Disclaimer: Do not own Digimon
A/N: FanFanFan: Thanks for the idea of a shapeshifting humaniod, it'll probably be used in the next chap. Anyway, this chap. does have more action than the last one, and it is longer too. I hope you enjoy it.
"Wake up Papa!" Akio cried, jumping on TK's stomach.
TK groaned and opened his eyes. He smiled at the boy sitting on him. For some reason, Akio never called them by their real names, he had just called them 'Papa' and 'Mama' from the very beginning. It wasn't that they really minded, it was just odd to be considered a parent by a 5-year-old when you yourself were only about 12½ years old.
"Come on Papa! Get up!" Akio said, bouncing a bit. "Mama says we have to go!"
TK looked over at Katya who was snickering. "Figures she'd have something to do with this," he grumbled, sitting up. Akio still stayed in his lap.
"Okay kid, off. I'll be ready in a second, go play with the wolves for a bit, but first, tell Ka-uh…Mama that I want to talk to her, alright?" he still wasn't used to having to call Katya 'Mama' around Akio.
"Okay," the little boy replied, happily going towards the wolves and Katya.
TK stood up and brushed himself off. When he looked up, Katya was in front of him.
"You wanted to talk?" she asked innocently.
TK nodded. "It's about Akio. See, we keep saying that we're going to get him a proper family in the next town, but we've passed 5 towns and always found something wrong, some reason that we can't leave him there. I mean, I don't want to get rid of him, he's really grown on me, but this is no life for a 5-year-old. We travel aimlessly everyday; sure, we have a general idea of where we're going, but not specifics. We've been wandering around for nearly 2 months, and we don't know if we're even any closer."
"I know, but…he doesn't want to leave. We can't just leave him somewhere he doesn't want to be. That'd be cruel. Besides, he doesn't seem to mind, he likes it with us. He thinks we're his family. After all, he calls us Papa and Mama. There's really no reason that he can't stay with us, right?"
TK sighed as he looked into her pleading eyes. "Katya, it's too dangerous. I mean, think about how many times we've been attacked so far."
"But we've won every battle-"
"Up until now," TK interjected, "And some of them we've just barely won. What happens to him if we lose? What then? We're supposed to be the Gaurdians, and that means we'll probably have to do a lot more fighting. Do you really want him to be there, in danger? He may not want to leave, but I bet he doesn't want to see his 'Papa' and 'Mama' die either."
Katya looked at him desperately. Couldn't he see how much this kid had grown on them, how much they had grown on the kid? She knew it would be dangerous, but she had a feeling that they would win whatever battles they needed too, even with Akio. And then, there were her visions.
"Takeru, listen to me," she said, placing a hand on each of his shoulders. "I've had many visions about our future, and Akio is in every single vision, save for one. And that one does not end happily for anyone. I think, that we might…need the kid, in order to succeed."
TK sighed, debating. Yes, he wanted to keep the kid with them, but he also wanted the kid to be safe. However, if what Katya said was true, Akio would be anything but safe if they left him somewhere. And there was always the chance that the family he was left with might turn out to be like the drunken man that they had rescued him from.
Katya smiled as she saw his eyes soften, and she knew that her argument had swayed his debating mind. He smiled down at her slightly.
"You make a good argument, you know that?" he sighed, but still had a slight smile. "Well, I suppose we have no choice except to keep the kid with us."
Katya smiled widely as she leaned up and kissed him briefly on the lips. "Thank you," she said, pulling back. "Trust me, we're doing the right thing." With that, she skipped over to Akio to tell him the good news.
TK stood, stunned for a second. That had been his first kiss, and it had been totally unexpected. Not in a bad way though. Actually, it felt very good. Very, very good. He looked down as Akio wrapped his arms around his waist.
"Thank you Papa!"
TK smiled and ruffled the mop of black hair. "Don't mention it kid."
He picked up the boy and headed for the wolves. /Rage, Tempest, are you ready to travel again?/
/Yes Takeru. We are ready/ Tempest answered. /Tell me, will Akio be accompanying us from now on?/
/Yes/ TK replied, climbing up onto Rage and placing Akio in front of him. /Is that a problem?/
/No, of course not,/ replied the blue-eyed wolf. /I am glad. We finally have something that can amuse the boys and keep them out of my fur./
TK chuckled at Tempest's attitude. He had found out right away that she was the saucy one of the bunch. She was also like a mother to everyone in the pack, as well as the three humans.
