel of fire, the rest is what it is.

Mimi kind of had this wide eyed look on her face, "Wow, you really are my angel."

"What?" She gave him a great smile, which was not something he expected, "If you didn't come we would have died! Then, you also lived because of us! See, you're meant for something greater! Not just dying you'll find your worth in life, sooner or later!"

"Is that so?" Sunfire kind of was confused but he was alive still, may as well go with it.

The two would have sat there longer, but a scream and they run off seeing what has happened. Yusuke was trying to break free, Kurama and Kuwabara held him back while his arms flailed. Hiei, the short warrior with spiky hair had the coldest look possible with the circumstances. He was standing arms crossed on one foot, Sunfire and Mimi came next to him "What happened?"

"Yusuke found his girlfriend." Hiei turned to a large hill. The hill was actually bodies stacked onto one another, their situated so their blood seeped into a hole like a kind of pool. Hiei finally looks on Yusuke who was now dropping to his knees, tears flowing wildly he lost composure. "Poor kid, he never saw this coming."

"We should help him."

"Just what do you expect us to do?"

Everyone has now got interested; Conan the detective took more interest than he probably should have. Getting closer he noticed the bodies didn't just get tossed here, they were arranged. The blood was being drained to the pool. Next he found the footsteps leading from the pile to the pool, 'Someone was actually bathing in this it seems. So now, who was it that did this?' Conan looked over the blood, some of it outside the pool had coagulated and such, but when he touched the surface of the pool he pulls his hand back, "Wow, this is really hot. It is even hotter than normal blood!"

Rachael didn't know what he was talking about, limping over she put her hand in the blood too "You're right Conan. Why is this blood so warm?" She then pulled her hand back, holding it she whispered "Something touched my hand."

The two backed away as the blood now boiled, soon a large bubble formed in the center. The bubble stood tall, it was a form with blood covering its broad shoulders and two arms. The blood was now beginning to dry over the form, and as the heat rose so did chips of blood now solidified. The chips broke into he air dissipating, allowing bits and pieces of the fiend to shine through with his golden plasma within an armored crystal body. The red skull glared with sick pleasure, and raising his large club arm, Holocaust fired a blast aimed on Sasami.

Sasami was not expecting it, so if not for someone pushing her out of the way she most likely would have died. Mimi pushed off of Sasami, her eyes shook as her back had been burnt badly. Holocaust, now angry with the intervention stomped out from the pool to the dirt. "Little bitch got in my way."

Sunfire knelt next to Mimi, she had not only been burned but the fire was radioactive and now it began quickly to affect her system. When she saw Sunfire, she smiled at him saying "It's time you beat Lord Hades, Shiro-sama. I know you can. That's why you're here."

"You're here too. Don't give up."

"I did my part, I brought you here…" She closed her eyes "Didn't I?" and a moment her body went limp. It was peaceful, she didn't have to scavenge anymore, depend on others, or fight to survive anymore. Sunfire was not able to hold her, but when he closed his eyes the flames ceased and he pet the girl's hair. She was gone, but now his charred body was not flaming like before. As he stopped petting her, he turned to Holocaust who only looked on confused. "She was a good person. I can't understand how you could kill her."

"I was aiming for the princess." A fireball struck Holocaust, toppling him over. Sunfire stood with his arm on fire, the flames quickly spread over his body. "I'll make you pay monster! Do you hear me?" Sunfire jetted off and as Holocaust rolled to his feet, a fist flung the behemoth into hill of bodies causing it to topple over, "I'll make you suffer!"

Holocaust was partially stuck in the bodies, he pushed them away to stand, gloating "Little one, you have no idea just what you've gotten yourself into!"

Slade was flung into the wall, but he rolled in the air to spryly somersault off the stone and to the ground. Looking up, he panics before leaping to the side; a large golden fist slams through the wall he previously kicked off from. Thanos swung his other arm with a turn, the backhand smash missed Slade but caused more of the stone walls to break. Slade easily sees a chance, taking it he swings his staff to the knee of his enemy, they falter on the foot and Slade swings the staff overhead and cracks it over the exposed back of his enemy's head. Thanos was not dazed; he screams latching onto the mercenary's leg and tossing him on the ground. Shoulders and back on the ground, Thanos kicks off his knees and elbow-drops into Slade's chest, still atop of Slade he grasps his free hand over Slade's face and begins squeezing with his might.

Slade couldn't counter the strength of his enemy, but luck plays his side when Thanos stands up and lifts him up into the air. Out in arms reach, Slade was suspended in the air. He had to smile, the oaf gave him a perfect shot, and so Slade took it and kicks his leg to the throat of the large man. Thanos is stung, his grip loosens and Slade plows his upper body into the humbled might of his enemy. The two now roll on the ground, Slade spans his eye over to the sleeping Raven and he is struck off the man and to the ground. 'Damn, not the best time to worry about her. I have to keep him over here at the wall, farthest from the altar and her.' It was his plan to try and pull Thanos away from the girl, the farther away the better his chances.

