Chapter 5
Salley and Espio had just made it outside. But, suddenly, something grabbed
Espio's leg. It was a red cobra.
Before it could bite him, Espio shook it off and it fell to the ground. It then shape-
shifted into a kitsune.
Espio defended Salley and growled. "Rox!"
"You didn't think I could shape-shift, did you?" asked the kitsune, smirking.
"Watch this." He shape-shifted into a huge eel and wrapped himself around Espio. He squeezed him
so hard that it made him choke. He also electrocuted him. Espio knelt down to the ground.
Venom was there and saw this. "That's it, Rox! Show him no mercy!" he yelled.
Ratchet and Lawrence were behind him and were nervous because of what
happened.
Salley gasped. "Stop it!"
Rox let go of Espio and the chameleon lied down. He was weak and injured.
"You're so pathetic," said Rox. "You remind me of an old enemy of mine, but
that's just a horrible memory." His hands were filled with his Invisible Aura.
Before he could do anything else, someone knocked him down. It was a purple
chameleon that looked just like Espio, except he was older and he wore pants and a mustache.
"Keep your hands away from my son!" he said.
Espio saw the man. "Father!"
Salley saw him too. "Dihan!"
Dihan turned to Espio and Salley. "Long time, no see, you two."
Rox got up from the ground. When he saw the chameleon, he glared at him.
"Dihan!"
Dihan gasped. "Rox?! But…I sealed you away a long time ago."
"I know, but Venom set me free." He pointed to the wolf wearing the black cape.
"So, you two know each other?" asked Venom. "That's pretty ironic."
Salley faced the adult chameleon. "How's it that you know Rox, Dihan?"
Dihan turned his head to Salley. "He was my fiercest enemy back when I was Espio's
age. He killed my sensei, so I took my revenge on him and sealed him to the Forbidden Dimension."
"That's right," said Rox, "but now I'm back to cause mayhem and kidnap the
girl."
Dihan gritted his teeth in anger and defended Espio and Salley. "Stay away from
her and my son, you hear me?!"
"That teenaged chameleon is your son? I thought there was something interesting
about him." Rox got into his fighting pose. "Let's end this!"
Dihan got into his position too and turned his head to the others. "Espio, keep
Salley away from harm. I'll take care of Rox." Dihan took out his nunchucks and spun them around.
He ran towards Rox and tried to hit him with them. He kept dodging them, though. He then hit his
arm, but it wasn't enough damage.
Then, Rox used his Invisible Aura and attacked Dihan. He also punched and kicked
him everywhere. Dihan couldn't beat him like he did in the old days.
Espio couldn't stand to see his father get beaten up by the kitsune. He tried to get
up, but Salley pulled him back down to the ground.
"Espio, don't," she said. "You're still hurt."
"But I can't let Rox beat up my father!" said Espio.
"I'll take care of it." Salley ran into the fight.
"Salley, no!" Espio tried to stop her, but she didn't listen. The cat-girl grabbed
Rox's tail with a tight grip. That made the kitsune let go of Dihan.
The chameleon panted and looked at Salley. "What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to help," said Salley. She then let go of the tail and took out her
shurukins. Rox tried to attack her, but she jumped up and swung her weapons at him. It scratched
both of his arms.
Then, Salley cried out, "Shurukin Spin!" She formed into a ball and aimed at Rox.
Her attack was blocked because he used lightning and shocked her. Salley fell to the ground, feeling
weak. She also fell unconscious.
Rox then took out his dagger. "Say goodbye."
Venom then called out, "Rox, wait!" It was too late. Rox had charged near Salley
while holding his weapon. He struck it, but not at Salley.
Instead, it hit Dihan. Blood was flowing from his stomach and he could hardly
breath. He then fell down.
When Espio saw this, he was shocked. "FATHER!!" He ran to him, knelt down,
and tried to shake him awake. "No, Father." Tears filled his eyes. "Please, wake up."
The old chameleon slowly opened his eyes and stirred. Espio was relieved to see
that his father was still awake.
"I had a feeling that this would happen," said Dihan in a hoarse voice. "Rox tried to
hurt Salley just so he could kill me." Dihan groaned in pain. "A very conniving plan."
"Dad," Espio cried, "why? Why did you do it?"
"Because I know how much you love and care about Salley. And I'd feel so terrible
if I saw her get killed and you'd be heartbroken." Dihan stroked Espio's cheek. "I don't ever want to
see you like that."
More tears rolled down Espio's face. "Father, please. I can't live without you."
Espio placed his hands on his father's face. "You're the only family member that I have left."
Dihan removed Espio's hands and held them in his. "I'm very sorry…but I'm
afraid…it's too late for me. What's done is done and we can't undo it." Dihan felt a tear in his eye.
"You're a great ninja, Espio, and I trained you so well. Now, it's up to you to do your part on your
own."
Espio felt that his heart was aching. "Father…"
Dihan made a slight smile. "Do everything you can to help your friends, especially
Salley. Protect her with all your strength and make sure that no harm comes to her." Dihan gasped
for air. "And promise me…that you'll never…forget me." He put his hand on Espio's face once
more. "I love you…my son…" With his last words, his hand slipped off of Espio's face and he slowly
closed his eyes. He was truly dead.
Espio was so heartbroken. "Father!" He tried to wake Dihan up, but couldn't.
"Father…no!" He covered his eyes with his hands and cried.
I-I'm sorry you had to see that. It's sad, I know. See what happens in Ch. 6.