He looked over as Katya climbed onto Tempest, and blushed slightly. She looked at him with a smile that he returned. He had a feeling that things might be a bit different between them now, but in a good way. In any case, the kiss had been good at least and he would have to…thank her for it later.
Saving that thought for another time, he ordered his wolves to continue their journey south, unaware of the shielded evil following close behind.
--------------------
After a few hours of traveling, the group decided to break for lunch. Katya started a fire while Hysteria, Frenzy, and Dusk went out hunting. Akio was playing with Revenge, Poison, and Apocalypse in the clearing and Midnight and Storm were lying in the middle of camp, near Katya. TK was sitting off to the side, eyes closed.
He had felt…something…all day, but he couldn't put his finger on it. It was odd. Sometimes, he could catch a glimmer of some type of evil, but it would be gone the next second. It bothered him. He opened his eyes as Rage's nose nuzzled his shoulder.
/You're troubled./ It wasn't poised as a question.
TK nodded absently petting the great beast who had settled himself down next to the boy. /I can't shake the feeling that we're being followed. I keep feeling glimpses of evil, but then it disappears./ he sighed. /Maybe my powers are becoming unreliable since I stopped training with…with him./ he couldn't bring himself to say Isan's name.
Rage growled softly at the thought of the being that had caused his Mage so much pain. He would have ripped the foul Shadowlore to shreds that day, if he hadn't been worried about Takeru's health. Oh well, he figured, he'd get another chance yet. Right now, Takeru needed him.
/I do not think your powers are becoming unreliable, I think Hiata is becoming more corrupt. You probably sense the seeds of evil that are continuously being planted in this land./
TK sighed, /I don't know. It didn't feel like that. It felt like…like another person from what I could tell. A person that equals me in power. A person very similar to me./ he sighed again, glancing wryly at the beast. /It's probably just my imagnation. You're right, I'm sure./ But, if you're wrong…
Though the last thought wasn't voiced, Rage picked up on its meaning. He stood up slowly and stretched. /Come Takeru. You're mind will not be at ease unless we check this out. And if I am wrong, not going could prove fatal./
TK stood up as well, but hesitated as he prepared to climb onto the wolf. /Are you sure you're up to it? You've been running for hours. Don't you need to rest for this afternoon's journey?/
Rage shook his great head. /You underestimate my endurance and strength Takeru. I am perfectly fine. Now, let's go. This might not be able to wait./
TK nodded and settled himself on the wolf's back. "We're going to go scout something behind us. We'll be back soon," he called to Katya and Akio, who looked confused, but simply nodded and went back to what they were doing.
Rage started off at a trot like speed back in the direction that they had come from. /Do you sense anything?/
/Nothing yet,/ TK replied, still troubled. /But I swear I felt something here earlier./
Rage inwardly growled, frustrated. He knew the way the Takeru's powers worked, so he knew that their most likely had been a person following them, but he was gone now. Or hidden.
They searched the area for another half an hour and TK was just about to suggest that they go home, when the frantic cries of his wolves reached him. All were yelling at once, and he couldn't quite understand, but he knew they were in trouble.
/Rage, go back to camp now! The others are in trouble!/
Rage wasted no time in turning around and bounding back towards the camp. They hadn't gone that far, but it still took them 5 minutes to get back. TK froze from shock when they reached the campsite.
His wolves lay scattered around, still alive, but badly hurt, and their was no sign of Katya or Akio.
"Katya?! Akio?! Answer me!"
"….Pap-"
TK's head snapped up abrubtly as Akio's cry was muffled. His eyes widened as he saw that Akio was in the hands of a boy TK's age. The boy looked almost identical to TK, save that he had red hair and red eyes. He was holding the boy tightly on top of one dark brown/red coyote. It looked like there were nine other coyotes surrounding that one. TK noticed that another boy was holding Katya on one of the coyotes as well. Her hands were tied in front of her and she looked terrified, as well as worn out.
TK's blood boiled and he was about to order Rage to attack, when the boy stopped him.
