Starfire woke up to a beautiful day and went to see if her beloved Robin was awake. She went to his door and it opened. She peaked her head in. "Robin?" she asked. "Robin, are you awake?" she stepped into his room. He wasn't in his bed or at his desk. "Maybe he is in the training room." She then skipped out of his room and continued to go look for him.
She didn't find him and she had looked everywhere, even the scary basement. She began to panic and called Robin on her communicator, "Robin? Robin!? Please, respond!"
Raven and Jinx walked into the living room to see a panicked Starfire yelling into her communicator.
"Hey, Star, where's the fire?" Jinx asked jokingly but then saw the fearful look on her face. "Did something happen?"
"I cannot find Robin!" Starfire cried.
Raven sighed, "I'm sure he's fine."
"But I cannot call him!"
"Hey, girls, have you two noticed that its been a bit too quiet this morning?" Jinx asked. "I mean, Beast Boy and Cy would be either arguing over tofu and meat or playing video games but I don't see them."
"Yeah, weird," Raven agreed.
"Did something happen to them?" Starfire asked fearfully.
"Well, we won't know unless we get any news," Jinx said and soon the TV turned on and a female newscaster came on the air.
"We have an emergency news bulletin. It appears that all the men in the city have disappeared!" she reported.
Raven, Jinx and Starfire blinked.
"Well, that's awfully convenient," Raven said.
Kat looked around for her brother. "Otouto-chan! Otouto-chan! Where are you?" she called but got no answer. She then saw the news report on TV and shuddered. "No way…" Karmen ran towards Kat with tears in her eyes.
"I can't find Takada!" Karmen said to her. "Where is he?"
"I don't know," Kat said sadly, "But we're going to find him and we're going to need help!" She pulled out her communicator. "Hello, Titans Tower?"
Tara was watching the news report as well. If it was true then Beast Boy had vanished as well.
Miyuki sat in front of her vanity mirror while she heard the news report on the radio. She had a knowing smile on her face that would be considered absolutely sinister.
Episode 38: Thorns
Starfire (who was carrying Jinx) and Raven flew from the Tower towards Café La Salle after they'd received a call from Kat and it'd sounded urgent. Jinx was worried since the news told them that all the men were gone, meaning that Leo had probably disappeared as well.
The three Titan girls landed in front of the restaurant and entered through the front door. Karmen and Kat were sitting at a table, waiting for them.
"I'm glad you came," Kat said to the girls. They all took a seat.
"What is going on, Friend Kat?" Starfire asked the Knight of Suzaku. She then gazed over to Karmen…Blackfire. The black haired Tamaranean still hadn't recovered her memories so there was no reason to treat her as an enemy. The look on Karmen's face was that of genuine concern of worry. Seeing that Takada and Karmen were exceptionally close, it was no wonder that Karmen had cried before their arrival.
"Well, obviously all the men are all gone, Takada and my brother included," Kat replied. She had grown up without her brother for most of her life and had only recently been reunited with him several months ago when they discovered each other's identities as Advent Knights. She did not want to lose him again since she had only found him. He was also her little brother and as the big sister it was her job to be worried about him. She could care less about Craig since he dumped her.
"That's much of a given, but where did they go?" questioned Raven. She had called Desmond's place before coming over to Café La Salle and the only person to answer was Hikaru. She had been frantic since Walter, Shima, Daichi and Desmond had all suddenly vanished. She said she would be coming over to Café La Salle as well to help out somehow.
"And how can we find them?" Jinx asked. She had never been this scared before in her life. Leo was her boyfriend and she wanted to know where he was and if he was safe or not. Her concern for his wellbeing nearly rivaled Kat's as she loved the boy dearly. She knew that she loved Leo but they hadn't spoken the words as of yet.
"Well, first we have to investigate," Kat said, "I mean they can't just vanish without a trace!"
"Maybe that camera caught something?" Karmen pointed up to a video camera on the ceiling and Kat slapped herself in the forehead for her stupidity.
"Kuso! I forgot about that!" Kat shouted. "The security footage!" She stood up, "Come on, girls, to the basement!"
"The basement?" Starfire said fearfully at the words, but Raven grabbed her hand and dragged her towards the basement.
Down in the basement, there was a lot of old junk in storage but also a large freezer. Anyway, there were also a set of monitors set up in a corner where there was a chair. Kat went over to it and played one of the tapes, "Otouto-chan went and got us this security system just incase anyone broke in. Let's see what's going on…" Kat rewounded and fast forwarded the tape repeatedly until they got the footage they needed. Both Takada and Leo could be seen on the screen, walking out the door in a daze like zombies. "Okay…? Weird."
