Vyser: School! Game system! (Laying on the ground growling)

Zeek: You'll have to excuse Vyser, seeing as how he's getting an extreme amount of stress because of school, and the fact that his favorite game system just broke.

Vyser: I shall destroy everything! (Runs out of the room and suddenly many gunshots and explosions are heard outside)

Skull: That's even scares me.

Zeek: Well; now it looks like we'll have to do the disclaimer.

Skull: Vyser doesn't own Tales of Symphonia or the characters you all submitted.

Zeek: To quote Vyser, 'Let's get this show on the road!'

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Chapter 38: Torture

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Skull was slashing wildly with his newly acquired wrist blades. He was mainly charging Locke, but when some of the other members of the trapped five tried to help Locke, Skull turned and tried to slash them.

"After all these years, I'll finally kill you Locke!" yelled Skull, as he was about to stab Locke with both of his wrist blades.

"I shall not die at your hands!" Locked yelled as he blocked both of Skull's wrist blades with his daggers. However, Skull was stronger and was pushing Locke to the ground.

"Locke!" yelled Raine as she, Zeek, Sera, and Kratos ran over to where Skull and Locke were.

"No interference!" Skull exclaimed as he turned his head before he spat acid towards the rest of the group.

The rest of the group backed off as the acid attack splashed onto the ground, Skull then turned his attention back to Locke with a devious smile.

"And now this earth shall be colored crimson!" announced Skull as he began to thrust more of his strength and the dark crystal that was on Skull's forehead began to glow.

Locke managed to catch a quick sight of Skull's dark crystal, then an idea popped into his head. Locke first kicked Skull in the stomach, Skull was really hurt but he was pushed back enough for Locke to get out of Skull's line of attack.

"Guys! I figured out something about Skull!" Locked exclaimed to his friends as Skull began to laugh.

"I just love it when my prey fights back," chuckled Skull as he turned towards the group. "And since you seem to want to be near your friends, then you all can die at once!"

"Everyone got the plan?" Locked asked as Skull began to look mad.

"Yep, aim for the crystal," quietly replied Sera as Skull yelled.

"Don't ignore me!" Skull yelled before he shot the acid from his mouth.

"You'll have to try harder than that!" jeered Zeek as the entire group dodged by jumping in different directions.

"As you wish!" Skull yelled as he began to charge at Zeek.

Skull began to bring down his first wrist blade on Zeek's head, before Zeek managed to block the attack with his dagger. And just before Skull was about to use his other dagger, Zeek quickly used his Spirit cannon attack with his open hand. The attack hit Skull in the chest and left a burnt mark, Skull was walking backwards that's when Sera began to charge.

"Take this!" yelled Sera as she quickly began to attack Skull with her swords.

"Insolent girl!" Skull yelled as he managed to block all of Sera's attack. "Take this!"

Skull managed to shoot acid from his mouth yet again, however Sera was able too easily dodge the attack. And just as Skull was about to spit acid again from his mouth, he was shot in the back but a Photon attack. Skull turned to see Raine was the cause of the attack and Locke was charging directly at Skull. Skull smiled as he dodged all of Locke's attacks.

"You will pay for what you've done to me!" screamed Locke as he managed to slash Skull's right face cheek.

"Enough!" Skull hollered before he clasped his hands together and a huge shock wave erupted from his hands and sent Zeek, Locke, Raine and Sera crashing into the barrier. "I've had enough of dealing with you fools! Normally I'd love to spill your blood, but I'll make an exception and kill you all with my acid!"

Skull was breathing in repeatedly, but before he continued, he noticed something about the group before him. His eyes widen as he realized what was missing.

"Where's Kratos?" asked Skull as running steps were heard behind him. Skull slowly turned around to see what was happening behind him…but it was too late.

"Right behind you!" Kratos answered as he forced his sword straight into Skull's crystal that was on his forehead.

