Here I come... The Start of a Journey

[Jack Frost]

"Oh sure, I have to pick the greenest place in the entire place to enter and head towards. Now what do I do?

He was surrounded by trees and a heavy canopy. 'Savior' had brought him here; To this location. He didn't know why, but after he had first touched a stick, he soon learned that that stick, and the shape it took, was the source of his power.

"Annabelle... ", He looked at his staff. "I wish i could be with you..."

"But why am I here? I mean couldn't I be somewhere else? Doing some kind of good?"

Jack heard a howl from deep within the forest. He shook his head in annoyance, but kept on..

Why had the Man on the Moon put him here? Was it even the man on the moon?

'Annabelle', he muttered under his lips.

He had made te ultimate sacrafice for his sweet sister."Annabelle... Please don't hate me for not being there. Mom; PLease don't be mad at her. I made the choice. I didn't do it for this. I just did it to save her. Please don't hate me."

The white haired adolescent pondered and fumbled with his emotions as he tightened his hand around Savior. It glowed a light hue, almost matching the dark blue color of the tight skinned hoody that the Guardian wore. Jack felt that there was danger afoot, and Savior even hinted at it, but being bored was just not his style. He had been sent here to make people happy and have fun. So fun he was going to have.

As Jack's mind was medling in the past, he was completely unaware of the small little goblin-like creature following him upon his entrance to the green fortress.

"Yess, my preciousssss... A tall man-boy it isssss. Man-flesh tonight my precioussss... Yesss-Gollum-Gollumm!" The creature stated to himself.

[Jack Frost]

Jack looked around, trying to shake the uneasy feelings he was getting. He laughed a little. It was a nervous laugh but he was trying to shake himself free of the ominous presence the place was starting to give him. He had found a small path and started following it. Frost assumed that he had found this path for a reason. So why not take it?

Still, the trees were gigantic, and Jack actually imagined them with faces wanting to yell at him to leave. He shook his head and let out another chuckle, trying to make himself feel more confident then he really was. The area he was in was humid and thick with moisture, still it was beautiful. He couldn't help but admire the life around him. It seemed so joyous as the fauna moved about. He even tried his hardest not to disturb the natural enviroment, but couldnt help but stop and admire an orchid.

Annabelle would have called them ' Snow Lillies'. She actually had called any flower a snow lilly as long as it was white. But this one was as white as vibrant snow in a clear uncloudy day. Jack couldn't help but bend down and smell it. To his amazement it actually smelled like fresh fallen snow. And Jack loved the smell. It was indescribable for him.

Then he felt the blow. Something clubbed him hard on the side of his head. He saw a flash within his head , his vision whitened for a split second, and felt himself knocked to the side. There was a loud shrill that came with the assault. as Jack rolled onto the ground he lost control of Savior.

He looked up as he landed on his back and one of his hand had reached to where he had been hit. it was moist and already starting to swell. But what weirded him out was he saw a club bouncing around in a circle.

"Yessssss Precioussssss. Dinnerrrrrrr! Fresssssssh DInnnnnnerrrrrr!! Man-Boy meat! Man-Boy Meat! We gots it now my preciousssssssssss" The club actually screamed.

The Guardian was confused. He understood the dancing club meant to have him for dinner, but couldn't understand how the wooden object would be able to do so. Then it stopped mid air.

"Gollum, Gollummm", It barked. "It's not dead preciousssss. We has to kill it.... THEN we can eats it.... Eats it here and nows my Precioussssss! LETS KILL ITSSSS" The shrill voice called out as the club began to come at him in a prepared swinging postion.

Jack was afraid and struggled to reach for his staff. He couldn't reach it in time. but still he tried. He thought about trying to kickup and dodge and reach it but it was to late , but it was too late. The club was fast and nearly on him.

It was then, that another figure showed up in between the two. The cape of the robe-like-material flowed almost gracefully with his movements. It was dark in color but the cowl never seemed to move. He heard a low growl from the new figure as a green arm reached out and blocked the oncoming swing.

"What!?!?! Preciousssss. It's Staring at me Preciousssss.... What is it? WHAT IS IT? WHAT IS IT PRECIOUSSSSSSS?" The club cried out.

The new comer didn't say a word, he just let out another low growl as the club rested on his forearm. Frost had felt the sting of that club, and was surprised that this new guy had been able to stop it. And so fast.

Jack wasn't stupid though and reached for Savior. He didn't know what would happen next, but felt he would need it. The stranger, then, swung a punch at the air. A smaller figure appeared to take the punch and fell back with a scream, loosing his club in the balance. it was pale white ugly and nearly bald. Not quite like the arm that had blocked the blow and most likely saved his life.

Jack felt a little stupid, but it was what it was. Flying clubs? Really?

[Retane]

The Namekian had been traveling on the path with his companions, Arith, Sverit, and Gilush. Arith was bound to him by the sigil of Lythia that was branded beneath his clothing. The other two had been siblings, he had picked them up on lis last journey, in Coruscant, and had allowed them to accompany them ifthey chose. Or they could go their seperate ways. The two had opted to stay in his company, at least for the moment.

Retane had heard the comotion and signed the others to hold back. The Namekian moved closer, and had heard whispering and murmrings, though he couldn't see who or what it was that wsa making all the murmurings. There was the smacking of lips and the voice seemed to aim in the direction of another stranger. This one looked human to the Namekian.

From afar, The Emerald Warrior had watched the white haired stranger bend over and smell the flower for more then a few seconds. It was more then enough time for the unseen predator, to stand mave his move. He watched the makeshift weapon raise to what looked to be held at chest level as the head of the branch seemed to rest in another hand. The being had to be just over half the stranger's size and even smaller compared to the Namekian. But Retane was eager to watch this play out, so he didn't interferre.

The club soon closed in, and rose in striking range. Still, there was no indication that the victim had even noticed. The Emerald Warrior didn't flinch when he watched the club come down and sideways in an arked swing. It made a hard noise, and the passer by, went sprawling. Retane still watched. He expected this predator to finish the job, but instead it started to jump around in circles happy it had caught it's food.

The Emerald Warrior took it a deep breath, trying to visualize the outline of the agressor, and thought he almost had the figure understood as they both caught site of the matured adolescent stirring. The predator was either arrogant or stupid or something the Namekian couldn't understand as he shouted more words and then moved to attack.

Retane watched the speed, of the foe that had coughed "Gollum" and caught site of the white haired boy struggliing to get to his staff, which was actually interesting to the Namekian. The Emerald Fiend had to test his new found power. He wanted to see if he was faster then he had been, and finally accepted the rush of strength the Orgosynth had been wanting to give him.

Retane felt a little tingle where the symbiote rested, and could swear it felt as if it dug just a little bit deeper. Almost instantly, it was as if a surge of evergy pumped through his veins. He dashed them, out of the bushes he had been crouched in with a low snarl, aiming for the exact spot he planned to be. The Emerald Fiend made it and rose from his crouch, just in time, with a forearm up to render the assault useless.

The unseen figure cackled and carried on for a few more moments until the Namekian shoved a fist into where the predators chest should be. Taking the hit, caused the invisable figure to appear, and fly back in pain; Or Retane assumed it was pain, it could have been shock of the blow.

The Emerald Fiend popped his next as his target rolled around and got to his feet struggled to get to all fours in a crouch. The eyes were bulbous and it's skin was a pale-ish, white/green? It looked slightly moist, almost as if grabbing himwould be a pointless as if he would slip free. The figure had rotten, but sharp yellow teeth. He didn't look happy to see his quest for dinner distured either.

The Namekian lowered his hood and looked back at the white haired human, who seemed nervous. The stranger looked confused then offered a friendly smile. Retane just looked deep into the eyes of this person, he saw that the person was nervous, there was a pain deepwithin, but he seemed more innocent then anything. The Emerald Feind bit back his sub-thoughts and simply asked, "Are you ok?"

After a few moments of taking in the words, the stranger nodded and pulled himself to his feet and even offered his hand., "Yeah, I am Jack. Jack Frost."

The Feral Warrior saw the hand and looked at the huffing and angry creature from across from him, who had gathered his club. "Well I'll let you get back to your altercation with this thing, Jack. I assume you two can swing at each other now that you both have your sticks. I'll be going. Pretty sure you can handle yourself here. That or get eaten."

The Namekian turned back to the direction in which he had come. He had been unimpressed by the two and let out a sigh as he headed off. Deep down inside he had thought that this one had reminded him of someone. He wasn't sure who, but whoever it had been, he seemed to change his mind as Jack had spoke.

The Emerald Warrior jumped back, suddenly, after only taking a few steps as a wall of ice appeared before him. His fingers tightened into fists and he almost looked back till he watched a small line of arrows go 'thwack' and embedded into the ice, nearly an inch deep.. Retane looked back to see that Jack was still there a slight smile still on his face, though it was more nervous. His scepter had been stuck into the ground and it actually glowed the same hue as the ice that had stopped the arrows.

"Did you... Just?" Retane let out a growl.

"Sorry, I am a Guardian. It's my job." Jack Frost gave a shrug, but started to offer a bigger smile, but when an orb of energy formed in the Namek's hand the Guardian through up his staff to block.

The Emerald Warrior noticed what the Guardian had did but Retane had a different destination. His orb of energy hit another wooden weapon, the club aiming at Frost's head for a second time. The Green Warrior followed up fast with a second aiming at 'Gollum's ' ankle.

There was a screaming cough as the sneak assualt was actually haulted and the squirmy, thin creature went flying away.

Retane looked through the ice and it was almost like binoculars. He first noted that the arrows were crude and black. He saw a battle in the trees begin to transpire. What had he stumbled into? He pulled the cowl back over his head and looked toward Jack who was actually genueinly confused. "Do you know anything about this? Are you bait or something?"

The Guardian threw his hands up in sincere confusion, "I promise. I don't know why I was summoned here. The Man on the Moon and Omni decided I would be brought here to the Omniverse. All I did was smell a flower my sister would have loved. I didn't mean any harm."

Retane felt his arm burning where the sigil was. "Arith to me", Retane hollered to his back.

Something had happened and the Namekian was unsure what it was. He thought about resummoning his only true comrade, but, Arith came into view as he dashed through the brush. The Lythian cocked his head at the wall between him and the Namek. As he got closer, Arith simply leapt high, and used his sabers to finish scaling the unnatural blue wall.

He was no longer in his black cloak, and his weapons seemed to have freash blood on them. The Champion of Lythian looked down towards his comrade, then turned a "Man, It's a war up here. Do I kill the gremlins, or the humans and elves?"

Retane looked back to Jack, "Who shot the arrows?"

Frost looked shocked and confused still trying to grasp what all was going on., "The-the green ones."

The Emerald Fiend shouted back and asked where the other two of his party where. "Elves and humans have them captured. They thought they were going to catch me. Damned fools don't know who I am. No one is going to catch me."

Arith looked up in time to cut a flying arrow, "If you ask me, now is a good time to bring Inirtias, or Ashlon. Because I think we could really use some help here. Onsecond thought, Raze would be nice and we could kill them all."
-
The Emerald Fiend looked back to Jack Frost, towards where Gollum should have been and then back up to the Lythian and beyond to the ruckus that he couldn't make out clearly. The Namekian tried to decide his next move, but everything was happening so fast. The Namekian closed his eyes. He needed to focus. They were either in the middle or involcved in some conflict, and he didn't have the answers. He clinched his fist in annoyance and the Orgosynth on his back shuddered with excitement.

They would fight. It was obvious, but who?

The Namek felt a pair of eyes looking back at him, the spot where the Sigil of Lythia was marked, had started to tingle as well. He saw it in his mind, the shadow mist. It was urging to come forth. The eyes were blue; Deep Blue. Te fog drifted downward, from the cloud that it had had the eyes, and soon began to take the shape of a humanoid. Still, the actual image was unclear. Retane tried to focus on the Lythian, but he couldn't form him in his mind.

"He's an Elf" Arith was shouting from somewhere off in the distance."Imagine Enroshia but slightly shorter, silver hair pointed ears. Tends to like green. Usually wears a cloak. Carries a bow. Yeah THat it right there."

As Retane listend, his mind molded the figure into the Lythian companion. The Namekian opened his eyes and saw the image he created staring at him. He was still in shadow mist form though, still the figure seemed rather calm, more calm then Arith had been at least, "What is my name?"

The Horseman blinked confused for a few moments as the gentle voice spoke again, "To summon me, you must know my name. This all seemed urgent, so calm down and just say my name."

The Namekian furrowed his brow in annoyance. It bothered him that he wasn't calm, but still it ate at him more that he was told to calm down. The symbiote was distracting him, being active and not being used. He'd have to learn to control it. The Emerald Warrior took in a breath, and remembered. It was either Inirtias, Ashlon, or Raze. Arith and Enroshia had mentioned the first two, and he assumed that Raze was probably more like Arith himself. So it was down to Inirtias and Ashlon.

The Horseman just did what he always did, he trusted his insticts, "Inirtias." The shadow mist vanished and there stood the real one. The elf had a bow and quiver of arrows strapped to his back. The only other weapon he owned, was a short dagger tucked into his belt almost actually in the shape of an arrow. He wore a green cloak with a weird insignia for it's clasp.

Before anything else could be said though, an arrow sunk through the meat of the Emerald Feind's left bicep. It was again black and crude. The elf responded in turn as the arrow had barely missed his own head. He whipped around, kneeling and dropping his bow and swinging it to his forearm and reaching for his own brown arrow. He took aim and fired, dropping a slightly smaller green being. Retane knew then why he had called them gremlins; The Lythian called anything green a gremlin.

"Goblins in the trees, elves and humans as well. Humans and elves fighting the goblins-"

"Gremlins" Arith shouted.

