Chapter 12: The First Mission Part 3
[The Conformitorium, prison to those that don't fit in, and right now, it's going into shambles, West being pushed back from Watts' puppets.]
West: *tired* Damnit! These things really know how to take a man down!
[Standing beside him, Coco fends off the monsters with her firearms, firing bullets from her desert eagle.]
Coco: Whoever created these must be a huge genius, or a stupid egghead.
[Watts' ears twitch, hearing the word egghead]
Watts: Egghead! That brat is going to understand what true brains really is!
[Watts moves his strings around and commands one of his puppets to take down Coco, and so one of the monsters wielding an energy minigun takes aim, but Raymond notices and leaps towards her]
Raymond: Crystal, look out!
[Raymond turns on his barrier and protects everyone]
West: *relief* Raymond.
Raymond: You guys okay?
Coco: We are fine, did you manage to get the runes.
Raymond: Well I managed to scan all of them, we just have to wait for Arthur's team. And fight through this giant horde of weird looking monsters. But I'd say we got this.
King: How's Luz doing?
[Raymond look down and sees King with fear in his eyes]
Raymond: Don't worry little buddy, Owlet's fine! Right now all we have to do is focus on...
[A monster puts a crack on his barrier]
Raymond: *struck* Oh that can't be good.
[The monsters keep putting cracks on his barrier]
King: *worried* Can't you make your barrier stronger?!
Raymond: Well yes, but most of my power was used up while I was scanning the runes.
King: What?!
Raymond: My Spirit Power is meant for the use of studying. This shield was something I developed while trying to upgrade my power, but doing this kind of adds strain to the body. So if I try making it stronger..
[A monster puts another crack]
Raymond: My brain will turn to goop.
West: Well we better think of something fast, the more we wait here, the higher chance we have to die.
Coco: You two will have to recharge first.
[Coco opens the bag of power beans]
West: Power beans?
Coco: Better time than any right?
[Before she could pass them out, the Elites break through the barrier and attack, they swish Raymond away like he was nothing, Coco fights back and attempts to take one down with her metal arm, but her fist is grabbed and and she is pushed on her stomach]
West: CRYSTAL!
[West summons a battle ax and slashes the Elites that hold her down, but they have no effect, and one by one they all start to pile on West]
West: Shit! GET OFF ME YOU BASTARDS!
[West pushes them off one by one, but he struggles seeing that there are tons of them, King watches in fear seeing Luz's friends being taken down, but a voice calls out to him]
West: King!
[King looks at West]
West: GRAB RAYMOND AND GET OUT OF HERE!
King: BUT WHAT ABOUT YOU?!
West: Don't worry about me!
[West is belted in the face, but he still stands and knocks each of them down, then Tank joins the fight and storms in pushing West to the wall!]
West: (I forgot about him!)
Tank: *menacingly* I don't need these monsters to take you down! I'll just let you watch your comrades die! HAHAHAHAHAHA!
West: *ANGERED* LIKE HELL THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN!
[West and Tank engage into a street fight, delivering blows to one another, as West tries to avoid the conflict and save his comrades, Tank always finds a way to stop him from doing just that]
Tank: OH NO! DON'T IGNORE ME!
[Tank delivers a punch to West's Stomach, causing the Commander to cough blood!]
Tank: RAGE CHARGE!
[Tank's energy begins to increase tenfold, with his eyes glowing red and ready to kill, he delivers a rush of blows, King gazes at West being destroyed, seeing he can't hold his own. And as the Behemoth delivers one more punch, West falls on his knee trying to get up]
Tank: *satisfied* Had enough old man?!
West: *breathes heavily*
Tank: Well say goodnight!
[Tank charges once more, and is about to go for a punch that could end it all, but before he could do that, he is stopped by the mere tap, of a thrown pebble]
Tank: Hmm?
[The Giant sees that King is throwing multiple pebbles, Tank scoffs in an annoyed tone and notices the tears in King's eye, through King's eyes, it reminded him of the time Eda almost killed Lilith, if he didn't step in she would have killed her, and thinking about it now, West is their leader, and if a leader falls who will keep an eye on the crew, he then thought of Luz, and knows she did the same for them when they got trapped by this guy, so if Luz would go to great heights to help people, even if it would cost her, her life. As the King of Demons he has to do the same]
King: Leave him alone!
