There are secrets in the universe that may never be fully explained.
Where there are mysteries, there are always three kinds of people connected to them. One is the kind of people who want to seek the mysteries out to their fullest.
The other are the people who are out to destroy any secret they believe threatens their security or positions of power.
The third type are the defenders of mysteries.
This is the tale of several such defenders.
Outcast Legends: And Outlaw Star fanfic
And There Was War In Heaven…
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the original Outlaw Star TV anime. I'll make a list of those characters and concepts I do own at the end of the fic.
Chapter 14: Armor of the Dragon
DragonMage looked around him in utter triumph. He now stood at the very center of the leyline, directly below the glowing sphere that represented, to him, the ultimate power in the universe. Or at least a tool used to become such a power.
He suddenly heard a sound behind him and turned to see Jean, Aisha, Harry, Bluestone, Backtrack, Vapor, Firestorm, Mirage, and Siren appearing on the scene ready to fight. He scoffed inwardly at such a move at defiance.
"Simple fools, you are all like insects to me. Just what are you trying to prove?" He laughed, the demon red glow still not having left his eyes.
"This!" Jean stated as he unleashed a blast from his Caster.
"Idiot!" DragonMage shouted as he caught the bullet with the Dragon's Claw and crumbled it to powder. "Your puny sidearm can't hurt me. Now I'll show you the control I have over Casters and traitors!"
Instantly, the gun flew out of Jean's hand as if by some evil telekinesis, and DragonMage crushed it just like he had the bullet. Harry, dashing forward like a living human blur, barraged DragonMage with kicks and punches, all of which the dark warlord managed to evade with ease. Suddenly, DragonMage gripped both Mirage and Siren with the same evil telekinetic powers, sending them flying into Harry. The three collided head-on and hit the ground hard.
Aisha leapt into action, transforming into her ultimate fighting form and going straight at DragonMage with fury in her eyes. A giant blast, like a transparent black soundwave, hit her dead-on before she could get into range, and she was almost instantly slammed into the ground with a giant crash, making a dent in the ground where she landed. She slowly tried to stand up, but then unconsciousness won out and she collapsed to the ground, fainted.
"Do you realize now the futility of resisting me? The Great Dragon's power flows through me now with incredible strength; no one can oppose me."
"Well then I guess we'll just have to try anyway," Bluestone said, bringing the sword to a ready position. "Because we're sure as heck not gonna just stand back while you trash our universe, Dragon scum!"
"I see you've retrieved Dawn Sword's weapon, little girl." DragonMage laughed. "Do you actually think you stand a better chance than he did?"
"You'll pay for what you've done." She stated aggressively.
"Oh will I?" He mocked, then drew out his sword into a battle position. "It's time to end this little game. It's time for all of you to die!"
Without warning, black bolts of electricity shot out from the blade of the sword, expertly targeting and hitting each of DragonMage's enemies dead on. As DragonMage's triumphant laughter filled the air, each of the warriors wreathed in pain before eventually death held each one of the nine warriors in it's relentless clutches, slowly dying an inevitable death as DragonMage watched in silent triumph.
Turning from the helplessly dying victims who had dared oppose him, DragonMage looked at last towards his true goal. With evil power glowing from his eyes, he reached out with the Dragon's Claw and grasped the glowing ball of energy firmly.
When the three warriors arrived, Suzuka and Dawn Sword were shocked anew by what they saw. There, lying on the ground, were the bodies of Jean, Aisha, Bluestone, Backtrack, Harry, Vapor, Firestorm, Mirage and Siren. They all seemed to be dead, but Bluestone seemed to be barely clinging to consciousness.
But far worse was what they saw standing strong and powerful right in front of them. The armor was dark dark blue with gold trim, featuring a helmet with a Y shaped black visor, and on the top of the helmet was a small gold-metal spike. DragonMage's left arm was now almost completely bare, except for the Dragon's Claw, but his other arm was covered with a long black sleeve and also bore a second Dragon's Claw, even bigger and fiercer than the one on his left. The layered chest plate was ornately designed, and his waist sported a belt which had a large buckler with a strange insignia; it was reminiscent of a gargoyle with broad pointed wings and a long tail but without a head, arms, or legs, all in flat gold design, placed on a black background inside a slightly rounded triangle pointing downwards, trimmed with gold. Below the waist was all heavy protective armor, and two long loops of red fabric were strapped to his shoulders and hung at knee level behind him.
But strangest of all were the wings. Dark red dragon wings, with pointed metallic talons on the tips of each wing.
"What in the world…?!" Suzuka exclaimed.
"The Armor of the Dragon!" Dawn Sword stated, just as surprised as Suzuka.
"Balerra!" Cameron quickly went on the defensive, sword materializing with an electric flash in his hands.
