Part 73: ETA is Now.

Death…

For as long as I can remember it's surrounded me. When I was born, my mother died. My life for hers. I suppose that's what some people call a fair trade. Nothing fair about it. My life meant death to billions. Fair my ass.

Never knew my old man, at least the human one. I heard that he died to prevent my destiny. I also heard he failed. Not even a year old and I already got two deaths on my shoulders. Yeah, fair trade.

Sent from foster home to foster home. Finally ended up with the Rains family. Samantha and George. Sam was like a mother to me, first one I ever had. George was a bastard. He beat me and Samantha ruthlessly. One day he went to far, beat Sam to death. 11 and I already caused 3 deaths. I fought back. George shot me.

I died…

My death would save billions.

Finally, a fair trade…

But looks like fate is a cruel bitch, and I was brought back to life. I was sent to an orphanage in Gotham. No one liked me there. I was a freak, a monster. I didn't care. One person liked me though. Her name was Jessica. I think she was my first true love. A group of criminals took the orphanage hostage. When one of their own was killed, they took Jessica. They didn't make it fast either. No, she suffered. I was forced to watch as they raped her, then killed her, then threw her body to the crowd, giving them a message.

They meant business.

So did I.

Or at least Damien did. Damien, my personality that housed all the darkness that had been building within me. He took their gun, and blasted their leader in the head; same went for the rest of them. They all died. And inside…

I smiled.

I was glad they were dead.

Glad I killed them…

Afterward, I joined up with an organization called Hellsing. I was trained to deal with the supernatural so that I could fight against my fate. Maybe I could even fight against death.

Unfortunately, Death followed me. Someone I cared about died in an attack against us. I wiped every last one of them out. Why did death always follow me? What had I done to deserve this? Why…?

I did find love though. Raven…

I loved her more than anything else in the world. She was the light in my darkness. I fought on the Titans side, and they became my new family. I finally found my place in the world.

And then I died.

To save them, I died.

Once again, fair trade.

Guess it wasn't the end. I was given a mission. I could regain my life, I could be with Raven again. I met Teresa on that mission, and once again found love.

And it was once again taken away. Teresa was killed, by the very organization she once worked for.

Death…

It has always surrounded me…

-Warren "Wraith" Smith.

"Warren?" Teresa asked.

Warren's head snapped up when he heard her voice. "Sorry, Teresa. I was just thinking," Warren apologized. He hated making Teresa worry. He took out a cigarette and lit it up. "We'll be arriving soon. This is gonna be a big one, Teresa, even for us. Hell, we fought Priscilla and this may be what finally does the two of us in." He stroked Teresa's cheek. "I love you, Teresa. You know that right?"

"Of course I do," she said as she grasped his hand. "Just as I love you."

Warren smiled as he planted a kiss on Teresa's cheek. "Good," he smiled. "Then it's time that we helped Ryuki, and put an end to this evil once and for all."

"You gave Ryuki the card, didn't you?" she asked.

"Yeah, I can't turn into that monster again Teresa. I just can't," he answered.

"That's fine, I understand…But right now, you have a bigger problem," said Teresa. Warren finally got a good look at her and noticed she was wearing only the light fabric which she usually wore beneath her armor. It hugged her body tightly like a second skin. She pinched his cheek playfully. "Spacing out when there's a hot girl on top of you is a major no no."

"Sorry." Warren had the decency to look sheepish.

Isn't it kinda funny, isn't it, not really knowing how you came about? It seemed like life just kinda throws you into the fire. Well that's my life for ya. My name's Craig Smith and I have no idea where I came from. I sorta have the feeling that I was made in a lab or something but who really knows?

Even though I don't know how I came to this world, I'm just glad I'm in it now. I have a lot to be thankful for. Let's talk about the stuff I do remember. When I was a young boy I met my first of many mentors. He was a wild and crazy guy named Vincent Harker. Vinnie's a genius in every way. He built a tech company that's up along side Smart Brain Corporation, Wayne Enterprises, and Stark Industries.

That's not why he's my mentor. Whenever the company was facing troubles he showed me how to never give up and work with what you got. I considered him a father. However, when I was younger he didn't want a son, just someone to remind him of what youth was like.

So instead of giving me the last name Harker, he gave me the name of Smith to prove that I'll grow up to be my own man. I had good things set up when I stayed with him, but I wanted to put his advice to use. So, I set off on my own. I knew he would understand and he'll be waiting for when I returned for good.

I managed to travel almost around the whole world. Japan was where I would find my next mentor. When I first arrived I would get into trouble… a lot. I couldn't really control my power so when I got into a fight I would regularly get my ass kicked.

