Chapter 25: Ratchet VS Specter
"So, have you decided on what course of action you'll take?" The boss said as Ratchet checked his gauntlets.
Ratchet smirked after seeing his gear was in top shape. "Oh yeah. I'm gonna kick your ass and get some answers."
Specter sighed. "You can't beat us both Ratchet. You aren't that lucky or skilled."
Ratchet shrugged. "Somehow I feel like I'll have more than enough strength to deal with you both." Ratchet looked at Pyrrha and she nodded which confirmed that she had his back.
Specter looked at the boss. "Well? How should we handle this?"
The boss checked his watch. "I'm rather busy. Why don't you take this one? After all, you did say he can't fight us both. One on one may prove a challenge for you. Plus you don't need to hold back."
Specter stepped up in front of the boss. "When do I ever hold back?"
The boss smiled. "Your sparring matches with Red Sapphire, Swift and Firebreak. You were never fighting at your full strength. Now shoo. Go have fun."
The boss turned on his heel and started to walk away. Ratchet saw this and made a move to stop him but Specter moved in front of him.
Ratchet gritted his teeth. "So he's running?"
Specter nodded and the boss turned around towards them. "Ratchet, my dear son. Should you live, I'll tell you everything you wish to know. Till next time." And with that, he made his way inside the burning building.
This person was able to take out Anna. You sure this is a good idea?
Ratchet nodded. "Don't worry Pyrrha. I'm not letting this maniac get the best of me."
Specter was done waiting. "Let's do this."
Ratchet and Specter ran towards each other and smashed fists together. Flames erupted from Ratchet's punch but it didn't seem to phase Specter. Specter grabbed Ratchet's arm and threw him to the side. Ratchet flew across the training grounds and hit a tree but he got up on his feet immediately and just in time as Specter ran at him at full speed. Specter tried kicking Ratchet but he moved to the side and grabbed Specter from behind and had a choke hold on the armored elite.
"Time to find out who's under that mask!" Ratchet yelled as he started punching the mask repeatedly. It was barely taking any damage and only received some scratches before Specter got out of his choke hold and punched him in the stomach.
"You aren't ready to know who I truly am." Said Specter.
Ratchet wiped some blood away from his mouth before going on the offensive. He made sure to keep his attacks swift but strong so Specter couldn't try and find an opening. Ratchet was able to get Specter to back up into the tree. With one hard swing, Ratchet punched Specter through the tree and sent the elite flying. Specter managed to block the punch and land safely across from Ratchet.
Ratchet…I think that helmet is made of the same material as Nick's mech suit. If that's the case, you'll need a really powerful punch to break through.
Ratchet thought about what Pyrrha was saying. The helmet did seem to be tough. It was strange, it was like Specter cared more about preventing others from knowing who's under that mask than actually fighting back.
Specter was making a move now and charged Ratchet. Specter released the futuristic blades from the gauntlets and began tearing Ratchet's aura away. Ratchet was keeping his distance but it was like the blades attracted aura towards them and no matter how fast he dodged, his aura kept dropping.
Ratchet! Specter's belt!
Quickly glancing at what Pyrrha was talking about, he saw Specter had on a belt with a few grenades on it. They all looked explosive but he could be wrong. Ratchet summoned his shield and turned around so Specter's next attack hit the shield. Specter was caught off guard and Ratchet took this chance to slide around and rip the pins off of two grenades.
Ratchet pulled his shield forward and backed away as much as possible before the belt blew up. Specter looked down at the belt and simply unbuckled it and threw it to the side. The grenades exploded and a large purple sphere covered the radius of the explosion and then disappeared.
Ratchet remembered where he saw that same effect before. "So it was you! That bomb on Pyrrha was fucking yours!"
Specter shrugged. "So? Irene was the one who put it on her if I recall."
Ratchet, honey. Don't let Specter work you up. I think Specter is trying to play with your emotions but don't worry, I'm here. Don't be afraid of this person.
Ratchet slowed his breathing and listened to what his beloved was saying. "Thanks Pyrrha. Let's do this!"
Ratchet threw his shield at Specter and at the same time aura pushed himself to slide right under it. Specter was going to catch the shield and use it to bash Ratchet into the ground but to Specter's surprise, Ratchet blasted the shield up into the air while he was under it. Now almost in front of Specter, Ratchet went to sweep the legs. Specter jumped over him and grabbed him by the throat. Specter stuck one of the blades into Ratchet's stomach and caused him to cry out in pain.
"I'm guessing you were just trying to be cool and didn't even know what you were doing." Specter said sounding bored.
R-Ratchet?! What where you thinking?!
Ratchet smiled even as blood came out of his mouth. Spitting it out onto the ground as he smiled. "Funny. I knew exactly how this was gonna turn out."
Specter didn't take him seriously and took the blades out of him. Specter prepared to strike at Ratchet's chest next but suddenly the shield Ratchet blasted landed in the helmet. Specter let go of Ratchet and tried to get the shield unstuck from where it was. The helmets vision blurred and static was everywhere so Specter couldn't see Ratchet prepare a fire ball.
Ratchet then summoned Sorrows End and covered the barrel with flames. Aiming at the shield, he fired a few rounds and the bullets did bounce off the shield but they caught it on fire. Specter was now frantically slicing the shield with the blades but they weren't going through. Ratchet ran over and pushed Specter to the ground. He then proceeded to smash in the helmet with the butt of his gun. Specters helmet slowly began to clear and show vision. Specter kicked Ratchet off and finally got the shield out of the helmet. Throwing the shield to the side in pure anger, Specter pulled out a sidearm and began firing it off at Ratchet.
Ratchet released a solar wind and it burned the bullets that came at him.
When could you do that?
Ratchet got up and smiled. "Ivin taught me that trick after our match. Now to break open your shell Specter!"
Ratchet ran at Specter with full speed and Specter slowly backed up and reloaded. Before Specter could get the clip into the gun, Ratchet slammed his fist on the ground. Normally this would break someone's leg but whatever armor Specter had prevented that but the force of the tremor did make Specter fall. Ratchet got on top of Specter and knocked the gun away before placing both his hands on the open crack of the helmet and began pulling. Specter tried using the blades to slice Ratchet in half but they malfunctioned and weren't coming out.
Hurry! I was able to stop Specter's blades for now with my semblance but I can't hold them back!
Ratchet put all his strength into pulling the helmet apart and ignored Specter punching him in the chest and stomach. "Just. Who. The. Hell. Are. You!"
The helmet made another cracking sound before being pulled apart as Ratchet finally pulled off the helmet. Specter quickly pushed him off and rolled away, making sure not to let Ratchet see who was under that mask.
Ratchet slowly got up and breathed heavily. "Hey!...Fucker! Turn…around…"
Why…does this aura feel so…familiar…
Ratchet noticed it right after Pyrrha said it. The aura coming off of Specter was so familiar it was scary. As Specter turned around however, the couple learned why the aura was familiar.
Specter had long red hair and bright green eyes filled with hate and sadness.
Specter…was Pyrrha Nikos.
A/N: My word! What a shocker! What is going on?! Oh lord the madness is real!
Hello everyone and I hope you have enjoyed this chapter of The Legend Of RAIN. The tale of our four heroes is close to ending. Yes I know, it is sad but we all saw this coming from chapter 1.
Now I'm curious, how are you enjoying this? Is it good? Ya hate it? Leave a review if you'd like. Don't worry, I won't be depressed if you have anything negative to say. Though to be honest since we are almost finished with our journey, I'm pretty pumped to finish it.
So yeah. Expect another chapter in maybe a day or three. Until next time.
- CLOUD MARIO