"Ah, ah, ah. I wouldn't attack if I were you," he said, smiling maliciously as he placed a knife under Akio's chin. The younger boy froze, petrified. "I'd hate to have to hurt him just yet."
"Who are you?" TK asked, fighting to keep both his anger and Rage's under control.
"Me? Well, my name is Tejuku. And I am much more than just another enemy to you."
"What does that mean?" TK spat. "Let them go and explain yourself!"
Tejuku frowned. "You know, you're really in no position to be making demands," he made a shallow cut on Akio's cheek to prove his point.
As soon as he did that, TK's overprotective side took over and he lost it. He ordered Rage to attack, which the wolf did with no argument or hesitation. He too had a bone to pick with this Tejuku.
Tejuku smirked, and sent the eight unridden coyotes to meet the two. TK shot at them with Darkness, anger fueling his energy supply. He managed to severely damage the first few he hit, and significantly damage many after that. Rage also helped by using his massive claws and teeth. The two held nothing back. And in the end, that would be their undoing in this fight.
They did not realize their error until they began to rapidly weaken, however. Rage's movements became sluggish and TK's Dark Energy became less and less powerful. Soon, he was barely scratching the coyotes.
Suddenly, the coyotes retreated. TK looked up wearily and saw that Tejuku was staring at him smugly.
"I warned you not to attack, but you never listen, do you? You will get your friends back, if you can find me and defeat me in a duel. I'll be waiting for you, Shadow Mage."
With this, he and his coyotes turned and bolted.
/Rage, follow them! We cannot lose them!/
Rage obeyed, though he was very weak, adrenaline kept him going. But, not for long. After only about 150 yards, the great wolf collapsed.
"Rage!" TK cried outloud, slipping off the beast quickly.
/I am alright, just…tired. Leave me here and follow them if you can./
/But-/
/I will be fine, as will the other wolves, but we must know where they are taking the others. Go if you can!/
TK nodded and began to run after the coyotes. He knew he wouldn't catch them, but perhaps he could keep them in sight long enough to find out where they were going. He legs were burning and his lungs yearned for oxygen, but he would not stop while there was still a chance.
His hopes were dashed as the coyotes bounded over a large mountain-type land feature. However, stubborn as he was, he tried to follow, but only managed to get a few yards before his now bloody hands slipped and he slid/fell back to the base. He landed on his side and found that he didn't have the strength to move again.
'Katya, Akio, I'm sorry,' he thought as he succombed to exhaustion and his eyes slowly closed.
---------------------
When TK came to he had a massive headache, not to mention aches in the rest of his body. He was about to let himself drift back asleep when he realized something, he was on a soft matress. That wasn't where he fell asleep. He fell asleep…at the foot of a mountain after chasing Tejuku's coyotes. Tejuku?! Katya, Akio!
With these thoughts he shot straight up and looked around frantically. He was in a large bed with a quilt on top of him, his hands were bandaged, and he was in fresh sleeping clothes. Slowly, he looked around the room. It was stone, with several tapestries on the walls. A large rug covered the floor, and a fire burned in a fireplace across from the bed. He noticed light coming in from a window to the right of him.
Shakily, he flipped the covers back and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Tenatively, he tried to stand up, only to fall back down. He sighed, and was about to try again when a feminine voice floated through the room.
"You're awake! This is great news, wait until I tell your wolves. But you shouldn't be trying to get up yet dear Takeru."
TK looked over at the speaker and found a girl about his age. She was dressed in a flattering black dress and had pinkish hair pulled back in a ponytail. She had a pale complexion and blue eyes somewhat lighter than his own. She walked over and lifted his legs back into the bed before covering him back up. TK just stared for a second, very confused.
"Where am I?" he asked slowly. "Who are you? How did you know my name? And where are my friends?"
"You are in Castle Shuuko. I am Alitea, and I inherited this place from my family just a few years ago. I know your name because Reverend Kelmio recognized you as one of the Gaurdians and told me which you were. As for your wolves, they are down in the courtyard, eager to see you."
"What of my other friends?" TK asked, struggling to stay sitting up.
Alitea forced him to lay back against the pillows before continuing. "I know not of any others. Reverend Kelmio found you and your wolves and transported you here to me. It was not hard, as we are less than a league from where you were found."
