The fight was over before it started.
"CANNON FODDDER!"
Falcon didn't even get the chance to use his stone. The attack Kraken unleashed was decisive. Knocked sideways the Englishman collapsed to the floor of the ancient chamber and he did not get up again.
"Edward!" Julia cried out, trying to rush to his side but was restrained by Octo. Walking into the light, the skeletal Kraken stared down at the limp body of his enemy and his skull set itself into a sneer. Around him pieces of dirt and stone were hovering, changing shape occasionally as the influence from two Power Stones augmented the pirate king's abilities significantly.
Heaving a leg back, Kraken kicked Falcon across the floor before the Englishman finally rolled to a stop.
"Search him." He ordered and Puss quickly went above rummaging through the unconscious Englishman's pockets. It wasn't look before he held the Power Stone of Metal aloft with a triumphant grin on his face.
"Got it boss." He announced. The evil gleam in Kraken's eyes seemed to intensify at the sight.
"Keep hold of it for now, I'm still trying to manage these two stones." The pirate king pulled his black rags aside to reveal the rib cage hidden behind them. Floating where the lungs should be where the two stones he had used to transform, one golden yellow and the other a pale violet. "Business first; now, the murals."
The prisoners were tied up and set in a corner with orders they were not to be touched. Kraken wanted the pleasure of killing them himself, once he had the answer he desired.
Several paper lanterns were set up for the work to be done by, the light revealing the murals on the walls. Marvelling at their imagery, Kraken smiled and tapped the side of them with his pincer claw.
"These forbidden truths I've been searching for two hundred years." He sighed, observing the image of a golden skinned man standing with one arm raised to the heavens with the nine power stones in orbit around him. "Now boys, get to work; the first to find the location of the Light Stone gets fifty gold pieces."
Fervently setting to their task, the pirates quickly began examining the wall. The promise of that much gold was something they could not simply pass by.
"Fifty pieces?" Octo and Puss repeated together.
"I'm there." The larger brother declared, pushing his twin aside as he scrambled to get into the competition. Stuck with prisoner guard duty, Puss growled angrily and folded his arms as if he were sulking.
Gunrock groaned and pushed an eye open.
"What hit me?" He asked.
"Good man, are you alright?" Apollus asked, looking back awkwardly despite the rope restraints around his wrists.
"I feel like I drank an entire keg of triple strength hooch." The Mexican growled, trying to move his large arms. Finding himself tied up, he tried to struggle but despite his impressive strength he couldn't move. Chains had been placed around his wrists and ankles too. The pirates were taking no chances here.
"Don't try to attract their attention." Apollus warned him. "The young master is still out cold and Kraken has two Power Stones."
"Two wh…" Gunrock started, before realizing the obvious. Looking down he found both his trouser pockets empty. "Damn it, he took mah stone!" Hearing the noise, Puss looked back over his shoulder towards the captive four.
"Keep ya shirt on, the boss'll get to you lot when he's done." Without another glance in their direction Puss looked back up at the dozens of pirates trying to figure out the murals on the wall. "Didn't realize ya'll were in such a big hurry to die."
"I think I've found it boss!" Somebody shouted up suddenly. Kraken stared off sharply to his right when one of the pirates waved at him. "Here, I think this is it!" The pirate king hurried over, knocking over several men in the process. The patch of wall before him was a mosaic with strange, rune like writing on it. Hardly roman Italian but not quite Norse either.
"Atlantean writing!" Kraken declared triumphantly. Grinning insanely, he pulled the black rags over his body aside exposing his rib cage and the two Power Stones inside. Each started glowing, casting their coloured light over the wall.
Instantly the etched runes gained a bright outline, standing out from the rest of the image.
"Ah yes… its here." Kraken's voice was trimmed with intense anticipation. "And it was said and so done that darkness and light were taken and laid to rest in the unending sands where the kings of Ra hold sway, always in polar connection and always in mirror reflection." As soon as he had translated the words into English, the glow from the runes intensified and in a sudden burst they project a three dimensional image into the air.
Gasping in surprise all the pirates accept Kraken backed away from it. The pirate king however did not shy away. He pressed forward and stared at the image with an intense stare.
Manifested in light, it was a three dimensional map showing a sloping sand dune and a half buried pyramid, barley sticking over the top.
Then, just as quickly as it came, the image disappeared and the runes on the wall dulled.
Kraken let his skull like head roll back and he laughed out load, showing every single one of the razor sharp teeth in his mouth.
