The Grand Final
Chapter 35: Absorption
"This is quite the reunion," stated Kareem. "And yet you remain stone faced Shade. Too bad; you're so much less fun than you used to be before you became a criminal. Back then you were full of life and spirit; a vibrant being. Now look at what you have become."
The enemy made no response but whipped out his Cerinian weapon and shot Fire Projectiles at both rulers. The lupines managed to barely dodge them. "Careful there, you almost killed us there," stated Arielle. The coyote then used his special Energy Beam technique on the rulers. This also almost got them.
"For once listen to us!" yelled Kareem. "Stop this!" The enemy's response was a Ground Quake from his weapon. The male and female wolf somehow were able to avoid the attack.
"You're just as strong as before. No, I'd say even stronger," said Arielle as both rulers got to their feet. The two then had to dodge another special Energy Beam technique from Shade. The wolves jumped back and then whipped out blasters that had been brought with them. They fired, but the coyote just deflected the blasts with his Cerinian weapon.
"Then answer this!" stated Kareem. "Why would you recruit all of those followers to help you in your quest? Back in the day you used to barely want to work with others. You would almost scoff at the idea of team work. But actually you secretly wanted to, didn't you? You wanted to have help."
Shade's eyes widened in even greater anger. The coyote then used the speed booster technique to disappear. This shocked the two wolves fighting him. "Where is he?!" growled Arielle. The rulers then sensed him from behind and jumped forward to avoid a sword slice from him. The High King and Queen turned to face Shade.
"It is simply because I knew in order to kill both of you I would need the help," stated the coyote. "Even with my power as is it can't hope to defeat all of you. And to further my goal of becoming a perfect being even without Sakura at my side."
"A perfect being?" asked Kareem. "Nobody is perfect. And don't expect to win this fight easily. Not when you're fighting us."
"Perhaps," stated the enemy. "But I'm not like them. Still it was worth gathering all of them. All for the sake of revenge. It all started long ago with my parents after I gained the first half of my Cerinian weapon. You Kareem sent them on a mission which resulted in their death. Learning upon this I gained the power of my release. I swore then and there to kill both you and Arielle for it. But I needed others. Krew was the first to join me. That lupine was a fine soldier in your army. He had the promise of becoming great. But then after losing his left arm in a mission he learned he would be discharged. Angered by this and knowing about me, he went rouge, killing his commander and fellow troops. By fixing his arm, I gained a loyal follower."
"Sqeak Fola was the only non Cerinian under me. He earned his Cerinian weapon after being tested if he was worthy thanks to what he did as a brilliant mechanic. But then he began to experiment on actual live species, trying to turn them into machines. In the struggle of being banished his left eye was lost. Derek Rims and Mark were both top biological researchers that had Albert underneath them. When they started doing illegal experiments on live species you two found out what they were up to. Derek managed to escape but Mark was killed. Albert was elsewhere at the time. That husky went to me knowing I would be able to protect him. Mark found us soon after that."
"I had my doubts when they told me what they had been working on. But with them and Albert's help, they began to work on Drodoros for use in the first war against you. Along the way we found Osmar, Lamon, Dirving, and Alexis. As for Ditores I found him and the situation he was living in. Thanks to that I was able to discover what Thika could do. I had him murder his father. Had she not gained her release, he would have been able to kill his mother and bring Thika to me since she could tell which part Cerinians had the potential for a release."
"Shuren and Beyond Bill were the next to join us. There's not much to say about that ram. He became a serial killer after growing up in an abusive home. But Shuren was different. He was an instructor at Skyfall until he became a murder and thief. It was I who found out his hidden, dark desires that turned him into that. But when he was discovered, that avian was cornered. Leaping to his death, I took him and swapped him out with a body that had been prepared by Derek. Nobody could tell the difference."
"Yuri Claw and Chaz would join us next. The lupine would become The Horned Wolf King after being banished by your father. Seeking to find immortality, he kidnapped other species. The results made his body weather and age. He was banished after this. Chaz merely joined me for greater power. Netami was one who went rouge and joined Andross after leaving this system who gave her the power to transform. When he was killed, she came to me."
"Alice was like that as well. But it was different for General Skull. He once had someone to love. But she was murdered. This caused him to gain his release. And swear revenge on those who had murdered her. He killed them which drew my attention. He joined up with me to make others go what he was going through. Finally as for Jason and Sakura, I'm sure you've heard of their tales from others."
"So all if it comes together," stated Kareem. "You using other's pain or desires to your advantage. Not that it matters. We'll see you dead like them now!" He and his wife moved and Shade was caught off guard for the first time by their speed. The two wolves were that strong and powerful. The shots from their blaster hit the coyote in the chest where his heart was. Shade gasped in pain and clutched the area that had been shot.
