The Galactic Knights: Third Dimensional War

The Phantom Rises Arc

A/N: Ichigo and Inuyasha reach Yrona, the capitol city of Planet Crodunia. They meet with Helios and Zane, the remaining Zodiacs. As time is of the essence, Ichigo attempts to convince Helios and Zane to assist in the battle against the Shadow Alliance. They also learn the truth behind Ufladus. What is this truth? Can the knights join forces with the Xaria Federation? Find out in chapter 51: 'The City of Yrona.'

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Dragon Ball Z, Bleach, Naruto, Inuyasha, Fairy Tail, or One Piece.

*LB* = Line Break

Chapter 51: The City of Yrona

Ichigo opens his eyes, trying to refocus his vision. The bright light from Electra's teleportation technique was a bit much for his eyes, but for now, he is fine. Once Ichigo's vision restores itself, he soon realizes he is a small room alongside Inuyasha and their guards. However, he wonders where their soldiers are located. He notices Inuyasha, their guards, Zinon, and Takis looking confused as well.

"My Unicorns took them to the military hospital." Electra turns to Ichigo. "If that is what you're wondering."

"Where are we?" Inuyasha scratches his cheek, as he also looks around.

"We are currently in the city of Yrona on Planet Crodunia, the capitol of the Xaria Federation."

Fiona steps forward. "Despite this federation being made of multiple kingdoms, the civilians still live separately. However, there are a few planets, where each species co-exist. This is one of those planets."

"Are you saying there is discrimination?" Tecumseh begins to walk forward, as Electra starts to lead the group.

"Unfortunately, yes." Electra sighs, thinking back to certain events. "It isn't as strong on this planet, but on other planets, many of species are look upon each other in disgust."

"A world where numerous species can co-exist?" Horace huffs at the possibility. Such a thing is hardly possible in the type of universe they live in. He gazes forward, not looking at anything in particular before his gaze falls upon Momoka.

Horace remembers standing in front of a younger Momoka, her eyes filled with tears. However, he also saw a face of determination, a face not ready to die. Horace was on another rampage through a village before coming across Momoka, who attempted to stop him. All he saw was hatred in the world. Death was at every turn. Horace simply took that chance to join in the fun. Why should he not? However, she stood up, despite her strength paling compared to his. He now stood in front of her, while she kneeled.

"Why?" Horace raised his sword.

"I can't die." Momoka shook, as she tried to move. "I must avenge my family, but I will not let others die."

"Avenge, huh."

Momoka shouted as she charged at Horace, but he sidestepped the attack, hitting the back of her neck. As Momoka fell, Horace caught her, a dark smirk on his face.

"I think I can have a bit of fun with her."

Horace snaps out of his thoughts as Momoka taps him.

"Dozing off there?"

"As if."

Electra leads the group to a set of doors with thick curtains. Ichigo and the others stop as well, wondering why she has led them here.

"Well, before we head towards Helios, I want to show you the co-existence between our species."

Electra uses her magic and opens the double doors. Ichigo widens his eyes at the view. In front of him, a huge city stands. The entire city is made of stone buildings, ranging from tan to dark brown colors. There is thousands of trees scatter across the city, each position in an appropriate place to bring out the beauty of the city. The buildings spread out evenly, giving room to each home, including numerous backyards, pools, and other luxuries. He also notices a large wall at the edge of city made of stone. He looks to his left and notices a large market area. Further north seems to be a military barracks and an armory. Ichigo looks to his right and notices numerous buildings on some type of hill. He also notices the clean smell. A decent size river runs through the middle of the city, giving a smell of fresh water.

Soon enough, Ichigo begins to hear laughter in the streets below. He looks down and notices the civilians walking through the city. However, what amazes him is the variety of species walking together. Foxes walk through the city streets, side by side with horses, Pegasus, and Unicorns. Sea Serpents swim in the river, stopping to talk with a few phoenixes resting from their recent flight. Ichigo glances to the sky and sees a wave of griffins fly by, next to another group of phoenixes. The sky is a beautiful blue, with the right amount of white clouds.

"Welcome to Yrona." Electra smiles at the group, as Ichigo continue to take in the view.

"This place is awesome." Tecumseh glances around as the warm sun touches his skin.

"Should we get going?" Iris enters the room.

Electra nods her head as she too enters the room. As everyone follows them, Ichigo glances back to the city, feeling warmth and happiness from it. Perhaps, there is hope for this broken universe.

The group walks deeper into the castle, eventually coming across a large set of doors guarded by two griffins.

