The Shattered Blade
Chapter III: Full Synchro
For the next few days, Ayane had been puzzled. Her confidence in her past choices was shaken, her confusion mounting. Watching her half-sister interact with not only Ayane herself, but the other two ex-participants of the past DoA tournaments made Ayane contemplate things she never thought of before…
It was one of these nights that her thoughts lead to a troubled sleep.
(BGM: Wild Arms 5 – At the Frozen Depths of the Heart)
Why? That would seem to be the question. It started when that bastard Raidou attacked the village…no…it started before that…before we were even born…when he raped our Mother. Why was he banished? Why was he not killed? When he returned and stole the Torn Sky Blast, the village heads decided to leave him be. Why though? Why did they attempt to sweep it all away, as if it were a dream? Hayate-sama was horribly injured…one of our most powerful techniques was now lost to us…and one of our strongest turned traitor.
And yet…when Kasumi left to do what the village should have sent others to do…she was branded a nukenin…classified traitor…and was marked to be killed.
Kasumi…I've always been jealous of her…even when we were children…treated like a spoiled princess, while I was shunned like a leper…yet she held no arrogance, no ego…I always thought of her as weak…a fool…where she held the easy road of being honored, loved…I walked the difficult road of being alone, hated for something I had no hand in…and yet…she was always stronger than I.
Why?! Why didn't they send someone else instead?! Why did they leave it to her to leave the village in pursuit of Raidou, and then as she did what they should have been doing, brand her a traitor?! Why didn't I chase that bastard?! It should have been me! They hated me anyway! But no…I chose to stay behind…to follow orders…all in a twisted fucked up hope that they would recognize me as a person…and not the cursed spawn of Raidou…
I chased her…we chased her…hunted her…she had me…had us…at her mercy many times…and yet she never finished us…I thought it was a sign of weakness, that she was inferior…but now…being stuck, unable to perform my duties…I realize…it was strength. It takes a great deal of strength to stay one's hand when faced with death…
It's funny…I find myself actually hoping that Hayate-sama succeeds in removing the mark on Kasumi-baka's head. They branded her traitor for doing what should have been done…she does not deserve to be tied down to a collective of fools like that…she who has always followed the way of the ninja for peace…
Perhaps now…now that DOATEC is weakened…Hayate-sama can go over those rules…and perhaps change things…indeed, traitors should be silenced, for the good of the village…but our definition of traitor…that truly requires reformation…
With that last thought, she fell asleep.
The next day as the others were about, a figure stumbled out of Kasumi's room.
"You're awake!"
Zero groggily looked at Kasumi.
"Too…much…pink…"
Kasumi blinked.
"See?! I told you your room was too fucking bright! But nooo, you don't wanna listen to me!"
Kasumi huffed and turned to her half-sister. "I happen to like pink!"
"Obviously! The way your bedroom is practically COATED in all shades of it makes that quite apparent!"
Zero just gave a half-lidded stare between the two girls.
"Could someone tell me what I missed? I've kinda got a huge blank spot in my memory that's only matched by the size of the bump on my head."
Kasumi bustled around finishing her breakfast preparations. Hitomi passed by Zero and motioned for him to sit. He did so and Kasumi plotted a plate of various food in front of him. Blinking rapidly…he looked up as if asking "is this mine?" Kasumi made a flicking motion with her wrists, telling him to eat.
And eat he did. He had second helpings of everything.
"God damn…do you ALWAYS eat like that?"
Zero sighed in content. "You try spending god knows how long unconscious, without food…see how you eat then."
"About that…what exactly do you remember?"
"Well…I remember the Tri-Tower…the ring…that naked glowing chick…warping here…seeing Topless over there…and then black…then waking up feeling like I was moving really fast…seeing some really badass looking guy…and then white…"
Hitomi puffed out her cheeks in irritation. "Topless?!"
"Well yeah…you weren't exactly wearing a shirt when I first saw you…and you know what they say about first impressions."
Hitomi flushed and grumbled.
"So…what happened in between the blank spots?"
"Well…a few days after we came here…you attacked Hayabusa-san."
"Huh?"
"Ryu-sama said you were possessed by the Dark Dragon."
"Again? Dammit Tiamat what did I tell you about that?!"
Well excuse me for worrying that he was going to KILL us!
Zero frowned. Explain. He has the Dragon Blade…he was the one who shattered my sword two and a half years ago. When I sensed the Dragon Blade, I thought he was going to kill us…so…I…kinda panicked.
Zero blinked, then sighed and put his face in his palms. "Why is it that every time you panic…something gets the crap knocked out of it?"
