The Limit of the Heart Author Psykorabbit2000 Scene 1 A forest somewhere He is running as fast as he can. He still can hear the footsteps behind him. He races around a corner and into a mine shaft. Voice (yelling from behind) ”He ran into the mine! Our orders are to pursue and kill him!” He ran even faster, but he could still hear them behind him. He shot around a corner, going up on the wall. Bullets rip the ground up behind him as he ran. Voices (shouting from behind) ”We have a sighting! Lock and Load, shoot to kill!” He ducked around a corner and waited. A barrel of a rifle came into view. He quickly grabbed it and yanked forward. His hand shot out and stiff fingers sank into the person’s neck, ripping outward. He quickly dropped the body and started running again. More bullets ripped through the air around him. Sparks showered from the near misses, as they hit various stones. Up ahead he can see an opening. He forces his legs to move faster. Suddenly a figure steps out in front of him. The moonlight glints off the metallic barely pointing towards hi. The last thing he sees or hears is the rifle crack. In a small apartment COBRA’s eyes snap open and his vision is out of focus. He sees a figure in front of him and lunges. His fist smashes down on a statue of a Canard and shatters it. He quickly looks around with a glint of uncontrolled fear. Suddenly the door slides open and EMERALD runs in, wearing a nightgown. She stops when she sees the look in his eyes. Emerald (approaching carefully, speaking calmly) ”Angel, it’s alright. It’s me Emerald.” Cobra looks around and his vision finally comes into focus. He sees Emerald standing before him and the destroyed statue in the corner. He slowly sits back down and Emerald sees his body visibly relax. She walks over and sits beside him, putting her arms around him gently. She gently stokes his hair as she holds him Emerald (quietly) ”Do you want to talk about it?” Cobra (gently) ”It was a dream.” Emerald (gently) ”What was it about?” Cobra (putting his arms around her) ”A reminder of what I was built to be.” Emerald could feel his body shake a little. She still remembered the fight he was involved in a few months ago. He raided a mother ship to save her and fought his equal Awik during that. She felt him stop shaking as she held him. Emerald (gently) ”They may have built you to kill, but you still have your feelings and emotions. Those make you what you are, not those that built you.” Cobra nodded as he leaned against her. Cobra (thinking) He looks up as Emerald yawns a little. He glances over and sees the clock show it is three in the morning. Cobra (quietly) ”I shouldn’t keep you up. You have to head back tomorrow.” Emerald (smiling) ”The Head Elder understand my being out here. They will understand if I show up half asleep as well. I just hope they don’t get the wrong impression.” Cobra smiles at the private joke between them. He lies back down and looks at the ceiling. Emerald sits beside him and gently rubs his stomach. Emerald (smiling) ”You know the Elders are asking about you. I told them what you told me about yourself. They want to know more about the Izumi Ninja. They say there are strong similarities between the Emblems and them. That and they keep asking when they are going to meet this “legendary” alien that they are supplying money to for his trip around the Anivers.” Cobra (gently taking her paw) ”When the time is right, I will go before them. Tell them I am sorry for taking so long.” Emerald lies down beside him and puts her arm over his chest. She looks up into his eyes and smiles. Emerald (smiling) ”They understand. I just wish that time would hurry up and get there. Traveling across the Aniverse to be with you for a night or two is tiring all by itself.” Cobra laughs gently and runs his fingers through her hair. She leans forward and kisses him gently. Their necklaces gently clink against each other as she pulls back. Emerald (yawning) ”Is it alright if I sleep in here with you?” Before Cobra could answer, Emerald nestles down under the covers and curls up beside him. He smiles at the sight and puts an arm around her and soon falls asleep again. Scene 2 Assassin Guild Aldebaran, the next day ZOE is waiting excitedly at the space port. She watches as the shuttle finishes landing procedures and passengers begin disembarking. She sees Emerald walking down the stairs and runs up to her, hugging her tightly. Zoe (stepping back) ”Well? Where is this alien?” Emerald (smiles) ”He isn’t ready yet. He says it will be soon though.” Zoe nods and picks up Emerald’s bag. They head to the hover car waiting for them. They are soon on their way back to the Temple. Zoe (while driving) ”So, did you two?” Emerald (blushing) ”Zoe!! I can’t believe you would ask that!” Zoe (glancing at her) ”What? I was just curious if you kissed him. What did you think I-? (goes silent for a moment) “OH!” (teasingly) ”Emerald are you having the wrong kind of thoughts?” Emerald (blushing deeper) ”Oh just drive!” Zoe laughs as they drive along the road. At the Temple AZREEL is waiting by the front entrance as the hover car pulls up. He steps forward and nods to Emerald and Zoe as they step out. Azreel (calmly) ”How was your trip, Emerald?” They turn and walk into the Temple. Emerald (yawning a little) ”Tiring. I don’t understand how Juno is able to travel all over and not seem tired at all.” They turn down a hall and Azreel gently puts a paw on her shoulder. Emerald stops and looks at him. He turns to Zoe. Azreel (calmly) ”Zoe, please take Emerald’s bags to her quarters. I was told to bring her before the Elders.” Zoe nods and takes Emerald’s bags. Emerald watches her walk off and turns to Azreel. Emerald (curious) ”What is it about?” Azreel (heading down the hall) ”We have been picking up energy signals similar to those we had found on Genus.” Emerald (walking with him) ”The Devils again?” Azreel (nodding) ”That is what we are thinking it is. The Council wishes to speak with your alien friend. I am not sure why, but they want to talk to you about it as well.” Emerald nods and they walk down the hall. In the council chamber HEAD ELDER ZANE looks up as the doors open and Emerald steps in, shortly followed by Azreel. He nods to her and she steps forward. Emerald (politely) ”You wished to speak with me?” The other elders nod as Head Elder Zane stands up. Head Elder