"That can't be normal," Karmen spoke up. "I mean, nobody just walks out a house in the middle of the night in their pajamas."
"I agree with her," Raven nodded, "Something lured them out and that includes all the other men in the city."
Kat stood up and announced melodramatically, "Let's go, ladies! There is a mystery to be solved and the game is afoot!" They all stared at her and Kat chuckled. "Once a week, my otouto-chan and I read a good book together. This week was Sherlock Holmes."
"Fascinating," Raven said in a bored tone.
The girls then ran up the stairs and were going to go out into the streets when Kat stopped Karmen.
"I think it's better you stay here, Karmen," Kat suggested.
"Why?" Karmen asked. "I can help!"
"Well…it could be dangerous and Takada would never forgive me if you got hurt," Kat explained.
"But I can help!" Karmen insisted.
"Sorry, Karmen, but you're staying," Kat said firmly like Karmen was a stubborn child and Kat was a mother putting her foot down. "Just, wait here, okay?" Kat placed a hand on her shoulder and Karmen nodded.
"Find them, okay?"
"We will," Kat grinned confidently, "Trust us. We're superheroes."
"Hello!" Hikaru waved as she entered the café. "Am I too late?" She was dressed in brown leather pants, a black tan top and black cut-off gloves.
"You're just in time to watch the shop," Kat said. Hikaru frowned.
"When I said I was coming to help, I was being serious here," Hikaru replied. She turned to Raven, "Raven, help me out here!"
"Sorry, but we can't let any civilians get involved in our mission," Raven said seriously. Hikaru growled.
"My family is gone so I'm already involved!"
"What can you do?" Kat challenged.
"THIS!" Hikaru roared. She knew that she was supposed to keep her identity a secret but now was no longer the time for that. She was going to prove her worth so now was the time to do it. Much to the others' shock, Hikaru morphed into her true form of the Tiger Beast Spirit.
"You're a Beast Spirit!" Kat shouted out, pointing a finger at her, "I knew something about you was up!" She summoned her belt and got ready to slash it through but Raven grabbed her hand. "Let go!" Kat shouted at Raven angrily.
"She wants to help," Raven said.
"She's a Beast Spirit! We can't trust her!" Kat protested.
Hikaru changed back and said, "Listen, I maybe a Beast Spirit, but I'm not like the other Royals."
"Bullshit!" Kat growled. "You lied to me, to us! How are we supposed to trust you?"
"Because Desmond-nii and the others are in danger and I know who is responsible!" Hikaru shouted back. Everyone was stunned.
"You do?" Starfire asked.
"This is the work of one of the Royals. It's the Queen of Hearts, the Rose Beast Spirit," Hikaru replied. "She used her pheromones to draw out all the men and lure them to her lair. That's her power."
"Sorry I'm late! I just needed to change!" someone said as the door swung open and there stood Tara. Correction…There stood Terra. She was dressed in her old Teen Titans uniform. She then looked at all the shocked looks she got and said, "This is for Beast Boy so this is a one time thing, okay?"
"Oh, friend Terra!" Starfire jumped over to the blonde geomancer and grabbed her into a fierce hug. "I am so glad to see you!"
"Same here…Starfire," Terra struggled in her grip. Starfire let go and Raven then stepped forward.
"Are you sure you're up for this?" Raven asked.
"I want to help save Beast Boy and the other boys," Terra said firmly. Raven handed her a communicator.
"Welcome back," Raven said with a smile. "I'm trusting you again, this time. Don't make me regret it."
Terra clipped it to her belt and said, "You won't. This time I'm gonna stay a hero, Raven."
"That's good to hear."
"Okay, as touching as this is, we have a lair to find," Jinx said impatiently.
"Lair?" Terra asked. She had come late so she needed to be put up to speed.
Kat pointed a thumb at Hikaru and said, "Ask her." Kat then asked Hikaru, "You want to tell her or should I do it?"
Hikaru sighed and told Terra the truth about herself and who she really was. It shocked Terra but then she smiled.
"Believe me, I've been there before," Terra said as she placed a hand on Hikaru's shoulder. "I mean, you had every reason to hide who you were."
"I'm surprised you accepted me so quickly even though I'm really a Beast Spirit," Hikaru said. Terra shrugged.
