The beach scene that decorated the Dojo shimmered and changed.  It became a green and fertile valley with a clear sky.  One wall of the dojo became a waterfall, with the run off flowing into a pool near them.

Mirage didn't notice the scenary changing.  Her thoughts were entirely up on Lucas, the taste of him on her lips and his warm touch on her hand.  Did she deserve a chance of happiness with him?  She'd given up on the whole idea after her shooting, using her anger and frustration as fuel for her activities as Mirage.  Lucas had seen the real her, although perhaps he hadn't known it, and he hadn't treated her any different.

Lucas continued to embrace Mirage, his mind now focusing entirely on the woman in front of him. Was it wrong to fall in love with someone who had been so angry....who had the presence of negative chi both in and around her? No..it wasn't wrong. It would have been wrong to turn his back on her, and that was something that Lucas would not do.

The long association between Dragon Fist and Mirage was something both in and out of the spotlight. Mirage preferred the shadows and darkness, and Dragon Fist preferred being out in the open, though not so much in the beginning of his career. But they had been linked with stopping the man known as Brain...which had happened twice. Two seemingly different methods...but overall the same goal: to bring justice to the city of Weston, and to keep it safe from the criminals and supervillains who would seek its ruin.

Now, more than ever, Lucas needed Helena in his life. While perhaps having the arrogant notion that he could do it all by himself, running a successful dojo, his activities as Dragon Fist, Lucas found out now more than ever that he, despite all of the fantastic power at his disposal, was all too human. Friday's apparent death was a stark reminder of that. And yet, in the presence of that death, something new transpired and was born. A seed, planted on their plane trip to Dallas, soon grew into something extraordinary: a love and understanding that would surely stand the test of time and everything else that would be arrayed against it.

Lucas pulled away slowly from the kiss and looked Mirage in the eyes once more. Now, noticing the scene change, he briefly took a look around, amazed that this place full of magic, was right in front of him.

He smiled at her. "Amazing...you've got this place down to every detail..incredible..."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Wed 29 June 2011.

Mirage let Lucas pull away from her, but her attention was still focused on him such that it took her a moment to realize what he was talking about.  Keeping her arms around him, she looked at the scene about them.  When had that changed?

"I guess you affect me more than I thought." she said softly.  A part of her was screaming.  The illusion around them had changed, something that she had not expected to happen, and this meant a loss of the control that she liked to keep.  Was this Lucas wrecking her concentration?  If his presence could cause her to do this, what could happen next?

It was worth it for a chance at happiness and love, wasn't it?  Even a fleeting one?

Lucas stroked Mirage's hair softly as he looked into her eyes.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing? Because it would seem that we have the same effect on each other. But..we're alone right now, and I'm happy to have you here with me. What do you say once we get this Builder business dealt with, then we both come to this place?It's a place of healing and I assure you, there's nothing like seeing it in person, though this is a very good representation. And..now that you know about me..you may as well know it all. I want you in my life, Helena..both as Lucas Martinez and as Dragon Fist..I know that it seems like it will be difficult but I'm willing to make the effort."

Lucas smiled.

"I don't know if you may ever understand how much you mean to me, but I want to be your Champion. And I want to help you. Because I don't see a broken soul in front of me, Helena. I see someone who has taken the worst that's been thrown at her, and has risen above it. And you can rise above the negative chi, Mirage. You have my strength to add to yours."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:31, Wed 06 July 2011.

"As Lucas Martinez and Dragon Fist?" Mirage repeated.  She kept her arms lightly around his neck as she smiled up at him.  At that moment he reminded her of all of those fairy tales with the noble knight falling in love with the Princess.    She wanted this moment to last forever but that wasn't going to happen, not while their sense of duty had purpose.  "That sounds nice.  It'll be even nicer once we've put an end to Builders nonsense."

Mirage tightened her arms around Lucas and pulled him into one final fierce kiss.  She slipped a hand into his shirt as the kiss broke.

"Do you need any help getting changed into your working clothes?"

Lucas flowed easily into the kiss as it continued and then slowly ended.

"Yes Helena..as both Lucas and as Dragon Fist. I look forward to when this Builder is over with."

He then had a slightly mischievous smile on his face.

"Help when offered would be foolish to turn down," he said with a wink.

Mirage smiled as her fingers slipped over Lucas' bare chest, freely exploring beneath his shirt.  It would be so easy to forget about Builder for the moment and give in to the wanton thoughts that grew with each touch.

She leaned in closer to Lucas and spoke softly into his ear.  "Perhaps once we've ended Builder.  I'd like to enjoy this without interruptions."

"I know you would...I feel the same.." Lucas replied softly. "For now though..."

He slowly...and quite reluctantly...released Mirage, going into the backroom, and changing into a black jumpsuit.

"I'll armor up once we're outside....then it's time to deliver some payback to The Builder."