[King throws another pebble]
Tank: *bored* Oh it's you. Luz's pet.
King: I am not a pet! Agh!
[King throws another pebble that taps Tank]
Tank: *pfft* King of Demons! Don't be silly! You can't call yourself a King and not slaughter your opponents. And you think pebbles can stop me right now? Guess I'll just have to kill you first! For getting in my way!
[Tank stomps towards the little guy]
King: Gah!
[King runs away, but Tanks stomping somehow makes him faster]
King: (I'm going to die! The King of Demons doesn't die)
[As Tank reaches his hand out to grab him]
King: (I still have to go on many adventures with Luz, and get her home, I need to help her, I need...
[As Tank's hands inches closer, King thinks hard]
King: To fight!)
[Suddenly time stops, and King hears a child like voice in his head]
Voice: That's the spirit!
King: Weh! Who said that?
Voice: You want to go on endless adventures, and help your fellow crewmates. Right?
King: Yes!
Voice: You want to protect your friends!
King: YES!
Voice: Well then, let's form a pact!
King: I don't know what your deal is whoever you are, but I like you!
[Time then resumes, and Tank grips his hand, but notices as he opens it that no one is in there]
Tank: Huh?
[Tanks looks around but couldn't find King]
King: Up here!
[Tank then looks up and sees that King is flying]
West: *tired* King? *smirks* I knew it.
Tank: Damnit! Not again!
[King begins to have head pains causing him to scream while he floats]
King: GAGH!
Voice: You've been on countless adventures. Always forming bonds with those closest to you, wanting the one person you care deeply for to go out and tell your stories.
King: GAGH!
Voice: Well now you can have this whole adventure to yourself, and never grow up, and treat the battlefield as if it's your Neverland!
[King's eyes begin to glow]
Voice: Always look upon the powers of these three things! Faith in yourself! Trust in your friends! And the Pixie Dust to fly to your heart's content!
King: Alright then! Come on! PETER PAN!
[A green aura suddenly explodes from King and reveals his Spirit Power, a young boy with in a fairy costume wearing an archer's hat, with Pixie Wings on his back, and a hook for a hand]
King: You dare mock the King of Demons! But let's see how your army deals with my AWESOME POWER!
[Peter hands King his cutlass, he then flies downward and zooms past Tank and helps Coco and Raymond by slashing away the Elites, but the Elites are then angered and attempt to fight back]
King: That's not all I got in store! PETER PAN!
[Peter reappears]
King: ATTACK!
[As king orders Peter to attack Peter rips his shirt open and out of his body a Crocodile head appears and voraciously chomps on the Elites]
Watts: Interesting, a beast being able to summon a Spirit! That is worth looking into. Too bad for my babies.
Raymond: Damn King, that's overkill!
Coco: Amazing, a tiny demonic creature being able to summon a Spirit, this is a specimen worth studying!
[The Crocodile Head finishes feasting on the Elites and returns to Peter Pan's body, King turns around and prepares to fight]
King: All that's left is you Tank! Prepare to suffer by my hands!
Tank: *tch* Bring it!
[King's flies fast towards the giant before him, Tank attempts to grab him, but King is too fast, and spins around him like a bolt of lightning striking from every corner. Tank watches closely and wait for an opening, a few strikes later, he manages to grab King]
King: Weh!
Tank: I already have one kid to deal with, and I don't want another!
[He prepares to deliver a fatal blow but his arm is grabbed...by West!]
Tank: Huh?
West: I don't think so!
[West gives a punch to the face, forcing Tank to let go of King, King then floats to safety]
Tank: You're up early!
West: That's because you hurt my team!
[the four of them gather in front of him]
Tank: I don't have time for this! Elites!
[Two Elites appear]
Tank: Take care of them!
[The two elites charge at them]
Tank: I don't have time for this!
[As the two elites hurdle towards our heroes, West and Coco begin to fight again]
West: No you don't!