"Like you said, you want to save your family, so that makes you okay in my book," Terra said.
"Alright, now that we're done with the bonding moment," Kat spoke up, "Can we please all go look for this lair, people?"
Hikaru morphed into her true form and Terra was surprised. Of course, this reaction was followed with an impressed whistle.
"Nice!" Terra said.
"Thanks," the Tiger Beast Spirit nodded, "Now, follow me."
"Henshin!" Kat called and slashed her card through her belt buckle.
"CHANGE SUZAKU!"
Starfire, Jinx, Terra, Raven and Advent Knight Mimic then followed the Tiger Beast Spirit towards their destination.
Mimic stopped her bike in front of the large building and quirked an eyebrow under her visor. Hikaru, the Tiger Beast Spirit, had led them towards what she suspected to be the Rose Beast Spirit's lair and where she was holding the men hostage. Well, maybe not all the men in the city but it was a good start. Jinx, Raven, Starfire and Terra also looked at it curiously.
"The school?" Mimic questioned. They were all standing in front of Murakami High and it was covered in vines and roses.
"My nose led me here," the Tiger Beast Spirit insisted. "I know it may not seem much but this is where my senses led me to."
"Okay, but if this is a trick…" Mimic let the threat hang in the air before she dismounted from her bike. The 4 Titans, one Knight and one Beast Spirit all walked through the gate and around. Nothing seemed out of place except for the numerous blossoming rose bushes. Since when were there rose bushes anyway?
"Okay, where are we supposed to be going?" Raven asked, hands on her hips as she cocked her eyebrow.
"I know she's holding the men somewhere and…" Hikaru then paused. "Wait, did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Jinx asked.
"Something," Hikaru looked around and sniffed.
"Could it be a trap?" Starfire asked.
"Better keep your guard up then," Terra said. They all then walked towards the school building. Suddenly, vines shot out of the ground and wrapped themselves around the girls. They all screamed in shock.
"Oh yeah, it's a trap," Raven said before they were all quickly pulled into the ground by the vines and then there was nothing but darkness.
"Ow…my aching head," Terra spoke up as she sat up and rubbed her head. She was lying in a bed of flowers in a large cavern and the only source of light was coming from several small holes high above her in the ceiling. "Where am I…?"
"Certainly not in Kansas," someone muttered. That someone was Raven as she sat up and spat out a flower.
"As much as I enjoy colorful flora," Starfire spoke up, "That was indeed freaky, was it not."
"You could say that again, Starry," Mimic said as she got back to her feet and dusted off her armor. "Okay, what just happened?"
"It was a trap," Hikaru said. She was back in human form. "Is everyone okay?"
"Define okay," Raven replied as she picked flowers off her head and out of her cloak.
"Hey, where's Jinx?" Mimic asked, realizing one of their number was absent.
"Over here!" Jinx called as her pale hand came up above a pile of flowers. Terra pulled her out. She picked flowers and leaves out of her hair pink hair. "Thanks. Where are we?"
"The Rose Beast Spirit's lair," Hikaru replied. The walls of the cavern were covered in vines with thorns on them. "She just loves plants so much."
"She's not the only one," Raven said in reference to Desmond. He had told her that he loved gardening and plants just made her think of the Knight of Genbu.
"This is under the school?" Mimic asked. She hated caves, but she had gotten over that fear. They just irritated her now instead of scaring her. Besides, her brother's life was on the line here.
"I don't think so," Hikaru said. "The school would've collapsed if there was a cavern like this under it."
"So, where should we be going?" Jinx asked.
They were then surprised when a shrill scream echoed through the cavern and then something fell on top of Mimic. It was Karmen!
"Ow…" Karmen rubbed her rear. "It's a good thing this flowerbed broke my fall."
"It's not the only thing," Mimic muttered from under her. Karmen then quickly stood up.
"Oh, sorry!" Karmen apologized. Mimic glared at the girl as she too stood up.
"I thought I told you to stay back at the café!" Mimic yelled.
"I only want to help!" Karmen yelled back.
"You'll just get in the way!"
"Well, I'm here now so what are you going to do?"
Mimic growled. "Well, since you're here anyway, you might as well come alone. Just, don't get in the way."
"I promise you," Karmen said firmly, "I won't."