Inrtias could only shake his head and actually offer a quick smile then regain focus, "Are you and Arith planning on going up there? I can offer you cover from down here. But I would be careful, you are kind of an outcast in this battle and I'm not sure if you have any allies up there."

Retane realized that the Lythian was talking to him and looked up from staring at the black arrow, "Who shot this at me?"

"Goblins. It's rough and barely made it through. Though an elf is usually a better shot and would have killed you. If you are willing to risk it, go on up there with that arrow as is. Maybe it will identify you as an ally if thats what you want." Inirtias still remained calm as he kept his bow dancing around with a readied shot. "I'll cover you."

Retane felt like taking vengance on his attackers and leapt up to the ice beside Arith, who's head bounced and bopped trying to keep up with the action. "The blood on your sabers?"

The Dragon Warriior looked over at him and nodded, "Gremlin."

Retane only nodded and looked up into the air, it was then that his eyes caught sparks from down to below. The Namek saw something strange as he watched about ten goblins run out of an area nearly bent over carring a lit fuse stuck deep within a gorge. They were sneering and laughing and the Emerald Warrior did the only thing he could do. He grabbed Arith and shouted at the top of his lungs., "Watch out!!!"

The Namekian and the Lythian hit the ground in crouched, defensive, positions as the explosions began to happen. Trees fell in all direstions, the ice wall shattered, and debris kicked up. Still there were cries of war in the distance. The tree's, however, fell backways away from the center of event; Collapsing other trees onto other trees until the outer most region leaned on their treefolk brothren for support.

As the dust settled the Namekian could only look around. Arith, Inrtias, and Jack stood there in a clearing, nearby a path. Gollum wasn't around and they were surrounded by battle. Then the warrior remembered, "Sverit, Gulish, where were they?"

[Jack Frost]

"Watch out", The grouchy stranger had called out.

He watched as the kamikaze goblins ran in specific directions and crouched low in the same manner as Arith, Inirtias, and their leader did. He peaked through his fingers and watched the explosion. He let a a sigh as he saw his wall get taken out and had to close his eyes as even the his own ice started to pelt him.

It was over just as it started and the terrain had changed. Instantly, he glanced at where he had seen Gollum wind up at, and then looked to the flower that had caused it all. It wasn't where it initially was, but, was still nearby. Also nearby it, was a human. It was a female. she was dressed in dark green colors. And she was actually looking at the 'snow lilly'. She seemed sad. It was obvious it would die soon since it no longer had roots and was just laying there from its unrooted tree.

She caught Jack staring at her and dashed away. He blinked for a few seconds and looked around him. The others were recovering from the explosion. He wanted to ask where or how the one called Inirtias had come from, but he also felt like he was an outsider. He didn't feel like waiting and asking though. He heard the unnamed green figure ask about 'Sverit and Gulish', but he ignored it.

He walked over to the flower; the 'snow lilly'. He grabbed it and plucked it from the limb it was connected to. He gave a sniff once again and it still smelled of soft fresh snow. It made him smile. Frost then took his time. He held it in one hand while concentrating on Savior in the other. He forced ice to form around it to the point it wouldn't be damaged. She must have appreciated it too, he thought.

If he could find her again again, he would give it to her he decided. If he never found her agian; He had it for himself. He knew what she looked like. She had black hair that had two locks falling across her face, and the back was shaped up with the bottom half of it being blonde.

"So do you guard all life, or just make walls of ice and freeze flowers?"

Jack looked back to see the green guy standing behind him. He felt awkward, but responded in kind, "Do you take arrows to the shoulder, and make people out of nowhere? Or do you know whats going on?"

[Retane]

"They were that way." The Lythian pointed. " They had been tied up and captured. They were ensared by multiple bolas. One of the elves came at me along with a few gremlins. We fought, I dug my blades into the gremlins and fled. They tried to catch me but I'm good at what I do."

"If my kinfolk caught them, they won't kill them. They will keep them for interrogation or let them go once things are figured out. However, I dont know if they anticipated this kind of catastophe or not. " It was Inirtias that hollered out his answer as he looked around.

Retane turned his attention to the Guardian as he saw movement. The wite haired human had still remained. His wall of ice had been shattered, but his attention wasn't about the battle going on. He was looming in the direction of another female, but the Namekian also saw that she was sniffing the same flower that had set everything into motion. The Emerald Warrior had begun to understand that they were in the middle of a battle that didn't really include them, but still they were now a part of it since they were there.

Plus he had already been shot in the shoulder. He was Retane, the Leader of The Horsemen. If it was a fight near his new home, then he figured now was a good time to make a name for himself. But first he had to understand what was going on with the Guardian.

As the female sniffed the flower she almost smiled. She glanced up and saw Jack staring at her and looked worried. It was then that she took off away from them. Frost moved onward, towards the white flower. The Namek watched as the human sn bent down, sniffed it and plucked it. He saw the ice barrier he encased the flower in.

Retane wanted to be angry. How could someone do such a thing in the middle of a battle? But at the same time, he respected it. That flower meant something to Jack, and the Guardian had took the time to preserve it. Still The Namekian moved behind him and looked down. "So do you guard all life, or just make walls of ice and freeze flowers?"

Jack's eyes jerked in his direction and he seemed flushed for a moment but within moments smarted off, "Do you take arrows to the shoulder, and make people out of no where? Or do you know what's going on?"

The Emerald Feind stared Jack in the eyes. It was only for a moment, then the Namek had to look away. There was so much power there. So much innosence and determiation. There was pain. there as well. There was also happiness too. It all seemed so familiar to him.

"He's not Tapion", He heard from behind him. Arith and Inirtias were both there. It was the Champion of Lythia that had spoke. The Elf had his bow at the ready looking in the opposite direction.

Retane wanted to say something, he didn't know what but wanted to speak. Still arith had stole his gusto. Had he really thought this guy to be like Tapion? A member of the Horsemen he cared so much about? The Emerald Fiend's memory wasn't there, but he remembered the flashbacks he had. He shuddered after a few moments and looked around. The battles were converging on the center again

"Look", The Namekian growled, "This is simple. Stay here and protect your flower. Or bring it along and come with us. But we are going that way. I don't think you have anything to do with this, and I'd hate to find you dead later on. But I have two others I have to track down on my team."

Arith couldn't help himself and bent over and leaned in Inirtias' ear, "Retane stole my 'Come with me if you want to die speech.'"

The elf almost face palmed but he was use to Arith's antics and just fired off a few shots. It hit a few goblins, but still therewere many more converging. "I can assure you that theres some trickery affot and that staying in this position is not good. We should get moving, because someone has a battle strategy that makes this advantagous as as the goblins made this happen, staying here makes it seems like it may be on their side."

The Horsemen nodded and didn't hesitate. He was off in the direction of his other two comrades. The two Lythians followed suit and it was only then that the Namekian looked back and called to the Guardian, "Are you coming or are you just going to hang around and see what happens?"

Jack muttered something and shrugged and started towards them. The Namek wouldn't admit it, but he was glad. He wasn't going to let his conscience eat at him for leaving the Guardian behind.

Inirtias caught up with Retane in his sprint, while Arith held back, holding up the rear with Jack.

"So you met Enroshia? And you were Marked by him? And your First Lythian was Arith? How fun was that?" Inirtias asked calmly as he tried to keep stride with Retane.

"Yes. But just don't put him on an elevator. " The Namekian tried to make a joke though he wasn't sure it had got through. "I don't know how to explain it, but the guy is weird. But well strange. He says he does it on purpose. But Enroshia shared my past with him and he wont tell me it. So I don't know. I am suppose to trust you guys but alot of things don't make sense to me still."

"Oh. Well Arith is Enroshia's Champion. No one besides Arith could ever challenge Enroshia in battle. Myself, Ashlon, Raze, Gromsor. Only one with the skill and ability was Arith. His loyalty is to Enroshia and since you have the Mark, to you. You have me here though, but because I am it weakens him. This place doesn't do us justice. But we are loyal to you as we would be to Enroshia. We don't have to be. But we promised to true Enroshia, and the end game is getting home."

"I understand that already, but you and Ashlon were the top two that were mentioned. Arith suggested I summon you , him or Raze." The Emerald Warrior was calm then while he tried to understand.

"To see Raze and Arith in battle, its like a dance of death. Put them in the middle of a fight and watch saber and knuckleblade spill blood. But Arith has proved himself even better then that. He has earned the titles of Storm Rider and even Storm Runner. That means he comes and rides the storm, or runs with it. I remember watching him on a horse running those drow down. His blades were magic and it was like he inspired those that followed him. "

Retane glanced back at the Champion of Lythia who still ran along side Jack frost. They both seemed to share a laugh. "So elves? You are one?"

"Enroshia is too; Moon Elf, and Drow mixed. Not by choice. But it is something you can't decide. " Inirtias decided to drop the subject then and there. "I can help you summon Ashlon, Raze and Gromsor, at almost any time. But to be honest, the answer is you need to get stronger. Arith, isn't as dumb as he looks. I am elven and Ashlon may as well be. We both almost can control Enroshia. Only Enroshia can handle Arith. But to see you and him cliquing? I am amazed."

"I don't know my past. Arith does, because Enroshia shared it with him."The Emerald Fiend was annoyed when he spoke

"Arith doesn't know your past. He only knows what Enroshia left for him. And I know it as well. Just call it fate. Live a litte. You have to get stronger. Tapion was then. Maybe Jack Frost is Now? You haven't killed him and you tried to act tough towards him when you shouldn't have."

"He protected me from being shot by a few arrows. I had saved him from dying and being eaten. What does it matter? " Retane just spoke low and calm towards his new commrade.

"I saw the way you looked at him. I also know how you felt towards Tapion. I know what you want." Inirtias threw his arms up in the air. "Impress me here and now, like Enroshia would do and I will allow you a choice."

Retane glanced at the elf for a moment. He was starting to hate this game. "You wan me to impress you like a guy I dont know, and you will give me a choice? You know I am really tired of these games."

The elf shrugs, "Don't impress me, and I wipe my mind and Arith's of all those memories you wish to desire"

"That's a bit screwed up." It was Jack Frost that had spoke up from behind them.

[Jack Frost]

"Thats a bit screwed up."

Jack had heard their conversation the entire time. Him and Arith had been behind and Arith had looked at him and said, "Just act like we are talking. It'll make us look important."

The two had never said another word to each other but slowly sped up to keep up with the two in front of them. They actually remained in ear shot the entire time, and Jack had to really wonder about this Tapion figure. Had this Retane actually been that infatuated with someone? Jack glanced at the snow lilly and could only think about Annabelle and the girl he had just seen.

"How is it a bit screwed up" Inirtias asked. "I offered him a chance to make a choice or to free ourselves of this burden so it doesn't persist to distract him. He will either do it or won't. Simple enough."

"Still isn't it a bit messed up to put someone on the spot like that?" The Guardian seemed uneasy and confused.

Inirtias looked back at him, "Probably, but it's for him to make a choice. He can do it and try, or not. It is for me to be loyal to him, but I want to see what kind of person he actually is. From what I have seen, I am still unconvinced. Maybe he needs to go a different route. however, only time will tell. I am here for a reaosn. Let me figure out why."

"And you expect me to just go along with all this?" Jack Frost had an uneasy feeling. It just bothered him about the whole tihng.

"Well as it seems, you also have a choice. You have to partake in this journey or figure out things on your own, by yourself as well. Good luck with that." The elf was blunt, but still his voice seemed genuine.

Jack thought about it for a moment and through his hands up." I guess."

[Retane]

Predators rely on their insticts and strengths to be just what they are... Predators. They are territorial and eliminate those that threaten their dominion. But a predator can also be prey, out in the wilderness, only the strongest survive...

The Emerald Fiend glanced back at the others for only a second before he sped ahead. Retane needed to think, and all the talking was starting to annoy him. He wasn't sure if it was the orgosynth was fueling his drive towards anger, or if he was generally like this. He remembered that he had felt emotion, anger, sadness, pain, and other feelings before he had chose to wear the symbiote. Perhaps it was everything going on at once that was blocking his thought process. The Namekian couldn't be sure. For now he would allow his instincts to guide him.

As the Emerald Warrior was alone and further ahead, he calmed himself. Although the urge for battle pulsated inside himself, he had time to prepare himself for what might come next. He let his mind settle on everything that had transpired and had to chuckle to himself in a mocking tone, "Impress you? What is this? Some kind of test? Do you really think your tests matter to me?"

Retane laughed even louder as he thought more on the words, "I am not here to impress you. My mission now is to show these fools that The Horsemen are here. To show them that I have come. "

The Namekian had come to the jungle to make his home. Deep down inside he knew he would feel at home here because of his heritage and their attunement towards nature. It also intrigued his sense of adventure and the possible chance of honing his skills and becoming even stronger. Here there were predators and there were prey. THe Emerald Fiend would show them that it was a Namekian that ruled this jungle.

Unlike the Empire, there were no cameras to watch him, no one to watch his every move. Just a natural habitat to sate his lust. The symbiote didn't affect nor cause these those feelings, but the Namek felt that it did enjoy them.

The Emerald Warrior moved forward at his fastest speed. The Namekian couldn't allow himself to lose two comrades. He had spared them, and allowed them to walk away, but they had chosen to follow him. He wouldn't allow them to go to their death. If they were dead, then all elves would share their wounds, and if another creature was found responsible for the prisoners of war, not directly involved in this war, then they would die as well. Retane was sure of himself of this.

It was then that his eyes saw a group ahead. As Retane neared, he caught sight of about fifteen off-green creatures with crude weapons surrounding a smaller gathering. The aggressors were goblins, he figured. The Green warrior charged on though, he needed a better few and even sped up.

