CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
劇的なショーダウン!姉に対する弟!
A Dramatic Showdown! Brother Against Sister!
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The sun was clouding over. The tension in the air was so thick it was almost CHOKING them. For some reason, Haley was feeling very…very…ANGRY.
The book glowed as she raised it. "ACERBUS!"
Growling, Nightwing raised one hand up at 086, clenching his claws. He shot forth a dark blast of energy at 086, but the evil monster simply frowned and raised his hand up as well, holding a single claw forward as Jake read off a spell.
"AKUHEI!" Jake read out from the book. 086's claw sparked with a sickening blood-red color, and a blast of energy shot out from his claw and the two attacks struck head on. Smoke rose into the air and Haley coughed slightly as Shadow smirked.
"Heh-heh-heh. How amusingly interesting. It seems your attack's got a little less spark in it than normal…don't tell me your really bothered at the idea of having to fight your dear brother, you annoying bitch?" He asked Haley.
"Grr…" Haley growled. "I'm gonna claw your eyes out for what you've done to him!" She yelled.
"Haley, chillate with the Shadow hate." Jake said, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. "My man 086 didn't do anything to me that I didn't want. I finally have a chance to be Jake Long for REAL-REAL, not just for play-play. I'm just expressing myself in a way I couldn't before, Haley. Why can'tcha be happy for me?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't…don't you…talk like that!" Haley shouted. "SHUT UP!" She yelled.
…
…
…
… "Can you imagine it, Haley? Youngest Dragon Council Members of all history. We can really make a difference, yo!"
"I can't wait!"
…
…
…
… "Oh, what are Mom and Dad gonna think about THIS?"
"Don't worry, Haley…I got your back…"
"Wh-what?"
"I'll take the blame, okay?"
…
…
…
… "You do know that you're next in line if I'm deemed unfit to perform my Am-Drag duties…right?"
"M-M-ME? American Dragon: HALEY Long? I'd be cool, I'd be hot like the frozen sun!"
…
…
…
… "He ditched his American Dragon duties on PURPOSE?"
"I can't believe he DITCHED his dragon duties! Of all the immature, SELF-SERVING-"
"HEY! When was the last time YOU two were the American Dragon?! Well as the little troll-girl currently filling the position, let me tell you it's stinkin' HARD!"
"…uh…"
"Er…"
"I can't imagine doing it two more days, let alone two more YEARS! And to think about everything JAKE'S gone through…he's had to save magical creatures on a daily basis, lie to his dad about who he is, say goodbye to the girl he loved, and all to protect a mystical world that NOBODY knows about! He may be the American Dragon, but he's ALSO a 14-year-old kid who just wanted a couple days off! If that makes him immature, fine! But "self-serving"? With all due respect to both of you…STEP OFF!"
…
…
…
… "Stop trying to lie, Jake! I know the real you better than this freaky koala ever could!" Haley shouted.
Jake sighed and rolled his eyes. "Haley, Haley, Haley…whatever makes you think you always knew the real me? All family keeps secrets. Besides…whatever's wrong with punishing those that are guilty?"
"You can only see the bad things in others and not the good! THAT'S why 086 is so evil! He's messed you up!" Haley shouted.
"Don't you GET IT?!" Jake snarled at her as he transformed before her eyes into a dragon with brilliant red scales, green hair and sharp, purple fangs. "THIS IS THE REAL ME!" He growled. "Get a CLUE, Haley!"
Jake had never…never spoken so harshly to her. Haley found herself gasping in horror.
"Don't listen to this liar!" Nightwing shouted at Haley, rushing forth to claw at Jake. But unfortunately that was when Jake flipped HIS book open…
"AKUJI!" He roared as Shadow raised two claws up and twirled them slightly. A stream of beams of black light shot out from them, blasting the ground like a machine gun. Nightwing jumped back, growling angrily as Haley tried to reorganize herself.
"Stop trying to trick me, you jerk!" Haley yelled at 086. "You're just trying to throw me off balance by making my brother say hurtful things!"
"Smart girl!" Nightwing complimented as he jumped back to her side, taking up a fighting pose. "Now bring it on home!"
However, deep down, Nightwing was concerned. "She can't hide it in her eyes though…deep down she's loathe to fight her brother…bit by bit her resolve is weakening and eventually she'll collapse…and then she too might become 086's toy…such a cruel fate for one with such potential…"
Jake crossed his arms, smirking, meanwhile, 086 laughed. "Ha-ha-ha-ha! You say I'm making your brother say all those things? Tell me…are you really sure you can understand how he feels? He may have been smiling on the outside, but on the inside, he was crying…desperate…wanting more…and hating people like you who had everything going for you. Don't be too hard on him though…"
Shadow smirked. "ALL of your kind are weak like this…"
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Haley screamed as her book glowed. "OMNIS-ACERBUS!" She roared out, holding up the book as Nightwing raised both hands. Wings glowing brightly with dark energy, Nightwing called forth an enormous beam of dark energy that swirled down through the air at 086, who frowned.
"Hmm…Jake?"
"Right then! AKUGYOU!" Jake read from the book.