The Rose Beast Spirit was watching all this on various monitors within her chamber. She chuckled and said, "Well now, how interesting. Well, I better give them some playmates." She snapped her fingers, "Oh, boys…"
"Well, no where to go but forwards," Mimic said, pointing at three cave entrances, "Question is, where do we go?"
Raven counted, "Well, there are 7 of us here."
"So, two in the first two entrances and three in the last one," Hikaru finished.
"Okay, team one is me and Jinx," Mimic said.
"Hikaru and I are the second," Raven added.
"So that leaves me, Starfire and Karmen," Terra finished up. "Easy enough."
"Remember to always stay in contact. We don't know what we might be going up against," Raven warned.
"Probably Dark Roaches," Mimic cracked her knuckles. "I can handle those easy."
"Or the men she's taken control of," Hikaru told her, "The Wolf Beast Spirit wasn't the only one who could control people."
"Yeah, that too," Mimic reluctantly agreed. "Well, let's go. Ikuzo!"
They then took the separate entrances, not knowing what they would or might be facing on the other side.
Raven and Hikaru exited the first tunnel and looked around. It looked like some sort of arena but with a lot of trees and plants as well as a lake filled with crystal clear water. There was also grass under their feet. The plants all looked healthy.
"Someone here must have a green thumb," Hikaru said, looking around. Suddenly, she charged at Raven and pushed her to the ground.
"Hey!" Raven shouted but then a several bullets came flying over their heads. Raven's eyes widened. "Thanks."
"No problem," Hikaru nodded, but then she yelped as vine wrapped itself around her waist and threw her into a tree, herd. It then began whipping around, slamming her against the ground repeatedly. Growling, Hikaru morphed into her Beast Spirit form and used her claws to slash the vine to pieces and she landed back on the ground as it dropped her. She spat the grass out of her mouth. "Ugh. I hate grass in my mouth! I'm a carnivore!"
Raven shouted out, "Show yourselves!" Her eyes then widened at the sight of their assailants…
It was Pluto and Shadow!
Mimic and Jinx were both in an arena and ducking for cover as a blue beam of energy nearly collided with their heads. They then leapt out of the way of a lightning bolt that came striking down on the spot where they once stood. It was a good thing both girls were agile or else they would've ended up flash-fried.
As soon as they had come out of the tunnel, they were immediately attacked. Their hearts broke at who had just attacked them; it was Draco and Cyborg.
"Beast Boy, stop! It's me!" Terra shouted but her pleas came to deaf ears as a green rhino came charging at her. They were in a rocky terrain so Terra was at a distinct advantage. The only problem was that was she able to bring herself to hurt the boy she loved who was attacking her relentlessly.
"Robin, please, I do not wish to fight you!" Starfire begged as Robin charged at her, swinging his Bo-staff to hurt her. She was reduced to dodging.
When they had exited the tunnel to this area, Starfire was ecstatic to find Robin and Beast Boy. However, her happiness had turned to horror as Robin attacked her, hitting her in the stomach with a powerful punch. This brought up unpleasant memories of when he had been forced to fight them, her especially, when he was forced to become Slade's apprentice.
Terra, on the other hand, was being attacked by her boyfriend. She covered herself in rock armor to protect him from the blows she was going to receive from him since he was going to be talking with his fists, claws, horns and tusks. They were like zombies. They weren't responding to anything they were saying and were not holding back.
Karmen watched this as she hid behind a large rock. There was nothing she could do but watch as Starfire and Terra were forced to fight the boys they loved…possibly to the death.
The Queen of Hearts laughed gleefully as she clapped her hands at seeing the fights. "Oh, this was my best plan ever! What's more, I get to get rid of that scarred face Kat once and for all!" She pulled back her hood and ran a hand through her curly black hair. The light then shone on her face to reveal the face of…Miyuki Yoshinaga! "Dance, my puppets, dance!" She laughed out evilly as she watched the screens. This was going to be so much fun! Well, fun for her at least.
Mimic swore to herself. She was going to get the Rose Beast Spirit for this. But first, she had to get out of this alive without hurting her little brother.
"REFLECT!"
The energy shield blocked and sent back the lighting bolts that were striking down on her, courtesy of her brother. It could only withstand so much before it eventually dissipated. The problem was that her brother, Draco, was able to absorb electricity, which made the whole purpose of the shield mute.
Jinx leapt over Cyborg as he came charging towards her, throwing a metallic fist at the lithe hex mistress. She kept dodging his attacks since he was too fast for her to launch a hex and his metallic body was too hard for her to punch without hurting her own limbs. She had to keep her distance to somehow formulate a plan.