Skull was screaming a horrible scream as he held his forehead in pain, Skull was walking around breathing heavily.

"So, this is true death? I see the fires of hell! I don't want to die!" screamed Skull as he threw his head back and dropped to his knees. "Someone! Anyone! Save my soul!"

A dark aura suddenly appeared around Skull, but immediately died down as Skull's body went limp and fell to the ground. The dark crystal seemed to have turned to dust as did Skull's scythe. Immediately, the barrier went down as Kratos took his sword and everyone put away his or her weapons. Locke looked at Skull's cold metallic body and closed his eyes.

"He was the source of all my pain, and now that he's gone, I should feel better, but," Locke said as he clenched his fists. "Why do Skull's scars remain?"

"Locke," said Raine as she put her arms around Locke. "Skull may be gone, but it will take time to heal from the pain he's caused."

"Thanks Raine," Locke replied as Kratos cleared his throat.

"I hate to break up this moment but we have other things to attend to," stated Kratos as the turned to walk towards the huge building.

"Yeah, we've got to get to Lloyd and the others," Zeek added as the entire began to walk towards the building.

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Tech was watching this battle from his office on a multi screen TV, he smirked as he pressed a button on his desk.

"Fools, if I've learned something from you fools, its this," thought Tech as the picture of Skull got a close up. "It's to always have an ace up your sleeve."

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The group of five was almost to the building, but they were unaware that Skull's body opened its eyes! Only it's eyes were pure yellow with no irises, the body quickly began to charge at the group. The only one who managed to notice was Zeek who quickly pushed his fellow group members away and took the full force of the attack in the back! Skull just lowered his head.

"Eeeeerrrrrrraaaaaaaahhhhh!" Zeek screamed as everyone turned to see what happened.

"Zeek!" screamed Sera as she rushed to Zeek who had fallen on the ground.

Zeek's blood was oozing from his back as the rest of the group grabbed his or her weapons and stood in front of Zeek and Sera.

"How the hell is this possible?" Locke asked as Skull lifted his head and everyone saw his eyes.

"He's full machine! And Tech probably used a separate mind inside in case Skull was killed!" explained Raine as Sera stood up with tears in her eyes.

"Sera, try to calm down, Raine can heal Zeek," Kratos said as Sera began to growl.

"It's not that, it's the fact that Zeek used himself to save us," replied Sera as she began to glow.

"Zeek… Pathetic traitor… threats level…minimum…" Skull stated as Raine began to heal Zeek.

"Don't insult Zeek!" yelled Sera as her wings appeared.

"Sera…Angel Destructor…Threat level computing…63 percent and rising…" stated Skull as he raised his wrist blades.

"Die!" Sera yelled as she flew towards Skull with her sword drawn!

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Meanwhile with Lloyd, Colette, Genis, Luna, Duke, Zelos, Sheena, Jet, Suzu, Dai and Heath were on the third floor, all unaware of what was happening to their companions. As the last of the group reached the third floor from the stairs, they saw a huge room that had grass and a huge fountain in it. Sitting next to the fountain was a muscular man with spiky black hair and had many drills on his black and gray clothes. Once the man noticed the group, he stood up and grinned.

"Well finally! I thought you all got lost on the second floor," laughed Drogue as everyone sweat dropped. "Seriously though, I've gotten lost on that floor before."

"This is the Mecano general we're supposed to face?" asked Luna as Drogue laughed out loud.

"Yep! The name's Drogue, and now who should I take as opponents?" Drogue asked as he rubbed his chin. "I know! I choose…Luna, Duke, Genis, and Dai! The rest of you can take the elevator to the next floor, which happens to be the cafeteria. Word of advice, stay away from the tuna casserole."

Everyone but Luna, Duke, Genis and Dai walked past Drogue giving him weird looks. Drogue was just grinning as the rest of the group entered the elevator. As soon as the elevator doors closed, Drogue then looked more evil.

