Teen Titans New Gen Presents- Tokyo Knights –
/
Chapter 21: Lost Your Shadow?
/
Well, John wasn't pleased that his dear and near student was acting like a spoiled rotten git. Not one bit as Raku's sneer made him wonder what came last. Let alone next.
~ We don't ever need to cross again. ~ The boy had told him; some nerve in it?? John didn't gather the kid's attention to get back handed in public, even when this psychic bubble he'd used to trap the boy was proving the acceptable cover for their abilities.
Magica e magica.
~ I've gone and even recognized your faults. I put up with it, to here. ~ John dragged out an extended hand and began to chant, granting a snorting chuckle from the long-haired imp. ~ What? Are you going to banish me, finally? Do it, then! If blood is going to spill, I should be the one to do away –
~ Shut up. ~ Snapped the magi. The kid's words stilled. As if he'd been hit in the gut, Raku stumbled back.
~ I figured it out, what triggers that ego and it hurts me to do this, yet you need to learn some manners all from the very start. ~ John huffed out what seemed dragon's smog from his lips to imitate a guttural growl. A song that Raku's eyes widened to not wish to know. A sealing. He bolted in the opposite direction. The walls were closed off. The scare was that as a daemon, John had every right to use direct force. He panted, fighting his half human lungs as no Ageha reverted to his mind to salvage what remained. It wasn't him. The end was true. She, they, were just visiting….
/
~ There once was a child of the earth that was taken far, far away from all they knew. This child was fed worms and dreams lost. The one to tame them, keep them fed had been quite cruel. They mocked their faces, their hair and energy. When deep, deep down, they only existed to separate. To become two. As cells in division, the two were reborn and in their first hours of life, the two cells, the two beings were told to meet the face of a boy. Yes, a young boy that wished to fly someplace as far and clear as the midnight air. The one to tame the three was quite cruel, and placed them together to change the boy's mind. They told him that he was useless as they were. That if he escaped, they would never let him dream again, for they were granted such promise. Their futures were entwined to the cruel master as at the first break of dawn.
The two cells, broke the boy.
Shattering him into many parts, while the cells laughed and delighted in the fall of a dark shadow.
A lost shadow, as it burned under the morning light.
/
Roko.
Rokou.
Two of a whole.
Two of sin and not of redemption as neither had been promised. Rokou kicked through the field as Roko screamed to be released from their bindings. For once in a very, very long time, the two cells were reunited. And they suffered until there was nothing left to weep over but their unjust punishment.
~ I can only release the bindings if you're you. I know that soul inside is not. You will let me speak to it. I command the carrier of this form – do to my whim! Ye hath no other answer…~
The form curled up onto its side and wailed as seals of gold littered that olive flesh. That body was not…
Not….
Fire….
Fire..
Hurt….
Hurt…ing….
~ HAAAH
….. GAAAAAAAJHHHHH !!!~
THE EXORCISM was going poorly. The selves inside were freeloaders. Raku had explained about the aspects that came from the desert, that came from the red lord's own son. His integrated self was very stubborn and existed in two forms meant to control. Someone had taken their time in peeling back the layers and then, it hit.
Roko had existed again in two forms. In the battle against the shadow entity that Ava had been controlled by. (prev arc)
And in the forms taken, the creature that had controlled Raku whenever his powers went soul. His lack of control and imperfections. His vanities abd fears, all in one package.
Male. Female. Now, they were in the same body and falling apart. He had to keep one and toss the other, so he chose to keep the girl. A risky move, but the other was aggressive and dangerous if made…this way. Roko was, but he could handle bratty teens like her. He thought he had, actually.
~ I'M SEALING BACK THE ART OF MAN. THE FACE OF DAEMON IN FLESH AND BONE NO LONGER WALK. YOU ARE COMPELLED TO LISTEN AND OBEY. ~ It was an order, but spoken in the language ling inherited. The Sumerian dialect made Raku cough up black blood as expected of any exorcism.
