The Shattered Blade
Chapter II: Fates Revealed
(BGM: Metroid Prime 2 – Dark Samus Appears)
Sparks of electricity lined the room. Immediately, Lei Fang, who had come to Japan for a visit to two of her friends from the Dead or Alive tournament, backed away from the deadly bolts. The sparks gathered in the center of the room, writhing and pulsing, almost like a growing life form…when there was a forceful boom and a huge sphere of swirling purple energy containing a dome of blackness appeared.
Moments afterwards, Hitomi, clad in no more than a damp towel she held against herself, burst into the room. The Chinese girl took no notice to her friend's entrance, eyes fixated on the swirling dome in front of her. Both the purple wisps and the black void began to fade, from top to bottom. Within moments all that remained was a glowing ring of light on the ground. The light, created by seven spinning purple crystal-like shards, dimmed as the power faded. The shards slowly ceased their rotation and immediately slammed onto a dark figure's arm that was pressed against the ground.
"Kasumi! Eh? Ayane too?"
Sparks of purple electricity raced around the unknown figure's arm before the cone shaped ring of shards faded from view, their job complete. He wobbled slightly, as if drunken and dizzy. Raising his eyes, his blurry vision made out Hitomi's figure…she who dropped her towel in surprise, moments before.
"Damn…nice rack…"
With those last words, he fell to his knees and then to the floor, unconscious and with Ayane still on top of him. Hitomi blushed fiercely and grabbed her towel, wrapping it around herself immediately. Her embarrassment caused the others to laugh slightly…well, excluding Ayane, who landed on her foot, causing her a great deal of irritation.
Kasumi noticed Lei Fang, and gasped.
"Ah! Lei Fang! I forgot you were coming!"
"Hey idiot!"
They all turned to Ayane, who had a tinge of red on her cheeks, but a glare in her eyes.
"A little help here?"
Kasumi tilted her head in confusion before remembering what happened. Her eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed as she mentally kicked herself for forgetting.
"Oh! I'm sorry!"
Helping her half sister up, the two hobbled Ayane to Kasumi's room, putting the purple haired girl on her bed. It was Hitomi who posed the next question.
"What should we do with the pervert?"
"We have a couple of spare futon do we not? We can place him on one of those…I guess…near Ayane…"
"What? Why me?"
"Because you cannot easily move in your condition. He saved our lives; at the very least you can keep an eye on him while he recovers. I don't know what it was that he did…but taking on that clone…and transporting us here with that strange object, obviously took a great deal out of him…"
Reluctantly, Ayane agreed. "Fine, fine…but only cause I'm basically stuck on this stupid thing…and dammit what is it with you and pink?!"
Kasumi flushed again, only to be rescued by Lei.
"Wait a minute, 'saved our lives?' 'Clone?' What happened? Where were you anyway?"
"Well…it's like this…"
Days Later…
It had been a few days since the attack on the DOATEC Tri-Tower. The youth, unknown to the others named Zero, had still yet to awaken. Ayane was up and moving around, for though rather stiff, her ankle was healing rather nicely. Lei Fang had come by to visit again that day and having nothing better to do, Ayane reluctantly spent the day listening to the three other girls' pointless conversations. Occasionally she would throw in a sarcastic remark or statement…which was oddly enough, countered by one of Kasumi's own.
As you can guess, it completely bewildered Ayane to see her half-sister talking back instead of bowing her head and muttering an apology. Bewildered, and slightly impressed, not that she'd admit it any time soon. However, it was that same day that a knocking on the sliding glass window to the balcony sung through the apartment. And when Hitomi opened the shades.
"Ein!"
Hayate and Ryu Hayabusa were on the balcony.
"Hayabusa-san! Nii-san!"
"Hayate-sama! Ryu-sama!"
"Kasumi, Ayane…it is good to see you survived."
"Aaa…H-hai…but we wouldn't have survived if it weren't for him…" Kasumi muttered.
"Him?"
Ayane shot an annoyed glare at her half-sister. "We encountered a strange person while fighting that energy clone. He completely decimated it, and then somehow teleported us out of the place…"
"It…wasn't that simple…"
Kasumi was staring off towards the direction of her room. "He showed up…fought the clone…and finished it off, yes…but we did our parts too…it's not like he took the battle from our hands completely. We attempted to escape, but those strange armored soldiers were in our path…we tried another route, but another group stopped us."
