AN: Story's Shadow and I are back one again my good friends. I wanna give Story's Shadow a tremendous shoutout for all the hard work he's been doing, everyone please give him a thunderous round of applause.

Imperious' Domain, A Few Hours Later-

Stalker walked through the halls of his emperor's palace. The samurai couldn't help but look over the artifacts, relics, and art that Imperious had collected in his time traveling and conquering, some of his most prized pieces were from his own world. They took so many forms, many weapons and relics crafted with pristine jade, gold, and other various precious metals and jewels. The samurai noted to himself to ask his master about their history and meaning.

He continued to move through the halls to till he came upon a door that had the images of great serpents crafted onto it. Stalker gently knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Stalker heard the door unlock then it opened. Stalker entered, already knowing no one physically opened the door then closed and locked it behind him. A light fog was in the room and Stalked could see the unclear figure within a pool of marsh water. The figure chuckled.

"Ah, Stalker, my friend. How is the master's war going? I apologize for not being ready to join you yet."

"As well as we knew it would. Our raids are still testing the defenses of this world and the strength of its armies and warriors."

"I've heard there's quite a unique group of warriors in this 'New York City', I believe. Some of his majesty's soldiers have encountered some of the younger ones."

"Yes, they have powers and skills that would already make them troublesome. Now they have been gifted weapons by our lord's greatest enemies."

"That makes them dangerous. With my training under his guidance, his eminence speaks of targeting multiple points of weakness and vulnerability. This will not only be the case with this group of warriors, but this world."

"Yes. These 'United States' seem to have a collection of the most powerful warriors and weapons except for one nation, at least in its weapons. From our study of this world through our meditation, we will need to strike at it once every other part of this planet has been conquered."

"I am curious to hear your strategy, commander."

"While New York City holds the most concentrated focus of these warriors and we do need to occupy them, we will also need to stage attacks to conquer other cities that hold influence and power and strategic grounds. Washington D.C. will be our biggest target as that's where the leader of these people lives. Other cities such as Los Angeles, Detroit, Dallas, Denver, Seattle, St. Louis, and Minnesota. But we cannot ignore other lands with significant power. Great Britain, Japan, China, Russia, Canada, India, Germany, and Australia will be some sieged as well."

"Will our master's army be spread too thin? His magic is often focused upon constructing new soldiers whenever he sieges a new world."

"For a time, perhaps. But once he gains all the stones, he can amass an army more than great enough to take this world with ease."

"Even still, striking at the head off our foes where they are would be wise. Take out their leadership and their forces will struggle to put up a strong defense."

"You've learned well, I see why his majesty sees such promise in you."

The figure chuckled.

"You honor me."

Stalker nodded.

"I must speak with his eminence on another important matter."

"The Fox? I understand his lordship was fond of him or rather at least saw him as useful."

"Yes. I gather he'll have decided on what to do with him or he's close to making up his mind. Thank you for speaking with me."

"Always a pleasure."

Stalker stood up and exited the room.

-Imperious' Throne Room, A Few Minutes Later-

The Dragon Emperor sat in his chair one hand grasping his forehead, eyes closed. He inhaled deeply and sighed. Stalker entered the throne room and bowed low for his master.

"Your majesty."

Imperious looked down to see his servant at the base of his throne.

"Stalker, it seems way may have come to it."

"Yes, my lord."

"He has failed his first two trials. I expected more of him, considering the past."

"His resolve has crumbled since he met the girl."

"...Yes...it would seems so."

Imperious tapped his fingers against one another.

"Despite his failing so far, I shall give him one last chance. Hopefully he can redeem himself to me."

"As you command."

"You shall test him."

"My lord?"

"For Vulpine's final trial, you shall enact the means of it. What or rather who he chooses will decide if he serves or not."

"Understood, your highness."

"Despite these betrayals...or his seeming path to it, I do feel he has earned one last chance. And as you know, Stalker, one's true allegiance is revealed in battle."

"Of course, master."

"I still see a future for him, one at my command with him gaining what he once hoped for. Nevertheless, I must be certain of his loyalty or his betrayal. I cannot take chances with my plans. For order to be born, all small flickers of rebellion must be resolved."

"Are you prepared, Stalker?"

"At your command."

"Vulpine failed the trials of his Mind and Heart. For his last trial, let us discover what the Fox is willing to truly sacrifice."