"Lady Electra, Lady Iris, Lady Fiona." The two griffins bow their heads as Electra responds with the same motion.

"May we enter?"

"Sorry, but Lord Helios is in a meeting with Lord Zane."

Before Electra has the chance to answer, the doors open as another large appears on the other side. The horse has notable red eyes and pure black skin. However, the most obvious feature is the red-orange flaming mane and tail. The horse glances at the three Zodiacs before speaking.

"Electra, Iris, Fiona, why are you…." The horse's voice weakens as it notices the holies, demons, and angels behind the Zodiacs. "You dare bring them here? What have you done?"

The horse's voice sends the three Zodiacs back a few steps as they gulp.

"Hey, there is no need to yell at them!" Ichigo steps forward, glaring at the horse.

"Ichigo…," Fiona tries to stop Ichigo, but he ignores her.

"I am Zane, the second in command of the Zodiacs! You will bow before me! I cannot allow you fools here! Your presence will only bring more disaster and discrimination!"

"As if!" Inuyasha takes a step forward, lifting one of his sleeves.

"This is priceless." Zinon smirks as the tension builds between Ichigo, Inuyasha, and Zane.

Momoka gazes upon everyone, worrying as Ichigo and Inuyasha prepare to confront Zane. She keeps in mind the words disaster and discrimination, something that seems to be a major issue in the federation. This is weird, since outside this very room, everyone seems to be getting along. Discrimination is a word that brings horrid memories. She recalls the time she woke up in the middle of a cave with only Horace in front of her.

"What do you want with me?" Momoka struggled in her ropes, but soon realized she could break out of them.

Horace remained silent as he glared at the woman. He smirked as he rips her bonds, confusing her.

"This is a game." Horace grins evilly. "I will test you physically. If you can survive one month, then I'll let you go. If not, well, you won't have to worry about food or water ever again."

Momoka clenched her teeth as she began running out the cave, only to have Horace chase her.

"I like your determination!" Horace laughed as ran after Momoka. "It is the only reason you are alive! I want to break you! Watch you burn yourself out! It is a joy for me!"

Momoka recalled spending day after day trying to figure a way out of Horace's grip. However, each time he caught her and sent her back to the lonely cave. Momoka whimpered as tears ran down her cheeks. She wanted to find her father, kill him for taking her mother away, but now she could not escape this maniac's grasp.

"I wonder, why such determination?" Horace asked Momoka such a question as he dragged her across the ground after another attempt to escape.

"Y-You wouldn't understand…."

"Try me."

Momoka explained to Horace her once and happy life. She explained to him her father's actions and the death of her mother. How she spent the last few years of her life becoming stronger to get revenge.

"Revenge?" Horace laughed as he tossed Momoka to the ground once he reached their destination. "How can you gain revenge when you are too weak to even pursue it?"

Two weeks passed as Momoka tried again to escape, but she never gave up. Horace never met a person with such determination. As time passed, things would change. Momoka always thought Horace as a mindless murder, but after successfully escaping Horace's grasp, her strength ran out. The cold elements, the lack of food and water, finally got to her. She sat in the middle of an unknown forest, shivering as night fell upon the world. Her tears long spent as numerous growls occurred around her. She knew death would come to her, as a handful of wolves approached her. Little did she know, she had a savior.

The next time she opened her eyes, she was back in the cave, but this time with better conditions. From that moment on, she would stay with Horace, as he began taking care of her. He started showing her how to fight properly. At the time, she never understood why. Perhaps she still does not, but hopes she can.

"Enough." A strong voice alerts everyone, including Momoka.

Zane huffs as leaves the room. Electra sighs as she tells the others to follow her. Soon enough, the group walks through the doors, entering a very large room. In the center of the room is a long table, made of marble, with a large horse at the end of it. This horse is big and has a large horn on the top of his forehead. It has white skin and eyes, along with a matching mane and tail. Another notable feature is the two large wings on his back.

"Helios." Electra walks toward Helios before they gently rub each other's heads.

Iris' ears fold down as she looks away.

"You know Iris, Zane should still be here." Fiona whispers in Iris' ear. However, Iris ignores her as her ears return to normal.

"Why is Zane so upset?" Electra backs away from Helios.

"He is still upset about the Minotaurs." Helios sighs as he walks back to the front of the table. "I told him if the Minotaurs rebelled again, there would be severe punishment."

"Why?" Ichigo steps forward.

