Penny ran down the hallways of the school in search of Shu and Miku. She saw that everything stood still and suddenly heard an explosion come from the other side of the school. She wondered if Miku and Shu were the ones that caused the explosion.
I really hoped they didn't do something stupid.
Penny left them alone for only a few minutes and something blew up. But what doesn't make sense is why time suddenly stood still. Penny wondered if something else was going on. Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard footsteps, heels clapping against the floor. A cloaked figure, no taller than her, came into view. There were strands of white colored hair that left the shadows of her cloak so she assumed it was a woman, given that she had a bit of bust.
"Excuse me but could you help me find my siblings, I got separated from them not too long ago." Penny had a feeling this woman was bad news, given the vibe she gave off, but she asked anyway. Though her question went unanswered, the woman silent. Suddenly Penny felt something coming. Without even realizing it herself, she ducked her head from pure instinct. Something hit the wall behind and she turned to see it was a knife. Wait a second...a knife!?
"Hey! What was that for!?" Once more she received no answer as the woman threw three more knives. Penny ducked and dodged the first two while she held up her book to block the third knife. As she put down her book, a heel dug into her stomach, knocking the wind out of her before receiving another kick to her face, sending her gliding a few feet away from her attacker.
As the woman walked towards her, Penny picked herself up with a groan. Slowly her eyes glowed a bright emerald green, the sudden change stopping the woman in place. An odd sound came from behind her. When the dark haired woman turned around, there was a number of swords heading straight towards her. She looked back at Penny who had her hand out, motioning the swords to come towards her. The woman quickly jumped in the air and dodge the swords until one hit the side of her face leaving a bloody scratch on her cheek. Penny motioned her swords behind her as she got into a fighting stance.
The woman swiped her cheek with her thumb, rubbing the blood from off her finger. "Hmm, looks I might have some fun with you after all." She smirked as she took off her cloak revealing herself. Penny's eyes widened in shock at the person behind the cloak. It was a teenage girl with long white hair which was held in a ponytail that was held by a black and purple bow that stretched down her back, stray hair at the top of her head with nose length bangs. She wore a sleeveless midriff grey colored top that showed her cleavage while being covered by a purple tie with detached sleeves and bell bottom pants with short white boots.
"You…you…look like…" Penny couldn't even find the words to speak. This girl in front of her...looked exactly like Miku.
"Sorry, but that's not for you to say." She said as she materialized a knife as twirled it around her fingers in boredom.
"Who…are you?" Penny asked as she got back into her stance.
"Since you made a scratch on me I'll tell you. My name is Haku Yowane." The said girl introduced herself while she twirled her knife in midair.
"What do you want, I'm not looking for a fight."
"Hm hm. Well, this was my surprise for 'her' but how about a wager hmm?" The snow girl asked. Penny just stayed silent waiting for her answer. "If you can beat me then I'll tell you why I'm here. Sounds fair?" Haku offered.
"Tell me why you're here now," Penny said fiercely as she fired one of her swords at Haku.
"Please." Haku shifted between the incoming blades, throwing her knife for a counterattack. Penny scarcely dodged the knife. Thankfully it only managed to scrape her arm, drawing a bit of blood. Penny winced at it, but it was nothing to really worry about. "At least you can take a measly scrape so I guess you're not a baby," she mocked as she clapped her hands together and looked at Penny in fake worry. "So we can get a little rough now~ Don't go crying, ok~?" The silvers tongue traced her lips seductively as she materialized another knife and twirled both sharp weapons in her hands before getting into a stance. Penny grit her teeth before getting back into her own stance. She couldn't say she wasn't a little unnerved that her opponent looked so much like her sister, but it wasn't her, and she was gonna pay for impersonating her.
"If you want some come and get it." Haku now stood behind Penny, knife at her neck. "But I'm not too sure if you can handle it."
"!" Penny grabbed one of her blades and spun her body around in an attempt to separate her head from her body. Before Penny's blade reached Haku's neck, a knife came between, reverberating a shriek down the hall. So she was cocky, way too horny for her own good, and strong; yeah not a very good combination. Penny decided to jump away to gain some distance and to keep Haku from her, sent four blades at her, hoping at least one of them hit.
Haku did a backflip, having two swords stab the spot she was just in and deflect the other two with her knives. Didn't seem like Haku wanted to stay away any longer and rushed Penny the moment she touched the ground. Shrieks echoed around, accompanied by sparks from their clashing blades, the sound of resonating metal clangs rang in their ears. Now, this was Penny's bread and butter. From close range, she was formidable and confident in her skills. Haku thrust a knife forward to pierce her heart but was guided by the edge of Penny's sword with a screech. Penny quickly spun around for a downward swing, but slashed nothing but air; she was gone. Almost immediately she sensed danger and turned around to block and downwards knife swing from above.