"And now the endgame begins." He chuckled, before slowly turning to give their captives a sinister stare. "The light stone, arguably the most powerful Power Stone is almost within my grasp." He walked towards them slowly, clenching his pincer several times menacingly. "And so, I bid you good day."
Falcon simply sat there with his head hung, eyes closed making no attempts to struggle.
"It's a shame he's not awake, but I suppose dying in your sleep is the best way to go." He tensed his arm before flinging it down, attempting to smash Falcon's face in.
"Edward!" Julia cried out as the claw descended towards him. As the last second, the Englishman's eye snapped open.,
Falcon dived to his left, avoiding the blow and at the same time tackled Puss to the ground. The Power Stone of Metal the pirate was holding was thrown up into the air. Somersaulted back to his feet still with his arms tied, Falcon caught the falling jewel between his teeth.
"Power Fusion!" He declared, his voice slightly muffled.
There was a blinding flash of red light and the pirate mob had to cover their eyes. Falcon's clothes remoulded over his body, becoming armoured plates. As soon as his transformation was complete, the Englishman had the strength to easily break the ropes and free himself.
Kraken however did not appear too worried.
"You're outclassed boy." The pirate king sneered as Falcon descended sharply into a boxing fighting stance. "Forget it, you ain't got the stones." He added, tapping the side of his rib cage with an intense sneer.
Without hesitation Falcon raised both clenched fists high into the air.
"Power Missile!" With a powerful venting of steam from the exhausts on his forearms, his metallic hands flew forward but surprisingly they swerved around Kraken and carried on past him.
"What?" The pirate king declared, looking back as both fists flew sharply up and smashed into the ceiling. The impact sent deep crack running along the surface as bits and pieces starting breaking off and cascading to the floor. The attack had severely weakened the structural integrity of the whole chamber and it was coming down around their ears.
"Are you insane?" Puss cried out as the floor started to crack, the mosaic on the wall breaking apart.
In the confusion, Falcon flew towards his captive friends and with his enhanced strength picked them all up in his arms before making for the door. The two pirates standing guard were knocked out of the way and the ancient door flung wide open, bellowing clouds of dust flying after them.
"Falcon!" Kraken screamed before the entire chamber collapsed, the ceiling caving in with a loud crash that shook the entire arena floor above.
As the tunnel around them started to collapse, caving in on all sides, Falcon kept going faster and faster the rocket on his back flaring to life propelling him and his friends further away from death. The falling tunnel kept coming on, as if it was purposely trying to crush them and it was only by mere chance that they cleared the entrance in the lion pits before the cloud of dust engulfed the air after them.
Soaring out into the arena pit, Falcon hovered for a moment before slowly descended down to the ground letting his passengers down first before dropping himself.
"Oh mah stars, that was a close shave." Julia gasped as Falcon, using his enhanced strength tore the ropes around her arms.
"I must say young master, you had me worried sick." Apollus commented.
"Sorry, I had to try playing possum." Falcon told them as he removed their bindings one by one. "Kraken had more stones and I would have been an idiot to take him on then.
I had to wait until I could get my stone back before I could trap him like that."
"Well let's hope that's the last we'll see of that horrible man." Apollus replied as Falcon turned to Gunrock. The chains around the large Mexican's wrists took a little while longer to remove but eventually they were cast aside.
"I hope so." Falcon muttered, "Everything would be just peachy if it was."
"Well it would be…" Gunrock started testing his freed wrists, before turning on Falcon with a very angry expression. "If you hadn't just buried my Power Stone under tones of rubble!"
The Englishman held up his hands defensively.
"Hey, come on I hadn't any other choice." He insisted but Gunrock did not look moved. "I couldn't let him get away with that knowledge. It would have led him right to the Light stone."
"It's just a darn shame we didn't get to see where it was." Apollus sighed looking down hearted.
"Don't be so defeatist Apollus." Falcon told him. "I got a glance of that map and I recognised the place it was showing."
"Yah did?" Julia asked leaning forward. "Where? Where was it?"
"The pyramid and sand gave it away." The Englishman replied. "And combining that with what we learned from your father then the light stone can only be in one place." He smiled. "Like the Dark Stone it's hidden in Egypt." Suddenly, Falcon froze looking thunderstruck.
Turning sharply, he glanced across the arena floor. Without warning the air bubbled and cracked before bending and out of this warping effect, dozens of pirates dropped. Octo and Puss came first, the larger one landing on top of his smaller brother.
