The 3 burned with furious energy, and Reflect Bounder raised his head to the glowing individuals.
"He's doing it again, and bringing them along for the ride," Jacob observed. In a bright flash, they emerged.
Truesdale's face was stern and angry, his wings unfolded and his staff glowed with energy. At his sides were two women. One was the formidable form of the Dark Magician Girl. Her wand was already pulsating with energy.
Amy inside was spellbound. "What a rush," she murmured, awestruck.
The other was a tall maiden, her skin was of a fine tan, she wore a golden yellow robe with a belt along her waist and a necklace around her shoulders. Her hair was bright lavender, and she had 6 blue angel wings. She was Sarah, and was the Wingweaver. "All right!" she cheered.
Viper smirked. "You think a few pitiful ascensions are enough to defeat me?" she insulted, as cocky as ever. "I took apart your whole group; 3 stronger ones will not make any difference. I still have more power than any of you."
Aaron raised his staff over his head, "PROMINANCE FORCE!!!" he announced, staff glowing with vital energy. A powerful blast of green energy flew from the head and slammed against her, the strike was enough to push her back a few feet.
"I'm the weakest one of these Ascended, Viper, so you should take that into account." Truesdale countered her cockiness, staff poised to strike again.
"What?"
"Gearfried is my favorite card," Truesdale explained, "and my strengths reflect with him. This form gives me strength but not true power. For these two, these are their favorite cards, and their strength will show it."
DMG stepped forward. "You ready Sarah?" she asked the seraph, wand at the ready.
"Let's have a little fun," the angel nodded, wings flared like a hawk's for battle. The two took to the air and dove at Viper.
"SNAKE FANG STRIKE!" the naga shouted, her blades flying towards Amy.
"Petal Thunder Storm!" Aaron called out, as powerful, floral winds fell from his wings. The strong gale caught Viper by surprise, and 4 of her blades flew out of her hands and smashed against a wall. Nick and Vaurnut stepped in front of them.
"Lose something?" Don asked smugly.
Dark Magician Girl then ducked under Viper's back, pointing her wand right against her.
"DARK BURNING ATTACK!" she cried.
A powerful stream of pink energy flew out of the wand, sending Viper flying into the air. The blast had blown a hole from the back to a large crack in the front, leaving Viper in great pain.
Wingweaver's wings began to shine with incredible force, much more than anything ever seen before. "STRIKE HAIL WINGS!!!" She called out as she flapped her wings, and flying from them came golden winds with the strength of gale forces and silver feathers!
Viper's armor was being pelted with the feathers, which were chipping away the armor one bite at a time. She slammed against the hard wood floor with a sickening crack!
"Light of the Couragous!" Freed called out, swinging his blade and a yellow beam fired out.
Kuro changed back into energy, shifting into Fera, the Amazoness Swordswoman, "Gladius Caedis!!!" she screamed as she swung her scimitar and let the jagged force head straight for Viper.
"Twin Twilight!" Don called out, spinning his blades, then chucking them at her.
"Saber of Light!" Chuck roared swinging his weapon.
"Flame Saber Incineration!" Vaurnut shouted as he swung his flame ridden blades.
"Shadow Thrust!" Breaker shouted, his blade glowing brightly and firing the energy stream.
Truesdale was swept up in energy, and returned back to Gearfried, his blade cocking back. Jordan's blade began to burn, and the Cat trio stepped into a delta formation.
Josh stepped back; he knew he wasn't required for the final blow. Jacob stood beside him, wondering if the serpentine being was going to try and stop it.
"Delta Saber Strike!" Dalin called out as the little kittens dove in and took their stabs at her.
"Noir Inferno Fissure!" Jordan called out with all his might as he swung his blade, the black flame spewed forth and engulfed her in flames.
Gearfried bounced into the air, and came descending straight for Viper."Metal Forearm Thrust!" He shouted as he smashed the blade right against the crack and broke through it!
He looked into the mask of the helmet, and, to his astonishment, there was no one inside. So that's how she did it, it wasn't her in here! It was what was left of her conscious after the Destiny Board got her. It was just a ghost in the shell. Gear removed his blade, stepped away from the flames, and started to walk away.
"It's not even worth the effort anymore." He said. His form was becoming unstable from the almost complete drain of Rema he had gone through.
Just then, Viper, burning and smoking lunged up and prepared to cut him down! "DDIIIEEE!!!"
At that moment, 8 iron wings shot up from his back, and he vanished into energy. Appearing in his place was Reflect Bounder!
"What?!" Viper roared, unable to stop from striking him.
"Heh, payback from that crushed head you gave me the last time we met!" Jacob exclaimed. Her blades slammed against him, but the force did not push him back. Rather, his mirrors began to ripple and fire back at her.
"AAHH!!!" she screamed as her own strength sent her flying into the air. Her armor was crumbling easily, like ice right before spring thaw.
"DARK BURNING MAGIC!!!"
"HALO BURST!!!"