[West's Aura flares revealing Hercules and both punch one away]
Coco: *cheerfully* I'll examine your remains later!
[Coco fire a rocket with her launcher and blows another one away]
King: Time to end this! PETER PAN! ATTACK!
[Peter Pan appears once more and summons the croc within his body, chewing on their destroyed bodies]
King: And now all that's left is...Tank?
[As they Elites have been destroyed Tank is nowhere to be found]
King: Where did he go?
West: Must have gotten away.
[The dust begins to clear up and the alarms start to blare]
Raymond: That can't be good, we should get going!
King: But what about…*tired* Luz!
[King then collapses]
Raymond: King!
[Raymond tries to hold him and sees that King is unconscious]
Raymond: Looks like summoning his Spirit Power for the first time drained everything out of him.
Coco: It's a good thing I brought these.
[Coco reveals her pouch of power beans]
Raymond: Will those even help him?
Coco: Well these things are mostly for wounds and illnesses, but it can replenish some energy, just to the point where he can become conscious.
Raymond: It's better than nothing.
West: I'll get to the top of the tower. You two take care of King, get the plane ready and meet us there.
Coco: You'll need this before you go.
[Coco gives West a power bean]
West: Thank you.
Coco: Sure commander, and if you don't make it back alive. I'll use your body for science.
West: *annoyed sigh* Don't.
Coco: heheheheh!
[both West and King's group go their separate ways and prepare for the rest of the plan]
[Meanwhile with Luz's team, Kotoha is on her knees gazing at the awesome power Viper displays before her, she begins to sweat from her head, with the trauma she felt from the energy coming from Meta member. Does it remind her of her fight with Luz, it's not just that, but to her it was something bigger than that. Flashbacking to her home being destroyed and a tall figure fighting to her last breath eventually getting slaughtered by a being with the same energy.]
Viper: Do you still wish to battle me?
[Behind her mask, Kotoha grips her teeth, and grabs hold of her swords. She convinces herself to keep fighting but her body holds her back, she won't move because she fears anything that she does will be pointless.]
Kotoha: AGH!
[Kotoha charges forward with her sword, and suddenly Viper just appears in front of her the second she blinks]
Kotoha: *fear* *gasp*
Viper: Die.
[Viper than slashes her across the chest, flinging her across the room]
Kotoha: *in pain* AAAGGGHHH!
[She crashes into the wall forming cracks that appear to be 10 ft long]
Viper: I thought you were supposed to be a great fighter, but in my eyes,
[Step by step her aura grows stronger, and her red eyes glow brighter, preparing to end it all]
Viper: But now I see you're scared, and unable to fight what's to come.
[Kotoha struggles to get up, and her legs refuse to run, tears begin to form in her eyes and blood continues dripping from her chest]
Viper: *disappointed* I wish I could see you at your best, but orders are orders.
[Viper prepares her blades]
Arthur: Leave her alone!
[Arthur swoops in and defends his comrade, along with Luz who fires multiple fireballs]
Viper: Defending the weak I see.
Arthur: You can't teach this guy new tricks!
[Arthur and Viper begin to battle head to head, Arthur runs on the walls and summons his Crimson Dragon to hold her off, somehow Viper is too fast for the Dragon to even catch her, Crimson Dragon uses his fire breath to slow her down, but it does nothing, then Luz swoops in and spins her staff summoning a light glyph blade, and holds her ground against the assassin. As they push each other Viper begins to speak with no expression, but is somehow impressed]
Viper: *impressed* Looks like someone's been improving.
[The both swing four more times before the next standoff]
Luz: I've been practicing!
[Viper forms a look of disgust on her face]
Viper: *hmph* Technically it's not enough.
[Kotoha glances at Luz's combat prowess seeing her be able to hold her own, she tightens her grip thinking she has it so easy, first being able to get into Shatter Squad, then giving her her first mission after one try. She flashbacks again, to her school days jealous of all the times seeing how easy people had it. She then looks down, and starts to move, not towards the battle but turns her face and runs away. Luz lands after another attack, then sees Kotoha running. She displays a concerned look.]
