Chapter 8
Matsuri VS Daisuke

It wasn't long after entering Rashin, Matsuri quickly found herself facing-off against guards, guards, and more guards as she made her way up to the palace. This time however, Matsuri had little trouble defeating them. Not only was it the power of Red Moon Blossom, but Matsuri had grown stronger as a samurai. She was practically a Master Samurai herself as she was able to already defeat four of them. As Matsuri made it to the palace grounds, she could see Emperor Daisuke waiting for her. "So Kyoya, or Matsuri as you're calling yourself now...I see you've finally made it," Daisuke said, "I hope you put up a better fight this time. I would hate to have to kick you off the side of the cliff again."

"Don't worry about that Daisuke," Matsuri replied as she unsheathed her sword, "Me and Sakura are more than ready to kill you! I'm going to make you pay for what you did you Yuno, my family, and the Suzuki! Tonight you will die!"

"So...my daughter has told you everything," Daisuke said, "A disappointment right down to the end."

"How could you use your own daughter as a spy?!" Matsuri burst out, "You even cut her left eye because she let me live! You heartless monster!"

"Simple Matsuri...I told her if she didn't do what I asked I would throw her away like the useless trash she was," Daisuke replied coldly, "Ever since the day my wife became pregnant, I dreamed of having a son that would one day take over my place as Emperor of Rashin." He then paused and let out a sigh. "When Yukiko gave birth, it was a girl, not a boy. She died shortly after. If Yuno had been a boy, Yukiko wouldn't have died. So I was forced to give up my dream of having a son and settled for a daughter, but I made sure to put her to good use and what was better than a spy? Nothing...that's what. It was the perfect plan. No one would have ever suspected a spy to be a girl. Unfortunately, due to her failure at killing you, I have no need to refer to her as my daughter anymore. She is just garbage to me now." Matsuri couldn't take it anymore and charged at Daisuke who quickly jumped back. "Ah yes...I forgot you also have a cursed sword. That will make things very interesting."

"You may have beaten me before with your cursed sword, but now that I have one too...we're even!" Matsuri shouted confidently. In response, Emperor Daisuke started to laugh.

"Foolish child," Daisuke chuckled, "You really think I needed to use the power of my cursed sword Black Abyss to defeat you before? When we first fought, I was using my power against you. I didn't need to bother using it. You were far too weak. However, now you are stronger. Strong enough to beat my four Master Samurai in battle. You may even be more powerful than a Master Samurai." Daisuke then closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his eyes were that of a snake. "In order to defeat you now...it seems I need to use all of my cursed sword's power. You see Matsuri...the price I paid for wielding Black Abyss is that I gave him my soul. In return, he gave me this unreal power that I will use to kill you and everyone else who dare stands in my way!" Suddenly, black flames erupted from the sword on Emperor Daisuke's back, and instantly engulfed him. When the black flames dispersed, Matsuri was shock to find herself standing face-to-face with a 20ft. snake made completely out of shadows.

"What?! Daisuke? What the hell happened to him?!" Matsuri exclaimed.

"It seems Daisuke's body has been taken over by his sword Black Abyss," Sakura replied, "The dark aurora that is emitting from him is so pure evil I can feel my soul being constrained by it. Also...his power level is so high I can't even begin to fathom it. Master Matsuri...this opponent is nothing like we've ever faced before. I fear we may not be able to defeat such a monster."

"Don't give up yet Sakura!" Matsuri shouted as she got into a fighting stance and gripped her sword harder, "With you on my side...we can't lose! Please believe in me! I beg of you Sakura...lend me all of your power!"

"Very well Master Matsuri," Sakura replied, "I will give you all the power I posses. I apologize beforehand if I may cause you pain as your body might struggle to take in so much power in such a small amount of time."

"Thank you Sakura," Matsuri said as her entire body, along with sword, started to glow blue. Even though Matsuri's body was hurting, she choose to ignore it because Matsuri had much more pressing matters as Daisuke suddenly lunged at her. The final battle between Matsuri and the Demon Snake Daisuke had begun. As Matsuri attempted to swing her sword, Daisuke suddenly spun around and swung his giant tail so fast, all Matsuri could do was block it. However, the power of Daisuke's tail was so strong, it sent Matsuri flying off the palace ground into the city below. Unfortunately, Matsuri didn't have time to breath as Daisuke was in close pursuit. "Dragon Style: Soaring Wyvern Talons!" Talons bigger than normal compared to Flying Wyvern Talons flew directly at Daisuke. Using his quick speed, Daisuke moved his body and was able to evade them. Just as Matsuri prepared for another attack, Daisuke whipped his tail hard, sending her flying through a couple of buildings. Ponies were shown fleeing in fear as Daisuke charged recklessly through them, not caring whether they were guard or resident. It didn't matter to him. The only thing that did was Matsuri. "Dragon Style: Super Wyvern Fireball!" Immediately, a huge blue fireball was sent flying out of a building where Matsuri was and hit Daisuke dead center. The giant snake was quickly thrown back and crashed into a nearby building. Before Daisuke was able get back up, Matsuri ran out of the building with her sword raised. "Dragon Style: Raging Wyvern Cannon!" After swinging Sakura, she released a mighty beam-like cannon that destroyed everything in its path, including the building Daisuke was in. As Matsuri lowered Sakura, she suddenly kneeled down. Her breathing was very rough.

