He had known something was wrong the moment he finished he call to the Hunters. Emotions, ranging from fear to excitement, to bewilderment and guilt, to anger and joy poured over him and left the King of the Hunters dizzy.
Making sure Tyranno would stay put for a few hours, Arliss managed to get himself upstairs. Stumbling into his room, he finally allowed his body the chance to deal with the aftermath of the spell. He had forced himself to hold on during the duel, but all he wanted now was the rest.
Arliss found himself dealing with a worse sickness when he entered his room. Unprepared, he was nearly crushed by the weight of the darkness that swirled about the room. Struggling to fight through it, Arliss threw up his mental shields, slamming the door close and panting.
"Nessa!?" He shouted, noticing the room had seemingly tripled in size. "Nessa!"
His eyes flickered as he looked around the darkness, trying to find his fiancé. He could sense her, but not well, and he had no clue what the effects of the spell would have on here.
"Strike Ninja." He whispered, grunting as he fused with his Ka to form the Ninja Hunter. He adjusted his night vision goggles, hoping they would aid him. He could now see that the bedroom was still growing, darkness twisting everything. He took several more steps, reaching out with his senses.
Snarl.
Arliss turned just in time to catch a gut full of magic, sending him crashing into what he could only guess was once his nightstand. Emerging from the shadows, Nessa appeared, though not his Nessa. This one was a shadow of herself, skin and hair black, nude, all features smoothed away so that she appeared to be made of solid black marble. Her eyes shown yellow as she bared her teeth, sharpened and fanglike.
"Shit." Arliss muttered. 'It's her dark side, the evil part of her soul that I infused with darkness. That damn spell must have separated Nessa into her dark feral half and her weak human side…'
He leapt out of the way as the beast fired another shot at him.
"Ok, you've had your fun." He said sternly. "But now it is time for you to go back inside my fiancé!"
Shadow Nessa raised her hand, wiggling her claws as she circled him.
"Ok…not in the mood to go back." Arliss pulled out his Shadow Star, enlarging it to its final form. The weapon glowed as Arliss faded from sight, using the Strike Ninja's magic to help him go invisible. "More fun anyway."
&&&
Arlen had left her without saying a word.
Mayday had just let him go.
The visions she had seen, of a life lived ages ago, played through her head. Scenes of Arlen as Neo the Magic Swordsman, that made many questions she had never stopped to ponder now make sense.
Arlen had never truly had a Ka. While the others could make their Kas appear at will, for Arlen it was like ripping a piece of his soul out. He had taken the longest to learn how to summon a Ka forth, and hold it. Which was strange, considering he was the first to learn how to merge with his Ka. He did it naturally, without thought, and could hold it for unlimited amounts of time.
However, after Arliss had merged with his Ka, they had become troubled. Yes, at first Arliss had taken on the armor of the Strike Ninja. But he had said that he felt weak, like unsettled and empty. Focusing, he had learned how to shift the armor and uniform, transform it into a perfect blend of himself and the Strike Ninja. Nessa too had commented on this when she finally took the form of the Shadow Queen.
Arlen didn't merge like this. He instead took the armor of Neo, but replied that he merely felt more free. He didn't feel complete, nor did he feel empty. He felt the same.
Then, when he had gone out to do battle with the wraith, he had summoned what they had first believed to be his second KA, the Different Dimension Dragon aka Grani, with ease.
It all made sense now. Arlen Lockehart…her husband…was once Neo the Magic Swordsman, whose steed was the dragon Grani. When Neo died, his soul was reborn billions of years later as Arlen Lockehart, his Ka Grani and his Ba Neo.
All of this Mayday pondered as she sat on the bed, head held in her hands. It was much easier to think about her husband's Ka and Ba. Much easier to focus on silly things like that then the true terrors she had seen.
Like that fact that she too had lived another life. As a goddess of the winds named Aera. Something that, any other time, would have made her a bit proud. She had once been a goddess…and she might have to wonder if, by merging her Ka and Ba together fully, she might return to that form.
Instead, she focused on another aspect of her past life: That as Aera, she had faced Neo in battle, and slew him.
She had killed her own husband.
