Here is chapter 9! I hope you enjoy. R&R and tell me what you think :3
Disclaimer: I do not own Okami or Zelda Twilight Princess in anyway. Nor do I own any of the characters.
~Thank you
Amaterasu walked steadily to the throne of Queen Otohime. Ruler of the Dragonians. Her and Issun had just conquered a dangerous mission of stomach acid, and were almost dissolved in the stuff, but despite the dangers. Amaterasu and Issun had successfully found the Dragon Orb. They didn't know it, but regretfully, the cost of the orb was the Water Dragon's life. He sank to the bottom of the sea and perished... His spirit visited Amaterasu and Issun after his death, and he explained that he was once the king of the Dragonians. He told them of how he had consumed an evil instrument of Dark Lord; and how it had driven him to madness. Causing the ocean to rupture, and chaos to all of Nippon's seas.
Amaterasu had found a strange item within him. Issun had called them "Fox Rods". Amaterasu had_ without a second thought, handed the strange tubes to Rao, who said that she needed them to destroy the evil forces, but Issun was suspicious on the matter. Despite his lovey dovey passion towards the overly busty priestess. Now here they were, handing the Dragon Orb to Queen Otohime.
Amaterasu balanced it on her head, and bounced it up above the Queen's throne with perfect aim. Her highness's two royal guards and herself looked up at the orb with eyes full of amazement. The Queen slowly turned her head back to Amaterasu and began without noticing Amaterasu hastily run off.
"Amaterasu, you managed to get the _ Wait? Amaterasu! Where are you going!" Otohime called out after the goddess, who was dashing away towards the elevator.
Amaterasu seemed to not hear, she even left Issun behind as she departed and went to the elevator. The elevator began to lower, and then she was gone...
"Amaterasu?" Otohime asked again with concern clouding her face. She then looked down at Issun who seemed to be just as surprised as she was.
"Ammy! What the heck is wrong with you! Were not done here!" Issun called after her trivially_ but she was long gone.
"I'm sorry babe. Ammy has been acting really weird lately. I really don't know what's come across her." Issun explained to the Queen with a shrug, looking no more informed than she.
Otohime shook her head looking worried. "These are dark times we live in Issun. I pray that Amaterasu is not distracted, by something..." She finished darkly.
Issun bounced, not answering immediately. Thinking on the queen's words for a moment.
"Furball, distracted? I dunno babe. She's usually pretty focused. But then again..." Issun trailed off.
"I'm relieved you both made it out unharmed." Otohime continued. "The Dragon Orb is the key to destroying the barrier on Oni Island. With it I can harness the power of the Water Dragon and destroy it."
The queen gently bent her head down to express her gratitude. Issun then bounced a little closer and began. His voice tinted with the slightest bit of regret.
"About the Water Dragon... Well it kinda died when we took the orb out. Does that mean King Wada is..." He stopped before finishing. Feeling uneasy about saying it.
Otohime leaned over sorrowfully, along with her royal guards. Clearly feeling the sting from the truth and knowledge of his words.
Issun continued sounding a bit sad for her. "Was he really... Your-"
"Yes it's true." She replied firmly yet painfully. "But getting the Dragon Orb wasn't something we could hesitate on. We Dragonians must do whatever is necessary. A dark power consumed him, driving him to an un-controllable rage. His life was regretfully the cost of the orb..." She finished sadly.
Issun stood still a moment, no words came to him.
"But tell me Issun." She began again. "What of the Dark Instrument, surely you must have found it inside of him."
Issun began to bounce again. He stood a few feet away from her, and her throne that was made of a giant under water sea-shell.
"Those fox things? Queen Himiko's head Priestess took them. Something about using their power to destroy beings of evil." Issun explained to her plainly.
"Hmm..." Otohime pondered. "I hope this_ priestess, is trustworthy... Evil beings of the Dark Lord are doing all in their power to find it. I hope she knows what she's doing. All hope will be lost it the Dark Lord acquires it." The queen finished sounding very unsure on the matter.
Above her throne, the Dragon Orb suddenly lit up with a bursting light. It floated in between Issun and the queen and hovered above the ground. Issun bounced back, and Otohime's eyes lit up. She stood up, and looked at it anxiously.
"Uh, babe. Is this a normal thing? What's going on with it!" Issun asked as he eyed it nervously.
"A vision from King Wada perhaps!" The queen answered, her voice tense.