TK inwardly sighed. So Katya and Akio were still missing, and this girl had no idea where they were. Maybe he could ask her or this Reverend Kelmio about Tejuku. They had to know something. But first…
"Alitea?"
"Yes?"
"Could you send the wolf with deep red eyes to me? His name is Rage. I would go see him, but I do not know if I could manage it." 'And,' he added silently, 'I can't seem to mentally communicate with him. Maybe he is simply too far away.'
Alitea smiled and placed a damp rag on his forehead. "Of course. You stay here and I will bring him up."
TK nodded and watched her leave. He hoped she returned with Rage quickly, as he wanted to ask the wolf several questions. He only hoped that the beast would have the answers.
He looked up, relieved, as Alitea opened the door and walked in again, this time followed by an anxious looking Rage.
"I will leave you two alone," she informed them. "I will return later this day with a meal and Reverend Kelmio. He wishes to speak with you." With this, she left, closing the door behind her.
TK smiled as Rage nuzzled him. /We were worried that you would never awaken Takeru./
/How long have I been asleep?/ he asked, scratching Rage behind the ears.
/Near 5 days. You used up a dangerous amount of your energy. You nearly died./ Rage finished guiltily. He should have been there to protect Takeru, but he was too weak.
TK could hear the sadness and guilt in Rage's voice. /Well, I am alright now, and we will find a way to get the others back safe and sound. But first, how are you? How is the pack?/
/We are fine. We healed within a day./
/Good. Now tell me, have you heard anything of Tejuku?/
/Not much Takeru, though we have listened. All we know is that he is waiting for you in his fortress somewhere to the southeast. He has Katya and Akio in his dungeons there./
TK's eyes narrowed at the thought of Katya and Akio in that monster's dungeon. He removed the cloth from his forehead, swung his legs over the side of the bed again, and tried to stand up. He had to use Rage's shoulder to keep from falling.
/Takeru!/ Rage called, alarmed. /You must rest now./
TK stubbornly shook his head. /I have to help them./
Rage used his muzzle to push TK back on to the bed. /If you go in this condition, you will certainly lose the duel. If you want to help them, you must wait until you are well./
TK sighed and accepted that what Rage said was correct, their was no way that he could win in this condition. And the best way to heal was to rest. He placed a hand on the top of Rage's head. /I think…I'm going to go back to sleep now./ he told the red-eyed wolf tiredly, eyes drooping. /Wake me if Alitea or Reverend Kelmio come up./
/Yes Takeru,/ Rage replied, lying on the floor, but keeping his head on the bed and underneath Takeru's hand.
TK smiled weakly at him before descending back into unconsciousness.
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TK was woken up several hours later by a cool hand on his forehead. He could also hear some humming. Forcing his eyes open he saw that Alitea had returned and a man was with her. This man had light brown hair and eyes, and was dressed in a dark outfit and boots. TK assumed that this was the Reverend Kelmio. Looking around, he saw that Rage was gone.
"Where is Rage?" he asked.
Alitea smiled warmly at him. "I sent him down to the rest of the pack. He objected at first, but was eventually convinced to go."
"Oh," TK said, trying to sit up. Alitea saw his struggle and helped prop him up. TK inwardly cursed himself for his weakness.
He looked up as Reverend Kelmio sat in a chair near the bed. "My Lady Alitea," Kelmio said, "I do believe our guest is hungry. Perhaps the servants could fix him something?"
Alitea recognized the dismissal and nodded before leaving. The two sat in silence until TK spoke.
"You are Reverend Kelmio correct? I understand that I owe you my life. Thank you."
Kelmio let a ghost of a smile flicker across his face. "I only but sped your recovery. You would have survived even without my help. You are a Gaurdian after all, very hard to kill."
"How did you know I was a Gaurdian?"
"Oh, I make it my business to know much about the Gaurdians. I also knew your father as well as Katya's mother."
"My father? You mean BlackWolf? I don't know much about him, I'm afraid."
"No one would expect you to. After all, you never met him, but you still might."
TK stared at him. "What are you talking about? BlackWolf is dead, that much I do know."
Kelmio smiled secretively. "That is not for me to tell, but you will find the answer soon enough. Now, Alitea said that you had other friends with you. I assume one is the Light Mage, but who else?"
