A/N: Chapter 22 of Ginga Densetsu Alayus. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own. Ginga Densetsu Weed belongs to the rightful owner.
Special thanks to the reviewers, I truly appreciate it.
Chapter 22: Eternal Pride
Gajou...
Mel launched himself at his attackers, claws outstretched to catch a dog by the shoulder. The dogs tried to circle around but the Golden Retriever jumped nimbly out of the way, snapping his jaws around another dog's legs.
"You fool! You're nothing!" A dog rushed in foolishly only to receive a kick to the jaw. He tumbled back with a yelp only to crash into his other companions.
"You're not going to take Gajou!" Mel growled as his attackers stood back up, his fur bristling. It's possible. I can do this!
"Don't get smart with us!" The dogs rushed him all at once, snarling and baring their fangs.
"Shit!" Mel yelped as he was pinned to the ground, his attackers tearing his fur with razor sharp claws. He felt the teeth digging into his ear, leg and sides.
"You little brat! Did you think you could beat us?" One of the dogs, presumably the leader, grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and threw him down.
"You're 10 years too young to try fighting us!" He spat before looking behind him."Kill him." His companions eagerly rushed in to get the job done.
This is it, it's over...I'm gonna die...Forgive me Weed. Mel started to cry as he silently spoke the words in his mind. He wished he could meet Weed one more time and had hope to be with the army of Ohu when he grew up. He shut his eyes and awaited his death to come quickly. I'm sorry Akame-san.
"HOLD ON!" The dogs looked behind them, narrowing their eyes at the approaching figures, some weird dogs with tiger-striped patterns on their fur. "Hold on, hold on! Who the hell are you?! What are you doing?"
"And who the hell are you?" The leader barked back angrily. "We're taking over Gajou. Get out of here!" The group of arriving dogs slowed to a halt, the one with a scar across his right eye spoke.
"I heard that this Paradise, Gajou, is nobody's place, and that any righteous person is allowed to live here. I guess it really was just a rumor." He turned his gaze on Mel.
This guy is...Mel looked back in surprise.
"You guys will be just a easy. Even though we're the ones who were here first, this is Genba-sama's place." The gang of dogs strode forward confidently and apparently with arrogance.
"I see. I'm finally seeing the situation here. You guys are just regular weakling."
"What, Old man?!" The dogs growled at the insult. "We'll kill you!"
"You can't kill me." At that moment the dog's gaze hardened, his one eye blazed with fierce fighting spirit and years of experience. He caused the dogs to flinch in terror with that one look.
"Who are you?"
"I'm Kurotora from Kai." Kurotora jumped off one of his nephew's shoulders and padded forward to confront his enemies. "You're a remarkable kid. You tried to protect this place all by yourself."
"I won't let these hooligans take everyone's Paradise...even if I have to die." Mel spoke confidently.
"That's right." Kurotora nodded with agreement. "A real dog won't go down until he's stood up right to the end. But they don't waste their lives either. You only have one life. When a real Dog throws their life away, it's for someone else." He stopped and smiled. "My brother is Akatora of Kai. About ten years ago, he died to take out Akakabuto's eye. He had an honourable death right here, at this place."
"And so what, you old shit?" One of Genba's subordinates chuckled. "We're the advanced unit of Genba's soldiers!"
"There are 200 behind us, and they're on their way here!" Another one laughed. At once they surged forward in an attempt to take out the Kai dogs. In a flash of speed, Kurotora's nephews took them down with one strike; none of them broke a single sweat.
"Incredible!" Mel stood up in amazement.
"You old shit!" The scarred face leader rushed forward and lunged in with his fangs. Kurotora waited for his chance and snapped forward, raking his claws against his enemy's throat.
"Stop fooling around." Kurotora snapped, "Who gives a shit about this Genba guy?" Suddenly his senses were on alert and he felt an over-whelming presence of evil.
"Ohu is mine." Genba stood forward before letting out a manic laugh as the giant structure of Gajou loomed before him.
Somewhere...