"Hiita's Rage; second state!" he growled. From underneath the golden armor came a spot like pattern. It caused his wounds to get healed up as these moved and covered his arms. The coyote glared at both rulers.
"You are no match for both of us," said Arielle. "Your time is at an end. We will end this. And now we'll make sure you can't fight off this!" Both wolves shot at the coyote with incredible speed before whipping out sword beams both colored green. They used the speed booster technique to get close and stab Shade in multiple areas. The enemy groaned in pain as blood came out of the multiply wounds.
"With this, it's over," commented Kareem. "May you go straight to hell." They didn't notice the blood that had dripped out suddenly moved weirdly. "You will suffer the pain of the millions of lives you've ruined."
Suddenly Shade's body twitch causing both wolves to jump back and gasp in shock. "Hiita's Rage; third state!" spat the enemy. His spotted pattern turned to hooked lines that moved to cover his entire body. All the wounds he had healed up completely. His Cerinian energy came out; it was black mixed with gold. This then disappeared.
"You honestly think that you two would be able to still kill me?" asked Shade. "Sorry, but I'm not going anywhere!"
"How is it possible that you could survive that?!" asked Arielle.
"Did you honestly think that only those on your side were capable of getting stronger?! I told you two, I intend on becoming the perfect being even without Sakura by my side!" Kareem and his wife didn't say anything but got ready for a fight. They knew that this coyote could now take them on in this state of his release.
Meanwhile Nicholas's group were still working their way towards Shade. "Are you sure this is the right way?" asked Luna.
"He's close," stated the part Cerinian. "I can sense it." The group then walked through a doorway. The same one Kareem and Arielle had gone through to get to Shade. They all took a look around.
"Just what is this place?" asked Fara.
"One, two, three, four, five; all six of you are here," said a voice. Everyone jumped and looked to see Shade. "You came just in time."
"Wha; who the hell is that?!" asked Fox. The non Cerinian vulpine looked back and forth between the coyote and Nicholas. "His eyes... those lines… they're like…"
"Yes," responded the part Cerinian. "That's Shade."
"What?!" stated Krystal. "Are you sure?!"
"It is him," said Luna. "I've seen him face to face. But he's different."
"That has to be his third level of release," commented Nicholas. "This is the first time I've seen it. Which means that somebody has come in here."
"You must mean them," said the enemy and pointed over his shoulder. The group looked and saw the High King and Queen chained up. The two wolves were defeated.
"Kareem! Arielle!" shouted Nicholas. The rulers regained conciseness.
"So you guys have come," said the older lupine. "You'll have to excuse our sorry appearance."
"What is going on here?" asked Wolf.
"It's not complicated really," replied Arielle.
"Be careful to mind your place," commented Shade with a growl. "I plan to kill both of you eventually, but I can do so now if you prefer."
"So you two came in here and fought against him?" asked Nicholas. Both rulers just nodded. "Well you certainly are strong if you've had to make him got to the third state of his release."
"That's enough talking," stated the enemy. "And now; greetings to the six of you. My pretty sacrifices. Welcome to my castle; please make yourselves at home."
Those in the group went on guard. "Listen, don't think you've won just because you've got all of us here," went the part Cerinian vulpine. "We're not going to sit back and let you sacrifice us!"
"You're words will do nothing to alter your fate," responded Shade.
"We'll see about that!" shouted Nicholas and launched his energy beam technique. The coyote simply dodged the blow. Everyone else in the group began to attack as well.
"It's futile!" stated the enemy as he dodged these as well. The part Cerinian charged in already in the first state of his release. Both weapons they had met in a clash. The coyote's eyes widened as he realized just how much stronger Nicholas had gotten with all of the fighting the vulpine had gone through. Strong enough to pose an actual threat to him. Just as the part Cerinian fox was meant to be.
"Well look at that!" stated Nicholas. "Seems I'm finally at your level!" His attacks were fast and powerful, enough to knock Shade back a few steps. The coyote's sword was flashing like there were four of them at once. Just like with the vulpine's Fists of Cerinia. Everyone else didn't know if they should help or if they would get in the way of this fight. After some blows Nicholas jumped back. The rest of the group took the opportunity to attack as well.
Yelling out Fox, Krystal, and Fara used the special Energy Beam techniques. Shade deflected each one away from his body but then had to dodge the next whip that the pure Cerinian sent at him since her technique allowed her to do it more than once. Some techniques were like that. Cackling, the coyote used the energy beam technique and launched it towards Krystal. The vixen was barely able to dodge this. But before Shade could make another move, Nicholas came back in and both Cerinian weapons the enemy and the vulpine had clashed. "Hiita's Rage; second state!" shouted the part Cerinian. The bite marks came out and the attacks Nicholas had got stronger. After some blows Shade managed to cut his opponent from the right waist to the right arm by ducking. The blood gushed out from Nicholas who groaned loudly with pain.
