Fan Fiction / Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction / Urusei Yatsura Fan Fiction ❯ Poke Walk ❯ Poke Walk: Chapter 11 - The Morning After ( Chapter 11 )

Poke Walk: Chapter 11 - The Morning After

Disclaimer:

Pokemon is a copyright of Nintendo. The characters of "Magical Twilight" are the property of Pink Pineapple {Japan} and SoftCel Pictures {USA} from the ideas of Akane Shinshakan and Kinya Watanabe. The characters of Tenchi Muyo are the property of AIC, Hiroki Hayashi, and Yousuke Kuroda. The characters of Urusei Yatsura are the property of Kitty Films - Fuji TV, AnimEigo, and Rumiko Takahashi. The characters of Bubblegum Crisis are the property of Studio AIC (Anime International Company), JVC and AnimEigo.

Some other characters and situations used with permission.

Special Disclaimer:

Pokègirls and Pokèwomen come from the Pokewomon Forum at http://disc.server.com/Indices/169881.html.

"Wild Horses and Pokègirls" is the creation of Metroanime.

C&C, MSTs are welcome E-mail: <kelvins.choice@comcast.net> or <kelvins.choice@att.net>

      'Report #21 from 'Student K', Jeff typed, 'The Sadie Pokens Day experiment went as expected. Although I was concerned that the determination.' He stopped stared at the last word, erased it and continued, 'stubbornness they showed in the search. The groupings they accidentally fell into and remained in were interesting. The Megami and the Storm Demon as one, the Matron and the Witch.'

      He considered even recording the next, decided it was an important part of the record, 'On a side note, the reports of the Matron engaging and defeating a 47th level Amazon-Chan, along with secondary and tertiary Amazon-Chans and Tyamazons, are not exaggerated. I suspect this victory in purely physical combat will give her the confidence and gravitas to take and hold the Alpha position once and for all. The repercussions of this are as follows -'

      The door burst open, Jeff barely had an opportunity to save the file as he put the keyboard aside before Liv was burying her face in his chest. The guard outside closed the door as Liv burst into sobs.

      It would be gauche to ask if this is an act, or if she really needs the comforting, he thought as he gathered her in his arms, not speaking, just holding her.

      "It's not fair!" Liv wailed into his chest.

      "No, it isn't," he replied, The Universe isn't fair, thank God. "But you can live with Ritsuko being Alpha. It does mean you and I will have more time to practice magic."

      Liv had raised her head and was staring open-mouthed at him. Oh Master, how do you know such things? he silently asked her question. "Because I am a master shaman. I saw you two competing for weeks. But you are my student, she's got to find a special place of her own too. So you are still my student and the others have decided she's my Alpha. Can you live with it?" This is where is asks 'What are you talking about, I'm talking about what that Witch-bitch did to Sakura, Madison and the rest!' Yes, of course she'll do that! He considered Liv's jealousy, how it related to Sakura, and filed that away for later consideration.

      "I can live with it." She buried her face in his chest again, wrapping her arms around he waist, while she snuggled close.

      He relaxed that way for a while, letting her cry and sniffle as he stroked her hair. He also checked to make sure his report was hidden and the computer was off. "You know," he whispered as he glanced around. His `nursemaid` just rolled her eyes and stepped through the door to the balcony, silently closing the doors behind her. "I shouldn't be doing this," he whispered. She looked up at him, beaming with expectation of a Taming. God, I'm such a manipulative bastard, he thought. Then he started tickling her. "Don't laugh, don't laugh! I order you not to laugh!"

      Of course Liv completely dissolved in laughter, again until she could barely breathe. She hadn't noticed his slipping her clothes off, or the other arrival in the room. "Now, if you're quiet and careful, I think a little Taming isn't out of the question," he whispered as he lay next to her panting form, pulling her towards him. As she hungrily kissed him, he kissed her back, while she frantically began removing his clothes.

{Reports from the Harem of Student K,} Ritsuko typed, staring at the screen. Okay, I've got the first line down, Ritsuko thought, Now what?

      "He makes this look easy."

      {My Master has been writing reports on us and our interactions. As his Alpha, I think he would not mind if I used those same interactions as the basis of my own reports. I also do this beacuase, unusual fior a harem, many of the girls can not only read, but write as well, and that despite their rough nature, many of the girls have a philosophical or analytical bent.}

      {That expalined, I would like to turn to my first subject: Dimensional Travellers. Since Ranma Saotome's meteoric arrival and equally spectacular return home, popular fiction has portrayed Tamers from other worlds as unfailingly kid, decent and somewhat shy when dealing with Taming. They have also been show as treating Pokègirls as `people`.}

      "What are you doing?" Mara asked as she looked over Ritsuko's shoulder.

      "Writing," Ritsuko replied, instead of jumping out of her skin. Ignoring the Storm Demon and concentrating on the keyboard.

      "You misspelled - "

      "I'll fix it later!" Ritsuko growled then continued typing.

      {While the first are all true, the last is not completely accurate. They treat Pokègirls as huamns. While seeming to be a disinction without a difference, from a human point of view, to a Pokègirl, it is a source of endless subtle frustrations. On the whole sex issue, if a Tamer anywhere ever demands sex from his Pokègirl, and she says 'no', drop everytthing and get her to a Pokefcenter. Do not Pokeball her, unless you're certain she's not pregnant. That is not to say she doesn't want to perform orally, vaginally, analy or isn't in to a particular kink. All girls have likes and dislikes, even among breeds who are supposed to prefer certain behaviors and practices, they may not want a certain type of attentoin at this moment. But if she turns down any possibility, now or in the near future, she's ill, mind-controlled, giving birth, or she's been wounded/poisoned. The idea that it is an imposition or some kind of rape at second-hand is both ridiculous, and endlessly frustrating.}

      "Eggheads!" Mara growled and gestured at the keyboard.

      "What are you ?!" Ritsuko yelled as the sparks dropped on the keyboard and the words appeared.

      {If you are our Master, we want to have sex with you. Maybe not at this instant, but as soon as we get out of the middle of the street, as soon as we run away from this Widow, or as soon as we get you in out of the rain! All your penis belong to us!}

      "Ha ha, very funny," Ritsuko said.

      "No misspellings you'll notice," Mara said and preened, "Just a talent."

      "Would you like to write the rest?" Ritsuko asked angrily.

      "Nope, but you can't bore your readers. Say in 10,000 works what you can say in one powerful sentence."

      "And the last line? Is that even English?"

      "Humor is retained longer in the mind than serious prose," Mara said, then stared at Ritsuko, "Just because I wanted all of you to think I wasn't paying attentions, that doesn't mean I wasn't paying attention."

      Ritsuko just sighed and got back to typing.

      {It is possible to rape a Pokègirl, such an action is the recommended way to defeat Dark Ladies. Sexually assaulting an Officer Jenny who is arresting you may also legally constitute rape, but common sense tells you that the Pokègirl must first forcefully say 'no'.}

      "Or you have to take action rendering her incapable of saying no," Mara suggested, "After all, drugging her unconscious or beating her up would pretty much prevent saying no."