The evil experiment 086, aka Shadow, traced a blood-red circle in mid-air with a single long claw. It formed a pulsing shield of red energy that encircled him and Jake as the "Omnis-Acerbus" attack came down on them. With a mighty crashing of thunder, dust was scattered everywhere, and although the impact caused a crater to be formed beneath…
They themselves were unharmed. They dusted themselves off and then Shadow shook his head. "Even your more powerful spells are being shot down? I'm very, very disappointed…"
"Did you REALLY think I was ever your friend?" Jake asked. "That I was just alright with having you as my sister? That I never resented you at all?"
Haley frowned. She didn't like where this was going, so she raised the book up…unfortunately Jake did too!
"AKUZETSU!" Jake shouted as Shadow held up all his claws. They pulsed with energy that shot out in a double helix beam of red…but Haley had her book glowing too!
"ATRAE!" Haley yelled out as Nightwing raised his clawed hands and sent forth double-helix waves of PURPLE energy. The two attacks collided in mid-air and they began a tug-of-war as one power tried to push back another.
"It's true that I used to care for you, Haley…I wanted to be on the Dragon Council…I was happy being the American Dragon and would have been overjoyed to make history…to make my family proud of me!" Jake told her. "But then…then you said you wanted to follow in my footsteps and to become a member of the council too!"
He frowned, gritting his fangs as his gigantic wings beat the air in anger. "But our lives were always different, even if we lived under the same house!" He shouted. "We were never truly EQUAL! You went to a fancy private school and outperformed me in Academics!"
Haley flinched slightly…
"You were a star in the ballet, an amazing musical performer, pretty and cute and talented in all sorts of arts! Nothing about us was equal!" Jake roared.
The blood-red wave of energy grew bigger…too big! It shot through Nightwing's attack and he was forced to jump back, carrying Haley out of the line of fire…but she was still bruised and battered, covered in dirt as the wind whipped around them all.
Nightwing held onto her soft skin, looking intently into her dark eyes with his own. "What's wrong with you! You have to keep fighting!"
"That power…there really was such a deep hatred in him…" Haley muttered. "I could FEEL it, Nightwing…"
Nightwing glared angrily at Jake and 086. Jake brushed some dirt off and went on.
"Even when it came to dragon powers…even then we weren't equal! Being the American Dragon was always MY thing…and everything else in the freakin' world was YOUR thing, Haley! For a long time I was happy because you didn't threaten my position…but then you started getting more and more competent! Do you have any idea how it FELT?!" Jake shouted. "My greatest talent was saving others through that skill…and you began to take even THAT away from me! And when I finally thought I'd proven myself and was going to become a council member, you dropped the bombshell that you wanted to be a council member too! It was like when you were first doing dragon training all over again!" Jake said, his body shaking as he transformed back into a human.
"You…everything you did…had always surpassed me before…except for being good at dragon duties…and you were going to surpass me then too? Take away the last happiness I had?!" Jake shouted, eyes filling with tears. "I COULD NEVER FORGIVE YOU FOR THAT!!!" He screamed. "MADOU!"
Shadow opened his jaws and a beam of light began to focus before him, like tiny sparks being drawn to a single point. Then they erupted and fired off a red blast…
But then Haley smiled defiantly and raised her own book. "ACERBUS!" She shouted.
BA-BA-BOOOM!
The two attacks collided and halted each other.
"Heh…so you hated me? I don't believe that for a second…because despite those times when you criticized me for being too "perfect"…you still saved me time and time again when I was in danger…and you were smiling all the while whenever we played together, or went out flying as a team to defend the magical world…there's a LIMIT to forced smiles…and a turning point when playing pretend must become the real thing! And I don't think for one minute that Jake truly hated me!" Haley laughed triumphantly, clasping one hand on her chest.
086 felt a twinge of annoyance enter his head. "…hrm…she's being more stubbornly resistant than I thought. Persistent wyrmling! No matter…it's important to always have a trump card, and I am no exception…"
Jake clenched his fists. "WINGS OF THE DRAGON!" he shouted, as wings sprouted from his back. He soared up into the air, taking a position on a natural pillar. 086 calmly floated by his side.
"Say, Haley…do you remember that incident? The day that we were revealed to be dragons to NYC?" He asked.
Haley gasped. No…could it be? It COULDN'T!
Jake brushed his hair back and spoke calmly. "It was drizzling on that day…you were approached by a news team and at first you thought it had to do with you being so famous for ballet…but then they started asking that you transform, and asking where you got your dragon powers from and you knew somebody had squealed. Your grandfather's shop was broken into and desecrated, your teacher Sun was frightened to be seen with you for fear of attack, yet she still continued to train you, outing HERSELF as a dragon as well…your friends were jealous of your powers and abandoned you…" He smirked. "Guess they weren't very good friends…were they? Not like MINE, who didn't care about my powers. In fact, if it wasn't for the assault of demons on NYC that you and I took part in, they would have continued to see us as nothing more than wyrms…but still, it proved to be the most awful year of your life…not a single one of your old friends came to your 13th birthday party…and you're STILL trying to regain their trust even today! Well guess what…"
He grinned evilly. "Guess who told? How inconsiderate of me not to cut you in on the cash!" He laughed. "The New York Times paid me handsomely for the story!"