Finally, emerging from the hastily cast spell came Kraken himself.
And clearly the pirate king was not happy.
"That was not smart." Kraken declared, bringing his cannon gun forward. Realizing what was happening, Falcon flew forward with a blast from his rocket trying to get in close.
"CANNON FODDER!" Kraken shouted and with a powerful shockwave heading behind it a cannon ball with the elemental powers of Earth and Wood propelling it came screaming out towards the Englishman. Falcon only just managed to dodge around it doing a back flip over the deadly projectile in mid before carrying on forward.
"Power Rocket!" The Englishman shouted and the rocket on his back flared tremendously, propelling him at fantastic speed . Holding out his fist at the last second he came within striking distance of the pirate king.
With a large toothy grin, Kraken stamped his foot down on the ground and instantly a thick wall of stone shot out of the ground and into Falcon's way. Unable to stop himself the Englishman crashed head first into it, coming to an abrupt stop.
The wall cracked before collapsed, burying Falcon underneath a pile of dirt and rock.
"Ok boys, get the Prince Octopus ready for a little trip." The pirate king shouted back to his pirates. "I'm finishing this and when I come back, we're going for that stone."
"Aye aye sir." Octo and Puss told him at the same time. Kraken clicked his fingers and his crew were surrounded by a thick cloud of black smoke. When they smoke vanished into the air the pirates were gone, teleported back to wherever they had anchored their ship.
Falcon hoisted himself out of the fallen rubble rather shakily. He had used the Power Rocket almost right in the pirate king's face yet Kraken had reacted so fast that it defied explanation.
"Get back all of you!" He shouted to the others.
"Ohh yes, we wouldn't want them to get hurt now would we?" Kraken asked, darting in close and striking the Englishman across the stomach with his claw. Metal struck metal with a loud hissing, orange sparks flying out into the air.
Falcon staggered back, clearly winded.
"Edward!" Julia began, starting to rush forward. Gunrock lashed out and grabbed by the arm stopping her in her tracks.
"No lass." He told her. "This is a fight you have to leave to Falcon."
"Can't you help?" She asked him in return.
"Not without a Power Stone." He stated shaking his head. "Now come on, let's give the Englishman some breathing room."
"Power Explosion!" Falcon declared, all the hidden compartments on his body opening up. Kraken smiled evilly before back flipped through the air to a safer distance. With a loud boom dozens of missiles shot into the air, flying directly up and once they reached a certain height all turning sharply and streaming at the pirate king.
Back stepping across the arena, Kraken managed to dodge most of the explosive projectiles which impacted the ground where he had been moments ago.
One came dangerously close to striking him, its shockwave knocking him around a full 360 degrees. Using the momentum to his advantage, Kraken swung around and threw his claw forward. Attached to his body by a spark of light, the pincer rocketed forward with its jaws prepared to snap shut around the Englishman.
Flying sharply up, Falcon dodged the lunge and during the monetary period where Kraken tried to retract his claw the Englishman soured in and landed the strongest punch he could manage directly into the pirate king's face.
The blow sent Kraken flying backed a short distance before he rolled when he hit the ground, half burying him with the sand on the arena floor.
Knowing better than to assume that he had won, Falcon crossed his arms in front of himself and channelled his energy for another attack.
The hidden compartments on his body opened up again explosion the reloaded missile arsenal.
"Power Explosion!" Again the air were full of explosive projectiles, all of them coursing through the air on unique courses before slamming one after the other into Kraken's back. Each explosion sent up a huge cloud of dust and smoke, hiding what was going on from view.
From the insides of the Arena seats, Julia was throwing fists into the air.
"That's it Edward, beat that pirate into the ground!" She cheered loudly. Falcon flew back to a safe distance to wait to see if he'd managed to win. He didn't want to give Kraken the opportunity of a surprise attack.
As the dust and smoke started to drift away, the English blinked in confusion. There was no sign of his opponent anywhere. There spot where Kraken had fallen was empty.
Without warning there was a sudden whooshing sound form behind him and Falcon barely turned in time to use his armoured arm to ward off a strike from a pincer claw.
"This ends right here, boy!" Kraken hissed as the power struggle commenced. "Right here, right now!" He lashed out with his foot, knocking Falcon back a few feet.
Falcon recovered his composure before flying at Kraken with a kick.