      "Look," Ritsuko said as patiently as she could, "You want to write something. You go over there and write it!"

      "Driving you crazy is more fun," Mara told her, "Besides - awk!"

      "You owe me," Oyuki said as she dragged Mara away by the ear.

      "You're just jealous I won the flower-arranging prize!" Mara said as she was dragged through the door and out of the room.

      Somehow I didn't think being Alpha was going to be this much of a pain, Ritsuko thought as she returned to typing.

      {The second is the attitude of 'don't treat me like an invalid'. When he says or does something that displays such a semtiment, I jsut wanted to hug and squeeze him, then Tame him endlessly. The first three times. Lately, it's all I and the others can do not to grab him by the ankles, turn him upside down and shake him to see if he has any marbles left.

      While it has been well established that the 'dex's strength multipliers are basically for human strength, the base one human strength isn't any man or woman on the street, it wqas based on militaty norms, of folks out of advanced infantry training. It means its a multiplier for an extremely tough, healthy and strong individual. These base humans were very impressive physical specemins, yes, that too, but I'm referring to strength, endurance, etc. So when a Pokegirl is two to ten times that, a normal human is an invalid, comparatively. Unless a Master is magically dense, a Titmouse can probaly bench press her Tamer.

      We're alos much tougher than fragile humanity. You shoot a human with an old-style battle rifle, and you are very soon going to have a dead human, if you don't have one now. You make a headshot on a Pokegirl with the same battle rifle, at the same range, she's likely to be more angry than injured. The Ma Duece and Russian DshK or KPV were the only man-portible weapons that could consistantly deal with Pokegirls. That means we are tougher. We were designed as weapons of war, humans were designed as hunter/gatherers, not necessarily to fight.

      The additional psychological factor is than we like protecting and serving humans, whether it is fair or not, it is our genetic heritage. 'You cannot free a fish from water.' Unless you are capable of exsquisite genetic manipulation, you cannot do anything except frustrate us by not allowing us to protect and serve. Set limits, but expect those limits to be challenged. Or set us to defend weaker members while only the very strongest serve as your bodyguard.

      The third item is treating us like humans, note, I did not say treating us as people, but treating us like humans. Ther's a huge difference between accepting we think and have opinoisn, likes and dislikes, and we often want the goals of our Master to succeed, and have ways to help achieve that; and assuming we are human. There's nothing wrong with being hiuman, they are wonderful, delightful creatures, biut I would NEVER want to be one. A soldier once explained 'To be a good soldier you must love the army, to be a good commander you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love.; Many Pokegirls would gladly fight and sacrifice themselves, but sacrifice another? That is not something we are ever comfortable with. Killing another is more acceptable, hence Poekgirl leader/villian types tend to be more like the over-the-top comic vilians, becasue it's easier intensionally `killing` her soldiers by sending them at the heroes, than calmly ordering them to their deaths as a human commander might. Custer or John Bell Hood could be emulated by Pokegirls, Admiral Ozawa or Strom Vincent could not.

      Pokegirls are social creatures, left to make a decision themsleves, a Harem will do so by consensus, either adapting a preestablished routine, or meeting to discuss and argue. Even a Dmina will seek at least tacit support of the others. Humans can weather the lonliness of command far better than any Pokegirl. A military commander or chief executive has to make decisions affecting many, and no Pokegirl (in her right mind) is comfortable making those kinds of decisions outside a committee. Lonliness a Pokegirl vcan deal with, aloneness she cannot. The difference is having no one around you and you know you are separated from others, and standing in a crowded roomm and knowing you are separated from all of them. The latter terrifies most Pokegirls. There will be people who point to the NeoIczel and others as a contrary position. Those breeds are consumed with pride, and pride makes people do and be stupid. Besides, the NeoIzcel becomes stronger when she has a partner, so she is weakened by aloneness, just in a different way. The Dark Queen doesn't see herelf as manipulating people, she is moving peices, either as a chessgame, or parts of a machine. So neither are good counterexamples. The Breeds that are menaces still have the drive to be around others, althouygh they may eat or kill them in a few minutes to a few hourts.

      An example of the fear of aloneness that almost all Breeds have, is the tendancy to sleep in pairs, if not larger groups. Even if physical or psychic contact is made, they want to know that Master or another Pokegirl is close, if they need them. Not becasue we need a Taming every night, although we generally want one, but becasue we wnat the feeling of anothe body and mind close in to us. Try locking your girls in separate rooms for one night, assuming they can penetrate the walls physically, mystically or psychically and contact the others, I cna guarentee they won't like being so isolated.}

      Ritsuko looked at what she'd typed. "Thank all the gods for spell-checkers and grammar-checkers, that does look like a thousand Feral bimbos typing at a thousand typewriters.

      His hands had gone to her breasts as soon as they were exposed, stroking them, circling the aureola without touching the hardening nipples, while their tongues dueled. He caught her tongue with his lips as he pinched her nipples and set her moaning. He rolled her over on her back pulled the covers over them as he began kissing her throat and tickling her sides.

      Jeff shook his head and left the room as Cutey went from being one Jeff, to two, and continued with Liv. I can understand why her former master thought that was a little creepy, he thought, And why he needed to keep her under lock and key. He left the `trio` and headed to the balcony to watch and relax.

      Liv was caught between giggling and moans, alternating as his lips or fingers found a sensitive spot. She didn't try to take charge, as she often did, didn't make it a power struggle. She missed that the kisses were both lingering at her throat and shoulders, and were moving down her body, and that his hands moved up, until his tongue teased its way into her cleft while other hands kneaded her breasts and pinched her nipples, while the kissing and tickling continued.

      Liv gasped and wrapped her legs around his head, trying to force his face and tongue deeper into her. He moved his hands from tickling her to kneading her ass, being more forceful than Jeff typically was.

      Why is it the Dark types enjoyed rough treatment? he asked himself as Liv moaned appreciatively at Cutey's `attack`.

      He slipped his finger around the rosebud of her anus. She whimpered and squirms, trying to move to force that teasing finger to penetrate. He still didn't push in, instead squeezing her checks more roughly while he lapped more quickly. He released her ass and took her clitoris in his fingers, he pinched it as he shoved his finger into her anus.

      Liv screamed joyously.

      He slowed the lapping while he tweaked her clitoris and moved his finger in and out quickly.

      Liv panted. "Yes, give it to your Pokègirl. She her who is- in charge."

      So, she knows it isn't me, on some level, he thought as he crossed the balcony and left the trio to their fun.

      As a `reward, he released her clitoris and began ramming his fingers in and out of her cleft, out of sync with the rhythm his penetration of her anus, He nibbled at her nipples, biting down slowly, but with little force. Liv moaned and shivered, wanting desperately to thrash about, but not with her nipples between his teeth, and wanting to lie still and get the Taming she'd dreamed of. So she quivered and whimpered. He took mercy and released her to sucking on her breasts, while his fingers moved in and out.