Haley's eyes went wide. "…no…that's…that's impossible!!" She shouted. "You've got no PROOF!" She yelled.
"Oh, but I do…" Jake calmly removed a paper from his pocket and tossed it in a crumpled-up wad at Haley, who caught it in one hand. She opened it up and…
A contract agreement regarding a share of the profits for a story…a story about a dragon…
And there was Jake's signature next to Bill Keller, Executive Editor of the News department…
"…no…" Haley sobbed, tears streaming down her face as she covered her eyes with her hands, her body shaking. Nightwing turned to her, frowning slightly, as if wanting to say something but unsure of what words to use. "No-hoh-hohhh…"
"Somebody who always had everything going for her…could never understand the feelings of somebody like me…who had to work constantly just to gain a tiny foothold!" Jake screamed as he opened up his book again. "AKUSHIN!"
Shadow's mouth opened wide as his claws outstretched. Points of blood-red light form at both palms and before his mouth, and then they SHOT out in a large, orb-like burst of energy that was pulsing with black fire that ran up and down it like lightning.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaa!" Shadow laughed. "Ah, to damn somebody to Hell in a baptism of flame is so beautifully wonderful." He crooned. "I just get such a warm and fuzzy feelin' from it…what's the matter, fire dragon?!" He laughed. "Aren't your kind BORN on the outer regions of the PIT?"
There was no reply. Nothing but smoke was rising up from where Haley and Nightwing had been, obscuring his vision. He couldn't even smell them because the dust was filling his nostrils.
"Such a pathetic waste of life. You couldn't even call up a counter spell? Typical inferiority for those of the human species. Look for me in Hell, you little bi-"
Then his eyes narrowed angrily.
There, standing in front of Haley, arms outstretched, body bruised and bloody as red droplets streamed down from the entire front of his body…Nightwing stood there, baring his fangs, eyes filled with utter, pure HATE.
"Hmm…you stopped one of my highest spells with your body ALONE? Now THAT…takes guts." He smirked evilly. "But…" He added in a devious tone. "Your body's on the verge of death's door! You'll be in Hell soon enough, another victim of the King of Death…"
"You…need…to…shut…up…" Nightwing growled. And then he turned his eye and glared DIRECTLY into Haley's eyes. That piercing glare was the most horrifying thing she'd ever seen from him…
SMACK!
He struck her across the face, backhanding her and she tasted blood in her mouth as she hit the ground. Nightwing grabbed her by her collar, snarling as he glared into her eyes.
"What the hell is WRONG with you, you IDIOT?!?" He howled. "You let your brother talk to you just a couple times and already you're USELESS!? Is this all it takes to reduce you to a nervous wreck? A few nasty words?!" He hissed.
Haley didn't even have the heart to speak. She just let the tears fall down her cheeks.
"…HMPH." Nightwing tossed her to the ground, walking off. "I expected more from a fellow dragon. Fine. Do whatever the hell you want…I'll defeat this little sadist on my own."
Yet even as he stepped forward, Haley could see his body was trying to write checks that couldn't be cashed…he was shaking madly as the blood oozed down his body…
"You…are…going…to…DIE." He told 086. "And I…am going…to ENJOY it!"
"How amusing. This is going to be so much fun!" Shadow mused. "Jake, be a good little puppet and help me tear this idiot to pieces with some spells…"
"Makaze!" Jake read from the book. A blast of red energy shot out from 086's claws, but Nightwing batted it away and continued to walk closer, even though he was dragging his left and it was hard to lift his arms…
"I…will not lose…I will NOT die here…" He thought to himself. "My…honor…is on the line!"
Shadow raised an eyebrow. "I heard thaaaat." He said, snickering madly. "Jake?"
"Waruasobi!" Jake announced. Shadow calmly floated down in front of Nightwing and then did one of the most disgusting things ever…his long tongue shot out and wrapped around Nightwing's left arm, burning it with acid!
"AAA!" The black dragon screamed in pain…yet even still he continued to stand…
Haley couldn't cast any more spells…her heart simply wasn't into it anymore…there was only one way to save her partner, she reasoned. She held the book up.
"STOP!" She screamed.
Shadow let go of the dark dragon raising an eyebrow. "Hmm? What's THIS?" he asked.
"Don't hurt him anymore…" Haley sobbed, getting on her knees. "Burn the book, just…just don't hurt him anymore…"
Shadow let a wicked, pitiless smile cross his features. "Oh whoever said I wanted to simply BURN the books of my competitors? No, when a chance like this comes, I have to relish it. Jake…your sister's being cowardly. That's bad. That's worthy of punishment." He told Jake.
"Punishment is good, yo." Jake agreed. "Keep it real. Ice that bitch!"
Shadow batted Nightwing to the side with a harsh blow and advanced on Haley. He quickly slashed at her stomach and sent her to her reeling back as she held onto it, blood dripping out. Smirking, he calmly jumped into the air and KICKED her in the stomach and she fell straight onto her back.
His grin was the work of demons as he hummed and began calmly carving into her chest. "I see a window and I want it painted black…no colors anymore I want them turning black!" He sang out, laughing.
"You…sick…" Nightwing hissed.