And while many may not have seen the trouble in this, Mayday's spirit had been shaken to the core. The guilt that she had ended Arlen's life once already was crushing enough. But add to that her new fear…
'what if we are doomed to repeat our past? What if we were brought together, only for me to kill him once again…oh god…what will I do?'
&&&
'Shitshitshitshitshit!' Arliss thought as he leapt about the shadow realm version of his bedroom, Shadow Nessa snarling as she dove at him, claws glowing with crimson energy. Of course it would turn out that the Strike Ninja would be powerless against Nessa, since his power was darkness…something Nessa's darkside was made of. Which meant he couldn't go invisible, and thus Nessa was able to take away his advantage.
He vaulted over the bed, the twisted version of his girl, roaring and tearing into a pillow. Arliss had managed to find Nessa's body a while back, in the beginning of the fight. She was trembling in a corner, just as wild but now made of fear rather then anger. He had told her to remain safe, before diving back into battle, trying to entrap his fiancé's darkside.
That was easier said then done.
First, while he was trying to avoid hurting Shadow Nessa, she had not qualms about hurting him, and had nearly ripped his arm out of its socket halfway through the battle. Second, it seemed that Shadow Nessa had someone recognized him, and was trying to decide what to do with him. At some points, she was try and get her claws in him, drag him down and, if her pawing at his crotch was any indication, try to mate with him.
Other times, she would summon spell orbs that, Arliss realized quickly, were meant to separate his own darkside from his body. If it weren't from the protection spells he was constantly weaving, he would have been already taken out. As it was, he had been able to keep himself together, but not get Nessa pulled into one.
Leaping towards the wall, he put on a burst of speed, hurrying to avoid several blasts from the Shadow. 'Back to makin' me like her, I see.' Arliss thought ruefully. He put on a faster burst of speed, but Nessa's shadow was on him like a hawk, claws tearing at his coat, teeth bared as she snarled.
He sprung into the air, throwing his Shadow Star into the ceiling and climbing up. Shadow Nessa snapped at his heels, firing magic blasts that had him swinging wildly about.
It was time for a new plan.
&&&
Cassandra had blacked out when the blast had hit her, and she had remained so even after it ended. Trapped in darkness, she had felt like she was swimming, weightless and free as a bird.
Pushing her way forward, she was driven by some sort of call that moved her to seek its source. She could feel…something.
Something powerful.
The air around her filled with cackles.
"Who dares enter my realm?" A mechanically pitched voice demanded. "Something to feed me…to give me form?"
Cassandra's eyes glowed black. "I ain't no bloody snack, ya daft wanker."
"Hahaha!" The voice laughed, red eyes peering out of the darkness. "You have a spark to you…you do no fear me like most."
"I'm a Rare 'unter. I have seen things that would make ya piss your pants. Like Bastion Misawa in a Speedo."
The voice chuckled again, the metallic sound causing it to come out sharper and harsher then it might normally. "Spirit…yes…you have spirit. But, do you have the power to deal with me?"
Cassandra closed her eyes, remembering her mother and father's lessons. The shadow realm responded, swirling around her form like a puppy yipping for a treat.
The voice was impressed. "Yes…good…perhaps you are the one I have sought. The one to provide me with power to enter the mortal world." The darkness pulled away, revealing a bald man in green, a facemask covering his head.
"Jinzo." Cassandra said. "'eard some of the boys talkin' bout you. Said you wanted to feast on the world. Not my cuppa, if I can say so. Rather like the world…they have pound cake, the Daily Show, and 'ayden. No room for you and your belief in, as my da would say, "happy meals with legs"."
Jinzo laughed at her comment. "Mmm…so you hold, strength yet lack vision…Unfortunate. You and I would have made a great team."
"I 'ave a better team, ya wanker." She snarled, summoning her Ka, Jinzo #7.
"Ah yes…the boy." Jinzo said with a laugh, pointing behind Cassandra. She turned to see Hayden, looking around in confusion.
"Cassie?" He asked, looking about in confusion.
"'ayden…" She whispered.
Jinzo circled the confused boy. "If you will not aid me…perhaps he will." The cyborg rushed at Hayden, hands out and magic flaring.
