Chapter 35: The Ground Shakes

Sakura and Ino were cut off from Hinata and Julie-Su by a wall of fire.

"HINATA!" shouted Ino as she and Sakura stood on their end and seeing Hinata and Julie-Su ready to fight against Cyrax and Sektor.

"Ladies." Announced Banjo to the two, causing the two to turn and look at him." We've got company." Then all three looked across the battlefield and saw Reptile making his way over to them.

He walked with a long stride, covering a foot or so with each step. His back was straight and his arms moved firmly by his side. Then he set his foot down and stopped several feet away from them. Then his eyes scanned the three.

"My first offer." He said." If you retreat now I will not peruse you."

"We're not backing down." Said Banjo stepping forward. Reptile gave a small nod, his eyes once again fell over to Ino and Sakura.

"My second offer is to the ladies." He said. The two perked up slightly as he spoke to them." Leave now and no harm will come to you." Despite his appearance Reptile was in every aspect a gentleman but he knew today he would have to excuse that habit because today was all business.

"We're not backing down." Said Sakura as she stepped up next to Banjo. Ino unraveled her whip laying it out along the ground.

"As you wish." Said Reptile. Then he slowly brought up his hands and entered his fighting stance.

"If anything." Spoke up Ino with a confident smirk." You should be giving up." She added pointing to him." Your outnumbered three to one, it's a losing battle for you."

"You think so?" asked Reptile very casually. Ino nodded still confident.

But then Reptile slid his leg along and ground and towards them. The earth before him began to shake, and then a large wall of rock columns shot up at them.

The three quickly jumped out of the way and in different directions to avoid the columns. Banjo and Sakura jumped one way and Ino jumped the other way.

Reptile then leaned back and then shot off towards his enemies. In no great effort on his part he covered the terrain in seconds.

Reptile charged up and tackled Banjo to the ground. The two rolled but Reptile grabbed onto Banjo and lifted him up over his head then he tossed him off to the ground.

But then Sakura ran up and swung a punch at Reptile but he jumped back dodging it. So she jumped forward and swung again only for him to dodge her once more. When she swung a third time he caught her fist in his hand, he closed his hand around her's covering her hand and some of her forearm. His arm shook as he took the force of Sakura's monstrous strength from her attack, but it had little effect on him. Then he grabbed onto her with his other arm, swung her over his back and then threw her into the column of rock he'd made.

But then Reptile's attention was called to the shrieking above him. He cocked his head up and saw Ino had jumped over the rock wall and was now falling towards him. She held her whip in her hand and she swung it at him. But Reptile quickly jumped back forcing her to slash across the ground he was once in.

Ino landed on the ground and then lashed her whip out again. Reptile ducked this time and the whip flew over his head. Ino's rose whip continued on and slashed across the columns of rock. Sakura was just rising to her feet, but as the whip flew over her head rocks began to fall down upon her. Sakura quickly covered herself as the rocks landed around her.

"Watch where you swing that thing Ino!" she called out angrily as she looked over at Ino.

"Maybe you shouldn't get in my way." Ino retorted as her whip came back to her.

Reptile's attention was then called to the sound of stomping feet behind him. He cocked his head slightly to see Banjo running at him. With a simple raise of his index finger two rocks flew out of the rock wall and then at Banjo.

The rocks flew out and hit Banjo, one in his torso sending him to one knee and the second hit him in the head making him hunch over more.

Reptile then turned over and saw Sakura coming at him. She ran forward and tried to punch him only for him to dodge. But then she jumped up and tried to kick him but he put his arms up and blocked. Then Reptile swung his arms down and grabbed onto Sakura's leg. Then he swung her around and let go, throwing her into Ino. The two female ninjas lay on top of each other groaning.

Reptile stood up to his full height but then his attention was called to the roaring behind him. He turned around to see Banjo now standing up and glaring him down.

Reptile turned and faced him, noticing that Banjo was one of the few people bigger than himself. The two starred the other over, Banjo growling threw gritted teeth. But then they charged.

Banjo ran up and threw a punch but Reptile dodged to the right. Then he punched Banjo in the ribs, then a second time. But then Banjo swung his arm around and grabbed Reptile by his head, then he wrapped his arm around and trapped Reptile in a headlock. Reptile pushed and struggled but Banjo just held on tighter. So then Reptile opened his mouth wide and then bit down into Banjo's forearm,

Banjo let out a roar as he released his hold of Reptile, his forearm bleeding. Then Reptile turned over and kicked Banjo in the stomach sending him back and into the ground. Reptile stood up once more and ran his hand across his mouth, removing any blood.

