(1/26/06) New year, new chapter. Whoo.
"This is it, Django." Otenko said. "You've been training in the Spirit World for this battle. Do not disappoint the gods."
"I know." Django replied. "Go find Ally and tell her to find some way to get some sunlight into the room." The sunflower nodded and promptly left.
Otenko eventually found the ninjas and Arison by the entrance, hesitating to use the warp leading back to Earth.
"Arison!" the Messenger of the Sun exclaimed. "Wait!" The girl turned around to face Otenko with a confused look on her face.
"What is it, Otenko-sama?"
"Django still needs you to rely sunlight into the throne room!"
"But I am out of energy!"
"Do you have any Solar Nuts left?" Kyo asked, peering at Arison.
"I have my last ones to Django." The Saigon Knight replied.
"Let's worry about how we're going to get energy back later." Sketch said. "We should find a way to get the sunlight INTO the throne room."
"If we tear a hole in the roof, that might work." Saki suggested.
"The problem is, we don't know which room is the throne room." Kyo brought up. "We might end up looking for it for a while. And what if it's not on the top floor? What if there are other stories above it?"
"We had to climb up a lot of stairs before we met, and then some more before we found Sabata." Arison said. "There were also some more stairs that the necromancer descended from. Plus, throne rooms usually have high ceilings, so I doubt there's anything above it."
"So, we have to look for the largest, and grandest thing on this castle." Sketch concluded. The group looked up at the building and collectively groaned.
"We have some climbing to do…"
Luckily, all boks and skeletons were inside the castle, rather than patrolling the rooftops. There were bones sticking from what held the castle together, creating "natural" ladders for anyone without proper equipment to climb.
"I've scouted the dome." Otenko announced once everyone was standing on the main building. "It has a balcony and high windows, but all the drapes are drawn."
"This could be the throne room, or it could not be." Kyo said. "There's only one way to find out.
Sketch grabbed his Shuriken del Galaxia with only one black blade drawn out from the four stars as Arison unsheathed the Sword Del Galaxia.
"Remember, Sabata is affected by sunlight as most immortals are." Otenko warned. Both nodded and slammed their weapon into the roof and carved through it until the two blades met. Sketch jumped on the circle, but it did not budge.
"Saki, can you dig for us?" the Lunar Ninja asked. His female friend nodded and sunk her claw into the marked hole. She dug in some more and heaved up a chunk of the block, revealing a small hole. "And some sunlight?"
Sketch stared at Saki, who glanced at Kyo. The blue ninja only lifted a finger and spun it around.
"You're the one with the solar tops." He shrugged. Sketch laughed nervously before placing a small golden top into the hole. He wrapped a string around the small lever at the head, holding both firmly. He pulled the string, watching the solar toy spin in one place before staring at it in fear.
"What's wrong?" Arison pondered out loud.
"Erm, I got my solar bursts and solar bomb tops mixed up…" He blurted.
"You mean…"
"It's going to blow…"
Django's heartbeats were synchronized with his footsteps up the long stairs. He glanced at his older brother, almost scowling at him for being so calm. The door ahead of them was the only decorated object that he had seen so far. Skeletons protruded from the solid dirt, one on each door. Their arms seemed to motion a greeting although their hands were merged with the door. The skeletons seemed to grin, in various emotions. It was terrible yet beautiful at the same time.
"Figures the only thing not made of skeletons is shaped like them." Sabata put dryly. He rudely kicked the doors open, revealing the necromancer on top of her throne of skeletons.
"I wish you wouldn't try to damage my castle." She sighed with amusement in her voice. "Then again, you were never good at knocking."
"I knocked, just with my foot." The Dark Boy shot back, receiving a laugh from his old friend.
"As sarcastically witty as always, Sabata."
She glanced at the two, focusing on Django.
"And Django… Your little brother Django… It's very sweet to finally be with your family, but… Do you really consider him family?"
Sabata glared at her and said nothing.
"You've only met and you're already filling his head up with delusions that you'll be with him for an eternity." She scoffed. "As you did to everyone else who have tried to get close to you. You've only used them to get what you want…
"Of course, I should be thanking your greed. Without it, I wouldn't be able to do this!"
With a wave of her hand, a crowned skeleton armed with a scepter arose from the ground, a low pitched growl emitted from its slightly dropped jaw sent shivers down Django's spine.
"My actions may have led to the mutation of your powers, but am I to blame for your corruption?" Sabata growled, glaring at Cesei and the skeleton.
"Of course you weren't!" She exclaimed. "Sin was the one who drove me insane. But if I didn't have the powers I have now, I wouldn't have been placed in his hands. Sin taught me to hate, and the one I hated above all else was you, Sabata. Not Ash or Drogo, not even the manifestation of moonlight herself! You were the one I've channeled my hatred from. You were the one who ruined my life!"
"No one said you needed to help me!"
"Just like you, always trying to do things by yourself…"
"That's not entirely true!" Django argued. "Niichan may try to be a lone wolf, but he does it so no one else gets hurt!"