Seeing this Fara charged in with a shout and her sword met Shade's with a clash. This jarred the vixen's arms since she wasn't use to such an opponent like the coyote. But this provided the time needed for Nicholas. "Hiita's Rage; third state," he growled. The lines changed and spread across his entire body, increasing his strength and healing the wound he had gotten. Fara then jumped back so that Wolf and Luna could try their luck. Their blasters fired shot after shot. Shade just deflected all of these with his Cerinian weapon. The shots ended up hitting the walls of the room. Then it was Fox and Krystal's turn with fire projectiles. Shade simply dodged these. He then looked up and smiled.
"It appears the time is upon us," stated the enemy. "Hiita's Rage; final state." His lines moved and covered his entire body before retreating. The fur on top of his head and hair except the white part had become an orange color. The rest of the fur had changed to light green. A field of energy appeared around him colored black and golden. Suddenly chains came out from the ground and caught the six who had the spirits inside of them, holding them in place. The foxes and wolves tried to break free, but to no avail. "I'm done playing around. It's time to put you to work, my sacrifices."
Outside those who were fighting were noticing how dark it was getting. Even the dinosaurs from Sauria who had been fighting against Shade's forces the whole time and were at the main castle. They could see the sun being covered by the moon. This was unexpected since nobody thought a solar eclipse would happen today. "It's finally time," stated Shade. From his ship, something let out a beat, like a gigantic heart. Everyone fighting could feel it. It caused them and the droids to stop as they wondered what it was. The very earth began to tremble. "Tell me, have you ever wondered how much power a single Krazoa Spirit has? Actually a better question would be how much power one could obtain if he or she got all six inside of their body. Just like with Andross when he revived himself. Have you ever considered it? Think about it."
Nicholas let out a gasp as he did. "That's right," stated the coyote. "And now that I have you gathered, I shall use the energy you have fused with them to take the spirits and put them inside of me!"
Suddenly Kareem and Arielle emerged, having somehow broken their bindings. They tried to stop the coyote. But the enemy merely sent the older wolves flying back with a strike of his sword. Shade started to cackle evil as a device emerged from the ground of the ship where he was at. It was designed like the same one that had held Krystal long ago. "The power they have, is now mine!" shouted the coyote and placed his weapon on the machine. Lighting colored red began to shoot out of the device and cause the area to shake. Shade began to laugh.
"Evil bastard!" shouted Kareem. But it was too late to stop the enemy. The eyes of those who held the spirits changed to a light blue color with no pupils, just like the Krazoa's eyes. The lighting became greater along with the shaking of the earth. Those fighting outside wondered what was going on. Meanwhile a force field appeared around Shade, different from the one in his final state. It appeared as a bubble of red colored energy. The lighting was then directed toward this. Nicholas suddenly yelled out as the spirit inside of him was extracted. It then happened with the others. The spirits were slowly pulled toward Shade. The shaking increased even more as the coyote laughed with wonder. The energy from this was keeping Kareem and Arielle down so they couldn't do anything.
"Fight for me!" said the enemy. "Let those spirits fight for my soul! Shed your energy for me! What truly magnificent energy! Its immensity is indescribable! I can barely contain it! Now that I have enough power, I will use it to fuse the Krazoa to me!"
Those outside felt the effects of this and were knocked to their feet. A feeling a dread went through the bodies who weren't machines. The droids just looked towards the ship of Shade, wondering what was going on. Inside the coyote saw all six Krazoa materialize in a circle around him. Though they weren't as tall, it was them. The enemy let out a yell that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth, he had that much power behind it. "Hear me Krazoa!" shouted Shade. "I demand you answer the cry of my soul! Come to me!" The beings slowly began to get pulled towards the coyote. "Join me! Yes! With this I will gain greater power! I'll pull all of you down and into my very bones! You have no choice but to be absorbed!" With a shout the Krazoa touched Shade and were absorbed. There was a blinding flash of white light.
Back in the room, the six along with Kareem and Arielle had been knocked out. Nicholas stirred before groaning and letting out a couple of coughs. The vulpine suddenly rose up and checked to see if he was alright. Everyone else also regained consciousness and stood up. "Is everyone okay?" asked Kareem.
"You have done well, my sacrifices," went the voice of Shade. Everyone turned and saw the coyote sitting on his thrown. Their eyes went wide with shock at the change in appearance. His eyes were the same and so was the fur color. But below the eyes were two marks of gold. One was at each outer most corner and the others were below the inner most ones. Beneath the head piece was another piece of jewelry that was flat at the top and came to two point that was over the eyes. The robe that the Krazoa wore was right below the chest piece. But the pants could be seen.
"You mean you actually did it?!" asked Arielle.