~ Repell 𐏂𐎧𐎤 𐎵𐎮𐎨𐎢𐎤 𐎮𐎥 𐎬𐎠𐎭 𐏂𐎧𐎠𐏂 resides 𐎡𐎤𐏀𐎮𐎭𐎣 𐏂𐎧𐎤 𐎦𐎮𐎣's 𐎥𐎠𐎵𐎮𐎱. Retain 𐏂𐎧𐎤 𐎼𐎨𐏂𐎢𐎧 𐎠𐎭𐎣 𐏂𐎧𐎤 maiden 𐎽𐎮 𐏂𐎧𐎠𐏂 𐎽𐎧𐎤 𐎨𐎽 𐎡𐎮𐎸𐎭𐎣 𐏂𐎮 𐏂𐎧𐎨𐎽 𐎥𐎮𐎱𐎬 𐎠𐎽 𐎨 𐎽𐎤𐎤 𐎨𐏂. 𐎽𐎮 𐎽𐎧𐎮𐎸𐎫𐎣 𐎨𐏂 𐎡𐎤, 𐎨 cand 𐎨𐏂 𐏂𐎮 𐎡𐎤 𐎽𐎮! ~
Raku's eyes rolled back into his head as the boy rose up, a zombie in the skin of a mortal while the space began to weaken. ~ The gods allow us to bind it, for a time I shall see to it being at my side. There will only be –
John felt a strange cord wrap around his arm. A golden band also materialized around Raku's exposed neck. The child brought its hands up to the band as it tugged the filthy reminder away. ~ What have you done?? Now, I cannot be free of you !!~ The child's voice was higher, more desperate. It had worked. The form that held Raku's body was whom he needed to locate the original and sever his hold later. This was no more than a collar for his use, a dirty deed but it would be enough to prevent Ageha from summoning back her control as John wiped his brow and dashed to tug the new Roko behind a bookcase in the school's library.
~ Don't talk yet. We're finding our exit. ~
The muffled thoughts of the new Raku were female because of the counterpart being chosen. The audacity and seismic it loathed rolled out as John tugged open a pocket in space time and ended up in the library of the house of mystery.
Others that the teen knew, sat there. Waiting by.
Haku had returned as he was made visible here and did not make a peek in his corner, while Lisa swallowed by as Zee had come to see if she could be of any assistance for the second half of John's plan. "Aiden went to Japan, already?" The magi asked as he dragged in his grumbling, flustered hostage.
"John! That's –
"What had to be done, the boy is bound to stay like this until we fish out the original sinner. Don't try to correct this process, lov." John explained to Lisa as she sat back down. "Zee? Have the scroll ready to speak."
"You're getting into character, I noticed." She raised a dark brow as he brought this Raku to remain bound in gold cords within a rug that held a pentagram at its center. The lines began to glow while by blessedly such, the boy collapsed.
"Good."
Raku stayed on the rug, chest rising and falling. ~ Sleep? Is this really the only way to kick my counterpart out of his thoughts. Magi? ~ Hakuro asked, a bit confused as to what was happening. ~ If we summon a new beast to open his subconscious and slip inside, it may backfire. ~
"We have held from a single part that was never corrupted. Two. If you couldn't tell by now." Smirked the occultism expert. "Lisa. I'll need that stone. The labradorite in this, good. And Zee? The fur of a tapir-
"You're going to summon a dream eater." Zee shook her head and handed John the item. "I can't believe this. You're going to create a portal into his head. Do you know how dangerous this is??"
~ I told him that. Raku is an eclipse with a waxing crescent in view. He might swallow you up. Should you require us, I won't hesitate to eliminate-
"Lay one hand on my charge, "The Magi grumbled at the ethereal teen, "Then, consider yourself banished."
/
Ami didn't have the same classes as Iyori. For some reason, only Kaede, Saturday and Aya were allowed near her. Aya and Kaede had a mutual trust going while Ami was forced to be a stand by exorcist. The privileged student was on her way with bow, arrows and her traditional attire on to the practice area for archers of their school. Ami was not in the same grade, but she swore she had to get through. Somehow. She went to her library on the grounds and found a face borrowing…though a weird title, spell. It involved having herself transferred to the other person's body astrally to change their responses. An espionage tactic similar to wearing a mask, she took a go ahead and mastered it in the third go. Ami flopped at the desk with her spell in hand and put her head down. Anyone walking by would think that the American was just dozing off, yet she had never really Astral traveled before at a rate this large.
~ OK, I'll go…ah! Wait! ~ Ami was used to this feeling at first, but she couldn't wave. Only the creepy girl a grade below her in the hall she bumped on occasion gave her a thumbs up Ami groaned and face planted as an intangible self. As she wandered after Iyori and Kaede, the fox might have paused. Ami crossed her fingers and didn't bother to see if that interaction had been negative or not. She felt the wind, no. She felt the sun.
Directly through her, but she saw her first target. Brunette, sixteen. Short pony tail, the secondary captain to Iyori who was the captain's stand in. They changed their positions, Iyori and the target, Hina – chan going first. Hina was from a family with a little less than Iyori, yet they were classmates. If Ami could get Iyori to listen for two seconds…
She swept over as the wind. The gulp that Hina had given was proof as Ami opened her intangible eyes to the focus if that face. Iyori was readying to let the arrow fly. Wa icing, as Ami whispered, her stance mimicking the first co - captain's.