Haku jumped back, followed by several of Penny's sword. The silver haired knife wielder managed to deflect them all and quickly blocked a heavy swing from Penny. A smirk quickly formed on her lips as she swung her knives all the way down to get her off balance and followed up with a heavy kick to the stomach that pushed her back a few paces. Haku attempted another knife thrust to her heart before she could recover, but was met with a high kick to the jaw. Penny worked through the pain and sent a swift, yet powerful kick to the silver haired's side, slamming her into the wall with a loud bang. Penny sent a few swords to end it, but the blades all stabbed into the wall, forming a circle; she was gone again.
Penny quickly ducked to avoid a sideways knife slash and spun around and swung her blade up, hitting metal with a heavy clang. Penny's eyes narrowed as she grabbed her blade with two hands, holding it outwards at her opponent. None of them moved, their eyes fixed on each other, waiting for the other to move first. The stillness was broken by a chuckle from Haku.
"Not bad. Most of my opponent's end up dead on the floor within the first few seconds." Haku told her. "Can't say I'm not impressed."
"Well, you're not so bad yourself." Penny complimented back.
'Not just that but she adjusted very quickly to my fighting style. At least she doesn't know about those yet.' "How about we turn it up a notch don't you think?" Haku smiled with confidence in her voice. All of a sudden Penny felt an overwhelming sensation of power and malice come from the girl. This overwhelming surge of malicious intent made Penny's stomach turn. A drop of sweat trickled down Penny's cheek from the hefty pressure. The very air turned toxic, making it much harder to breathe.
'What is this!?'
"Now let the real fun begin." Haku stopped releasing her power and with a smirk charged toward Penny who got back into a fighting stance. Before Haku got to her, she vanished. Penny knew this tactic, all she needed to do was focus and-
"Behind you~"
"Wha-GAH!" A blow struck her back, stretching her eyes out. Everything was going in slow motion as if time itself was irrelevant. Haku followed up with a backstep kick that sent Penny slamming into the lockers. She hit it back first, her body arching as she fell to the ground with a thud.
"Music to my ears..." Haku slowly approached the downed girl. The silver haired girl used her foot to push the gasping girl on her back and bent down to her. "Don't tell that's all you can do?" Penny tried to get back up but was pinned down by Haku, her wrists held by one hand and her chin cupped by the other. "Come on, don't be like that. I haven't told you what would happen if you would lose?" She then leaned into Penny's ear and whispered. "If you lose, I get to kill your siblings Miku and Shu." Those few words made Penny's heart stop. This girl...not only knew about Miku and Shu but she would kill them the moment she finds them. "I won't...let you...!"
"Won't let me? come on sweetie, try to be a little more specific."
With the rise of anger surging within Penny, new found strength accompanied it, giving her the strength to get free of her binding and punch Haku square in the mouth. The blow knocked her back a few paces, allowing Penny to get back up. Haku flipped back on her feet and wiped the blood from her lips.
"Wasn't expecting that." Haku was completely caught by the sudden surge of power. That's gonna sting in the morning.
"If you ever..." Rage flooded her, contorting her expression and darkening her eyes. "Ever...!" A blade slowly appeared horizontal before her. She reached out and grabbed it, an emerald green aura surrounding it the moment she did. "Lay a hand on my family...!" The same aura that surrounded her blades surrounded her. "I'll kill you!" With a burst of speed accompanied by a heavy gust of wind, Penny appeared right in front of Haku. With no time to think the silver haired woman raised her knives to block. Penny brought her blade down hard, cracking the ground underneath Haku.
"What is this!?"
"I'll never forgive you!" Penny raised her other hand as another blade appeared. "Never!"
"Tch!" Haku leapt back as her second blade struck down, the blow bringing up a dust cloud that filled the hall. As quickly as it appeared it vanished, showing the silver haired woman Penny with her sword dug into the ground, a crater beneath it. Penny plucked her blade from the ground and stuck her baleful gaze back on Haku. "So, a massive power increase when your loved ones are in danger; typical." A drop of sweat trickled down her face upon the new gaze Penny had on her. Not like she had any other surprises, she thought. But she was dead wrong. Penny's blades morphed into twin guns, both barrels aimed at her. "So the swords can also transform into guns huh? Great." Haku merely stared at Penny and after a few seconds of total silence, a sadistic smirk formed on her pink lips. 'This might be more fun than I thought.' "Can't say I'm not impressed. Hah. Been awhile since I've ever felt such a rush. Care to play some more? I'll try to make it worth your while~" Haku licked her lips and rushed Penny.
"You'll die trying," Penny said with cold anger and rushed to meet her halfway.
With Ash, Skyla, Korrina, and Ursula:
Atop the school, Ash, Skyla, Korrina, and Ursula were stunned at the phenomenon that surrounded them. An explosion wasn't enough, but now things have gone from disastrous straight to the supernatural. The clouds, the cars and even the big clock on the side of the school everything just stood still; time itself has come to a halt. The only odd part about all this was, why were they still able to move? Ash, Korrina, and Ursula were pulled from their thoughts by the sudden voice of Skyla.
