Metal Soul (Saturn, open)

Toji blocks the sword with his DCs. If it was simply ordinary Steel, it would go from being a sword to being merely a smoking hilt. Even if it was supernatural, it would be deflected. The halfling takes a few steps back." You really are an idiot, aren't you? Who said anything about touching you? No matter what, you hurt innocents, and I WON'T HAVE IT!!! I WILL PROTECT MY PEOPLE!!" Lightning begins to flow out of him, slowly filling the room, while he forms protective walls over the occupied beds and exits."I told you, I'm okamian, and that means In have a sacred duty to protect the innocent!!!"

Kane was just about to make his leave, he'd been thanked and he'd been humble, that was usually when a hero makes his leave and splits, but then another stranger came to thank him, except it wasn't a stranger! He instantly realized that it was in fact the Kunoichi he had saved earlier, she had run off with some kind of briefcase, but that wasn't important. What was important was that she went up and hugged him!

She thanked him for saving her, to which he just chuckled good naturedly and patted her on the back Hey, it's no big deal, it's just what I do. She then let him go and told him her name, as well as why she was in the area. She then asked him to come with her. Wow, um... well, if she insisted then he supposed he should... oh, she meant to her headquarters... that made more sense.

Kane followed her over to a car, baring the HIVE symbol. Now, it occurred to Kane this may be some sort of trap, but even if it was they couldn't stop Kane from simply escaping, and if it wasn't then he genuinely would be helping put these people to justice. So Kane smiled politely at her and opened the door You sure I shouldn't rent a suit or something real quick? he chuckled to himself again, someone had to, before going into the car.

Kristen sighed. "Very well. We shall go." she looked at Quackers for the moment. But what was she going to do with him? Oh well, he was a flightless bird on top of a huge tree. He wasn't going anywhere. She put Evan back into her pocket, dispelling the small amount of light energy in her hand and summoned her wings, taking off towards the hospital. She didn't trust him in the slightest, but it was true that with Kristen being with him, he couldn't do anything against the will of the patients. When she landed at the entrance, she brought Hauges out of her pocket again. "Here we are."

Kano's katana was no ordinary sword. It held its own against Toji's demonic weapons, without taking any structural damage. He grabbed the hilt with his actual hand. Toji began creating protective shields of electricity over the other patients in the room. He also covered the exits. Even if Kano wanted to leave, he would have to to through Toji.

Kano laughed. "You're right, Toji Okami. I must be the idiot. If you do not lower your electric shields, the doctors will be unable to heal those who are on the verge of death. They will be unable to retrieve needed supplies from other rooms. They will die long before you can defeat me, but you're right, Toji Okami. I must be the idiot here."

He stopped laughing and narrowed his eyes. "But if you kill these people, then they won't be able to be used as blackmail. Drop the electric fences, Toji Okami. Or else I will murder you where you stand."

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"That won't be necessary." It was a short drive to 'HQ,' which used to be the police station. Ai led Kicker into a small room and closed the door. The walls were reinforced steel, and the only way out seemed to be the single, massive steel door that closed behind them. Ai sat down, gesturing for Kicker to do the same.

"Please, tell me your name." Whether he answered or not, she would continue, very serious. "You know we're at war. We believe that the Russians are getting desperate. They are going to use nuclear weapons, soon. We have only one counter-measure to such an attack." She hit the table with a fist. "We make everyone in Jump City superhuman. And we need your help to do that. Some people have stolen a very important computer chip. Without it, we can't save Jump City. We believe that the person who now has that chip is...Seraphim, of the Teen Titans."

_______________________________

"It seems we've hit an obstacle." An electric force field of some sort covered the door to the emergency room, preventing Evan Hauges and Kristen access. "I can't seem to remember that being there before. Miss, in the interest of time, could you perhaps make a new door? From what I've seen, your powers are most impressive."