Luz: Kami?
[She tries to reach out but is stopped by Viper who stands in her way]
Viper: *noiseless* You're fighting me!
[Luz blocks Viper's arm thrust and begins to zoom across the room, the strike each other multiple times clashing like there's no tomorrow. Luz flies to lands a lightning attack, but Viper then unlocks her ability]
Viper: Iota Spirit! Unlock! Time distortion!
[Time stops moving and everyone is holding still, the only thing moving is Viper, she closes in on her opponent, who then kicks her in the gut and slashes her back, time then unfreezes, and Luz feels the sudden pain]
Luz: *in pain* AAAAAGGH!
Arthur: Owlet!
[Arthur tries to get to her, but Viper gets in the way yet again]
Arthur: (Now is a good time to use this) Delta Spirit! Unlock!
[Arthur's eyes begin to glow red]
Arthur: Logical planning!
[He then has a glimpse into multiple futures trying plan which one is most likely to happen, slowly Viper is about to shank his eyes, Arthur is fast enough to dodge]
Arthur: Owlet?! Are you okay?!
[Luz miraculously gets up like nothing happened and gives a thumbs up]
Luz: I'm fine! But I think Kami needs help, hold her off for a while!
[Viper hears her words and tries to stop her]
Viper: Don't take your eyes off me!
[All of a sudden, an ax is thrown towards her, and she evades it]
Arthur: About time you showed up!
[West then appears ready to fight]
West: I'm not letting you have all the fun!
Luz: *relief* Slayer!
[West then hands her a bag]
West: You and Kami take these!
[Luz grabs the bag]
Luz: What are they?
West: Power Beans, they can heal any wounds. Give one to her and yourself and grab the Necronomicon before they do!
[West then lifts his leg, and stomps on the floor causing a shockwave, throwing Viper back]
West: Hurry!
[Luz nods in agreement and makes her way towards Kotoha, Arthur rushes to West's side]
West: Does she have one too?
Arthur: If it's about the fragment then yes.
West: Which one?
Arthur: Iota
[Viper struggles to get up but still stands and shakes off the pain]
West: The Alpha's Timidness. That means she can use the time distortion.
Arthur: I can keep up with her when I use Delta, but that's the only edge we got!
West: Well it's not much, but it will have to do!
[West than let's our his own aura, revealing Hercules once more]
West: Let's make this quick.
[Then something burst through the wall]
West: *annoyed* Oh great, this guy.
Tank: Viper! HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE YOU TO GET A HOLD OF A SIMPLE OBJECT! HMM?
[he sees Arthur and West]
Tank: Agent Arthur? I suppose the little brat is with you. I hope she is, I look forward to slaughtering her!
Arthur: Okay now we have two things to deal with.
Tank: Let's get this over with!
[Tank and Viper jump at West and Arthur with both sides ready to fight]
[Meanwhile Luz is running to find to Kotoha, and then spots her in an open cage by herself, her arms tied around her knees and her head down]
Luz: *relief* *sigh* (there she is).
[Luz then runs to Kotoha's side]
Luz: Kotoha!
[Kotoha looks up in fear and sees Luz, once more, running towards her, but in her eyes, she sees the monster that haunts her]
Kotoha: *anger* STAY AWAY FROM ME!
[Luz then stops]
Luz: Kotoha! Is everything okay?
[Kotoha grits her teeth]
Kotoha: *ANGERED* SHUT UP! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!
[Luz then tries to get her to listen]
Luz: Kotoha they need us. West and Arthur are fighting Viper right now! And we need to work with them if we want to complete this mission!
[Kotoha grips her fist in fury, working with her, the girl who almost murdered her, the girl who keeps stealing the spotlight, the girl who has the energy of that monster]
Kotoha: *angered* I SAID...SHUT UP!
[OUT OF ANGER KOTOHA GRAB LUZ BY THE COLLAR OF HER HOODIE AND SLAMS HER INTO THE WALL]
Luz: *shocked* Kotoha I know you're angry and I'm sorry if I hurt you. But I didn't mean it.