I can't help it! I destroy stuff! It's what I do!
"Oi! What the hell are you talking about?!"
Zero jumped slightly. "Gah! Oh, jeez I forgot you three were here…sorry, I kinda space out when I'm talking to Tiamat."
"Who's Tiamat?"
"You know her as the Dark Dragon…"
"You can talk to it?!"
"It's…a long story."
"Oh that's right! I have to contact Hayabusa-san! He said he would have a gift for you when you awoke!"
A "gift?" I don't like this. Oh relax Tia. At the very least we should see what it is. If it's bad, we can do that little warpy trick of ours. Hmph…fine…but I still don't like it…
Kasumi delivered the message by carrier Falcon. She instructed Zero to get some more rest while they waited. A few hours later, the bird returned. The message stated to go to the nearby park. In that time Lei Fang had once again appeared. She opted to join the group, considering the sudden appearance of Kasumi, Ayane, and Zero a week ago sparked her interest.
The group arrived at the designated meeting point. Zero tensed as he sensed something happen.
"I see you can feel the effects. Do not worry, what you just felt was an illusionary barrier being placed around this area…it will keep unwanted eyes away."
"You could warn a guy before you pull a stunt like that…"
"My apologies."
Ryu and Hayate appeared out of thin air in front of the group. Lei couldn't help but comment.
"I don't care how many times I see that, even when I'm on the receiving end of it…that is so freaking cool."
Kasumi smiled brightly, Ayane smirked, Hitomi gave a soft giggle, Zero just blinked stoically, and Ryu and Hayate's reactions couldn't be seen considering the lower parts of their faces were covered by a mask.
"So…why am I here?"
"We wish to offer our thanks. You have done us a great service by defeating Kasumi's clone…"
"And you have relieved me of a great deal of fear when you saved the lives of my sisters."
"Sisters? You mean Red and the Lightsaber chick? Oh wait, speaking of which…"
Zero reached into his pocket and pulled out the "hilt" of Ayane's double energy blade.
"Almost forgot I borrowed this. Meant to give it back earlier…but being unconscious and immobile tends to keep those sorts of things from happening."
In mid speech he tossed it back to Ayane, who deftly caught it.
"Yeah…thanks…"
"Sisters huh? Well…I guess I can understand where you're coming from…"
"Tell me…we wish to know the name of our ally, so we can better thank you for your services."
"Name? Hmph…" Zero looked away, pensive. "I don't have a name…I used to…but it lost its meaning months ago…but if I were to have one now…it would be Zero."
Hayate's eyes widened. "So you are the one my informants have been speaking of…the shadowed presence that protects younglings…and slays those who would harm them."
"Yeah…that sounds about right."
Ryu stepped forward, pulling a blade from behind his back, sheathed. "Then this would serve as an effective reward for your services."
Zero's right eyebrow rose. "Really now…a sword…well…I could use a weapon…"
He grasped the sheath with his left hand, taking it out of Ryu's right. He placed his right hand on the hilt…
Hey…wait a minute…that's the-
Zero drew the blade.
Shit wait! Put it back!
Zero blinked. "Huh?"
Suddenly the blade glowed a fierce red. The sword fired arcs of crimson electricity into Zero's body. He gave a loud scream of pain as the demonic blade attempted to subjugate his soul.
Zero! Dammit I knew it was a trap!
Destroy…
"Zero-san!" Kasumi was held back by Hayate. They watched as Zero's body began to glow purple, counteracting the red.
God…dammit…what the hell is this?!
Destroy…
What? Destroy what?
All…
Why…the hell would I want to do that?! That doesn't make any sense!
Destroy…All…
Zero grit his teeth in pain. Look you effing piece of scrap…total destruction is meaningless! I don't care what you are…no way in HELL am I listening to you!
The purple glow suddenly receded, and the red took over his body. Ryu's hand shot to his blade, ready to draw…when a silver glow surrounded Zero's body, just under the red. Within moments, it flared, and the red glow was forced back into the demonic blade, which flew out of Zero's hands. He fell to his hands and knees, panting heavily.
"Shit! That…fucking hurt! I don't care…how badass you are…as soon as…I stop…this damn…twitching…your…ass…is…MINE!"
Tiamat flowed some of her power into Zero, attempting to relax his muscles.
"God…DAMN that hurt! What…the FUCK…was that thing?!"
"Please, accept my humblest apologies. The blade is known as the Kitetsu…it was once the blade of a greater demon lord known as Doku. I…appropriated it off of him when I defeated him two years and six months ago."
