(Pre-Show) The Lobby

[Jack Frost]

"Then trust me! Trust me to help you! Trust me to help you!" The Guardian had been sent the memories telepathically by Tapion about the Konat's real death and also his two deaths in Dante's Abyss. He knew of the end of the Horsemen, but he also believed in the goodness in Retane's heart. Jack had to stand tall, though he felt Retane's pain.

Tapion looked to the wielder of ice, and walked towards him. The elder Horsemen, still beatened and battered, laughed, "Oh, you think you are better then me then, eh?"

Jack stood tall and proud, "Yeah. Well-err" The Horsemen paused. Jack took a deep breath, trying to think upon the memory that Tapion had showed him, and the words that had been spoke. "I will have his back!"

"You will have 'his' back? Can you kill? Have you ever killed? YOU HAVE TO KILL!" Tapion let his voice enter that dark growl similar to the namekian.

The ice wielder hesitated for a moment until the red head stopped his stride, bringing him nearly face to face to each other. The newest member still held his ground, "I will have his back! Why do you think I was sent here? You obviously couldn't do the better job!"

Tapion backed up for a second but was fast to be annoyed, "Really? You think you can do a better job then me? Here I am, trying to see if you can handle this type of tournament, and this is what you try to give me?"

Jack answered his pissing contest with, "I know I can do a better job. If anyone could save his ass it would be me! You all treat me like a child and this is how I will prove myself! With or without you in my way!" Jack put his left foot back and crouched slightly anticipating a duel.

Tapion nodded and smiled but crossed his arms. Such a difference in characters and experience showed. Jack soon realized this and understood he was being baited. It made him flustered and he glanced to Retane who also watched the scene unfold.

Jack took a deep breath and shook his head trying to stand strong at all the eyes that looked upon him, but it was Tapion that finally answered, "I have looked into your soul, my friend. I find goodness, but I am afraid of what you may have to do. You think I am weak, but you are right. I remember when I was so innocent, just like you." Tapion let a tear fall from his eye.

"You may be better then I ever was" Tapion wiped his eye,"But to be better them me, means you have to kill! Can you kill!?!?"

Jack looked then at Tapion, deep in the eye, and he realized the pain, not the antics, he would endure. He saw Tapion then as an ally and nodded, "I will do whatever i have to do to protect Retane. I will pick up where you left off. I promise you thatIi will never let another being slay him in battle as long as I stand. Until my last breath I will fight for him. He is my purpose for being here. And I am a Horsemen!"

Tapion snapped back, "Are you sure? Are you a Horsemen?""

"Yes! I am sure! I will do what ever to protect Retane!" Jack was sure of himself.

"Then you accept death and do not fear it. Then you truly are a Horsemen" Tapion smiled

Jack paused and looked around. Retane never involved himself and had let him do his own thing. Jack only offered a nod to them both, realizing he had been accepted more then he thought.