A sudden strike to the ribs, Slade is vaulted to another part of the room. He fell on his same side, and recoils from pain as the strikes were each crippling. The sound of thumping, Slade looks up and the same large foot nearly hits his head. A lucky guard and grab, Slade holds the foot to his chest and pushes back off making his enemy wobble, but not fall. Thanos, not pleased at his failure, charges his hands and fires a beam that plowed Slade through the stone floor and across the room to an opposite wall. His body had been broken, luckily he heals quickly. When he opened his eyes Thanos was making a march towards Raven, however quick Slade is it was not quick enough.

Thanos stops before Raven, his eyes if he had them looked sadly "I apologize, but my mistress wishes me to destroy you. As well my brother Darkseid demands I amend for my previously failure to stop you." Thanos raises a fist, his mind gains the image of Raven thanking him for help, and he paused as it seemed he lowered his hand. "I… I must…" his hand glows bright and he prepares to fire.

Slade is starting to try and heal his wounds, he heals enough to pull out a disk that he tossed and it explodes. Thanos is struck in the explosion, but he fires. Slade grimaces and when he looks back the smoke next to Raven's head made him both relax, and worry. Next time won't be so lucky. Thanos was already preparing to fire but Slade kicks off his feet, shakily he ran at Thanos with fist drawn back. The moment he was close, Thanos noticed and kicked off the attack straight to the gut. Thanos watches as Slade bounces off his back and then in the air to his front. Still on the ground, Thanos fires his beams and this time Slade not only rolls but lies still afterwards. His smile was wide in victory, but suddenly the floor up heaved and tossed him back through the ceiling. Slade is unconscious, but if he had not been the young girl in bandages, with blonde hair long and covering her one blue eye, he may have been afraid. The young girl looked at the man, to Raven, and again to the man. Her eye has hate, rage, but for now she had to call him… master, again while they were allies. Terra had no choice, but she gave her distaste in growling the name of her former master "Slade…"

Vastion didn't give her any breaks, or did he teach her anything she didn't already know, but more important… he kept angering her. Raven was at every point failing, he'd tell her how she failed his test and mention what he felt she was. The name he used fueled her anger and soon she struck at him, but he's beyond her, and each time she was slapped or kicked away. While on her back from the last attempt she screams "Why did they send me to you? I'm learning nothing they didn't teach me!"

"Oh really?" Vastion walked to the still crippled girl, when her eyes looked at him in hate he flung his heel to her neck pinning her down, "You know what, this is getting to really piss me off! You were supposed to already know how to fight! But, you're too stupid to figure it out!"

When he seemed to be getting more enraged, the voice from Raven's chest caused him to stop, the necklace whispers so only he may hear. "What… you want me to give you her?" Vastion looked on Raven who gave him just as much hate even with his heel in her neck, "Okay, fine. Save me the hassle of training her." A portal opened in the ceiling and Vastion tossed Raven into the spiraling vortex, after that he chuckled "She's really going to be something if she gets it through her head."

Vastion opened a door in his home it leads to the fiery pits and mountainous peaks of hell outside. He gave some looks around the area, a flattened platform of stone and he ran to jump over a large chasm to that very platform. It had several other formations of rising slated pillars so he began training some himself. "Kid didn't know," he kicks one of the large formations to make it crumble; "I can leave into the hell springs here."

While Vastion trained, on a large formation one figure sat in wait. He held a long sword, and his right shoulder has a blackened wing that folded around him than behind him. The figure, a smile of superior cruelty played his lips as his eyes kept watching Vastion. In time, Vastion got the feeling he was being watched so he turns to find on the mountain a blackened feather slowly fell, "…So, rumors are true. He even found me here."

The mountain behind Evil's Angel was now breaking down the center straight from the top. Vastion leapt away as the dividing force plows on him, showing a large sword had cut through the mountain. As the mountain fell to two sides, a figure walked through the dust and divide. Vastion stood up, forming a sword of fire which symbolizes a five headed dragon, he gave the most hate filled snarl imaginable "Rumor or not, you have to prove you deserve to be the new Evil's Angel! That you deserve my title!"

The figure smiled on, his hands raised as he shifted his long katana sword to the side of his head in a stance, blade pointed out to the opponent. Vastion got a chill, but countering with his own stance he thought to himself, 'Of all the times to be challenged, why now?' The two tag weapons, forces seemed to call to the challenger from a power even the ageless mind of Vastion could not fathom, 'And, why the hell is this freak here now all of a sudden?'

Raven plopped out of the floor and into a place of light; she soon realized it was not somewhere new but somewhere very old… "Azar?"

The great spires were erect again, the city full of sound and light. When Raven turned, a white form is there with arms at their sides and eyes full of happiness, "Mother…" Soon, Arella raised her arms and Raven clenched into the embrace of her mother, "How? How can this be possible? Is this really, home?"

"No, it is a projection of my own mind. I was getting worried Vastion's teachings were not getting through to you."

