A/N: Wow guys! I was so happy by all the feedback I received for last chapter! I'm glad that you guys actually enjoy the story :)
Finally, here is the fight in hell. I hope I do not disappoint you all who have been so cool and have read this story :P
I want to thank to ALL my reviewers in particular because you have NO IDEA how happy it makes me to read your reviews. I know I shouldn't be so dependent on them but still, they really do make me happy lol. Kinda like chocolate, I don't need it to survive, but it sure does make my existence much better :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Mai-HiME or the characters here. Sunrise Does. I do own this story.
Apocalypse Angels
9
Dedicate this to wolf-chan especially. ******
The rain drops that tapped repeatedly against the car's windshield were the only sound that accompanied Haruka's finger tapping against the steering wheel. She sighed and turned to Yukino, "This is unbelievable. It's not even that late. There is no reason why Mai and Shizuru should've closed."
Yukino nodded as she wiped a circle in her foggy window and saw the restaurant completely dark. Not even the "closed" neon sign had been turned on. The place was deserted like most of the city. Only a few unlucky souls could be seen walking outside in the thunderous storm but most people were hidden inside the apparent safety of their homes.
"We should head home." Yukino advised. Haruka wasted no time as she sped out of the parking lot. The entire day had gone from sunny and warm to stormy and dark. Various earthquakes had been reported alongside with warnings of tidal waves that threatened to destroy various cities along the shores.
It was definitely not a good day.
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"Damn you!" Nao said venomously between gritted teeth as she held off Mikoto's sword, Miroku, against her metal claws to keep it from killing her. Mikoto only pushed harder as the sounds of clashing metal resounded around them. "Give up Nao. You know we will win like we always do." Mikoto warned calmly. "This time it won't be the same, this time will be our time to shine!" Nao retorted with a smug smile as she continued her fighting with the angel.
Akira fought off the demons easily, moving quickly between the large masses of demonic creatures. She turned when she heard the screeching scream coming from behind her and found Yukariko being attacked from all sides at once by a swarm of small demons that resembled bats. Even thought she swung Vlas around to protect herself, they kept attacking her from every angle. Akira knew her sword Gennai would not offer much help compared to Yukariko's Vlas, but she knew those types of creatures where not normal demons. Swarm bats were controlled by special magic users and she had to find their master. Akira looked around the battle field and spotted a pink-haired girl standing to the side of the massacre field as she moved her hands in various motions to control the creatures. Akira ran as fast as she could towards the girl. Although her celestial powers gave her lighting speed, her abilities were lowered in Hell, so she had to do with what she had.
Mikoto and Nao kept attacking each other mercilessly as they attempted to eliminate each other. Mikoto knew Nao was one of the strongest soldiers that Mashiro had in her power, and they needed to get rid of her soon. They had decided to attack Mashiro in Hell before she attacked them in Earth. They had gathered all their special persons and had secured them away where Mashiro wouldn't't harm them as they fought. Miyu stayed closed to Shizuru as they made their way through the demonic soldiers to get to Alyssa and Natsuki. The Archangels had also brought their army of angels to aid them in their fight since they knew an army of demonic soldiers would be awaiting them.
So far the Angels had made good progress entering the underworld, but as soon as they killed a demon, ten more would show up to replace their fallen comrade. Nao's focus in her fight with Mikoto was distracted when she spotted the green-haired archangel making her way towards Shiho. Her eyes widened in terror as she saw the girl remain oblivious to the approaching angel and kept manipulating the demons against Yukariko. Mikoto found this distraction from the red-head as an opening and made a move to lunge her sword towards Nao but fell when a she felt a cold metal going inside her from behind. She had been to focused on attacking Nao that she didn't't notice the shadow lurking behind her.
Nao shifted her gaze to see Mikoto's sword fall down to the ground followed by her body and a smirking Nagi behind her with a sword stained with the angel's blood. Nao's eyes widened at the angel but decided she had no time to ask. It was obvious he was on their side. She quickly ran to save Shiho.
