Yay! Day early since I won't have time to upload this tomorrow. Still tired from school...anyhow you probably don't want to hear about that. Yay! Almost last chapter. I'm going to have an epilogue after this and that will be the final chapter of this story unless I decide otherwise later on in the future. As usual, review, PM, favorite, or follow this story, thanks!
11/28/15: Almost done revising...I'm so close...
Dragon Slayer stomped towards them, looking displeased. "Hmph. First you escape, then your little friends delay me, now you've destroyed Insane Shooter, too?! Time. To. DIE!" She yelled furiously, glaring at the two who wished to defy her.
Rock said nothing and summoned her Rock Cannon and Black Blade, shifting into a ready stance. Dead Master, rejuvenated now that she had her Rock back, summoned her scythe and stood at ready. Dragon Slayer charged at them, broadsword raised Dead Master and Rock leaped to the sides as her blade created a small crater where they used to stand, burying the blade up to it's hilt in the ground. She wrenched it out and as she did, Dead Master summoned chains and sent them at her, trying to bind Dragon Slayer and prevent her from moving. Rock landed and fired off some charged shots. Dragon Slayer evaded them both and charged again at Rock. Rock switched the cannon to its Insane bladed mode and blocked, then activated the gun turrets and fired off several shots. The shots hit, grazing Dragon Slayer's cheek and blowing a hole through her leg. Dead Master leaped at Dragon Slayer, scythe swinging around to cleave Dragon Slayer in half. Dragon Slayer grimaced and ignored the pain, rolling to the side narrowly dodging Dead Master's scythe. With no obstacle in front of her, all the momentum gained from attempting to cleave Dragon Slayer in half propelled Dead Master forward and she crashed into Rock.
Dragon Slayer got up, furious. It had been such a long time since she had been almost defeated and these two were actually making her work, fighting. "Hmph, it seems that I may have underestimated you two, even running low on energy, you both still manage to give me a hard time. That hasn't happened in ages, I should really reward you for that. In fact I will, I'll go all out on you, no holding back. It's been so long since I've fought at full power." Dead Master scowled, that wasn't her at full power? All along they've only faced a fraction of her real power? She thought back to the previous clashes she's had with Dragon Slayer and how lucky she had been to get out each time alive. Rock watched Dragon Slayer closely. Dragon Slayer was going to make a move soon and she had to be careful if she wanted to make it out alive with Dead Master and live her life out as Mato and Black Rock Shooter. A red light flared through Dragon Slayer as it healed up all her wounds, leaving her refreshed and looking the same she had before the start of this battle. "Before I was known as Dragon Slayer, when I was just an ordinary otherself like you, I was known as Geshumaru. I had a automaton, also known as Geshumaru. Eventually I learned how to stand up for myself, learned how to fight, learned how to be much more than an otherself. I became much more, slayed dragons and eventually became known as Dragon Slayer. My old automaton Geshumaru couldn't keep up, but I kept blueprints and created more of him. Of course they were never as good as the original, but I suppose they're good enough. Now say hello to my little friend, or rather automatons." She opened two red portals and four large metallic robots came out, menacing in black and imposing, each holding a large broadsword and dagger. Dragon Slayer pointed at Dead Master and told them to attack her. She then slammed her blade into the ground, releasing a wave of red energy that left a deep furrow and headed towards the direction of Rock. She lunged, keeping Rock occupied while her machines kepted Dead Master busy.
