Chapter 14: DCA Strikes Back!
Replaying the footage of the area of the Nature Civilization being completely vaporized instilled the feeling of failure all the more into the creatures. Ryoma and Terra barely making it out alive returned shortly after the rest of them did, showing them what they witnessed.
"We're running out of options." Adrian said as the five Avatars and Samurai gathered within the conference room. "I don't care what Lorenzo says, we need everyone's abilities if we are to stop Thanatos for good."
"Easier said than done." Sarina commented. "It's like if you as so much as look at him funny he'll wipe you out."
"Guess you have to sit this one out then huh?" Wyatt told her, to which he ducked the wad of paper that Sarina threw his way.
"Thank you for your words, Avatar of Life, but at the rate things are going, there isn't much any of us can accomplish at our current power." Daigo said with a sigh. "Ryoma…"
Ryoma, feeling ashamed, cleared his throat. "I apologize for going behind your back on this. I knew you wouldn't approve of using other creatures in our war against Thanatos but nonetheless I felt—"
"I'm glad you did." Daigo said. "With the information gathered from her we just might have a way to overcome the massive obstacle before us." he turned to Terra. "As a spy in the NOVA Organization, you are in possession of a Supernova, correct?"
Terra nodded. "Anastathis, the Earth Supernova."
"And with that man Kengo in possession with of the Sun Supernova…"
"Ryuusei's other right hand, Yuki Suzuki, is in possession of Betelguese, the Constellation Supernova."
Wyatt began to count on his fingers. "Why do I feel like we're missing a few of them?"
"Because Neptune is still out there. But she doesn't pose a threat compared to Apollonius and Betelguese." A voice entered the room.
The group turned around and saw CJ standing in the doorway, his red eyes vibrant and noticible amongst them. Each of the human-disguised creatures readied themselves before Drake stood up and shielded him from the group.
"Relax, he's friendly." He said with a smirk. "Aren't you, Ixion?"
The group unanimously felt chills go down their bodies. Ixion looked at each of them and walked around Drake, making his way to the front of the room where the recording replayed. He watched as the Galaxy Blade made quick work of the area and pondered it.
"You all… have no hope of destroying him." Ixion said bluntly.
"Which is why we are here discussing ways of overcoming that." Wyatt said, getting a punch from Sarina for smart-mouthing him.
"Even then, if I couldn't completely destroy him then I fail to see how such weak creatures as yourselves could come up with a way to."
"Excuse me?!" Sarina shot up, and Wyatt got back at her by pulling her back down in her chair.
"Enlighten us then." Daigo approached him. "Tell us how we are to defeat him."
Ixion turned to him. "There is no way. Very soon Thanatos darkness will overcome the Kaijin no Sekai, and eventually the entire universe."
"I refuse to believe that." Drake said, gaining the attention of the group. "You know of a way to defeat him. For good."
Ixion turned to him and Drake continued on, "Don't play dumb. I'm talking about the Ultimate Phoenix."
The group grew silent. They looked at one another, and back at him.
"Drake, the Ultimate Phoenix is just a legend."
"So is Ixion, Thanatos and the Supernovas and look where we are?" Drake recalled, bringing up a point. "Quasar, the Ultimate Phoenix. The form a Phoenix can obtain when it reaches its ultimate power. A Phoenix who can bend reality to its whim. A literal reset button."
"A literal fantasy is more like it." Ryoma commented.
"No, he's correct." Ixion clarified. "However, for me to become Quasar I need the power of the Nine Supernovas. Mars, Venus, Mercury, Pluto, Jupiter, and Uranus have all been destroyed."
"Universe Gate." Drake said flatly. "Ryuusei used the Inferno Gate to bring me back to life, you really think I wouldn't try to figure out how that thing would work in my free time? Trust me, this little thing I've been messing with has the capability to re-create the fallen Supernovas and give you the added boost you need to do what you need to do. All I need, are the owners and their respected Kaijudo Energy." He turned to his fellow Avatars. "And just so you four are alright with this, if this really is a trap, you have the right to destroy me and the Inferno Gate so no other nutjob finds it a good idea to reel me back from Hell."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of that personally." Sarina said.
"So cute, looking after your big bro and all."
"Alright then, so that's one plan. Any other suggestions before we move on?" Daigo said, as he began to move on."
