Kaminari shimmered in the low light that the rising sun cast through the forest. Rocko had an arm full of sticks to light the fire when he heard a rustling somewhere in the distance. He stopped and listened for a moment.

“Paige? Sophie?” he called cautiously into the woods.

No reply.

He placed the sticks in a pile on the ground and placed a hand on Kaminari. Another rustle in the bushes to his left made him jump. There was a piercing scream, it was one he recognised. Paige. He dropped his sticks and ran, sprinting toward the sound of her shriek, drawing Kaminari as he ran.

He didn’t see the wire till it was too late. It collected him around the chest, and he went down with a heavy thud.

“Looky what we got here,” came a southern drawl.

Rocko slowly stood, slightly dazed he looked around the large clearing he found himself in. Large steel poles had been placed around the circumference, they each stood about two meters tall and had black sections in the middle. Rubbing the impact point on his chest he walked up to the closest one to examine it, the black section was a piece of rubber that separated two metal rods; one end stabbed into the ground, the other pointing directly up. A man appeared across the clearing from him. He was in the way of whatever was happening to Paige. The new comer had a black singlet that drooped over the top of his beige cargo pants.

What is going on here...? Rocko thought. He pointed at the man, “Those tattoo’s… You’re a level four hunter?”

“I have been told all about you Ben. I have been chasing blades a long time, looks like I will finally reap a reward for my efforts,” he narrowed his eyes at Rocko.

“I am no push over Hunter!” Rocko fired a bolt at the dark figure. The bolt changed direction at the last minute and electricity zapped into one of the upright poles.

“Ahh, electricity. Random yet predictable. Look around you Ben, I have come to this fight prepared,” the Hunter looked to the top of the pole as he spoke, a ball of electricity spun, the pole seemed to be containing it there.

Rocko looked around the clearing thoughtfully.

The hunter nodded, “So I had our research and development team come up with these poles,” he shook the pole using the rubber handle. The ball of electricity wobbled around before blasting off, back towards Rocko. The shock hit Rocko square in the chest but had no effect.

“I control power,” Rocko proclaimed, “You can’t hurt me with my own electricity.”

“Then this is a stale-mate. Because with these poles in place, you can’t hit me either,” the Hunter laughed.

Rocko growled, firing off more bolts as the Hunter sprinted around the circle. Each time a pole became struck, the small electric ball appeared on the top of it. Rocko stood in the center of the circle, stopping his assault.

“Who are you?” Rocko muttered, unimpressed.

“I am Ollie. Soon to be the Keeper of Kaminari.”

“Like hell you are...” Rocko roared, dense clouds gathering above, rumbling angrily.

Lightening rained down upon them with vengeance. Ollie glanced up at the dark clouds unworried. Fork lightning blasted out at random from the clouds. More and more of the poles got zapped by the storm, little balls of lightening dancing upon their ends. Ollie smiled, drawing his sword.

Rocko growled and fired another blast at Ollie. He caught it with his sword and the same electric ball appeared at the very tip of it.

Rocko looked shocked, “Wait, your sword too?”

Ollie let out a wicked laugh as he transferred the ball from his sword to one of the empty poles, “It is useless Ben. Not even your storm can touch me,” only one pole remained with no electricity flowing through it.

Rocko screamed in frustration and Kaminari blasted white. A huge bolt filled with anger struck the final pole, however, the force blew a stunned Ollie back into the forest and out of sight. Rocko collapsed to one knee breathing heavily, the power of those large attacks had taken its toll on his body. The small electric balls began to buzz on top of the strange poles. A stream of electricity blasted between them forming a complete electric circle around Rocko. He didn’t have time to react. The beams all shot into the center of the circle above him forming a giant buzzing ball. It immediately fired down in a huge explosion.

Ollie stumbled back, Rocko’s earlier blast had ripped his singlet to shreds and he was holding a large burn on his arm. The poles still stood, and a giant crater was where the blast had hit. He looked down and saw Rocko laying in a heap at the bottom. Ollie slowly descended into the hole.

“Well fought,” Ollie gasped, limping forward. He looked worse for wear. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, his ankle twisted in an odd direction, angry burns covered his arms and chest. His clothes ripped and smoldering. Rocko stared up at him blankly, unmoving, even when cool steel found the skin of his neck.

“You know that last blast you sent out exceeded any of my expectations,” grinned Ollie, his blade cutting slightly into Rocko’s exposed skin, “I really thought you weren’t capable of that. Too bad it wasn’t enough,” he grinned, moving his sword away, ready to deliver the final blow.

