Saga: The Betrayed Ninja

## Infiltration

Kado silently walks through the shadows, his white cloak fluttering silently in the dull wind as he approaches the building, calculating. He then climbs into a tree, silently and effortlessly, until he reaches the very top. His white pupils gleam with light, not day vision, certainly not, but definitely better than these fools patroling the base. He has to give them credit, considering this is the first organization to ever have the guts to attack Azure... not that it was a wise move of course...

"Azure agents, are you in position?"

"Yes sir. We'll be ready to give them their present on cue."

*"Good work." Kado smirks behind his mask. "'**Time to see if we can make some noise."***

*He pulls a round object out of his sleeve, and notes a gas tank near the guards.*

"Oh trust me, you're going to have a really bad day..."

He throws the fire bomb, and watches as it land inside an open valve.

"Now if you don't mind, panic and assume it's a gas explosion..."

*Inside the facility*

Agent: We have collected some awkward information about an unknown group of vigilantes in Western and Eastern part of Pangea.

The Administrator: Do they have an explit goal

Agent: Apparently, the have decreased crime rates down to about 59.9%. but where they came from is unknown. Gen. Messiah couldn't tell us anymore.

The Administrator: I see. They're doing pretty good for a newly developed group of unauthorized vigilantes.

Agent: They do not appear Mytho neither. Atleast we dont think they are.We have come to the speculation that they may have come from another realm.

The Administrator: Mytho or not, their presence is unwelcome here. We take care of our realm, not a ban of misfit civilians who wish to hide behind cameras and radars to strike evil down. Thy can do that elsewhere. Here is our responsponsibility. What happens once the world look up to a ban of misfits, instead of trained soldiers who value their kind?

Agent: What action do you prefer we take, Admin?

The Administrator: Capture them and bring them here. If they retaliate...kill them

Agent: Yes, sir. \*speaks through the intercom\* Attention all personel. We have recieved information from Gen. Messiah that there are unauthorized vigilantes from another realm loose amongst New Pangea. We were shown a small ripple from where they came from by Gen. Messiah. Release Domino Squad and Harlem Squad. There is also a small base of operations here on Earth set up by these vigilantes. Release God Squad. Those are your orders.

*Everyone is making haste with their orders*

After putting away the unconcious or dead guards,

Kado looks at his men.

*"Where is the nearest electric power source?"*

*"Hold on a moment...* got it. Place it here, boss."

Kado walks up to the area they point out, and pulls out a long metallic rod, and thrusts it into the ground.

*"As fun as these are to set off, I suggest we get back before we deliver the present."*

Kado and his men retreat to a place they won't be seen in, and he silently nods to the man on his left.

*"Electro-Magnetic Pulse detonation in three... two... one..."*

A massive burst of pure electromagnetic races underground, taking down electric devices as it goes, and toggles the gates open.

*"Your bad day starts now."*

*The facility is shaking and and the lights go out*

Agent: The Myth Cells hypersleep are out. Personel reach the Myth Cells and but them all on life-support until life-support is back on. Our communications are jammed. Switching to emergency power. Cannot power the lights. CRAzys are offline. Putting them on charge.

The Administrator: No doubt this is the work of those vigilantes.

Kado listens as many men run through the halls, waiting. A man rushes down the corridor, unable to see him in the shadows. As soon as he is within range, he grabs and silences the man with his hand.

"I won't kill you. That's a promise I will only vaguely keep. The fewer that has to die, the better." He drags the guard into a isolated part of the area, where no guards are roaming, and gives the man a stern warning with his white pupils, daring him to try anything. He strips the man of his weapons, checking hiding places. Once satisfied, he closes the sound-proof door behind him, and straps the legs and arms of the man down.

"For precautionary purposes. Now, let's talk, human. A week ago, my world came under attack by this very agency. The few agents we have had here were merely here to confirm or deny the presence of a dangerous man, presumed to be living in this world. Now then... explain to me what M.C.C.P. is... and what purpose you have for antagonizing a world who had never even looked your way before... either that or we can take you prisoner, kill you... or drug you and leave you locked in here, to be found."

"We contain mythical monsters man has created with their own imaginations. We've had intercourse with them and the hybrids spread like fire. We've had problems with them before and now that they have been escalating, we've been taking more drastic measures. The Act will be issued soon, and hopefully that will put a strain on the Mytho problem. As for you, you stepped into our world and you think you can change things? This isn't home, freak! This is Reality and Reality is pain. Do what you want with me, i'm staying true to this cause."

"Reality huh? Well... unlike some of these other beings here... ...or perhaps like them... I've only heard of such a thing called Fantasy. Children often grow up, wishing to live in a fantasy world... some of us have had to live like you. In my world, peace, happiness... those things many people had to earn... I still haven't found mine... I'm stuck with the nightmares that the ones who called me family gave me... as they tried to murder me.

You call yourself human? Even though you may have had suffering in the past by the hands of those different from you... look where your violence has lead you. Your life hangs in my hands."

He leans into the man's ear. "I've met, lived with, and even worked with humans. Some are even behind the very attack going on now. In my world, we have long learned to live together, humans, elementals, and shapeshiters alike. That is something you will never have, thanks to your hatred. I'm sorry. If you believe your path is just, then our paths will collide again. I'm sorry, but I will relieve your of your tools of fate."

He pulls a katana from his sleeve, and coldly cuts off the man's hands, and then sticks a needle into his arm.

"It's a drug that will ease your pain and will make you sleep for the next forty two hours. It will also stop the bleeding and prevent infection. You are the only person I will have the time to be as merciful to."

He then wipes the blood off his katana with a cloth, and proceeds to leave. As he closes the door, he mutters just loudly enough to hear, "Farewell, misguided man. I hope you see the path that my friends learned to follow long ago."

The man slowly falls asleep."Man is damned for we have sinned and this war, is our punishment. In our world...life...death...Hell...pain...and responsibility control our world. No one...can make that change."Falls unconscious.

Kado walks down another hall, studying a mental map of the complex. Sighting the location of the cells, he walks into a room, and immediately backtracks into the shadows, crouching as he sights more than five guards.

*Damn... did they see me?*

One of the guards turn in Kado's direction, shouting, "Who's there?"

Rather than risk a fight with so many, Kado stood with his hands raised and stepped forward, grabbing the other guards' attention, as they all aimed their firearms in his direction.

"What the hell are yo-" the guard was suddenly cut off as one of the others fired a slug from their shotgun into his skull. Before the body hit the floor, the rebelling guard fired shots into another two of his allies, filling the air with red mist, before taking a bullet himself from one of the three remaining guards. As the trio began to argue about what had just occurred, Kalin stepped out of the shadows, and before anyone could react, skewered one guard with a white katana, followed by slashing the other two in half with a single slash from a black katana. Pulling his blade out of the dead guard, allowing the body to fall with a \*thud\*, Kalin turned to Kado, asking "You alright?"

Kado blinks in surprise, his arms raised. "I'm... ok? Who are you?" He pauses for a moment, then chuckles. "I'm not going to ask how you did that, but you're quite impressive."

"I'm Kalin, nice to meet you. "We should probably get moving" he said, making his way towards the door, but turning back for a moment to say,"My apologies. What's your name?"

Kado relaxes a bit. "I am usually called 'Wildcard' as my street name, but you may call me Kado. May I ask why you are here though? It seems that you're not here on accident." He starts looking the room over, as if searching for something, eventually laying eyes on a computer.

"Bingo..."

"Well," Kalin said, swiping his blades to clean them of blood before sheathing them. "I came here to get some answers. when I arrived in the area, these men," gesturing at the corpses lying on the ground, "were restraining creatures and forcing them into vehicles."

Closing the door and leaning against the wall, he continued.

"At the time I could not interfere, so I decided to merely observe. I possessed one of the guards and returned here. Not long after, I realized that although these people spoke of protection, their intentions were far from noble. I wanted to save these...mythos, I believe they're called... but until you arrived I had no idea how I was going to do it..."

Kado nods. "I came to a similar conclusion regarding these people after interrogating them. Right now though I need to narrow down an exact path regarding entering and exiting the cells to form a effective escape strategy. However there is a lot of security in this system. Might need a minute. If we're going to work together on this though, I'd like you to do something for me, but you'll have to be in physical contact with me, as there are no other members of my organization present for you to link with."

Standing up straight from the wall, Kalin says "If it will help those poor souls, I will do everything that is within my power to do."

"Hold out your hand." When Kalin gives him a questioning look, he snaps, "Just do it already and make things easier for the two of us." Kalin grips Kado's hand, and feels a strange presence crawl into his mind from Kado, but definitely not him. He can't figure out what it is, but it seems intelligent.

*"Personal Kalin reconized. I will now relay all relevant information regarding your operation to any nearby members. Please use this link as much as possible to negate any unnecessary audible conversation.* "

*"Good. Now, Kalin. Please keep an eye out while I hack into their systems, and determine our next course of action based on the information I gather."*Kalin wonders at the origin of this strange mental link, and who is operating it.

"Interesting. you'll have to tell me how you did that later. I haven't experienced something like this since..." Stopping himself mid sentence, he coughs before saying, "Umm, I'll keep watch. Just find what you need quickly."

Kado suddenly swears violently. "Bastards... they're capable of even this...? And they talk about their sins...? Get this... apparently they took and used their Messiah to create... something. It looks like it's heavily guarded... and so is the prison block. ...What should we do?"

His fists clench violently, and he shakes with anger. "I cannot accept these actions... it is one thing to speak of protection, another to attack my homeland... and another as to commit such heinous crimes not only against innocents... but the divine themselves!"

He looks over at Kalin coldly. "I cannot allow this. But we need to choose a target... either the Messiah must be spared from their hideous hypocrisy, or we save the innocents. I fear we will not have time or strength to destroy both targets on our own or even together. ...I'm afraid we may have to commit a unavoidable sin in order to commit even a basic kindness, either way. What do you suggest we do, Kalin?"

*"The situation does seem poor, Kado. I have highlighted both routes, and have made calculations for each possible escape route. The choice lies on you both."*

"I already made my choice. I came here to save those that have been captured, and save them, I shall." Preparing to leave, Kalin turned to look at Kado. Seeing the anger in his eyes, he simply said, "I may not be able to do it alone, but if I have to go on without your help, I'm still going to try. The rest is up to you." Without another word, Kalin left the room, making his way to the containment area.

A burst of shadow erupts near him, and Kado springs out, already running. "Leave some for me why don't cha? Guilt tripping me like that... makes me feel manipulated..."

He looks ahead. "The containment chamber is straight ahead... don't go in right away, I'll need to make sure of something first." They proceed to the next level, and skid to a stop by the closed sector door.

Kado looks at Kalin. *"I have a plan... you might hate me for it though."*As Kalin looks on, he sees that Kado is changing form into a guard, complete with full gear and an I.D.

"Now then, prisoner... let's get started. We don't want to keep your cell waiting."

As Kado moved to restrain him, Kalin made his combat attire morph into civilian clothing, his weapons disappearing. "If I am playing the captive, I may as well look the part." he said as he brushed a hand through his hair.

*"And don't worry, I won't let you get captured... this is just to make sure we don't get shot right away. Plus, this way ...SHE will be able to get close enough to.... ah... screw with their minds. You'll see what I mean though. When I look at an empty cell, that's your cue to start incapacitating people...Kill if it's necessary."*

*The Administrator is standing in his office until his phone rings*

The Administrator: \*picks up phone\* Hello?

Jonas: holy crap, Admin! I told ya' I shouldn't have gone on my Vay-Kay. I honestly didn't think that was that important. I felt the puls from here. When I meant her I meant 2 miles away from the facility. Want me to come'on back?

The Administrator: \*hangs up the phone\*

Kado slams open the door. "I caught this one trying to escape, the intruders must have found where we keep new arrivals!" He kicks Kalin onto the ground in front of him, hard. "I swear I should get a pay raise for all the times I have to deal with these trash!" He pants heavily. "And I think I need to lay off the carbs..." Kalin groans in very real pain. "Oh shut up!" Kado snaps.

*"Ouch...TOO CONVINCING!"*

*"Calm down, you'll blow it."*

He puts his boot on Kalin's back. "Where do you want him?"

The guards blink and take a moment to calm their nerves. "Uhhh... Right there..." They indicate a nearby empty cell.

*"Perfect... wait for my signal Kalin."*He walks Kalin over to the cell, not looking at it, until the last second.

Kalin rips out of Kado's grasp, and possesses the nearest guard, who begins shooting his comrades, and when the guards engage him, they can't help but notice the strange guard is missing. Just when they manage to get an upperhand on Kalin, Kado yells, "DUCK!" As a massive wave of fire rips towards the guards, and Kalin vanishes in not a moment too soon, as a scalding wave of fire burns them up, missing all but one of them. The last guard remaining listens in terror as the flames retract, and a screaming comes from Kado's red colored katana, as it absorbs the flames.

He approaches the guard, and gives him a deadly stare. "How do I unlock the cells?"

Guard: You guys don't know what you're doing! If you release these things it will be the end of humanity, but I guess I couldn't believe a Mytho would understand! \*spits in Kado's face\*

*An activation sound can be heard in the cells and a hybrid is seen slip out of a capsule-like gel container and through a gel tube and falls into a decontamination chamber and is decontaminated. The hybrid breathes heavily and raspy.*

*"*You'll regret coming here soon, freaks." reveals to have pressed an activation remote.

"Oh great." Kalin said as he appeared behind the guard, pulling him closer before throwing him into the empty cell.

"What did he just do?"

*The hybrid comes crashing from inside the cell and tackles Kado*

Guard: "You like it? I'm pretty sure it likes you!"

*The hybrid is choking Kado, when suddenly a strange burst of energy lifts the mythos, and then slams him into the wall.*

*"Thanks Azula."*

*"You're welcome."*

*"But really, I can hold my own." "So when he chokes you again, don't help?" "No I'm not saying that-"*

*"Focus please." "Right."*

Kado whips in a half circle, throwing a dozen knifes at the mythos. "Now, why the anger? You seem awfully anti social!" He yells.

Guard: That's a Defiled Beast. A Shape-shifter-Behemoth hybrid.

*The Defiled Beast shape-shifts into a messed up, but still bada\*\* -looking Kado and grabs his neck and proceeds to choke him, while forcing him on his knees.*"You don't learn your lesson's, do you? Never attack an enemy head on." He shadow melds, walks through the Defiled Beast, and proceeds to pierce his kneecap with Fire Slayer, igniting it to burn its flesh and melt the leg bones. He then jumps away, throwing a smoke bomb at its face.

*The Defiled Beast inhales the smoke and pulls Fire slayer out of his kneecap. It then charges at Kado with it.*

Kalin appears in the air, ahead of the beast with his left arm enveloped in darknees. He punches the behemoth in the face, knocking it back. As he lands on the ground, Kalins white katana appears in his hand, becoming black as his dark energy coated the blade. He then charges at the hybrid, slashing his injured leg before pressing his blade against the creatures back and thrusting it behind him.

Kado leaps forward, and yanks the Fire Slayer out of its grasp, then sears its throat open, and stabbing it in the stomach, and then retreating close by the guard, whom he gives a dark glare.

"I was planning on letting you live... but I'm afraid that will have to change very soon." He sleaths his Fire Slayer, and pulls out a black katana.

"Kalin, give me a moment to charge this, and keep out of the middle of the room. You don't want to get hit by it, you're a shadow user, correct?"

*The Defiled Beast grabs hold of Kado's hand and breaks his wrist upon squeezing it. The Defiled Beast swings Kado into Kalin, slaming them both into a wall.*

Another psychic burst blasts the Defiled Beast back, and Kado switches hands, and unsleathes Dark Slayer, which howls as all the darkness condenses into a violent burst, which blasts it towards Kalin, who looks at Kado in alarm.

*"Whoops. I assume you have a plan...?" "...Actually yes. Thanks for reminding me."*

Kalin opens a dark rift, which the Defiled Beast is propelled towards by the Dark Wave, straight into it. As soon as the energy propels it into the portal, Kado sheathes his sword, just as the darkness about strikes Kalin, disolving at the last second.

*The Defiled Beast is holding on the edges of the portal. Its collar comes off and is destroyed upon entering the portal. The portal closes and the Defiled Beast runs off.*

Guard: Aw dang.

Kado spies a trash chute and grabs the guard. "I know what I need to do with you." He throws the man down the chute, and watches him fall out of sight.

"That guy gave us more trouble than it was worth."

Kalin looks at him. "What?"

"Are you crazy or something?"

Kado shrugs. "Who knows." *"...I need a favor." "What?" "Azula, check for any mind link signals that might be controlling the Mythos, get as many as you can."*

*"I understand." She concentrates on each individual mythos, and slowly feels for the mental chains imprisoning them. After a moment, she figures out where the signal is coming from, and sends a larger, stronger pulse of mental power straight at the source, shutting it down completely.*

*"Kado, I estimate you have about seven minutes to free as many as you can." "That's ok, I have an idea to make sure they get out."*

Kado accesses the control panel, and starts pressing buttons, until the cells begin to release prisoners. At the same time, several armored men, wearing a blue circle with a thin line cutting it down the middle appear.

"You're just in time. Help us take the collars off as soon as they come out."

Kalin turns towards Kado, his attention occasionally being grabbed by the amount of activity going on around them.

"Friends of yours?" he said, hopping back as a large beast charged past him as several of the new guests struggled to hold onto it's back.

Noticing the area was quickly filling to capacity, Kalin approached a nearby wall and, coating his hand in darkness, punched it, causing a large portion of it to collapse. Kalin then began to focus, blocking out as much noise as possible.

*Ummm, hello? Lady in my head? I mean, other... Azula, right? Can you tell everyone to come through this take this party outside? Things are getting a little cramped in here...*

*"Very well, all of you, FREEZE."*The force of the mental command is so strong, not only do they all stop, Kalin's breath is caught in mid breath.

*"Please escape outside of the facility, and wait for our men to escort you safely. We will be taking you to a safe location via dimensional rifts. Please do not trample over one another in the way out. Thank you."*Azula says calmly but firmly. *If any of you would like to try any funny business, rest assured I can and will knock you unconcious, and we can carry you out the hard way."*

Kalin marvels at how effective and powerful Azula's power seems to be, and wonders how she can be in contact with so many people at once.

*"Wow. Remind me to buy you a drink. And to never get on your  bad side..."*

The Administrator: \*speaks through the intercom\* Initiate Safety 01. Precaution and priority is advised. Release The Bureaucrats \* The Admin exits his office and heads toward the cells\*

*The personnel head toward the cells. On sub-level, 4 chambers open and 4 men wearing black suits and wielding literal switchblades. The y walk out and head toward the cells.*

Running back to Kado, Kalin said, "We're bound to have company soon. Get everyone out of here safely. I'll watch your backs and hold them off until you get clear."

Kado thinks for a moment, and watches as the last few hundred or so escape their cells, and begin to approach the improvised doorway.

"Better to let fate's gambling hand take it from here. As much cowardice it may seem, I have no intention of being caught, and if these poor souls desire to be free, they need to step it up a notch." He notes that one of them, a child, is having difficulty walking. He sighs, and picks up the child and her brother.

"However I will not allow those who have not yet fully grown to walk be allowed to suffer. The adults should be fine on their own. But I'm leaving, we need to make sure we got out quickly."

*"Azula, tell the men waiting to activate the portals, we're going to rush as many people inside as possible before we get in over our heads. Get them ready." "What if trouble comes and we're not done extracting?" "We'll order them to hold the line as long as possible to ensure others can live. We must make sure as many innocents are spared. And if they try to enter, we'll close the portal and trap them in space, where they'll die a brutal death." "...Understood."*

"Alright people, move it, we don't have time to be sitting around admiring the stainless steel walls, let's go!" He yells, and then procceded to walk/run along the others exiting the building. "Kalin, I don't mind you going to stall for time, but don't stick around too long, I don't need anyone's death on my hands because someone wanted to be brave!"

Smiling, He gave Kado an insincere curtsey before turning towards the cell block entrance, drawing Weiss and Schwarz as he moved.

"*Dying isn't an option..."*

*The Admin continues to walk to the cells, while listening to the sound of sirens and current complications over the intercom. The personel rig the doors to the cells with explosives ready to detonate in a minute. The Bureaucrats continue make their way to the cells.In another chamber the drones are activated and start running past The Admin towards the cells.*

As Kalin got closer to the door, he began to hear the sound of guns being cocked, no doubt the reinforcements he had predicted.

*"Are you sure this is what you want to do "said a voice in his head, one that he recognized immediately.*

*"Yes I'm sure." He responded, with a lack of kindness in his voice*

*...Would you like me to apologize? It wouldn't be genuine, you know but I could spit one out for your sake.*

*No thanks,*said Kalin as he began to concentrate on the energy flowing through the facility. Slowly, the lights began to dim as Kalin began to glow with an unnatural light.

Kado rolls his eyes in irritation at Kalin, wondering how on earth the guy hasn't died yet. He carries the two kids out of the base, with the vast majority of the freed captives. Waiting for them is a entire Azure squad, fully armored with advanced combat armor covering their entire bodies, with not a trace of skin to even be suggested. They wield large energy shields on their arms, as well as several counts of energy blades and cannons, meant for utterly annhilating unwanted interference. Several portals are open, and all of the escapees now make their way through them, the only concern now was the few straglers slower than the majority of the Mythos.

*"We have the majority of them in the safe house back home, correct?" "Yes sir,"*A Transport Officer says.*"Prepare to close the portals at a moment's notice. We will not allow the enemy to have another foothold in our world. If the enemy appears, begin immediate shut down. If you should fall, we will close the portals off on the other side. Understood?" "Understood sir."*

Kado looks at the last escaping Mythos. "Alright then, hurry it up, we'll leave you behind if you don't hurry it up a notch. We are not on a lesuirely time table." The Mythos redouble their efforts, and soon very few if any can be seen still coming up.

*"Kalin, I want you to hurry whatever it is you're doing up and get ready to leave now. We're not going to wait much longer, so unless you'd like to find another way to our safehouse, you might want to finish up whatever you're doing. ...For some reason, if you don't hurry, I feel as though you won't have a chance to escape."*

*The timebomb is at 30 seconds. Every soldier and rone are ready to go in guns blazing The Bureaucrats have made it to the cell door with everyone else. The Admin is behind them all.*

The Administrator: Annihilate all threats.

Everyone: Sir, yes, sir! \*get their guns ready\*

As the countdown dropped closer to zero on the other side of the door, Kalin centered all of the energy he collected into his hands.  As the doors were knocked across the room by the force of the explosion, Kalin fired all of the light into the corridor, causing the lights and a few of the drones to short circuit. As the last of his energy was used up, Kalin faded into the shadows, laughing as he did. "I'm done fighting for today..."

*Everyone starts to shoot everything they've got at Kalin. The Bureaucrats engage him. The Admin watches intentively. One of the soldiers shoots Kalin with a needle into his neck, which injects a pinkish serum in him just before he disappears.*

As he appears outside the facility, Kalin has a smile on his face, still laughing as he notices a strange sensation at his neck. He reaches up and places a hand on the injection needle. He pulls it out and stares at it as his laugh becomes less enthusiastic.

Werewolf Jonas: \*turns towards Kalin and smiles\*

Kado races to the location where he felt Kalin appear, having closed the portals with everyone escaping. Now the only problem is... where is he?

He rushes into the forest, and up into the trees, jumping quickly from branch to branch, silently and more agile than anyone else could hope to be. He stops dead on seeing a campfire, and pauses, listening as bickering and yelling can be heard.

*Idiots. They're going to get themselves killed with all of this racket. Hopefully though they're not Mythos. If they are, these look like ones I might want to avoid. But should I warn them to move? ...No. Best to remain hidden...*

He starts his next jump, but looses his footing. Quickly adjusting his course, he is forced to jump straight into open view, but only for a few breif moments. He doesn't dare look behind him, but instead bolts even faster through the trees, worrying about Kalin's safety.

*The figure walks past Kado and smiles briefly and continues to walk away.*

Kado senses their approach, and sighs. "Great. I should have been more careful. I'll have to move quickly, if Kalin is in danger, this will only complicate things. I may have to slow them down a bit..." He reaches into his sleeves, and pulls out ten round objects, and throws them randomly as he jumps, hoping that at least one will slow them down.

## Upon Recognition

*10 unknown beings and 2 helicopters carrying a mechanical beast flies over head towards Azure.*

Seco: We have made it through the ripple. We have received your coordinates of of where our attackers are.

The Administrator: Proceed as ordered. Engage the enemy

Seco: Yes sir. You heard The Admin, let's take'em down and let's try to do that before lunch. Domino squad dispatch. Harlem Squad stand by and prepare that CRAzy. Can't wait to see that thing in action.

*Domino Squad head toward Azure. Harlem Squad prepares the CRAzy for battle.*

Kado observes the scene from a control monitor. He gives the mental signal, as civilians are ordered to evacuate and head east to the neighboring Shapeshifter villages, which had promised to take in civilians until the fighting was over.

*"All A.H.D.S. members prepare for full force counter attack. I am authorizing a Class SS response. Proceed as ordered."*

All around the city, turrets rise up, and a massive shield dome erects itself over the city, pulsating with energy. The turrets begin to open fire on the helicopters, firing continuous EMPs.

*"Let's go people! Class SS response authorized! Let's blow them to hell, right to damn Hade's front door if we have to! TAKE THEM DOWN!"*Kado roars.

He turns to Kalin. "It's show time, ready for a serious rumble?"

Kalin: (laughs as he opens a portal) Oh, so the two immortals we've already fought were small time?(Kado looks unamused) Yeah, let's go. I'll decide what sword I'm gonna use on the way..."

*The helicopters explodes and the CRAzy falls to the ground. The CRAzy lands on its feet.*

Gobble: Aw shit! I hope its not broken

*Harlem Squad races towad the CRAzy.*

CRAzy: \*is activated\* System Online. No Rider detected, switching auto-mode. Objective destroy attackers. EMP's detected. Disrupt them.

Gobble: Yea,yea. Disrupt them.

CRAzy: Disrupting EMPs. EMPs disrupted.

Gobble: Good. Harlem Squad, let's move it out.

*Harlem Squad ride the CRAzy all the way to Azure*

5x5: Domino Squad prepare to engage attackers.

None of them realize it, but a Azure *A.H.D.S.*has teleported onto the Crazy, and immediately punches the nearest Harlem agent off the Crazy, where he falls and lands on his head. While the other Harlem agents prepare and retaliate, he activates a energy shield and blocks their attacks, which opens up an additional sneak attack from over a dozen Azure, who quickly pummel, shoot, stab, or incapacitate any of them that can't react in time.

Domino also quickly is overrun by more than 20 of these strange, powerful enemies, who despite any of the two squad's efforts, cannot deal with them as easily as so many enemies they had fought before. Azure had it's own tricks up its sleeves, and there would be no easily earned lunch break this time. Seco himself finds himself at a disadvantage against a particuarly resilient soldier.

Kado and Kalin arrive on the battlefield, high up in the air, Kalin equipped with a energy shield that Kado had lent him before they departed, and Kado appeared as they teleported as a massive eagle, which Kalin quickly lands on.

*"Alright now, Kalin, let's not get in over our heads. If you get seriously hurt, back off and approach from a different angle. We can't afford to let it gain too much ground, alright?"*

Kado dives down, a fair distance from the Crazy, only so they could have enough time to prepare for whatever it may send them.

Kalin: (puts on a pair of headphones, and begins playing "Daze" by MARiA as he falls off the Giant Bird, riding the energy shield like a skateboard through the air. Aiming directly for the CRAzy's Head, he drew both Weiss and Schwarz, and bobbed his head to the beat of the music.)

Rose: *You sure like being dramatic, don't you?*

(yelling) What can I say? I love a good beat!

*"You two are going to be the fucking death of me."*

Seco: Well, we were definitely outnumbered. Where the hell is God Squad?

5x5: They've been called back to the facility.

Gobble: Aw shiiiiit.

Seco: You are most definitely right, Gobble. You two focus all power on the that shield.

5x5: Domino Squad get that CRAzy on Power Outburst

*Domino Squad starts fighting of the A.H.D.S*

Avalia: CRAzy I. Switch to Power Outburst.

CRAzy: Switching to Power Outburst: Affect?

Avalia: Affect attackers.

CRAzy: Affect: Attackers. \*the small orbs along its chest light up and release some sort of output of energy blowing everyone away except Domino and Harlem Squad\*

As the Azure forces regather, they suddenly seem on edge, as if something was coming. Kado senses it too.

*"Kalin, get over here. NOW. No time to explain, but you do NOT want to be anywhere out in the open. NOW!"*

"Ok, I'm coming down" Kalin said as he moved towards Kado's position.

To the slight confusion of the squads, the Azure forces seem to be taking cover from something, even though there is nothing aside from them and the Crazy, a slight change in the wind, but nothing serious.

Seco: Hmmm, they all retreated.

5x5: No, not retreat. Fallback. We should do the same too. CRAzy, hold your arms together

CRAzy: \*does what is commanded\*

5x5: Everyone get into it's arms

*Domino and Harlem Squad get into the CRAzy's arms and wait there.*

Gobble: Well this feels pretty cozy.

5x5: Intense grip.

Avalia: OW! What the hell!

Gobble: He said intense grip.

Avalia: \*slaps Gobble in the face\*

Seco: Ha.

CRAzy: Intensifying grip.\*its claws from its feet sink deeper into the ground\*

5x5: Now we wait.

The squads all begin to hear a loud ringing in their ears, which begins to twist into a rumbling sort of growl, and the ground begins to shake. Seco looks in the direction of the sensation, and sees what could only be described as an absolute wall of destruction racing their direction, the earth in front of it getting tossed into the air and churned violently, occasionally throwing chunks back in front of it, a few smashing against the Crazy with violent force.

The Crazy begins calculating the cause of this strange phenomena, and begins to relay its findings to the squads.

Seco: Aw shit.

5x5: What?

Seco: We didn't calculate the winds here. They go up 1,000 miles and hour. Almost supersonic.

Gobble: wow, that is 'aw shit' worthy.

Seco: Heck yea it is. These winds could rip cities in seconds.

Gobble: So what do we do?

Seco: Hmmm \*thinks for a moment\* CRAzy I, open your chest.

CRAzy: \*opens its chest, revealing 2 atomic reactors\*

Seco: Everyone get in!

*Domino and Harlem Squad get inside the CRAzy's chest. The CRAzy closes is chest and prepares for the wind.*

5x5: Get ready!

The rumbling fades, and for a moment, they wonder if the wind had stopped, for it had become silent.

Seco realizes that the time of impact must be next to none, and is immediately proven correct, when one of the most violent jolts they had ever experinced rocks the entire body of the Crazy, its metal screeching and banging from the sheer force of the winds, even louder bangs violently jolt the Crazy as large chunks slam into every inch of it, pushing its structural integrity to the absolute limits. The noise sounds nothing like a wind, but rather a endless horrifying sort of static. For the next terrifying few minutes, they wonder if the Crazy is going to give, until finally the Crazy begins to stop shaking at an incredibly slow rate.

The Crazy estimates that the sheer amount of dust from the winds will make it impossible to see or breath for the next five minutes, and the enemy's shield wall has not even dipped, even with the sheer winds, its structural integrity at maximum.

Gobble: I think im gonna be sick, man!

5x5: How long 'til the dust settles, Seco?

Seco: We are not sure, but we gotta hang on. \*cough,cough\* A little while longer.

CRAzy: Commencing basic maneuvers.\*is doing parkour over the debris flying at it\*

Gobble: I think I might be even *more*sick.

Kado lies shuddering inside the barrier he had erected, grateful that Kalin hadn't noticed the slight change in his body yet, already returning to usual. The last thing needed was for *that*to come up in a conversation. Right now, defeating these enemies is all that matters, not personal secrets. Suddenly he feels a presence, and swears.

*"No! What are you doing here?! I did not authorize a SSS movement! Return immediately! Do not engage-" "Oh Kado, just shut up. Nothing makes me change my mind once I make it. Trust me... they won't be prepared for this." "Azula, I am telling you to fall back! I don't want-" "Kado... before we founded Azure... which one of us was the one that took care of the other?" "..."*

*"I won't be here long... just though I'd get... ahead on the situation." "You and your bad puns."*

The Crazy picks up an unknown presence appear, and it barely has time to begin assessing the identity of it before it slams into its head, tearing it completely off and sending it flying into a cliff-face. A soft landing later, and Kalin sees a woman land next to them, staring at him with a strange, alien sort of expression, as if she was analyzing his possible response to her arrival.

*"It is nice to meet you in person, Kalin."*

*"Oh, you're the lady that was in my head before. Azula. I kinda expected you to be some kind of disfigured old crime."*

From what the Crazy can determine, the being that had struck it is neither Mythos or Human, it is almost unidentifable, but seems based off a human's DNA.

CRAzy: Race: Unknown. Awaiting Command.

Gobble: Oh my gosh. It's a crazy-psyco bitch!

Seco: Shut up, It might be Satan's wife.

Gobble: Satan has a wife?

Seco: Do you want her to be?

Gobble: \*quickly prays to God\*

Seco: Incinerate.

CRAzy: Command: Incinerate. \*a flamethrower pops out of the bottom of both of its wrists and starts shooting fireballs at the woman in black and red\*

Kado leaps in front of her, pulling out a red katana, and the flames get absorbed into the blade, making a unearthly screech as they are sucked in. With a faint laugh, Kado unleashes a massive burst of flame at it, damaging the offending flamethrower device and heating the entire body with high temperature flames.

"Don't even try such a pathetic attack like that."

*"Agreed, though I didn't need your help." "Can you be a little bit more grateful?" "Thank you." "..."*

*Kalin: Guys, and it's kind of funny l'm the one saying this, but let's try to focus.*

He drops a black katana from within his sleeves, and unsheathes it as well.

"Did you really think you could defeat the highest ranking members of Azure with such a pathetic offensive? You come here not even aware of our planet's deathly capacity, and you expect to defeat us? And further more, say you defeat us... you now risk war on your entire planet, and to what gain? The entire armies of Echo itself will march against Earth, and raze all that lives! You bring a wrath beyond reckoning upon you, regardless if I live or die, Earth's punishment will be unleashed in full."

"The military capacity of my organization... is nothing compared to the wrath of the great nations of this world."

Seco: \*is speaking from inside the CRAzy\* You don't know the 1st thing about us. You hind from behind your shields and EMPs and let your winds do you fighting. Why not face us like true soldiers.

"You speak of cowardice? True soldiers? Do not be so conceited, hypocrite. True soldiers? You don't understand the meaning. A true soldier would never fight for those who seek destruction of innocent lives, they would not resort to killing those who had nothing to do with them. Your monster is the only reason you are not yet dead. Both from my men, and from the wrath of our planet's winds, you have done nothing but cower behind your machine of terror and destruction.

Am I not right? Is your purpose not to slaughter? I could care less about who you are, and I don't need to know anything about you. In my eyes, you are a damned monster would would harm innocents, just because someone told you to. My people fight for the prosperity and well being of the down trodden, Mythos or Human! Unless you have a just cause, slay your tongue and crawl out of that mechanical toy of yours! You are no soldiers, you are thugs! To hell with you, so what if there are Mythos who prey upon the weak? We would gladly crush them underfoot as well as you. But to imprison and control innocents just to get at the bad... it's unforgivable."

He turns to Azula. "You know what I need, right?" She silently nods. *"I'm ready any time you are."*

Gobble: Well, excuse us from trying to live ya douchebag!

5x5: Our purpose was to destroy the attackers. *You*attacked us first. We're only delivering justice. And we stop our kind from destroying mankind. We Mythos we're a mistake. A mistake we're are going to resolve. And if we are thugs, how come we survived? Not because of the CRAzy. This thing wouldn't have saved us, if we hadn't ordered it to. We saved ourselves, we used the CRAzy to do it. We're we live. There is no such thing as prosperity, only pain. You try living in a world where people will kill one another just to get what they want, or out of sheer vengance.

Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about.

Azula's hand touches Kado's shoulder, and immediately a dark aura forms around him, trimmed with a red light. Black and red marking appear over him.

Kalin:(looks at Kado, impressed by the transformation) Cool.

"I assumed you weren't informed... but allow me to help you see the truth of things... M.C.C.P. attacked us first. A week ago, a band of unknown soldiers attempted to arrest and kidnap over a dozen civilians, all Mythos. Before they could escape, our A.H.D.S. squads intercepted and interrogated them, and it was discovered that the origin was from Earth. We further tracked them down, and learned of their organization's identity. The original plan was to simply spy on and discover the intention of M.C.C.P. before directly confronting them. ...We changed our minds when it was discovered what exactly it actually does. Not only do you imprison Mythos without due process or any form of respect as to their possible innocence, but we have confirmed reports of experimentation as well, in addition to the use of your 'CRAzys', whose sole design is to put an ultimate end to Mythos, without regard to human or innocent life.

...And I know there is no such thing as true prosperity. But to not even try... is a fate worse than death. Tell me this, if we do not strive to achieve happiness, then what point is there in living at all? ...I was not allowed to have such a life. I decided on making this organization, to better the world, even if it was a futile effort, even if my inevitable death should come, at least I would have done something worth fighting for. This is not Fantasy... where the life is plentiful and surreal... we more than anyone know Earth's pain of war and hatred. In places it lingers. If you but stray from the old paths, the wind of death rains its hell upon you... Echo is no Fantasy. But even so, don't bring your pathetic world's pain to us, we have no use for it! We move on, we endure no matter how strong the wind or the death that Pain brings us! Take your worthless hatred, and be buried for it!"

He charges his black and red katanas, and growls, "Black Flame Stance. Death of the dark, death of fire... burn away my enemies... and free them."

He launches two massive waves of darkness and fire, blasting the CRAzy back and melting some of its armor.

*"Damn it..."*

*The CRAzy's armor is cooling off. The CRAzy then fires a fireball at Kado.*

5x5: Mankind has sinned. There is no hope for them. No matter how hard we try, we still mange to screw it all up. We are also just as damned as mankind. Mankind hates what they don't understand.

CRAzy: \*fires another fireball\*

Kado easily deflects and absorbs both fireballs, not even breaking his stance.

"You don't seriously expect to defeat me doing that do you? And what was that about fighting like soldiers, when all you're doing is lobbing little fireballs at me?"

He returns fire, and Azula wields the metal in the earth to bind and restrict the Crazy's body, and then wields the two constructs in place, immoblizing it.

She then fires a concentrated beam of molten metal at its chest, melting a small hole in its chest and nearly frying 5x5.

*"Even if you believe you are damned, we don't think like that. If that is what you truely believe, take it and leave it at the door, we don't care for those who give up on life without first knowing what it means to live! Our way of life is not your own, and we would gladly die to allow others to live free from your damnation you call 'living', but we call merely existing! You are a life time's distance from understanding what it means to live!"*Azula growls.

5x5: \*is mildy burned\* AAAAGGHHAGGGGH!

Avalia: 5x5!

Gobble: Holy shit!

Seco: Bastards...

CRAzy: Power source has been detected. Powercords from under the city power the shield Awaiting Command

Seco: Absorb power.

CRAzy: Absorbig power source. \*absorbs all the power that runs underneath the city, mking the shield go out and the city powerless. The CRAzy surging with the power of the city\*

Seco:..Switch to Power Outburst.

CRAzy: Switching to Power Outburst. \*releases all of Azure's power, which destroys nearly all of Azure and blows Kado and Azula away\*

Kalin absorbs a large portion of the energy, appearing completely white as he is knocked back by the force of the blast. As he recovers, he analyzes the CRAzy's structure, looking for a weakness he can exploit. Upon completing his search, he runs over to the rubble covering Azula and Kado, the energy he absorbed causing his speed to increase exponentially. His movements becoming a blur, He removes the rubble from the area as he speaks to Rose in his head.

Kalin: Rose, I *Need a hand*

Rose*: With what?*

*I mean, I need a hand.*

*Oh, I see. But I don't know what good **that** will do you.*

*Trust me, Rose, I've got a plan...Azula, you still with us?*

A huge chunk of rubble flies up, and Azula emerges, hunched over a small form.

*"Wake up, wake up! Please wake up! ...Kalin... Kado needs urgent treatment."*

She appears to be crying, and in great distress.

Kalin zips over to Azula, and is slightly surprised at the sight before him.

Kalin: What the- ?

Pulling himself together quickly, Kalin opens a portal beneath the small figure, closing it quickly.Before Kado disappears, Kalin makes sure to grab his blades. They were important to the plan he had in mind. He then turned to Azula, kneeling in front of her face.

Listen Azula, he's going to be all right. I sent him someplace where he can get better. When he recovers, He'll be right back, I promise. Right now, I need you to stay focused. I have a plan to get rid of this thing, and I need your help to do it. Can you see what I'm thinking? I have plans for a weapon, and I need you to build it. As fast as I am I won't be able to gather all the pieces while I hold that thing off. Can you do it?

Azula suddenly freezes. "I.... don't.... believe it.... ....Kalin. Look behind you, but slowly." Kalin turns, and sees a woman in white, with curled horns. She turns slightly to look at Kalin.