[Kotoha grits her teeth behind her mask once more begins to let out more of her anger]
Kotoha: *angered* You think you just hurt me! Oh that's not all you've done! YOU GOT INTO THE SQUAD THAT I WORKED MY WHOLE LIFE TO GET INTO! YOU MADE ME LOOK LIKE A FOOL AFTER OUR FIGHT! YOU KEEP GETTING THE ATTENTION FROM EVERYONE IN THE SQUAD ALL BECAUSE YOU GOT YOUR SPIRIT POWER AFTER YOUR FIRST FIGHT! YOU EVEN MAKE ME LOOK LIKE A COWARD EARLIER! AND BECAUSE OF YOU! ARTHUR SAID I WASN'T A TRUE WARRIOR!
[Luz then looks into her eyes, Kotoha bawling out the tears she held back]
Kotoha: *Sad* *sob* Arthur was my hero! And to hear those words, telling me *sob* that you are more of a warrior then I am. *sob* Why does it have to be you? *sob*. I can't even look you in the eye..I'm scared to even fight those monsters! But you *sob* you always take everything head on. And you make it look so easy *sob*. But I've been working my whole life to get here! And now I don't know if I could do this anymore!
[Kotoha's tears continue to fall from her eyes, she falls to her knees and loosens her grip on Luz]
Luz: (Is this how you've been feeling? I wish there was a way to understand more)
[Then in her head she sees the White Light]
White Light: Maybe there is.
[Luz's eyes then turn white and she softly grips her hands on Kotoha's shoulders, then both their eyes start to glow, Luz walks through what appears to be Kotoha's memories]
Luz: Wait is this?
[She touches one and sees Kotoha's middle school days]
Kid: Hey guys I heard that Kotoha wants to join the knight of Chorus.
Kid 2: That loser! I doubt they would even accept her, I mean look at her, her grades suck, and she has no friends.
Kid 3: I bet she's even ugly under that mask!
[Middle school Kotoha then grits her teeth trying to hold back her tears]
[Kotoha then sees a memory of Luz's childhood, everyone talking behind her back about her hairstyle for picture day]
Photographer: Say cheese!
Luz: Cheese!
Kid: Seriously, what's up with her?
Kotoha: *gasp*
Kid 2: I know right Luz-er is so weird.
Kid 3: All she ever does is cause trouble.
Kid 4: I bet there are moments even her mom is ashamed of her!
[All the kids laugh behind her back]
[Luz then sees Kotoha training countless days, pulling all nighters for studying, practicing different ninja techniques, which Luz takes note of, and trying to unlock her Spirit to present to the Proctors]
Kotoha: Come on Kotoha! You can do this!
[She then thinks of her mother, and how much she protected her, now she will have to do the same thing]
Kotoha: GAGH!
[Kotoha's Aura appears and behind her is the Storm of God Tricks Susano'O]
Kotoha: *gasp* YES!
[Then days later after getting a spot in the Knights of Chorus, but is being harassed by her classmates]
Kotoha: Leave me alone.
Kid: Why?! I thought the Knights of Chorus were supposed to be brave! All I see is a little scared bitch!
[The bully then pulls on her hair]
Kotoha: Stop it! Please!
[But then a hand grabs his arm and pushes it away]
Kid: Who the...*gasp*
Arthur: Don't you soldiers have anything better to do?
Kid 2: Sorry sir!
Arthur: Get out of here!
[Arthur tries to pick her up, but then one of them tries to attack him, but he fights back knocking them all out one by one and after a few minutes]
Arthur: I'll make sure to tell your parents and teachers about this! Harassment of a fellow soldier, and attacking a higher rank. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Get lost!
[The bullies then begin to run away]
Arthur: You okay?
[he gives Kotoha a hand, Kotoha takes it and he pulls her up]
Kotoha: I'm sorry sir!
Arthur: Don't be. You stood your ground and that's what makes a true soldier. Although I hear of you picking fights all the time.
Kotoha: *embarrassed* I'm sorry.
Arthur: Hey it's fine. I want to see you in action! When you join my team!
Kotoha: *amazed* *gasp*
[Luz then smiles in relief]
Luz: Same old Arthur.
