"Below us awaits the Magma Valley. They have recently won a War against the snake ninja. Their forces are weakened and reconstruction has began. This second assault will end them." He was facing three of the main Akatsuki and sixty wannabes. "Deidara wants the Magma, we shall give him what he wants. Do not fail at this." Turning he mumbled under his breath, "It's a simple assignment." The Assassin raised his hand into the air, his fingers spread. "Leave the Kage alive. Deidara will want to speak with her when it's all over." He closed his hand into a tight fight signaling the Akatsuki to attack.

Jaymaru stood in the front, she'd cut her hair and washed out the dye. Now it was her natural purple. Boy had she missed her natural look. While Itachi spoke she looked past him to the village. This would be the second time she was going to be going against the people she'd once called friend. At least Kinaga would not be here this time. It would be crushing to fight against him. Secretly she missed him as a friend. When Itachi gave the signal she stepped up next to him as the wannabes went down into the village. "This shouldn't take too long, right?" She didn't want for him to answer as she started down the hill.

Talcer had gotten quite used to being in the Akatsuki, so assignments like this were nothing to him. Something like this would be incredibly simple. After all, these guys just got out of war. But Talcer couldn't help but wonder something. How did word spread to the Akatsuki so quickly that the war was over? He didn't understand it, but it wasn't in his place to question such things. Talcer went down as the rest of the wannabe's did, on Itachi's signal. He could see that the Magma was heavily torn down from recent fighting. This would be a cake walk.

Halo stood behind Jaymaru, a bit of uncertainty in her eyes. Why had she joined the Akatsuki? Because of Bat? Talk about giving in to peer pressure. She hated Bat. The only reason she'd joined was to destroy him. But if she wanted to live to that point, she'd have to play the part of Akatsuki, which meant listening to orders to destroy and kill. She was questioning if killing Bat was really worth all this. And that, that was the cause of the uncertainty that lie in her eyes. She gave a glance around at the other Akatsuki, swallowing when they were told to go down, but nonetheless....following orders.

Rumiko turned around at the sound of footsteps. Lots of footsteps. Dropping the boxes he started towards the sound. Was another attack coming from the Snake Ninja? Had they brought reinforcements? The Magma Assistant saw that he was very wrong. A swarm of black and red came over the hills and his heart sunk. "This can't be happening." Rumiko ran back to Kira. Panic clear on his face and heavy in his voice as he spoke. "The Akatsuki are here. Over fifty of them. We have to stop them from getting into the village!"

Kira's blood ran cold.The one thing she feared the most right now,an attack on their village right now.And the worst of it was it was...the akatsuki."Why now!?"she growled in anger.It had only been about a week since they'd begun reconstruction and things were finally getting back to normal.Now this!?She quickly got up.They had only been slightly prepared for an attack,but that had to do at the moment."Genin and chunin!Get civilians out of the streets to the caves!Jonin and above,intercept the enemy!"she shouted,grabbing up her staff and dashing off.Normally,fifty enemies would be nothing to worry about....but the akatsuki were different.One alone could take on a kage and from what she could feel,there were three main threats.

(Sorry Kira, but you're not getting your way this time.)

Jaymaru had suspected ahead of time that the Kage would divide her forces. Having the high level ninja get the wannabes and the low level ones take care of the civilians. Tough luck with that. Jaymaru made her way to the eastern gate. Entering without notice she took down Magma ninja from behind. They were all focused on the large group. She was going for the low level ninja. No civilian would be safe. With the low level ninja out of the way, the Jonin would have to split their forces and handle the civilians themselves, as well as take on the Akatsuki.

((If I had my way,we wouldn't be doing this fight at the moment!!! T_T))
Kira had no clue there was an attacker getting them from behind.They were barely prepared for this at all!She blocked a low level akatsuki's attack and began striking back.Was there any way for them to win this?!No!Kira thought,shaking her head to clear bad thoughts.I have to believe that we can get through this!If not win,at least I can get this village to survive!she thought,determined to keep this village alive against this attack.

Ladon looked to Rumiko as he ran through the village towards Kira, following after the assistant to hear what he was so panicked about. He nearly grinned when he heard the news, but held it back. "This is bad," he said, playing up his role. He wondered who Deidara sent out on this little mission. Well, he'd soon find out. "Understood," he said when Kira instructed that the higher level ninja would go to fight off the Akatsuki. He ran off, climbing to the top of a building to scout, and see just who was there. He saw Jaymaru, a small girl with black hair, a man with purple hair, and...Itachi. Ladon grinned. "Perfect," he said. Jumping off the building, Ladon went over to Itachi, hoping the higher level Akatsuki would not attack him. "It's been a while my friend," he said with a grin, knowing that at first glance, Itachi would not know who he was.

(Ftr Itachi, you're not supposed to know who he is until a couple posts from now...you'll see.)