Encircled, were a count of seven; Two elves, brandishing swords; Three humans, one with two swords, another with knuckleblades, and the third was bent down with a scroll opened infron of him.; The other two were his comrades, Sverit and Gulish. The siblings were bound and helpless, their weapons and equipment had been stripped and piled up nearby. Retane felt he understood and respected the elves and humans position, but as those were his comrades, he hated to see them unable to protect themselves, especially when the others were outnumbered three to one.

Retane lglanced at, and snarled at the black arrow that had rested in his shoulder. Perhaps it would make an impact at gaining some allies, he thought, or be an intimidating factor at the very least, and slashed a light cut at his cloak. He cast away the garment so that his dark green and red camoflauge clothing showed and the crude arrow stuck out his shoulder. He would bare the pain a few more moent he decided. He charged to energy orbs in his hands then and fired at the outer circle, then fired two more just to make sure he made his point.

As the orbs hit their marks on time and exploded, there where calls of confusion. The Emerald Warrior reached the brink of the explosion, which had kicked up a cloud of debris in the area. He lepft up into the air and with a flip and a well aimed guess landed where he wanted.

The cloud of dust was settling, but he could see the prone shadows of his comrades. The Namekian bent low and whispered into one ear and then into the other, "I am here. Not now but when the time is right, protect yourselves."

With his words he slashed the cords that bound them. No matter what they would need to try and relax their muscles, though would still be slow to react. Retane stood up then, as the cloud finally vanished. Two orbs of energy had been called forth to rest between his green fingers.

The goblins, elves and humans were disoriented and dumbfounded. It was the goblins that spoke in a weird languange calling and pointing at him that caused the other five to glance back. Their reactions were of simple confusion and they didn't know whether to be worried about Retane, or those surrounding him.

The Emerald Fiend knew he would make an impact, this way and knew he would cause some confusion, still he wanted to test this arrow idea out, "I'm glad that you have kept my friends safe, though, I am trying to figure out why you would bound them and leave them alive and defenseless when you are outnumbered?" The Namekian let his words sink in for a moment. "They have done nothing to you and are with me-"

"Damned you orc scum", One of the elves called out as he slashed at Retane. The Horsemen saw the attack coming and bent low in a spinning motion, coming around and bringing his foot up to connect with the elf's hand. The blade flew off and to the side. It spun and planted deep into the skull one unexpected globlin.

There was silence and the imp fell back towards its death. As the green body hit the ground, all eyes turned back to the namek. Retane let his eyes scour scross the visages of all those around him. Anger, panic, shock, confusion; They were all portrayed and then some. Retane only smiled a wicked grin, "You're move. Any that try to attack me or my comrades, will fall here, and I will see to it that all your other friends follow you as a consequence to you. Let it be on your consceince"

Again, more silence, but the Emerald Warrior could see he had hurt the elf's pride. The eyes, sometimes, were windows to the soul, and his soul betrayed him that next moment as he reached for a hiden dagger and tried again. The chorded muscles of Retane flexed as he kicked up and slammed a knee into the jaw of the agressor. As the Namekian took to the air a black javelin flew passed him in a wild miss. The Emerald Fiend glanced down as he began his decent. He loosed his two orbs at two different green brutes and drove a foot down ontop of another.

Four goblins had fallen, along with an elf, the namek counted as he glanced at the body behind him and the two lifeless corpses that had burn marks on their faces. Again, theses were weak warriors. He thought about giving another warning, but decided agaisnt as everyone broke out into a scuffle. The human's and hellions started at each other and the second elf charged Retane from behind. Sverit and Gulish rolled away, avoiding combat and toward their gear.

The namekian caught site of the silver haired fighter just in time to throw up an arm to take the hit and gash through his forearm. While the blade sat embedded into his limb, The Horseman launched his free arm into elf's chest sending him back. The Namekian knew he wouldn't be back in this fight anymore. He saw the humans struggling against the goblins, and his comrades still reaching for their arms. THe Namekian had told them to protect themselves, not to kill so they were fine for now.

Three human targets and eleven goblins still remained. The humans were ok, until they crossed the line. The elves were the ones that had bound his comrades, they deserved their fate. Retane took one hand and reached behind his back,and the other at the front, snapping the head off the arrow and yanking it out with a low grunt. The warrior didn't hesitate and stabbed the nearest victim with the shaft and launched the head into the mouth of another screaming imp. Nine goblins remaned.

The humans were outnumbered then as he realized that one was still bent over the scrolls of weird inked parchment. The swordwielder and being with the knuckle blades were actually doing their best to protect him. Six were on them, and his comrades had their little bit of gear armed and ready, but hey held off. The Namekian Warrior had to smirk a bi, as he had intrsucted them to protect themselves. Not anyone else.

The Emerald Feind turned back and dodged the trifecta of assualted with a spinning feint. He twisted himself and let the trio clang their weapons together and spread his arms wide, clasping and brining two of their skulls together in a solid thud and slight squich of flesh. THe third studd there and blinked as his comrades dropped to the ground. Retane only took the moment to grab the goblins skull and bash the namek's own cranium agaisnt it, in a solid headbutt.

All that remained were the three humans and six goblins that were in contestant. from the side Sverit called out, "Watch it Retane, those are ninja. They are skilled in fighting"

Ninja? Skilled in fighting? They weren't doing it right. The namekian moved in and wrapped his hands around another imp and with a quick snatch, severed the spine. The body dropped and would soon be done with it's life. It got the attention of the others and the knuckleblade ninja let out a whisper, " I am pretty sure this guy is neither of goblin or orc made..."

A goblin next to Retane barked something in his own language and the namekian couldn't help but render him voiceless with a slash. THe namekian thought he had made his point and even took the time to watch the creature's blackish blood spill onto the soil.

He watched, then, as a shadow jumped above him with a flip and swung a weapon at his head. The Emerald Warrior caught the bluish glow in the sunlight and realized that the swing wasn't aimed at him, but had deflected a crude blade from coming at his own throat.

Retane was spent. He maybe had one more trick up his sleeve, but still he needed some help. He hadn't seen his comrade since they had split up. They knew it was risky but this is what they lived for. They were The Horsemen. Still, this target was faster then he was and the Emerald Warrior was getting tired. He was suppose to have finished this battle and his target and been there to help his friend. He could not fail him. He refused to. He let out a growl as he rose from his kneeling and moving to let out a snarl till he saw the sharp knife coming at his throat. He was screwed. It was too fast,

A sword cut the killing blade in half. It was the Brave Sword that made the sing. The Namekian knew who weilded the Brave Sword, Tapion. The Mohekian landed with ease and cast a flash of a smile then turned to a stern look, "Seems the intel was screwed up. Don't you hate it when it happens?"

"Seems to be happening a lot lately", Retane barked, "Minoshia would kill me if I let you die."

"Hah! You would let my brother kill you? We are the Horsemen, but you care more about me then my brother. We all know this." The Mohekian laughed.

"I don't care. I promised I would keep an eye on you. It's a promise I have tried to keep...." Retane spoke.

'Yeah in the Abyss you lost it and ascended. I know how much you care for me. You dont have to admit it. I wouldn't let you die if could help it either." The Konat winked as he called upong his own powers.

The namek snapped to, as he had the instant flashback. In front of him, was the white haired human, Jack. Frost offered a light smile, though he was nervous. Retane staired him in the eyes for a few seconds, and glanced behind in the direction he had come from. The Lythians were slow and he had rushed to get here. THe Namekian didn't know what to do or think.

[Jack Frost]

Jack had rushed ahead, trying to keep up with the

"Tapion..." Retane muttered as he looked on at Jack.

"Nope, sorry, Jack Frost. But if you want me to be that guy, I can try to be." Jack threw up his hands in a frown, but still offered a weak smile.

"Heh, no. No one could ever be Tapion." Retane was honest it seemed.

"Yeah, but from what I understand, you need some help. I am a Guardian and I think I was sent here to guard you. " Jack threw his hands up in a confused look with Savior in tow.

"Guard me? Do you think you are able to do such a thing?" The namek barked in defiance.

"I just did. "Jack glanced around then, and looked back at the namek. "Although, it looks like you did most of the work."

Jack had noticed that only four goblins remained as well as three ninja. The other neanderthals were either dead, or dying and the two elves were unmoving and out of the fight. The Guardian wasn't sure if he was cut out for this, but he had to play the cards he was dealt. He rubbed at the spot on the head where he was struck before. It was almost healed. So he was find. He grinned then as he had a few tricks still up his sleeve.

Retane only grunted at him and swung a punch into another green creature's face. The goblin flew back and it's body rolled lifelessly on the ground. The remaining three goblins took notice and realized then that they were outnumbered. Retane took notice and formed two orbs in his hands. He let out a slow grunt as he thrust them at the backs of two of the the neanderthals, and formed another and launched it at the last. They screamed and fell, breathing their last breaths as the attacks hit head, neck and spine.

"Kind of brutal wasn't that", Jack asked. "I mean, they were fleeing."

Retane looked back at him and stared, "Fleeing, but they would come back with more. This seems like a war. I don't think the intimidation factor would have worked with such fools."

"He's right", The man with the knuckle blades spoke, lowering his weapons and motioning for the sword wielder to do the same. The female with the parchment still remained on her knees concentrating.

"These goblins and orcs only live for themselves. They only live to feed and kill. It is there way. " The ninja spoke, "But I can't figure you out. You are green, but you are alot diferent. And I dont tihnk you are even linked to the few intelligant tribes. You are different."

"I am a Namek. These are no kinfolk of mine." Retane seemed offended and annoyed by the accusation."

"Kinfolk? So there are others? You're a Prime aren't you?" The ninja asked as he put a cigarette in his lips and lit it.

" I am too", Jack took his turn to speak up, "Though it's all a bit confusing to me still. "

"Oh, I am sure it is, it's been years since the scramble and Omni still keeps bringing more in." The knuckle blade weilder stated as he puffed on the stick of tobacco.

"We have incoming; A wave of elves, ninja, and goblins as well as a two party group which I cant get a fix on. Seems this battle is about to end here and now." It was the ninja bent down over the scroll that spoke. "Airyonna is leading our party"

"It's about time she decided to appear." The other Ninja spoke as he took another puff.

It was then that, Jack looked around and saw the three groups converging on their spot. In front of the ninja he saw the girl in the front. She was the one with a black hair with the back half being blonde. Frost didn't know what to do. He reached for the frozen rose stuck in the back of his belt. "Airyonna..."

[Retane]

Ninja, elves, and goblins converged on their spot. Arith and Inirtias also, were in sight. The Horseman a took a breath and looked at the ninja behind him, "This looks like it's going to be bad, If I kill your people for attacking me, how will the others respond?"

"Exactly like you presume. They will try to kill you. So you will have to kill them as well. But I don't feel like that happening. How about I have Alaina cast a jutsu on you four that will have you marked as allies" The ninja stated. "That will stop Airyonna from killing you, maybe. But attacking and and hurting any of the ninja or elves could be bad, even if Alaina manages to send a message throughout the groups."

"Alaina?" The Emerald Warrior glanced at the woman knelt down at the scroll was that the one the Ninja was talking about? Or was it the sword weilder?

"Yeah", The most verbal ninja stated as he motioned to the one knoelt down. "She's skilled in a few special jutsu's that allow her do such thing as well as a few other tricks."

Retane took the words in and had to let out a smirk that threw them all off, "So, if I walked out in that direction, and obliterated all the goblins it might makes things a bit easier?" The namekian's energy showed then, in a dark red and black mixture. There was an aura surrounding him and even Jack reached out to touch him to make sure he wasn't seeing things. It was harmless but the ground beneath The Horseman began to quake and kick up as his ki licked up at the sky.

"I don't think that's.... what.. I said", The ninja murmured with a cautious eye.

The Emerald Fiend let out a laugh and glanced towards Jack, " I'm about to go ahead and see if I can end this battle here an now. But, I want you to do me a favor and guard my comrades in case anything happens. You say you think you are here to guard me, so lets see. Oh and don't worry about Iirtias and Arith, they can handle their own, or die. It's what they were meant to do."

Retane stepped away then as Jack, and even the ninja, scoffed and tried to create sentences that simply fell on daf ears. He took a step in the direction of the horde of neanderthals, then another and another. The Emerald Warrior took a long deep breath and then exhaled a roar, "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-"

The namekian tried to concentrate as he powered up using his lungs to represent and release the tension his body felt as he asceneded in strength. His muscles flexed as he stepped forward and his energy pulsed with in him. His hands filled with green energy as he let his strength level out. He felt the orgosynth trying it's hardest to keep up, but it still fed off of his agression. The Namekian lowed himself then as his aura flared and the energy in his palms grew slightly.

The Emerald Fiend had a nasueating feeling that this was not his first time doing this, but again he felt like this was going to be the greatest way to finish this before it got too ugly. That, or it was going to paint a huge target on his back, and then it would just get interesting. Retane took in one more breath and settled himself. He was getting ansy to see what kind of damage he could do. His eyes set upon the hands of energy and he let out a slight grin.

"So do you ever stop and think about the people you've killed?", Tapion was leaning agasint a large obelisk looking at the Brave Sword he held in his hands. " I mean, I know you have killed plenty of people, probably even many whose faces you have never seen. Do you ever have any regret for doing it?"

Retane had been staring off into the horizon. They had just saw to it that every warrior on the battlefeild had ceased to live. They were paid for it and promised a difficult time. This seemed more like a walk in the prak for the two. Now, the Konat was asking him deep thinking questions. He seemed to have the words that would always hit him hard, but he wouldn't let it show. The namek let the mohekian think he hadn't heard him for a few moment's then looked down at a body nearby.