"Oh." Groaned Ino as she pushed Sakura off her and then moved her hand to her head." It'll take forever to get this dirt out of my hair."

"I think we have more important things going on." Said Sakura. She turned over and looked at Reptile ignoring Ino's whines.

"Perfect isn't easy." Ino said." You'd know if you took more pride in your appearance-"

"Like I said." Said Sakura turning back to her with a harsh tone." Not so important right now."

"I wish Shikamaru was here." Said Ino sitting up." He fought this guy before he could make short work of him."

"But he's not here, and this guy is stronger than all three of us." She said nodding her head to Reptile." We need a new strategy."

"I'm open to suggestions." Replied Ino.

"Follow my lead." Said Sakura as she stood up.

Reptile had just dealt with Banjo and now await what to do next. He turned around and saw Sakura coming down from the sky.

She swooped down and swung her fist at him but he put up his hand and blocked. Sakura came down to the ground but then right behind her came Ino's whip. Reptile had been so distracted by Sakura he hadn't noticed it. The whip flew in the air and was coming towards his face, Reptile quickly realized Sakura and doubled back avoiding the whip.

"Damn it." Muttered Sakura." We were so close." She had her eyes on Reptile as he stood several feet away from her but then her attention was called to the moaning behind her. She turned around and saw Banjo squirming around in pain." Banjo!" she exclaimed and then ran over to him.

"Sakura wait!" called out Ino, but she did not stop." What about the plan?!" She turned back and then saw Reptile right several feet away from her. Ino gripped her whip and then swung it at him but Reptile jumped back and the whip flew under him. Once he landed back on the ground Ino swung her whip only for him to casually lift up his hand a catch it.

The whip became tense and Ino jerked and tugged on her end but to no avail as Reptile did not budge. Then Reptile opened up his mouth and shot his long tongue out, wrapping it around Ino's forearm.

"Ew." She moaning. Then Reptile jerked his head and Ino flew into the air.

Sakura at that time had run up to Banjo who was squirming on the ground.

"Banjo." She said as she knelt down next to him." What's wrong?" Banjo did not reply but continued to groan. Sakura looked him over and noticed he was holding his right forearm, where he had been bitten. Sakura slowly moved his arm into her line of vision and came to a terrible sight, Banjo's forearm was being rotted from the inside out, sizzling with some kind of acid over it." Oh, God!" Sakura exclaimed as she saw it." It's okay Banjo." She reassured him by putting her hand on his shoulder." I've dealt with burns and poisons before, I'll handle this. Just stay calm okay." Banjo still said nothing but compiled with her as he stopped squirming and Sakura went to work on healing his arm. She put her hands over his wound and used her healing techniques to block out the poison. Reptile stood nearby and watched on with great interest. In no time at all Sakura had managed to expel the poison from Banjo's body and was now repairing the hole in his arm." There." Said Sakura with a pant after completing the process. "All better." Banjo then sat up and began wiggling his fingers, looking over where the wound had just been.

"Thank you very much Sakura." He said turning to her.

"Don't mention it." Just then Ino flew down from the sky and landed before the two.

"I see." Said Reptile's voice causing them to turn to him." So you have the ability to heal even my most deadly poison." He said looking to Sakura." And to be on the safe side I'll imagine she's the same." He added his eyes rolling over to Ino.

Just then the three of them were distracted by a sudden rise in energy. It was far greater than any of theirs, together all four of them turned and looked up to the top of the mountain.

"That's-That's Naruto." Said Sakura as she recognized it.

"Ermac." Commented Reptile." Has finally joined the fight." Then he turned back to his opponents."" Very well then." Then he raised his right hand up and pushed it through the mask around his face." If he is going to go all out there's no reason I shouldn't do the same." Then he flicked his finger forward and it fell to the ground. When the mask was removed and Reptile's real face revealed as that of a lizard like creature his energy shot up denting the ground he stood on. Like Scorpion his mask was a seal for all his great power, when removed his massive energy was released.

"Unbelievable." Commented Sakura on his energy.

"He's so ugly." Added Ino.