Zane (gently) ”I hope your trip was a pleasant one, Assassin Emerald. How is your friend doing?” Emerald (calmly) ”He is being plagued by nightmares of his past, but seems to be recovering from them. Azreel told me there is a problem.” Head Elder Zane (walking towards calmly) ”I am afraid there is. We have been detecting the energy signals that we detected on Genus, again.” Emerald (quietly) ”Where?” Head Elder Zane (quietly) ”On Aldebaran I am afraid. We have already informed the Queen and she is trying to reach Kinjite, but we don’t know if she has made contact yet.” Emerald (nodding) ”Is Captain Juno being recalled here?” Head Elder Zane (nodding) ”He has been informed, but is uncertain when he will be able to return.” Emerald (nodding) ”What do you wish of me then?” Head Elder Zane (looking down) ”I know your friend is waiting until the time is right for him to come here. Unfortunately, if the Queen can’t reach Kinjite and Juno can’t get here, we are going to be under powered if the Devils attack. We have awakened those that we can and revived those we can, but we are still short.” (looks at Emerald) ”We may need the aid of your friend. I have watched the footage you supplied of his fight at the castle and read the full report of the fight on the mother ship.” Emerald nods and looks around. She then looks back at the Head Elder. Emerlad (quietly) ”I don’t know if he will help. His nightmares are because he believes he was made to be a killer and you are asking for his help to kill more.” Head Elder Zane (nodding) ”I understand. We need his help, but not as a killer. We need his help as a defender. We don’t know what the Devils are planning or going to do.” Emerald (nodding) “I understand. I am due to met him in two weeks on Andoris for a two night meeting. I can speak with him then.” Head Elder Zane (nodding) ”I see. Is there a way you can contact him before then?” Emerlad (shaking her head) ”I don’t. We arranged this set up, because he didn’t want a communicator or tracker on him. He keeps to his schedule with perfect timing it is because of what he went through while he was in his dimension.” Head Elder Zane (nodding) ”I see. Then let us hope we don’t need his help before then. Thank you for coming Emerald.” He turns and walks back to his seat. Emerald quickly bows to the council and walks out. Azreel follows her. Azreel (after closing the door) ”What are you going to do?” Emerald (quietly) ”Try to find a way to get in touch with him. Somehow.” Scene 3 A bar on Rigel 7, a few days later Cobra is lying on a bed asleep. He is curled up, since the bed is too small for him. He begins tossing and turning suddenly his legs shoot out straight, catching the bed frame and tearing it apart. He sits straight up. He quickly looks around and sniffs the air. Cobra (thinking) He climbs up from the ruined bed and digs out a folded up star map. He unfolds it and lays it flat on the floor. He closes his eyes and holds his hand out above the map. He feels a slight tugging and follows it. He feels his hand being pulled around and it finally lowers. His finger touches the map and he opens his eyes. He looks down at the planet he is pointing to. Half an hour later The bar is packed and Corsairs are drinking. Suddenly the doors swing open and Cobra walks through them in full gear. The room goes silent and everyone looks at the strange being. He looks around and clears his throat. Cobra (firmly) ”I am looking for the Corsair Canard named Lanel. I have a small *favor* to ask of this Canard.” A few seconds go by and there is no response. Cobra nods and turns to leave. Suddenly a hand grabs his arm. He turns and sees a Canard standing there dressed like a pirate. Canard (firmly) ”Ye be looking for Lanel? What fer, matey?” Cobra (studying the cnard) ”Are you Lanel?” Canard (shaking his head) ”No, I be BlackBeak. I work with Lanel. What be this favor ye are going to ask of her?” Cobra (motioning for him to follow) ”Come with me.” They walk out the door and into a hallway. Cobra looks around and reaches into his shirt. Cobra (adding up numbers in his head) ”Tell Lanel that if she can take me to a planet as fast as possible…” (pulls out a string with simoleans on it) ”..she will receive this much in payment.” BlackBeak’s jaw drop as he saw the amount. BlackBeak (stunned) ”Who’d ye kill that you need to run that badly, matey?!” Cobra (quietly, as he puts the money back) ”I didn’t kill anyone. I am trying to stop others from being killed.” Black Beak nods and motions for Cobra to follow. A few minutes later CAPTAIN LANEL looks up from her maps as a door slides open. Black Beak walks in followed by Cobra. She eyes the large alien and looks at Black Beak. Lanel (curtly) ”Why is he here?” Cobra (stepping forward) ”Captian Lanel?” (Lanel nods) ”I come to ask you for a favor.” Lanel (nodding) ”Aye, what be that favor and what is in it for me?” Cobra pulls out the star map and sets it down. He points to a circled planet. Cobra (quietly) ”I need to get there.” Lanel (looking) ”Aldebaran? What would make me want to deal with those witches?” Cobra reaches into his shirt and pulls his hand out. He drops the money on the table in front of her. She stares stunned at the amount. Cobra (nodding) ”You get me there and to the location I present to you and I can probably get you more. I am not positive, but I can try. This is to get me there. Do we have an agreement?” Lanel just stares at the amount sitting before her. She looks up at Cobra and studies him for a second. Lanel (thinking) (out loud to Black Beak) ”Tell Red Jack we have a job to do. We sail immediately.” Black Beak nods and heads out the door. Lanel picks up the money and puts it in a pouch. Lanel (smiling) ”We have a perfect agreement, Mister…” Cobra (nodding) ”Cobra. Thank you Captain.” Lanel (nodding) ”I see. Where be the exact location you need to go to?” Cobra (quietly) ”I need a map of the planet to figure that out.” Lanel pulls out a map and rolls it out across the table. She looks at Cobra and waits as he studies it. His eyes close and his hand rises again. It slowly moves across the map and stops. It dips down and taps the map. He opens his eyes and looks. Cobra (nodding) ”That is the location.” Lanel looks at the map and notes the coordinates. She motions for him to follow and they walk out the door. Lanel (while walking) ”What was that ye were doing? Ye