Home of New Beginnings and New Challenges

[Retane]

The Emerald Warrior reached the main to Jade Reckoning. It was a rather large, healthy looking green tree, as tall as any around it, with crimson red leaves. It had a knot on it that jutted out slightly. It was big enough for a palm to be placed on and the namekian did just that. Almost instantly the tree opened up revealing a passageway that lead beneath ground. The namek took a long heavy breath as looked down into the darkness. It had taken him so long to reach the place, with the constant distractions, but now it was time for him to take his first steps into his home.

He took his first step, followed by a second and third, slowly descending the stairway as he went. As he passed through the opening, the door had slid closed behind him and fluorescent jade and white lights turned on. at his sides, lighting the path all the way down. The Horsemen continued all the way down till it opened up into the main foyer. Nearby, Jack slept comfortably on what seemed to be a couch. He seemed exhausted and was actually snoring.

Up to that point, the namekian had ignored his wounds knowing he was badly injured. He too needed rest and heal his body up. Arith and Inirtias had appeared in the midst of his fight, unsummoned by him. It was something he wanted to do alone. It was why he had sent Jack Frost ahead. The Emerald Warrior had heard word that the Empire mightbe coming for his allies and thought that the foe he had fought was sent from the Empire in search of his two human comrades that had joined the namek when he had first visited Corsucant.

The rogue namek wasn't sure who his rival was, other then his name and what he had seen, but he did know he was demonic. The warrior couldn't put his finger on it, and it would take some time to figure it all out.

For now though thinking to much was getting him dizzy. Alaina, Airyonna, and two other ninja had found him soon after and Alaina had healed him as much as she could. The konouchi wanted to take him back to their village for proper treatment. Retane turned it down and started on his way, dismissing both Lythians back to the shadow mist, not wanting to be pestered by anyone else for a while. He was getting tired of detours and had wanted to see his new home for far to long.

And here he was.

After a few heavy breaths and steadying himself from a dizzy spell, he looked forward. Across the way were two big double doors. That would be Retane's next destination. He walked on, his footsteps much heavier then they usually were. The namek even realized this an but there was nothing he could do. His body was beyond fatigue, but he still kept going. He had business to take of and would not rest until everything was done. The Leader of the Horsemen was set on what he had to do.

"Wake up Jack", The warrior called to the Guardian in his usual dark voice as he passed by.

The sawing of logs stopped as the ice wielder nearly jumped off the couch with Savior in hand. "What? Huh? How long was I sleeping? You're back? How did it go?"

The namekian warrior paused for a moment to look back at his close comrade. The Guardian of the Horsemen wiped away the sleep from his eyes and looked to Retane, almost intrigued with thecoming details. The Emerald Warrior looked away, concentrating on the large sliding doors, "I didn't win..." The namekian paused and took a breath, " And Arith and Inirtias intervened."

"You should have let me stay and help. You don't have to be a lone wolf like you think you do," Frost spoke as he stepped towards the green warrior.

Retane started walking towards his destination but answered Jack Frost's declaration, "You'll learn soon enough, that sometimes a person must test their mettle and strength. Sometimes you have to do that by yourself. It seems I have not gotten as strong as I thought I have."

The Reaper and the Guardian stepped through the doors as they slid open and closed as they both passed through. The Emerald Warrior looked at the screen ahead of him. It was black with the image of a namekian in a more feminine form then his knowledge could remember. Sverit and Gulish snapped their attention towards the doors opening and closing turning in their hovering swivel chairs. "Retane", both exclaimed as they hopped to their feet.

The Emerald Warrior nodded for a moment and looked to the main monitor, "What is this?"

As he spoke he finally summoned Arith and Inirtias, who began as a the shadow mist but quickly came to form. Everyone looked at the screen and the female namek looked back at them. "That is Jade." It was Sverit spoke. "She is yours. It took me a while, but I found some of the coding, and after translating the name, I gave her a face and a voice. She can do with some upgrades, but the contract is signed by you so you are the only prime that can upgrade her. I hope you don't mind."

The namekian looked at Sverit for a moment and was going to speak before Gulish spoke up, "Jade is lined up from you by genetics some how something to do with the laws of omnilium. You have master controls of everything. The only way we got in , as we understand it, is because you are the one that let us in. This intelligence can even communicate to you telepathically, if you desired. You are it's first priority."

"Jade, is all this true?" The namekian wasn't sure that a computer could speak to him through mental thoughts, but as skeptical as he was, he decided to give it a try.

It is true. I was birthed from your agreement and contracted to assist you. I serve you and will serve you as best I can. I will allow anyone you give permission inside me. I have defensive measures as well, to help keep intruders out."

The Emerald Warrior wasn't sure if it was all possible still, but here it was, unfolding in front of him. He looked from Jade to the others around him trying to take it all in. He still had an agenda to do and his body was still on the verge of collapsing. Without another thought, he summoned Arith and Inirtias. The two quickly stepped from the mist, first glancing at the renegade namek, then looking around, taking their first look of Jade Reckoning. It wa Arith that paused on the feminine profile of a namekian and leaned towards Retane and whispered, "Man, you should have told me your mother was hot as hell for a gremlin."

The namekian glanced at the Dragon Warrior and paused thinking to say something as a retort, but changed his mind, not diverting himself from what was on his mind, "Welcome to, Jade Reckoning, the home of the Horsemen."

Retane took the time to look at each person standing there, even the computerized Jade for a moment, "Welcome to the Horsemen. Just in case anyone is confused as to who we are or how we work. It is our job to grow. It is our job to defend what we believe in and back our brethren up if need be. Respect one another, and grow stronger. We'll be entering the mercenary business, shaping the world into our own image, grabbing a dominate stronghold on the omniverse and letting them know that we have come and we are here. " Retane paused to let it sink in

"We may have personal goals, but combined we shall be a formidable force. Good, bad, they will not exist here. We are THe Horsemen. With out Good, there can be no Evil. Without Evil there can be no Good. Call us the balance in the midst of the Chaos, if you will. You all will play an intricate part in making this happen. Our immortals may wind up being the front runners of displaying our dominance, but it will be the mortals that will assist and help us make our goals true. Trust in me and I will see you safe."

The namekian looked to Sverit and Gulish, "From now on you are no longer who you were, from this moment forward, you are Sasha and Grix. I'll expect you two to be heading up with everything around here."

The two nodded their agreement and the namekian offered a grin as he looked at everyone, nearly ready to succumb to fatigue, "It's good to be home."

Retane fell forward into darkness.

[Retane]

Home.

Retane had made it to his new home and had sowed the seeds that would birth strength and and power. The Horsemen were born again and he had set the mold of it's foundation. The Horsemen would reign once again like they had done so back then. They would be respected and their prowess would be known throughout the Omniverse. He could die a happy namekian if he was on his deathbed, but dying here would mean being reincarnated in the Nexus. Still, he wasn't dying.

He was sleeping, his wounds bandaged and healing. He could feel them healing actually. They were healing and his body was again becoming fatigue. His eyes shot open and quickly looked around. It was dark with the exception of white halogenic lights dimly glowing and outlining a door. He had remembered passing out, and assumed they had put him in a bed to rest. What time was it though? How long had he been out, and why did he feel weird? He needed to know Had they called for a ninja medical corpse squad? Retane didn't want anyone in his base that he didn't know. This was his home and he didn't want outsider's knowing the ins and outs of his domain.

The namekian rose to a prone position and grabbed at his head. The Horsemen was dizzy, almost as if he was feeling vertigo. He didn't like this feeling. It was weird. No one was around him, his wounds however were no longer painful, yet they were healing. He felt his body over and realized that the attacks from Renji were only now scars. He was a namek and knew his heritage had healing factors, but he hadn't remembered acquiring them. It wasn't himself doing the healing and this was not a medical room. He was unsure of what was going on.

The Emerald Warrior tried to growl in annoyance, but instead of sound, he felt as if he was choking. Something was caught in his throat, and it was wanting to be regurgitated. Retane shook his head and tossed the white sheet off of him. He thrust himself forward, almost unable to maintain his balance. The warrior hunched over for a moment as he staggered forward. The door slid open as he gripped at its edge. He almost felt as if vomiting. THis was new to him. Sweat poured down his head. The namekian felt sick and grabbed at his head.

He stumbled into the hallway and his sickness got worst. He didn't understand what was going on. However his body did, and he collapsed to his knees with a single hand clutching his head, and the other trying to stabilize himself. He started to vomit then, his neck stretching and growing big for a moment as there something was coming out. He felt a pause in time, though and felt someone reaching out to him.

"My son. It is your father, Gromp. I am sorry about your trials and your struggles, but I have decided to help you for once. I have offered you the chance of reproduction. You will need it to help you get stronger and do what you need to do. This new God of Death is about to kill me and cast me into exile. If that happens then all is lost, i feel."