The orb's sea-green color faded translucently into a scene which was laid before their eyes. A priestess which looked identical to Rao, ran up the steps to the grounds of a familiar temple. She seemed to be running from something. She sprinted franticly past the wooden building, a glimpse of something big and terrible on her heels. She ran but was soon cornered by high cliff. The giant shadow coloured demon pounced before her, it lifted a mighty paw, preparing to strike, but the vision suddenly came to an end. The orb fell to the ground with many loud clinks, and then began to roll in circles.
"Issun, do you have any idea on what that meant!" Otohime asked immediately.
Issun began to run as fast as his little legs could carry him. Calling back to her in reply. "Sorry baby. There's no time to explain!"
The poncle burst out of the whirlpool that swirled in the ocean, riding on Orca's large wooden carrier. The Emissary swam to the shore line as fast as he possibly could by Issun's orders, and when they got there, Issun jumped off faster than ever. He bounced as fast as he possibly could to get to Ankoku Temple. When he exited out of the North Ryoshima Coast, he be-lined it for the temple. It took him allot longer then he would have liked. Without Amaterasu traveling was very slow, but he didn't care. He had to go there to see if Busty Babe was okay.
As he neared the temple, the air suddenly grew thick with fog and Rao suddenly appeared floating in the air! She was slightly transparent and looked almost ghostly. She beckoned her hand for Issun to follow her as she floated up the stairs. Suddenly she vanished along with the thick cloudy air.
"Whoa! Busty babe! Wait, where'd you go?" He followed where she went and hopped up the stone stairs which lead to the temple. Rao appeared again along with the fog, signalling again to follow, as she drifted farther up the stairs.
"Hey, babe! Wait for me!" But before Issun had finished, she was gone... The air thinned once again, and Issun was left to wonder on just what was going on. He kept following the mystical looking Rao, as she kept appearing and then disappearing, slowly leading him to the temple. Until she finally lead him behind the building.
It was where he remembered seeing the shadow beast attack her in the vision.
The high cliff walls reached up and Rao drifted back to them. Suddenly she floated in and through the cliff. Disappearing from Issun's sight.
It shocked him, he didn't know what was going on, but he followed her none the less. As he neared the cliff, an ominous cave appeared out of the wall. An evil power lurked about it, and as he hopped into the cave to where Rao's spirit faded, a deep and dark well was set before him. He peered into it and felt a small draft. Did this lead to somewhere outside! We bounced up and down on the edge of the well, pondering about the situation. He realized that things just got allot more complicated, and that something truly suspicious was going on. He had to get Ammy. And fast.
"And I bet I know just where she is! That thick headed lump of fur!" He angrily thought aloud.
()()()
Amaterasu trotted through the cliff which bordered the road from Lake Hylia. She panted lightly, tongue sticking out, as she jogged casually on the road which winded through the cliff and lead to the open and grassy Hyrule Field. Ammy had thought back on when she had hastily left the Dragonian palace. She wanted to come back to Hyrule for a short visit before her mission got even more complex. Amaterasu knew that she would soon come to walk on the dangerous isles of Oni Island, and knew too well, that she wouldn't be able to come back to Hyrule for awhile. Issun would have given her no end of complaints if she took him with her, so she had decided to go alone. Bolting off without him, before he had a chance to argue.
Amaterasu wasn't meaning to be rude to Queen Otohime, but she never had a desire to do something so badly. Link made her happy, and she wouldn't have it any other way then to spend some time with him again. She helped out everyone, did she always have to be so true to her duty? Couldn't she just have a bit of time to herself for once? She had made her decision to go see Link again, she didn't think it was such a bad thing.
Amaterasu had considered her feelings which she felt toward him, and it made her think of that complicated emotion. She had never felt romantically towards anyone, and she didn't have a clue on what it felt like, but_ these_ feelings she had towards Link. Were they minor pulses of romantic feeling? Yes, she had considered the possibility, but she had to remind herself that he was, in fact_ a human. Amaterasu refused to believe she could feel that way towards him because of that simple fact. She had put her mind to rest on that matter, but could never drift far from it. The question would never seize to pop up in her mind again.
As she stepped out of the cliff road-way, and into the open hylian field, she inhaled the scent of the sweet nature. Her guess was: that she would find Link at the castle. That's where she always found him. Amaterasu just hoped that he was a wolf when she found him.
Before long the castle appeared into view, looking tall and grand, but a horse who grazed on the open field had caught her eye, and her interest.
Horses were common creatures in Nippon, and she would often feed them green herbs that she could buy from the merchants, but this particular horse had a saddle on it. She was beautifully coloured with a white mane and tail, and a fine red-brown coat. As she neared the horse, she lifted her head from grazing and stared at Amaterasu.