"SILVER WING TORNADO!!!" Sarah called out, as a streaming whirling energy fired from her wings.
The resulting trio of blasts tore the armor apart and shattered it to rubble.
In a massive wave of energy, everyone returned to being human, Sarah and Amy were the last to change back.
"Well, it was nice while it lasted," Sarah sighed.
"Don't worry, you'll be back to your winged self in no time," Kuro beamed, flashing a V-sign.
"Not if we stay here; the building is about to break apart!" Dalin noticed. It was not that such an event took much observation; rubble was chipping off of the walls at an alarming rate. That was their cue to run. Aaron took one last glance at the burning dance floor before running outside.
Fire fighters were already coming up the embankments and rolling out fire hose to douse the flames. The crowds were on the hills, watching the blaze.
Aaron scanned the hill to find his girlfriend, and espied her. Ashley was comforting her father, who looked like an emotional wreck.
"Ashley!" He called out as he ran towards her. Ashley lifted her head, and with teary eyes ran for him as well. The two met in the middle and embraced each other with open arms, wet-eyed. Each was glad the other was still alive.
"I was worried about you," she squeezed out between sobbings.
"Yeah, me too," he sniffled. Out of his pocket, he snatched a handkercheif.
"You need this more than I do," he offered, giving it to Ashley. She promptly blew her nose in it, then returned to Aaron's embrace.
Meanwhile as the DDL looked on, they also looked at the fire. The school now looked like an ancient ruin, burned from the inside-out. It was like looking at a bizarre, massive carcass; the structure of the school was still visible, with scattered bits of wall clinging to wood. A few parts of it were still ablaze, quickly doused by plumes from the fire hoses.
"She was a tough one; I'm surprised she could transfer herself into her monster before she died," Josh stared at the flames, looking at all that Viper's encounter had lead to.
"At least we know that Aaron isn't the only one accelerating. At this rate we'll all be at the next level soon," Dalin theorized.
"Sarah managed to get to level 7; she's now the furthest we've gone," Amy pointed out.
"Yeah, but we still haven't learned how to do it. Aaron may be the only one who will figure how to do it without a life or death situation happening." Vaurnut hypothesized, taking into account that, in both times, Aaron's life was in danger.
"Well, let's put it to rest for now. Aaron and Ash have been through enough tonight," Chuck ordered, looking at the mournful couple.
The night soon passed, and the day after. The town of Thompson was in grief. Amy had altered their memories of what happened that night, but the fact that the school had caught fire remained.The school year had been declared officially over, so Aaron and the remaining seniors had been given their diplomas. The rest of the high school had to be given their grade for the year, so that they would be excused from school until it was repaired in a year's time. Ashley's father was fired from his job in Thompson and was moving out west to get another Principle position.
Aaron knew that also meant she had to go with him, and since she was moving across the country, he may never see her again. With no school for the rest of the year, he had no real obligations left in the human world. He knew there was something that had to be done.
So that morning, he filled up a suitcase full of his stuff, his back pack full of his supplies, and left a note on his bed, and headed out the door at 4 in the morning.
It was 5 when he showed up at her house. She had already had everything packed, and her house had been shipped away already. All that was left was her and her family as they were loading their car to go.
Ashley was in her room looking at her class photo. She was teary eyed; she knew she'd probably never see anyone in it again.
"Hey, that look doesn't go with that face," she heard. She whipped around her head to see Aaron's head poking out of her windowsill.
"Aaron! How are you doing that?" she shrieked in concern.
"Very difficultly," he muttered. Aaron was hanging 2 stories in the air, and the only thing keeping him up was the sill's railing.
"You here to say goodbye?" she wondered, walking towards him.
"Looked like you could use some one to talk to before you leave," he consoled, pulling himself up.
"What are you going to do now that school is over for you?" she asked.
"I'm probably going to have to make my way in life, like you will. It's not going to be easy without you here, though," he sighed, remembering the purpose of the visit.
"I know you'll pull through, you've always been strong, even when you were all alone," she happily recalled, "Me, I don't know how I'm going to make it."
Aaron put his hand on her shoulder, "Hey, if I, another wise geek, could make a difference, I know you'll pull through."
"You know, you're always too rough on yourself," Ashley beamed, a ray of sunshine in an otherwise cloudy sky.
"And you think too less about yourself," he countered.
"I guess that makes us two of a kind," she finished, smiling like an angel.
"Oh yeah." Aaron remembered, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm gonna miss you, kid."
"You know you can come visit, and call me down there."
"With the prices as they are now, I don't think I can get a call past Iowa or a ticket past Nebraska. But I think I'll manage. Oh, and before I go," he fumbled in his pocket, removing a small package. "I have something to give you."
"A going away present? Why, Aaron you are a gentleman!" she laughed.
"Well I'm not all that much a gentleman. I'd prefer you open it on the train," Aaron blushed.
"OK...Wait, how'd you know we were taking a train?" Ashley inquired.