Now this is where things get weird. One day after my routine ass kicking I was approached by walking, talking, human sized cat. Yeah, it gets better. He was dressed like some ancient kung fu master, and to my surprise he was. His name was Sha-Fu, and he saw that I had potential to learn a martial arts style he explained as Geki Jyu Ken. To those of the non Japanese speaking type it means Fierce Beast Fist and Master Sha-Fu saw my potential to become a Gazelle Fist Master.

I made two good friends during my training: Retsu and Ran. Man, I remember I had the biggest crush on Ran, which Retsu would love to always tease me about. I don't know if I was ever in love with Ran, but I thought she was cute as hell. Anyway, Master Sha-Fu gave us a three a gift that would change our lives forever.

These things he had given us looked like sparing gloves but they were called Geki Changers. Together we made up the first incarnation of what was Jyuken Sentai Gekiranger, my code name was Gekigreen. After a while I realized I couldn't handle the responsibility.

So one night I ran away again and left my Geki Changers. When I came back to the states I found this strange town called Arkham, where my next mentor awaited. I got a janitorial job at a hospital.

One day there was sort of a hostage situation at the hospital. This guy came in for some painkillers he didn't really need. When he was turned away, he grabbed a nurse and held her at knife point. I was behind him the whole him as soon as I got close enough I punched him in the back of the head hard enough to knock him out.

I was so angry that my eyes flashed green for a second and in that second someone noticed. Dr. Herbert West had called me into his office to ask about my power and shortly after I showed him.

Dr. West was fascinated with the study of Death, so he helped me to control my powers. I worked as his assistant for a while, until the road was calling me again.

I came across a traveling carnival, and that's when I met Terra. It's funny how our first time meeting was also our first time fighting alongside each other.

I convinced her to travel with me and along the way we met other kids like us, ones with powers. Together we decided to make use of our gifts and became a wandering superhero team. We became known as the Red Wolves.

After Ash became part of the team after a while we started to talk to each other a lot. She told me that she saw all of the good qualities in me and wanted to be more than friends. So we became the official couple of the group.

The good times continued even when Occultus came into the picture, I though he'd be a pushover like all the others, but I was dead wrong. One night I challenged him to a fight alone without telling my team and I lost, badly.

He told me to come back when I wasn't weak. I went back to my team and with no explanation I told them I was leaving for good. That's when the team started to fall apart. We went our separate ways soon after and Ashleigh broke up with me.

I joined this experimental monster hunting team called the Templars and made the mistake of getting attached to people again. This was because as soon as I got attached they were taken from me by an Orphenoch. This loss combined with my loss from Occultus gave my life new meaning: vengeance.

That was the night I mistakenly targeted Ryuki. That mistake turned into something good. I met Terra again, gained someone that I could call my best friend and once again I belonged to a group. It took some time but they eventually forgave me.

Then Occultus was back in the picture, and now more than ever I'm confident that I could take him down. With the Titans and Red Wolves at my side I know I'll win.

Even though I know we'll win I have this feeling I haven't told anyone. I don't think I'm gonna live through this, so I hope to God I'm wrong.

-Craig "Mortuary" Smith.

Snow Blood sighed contently as she lay her head against Mortuary's naked chest. "Wow, now that was amazing."

"Thank you," Mortuary smiled smugly. He had his hands behind his head as he lay on the bed. "You weren't half bad yourself. Where did you learn all those positions?"

"The Karma Sutra," Snow Blood answered as she went up and kissed up his chest, then kissed his throat before climbing to his lips.

Mortuary just stared at her and smirked, "Can't resist me, can you?" She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest.

"I just really missed you," she said as she traced circles on his chest.

"I gathered that."

The two Red Wolves were lying under the covers after an intense session of sex. They were covered in sweat. Her clothes were strewn about the room and were all over the place. Not his, though. A towel was lying discarded on the floor, though.

It had started innocent enough, really. Snow Blood had come into the room to see Mortuary coming out of the shower after a sparring session with Warren. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and was drying his hair when she came in. At first, she blushed but then she just attacked him. She began to kiss him. At first, Mortuary was surprised by how cold she felt but that was due to her powers. They began making out and she began to remove her clothes, with Mortuary's help of course. She didn't need much assistance in removing his towel though.

When they finally did the deal, there were fireworks. Passions flared up as they grinded against one another, bodies interlocked as they allowed their emotions to run wild and guide them. They wanted each other ever since they'd seen each other again, but sexual tension merged with resentment got in the way. Then, there was awkwardness. Now, there was none of that. There were no barriers between them.

Snow Blood actually had her orgasm a total of 3 times before they both were spent. She couldn't believe that Mortuary could pleasure her like that. Of course, they had stayed out of touch for years and Snow Blood was unable to satisfy herself.

Mortuary looked into her eyes and smiled before kissing her again. What a fool he was. He'd allowed his obsession with Occultus to make him lose his friends. He'd meant to protect them but he'd hurt them. Now, he had the chance to regain what he'd lost. Maybe this train was magical after all.

