Chapter Nine: "Firewall"
"I will be stronger! You just wait for me, Niko!"
It was still fresh in her memories. Those words were like a heavy cross that she carries inside her young heart, a burden that she will shoulder as long as she Accelerates. It was like how a small sin done as a child still lingered in her conscience until she reached her age, though she isn't old enough, it hampered with both her feelings and judgment. They were like humps on a road, preventing her from speeding along her chosen path.
She still remembers the day they first met, as if it was just yesterday, she could still remember his gentle face, and his flushed expression when he first talked to her, his cheeks beet red and his brows furrowed as if she was someone who's so hard to talk to, yet he did his best, he came up to her, talked to her and even summoned enough courage to ask her...
"Do you like games?"
At first, the young Yuniko Kozuki was surprised that that was the first question he came up with yet, at the same time, she was also amazed. Amazed at the fact that she did had the courage to step up ad not be a coward, and also being brave enough to ask a girl if she likes games, which doesn't normally happen. In the young elementary school student's mind, there was a storm of strong emotions which almost seemed to brim up, as her cheeks showed the same redness her hair had and her big round eyes cannot keep direct contact with him.
At that point in time, she felt secured, as if she found her haven, she finally found someone who really cared for her, for she haven't experienced the loving arms of the parents she never had, she longed for the warmth and kindness of others, and the security of having someone look out for her. In short, she was in bliss. Their friendship quickly grew closer as they both shared the flair and passion for gaming, and he wasn't the one who chastises gender and treated Yuniko as an equal, despite her being a girl.
Then came that day, it was just another normal day, the two of them were playing games on the older game console that the orphanage which housed them have kept through the years, and they were having a rather nice time, despite the games being more than thrice their age, it was a nice change of pace from the modern ones they had installed on their Neuro Linkers. After finishing a round, he suddenly looked bored and had this distant look in his eyes as he plopped down on his back as he tossed his controller beside him.
"What's wrong? Are you tired of playing? Or should we play another game?" Niko asked as she went close to him, curious as to why he suddenly bailed out when he usually was the one who was more hyped up whenever they play these old school games. She saw him with one eye closed and his fingers subtlety manipulating virtual menus in front of him used for his Neuro Linker. "What'cha doin? wanna play a Linker game now?" She asked with curiosity.
"Yeah. And... I..." The boy paused, trying to look for the right words to say, beads of sweat started forming up his forehead which trickled down towards his copper colored hair. "...I... Want to play this game with you." He said with a low voice, his fingers trembling as he continued to fiddle with the menus in front of him, his only open eye gazing long fully at the young redhead.
Niko was at a loss of words for the sudden invitation, she was utterly surprised and her already big eyes widened further and her red irises dilated in shock. Never, in all her life, was she invited by someone of the opposite gender to play a virtual game, and she was always alone whenever she does play primarily because most of the girls her age that were at the orphanage either didn't have a Neuro Linker worn or doesn't like games at all. She was always alone.
But now, she was asked by someone, of the opposite gender, finally. Her eyes lit up instantly and she couldn't keep herself from nodding furiously at the idea. "Yes yes! Can I? Can I?" Niko asked enthusiastically, her red twin-tailed hair bobbed up and down as she continued to nod while holding up her small hands to her chest in an excited manner.
Seeing her reaction, the guy was surprised as well, his sleepiness chased off as he saw how happy and excited she was at the idea, and he was happy as well for gathering the courage to ask her, thinking it was well worth the effort. "Nice nice, Niko! I'll let you copy a game from my Neuro Linker and we can play together! How does hat sound?" He asked happily as he stood up. "Wait, lemme just get an XSB Cable..." He added as he quickly dashed off towards his room to grab the cable.
After he came back with the peripheral, he was greeted by a puzzled Niko. "Uhhmm, why do we need to establish a Direct Connection? Can't you just host it up the orphanage's Home Network?" She asked as she tilted her head sidewards in a cutesy expression, although she was still clueless as to why they needed to connect directly which might or would be a little uncomfortable for both of them.
"Well, this file cannot be uploaded into the Home Network as it is too sensitive to do so, we really need to establish a Direct Connection." He said as he returned to a sitting position, his legs crossed and his hands held out the other end of the cable to Niko, his face had a calm yet serious expression.
Casting her gaze downwards, Niko briefly paused and thought about it, but since she had nothing else to lose, she decided to do it, this is a rare chance for her after all. A couple of seconds later, she looked back up, a cheerful expression graced her young face. "Sure! I'll trust you!" She said as she reached out for the cable's other end and doing the same thing as him, she plugged it on to her Neuro Linker and accepted the Notification Window menu that flashed on her peripheral vision.
At that time, Niko felt surges of flames inside her body as soon as she received and extracted the file on her Virtual Desktop, and it grew more warm as soon as she started the installation of the program she received from him, it's fiery flame-inspired font drowned her vision as it began it's slow creeping journey through the Loading Bar. Both of them waited patiently for it to finish, Niko was eager to try it out and he was nervous as it was his only chance to pass on his legacy.
After a couple of nerve-wracking minutes that seemed like eternity, Niko's eyes widened yet again at the sight of success.
"Welcome to the Accelerated World!" She read it out loud, sending a wide smile to his lips as he couldn't keep himself from trembling in excitement.
From that point on, Niko felt like she had finally found her meaning of existence, her will to live, a reason to exist. From that point on, she decided to live out her life for that sole purpose, a legacy she will carry. At that moment, she never thought that the strong bond they share, will be the very same bond that she will carry as a curse throughout her career inside the Accelerated World, her young mind still didn't have that much knowledge but, at that time, she felt alive.
And to her, that was everything.
"Cherry Rook... I... Will end this cycle of madness.. For you, I will..." Yuniko Kozuki silently said to herself as she walked towards the Arita residence.
"So, you're saying that... It regenerates?" The purple colored fox-mask wearing Duel Avatar asked as he stood up in surprise, his arms planted on to the table-like structure were they were all gathered around, catching everyone else's attention. "So how do you plan to beat it, Noir Eraser?" Akira Murasaki a.k.a Amethyst Maverick asked as he craned his gaze towards the sitting black avatar over at the table's head.
"Yeah, we're not mistaken, it definitely regenerated and moved as if it was nothing even after Miyu and my own attacks..." This time, Miyamori spoke up, her small body slumped on her seat in her usual cross-legged position, her voice still unsure whether or not it could really be called a Regeneration Ability or not, but because they saw it up close and personal, they couldn't be wrong about it. "Miyu, what do you think about it?" She asked the icy Duel Avatar sitting across her on the opposite side of the table.