      "It's one reason the Dimensional Travelers Investigation Group was originally established," Ms. Taylor explained, "There are some of us who believe that the entire Pokè-phenomenon is due to a retro-virus or other gene-altering element."

      "But if Sukebe released it into the entire biosphere, then there's nothing to compare it to," Jeff said, "So if the item has died off or gone dormant, then Dimensional Travelers wouldn't necessarily have it in their cells and bloodstream."

      "Exactly. But we're assuming it is still active, or at least can be assimilated harmlessly. Then the problem is getting to them before their blood and other cells collect the material. I had a promising candidate several months ago, but he'd been here long enough a screening showed no differences."

      "If you're using my blood as a baseline, it may have elements that aren't standard," Jeff warned, "I also would think that the time I've been here would contaminate the readings."

      "Some few have an immune system that keeps down the invader, you're likely too. That's odd, red blood cells don't usually have nuclei, but about a third of yours do. That would certainly help restoring your systems if the blood could replace itself."

      "Like I warned - "

      "Yes, yes, I heard." She waved away his concerns, fascinated by what she was seeing. "I don't have a PhD in comparative biology, but I know enough."

      "There, it's in the normal sample, but not in mine."

      "It almost looks like a leukocyte. Doubt it is. Sickle cell, a lot of people have these, it helps fight off the effects of malaria and similar diseases."

      "That doesn't look like the sickle cells I'm used to seeing. My teacher was a biophysicist, how the body worked, rather than healing it. Have you considered it might not be cellular, but a mitochondrial difference? They're in most cells. Let's start with that sickle cell, take a look at its systems."

      Liv lived the fantasy of her Master pistoning in and out of her ass so fast and hard she could almost smell smoke, and her Master gently pumping her cunt, not as if he wanted to knock her teeth from her mouth, but to draw out the pleasure for a dozen years. Her Master had reached around and was giving her left breast the mauling she'd always wanted, squeezing and twisting, while his other hand, lips and tongue gave her nipple and aureola such gentle touch and suckled, she would have been giggling uncontrollably under other circumstances.

      While his nails dug deep into her back, his other hand stroked and tantalized her skin with little touches and gentle strokes until she wanted to scream.

      Liv came and came and came, as her Master proved her was her Master because he had the force to make her submit, and her Master proved to her that he could overwhelm her with a gentle, though irresistible assault, as if saying 'here's the most comfortable place, you aren't leaving.' The thrusts in and out of her ass and cunt were out of phase making it harder to do anything except enjoy as it drove her mad. Oh please, don't stop, she thought, but was too out of breath to speak.

      As mini-gasm, after orgasm after thunderous, screaming climax passed, rippled, and smashed through her, her Master never relented to leave her in the after glow, instead letting it build into the next one. Leaving her feeling limp and trembling as the finally pulled out and covering her with a sheet to sleep.

      "That's another thing I can't get used to," Jeff said, as Jeff, Jeff and Jeff walked into the room.

      Another Jeff said, "Watching myself Taming the girls, while another myself is also Taming the girls."

      "I didn't say that," the first Jeff replied, "The roughness and how Liv enjoyed it. That's, what really bothers me. I've always been careful to not hurt someone by accident, and applying just enough to get the result I wanted when I did release the beast."

      "I thought they might want a change of pace," the first Jeff said evasively and exchanged nods with the third who hadn't spoken.

      "That I wasn't fulfilling their needs by being too delicate?" the second Jeff asked. Then the three Jeffs looked around at the stunned Harem and other girls surrounding them.

      The first and second Jeffs flickered, twisted and became one Cutey. "Sorry, but my 'wish' was to Tame you, as Master, preferable while he was Taming you too. He hasn't quite managed the last, but I can do a three way myself."

      Ritsuko gulped and nodded. "You had us a little nervous when you walked in, together."

      "She probably picked up your techniques pretty quick," Mara teased, "Considering you're walking, Master, and Liv is probably out cold from satiation and exhaustion." Then she smiled evilly at Misato, who shivered and looked at Gem.

      "I think Gem might enjoy the double tickling," Misato said very quickly.

      Gem only smiled at the pair.

      "And you," Jeff carefully picked up the Blessed Widow, "I am very proud of you, both your cleverness, and your desire to carry on my goals."

      Gem hugged him tightly, her expression one of utter contentment.

      "And you too, taking advantage of your sudden enhancement," he said, holding the little Pokègirl, "I don't care if you were cooperating or competing, I expect you to operate in that manner in the future."

      "Having such regeneration and near limitless energy was helpful," Misato told him, hiding far more. She and Mara did not look at each other.

      "I think you've all decided that Ritsuko is the Alpha," Jeff said, "And even Liv was willing to accept her, if that indeed is your choice."

      "It is," Ritsuko said.

      "Very well," Jeff said, "There's some work we'll have to do, before we head off to the Orange Islands."

      "Understood," Ritsuko said and glanced at the others who nodded their agreement.

      Ritsuko sat with the Harem and Ms. Taylor's guards, while Sakura and Madison served tea, trying to turn the long wait into a tea party. "Thank you." Ritsuko accepted the cup and sipped.

      Some of the guards look completely out of place at a 'genteel' function, Ritsuko thought.

      The raised voices from behind the lab door startled everyone. Jeff burst through the door way, a look of murderous fury on his face. Ms. Taylor followed, looking frightened. Both Harem and guards sprang to their feet as Ms. Taylor grabbed Jeff's shoulder and turned him around.

      "You haven't - " her voice caught at Jeff's expression, while her guards tensed to leap to her defense and Jeff's Harem made read to pull him off their host.

      "I haven't considered the implications?" his voice was cool and controlled, as if he'd gone past insanity and out the other side, "I believe you haven't considered it all. Qinghai Province in China, San Francisco, Central Africa, somewhere above the Arctic Circle, below the Antarctica Circle, and Australia. Does that cover the implications sufficiently? Does that help? I've considered it was deliberate, malicious and intended, and it is not over yet. Does that cover all the points you were asking me to stop and consider?"

      "Now that we know - "

      "Know what? What can you prove, you have your conjecture. And what would happen if you decided to act?" Jeff asked mockingly. "Nothing," he interrupted before Ms. Taylor could answer, "You would be stopped, even those sent against you would never know the real reason."

      Ms. Taylor blanched at that. "Something can be done."

      "Something can always be done," Jeff said as he turned and stalked away, "Lives can always be thrown away on useless projects. Innocents can always be sent to the slaughter in their bleeding thousands."

      "Interestin' tea party," one of the guards, who looked rather like a GunValkyrie, remarked, "If they's always like this, I'd come more often." She turned and headed after Jeff.

      "What just happened?" Ritsuko asked as everyone seemed to relax.