"Look." Skyla pointed to the sky as the three followed her finger but were unknown of what she was talking about.
"Um, pilot. Is there a reason why you're pointing to the sky?" Korrina asked her.
"Look at the color."
"Uh yeah, it's blue."
"Yes Skyla we all the sky is blue now would you stop goofing around and help us figure out what's happening with oh you know…TIME BEING FROZEN!?" Ursula shouted her last words at her. Skyla was tempted to smack her little sister upside the head until Ash spoke up.
"Wait I think I know what Skyla's talking about." He said as the three girls looked at him. Ash's eyes glowed blue as he scanned the sky looking for anything that may seem out of place.
"Look, Ash, I know you're trying to help Skyla with her sky joke but now is not the time to..."
"It's a bubble." Ash saw that he needed to be a little more specific from the expression of confusion he received from the girls. "There's a giant energy field or something covering the entire school. That's what Skyla meant when she said the sky was different."Ash's eyes turned back to its usual as he looked up. "What's going on?"
"So we're trapped inside of some kind of force field that freezes time?" Ursula asked.
"Apparently."
"Okay but why are we in it and how?" Korrina asked.
"I don't know but whoever did must've done it for a reason-" A sudden boom shook the school, threatening to knock the group right off their feet. Once the rumbling stopped they shifted their gaze to where the explosion came from. They gasp when they see flames rising out of the gym. With the fear of people being inside the gym, Korrina checked, only to find three people within. Korrina felt her heart stop as she covered her mouth, her eyes widened in disbelief. "Shu, Miku...and someone else is in there."
"What!?" Ash gasped.
"Shu...! That idiot!" Ursula clicked her teeth. "Miku is there too!? Wait... You said there was someone else? Who else is there?"
"I don't know but whoever they are...they aren't friendly."
"So, this mysterious third person is the cause of the gym blowing up?" Skyla asked.
"We'll worry about that later, right now we need to get Shu and Miku out of there," Ash stated as he ran towards the door but as soon as he made contact it blasted open, sending him airborne as he came down with a hard thud.
"ASH!" Skyla ran to his side as bent down to him and took his head in her arms. "You okay?!"
"Yeah I'm fine but can someone tell me why the door just suddenly went off like that?"
"Oh, that would be me." All four of them turned their heads to the side to who spoke when they did they saw two girls up ahead of them. They both were wearing school uniforms but the color was different. One had bright red and orange hair into two ponytails held together by dark red bat hair bands and bright red eyes. Her outfit was red with a bright orange skirt and dark red high knee socks and shoes. The other girl had blue hair and glasses, sporting a blue uniform and shorts and with high heel boots.
"Shaya now is not the time to act silly." The blue haired girl chastised.
"Oh come on Sha, lighten up a bit. It's not like they're going anywhere anyway since we blew up the door."
"Um, who the heck are they?
"Oh sorry, my name is Shaya and I'm the cute hyperactive fun one." The bright orange haired girl introduced before she cupped a hand over mouth and pointed over to the other girl. "That's my sister Sha and she's the serious one."
"Who are you two?"
"Oh nobody special, we're just here to do our job."
"Job?"
"We're here to subdue and capture your friends. The headphone user and the dense one." Sha explained to the four.
"Shu and Miku," Korrina said as she figured out who the girls were referring to.
"That's right," Shaya exclaimed in an excited manner while her sister nodded. Korrina and Skyla got into a fighting stance as they stared down the two sisters. Korrina then gave Ash and Ursula a command.
"Ash, Ursula leave these two to us. I want you to go and find Shu and Miku if you see Penny tag her along to help you out." Korrina materialized a bone staff as Skyla took out four kunai and got themselves in a fighting stance.
"Wait what about the door!?" Ash asked only for Korrina to form a small aura sphere in her hand before throwing it towards the door blasting it open.
"Got it covered! Now go!"
"Right!"
"Okay!" Ash and Ursula said in unison as they ran off.
"Aww two of them left." Shaya frowned before she got back to her normal self.
"Oh well, at least we have you two to keep us company." Shaya then whistled as three bats appeared out of thin air and flew around her. Sha held her hand out forming a rune before materializing a crossbow and gripped it, aiming at her target.
"Let's get this party started!" Shaya cheered as she charged forward while Sha stayed back and fired. Korrina also charged forward while Skyla jumped into the air towards Sha and threw two kunai at her. The ice woman dodged the kunai while charging as Skyla.
"Which way was it to the gym again!?"
"It's down the hall to our right but it's still a few ways to get to the gym."
Ash and Ursula bolted down the empty halls, trying to get to the gym as fast as they could. Hoping down flights of stairs to at least try and cut down on time, but they still had a long way to go before they got to the gym, or at least what used to be the gym. After what felt like a five minute run they arrive at the gym to see the door blocked by rubble.
"Darn it, it's blocked."
"We can go through the cafeteria and take the back exit."
