Chapter 9

Kill the Three Part 2

'General Liver? How does Bulat know this guy?' Max thought looking between the two men

"Former General now, since Esdeath saved me" Liver said

"Saved him? From what?" Max asked wondering what was going on

"Max" Steel said getting his attention, "remember Bulat's story about his partner, I think this the guy" Steel explained

"I think your right, they obviously know each other" Tatsumi said looking at the scene before them

Bulat then brought his spear in front of him and twirled it around while staring intently at Liver.

"If things were different, I'd be having a toast to your reunion" he said until pointing his spear at Liver, "But there not, so I'm going to have to kill you now, the Mission comes first!" Bulat shouted, clearly ready for battle.

"Indeed, I could've have said it any better myself" Liver said as he started to take off his glove, "and the wishes of Esdeath will be realized" he said as his glove was removed.

There on his finger was black ring, shaped to look like sea monster of some kind, with a blue gem on it.

"And to ensure that she gave me this Imperial Arms!" he shouted as his ring glowed

Then the barrels on the ship burst open, creating huge pillars of water on each side of Liver as the two combatants stared each other down.

"Ah great, he's a knock off Water Elementor" Max said getting into battle stance.

"And not mention were surrounded by water everywhere, I think this could end up really badly" Steel said

"Indeed, your strange friend speaks the truth." Liver said, "My Imperial Arms, The Black Marlon, a ring type weapon created from aquatic danger beasts, with the ability to control any liquid, and due our surrounding's I believe lady luck is smiling on me" Liver said with a grin.

"So you control water now, huh, fitting since master is an ice user" Bulat said catching Max and Steel attention.

'Ice user' Max and Steel thought, mauling over this new information

"She can create ice out of thin air; don't try to elevate me to her level" Liver said as the water surged around him, "She is a God! Water Fire!" Liver shouted as the water came rushing at Bulat.

Bulat then brought his spear in front of him and spun it around, deflecting the water.

"Bulat hold on, GO…" Max started to say until Bulat stopped him.

"No Max, I'm fine I can handle him, just help Tatsumi!" Bulat shouted at them

"But…?" Max said only the to be cut off again

"Don't argue, just do it!" Bulat shouted as Max just sighed in defeat

"Okay, but I am going to help you, count on it" Max said and turned his attention to Tatsumi.

He was currently in a battle with that demon looking kid from before and seemed to having a hard time.

"What a say we even the odds" Steel said as Max smirked under his helmet

"I say, GO TURBO, SPEED" Max shouted

Max then quickly changed to speed and rushed at the two, currently Tatsumi and the kid were having a sword clash of sorts but Tatsumi was losing fast but then rushed forward and delivered a punch to the kids face sending him across the deck until stopping a few feet away from them.

"Hey, who told you can but into our battle!" the kid shouted at Max as he just chuckled

"Sorry about that, it just looked like so much fun, so I invited myself in" Max said taunting the kid

"You got a big mouth don't you; I may have to fix that!" The kid shouted rushing at Max

He raised what looked like flute and brought down on Max…only to miss as Max sidestepped him.

"Not even close" Max said causing the kid to sheath in anger

He then rushed Max again and swung at him, only to miss again, he swung again and missed, again and again he tried to hit Max but to no end, Max evaded him easily making him angrier by the second.

"Why can't I hit you!" He shouted still trying to hit him

"Because I'm fast and your way slow" Max said until delivered an uppercut to the kid, until following that up with round house kick send him flying off the ship into water.

"Enjoy your bath!" Max shouted giving the boy one last taunt

"Thanks for the help Max" Tatsumi said getting a thumbs up from Max.

They then heard the sound of rushing water like that of a tidal wave, looking over they saw Bulat staring down a large snake made of water, with Liver standing on top of it.

"Woah, I have to admit, that's kind of cool" Max commented looking at the large water serpent

"This water pressure will crush you, say goodbye Bulat!" Liver shouted as his ring glowed.

The snake then charged forward with a hiss as its mouth opened, and its fangs were released.

"SNAKE FROM THE ABYSS!"