TK nodded, "You're right, one is the Light Mage. The other is a small boy we named Akio. We found him a few weeks back and now he travels with us."
"I see."
"They were taken by a boy named Tejuku. What do you know of him?"
Kelmio got a thoughtful look on his face. "I remember Tejuku well. He has always been under the control of evil, but that is not his doing, it is his father's."
"His father?"
"As your father was named BlackWolf, after his wolves, Tejuku's father was named RedCoyote, after his coyotes."
"So, RedCoyote was a Mage, then?"
Kelmio nodded. "He was the Hell's Fire Mage. His power was very similar to yours, as it should be seeing as how your father and his were twin brothers."
TK's eyes widened. "B-b-brothers?!" he nearly choked on the word. Wait, if BlackWolf and RedCoyote had been brothers, than how was he related to Tejuku?
He was about to voice that question, when Kelmio answered it. "You are brothers as well."
TK stared at him in shock. "That's crazy. How could I be related to someone like…like that?"
"BlackWolf and RedCoyote were bitter enemies from the time they were 12. RedCoyote was jealous that BlackWolf had been chosen as a Gaurdian, and he had not been. He felt that his powers were just as strong, if not more so. He turned to evil for comfort, and faced off with BlackWolf in the final battle, but was killed. However, he saw BlackWolf create a clone before he died, so he created one too. He wanted to settle his score with his brother one way or another."
"So he decided that Tejuku would fight me to settle his score? As if my destiny wasn't bad enough," he muttered.
"Do not fret Shadow Mage," Kelmio said gently. "Everything will fall into place. Especially after you visit Vorago."
"What can you tell me about Vorago?"
"I cannot tell you anything. I have never been there, and I cannot tell you what I have heard, for you must find out for yourself."
TK sighed. That was not the answer he wanted. "When will I be able to go after Katya and Akio?"
"Patience young one," Kelmio said. "You must rest for at least a week. You really pushed your limit."
"A week! They might not be able to last a week!"
"Tejuku will not harm them, mcuh. He only wishes to fight you, and they are his live bait. Though he may be evil, he is somewhat honorable. They will be released safely after you fight him. And until then, they will be taken care of. I promise you this."
TK looked at Reverned Kelmio, and saw no deception. Maybe he could trust this person. He looked up as the door opened and Alitea returned with a tray. On the tray was a bowl of soup, a piece of bread, and some kind of juice. She placed it on his lap.
"Are you strong enough to eat by yourself, or do you need help?"
"I can do it, thank you," TK replied, sipping the soup. It was very good, and he was ravenous. The two others simply watched him as he ate. Soon he was done. Alitea smiled and took the tray, excusing herself.
Kelmio rose as well. "Sleep now. Once you have rested for a week, I will teach you some basic sword techniques before directing you to where Tejuku is."
TK nodded, too tired to respond with words. He was asleep even before Kelmio left.
--------------------
True to his word, Kelmio taught TK some sword techiniques as soon as the week was up. It wasn't much, but it was enough to help him hold his own against Tejuku. He learned how to defend and attack against several moves, and how to disarm an opponent. He felt confident about meeting Tejuku.
Now, he was ready to leave. He walked down to the courtyard where his wolves were located. He hadn't been able to see or communicate with all of his wolves yet, and he was eager to see them. Reverend Kelmio had said that he couldn't communticate with them unless they were in the same room simply because of the magic of Castle Shuuko. TK didn't like it, but could do nothing about it.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, his wolves swarmed around him, making sure that he was truly alright. None had been allowed to see him since Rage went up the day he woke up. After assuring them that he was fine, he told them of their destination.
/He hides in a fortress to the southeast that is about a 6 hour ride away./ he said. /We leave now, providing that you are well enough./
The wolves all quickly agreed that they were indeed well enough, and TK led them through the halls to a side door that Alitea had shown him. He was just about to exit when Alitea's voice reached him.
"I wish you luck Takeru, and I pray that you and your friends will be safe. I hope to see you back here again. Good-bye young Gaurdian," she said from behind him, still dressed in a black dress and hair still in a ponytail.
