Chapter 2

Lightning Fervor

Helltanz's notes: This is the rewritten chapter 2

Disclaimer: See previous chapter

-Chapter begin-

The Goa'uld were ambitious, it was their ambition, of course good fortune that they'd been able conquer the bulk of the galaxy. Like many had been affected by the genocides that had been caused by the forces which belonged to powers, which predated them. Like many ambitious grasping powers they didn't like to discuss such things. Magic was something the Goa'uld by and large were only familiar with in passing. Unlike humans they were relatively long lived, but magic was largely missing.

Why? Because even though Ra had found Earth, or rather because Ra had been the one to find that strange little world was the reason magic wasn't prevalent. Anubis had born great magical talent, but also great insanity. Sokar was also magically adept, to a far lesser extent than Anubis. Cronus and Apophis had no such talent, but Ra had something that made him distinct. Ra had ruled for ten thousand years because his ability was to negate the magic of others. Wizards on earth would have called him an abomination, on Nirn he would have been called a curse from the gods, and so on across the worlds. Ra was a spark that that had become the fire to choke the others out.

There was another side effect of goa'uld ambition they tended to try, and try very hard, to keep their population static. It was a measure insure to no one rose to challenge those already in power. Due to this measure Goa'uld with the capacity to use magic were quite rare, and those that did posses were not to keen on allowing the numbers to grow. Yu Huang Shang Ti watched his sons carefully, and many other goa'uld did far worse things than just watch.

For the bulk of those Goa'uld who did possess magic of course did have one goal in common with each other. They did actually wish to achieve godhood or something of similar status. It was an attempt not unlike what the Daedra so long ago had sought to do, though without the same level of results.

Unlike the ultimate cause of the downfall of the Ayelied the Goa'uld System Lords who had magic hadn't had rivals who could really oppose. They did however have more infighting amongst their numbers. The Daedra had been united against a common foe, but those Goa'uld hadn't had the luxury.

Fighting amongst themselves and the lesser results had done some damage to them, this of course caused them some problems. Certain members had fought each other over differences in opinion depleting vast armies of Jaffa in attempts to kill each other, while others had simply vanished.

Raiden had been apart of the group who had attempted to acquire godhood. The original Goa'uld Raiden had possessed magic, the hybrid entity, the fusion of two souls, likewise had possessed the power. He like both of the souls sought power. That he could gain it from the Daedric lord all the better from him.

Ultimately the lack of results, though it had had some success in strengthening the Goa'uld who had participated, had also had far less effects on the physical forms of the goa'uld. By contrast the Daedra and Aedra who had undertaken similar rituals with far great success had seen their physical forms change quite a bit.

Raiden smoothed his clothes, of course his hybrid body was still very different but that meant very little of course.

At present the galaxy that the humans of Earth, the first world, called the Milky Way was in turmoil. Ra's death had seriously destabilized the balance of power between the goa'uld system lords. The status quo though, that had kept everyone from moving, it'd taken some time to be sure Ra was actually dead.

Now was the time to act, for both of them, it was time to begin the next stage of things after all things were at last coming together. If one could call it that rallying the numbers of troops had taken time, and building ships took weeks and weeks. After all to go to warfooting would provoke the attention of the bulk of the other system lords. That Sokar had returned had caught the bulk of the System Lords unaware.

– scene break-

Off the coast of Europe north of the British isles there was an island. The Isle of Azkaban was the highest security wizarding prison on the entire planet its maximum security cellblock was deemed to be impenetrable, and impossible to escape from

It was this maximum security cell block which was used to house the members of Lord Voldermort's, otherwise known as He must not be named, also known as Thomas Marvolo Riddle nee Gaunt, most dangerous followers ,his inner circle that were imprisoned by the ministry of magic of England.

Sirius Black was amongst those imprisoned, even though he was innocent of the crimes accused. Though not for lack of trying with regards to the murder of Peter when he looked up to see the dementors were retreating and fast he was notably confused, and quite concerned. He'd thought for a moment he'd been dreaming, he'd been dreaming of that a lot lately, which was odd. These weren't fitful nightmares, just weird things.