"Bulat/Bro look out!" Tatsumi and Max shouted

Bulat then charged forward with his spear and with a shout he then cut right through the serpent, splitting it in half.

"Awesome, way to go man!" Max shouted but all Liver did was chuckle which confused them.

"Guess I assumed correctly, you attacked the snake head on instead of dodging it. You knew that there would be multiply casualties if I hit the ship, you also think you can dodge my next attack if your feet were firmly planted on the deck" Liver said until his ring glowed again, "But you can't dodge in midair!" Liver shouted

Out of the ocean, multiply spears of water then burst from the sea all coming straight at Bulat.

"DARK WATER SPEARS"

The spears then hit Bulat in the back causing him cry out in pain, even his armor's faceplate broke a little showing his mouth and right eye.

"Bulat!" Max shouted in worry

Max then charged across the deck, until reaching the edge and jumped off and shouted.

"GO TURBO, SCUBA"

Then in a flash of light Max then changed into his Scuba mode just as he hit the water, quickly he then activated his jet thrusters on his back propelling him forward. He then started to ride the current of the spears until bursting out the top, grabbing a hold of Bulat in the process and followed up by saying.

"GO TURBO, FLIGHT"

Max then changed to his Flight mode and soared through the air holding an injured Bulat.

"Thanks for the save Max, but I'm fine a little splash of water, can't extinguish my soul" Bulat said

"I know, but I was going to help you anyway" Max replied with smile under his helmet

Liver then landed back on the deck as he stared up at the two flying combatants.

'It seems this boy has more to offer then speed it seems, if my assumption is correct he maybe a genuine threat, I must take them both out' Liver thought as he studied over Max.

"Your new teammate is quite impressive Bulat" Liver shouted getting their attention, "But let's see how you two handle my trump card" he said, as his ring once again glowed.

Then out the water came multiply dragon's made of water, came shooting out of the ocean and were heading straight toward the two men.

"WATER DRAGON'S, CONQUER HEAVEN"

Seeing the dragon's coming at them, Max started to take evasive maneuvers, dodging the dragon heads left and right. But they were persistent and would not give up on the chase.

"I can't shake these things!" Max shouted has he narrowly dodged a dragon, coming from the side.

"Max, these dragons are like homing missiles, we have to try and split their attention!" Steel shouted over the sounds of dragon roars and splashing waves.

"Got it Steel, let's …GO TURBO, CLONE!" Max shouted then out of the blue light came eight more Max's.

The Max's then dispersed causing the dragon heads to follow after the clones as the real Max took Bulat up into the sky away from the dragons.

"Nice thinking there Max" Bulat commented making Max smile with pride

"Ah, it was nothing" Max replied

Back on the ship, Liver had his teeth gritted in irritation at the spectacle in front of him.

'So he can clone himself too, I was right in thinking he was a genuine threat, with one move he disarmed my trump card easily' Liver thought

Max then looked down at Liver and quickly came up with an idea.

"Hey Bulat" Max said gaining the assassins attention, "Why don't I get you up close and personal with Liver?" Max asked, confusing Bulat

"How? We might get caught in the cross fair of those dragon's" Bulat said seeing the dragon's still chasing after the Turbo Clones but were starting to get caught.

"Leave that to me" Max said and shouted

"GO TURBO, STRENGTH"

The Max then changed to his strength mode and held Bulat in his hand and cocked it back.

"Now, FAST BALL SPECIAL!" Max shouted

Then with one good throw Max then threw Bulat straight at Liver, easily passing the dragons and coming right up on Liver.

"Your mine old man!" Bulat shouted with his Spear ready

Then off to the side, to Max's surprise, the demon kid was back and was heading straight for Bulat, but before he could reach him Bulat then swung his spear, causing a gust of wind to blow the kid back sending him skidding across the deck as Bulat and Max landed back on the deck.

"Guess demon boy didn't like his bath" Steel said as Max changed back to base mode.

"What a joke, you realize you just threw away your one chance at defeated Liver" he said with smirk, until Max came up punched him hard across the face sending flying across deck farther.