Draco came charging at Mimic, slashing his sword away and she blocked with her own weapon. They were in a stalemate and Mimic's eyes gazed into her brother's.
"Snap out of it, otouto-chan!" Mimic yelled out, but he ignored her and then went into a reverse roundhouse kick that sent her tumbling. She dropped her weapon and looked up to see him sheathing his sword before he picked her up and planted a fist into her stomach. She doubled over and he slammed both his fists on her back that sent her crashing to the ground. He then kicked her hard in the stomach and she was sent flying into the wall.
"Itai…" Mimic groaned. She then saw him throw his fist and she dodged to the side and his fist ended up making a hole in the wall. "Alright, time for some tough love!" she elbowed him hard in the chest and then grabbed his head before slamming her head into it.
Jinx's hex sent Cyborg flying back but he was still relentless. He still kept getting up. This was getting tiresome as Cyborg came at her but then a silver and blue object, which was Draco, slammed him in the side and sent both of them falling. Jinx turned to see Mimic waving at her. Jinx waved back. Both Cyborg and Draco were getting up.
"Switch dance partners?" Mimic asked. Jinx nodded.
"Sure."
Hikaru dodged when the staff came at her. The Tiger Beast Spirit shouted, "Desmond-nii, stop this! This isn't you!" Shadow kept swinging his staff at her and she could only dodge. She didn't want to hurt him but he had every attention of hurting her.
Raven was dodging from Pluto's shots as she flew threw the air. She knew if she got hit, those shots would hurt. He wasn't helping matters either as he threw rocks at her using his powers. Raven knew that Pluto had similar powers to Terra, so she knew what to expect as she dodged from the rocks and bullets being thrown at her.
Hikaru then charged and slashed Shadow across the chest, sending him staggering back. "Sorry," she apologized, "But it's for your own good!" She then kept slashing at him, over and over, but he then summoned several vines to hold her in place and then summoned a blast of water that smashed into her.
Raven chanted, "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!" and the rocks and bullets became encased in her black energy before she threw them back at Pluto. Pluto was then struck by his own projectiles and stumbled back at the force.
Hikaru finally had Shadow on his back and then lunged down at him. She saw her coming and then struck up with his staff. The Tiger Beast Spirit's eyes widened at seeing this but there was no way she could stop now as she came down on him.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
"Hikaru!" Raven shouted and then the rocks hit her hard. Luckily, the bullets merely grazed her. She blasted Pluto back with a beam of dark energy and turned her attention back to towards Hikaru and Shadow. "No…"
The Tiger Beast Spirit was impaled on the sharp end of Shadow's staff and he got up before throwing her to the ground. The Tiger Beast Spirit struggled but the wound in its stomach was severe, green blood spilling out of it. Shadow drew a card and threw it at her. It stuck to her chest and then absorbed her, sealing her inside the card.
Raven was now all alone as Pluto had recovered and both Knights advanced on her.
Miyuki clapped as she watched Hikaru becoming sealed. "That should teach you, traitor!"
A flash disc exploded at Starfire's feet, blinding her, before Robin struck her hard in the face, sending her falling to the ground. Terra was thrown on top of her by a large green elephant. The girls both groaned in pain.
Robin and Beast Boy then walked over to finish them off but were then pushed down when they were tackled by a third party. Starfire looked up to see Karmen forcing Robin and Beast Boy down.
"Sister!" Starfire gasped out.
"You're not going to hurt her!" Karmen growled as her eyes glowed violet. She then threw them aside like rag dolls and then blasted them with her starbolts. Terra picked herself up to see what was going on.
"Okay, what's going on here?" Terra asked, "Karmen? How did you do that? And why did Starfire just call you sister?"
Karmen grinned and said, "Because I am her sister!" she then added, "Oh, and by the way, call me Blackfire!" Robin and Beast Boy were slowly getting up and Blackfire rolled her eyes. "Oh, back for more, I see."
"Sister, please, do not hurt them," Starfire pleaded.
"No promises, Starfire," Blackfire said, "Oh, and after this, we need to have a little chat." Blackfire then roared out, "Nobody hits my sister but me!" She then flew at Robin and Beast Boy with all the righteous fury she could muster.
"Better make sure she doesn't hurt them too badly," Terra said to Starfire.
"Yes, I agree," Starfire nodded before she flew at the battle.
