The Tournament Of Heroes! (Titans East)

"It's worth a shot, here, hold my hand."

With Static and Kat touching hands they're currents began to mix. Static surging with a purplish electric aura, while Kat showed a clashing blue one. Of course you could not see the currents really, but they were pretty much broad enough to depict these colors. Static would then extend his hand as both of them surged with electricity. Firing a blast that sent Zoltan off his feet finally and soaring back into a crystal pillar. It was working, the enhanced lighting bursts were definitely detering Zotlan. Hopefully others would help before they shorted out or he found a way around this.

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Meanwhile, in JaK's mind he was in an all white nothingness. Floating and completely naked, not covered in any material at the moment. Where was he, the boy wondered? Was he here all because he touched that damn sword? Then almost as if reading his mind, his questiosn would be answered by a low raspy deep voice; kind of like nails on a chalk board that sent a shiver up Sage's back, although he didn't show it.

Spoiler:

"We are in your body JaK, Sage, isn't this what you wanted? My power so you could defeat the Arena God?"

As the very large dragon seemed to just appear through the nothingness, with it came a blackness from all around. The blackness began to overtake the white slowly, but surely, until the space they occupied seemed to mimic space now. It still went on forever and it had little sparklets of white in it that resembled stars, however, Sage could still breathe and he was still floating naked...Peculiarly.

"Ooook, so the magical sword is really inhabited by the soul of a dragon? I did NOT see that coming?"

"I am no mere Dragon mortal, I am the reaper of what you call 'dragons' that are slain. I alone used to lead them to the afterlife and as so they could be reborn again, much like all other things in the glaxy that die and then live a new in another life. Through the breif time I have inhabited your prepubescent body I can see that you have met Necatti. So you understand the things of which I speak?"

"Ya, I get it you're basically the dragon version of the grim reaper in hell...My question is, why are you now trapped in a sword and why do you allow this tool Zoltark or whatever to use your powers?"

"Ahhh child, that is a story for another time if you so choose to hear it; but for now you must make a choice. By absoring my power you have not only taken on the properties of the blade that I inhabit, but you in essence are alllowing me to take refugee in your own being. By doing this you will inherit my powers and my conciousness...Permanently. You will experience power like you have never seen or imagined, yet, at the same time by unleashing me and allowing my will to be your own. I will have my revenge on the one that is called Zoltan. He will pay for past crimes and I cannot secure that I will spare his life. You, yourself never having never taken a life might not wish for this afterall. So I ask you JaK Sage, what path will you choose. Are you ready to accept the power and consequences of allowing me to take hold of your very soul forever? Or, I will allow you to take back your decision and instead I will remain in my current host; the choice is yours, but I think we both already know what your asnwer will be, now dont we boy?"

JaK would then be shown an image from his own lifeless eyes and body that was still laying on the ground. Still slowly absorbing the demonic sword's properties, but with no signs of consciousness at all in his blank gaze. He would see as Superboy was tossed aside like a rag-doll. He would see Electrified and Static team up to fight Zoltan. However, the God Of The Arena was taking it all in stride and showed no signs of weakening, only annoyance and now bits of injury/burns. JaK would not let Kat die, nor any of his comrades this guy had to be stopped here and now.

"Do it.."

"As you wish."

NarGok seemed to cackle as he heard JaK's response, it was excactly what he had wanted; a new host. Finally he could transfer himself from the acursed prison of Zoltan's blade and let this child absorb him as well as the wapons properties. As the dragon laughed maniacally the blackness all around Sage seemed to come washing towards him like a melting wave of paint engulfing the Titan into the dark nothingness. Then outside of Sage's mind one of his eyes would close and open, no longer matching his yellow pupil; but instead now bore a small dot of buring blue. The rest of his eye filling with black like dark ink being sprayed from a pen.

As the guards and villains began to retreat and re-group the exits were being cut off from them by Miss Martian & Lil Lobo, who levitated and tossed parts of the battlefields in front of the doorways out. Mas Y Menos were also keeping them unorganized by constantly running through the soldiers in random patterns to annoy them, thus ruining their focus on the battle at hand. While Stargirl focused her attacks on those who were attmepting to break down the object infront of the exits by baraiding them with stars. There would be no escape for these felons, just retribution. Meanwhile, Static now being aided by Electrifed, who hunched Virgil up over her shoulder, was keeping the pressure on Zoltan; but the gladiator was resourceful. He countered/blocked the next few bolts by breaking off a large piece of crystal and used it to refract Static and Kat's electric shocks.