"I brought you guys up to help the universe. I know how you felt when when you were exiled. You were destined to be so. I know that you didn't kill Nova, your brother, on purpose. I'm sorry I never really told you I loved you. But I'm trying to show you it now. I have been looking deep into your soul and found six eggs able to be made. Please forgive me for doing so, but I need you, my son, to come back and wipe this jackal out. For the good of all that is right. For the good of humanity. I Know I was never there for you when you needed it but perhaps this may make up for it."

Retane paused for a moment before he hacked up an egg. As he did so he had a flashback, remembering the first time he had met Jack Frost and looked into his innocent eyes. The Emerald Warrior remembered the eyes of the ice wielder and almost wanted to cry.

Probitas

The egg dropped to the floor.

The green warrior wasn't done though. Gromp wasn't lying, and he knew he had to birth five more. His throat was protected though, almost healing. He knew then deep down something was causing this and he wasn't sure what. There was no way in hell that that egg could have made it through his throat without stretching and tearing something. However, no blood came out, just saliva.

"I'm not worthy enough for this... I'm scared... I can't do tihs. It is not my right as a warrior." The Horsemen was alone then and questioned himself inside.

It is your right as one of the the last of your kind... my son. Do you think he will stop at me? Why not go to the root of it all and make our race extinct?

"I'm here my friend," Arith appeared without his helm. "I know what's going on. I can feel your pain. Let us get those other five out."

The namekian knew what his comrade was talking about, as the second one started to come up. Another memory flashed through his mind. He was looking back at Tapion as the Konat disappeared into smoke. Jack Frost was beside him, and the two were about to enter the tournament. The Abyss. Dante's Abyss. The pain that tournament always created. THe bonds forged in the heat of battle as the struggles for life and death ensued. The pure chaos of it all.

Dante, Retane named him as the egg fell next to the first. His energy was draining and what ever was keeping this up couldn't rejuvenate his strength. There was no way he could do this four more times.

"Two down and four to go, buddy. You can do it. You are almost halfway there" Arith coaxed quietly as he had one hand on the namek's chest to hold him up. The other was on his back, as if trying to comfort the namekian. The Emerald Warrior wondered then, if the Golden Warrior was acting as his friend, or a midwife and almost cringed at the comments he might hear later.

He didn't have musch time to think of it though as his stomach lurched and the third egg rose up into his gall. What flashback would he have next he wondered? What would this one's name be? Retane had to wonder as he tried to distract himself from the pain that was surging in his neck.

It came to him then, it was the loss of Jack Frost's innocence. The Guardian of the Horsemen wanted to feel more useful and Retane had let him use the Malefactor only once. And it had taken over. Jack had been tainted and had taken his first kill. It was even a man on his last limb, an elf in green color of sorts. But a kill was a kill. and The ice wielder had spilt blood.

Krosst

The egg came out and was actually a light shade of blue. Retane looked at the other two and realized the first was off white and the second had a slight grey tint. What was going on? Was that suppose to happen? He wouldn't get to ponder the questions as the fourth was well on it's way with his insides flexing and retracting. He was already halfway but he was already drained of his energy. There was no way he'd make this through alive. He couldn't keep this up.

His mind flashed to where he had collapsed to his knees, realizing that it was truly his fault. Jack Frost had lost his the pureness inside him. He could have been stronger for the white haired Horsemen, but had tried something risky. Jack could have lived longer, maybe could have been spared from taking a life if at least for some time longer till he really needed to. The image started to fade to the object that was Pyramid Head. Retane would have to carry that guilt.

Reatus

As the egg slid from his regurgitated saliva, onto the floor, this one was was a slightly darker color then the second one almost aiming towards the color of solomness.

"Ok, Retane, we have passed the hump. Just two more. I know it's a struggle. You just have to hang in there a little longer. Let's get them out of there and get you some peace. Come on dig deep. Show me all you got." Arith hadn't left his side. He had knelt there beside the green comrade and was quick to rush to his side. The warrior had always been there when he had needed him. The Emerald Warrior tried to nod but the fifth one was rushing itself to get out is seemed.

The namekian's mind flashed to him standing in the VIP Room with the runner ups. He remembered fondling the Horcrux and walking away, knowing that he had done his best, and he had nearly bested the Abyss. He had gained fame and The Horsemen would be recognized from his vigilance. Through all the pain he and his comrade had to suffer through, The Horsemen had made names for themselves. Now they could carry that momentum and get stronger.

Triumpht

The egg was expelled and it's tint was red. Retane realized then, as his body fell limp that he was not going to be able to produce the last egg. He had no energy, and his own life force was pushed beyond his limits. He was going to die here and now. He wouldn't be able to bring the sixth forth, he had no energy to. There was a way ,he thought for, it to come to be, and he mustered the rest of strength to growl the words, "Cut it out of me. A Namekian deserves to be born, and it deserves to be born in its home..."

The Emerald Warrior felt his consciousness slipping as he felt a warmth inside him. It was the saber of his comrade cutting in him, or so he thought. However, it was the same thing that had kept him alive for the first five eggs. The warrior felt just enough energy and life force surge through him for the Horsemen to stabilize himself and try and proper his hands out for the final egg. This one eased it's way up and it moved through his throat with nearly any struggle.

The namekian remembered then, how the trees reached out to him, and when Jack had preserved the Snow Lilly. This one obviously wanted to help the world. It was peaceful. She was peaceful. She had helped him usher forth her brothers, and had been able to help him and ease her process through. She would be the heart of the namekian's that entered the omniverse. She would be the good that they could strive to become. Her name was..

Naturae

Her egg was a bright green and the Emerald FIend could only smile as he drifted to darkness.

"Six my son. All of them your own children. Treat each one justly. Please forgi-"

"Father, you are asking me to forgive you for memories I can not remember. But from what you have told me, is that I killed my own brother, and it was an accident. You knew this and let me be exiled. I feel aching pain my heart all the time, and you chose this for me to bare?" The warrior would have continued but realized that his father was gone. It meant that he had been exiled. THe namekian subsided into darkness needing rest.

[Jack Frost]

THUMP

Frost jumped up at the noise. He had went asleep again after Retane had arrived back at Jade Reckoning, Clearly fatigued from his battle; It was some of the best sleep Jack had gotten since he was sent to this living hell. Half asleep, he looked around the Horsemen foyer for any hint of movement that could've caused the thumping noise.

THUMP

The adolecent was fully awake now as he heard yet another thump that seemed to eminate from the floor. Jack rose from his so called bed on the couch and grasped his staff in his hand. He let his eyes wander the large expanse of his makeshift living room, searching for the wretched sound that woke him. As he looked around he immediately remembered his comrade.

"Retane," he murmured under his breath. Or was Arith doing something crazy perhaps?

Where was the namek? When he had returned from the 'disturbance' in the Greens he had fell to the ground in the "Control Room" as Jack called it. Arith had helped him carry the green warrior to his room when he had collapsed to the ground. Dear ol' Ret' seemed exhausted at the time. Jack knew the Namek's brawl had went afoul; He saw it in Retane's eyes.

If only he had let me comeJack had thought,I could've helped... I could've protected him.

THUMP

Jack felt a vibration on the floor as the latest noise had been made. It seemed to be coming from the direection of Retane's room. Jack began walking in a fist pace towards the area, as curiosity bubbled in the boy's mind.

THUMP

Jack quickened his pace even more, as fear took over the curiosity, hearing yet another thump. "Retane?" He called as he turned the corner of the hallway that would lead to Retane's resting chamber. There was one more turn to go and he heard the coaxing of Retane's battle partner Arith:

"Ok, Retane, we have passed the hump. Just two more."

What is going on here? Jack wondered. Arith's next words were unable to be heard over Jack's bare feet smacking against the concrete floor.

THUMP

Jack was curious, frightened and ultimately confused as he half ran down to the last corner of the hallway allowing access to Retane's sleeping quarters.

Jack at last reached the last turn, turning but when doing so, sliding on a slimelike substance coating the floor. On his way down, Jack saw retane lying a few feet away while Arith sat next to him with 5 almond shaped orbs by his own side, each possesing a different hue of color.

Jack hit the ground not as lightly as he had hoped he would. Jack winced at the aching pain his tailbone had recieved from the concrete. Upon opening his eyes he saw one last almond shaped orb slide out of the Namek's own mouth being eased out by Arith. Jack's curiosity had went from fer to pain and now to a form of digust as he watched Arith place the orb by the rest nearby. Arith glanced at the ice boy while placing his golden helm back upon his head.

"Did you knock him up during Dante?" Arith questioned Jack. Jack was completely confused all over again.

"What?..." Jack said dazedly, "Wait. You mean those? Those things are-" "DONT CALL THEM THINGS! THOSE ARE EGGS JACKIE BOY!" Arith interrupted.

Jack was shocked and it was sprawled all over his face. He looked at the six colored eggs wondering all the while what the purpose was for. Would they even have a purpose? How did Retane become fertile? Wasnt he a man Namek? Jack glanced back at the golden warrior deciding that his questions could wait for the moment.