Mimic was trading blows with Cyborg while Jinx fought against Draco. They were going to beat some sense into these two boys. Mimic sent a fireball at Cyborg and it exploded when it smashed into his chest, sending the bionic teen flying. She then drew two cards and slashed them through her card reader.
"VINE! CHOP!"
A vine whip lashed out from her Suzaku Arrow and wrapped itself around Cyborg. "I'm going to beat some sense into that metal plated head of yours, Tin Man!" She then pulled the hapless Cyborg towards her and chopped down on his head, hard, so hard that he would be seeing stars.
Jinx ducked under another sword slash and then launched a hex at his belt buckle. The card was ejected as a result and the energy field swept over his body, turning him back to human form. He was still going to fight her so he charged at her and the pink haired girl charged back and flung her arms around his neck and smacked his lips with hers. He froze in shock and he wasn't the only one that was surprised, Mimic was too.
Leo was stunned and then he relaxed as his hands rested on Jinx's hips and his eyes fluttered close. Jinx moaned against his lips and then they pulled away from one another. He blinked in confusion.
"What? Huh?" Leo said. "Where am I? What happened?" Jinx had a wide smile on her face as she hugged the Knight of Seiryu tight.
"You're back! You're back!" Jinx squealed happily.
"Did I go somewhere?" he asked and looked at the unfamiliar surrounding and then turned his attention towards an unconscious Cyborg and his sister who was standing over the unconscious metal Titan.
"Let me explain, otouto-chan," Mimic spoke up as she walked over to her brother and Jinx.
There was an explosion of green, yellow and purple light as both Beast Boy and Robin were flung across the room and into the wall before they fell unconscious on their faces. Starfire and Terra rushed over to see if they were alright. They were a bit bruised up but they were luckily still alive.
"Oh, my Robin," Starfire had tears in her eyes as she hugged the Boy Wonder against her. Terra had Beast Boy resting his head on her lap.
"Well, now that that's done," Blackfire began, "It's time for me to go." She then yawned before she fell unconscious.
"Sister!" Starfire yelled out as she went to check up on her sister who had just fainted. Starfire was relieves when she saw that her sister had regained consciousness. "Sister, you're alright!" Starfire hugged her.
"Hey! Hey!" the girl in Starfire's arms struggled, "Let me go!" Starfire did.
"I was so worried about you, Blackfire," Starfire said, wiping a tear out of her eye.
"Blackfire?" the black haired girl responded in confusion, "I'm Karmen." She then saw that Robin and Beast Boy were knocked out, "Hey, you won."
Starfire blinked. Apparently, Blackfire had gone back to sleep and Karmen had taken over again. Terra just shook her head. Split personalities were sure something.
Raven stepped back as Pluto and Shadow advanced on her. Now that Hikaru was sealed, she was all alone against two Advent Knights. Shadow swiped through the Queen of Clubs: Absorb Tiger through the scanner equipped to his staff.
"ABSORB!"
The image of the card appeared above him and was absorbed into his body, giving him more power. He then drew two cards and slashed them through.
"SCREW! BLIZZARD!...BLIZZARD GALE!"
Raven awaited the inevitable as Pluto aimed his gun at her, but then she was shocked to see Shadow's icy fist making contact with Pluto face and sending him to the ground.
"Huh?" Raven was shocked and confused. Wasn't Shadow attacking her before?
Pluto got up and aimed his gun but Shadow swatted it away with his staff before he slammed it into Pluto's Advent Buckle. The card was shot out and the energy field swept over the Knight of Byakko's body, stripping off his armor. Shadow then planted a powerful right hook in Takada's face that knocked him out. He turned his attention towards Raven and walked towards her. Raven had no idea what to expect, but then Shadow threw the Queen of Clubs card into the air before slashing through another card.
"REMOTE!"
A beam shot out of the card and Hikaru was unsealed. Raven was not sure what to make of it but then Shadow snapped his buckle close and Desmond reappeared after his armor was stripped off. Hikaru reverted to human form and smiled at Desmond.
"Welcome back, Desmond-nii," Hikaru smiled. Desmond stretched.
"It's good to be back and out of that wretched woman's control," Desmond replied. He then walked over to Raven, "Hello, luv." He looked her over, "God, you're hurt." He frowned, "I'm so sorry." Raven shook her head.
"Don't worry, I can heal myself," Raven said reassuringly. "What happened?"