She swallowed her grass, and began. "Hey, I know you!" The horse nickered. "Your that funny looking wolf I rescued from the lake."
Amaterasu cocked her head to the side. Looking rather confused. "Have we met?"
The horse shook her mane. "Not really. The green fairy wanted my help to get you out of the lake." She explained. "You were out cold."
Her statement took Amaterau back to the day that she first came to Hyrule. She had been washed up on the shore of Lake Hylia_ and Issun... He claimed that he rescued her, but she also remembered that she didn't fully believe his story. It suddenly made sense, Issun must have gotten this horse to save her!
She shook her head and sighed. The memory made her smile. Issun... I knew you were full of it!
She chuckled quietly to herself, and looked back up at the horse, who was much taller than she. "I see. Well I never got to thank you for it. So, um. Thank you." Amaterasu said brightly to her.
The horse blinked at Amaterasu. "My name is Epona" She began.
That name suddenly struck Amaterasu. She could have sworn she had heard it before. Was it Link who mentioned it? When she thought back on their conversations she remembered that he had mentioned a horse. Yeah, that was it! Epona was Link's horse!
"You're a friend of Link." Amaterasu then stated before Epona continued.
"You could say that. I'm thinking your that wolf he once mentioned. He said that you were white, but he didn't seem to take note of your strangeness. Just look at you girl. Your fur is all swirled on your legs and tail!" Epona said remarking her, as she flicked her tail from side-to side.
Amaterasu peered at her elbows where her fur stuck out and swirled thickly together. It made sense that Epona could see her true form, and she was happy she could. Most animals did see her true looks. Amaterasu just hoped that one day, Link would be able to see her true form. She supposed he just didn't fully believe in her being a god. But how could she blame him? Not many people did see her true form. Let alone someone from a completely different world, and in which a world that had its own legends and gods.
"Hmm... The first time I saw you I could tell you were good though." Epona continued. "I just knew that you were no ordinary wolf, and not just because of your looks." She finished with a curt nod of her head.
Amaterasu nodded as she sat down and tucked her tail around her paws. She liked this horse, not that she didn't like that others that she had fed and met, but Epona_ Something about her... It just clicked. Even if they had just acquainted.
"Do know, is Link at the castle?" Amaterasu suddenly asked. Breaking the small silence that was set between them.
"I believe he is." Epona replied shortly.
Amaterasu nodded gratefully. "Thanks, I'll be on my way now. Oh, and my name is Amaterasu."
Epona gave a friendly nicker as the wolf left, soon returning to her grass.
Amaterasu loped away to the castle. When she made it to the castle town, she began to anxiously try and find him. It was a good thing that today was not a busy day in town, or it would have been a real challenge. When she didn't see him anywhere in the town square, she decided to look in the castle itself. She walked down the stone street which lead to the castle grounds, when she made it, Amaterasu ran to the doors and came to sliding stop in front of them.
The two guards that were normally there, seemed to be off duty and were nowhere to be seen. Just as she paused before the huge doors, they creaked open. Link stepped out and was immediately greeted by Amaterasu, who began to obnoxiously wag her tail.
She barked loudly. It was good to see him, but he was human... It was different to her when he was human. She couldn't look at him the same way, and she guessed it was the same with him to her.
"Amaterasu, hey. I didn't expect to see you so soon." Link said as he knelt down in front of her.
Amaterasu silently huffed, her ears sagged downwards. Why wasn't he a wolf?
Was it really a question to her? Of course he was a human again, that's what he is. She reminded herself of this, but she liked him_ as a wolf...
Link patted her lightly on the head, he then got up and brushed past her. It would seem he had other things to do.
Amaterasu turned around, and paced after him. She wanted to see what he was up to none the less. After all. She came all this way, she might as well do something before leaving. She still wanted to hang out with Link again, even if he was a human.
"Ammy!" A familiar voice suddenly called out breathlessly! Link seemed to hear it as well, as he looked out towards the town centre. Issun bounced breathlessly towards them, looking like he had just run a marathon. Amaterasu wasted no time and ran up to him, hearing the stress in his voice.
"Furball! What do you think you're doing here? Some real crazy stuff is happening, we need to go back to Nippon now!" He jumped on her head, and bounced frantically up and down "There's no time for explanations, SO LETS GO! GO! GO!". Amaterasu gave Link one more glance, pausing, before she rushed to the exit of the town.
"Huh! Wait, what's going on? Where are you two... Going...?" Link called out after them.
Amaterasu paid him no heed. From her understanding, there was no time to try and explain.
