Chapter 20: Out of the shadows
A/N: Now I know I have not Updated for over a week and that is because I was on vacation with some family. Second I may be a little more inactive for a while my dog is not doing well and that causes a lot of emotional stress as I am sure any pet owner would know if their pet was in a bad condition. Anyways here is Harmonic Chaos Chronicles 16: Dual Fates Chapter 20: Out of the Shadows...
Rage returned Rainbow Dash to their home and laid her down on the bed. "Thank you Rage." She says softly
"No need to thank me Rainbow Dash." Rage responds sitting on the edge of the bed holding his front right hoof "Man I haven't had a fight that bad in a while. He may have landed a few hits but they sure hurt."
"Will you be okay Rage?" Rainbow Dash asks
"I'll be fine Dash." Rage replies "I won't need long to recover. You on the other hand… might."
"Rage could you stay here a while?" she asks him
Rage was silent for a while before he responds "Sure" he smiles before patting her on the shoulder "You know for the fastest toughest flier in Equestria you sure are beaten up pretty bad."
Meanwhile…
Christain was walking back from the market for Fluttershy when he is stopped by Applebloom "Hay have you seen Rage?"
"Last time I checked he was up at Rainbow Dash's house taking care of her injuries." Christain replies
"Oh darn." She replies
"Is there something I can pass on for you?" Christain asks Applebloom
"Tell him my big sis Applejack needs him." She answers
"Alright Applebloom I will do that." Christain agrees "I need to get these to Fluttershy so I'll see ya later" he says walking back to Fluttershy's cottage.
Christain knocks and Fluttershy opens the door "Oh Christain!" she says inher shy tone "Thank you."
"It's not a big deal." He says putting the grocery sacks on the table. "Well tell me if you need anything." He says leaving the small cottage and heads for Rainbow Dash's home and knocks.
Inside Rage pokes his head up "Who's there?" he asks
"Rage!" Christain yells "It's me!" he hears some movement before the door opens,
"What's up Christain?" Rage asks with a yawn
"Dang Rage you look horrible are you okay? He asks
"I'm fine I was just sleeping." Rage answers "Did you need something?"
"Well it's just that Applejack needs you." Christain answers
"Oh…" Rage yawns "alright I'll go see what she wants."
"How's Rainbow?" Christain asks
"Fine." Rage answers "She will need some time to recover. She sure put up a fight based on her injuries."
Sweet Apple Acres
1 hour later.
Rage walks up to the barn where Applebloom was "Hay Applebloom!" he calls and the filly looks at him before running over and giving him a friendly hug
"Rage!" She sighs "Sorry ta bother ya."
"What's wrong Applebloom? You said that Applejack needs me?"
"Yeah I did." Applejack's voice comes from behind and Rage turns to see Applejack with a hogtied Changeling under her "I found this vermin wanderin' around town."
"I told you I mean no harm you crazy country girl!" the changeling yells
"Untie him Applejack." Rage sighs, Applejack looks at him and he shoots a look back and she reluctantly does so. The Changeling then stands up as Rage looks at it "Is something going on?" Rage asks
"Yes," the black pony like creature says "I bring a message from Queen Chrysalis for you Burning Rage."
"Well what is it?" Rage asks
"Our Queen is in trouble, yesterday she was approached by a female character claiming to be from some Dark Legion. After some argument the Queen was startled and sent me looking for you." The changeling replied
"That can't be good." Rage says with a hoof on his chin "Alright I will come back with you to Eden and talk with Queen Chrysalis."
"Thank you Rage." The changeling says "Let us go post haste." He adds forming a portal walking in with Rage not far behind morphing into his hedgehog form as he follows.
On the other side Rage finds himself in a beautiful castle hall with Chrysalis sitting at the other end. "Oh Rage!" she says getting up and walking over to him. "Thank goodness you came. I assume my messenger told you what's wrong."
"Yeah I was told you approached by the Dark Legion. What happened?" Rage asks
"It was Rena." Chrysalis begins "She demanded we join back up with them. When I said no she said she would return with her Dark Spawns and destroy our new kingdom."
"And so you want my help?" Rage finishes and she nods "I will be happy to help. With luck I can get rid of Rena while I am at it."
"Thank you Rage, it means a lot to us." Chrysalis replies with a smile.
"No problem." Rage says snapping his fingers and his Bladedancers appear
"Rage!?" Chrysalis gasps afraid he was betraying her "What are you doing?!
"Woah!" Rage says "Calm down!" he says "They're mine, these are my Bladedancers and they follow what I tell them to do."
"Oh…" Chrysalis sighs in relief "Sorry."
"No problem." Rage smiles as he turns to the group of Bladedancers "Head out and protect the kingdom at all costs!" he commands and without question they do so. "Alright that should take care of them but as a failsafe I am going to stay here and help too if you are okay with that Chrysalis."