"Ah, one of the Galactic Knights." Helios gazes upon Ichigo. "I've only seen pictures of you though. As for your question, the Minotaurs always had a large amount of discrimination towards them. Simply because of the way they look, their acting, their lifestyle. Eventually, they rebelled numerous times due to be being unhappy. I tried being understanding. I wouldn't like being discriminated against. However, nothing I said convinced them to handle this peacefully. Eventually, too many deaths angered the other species, forcing me to isolate the Minotaurs at the edge of the Xaria Federation under the eye of Zane. The other species have numerous privileges and their rights have been minimized due to the votes of others."

"It is unfair to treat others such a way." Anna glares at the horses. "You are supposed to be the guardians of this federation, yet you cannot provide happiness to all your species. Why do you think the Minotaurs rebelled? You punish the entire race, but did everyone rebel? I am sure they didn't!"

"I had no choice." Helios keeps a strong face as Anna clenches her teeth.

Anna glances away from Helios, realizing this so-called guardian is no different from many rulers in the universe. Then again, she was a fool to follow such rulers in the first place. She recalled the time she had the mission to attack the cult.

Anna stood on top of a hill, watching as her army ran through the town below in a blaze of destruction. Anna did not like the order, but she served the king and had to follow his orders.

"How dare you?"

Anna turned around and came across a man with numerous wounds on his body. His shirt hanged from his waist, revealing his upper body. He had a sword in his right hand, ready to fight.

"Why?"

"Who are you?" Anna narrowed her eyes as the man raised his sword.

"I am Tecumseh, one of the village's guardians!" Tecumseh breathed heavily.

"I am simply following orders." Anna grabbed the pike on her back, drawing out the weapon.

"Just another fool following orders without realizing what they are doing!"

Anna clenches her teeth as she recalls fighting Tecumseh. The two fighters fought for a long time as the village continued to burn. Eventually, their fight would end, in an unusual way.

"What does the Imperial Alliance want with the federation?" Helios turns his attention to Takis. "You are one of the ministers, are you not?"

"Yes." Takis bows to Helios. "We simply seek a military alliance to confront the Shadow Alliance."

"It is never simple with the imperials." Helios narrows his eyes as he spreads out his wings. "Where were you when we asked for help against the Four Horses? Where were you when we asked for help against the Shadow Monsters? Where were you when we asked for financial aid?"

"Then don't trust them." Ichigo steps forward. "I promise you I will do what I can to help, but right now we must know what is in Ufladus. Why does the Shadow Alliance turn their attention there?"

"There is nothing there."

"You want our trust, but you cannot give yours?" Ichigo glares at Helios, who raises an eyebrow.

"How dare you!" Iris is about to jump at Ichigo, but Fiona stops her.

"Let this play out." Fiona whispers to Iris.

"Trust, huh." Helios continues to stare at Ichigo, looking into the eyes of the man. He now understands why Electra brought this man here. Perhaps, there is a chance. "Fine…Phantom the Apocalypse was defeated and sealed there."

For some reason, this did not surprise the others. The moment Phantom's name appeared, they had a feeling the Ancient Lord would be nearby. She simply hoped it was not the case.

"If you have been keeping up with the outside, then you should know other Ancient Lords have returned."

"I know."

"Then why?"

"The less everyone knows, the more Phantom is hidden."

"It didn't stop the Shadow Alliance." Takis speaks up, catching Helios and Ichigo's attention.

"It doesn't matter." Helios takes in a deep breath. "Without the three Sacred Keys, they can never break the seal."

Takis wonders what these keys are, but he knows the Kurosawa is ready for it. He explains this to Helios. Hanzo Kurosawa is a very intelligent and thorough ruler. His son Ryuu and his daughter Hikari are no exception. Knowing Hanzo, he might already have a plan in motion.

"Even so…." Before Helios has the chance to continue, another voice interrupts him.

Zane walks into the room, glaring at the Imperial Alliance before turning his attention to the Zodiac Guardians. "How can you trust these people? They could be seeking to unleash the Ancient Lord themselves. They've failed to stop the return of the first three. I'm sure they allowed it to happen. What make this one any different?"

"Why you!" Inuyasha prepares to shout at Zane, but a Unicorn rushes into the room, catching everyone's attention.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we have recent news that a fleet of Imperial spaceships have crashed onto this planet. They seemed to have used light speed travel as a last resort to escape from something."

"Alexander!" Takis and Zinon stand up and nod at each other. They rush out the room, followed by the knights, guards, and Zodiacs.

