Teen Titans New Gen Presents; Tokyo Knights
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Chapter 40: Time Stomp
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This, is gonna be epic!!
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~ She's been located, my lady.~
Jorogumo had fed and fed up to a point. She now knew where to strike back. However, even if Iyori was in the open at a planetarium up on a large cliff side museum, she wasn't about to ruin the outing until nightfall.
The event stated in that pamphlet as Ageha had made her larvae blend in, "nighttime star shooting event."
In other words, meteors. A blessing to her new rise back into office.
Raku scrambled to find John's hand as they climbed out of the sewers, the very portal to the whore queen spider's domain outside of this realm.
"We're nearly to safety, and Roko?" John turned back around as the youth seemed to fester with sweat at her brow. "Think, I'm a bit weak.."
"Roko!" John cane to her as she was caught, fainting while Raku sensed something above them. " John, I'm lifting the cover, hanging onto her. Please."
"Right ,hold on. We aren't far from reality, lov." He tugged her up to carry her on his back as she snatched round his neck like I little kid. "Don't let go, ever…" She whimpered.
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Raku had John throwing back the cover as he'd lost Roku's strength long ago. He panted as his eyes caught Tokyo amid a bed of fierce fog and mist.
"Can't see…is this –
John used his voice to make recreating masks against the clear miasma. ~ This is Kokkuri's work. Her scent is written all over it.~ Roko grunted while John continued to keep the twin souls safe.
" There is a presence of evil that even I can tell…"
People were bumping into each other, unhappy but staring at their phones. Raku carelessly went up to one man and asked what was the fuss, the man barely giving him a glimpse of a pre order addiction of the new and improved design by Kohaku's head if developers.
"No…" Raku paled as John could tell it wasn't a limited-edition model in there. "Kokkuri has control of Tokyo, and she's stolen their minds, kindness…and hearts!"
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Outside in the countryside, Ami and the others were protected, save for Iyrori who kept scratching the back if her neck.
"Ichi – kun?" Ami went over as she handed them a ticket. "Are you alright? Is it a mosquito, already? Let me –
"No. I'm fine " Iyori walked to the rest room as Jackie shook her head. "He went through a lot back in the city. The fact he even got to be like, normal is why I don't know how the law in Japan even works. Are you sure you're OK with walking away from the others this soon? Your dad just texted me."
"We came HIS say so, Jackie. Why are you all ok with dad but not me? Huh?" Ami's puppy dog eyes earned her a mild bop on the head. "Cool it, fox lady. I mean, he will need us cause you are like a super hero now. It's how it goes with my daddy, too."
"Uncle Vic really let's you see me, cause he cares so…why cantaloupe care a little more about Ichi – kun?"
"Cause." Jackie was straight with her. "Thry don't act like a friend I'd have. They're just passing the time…speaking, are they still in there –
~ Attention patrons; the star show will begin in fifteen minutes prior to seating please have your ticket ready and any I.D or an adult present with you at all times. Thank you and enjoy the show!~
That voice….
Gasping, both ran to find the intercom. It was Ageha, this was a setup!
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Anna was hoisted into a similar tube as any lab rat might be. Her body pulled through her firey chains while Shun only added to her resistance training. "You'll make a fine battery for my devices. Soon, they'll be shipped out to stores nationwide! Japan will have enough negative energy to give Kokkuri and I our paradise back- thanks to our humble supporters of project Blood Moon."
" Blood….what are you talking about?? Let me out!! Gaah!!"
Damn it! Her inhibition collar was still working! Her cuffs to as she couldn't even kick the tube to break it with her boots.
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"Damn it, Shoji! You were using my kids to…-
" I never did, but caught up in having to was that stupid fox's idea. I'm beneath him now …" Shoji grunted. "Ever since the last war, Japan's council of the Immortals and Universal had to debate on whether I was fit as a direct link to those worlds and yours anymore they flipping put Inari in, took me down so I just watched om while he's been here and working the law as he sees fit. He's good at it, I give him credit there, but Kohaku taking over scared us both. So, I was able to keep him abreast of all of this."
"How long was that, dog." Slade snorted angrily. "Rose is on her way to your building to be sure they didn't return there. What the hell could a damn moth demon want with the spirit of the fire bird anyway?"
"Energy " Shoji sighed. "Pure energy, for a project I never advocated for to reach the people."