Unseen to anyone her eyes were glowing slightly.
"He had this strange…thing…on his right wrist. Made from purple shards of…crystal…maybe glass. I don't understand how…but just as the soldiers fired on us, he punched the ground with it…and this swirling vortex of purple and black sucked us away. I don't know why he stayed and helped us…because it looked like he could have just left at any time…he even went as far as carrying Ayane…"
Hayate blinked and looked at Ayane, who immediately blushed and ducked her head. "Damn…fucking foot…"
Ryu was the one who questioned, the other girls staying silent, for they had heard this tale before. "Why would she require assistance?"
Still staring into space, Kasumi answered. "When that person used that strange ring to defeat the clone…it exploded. The explosion sent Ayane into a wall at a bad angle, and broke her ankle. She could barely stand, so he carried her on his back…much to her protests."
A strange ring made of purple shards…could that be…
"Is he here?"
The glow faded just as Kasumi answered Ryu. "Yes…be it the defeating of the clone, the teleportation, or a combination of everything that happened, he has been unconscious since our return…and resting in my room."
"Indeed? May I see him?"
"I was meaning to check up on him anyway, I'll take you to him."
Just a matter of time…you'll be back to normal soon Zero…
The spirit of the Dark Dragon, Tiamat, was currently adding her power to boost Zero's natural recovery systems. She was worried for her charge.
But I'm not surprised you've been out for this long…that was more of my power than your body has ever channeled before…and for such a time…it is a miracle that you face something as slight as exhaustion.
Suddenly she sensed something.
What…no…it can't be! Not now!
Ryu entered the room before Kasumi. Immediately the sword on his back began to softly glow silver. That's strange…I removed the jewel years ago…could this be an omen?
Moments after his sword began to glow, the ring of shards around Zero's wrist began to flicker in and out of existence, giving off its own purple glow.
"Hayabusa-san? Is something wrong?"
"I do not know…" He drew his blade to inspect it. The ring's pulsing grew stronger. "But I believe…your new friend has something unusual about him…"
The Dragon Blade…I can feel it…no…not here…I cannot allow Zero to fall at the hands of that damned blade!
Ryu approached the unconscious Zero, unknown to Tiamat, without any intent at all to harm him. He stood over the weakened youth, puzzling over why the two separate objects were appearing to resonate with one another.
Suddenly, Zero's eyes snapped open. The action caused Ryu to take a step back in reflex. Immediately Zero's form blurred and slammed into the elder ninja, sending them both through the open doorway to the center room. Zero's body flipped off of Ryu.
(BGM: Metroid Prime 2 – Darkness)
The growling voice of Tiamat rung through the apartment.
I will not let you destroy him!
Zero's body lifted into the air and curled into a fetal position, glowing violet. It quickly thrust its arms and legs out to the fullest extent, and a wave of purple energy shot through the room. A dome of transparent purple hexagonal panels appeared around the two combatants, keeping them in, and the others out. A violet aura surrounded Zero, taking the form of a mighty beast with five claws, a long spiked tail and a horned head.
This aura…is it…the Dark Dragon?!
Glowing red eyes glared at the ninja, a glare that promised pain and dismemberment. The draconic form dropped to the ground on all fours and growled harshly at the ninja. Ryu had no time to react, as Zero blurred again and a fist was slammed in Ryu's face. The ninja rolled with the punch, flipping to his feet. He raised his glowing sword just in time to block a claw strike from the draconic aura.
"Hayabusa-san!"
"What the hell? What's going on?"
"Damn I knew we couldn't trust that pervert!"
Hayate, about to call the name of his close friend, blinked and turned to Hitomi.
"Pervert?"
Hitomi answered with a blush. Lei Fang absently spoke, completely absorbed into the fight.
"When they showed up, the only thing he said before he fell unconscious was 'nice rack,' to Hitomi. She just got out of the shower when they showed up and she dropped her towel."
Hitomi blushed deeper and sent an annoyed look at Lei Fang.