One of these more recurring dreams was of a strange man who stepped out of the shadows stepped a man dressed in dark purple Japanese clothes. The man would ask always who he was. Sirius would tell him, and the man would introduce himself, and proclaim that he was a killer of men, and a vassal of a god, a general in the god's army. The man in his dreams claimed his name Makoto Shiso, and that he was the second Hitokiri of the Inshin Shishi.

Sirius didn't know what to think of such dreams. The dreams always started the same but subtly changed, sometimes they would talk other times some else would come with him. Shiso liked to talk, to proclaim how magnificent a terror his god was. How Raiden had two faces, and how the other face was grim and terrible.

Sirius hated that part. Hated as Shiso issued the name of the dark god Sithis. The wizard world knew of many gods, but the purebloods remembered dragon fire, and Lilith's warning of the other Old Gods. How Sithis had sired from the aether a new dawn, and brought a war to heaven.

Shiso despised it when Sirius objected to this, took insult to when Sirius insulted Raiden. Shiso wasn't the only one. Another 'warlord' was amongst the other visitors in his dreams. Amongst these was a man named Cale, there was a politeness, an honest politeness that Shiso lacked. Cale served an Emperor who in turn pledged fealty to the god. Cale thought, and Sirius agreed, that Shiso was arrogant. Cale did not however come as frequently.

This though was not a dream, and the man standing here was not one of those two, Sirius wondered though if it might still be a dream. "Who are you?

The man, if he really was one, was fair haired, and blue eyed, "I am but an image mortal man, and I cannot stay here long. My brother, dear Sithis will know soon of my men's presence to free you. I am Stendarr, and your imprisonment is an affront to justice, but I cannot free you just for that. Tiberius here will set you loose, and tell you all of what you should know."

Another man stepped forward, and brought the cell door crashing down. Sirius stepped the hell out of the cell quickly because when an ancient god comes to break you out of prison, and tells you his brother, arguably the darkest of the dark and god of death and stuff will know soon, you want to leave quickly. So thus Sirius did not need telling twice to hurry up.

-scene break-

Earth, Europe For centuries deep in northern Scotland Hogwarts school of wizardry and witchcraft had been the premiere institution of magical education in the United Kingdom. Now the school had yet another purpose, in this case as the makeshift Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix. The order had been formed to counter Voldemort's first rise, and had been revived in hopes of heading off a secret reign of terror.

Amongst the wizards of Earth Albus Dumbledore was particularly powerful, not simply in raw power but also in regards to the information network that he had access to. Unfortunately the long even for a wizard time that he had power had also somewhat convinced him his plans were always right. "By now I am sure you have all heard that Sirius Black has escaped Azkaban, however there is still some light in this other wise grim day." He announced to the other assembled, it had been
"What do you mean Albus?" asked the Weasly matriarch.

Albus Dumbledore smiled, "According to Mister Fletcher's," and Alastor's sources, not that he'd say that to all them Alastor wanted his help kept on the 'down low' as it were, and Albus would oblige his old friend... even though this whole secrecy thing was a bit overblown. "sources Harry should be in New York today as he seems to always visit this time of month, we have to find him and ensure his protection." Stated Albus in his best leader voice. "Now as I told everyone roughly seventeen years ago Voldemort attacked the Potter family in their home in Godric's Hollow," everyone had heard the story, though Dumbledore made a habit of recounting it. Dumbledore's expertise in magic had allowed everyone who cared to watch see what happened at Godric's Hollow on that fateful October 31st. Dumbledore had also sent Hagrid to find Harry, but it'd been too late the House had been wiped away in the backlash of a burning swirl of magic. Still Dumbledore told the story of what had happened up till that, and then produced the picture. Harry looked a little older in the picture than he should have, but not terribly so.