I knew it. The demonic blade Kitetsu. A powerful weapon, but it slowly corrupts the minds of its wielders. That was the voice you heard. The advantage to the blade is that it drains the life force of its opponents…and if wielded by one of demonic blood, their souls.
Well that sounds useful…pity it tried to FUCKING KILL ME!
Not so much kill you…but twist you to do its bidding. You have not the demonic blood to resist its pull. But…considering your will and beliefs…I am unsurprised that it could not take hold…though I expected that it would be my power that silenced it…not yours. You are getting stronger Zero…
"Well thanks for the blade, problem is it tried to possess me. And I've already got a Dragon God bound to my soul; I don't need some weird-ass sword trying to take me over."
"Indeed. I am quite sorry…the blade…was a test…to see if you wielded the Dark Dragon…or if the Dark Dragon wielded you."
Zero scowled. "Oh dammit why did you have to go and tell me that?! Now I can't irrationally hate you!"
"Pardon?"
Zero slowly stood to his feet. Kasumi, now released from Hayate's hold, helped steady him.
"Your reasoning…makes too much damn sense. Because of that…I can't be properly pissed at you for pulling a stunt like that."
Kasumi leveled a heavy glare at Ryu. However, I can.
Ryu was about to speak again, when a beam of red light fired into the sky from the ground away from them. When the light faded, standing before them was a creature with the body of a bull, but wings like a bat on its back. It stood upright, its three eyes cast around, scanning the area.
Ryu's hand went for his blade.
"A Demon Lord? Here? What is it you seek, beast?"
"I am Belthazar. I sense the power of the Dark Dragon in this place. Its power shall grant me the strength to rule the underworld!"
Zero scoffed. "You're assuming you would even be able to use the Dark Dragon's power. The blade's been shattered for two years now. All that is left are weakened shards. None of which could grant you the power you seek. Leave us in peace Demon."
"If my senses have led me astray then your souls will have to suffice!"
The bull-like demon lord raised its arms, and in a spray of dirt and stone, seven red lizard looking monsters rose from the earth. Immediately two of them curled into a ball and began spinning in place. They rocketed towards the group, which scattered; ninjas taking to the air to leap over the creatures, and the three others rolling or hopping to the side. The group engaged their opponents fiercely…however the three normal humans were unarmed, and their attacks were ineffective against the monsters.
Zero went for a punch to one of the lizard beast's scaled faces…upon impact however; he stumbled back cursing in pain.
"Fuck that hurt! Like punching a fucking wall!"
His momentary lapse in concentration caused his target to swing its tail and smack him in the face, serving to knock him into the air, and land harshly on the ground. Immediately he felt the Dark Dragon's power flow into his wounds, slowly healing him. Another lizard barreled toward him, bringing its claws upon him.
Zero barely evaded the strike from the lizard beast's claws. However, his roll placed him in the way of a different attack. The second lizard beast roared as he rolled, and breathed a wall of flame upon Zero. The flame grazed Zero's body, setting his jacket aflame. Quickly he pulled it off and tossed it to the side. The magical flames almost instantly burned the jacket to ash. Zero was about to make a move when the past few seconds had finally registered in his mind. He froze, a look of horror on his face. Surprising even the monsters, he whirled around and ran to where he absentmindedly tossed his once flaming black jacket. As soon as he reached it, the flame vanished…and all that remained was ash. He dropped to his knees.
"No…"
(BGM: Wild Arms Complete Soundtrack – Oh, Abby Maiden)
He grasped the ash in his hands, shaking. "No…this…this can't be…"
Zero…
His vision blurred as tears came to his eyes. Unseen to him the ring of shards around his right hand began glowing softly.
"ZERO-SAN! LOOK OUT!"
He paid Kasumi no heed. Images ran through his mind.
"That was…my last treasure…"
"PERVERT! GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
Hitomi went ignored by the youth. He saw a girl, not much younger than he, appearing alongside his parents. They claimed they found her along the road, the jacket the only thing she had on her. His vision flashed. He saw himself, sparring with the girl, smiles on both their faces.
Away from Zero, one of the red lizards roared as the horned demon that summoned them laughed at his potential kill. The ring glowed stronger.
Another flash. He saw himself unwrapping a present. The jacket the girl was wrapped in folded neatly inside. He looked at her puzzled. Her green eyes shined as she told him she wanted him to have it…
The demon lizard curled up and began rolling in place, spinning like a buzz saw. Lei Fang now yelled his name, trying to get him to move before it was too late. The glow became a blinking light.