"Ah shut it brat" Max said looking at the cocky kid in annoyance

"Bro, Max" Tatsumi said in a strained voice catching there attention

Tatsumi was down on the ground and was beaten up pretty bad and was struggling to get up.

"I'm sorry it was my fault, he came up behind an took me by surprise, I should have seen it coming" Tatsumi said

"Don't worry, we all thought he was out the picture" Max said reassuringly

"He's right Tatsumi" Bulat said as his armor evaporated, leaving a injured Bulat and his usual pompadour now all ruined, "I'm just surprised you made it this far without an Imperial Arms" he said

"Yeah I guess" Tatsumi said looking over Bulat's wounded form

With Max, Steel detached himself and did a quick scan on Bulat to see the extent of his injuries, and they weren't good.

"Even with that armor on he still took a lot of damage, I'm surprised he's still standing" Steel remarked

"I see your Imperial Arms deactivates after a certain amount of damage" Liver said as everyone looked the man, "We seem to have a clear winner" He said only for Bulat to chuckle

"No need to act tough, that drop of blood from your ear is a dead giveaway" Bulat said and true to his word there was blood coming from Liver's ear shocking the former general.

"That attack damaged your internal organs, you're in no position to use your Imperial Arms" Bulat said as Liver smirked

"Nothing gets past you doesn't it, and here I was hoping I would have the upper hand in the negotiations" Liver said

'Negotiations' Max and Steel thought

Then to their surprise Liver then offered Bulat a chance to join Esdeath's army, but to everyone's relief Bulat declined. Liver then went on rant saying that joining Esdeath changed his life for the better and that people fear his name, but Bulat still refused saying that he would find no joy in serving the capital and would tarnish his image as a hero to the masses. Seeing as this going nowhere both men decided they would finish this here and now. Liver then took an injector from his sleeve and injected straight into his neck.

"What the heck was that?" Max asked looking at the scene

"Don't know, must have been some sort of enhancement drug" Steel said

"Carful Bro, something is not right about this guy" Tatsumi said to Bulat in concern

"Yeah I'm painfully aware this guy is not going to be easy to beat" Bulat replied

He then pressed a button on his armor causing a sliver colored sword to come shooting out of his armor and boomeranged back to his hand.

"Now let's go!"

Both men then charged at each other as their swords clashed. The two men then started to deliver strike after strike and such an insane speed they almost looked like a blur to them.

"Wow, this is insane, it's like there not even injured at all" Tatsumi said looking at the battle

"Come on Bulat, don't stop, just keep going" Max said to himself

There swords then clashed again as they struggled to overpower each other, Bulat let out a cry and with one push he then shattered Liver's sword and delivered a fatal blow causing blood to gush from he's wound.

"All right you got him!" Max and Tatsumi shouted

Liver then suddenly gained a malicious smile catching everyone's attention.

"I was waiting for this moment, now let me show you my true trump card!" He shouted

Suddenly his blood then formed into miniature balls until unleashing them out at Bulat like spears.

"KILLER BLOOD SWORD"

"Oh no you don't!" Max shouted jumping in front of Bulat.

"Max?! What are you…?!" Bulat shouted until Max said.

"GO TURBO, CANNON"

Max then changed into the indescribable Cannon Mode as the blood spears then started to ricochet off Max's heavy plated armor, only unknown to them some of them get through and got Bulat in some places. Once the barrage had ended Max then changed back to base mode and took a knee feeling his energy starting to dwindle.

"Thanks for the safe Max" Bulat said placing a hand on his shoulder

"Ah, it was nothing" Max replied

"I put everything into that last attack and you blocked it, well played" Liver said as he collapsed on the deck.

"Man, good thing I had enough Turbo Energy for that, if not…but I'm glad it worked" Max said not wanting to think about if he failed

"I would have been fine Max but thanks anyway" Bulat said as Tatsumi supported him on his feet.

"Bulat" Liver said catching the three's attention, "There is something I wanted to tell you the real reason I joined General Esdeath, I didn't tell you before" he said

He then told why he joined, he was so down and broken until Esdeath came to recruit him saying that she can get him to re-enlist into the army, saying things like she need him and wanted him to fight for her. Hearing all this Max couldn't help but start re-think over his opinion of Esdeath, she was not just powerful but also cunning, manipulative and driven almost as much a Dread or Makino if not more. Even Steel was a little shaken by this, almost a little frighten to fight the General.