"I… iyori – chan? Hey, Iyori –
"Not the time."
"Wait, I need you to look –
The arrow lost as Iyori jutted from the other girl. She had lost it as the arrow went only a few low meters and hit the grass.
"What was that? Go pick it up!"
Two of the group members scratched their heads. "It's fine. Try again. The captain is out today. Iyori? You, ok?"
"Sorry, I think my stance was a bit off." The girl straightened herself with the air of a diplomat and went to gather the arrow with a pluck from soft earth. "Then again, Hina – chan was out last week with a fever. Would she be best to engage, while I give myself a refresher course?" Iyori…everyone knew that Hina was a few hits higher. That her aim was damn better if not willing to fly high. Iyori knew, and so, Ami let the guessing games commence.
/
One shot, she let the Hina she was controlling bring herself back to shoot every arrow through the target. The group clapped and then Iyori was ready. Her hands bound; her eyes sharp. She got up to the stance as Hina backed up. Ami took over again as Hina's brown eyes watched the prefect let her arrow fly into the mid-morning sunlight. It hit. Right into Hina's. "I needed that. Take five, everyone." She brushed back her hair, then coaxed Hina to follow as no one questioned the reason.
By the side of the room away from listening ears, Iyori scolded the faker. "I KNEW it was you." She sniffed, her bow crossed over in her hand. "You shouldn't be near me. There is no telling what will happen. Aya –
"Was not your only guard. I am!"
" YOU." Snorted the princess as she retired her long hair to a tail as the other members. Sweat layered her brow; she swiped it and bit her lip. "If you don't leave, I will cast you out myself. They are enough. You…are too much."
"But…we have a demon on the loose! I can help –
"You've done enough. On the next mission they send us, we are acceptable partners, but in this school? On these grounds? You are just as before. A nobody." She showed the other girl as Ami let Hina's eyes shut. "No. You…you don't mean any of that. I know, my brothers were the same. You're not a threat –
The school announcement that came wasn't the worst as Ami was shot back into her body, Hina hearing the warning as the speakers went cold. "Auditorium. Now." Iyori directed the group. Now!"
/
The girls had little time to dress as the acting director known as Kazuya, had on a grim faced expression beside the other teachers of the school for blossoming miko. "This assembly is yo let you all know, that a threat has been detected within these grounds as of noon today. The ones reported missing are not public until we can be sure that there are more wards and guards out to see to the intrusion. This is serious, but not to fret."
"Where is director Tomori?" Kaede was a rebel as Ami didn't want to tell her off.
"Director Tomori, will not be available until we have neutralized the threat in question. You are to return to your school year activities. If there is anything spotted or one of your feels unsafe, come see me or one of the teachers for any options regarding the precautions in place. That is all."
/
Ami didn't like their odds. The demon must have always been at a spider thread's length. Iyori and Aya didn't fret. And oddest of all?? Iyori acted, happier maybe because the threat of her life only getting somehow worse made her deny the inevitable?
"It might be her way to protect herself. Ava and your brother do that sometimes. Not really Anna." Haru hummed and played with her Clau ( Clow) cards in their room that night. "The cards say…you are a expecting a visitor." The kit's ears sagged. "Iyori never came back…"
"She's with Hina. Her roommate this afternoon too…" Ami bit her lip this time. "She disappeared, just like Miss Kotori."
/
Iyori walked in her dreams. They were in a green, lush field outside of the country. Her mother called to her as the burning sun grew hotter and hotter. Branding her back until she woke to bandage the rest. Sweat dripped as the prefect got up to shower and change. School started in the next hour. She saw how Hina was…. sleeping on her side back to her roommate's side. Iyori frowned and saw that Hina was quiet. She tiptoes over and tapped the covers. Nothing. Her breath grew rapidly quicker as she tugged away the blanket and lout a shriek.
/
Iyori was the first to report it. The body was sucked bone dry, which explained the burning brand getting worse along her back. Iyori didn't speak, she just stayed with the victim's friends. The soul and blood and fluids of the victim, left Hina now a husk. Something was aware as the next worry was that Haru's predicted events were spot on.
"I'M NOT –
"Iyori. It's for your safety. Someone will not stop –
"You know who, dog." Aya spat. "My Iyori Sama has done her very best. Why must she be carted off to be made an even greater target."
"Aya could be right." Kaede sighed. "That thing is trying to scare us. I think it's the butterfly witch."