[Kotoha look into Luz's memories once more, and sees all the moments of being bullied, her being alone on her birthdays, her mother telling her to go to Summer Camp]
Kotoha: Her mom actually did that?
[Then she sees the memories she made in the Isles, her friends, the monsters she fought, and then she sees Eda turning into the Owl Beast, and then being petrified]
Kotoha: This is her reason for fighting with us. This happened before?
[She then sees Luz destroy the only key to her home]
Kotoha: *gasp* Why am I seeing this?! What's going on!
[Luz then walks around once more to see Arthur and Kotoha fighting and she lost again]
Arthur: How many losses does that give you?
Kotoha: You were counting?
Arthur: Hahaha I mean I lost count at ten.
A.X.E.L.: This technically makes it her 24th loss.
Kotoha: Damnit!
[Arthur then puts his hand on her shoulder]
Arthur: Hey, don't worry about it. You'll get there.
Kotoha: *sigh*
[Kotoha looks down in disappointment but is motivated and stands ups]
Kotoha: Let's go again!
Arthur: That's the spirit!
Kotoha: Well I'm not going to stop till I defeat you that's for sure.
[Kotoha then charges at him]
Luz: But what exactly is her motivation for all this?
[A memory then comes up to her]
Luz: Hmm. Don't mind if I do.
[She then sees her house burning down]
Luz: Wait what?
[A woman and her daughter run away from the fire until a black figure appears behind them, Luz then feels the pressure this figure gives off and she falls to her knees]
Luz: What kind of power is this?!
[She then sees the Woman performing a special Ninjutsu]
Kotoha: Mom! What are you doing?!
[Her mother then embraces her one last time]
Atsuko: Kotoha-chan! It's time to go.
Kotoha: Mom?
[She then shoves her into the Ninjutsu circle]
Atsuko: This Ninjutsu will take you someplace safe. Make sure you join the Knights and end this madness.
Kotoha: Mom! DON'T DO THIS!
[Atsuko tears begin to fall]
Atsuko: Remember these words Kotoha! あんたは一人じゃない！！ 愛してる！！
[Luz begins to see the tears in her eyes, which cause her to tear up]
Atsuko: 差魚なら。私の娘
[Atsuko then releases her technique and teleports Kotoha to a safe location!]
Kotoha: *SAD* NO!
[As Kotoha is teleported to safe place her mother is then killed by the black figure behind her, she then lands near a school for the next generation of Knights, and she sobs knowing her mom is dead]
Kotoha: *sorrow* AAAAAGGGGHHHH!
Luz: Kotoha.
[They return to the world of the living and their eyes end their glow]
Kotoha: *gasp* What happened?! What did you do?!
[Luz looking down with tears in her eyes]
Luz: あんたは一人じゃない..
[Kotoha is shocked to hear Luz say those words]
Luz: That's what she told you before she died.
Kotoha: How do you know that?
Luz: All this time you've felt alone. And you had nobody to stand by you. That's why you beat up those who take away your attention, that's why you want to battle Arthur all the time. You hate being alone. And when I came I took it away.
Kotoha: *gasp*
[Kotoha looks down]
Luz: Kotoha, I know what it's like to be alone.
[Kotoha looks up and recalls all the memories she saw of Luz]
Luz: All my life. I had no friends, and I would spend my birthdays alone, and the only person I had was my mami. But when she was going to send me to Summer camp. I had all sorts of emotions go through my head. But when I came here. I made real friends. People who can show me that I'm never alone. And now, I want to be there for you too.
[Kotoha looks up and is surrounded by darkness of her fears]
Luz: I'll tell you what, whoever did that to your mom, I'll help you find that person and bring him to justice.
[Luz then comes from above and reaches out her hand]
Kotoha: I'm being lectured by someone younger than me. That's ironic.
Luz: I know, but I'm here for you anytime you like. But right now our friends need us. So let's work together and stop Meta.
[Kotoha reaches out to the light]
Luz: Are you with me, Kami?
[Kotoha closes her eyes, and takes hold of the white light, with a grin behind her mask]
Kotoha: Bring it.