      "He's going to kill someone," Ms. Taylor said, "And not you, not me, not any Angel, Demon or Legendary will stop him."

      "Who is it?" Sakura asked nervously.

      "We never got that far," Ms. Taylor admitted, "But he knows who it is."

      Someone caught Ritsuko's shoulder as she turned to follow Jeff. "Leave him be, Jane can look after him, and now is not the time for Pokègirls and Taming," PsiLady told her, "There are times for cuddling and gentle Taming, and times to kill an enemy. You want him to hate you, then interfere with that."

      Ritsuko looked in the direction of her master, but instead sat down. Madison put another cup of tea in Ritsuko's shaking hands, while Sakura smiled and served Ms. Taylor. The act seemed to calm both of the older women.

      "You gave ever'body a good scare," Jane told Jeff as she walked after the man, "You plannin' to trek out and murder some bastard with your bare hands? I'm game, I like to watch a little fisticuffs, but I always thought you were a shooter."

      Now, turn around to tell me off, Jane thought, then looked around at their surroundings, like Jeff was doing. The collection of Pokègirls in the forest setting instantly had both on the defensive. Especially the Legendary standing and watching them.

      Jane raised her rifle, only to have Jeff push it down.

      "You knew," he accused, and the Legendary looked away in embarrassment.

      "I knew I could never beat him," the Legendary replied devensively, "I just refuse to pay the price such a victory would demand."

      Jeff turned to the old witch who stood near CyberAtmuff. Jane felt a swirl of emotions as the man stood at attention and saluted, the old witch returned it just as smartly, and Jane thought she saw the ghost of a smile on the old woman's face.

      "Actually, you are in Kansas now," the witch said and seemed to think it funny, then she grew serious, "Now to the introductions."

      "I'm not guilty of - " the almost-fey She-Captain began.

      "Captain Jill Swallow, has been selected for her tactical expertise, leadership skills and nonlinear thinking." The witch then pointed to the Hun and her mount. "Thundering Wind and Spring Dragon for their indomitability and tracking skills." Then to the new arrivals. "Jane Eyre for her psychic skills and mastery of weapons. Jeffery Davis for his mystical talents and diplomatic skills, with so many chiefs, some must act as indians."

      "And you can just forget about my last name," Jane growled at the group, "When I find the bastard with the sense of humor -"

      "If the trip to the Scarlet Continent is to go," the Hun said, "Best the two of us go. The others are not well able to survive such cold."

      "I agree," the She-Captain began, "That is why - "

      "None of you can survive without each other, none of you can succeed without each other," the witch told them, "She will not kill you over a bag of stolen sweets."

      The She-Captain relaxed.

      "You got any idea what's goin' on?" Jane asked Jeff.

      "Yes, a neat little trap, Jane," he said and ignored the Psidyke's frown as he thought, Ire fits you.

      "You recently discovered the truth," the witch intoned, "Each of you stumbled on to the truth, almost by accident. Now, rather than let such an opportunity go. We shall send you to deal with it."

      Before Jane could ask, an image of a complicated piece of equipment materialized before them. Jane had to fight to keep the anger of all the others out of her head.

      "Part of Sukebe's legacy, and a critical part of our salvation," CyberAtmuff said, and cowed the Pokègirls.

      Jeff's anger flared. "Why not destroy it yourselves? You have the power."

      "My return would prevent it. Perhaps if Infernus or Typhonna were active, they could make the journey," the Legendary replied, looking chagrined as she did.

      "What -" Again the appearance of an image interrupted Jane. I'm gettin' a little perturbed about that.

      The fortress that appeared, surrounded by fields of ice, looked squat and serviceable, rather than like a fairy tale castle.

      "We break in there, and steal the gizmo. What's the reward?" Jane asked, seeing and sensing the greed from the She-Captain.

      "Our thanks," the witch said gravely.

      Neither Jane, nor the Captain seemed enthused about that.

      "It is sufficient," Jeff said, staring at the image, trying to burn every detail into his brain, "And we don't steal it. We destroy it, completely."

      "Well, that's the best part I heard yet."

      "There is cold-weather gear, and supplies," the witch revealed a near mountain of gear, that had previously been unseen.

      "So, you're going with us then?" the She-Captain asked.

      "Don't be daft," the witch replied.

      "Ah, sending us to our doom, while you stay safely at home. How very kind of you."

      "How are we to climb a building made of solid diamond?" Jeff asked, "Cut steps in the walls?"

      On the other hand, Jane thought as the Captain's expression changed.

      "Since when did you need to climb?" CyberAtmuff asked, "If you suit up, you can be on your way."

      "How close can you get us?" the huge Clydesdame asked as she considered the pile of gear and began picking out pieces, tossing some of them to the other team-members.

      "About 10 miles/16 klicks," the witch said, "Closer and the defenses would be alerted."

      "So just walkin' in won't set them off?"

      "No, it is passed by often enough."

      "Why's I gettin' the idear we ain't gettin' the whole story?" Jane asked Jeff.

      "Because to name the demon, is to bring his eye to you." Jeff headed over to the supplies.

      "Just great."

      The ice storm howled like every demon in Hell. I should have taken more pairs a socks, Jane thought as she walked. "You sure you can sense that thing?" she asked Jeff.

      "Once I knew what it was, there's nothing on this planet that could hide it from me. It's what I was originally created for."

      Okay, Jane thought as she stepped away from the intense male, and towards the Hun/mount pair who watched him with hooded eyes, Not hard to see what they's thinkin' of.

      "The cold would kill an human, or any of the rest of us," Jane reminded the Clydesdame, who was substantially less mesmerized than the Hun.

      "I think we can wait," the Clydesdame said as she picked a handful of snow and shoveled it into her comrade's trousers.

      "Cold! Cold! COLD!" the Hun complained, "What did you do that for?!'

      "You let him get killed, there'll be no Taming for either of us," the Clydesdame rebuked her partner.

      The Hun immediately scanned the area around them. "You saw something?"

      "No, but a Legendary, and one from the Age of War would not send us as their first group. If they knew of this thing, other groups would have been sent."

      "So why didn't - they got killed, that's why they sent us," Jane said feeling more depressed. Then raised her rifle as Jeff held up a raised fist.

      The She-Captain wearing a fortune in furs jogged up. She looked at the implacable stares aimed at her, and looked behind. "I haven't done anything to warrant such suspicion."

      "Yet," the other four answered in unison.

      "You lied, it's not made of diamond. A girl can tell real diamond," the pirate announced angrily.

      Can I just kill her now? Jane wondered as she watched the She-Captain exude indignation, while below the surface, treachery roiled.

      "The outer surface is all ice, that's to be expected," Jeff replied smoothly, "We have to get inside." He caught the Pokèwoman's collar. "All of us. You can't cut as much diamond as I can, and with the help of the others, we can cut more."

      "Oh, well, if you're willing to help, far be from me to hinder our progress," the She-Captain said, "It's this way."