"Master...are you ok?" a worried Sakura asked.

"Yeah...I'm ok," Matsuri panted, "Just a little tired. Do you think we beat him?" It wasn't over yet. Suddenly, they heard a loud voice roar. It was that of Daisuke jumping out of the rubble.

"Snake Style: Demon Serpent Toxic Fang!" Daisuke shouted as he lunged at Matsuri with his fangs bared. Unable to evade his attack in time, Matsuri had no choice but to block it with her sword. That was a very bad idea. As Daisuke's fangs pushed down on Matsuri, the ground before her hooves began to crack. If Matsuri wasn't using all of Sakura's power, the bones in her hooves would have instantly broken. However, trying to keep Daisuke from biting her was the least of Matsuri's worry as Red Moon Blossom started to crack in the center due to his overwhelming power. If Matsuri didn't do something fast, Sakura would break in half. Using all the strength she could muster, Matsuri managed to escape to safety. Unable to control his path, Daisuke crashed into another building. When Matsuri looked down at Sakura, the crack in her blade was being illuminated by the moon's light.

"Sakura!" Matsuri exclaimed in a panicked voice, "Are...are you ok?"

"Master Matsuri...it won't be long before all my power is diminished and I break apart," Sakura muttered, "You must us all of it in one attack."

"Don't be stupid Sakura...you're not going anywhere," Matsuri replied, "You and me are a team! I'm not going to let you break." Sakura didn't have time to respond because Daisuke had finally regained his balance and was charging at Matsuri again. After getting into a fighting stance, Matsuri brought Sakura close to her body. After closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Matsuri opened them again and set her sights on Daisuke heading towards her. "Dragon Style: Ultimate Wyvern Tearing Blast!" After swinging Sakura, she released a gigantic slicing wave that instantly cut through Daisuke, the city, and even the mountain in the background. A split-second later, everything that had been in the path of Matsuri's attack split in half, including Daisuke himself.

"Impossible," Daisuke muttered in total disbelief as his body slowly began to vanish, "I...can't...lose." Shortly after, the only thing that was left of Emperor Daisuke was the destruction he caused. It was finally over. Daisuke was dead. Matsuri had finally got her revenge. However, Matsuri didn't seem to care as she was too busy looking down at Sakura. The crack in her blade was getting bigger every second. It wasn't long before the inevitable happened.

"No...Sakura...please," Matsuri cried, "Don't go."

"I'm sorry Master Matsuri," Sakura replied in a soft voice, "It was a pleasure serving you. I'll never forget the journey we had together...goodbye." Matsuri could only watch as Sakura disappeared from his hooves. At that moment, Matsuri was engulfed in a bright light. After it went away, Matsuri was shown as a stallion. She had changed back into Kyoya. Because of how Sakura had been broken, the curse was removed. Kyoya didn't seem to care though. The friend he once considered a nuisance was now gone. A few seconds later, Yuno and Kai appeared.

"Is it over Kyoya?" Yuno asked. It was awhile before he spoke.

"Yeah...it's over Yuno," Kyoya muttered. As the two ponies began to talk, they soon noticed Kai looking around the area as if he was searching for someone. Kyoya had a feeling he knew who Kai was looking for.

"Wait...where's Matsuri?" Kai asked. He then ran over to Kyoya. "Did you see what happened to her?" After taking a quick glance at Yuno, Kyoya turned his attention to a worried Kai.

"Matsuri...is gone," Kyoya replied, "She sacrificed herself to defeat Emperor Daisuke...I'm sorry." Kai couldn't believe his ears that his beloved Matsuri was gone before he had a chance to say goodbye or tell her how much he loved her and immediately broke down in tears. "You loved Matsuri a lot...didn't you?"

"Yeah...I did," Kai muttered, "I loved her with all my heart. I knew she could be rough sometimes, but Matsuri was an amazing girl." He then paused and cracked a smile. "I have to admit...she had one of the best looking flanks I've ever had the pleasure of laying my eyes on. Perfect size, perfect shape...just perfect." Without realizing it, Kyoya lifted up his right hoof and hit Kai in the back of his head. As Kai tried to figure out why Kyoya looked so angry, Yuno burst of laughing. Shortly after, the three ponies headed to a local ramen shop to get a bit to eat. Before Kai could say no fair, Kyoya and Yuno tricked him into paying for all their food. As the ponies began to chow down, Kyoya let out a sigh of relief as it was finally all over. For the past ten years, he had tried to get his revenge on Emperor Daisuke. Now that Daisuke was gone, Kyoya's mission was complete. Maybe now he could settle down with a family like his dad had told him.