Chapter 12
Chaos' Warm Welcome
Miyabi was walking down the corridors of the underground, eyes filled with hatred and contempt for the youma, anxious to find Ryuki, and have him slain for manipulating his brother to do his bidding. She had barely gotten towards a door when a horde of youma ambushed her. She lunged at them and cut them down before they could strike at her, then continued walking down the corridors through the Underground arena to see the her friends gathered.
"Miyabi, thank goodness you're okay," Asuka said happily, but Miyabi just pushed her out of the way.
"Get out of my way, I'm going after Ryuki for what he did to my brother Akira," she said coldly.
Imu was shocked to see Miyabi not acting like herself. She tried to stop her by wrapping her arms around her.
"I know that you want revenge against the youma that took everything away from you, but I learned that even those adorned with evil will hurt themselves and the people they care about no matter how much evil there is," Imu said, looking at her friend with concern.
Miyabi pushed her back as well and pointed her sword at the kunoichi.
"If any of you try to follow me, or interfere with my revenge, I'll kill you all," she spoke her hair slowly becoming black as night.
They all watched as Miyabi continued to find Ryuki, by breaking into a run.
Murasaki looked worried.
"As Miyabi's friends, we have a responsibility to follow her wherever she goes," she said.
"I agree," replied Hikage, "We may be enemies, but it's time to put our differences aside for now."
"Now that's by far the smartest thing I've heard you say," complimented Katsuragi.
Even though the rogue knife wielder wouldn't wholly admit it, she was happy to here Katsuragi complimenting her. A smile appeared on her face making Yomi a little bit surprised.
"I guess snakes can show emotion when they choose to," giggled Mirai.
Hikage slowly started to giggle as well as her cheeks slowly turned red.
"Cut it out Mirai, you're embarrassing me," she replied.
Homura slowly laughed softly to herself, as her friends and their rivals split up to follow Danzo's foot steps.
Danzo was continuing his progress through the many corridors of the lower levels below the Tower of Darkness, battling youma that tried to slow him down. He was walking inside as he saw the vestibule and soon cut down the crystals that were directing a beam of energy towards other crystals after he investigated it thoroughly. After he solved the puzzle he picked up an orb that was called an Orihalcon that would help him find find his way to his brother, Ryuki.
After fending off the last of the youma, Asuka and the rest of team Hanzo had arrived at the same time as Danzo in the obsidian path. They were soon followed by Team Crimson, Team Gessen, the four members of Team Hebijo, Team Mikagura, and Team Master.
"Okay everyone, be on your guard. Ryuki is on the other side of that door. If you get too ruffled up pull back and retreat for now," Danzo said.
The Kunoichi nodded in agreement knowing that the odds would be in their favor.
"Let's do this," Homura said slamming her fist into her open palm.
Danzo placed the Orihalcon up to the door that lead into the lair of judgement beyond. Then stepped back as the door's locks opened, and they all stepped through.
Inside the lair of judgement Ryuki's patience was now wearing thin as he paced back and forth in anger.
"Why isn't this working?! Is there something missing? Must more blood be shed?" he asked furiously.
He turned to hear footsteps coming towards him, revealing Danzo and his new found ninja friends.
"You seem to be in bad mood," said the younger twin smirking at him.
"Danzo," Ryuki said coldly, preparing to draw his sword.
The other Kunoichi followed suit but Danzo waved them down as to say, "Stand down" making them steady themselves, but still watching furiously.
"So my mother's amulet is the key that unlocks the door to the Youma Realm," he said, then chuckled.
"Good plan, Pop," he chuckled softly.
"Just the opposite actually… Originally it was the key to the Youma realm but was given to humans as a gift," explained Ryuki.
"It doesn't matter to me one way or the other. More importantly I've come all this way," Danzo remarked nonchalantly, as he drew his sword.
"I'm sure you have time for one more game, right?" he asked pointing Defiance at his brother.