Meanwhile, Shiho remained unaware of Akira and continued her attack on Yukariko who seemed to be close to defeat. She was completely focused in her work and only turned when she heard Nao's voice calling her as Nao jumped up to catch the angel from behind. Akira's sword flung out from her hand as she was tackled down by the human-demon's weight. She grunted and quickly tried to scramble for her sword but was immobilized by Shiho who now directed her creatures to attack her. Nao quickly dismounted herself from Akira and left the demons to take her as she hurried to Shiho's side, "Are you okay? She almost killed you."
Shiho smiled, "I'm fine thanks to you. You saved my life Nao." Nao glanced to see the angel trying to cover herself from the demons' venomous fangs and claws. Seeing the angel wouldn't't be a danger anytime soon, she leaned in to kiss Shiho. The pinkette was left breathless as Nao pulled back with a grin, "Let's win this." Shiho nodded before catching the red-head in a kiss once again.
Shizuru made her way quickly followed by Miyu but stopped upon finding Mikoto's bleeding form on the ground. "Mikoto!" She called as she kneeled beside her and gently raised her head. She touched her forehead softly and frowned when she sensed no life on the angel's body. Miyu looked up when she saw Nagi approaching them. Shizuru did not like the angel one bit but said nothing. "Oh my, this is a sad thing." Nagi said upon seeing the body. Shizuru recited a few words before the angel's body disintegrated into golden sparks.
Back in their safe house, the group composed of Yohko, Takumi, Wataru Ishigami and Reito, who looked after them, grimaced upon seeing Mai raise her hands towards her heart and her face become distorted with pain. . "Onee-chan!" Takumi called as he tried to grab his sister's fallen body as she collapsed, but it was too late. "Mikoto-sama has fallen." Reito stated as they saw the busty woman's body disintegrate into golden sparks. Within a few minutes, Takumi felt a sharp pain in his heart and collapsed on the ground, disintegrating similarly to his sister within seconds, meaning Akira had also been defeated. Reito began to panic as he realized two of the five Archangels capable of fighting were already down, but tried to keep calm for the good of the ones left still alive. Wataru Ishigami, Yukariko's husband, fell to his knees and bowed his head as he began to pray for help from whoever would listen to them. Yohko just glanced outside the window to watch the lighting that kept striking against the chaotic earth. She thought of the people who were in the safety of their cozy home. 'If only they knew the war that is happening underneath them. The war that will dictate their futures. If only they knew.' She sighed and could only hope Midori and the others could still make it.
Shizuru and Miyu, followed by Nagi who insisted on accompanying them, made their way and entered a large chamber that was eerily silent and dark. Nagi could not help but smirk when there was a sudden sound and a large rock fell and covered the entrance and apparent only exit. Shizuru did not flinch when the crashing rock was followed by the sliding of rocks on the wall to reveal a blonde girl shackled against the wall.
Miyu ran as soon as she saw Alyssa and hugged the girl who began to sob uncontrollably. "Mi-Miyu, I knew that you-you would come for me…" She stuttered as she hid her face in the angel's chest. Her hands were still shackled to the wall but she was soon freed by Shizuru who used Kiyohime to break her chains. Alyssa wrapped her bruised arms around Miyu's neck and continued to cry as Miyu apologized repeatedly.
Shizuru felt sadness in her heart upon seeing the couple and remembering her own Natsuki. She heard a strange sound from behind her and turned and found Nagi gone. Her elegant brows furrowed as she heard another strange sound, but could not recognize it. It sound like someone was dragging metal but it seemed to come from all around her at once, and made it difficult to place it. 'I don't know where Nagi disappeared to, but for some reason I am not worried for his safety. He gives me a bad feeling with that smirk he seems to wear all the time.'
The sound came again, this time more distinctive as the sound of chains being dragged. She could not place the sound but did not even have time as a quick 'swoosh' sound came from behind her and she found chains locked around her neck as a strong force pulled against her. Shizuru tried pulling away but the chains only tightened around her neck, which was now bruised. Miyu saw the attacker but had no time to react as Nagi appeared beside her and with a quick movement, shackled her against the wall with chains made of dark jelly-like substance that was made especially to restrain angels, while Alyssa was once again placed in her former position.
Shizuru could feel oxygen began to lack and decided to try jabbing the handle of Kiyohime into her aggressor. The enemy was not expecting such a simple move from the archangel and released her momentarily, but it was enough for Shizuru to free herself completely.