Her temperament was close to a panic-ridden demeanor, as she remembered the events that unfolded earlier, her reckless actions almost jeopardizing the entire mission. She sulked on her seat as her hands slightly trembled underneath the table. "W-well... Yeah... I... Actually got so engrossed with the fight that I unconsciously fought with all my might and..."
Trying to regain her composure, she straightened her posture before continuing. "...After I spent a whole bar of Special Gauge, he was still standing and the injuries I inflicted were all healed by him."
"Hhmm... A peculiar ability huh... The Accelerated World doesn't have much of those things, and the only Avatar I know who has it is Master Noir here..." It came from Topaz Canopy, her bright yellow avatar shone amidst the dark surroundings of the sci-fi like room they were on, her frilly yellow dress flowed freely from her lithe frame and her sunny yellow parasol was closed and is currently slung over her shoulder. "Well that's going to be pretty annoying... Maybe we have to get him in one blow or something?" She added quizzically as she stared at the man sitting on the far end.
Even if no one could discern the 'eyes' of his Avatar as they were hidden underneath the jaw-like structure of his dragon styled helmet, everyone in the room could feel the intensity and the certain level of anger coming from him, his deep jet-black colored armor concealed his emotions like a mask. His hands were clasped together in front of him, his chin resting on top of his palms. He tilted his head slightly upwards, revealing a pair of dark red blood like 'eyes' that seemed to burn with hatred. "I... Wasn't really expecting that but, I am most grateful for the information, Miya and Miyu, you have done well." He said calmly yet his eyes showed different contrasting emotions.
Everyone in the vicinity had shivers running down their spine. Although he didn't really showed it, they felt it.
It was hatred.
The only thing he was proud of, and the Ability which brought him to where he is now; his EX Attack, Soul Eater, is an exceptional skill to have, as it healed his HP back as long as his weapon hits his target and given he has Special Attack Gauge levels. It even gave him the moniker "Vampire Noir" as his ability closely mimicked that of a vampire who drains the life of it's victims to extend his own. He was definitely proud of it and it is, most of the time, his trump card.
And in knowing that not only him possessed that unique ability, his pride was sullied once more, and as a result, he wasn't able to contain his anger anymore, his resolve and will to fight suddenly became flared up and it burned fiercely and brightly inside the dark armor he was wearing. Kenneth slowly stood up, noiseless as he went. He then faced his subordinates who was eagerly awaiting his decision.
"My friends, my family, my comrades..." Kenneth Kusanagi started slowly. "...Our Organization has grown much over the course of these past few months, and I thank each and everyone of you..." His voice was clear, strong and unwavering, worthy to be called a 'King'. "...However, it is not in my interest that we continue to hide behind the shadows of Nega Nebulas..." He continued, his hands gesturing with majestic motions. "...Now is the time for us to rise, to let the entire realm know our existence!"
The Council was taken by surprise as they didn't anticipate this at all, as they thought they were only a ragtag group of Burst Linkers who banded together to work in the shadows but, what their 'King' had in mind was a little bit different from what they assumed and all of them gasped at the idea, yet inside their hearts and mind, they all knew that this was to be their destiny, a calling.
Sensing her emotions brimming up, Miyuki stood up, all fired up as he heard her Master's proclamation, remembering her oath to him, to always follow him, until the end. "Let us rise up and let this realm know of our existence! This is all for the sake of bringing a conclusion to this world!" She flared up her words as she motioned her arms fabulously, her eyes darting back and forth between the other members and to Kenneth.
"She is right, my friends. My heart pains whenever I remember the time when I myself was driven away from the place I call 'home'. Comrades! This is the time to reclaim your lost honor, to exact your revenge against the people who casted you away!" Kenneth shouted at the top of his lungs, his arms extended wide in front of him and his voice reached out far and wide around the four corners of the room, the message was short yet, the meaning it gave off was deep and everyone was able to easily relate to it.
At first, everyone shot glances around, their gazes meeting as they go, there weren't any exchanges of words but they all communicated through their hearts, their inner voices telling them to break free from hiding and to let the world know about their existence, that they were able to live on, get stronger, and eventually be the ones to bring and end to this game, the goal all of them shared and desired.
Miyamori stood up, followed by Akira then Reika, all of them nodding to each other as they did, and even without exchange of words, they knew what everybody else wanted.
A smile formed on Kenneth's lips.
As Haruyuki Arita flew over the vast expanse of the modern looking, almost sci-fi terrain generated by the Unlimited Neutral Field, he was caught in awe, since it was his very first time diving into this unknown mode of Brain Burst, his eyes rapidly darted around the scenery around him as he, or rather, them flew across the dark city-scape. His thin arms held two ladies, the two Kings of the Red and Black Legions, Scarlet Rain and Black Lotus, while his best friend, Taku, Cyan Pile, was clinging on to his legs.
"This... Sure is different from the normal stage that we used to dive in..." He muttered in amazement as he continued to glide slowly in the air, his wing beating gently against the slight gust of wind at that blasted against them at the altitude they were in, which is almost three-fourths of the tallest skyscraper they could see.
"This is the Unlimited Neutral Field after all." The blue colored Duel Avatar clinging to his legs said as he looked up to him, his multiple slitted helmet he wore didn't show his eyes but he felt him looking at him. "The rules are... Pretty different here so I guess the creator did make a much different terrain for it..." He added, his huge pile-bunker Enhanced Armament withdrawn so he could hold onto Haru's legs and not fall off.
As he scavenged his mind for all the possible changes this world might have, his eyes fell on a huge hulk of moving mass that was slowly trekking in the distance, it's huge body making large prints on the ground as it went, and he could clearly conclude that it is alive and since it is too huge, he was also positively sure that it is not a Burst Linker, it's just too abnormal.
"Wh-what's that, sempai?" He glanced sidewards towards the black Duel Avatar which he is cradling on his arms, her purple goggle gave off a small glint as she looked up to him, her sword arms much shorter than before, probably she kept it on standby mode so she can hold on to him. "It's... Huge..." He added as he slowly circled in the air, surveying what the mass is, his wings glowing silver as he did.
"That's an 'Enemy'..." The dark Avatar Black Lotus answered, her gaze now pointed towards the thing that piqued Haru's interest before providing her answer. "Those are like the 'sentinels' of this space, let's say... Monsters that live here..." She added with a calm voice as she hugged Haru's arms closer, her Avatar's slim body in perfect match for his avatar's ripped slim physique.
After hearing the exchange, this time, the small red Avatar Haru held on his other arm held her head and spoke up. "They are spawns that only appear here, above, which helps Burst Linkers make points out of nothing..." She said while her large green eyes focused on Haru's similar colored helmet covered face. "...This is basically how Burst Linkers level up these days because of the 'No Invasion' treaty... And it is as slow as hell, and there's a big chance of danger, because they could get ambushed anytime.."
