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CHAPTER TEN
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Order to Charge
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Two panicked Warriors ran across the huge storeroom, as the thundering footsteps of what the Dokurorider called an Ancient Gear Golem boomed behind them.
"Run, fools, run," laughed Zero-Five. "Run until it squashes you flat!"
The huge Golem slammed its fist downwards, narrowly missing EZ and Sonja, but causing a shockwave that threw them into a pile of boxes.
They huddled in fear. The Golem looked around. It apparently didn't see them.
"Well, one thing is in our favor," said EZ. "It seems this thing is more or less mindless… All it can do is make a full frontal attack. But with Limiter Removal, that attack will be lethal."
"What is Limiter Removal?" asked Sonja.
"An incredibly illegal spell cube," answered EZ. "When used on a Machine, the Machine's strength is doubled. The reason it's illegal is because, after a few minutes, the Machine overloads and either explodes or falls apart. Either way, it doesn't survive."
"Well, how long do we have before the spell kills it?" asked Sonja, nervously.
"Depends on how strong the Machine is," answered EZ. "I once saw a Cyber Tech Alligator survive for fifteen minutes, and they're Level Five."
Ancient Gear Golem loomed over them…
They rolled out of the way, as its foot slammed down, trying to stomp them flat.
They started to run again.
"Level Five?" asked Sonja. "This thing is much higher than that! We'll never outlast it…"
She looked at Zero-Five.
"Hey…" she thought. "I got an idea…"
The Golem lumbered towards them…
Sonja took her Amazoness Spellcaster cube back out. She pointed it at the Golem.
"What good will that do?" asked EZ. "It won't make you stronger…"
"Maybe," said Sonja. "But if its original strength was as much as a Blue-Eyes…"
She activated the cube.
She glowed with energy. She grunted, and her muscles started to bulge…
"All right…" she said, in a deeper, huskier voice. "Now we're talking…"
Zero-Five watched with curiosity from his vantage point.
"What are they up to?" he thought.
Then Sonja grabbed EZ in her arms…
…and with three leaps, she landed right in front of Zero-Five.
"What?' shouted the Zombie. "Stay away!"
Sonja dropped EZ, and then grabbed the Dokurorider in a headlock.
"All right, pal," she said, pointing his head towards the Golem, "I'm guessing that he's gonna smash anything that gets in his way. You must have some way to take it down.
"You can't get away from me. So either drop it, or we all get smashed."
Fear appeared in Zero-Five's eyes for the first time. The Ancient Gear Golem's pistons pounded, and it marched towards the three monsters…
"My left pocket!" he shouted. "There's a Shadow Spell cube in it! I was going to use it if that thing attacked me! Please, don't let it get me!"
EZ reached into the Zombie's pocket.
He pulled out a Heavy Storm cube, two Violet Crystals, and finally, a Shadow Spell.
EZ hit the button on it, and threw it at the Golem's feet. A mass of chains erupted out of the floor, and the huge Machine was bound by them.
"That should hold him until the spell does him in," said EZ.
He turned to the Dokurorider, who was still trapped in the Amazon's headlock.
"How do we get to the boss without going through the gauntlet?" he demanded.
"Heh, heh…" laughed Zero-Five. "You go in the way you came. But you have to be a Zombie, or be escorted by one! Otherwise, you have to go the long way!"
"Okay, what creepy surprises are in the next room?" asked EZ. "Tell us."
"I don't know," said Zero-Five. "I wouldn't know…"
"Sonja, tear his arms off," said EZ.
Zero-Five gulped.
"You'll never get past the next room!" he cursed. "There are Dark Core cubes hidden in the far wall. You can't destroy them. If anyone except a Zombie crosses the red line, they get sucked into the Void.
"You'll never stop Baron Samedi's plan! He'll become more powerful than you could ever imagine! He'll be the…"
With a twist of her arm, Sonja bent him nearly double. The Zombie slumped to the ground, and then shattered into triangles.
Sweat was pouring down her face as she glowed again. The effects of the spell cube were wearing off…
And then they had another problem. The Ancient Gear Golem reared up, and then burst free of the chains.
EZ and Sonja held each other in fear, as it ran towards them. It reached for them…
…and then, with a loud groan, it bent over. Its right arm fell off and crashed to the ground, followed by its left. And then the rest of it collapsed into a pile of broken metal.
There was the longest pause…
Sonja noticed that EZ was holding her.
"Uh…" she said.
"Sorry," said EZ, releasing her.
They stopped for a few seconds to catch their breaths.
"Dark Core cubes," he muttered. "Any ideas?"
"Hmm…" said Sonja. "He said they were activated if someone crosses a red line… But what if someone were to get into the room without crossing it?"
"You have an idea?" asked EZ.
Sonja reached into her pouch and took out a trap cube.