"Now, now, you'll get your turn soon enough." Shadow crooned to him, turning his head briefly before he leaned in close to her neck. Then he grinned and bit in, drinking her blood…
Haley felt her life begin to slip away…this was it, it was over, she was dead, and Jake ha-
Jake had transformed his hands into the claws of a dragon and…
He…
Was…
Crying…
"Punishment…is…good…" He whispered softly, raising his claws. And then he struck his chest over and over again, sending out horrible splotches onto the ground.
Shadow stopped sucking from Haley's neck and turned around, eyes wide. "NO!" He howled. "What the devil do you think you're doing?!" He snarled, clenching his fist.
"This…is…good!" Jake sobbed as the blood streamed down his chest. "It's good…it's good…"
And then she could hear it…the TRUE Jake behind the façade…
"Haley…help me! I'm so cold and scared…please…get up! PLEASE!"
Haley's eyes widened as she rose to her feet, hope filling her.
"Stop that you little…" Shadow began. But before he could swear…
Haley whistled. Nightwing grinned, and held out one hand. He KNEW that whistle!
"ATRUM-PASSIM!"
THA-BA-WHOOOOOM! A dark force of black rain shot down from the sky, summoned forth by Nightwing. It SLAMMED into 086, and his eyes went wide with pain. His expression as the attack hit him was almost comical…eyes bugged out, mouth a perfect "o", hair standing slightly on end…
What WASN'T so comical was the freakish glare that he tossed at her as his dark eyes became filled with bloodlust.
"You hateful little BITCH! PATHETIC WYRMS!" He snarled. "I'LL SEND YOU TO HEEEEELLLLL!" He howled.
His normally calm demeanor had been replaced with utter fury and hatred. But Haley had regained her conviction…
"I told you, 086…I KNOW MY BROTHER!" She shouted.
"Little pest! I'll send you ALL to hell!" He laughed, raising two claws and mentally forcing his "partner" to cast another spell.
"AKUJI." Jake got out, even though blood oozed down from his chest even now, ruining his clothes. The machine-gun energy blasts rippled through the air, but Haley transformed into a dragon, her wings beating quickly as she whizzed along the ground, dodging the attacks. She was so close…so close…
…
…
…
… "Come on, hit me harder!" Nightwing urged. "You can't hold back when it comes to opponents who follow the path of the dark…myself included! HARDER!"
…
…
…
… "Stop closing your eyes when an attack comes your way!" He shouted, slapping her across the face. "You CAN'T close your eyes, not EVER! Look your opponent in the eye, scale-bearer! Be BRAVE!"
…
…
…
… "You must not think of yourself as dead, because you'll lose the passion that the living have. Nor must you think of yourself as alive, for those that live can be filled with fear. Transcend." He told her as he gently held her chin up. "Become a heavenly being of might that can sear evil with her flames and rend her foes asunder with her claws…take to the skies and become the dragon you are!"
…
…
…
…everything she'd done until now was for this…to free her brother…to pull him from the dark tunnel he was walking down through!
"STOP RESISTING!" Jake shouted. "Do you really want to take this happiness away!?!"
But Haley heard through those lies, smirking at the false face before her, hearing the true words.
"Harder, faster!" Jake was urging. "Please, Haley! Hurry!"
"You little SHIT! Why do you not stay DOWN!?!" Shadow snarled. "You're only HALF dragon! Half of nothing is still nothing!"
"Oh no you DI-IN'T!" Haley shouted, rising into the air and holding the book high. "UMBRA!"
THA-WOOSHA-WOOSHA!
Chains of dark energy surrounded Shadow, tying him down to the ground. He snarled in pain as they dug into his fur.
"GIIIYAAAAH!" He snarled. "How can you still…still STAND?! And fight against the one who revealed your true identity to all of NYC and made you a pariah to your friends?!" He demanded to know.
"Something just tells me…that contract's a fake." Haley laughed, ripping up the contract before his eyes.
"Like heck it would look like a fake, I copied the signature perfect-" Shadow hissed…
Then he stopped in mid-sentence. Oh F—K.
"Idiot." Nightwing laughed.
"Serves you right!" Haley shouted, eyes filled with triumphant defiance. "You can never TRULY manipulate a person's heart!" She shouted. "ESPECIALLY NOT SOMEBODY AS STRONG IN WILL AS MY BROTHER!!!" She roared with the fury of a thunderbolt that seemed to rip through the air.
Shadow screamed in pain as Nightwing concentrated even harder along with Haley and the chains dug in DEEPER. Now blood oozed out of the corner of his mouth. Finally he did the last resort of all villains…using his hostage.
Activating a mental bolt, he sent it out and Jake, eyes glassy, stepped off the tall column of stone he was on…
"HA! What will you do-" He began.
THA-WHOOOM!
Nightwing's jaws opened wide and he sent a breath of fire covering 086 in fire. Shadow screamed as Haley raced through the air on her wings, arms outstretched…
THWOMP.
She caught Jake as he fell and gently lowered him down to the ground as she turned her head to see Shadow breaking free of the chains and doing a last-ditch hand-to-hand attack on Nightwing. Shadow smirked evilly as his claws dug into Nightwing's shoulders and Nightwing grit his teeth.