Just then, as he continued to circle in the vicinity, Haru noticed several fast-moving shadows rushing in from all directions, their weapons in hand, slashing and firing as they went, their target was the 'monster' in front of them which loosed a loud roar which then sent shock waves on the ground that almost knocked over a trio of rushing melee attackers who got caught in the radius, their weapons flung and their hands clasped their ears.
"Yeah, there's a lot of dangers to it, because those 'monsters' only yield minuscule amounts of Burst Points, and yet, the level of difficulty it's set on was particularly high so, it's not very rewarding in the first place, and in this realm, anyone can attack everyone freely, and the 'hunting parties' people create are more of a personal consensus they have with either their own Legion or personal connections because, if someone decides to backstab them, then they are all screwed..." Kuroyukihime said, her voice getting lower at the 'backstab' part.
"And besides, one cannot instantly log out here, we have to go to a 'Leap Point' to do so, which is situated kinda far from each other, so we are forced to fight our way out if ever battles break out." Taku said as he dangled and swayed while holding on to Haru's flimsy looking leg, which looked as if it can't support his bulky built Avatar. "...Oh and, if we die, we don't get logged out, instead, markers appear where you have fallen and a counter appears. After an hour, you revive if you still have remaining points and if none, it's going to be game over for you." He added with a serious tone.
Hearing those facts, Haru couldn't keep himself from gulping with his real life body behind his mask, thinking that it would be a ridiculous scene if a gang of Burst Linkers bunch up on a single Avatar, and continue doing so until he or she runs out of points, which basically terminates him from the game, forever. Wanting to get it out of his mind, Haru gathered all of his inertia and flapped his pair of silver wings harder, pushing the four of them faster forwards, leaving behind a scene of massacre in the background.
Haru continued to fly towards their destination for a while but a sudden zinging sound buzzed near his right cheek, a hot feeling was sent to his real life body. "AAAUUUGGGHHH!' He screamed in pain, doing his best to keep up his altitude, but the sudden pain sent to him made him waver as his body rocked and shook from the sudden pain and the Burst Linkers holding on to him latched on to him tighter.
"Haru! Let's land over there!" Taku shouted as his hands started sliding off Haru's legs as their altitude continued to spiral down. "AAAAAAHHHH!" Were the next sounds that came out of his mouth as his grip finally slipped, causing him to plummet down the couple of meters left until ground level, his large blue body tumbling down the crater they intended to land on to.
"Takuuuuuuu!" Haruyuki shouted as well in return as he saw his best friend careening down the pit as the two ladies he held on his hands started to feel unease. "S-Sempai? What now?" He asked the black avatar he held on his left, his green face plate gazed upon her purple colored goggle face with fear and confusion as multiples laser beams started to shoot them left and right, zinging past them as his silver wings strained themselves to both keep their altitude and dodge the incoming projectiles.
"Haru! Circle around and land over there!" Kuroyukihime replied as she pointed her left sword arm near the center of the blasted crater, on a pile of rubble that seemed tall enough to hide themselves. "Scarlet Rain! Let's jump off as soon as Haru touches down!" She added, glancing at the red avatar opposite her, earning a positive nod from it.
Hearing his Legion Master's orders, Haruyuki controlled his wings in a way that his body effortlessly glided in a circle while gradually decreasing his altitude, in this way, the incoming projectiles were dodged with minimal efforts and the ones that got through was either shot by Niko's red pistol or slashed by Kuroyukihime's sword. Luckily, none of them scored a direct hit, and after just a couple of seconds, he was able to land near the designated spot, seeing Cyan Pile with his big body leaning on the rubble as well.
"Oh Taku! Glad to see you're safe! I thought you were a goner earlier!" Haru said to his best friend as all of them slumped and bunched behind cover, their multi colored group continued to receive a barrage of bullets and lasers from the crater's mouth. "But, what's going on, I mean... Is this what I think this is, sempai?" He added with concern.
Kuroyukihime just threw a quick glance towards who their attackers were and just stayed silently, seemingly waiting for Niko to answer Haru's question. After a moment, as Niko herself decided to check the scene, she was greeted by a familiar looking Duel Avatar who then, with just a wave of his hand, made all the shelling stop, smoke rising from the ground, the place went back to it's dead quiet demeanor.
Haru, who was now peeking as well, was caught in awe again as he saw a glittering yellow Duel Avatar, it's color saturation far exceeded all the other yellow avatars he saw before, as it was as yellow as sunlight, almost as yellow as gold. In just one glance, he saw it's striking bold features; an abnormally thin body, his abdomen section was almost just half of his already thin torso in terms of girth, long arms which dangled quite limply, his right holding a baton like weapon, long legs on which he doesn't extend fully, and he was almost crouching. And the face, it's faceplate had the image of a clown, a happy smile forever fixated into it's lips, it's left eye had a purple star painted on it while the right was closed and arched upwards, enhancing it's 'happy' aura, and on top of it, two large horns protruded to the sides, and red balls hang on it's tips.
"YELLOW RADIO! YOU BASTARD!" Niko went out of her cover and stood face to face with the yellow Avatar whom she addressed as "Yellow Radio", her small figure unfazed even as the close to thirty other Burst Linkers gazed down on her. "SO THIS WAS YOUR PLAN ALL ALONG! YOU SNEAKY BITCH!" She roared at the top of her lungs, her hands clenched in to a fist and she was trembling with rage all over.
Feeling all confused, Haru just crouched there, his head darting back and forth between the yellow avatar, to Niko, and to Kuroyukihime. "S-Sempai... W-what's going on?" He quietly asked the black avatar beside him who looked as if she didn't hear him as her attention was focused on to the one called 'Yellow Radio'. "Sem... Pai?" Haru nagged, his voice a little bit louder to catch her sway.
"That Avatar... That is the Yellow King, Yellow Radio." This time, Kuroyukihime answered without facing Haru, her voice was low and calm amidst the situation. "...So that was his plan all along huh..." She continued, trailing off as she started to stand up to show herself, motioning Haru and Taku to do the same.
"O ya o ya, Welcome, welcome. Welcome, Scarlet Rain and Black Lotus, welcome to my Carnival!" The yellow colored clown avatar spoke up, his malicious sounding voice echoed loudly. "Oh, allow me to welcome their companions as well, even if they are no more than annoying bugs. Bwahahahahahaha." He laughed like a maniac, in which Haru couldn't believe that the person behind it's control is almost around their own age.
"SHUT UP YOU FILTHY CLOWN! THIS WAS YOUR PLAN, RIGHT? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO CHERRY?" Her voice harsher than ever, Niko felt she was ignored so she barked out another set of question, her eyes behind her avatar furious, and she could feel her veins popping out on her slender neck.
