Chapter 11: Enter Scarecrow --------------------------- Natasha stood in attack position. Imperial Troops entered the room. She might not be fond of her foster parents, but she had to protect them. If she didn't, she would be no better than her father. "Surrender!" one of the Imperial Troops yelled to her. "I accept your surrender," Natasha chuckled, drawing her silver sword next to her black sword. "That's not what I mean," the trooper said, "You will surrender, or you will be killed." "Don't count your chocobos before they hatch," Natasha smirked. A commander came from the group, "I'm sure the the Empire will have some interesting uses for you, my dear." "Really?" Natasha laughed, "Or will have an interesting use for you?" Natasha siezed the moment. She caught the commander off guard. Jamming both swords into his chest, she lifted him off his feet into the air. Then laughing, she moved the blades inside of him up and down, slicing his insides to shreads. She continued the motion, turning his body into a bloody mess. Then, drawing her blades up into attack position, she smiled, blood dripping from her lips. Every Imperial Troop looked stunned that a person would, and could do that to anybody, much less their commander. And this was a WOMAN. "OK, who's next," Natasha asked. "You will pay for that," One trooper said. Natasha knew this would proablly be her last battle. A closed in space, which means she didn't have much room to perform any fancy manuvers. If she was to win, should have to just hack-n-slash her way to the outside. There she would have a more room for jumping and such. The troops rushed her. Luckily, she was ready for them. She had to be very careful not to stab anyone, but slash at them. If she stabbed anyone, her sword could get stuck and leave her open for attack. Natasha believed that a sword was just as good as a shield, if used properly. She began by catching one troop with a kick behind the knee, dropping him to his back. She then jumped into the air, downward stabbing him into the chest. Then, using her momentum to flip herself with the sword being a catupult, to trust her feet into another trooper's face, knocking him into the wall, unconcious. Finally, after landing, she pulled out her sword and slashed another troops neck, killing him instantly. Maybe she could get through this. Natasha's fighting skills far exceeded the abilities of these troops. Fianlly, after hacking her way to the door, she jumped and flipped out, then turning suddenly, prepared to attack. More troops attacked. Natasha was begining to feel tired. She couldn't give up, though. This was for the people of Jidoor, and her. She contined to attack. Slashing her way though them, she lost her black sword somewhere. She didn't know where, all she knew what that she stabbed someone straight, and the sword did not pull out cleanly. She would have to go back for it. She grapsed her silver sword with both hands and decided she had to use her feet as well as her sword to in this battle. Jumping up, she connected with a spin kick on two soliders, dropping them down to the ground. Then slashing at one with her sword. Rebounding from the jump, she caught one trooper but slicing his leg off, from below the knee. Rising, she noticed that she was surrounded by guys that were not wearing Imperial armor. These guys looked different. However, Natasha stood firm in her guard. "Who goes there?" Natasha yelled. "We are the Knives," one of the men yelled, "We are here to help you, but it appears you've already cleaned house." "Well," Natasha sighed, catching her breath, "I was very lucky to get out of that situation alive. It seems like most of these guys had never fought before." "That's odd," the Knife replied. "My foster parents are inside," she smiled, "But they are OK." "Might I ask who you are?" the Knife asked. "I am Natasha...Ge...I mean Chase," Natasha caught herself in mid-sentance. "Hello Natasha," the Knife replied, "We'll take you to our leader, Scarecrow." Natasha looked for her black sword. However, upon finding it, she was shocked. The blood that was on it, had melted the blade. Strange, that a gift from the Goddesses would do that. She then remembered that her foster parents owe her some new armor, and started into the house. She exited the house, washed up completely. Her new armor was black, but it covered more of her body. A golden tiara adorned her head, and a long purple cape flowed from her back. For the first time since this battle began, Natasha felt clean. One the outside, she smiled, but on the inside she was sad. Her eyes wandered the battle field, blood and bodies everywhere. These people had lives, just as she does. They might have had families and children, but now their lives were over. All at the hand of Natasha. "Now, please take me to see Scarecrow," Natasha smiled, "I would like to meet him." Although she could not forget about this day, she could put it behind her. She looked in her pouch at the magicite. They glowed and erie green. Soon, Natasha knew she would find out about her mother and father, in more detail...