They then entered the cafeteria only to find it completely empty. All the seats and tables were empty including the staff there was no one in here but them or so they thought.
"I don't get it. We're in a time bubble where is everybody?"
"I don't know. If they were caught in the trap then they should be here with us."
"So why aren't they?"
"So no one can disturb or interrupt our conversation." Ash and Ursula both froze at the sound of an unknown voice. As they looked for it, the cafeteria was suddenly getting foggy and the two were starting to lose their sight of their surroundings.
"Ash are you still here?" Ursula called out not knowing where her brother is.
"Yeah, I'm right here." He taps her shoulder to show his presence. "So what's up with the fog?"
"Don't know but it probably has to do with our um…mystery voice." She said.
"Indeed." As they both hear the voice, they turned their gaze to the sound of footsteps that were approaching towards them. They saw a figure suddenly appear in front of them. It was a woman wearing a long sleeve collared long white dress with long black hair that went to down to her back and blue eyes. She had wolf like ears and some type of ornament on the right side of her head. Feeling uneased by her presence, Ash took out his aura wrist blades while Ursula took out her scythe and held out behind her.
"Who are you!?" Ursula demanded.
"My apologies," the woman merely bowed before speaking. "My name is Zan. It is a pleasure to meet you young cubs."
"What do you want? Are you another person trying to capture our friends!?" Ash asked her as he got into a fighting stance ready to strike.
"Capture?" Zan echoed.
"Don't play dumb, we know that you're here to take Miku and Shu but if you think that we would let you take our friends without a fight…" Ursula twirled her scythe around before setting the tip of the blade into the ground. "Then you've clearly think too little of us."
"Yeah. You want them you'll have to go through us." Ash added with determination.
"Fear not," Zan held her hand out for them to be at ease. "I'm not here to capture your friends nor do I have matters that involve them. I'm merely here for your initiation."
"Initiation?" Ash echoed.
"What are you talking about?" Ursula asked.
"Ash Kazuki and Ursula Sakurako," Zan hands were outstretched and curled themselves into a claw. "Show me what you can do."
With Shu and Miku:
The gym was covered in ashes from the massive explosion, rubble from the fallen roof scattered into mountains of debris. Within one of these mountains, a hand pushed away the rubble, revealing an injured Shu. He crawled out the debris and fell down on a knee. "Okay. That freakin hurt." Shu shook off the pain and got back on his two feet. There was someone more important than himself here. "Miku! Miku! Where are you!?"
"Over here!" Shu turned his head to her voice and saw Miku walking towards him. She had a few scratches but was okay nonetheless.
"You alright?"
"I'm okay." Miku then noticed that Shu was having a little trouble standing up. "What about you? You can barely stand."
"I just need to let it heal for a few minutes and it'll be fine but until then my body freakin' hurts," Shu reassured her.
"Who was that?" Miku asked.
"I don't know but whoever that was he or she clearly didn't want us alive." He replied. Miku looked at him skeptically before he answered. "I couldn't get a look at the face so I don't know if it's a guy or a girl."
"Do you think they stick around to finish the job?"
"I don't know. By the looks of this place I'm pretty sure they would so we better go find the others and warn them." Shu said as he tried to run before stopping and gritting his teeth in pain.
"You're still hurt from the blast. Until you're better just take it easy." Miku told him as she placed a hand on his chest to keep him steady.
"Okay." Shu looked away hating the fact that he was useless in the situation while Miku smiled at him and helped him walk to the only door in the gym not blocked by fallen debris.
"We can go through the cafe as a shortcut," Miku suggested.
"Yeah, let-" A look of worry came over Shu's expression from danger. "Miku!" Ignoring the pain that constricted his movements, he took his sister up and jumped back, a ball of flame striking the ground they once stood. Shu skid on the ground a bit before stopping and putting his sister down. "What the heck was that!?"
"An enemy!?"
"You pups are still alive? Interesting." Footsteps came from the flames that sizzled in the place they once stood. From it, a woman appeared, her gaze set on Shu and Miku. One thing they knew, just from locking gazes with her, this woman didn't reveal herself for idle chit-chat. She had long dark colored hair with some strands of gray and emerald eyes, wearing a white sleeveless top and black rayon fabric robe covering the lower part of her body as the sleeves were wrapped around her elbows.
"Who are you and what do you want with us!?" Miku asked only to receive silence. The woman looked over them before narrowing her eyes.
"Well, you shouldn't be too much trouble to handle." Miku gritted her teeth in anger. Who was this woman, was she responsible for time being frozen and what does she want with them? Before Miku could say anything, Shu stood in front of her in a fighting stance.
"Miku, be careful. I got a really bad feeling about this woman." He warned her.
"Shouldn't that be my line since you're the one injured!?" She joked. Shu smirked before opening his mouth and started inhaling the air. The dark-haired woman raised an eyebrow wondering what he was doing until she felt the fire around them moves its way to him. As she watched she heard Shu swallow the fire making her eyes widened. "He's eating the fire?" After consuming all the fire, Shu released a breath in slight exhaustion as he stretched himself out.