Ryuki was about to draw his sword too, but then remembered the new weapon he obtained from Belial.
"Why not? After all we share the same blood. I'll just use more of yours to undo Daddy's little spell," he said preparing himself with his new gauntlets appearing on his hands.
"So, you want a piece of me, literally. Okay bro. Come and get it, if you can!" Danzo replied, pointing his blade at Ryuki.
The twin brothers charged at each other furiously. Ryuki attempted to kick him upwards but Danzo quickly kickflipped higher. He countered with a few combos forcing Ryuki back, then jumped away. Asuka lunged forward her twin swords whistling about in her hands as she lunged at Ryuki.
"This may be fun," he said, a small smile creeping onto him.
Asuka attacked with her swords hoping to bring him down, but Ryuki quickly counter attacked forcing her away. Homura lunged at him with her six swords in hand swinging at her foe that tried to kill Asuka.
"I'm the only one that can kill Asuka, and anyone who does kill her shall feel my wrath!" she declared.
"Then come face me you rogue!" replied Ryuki.
Homura's power skyrocketed, transforming her long black hair and emerald eyes red. Then she drew her seventh blade, Engestuka.
"Hope you like it hot, bub!" she smirked.
"We'll see about that," replied Ryuki, who punched her in the chest sending her crashing towards Asuka who quickly helped her up. Yomi and Ikaruga joined forces with their differing sword styles and attacked their common enemy together. Ryuki jumped upwards and flip kicked them away as Katsuragi and Yozakura charged forward. They managed to get some damage in, but Ryuki activated his youma trigger and forced them back. Ryobi and Ryona then opened fire with their guns trying to bring him down but Ryuki bashed Ryobi on the head that she was sent crashing into a wall near a bell above her.
"You are not worthy as my opponent," he said to Ryona, punching her gut so hard that she was sent flying towards her sister and wheezed harshly.
"But it was worth the beating," she said hoarsely.
Yumi and Fubuki tried to strike as well, but Ryuki pushed them back as Danzo stuck again scoring more hits upon his brother returning him to his normal form. Imu and Murasaki saw Ryuki turn towards them.
"You will not forget this Youma's power!" he declared, changing into his youma form again and sent the two sisters flying back.
"Rest in peace," Ryuki said turning his sword on Hibari, only for Yagyuu to force him back.
"LEAVE HIBARI ALONE!" she snapped.
Ryuki glared then smiled more maniacally.
"Now I'm a little motivated!" he said in a satisfied tone.
"Then eat this you punk!" shouted Mirai firing her gunbrella at him.
Ryuki blocked the shots and flung Mirai to the side with his free hand. Then cut at Haruka sending her flying backwards.
"The power of Sato, is MINE!" he roared, kicking Hikage hard in the side that she collided with her friends and landed in a pile.
Murakumo tried to strike, but Ryuki grabbed her and flung her right at Minori. Both girls crumpled to the ground as her mask flew off and landed near Asuka's feet who managed to pick it up, and fling it back to her.
Renka, Hanabi, and Kafuru charged forward at Ryuki, performing a team combo. Ryuki however countered their attacks and forced them back slamming his foot to the ground creating a shockwave that sent them flying, making them land in a crumpled heap. Senko and Gekko charged at Ryuki and attempted to bring him down with acupuncture needles directed towards him. Ryuki countered spinning his sword rapidly deflecting the needles they threw at him, then flung them back with a beam of energy that made them land battered and bruised with Fubuki.
"Youma scum, I will smite you!" Kagura said unleashing Izanami.
Ryuki jumped back before it could affect him. Then he struck her hard, reverting her to her child-like form, sending her back to Naraku who caught her.
Danzo charged again and the playing field was evenly matched between the two brothers who swung their blades fiercely creating a shirek of clanging blades. They were also wounding each other fiercely in their feud as their blood scattered about on the ground. They entered a blade lock glaring into each others eyes, when they noticed two blade beams coming towards them. Danzo cut the first blade beam horizontally, and Vergil cut the second blade beam vertically. Asuka's eyes widened to see Miyabi angrily looking at them with her sword held at her side.