Mirage finished off her glass of wine as Lucas went to change.  It seemed like a shame to leave the wine behind so she downed another glass before finally stoppering the bottle.  Changing for her was very easy to do.  Crimson smoke whirled about her as her cocktail dress transformed into her normal Mirage outfit.

"Black looks good on you, darling." Mirage said with a smile.  "How shall we smoke out Builder?"

"Thank you," Lucas said, smiling.

"Well...seeing as you like to get some beatings out of the criminal caste, we can shake up a few of our underworld snitches and see what comes of that."

After he locks up the dojo, and looking around discreetly, Lucas then summons his armor.

"Ready when you are.."

"You do know what a woman likes." Mirage replied.  "I'd hate to think that I wore my steel toed heels for nothing."

"I do what I can.." he replied, the smile evident in his voice.

Dragon Fist extended his draconic wings as he prepared to become airborne.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:54, Thu 21 July 2011.

>>>>>>>>>From The Cirandon Hotel>>>>>>>>>>>

Dragon Fist soon descended into the alleyway behind the Dragon And Tiger. He knew there was work to be done. But right now, he needed to focus. And also to be present for class at the dojo.

Retracting his armor, he used the backdoor access to the dojo, then went inside and changed into his charcoal gray gi. He then stepped outside into the training area where Flip was taking the class through some preliminary workouts.

He looked at the class, then bowed to them, as they prepared to practice the various forms of goju-ryu.

Before the two could even start to spar, dark black clouds of what seemed like mist completely engulfed them, followed by a chokingly powerful presence. Even without being Dragon Fist or having to look to far within this being's mind, it was easy to tell that a once good person had been twisted into a state of evil. Whoever it was, though, he or she was incredibly powerful, and familiar...

A light chuckle echoes all around the room, almost as if there were multiple beings laughing. "That's it, fight little dragon. Fight with your pretty little plaything. After all, Friday would love to know that she went for such a fickle man, wouldn't she?" The being, now obviously a girl, said in a frighteningly familiar voice. Whoever she was, she knew exactly who they were, and was quite willing to taunt them into fighting her.

"Everybody out!" Lucas exclaimed. The students and Flip scurried outside quickly, leaving Lucas and the intruder alone.

He ignored Katy's mention of Friday, a ploy to distract him.

"Katy....I remember. Outside Versuezzi's...look, I don't want to fight you, but I will defend myself. Or...perhaps I can help free you of whatever influence has its hold on you. It's your choice, but if you choose to fight...I can't be responsible for what happens."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:37, Tue 20 Sept 2011.

As the black mist cleared, Katy, a shadow of her former self, stood in front of Dragon Fist. No longer was she trying to hide her form. Black veins pulsed across her face, and Dragon Fist could see that whatever humanity she had left was quickly fading. She had to be turned now, or she might remain in this state forever.

"Dragon Fist, have I ever told you how pathetic you are?" with that, the Psy-Witch lunged at Dragon Fist, putting her power into a punch. Katy, even before this evil corrupted her, was no expert at martial arts, and it would be easy to counterattack with a simple move. Strange. Someone as smart as Katy would know this, and still fall for one of the easiest take-down's in the book?

Lucas hadn't even armored up yet, and Katy was attempting what appeared to be a near feint. Or there was a conflict within her?

Lucas knew that he couldn't take the chance, as he counterattacked with a trip attack, which was intended to take the woman off of her feet, and then went into a pin.

"OK Katy....look...I like you, but something is VERY wrong with you. What's happened to you?"

Katy went down soundly, without even a trace of a fight. With Dragon Fist over her and her arms pinned, she could do nothing. Of course, she could have just summoned psionic weapons and killed Dragon Fist where he stood, but it was almost like two beings were inhabiting the same body. The strangest thing, though, out of all these things was Katy's eyes. Her eyes were different colors, one a demonic red, the other blue.

Before Lucas could have his question answered, Katy's head shot up. Forehead touched forehead, and Lucas' world went black. He was now engulfed in Katy's mind, and could see the representation of everything. He was in a Japanese cherry tree forest, where the pedals looked to be in full bloom. In the clearing he was in, if he looked beyond further, the outer ring of trees seemed to be the only 'live' trees. All the others looked as if they had rotted away.

Katy stood at the edge of the clearing, staring at Dragon Fist.  Her veins were still pulsing black, but her appearance was otherwise normal. "I'm sorry it had to come to this, Dragon Fist. But I only have so much control." She said, "I apologize for that Friday comment. I don't have much control over this demonic version of me." She looked around, noting the decay outside the small haven, "I'm sorry you have to see my mind in such a state. I only wish that Brain hadn't had so much control over me..."

She paused.

"That's who did this to me. Researched me well. Implanted another personality within my own mind to do his bidding. There're a lot of things that can fix it, like you, for example, but every time I gained some sort of control, that damn Witch got the hell out of there." She looked at Lucas, "I was hoping Mirage would be the one to do this, but I need you're help, Lucas. I don't want to die, but I can't get rid of this anti-me by myself."