"Ah, if it isn't Cameron and the two humans." DragonMage laughed, but his voice had changed. It was now much deeper, almost like the sound of a burning fire, and had an otherworldly double-echo to it that made Suzuka's skin crawl. "Come here to die, have you?"
"After Cerpa killed DragonMage, Balerra was able to take possession of DragonMage's body through the Dragon's Claw." Cameron explained, never taking his eyes off of DragonMage. "He's been the one causing the leyline to loose it's strength, hiding here invisibly in hopes of destroying the leyline for both revenge and because of everything it stands for. He's been here all along, hiding in the spiritual realm, waiting for the right moment to strike. He's the one who caused the leyline's 'children' to start to remember their past, and he's the one who gave Hazanka the power and knowledge to enter the leyline."
"And now my hour has come. The leyline's last few particles of energy are slowly being absorbed back into this armor, where they belong. With the Armor of the Dragon restored, I shall become the most powerful warrior to ever walk the face of the universe, and I'll destroy all who dare oppose me! Starting with the three of you!" DragonMage stated, a sword materializing in his hands with a flash of flame. The blade was single edged, somewhat jagged, and seemed to suck light down into itself like a black hole. The handle was golden and shaped almost like a snake's mouth, and a large dark-red jewel was at the center of the handle. "Behold! This black blade has pierced a hundred million souls, and now it shall terminate your three lives, foolish ones."
"No, Balerra." Cameron challenged, sword ready. "Today you shall be defeated, just as you were before." He turned to Suzuka, then motioned her towards Bluestone. "See if she can be revived. Your brother and I will deal with this … seditionist."
Suzuka nodded, then rushed over and pulled Bluestone off to the side. Cameron and Dawn Sword, swords ready, charged headfirst into the battle while Suzuka tended to Bluestone.
"…
"Shh. You need to rest; save your strength." She paused. "Collin and I are OK, and we're going to stop DragonMage, I promise."
"… Suzuka,…" Bluestone said, trying to take a deep breath but only swallowing blood. She coughed it up on the ground, took a deep breath, then looked back up at Suzuka with what little strength she had left. "… Tell… Collin… that… I love him."
Suzuka nodded slowly. She watched, powerless to stop what was happening, as Bluestone slowly closed her eyes and stopped breathing.
Swords met in fast and vicious clashes as DragonMage somehow managed to fight off both Cameron and Dawn Sword at the same time. Suddenly taking to the sky, DragonMage let loose a huge blast of fire, which both warriors managed to dodge. Cameron, suddenly negating gravity's effect on him, took likewise to the sky and engaged DragonMage in aerial sword combat, electricity and fire flaring into existence left and right as the two fought for bitter survival. Suzuka rejoined Dawn Sword, and together the two let loose their most powerful special techniques, scoring clean hits on the demon-possessed DragonMage. Cameron followed up with a stab to the chest, driving his sword straight through the armor and sending currents of living electricity through the dark warrior's body. DragonMage hit the ground with a crippling thud as smoke began to rise off his body.
Cameron landed on the ground in front of Dawn Sword and Suzuka, still facing DragonMage.
"Don't let your guard down yet." He cautioned.
"You mean he's still alive?" Dawn Sword exclaimed.
He got his answer as DragonMage slowly staggered to his feet, evil power glowing in his eyes.
"You morons! You can't kill what's already dead!" He suddenly raised one hand towards the sky and shouted "Power of the serpent, rise! Strength of darkness, transform me! Grant me the form of the Destroyer!"
Black electricity flared randomly out of his body, causing such total blinding darkness that Suzuka couldn't even see her hand in front of her face. When it faded, Suzuka quickly realized she was falling. She hit the side of the mountain hard but quickly jabbed her sword into the rock surface and used it to stop her fall.
The mountaintop had crumbled under the weight of a massive being. The gigantic dragon's crimson skin was like armor plates, it's wings were so massive they filled Suzuka's entire field of vision. It's long sweeping tail had what looked like a giant spearhead attached to the end, and the dragon's arms were almost humanoid, the hands only having four fingers whereas the feet supported five. It's razor-sharp rows of teeth looked like rows of swords, and it's legs had two knee joints. It's legs, arms, and tail were all lined with rows of sharp spikes. It had a short thick neck and massive chest muscles.
The Destroyer, Suzuka presumed.
"So, you finally show us your real power, 'Great Dragon'." Suzuka muttered to herself, then stood to her feet and shouted in defiance. "There's an old saying that say 'the bigger they are, the harder they fall', Balerra! Your reign of terror ends here!!"
"I've heard that one before." The dragon laughed, it's voice sounding like a living thunderclap.
"Darkness cannot silence light, demon!" Cameron shouted in defiance, appearing suddenly in mid-air, glaring into the dragon's face.