"O ya o ya. I didn't do anything, I just gave him a quick nudge to his goal after all, bwahahahahaha!" Replied Yellow Radio, his insane laugh continued to ring in their ears which they found irritating.
"So, Yellow Radio, you're saying you obtained the Disaster Armor, hid it from us and gave it to Cherry Rook? Is that it?" Kuroyukihime said with a sharp voice, her gaze planted on the crazy looking clown on top of the crater. "You.. B-" She pursed her lips even before continuing the sentence as she felt a sharp pain searing through her chest.
"Ara? You... Are going to say I betrayed all of you? Hahahaha Black Lotus, I should be the one making you laugh, not the other way around!" Yellow Radio flailed his arms in the air after loosing another round of laughter.
"DON'T IGNORE ME YOU CLOWN!" Niko shouted yet again, interrupting the exchange between Black Lotus and Yellow Radio.
"Oh, Scarlet Rain, my darling, I am soooo sorry." The clown's voice have suddenly gotten weak. "But... I assume that Chrome... I mean, Cherry Rook is still part of the Red Legion, is he not? Then I believe he has caused one of my boy's retirement from this game, and I also believe that you know what that means, since we have a 'No Invasion' treaty, do you not? Kukukuku~" He chuckled creepily under his mask.
"BUT IF I CAN USE JUDGMENT BLOW TO ELIMINATE HIM, THEN THERE'S NO NEED TO GET ONE OF MY OWN, RIGHT?" Her voice unwavering, Niko proclaimed her desire to end this for his sake.
"O ya o ya, but as far as I've heard, you've already tried before, and you've dishearteningly lost... Awwww... And we are running out of time, I can't let this moment pass without getting back... And oh! What a coincidence, we have a Red Legion member here who we can kill as a substitute..." Retorted the clown, his eyes seemed as if it gave off a ferocious aura despite it's happy appearance.
"YOU... YOU BASTARD! SO YOU REALLY PLANNED THIS ALL ALONG!" Her anger peeked and she could no longer keep it in. "I... I WILL KILL YOU FIRST THEN I WILL END CHERRY'S PAINS! PREPARE YOURSELF, YELLOW RADIO! TODAY SHALL BE THE LAST DAY YOU ACCELERATE!"
"Do you really think you could win against the Carnival I gathered? Do you really think you could take on more than thirty Burst Linkers hungry for your head? HaHaAhahahHaHA!" Came Radio's devilishly toned reply, his arms flailing the baton he was holding around his head.
"I pity you, Yellow Radio. Have you forgotten that there is one more King present here?" Kuroyukihime butted in, her voice sharp and straight to the point as she thrusted her sword arm, pointed towards the yellow avatar.
"O ya o ya, don't fret, for I have a present for you, Black Lotus~~ AhahAhaAhAhHAHaHA!" The clown then flicked a card like looking object which stuck on the ground as it lit up, displaying holographic images in front of all of them.
"That is..." Were all the words Haru could say as he watched the events that unfolded before him.
"Zero File!" Niko puffed in disgust as the three dimensional scenes started to unfold before the four of them.
Display Start.
A red Duel Avatar walked in front of the scene, his stature was tall and the level of saturation his body had was concentrated, worthy of being called a King. "That's why I said..." He twirled around, facing the jet-black avatar behind him. "...That we should all cease fighting, and we should live in peace and harvest the benefits of this wonderful game!" He continued, his arms gesturing in a grandiose manner. "My heart pains at the thought the one day, you and me might have to fight, and I, out of everybody else, wants to be your friend... Not only in-game, but also in the outside world!" He added as he leered close to the avatar before him.
"That... Surely is convenient." The jet black avatar replied, her gaze faltered and she looked away for a bit in hesitance before glancing back to the red one. "...And I... Want to be your friend as well... And I, want to meet you too, in the real world, just to tell you... That I like you." She finished strongly as she stuck out her chest, proudly standing before the fiery red avatar standing adjacent to her.
"Oi, you can't be serious about that!" In a short distance, a vivid purple avatar slammed her wand-like weapon on the ground, making a loud wham. "Red Rider! What's all this crap about wanting to meet her huh?" She angrily snarled towards the red avatar who was surprised and held up his hands in the air.
"I-it's n-not like that! I swear, it's not like that!" The one addressed as Red Rider replied frantically, his voice seemingly afraid from the purple one. "A-anyway, Black Lotus, I don't want to end up fighting you, or everybody else around here, therefore I propose a 'No Invasion' treaty to assure this world's prolonged existence... What do you say?"
The Seven Pure Colored Kings stayed silent.
After a few seconds, Black Lotus stepped up and spoke out.
"It's certainly a good idea..." She inched closer and closer towards Red Rider. "...And it's something that we might be able to agree on." Her feet hovered several inches above the ground and her sword arms were retracted, and they were now on a relaxed position beside her.
"So... Does this mean we won't be fighting anymore, Black Lotus?" Red Rider held out his right arm to shake... "...Ooohh yeah, sorry..." Which he then quickly retracted as he remembered Black Lotus didn't have 'hands' that he can shake, and it's place were extremely sharp blades that can cut through almost anything, and he doesn't want to get his hand and arm cut off right now.
"It's fine... At least I can do this..." Black Lotus came just a few centimeters besides Red Rider, as if they could even feel each other's breath, and they looked like an intimate couple. A few seconds later, her sword arms closed over his neck in an embracing position.
"OI! BLACK LOTUS! GET OFF RIDER RIGHT NOW!" The purple colored King shouted in anger as she saw what happened in front of her, her large wood-like wand pointed towards the jet-black avatar and her free hand was balled into a fist. "RIDER! GET OFF HER NOW!" She added as she looked like she was in an extremely jealous state.
"D-don't worry... This is just her way of showing appreciation... Aha~ha~ha~ha" Red Rider casually laughed as he threw a quick glance at the jealous Purple King.
But then...
"Death by Embrace." Black Lotus whispered a command near Red Rider's ear in which, he didn't immediately understood, and in that split second of a moment...
Red Rider wasn't able to even react, and he didn't even knew what happened or what hit him.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" The Purple King fell to her knees, her staff lying on the ground, her voice wailed loudly at the sight of Red Rider's head, being cut off his shoulders, landing on the ground.
The scene died down.
End of Display.
Silence reigned over the entire battlefield even as the smoke from the earlier barrage continued to rise from the battered landscape. "N...N-no... R-red..." Were the last words Kuroyukihime a.k.a Black Lotus muttered weakly before her Duel Avatar collapsed on the ground with a loud clanking sound, it's as if her power source was suddenly cut off because it seemed like it was so sudden and was against her will. Her jet-black avatar with sword limbs lie completely sprawled on the ground, defenseless.