"Sometimes", he answered after a few moments thoughts, "I'm namkeian, remember? It's hard not for me to think about things and my actions. You have to realize, that I have killed many and saved many. Like here. We have ended a war and saved extinction, or even worst, the slavery of a race. Hopefully they can resolve their issues and learn to work together now. If not then we tried and we got paid. On to bigger and better things."

"Oh come off it. You don't do it for the money; you do it for the challenge. And is it right to kill all these people? Wasn't there another way?" Tapion threw his sword across his back.

"Couldn't find one. These guys signed up for the risk of dying. Just like we signed up for dying by the risk of failure. None of them got to live though, because it removes all threats of either side having an army." The namekian took a few seconds to think and shrugged, "Sometimes you have to make touch choices..."

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-' The Emerald Fiend thrust one hand forward, then the other, pulling back and letting lose orb of energy after orb of energy. His barrage of energy hit hellion after hellion, some missing and kicking up dust and debri intotheir eyes. Still he fired on , in his barrage assault. He had chose to use the move dubbed the Scatter Shot. It was suppose to be a machine gun like volleyof fierce power agaisnt those in the air but on the ground, it had a bit more suceess as it was easier to avoid the ground in it's radius. It however, didn't stop him from haulting the charge of the three sides as their were all hindered from sight., and possibly his show of power

He pumped his arms in rapid suscession, releasing a huge amount of power but had to stop as he felt his power draining. Sweat beaded his brow and started to pour down into his eyes. He felt the fatigue coming on and launched a final blast and collapse to a knee. He was tired, but couldn't help but grin. He glanced up as he caught his breath, looking on, waiting for the dust to settle. As it did though, he was more then a little surprised.

The Emerald Warrior had been all but surrounded. The only opening was infront of him, to let him see the carnage he had created. He saw the black blood and unmoving burnt corpses. If any had fled, he didn't know. Retane stood then and looked left, then right. Jack, Arith Inirtias, Sverit, Gulish and the three ninja he hadn't killed were ar his rear. Ninja were on his right with the elves on his left.

Airyonna stepped forward, with a the crowd murmuring. Retane locked eyes with her and she seemed annoyed, "Who are you and who do you think you are getting involved here? You just killed them all. Why?"

"Retane of The Horsemen. You should know the name because I am here to stay. and I killed them because it seemed like it would end this battle. I saved you many lives lost here, I don't see the issue.Plus, they shot me first." The Emerald Fiend pointed at the wound in his arm then looked around and heard mumurs among the crowd. "This is my home now. Anyone that gets in my way can die as well."

The two elves that the Namekian Warrior had 'made fall', had stirred and were talking hostily in their language.

The Horsemen looked on at the lead ninja, and grinned. She snarled and charged she pulled out two sai's and aimed for the namek's chest. Retane responded with a risky move. He looked left as if intrigued by sometihng then and his chest wide open, faking a chance. He looked back at last moment and palmed the point of the three pronged weapon. The center blade peirced his palm, however Frost appeared with his staff, and froze around the second sai that the namek was gonna catch and put towards her throat.

"STOP!!!"Jack's yell was loud and it haulted alot of commotion.

The namekian looked down at the small wall that the Guardian had created and was annoyed as it hindered his main trick.. The Emerald Fiend closed his fingers around the sai, and yanked it out of the konouchi's hand, then pulled it out with his free hand. His purple blood dripped from a clinched fist with a hole in the palm. Retane finally looked at Jack who had a weird visage. It was that look that actually reminded him of his old friend and it made The Horseman pause for a second, "I'm sorry..."

He snapped back to himself as he saw Arith pacing around in his golden armor. He didn't have his saber's, but it was obvious he planned to hurt someone if they came up agressive. Inirtias was there, speaking a languange he didn't know trying to calm down the other elves. The Lythian was most likely explaining everything and even though the two previous hotheads kept shouting angrily. It was obvious they were mad they had been bested, but should be lucky they were alive. The Emerald Warrior thought so, at least. Still, he was tired.

"Aryonna, stand down for once. He helped us. He's a Prime. He's actually honorable... I think."

The konouchi looked towards the knuckle blade ninja and barked, "So you, Asuma, would ally with this orc-swine?"

Asuma tucked away his blades and lit another cigarette. "He hasn't killed us? He didn't kill those two elves. He was about to wreck your day till 'Ice Boy' showed up and stopped him. This wasn't our objective, remember. We were here to catch that slippery bastard. Seems we failed."

[Jack Frost]

The Guardian stood back, a bit surprised from the sheer power that the namek had released. He remembered thinking that perhaps he didn't needed a guardian after all. But Jack was wrong. He watched the altercation between Retane and Airyonna start. The konouchi seemed annoyed to have Retane interfere. Maybe she felt inferior? Jack wasn't sure but her facial expression didn't seem all to happy, "This isn't going to go good is it?"

"I doubt it". Asuma started, " Airyonna's strong and hard headed, and while intelligent she can let her mouth overload her ass. It seem's like your friend is a bit stronger, though and she wont like that. No matter what she's going to think about the village first and he's green. Obviously theres a predujice agasint orcs and goblins between elves and ninja. They repopulate like rabbits and are all about destruction and just cause a lot of problems. Oh shit! She's going to go after him, and it looks like he's going to kill her. Fuck Airyonna! Why!?!"

Frost looked on and couldn't beleive that he was right. Jack gripped Savior and ran forward. The ninja called after him and he heard Arith laugh, "There he goes."

Jack had to beat the konouchi and namek to the punch. He had to stop this from happening. This was going to lead to too much unneeded bloodshed. The Guardian was close and almost there. Retane just stood there looking off as she charged one with her speed and agility she readied her twin sai and it was too late. Jack was too far and Retane opened one hand to self-inflict himself and block the first sai. Them namek actual flipped his other wrist ready to catch the second.

"STOOOOOOPPP", Jack shouted as his staff flared a blue color, and his Wall of Frost threw itself up as fast as he could muster, catching the second sai in its ice casing and halting the incedent from occuring.

----

Jack stared at Retane, who had looked back at him and kept his eyes locked on him. "What", Jack finally asked.

" I am sorry, but I wanted to see what you would do. What you could do. How you would react. Do you think I was actually going to kill her?"

"Well it looked like it", The ice manipulator said.

Asuma tucked away his blades and lit another cigarette. "He hasn't killed us? He didn't kill those two elves. He was about to wreck your day till 'Ice Boy' showed up and stopped him. This wasn't our objective, remember. We were here to catch that slippery bastard. Seems we failed."

Jack looked then, "You are talking about the thing that wanted to eat me?"

The ninja looked at him, "What do you mean wanted to eat you?"

Jack shrugged, "He attacked me called me his dinner, and that's when Retane stopped him, twice. and all this happened."

"And Retane took an arrow to the shoulder", Arith piped up with a laugh.

"Airyonna is this true? You were there right?"

The konouchi frowned a bit and nodded, "Ice boy here, was sniffing at a Snow Orchid and tok a hit to the head. i assume its because it smelled like snow."

"Oh, well, can you blame him? Its rare to find."

"It doesn't matter, those goblin-swine took it from it's roots. It's gone now." The konouchi seemed upset about it all.

Jack reached to the back of his belt out and produced the the orchid, "I am sorry it died, but I saved it. The ice wont melt unless it's cracked. It will hold the smell of snow eternally if you let it."

"Err..." Airyonna looked around confused, but took it and actually smelled it. "You are a strange one, thats for sure."

"Ahem", Asume cleared his throat as he finished his cancer stick. "So you saw all this and you still wanted to kill the... errr... Namek?"

"All we needed was the ice controller", Airyonna stated.

"Err.. that sounds weird and weird. How about where I go, Retane comes too." Jack looked to the green humanoid who had remained quiet through it all. He really looked tired.

[Retane]

"Where I go, Retane comes too."

The Emerald Warrior had listened to it all. He was quiet, taking it all in as it played out. Inirtias was talking to his kinfolk still, though it looked like he was now talking to a singular being. Perhaps it was the leader of the group; Much less rash then the ninja, well Airyonna at least, and not so foolish either. However, she did have heart and determination. It was his fault for putting her on the spot, but things had went the way he had planned.

The namek took the sai and slammed it into the small wall of ice, cracking it, but not causing it to be destroyed. "I am done here. I am going"

Retane turned then, and started towards the direction he had intended before he interevened with the Guardian's life. The namek nodded his head and Arith, Inirtias, Sverit and Gulish started to follow. The ninja even opened a path for the group to pass. The namkeian stopped and looked back to Frost, "Are you coming? Or is it a one way thing?"

The Guardian had been watching them leave, with an awkward look on his face. Jack looked around at the crowd that had encirlced the area and threw his hands up with a nervous smile. The ice wielder took a few steps before Asuma stepped forward as he lit another cigarette.

"I don't think you understand, that 'slippery bastard' is called Gollum, and has tracked down and killed or been the cause to some fine ninja and elves' deaths , and even snatched our children to prey upon. He allies with orcs and goblins and uses them to get his feast on. You get the pictute I guess. But we've discerned that even if you stop him, he is able to get a scent of his victim and will track them down when they least expect it." The ninja took a long puff of his cigarette.

The namekian looked back at Jack, who paused for a bit and glanced back at him. The Emerald Fiend scoffed for a moment and turned to Asuma, "So you think this Gollum can kill him when he is around me?"

"That's not it, with everything going on around here, and since we know that, that thing will be tracking him; It's best that you come with us." Asuma had looked the namekian in the eyes till he heard a low mumble frm behind him and had to look down.

"We are not taking that thing to our village." Airyonna was collecting her sai from the now melting ice.

"That thing, Aryonna, goes where your 'Ice Boy'goes. And that thing calls himself a Namek. Unlike you, I dont want to lose any more friends then I already have. So how about we trust me on this one ok?" Asuma had stood tall then, walking towards her. He almost said something else, but held it back last second.

The Namekian noticed this and kept a note. It was obvious, he was the leader of this small battlement then, and she was more of a front. She was younger, and Asuma was much more expereinced. Retane saw the ploy as deceit, as well as smart. He wondered how strong this ninja was but only laughed, "So let me get this straight. To save everyones lives here, am I being asked to go with you or are you telling me to go with you."

The ninja grinned, " I am asking you. I am asking you personally. I am taking a huge risk here, but I would like to have you and your comrades come with me to our village. You say this is your home? Would you rather have us as enemies or possible allies?"

The Emerald Warrior looked back at the group and stared at Sverit and Gulish. He shook his head for once and laughed as he let the orgosynth take a break. "I think, I'd like to actually meet my neighbors. But if anything comes to harm my friends, or I think something is a foot, I will kill."

"I think we can agree to the same thing with you, though I am taking a risk". Asuma made a few hand notions and most of the ninja disperesed. The ninja looked hard at the head elf, who actually frowned in annoyance, but with a wave of a hand, most of the tribe started moving away.

Retane looked then and it was his own group with Jack, Arith, Inirtias, Gulish, and Sverit; Asuma, Airyonna, Alaina and four other ninja; For the elves, the one guy that seemed to be the head of the formation and three others remained. "So is this our protection, or is this the strongest you have to try and keep me contained?"

Asuma let out a sigh and spoke to three of the ninja. Without even a nod, they vanished. The head ninja then looked to the namekian and shrugged his shoulders, "I sent them to tell of our coming and our numbers. I'd rather let my leader know what is going on before I get there, in case anything happens. The others here are members of my own squad, I tend to like to keep them close. It's our job to work together as a team you know. Vulen here", the Knuckleblade wielder looked at the head elf, "Is here because he has to report back to his own leader once things are finished. The other three are his own proteciton detail. "I guess you could consider us your, protection detail, or escorts."

Arith laughed, "We have an escort service!"

----

"How much further", the Emerald Fiend asked after a while. Inirtias had been communicating wiith Vulen and the other elves off and on while Jack and Arith had been making jokes about everything. Airyonna and the other ninja had been quiet for a bit.

"Actually if you look ahead you can see the gates, if you can see it." Asuma smiled for a moment and almost put a cigarette to his lips but stopped himself. He grinned for a few moments and let out a sigh, "Wife doesn't like me to do the thing. She can smell it on me."

Retane already knew the smell and nodded but looked ahead and saw a chain of huge trees forced together with a green leafed archway that was open. He actually paused then, and looked back at his comrades, " I have another destination in mind, but are you guys sure we want to do this?"

Arith didn't speak, but moved beside the namek and folded his arms, looking out with his face guarded, and laughed, "it's kind of obvious that we have chosen follow you. No elf, nor ninja will be able to handle you right now."

Inirtias nodded, "There's something weird going on and any ally to the ninja and elves are welcome. They don't want to fight, well not really."

"And you Jack? Before we enter this place, are you ok with all of this?" Retane was calm and looked him deep in his eyes.

"Yes", Jack nodded and offered his usual half smile. Sverit and Gulish also nodded.

"Good timing too, we are heading from here straight to meet Lady Tsunade. She knows you are coming, but I will only allow three of you to enter." Asuma spoke but didn't stop there as Retane glanced back at the mention of seperation, "They can wait in the hallway, but there's only so much room for us in her office."

The namekian shook his head after a few moments and kept going, "Just remember my promise. Anyone comes to harm." Retane took the lead then, striding into the city. He admired the wall of trees that towered around the system. His heritage made him wonder how they had been able to do such a thing, but it proved that this clan of ninja were indeed intelligent. Their city, as well was well structed and busy as well with people of all ages running about as they got deeper into the city.