      "Why is she scoutin', if you know the way?" Jane whispered to Jeff.

      "Because she's an underhanded thief who works best when she's trying to put something over her allies."

      "So you set us up for her," Jane said, "Gee thanks. How'd you know it's diamond?"

      "Doped diamond is the ideal semiconductor," Jeff said as he started walking into the storm after the pirate, "And you need a lot of semiconductor for a transmitter that size."

      Jane looked at the Hun, who looked like she had her pants full of snow again. What did those two think we were going after? she thought as the force of their bond turned her probe.

      Jane trudged through the path Jeff had beaten in the snow. "This is not goin' to be fun as fun as I thought," she complained.

      "Inside, inside he promised," the group found the pirate lying on her side, only the many layers of clothes protected her from what had tried to burn her. The fur still smoldered and only the gale-force winds carried away the smell.

      "Somebody isn't as good with locks as she thought she was," Spring Dragon teased.

      "Someone else is," Thundering Wind added as she pulled a small tool kit from her saddle bags.

      "I really can do it," the She-Captain volunteered as she pulled a similar kit, only to find it mostly slagged, and considerably less extensive than the Clydesdame's. The She-Captain slunk off to pout, while Jeff gestured and the winds ceased to blow and the snow no longer obscured the lock.

      "This isn't as easy as I thought," the Clydesdame complained as she worked.

      "Yeah 'tis." Jane aimed and fired.

      The bullet ricocheted and the defense system sent them dodging the energy bolts the turrets on the walls released. After a few moments, it seemed satisfied it had killed them, and stopped firing.

      "DON'T - DO - THAT!" the Clydesdame shouted at the Psidyke.

      "You ain't my boss!" Jane replied angrily.

      "Oh look, a way in!" the She-Captain squeaked in delight and ran straight up the sheer, ice-covered wall and disappeared into the slit for one of the gun ports, before it closed.

      "Some things simply defy explanation," Jeff offered, "All we have to do is let her greed win."

      "How long's that gonna take?" Jane demanded.

      "That long," Spring Dragon said in disgust as the service door opened and the excited pirate motioned them inside.

      "You were right! You were right!" the pirate danced around as she gestured at the walls, "Solid pure diamond! And mine for the taking!" She seemed to sense the change in mood. "Oh, ours of course, I was just considering my share of our -"

      Jeff tackled her as she explained. The wall near the She-Captain exploded, and remained on fire as they looked around.

      "Diamond . . . burns?" the horrified She-Captain asked as she sprang to her feet and began trying to blow out the small fires, only to have them merge and intensify, "That's not good."

      Jane knocked her down this time, as another energy beam from the roof nearly obliterated her.

      "Stop blowing up my treasure!" the outraged pirate shouted as she squirmed out of Jane's grip. The She-Captain threw herself to the ground before the third blast nearly hit her. "Why is it after me?" the She-Captain whined as the cannon high above swivelled to track her.

      "Because you forced open the locks?" Jane offered as she took aim, as Jeff fired. The two gunshots disabled the cannon.

      "You have to put it out!" the She-Captain nearly begged the Hun, gesturing at the burning diamond walls.

      "Too much cold and it will explode in fragment that will cut us to ribbons," Spring Dragon explained.

      "Fragments are okay, I can carry fragments," the pirate wheedled.

      "We need to get to the top," Jeff said, "How did you get down here?"

      The She-Captain muttered something, then went back to pleading with the Hun to save the diamond.

      "You what?" the Clydesdame asked.

      "I fell. Look a few little squirts here and there should do it. Do you know how much money I, we're losing every moment we're just standing here?"

      "How much of this place do you think we can return with?" Spring Dragon asked, as the fires continued.

      The She-Captain turned to Jeff. "Surely you can see reason."

      "Diamond is a thermal superconductor, and you neglected to wedge the door open. There's no lock on this side."

      The She-captain ran to the section of wall through which they'd entered. It was a perfectly smooth expanse. "Ah, I fell out of that window up there. I'm sure a wizard like you can just fly up there and open the gun ports that would give us a path of escape. Very good thinking, worry about surviving to spend the treasure before worrying about the treasure itself."

      The rhythmic shaking threw everyone off their feet. Jane watched as sparks flew from some of the blocks. "What's goin' on!?" she demanded.

      "Diamond is a good semi-conductor. This whole building is like a giant computer chip," Jeff explained as he struggled to his feet, "And a transmitter."

      "So, like a busted radio, it's sparkin'? That's a lot a power," Jane said as the sparks set more fires, "We got to get outta here 'fore we's roasted." She coughed. "Or smothered."

      "No, we have to be ready to shoot what's coming," Jeff told them as the periodic earthquakes made footing difficult.

      "If we put out the diamond, then we'll have more time," the She-Captain insisted as she nervously shifted from foot to foot, nearly whimpering.

      "If she sprays those walks with cold, they'll shatter and fill this place with fragments. You can't spend any money, if you're dead," Jeff replied, "Relax, once our target arrives, there'll be plenty of fragments. We'll have our way out, and you'll have empty cases to carry the fragments. Diamond slivers would cut their way out of a bag, but not solid wood cases."

      "Ooo," the She-Captain cooed as she snuggled up to Jeff, "I like how you think."

      "If I reduce the heat and fumes," Spring Dragon suggested, "We'll last longer." She began emitting a chilling mist that suppressed the heat completely, and the smoke slightly.

      "You're scarin' me. If we's gonna fight what's makin' it shake, we'd better have a heavy rocket launcher."

      "Who's a better shot with one," Jeff asked as he pulled the cases from the pile of baggage he'd carried, and opened them up.

      "Without braggin', me. Only cause it's so heavy, and if that shakin' is somethin' walkin' to us, I figure it's straight up I'll be aimin'."

      "It is." Jeff looked around as the building burned, and the earth shook.

      "You know what it is," Spring Dragon said, "And you won't tell us."

      "I know, but I think you'll get too worried if I tell you. Jane, just get ready to shoot when I tell you. Spring Dragon, you be ready to use the recall device."

      "We were picked because of our ability to think," Thundering Wind pointed out, "You might share."

      "Okay, we're going to shoot something, and escape, just before it shoots back."

      "Shouldn't we use the recall device now? Before it arrives?" Captain Swallow pointed out.

      "Then they'd send us back, and instead of this delightful warmth," Thundering Wind said as she hoisted the She-Captain off the ground, "We'll be standing in the cold. Spring Dragon might enjoy that, but I doubt the rest of you would."

      "I can help set up the rocket launcher, and have the second rocket all set up," the She-Captain offered as she noted Jeff working to pry the nosecone off one of the projectiles.

      "And have their boxes empty for your diamond pieces?" Thundering Wind asked.

      "Get the biggest pieces. The value of diamond goes up with larger, flawless pieces," Jeff said.

      "Careful," Jane warned, "She's gettin' in a Taming mood."