"Kuroyukihime-sempai!" Haru rushed over to her side, his silver arms reached behind her metal body and lifted her off the dirty ground, her limp head thrown sidewards from her shoulders that looked like it was about to snap anytime soon, it's usually lit up purple goggles had no lights on it, as if it was dead. "Sempai! Sempai! Kuroyukihime sempai! Wake up!" He started shaking the lifeless avatar, producing more clanking sounds.
"AHaHAhahHaHAhAhAH! Splendid! Perfect! AhAhHaHaHahA! So your betrayal 2 years ago still weighs heavily inside your heart! HAhAhHAhAh!" The Yellow Clown King jumped up and down in joy, his hands clapping in joy above his head. "I always thought that you are binded to those events and that they will one day be the cause of your downfall! HAahHaHaHAhAHa!" He added as he continued carrying his act gleefully.
"Sempai! Sempai! What happend to you?" Haru continued to shake the lifeless metal body of Black Lotus, frantically trying to revive his Legion Master. "Open your eyes! Sempai! BLACK LOTUS!" He added with a voice of despair and hopelessness.
"It's useless, Crow..." The red avatar told Haru, her voice with an aura of disgust as she gazed down the silver and black Duel Avatars kneeling on the ground. "...A Burst Linker without the will to fight won't be able to move his or her own Duel Avatar. Right now, Lotus has lost her will to fight therefore her Avatar has gone into a Hibernate mode." Niko continued, her pair of large green eyes shifted it's gaze back to Yellow Radio.
"B-but... Sempai..." Haru spoke as tears started to build up on the corner of his eyes, his hands were trembling and sweat started dripping down from his brow. After a short while, the Yellow King began to speak, catching all of their attention.
"Now we only have one King to bother about. Boys, the prey is cornered, she is nothing but an immobile fortress that won't be able to do anything once you close in! Charge! Charge and wipe her off the face of this world! Oh, and Kill the small fries as well!" The clown bellowed the order, and as soon as his thin arm came down, the battle cries of the thirty plus Burst Linkers resounded loudly as the close range Avatars started rushing in and the long range ones started shelling the area below them.
The three remaining Burst Linkers on the opposite dies, Silver Crow, Cyan Pile and Scarlet Rain realized what was about to happen and all of them had one thing in mind at that time.
"""RUUUUUUUUUN!""" The trio shouted in unison as the first shells that were fired exploded inches from where they are, their legs acted instantaneously, dashing as quick as they can, with Scarlet Rain leading, followed by Silver Crow who held Black Lotus in his arms, and last came Cyan Pile, his hulking blue body towering over the two in front of him.
"We just need to reach the crater's mouth and we're safe!" Haru exclaimed as he steadily ran as fast as he could, his arms closely cradling the lifeless black body of Kuroyukihime, and there was intense pressure in his tone.
"But at this rate..." Scarlet Rain barked back, her lithe body leading the escaping pack. "...We're going to be smithereens before we get there!" She added with a snarled voice.
At the distance, one could see the yellow clown just standing there, surrounded by the long range avatars that pumelled the field, and seeing that the trio fleeing the scene, he got ticked off. "HahahAhHAHAHAhAh! Get lost inside a world of deceit! Silly Go 'Round!" At the same time he muttered his command, he raised both his hands up and his baton emitted a brilliant yellow light which spread around the area, enveloping the entire crater in yellow light with the images of a horse carousel spinning around.
In that instant, the world, or rather, the space around them twisted and turned, their vision spun around and all of them lost balance, collapsing on their knees to the ground.
"N-Niko... T-Taku... W-what's g-going o-on?" Held down by the intense gravitational pull and disoriented by the spinning scenario around him, Haru struggled to cough up his words as he continued to hold the fallen Kuroyukihime in his arms, away from harm.
"Y-yellow Radio.. He's a... Yellow, so most likely... His skills are indirect types... Or in short... Used for incapacitating an opponent..." Niko replied as she herself struggled under the grip of the field, her vision starting to get the better of her as she collapsed on the ground, her small body protected by Haru, who in turn was protected by Cyan Pile.
"AAAAGGGGHHHH!" Taku howled in pain as he got hit by a laser on his back, the intense feeling of pain being absorbed by his real life body. "AAAARRRRRGGHHH HARU! STAY DOWN!" Shell after shell pummeled his bulky blue body who was keeping the silver, red and black avatars under him protected from harm. "Th.. This.. is nothing... This... Is punishment for... What I did... Before... AAAAAAAHHH!" Taku's armor started to disintegrate, scraps of them scattered before them.
"TAKUUUU! You don't have to punish yourself!" Haru growled back, obviously despaired and in dismay at the situation.
"You... The three of you... Need.. To finish this... Ha.. Haha..." Taku replied, getting weaker and weaker as the shells poured endlessly on his broad back.
"Cyan Pile... I take back what I said to you before..." Niko said in a low voice. "...You're not only a glasses character. You are a good comrade. 30 seconds more, just 30 seconds more until Radio's skill ends! Hang on!"
Cyan Pile didn't replied and just nodded as he continued to bear the pain from the barrage of hailstorm that constantly rained down on him, his armor gradually shattering here and there, his helmet's slits opened one by one, exposing deep blue eyes.
Suddenly, a loud thumping noise rang, followed by deep grunts.
"You... Are nothing but a big wall, nothing else..." A larger blue avatar hulked behind Taku, as his own cyan blue body was raised up, a large, round stake embedded in his torso.
"TAAAKKKUUU!" As Haru glanced backwards, he panicked as he saw the scene behind him; his best friend impaled and was gasping for his life, a close range melee Avatar piercing him from behind, skewering his torso and raising him up.
"Remember the name Sax-" The one who pierced Taku began to spoke but was soon cut as the avatar he pierced began to howl back.
"Shut up! I don't need your name!" Taku roared, his right hand grasping the stake that pierced him to add leverage. "Split the heaven and earth! Lightning Cyan Spike!" A brilliant blue light flashed from the pile bunker on his left hand, a split second later, a silver spike thundered out of it's barrel, impaling the avatar in front of him, shattering it's chest armor, cleaving it in half, skewering through and through.
The scene stayed like that for a few seconds.
"Haru... Protect... Master..." Were the last words Cyan Pile, Takumu Mayuzumi muttered before his avatar shattered into blue pixels, a towering blue light shone on the spot where he was, beside a greenish blue one, a sign that he was able to take down the one who took him down.
Haru and Niko were both dumbfounded, their lips pursed and their bodies lumped on the ground, a few seconds later, Yellow Radio's special skill ended, their vision restored to normal as the world stopped spinning.