acted like a dowsing rod.” Cobra (keeping up with her easily) ”The Ancient Dragons guide my path still. They know were I am needed.” Lanel ”Ancient Dragons?” Cobra (nodding) ”My ancient ancestors and greater spirits.” Lanel (opening a door) ”I can see why ye would fit in on Aldebaran.” They step through onto the bridge of the shuttle. Scene 4 Assassin Temple, Aldebaran, night Emerald is sitting in her room. She is wearing a nightgown and brushing her hair. She looks out the window at the moon rising in the distance. Her paw gently touches the necklace Cobra gave her. Emerald (quietly) ”Cobra, where are you at?” She sets the brush down and turns off the light. She slides down under the covers and closes her eyes. Unseen to her, a set of blood red eyes appear in the darkness at the foot of her bed. Above Lanel’s shuttle breaks through the atmosphere and streaks across the sky. Cobra is standing beside Lanel on the bridge. Suddenly his eyes widen and he grips his head. He drops to his knees, teeth gritting as if in pain. Lanel turns at the sound and sees him on his knees. Cobra (through gitting teeth) ”How much farther?!” Lanel (looking at instruments) ”We are about to land, but there is signs of a battle going on!” Cobra forces himself to his feet and dashes down the hall, towards the nearest air lock. His right palm flashes and the door melts. He leaps through and shoots the outer airlock. It explodes outward and the wind sucks him out. He is flung out the air lock and into the open sky. He flips around and sees the ground rapidly approaching. He also sees various deformed figures attacking Aldebarans. He yanks off his long coat and grips it. It is lashed to his feet. It snaps outward, slowing him a little, but not much. He uses it to aim himself to a nearby river and slams into the water. He drops his coat and swims to the shore. He lunges out of the water and dashes towards the Temple. At the Temple Azreel spins around and takes the head off of a demon. He quickly looks around and sees Zoe gut a demon. Azreel (shouting) ”Where is Emerald?!” Zoe shrugs and jumps back as a demon swipes at her head. Azreel turns in time to sidestep a demon’s attack. He brings his sword around and buries it in the demon’s forehead. There is a loud crushing sound from the Temple and Azreel looks up. Standing in the upper reaches of the Temple is a large demon. It has a large clawed hand around Emerald’s throat. Azreel begins to head that way, but stops. His ears twitch and he looks back. From the forest, a figure, larger than any Aldebaran he had seen, is charging at high speeds. A demon lunges at it. The figure slams a bare fist into the demon’s face and the back of its skull explodes in a spray of blood and bone. The figure keeps charging, bowling through demons as if they weren’t there. Azreel (stunned) ”Who the Frell is that?!” The figure slides to a stop in front of the Temple and looks up. Emerald glances downward and sees it. Emerald (gasping in pain) ”COBRA!!” Azreel quickly turns to the figure and realizes who it is. Cobra grips his fist tightly. Cobra (yelling at the demon) ”You will pay for what you did to her!!” The demon laughs and raises the arm holding Emerald, holding her out over the edge. She screams as she feels the claw release its grip. Cobra lunges forward and, to Azreel’s surprise, runs straight up the wall as Emerald falls to the ground. Cobra grabs her and leaps from the wall. He bounces off of a pillar near by and smashes through a window into the Temple. A few Assassins spin around to face them. Head Elder Zane looks up from his position, seeing them. Emerald shakily stands up. Cobra is moving towards the door. He grabs a sword from one of the Assassins as he walks by. The door suddenly explodes as a demon smashes through it. Cobra flips the sword around and rips the entire front of the demon open and then shoves the body aside as if it was nothing. He lunges out into the hall and darts for the stairs. Head Elder Zane looks at Emerald. Head Elder Zane (raising an eyebrow) ”Is *that* him?” Emerald quickly nods as a sword forms in her paw. More demons pour through the opening towards them. Upstairs Cobra rips a demon in half and continues towards where he saw the demon. He smashes through the door and sees the Demon standing there, waiting. Demon (growling) ”You are different than the Aldebaran race. Why do you fight against us?” Cobra (holding the sword in front of him) ”Your kind needs to be cast back into the shadows of oblivion! And by the Ancient Dragons, I will send you there!” The Demon raised a scaled eyebrow in interest. Demon (curious) ”The Ancient Dragons don’t exist in this dimension. How do you know of them?” Cobra (taking a step forward) ”I, Angel, the last descendant of the Izumi Clan, am here to eradicate you, child of the darkness and unholy!” The Demon chuckles and nods. Demon (smiling) ”So the Izumi are here now? Then come little human! Having power is one thing, knowing how to use it is another!” With that the Demon leaps from the building and lands on the side of a tall tower that supports a bell between it and another tower, on a lattice design of wooden beams. It quickly begins climbing towards the beams. Cobra leaps from the building and lands on the opposite tower and begins climbing. They reach the beams at the same time and lunge for each other. Down below Azreel rips the throat from another demon and looks up in time to see two figures leap across the courtyard. He turns as Emerald and more Assassins run from the Temple doors. Azreel (pointing up) ”Who the hell is he and how the hell is he doing that!?” Emerald (glancing upward) ”I’ll explain later!” She ducks as a demon swipes at her and runs it through with a sword. Azreel nods and tackles another demon. Up above Cobra and the Demon are jumping from beam to beam, slashing at each other. Sparks are showered as claws strike the sword. They land and turn to face each other. The Demon nods approvingly. Demon (smiling) ”It is good to see the Legendary Izumi are as strong as the Devils think they are!” Cobra (glaring) ”Your tongue should get the rest it needs, for it will be working hard as you scream all the way to Hell!!” They lunge at each other again. Cobra flips over the demon and buries the sword into the Demon’s back. The tip sticks out the chest of the Demon. Cobra flips upward, ripping the sword