"Then, how did it, Shoji?" Dick asked as he began to get his Nightwing gear on. Slade checked his ammo one by one, while Shoji rolled his eyes. "Shun was a good guy before his project was torn apart, and I had told him why Project Daylight needed a failsafe against those that could abuse its potential. A.I in man's world is an anomaly. A message we send that id supposed to support a common good, bit his mind was infected by the idea if changing everything about the Robo – mini assistant we came up with to help others cope with serious health and mental issues. It was supposed to be like a Jimminy Cricket that said, "there is hope, so go ahead and don't shut yourself away. We are here for you." Seniors would have someone to console them, hospitals and even those who needed to learn coping skills as long as they were a lesson bot adaptive. It was replacing everything and making itself….well, a real controversial thing. A I can be good, but not in excess. That's the trick…" Shoji told the team.
"You would never have made them human sized though."
"Never. They were mascots always, and Shun made them customizable. It was genius, like a Line character or Gacha avatar."
"But hologram projected, as a real moving toy." Slade frowned. "They are making them with dogs, even drones at this point. It's no surprise that mental health was your goal. You may be worse than the yokai who have taken over, mutt."
"Slade." Dick snipped. "I agree that, this got out of hand, but did he know that hos head of staff was possessed by a demon?"
"No. He masked it all too well through his late nights at the office. I feel I've lost my touch, Richard." Chuckled the company outcast. "But I do want my company back so we can set things right."
"You will, you have the PR to see to after this is over." Slade huffed and went to the door. "Coming, Grayson?"
"I have no choice, either. "Shrugged the vigilante with a grumble. "After all. You fucked up my kid's head with the worst do or die logic of this known century. You can pay for that, while I get back to her to apologize. Like a real patent."
"Ah, so did you think I really wanted to marry the brat?"
They both looked at Slade as Shoji growled out. " I'm involved now! Damn it! Where is the first vortex to where I can talk to Autur, you idiots!!?"
"How about I ask Hades or Ares instead?" Dick nervous ly rubbed his neck. "I…still know they kind of care about our "Chosen" situation…"
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Kaede was contacted with Aya and Eiji all divisively set around the museum halls. ~ We need you to be here, one of you. Ageha is the announcer, so I'm going to beat her to the next call. Someone's gotta stay with Ichi – kun.~
" Ami, you should know –
~ No time!~ Ami yelled through her cell. ~ The youkai are in the building. I repeat-
~ Stop that, and yeah. I've got techno magic and Erebus helping to unmask the moth lady. You threw have gotta watch over the one who can't fight back. Kay?~
"Jacklyn, you –
The three were cut off as a flush from the toilet where Ichi was coming back, showed that they had readjusted their beanie hat. "We ready?"
"We'll go on ahead." Aya smiled to her mistress, having been sure that everyone else had figured it out. " Ichiro – kun and I will meet you on the inside."
"I'll go too!" Kaede gave a signal as Eiji took off to find if Ami needed them. "Haru is not here and she can't lose her life again. Be careful." Kaede told the older dog.
"You gave me a second chance. And for the record, Grayson was never the tempted type. He was already taken anyway."
Kaede saw Aya catching up to Ichiro as she turned back to her old friend since childhood. "He is? By whom?"
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The dark room of the broadcasting area had Ami worried as Jackie used a Bobby pin to unlock it from the side they were sneaking into. "Of course. If we just asked to go inside, they'd never bat an eye if you used magic." Ami puffed up her cheeks and grumbled.
"I'm not a thief in the night. We have a big bad bug to squash before one of us regrets that… don't be such a baby."
"I abide by the law….of Tokyo?"
"You sure ain't." Jackie chuckled. "You tell me all the crazy sgit you and the fix twins do. It was like that time on Halloween-
"Klarion and his cat? Oh my gosh…turning us all into ghouls! ( snippets one shots stories. Three parter.) You were an amazing astronaut!" Ami giggled.
"And you were an old hag." Jackie joked back. "Just like –
The door popped open as both celebrated their softest victory.
"H- hello-
"Hey, we don't wanna alert her, dummy." Jackie put a finger to Ami's lips as she tried to bite it off like a cat. Was…
"Ami…you've got ears….and a tail?"