"Now, before we begin," said Drogue as he cracked his neck. "Any questions?"

"Yeah, are you a living being or mechanical being?" Genis asked before Drogue laughed.

"That's a good question that deserves a great answer," replied Drogue as he waved his hand. "Tech, whom me and many of the Mecano generals consider our new father, found us on the brink on death. He saved us by turning into cyborgs, but it wasn't until recently that we were given these great powers and became the Mecano Generals!"

"So, why do you act the way you act?" Duke asked as Dai drew his weapon.

"I was made this way," answered Drogue as everyone else drew his or her weapons.

"Enough!" Dai yelled as everyone turned towards him. "Let's just get this over with! We don't have time to deal with you!"

"So, you want to have a speedy battle?" asked Drogue as he cracked his knuckles. "As you wish!"

All of a sudden, steam shot out of his ankles and his wrists. A plastered smile was on his face before he ran extremely fast that made him look like a pitch black and gray flash. The four didn't even have a chance to blink before Drogue managed to quickly punch the entire group sending them all flying into different parts of the room. Everyone except Drogue was sore, Drogue was really laughing with his hands covering his mouth.

"What in the world?" Duke asked as Drogue appeared in front of him and lifted him by the throat.

"I think it would have been obvious," said Drogue as he rapidly punched Duke in the stomach with his other hand. "I've got super speed."

Drogue then threw Duke into the fountain, after Duke landed into the fountain he spat out some of the water. Drogue was laughing with his eyes closed with a few tears on his face, behind him however, Luna was charging with her spear. Just as she was about to skewer Drogue, Drogue quickly turned and grabbed the spear by the end.

"How'd you know I was behind you?" Luna asked as she tried to take back her spear with out success.

"Did I also forget to mention that I've got a built in censor that can detect my enemies' location?" asked Drogue before he dodged many fireballs that Genis used.

"Actually yes," Genis answered as Drogue ran up in front of Genis with a plastered grin.

"And now for your answer, here's your prize!" yelled Drogue as he rapidly kicked Genis until he powerfully kicked Genis that he caused skid marks.

"And here's yours!" Dai yelled as he quickly slashed Drogue in the shoulder.

Dai smiled at the fact that he got Drogue, but Drogue was laughing and pulled the sword from his shoulder. Dai was shocked before Drogue quickly turned around and quickly punched Dai until Dai fell to the ground really hurt.

"Does anyone listen these days? I said that I have become a machine," grunted Drogue before he sighed. "Do I have to inflict more pain till you get the little message? Or better yet, how about I drill the message in?"

All of the drills on Drogue's clothes began to spin and more steam shot from the drills.

"Let's put the spin on things!" Drogue laughed as the group of four began to stand up.

"Well, this will not end well," commented Genis as Drogue continued to laugh!

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Vyser: Well, at least I got this chapter done.

Drogue: How very interesting, I really enjoy my power of speed and detection.

Vyser: And now I guess you like the killer drills that you've got.

Drogue: You bet, not only are they great weapons but they also make great cheese slicers.

Vyser: And now! The reviews!

Gijinka Renamon: Chapter 28 I think, and yes robots doing the can-can was funny.

Dualzero: So now you know Drogue's power, super speed and detection. And yep, Kai is saved as the last for the best!

Treekicker: As much as I want to insult Jet right now, I'm not up to it. And maybe during the next general battle, I'll throw in Kono in the mix. Aw what the heck! I'll insult anyway, Jet you vulgar little palowep!

Angelglory: Well, Skull's in the afterlife now.

Something that I'm wondering is how's Zeek doing?

Vyser: Well, he's the one who broke my game system and that's why I gave Zeek the part of the scapegoat for Drone Skull's attack.

Drogue: Is he… you know…

Vyser: (Shrugs) Coin toss will decide.

Drogue: More screen time for me.

Vyser: Review everyone! And have a nice day!