"Sorry but this is no place for little girls. So beat it," Danzo said, annoyed that she was interfering.
"Shut up!" snapped Miyabi, unleashing another blade beam.
Danzo and Ryuki continued the fight as Miyabi rushed forward with the intent of killing the older twin. Reacting instinctively Ryuki swung at her catching her off balance, leapt up in the air countering Danzo's attack, and struck hard at Miyabi who blocked his blow.
"You forced him into this!" she shouted.
"Is that what you think? Foolish girl," Ryuki said coolly.
He quickly blocked Danzo's attack and focused his attention on him, granting Miyabi time to strike again. The brothers were fighting thrusting their swords back and forth blocking and slashing at each other as Miyabi was now confused by this fiasco. Finally the brothers slashed at each other's chests, severely wounding them, and making them drop to their hands and knees. Miyabi could only watch when she heard the sound of hands clapping behind her as the other kunoichi stood up.
"Bravo, bravo! I never dreamed that things would go so smoothly. Well done, everyone. well done!" cheered Trickster, as he applauded them.
"You!" Danzo said angrily.
Miyabi turned quickly only for Trickster to grab her sword and stick his tongue out at her in a maniacal manner.
"Don't be a bad girl Miyabi!" he said, tossing into the air and making her land hard on her chest.
"Or you can expect a spanking from big bro later!" he continued, and began to sing rudely. "Trickster's gonna spank your butt. spank you on the butt."
"INSANE BUFFOON! I don't know where you came from buffon, but you don't belong here. NOW LEAVE!" bellowed Ryuki, charging at him.
Trickster stopped him clapping his hands on Yamikaze's blade. Ryuki was shocked to find that his attack had failed.
"Zowie, that was close! But you've taken quite a trouncing today, haven't you, Ryuki? You could've chopped me into confetti by now if you were in tip-top condition," smirked Trickster.
"Damn you!" growled Ryuki.
"You have lost," Trickster replied, lowering his voice.
Then he flung Ryuki aside making him land on the outside of the circle, and clicked his fingers transforming himself into Akira.
"Because you underestimated humans," he continued.
"What's going on?!" Miyabi asked in shock and dismay.
"Good girl, strong and prideful, just like our father," Akira said turning towards her.
"YOU BASTARD!" she screamed grabbing a kunai.
But she was grabbed by the head after turning into Trickster.
"It's time for your spanking, my dear!" he said, slamming her head onto the circle, and putting her in a daze.
"You want to know why the spell didn't break, hmm, Ryuki? You have the two amulets and Sato's blood. You had everything you needed to unleash the evil!" Trickster explained.
"I told you before, I don't like anybody who has a bigger mouth than mine," interrupted Danzo, making Trickster cover his mouth.
Trickster evaded his gunfire and danced about on the walls and the ceiling.
"You are wounded and weak. Even I can do, THIS to you!" he cackled slamming Danzo to the ground.
He clicked his fingers again, and became Akira.
"Two amulets, a set of Sato's blood. Now I need one more key," he said, picking up Miyabi's sword.
"He sacrificed two things to suppress the tremendous force of this structure: his own youma blood and a mortal exorcist," he continued, plunging his sister's sword into her upper thigh.
Miyabi cried out in pain as her own sword pierced through her. The wound began to weep blood onto the ground.
"I needed you, in whose body flows the same blood as the sacrificed woman. His spell cannot be undone without your blood!" he said pridefully, clicking his fingers again.
"It was quite a ride you know!" he added, pulling the blade out of Miyabi's leg and tossing it aside.
Miyabi gasped in pain and agony as it was removed.