upward, splitting the demon in half, from the chest up. Cobra then spins around and slashes downward, cutting the Demon completely in half. To his surprise the Demon turned to face him. Cobra quickly slashed the beam it was on and it dropped the ten stories to the ground. There was a sickening splat as the two halves slammed into the ground. Cobra looked down and saw the two pieces starting to reattach. Cobra (coldly) ”I don’t think so, demon!” He leaps up and the sword slices through the support rope, holding the bell up. It drops through the support beams, snapping them on the way down. The bell slowly rotates onto its side as it smashes through the beams. The Demon raises its newly reformed head and screams as the bell rushes towards it. There is a loud *BONG* as the bell slams into the demon. Blood and entrails are sprayed out from under it. Down below Everyone stops fighting as the sound of the bell is heard from all over. Demons turn and sees the remains of their leader. Assassins turn and see Cobra standing on a beam up above, sword dripping demon blood and the moonlight behind him. Emerald turned to the demon she was fighting as it gasps Demon (in horror) ”AN IZUMI! Impossible, they don’t exist!” Emerald (smiling wickedly) ”They do now!” She lunged at the demon. It stepped back and its claw swung up at her stomach. Up Above Cobra’s eyes quickly scanned the battle ground below. He spotted Emerald lunging at the demon. He saw the claws sink into her stomach. Cobra (whispering in horror) ”Not her!” He leaps off the tower and flips gracefully through the air. He slams into the ground and darts toward Emerald. The Demon turns and runs as he approaches. Cobra slides to his knees beside Emerald, catching her as she falls. Her arms are around her stomach, but blood is flowing between them. Cobra holds her tightly as he hears the other demons retreat. He feels her blood on his arms and chest as he holds her. Emerald looks up as he holds her and sees the tears flowing from his eyes. She gently touches his face with a blood covered paw. Emerald (weakly) ”You made it here…finally.” She goes limp in his arms and he just sits there crying as he holds her. Scene 5 Medical Facilities Assassin Temple Head Elder Zane is standing in a hall with Azreel and Zoe. Zoe (worried) ”How is he?” Head Elder Zane (quietly) ”The wounds were bandaged up, but the demon was able to inject venom into her body. It doesn’t look good.” Azreel (quietly) ”I take it we don’t have the anti-venom, do we?” Head Elder Zane (shaking his head) ”I am afraid not. It is a rare one. We know were to get it, but we have no way to get there.” Voice (from down the hall) ”I believe it can be acquired.” All three turn down the hall and their jaws drop at the same time. In the Medical room Cobra is sitting in a chair beside the bed. Emerald is lying still in the bed. Beside the bed a monitor show her life signs. Cobra is gently holding her paw. There are still tears in his eyes. Cobra (quietly) ”I wasn’t fast enough! I am so sorry Emerald! I should have stayed with you and fought alongside you, instead of running off to kill that other demon.” The door opens and Zoe walks in quietly. She walks over and sets a paw on his shoulder. He looks up at her, waiting for answers. Zoe (quietly) ”She’s been poisoned I am afraid. We don’t have the anti-venom either.” She felt tears forming up in her eyes as he turns to the bed. Zoe (quietly) ”You do really love her, don’t you?” Cobra (quietly) ”It doesn’t matter now. She is going to die and I could have prevented it. Watching her die is my punishment.” Head Elder Zane walks in and motions for Zoe to leave. She walks out and shuts the door. Head Elder Zane clears his throat and Cobra looks up. Head Elder Zane (quietly) ”I take it Zoe told you.” (Cobra nods) ”We need you to go on a mission for us.” Cobra (turning back to Emerald) ”I am not one of your assassins. I don’t work for you.” Head Elder Zane walks up and puts a paw on his shoulder as well. Head Elder Zane (quietly continues) ”It isn’t for us. It is for Emerald.” (Cobra turns and looks at him) ”We don’t have the anti-venom, but we know where it is and we have someone to help us get to it. We just don’t have the extra cat power to send to get it. We were hoping you would go. It is said only an Izumi can retrieve the medicine. IF you do this, we will give you quarters here, with Emerald if you two wish, and keep paying for your study of the Anivers without questions. We don’t want to loose Emerald either.” Cobra (quietly) ”Where is the medicine?” Head Elder Zane (looking towards the door) ”It is in the World Of Darkness, or as the Aldebaran Sister Hood calls it, the Abyss.” Cobra slowly stands up and picks up the sword he had used. He flips it over and slides it into the sheath he was given. He turns to the Head Elder. Cobra (firmly) ”How do I get there?” Voice (quietly from the shadows) ”That, friend, is where I come into play.” Cobra turns and sees a black furred cat with midnight blue hair that had a white stripe down the middle, and tail, with a steel eye patch over his left eye. Black Furred Cat (crossing his arms) ”The name is Kinjite and I am the only cat to live in and survive that hell hole. I am also the only one who can get you in there and back out.” Cobra (eyes narrowing) ”Who sent you?” Head Elder Zane (stepping up) ”Kinjite is the personal guardian and warrior of the Throne of Aldebaran. He only answers to Queen Katrina herself.” Cobra (nodding) ”Fine, what do you want in return?” Kinjite (smirking) ”Nothing. I swore to protect this race.” Cobra (nodding again) ”Fine, when do we leave?” A black hole appears behind Kinjite. Kinjite (motioning) ”Now.” Cobra nods and walks through the porthole, followed by Kinjite. Head Elder Zane watches them go and looks down at Emerald. Head Elder Zane (quietly) ”Please hurry. Scene 6 World of Darkness Kinjite looks around as Cobra does the same. They are in the middle of an open plain that is black and cracked. There are skeletal remains lying around. Kinjite shakes his head and looks at Cobra. Kinjite (quietly) ”Plains of the Damned and Dead. Not exactly the place I would have liked to start from.’ Cobra (flatly) ”It is a start. Where do we go?” Kinjite points off to the right. In the distance is a towering mountain that has lava running down the sides and smoke circling the top. Kinjite (quietly) ”Mount, Hades, home of the demon lords and princes. The anti-venom is the blood of Demon Prince Taurus.” Cobra (nodding) ”Then let’s get going.” He starts walking and Kinjite watches him for a second. Kinjite (thinking) He quickly follows after the human. At the Assassin’s Temple Head Elder Zane is sitting in the room with Emerald. He looks up as the door opens and Zoe walks in. Zoe (bowing) ”Head Elder, there are Aldebarans from the castle who wish to speak with you.” Head Elder Zane (standing up) ”Very well. Zoe, stay in here with Emerald.” Zoe nods and stands by the bed. Head Elder Zane walks out into the hall and sees PRINCESS FELICIA standing there with a couple of females behind her. Head Elder Zane (bowing gently) ”Your Highness, what may I do for you?” Felicia (bowing back) ”Head Elder, I was sent to see if there was any word on your findings. It would seem so, from what I can see.” Head Elder Zane (nodding) ”Yes, we have already been attacked and have several casualties due to it. I pray the Palace and Queen are in good shape.” Felicia (nodding) ”They are. We haven’t been attacked. So far this is the only sign of attack that we have heard of or seen. Is there any thing we can do to assist?” Head Elder Zane (after a moment) ”Prepare the castle for an attack. I fear that this attack was meant to weaken us, so that we may not be able to assist the Throne if it were attacked. Tell Her Majesty that we are very fortunate that Kinjite was summoned.” Felicia (looking around) ”Where is he at anyways?” Head Elder Zane (quietly) ”One of our higher ranked Assassins was poisoned. The one she loves wanted to help her, but the anti-venom is only in the Abyss. Kinjite is taking him there.” Felicia nods and shrives slightly as she remembers the Abyss. Felicia (bowing again) ”I will update the Throne with your information and do as you suggest. Let us pray that Kinjite and the male are successful in their mission.” Head Elder Zane nods and bows back gently. Felicia turns and begins walking out the door. In the World of Darkness Cobra stops and looks around. His ear twitches a little and Kinjite stops as well. Kinjite (whispering) ”What is it?” Cobra (quietly) ”Company!” He quickly dives aside as a giant skeletal hand rips upward from the ground. Kinjite dives the opposite way and a second hand tears through the ground. A large skeletal figure pulls up from the ground and stands to face them. It stands at ten foot tall and has claws along its fingers and feet. Kinjite (growling) ”Bone Guardian! They know we are on the way now!” Cobra (lunging at the creature) ”Then there is no need to keep quiet anymore!” H e slams into the lower leg and bounces off of it. He rolls across the ground and back to his feet. His entire right shoulder is throbbing. Cobra (yelling at Kinjite) ”I thought you said it was a bone guardian!” Kinjite dives aside as a giant clawed hand swings at him. Kinjite (yelling back) ”It is! It is made out of demon bones! Their harder than mammal bones!” He launches a tendril and it slams into the chest bone. The Guardian staggers back and a small crack appears in the bone. Kinjite (swallowing quickly) ”A lot harder!” Cobra shakes his head and begins running at the creature. Cobra (as he runs) ”Then we change our battle plans!” He runs past the Guardian and leaps up onto its back. The Guardian begins spinning around, trying to reach him. Cobra quickly climbs up the back and grips a hold of the vertebrae between the neck and head. He begins wrenching it back and forth. The Guardian reaches up and grabs a hold of him and yanks. It slams him down onto the ground and raises its foot to stomp. Suddenly it stops and looks at Cobra. Cobra rolls over and raises the vertebrae up in his hand. Cobra (chuckling) ”Missing something?” Suddenly the Guardian begins falling apart. A black Tendril wraps around Cobra and yanks backward as the skull falls where he was laying. Cobra looks around and finds himself standing next to Kinjite. Kinjite takes the vertebrae from him and holds it up. Kinjite (raising an eyebrow) ”A vertebrae?” Cobra (nodding) ”One of the weakest bones in the body. It isn’t really anchored by much.” (turns to the mountain) ”Let’s go.” Kinjite shakes his head in disbelief and drops the vertebrae, following Cobra. Kinjite (muttering) ”And to think I did it the hard way for four hundred years.” Scene 7 Assassin Temple Zoe looks out the window as the sun rises and opens the curtains. She turns as she hears some coughing. She walks over and sees Emerald’s eyes are open. Emerald (quietly) ”Where is Angel?” Zoe (confused) ”Angel?” Emerald (quietly) ”Cobra, I meant.” Zoe (noddig) ”Oh, he is going after the anti-venom. You were poisoned by that demon who struck you.” Emerald (looking into Zoe’s eyes) ”Who is with him?” Zoe (looking down) ”The Queen sent Kinjite. They are in the Abyss right now. They left last night.” Emerald sits there quietly. She starts sitting up, but Zoe pushes her back down. Emerald (anger in her voice) ”I’m going to help him! He’ll get killed in there!” Zoe (struggling to hold her down) ”Emerald! You’re going to get yourself killed doing this.” Emerald (shouting) ”I don’t’ care!” Voice (demanding) ”ASSASSIN EMERALD, LIE DOWN!!” Emerald and Zoe both look over and see Head Elder Zane standing in the doorway. Zoe steps back and bows. Emerald sits were she is for a second. Head Elder Zane (walking in) ”That wasn’t a request.” Emerald slowly lies back down and Zoe adjusts the covers over her. Head Elder Zane (Standing by the bed) ”He is in the best paws for the job. Kinjite lived in the Abyss for four hundred years, remember?” Emerald (meekly) ”I know, but…” Head Elder Zane (cutting her off) ”It isn’t a secret how you feel about him.” (softer) ”But let him show how he feels about you. His heart is on this mission and it was hard enough to get him the help we did.” Emerald nods gently and wipes away a tear from her face. Head Elder Zane gently pats her on the shoulder. Head Elder Zane (comfortingly) ”He is an amazing being. I would not be surprised if he was able to surpass Captain Juno or Zeek, but he needs his time to shine and show what he is able to do.” Emerald nods and looks out the window at the rising sun. World of Darkness Kinjite and Cobra are standing before a set of giant iron doors in the side of Mount Hades. Kinjite (with a shrug) ”They like to try and make a