Finally Alastor took the time to speak up, "Albus you should leave the boy alone, I did some checking the Japanese ministry adores him," commented a raspy voice. "as well as he holds a very high position within their government," which anyone with common sense should have immediately known was weird. Conservative defined the Japanese Government, and people. You weren't seventeen and holding a position even if you inherited it, it just didn't happen."if we try and force him to go any where against his will Japan will do something about it." Warned Mad Eye.

Albus shook his head, "Now Alastor we have discussed this, while I'm sure our Japanese counterparts have all the best intentions with Sirius Black on the loose and Voldemort growing stronger I think now is the time for action.

-scene break-

The meeting in question was across the pond, as it were, in United States of America's famous New York City, on the top floor of one of the Big Apple's major corporate fixtures. Though no were near the reach or influence of LexCorp, Stark or Wayne Industries the Zaibatsu's American branch was nothing to sneer at following OsCorp for the next slot in the Big Apple. The Corporation, like many of those big corps had another side to it.

Not that Raiden, and lieutenant cared for such a supposed moral quandries. The system lord and Oroku Saki stood alone in the meeting chamber, Raiden sitting where the leader of the Foot usually sat this time dressed in black Japanese trousers and shirt decorated with clouds. The system lord had more pressing things on his mind, years and years ago the Goa'uld had come across the Umtrom a technologically advanced civilization. This had been during Ra's reign and while not a threat directly the Umtrom had supplied rebels with technology. "Saki I am growing impatient I want the Umtrom on this world dead." The system lord paused. The Umtrom were an alien race that was more or less on the brink of extinction but their tech was still significant to in theory challenge the dominance of the Goa'uld Empire... if someone could get a hold of it, and back engineer it. "no ignore that I want them exterminated." A thousand years ago one rebel had used an Umtrom energy generator to destroy one of his fiefs, and amongst the many things a system lord was good at was holding a grudge. "I mean it I want them to be sent to the Shinigami now." He commanded "I am growing tired of your incompetence." He snarled, though were so close to victory over the last of the Umtrom. The Goa'uld had burned their homeworld from orbit, wiped out all known pockets of resistance except one... Earth.

"Please give me a little more time master Raiden." Begged the Shredder kneeling on the floor, his head laid against the tattami mats. He'd been busy, hunting his enemies for centuries and he did want amongst many things to find them, but..."There is no need for you to become involved and engage in a confrontation with the Asgard."

"Perhaps you still care and that is what is holding you back." Whispered Raiden cruelly aether singed the air.

"No master." Interjected the head of the foot ninja raising his head.

"Do not interrupt me Saki," Snapped Raiden eyes flaring as magic pulsed through his body. "You forget you are no longer Ch'rell you are Oroku Saki leader of the foot and one of my loyal vassal and," he paused standing, "and my ear amongst the Tauri. Do not forget that. Nor should you forget that I have other ears amongst earth," Eyes blackened and glowed, "There are yet the rosencrucian, and the dark brotherhood." The voice was similiar but not quite the same the tones, and accents were different emphasis put on different sounds, and syllables. This was Sithis talking now, and Sithis cared nothing for the Asgard, and even less about the Umtrom.

His subordinate nodded, "I have not forgotten master, please all I ask is a little more time." Begged the Shredder.

The glowing black in his eyes faded, but the glare did not lessen. "Fine, however if you have not destroyed them by New years I will have Talpa dispatch you aide whether you like it or not."

"Yes master. Thank you, you are most gracious." Saki did not like it, but it was the best that could be done. Talpa was a conceitted bastard, furious that his own agendas had been stalled, and cancelled in the wake of recent issues on Earth. The invasion a few years ago had derailed Talpa's hopes to manifest his own plans, and the 'dark emperor' was still fuming over it.

"Onto other matters, there is-" Whatever Raiden was going to say was cut off by the sudden and vocal outcry of Hun, the Shredder's rather large and brawny head of the street criminal portion of operations here in new york. The man for some reason had begun yelling.