"Is that how i was born?" Jack picked up on Arith's playful wording, "I sure hope not Jackie.. You woulda been one ugly egg though." Arith responded, diverting his attention back to the eggs "You are some cute eggs! Yes you are! Yes you all sure are!" The warrior babbled at the begining life forms.

Jack decided to rise from the ground after some seconds of listening to Arith talk incoherently. Jack put his arms out to push up from the ground but instead let his fingertips brush upon a light blue egg.

Krosst

The word flushed through the adolecent's mind. The egg looked as if it was facing him somehow, Like it wanted to be picked up from its surrounding bretheren. He felt connected to the egg, a bond or connection of some sort linked him to the pale blue egg. Retane had made this for him. Retane.

Jack forced himself to look away from the egg to instead retane lying unconscious on the ground.

"Thank you my friend." he murmured to the green man.

"Oi, Jackie boy, help me get momma Ret' back into his bed" Arith told Jack, "you being his baby daddy and all, seems like you owe him one."

[Jack Frost]

THUMP
"That's the last egg Jackie boy." Arith said with unessecary sigh of breath, while setting down The blue Namek egg inside the vault for Retane himself to find later. The golden warrior looked up to see where Jack was previously standing, only to find a snowball in his place. Arith strolled to the snowball and casually picked it up "Jackie, What the hell is this?", Arith examined the ball of snow in the palm of his hand. The snowball had a light tint of blue and seemed to have various pieces of glitter imbeded in its cold, cushioned surface. "I KNEW YOU WERE GAY JACK" The Golden clad man yelled aloud.

Arith looked up from the ball to see more of the snow in what appeared to be a makeshift path, leading out of the vault and around the corner. "JACK, IM GOING TO SMASH YOUR LITTLE GLITTERBALLS" Arith called out as he took the measure of every step to smash each ball of snow on the path. The warrior took each stomp with Vigor, extracting pure ecstacy from his steps.

"Stomp...Stomp...Stomp" Arith in his enjoyment, had unknowingly walked his way across the entire Jade Reckoning into the sparring room. "Stomp....Stomp..annnnnd...STOMP!" Arith said, after having smashed the last of the Snowballs. The warrior turned back to look at his handy work, "HAHAHA, JACK YOUR SNOWB-"

SPUFF

Before Arith was able to process what had hit him in his face, he was maniacally laughing at the source of the projectile, A boy hooded in blue Crouching atop a hooked staff. " Well Arith, the true meaning of gay actually means 'lighthearted and carefree.' which seems to be your own mood at the moment" Jack said with intrest, "But, it seems you are a little preoccupied yourself" Frost noted, while watching the golden warrior run to the weapons rack.

In midstride, Arith stopped his legs and whipped around at Jack himself, "Listen here Snowboy, I don't know what you what you just did but if you wanted a fight, it's a fight you will recieve." Arith called over to the adolecent taking off his helm and drawing his two sabers from their sheath's. "Okay, hit me with your bes-" *THUD* Jack was caught off guard by the Warrior's sabers as he surged forward, while jack at the last second had blocked the attack with his staff. "HEY! DON'T HIT THE STAFF!" Jack yelled, losing his cool and following with a swing of Savior at Arith's head, who easily ducked and countered with a slash of a saber meeting Jack's hooked staff in its curve and flying to a corner of the room while Arith went the opposite with a thrust in the chest by the wooden staff coordinated by a smiling Jack Frost.

The warrior skidded back and stared with malice at the icer as he came to a halt. The man reclaimed his composure and charged with a flurry of stabs and slashes catching Jack in his undefended smile and making him fall back to the ground losing Savior, in his short lived pride. Jack was now pinned by Arith and his now single sabre, "You have a lot to learn Jackie Boy" Arith said to Jack while glaring at him for some seconds afterwards, "well this is awkward. Looks like we need an icebreaker." Jack joked and before Arith knew it he had lost his footing and was now more focused on keeping his balance on the now ice layered floor. In Arith's fumbling, Jack was given an opportunity to kick himself up and in the process kick Arith's blade away to join it's bretheren in the corner of the room.

Jack steadied himself on the ice floor and met Arith's eyes, who was at the moment, making contact with the wall while sitting on his rear-end. Jack looked at his staff about 10 feet in front of himself and saw that Arith was closer than him and was now aware of the current struggle to gain the staff. Arith kicked himself off of the wall toward's Savior, while Jack dashed across the ice being more experienced than the Golden warrior. Jack realized at his current motion that if he didnt speed up, Arith would get to Savior first, so Jack simply leapt.

CRASH

The pair both ended up in a pile in the struggle to get Savior, tangled and both at a loss for words they looked each other in the eyes. Jack opened his mouth to speak but was caught by a loud roar:

"WHERE ARE THEY?"

"There's Ret.." Jack sighed, "Your turn this time, Jackie." Arith said, "Might as well tell him where the eg-" He was met in the face by a snowball, when he recovered from his bouts of giggles at the water on the floor, Jack was gone.

[Retane]

He stirred once again. Had he dreamt it all? No. There was no way he had.

The namekian shot upright, the sheet over him being nearly cast aside, from the swift movement. The namekian recognized the room and removed the rest of his cover with a kick of a leg. He stood up and headed towards the outline of the door. It slid open with ease and the Emerald Warrior took a moment to pause. His memories were fuzzy, but he was sure it had happened. He had no reason to remember this hallway if it hadn't been true.

The namek looked down, trying to take it all in. He had given birth to six eggs, after his father had given him the gift to do so. The renegade was a warrior. He was not suppose to have such a gift. Retane knew that it was wrong for him to have the ability. Gromp must've been desperate to have passed it on to him. How bad was his universe going to hell? All because Retane, the God Of Death, had been cursed. All of the chaos that was going on back where he was from. It was all because of him. His father couldn't even foresee this. How great was Gromp then, the green warrior had to wonder.

The Emerald Fiend looked to the spot where the eggs had been birthed. This wasn't actually the first time he had given birth though. He had given birth to another son, before. One that wasn't here. His name had been Resapwne.

"Maleficus Nova. I know that you were my first. You were my one and only legacy. You were Respawne, the New Evil. But for you to live, it seems I must show dominance here and try to get stronger. It seems that destiny has chosen for me to give you siblings. I don't know if this really means that I am getting stronger. Please understand, however, that I will do what I ever I have to so that I can see you once again.

The Emerald Warrior watched as a tear dropped from his eye, and let out a roar as he looked around, "WHERE ARE THEY?"

His voice was loud and echoed throughout the compound. There weren't many in Jade Reckoning, and the Emerald Warrior knew that someone would hear his call. A moment later, Jack Frost and Arith came around the corner of the hall in a jog, Jack actually tripping Arith as they nearly rounded the bend, sending the Dragon Warrior crashing into the wall. Jack flashed a grin when the clang of armor and concrete echoed through the haul. Jack skidded to a halt infront of Retane, who eyed the spectacle with slight amusement. Perhaps the Guardian hadn't lost truly lost his innocence, he pondered. The windows to the white-haired human's soul told a slightly different tale, still though. The namekian wondered how bad his friend had been affected. The icer was strong, but how strong, he wondered.

Arith stumbled up shaking his helm encased head, "Frost cheated!"

"Hah! You tried to trip be first! It's not my fault I retaliated. What's good for the goose is good for the gander, "Jack retorted.

"Where are the eggs", Retane asked calmly.

"They are in a safe place" The Champion of Lythia answered nonchalantly, as if it was obvious.

The Emerald Warrior looked back to the room he had come from and knew he would have seen them in there, so he turned back to Arith, "And where is that actually?"

Arith glanced at Jack who shrugged, "He doesn't know what a safe place is?"

Frost returned the glance, grinned and looked at Retane, "We are in Jade Reckoning. It's a safe place."

The namekian shook his head and closed his eyes as he rubbed at his temples, "I'll ask this one more time. Where the Hell ARE THEY!?!?"

As the Leader of the Horsemen's voice got loud, the Golden Warrior took a step back waving at his face, "Ugh, morning breath..."

"Calm down Ret," Frost put his arms out, palms towards the floor, "They are in the Vault. Like Arith said. They are in a safe place."

The namekian looked at the two, his visage turning from anger, to a stern look as he pushed passed them. He looked deep down inside, searching for guidance, trusting in his kindred senses to locate where the namekian offspring were. He didn't question it as he strode onward, feeling their presence almost calling out to him. Probitas, Naturae, Krosst, Dante, and Reatus. They were all there together in the Vault. But that didn't stop the Emerald Warrior from breaking into run. He could only sense five of the six. Triumpht was no where on his radar.