"Physically, you are still weaker than I am!" He laughed. He slammed Nightwing down onto the ground and raised a claw. "Look for me in hell!" He proclaimed.
THRUCKA!
Nightwing's arm, which had been limp before, shot forth and grabbed his neck, squeezing tightly. Shadow gasped, finding his air supply cut off. It wasn't…POSSIBLE!
"It's more than possible." Nightwing said, eyes glinting like black diamonds, grinning broadly. "It's happening!"
He shoved Shadow back, and then SLAMMED his fist into Shadow's face. A horrible cracking noise told Shadow that his nose was broken, and he felt warm blood ooze down the front of his face to form on the ground with the rest of the blood from his body which glowed neon green.
It was over…or was it?
Haley frowned as Shadow laughed over and over as he lay in a blood puddle and Nightwing looked down on him.
"Happiness will never return to your brother…it's true, I manipulated him and created a dark version of what he was…and it's true that he'll return to "normal" when you burn my book…but…"
Shadow licked his lips. "The kind of person Jake is…he's so kind-hearted, so willing to help others. Knowing that he's responsible for the murders of others…and for the torture of his own sister…" Shadow smiled horribly. "How delicious his anguish shall be. Unlike the fanon line partners who will retain none of their memories, Jake will keep his experiences that he shared as my partner! He'll feel so horrible…he might even KILL himself! My only regret is I can't help him do it!" He laughed.
"I KNEW ALL ABOUT THAT!" Haley snarled, throttling him with her hands. Shadow was too shocked to stop her. "There's a reason I told those guys back at the ruins not to touch a hair on your sick head…I knew you were the only one with the power to return my brother to the way he was before he met you! I want you to return him to normal!" She demanded.
"…hmph….well…" Shadow looked to the side as Haley stood up and walked back to Nightwing, who glared at him. "Yes, I can erase memories with my psychic abilities…"
Then he stood up and grinned, thrusting his hands up into the air. "But I don't think somebody who's about to die will need my power! My final order, Jake!"
Jake was still clutching the book. He read out the very last spell…
"AMATSU-MIKABOSHI!" Jake shouted.
A HUGE orb of blood flowed around within an orb made of black glass, sizzling like acid as lightning split the air around the glass that was rising down from black clouds that 086 had called forth. It swirled around and then SHATTERED, as the bloody river poured forth, surging with chunks of the black glass interspaced through it, aiming to drown them in despair and cut their bodies to pieces…
But Haley simply raised her book and grinned.
"OMNIS-ACERBUS!"
THA-WHOOOOMMMMM!
The attack slammed into the river of blood, and a dome of black light grew bigger…bigger…it encompassed them all, blinding 086 as he snarled…
…
…
…
…it was dark for a long time. But then…at last…the darkness faded away…
And Shadow was on his back, covered in cuts and bruises all over his body as he lay in a pool of his own blood, gasping in pain. He couldn't move a muscle…and his attack had failed. It had been obliterated utterly by the "Omnis-Acerbus" attack.
"You…defeated me." He finally got out. He sighed. "I don't understand. I just don't. WHY?"
"Why do you do what YOU do?" Nightwing asked.
"What sort of question is THAT?" Shadow mumbled. "It's my nature!" He said.
"No…it's NOT." Nightwing said. "If there's one thing I am attuned to, it's dark energy. The darkness within you stems not merely from a pitiful acceptance of your lot, but also from personal loss…"
Shadow's eyes flashed. "You little FUCK! Don't you pry into my heart, I will-"
Nightwing and Haley's eyes gazed down at him, their eyes peering into his soul and he was silenced.
"…f-fine. You defeated my strongest spell. I suppose there's something to be said for the strength of human after all…alright. Your stupid little brother will be restored to normal…" He muttered. "If nothing else, I do keep my word."
Jake stirred…
…
…
…
… "Come on everyone, I saw it over here!" Pleakley shouted as he led everyone towards the region where that huge explosion had come from. And who should they find but Nightwing and Haley, covered in bruises and wounds?
"Woah. You were TRASHED, but…if you're still here, that means that 086 is history!" Nick reasoned.
"And what about you?" Haley asked. "You all look very worse-for-wear yourselves." She said, pointing at Nick. "Especially you and "Chops" over there."
Chops shrugged, then scratched his stomach. "We got by." He said simply. "Everyone joined in. It was really quite a sight."
"Heh…wish I coulda seen it." Haley said softly.
"You still haven't burnt 086's book?" Jenny asked, pointing at the tied-up Shadow, who was looking at the ground, mumbling curses under his breath.
"Yeah, we've got to make sure he return's my brother to normal. But don't worry…his book's as good as burnt." Haley insisted. "I'll use my own flames!" She said, transforming before their eyes and winking at them in her dragon form.
"AAAA! It's HE!" Crystallene and Morpholomew shouted, pointing at Nightwing, who had been flying above in the air and had now landed by Shadow. He took a look at them and gave them a chilling smile.
"He's just as creepy as ever…" Jenny mumbled.
"Oh right, you met them before." Nick said.
Pleakley gulped a little, then straightened himself up. "A-A-A dragon…impressive!" He said, eyes going wide in awe.