She ran as fast as she possibly could to the star like portal which would take her back to Nippon. She heard the urgency in Issun's voice, and knew that she had to hurry. She didn't know what was going on, but she feared the worst.
"Furball, we have to go to Ankoku Temple. Busty babe was leading me there, but it was really weird, she kept disappearing! She lead me to a secret passage behind it. We have to go there! Okay Ammy?"
Amaterasu barked in reply and kept running to the portal which was in the sky. When she finally made it, she made no delay on going to the temple. She rushed to the cliff behind the building and found the secret passage. She didn't think about how it suddenly just appeared from nowhere. No. She just rushed in as fast as she could, and came to a stop before a creepy looking well.
Issun bounced as he began. His voice still lingered with panic and tension. "C'mon Ammy! Leap before you think right!"
She jumped high, and fell into the black hole of the well. She landed on a moist and damp floor, and quickly looked around. There was a slight draft coming from across the dark underground passage. A skeleton also rested against the wall, but there was something disturbingly familiar about the clothes which adorned it.
As Amaterasu looked closer, she realized... It was the clothes that Rao wore! Issun was right. Something was very amiss. From what she knew Rao was still alive, but then she remembered. Rao had red beads that she wore around her neck. Not blue. Was the skeleton another priestess who died long ago? Or was the answer more troublesome...
Now moving onward again, Amaterasu went to the other entrance that lead up and out of the underground passage from the well. A ladder went up the hole as well, but it was no use to her.
She jumped using her Holy Eagle technique, and landed in another room. It looked like a storage room of some sort. It actually held the design and expensive look of the palace and royalty. Three large treasure chests were pushed against the wall. Colourful gold-trimmed fans decorated the way out, and rolls of expensive silk sat on a polished red-wood shelf. Despite all of that and the tempting treasure chests, she ran outside to where a gentle and cool breeze came from.
When she got out, she slowed to a walk and looked around, it was the castle! The well took them to the castle! Just in front of her were some stairs which lead to the main part of the palace.
"What the heck! The well took us to Queen Himiko's castle?" Issun questioned as he bounced up and down on her muzzle.
As soon as she had left that small storage building, she suddenly could feel that something was terribly off. She knew, Amaterasu just knew, that she had to go inside the Queen's Palace. Something was terribly wrong! She ran across the red painted wood and up the stairs.
She burst through the castle doors, her eyes immediately fell upon something which was very disturbing. The elevator assistant was knocked out cold. It's as if someone had come in and attacked from full surprise. The poor woman never stood a chance. Amaterasu looked down at her as she mumbled some words.
"Uhg... Queen Himiko..."
Amaterasu didn't leave enough time for Issun to remark about the knocked out woman. She leapt in the elevator, and paced impatiently for it to start. It rumbled beneath her paws and began to move up vertically. Amaterasu began to run in circles, getting more and more edgy about the whole situation. It felt like hours to Amaterasu before it reached the top. She equipped her fire tablet, which repelled extreme heat; even lava.
Jumping head first into the magma which protected the queens chambers, Amaterasu paddled hard and fast despite her hate for swimming and wetness. But it was thanks to the fire tablet that she was not completely burning up. She slurred through the hot molten rock and eventually made it to the floor boards which rested before all of the doors which lead to the queen's chambers.
Amaterasu pushed her way through all of the doors which entranced Queen Himiko's huge room, and finally the last door stood before her. She pushed the sliding door open with her head and loped in the massive overly sized place. Pillars rose up to hold the ceiling, and many candles burned on the walls. It made the room have an orange-ish glow to it, and gave it a relaxing and calm atmosphere. As of right now, calm and relaxing was the last thing she felt.
Before Amaterasu and Issun's eyes was Queen Himiko. She lay on the ground. Bruised and beaten, the smell of death lingering on her body. It was a sorrowful sight to both Issun and Amaterasu. Himko had tried her utmost hardest to keep her people safe and, tried so hard to stop the darkness. Yet she died, in the end...
Her crystal ball which showed where Oni Island would appear next, was nowhere to be seen, it was their only hope of finding the demonic island. The roof of her palace had a huge gaping and torn hole in it, it was if her killer had ripped right through the ceiling.
"Ammy, she's... She's dead..." Issun said sorrowfully as he jumped off of Amaterasu. "I don't get it. Who could have done this? I thought she said her barrier would protect her from anything. And look, her crystal ball is gone! Without that, were never gonna find Oni Island!"
Amaterasu looked at the queen who laid lifelessly on the ground. A haunting feeling crept up on the wolf, something truly dark and evil had done this.