first impression. They say only those with extreme power or magic can open these doors.” Cobra (quietly) ”Then let’s not keep them waiting.” He leaps straight up and spins in the air. His left foot lashes out as he comes around and his anti-armor laser fires. The doors explode inward and fall over in a cloud of dust. Cobra steps forward and stands in the door way. Cobra (yelling) ”Knock, knock!” Kinjite just shakes his head and follows Cobra into the hall. Kinjite (as they walk) ”Taurus is a powerful Demon Lord. He is among the strongest of them. He is shaped like a Minotaur and wields a pair of double bladed axes.” Just then a large demonic Minotaur steps out of a side passage in front of them. Kinjite (looking up at the Minotaur) ”And apparently he already knows about us.” Taurus (growling) ”Kinjite! You are still alive!? I thought Anglosax was going to kill you!” Kinjite (shrugging) ”He missed?” Cobra looks at the two of them and steps between them. Cobra (coldly) ”You are Taurus? We have come for the anti-venom.” Taurus (looking down at Cobra) ”Anti-venom? You mean my blood. It has a high price. You have to beat me to get it!” (studies Cobra) ”I won’t even need my axes for you two.” He lunges forward and Cobra barely dives out of the way in time. Kinjite rolls the other way. They both land and face Tuarus between them. Cobra (unsheathing his sword) ”Then let’s do this.” All three lunge together in a clash. Aldebaran Palace QUEEN KATRINA listens as Princess Felicia fills her in. A couple of Sisters are there listening as well. Sister #1 (lowering her head) ”It is as we feared. The Great Purge has returned and has started. I fear we may not hold out this time.” Queen Katrina (looking at the Sister) ”What do you mean?” Sister #1 (looking at the Queen) ”In the past, males have always been there to fight alongside the females. The war would kill off about half of the race. If this is the Great Purge, our males aren’t prepared for the battle. We will be going in to battle with only half of our race to start. The Assassins are the largest fathering of males who are trained to fight. The demons attacked them and according to the report Princess Felicia gave, they lost a large part of their troop.” The Queen Nods and leans back in the Throne. She looks at Sister #2. Queen Katrina (quietly) ”Call UAC and Atlantis. We are going to need help this time.” Sister #2 nods and leaves the room. A few seconds after she leaves, a guard comes running in. Guard (quickly) ”Your Majesty!! A collection of Demons have appeared and are marching on the Assiassin Temple!” In the World of Darkness Cobra rolls to his feet, just in time for a large hoof to slam into his chest. He shoots across the hall and slams into the rock wall, bouncing off. A few seconds later, Kinjite slams into the wall as well and slides down it. Cobra (struggling to his feet) “Crap! I haven’t fought anything like this before!” Kinjite (rolls up to his feet) ”I have and it usually get uglier than this is.” Cobra looks down at the broken sword he is carrying and sighs. He drops his sword and faces Taurus. Taurus (amused) ”So the might Izumi is still wanting to fight, even though his weapon is destroyed? Interesting. I will make your death swift for you show of courage!” Taurus lunges forward and Cobra lunges at him. They collide with a loud crack and begin rapidly exchanging blows back and forth. Kinjite watches in shock as the alien named Cobra is actually standing up to the demon lord. Blood begins splattering all over the area. Red blood mixed with a crimson green blood. Taurus lashes out with a savage uppercut, that catches Cobra and sends him flying backward. He skips across the ground and slides to a stop by Kinjite. Kinjite steps between him and Taurus. Kinjite (quickly) ”You speak as if you know what he is, Demon Lord Taurus. I have been in this world for four centuries and I have never once heard of the Izumi!” Taurus (nodding) ”Doesn’t surprise me. You are not a demon. I will share with you the knowledge, since you will not leave here alive. The Izumi are an ancient clan of ninjas. They are the true shadow warriors. Shadows among the shadow warriors. They were also demon hunters. Since the dawn of time, we demons have waged a war against the Izumi. A war that has spread across several dimensions and know it draws to a close.” (points to Cobra) ”He is the last Izumi!” Kinjite (thinking while looking at Cobra) (then something clicks in his mind) Kinjite lunges to the side as Taurus rushes forward. A tendril leaps from his paw and wraps around Cobra. Cobra is yanked out of the way and Taurus slams into the wall. Cobra lands beside Kinjite and Kinjite pulls two pieces of coal from his pouch. He quickly drags one across Cobra’s face, gathering blood and sweat on it. He does the same to himself with the other one. Taurus turns around and sees this. Taurus (bellowing in anger) ”What are you doing?!” Kinjite (smiling) ”Something a demon showed me.” (slips the two pieces into the air) ”Ahses to ashes, dust to dust! Two shadows as one and your tail *we* are going to bust!” He grabs both pieces and crushes them. There is a crackle of energy and black lightning around Kinjte and Cobra. Shadows streak across the room and wrap around the both of them A large bubble of blackness forms around them and begins shrinking. When it fully disappears there is only one figure standing there. It is six foot tall and looks like a jet black weretiger. It cracks its neck a couple of times and growls. It has large scythe like claws on its hands and wickedly curved claws on its feet. Two large fangs protrude form its mouth. Its body is made up of corded muscle that looked like bunched up steel cables and is covered in jet black fur. It turns to Taurus and growls. Taurus stops for a second, stunned at the change. Taurus (stunned) ”Who the hell are you and were are Kinjite and the Izumi at?” Were-tiger (voice rumbling like thunder) ”I am them and call me Kinobra!” As fast as lightning, it lunges at Taurus and takes the demon off of its feet. They smash into the wall and tear through it, as Kinobra is ripping chunks of the demon’s flesh off with its claws. They tumble out onto the Plains. Taurus rolls over and kicks Kinobra from him. Kinobra flips over and lunges again. A savage right hand rips into Taurus’s stomach and entrails begin to spill out. Taurus staggers