As they met in battle, neither of them noticed that their battle had an observer. Standing on the top outer edge of the Coliseum stood Valgas. His arms were folded in front of his wide chest and a strewn frown on his face. No matter how fast either of them moved, his eyes kept up with them with ease.
A raven fluttered up beside him and crouched down next to him. It shuffled its wings before its body expanded outwards, becoming larger and more human in shape.
Briefly its form was that of a reptile with humanoid proportions, then its form moved form that to a more pleasing elf like shape with pale skin and pointed ears. Finally that form disappeared and it became completely human.
"Everything is on schedule, general." The agent told Valgas. "All has proceeded according to plan." The larger man breathed in deeply, held it for a moment before sighing.
"Good." He said simply. "And the others?"
"On their way. Rouge is leading them right to us."
Valgas chuckled lightly.
"Foolish girl." He said with mirth.
The agent glanced down into the arena and observed the fight between the Englishman and the pirate king, like Valgas his eyes keeping up with the super fast movements with apparent ease.
"I have watched this son of Pride. He is more like his father than estimated. He may pose a problem."
"I am aware of his skill and prowess." Valgas replied. "It reminds me of a time long ago when I was the underdog. He has the same fierce spirit and fire in his eyes that I know all too well."
"The master doesn't like it." The agent added. Valgas just shrugged.
"The master worries too much."
Both stones within the pirate kings rib cage started glowing intently and instantly the ground started shaking, the sand on the arena floor moving under the vibration. Falcon tried to steady himself but the ground was shaking too much.
Then with a loud groaning like an ancient being had been awoken, the sand and rock from the ground broke up into the air and started to form together into a shape.
Legs formed first, then arms and finally a head. A gigantic made out of dirt and stone reared itself up and roared, its tremendous call sending a shockwave through the air that knocked Falcon back and into the air.
Cursing, he pushed himself back up. Kraken had already mastered the Earth stone.
The golem charged at him, the earth shaking under its footsteps. It lunged at him with a slow moving punch with Falcon easily flew around, driving in to slam a punch against the giant's face. The strike barley even seemed to phase the monster, whose free hand shot around grabbing Falcon by the leg.
Lifting the Englishman high into the air, the Golem swung him down to smack him hard into the ground leaving a Falcon shaped impression for all to see. Bringing a massive foot up it attempted to stamp down to finish the Englishman.
Rolling to the side, Falcon avoided the crushing blow before he back flipped to his feet and dodged a strike as a massive fist came down to smash into the ground.
"Yes that's it." Kraken chuckled. "Keep dodging him. Eventually you'll wear out your Fusion."
Falcon growled. Kraken was right. A body could only sustain a transformed state for so long before it had to reject the stone and that time would be limited to how much of the power it granted would be used. If Falcon kept this excessive amount of power consumption up then his Fusion was going to break before Kraken's did.
He was going to have to end this and fast.
Flying right at the giant, the Englishman buzzed in the misshapen face and before the Golem could do anything; several exhaust ports over Falcon's arms swung open.
"Power Hurricane!" The Englishman shouted, spinning around extremely fast evoking a hurricane of extremely hot air that encircled the golem completely.
Flying back to get out of the way, Flacon dropped to the ground breathing hard. His fusion form was close to the breaking point now. Any more extended periods of fighting and it was bound to disappear.
The golem hunched over, collapsing onto one knee. Parts of its body were falling away as if it were melting. Falcon managed a grin.
"Oh no Englishman, it isn't going to be that easy." Kraken called out and again the two Stones behind his ribs glowed brightly.
Out of the ground, vines and creeper plants broke up and they swarmed into the golem, like worms they moved through the dirt that made up the monsters body. A thick covering of moss sprouted up over the giant like a skin, with branches of trees appearing on the back of the arms and head. The vines gripped to it like veins, solidifying its body and maintaining its form.
"Saint George…" Falcon growled, staggering back a few feet. The golem, not fully protected by the power of the Wood stone lunged at him with far improved speed. Falcon didn't have enough time to dodge the tremendously powerful punch that sent the Englishman flying across the arena until he connected with the wall with a loud cracking sound.
His Fusion broke and Falcon dropped back to the ground in his ordinary form. The Power Stone of Metal fell nearby, rolling to a stop in the sand.
"It's over little man." Kraken sneered triumphantly. "I win." Falcon tried to get back up again but the strength had left his arms. A side effect of a broken fusion was intense loss of energy and strength.