Not far from Gajou Ken's parents Ben and Cross, traveled with Hook and Reika as they came up from the South. After the two of them split up from Weed's party, Hook and Reika traveled all the way back to Ohu where they stumbled upon the older dogs. The four of them walked together and that was when the two newcomers realized that Ben was blind. The four of them were on their way to meet up with Akame and Mel but decided to take a longer way around.
Gajou...
"Shouji! Do you see anything?!" Kurotora yelled as a blizzard suddenly blew across the land, limiting their field of vision. The Kai dogs stood poise and ready, their eyes narrowed in focus.
"No. Not yet." The eldest of the brothers answered.
"Genba's army? Give me a break. I'll kick them all over the place!" The old verteran scoffed.
"Uncle! They're here!" Shouji yelled once he noticed something moving.
"Yeah, how many?"
"It's a huge army. A huge, huge army, Uncle!"
"What did you say?" Jumping to the front Kurotora's eyes nearly popped out of his sockets as he noticed the group approaching. "There's so many of those little shits."
"Uncle, what do we do?"
"What to do...how to do it...being born a Kai-dog means we can never turn our back on an enemy! We'll face them straight, and cut through them! You guys ready?"
"Yeah!"
"Even if it's only one of you...whoever survives must get to Mutsu." Seeing their puzzled faces, he explained. "If you go 30 kilometers to the North, you'll run into some of our old friends. They were called "The big four of Mutsu." even in Ohu, they were considered soldiers of courage. You must inform them about this absurdity."
"Without fail!" His nephews promised.
"You guys are a reliable bunch! Today we will create a new legend! Just like Akatora did. One that will be passed on through future generations!"
"Stop speaking nonsense Kurotora!" The Kai-dogs looked to see Akame run up. "If it's just for you, fine...but don't use young lives crudely!"
"Who's the stupid one, Akame? Where have you been all this time?! Look, they're already here! Yeah, perfect timing, Akame! Why don't you be a preacher and preach to the young ones about how we fight?!"
"This is stupid, Kurotora! Why won't you understand? Is there no way in hell I can stop you from doing this?!"
"It's no use. This is the way of the Kai-dog. Nothing else!"
"You guys too?" Akame looked at the nephews and they looked at each other before nodding in agreement.
"I'm sorry Akame. It's easier for a Ninja-dog like you. To us, that river down there is just like the River Styx. There's no escape for us. In a fight, we can't just turn our backs and run away."
"Uncle, they're here!" Shouji warned. In front of the massive structure, Genba's army stood and looked at it eagerly. However, the Great Dane noticed that his soon-to-be prize stilled had occupents.
"Kai-dogs?" He mused before chuckling. "They're nothing...this will be a pushover."
"You tidal wave of idiots...I'll make you regret your proclamation of war with me!" Kurotora spat down.
"I even gave them a warning...those idiots." The Great Dane said, "It's too late for forgiveness even if you beg or cry. Each and every one of you will die!"
"AHAHA! What a blockhead, you make me laugh!" Kurotora taunted, "With that big of a mouth, I'm certain your asshole is just as wide!" Genba's eye twitched at the insult. "Make sure you tighten it up so you won't leak shit everywhere!"
"That's it..." Genba growled before issuing an order. "Go get them! Go and drag those bastards down!"
"Mel, come here!" Akame ordered as the Kai-dogs watched the weaklings run forward.
"Alright Shouji, not yet." Kurotora spoke as Shouji padded forward. "Once they've all gathered up front and then, all at once..." Sudden, Shouji lashed out, knocking his uncle off his pedistal with his body. The old Kai-dog tumbled to a halt at Akame's feet before looking back up. "What the hell are you doing, Shouji?!"
"I won't let my Uncle who raised us die." was the reply.
"What?"
"Akame-san, take care of our Uncle! Please escape!" Dodo called down.
"We'll follow shortly!" Buru assured him.
"Have you bastards lost your minds?!" Kurotora spat before he felt Akame's teeth grip his scruff. Suddenly he felt the ground underneath his paws disappeared and realized that Akame jumped. "Let me go Akame!"
"Forgive me Kurotora. This is going to be a little different from the River Styx you desired! Mel, don't hesitate. Come on!" The white Kishu ordered as he fell into the river with Kurotora.