Outside the meeting room which Oroku Saki, and the System lord occupied a few minutes prior Hun, and Stockman, another of the Shredder's employees, had been gossiping over what they were overhearing. "Oh man master Shredder is really getting yelled at." Said Hun wincing in sympathy or empathy for their superior.

"Thank you for stating the obvious you great lummick." Snarled Baxter Stockman, the doctor failed to mention he enjoyed hearing the great Oroku Saki be humbled, more than likely that would just have made Hun angry. Hun was absurdly over protective of, and always hoping to curry favor with the boss.

"Hey I have an idea." Annouced the leader of the purple dragons.

The doctor scowled, this had better be good, he thought before responding, "What is it you buffoon." Growled Stockman. Hun having ideas always made trouble Stockman claimed, it was entirely true, but it was close enough for the scientist's tastes.

"Well Lord Raiden's real pissed right now, right." Hun remarked jerking his head in the direction of the irritated magical god.

"Despite your use of such plebian terminology your assessment is correct, Lord Raiden would seem to be most incensed at the moment, continue." Stockman stated gesturing for the larger man to carry on. Raiden, and Saki shared at times a rather volotile impatience.

The leader of the purple dragon street gang nodded, "So we tell Karai lord Raiden wants to see her and he gets mad and takes it out on her." Finished Hun sounding quite proud of himself. Strictly speaking the idea was not horrible, it was stupid but not nearly as bad as Stockman would claim

"Are you insane I know you don't often but use the thing inside that thick skull of your that is not dust or bone." Shrieked Stockman in utter terror. "That is the stupidest and most suicidal plan I have ever heard. Both master Shredder and Lord Raiden adore that little Samurai."

"Ninja." Corrected Hun raising a meaty hand at the point.

"Wench," Stockman continued one ignoring the correction. He didn't give a damn about that particular point of contention she ran around with swords it was close enough for his tastes. "and if they caught us well master Shredder probably wouldn't get his turn to punish us Lord Raiden will turn us into living lightning rods for attempting to trick his precious Karai and master Shredder wouldn't much happier." Babbeled the doctor.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." Stockman grumbled shivering fiercly at the very idea of pissing off their immortal boss. There was good reason for this all had seen that Raiden considered his normal idea of responding to those who put him in a bad mood to tossing lightning at the offending party. It was distinctly unpleasant to watch, and no doubt worse to be on the receiving end.

Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Minerva McGonagall and Alastor Moody entered the penthouse office waiting room. Hun was not stupid he knew what European wizards wore in the company of each other. Robes and stuff like that. "I thought Lord Raiden wasn't meeting with the American ministry till tomorrow?" asked Hun to the doctor a little louder than he had intended. The actual meeting was of little importance itself but Raiden had agreed to it here in New York because he hadn't wanted to go to DC, and the American's hadn't wanted to meet in California.

"He's not," replied Stockman, he was of course up to date on the wizarding world, or at least Earth's wizarding world. "There not from the American ministry there British."
"Ah yes I am Albus Dumbledore we are here for Harry Potter." Stated the old man.

"Get lost grandpa," Hun shrugged, sure Saki emphasized piety and treat old people with respect in public, but damn frankly he wasn't in the mood to deal with wizards they pissed him off. He cracked his knuckles "I don't know how you got in, but seeing as Lord Raiden will be busy for a while since he's chewing out master Saki at the moment I'll be more than happy to throw you out on your ass." Hun bluntly declared.

Stockman hit himself, repeatedly... in the face "moron." He muttered under his breath. Well so much for the easy way, still "What my esteemed colligue is trying to say is that Lord Raiden is far to occupied at the moment to see anyone given his busy secudule and recent events as well as the fact is to put as Hun here like to put things, bluntly that is, Lord Raiden doesn't like the United Kingdom so a meeting is highly unfeasible to resolve whatever or who ever it is you're looking for." It probably had something to do with one of the Celtic gods if Stockman were to guess, apparently Manannan was a dick, to use Hun's terminology."However if you would go through proper channels I am sure one of your gods could arrange a meeting, Morrigan perhaps." He suggested, naming the only goddess whose relation with the lightning god could be called amiable. "She certainly seems to be one of Lord Raiden's favorites at least at the moment." He added the last part more to himself... and by favorite he meant overly possessive of.