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A few yardss away, JaK's transformation would continue as unfamiliar symbols or markings accompained the substance that continued to crawl from his shoulder and now onto the side of his chest. The ever looking eye that was once visible on Zoltan's sword, would now transfer itself from the blade to JaK's upper palm. The absorbtion was happeing much fatser now and soon JaK would be no more. His body and soul taken over by NarGok. That was until he heard Will's voice in his head.

"Will?"

It would be at that time that Sage realized what he had truly agreed to and began to fight the darkness that was enshrouding him in his head. He began to try to swim out, ripping the gooey like subtance from around himself and putting up quite a tussle.

"What are you doing JaK Sage? I have healed your wounds, I am increasing you abilities, I alone am giving you the tools to defeat the enemy you wished to destroy just moments ago."

"Ya, you're giving me everything I'm not, but you're also taking away what makes me...Well, ME. And I realized, I rather die a thosuand deaths and the hands of this jerk-off Zoltan, then kill him and lose who I am forever."

"You fool, he will KILL you without my full power you and all your friends will perish as well; can you not see this!?!"

"Well, that's just a chance well have to take. Luckily for you, you're off the hook. I think what you've given me right now will be more than enough, but thanks anyway."

"Stop child, you do not know what you're doing!"

As NarGok pleaded with JaK one last time, Sage would begin to glow all white himself and push back the enveloping darkness. No longer excepting NarGok's control over him. The whiteness that he orignally was floating in would push back the dragon's dark influence until it was all gone and his voice faded away. Outside JaK's body, his hand would pull away from the sword and then the weapon itself would begin to crack and crumble until it shattered. As if the severing of JaK's connection to it released NarGok's spiritual hold on it and the boy.

Spoiler:

"I know excaclty what I'm doing. Getting rid of you and saving my friends...No, my family."

It would be at that time JaK would rise up. His wounds had all healed and his left arm all the way up to his shoulder and breast was now was made of the same material as Zoltan's sword. Additionally his eye still was also still affected by the absorption, but, fixing his appearance would have to wait until later. Right now, JaK needed to put down Zoltan HARD!!

So much would happen right before Lance at what would seem to be forever. Will and Grace were both out again and Lance had sent Arrowette to go protect the two of them. Lance saw as JaK had fought off NarGok in him, but Lance didn't really know what was happening there. Lance felt useless to help the others right now because he knew that he was not strong enough to take on Zoltan, but maybe he can help Static and Electrified keep Zoltan at bay. Lance stomps on the ground and lifts up a pretty good chunk of the ground and sends it flying towards Zoltan. Lance wasn't attempting to try and hurt Zoltan, but instead break the crystal that he had picked off from the arena.

"Let's hope that works..."

As Lance's flying debris hit Zoltan's crystal shield it would shatter to pieces and reveal to him that he was actually surrounded. JaK Sage new and improved was only a few yards away with Kat standing directly to his left. From up above Superboy was floating having recovered from the attacks from earlier and to JaK's far right Stone was approaching from a distance. Static on the other hand was out of juice and out of power, giving a nod as if to say he's 'gonna sit this one out and it's up to you guys'. Which was fine with Zoltan, well atleast until he saw that his sword now laying in pieces on the ground and that JaK's upper body was covered in the magical substance it was made of.

"What, but how did you---"

"It's Over, Titans....Take him DOWN!"

As JaK exclaimed this and cut off the God Of The Arena, he and Superboy were the first to charge in; leaving Electrified and Lance to be the second wave. JaK coming sprinting in first, he was faster now and even more agile than before. As he neared Zoltan would aim for a right hook, but Sage ducked it effortlessly and then ran his black taloned hand across Zoltan's ribs. The slice left a very deep gash in the gladiator, showing JaK finally had a weapon that could actually damage him. Zoltan would yell out as he was slashed by Sage and then attempted yet another double axe handle that JaK hand-spring backflipped away from a moment before it hit the ground and dug quite a deep crater into the crystal flooring. Right after his missed attempt Zoltan would be bombarded by SUperboy next, originally being hit by a thunderous right hand to the temple. After being decked once Conner would open up with multiple lightning fast shots to his abdomen, ribcage and jaw. Each shot backing up Zoltan until he was able to block with his forearm and then grabbed Superboy by the arm; twirling around and around like a tornado before finally flinging the kryptonian about a half-mile away.

"You wish to test me children!?! I need no blade to vanquish you vermin!!"