"So, in the mood for another round?" Mortuary asked hopefully.

"Let's just cuddle for a bit and then we'll see, OK?" Snow Blood asked.

"So, how long now?" Draco asked Ant as they stood in the cockpit.

"We'll be in Zandia in 12 hours," Ant reported. "I hope your friends are properly rested. This is going to be one fight they need to be extra ready for."

"They've trained hard this entire month. We've learnt to work together," Draco said firmly. "I know we're ready for this."

Ant nodded and then asked, "Any visions lately?" Draco shook his head. "That's a bit odd."

"And I don't like it," Ryuki sighed. "I just don't know if things are going to turn out differently."

"You mean that alternate future thing when you saw yourself becoming an evil dictator and tyrant?" Ant questioned. Draco had told him about the experience. "Reminds me of Danny Boy. He met his evil future self too, fought him, and won."

Draco chuckled bitterly, "At least he didn't experience his own death." Draco stared at his hands, "I just hope things turn out differently."

"What if they don't?" Ant asked.

"I gave Jinx, Warren and Mortuary clear instructions. If I do get possessed by the essence of the Orphenoch King, they know what to do."

Ant frowned, "But will they do it?"

"They would have to."

Ant remained silent.

"I know and you don't have to say it. It's not fair to ask them to do it for me, but…" Draco gripped his fists. "I refuse to turn into that monster."

"You won't."

"I know because I'm going to make sure I don't. I'll die before that happens."

Ant leaned against the wall, "You know you'll be hurting them in the end even just by asking that."

"I know, but if it's the price I have to pay to protect the world and the people I love then I'm OK with it," Draco answered with firm convictions. Ant chuckled. "What's so funny?" Draco asked.

"You may have changed your hairstyle and clothes, but the same heroic, selfless and righteous kid is still in there," Ant said. "Even at the cost of your own life and future, you'll do the right thing."

"I guess that's why the Keyblade chose me," Draco reasoned.

"I guess so," Ant nodded in agreement.

"But, I still can't help but feel something bad is going to happen." Draco said, "I don't think everyone is gonna come out of this alive." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black card. "And I think this is why."

"The black card Warren gave you?"

"Hai. It means that if Warren begins to lose control, he wants me to be the one to kill him."

Cyborg was busy in his room on the train, which resembled his room in the Tower, doing some last minute checks on his body when he heard the knock at the door. "Come in," he said and the door slid open. He smiled at his visitor, "Yo, BB!"

"Hey, Cy," Beast Boy said, slightly depressed. This perplexed Cyborg. For the longest time, he'd never seen Beast Boy this depressed. That day had been when Terra betrayed them. Cyborg shook his head, deleting the thought.

"What's wrong, green bean?" Cyborg asked.

"Oh, it's this whole thing, you know?" Beast Boy sat on a chair.

"No, I don't know. I'm not a mind reader," Cyborg said.

"You know, Terra's old team," Beast Boy replied. "I'm learning things about Terra that she didn't tell us before. Why didn't she tell us she was on a team before us?"

"I guess she didn't want to be reminded of how they broke up," Cyborg reasoned.

"But she could have at least told me, right?" Beast Boy asked.

"Did you tell her about the Doom Patrol before we met them?" Cyborg asked. Beast Boy looked sheepish.

"No…but…"

"So, fair is fair," Cyborg pointed out. "Besides, you're getting to know her better."

"Yeah, I guess. I mean, meeting Mortuary was interesting enough," said Beast Boy.

"Something tells me that isn't the only thing that's bothering you," said Cyborg.

"We're headed to Zandia, evil central," Beast Boy said, "And my animal instincts are telling us to turn back."

"But your human side is telling you to stay with Terra," Cyborg guessed.

"Yeah," Beast Boy nodded. "I'm not going to leave her, Cy. Not ever again." Beast Boy had felt nothing but guilt after he'd turned his back on her during her betrayal. If only he'd taken her back to the Tower. Sure, she would meet with their wrath, but it still wouldn't end up with her being trapped in stone. He'd apologized to her and she was shocked, since she was supposed to be the one doing the apologizing.

"Good, because I'm not going to let either of you out of my sight," Cyborg grinned. "You're both family, BB. I ain't gonna turn my back on family."

Beast Boy walked over and held up his fist, "Thanks, dude." Cyborg pounded his fist against Beast Boy's. "So, you're ready?"

Cyborg converted his arm into a sonic cannon, "Oh yeah." He then changed it so his hand was replaced by a wrecking ball. The wrecking ball option had been provided by Pluto for a more powerful punch. Another upgrade included was a Bomb Fist. The name was self explanatory.