"Natsuki?"
Ruby eyes locked with Emerald eyes, but Shizuru could not believe it was her Natsuki as darkness swirled in the beautiful green orbs. Natsuki did not respond as she raised her hand, a trail of chains following her wrist, and materialized a large sword in her hand. The handle was completely black and its blade was a crimson color that reminded Shizuru of her own eyes, or blood. Natsuki did not answer as she swung her sword towards the archangel, her limbs moving on their own as she slashed again and again, her attacks being blocked every single time.
"Natsuki! Natsuki it's me!" Shizuru called out frantically as she kept deflecting the bluenette's attacks. She was able to block each attack, but was forced to remain on the defensive without a chance to attack. Natsuki did not recognize the voice as her mind was somewhere entirely different than where she was.
Natsuki opened her eyes slowly, her eyelids feeling heavy as her head throbbed with pain. Her emerald orbs scanned the area but found nothing. She was surrounded by complete darkness.
The young girl began to panic as she began to remember what happened. The images flashed in her mind as she recalled the burning car and the putrid smell of skin burning. She could still smell it in herself. She also remembered the face of her younger sister, Alyssa, as tears streamed down her eyes which were filled with pain and fear.
"Ma-Mama. Help me." Natsuki whimpered as she tried to move but found her hands were shackled against the wall above her. A door opened and light filled the room instantly as a figure moved towards Natsuki. A cold hand grabbed the young girl's chin and lifted her face. Green eyes met a pair of sky blue eyes that despite their beauty, were filled with emotions and feelings that made them a horrible sight to behold.
Freezing under the touch, Natsuki waited for the stranger to speak. "Hello Natsuki Kuga. Welcome home." The woman said with coldness, a smirk in her eyes, before turning and leaving the girl.
A few moments later, Fumi appeared in the room. Natsuki remembered her. She had taken her away. Fumi approached the girl and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"Forget. Just forget."
Those were the last words she heard before a blow came to her head and she blacked out.
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Swing after swing, Shizuru kept blocking each of Natsuki's attacks. The usual spark that lived in the bluenette's emerald eyes was missing. Now only a dull look stared at her, but the emerald orbs were not focused on her. They were transfixed in something far away from them.
Alyssa stared in awe at the fight that was taking place before her. She was no longer in her previous state of dress, or more like undress, that Mashiro had kept her in. She was now fully dressed and turned to see Miyu who was shackled to her side. The cerulean-haired archangel, who had been glaring at the fight, knowing she could do nothing to help, turned to meet Alyssa's intense blue eyes and her gaze immediately softened. "I'm sorry." She whispered, her words barely audible above the sound of metal clashing again and again against each other. Alyssa managed to form a reassuring smile, "We'll be okay."
Miyu was unable to return the smile with one of her own. She lowered her gaze, unable to keep watching the intense stare of the one person in the world she loved more than anything. She had failed her after all.
Mashiro appeared on the side of the makeshift "arena" where her precious Natsuki Kuga was fighting against the mighty Shizuru Fujino. Mashiro smirked as she realized the archangel was not returning any attack sent by her fighter. "Isn't that the girl that Kuga was seeing on earth? The one Yuuichi and Munakata told us about?" Fumi asked as she materialized beside her master. The lavender-haired ruler of hell nodded, "What a coincidence don't you think Fumi? The sole person that everyone, both angels and demons, was looking for, happened to be the one person that my Natsuki had already found." Fumi did not respond, knowing her master was not looking for an answer. "This is the best entertainment I've had for some time. The two leaders of the Archangels, popularly known as Gabriel and Michael, both fighting before me. Could this get any better?" To answer her question, Nagi joined them and snickered, "It would only get better if they kill each other." Mashiro glanced to her left slightly to see the smirking white-haired angel. "It will only get better Nagi. Only better."
Sensing Natsuki was not going to become exhausted anytime soon, Shizuru decided she would need to put more effort in beating Natsuki if she ever wanted to get them safe away from their current position. As much as it made her heart cringe in pain at the thought of hurting Natsuki, she knew it would be for the best.
