The building you see is a castle, a Gothic structure that was first erected in the 14th century, before converting it into a hotel in the 1900s. It closed down, in 1929, when the owner died.
Now, Kagura Sohma and her Jewel Women minions, Anya and Elsa, are using it as a shelter for the sun. They lurk within… waiting.

Alas, Beth and Mandy know nothing of the hotel's layout.

Last time, if you recall, Kagura Sohma, after a hard fought brawl with Kyo Sohma, emerged victorious, only for Kyo to give away all his power to Beth Nevins, before his death. Kaname, however, was found, only for her arm to be sliced off, earlier, and had to be helpless, inside the building. Beth now ventures inside the abandoned hotel, with her mentor and coach, in a 3-on-2 matter. But promises one thing from Kagura – a vendetta long sought, for her father, Steven Nevins, prior to his betrayal to The Gang. But, unbeknownst to Kagura and Mandy, Beth is the only person who knows… that her father has joined the dark side.
And that dark side's name… was MIO.

The stage is finally set, as the final battle is about to begin!

Episode XIX: Choujin Pride! (Part 1)
Chapter 1: Beth's Powers in a Standstill!
One Hundred Vampires?!

Beth moaned, as she was swatting the cobwebs off the walls, "EUGH! Why did it have to be spiders? This place is a thousand years old, but they should've cleaned it, for once! Okay, I get it! Scary monster are horrible housewives! But it does leave evidence."

They were following a trail of blood, made by Kyo. It was Kagura's own blood, as she was escaping. Kyo didn't go down, without a good accounting of himself, as he gave Kagura a thrashing. Mandy slashed away all the cobwebs, as Beth, armed with her Ty Ko Ky-loaded clackers approached the door, making sure that Kagura cannot heal up further. Beth grabbed the doorknob, but jerked away in disgust.

"What is it?" Mandy asked her.

Beth cringed, "Okay… Since when do they use human hands for knobs? Could it be a sculpture? It felt like holding something that was cold and dead."

A voice called, "I'm no door!"

A male figure appeared, in black pants and a vest, with slick black hair. He emerged from the door. Beth gasped, as Mandy called out, "A vampire!"

The vampire slashed his hand down onto Beth's face, but Beth countered the attack with her clackers, severing the string. She was kicked down, as he chuckled, "If it weren't for that little yo-yo of yours, I would've easily peeled your face off!"

He posed and introduced himself, "I am Wired Beck, and I'll be your slayer, tonight. I killed my sweetheart, and then I busted out of prison. In no time, Lady Anya took me in, and made me part of her little gang."

Beth gasped, "Anya? So, wait… Who's the leader of this ragtag group of demons, Kagura or Anya? MAKE UP YOUR DAMN MIND!"

Beck said, "What difference does it make? I serve only to her! She's the one I serve to, and I'm not letting you go and take her on! Even so, you're forbidden from entry, while she is slumbering."

Beth said, "Oh, yeah? Then, in that case, I'll take care of you, first, fang face."

She growled, as she thought, "Normally, I'd be pissed, but I am, deep down! It's begun again… Kagura and Anya killed weak and innocent lives, and used them as demon hounds!"

Beck sways a bit, as Beth shouted, "STOP THAT! You're nothing but another vampire that is going back to Hell, and just leaving now. Well, let me plan your trip, so you won't wait any longer."

But before Beth could strike, Mandy stepped in front of her, and glared at Beth. Beck smiled, crossing his arms, "You're beautiful, magnificent… Let me caress your milky white skin, so I can drink through your blood!"

Mandy scoffed, "I am not what you want. I grew tired of your weak flirtations and shallow threats. I've been there before. But if you want to hold me, go on and give it a try. I guarantee that it'll be the last thing you'll ever do."

Beck gasped, as spikes appeared from his shoulders. And then, his body produced spikes, all over his body.

"SPIKES!" Beth cried, "He's covered his body, like a porcupine, from top to bottom! He's like a human mace! They're metallic and razor-sharp, like an iron maiden jacket!"

Beck spoke, "I don't appreciate it when the female humans are stuck-up like that. I'm going to hug you to death!"

He lunged at her, in fast speed, but Mandy was prepared. She held up a dark red scarf and waved it around. The energy emitting from it began to fade and cloak inside the fabric. Beth gasped, and said, "Wait, I get it now! That scarf isn't for fashion… No, it's a Ty Ko Ky weapon! And what's more, scarves are long, and with incredible reach!"

The scarf wrapped around all of Beck's spikes, as the vampire was befuddled in confusion, wrapped by a cozy muffler. Beck rips free and said, "AHAHAHAHA! You think that gift is your best? Thanks for the thought, but I don't need more warmth. Now, you will die in my hands!"