"NO!" Cassandra screamed, Jinzo #7 flying at its better version, the dark Jinzo batting it away with ease. "'ayden!" Cassandra screamed in a panic. "Run!"
Hayden turned his head to look at her. "Why would I do that?" He asked, voice monotone. Cassandra cried out for him to move, to do something, but her boyfriend just floated there, not a care in the world. His eyes were closed, and he rocked back and forth silently.
"You will serve me well, let me return to the mortal realm and feast on the souls of those that imprisoned me in this world!"
"I…don't' think so, lad." Hayden said, eyes snapping and now pitch black, just as Cassandra and her parents' eyes got when they used magic. "Skilled Dark Magician!" He called out. His body shook as the mage appeared beside him, using his staff to block Jinzo and strike him back. "Dark Magic Assault!" He called out, the skilled mage firing on Jinzo.
"'ayden?" Cassandra whispered.
Hayden turned to her and smirked. "Hello there lassie…" He licked his lips. "You know, I never understood why you let Arliss and Nessa transform you. Didn't get the thrill of darkness." He nodded to his Ka, which attacked Jinzo again. "But now…I get why you like it…now that I got a taste."
"A taste?" Cassandra whispered, frightened…and aroused…at the same time.
Hayden held out his hands, his rocker dueling outfit appeared over his normal clothing. "The spell…don't know how…but now…" He wiggled his fingers. "I've been upgraded…Hayden Version 2.0, with shadow realm magic…and killer abs." He laughed as he ripped his shirt open, showing off his toned 6 pack.
"oooo…" Cassandra whispered.
"Yea…and I realizes something, Cassie…" He turned to Jinzo as he called on his Ka to attack again. As the Skilled Dark Magician did so, Hayden grinned like a cat with the canary. "I like being evil…it makes me happy."
Cassandra returned his grin, floating towards him and wrapping her arms around her lover. Jinzo stammered as the two stared at him, eyes dark as coal.
"Me too baby, me too…" She laughed. "Let's kill him."
&&&
Johnny groaned. "That…hurt like hell."
Lexie just stared at her stomach.
"Someone mind telling me what happened?" Souta muttered, pulling himself from where he had went flying.
Stewart licked his lips. "Knowing the Rare Hunters…same old, same old."
"no." Lexie whispered. "This…this was different. Something sent that magic blast…."
"How did we all survive, chica?" Hector asked Alexis' doppelganger.
Lexie ran her hand along her enlarged stomach. "My baby." She said softly. "My baby saved us." At the looks she got, she smiled. "The child of one of 2 of the strongest shadow knights to ever live. And now…with uncles like Arliss and Arlen…my baby protected us."
Franklin frowned. "What does it mean…that a baby could do all that, and it hasn't even been born?"
Lexie grinned. "It means we have the makes of a new lord of the Rare Hunters."
&&&
Shadow Nessa grinned as she crept towards Arliss. She could see him, his back to her, just begging for her claws to rip his weak, fleshy hid apart and release his dark soul.
Who was she to disappoint?
Snarling, she leapt at him, mind already playing out all the fun torture she would do to him once she ripped him free and brought him out in full. She dug into his back, legs wrapping around his waist, and grabbed his head…
…only to find the Strike Ninja looking back at her.
"Hello my dear." Arliss whispered, his red coat flapping behind him as he bashed her across the back of the head with his bandit staff. "Now then…" he muttered as she fell, out cold, "lets get you back together."
&&&
"'ow do ya feel, luv?" Cassandra asked, watching as Jinzo's body shifted
"Quite well, mistress." A tiny voice, which did not fit the large android's image. "Thank you."
Cassandra grinned. "No problem #7."
"You will pay for this!" Jinzo's voice called out from within Jinzo #7's shell. "I will make you pay…"
"Lad, shut it." Hayden said, firing off a dark magic attack that knocked the spirit back. "God, I am going to love doing that!"
Cassandra floated to him, running a finger along his chest. "Lets get back to the real world, and I will show you what your body can really do."