"So you see, I have admiration and respect for Esdeath that is why I joined" Liver concluded making Max frown underneath his visor.

"Sounds more like obsession then respect in my book" Steel said through there link.

"That is why on my honor as a devote servant of Esdeath, I will be taking your life as well!" Liver shouted

Suddenly Bulat then coughed up blood causing Max and Tatsumi to rush too his side.

"Bulat! What did he do to you?" Max asked fear itched in his voice

"Hang in there Bro" Tatsumi added holding up the downed assassin.

"That wasn't just an enhancement, you injected poison into your own blood" Bulat said already feeling weak

"Indeed you have not developed a resistance to it like I have, so it will kill you quickly, as for me I must be going on ahead now" Liver breathed out as he fell to the ground…died.

Suddenly rain started to pour down as Bulat started cough up more blood.

"I should have expected this much from you, we have defeated each other" Bulat said he slumped more on Tatsumi's shoulder.

"Come one Bro, let go get you patched up" Tatsumi said as Max came to help him

"He's right, Steel can make you an antidote if we hurry" Max said

Suddenly a flute started to play; they already recognized the tune and knew who it was.

"We're not done yet you two, this fight is far from done" Bulat said

Looking over they saw the same demonic child, now sporting a black eye thanks to Max, was heading toward them while playing his flute.

"Did you really think the killer blood swords were all we had, sorry to say but the real trump card is me" he said still playing his flute.

"Trump card: Invite the Demonic Human"

Suddenly, the boy grew in size and his muscles got bigger, almost making him an adult now.

"This weapon is called Scream and it can do more then put people to sleep, it also makes my body bigger and stronger so I can rip you all apart" he said

"So you have a knock off strength mode, congrats" Max said to the boy which only caused the kid turned adult to snarl in anger.

"Um Max, I think taunting the big muscle guy is a bad idea, especially when your Turbo power is almost empty" Steel said sounding quite nervous.

"Just trying to put on a brave face Steel" Max replied grunting from exhaustion.

Tatsumi then stepped forward and brought his sword forward, ready to take on the muscled bound kid.

"Tatsumi, I don't think this is good idea, I hate to say it but your no match for this guy" Max said.

"I know that… but what good am I if I can't protect my comrades!" Tatsumi replied making Max grimace at this.

Bulat then started to move a little and started to hand his silver sword to Tatsumi.

"Tatsumi, here take this" Bulat said getting their attention.

"Is that?" Tatsumi asked wondering what the sword was.

"The key to Incursio" Bulat said surprising the two boys, "the armor will always belong to the one who holds the key" he said.

"What?! You can't give me Incursio!" Tatsumi shouted until they heard the demon boy laugh.

"What good would it do for you anyway, if you can't put it on" he said.

"What in the world are you talking about?" Max asked

"Well not anyone can wear that armor, if the wrong person tries to put it on they die, I wouldn't what you to die before we get a chance to play, so quit being a coward and fight like normal" he said

Tatsumi looked like he was about to go through with it, until Max shouted.

"Are seriously going to listen to this nut job, Tatsumi!" Max shouted getting his attention, "Do really think Bulat would give you Incursio if couldn't use?!" Max added

"But Max…" Tatsumi was saying until he cut him off

"Heck you think I wouldn't continue being a super hero if couldn't do it, sure I had my doubts and my fears, but I also had friends and family that I can count on to help me and to encourage me" Max said think over his friends and family.

"So listen to me when I say this, when a friend tells you can do something, you can!" Max said as Bulat smiled at this.

"He's right you know, you had a lot of training and gained a lot of experience thats all you need to equip Incursio" Bulat said

"Please" the kid said, "You need an affinity to wield in Imperial Arms, yours wouldn't be enough, it will instantly kill you" He said

"Oh shut up, will you!" Steel shouted at him getting really annoyed by him.