Rocko was a blur. He moved with more speed than he had ever been capable of before. With deft movements that were not his own, he stood up, knocking Ollie’s sword to the ground, shattering the bones in the stunned Hunter’s hand in the process. Ollie fell to the ground screaming and cradling his ruined hand. Moving quicker than he could follow, Rocko sped behind him and kicked the back of his knees, forcing him to the ground. Rocko was instantly in front of Ollie again, before he even hit the floor, his movements a haze.

Ollie screeched in pain, falling to the dirt unceremoniously. Rocko struggled internally trying to regain the use of his rebelling limbs. His lips parted and a voice came out. It was his voice but the words were not.

“How dare you,” he growled gutturally, grabbing the hunter around the neck

“What the hell?” Ollie said squirming, trying to escape his strong grip.

“You think to use my power against me?” Rocko roared, spittle flying from his lips. He threw the injured man to the ground, “You think that I am defenseless without my beloved lightening? I am a god!” he screamed.

Ollie began crawling away, but Rocko knocked him flat on his stomach cruelly his boot pressing into his back.

“I am Zeus. You crave my power do you not?” he bellowed down at Ollie, who struggled pitifully.

“No,” Ollie gasped, the words gushing from his bloody lips.

“You tell me lies! Answer me truthfully mortal,” he demanded, pressing down harder with his boot.

“Alright, alright!” cried Ollie painfully, “I wanted your blade. I wanted to be a Keeper. I wanted Kaminari’s power!” he screamed.

Rocko felt his lips twist cruelly, “Then you shall receive it!” he swiftly removed his foot, bending low to drag Ollie to his feet. Ollie whimpered in pain as he was pulled to his feet, fear and confusion plain on his face.

“A taste of my power,” Rocko chuckled, a tingling sensation growing in his fingertips. Rocko wanted to look away, but still had no control over his body.

Ollie’s eyes were fixed on Rocko’s palm, widening in fear, as the large hand approached his lips.

Lightning crackled on the tips of Rocko’s fingers menacingly and Ollie’s struggles grew more insistent.

“No!” he screamed wildly, electric sparks jumped from Rocko’s outstretched fingers, bouncing around Ollie’s lips.

As Rocko’s hand was closing in, he heard a voice scream from across the clearing. A level three hunter stood with his sword nervously drawn. In a blur of movement, Rocko had delivered a piercing fatal blow, impaling the new comer with Kaminari before returning to Ollie, “Friend of yours?” he mocked bitterly.

Ollie watched the second Hunter fall to the ground, “Axle you fool…” he muttered before his body wrenched back, surging with power.

Rocko watched in horror, a prisoner in his own body, as electricity spread throughout Ollie.

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Loosening his grasp, Ollie fell to the floor screaming in pure agony. Blue lightening radiating across his skin. Rocko had no choice but to watch Ollie die his excruciating death.

And it was. After a few minutes Ollie’s screams ceased, his body occasionally twitching. The scent of charred flesh heavy in the air.

Rocko gasped, falling to his knees. Limbs trembling as the possession ended. Falling forward onto his hands, he flexed experimentally, digging his nails into the dirt.

His breathing was shallow and his heart pumping with adrenalin. The smell of burnt meat passed his nostrils, and as he remembered Ollie’s charred corpse beside him he retched, heaving the pitiful contents of his stomach onto the dirt.

“ZEUS!” he roared, snatching up Kaminari, sparks flying from his fingertips. “Show yourself!” he demanded, getting up on shaky feet.

Kaminari sparked in his hands, a bolt shooting out the end. Zeus formed in a shower of blue lightening. His hulking form crackling menacingly.

“What did you do?” Rocko demanded, pointing Kaminari at him accusingly.

Zeus ignored the glowing blade merely shrugging, an odd gesture on the ethereal creature. “He was going to kill you,” he said simply, “I merely gave him the power he sought.”

“He is dead!” Rocko bellowed, gesturing wildly at the smoking corpse.

Zeus stared hard into Rocko's eyes. “Very.”

Rocko to fire him a disbelieving look, “And that other Hunter! He was only a level three! He didn’t need to die…”

“This is what death feels like Ben,” Zeus said coldly, his demeanor hardening. “I thought death was what you wanted, have you changed your mind?” he asked coldly.

Rocko shook his head, “I have not changed my mind. I am going to kill Danny, and nothing you say is going to change that. However I did not kill these men, you did.”

Zeus snorted, “Though I may have killed these two through you, how do you think Danny’s death will be any different from Ollie’s or Axle’s death? Did Ollie not deserve death too? How many people did he kill to become a Hunter?”

Rocko shifted uncomfortably, causing Zeus to smile, “I see, He did you no wrong until now. Killing Danny isn’t a heroic mission. It is revenge.”