"Young Master!" Apollus shouted and without hesitation, the elderly butler leapt into the arena running to Falcon's side.
"Apollus, take the stone!" Falcon cried, picking up the Power Stone of metal and tossing it through the air. Apollus only just managed to catch it. "RUN!" Apollus glanced up as the Golem slowly turned to look directly at him.
Despite his training in etiquette, the butler let out a loud cry before about facing and running for his life.
"Go eat him." Kraken stated. "I'll take care of the runt myself." The golem moved its stony face to mirror the expression of glee before it went after Apollus who was trying to make it across the arena.
Kraken simply walked up to Falcon. The English tried to get himself ready but nevertheless he was completely unprepared for a kick that knocked him back into the wall.
"Leave him alone you bully!" Julia cried out, rushing forward before Gunrock could stop her. Seizing her umbrella she leapt at Kraken prepared to strike him with it.
"Dumb blondes." The pirate king chuckled, giving her a half glance. A burst of elemental power was shot in her direction, knocking the American girl off her course to crash into the sand.
"Julia!" Falcon cried trying to pick himself back up, only to be pinned to the side of the wall by Kraken's claw.
By now, Apollus had reached the far side of the arena and unable to go anywhere else he had been cornered by the Golem. The rock giant towered over him and slowly it reached down with its massive hand opening. With his back pressed against the wall and his fingers trembling with the Power Stone in his hands, Apollus felt like a cornered animal.
Without warning the stone glowed sharply.
"This is the Arena of champions!" A deep disembodied voice yelled at him from out of the depths of time. Before his eyes, Apollus witnessed dozens of duels between the best gladiators of ancient Rome. "You stand how as your companions only hope. Where is your warrior's pride?"
Apollus didn't need to be told to know he was speaking to the collective combative spirit of those who had fought for glory in this Coliseum.
They sensed his plight and his loyalty to his master's son and through the stone in his hands; they were lending him their strength.
Without even realizing it Apollus declared loudly;
"Power-Fusion!"
Hearing that, Kraken straightened up in alarm and swung around letting Falcon drop.
The stone leapt out of Apollus' hands and hovered in the air for a single moment before it slammed into his chest.
Apollus' clothes glowed with an intense light as slowly they started remoulding themselves over his body.
His suit and tie began folded plates of armour, perfectly sculptured to his thin arms and legs.
"Bloody hell." Falcon muttered.
Apollus' legs and arms thinned but the armour grew thicker, forming boots and gauntlets.
A Greek style helmet appeared around his head, perfectly styled so it mirrored his bear and facial thinness. A wide steel shield appeared on his left arm and the hilt of a long silver lance appeared in his right hand, the weapon itself over three foot long and shining silver.
With one final flush, a violet cape descended from the back of his shoulders.
The light finally died away and the transformed butler stood there in calm confidence.
"Well that was certainty unexpected." Valgas remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"How in blazes?" Kraken started completely stunned.
"Lance of Courage!" Apollus declared, darting swiftly forward with unexpected speed. His spear glowed an intense white as the knight lunged at the Golem, driving the weapon into his chest. There was a sharp ringing sound and a huge explosion rang out, knocking the giant back several steps before it finally lost its footing and collapsed onto its back.
Apollus did an extreme acrobatic flip through the air before landing in front of the pirate king.
"Stay thy hand foul knave." The knight stated. "Be gone and leave my master in peace."
"I don't know you achieved a fusion." Kraken snarled looking angry. "But I've still got the advantage!" The pirate king lunged forward, attempting to strike Apollus across the chest. The knight's shield was brought up to block and using the moment, Apollus pushed Kraken back by slamming the shield against the skull like face.
Not wasting a moment, Apollus drew his lance back before driving it forward. Kraken dodged the lunge before he brought his cannon sharply up.
"Cannon fodder!" Firing the elementally charged cannon ball rightly in Apollus' face it should have been impossible for the knight to dodge. Yet he not only managed to dodge the projectile, he dived in close and slammed a head butt into Kraken's face.
"I do not believe what I'm seeing." Gunrock began in quite awe.
"I am the guardian of the house of Falcon." The knight declared. "I shall remain steadfast in my duty to my noble household." Holding his lance in both hands, he charged at the pirate. "Now begone!"
Kraken growled in intense anger and his eyes glowed blood red for a moment. With a loud groaning sound, the golem hoisted itself back up. Apollus' attack had left a large crater in its chest.