"We will never surrender!" Dawn Sword added, having found his footing on the jagged mountain terrain.
"Then you will do so in death!!" The dragon shouted, dredging up a massive fireball and spitting it straight at Cameron. The spirit warrior managed to dodge with a vertical evasion, then brought his sword to bear and shot through the air like a lightning bolt, headed straight for the massive reptile. Suddenly, Cameron's assault was cut short as he hit a previously-invisible black energy field, bouncing off the defensive shield with a painful grunt. The dragon laughed. "Meddlesome angel! Nothing can break through my shadow barrier; while in this form, I am completely unkillable. And once you are all dead, I'll absorb every energy source in the universe to enhance my power!"
Suddenly, the crushed mountaintop began to vanish. Dematerialize. Suzuka and Dawn Sword, realizing the situation, barely had time to react as the ground below their feet suddenly ceased to exist. The dragon, too, was unable to register what had happened before gravity took over, sending the massive beast to the ground with a thundering crash. Cameron, intervening as quickly as possible, was able to catch Suzuka and her brother before they hit the ground, saving them from the raging earthquake below that had been triggered by the dragon's fall. Suzuka suddenly spotted Jim far below, a Striker in one hand and a ready-to-be-loaded shell in the other. As the earthquake died down, Cameron quickly put Suzuka and Dawn Sword back on the ground, then flew off to face the quickly recovering dragon as Jim rushed up to Dawn Sword and Suzuka.
"Hey you guys! What'd I miss?" He inquired innocently. "And where'd the dragon come from?"
"That's DragonMage's doing,… sorta." Dawn Sword explained, then turned back to Jim. "Nice shooting, but you'd better clear out of here. Things could get nasty."
"No way. I've stayed back from every big adventure Jean has ever had, outside of piloting the Outlaw Star. I'm not going to-"
"That's noble, but right now we're dealing with a creature of … supernatural proportions. If you want to help, stay low and fire only when you've got a clean shot. And remember that that dragon has a protective shield around it. OK?" Suzuka asked.
"You got it!" Jim stated, loading his Striker and then turning in the direction of the nearest big protective rock.
"Kid's got guts." Dawn Sword stated, then turned to Suzuka. "We'd better go stop that giant iguana before it's too late. Ready?"
"I was born ready." Suzuka stated with a nod, then the two rushed back to the battle lines.
Meanwhile, Cameron was having a hard time keeping the battle up. His every attack just ricocheted off the demon beast's protective field, while meanwhile Balerra was fully recovered from the fall and doing his best to burn the Archangel alive.
'Kai, where are you?' Cameron thought to himself, barely dodging another stream of fire. 'Now would be a really good time for reinforcements.'
Leviathan and Nova cruisers clashed in fierce battle high above the galactic leyline, filling the empty void of outer space with weapons fire, auto mechs, and grappler pods. Fiery explosions and debris scattered across the starscape as ships on both sides went down in raging balls of inferno.
Suddenly, something strange began to happen that momentarily drew the attention of both sides of the combat.
The black storm field around the galactic leyline began to dissipate.
As secret techniques, electricity, and blasts of fire flared across the field of battle, Suzuka knew things were getting worse. Nothing was breaking through the dragon's shield, and due to the giant reptile's 'bad breath', things were really starting to heat up. Flames filled the sky as blast after blast from the dragon scarred the landscape, raining down destruction on it's foes. Suzuka narrowly dodged as the dragon brought it's bladed tail down at her from above, the seven-foot long weapon lodging itself into the ground on contact.
"You can't win!" The dragon roared in laughter. "The galactic leyline is about to become a galactic graveyard!"
A blast of fire struck Cameron dead-on, sending him into the ground like a comet as flames surrounded his body. As the flames died down and he painfully tried to get back to his feet, Dawn Sword was only just barely able to push the Archangel out of the way of another stream of fire.
"This isn't working!" Dawn Sword exclaimed, then turned to Cameron. "You're an Archangel; what do we do against something like this???"
The two dodged another blast of fire, but barely.
"I'm not powerful enough to break the barrier. Only the children of God and the most powerful Archangels have that kind of power." Cameron replied, obviously in pain.
"But we've hit it with everything we've got, and nothing's worked." Dawn Sword replied.
"Only the power of God can shatter an evil barrier that's empowered by Lucifer." Cameron stated. He then looked Dawn Sword square in the eye. "You and your sister are the only ones who might be able to do it, but you must have faith."
Dawn Sword slowly nodded.
"I'll try."
