Chapter 22: Births of Hope and Terror

Note: Since my computer apparently has a problem with spacing, from now on … will represent a change of scene.

Derek walked down a long corridor within his new base. It was fashioned after a vast castle resembling Bera-Dur from Lord of the Rings, except it was anime. After he had unlocked the power of Hikaru's Prism Crystal his Father's message had allowed him to find this place. It was an entire solar system hidden in a pocket reality created by the Global Shadow as a fallback position. Unfortunately, they hadn't been able to make it there in time.

Derek emerged into a cavernous chamber where new Zerevire were being manufactured. After the failure of his advance party to kill Hikaru and the Steel Angels he had begun reactivating the main assembly lines and bio factories contained in this place. In space, Jovian automated warships and Grasshoppers were gathering in their thousands.

"The first waves should be ready in two or three days," Dr. Satome reported as he came up behind Derek. He was one of a handful of guardians placed in the hidden realm by the Global Shadow, and had quickly become Derek's second in command.

"Excellent. With the power of Hikaru's Prism Crystal I have been able to evolve myself to my ultimate form," Derek said, spreading his black wings. They were each three meters wide and crackled with blue electricity. "Tell me, how is the fusion experiment progressing?"

"Very well sir. Within a month all our Invaders will be born with Zerevire armor already integrated directly into their bodies, and the Zerevire will have the Invaders regenerative abilities. The fleets will be at a strength of five divisions in two days. This time we will not fail."

"Never underestimate your enemy Dr. The anime realms are powerful, and they may yet have some surprises for us. After all, they won the last war."

"Of course. If I may ask Sir, what will your next target be?"

"I believe I will target the Figure 17 Realm. The Maguar would make a powerful servant race. Their evolution capabilities are on par with the Invaders. Once they join our force we will be nearly invincible. As soon as the first ground divisions are prepared send them out. Also, place them under the command of Sasaki," Derek ordered. Sasaki was the first Commander he had created with his new powers. She would hopefully prove a match for any forces the anime realms sent against him.

"As you command my lord," Dr. Satome replied. This Derek was proving to be an able Commander. His parents had planned that he would carry on their work if they failed. Now the Global Shadow would finally have their revenge, and Derek and Satome would be at the forefront of the slaughter.

…

Derek sat down in a throne made of black crystal at the peak of the highest power in his palace. As he looked out at his assembling armies he fingered the black crystal pendant around his neck. "At last Mother, Father, I will avenge your deaths, and in your memory I will conquer the anime realms just like you wanted. I promise you, nothing will stop me!" He cried, lightning splitting the sky overhead. The time was drawing near. Soon everything would fall to him, and he would finally fulfill his destiny.

…

Five hours had passed since Hikaru had merged with Shadow's body. Washu, Bloom and Kurumi were patently waiting for her to emerge. Finally the white light faded and the capsule lid opened with a hiss of steam.

"Do you think it worked?" Asked Bloom.

"We're about to find out," Washu replied. A figure rose from the mist. As the steam cleared the three girls saw it was Hikaru. As she stepped onto the floor they noticed she was different. She was a few inches taller, a bit more muscular, and her hair now reached down to her knees. Her wings were a bit larger and had crimson tips along the edges. She was dressed in a rather skimpy suit of black armor.

"Hello everyone," Hikaru said, black lightning crackling around her as she moved. "Well, I'd say it worked Washu. I feel a lot stronger. Thanks."

"You're welcome. So, are you feeling any unusual urges or anything?" Washu asked.

"Well, I feel like I want to kill everyone in this room," Hikaru said, smiling. "But don't worry, I won't. Shadow's emotions are strong, but I can handle them. Still, I wouldn't recommend getting near me in a battle. Oh, and one more thing. I've decided to change my name. From now on you can call me Shadow Hikaru, but only when you feel like it. So, what's next?"

"Well, I think we should measure your new powers. See how much stronger you've become," Kurumi suggested.

"Good idea. Let's do it," Hikaru replied.

…

Washu and Kurumi took Shadow Hikaru to a training dome.

"Ok, I'm setting the skill level to hard. Do your best Shadow Hikaru," Washu called out. She played with the controls for a second and a moment later fifty Invaders and five Zerevire appeared.