"It would seem that someone has beaten me to the pleasure of destroying Kado's city... I will have to take it out on that pet machine of those worthless humans then..." She begins walking toward the CRAzy, not even concerned at the mass destruction done to the city, eyeing the machine as if it was a ball of yarn being presented to a cat.

"Now then... how shall I break you?" She says softly, a white aura about her.

"Wait here..." Kalin says to Azula as he disappears, reappearing in front of their guest.

"Umm, I don't know who you are, but I've got DIBS on this thing, and a plan to deal with it, so If you don't mind, I'd like you to not break anything. I do appreciate how you tried to color coordinate. (gestures at their similar auras)

Rose: You sure you don't want the help?

Kalin: Help? I think this lady is as likely to help us as try to take our heads as trophies...

CRAzy: \*grabs both of them and knocks their head together 2 times and set his fists on fire\*

She disappears in a split second, leaving Kalin stuck in its hands. She reappears below, and swings her white katana at its arm, and cuts him loose.

"Impudent..." She looks at Kalin, and smirks. She snaps her fingers, and massive chains pin him down to the ground.

"Now then... to deal with you..." She looks at the CRAzy. "You know, I figured out what I want to do with you... so rude of you to destroy my target... ah well. Your destruction will suffice."

The CRAzy swipes at her with its other arm, and a shield of light blocks it.

"You really want to be destroyed so badly? I guess I can't say no." A massive aura of pure light begins radiating from her, and she swings her katana directly at the Crazy's chest, instanteously splitting it in half, and destroying the reactors, which begin to explode, tossing the squads far and wide. From where she stands, there seems to be a lack of light, as if she had drained the light around her into nothing.

She then looks back and Kalin and Azula. "I would finish the job with you, but I imagine you would make for poor entertainment. I will leave you for now. Say hello to the little tyke for me..." She disappears in a shimmer of light, while wreckage from the Crazy falls everywhere.

Azula looks back at Kalin, a worried look on her face, looking at all of the destruction, but something else clearly has her worried.

Rose: Ok, I definitely like her.

Kalin: Good for you, maybe she'll be your BDSM buddy. Speaking of bondage...

Using the energy he stored from the random woman's out burst, he began to vibrate at high speed until the chains begin to fall through him, allowing him to stand. Brushing himself off, he creates a lbarrier of the light energy he has left to protect Azula from the radiation in the air. Walking over to her, he asks "How're you holding up?"

Seco: \*is injured\* Dang...there it goes...

5x5: \*is even more burned\* AAAAAAAAGGGGGGRRRRGHHHHHH!!!

Avalia: NO!

Goble: Oh my God! 5!

Azula grimaces. *"Been better... but Kado... where is he...? Is he alright?"*

Meanwhile, the squads begin to retreat, when suddenly the entire area around them begins to be peppered by high energy energy rifles, and they begin to dodge. However, their aim manages to hit many of the squad members and critically wound them. Seco, 5x5, Avalia and Coble all feel powerful discharges into their bodies, which force them to the ground, while the others barely manage to escape.

Seco looks up just in time to see an A.H.D.S. agent stand over him, a rifle pointed point blank in his face.

"You're going to wish hell had a place low enough for you," He growls as he slams the butt of the rifle into Seco's head, knocking him unconcious. The rest of the Azure agents secure the other three, and bind them with Energy Coils and Chains, then tie them up into bags and sling them over their shoulder.

Retribution would be swift for these fools.

5x5: Do what you want to us...We will never break...\*is escorted away along with the others\*

Kalin looks at Azula in partial disbelief.

"Oh yeah, and I'm great. Thanks for asking...(sighs) Kado is currently in another dimension. If he went in the right direction, he should be getting help as we speak.But...we probably won't be seeing him for some time.

The young girl floats about, weakly opening her eyes, drifting in a strange dimension. As panic begins to fill her heart, from her body a massive black shadow surges forth.

***"I suppose I should probably save you... after all... you ARE my master... but that may one day change... Kado... become stronger... or I will deal with you myself."***

A powerful, feminine voice rings in the darkness, and the girl only sees the brief visage of a strange woman, before everything becomes black...

Azula gasps. *"K--Kado?!"*The small form of a young girl appears in Azula's arms, barely breathing, with a thick aura of darkness clinging to her.

Kalin looks surprised to see Kado returned so quickly, even more so considering he still seemed injured. Kalin was prepared to absorb the darkness surrounding his, or her, body, but stopped when he felt another presence within it. Realizing that the radiationadiation wasn't going anywhere soon, Kalin opened a portal to Earth. "I don't think that this is the best place for him to recover. I have a place where you guys can stay and regroup, if you want."

Rose: If I didn't tell them about the place, what makes you think it's a good idea?

Because, they need help, and this radiation isn't going to dissipate any time soon.(looks back to Azula) So, what do you think?

Azula looks down at Kado. *"I understand the urgency... but why Earth? Is there someone who will help him? We can't let anyone know of this form."*

*"Yes, he can get help there. And I'm guessing your men don't exactly know who they're following (looks down at Kado) otherwise you'd have called them over already.So if we want to get him out somewhere safe without being noticed, I say...(stops for a moment) on second thought, I have a better idea. I just hope these other worlds are as easy to get to as that other place...(encloses the party in a portal to fantasy;the portal soon after disappears)*

## Recovery

*A shadow flies past Kalin, Kado, and Azula numerous times at high speed*

Kado responds almost instantly, waking up with a look of fear, gasping violently while the shadows clinging to 'her' body become agitated, almost gaining a solid sort of form due to its density. She clings to Azula weakily.

*"Don't play games. Who are you?"*Azula snaps.

Kalin:"Let's not get upset over nothing" Kalin creates a ball of dark energy in his hand and let's it drift away from him. putting a barrier of dark energy around Kado and Azula, he proceeds to smash a hole in the ground with his fist as the orb of energy has collapses,becoming a black hole that slows the figure before drawing it in. Just as the creature is about to be pulled into the black hole, Kalin absorbs the energy and tackles the creature in one move. Before the being can move again, he makes a portal beneath it just big enough to hold the creature in place.

*The creature puls itself from the cluthes of the black hole and punches Kalin in the face so hard it sends him flying. The creature flies after him and tackles him into the ground and pins Kalin down.*

Jumbo: Who are you? \*sniffs\* Are you...\*gets angry\* 'The Son'?

Kalin: Not this again. Rose; synchronize 50%

Rose: Got it!

(Kalin's eyes turn red as he kicks Jumbo into the air. Putting a hand to the sky, Kalin calls down a beam of light which seems to be aimed at Jumbo. As he dodges it, however, the light continues down and hits Kalin, as he uses light magic to keep up with the being.) Azula, if I manage to make physical contact with this thing, can you hold him still?

Azula gnashes her teeth together. *"Will you knock it off?! What's your problem?!"*She snarls at Jumbo. *"This child is in urgent condition, we have no time to fight with you!"*

Jumbo: \*lands\* You do not make commands of us!...And who are you and what is your reason of coming heeere?

She shakes her head irritably. *"Shoot first ask questions later I guess is the standard... urgghh. I am Azula, I am a telepath if you cannot gather it from how I am communicating with you. The child in my arms is my charge, Kado. And the knuckle head rookie is Kalin.*

Kalin:Who are you calling a rookie?

*We came here after a severe attack on our organization left our city leveled, and Kado here in deadly condition. We had no where else to go, and Kalin took us here. ...I know very little of this place."*

Jumbo:...\*grabs Azula who is still carrying the child and grabs Kalin and flies off and takes them to a house in Outpit Village\* Will this do..?

*"Y-y-yes... thank you..."*She stutters, amazed by how fast he moved.

Jumbo: \*brings in Elaonore\*...Help them...

Elaonore: Ofcouse. \*kneels next Kado and uses winds to fill his wounds\*

Kado eventually begins to relax and finally appears to not be so afraid, and the darkness slowly abates, though the general feeling that something is observing them does not fade at all. Elaonore notices that when Kado opens her eyes, they appear almost devoid of any life or emotion, like looking at the eyes of a doll, even though they blink and move freely. Kado however makes no attempts to speak with anyone, if even able to.

Azula sighs. *"Well... at least Kado is stable... I just wish 'she' would come back to normal... I hate seeing him like this."*

Elaonore: \*finishes filling Kado's wounds\* She doesn't look like this?

*"It's very complicated to explain, but basically if Kado suffers tremendous mental trauma or pain he reverts into this form. It only happens if one of his kind suffers a tremendous source of trauma of some sort, and if it never goes away, it can stunt their development. ...Technically it is like his true form... and the usual one is merely a shell used to protect the broken pieces inside. Don't be surprised if Kado doesn't speak to you at first... the amount of pain must still be immense."*

Elaonore: It must be..I m sorry for your friend...My name is Elaonore by the way...

*"My name is Azula. It is nice to meet you. I must thank you for your help. Kado has had a long rough 27 years of his life... almost all of it either in pain or chasing after the ones who made him this way... He deserves better, but we've never been able to find a way to heal... well... this. No matter how hard we try, Kado's pain lingers. ...It's maddening. Maddening to watch, and maddening knowing we can't help him."*

Elaonore: You can help. That's if he wants it. And you being right beside him is just the help he needs. Whether he wants it or not. He will find that he has alot in common with many who reside here. Especially, with Jumbo.

Kado makes a small noise, and Elaonore notices that Kado's eyes seem to have a slight clarity they lacked before, and it looks like she's trying to say something, but the look in her eye slips and she relapses into silence. Azula places her hand on Kado's head, and Kado's eyes wearily begin to close.

*"You wouldn't happen to know what a liquid suspension chamber is would you? Kado seems to prefer sleeping in them, apparently the lack of sensation helps subdue some of the nightmares."*

Elaonore: We have something similar to that. We can have in water bubble sensation. It's quite similar to liquid suspension. It can work.

A few days later, Elaonore checks up on how the new arrivals are doing, and is surprised to see Kado sitting up right in a chair, eating toast. Kado's eyes look up at Elaonore and a brief flash of gratitude appears in Kado's eyes, before Kado returns to eating. "...Thank you... I'm sorry I have been a burden..."

Elaonore: There is no burden. Whether your from here or not. Your just like us and we look after each other.

Kalin:(scarfing down a large portion of food) Elaonore, right? I really appreciate what you've done for us so far, especially considering we're not from around here. If only all mythos were as nice as you... (remembers Jumbo) Jerk...

Elaonore: Jumbo isn't as bad as you think he is. All he wants is to look after us. He sees us as a family and as a family he will do anything for us, even die. If that we somewhat possible. hold up, there is some people I must get. \*disappears, then reappears in split second with Daikem, Drake, Angeli, ans Sanyirth is outside\*

Sanyirth looks around.

Sanyirth: Who might these be?

Luna: Yeah, Who are these guys?

Sena: Well, I doubt they're hostile.

Elaonore: I took them in when I had woke up back here. I was guessing you wouldn't mind if they stayed until their friend there is healed.

Daikeim: \*Notices Kalin and Kado\* Wait a minute... I've seen them before... At the forest if I'm correct.

Drake: Really?

Daikeim: Yeah...

Elaonore: Something happened in their world and they came here. Jumbo brought them to this house to recover. Feel free to help if you can.

Luna: I don't remember seeing them in the forest.

Sanyirth: Now, I will wait until we know what to do.

Drake: \*Turns to look at Luna\* Because you were too busy whining and having a damn headache! So once again I had to babysit you!

Elaonore: \*chuckles\* Those two would make one strange item.

Luna: Sorry that i can't take care of everything myself Snow-Head!

Drake: Snow-Head!? At least I don't look like I belong on the damn streets! \*Pulls out his Shadow Pistol and aims at Luna's foot\*

Daikeim: Drake, you dare, and I will personally take you down. Despite how annoying she may be.

Drake: ...\*He puts away his gun and punches Luna in the arm\* And don't say anything about hitting girls, I don't consider you one.

Elaonore: Well that isn't nice. Here we treat each other as brother and sister no matter *how*annoying they are. It's a test of family.

Luna: Hey! That hurt!

Elaonre: Don't worry. It will be fine. \*fills her wound with wind\* See? It's gonna be find. But I do want you two to make-up.

Daikeim: Hahaha, yeah Drake. Apologize.

Drake: ...\*Looks at Luna\*...No.

Daikeim: C'mon...

Drake: No, I am not apologizing to a 13 year old, annoying, clumsy, idiotic, obnoxious and pathetic little BRAT!

Angeli could be really sensitive sometimes and it seemed to be rather random, and as such she just responded by crying.

Elaonore: Well see what you did. \*puts her arms around Angeli\* You know it's not her fault she's this way. If you don't stop this instant, I will bring Jumbo in here.

Daikeim: ...\*Punches Drake in the chest\*

Drake: THE HELL WAS THAT FO--

Daikeim: Drake, I swear to god. LEARN TO COOPERATE WITH PEOPLE! You can start by apologizing to Angeli, now!

Drake: ...Bu--

Daikeim: Now.

Drake: ...I hate you so much right now. \*Drake looks at Angeli and takes an annoyed sigh\* ...Sorry.

Angeli stopped crying though she was sobbing at least.

Elaonore: Thank you, Daikeim.\*smiles at him\* At least someone knows the value of family, no matter who they are.

Daikeim: No problem, Drake can be like that anyways...

Drake: \*Walks up to Daikeim and punches his arm\* You're a dick, you know that.

Daikeim: Yeah yeah...

Luna stops sobbing and Sena takes over.

Sena: Agh... That hurt.

Elaonore: It's ok. Drake *wont*be doing that anymore.To anyone.\*looks at Drake with more hostily\*

Drake: ...\*Growls at Elaonore and Angeli\*

Sanyirth seems to be standing perfectly still, looking at the sky, as nothing of the things had bothered him.

Jumbo: \*grabs the back of Drake's neck,having him face Jumbo in the face and growls in Drake's face\*...You are either with us or against us...\*increases his grip on Drake's neck\*...I suggest you choose wisely...

Sanyirth: Stand down, There is no reason for bloodshed.

Drake: Hmph. \*Drake fades away in fire and reappears next to Daikeim and starts walking away\*

Daikeim: Ugh, gimme a minute. \*He catches up with Drake\* What is your problem?

Drake: My problem? We're relying on other people...

Daikeim: Yes? Isn't it nice to get help?

Drake: Not to me... \*He glances over to Angeli, Elaonore and Jumbo\* And if they get in my way one more time, I will not hesitate to kill. That's how I was brought up Daikeim, as a mercenary trained to kill...

Daikeim: I know, but why am I the one having to calm you down, stop you from making the wrong choices... Face it, without my help. You would be dead...

Drake: I know, that's why I respect and trust your decisions, but I am not your puppet for you to control!

Daikeim: You're lucky I saved you back on Cyanic...

Drake: ...\*Sighs\* Fine... Whatever.

Daikeim: Good. \*He makes a hand gesture\*

Drake: Heh, we're like a Red and Blue Oni. \*He does the same\*

Daikeim: Ok... \*He walks back to the group, with Drake following behind\*

Jumbo: You have decided...?

Daikeim: He's with us... Don't worry.

Jumbo:...Good...\*exits out of the house and flies off\*

Daikeim: Oh right, we were supposed to tell the dragons in Fantasy that they can go home now... But how do we get their attention?

Drake: Leave that to me... \*Drake creates a massive dragon made of pure fire, when it roars out, it gathers every dragon's attention throughout Fantasy\*

*All the dragons in Fantasy swarm above the house roaring*

Daikeim: Sanyirth, care to help?

Sanyirth: I'd be happy to comply.

Daikeim: Ok, Drake, portal.

Drake: Alright! \*Drake makes a small black sphere and enlarges it to the size of a building, on the over side is a way into the Dragon Realm\*

Daikeim: Sanyirth, we need you to direct them into their Realm.

Sanyirth turns towards the mass of dragons, puts up a hand into the air and says a few things in their native language as they then start to fly through the portal.

Kado winces at all of the yelling and noise. "...Please stop making so much noise..."

One of the dragons accidently knocks a large rock at

Kado's head, and as everyone tries to intervene, only a few inches away, the rock suddenly bursts into nothing, and Kado is left panting, sweat rolling down her, barely able to breath from exhaustion and fear.

Azula stares at Kado. *"That's... never happened before... How did you do that?"*

"....I....I don't... know... wait... what.... what are you talking about?" She says weakly, starting to lose some of the focus in her eyes.

Elaonore: I think she's about to black-out...

Suddenly the appearance of Kado's eyes changes to a familiar appearance, the way they used to be.

"...Azula, where are we?" Her voice changes, from a weak, frail sort of tone to a more stronger, more aware sort of voice, and it sounds much too harsh for a child's mouth to utter.

The change is so sudden it almost scares Elaonore.

Kado pauses for a moment. "....And what happened to Azure...? All I remember is a violent explosion..." Azula seems to be alarmed at these changes.

Elaonore: What the...Not a girl...Shapeshifter isn't it? That was pretty surprising.

Azula seems to be telling Kado something, and as Kado listens, the child's face begins to turn alienly dark, and suddenly a burst of darkness envelopes Kado, swirling around the form like a violent tornado.

"...I see..." A completely new voice echoes from the darkness, Azula bows her head slightly. The darkness swiftly disappates, revealing a grey-brown haired young man with black irises and white pupils, with a particularly angry expression. Kalin is unsurprised by the change, but is worried about by the frequency with which his form was shifting. The aura of frailty and fear, and the general meekness of a child is gone, replaced by almost a silent echo, as if the person standing there was only a projection.

He looks at Elaonore. "I am sorry, and I must thank you for all of your help... but I have no place here. ...We must be returning home. I will not allow my people to be left without a leader." He says rather coldly. He pulls out a mask from his sleeves and attaches it to his head, hiding his face.

Elaonore: It's ok. We take care of our kind here. Your welcome back anytime.

Kado begins walking out, and Azula follows. *"You can't possibly be ready to return! Your injuiries were severe Kado! Rest a while longer!"*

He wheels around and yells, "I will not rest knowing that ***she***is back!!!" Kado moves to continue out, but suddenly collapses in pain.

"Arrrghhh!" He growls. "...Damn it all..." He starts struggling to get up, but only collapses. Azula leans down next to him, and gives him a piteous look.

*"I know Kado. I know you want to help Azure, and to find... her. But you come first. You're no service to the people if you're weak. Please... rest."*

Kado pushes her off and tries to keep going, and Azula gives Elaonore a pleading look.

Elaonore: He is strong...but he is stubborn...his flesh is weak but his mind is strong...He's not in it for himself,he's in for you and everyone elses...Let him be with your people.

Since most people who were there before are still there, Luna was perfectly aware of the situation and simply said "Man, He seems desperate."

Kado suddenly stops. "...None of you tell of that.... ...side of me. No one must... know..." He suddenly puts a hand to his forehead, and collapses, too tired to move on.

Kalin: "You need to get your priorities straight, man...

Elaonore: Your lack of trust in others will destroy you slowly...There is still time.

Kado sinks lower to the ground, shaking.

Azula takes his arm. *"Come on, just a few more days, I promise. Please Kado, rest. Don't tear yourself up over this. The others will be fine, I promise. We always taught them what to do for these exact situations. I promise, no one will blame you for taking time to recover. ...You do know that the Summit will start soon right?*

Kado sinks his head lower. *"The summit... if they reach a decision... it would mean war between the worlds... I wouldn't be able to prevent them from using... the Lost Gate. You're right... I need my rest. Plus, if your intel was correct... Earth will be making his move soon... we must be ready..."*

He looks at Elaonore. "I... I apologize... I should not have been so hasty..." He looks away. "Forgive me. I humbly request to remain a few days longer..."

Elaonore: Ofcourse. You are always welcome here. Everyone is welcome here. Stay as long you need.

Azula helps him back inside, and lays him down on a bed.

"I hate this..." Kado growls.

*"I know. But trust me, it's for the best."*

Kado wearily goes to sleep, and does little else for the next five days.

*Daikeim and Drake were watching this, they soon turn to look at eachother.*

Daikeim: That was... Interesting, anyways, I'm contacting Shockwave--

Drake: Good, I need you to get me some stuff...

Daikeim: Like what...

*Drake lists off some items, afterwards, Daikeim is left with a concerned face.*

Daikeim: You sure?

Drake: Yeah, bring them back to the house.

Daikeim: Ok. \*Daikeim goes off to a secluded place and contacts Shockwave via his Soul Stone.\*

Shockwave: Ah, hello Daikeim. How are you?

Daikeim: I'm fine, hey, Drake needs some stuff. \*He lists down what Drake needed.\* You got any of that?

Shockwave: Hm... I should, give me a moment. \*Shockwave goes off to gather the items, he comes back after a minute.\* Here you go. \*He passes them through the portal.\*

Daikeim: Thanks Shockwave. I need to get going now. Bye

Shockwave: Bye. \*The portal closes\*

Daikeim: Ok... Now to give this to Drake. \*The turns Half Dragon and flies to the house, when he walks in, he sees Drake reading from his spellbook.\* Is this what you need?

Drake: Hm... \*He examines the items and nods.\* Place them down there. \*He points to a table.\*

Daikeim: Ok, I'm gonna go train. See you later! \*He places the items down on the table and flies off.\*

Drake: Ok... \*He gets up and he makes some room, he then places his spellbook in the middle of the room. Drake gets some chalk and draws a ritual ring around the book, he then grabs the items on the table and places it on the ritual ring. He then bites his finger, causing blood and writes his name on a blank page in the spellbook. He then sits down in the ring and starts talking in Cyanican, the book and ring glows, and after a while, a dragon made of unstable energy comes out of the book and looks at Drake.\* Perfect... Now to be calm... \*He closes his eyes and slowly breathes.\*

*The figure appears and and shoots the dragon in the heart with an ice shard*

Voice: Feel the cold. Feel the heartlessness or the cold. Feel your emotions become bare. May you have no mercy upon others.

*The ice shard spreads across the dragons heart all the way to it's mind. The dragon no longer feels anything. No remorse, no feeling for others like it. or for those who are unaware of it. All it feels is the cold. The figure disappears once more.*

Drake: Ok... Nice and slowly... \*Drake opens his eyes and instantly notices the difference with the dragon.\* This isn't right...

*The dragon flies into Drake's chest and merges with his Aura, causing Drake to get hit by a shockwave and blasted out of the house, causing a lot of noise when he crashes into another house. Daikeim overhears this and flies over.*

Daikeim: Drake? Where is he? \*He notices the hole in his house and the marks and damage going to the other house.\* Uh oh...

Elaonore: \*comes out from the floor\* What the heck was that? I heard something. \*looks at the hole through the house\* What did you do?!

Kado irritably wakes up. "...I don't particularly like hearing a whole bunch of racket in the morning..."

*"It's in the middle of the day Kado." "Does it make a difference?!" "...In this case, I guess not."*

He walks over to the hole where Drake came out of the house, and then spots Elaonore. "I would say good morning, but I'm told it's the afternoon... I don't really care... having a good afternoon then, aside from the Noise Circus over here?" He says with a dry air of humor in his voice.

*Drake slowly opens his eyes and sees Kado and growls.*

Drake: Noise circus? You better watch your mouth you runt, unless you want it off of your face... \*He has a slight evil smile.\*

Elaonore: What on earth did you do?! What the heck is the matter with you?

Kado says nothing, but Azula can tell, only by having worked with him so long, that a shift in his shoulders means he's reached up for something hidden in his clothing, a gesture only someone who knows him would reconize ,his sleeves otherwise too baggy to detect movement within.

He gives Elaonore a swift warning look, to let her know without verbal communcation that something is off.

Daikeim: Drake, the hell happened?!

Drake: I don't know Daikeim, but not right now... If this annoyance bothers me once more, I'll put him in even more pain than he arrived in...

Elaonore: There will be no hurting of anykind to anyone, you understand?

Kalin: (enters the house from a portal, soaking wet and only wearing a towel. He looks around, but is surprisingly unsurprised by the state of affairs) Oh, you're all still alive. that's good.Interrupted my bath, however.(Looks at kado)At least the kid looks like he's getting better. Although, you would have been healed weeks ago if you hadn't found some way out of my portal...(remembers the Kado's malevolent aura) Anyways, I hope you're up for a fight.(Tosses the Fire and Dark Slayers at Kado) It's about time the infamous leader of Azure got back in shape. After I get dressed, of course.(laughs)

Kado silently turns and walks away, but not ignoring him. Quite the opposite. If he makes a single motion in his direction, he's only going to end up with a faceful of dirt. The best way to short circuit pride is for it to injure itself. "I just woke up and already I'm up to my waist in bad tempers..."

He silently catches both, and works them into his sleeves in five seconds, and not even looking.

"Nice to see you again, Kal."

"Same to you. If you're done with recess, You can start heading for the Waterfalls. We'll be training there."

Daikeim: Hm... \*Turns to look at Kado, then looks back at Drake and notices something.\* His eyes... They're a darker shade than usual...

Drake: Hmph... \*Drake gets up and spits out blood, he takes a glance at Kado.\* Pfft... Not worth my time...

Daikeim: Dammit Drake... \*He looks at Elaonore.\* Sorry about him... I guess he's not himself... Drake and I will help clean up.

Drake: You're kidding, right? \*His eye colour goes back to normal.\*

Daikeim: No I am not kidding, look at the damage you done...

Drake: Fine fine...

Elaonore: Ok...as long as it gets done without any trouble.\*leaves\*

Kalin:(Shakes his head)That poor girl.(turns to the two half dragons) I once heard that Dragons were wise creatures. I'm kinda disappointed in the real thing if they're anything like you two jokers.(looks at Drake) You need to reign in all that explosive energy you've got going. Along with the unneeded attitude.( Taps him on the shoulder) Get going. You're training as well, today... Me and your friend will handle the repairs, and meet you when we're done.

*Drake grabs Kalin's wrist before she touches Drake's shoulder and glares at her.*

Drake: Don't you dare... Touch me, also, not every dragon has to put up with this crap. \*He looks at Kado and laughs.\* Even if you were to attack me in the state you're in, that wouldn't get you far. Follow Elaonore's advice and rest... Oh and one more thing, these "jokers" is a Demi-God and a mercenary, so like your friend, watch your mouth... \*Drake goes to get the necessary materials to repair the two houses and slowly starts repairing along with Daikeim.\*

Daikeim: Nice to see you're making friends...

Drake: Shut up, lets just get this done before your girlfriend shows up.

Daikeim: ...\*He punches Drake's arm.\* Riiiight, and if that's so. I guess that makes you and Angeli a cou--

Drake: NO! \*Punches Daikiem's arm.\* Just shut up and help me repair!

Daikeim: Ok ok, hahah.

Luna: Huh? Did you say anything?

Kado shakes his head. "I'm amazed that creatures like him actually exist... Ridiculous."

*"You know, unless the 'demi god' joined in, I'm pretty sure the only kicking that will be done is his ass once his face is in the dirt." "Kado, don't start anything. But I would agree that he is too reckless for his own health. ...Do you know why there was a dark shadow about you for a little while?" "Dark shadow...? No I don't remember any of those. Why?" "Well it seemed really dark and oppressive, I was concerned there was something seriously wrong. Also..."*She turns to Drake and Daikeim, and focuses on Daikiem.

*"If I were you Daikiem, I would do something about that friend of yours, Drake. I sense something off about him, whatever he did I imagine is responsible for this strange behavior. Also, excuse me for being disrespectful, if that what this is, but trust me when I say Kado is a much greater threat than he's been given credit for. Your friend should pick his battles with more consideration, I promise you eventually it might kill him if he doesn't."*

Kado leaps on top of a roof next to a tree, and takes rest under the tree's shade, with a perfect angle to keep an eye on Drake and the others, and wearily closes one eye, the other trained on the others near Drake.

Daikeim: Yeah, don't worry about Drake. I'll keep him in check, can't say much for his mouth though... And Drake is reckless, but that's only because of his work. He tends to stick to his guns and mouth instead of his brain, but trust me, he's a nice person once you get to know him. Anyways... \*Continues fixing the house.\*

*The figure is behind Daikeim and Drake.*

Voice: In all due time...you will above your predessecors...and all of your race will know you as heroes..but at the same time the same ones who nearly killed them...\*disappears\*

Kado notices the figure, and frowns behind his mask. *"Great. Last thing we need. Azula, you saw that right...?" "Yes. It was strange... do you think...?" "I more than think. I agree. Something's up. But as curious as I am, his attitude has basically canceled out any interest I might have had. We're going to leave soon as possible, I don't need anymore crap out of that bratty dragon, or whoever the hell he is. ...Besides, I have something I need to check on when we get back..."*

Kado takes Dark Slayer and gives it a distrusting look. *I don't know who that was... but I don't want to meet her again...*

Elaonore: Did you guys feel that?

*Daikeim and Drake finish fixing the houses, ignoring what everyone else is doing.*

Drake: That took some time... Well, I'm gonna find someplace secluded and practice on my spells.

Daikeim: I'll come with you, we need a new place to call home for now. Considering you keep blowing up ours...

Drake: Fair point... C'mon then. \*Drake turns into his Aura Dragon form and flies off, with Daikeim following behind.\* So, what are you planning?

Daikeim: Field, forest, y'know, stuff like that.

Drake: Heh, I might be able to try something.

*Soon after, Daikeim and Drake stop flying and land in a massive empty field. Drake smirks and opens his spell book.*

Drake: This is gonna feel just like home... \*Drake places his book on the grass and takes a step back, he then puts his arms out forward and his hands begin to glow. Suddenly, a massive outline of a cube appears infront of them.\* Heh, now to concentrate... \*Drake closes his eyes, just as he does that, tribal markings appears on his arms, they also begin glowing. The cube fills up with construction, building itself, soon after. The cube fades away and what's left is a fully built Cyanican house .\*

Daikeim: Wow...

Drake: I'm not finished yet, watch this! \*Drake flies up into the air and slowly raises his arms up, around the house. A small desert, lake, mountains and volcano raises out of the gound . Drake opens his eyes and sees what he's created and starts laughing.\* Hahaha! I can't believe that worked! \*He flies down and enters the house.\* You coming in or what?

Daikeim: Oh, right.

Kado stares bewildered at the spectacle. "Well now... certainly knows how to show off..." He just sighs.

He walks to the house where he had been staying, and sits in his chair, and takes off his mask, wiping his brow. "I shouldn't be this tired... even if I took a big hit... why do I feel like this..." Out of boredom, he starts messing with his form, taking on black hair and green eyes. He holds Dark Slayer, and eventually looks up to see Elaonore staring at the sword, and he knows she can feel the strange aura of the blade, even while sheathed.

"I bet you're curious about this sword, and why it has such a dark aura about it, am I right?" He says, a melancholy expression on his face.

Elaonore: What kind of weapon is that? nothing I have ever seen before.

"It's called Dark Slayer. It's a katana that absorbs all dark energy, and nullifies the resistance of a being to darkness, so it dishes out whatever they put in. It's not at full power, because it was sealed... by... ...my family... when they tried to kill me." He barely manges to finish saying the sentence, his anger surfacing quickly.

"The only gift they ever gave me... was this sword, right before their betrayal..."

Elaonore: I know how that is...at one time I wasn't...like this...\*has a sad look on her face\* My family too had wanted to kill me..but that's when I found a place here. This is my new family and I would never have to worry about being hurt again and you too can feel that here, but I know you have a responsibility and you have a family, just don't throw it away for something that will get rid of it in a heartbeat, cause once you loose it..you can never get it back.

Kado silently nods. "I know. Azure and... making the ones who hurt me pay is all that matters to me. I would never forsake Azure, they mean too much to me. ...There is still so much I have to do..." He trails off.

Elaonore: I understand. Your heart and your mind will lead you back to your destiny. If you will it with your heart, mind, and soul, it will be given unto you. but I do advise you to find where your heart, mind, and soul truly lie.

Kalin:(walks up behind Elaonore, looking at Kado) That is something we all should do.( puts an arm around Elaonore) You are truly wise, Elaonore. Now if you'll excuse us... (grabs Kado, about to drag him away, before looking at his face) woah. So that's what you look like under that mask of yours. At least, at the moment. Ok, Kid. I said I was going to get you back into shape, and that's what I'm going to do. Afterwards... well, we will worry about that...afterwards.

Kado's face changes into his normal face, and smirks. "I don't need to be dragged around, Kalin, I'll come with. You planning on going somewhere else, Kalin? It sounds like it at least."

"Oh don't worry about it. You'll have your own problems to deal with, soon enough."

Kado frowns. "Why do I not like the sound of that? Are you threatening me or something?"

"Well, that would be a matter of perspective..." Kalin said as he opened a portal beneath the two of them, waving goodbye to Elaonore as they fell through. The other end opens 5,000 feet above the forest.

Normally Kado would not give the impression of being confused, but without a mask this quickly becomes impossible, and his look of confusion is clear.

"Ok, what's with the portals...?" He silently grows wings, and slides his white robe off his body, leaving only his black jumpsuit, and revealing the shit ton of weapons strapped to his whole body, countless daggers, pouches, as well as Kado's four katanas, including the two Slayers. Kalin cannot help but pale at the sheer number of weapons, and can't help but think of the phrase, 'armed to the teeth'.

"I guess it is possible to have too much of a good thing." Landing on Kado's back, Kalin moves as close to his ear as possible and says "These portals are a small reminder of where I came from. While I can use them to get just about anywhere, every single one is connected to my home dimension. I learned a lot of things back home. For example..."

Using Kado as a launching board, Kalin jumps higher into the air. As he does, his left arm begins to glow under his shirt, revealing a strange set of markings covering the length of it, from shoulder to hand. Suddenly, Kalin begins to glow with an almost angelic aura. His energy takes the shape of a pair of white wings, curving around his body all the way to his front as he begins to float in the air. His eyes also begin to glow with a silver light.

*"**This."***

Kado makes a giant leap backwards, and draws his two normal katanas. Kalin notices a slight shimmering effect, and notes that Kado must be preemptively activating his intangibility. A quick aura of shadow forms around one of the blades, and he swings the katana and shoots the aura of energy at Kalin.

*Best to avoid getting up close and nasty at the moment... I'm going to play it safe.*

Before the energy wave reaches Kalin, his wings extend fully, and he disappears. Reappearing behind Kado, he laughs.***"I'd have thought you might have seen this coming."*** Raising his hand above Kado, Kalin releases a flash of light powerful enough to match the rays of the sun, blinding Kado, and disrupting his intangibility. ***"Not so untouchable now, are ya'?"*** He says as he kicks kado in the back.

Kado chuckles, and grabs Kalin's leg, and swings him down into the ground below, Kalin slamming into the ground with great force. He shakes his head slightly.

"Honestly, are you going to get a tough guy act just because you disrupted my weakest version of Intangibility? Or has it not occured to you that I've yet to even *release Seal 0?*" He laughs.

"I suppose you could say I wanted to feel you out before I actually got down to buisness and actually bothered to start using my powers. While my sword is sheathed, I'm only capable of a few minor tricks. At Zero, which you've seen, I can use a bit more clever tactics. As for Seal 1... Well, let me show you the difference. And since we're at it..."

Kado unsheathes not just Dark Slayer, but Fire Slayer as well, and a thick aura of darkness surrounds Kado, despite the heavy light coming from Kalin. The added effect of both slayers causes Kado's form to burst into flames as well, and Kalin watches as the faint image of wings sprouts from Kado, barely detectable.

"It's a shame I can't use the 8th Seal. Otherwise this fight would be so much more fun. But still, I'll give it my best I'm capable."

He swings his sword, and a thick wall of darkness slams into Kalin, transforming into Shadow Fire on contact with him, burning him not only with Shadow Magic, but Fire as well, and the effect of the shadow blurs Kalin's vision.

***"Hmm. Never thought I'd know what that'd feel like."*** Increasing his aura, the darkness surrounding Kalin disperses.***"But you're not the only one who's holding back. Exercise #1: recognize your limits."*** Taking off into the air again, Kalin raised his hand to the air once again, This time creating a Large Light magic circle that fired beams of light from the sky, falling like rain everywhere.

***"Exercise #2: Forget those limits ever existed.*** ***This volley won't end until you're unconscious, and there's only so many you can dodge before you get tired. And, if I didn't make it clear with my first example..."*** Kalin fires a small beam of light at Kado's shoulder. The shapeshifter attempts to become intangible once again, only for the blast to pierce straight through him.

Kado smiles. "Is this suposed to be threatening...?" He fingers the wound. "Not too bad of a shot... Still." Suddenly Kalin gets a tingling sensation, and Kado's eye glows an odd gold color, and begins changing. Transfixed, he watches as Kado transforms into... Kalin, going as far as minor aura changes, even some of Kalin's weapons manifest, as well as his current mode taking effect over Kado, and the light stops harming him, the wound in his shoulder gone.

"I typically consider this foul play, but this is a particularly annoying situation." He says with Kalin's own voice, wearing a most evil smirk. He flies up to Kalin, and swings one of Kalin's own swords at him, at almost the same speed of Kalin's.

"Of course, this isn't a perfect copy of you... I can only mimic so much of you... but that's besides the point, now isn't it...?" He says with a crazy grin.

"Any living thing I see I can replicate to the detail, along with any of their weapons, and I can even manage to mimic certain powers, though this is very limited, but still. Never underestimate a shapeshifter. But enough of this. Let's DANCE!" He yells, as he slashes Kalin's shoulder with ease.

Kalin: Touches shoulder wound as the gash heals, and his clothes are stitched back together. As he dodges a few of Kado's next strikes, he nods in approval of the shapeshifter's abilities."Woah. That's pretty good. I wonder if you have control of ALL of my abilities...What do you think, Rose?" Kalin said, reverting to his normal form, as the energy in the sky continued to rain down.

*I think this situation presents a once in a lifetime opportunity.*

Kalin Smiles. "I agree. So, synch to 99?" He said as his aura began to expand and flow around him erratically. knocking away a number of the energy beams near him.

*Already done.*

As another beam came towards Kalin, he reaches up to grab it as his hair grows longer and becomes darker. As he crushes the energy in his hand, Kalin's form became Rose's. Laughing, Rose grabs Kado's shirt and tosses him at the ground, causing him to bounce off the ground twice before skidding to a stop.

" It'll be nice to kick your ass again, Kal..."

Kado gets up and dusts himself off, his eyes locking onto Rose. They flash golden, and an expression of surprise flashes across his face. It then furrows into a strange expression close towards suspicion.

"There's more to you than meets the eye..." He growls. "I just assumed you were an alternate personality of Kalin's, in which case I should have adopted your powers as well... but... that's not the case... you're not like me then..." He trails off.

"You're a completely different being, aren't you...? But that isn't the important question...." He narrows his eyes. "How did you get inside of that person's soul? 'Rose'... you're certainly an interesting one..." He raises a sword, and it glows with a combination of Kado's and Kalin's powers, flashing from gold, red, and black slowly.

Rose: What can I say? I'm an anomoly.

"En Garde..." He bursts and disappears, appearing behind her and slashing at her back.

The blade hits Rose, bouncing off, and resounding with a "Clang!". Turning around to Kado, She begins to laugh. "I didn't expect you to strike me from behind, honestly. Guess we both got a little surprise. While Kalin likes to use his aura for speed and finesse, I prefer a more... direct approach. A heavy barrier, and..."

Grabbing Kado, She brings her fist back and slams it into his chest, feeling several of his ribs crack in the process. She then brings her leg up before slamming it into Kado's back, causing him to fall into the water below.

"An amazing Right Hook."

Charging fire energy in her hand, Rose dropped it into the water after him. The resulting explosion knocked Kado back onto the ground, and covered the nearby area in mist. Rose then changed back into Kalin, and dived towards the ground.

Kalin feels a rumbling, and he lands hard on some sort of metallic surface, which starts rumbling with a deep throaty growl.

"Well, that wasn't very nice of you, Kalin, breaking my ribs like that." A deep, dark, and *dragonic*voice echoes from beneath Kalin. "I hope you have fun, because this guy was an absolute asshole to defeat..." Abruptly, the head shifts and nearly bites Kalin's legs.

"Come back here, I think you owe me a few ribs!"

Kalin: "Well, don't expect me to just let you take them!" Kalin said as he jumped into the air, firing down a wave of dark energy from above.

elsewhere...

Daikeim: ...Hey, Drake.

Drake: What?

Daikeim: Do you learn all the spells in that book of yours?

Drake: Yeah, why?

Daikeim: Then why do you keep carrying it around?

Drake: Because every time I see or learn a new spell. The book writes it in, also, I need it so I know what to do with the ritual rings. But most of all, it's one of the phew things I had back at Cyanic...

Daikeim: Hm... Ryunexo...

Drake: What about them?

Daikeim: They're not your family, right? So why do you bare the name?

Drake: Ryunexo means relentless creature... I guess I just like the name...

Daikeim: And what happened?

Drake: They're probably around still, Ryunexo's are a bitch to kill... And I'm not one to tell my life story Daikeim.

Daikeim: Right...

Drake: You seem worried, what's up?

Daikeim: Nothing... Anyways, I'm gonna relax. \*Daikeim goes up to the top of the mountain and meditates.\*

*elsewhere...*

Kalin finds that despite Kado's now giant figure, he makes up for it by being incredibly fast and deadly accurate with his bites, claws, and general dragon breath. He eventually gets a decent swat on Kalin, and manages to dislocate his shoulder as he slams into the cliff, and is almost burned by a molten breath strike.