"A little birdie told me," he replied with a smirk. Well, she's been a bird half the time I've known her, after all.
"Ashley! Time to go!" her mother called down from the stairs.
"Just a minute!" Ashley called down, but when she turned her head, Aaron had vanished. Her eyes then turned to her parcel.
"Goodbye," she whispered, as she took her bag and headed out the door.
( "Can't Stop Loving You" by Phil Collins starts to Play)
(So you're leaving in the morning on the early train)
Ashley stepped down her staircase, a desire to feel happy about leaving was on her face. In her soul, it was instead a depressing look that could break a person's heart.
(I could say everything's alright
And I could pretend and say goodbye)
Aaron watched from a bird's eye view through one of her windows. The raw emotions inside him were tearing at his soul, but still he watched her go.
(Got your ticket, got your suitcase, got your leaving smile.
I could say that's the way it goes.
And I could pretend and you won't know.)
"Good bye Ashley..." he trailed, his eyes brimming with tears.
(That I was lying.)
(Cause I can't stop loving you.
No I can't stop loving you.
No I won't stop loving you.
Why should I?)
Aaron watched as the Lovechild family stepped into the taxi, and as they began to speed down the road towards the train station. He quickly changed into Gearfried and pursued them.
Ashley looked out her window, quiet as a mouse, and her eyes were a sad sight to see. She looked up to see a dark figure cross the sky. Is it him? she couldn't help but wonder.
(We took a taxi to the station,
not a word was said.
And I saw you walk across the road.
For maybe the last time I don't know.)
Aaron watched as they disembarked from the taxi and headed into the terminal.
"She made it. I better get going too," he said, as he dove down into the terminal. He changed back to normal before making it to the streets, and headed in for the station.
(Feeling humble,
I heard a rumble,
on the railway track.
And when I hear that whistle blow
I'll walk away and you won't know
That I'll be crying.)
Aaron made a run pass the ticket booth and down the escalators, Tears in his eyes, but still moving, he thought in his hastened state: Time is running out.
(Cause I can't stop loving you.
No I can't stop loving you.
No I won't stop loving you.
Why should I?)
Ashley boarded her train. Her mother and father were sitting together. They had decided to let her sit alone by a window; she was losing a lot.
Aaron finally came to a stop right on the end of the platform, "I got to get in shape," he commented.
(Even try
……I'll always be here by your side.
Why, why, why
……I never wanted to say goodbye.
Why even try
….I'm always here if you change,
change your mind.)
Ashley took out the gift Aaron had given her, and began to unwrap it.
(So you 're leaving in the morning on the early train.)
It was a small photograph, a picture of Ashley and Aaron as little kids playing in a sand box. She flipped it over. On the back was a Duel Monsters card of St. Joan, but also a letter.
(I could say everything's alright.)
Ashley,
If you are reading this, you are at the train station about to head out west. I know this, since I always believed you kept your word. I just wanted you to know. I was happy that you and I had one night together. I'm leaving as well; I'm heading away to become stronger. That way, when you're in danger, I'll be able to keep you safe. I'll find you again one day, Ashley Nicole Lovechild. Till then, I'll be right by your side. Good bye.
(And I could pretend and say goodbye)
The train started to pull out, and drag along the tracks. Ashley looked up from the letter and looked out the window. There was Aaron, waving away at the train as it passed by.
(But that would be lying.)
"Aaron!" She called out as she jumped from her seat, and started running down the length of the train, trying to get to the last car.
(Because I can't stop loving you.
"can´t stop loving you"
No, I can´t stop loving you.
"I won´t stop loving you"
No, I won´t stop loving you.
Why should I even try?)
She pushed and shoved until she made it to the final car. Aaron was right there as she made it through the door.
(Because I can´t stop loving you.
"can´t stop loving you"
No, I can´t stop loving you.
(that´s all I can do)
No, I won´t stop loving you.)
Aaron gave her his best smile as he waved his left hand in the air. "Till then, Ashley!!" he called.
(Why should I?
"why should I?"
Why should I?
"tell me why?")
Aaron's body then began to fade away, disappearing from his left all the way to his right.
(Why should I even try?)
A tear slid down Ashley's face, "Till then, Aaron!" She waved back, with a smile on her face.
Meanwhile, Aaron found himself in the engine car of the Zephyr Express.
"You sure that's the way you wanted to part, Aaron?" Kara asked.
"It was the only way. She and I are connected, but I can't stay in the regular world these days. The Daikai are getting stronger, and unless I do the same, more places like the school will go up in flames. This is the only road I can take." he stated firmly, remembering the look on Ashley's face as he boarded the Express.
The train continued along until it stopped at the castle terminal. Aaron disembarked from the train to find Kuro, Vic, and Jeregrine waiting for him.
"This castle got any openings?" He asked.
"Welcome to the family," Vic declared.
"You're in for a fun stay," Kuro winked, sealing the deal.
"Oh joy," Aaron muttered, but he was still content. This was now his new home.
To be continued...