A few hours later, Zinon stands outside a hospital room, watching three people resting in a bed. Alexander, Nestor, and Chara rest with numerous bandages on their bodies. Luckily, nothing is life threatening and they should be back on their feet in a few days. However, the Megalos army did not share similar fate. With a little over ninety thousand survivors, the majority of the Megalos interception unit has nearly fallen.

"So, what has Lord Alexander said about the recent events?" Takis walks up to Zinon.

"Hmm, he said something about an army of cyborgs."

"Cyborg?" Takis rubs his chin. "Last I checked the cyborgs were never that much of threat."

Ichigo stands near the edge of the hallway. So many lives have been lost. He slams his hand on the wall before walking away.

Two days later, the Megalos forces are back on their feet. Alexander, Nestor, and Chara stand in the Xaria meeting room, trying to figure out their next move. Soon enough, Takis and Zinon enter the room with Ichigo, Inuyasha, and their guards following suite.

"I've contacted my mother." Alexander turns to Nestor. "She states she would send reinforcements as soon as possible, but it seems Balder and Belenus have launched a massive attack at a nearby galaxy. She might not be able to send anyone."

"Did you call Travis?" Ichigo wonders if Alexander has explored all possible allies."

"He has nothing to offer."

"Not the time!" Inuyasha glares at Alexander.

"Look at them squabble." Zane walks into the room as Helios, Electra, Iris, and Fiona follow them.

"Like you're one to talk." Zinon rolls his eyes, causing Zane to clench his teeth.

"Helios, we have the Prince of Megalos here." Zinon turns to Helios. "Why not capture them?"

"What?" Zinon prepares to draw out his voulge, but Alexander stops him.

Zinon is about to say something again, but Tecumseh slams his fist onto the large table.

"Enough!" Tecumseh. "I've watched this go on long enough!"

Everyone in the room goes quiet. Tecumseh takes this chance to continue. He turns to Alexander and Zinon.

"You two have so many allies! Yet, you do not rely on them! Sorry to say, but the Megalos Empire is not invincible. Hasn't the recent battle shown that fact?" Tecumseh then turns to Zane. "And you, don't you see there are more important matters than trying to find flaws in the Imperial Alliance? There is a common enemy here! One that seeks to destroy both of you! You need to understand that we must work together to survive this! To save your homes! You families!"

Zane turns around, heading towards the door. He turns his head back slightly, glaring at Helios.

"You will regret letting this fools in! If you won't defend this federation, I will!"

After Zane leaves, everyone remains quiet. Tecumseh sits down on a nearby chair, rubbing his forehead as he tries to calm himself down. Anna places her hand on his shoulder, smiling at him. Tecumseh smiles back, remembering a time when he and Anna were not the best in relations.

Tecumseh watched as the village burned to the ground. He tried to save as many people as possible, but he has failed to do that. He looked toward the sky, watching as arrows flew by, hitting the people he called friends. He turned toward the nearby hill and noticed a woman on top of it, watching the battle below. He did the only thing he could think of. He took a nearby sword and ran toward the hill. He managed to pass by the royal soldiers, heading up the slope. Soon enough, he stood behind the woman, glaring holes into her back. She turned around and soon realized she is the famous general, Anna.

"Why?"

Soon enough, the two began to fight, exchanging blow to blow as they tried to kill each other. Eventually, they ended up near the edge of a cliff. Tecumseh and Anna stood near the edge, tired from their recent fight. They breathed heavily, glaring into each other's eyes as they attempt to regain some strength.

"Why?" Tecumseh tried again to find out something from this woman.

"It is my purpose." Anna clenched her hands. She raised herself onto her feet, standing with a bit of difficulty. "It is my duty to this kingdom."

"Then you are blind." Tecumseh stood up as well, his knees shaking with every effort. "If you would only open your eyes, you would see the corruption. You are strong, not just physically, but also heart."

"I have nothing else." Anna points her pike at Tecumseh. "This…is all I've known."

Tecumseh snaps out of his thoughts as he hears everyone else sit down on either a pillow or chair.

"I promise to ensure the Xaria Federation is treated right this time." Ichigo makes sure he has everyone's attention. Soon he glares at Alexander. "Right? The Imperial Alliance will honor any agreements?"

Alexander sighs, but simply nods.

Electra, Iris, and Fiona seem worried, but soon decide to give Ichigo a chance. He has an expression that shows he will never give up.

"Very well." Helios turns to Electra. "It is time to call the others. In one day, we will have the kings and queens of each kingdom here. This will be the first emergency meeting since the Minotaur's rebellion."

*LB*

A/N: Thank you for reading and please review. Until next time.