The Emerald Fiend realized that he wasn't wearing his cloak soon though, as the crowd actually parted around the party, trying to keep their distance. It bothered Retane actually, but he didn't show it. He understood their ignorance, he already knew that these humans had thought him related and kin to the goblins he had recently killed. The Horsemen was positive that he wasn't, but he'd be better to try and hold a two way conversation with a rock. Still, it made his skin crawl as he watched men, women, and children a like whisper with cupped hands. His ear's tried to tune into specific conversations, but there were way too many. Retane knew this shouldn't have been a problem though.

"We're in the marketplace", Asuma said loudly. He had taken the lead with the other ninja taking the rear and the elves right in front of them , "We keep it here for easy access to traders and such. Helps the economy actually, and easier to spot people that are where they shouldn't be else where. You should ignore these people reactions though. They are just scared and nervous as you can guess."

Retane glanced around and caught sight of Arith, who was actually waving his hands at the crowd. Inirtias and the other elves smiled and Sverit and Gulish were actually laughing at him. Meanwhile, Arith just seemed oblivious shouting, "Hello ! Hold your applause please, and have no fear, the Honorable Gremlin Snatcher is here! Rest easy and sleep good tonight, I shall solve all your problem I promise."

The namekian stopped and turned and with a low voice yet annoyed and louder then he wanted, growled, "Just what do you thinkyou are doing?"

Lythian's Champion simply looked at his comrade and laughed, "They heard I was coming. They heard I caught you. They all wanted to see it for themselves."

"Oh hell." Retane muttered and turned forward. He didn't want any part of this and started walking again. He did catch sight of a little girl with long brown hair, almost in rags, tug at her mothers hands

"Mommy is that really what a gremlin looks like?"

"Hunny I don't know? Maybe? I suppose?" The Namekian did his best to ignore the outright comment.

"Ewwww, mommy I don't like gremlins they look yucky!!!"

Retane stopped then, dead center in front of the girl. He couldn't handle it any more and yanked his head in her direction and in the most awkward sounding voice ever, tried to be whiny, "EWWWWWW! Look It's a yucky hoooman."

Behind he heard a clank of metal followed by laughter and knew it was Arith. "Look, kid" Retane stated loud and clear as she jumped back startled,"I am a Namekian from Planet Namek. I am not an orc, not agoblin, and I am not a gremlin."

"The little girl stamped her foot and pointed at the Dragon Armored comrade of Retane's, "Yes huh! He said you was! He said he snatched you."

The Horsemen looked at Asuma, who was just grinning, and muttered, "Lets get out of here"

----------

They had traveled without any more interuptions and made their way to what Retane assumed was the center of the city. Located there, was a green and red tower surrounded by walls. They had passed a rather huge graveyard with plenty of people paying their respects to the dead, but up til then, the namek hadn't paid attention to much. Now they stood at the door where Asuma motioned for Airyonna, Alaina, Vulen and Retane to come with him, "Only three others though."

The namekian didn't have to think, "Sverit, Gulish, Inirtias stay here, make sure I know if something comes up. "

Asuma sighed and opened the door, and wallked in. Retane followed second with the others filing in behind him. The room was circular with a single window that sat behind the desk. Around the room were shelves of books with four masked ninja spread out, standing up straight almost like statues. Behind the desk was a young blonde. She looked to be in her twenties, with brownish-red eyes. She wore a gi of some sort that was green and had a diamond in the middle of her forhead.

The Emerald Warrior stared long and hard into her eyes. She was more mature then her age told. She ws seasoned and he almost looked away when she realized that she was looking straight into his as well, judging him. The Horsemen used his perephrials to see the ninja and elf stand beside him, but with Jack and Arith standing close behind him. Asuma and Airyonna stepped forward and stood beside the desk. Still, she stared long and hard into Retane's eyes. Still, he did not flinch.

"So you think you are big and bad because you take out a wave of goblins?" Lady Tsunade said.

"I don't think anything. I did what I did to end the conflict. I felt I had better places to be. Simply, a wrong place and wrong time, it seems. I have other places to be though, if we can hurry this along." Retane still kept his eyes locked with hers.

"Where's that? Who are the Horsemen?" The Morikage asked.

"You are looking at 'em, and it seems I have acquired a little home here in the Tangled Greens." Retane actually felt a little taller when he stated it in front of her, still she didn't flinch.

"Well what's your purpose? Or do you have one?" She actually had maintained a calm voice and no other intereferred.

Retane almost hesitated, but it was obvious to him the truth, "To get stronger, to protect my own. I have my own agenda, but it doesn't pertain to you. However I will help you, if you can help me."

"Fair enough I suppose. So what is a Namek? Are they gremlins, orcs, goblins or what", Tsunade asked finally with a little more force.

"I am a Namek. I am in a universe not of my own. From what I remember, my kind were predominantly those close to naure. They were monk like, cared for the planet. They were one with it, I suppose." Retane saw no reason to lie, he felt pride in who he was, Horsemen and Namek.

"But you seem a bit more aggressive then that?

"I am classed as a Warrior. We have to protect our kind." Retane answered.

"Still agressive?" Tsunade questioned again,and the namek knew what she was talking about.

The Emerald Fiend shrugged his shoulders, "I am one of a kind I guess. I do what is best for me and mine. The goblins shot me first. I told ninja, elves and golbins alike, that if they assualted me, I was going to make them fall, and then their frends as well. The goblins fell. They just didn't get back up."

"The elves did. Plus I already know everything. I just want to know why?" Her eyes were still fixated on his, her hands moved to prop her chin, or keep it straight, but perhaps it showed intrigue.

"Seems I ally with an elf or two. They didn't shoot me with an arrow for no reason, and I guess, I can understand their ignorance with what I am." The Emerald Warrior even hinted that he was also talking about the scene earlier

Finally the Morikage looked to Arith, "Gremlin Snatcher?"

The Champion of Lythia, threw his hands up and laughed, "He's a gremlin I tell you."

"It seems", Vulen, the elf intergected, "That tht strange one there, consideres anything green or close to it to be a gremlin. He has never actually met an actual one from what I have learned though." Lady Tsunade looked at Asuma then looked to Jack, who was actually looking around ammused by it all.

"Jack Frost, are you sure you would like to keep with the company you have joined?" Her voice was deep then almost commanding.

Jack looked at the head ninja and again and used his off-like smile and nodded, "Seems we are stuck like a tongue on solid ice?"

If Tsunade wanted to smile, she didn't, her face remained calm and showed no emotion, "I want to tell you, that I am happy for what you did. I realize you didn't have to, but preserving that orchid and it's smell was very kind of you. If we ever need another a preserverd, and can reach you, would you mind?"

Jack shook his heand, "Not at all." The Guardian glanced at Airyonna who shared a glance and both looked away from each other.

The blonde ninja looked from Retane to Asuma and took in a deep breath, "It seems Retane injured Gollum. Our scouts have tracked him near the orc's closer towards that, 'spot'. I'd like for you, Airyonna, and Alaina to track him down. I want him brought back alive. He may have intel on all the strange happenings going on.

"And Sotin?" Asuma had to asked.

"Going back" The Leader of Mogukagure stated.

"Damned, of course he would be." Asuma seemed annoyed.

"Retane, are you up to leaving from here to go ahead and end the trouble of Gollum here and now?" Tsunade fixed her gaze back on the namek who met it again.

"Only if you explain this 'spot' to me and what it means, then sure." The Emerald Fiend wasn't stupid and needed to know.

"You talk more like a mercenary or a soldier of fortune, you know?" Tsunade again had calm eyes, deep down though, she wanted to say something else, but even the namek couldn't understand, "Orcs, Elves, NInja, Goblins, have all seemed to suffer it. But it's like a plague that can infect anyone. Those infected change. The are almost souless. We've tried to contain the issue and there are rumors that a cure is being hunted for in the Pale Moors, but we are having issues here. We need one now. We try to seal them incase a cure is found, but for now, ther isn't one. It is hard. "

"I'll go." Retane answered. "I'll go only if you are hospitable to Sverit and Gulish. I don't need them with me on this."

"It's a deal. Meet up with one of our caretakers and everyone prepare to move out in three hours", Tsundae barked.

[Jack Frost]

Jack looked at Airyonna, who polished her sai. She had placed the snow orchid in stand and encased it in glass. The flower sat beside her as a medical konoichi looked her and him over. They weren't injured really, but he did find himself feeling stronger afterwards. "So-errr- How long have you been a ninja?"

The konouchi glanced an evil look at him and softened a bit after a few moments, "All my life."

"You like snow?" Jack offered a huge smile.

"Hah! That's more rare then the Snow Orchid." Airyonna put her blades and dismissed the medical ninja. "So why do you like flowers so much? How did you become Gollum's victim, and why did you side with 'him'?"

Jack felt strong, and actually laughed, "I like the smell of flowers, each one has a different smell. But that one smells like snow. My sister use to like to call all white flowers, 'snow lillies'. She loved the ones that grew in the snow. They are rare also."

"Oh wow really? I think that would have been cool to see." The female ninja caught herself showing her other side and corrected herself. "Victim?"

The Guardian laughed and threw his shoulders up, "I didn't choose it. I'm not some specially trained ninja like you."

He watched as she wanted to smile again, but instead fired the third question, "Side with him, why?"

Jack sighed and laughed, "I think he needs me. I feel as if there is something deep within him that needs to be controlled. I can't explain it. But he needs to be able to laugh. He needs to be able to smile. Plus he saved my life."

"And you saved mine..." Retane walked in then. "But I am willing to accept you as an equal of mine, if you think you can handle the burden. If so, once this mission is complete, you will be a member of The Horsemen".

Jack looked at Retane with an uncertain smile then looked back at the female ninja, " See, he needs and wants me."

Frost looked back at the green warrior, and scratched his head for a second and straightened his face, "Show me. Just , show me. Give me a reason and I think I will."

The namek took the words and strode out, calling back, "Think you are funny don't you"

Jack looked towards Airyonna and laughed, "Yes I do."

The kunoichi looked at him with a frown not getting it at all. Jack only laughed, "You have to had been there."

Her visage furled into a deeper frown, "Tell me? I dare you"

Jack laughed, "You want to know all about a guy I hardly know? I don't know his intentions. I know what I have seen. And Retane seems, like he might be chaotic good? He has a valid point on his actions everything, and his other two friends; They seem to be pushing him to be better. His goals seem legitimate. The elf even threatened him. Inirtias told Retane to prove himself then and there. The elf knows something Retane doesn't. I think the elf is trying to help Retane, but I don't like the methods. I don't think you push a guy like Retane, I think you try to reach out and understand him."

The ninja listened for a few moments and paused before speaking, "So you think you can understand a goblin-swine creature?"

Jack stood up and grabbed Savior, he offered a freindly smile, "Do not judge a book by it's cover. Read the story." The guardian gave a nod of his head and followed through the doorway the namek had done.

---


They all stood there. Asuma lit a cigarette and took a puff, "Ok. We are tracking down Gollum. Anyone or anything that gets in our way must be neutralized. We should reach our destination at late nightfall. We will stop there and go from there. Usually, we have a better plan, but we are a new team. TIll we get there, I will take the lead..."

[Retane]

Night was falling; The party consisting of the three ninja, the Guardian, the Horsemen and the two Lythian's, had moved in near silence. Asuma had taken the lead. Airyonna had protested as she wanted to, but the sensei wouldn't have it. This 'spot', seemed a bit more serious then they had let on, or maybe it was the Gollum or where he may have been hiding out. Retane didn't mind, he welcomed more chances to test his strength. More oppurtunities to find his limits; To push past them. He had once been strong, they said, now he wasn't even a shadow to his former self. He hardly even knew who he had been before. Deep down, though, his thoughts tried to recall.

Why could he remember some things? Like his heritage, but not who he was? All he was left with was 'get stronger'. Retane ran his fingers across his temples. He didn't like thinking. Searching for answers only added more questions. Not having any real answers only made him frustrated. The Horsemen wondered what was even driving his insticts that he had began to rely on. Perhaps it was his past, or even something else. Maybe he was a puppet with strings attached. No. He couldn't be that gullible.

A hand reached out and touched his shoulder and the namek looked behind him at his owner. It was Frost with his staff in tow. The white haired human wasn't smiling this time; Instead he wore a puzzling visage, as if he was concerned with the Namekian's actions. Retane hadn't noticed it, but the others had been staring at him. He seemed to be muttering to himself in a low unaudiable tone as he had his eyes closed and rubbing at his temples. As the namek realized what he was doing, he dropped his hands and his eyes darted two and fro, glancing at each visage that stared at him.

"Are you feeling alright man? You've been doing that for some minutes and were getting louder." The Guardian seemed concerned but it was Asuma that stepped forward and looked at the Emerald Fiend up and down then looked deep with his eyes wending with a 'hmph'.

"What", Retane asked, not quite the thoughts running through the skull of the ninja.

"Nothing. You're fine, not losing it." Asuma lit a cigarette. "Well, I don't know if you are losing it, but you aren't affected by the Blight and becoming a DarkSpawn."

Arith took the oppurtunity to butt in, "How do you know?". The Champion of Lythia leaned forward looking the green comrade up and down, then put his masked helm close to the nija pearing through the eyes awaiting an answer.

"It's hard to explain. Their actions change and their pupils slowly continue to dialate. They are almost mindless, driven by evil intent. There really is no cure. People hope, but there isn't one. People want to beleive there is one. There was rumor of one, but nothing came from it. Eradicate those infected and eradicate the source. Thats pretty much the way of it." Asuma finished his cigarette and sighed.

The Lythian looked back at the namek and stared him in the eyes and with a loud whisper asked, "Has it taken over yet?"