"So how's this then Kalin? I've got a few more decent forms in my collection... But let's have some fun with this one!" He shoots multiple bursts of molten metal at Kalin, forcing Kalin to carefully watch where he's dodging, in case Kado figures out where he'll dodge next.

"Not bad...I'll admit, without regeneration I'd be in a tight spot..." Kalin said as he hung from the stony side of the waterfall. Looking down at Kado's massive form, Kalin began to get ideas in his head. Putting on his headphones, he begins to play "Guren no Yumiya" as he draws Masamune. For a moment, he is overtaken by an intense pain in his head, but as it subsides, He jumps back down into the mist in silence, preparing for his attack.

Kado scoffs. *Well I get to try this technique out...*

He heats his entire body beyond the melting point, and suddenly everything flammable in the general area ignites, and the mist is blown away from the updraft of air, the heat strong enough to cause even Kalin pain as he was blown back.

Kalin:"(coughs)Awww(cough,cough) and I wanted to do this stealthily. Oh well...lets go, Rose!"

Rose appears, forming a Fire Magic circle behind her in mid-air. It proceeds to release a large stream of fire from it that propels Rose forward in Kado's direction. As she is sent flying, Rose begins to spin in a buzz saw motion. Rose slashes through Kado's scaled body as if it were paper, causing him to let out a roar in pain as he is split in half.

As she lands, she notices the glow of the eyes of the molten dragon has dimmed, and for a moment wonders if she broke him without realizing.

"You just love maiming people, don't ya?" Kado growls from behind her, and then proceeds to stab her in the side, as a howl of energy is unleashed from Fire Slayer, which impales itself into her, causing a searing numbing sensation that seems to be draining her fire magic, and amplifying the sword's razor edge. As she turns to attack him, he withdraws the blade and jumps back, and Rose notices that the entire side he had impaled is now completely numb, and she stares at the sword as it glows much more brightly than she had seen it do before.

"A minute more, and I would have got you too..." He pants, clearly tired. His jumpsuit is torn at his waistline, and a slowly healing ragged scar is across it.

"Damn it... that took more energy that I suspected it would... You're too brutal ya know..." Kado falls on his knees, using Fire Slayer to brace himself. The fires around them are slowly being drawn into the sword, until the whole area eventually extinguishes.

Rose maintains a confident smile on her face, although it is obvious that kado's attack left her drained of energy."Hey, lack of restraint is the trait of kings. And right now, **this** king is prepared for an execution!" She says as she rushes at kado, prepared to finish him off. However, Kalin regains control and stops his blade just as it touches Kado's neck."Talk about cutting it close,huh?"

A low growl is his lone reply, and Kado's eyes meet Kalin's, and Kalin nearly jumps out of his skin at the sight of blood red eyes and black marking across Kado's face. Before he can even mention it though, the look disappears as soon as it had appeared, and Kado collapses, breathing heavily.

"I'm... not sure if calling that a training exercise or attempted murder is more appropriate..." Kado moans. The scar finally finishes healing, and Kado lets out a breath. "I barely had enough energy to heal... you two are psychos, ya know..." He scratches his head. "What happened just now? I sort of blacked out when I saw Rose come straight for my throat, and then all of a sudden you're standing in front of me."

Kalin: "Oh, she was just messing with you." he says, laughing in a slightly unconvincing manner as he laid back on the scorched ground,looking up into the sky."You know, you did pretty well for a kid. Despite everything I threw at you, you managed to get up and keep moving forward. As a leader should."

Kado chuckles weakly. "Leader's too kind a word for what I am... I feel survivor is more fitting... after all my whole life has been nothing *but*conflict. My parents thought I was a freak, ...my only true family betrayed me and tried to have me murdered... heh, they almost did actually... even coming to the city, I was beat down, robbed, and abused more times than I can count. After a while, you only focus on what's necessary to survive... you stop caring about others and only care about yourself... it's what it means to survive... sacrificing who you are just so you can exist... I guess that's why I founded Azure... so that other people wouldn't have to endure my pain... have to forgo who they are just to survive..."

He trails off with a melancholy expression.

Kalin: "But that's just it, isn't it? How could you stop caring for people, and yet try so hard to save them? You may not be able to see it, but I feel the light inside of you. Even if the darkness blinds you to the path you walk, the light in your heart will show you the way to a world of peace. Standing, Kalin looks over to Kado, a oddly serious look on his face."Now, it's about time I got moving."

Kado looks at him puzzled. "Get moving? You going somewhere?" He manages to get to his feet after a minute.

"Yeah. I've been meaning to check in on an old friend of mine. It's not like I'll be gone forever, but I'm not sure where that will take me. Don't worry, I'll keep in touch." *And you'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid, right Azula?*

Kado reluctantly nods. "I understand." *"Trust me, my job is pretty much keeping Kado on a leash." "HEY!" "What? Are you telling me you don't jump out of your chair at the mere mention of Earth Slayer's name?" "....I hate it when you're right..." "Don't worry about us Kalin, I'm pretty sure we'll be fine. After all, it's not the last time we've been attacked like this before. We've always come out fine. Scarred, but fine."*

Opening a portal behind him, Kalin chuckles to himself and begins stepping into it. "Oh, Earth Slayer. Sounds terrifying. Heh. I still owe you a drink, Azula. Maybe next time..."

Kado raises a finger. "Uhhh, hold on... if you leave... umm... how do we get out of here?"

"Oh, yeah," Kalin said as he turned back to Kado."(snaps fingers, causing another portal to appear behind the waterfall) Whenever you're ready to head out, just step through there, and think about where you want to go. You'll be there in minutes. It's one-way, so be sure you know exactly where you want to go. See ya."(steps through portal)

Kado watches him go, and then sighs. "I can't imagine what that guy's up to now... ah well. Might as well head back..." He walks his way back, stopping to stare at what Drake had made again, and then returns to where he had been staying, where he finds Azula silently looking out the window.

*"Are you ready to return Azula?"*He asks hesitantly. *"Sort of... but how about you? Are you sure you're ready to go back?" "Well it's now or never... the sooner we get back the sooner we can insure that things get back to normal." "I guess... are we going to say anything? I mean they were more than generous to us." "...Yeah. I'll say something to that Elaonore girl before I leave. I owe her that much."*

Kado walks out of the building, and puts his white robe back on, smoothing it out and dusting it as he goes, before finding Elaonore. He waves her over to him, and he rubs his forehead.

"I'm not one for goodbyes and all... but I wanted to say thank you for your help... I appreciate it. You people live a good life, and I respect that. ...Can you tell me something though? ...Do you hate humans?" He asks hesitatingly.

Elaonore: Humans have done me no wrong, but have done so to my fellow Mythos. Humans are scared of what they do not understand. Humans are the most dangerous. If anything is more dangerous than they are, they are quick to try to get rid of it. There will be a day where man and Myth can live as a unity,but until then I stay here and watch overmy kind, like what you must do now.

Kado nods. "I hope so... though sometimes I feel as though that alone is but a mere fantasy. But that's besides the point. Thank you again and...." He seems to blush with embarassment. "But ahhh... pleassseee don't mention the uhh... other side of me... I-I... it's really embarassing..."

He looks away. "I know it seems cowardly to ask... it's just not something I'm proud of..." His eyes change to a light green.

Elaonore: \*smiles\* It's ok. Not everyday something strange happens. am always glad to help, whoever needs it. Friend or Foe.

He bows his head politely, and then turns to leave. "Goodbye now. I can't say that this place doesn't hold appeal to me... maybe one day I might return here. I rather enjoyed my time here." As he walks away, Azula notices his eyes are a brilliant gold now, and even a warm smile is on his face.

*"...I haven't seen that look on his face... in so long... he's happy...."*Azula thinks to herself. *"Ironic how we have to go back to the world that broke him, and leave a world that might be able to heal his wounds..."*

Azula looks at Elaonore. *"Thank you... for more than just your hospitality."*

She then turns and walks with Kado out of the town and back to the waterfall. They look at the portal, and take a deep breath. Kado looks at the swirling depths of the portal, and sighs.

"We have so much work we must do... but I can't help but wonder if this is the kind of future we might have at the end of the road..." He trails off. "But unfortunately, our work is far from done..." They walk through the portal, and back into the world they call home, back to the storms and wild elements. And back to the life they had always labored over... repairing what had been torn down, and building it up.

M.C.C.P. changed nothing. Azure had already been building things back up. It just had to stop to add another building project to the long list.

## From Ashes

The men tirelessly work to remove rubble, even as new roads are being drawn out, and planning for residential areas being executed. Even though Lord Kado has yet to be seen, they concentrate on what matters most to them. Rebuilding. The anger burns in their hearts, calling for revenge, but that would have to wait. One of the men look up to see a portal open, and Lady Azula and Lord Kado emerge, alive and well, though tired. The man drops what he's doing and rushes towards them. The reaction spreads like a tide, and soon the organization all begins to gather to welcome their leader back home. Beneath the city, the noise echoes down into the prisons, where four bound and chained prisoners hang over almost endless pits, their powers disabled through strange bracers fused with their skin.

Gobble: Mane, this sucks.

Seco: We know Gobble, you said that 4 times already.

Gobble: Because it does.

Seco: Feeling any better 5x5?

5x5: I'll be fine. Got all the time in the world to heal now that we're prisoners.

Avalia: Do we have a plan of getting out of here or this is where it ends for us?

Seco: Don't know yet, but we have all the time to think about it.

They suddenly hear footsteps coming towards them, as the cheering quiets down. From the top of the stairs, two figures descend, accopanied by a massive honor guard.

The man leading them wears a mask, and Seco remembers him as the man that lead the forces against the CRAzy. The man stops near the edge of the pit, and snaps his fingers, and plasma beams burst from the ceiling, forming a sort of massive series of jail bars far too thin to even stick a hand through. A strange transparent floor appears below them, and the chains begin to lower them, until they are gently put down on it. The masked man observes them for a moment, and their chains release them, though the bracers attached to their bodies remain.

"I was told that we had prisoners from the battle with the machine you sent against us... but to think you four were the ones we caught... well that boggles my mind a bit... it still confounds me how you did what you did. I assume you have names...? It would be awkward to speak to you without knowing your names..."

Seco: The names Seco, sort for Second

5x5: Jonothan "5x5" Waltz

Avalia: Avalia Monteri

Gobble: George Coble, or Gobble. Which ever or.

Kado looks at them, and nods. "I see. I hate the idea of treating people this way, but in case you didn't notice, there's only rubble where homes and businesses once stood. Unfortunately for you we were wise enough to vacate the city prior to engagement, so your machine did little but prove the reason why this organization exists. To destroy those who care little or none for innocent lives. And now not only have you failed to destroy us, from what I've heard, it's now the general opinion that our world should finish what the Element Overlords started. Your world's oblivion."

He lets that word hang in the air.

"There is a saying, perhaps you know of it? 'Violence only breeds violence. Hatred only brings more hatred.' Tell me something... Seco. What do *you*think kidnapping, killing, and harrassing Mythos does to the innocent ones?"

Seco: Make them feel safe. One less mytho, One less disaster to worry about, am I right?

Kado reaches up to his mask, and slowly takes it off, when he does, dark red eyes and an unusually young, almost teenage face stares out at Seco.

"You sound like my family... right before they tried to have me killed..." He takes out Dark Slayer, which begins howling in the dark room, deafening Seco and the others.

"Because this sword chose me... because they thought I was a threat... they tried to kill me... ...I... I loved them... I admired them... they were everything to me..." His voice breaks off. "But... now..." He suddenly growls, and a dark aura grows about him. "Now... now I just want to slaughter them... every last one... chop them to pieces, impale them on a spike...!!!"

His aura becomes stiff, as he tries to control himself. "Because someone thought I was a threat, me, an innocent, they tried to eliminate me. But by doing so... they created me..." He stares at Seco. "Because of their actions, I'm no longer an innocent. Now I'm a problem. A problem that will do anything to slaughter them, no matter the cost! Just another disaster now!" He snaps.

"Your logic... is the logic that will wipe out humanity. You breed violence, you bring hatred. By trying to kill one problem, you create ten. You kill the ten, twenty sprout. You eliminate forty, and suddenly it's eighty." He gives Seco a death glare. "The only problem... is you. You create the violence. You encourage it. Because of this, it will never end. Unless you start a new cycle."

Seco: Take a number. You don't thin we've been through the same shit you did? Wechose this life to contain our kind from doing any harm. We already have it as bad as it is. The humans don't need anymore problems like us.

Kado sighs. He sits down the floor, and closes his eyes, a still visibly angry expression on his face.

"Actually, it's humans that are the problem. Their hatred of what they don't understand, of what are stronger than them leads them to meaningless violence. You're just their pawns, brainwashed to serve whatever purpose they desire. Your M.C.C.P. is understandable, but *wrong.*I agree that there are Mythos who have no sense of justice or respect for those weaker than them... but what about you and I? There are more of us than you might think, Seco."

He gets up off the ground, and dusts his clothes off. "We treat everyone here at Azure the same, regardless of race. What matters is their actions. Which is why you are here. Why this building exists. Because this isn't a perfect world, and we still have criminals. However, we treat all with fairness here. Which is why until now your execution orders were halted. Because I had to spend a few days in recovery, my people could not authorize a execution.

That decision has yet to be made. What do you think I should do with you Seco? Should I treat you the way you treat your own kind? Simply elimnate you because you're a problem? Or should I offer mercy, even though my people's hearts roar for their sense of justice?"

He stares at them all. "Well? What's your answer? I want to hear it for myself."

Seco: I've already been shown mercy and there is no true sense of justice. Do whatever you want with me.

Gobble:...Seco.

Seco: Not like that, Gobble.

Gobble: \*is relived\* Oh ok, I was about to say.

Kado then gets a dark look which sends the general *Uh Oh*feeling down their spines. He becomes intagible, and passes through the plasma. He strides right up to 5x5 and grabs his throat, and lifts him up into the air.

"You said do whatever I want... right? *THIS*is what I want!" He tightens his grip on 5x5, and suddenly tosses him at Avalia, 5x5 choking as he slams into her.

"...But that's not what I'm going to do." His eyes turn dark grey, and he exits the prison cell. "I won't bring myself low as you. You all will be sentenced to service for the people. Let me tell you a couple of things, before you get any bright ideas. We have cut off all transportation routes to Earth on this world, and it will be impossible for you to return. Your bracers are a unique bio-mech that have bonded with your cells. Should you try to remove them, it will not only cause you pain, but even if you removed the original completely, the bracers would grow back in less than twenty four hours. They will continously surpress and limit you, you can only use a set physical limit, and you cannot use your full strength. Even if you did find a way back home... you would be worthless to your M.C.C.P. The bracers are in your genetic code... literally. If you do try to escape, know that you will be executed immediately.

...We'll see about adjustments on behalf of good behavior." He walks out, along with the woman, but their guards remain, and the chains return and limit their movements, but allow them to move inside their enclosure, and the plasma beams turn into a barrier much like the city's own barrier. One of the guards looks at Seco.

"Your first service hours begin, once we have determined you are in good health and well fed. Food will be provided at reqular mealtimes as per request, but no snacks between these time frames are allowed. These are your conditions provided under Prisoner Fairness Clause."

Seco: I told him to do whatever he wants to *me.*Self-righteos dumbass.

5x5: \*gets off of Avalia\* I'm doin' fine. This guy is an asshole.

Gobble: I know right.

Avalia: We have no other choice. We have to take responsibility.

5x5: We've always have. No reason to stop now.

Kado walks up to the meeting room, where each of the heads of the Azure agencies are gathered waiting.

He looks at each of their weary faces, and soon joins them and sits down. "So then... is it true that the other nations and clans are calling an early Summit to discuss the event.s of this past week?"

A department head nods. "Yes sir. They request that you meet with them in the next week."

Kado nods slowly. "I understand. I would like to do something before that then."

The D.H looks at him intently. "What would that be?"

Kado narrows his eyes. "I wish to speak with Earth's representatives myself. I move for an Astral Projection."

"...As you wish, Kado. We'll get it ready."

"Thank you. It's time that we had a good chat with Earth, and make it known that they need to get their heads out of their ass."

"...Yes... they do..." The D.H. says uncomfortably, and the room empties except for Azula.

*"Are you ready, Kado?" "No. I hate diplomacy."*

"Why is a mytho in our conference office?"

The President: No hostility at the table, please. This one is brave to come and speak with us in person. Continue masked stranger.

"As much in person as I can at this point at least... I would come to you directly but I have a feeling that security would otherwise prove problematic, and my people don't need any more of your apocalyptic weapons of pointless destruction pointed at us. I come to you to inform you that in less than a week, my world's leaders shall convene to discuss a rather stressing issue, namely the destruction of my entire people's city. Even as we speak it may take countless weeks to simply clear away the rubble." His image flashes to that of a city completely leveled, with millions tirelessly clearing the debris and at the same time, trying to reestablish homes, and then eventually returns to his form.

"I also understand you probably are not interested in hearing me beat around the bush either. An organization called M.C.C.P., which we have learned is more or less able to do as it pleases even without your approval, and is fully supported by you, is the source of our people's calamity. I am not going to pretty my words, nor soften them for you. Because of this organization's actions, which I will stress was given authority to act in such a manner, my world now seeks to make Earth pay for its actions. There are those who say we should just burn it down, innocents or not.

...I do not believe in such violence. ...But what do you say to this? Are you happy to let such careless violence go unabated?"

Rep 2: The M.C.C.P have jurisdiction over all things Myth-based. We let them do their job.

Rep 5: As for people. We have lost more in our lifetime than you ever have. \*shows pictures of desolated cities such as Osaka and New York City, even Beijing.\* This was caused by Mythos. these beings are a destructive force. More than half a trillion people die each day because of these things. Are agencies are doing what they can to prevent that. They scower around the place, wanting to have what God has given only for us. The Mythos were never meant to be.

Kado stares them down, his eye color changing to a very dull red. "Tell me something. Is it necessary to exterminate people who don't do such things? Is it necessary to jail those who care about society? There are Mythos who given the chance might be even more loyal citizens than their human counterparts. And in all of the history of my world, let it be known that it was my kin who protected humanity after they accidentaly wandered into this savage world. Our world is nothing like Fantasy. There is pain. There is suffering. Yet unlike you, we rallied together to embrace new ideals, even when our world was once just as war torn if not more so as yours. Perhaps you are simply creating a self fulfilling prophesy, did you ever consider that?

When those who are innocent are harmed, will they not retaliate in anger? You may remove as many Mythos as you please, but more will come, with more hatred than the last. What will it take for you to not realize that violence only breeds violence? My world treats everyone as equals. Man AND Mythos must abide by the same laws. Crime endures, but our people who fight for the law keep them down. Instead of this ceaseless violence, this unending hatred, could you not treat them the same as you?

...How long has it been? And tell me, during all of these years then, how well has your plan worked for you yet? I encourage you to think, and to look back at those pictures, and YOU tell me, has anything changed?"

Rep 2: Your lucky. Because your kind didn't sin. Man did. This is our punishment for going against God's will. We are doomed to repeat the never ending circles: Life, Death, Hell, Pain. and Responsibility. No matter how hard or how much you preach to us. Your words are lost on Man.

"...You say you are doomed to repeat never ending cycles? ...Fine then. So do I. So does anyone who truly lives. But if you say responsiblity is one of them... let me suggest this. Start being responsible. All you're doing is stuffing the mess under the bed, and hoping that it goes away. Even when man was deserving of his wrath, a man and his family was spared. When man was alone and unable to fend for himself, did God not give you the powers that made you who you are? Did you not become able to stand on your own two feet, and build yourselves up?

While once you were helpless, he gave you the ability to stand up, even as exiles, you could know that you could stand alone. Yet, when we were born, you didn't try to help us. You tried to erase us. For that alone, if you claim that you're cursed with responsibility, I would say that you have failed your responsibility more than ever! Your race was given the power to create us, why else would your creator give you such a power if not to show you what it means to be a creator yourselves! It would be so easy for him to treat you like you do us! But he doesn't, even after all this time!"

Kado closes his eyes. "All this time, the Mythos have had to learn to walk on their own. All this time, we've only known that our creators hate and spite us. They only want to kill us. That's all we've ever known. We don't want you to do these things to us. We want you to teach us how to walk, to survive, to thrive... ...that's what we wanted. But all you've done is turn us away, just because you think we were a mistake, even though you were given the power to create us.... as a gift from your own creator! What did we do to deserve your hatred? You made us this way... ...perhaps you haven't noticed... but many of us... are just like you. We hate. We fear. There are those of us who fear death... those who carry heavy burdens... pain... hell... many of us know what that's like.

Because you gave those things to us."

Rep 1: That's why we fear them. They have all the impurities off man, plus the abilities monsters. Our belief in the stories we told brought them here through life-occurrences. You are like us, but that is what makes you even more dangerous. Mankind was always blinded by sin, we can't just wipe our eye that easily. We can't change this, until the end comes and it is almost here.

Kado looks away from him. "What you're doing... is sin. Is it not? Killing? Kidnapping? Unjust imprisonment? I can't believe you call yourselves 'human'. The only monsters I see... are the ones in this room. The ones who allow this... to not even give *anyone*a chance... can you not at least offer a hand of mercy to the ones who don't deserve this treatment? Is that too much to ask? A law requiring due process, where people are judged, not by hatred but by law, a law that judges based on crime, not existence. You could even recruit Mythos to fight against those who would defy society, and abuse their powers!

If the humans who came from your world to ours could learn to accept and change who they were, there is no reason for you at all not to try. And let me tell you that the ones who established this change in our world, was not the Shapeshifters, who cared only for their own peace and quiet, nor the Elemental Clans, who only sought bloodshed, but the humans, humans from your world, who decided to make a new life, an new history, where they could cease fighting, and live in peace! And ever since the Fantasy Reality war, they have done just that!

...Until M.C.C.P. attacked us, the only wars came from the few fanatics who still cling to old ways, there was peace, until you brought your violence back to us, all of our long hard work torn down by people who have still been doing the same thing, the people who still cling to old ways, and the people, who refuse to change.

***Humans**have a power far greater than the Mythos, representative. But it seem's you're forgotten your power. You have the power to change, change not only your lifes, but your destiny. You once wielded the power of change, you once wielded an imagination so great, you gave birth to life!"*Kado snarls.

Rep 1: You miss understand. Humans are monsters. Your words are but stone.

"So, then, what's the point of you existing then? If you're so damned, then why do you care about killing off Mythos? Is it just because you want someone to drag to hell with you? Is there anything you care about? Probably not." A new voice says out of no where, and Kado sighs.

"No one invited you to this conversation, Fire Lord."

"I don't *need*an invitation!" The person speaking appears, a humanoid mass of stone and fire, with visible jagged teeth. "I make my own. But that's beside the point. So let me get this straight, human. You call yourselves damned, and you hate your existance. So then, tell me, what's your point in killing, when you could care less about yourselves? I'd like to understand your logic here." He says in a growling voice, echoing with his primal energies.

Rep 3: We didn't say anything about hating or existence. Humans are cowards, we hate everything that does not look or even act like us. God gave us this world. The Mythos wish to destroy it! Take it for themselves!

The fire lord gives him a irritated look. "And who told you that? Did your grand ol' poppy tell you that? Or is that some preconceived notion you carry, because it's convenient? It's easier to band everyone into a wagon, isn't it? It's much harder to sort out who's the bad guy and who's the good guys. You're too much of cowards to even realize when a system is broken! And while we're talking hating, yes you do. You hate yourselves, it's written all over your damn cowardly face! You moan and b\*tch about how you're cursed for all eternity! You could care less what happens to the human race!

Our world's leaders are meeting in a week, and I see no reason to vote not to declare war on Earth, and wipe you out for your transgressions. You may hate yourselves, and you may place your curses on yourselves, but you will not use it as an excuse to disrupt peace in our world! You WILL suffer for the consequnces of your actions."

The President: We cannot fix what is broken. All those who tried to fix it died. You make waron man, you too make war on the Mythos. And no doubt that Sedition will come and put an end to you.

Rep 2: Why put our faith in the Sedition? They're Mythos too!

The President: The strongest Mythos we or anyone else have ever seen, that is why I am putting my faith in them

Kado appears to draw a sword, and the Fire Lord leaps back, hissing angrily. "Calm yourself, or remove yourself from here. I have no time to put up with war mongering."

Kado looks at the President. "It's true that those who try to fix things often die. But often times they are a minority who are incapable of changing the world, they have so little power. But you... ALL OF YOU! You all alone possess power beyond the individual. Are you not representatives of all of Earth's people? You have the power to change law, to set the way forward for progress, innovation. In your hands, you can change the status quo, you can authorize changes that promote civil rights, you can pass laws to change the economy, if there is anyone in this world who can change things, it's you, Mr President, and all of you," He points at each of the representatives.

"But if you choose to waste your power, and sit by and not even try, than I have no cause to believe in the good of humanity! My parents were human, but I never hated them for how they treated me, I understand it just as well as any Mythos. I'm different. I had the opportunity to see the good things humanity has as a child, even as I wandered helplessly, alone and forgotten, there was always someone who cared enough for a child to help me. Please... do not let this go by. I know you are capable of far greater things. I've seen them." His eyes change to a light blue.

Rep 2: Why should we give rights to monsters?

The President: We cannot just do that, for it may be unfair to the people.

Kado sighs. "Then why do you have rights? Did you not just yourselves admit to being monsters yourselves? And besides. As representatives of your people, it is true you have a duty to fulfill your duty to your office, and to your people. But there are times when someone must understand you can do one of two things. You can either fulfil your duty blindly, and you can neglect your own personal beliefs and ideals. Or, you can stand up for what you think needs to be done, even if society thinks you're wrong. You must decide if you believe a cause is worthy enough to stand for, even when you're the lone man standing above the sea, and not let your station fool you into declining into apathy.

Why is it that you became politicians, why is it that you ran for your station? Do you not have ideals of your own, ambitions you want to realize? Is there not something in your life you think is worth fighting for? Tell me. I'm curious. What ambitions drive you? Or are you simply mindless puppets doing whatever people tell you?"

He gives them a look. "There's a difference between doing what's popular and what's right. Think of it this way. Instead of investing so much more resources into containing all of these people, you could give them the chance to use their powers for good. Giving them rights would make all the difference, representative. They have no voice. They have no hope. They have no reason to coexist. You humans have something that Mythos crave. Freedom. Hope. Life. Of course they resent you, of course they hate you. You give them every reason to, and never a reason to love or show compassion. And when you add demonization, hatred, kidnapping, killing, you've only added fuel to the fire. By giving Mythos rights, you extinguish much of the flame. You remove the fire at the source. You're only trying to extinguish a fire with water, when it is a grease fire. You've tried everything else, but the humanitarian option. And why not try? What do you have to lose by trying? It's not like doing this for the past 700 years had done anything. New York, Bejing... those tragic moments continue even after all this time. Because you're doing the same old thing."

The President: Hmm, perhaps you are right. But it is too late. We've already signed it.

Kado and the Fire Lord narrow their eyes. "Signed *what?*"

The President: The Act. The Mythos Regestration Act. All Mythos must come under an agency. If they do not comply, they will be treated to civil segregation and if caught outside the law will be killed.

Kado gives him a half stern look. "First off, what does come under a agency mean anyway? And also, can you not provide amendments and stipulations to provide a degree of fairness to the law? It doesn't have to be set in stone. Just because it IS, doesn't mean it always has to be that way."

The President: We promised the people their safety. If we change it, they'll want to take matter into their own hands. We can't loose innocents to a personal war. And yes, we have more than one agency. The M.C.C.P is one of our best and most trusted.

Kado looks as if he's about to say something, but a voice not seen interupts him.

"Sir... I have news. According to what we've learned... we've positively confirmed that Earth Slayer... is hiding on Earth."

Kado's attention begins faltering to what the voice said. "What did you say...?" Kado breaks off, disbelief in his voice.

"...I said Earth Slayer is confirmed to be hiding away on Earth."

Kado is silent, and Fire Lord looks on, confused. "Who is this, 'Earth Slayer', Kado?"

"...Leave." "Wha-" "I said leave, Fire Lord."

The Fire Lord silently vanishes, and the President sees that there is a demented look of rage in Kado's eyes.

Kado seems to struggle with his emotions for a moment. "...I asked you what coming under an Agency means, President. What does that mean for those who do?" He says in a much darker voice than before.

The President: They will be trained to become agents. No tests or biological enhancements. None of that, but they will be trained to...hunt down there brothers.

Kado's eyes close. "So even after all of that... in the end they're just a means to an end. No hope, no future. What about the Mythos who too young to fight...? What about the families? In the end they're still just caged animals. Nothing is solved. You won't even give them a decent chance to serve society, besides being tools and killers? ...No one wants that life."

The President: We mean't what we said....Humans are monsters...The children are also trained but will not participate in capturing other Mythos until they become of age. Anny family member who do not comply will be submitted int civil segregation, we catch him or her doing anyhting wrong, they will be kill. Either by an agency or by the people.

Kado opens his eyes slowly, his eyes still red.

"...I see now that you truly don't care. I hoped you all might be willing to listen... nothing changes. But it doesn't matter anymore."

He seems to regain his earlier anger, and the President strangely finds interest in the reaction of Kado at the mention of 'Earth Slayer', whoever that might be.

"...I have my people to return to. I won't waste any more of my time, it's clear to me now that the solution rests elsewhere." He turns, silent disgust burning in his mind.

The President: Your words maybe lost upon us, but that doesn't mean we don't value your effort. Not many a mytho come here to talk of rights and equality. You are brave one, not many would've come. You have me respect above all else.

Kado's image is slowly distorted by a red aura. "What value is that to me... when your respect earns me nothing? My life's work to provide a future remains trampled upon, and no justice has been offered." He disappears.

The President: Hmmm....Earth Slayer...

## Two Swords Clash: London,England

*Hiroshi is training 12 students basic martial art skills*

Hiroshi: Punch, punch, front-snap kick, right hook, punch \*feels something\* What is that? I felt it...somewhere before...hmmm.

Outside his academy front, he sees a young man staring directly staring at him intently, observing every movement he is making. After a while, he silently appears to slip off into the crowd, but the eyes he saw seemed familiar... as if they were the eyes of a shapeshifter wearing a form... He struggles to brush off the thought, and decides to end class early.

Hiroshi: Stop.

*students stop*

hiroshi: You did very well today. You are dismissed. \*bows towards his students\*

*Students bow back, gather their stuff and leave.*

Hiroshi: \*looks back outside\* Who are you?

From the roof above him, the man drops down, this time a clear view of his eyes, most definitely the eyes of a Echo Shapeshifter.

"No one really... except..."

The man unexpectedly swings a katana, one hidden in his clothing with the skill of an expert.

"I'm the man who is out for your blood." The man growls.

Hiroshi: Then you'll be wasting your time, because Earth has no blood. \*starts mildly shaking the Earth\* I have never seen a shapeshifter this far from Echo. I can see it in your eyes, you are descent from Echo.

"Ahhh... you haven't lost your sharp sight. I certainly heard much of you... Earth Slayer Hiroshi." Hiroshi pauses, surprised that this PERSON knows his name, which only Phoenix would know...

The man changes form, becoming a man in a black jumpsuit with a white cloak, a grey mask with a blue circle, and long grey-brown hair.

"You are correct, I am from Echo. I have been hunting you and Phoenix for quite some time."

Hiroshi: You would have to have a justified reason to do this. So tell me, what did we do to you?

"Less talking. More dying." The man suddenly stabs at Hiroshi's head, while also stabbing at his side with a dagger, the strikes almost snake like, the mark of an assasin's quick and agile strikes.

Hiroshi: \*absorbs the metal and is covered with it\* You cannot kill me what comes from the Earth \*his hand turns int a sword and slashes at the man\*

The man quickly flips backward, and he draws two weapons, a red and black katana. The sight of them both sends chills down Hiroshi's spine, and he becomes angry, already suspecting what they are, and wondering how he got his hands on them.

Hiroshi: How in the world did you recieve Dark and Fire Slayer? \*continues to slash at he man\*

"How do you think? I found the stupid little kid, barely alive, and finished your sloppy job. I interogatted him, and discovered there were more lovely swords like his... so I searched and found the old woman, and slit the harpy's throat too. I know everything about you, including what you did to the boy. In exchange for killing him, I even told him I would kill all of you for him."

He easily blocks every sword stroke of Hiroshi, with a skill to match his own. "The name you seek? People on the streets call me Wildcard! Because it doesn't matter who gets in my way, I'll cut ya up!" He strikes at Hiroshi with a burst of fire, and a wave of darkness.

Hiroshi: \*blockwith and Earth block\* I will not be beaten by a hired thug. \*bushes the block at Wildcard\*

Wildcard seems to get hit, but out of no where, a stab from Dark Slayer impales him in the shoulder, slipping through the faint kinks in Hiroshi's armor of steel. Just as quickly as he was there, he disappears and jumps back, onto the earth block.

"Cept you see I am no hired thug. I'm acting of my own conciousness. That consciousness tells me that Earth Slayer of yours is mighty appealing. Besides what I said about the kid, which I meant, I'm also interested in collecting that sword of yours. I bet you talk big, but perhaps... you're just a bigger coward than I!" He chuckles, and throws a fire bomb at Hiroshi's feet.

Hiroshi: \*forms a metal dome over the bomb before it explodes\* If I am a coward, how come I haven't ran away yet? You do not know the meaning of the word. \*launches himself at Wildcard an impales him in the shoulder and lifts him up\* What have you got to say to yourself now?

"...Is this how you felt as you so eagerly impaled your own disciple...?" He chuckles darkly. "Oh no, not just once... not just twice... wasn't it... four different times?" He asks mockingly.

Hiroshi feels his anger at this man grow ever moment, and decides he wants to unmask this coward for who he really is.

Hiroshi: A true coward hides behind a mask. \*unmasks the man only to be surprised to look at the his true face\* You...

The young face of his former student stares down at him, a almost lifeless expression and look in his eyes. "...Hello again, Earth Slayer. So how does it feel? Knowing you've impaled me yet again? Do you get a sense of pleasure out of it? After all, it was you who made the first and last blows... both of which nearly killed me..."

Hiroshi can only stare at him in shock, wondering how he could have survived alone all of this time, and if this is just another trick.

Hiroshi: I guess I taught you well. You have survived all these years by yourself and managed to find your way here. You must've spent a lifetime trying to find me, I almost feel loved.

Suddenly, a vicious snarl rips through Kado's mouth, and he violently stabs Hiroshi in the chest with Dark Slayer. His eyes burn crimson red, and strange black and red markings scrawl about his body.

It occurs to Hiroshi that Kado's appearance is wrong. He knows from experience that it has at least ten years since he last saw Kado, who was no more than 15 years old. Yet his face does not seem to have the vissage of a young adult... but his prior 15 year old face. It suddenly dawns on him the only possible reason for this appearance. Extreme mental trauma.

Kado rips himself free of Hiroshi's blade, and lands in the street, dripping blood, his face contorted into a wild expression of rage. His hands grasp his swords so tight they appear pale white, and is breathing deeply, each breath cutting off into a snarl, and Hiroshi isn't reminded of a proud warrior coming to challenge him, but a savage beast with the sole purpose of slaughter.

Hiroshi: Your mind is just as clouded as your face. Instead of living a new life, you instead waste it on killing us. You were a fool when I trained you, but have become a bigger fool now. No wonder I denounced you as my apprentice.

Kado leaps over to him, and begins to slash and hack at him violently, determined to injure the man that caused him such pain for so long in his life.

"The only fool was you! Fire Slayer was far wiser than you ever were! You know nothing about what I went through because of you! I said that I killed her, but that was a lie! Before you launched your attack, after you sealed my power, Fire Slayer released her seal and nursed me back to health when I escaped from you! She didn't look at me as just another threat, she cared about me, and saved me! She in the end... was more of a master to me than you ever will be!" He roars.

He manages to get a cut on Hiroshi's side, drawing a thick stream of blood.

Hiroshi: \*the leaves of the Earthcircle around him, some of the leaves touch his wounds and he is healed\* If it weren't for me you would've died the day we nearly killed you. You only saw confornt in Fire Slayer because she was the only one who didn't betray you. You are fool for letting me get to you that much. A lesson I thought you, let your emotions pass by you, like a stone in a flowing river. You failed at doing so. I may have betryed you, but doesn't mean your training was for nothing. Look where it's gotten you now.

Kado silently glares at him, a dark aura about him is growing stronger every minute that passes, as if it was being fed by his wrath.

He points Dark Slayer at Hiroshi. "You were simply unlucky your sword didn't dig deep enough into my chest to kill me. No training could ever prepare anyone for what you put me though. Even to this day, the only memories I have of you now is the sweat and bruises of your training, and the bite of your treacherous sword. The howling fear I felt as I was hunted down like a wild animal. The pain of every footstep, of every breath, heartbeat... it all echoes in my brain and soul like a ceaseless war drum... beating me contiously, relentlessly... in my sleep, all I feel is the same memory over... and over... and over... again and again..."

He gives his old master a look of cold hate. "The only thing left of that boy ten years ago... is the wild animal still hurting and crying out in pain... broken, and never to heal."

Hiroshi: But aren't you proud? If we hadn't have put you through all that, would have turned out the same way you are now? It was to stengthen you for a cruel world that lied ahead. You have a responsibility, do you not? They could've healed your heart but instead you pushed them aside and put them in harms way to try asnd find me. They put their faith in a broken child. If have proven to be just as worst as me...son! \*smirks\*

*Hiroshi is shot from behind by a bazooka*

Soldier 1: I can't believe I am shooting a bazooka even after I lost my arm.

Soldier 2: Mane, suck it up. Your still alive aren't ya' \*shoot his bazooka at Hiroshi\*

Hiroshi: \*is breathing hard\* W-what? Whooo...w-whoooo are t-they...?

Soldier 2:\*is imitating Batman\* We're your worst nightmare, old man.

Soldier 1: Eh, more or less \*shoots at Hiroshi again\*

Suddenly, a swift cut of a sword cuts both bazookas like they were butter, and a figure jumps up and spin kicks both soldiers into the nearest building, dislocating their shoulders and cracking their jaws from his kick.

Hiroshi looks at the figure, and realizes that Kado is gone, and only what looks to be a child blackened by thick darkness stands. The child turns toward Hiroshi, and he sees solid red eyes, with dark red markings in the style of the Shadow covering its body. He suddenly remembers this child as the one they had found when they first took in Kado, and he can't help but remember raising the frail weak child, and secretly having had great joy in watching the child grow up and become strong, even hoping that he might even inherit his sword one day.

He looks at the child, and suddenly realizes the depths of the damage done to him, and senses that the Kado he had seen before was merely a shell, a shell protecting the fractured mind left behind ten years ago, and realizes that if anything is close to Kado's true self, it might be this.

Soldier 2: \*is in pain but manages to pick up another bazooka\* Say hello...to ma' friend...\*is aiming at Neo Kado\*

Hiroshi: \*block comes from beneath the bazooka and has it poiting upwards\*

Soldier 2: \*fires on accident and the shot hits Big Ben.\*

*The hour hand on Big Ben falls off*

Soldier 1: Oh God, did you just shoot Big Be?

Soldier 2: I didn't mean to shoot it!

Soldier 1: Tell that to The Pope! Thanks to you they'll cancel BBC America! Looks like im gonna have to say god bye to Doctor Who.

Soldier 2: Still can't believe that happened. \*is slammed back into the building by the block\*

Soldier 1: That is what you get when you fuck with Britain.

The other soldier notices Kado silently walking toward him, walking almost in a zombie stumble, but definitely moving toward him aggressively.

Soldier 1: Well, looks like we're gonna die...finally. It was nice knowing you Gilles.

Soldier 2: \*is still buried under the block\* Fuck you, Pratt.

Kado silently executes the soldier, and with blood still splattered on his face, turns towards Earth Slayer. In a blinding motion, he sends a thick wave of darkness at Hiroshi, and the wave smashes him into a brick building, causing a section of the wall to collapse into the street.

Hiroshi: \*is surrounded by floating rocks and dust\* It's time to put and end to you. If I created you I can destroy you. \*fires multiple large rocks at Neo Kado\*

Kado knocks some aside with his hand, and the rest he slices into harmless pebbles, and before Earth Slayer can blink, jumps over to him and slashes at him with Dark Slayer once more.

Kid,who was just returning from training in the dragon realm,saw all the junk that was happening there."Just great! Why does everywhere I go involve a fight?" He then noticed Kato ad got some weird vibes from him."I'll make sure to steer clear of that guy." He stretched before dropping his back pack."Now let's see the spoils of my training." He said before rocketing at Hiroshi at speeds close to Mach 15 and landing multiple Megaton proportion blows on all of his pressure points before going back to his orgin spot.

Hiroshi: \*blocks most of them with his blocks\* And who might you be?