As the mercenary reached the vault, his hand slapped the palm reader hard and the door shot open. Sitting there on top of a table, were in fact a set of quintuplets where sextuplets should have rested on the comfortable blanket. In place of the crimson tinted egg, was a red note with black ink. The warrior strode a few steps and snatched it up, his eyes gazing over the words

Dear Summoner Of My Favorite Dance Partner,

Mi amigo! My friend! How's everything going? Hope all is well! I mean, you would think they would be right? A father and a mother of six should be right? That deserves a whole dozen congratulations right? Congratulations, twelve times!

Haha! Liked that one right?

But down to some serious business. I think it's time to make myself an unofficial, official Horsemen, since you guys are in the 'mercenary business'. I'm taking Triumpht, because I think it is deserved to me. It was born from your memories of getting far in Dante's Abyss. I was your first fight in Dante's Abyss. See the correction right? I helped you get there. Besides, we both know you have to kick the birds out of the nest so they can learn to fly right?

I don't think you will be able to handle and raise half a dozen eggs, so maybe branching them out could be better for you, seeing as you are a constantly busy man. They can become cultured and seasoned!

Plus, there are no laws of your kind not being able to make their choices before birth. Triumpht has already chosen me. How else do you think I got in?

Trust me, I'll make sure he is in my hands and I'll teach him the ways of life and not life.

Love,
Deadpool and Chimichangas

PS: Should probably separate those eggs. What if one cracks and knocks the other over before their time?

The Emerald Warrior let out a low growl as he finished reading the note. Jack Frost and Arith had made their way into the vault and stood quietly near the entrance. The namekian turned back and looked at the two and handed it over to the two, "So much for your safe place?"

The two looked the letter over as Retane turned back, placing his hands, one by one, on each egg, slowly feeling their heartbeat and their emotions. He felt a connection with them, each one different, yet the same. The Leader of the Horsemen was searching silently, looking for answers to questions. Questions that weren't quite clear. Neither were the answers he received. Retane finished with the last egg and let out a a long, low, sigh and looked them over one last time with a nod.

The mercenary turned back to the entrance where his two comrades stood, looking up from the parchment. Neither had words to say and Jack's face seemed slightly etched with fear. What the Dragon Warrior's visage looked like at the moment could be anyone's guess, but for once he was silent without any quip or retort. The namekian walked through the gap the two as the stepped aside, possibly fearing a volatile explosion from the Emerald Feind. As Retane reached the door, he paused looking down at the concrete floor, "Jack, come with me. Arith, put some space between the eggs and join us in the Control Room."

The namek walked off in the direction he had planned, sensing where Sasha and Grix were at. It was easy enough to figure out the lay of his base, or at least his destinations, using his namekian senses. The Guardian trailed behind him quietly, though his bare feet smacked lowly on the concrete, giving him away. A purple bandanna formed on Retane's left arm as he entered the control room. The brother and sister were there as well as Inirtias. He met eyes with them before looking to the scrren as he moved to the center of the room.

"Jade, how many outside of this compound have access to enter it?" The namek asked.

"Only one, your son, Triumpht." The feminine computer answered. "The egg itself just up and vanished earlier in place of the note. Almost as if they traded places. I have been scanning my systems to figure out what happened, but no one has came in or out of any of the entrances."

The namekian nodded, pausing for a few moments as he thought his next thoughts through. "What does anyone here know about Ambrosia?"

Sasha spoke up, "Intel shows that it is a city in the Tangled Green's lead by Guu. She's the one that banished herself from Dante's Abyss with a Mercy Circle for some reason. It's rumored that all that violence wasn't her style."

Retane looked back as Arith showed up and then to Jack Frost. The Guardian would have never banished himself or showed himself mercy. He would have put his life on the line no matter what. Naturae was not going to be meant for him. No, she would go to Guu and the Ambrosia. He had heard rumors that they strove for good. He would call Naturae an Ambassador of goodwill towards the city. He certainly didn't know how to raise a daughter. Jade looked like she might, but she was artificial intelligence. So it was decided, "Naturae will be sent to Ambrosia as an Ambassador of peace. She can grow there. I am sure"

The mercenary took a breath as he rolled through his thoughts, "Jack will get-"

"Krosst right?" Jack Frost had interrupted eager to get his new friend given to him.

The Emerald Warrior looked back at the Guardian with his outburst. He was going to give him his innocence back, let it live side by side anb grow with him. Perhaps it would work, but Jack wanted Krosst. How did the icer know the name? Perhaps it was meant to be? Would Retane be willing to give Frost, the namekian spawned from the memory of his first kill? "Why do you want Krosst? How do you know his name?"

"I touched it and is spoke to me. I felt a connection to it." Jack Frost answered. " Plus its bluish. I thought it was self explanatory."

The namekian didn't want to do it, but went against his better judgment and made it so, "Then Jack Frost will receive Krosst. I hope that you realize, he is your responsibility. And may be bigger then you expect. Good luck and teach him well. Remember he isn't immortal like me and you."

"I will. I promise you, I will take care of him!" Jack had a grin on his face, and the namek had to wonder what would happen if the ice-weilder, Arith, and Krosst started playing tricks on each other. It seemed nearly bothersome.

The Leader of the Horsemen paused for a few moments and thought about the other three. Probitas, Reatus, and Dante. He would offer one to the ninja village, but it would not be Reatus. After a few moment's thought, he decided he was send his youngest. He would be a good Ambassador, and perhaps they would get to know him like they should. The ninja wouldn't let harm come to him, and perhaps they'd get use to seeing green humanoids in their place, "We will offer Probitas to the Ninja VIllage as a liaison and a sign of friendship. Perhaps he can learn skills there and remove the prejudice of Namekian kind there. Maybe he can show them that we are not orcs or goblins."

The Emerald Warrior paused for a moment, thinking, "Dante and Reatus, will remain in, either my care, or the care of those within Jade Reckoning. We are the Horsemen and we must expand. I think these are wise choices. Is their anyone that disagrees?"

The namekian closed his eyes and as no one answered, he focused on the armband that was tied on his arm. He felt a cool air surround the room and heard the casual welcome, "Been a while Stranga'. What can I do you fer today?"

Retane opened his eyes and was staring at a thick fog right in front of him. The mist dissipated quickly and the cloaked merchant, his face hidden beneath another purple bandanna, appeared behind a wooden table with items sprawled out against.

"I need to do some business I think. I need something that will allow me to keep in touch and possibly keep track of some people that won't be nearby. Got anything like that?" Retane stared the stranger in the eyes as he asked the question.

"Certainly." With the wave of a hand, a mist rolled over the table and a slew of communication devices appeared on the table.

The namekian caught sight of an interesting gadget and pointed at it. It shined and glimmered and was a small squared shape about the size of a computer chip with six small prongs as legs, "What is that?"

"Ah that's one of my latest models. It is a communicator and Dataverse Device combo. You press it into your skin and think about how you want it represented, and the nano byte technology it was designed from will instantly form the devices as you see fit. It's really nifty and no one really knows about it yet. Only specific clientele know about it" The Stranger winked.

"Do you have multiple's of this?" The Horsemen asked.

"How many are you wanting?" The merchant asked, intrigued.

The namekian knew the number already, "A dozen, plus I need seven of those bandanas."

The merchant nodded and with a wave of the hand, twelve communicator chips appeared six of them sitting on the purple handkerchiefs.

The namekian opened his hand and the merchant accepted it, ominilium draining from him as he accepted the deal. "The one there is especially for you", the merchant mentioned as he pointed to the closest one to the Emerald Warrior. "It'll help you keep up with them. Till next time, Stranga', and remember, always a pleasure doing business with you."

The Emerald Fiend nodded and almost in a flash of a purple flare, the merchant was gone. The smoke disappeared, and only the wooden table remained. Retane grabbed the chip meant for him and slid it in a pocket. "Jack come get one with a bandanna. You other four, come grab your chips. THe other six with the bandanna's will be for my children.

-------------


A small group of ninja were waiting outside, they had been summoned as escorts. Retane took a long look at the other other five eggs, separated slightly upon his command to Arith. All of them looked so peaceful. They would soon know the world, and he had ensured that each one would be able to reach out to him no matter where he was or where they were. Not to mention, they would be using nano technology, like their big brother, Maleficus Nova. It was as if he would be there watching over them as well and for this, the namekian was pleased.

He had already vowed none would crack prematurely, and become an 'Imperfect Namek'. There was only one, and that title only belonged to Respawne, the New Evil. The Imperfect Namekian had shown that even jade could be as bright and shiny as emerald.

Retane grabbed Naturae and handed her over to Inirtias. Jack Frost received Krosst, and Retane himself carried Probitas. The Emerald Warrior concentrated on all three eggs, and they glowed for a moment in a green hue. As the glue dissipated, the eggs rested in back strap pounches with a single pocket on the side, specifically for the bandanna and the communicator chip. The namekian turned and headed out, followed by the other two, in the direction of the entrance from the vault. Reatus and Dante would be safe and didn't need to make an unneeded trip. The green warrior would be back for them, but for now, they could rest easy.