"Kannin Na Natsuki." She said softly before seeing an opening in her lover's side, as Natsuki lunged for her own ribs, Shizuru dashed to her side and punched her with the handle of her sword, hoping to not cause too much damage. The bluenette was not able to move fast enough to block it, but caught herself before falling back. She swung her sword and threw it against Shizuru. Crimson eyes watched as the metal weapon flew towards her. With one quick swing of her own sword, she blocked it and threw it flying away from her.
"Natsuki. Listen to me please." Shizuru tried as she walked towards the girl who began walking towards her. Natsuki's face was emotionless as she neared Shizuru and as they stood mere feet away from each other, she extended her hand to her side and the sword once again materialized in her hand.
"Ne Natsuki." Emerald orbs full of admiration turned slightly to lock with wine colored eyes. "Yes Shizuru?" Natsuki moved slightly so that she was turned fully towards Shizuru. Their naked bodies had managed to become tangled in each other as they bathed in the afterglow of their lovemaking. Natsuki was now facing Shizuru, the brunette's arms encircling her as she laid on top of her.
"Do you love me Natsuki?" The question seemed so simple, and so easy to answer, and while Natsuki knew the answer automatically, it had much more meaning to them than the question would mean to anyone else. Natsuki traced her finger from Shizuru's hip all the way towards Shizuru's cheek were she softly caressed the perfect skin, "Shizuru," she began as their eyes remained locked and enthralled with each other, "Days don't pass without meaning, years don't go by without leaving behind a memory, and our lives have certainly not passed in vain. No matter what tomorrow brings, not matter what another year may change, my love will always remain the one constant in our lives. Every single second that my heart beats, be sure to know that it beats for you, and it always will no matter what."
A single tear raced down Shizuru's cheek to meet Natsuki's slender finger, "I love you too Natsuki. I love you so much."
The one known as Lucifer grinned widely as she made a quick movement with her hand and saw terror in her fighter's eyes. She had released Natsuki from her mental chains momentarily.
"Shizuru." Natsuki voiced in her thoughts as she regained consciousness and could process the visions she had just experienced in her mind. She recognized the brunette who stood before her as the girl of her dreams. As the person who had loved her and if she could read the emotions in the crimson eyes that were locked with her own, she still did love her.
Shizuru could see Natsuki's eyes seemed to widen in surprise, and then fear, as they locked with her own. "Na-Natsuki?" She asked carefully as she stepped closer to the girl.
Natsuki did not move. Her muscles tensed as she shifted her gaze and spotted Mashiro smirking at her. Shizuru was now mere steps away from her, and Natsuki wanted to scream in terror as she saw Mashiro's brows furrow before her grin appeared again. "No Shizuru! Stay back!" Natsuki wanted to scream but found her mouth and entire body refusing to respond to her commands. She wanted to alert Shizuru to stay away, knowing she had no control of her body, but she found her efforts futile.
Recognizing the girl before her as the real Natsuki, the emerald orbs now back to locking with her own, Shizuru smiled and dropped her guard.
The seconds that passed seemed to become eternal as Natsuki saw every movement before her come in an agonizingly slow speed. Shizuru spread her arms to capture her in a hug, no longer fearing the bluenette, as she thanked the gods above for allowing her to save the love of her life. Natsuki felt her heart tear to shreds as her arm raised before her, sword in hand, and struck Shizuru.
Shizuru lowered her eyes to see the crimson blade partly concealed inside her chest. She had not seen the attack coming and now found herself staring as crimson blood began running down the blade. She was unable to snap her gaze away to meet Natsuki's eyes that were now glazed as tears raced down her cheeks.
The room stood silent as the first drop of Gabriel's blood hit the ground.
A/N: So what did ya think? I hope it didn't suck too bad...I really am not a good "fighting-scene" writer lol. so sorry if it sucked. I tried :P
Please review and tell me what you think, be my awesome chocolate :P I always try to respond to all the reviews, and to those who review anonymously, here is a shout-out to you: THANKS!
Love you all and please review :D Don't you want to see what's going to happen? IF I WERE YOU, I would definitely review, I heard that authors tend to update faster when they have yummy reviews to read...oops, still thinking about chocolate :P