"Silver Crow..." Niko slowly stood up, her small red body covered in dust and soot. "...Take Black Lotus and run, you should be able to make it to the Leap Point at this rate." She softly said as she walked back, towards the center of the crater. "I... Don't really like running away you know, so I will stand my ground here." Niko stubbornly added, the air behind her twisting and a red light could be faintly seen.
Still shaken from the entire ordeal they went through, the events that transpired and the facts that were revealed, Haru's legs were still shaking, yet his heart raged with anger and determination, a flame burning deep inside him told him to push forward, not to run, but to vanquish the people who stands before him, his survival instincts activating, the savage, natural and primitive urge to fight and live on, it all surged inside his veins.
"Run? Hahahaha, Niko, you must be joking." Haru replied as he placed the fallen Black Lotus in a sitting position, near the rubbles near him. "You want me to run and leave you behind? Me, leaving a girl behind? Me, leaving a friend?" He carried on as he started cracking his knuckles. "...You have got to be joking. We're all in this, and we all get out of this."
Her real life face flushed a little bit with the words she heard, as she didn't anticipate them, specially coming from Haru. Niko was surprised that she was at a loss for words briefly, her heart panicking as she pursed her lips. "W-what are you saying you idiot? So you would wasted Cyan Pile's sacrifice for you guys to get a chance to run?" She replied angrily.
"Niko... My Legion Master, I mean, Kuroyukihime has thought me, that running away is a dishonorable thing to do, as a Burst Linker..." Haru answered back gently, without a hint of sarcasm nor anger. "...And that I should fight all the challenged that come my way, and by doing so, I'll be one step closer to my dreams, so..." The space behind him began to sunder, and in an instant, a brilliant flash of silver white light flooded the expanse before a pair of wings sprouted from his back, with feather-like substances scattering around. "...As your friend, I will help you, and I will destroy all the ones that opposes you! Let's go, let's finish this once and for all, Niko!" With a resounding cry, Silver Crow flapped his pair of silver wings, lifting him off the ground.
What he said was true. Running, will always be frowned upon, a dishonorable action. Yes, he is right. Crow is right.
"Ah, yeah, that's right. What King am I to even think of running. Hahahahahaha." Niko stretched her arms before continuing. "Dominate! Enhanced Armament! Immobile Fortress!" As she uttered the phrase, a ring-shaped faint red light started to form behind her, and just seconds after, a gigantic red tank-like armament surfaced out of nothingness and started enveloping her small body, her arms going inside hollow tubes which connected to large cannons, and a thick cable linked up with her back, as the red colored iron armament enclosed around her.
"Now, you will personally experience the wrath, THE WRATH OF THE RED KING!" Niko bellowed as she opened fire, the large twin cannons firing in unison as multiple missile pods opened up and released a salvo of seeker rockets, steadily homing into the multitudes of targets before her. "Oi Crow! You go get the ones that circle around me, I'll pulverize all these flies!" She added, throwing a fit glance backwards to the winged warrior behind her.
"Roger that!" Came a confirmation from Haru, as he began swooping down, performing a powered punch against one of the avatars closing in behind Scarlet Rain, the avatar who connected his fists was sent tumbling down into the distance.
Briefly landing, he was pulled in towards the opposite direction, his feet dredging up the dirt. "A fatal attraction! Magnetic Vortex!" Shouted the grayish gaudy looking avatar who stood opposite to Haru, his hands holding an object that looks like an over sized magnet, it's tip emitting static. "Hahahaha! It's so easy sucking in Metal colors! Hahahaha! You're mine!" He added as Haru's back came in contact with his weapon.
"Like I care!" Irritated because he got sidetracked, Haru grunted a reply before gathering up energy focused on his back, his wings glowing bluish white in the process as heat started building up on it. "Wanna try flying?" He sarcastically added as he released his stored energy, his wings exploding with a flash of white as it flapped hard, kicking both Silver Crow and the gray Duel Avatar who held him in place using his magnet.
"H-hey! Let me down!" Came the panicked startles of the gray one, his arms clinging tightly on to his weapon. "M-my special attack lasts only 20 sec- AAAHHH!" Were the last sounds that came from him as his gauge expired, the magnetic power ceasing, releasing it's grip upon the metallic Silver Crow, his own body plummeting to the ground, which then exploded in a gray flash before being marked with a Grave Marker.
*SHHHHHHRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOM*
The sound of large rocket funnels rampaging in the air reached Haru's ears, and as he craned his head towards Niko, a whole fleet of salvoed missiles came thundering for her. "Niko! Missiles dead ahead!' He warned the red fortress as he remembered that her only discernible trait while in this mode is being an 'immobile fortress', meaning she can't dodge incoming attacks and she would require either intercepting them or having someone shield her, with the latter being impossible.
"I know!" Came the loud reply of the little girl inside the huge fortress, her towering voice seemed as if it came from a larger source. "UUUUUOOOOOHHHHHH!" She howled as she released another full barrage of her own missiles from the pods to the side skirt armor of her Enhanced Armaments, their loud roar pierced the heavens as they made their trajectory to counter the incoming wave of attacks...
But in that instant, just mere seconds before impacting, Scarlet Rain's missiles spun out of control, and none of them hit anything, their trajectories completely derailed and they all flew out of course, much to the shock of both Haru and Niko.
The enemy's missiles continued it's flight path, unhindered by anything, and it just a matter of seconds, they crashed on to the immobile fortress' side, burning through the armor and leaving a large black mark, smoking as heaps of iron fell out, accompanied by the screams and wails of the girl encased inside, as waves of real-life pain flared on her body, her eyes dilated and beads of sweat dripped down.
"C-Crow... Th-they're... Jamming me... Find... The one causing it... It's... One of the yellows..." Was the weak response that came from Niko, a clot of blood forming on her lips where she bit herself.
"NIKOO!" Was Haru's immediate response, his wings fluttered as he glided over towards the red fortress. "Are you okay? Damn it!" He grunted as he continued to try and contain the melee attackers from reaching the Red King.
"Not so fast!" Bellowed the brownish shaded avatar who towered before Haru, it's upper torso built like a mountain and it's arms were pumped up with metallic muscles, despite his size, he moved quick, able to close in to the winged warrior in just seconds, his massive biceps grasping Haru's small framed body, bear-hugging it briefly, squeezing the air out of him before supplexing him, sending his avatar flying towards the crater's opposite side.
