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Chap. 12

The creature known as Vengeance hovered before the four warriors before settling on the ground. A symbolic ring encircled around him as the creature silently examined the four and folded his arms

"I am Vengeance, advent of Justice." His eyes continued to roam around as they waited for him to act. Then Vengeance smiled, if it could be called a smile considering the helmet over his face.

"All humans will cease to exist. Starting with the two of you."

Ky stood in stance, waiting for the inevitable attack. Two of us. I guess he means me and Sol. He steadied himself for an attack, but none came. Rather, Vengeance was just staring at Sol. 'What is he doing?' Ky thought to himself.

"Destroy him."

Ky blinked. He was speaking to Sol? What is this? Why would he...? A loud cry broke his train of thought as Sol swooped through the air, his Firesoul ablaze. Sol struck down on Vengeance, but the gear simply boosted back and avoided the strike. Vengeance eyed Sol strangely.

"I don't understand. Why won't you obey?"

Ky was now really confused. Obey? Why would Vengeance think that Sol would obey him? Unless...

Sol raised his sword and leapt into the air. Fire encircled the bounty hunter as he came at the commander gear.

"Grand Viper!"

Vengeance watched the ball of fire coming straight at him. But rather than move, Vengeance remained right where he was. When Sol got close enough, Vengeance released a thick ball of energy that exploded on the fiery warrior. Sol was blown back, but somehow rolled up to his feet. However, Vengeance decided to attack and slashed out with his razor-sharp claws. Sol ducked back, avoiding it completely but Vengeance slashed again and with this one, he wasn't as lucky. The blow slashed at his forehead, tearing off the bandana Sol was wearing. Enraged, Sol quickly stabbed his sword into the ground.

"Gun Flame!"

Vengeance was caught in the flame, but wasn't damaged at all. Vengeance examined the warrior once again and then began laughing.

"Oh, I see. You are him. The prototype gear."

The prototype...gear? Ky looked at Sol to see what Vengeance was talking about and gasped. On his forehead where the bandana once covered was a strange symbol. A mark...of a gear.

"You...are a gear?"

Sol simply shrugged, "So what?"

Axl was equally surprised, "Heh, just when you think you know a guy."

Sol simply grumbled, "I don't have time for twenty questions, and I certainly don't have to explain myself to any of you. Right now, I have trash to take out."

Vengence, however wasn't perturbed, "Funny, I was about to suggest that myself. But I have others to do that for me, right Testament?"

Sol blinked and suddenly turned around just to see Testament bringing his scythe down. Sol barely managed to block the blow, but was wide open as Vengeance swooped toward his back and let out an electrified slash. Sol was blown away by the force of power and Testament took advantage by slashing Sol across the chest. Screaming in agony, Sol slid down to the ground. Testament then leapt again, ready to finish Sol when a blade blocked his attack. Ky had moved over Sol and blocked the attack. Sol managed to look up at his savior, only to be disgusted by whom.

"I...didn't ask...for your help...boy."

Ky continued to hold Testament back. "As much as I hate to admit it, I owe you." He then added, "Gear or not, I repay my debts."

Sol looked at the knight strangely. 'Hmph, perhaps you're not the spoiled brat I thought you were.'

Testament continued to try to break through Ky's defense, but a hook and chain wrapped around his weapon and pulled away from Ky. Looking over, Ky saw Axl had hooked onto Testament's scythe and was now currently in a tug-of-war.

"Don't worry. I've got this guy covered. You can deal with the other guy."

Ky nodded a thanks and then confronted Vengeance. Vengeance snickered, "You couldn't defeat me before. What make you think you can now, knight?"

Ky didn't respond as the Thundersoul crackled with lightning. Ky then let out a Stun Edge to which Vengeance deflected. But it was a feint and Ky rushed at the commander gear, raised his blade and swung. Vengeance however blocked the attack with relative ease and lashed out his tail, flooring the young knight. Vengeance crackled...

"I'm at full strength now. You can't even hope to win this battle."

Ky didn't listen but rather he jumped up at the gear once again. But Vengeance didn't move. Rather, he stuck his tail forward. When Ky struck, the tail lashed out at incredible speed, hooked onto Ky's leg and smashed him against the floor. Ky gave a slight yelp of pain. Meanwhile, Axl was still holding Testament's scythe with his chain while Testament continued to pull back. A dark gleam appeared in Testament's eye and flinging one hand, he launched a skull. Axl had no choice but to release his grip on order to avoid the deathly projectile. But upon looking up, he saw that Testament was gone.

"Oh, I'm going to hate this."

With a whoosh, Testament re-appeared in front of Axl and lashed the back of the blade out. Axl barely blocked and Testament linked up with his Hitomi technique, spinning in a cartwheel in the air with the scythe spinning with him. Axl jumped back, but the scythe slashed his hand, causing him to drop one of the sickles. Axl grasped his now bleeding arm as Testament began to stride toward him. But, a small grin came over Axl's face.

"A little close, but I've got you where I wanted you."

Axl suddenly lashed out his bleeding hand and a blue ball of energy shot out. The ball hit Testament, revealing it to be the chain and it lashed around his neck. Axl then leapt high up over a nearby tree, still holding the chain. Testament's neck followed and soon Testament was hanging from the branch of the tree. Axl then let a fire spark shoot through the chain sending it straight to Testament who was dangling from the hooked chain around his throat.

"Rasho Se..."

Suddenly, a blue glow shimmered around Axl. Axl snapped his head to it and a sudden vortex opened up underneath him. Axl was powerless to do anything as he was sucked into it.

"Oh, no. Not noooooooooowwwwwwwwwww......"

______

Meanwhile, Ky rose up once again to Vengeance. His white uniform was tattered, torn, and burnt in a few places and his face was dirty as well. Nevertheless, he once again stood in battle position.

"Don't you get it yet, knight?" Vengeance crackled. "You can't win. Why do you persist in lengthening your suffering? I promise to make your death quick, without pain."

Ky gritted his teeth, but said nothing. And that moment, Testament warped up behind him. Ky turned and saw the dark gear and realized that he was in even bigger trouble.

"Last chance. We could do this the easy way, or the really easy way."

Ky shut his eyes briefly. There was no chance to fight and win now. Sol was still down and Axl was gone. And despite his power, he was still coping with the earlier injuries as well as weariness with his fight with Testament earlier. Now he was facing both gears at the same time with only minimal energy. He could retreat, but that would only prolong the battle, during which, many innocent people would be hurt and killed. No, I won't allow that! The lightning on the Thundersoul crackled further and lightly danced around its owner. Vengeance stood amused.

"The real easy way it is then."

Testament ducked low, ready to attack when he suddenly started to scream.

"Kyyyyyyyyyyaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!"

Both Ky and Vengeance looked at Testament as he held his head in agony. Vengeance was more confused though. He's resisting. But how? It isn't possible, even for him. Just then, Vengeance head shot up, looking into the cloudy sky. Ky's eyes followed and saw nothing at first. But then a dark, flapping shape materialized and dove in through the clouds. Ky was completely surprised as the figure landed on the ground, wings folding and dressed in a black garb. Blue hair brushed in the wind and red eyes stared Ky with compassion and Vengeance with detestation. A ring rotated around her, similar to the one around Vengeance.

Ky whispered, "Dizzy."