Its hand lashed out; grabbing Apollus around the waist before the knight could strike the pirate king, lifting him into the air. As if summoning all its strength, the giant tossed Apollus back across the arena slamming him into the coliseum seats on the far side.
"Crush him!" Kraken ordered and the golem groaned in acknowledgement, raising both fists high into the air before bringing them down on the dazed knight. Dust flew high into the as the giant pounded away, repeatedly smashing fist after fist into the seats trying to kill him.
Gunrock was not a man accustomed to sitting on the side lines. While everyone else had taken some sort of blow, he had alluded it be remaining still and passive. That was not in his nature and watching that old man fight while he stood there doing nothing was not something he was going to let slide.
"Yes, kill him!" Kraken shouted to the giant. The pirate king was so fixated that he didn't notice the Mexican leap from the arena seats.
Two large arms wrapped themselves around Kraken and pinned him there, hoisting him off the ground.
"Are you stupid?" Kraken demanded tried to fight the larger man off. "I'll break you into two for this!" His words proved to be quite empty. Even with Power Stone enhanced strength he could force Gunrock off him.
"That's mah stone you're using." The large Mexican stated. "I know its ways. I'm its user." Managing to free an arm, Gunrock held it front of Kraken and the pirate king lurched crying out as if something had hit him from the inside.
Feeling something wheeling up at the back of his throat, the pirate king clenched his mouth shut but there wasn't any stopping it. Unable to stop himself, Kraken reared back before throwing up one of the Power Stones.
The stone of Earth flew into Gunrock's waiting hand and without it backing his own powers, Kraken couldn't keep the golem together anymore.
The massive giant roared as if dealt a mortal blow itself and instantly the mud, rock and dirt inside its body simply collapsed. Falling into dust, it slipped away from the body and spread out over the arena floor.
Only the planet framework remained; a network of branches vines and creepers frozen in a humanoid shape.
"Assault of the Brave!" Apollus declared, launching himself out of the debris, a powerful orange flow surrounding him. He slammed head first through the plant framework and with a loud crash burst out the back, the explosion lighting up the night sky.
The plant caught fire and burned away, unable to maintain its form as it collapsed to the ground.
Now extremely angry, Kraken swung his head back into Gunrock's face forcing him to loosen his grip enough for the pirate king to break free. Gunrock was sent flying a moment later by a well placed kick, but the Mexican had still managed to retain hold of his Power Stone.
Landing on his feet, Gunrock engaged the stone he had been trained to use and called upon its elemental power. Within moments he was in Fusion form, a golem in his own right with fossils embedded in each arm.
"Gun Gun Rock!" The Mexican declared, heaving a huge lump of rock and dirt at the pirate king. Now fatigued and his power lessened, Kraken wasn't able to dodge. It struck him square in the face, throwing him to the ground when he rolled a short distance.
Growling in utter outrage, the pirate slowly pulled himself back up, realizing that now he was at a terrible disadvantage.
On his left stood Apollus and on the right Gunrock, both of them fresh in their transformations. He on the other hand was left with the Wood stone and his body couldn't handle the fusion form for much longer.
"Be still knave." Apollus declared. "Accept thy defeat."
"This is far from over." Kraken snarled, looking back over his shoulder towards Falcon. The Englishman had just picked himself up and was on very shaky legs. "I know where it is boy! The light stone is mine!" The pirate king clenched his pincer tightly together making a loud ringing sound.
Without moments his body was surrounded by a thick black smoke and when it cleared, Kraken was gone.
"Apollus…" Falcon started. "You were… you were fantastic…"
"Say nothing, young master." The knight told him with a dramatic bow. "I did as any chivalrous knight would have done in service to his house. I defended its bloodline and its keepsake." He laid his hand on his chest plate over his heart. There was a short flash of light and when he brought his hand away, the Power Stone of Metal was sitting in his palm.
As he offered it to Falcon, his clothes removed back; warping over him to their ordinal suit.
Apollus, the aging butler blinked in confusion.
"What… I er…" He stuttered. "Young master what... what just happened?" Falcon only grinned.
"Oh nothing Apollus. You just earned yourself a pay rise from my father, that's all." The Englishman stated, taking the stone from him. Suddenly he cringed and doubled over.
"Edward!" Julia cried out rushing to his side.
"Young Master, are you alright?" Apollus asked. Gunrock dismissed his Fusion form and helped carry the Englishman out of the Arena.