"Just for that." Said Reptile. Then he jumped forward, the ground behind him breaking open from where he pounced from. Then he appeared before Ino." I'll start with you." Ino gripped her whip as Reptile raised her hand. But then Reptile slashed his claws sown and cut her across her torso. Ino fell back onto the sand bleeding. Then in the blink of an eye Reptile turned over and kicked Sakura in her face sending her sliding back in the sand.

But then Banjo ran up and punched Reptile in the face, then a second time. But when he went for a third Reptile grabbed onto his wrists. Despite his strength Banjo's attacked seemed to have done little to Reptile.

So then Reptile grabbed Banjo tightly and then flipped into the air kicked Banjo as he did so. Banjo fell onto the sand face first. But when he tried to get up Reptile jumped down and landed on his back forcing Banjo to scream. Then Reptile swung his tongue down and wrapped it around Banjo's neck. Then he leaned himself back and began tugging, in an attempt to snap Banjos' neck.

But Sakura rose up from her spot on the ground and jumped at Reptile again, throwing a punch. But Reptile quickly took his tongue from Banjo and jumped back avoiding Sakura's punch. But then Sakura turned and swing another punch. Reptile side-stepped her and then kneed her in the stomach, then with both hands together he hit her on her back and sent her down into the ground. Then Reptile stomped his foot down onto the back of her head pushing her deeper into the ground.

But as he stood there he didn't notice the other figure coming up from his left. Knuckles flew out and grabbed Reptile by his torso and he continued flying while holding him, Reptile's feet dragging against the sand.

"Another one." Said Reptile as Knuckles had him. But then Reptile leaned down and grabbed Knuckles, then with little effort he tore him off himself and threw him to the ground.

Knuckles was back on his feet and began growing his energy as much as he could make it. Reptile replied by showing his own which easily dwarfed Knuckles. But Knuckles didn't care he still charged Reptile, bearing his fists.

Reptile then put his hands into the ground and rocks began to form around them, making him a pair of giant rock fists. Then Knuckles was before him and threw a punch to which Reptile replied by throwing his own punch with his rock fist. The punches collided with neither really gaining an edge so they both swung again with their other hands getting the same result. Then they continued to throw punch after punch to each other, same chunks of rock breaking off with each one.

But then with one break punch from Knuckles Reptile's rock fist was destroyed, and Reptile stumbled back holding his now naked hand. Knuckles moved forward for another attack but with a wave of his hand a large stalactite formed under Knuckles. It shot up and cut Knuckles along his torso, faltering his attack making him stumble off. But he stumbled into Reptile who grabbed him by his arms and legs and threw him off into the stalactite, breaking it as Knuckles fell onto the ground.

Reptile turned over to see Sakura and Banjo getting up to still fight him.

"A foolish effort." He said turning to them." Can't you see I'm stronger than any of you."

"Wanna bet?" Said a stern voice. Then suddenly Neji, Shikamaru and Kiba fresh from their previous battles all appeared around Reptile and grabbed him. But in their weakened states they were little match for him. Reptile effortlessly shrugged them off and retaliated.

He turned and elbowed Shikamaru in the chest, punched Neji across the face, and kicked Kiba in the torso. Kiba stumbled back while Reptile grabbed Shikamaru by his face and then threw him into Neji. Shikamaru then decided to hang back while the other's fought.

Reptile would have continued his assault had someone not jumped onto his back and began punching him. He cocked his head back to see Julie-Su there. He tried to reach his arms around and grabbed her but she was just out of his reach.

While he was distracted with Julie-Su he didn't notice Hinata run up with her Lions fist and hit him directly in his chest. Reptile let out a loud roar as blood shot from his mouth. Then Hinata struck Reptile again with her other hand. Reptile gritted his teeth from the pain.

But then he reached around and grabbed onto Julie-Su. Then he swung down and hit her into Hinata. Reptile then looked around at the nine opponents around him. Most of them were pretty bad off but he could not take any chances.

With all of them lying in the sand he waved his hand and the sand reached out and grabbed each of them. Then it began pulling them into the sand, like quicksand. Most of them were too weak to fight back and were dragged in easily. Now their heads were the last thing poking out.

But then an arrow flew through the air and hit Reptile in his back. He shot up and let out a roar, this distraction had stopped his attack and had given everyone enough time to crawl back to the surface.

Reptile turned back and saw Tenten with her bow and arrow. Reptile then kicked his leg across the ground and a column of rock flew at her. It flew up and hit her body sending her flying back onto the ground with a loud thud. But then Reptile turned back and saw all his enemies standing before him.