He and Cameron dodged apart to avoid another storm of flames, then Dawn Sword suddenly started a suicide dash straight at the massive dragon. Suzuka saw what he was doing and was about to shout over to him to stop, but didn't get a word out before another blast of flames was headed straight at her, forcing her to dodge. The dragon quickly turned it's attention towards Dawn Sword as he began to get closer, and sent a huge bolt of black electricity straight at him. He evaded the blast and kept running, sword suddenly glowing with power and streaking ribbons of light like echoes behind it.
"This ends now!!" He shouted in defiance, then jumped high up into the air, aiming to hit the shield with his sword.
A massive flash of light erupted as the glowing sword contacted the energy field, a flash so brilliantly blinding that it drowned out all other light except itself. Even up in space, with the fierce combat raging, the light still held it's massive brilliance and blinding power. As the light faded, Dawn Sword dropped to the ground as a sound like a million windows breaking all at once was heard.
But the dragon had been expecting such an eventuality. Even before the light fully faded, he had his sights set directly on Dawn Sword. Bringing it's fist down in a smash-punch, the dragon focused it's full fury into one single blow.
Suzuka, blinded by the flash, didn't see what had happened until the light faded away. There was the dragon, standing over the crushed body of her brother.
'… No, oh God no! Not again…!' She thought in silent terror as she watched the lifeless form lay there on the ground.
"What a fool. He has given away his life and gained so little! Now I'll make sure he never sees daylight again!" The dragon said, picking up the mangled body in one of it's giant hands. "After all, why waste a perfectly good snack?"
"NEVER!!!" Cameron shouted in rage, his eyes glowing like supernovas in their sockets. Gripping the sword handle tightly, he dashed through the air at the vile monster, then let loose a blast of electricity through the sword as he slashed the blade across the giant dragon's face. The monster screamed in rage, dropped Collin's limp body, and then backhanded Cameron like a gnat, sending him flying into the ground.
Suddenly, something deep inside of Suzuka just seemed to snap. It wasn't anger, or hatred, or rage that suddenly flowed like a raging river through her mind; neither was it fear, despair, or discouragement. In the back of her mind, she could hear her mother's voice, echoing in the sound of distant memories,…
When the stars don't shine
And you're scared and afraid
Just pray a small prayer
And God will be there
When things don't make sense
And you don't know what to do
Just believe, and see
The truth will set you free
What flowed through Suzuka at that moment, like as if someone had lit a fire deep inside of her, too deep to explain; what suddenly gripped her mind with a soul-felt purpose was an emotion of incredible power. Not strength, or superiority, or victory. Pure power, running through every vein in her body. Power like she'd never known before.
Suddenly, an invisible wind began to blow, a current of supernatural energy that flowed directly into Suzuka's soul.
And she knew…
She knew that she was born for this moment, born for this purpose.
And as her heart silently prayed for strength, she could feel a power so incredible that it had to be God Himself come down on her, igniting her soul with inspired purpose and determination.
Raising her sword high into the air, she shouted in utter defiance.
"… This far, no further! This stops right now!"
The dragon turned it's head at her, then it's eyes widened in disbelief as Suzuka's sword began to glow. Slowly at first, then ribbons of light began encircling the blade with incredible power, the light growing and growing until the dragon had to shield it's eyes from the sheer scorching brilliance of the light. Running straight at the dragon, Suzuka brought her sword to a ready position as power coursed through her body like the light of ten million stars. The beast, in hopes of victory, let loose a blast of black flames from it's right claw, but the attack split apart and veered into the ground behind her as Suzuka continued her assault.
Intense light shining from her eyes, Suzuka jumped high into the air, and brought the sword down into the middle of the dragon's back.
Instantly, the dragon imploded from within, beams of shattering light breaking violently out from within the giant creature as Suzuka held the attack, it's blood curdling death scream echoing out into the depths of outer space…
Kai and the other Archangels, after hours of battling Balerra's demon armies, finally descended on the galactic leyline to find that they were too late, in a good sense. DragonMage's lifeless body, now returned to normal human form, lay on the ground where the dragon had been, and the shattered fragments of the Armor of the Dragon lay on the ground scattered around him. Suzuka was unconscious, but alive. Cameron was slowly recovering from the merciless combat and would need to spend much time healing in the presence of God. Balerra, having been utterly and completely defeated by the power of God that had flowed through Suzuka, was nowhere to be found, cast back into the abyss realm to await the day of judgement and the lake of fire. Kai, letting Cameron rest after the long battle, used the power God had given him and restored Collin, Jean, Aisha, Melfina, Harry, Ron, and the rest of the Outcast Legends back to life, just as God had instructed. Then Jim came out of hiding and was speechless at the sight of all the warrior angels, although he probably didn't realize that they were spiritual beings taking on human form.
Having accomplished their purpose, the angels silently left the leyline, returning each to his post. Except Cameron. He was to stay until everyone woke up.