Beast Boy, after much begging, also got a new upgrade. Well, it wasn't an upgrade per say. Shadowcobra and Raven had been teaching him how to control the Beast and he'd done it successfully several times. No, this time it was his suit. Whenever Beast Boy would assume an animal form, the suit at his command would become appropriate armor and weaponry for him. He remembered turning into an elephant armed with spiky armor and putting the 'armor' into armadillo. It was the best birthday present Pluto had ever gotten him.

"HENSHIN!"

"CAST OFF!"

"CHANGE LEAFCUTTER ANT!"

"CHANGE PUNCH LOCUST!"

Cassandra/Wyvern watched in fascination and wonderment as she watched her two friends transform into their Inzecter Armors. She hadn't believed it at first but they'd quickly made a believer out of her.

Both Renia and Terra stood across from each other in the sparring ring. Renia cracked her neck from side to side while cracking her knuckles. Terra reached to her shoulders and pulled off the Cutter Katanas, her personal melee weapons. She would not always have the luxury of having earth, dirt, sand, rocks and soil around her, so the armor provided her with a solution to her usual handicap. It also allowed her to Clock Up. Wouldn't Occultus be surprised?

"Go, Terra!" Wyvern cheered.

Terra and Renia rushed at one another. Renia began to throw her fists rapidly at her friend as Terra dodged. Terra swung her blades but they were being blocked by Renia's gauntlets. The armor was powerful, but only as powerful as its user and Renia had a lot of raw power inside of her. It was one of the benefits of being a Homunculus, alongside a rapid healing factor and regenerative abilities. Once, she'd lost an entire arm and she grew a new one back. Beast Boy had freaked out with the others.

Renia swung her fist up in an uppercut, catching Terra in the chin. Terra flew backwards but then tucked in her legs to do a backwards flip and gracefully landed on both her feet. She then charged forward at her friend and slashed at her. Renia blocked and then countered when she found an opening.

Terra's eyes narrowed behind her visor. She then reached to her Inzecter and pushed the mandibles back to the default position. "Cast On!" she commanded.

"CAST ON!" the Inzecter responded and her Strong Mode armored instantly reattached to her body. She aimed her shoulder guns at Renia and opened fire. The locust armored Rider dodged and reached to her Inzecter, pushing up the hind legs.

"LOCUST JUMP!" Renia leapt upwards before she gained enough height and then pushed the legs back down. "LOCUST PUNCH!"

She came downwards, her fist energized. Terra got smashed in the chest and sent flying by the force of the punch. She flew across the room and into the wall.

"Terra!" Wyvern exclaimed as she ran towards her friend. Renia followed in tow, hoping she hadn't hurt Terra with that punch.

"Are you okay?" Renia asked as Terra pushed herself back to her feet. Terra chuckled.

"Hey, I'm armored, remember?" Terra reminded as she removed her Inzecter, allowing the armor to vanish. Renia's Inzecter also hopped off her belt, taking away the Punch Locust armor as well. Wyvern sighed in relief. "What the Strong Mode lacks in speed, it makes up with protection. It's thick armor."

"Don't scare me like that," Wyvern scolded, punching Terra's arm. The three girls shared a laugh.

"Occultus won't know what hit him," said Renia as she cracked her knuckles.

Wyvern walked over towards the window and looked out, "I just can't believe it's all going to be over."

Terra walked behind her, placing her hands on her friend's shoulders. "Believe it, Cassie. In a few hours, one of our worst enemies is not going to be a problem anymore."

Of course, the same couldn't be said about Slade. Both Renia and Terra still carried scars from their individual encounters with the masked criminal. Now, he was more powerful with a powerful apprentice at his side and one of the Rider systems. He had become OMEGA.

After Occultus, he was next. Definitely next.

Hours passed quickly. They trained, ate, rested. All of it was routine. It was last day before they would arrive in Zandia.

The Titans and Red Wolves were now sitting in the dining car. Warren cast Falconer a suspicious look as the genius of the Red Wolves was in the middle of a conversation with Bruiser. Warren's silent stare spoke volumes. He was going to keep his eyes on Andrew.

Andie served them their final meal before they reached Zandia. She got along well with the new crew. They'd become her precious friends.

Even after all this time, Ant hadn't gotten a word from Xander, Selene or Shinji. Their help would be appreciated but they were unreachable for some reason. Ant wasn't going to give up, though. Their Rider systems had been created to effectively counter Orphenochs and their help would be appreciated. Occultus had a cult of loyal Orphenochs, willing to die for him at the drop of a hat, not to mention a group of powerful generals to serve him.

The train began to slow down as the scenery changed. Gone was the multicolored sky and the desert. It was dark out. Despite being on the train for roughly a month, they had actually arrived at the same moment they'd left. No time had passed in the real world as Draco and Ant had promised.

Ant came into the dining car and said, "We're here."

To Be Continued…