"Glad to see you're still alright." Haley told her. "You've all got great spunk! Wait…where's the little angel partner of that gerbil doctor?"
Dr. Rupert grit his teeth and clenched his fist. "…he…was loyal…and brave…to the very end…" He whispered. "Even as his book burnt to cinders…he protected the ones he cared for with a spell that sent one of the Legendary Beasts back…"
"And my own partner Link was sent back some time ago as well." Pleakley said. "…I'm…gonna…miss that little guy!" He said, covering his eye with his hands.
Haley frowned slightly. "Oh…" Then she looked to the side. "I'm sorry."
"…too bad. They were both interesting." Nightwing admitted. "That Link was funny…and Page always stuck to his convictions…I do admire that in someone." He said softly, nodding his head.
"561's voice makes me wanna pee my pants all over again!" Morpholomew moaned, covering his eyes.
Heartwing gazed intently at his rival. The two stared deeply into each other's eyes, then nodded at the same time, as if reaching some strange understanding.
"Well, it's time we got going…my parents are worried sick about Jake and I…" She smiled as Nightwing rose up into the air, holding onto Shadow. "I hope I get to see you around sometime…don't be strangers, okay?" She said happily as she rose into the air after him on her wings. "Take care!" She said before she and Nightwing and their "prey" were nothing more than rapidly-vanishing dots in the sky.
Dr. Rupert spoke up, taking a deep breath. "Everyone…I'm…proud of all of you. We have cause to cry because of the sacrifice some good souls made, but…this is also reason to celebrate. We protected the world from 086's evil…and truly made a stand against dark and dangerous forces. I want all of you…" He pointed at the experiments one by one. "To strive to become good kinds, to do all you can to retain the fighting spirit you've got now! And…" He grinned and winked. "I'm gonna help you whenever I can, whether you want me to…or NOT!"
"Yes! I'll work hard and prove myself! I will become a just and fair champion!" Chops insisted, clasping one fist over his chest.
"Yeah! And I'm gonna become somebody who will fill the lab with smiles and laughter!" Morpholomew said.
"I se convertirá en alguien que utilizar mi habilidad musical para llenar mi casa con alegría!" Carmen said.
"Carmen says she'll become somebody who fills her home with joy thanks to her music!" Jenny translated.
"I'll become strong and brave, a real role model!" Crystallene said. "Pinkie swear!" She laughed, raising her pinkie.
"I shall become a protecting champion who will stand up for others!" Trainer proclaimed.
"And I'll do everything to help you reach that goal." Kim said, nodding.
"Ban-ban-ban-ban!" Heartwing said, raising a fist into the air and swinging it around.
"Little dude is saying he'll make Ovni proud and become somebody who's efforts will vindicate the 400 line!" Dude announced.
"Woah? Really?" Nick asked.
"Yep! Either that, or something about cake." Dude spoke.
Heartwing rolled his eyes.
"Hey…you freed us fanon liners. I wanna thank you, but I gotta last request." Kila said. "But…well…er...I kinda…"
"I understand." XR said, speaking up. "Kila…I support this if it is what you truly want, okay?" He said gently.
"…alright. Guys…" She held up her book. "Burn my book, alright guys? This isn't my fight…it used to be, but not anymore. So…couldja?"
"But…you're so nice…" Nick said softly.
"Yes, you're a good-hearted person and you're very strong…maybe somebody like you deserves this chance!" Chops reasoned.
"Look, trust me, this is for the best." Kila said. "XR and I are BOTH linked to the book…and we've gotta get going home…the others are waiting for us. Even if 100 years have passed…I know they're still waiting."
She held XR's hand. "Go ahead…we're gonna be fine."
"…you love him, don't you? That's why you chose him as your partner." Chops said softly.
Kila blinked in surprise…then nodded, and hugged XR tightly.
"He's the BEST partner ever!!!" Kila said happily, squeezing him.
"What can I say? She…she digs me…" XR said, laughing slightly as he hugged her back . "I'm gonna miss you guys too…you're fun!"
"You're a swell buncha guys…I hope we meet again!" Kila said.
"Alright…I'll burn your book." Dr. Rupert said, pulling out a lighter. He lit their book up, and they watched as XR and Kila began to vanish into tiny dots of light that were fading into the heavens.
"We couldn't have won if it wasn't for you!" Chops insisted. "Thank you!"
"Mahalo for everything!" Dude said.
"I'm gonna miss you, girlfriend!" Crystallene said softly.
"You…take care of yourself…alright?" Nick said, wiping his eyes.
"B-b-byyyyyeeeee…" Heartwing sobbed, tears streaming down his eyes. Kila gently kissed him on the snout, and he blushed nervously.
"We all feel the same…thank you…" Dr. Rupert said softly, looking down and covering his eyes with his arm.
She and XR vanished into the sky…
"Thank you both…" They all whispered.
A few moments later, Dr. Rupert nodded. "This is it…" He said. "Now a true challenge begins. But I believe that every single one of you experiments of my dear colleague and friend has the courageous conviction to become champion! So don't you muck it up, alright?" He demanded of them, clenching his fist.
"Everyone, hands in! Let's do this the old fashioned way." Nick said, holding out his hand.