      Jeff opened the case for the massive rocket launcher itself, and handed it to Jane. "Funny, I thought somebody would say that about you."

      "Yeah," Jane could only reply as she looked with pure animal lust at the huge weapon. Then she suddenly realized. "This isn't gonna be big enough. They's only a few things big enough to shake the world, and one bitty hand cannon ain't gonna do it."

      "That's why I need the Captain to help me get the nose cones off these rockets." Jeff carefully continued removing the pointed cap of the weapon. Thundering Wind dropped the She-Captain, who scurried over to Jeff. "Get the other end open, and then fill the boxes and keep them handy for when we leave."

      "Like this," the She-Captain handed Jeff the warhead and now-separate cover cap.

      "Diamonds," Jeff said as he accepted the warhead.

      The Hun watched the She-Captain pick up and fit the large fragments in the large boxes. The diamonds' sharp edges seemed not to bother the She-Captain at all.

      "So that out there is what I think it is?" Thundering Wind asked.

      " 'Fraid so," Jeff answered.

      "Then we're back in the 1990's," Spring Dragon said, glanced at the She-Captain, and clammed up about the advantages of remaining behind with full knowledge of the next three hundred years of history. "I guess today is a good day to die."

      "No - it - is - not!" Jeff replied angrily, "With an antimatter warhead, it will do exactly what that old witch planned."

      "Anti-matter?" Jane asked.

      "The most powerful explosive human science ever postulated," Jeff said as he set out several odd looking spheres next to the two opened warheads."

      "Wouldn't the governments have used it on our approaching guest," Thundering Wind pointed out, "If they had had it?"

      "We ain't gonna use the weapon," Jane said gleefully as she carefully set the odd sphere into the depression in the HEAT warhead, "Least ways not to kill. But the pain . . . "

      "Oh, you two are crazy," Spring Dragon realized what they had planned, "Why not set the bombs and run?"

      "Because the network needs to go down, and the anti-matter blast will fry everything too fast."

      "This way, we blow up all the other transceivers too," Jane explained and smiled, "We gotta destroy'em, just a little slower."

      "Right, we induce an overload," Jeff said, "You make the first shot, and I'll reload."

      "I even got a target all picked out," Jane said as she grinned.

      "I bet you do," Thundering Wind said as she looked around for some cover from the rockets' backblast.

      "Anyone yells 'We're blasting off again' you and me gonna have words!" Jane threatened as the shocks grew worse.

      "Aren't you - " Swallow began, as massive claws tore into the almost unbreakable structure of the roof, and tore it away.

      A face not seen for 300 years stared down at them.

      "She's a lot calmer lookin' than I heard." Jane didn't aim at her face. "I'll cure that."

      The rocket fired and the countermass of plastic flakes exploded over the area. Jeff hastily reloaded as rocket hit its target.

      "Fire two." Jane fired. This time, the rocket vanished from sight before exploding.

      "Get us out of here!" Swallow shrieked as Typhonna reacted to the explosion deep within her.

      They watched the Legendary shriek in pain as her mouth filled with the glow from an ultra-hyperbeam. The monster's head came forward and down. And they were standing in the forest clearing again.

      "Good timing!" Swallow said as she examined her booty, then the diamonds she'd brought.

      "Wahoo!" Jane shouted exultantly as she danced, hugging the rocket launcher tightly. She grabbed Jeff by the head and kissed him full on the lips, then let him go and resumed her dance.

      "I take it you were successful?" old Witch asked.

      "You knew someone would be," Jeff said, "Either us, or someone else."

      "Correct," the Witch said, "We are please you succeeded as thoroughly as history reports you did. There have been efforts to reverse the effect. I take it your solution makes that impossible."

      "Pissed off Titan-Legendary doin' the 'Damnit Dance' all over the territory?" Jane laughed, "I don't think so."

      "Too bad you can't tell anyone," the Witch told them. Only the direct intervention of CyberAtmuff kept the Psidyke from assaulting the Witch.

      "I cunt punted a Titan-Legendary, and no one can fuckin' know," Jane said dangerously, despite the Second Gen Legendary who stood beside her. Jane relented. "That sucks, blows, and bites it off." She walked over to sit on a log and glare at the whole world.

      "If someone knew, they'd be after you, not your mistress. I don't think you'd like that," Jeff offered.

      "Do guys have to get all touchy-feely when women are pissed off?" Jane asked.

      "Only the smart ones?" Thundering Wind offered.

      "I'm afraid all you'll have is our gratitude," CyberAtmuff said.

      "And the diam - " Jill Swallow and her boxes of diamonds vanished.

      "How we gonna explain bein' gone three days?" Jane asked, then looked at Jeff's smile, "Fine, I'm missin' something, go ahead and laugh."

      "Why not read his mind?" Thundering Wind asked.

      Jane shuddered. "You seen a few battle fields, bad as Retchovich?"

      "Reykjavík?" Thundering Wind asked and shuddered herself.

      "He's seen worse," Jane practically accused, "I ain't lookin' in his head, lessin I have to."

      The Hun and her Clydesdame vanished, taking most of the gear with them.

      "That leaves us," Jeff said as he stood and saluted. The Witch saluted back, and they were in the garden outside the Taylor mansion.

      "Why'd you salute?" Jane asked.

      "A Medal of Honor warrents a salute from even a field marshall." Jeff looked at Ritsuko who ran towards them.

      "I'll let you explain," Jane said, looking forward to it.

      "We've only been gone a couple of minutes," Jeff replied. "Problems?" he asked Ritsuko.

      "Other than you two scaring everybody half to death, then being impossible to find." Ritsuko looked around as Liv, Sakura and Li approached. "Where'd you go?"

      "To watch Jane shoot Typhonna in the unmentionables."

      "Twice," Jane amended.

      Ritsuko shook her head. "If you don't want to tell us, why do you have to make up something that outrageous."

      "Like a Matron beating up a pack of Amazons?" Jeff teased.

      "That was a fluke," Ritsuko said.

      "Or Cutey joining forces with you lot?" Jane replied.

      "That's Jeff's knack," Ritsuko explained.

      "Or you all killin' all those Widows and Spinnenangsts?" Jane accused.

      "Okay! I believe you, you shot Typhona's slit, and . . . no I don't."

      "I kissed him."

      "Now I believe you shot Typhonna," Ritsuko walked away grumbling.

      Jeff couldn't understand what the fuss was about. It's a simple enough spell, and a logical conclusion. The one entity who had been with Sakura the entire time and had not been `regressed` by the witch year after year, is also the entity who could tell us all we need to know about the opposition, the cards. Sakura's and Li's cards.

      He looked around at the people assembling for the ritual, looking in, and leaving to wait with the others, and he mentally shrugged at the concerned looks from many of them.

      The fact that neither Kero nor Yue think this is a good idea isn't my problem, he thought as he laid out the circle, not to protect what was released within, but what could be lurking outside, I've got a feeling I know who's been giving Sakura a hard time. I need proof and I need the Cards to accept me as Sakura's `Master`, and not because I have her word on the subject, but that I deserve it.

