Part 3: Corruption

Ryuki continued to walk aimlessly, thinking of what everyone had said. Were they all right? He needed to think.

Of course, as fate would have it, his life wasn't screwed up enough yet.

"Hello…Ryuki…"

It was Yoshido, the God of Warriors and Shadow's former master. Ryuki's blood ran cold as he froze at the presence of this…this…Words could not describe who this person was…he was pure evil, even more so than Slade, which was saying a lot on its own. Ryuki couldn't fight him; he didn't want to fight him. So, he decided on the next best course of action:

He ran.

Back in the Tower's infirmary, Jinx's eyes slowly began to flutter open. Starfire gasped as she saw this.

"Friend Jinx!" Starfire yelled out happily, "You are awake!" she motioned to hug her, but Jinx stopped her.

"Where am I?" Jinx asked still feeling slightly disoriented.

"You are in the infirmary, friend. You were badly injured so both friend Raven and Shadow healed you," Starfire replied.

Suddenly, everything came back to Jinx; about Blood kidnapping her and using her to lure Ryuki out, about him ranting about the powers of the Orphenoch, about Ryuki getting captured, her saving him and then…blank. She remembered being blasted, then nothing. She then asked, sitting up quickly, "Where's Ryuki?"

Starfire bowed her head, "We…we do not know."

Jinx placed her hands on Starfire's shoulders, "Please! Is he…Is he okay?"

"He is," Shadow answered as he entered the infirmary, "At least physically…psychologically is a whole different matter."

"What do you mean? Where is he?" Jinx demanded, nearly hysterical.

"First, remember when Ryuki 'died' while pursuing Scorpios?" he asked. Jinx remembered like it was yesterday. His heart had stopped beating and he was not breathing. Suddenly…he just came back to life. It had been a miracle! She nodded. "It was no miracle that he came back to life. When he died, something triggered in him…The Orphenoch Gene."

Orphenoch Gene? What did that mean? Blood had been ranting about it when he had captured Ryuki. "So…Ryuki has this gene?" Jinx asked. Shadow nodded, "So what's so special about it? What's an Orphenoch anyway?"

"An Orphenoch is the next step in human evolution. It's like the X-Gene, but extremely rare. Anyway…what it does is bring the one who has it back to life. The person becomes stronger, faster and has heightened senses…but at a cost," he paused, "The person becomes a creature known as an Orphenoch. They are powerful, but have a limited lifespan. Also…New Orphenochs cannot control themselves and can lose control quite easily, destroying and killing everything in sight…which was what happened to Ryuki…"

Jinx put all the pieces together, "Ryuki…Ryuki is…"

"An Orphenoch…and he killed Brother Blood."

Ryuki? Kill? But that wasn't like him at all! "No! Ryuki would never do that!"

"He thought Blood had killed you! His rage took over and the Black Dragon's bond to him made him lose control! He transformed and literally tore Blood apart piece by piece!"

"So…where is he?" Jinx asked.

"Like Starfire said, he left."

Jinx jumped out of bed, "I gotta find him!"

"We should," Shadow nodded, "Let's go." They ran towards the door.

Ryuki had tried running away from Yoshido, but to no avail. Yoshido held Ryuki's throat tightly as he pinned the young Knight to the brick wall of the alley. Ryuki was scared, absolutely and positively scared.

"You are a brave one, Knight of Combustion," Yoshido said. He then placed his free hand on Ryuki's chest. "But foolish!" Ryuki screamed as a surge of energy coursed through his body. He howled as Yoshido continued to torture him. Yoshido smirked as the black lightning continued to course from his hand through Ryuki's body. Ryuki continued to scream and howl in pain. "I see…I can feel it. You're an Orphenoch, aren't you?" Suddenly, Yoshido was thrown back by a blast of pink energy

"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Jinx shouted. Her eyes and hands were glowing with pink energy. She fired another hex wave at Yoshido, who dodged the blast with ease.