Rocko felt anger simmering within, “You know nothing!” he spat, Zeus remained unperturbed.

“You get to make your own decisions in life Ben,” he said quietly, “I will not stop you. However, the path of revenge is always filled with pain. What I did today was show you a mere glimpse of the power this blade holds,” and with that Zeus shrunk, the electricity surrounding him, sparking and folding in on itself until Rocko was left in the quiet, staring blankly at the corpse that once was Ollie.

Collecting himself, he turned away from the charred remains only stopping to gather up the strange poles. They were incredibly light, about the size of thin javelins. On Axle’s unmoving body he found a cylindrical container. This must be how they transported the poles, they were well prepared… he realized quickly. Axle must have been Ollie’s apprentice.

Filling the container, he zipped it up and slung it over his back. He made sure he was armed and ready before starting back towards camp.

Nearing the edge of the clearing, he was startled as Nathan burst through the dense bush.

“Geez Nathan!” Rocko growled, realizing there was no danger, “Make a little noise in the future.”

Nathan looked apologetic, “Sorry.”

“What is going on?” Rocko asked, heading past Nathan.

“Not really sure. The camp was attacked and Teresa sent me to find you.”

“About 10 minutes too late. I was attacked too,” Rocko confessed.

“Are you ok?” Nathan asked, and Rocko nodded weakly, “What happened to the other guy?”

Rocko’s face darkened, “He didn’t make it,” he mumbled.

Nathan silenced and nodded solemnly.

“How are the girls?” Rocko asked, changing the subject.

“Not sure actually, Paige looked ok… But I didn’t see Sophie. However her vines were everywhere. It looked like she gave a good fight,” Nathan grinned.

Rocko managed a ghost of a smile before they lapsed into silence. The bush was thick and traversing it was difficult. Finally bursting through the bushes, they saw Teresa and Paige kneeling over something so they rushed to help.

Rocko’s heart dropped as Sophie came into view. Her already pale skin was paper white. Flecks of scarlet painted her pale skin and shallow breaths escaped her bloodied lips.

“No!” Nathan gasped, sprinting to her side, dropping to his knees beside her. With shaking hands, he pulled back her cloak, revealing the wound. It began around her abdomen and continued all the way up, even cutting a deep slash into her pretty face.

Paige was in tears, “Nathan! Do something please!”

Nathan was speechless, he could only stare at the ugly slash, stealing the small amount of life that was left in her.

The usually calm Teresa’s eyes shut in turmoil. “I am so sorry…” she whispered to Nathan. “There is nothing I can do… She isn’t going to make it,” her voice breaking on the last syllable.

Paige wailed loudly falling into Teresa, who surprisingly put her arms around the small girl, pulling her close.

“No…” whispered Nathan. His eyes tortured. His hands reaching towards hers, engulfing them in his own, “Please Sophie wake up,” he whispered, rubbing his hands over hers, trying to coax warmth into her cooling skin. “Please Sophie…” he begged, tears falling from his eyes. Rocko sat silent, a chilling rage taking over his body making him numb. He watched Nathan plead with Sophie through tears, while the ever tough Paige was crying into Teresa’s shoulder. Memories of his haunted past flooded back into his head and his old emotions surfaced with a vengeance.

“Please God,” Nathan cried, “Don't take her from us,” his plea broken by harsh sobs, his hand drifting up her arms rubbing them comfortingly.

The material of Sophie’s cloak shifted with Nathan's gentle stroke revealing the faint glow of Shizen. It pulsated crisp forest green a couple of times before slowly dying out. He plucked the wooden sword from the earth, but as his hand grabbed the dark wooden handle, he let out a scream. White light emitted from his palm and the wood burnt deeply into his skin. Shizen was forcing him away.

“Nooooo!” Teresa screamed, slapping the wooden sword from his hand. “You can’t touch someone else’s blade!” her eyes wide with terror, locking in on the painful red mark on Nathan’s palm. “…You should have died…” Teresa whispered, her eyes transfixed by the mark, the wooden coils imprinted in his skin.

“Did Slash do this?” Rocko asked.

Teresa nodded, still transfixed by Nathan’s hand.

Rage filled his face, “I will get the bastard!” He began to storm off, but Teresa jumped up to stop him.

“What are you doing?” Teresa yelled, scrambling after him through the clear trail of sliced trees leading away from the site.

“What do you think? I am going to kill him!” Rocko yelled back, not slowing his pace.

“And accomplish what?” Teresa shouted angrily, “Revenge isn’t the answer Rocko, take it from someone who knows.”