      "That simple?" Madison asked.

      "It's a protection circle, not for conjuring or anything else," Jeff replied to the Tarantella who seemed always to have a camera and sewing kit with her.

      Same `breed`, but very different from Kiyone, but that's good, he thought, If this works, she'll be 19 years old, not 10, which will again make me the second youngest member of the group, yet the one with the most exciting life . . . weird.

      "So what's the plan?" Madison asked, for posterity, since he'd already told her.

      "I've let it be known that Sakura's cards have the answers, so I'm hoping to draw the enemy here where they can be destroyed or dealt with, at my leisure," he said.

      You weren't expecting that, were you?

      "Is that why you haven't told Sakura?" Madison immediately asked, not thrown for an instant.

      "That's why everyone can be protected from what's inside and what's outside the circle. Hence the concentric rings with no connection between. Simple, plain even, but effective."

      "But what about the runes and designs on Sakura's?"

      "Sakura's opening chant refers to the contract. My Patrons ceded power to me to accomplish their goals."

      "So . . . you don't have to -?"

      "Appease," Jeff replied.

      "The other powers to cast your spells."

      "No, they care more about overall results," Jeff told her.

      "When will you tell the others that you believe that the enemy will attack."

      "If the enemy does attack," Jeff corrected, "I'm not even certain that's going to happen. Best prepare for the worst, that way, you go through life always being pleasantly surprised.

      Madison chuckled at that. "So you're thinking this will - or might - be unnecessary, but just in case it's 'might', you don't want to be unprepared."

      "Exactly."

      "Do you intend to include it in Sakura's Great Adventure'? Or is this background for the 'making of' documentary?"

      Madison's eyes sparkled. "A Making of . . . that's a wonderful idea! I wonder if Miss Kiyone - "

      "No, Ritsuko and Liv are the ones to talk to. Ritsuko understands the logistics end, Liv the mystical, so they'll know what to shoot and what to examine and explain."

      "I should . . . are you almost done here? I don't want to risk off - "

      "I was going to ask you to turn off the camera and leave, I'm going to whistle up some powerful stuff," Jeff said, "Best you aren't around to hear or see."

      "Okay," Madison said brightly. She carefully hopped over the circles, and ran off.

      Jeff watched the girl go. I wonder if `Taylor` and `Avalon` know their ancestry, he thought as he set out the cakes he'd baked and his screwdriver and pipe `drum`, and summoned the household spirits to him. The domovye and their wives the kikimora appeared from everywhere, in response to the ringing of the metal. He looked at them closely, saw the resemblances and remembered the legends about them appearing, at the call of the masters of the house. "Baba Yaga," he said, no question, just a statement.

      The spirits gravely bowed low, confirming his mastery and understanding.

      "You do good work," he said in his barely sufficient Russian, "You may take your reward and return."

      They split the cakes before they withdrew to their places and tasks.

      So, the young witch threatens the old witch, he thought, It is time to remind her that someone else has entered the lists. "Romanovs, eh, I wonder if the elder 'Ms. Taylor' is even aware," he asked the empty air.

      The families and Sakura's `Harem` had arrived and were visiting within the outermost circle while Jeff's Harem, waited with them in the outermost edge of the inner circle. They were there as a defense, in case the witch showed up. As if I'd need such a thing, he thought as he stood within the innermost circle. He glanced at Sakura, who stood in the circle with him. "Ready?" he asked.

      She clutched her rod to her chest and nodded worriedly.

      She's terrified, but she's going to go ahead, he thought, The kid's got guts.

      Sakura released her cards.

      Spirit magic, he thought as he felt the spirits bound within the `cards` begin to come awake and alive. Jeff cast his spell and braced himself for the cards' reaction.

      Sakura stared as the cards whirled about her rapidly, calling her name over and over. The faint murmurs she'd occasionally heard the cards emit when they were agitated. It sounds like a choir! she thought with both alarm and amazement.

      She glanced in wonder, open-mouthed. "Beautiful," she whispered.

      But they are alarmed, she thought in confusion.

      Some of the cards remained whirling between her and Mister Davis, some were whirling around him. The voices surrounding her sounded female, high-pitched and reassuring. While the ones surrounding Mr. Davis sounded male, deeper voices and hostile. But not hostile to him, she thought, Yet what are they so angry about?

      She was about to call them back, get them to behave, but Mister Davis held up a hand while smiling at her, urging her to trust him and the cards, and remain silent. Okay, she thought worriedly, They're agitated, I've never seen them like this. Then some of the card orbited around her, some around him, but the bulk were swirling between them. The `male` cards sang out a warning about Mister Davis, some kind of other threat Sakura was seized by . The cards have never lied to me, she thought, But Mister Davis doesn't seem terrible, scary yes, not terrible. Why would he help Tori and Madison, and me?

      "Sakura was attacked nine years ago. You saw, you know, you can tell," Mister Davis said, "I need to know, to save her. Who is your true Master?"

      "We serve/love Sakura!" the cards cried out, some said one, some said the other. The card swirled protectively around her, some brushing her clothes and hair, they sang her name, little snippets of how she'd captured them, how she'd used them in battle, how she'd cared for them. Sakura felt warm, both from the outpouring of love and affection from the cards and her feelings back, and her total embarrassment at the revelation in front of her friends and family. She wanted to hug them all. Right after I crawl into a hole and hide, she thought.

      "The Witch who cast the false spell on Tori and Madison, who led Li to his transformation, was she the one who came year after year to strip away the year of learning and mastery? What is she called?" Mister Davis thundered without shouting as the cards had.

      It's like he's not human, Sakura thought as she cowered slightly, trying and failing to fight her fears, He's something ancient and terrible.

      "Baba Yaga!" the cards cried out, some in fury, some in anguish, but in unison.

      Sakura burst into tears as the cards drew close around her as if to physically protect her.

      "Stop this!" Kero demanded, "You're hurting her!"

      Mister Davis responded by drawing his cane, as if it was a sword. "I can feel you. Smell you! Come forth!" he growled, more like a lion than even Kero could be. Then he demanded, "Come forth!"

      The fat, wrinkled figure stepped out of the shadows and glared at her and Mister Davis.

      Mister Davis spoke fast, almost musically but unearthly, and Sakura fell to her knees and covered her ears at the appalling utterances that seemed wrong and impossible for a sane human to make. Unseen voices took up his chant and the witch began a frantic chant of her own. Even with her eyes squeezed shut and tears streaming down her cheeks, Sakura saw things that at once made no sense yet were obviously insane and malign.

      "I withdraw the spell!" the old woman shouted, and Mister Davis fell silent. Sakura stood slowly and wiped the tears from her eyes.

      "You thought I'd step in your trap?" the old woman cackled, "I am here, come get me."

      As Gem stood, she growled, a terrifying sound that told you that death was here.