The trio exited the entrance of the crimson leafed tree, the same one he had first entered Jade Reckoning from before. Alaina and Airyonna stood there at the head of the group. Arith was leaned against a tree, looking up at the sky, as if oblivious to everything going on around him. Retane looked to Inirtias, and the elf handed the pouch covered egg of Naturae to Alaina. Retane knew that Airyonna was the leader of the team, but he also knew her wrecklessness. He wasn't going to entrust her with the security of the egg. The green warrior knew the konouchi would kill anyone that tried to go after the egg, but there were two different sides to defending and saving.

"Your destination with Naturae is Ambosia. You don't want to speak to anyone but Guu. Tell her that Retane of the Horsemen has sent her a true gift, and ask her to raise her with the kindness she has in her heart. It is something I may not be able to do."

The head ninja nodded with her black and blonde hair but didn't speak.

"I'm trusting you guys. Don't let her get hurt, please." Retane was calm, almost begging. He wanted to go with his daughter, but knew he had other things to attend to. Everything was happening so fast, and he wanted to hit the pause button, or at least have a slow down option. However, this was his destiny, and fate had chosen a cruel path for him. He would strive on and so would his kin. The ninja nodded and vanished without a word.

Retane felt Naturae make distance fast and looked to the others, "Let's go!"

[Retane]

The members of The Horsemen arrived at the entrance of their destination. It hadn't taken long at all, as they had been to the ninja village before. They had used the forest, itself, as a means of getting there quicker, hopping to and fro on treetops, swinging from branches and diving to the ground when things were too thick. Jack and Arith had made it a game to see who would get there first, and even Inirtias had joined in on the fun after being his with a snowball, and antagonized by his fellow Lythian. Retane had stayed ahead of the group, but looked back occasionally to watch the three with their antics. Jack was as nimble, if not more nimble then the other two and seemed more skilled then THe Emerald Warrior had remembered. The Guardian was growing stronger.

Retane had touched ground first, with Jack Frost following, with Arith and Inirtias trailing. Now the Horsemen reached the entrance of Mokugakure. The green mercenary looked at the walls, made of tall trees that were large and had grown side by side together. The namekian had, again, been impressed at how the shinobi had fortified their city using nature itself. The trees themselves were happy and cared for and respected the ninja as a whole. The Emerald Warrior could sense it.

The group stepped through the archway, and immediately three masked ninja appeared and stopped them. "May I ask where you are going?"

The namekian looked into the eyes of behind the mask and focused on them for a moment. The shinobi had short spikey hair and his eyes reminded him of someone else. The mask's markings reminded the Emerald fiend of a cat of some sort. The ninja looked to be about Jacks age and near the same age, if not slightly more muscular. The mercenary took a moment to think of his response, not wanting to offend the shinobi, "I am Retane of the Horsemen. The Morukage knows we are coming."

"I know who you all are. Lady Tsunade asked me to wait for you and escort you to her. You are kind of known a bit around here now." The ninja was calm.

"So you knew who I was and knew I was coming and my destination, but you sill asked? Didn't want to stop and just tell me you had orders to escort me?" The green mercenary pondered his thoughts outloud.

"Pretty much," the shinobi started. "I've heard about you and have seen your performance in the Dante's Abyss. I had to see the response for myself, and I like to make my own judgment."

"I see", The Leader of the Horsemen stated. "So what judgment have you come to?"

"Jury is still out, it would seem, but we should get going right? Wouldn't want to keep the Lady waiting?" The shinobi turned and took the lead while the other two backed up giving room for the Horsemen to pass. It was obvious they would take up the rear. These two also wore masks, and the namekian started to wonder what was with them. Were the masks there to protect their identities perhaps? They seemed special in some way, almost like a classified bunch. He had seen them before but he was unsure what they meant. He would have to ask one day.

Retane followed, as the other three kept close behind him with the the duo shinobi taking up the rear. They quickly approached the market and it was more different then before. Some people even smiled at the namekian, while others still tried to avoid him. Little kids pointed at all of them smiling, while some whispered to their friends. The namekian didn't bother listening in to their conversations this time. He didn't have to to know that it was mixed emotions. They also had a destination and he didn't need to get pissed off and make a big scene like he had before.

As the group passed the market, and were headed towards the Mogukage's tower there was a call from behind. The group turned to look at a familiar girl running at them. It was the same girl that had verbally accosted Retane the first time he had entered the village.

[Retane]

"Mister Retane, I just wanted to tell you, that I am sorry." The young girl stated as she looked up at the green warrior. She was fidgeting and the Emerald Warrior could tell that she was nervous looking at him. Her eyes portrayed her innocence and caring, as well as her sincerity. It was almost a completely different person from their last encounter, where she had yelled at him and accused him of being a gremlin, which Arith had been the instigator of.

Perhaps she was impressionable, maybe it had to deal with her age. The namekian was unsure but knelt down getting to her level, trying his hardest not to have a stern look on his face. If he knew how to flash a smile, he would, but right then and there, he couldn't force one, "What is you name, kid?"

"Kelsie", the young blonde spoke as she nodded affirmation. The namekian could see that she was trying to be brave and felt almost uneasy at his tall stature so he knelt down to her level.

"Then I am sorry as well ." The Emerald Warrior knew she was just a child and most likely didn't know much better so it was something he could forgive with ease. He wasn't here to cause a fight, but instead, to see the Horsemen flourish. This child was not evil, and didn't need to be berated again for her mistakes. Her prejudice could be understood to a certain extent, but the green warrior had planned on wiping such ignorance from the omniverse soon. They would know what a namekian and a Member of the Horsemen truly were soon enough, and never confuse his kin with goblins, orcs or even so called gremlins.

The young girl offered her hand with a smile and after a few moments the nemekian shook the small hand with his own as her lips spread wider upon her visage. "You will have to excuse me, but your Morikage is waiting for me."

The blonde girl gave a nod and smiled once more before turning and running towards the marketplace, where her mother waited on her. The leader of the Horsemen stood up and looked at the other six around him. Jack Frost and Inrtias were smiling. The ninja and the Champion of Lythia were masked and wether they two were grinning, the namekian couldn't be certain. He turned without a word and headed towards the tower where Lady Tsunade would be waiting.

---------------

"So you are back here again, Retane", the head of Mokugakure observed from behind her intertwined fingers. This was actually the third time that the Leader of the Horsemen and his comrades had been here. The other two times had been after the green warrior had met Jack Frost and they got their first taste of the Tangled Greens' hospitality. The two returned after they completed a cooperative mission with a few ninja to track down the scum they had called Gollum.

The namekian pondered exactly where the slimy bastard was, and looked back Jack Frost. If Gollum ever escaped custody of the ninja village, he would most likely try to track the Guardian of Fun down once again. Retane was sure however, that the pale green humanoid would have a problem taking on the ice wielder and not be able to catch him off guard like before. The namekian wondered how another confrontation would go between the two and would easily put omnilium on Jack Frost to become the victor without any assistance at all.

"Yeah, it would seem so." Retane had looked back to Lady Tsunade. "Shall we cut to the chase, perhaps?"

"What exactly is the chase?" Lady Tsunde questioned calmly.

"As you know, I have given birth to six eggs." The namekian started as the Morikage gave a nod in confirmation. "I'm here to offer you one, Probitas."

"Offer us one, mercenary? Why exactly? I can't grasp my mind around that one fully." Lady Tsunade had flashed a slight grin as she had called Retane a mercenary.

The Emerald Warrior caught the change in visage as he looked the experienced woman deep in her eyes, "I think that he could learn a lot from you and your village. Perhaps things I might not be able to teach him. My life tends to be chaotic to say the least. Call him an ambassador, if you will, to represent The Horsemen and his kin."

"And you don't think you would be the best candidate to represent your kin?" Lady Tsuade questioned.

"I told you before, I am not the best representation for my kind. I could be, for the Horsemen, however." The namekian felt as if he was being judged on each question and how he answered.

"Well, Retane, let see if I got all this straight. You are quite an anomaly in these parts, and the Omniverse as a whole, but I think I am getting a clearer picture of you. You sent an egg to Ambrosia right? With strict instructions that the leader, Guu must be the one that receives it? I see that Jack Frost is also carrying one, and you have Probitas in that carrier ther on your back right? Where are the other three? I am curious."

"Naturae was sent to Ambrosia, yes. I sent her there because of the actions I observed from Guu in the Abyss. She felt right to be under her guidance and tutelage. Jack was initially going to get Probitas, but he wanted Krosst. Dante and Reatus are sitting in the vault of Jade Reckoning awaiting their time to hatch..." The green warrior paused thinking about mentioning the sixth one, but hoped he wouldn't have to and left it as that. He was wrong in his hopes.

"Yes, I heard you finally made it to your home. I'm glad to hear that, but what of the other one? That was only five that you mentioned." Lady Tsunade hadn't missed his hesitation.