Soon Dead Master started to become overwhelmed by the onslaught of attacks from the robots. Rock watched from the corner of her eye and despite all attempts to break free and try to help Dead Master, she couldn't break free from the flurry of attacks from Dragon Slayer. She took hits, wounds opening everywhere and slowly leaking blood. Rock growled, showing emotion for once, she had to get to Dead Master! "Oh, Black Rock Shooter's showing some emotions isn't she?" Dragon Slayer said. Rock grew pissed, and reached inside of her, reaching for that small flame that was different from her usual blue flames. She took a deep breath and let it overwhelm her blue flames, feeling the transformation flow over her, changing her clothes, and felt a slight weight settle over her head. She tilted her head slightly, trying to comprehend everything. For one she saw the girl, Dead Master, her ...lover about to be overwhelmed, then there was another person in front of her. Her, she wanted to kill, she shifted her blade back into it's normal form and lunged, quickly overpowering Dragon Slayer, not caring if she was hurt in the process when all she wanted to do was kill her. Dragon Slayer fell to her knees and saw an opening. She stabbed upwards and into Rock's shoulders, almost severing Rock's arm completely from her shoulder. Rock grimaced, that would hinder some things, but at the same time could solve some problems. She summoned her Rock cannon and blasted Dragon Slayer back forcing her to fly backwards and smash into the cliff. She ripped off her arm and summoned chains, ordering them to latch onto her Insane Cannon Lance and then sending it at the robots currently ganging up on Dead Master. The lance flew and lodged into the back of one of the Geshumarus, Rock then swung the chain around and sent the lanced Geshumaru automaton flying at Dragon Slayer. The Geshumaru crashed into Dragon Slayer, while Rock pulled her lance out. She reattached her arm and waited for it to reconnect again. When it was done, she charged at another Geshumaru, numerous hits on it. By this point only strength of will kept Rock standing from the sheer amount of wounds she had amassed from Dragon Slayer's attacks. Together the two destroyed the rest of the Geshumarus while Dragon Slayer freed herself from the Geshumaru that crashed into her.
Rock bared her teeth, smiling maliciously, enjoying the feeling of ripping into the machines, feelings that she had recently acquired from the first merge. They finished destroying the automatons, leaving an heap of metal and the sound of the wind passing through the heaps of metal. Rock turned around and stared at the girl, smile still affixed to her face. Dead Master took a small step back, scared for Rock's mental being. Rock...Rock was gentle...yes she could be brutal at times but with good reason. She didn't enjoy hurting things or destroying things for fun. She thought back to Rock's explanation and took a deep breath. She had to trust Rock.
Rock looked at the girl...no... Dead Master. She looked frightened, but of what? Dead Master took a slight step back...away from her. Rock tried to make sense of everything and realized why Dead Master was frightened. Her smile slid from her face, she had to be careful not to go too far into her insane state or she'll lose the Rock that Dead Master loves. The Dead Master that she loved, too… And as much power being in her insane form gave her, she wouldn't trade it for Dead Master. She shifted back, armor disappearing and summoned her usual weapons again. Dragon Slayer threw off the lanced Geshumaru, now in pieces, Rock quickly ran forward and held her blade at Dragon Slayer's throat, preventing her from moving.
Dragon Slayer smiled, "I knew you could do it, my dears."
Rock stopped, her blade millimeters away from Dragon Slayer's throat. Dead Master asked, "What do you mean?"
"If your friend could just let me up and take her blade from my throat, I'll be happy to explain everything."
Dead Master hesitated and with a questioning glance at Rock, said "Rock? Your call."
Rock came to a decision and let Dragon Slayer go, but keeps her blade aimed at Dragon Slayer. Dragon Slayer steps back slightly and stretches, "Now where to start...oh yes, an introduction I suppose. First of all, very much like your friend Black Gold Saw, I'm a watcher, and when things in the Otherworld reach a climax where there are only two paths, I am called upon to insure the Otherworld may survive. As such, this time the two outcomes were to either be destroyed at the hands of Insane Rock Shooter, or it could survive and keep on going on if Insane Rock Shooter was somehow put out of commission. So I hatched a plan to either put Black Rock Shooter out of commission and by default Insane Rock Shooter. But one thing I did not account for was you. It complicated things up a little more to where the Otherworld would have been destroyed by you if Black Rock Shooter died. And her love for you was so intense, it practically made her immortal, her will to survive was that strong. So I made some changes and figured out, if Black Rock Shooter was able to merge with Insane Rock Shooter, that would solve all our problems and leave you two with an Otherworld to live in and a not-dead Black Rock Shooter. In addition Black Rock Shooter's love for you was the only thing that helped her merge together with Insane Rock Shooter and ultimately save herself.