"Jinx," he said calmly, "What a pleasant surprise."

"You stay away from him!" Jinx shouted with anger. "DON'T TOUCH HIM!" she yelled defiantly, standing between the maniac and her love. She recognized Yoshido from a description and picture by Shadow…knowing fully well what this evil god was capable of. But she didn't care…Ryuki's safety was her top priority.

"The dragon Knight? Very well, I've already had my fun," Yoshido then leapt into the air and flew out of the alley.

Ryuki was unconscious and had slumped onto the ground. His head low. Jinx quickly kneeled down in front of him. "Ryuki? Baby? Speak to me!" she pleaded, tears almost escaping her eyes. Ryuki wasn't responding and she feared the worst. She took out her T-Com and called Shadow.

"Shadow!" she yelled. "I'm in an alley somewhere with Ryuki. Yoshido got to him, he's hurt!"

"I'll be right there!" Shadow answered.

"Get here quick!" she answered back. She turned to Ryuki, worried. Minx slowly walked out of her hiding place and licked Ryuki's face. Jinx smiled and picked the little kitten up.

Ryuki had been taken back to Titans Tower and placed in the infirmary. The Dragon Knight laid in bed, sweating bullets, a pain stricken expression was etched on his face. This had been going on for some time. Jinx was holding onto Ryuki's limp hand while Shadow probed his mind.

"Is…is Ryuki gonna be okay?" Jinx asked, worried.

Shadow removed his fingers from Ryuki's temple. He shook his head. "It's not good. Yoshido was trying to corrupt him. He was trying to bring out the Orphenoch in him. Right now Ryuki's fighting for control, but I don't know how long before the dark power completely takes over."

Jinx whimpered, "No…"

"When he wakes up, he may not be the same Ryuki we knew. We may have to fight him," Shadow added, placing the last of the restraints on Ryuki. Jinx wanted to object, but she knew it had to be done. She stroked Ryuki's pain stricken face and his hair.

"Isn't there anyway to undo what Yoshido did to him?" Jinx asked.

Shadow shook his head. "I don't know. Yoshido has the power to bring out the worst evil in people. Fortunately, Ryuki doesn't have any evil inside him. However, that does not mean that Yoshido hasn't done something similar to him, since Ryuki is also an Orphenoch. Now, it's all up to Ryuki," Shadow said sympathetically.

"Ryuki…" Jinx stroked Ryuki's face.

Shadow walked out of the infirmary to leave Ryuki and Jinx alone. He met Raven and Starfire who were waiting outside.

"How is he?" asked Starfire worriedly. With her was Raven. The others were all asleep since it was late. Shadow shook his head.

"Not good, huh?' Raven questioned. Shadow explained and the two listened with shock.

"He has done what to Ryuki?" Starfire asked with shock.

"Yoshido corrupted Ryuki. Now Ryuki's fighting for control," Shadow explained.

"That is the most horrible thing I have ever heard," Starfire added, "It is like the Yoshido has poisoned his soul. How is Jinx?"

"She's scared. She wants Ryuki to wake up and smile at her. She also wants his pain to go away," Shadow responded.

"It won't be easy. Ryuki has to do this on his own. Worst case scenario is that Ryuki ends up giving in to his Orphenoch side and he becomes our enemy. We can only help anyway we can, but in finality, it will be all up to Ryuki," Raven sighed.

Starfire asked, "Are we going to have to kill him?"

Shadow shrugged, "That is a strong possibility. We can only free him from his pain if what Yoshido did is irreversible."

"I won't accept that!" Jinx screeched, running at Shadow and slapping him across the face. Shadow didn't retaliate. "Even if Ryuki becomes an evil Orphenoch, I won't let anyone lay a finger on him. I'd rather die than let that happen!"

"Do you think we enjoy this?" Shadow snapped, "Ryuki's our friend, of course we don't accept it either. However, it is a strong possibility and we have to prepare ourselves," Shadow added, "Sooner or later the Knights will have to fight each other. That is our destiny. We cannot fight it."

