A/N: Hey, guys. I apologize if this chapter was released later than usual, but homework and lessons with distance learning leave me quite busy. In the previous chapter, Rayman and his friends overcame the illusions created by Reflux and André with the power of the Leptys, including some visions that showed a post-apocalyptic future in case of defeat. While Globox has gone to get Gumsi, Rayman is reaching the top of the tower. What will the battle against Reflux be like? Let's see! After Reflux is defeated, we will begin the Hoodlums' Revenge arc, so it won't be all over. That being said, let's get started!
''Let's take out those two lunatics!'' Murfy declared, while climbing to the top of the Tower of the Leptys.
(''Dr. Light Capsule Theme- Mega Man X4 OST'')
As Rayman climbed the stairs, he received a telepathic message from Polokus. ''Rayman, it's me, Polokus.''
''Hey, Polokus. We're almost at the top.'' said the limbless hero.
''I noticed that. Remember that I am extremely vulnerable in the air, so I will have no chance against Reflux, so it will be up to you to fight it.'' Polokus said.
''You know, while facing the illusions in the upper floors of the tower, I saw visions of the destroyed Glade of Dreams. I believe it's a post-apocalyptic future. Globox managed to escape the explosion of the Hoodlum Headquarters and warned Gumsi about Reflux's theft of the Scepre of the Leptys, of which he and his people were aware of, and made an alliance with me to stop the traitor. At the moment he went back to fetch Gumsi.'' Rayman explained.
''I see. If what you said is true, you absolutely must beat André and Reflux, or they will destroy the world.'' the spirit of the world replied.
''That's not all. Reflux stole the Scepter of the Leptys and allied with André at his request, and they both use it for different purposes, although they both want to kill me: André wants to use the energy of the scepter to multiply, and Reflux wants to take revenge on his defeat against me. Also, if Reflux destroys the world with the scepter, then it will cause the extinction of its entire species.'' Rayman added.
Polokus was incredulous. ''You're kidding, aren't you?'' he asked.
''No, I'm not kidding. I saw it myself, and even Gumsi says it could happen.'' replied the limbless hero.
The god's disbelief turned into pure shock. ''For real? All this is unacceptable, it goes completely against life. Rayman, I know I am asking a lot to you and leaving a heavy weight on your shoulders, but you are our only hope. Good luck.'' he said, and the message ended.
(''Dr. Light Capsule Theme- Mega Man X4 OST-s'')
After reaching the top of the tower, Rayman stumbled upon Reflux, and was amazed when he noticed that he looked different than usual, completely naked except for the loincloth, more muscular, pale skin with yellow spots and eyes as red as blood, just like those André's. ''Reflux! You will not destroy the Glade of Dreams!'' he shouted at him.
Reflux let out an evil laugh. ''I'll kill you, Rayman. I promised André that I would do it. And with that, I'll avenge the humiliation you gave me!'' he roared, and his already grotesque voice sounded even more distorted.
''This is not an appropriate reaction, Reflux! It's just a defeat!'' the limbless hero replied.
''And it's my only defeat! Because of you, I just tarnished my reputation, and with the Scepter of the Leptys, I will have my revenge!'' thundered Reflux.
''Then you will kill all the members of your people, your own kind! This is way too low, even for you! Do you know what King Gumsi will do to you? Your king would kill you for what you did! You have betrayed your own people in personal revenge comparable to a whim! You will not only extinguish the Knaaren, but all life in the Glade of Dreams, and I will not allow that!'' Rayman declared, questioning him.
''It doesn't matter. I will kill you, and I will remove that stain on my honor!'' replied the Knaaren, creating a magical shield with the Scepter of the Leptys. The battle for the fate of the Glade of Dreams had begun.
(''Battle Scene B- Final Fantasy 2 OST'')
Rayman was the first to attack, delivering a flying kick followed by three punches, one more powerful than the previous one, but Reflux barely flinched and knocked him away with his sharp claws. ''Murfy, it seems that attacking him doesn't do him anything, he seems more resistant.'' he told Murfy.