Toji blinks, glaring at the evil ninja."You..." THen, he thinks, and sighs comically."Yah...you got me there, geezer." The sheilds cancel out, though the exits are still covered. The lightning retreated, though there was sparks dancing among surgeon tool treys.Toji gets an idea, grinning."But I still say your a moron. Think about it. You hold the citys sick hostage, managing to subue or destroy me. But, then you draw the ire of ALL of the Titans. 1. You just took out one of their greatest and most loyal fighters, and 2. You're threatening the very peopel they're sworn to protect, some of which ight be family. that's not to mention the Military, the citizens, and all othher uniflliated heroes. Oh yeah, and the HIVE,also. Consider just what the hell you're up against. Now you see why I think you're a idiot?" Toji grins, stepping foward as he raises his swords."But dont worry about that. You've made me angry, and though you might destroy me, I swear by the forger you'll regret not surrendering before I die!!!" Toji rushes foward at full speed, jerking his hand to the side and sending a few shocked scaples flying at the ninja.They wouldn't hurt him, but hopefully they'll ruin his focus just a little.....As he gets into stricking distance, Toji deforms his swords, pulling out his Tanto and transforming it into the chain sythes, retracting the chain till his weapon looked like a bladed nunchuku. The halfling lashes out at full speed, hammering the ninja with the dull sides, then flips upside down, unleashing a spin kick.

Kicker looked out the window as he was being drove along, he could tell by the path being taken that they were going to the old police station. They soon went into the police station and he was taken into a room where the walls were lined with thick steel, that would be tricky to break out of if this was indeed a trap. She asked his name, he wasn't really going to give up his identity of course, so he just waved away her question The only name of mine you need to know is Kicker

She started talking about how the Russians would start using nuclear weapons soon and how the only way to counter this is to turn everyone in Jump city into superhumans. Apparently there is a super important computer chip that has been taken by a member of the titans, and apparently the titan hasn't given in such an important thing. Now either the titan simply doesn't know what the chip is, or something isn't adding up here.

Kane wasn't the brightest crayon in the box, but he wasn't an idiot either How would this chip give people powers? More importantly, how would these powers stop a nuke? Thirdly, why is your only data on a chip and you don't have any back up data? That seems very stupid considering that you weren't protecting the chip well enough to still have it. Also, why haven't you just tried contacting Seraphim? If it's what you say is is, she's a teen titan so I'm sure she'll give it back. If she knows what it is, she'll have already tried to track you guys down and give it back, so we probably just need to explain to her what it is and she'll give it up.

Kane took a break for a second Most importantly, if you're employing me then I'm either gonna have to convince her to give it to me or take it by force. So that leaves one more question, what're you gonna do if I say no? If it comes down to it, I'm not gonna hurt a Titan, so I could just refuse to work for you. Call me a sceptic, but I'm not entirely sure if what you're saying is true, you may just be trying to manipulate me. he leaned back in his char But I could be wrong with that, he symbolised that he was gonna let her say what she wanted to say.

Kristen groaned internally at the thought of damaging property. Was it really necessary to rip a hole in the wall beside the door to get inside? Kristen was reluctant, and so therefore decided to resolve the issue in the least destructive way possible.

Kristen charged up two weaker Smite Gauntlets to break up the concrete beside the barrier before moving aside and using telekinesis to bring the broken up concrete in her direction. After a suitable enough passage was made, Kristen stepped through the hole in the wall and into the Emergency Room area, where two figures fought in the center of the open concept area and the patients who had been treated or were awaiting treatment watched from their beds. Jazz was among them, watching as Toji and Master Kano, the male ninja from before, exchanged blows.

Kristen's eyes narrowed as she tried to take in the scene. "What's going on here?"

"You've really got a mouth on you, don't you?" Master Kano deflected the scalpels with his katana. Toji was fast, so even a martial artist like Kano had some trouble avoiding his attacks fully. His sword parried the weapon attacks, but the bladed nunchucks managed to get past his guard once, cutting his arm. Kano jumped back to avoid the spin kick. He jumped off the wall, launching himself towards Toji to counter-attack. His katana flashing as he attacked from several angles.

Something blew a hole in the wall. Out of the corner of his eye, Kano saw Kristen enter the room. She asked what was going on. Kano grinned, quite a disturbing site with the aura of blackness around his eyes. "You'll never believe me, but I was just standing here when the blue haired demon attacked me. But since I know you won't believe me..."

"Please, everyone. There has been enough fighting." The voice came from the computer chip. "Both of you, stand down. Blue hair demon, please do not attack Master Kano again, at least until my work here is done. Miss, please bring me to that patient to your right."

A woman on the nearby bed was in agony. She was the woman Kicker had saved from the building earlier. In addition to missing an arm, she had suffered burns. She had lost a lot of blood, and even with everything the doctors were doing, it had become clear she was not going to make it.

"You are in pain. You are afraid. Without a miracle, your body will die."

"And you..." the woman asked. "Are you a miracle?"

"No. I can only save your mind. Give me permission, and I will place your mind within this computer chip. Once we get back to my lab, I will give you a robot body. Is this what you want?"