"Oh, little naïve Solar Boy, they do get hurt in many ways… You have no idea what he has done." Cesei laughed. "Aren't you afraid that he'll betray you as he did to countless others?"
"Of course I am afraid!" He snapped. "But I know that Niichan would never do it again. And if he did… He would have good intentions to benefit another… I don't care what happens to myself, as long as I can make others happy…"
"How touching…" Cesei chuckled in sarcasm. "At least you can get your wish! Now my lich, attack!"
The regal skeleton obeyed, raising its scepter to attack. Suddenly, an explosion overhead blew off chunks of the roof, quickly crushing the reanimated bones. Light filled the room, but only for a moment was there a concentrated patch of sunlight.
"Oh gods, I hope that didn't crush anyone." A familiar voice rang, muffled by the small hole.
"This is your fault, Sketch." A deeper voice chastised. "I think you might have killed someone."
The ebony haired boy dropped his head through the hole and grinned.
"Hi." He greeted sheepishly. "We brought you sunlight!"
Cesei was enraged. Thousands of skeletons shot out of the ground. Suddenly, she fell to the floor, clutching her head as the skeletons crumbled into dust almost pathetically. Her screams were heard even at the Solar Tree. Sabata's eyes widened in horror.
"Is this…!" He began, but stopped.
"What's going on!" Saki demanded, losing balance.
"I've never seen anything like this." Kyo gasped. "Is she changing forms…!"
As Kyo guessed, Cesei was indeed transforming. Her skin turned completely white, longer nails grew into claws. Shredded, bony wings tore out of her back, covering her with crimson blood. The V-shaped band on her head fell, releasing the hair it held back.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
And suddenly, it all clicked in Sabata's head.
"Darius, you scum of Sin!" He growled. "What are you doing with Cesei!"
Cesei's head drooped, her hair masking her face. Slowly, her head rose and her expression was much darker.
"You have just realized it was me, Sabata-kun?" she asked, however, the voice was not her own. It was filled with malice and intent of killing.
"Darius, what are you doing to her?"
"Ha… She refused to obey Sin… It was the only necessary action."
Sabata growled as "Cesei" continued.
"Of course, it was only to scare her, like shock treatments, but after Abel left, I was shut in."
"Then it looks like we have to drive you out." Sabata smirked. His grin dropped as he faced Django. "Darius is a mind controlling spirit. The ghost dancer Sin had must have disobeyed him and forgot to get Darius out. The only way to force him out is to lure him into powerful sunlight. Even so, Cesei's body will be unable to handle it, so Darius might eject himself unexpectedly and take over either one of us. Be on your best guard."
Immediately, Darius took flight, sending waves of blood icicles at the boys. Sabata quickly rolled out of the way while Django ran around to the hole in the ceiling. Darius swung around and dove at the Solar Boy, swiftly ascending when he missed.
"Skeletons!"
Three skeletons formed and charged at the young blond, but his brother diverted their attention to him. Sabata disposed of them with a few shots of the Gun Del Hel.
"He's too smart to simply waltz into the sunlight. We've got to trick him somehow!" Sabata hissed to Django. The two boys crouched behind the throne to quickly discuss.
"Can you get him sucked into a spot?" Django asked.
"…Of course, but timing has to be right. Real sunlight would cancel out the effects of any black hole I make, so we need him in the area, then have Arison or Sketch or any of the other guys up there to spray him with their artificial light."
"Technically her because…"
"There's no time for that!"
Django winced and quietly apologized.
"And one more thing. You have to cover my back while I make the black hole. I will be unable to move too far as long as I have it up."
"But when we were fighting, it…"
"That one focused on finding those who hold the sun in their hand. Darius, or at least Cesei's body, is not solar at all. In order to concentrate on whom I can capture, I have to be the one directing it. If not, it'll suck you in regardless."
"Right!"
The two ran out from opposite sides, shooting at Darius wildly as they revealed themselves. Sabata dashed to the hole and began focusing his energy on one spot. His first attempt was thwarted when a skeleton attacked him from behind as Django dealt with others. Meanwhile, Saki continuously clawed at the opening in attempts to enlarge it. Skeletons at Darius' will attacked the rooftop group, rendering them unable to aid the two below.
After a few moments, Sabata finally had his black hole going, but Darius resisted the vacuum. "Get him in there!" he cried to his brother. Django ran behind the possessed Necromancer and fired a few shots to drive the body to its destination. However, at the worst possible moment, a skeleton formed behind Sabata and tackled him, breaking his concentration and the black hole in a split second.
"This is bad…" Saki gritted between her teeth. "Those black holes have been broke twice by skeletons."
"Sketch, you better go down there and help." Kyo commanded. "It's going to be dawn soon and your power is significantly weakened in sunlight.
"But you guys…" Sketch began, but was interrupted.
"Only Arison can get rid of a skeleton for good while Saki and I can only hold it back. Your powers would be better in the dark. Plus, Arison can summon artificial light better than your tops can. While she does so, we can temporarily hold the skeleton armies back. It'll do."