Itachi said nothing to Jaymaru as she walked away before he could answer. He waited as the all went down. He would be last, for he would create a barrier to keep anyone from getting in or out until the time was right. Itachi looked to the side as some man he'd never seen before approached him as if they'd known each other all their lives. His eyes switched to Sharingan. "I have business to attend to." He did not have time for people to waste when they were on an assignment such as this. Itachi started to move down the hill. "Halo, move it." He did not snap at the young girl, but his tone was firm.

Rumiko nodded. "Yes ma'am." He disappeared away from the Magumakage and headed for the front. The Akatsuki were coming down fast. Kunai in hand he threw them at the oncoming enemy. There were a lot of them and the village was not up to full strength yet. If they entered the village it'd be all over. "Dragon Twister." A twister made of fire came out of the ground where the Akatsuki were coming down. "These aren't even the main Akatsuki, who's in charge of this attack?"

Ladon chuckled when Itachi did not seem to recognize him. Understandable. "Of course you don't recognize me, how stupid of me," he said with a grin. Ladon stood on his guard when Itachi switched to Sharingan. Anyone who knew what those eyes could do would be nervous, and knowing what he knew about them, Ladon's gaze dropped. "Allow me to clear this up for you," he said, keeping his gaze off Itachi's eyes, while doing a jutsu to release his genjutsu.

And there stood Xantrex, the long lost member of the Akatsuki. The one who supposedly fought with Deidara and made his dramatic exit from the Akatsuki. Yes, he was Ladon. He'd been Ladon since the ANBU Captain had come back from his single person A-rank mission a while back. It hadn't necessarily been difficult to do, since the ANBU had been injured when Xantrex had found him. It was only a matter of stealing Ladon's memories and playing up his life. He put up in hands in defense in case Itachi decided to strike at the man whom everyone thought was dead, and more importantly, no longer a part of the Akatsuki. "I'm not an enemy," he said with a grin, hoping Itachi would catch the drift that Xantrex had been a spy for the Akatsuki, as Jaymaru had been. "Now, what can I do to help?" the scientist inquired.

Kira blocked off an attack from a kunai before slamming an opponent in the skull."I can tell,"she whispered to herself,"these are the small fries.They must be holding back the big ones for a sudden attack."She looked around,seeing they were holding back the attack...but just barely.She continued to move forward,attacking the enemy,determined to make sure not to let them win.

Another spy, these were getting too often. Why had Deidara not informed him on this? "You and Deidara made quite the mess before your departure." Itachi had seen the place and it did not look like an accident. "You know this place best. Take down their artillery and then move towards the Kage. It'll take us all to make her stand down." Itachi turned his back to the war and as the last few Akatsuki went down. It was time to put the barrier up. Once it was up he went down into the war zone.

(I missed the first two parts, but third times a charm and I, the dearly beloved Goddess of the Magma Ester Charms will be attending this fine little campaign of battle.)

Indeed she was on her way to apologize for her rude actions towards her Kage, or she would have been had those pesky Akatsuki not showed their faces. Tying her long red hair back into a ponytail she walked with a dignified step towards those tackily dressed Akatsuki. Their outfits were so not up to date. Fashion was a cherished thing of her Ester's lifestyle. Kunai after kunai she elegantly dodged the weapons. "They must have forgotten that I too was once a Kage of this village." She said justifying herself. "I shall show you the true power of this fiery village and watch you all burn to ashes." Ester stopped, kunai at the ready. "Come and get me."

(I tried to post this yesterday night, but my internet went down....)

Xantrex was glad that Itachi had caught on. Taking on the Sharingan was not something this blond haired scientist had planned on doing. Xantrex couldn't help but grin when Itachi said that him and Deidara had made quite the mess before he left. "My apologies, we had to make it believable," he said in an amused tone. He nodded when Itachi said that he knew this place best and gave his orders. "Understood." He turned with a small wave. "See you," he said, then went off towards the middle of the city. While checking through the city as Ladon, he'd planted explosives around the place, but he wouldn't use those for the takeover, not unless things were looking bleak. As a planner, Xantrex had to make sure that he always had a Plan B. And if the Kage refused to give up...well, he'd let Itachi use that as a threat. That should the people rebel, or should she herself choose to go against the Akatsuki, the Magma, and the lives of her people would be destroyed.

Yes yes, Xantrex had an evil mind. What of it? That was why he was in the Akatsuki to begin with. It was then that Xantrex had noticed something peculiar. Many of the Magma Jonin that were supposed to be taking on the Akatsuki were missing. About half actually. He was sure that more than what he saw here had come back from the Snake war alive, and Kira had given the order for higher level ninja to take down the Akatsuki. And that's when he saw it. A purple haired akatsuki was taking down the lower level ninja. He grinned. That was one hell of a plan. Divide forces to give the Akatsuki less people to fight. It was brilliant!