The namekian knew Arith was actually smiling underneath the dragon style helm. The golden warrior wasn't talking about the Blight that caused the Dark Spawn, but instead was using their ignorance to mock them, and was talking about the orgosynth from Project: Malefactor that now rested on his upper back. Instead of playing the Champion's games, he waved a hand and started walking ahead.

"We should actually stop here. We are just a bit out of the usual patrolof the orc tribe we are seeking." Asuma lit another cigarette and took a puff and nod to Alaina who knelt down and opened a scroll. "Alaina has a few special jutsu. Lets call her our base of communications. As long as you accept it, she can be a link of telepathic communication. She can only see what you allow her to see, even if you have some dark secrets, or embarassing ones."

Alaina actually chuckled and Airyonna snickered. Asuma actually blushed. Alaina, the obvious support konouchi, focused soon after and placed her hands on the parchment she laid out. The namekian felt the slight vibration in his mind. He paused and wondered what would happen if he let this happen? The Emerald Warrior looked to Jack who nodded, showing he had accepted it. The Emerald Fiend let out a breath and accepted it.

"Can you hear me now?" Arith took a step. "And now? He too another step, "And now?

This went on for a few more steps till the Champion's telepathic connection was cut. "Oh yeah, dont use it to annoy her. You can be dead silent through it all. She understands the mental thoughts as communication and if you let her can see through your eyes." Asuma seemed to have a small sublte inner pupil that was blue. It was obvious to the namekian that this represented the visual option. Another twinge can at him in his cranium, slightly stronger. He accepted it, and though he looked at Asuma, a part of his brain also let him look through Asuma's eyes and look at himself.

The feed canceled and the Emerald Warrior couldn't say a thing. He was impressed, but he wasn't going to show it. "So whats next?"

Asuma lit another cigarette, "We were just showing. It's dark now, and it's risky, but these are orcs, and are most active at night. They wont expect us. We need to split up in groups. Any opinions?"

"Keeping Arith silent is stupid, annoying as it is. I'll keep Jack with me. How many do we leave with here with her?" Retane notioned at Alaina.

"One should be fine I think?" Asuma finished his cigarette and slipped it in a pocket. Retane hadn't paid attention, but the ninja seemed to always pocket them. "How about Inirtias with Alaina, and Airyonna with Arith, and I'll go alone?"

Airyonna started to protest and Retane almost smirked, almost. He wondered who would kill who first., or who would get the other killed first, rather. The Horsemen knew both were interesting, but wasn't sure about it, but still, if things went awry, he did have a back up plan. The namekian side of him, told him he'd be fine, but there was still something unsettling about this place. Plus there was a creature that could be near by, just lurking and watching. "Fine." The Emerald Warrior nodded to Jack who started to follow.

"The objective is to find and capture Gollum alive. Anything else is a failure here. " Asuma added.

Retane looked back towards the ninja for a moment, then to Jack, "I'll try, but I wont make any promises." The Emerald Warrior and Jack walked on, passing trees and trying to move though the shadows. There weren't many leaves, so avoiding making sounds here weren't too hard. But the Emerald Fiend heard noise up ahead. He used his thoughts to ask Alaina to check his view and moments later accepted it. The Guardian also showed the light blue dot in his eyes.

Retane was about to use hand signs, but instead, tossed his head with a thought, telling him to circle wide careully. The Guadian and namekian shared sight and thought, so they could communicate easily enough. The Namekian looked to his own direction as Jack vanished out of his vision.

[Jack Frost]

Jack eased through the wooded area, putting himself on the oppisite of Retane. Someone or something was seperating them. Jack wasn't exactly sure who or what.was in between them. Was it Gollum; An orc?; Perhaps even it was one of the dark spawn?

"So whats the plan exactly?" The Guardian took a few steps forward waiting for an answer. In his mind he could see that the Namekian was looking around, creeping low and slow his hands touching the trees as he went.

"Trust your insticts. Be careful. Try not to get caught or caught off guard. Act. Don't think or second guess yourself." Retane's words came as calm thoughts. Frost had to stop and wonder if he was talking to himself, or answering his question.

The ice wielder shook his head, gave a low nervous smile that no one could see and let out a sigh as he tightened his grip around Savior. Jack moved closer, trying to crouch, though it wasn't as easy or graceful as his green comrade, but still he moved onward and the sounds got louder.

It was hard to describe, but the noises were scrapping, almost a bit of crunshing, and scratching. As he got even closer, he saw a huge oak and paused as a shadow moved. It was humanoid, or the silhouette seemed like it. Jack tried to lower himself even more and approached the being, pausing as he realized Retane's vision had the namek, looking around, even behind himself, and up in the air. Retane wasn't moving from his spot and didn't have sight of what Frost did.

Curiousity drove jack forward. He took another step and another step, pausing to look around only for s few moments. He heard a wet smacking, that seemed to echo. The trees were echoing, the sound. It was coming from the creture. Jack was close enough now to see it was on his knees and wasn't a goblin or even Gollum. Jack wasn't sure exactly what it was, but he was sure it was having dinner on something.

The Guardian took a deep breath and exhaled as he moved closer. He got behind the figure, and i stepped on a branch. It didn;t move but kept at it's own business at feasting on it's catch. The catch, being a young fawn. It was eating at one of it's hind legs, just tearing into it and smacking as bits flew to and fro. Jack looked at the trailing blood and shuddered as he realized he was stepping in it.

Savior hit the barefoot of the creature and the bloody face looked back at Frost with a snarl. Jack stepped back and swung his staff as hard as he could. The foul being's head jerked with contact, butwith a dark laugh, rose to be slightly taller then the Guardian. Jack looked into his eyes as and he realized the pupils were as wide as possible.

Shit orc! Dark spawn! They are here!" It was Asuma that called out and, at the same time, Retane moved.

[Retane]

Retane had paused for a few moments. He could see what Jack could see, and vice versa. Something was strange in the air. It was harder to breath and the tip of his tonuge, had a weird metallic taste. It was death. Something was dead and fresh blood was in the air. The namekian scanned the trees and surrounding areas, hunting for movement. The Emerald Fiend moved forward with a low growl. Sometihng was amiss and he had to find it out.

The wind blew, and nearby brush shook. Or had the wind blown? He never felt the air touch his skin. The Emerald Warrior looked back at the brush. Was he losing his mind? Maybe the Blight was affecting him. The Malefactor tugged at his consceince, it wanted to be active. Retane hesitated for a moment.

Jack had spotted the creature, and Retane noticed faster then the Guardian, that it was a dangerous situation. The Emerald Fiend let out a low growl, but took a blow to the head. The namek felt a flash in his cranium from the assualt and stumbled. He looked back at his attacker and his visage tightened. It was an elf that had struck him. The figure looked angry and held a log in his hands, it dripped slightly with a dark colored blood. The Horseman noted all this, as well as the huge dialated pupils.

Retane felt the warmth flowing from the side of his head; He let out a snarl then and allowed the power of the orgosynth activate. The Emerald Fiend straightened his fingers and moved at his foe. The elf tried to respond, but as the Malefactor, Retane was too fast for him and in a single swipe, decapitated him. There were more coming, but the Namekian didn't care. He had lost connection to everything cut everything then and focused on rushing towards Jack.

The namekain leapt up, atop of the tree, and looked down at Frost and his foe. He watched as the orc snarled at Jack, and the Guardian responded with a swing of his stick, which caught the dark spawn in the face. The blighted orc let blood spit from his face, and snapped back with a snarl. Jack did a back flip, kicking him in the face with little effect. The orc charged at him as the human flipped over and over, till he landed and slammed his staff into the ground. A wave of ice crystalized in an slight blanket of shivering light in a radius, and a small wall appeared in between the two.

Retane leapt then and landed on the small wall, with ease. The Namekian looked down at Jack and stared deep into his eyes, "This ones willing to kill you. Shall I let him or shall I fix this situation?"

Jack started to answer but he threw his hands up and offered his smile. Retane looked back as the orc tried to get to it's feet. The namek looked back to the ice weilder, and almost laughed. Almost.

The Emerald Fiend had missed it as an incoming barrage of rocks came a them. One hit Jack and sent him sailing, Retane felt a connection and didnt have to think.

-------

It wasn't but a few moments later, Retane erected himself. He watched as Arith and Airyonna fought against a swarm of orcs. They were overwelmed soon and their connection discontinued.

Asuma seemed dsitracted with his own confritation, but it was when the assault reached Inirtias and Alaina's that Retane shook his head clear. He watched the Lythian get cleaved in half and turned into nothing more then the shadow mist. The konouchi took a blow soon after and all of the telepethic feeds fell. The namekian didn't panic. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. They weren't dead. The couldn't be. Those that attacked were orcs, not dead spawn. He wasn't even dead. He lowered himself to the ground and picked up Jack's staff. He sniffed it for a few moments and tucked it to his back.

He materialized a sheath that would hold it. He had to find the Guardian and the others. He had to make sure they were safe.

[Jack Frost]

"Hurry up Jack", his sister called as she skated out and around the sheet of frozen ice then returned back rushing him to come join and play with him.

"I'm giving you a headstart", Jack laughed. "First one to the other side and back has to help mother do the dishes and clean up."

Annabelle smilled as she snickered and wheeled around yelling back,"You're on, but you better not back out. I'm getting faster you know. "

Jack Overland winked at her as she turned away and he bent down to unknott the string to is blades. He slipped his shoes and wool socks off and was about to put them on when he heard the saddest sounds he would ever hear.

He heard the blades of his sister's skates skid. He heard the ice snap as it began to crack slowly. He heard the scared cry of his sister.

"Annabelle" Jack yelled. Jack had never heard the sound of cracking ice, but he knew what it was without looking up. He jumped up and ran towards his sister. His feet stung as soon as they hit the fresh snow, and got worst when they hit the frozen ice. Still, Jack never stopped. He had to get his sister. He dug his heels in and leaned back as he heard the ice groan as he got closer. He slid to a stop two arm lengeths away from his sister, and the ice around him showed slight crack marks on the surface.

Annabelle started to move towards him, but Jack saw the weight of her step making the cracks bigger. Jack through his arms up and outward, "Careful", he called. "Don't move until I tell you but, I need you to stay there for a few moments. Everything's gonna be okay. Just trust me. I promise it's going to be okay."

"Jack, I'm scared." Her face expressed just that, that she was frightened.

"It's okay, it's okay. Don't look down, just look at me" Jack smiled, he had to offer that smile. He had to offer her courage. He had to offer himself the courage.

"But I'm really scared, Jack." Her voice was on the verge of a shriek..

"I know, I know. But, you're gonna be alright. The ice isn't going to break. You aren't going to fall in. Actually, we are gonna have some fun instead." Jack had looked around and saw the long curved stick close by. Had it been there before? He couldn't remember.

"No we aren't." He voice was trembling then. The cracks in the ice were slowly spreading.

"Would I trick you?" Jack already knew that was the wrong thing to say as soon as it left his lips. Of course he would trick her. He tricked her all the time.

"Yes, you always do! You always play tricks." See? Jack always played tricks.

"Well, not this time! I promise. I have never broke a promise, now have I?"

"When your finger are crossed, you do", she retorted panicked.

Jack's hands were already out, "But they aren't crossed are they? No. I promise you're gonna be fine, just beleive in me. You have to beleive me. Ok?""

She nodded slightly.

Jack looked around for a second and saw the curved stick nearby. He looked back at Annabelle and offered a gentle smile, "You want to play a game? We can play hopscotch, like we do everyday. See One" Jack top a simple hop, "Two, wooooaaaah", Jack acted like he was about to lose his balance and got a laugh out of sister, and with the last hop he was clear and bent down and grabbed the hooked stick.

"Now, it's your turn", Overland coaxed.

Annabelle took a step, and started to loose her balance.

"One."

She took another and gasped trying to keep control.

"Two", Jack whispered. "Three." He snagged her at her waist and yanked her, pulling her out of harms way. He slung her free using his weight, and watched her tumble then look back at him.

'See, no problem right", Jack called.

Annabelle laughed, but Jack heard the ice groan and came to the understanding that, when he had saved his sister, he had also slid back onto the cracked ice himself, he looked up with a nervous smile, "I love you"

"Jack! No!" Annabelle was old enough to figure out was ging to happen next.

The ice gave way and the cold touch reached up and grabbed him.

I'm sorry Annabelle...

----------

Jack woke up and looked around. Arith, and Airyonna, were standing over him, the konouichi had a puzzled expression, while the other wore his mask, and his head was cocked in a curious-esque position. Alaina was sitting cross-legged, with her head down. They were in a rusty jagged cage. surrounding them were creatures, larger then boglins, more musclar, but just as ugly.

"Who's Annabelle", Airyonna asked.

The Guardian rubbed his head where it was sore. He had been hit hard there and seems it broke through his defenses, "My sister."

"Oh, is she hot?" Arith seemed to have no boundaries.

Jack shook his head clear, trying to ignore him," Where are the other three?"

"Asuma and your green friend are out there somewhere, the other one..." Airyonna hesitated for a moment.

"Dead", Alaina aswered solemnly. "He was cut in half. Hardly stood a chance. He tried though."

Arith snickered. Airyonna glared at him, "What's so funny?"

"Let him be gone then. There are no elves in these parts, all of our weapons have been taken from us, and there's a good chance he wouldn't want to be here anyways. I mean do you guys want to be here?"Arith threw his hands up as if he had rested his case.

Jack looked around frantically, "Savior where is it?"

"Savior?"Airyonna looked back at Jack, only to wind up glaring back at the golden armored warrior.

"Must be another hot sister."

"My staff, where is it?" Jack looked around.

"They never brought it with you, Jack" Airyonna answered.

"Unless you can hide it..." Arith, stopped and laughed loud to himself.