"Triumpht, it seems has already chose his own path before he has even hatched, and is traveling with another I fought in Dante's Abyss." The namekian felt no reason to lie. Perhaps the Emerald Warrior had even felt a bit of pride when he stated it. These namekians were not drones. They were their own persons and would grow and flourish, just as any namekian should.

"I see", the Morikage said as she heard a noise

Retane heard it too, and felt it in his mind and on his back. It seemed that Probitas was ready to be hatched and wanted to come out. The Leader of the Horsemen snatched the strapped pouch off his back and cut it open, palming the overly large egg as it ripped through the rest of the fabric. The warrior saw the cracks in the oval object and saw that it was glowing a greenish-white through the crevices. It shook in the palm and the namekian threw his second hand up to try and stabilize the egg, as he placed it on the ground and stepped back a few steps. This would be the first time he had ever seen his offspring born.

The hardened roe cracked and parted it shell with ease after a few moments of pushes from the outstretching limbs of the innocent being from inside. After a few hushed moments from everyone in the room, the first ever hatched namekian in the Omniverse stood there, the shells laying beneath his feet. He stood about the height of the bottom of Retane's knee, but was glowing and growing. The spurt didn't last long and Probitas never even reached the length of his mid-abdomen.

The Leader of the Horsemen looked at the young namekian as the white glow subsided and watched him quietly. Retane watched the new born in silence, just as everyone else did. Probitas looked a lot younger then Retane, almost as if a child and wore loose white pants, as well as a loose vest that matched. He had sandals of the same color. The young namekian reached in the pouch and picked up the box and the the purple bandanna meant for him and pocketed it.

Probitas looked around, smiling at everyone until he found Retane and his smile grew even further as he ran up to the Emerald Warrior with arms wide open. Retane hesitated and started to kneel down before a young girl with blonde hair passed the Emerald Warrior by and met the young namekian with a warm embrace.

Retane watched the two entangle in friendship, and realized that it was Kelsie from before. He looked up for an explanation from Lady Tsunade, but the Kage was no where to be seen. He heard the Morikage's voice from behind him and shivered. "Let it go, and follow me outside."

The namekian started to object and thought about reaching out towards his son, but the smile on the child's face mace him stop. The mercenary was sure his son was in good hands and turned and followed with the rest of his crew.

As they exited the main room and the large doors were closed Lady Tsunade spoke, "Her name is Kelsie, as you know, and she has premonitions, or dreams. I already know you were bringing something good to us, and had already decided that I would accept it. I know about Guu and Ambrosia, and you have actually impressed me with your prowessness, even after that fight with that swordsmen where you held back. I think I see where your thoughts and heart lies and such, but I had to test you today. You do have a strong heart, it seems and I watched you personally when you met Kelsie. Trust me when I say that Probitas will be in good hands."

The namekian had watched it all sudden, he hadn't even said hello to his son. Perhaps it was better that way? He was the most pure child he had ever produced. Why taint what was such good? He looked back to the Orikage, realizing he needed a distraction and had to remember he was here for a reason.. "You have agreed to what we spoke about so far, so about the rest of the deal?"

The Morikage flashed two envelopes in front The mercenay as an answer, "I have two missions you may like. One will take you towards the Pale Moors, Te other to the Ashen Steppes. You can go see your son if you wish, before you choose.

The Emerald Warrior looked to his comrades and paused for a few moments. He looked back, hearing the girl so happy, and looked back to Jack Frost. It was time to kick them all out of the nes,t he had decided, and let off a small grin. He looked back to the female ninja leader and grabbed both folders, "We are the Horsemen. Jack Frost will take the Ashen Steppes. I will handle the job located in the Pale Moors."

Lady Tsunade seemed to want to question the choice but instead gave a nod.

-------------

Retane stood outside the gates of the ninja village, thinking and almost feeling regret, but only let out a sigh as he looked to Jack Frost. "First mission as a mercenary and representing The Horsemen. Think you can handle it?"

[Retane]

Jack gave a nod, but had remained silent. The namekian stared his comrade in the eyes trying to read his mind. The subject matter was still fresh, and Retane didn't want to go too deep into it. It was almost obvious that Jack Frost wanted to know how he could just walk away from Probitas like he did. The Emerald Warrior had found it much harder then he would let on or anyone could ever imagine to do such a thing. It was just asdifficult of the choice he had made when he sent Naturae to Ambrosia. Still, the Leader of the Horsemen had to live with his choices and couldn't go back. It was hard to do, but he felt his decisions were the correct ones.

"Your eyes betray you, Guardian. Don't dwell on it too much. Remember that you wanted Krosst, not Probitas. Probitas has a chance to grow and get stronger here. You have a mission to tihnk about now, and Krosst to see after. Probitas is in good hands, it seems. Don't let it distract you. If you do you could get Krosst injured or worst. Do you want that?" Retane was calm as he spoke, handling the situation with care, not giving more information then he had to. He wouldn't tell him that the first hatched was actually born from the memory of their first meeting.

"No I don't. It's just weird to watch. But I understand, I think. At least I am trying to." Jack Frost looked down at Savior.

Retane reached out and placed his hand on the ice weilder's shoulder in a slight attempt of comfort, "You seem to be going through some things. Figure them out. Be the Guardian of The Horsemen, and represent us well. Show them, that you are not a 'sidekick'. Just remember, if you need me, use the communicator and reach out me. I will come. I'm heading back to the base to see what information Sasha and Grix can give me."

Jack Frost looked up with a determined stare and nodded.

---------------

The namekian stood there looking at the Reatus and Dante. Their egg shells were sprawled out along the table and floor, where they had been set before. Both were already taller then Probitas, if only by a little. Dante's wore grey attire, almost mimicing fog or smoke. The other wor a darker version of the same material.Both had the purple bandanna tied around their left arms. The chips were gone and most likely already implanted in their skin. Both siblings looked up at the Emerald Warrior, with eager grins on their faces.

The green warrior looked at the two for a few moments as they both chuckled and snickered under their breath. Retane remained silent for a few moments studying the two adolescents. They had something going on and were cooperating with each other with their muffled laughs. Th Leader of the Horsemen glanced around the room, wondering what was going on, thinking of Arith and Jack Frost and their antics. The Emerald Warrior stood taller after a few moments and finally asked, "What's so funny?"

"You are", Dante stated as he looked at his brother, who nodded in agreement. "You look angry, mad, and sad at the same time. We can't figure out if you are either of them."

The namekian didn't flinch, "Do you know who I am?

Reatus nodded and spoke, "You are our father. There are six of us. We are Nameks. What else do you want to ask father?"

Dante laughed out loud then, but the Namekian realized that it was also in his head. They were intelligent, growing adapting, but were still young. The Emerald Warrior paused for a few moments thinking to test a theory and took a few moments and thought his words, "Boo!"

Boo to you, too! Dante answered in thought as he tried to stiffle his laughing. Reatus, however couldn't help but join in on the snickering. Retane blinked for a moment and offered a gentle smile, realizing that they were eating their inside joke up, and leavining him out of the loop by using telepathy to communicate with each other. They were truly skilled to be adjusting as fast as they were and the Emerald Warrior could help but feel pride swell up inside of himself.

Retane walked passed the two, placing a hand on both their shoulders as he did, letting them continue with their game. He turned his attention to the other objects in the vault. His prized posessions. They were all hung on a wall in some sort of fashion. A small gauntlet with a chamber about the size of a deck of cards, hung near the bottom. It ws his starting weapon from his first Dante's Abyss. The reminded him

Above it was the scythe that Retane had acquired from his next venuture into the Abyss. Next to it, was the glaive. Both wicked weapons with ever sharp blades, curved and defined into their own shape, making each one unique and powerful in their own right. Across from the famed weapons was another section however. They were actualy trophies, and reminders that seemed to call out to the namekian warior. one was a dirty, dingy mask. It was the mask of Jason Vorhees. Across from it, almost as if reaching for the mask was the clawed leather glove. The weapon itself reminded the mercenary of his own feral claws, but their presence seemed to have an ominous feeling about them.

The third item that he had acquired was the three dimensional triangular mask helm that glowed a crimson hue. It was the dark helmet known as Pyramid Head, and turned you into a behemoth creature that only lived for a certain reason. It was the true manifestation of guilt and despair. Retane had felt the helm's darkness and despair when he wore it and was unsure what to think of it. It was a dark matter he would have to explore the subject matter later, he knew, but now wasn't the time.

The gold neckless with the emerald 'S' on it hung around a small modeled neck. It was his reward for finshing seventh in Dante's Abyss, his greatest acheivement thus far. If another Dante's Abyss was held, he would be there as well, aiming for higher. He still hadn't fully conquered the Abyss, but one day he felt he would. Next to the Horcrux, was the orgosynth from project Malefactor. The symbiote was contained in a cubed see through container. It reached out to Retane, as if it recoginized the namekian and wanted to be connected with him once again. Retane thought about it but dissmissed the thought. He had to get sronger on his own, not with the artefact.