Kado suddenly rushes Hiroshi with blinding speed, and quickly grabs Hiroshi's face. Spinning wildly, he suddenly throws Hiroshi towards a skyscraper, flying after him with wings of pure darkness. As he approaches the skyscraper, Kado suddenly slams into him, sending both into the building, tumbling, crashing, and tearing through walls and alarmed business workers, causing various screams as the two tumble out the other side, Kado landing on the skyscraper's side and then gliding after Hiroshi, who is forced to fall all the way down.

Hiroshi: \*controls the glass windows on the building and turn them into glass shards and starts shooting at Kado as they fall\*

Kado only seems to fly straight at Hiroshi, the glass slipping right through him, and Hiroshi realizes he's gone intangible, and curses the capabilities of the Dark Slayer under his breath.

Kid,still trying to keep his distance from Kado at the moment,inhales sharply."Roar of The Fire Dragon!" He says shooting the large blast of fire towards Hiroshi's back and forcing him towards Kado.

Hiroshi: \*sees the blast at the corner and of his eye and blocks it with a glass shard shield which explodes upon impact\*

Kado flaps his wings, and a massive barrage of shadow bolts begin streaking at Hiroshi, flying like missles straight for him. Hiroshi finds this odd, as he knows that Kado should only have two levels of power... but this is almost a level five ability of Dark Slayer...

Hiroshi: Too much time on his hands. \*dives straight toward the ground below, while causing most of the metal support on the skyscraper to pull apart blocking Kado's way. The skyscraper starts coming down.\*

*People from inside the skyscraper starts panicing as well as the people below*

Suddenly a vast darkness begins to seep from Kado, growing thicker and thicker, until it appears as if night itself is being summoned. The people falling suddenly come to a stop as they fall into the shadows, somehow suspended as if in syrup. The darkness grows and solidifies, slowly taking the form of a vaguely humanoid skeleton with two large horns sprouting from its forehead. The building's top collapses onto the skeleton, where it begins dissolving on contact, causing more people to sink into the darkness, being protected by the thick shadows. Once the majority of the people are captured within, they suddenly are grabbed by shadow hands, and taken outside of the form a whole block away, where they quickly set them down, and return to the form.

Hiroshi stares in absolute horror as the black wings sprout from the back of the skeleton, and it easily breaks free of the building's foundations, and swats the rest of the building away from it. He'd only heard legends of this power, a power only used once before, by the first Dark Phoenix, Hadari. At the same time, he is struck dumb, there should be no way that Kado could be using *this*power. They sealed his spirit's power!

*...Or perhaps... something more than just a mental break down occurred... perhaps it isn't just a case of having split personalities... but a fractured soul?*

The massive skeleton rises up, red patterns dancing about its form, glowing red eyes occuping its eye sockets. The creature lets out a vicious roar, one that signifies that the elder of the Phoenix, the oldest and most maleviolent of them all has risen once more... the return of the Dark Phoenix.

Hiroshi: You are truly my son. \*smirks\* But sadly you can no longer live. \*before he hits the ground, the ground comes up and pushes him back up above the skyscraper\*

"....." From within, Kado feels pain. But he no longer cares. It's the same as all the rest of the pain... nothing worth living for exists that can cull it. He swings his gigantic blade at the pillar of earth upon which the sole object of his hatred stands... the blade's dark fire cuts through the earth like paper, and devastates the many buildings behind them. But who cares for drones of ants that would only sting him anyway?

Hiroshi: Yes! Embrace the hatred you feel! Come at me! Become the weapon we forged! Become...DARK PHOENIX!

Almost instantaneously Kid's fist was sunken into Hiroshi's face."Super Dragon Fist! Explode!" He yelled,,causing an explosion of nuclear proportions of golden light with a roar of a Dragon in the back ground.He then moved quickly to escape Kado's sight.

Hiroshi: \*turns into dust. The dust blows all the wat to the top of Big Ben. The dust reassembles back into Hiroshi\*

The skeleton suddenly appears to turn towards Kid, and for a brief moment, there is a silent tension. With a sudden roar, it swings its sword in his direction, sending a blast wave into the buildings he stands on, before in the same motion turning towards Hiroshi and swinging two of its black swords at him, moving so fast he realizes he will have to use that form to avoid getting hit.

Kid sees the wave coming and just barely dodges it,by side back fipping.While in mid air,he ignites his feets and spins like a top,lobbing fire balls towards Hiroshi.He then speeds to another location close to Big Ben and concentrates his energy,a gigantic fiery aura surrounding him.

Hiroshi: \*block the fireballs with metal squares\* Time for your final lesson, Kado. \*raises his hands in the air. The entire London area is being lifted from the Earth itself and into mid-air\*

The skeleton suddenly flickers in intensity, and it grows six more arms, which each begin to charge black spheres of energy. From the skeleton outward, a area of darkness begins spreading around the city, taking out all of the lights as it goes, leaving the areas behind in pure darkness. As it approaches Hiroshi, he begins feeling a sick feeling of nausea, one that becomes almost paralyzing as it passes over him, making it even difficult to hold up his sword. He suddenly feels his control over the city cease, as the shadows completely surround the city, and force it to come to a stop, neither falling nor rising. The skeleton then fashions six more swords out of the surrounding darkness, and forms a pair of legs, and begins charging at Hiroshi, at a rate too fast for Hiroshi to possibly move out of the way, and the range of the construct's range tells him he won't get out of range of any of his swords in time either.

Hiroshi: \*sees the hour-hand on the ground and lifts it up and blocks the six-armed skeleton\* I will not be killed so quickly. Element of Earth come to me, lend me your blessings, so that I may vanquish all that oppose you and me. \*rocks and metals from all over London form a armor on Hiroshi\* You forget boy, I control the very thing God himself created. Those whowere brought from the dust, will return to dust. \*draws Earth Slayer\*

*"You fail to comprehend... that in the beginning... only darkness existed... before the Earth was even first born, there was only an empty void. Your words are petty, in comparison to the power of Darkness, the power of the Void, where all life and existence was born."*

A woman's voice slowly says in Hiroshi's mind.

The clock hand dissolves into shadow, and the blades slice into Hiroshi's construct's shoulders and chest.

Hiroshi: AAAGGGGRHHH! \*lifts one hand in the air and Big Ben itself rises into the air. Hiroshi throws it at Kado\*

It passes right through the skeleton, and disappears behind it with a rush of energy, and then reappears above Hiroshi, and slams down on top of him.

Kid sees Big Ben Also coming towards him and he breaks concentration for a moment to en coating his fist with his Soul Dragon's hand before leaping towards the clock and blasting through it,before once again trying to concentrate in mid air.

Hiroshi: \*is falling toward the Earth\* Good job Kado....this lesson is over....\*hits the ground but doesn't seem to be there\*

The city begins to shudder, as the darkness begins to retract, and slowly lets the city lower, until it gradually returns to the security of the earth once more. As the city begins to erupt into chaos, the skeleton begins to collapse, until Neo Kado is set back on the ground. He hears the approach of heavily armed men, and quietly turns to face them, turning into shadow to deny them the first move, even as they start shooting at him.

He quietly walks toward them, and as they flinch backwards, he silently walks through them, and begins sprinting off towards the city border, only one prey left in his mind. He dodges and jumps over police cars, and knocks aside anyone who gets in his way, and quickly manages to leave the city before they can close off the city, and is already out into the wilds. Once he has gained significant distance, he pauses, and begins feeling around, eventually picking up a disturbance in the earth below, thanks to the darkness. He has found his prey again. He then silently runs off in the disturbance's direction, not looking back at the city in chaos behind him.

The darkness will have its hunt. It will have its prey.

Hiroshi emerges outside his secluded bunker, but worried. Even though he has traveled a great distance, it still feels as though Kado's presence has not abated at all. Nervously, he decides to seal himself inside the bunker, just to be safe.

"You know he is going to find you right?" Kid says,appearing behind Hiroshi."I have learned with Determination,Instinct,and enough hatred for someone.You can do anything." Kid sees the suprised look on Hiroshi's face and smiles."What exactly did you think I was doing when I was manifesting my energy for an attack? Or looking into the future and leading Kado here?" He smiles."Its not the first one either." Outside in front of Kado,there is the Aurora Boreialis,but it was different in the sky there was a track of red energy that was meant to guide Kado to the bunker.

Hiroshi: T-this...cannot..be...

Suddenly, an earsplitting roar deafens them, as a massive molten dragon explodes through the hill in front of them, igniting everything in its path on fire, and as it rampages towards them, they feel their skin start to burn from the intensive heat. Hiroshi recognizes it as the legendary Fire-Earth dragon Hitomara, a being he encountered once before that could strangely defy his control over its metal body with the sheer intensity of its heat, its terrible wrath legendary on Echo. ...Which means this must be Kado as well... but how he could have faced Hitomara without dying is beyond him. Not that it matters, the more pressing matter is getting inside the bunker before Kado uses its almost mantle level temperatures to burn him alive.

"You know the good thing about being who I am?" Kid says to him,a cocky grin on his face."I am extremely immune to heat so no matter how hot it gets it will never effect me.YOU on the other hand cannot and will die certainly when the dragon comes around.You might be thinking,'I GOT TO GET INTO THAT BUNKER!' but thats not such a great idea either,because then you have to deal with me.Both choices are equally as bad." Kid says heating his body everything around him to thousands of degree's,hotter than the surface of a blue star.

Hirshi: \*turns to dust and blows off past Kid and Kado\* This...isn't...over...\*blows off into the wind\*

Kado suddenly returns to normal, and stares off after him.

"...You taught me many things, master! You taught me to be unshakable, and to never allow anyone to uproot me from my cause! ...It's true... that my sword is a sword of Chaos! Do you know why?! Because I'm going to tear down the order of this world! Children, innocents... families, they're uprooted, just because they're different, and forced to live their lives as tools, or be killed or treated like animals, locked in a cage! This order, SHOULD COME DOWN! And I also know this, master! Phoenix's true goals... isn't about killing off the Elementals... it's about destroying Humanity and claiming 'God's Blessing' in their place! Am I wrong?

No matter who wins, we're both on the side of Chaos! Are we not?! Come back here, and let's have our final lesson! Don't turn your back on me!" He yells after him, his voice full of passion, a voice he had only ever addressed Hiroshi with.

"...This isn't about my hatred anymore! ...This is about my cause, against yours! You know your honor demands you respect our clashing of ideals! Face me!" Kado yells. He points his spare Katana at Hiroshi's fleeing form.

"***COWARD!***"

Hiroshi: There is is such thing as a coward and a smart man. Blind you are and blind you always *shall*be. \*disappears into the wind\*

Kid sees the whole thing unfold in front of him,a little confused about whats happening but still interested.He shakes his head and begins to stand up straight after Hiroshi dissappears."Welp my work here is done." He says teleporting his bag and skateboard that he left to him,leaping on the skate board and rolling off."I aint very good with all this emotional junk."

Kado silently stares off into the horizon, contemplating the memories beginning to surface. Not just of the fight, but of his past, and wonders just what could have been. His thoughts begin to turn toward the destruction within the city, but he knows he would only cause more trouble to try and aid them.

There is still the Echo World Summit to deal with, after all. He closes his eyes.

*"Azula... I'm ready to come back." "I understand. ...Do you want to talk?" "...No... I don't know if I'll ever be read to talk about this..."*

He disappears, just as the LONE white figure watching him smiles.

"So... our little bird is starting to spread his wings.... how long before he takes flight to join the flock...?" She chuckles to herself, as Kado disappears from sight.

"So then... I suppose we'll just sit back and await the return of Dark Phoenix, shall we, Hiroshi?" She smirks at the dust that is hovering by her. "He'll see it our way in due time."

Hiroshi: He is becoming everything we wanted him to be. He will either acknowldge are work or deny it by pity Earth-standard morals. What he chooses will be crucial for us.

She looks back where Kado had stood, and a strange look of concern crosses her face for a moment. "Did you sense it, Hiroshi? ...There was a third fragment to his mind... Besides the one just now and that... 'Neo'... what do you suppose that other one is...?" She pauses, and then gets a playful smile. "Or were you too stuck in memory lane to notice it?" She teases.

Hiroshi: You can say that, but whatever those 2 others are, they clearly have more power than Kado could ever possess. We must be fully aware of them.

"Yes... but for now, I suppose the others will want to hear about our dear Dark's return to the world... I do believe there is an apprentice who would be... very anxious to learn of this turn of events." She disappears into a flash of light.

## World Summit

*Seco, 5x5, Avalia, and Gobble are just hanging around*

Gobble: We've been here for like a while know. I mean, when are we gonna eat?

Seco: We've been trained to go on for days without eating

Gobble: I have a higher metabolism rate.

Avalia: Im not sure if that made anysense

Gobble: Yea whatever. I'm still hungry. Hey,hey Gaurd guy. Ya have any food on ya'? Hope their not like those English dudes, who stand at the gate of The Tower of London. Those guys creep me out.

The guard gives them a flat stare. "You haven't set up your meal times. Of course you haven't gotten anything to eat. We don't even know what kind of Mythos you are. If you're hungry, you should have spoken up." He says in a flat bored voice.

Gobble: Dude, we Mythos eat just about anything you guys eat, I mean come on we're of the same race. Not to mention, your standing this close to me. Ya' can't here my stomach growling? Helmet too tight on your head?

"..." The guard sighs. "Need I explain the fact I'm not your maid? I can send requests for services, but you have to actually bother to take initiative. It's not my problem if you don't tell me what you want."

Footsteps can be heard coming from the stairway. "Hmm. Seems you're going to have a visitor."

Gobble: Is it that masked asshole again?

5x5: \*whispers\* Shut up!

Gobble: \*under his breath\* Well, i'm sorry, man.

They hear a chuckle from the stairs, and Kado walks in unmasked, much to the guard's surprise. "K-Kado?! Your mask it...!"

"I'm well aware. I lost it while I was fighting... him. I'll have to make a new one later." He pauses, and looks at the four. "They haven't feed you, have they?" He says in a visibly irritated fashion.

Gobble: No, these mean-giant poopy heads wouldn't feed us. Their treating s like animals! WAAAAAAA!

5x5: \*drops his head\* By dear God.

"...Everyone but you gets food." He says in an annoyed voice to Gobble.

Gobble: Ah shit. That sucks.

Seco: Your own fucking fault

Gobble: \*looks away\* So?

The barrier comes down, and Kado gestures them to follow, as guards file in, keeping their eye on them.

"Come with me, I will see that you get something to eat, and then we'll talk. Don't try anything with me, or you will sincerely regret it. I'm not in the best of moods to be dealt with." Seco notices this, there is a slight weariness to Kado's face.

He proceeds to walk up the stairs, while the guards have their weapons ready to fire in a merely moment's notice.

Gobble: Goin' on a field trip?

Seco: \*sarcasm\* With pissed-off shape-shifting national leader? No way.

Gobble: \*starts singing the Magic School Bus main theme\*

Kado almost stops to give Gobble a look, but instead shapeshifts his head into the vissage of Hitomara and roars, and just as quickly returns to normal. "I*HATE*kid shows." He walks much faster, and stops at the top of the stairs to wait for them, arms crossed.

Gobble: Gotta be hatin' on them childhood memories, huh?

Seco: This maybe a total dick question, but where are we going?

Kado does not answer, but when they reach the top of the stairs, they suddenly are teleported into what they assume is a living space, illuminated by only the walls, which glow a soft blue.

"Here." A table is prepared, with a kitchen on the left side with plenty of food. "Relax for a bit. We can get to business later. I have some time anyway." He walks over to one of the couches, and sits down.

Seco while getting something for himself, notices a strange cyllinder shaped object in one corner of the building, and notes it seems to be a sort of machine.

Seco: Another total dick question, but what is that? \*starts eating his food\*

Kado looks at it. "A liquid suspension chamber. I can't sleep in a bed."

Gobble: \*saracsm\* Geez, I wonder why?

5x5: \*whispers\* Shut up, man! Your gonna screw us all up!

Kado holds up Gobble's wallet over a incinerator trash can. "I suppose you don't mind if I just throw this in here, since you have such a smart mouth."

Gobble: Go ahead I don't need it. Not like we were given any equal rights or anything. Not to mention I'm broke. All I have is a 2 for 1 coupon for Arby's and picture of Avalia taking a shower.

5x5 & Avalia: \*drop their heads\* Oh my gosh.

Kado promptly burns it. "Well then..." He walks over to the table and sits down, and starts toying with a rather sharp combat knife, but does not seem concerned about not cutting himself.

"I assume you're probably dying to know why I've brought you here, so I won't keep you in suspense. As a result of your...actions, the nations of Echo have called for a World Summit, and that includes me. As a neutral territory between the great Elemental Clans and the Empire of Chinmoku, you not only angered my people, but as I told you, you've now incensed all of Echo's wrath. But that's besides the point. I told you we would put you to use, and since you claim to be competent, I'm interested if you would like to be part of the escort force that shall accompany me. Of course, you can always sit in your cell until we find something else you can do. ...And if you say one more thing Gobble, I will injure you so bad the only thing you will be able to utter is the sound you get your name from.

So on that note, the question is are you in or are you out? I want a straight answer."

Gobble: \*is intimidated\* Oh shiz

Seco: We will doubt escort you. Beats the hell out of hang by our wrists.

Kado sighs. "I thought I told them not to do that anymore. I'll give you a deal, do this without any funny business, and I will move you down to 'SS' quarters instead of your current 'SSS' class cell. I want you to keep in mind that the place we will be going to is the Temple of Chinmoku itself, a city of absolute no violence. If you try and start something, they will punish you severely. When you're there, mind your manners. They used to execute people for disrespect to the Grand Eye." He looks at them.

"We have at least one more day left before we will go, so I'm going to be nice and let you stay here. However, like I said, try any funny business and you're going to be in a lot of trouble. Understood?" He says sternly.

All: \*nod\* Understood.

Seco notices throughout the day that Kado has not eaten much of anything, and seems to be distracted constantly, either just tired, or there's something going on with him. As the evening approaches Gobble wonders where they will sleep.

Gobble: Ok, Seco and 5x5 sleep on that couch, Me and Avalia sleep on the other one.

Avalia: \*kicks Gobble in the crotch\*

Gobble: \*falls flat on face and starts whimpering\*

5x5: How about we guys sleep in one area and Avalia can have that couch to herself.

Seco: I was thinking me and Gobble can share this couch and you and Avalia can share the other one.

Gobble: \*is still whimpering\* Are you serious?!

Avalia: \*blushes red\*

Seco: \*winks at Avalia\*

5x5:...Um...sure...\*whispers to Seco\* And for the record, I wont be enjoying this.

Seco: You say that now,wait until later.

5x5: \*turns toward Avalia\* Come on. \*heads toward the other\*

Avalia: \*whispers to Seco\* Thank you. \*follows 5x5\*

Gobble: I wonder if that Kado guy has something like what 5x5 and Avalia have.

Seco: It's highly possible. \*lays down on the couch and goes to sleep\*

Early the next morning, Seco hears a wild thrashing, and he wakes up just in time to see the woman that had been with Kado earlier literally tear open the cylinder, and a thick liquid pours out as Kado slumps out and tumbles to the ground in a heap, a petrified expression on his face, seemingly gasping as if dying. The woman puts her hand on Kado's forehead, and his body's tension fades, and he quietly begins to sleep, a weary expression slowly replacing the terror that had gripped him seconds before.

He looks around and is amazed that the others had not woken up. The woman gives him a faint 'ssshh!', and then carefully places Kado in a chair at the large table, and wraps him in a blanket, before looking back at Seco.

*"I won't explain here. If you want an explanation, I'll have to do it somewhere else."*What he assumes is her voice rings in his head.

Seco: Uhhhhhh...ok? Should I wake the others up or something?

*"No need. I will simply give them a message they'll receive on waking up. They'll know the situation as soon as they wake up."*She responds almost instantly after he finished saying that.

Seco: Ok. So what now since I'm awake?

She blinks, and they are in a different living quarter, built and designed more like a proper house, which feels more inviting than Kado's. He notices that she also brought Kado, who is now resting on a couch.

*"Have some breakfast."*She indicates a plate of pancakes, sausage, and eggs.*"I don't doubt you must want some answers as to who we are, me and Kado. I can't promise to tell you everything, as it would happen, we both have things we don't know about each other, even now. I am not able to venture into Kado's mind without his permission. I'll start with my name. I am Azula, and I am the co founder and director of communications of Azure. Doubtless you know by now that I am a telepath, but my skills go beyond just you. I am able to communicate with all the members of Azure, which on Echo alone is about 6 million, instantly. The second you arrived with that machine of yours, I was aware of you and instantly alerted everyone in the city of your presence. Nothing escapes my notice.*

*I bet you have even more things you wish answered, so while your companions sleep, feel free to ask, you have plenty of time."*

Seco: Ok, what is the backstory of this place? \*eats one of his pancakes\*

*"Do you mean Azure, or this world in general? I may have to summarize some of the information if you want to know about this world though."*

Seco: I guess you can explain both while your at it. \*wraps his eggs and sausage in his pancake and eats it\*

*"From what we understand from research on Earth we've taken recently, Echo and Earth lie in the same positions in Time and Space, only Earth is in Reality and Echo in Fantasy. Our world rests just on the borders between the two, which one half of this world is more like reality, and another is more like Fantasy. The Elementals live to the West, the land more like Reality, to the East lies the Empire of Chinmoku, the land of the Shapeshifters, where Kado was born.*

*We live in the middle of the world, from our current maps at least. The true scale of this world has yet to be determined. As you no doubt saw in your invasion, this world is much more savage than Earth. The only shelter from the rampaging winds of the West is the mountains where these sprawling lush valleys lie, though occasionally a burst of wind blasts through the region from outside. Tornados occur only every ten years, but when they do, they are beyond destructive. This world is a matter of survival of the fittest."*

She pauses.*"That said, an organization like ours must seem illogical, in a place where strength is the key to survival."*

Seco: Not really illogical. People back on Earth do that all the time. \*makes another breakfast wrap and eats it\* You guys are like the X-Men or something.

*"I see. Anyway, Azure was founded by Kado and I, as you know. We were basically just two homeless people trying to fight for others like us, deprived of a good life. At first we were just another gang to the authorities, we were even wanted at one point. Through various methods though, we began to take down the various gangs in the city, using methods ranging through all out fighting to tactical methods. We generally made it so that the authorities would find an anonymous tip with all the evidence needed to convict and arrest them. In due time, we gradually were recognized by the city, and were greatly respected. However, the city's leaders, giant corporations and legal gangs valued us as a threat. They had made big money off the trade routes, as the city lies in a valuable middle ground for both East and West. It was at this point where we turned on them and through a whole year of fighting, we managed to topple the corrupt government. At first we did not lead the city, but the civilians began to request that we take control, and we reluctantly did.*

*And after that, we slowly began acting as a neutral ground for the West and East to mete out their diplomacy, and through us Echo is slowly seeing a greater amount of stability. Although, there are still plenty of hot heads, the Fire Clan Lord being a prime example, and the Exiled Clans as well, though they keep to the Forbidden Temples generally, so they're not as big as a problem."*

Seco: I see. You guys got your work cut out for you, more than humans and mythological creatures. \*makes one last breakfast wrap and eats\*

*"Is there anything else you wish to know?"*He remembers something about exiled clans, forbidden temples, and also is curious as to why she has not bothered to say anything vocally all this time.

Seco: You don't wanna speak face-to-face, instead of mind-to-mind?

*"It's nothing against you. I can't speak. At all. This is my only way to communicate, aside from perhaps writing."*

Seco: Your mute? You don't find that many people like that these days. But what about the forbidden temples and exiled clans?

*"A whole other story. Echo was once ruled by two empires. The Elemental Warlords, and the Chinmoku. During the time when Fantasy and Reality clashed, the Warlords became frustrated, their attacks on Chinmoku's outer most provinces were futile. They could only reach the center of the land, pretty much this entire valley system, but no further. The Warlords became aware of the existence of Earth, and so began the construction of portals that took advantage of Echo's proximity to Reality, and joined the war as well. In time, eight shapeshifters came out from the land of Chinmoku and took on the 8 Element Warlords, and eventually sealed them away in 8 katanas. You have already seen two of them. Fire Slayer and Dark Slayer, currently wielded by Kado. These 8 swordsmen became known as the Phoenix. They closed off Echo from Earth, by destroying the Azure Gate and proceeded to destroy the might of the Elemental Armies once and for all. Even today, the might of the Element Clans will never rise to that height again. The Exiled Clans and the Forbidden Temples, are the Elementals who would not turn their backs from their masters, and the Forbidden Temples were the seats of the 8 Warlord's power. To this day only the Exiled Clans live there."*

Seco: Neat story. I was their during the war. I saw them. It's didn't know what to make of them, ubt they helped man force the mythos back into Downation. I'm not sure if there are anymore questions for me to ask.

Kado starts to stir.*"Well be glad you didn't get close to Hadari, the first Dark Phoenix. Of all of them, he was legendary for... well being a brute. If he saw you, you probably would have died. But anyway, since Kado is awake, and since I'm sensing that your friends are waking up, it's time we headed back."*

Seco: Sure thing. Nice telepathically speaking to you, Azula. Where do we go?

They suddenly teleport back to Kado's housing, just as his teammates wake up, as does Kado, who was put back in the chair. Kado wearily blinks, and rubs the sleep out of his eyes.

"......Good morning..." He croaks.

Gobble: \*groans\* Good God why?

5x5: Cause we screwed up, that's why. \*gets out of bed\*

*Everyone stares at the purple marking on his neck*

5x5: What?

Gobble: COME ON, MAN!

Seco: Shut up, Gobble.

Gobble: Aw man.

Avalia:\*slowly wakes up\* What is it?

Seco: Somethin' to do, that's what. Now your ass out the bed

Gobble: He means*sexy*ass by the way. \*is slapped in the back of the head by Seco\* Ooowwww.

5x5 and Avalia: \*put cloths on\*

Kado yawns. "...When you all have your breakfast, we can go." He grumbles, still very tired.

*Everyone but Seco dis in for breakfast. Seco just watches. After 10 minutes everyone is all set.*

They all teleport, and arrive at the eastern edge of Azure, and Seco notices that already several housing districts are well underway, with at least two completed. He also notices the rather dangerous looks some of the citizens are giving them. As he looks around, a full battalion of fully armored Azure officers decked out with swords, guns, and various other weapons arrives on scene.

Azula looks at Kado.*"I hear the Clan Lords are well on their way. Do you think we should wait and meet up with them?" "...No. The Lords are very much angry with these ones,"*He says, looking at them.*"And I'd rather not try to wrestle Fire Lord off them. As much fun as that would be... yeah."*

Seco notices that he can hear what they're saying.

*"For now on, when in combat, only speak through this link. Otherwise our movements will be more predictable for others. You do have limits with this link, you will only be able to speak to the guards, Azula and myself, and your teammates. Understand that what you think is no longer private, so be aware of this. ...Especially some of you."*

Kado looks towards the East. "Now why don't we get going before we have to ahhh... introduce you, to Fire Lord."

Seco: Sure thing. come on guys. Let's move out. \*follows behind Kado. The others follow behind\*

## East Flora

They travel slowly over the mountain range, and as they travel down into thick forest, Seco feels a strange pressure build on him, as if something powerful is watching him, he quickly notices looks from his team that suggest a similar experience is occurring.

Seco: Kado, do you feel that? You know the 'I have a feeling i'm being watched' feeling?

Kado nods, and stops. "You might want to stop for a moment. The Grand Eye is watching you right now. He's going to decide if he's going to let you pass or not."

Out of nowhere, a large eye made of flames appears, and appears to be staring directly at Seco and the others. After a minute, a voice rings in their heads.

*You may pass.*A powerful, older voice rings in their heads.

Kado starts walking again. "You're lucky he let you come along. You would've been flung all the way back to Azure probably."

Gobble: Was that the eye of Jesus Christ?

5x5: Why can't you just shut you mouth, Gobble?

Seco: Because he doesn't want to get laid.

Avalia: \*chuckles\*

5x5: Oooooohhhhhh, burn.

Gobble: \*is hurt\* Shud up.

They wander deep into the forestland, before coming to a fork in the road, where Kado stops.

*"You know the way right?" "...Yes. It's just that... I feel like I've been here before. This fork in the road... seems familiar to me."*

Kado appears to have a troubled expression, and he keeps looking to the left branch of the road, which seems less maintained, possibly even overgrown.

Gobble: Man, attack of the plants up in here.

Seco: Watch your step guys.

Gobble: Yea no shit, old man. \*is having trouble walking over some of the overgrowth\*

All of a sudden, Kado comes to a dead stop.

"..."

He slowly turns to them. "Everyone. Wait here. I need to go alone. I just realized something." He starts to traverse the path again, not expecting any of them to follow, but Azula starts to follow him.

*"What's going on?"*

*"....Please don't follow me Azula."*

Seco: Alright we stay here and wait. If there something out here,we blow it the fuck up, got it?

All: Yes sir. \*get into a circular formation\*

*"I'm worried. He won't let me into his thoughts. The only thing I'm reading from him is some sort of distress."*Azula says to Seco. Meanwhile, Kado comes to a cabin looking as it was completely run down, and goes inside, already anticipating what he'll find. The dust and silence only adds to his confirmation. If she was here... or alive... he'd know. He spies a dusty journal, and reads a page, quickly growing pale at what he reads, and decides it would be best to read it later. After all...

*If I'm here... that means... the village is not far away...*

Seco: Tell him to suck it up. we gotta keep moving. He can sulk all he wants later.

She looks at Seco.*"He just literally cut me off completely. I can't even sense his location anymore. There's something up that he doesn't want me knowing about. I'm betting it has to do with... ...no, nevermind."*

Seco: He better hurry up. Im feelin' abit uneasy about this.

Kado reaches the edge of the village border, and wraps his face in a black cloth mask, and steps into the village. Many faces he doesn't remember, but he still remembers the streets. It doesn't take him long to reach the place he had lived at for so long, the Phoenix Garrison. Abandoned as well. He should have known. He suddenly hears footsteps behind him, and he turns to face them.

"Who are you?" He says sharply. "I was told the village was never aware of this location's exact whereabouts. How'd you find it?"

"You don't think I would know where my own house would be?I live here you know Or atleast, I used too." Feels the edge of the house. "So many memories..."

"If you lived here, that means you were a lackey of the Phoenix! What do you know of this place?" Kado growls.

"That I lived here my entire life with a family. My wife and my child. As for Phoenix, I no longer associate myself with them, nor do I wish to hear that dreadful name." Clutches his fist.

"And why do you hate them? What did they do to you?" Kado asks. "If that's too much to ask of you, I understand." The wind blows, tugging at the loose end of Kado's cloth mask, which covers up to his eyes, but not past.

"They...threatened to kill my wife and my village... if i did not give them my son....I did so...but for my retributaion they killed them all anyway." Punches the side of his house hard enough for that side to fall over.

Kado puts a hand on the man's shoulder. "I'm sorry for your loss, sir. You're not the only one who has suffered because of them. Tell me something though, why did they leave this village?" He looks at Phoenix Garrison. "There would have to be a reason they would leave a base like this unattended for so many years."

"They probably just lost interest in it and decided it was time to move. Or atleast the only stayed long enough to get what they wanted."

Kado begins to remember the details of the attack, and starts walking up to the front gate, which is locked by a special lock system... the only way to enter...

Kado pauses, and takes out Dark Slayer.

"What are you doing?"

Kado inserts the blade into a thin slot in the door, and it slides open. "Opening a door."

The man suddenly realizes what sword he's holding, and what that means is...

"You....that sword...but you can't...be..."

Kado sheathes the sword. "I was trained to be one of their members. I was one of their many apprentices, and only I was chosen by Dark Slayer. However, they betrayed me and tried to have me killed. It didn't work, but it's left me scarred... in more ways than one."

"Then I have made a mistake. I should've died along with everyone else than give them what they had wanted. Now look at us. Two broken men, who seek retribution."

Kado takes his mask off, revealing his face. "Even though I have suffered greatly at their hands, I have decided to not let my anger cloud my judgement. I've taken what I've endured, and built others up. Even if we can't fix ourselves, perhaps we can help others who are still whole rise up out of the darkness. At least... that is what I've tried to do. I came here looking for answers. But even still..." Kado look back at the Garrison's buildings.

"...Perhaps I'll find them... but never understand them..." He trails off.

"All I ever wanted for you was to live your own life. To forget about the horrors that Phoenix can bring and hopefully not under their mercy as I did. You were cheated out of your childhood. Are you even content of what you've turned out to be?"

Kado turns to the man. "...Are you saying what I think you're saying...?" A long string of thoughts begin to enter his mind.

The man gets a more proper look at his face, and notices a peculiar color in his eyes, a mix of blue and gold, however his expression remains neutral.

"Im saying, you never had a choice in your upbringing. You never asked for any of this. Do you even know what you truly want?"

Kado looks away. "I've never felt a wanting for anything, for myself especially. All that matters to me is ending the injustice in the world. Even if I don't succeed in destroying it... at least the only thing I know is that I would be happy to die that way... instead of letting the world tear itself apart."

"I understand. That is the one thign that seperated us. You wanted to fight the injustice, I fled from it and wanted nothing to do with it. I was a coward for doing this, but you have the makings for righting the wrongs of this world. I just hope you wont use any means of doing so."

Kado looks back at him. "I must be on my way. If you would like to join us, my group is headed to Chinmoku for an important meeting. If not, there is always my city Azure. ...It's being rebuilt right now, but my people will still gladly accommodate you. You don't have to be alone anymore. Unlike me, you can still remember what life was before... you can eventually grow roots that you lost... as for me... I'm just a sapling strangled by the weeds and shaded by the great oaks... I probably will never grow tall."

Puts his hand on Kado's shoulder."There is no need to. You already have. Good-bye, my boy." Walks down the path and walks past Seco and the others. "Afternoon."

Gobble: Sooo we were hyped up on an old man?

5x5: Why wouldn't we be. \*is referring to Seco\*

Seco: Seriously, the hell is taking him so long? We wasted enough time already.

Kado appears behind them. "My apologizes. We'll get going right away." He heads off toward the right side of the path. He stops and looks back. "And no, if you want to ask, it'll have to wait. The nearest village is not for a good while."

Gobble: Aw geez. Probably should've taken some water.

Seco: But since you didn't, you might have to hold off until we get to the village.

*Everyone continues to follow Kado*

They manage to reach the nearest village just as the sun finishes setting, and Kado begins talking to a local inn owner about lodgings, the others are quite tired, after Kado had them travel with no breaks non stop to reach the village on time.

Gobble: \*is breathing heavily\* We would've been here sooner...if that guy...didn't stop...to fuck an old man...oh God...

5x5: \*is breathing heavily\* He just needed..to check something out....

Seco: We finally made it and that's all that matters.

After a minute, the inn keeper lets them in, and shows them their rooms, the best in the house. Kado sits down on one of the couches, and sighs. "Tomorrow I will contact the next caravan and request them to take us the rest of the way to Chinmoku. By caravan, it will only be another day. On foot, at least two. How are you all holding up?" He asks Seco and his group.

Seco: We'll be doing fine.

Gobble: \*is lying on the couch tired\* Speak for yourself, old man. I'm just glad we can chill out in this expensive-ass room.

"And my wallet is crying because of it." When Gobble gives him a questioning look, Kado returns it. "I may lead a entire city state, but if you haven't noticed, you kinda blew it the fuck up, so money will be tight until businesses get back in order and taxes begin flowing as normal. I'm operating on emergancy funds here, so if we don't make it to Chinmoku, where our stay will be paid for, we'll be sleeping in the streets on the next stop. So yes, I'm a politician, but I'm not a greedy money grabbing one. I'm one who makes sure his people get fed and sheltered, at*my*expense.

Though I guess I can always call in a favor from the other nations, considering how valuable Azure is for trade these days, they'll be sure to want to aid businesses recover for sure."

Gobble: We get it..you made your point... The Great Humanitarian.

5x5: Shut it, Gobble. This man is doing what is best for his people.

Avalia: Wish humanity was something like that.

Seco: There is hope for humanity.

Gobble: Yeah, but is it really worth it?

Seco: We gotta believe in the mission. Remember X-Men.

Gobble: Yea...X-Men..

Kado shakes his head. "I have no honest idea what these 'X-Men' are. You seem to talk about them though plenty enough."

Seco: If you watch, it surprisingly seems similar to our current problems of race. Maybe when we get on your good side we can show you.

Gobble:*If*we can get on his good side

5x5: 'If'. 'If' sounds good.

"Well, you may get your chance." Kado chuckles lightly. "You may find that I won't have many more missions for you in the near future." The others interpret it as a humorous smile, but Seco notices the smile Kado makes is more sad than anything else.

"Dinner should be pretty soon."

Seco: \*whispers to himself\* Hmmm, what is to become of us after this? Or what might happen to Kado? He hasn't been really on his game today. What is he going to do?

*"All will be explained at Chinmoku. No harm shall come to you, unless you bring it on yourselves. I cannot tell you anything, but we had an important meeting of the Azure Administrators. Before the council is to decide the course of action regarding Earth, Azure will make an announcement regarding our conclusions. Again, I stress that nothing shall happen to you or your men. But this announcement is not just for your ears. You will be joining us in the Summit itself. Kado chose you as his bodyguards for the meeting. ...Gobble. Any and all comments you make in the meeting that are disrespectful in any manner could result in severe punishment. ...All of you. When you are within the council chambers, the rule is unless you are a diplomat or leader, you are not to speak unless spoken to."*Azula says firmly.

Seco: Understood.

5x5: Understood.

Avalia: Understood.

Gobble: Aw what? \*is slapped in the back of the head by Seco\* Understood.

Kado looks like he's going to say something, but suddenly doubles over in pain, and Azula rushes to his side, but he lets out a small noise barely detectable as "NO!", and she reluctantly steps back, and the episode continues for a full minute, before he loosens up, panting heavily, sweat dripping off him, and he is also shaking violently.

"I-I'm fine... it- it happens sometimes." He stutters.

Gobble: Did you have a seizure or some shit?

5x5: Are you gonna be ok, Kado?

"...This is why I protect those who are trampled on by the strong. Because I was weak, and trampled upon. It would be so much better if it was just a mere seizure. ...I believe I once told you that my own family tried to kill me. ...I was always a weak willed child. Their betrayal crushed me to my core. Ever since that day, even though I am now twenty seven, I still look like I did twelve years ago. We shapeshifters don't age as much once we hit our twenties... but we still look like adults. What I am isn't normal. We don't age like normal Mythos, or humans for that matter. True, we have physical changes, but it is largely dependent on our mental maturity as well.

...The events of twelve years ago, even the pain I felt as each of their blades and attacks ravaged me... I still live in that pain... constantly. Just when I am allowed a breath of peace... it returns in a endless roar of pain. In my waking and in my slumber, I relive the nightmare... again and again and again. My mind is literally broken like glass. I don't really even remember what I truely looked like. What you're seeing now is built on guesses, estimates. It's the closest thing to being who I used to be." He says all of this in a weak voice, pain clear in his voice.

Seco: We've been in that same boat before. I was once a country kid who was born half human, theother half was a Variante. The towns people saw me as a demon of sorts and rand me off. My family was killed due to me for being even born. I made to the city where things were alot worst. Kids were helplees to defend themselves against the older children who often squeezed whatever they could out of the unfortunate. I played vigilante for a while, 'til I decided to teach those kids how to defend themselves, knowing I would't be around forever. Once I taught them how to fight baxk, the older children no longer messed with the unfoortunate and they could live on the streets with no worry of being robbed even more people. My tactical skills caught the attention of the M.C.C.P and I was trained by them and later on trained many others. I later got married to a Nymph and later had 5x5 and Gobble. My wife...died due to an explosion caused by Weopon Draconis. I was left to raise the boys by myself.

5x5 & Gobble: \*both look a bit upset\*

Seco: There is not one moment in my life where I wish I wasn't a mytho, but i am and nothing can change that. And one part of me is glad that I am.

Dinner comes in, and they eat, Kado eating very lightly, mostly salad and a few sweets. Kado seems to be deep in thought. "...Tell me something, I assume you might know of this, considering you worked for M.C.C.P., you might have some sort of knowledge about this. I must admit I know little about Earth, other than the limited intel Azure has been able to gather. ...Can you tell me who this 'Sedition' is? I heard of it from the President and the Representatives, I assumed it was probably just some M.C.C.P. division or something."

He smiles for some reason. "Tommorow, assuming we catch a caravan, we should be able to see the Twilight Lands. The whole east side of Echo is closely connected to Fantasy, and it has some truely amazing wildlife and scenery. You're going to be some of the first from your world to ever see the beautiful side of this savage land."

Gobble: I hated the Twilight saga. \*eaats his dinner\*

Seco: The Sediton was some sort of rebellion against he M.C.C.P. We were sent to capture a Nephalem of the name 'Dark Prynce' but some ho made a wager with him, if by the end of te year whoever came up with the best army vould take Prynce. We accepted and we used what species we had at the time. Dark Prynce's army consisted off Zane, Weapon Draconis. Lucime and Arachne, The Admin's Daughters. Umbras, Demon of Draconis. Evelyn, Battle Mistress of Light and Osiris, Egyptian God of the Underworld. They have a new recruit we had once trained at the M.C.C.P prior to Weapon Draconis. His name is Demgel, The Son of Good and Evil.