"So whats the plan?" The konouchi interjected.

Jack threw his hands up showing he had no idea.

"We wait on Retane to come for the boy." Arith folded his arms and leaned agasint the rusty cage.

"How do you know?"Jack spoke up as he stood. The Guardian remembered Retane had said never to worry about Inrtias or Arith, and the dragon helmed warrior was extremely calm about it all.

"Gremlin likes you obviously. He see's sometihng in you. Something he longs for. Plus he won't leave an ally behind and has a desire for making a name for himself. So he will want to complete this mission. Something inside his head. I don't know. Maybe he's changed, and left us for dead."

"I don't know about your 'gremlin', but sensei is still out there, and he's strong. He won't leave us behind." Airyonna was confident in that.

Jack looked around, trying to come up with something.

[Retane]

The Horsemen looked around, his eyes focused on his surroundings, adjusting slowly to the dark and it's many shadows. The namekian crouched low and felt the warm drop of blood that glistened off the root of the tree. It was one of the few that had fell on the trail where he and Jack had last seem each other. The orc's had captured him, they had used the darkspawn as a ploy and bat. The orc's had known that they were coming. Retane fingered the blood for a few more moment's and shook his head. He wasn't badly injured.

Inirtias was extinguisted. Arith still remained alive, it seemed; The Mark of Lythia on his arm told him that. In the distance, he heard almost nothing. Even the life around the area had been scarce. The namek looked up and around at the trees. Many of them had been scraped, scratched, scarred, and damaged in the area. Still, they held on. Still, they grew.

The namekian couldn't help but remember the city the ninja had built. THey had never injured the tree, but had mastered an art to work together with them. But the orc's only cared little. Perhaps, goblins and orc's didn't care about anything that lived. If that was true, then what was going on here? jack wasn't dead. He was injured, but not dead.

The Emerald Warrior took in the breath, it was almost foul, but still the warrior had to think. They were expected, it was an ambush, but why take prisoners alive? Gollum just wanted to eat him. Perhaps raw? Would a tribe of orc's go though that much trouble? Retane was unsure.

The Namekian took a few steps and pressed his hand against another tree, scarred and battered. His kin wouldn't like this. Most wouldn't act, but some would try to help and heal it. The Horseman only knew how to release his ki in the form of energy. He wasn't a healer. He was a warrior. He was trained to defend life at all costs. Saving always meant killing to him in the end.

The namekian looked at his hand for a moment, let it glow and knew it was raw energy. He couldn't help here. But he could get vengance, he could be teir wrath. Would his kin agree with that? Perhaps not, but they said they had exiled him before. Maybe he never agreeed with their principals. Maybe he was a rebel. Did he have a cause? He wasn't sure. But he knew the trees' vengance would coincide with his plans now.

"So what are you planning?" The voice was familiar and Retane didn't have to look to know it was Asuma.

Retane looked at the closest tree, where he fingeres the scar on the tree, "Plan? I'm not sure I will plan this one. Plans can change in an instant. I'm thinking I will follow this trail, and kill anything and everything in my path, till I find them and that Gollum. "

"So you know they are alive?" The ninja pulled a cigarrete out and lit it and took a long pull.

"Arith is still around, Jack's unconscious. I don't know about your two." The Horseman looked at the ninja finally.

"They are in the camp, caged and alive last I saw. I know these woods better then most." The knuckleblade weilder shrugged as if it was enough of an answer.

"Daughters?" Retane saw the resemblance in their faces, and had noticed how he looked at them.

"No one in the city knows." Asuma put his cigarette out, "And I'd like to keep it that way."

Retane looked the ninja in the eyes for a few moments and shrugged, "So you have a plan better then mine?"

[Jack Frost]

"What is gremlin precious? What is gremlin and what is sensei?"

Jack turned to the voice just in time to see the ugly creature appear from his stealth like state. Gollum slinked over on all fours and gripped at the bars of the cage as he pressed his face near. His overly large eyes darted left and right sniffing and smiled as he focused on the Guardian. "Tells us precious, tells us precious. we wants to knows. What is a gremlin and what is a sensei? Are they delicious?"

Jack tensed up at the smacking of the pale green creature's violet lips. Airyonna moved to grab at or strike the Gollum, but the slippery bastard was fast and out of arms reach faster then she could connect. She punched the rustic matel in frustration, but it did nothing besides break the skin of her knuckles. Her face flushed, but she tried her best to hide her pain. The blood dripped from her clenched fist in slow rapid drips, hitting the dark ground, leaving the reddish pool that grew with each drip. It shimmered slightly in the moonlight.

Frost looked up and noticed that the moon was actually bright here, and that they were in a clearing of the Tangled Greens. The Guardian of Winter stared in the sky, and had to wonder if the Man on the Moon up there watching? Was he just going to let this happen if he was? Of course he was, the Man on the Moon never really intereferred. Never really talked or gave guidance, he just watched. It was annoying. Jack looked back at the pool of blood, and then to the clenched fist.

The Guardian moved and grabbed the konoichi wounded hand. She looked at him startled, but he wasn't going to be like the Man on the Moon. He wasn't going to just stand there and watch. He was going to help if he could. Jack focused on the wound, it's blood flowing onto his hand. He looked deep inside and tried freeze the wound, just enough to stop the blood flow. It wouldn't hurt her, and would numb the pain. He tried. He focused, but he had chosen Savior as his source of power and without it, he was useless.

"Jack, you're warm. Is everything ok?" Airyonna had a genuine look on her face. She wasn't scorning him for touching him, and she seemed to know what he was trying to do. All Jack could do was shrug and bit down on his own sleeve, and he tore and yanked till he exposed his forearm and a makeshift bandage for her hand. He tied it carefully, knotting the cloth in her palm to keep maximumcoverage over the wound, and make sure she was in control of the bandage itself.

"It's all I can do. I'm sorry. The ugly thing looks hungry and if he's going to eat anyone I'd rather it be me."Jack offered.

"It's fine. Thank you. But, you shouldn't do that. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."

"It's just what I seem to have a knack for, besides, from what Arith said...." Jack didn't finish it. He wondered if Gollum had heard that part of the conversation, but if not, didn't want to tell it all. The Konoichi, both of them, as Alaina stood beside Airyonna, nodded.

"He can eat you guys, but I would laugh if he tried to eat me." Arith had bent down as close as he could and was actually having a noise making contest with the pale creature.

"Why would you laugh precious?"

"Because Lythian blood will never be spilt on these lands, precious. Ya'know, I have seen a few gremlins in my life..." Arith paused.

'Yes preacious?" Gollum licked his lips.

"But , you are actually uglier then any gremlin, I have ever seen in my life." As Arith finished his statement, he stood up and let out a loud laugh, and smacking his leg. You'd think Arith had told the funniest joke to himself from the loudness of his laugh. Jack smirked at it, and the female ninja did as well, but all the noise was attracting to much attention to them. All the orcs that the Guardian could see, were looking in their direction.

In their direction, and focusing on the noise.

Jack realized what was going on and suddenly kicked in laughing as loud as he could. The other two followed for a few moments and even Gollum danced around laughing, till he stopped, realizing he had been duped.

"You know what else is funny precious?"

"What?" Arith stopped his laughing and cocked his helm, as if he was really interested.

"As soon as Graxxis wakes up, he will torture you. He will make you sream. He will make you talksssss. You will talksssss. And then I will get to each you all. Eat you all, nice and warm and RAW!!! And let you watches me precious!"

"Oh, you can try. You can try as hard as you want. Let me know how that works out for you. Actually you bore me. Bring on your Graxxis on, he might interst me." Arith turned his back on Gollum and folded his arms.

The pale skinned creature let out a few mumbles and curses and the Lythian looked back, "Unless you want to play a game?"

Arith turned around then and knelt lower and darkened his voice, "Would you like to play a game?"

Gollum's eyes lit up, "Yes precious, yes!"

Arith stood up, and walked over and patted Jack on the shoulder, "You're up. I don't play games."

Frost looked back at Arith almost speachless. He thought Arith was running the plan of distraction, but all of a sudden he was put into the spotlight. Jack took a few steps towards the ugly creature, who almost looked happy and eager for a game. The Guardian paused for a moment, and rememberd his favorite game, 'Riddles or You owe me'. It was always simple and he had learned a math problem at school, that he used as the game winner.

"Let's play 'Riddles or You Owe me'." Jack offered a sincere smile.

"How do you play it precious?" Gollum seemed eager but hesitant.

"Who ever goes first, asks a riddle, if the other answers, they get to make the riddle. It goes on until someone gets wrong, then the loser owes the winner a single favor." Jack held his hands out as if to see if Gollum would accept.

"Only if you askssss reallllll Ridlessss , preciousssss. No dirty cheat like whats in it's pocketsessss."Gollum seemed to have played a game close to this before and lost. Or won with such a stupid trick.

"That's fine. That's actually easy enough. But sense you made the rules, I should go first right?" Jack hoped his trick would work, if not, he had a few riddles in the back and would go ahead and use this on turn one.

"Yes preciousssss. You first." Gollum grinned. Being last did have his advantages.

"Okay, first to not get a riddle right wins right?" Jack had to make sure.

"Yesssss precioussss." Gollum smiled. Seemed he had a few good ones up his sleeves

"Okay", Jack took a deep breath and looked at the moon and smirked as he looked back at Gollum, "If it would take Asuma seven minutes to kill everyone one here, spare you, and save us. And it would take Retane five minutes to to kill everyone, 'maybe' spare you, and save us. How long would it take for them both to save us?"

Gollum looked and listened to the riddle. He let out a few grunts and ignored the threat Jack offered. "Five and seven? Two minutes more then the other? Faster one will do it faster, but the slower one will help make it faster.Err It's easy precious..."

"Wrong." Retane dropped from the sky and landed in between the cage and Gollum.

[Retane]

Retane looked down listening and watching it all. He watched Jack lookp at him and even saw his smirk. Arith had done his job, stupidly and risky, but the job had been done. All the Namekian neededwas time, time to figure out his next actions, and time to sift through some inner turmoil that was eating at him.

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

"I hear you, but I can't understand. Speak a little louder, and maybe I can help you." Retane had left Asuma, but as he moved he touched the trees. He felt their pain. He felt their screams. Something was wrong and he wanted to help them. They called out to him. Annoyed the namekian dug his fingers deep into a tree. It was almost as if he felt a new life within him when he did. His next breath was strong. He smelt Jack, Airyonna, Alaina, Arith, and Asuma. He smellt the stench of orcs and even two more foul smelling figures. They all had scents that lingered in the air. They even left different tastes on his tongue.

The two that were not allies, nor exactly orc; One wsa clearly stronger then the other he stunk even more then the orcs comined. The other was the slick one;p The one that the ninja wanted. It was Gollum.

"They hurt us. They are foul. They desolate and attack us. They soak our roots with blood when we only want to live in peace. Only want to provide the earth and watch our offspring grow and flourish."

Retane looked at his hands and saw that there was a low glow where he had peirced the bark of the nearest tree in frustration. He felt regret then, but he knew that had ne not done so, perhaps he may ever have been able to hear the trees in his thoughts. "I am sorry for digging into you. It seems it is a habit. "

"We've wanted to do this for a while. We tried to whisper and we tried to call out to you, but your ears are near deaf to our pleas and struggles. You can hear us now, however. We can feel you now though. You make us happy and make us scared."

"Why? Why do I make you so?" The Emereald Warrior had questions and the namekian in him seemed curiously concerned.

"You have a dark side, but you also have the side we desire. The side we need."

Retane shook his head and almost laughed, "I may be a namek, but I don't thin I have the side you need."

"You do. We can help each other. Just trust us. We know you have your own goals, but you can help us."

The Emerald Feind let out a sigh and nodded. He sought power, and if the trees could help his acheive the power he sought, then he would strike a deal with them. He accepted them creating a small bond to share with them, allowing the glow to reach out from the tree and envelop his body.and with it, he felt a strange tingle in his body, especillay in his legs. "Let us remove the roots that that tie you to the ground. Let us open your mind to let you see what it should see. You can be our eyes, our ears, our eagle that forever watches."

He knew the feeling was almost like dejavu, but let himself lift up into the air, the leaves caressing his face as he ascended into the night sky.

---

"It's easy precious" Gollum grinned as he thought he had the answer.

"Wrong." Retane interupted as dropped from the sky and landed in a low crouch. "Your answer is wrong. No matter what answer you are going to choose with that logic, you will not get it right. There is no answer to the question. It is unkown."

Gollum wriggled a bit mumbling nervously as he looked up at the Emerald Feind and his eyes showed he wanted to shout in protest. He wanted to ague and spit at the namek, but Retane wasn't about to give him a chance, as he took a step closer and loomed over the grotesque creature.,"So, you think eating my allies is fun? You think torturing these people and eating them are fun? You think you are going to get your belly full and then some do you?"

The Emerald Feind created an orb and shot it at the face of a nearby orc before the coward could even let out a whimper in protest.

"ANSWER ME!" Retane's voice boomed, it echoed and reverberated into the trees. Gollum still hadn't had a chance to speak, but the dark warrior really never had any intention of letting him speak. He had threatened the lives of his comrades. He had promised them torture, and death from the cannibalistic creature

The pale-green creature squirmed and fell back, trying to get away. Retane was quick to react though and stomped his boot on the ankle that he had injured previously. Gollum screamed out in pain as the boot hit hard, a grumbled crunch coming from beneath the foot of the Horsemen. The namekian twisted his heel once more before pulling his leg back. Where he had stomped, the skin was already swelling and bruising. It was obvious sometihng had been broken, or more so, shattered.