"Well, I believe that when I swiped through Hikaru's card and absorbed her power, it must've brought me back to my senses. I knew just what I had to do so I knocked Pluto out to save you."
"Once again, I was a great help," Hikaru said proudly.
Desmond then looked between the two and asked, "So, I guess you know about Hikaru, huh?"
"Yes, I do," Raven nodded, "And I wouldn't be surprised if Daichi and Shima are the same too."
"I'll explain everything as soon as get out of here."
"Now, where are we supposed to be going?" Raven asked.
Miyuki destroyed all the monitors angrily. How could her puppets have been defeated so easily? How!? It just wasn't possible. She then forced herself calm and looked at her hand mirror, checking for wrinkles. "Damn them…" she cursed. She then smirked, "Well, not much of a loss. I have a whole army of men willing to fight at my beck and call. I'll just sic them on the Titans and my problem is solves."
And at her order, an army of able bodied men under her total control stormed into the chambers where the battles had taken place.
"I've heard of 'It's Raining Men', but this is ridiculous!" Mimic cried as she punched a guy in the face and kicked another one in the head.
"Henshin!"
"CHANGE SEIRYU!"
Draco blew the men back with an air blast as Jinx sent them falling with her hexes.
"We cannot hurt them!" Draco insisted, "They are only innocent pawns."
"Tell them that!" Jinx snapped as she fought against the men. A metal fist shot past her head and into a face of a guy who was about to hit her with a stick. "Cyborg?"
"Hey, Jinx," Cyborg grinned back. "That knock to my head must've knocked me back to my senses."
"You're welcome," Mimic nodded, "Now, help us fight!"
"No, onee-chan," Draco protested, "You must find the Category Queen of Hearts and seal her. It's the only way to stop this."
Mimic looked around, "But-"
"JUST GO!" Draco shouted.
Mimic nodded and stormed through the horde of men. This time she was going to fight the Rose Beast Spirit and only the best girl would win.
Miyuki watched on her remaining screen while holding a chain. She was dressed in a leather dominatrix outfit that accentuated her ample curves. The chain she had in her hand was connected to a collar that was around the neck of…Craig!?
"Hum…this is getting boring," Miyuki said before she stood up from her seat and tugged Craig over. He could do nothing but obey as he walked over to her like a zombie. He was shirtless and only in a pair of jeans. Miyuki smirked and ran a finger over his cheek. "So handsome…Only I deserve someone like you by my side and not that ugly girl, Kat." She leaned over so that her face was close to his. "Now, how about a kiss?" She then puckered up her lips and leaned closer.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM, BITCH!"
Miyuki was surprised but was even more surprised when several ice arrows nearly hit her. She turned and narrowed her eyes at the intruder.
"YOU!" Miyuki shouted, livid.
It was Mimic.
Mimic was surprised to see Miyuki but then she realized the truth, "I see…it all makes sense now. No wonder you always made my skin crawl." Mimic pointed at her. "You're a Beast Spirit, Yoshinaga…or should I call you 'Rose'?"
Miyuki growled but then smirked as she tugged on the chain that was holding Craig.
"Fancy seeing you here, Kat," Miyuki spat, "How did you find me?"
"The hallway had a trail of rose petals leading to here. It wasn't that hard, really," Mimic pointed behind her at said trail. "So, this is your room, huh?"
"A room befitting a Queen," Miyuki proclaimed, "And I also have my own consort and an army of loyal subjects willing to fight for me."
"Let Craig go, bitch," Mimic threatened.
"Why should I?" Miyuki challenged and Mimic aimed her Suzaku Arrow at her.
"How about this one reason I'm holding in my hand," Mimic said. She would shoot too but then Craig stood in front of her line of fire, shielding Miyuki. "Craig, get out of the way!"
"He only hears my voice, Kat," Miyuki said as she looped her arms around Craig and rested her chin on his shoulder. Mimic growled.
"Get your hands off him!"
"No," Miyuki answered, "Unlike you, I know how to appreciate a man. All he wanted to do was help you and what do you do? You just threw it back in his face." Mimic lowered her weapon and her head.
"I just didn't want him to get himself hurt," Mimic replied, despite herself.
Miyuki laughed, "And you hurt him all the same! You broke his heart so now he's mine!" Mimic clenched her fist. "Just let me keep him, okay, and I will grant you all mercy."