Lucas nodded. The Friday comment threw him off only slightly, as he had made peace with her passing recently. Yet there were still feelings there.

"Apology accepted, Katy. All is forgiven. Now let's concentrate. Help me help you.." he said as he summoned his armor.

"I've seen how much you've grown in power, Dragon Fist. I've seen how this Psy-witch of mine will stay away from any of that new Chi you throw at her." Katy, who was clothed in her "Lady Psyche" attire in her own realm, began to remove her trench coat. "A mind isn't something that can be easily understood, Lucas. It's taking all of my strength to keep what little humanity I have left. How this alter ego of mine works isn't just a dual personality."

She paused yet again.

"I hate to say it, but without my sense of morals, or key elements of my core being, I would be this woman, I would've said what I have and meant it. Brain fed that part of my consciousness until it eclipsed my reason." By now Katy had removed her shoes and her attire now consisted of nothing more than a white tank-top and some slim pants.

"I don't have much time, Lucas. But that new chi you wield....I feel like that's my ticket to regaining my power. Lucas, I want you to put all your power into one blow and attack me at the very center of my being. . . My heart" With that, Katy tapped her chest, right where he heart would be.

"Don't waste time, Lucas. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep from trying to attack you."

Dragon Fist hated having to do this. But Katy knew herself better than anyone. And when she asked someone to do something, there was usually a reason.

So he acted, as quickly as possible, conjuring his chi-sword, the sword now glowing white hot. And he struck her as she requested, attacking with the sword. In the heart. Hoping this his efforts would free his friend and teammate.

Dragon Fist's chi sword met with some resistance, as if there were a barrier, weak though it was, preventing him from attacking Katy. Katy's eyes flashed red as her alter-personality took over in a last ditch effort to prevent the inevitable, then the sword stabbed her right through the heart. Her eyes turned an iridescent blue, and the scene around them exploded into a burst of color, petals of multiple colors swirling around them, obscuring Lucas' view of her mind-realm. The blossoms lifted, and for a brief moment, Lucas caught a glimpse into Lady Psyche's mind.

A cultivated mind was an understatement. Her mind looked like a temple of heaven, beautiful and elegant. Lucas saw each member of the Legacy, together, a memory trapped in her mind that she seemed to find motivation within. Along with that, Lucas saw everyone as Lady Psyche saw them, vibrant and elegant, just and kind, a change to what the usually cynical Police Officer Katy was. There was Friday, Lucas, Helena, even Hotwire. For a moment, the mind-image of Friday stared at Dragon Fist, who still had his sword through her heart.

At that moment, everything went black.

And Katy's head came down, resting against the floor of the Dojo. Tired though she was, she was also relieved. She was still pinned down by Lucas, and he would notice the clothing she was wearing faded away, revealing nothing but the tank-top and pants she was wearing in her mind. Her black hair faded back to her original blonde, and her dual-color eyes returned to their original blue-green. The tattoo that had controlled her began to twist and move, travelling right atop her heart, hardening at that spot. For some reason, though, her veins stayed black. A side effect of the brainwashing, maybe?

"Thank you, Lucas," Katy said, then gave in to her fatigue.

"Rest easy now, Katy....the nightmare's over..." Dragon Fist said, taking her in his strong arms. "Come on..."

He took her into the back room where he stayed, and set her down gently. "I'll be back in a few moments."

He then retracted his armor, then met with the class and Flip outside.

"All right guys...sorry about that. Everything's OK now. Just had one of those smoke detectors go haywire."

He then whispered to Flip "I'll explain later.."

The class soon filed back in, and then resumed, though the students still were somewhat tense. Lucas then went into the room where Katy was resting.

Katy was still sound asleep, her body resting. The strangest thing, however, was that her mind was extremely active. When Lucas looked at her aura, he would notice that whatever had possessed her was gone, with only a slight hint at its presence. Psy-Witch had become an element of the reasonable Katy, as the being had always been.

Katy's mind reached out for comfort, and brushed against Lucas' consciousness. It wasn't a romantic one, but her mind sought the comfort of a friend, of which she considered Lucas to be. Lucas? Katy asked, her mind-voice speaking. It was soft, gentle, resting. How am I going to go back to normal life? Mirage will probably hate me for using her techniques for the wrong things. I tried to hurt so many innocent people, and my job....My God, my job at the station's probably going to be in shambles. And I insulted Friday's. . .Memory Her mind voice became slightly shameful, and her arm twitched just the slightest, even though her body was resting. An indication she was "dreaming."

Lucas smiled as he mentally communicated with Katy.

"Shhhh...it's OK. You have to take things one step at a time, Katy. And you'll have us here to help you...Mirage and myself for starters. And I'm sure that Captain Jordan would like to know that one of his best officers is ok, for the most part. We are here for you Katy....we always have been."