-Vixen's Quarters, Secret Warriors' Base, A Couple Of Days Later-

Vixen painted on a scroll that Vulpine had told her was similar to the ones their people had used. She rubbed her chin, uncertain of what to create. The Fox sighed, one hand tapping the side of her head. The traditions and customs of her people intrigued her, she found herself wanting to learn and take part in the culture of her ancestors. With each new story and lesson Vulpine taught her, the more she had wished Crusader could've enlightened her on. The hole in her heart and soul that had lingered for so many years was slowly being filled by her fellow Fox's revelations he'd revealed.

Despite this, she felt like she still wasn't fully connected to the arts of her home world. While she'd enjoyed learning and delving into the people of Earth and their creations, she still wanted to be connected to her home world in more ways than one. She grumbled lightly.

"Come on...think...what would be a good painting?"

Despite her irritable confusion, her ears perked up at the sound of footsteps.

There was knock at her door.

"Vixen?"

It was Riri.

"Come in."

"Actually, Vulpine's calling us all to meet with him. He said there's something he needs to tell us."

"Oh, ok."

Vixen put down her brush beside the paper. She exited her room and followed her friend into the Rec Room. The Secret Warriors were gathered around sitting at or standing around the tables seated in the rec room. Doreen had some almonds in a bag she was munching on as she waited for the rest of the group. Gwen grunted as she rubbed her head. Vulpine turned to the others, standing before them.

"My friends...I have much to say...and by the end of it...you will decide what you must do."

Vixen rubbed the back of her neck while Daisy, Gwen, and Rayshaun shared a look between them that the others didn't see. But they all turned back to the Fox.

"My life back home was good in some ways. I was respected and trusted by my people. My emperor valued my wits and strategic mind and his closest advisor considered me one of his closest friends. And despite all this...part of me felt uncertain, as if something was missing."

Dante rubbed the back of his neck.

"What do you mean? You had everything: friends, a privileged life, and respect by those around you. What was missing?"

"I wasn't certain...than someone came along and told me that they had so much to offer. I was intrigued and their offer was too good to not take. Through the tasks given, I thought I would get what I wanted."

The group didn't respond as they waited for what he would say next, some had an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of their stomachs. Vulpine sighed.

"Though after I got here...and met all of you, I started to feel what I'd been wanting...but I didn't realize it at first...not for some time."

Vixen cocked her head to the side slightly.

"What do you mean?"

"Back home...I was driven by seeking glory. I wanted to prove my tactical prowess was incomparable, that my cunning was something none of the bloodlines could match. There were those that considered me a friend...after our world was gone...and I came here...meeting each of you...working with you...that hole that I didn't realize I had started to fill. For what I didn't realize I had there or could've had...I understood I was gaining here."

Daisy's expressionless visage slowly started to turn into slight surprise.

"What's that?"

"...Perhaps...friends...a family."

Tears rolled down Vixen's face.

Doreen's hand shook slightly, her attention was on something else Vulpine had said.

"What did you mean...forsook?"

Vulpine's ears lowered and he sighed, his breath shaking.

"...What I meant by that...was-"

Gwen stopped rubbing her head as her eyes widened and Vixen and Vulpine's ears perked up, the former shouted.

"GET DOW-!"

The door to the rec room blew off its hinges and those gathered jumped to their feet. Vulpine's eyes widened as Stalker stepped into the room and drew his blade. America shouted as she jumped forward, pulling one hand back to throw a punch. As she threw her haymaker, Stalker ducked under the strike and slammed the butt of his sword into the young woman's lower torso. America winced as she fell to the ground.

The samurai turned, seeing Vixen rushing forward. Stalker grunted as slid around, striking out with one foot. The blow struck Vixen under her chin and sent the Fox tumbling over one of the tables. Gwen grunted as she leapt off one wall and aimed at her foe's feet. Stalker flipped over her and landed on his feet, blocking Rayshaun's haymaker with one arm. He slipped around the young man and slammed one elbow into the back of his foe's head.

Rayshaun gasped as he fell. He coughed as Dante leapt to the side, fire forming on his hands. The samurai ducked under the first stream of fire. The pyrokinetic shouted as he tried to run around his enemy to put him in a ring of fire. Stalker grunted as he leapt over and around the blaze. As he cleared the distance between himself and Dante, he threw his free hand forward. The punch landed in the center of Dante's chest.