"Oh please," Shadow Hikaru said, launching herself into the air. She fired a crimson energy blast that blew the chest section out of the closest Zerevire and knocked the one behind it to the ground. She then summoned a black staff with a ruby head and launched a massive blast of fire that incinerated all the Invaders at once. She then heaved the staff like a javelin. It pierced the chest of a Zerevire and exploded, showering Hikaru and the surrounding area with metal fragments and fluid. The three remaining Zerevire fired laser blasts at Hikaru, who created a barrier which refracted their attack right back at them. Two were destroyed, but the third dodged. Hikaru dove at it, landing on its upper chest and tearing its head off with her bare hands. As the Zerevire dropped to the ground Hikaru jumped off, landing lightly in a puddle of Invader blood. "So, how did I do?" She called up to Kurumi and Washu. Both were speechless.

"Y-You were incredible," Washu eventually managed to say.

"Yeah, you were awesome," Kurumi added.

"Thanks," Hikaru replied. "So, what's next?"

"Well, I think we should try to find Derek. He's bound to launch his first attack soon." Washu said.

"Hey, I think I'll visit Yugi in the hospital," Hikaru said. "It's partly my fault he got injured."

"Ok, but take this," Washu said, handing Hikaru a comm. link. Hikaru pocketed it and walked off. "You think she'll be all right?"

"She's strong. She'll manage,' Kurumi replied. "Now, let's get started on finding Derek."

…

Hikaru quickly flew over to the Cross Realm central hospital. She walked through the sliding doors and noticed there were still some signs of the massive influx of patients from the Zerevire attack. A blood stain here, a haggard looking nurse there. Hikaru walked over to the information desk.

"Excuse me, can you tell me the number of Yugi Moto's room?" She asked.

"What? Oh, hello. Sorry if I'm a bit tired. We had a bit rush of patients yesterday."

"I know, I'm sorry."

"Anyway, let me see. Moto, Moto. Ah, here it is. Room # 143. It's down the hall to your right."

"Thanks," Hikaru replied. She walked quietly down the hallway, seeing one or two room with recently vacated cots. She hoped that meant they'd gone home. Finally she arrived at room 143. She reached out with her mind and found that Yugi had a guest. She tapped the door a few times.

"Come in," a voice replied. Hikaru opened the door and found Tea at Yugi's bedside. "Oh, hey Hikaru. You look different."

"Hey Tea. Yeah, I guess I do look a bit different. Washu fused me together with the body of a warrior from the last war. So how's Yugi?"

"The doctors say he should be fine. He woke up a few hours ago. He should be out of here in a few days."

"That's good. Tea, I'm sorry. If I'd reacted faster I could have saved Yugi from being hurt."

"No, you did everything you could," Tea replied. "I'm just glad that both of you are going to be all right."

"Thanks Tea. Hey, I've gotta go. When Yugi wakes up give this to him," Hikaru said, handing Tea a small wrapped box. "And this one is for you." Hikaru handed Tea a smaller package. "Well, see ya."

"By Hikaru," Tea called as Hikaru left. She opened the box Hikaru had given her and found a pendent. It was beautiful, with a silver chain and a sapphire stone at the end inside a crystal pentagram. "Thanks Hikaru."

…

As Hikaru arrived back at Cross Realm Strategic Command she found it in a state of Chaos. Aids ran everywhere and overhead winged warriors were gathering. Hikaru quickly found Kurumi. She was briefing a group of Steel Angels and Ryokos.

"Kurumi! What's going on?" Hikaru asked.

"Derek just made his first move!" Kurumi replied. "We received a distress signal from the Figure 17 realm. We're mobilizing our forces but it'll take some time. Could you-"

"Go on ahead and keep Derek busy? Sure thing. Just send me there."

"All right. The portal's over there," Kurumi said, pointing to a portal big enough for one person. "Be careful."

"You know me," Hikaru replied.

"That's what I'm worried about."

Hikaru gave a quick salute to Kurumi, who returned it, and ran for the portal. She leapt through and was gone.

"Be careful," Kurumi whispered, then quickly got back to her duties. She would get to Hikaru as quickly as she could. She just hoped it would be soon enough.

How was that? So Derek has made his first move. Will Hikaru be able to buy the time the Cross Realm forces need? Will she be a match for Sasaki? Find out in the next exciting chapter. Well, see ya all then, and don't forget to review! The Emperor protects.

ENTILZA