"This is called Dramatic Rescue," she said. "It's an Amazon trap that only works if she has a partner.
"Here's what we have to do. You hold this trap. Then I enter the room and cross the line. When the Dark Core is activated, you activate this. The Dark Core will fail, and we'll switch places."
EZ thought for a minute.
"You sure that will work?" he asked. "I'm no Amazon."
"The rescued one has to be an Amazon, but the rescuer can be anyone," answered Sonja. "Although… we don't count on other folks to do it very often."
"You realize that if it doesn't work, you've got a free trip to the Void," said EZ.
Sonja shuddered.
"I'll risk it," she said.
"There is a problem," said EZ. "I'll get though, but you'll have to go back."
"I will," said Sonja, "and I'll come back, and I'll bring back help. This is heavy. I have friends. I'll try to ask them to help us."
"Okay," said EZ, taking the trap cube.
He pocketed the Heavy Storm.
"This might come in handy too," he said.
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The hallway gave way to a large chamber. Sure enough, a red line was painted on the floor of the room.
The two Warriors looked at each other.
"It's now or never," said EZ.
Sonja paused.
I have to trust him, she thought.
Another pause.
Sonja looked at him. He palmed the trap cube.
She nodded.
She slowly walked forward, and stepped over the red line. EZ kept an itchy finger on the button of the cube…
Slowly, a dark shape appeared in front of Sonja. The Dark Core was starting to form… A portal that would devour her and throw her into the Void…
She closed her eyes.
Don't let me down… she thought.
There was a flash, and her eyes flew open…
She was back at the entrance of the room, and EZ was in front of her. The Dark Core disintegrated.
"Heh, heh…" chuckled EZ. "For a minute there, I thought that you thought…"
"I don't think it any more," said Sonja. "I can truly say that I trust you now.
"Be very careful, EZ. I'll get help, and come back as soon as I can. Give me three hours."
She ran back the way she came.
EZ ran forward, out of the dangerous room.
So… he thought, What dangerous traps have you set in my way next, Samedi?
He walked down a dark hallway, towards an archway.
A wide, circular room loomed ahead of him. It seemed empty at first glance…
And then he saw ten trap cubes placed on the floor.
He hesitated. He wasn't sure what they were, but he was sure they were deadly. They could be Trap Holes, Widespread Ruins, or even Torrential Tributes set to activate whenever someone even entered the room.
He grinned.
What am I worried about? he thought. I lifted a Heavy Storm from that guy. I can blow all those traps away!
He lifted the powerful spell cube, and hit the button. It burst, and a fierce wind erupted over the room…
The trap cubes started to glow… And then they burst, releasing a cloud of white mist…
EZ stepped back…
Ten creatures rose out of the mist. Colored gold, they looked like crosses between bugs and snakes, with small claws, and golden headdresses on their heads.
"Very tricky, Samedi," said EZ, raising his sword. "Rigging a room with a bunch of Statue of the Wicked Cubes…
"Well, a workout might help whet my appetite…"
He lifted his sword.
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The Lady Ninja Yae called LNY-011-C sat in a police interrogating room, her hands cuffed, and a look of fright on her face.
She had gone through one of the most frightening experiences a criminal must undergo in the justice system – facing one of the Monarchs.
In this case, it had been Thestalos. Facing any of the Monarchs was an intimidating situation, seeing as each of them was fifteen feet tall, but Thestalos's court was a hellish place, where the flickering of flames burned everywhere.
She had been scared even before she saw the Firestorm Monarch. He was known for ordering the most executions of the four. She hadn't done anything that demanded capital punishment, but there were many rumors going around that he often ordered a beheading simply because he could.
Little hope was left in her. She was likely going to be tucked away for a good long while…
She had made up her mind…
She was going to accept the offer.
Gonzap entered the room, followed by a Marauding Captain and a Goblin Calligrapher. The Captain was there to handle her if she tried something – Gonzap was not going to dirty his hands. Goblin Calligraphers were good for only one thing – taking notes. So everyone used them for that.
"Okay, Eleven," said Gonzap. "You heard what his judgment was. You spill your guts about your supplier, and he'll cut your prison sentence in half. I'd say that he was being much more merciful than he usually is."
Eleven sighed.
"Okay…" she muttered. "I've been getting the traps from Baron Samedi."
Gonzap motioned to the Goblin, and it wrote the name down in its notebook.
"He likes strange traps and spells," she said. "He himself was getting them from the Dark Ruler, but I don't know where they originally came from. And he told me he could supply me with better ones. Embodiments of Apophis, Rings of Destruction…
"And he has a lot of powerful spells too. He talked about Dark Cores…"
"Dark Cores?" exclaimed Gonzap in shock.
"Yeah," said Eleven. "He said he could get anything."
Good grief, thought Gonzap, maybe we can learn more if we get Thestalos to make an even better bargain!
"Oh, and get this…" she continued.