Up high, above everthing else, was the designated symbol of the Horsemen. It was Tapion's Brave Sword. It was sheathed in it's red and black scabbard, with the face of the Konat patched on the material, with a wolve running in the background. The two son's had stopped chuckkling and stood at Retane's side, looking up at the collection Retane had acquired so far.

"What are all these, father", Reatus apoke up after a few moments.

Retane glanced down curious, "You don't know?"

Reatus looked up at the Emerald shoulder and shrugged, "Some of it feels familiar, but not really."

"A lot of it feels as if it is calling out to me. Like they want me to hold and use them." Dante murmured."It's kind of weird."

The Leader of the Horsemen knelt down to their level and looked up at his trophies. "Which ones? Tell me." The namekain wanted to see what his son would do.

Dante took a moment and looked at his father and pointed at the Cards of Destiny, the Glaive of Dante, and the Scythe of the Reaper. THe young namekian took a few seconds and then pointed at the Brave Sword.Retane pondered the thoguhts and wondered what it could honestly mean. The other young namek however, helped his thought process as his hanfd touched Retane's knee with a slightly strong grip. Reatus pointed at the pole-ax and then to the Pyramid Helm, before pointing at Brave Sword as well.

"How come Dante is drawn to other's and I'm not, father?" The adolescent namekian asked a difficult question and the mercenary had to look at both of them in the eye's and offere a smile as he thought of how he could explain it.

He took a long deep breath and made an attempt to use his chosen words correctly, "It's because you are both different. You are both unique, yet possibly similiar. However, that does not make you the same nore different. Just because one is drawn to one tihng, and the other isn't, means little. You are both brothers, and I am sure the other four are drawn to different things, as well. You were both born, not together, but seperately. Each one of you is your own individual, and will make your own choices in life. Don't fret, because you feel different. As long as you remember you are family, you will always be fine. Plus, you dont want the green eyed monster ever getting ahold of you."

[Retane]

"What's the Green Eyed monster?" Reatus asked, slightly concerned.

Retane watched his facial expression and saw that Dante wore almost the same visage. The namekian wanted to laugh and smirk, but he held it back. "The Green-Eyed Monster is a nasty one. He sneaks up on you when you start having jealous thoughts of another, wanting what they have or thinking that you deserved it. He grabs you when you are least expecting it and latches on, feeding off those bad thoughts you have until he consumes you and makes you do bad things. His name is Envy."

Reatus looking almost unnerved for a moment, glanced at his brother who had a grin on his face, "Envy can try to sneak up on me but if he tries, I'll hit him one good time and he will run away crying!"

Reatus, looked back at Retane and nodded with his own grin as he regained his confidence, "Yeah! What he said!"

The Emerald Warrior grinned at their eagerness and patted them both on their heads. He stood up, looking down at them and hoped they would never have to deal with the green-eyed monster, but thought that a bit of sibling rivalry might push them to get stronger and hone their skills. That would be up to fate to decide, and he would not intervene on their own paths to growing. They seemed like they could manage themselves, but he did have an idea and produced the Dozier from his cloak. He handed it over to the siblings and the glanced up at him curiously before opening it and starting to read. Retane waved them on to follow him as they read up. The two whispered and pointed at things on the paper as they tried to figure what it all meant.

The trio of nameks soon found themselves entering the Control Room of Jade Reckoning. Sasha, Grixx, and the two Lythian's were near the center looking up at Jade while she was doing a scan of the perimeter, perhaps still trying to figure out how Deadpool managed to get in and get a hold of Triumpht. As the door slid closed behind the namekians, Reatus looked up, "What is the Copper Eye and what is Project: Rogue Code?"

Retane grinned and read the face of Sasha as she heard the names. The mercenary from Coruscant seemed to have heard of the names, and may have had some intel on it, but her eyes didn't really tell a whole lot. Still information was information, and the namekian wasn't sure what to believe on the paper and what not to believe on it. Lady Tsunade had given it to him, but it had to deal with the Empire once again. He hadn't actually read the Dozier yet, but he knew there was a ninja in the Pale Moors he would meet that could help him out with the mission.

"So they hatched did they? They look so much like you Retane, " Sasha said, changing the subject. The Leader of the Horsemen wasn't sure if it was intentional or unintentional, but looked back with a nod.

"This is Dante and Reatus. Reatus, Dante, I'd like you to meet Sasha, Grix, Arith, Inirtias, and Jade", the namekian said as he pointed each one out, finishing with the female namekian on the large monitor who offered a gentle smile. The two boys grinned and waved, "Probitas has also hatched, he is in the care of the Hidden Village. I don't know about the other three."

The Golden Warrior strolled over and knelt down to the to namekian children, "I just want you to know, I was with your father when he gave birth to you and I was also the mid-wife."

The green mercenary let out a low grumble shaking his head as he planted his palm upon his face. after a few moment's he removed his hand and before the two young namekians could ask another question, Retane looked to Sasha, "So he asked a valid question. What do you know about the Copper Eye and the Rogue Code?"

The slender brunette paused for a moment, as if thinking or digging out information from her past before she spoke, "I honestly don't know much about it. It was said that Copper Eye was a group or terrorists set out to destroy the Empire or someinthg. Hey used the Dataverse as a hide out. Judge Dredd, space marines, and Bounty Hunter's Samus Aryan and Proto Man went there to stop them. The Project: Rogue Code, is a mission trying to catch a rogue space marine that was using a prototype device that allowed them to enter the Dataverse from just about ahywhere with a slow upload time. He went AWOL, and has been hiding in the Dataverse ever since. Since his body is a digital code, he is considered the Rogue Code."

"That's all you know?" The namekian questioned, watching her eyes for the truth.

She nodded after a pause, "I wasn't involved in the operation. I just heard the tales and rumors like everyone else."

The Emerald Warrior saw that her eyes hadn't betrayed her and gave a nod, "Can you use Jade and see if you can find out anything else?"

Sasha offered a nod , but turned around, looking at the envelope in the young namekians' hands, and after a brief moment, "You're going after another Empire Artefact?"

The green warrior nodded, "The ninja offered us two missions. Jack took one and I took the other. He should be heading towards the Ashen Steppes as we speak."

Sasha's eyes rose at the statement but she didn't speak. Retane knew her thoughts, or could guess that she were suprised by his actions. He wondered if she questioned his decisions, but wouldn't outright question her in front of the others. Maybe she was uneasy about what had happened from their first encounter, perhaps it was something else. The Emerald Warrior would find out later. Right now he had a mission to prepare for. "I don't know if Jack is returning here to prep for his mission, he may just leave outright from where he is. He has the communicator, so it shouldn't be a problem.

"I have the Dozier, and I'm about to leave. I just thought I would let you guys know what was going on. Arith and Inirtias, I'm going to unsummon you for now, for when I need you two but other then that, I think it's time for me to go." Retane took a deep breath and turned around.

[Retane]

The Emerald Warrior turned from the crew as Arith and Inirtias faded from form and turned into the shadow mist, which dissapated a few moments later. Retane looked down at his two sons which looked up at him confused. The Leader of the Horsemen studied their faces, unsure of what to make of them. Reatus lip was tremblinlg ever to slightly and Dante's eyes had narrorwed just barely.The three had a staring competition, neither one flinching or making a move until Retane finally had to ask, "What is it?"

Reatus was first to respond, "You're leaving us?"

"Yeah, why cant we go with you? " Dante spoke up, almost sounding upset.

Retane scoffed for a moment and almost grinned, " So you two want to go with me on a mission that could be dangerous? You two still have the smell of fresh egg on you and think it's a smart idea for you to come with me on a mission that I actually have very little knowledge on? Better then staying here and defending Jade Reckoning and honing your skills where you are safe?"

Dante nodded, "We can help! We promise!"

"Plus we are family, and family should stick together, I think..." Reatus had spoke up and ended up trailing off, and there was a sadness in his eyes. Being the father, Retane could tell and understand the young namek's confusion as they were the only two left at The Horsemens headquarters while the other four were else where. After a moment Retane , while leaning towards the idea of perhaps taking the most eager, came to a simple conclusion.

"You both can come, but you will have to do exactly what I say. Anyone that doesn't, will most definately be stuck in the compound until I think they are truly ready and much more exereinced. Is that a deal?" Retane was stern, but deep inside he wanted to grin as both his children smiled and shouted , 'Yeah' at the same time.

Sasha called back that they were to young but Retane waved her off and nodded at young namekian sons and grinned.

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Outside the entrance of Jade Reckoning, the crimson-leafed tree's door slid closed and returned to looking like a plain uncommon tree. Retane reached into his pocket and produced the chip that represented his communicator and upgrades. He held it out to the sibling namekians and pressed it into his flesh. His right eye flashed red for a moment , he felt a slight tingle in his ear, a back molar fel strange and a black slender band appeared around his wrist. Where the chip once was, the Emerald Warrior saw nothgin but flesh but with a bit of concetration, he knew he could locate and remove the device as simple as he placed it into his flesh.