"Thank you for your hospitality while I have been here Alitea, and thank you for caring for my wolves and myself. Please thank Reverend Kelmio for me as well. I will be sure to repay you someday. Good-bye," he called, leading his wolves outside.
Once outside TK climbed onto Rage, new sword strapped on his back, and started off towards Tejuku's hold. He didn't care if Tejuku had more training or not, he was going to beat him, for Akio and Katya. He wouldn't hold back. He did not acknowledge Tejuku as his brother, so he would have no problem in giving it his all. He was going to make Tejuku pay if it was the last thing he did.
------------------
"Stay away from him!" Katya shrieked, shaking the bars of her prison. "Leave him alone!"
The man who was holding Akio simply laughed at her weakness and hoisted Akio higher into the air.
"Mama! Mama help!" Akio yelled, terrified. This man was scaring him, he kept pretending to drop him. And he kept saying he was going to hurt his Mama after Tejuku hurt his Papa.
"Stop it!" Katya demanded. "You're scaring him!"
"That's the whole idea, oh mighty Gaurdian," he mocked, knowing full well that she couldn't use her powers due to a numbing stone in the dungeon. He threw Akio up in the air again, catching him when he was just an inch or two above the concrete ground.
Akio yelled in fright again and tears built in the corners of his eyes. He wanted this man to leave him alone. He wanted back with his Mama.
"Enough!" came a powerful voice. It was Tejuku. "Put the kid back," he ordered the man, who did so with no backtalk.
Once Akio was in the cell Katya scooped him up and held him close, whispering soothingly to him while glaring at Tejuku.
Tejuku looked back. "My, my, my, aren't you an ungrateful little wench? I did save your boy from this lackey didn't I?"
"You're the reason we're here in the first place," Katya snapped. "You'll hear no thanks from me."
Tejuku looked amused. "You're wrong. I'm not the reason you're here, it's the fault of Takeru. He failed to save you."
"Leave him out of this, he tried his best against your foul tricks. And he will come rescue us!"
"Oh, I do hope so," Tejuku replied, glint in his eyes. "Because then I can run my sword through him and end a 19 year fight. And it will be so pleasurable to watch him die such an agonizing death."
"Leave Papa alone!" Akio yelled, furious at the mean boy.
"Sorry kid," Tejuku said with psuedo-sincerity. "But he and I have a score to settle."
He looked over as another lackey came down the stairs that led to the dungeon. "Report," Tejuku barked.
"He has been sighted. He is mere minutes away, my Lord."
An evil smile came over Tejuku. "Well, much as I hate to leave your lovely company, I musn't keep Takeru waiting. It would be oh so rude of me."
"Go to hell," Katya said softly.
"Oh, I've been there, I find it quite nice you know?" he replied cheekily as he walked towards the door. "I must bid you ado lovely wench, but I will see you once again after I kill this nuisance."
Katya and Akio glared at his back as he left. Then Akio turned now worried eyes to Katya. "Will Papa be okay Mama?"
Katya looked down. "I don't know kid, I hope so. We'll just have to wait and see."
"I hate waiting," Akio pouted, lying his head on Katya's shoulder.
"Yeah kid," Katya sighed, smoothing his hair. "Me too."
-----------------
When TK arrived in front of Tejuku's fort he saw that Tejuku and his coyote pack were already waiting. Like himself, Tejuku had a sword and no other weapon. TK dismounted Rage and walked towards his 'brother' slowly stopping when they were only 7 or 8 yards apart.
/Midnight, when the battle starts I want you to go inside and find and free Katya and Akio. Protect them as you would protect me. Understand?/
/Yes Takeru./ Midnight replied.
"Well brother," Tejuku said. "We finally meet in combat. And what a beautiful day for it too," he said, indicating the cloud covered sky and misty surroundings.
"Don't call me brother," TK growled. "You have no right."
"But I am your brother," Tejuku replied, "Though soon I will be an only child. Soon I will avenge my father." He drew his sword slowly.
"And I will avenge mine," TK replied, mimicking Tejuku's movement. "This is your last chance to set Akio and Katya free before I take them back."
"Am I supposed to be scared? Of you?" Tejuku scoffed, causually letting his sword trace through the dust. "I have more training and am much stronger than you will ever be."
"That's your opinion," TK replied, never breaking eye contact.