"Yeah well you're not welcome here so I'd suggest you leave." Stated a new voice as the sliding door to the side slid open and a taller man, which was saying something since Hun, and Stockman were by no means short, with pineapple hair stepped out..

"And who might you be?"

"Man forgot didn't I." He clasped his hand to his chest in a dramatic fashion,"I'm Sagara Sanosuke, vassal to the lightning god. I serve as General of earth, but if you'd like you can call me Zanza." Stated the big man

"Ignore the muscle bound idiot." Stated a second voice. "I am Shinamori Aoshi, Okashira of the Oniwanbanshu another of Lord Raiden vasals I to serve as one of his generals. I bring balance in all things,"

Hun grimaced, fucker, he thought irritably, the Shredder was the leader of one clan of ninjas, and this bastard happened to lead another. So naturally he didn't like him. They both vying for the big boss's compliments.

"Humph Potter's as arrogant as his father." Growled Severus Snape. "So where is the little shit," Minerva gave him a chiding look, and scowled.

"Look I don't where you get off big nose," Growled Sanosuke. "but whoever you're looking for isn't here, so get lost or Zanza's going to teach you a lesson you won't soon forget! So you going leave in one piece or missing a few!"

"I seriously doubt you muggles could hurt us." Sneered Snape cockily.

"You're arrogance will be the doom of you," Aoshi warned aether crackled in his veins as he shifted subtly.

This was the reason the leader of the purple dragons didn't like wizards, "I do hate to burst your bubble greaseball but." A chain made out of purple flame formed in Hun's hand. "Your going to be LEAVING!" Roared Hun, and that was were they were now, because intruding wizards, hostile wizards was not a good thing.

Back inside the meeting room the two leaders looked towards the door behind which the disturbance seemed to be occurring. Both felt the surge of heat, "That was Hun." Stated the Shredder needlessly.

"We will finish this discussion at a later time." Commented Raiden frowning, the Umtroms weren't launching a preemptive strike that much was apparent. It still did not explain what precisely was the cause of this interuption.

The leader of the foot ninja bowed. "Yes master"

The doors slid open. Long ago Raiden had secreted away many magic users. It hadn't been a particularly effective eugenics initiative so he'd abandonned it or rather discontinued it after the terrors of Sokar had finally ended. It just hadn't been working out, and while cloning had been an option it would have risked undue attention from Ra, something Raiden had hoped to avoid in those times. Oroku Saki and Raiden stepped out backed by a sizable continegent of Raiden's Jaffa guard.

"Oh shit hey master" greeted Hun a little slowly waving his hand stupidly as he stared and surpressed the urge to swallow. Jaffa were stronger than baseline humans, just a fact of genetic engineering, even without a prim'ta. Not that Hun wanted a snake in his gut, no he could pass on that.

"Lord Raiden." Greeted the Generals reverently.

"Jaffa H'tak Kree." Ordered Raiden his eyes flashing emerald the jaffa complied reading their weapons. Five hundred years ago Susanoo had raised his forces in war against Raiden's own domain, thinking to take advantage of the ongoing melee between many of the system lords. Susanoo had thrown human fanatics armed with guns into the frey. It was not that which caused Ra to force all to back down, but it had had a part. Susanoo had been censored publicly before the whole of System Lords, but his humans had been effective and Raiden remembered. He'd always been quick to adapt, but had had to do it carefully lest Ra become too irritable. So Raiden had largely issued his jaffa guard, his most elite Jaffa warriors, specialized plasma pistols, even going so far as to be genecoded to appropriate users in order to appease the Supreme System Lord's desire to maintain the status quo. Now that Ra was dead new things had quickly come out of the wood work, as it were.

- Chapter conclusion-

Helltanz's notes: it stops at the same place as the last edition stopped.