One by one, all of the experiments and their partners put their hands in. "We're all ohana now…so let's proclaim it to the skies on three! One…two…three!"
"OHANA!" Everyone shouted happily, holding their hands up to the heavens…
And so, Pleakley paid for the necessary plane tickets to send the others to their respective homes. One by one they all said goodbye to return to their lives.
And as for Haley, Jake, Nightwing and 086…well…
086 was true to his word and erased Jake's memories. Then his book was burnt and he found himself back in the lab…
Facing down Jumba and other experiments who had been sent back.
"I am very…disappointed in you, 086." He said softly. "VERY disappointed."
"But…but Jumba, I…I was so close, I…fulfilled the function you gave me…" Shadow gasped, eyes filling with fear. He knew, he KNEW what Jumba intended to do.
"That function was a mistake." Jumba continued. "You are a serial-killing experiment…made out of anger and frustration…and too late have I realized that you are barely able to be controlled. You manipulated your own partner…you cannot be trusted to follow my orders or to improve in time. I told the other experiments they were to WORK with their partner as best they could, and not to fool around with their minds and hearts!" He shouted, slamming his fist into his worktable.
Shadow took a step back, shaking his head. No, no, no…
"And so…you leave me no choice but to remove your consciousness and place it in a new body…" Jumba announced, standing up and pointing at Shadow.
God of Death, no! This couldn't be happening! Before Shadow could do anything, his weakened body was grabbed by the throng of experiments and he was forced into a chair, strapped in hard as needles stabbed into his bloodstream and head. He felt them JAB into his very brain and his consciousness was slowly fading…
Jumba walked off to go behind a computer console and pressed a button a new experimental body rose up from a platform below the floor. Shadow shook his head violently. NO, NO, NO! Not such a weak, pathetic body! "NOOOO!" He howled as he felt his life begin to ebb away…
"Cousin…dear cousin…"
He felt a warm hand upon his arm and he gasped. All was dark around him, yet he could see that foolish choir boy's presence as clear as day…glowing brightly…
"I will grant you a kindness, cousin." Page told him. "You won't remember the monstrosities you committed because I will split your soul…the light from the dark."
He felt Page's eyes gaze into him and found he couldn't look away…a moment later two wisps of smoke arose from Shadow's mouth, forming into tiny orbs…one black, one white.
"Your light shall enter this new experiment and give it life…you will be reborn and have a chance to live a life of TRUE happiness…" Page said. "Your darkness I shall cast away…hope for the sake of all things that it doesn't find a new home and that it stays within the abyss forever."
The black orb faded into the abyss around Shadow as his vision slowly faded…and then…darkness.
…
…
…
…warm…life…
Where am I? WHO am I?
"Ah. Hello, 086. I am your creator, Jumba Jookiba."
"086? Th…that's my name?"
"Designation. And your name…I know! You will be called…Clink!"
…
…
…
…Haley smiled just before she turned the doorknob to her brother's room. She'd brought 086 before the Dragon Council and he'd been forced to explain what he'd made Jake do. They had absolved Jake of what he had done and had been reduced to tears when Haley had told them of how Jake had almost killed himself in trying to resist Shadow's cruelty. There would still be a spot for him on the council…and above all, nobody would ever speak of what had happened to him. EVER.
Jake himself was now lying in bed when Haley opened the door and he smiled at her. "Haley! What's happenin-hap?" He asked.
"I'm doing alright." She insisted. "What about you, dude?"
He laughed. "Fine, fine! I heard the council's welcoming me into their fold with open arms! Off the HOOK, yo! But…" He frowned. "I heard that some people set fire to a huge part of Central Park and that magical involvement was suspected…I should have been there to stop it!" He said, clenching his fist. "I'm still Am-Drag, yo!"
"It's alright, somebody got behind you and you were cold-cocked…at least, that's what I heard." Haley said in a supportive fashion, holding his shoulder. "You should be happy Jake…you're going to be on the council…your real life is beginning!"
But just before she could leave, Jake spoke up.
"Haley, wait…"
She stopped in mid-stride.
"You saved me, didn't you? You saved me again!"
Haley's eyes became wide as she turned around and saw Jake was standing up in bed, looking very pained.
"I remember…I was alone in darkness, but then I felt you calling out to me! I don't know who knocked me out, but I KNOW…" He smiled happily. "I know you're the one who saved me from being lost forever in that horrible cold! I…" Tears of joy sprung to his eyes. "I can't thank you enough, Haley…I…I…"
Finally he couldn't take it anymore. He leapt out of bed and the two hugged tightly.
"I…I love you so much…" Haley whispered back. "I don't know what I'd do if…if…"
"You don't have to say anything!" Jake insisted. "I understand, alright?...I understand…"
…
…
…
… Nightwing was calmly sitting outside on the curb of the street just outside of the Long family home. He was looking up at the sky, slowly blinking his eyes as he waited for his partner to finish up. And then…
"561…Nightwing…"
He turned his head. "Hmm?"
"Why…did you ask Shadow what you asked him? Why do YOU want to be a champion?" Haley asked quietly as she approached.