Nicole looked down towards her lap at her phone and tapped it. reading the message she stood up.
"Where are you going?"
"I have something I need to address. It seems that my patient is not listening to reason… as expected. If you all would excuse me."
"I shall accompany you. I have methods on dealing with those who fail to listen." The smug man stood up and began to follow the girl out of the room.
"Oh, no I'm sure I can handle him."
"I insist. Besides, its time he and I became acquainted with one another." He said, continuing to follow.
The pair exited the room, and Daigo sighed. "To be honest, I pray for that boy. Hanzo's not one to tolerate insubordination."
Nicole and Hanzo arrived in the infirmary wing where Dylan sat, looking through his phone. He looked up at the pair and waved.
"That Justin kid's really giving them a hard time in there." Dylan pointed.
"And what of Karon?"
"Well, as expected, he's getting annoyed by him. I'm sure you can calm them both down."
"Yeah, alright I'll see what I could…" Nicole's voice trailed as the pair watched Hanzo enter the room where the two were arguing with one another. With a hand sign, the room suddenly filled with purple smoke, causing the pair to calm down.
"You were taking too long." Hanzo said, exiting the room. The smoke cleared and revealed the duo calm and somewhat dazed.
"Did you just…drug my patients?!" Nicole asked him shocked at their expressions.
"Believe it or not, I am a physician as well. All I administered was a sedative that will keep them calm long enough for us to explain the current situation. It will wear off shortly."
He walked back inside the room, leaving Dylan and Nicole to process what was happening. With no other option the pair walked inside the room.
After taking a few minutes of explaining the current situation and plan to them, Justin was hesitant to speak. However Karon was different.
"Looks like you have options here," He turned to Justin, "help us put an end to Ryuusei or sit there and sulk about what you've done."
Justin looked up. "I might have a way to get Kelly to talk."
"Let's hear it."
"Like I said before, we Quasar Six all have our own goals to reach. Kelly's goal was ARC, which she has acquired through Jake."
"What does she intend to do with ARC?" Nicole asked.
"No clue. But what I do know, is that whatever she's planning, she needs Thanatos out of the way in order to accomplish it. She only became a Supernova because she and Neptune share that lust for power."
"Comparing King Arcadios to Thanatos, King Arcadios could prove to be a powerful ally, even if a temporary alliance at that." Hanzo said, somewhat begrudgingly. "Especially since we know that the Mystic Light House has joined with NOVA."
"Oh, I get it. ARC might be seeking revenge for the coup so we can use that to get them to side with us!" Dylan snapped his fingers.
"But where to look? No point in hoping for that outcome if we don't know where to look." Karon said.
Just as he said that his phone vibrated. He looked over to it and grew a small smirk, which Nicole noticed. "It's Jake, isn't it?"
"He's luring us out. Justin for Riley." Karon said grimly.
"She's alive?!" Dylan exclaimed.
"Apparently." Karon said. "But it seems like we need to trade him for her."
"Okay, fine. I'll do it." Justin said.
Dylan looked to him surprised. "Kind of a fast answer in terms of selling your soul to that witch, isn't it?"
"What other choice do you have? Your friend's life has much more value than mine does. I can guarantee there isn't one person in this place who cares about me."
"That's not true…" A voice said, following a knock on the door.
The group looked up and saw Peyton and June at the doorway, with Peyton not as banged up as Karon and Justin, but still hurt nonetheless.
"Despite everything that's happened, you're still my friend, Justin." June said, walking up to his bed. "Your life has importance to me. Always has, always will."
Justin acknowledged her words, despite feeling regret. He believed her, yet he couldn't accept it, due to what he's done to her. "I don't deserve your kindness…"
"No, you don't." Peyton said. "But you're getting it anyway. Along with all of us."
Justin looked up and watched as the group gathered together. "What do you…?"
"When you were gone, Peyton and the others took me in and we became a family. You never stopped being family to me. So like it or not, Peyton and the others are your new family. Your life has importance to them like it does to me. You are valuable to each and every one of us."
At a loss for words, Justin fought back tears, ultimately thanking June for her undeserved kindness. Finally accepting June's invitation to her extended family, he found himself full of confidence in terms of helping them get Riley back.