The armies sent to destroy Niko continued to close in, Haru clearly saw it in his own eyes as he stumbled and flipped roughly, pain levels soaring throughout his body. He clearly saw the avatars as they ravaged Scarlet Rain's Enhanced Armament, tearing down heaps of metal off it's outer carapace, each one sending screams from the girl within, her voice no longer condoned that of a little girl, but one of a wailing person.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHH!" Came one last scream from her cherry colored real-life screams, as one managed to snag off it's left cannon, snapping it off the external armor before throwing it away, at the same time, Niko's left arm snapped off and was twisted violently, pain shooting in her system, akin to loosing an arm in real-life. Then there was silence, even as more and more swarmed her from all directions.
"Kukuku! Feel the warmth of life! Impulse Shocker!"
"N-Niko... AAAAAAUUUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHH!" As Silver Crow desperately tried to crawl his way back, a sudden flash of purple light sundered his efforts as violent electric sparks rocked his body, massive waves of pain suddenly flooded his senses, dulling it, his limbs loosing feeling, numbing which made him collapse on all fours to the ground, helpless, his right hand outstretched to the distant, trying to reach the far-off Niko. As pain continued to torment his avatar and his real life body, Haru's senses began to fade out, he felt his power waning slowly. "Is... This... The end? S-sempai... A-are y-you... Satisfied... Wi-with th-this? Seeeeeeempaaaaaaaiiiiii!" He shouted towards the incapacitated Kuroyukihime, albeit, getting no response.
"This... It shouldn't... End like... This... Shit, I'm... Too weak... Shit shit shit shit shit... Some... One... Someone... Help... I... Can't... Anymore..." We the last silent few words that Haru was able to say before...
"I have heard and acknowledged." A small explosion thundered a little off from where they were, catching all of the Burst Linkers attention.
"Long have I watched the same error committed by humankind. Long have I watched in dread from behind the shadows, as people continued to drag each other down. Long has my heart been in pain from such atrocity. But those are by-gone days. Today, we march out, and end this twisted and damned world..." A charismatic voice echoed throughout the battlefield.
Just a little bit beyond the crater, on a raised platform like structure, emerged seven shadows, slowly walking towards the limelight.
"...We are the 7th Rift. People without power, seek us. People with power, fear us!" The lone avatar standing in the center said in a low yet powerful voice, his speech stopping the action all around the area, the combatants dropping whatever they were doing to listen.
"We. Shall judge this world." Were the last few words the jet-black avatar spoke of before his long black spear was thrusted forwards, his companions taking the cue, readying their own weapons before charging forwards.
"Wh-what farce is this?" Was the angered Yellow Radio's rebuttal as he stomped his feet on the ground repeatedly. "Who in the world are they? Allies of Nega Nebulas? Friends of the Red Legion?" He sounded scared and frustrated as his plans started to crumble before him, his long-awaited plotted revenge slowly shattering in front of him. Yellow Radio gestured to the remaining forces he had to meet the charging rogues.
Two streaks of silverish light ravaged both left and right flanks, their weapons slashing wildly, as they stormed the ranks of Burst Linkers that stood complacent, unsure of what to do. The deadly duo of Icicle Rage and Mercuric Void complimented each other in perfect unison, their deadly dance destroying all the opposition they meet, with sparks, ice and mercury flying in a flamboyant display of dominance.
Rapidly cleaning up the survivors around that they missed, was Amethyst Maverick, his quick light steps permitted him supreme mobility, dashing in and out of effective combat range, dazzling his opponents in a haze of quick attacks from his straight edged Ninjato, and they never knew what hit them as they all fall one after the other, his blade slicing through the thickest of armor like hot knife through butter.
Backing up the forward team was Topaz Canopy, her frilly dress swaying back and forth as she made minuscule movements behind the team, her cute yellow frilled parasol constantly twirling in front of her, raining down curses on the enemy to render them helpless in the face of the Rift's onslaught, disabling them helpless to await judgment that will cost them precious Burst Points. With a wink, she proceeded to entrance more opponents in her own limelight.
As Haruyuki Arita continued to lay lifeless, hampered down by the pulsating electric wave procured by the Duel Avatar before him who held a large, transformer-like weapon strapped to his back, he was surprised as the tingling feeling was suddenly taken off, and as he looked up, the avatar who held him in check was nowhere to be found, and a blue armored warrior with green inlays stood towering before him, his fists holding the neck of his nemesis, as he looked behind him, he could see a similar-looking avatar which had the same features, yet the other had red armor with black inlays, and he was picking off the avatars which started climbing on to Niko's back, his throwing knives accurately hitting distant targets.
All the while, the one who rolled out the speech just stood on the platform where they emerged, his dragoon-like jet-black armor with red inlays on the joints loomed eerily as he remained rooted on his place like a sentinel, his hands crossed in front of his slender body as he continued to watch the carnage that he started.
Haru steadily regained his footing, as he was able to muster strength to rest on one knee, with the blue-green avatar silently guarding him. After a while, he crawled over to where his fallen Legion Master is, reaching her, he gently placed his left arm under her, picking her up and holding her close to himself. "Sempai... Sempai... Please, wake up... Our prayers have been heard... We are saved..." He whispered into her ear, leering closer to her. "...I.. Didn't knew that what happened before really burdened you... I... Didn't knew... I'm.. Such an idiot... I'm sorry... I... Just wasn't sure and..."
"...You make it sound like me and Rider were lovers." Came a weak yet confident reply from the fallen black avatar.
"Huh? Sempai!" Was what first came out of Haru's surprised lips. "Bu-but... Wait, you aren't?" He added, obviously dumbfounded.
The almost lifeless looking black body of the Accelerated World's most wanted Burst Linker, Black Lotus started to tense up, a purple like aura starting to formulate and swirl around her slim body as she effortlessly utilized her avatar's propulsion system to propel herself up in a standing position, her purple goggles once again shone with light as a pair of same-colored eyes sparkled within, her body absorbed the freckles of purple light, empowering her avatar's joints and mechanical interns. Stretching her sword arms, she outstretched them and out came those long, sharp black and gleaming blades that reeked of destruction.
"Uh, no. I already told you that you are the very first person that made my heart beat like this." Kuroyukihime said sternly, as if chastising the silver avatar who was still kneeling on the ground. "...And just how long are you going to lie like that? Come on, those guys... Whatever name they call themselves, they are stealing our spotlight. Let's go!" She told Haru as she sprinted off towards the remaining ramparts of the hunting group.
That was when Kenneth made his move.
The howling black dragoon-like avatar descended down the steep slope from the platform, hands firmly clutching his demonic black spear, his figure slid smoothly in-spite of the rugged terrain, his speed was terrifying, as he needed only a couple of seconds to close in to...
*CLAAAANG!*
The sound of clashing metal blades echoed far and wide, Kuroyukihime's sword met Kenneth's spear. As the two black weapons entwined with each other, both of their black bodies exerted force incomparable strength behind them, Black Lotus' propulsion system pushed to it's limits, her back trailing off purple stardust, while Noir Eraser's thrusters exhausted dark red luminous material, forming wings of lights behind him.
