Disclaimer: Samurai Jack characters are the property of Genndy Tartakovsky and Cartoon Network. Song lyrics, Prayer, belong to Disturbed.

Author's Note: I don't want people to get the wrong idea that I'm making Jack out to be some weakling. Yes, Jack is indeed a strong character on the series but even the strongest individual can have a breaking point if pushed hard enough. He's only human. Now, on with the fic. ^_^

Aku's Story

Deep within his lair Aku sat at his throne gazing idly at the crackling flames before him. Displayed in front of him was the samurai journeying through another part of the world, The Red Wasteland, continuing with his pointless quest. Aku knew what the man was looking for. There had been rumors in the land of another stone that could possibly grant a wish of anyone's desire. A smirk formed over the demon's face. If only the samurai could figure out who had started the frivolous notion. He watched as the man was surrounded by bounty hunters, robots, and as usual Jack eliminated them all. The demon scowled at the irritating sight. However, the rage dissipated when he saw the man enter the cave where the supposed jewel lay in wait. Aku's laugh echoed throughout the lair at the face Jack made when he found that the cave empty.

"Poor, poor samurai," Aku taunted, knowing the man could hear his voice. "The loss of bounty hunters and robots was well worth just to see that dumbfounded look on your face." Jack whipped around, face contorted from the effort to suppress the growing fury. "Did you really think such a jewel existed? How stupid are you? Wait, don't answer that. I all ready know the answer." He laughed harder at the samurai cursing his name. "Such a waste too, huh warrior? After all, you have spent nearly two weeks out in that wasteland only to come across nothing. All you have gained from this journey is more misery. Let me give you a hint, samurai: do not always listen to what is said for you never know who was the first to speak them." He snorted. "But I'm not that cruel to leave you without a parting gift. You will find a pleasant surprise when you step back outside."

The moment the samurai stepped outside another army of droids, larger and more destructive again swarmed he then the last the man had encountered. A pleased smile came over the demon's face as he saw the samurai start to weaken in his resolve and physical strength. The satiated grin grew as the robots completely swamped him. Although in the end he managed to destroy them he was left with brutal injuries.

"Ah, samurai, the passing of time is starting to take affect on your body," Aku said. "You grow old, weary, and your mental status will soon crumble."

The samurai limped off into the dead forest, not bothering to hide his grief-stricken face. The man was heading for a village in the far distance.

(Another dream that will never come true, just to compliment your sorrow.)

Aku slammed his fists on the edge of his throne. The villagers had welcomed the samurai with open arms despite the wanted posters splattered around their town. To make matters worse they had tended to his wounds, even offered him room and board. The demon was infuriated. The village was wantonly disobeying his laws under his very nose. He wouldn't tolerate their insolence anymore. The demon rose when something else caught his eye. There was a young woman taking care of the samurai. Sitting back down he studied their behavior and cracked another grin.

"I think it's time to add another blow to the samurai's heart," Aku snickered.

He vanished from the throne room and didn't appear at the village outskirts until he was certain the samurai was good distance so there would be no interference, not until the damage had been at least. The sky around him reddened and the villagers flocked from their houses at the sudden change in the atmosphere. Viewing the pestilence before him, the demon let out a low rumble of laughter. They made it so easy for him; all the male settlers were present for him to deal with while the women and children remained hidden in their huts with the exception of one particular woman.

"Why are you here Aku?" one dared to ask.

"Is that the proper respect you show to the almighty Aku?" he snarled. Some of the people quailed, buckled to their knees to appease him but it was too late for that. The demon gazed about the area and found what he was looking for, standing a few feet from him. "I couldn't help but notice that you had a samurai here by the name of Jack. Are there not posters of his face around this village telling you that he is a wanted man?" The crowd murmured. "You aided a criminal and you know the laws of Aku, what penalty must be given to those that refuse to comply with my laws! Death!"

The demon's eyes lit in a blaze and the yellow beams shot forth toward the people. Most were burnt to a crisp right then and there but there were a few that managed to allude the deadly fire, attempting to flee into the woods. Another heated ray was shot out causing a line of flames to block the survivor's escape route. The people who were still alive were now trapped in a ring of fire. Aku lowered his hand in the center of the fire and took hold of what he was looking for, making sure to prevent his capture kept quiet as to not draw attention. There would time for her screams later.

He watched in amusement as the villagers cried out to him for mercy and when realization hit that he was not going to aid them. He watched in amusement as some of the wretched souls passed out from smoke inhalation as the raging fire slowly consumed others. He watched in amusement as the flames ascended upon the houses and the shrill cries of terror began to sound.

Aku's head shot up when he spotted someone at the edge of the village. It was Jack. The samurai had returned and was now watching in horror, as the village became a flaming wreck. The demon smirked. His was trap was about to work.