Zero leapt backward into the air, narrowly evading a swing of Ryu's blade. He hovered there for a moment, the purple aura swirling around him. It flared with light and a series of purple orbs rocketed towards Ryu. Ryu rolled out of the way of the attack, only to get caught by a side kick by Zero. He flipped back and landed on his feet.
Such strength…if not for this armor my ribs surely would have been broken…
The glowing youth raced towards the ninja, leaping into the air and bringing a claw down on him. Ryu blocked it with his blade, only to have to twist and bring his blade up for another block as Zero pushed off the blade with his claw and flip over the ninja aiming for another slash. The attack was defended, but Zero pulled his feet from underneath him and delivered a double kick to Hayabusa's chest, springing off him.
Ryu stumbled backwards slightly. Immediately Zero flipped and crossed his arms. He lashed them out and a series of energy beams lanced towards Ryu who quickly rolled and then flipped out of the way. Zero growled and landed. He slammed his right fist into the ground, the ring of shards flaring to life. Suddenly Ryu found himself stuck, bound by a gigantic ethereal claw.
Immediately afterward, Zero's left hand began blurring. The four ninja's eyes widened, all of them sharing the same thoughts.
Are those…hand seals?
The world around everyone turned black. Tiamat's voice rang out.
Tenkou mitsuru tokoro ware wa ari…
A glowing purple symbol appeared beneath Ryu. Hayate and Ryu's eyes widened in shock as they recognized what was happening.
Yomi no mon hiraku tokoro nanji ari…
The four circles on the edges of the symbol glowed and fired a beam of light into the air. Partway, the four beams arced together into one gigantic lance of purple light, right above Hayabusa. The lance of light fired into the sky, as angry dark clouds appeared, swirling around the beam.
Ide yo, Kami no ikazuchi!
Rumbles of thunder sounded through the darkness. Purple arcs of electricity lanced through the clouds.
INDIGNATION!
There was a brilliant flash of light…and then a HUGE forking lance of lightning slammed into the ground where Ryu stood. The lightning took with it the sudden darkness and the room returned to normal, however Ryu was sent flying by the blast. Zero flipped back…but this time it was slow, as if he was being slowed by something. Torrents of energy flowed around him as he curled into a ball. A shell of purple energy surrounded him…and he rocketed forward, aiming for Hayabusa's twitching body.
The near legendary ninja recovered his motor functions just in time to roll out of the way, only to be popped into the air as the impact from the sphere called forth a wave of kinetic force.
Hayabusa was panting heavily. The one attack injured him a good deal. Amazing…that technique was said to have been lost millennia ago…
Suddenly a purple claw of energy shot out of the cloud of dust and grabbed him. He struggled, but he couldn't move.
It ends here! You'll not slay my Zero!
A swirling purple orb appeared in Zero's right hand. He made a powerful leap towards Hayabusa…
Suddenly, the red orbs flickered. The orb in Zero's right hand began to destabilize. What? No! Not now!
The red eyes turned brown, and Zero blinked, still holding the orb, still en route to impact with Ryu.
Huh? What's…?
Everyone heard Tiamat's last cry.
No! Zero don't-
Zero blinked. Dude…that guy looks fucking badass…
It was at that moment he noticed the unstable orb in his right hand.
"Ah…shi-
The instability reached a climax, and it detonated. The purple aura immediately vanished into wisps of vapor as Zero was sent flying backward from the explosion. The dome of energy keeping things inside that particular area shattered just before Zero reached it, so his flight continued. He slammed into a wall, head first…and slid down, once again unconscious.
(BGM: MP2 – Dark Samus Appears)
"Ryu-sama!"
"Ryu!"
"Hayabusa-san!"
Kasumi and Hayate rushed to Ryu's aide. Ryu shook himself.
"I'm fine. The worst bit of it was that Indignation technique."
"What was that?!"
"I believe…that was the Dark Dragon."
Ayane gasped. "Impossible! You shattered that thing two years ago!"
"And yet it is within that boy. It is strange…the malice I sensed…was not the same as before. Similar, yes, but not exactly."