"I haven't done that in ages," Shu said as he got into a fighting stance. "Ready Miku?" Miku smirked at him and materialized two separate disc blades as the outlines lit up a turquoise color.
"Yeah, I'm all charged up and ready to go." The dark-haired woman looked at the weapons in Miku's hand and the elements in Shu.
'Magic users, while they may not look the part they do have the abilities to show for. I'll think I'll test them for a little while.' "It seems you two have gained my attention." The siblings turned their gaze towards her who was now looking at them with a neutral expression. "Shu Heller, Miku Hatsune. All those who have faced me in combat have been subdued or killed." Shu and Miku remained still not even wavering from the woman's words. "That is your final warning; submit or die."
"Tch. We're not that easy to kill lady!" Shu scoffed as he glared at her. Instead, the dark-haired woman just sighed at this knowing it was pointless to continue talking.
"The name's Daisy, I'm afraid we talked enough wouldn't you agree?" the said woman asked. Shu and Miku just smirked at her, which annoyed her a bit.
"I agree."
"Took the words right out of my mouth." Shu and Miku said in unison. Daisy narrowed her eyes before she suddenly disappeared and then reappeared in front of Shu. Time seemed to slow down as the siblings were both caught off guard by how fast Daisy is who was in the process of performing a kick to Shu's side. As time sped back up, Miku reacted to attack and canceled it by sending a kick of her own but as she made contact her kick...phased through!?
'What?' Daisy continued her attack on Shu who caught her foot and reeled her in. As he did this, Shu engulfed his fist in flames and swung. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" Daisy managed to twist her body just enough for his flaming fist to miss her, only by a hairs breath. She used Shu's arm as a platform and jumped away from him. She then made a hand gesture before a flame appeared in the palm of her hand. "Death Fireball!" She enchanted as she shot the flame towards Shu, increasing in size as it traveled. He was about to inhale the fireball, chuckling to himself seeing that she hadn't learned her lesson yet. Before he did he caught a scent that caused him to quickly close his mouth and outstretch his hands. "Water Dragon's Raging Current!" A heavy blast of water shot from his hands and collided with the massive ball of flame. The two forces pushed against each other for dominance before ultimately exploding, blinding them in a heavy cloud of steam.
"Shu, what the hell? Why didn't you just inhale the fire there was no need to dodge it?" Miku asked heatedly. Shu clicked his teeth and was about to talk but was cut off by Daisy as she summoned another spell as water flowed in the air above forming several spikes.
"Ripple Showers!" She brought her hands down, sending the water spikes to skewer the two. Shu ran around the rubble trying to evade them while Miku used her disks to slice through them. Daisy then appeared in front of her and sent a powerful kick to her side, pushing her a few paces before she regained momentum and stopped her herself. She charged towards her and sent a strike to Daisy's head but she dodged it with ease and sent a punch of her own. Miku saw this and blocked the incoming attack with her forearm and struck back. The two were locked in close combat, trying to go out wit and strike the other, but they were at a standstill. Luckily, Miku found an opening and sent a kick to Daisy's stomach. The said woman blocked her attack with her forearms but the force behind it sent her flying. Seeing this opportunity to catch her off guard, Miku threw a disk at her aiming for her stomach. The dark-haired woman already regained her momentum and landed on the ground and moved her head to the side and dodging the disk but didn't notice Shu in front of her.
"Take this!" Shu shouted as he punched her in the cheek with a flaming fist sending her flying. "Hah! Got ya!" His comment was taken back when Daisy regained momentum in the air and floated down like an umbrella landing gracefully on the ground before touching her cheek. "Aw man."
"Now's not the time to celebrate idiot!"
"I know that!" Shu said.
"Interesting..."
"Huh!?" Both siblings turned their heads toward the stunned woman who was still rubbing her cheek.
"You actually hit me." She said before giggling at herself making Shu and Miku feel uneasy as they took a step back. "Now you've really gained my interest. Not one person has been able to hit me up till now, I have to say for someone who's oblivious you wield a great amount of magic within you." Daisy said as she folded her arms and placed a hand on her cheek.
"Uh thank you?" Shu said not really knowing what to say. Until the word from earlier clicked in his mind. "Oblivious?"
"She means you're not aware of what's happening around yourself." Miku bluntly stated.
"Hey! I am very aware of my surroundings and what goes on in daily life."
"Not that kind of awareness you dead brain." Shu had tick marks on his head as Miku called him.
"Must you antagonize me right now, we're in the middle of a battle?"
"Seems like the perfect time to do it."
"No, it isn't panda killer!" He retorted. Now Miku had tick marks on her head and decided to argue with him.
"I told you that was an accident!"
"I'm sorry but I think I hear all the pandas in the world disagreeing with you." He bellowed the last word as he put a hand to his ear irritating her.