However, as he said that JaK could come from behind and leap high into the air coming down across Zoltan's back with yet ano0ther migthy gash. Thus casuing him to turn around and coutner with a back fist, that Sage rolled out of the way from. The former Titan dodging in between Zoltan's burly legs and as he got to one knee, he sliced the inside of his thigh as well. Oddly enough, JaK's claws were able to even penetrate the armor covering Zoltan's lower body; as well as his tougher than iron skin udnerneath. Although, afterwards JaK was met with a soccer kick from the warrior that sent him sprawling across the battlefield. If the warrior was going to fall, he wasn't going down any easier than his crew. Who were still putting up quite a fight, although nowhere near as many Titans seemed to be falling anymore compared to their own thinning ranks.

Lance knew this was going to be a tough fight. At this point Lance wasn't even sure how much he had left in him. He could swear that he was still seeing doubles in his head and his body ached a great deal. Lance was only running on sheer will power itself. Lance knew that the heroes have to win this battle. Lance went and touched the crystal floor of the arena. He used his powers and the crystals came up off the ground. The crystals went and covered Lance's body. He was using his powers to hold the crystals together around his body so that he could wear it as a type of armor. Lance knew that Zoltan could easily crush him no matter what he did, but that couldn't stop Lance from trying anyway.

(Mind)
"Well let's see how long I can last. Definitely won't beat him, but I sure as hell can try."

Lance said as he surfed across the ground, somewhat gliding on the ground towards Zoltan. Zoltan was still watching JaK thrash across the battlefield, as Lance made his way from behind Zoltan. Lance winded up a punch with his crystallized fist aiming right for Zoltan's head. Zoltan turns around as Lance's fist inched closer to him. Lance's fist connects with Zoltan's face and his head doesn't even move. Lance's punch was like a little eight year old girl punching some muscle man. Zoltan grabbed Lance's forearm with a crushing grip and like a rag doll slammed Lance into the ground.

"Are you this hard headed child!? Why fight when you know I will be victor!"

As Zoltan was gloating at Lance, Lance was slowly getting to his knees, crawling out of the crater that was made. Lance's armor was already cracked in the back. Lance was trying to repair it as quickly as he could, and he was able to repair it as he reached the top of the crater. Once Lance was able to pick his head over the edge of the crater, Zoltan was there and grabbed Lance by his head and lifted him up off the ground. Zoltan slowly started squeezing onto the crystal around Lance's head. It would crack and then be repaired. Lance was trying to repair it as quickly or quicker than it was being crushed. Lance was helpless to do anything, but prevent his head from being crushed into nothing.

Lance could feel Zoltan's grip loosen up a bit on his head. This was good for Lance because he did not have to focus as much on keeping the armor around his head from being crushed. he tried to think of something, but at this point really wasn't too sure on what he should do. After a very quick couple of seconds of thinking, an idea popped into his head.

(Mind)
"I got it!!!"

Lance started to use his powers to expand the helmet on his head. He had to expand the helmet enough so that he would be able to slip out of it and out of Zoltan's grip. It was a pretty tough task, but thanks to Kat's help he was able to pull it off. Lance's head slips out of his crystal helmet and lands on his feet in front of Zoltan. Zoltan ends up crushing the helmet. As soon as the helmet was crushed, Lance expelled the whole front part of his crystal armor at Zoltan, who was literally right in front of him. This did catch Zoltan a bit off guard and was able to knock him pretty far back, but Zoltan was still on his feet and broke the wall with a punch. Zoltan had a much more serious face and seemed to be pretty pissed off now.

"Kat! I think we made him a little mad!"

Lance yelled over to her.

"Well then he's gonna love me!"

Is what JaK would say as he and Superboy once again came in for the charge. Surprisingly Sage seemed to be ok after taking a hit that would make a champion soccer player marvel at the force of it. It would appear in addition to enhancing JaK's overall strength level to 4000 lbs rather than his usual 2000 when in armored form, his healing factor actually enhanced to the same speed as his brothers as well.

As the two came in, JaK and Superboy would hit the high and low. JaK coming from under Zoltan while sliding on his knees and sweeping his feet from under him with his armored black arm that was capable of lifting easily over 1000 lbs on it's own at the moment. Superboy on the other hand would swoop in from the above nailing Zoltan with a clothesline. The consecutive hits would knock the gladiator backwards off his feet and as he sat up, he did so just long enough to take a double dropkick from Superboy; which caused him to get dug in deeper into the already crater ridden arena flooring. JaK would follow Conner's lead and come in as well, but as he reached the rim of the rather deep hole that was just made Superboy's body would come soaring out of it and slam into JaK. Sending both teens flying back, while Zoltan came crawling out of the hole right afterwards. He was taking deep breaths now, the four of them seemed to be actually hurting him with their blows now as if he was getting weaker and weaker by the moment.