"She…you don't have proof of this." Saturday gulped. "That could be any form of demon. Why –
"THE BRAND." Kaede shut him up. "If the brand burns, their Newark. Right? Has to be. Do we have enough night watchers? I will sub my time if it saves more students." Kaede raised her hand.
"As might I!" Aya did the same, but stood while raising hers. "Iyori chan is my charge –
"And you didn't stop the threat."
"I was facing the demons even as she woke –
"YOU'RE not a cricket." Snorted the fox.
"How dare –
" Please , we don't have the luxury to fight one another." Kazuya stood up as his eyes shimmered behind the false face of a man with silver locks. "I want all of you on duty, day and night. Power naps are required but we eventually will be picked away one by one until the creature comes out of hiding."
"Ageha will have eyes. She's a spy for that spider whore." Kaede's words were heard, but by a spy much smaller as a moth fluttered away to tell the new teacher what it had not wished to know. As the thing landed daintily into Ziyi's hand, she CRUSHED it. Her word was law, Jorogumo would not be insulted. She knew who her next target would be. One as a hostage. One as a midnight snack.
/
Aiden took the bus out to the country side as soon as his flight had gotten him safely out of London. He'd even grabbed a few scenes and tea for the trip since that was an option. Later, he was about to find Shaved ice before his trek to Ami's school in the mountainous region where Osaka still had any hidden schools at all. Just as he got looks from those seeing a blonde haired hazel green eyed American on board, he saw a sleek black vehicle driving in the same direction as it took another side road up the mountain and was lost behind some tree cover.
The bus was for those looking to go hiking. Though, it didn't go as far as where Aiden had to walk the test of the way. He took out his ito - en tea that Ami had turned him onto and made his way up the slope. (Used to love that brand before I lost my gallbladder. )
The car was parked a few feet up as he kept walking, hearing a teen on a cell phone as he went and berated someone while on the call.
"NO, father will be present. I assure he has and I'm headed to her academy building right now. Of course, hai. Hai. Sumimasen, but…. oh…yes. I won't be long… domo."
Informal, but quick. Aiden watched from a few yards off as he followed the teen. Black clothing, practically a suit for summer wear. His hair was a dark blue, eyes a striking green as his features were very strong while still delicate for his age. He had the ability to go up on his own… All ….
Aiden saw the steps in sight and gawked. His sister Ami had said they were up pretty high, but not this high!
"YOU." The boy turned his head to Aiden as Aiden pointed to himself, nervously. Guiltily enough.
"Who are you. You followed me? Do you have permission to be here? These are sacred grounds –
"I do. My sister is inside. I'm here to see her."
The other boy's eyes softened a bit, still stern as he kept walking. "We'll see if the gods allow foreigners up or not."
"I'M serious! She's about as energetic as a dumb puppy. Her hair is black, she has blue eyes and she's trying to be a miko–
The black suited boy stopped. "Then, who are you again…. never mind. We'll talk. I might be able to assist only then."
"Ah, thank you. Name is Aiden. Aiden Grayson, by the way."
The other man nodded and did not bow to his enemies.
"Likewise, and I am called. Reizo. Dairenji, Reizo." Reizo – sama smiled back.
/
IF ANYONE NOTICED MY SLIP UP, TOMORI WAS ACCIDENTALLY CHANGED TO KOTORI BUT IT IS STILL MISS DIRECTOR TOMORI TO CLEAR THAT UP. VERY SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION. ALSO, RAKU HAS TWO SELVES THAT HE CREATED TI CONTROL HIS SON CALLED ROKO AND ROKOU IN OLDER ARCS, ROKURO WAS CONDITIONED BY THE SELVES TO KEEP HIM FROM STOPPING HIS FATHER, ROKU. NOW, RAKU KEEPS THE SELVES BECAUSE IN TRUTH, ROKO WAS ACTUALLY BORN AS THEBFEMALE HE CROSSFRESSED IN IN THE DESERT IN THE MYTH OF HIS STORY TO KILL HIS CARETAKER WHO ABUSED HIM IN THE ANCIENT PAST BEFORE AZAG TOOK THE BOY UNDER HIS WING. ROKOU IS MORE THE DANGER IN HIS ABILITY TO HARM AND IS THE MALE SIDE OF THAT SAME PERSONALITY. IT WENT AFTER RICHARD TO CONTROL HIM AND ALLOWED ROKURO TO TAKE CONTROL. OLDER ARCS MAY TELL YOU.
So…. confused as this may be to me, I will say that one more will show up. It will be for laughs. Partly. The story of the two cells is symbolic to the two selves. Find out! Who is devouring the school's inhabitants? Why is Iyori acting the way she is really? Will Ami ever regret not reaching out in time? More to come!