It was a difficult choice, and it was one that the woman did not have much time to make. In her pain, barely able to keep her eyes open, she nodded her head. "Yes."

"Well Miss," Evan said, referring to Kristen. "Will you allow me to save her life?"

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Ai's face was showing the strain of keeping up this illusion. Kicker was a lot smarter than she thought he would be. He was asking all the right questions, pointing out inconsistencies. She got the feeling that even if they told him the rest of the story, he wouldn't believe her.

But the League of Shadows always had contingencies.

"You're too untrusting, Kicker." Visable white gas started pouring into the room. Sleeping gas. Already, Ai was feeling light-headed. "You aren't the one we want to manipulate. You're just the bait. We're going to trade you for that chip."

Tojik grins as the ninja remarks he has quite a mouth on him." Yah, old man, but at least I'm not a psychotic jerk!" He growls in frustration as his enemy avoids his attacks." Stop hopping around, and let me hit you!!!" Suddenly, the ninja is on him, swinging his Katana.Toji blinks, lengething the chain so he could spin the weapon quickly around him, making a wall of steel. Regardless, a few hits got through, opening cuts.Toji hops backward, coating a fist completely in lightning and preparing to slam the scummer.Suddenly, he hears a familiar voice, and pauses. The halfling spins around, pointing at Kano." Hey, big sister. Get him, would ya? He's threatening to take these people and use them as blackmail, and he was gonna hurt mr. What is name!!." When told by the piece of plastic not to attack Mano, Toji grunts, looking at it suspiciously." Why shouldn't I hammer him, yah?!" He blinks as the woman was brought to it, and asked if she wishes to become a robot, and looks on in sadness. So many people hurt......Toji glares at the chip." I swear, if. You misuse this ability, I WILL make you regret it." Toji turns around, going around to make sure the fight hadn't worsened things for people.

Kane noticed that her face was getting strained, Kane detected a liar, he smirked and kicked his feet up, his feeling of superiority being displayed for all to see. She stated that he was too mistrusting, to which he just responded as smugly as possible I'm not. I just know bull when I hear it he stood up to walk away, but then felt dizzy and leaned against the table W-what!?!

It took him a few seconds to regain his balance and realise what was going on. He glared at the girl, but had no time to waste being mad, instead of listening to her talking about him being used as bait, he kicked the table so that it would land on her so she couldn't shoot him or something. He ran over to the door and kicked it, it was ripped off it's hinges and sent flying, but before he could breathe the fresh air to get the gas out of his system, he grew weak and collapsed to the ground, slowly losing consciousness.

She regarded Master Kano for a moment. "Oh I know that demon. He's far from the run of the mill boogeyman. But you? You look like the demonic one."

Kristen sighed, returning her attention to Hauges and the woman."Fair enough. It is her decision. But her only, Hauges. We'll ask the others separately. No need to assume for them as well." She held the chip out to signify her decision. She turned to Toji. "I'm worried about that too, brother. Don't worry, if this metal soul tries anything sketchy, I'll back you up."

Master Kano's eyes returned to normal, and he sheathed his sword. He had never had any intentions of taking the injured people anywhere. They were already dying, already in a position where the Teen Titans could do nothing to save them, short of bringing Hauges to the hospital. Though the original plan to steal Hauges back had failed, the hostage plan had worked beautifully. Most of it was probably due to Hauges. The man either had a heart of gold or a silver tongue. Which one it was, Kano wasn't quite sure.

Hauges sounded saddened by the mistrust from Toji and Kristen. "Your words wound me, Sir and Miss. I have given you no reason to mistrust me beyond possession of an ability I was born with. I am surprised that a half-demon and a half-angel are so quick to judge someone who is merely different. I assure you, I had no intentions of making anyone's decision for them. You insult my very intelligence in suggesting I would make assumptions based off one individual. But we have much work to do here, and very little time."

The woman who had requested to join Hauges in the computer chip took a deep breath. She breathed out, and then her body was still. She was dead.

"Welcome to immortality."

Another voice joined him. Hauges had removed the woman's soul from her body and placed it in the chip. "I'm alive? Well, it's not quite what I expected, but I don't hate it. Thank you."

Hauges spoke to Kristen again. "Chop chop, Miss. We have a lot of wounded people to ask."

Jazz had no words to say. He merely watched the situation progress. Tears welled up in his eyes.

"Oh come now," Kano said. "You don't feel sorry for those that choose to join with the machines, do you?"