''Perhaps it's due to the fact that he has mutated due to the power of the Leptys. Remember that when you faced Reflux in the Destiny Arena you could also cause damage to Reflux by hitting the orb located in the central part of his scepter. Try to focus your attacks on that area.'' Murfy suggested.
Reflux still had its old weakness, and the limbless hero began to exploit it, focusing all his attacks on the scepter, also causing damage to Reflux, as if suffering from pain, then dodging Yellow Lum-like energy balls.
''Get him, Reflux!'' André cried out, and Reflux activated a magical shield using the Scepter of the Leptys. Rayman used the Shock Rocket Fist, but it had no effect on the shield, and after dodging some magical lightning, he tried the Heavy Metal Fist, but that didn't work either, and he was also hit by another bolt of lightning.
''Your attacks have no effect on that shield! Find a way to weaken it!'' Murfy said. Rayman tried to use the Vortex Fist, but this attack was useless too, so he tried another power, the LockJaw Fist. Once he grabbed the shield with the jaws, he released an electric discharge, and the shield weakened more and more until it disappeared. Taking advantage of the Knaaren's shock, he tried to take the scepter from his hands, but he was pushed back and hit by a fiery wave, one of his old attacks, then managed to avoid a fireball by rolling away and fired his fists at the scepter five times, causing further damage.
''Don't let him take the scepter! Rayman mustn't touch it!'' André shouted.
The former Knaaren champion created another magic shield, but the limbless hero had already figured out how to do it, and after being hit by two lightning bolts, a bullet and a few fireballs, he made the shield disappear with electricity and caused further damage.
''Keep it up, Rayman! You're weakening him!'' Murfy shouted.
(''Battle Scene B- Final Fantasy 2 OST-s'')
Reflux growled in fury and fired more lightning bolts, but they missed the target. At this point, he decided to change his strategy, literally sticking the Scepter of the Leptys into the flesh of his back and becoming even more muscular, and especially much bigger than before.
''He's huge!'' Murfy exclaimed, flabbergasted.
(''Final Battle- Mario & Luigi Partners in Time OST'')
''We must defeat him! For the Glade of Dreams, for Gumsi, for all the Knaaren, for the whole world!'' declared Rayman.
Reflux shook the area with a punch, causing him to trip, and the limbless hero barely managed to avoid a blow from his other arm, which mowed down the air. He tried to run around the huge Knaaren to find a weak spot, but couldn't find it and was also hit by a few mines that Reflux fired from his mouth. After being hit by a powerful shock wave and knocked to the ground, he didn't know how to scratch Reflux in those conditions.
''Rayman, Reflux has stuck the Sceptre of the Leptys in his flesh, on his back! He is becoming more and more dependent on the sceptre as an energy source, so try to get on his back and use the Heavy Metal Fist!'' Murfy shouted.
Once again, Murfy's advice was of essential help to Rayman, who jumped onto Reflux's back by clinging to metal hooks with the LockJaw, then activated the Heavy Metal Fist and repeatedly hit the orb of the Scepter of the Leptys.
''Reflux, be careful! Get Rayman off of you!'' yelled André.
''Are you two trashy boyfriends or what?(1).'' Murfy joked, making fun of the two bad guys.
''Shut up, you fly!'' shrieked the black Lum, clearly merged with Reflux.