"Well, allow me to change your mind," Tejuku growled, picking up his sword and launching himself towards TK with lightning speed. At the same time, his coyotes went for TK's wolves.
TK brought his sword up and stopped Tejuku's attack. He pushed the other boy's sword back and took up a defensive position. Tejuku charged again, swinging his sword again and again, trying to weaken his blonde kin.
TK, remembering both Kelmio's lessons and instinct, blocked each blow succesfully, but was not able to go on the attack. Tejuku stopped his attack and dropped back a few feet after nearly 6 or 7 minutes, panting. TK saw this as an opportunity.
This time he charged, sword high. He swung straight down, then from the left, up from the right, and jabbed from the front. Tejuku desperately blocked each attack, wondering how the hell Takeru had gotten so good when he knew he had not picked up a sword before Katya and Akio were kidnapped.
In his mind, TK was wondering the same thing. It seemed to almost be instinctive. He jabbed again before swinging up from the left, across from the right, and straight down again. Tejuku blocked this last swing and the two locked swords. The handles were grinding together, as was the metal, but the two didn't notice.
They were staring into each other's eyes, trying to find a weakness, while trying to overpower the other. However, they seemed to be evenly matched, which was not a good thing. Tejuku decided to go on the offensive first.
He put all of his strength into one final push of his sword to try to force Takeru to drop his sword. It worked, but in the process Tejuku lost his own sword. Both were flung a good 10 feet away.
'This should have been over before it began!' Tejuku seethed. 'Why isn't he dead yet! That's it, enough playing around! It's time to get serious!'
Tejuku backed a few feet and closed his eyes, arms spread slightly to the side. TK only had a millisecond to wonder what he was doing before some black fire expoded from Tejuku's palms. It went straight towards TK.
TK dodged and decided to use his own powers. He called upon a great force of Dark Energy and shot it at Tejuku. Tejuku blocked and retaliated with his Hell Fire. TK in turn blocked that. This back and forth attacking continued for several minutes.
Both boys then fell back, both panting. TK did a quick mental check of his wolves' progress. The nine out here fighting were equal to the coyotes, and both groups were tiring. Midnight was moving quickly inside the fort, trying to find the two other children. No one was following her, for which TK was thankful.
He turned his attention back to Tejuku as the boy tried to prepare another attack. TK readied his own attack, ready to counter if necessary. Tejuku, breathing heavily, drew on the last of his waning strength. He was going to beat this worthless nobody, no matter what it took.
With a cry of agony at how much energy was flowing through him, he unleased a wave of Hell's Fire at Takeru. TK's eyes widened and he shot his own wave of Dark Energy to block it, biting back his own cry.
The two waves met and time seemed to stand still for a second as the two brothers' eyes met. Then time sped up. The waves twisted around each other, creating a dark spiral in the sky. Dark sparks flashed within. They started at the edge and landed in the middle.
As the boys watched, both shocked for neither had seen anything of the kind before, a large blue-black energy ball formed in the middle. Suddenly it receeded before rapidly expanding, covering the whole general area in a dark light. TK instinctively raised an arm to cover his eyes, but couldn't do much more. He vaguely felt his wolves trying to get to him, but they were too far away. He took the blast head on, as did Tejuku.
He was thrown back over 10 yards, landing hard on his back. He hit his head, but miraculously remained conscious. However, consciousness meant that he could feel the overwhelming pain.
/Takeru!/ came a chorus of wolf voices.
His vision was cloudy, but he managed to make out several wolf faces above him. He struggled to push himself up. He felt a nudge on his back, helping him. He looked back to see Revenge propping him up. He smiled weakly at the wolf and grabbed a handful of fur to help him stand. After a few tries, he was sucessful in standing, as long as he leaned heavily on Revenge.
He looked over towards Tejuku. The boy was conscious too, but seemed to be just as exhausted, if not more so, than TK was. Tejuku was held up by a coyote under each of his arms and could barely lift his head. He did find the strength to glare at TK however, before lifting his eyes to the sky, as if in prayer.
TK looked at him strangely, wondering what he was doing. Then, he too looked up and gasped. In the sky was a figure on a very large dragon. From what he could see, it was a lady.