Mandy walked passed him and said, "Come, Beth."

Beth said, "Uh, okay."

She thought, "Mandy's movements are flown like silk… Efficient, she doesn't waste energy."

Beck cried out, "COME ON! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME, WITHOUT A FIGHT! What did I do?"

He turned to Beth and said, "Hey, kid! Yeah, you. Wouldn't you agree that a woman like her needs to be punished?"

Beth responded, "Don't look at me. You're the one who's punished. See, you've run out of time. The Ty Ko Ky energy is now running all over your body."

Beck said, "Don't be ridiculous! I'm not-!"

SHING!
Beck's spikes shot out of his body, emitting steam. The spikes fell, as Beth said, without looking at Beck, "To quote my Mother's friend, Steven Cooke… You are already dead. And that's literally speaking."

Beck was screaming in agony, as his skin was melting from inside his body. His body dropped to the floor, and upon impact, it exploded into ashes. Mandy went to the door, as Beth thought, "Amazing… Coach Mandy's a superb fighter… except… Why haven't I seen that stance before? She wouldn't hold her own in a fight, but it's plainly obvious that she's even better than me! No wonder she's my teacher! I'm so lucky~!"

Mandy called, as she was walking down the halls, "By the way, Beth… Have you taken your medicine? You really shouldn't delay, any longer."

Beth replied, "Oh! The antidote? See, I'm going to drink this, only after I defeat Elsa. This ring, it no longer signifies a promise between me and Elsa. It's actually now a promise to Kyo and Subaru, and that's to go on living and stay in the fight. Will you hold it for me, until I actually need it, Mandy?"

Mandy turned away and said, "No. It would be better if it stayed with you. Who knows what may happen to me?"

Beth was concerned, as she held the ring. As they traveled through the depths, the trail of blood grew ever thinner. Both Beth and Mandy knew well what could be drawn from the fact – Kagura's Ty Ko Ky wounds were healing.

The double doors opened, only to reveal Elsa inside. Elsa said, "So you're here."

Beth and Mandy were in the presence of Elsa of the Emerald, one of the Jewel Women.

Elsa said, "I've been waiting. I see that your powers have increased so much."

Beth hollered, "BASTARD! Where's Kagura? She's the one that killed Kyo!"

Elsa said, "She is not here."

Beth charges in, but Mandy halted her. Mandy said, "Cool your head! Stay calm and look at the floor."

Beth replied, as she saw three sets of footprints, "I know, I'm calm. And I noticed… When Elsa said that she's not here, I noticed that there are three sets of footprints. That means that Kagura and Anya have relocated somewhere else."

She called out, "OR… SHE'S PROBABLY HIDING, RIGHT HERE! SHOW YOURSELF, YOU COWARDS!"

Mandy said, "Indeed. There are three sets of footprints. But I feel dozens of lungs moving the air around, as well."

Elsa said to Mandy, in an impressed look, "So, it's you… You are perceptive and composed, though you are a woman… I can see why you taught those Choujins so much, so quickly. And you can feel, even the lightest of respiration… You rank among the finest of warriors with Ty Ko Ky…"

She lit a fireplace in a huge flame, and the flames shone the room, revealing numerous soldiers up in the ceiling, hanging up with red eyes.

Beth gasped, "What the-? DAMN! How many are there? I have no time to count them, but I am safe to guess that you're all vampires, right?"

The soldiers didn't respond, as Beth knew that was also creepy. But a light on the right side shone, as it revealed a throne, with Anya sitting down.

Beth roared, "ANYA!"

Anya snapped her fingers, and the soldiers stood in attention, up on the ceiling.

"Lady Anya chose us to give the gift of eternal life! We are numbered 100! On our master's orders, we shall rip you two to shreds, ONE HUNDRED AGAINST TWO, NEVINS!" One soldier called out.

The vampires jumped off the ceiling, about to strike at Beth. Beth cried, "YOU FIENDS!"

She sighed and moaned, "One hundred of you guys? Great… One hundred of us against two! We can't win!"

Elsa called, "Lady Anya! A moment!"

Anya waived off the attack, as Elsa pleaded, "Back in Rome, Beth and I made a promise to fight one another, in a rematch. I want revenge for Inga! Please allow me to fight her!"

Anya responded, "NO! Remember that my goal is the Red Gem of Fuji… and to obtain it, for our master… Don't forget that."

Elsa bows and said, "Yes, sister…"

Beth smirked, "Aw, darn… No fight? Well, I'm not in the mood, anyway. Of course, we know that I can beat you in an eyelash, but what's to no end? All these vampires… What sort of motivation is that, I hear you? Win or lose, I'd still come out of it, dead! Giving the odds, it does seem a rational choice to surrender! So, I'm throwing in the towel."