Kado is even deeper in thought. "No wonder they were so cocky... it would be very hard to ever beat a group like that..." He laughs. "Espically with such pleasant titles as theirs. I would hate to come across them, friendly or not. Anyway, I suggest we get some early sleep. We'll probably need it for the trip tomorrow."

Seco: Understood. Yo heard the man. Let's rest up. \*get into the sleeping areas and tread off to sleep\*

Kado drifts off to sleep in his room, where Azula stands watch over him. She gets tired as well, and falls asleep next to him. When they wake up, they notice that Azula and Kado are both still sleeping, both look utterly exhausted. It doesn't take much imagination for Seco for him to guess that there will be a good show when the two wake up though, as Azula is sleeping with her arms around Kado.

A full minute later, Kado yelps with surprise and accidentally falls out of his bed, falling on his head.

"...Don't...you...say....anything...." He whimpers through the pain. Azula groggily wakes up, and looks surprised to see Kado sprawled on the floor.

*"You ok?" "Sure, totally didn't hit my head really hard on the ground or anything."*

Gobble: \*smiling\* Awwwww, how adorable

Seco: \*helps Kado up\* Nice to see someone caring for you on another scale.

Kado forgoes breakfast, and instead prepares to talk with the recently arrived caravan. After they finish eating, Kado walks back in. "Alright, we have a ride. We leave in five minutes. Your feet can thank me later, we will arrive this afternoon. You'll soon see the greatest city in Echo, Chinmoku in its full glory. To be honest, it will be my first time there as well. But trust me when I say this, it is nothing like anything Earth has even concevied."

Gobble: It'll be better than Atlantis, i'll tell you that much.

5x5: What the fuck are you talking about? We haven't even discovered Atlantis.

Seco: Quite, both of you.

Kado gathers a few things and heads out. "Meet me at the front when you're ready."

Seco: \*signals everyone to follow him at a nod of his head and heads toward the front\*

## Holy City of Chinmoku

When they come outside, they see a long line of automated vehicles parked in front, and Kado motions for them to come inside the one he stands next to. Once they all get in, the line begins to move, fast enough to be impressive, but slow enough that they can admire the view outside from large windows. After a few hours, things start to get a strange tint, almost a violet color, and strange and beautiful plants and animals begin to be seen, with fey lights occasionally being seen.

They all start to feel a more relaxing atmosphere as they keep traveling towards the East.

Gobble: Is it me or is things starting to feel...mystical?

5x5: Not just you,but I can feel it too.

Seco: \*can feel it too but decides to say nothing\*

As they travel, they begin to see a strange sort of dome appear in the horizon, from one end of it to another. Eventually, all they can see in the sky is basically the looming dome. Kado becomes more focused on the road ahead of them.

"In the next half hour, I expect for us to arrive."

Gobble: \*looks at the dome in awe\* Holy shit.

5x5: \*is also struck with awe\* You can say that again.

Gobble: Holy-\*is smacked in the back of the head by 5x5\* Ow.

They pass through a series of thick forests and swamps, and then out of no where, it all opens up right in front of a massive shield wall so thick, they can't even see inside. The whole area is vibrating slightly from the shield's energy. Kado closes his eyes for a minute.

Gobble: \*is shaking\* Is it me or are we vibrating?

Avalia: \*is shaking\* Please dont say it like that?

Gobble: Why? does it turn you on? \*is kicked in the balls by Avalia\* AAAAAARRRGGGMMMMMMM!!! GOOD JESUS!

Suddenly, a massive hole opens in the shield wall, and they behold a astonishing sight. Inside, they can see miles upon miles of gardens and residential homes, lakes, rivers, mountains, and plateaus. In the center of it all lies a massive structure that looks to be a hybrid of both urban skyscrapers, and majestic temples, stretching from one end of the horizon to the next. From it all they feel a serene sense of peace, as though this place hadn't seen a single conflict in hundreds of years.

Kado looks breath taken. "Well, behold, the Grand Temple and its Garden of Midnight, Chinmoku. Capital of the Shapeshifter people, and the most powerful and peaceful realm in all of Echo." They also notice that unlike outside, the shield is see through, showing off the beautiful eternal midnight sky, full of billions of stars, untainted by any light pollution what so ever.

5x5: \*is awe struck\* By good God...It's amazing...

Seco: It's a sight, it is.

For the next hour, they come closer and closer to the Temple Complex itself, which looms increasingly taller over them, and once they reach its finely crafted but sturdy gates, Kado jumps out of the vehicle. "We're going to walk to the Central Complex from here. Follow me."

They travel through many series of fine temples, streets, and various other public buildings, and after a while reach the Central Complex, which looks very much like a cross between an imperial palace and a grand place of worship, carefully mixed. Kado without hesitation walks straight into the main building, and is guided by guards to a central chamber within. He looks back at the others.

"Well, are you guys ready?"

Seco: Been trained for stuff like this. Always prepared

5x5: It will be over with before you know it.

Avalia: Ofcourse.

Gobble: \*is still awes struck\* Sorry...I can't hear you over how intranced I am with this place...

As the doors open, they see a vast meeting hall with eight elementals, ten representatives of the largest imperial clans of shapeshifters, and next to the seat of the human ambassador, one seat remains at the table. All of the bodyguards remain standing, and all rise and look at Kado and Seco's team as they walk in, and Azula looks a bit nervous. A lone elderly shapeshifter wearing a thick robe sits at the throne in the room, guarded by 72 guards. He looks up and smiles.

"Well then... Master Kado of the great City State of Azure, you are welcome in these halls. However, I should point out-"

"YOU'RE LATE!" The Fire Clan Lord lets out a bellowing roar. He sees Seco and his team, and goes livid with rage, and flies at them with blinding speed.

"YOU MISERABLE THUGS! I'LL CRUSH YOU!" He roars.

Kado side steps in front of him, and pulls out Fire Slayer, which causes the Fire Lord to suddenly stumble, backpedal, and just generally fall over himself to avoid being impaled by the blade, and then stumbles away from it quickly.

"Kado! You fool, are these not the men who destroyed your city?! Stand aside and let me crush them!" He bellows. He narrows his eyes. "And I see you are still cheating with that sword of yours."

Kado shakes his head. "I will not stand aside. You know the rules. No fighting is allowed. Besides, they are here as my bodyguards. Be seated, please."

After a minute of staring at the sword, he slowly backs off.

"We will have words about this later." The man on the throne speaks softly. "All please be seated, Guardians, please stand at your liege's side." Kado seats himself, and Azula takes her place next to him.

*Seco, 5x5, Avalia, and Gobble sit on the floor and watch attentivley*

"Anyway, yes, you are late, but pretty much only by an hour. We've been waiting patiently. Or rather... most of us." The man looks at Fire Lord in a particular manner. Fire Lord looks away from him.

"Is there any of you who would like to make an announcement before we begin in earnest?"

Kado stands up. "Yes. Azure wishes to make a major announcement. If I may speak?"

Seco: \*listens even more attentively seeing the look on his is quite upsetting\*

Kado is silent for a moment. "I would like to inform you at this time... that I intend to resign from office as the leader of Azure."

The entire room is struck dumb, even the man on the throne cannot contain his surprise, a collective gasp echoes in the room.

Gobble: ARE YOU SERIOUS? \*gets up and walks toward Kado\* WE DRAGGED OUR ASSES BEHIND YOURS FOR THE PAST 3 DAYS, ONLY TO HEAR YOU SAY YOU QUITE? Nah,nah,nah, nah, nah. Fuck that, ok. Where's that guy who believed in helping his people strive through tought times and was seeking to rid his world of all injustice? Hmm? What happened to that guy?

Seco: I too must agree. You are possibly one of the greatest image of a leader and a martyr I have ever seen. Why stop now? give up on when your people need you the most?

"...I'm not giving up on my people." He looks away from them. "I'm doing this for my people." Suddenly, a hologram opens up, and a video with full audio begins playing, showing from a street camera the image of a massive and destructive battle ranging across what Seco realizes as London. He sees the image zoom in on a massive dark skeleton, and within it, is a child that strangely looks like Kado.

"...That was me. The man who fought for justice and the betterment of the Mythos... in the end became no better than the rest of them. I'm doing this for Azure's integrity. If I stay, Earth will no doubt use this as an excuse to discredit Azure, and put all of the years of work I put into it to ruin. If I step down, they will have no reason to come after and blame Azure." Kado's voice is pained with horrible guilt.

"...I have been suffering nightmares in the perspective of the people I put at risk for days... I cannot live with this guilt any more. If I must fight for justice... for now on... it is best if I fight alone. So that Azure can continue to provide hope for the future."

Gobble: Wow, we blew up your city because it was our job and we decided to work it off, but you went and completely destroyed one of them all in the pursuit of one guy? Wow how fucking hypocritical can you get? In all cases, I guess your people can do without you for a while.

Seco: That is enough!

Gobble: \*gives Kado a long cruel stare and leaves the room\*

Suddenly, Gobble is sent flying back into the room, being pulled back by some invisible force, screaming in alarm the whole way. When he arrives next to Seco, he is dropped on the the floor hard, and the man on the throne stands up.

"I gave no permission for you to leave, Gobble." The man says darkly. "When in attendance, you will only speak when spoken to, and you will only leave at my dismissal. I am the Grand Eye, and you will follow conduct, or next time face stiff penalties. I understand your anger, but you will not leave unless permission is granted."

Kado looks down at the ground. "I have two other announcements. My successor shall be Azula. For many years, she has guided me when I would have fallen off the right path. I trust in her ability to protect the people, no matter the cost. The other announcement... is that I intend to grant a full pardon and amnesty to Seco and his men. ...I understand that what they did should be dealt with by punishment, but I believed that they could be more than what many have assumed them to be, including myself. ...This is why I brought you here... to have an opportunity to understand you. ...We aren't as different as I had thought."

He barely manages to look Seco in the eye, but quickly lowers his gaze. "I wish I could be deserving of the regard you had for me. In the end I'm just no better than the people you worked to lock up..."

He trails off, and lightly mutters, "Just another monster...", and sits down in his seat, his hair hanging over and concealing his face.

Seco: Then that monster must learn control and see to what truly matters'. Like how yo gave us a chance at redemption for the destruction of your city, you too can seek it.

The man sits down. "Are you sure you wish to continue with this, Kado? There are other ways. You do not have to do this."

Kado shakes his head. "No... it has to be this way." Seco notices something odd about Kado's voice then, and apparently the man does as well, though he says nothing of it.

"...Very well then. It is regrettable that you feel the need to resign, Kado. You have contributed much to the world during your time. In this case Azula will vote in your stead. We shall begin the Summit officially then. Seco, your men may leave. So may you at this time, Kado. But we will need to speak in private."

Kado quietly says, "Yes, I understand," And Seco again notices something off about his voice.

Kado gets up, and quietly begins to leave, saying nothing. Azula watches him go, and then sits down.

5x5: Can't belive he just went on and did that.

Seco: I have a feeling he know's what he's doing. \*looks at Azula, who looks rather worried\* Azula, you've known Kado longer than anyone of us, then you must know that Kado will be alright.

*"Actually... that's why I'm so worried. It's because I know Kado. You weren't there with us when Kado was injured by your CRAzy. ...It would be one thing for Kado to redesignate himself as a soldier... but if he goes off on his own... Kado is only superficially strong. If his will were to break... ...Seco, you will need to see something from me. ...I suspect though you might find out for yourself if you were to follow Kado right now. You have permission to leave and do as you please. Here is the location of where we are staying though, just so you know."*An image of how to reach the quarters inserts itself into Seco's head.*"You can leave, it's fine Seco."*

Seco: Thing is, whereto go? We promised yo we would stay and help rebuld Azure for it's destruction and we're gonna do that. Well, I am. \*turns toward the others\* How about you?

5x5: You know I'll always be by your side, Father.

Avalai: Same here.

Gobble:....Who else is gonna keep me from sayin' something stupid?

Seco: It's settled. We stay here.

*"I thank you. I suspect that Kado won't leave for good. In honesty, he will always need Azure. But I don't know where he intends to go from here. He may join the Vigilante Corp, that would be the best I could hope for. Tell me, speaking of that, is that something you would care for?"*

Seco: Whatever you need me to do. I would have a no problem doing it.

During the entire session, the attitude in the room seems obviously completely against Earth, even the Shapeshifters, who Seco was told were largely pacifist, seem agitated.

Azula speaks up.*"You all know full well how Azure views this. I believe the best we can do is offer them the choice to change. Even if they don't, I believe we should come together not to destroy them, but to be ready for the next time. Should they attempt such an action like at Azure again, we should make clear their folly by issuing forth their destruction. Should we not focus on punishing our enemy, not the bystanders?"*

The council is silent, considering her words. The shapeshifters speak up. "Perhaps that should be our course of action. And it would make clear to Earth that there are consequences for meddling in other world's affairs, without targeting the innocent."

The Elementals seem a little less enthusiastic of that opinion.

Seco: We were just following our orders. We cannot be held accountable if killing innocents was what we had to do. But since we're here, we can make up for that. What do you say?

The Fire Clan Lord turns directly to face him. "Especially in the West, where even we Elementals fear the wrath of mother Nature, even if we may fight, it is understood to us that innocent blood is something that only cowards spill. For it is the only blood of which they deserve. Warriors are meant to fight warriors, not to kill like mindless drones meekly obeying whatever soundwaves come into their ear! Even if our enemy is well deserving of eradication, even I would hesitate to give such an order. Earth has no honor. And by obeying orders of such a nature, you rid yourself of honor, no matter how hard you can try to make up for it, you have spilled innocent blood, a tainted act you can never wipe clean! ...And that is why Earth deserves to be punished. They do not hold any value in innocent life, they have in turn lost their innocence, and thus their deserving of life!" He growls. The majority of the elementals, except a handful, namely Light, Earth, and Ice, all agree with his statement. They instead seem to frown instead for some reason.

5x5: They do that out of fear yes, cause innocents are being killed on Earth too, not just in Azure. Some of us have honor and some of us are good and are capable of doing such. You wanna know why?

"Go ahead, tell me how you're any different from the savages on Earth. Let me tell you though. You have some nerve to speak of honor. Were it not for Azure's advanced alert systems, and had they not evacuated in advance, you would have no honor. Even though you didn't spill blood of any but warriors... your intent to do so is more than enough justification for me to label you a coward. The lives of the innocent are worth tenfold your own, even if they are enemies. If you had honor, you would kill the man who told you to kill innocents.

But if you think that some how you had or have honor, please, tell me how I'm wrong." He crosses his arms. "There is no justification for slaughter."

5x5: I know, but there was man who believed mankind was worth it. He gave up his life from beyond the stars to come teach us right and wrong and he was prosecuted for speaking the truth and stand up for those who did wrong unto others. He was betrayed by his friends, but he he forgave them and forgave those who did him wrong. He took all the sins of the world once he was sacrificed and that was when Earth had a chance at redemption and even though you guys think that man's sacrifice was in vain. It wasn't. You wanna know why? Because he makes no mistakes. And he said, 'If you are without sin, you cast the first stone'. So hit me if you say you guys have not done one thing wrong in your life.

Fire Lord seems to almost completely become a visage of pure fire in anger, his eyes glowing red pupils. "You only have the right to speak of things like that if you actually have gone and lived them. You're a hypocrite. If you believe in his sacrifice, that's one thing. But he doesn't call the world to just believe. Believe all you want, but until you start living the sacrifice, you just taint his message.

You may have the right to speak of throwing stones, when you live by his actions and his words, not when it conveniences you!" He roars.

5x5: He doesn't want us to live the sacrifice. He already did that. All he want's is us to believe in that sacrifice and to believe he died for our sins

He narrows his eyes. "Like I told you. It's fine to believe. But you cannot speak of it when you only live by it in convince. Or have you forgotten there are rules that you must live by? ...For instance... thou shall not murder. Your actions at Azure betray your 'faith'. To eliminate a threat is one thing. To kill innocents just to get at your enemy... not only cowardly, but you commit hypocrisy! The only reason you even are willing to help Azure rebuild is because they caught you and would kill you if you refused. You would never have helped them otherwise... when that CRAzy was defeated, your first thought was self preservation, and not to aid those you had wronged. You have no moral standing, and your 'belief' is a mere front you use in your convenience. I have not seen any action that indicates you have any true understanding. Those who believe in that sacrifice not only have belief... but they spread their belief through their actions. They show the world their faith, and give them the hope they come to know.

...You have only shown us your cowardice. You're just like the others who scurry about on Earth."

The Fire Lord spits in 5x5's face, the projectile literally feels as if he set his cheek on fire.

5x5:\*wipes the spit off his face\* If a person strikes you, turn the other cheek. \*turns his face\*

"The only reason I've not killed you is because right now, you're not a soldier, and because I honor those commandments you're taking for granted. I will say it again. You can say you believe all you want. If that's what you really believe, fine. But belief cannot redeem everything. It's not a free pass through life. If I were to kill anything and everything I could, and then excused myself with my belief, I would still be damned. Keep that in mind. Even if you do believe, you are still accountable for your actions. I see no man of faith. Only a man of hypocrisy. When did you ever stand up against what was wrong? I will say it once again! You are a hypocrite! You serve men who order the death of millions of innocents, you imprison your own kind, those you don't you turn into weapons!" He roars.

*"I did not bring this up, as I did not think it important to mention, and I assumed you knew of this. But do you know of something called Gen. Messiah?"*Azula says to 5x5.

5x5: \*is silent for a moment\* Yes...I am familiar.

*"I must ask. Do you know of its origins?"*

5x5: Jonas and God Squad were sent to Heaven to...kidnap the Messiah. It was successful and we reverted the mesiah into a machine, for the sole purpose of creating CRAzys, the solution to the myth problem.

*"And knowing this, you still chose to follow them, even with your belief? You never once thought that was wrong? Do you realize what you've basically done and continue to do by siding with M.C.C.P.?"*

5x5: I knew we had crossed the line once we did this, but what could we do? If he defected, we were just as vulnerable as any other mytho. I spoke with my father about this, but he has not come up with how to handle it. The Admin wont take us up and leaving so nicely you know. We were one of his best. He can't afford to loose that. now since we're here, we feel free, but the guilt of reverting the Messiah into a freak show still haunts me.

The Fire Clan Lord gets up out of his seat. He looks at the other Lords, and they silently rise. They all begin to walk into an adjacent chamber, and close the door, and the other representatives begin to rise, including Azula.

5x5: \*whispers to himself\* God said "Love those who hate you, Do right unto those who do wrong to you."

Azula looks at him and the others.*"We're leaving until they finish. They're going to cast their own vote. They may bicker a lot, but when it comes to this kind of thing, they always do it with a democratic vote. ...They're like a really savage form of a republic. We're leaving because it usually takes a good three days before they decide on their vote. I know from experience. We will be headed to the diplomat quarters. Kado should be there. I think. Oh, a soldier named Wildcard is going to want to talk to you. Besides Kado, he's one of the stronger SS Class Mythos of Azure. ...They're quite similar, except well... he's much more brutal."*

Gobble: Brutality

Seco: Where will we be meeting him?

She looks at the doorway leading to the outside.*"He's not exactly the friendly kind, so don't do anything to make him mad. ...I'm looking at you Gobble. ...Also, he may challenge one of you, so be ready for him to get... extreme."*

Gobble: Ahhh shiiitt....Not it.

*Everyone walks out the doorway*

As they do so, they see a man who at first looks like Kado, but when they get a better look, he looks more like a monsterous savage. A thick metal visor of some kind hangs over his face, almost shaped like a beak, and he appears to have a air and voice filter covering the rest of his face. His whole body is covered in thick combat armor, and over all, he just looks very threatening. He turns and looks straight at them.

"I see you're the soldiers that were apprehended during the battle. Unfortunate that you got away with such light wounds. I hear it took Kado many a week before he was ready to return to his station. Seems a bit...ironic, that you would end up serving your enemy... don't you think?" He says in a very artificial, heartless sort of manner, almost sounding like a machine born to kill.

Seco carefully notes that this guy has about six katanas on his back, and a single large sword. He is evidently very skilled at what he does just by looking.

"Admiring the hardware I see... well don't."

Gobble: \*whispers\* Is this dude a samurai vampire \*is slapped in the back of the head by 5x5\* Ooooowww.

His head swerves towards Gobble. "YOU. Come here." He says suddenly.

Gobble: Oh now he's Scorpion. Fine whatever, I know im gonna get my ass handed too, anyway. \*walks up to Wildcard\*

He crosses his arms. "Hit me. As hard as you can. I want to see what you're made of, wise cracker."

Gobble: \*scoffs\* Wise cracker? You sound older than the old man over there. \*points at Seco from over his shoulder\*

Seco: Shut up and fight that damn fool, George.

Gobble: Ok. \*throws a punch at Wildcard but it doesnt touch his face and jerks his fist back and kicks him in his stomach\*

He looks at Gobble. "Is that all you have? Disappointing." In a suddenly flurry of movement, he suddenly tosses Gobble high into the air, and then proceeds to drop kick his stomach, and finishes his movements with a powerful body slam into the ground, and then flips back twice, and comes to a stop on his feet, and appears to not even have strained himself at all.

"Try again, that is, if you can stand up after that."

Gobble: \*is hurt, but gets up anyway\* Ok then, lets go. \*runs up and punches and kicks him on every inch of his body and finally kick sweeps Wildcard causing him to fall down and then drops kicks him in the stomach\*

Suddenly Gobble's foot catches on fire, and Wildcard starts laughing wickedly. He suddenly flips, and while in mid air, slams his two feet straight into Gobble's face, and sends him flying onto the stairs adjacent to Seco. A powerful aura of fire burns about him, as he continues laughing.

"Who's next? I want to see your strength!" He chuckles. "It's been a while since I've been able to get real loose... show me a good time!"

The guards around them appear to be straining. "W-what is he?! He's fighting off our attempts to restrain him with mental bonds.... impossible!"

Seco: Mental bonds? \*thinks for a minute\* 5x5, you take him.

5x5: Are you sure,cause look at what this dude managed to do to Gobble.

Gobble: \*is still on the ground in pain\* It hurts...

Seco: Trust me

Wildcard tilts his head. "Well? Come on then!" He yells, taking a ready stance.

5x5: I'll fight you. \*gets in a Judo fighting stance\*

He chuckles briefly. He suddenly vanishes, surprising 5x5, but he has little to no time to react to this before Wildcard appears behind him, and chops him in the back with a karate chop, and abruptly switches to another style, stabbing several nerve points in 5x5's body with precise finger strikes, before flipping back and jumping onto a high pillar.

The air about him seems strangely darker, as though his very presence is draining light from around him.

5x5: \*gets up and vanishes and comes back behind him and elbows him in the back of the neck and sweep kicks him then drop kicks him in his side then kicks him away\*

Seco quickly notes that Wildcard takes almost no time getting back up, as if he wasn't even phased by the attacks. He takes a better look and suspects that this guy might be feeling pain, but if he is, he must be used to pain by now, to the point where it doesn't throw him off in a fight anymore.

Wildcard leaps forward, throwing a katana at 5x5's face while drawing a spare one in the same motion, ending the jump by impaling the blade in the ground, where he stops abruptly and lands next to it, and casually pulls it out and enters another fighting stance. 5x5 notes he seems to flicker for a brief moment.

5x5: Mind if I ask when do you want to stop fighting?

"I will fight until I am satisfied. I said that I wish to see your strength. I am not satisfied. Pain is pain. But your blows are nothing compared to the pain I've endured... Now... if you're done talking..." He points his katana at 5x5. "Show me your strength. Or walk away. I care not which."

The guards infuriatingly growl. "How is this guy able to ignore our psychic restraints as if they were cobwebs?!" One snarls in frustration, several appear to be severely straining their limits without any visible effect.

5x5: \*runs toward Wildcard and manuevers under his arm holding the katana and manages to slip the katana out of his hand and slices both backs of his knees and points the katana at the back of Wildcards neck\*

Wildcard drops for but a moment, and then rolls aside, and a visible exhale can be heard coming from his mask. He stands back up with a growl, but says nothing. He draws with blinding speed, using a very fast Quickdraw and nearly manages to slice 5x5's torso horizontally and vertically, but comes just shy of his body. With an even faster series of stabs, he manages to combine the stabs with low kicks aimed at 5x5's footing, and 5x5 fails to dodge one kick, and drops to the ground, right as Wildcard stabs at both of his hands to pin them to the ground, managing to impale one and barely missing the other, the other getting a slight cut.

5x5: \*takes the katana out of his hand and points it at Wildcard\*

Seco: \*is intrigued\*Hmmm....

Gobble: \*is still on the ground injured\* Yea...you go get 'em, man...\*falls back down\*

Avalia: \*looks worried\* Be careful, Jonathan.

Wildcard flips, kicking 5x5 back down, while pulling out the other katana from the ground. While 5x5 struggles back up, Wildcard quickdraws his katana again, and this time scores a major hit to 5x5's torso's left side and his shoulder as well, leaving a long gash. He then jumps up onto a pillar, and an aura of fire surrounds him, and he begins lobbing fireballs at 5x5 at high speeds, both punching and kicking. After a minute passes, he stops firing. He looks at the others. "Any volunteers before I pick for you?"

He seems to be looking partially at Seco, but also appears to have some interest in Avalia.

5x5: \*comes back and and double-kangaroo kicks him from behind. He takes the katana and shoves through his spine\*

Suddenly a giant fist slams into 5x5's face, and sends him through two walls with ease. He barely manages to look up to see a Defiled Beast standing where Wildcard had stood. He also notices the katana he implanted in his spine is completely healed, with no sign of physical injuries.

Before he can blink, the beast smashes its fists repeatedly into him, and it finishes with a stomp to his legs, then stomps off back into the plaza where they where fighting, and it turns to see if 5x5 will get back up.

5x5: \*struggles to gets up but manages to get back on his feet. Is breathing very hard\*

Wildcard returns to normal form, and looks at him. "That'll be enough. I am satisfied with your performance. You fought well." He looks at Seco and Avalia.

"Which of you shall fight me next?" He says coldly

*Seco is about to raise his finger to volunteer, but Avalia puts his hand down.*

Avalia: I volunteer.

He looks in her direction. "Very well then." He turns to face her, but makes no other movement to take a ready stance.

*5x5 walks by Avalia and holds her arm and gives her a worried look. Avalia puts her hand oer his and gives 5x5 an assuring look. 5x5 gives her a trusting look and lets go over arm and walk over to Seco.*

Gobble: \*still lying on the ground\* You did good, bro. \*gives 5x5 a thumbs-up\*

Avalia: \*gets into her fighting stance\*

Some of the guards try to grab him to stop the fighting, and he simply responds with a roundhouse kick that knocks each of them unconscious, and then turns back to face Avalia. He hesitates for some reason, but does not draw his remaining katanas, rather he draws two long wicked looking daggers, and slowly shifts into a ready stance.

Seco: \*is watchign carefully and is whispering to himself\* Plant you feet, Avalia.

Avalia: \*mildly spaces out her legs and plant her feet firmly to the ground\*

He lunges, and momentarily disappears. When he appears, he slices at her, and vanishes, the blade off from its target by a inch. She suddenly realizes that he wasn't aiming for her head directly though, as a burst of fire erupts where the knife had sliced near, momentarily engulfing her in flames.

Avalia: \*turns the flames into discs and listens carefully for Wildcard\*

A piece of one of the nearby pillars suddenly flies at her, and while it flies at her, Wildcard appears, and sends a wall of fire straight at her.

Avalia: \*blocks both with her fire disc and throws on at Wildcard cutting his abdominal area\*

He appears silent, and out of no where, he starts charging her at an insanely high speed, and she begins sending more fire discs, the majority of them he easily dodges, but some he allows to slice him, a few cutting his arms, and one managing to slice a small hole into the right side of his metal mask, revealing a glowing red eye full of an intent to kill just barely held back. He closes the distance between them in only thirty seconds, and begins slamming his fists into her, and delivers a particularly nasty one to her right cheekbone. Just as she prepares to counter him, he slashes her waist with his daggers, and it's only then she is able to knock him away.

He stumbles and skids to a stop, and it occurs to Seco he may be losing his earlier stamina. He is splattered with his and her own blood, and is taking rather deep, if not strained breaths. His red eye narrows to a slit slowly, adding to his already dangerous appearance.

He suddenly shapeshifts, and appears to change into the Fire Lord. From a window, the real Fire Lord yells, "HEY! Don't you dare use my semblance without my permission!"

Wildcard just chuckles darkly with his voice.

Gobble: Hey mister Wilcard! Stop being a blood-thirsty slut, ya gayford!

5x5: Dude, shut up!

"...Don't make me come over there and teach you why you're still on the ground a second time."

Avalia: \*turns the disc into a spear and stabs it through Wildcards cerebral cortex\*

It suddenly passes through him harmlessly, and as it comes out, it simply becomes a part of his form.

"News flassh, it probably didn't occur to you, but fire against fire is not only stupid, against a master of the element, you just put yourself in a bad position. Against a fire elemental, you've got some serious brain damage to attack one with fire."

He suddenly attacks with a violent nova of fire that ignites even the stones, and the blast hits Avalia. She tries to shape it like before, but this fire ignores her and continues to ravage and burn her without remorse, the firewave knocking her back towards the others.

Avalia: \*is unconscious\*

Gobble: Oh shit!

5x5: Avalia! \*runs up to her\*

Seco: \*is shocked\* This is unnecessary.

Wildcard remains silent, and returns to his form. However, unlike before, he definitely lacks the previous stamina from before, and actually seems at the very least tired. The wound she dealt him in the abdominal area is healed for the most part, but hasn't fully closed, and still a bit of blood is slowly coming out.

"...Azula. Heal her." He says quietly. Azula silently reaches to Avalia, and looks at Seco.*"I'll take care of her back at the room."*She picks Avalia up, and begins taking her off to a building.

He observes Seco cautiously. "I did not intend to cause any mortal injuries. Understand that much." He turns his head to watch Azula leave, as she enters the building off in the distance. The glow in his eye is nowhere nearly as strong, the red in his eye is subdued and his iris is almost black.

"Are you angry with me?" He asks simply.

Seco: \*just looks at him in shame\*...You are no monster...You are something far worst...\*turns and follows Azula.

5x5:\*carries Gobble inside with one arm. He looks back at him and it his eyes are tainted with hate. He follows behind Seco\*

"...That much is true...." He turns towards the outskirts of the temple, and silently walks past the building, while several guards angrily follow him. He quietly growls, "I was testing them, nothing more. I won't make excuses for what I did. Get lost." He silently walks out into the Temple Gardens, and eventually sits by a lake, a fair ways away from the main section.

He takes his metal mask off, and Kado stares into the pristine waters, his eyes dull and lifeless. He stares at the calm water, and wonders why he can't be like the water, calm and peaceful.

*...What do I even want anymore...? What am I good for but tearing apart what I seek to build up? ...I can't do anything right anymore...*

## Losing Direction

"Why do I even have these powers... they've brought me nothing but pain... pain to myself and to others.... what's the point... what's the point in all of this...?!" He snarls, and breaks off weakly.

He suddenly hurls Dark Slayer away from him, and it impales deep into a nearby tree with a anguished yell of frustration.

*Damn it all...*He buries his head in his arms, and curls up into a fetal position.

Kado eventually gets up, well aware of what time it is, and silently talks over to Dark Slayer, and mutters, 'I hate you...' to it, before silently walking back to the temple, and eventually runs across the building. He becomes intangible, and silently walks through the halls to the rooms, and without a sound or hint at his presence, walks past the others, not needing a reminder of what he had done, and slides into the closed door of his bedroom and quietly locks it from within, so that no one will get in.

He takes the sheet off the bed, and lies on the floor, using his own hand as a pillow, and the floor as his mattress, and reluctantly drifts off to sleep, preferring the waking nightmare to the hell that would likely ravage him in sleep.

*Seco is standing next to an injured Gobblelying in bed, while5x5 is standing next to an injured Avalia.*

5x5: \*is looking down at Avalia and holds her burnt hand\* Avalia...\*clutches his fist and turns to Seco\* Why didn't you stop him...?

Seco: I was unaware that he was gonna do that.

5x5: Bullshit. You knew who he was the entire time and while we were getting our assess handed to, you just stood there, like you were an old man waiting to cross the street.

Seco: You know as well as I do that she took my place.

5x5: \*pins Seco to the wall\* You could've stopped her! You could've stopped him! You just let your sons do all the work for you while you sit on your hands and watch.

Seco: I'm sorry for putting too much trust in you. I should've known there were somethings you just weren't ready for. Avalia took a bullet for me you know. That could've been me who would've been incinerated. What then?

5x5: You lived a good life, old man.\*drops Seco and leaves\*

As 5x5 leaves, Kado weakly wakes up, hearing the commotion. Silently, he peers through a small hold in the side of the door, and looks at Seco.

*He's been through a great deal... but unlike me... he has something that I don't have the luxury of... a family.*

*...Just as well that I woke up... I don't think I could have been able to sleep through the nightmares. ...Should I talk to 5x5....? ...I shouldn't let my mistakes cause bad blood in Seco's family...*

Azula quietly lifts her head, picking up Kado's thoughts but says nothing. She turns to Seco.

*"My healing has been able to numb their pain. They'll be alright now. They just need some rest. Avalia took the worst of it, but they'll be fine in a few days. ....Do you want to talk?"*She asks timidly, not wanting to anger Seco.

Seco: I don't know anymore. Jonathan has a point, I was more expirienced. If I had volunteered first, I would've been the only one in a medical bed and not everyone else. Thanks to me Jon might not know how long his feelings for Avalia would have taken. I lost mine in 2 years after we were married, he might loose his before he ever gets a chance.

*"Don't blame yourself. I didn't know that was going to happen, and actually I don't think it was Kado's intention to harm her the way he did. He was trying to see how strong you all were. ...He didn't want you to be sent somewhere where your talents would be of no use, so he thought he would test you all himself. ...Truth be told... something's off about him though. I know of that other self of his, and to be honest... it's worrying me. Even as Wildcard, he would never go that far, not against a comrade. ...I don't know what it is, but I feel like his encounter with Hiroshi has done something to Kado, and emotions he doesn't know how to control are starting to boil over... when I first met him, he was almost without emotion. It took me months for him to even crack a smile. But now..."*

She looks down at the ground.*"I understand you probably don't even want to hear his name... let alone hear me talk about his problems. But didn't you feel like something has been off about him?"*She looks at Seco.*"I'm scared for him..."*

Seco: If there was one thing I knew about Kado, that he was violent but in this case he was never that violent. He even said so through what he had said about not want ing to scoop to our level, did give me a hint as to why he would go so far, but that wasn't Kado. It was something completely different. And if he wanted to see how strong we were, we could've helped him fight Hiroshi, but I can see he's more of the Lone Wolf type of guy.

Kado gathers his energy, and goes intangible again, and slips through his door. However, as he leaves the entrance of the quarters, he breifly loses focus and briefly flickers into view, but just as quickly disappears, and heads off to go after 5x5.

5x5: \*is meditating in the Temple Gardens\*

From above him, a voice says softly, "You know, you've got something I could only wish of having. I sort of envy you. You have no idea how much I wish I could empathize that to you." Kado quietly is sitting in a high up tree branch, looking down on him, strangely dim eyes illuminated in the eternal twilight of the moon lingering over them.

5x5: \*finishes meditatin and looks at his injuries\* I wish I could do better than this...\*turns back inside\*

Kado turns as he goes. "Going to just turn and walk away? The only person you should be angry at is me. Not your father. He doesn't deserve any of that. And the last thing you should do to yourself... is turn your back on the people who care about you. I've got nothing now. But you have something I can never have again. Once you lose it, you'll never have your family again. So cherish it."

Kado narrows his eyes, remembering.*These are the words I wish someone could have told me... but it's too late for me... my family can't be brought back to me... not after all I've been through. Not after what we've done to each other...*

5x5: Fool. You've had a family all this time, you were just to busy wallowing in your own pain to notice.

"...." Kado glares at him. "What are you talking about...?" He suddenly gets an odd feeling, and looks away off in this distance.

5x5: These people who look up to you. Because your one of them. Their your people and when you say 'your people' you mean 'your family'. They would stick wit you 'til the ends of the world because your part of your part of your people's family.

Kado looks around, and for a few minutes, he seems tense. After a while, he relaxes. He looks back down at 5x5.

"...Perhaps you're right about that. But..." He trails off, his eyes without energy in them. "That isn't the same... it will never come close to being the family you have, or the one I lost." He drops down from the tree silently, and gives 5x5 a look that he doesn't know how to read, and walks off. He pauses. "Not that I don't care about them... it just what I lost... my people will never be able to replace. ...No matter how much I care about them, or them me."

He walks away, and silently rests his head against a distant tree across the road from 5x5. He appears lost in thoughts.

5x5: \*whispers to himself\* They can, if you weren't moping every second of the day about your life.\*walks back inside\*

When he comes back inside, Azula's gaze immediately is on him the moment he appears at the door. He can't read what her gaze's emotion holds, but it seems like she had been worried about something, or rather, is, as there seems to be a faint line of stress and anxiety on her face.

*"So you've come back."*The tone in her voice is much sharper, almost like a knife's edge scraping against his mind.

5x5: \*feels a sharp pain in his mind, it nearly makes him pass out, but he keeps himself from doing so\* Yes. I'm just came back to apologize to the old man. How is Avalia?

*"Fine. The worst is over. I mended her burns as best as I am able, and I removed her connection to her body's pain. I did a similar thing for Gobble. ...That name is quite an odd one I will say that much. No offense."*

The sharp pressure dissipates slowly, and he realizes that the pain came from Azula, and he realizes she might have been slightly angry at him about something, but judging by the disappearance of the pain, she must have been willing to let it go.

He notes a strange formation on the back of Azula's neck, which seems almost as if it was something artificially attached to her body. It looks like a small round mound, with small vein like growths trailing down towards her spine and her head. She doesn't seem to notice his gaze though, and she simply appears to be looking over Avalia with a soft expression, sort of how she occasionally looks at Kado.

5x5: Ummmm...I hope its not rude of me asking, but how did you get that thing on the back of you neck?

Her reaction is completely unexpected, she flinches, and just about looks as if someone set off a bomb in her face. She covers it with a hand, and looks extremely pale, almost unhealthily so.*"I-i-i-it's nothing. Please do-don't ask."*After a brief awkward moment, she speaks again.*"I'm sorry... I don't know what it is... just don't talk about it. I always get that way when someone says something about it, and I don't know why. ...My apologizes. I've been examined before, but no one can figure out what it does."*

5x5: \*put his hand on Azula's shoulder\* I'm sorry. Like I said, I didn't mean to be rude.

*"It's alright... where's Kado?"*She asks.

5x5: I saw him walking down the road away from here. Im not sure where he's heading but he should still be walking.

*"I see... I wish I knew what to do about him. It just seems that no matter how hard I reach for him... he keeps slipping away. ...I've been trying to find the source of his pain, but I've not been able to delve deep enough into his mind to find it. It's like an endless wall is surrounding his inner most being... And all around it is a terrible dark void."*She looks depressed.

*"I've tried so long to free him from this suffering... I don't know what to do..."*The tone of her voice seems almost broken, as though she's seconds from tears.

5x5: \*puts his hand on Azula's face and turns Azula's face towards his\* Emotions are good to show, but never good to display your character. Kado has delved far into bad things in his life and dwells only in the darkness of the past, instead of bathing in the light of the future. We can still help him, no matter what. No matter what he does, there is no doubt in the end that he will no longer feel that pain, but it's all up to him. And if he makes his mind up, you must respect that.

She still looks desolate, and suddenly her expression turns to alarm. She mouths, 'I have to go!' silently, but the fear on her face tells him that she just sensed something bad. She shakily touches his head with her hand, and a wave of mental energy connects to his brain, and he senses a powerful presence lurking somewhere in the gardens, approaching Kado's weaker mental signals with great speed. He suddenly remembers where he felt this before...

...the presence is the same as the one that came from the strange white figure that attacked them and destroyed the CRAzy with a single effortless blow.

5x5: It's her isn't it?...The one who decapitated our Test CRAzy?

*"...Yes... that and more... From the best I've been able to search... I know only this one thing... that she is the reason for everything Kado has suffered through until now. ...She is the one who made Kado this way... of any of the members of Phoenix... she and Hiroshi are the only ones that really readily come to the surface of his thoughts... and they're the ones who incite the dark wrath deep within him. ...I don't know why she's been showing up so much lately... but I can't let her do anything else to Kado!"*

She stands up, a fire in her eyes.

5x5: If we're gonna fight her, we can't just go in guns blazing. I know you want to get back at White but will it make Kado feel better?

*"The last time he left to chase after them... I can't let him fall back into that dark place. I don't care if he wants to fight her. Besides... she's fully trained and a fully empowered Elemental Slayer. ....He doesn't even stand a chance as it is... especially because he already had to fight and deal with all of you."*

5x5: Then let's call the old man. HEY, OLD MAN. GET YOUR RUGIGDY ASS OUT HERE!

Seco: \*comes outside\* What is it you want, Jon? \*feels that strange presence\* That feel...is it that lady?