"So, you're also opposing me now? Kenneth Kusanagi, Child of Chloe Kusanagi?" Black Lotus replied coldly as she continued to parry her opponent's blade. "Step aside, I have business to finish. We will do this next time." She added with a low voice that would only be audible to the both of them.
"Black Lotus. Tell me. How should a 'member' of Nega Nebulas live his life if he is one who detests his own Legion?" Kenneth answered her statement wit ha question, earning him a posed and puzzled look from her.
"It's a stalemate, my young child. There is a reason why he hates his homeland, and I am a hundred percent sure that there are also reasons why his homeland rejected him." Replied Black Lotus, their blades still drawn into a status quo. "What lies behind every mask, is a face. A face that reveals everything. Kenneth, I know we have the same goal, and I am not holding you back, should you want to excel far beyond what I am... But... I cannot allow nor tolerate hurting people of your own Legion!" Kuroyukihime broke off the equilibrium as she struck using her left sword arm, causing Kenneth to parry it using the other end of his spear.
The two black avatars created distance between them, weapons still at the ready.
"Hahahahaha. You never fail to amuse me, Black King." Kenneth answered back, letting his guard down. "While it is true that I want to surpass you, and eventually bring an end to this world, it is not my intention to go up against your team, no, at least, not now." He continued as the battlefield was continued to be wiped clean by his subordinates. "That's why..."
Noir Eraser backed off, his feet carrying him swiftly near the proximity of the stricken down Red King. "...You should be the one to finish this farce." He then pointed his spear towards the panicking Yellow Radio, catching his attention as he struggled to keep his 'army' in control. "Go! And end this nightmare for your Legion. We shall stand guard and make sure no one interferes, and by my honor, I will cut down everyone who dares interrupt." Kenneth ended his statement by flicking his spear to the ground, closely watching his surroundings as his guys finished up moping the area and retreating back to the platform where they emerged.
Black Lotus turned her back towards Noir Eraser, confident that he will not back stab her, her eyes trained and focused on Yellow Radio.
Frozen, Yellow Radio stopped moving, his actions halted. "A-ah... Black Lotus, how impudent of you!" He pointed his golden yellow baton towards her. "I have given you the chance to watch this Carnival of mine yet you decided to steal my spotlight! Unforgivable! Truly unforgivable! I always knew that you carried the sin of betrayal heavily in your heart, but I never knew you were that heartless in the first place!" He protested loudly, stomping his feet. "And now you intend to do it again? To me of all people?"
"Ha... Ha... Haha... Hahahaha... Hahahaha!" Black Lotus giggled under her faceplate. "Yellow Radio, you really are a clown, you're making me laugh sooo freakin' hard!" After laughing, her expression suddenly changed to a serious tone as she pointed her sword arm to Radio's chest. "Do you really think that your life means much to me compared to Rider's?"
She assumed a fighting stance. "Yellow Radio, let me tell you something..." She furiously took off, her avatar gliding through the area very quickly.
All the eyes of the Burst Linkers left standing focused and trained on to the yellow and black avatars, vividly watching what will happen, as it is the very first time in the Accelerated world that two Level 9 Pure Colored Kings will ever engage in battle. "Oi Crow, watch closely, this is the first time this will happen, embed it into your pea sized brain!" The stricken down Niko told Haru as he landed beside her, opposite Noir Eraser. Silver Crow heading the advice, watching every movement as the fight started to rage.
"...I HATED YOU EVER SINCE THE DAY I MET YOU!"
Roared Black Lotus as her first slash connected and was parried by Radio's baton, sparks flying as they traded blows faster than the eyes of Haruyuki could process.
The two opposing Burst Linkers with contrasting colors that didn't compliment each other well danced in a deadly waltz, blitzing their way through the battlefield in a dazzling display of melee combat, golden sparks scattered, mixed in with purple exhaust coming from Black Lotus' propulsion system, zigzagging patterned moves haphazardly done by both combatants, trying to outwit and out-maneuver each other.
After they exchanged the last, strong blow, they distanced themselves from each other as they began to assume a different posse.
Kenneth crossed his arms in front of him again, de-materializing his spear as he watched in earnest, along with the rest of the 7th Rift.
"Crow, watch more closely. Both of them now has full Special Attack Gauges, and I believe they will decide the victor with their EX Attacks..." Niko spoke to Haru who was still watching in awe, dumbstruck at the exchange he just witnessed. "Most likely, Black Lotus' will be a close-ranged melee attack, while Yellow Radio's would be a disrupting one, and probably, this will all boil down as to who's attack will land first." She added as she too, watched with full attention.
The two Burst Linkers glared at each other, eyes full of hatred and disgust towards each other.
"Silly go..."
"Death by..."
Black Lotus' sword arm started to gather purple aura around it, violently swirling like a mass of miasma, while Yellow Radio's baton opened up at the tip, exposing a brilliant golden yellow gem that he held up high as it started to glow eerily.
And just then...
"Ugh... UGGGAAAHHH!" Came Yellow Radio's grunted and muted cough, as he looked down upon his slender torso, which was pierced by a copper colored sword that almost severed him in half, yellowish fluid started to drip down his upper body as his arms and legs started to tremble as he was hoisted slowly up into the air, the blade sliding deeper and deeper, gorging the wound into an almost wide, open crevasse.
All eyes was trained on the monstrous dark gray colored monstrosity that appeared behind the Yellow King, his hulking figure towered over the already tall clown, his sword impaling the hapless avatar which almost sliced him in half. He then loosed a loud roar as he further raised his victim high up, the sword inching deeper and deeper, it's as if he was screaming in triumph.
Kenneth pursed and bit his lower lip as he re-materialized his dark cursed spear, gesturing towards his subordinates to back off.
He already knew this is going to be more bloody and painful as he already predicted.
A/N: Aahh yeah, finally done with this lengthy chapter which took me almost ten days to work on, well as usual, hampered by work and games. Yeah, more Code Geass reference here, as well as canon scenes so yeah. I hope you guys don't get tired reading because I've got more ideas to throw, as I've discussed with my friends who gave me silly-sounding thoughts which I plan to iron out and use as material. Anyways, my hats off to the avid followers of this fic as well as the people who take the time to write a review, even anons! Thank you everyone and please do look forward to more!
PS: I've made no progress with my Hidan No Aria fic because... My friend who usually helps me write it by pointing out specific stuff is now sick and is confined to the hospital, I hope she gets out soon.
PSS: I'm thinking of making a Sword Art Online fic too, does it sound good? Let me know!