The purple ninja hesitated and jumped down the hole with uncertainties. With utter speed, he sliced throw several skeletons with swords drawn.
"I'll help you guys for now!" He announced and ducked as Darius barely missed swiping his head off. He and Django managed to distract the spirit long enough for Sabata to create another black hole. This time, Sketch ran up the wall and knocked the possessed necromancer closer to the suction more efficiently than solar blasts. He rebounded back the wall and flipped to a downward kick, pushing Darius right above the black hole and sucking him in. There, Django used a spread of Solar Energy, amplified by the black hole to weaken Darius.
"NOW!"
Above, Saki signaled Arison to start the Rising Sun spell as she and Kyo began to defend her from the opposing undead. Right as Darius broke free from the dark suction, sunlight poured in from the opening in the ceiling. His shrieks melted back into Cesei's screams as Sabata and Sketch retreated to the shade.
"You did well…" She whispered to Django. All too suddenly, the malice returned to her face and Darius took control once again. He grabbed him by newly formed talons in Cesei's feet once her skin turned green and blood filled her wings. Her arms turned into bat wings and she flew away at high speeds with the boy.
"DJANGO!"
Sabata was flung by Sketch to the ceiling, gracefully landing, and watched helplessly as Django and Cesei became mere dots in the sky.
"No…"
Django felt dizzy at such heights. His vision blurred from blood loss. Suddenly, he was surrounded by complete darkness. His fears revisited and he screamed as he had in Grun's cage. Only this time, he was all alone…
All was black; Django could not see in front of him. Goosebumps prickled his skin at the thought of re-experiencing his nightmare. However, the image of two children appeared again. This time, they faced him on a grassy hill. Behind them was a walled city; The clock tower in the walls was all too familiar…
The blond boy nudged Django.
"Do you want to play?" He asked.
"Er, sorry, I'm busy right now." The Solar Boy replied. The little blond looked at his green haired companion.
"Are you lonely?" The girl questioned.
"I guess…"
"Don't you have any friends?"
"I do…"
"Then why are you lonely?"
"I… They're not here with me right now…"
"That's a silly thought!" the blond exclaimed. "Are you stupid or somethin'? Your friends are always with you in your heart!"
"With the sun!" the girl added. The two giggled childishly and Django felt his own lips tug into a smile. The boy looked up at the sky as the tall clock tower's bell rang loudly.
"It's sunset!" the girl whined.
"Don't worry, the sun will rise again tomorrow!" The blond shouted with energy. "Well mister, see ya later!"
"Bye!"
"Come on Malak, Jiichan is making dinner!"
"That's nothing to be excited about Ringo!"
The scenery faded and a man in black robes appeared, grinning menacingly at Django
"How charming, Solar Boy Django." He sneered. "You're still alive."
"Darius. Where are we?"
"In your mind! It's delightfully dark!"
"What about Cesei?"
"She was too weak. I need a better host. I need a host that can walk in daylight. Solar Boy Django, I need you!"
Django took a step black.
"You'll never take me." He declared.
"Oh, don't be a foolish boy, you don't even have your friends to help you, not even the sun!"
"You're wrong."
Darius seemed taken aback as Django stepped forward, repelling the inky darkness. His subconscious faded and they were brought back to the real world, Darius now back in Cesei's body.
"I have my friends an the sun." Django said. He placed a hand over his chest. "They are always in my heart. Nothing you can do will separate us!"
The mind controller gritted his teeth.
"We'll see about that!"
"We shall!"
Suddenly, the four jewels of the gods surrounded him. Django faced Cesei's body with determination plastered on his face. He held up the Ring of Seiryuu and summoned Kidenkou.
"For memories!" She cried. She transformed into a great azure dragon, striking Cesei and forced Darius out. The Bracelet of Genbu floated in front of Django, calling out Kourihi.
"For honor!"
She turned into a giant ebony tortoise and shielded the Solar Boy from an attempt to take him. The Earring of Byakkou was next, and Kazemusu materialized.
"For hope!"
He morphed into a white tiger and struck Darius down, stunning him. Finally, the Necklace of Suzaku hovered around Django and Enbara appeared. She stared into his eyes for a moment and turned around.
"For the ones we hold dear!"
She gave Django one last glance before turning into a crimson phoenix and engulfed the possessor in light. Django took this moment to pull out his gun.
"For life on Earth and our Sun!"
The rising sun across the horizon powered up the Gun Del Sol and allowed it to charge up to its full potential. It only took one shot to vanquish Darius. His screams died away, allowing the boy to put his gun away. The four glittering jewels gave off one last burst of light and disappeared.
And for that moment, Django was content to close his eyes and lose consciousness, knowing that he was falling.
"DJANGO!"
D: I wrote that when I was grounded:D; Only eight pages in word, sheesh. This is probably the second to last chapter. This is hopefully the second to last chapter. See, me no like fight scenes. (3/20/06)
Post uploading: This is the fourth shortest chapter, wordwise.