Unfortunately at times it seemed like this plan of mine would not work, through several centuries of practice should have helped... anyways I had to force some events and recruited your friends to help. Chariot, or Kagari I suppose, drew Yomi away from Mato in the beginning and ignored her soon afterwards, making her feel lonely, helping her remember her otherself, Dead Master after she made herself forget the events that transpired when Black Rock Shooter went insane the first time. Yuu helped draw Mato away. Black Gold Saw was another thing I didn't plan for nor calculate for however and almost killed Black Rock Shooter. Which by default would have made Mato forget. That wouldn't have been the best thing as it would have the Otherworld be destroyed by you then, since back then Yomi's love for Mato was manifesting, and if Mato forgot Yomi. Well... it would have been overwhelming and probably would have drove you insane, too," At this Dragon Slayer paused, gathering her thoughts. "Now after the events of that and Yomi and Mato went back to the Real World, you and Black Rock Shooter had a moment of peace. But unfortunately the problem of Insane Rock Shooter still hasn't been resolved, and was threatening to overtake Black Rock Shooter, so I had to give you a greater threat so you two would focus on that, and hopefully Black Rock Shooter would realize in order to protect you, she would have to accept all parts of herself including Insane Rock Shooter. And yes, it was Strength who started to throw those shards of metal towards you. That was to try to force Black Rock Shooter and you to realize your feelings earlier. Which worked to some extent. But we still had that insanity, so it was my hope that if I somehow got Insane Rock Shooter to take over Black Rock Shooter, you could bring her back and have her realize that she could better protect you with her insanity and spend more time with you, than fighting against it."
Dead Master tried to speak, but Dragon Slayer cut her off, "And now that everything is solved, I will be taking my leave and never bother you two again." With that said, Dragon Slayer summoned a portal and left.
Dead Master and Rock stood there, absorbing all the information that was given, until they heard a shout. The two turned around and saw their friends coming towards them. Rock slipped out of Dead Master's arms, "I want to have some fun with them."
"Rock? Don't damage them too badly, after all they did help us….even if they didn't tell us what was going on in the first place."
Rock nodded and let them get closer and as soon as they arrived, they started to apologize. Rock and Dead Master listened silently for several minutes. Then Rock's normally emotionless face split into a psychotic gaze and grin. She shifted into Insane, summoned her Insane Cannon Lance, and leaped at them. They ran and Rock chased after them. After a while she stopped and started to laugh. "This is fun." Rock remarked and shifted back into her normal form.
"Why you!" Black Gold Saw started, then realizing the hilarity of the situation began to laugh. Soon everyone was bursting in laughing at the scene that just transpired.
Later on Dead Master and Rock settled down by a cliffside hidden from anyone who would bother to come looking for them. Rock hugged Dead Master closer to her and Dead Master curled up closer to Rock. Dead Master starts to trace the scars on Rock's sides left by Rock's battle with Black Gold Saw. Rock sighs in contentment, and mentally thanked Dragon Slayer and their friends for bringing them together.
"Rock, do you regret anything that happened?" Dead Master's question breaking her sleepy haze.
"No."
Dead Master smiled and settles her head on Rock's chest. "I don't regret anything either."
The two drift off to sleep in each other's' embrace, content to wake up to another day and say three little words, "I love you."
~Realworld~
Mato woke up by a tree at their place overlooking the town with Yomi in her arms. Yomi started to stir and realized she's in Mato's arms. They paused, looking at each other, Yomi remembering about Mato's amnesia and the events in the Otherworld, uncertain if Mato regained her memories and remembers her. Mato started, "I remember somebody…" Yomi felt her spirits rise for a moment. "Her name is Yomi," She paused, "And I love her." With that said she smiled and hugged Yomi again.
Yomi broke into a relieved smile and started bawling. "Welcome back, Mato. I love you, too!" She hugged Mato back.
~Somewhere~
Dragon Slayer watched the scene between Yomi and Mato and smiled, "A fitting end for the both of them. They both went through so much as Yomi and Mato, as Dead Master and Black Rock Shooter. And now the Otherworld is safe, too. Time to go back to sleep until the Otherworld needs me again." She frowned, "Through with my luck that's probably going to be in another century. And with more risks involved…" She sighed. "At least they got their happy ending." With that Dragon Slayer closed the viewing portal, settled down, and went to sleep.
Epilogue will be up Monday. If I see I have a thousand viewers by then I'll release it earlier.
Fact #9 First scene that I wrote of this story, it's gone through many revisions when I decided to make changes to the plot or changed another scene.
Shadow, signing out.