"Ugh I swear when this is over I will kill you!" she comically shouted.
"Been there done that. Why don't you try it for it once!? DIE!" he comically retorted. They both continued to bicker forgetting Daisy who just looked at them blankly.
'I'm supposed to capture these two?' Daisy decided she was done playing games as she rushed towards to the two. Shu and Miku stopped arguing as they felt a slight increase in Daisy's power as she charged at them. As she was about to make contact she disappeared and reappeared in between them.
"Hu-Ugh!"
"Gah!" Both Shu and Miku felt the wind knocked out of them as Daisy hit them with her palms that felt like a punch to the gut. The attack sent the siblings flying off to opposite sides of the gym. Miku bounced a few times on the ground before skidding to a stop. Shu flew right into the metal doors back first. His back sprung off as he hit the floor with a thud.
Daisy regained her composure before walking over to Shu. Shu stood up before falling on one knee keeping him steady. He looked up at Daisy and then noticed a change in the woman's feature. They weren't emerald anymore, they changed into a shade purple and she had what looked like a sun tattoo mark on the left side of her neck and the same mark was on her waist holding her robe.
"You really should pay attention to your battle than your little petty squabble with your sister." She mocked. Shu wobbled up and held his out his fist, ready to burn her to a crisp. Nothing happened. The fire that was supposed to be there wasn't, along with his magic power. Before he could even ask himself what was going on, something hard hit him in the gut, her foot. Shu didn't even realize her approach, completely awe struck on how she even got so close. "What a shame." Daisy elbowed him in his back, following up with a swift knee into his stomach sending him airborne but before he could get far she grabbed his ankle and used her momentum to pull him and slam him down into the hard cement causing dust to emerge from the ground. As it faded, Shu was dented into the ground leaving a small crater. "Is that it? I was expecting a better fight from you." She mocked playfully. Her brow rose when she observed a smirk on his face. She inspected him before she realized that this was an after image of him meaning the real one is... "That little...!"
"Look out below!" Daisy looked up to block the attack but was too late as she felt a kick in her stomach sending her airborne and then Shu did a front flip in midair and slammed the heel of his foot down hard on to her back. It all happened in slow motion; to him landing back on his feet to her falling down to the ground. Shu looked back at her and smirked. "Maybe you're the one who needs to pay attention in battle," Thinking she was down he was about to walk away to find Miku until he heard the dark-haired woman's voice.
"Don't count me down yet." Shu turned around only to widen his eyes in shock. Daisy was completely fine, after those two attacks he thought it would've knocked her out for a little bit but here she was standing like nothing happen. Shu got into a stance again ready to fight until he felt his stomach twist in agony. "What the!?" He held his stomach in pain. It felt like something was twisting around inside of him constricting his movements. Daisy spoke as she brushed a strand of hair over her shoulder.
"What the!?" He held his stomach in pain. It felt like something was twisting around inside of him constricting his movements. Daisy spoke as she brushed a strand of hair over her shoulder.
"It seems my magic finally made contact."
"Magic, you mean you use it too?"
"Bind Magic: Restriction. This spell stops the flow of magic through your body until I release the spell or you find a way to break free. This spell also constricts your movements keeping you frozen in place." She explained as she now stood directly in front of him.
'That explains why I couldn't form any fire or water.' "Bastard..."
"I think it's time I end this and take you two back with me."
"This isn't...over yet...!" Shu fought through the binding spell, slowly getting back on his feet. Before he could get any higher, Daisy knee him in the gut sending him high in the air. Shu came back down fast, his impact erupting a cloud of dust that surrounded the gym. Slowly it went away, revealing a downed Shu, blood running down the sides of his mouth. Shu struggled to open his eyes, finding Daisy kneeling right beside him. "It's been so long since I've last seen you and yet…you don't seem to remember me, Shu." Her voice was different. It sounded motherly and safe but Shu had no recollection of who or what this woman was. As far as he knew doesn't remember much about his past. Daisy then brushed her fingers through his hair before stroking his cheek and gave him a soft smile. "Not that I expect you too, you were so young back then and were a scared child. But now here you are 14 years later and you've grown so much and I can't even imagine how happy I felt to know that you survived." Shu's eyes widened in shock even though he was bleeding. This woman knew about the Oakwood Genocide and somehow knew him but he couldn't remember her in the slightest. What the hell is going on?
"What…are….ugh…talking...a…about?" Shu croaked.
"You probably don't remember me since I'm in someone else's body and not my own." Daisy silently chuckled at him as she wiped away the blood that was pouring from his mouth.
"Wh…at…?" Shu coughed up more blood as he felt himself losing consciousness. Daisy giggled as she caressed his cheek once more and pressed her lips against his forehead. As her lips touched him, Shu suddenly closed his eyes and started seeing fragments of his past life.