"Teachings? What was he actually trying to teach me?" Raven pulled away, Arella lowered her head as her daughter began to fume "He was only beating me, slapping me around. That didn't teach me anything but how much the tool I've become! As I'm here, learning, my friends are in danger! They could be dead, or dying! I'm not supposed to be here, I'm supposed to be there with them!"

"How do you expect to save your friends if you can't even save yourself?" Arella's words cut Raven's heart, the tone drops as she realized that "My daughter, I love you so much. I wish I could take away all the pain, the burden, but it is in fact the one thing I can never do. That pain is the last lesson, pain, is the path of all warriors."

"What?" Raven was confused, than a large forum of faces appeared, Sunfire, as he fought Holocaust blow for blow as his flesh burns with his powers. The pain made him powerful, for he endeared the pain to use all his fire form. Red Star, battling his foes as he also suppressed his explosive power inside, releasing it as his punches connect and suppressing the overload. Dante, his body was torn and shattered yet he stood up in the Baxter Building, bandaged ribs he ordered people to work hard to defend their last stand's perimeters with devices and traps. Slade, his body mends the broken bones and organs, his sight of Terra would normally bring him to questions, but as Raven lay on the ground and Thanos charged his palms he struck with his wounded body with blows that caused his injuries to increase.

"What are you trying to teach me?"

The last thing you must learn. Raven, there is much in life to understand. One thing is that pain is a part of living. You have hidden your friends from the pain of your father, they instead fought and endured. You hid them from the coming of this other demon, now they fight like before. You hide yourself in the need to know how to fight, but, you know how to fight it has been with you forever and beyond that.

"Mother… how can I win?"

That is not something I can tell you, all you need to know is… you will never be alone.

The necklace glows, Arella is soon with Fate, and Malchior. Raven began to drop to her knees; they grabbed her and held her up. She looks at them, they look at her, "All life, before and after, is with you Raven. You are now connected to the worlds of our worlds, through our hopes passed to your shoulders. Fight with us, with your friends, but most importantly… fight, alongside yourself, not against yourself."

Raven returned to Vastion's home, her eyes were full of tears. She stood up, a scream from outside made her stop crying and wipe the tears away. She ran outside, there was Vastion with his armor broken or shattered, his helmet gone now exposed his frail long white hairs and scarred face. Possibly, the man fought eons of battles and now this was what he had left to show for it. Raven was going to help, but he stood up and pointed his blade towards her, "You stay the hell out of this! I'm not going to let some little bastard take my pride from me!"

She stopped; Vastion fell to his side too tired to fight. Raven gave a glare, soon the figure that attacked him floated down with their feet calmly touching the dirt. She knew it was impossible; he had to be helped, so when the figure raised their large sword she flew at him. The figure, he disappeared in a flash of blackness and so she stopped short, turning back around the figure's sword was at her neck, she cringed as their long silver hair flapped in the wind, and two bangs fell to the front brows of his face. His eyes, and smile, so cruel and dominant kept on her the whole time. Those eyes, chillingly, they glow with human quality but godly power, green eyes, which only shine more in their powers. "Who dares to strike me from behind?"

Raven looked at this opponent and her mind seeks one answer, well, she found one. "All of us do."

"Us, what do you mean us?" He is confused, but an aura began to emanate from Raven so he kicked off his toes to back away. Raven's feet had encircled her with energy, her outfit turned white again, but this time her eyes disappeared in color to reveal white nothingness, as if possessed. She moved her hands in a stance, the two hands at her hips began to glow, and they create dual swords. One sword, it was an ebony hilted blade with a four eyed mask chained to the end, the theatrical mask of drama's pain, the other sword is ivory hilted with a four eyed mask of drama's joy chained to the end. He raised a brow to the unusual power, but it didn't end there. After those swords appeared, he is soon confronted in a vision of two wings curving from her back through the hooded cape, black wings like his own. It was not something he expected, "What are you?"

"I could ask the same thing of you. However, I'm going to destroy you so what does it matter what we are!"

"Is that so?" The man floated into the sky, his wing spreads open and soon his body allows darkness to roll off him like a mist, "I am the one they call The One Winged Angel, who may I ask is honoring me with my demise?"

"My name is Raven." She floats into the air; both evenly levitate in place, brandishing swords of their own design, "I have to defeat you so I can know I'm finally able to do what I must. This battle, it will prove I'm ready."

"What if you should fail?"

"I won't fail, not while my friends are with me."

He scoffs, "Just like that puppet of mine, you truly think your friends will give you strength?"

"They already have…" The two connect onto each other, bolts spark ferociously across the ground as black and white, his and hers, then the one winged angel has one more smirk, asking "Have they given you enough to defeat, the great Sephiroth?"

Note: Happy Mothers Day, and everyone out there, I hope you liked todays chapter. I have to go and celebrate Mother's day with my mom, but hope you all do the same. Thank you to Doza, I'm now interested in being a little bit more direct to details like punctuation. Hope that I'm doing better and next time you won't mind giving a review? I'm picking… but to everyone I hope this chapter was worth the wait and maybe next time I won't take so long to get the work done.