"He said he was planning something, and it required a trap that was very hard to get. I'm certain that it wasn't legal."
"The name?" asked Gonzap.
"Uh, gee…" said Eleven. "Let me think… It had a funny name…"
She thought for a minute.
"Oh yeah…"
Both Gonzap and the Captain froze in fear as she spoke the name of the trap.
The Goblin didn't know enough about it. It simply wrote the name down as she said it.
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Sonja was quite out of breath when she ran out of the train station near the Amazoness Complex.
She ran towards the front gates, and nearly bumped into a Swords Woman (not Amanda) and a Chain Master.
"Gee Sonja," muttered the Chain Master. "You look like you just went ten rounds with a Des Kangaroo."
"We have a problem," said Sonja. "Get Amanda and Sarah and meet me in my place. They're back from work, right?"
"Yeah, but…" said the Chain Master.
"I'll explain latter…" said Sonja.
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EZ sat down among the shattered remains of the ten Wicked Statues. Perspiration was running down his face.
He took a trap cube out of his pocket. It was a Nutrient Z cube. This formula gave you energy that was both stronger and safer than the dreaded Poison of the Old Man, but it was very expensive. He likely wouldn't get another one until he rejoined the force… If he ever did.
He shrugged. He didn't want to let it go to waste. He pressed the button, and it transformed into a colored bottle with the number 4,000 on it. He unscrewed the top, and slowly drank the liquid inside. It tasted terrible, but he felt the soreness in his muscles healing, and his body filling with energy.
Feeling invigorated, he walked on to the next room.
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Four Amazons – two Swords Women, one Fighter, and a Chain Master – were facing the Paladin in front of them, while her sister, a Blowpiper, simply sat in a corner petting her Tiger.
"That is interesting," said Amanda, crossing her arms. "And just why should we risk life and limb for this guy? What has he ever done for us?"
"He took care of that Vorse Raider who told you he was going to have you locked up," said Sonja.
The Swords Woman bowed her head.
"It isn't right," said Sarah. "People like him have caused us nothing but trouble… What is it, Sonja? Do you have feelings for this guy?"
"Not feelings like you might think…" said Sonja. "I first went to him as a last resort. I thought it would never be anything but business…
"But working with him… It's changed. He became more than an associate… he became a partner.
"And curse me if you want for saying this, but he's not a partner now… He's a friend too.
"I can't let him face Samedi alone…"
The four other Amazons looked at each other.
"So…" muttered the Chain Master. "Who feels like taking on a Vampire Lord?"
Sonja grinned.
"My sisters…" she said. "I owe you…"
"Yeah, you owe us big!" said Sarah.
"I'll come too!" shouted Cora.
They all turned to her.
"Really, Cora?" asked Sonja. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah…" she said, getting up. "I'll help… Zombies or no Zombies. Magic or no magic. I'm going to prove once and for all I'm not a coward!"
The Tiger growled a little.
"There's just one little thing I want you all to do…" she said.
"What?" asked Amanda.
"Talk me out of it!" she squeaked.
"Cora!" snapped Sonja. "You just stay next to Sweetums there, and you'll be fine."
Cora looked at the Tiger.
"Okay…" she said, softly.
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As EZ wandered through the dark rooms, they got even darker…
As the darkness got thicker, fear began to creep into his bones.
He saw a pair of lights up ahead… Were they eyes, watching him?
He paused.
EZ knew the stories of the Zombies whose species name was Despair From the Dark. Five of them were believed to exist. One of them – the "white sheep" of the species – was civilized, as much as a Zombie could be, and owned one of the Penthouses just down the street from here.
The other four were predators who hunted in darkness. A universal rule in the CSR was never to enter a dark alley if you literally could not see past the entrance.
Was a Despair From the Dark lurking in here, ready to devour him?
Sergeant… said a soft voice. Why are you here, Sergeant?
EZ drew his sword.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
Why do you continue? asked the voice. You're no cop, and yet you still put your life on the line to help that Amazon. How do you know she's even coming back? She may have run in fear and left you to die.
"No!" shouted EZ. "She wouldn't have…"
So you say… said the voice. But I sense doubt. You are full of doubt, Sergeant. That is why you won't join the force again. Ninety-Nine won that wager you made with her, but you haven't gone back to Gonzap yet…
"I will!" he replied. "You think I want an Empress Judge mad at me?"
You're afraid of an Empress Judge, but not afraid of a Vampire Lord? asked the voice.
EZ stopped short.
"You're right!" he said. "And I won't have to!
"Lightning won't strike me twice, and I won't have to make that choice again. I've been afraid for nothing!
"And if you think you can mess with my mind, pal, you are sadly mistaken. I have more willpower than you can…"
I guess I can't… said the voice. But why such devotion to Elfour? Did she truly care for you? Did she ever say "I love you"?