'What….the...?' An image played out in his mind. It was faint and he could barely make it out but he saw her face but she looked a little younger and was wearing the same style of clothing. 'No way….is it…she's…!' Shu couldn't think anymore as his injuries finally got to him and he passed out. Daisy lifted her head back up and smiled at him.
"Shu..."
"Keep your hands off my brother you witch!" Miku appeared as she threw her disks at Daisy who put a barrier around herself deflecting the disks. Miku, horrified at her brother's injuries, clenched her teeth and readied herself.
"Sorry about that my friend seemed to have wanted to reconnect with your brother." Miku noticed the change in her voice as she saw her eyes were no longer a shade of purple and returned back to pale emerald but that didn't matter to Miku. This woman had hurt her brother, and he looked like he was going to die if he didn't get help. All this filled Miku's thoughts with rage as she glared at the woman in front of her.
"I don't care what you have to say. You hurt my brother and anyone who hurts my family…." Miku trailed off as her disks glowed brightly and she aimed them at Daisy. "Will pay!" Suddenly Miku's power flared up as shockwaves came from her. Daisy smiled as she watched the turquoise girl's power boost.
"I guess I should get serious as well." Daisy's power flared up as well as purple energy spiked up around her. The two girls stared each other down for a few seconds before rushing at each other.
With Ash and Ursula:
Ash and Ursula were both exhausted from fighting the woman in front of them. Ash was covered in scratches all over his body and was holding his right arm while Ursula was struggling to stand up, using her scythe as a crutch to keep herself steady. Zan wasn't even breathing hard. The polar opposite of Ash and Ursula.
"I have to say, you two proven yourselves to be worthy of fighting alongside us." Zan complimented.
"Us? We don't even know you?" Ash shouted as he winced in pain from his arm.
"Well this is your initiation and I expected you not to recognize me." She replied casually.
"Oh for crying out loud what is the initiation, who the heck are you and what do you want us for!?" Ursula was getting tired of playing Zan's games and wanted to end this now. The woman just sighed at the two for their impatience.
"Clearly you haven't been taught properly about matters."
"Why I outta...!"
"Oh dear, I'm afraid it's almost time for me to go." She said as her appearance started to fade in and out.
"What the?" Ash and Ursula couldn't make out what was happening to Zan as a blue rune appeared underneath her.
"I'm afraid this is where we part ways, for now, my dear cubs." She bowed at them as mist started gathering around the café again. "Congratulations, you have passed the initiation. I need to confess something, I'm not completely here. Before the fight, I had some matters to attend to but I also needed to test your strength in battle so I gave you a clone to fight since I could not be there myself." She explained to them. Ash and Ursula felt themselves freeze at the revelation, this whole time they were fighting a clone but that's not what unnerved them. This clone didn't even have a problem dealing with them and while they had a hard to time blocking her attacks and finding openings.
"I'm very sorry for not being honest with you. I hope that when we meet again, I can see you in person and make amends but I'm afraid I must take my leave now." Zan's body started to fade rapidly as she looked back them and gave them a soft smile. "Until next my dear cubs. Ash and Ursula I will see you again." After saying her last words, she disappeared as did the mist from the café. Ash turned to his sister still uneasy about what had just happened.
"Ursula."
"Yeah, I feel the same thing."
"Sis, if the clone didn't even break a sweat with us…just…just how strong is that woman?" Ash felt a bit of disappointment within himself from the power gap. Just thinking about this whole situation killed his confidence. Ursula understood his frustration, but this wasn't the time. Right now, they needed to find everyone else.
"Can you still fight?" she asked him.
"Yeah I can but what about you?"
"I'm fine." Ursula tried to move but she winced as the pain shot through her body. Ash then sighed before going over to her and bent down.
"Okay get on."
"What?"
"Look, you can't move your body and we're running out of time to find Shu and Miku so rest up for a bit will you," Ursula clicked her teeth in frustration before complying to Ash's offer and leaned against his back wrapping her arms around his neck as he stood up. She then wrapped her legs around his waist as he made sure she was secure. He walked over to her scythe and kicked into the air, as it twirled Ursula grabbed the handle and de-materialized it.
"Okay, I'm ready." She confirmed as Ash nodded and started running to resume their search for their friends.
With Penny and Haku:
"AAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHH!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Swords and knives clash against one another causing a high screech sound that ranged into the air. Penny was on the offensive as Haku continued blocking her attacks. She couldn't dodge her attacks because of Penny's massive power boost. It gave the orange-haired girl an increase in speed and power of her attacks leaving no openings for Haku but that didn't mean she couldn't make one. The two separated themselves from one another as they skidded a few paces away from each other. "Heh heh, this is so much fun I haven't felt this excited in so long." She said as she wrapped her arms around herself before shaking in delight. "I feel so complete and yet I'm still missing something, no someone~" She eyed Penny up and down then giggled like a schoolgirl. Penny looked at her with disgust before speaking.
"What are you? You look like someone who can't go a day killing people without having some kind of blissful fantasy to live in."
"Oh~ that's even better~"
"You're sick." Penny hissed.
