Wow...it's been a while huh? Okay, well here's the scoop. I've been having techinical problems as well as grounding problems. I'm not even supposed to be on the computer right now but I'm breaking the rules. I'm only allowed to get on the net on the weekends...and I'm doing my updates on wendsday... Eh heh... Let's hope I don't get caught.
I must say though, I have found an editor. She would be Rachel Hunter. So thank I PRAISE YOU RACHEL!!!! (bows) Ahem...anyway, here's the chapter of a lifetime! Please do comment because...I'll be looking forward to review emails.
Ch. 7: Jr.'s Battle
The room was filled with tension as the two URTV variants exchanged heated glares to each other from across the large hall. Jr., who was still emotionally drained and the newly awakened Albedo, who was now part of the entity known as U-DO.
"Well Rubedo? Can you feel it rising? You are made to destroy me, you are gifted with the power of the Red Dragon, the true you. So hurry and show me who you really are!" Albedo taunted, hoping to make the red-head undergo his anti-U-DO shift.
Jr. did not reply. His mind was still churning in turmoil to process what Albedo had said. So the moment he had been fearing most was already here. Facing his other half. Facing his younger twin. Facing Albedo. Alone. He feared what would happen next, and though he desperately wished the moment would not come, it still did, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
When Albedo saw that his tactics weren't going to get him anywhere, he continued with something a little more sophisticated. "Don't forget the fact that we were born as weapons. We were created mainly to capture U-DO and destroy it. But, now it has come to me, this power that I so desired! I am now the true eternal chain and I am now more powerful than what I ever had been before! I am a universal threat, a threat so great that only one person can destroy it, and that is you, Rubedo! If you think you can really defeat me like you are now."
Albedo smirked when he saw that Rubedo raised his head, sapphire eyes flashing. The need to defend himself, and to counter what Albedo had said was sharp enough to cut through the haze of his tangled emotions. And the anger he had long hidden inside his heart, that he didn't know existed, started to claw its way upwards, making its way towards the sleeping Red Dragon residing deep within his being.
"Damn you Albedo!" Jr. roared, his entire body engulfed in a fiery crimson aura as he struggled to keep his rage under control. Dammit, not right now! "I've been tormented by the past long enough! Now, it's time to settle things with you!"
As he uttered the last word, both hands reached in to pull out his silver weapons out from their holsters. He took a direct, unwavering aim at his smug younger brother, glowing blue eyes narrowing dangerously.
Albedo gave a hysterical crackle as he deliberately called forth the sinister purplish aura of U-DO to counter Jr.'s Red Dragon Mode. "Finally, you've decided to show me what you have! Come on, now, don't hold back! Let your rage smite me. Let it wipe me off the face of the universe!"
In response to the ever growing presence of U-DO, the Red Dragon reasserted itself, forcing its way through Jr.'s desperate but weakening control and filling the not-child's mind with unnatural anger. Combined with the trauma and despair of Jr.'s soul, the Dragon emerged stronger, fiercer, angrier.
Jr. could feel the Red Dragon overwhelming him, taking over, but he almost didn't care. He was already resolved to settle the scores with his brother, to end the threat he posed, even it if meant that he had to destroy Albedo in the process. He didn't care about the remorse or guilt he would feel after the final battle, right now, it was very important to concentrate the task at hand - to get rid of the U-DO infected brother once and for all. He would return alive, to fulfill his promise to MOMO, to Sakura, to everyone else. Albedo wasn't the same little brother he had known before. He was different, he was insane, he was a danger! After all that he did to MOMO, to his friends, to the universe, Albedo needed to be punished accordingly.
Maybe this is what he really wants… maybe he will be happier if I… His thoughts trailed off, not wanting to say that word, he can't really die… maybe if he really did… maybe he would be happier… it is what he always had wanted. Maybe that's why he linked with U-DO… so that he can… and he wants me to do it… And if he can't die… he would just regenerate, and that would be okay, right?
Jr. shook the thoughts away, and the grips on his faithful guns tightened so hard his fingers went white. It was now or never. Pushing all protesting thoughts, he fired rapidly, eyes watching as the bullets sank into Albedo, their impact from mere yards away causing Albedo to collapse on the throne, but when he rose again, unharmed, Jr. let out a quiet sigh of exasperation.
Damn… I knew that is going to happen! Now what?
Albedo laughed mockingly, brushing off at the surface of his skin where Jr.'s bullets had hit him. Really, that was disappointing. Rubedo ought to know that mere physical attacks would not harm him "What was that Rubedo? An attack? I don't think so! It is more like insect bites, really! Come on, I know you're stronger than that! Bring it on!" He sneered down at his seething older brother, relishing the rage pouring off him like waves. "I can't believe Sakura or MOMO fell for a weak, hopeless coward like you!
That was it. The final straw. This was their fight, why bring MOMO or Sakura in? "Shut up, you bastard! I am not weak or hopeless! I am a lot stronger than you will ever be and you know it!" The severity of his tone took Albedo aback, and Jr. watched smugly as that damned grin faltered just a little bit. "You are the one who's weak and hopeless! So weak and hopeless that in an effort of becoming strong or stronger than me you gave in to its power, instead of fighting it! I don't believe you are such an idiot!"