Mimic looked up to see Miyuki holding Craig like a lover. She couldn't just leave him, but the hold Miyuki had on Craig was too strong and she couldn't risk hurting him like she did Cyborg since he was just human and one of her strikes could kill her. She couldn't leave him with the Queen of Hearts either, so what was she supposed to do?
Mimic then turned around and Miyuki smirked victoriously. However, she then did a quick 180 turn and fired an energy arrow straight at Miyuki's face. It met it's target and Miyuki was flung back, screaming, as green blood spilled from her wounded face. Craig then blinked in confusion and shook his head.
"Huh? Where am I?" He then looked at his state, "And why am I shirtless and wearing a collar?"
"I'll explain it to you later, Craig," Mimic said, "Now, I think it's time for you to get the hell out of here."
"MY FACE! MY BEAUTIFUL FACE!" Miyuki shouted as she glared angrily at Mimic. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU! KILL YOU!" She then changed into her true Beast Spirit form.
"Bring it on, bitch!" Mimic challenged. Craig stepped back and watched as the fight commenced. Mimic would be enjoying this fight and needed her space.
The Rose Beast Spirit lashed her vine whip at Mimic but then she rolled out of the way and fired at her with fire arrows. She screeched in pain as the flaming arrows hit her. Mimic took advantage of this and charged forward, slashing the Rose Beast Spirit over and over with her weapon. Mimic appeared to be showing no mercy, taking out all her anger on the Rose Beast Spirit.
Miyuki stepped back and fired a storm of petals at Mimic that then exploded when they came into contact with her body. The Rose Beast Spirit felt victorious but then the petals were frozen in ice and fell to the floor and shattered. Mimic charged at her again. Mimic swung her fist into the Rose Beast Spirit's face before she kneed her in the gut and then kicked her hard in the chest. Craig watched as Mimic fought hard. He wanted to help her but he couldn't, not yet. Now wasn't the time yet.
Mimic wanted to pay the Rose Beast Spirit back for all the pain she had caused her…with interest! She was going to enjoy this fight for all it was worth!
The Rose Beast Spirit sent her whip at Mimic again but the Knight of Suzaku sliced it in half. The Rose Beast Spirit shrieked in pain and then launched her thorns at her enemy, but Mimic created a fire shield that incinerated them. The Rose Beast Spirit stepped back in fear as Mimic drew threw cards and slashed them through her card reader.
"FLOAT! DRILL! TORNADO!...SPINNING DANCE!"
The tornado whipped around Mimic and she floated into the air, spinning fast before she came spiraling down on the Rose Beast Spirit. The Queen of Hearts was unable to dodge in time and was slammed hard by the powerful drill kick and sent crashing into her makeshift throne. She lay in the remains of her thrown as Mimic threw a Blank Seal card at her. It stuck to her head and then sucked her in, sealing her before it flew back into Mimic's hand.
"Category Queen of Hearts: Absorb Rose," Mimic read. She then walked over to Craig and slashed a card through her belt buckle once she reconnected the card reader.
"SPIRIT!"
The energy field swept over her body and stripped off her armor. She then reached over to Craig's neck and undid the collar. He messaged his neck.
"Damn thing was itchy and uncomfortable," Craig complained.
"It must be," Kat agreed. "Um…Craig?"
"Yes, Kat?" Craig asked.
"I wanted to…apologize to you."
"For what?"
"For thinking you were weak when you wanted to help. I only wanted to protect you."
"I understand, Kat," Craig nodded. "I mean, this is a dangerous job and I would only be getting in the way."
"Well…" Kat blushed, "You got a date to the prom?"
"Well, seeing as my other date had just vanished," Craig said with a smile, "Would you like to go to the prom with me?"
Kat didn't know what to say, so she didn't say anything. And, as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. She then flung her arms around his neck and kissed him hard on the lips. He was surprised at first but then kissed her back just as passionately.
King sighed from where he was sitting and said, "I knew she would fail. I warned her…"
A/N: Well, now, the Rose Beast Spirit had been defeated. So, what now? Well, it' PROM NIGHT! Also, I'd like to thank Phantom Soldier and Shadow Element 13 for Beta reading and editing.
Preview to the next chapter: It's finally here! It's prom night and the girls and guys are going to be dancing the night away. The theme is 'Masquerade' so you better have a fancy mask on! Hopefully, this night doesn't get ruined by a sudden infestation.
Cards sealed:
Queen of Hearts: Absorb Rose.
Queen of Clubs: Absorb Tiger (unsealed by Shadow with Remote Tapir)