Since his orders were to take down their artillery and not to worry about battle strategy, Xantrex did as such and started on his way. This would take a lot of energy to do a jutsu like this, but it would be well worth it. He'd held up a genjutsu for the whole time he'd been in the Magma, so this would be nothing. Standing on the rooftop of a building, Xantrex took a breath and started a jutsu. Ninja Art: Hell's Ice. And with that, any smoke that came out of the volcano at the base of the Magma died down and the entire volcano started freezing over. All the lava that might've been at the top or the base of the volcano turned to ice within seconds, and the temperature at the battle site was considerably lower, having dropped by at least 20^o. Granted, this was only a genjutsu to trick the ninja who used magma into thinking that their ninjutsu was now useless. And even if they tried to use it, it would appear as if it hadn't worked, which would likely make the user drop the jutsu altogether. And since most of the ninja in this Valley used fire or lava based techniques, this would up the Akatsuki's ante considerably. Xantrex took another breath and looked around, seeing what other damage he could do.

Kira had killed another of the weaker akatsuki before she felt the chill in the air."Wh-what is going on?"she whispered.Why was it so cold all of a sudden?She looked to the volcano,the main source of their heat.It had,or appeared to have frozen over!She turned quickly,blocking a blade and crushing an akatsuki in the head.She jumped,beginning to form handsigns."Fire Style:Fire Ball Jutsu!"she breathed out as she blew but to her,nothing appeared."What is this?!"she gasped as the fireball that had actually form disappeared without launching.

(There's only two things I don't like in this world. My sister and the Akatsuki.)

Gabe fought his way to the front lines. The snake war had left the village in a state of much needed recovery. They needed time to rest up and regain their strength. The Akatsuki, those heartless demons would not allow them that. They were storming the village. His orders were to help the civilians and so he was working on that. He was doing that with a few other chuunin until some lady came taking out the group. Gabriel went for cover. "Lady Kira, there are Akatsuki near the back gate. I thought they all came from the front."

Kira cursed under her breath."They knew our defenses were down on both ends so they split up,making us think they were attacking from just the front so they could sneak right in,"she growled,realizing this now.She couldn't just leave this front line...could she?She wished they could just get a break,just a few minutes to get themselves straightened out!But she pushed the thought aside,focusing.She was the kage and as such,she needed to be the village's leader now more than ever."Alright,thanks Gabe!"she told him."Rumiko,grab a few jonin!Head to the back end of the village!They've split their attack into two groups!"she told him with her mic in her ear.

Rumiko put was in the middle of dragging one of his fellow ninja to safety when he received the transmission. "How did they get to the back so quick? Wouldn't we have seen them moving?" Rumiko sighed. "I'm on it," he finally answered. "Max, Yukimura, Hanz, come with me." Rumiko turned away and went down towards the back gate.

Jaymaru looked at the younger Chuunin. "Oh I missed you," she said with a small smile. Not really, she wanted someone to call in an emergency group. There had been no one but her enter from the back. They were diving their forces for a second time for no reason. She slipped a kunai into her hand and threw it at Gabriel. And there she saw him, Rumiko. Her younger brother. "Hello Rumi, it's been a while." She looked at the three ninja with him. "That won't be enough to stop me." Before he could catch on she sent a senbon at each of their headsets. "I'm sure Kira will send more if she doesn't hear back from you."

Xantrex listened on his ear piece to what Kira was instructing. What a brilliant plan that purple haired genius had concocted! Jumping across the rooftops, Xantrex made his way to the back of the village, preparing paper bombs as he went, he finally came to his next target. Dodging his way around Magma ninja and through the mass of civilians, Xantrex planted the paper bombs above the entrances to the caves that would lead the civilians to safety. "Oh Jaymaru," he called. "I'd watch your step if I were you," he said with a grin, backing away from the caves and heading towards where the Kage was, just as the paper bombs exploded, collapsing the entrances to the caves, sealing some civilians inside and most of them on the outside. There was one thing that Xantrex actually felt bad about though, and that was making those poor saps that were already inside the cave slowly die from suffocation. He wasn't that cold-hearted. Okay, so maybe he was. As he found Kira, his grin never faded. He was definitely proud of his work. "Hello Lady Kira," he said, with an over-exaggerated bow.

Rumiko stopped next to Gabriel. Of all the people to run into, why did it have to be her? "Jaymaru." He said. He wondered where the other ninja where, but then he understood. There were none, just her. She'd tricked them. Rumiko's attention turned away as he saw Xantrex and then an explosion. "That came from the caves, Gabe, hurry and get over their," he order. "I'll take Jaymaru, you three go with him." Rumiko pulled a kunai and jumped towards his sister to keep her from attacking the escaping ninja.

Kira looked at the direction the explosions came from,cursing under her breath.Things just went from horrible to devastating.She looked back,seeing the over-exaggerated bow of this person.Considering she'd never seen him before,she knew he wasn't from their village and from how he just appeared during the explosions,she could tell that he was the enemy."What do....you want?"she asked,slowly catching her breath.From how the lesser akatsuki were moving,this guy was one of the higher ranking evils.