Jinx clenched her fists. Tears streaked from her eyes that were shut tight. It was unfair! Ryuki didn't deserve this! He didn't deserve to have this kind of pain. "It's just…" she whimpered, "He's just so sweet and kind…he doesn't deserve this," she cried, "First becoming an Orphenoch and now this?" She placed her face in her hands. "It's so unfair!"

"I know Jinx," Shadow placed his hands onto Jinx's shoulders, in an attempt to comfort her.

Suddenly, their silence was interrupted by a feral roar. The 4 Titans turned their attention to the direction.

"It's Ryuki!" Shadow exclaimed. They all rushed into the infirmary to see Ryuki struggling against his bonds. Ryuki's eyes were glowing red like fire and a fiery red aura surrounded him.

"Hold him down!" Shadow exclaimed.

"I do not wish to hurt him, but I must do so before he hurts himself!" Starfire shot back as she and the snake Knight forced Ryuki's body down onto the bed.

"Jinx!" Raven yelled, "Calm him down while I get the tranquilizer!"

Jinx approached the Dragon Knight. His body was surrounded with an evil red aura. His eyes no longer shone with the same loving kindness but evil hatred at everything. She was afraid, but this was still the boy she loved.

"Ryuki…Ryuki…Baby," she pleaded, voice soft and calm. "Please…calm down."

Ryuki continued to roar and the aura grew stronger. He started to shift into his Orphenoch form, the Ifrit Orphenoch. He blasted them away telekinetically, slamming them against the walls.

Starfire got up and groaned, rubbing her head. Jinx got up slowly, still in pain. Shadow and Raven were in a…compromising position with him on top of her. He quickly got off her and helped her up. They both blushed and fixed their cloaks.

Ryuki continued to struggle against his bonds, roaring like a wild animal.

"Ryuki!" Shadow shouted, "Fight it!"

"Please!" Jinx begged, "Don't give up!"

Ryuki heard their voices and his eyes slowly slid close. The aura dissipated and he slowly shifted back to human form. The 4 Titans sighed. It was over.

But for how long?

Ryuki's sleep was restless. He was strapped to one of the infirmary beds, but he was starting to sweat all over. His eyes were moving rapidly under his closed eyelids. He was either dreaming…or having a nightmare.

Nightmare…

Ryuki was in a dark area of nothingness. "Guys…hello? Anybody there?" he called out, but his voice echoed. "Just where am I?" he then heard another voice.

"Monster…"

"What, who said that?" he called out, whirling his head around. He saw the Titans, "Hey guys, I'm glad to see you…guys?"

"Monster…Animal…Murderer…" The other Titans began to chant, "Monster…Animal…Murderer…" Ryuki did not like this.

"Guys? Come on, you're scaring me," he said nervously, but they continued their chanting.

"Monster…Animal…Murderer…" The Titans pointed to something behind him. Ryuki reluctantly turned around…and screamed.

Beast Boy yawned. He had gone to make himself a midnight snack, a tofu sandwich with pickles. Anyway, as he passed by the infirmary, he began hearing some strange sounds, mostly comprised of banging, scratching and roaring. Beast Boy put his ear against the door. He jerked away as a dent appeared on the door, and then another dent. Ryuki was trying to get out!

"Dude!" Beast Boy exclaimed as he reached for the alarm, but he was too late. The infirmary door was knocked over and Beast Boy screamed like a girl as the Ifrit Orphenoch walked over it, snarling and growling at Beast Boy. Beast Boy, unable to stay calm, passed out right there on the floor. The Ifrit Orphenoch went over to the changeling and sniffed him. He jerked his head back when he smelt an unpleasant odor…tofu. He growled and then he looked left and right to the empty hallways. He wanted to get out, and get out now.