"If you like how a weapon feels or have a good impression of it, you can usually tell it's a match" Bulat said recalling the moment when Tatsumi first witnessed Incursio, "I promise you can do this, you can, I know you can!" Bulat said as Tatsumi looked in disbelief.

"Okay Bro" Tatsumi said, and gained a confident smile as took Incursio from Bulat, "There's no one I respect more then you, so if you say I can do this, there's no way I'll let you down!" He shouted

The boy just sighed with what looked like bored look on his face.

"Seriously, you're really going to try and put that on, well I better hurry if I want to kill you myself!" He shouted as he charged at Tatsumi, "Time to die!" He shouted

"Tatsumi!" Max and Steel shouted after their friend

"Go Extreme Tatsumi, with all the fire in your soul!" Bulat shouted after as Tatsumi let a loud shout and yelled.

"INCURSIO"

Suddenly the floor boards of deck seemed to split apart as a huge cloud of mist erupted forth and standing behind Tatsumi was a giant version of Incursio.

"Incredible" Max breathed out staring at the sight before him.

Suddenly the face plate of Incursio broke into pieces revealing a dragon's face as it leaned over Tatsumi and surrounded him in a dome of red.

"What is that armor?! Are the materials still alive?!" the kid shouted looking quite terrified

"Wait alive, what is that supposed to mean?" Steel asked looking at the dragon

"Incursio was created from parts of dragon type danger beast known as Tyrant, its vitality is immensely high, and it can also adapt its body for any environment, from burning deserts to the frozen tundra. Even after becoming an Imperial Arms the dragons flesh still lives to this day" Bulat explained as Max and Steel looked in awe.

"No way" they both said

"Such…such a terrifying weapon" the demon kid said staring at the scene before him

The red dome then vanished as a cloud of steam moved in and when it dissipated it revealed Tatsumi fully equipped with Incrusio.

"Esdeath Army committed murder after murder using Night Raid's name, now it's time for you to pay!" Tatsumi shouted

"You tell him buddy" Max said with smile on his face

"Aren't going to go and help him?" Bulat said with a smile

"My Turbo energy is recharging so I could help him" Max said only to turn his attention back to fight, "but this is Tatsumi's time to shine" He said

"You think your pretty special now don't you!?" the demon shouted

Tatsumi looked down at his hands, feeling the power flow through him like a raging beast.

"I can feel it, this armor is making my body stronger" he said clenching his fists until turning back to his opponent, "I'm about to finish this!" He shouted

Then with a shout the both of them rushed at each other, both of their fists colliding making a massive shockwave. Both struggled to overpower one or the other, until Tatsumi then sent another blow straight at him causing him to be sent flying into the ships mast and smashing against the wall with such force it killed him on contact, causing him to shrink and fall to the ground dead.

Seeing the spectacle Max couldn't help but smile at his friend's accomplishment, though the dead body did disturb him, it was far outweighed by his happiness for his friend.

"Ha, if this how strong you are right here and now, there is not a doubt in my mind you will one day surpass me" Bulat said

"I'm sure he will Bulat" Max replied

Suddenly he felt Bulat was heavier now looking over Max saw Bulat eyes had closed and wasn't breathing. With wide eyes Max then laid Bulat on the deck of the ship and started to shake him hoping beyond hoping he was not what he that he was.

"No,no,no,no, Please no, Bulat come on wake up, don't just lay there wake up!" Max shouted shaking Bulat

"Max" Steel said but he was not listening

"Come one man, open your eyes, come on just open them, and show me you're okay!" Max shouted again

"Max" Steel said again a bit more loudly

"Come on your not… you're not… you're not" Max said as sobs come between each word

"MAX!" Steel shouted finally getting his attention

"He's not Steel, he's not, he's…!" Max shouted only be cut off as Steel detached from Max

"Max! Bulat … is … gone" Steel said as Max stopped shaking Bulat, he didn't even notice Tatsumi beside him crying.

Max's helmet was then removed, reveling Max's puffy eyes and streams of tears running down his face until raising his head to the sky.

"NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

And there you have it chapter nine, this one was quite the dose for me, but I think I did a good job. I hope you all like it and don't forget to leave a review and I hope you all have a good day.