"I'm an Ohu soldier too!" The pup spoke before leaping after them.
"Now we can fight freely." Shouji spoke once he was positive that they have safely drifted down the river. They all knew that they couldn't swim, they could only fight. Watching the enemy get closer, they decided to stand together once last time and face death as one. "Buru, Shigure, Dodo...with 200 of them, there's no way we can all survive. But with the 4 of us, at least one of us can. Listen up! The survivors must get to Mutsu! Let's go!" The four Kai brothers charged forward, pushing their enemies off the slope with bravery and courage; Akatora's fighting spirit which laid dormant within their souls emerage, filling them with unlimited power and strength.
"Please be careful!" Hook helped Ben when he almost slipped into the water. "If you fall here, you'll be pulled downstream by the current."
"Don't treat me like an old person!" Ben snapped. "This place is my own back yard. I've swim in this river before..." He paused, standing absolutely still with his ears perked forward.
"What''s wrong." Cross asked with concern as she padded forward to stand beside him.
"Someone's coming down the river." Ben replied.
"At this time at night..." Reika looked behind her just in time to see two dogs in the water. "Akame-san? Kurotora-san?!"
"Akame, what the hell have you done?!" The old Kai dog spat as he tried to keep his head afloat.
"I had no choice. This is the only thing I could do to save you guys!" He then dove underwater when Kurotora sunk below the surface. Dragging him out, the cold weather didn't put a damper on his fiery spirit and he fought to free himself from Akame's fangs.
"Let go, you bastard! I don't need your help!"
"Akame-sama!" Akame lifted his head to the sound of his name being called.
"Hook and Reika...?!" He exclaimed when they approached.
"Are you two alright?" Hook asked.
"We're fine. But look out for Mel, and Kurotora's nephews. They should've jumped in after we did." He started to look around.
"I'm right here, Akame-san." The golden retriever spoke as he splashed out of the water.
"Mel! Well done, I'm proud of you. Where's everyone else?"
"You dumb fool! That's why I'm so mad!" Kurotora howled in anguish, his head lowered. "My nephews won't listen to someone else's opinions! They're...they're..!" Suddenly a loud cry of a dog getting killed got their attention and they looked up as the winds picked up speed, bringing voices of the fighting dogs from Gajou.
Meanwhile...
"Hmm? What was that?" Weed asked when something caught his eye. His army continued their journey to find the Village of Ninja-dogs in order to have Tesshin join them. Looking up he saw speedy figures flying across the trees like squirrels.
"Ninja-dogs. It looks like we're already in the Koga villiage." Jerome spoke calmly.
"Let's follow them!" Weed took off with everyone behind him as they followed the shadowy figures in the tree-tops. "Please wait, Dogs of Koga! We're not your enemies! Tesshin-san, I want to speak with Tesshin-san! Please wait!" The figures disappeared quickly and the small army found themselves at a dead end.
"What can I help you with, visitor?" A calm voice asked and they looked up to see a dog with a tuff of white fur on his head. "You were saying before that you wanted to speak with me."
This guy is the one they wanted as the successor of Paradise...Tesshin-san! Weed looked at him with admiration. Giving the small army a look over, the ninja-dog led them into the village to hold a private conversation.
Gajou...
Back at Paradise, the 4 Kai brother fought against Genba's army and broke through the first few waves. It anger Genba so much that he ordered an all-out war. One by one the brothers fell until it was only Shigure and Shouji left running.
"Don't look back!" Buru yelled as he was pinned down, "We need to follow through on our Uncle's orders!"
"Brother!" Shigure yelled when Shouji was tackled.
"Don't worry about me!" Shouji yelled as he threw his attack off. "You're faster than I am. You go!" He was then attacked by others, fighting to kill them all. "Give 'The big Four' of Mutsu that message. I'm counting on you!"
Why is it only me...Shigure thought as he turned around and ran. He almost made it to the tree-lines before Genba himself appeared.
"I see. I see. Now I know what you guys are up to." The Great Dane spoke with eerie calmness. "It won't happen. We'll kill every one of you!" Steeling himself, Shigure skidded to a halt and threw up a snow blanket to cover Genba's eyes before running around to the side.