The Ifrit Orphenoch ran through the city. He did not know what he was looking for, but he was trying to find it and fast. He soon grew tired and yawned. Walking into an alley, he soon reverted to his human form, Ryuki.

At the same time, three rednecks wearing FOH armbands walked by. They were drunk and looking for a fight. One of them, named Bob, motioned to his two pals, Earl and Bert.

"Hey guys, check it out," he pointed to a sleeping Ryuki. "Mutie trash."

"You sure it's a mutie, Bob?" Earl asked in a drunken tone.

"Who cares? I wanna beat up something," Bert belched.

The three red-necked idiots did not know who or what they were messing with. Bob nudged Ryuki with a foot. "Hey freak, wake up!"

Ryuki's eyes fluttered open, "What…? Where am I?"

"You're on our turf, freak!" Earl yelled out.

"That's right, mutie! We don't like your kind here!" Bert yelled out.

"What…mutie? Freak?" Ryuki got up. "There has to be a mistake."

"No mistake," Bob squinted, "Hey, you're one of them Titan freaks, aren't ya?"

Ryuki's eyes narrowed. These three had said 'freak' one too many times,

"Don't call the Titans freaks!" Ryuki growled.

"What ya gonna do, huh?" Earl pushed at Ryuki's chest.

"Don't touch me…" Ryuki growled.

"Don't tell us what to do freak!" Bert shouted.

These morons did not know what they were in for as they had said the word "freak" one too many times. Ryuki's eyes flared up. These men had to pay.

Ryuki let out a roar and changed into the Ifrit Orphenoch. The three FOH members, though drunk, now were shocked, but that shock turned to anger.

"Come here you freak!" Bob smashed a piece of plywood upon the Orphenoch's back, but his makeshift weapon shattered to splinters. The Ifrit Orphenoch turned and grabbed the drunken idiot by the throat, and stabbing him in the heart with his claws before snapping his neck. The Ifrit Orphenoch let the dead man fall out of his grasp before turning around to the other two. One of them had picked up a pipe and swung it down on the Ifrit Orphenoch. The pipe hit the Orphenoch's armor and did no damage whatsoever. The Ifrit Orphenoch opened his mouth and let loose a torrent of hot blue flames that burnt Earl to a crisp. Bert watched in horror and pissed in his pants. He turned to run but slipped on a piece of trash. He turned and watched as the Ifrit Orphenoch towered over him. Bert took out his gun and shot, but the bullets bounced off the Orphenoch's hide. The Ifrit Orphenoch growled and picked Bert up by the shoulders and then pinned him to the wall before biting his throat and stabbing him in the heart. Blood spilled out from the fatal wounds as the Ifrit Orphenoch's claws tore into the unfortunate man's heart. He let the body drop to the cold ground.

It was at that moment that Ryuki shifted back to his human form. "No…"he shuddered, "No…not again…" he had lost control again and was horrified. There was blood everywhere, on his hands and in his mouth. He threw up on the ground. He had truly become...a monster.

"Very impressive…" said a cool and smooth voice from the shadows. Ryuki looked up and saw the figure of a man, clad all in black with silver armor plating here and there. His half black and half orange mask both hid and revealed his identity. He was known as Deathstroke the Terminator, but to the Titans he was simply known as…

"Slade…" Ryuki growled.

Slade's single eye scanned the area as he stepped over Bob's dead body as it disintegrated to ashes. Bert's body also slowly disintegrated to ashes, leaving his clothes behind. Slade's gaze turned to Ryuki, "I never thought you had it in you, Knight of Dragons, but it seems that I've underestimated you my boy."

"I'm not here to impress you," Ryuki growled. He reached for his DRA-Phone, but he forgot that he left it at the Tower. He stared up at the criminal mastermind, "What do you want?"

"Simple really, Ryuki, can I call you Ryuki?"

"No."

"Well then, I'm here to look for…" Slade paused, "An apprentice."