Hayden wiggled his eyebrows. "mmm…" He lifted Cassie over his shoulder and began to sing as he disappeared, leaving Jinzo trapped once more. "I love killin', I love bein' evil!"
&&&
Nessa groaned, pressing her palm to her forehead. It felt like her brain was trying to eat its way out of her skull. Arliss was rubbing her back, whispering soothing words in her ear.
"I am so…"
"Save it." Arliss said. "Save it for when you really are to blame."
"I just don't know what happened with the spell…"
"It doesn't matter." Arliss replied, kissing her neck. "All that matters is making sure everyone else is ok…and see if that spell made any other changes."
"Yea…what is up with you and Goe Goe?"
Arliss shook his head as he rested his chin upon her shoulder. "no clue, darlin'. That spell…it gave me the strength I needed to summon a second Ka…and not just a new one, but one I can use with the Strike Ninja…Goe Goe is at Strike Ninja's level." He stroked her cheek. "You feel any different?"
Nessa nodded. "I feel…darker?" She frowned. "My connected to my shadow magic. Wild…powerful." She grinned. "Feral?"
"I'd say so." Arliss replied, nipping her ear. "Also think the others were affected…I have sadness from Mayday, but also longevity…Arlen I can't read, but there is wisdom there. Cassandra's Ka suddenly feels stronger…Lexie is the same but protected. And don't get me started on why I can suddenly feel Hayden!"
Nessa shook her head. "poor baby." She kissed him. "Want Mama to make it better?"
"I'd prefer having sex with my girlfriend, but what ever."
Nessa's squealed and pounced.
&&&
Marco frowned as he tossed the papers Brutus had brought him. "So, Sartorious comes to collect his puppet …" he shook his head.
Brutus merely watched on, never saying a word.
"I swear to the gods, I wish nothing more then to kill that fool, but the gods have commanded me to aid him, for now. I'm forced to duel in his name, for a cause I object to…I pray this leads to an end I can be proud of."
According to the plans, Sartorious would be running a multiple assault. First, a new duelist would send several of her soldiers after Jaden Yuki and his Syrus. Apparently, Sartorious had already assumed he would be brining Tyranno Hassleberry over to his side, as he had plans for him to deal with someone named Mayday Lockehart, while he was suppose to find Arliss Lockehart and do battle with him. Vera would take Cassandra, Antonio deal with Nessa. The other White Members would take on rest of the hunters.
Shaking his head, Marco looked skyward. "I pray there is a reason to all this father, for I have yet to see it."
&&&
Eventually, the Rare Hunters finally managed to make it down the stairs, ready to begin their meeting to discuss what had happened to them. Dhmitri, Missy, and Lexie had been first, stopping by the kitchen so the mom-to-be could grab a snack…or a small dinner, depending on your definition.
Cassandra and Hayden were next, startling the hunters with their laughter…and glowing black eyes. Hayden enjoyed showing off his new shadow realm magic…and his abs. Which almost led to him and Cassie going back upstairs.
Arliss and Nessa had been next, both hurrying to get their shirts on. Arliss had griped that all of them had taken so long answering his summons. Of course, when questioned about why he had taken so long himself, Arliss had played it all off, telling them it was no big deal.
The last to arrive was Mayday. She solemnly explained that Arlen had run off, but refused to get into it.
"It is up to Arlen…when he gets back…to tell you all." She said softly, opening the door to the study.
The group froze as they stepped inside.
There, seated in a large red smoking chair, was Arlen, dressed in the armor of Neo. His hung loose and longer then ever, his sword glowing in his hands. Beside him, taking up a fourth of the room, sat the ghostly form of Grani.
"It's time we caught up." Arlen said.
&&&
Next Time of GX: Hunters- This season, questions have arisen. How did Anarchy and Viola go from the goddess of the sun and the god of the moon to the gods of chaos? Who were the four horsemen? What happened during the Great War? How did the gods defeat the Titans? Why were Anarchy and Sola imprisoned in that box? Why did Sartorious believe a light demon was within said box? What happened when Aera fought Neo?
Travel back to the beginning, to watch the rise of the Titans, the fall of a knight, the birth of the horsemen, and the fall of armies of chaos.
Episode 68: In the Beginning