"Trying to be clever...?" Genba pounced, pinning the Kai-dog to the ground. Shigure struggled but the grip was too strong. "Is it painful? It's no use. Nobody can free themselves from my fangs when they're pinned."
"SHIGURE!" A strong head-butt from Shouji threw the Great Dane off and Shigure looked up to see his brother protecting him with blood down his face. "Why are you wasting time with that idiot?! Hurry up and go!"
"But...!"
"Hurry up and leave! We all entrust you with our spirits!"
"HEY!" The two brothers look up to see Genba's towering form, pissed off like no other. "I'll beat you to death."
"Go, Shigure!" Shouji ordered before launching himself at Genba, his fangs gripping onto the dog's neck "You bastard! I'll kill you!". A sudden swipe of Genba's paw came down and pinned him down.
"You piece of shit!" Genba roared before crushing Shouji's skull with his jaws and lifting him off the ground. As Shouji's end came, he focused on his little brother's retreating form in the distance. Shigure, I'm counting on you.
As long as Shigure survives, that's just fine...
Shigure... Buru and Dodo thought the same way as they fought to the bitter end.
Shouji, Buru, Dodo...Why...why do I have to be the one that survives?! Shigure whimpered as he continued running and vanished into the night, his heart crying for his brothers as they howled their death cries. Once the fighting settled down, Genba walked forward to inspect the bloody carcasses, his nose wrinkled in disgust.
"How annoying. They died laughing at us."
"About these bodies, shall we still treat them with courtesy?" One of his followers asked.
"Even though they were outnumbered, they were true soldiers that fought until the end." Another one added.
These clowns are praising them...Genba narrowed his eyes angrily before grabbing Shouji's body.
"Genba-sama? What exactly are you doing?" They asked as they watched him drag the body to the edge.
"I'm taking out the trash." with that, he tossed the body over and it fell into the river with a splash. "Watch and learn!" Buru and Dodo's bodies followed afterward. "We don't need to honor the enemy. If you win, you're the real army. If you lose, you're the Rebel Army. That's the law of this world!"
The next morning...
"Shouji-chan!" Cross whispered in shock.
"It can't be...!" Reika spoke softly as Akame, Hook and Kurotora stood with the bodies of his nephews on their backs. Lowering himself down, Kurotora gently placed Shouji's body on the ground before turning away to cry. Ben padded forward and lightly touched the body with his nose and knew immediately who it was. He stepped back and lowered his head with respect.
"I'm sorry, Kurotora...by no means did I ever think this would happen." Akame apologized.
"Shut up...I know. Don't say anything anymore!"
"Kurotora, did you not find Shigure-chan?" Cross asked as she gazed sadly at Dodo's body.
"Don't take him lightly!" He snapped, "He's my nephew, he's alive! He's not going to be around here. He's already back home!" He then turned back to look at his nephews one more time. "Forgive me...Shouji, Buru, Dodo...I will definitely have my revenge!"
Alayus's situation...
The German Shepherd's ear twitch as she looked up from her drink, water dripping from her muzzle. Something sinister crawled up her skin and her fur stood up. Looking over at Gin she noticed that she wasn't alone. The leader's muzzle was pointed upward, his eyes focused on something beyond the mountains in the distance.
"The winds are changing." He spoke quietly before looking at her. "I feel it through my paws and through every fiber in my being. We must be cautious from now until we get back to Ohu."
"Yes leader."
"Hmmm..." Gin paused for a minute before turning to her. "Let's split up for now, I'll keep going to see if there are anymore dogs willing to join. I'll come back once I have finished."
"Be careful Leader."
"Mmhmm. On your way back, would you go and pay Moss a visit?"
"Moss?"
"He's an old comrade of mine and should still be around Gunma prefecture; it's not too far away. See if his old pack is with him. I'm positive that he would join Ohu once more."
" As you wish." She bowed her head. Giving her a nod, Gin took off down the road, his tail streaming out behind him. She watched him leave before looking back to where Ohu was. It looks like she's going back home.