"Why Jack, how nice of you to drop by just to see me enact justice on this worthless village," Aku chuckled. The man's eyes were smoldering and the demon knew how to react to it. "And to think, samurai, it is all your fault for this tragedy. You are the cause of their suffering. Listen, Jack. Can you still hear the cries of agony elicited from the houses? Of course, those ones are from women and children since all the men have been eliminated. Listen to their damned cries. It is by your hand that they pay."

The samurai looked as if he was about to topple over and he grasped at his head, as if trying to drown out the cries. The man's resolve was failing and the demon played on it.

"Aw, is this painful for you?" Aku asked, mocking sympathy. "I suppose it is since you have lived through this before. Remember, your own home catching fire? Even as little as you were you can still recall the cries of your people ringing in your ears to this very day. That was your doing as well and now you are responsible for another." His eyes narrowed. "You couldn't save your people then and you can't save these ones. You are too weak."

The samurai was pressing against his ears harder.

(Another life that I've taken from you, a gift to add on to your pain and suffering. All the cries you're beginning to hear trapped in your mind, and the sound is deafening.)

The man suddenly leaped over the billowing flames and ran from house to house. Wherever he could hear a plea for help he tried to reach but the wall of fire increased at every doorstep he approached preventing him from entering. Aku ate up the pleasing sight of the frustrated samurai. He continued to manipulate the flames to thwart any rescue attempt. The game soon grew tiring and Aku decided it was time to play another one.

"Look what I have saved, though, samurai!" Aku bellowed. When the man gazed at him the demon drew out his hand, revealing the woman he had been with earlier. "Recognize her? I can see why you have grown fond of her. She is quite pretty. Ah, how wonderful it is to see...love...blossoming in your heart. That is what you would call it, right?" The samurai's eyes widened and barked a command. "What is that warrior? Oh, you want me to let her go? Do you truly want that?" The man cursed at the demon. "Very well samurai. I will be more then willing to grant your command."

Aku's teeth gleamed in joy as Jack caught on and voiced too late for him to stop. Aku positioned his hand over one of the burning houses and slowly loosened his fingers. The woman cried out and fell through the thatch roof into the blazing fire. The demon roared with merriment as Jack gave a strangled howl. There was a cry from the house; the woman was still alive even after her drastic fall. Hearing this the samurai ran toward the dwelling. However, Aku wasn't about to let the warrior reach the abode to save her. He slammed his full weight in front of Jack, causing the samurai to fall back from the violent tremors.

"Do not bother with her samurai, it is too late," Aku snarled. "I have now chosen that this be the time for our final battle." Though he was still leery of the magical sword he would take out the samurai nonetheless. The cries from the household died away along with the countless others. "There is no hope left for you in this world. Your time here on your pathetic quest has finally ended with your failure."

A feeling of triumph was growing inside the demon. Tears were flowing down Jack's cheeks at the loss of life around him.

(Another nightmare about to come true, will manifest tomorrow. Another love that I've taken from you lost in time on the edge of suffering. Another taste of the evil I breed will level you completely. Let me enlighten you.)

The battle between the two beings was fierce. However, Aku had the upper hand. He was well rested, unlike the warrior, and the heat and smoke of fires did no damage to him. Strength was fading from the warrior, still weakened from the previous battle a few days ago, and the bitter smoke was filling his lungs. The warrior was slashing madly at the demon, doing anything possible to get away from the streaming smoke. Aku could see the samurai weakening and did everything he could to keep Jack from breaking away from the death trap. Debris from the settlement was falling everywhere, nearly striking the samurai on several occasions. The fight persisted.

Finally, there came a break for the demon. Distracted momentarily by the falling timber Jack leapt to his side, averting his eyes from Aku. It was all the demon needed to make a strike. He was sliced around his belly and when he toppled to the side his back was heavily slashed. Aku rained claw after claw upon Jack until he became semi limp and the sword was out of his reach, a mere feet away. Lowering his head to eye level with the samurai, the demon laughed. The look of the fallen warrior was priceless.

"Well, samurai, where is your precious hope and strength now eh?" Aku sneered. "I wonder, warrior, what thoughts run through your head as you lie there staining the ground with your blood. Are they thoughts of doom, fear, regrets, or failure? I suppose they are all streaming through that insignificant mind of yours. What a meaningless life you have lived and it all ends tonight. Goodbye, insolent samurai."

Aku's claw stretched and the nails grew in length, producing fingers that appeared more knife-like. The demon brought his hand down on the samurai's back, intent on slicing him in half, and when he made the contact with the limp body below his eyes went wide.

Next: Jack's Story, which will be more in depth.