back in shock and the left hand rips across his face, tearing out his eyes in the process. The Minotaur falls over backward and Kinobra is on him in a flash. Taurus can feel the saliva from the savage felines mouth dripping on his shoulder. Kinobra (hissing) ”Tell the Devils that the Great Purge will not succeed as they want it to!” With that, Kinobra sinks his fangs into Taurus’s neck. Taurus screams in pain and terror as he realizes what is happening. He can feel his blood being pulled from his body by the were-tiger on him. When he has taken enough, Kinobra makes a ripping motion with his neck and tears out the demon’s throat. Kinobra stands up and looks around. Kinobra (to himself) ”We need to get back. The blood will only last for so long in us and Emerald needs it right away, Kinjite!” (a second later) ”I know Cobra. Let’s go!” A black porthole opens up and Kinobra leans down and picks up both of the axes from Taurus’s back. He turns and leaps through the porthole. Scene 8 Assassin Temple Konbra leasp out of the Porthole and finds himself in the middle of a large battle, between mammals and demons. He sees Aldebarrans, Hares, and Canards fighting against the demons. KInobra (thinking) (a second later) (a second later) (a second later) (a second later) Kinobra can feel the blood shift together and become sealed in two pouches. Kinobra (thinking) Kinobra lunges at the demons, lining himself up with the Temple. With both axes in his hands He wades through the demons like a whirlwind, scattering demons around him and flinging body parts through the air. Ahead by the Temple Azreel looks up and sees the towering feline tearing through the demons. Azreel (readying himself) ”Either that demon really wants a piece of us or it is here to help us!” He watches as the Feline rips a demon in half and lunges towards the Temple. Azreel lunges forward and swings downward with his sword. Just a moment before impact, the feline suddenly splits in half. Cobra lunges towards the Temple and Kinjite slips around Azreel and readies himself to fight. Kinjite (raising the axes) ”Couldn’t wait for us to get back?” Azreel quickly looks at Cobra, who is rushing towards the Temple and back to Kinjite. Azreel (shocked) ”How the hell…?” Kinjite (pointing to the demons) ”We’ll talk later.” They both lunge at the demons, weapons swinging. Meanwhile Cobra is running as fast as he can. In a digital readout in his eyes a warning flashes. Read Out (reading) ”Warning! Warning! Secondary Oxygen reserves are at ten percent! Either engage lungs or you will suffocate! Warning! Warning! Acidic damage is detected in lungs! Activate nano-bots to initiate repairs!” Cobra (thinking) His vision begins to blur as he runs. He can see the door approaching rapidly. His vision switches to x-ray and he sees Emerald’s room and a doctor is in there. Cobra speeds up and brings his forearms up over his face. Inside The doctor is just finishing up checking Emerald. Head Elder Zane is standing on the other side of the bed. Head Elder Zane (worried) ”How is she?” Doctor (quietly) ”Unless we get the anti-venom in the next fifteen minutes, it will be to late to save her.” Emerald (quietly) ”Cobra won’t fail. He doesn’t know how to fail. I bet he is just waiting to make an entrance.” Suddenly the wall explodes inward in a shower of plaster and mortar. Cobra comes rushing through the wall and catches himself on the end of the bed. He quickly looks around and grabs a pitcher of water. He throws the water out and places his mouth in the opening on the top. There is a sickening sound, similar to throwing up, in the pitcher. He sets it down and the Doctor and Head Elder see it full of blood. Cobra (gasping for air) ”Anti…venom!” He then falls over backward and passes out. Everyone just sits there for a second. The Doctor quickly shakes his head and grabs the pitcher. In a few seconds, he has a syringe filled and injects it into Emerald. Doctor (looking back in the pitcher) ”That should do it for her, but I am curious about something.” head Elder Zane (looking up from Cobra’s still body) ”What is that?” Doctor (picking a piece of tissue out of the pitcher) ”Why is there pieces of lung tissue in the blood?” Scene 9 Assassin Temple, a couple of days later Kinjite is walking through the halls heading towards the medical facility. Voice (from behind) ”Lance! Hold up for a second!” Kinjite turns around and sees Felicia run up and hug him. Jenny and Bcuky are coming up from behind her. Bucky (nodding in greeting) ”Heard there was a battle here. Fritz wanted me to check and get a report for the UAC.” Jenny (nodding as well) ”And as Princess of Aldebaran, mom wanted me to get a report from the Head Elder on how bad it was.” Kinjie (still stuck in Felicia’s hug, indicates to her) ”And why is she here?” Jenny (smiling) ”She wouldn’t take no for an answer.” Kinjite rolls his eye and gently pries Felicia’s arms off. Kinjite (putting an arm around Felicia’s shoulders) ”I was just going to talk with Head Elder Zane and check on Cobra.” They turn and walk down the hall. They enter the medical facility. Emerald is sitting on a bed beside Cobra. Zoe and Azreel are standing by the door and Head Elder Zane is sitting in a chair by the foot of the bed. They all look up as the group walks in. Kinjite walks up and bows to Head Elder Zane, then turns to the bed. Kinjite (chuckling) ”How you holding up?” Cobra (hoarsely) ”I still can taste that stuff!” Kinjite (shaking his head) ”If you would have said something, we would have stayed together and ran it in, so you didn’t have to do that!” Azreel ”You almost got cut in half, because of your appearance.” There is a slight chuckle in the room. Emerald looks at Kinjite. Emerald (curious) ”He told me what you did. How is it possible?” Kinjite (smiling) ”An old spell I was taught. It can only be used by two shadows though.” Emerald (cnfused, pointing at Cobra) ”He isn’t a shadow though.” Kinjite (smiling) ”Not a shadow, but a *shadow* warrior.” Bucky and Jenny look at each other confused and then at Head Elder Zane. Head Elder Zane (smiling) ”I will explain if you will follow me.” He gets up and walks out the door. Bucky and Jenny follow him. A few seconds later, Jenny walks in and grabs a hold of Felicia and pulls her out the door as well. The door shuts and a slight chuckle goes through the room. Kinjite pulls a chair up and