Beth was stunned, as the Vampires saw through her scheme, wrapping her thread on the columns, around them. "Aw, shoot… You girls are smart. Had to try. I guess Kagura taught you the secrets to Ty Ko Ky and Choujin Ethics. Even if you weren't watching, a Ty Ko Ky net was a good idea…"

Anya called out, "KILL HER NOW! AND THE WOMAN, TOO! NO EXCEPTIONS!"

Mandy called, "Your choice… but if you kill us, you'll never get the stone."

Anya belayed her order, "Hold it! What are you saying now, woman?"

Mandy explained, "You don't think I have the stone with me, do you? That wouldn't be wise now, would it? We're headed to our destination. If we're not there to set the device, the red gem will be destroyed… and soon, Kagura has lost! For you will have NOTHING left!"

The vampires gasped, as Anya smirked, "Look, woman… Don't try to fool me…"

Mandy said, "Are you sure that you and your minions will find it, in time? The bomb I set is a very small one… but enough C4 to damage it, preventing use of the gem."

Anya seethed, as Beth thought, "Could this be true? She never said anything about it. Whatever, I'll follow her lead."

Beth called, "Weren't you fellows listening? If we don't stop it, the bomb will go BOOM!"

Anya stated, "Even if it's true, we cannot let you leave here, alive."

Mandy then issued an ultimatum to Anya:
"Therefore, I have a proposition for you two. Beth and Elsa will fight one-on-one, and you and I will fight, as well. If Beth or myself survive, we go after your master, Kagura Sohma. And those who're left standing… WILL POSSESS THE STONE!"

She held the Super Fuji up, as everyone was shocked. Mandy concluded, "The winners of this fight will have the Red Gem and all of its power, as you like. It'll prove who will wield the stone's power. Who is fit to survive: The Jewel Women or humankind?"

Anya was stunned, as she growled, "How dare you say-?"

Elsa chuckled, as Anya was surprised, "Elsa?"

Elsa bows her head in shame, "This is most absurd… Forgive me."

Beth thought, "She is so good! She's proven to be a better gambler than I could ever dream of being!"

Anya smiled, "No doubt… You do have luck. Very well! A battle for survival, for the Red Gem… We accept! But don't get cocky… You will have NO tomorrow!"

Beth thought, in concern, "Using words like that, she turned dire situations into more-or-less even odds!"

She called out, "THEN SO BE IT! Let's do this!"

Anya then said, "And now, we make the proper arrangements… You see, the reason my master left is that she is busy preparing for the moment of our victory. Elsa, what are your thoughts?"

Elsa responded, "We fight tonight… under the gaze of the full moon… The arena the gates of Piz Bernina, fifteen kilometers to the southeast, we will meet at the Skeleton's Heel Stone Circle, there. Many warriors have found death, glory, or both, throughout the history of that place."

Beth roared, "HEY! You don't get to choose, because it's accustomed to you! NO home-field advantage for your kind!"

Anya said, "No, Elsa… I agree that to be a fine choice. Nevins is right, but it's fitting for the battle to take place. Now, let's speak of the Red Gem!"

She instructed, "BETH NEVINS! You shall be the one to present the Red Gem of Fuji on the Skeleton's Heel, at midnight, tonight. And don't forget to remove the bond… The woman will remain here, as insurance."
Elsa and Anya leave, as Beth asked, "Well?"

Mandy said, "We want to make sure that we don't run away from the fight. It is a reasonable request. Beth, go and fetch the red gem. You mustn't worry about me."

Beth smiled, "Would I? I'll see you back at the arena. Trust me, alright?"

Mandy walked off and said, "I assure you, I do."

XXXXX

Beth returned to the room where Kyo was killed, as she was worried. She ran off, as she left to go outside. Minutes later, Beth was walking home, with Kaname on her back, who had passed out from shock and blood loss. Kaname's arm was reattached, but not enough. Beth said that the first thing to do for Kaname is to take her to a nearby hospital in Switzerland.

"Until yesterday, I lived my life, thinking only of myself…" Beth said, as she was upset, "But now, there's an intense feeling, burning up inside of me… I swear… I just wanted to destroy those bastards and all their line! I have to do it! For Kyo, for Subaru, and for Kaname, as well! For Mandy… and for everyone else I know! I'll fight for you all!"

With those final words, Beth's final battle with the Jewel Women was about to begin!

So begins the greatest battle ever! Will Beth Nevins survive her trials and tribulations of the Jewel Women, and to avenge everyone that were slain by Kagura Sohma's wicked hand?
Find out in the next exciting chapter!

To be continued…