"Ammy, do you realize what's happened here! If you didn't run off, we would have come earlier. Furball if we were here, we could have saved her!" Issun snapped coldly, as he whipped out his needle sized sword and pointed it threateningly at Amaterasu.
"Look Ammy, I don't know what your obsession is with going to see blue eyes, but it cost Himiko her life! What's up with you, huh? Normally you're so focused on the mission. Remember how you made us leave the Kamiki 100 year festival early because you wanted to get on with our quest? It's like you've got the hotts for Link or somethin."
A chilling wave went up Amaterasu's spine as the truth of the matter came to her. It made her hair stand up on end as she realized that this was, her fault. She looked sorrowfully at the dead queen. Guilt flooded over her like a raging ocean wave, and she felt awful. She also felt stupid. Amaterasu then realized what Ordona's warning was about. She was supposed to stay true to her duty of watching over Nippon. She even promised herself that she would always stay true to her duty, but it seems she lied to herself. She ignored the warning! It was her fault!
She sat down, and continued to gaze at the queen. Little did Amaterasu or Issun know, that even if they did get to the queen immediately, she still would have been killed.
Another disturbing thought suddenly came to Amaterasu's head. If she was supposed to stay true to her duty for the good of 'both' worlds. Then what was going to happen to Hyrule? How would Queen Himiko's death effect them? It only made Amaterasu want to act quicker, they still had to find Himiko's killer! Amaterasu suddenly flushed when Issun's statement of her possibly liking Link came to her mind. Did, she? Did she like him that way.
"Hold a sec. I know that look. Even if you are a wolf, I've seen that look!" Issun began suddenly. He sheathed his sword and jumped back on her head and began to bounce like normal.
Amaterasu had cringed down from Issun's words.
Was it true...? Did she have feelings for Link?
"You sneaky snowflake! You do like blue eyes, don't you! I knew it! I just knew it! Gee Ammy, I never you to be the romantic type. Heheheh. Welcome to my world furball! I feel like this every day!"
Amaterasu whimpered quietly and shook her fur. Feeling unsure of Issun's conclusion.
Issun sighed as he continued to bounce. "I guess I can't fully blame you. I mean, we all make mistakes right? But seriously, we gotta track down who did this to poor little Queen Himiko! C'mon Ammy, sniff them out!"
Amaterasu jumped up on a large red pillar which was knocked over, and had a low enough slant which lead out through the destroyed roof. Amaterasu ran up it and jumped out into the open air, landing on the high palace roof. When she landed, Amaterasu be-lined it for the edge of the roof. She had a certain feeling, deep inside her, telling her to go to Ryoshima Coast.
She jumped off the immensely high palace and fell down through the air. The breeze whizzed by her fur and pushed it up. Her tail was also lifted up by the force of the fall, but the ground neared quickly.
She landed with a light 'thump' on the stone ground of Sei'an City. A pulse of greenery rippled out beneath her paws as she came down and landed solidly. Amaterasu wasted no time. She ran quickly through the city. Passing the guards which always kept her from going to the Queen's palace. That was until she got her time slowing ability.
Amaterasu jumped over any obstacles or people in her way, leaving red maple leaves fluttering down from where she was.
She bolted out of the city and ran as quickly as she could up the hill which lead out of Sei'an. As she ran through the gate and past the two guards, she came to a sliding stop. She looked sharply from side to side, her head turning, ears perked. Ankoku Temple! She had a large hunch. That was where they needed to go!
She dashed across the shore of Ryoshima's coast and made it close to the temple. Amaterasu ran to the stone steps, but came to a sliding stop on the stone path before going up. Rao was running down the large stairs.
She slowed and came to a stop before Amaterasu, who was at the bottom of the great steps.
"Busty babe! What are you doing here!" Asked a surprised Issun.
"Amaterasu! Thank goodness!" Rao began. She sounded exhausted and stirred up. "I was... Too late, to save Himiko! I left as quickly as I could so I could find the evil being who killed her!" Rao explained to them eagerly.
Amaterasu eyed her very closely.
Something is wrong...
"I saw it leave just after it killed her. It was 10 times my height! It was... I was terrified..." She trailed off slowly.
"Don't worry babe. We'll stop it no problem. We just came from Himiko's palace. Do you have any idea on where it could've gone?" Issun asked as he bounced up and down on Amaterasu's snout.
"I_ I..." Rao stuttered and trailed off.
Amaterasu amber eyes never left Rao. Her ears were pricked, and she was, and felt ready to leap into battle at any moment.
"Ammy, why are you looking at busty babe like that?" Issun asked Amaterasu, sounding puzzled.