"If any of you had died before getting here, our little plan would have gone to waste! Therefore, my job was to make you battle each other in order to weaken you. But at the same time, I had to guide you here and make sure that you were kept alive. I even went so far as to dressing like a complete idiot!" Trickster cackled, as Danzo and Ryuki slowly stood up.
"So you made us all go through your puppet show!" snapped Homura.
"Oh you are smart Homura, I'm gonna give you an A for figuring it out quite well. Even though you know that deceit is both your greatest weapon, and your greatest enemy," he mocked, making her more angry.
"It's time for bed Miyabi. you can visit our dear parents," he said, and then began laughing madly making the room echo with his laugh.
Miyabi soon got up, picked up her sword, and pointed it at him.
"Try me," she said, as she saw Danzo and Ryuki's blade resting near Trickster's neck.
The Kunoichi also joined in with their weapons ready to attack.
"It's time for the clown to bow out, Akira," Ryuki proclaimed.
"Dude, the show's over!" agreed Danzo.
"Impressive. I expected nothing less from the youma's descendants. But aren't you forgetting something, Ryuki? The spell is broken," Akira said calmly.
The altar in the center of the circle began to rise
"What do you think will happen next? Let's welcome chaos!" he continued, with a bloodthirsty grin.
The ceiling above began to open and the circle began to move upwards with a powerful boom, catching everyone off balance. Miyabi, Danzo, and Ryuki's blades collided with a clang as Akira ducked and sent and them flying with a powerful kick as the Kunoichi jumped clear and landed on opposite ends of the what they saw as a lift rising up to the top of the Tower of Darkness carrying the first bell with it. Akira looked down on them all with a proud smirk.
"Just sit and wait! Wait for the birth of a new god! I shall take over the power of SATO!" he roared with blood curdling laughter.
Unbeknownst to Danzo and the kunoichi, Ryuki fell as the floor crumbled beneath him. Then Miyabi slipped and fell too, but Danzo caught her hand and pulled her up as Akira rose higher and higher above them.
Outside of the tower in the slums of Asakuza, Rin, Daidouji, and Kiriya stood in shock and dismay as the exterior began to shift and rise higher towards the sky.
Inside the platform began to rise like an elevator collecting six more bells as the rubble fell around them. Akira was standing proudly at his greatest achievement at the altar when it reached the top. Finally his plan would come to fruition. Finally he would be a God. At last the platform had stopped and Danzo stood looking at the seven bells that represented the Seven Deadly Sins.
"Oh no!" Rin said her eyes wide with fear.
"This guy's lost his mind," added Daidouji.
"Please be careful my students!" Kiriya said softly.
In the ruins of the hall of judgement, Miyabi and Danzo stood side by side after Imu placed a special medicine on her friend's leg, and wrapped a piece of cloth tightly around it.
"Are ya gonna go?" asked Danzo.
"Yes, I'm going to finish him off," replied Miyabi.
"Well you might as well forget it. Cuz, you're no match for him," Danzo said.
"Regardless, I have to go. I had a chance to stop him before, but I couldn't. I'm responsible for all this mess," Miyabi stated.
"Don't say that Miyabi. You aren't responsible," Imu protested placing a hand her friend's shoulder.
Miyabi brushed it off her.
"Responsible? Does he bother you that much?" he asked.
"He's my brother. Besides, who else can undo what he's done?" she said.
She took Ryona's grapple gun and fired it up sending the strong cable attached to a harpoon to a structure. Making sure it was secure, she pulled it then turned towards Danzo.
"A youma like you, wouldn't understand…" she said coldly, then clambered up the structure as her friends and rivals watched alongside Danzo.
Family drama, huh?" he muttered, turning towards Homura who was enraged at having been deceived.
"Well I'll go too," he said so that the others would hear him.
Asuka and Yumi glanced at each other looking very concerned for Miyabi.
"But you better hurry if you don't want me to take all the credit," he called after her, and walked off.
"Let's get moving as well," Renka said to the other kunoichi.
They all nodded and split up heading back into the now changed Tower of Darkness.