"Your sister seems troubled…" Azure told Jason as he escorted the blind girl down the hallway. By this point with the meeting over, the group split up and went their various ways, mainly preparing for whatever may come next. "Ryoma has informed me of the altercation she and the others had earlier on."
"Jamie's a tough girl." Jason said. "No matter what she'll pull through like she always has."
"Even so, I believe she might need some brotherly attention, don't you agree?"
Jason scoffed. "Jamie and I may be close but she's not one to come to me for advice. Only way I would be able to get into her head, is through a duel, maybe."
"Maybe a duel is all she will need." She said.
Jason stopped. "Azure…actually, let me be formal. Lady Amaterasu; may I ask what you see that I am missing?"
Azure smiled. "It's humorous. Being without eyesight has opened my eyes to the worlds around me, both in the Kaijin no Sekai and here on Earth. Your sister reminds me of myself. In my younger years, I was a very brash knight in training, one of which took pride in my Blue Wolves. In response to my actions, I have contributed to the chaos that made us splinter from them. Lost and afraid, it was the Samurai who came to my aid and empowered me and my allies with the powers and abilities needed to help end the war."
"So…what you're saying is that Jamie is lost in herself and she needs me to give her resolve a boost?"
"That's exactly what I am implying. As you said, the only way you can get through to her is a duel. I feel that through that you can remind her what she's fighting for and give her that resolve to keep pushing despite our current circumstance."
Jason retrieved his deck with the front of it showing Bolmeteus Samurai Dragon. Thinking it over, he smiled and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. All she probably needs is a light under her. All I gotta do is just figure out why her flame went out."
"I trust you will find the answer in due time." Azure nodded, confident in his ability. "I have faith in all of them; each of usdo. It seems that in our current situation, that's all we can afford to do…"
Arriving in Akihabara, the electric town once again, Karon and the group search for the location that Jake texted him for them to meet at. However with the crowd that populated the city, it was hard for them to maneuver let alone search for someone.
Or so they thought. A shadow shrouded over the people of Akihabara, and Nicole and Hanzo all sensed the dark presence of the creatures. The group turned their attention skyward, seeing Arcadios hovering over them, Riley gripped by one of his dark claws.
"Oh, what a shame. I was hoping that cutie would be the one to come rescue the damsel." Kelly whimpered.
"Hold on a second! We're not here to fight!" Justin stated.
Jake scoffed. "Well that makes one of us. Arcadios!" he snapped his fingers causing Arcadios to respond by unleashing his appendages towards the group.
Hanzo stepped up and made a hand sign. "Dark Ninjutsu—Toxic Erosion!" Hanzo took a deep breath and blew out a purple gas from his chest that forced Arcadios to distance himself from the poisonous gas.
"Jake, snap out of it! This isn't you!" June shouted.
Jake smirked. "Well well, if it isn't little miss Juniper. As you can see, you were a fool to get rid of me."
June hesitated. "ARC…"
"You mean ARC has taken over…?"
"That's right." Jake smiled. "I'm in control of this boy's mind, and my power has passed onto his partner allowing me a puppet to control until it reaches perfection. Soon I will have my true form returned to me and then I can begin to reclaim the kingdom that was stolen from me."
"What good will that do if the entire Kaijin no Sekai is wiped out?!" Peyton snapped. "You're are in just as much danger to Thanatos than we are."
Jake's expression of triumph slowly calmed. "Clearly you have no idea how we Lost Crusaders operate."
"Lost…Crusaders?" Peyton began to question.
"It's useless explaining yourself to them, my King." Kelly said. "While they may not share our ideals, I do find their proposition to be an interesting one." She turned her attention to Karon, who locked his stare with hers.
"I accept your challenge." Karon said, his hand radiating with his Kaijudo Energy
"Excellent. You win, we'll offer our services."
"And if you win?"
Kelly jumped from Arcadios' shoulder and landed. "As of right now I have everything I could ever desire. There is nothing on this world or the other more valuable than ARC himself."
"I like those terms. Alright then, shall we begin?"
The Kaijudo Energy shot into the ground and rose up platforms for the pair to duel. The five shields materialized in front of each other and with their hands drawn, the duel between the Dark Reaper and the Tsunami Supernova was about to commence.
"DUEL…START!"