EZ paused.
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For a minute, he was back at Toon World, and it was snowing a light snowfall.
"Happy All Shadow's Beginning," said the Lady Assailant of Flames next to him, handing him a small box.
EZ slowly opened it.
"Elfour…" he muttered. "You can't afford this…"
"Some guy in the Pyro and Thunder Living Quarters owed me a favor," she said. "Besides, your special, buster."
She kissed him.
He kissed her back.
"Love you…" she whispered.
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"Yes…" he said, "she did tell me she loved me. And I'll fight every battle in her name! Once I'm done with Samedi, I'll stop hiding. And I'll stop blaming myself."
He saw the glowing eyes again.
So be it, said the voice. Sleep, Sergeant…
EZ felt his eyes grow heavy.
"No…" he muttered, as he grew tired. "Stay back… don't come…"
He collapsed.
The darkness fell away.
An Invitation to a Dark Sleep appeared over him.
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"Wake him up," said Samedi's voice.
The Spellcaster waved his hand, and EZ slowly came to.
He was sitting on a couch in a creepy study. The Invitation was standing over him, and Baron Samedi was standing in front of him. Behind him were four Opticlops and Morphenian.
"Welcome, Sergeant," said the Vampire Lord. "I brought you here because I want you to witness my finest hour…"
"Do tell…" said EZ.
Samedi turned to Morphenian.
"Meet with Natasha and prepare the ceremony," he said.
Morphenian nodded, and ran from the room.
"You've probably figured it out by now," said Samedi. "I intend to evolve into the Vampire Genesis.
"All I needed to do was distill an evil concept, such as lies, and taint it with the symbol of a Fiend Lord's authority. I used the Crown of the Overlord. Now, I need only perform the final ceremony, and I can make the transition.
"And then… I will be the ruler of the worlds of business, politics, and finances! I'll be the biggest among the Vampire Lords. A giant among giants!"
"Yeah?" asked EZ, getting a little angry, "get used to disappointment!"
A spell cube appeared from under his sleeve, and a Fusion Sword Murasame Blade, his most valuable weapon, appeared in his hand.
Samedi stepped back.
"Put him back to sleep!" shouted the vampire. "Quickly!"
It was too late. With one swipe of his blade, EZ slashed though the Spellcaster, and it fell to the ground before shattering into pieces.
Samedi put his fingers in his mouth and whistled…
Then, four more Opticlops, and two Beasts of Talwar appeared from a set of Dimensionholes.
"I tire of this, Sergeant," he said. "It's time we ended this relationship…"
"Hey, fang-face!" said a female voice. "You ever hear of the term 'fair fight'?"
The door was kicked open, and Sonja leapt in. Behind her was her sister, holding Sweetums by a leash, followed by the two Swords Women, one Fighter, and one Chain Master.
"What?" said Samedi. "How did you get here so soon?"
Sonja held up a trap cube that had been burned out.
"Your servant told us that the way to get down here safe was to be accompanied by a Zombie," she said, "and I saved this DNA Surgery cube."
"You turned yourself into a Zombie?" asked EZ.
"Yeah!" exclaimed Amanda. "And it was really disgusting! I almost lost my lunch!"
EZ closed his eyes.
"Thanks, all of you…" he said.
"Hey, we're doing this for Sonja, not for you," said Sarah.
She turned to Samedi.
"So it seems like more of an even fight now, vampire," she said. "Want to get dirty?"
"My dear…" said Samedi, "if you want a fight, we'll be happy to oblige…"
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Far from the Central Shadow Realm, was a deep cave made up of four separate caves.
The first cave was guarded by an Ultimate Obedient Fiend. Exodia pulled this beast out of Dark World and imprisoned it in unbreakable chains, forcing it to guard this station.
The second cave was guarded by the Gate Guardian. This being that had once been three long ago swore loyalty to Exodia, and it was tasked with the second defense.
The third cave was guarded by the Airknight Parshath. A hero of the First Dragon War, he defended this important post with the powerful Excalibur.
Beyond him was the Iron Door, which held Exodia Necross prisoner. In front of it was a shrine, attended by Archlord Zerato and his assistant, a Kotodama. Zerato had once been a noble of the Higher Planes, and would return there if he was ever needed. He served Exodia via his free will, hoping that his own holy energy would keep Necross sedated and asleep.
The Archlord paused.
"Evil lurks in the air," he said. "I can feel it."
The Kotodama could not speak, but it was a very good listener. It nodded.
"I fear diabolic forces are at work," said the Archlord. "A battle is about to begin… The outcome will affect the Central Shadow Realm for years to come…"
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Coming up next: What strange ritual does Samedi require to evolve into Vampire Genesis? It can't be pretty, that's for sure, and if Zerato senses turmoil, dark things might be happening soon. Don't miss "Two Man Cell
Battle", coming soon.