      "Stand fast," Mister Davis told everyone.

      I don't think I could move if I wanted to, Sakura thought as the cards arranged themselves defensively in front of her.

      Gem snarled at Mister Davis.

      "You will stand fast," Mister Davis told Gem, with a voice like stone. Even the Blessed Widow paled and took a step back. Then he stared at the old witch. "You attacked without reason or purpose, Old One," he said angrily, then teasingly added, "That is not like you. Are you so afraid you would abandon your own code? Have your vows fallen so far?"

      "Do not cross words with me, little shaman. My power was ancient when your nation was pupped. I - " the old witch's voice faltered as she stared, "Impossible."

      "Now you see the truth," Mister Davis said with a supernatural calm, "What say you now?"

      "I am no fool, nor are you the Green Knight. Death can touch you here, even hold you." She gestured at Mister Davis's Harem. "You will not serve them by dying. They have not realized that you follow after death like a lover." The old witch laughed. "Libido and Thanatos," she laughed aloud, "One has no grip upon you, the other, denied you forever. 'That which cannot die, cannot live.' And you are neither. What do you want?"

      "Release what you took from Sakura and the others, and I will discuss it," Mister Davis said, his voice shaking with rage, "You have my freely given word."

      "He already knows you are here," the witch said, "I shall warn you of that much." She nodded to the others in the cirlce. "Cast them asside, and come at him yourself. But you aren't strong enough."

      "Give me more than that, or your death will not be pleasnat," Mister Davis threatened, "Any where you can go, I can follow. Even Hell will offer no barrier to my grip on your throat."

      "Then I challenge. You find a better solution, I have not killed her. I have no wish to," the old witch said tiredly, "Only one. I will not go gently. Solve that riddle . . . and I will solve the riddle of the Orange Islands for you. Your answer is wrong."

      "Bargained well, and done," Mister Davis said then laughed, "I have your solution Chaos sower. I will come take my prize."

      "I cannot stop you, nor will I make it easy. I look forward to your challenge." Now she smiled evilly. "And how you will deal with my answer, too long have only fools and children fallen into my grip," she cackled and vanished.

      "Mister Davis?" Sakura asked as she approached him. Then he reeled, and Sakura found herself supporting his full weight. "Mister Davis! Help!"

      Gem and the others were at her side and hoisting him off her. "What was that all about?" Sakura asked, as Jane of all people carried him away.

      "I was rather hoping you could tell us," Mistao complained, "Do mages always have to talk in riddles?"

      "Yes," Yue said as the Mystic Angel turned to leave with the others.

      "Howee!" Sakura complained and shivvered.

      "Simple exhaustion," Oyuki told them as she left their Master's room, "There was more to that battle than any of us were aware of."

      "So none a' you is gettin' a Tamin'," Jane said from where she lounged, "Me and ours, we're gonna get all ready for a trip."

      "What makes you think we are traveling with you?" Ritsuko asked pointedly.

      The Psidyke smiled lazily. "First, he's goin' and I ain't letting him slip away, neither are Gem or Madison, so we all go. Two, he don't need watchin', he needs lookin' after. Stubborn, and the only part a that whole speechifyin' I understood, I seen in action. He'll kill hisself, sooner or later, and no Pokègirl will cure that. You dopes can't see he's in love? She dead, and he has to be too, ta get ta her. Good as you are in the sack, nice as you are to look at or talk to, men get kinda funny about their first. He ain't seen anythin' yet to compete, not Seraphs, not Megami, not Witches, and not Widows. He kills, hopin' they'll kill him back. Third, this is gonna be too much fun to sit at home." The Psidyke got up and left the room.

      "Much as I hate to admit it," Linda said, "She has a point. I've seen recognized partners act like that, when they lost their partner. Most aren't as durable as he is, so they go quicker." The Psilady left as well.

      "That certainly leave us with a problem." Misato crossed the room to stare into the window of the door, at their Master inside.

      "Do you care only for his soul?" Mara asked quietly. She continued to stare placidly at the Seraph as Misato rounded on her.

      "The 'Orange Island riddle'," Ritsuko pointed out, "He wasn't going after the Evangelion, was he?"

      "If he needed power to fight something," Liv said as she paced, "That would be the best way to get it, get a Legendary."

      "Gem," Gem tried to point out.

      "So what do we do in the meantime?" Cutey asked, "I don't like to admit it, but I am in season, and frankly . . . "

      "He'll wake soon," Oyuki said, "In the meantime, we should get ready to travel. I suspect that Ms. Taylor will demand an entire armed caravan." Oyuki led the Titto away.

      "Me, I'm going to get some sandwiches, for us, and for him when he wakes up," Mara said, "Come on Gem."

      Gem gave them all a thoroughly frustrated look, then followed the Storm Demon.

      "I know when I'm not wanted," Liv grumped as she headed for the door, "He didn't even tell me what he had planned."

      Ritsuko turned to the last of her Harem-sisters. "You've been remarkably quiet."

      "I'm a good detective," the Wolf Spider replied, "While all of you were waiting, I did some research, on Baba Yaga, Russian folklore, some leads on what all that stuff meant." She handed Ritsuko the paper. "Maybe I'm reading too much into this, but I thought that every word had very precise meanings."

      Ritsuko skimmed the paper, and read the conclusions at the bottom. "Don't share this with anyone," Ritsuko ordered as she crumbled the paper up, "And destroy any other copies."

      "That's the only one," Kiyone said as she offered Ritsuko a match.

      Ritsuko had the Gun apart and was cleaning it, under her Master's watchful eye. "There's something that's been bothering me."

      "What is it? You missed a spot there." Jeff examined the breach.

      "This thing let you take out Spinnenangsts, and I took out a Widow with it. Yet I hit that demon several times and it kept getting up. How did that happen?"

      "This weapon was originally designed to deal with mythos monsters, not demons. So it has a greater effect on mythos-related creatures."

      Ritsuko stared at him, not liking the implications. "Are you saying that Pokègirls are somehow attuned to this 'mythos' you are referring to?"

      "No. Your own observations are saying that," Jeff replied, "Widows are invulnerable because at the moment of impact, they throw themselves slightly out of phase. So the attack does less damage, or passes through them without effect. This gun and the bullets for them are designed specifically to circumvent that tactic."

      "Scary," Ritsuko said, "And you already knew that? Did you?"

      "What makes you think a normal human could ever do the things I can?" her Master asked quietly, almost sadly.

      Ritsuko looked at the man she loved more than her own life, and shivvered.

Jeff's Harem

Oyuki - Megami

Kiyone - Wolf Spider

Misato - Seraph

Ritsuko - Matron

Mara - Storm Demon

Gem - Blessed Widow

Liv - Witch

Cutey Honey - Titto

Sakura Avalon - Clow Mystic

Kero - Blessed Sphinx

Yue - Mystic Angel

Li Shaoran - Cardcaptor

Li Meiling - Pirouette

Jane Eyre - PsiDyke