Amaterasu jumped into a crouched down battle stance. She growled out and bared her fangs at Rao, who was surprisingly not startled by her sudden change of behaviour. Amaterasu was no fool! This was not Rao, this woman before her was an imposter, perhaps she always was. Amaterasu didn't know, but one thing was certain in her mind. She killed Himiko!
"Amaterasu, has the evil curse gotten to you as well? What's wrong?" Rao asked innocently.
"Ammy, what's wrong? Why are you growling at the babe?" Issun asked, as he stood on her head.
"Have you lost your mind, Amaterasu?" Rao questioned her, but not a hint of suspicion or surprise lingered on her face.
"Down Ammy! Down!" Issun shouted at Amaterasu who was still growling viciously at Rao.
Rao suddenly motioned her hands together in a prayer position, and tucked her head down. She began to murmur something. It had the accent and sound of a prayer, but something was ominous about her words.
"Kan-ji-zai-bo-satsu. Gyo-jin-han-nya-ha-ra-mi-ta-ji_" She continued on without stop.
"Huh?" Issun questioned her, as he stared unknowingly and dumbfounded at Rao.
"Sho-ken-go-on-kai-ku. Do-is-sai-ku-yaku..." She finally finished. She still held her hands in a prayer form. Her eyes shut tightly.
Without a second thought, Amaterasu leapt for her, but her lunge was somehow disrupted, Rao had done something which put her off course, instead she leapt over the priestess and landed high up on the stone stairs. She whipped around and recovered her battle stance. Huffing growls at the priestess who stood below her on the stone steps.
"What the...!" Issun began.
Rao turned around and faced Amaterasu. Her eyes were glowing red. An evil, dark, and demonic power swam around her as she glared at the goddess.
"Whoa! What's up with those freaky eyes babe! Just what is going on?" Issun remarked, sounding completely freaked out and confused about the whole thing.
"Hah ha ha ha ha!" Rao laughed. Her cackle filled the air, sounding evil and sadistic. Her glowing eyes looked demonic as she broke out in another evil laugh.
"It's pointless to keep you alive any longer. I might as well kill you now." Rao Began sounding like a devilish fox.
"You are a cunning beast Amaterasu. Managing to find the Lucky Mallet, and escape the wrath of the Water Dragon. You even cured the plagued city, and began to search for my dark fortress. But it was all futile! The Queen was dead long before you had arrived!"
"B..But!" Issun protested.
"Now that the Water Dragon has sunk to the bottom of the sea, Oni Island is impenetrable. And it is all thanks to you, Amaterasu. Know that you are the one who so eagerly handed me the Fox Rods, and revived my dark power! The Queen's barrier shattered like glass from my might. It was such a shame that you didn't see it!"
Amaterasu roared out defensively. She knew it was her fault, it was all her fault! She would never again let herself slip like she did. Himiko paid, and now Nippon will pay the price from her selfishness. It was her job to keep everyone safe. The land and people alike!
Rao laughed evilly again. She spun around, and in a puff of dark purple smoke she suddenly wore a white fox mask, and pulled a giant nine pronged sword out. It's size was comparable to Amaterasu's glaives but it held a dark power around it. Her clothes had changed too, and her breasts seemed grow in size from the transformation.
"Occupying the body of the priestess made it so easy. It was pathetic how easily fooled you all were!" She spat at Amaterasu and Issun.
"Why you! You killed the real busty babe!" Issun began angrily. "You weren't there Ammy, but the dragonian king gave a revelation showing how fox-face here, killed the real babe! That fox-faced Wench! Boy did she have me fooled!"
"Enough of this! It is time to finish you off so nothing shall stand in my way!" Rao raised her sword and stood in a defensive pose, seeming to prepare herself for that fight that was to come.
Amaterasu swapped her reflector for her green rosary, and leapt to the side of the fake priestess. She slid behind Rao and fired all of her beads at the imposter. They shot through the air, some managing to hit the fox-faced woman. Rao blocked the rest with the giant sword and lunged at the goddess who was now on the lower part of the stairs. Amaterasu leapt out of the way just in time. It was thanks to her training in the Dojo, as she used her Fleefoot dodge technique to back-flip away.
Amaterasu regained her posture and hopped on her glaive. She drove it hard into the priestess, knocking her down on the stairs, giving Amaterasu enough time to use her power-slash brush technique. A powerful slash went across her arm, cutting deep into the priestess's flesh. Despite the damage, the imposter jumped back up on her feet and threw a handful of explosive daggers at the goddess.
Amaterasu tried to dodge all of them, but one pierced the ground just beside her. It blew up. Knocking Amaterasu on her belly. Amaterasu's staggered, giving the evil priestess enough time to get a full attack on her.