Explosions erupted around the outskirts of the encampent in random spots. The namekian didn't flinch. He knew that it was the shinobi's doing. It was expected and had been welll timed. Most of the orc's would run towards the commotion, or at least some of them would and divide the troops. It would take a lot of the danger from the four that were captured, while they were being freed and once they were free. But, the Emerald Namek was not concerned with that now. He looked on at the himpering slug that wailed in front of him as he used his arms to pull himself away.

The Horsemen looked atthe crumbled leg and sneared, the wind began to kick up around his forearms, almost immediately becoming full force, showing the anger and outrage that pumped throughout the namek's veins. The namekian slached back, not once, but three times at different areas at the cage, and grabbed a rusty rod with his bare hand and yanked hard, creating an opening for his allies to be free. He took a step with the make shift spear in hand and brought it into the air, "ANSWER ME YOU FOUL BEAST!"

Gollum whailed and threw his arms up to try and protect himself, "No!! No precious noooooo!!!!"

Retane let out a snarl of anger and brought the rod down, slamming deep into one of the palms, the left one and empailing it straight into the right shoulder of the slimy, creature. The wails and cries got louder, loud enough to annoy the Namek. The Horsemen lifted his foot up and pressed the sole of his boot against the screaming purple lips of the foul being. The Emerald Warrior reached back and yanked another rod from the makeshift cage. He dove it straight into the uninjured leg of Gollum. The muffled cries got louder for a moment and even louder when Retane removed his boot. kicked off in a spin and planted his boot into the jaw of the ugly little creature.

"If you're so hungry for for sometihng raw and excited about torture, then maybe choking on your own blood will start as a a good appetizer." Retane was talking outloud, and not to GOllum, because the blow had knocked him out cold, He wasn't dead, but he wouldn't be any more trouble now. The namekian had spoken just to get it off his chest. He looked back behind him and saw the others. The kunouchi looked suprised by his actions, Jack did his best to hold his composure, and Arith stood there with his arms folded scratching the chin of his helm

The namekian reached behind him and produced the hooked staff of the Guardian. Jack moved forward and accepted with a "Thank you", and twirled it around.

"Well Ice boy looks a little less blue, or a little more blue. I'm unsure how that actually works," Arith stated as he threw his hands up.

Retane looked around then and saw that his actions had even shocked the orcs. Perhaps they were confused by his color or his actions. He wasn't sure. He didn't care. Two orbs appeared and grew in his hands. "You fools chose to harbor this bastard. You attacked me and my comrades. For that you will die."

There were snarls and roars of protest, but still none approached him, "You fools have also injured the tree's, you soil their roots and hurt their kind. For that, many more of you kind shall die. Here this and here this now, let it be known that I, Retane, have entered into agreement with the Wood. That I will be the Wood's hand."

The orc's roared and laughed at the namek then. The Emerald Warrior looked around at them, those that were to scared to come at him but laughed at them. He let a smirk etch his lips. They would soon learn their folly, "Here, let me show you a lesson you wont be able to remember."

WIth that, the namekian leapt up into the air, to get a vantage point and loosed a volley of energery blasts. The first few orbs were weak, but then he let the orgosynth enhance his power, and with each blast after, the tempo of power got stronger. Wave after wave, the Horsemen shot the Scatter Shot, spinning slowly over and over, covering all the area he could. Screams entwined with the sounds of cries of death and the explosions of energy. Dust and debris kicked up until the namekian felt it was enough.

Retane lowered himself to the ground and let out a heavy sigh. He used it to mask his heavy sighing. Not many remained alive, and Asuma seemed to be cleaning up the remaints. If one did get away, perhaps he would warn their kin. If they listened, perhaps they could survive. If they marched agasint him, or harmed the trees when it wasn't a need of survival, they would meet the same fate as well. He looked to the four who stood there lookng at him, "Gather this slimy thing up. Let go ba-"

The namekian stopped and turned in the direction of the center of the camp. The dust still hadn't settled, but there was still that one sour taste in his mouth and it was getting stronger and coming from that direction. The Horsmen cracked his neck and the Feral Wind on his arms got stronger. Asuma appeared beside the namekian and tossed him a glance. The shinobi wasn't smoking but had his knuckle blades at the ready. The Emerald Warrior nodded slowly and grinned, "Protect the others, get them out of here if it gets to rough. Your job is to complete the mission."

"That's our job, but a friend once told me, deserting a friend or ally was the foulest move ever." Asuma reached for his pocket but stopped and gave a sigh. "But you are a Prime. I guess I sho"

Retane nodded and focused on the shadow that soon stepped through, It was an orc, but bigger, stronger, and even uglier. Half it's face was ripped off, and only blackened muscle and grey bone shown around part of it's jaw. The namekian noticed that the orc was almost a few feet bigger then him, dragged a heavy rusty axe, and had a hammer of what looked liked bones,wrapped in bark and vegetational twine.

Getting hit by either weapon might mean death. Retane didn't care, he wouldn't back down. He wouldn't get struck by this foe, the namekian had confidence in that, he had to beleive it himself or else there was no reason sticking around.

The Emerald Fiend took a step towards the foul creature. And another, matching the strides with the rotting behemoth as they approached each other, "So you are the ugly son-of-a-bitch that's been making this place miserable? You are the one that protetected the slimy bastard behind me and the one that was going to torture my comrades? How about you try to torture me, or are you gonna stand there thinking you are are a pretty little princess?"

"Grrrrrrrr-axessss", The behemoth snarled as he smashed his weapons together.

"I beleive that one there is actually a hammer", Arith called out from behind.

If the namekian paid the comment any attention, he didn't show it. He took another step and began his sprint gaining speed fast. Graxxis followed suit but with larger legs and a slower acceleration. The namek leapt with his fist leading the way, his knucles catching the exsposed bone of the rotting jaw with a hard crunch. The bone remained though, and the orc was able to launch an attack of his own, catching the side of the Emerald warrior with the butt of the axe. Retane took the blow in stride and rolled away. Standing up in defiance, a few ribs were cracked or bruised, but the namekian would not show thie monster any weakness. He didn't deserve it.

The Emerald Fiend ducked the swing of the axe, and then took to the air as the bone hammer swung quickly behind it. The orc looked outraged at the tactis and let out a roar of anger in his direction. The namekian noted that Graxxis actually had no pupils then and remembered what the shinobi had said about the darkspawn. How long had this orc been one? Had it been a while, or was this recent? The namekian shook his head. He'd ask him later, but the Emerald Warrior was going to have to kill him before that could happen.

The orc looked from hi, to his comrades and grinned, if that was what you would call it. Graxxis charged then, faster then he had been before. Retane realized his mistake a moment to late and let the orgosynth give him power once again. He called forth his own energy and an aura that was a mixture of red, green and black surrounded him. He charged forward at an angle trying to intercept the darkspawn, however the orcs speed increased, and even loosing energy orbs wouldnt slow this one down.

Arith reached for his blades, but realized he had never retreived them. Asuma reached for his knuckle blades, but it was Jack Frost that took the initiative. The white haired human jumped out infront "MOVE" he shouted to those behind him as he slammed his staff to the ground. A circle of ice began to surround his area, and with it, three walls began to form up as fast as they could. The Namekian pushed forward, as the orc used his hammer in mid stride to smash through the first wall. Graxxis swung his axe at the second wall and smashed it.

It was then time for the Guardian to grin, and Retane caught the smirk with his keen eyes. The dark spawn slipped on his next step, his momentum sending him head first into the last wall. This wallshattered as well on impcat, but parts of it held the behemoth for a moment. it was the only moment the namek needed.

Retane flew hard as he couls, he unleashed both of the Feral Winds at the neck and shoulders of his target. The orc let out a roar of anger arching his back and picking his neck up exactly where Retane wanted it. His hands, sharp as daggers, dove straight through the neck and spine of the orc leader, and with a sickening rip of muscle, severed the head of the dark spawn.

The head rolled and stopped, and while the brain struggled for air, the rotten jaw mouthed, "Grrrraxxxxessss". The body pulsated for a few moments and died with it's head. Retane stood up letting the orgosynth release itself and breathed hard. His adrenaline was nearing it's end and the pain from the single blow was setting in.

He eyed the others who looked at him worried about him. He accepted the pain and didn't speak, it would hurt for him to speak much. It hurt with every inhale and exhale. He stepped off his victim and walked over to the head of the decapitated he pointed at Arith and then to the head and received a nod from the Lythian. He looked at Asuma and notioned to the incompacitated Gollum. The ninja nodded.

Then the Horsemen looked at Jack. The Emerald Warrior gave a nod of approvement, and turned and started walking away, towards the ninja village.

"I have one question", Arith announced as he started towards the head that rested on the ice. "How the hell can we walk on ice but the ugly gremlin couldnt?"

Jack looked to the Lythian's Champion and grinned as he lost his footing, his armor scraping the ice until he arrived face first at the bodiless head.

"I'm sorry pretty little princess, but I think I'm taken by an ice lover", Arith was quick to answer

The namekian only shook his head as he could only imagine what the trip back was going to be. He thought about resummoning Inirtias, but he felt too weak and needed to save his energy in case anything else happened.

--------------
The group stepped through the gates of the Hidden Village. Retane still admired how the ninja had worked with the trees to make a strong defense around their city. Still though, Retane was ready to go see their new home. But first, they had to go see Lady Tsunade.

(This Thread is finished)

[Jack Frost]

The duffle bag thumped off of the icer's back with every slap of his foot against the earthen ground. Retane had given jack the oblong bag and told him to return to the Horsemen hideout. The jade alien had looked disturbed, perhaps by another presence when Jack departed. If Jack had learned anything about the namekian by now, it was he didn't take kindly to others. He himself hoped no fights would occur but Retane's face said otherwise.

Jack ran through the trees as silent and as quick as possible. It was his job to protect and defend the Horsemen in any way he could and this seemed to be a bit petty of a job for him. He wanted to fight by Retane's side but he was denied by the humanoid himself. Hell, Jack didnt even know how to locate the hideout!

As Jack racked his brain for memories of the Jade Reckoning, Frost stumbled over a surfaced root on the ground and came to a skidding halt. He stood back up with regained posture and looked back at the upturned root. It was about as thick as his staff and looked to be a foreign wood jack hadn't seen before except on one other occasion.

The white haired adolescent let his eyes follow the rouge root up to the base of a dark coated giant of a tree with red leaves. Jack preceeded cautiously to the tree, the bag steadily thumping on the small of his back with each step. As Jack became close to the red topped giant his wandering eyes noticed a knot on the bark. It appeared to retain the shape of a fist almost. Upon even closer inspection of the "fist", it rested upon a hair-width fissure separating the knot from the surrounding area of bark.

The boy of ice let out his free hand to grasp the bump. His pale skin felt the rough bark in his palm. Jack twisted the fist clockwise in one rotation. He expected a door or passageway to appear in the surrounding area, yet his puerile thoughts were put to shame when nothing occurred. Frost lost his curiosity and let disappointment take over as he let go of the knot.

As quick as his hopes had drained, the released knob twisted the opposite way of Jack's previous turning and a panel of the bark slid up concealing the knot and replacing it with a lit staircase. Jack reacted as quick as he could and jumped back in his low crouching defensive stance, tightening his grip on Savior in both palms as it was thrusted forward.

The icer was stunned at the panel's revealing. Then he remembered the slung bag on his shoulder.

"I found it.. I did it!" He stated in disbelief. "WHOOOHOOO!!!" The juvenile jumped in the air pumping his fist and laughed as he fell on his back on the ground.

Jack rose a moment later and after a brief second of dusting himself off, he ran through the lit passage. As he ran down, barely touching the stairs with his feet, he exclaimed "I'm homeee!!!" To no one in general.

Jack reached the familiar den at the bottom of the stairs. He looked around at the coincidental earthen centered colors of the room. His gaze wandered over the vast room when he noticed a rack above the wrap-around sofa. He suddenly rem me mbered why retane sent him here to the Reckoning. Jack unzipped the duffle bag and reached for the sword retane had spoken of, the gift of tapion, the weapon of the Horsemen, The Brave Sword.

The adolescent took it in both hands and gazed upon it. Its most memorable feature being the hilt. It had carved into the metal, an intricate shadowed wolf head. The hilt had to have been made in painstakingly crucial detail. The wolf head looked proud as its large mane made it look even mor pompous.

"Dont get me wrong retane," jack began "I love the whole lone wolf crap, but I mean c'mon! I see you more as a tiger person anyways."

Jack diverted his gaze to the rack and placed the detailed sword horizontally upon it. The rack accepted it without adjustments, making a perfect fit. The icer stepped back and placed his hands on his hips and admired his handy work. His pride was short lived as he realized he still had other items to place in the base. Jack took the other items and headed for the vault retane spoke of.

When He finally got past the vault security measures, Jack rummaged through the bag and placed the items on their designated stands and shelves. The boy recognized many items , including Jason voorhees's mask, it being covered in dirt and stained blood, the dented mirror Jack had once called his own, yet the one thing that caught his attention the most was the weapon that had killed him.

The Glaive. It was clean of the blood it had been covered with but it still held the memory of the blood it had carried. It was almost like his staff in certain ways except for the metal tips it held. A as he held it his fingers presence created the frost upon the surface he was known for, as all the inanimate objects he had touched. He had a brief idea about the weapon but quickly placed it on its very own shelf as the idea was stored in Jack's mind all the same.

Jack returned to the foyer after locking the vault securely back to its original form with all the many replicas from the Abyss. Jack realized how winded the past few weeks had made him. He felt completely drained as he went to recline on the sofa.

"I'll only rest for a minute... Retane should be back soon.." Jack murmured before he fell in to the best sleep he had seen before he had arrived in the Omniverse.