Dante folded over, unable to breathe, and his fire dissipated within moments. Stalker then punched Dante and knocked him out instantly. Gwen grunted as she fired web shots, trying to move around and throw them from different angles. The samurai then cut through each web shot with his sword without missing any of them. Gwen's eyes widened as the samurai then lunged at her. Gwen leapt over him and once she landed on the ground she jumped back at him. Doreen grunted as he raced forward with Riri by her side, who had pulled out her emergency Nano-Tech armored gauntlet.

Riri fired repulser blasts at Stalker, who dodged and evaded the blasts. The samurai rolled under Doreen's haymaker and sweep kicked Riri. After she hit the floor he landed a strike against her neck and back. She gasped and fell unconscious. Doreen growled as she turned back.

"You jerk!"

She threw several punches at Stalker who continued to dodge the strikes. Then Doreen leapt up and threw a kick forward. The samurai caught her by the ankle and slammed the butt of his sword into her knee Doreen cried out as she dropped to the floor and as she did, Stalker stomped on her other knee. Doreen screamed as she tried to stand up, but her broken knees kept her on the floor. Daisy leapt over her friend, striking out with a flurry of kicks and punches, aiming for Stalker's sword hand. But the samurai blocked and evaded her attacks.

He slipped around her, his free hand striking out at her arms. His hand struck below the shoulder, below the elbow, and above the wrist. Daisy grunted as she tried to throw a backhand, but found her arm dangling at her side. She gasped as she looked up from her arm, seeing Stalker kick out with one foot. Daisy cried out as she fell through one of the tables. She grunted and winced, trying to stand up. But the samurai was suddenly over and slammed the butt of his sword into her face. Daisy grunted as she blacked out.

America shouted as she jumped out of a star hole she created, just behind the samurai. But suddenly she found him beside her and felt a sharp pain above her waist. She placed one hand at where the pain was coming from then pulled it up to look at it. Blood dripped from her fingers. She looked over to see a little blood on the samurai's sword. Chavez's eyes were wide.

"H-How? I'm invulnerable."

Stalker turned around to face her then lunged forward, slashing his sword. The blade cut red lines across her lower torso and shoulders. She grunted, the feeling of pain hitting her like she'd never known before. But she rushed forward, throwing several haymakers at the samurai. He dodged around the attacks and moved around her, slashing his sword against the back of her legs. Chavez growled, wincing as she dropped to her knees and fell onto the ground.

Vixen's ears stood straight up and she let out a snarl as he leapt at her foe. But Stalker swirled around her attack with almost blinding speed. He struck out with the butt of his blade, striking her back. Vixen cried out as she dropped to the ground. She grunted as she tried to get back onto her feet. Stalker hit her with a backhand as she turned to face the samurai. Vixen turned to Vulpine, who'd been standing there wide eyes.

Stalker turned to the older Fox and raised his blade before turning to Vixen who tried to stand up again. The samurai cut down, only to find Vulpine stand there, a cut down his torso. Vixen's eyes went wide as Vulpine gasped. Stalker grumbled then stabbed the blade through Vulpine's upper torso. Vulpine's gasped sharply. Stalker grabbed the back of the Fox's head and pulled him closer.

"You have failed the final trial and his majesty."

The samurai pulled the sword back and Vulpine dropped to the ground, gasping and bleeding. Stalker scoffed and stepped away. Chavez, Doreen, Gwen, and Rayshaun looked up from where they laid. Stalker knocked out Vixen with a swift blow before pulling her over to a spot where he'd gathered Daisy, Riri, and Dante. The samurai turned to them and started to walked towards them. Chavez grunted, as she held up one hand. A star hole appeared and fired a searing blast of energy at the samurai as he got within a few feet.

Stalker felt the power radiating from the blast and dodged. The energy blasted through the building and debris fell down all around them. The samurai grunted as he rolled over to where he'd gathered the others, avoiding the debris. He spoke something Chavez and the others couldn't hear as the roof fell down around them. It had blocked Stalker's view of the others. Within moments, Stalker and those he'd pulled over disappeared within a puff of smoke.

Gwen gasped as she fired web shots above her friends as fast as she could and prevented the debris from crushing them. The group gasped as they laid on the ground in pain and defeat...

To Be Continued...

AN: The Climax Has Begun...