A shock ran through his spine cut off his rant as a bolt of almost uncontrollable power stuck him hard. The red aura of his Anti-UDO shift grew brighter, hotter and stronger than before, intimidating even Albedo and himself. It was as if the Dragon resonated with his own anger and helplessness. Still, Jr. struggled to keep it under his control. No, he wasn't finished yet. "You are weak, you never believe in yourself or others. You kept clinging to me like a leech and cry at the slightest of things! That is what we call weak! Don't you understand? You are weak right from the start! And it is the weak who always manage to survive, be an immortal at that!"
As the final word left his mouth, all of his emotions spiraled out of control. The straining Red Dragon had been unleashed, and with it Jr. shrieked in pain as all of his feelings -loneliness, grief, despair, anger - were released in the Dragon too, turning his eyes the color of deep crimson. The limit on the Dragon shattered, and it roared as it evolved into a terrifying new kind of power, the Divine Red Dragon.
Albedo's eyes widened as he watched the Red Dragon rush towards him. Thinking quickly, he released his own powerful counter-attack--The Eternal Chain. Everything was engulfed in a bright flash of blinding white light. The cylinder vessel containing the Kirschwassers shattered, and as the light enveloped them, they sprouted large, feathered wings that glowed a bright yellow aura. Every one of the white-winged girls turned to the huge ball of white light, waiting to unravel themselves. Only a selected four ran forward in concern for their master. The rest had lost all memories of Albedo and their pasts, turning them into man-made angels. Then, the entire room was illuminated with a blinding light.
Chaos was waiting restlessly in the E.S. Asher. Not long after he felt an odd amount of aura coming from the core of the tangled web of U-DO. He leaned back in the cockpit, wondering what had happened and couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and worry. Something made him raise his emerald eyes, and he saw a small orange light that soon revealed a small, orange haired girl clothed in a white gown. Nephilim had returned. Chaos decided it was probably time for him to make his way to Jr.'s current imprisonment.
"Nephilim, something doesn't feel right. You feel it too, don't you?" Chaos asked the girl before he began his trek. Nephilim looked at him and then looked down.
"I'm not sure of that myself, chaos," she responded, her voice echoing. Chaos also looked down and to the right. It might have been best to stay where he was stationed, but he had to save Jr. no matter what. Many of his friends would be saddened if something were to happen to the popular redhead.
Sighing, Chaos looked up and towards the road to the core. "I'm sorry, Nephilim, but I am going to investigate."
He moved the E.S. craft towards his destination. Nephilim only sighed before disappearing. He was just getting up to max speed when the craft was thrown back by a shocking force field. Chaos let out a startled yell as the sparks flew out of the controls in the cockpit. Shocked and paralyzed, he felt his body was jerked around as the E.S. crashed onto the U-DO pathway. Nephilim had long disappeared before the incident. Chaos tried to stay awake, but the numbing pain had taken a toll on his body and he soon drifted into unconsciousness.
The situation between the rivaling sisters had finally calmed down. Shion and the rest of the gang decided that it would be best not to play charades again and decided to just wait it out. But Shion was starting to feel unnerved.
"Gaignun, do you think we could try to contact chaos?" she asked, turning to the dark-haired man. He turned to her and shook his head.
"The signal wouldn't reach from here. As long as he's near the center of that space-time anomaly, we won't be able to contact him at all. On top of that, the Asher's communication system was disabled a while ago." He replied, his voice flat and sounding almost indifferent. Shion sighed and then turned to the stars, silently hoping for the best.
"Master Gaignun, something's wrong." Shelley remarked suddenly, turning to the group wearing a worried expression. Usually she never allowed her expression to her betray her, but if the news were bad enough to rattle her, then… Shion gulped as she put her hands together, willing her anxiety to stay deep down.
"What is it Shelley?" Gaignun queried. This time, Shion heard a strain in the U.R.T.V's voice.
Shelley didn't respond; instead she pointed to the space-time anomaly in front of them. A thin, column of bright, white light had shot into an eternal line crossing the universe. It had come from the center of the anomaly, where they knew Jr. and Albedo were.
MOMO was making her way back to the Durandal's bridge, hoping to have an update on Jr. She was still slightly hurt from his decision to leave her after he confessed his love for her, but she wouldn't let that get in the way of her concerns. Something… an uneasy feeling of sorts stabbed through her heart with such precision she stopped in mid-step to clench at her chest. Golden eyes, knowing what the feeling was. Something's wrong! Something must've happened! I have to hurry!
Her walk eventually turned into a light sprint as she strove to make it to the Durandal bridge with all possible speed.
Okay, please please PLEASE review. It'll lighten my mood from my grounding. X.x
And once again I thank you Rachel Hunter!! You have taught me something...MORE VOCABULARY WORDS!!! O.O