The commotion had attracted Italian police and not wishing to engage them in conversation they swiftly returned to their hotel where a doctor was summoned.
"These kids may play rough but at least I get to stay out of this kind of trouble." Gourmand commented when he saw Falcon's state. Most of Gunrock's six children ignored them upon their return, preferring to play a ball game around the lobby with the hotel manager watching them whenever they played around the decorative ornaments.
"He may have cracked a few ribs." Gunrock said to the Doctor when he arrived. "He… er… got into a fight with a drunken man in a bar." He feared the doctor might have them all placed in a nut house if they told him they'd been in a fight with a stone giant.
The doctor checked the Englishman over and then said something in Italian.
"A few grazed ribs." Gourmand translated. "He says to get some rest for a few days.
"We don't have a few days." Falcon reminded them. "Kraken is on his way to Egypt right now. If he gets to that stone first we're finished."
"You shouldn't have tried fighting both Valgas and Kraken in the same day, Young master." Apollus told him. "I know you know how to fight, but even you have your limits." Helped up into a sitting position, Falcon managed a wide grin.
"It's funny." He said. "Since I did fight them both I have to tell you, Valgas punches harder than Kraken could ever hope to."
"Well that's certainly nice to hear." A voice stated as in through the door to their room came the very person himself. Valgas was wearing a short leather jacket around his wide shoulders with the Italian flag, the symbol of his native country on the back. At the mere sight of him, Gunrock went completely white as if he'd seen a ghost. "I heard about the trouble you got into after I left." Valgas continued as several of his body guards came in after him; all of them men in suits with ties, their eyes hidden behind dark glasses. "It seems we must how move with haste if we are to secure the light stone."
"How did you know we'd found the light stone's location?" Julia asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm the head of the united States' military Turbine fleet." He replied with a solemn expression. "There's little that doesn't escape my attention." Valgas clicked his fingers and one of his aides offered him several pieces of paper. "These are tickets aboard the first Turbine Ship fleet due to leave for Cairo Tomorrow morning. It'll be the fastest way of getting there."
"Thanks." Falcon said as Valgas handed them to him. "Hey, there's 12 tickets here. 11 are your us and Gunrock's kids. Who's the last one for?"
"Why, me of course." The larger man said with a grin. "I've decided to take a personal interest in my investment."
"Sure that's wise?" Julia asked.
"Mr. Falcon here said it himself." Valgas replied with a shrug. "I do hit harder than Kraken."
"Excuse me for a moment." Gunrock coughed into his hand before leaving the room with hardly anybodies notice.
"Hey Apollus." Falcon started and the old butler blinked.
"Yes young master?"
The Englishman managed a wider grin.
"You've got courage beyond your years." Apollus just looked confused at the statement.
"Well er… thank you, young master."
Gunrock left their room and wandered out until he came to a corridor with a large set of glass windows overlooking the hotel drive. There he sat down on a sofa backed up against the wall and he waited; keeping his eyes squarely fixed forward.
After some time had elapsed, a figure with silent footsteps moved out of the darkness cast by the moonlight.
"Everything is in place." Valgas told him and suddenly his eyes seemed almost bloodshot red. "You will continue as instructed."
"This is wrong." Gunrock stated despite himself. Valgas managed a sadistic smile.
"Right or wrong, it is what you will do." He said calmly. "Or perhaps you would prefer your children pay the price." The veins on Gunrock's neck stood out as he vaulted to his feet.
"If you so much as touch one hair on any of their heads I will.." he started but was cut off when another shape flew out of the darkness besides Valgas. With the head of a snake, this humanoid reptile hissed at him with exposed fangs and a forked tongue. It scaly skin a pale orange.
"You will what?" It asked; its yellow eyes fixed on the Mexican. "You will speak with respect to the General or you will loose the ability to speak at all!"
"That's enough." Valgas added, looking at the creature with a sideways glance. The reptile hissed out through its nostrils before it seemed to morph, its form changing until it resembled a human with pointed ears like an elf, before finally becoming a man in a black suit with dark glasses.
"It's up to you, Gunrock." Valgas carried on. "Which means more to you? The people who you barely know? People you met a few months ago… or your family. Your own flesh and blood?" With his face a portrait of utter horror, Gunrock simply sank back down to his seat looking defeated. "Think that over."
Without another word, Valgas left. His aide stared Gunrock over and hissed once; a forked tongue darted out between his lips before he too left to leave the Mexican wallowing in his misery.