Hitomi piped up. "It talked too…"
Lei Fang tossed in her own two cents. "It sounded…like it was trying to protect him…"
"Indeed…though surprising, it has been two years…I would assume it is in a weakened state. So it would indeed wish to protect its host…"
She shook her head. "No it sounded like it wanted to protect him. Not for its safety but his. It didn't sound angry before that last attack backfired, it sounded afraid. Afraid for him."
Hitomi countered. "But that makes no sense. Why would its attack fail like that? It did much worse during the rest of the fight!"
"He woke up."
They all were confused. Ryu explained.
"Before that last attack failed, I saw the aura fade, and his eyes change color. Before it failed he looked confused. Perhaps it wasn't the Dark Dragon in control those last few seconds, but him."
Kasumi continued while bandaging Zero's head. "And the Dark Dragon was afraid…because maybe…he isn't strong enough to consciously handle the amount of power within that attack?"
Hayate mused. "That would explain why it began to destabilize…along with its sudden bout of fear."
Ayane murmured. "I wont let you harm him…the Dark Dragon…was perhaps attacking to defend him? Maybe…it sensed Ryu-sama's Dragon Blade…and grew fearful that he would notice its power…and slay that boy…"
Hayate spoke again. "But the question is…how is it that he holds the Dark Dragon within him?"
Kasumi muttered. "The ring…"
Everyone turned to her.
"The ring…maybe it's not crystal…but shards of the blade…"
Ryu's eyes widened. "If that is true…then my actions may have only delayed the inevitable…"
Hitomi glanced at Zero's form. "We won't know until he wakes up…and with that wound, who knows how long that will take."
Ryu looked at the youth. "Nevertheless, the boy must be a strong warrior if he can subdue the power of the Dark Dragon like he did…" He thought for a moment. "Yes…that would do nicely…"
The others looked at him confused. "Do not mind me. I just think I may have a way to tell if he is the one possessing the power…or if the power possesses him."
Ayane understood. "You are going to use that?"
"I shall give it to him, yes."
"Wait, give it to him? As in let him keep it?!"
"Yes."
"But…its-
"It has sentimental value, that I will not dispute…however…its nature, its origins…would prove more useful to him than I."
"As you wish…Ryu-sama…"
"I shall find a place to recover for a little while. After that, I shall return with my gift when he is awake."
Hayate stood along with Ryu. "I must return to the village. I too will come back along with Ryu. There are questions I wish to ask of him."
Ayane made to go with them, but Hayate gently pushed her onto a chair. "Your ankle is not yet fully healed Ayane. Remain here and recover peacefully. I've no doubt you have the will, but you cannot push your body too far lest it break."
She flushed slightly. "Hai…Hayate-sama…"
Hayate looked at Kasumi. "Kasumi…"
"Ha-hai!"
"You have done a great deed in assisting us, though you are deemed traitor to our clan…I shall do what I can to see if I can at the least remove the mark on your head, though do not expect to be able to return."
"If you can remove my need to fear for my life…I will be eternally grateful."
"I shall endeavor to do my best at that."
"Be safe…Hayate-nii-san…"
"Ein, you'd better come back!"
"I will Hitomi. That I promise."
With that the two ninja leapt from the balcony and into the sunset.
"Well…should we order in tonight?"
Hitomi and Lei Fang agreed.
"Ayane…do you-
"Tuna and Salmon-
"Along with miso soup and marrons glacés. Not a problem."
Ayane's eyes widened. "You…"
"Remember your favorites? Of course! I wouldn't be a very good sister if I forgot, even after all this, now would I?"
Ayane simply looked away…confused.
How…how can she still care about me like this…after all I've done?
How indeed? Well, we all know Kasumi is a very caring soul. I hope you all enjoy this. It WOULD be longer…but the second knockout seemed like a good place to stop. I wonder…if what few readers I have will figure out what Ryu and Ayane were talking about…
Mou…no reviews this time…but hey, this is on someone's alert list…so I guess that works.
Ctrl+ ' I gotta remember that. Accents are Ctrl + '. I didn't know that till today, and I had to fool around a bit before I could pull it off.
The spell from above translates to:
"I am where heaven's light abounds, you are where the underworld's gates open. Come forth, lightning of the Gods! Indignation!"