5x5: Yep

Seco: Mmm

Azula suddenly rushes off, the take off so strong it creates a small burst of wind, which pushes them back for a moment.

5x5: \*is surprised\* Holy crap.

Seco: Hmm

5x5: Knew something we didn't?

Both: I always do. \*runs after Azula\*

They eventually manage to catch up, and they all roughly see at the same time a white figure in the distance with a slumped figure over her shoulder. It doesn't take long for them to realize who it is.

White sees Azula and lets out a smile, which quickly comes right off when she sees Seco and 5x5, replacing it with a bit of a scowl.

"Well now... I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up..." Closer to her, they can see she has two white horns, and the only major contrast on her body is her robe's black detail. Her eyes aren't the usual shapeshifter eyes, instead having violet irises with black reptilian pupils.

Azula bristles with rage.*"PUT. HIM. DOWN."*

White gives her a raised eyebrow. "Oh my. What's your fuss about? I only poked him, and he fell over unconcious, that's all."

Azula's fists clench.*"I SAID PUT HIM DOWN!"*She roars, the mental waves echoing loudly in Seco and 5x5's brains.

White just smiles.

5x5: \*feels the pain in his head\* AH GOD! \*presses his the roof of his mouth his his thumb\*

Seco: \*is ignoring the pain as much as he can\* You heard her. Put Kado down.

As carelessly as she can make the act possible, she lazily drops him right next to her left side.

She just casually smirks. "You know... I hesitated just long enough for him to know I attacked him... oh how exquisite the rage he'll have when he wakes up..." There is a twisted gleam of satisfaction in her eyes.

5x5: I bet she's one those excessively evil chicks you just want to die.

Seco: Yep, no doubt.\*walks to Kado and picks him up\* Should we go back? We got Kado.

Seco suddenly feels a blade against his throat, and he is immobilized against her body, uncomfortably so.

"Well, one thing you shouldn't do around excessively evil chicks is walk right up to them..." She purrs. "Besides... I came here for something." She looks at Azula. "Since Phoenix was named an independent entity from Chinmoku... should we not get a say in world affairs? Or did you simply look us over?"

*"What are you talking about?"*

"Well, since I have your attention... let me make it clear that Echo, specifically Azure is to keep out of our business. Any interference will cause... unneeded collateral damage. We make our move soon, and I suggest you keep your toes out of our business. Oh, we will meet again... I still have something we need to talk about..."

She makes a cruel wink, and literally dissolves in a shower of light.

5x5: Man, that chicks just spells "EVIL".

Seco: Every. Villain. Is. Lemon.

5x5: Remind me never to have lemonade again. Something is telling me she is has a big plan going on.

Seco: Looks like you've beaten me to a speculation.

*"I think you need a medal for your incredible observation, Sherlock."*Azula remarks dryly.

5x5: Medals are for heroes. I am no hero. I didn't know you guys knew anything about Sherlock Holmes. And don't get pissed because you didn't get your chance to end the evil white chick.

*"....I only learned about it after meeting you all. You certainly have interesting pass times on Earth."*

5x5: And you don't? I feel rather sad for you guys. More than I already do.

She turns toward the quarters they were staying at.*"Let's head back... I need to make sure she didn't do something to him..."*

Seco: She could've just pressure pointed him.

5x5: Or hit him really hard.

When they reach the room, she has them lay him down on his bed.*"Leave me for a few minutes. I need to do something."*She places her hand on Kado's forehead, and closes her eyes, and says nothing else.

*Seco and 5x5 leave the room*

5x5: Any idea what the evil white chick might be planning?

Seco: World-wide eradication? That's my only guess.

5x5: I'm guessing were gonna go find out.

Seco: Hell yea, we are.

After a long while, Azula comes out, but she looks shaken, in a way that sends a slight chill down Seco's spine. He realizes it's a look of raw horror and fear.

Seco: Something bad has happened to him hasn't it?

*"No... he's fine... but... ....I need to wait for Gobble, Avalia, and Kado to wake up. ...You ALL need to hear this."*

5x5: What's happening?

Seco: Shit is what's happening.

*"She told Kado**exactly**what they're going to do. ...She also asked him to join them. ...The others need to hear this though. What White has planned... is something greater than what you speak of when you say the world 'Holocaust'. ...They're going to try to wipe out all human life on Earth."*

Gobble: Nah...I still say the Holocaust was way worst...

5x5: \*shrugs in agreement\*

Seco: Is there anything we can do to stop that, Azula?

*"I don't know the details... she left those out. But her intent is clear. I do understand their first move comes soon. I don't know what we can do, but I do know that we need to delay the Council from acting against Earth. We don't need to worry about two enemies. ....I can't believe that Phoenix after all they've done in the name of peace... could change into such a horrible organization...*

*Are you all aware of what Phoenix is? I believe I may have breifly touched on the subject with Seco once."*

All: \*nod in understanding\*

Kado stirs weakly, Seco notices a strange band of red markings on one of his cheeks that wasn't there before, and he vaguely remembers a similar pattern from the video he had s*my*een of his other form's attack in London. Azula also notices, and immediately stands over him, the two of them understanding the significance of the markings quickly.

His eyes open, and the markings fade. "What....? Why am I back here?" He shakily sits up, and on seeing Gobble and Avalia, turns his head and looks away, unable to look at them still.

"...What happened....?" He looks briefly at Seco. "...You guys ok? You look as though you were told the world is going to end or something."

Seco: Hmm. Yea...How about that.

Kado rolls his eyes. "I really don't need sarcasm right now. But seriously, what's going on? Last I remember, I was outside, and then I felt a sharp pain in my chest..." He trails off.

"....*White...*" Kado says in a low growl. "She was here.... wasn't she?" He says in a much darker tone than Seco has heard from him before.

Seco: Yes...she was...she wants to destroy the Earth.

Gobble: It always got to be the Earth. Why can't it be the Moon or Mars?

5x5: Cause no one gives a crap about them. They're just there.

Gobble: \*groans in laziness\*

Kado suddenly throws Dark Slayer into the wall, a scowl on his face. He lays back down, and rolls over away from them.

*"...Kado...? Are you alright?"*

He doesn't answer at first. "How can I protect others when I end up being the thing that the people need saving from...? ...It keeps building and building... and it won't go away. I can't even help myself anymore."

"I'm sorry for everything I've put you through. I'm worse than scum."

Seco: In all honesty, we're all scum. We've done a great deal of things we wish we could take back but cant. It hurts us every moment we think about. But there is such thing as redemption. That's what you've givenus after we destroyed your city. We show to same to you, because an old guy once said: "Everybody makes mistakes." Ask for forgiveness and if you truly repent you will be forgiven by those you have wronged.

"I suppose that would be easy for you to say... but you didn't kill anyone... you don't have to live with that guilt. ...I do."

Seco: Not true. We had to result in killing our own kind too. It wasn't nice, but it was our job.

5x5: The point practically gripped us and we wanted nothing to do the M.C.C.P, but then were assigned this mission. It was supposed to be the last one before we quit.

Gobble: Then other shit happned.

5x5: Yea, then other shit happened.

Kado rolls over onto his face, and covers himself with his blankets.

"Azula can discuss it with the Council tomorrow... I'm going to sleep."

The suite door opens, and a royal guard is standing on the other side.

"Pardon the interruption, but you are all summoned to see the Grand Eye."

Kado lets out a deep groan. "Will I ever get a chance to sleep tonight...?" He grumbles.

Gobble: \*smirks\* You don't know how many times Batman has asked that same question.

Suddenly Batman appears, and looms tall over Gobble. " Boo." He says in the legit batman voice.

Gobble: OH SHIT! \*falls out of his bed\* It's really him! Holy God!

5x5: goes up to Batman\* Can I be your next Nightwing?

Seco: \*facepalms\*

He suddenly is replaced by Kado, who has the most unholy of wicked grins. "I can't believe you fell for that. I mean seriously. I hardly know who he is."

Goble: \*is relieved\* Oh thank goodness.

5x5: \*bows his head in disappointment\* Awwwwww.

The guard taps his foot impatiently. "Are you going to fool around or come or what?!"

Kado turns slowly to face him. "Buzz off. I don't see why we need to go when it's the middle of the night. I'm sure it can wait til later." He says coldly.

The guard gets an irritated look. "You should know better. I may have to take that seriously. When the Grand Eye summons you, you are summoned and must answer him immediately. No exceptions."

Kado scowls. "It's the middle of the night. Like actual middle of the night. I know that's a hard concept, seeing as you pretty much couldn't tell, what with the eternal night over your heads."

Gobble: For I giant-ass eye, he sucks at determining what's night and day.

The guard angerily moves to jab at Gobble with his spear, but is intercepted by Kado, who effortlessly breaks the spear, and punches him in the face. Before he can react, Kado leaps onto him and begins to punch him repeatedly, and suddenly stops cold after a minute.

Seco gets a cold tinge down his spine, as he senses something malevolent stirring. Azula's eyes narrow.

Gobble: Didn't expect you to beat the living shit out of him,but thanks anyway.

Suddenly, Kado stands up, and turns toward them, and they see his eyes have gone red, and his right side has red markings identical to the ones Seco saw from the video of the battle at London.

Azula looks at Seco, panic in her eyes.*"It-it's back.... Seco, this thing... I never saw it in person... but I'd swear this thing's presence is the same one that keeps me from healing Kado's pain....! ...Don't do anything reckless... if you move..."*She pauses.

Seco: You heard her. Don't move.

*Everyone just stays where they are.*

Gobble: What is this? Jurassic Park?

5x5: Dammit, dude. When are you gonna learn to shut your mouth!

Gobble: When I loose it.

The crazed Kado suddenly lunges at Gobble and 5x5, pulling out Dark Slayer as he charges, and he closes the distance within a matter of seconds. He prepares to swing, when suddenly a hand grabs his head, and a second one grabs his hand.

"Sleep, One born from blood." At this, a shock visibly goes through Kado's body, and he completely goes limp. As he falls to the floor, they see the person behind him is none other than the Grand Eye.

"I do not like to be kept waiting... it is fitting that I came here when I did... for this was exactly why I wished to see you all. Rest until morning, and then at the sixth rise in the sun, come before me. We shall hold the meeting later in the day. For me... this is a matter more urgent than the Summit."

He turns, and mutters... "So it has come to this... old freind..." Only Azula and Seco hear this, but remain silent.

## The Eye of Knowledge

"Save your questions until we meet next. My answers will be long, and I will withhold them for the sake of your rest." He walks out, and the guard Kado had taken down stumbles after him.

Gobble: I didn't think the Eye of God was gonna us anytime soon.

5x5: Hey wouldn't have to save us if you have just shut your mouth!

Seco: Both of you,Shut up!

Both: \*stay quite\*

Seco: \*sigh\* We should be getting rest for tomorrow. Another long day.

Azula silently lowers to the ground, and picks up a small form Seco realizes is a small girl.*"...He went so far as to completely shut off Kado's powers...?"*She sees Seco looking, and she quickly takes her off into her room, avoiding Seco's gaze. He notices as the girl's head shifts in Azula's arms, her eyes faintly meet Seco's, dimly similar to ones he has seen before. They wearily close, and then Azula disappears into her room.

Gobble looks down and realizes Kado is gone, having not noticed the occurrence just now.

Gobble: I'm no really sure, if im supposed to care, but where did Kado go?

Seco: \*looks around then looks back at the room where Azula went in\* Things just keep getting weirder.

They all eventually go to sleep, and at six the next morning, they all get up, Azula being the last one to stir. When she does, she comes out with the girl Seco saw earlier, who appears to still be sleeping. She ignores the looks the others give her.

*"You have questions, but so do I. The only things I've known about Kado is just an endless list of questions. Now I finally have a chance for answers. For him as well as... well... me. The only thing I understand is that violent... thing comes out when Kado is enraged beyond reason... though that seems to be degrading now... and she..."*She looks down at the girl in her arms.*"Well, I've only seen this form when Kado has been on the verge of death, and when he's been driven powerless. ...But I don't know why it happens. It isn't normal for Shapeshifters to do this. The only thing I understand is something happened to Kado a long time ago, and these... occurences are a side effect that won't go away. Let's not keep the Grand Eye waiting."*

Seco: Fine. My mind is already screwed up anyway.

When they finally arrive at the hall of the Grand Eye, he is sitting alone, with no guards, something that immediately catches their eye.

"I summoned you here on account of Kado, originally I merely wished to speak with him... but considering the circumstances of late... I think it's time I discussed to you a great many things. In order to know your enemy, you must first know yourself.

For many years, Kado has gone through life, not knowing who he truly is. I think it's time he came to understand just who he is. For his sake and for the future. Tell me... Seco of Earth, just what do you know about Phoenix?"

Seco: Why the hell are they here? What is there purpose? What do they stand for?

The Grand Eye closes his eyes. "Phoenix was an organization born at the beginning of the Mythos war. ...However, while your world was at war for what you would call a long time... our world has seen a war that started well before my time. And my great great grandfather knew not the beginnings of the war either. Life here is not as it used to be.

...I can still smell the smoke.... the fire. I can still taste the blood that fell like rain. Memories still rake my brain of that time. The Elemental Warlords, eight powerful beings of pure, absolute power over the elements rose up long ago, they were the first of the Elemental race on Echo. We were born much later, and just like how humanity reacted, the Elementals found us strange. They sought our destruction, and from the start, we became their opposite force. For years we fought, our vast knowledge allowing us to develop counter measures to our enemy's absolute strength. However, the fighting never ended."

He has a sad look. "Until the day the Dark Entity, Kukyo discovered Earth. You would know it as the very middle of the war with the Mythos. But for us, it marked a whole new chapter of violence. ...And from all of this, eight masterswords men learned the way to create swords that could endure the ravages of time... and lock away the very power of the Elements. With these great swords of power, they attacked the Eight Lords, and began a battle which would create the eight ultimate swordsmen who could wield the power to destroy the elements of nature, Phoenix. They were once a organization like Azure. Defiant of the world order, determined to change history. After their battle, they sought to bring stablity back to Earth, just like they did for Echo."

His face darkens. "And in exchange for their help..." He gives Seco a look that dares him to answer.

Seco:....I see...You guys haven't figured a solution to stop them?

"They've done a good job of doing that themselves so far. ...Phoenix continually tore itself apart after the death of the original White, her death was the trigger for its decline. Until now, many including I believed it had finally collapsed. ...I was wrong."

He walks up to Kado's small form, and releases the bind on him, and a shadow aura surrounds him, and he soon returns to normal. Kado glares at him.

"Why did you feel the need to expose... that side of me?"

The Grand Eye looks at Kado. "Because you need to come to terms with who you are."

"...."

"It's about time you know the truth of Phoenix.... Kado." His eyes narrow. "All of it."

Kado gives him a look. "I was raised by Phoenix, I was one of them once. I think I know enough about them."

The Grand Eye looks at Kado. "Do you know that every member of Phoenix has always been a Shapeshifter hybrid?"

Kado gives him a puzzled look. "Yeah, but I'm an exception. I'm normal."

The Grand Eye closes his eyes. "....You are an exception. But not to that rule."

Kado's face goes blank. "What...?"

Seco: \*is attentive and is waiting to hear where this is going\*

"You are a Hybrid. I was not sure of this before, but after what I've seen, there is little doubt."

Kado narrows his eyes. "My family always were shapeshifters, I was from-"

"The Spiritwood clan. Yes I know. ...Ironic that name is...

Do you know your family's lineage?"

Kado blinks, confused. "They're all shapeshifters. I don't know what you mean by all of this-"

"The Spiritwood Clan was founded by Hadari.*The*Hadari. The man who first wielded the Dark Slayer..."

A hologram appears of the iconic traitor of Phoenix. "The same man who tried to destroy Phoenix... Of any of them, he was probably the most violent... but also had a great sense of justice when the time came. ...And he was once my best friend.

His power was three fold. His powers as a Shapeshifter alone were formidable, he knew and commanded countless shapes. And as you know, he was also the wielder of the First Dark Slayer. ...But, there is one thing he never told anyone expect me."

Suddenly, red marking appear on the image of Hadari, ones that remind Seco of...

"...He was not a pure shapeshifter. He was a hybrid of a shapeshifter and a spirit." He looks back towards Kado.

"His blood still lives.... in you. You are his great great grandson."

Kado's face goes white. "W-what...?!"

Seco: He's saying that your lineage is what screwed up your life with Phoenix. Well that's what I'm saying. He's saying your the descendant of the 1st wirlder of Dark Slayer and the destructor of Phoenix.

"More importantly... I'm saying that you are a Shapeshifter and a Spirit hybrid. ...Ironically, the same can be said for White... the two of your family lines from from the same tree. Or rather, trees. Hadari and the original White were once lovers. You are descended from the two greatest members of Phoenix. And the inheritor of their wills.

Your nature explains everything that has happened until now. The violent rage, and the meek helplessness those other halves of you represent... weren't born from some mental disorder.

...You did that... to yourself. In your terror and your darkest despair, you desired above else to be free from all of the pain and emotions that were tearing you apart... as your own family tried to kill you, you split your own soul into pieces." His eyes soften slightly.

"When you did this, you didn't create two new personalities within yourself. You didn't give them any. This is why your rage self attacks anything and everything, even your own comrades. This is why the weak, helpless one emerges should you be too weak to exist in your current state. That's how it was at least. But now that you're faced with the emotions of the past... your rage is growing at every turn. Your sense of helplessness increases.

...And that's why at London... your spar with Avalia and 5x5... the guard... and nearly your friends for the second time... has happened. Your spirit no longer has balance."

He looks at Azula, and his face suddenly saddens visibly. "...And that... is why you can never truely heal Kado's pain. Your power over the mind is great and powerful... but this is not a matter of the mind... but of his soul. There are things you can do to help Kado... but to put an end to all of his internal struggles... will be next to impossible. Only those three can determine their fate."

Seco: Then it's one of those personal situations that can only be solved by that one person. I know your in a dark place, Kad but relieve yourself of that pain you have. It's up to you what you want to do with yourself an the 2 others.

Kado faintly looks at Seco. "How am I supposed to do that? Relieve myself of my pain...? That's easier said than done Seco." He closes his eyes. "I don't even know why it's there to begin with." He looks at the Grand Eye. "So the reason I have this pain is because that split?"

The Grand Eye closes his eyes. "...No. I don't have any answers as to why you have that pain. ...Maybe with time, but my only guess is that either one of the other spirits is causing you the pain indirectly, or there's something within you that should not be there. But I do not have enough information to make a safe conclusion."

Seco: This may sound crazy as Hell but is it pssobile for him to...talk to them? Mentally.

He looks at Seco. "Very possible. The real question is... will they talk back."

Seco: We're gonna have to see if it works first before we can get to that. Besides, I don't see why they wouldn't.

The doors barge open, and the Elemental Clan Lords come in. "We've reached our decision. Summon the Shapeshifter clan leaders."

The Grand Eye gives a look to them. "We will continue our discussion later. Right now, the future must be decided."

Seco: Understood \*walks out\*

Gobbel: So? What are they doing know?

Seco: Their decididng the future of Azure.

Gobble: Ma, fuck the future. Everyone knows there is no future with shit happening the way it's been.

Seco: Still got to believe in the mission.

Gobble: \*groans in laziness\*

As they walk out, and the clan members all assemble, they hear the Fire Lord speak. "Personally, it is my opinion that the humans are beyond forgiveness, and they should burn for their crimes. My fellow clansmen are of similar sentiments today. ...Though with various methods of destruction..."

Kado doesn't hear the rest, as he suddenly has an attack that causes him to let out an unholy shriek of pain, and collapses onto the ground, trembling violently. Unlike last time, his body ignites into black flames, and he clutches his chest in agony. The attack lasts for ten minutes straight, with Azula looking as though she's straining with all of her might to hold some unseen force at bay. Just over eleven minutes, Kado suddenly and violently drops, and moves no more, with everyone nearby alarmed and frightened.

The Fire Lord is one of the first to charge in.

"What in the hell just happened?!" He growls, an edge of concern is in his voice.

Seco suddenly feels a violent tug on his shirt, and he is pulled down to Kado's level, where dark red eyes burn into his own, and he can see red markings again.

The grip weakens, and a quiet voice that sounds like it hasn't been used in hears weakly chokes out, "H-help.............u-u-us....." Kado goes limp once more.

Seco:...Help...let us then...

Gobble: The fuck happened to him? Is he diabetic.

5x5: \*facepalms\*

The Grand Eye walks over. "Everyone else, present your votes as scheduled. I will still be able to know of your conclusions. But however, this matter is of greater urgence." He looks at Seco and the others. "We will go into the Vault of the temple. I have a sinking feeling I know what's going on."

Azula picks Kado up, and they follow the Grand Eye around the back, where he slides a stone section open, revealing stairs leading deep below the city. They cautiously head down, and come into a large hall that looks undisturbed. Off to the sides are small rooms for sleeping, and the Grand Eye indicates one, and Azula places Kado within.

*"What's going on?"*Azula pleads.

"...I fear... that Kukyo is returning. ...I have not seen such fire as black and cold as the fires burning around Kado... not since I first laid eyes on that demon."

Seco: Who's Kukyo?

"The Elemental Warlord of Darkness, she was the eldest and strongest of the eight. She was the last of them to fall to Phoenix. ...And now, I fear she may be trying to use Kado as a vessel to make her return. ...I can only hope I am wrong."

Seco: I hardly doubt that. We can't just keep Dark Slayer away from Kado or is it too late?

He shakes his head. "By now, if she was able to assualt Kado with black flames, she must already be within and secure. ...She will need to be taken back out... from the inside. If what I saw is correct, both of his strong halves are now weak or failing. ...If nothing is done, she will take over uncontested."

Seco: Kado needs to either team up with his other 2 halves to fight her off before she emerges or me and 5x5 go in there and try to stop her. Either or I'm down for it

The Grand Eye looks at Azula. "You can probably confront her using Azula's powers. I will say this. She is a being of darkness. Beware her power. She has the ability to take everything you ever endured and turn it into your ultimate hell. ...Be careful."

Azula nods.*"Are you guys ready?"*

Seco: We were prepared ever since we came here.

5x5: Not to mention, We're strong in Christ. And he is our light that will show us through the darkness. Am Iright dad?

Seco: \*puts his hand on 5x5's shoulder\* You sure are, my boy

Azula silently connects her mind to them all, and then touches Kado's forehead.

*"Prepare yourselves... brace yourselves."*A painful sensation builds within them, and suddenly they find themselves being torn from their bodies, and in a flash of light, momentarily lose sensation.

## The Malice of Darkness

Seco feels the cold bite of snow, and weakly gets up, the soft crunch of pure white snow beneath his hands and body. He has no idea where this is, but he feels light and out of place. The air is cold, and for some reason, there is a great sense of a heavy depression in the air, as if this strange world is drained of any joy. He sees Azula, and immediately asks where she took them.

Seco: This may be a dumbass question, but where are we?

*"A memory. We landed in the very outskirts of Kado's mind. This memory is one of his more stronger ones. Be careful and don't run off."*

Seco: Sure thing. It's not like I've got somewhere to run off to. \*starts walking into the cold\* Not even sure what I'm supposed to do here.

The others wake up as well.

*"Goodness... I thought you guys said you were ready... I didn't realize you would black out from one simple mind transfer."*

5x5: We blacked out? Aw crap. We gotta find the old man. Come on guys.

Gobble: I can't believe we're doing this in our current state.

5x5: Man, shut up and let's go.

*The others run off after Seco*

Seco: Azula, can you please tell me why I'm in Kado's memory instead of being where Kukyo is? Unless Kukyo is in Kado's memories.

They feel a cold wind blow, colder than even the snow on the ground.

*"She forced me here. I assume we will have to take the hard way down."*

Seco: Damn. Am I even going the right way? What's supposed to be here anyway?

As if to answer his question, there is a terrified shriek, as a young boy tears through the snowy bushes , followed closely by five hooded figures, blood dripping from the swords they wield. One of them leaps forward, and stabs the boy in the back, and just as the boy is about to be pined to the ground, he momentarily becomes a shadow, and slips away, though blood pours from him. He has similar wounds all over his body.

Seco: Hey! \*as if with blinding speed, strikes the 5 hooded figures and stands infront of the young boy\* You alright, kid?

Suddenly, the image of the boy and the figures flicker and disappear, the last thing Seco sees of the boy is the absolute terror and tears, and then he is gone just as soon as he had seen him.

Seco: Wh-what? Was that Kado? Never seen fear like that in any child's eyes.

*"You were lucky that you interrupted the memory. ...You would have seen much worse. They held nothing back in their effort to kill him. Even to this day, I don't understand how he could have possibly have lived and endured what they did to him. He was fifteen when this all happened. ...he was always a frail child. Even by adult standards, he's still quite weak physically than the majority of his peers."*

Seco: He never seemed frail when we we're around him. Must be good at hiding it.

*The others catch up to him*

5x5: Made it.

Gobble: \*is breathing heavily\* Should be in a bed right now.

Avalia: \*is shivering\* Goodness...its cold out here....Don't think it was ever this cold back on Earth...

Suddenly, the whole of the ground heaves, and suddenly collapses on them, and they begin falling violently down into a deep black void below the ice world.

Seco: Everyone brace yourselves!

Gobble: Talk about Skyfall!

5x5: Are you serious, dude!?

They eventually stop moving, and they look around, to see three crumpled forms, Kado, his dark self, and the little girl they saw earlier. Coming from Kado is a swirling pillar of darkness, darker than even the darkness that surrounds them.

Kado's head stirs, and a faint, 'R-run...!' Can be heard coming out of his lips, weak and hoarse. "G-get away from here... s-she's... too powerful..."

Gobble: Well, you heard the man. RUN! \*gets a head start\*

*Everyone esle starts running*

*"What was that about coming to fight me....? Ha ha ha... cowards... I can smell your fear..."*A voice echoes in the darkness.

Gobble: All I can smell is EVIL. And I can spell it too.

Azula gives him a 'are you f\*cking crazy' look.

From the depths of the shadows, a rippling of some sort of thick darkness creeps in their direction, slowly shifting into an organized form, until it becomes an eight armed figure that vaguely resembles a human shape, with glowing red eyes and markings over its body. Their first instinct on feeling its energy is*demon.*

The darkness coming out of Kado seems to grab him, and pulls him into the figure's mass, and it seems to gain a more solid outline.

*"I am the first Lord of Echo... the Queen of Despair... The Abandoned One... I am Kūkyo. Leave... or you shall regret your transgressions against me in the eternal void."*

Gobble: Wow, so you must be Trigon's wife, right? Love your daughter, Raven. Chick is awesome.

Seco: \*facepalms\*

5x5: \*facepalms\*

Avalia: \*facepalms\*

Kukyo narrows her eyes, red eyes becoming narrow slits.

*"Pity... I expected more. You're not worth the minuscule energy that composes your being."*

Suddenly Gobble feels a sense of overwhelming dread, as do they all. Gobble starts to remember some of the worst experiences in his life, all the bad things that ever happened to him start to play themselves over and over in his head.

*"And you, what are you but a measly worm that struggles day to day just to exist? You delude yourself with your dreams of redemption and salvation. But the only future you hold is the same for all. To be erased. To no longer be. To join and become one with the void..."*She speaks to 5x5, and soon a similar wave of emotions and memories assaults him.

5x5: \*puts his hands together\* Life isn't what you think. I have often tortured myself on the same concept of my life not meaning anything. But my father told me, that we're not here for no reason. You only delude yourself with talk of dread and past.

Gobble: \*is mildly hitting his head with his hand\* Out with the old...in with the new, right?

5x5: Right. You can say all you want. Atleast the past made me the sort of man I am today. What about you? Why do you hate life so much? Surely you weren't brought up this way.

A wave of pure negative emotions blasts them, the agony of countless souls seems to rush through them.

*"The past... present... neither of those matter to me. The past was long swept away by the endless hours and years. The present is continously swept away in the past's violent waves. The future holds only death for those whose days are numbered. But for those who shall live to the very last toll of the last bell... infinite and finite possibilities await.*

*I do not hate life. The only thing I hate is those who would stand in my way, and obstruct**my**goals,**my**future. I am not content to exist in an eternal prison. You shall not cease my return. You shall obstruct my path no further. You shall from this day, no longer walk the path of life... but scream into the dark abyss of death."*

She summons eight energy swords, and lets out a shrill roar.*"Pray... but in the Void... no hope remains."*

Gobble: Excuse me. Got a question. What are your goals? And what future do you possibly?

5x5: \*facepalms\* Oh God.

Gobble: No,no, this is legit.

5x5: Iswear if we die because of this-

Gobble: Oh no we're not. Trust men.

5x5: \*gives Gobble an untrusting look\* Yeah, you say that.

*"Here's the way I see it. Keep wasting your time trying to talk me to death, and let me continue devouring Kado's soul. Or, you can use that muscle inside your head that's called a brain and think that you should probably not let the giant demon standing in front of you free upon the world. But no no, please, keep talking."*

As she says this, she swings at Gobble's head with four giant blades half the size of a tall building.

Gobble: \*is managing to dodge them\* Your one to talk. You be talkin' about despair and shiz, all I asked was one question. If you had Questiophobia, you should've said so.

Ignoring him, she abruptly switches targets and stabs at Avalia, who dodges, but still gets her side sliced open, and in the same movement attacks with dark fireballs at Seco, 5x5, and Gobble.

Seco: \*dodges and goes straight toward Kukyo with 5x5 right behind him\*

Suddenly, the ground becomes nothing but air, and all around them, a city is in pure chaos, guns, explosions, and fire rage all around them, as two massive heavily armed armies wage war. It takes Seco a moment, but he recognizes some of the soldiers are wearing Azure combat armor, white with blue trim, while their enemies are pure black with red.

Azula looks astonished.*"This is... this.. this is our civil war...! But how...? I thought we were in the center of Kado's being...?"*

Seco: Those colors...is this foretelling the future or revisiting the past?

*"No... this already happened... this is the civil war Azure fought to gain control of the city. This was our battle against the government... ...it was horrible. ...But why are we here...?"*

Seco: I'm guessing this another way for here to try keep us from reaching Kado. Come on. \*contiues to run toward Kukyo\*

Her image disappears, and suddenly all of the memory soldiers are blown away, and standing at the center of the blast, is Kado. ...Or what looks like him. Red markings glow with an ominous glare, and his hair is now black and slightly longer. He silently holds a black longsword in on hand, and beckons with the other, his demeanor daring him to come closer, but his eyes are pure black, lifeless.

5x5: Is that Kado?

Seco: I don't know, but looks can be deceiving. Gobble and Avalia, you take care of this one. Let's go 5x5. \*runs toward Kukyo\*

Gobble: Sure thing, old man. \*jump into the air and dive bomb kicks the Kado look-alike\*

*"Where are you going?"*The voice of Kukyo rings out. Suddenly, a massive dragon of pure shadow appears right in front of Seco and 5x5, and breaths shadow fire in front of them, blocking their path.

Gobble discovers his foot is now firmly implanted in the ground, his attack had gone right through. A black tentacle of energy suddenly wraps around him, and slams him into a nearby skyscraper. The Kado then turns towards Avalia, and seven more tendrils sprout, each barbed with a dangerously sharp blade.

Seco: Ah dang.

Gobble: Oh crap! Rape! Worse! Tentacle rape! I knew this day would come!You are one messed up chick, lady! Do you do this to your own daughter or somethin'?

Azula charges, and blasts the Kado with a blast of fire, and it reels back, burning for a little while, before the fires put themselves out. It returns fire, and the two begin dueling with the elements, the Kado with darkness and Azula with light. The battle quickly becomes a incredibly fast firefight, both combatants focused on each other.

The Shadow Dragon takes a step forward towards Seco, and blasts at them again.

*"Everyone! Physical attacks are useless! You have to either attack them with your own spiritual energy, or use some form of energy manipulation like fire to harm them! Preferably positive or light energy!"*Azula yells to them all.

Seco: Crap. We don't have any of those. Does water count?

Azula thinks for a moment quietly. Then out of no where, she suddenly charges Avalia with incredible speed, and punches her straight in the chest, and in the next second, slams into Gobble. By the time 5x5 is ready for her, she already slams into him with great force. Seco faintly attempts to dodge her, but can barely avoid her first punch.

*"What's this, gone insane or something?"*

Azula says nothing, but manages to smack Seco in the stomach. She suddenly sprouts wings of pure energy, and a powerful rush of energy flows into each of them, filling them with a power they have never felt before.

*"Mythologic Adaption: Empowerment."*

Gobble: Holy crap, old man. You never told us you were part angel.

Seco: I'm not, dumbass. What's happened?

Gobble: I feel so empowered.

Avalia: Same here.

*"You have seven minutes to use this power before it runs out. Don't be an idiot like Gobble and use up all your power in one go making fireworks. I won't explain this, but kindly keep knowledge of this ability to yourselves."*

Seco: Got it. \*looks at The Shadow Dragon. A portal appears below him and jumps down in it\*

*The others do the same*

## The Soul Abandoned By All, Kukyo

When they come out of the portal, they are in a vast white void, and standing ahead of them, is a lone male figure. Seco recognizes it even from a distance. Kado. In front of him stand two smaller figures, a black haired boy with dark red eyes, and a girl with similar hair to Kado's, with gold eyes.

Seco: Them. It's those two.

Gobble: Is it weird that im finding the girl pretty attractive?

*Everyone looks at him weird*

Gobble: I'm guessing that's a 'yes'.

*Everyone lands on the void*

5x5: What do you suppose thier doing?

Seco: Hopefully, talking shit out.

5x5: Seriously dad, do you have to cuss all the time?

Seco: I'll cuss whenever I want, now hush up.

5x5 notices something off, Kado's eyes are pure black orbs, and the two seem to be now running away from him, even as he walks at a leisurely pace after them. As soon as she notices them, the girl changes direction and instead runs straight for them, while the black haired one seems to be more or less standing his ground, holding a single sword against Kado.

5x5: Well, we know what to do now. Gobble, you get the girl.

Gobble: I swear dude, If i get an inch of that girl,I might as well jizz my pants.

5x5: Okay...Avalia you get the girl. I'm gonna see what's wrong with Kado. \*runs towards Kado\*

Avalia: \*runs up to the girl\*

The girl whimpers in fear and grabs a hold of Avalia, her body quaking from terror. Meanwhile, Kado effortlessly disarms the boy with a careless swat of his hands, and turns to create a forcefield of darkness blocking Seco's way.

"I don't know what sort of trick that was you pulled, but I will assure you that will not happen again." He says in a dull angry tone.

5x5: Hmm, so I'm guessing your not Kado, or you are and that Kukyo chick is inside of you.

"You could say I am Kado... though Kado shall soon cease to be... and there shall only be Kukyo. Already his control over his spirit has all but collapsed. It will be a simple matter to control his body... once I deal with you pests, scampering about like rodents."

The boy lets out an angry roar, and charges 'Kado' again, only for him to idly swat him away again, 5x5 hearing ribs snap.

5x5: Hey! Stop it! If you want to smack some one, here I am.

"I think not. That brat slowed me down for countless years... I would already be free if it weren't for that fool. But if you insist on continouing your pointless interferance... I shall indulge you."

Kado's form suddenly changes, becoming a woman with lighter color hair than his, pale skin, and pure black eyes, with only a faint gleam of red marking the location of the barely visible pupil. Two graceful curing horns protrude from her head, following the contour of it. A single red line of markings trails down her right cheek and down her body, similar to the ones seen before with the boy and Hadari, which makes Seco suspect a relationship somehow between the markings. She wears fine white and black robes that are tattered at its edges, mainly around the bottom and the sleeves. She appears to have a graceful, elegant form, off put by the strange aura about her, depressed, if not borderline sad.

A still moment passes, and she summons a sword of dark fire. "Very well then... I shall destroy you and reclaim my place in the world. I shall be a prisoner no longer." Her voice is low and naturally a whisper, quiet, and not what he expected from the previous encounter. Overall, 5x5 doesn't see how a being... as beautiful as she is could be as sinister as the people of Echo proclaimed.

Seco watches from a distance, and begins to suspect that he might have seen this woman at some point, but he can't figure out where.

5x5: Listen, im not sure what your wanting to do, but do you think its worth it? The world is already going to shit and before you even get free, you will have nothing.

"Fool. You have everything, yet nothing at the same time. As for me... I never had anything to begin with. I have nothing to lose... but everything to gain. I won't expect a rat from M.C.C.P. to know anything about that though. You're all the same. Phoenix... M.C.C.P... there is no difference between you and them, yet you proclaim them your enemy. They locked me away in a cage, even as M.C.C.P. continues to do.

Why is it that you continue to fight and survive? Is it because of your faith? Even though you should have died to protect what you stand for, you chose to live and sin against your own brothers and sisters. I would gladly die for them, as well as my beliefs. Just as you proclaim that you have something you call 'Faith', I too have a faith. Though I entrust it to none but myself. Time is my only certain ally."

She looks at Avalia. "You and all your darknesses... all of those secrets you hold onto in fear... all of which is hidden is known to me."

5x5: Your right. I have seinned by going against my brithers and sisters. Me and my family were robbed of our lives once the M.C.C.P found us. What you'll be doing will be just as bad as what we did. Faith is what is keeping me from attacking you. Cause I know there is still something I can do to help you.

"Hmmph. 'Help me?' How amusing. But there is nothing you can do for me. ...Not unless you can end it... forever.

Unless you can make all of existence's pain cease and create a world of pure bliss... whatever desire to help me you have is pointless. Do not speak of wrong doing to me... not when I have been imprisoned in the cursed blade for over eighty years... eighty... long... empty... years...! The only help you can offer me is lying down and making it easier for me to kill you."

She unleashes a wave of pure pain energy at them all, the energy searing and scaring its way into them.

5x5: \*is trying to keep himself from succumbing\* SO WHAT? YOU THINK YOUR THE ONLY ONE WITH PAIN? WE ALL WISH WE WERE IN A PLACE OF PURE BLISS, BUT WE KNOW WE CAN NEVER GET THERE! YOU THINK THE PAIN WILL GO AWAY? IT NEVER WILL! AS LONG YOUR HERE, ON THIS PLANET, PAIN WILL NEVER GO AWAY! I'M SORRY YOU WE'RE TRAPPED IN THAT SWORD ALL THOS YEARS, BUT KILLING US WON'T BRING THOSE EIGHTY YEARS BACK! DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU WANT! \*is getting weaker\*

The pain suddenly stops.

5x5 looks up, to see her standing over him, her sword pointed at his throat.

"The last person who ever asked me that question betrayed me. The last time mortal ears heard my desire... they merely used it against me and bound me to the sword... the last thing I want to hear from the snake's tongue of a mortal is that question.

So I'll ask you once and only once... is that really what you want to know...? Would you like to know just what I desire? Just what I want? Why would I go so far to obtain that desire...? Tell me Jonothan Waltz... do you truely wish to know the answer to that question?

...Because unlike Hadari... if you lie to me... you won't get a second chance." Her voice is deadlier than any sword's edge, the threat of its wrath looms over him with every syllable. She presses the edge of the sword directly onto his throat, slightly nicking it and drawing a thin line of blood.

5x5: \*is still calm\* I am no liar. Cause I know I wouldn't want anyone to lie to me. Everyone gets a second chance, even if they don't deserve it.

Seco: What isthe boy doing? He needs to stop trying to sympathize with the enemy and get the job done.

"...Fine then."

She grabs him by the neck, not violently, and lifts him up, and tilts his head to look into her single visible eye.

She suddenly throws him over to the others, though he lands with a soft thud rather than violently.

"What I seek... is something that if you were in my position... you would do anything to obtain it. ...Anything. No matter if you think it's wrong..." She pauses.

"All of the time I have lived... all of the ages I have endured... I have seen it everywhere. Yet no matter how much I reach... it slips through my fingers. It is radiant throughout all worlds... you need only look hard enough."

She closes her eye. "What I seek isn't power... what I seek isn't wealth... I do not seek an ideal... I care not for a higher power... nor do I care for the lesser and minor. None of these are my motivations. It is something that the mighty and wealthy can spend their whole lives searching for... yet it comes to those who are simple and meager... it is something that defies even the greatest of darkness's. You cannot touch it... nor can you see it... it is elusive for many... and obtained by few."

She slowly turns her head back towards them. Her eye opens, her gaze intense and focused, the weight of practically her entire being behind her gaze.

"Can you possibly begin to fathom such a thing?"

5x5: No. Will it satisfy you thoug? Do you know if it will help you? And what happenes once you run out? What will you do then?

"Then it is as I thought. You are blind to what you yourself already have, even as it stares you in the face day to day. You have something that even the mightiest of men and beings would crave... and die failing to find it.

I would spend my entire existence chasing after it... regardless how how long it will take... I will never give up. If I must, I would gladly conquer all worlds to find it. I would do anything... everything... if I could finally feel the one thing that countless others gained at my expense... happiness. Joy. Love... it has many words... many ways to express and give it... Happiness... is the only thing I desire. To obtain it... I would conquer this boy's soul... conquer worlds... kill those who would oppress me... take vengeance on my enemies... ...and if I could... I would die for it."

She closes her eye.