"True but hey that's my way of life, so sorry if I can't help but act crazy and horny every once in awhile." She laughed in excitement making Penny take a step back from the silver-haired teen. She couldn't even comprehend who this woman was, the way she fights like a predator after their prey, the way she talks and acts like a seductive sadist, this teen frightened her.
"What are you?" Penny asked once more as Haku wagged her finger at her. "Nope~ I told you that's a surprise for your sister and brother. Oh, speaking of your brother how is he doing these days?" Haku asked making Penny go back into her rage.
"Don't you dare lay a finger on him you sadist!" Penny changed all of her swords into guns and fired a blast towards Haku who easily dodged by moving her head to the side. "Hey now, I'm going to hurt him…much. But he does look like someone I can have fun with. Even though I'm supposed to kill him, I think I'll pretend to kill him and then have him all to myself." She gave Penny an innocent smile as if she was harmless. Just seeing that smile made Penny want to go over to him and rip it apart. "I mean it's not like no one's going to miss him anyway, he's nothing more than a blind soldier who follows orders aimlessly. Wouldn't you agree?" Haku knew this would anger Penny but she hasn't gone far enough with her words...well not yet. As for Penny, this woman must really want to die by her hands if she talks low about her brother again. No one talks like that about her family.
"I think when I have him all to myself, I'll break him before claiming him as my own." She said sweetly. Penny's eyes widened in anger and hatred as she charged towards the girl. She crossed a line on that last comment.
"YOU'RE DEAD!"
"Bingo," Haku smirked evilly glad that she baited Penny into her trap. Penny appeared and threw her sword down aiming for the silver haired teen's neck, Haku dodged out of the way as her sword hit the ground with so much force that it rumbled the building. Before Haku could land on her feet, Penny appeared again and aimed for her head.
"Missed me~" Haku sung as Penny kept trying to hit her. As this went on, Haku noticed that Penny was getting sloppy with her attacks since she was a little lost in her thirst for her blood.
"I WON'T LET YOU TOUCH THEM. I'LL KILL YOU!" Penny shouted as she continued slashing thin air since Haku kept dodging with ease. She played this game for a few minutes until she decided she had enough.
As Penny went for a strike to her stomach, Haku blocked it with one of her knives and then stabbed Penny's shoulder with the other. "Agh!" Penny shouted as she felt the knife penetrate her shoulder but Haku wasn't done there. She sent a jaw shattering upwards kick that sent Penny airborne for a few seconds before Haku did a front flip and hit the girl in her side. Penny crashed into the lockers at the end of the hallway. She gasped and arched her back once she made contact with lockers before she landed on the ground and laid still.
Haku landed on her feet and put one arm over the other as she stretched them out. "Ahh, that was fun." She walked over to the downed girl as she heard faint breathing. "Still alive huh? I thought for sure that last one would kill you." She asked not receiving an answer. Penny was barely awake as she tried to look at Haku. She could feel a few broken ribs in her body and the wound on her shoulder was still bleeding from earlier. Haku pushed the girl over to her back ignoring her groans of pain as she straddled her and pinned her arms above her head.
"You know what this means right, I get to kill your siblings~" Haku sang enjoying the expression on Penny's face.
"I…not…done...agh!" Penny croaked before wincing in pain as Haku tightened her grip on her wrists and cupped her chin.
"Sorry, sweetie but I'm afraid this is where you stay down." Haku was about to speak again until both girls were caught off guard by a loud roar of anger come from the halls. Haku looked at the hallway leading to the gym in curiosity while Penny looked in horror. Penny knew what this was... That roar. That malice. It could only be one person...
"Hmm, I wonder what that was?" Haku looked back at Penny before coming up with an excellent idea. "Why don't we go see who's in so much pain and despair shall we?" Haku then got off Penny before lifting the girl over her shoulder ignoring the pool of blood that was dripping from her shoulder. "Don't worry, I didn't hit a major artery it's a completely clean cut so you won't die. I did want to torture you a bit but it would sidetrack me from my main reason so let's not waste any more time." Haku walked down the hallway leaving Penny alone to her thoughts. There was only one thing on her mind right now and she really wished that she was wrong about it. Only one person she wished was okay and not losing himself right now.
"Shu." With that last thought, she lost consciousness praying that Shu and Miku were okay. Only to find out that when she would wake she would be wrong.
Preview of Chapter 3:
Ace: Shu. I need to get back there and fast.
Haku: Oh this is amazing. Now we can see your brother not only kill but lose his humanity and becomes a mindless killing machine.
Penny: No..Shu...
Shu: AAAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH
?: What happened to my son?
?: We can save him but we need a diversion
Ash: Leave that to me. I'll hold him off for as long as I can.
Miku: Please...Shu...stop
Next Time, Chapter 3: Evil Within
A/N: Huge shout out to BlackSavior for helping me with this chapter. Next up is chapter 3 and 4. Until next time I'll see you in HELL