"You have already done so much Rage you don't have to." Chrysalis says
"Well I don't have to but I am, if they get through my Bladedancers then you might have no defense left, but if I am here then there is still me that they have to deal with." Rage chuckles
"Oh Rage thank you, is there anything I can do in return? Chrysalis asks him
"No need." Rage says "You don't have to reward me, do you think I get rewarded for saving Equestria?"
"You do don't you?" she asks
"Well I could but I choose not to, I help out of the goodness in my heart. I was asked once who my master was sometime after I finished my training as a Chaos guardian and you want to know what my answer was?" Rage replies
"Dex, right?" Chrysalis asks
"No," Rage answers "I told them that I have no real master the thing that drives me to do what I do is the fire in my heart that drives me to do what's right."
"With words like that Rage you could be a philosopher." Chrysalis chuckles
"Nah, I am not that good." Rage replies with his own chuckle "Besides I am busy as is."
"True," Chrysalis replies as a Changeling comes running in
"Your majesty the Dark Spawns you predicted are closing in!" he says "but there are more then you expected!
"Get everyone to shelter!" she demands "Do not let them near the shelters!"
"Yes you majesty!" the changeling salutes and exits
"Well Rage looks like it's time for you to go out and help." Chrysalis says
"Yeah, I will be on my way then your majesty." Rage responds running out of the room his sword appearing in his right hand. Rage runs out of the castle and stands atop the large gate looking at the incoming Dark Spawns as they clashed with his Bladedancers. "You ready Bureinjingukaosu?" he asks the sword
"Yes Rage, I am prepared." It replies
"Good." Rage smiles as he sees Rena among the army as they defeat the last of his Bladedancers. The numbers of Dark Spawns had been reduced from thousands to only 10 plus Rena. "Burn! Bureinjingukaosu!" he calls as he releases the swords true dragon wing like form and leaps from the top of the gate and defeats the Dark Spawns with a few quick slices as Rene looks around confused.
"What the hell is going on?!" she yells before Rage appears in front of her.
"Hello Rena, long time no see." Rage replies "Shell we finish this?"
"Hmph, I should have figured you were here after all of the Bladedancers Rage the Hedgehog." She smiles "I am surprised you could defeat Zero… but can you defeat an opponent that is equal match to you in power?"
"You may be equal in simple Chaos Power Rena but there is one thing that separates us a thing you could never obtain." Rage replies
"Oh what is that?" she asks
"Purpose" Rage replies
"Purpose?" Rena asks
"That's right…" Rage answers "Your reason for fighting… tell me why is it that you fight?"
"For power that is the only thing that matters is to show everyone that I am the strongest in the universe!" Rena answers "What about you Rage? Why do you fight?"
"Hmph, you fight for power a common answer from those consumed by darkness and at horrible one at that." Rage answers shaking his head "I fight to protect those who cannot protect themselves… I guard the light and protect it and I can assure you there is no way in hell you and The Dark Legion will succeed as long as I stand!"
"Very well then I will just make sure you will no longer stand." Rena yells leaping for Rage who blocks the attack with his weapon.
[Music: Dark Samus Battle-Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (2004)]
"Well we will just have to see about that!" Rage chuckles as the two struggle for control before they both leap back and Rage quickly strikes Rena with a bolt of lightning soon to be returned by Rena's own bolt. The two continue to exchange blow after blow for a while before Rena gets fed up with all of her attacks being blocked
"Enough of this!" She screams as a large aura of darkness shrouds her making Rage look surprised at the sudden release of dark power "I cannot have my host die now!" she says in a voice that is not her own
"What the… hell?" Rage asks stunned at the release of power
"Well what are you waiting for Rage?" she chuckles insanely "If you just stand there…" she then warps in front of Rage "…You'll die! She then slices for Rage's throat but he leaps back just in time. Rage though avoiding what could have been a fatal blow was soon hammered by a relentless chain of attacks from Rena before being launched about twenty feet back lying flat on the ground.
"Just….what are you?" he asks slowly getting up panting as blood drips from his body onto the ground
"You!" Rena chuckles "Only better!"
"R-really?" Rage coughs "That's not…true"
"Look at you." Rena coos insultingly "Even when bleeding out you act tough."
"Wh-who said I was bleeding out?" Rage chuckles "It's just a scratch that's all." Rage then slowly stands up
"Oh please look at you!" Rena laughs "You can barely stand!" she then licks the claw on her hand tasting the blood on it "Oh your blood tastes rather divine… are you sure you're not a god?"
"A god…?" Rage scoffs "As if…" he then smiles as Rena raises her claw
"Good bye…. Rage the Hedgehog!" she chuckles as she lowers the strike Rage closes his eyes waiting for the final blow but it never came. Slowly Rage opens his eyes and he sees a crazy sight. There in front of him was Noah!
"Don't think this changes anything between us hedgehog…" he grunts "I just hate this bitch almost as much as you do!" he then smirks "Besides… you and I have some unfinished business."