"I have done what I set out to do. Acquire each of the Krazoa. Like Andross did which I learned from Netami. I planned this after the first war knowing I could get stronger this way."
"That's impossible!" stated Fox.
"Unfortunately, it looks like it is," replied Krystal. "This time without using me or my power to channel them."
"Bastard!" snarled Nicholas and moved to attack. Shade tapped his right pointer finger on the arm rest of his thrown and a wave of clear colored energy appeared and passed through the other species. The part Cerinian vulpine realized nothing was going to happen. "Damn you!"
"You're powers will do you no good here," stated the coyote. "Farewell all of you." He raised his right paw up and a small sun began to form in it.
"What are you… what is that?!" asked Fara.
"With the Krazoa I'm a god. Which means I can do anything. For instance I can create a sun right here in the palm of my paw. Shall I turn its flame loose in here? What do you think?" Suddenly Shade's eyes went wide with shock and everyone heard something beat from within the body of the enemy.
"Your plan of binding the Krazoa to you was a flawed one," stated Nicholas. "We plotted against you the moment you set your plain in motion." The beat sound was heard again. "I figured something was going on to make us gather them. That's why I conversed with the one I had inside of me."
"So what if you did?!" asked Shade. "One spirit along won't stop me!"
"They can if that one tells the others to fight against you!" shouted the part Cerinian vulpine. Everyone suddenly noticed veins appear on the body of the enemy.
"Even now you think you can stop me?! You're a fool Nicholas McCoy!"
"That's the reason why I was born! To defeat you for good!" Suddenly Shade let out groans and from his body came red colored lighting. The coyote clenched his right paw and made the sun he had formed disappear. The enemy then yelled out as from his body came different colored energy. It was the ones that had been stolen from Nicholas, Fara, Fox, Krystal, Wolf, and Luna. This energy then flowed back to where it belonged. They then looked to see Shade had the veins covering his entire body. It was also steaming as well.
"What happened?" asked Wolf.
"The energy he stole from us has returned," explained Nicholas. "Also all six Krazoa inside his body are fighting to break free. And with nothing but his own energy to hold them in check, I doubt he can control them for long."
Shade let out a shout. "I can always… find others… to steal their energy!" panted the coyote. "I'm not through! I will kill all of you!" The enemy used the Energy Beam technique.
"Hiita's Rage; final state!" shouted Nicholas. His body changed and the part Cerinian vulpine deflected the attack. The evil coyote yelled out and jumped forward to attack. The other five who once had the spirits shouted and launched their own attacks. Shade just took on these and when the attacks collided with the enemy's body, a red colored shield came out. These however, did knock him back and destroy the thrown that he had once sat on.
"How do you like that?" asked the part Cerinian vulpine. "You're little thrown has been reduced to rubble! Now I think it's time somebody put you in your place! So I'm going to take you down for good this time!"
The six began to attack. But the shield that Shade had kept popping up. "Keep it up!" shouted Nicholas. "Make him use up his energy!"
"And when the hell will that be?!" asked Luna.
"I'm not sure! But we have to keep trying!"
Shade seemed to think that for the coyote suddenly used the speed booster technique to escape to the outside. By this point, the eclipse was over. And so was the fighting outside. But only a few clone troopers had made it to the ship. The coyote raised his left paw to about chest height and flexed his fingers. The clones shouted out and grabbed their throats as red colored lighting passed between them and the enemy's digits. In a few seconds, all of their energy had been drained, killing these troops. But it wasn't enough.
"He's gone outside to steal even more energy!" Arielle realized. Not wasting a moment, the rulers and the rest of the group quickly followed after Shade. They were able to find the coyote easily. And so were some more clone troopers. They could see the enemy was trying to take their energy. Without thinking Wolf and Luna shot at Shade, stopping the process. The clones gasped for breath.
"It's over Shade!" stated Kareem. "We won't let you kill any more people!"
"What good are they but to die?" asked Shade.
"Without them, nothing can be created in this world!" exclaimed Arielle. "You think you have reached a perfect state! But you have done nothing but destroy! You've reached a dead end!"
"I can create!" responded the coyote. "Shall I create a new body for Sakura and the others who have been killed to inhabit?"
This caught everyone off guard. They watch Shade raise his paws up. Before their eyes they could see Sakura and all of those who had once been followers of the coyote appear before them. "No… this is…" stated Kareem.
"Impossible…" said Fara as she saw everyone who had been fought and killed standing before them. Nicholas notice Shade give an evil smirk.
"YOU FUCKER!" shouted the part Cerinian vulpine. The ones new revived made no move to attack but moved as the enemy brought his Cerinian sword at the ready and launched a massive Energy Beam at the group. These other species moved as quickly as they could as the light of the colored energy from the attack cover their eyes.