Ryuki's eyes widened before he regained his composure, "I thought you already have one; my sister Kat."

"Yes, and she has been a wonderful apprentice if I do say so myself. However, a man like myself has needs for more…resources. Why settle for one when you can have both?" Slade eyed Ryuki, "Leo, my boy, I want you to become my newest apprentice."

Ryuki gasped, "NO!"

"Why not, don't you want to be with your sister again?" Slade asked.

"But…but the Titans?" I looked at my hands.

"Do you think they will accept you now, knowing what you have become…knowing what you did?" Slade spread his arms out, "Look at what you have done; you killed three men in your anger. How do you think the Titans will react? They will no doubt try to subdue you and if they see you as a threat…kill you."

"You don't know what you're talking about…Shut up! Shut up!" Ryuki shouted, putting his hands on his ears.

"Deep down…you know it's true," Slade walked closer, "Deep down, you're a monster."

"I said shut up!" Ryuki shot out an ice blast, but Slade dodged it easily by jumping onto a fire escape. Ryuki looked up and shot out a fireball and Slade effortlessly avoided from being hit.

"You lack focus, my boy," Slade produced his Bo-staff and hit Ryuki's shoulder with it. Ryuki clutched his shoulder in pain, growling. He looked up and stepped back as Slade backed him up against a graffiti covered wall. Ryuki's eyes were wide with fear.

"Let me teach you, guide you in controlling your inner beast," Slade offered, "I can give you the control you crave and all you need to do…" Slade extended his hand, "Is to take my hand."

Ryuki stared at Slade's hand and then his own blood stained one. As he was about to take the madman's hand, he heard a familiar laugh…accompanied by the roars of a motorbike. However, that laugh…that voice was unmistakable.

It was Johnny Rancid.

"Rancid…" Ryuki growled as he began to change into his Orphenoch form. He remembered what Rancid nearly did to Jinx…and he wanted Johnny to pay.

"Go, do what you must. I will be waiting for you," Slade said to him.

Ryuki nodded and ran out the alley.

Johnny Rancid laughed and howled as he raced through the streets, causing mayhem as he shot at several parked cars and building with his guns, "Run! Run away! Here's Johnny and he's back in town."

"Not for long…Johnny…" said Ryuki as he stepped out in front of Johnny's path. Johnny grinned.

"So, a stupid little kid wants to play," Johnny grinned. He revved up his engine and accelerated, "LET'S PLAY!" Johnny wanted to run over Ryuki. Of all the stupid things Johnny could've done, this was by far the dumbest.

Ryuki let out a feral roar and transformed into the Ifrit Orphenoch. Johnny in his shock was unable to stop as the Ifrit Orphenoch leapt up and landed on the bike, in front of Johnny. He grabbed the confused and dumbfounded biker by the throat and leapt up with him in his clawed hand.

The Ifrit Orphenoch landed on a roof and glared at Johnny hatefully. Johnny was so scared that he even pissed in his pants. The Ifrit Orphenoch growled and bared his fangs. He lengthened his claws and struck Rancid in the chest. The biker let out a cry of pain as the claws dug into his heart and caused the organ to go aflame. The Ifrit Orphenoch dropped Johhny and watched as the biker was reduced to ashes. The Ifrit Orphenoch, satisfied with his work, changed back into Ryuki. He heard clapping and turned to see Slade, applauding.

"Very impressive my boy…very impressive," Slade then continued, "Now, for my offer, what do you say?" he extended his hand. Ryuki approached him and took his hand.

"I no longer have anything to lose," Ryuki said coldly. It seemed that the Ifrit Orphenoch had taken over him completely. "And by the way, call me Ifrit now."

To Be Continued…

ZK Chromedragozoid: Oh no! Ryuki, I mean Draco, I mean Ifrit has joined Slade! What will this mean for the Titans? Has their friend totally been turned bad or is this just all a bad dream? Stay tune for the answer next chapter as 'Lost Paradise' Continues.