Amaterasu growled in pain as she got swiped back with the giant razor sword, but Amaterasu pulled her new, red_ seven pronged glaive out, blocking Rao's second attack.
The two swords were pressed firm against each other, as their wielders pushed hard into their blades. Amaterasu quickly froze time and drew a cherry bomb beside Rao. It immediately blew up in her face and sent her flying backwards on the grass. Amaterasu pulled out Infinity Judge and slammed the mirror into the devilish woman's chest.
Rao growled in anger and protest as she swiped her sword furiously at Amaterasu, knocking her reflector back. Luckily Amaterasu had dodged away from the sudden attack, she then drew a double circle, which lit up and made a giant flaming fireball which separated the two fighters.
Amaterasu snarled at the imposter and leapt for her over the blazing fire, but as she neared Rao, she swiped her sword across the goddess which knocked her away. Amaterasu slid across the grass. A large gash now covered her shoulder, dripping crimson red blood. Amaterasu sucked in the pain and ignored it the best she could. Preparing herself for the next assault.
Rao charged in at Ammy, but this time Amaterasu was ready!
She used Divine Retribution's mirror side, which absorbed Rao's attack, and froze her for a short period. She used her moment of confusion and bit down hard on the woman's arm. Jumping high in the air, with Rao in tow, Amaterasu twirled her around as she went up, but she came down just as hard, slamming the priestess in the grass with immensely strong power. Amaterasu then back-flipped away and saved herself from the hard fall.
Amaterasu didn't waste a second though, she pulled out her red glaive and swiped it across Rao. It sent her flying into a tree with a horrible cracking sound as she hit. Rao fell face first to the ground and toppled over. The tree behind her began to make creaking sounds moments later. The trunk tore, and ripped as it fell hard to the ground. Branches and leaves crumpling beneath its weight.
Amaterasu was crouched down in a battle ready position, growling angrily at the foxy imposter who lay motionless on the ground.
Rao suddenly began to twitch as she laid there, it looked as if she was gagging something up. After another sudden cough, Himiko's crystal ball came flying out of her mouth, but it was small, no larger than two fists put together. But It was a wonder on how she swallowed the thing. As it bounced along the grassy ground it grew back to its normal size. Amaterasu watched the orb only for a moment before turning her attention back to Rao, who's evil presence was still not yet vanquished from Nippon.
"You see that Ammy!" Issun began. "It's Himiko's crystal ball! That fox-headed wench! I shoulda known it was her who stole it! Well, we have it now furball. I say it's time to finish off fox-face once and for all!"
Amaterasu couldn't agree more. She ran towards the knocked out woman, but suddenly she was rebounded back by an invisible barrier and it sent Issun flying from her head! She regained her stance and glared at the fox-like woman.
Rao jumped back up, and stood defensively and ready. Nine dark orbs of fox fire appeared around her. Each having a kanji character to represent it's element.
Amaterasu lifted her head up as she watched the evil priestess. She didn't know what was happening, but it could not be good.
Rao clenched her fists and growled. Nine dark tails appeared from behind her, they grew tall, and large in length. Each of them darker than night, as they sprouted behind her. A pulse of blue energy suddenly burst from the fox-like priestess, it sent a chilling wave over Amaterasu as it rippled across the area. Suddenly Rao was gone, and was replaced with a giant beast. Much larger than Amaterasu, and darker than anything that she had ever seen. Evil power seeped from it's being, it's glowing eyes glared furiously at the goddess. Fangs bared, and claws as long as daggers.
"YOU FOOLS!" It roared at them in a deep and terrifying voice. "I cannot be defeated by the likes of you! This is only a mere a taste of my dark powers!"
The devil fox channelled a poisonous energy with its tails and released it on Amaterasu. It knocked her back hard, but she regained her footing and roared defiantly back at it.
"Pathetic deity!" It began. "I do not even want to waste my full power on you. I shall return to my dark fortress and rally my demon armies. The light of this world will be crushed beneath my darks claws! The sun will soon set, and without the Queen to find my Island, I will be unstoppable! You have failed Amaterasu! Now nothing stands in my way!"
The dark nine tailed fox roared violently at Amaterasu and then vanished in a blue and purple energy. Gone from Amaterasu and Issun's fighting grasp.
Amaterasu lowered her guard and began to glance from side to side. She sat down, not knowing what to do. What could they do? The Queen was dead, and the Dark Lord had gotten away. It was all her fault. If only she had remembered about Ordona's warning. Even worse, this was somehow going to affect Hyrule.