"Get out of the way Noah!" Rena hisses leaping back
"What are you waiting for get yourself up!" Noah yells throwing a small orb at Rage. Rage grabs it and instantly he felt his energy return to him "Sorry but I have had about enough of you Rena!"
"Very well Noah you will die too!" she hisses leaping for him only for Rage to warp in front and block it.
"Sorry Rena but I won't let you kill him, this is our fight if you want you can kill him later." Rage chuckles as the Chaos Emeralds appear "Noah, Listen I want you to get as far away from here as possible."
"Give me one good reason!" the large panda replies
"I am going to activate one of my most powerful forms and just releasing it might cripple you and if we are going to fight later you may as well bring you're a-game!" Rage replies
"Very well…" Noah sighs leaping back and running off
[Music: Number One Instermental—Bleach]
Rage then uses the Emeralds power as he transforms into his legendary Ultima Chaos Form before he removes his Inhibitor Rings and the already insane power grows even higher as he enters his Ultima Chaos Unleashed form. "Alright Let's finish this!" Rage yells as he charges for Rena who mimics the move and the two collide making a large explosion of energy.
The two then begin trading blows with various Chaos Attacks however they were each too fast for the attacks to connect. 'Alright enough playing around…' Rage thinks "It's time to end this!" he says extending his hands "To those that served before me, To the heroes of Light from around the Universes, To Those of The Church of The Sun, To the Chaos Guardians, To the Light Guardians, To the Royal Alicorns of Equestria, To the Elements of Harmony, And the lost Guardians trapped in darkness I call upon thee to grant me aid in my time of need!" he calls in an echoing voice
Meanwhile…
(In The Chaos realm)
Chaotix and the Guardian Council hear Rage's call and stand up "To thee we lend aid." They say
(In Equestria)
Twilight and her friends were sitting in the court of friendship with the other Princess's and Rage's brothers watching the events unfold as the hear the chant they all look at each other before nodding and they glow lending their energy.
(Somewhere in The World Between Worlds)
The Sun Circle the most powerful members of The Church of the Sun sat in their room when they heard Rage's words echo across the room and they look at each other. "Was that The Chaos Guardian Rage?" Ben asks
"Yes…" Sarah replies with a nod
"It sounds like he could use our help." Lea sighs stretching
"Let us aid him as he requests, after all he must need it if he is calling all the way to us." Ella says as they stand and extend their arms
(Somewhere in The Darkness)
"Did you hear that?" an Echidna asks
"That sounded like a call from a Chaos Guardian." A wolf says
"Come on guys we should do what we can… after all he is going to be the one to save us someday… I hope." A female Echidna says as they stand up and begin to glow
Back on Eden…
Rage was gathering the large sums of energy that his allies across the worlds were giving him.
"N-no this can't be possible! How can you have so much power?!" Rena gasps
"This is not my power alone…" Rage says as an echo begins as all of them say at the same time "This is our power combined… And with it we'll finish this! Ultimate Chaos Tech: Unity Destruction Blast!" they all yell as on the battle field where Rage was a large golden blast of energy explodes engulfing Rena.
The light soon dies down and Rage floats to the ground reattaching his Inhibitor Rings looking at the barely breathing Rena. "It's over Rena…" he says as he is reverted back to his normal form.
"It's not over…" she coughs "You red bastard I will be back!"
"Afraid not Rena…you're going straight to hell!" Rage says as he swings his sword and in one fell swoop Rena's throat was cut and she breaths her final breath of life. Rage then smirks before limping back to the shelters and knocking to let Queen Chrysalis know it was safe.
"Thank you Rage." She says "Oh!" she gasps looking at his wounds "You should let us help heal you before you return Rage."
"Thank you for the offer Queen Chrysalis but I have to do something before I go and I will let the guys up at Ponyville Hospital fix me up… they know some more about my unusual anatomy." Rage replies
"As you wish." Queen Chrysalis bows "And you have our gratitude Rage the Hedgehog you have saved us all." She then look at him "Thank you."
A small female changeling then runs up to him "Thank you Mister Rage you're the best!" she says hugging him "When I grow up I want to be just like you! Cool, kind and heroic!" she says.
"Just keep your mind to it and you can do anything," Rage says patting it on the head
"Come back and visit anytime Rage." Chrysalis says with a wave as he leaves and walks to where Noah stood "Thank you for the save Noah."
"Hmph." The panda says "Just make sure to be ready the next time we meet."
"Oh don't worry." Rage smiles "I will."
"Good…" the panda then disappears into a portal of Dark Energy as Rage warps himself to Ponyville's Hospital for treatment after such a demanding battle,
To be continued…
So an update on the HCC series. After I am done with this book I think I am going to put it down for a while to work on other projects and those will be of the following: Sonic Youth: Uprising, Super Smash Bros. Bonds of Chaos, Second Wind, and Night of The Flutterbat, vote as to which one you would rather have in a review so I can make a priority list for them! Thank you and this is Sonicfan0987 signing off!