/Rage, can you see who she is?/
Rage focused his vision. /I do not recognize her, but I can tell that she is an Elemental./
/What is her element?/
/I don't know./
TK was startled by Tejuku laughing. "Even if it's not by my hand, you will die today brother, I promise you that!" Tejuku then was hoisted onto one of his coyotes and he bolted away.
'Like the coward he is,' TK thought before turning his attention back to the sky. The dragon was circling now, and he was sure that wasn't a good thing. His eyes widened as the woman raised her hand and power began to surge in her hand. It took her only a millisecond to create a large ball of lightning that she then threw at TK.
His wolves tried desperately to get him out of danger, but even they were not fast enough to escape the immense power surge. TK cried out as it hit him and he lost his grip on Revenge's fur. He fell the few feet to the ground and hit his head yet again. He could still feel the deadly lightning energy running through him, exciting his heart to a dangerous pace. He found that he couldn't stay conscious anymore, actually, he couldn't feel the pain anymore. And he knew that wasn't good.
/Takeru!/ Rage called out weakly, managing to crawl over to the boy. /I am sorry Takeru, I have failed you./
TK weakly placed a hand on the wolf's head. /It's okay….You did your best…That's all I could ask…/ he trailed off as his eyes closed and his hand went limp.
If Rage had had any energy, he would have howled in sorrow, but as it was, he couldn't even move. He knew an Elemental's attacks couldn't kill him, but it had still weakened him. His head swam in guilt as he finally too lost consciousness.
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Midnight ran through the building quickly. Shortly after the fight started she had managed to slip inside the building unnoticed. However, it was larger than she had thought, and she had yet to find Katya and Akio. She felt that she was getting closer, though.
She loped down the stairs towards where she thought the dungeon would be. She looked into several empty rooms before reaching the bottom. She nudged open the door and inwardly sighed in relief as she saw that it was indeed the dungeon.
She walked in cautiously, watching for any possible attack. She looked in 3 empty cages before her sensitive ears picked up some quiet talking. It was Katya! She quickly went over to the cage where she found Katya holding Akio in the corner. She growled to alert them to her presence. Katya's head shot up and she rushed over.
"Midnight!" she cried recognizing the wolf. Akio leaned in her arms to pet the wolf.
"There are keys over there," Katya said, pointing to a hook on the wall.
Midnight went over and retrieved them. She knew that they needed to hurry so they could go help with the fight. She gave the keys to Katya who quickly unlocked the door. Midnight grabbed her sleeve and pulled her towards the door. Katya took the hint and followed the female wolf quickly.
They had reached the top of the stairs when a large energy burst shook the fort. Katya was thrown off balance and landed on the ground hard. Akio cried out, afraid, and Midnight's knees buckled slightly. It was over seconds after it started.
Katya shakily stood up, only to be knocked down by a second more powerful blast. This one knocked Midnight to the ground as well. Katya held Akio close as the boy trembled from fear.
"Wh-what the hell was that?" Katya whispered, not expecting an answer.
Suddenly Midnight gave an ear peircing howl before darting ahead.
"Midnight! Wait!" Katya called, shooting up and running after her.
She froze when she reached the door. The landscape outside was completely barren, completely destroyed. And Takeru was in the middle of it.
"Takeru!" she cried, darting over.
"Papa!" Akio cried at the same time.
Katya dropped to her knees when she reached him. She placed Akio on the ground and gently rolled him over. Her heart nearly stopped. He was bleeding a lot, and his arm looked like it was broken. Her heart did skip a beat when she noticed another thing. He wasn't breathing.
"No…Takeru," she whispered, unable to comprehend the fact of him being gone. Next to her, Midnight howled in sorrow as the rest of the wolves were too weak.
Akio approached the body slowly. He shook TK's shoulders. "Papa, wake up," he pleaded. "Please Papa, wake up. Papa wake up!" his voice cracked as TK didn't move despite his frantic shakings and he collapsed on top of the older boy, crying.
Behind him, Katya knew she should do something, but she was in shock. Takeru was gone. He was gone.
A/N: Hey, I ended on a cliffhanger this time. Let me know what you thought, and I'm still looking for creature ideas.Oh, and there is a reason for Akio calling the Mages Mama and Papa, it wasn't just random.'till next time, Ciao!