Rocko spun around furious, “What would be your answer to the solution Teresa? You can’t seriously think letting that madman run free is the answer.”

Teresa stumbled towards him, “That is not the answer and you know it. You don’t need to hide behind revenge Ben, you’re allowed to cry,” Teresa was now pleading with him, tears spilling from her eyes. Rocko had never seen her like this. Ever.

He bit his lip holding back a scream, “There is no point in sitting here crying,” he cried, kicking at a plant violently. “Not when we can do something useful. We could kill this guy and avenge her death,” he cried.

Teresa watched him sadly. “She isn’t dead yet Ben, She might live,” she said, softly reaching for him.

Rocko flinched away from her outstretched fingers and Teresa snatched her hand back, composing herself till her face was a blank mask yet again.

Rocko shook his head, “You know as well as I do those wounds will kill her. You talk about hope when you know as well as I do that she is going to die!” Rocko stormed off into the forest, reaching for Kaminari.

“This isn’t about Sophie at all is it?” Teresa called after him, stopping him in his tracks.

“How could you say that?” Rocko screamed, wheeling back to face Teresa his face inches from hers.

“Well is it?” she asked calmly and Rocko moved back, his face screwing up. Teresa watched him, her own eyes regarding him, but they had returned to their empty, emotionless state. She was good at hiding her feelings, but this situation was testing her.

“Revenge never helped anyone Ben,” she said gently, inching closer.

“How would you know?” Rocko blasted back, “Revenge is all I have Teresa. Revenge for Sophie, revenge for Paige, Nathan, You,” he screamed, limbs trembling, “Revenge for myself!” he cried.

Teresa watched him sadly. “How did you become so lost Ben…?” her voice had an emptiness, it was as though she was examining herself at the same time.

“Revenge is the only thing that keeps me going,” he said, “Could you ever imagine coming home from school, watching your mother be beaten by a monster day after day? To be beaten yourself, until you were nothing but a collection of bruises and swollen skin?”

Rocko strode forward, stopping mere inches away from Teresa. He lowered his head so that she could get a good look at the ugly scar, starting just above his eye and protruding over his bald head, “I got this one day after school, Danny was in a particularly foul mood. His wedding ring cut open my head like he was ripping paper,” he shook his head solemnly. “My mother,” he whispered, taking a deep shuddering breath, “She tried to stop him. He hit her so hard… She fell to the ground. I remember as clear as day watching her head bounce off the tiled floor. He cracked open her skull. I remember him then running out the door like the coward he was. He was her husband… And he killed her Teresa. He left me for dead in the corner, a shard of glass pierced through my abdomen.”

“Ben I’m so sorry…” Teresa whispered, tears in her eyes again. He just shook his head angrily.

Rocko raised his shirt up revealing a large scar up his abdomen. “These scars don’t fade! Just like the pain I feel inside. I can’t just let this guy get away with it Teresa!” he screamed, “There are too many Danny’s in the world. Who will he kill next?” he whispered.

Teresa stepped close, circling her arms around him. “We won’t,” she promised, tightening her embrace.

He stood in shock. This hard woman, who often felt like she was going to kill something, had just given him the gentlest embrace he had received since his mum. He slowly fell out of her embrace onto his knees, she crouch down with him, placing a loving arm around his shoulders.

“If we do this, we do it as a team,” she said softly after a few minutes, stepping back out of his hold. “Sophie was a friend to each of us. And this isn’t the first time Slash has taken someone I hold dear. I promise we will get him, but not now. You are not in any shape to fight him as you are, he is too strong.”

Rocko nodded gazing down at the ground ashamed of his red rimmed eyes, “Is she really going to die?” he whispered.

Teresa nodded sadly, “There is nothing we can do way out here.”

As she spoke Nathan ran up to them, “You guys really need to see this.”

They arrived back to Sophie, finding a grainy bark slowly moving over her limp body.

“What’s going on?” Teresa muttered.

Nathan shrugged, “I don’t know. Shizen just started to glow again… Then this weird bark began to form under her skin.”

“Okay, bring her over to the camp site. Hopefully this is something positive,” Teresa said with new found energy.

“Umm… I can’t.” Nathan called out after a few moments, bending over her barked body.

Teresa looked puzzled, “Why not?”

“She has roots digging into the ground from her back…” Nathan took a step away.

“Ok then,” Teresa clapped her hands together. “Change of plan. Rocko, Paige, rest up. You three stay here with Sophie. I have no idea what is happening with her at the moment. But with the damage Paige has inflicted on Kano, I think I can take him. I will go and check the temple. It can’t be too far away,” Teresa instructed, “This isn’t over yet!”