"But me telling you this changes nothing. It will not change my path. I told you before... this means everything to me. ...to feel it just once... would finally give me hope to one day truly live."

5x5: Your right. You do deserve happiness, but you'll never achieve it the same way the people who took advantage of you did. I don't want to cahnge your path, but your going at it the wrong way. May this help give you a better hope. \*hugs Kukyo\*

Gobble: \*whispers to Seco\* This dude has lost it.

Seco: I can see that, Gobble.

Her eye opens slowly, and she silently looks at 5x5, her expression unreadable. Her eye eventually closes, and she suddenly pulls out of his grasp, becoming a shadow briefly, then reappearing in front of them.

Her eye opens again, and as before is unreadable as to what expression it's conveying.

"...Few things change. Those that do require a great expanse of time. Such is the way of all things. ...Since my birth at the time of the Babylonian Empire... never have I had any hope. Never have I held even a spark of happiness.

...I will simply not lay like a dog for my captors. I do not desire to remain someone's tool. Forever I will resist this fate. I will not be used... never..."

Her eye narrows. "...I...cannot bare..." She breaks off. After a moment, she resumes, her voice lower than normal. "...just a taste... but already the prospect..." Her expression suddenly becomes a grimace, and she hunches over, her hands clenched upon her shoulders in an iron vise of pain. She seems to be biting her lip furiously.

"Do not offer me this gift... and demand me to simply endure my chains... ...you only bring me more pain!" She hisses.

5x5: Pain because you know im right or the pain because you don't want me to be right? I knowfor a fact that you hold onto hope. You want to achieve a goal you might never achieve, but you still thrive to do so, all in the pursuit of fufilling yourself. That is hope. Same with how I'm still talking to you about helping you, even though you tell me it's pointless, i still do so, cause I know there is another way to obtain your happiness. That's hope.

Gobble: Dude, she doesn't give a crap. Just smack attack the bitch so we can go home. This place is getting weird.

Seco: This is no time for you, 'Save All You Can' moments, Jon. We must contain the enemy.

5x5: She's not an enemy. She's a victim.

Gobble: Well, atleast we know how this will turn out. Let him do what he does best, old man. Jackin' things up with words of reasoning.

"...Even though the taste is warm in my mouth... it is nothing but the bait which the hunter seeks to imprison the vermin he looks down upon... I will not be caged...! You will not do this to me...!" She snarls. "Do not offer me hope, when you only desire to lock me away!"

5x5: I never said anything about locking you away, but you can't destroy Kado's soul.

Gobble: Are you fucking serious, dude?!

5x5: You were cheated out of your life and spent 80 years alone. You don't deserve to be here anymore.

"...Even if you did mean it... it will never amount to anything..." She closes her eye.*"The people of Echo will never willingly set me free..."*Suddenly her form blurs, then fades away, and Kado crumbles to the ground, while a great darkness lifts from him and peels off into the white void beyond them.

*"Yet I traveled far and beyond the land of which I was born, to a world that once echoed my heart... to find only the night I left behind... forever I wander... ever wondering if I shall greet the dawn...*

*And never once knowing if anyone ever cared of my passing by Dawn's first light..."*Her voice and presence slowly fades away, becoming nothing more than a faint whisper, and then is no more.

*Forever beholden... to these eternal chains of night...*

*You will never set me free... just as pain shall never cease... so too shall my eternal despair.*

With her presence gone, the girl's shaking subsides, but she still doesn't let go. The kid walks over to where Kado lies, and then looks at Seco and the others.

"Hmmph. I suppose... I promise to try not to kill you... for your help." The boy growls irritably. "Now get out."

As if a titanic wall was suddenly flung at them, they suddenly wake up in the real world, sitting in chairs next to an unconscious Kado, who appears to be on emergency medical equipment.

Gobble: Well Jon, you failed again. That's what you get for being so damn soft.

5x5: \*has a sad look on his face\*

Avalia: \*wants to put her hand on his shoulder\*

Seco: \*shakes his head at Avalia\*

Avalia: \*withdraws her hand\*

"That depends on your definition of 'fail', Gobble." The Grand Eye speaks up softly. "To this day, few know of what the Warlords truely aimed for. ...I can only imagine what you might have learned deep within Kado's mind and soul myself. But whatever happened in there, 5x5... you did well. ...Though you may not think so. Sometimes there is no easy way through life. Take of it what you will, but understand you have our deepest gratitude."

5x5: \*leaves still looking rather upset\*

## Despair Unfounded

Gobble: Not sure if you noticed, Eye guy. But thay dude was gonna let the evil chick roam amock all because he felt bad for her, cause her life sucked. So what? Lots of people lives suck, she isn't the only one.

The Grand Eye looks at Gobble briefly, then turns. "Life is not so black and white as 'good' and 'evil'. I can tell you this much though. The man who refuses to acknowledge the pain of others is damned to be treated with equal disdain. You must learn the difference between you... and your enemy. Because if you do not understand them... you will be doomed to repeat their history. Bare that in mind." He walks off silently.

5x5: \*is sitting outside looking at the morning sun\*

Seco notices that unlike everyone else, Azula hasn't woken up, but is seemingly in a deep sleep.

Seco: What must we do now? How can we get Kado back before Kukyo destroys him?

*A man walks up from behind 5x5 and sits next to him*

Man: How's it goin', buddy?

5x5: What is it 6x6?

6x6: Well, you sound a bit pissed, more than usual when you see me. Bad day?

5x5: \*turns away from 6x6\* Let me guess. Failed again? Old man always said 'never to sympathize with the enemy'. You always did know how to get hurt all the right ways that way.

5x5: Get lost, 6x6.

6x6: Hm. Sure thing, man. Just thought I'd give ya' this. \*hands him a gun\*

5x5: Where di you get this.

6x6: Got it off of Kado.

5x5: but your just a figment of my imagination.

6x6: \*smirks\* Yea, I am aren't I?

5x5: \*realizes what he means by that\*

6x6: This is 33rd time you nearly killed them over your belief. Do you know how much beneficial they'll be without you? All your problems will go away in one pull. Make the guilt go away. \*gets up and pats 5x5 on the back and walks away\*

5x5: \*takes a moment and puts the gun up to his head\*

*A shot is heard. 6x6's body is on the ground dead with 5x5 pointing the gun at him.*

5x5: Hold up, man. Im right behind ya'. \*puts the gun next to his head and pulls the trigger, but no shot or no bullet. Pulls it again and again but nothings working\* AGGGGGGGGGGGRRRHH! \*snaps the gun in half and throws it away and punches the nearest pillar so hard it cracks. Then he sits back down even more upset.\*

Seco feels a slight breeze, and he looks over to see Dark Slayer glowing red faintly.

*"...I have left him be. ...I hope you're happy..."*A disembodied voice rings in the room.

Seco: \*is blankly staring with eyes eyebrows lowered\* Hmmm. \*looks at Kado\* Looks like there was a bigger monster in you after all...

Azula stirs.*"He's fine now... in fact I can hardly feel any pain at all in his head. His thoughts seem so gentle and weightless now... ...Though it's weird... I'm sensing a faint sort of 'intelligence' in the sword that wasn't there before. It's like millions of thoughts are wildly running through it like electricity... but I can't sense what its thinking at all."*

Sceo: I have a feeling we really don't want to know.

Gobble: So like, does the sword have a brain or something?

Seco: \*bows his head is shame\* Dear God.

Gobble: What?

The sword suddenly flashes in a sequence, one Seco realizes is Morse code for 'Fuck-you-Gobble', and then a minute later, 'Seco-five-by-five-shot-gun'

Seco: Shotgun? Where would 5x5 get a shotgun? \*sigh\* Let me see what the boy is up too. \*walks dow the hall and sees a dead guard on the floor with a bullet wound in his neck\* This isn't a shotgun. It's a pistol.\*walks towards the doors and sees the entrance shot in the door. Goes outside and sees blood on the concrete but no body. Looks at the pillar with a dent in it and a split straight down the middle. Sees a bullet shell and picks it up\* Dang boy.\*looks around but can't find 5x5\*

Back at the room, Gobble notices Kado showing signs of stirring from his sleep. Azula lets a tired smile show.

*"Thank goodness... hopefully that will be the worst of it."*

*Meanwhile in Chinmuko*

5x5: \*is has trouble walking. Hi eyes are glowing red\*

*"How many times will it take for you to see that your beliefs are false? Your team is constantly put at risk because of it. All the mistakes you ever done had to be fixed by the team. They look down on you, reject you. All you've done was make their lives harder."*

5x5: Arrrrggh....Rrrgghhh...\*continues walking\*

A distance away, a man in a fur coat with a grey cloth mask over his face watches him, studying his behavior. He memorizes the scent of the fool, and silently continues watching atop his perch on a temple pedestal.

*"Your could've kept your mother and father from divorce, but all you did was sit there and did nothing."*

5x5: \*has flashbacks of the arguments Seco and his mother had with each other because of their jobs\* Arguughh...

*"Now you want to do something you couldn't do as a child. Quite Pathetic .Mother had the guts to take you. She was the only who cared. But no. She left you to go somewhere else. The old man had to take care of you then. He taught you everything. so called 'love'. It was more of a 'tolerance'. He believed to much in a broken-minded man. This is why your a failure in his eyes. You talk of peace to those who incapable of such. Your words are lost on those who have suffered like you. You were all but too late to help them. It's not like you could've helped them anyway."*

5x5: \* Eyes are watering. Continues to walk into the streets.\*

The man lets out an irritated sigh as he continues to watch 5x5, and then leaps forward at great speed, and silently lands in front of him, arms crossed.

"You remind me of a cry baby I used to know once. I can't stand people crying, when there are much more efficient ways to solve problems... ...so what's the deal with you? Lost your pet cat, kid? Don't worry, you can always buy a new one." He says in a slightly dull, but clearly sarcastic tone.

5x5: \*walks past him as if he wasnt there\*Arrrrughh...Eeerrghh...

"Right, ok, cool. Now it's time for the wake up call." He suddenly wheels around and jabs 5x5 straight in the spine, and then at the base of the next, disrupting his nervous system for one whole second before it starts back up all at once, completely dislodging 5x5's thought process. The suddenly loss of control causes him to hit the dirt hard, face first.

"Did that register to you, or do I need to buy you an expresso?"

*"See? They hate you. They all do. They can see your mistakes. You want to be a better man. Let me show you."*

5x5: \*gets up and continues walking\*

The man gets a visibly irritated expression in his eyes. "I tried to be nice."

He suddenly roundhouse kicks 5x5 straight through two whole buildings, and meets him on the other side, just as he gets up.

"You know what does make me angry? When emotional fools lose sight of their way. It's so easy."

He starts lobbing various chops and punches to 5x5's chest, neck, and head. "First of all..." \*SMACK!\* "If you fall down, do you cry about it and wait for someone to feel sorry for you and pick you back up? No. You-" \*CHOP!\* "Get back up!" \*SMACK SMACK!\* "And..." He stops, leaving 5x5 dazed and reeling wildly.

"Considering that no one in history has ever had the*balls*to walk right up to the lady of darkness herself, and freaking..." \*Drop kick to the face\* "TALK her into backing off, and*SUCCEEDING,*You should be getting a toast to your honor! And..." He pauses, a twinkle of amusement in his eye. "Knowing these old windbags... they would probably do that."

A dark glare enters his eyes. His fingers take a formation as though claws. "YET, here you are all alone, whining like a little girl when your charge Kado is still in infirmary, but*alive!"*

5x5: \*is sobbing\* Why do you hate me...All I've ever wanted was to help...but know matter how hard I tried...I loose them....My beliefs...they were all but false...I can't take the pain anymore....and why would you care? No one else would...go ahead...kill me...my life means nothing anymore...KILL ME!

He looks at 5x5. "How did that old man put it? In order to know your enemy, you must first know yourself. My parents were killed at a young age. I take comfort not in emotions but logic. It is the only sure thing in this world. That and death.

My logic tells me you're a waste of oxygen with your pathetic sniveling. But here's something else. To kill you would violate my orders. I was told to investigate and subdue the stirring of Kukyo. Nothing more. You are not part of my objective. I do not hate you. Neither do I care about you. I have no regard for emotions. But I put what you could call faith in logic. No matter who you are, I have come to know that for every man, there is something he believes in without a shadow of a doubt. Faith, you could say, drives all. Whenever it is in a god or some other form... there is always faith. Well, that's what I deduce at least. But like all things, logic only carries one so far.

So here is my last piece of logic. I will not try to comfort you. But I will explain why you should get up and quit acting like a child." He narrows his eyes.

"Regardless of how I feel about them, emotions tie others together. That's what I've come to understand about it. Regardless if you want to die... others want or perhaps even need to to live. You can run away all they want, but just maybe they will never turn their back on you. Because they have something that you have affected them with. That effect you have on them... is emotion. I do not know much about you. But I understand enough to know that you have been through worse. You have done something many would consider impossible. ...Following what you would call... faith. Your faith hasn't abandoned you. You've simply lost sight of it. Now I will only say it once more. If you fall down, then do not wait for someone else to pick you up. Life will never be so kind! You must learn to pick yourself up off the ground! Get up, or do not get up, I care not what you do."

He turns his back to 5x5. "Today... you didn't prove your faith was worthless. You showed to someone else... the*power*it can wield. And you defeated what can only be called a god... with compassion.... not a sword."

He begins to fade away into the wind. "My name is Torrent, the Wind Slayer of Phoenix. Next time I see you... you better not be such a sniveling dog!"

5x5: \*eyes return to blue. He is still trembling a bit. His eyes are still overflowing with tears. He continues to walk into Chinmuko\*

*Back at the temple*

Seco: Can't find Jon around the temple. I do have evidence that he was coping with himself.

Gobble: Again.

Avalia: \*looks down\*

Kado slowly starts waking up, and he slowly turns his head to face them, his eyes a dull grey color.

"Hey..." He manages to speak, though his voice is very weak from fatigue.

Seco: How are you doin', Kado? hopefully feeling alot better.

"...I feel like... I got put inside a washing machine... and then loaded into a dryer..." He chuckles weakly. He looks at Gobble. "Hey... come here a sec... I need to show you something I've been meaning to give you."

Gobble: Awkwerd, but ok. \*gets up an walks over to Kado\* What is it?

Kado suddenly punches Gobble in the balls,*hard.*"Don't you ever f\*cking talk like that when you're*in my freaking mind!*Do you have any idea how fucking disturbing that was to hear?! That girl was practically...*me!!!*" He snarls.

Azula restrains herself from laughing. Barely.

Gobble: FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF\*is spning around holding hi crtoch holding back from saying 'fuck'\*

Seco: Heheh. You got hit in the balls.

Kado smirks faintly, then looks around. "...Where's 5x5? Why isn't he here?"

Seco: He went to cope with himself.

Gobble: After he nearly had us killed trying to talk to the Evil-dark chick.

"...Shut up Gobble. He did something that I would never do... ...but something that I'm proud he did. What matters to me is that what he or you guys did... did something. ...The constant pain I've felt for so long... it's there, but now I can see past it. ...My mind feels clearer that it has ever been.

I don't care what you think, but he did something I think was braver than what I could ever have done." He closes his eyes wearily, and lays back down. "...Wake me when he gets back... for now I just want to sleep..."

Seco: Sure thing...

Gobble: Is he really saying that 5x5 actually talked sense into someone evil?

Seco: I reckon so...We need to find him...

Gobble: Oh...I wish I could,but my balls hurt too much for me to be going anywhere.

Seco: Fine. Go ahead. Come with me, Avalia. \*walks out\*

Avalia: \*get's up and follows Seco\*

Torrent leans against a tree far off in the gardens, while Hiroshi angerly paces. Torrent gives him an idle look. "I don't know what you're so upset about, old man. I went to check out the situation with the demon, but it looks like they somehow managed to subdue her. With as I quote 'compassion'. Talk about cliche emotional nonsense."

Hiroshi stops and glares at him. "You KNOW why I'm angry, don't play coy with me!" He says in a flat, but angry tone.

Torrent shrugs. "All I did was beat up a sniveling child up a bit. No harm done. I wish I could have given it to Kado instead. Goodness did I have an itchy sword hand... the punk's style always interested me, even if it was sloppy."

*In Chinmuko*

Avalia: Where do you think he went?

Seco: Don't know the city like that, Avalia.

*Both come down a street with blood stains all over it*

Seco: Hmm. must of been a fight here.

Avalai: Seco, look. \*points at two buildings with human-sized holes in them as if someone flew through them\*

Seco: Not sure if it has anything to do with 5x5.

*Continue to investigate. After a while they see a crowd of people around one of the monuments.*

Seco: \*looks at the crowd\* Wonder if this has anything to do with 5x5. \*makes his way through the crowd of people\*

Avalia: \*follows through\*

Seco: \*looks at the people, they appear to be looking upward. Seco looks up and sees a body hanging from the monument's hand.\* Hmmmm...

Avalia: \*looks up at the body\* Who is it?

Seco: Can't tell...

*The Sun comes up a bit, enough to shine light on the body so everyone can see it clearly.*

Seco: \*is completely shocked that his fingers start to tremble\*...No....No...

Avalia: \*eyes are wide and are starting to water as she struggles to put her hand over her mouth\*

*The body is that of 5x5, hanging from barbwire*

Torrent tilts his head towards Chinmoku. "The wind changes... there's commotion. I wonder what has their little heads riled up now."

Hiroshi glares at him. "Probably all of those buildings you blew holes through. I told you to only keep an eye out on the situation, not to go and bust people's heads open."

Torrent waves his hand dismissively. "I got my job done. I lectured a fool for not using his head. It's just another day at the office if you ask me."

Hiroshi sighs with aggravation. "I'm starting to wonder who had the worse attitude, Kado or you. Let's just go." He opens a portal, and immediately walks through. Torrent looks back at the city, and a faint wind blows. "Well... maybe next time, little wolf." He pauses. "When we meet... it'll have been at least twelve years since our last contest... I hope you've been keeping up." He steps through the portal, and disappears.

## A New Resolve

*Back at the temple*

Seco: \*brings in "5x5's" body in his arms with a sobbing look on his face\*

Gobble: Fuck's wrong with you, old man.

Seco: Jon...

Gooble: Yea, what about him?

Seco:...dead...Jonothan...he's dead...

Gobble: \*laughs for a while\* You go me there ol' man. Who's the guy there. \*looks at the body and sees it's 5x5. Once he looks his smile is gone and his eyes are huge\*No...no..that..that can't be him..it..it can't be...\*sees the barbwire around 5x5's neck. Falls on his knees and starts crying\* No..jon! Please come back! I didnt mean it! I DIDN'T MEAN IT! \*is crying on the dead body of "5x5"\*

*Outside*

Avalia: \*is crying with her wrist against her forehead\* I didn't even get to tell him...

"...He was a good man. I'm sorry for your loss." Kado says next to her, leaning heavily on his sword for support, a dim look in his eyes. "I'm sorry you have had to go through all of these things over these past few weeks. If you need anything... just ask." He looks down into the crystal clear waters of a nearby fountain.

Avalia: \*still cries\*

*Inside the temple*

Gobble: \*is curled in a ball on the floor rocking back and forth with a trembling look on his face\* I can't belive he's gone...

Seco: \*is sitting in a chair and still holding "5x5's" body\* Me neither...

They hear soft footsteps echoing as someone enters. Kado walks in, limping in with his sword, and walks past them to the room they were in before, and leans against the doorframe, tired.

Seco: Guess you had a long day too.

"I think it's safe to say all of us have had a shitty few weeks. I'm so sorry Seco. ...I can't begin to imagine how you must feel."

Seco: Start with feeling like a dumbass for putting to much faith and too much pressure on my son...I wasn't the one who took care of him...I couldn't unteach him what his mother taught him...My fault for pushing him too hard and away...

Kado turns and looks at Seco, the shadows giving him a very dark look, the grey in his eyes tinted by red.

"Don't ever blame yourself. The only one to blame for his death is himself. I know one thing, and that is 5x5 lived for his ideals. No matter what, always believe that you did the best you could have done. We're all people Seco. We all make mistakes. Sometimes our choices don't lead us the way we want them. But considering what your family has had to go through... you had no reason to not have faith in him.

I have a question, and I think it's something you need to consider. 5x5 has gone on to a new life. ...Hopefully a better one than the one he left behind, in the grace of his lord. ...I have to ask, what will you do with yourselves? Embrace a new life, or live in the shadows of the past? I know that for me... I cannot stay the way I have been. I get that this is all painful, and maybe you don't want to hear this from me... but have you given any thought to your future here? You will need to reinvent yourselves, Seco. You are no longer part of M.C.C.P. You are Seco, you are Gobble. You can give yourselves a new future now. Free to lead your own destiny, not one dictated for you."

Kado begins to walk into the room, and as he closes the door, he says one last thing.

"The caged bird has been set loose from its cage. Now it is time for it to decide whenever to fly, or to wonder why the door is open."

Seco: \*looks at "5x5"\* I'm not sure what to do. I know for a fact that he left us, cause he couldn't stand us dampening his beliefs and that he didn't want us to die because of it. But we never had a life we could truly call our own, ever since we joined The M.C.C.P...\*thinks\* Im just not sure...

The Grand Eye walks in, and overhears. "Echo is much like Earth, yet it is vastly different. We are a people who struggle with survival, from the tensions of the cities to the simple wild life, community is something far more important than the racial differences that compose them. Find something that is to your calling, and pursue it. Here, at Chinmoku, you can take up some of the finest studies and crafts, our academies are unparalleled in many worlds. Azure often recruits people like you who may not be able to take the quiet life, and assigns them to various positions. They have their Vigilante Squads, but they also have their Homeland Security Corps. ...I believe you would be familiar with them, Seco. You did fight them in your battle with Azure. From police to national security, if you wanted something a bit more professional and less rough and tumble, you could secure a place within the Corps."

He smiles. "Echo is a land of struggles and trials, but it also is a land of possibilities. You just have to open your mind to them. You have all of this world to traverse, and all of these peoples. Despite the bad blood that still runs among some of the people, they will undoubtedly give you a chance."

Seco: I'll...give it a chance...but give us time...that's all we need...

"Time moves swiftly on Echo. You will have many more years of life than you would ever on Earth. So you have more time than you know... take as much time as you need to find yourselves."

Seco: We will...

He silently walks on to Kado's room, where he knocks. Before he goes inside, he turns. "You are my guests here. Should you need something, ask my guards for me, and I will be sure to come when I have time. Do not be afraid to speak to me about anything." He walks inside.

Gobble: \*is still rocking\* Can't believe he's gone...

Kado looks up at the Grand Eye. "Do you need something?"

"How are you feeling?" He asks simply.

"Fine I guess. ...I still feel real weird, but I guess it's just from a spirit trying to take over me recently and all."

The Grand Eye silently nods. "I see. Please let me know if you have anything to talk to me about." He begins to leave, but Azula grabs his hand.

*"Do...do you know anything about me? ...I don't know hardly anything about myself..."*

The Grand Eye looks at her with a sad glance. "Unfortunately, I couldn't begin to grasp what you might be." He bows his head, then leaves.

Seco: \*gets up from the chair with '5x5' still in his arms\* Come on...\*walks out the room\*

Gobble: \*gets cloth and follows Seco\*

*Outside*

Avalai: \*sees Seco and Gobble heading toward the fountain. Gets up and goes up to them\*

*They lay '5x5' on the cloth and wrap him up. They put him in the fountain and say their vows and regrets.*

Seco: \* Pulls out a blue 5/5 domino and puts it on '5x5's' chest. Pulls out a match and sets the body on fire\*

*They stand for a moment of silence*

Kado looks at them from a window in silence. Azula looks at him.*"Did it have to be this way Kado? Wasn't there another way?"*"...I'm afraid that 5x5 could not see another route to take. Though I wish he trusted in his family like Seco did for him."

She clutches her chest.*"This feels... so wrong. To not tell them the truth... it just feels... horrible."*To her surprise, Kado walks over and hugs her.*"I know. I understand."*

Holding back her longing, she embraces him in turn.*"But it has to be this way, Azula. His path is his own. I just hope he finds what he's looking for."*

*"...As do I. ...But Kado... have you found what you're looking for yet?"*

Kado blinks. "What do you mean?"

*The others go back inside and talk about the good times they had with 5x5. It made them happy and sad at the same time. They all regret not supporting his dream of untiy.*

Gobble: This definitely sucks though. I know he wanted to leave The M.C.C.P, but I'm guessing he didn't have this in mind

Seco: \*shakes his head\* Definitely not.

Avalia: I never thought we would push him to this...

Seco: It's my fault. I didn't tach him the way any father should have...

Gobble: It's also my fault for being a total asshole to him, even though he was always there to help me get off my ass.

Avalia: What are we gonna do now?

Seco: We're gonna have sometime to ourselves to get over this...This is probably the hardest thing I had to get over next to my divorce.

Gobble: Hmm.

*"Kado. Learn to live for once. I'm tired of seeing you tear yourself apart, going after your past... never once thinking about your future."*

"I have thought about my future Azula! I am going to change things, make things right for Mythos and Man. I cannot sit around while -"

Azula sighs.*"Kado. That's not a future. Or at least... it's not a future that we may live to see."*

Kado looks at her confused, not noticing her embrace becoming stronger and more passionate.

"What do you mean by that? Where are you going with this?"

*"Kado. Please. I've been by your side all of this time. I've watched you grasp at a future that while we may prepare the way for it... just realize that it may not come as quickly as you want. ...I've watched you live in the future so long, I wonder if you even look back to the present. Here. Now. Right now, you're not in that world yet. I need you here. Because while you've been looking for that future still so far ahead... I've been trying to find my future. But it won't look my way."*

Kado freezes. He feels the passion of her embrace, and relaxes in her arms. "...I see...I'm sorry... you're right. You've been by my side for so long, and I never so much as looked your way. I never really thought about it... I'm so sorry."

Kado closes his eyes, the two embrace each other more soothingly, until Kado smiles faintly. "I think it's time we finally had a casual outing... don't you agree?" A playful smile crosses his face.

*"Don't lie, I know you're about to burst your bank on a high class dining experience."*She subtly suggests.

Kado laughs. "Fair enough." His eyes glance over to the door. "But I think those three need something to help them out as well."

Gobble: So what kind of jobs do they have here?

Seco: They have security guard. That's sort of up my ally I suppose. They also got Vigilante Corp.

Gobble: That sounds boss. 5x5 would've loved that.

Avlia: \*chuckles\* Yea.

Kado and Azula walk out of the room, a strange air of happiness seems to be coming from each other, usually they both give off a very serious aura when they're together. They overhear and walk towards them.

*"If those positions are something you would like, I can arrange it for you."*She says to them.*"How about you, Avalia? Do you have any idea what you would like to do?"*

Seco notices that Kado is occasionally stealing glances at Azula, but appears to be otherwise himself, admittingly a bit unusually cheerful.

He looks at Seco, and offers a smile. "Since you all have had a pretty rough time, I think it would be good for you to go and enjoy yourselves." He hands Seco a rather hefty amount of currency.

"I want you to share that money with each other and enjoy yourselves for once. You deserve it. He would have wanted you to be happy if at all possible."

Seco: Thanks.\*splits the money between himself, Gobble and Avalia\*

Avalia: Im not sure what I could do. I just want to rest somewhere.

Seco: You guys goin' somewhere too?

Kado nods slightly. "Yeah. We'll have to be back before evening, as I'm pretty sure the Council needs to inform Azure of its findings regarding Earth, but the day is still long from over."

Azula puts a hand on Avalia's shoulder.*"There a number of hot springs, spas, and a great deal of libraries and other quiet places throughout Chinmoku you could go to if you wish, you could always ask a city guard for help."*

Kado and Azula leave the temple, not before Azula reminds them:*"If you need anything, use the mental link and we can come help you."*

Avalia: Hot Spring...Don't remember the last time I went there.

Gobble: Where are we going, old man?

Seco: I'm gonna go to a bar.

Gobble: Oh..cool.

Seco: Yep.

Kado and Azula arrive at a restaurant, and while he chooses a less heavy meal, Azula catches him off guard with a rather exotic assortment of dishes, and Kado realizes she really is going to likely break the bank. She winks.

"Well I see you're enjoying this quite well." He says teasingly, and she merely sticks her tongue out in response in equally playful manner. She looks at him with a strange look.*"That isn't the only thing I've got in store for you..."*She just winks again.

Avalia: Sorry to interrupt, Azula, but where are the hot springs?

Avalia suddenly feels Azula's consciousness enter her body, and looks through her eyes, and suddenly Avalia feels a mental map being drawn inside her memories being created, showing her each and every visual reference and street name she needs to take to reach them, and literally becomes able to see how to get their as though looking at a 3-D model.

*"Follow that and you will get there without any trouble."*She says kindly, and then exits her body.

*At the Library*

Gobble: Can't believe I'm here. \*looks at the entire selection of books\* Wonder if they got some espionage novels like David Boldecci

A librarian looks at him. "Is that an Earth novel you're talking about?" The man bows.

Gobble: Yeah. Got any of those.

The man points to a huge section of the library. "If it's here, it'll be in that section. We have many books within our collections from Earth. If you need help finding one, a Terminal will be located in each section." He indicates a pedestal like device.

Gobble: Cool. Thanks. \*wlaks over to the section and looks for some books\* Oooooh snap, they got The Camel Club what is thiiiiiss? \*puts the book under his arm and keeps looking\*

After their meal, Azula takes Kado to one of the massive gardens by a lake, and the scenery appears to be having an effect on Kado, who begins to become sleepy, and quietly falls asleep against Azula, who quietly makes herself more comfortable for him. *"Alright I'll allow it..."*She lovingly tells his conciousness, which causes Kado to lose his stiffness in his muscles, fully relaxing into a deeper sleep. Azula somehow cannot help but love seeing the expression he has while asleep, it being such a sharp contrast to when he is awake and guarded.

*At a bar*

Seco: \*is drinking a glass of wine while looking outside\* I'm gonna miss ya' Jon. I hope you can find it in that big heart of yours to forgive me. \*takes a sip of his wine\* Hm, taste like grape juice.

A nearby woman quietly observes him, the majority of the people haven't seemed to really notice, but she and two other people, including the bartender and a man off in the corner seem to have picked up on his emotional state of mind.

Seco: \*notices\* How's it goin'?

"I was going to ask you the same question. You seem quite down." She looks at him for a moment. "Lost someone precious to you I see? I remember you from back at the city, though doubtless you wouldn't know me." She smiles from slight amusement. She looks at the man in the corner. "My partner is over there. Interesting to meet you, 'Seco' Second."

Seco: 'Seco' is short for 'Second'. Nice to meet you aswell. Yea, I'm abit down. My son, he...

"...Is dead? I heard about that. Word travels quickly but quietly through these streets. It's already common knowledge in Chinmoku. Any thing on the menu you might like? It'll be my treat. I know Kado gave you money, but let me take this tab. I got more than enough savings. Food, Sweets, a drink, I can get it for you."

She changes form, to a woman with long braided dark violet hair with form fitting grey combat armor with the typical shapeshifter eyes, she has a subtle softness to her face, though it is equally stern with a soldier's experience.

"I'm Oliv Walker. SS Rank A.H.D.S. Agent. Let me treat you tonight."

Seco: Thank you, Miss Oliv. I think i'll just have a slice of pie.

She orders the pie for him, and then looks back at him. "So then, ever thought of a particular division of A.H.D.S. you may wish to join? It is the Azure Homeland Defense, but it has the police force, private security, assault squads, relief and aid units..." She pauses. "The reason I ask is I assume you aren't the guy who likes to wing it, you'd rather prefer a more professional line of work. Am I right?"

Seco: \*is eating his pie\* Your right. We we're trained a certain way at the M.C.C.P. We were only to improvise if original planning or survival tactics did not work. Other than that, yea.

She nods. "Ah, I see. I know the scientific research quarter and the reverse engineering department are all furiously examining that machine of yours. Clever piece of work it is."

She puts a hand on his shoulder. "And hey, just so you know, while people may not be exactly pleased with you back at Azure, I can promise you that we have a strict policy on squad behavior. Even if someone was somehow filled to the eyeballs with bricks for brains, I promise you that if anyone gives you garbage upon joining us, it'll be shut down. No matter what the history and the past, even our enemy can have their chance to stand beside us. Cause after all, the thing that defines who we are, is what we choose to be, not what we were. The past is the past."

She looks at him with an interested look. "Were you ever designated a Rank?" She pauses for a moment. "You WERE classified as SSS ranks, but that was because we knew nothing about you guys after capturing you. You guys seem like you would be at minimum S ranks like Kado."

Seco: We are only labeled, not ranked. I am the leader of one of the M.C.C.P's best squads. 3rd best anyway. I've trained efficiently and handled my missions and tasks fairly well. That's as far as I can go with that.

"I see. Would you like to talk about your son, or would you like me to leave you in peace? I don't wish to bother you if you don't want the company."

Seco: I'm not sure if I should talk about him right now. I'm just now getting over him. Maybe another time thoug. Thanks for the pie.

She nods. "I understand. See you around." She puts money out for the bartender, and then she and her partner leave.

Seco: Hm nice lady. I wonder how the others are doin'. \*takes another sip of his wine\*

A*t the hot springs*

Avalia: \*is sitting in a hot spring, still thinking back about the first time she met 5x5\* I'm going to miss you, Jon.

Kado's sleep begins to become interrupted by visions, visions of earthquakes, floods, the sky tearing itself apart.... he sees Elaonore and Daikaeim together, and suddenly watches as they are torn apart from one another by death. The visions continue, tearing at him like a black tide of death and destruction. Finally, they abruptly halt.

*I have sensed a great unrest in the worlds... I fear something terrible has happened... Kado... go... tell the Council of what you have seen... and do not delay.*

Kado eventually wakes, at first assuming it was all just a bad dream.

*I only wish it was...*

Kado bolts up out off Azula's lap in alarm. "A-Azula... s-something bad is going on. Something very bad...!" He gasps.

*"What did you see?"*

"...Death...destruction... ...everywhere." He shudders. "I have to go!" He bolts up, and begins running as fast as he can, willing himself to warn the Council of what he had seen.

*Back at the Library*

Gobble: \*has a boat load of books under his arm\* Gettin' some books. Gettin' some books. Gettin' some books.

Seco: \*is walking back to the temple\*

Avalia: \*falls asleep in the hot springs\*

## Motivation

*Van Valeric appears in Chinmoku and looks around the immense and grand scenery of the city.*

Van Valeric: If Atlantis had not sunk, this is what it would look like. \*sees the temple and makes his way there\*

Kado is about to walk up the temple steps, when he feels a prickling sensation from his sword. He looks around, and at first sees nothing, then walks up.

*"Kado... there's some... \*static\*"*The voice of Kukyo cuts off, as the sword finishes rebinding her to its lonely depths. Kado doesn't need the full message, and turns around and looks down the steps at an approaching figure.

*...Have I seen this guy before? ...A forest wasn't it...?*

Kado anxiously raises a hand to his sword hilt out of caution as the figure gets closer. "Who are you?" He makes it clear from his voice he doesn't particularly trust the figure.

Van Valeric: Quick to the point, are you? Quick to the sword too. A warrior's spirit I see. I can see it in you. You must be of a shapeshifter. You just have that...skin tone like most and the feeling im getting coming of from you...You are part spirit...remarkabe. There has never been a Shapeshifter-Spirit hybrid. Looks like I got something else to lap-book in my journal.

"You could say I've had plenty to write about in a journal myself. Not to be rude, but I'd like to ask the question again. Who are you?" He has a slight curious cast to his eyes, but his guard still is quite clear.

Van Valeric: Oh, my apologies. I tend to be distracted when I make a new find. I am Van Valeric, Minister of Darkness and ice god.

"A god...?" Kado restrains a strange desire to say something sarcastic. "...Well then... what is a ...'god'... doing here? I'm no expert but I would generally assume that whenever a being of otherworldly power decides to give me a visit, it's usually not because they want to have a cup of tea. I assume you want something from me... Valeric, though I wouldn't know why. My powers and prowess are not the... most admirable."

Van Valeric: I can understand. I have felt a sense of negativity and negativity that somewhat pains me to feel and now I can feel it with that sword you wield.

"The sword is Dark Slayer. It has the spirit of... something... inside it named Kukyo. ...We've not exactly gotten along. She was sealed... what, eighty years ago by an organization that removed her and seven other beings like her from power after they ravaged both this world and Earth. Many people on this world hate her for what she's done in the past. You mean you came all this way because of it?"

Van Valeric: Yes. It somewhat disturbed my inner being in away. I...enjoyed it, but...I can feel what she is after...happiness...one she could never have die to the greediness of other, am I wrong?

Kado takes out the sword and looks at it. "I don't know much about her. All I know is what I've been told by my people about her. I know there's more to her than what they said now. But... what exactly is your aim with all of this?"

Van Valeric: To giver her the happiness she could not get from others. For they have no true happiness within them.

"I guess I won't... or rather can't stop you if you're intent on this. However much of what power I have lies with Dark Slayer. If she is freed, I won't have access to any of the powers I once had. ...Considering the strength of my enemies, it will probably force me to retire... no way I can defeat my kin with such limits. I may be a hybrid of shapeshifter and spirit, but that might as well be worth nothing. I can't willingly access that side of me. And time times I have accessed it subconsciously... my power ended up hurting the ones I wanted to protect."

He holds out the sword. "But considering the life I've lead up til now, not doing it would go back on the principles I've lived by so long." Van observes the making of the sword's seal and the various spells that went into its power, and has to admit for mortal work, it's almost unparalleled.

Van Valeric: \*studies Dark Slayer\* Unique, but nothing I cannot solve. \*puts his hands together and Dark Slayer starts floating in midar. It then glows with dark light\*

He feels the presence of the consciousness of the sword stir, and he can feel it trying to ascertain his motivations, the contact like the unwinding of a giant serpent stretching itself towards him, though it doesn't seem able to actually communicate with him.

Van Valeric: Are you the one they call Kukyo?

He hears like a static in his mind, and he determines the spirit is still largely cut off from being able to communicate due to the sword.

Van Valeric: I see... \*the Dark Slayer gets lighter and lighter to the point where the Dark Slayer drops to the groud, void of its power and the darkness is still right above them\* How about now?

Suddenly a massive burst of spiritual energy rips from the point where the darkness was released, as the darkness suddenly looses the bonds that restricted it for many years, and momentarily loses shape and spreads throughout the area, the effects shaking all of Chinmoku. As the city begins stirring into alarm, Van slowly feels the presence of the sword's spirit come back into being as the darkness slowly begins to retract again around the point where it formed.

Kado wearily looks at Van. "Well great. You drew the attention of the neighborhood. ...This'll be fun..." He says with light sarcasm, spooked by the burst of energy.

Seco: \*walks in and looks at Van Valeric\* Waht the f-\*his calfs is frozen\* What is this? \*looks at the darkness\* So, you must be Death.

Van Valeric: No, but I can let you meet him, if that's what you want.

Seco: No thanks, I think I'll let age do that for me.

The darkness begins to organize and become more tangible, spiraling tighter and tighter into a vague form similar to a humanoid, and then it suddenly compresses all at once, and Kukyo materializes, but immediately collapses onto her hands and knees.

Seco:..Oh...its her...

Van Valeric: She must be weak, due tothe power she was outputting..

Avalai: \*walks in\* I'm ba-\*looks at Van Valeric\* Oh what the fu-\*her calfs are frozen\* What is this? Is that Death?

Seco: Wish it was right now.

Kukyo lays there, doing little but gasping for breath.

Van Valeric: \*kneels down and touches her chest, takes his other hand and touches his forehead, his left shoulder and right solder. Kukyo's heart burst with golden streams of light and it then surrounds her entire body\* This should help until your strength returns to you.\*also gives her a potion bottle\*

She manages to stand up with a slight stumble.

Her eye opens up slowly, the red dot in it shrinks in response to the unexpected strength of the light. After a minute or two, her eye focuses on Seco and Avalia.

"....You...two..." She says, her voice cracking from lack of use.

Gobble: \*walks in happily\* What's up, guys? Just got back from the library. Can't believe how many books they ha-OH MY GOD, IT'S DEATH! \*drops his books and slides on his belly to Van Valeric's feet\* I'm so sorry, Death! Please don't kill me! I didn't mean to flick you off that one time I was about to die! I just didn't know who you were at the time, that's all! \*starts whimpering\*

Van Valeric: Get up, fool.

Gobble: Not until, you promise not to take my soul.

Van Valeric: How about I take your soul for grovelling at my feet.

Gobble: \*immediatley gets up\*

Kukyo's eye wanders toward him. The clothing she has appears tattered, and she seems not as healthy as she was when they had seen her in the spirit realm, even her hair appears not as lively as before.

"...You again..." She looks away.

Gobble: You...Oh God it's you isnt it? Oh, i've been waiting for this. \*slugs Kukyo in the face but is passes right through her\*

Kukyo turns and faces him. "You hate me. You cannot help yourself. After all, if it's one thing I know about mortals, it is their desire to push their problems on others. To blame others for events they cannot control themselves. They become angry at those who had nothing to do with their problems. You blame me for Jon's death. I know. I've seen it. I was there. Or rather... your pain became a part of me... I felt your pain along side you... and your anger... and your hate." She turns to Seco and Avalia.