Dante and Reatus saw what he did and pulled out similar chips and looked at each other, and with a nod, placed the chips into their arms, just as their father had. After a few moments Reatus wore something similar to a green scouter over his left eye while Dante wore a single ear peice and a green wristband, slightly bigger then Retane's. The Emerald Warrior coud only find amusment at their distinct choices. THe two brothers looked at each other and smiled with nods at their accomplishments.

Retane decided it was time to take them on a test run, "Keep up!" With that, he turned around and took off in a run, kicking up a slight bit of dust and debri on purpose as he went. He heard the laughs of the namekian siblings as they cheered and started after him.

[Jack Frost]

Jack Frost stopped at the front of their base. He figured he would grab some provisions, and see if the computer in the main control room could give him any advice on the Ashen Steppes, or his mission in general. Retane had decided to split them up, and Jack was begining to wonder what was up with the green guy. First he goes off to fight someone on his own and comes back beaten and banged up, and now they were seperated again. The Guardian of the Horsemen was suppose to be just that, a Guardian. He couldn't help the Leader of The Horsemen, if they were not together.

The adolescent looked at Savior and shrugged, feeling bored and pulled out the manilla evelope once again and started fingering at the opening. He really needed some company or this was going to be such a drag. Maybe one of the two inside wanted to come with him, Sasha and Grix were their names. They had expereince in this type of work right? He might as well get to know them since they were all a team, and what better way to get to know them, other then going on a mission. Retane wouldn't mind would he?

"So I see you got you some orders, eh, Ice Boy?" The voice above him was familiar and it brought a smile to his face.

Frost looked up as Airyonna dropped down from a tree removing her black cloak and dropping it to the ground. She grimaced at the cloth and picked it up with a frown after a moment's pause. Jack figured she didn't like wearing it, especially since Retane had created it, but understood that she was a ninja, and leaving behind tracks was a rookie mistake, and she wouldn't do it if she could help it. He changed the subject though as he remembered where she had been sent, "So you're back? Everything went smoothly?"

The konuchi nodded and rolled her eyes as if it was obvious, "Yes. Guu accepted the egg without really any problem. She may have been a bit uneasy at first, but after Alaina gave her over, reluctantly, the leader of Ambrosia was happy to take the egg."

"Her?" Jack eyed Airyonna suspiciously. He wouldn't expect the female ninja to call the unhatched Naturae a 'her' and he had to tease the konouchi about it. It was something to keep him entertained at least.

Airyonna threw her arms up in frustration, "Don't ask! Alaina seems to have made a connection with the egg. It's telepathic or something. I don't know. I just know Alaina snapped my neck off when I called 'her' an 'it'."

Jack Frost couldn't help but laugh, "You don't know, but you did know. Ha!"

The raven haired ninja with blonde highlights let out a murmured grumble as she bit her lip.

"So did she hatch?" Jack asked, remembering and becoming enthused once again.

"No. Was she suppose to?" The konouchi asked with a raised brow.

Jack shrugged, "Probitas did in Lady Tsunade's office..." The Guardian paused for a moment remembering how weird it was. Retane had just left his son there, without even giving the young namekian a hug. It was a strange site to see, and Jack still didn't know how it all happened. It was almost so fast. Still he had to trust in the Emerald Warrior, or try to help him some how. "Everything is fine and she acepted her, letting him hang around the girl named Kelsie."

The female ninja nodded, "And you are carrying one as well?"

Jack glanced at his back and nodded, "Krosst." He slung the pack over and showed unzipped the egg from his satchel to show the blue tinted egg. "Yeah. Retane wanted to give me Probitas, but I touched the Krosst's egg and we fell in sync. I'm just wanting him to hatch already."

Airyonna seemed puzzled for a moment as she watched jack set the bag on the ground, "So they can reach out telepathically, and this isn't a joke or purpose to create hell in the Greens?"

Jack looked surprised at the ninja's statement and shook his head, "No, Retane made his choices and seperated most of them. You have to trust him. He's strange, but he always has a reason."

"Yeah to get stronger." Airyonna chided, "And make Horsemen stronger-"

CRACK

Airyonna stopped talking and looked down at the still opened satchel inbetween the pair, "It begins Jack." But Jack himself was already on the ground as the noise was heard.

The small blue tinted orb sprouted its first crack as a completely straight, centimeter long line. As quickly as the line came, more fell into place as it formed a symetrical hexagon shape on the egg's surface. A moment passed with no other slits appearing, "Is that-"

Airyonna was cutoff from her question by the immidiate outreach in every direction by the cracks on the egg's surface. The invading lines traveled swiftly as they spread, as one line reached it's end, three more sprouted from that one. It was a cascading series of cracks that had no predictable destination or shape. Jack watched the cracking surface, he knew what this was, he knew the cracking egg's chosen shape from the very begining, somthing unique, a shape that never came out the same way twice. This was a Snowflake.

The cracking stopped after the full awe was taken in by the pair, "So what now?" The ninja questioned Jack, "What do you think baby predictor?" Jack teased.

Slowly a small green hand poked out of the center of the first hexagon, as it rose along came the disconnecting of all the other thin shelled pieces of egg. A small green figure rose from the egg remains clothed in an almost identical form of Jack's clothes, the only differences being it's apparal was much lighter than Jack's and instead of tattered brown pants it instead had a pair of what resembled, a white Martial Arts Gi. The small Namek looked at airyonna for a lingering second then brought his gaze to Frost, "Jackie Boy."

The white haired icer brought his hand to his face in a gesture of embarrassment, "Jackie....Boy?" Airyonna said, turning her head towards Jack in a questioning stare, "It's what Arith calls me... I guess this one must've heard or someway recognized this name to be affiliated with me while he was in the egg." Jack explained while glancing at the Namek, now standing among the egg's remains, before looking back at Airyonna. The ninja stared at Jack straight faced for a few moments before bursting into uncontrolable laughter, "You let... Arith call you....JACKIE BOY?!" The young woman managed to say through her laughter, "It wasnt a choice Miss 'its an It', Besides at least he knows me for who I am. Why else would he produce a Snowflake on his egg shell?" Jack said looking away from the now settled female ninja back to the Namek.

Jack studdied the newborn Namek with intrest before deciding to talk, "Tell ya' what, You can call me Jackie. And your name would be Krosst, right?" Jack said to the green child, "Mmhmm. My name is Krosst." the young Namek looked around before continuing, "Where is Retane? And siblings?" It questioned Jack. "Well... The real question is, Do you want to meet them?" Jack questioned Retane's offspring. The young one had a moment of thought about Jack's offer before it responded, "Sounds fun, lets go!" The Namek said excitedly and started to run away from Jack, "Woah woah woah! You can't find them just like that!" He scolded the now ashamed Namek, "You need one of these first!" Jack said, holding up a communicator and purple horseman bandanna, changing his tone like a father would to a son.

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"Hey! someones looking pretty snazzy." Jack complimeted the now equiped Namek. The green kid had chosen to put the communicator chip on the inside of his left arm for ease of access and the bandanna around his neck permitting him to pull it up over his mouth. Airyonna watched the pair with curiosity, it was like they've known each other for years! Almost like an older brother with a younger one. This raised a new question for Airyonna.

"So you must favor the boy role Krosst?" Airyonna interrupted the two with a question. Krosst held a confused yet curious stare at the ninja, "Boy? You mean like Jackie? Yes, I prefer Jackie!" Jack began to laugh, "Playing the guessing game this time?" He directed at the young woman, "You can't be too safe anymore." Airyonna replied with a knowing smirk.

Jack looked back at Krosst who was still staring back at the female ninja with curiosity. This young namek seemed so fasinated with everything, even more curious than himself.

"Well, we should go find Ret, Would you like to come Airy?" Jack asked the girl hearing a cheer from Krosst, "I think i'll pass this one up, i have some things i need to take care of" the ninja said to jack while begining to walk away but then pausing and looking over her shoulder, "Oh and Jack? You can call me 'A' instead." The ninja girl dashed up into the trees, dismissing the pair.

Jack looked into the trees where she dissapeared for a few lingering moments before Krosst interrupted the silence, "Jackie boy has a CRUSSSHHHHH!" The boy dominant Namek teased, "What do you know about love?" Jack counter teased him. A small beep eminated from Krosst's communicator before he could answer, he looked at his arm and told Jack that Retane and two of his bretheren were on their way to retrieve an artifact from what he was told was the Empire. "I really have got to get one of those things" Jack muttered, "Besides where'd you find that out?" The icer questioned, "Oh, i asked Jade, everyone has her as a contact on theirs i think." Jack stared at the communicator chip with envy, "Totally getting one."

The two then walked into the trees towards the gate of the Empire, teasing one another about various things they picked up about each other.