Jazz shook his head. "I feel sorry for everyone else."

_____________________

There was something about having a table thrown on top of you that makes you not like someone anymore. Then again, Ai had never actually felt any sort of emotions for Kicker. She had acted and reacted in calculated ways to achieve a result: to bring him to this room. She woke up with a killer headache, only to realize how lucky she had been. Kicker had literally kicked the door down before falling to the gas.

"We don't have much time. Once we get Hauges back, we need to start turning as many people as possible into robots. Once we have converted the required amount, we will release the weapon. And then the human race will become extinct. Only the robots will survive."

They were pressed for time. The Russians were expected to launch their nuclear attack within a few days. The HIVE would need every second they could get to use Hauge's ability. Ai looked at the unconcious body of Kicker, who was being fed an endless supply of sleeping gas. Hopefully it would keep him knocked out, and hopefully the boy would serve as a good enough bargaining chip.

She dialed the phone number, and waited.

__________________________

Master Kano answered his cell phone. He chuckled. All of the patients in critical condition had made their choice. The ranks had been split, with about half choosing to become robots. The other half had only wanted to die with their humanity. Hauges work at the hospital was done, but his work for HIVE was only beginning.

"Half-angel, you seem more agreeable than your brother. I just wanted to let you know that we have your ally, Kicker. Please give me Mr. Hauges, and we won't have to kill him."

Toji shook his head."I dont judge you for what you are....How could I? Itsjust that I know humans can do cruel things with their gifts....cruel things..." the halfling raises his hand to his throahgt, then brings it back down as he turns to the young child crying in front of him. The poor kid had just gotten news that his father wouldnt make it. Toji hugs the boy, patting him on his backl."Look....I'm not going to tell you itll be alright. That's probally what you dont want to hear at the moment.....But, I know for sure you'll see him again. I should know, I'm halfdemon, and if there are demons, there must be angels. And what would these angels guard other than souls? So, you can't give up living, though I know it hurts, Oh forger how it hurts.... You gotta fight, you gotta stand....Cause if you do, there'll be a reward greater than even immortality waiting for you. Cause what's long life without famly and freinds? What,s it without love and happiness?So, just remember, at the end of it all, youll get the greatest thing anyone can get. I cant tell you how to live your life, all I can do is suggest, advice, but please, try to remember these words, okay?" Toji leans back, ruffling the kids hair and giving out a compassionate smile. Then, a he gets up and turns around, he feels a hug from behind him. The boy let go, steppng back to his chair and taking his moms hand, who whispered thank you to the halfling. Toji smiles, nodding, only to hear Kano's attempt to blackmail Kristen."Sothats what you meant....." The halfling blurs over to the ninja at full speed, pulling out his tanto and holding it at the base of Kano's back." Naughtynaughty ninja....Hows this? If you don't let my packbrother go, I'll pulse and sear every nerve in your body, leaving you stuck in your own mind. That's if, of course, I dont bungle it and kill you. Accidents happen, yah know?" Though Toji's tone was light and teasing, his eyes were black and gold, and his canines had lengthened drastically. Not only that, anyone senstitive to the spirit could sense a great, searing rage coming out of the halfling. Shooting through his head were images of capitivity and misery. Mixed in with his rage was a wish, a need, to protect, defend, to make sure nothing like that ever happened again, to anybody.

Kane was having a dream about rainbows and kittens as this serious incident was occuring. He should probably be trying to be more helpful, maybe doing something like, I don't know, escaping. But in his defence, your options are pretty limited when you're unconscious, you don't even know what's going on.

Kristen was about to argue against this, but decided against it. There were more important things to take care of at the moment.

After this, many of the patients had chosen the robot life, and about half wanted to die as a normal human. When this matter was over with, Kano demanded the chip back from Kristen in exchange for Kicker's life. They had Kicker? When did he come into the situation? It didn't matter. Before Kristen could reply, Toji was at Kano with a blade to the base of his back, spirit pressure flaring.

Kristen's eyes widened a bit at Toji. "I understand this is probably triggering for you, but don't you think you're acting a bit rash? Harming him isn't necessarily going to solve the problem."

"And giving you Hauges isn't going to necessarily secure Kicker's safety, either." she narrowed her eyes at Kano. "Try to understand that I can't find either you or Hauges trustworthy, given the circumstances. According to the information I've gathered, it seems highly likely that you two could be working over towards the same cause, in fact, its certain. How are we supposed to know that you won't simply kill off Kicker regardless of whether or not I give Hauges over to you?"