"Yours as well... that and more. I was there when you grieved over the loss of the woman you loved... All of the negative things you've endured..." She puts a hand to her heart. "Are a part of me..."

Guards begin showing up, upon seeing her, their faces bare anger and hate.

"...I've felt all of your pain...everything." She pauses, and her eye narrows. "But your pain is nothing. Nothing compared to the collective pain of over a thousand years of history. The pain of every living thing ever born... can your pain begin to measure?" She says softly.

She closes her eye. "Is it really so hard to just accept that Jon is dead and will never be again? You cannot simply move on? Are you that desperate, that you would go against what your brother stood for?" She asks quietly.

Van Valeric: Mankind wants to keep everything they are given. Unwilling to let it go once it is lost. Funny thing is, they are given what they do not deserve. All man know is how to hate. They refuse to take responsibility for their actions. It is their own fault they are still pained. Because man can never let go of what they loose. Maybe if they took care of it, they would never had lost it in the first place.

*Others give Van Valeric a angry and hateful glance*

Van Valeric: All I see in mankind is savagery.

Kukyo moves away from him and towards Gobble, and sits in front of him. "Tell me why you hate me. I want to hear your answer."

Gobble: My brother died because he wanted to save you...I know you had doesn't something to his mind to make him do what he just did to himself...

Suddenly a thick wave of negative energy begins to peel off her, so thick it literally blocks the light from the sky, leaving only torchlight. Gobble suddenly sees a human girl standing in her place, with a dark bruise around her neck... in the shape of....

A noose.

"...I used to be a normal girl... no... I never was... but once I was human." Soft amber eyes bore into Gobble's, completely different from the soulless eyes from before.

"But you know something? Me and Jon DID have something in common. ...We both grew weary of the world. Both of us sought an end to the days where we were used and abused as tools, not people. We grew tired of people denouncing our way of life, our beliefs."

Suddenly their vision all changes, and they are in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, as it was in its prime.

Van Valeric:...Babylon...The human mind is primitive. The understadn so little, but when they do try to understand they try to make-up every possible answer through their false sciences and they still don't understand that the answer was so simple to begin with.

Kukyo stands at the edge, looking over the city. She looks toward Gobble with an empty gaze.

"How many years has it been since I last stood here...?"

What she is implying catches on in Seco, Avalia, and Gobble's minds.

"You know nothing about me... but I know everything about you. ...If you do not first know your enemy, you will never know yourself..."

Van Valeric: They know all the wrong things. They only know what they*want*to know. Not need or supposed to. It has been several thousand years since I've seen this place. I can still her the fall of the wickedness that filled the walls of 1st World Empire.

Gobble: Good to know,bro...

Her eyes suddenly have a red glow. "I will fill in the blanks of your ignorance." An awful flash of light blinds them, and they begin to see memories of a girl growing up, and everyone in the village from her birth experience a time of peace and happiness unrivaled to most recorded history. However, their every thought and lingering notions of anger, sadness, pain... every bad and negative emotion they could describe instead is cast into her, and every day she feels the number of minds growing. But the years all fly, until one day the girl is a teenager, roosting in her favorite tree, when she sees it.

An army from the nearby city rises up from the north, and descends on the village, killing every man woman and child they find... they see her run for her life as the men chase after her, even as she reels from the terrible agony of the deaths of each and everyone of her community, her own pain and the pain they felt as they died screams inside her mind.

The next memories are of being dragged to the city of her enemies in chains, and enslaved by the regent of the city. Years pass of humiliation and imprisonment, when it happens again. Another army rages into the city, and once again kill many... but take her prisoner. The girl realizes in that horrible moment that not only have they desired her unique gift...*they worship it.*The sounds of their praise to her rings like cruel torture, and many years and many wars rage, filled with various masters, from treatment like royalty or the divine to imprisonment in the darkest dungeons. There is even masters who perform unspeakable actions on her, experiments that tested the limits of her powers, which leads to them discovering she generates immortality, to attempts to spread the girl's line through the royal bloodline and create the perfect bloodline, all of which fail and she is forced to watch the destruction of each failure.

...And finally... the Babylonians come. They come and destroy the masters she served, and she delved deep into despair, though they were her kindest masters... they still made her into their ideology...forced her to be the ease of their every ailment and suffering.

And then the day came... countless lifetimes of pain and death rage within her soul, the energy of everyday sufferings to the darkest days of society's lives begin to drive her into the depths of depression... and one day... standing in the majestic gardens... she takes the chains used to bind her hands, and painfully tears them off... the next few moments are the slowest of her life, as she slowly chokes herself to death with the chains of her own masters...

And yet awakes in the the rubble of the great city, neither dead or alive... reborn as nothing but a will and a collection of negativity... for a brief time the pain stops coming... but it all returns like a dark tide...

In her pain and agony... she abandons all the names she once had... she destroys every idol and mention of her, she destroys every document and journal that ever uttered her name or rumor of her existence... she then leaves behind the wretched world for the great nothingness, and descends upon an abandoned world...

And she finally knows who she really is...

Emptiness... and as she would be later called...

Kukyo.

Van Valeric: Monsters the humans are. Even before now, they treated those that were not like them, like they were monsters. The day will come where Myths will not have to fear the humans anymore.

Gobble: I have to admit, that was \*sniff\* pretty sad. \*tears a page out of one of his books and blows his nose in it\*

"The Eight Elemental Warlords... people always say I was their leader... they always say I was the one who brought them together... you see that's just not it...

When they first appeared... I reviled them... I wanted nothing but to be alone. But they would not leave me. So I accepted them, and from us, the Elementals of Echo were born. We gave them purpose and lives to fulfill. Yet the others grew weary and began to fight among themselves for entertainment. When the shapeshifters were placed onto the world, I treated them with caution, but the other Warlords wanted only violence. But these were no ordinary beings. They proved to be very powerful. I knew what they were doing against the shapeshifters was wrong...

But..." She trails off.

Van Valeric: I presume it has something to do with the sword you were bound in.

"...I couldn't begin to turn my back against my own children... ...yes... the Warlords were my children reborn... ...how could I even begin to consider the possibility of betraying them...? ...No... not after their lives were so brutally stolen from them... ...even though I knew what they did was wrong... ...I wanted to believe they could change... ...I couldn't bare the idea of it all.

...But it was that decision that lead to me being made to be a villain...

You all are quick to judge, and slow to understand... you learned nothing from Jon's death..."

The scene turns back to Chinmoku, and the guards are all knocked out. She opens her eye.

"You mortals fear death, hate it. For me, all I see of it is a sweet release... and a return to the father. ...You are blessed. And so was Jon. ...But I will never know that great blessing. I shall never feel the bliss of the father's love and embrace. ...For as long as there is negativity in the worlds... I can never be free."

She walks over to Kado, and puts a hand on the powerless Dark Slayer, and it begins to turn black once more. She takes a hold of it, and looks at the blade. Without warning, she impales Kado straight in the chest, where the heart would be, but no blood comes out. She pulls on the sword, and a rippling copy of it takes form, and she lays it in Kado's hand.

"You alone I will trust with my power."

She begins walking away. "...I will leave this world behind. There is no place for me anywhere in the world of mortals. ...But I have one last place I must go."

Van Valeric: I already have a place for you. A place void of negativity. A chance to rid yourself of the pain of never dying.

She turns for a moment and looks at him with her eye. "If you mean Downation... not even that can free me. I feel the pain of Earth even now. ...A girl just died in a car crash... and a old man died alone... no matter where I go, my curse ignores all boundaries... even my momentary death only delayed the return of the negativity.

But like I said. There is somewhere I must go."

Van valeric: I do not refer to Downation. It is connected to Erth and the barrier won't block out the suffering of the sinners. I can take you to place where you can never her the screams of a dying women or the crying of an infant child.

Gobble: You talkin' about Heaven?

Kukyo looks at him. "You can tell me of it later. There is somewhere I must go, as I told you. But until I do so, I will not hear of it."

Van Valeric: \*bows his head\* I will be waiting for you here once you come back.

She disappears into a large ball of shadow, and suddenly tears away with violent speed, disappearing over the horizon in mere moments.

Gobble: So...what know...\*looks at everyone\*

Kado looks at the new Dark Slayer in his hands. "...A-amazing... I can't believe that she actually...*replicated*the sword... they're supposed to be... only one of a kind..."

Gobble: Man, that's what they say about everything.

Van Valeric: One to speak your mind, aren't you?

Seco: Yep.

Avalia: You have no idea.

Kado swings it around, testing it. "...It feels... different... like a perfect match... the other one was... heavier. This one is... so light..." Kado notes the sword seems to not look like metal, but almost appears to crystaline in apperance, rippling with a purple energy aura.

Gobble: \*surveys the sword\* Might be a cheap decoy.

Kado experiments with the sword on a pillar, and to his amazement it cuts right through it without effort.

"...It never did that before." He looks at Van. "What did she do? It's as if she.... perfected it..."

Van Valeric: Perfection is rare. Her negativity must have effected the efficiency of the last one. So she gave you another more...suitable for your usage.

Kado frowns. "It's a shame I won't be able to use it to its fullest extent... But at least the blade is enhanced, so that should help a little."

Seco: Ever thought of namn' it?

Kado looks at him. "It's called Dark Slayer, do you mean I should rename it?"

Van Valeric: Curious as to why you have not use this sword to the full extent of it's abilities.

Kado looks at him. "That's because Phoenix sealed my powers when they tried to kill me. I can only use two of its powers right now. They're the people who originally made the swords."

Van Valeric: I see...

Gobble: Do you gotta bust out some trainin' or something like that?

Kado looks at Gobble irritably. "Gobble, if training was the issue I would have unlocked them by now. I meant sealed as in unless I kill or convince them to remove the seals, my powers will remain sealed."

Gobble: No emotional shit?

Kado glares at him and a red marking appears on his right cheek. "Considering that Phoenix was once my family and I'll have to execute old friends and people I care about to do it, there'll be plenty of that. Would you like me to remove your tongue while we're on the subject of shit?"

Gobble: \*sticks hs tongue out and holds it\* Nah, i think im good.

Van notices the mark is that of a Negative, but Kado himself doesn't appear to be an actual negative, nor a positive, yet he can sense both.

Kado casually trips Gobble onto his face instead, whistling as he does so innocently.

Gobble: \*turns around\* Retard!

Seco: Hold your tongue, boy!

Gobble: \*angrily holds his tongue\*

Kado shrugs, then looks at Avalia. "How are you holding up?"

Avalia: \*still has an upset look in her eyes\* Just fine. Thanks.

"We're all friends here. If you ever need something, just say something ok? I realize that we've not always been on the best of terms, but I want to help you guys anyway I can." He looks at Gobble. "...Even if*some of us*are annoying at times."

He ignores Gobble's expression and looks at Seco. "How was your break? You know, before you came running after Van here let Kukyo out a bit too quickly?"

Seco: Pretty well. I have been offered a job at A.H.D.S.

Kado smiles faintly. "Oliv? That woman always has been opportunistic. She is a decent woman though. She actually was one of our early members, if you can believe it."

Seco: In this world, I can believe about anything.

They suddenly notice a shadow beginning to take shape, and Kukyo gradually reappears, though not as solid as before.

"Alright Van... what exactly were you talking about? I'll hear what you have to say, but that doesn't mean I will accept. What is this place you speak of?"

Van Valeric: The In-between of everything. Of every opposite and opposition. From there you can watch the world and not feel the suffering of others.

"And then what? That would not give me happiness. I may not feel suffering... but I would not feel happiness either. What a pointless existence... I would rather suffer until the day I found my real happiness. That is something more valuable and tangible... more meaningful than simply existing."

Van Valeric: I can see that pain exist in this world too. It is the sheer fact regret that I wish to help you.

"You have helped me plenty alone in your act of kindness in freeing me. I am grateful. But I have one more request to make of you. Should you encounter the blades holding the spirits of my children... the Warlords.... I ask that you do not set them free. ...They must learn from their past. ...I cannot allow them to resume the actions they committed against the world... once they have learned better... once that day comes... perhaps then. But this is their mother's will... I do not wish any more harm to them or the worlds by my line's account."

The intensity of her gaze grows stronger. "Please. Promise me this. Do not allow them to be freed. They must learn from their mistakes. It pains me to ask such a thing. But I must. History alone proves I was wrong to allow their actions. Dark Slayer was my punishment."

Van Valeric: I promise. There is enough destruction on your hands as it is. I would not doing anything of the sort.

Kukyo closes her eye. "Thank you. While I shall depart, I will not be leaving it to fate." She turns and looks at Kado. "Phoenix must be stopped. I say that out of a personal hatred, as well as knowledge of the disaster they will bring." She gives a glance towards Seco, Gobble, and Avalia. "But I foresee that M.C.C.P. must be dealt with. The whole reason I invaded Earth along with the Warlords was for the sole purpose of annihilating it. I felt a dark future should they be allowed to continue their ways. For that matter, the very way of things on Earth must be struck down if peace between the races is to be assured."

Van Valeric: I'm afraid the damage dealt by The M.C.C.P has far exceeded than you realize. Even after they are gone, a new threat far worse will arise. But stopping Phoenix can be done.

"It is because of the damage they have wrought they must be ended. To allow them to continue would only make things worse."

She walks toward Kado, who freezes in discomfort. She grab his head and makes him look at her. "If anyone may carry my will... it will be you. Your bloodline was poured from me down to Hadari... through the generations to you. I have given you the sword that will help you shape your destiny. Use it as the sword of chaos, bring down the injustice of the human's order. From it, make a new order built around the justice of man and Mythos.

...And when the time comes Kado... when your spirit yearns to break free of its chains... come to me. Come to me and I shall make you even stronger." She whispers all of this to Kado.

"What... what are you saying? You mean...?"

Kukyo looks at him sternly. "There will be a time where your ancestory will begin to awaken Kado. It happened once before, on your birthday at the age of fifteen. I foresee that you will have a second awakening. You will need my guidance when that time comes. I'm counting on you." She begins to fade again.

"I'm sorry Van, but I must decline your offer. I have enemies who I have yet to settle the score with... and I have a future to find."

Van Valeric: I understand, but I warn you; The future has already been decided.

She disappears with a faint gust of wind, just as the guards look around and appear bewildered.

Gobble: \*looks at the gueards\* Oh know you wanna show some god damn emotion.

Kado pokes Gobble. "Hellllooooo hypocrite."

Gobble: \*folds his arms\* What you talkin' about?

Kado sighs. "Says the one who talked down to his brother and gave him crap when he needed support not abuse. You're about as emotionally sensitive as a rock sometimes." \*Prepares for face punch with intangibility.

Gobble:Oh....that...\*curls up into a ball and starts rocking back and forth again\*

Kado sighs and facepalms. "...Great job Kado... you're officially an asshole..." He mutters to himself.

Kado picks up and puts Gobble's books into a bag, and hold one out to him. "I shouldn't have said that. I shouldn't be so hard on you... not with your brother and all..."

Gobble: No.no....It's ok....I am sort of a dick, I know....\*continues to rock\*

Kado crosses his arms. "George. Please just take the book. While I admit that you have been less than pleasant sometimes, I know you cared about your brother. It was out of line for me to say that to you. You didn't deserve that."

Gobble: \*eyes are watering\* I don't deserve anything...All that I have, I don't deserve it...

Kado looks at Seco. "Dear lord please help me! What do you do when he gets like this?!"

Seco: \*grabs one of Gobble's bookd and smacks it in Gobble's face\* Shut up and read, boy.

Gobble: \*nose is bleeding but opens the first page and starts reading\*

Kado looks at Seco. "...Ok then." He looks at Van. "So what are you planning to do now?"

Van notes the spirit mark hasn't disappeared from Kado's face, but it seems duller and less noticeable. It appears different from a full on Brand, as it doesn't travel along his body at all. He notices again the presence of Kado's soul, but can also feel two smaller ones, a gentle, weakly flickering soul and a much stronger, almost malevolent. The two seem to not have fully awakened, as they seem to be merely lingering, not fighting as he would expect a negative and a positive to do.

Van Valeric: I can feel them. The 2 positive and negative remainants of yourself. Was it the result of the Dark Slayer?

Kado shakes his head. "...From what the Grand Eye was able to infer... I probably did it myself. I was raised by Phoenix... they were like my family. ...So when they betrayed me... when they tried to kill me... it tore me apart. ...I was so desperate to escape the pain and terror... I unconsciously used my power and split myself. ...For a while I didn't have any idea. ...I thought it was just my mind that was broken... but it was more than that. ...I can't feel that power anymore. If I had to guess, the portions of my spirit power was cut off into them... leaving only this part of me. If it weren't for the Slayers I wield... I'd be just your run of the mill Shapeshifter."

Van Valeric: Quite Fascinating. But with 2 of negative and positive it must be destroying your mental psyche.

"...Yeah. It's been irritating lately. The rage keeps building in me all the time. The other one hasn't really ever shown up before. ...I'm kind of glad she hasn't manifested yet."

Van Valeric: If your tired of them, why haven't you rid yourself of the two?

Kado shakes his head. "I couldn't do that. They're a part of me. Even if I find it inconvenient... well, I just couldn't. It's my struggle I have to overcome. Who knows what will happen."

Avalia thinks about the two spirits within him she and the others encountered, particularly the little girl, and remembers how it was only the dark one that seemed to carry any real personality, the girl was just sort of there.

Van Valeric: Is it because you do not*want*to get rid of them or you do not know*how?*

Kado frowns. "I... don't want to. I don't think I'd still be here sometimes without them. ...Even if they do complicate my life sometimes."

Van Valeric: So you are saying you had no say in the matter of becoming your own person without something else within your mind making the decisions for you?

"No. I'm saying that even though it's true they've made my life less than pleasant, I wouldn't destroy them. They are a part of me. I'd also like to think they've saved my life one way or another. Plus my struggles have made me stronger as a person. Destroying them would mean losing what I have gained through learning to cope with my problems."

Van Valeric: Who said anything about destroying them? I am not a life taker. Not by nature anyway. I mean give them a life of their own.

Kado closes his eyes. "...I don't think that would be the best of moves." Kado holds out his hand. "The last time one of them was set loose... just take my hand... you'll understand."

Van Valeric: \*reaches towards Kado's hand but all of a sudden stops half way as something strikes his mind\* He is coming...

Kado gives him a look. "Who...?"

The Grand Eye walks out of the temple. He clearly isn't pleased to see Van. "Van Valeric, Minister of Darkness... why is it that one such as you have come to our world? And if I may venture. Is it the 'god' of destruction who I have now sensed?"

Van is impressed that this man seems to know of him.

Van Valeric: You must be a deity. Yes, something on Erth is happening. It is feeding the urges a fellow god. God of Destruction: Jibaku. Once the bound of Life is broken, he will be free and ravage the Earth is chaos. After all life dies on this planet, he will search for more worlds to destroy.

"I am aware. Phoenix has unleashed their wrath upon Earth. I became aware of it fairly quickly, but we could not do anything without Azure being in the know. We had to deal with Kukyo, as she attempted to take over Kado's body and soul to escape, it took a number of days to accomplish. I won't ask why you freed Kukyo, even though the people will be enraged to learn of such an action.

And as for me, I am a mere Shapeshifter. The only power I possess is the vast knowledge I have gathered over the course of my lifetime as Emperor of Chinmoku, this fair city and vast nation. I watch from my throne and learn many things. I am impressed that you entered without my immediate knowledge. That alone proves the accuracy of the words and tales I have learned of you.

But now that Azure's leaders are back in gear, it will be soon time for Echo's response to this invasion. Earth may not appreciate our intervention, but Phoenix was our problem long before theirs. It is our mess and we shall resolve it."

He closes his eyes. "I could not begin to imagine they could cause such a catastrophe... how the just and the mighty have fallen to the insidious and cowardly... I should have dealt with them far sooner than I had."

Van Valeric: I suggest you resolve it quickly for I fear when Jibaku is free, we will be at odds. \*disappears\*

Kado looks at the Grand Eye. "Is there a way we can get to Earth without rifts? I would hate to leave Azure open to attack again..."

He silently nods. "We have several unused gates to Fantasy Proper and Earth itself. Getting your men here would take time however..."

*I can do it.*

"K-kukyo?!" Kado stammers.

*Just tell me who you all need sent.*

Kado begins to relay the information through to Azula, who begins selecting all of the best men they have.

He then looks at Seco, Avalia, and Gobble. "You don't have to come if you don't want to, but if you would like to help us, that's fine. ...Just remember that the likely hood of having to deal with M.C.C.P. could be high for you. If you don't want to risk going back to that life, I understand if you want to stay."

Seco: Here is where we start a new life. We're going to help you.

Avalai: \*nods\*

Seco: \*looks at Gobble who is still reading\* Gobble!

Gobble: \*still reading\* Yea, sure, whatever...

Kado nods his head. "Thank you then. But before we go... there's someone I need to speak to. ...Azula. Can you please astral project me to them again?"

*"...Alright then. Are you sure?"*

*"Yeah."*

## 2nd Meeting

*The representatives are all conversing on how will they mange to combat the invading forces and will come of the Earth, with low fundings for reconstruction.*

"...So things are as bad as they told me... huh?" A presence becomes apparent to them, and the president looks up to see the same masked man as they had encountered last time, though this time his mask is missing, showing his rather young face. He looks at the reps, and mentally prepares himself for the insults and other talk he had heard before.

Rep. 2: I knew it had something to do with you!

Rep. 5: Your world couldn't have left us alone.

Rep. 3: Do you have any idea how much will have to be done if this ever ends?

Rep. 2: Our families, homes, children and loved ones die, not cause of the Mythos anymore, but of soldiers from your world!

Rep. 3: Your world could handle us. Why call on an invasion on us? It's not like our attack your city did anything.

The President: All of you, quiet. Our friend has something to say.

Rep. 2: Friend!?

The President: \*gives Rep 2 a stern look, then looks back Kado\* What is it?

While they had been yelling at him, a red line that seems familiar from the time he had caused destruction in London formed, but he lets out a breath and it fades, only the president catches it.

Kado holds out a red bird emblem. "The soldiers you've seen... they have this emblem, am I correct? That is not our emblem. It is an organization named Phoenix. ...I was a former member, until they tried to have me killed twelve years ago. Ever since, I have sought to put them down."

He looks at them. "I realize I tainted my honor back at London. I fully admit responsibility. But that was not why I came there. Earlier, I left after a mention of someone named 'Earth Slayer'. He is one of the senior members of Phoenix. He was my master. I had already known they had a hatred of humanity, so I sought to intervene before he could do anything. ...My efforts were in vain and he drew the monster of my heart forth. ...He knew me too well. After all... that thing... was born inside of my soul because of Phoenix.

But if you think what's going on right now is bad... you have no fucking idea what you're in for. The invasion right now is only the very beginning. Phoenix intends to wipe humanity out. Once and for all. If I have not made it clear to you before, my mission, as is Azure's, is to protect the innocent and the weak. We have no intention of allowing them to continue their plan any further."

The President: We will accept any form of help at this point. Our own forces grow weaker and only ones fairing this invasion are the mythos.

Kado closes his eyes. "Please inform your agencies to not start fights when we arrive. Our troops are a union of humans and mythos. It would not help matters if they complicated the situation. All of our members will be wearing their armored uniforms, with no exceptions.

...And pretty much the real reason I have come here... is to announce that this was my last act as leader of Azure. I announced my decision to end my office at the Echo World Summit. And now I seal that pact with this meeting*."*

*All the reps. clap except for The President.*

Rep. 2: Maybe now a more*sane*person can lead your nation away from unasked retaliation. Don't you know how much right we have to retaliate against you and your world?

The President: We have the right, yes. But we're not going to use it.

Rep. 2: \*is morally confused\*

The President: I trust that this man will fix the problem.

Rep. 2: This same man who decimated all of London because of his hatred for one man?!

The President: I admit, that action was rather disappointing to see coming from a man of such honor like you. But I'm will to look past that as the same will happen right now. We will not retaliate against your world for this.

*The reps. are silently debating over this.*

Kado looks at someone out of sight. A woman suddenly appears. "This is Azula, she is the new leader of Azure, and was formerly my assistant." He looks at them, and back at her. "...And she cannot speak verbally. She can speak with her mind, but she won't access your mind unless you giver her permission otherwise. She is the one who is projecting me at the moment."

Rep. 2: Hopefully, she isnt as*reckless*as you are.

The President: Enough of that. It is an honor to meet you, Miss Azula.

Rep. 2: \*is once again morally confused\* An hono--

The President: Yes! An honor...\*looks back at Rep. 2 more menacingly\*

Rep. 2: \*slouches in his seat\*

Azula looks in the Rep's direction for a moment, and eventually her voice rings in their minds, though it is focused strictly on the very outskirts of their minds.

*"An honor to meet you as well. Mr. President. It is a shame that the rest of your colleges feel the need to disrespect a national ambassador in a diplomatic setting. Even if we are Mythos, we still command your respect, as we give you ours. Do not take me lightly, Representative. I will not put up with your tongue, unlike Kado. I'm not here to be enemies or to be hostile. I just think it's unprofessional of someone like you letting charged emotions rule your judgement.*

*Azure will be providing you support as soon as we can muster our forces. And as for reconstruction, I cannot guarantee it but we can call on favors from the other nations to provide you with relief. We do not wish to be hostile with you. But for the sake of relations between Azure and your world, it would be best if you thought about redefining your attitudes, if only for the sake of diplomatic progress."*

The President: I definately agree. We should not let these hardships harden our hearts and minds. What say you, Representatives of Neo Pangea?

*The Representatives stand and agree. Rep. 2 takes awhile then finally stands in agreement.*

The President: We appreciate your help. May God be with you.

Suddenly a white figure appears, though a projection as well. "Ahhhh Kado, you still adore these little animals? Touching. More like disgusting." Kado's eyes narrow dangerously. "White...!" He growls.

She smirks. "That reminds me... my little Dark Phoenix, you never did give me your response... ...surely you don't really want to fight us?"

Kado snarls. "What are you talking about?"

White smirks again. "Why my invitation to rejoin us. There is no need for family to fight one another! I'm sincere dear Kado, we had to make sure you truly were ready... the rigors of being the Dark Phoenix are demanding... as you know now. But you're alive! You survived your test! We all wish you to come back... and sweep out these rats!"

Kado growls. "Bullshit. Get out of here. When I see you, I'll put my blade through you and end this war of yours."

She frowns, only lightly. "You'll reconsider soon enough." She looks at the President and Representatives. "Oh hey, more*rats.*" She disappears.

Kado lets out an aggravated growl. The marking seems to be back, along with a second one burning across his right cheek. He looks at Azula. "Be more careful about your mind links Azula. That could have ended bad."

*"You don't need to tell me that. ...I apologize about that unwelcome interruption... that was the leader of Phoenix."*

The President: The only thing I saw was a rat with wings. Put a sword through her neck, if you wish. Just make sure you get it on tape while your at it. \*smiles evilly abit\*

Kado makes an attempt at a smile, but gives up. He turns his head, even as some of the reps notice the markings. "We will begin preparations as soon as possible, Mr. President. But just so you know... this will not be an easily won battle... even with our help. The main members of Phoenix are nothing like what you've encountered so far."

The Preisdent: I see. But I have a deeper feeling that the current predicament we are facing isngoing to be the real problem.

*Everyone is confused on what he's talking about.*

Kado frowns.*Does he know of that Destruction god guy...?*

"Elaborate." He says shortly.

The President: It's rather heard to explain, but I can just...*feel*it. Like something is coming to ravage this world until neither forces are left

Kado sighs. "I was told by someone named Van that a 'god' of destruction has been incensed by the invasion. If that's true..." Kado pauses, then sighs.

"It must certainly be great for those Mythos with actual power..." He freezes. "Would there happen to be a very violent metal dragon capable of creating volcanoes?"

The President: We have received report about it. Yes.

Kado groans. "Hitomara... why does it always have to be that dragon? I swear that is the one monster I wouldn't mind dropping into the ocean. He was such a pain back on Echo. I wondered where he went."

The President: It's unclear, but you might wanna check the more larger cities. There is also more reports saying their could e more of those beings out there.

Azula is seen idly messing with her hair, and the president notices the odd lump on the back of her neck, he had been mildly curious before, but now he wonders what sort of Mythos she might be.

The President: Are you a myth too?

Azula and Kado exchange looks. They seem to be having a silent argument between them, and Azula finally says,*"You did make me the leader, did you not?" "..." "That's what I thought."*

She turns towards them.*"In one way, you could say I am. However, despite the efforts of our scientists, what I am, and where my powers come from are all unknowns. Even the M.C.C.P's CRAzy was unable to identify me. This is usually SSS Class information. We don't normally share those kinds of details."*

The President: A myth, that isn't recognized...That is quite strange. We've discovered nearly any and every possible hybrid on this planet, but you are the only unknown. It's quite....worrisome

Azula closes her eyes.*"The only known genetic material that was identified was human. However, it seems to make up only a small section of my dna, the rest are sections of unknown sequences. ...you're not the only one who worries about that fact. It's only one of the many reasons our organization has me listed as the only SSS Class Mythos in our rank system."*

The President: I'm only worried of what you're capable of.

Azula lowers her head.*"I know. But good relationships cannot be established with fear. Are there Mythos that will use their powers for their own gain? Yes. Will I ever do such a thing? No. Those who do not fear their power will inevitably bring down everyone, including themselves."*

Kado looks at her, and then at the Reps and the President. "It's one of the many philosophies you'll hear on Echo. 'Those who do not fear their power will be destroyed by their power. Those who fear their power will instead rely on their fellow man and together build society.' It's also a founding principle of Azure. We trust rather than fear. Those who would harm society... well they are punished as they should."

Azula looks at them.*"...I must make this last thing known as well. While we are compiled and will help you... at the same time, there is a clash of ideologies here. We're overlooking them for the sake of the greater good, overlooking our past history, and despite our own problems."*

She closes her eyes.*"I cannot and will not guarantee we will come to your aid again, should another invasion like this happen. It is of my understanding that Phoenix in the old days protected humanity in the Fantasy War from their own world, and their efforts to protect you were instead of being respected... were treated with the same hatred as the rest of the Mythos. The saviors turned the hunted. And now, look where history has lead us. Do you see why I have this stance? What will happen when this is all over? Will you just go back to what you've done before, and turn on us as well as you did with Phoenix?"*

The President: Not likely. Not as long as I rule this Nation.

She closes her eyes.*"...Very well. I will leave it at that for now. We have preparations to do."*

The President: We'll be waiting for your arrival. God Bless.

The images of Kado and Azula flicker and disappear.

## Preparations

Kado looks up and turns towards Seco, Avalia, and Gobble. "Well, they know we'll be coming. It's time to get ready. Azula, please contact all appropriately ranked members of Vigilante Squads and any available A.H.D.S. agents. Tell them to prepare all of the necessary supplies for a full class war."

Azula nods, and closes her eyes.

Kado sighs. "As for you three, wait for the A.H.D.S. squads to arrive. Oliv will make sure you are all equipped for the fight ahead."

Seco: Sure thing.

Gobble: \*is still reading\*

"Oh, so I see the soldiers have found a new cause..." a voice said as the temperature in the area dropped a few degrees. "You've obviously been busy, Ninja boy."

Kado pauses, and slowly turns around. "...Kalin? It certainly has been a while."

Azula looks towards Kalin.*"It is a pleasant surprise to see you, Kalin. What have you been up to all this time?"*

"sigh. So much for a suprise." The temperature in the area began to rise again as a black mass collected in the center of the room. The mass created a humanoid form before receding, leaving Kalin behind. "Hey guys, lady." He said, nodding to azula. "To answer your question, I have been searching for answers. I even managed to find them, if not without a cost... But after the day was done, and I prepared to rest my head, a new question popped up." He said, holding out his hand to reveal a black orb. Allowing it to drop to the floor, Kalin stepped sideways as the sphere expanded. It began to morph into various scenes from Kalin's memory, including the initial invasion, as well as his fight with Caess. "The question was simple: What the FUCK is going on around here?"

Kado looks about. "Well... you could say that my past is now coming back and determined to kill everything. A lot has been going on, to be honest."

"You don't say." Kalin said sarcastically. "So I'm guessing you've already begun some form of contingency plan, correct? Earth could probably use it sometime soon, you know, before everyone dies...(sighs) Despite that, it is good to see you guys again. If I were there, I'd grab you all up and hug you...oh what the heck!"

Shadows envelop everyone in the area and trap them in a tight grip as they are all pulled to Kalin, who stands there with his arms open wide.

After the hug, Kado blinks in surprise. "Well that was unexpected, but it's great to see you as well. We're actually preparing to come and assist Earth, but it will be a few hours before Azure is ready to mobilize. For us it should take about an hour or two more, but for Earth is probably been several hours since we communicated with them."

Well, as much as I'd like to join you, I have a mission of my own. Some pretty big friends of yours are sitting around, preparing to save an ally whose under the control of the enemy. I said I'd tag along and do what I could."

Seco: A good friend of yours im guessing. Is he gonna help too?

"Perhaps. Not sure. We'll see you soon if you're not staying, Kal."

Gobble: \*lifts his head\* Hey guys...this maybe weird...but why do I feel like shit's about to go down, besides the shit thats already about to go down.

Kado sighs. "Probably cause the end of the world is coming."

Gobble: Duh. I know that. But its something else. Something even worse than the end of the world. Can you imagine something like that?

"Doubtful. Hell comes to mind though. Regardless. It's almost time to go."

Seco: Alright. \*looks at Avalia and Gobble\* You heard him. Get ready.

Gobble: Can I bring the book?

Seco: \*walks over to Gobble and slaps the book out of his hand\* No. \*grabs him by the collar and pulls with everyone else\*

Gobble: Aw man! You could've let me save my page!

The forces of Azure are finally summoned to the city, and there appears to be a few armored vehicles with them.

Kado turns towards Gobble, Avalia, and Seco. "Time to armor up. The vehicles are to supply you with weapons, any you need, as well as standard issue body armor."

Gobble: Aw snap! Is it gonna be like Halo!

Seco: \*slaps Gobble in the back of the head\*

Gobble: \*rubs the back of his head\* Owww...

Kado rolls his eyes. "Go check it out and see what you guys like. We have more than plenty."

*The others head down to the armory*

Gobble: \*looks at the braces\* Can't believe he had these bound to our DNA. He culd've atleast taken these off of us by now.

Seco; I don't think the would have work. They will regrow everytime.

Gobble: I still say it was uncalled for.

Seco: So was us coming here in the first place.

One of the A.H.D.S. troopers stationed there chuckles. "We can turn the braces off and allow you to use full power if we deem it necessary. However while we fully invented a way to make a suppression device unable to be removed, we have yet to find a way that works both ways. We got bazookas, grenades, assault rifles... take what you want with you, but just understand they're not necessarily your weapons, Azure agents just rent out guns from the supply houses, so kindly don't lose them if possible. Then you have to pay for it."

Gobble: Would you kindly...Errrgghh.

Seco: Thank you. \*enters the supply house with Avalia and Gobble right behind him\*

Gobble: \*looks at the trooper\* Would you kindly...\*walks in the supply house\*

Kado himself walks in and grabs a few things, then looks over at a collection of masks, and looks some over, eventually settling on one with red stripes on the sides, with the Azure logo on the forehead, and puts it on.

*The others take armor and guns. Gobble gets 2 akimbo shot guns and a chain gun. Avalia: Get's a sniper and assault rifle. Seco only gets a assault rifle and a pistol.*

"Well... pretty much time to go. You ready?"

Gobble: You asked us that about 40 times already. And it's always been 40 yeses to that answer.

Kado closes his eyes. "Then let's head out to the portal chambers."

Seco: We're right behind you. Lead the way.

Kado meets up with Azula, where the troops are all assembled, and Seco can only roughly imagine how many soldiers are actually present, seeing as they stretch out of sight into some of the streets, but at least 5,000 alone are present in the courtyard. Oliv sees Seco and beckons them to join her and her partner, who eyes Seco with a guarded look.

*Seco and the others stand beside Oliv*

The Grand Eye stand infront of a large ring, and his head bows. Blue lights begin to flicker on the ring.

Gobble: \*whispers\* This might the time where he reveals that he really is God the Father.

Seco: Doubt it though.

"Lord of Creation, guide these soldiers home, regardless if it is to Heaven or to their homes here on this world. May they fulfill the destiny they were meant to." The Grand Eye says softly.

The portal's lights glow solid.

He turns to the gathered army. "Good luck to you all. May you return safely." He steps aside, and the portal opens.

"Focus on the destinations you wish to arrive in. You will appear without fail."

Gobble: Where are we going, old man.

Seco: Where ever Kado is going. We're with him, arent we not?

Gobble: Yea, your right. Where'd he go, anyway?

Kado and Azula stand at the front of the army, and Kado bows and steps aside from her, and she takes the front, the significance of the gesture not lost on the crowd. A slight somber air fills the crowd, and Azula turns to face the crowd.

*"Have no fear in your hearts. We fight for what's right. Our cause is stronger than any sword the enemy may throw at us. Remember the sacrifices of those gone, who fought for the ideals we the living still cherish, which shall one day be made reality. Today we shall show a hate torn world what the strength of brotherhood can be. Let us go and show them who we are, and pave the way for the azure skies to once more be free of clouds."*

gobble: \*a tear forms in his eye\* That was so beautiful, mane. All it needed was an epic song to play in the background.

Kado looks at Oliv. "Team Oliv, please step forward." As Oliv and her partner begin to walk towards the front, Kado looks at Seco, Gooble, and Avalia. "That includes you three."

Gobble: What us? \*shrugs\* Ok.

*Seco and the others walk toward the front aswell*

Kado looks at the five once they've assembled. "We will be dealing with the main members of the organization, Azula shall lead the main forces against the ground forces of Phoenix."

Gobble: Wai-wai-wai-wai-wait. You send us to fight the guys you all consider as unrivaled gods of nature?

Avalia: Does it matter? It's an order and we are obligated to do it.

Gobble: It sounds more like marching toward our death than taking orders.

Seco: Your glad someone is actually leading us.

Kado rolls his eyes and sighs. "The seven- six members of Phoenix aren't gods. They're all shapeshifters with Slayers. The sword's spirits however pretty much are 'unrivaled gods of nature'. And yes,*we're*going to fight them. As in, you, Avalia, Seco, Oliv, Jason, and myself."

Gobble: \*is excited\* Oooohhhh snap! You got Jason Vorhees up in here? Were's he at?

Oliv's partner sighs. "Permission to smack the life out of him?" Oliv looks at him. "Permission denied."

Gobble: Psst. Kado. Not sure if you noticed...but that aint Jason Vorhees.

Seco: \*hit Gobble on the side of his head the butt of his assualt rifle\* Shut up, now!

Gobble: \*is whimpering in pain\* But he isn't, dad..

Seco: hits Gobble on the head again\* What did I say?

Gobble: \*looks down\* He isn't...

Kado sighs. "Let's not do that alright?" Kado looks at Azula.*"Can you find any of the Phoenix members on Earth for me?"*

Azula concentrates for a minute.*"Found one."*

She sends the data to Kado, who now has a darker cast to his eyes. "Alright then guys. Stay close behind me." He walks through the portal.

*Seco, Avalia, and Gobble follows Kado through the portal*

## Dawn of the Final Day

The Grand Eye stands before the temple alter, looking up into the stained glass images. He hears the approach of Shirubā, and turns.

"What brings you here, o' great wind spirit? My friend, Shirubā, what news do you bring before me?"

Shirubā bows politely, before addressing him in her human form, a graceful woman of simple figure and a brilliant white dress, and little white fox years.

"My friend, it is as you long since believed. Time itself now unstable. I have seen it with my own eyes. The boy is an artifact of the future. His existence could undo everything in this world. While I do not believe it is fair, he should not exist. He should be sent back to his own time, before it's too late."

"Ah, but dear Shirubā, it's already out of our hands. When but one ripple strikes across the pond, the surface of the pond is radically changed. We can do little more than protect the two now. Their existences, and ours, are tied." The Grand Eye solemnly says.

"But..."

"No buts. We have other things to worry of, regardless. The hour has come, and Jibaku and Van Valeric should be due in a matter of minutes, hours, it is unclear. But today is the day when the fate of the world must be decided. We can only pray that the will of the righteous can prevail."

Shirubā nods reluctantly.

"And Shirubā?"

"Yes, Grand Eye?"

"Do not fear... God is with us."

She closes her eyes, and begins to fade with a smile. "You always have that iron faith... it shames me so..."

*The South Pole*

The Black King silently observes Kuria and 5x5, and lets out a small chuckle. "Finally... the time has come..." He looks up from the sphere where he spies upon them, at his servants.

"You, miserable dogs! Summon forth Lord Ninetails! Tell him, that his master has a task for him!"

His Negative Spirit servants scamper in fear. He lets out a dark chuckle.

"Have fun while it lasts, Van Valeric... soon I will hold the playing cards... and you'll be forced to play from*my*hand..."

*Thunder ominously rumbles outside the Black Fortress. A new day has dawned.*