Reflux, after a few roars of pain, grabbed Rayman by the hair, slammed him to the ground and stomped him. To the surprise of the Guardian of the Glade of Dreams, the center of the area was now boiling sand, forcing him to jump away. After taking cover, he repeated the process, but was stopped before he could even strike and was forced to dodge a punch, then being struck by red lightning. ''Knock it off, Reflux! You're acting like a baby!'' he shouted, but Reflux didn't listen and only made senseless roars. The only word he understood was simply ''DIE!''. Seeing a bolt of lightning facing him, he detached his body from the rest, causing the attack to pass through him, then tried again. ''Reflux, all of this must stop! You can't take out your anger against the world for a measly defeat and use the Leptys for this purpose! You betrayed your king! You betrayed your people! You are on the verge of exterminating your own species to extinction to extinction! You will kill all life forms in the world! You will destroy the entire Glade of Dreams, including Polokus! Get over it and get a new life! You disgust me worse than Razorbeard and André put together! '' Rayman yelled, ignoring how irritating his throat was.
''Indeed! Go back to the junkyard where you live, you sewer rat!'' Murfy added.
Relux roared in fury and fired an electric beam from his mouth that hit the limbless hero, nearly making him fall, but he managed to reposition himself with the helicopter. After dodging one of his punches, he climbed up his arm onto his back and attacked the Scepter of the Leptys before being thrown into the air and hit by his claws that were splitting the air, with a trail of flames around them, then he got crushed too. Despite his injuries, he stood up and fired a Shock Rocket Fist at the Sceptre of the Leptys, hitting the target hard.
(''Final Battle- Mario & Luigi Partners in Time OST-s'')
(''The Precipice- Rayman 2 OST'')
With yet another incomprehensible roar, Reflux changed tactics once again: he used the power of the sceptre to levitate, and even some areas of the top of the tower broke away from the rest, floating in midair.
''Rayman, we have to follow him!'' Murfy exclaimed.
''Well said, Murfy! And I know exactly what to do!'' Rayman replied. He pulled out the yellow Laser Detergent can and activated the power of the Throttle Copter, flying towards the mutated Knaaren and dodging an ultrasound that he emitted with a screeched. To reach the platforms suspended in the air, he had to get a running start, activate the helicopter or use the Throttle Copter, but there were several Blue Lums in the area, allowing him to follow Reflux. A red beam nearly mad him fall, but he didn't give up and continued the chase until he reached the top after a couple of minutes. ''And now, let's finish this it!'' He declared, activating the Siluropugno and firing the missile, hitting Reflux in full, which fell.
''Yes! In your face!'' yelled Rayman cockily, even poking out his tongue. To his surprise, however, he saw that Reflux had risen, with two large purple wings that made him now more like the Leptys than ever. He let out another roar, and a kind of blue portal appeared in the sky. The limbless hero pursued him with the Throttle Copter, but the Knaaren hit him by firing a beam from his mouth and with a strong punch that knocked him down.
''Rayman! RAYMAN!'' Murfy screamed, worried.
Rayman tried to activate the helicopter, unsuccessfully, and the Throttle copter was temporarily disabled. ''Mayday! Mayday! I'm falling! I didn't even get to eat yet!'' he yelled, closing his eyes in fear.
Suddenly, something appeared flying at full speed, and Rayman heard someone shout his name. He opened his eyes and saw that he was in Globox's arms, aboard the Armaguiddon, and Gumsi was in the back seat. ''Globox! You arrived! And there's Gumsi with you too!'' he exclaimed.
''Of course I have arrived. I was worried about you. It wasn't easy to overcome the illusions again, but I did it. Gumsi is with us and will help us.'' replied Globox.
''Rayman, that portal leads to the astral plane of the Leptys. Let's go after Reflux and take him out! I have to get the sceptre back! ''Gumsi declared. The three agreed, and the Armaguiddon flew upward.
''André must be up there too. Let's go!'' said Globox.
(''The Precipice- Rayman 2 OST-s'')
A/N: Reflux escaped during the battle! Fortunately, Globox and Gumsi have come to get Rayman. In the next chapter, we will begin the final stage of the battle against Reflux. Until next time!
(1): It's a nod to YourClairyGodmother, a big fan of the Rayman series who has a Youtube channel and a Deviantart profile. When she talks about Reflux and André, she often defines them like this.