"I do….ah! Illusion magic! Gotta get –
~ You're going to ruin the big event, little miko.~
Ageha sat in the control seat as the gruesome legs cane after them both. The cackled and spit slimy matter all over as Ami let her sun flare. Even with fur on her body, she managed to drag Jackie from their clutches.
The door was shut as Ami opened it, only to see the feast of a million wings and moths flew out. Dust coated them both as Ami coughed, shaking it….where was her orange fur??
"JAX!" She ran over to her sister for life as a flurry of flakes in all white had her fall back.
"Remove your hands from that sorceress, Moth creature."
That regal attitude made Ami jump fir joy as she let her fans of power come alive. Talismans in hand. "Yeah, good to see you too. Ava!"
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"Ehh?? That much fir the prototype! I want it. Register me, now!"
"That is a wonderful investment. I wonder if the mental health in this country is so bad as they say."
"It's a hoax, fake. See? Ut looks like they used an A.I program."
Raku saw how the people were as they made their way to the station. It was a few blocks to the police station at best, yet Ralu needed to get Roko someplace safer. "Yumi has to be home. We could-
"They know, Raku. How to get to everyone. Those spiders are spies and every insect in the ground is right now watching our every bleeding move."
"You fucked up right, Johnny." Roko snickered as she winced at her aching side.
Raku spied a train that was pulling up as he dragged the others along, yet a police officer cane sooner than this to tail them for a question. "Excuse me, is your group going to board? You'll need you I.D."
"Here." Raku looked in his pockets yet found a hole….
"Um…"
Roko twitched her nose as it appeared out of nowhere in the sane hand. Raku swallowed and pulled out his I.D with money enough and the ticket. "Student? Kyouya Center of Academics?" The man tipped his hat as Raku smiled. "Yes, history and mythology major." Raku grinned and boldly told the man. "If you will excuse my family. They are from England."
" Evening ' mate."
The man blocked and nodded, seeing the girl as she through up a piece sign. "I sprained my ankle so we need to go to the clinic by home. I'm sorry about any trouble."
" O…of course….be safe, you are welcome here wkth your I.Ds."
John walked by and did his usual nod as they hit it fir the tracks. "Will I get groped on this thing?" Whispered Roko."
"What? No!" Raku shook his head anxiously back at his "kid" sibling. "Just stay alert."
The three got on, only to feel the presence growing.
The announcement was over as John sat down, Raku holding onto one of the poles.
He didn't see as the person behind at the door bumped him in the back.
He turned to look, yet they apologized and moved with a bow of their face.
" Very sorry about that."
"It is alright, do sit?"
"Ah, thanks."
They were quiet for most of the ride as the nervous man took out his phone to scroll to find the "doll" that everyone else…
All had on their screens.
Glasses saw screens on screens as Roko bunched into John's arm for protection. "Are we unsafe here?" She tugged at his sleeve. "Not a peep out of you, lass." He hushed her, knowing her cat like ability to tell demons were onto them, wasn't easy to forget. Raku had his head down, the tendrils of an invisible almost black were finding him in the dimness of day.
John watched as Raku's ability should not have gone to activate. It should have been because of Ageha's stupid venom. Yet he huffed what looked to be smoke from his nostrils.
"Not here." Raku was
…
The demon's tendrils recoiled as if scorched.
John lunched to get up, though Raku was guarding himself. Lili had done something like that. So of course trauma of his rape by her would swap his personality to someone like Hakuro's coldest stare.
He was keeping a brave face. His power made Roko's brows furrow. "She'll come closer if you try that, my lord."
Raku blinked, looking back at Roko as she broke his trance. The demon's tendrils were also gone. His eyes were amber, though only those willing could see his true face.
"Why are…you calling me that?..."
Roko scrunched her shoulders in a shrug. "You just acted like him just now. What else could it be?" Her laugh was a bit strained yet Raku's face fell as he tried to breathe.
In and out, John bit his lip and watched the time. They were safe, for a little while.
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Raku's power works past Ageha's venom…so, he's like Slade now. Somehow. And that isn't a good thing.
Recall.
Lord Roku bled venom in his old to his victims like a snake, while Raku purges that from himself and others. As a natural healer, he has to use caution now that this power is growing. He can also expose demon's and repel them outside of the astral divide from their plane.
What Roko does get is that he's done something without understanding why, and it could be connected to what the next chapter might tell us. Or…is the venom not an induced if something more?? Find out!
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