sits down. He motions for Azreel and Zoe over as he sits. They walk over and stand at the foot of the bed. Kinjite (quietly) ”I feel bad about this, but I have a favor to ask of all of you.” Cobra (coughs gently) ”You helped me save Emerald. I owe you more than a favor.” Kinjite looks around at the others and they nod in agreement. Kinjite (sighing) ”Glad to hear that. Look, the Great Purge has started. My return marked the start of it. I’m sure you have noticed that there have been a severe increase in demon attacks, as well as other events all over the Aniverse.” Azreel (nodding) ”Yes, we have noticed that and was curious as to why.” Kinjite (nodding) ”Now you know why. The Aldebaran race isn’t ready for it. Atlantis is having enough issues going on and the UAC is trying to recover. The ALdebarn race is going to need help. Queen Katrina already knows she can call on me, but I am only one cat. I can use some help.” (looks at Cobra) ”Especially from an Izumi demon hunter.” Cobra (nodding) ”I will aid you in the best ways I can, but I need to replace my swords. I lost them when I signed up for the C.O.B.R.A. program.” Kinjite nods and looks at the rest. Azreel (nodding) ”The Emblems have always hunted down demons. We are already in the process of tracking and attacking them as they appear.” Kinjite (relaxing) ”Good. I hope that ALdebarn will pull through this again.” He stands up and a small porthole appears. He reaches into and pulls out two swords. They are onyx black. Their blades seem to shine in the light and their handles are encrusted with blood red opals. A large black opal is mounted into the end of each handle. He hands them to Cobra. Cobra takes them and studies them carefully. Cobra (amazed) ”Where did you get these? I recognize the design and pattern of opals!” Kinjite (nodding) ”Dragon Swords. The demon that taught me the ability I used for us gave them to me and told me to hide them. She said I would meet someone who would know what they are and use them for what they were meant to be used for. I am passing them to you.” Emerald looks at the swords and gently touches the handle of one of them. Emerald (shocked) “Their warm and I feel a pulse in the handle!” Cobra (nodding) ”The Twin Dragons Swords. Legend says that a young set of twin dragons gave up their heart and souls to be used in the forging of two swords. The handles were made from their hearts and the blades from their souls. The Swords were wielded by Izumi demon hunters to slay demons and defend the innocent lives that demons feed on. They were lost in the folds of time though.” Kinjite (nodding) ”A storm happened in the World of Darkness several thousands of years before I arrived there. A succubus was hiding the swords until she found someone she could trust them with. She passed them to me and I hid them until I found someone to wield them. Now I pass them to you, to wield and help fight in the Great Purge.” Cobra nods and slides the swords back into their sheaths. Cobra (firmly) ”An Izumi can never turn his back on his duty and training.” Kinjite (nodding) ”Good. Rather have you on my side instead of against me.” Kinjite turns and walks out the door, shutting it behind him. Zoe looks over at Kinjite and Emerald. Zoe (smiling wickedly) ”I am guessing you two are taking a small break. We will start training again after your *break*.” Emerald picks up a pillow and hits Zoe over the head with it. Scene 10 In a dark place VLADIMIR looks at the glowing sphere and clenches his clawed hands. Vladimir (hissing in anger) ”Damn it! Those swords still exist and now there is an Izumi to wield them!” He turns and storms through a door. Hanging on the wall by a door is a body of a succubus, nailed to the wall. She slowly turns her head and smiles at the sphere. Succubus (thinking) She watches the sphere as it shows Kinjiet boarding a shuttle. Kinjite’s shuttle CASSIE looks up as Kinjite walks into the cockpit. She stands up and hugs him. Cassie (pulling back) ”So, is everything alright now?” Kinjite (sitting in the chair) ”For now. I get the feeling war is coming sooner or later though.” Cassie sits back down and punches a few buttons. Cassie (smiling) ”Outer Rim again?” Kinjite (nodding) Sounds good. Need a little time to think.” Cassie nods and sets in a course. The shuttle lifts and streaks into space. That night at the Temple Cobra is sitting on the floor, looking out a window at the moon as it floats across the sky. He glances over and sees the swords sitting on a stand. He hears a gentle footstep behind him and feels a pair of arms wrap around him. He tips his head back and sees Emerald behind him. Emerald (smiling) ”Coming to bed soon. You should rest some more. The Doctor said your lungs were still healing.” Cobra (nodding) ”I know. I will be there soon.” Emerald nods and gently kisses him. Cobra watches her walk to the bed and climb in on her side. He turns his head to the window again. Cobra (thinking) < How long do I have to train? Is there enough time? How much difference can one person make in an alternate dimension?> He sits there for a few more minutes. He slowly stands and turns around towards the bed. His eyes stop on the mirror and he sees that the patch of fur on his shoulder has grown more. He shakes his head and walks over to the bed. He climbs in and covers up. Emerald gently places her arm over him and nestles up against him. In a few moments they are both asleep. In a different dark area Two figures are watching a globe of light. One is pure white and the other is so dark that she stands out against the darkness. Figure of Light (calmly) ”Well sister, it would seem that the choices are becoming more unique. What do you think?” Figure of Darkness (gruffly) ”Yeah it does seem that way. The paths are coming to an end soon and there is still a lot to address before that happens.” Figure of Light (nodding) ”True. The demons are on the move, the Aldebarans are on the move, and the Aniverse is in the middle of it. Let’s see how this game plays out.” They both turn to the globe and look at Cobra sleeping beside Emerlad. Figure of Darkness (gruffly) ”He was never suppose to be here though. What do you intend to do with him?” Figure of Light (after a moment) ”He is in the material plane. We can’t do anything with him. He is now in the game and is a wild card.” They both nod and watch the globe again. The End