Amaterasu approached the giant crystal orb, and stared into its depths. If only they could use it to locate the island...
The hope was left for them could not be seen.
There was nothing she nor Issun could do. Giving in, seemed like the only option left...
As Amaterasu gazed hopelessly into the crystal, a sparkling light appeared with in it. It grew larger, and larger, until it took over the whole orb. It slowly faded into a clear image of Himiko. She sat within the orb and gazed at Amaterasu. Ammy stared back, her breath taken away by the image of the Queen.
Issun had made his way back on her head and was speechless, but despite his stunned feelings. He and Amaterasu listened closely to the Queen's words.
"Amaterasu... Oni Island has made its appearance. Before my spirit departs I will show you where the island is. Amaterasu, you must make use of the last of my power. Go to the Island!" Her image faded away, but Oni Island materialized within the ball. It was at the Northwest coast of Ryoshima. Very close to Watcher's Cape, but It had already appeared, if Amaterasu and Issun didn't make it to Oni Island before the sun set... All hope would be lost.
"Ammy. We gotta get to Watcher's Cape, and fast! If Oni Island has already appeared, that means we have no time at all. The sun has almost set! We can't let the last of poor Himiko's power go to waste. We have to make it there!" Issun said as he hopped up and down frantically to emphasize is his point.
Amaterasu ran as fast as she could to the North part of Ryoshima. The sun was just visible over the horizon, but she had to make it despite of the extremely short time left! This was her last chance to make things right, she could not waste it!
She bolted down the cliff ledge which lead to the shore, sprinting across the white sand and up the stone ramp. Across the grass and on the path, she sprinted through the gate to North Ryoshima, so fast that the guards that stood firmly before it gasped in shock as she passed by them.
She ran, finally making it to Watcher's Cape, the cliff which she hastily cat-walked up to. She landed lightly on her paws, and then bolted to where the view point was. Passing the old ruins of stone and running through the old archway. She came to an abrupt stop, and looked at what was before her eyes. The giant tail of the water dragon was lodged in the cliff. A giant crack split the cliff around the dragon's tail, but it's long snake-like body reached out to the Island. Oni Island's barrier was destroyed. It was like the water dragon somehow came back to life.
A booming voice echoed from the island. "Amaterasu this is Otohime! The barrier is destroyed, but you must go now, Before the sun sets! Use my body as a bridge and destroy Oni Island! Once and for all!"
"Huh! Babe? is that really you!" Issun asked sounding baffled. "Oh well it doesn't matter! Go Ammy, before it's too late!"
But it already was too late... Just as Amaterasu was about to go, the Island began to disintegrate and it vanished from what seemed like the face of Nippon. Otohime lost her grip on the island and fell into the ocean! Her tail snaking off the cliff and splashing into the water. All hope was lost... Otohime dove under the sea, disappearing from sight.
Amaterasu's ears sank, the last bit of light, the last glimmer of hope... Gone. She stood there for the longest time, just gazing out at the sea. Not believing how much she had failed. After awhile, she turned around painfully, not knowing what do, feeling sick to her stomach. Issun seemed to be feeling just as hopeless as she, he said nothing and sat quietly on her head.
She jumped off of Watcher's Cape, and landed on the grassy ground. She walked over to the beach and sat down. Tail tucked around her paws. She pondered on what she could do, how she could stop the evil lord of darkness, but there was nothing... There was nothing she could do. The Island could have appeared anywhere. She sighed and drooped her ears.
Why did I fall so hard? How did I fail Nippon so badly...?
She looked out at the open sea as the sky grew darker and darker. The darkness of night was coming upon the land, and this time there probably wouldn't be another day of light. The armies of darkness would soon swarm Nippon, and all hope would be lost.
"Amaterasu!" A familiar voice panted.
It pulled her out of her thoughts and she whipped around. Her amber eyes fell upon no other than Link. He was running towards her in his wolf form, he looked panicked and his eyes were full of worry. He came to a stop before her and breathed in hard.
"Huh! Blue eyes! What are you doing here?" Issun asked as Amaterasu had turned around.
"Ammy..." He panted, sounding completely out of breath.
"Link what is it? What's going on?" She asked, her voice full of concern.
He breathed heavily, but seemed to be catching his breath. He huffed one more time before he began. "A giant fortress appeared in Hyrule! I think demons from Nippon are invading the land of Hyrule!"
Amaterasu heart sank, it sank lower than ever before. She knew what he was talking about, and now she fully understood Ordona's warning. Oni Island had somehow moved to the Land of Hyrule.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Again, Thanks a bunch!