"…I was like him." 561 admitted. "I was selfish and idiotic." He said, standing up and looking at the sky. "I believed only in doing evil because it was my nature, and that I had too much darkness in me to ever be good. But I was worse than he was…he had a chance at true happiness in the beginning, but because he lost it, chose the path of darkness. I…walked the dark path from the beginning, accepting it as my fate instead of looking for light the way Shadow had once done. But then…as I began to spend time with you and learn your story, I understood…"
He turned to Haley and nodded. "You became stronger so you wouldn't be shamed by monsters like him. And that…is something I have come to respect. Those who fight hard for their convictions…who give their heart and soul for the sake of a grand ideal, or for the sake of others…that is admirable."
Haley took him by the shoulder and stared right into his eyes. "I…will make you the champion!" She swore. "I don't care what comes my way or who we have to beat down…I swear I'll do EVERYTHING I can to help you reach the top!" She shouted.
"…and I'll help you." He said softly, taking her hand.
Slowly they walked off, away from the house. Jake had heard everything from his room and he smiled as he watched Nightwing walk off with his sister.
"He's a lonely person…but he's somebody who's just beginning to discover the blossoming kindness within them." Jake thought to himself. "And that will help him become somebody who's truly strong…he'll become a real dragon, a true guardian of that which is most precious…"
…
…
…
… "Sigh…"
Nick sighed happily as he leaned back in his chair. "Nothing like being fighting off a experiment that would happily eat you for lunch to make you appreciate school!" He thought to himself. "I mighta missed a few days of classes, but I don't mind asking my classmates for the material that the upcoming test will be on!"
"Alright, everyone, take your seats!" A voice announced.
Nick gasped at the sight of who it was…
The Inhuman Racist, Mr. Honikouule!
"What…the?!" Nick gaped.
"That's riiiight! It's me, Mr. Grey! The "Inhuman" Mr. Honikouule!" The teacher laughed.
"EEK! Did he read my MIND!?" Nick gasped.
"And don't bother trying to ask your classmates for the test material." The teacher told him. "Because…"
He grinned evilly. "I haven't taught the subject matter to anyone in this class!"
"WHAAAAAT?!?" Everyone shouted.
"Are you TRYING to get fired again!?" Nick asked. "I can't BELIEVE they let you back into the school system!"
"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You're all going to get zeroes! And it's no use complaining, because I have a powerful ally!" He laughed. "The Hawaiian as a Second Language Teacher, Ms. Edmonds!"
"MOM!?!" Myrtle shouted.
"Oh yes!" Mrs. Edmonds said, entering the class and smiling happily at them all. "I KNOW what's going to be on the test…but none of you are going to find out. Not even you, Myrtle." She said.
"AAA! My mom's gone Benedict Arnold!" Myrtle shouted, covering her eyes.
"…yep. Nothing like fifteen minutes of school to make you appreciate being attacked by a psychotic man-eating experiment." Nick thought to himself.
CREDITS:
Dr. Rupert sits on a hill, looking up at the stars. He then slowly lowers his head as a single tear drops down his cheek…and then the ghostly form of Page brushes it away. He looks over at it and it smiles happily before vanishing.)
Ieji wo isogu nagareru hitogomi…
doko ka de yori michi nanka shite!
nante koto nai basho datte ii kara…
mou sugoshi hanashitetai yo!
(Haley and Nightwing sit underneath a tree as the stars twinkle. Haley is fast asleep and Nightwing calmly brushes some hair out of her eyes, looking her over.)
Taaanoshi sugiru toki hodo,
haaaayaku sugite iku mono!
Yoru ga chikazuku…shizuka na kouen…
kyou no nukumori sagashiiiiteru!
(Nick sits on top of his roof, clutching his book to his body as he sees the faces of the fanon line experiments they've beaten up in the stars…)
Nanigenai kotoba datte taisetsu ni shitai!
Nanigenai itami datte zutto mamoritai!
Itsuka kitto kakegaenai…
mono ni kawaru sono hi madeeeee!
(Chopsuey slowly walks down the road, his Mohawk swaying back and forth, his eyes impossible to see in the darkness…)
Meguri yuku kisetsu no naka,
samishisa ni furete…
bokutachi wa itsuka hontou no,
itoshisa shiru no daroouuu…
(He looks up at the roof at his book keeper and smiles, jumping onto a telephone pole and then jumping to the roof to sit next to him. He begins to identify different stars to Nick…)
Hito wa mina okubyou dakara,
yume wo miru no ka naaa?
Hito wa mina kodoku dakara,
ai wo sagasu no ka naaaa?
Kitto chigau…basho de kimi mo…
onaji tsuki wo miteru yo neeeee!
(A brown-haired, grey-furred experiment watches from from a hilltop far away. He smiles gently as his hair is blown in the wind. Then he turns around and begins to walk away as the stars twinkle gently above.)
"I can't wait to tell the others…"
Author's Note:
And so, Season Two ends! I'm amazed at how far this story has gotten and the RESPONSE to it. It started out as a tribute with a hint of parody towards great L&S artists AND to Zatch Bell and the Kioko's "Chronicles" and it became something even more...an amazingly deep fantasy story filled with friendship, laughs and lots of adventure!
And the story's still not finished! I won't give too much away, but there's even more great stuff to come...so stay tuned, and don't forget to read and review! :)