"Get him!" shouted Banjo. Reptile braced himself as the nine opponents crowded and surrounded him. They each grabbed onto him but he easily shook them off.

Reptile tapped his foot on the ground, causing a rock pillar to rise from the earth and shoot Knuckles and Shikamaru into the air. When Julie-Su jumped on his shoulder he swung his arm back and elbowed her in her stomach. Then he reached back and grabbed her leg, pulled her forward and threw her into Neji. When Hinata and Sakura ran forward and tried to punch him he jumped up avoiding their swings. When he jumped up he kicked out his legs and the two slammed their faces right into them.

But then Banjo came from behind and wrapped his arms around Reptile." Gottcha!" he proclaimed. Then Tenten came running up wielding a sword. When she got close enough and swung Reptile quickly moved his body slightly, turning Banjo into her blade. The sword ran along the bear's back and he released Reptile as he fell to the ground. Then Reptile swung around and kicked Tenten across the face and into the ground.

But then as he turned around Julie-Su jumped onto his head and covered hid eyes. He struggled and moved about but then everyone came around him and kept him in his place.

Ino stood up at this point, gripping her whip weakly at her side to see everyone fighting him. She dropped her whip and then reached into her pocket and pulled out a rose. But this was no ordinary rose, the tip of its stem was as sharp as any knife. She stood in the background while everyone fought on.

Everyone continued to grab and strike Reptile. But with a quick swing of his arms he sent those who had not moved onto their backs. He then began to swing and jerk his body wildly as Julie-Su continued to cover his eyes. He jerked his head side to side but then jerked it back hitting Julie-Su off him and onto the ground.

There were few left to still oppose him, all lay on the ground before his awesome might.

"Hey you!" called a voice. Reptile turned around and saw Shikamaru standing there." Why don't you try taking me out!"

"Foolish boy!" Repitle answered. He reared his head back and shot his deadly poison from his mouth. Shikamaru could have dodged it but to everyone's surprise he did not.

"NO!" cried out Ino as the poison hit him right in the neck.

"Not a smart move." Shikamaru coughed as the poision began eating away at his body. Reptile paid the dying boy no mind and turned away, but then something strange happened.

A sudden gust of energy shot up from behind him. Reptile turned around to see Shikamaru's body glowing with a black aura around it. Reptile put his hand on his helmet to keep it from blowing away.

Then suddenly the shadows from around Shikamaru began to rise up and grab him, pulling his lifeless body to his feet. His body was limp but then the shadows began to move around his body. Some started at his wound but they eventually spread throughout his body covering him in darkness. Reptile looked on confused but was mesmerized.

But then suddenly out of the darkness came a booted foot, and then another. They made very little nose as the made connection with the earth. A shocked breath took over Reptile as it became clearer what was before him.

Shikamaru or what had been Shikamaru now stood before him clad in a long black robe, a hood covering his face but two pale lamp like eyes peered out of the darkness at him. Then the creature raised its right arm and a boney finger pointed out at Reptile from the black rope.

But Reptile would not frighten so easily, no matter what demon stood before him. Then the Spector put its left arm out it its side and the winds whorled around it. Reptile continued to look on as a weapon of metal and steel formed in its hands, and stopped when it created a Scythe.

After some time of just standing there Reptile could take it no longer, he ran forward and lunged with his spear. The Spector seemed unresponsive until Reptile was only several inches away and ready to strike. Then with one great swing of its arm it lifted its scythe and swung down.

With one great swing it cut Reptile. He'd been severed as he now had a deep slash running along his right shoulder to left thigh. Reptile was in shock at first looking out to see the wound on his body. He began to fall over his eyes darted up to the Spector before him, behind its cloaked face those two eyes continued to watch him. As he observed them he could see that they were Shikamaru's eyes.

Reptile let out a groan as he shoulders slouched."Uhhh." he groaned as he touched a finger to his bleeding lip. Everyone began to step back. Then Reptile raised out his arms in a blind attempt to touch something. He continued to groan as he stumbled forward, upon taking his first step he lost his footing and fell over onto the ground.

As he lay there the reaper before him began to subside. The darkness and cloak it wore began to melt away back into the shadows of the earth, leaving only its host behind. Shikamaru stood there standing over the body of Sub-Zero.

Slowly everyone stood around his body in the aftermath. They carefully walked up to Shikamaru and asked if he was okay but he didn't answer that. He only answered

"It was the only way."