His vision flashed again. This time he saw his home aflame, the bodies of his parents sprawled on the ground. The girl, slowly bleeding to death as a group of armored humans carrying guns slowly walked towards the two.
"My last link…"
One final sight…the girl, bleeding and battered…dying in his arms…she smiled one last time…just for him…before the life within her faded.
"Lynn…"
The lizard picked up speed. The others were too far away to act as it barreled down upon Zero's exposed back. The shards began to rotate.
Zero…we could always get another jacket… No…this was a gift…from my sister…Tiamat gasped. Oh…Zero…I'm so sorry…Everything…is gone…every bit of them…that jacket was my last link…now…I have nothing…
The lizard was moments away. The horned demon gave an exclamation of triumph. The glow intensified.
They will pay…they will pay…with their blood…
The spinning lizard approached Zero, about to slice into his back…when it stopped.
The glow became a brilliant shine.
The lizard was frozen in place, held by an intangible force. Zero slowly rose.
"You took away the last bit of my family…"
The ring was rotating so fast that it began sucking in the air around it. Suddenly a swirling violet orb engulfed Zero, originating from the ring.
"For that…I shall give no quarter."
A cocoon of glowing symbols appeared around Zero's body, concealed within the swirling orb. The bands of symbols exploded, as if being ripped apart.
"Behold…our Full Synchronization…"
For the first time…the Dark Dragon's mind mirrored Zero's thoughts. Both wanted nothing more than to slay those who destroyed the last vestiges of Zero's ties to his long deceased family…the last link to his beloved sister…
Suddenly, the orb blinked out of existence. The lizard could move again…but was suddenly stopped. Thin purple lines appeared all over its body…and moments later it exploded in a wave of flesh and blood.
(BGM: Devil May Cry 3: Reunion)
A black figure faded into existence just behind where the now destroyed Majin once stood. The figure was tall and humanoid in shape. Pitch black scales covered its entire body like armor. Five claws on each hand emerging from black gauntlet covered arms, with a curved sickle like blade extending from just above the wrist to just past its elbow joints on both arms. A slender waist leading to thin, armored legs that ended with forked claw-like feet. On its back were two long slender protrusions about three fourths of the length of the rest of its body; ending in jagged, sickle like blades, folded behind and slightly away from him like wings. Its head, armored as well, showed what looked like a round flat facemask showing two glowing red eyes. Two flat "horns" stuck out from the uppermost sides of its head…and most importantly of all…
Was the feeling of dread it emanated.
The entire group, humans and Majin, were frozen in terror from the feeling this creature gave off. Even Ryu took a step back, his mind fiercely attempting to fight the feeling within him that told him to flee, a usually unvoiced instinct within him…an instinct all living beings held when faced with a being that gave off the power that felt like it could tear their very souls to atoms.
The demon, Belthazar; the one who summoned these Majin, used his telepathic link with his charges to override their fear and force them to attack. The lizards all curled up and began to spin like buzz saws. They rocketed towards the strange black glowing creature. Suddenly the creature vanished in a flicker of movement. What followed was nothing short of slaughter.
A black flicker would appear near one of the lizards before moving on. Mere seconds after the flicker showed, the Majin would be torn to shreds. This process repeated for all twenty lizards.
The flicker returned to its original position, near the ashes of Zero's coat.
"Great Kami…what is that?!"
"I would be unsurprised if that was your friend, Kasumi."
"Zero-san? That…thing…is Zero-san?"
Hayate mused briefly. "Well…it appeared after Zero was engulfed by that orb, which we can only assume was created by the Dark Dragon…but why he would transform into that…let alone how…is the question."
"You do not sense it as I do…the one known as Zero and the Dark Dragon…are currently one and the same."
"What? Oi! Ryu! How is that possible?"
"I do not know. It seems to have started when his jacket was destroyed…"
"That idiot! Almost dying because of a jacket!"
Suddenly the ground rumbled. Four large brown insectoid creatures emerged. Their brown bodies shined like armored skin, a single eye adorning their "faces" and scissor like claws. Ryu readied his blade, and the others went into a fighting stance before…it…crossed their path. It simply appeared to the side of them…and walked in front, holding its arm out. A voice…not male…not female…but both; the male deep and powerful, the female high and regal, spoke from it.
"Stay thine blades. These beasts and their controller belong to us. If thy assistance is at all required, thou shall know. Our pride is not so great that if we find ourselves in a troubled spot we refuse to call for help. But we doubt that will be the case here. Rest now, thou hath performed admirably…"
The creature glowed a deep black.
"This battle belongs to us."
(BGM: DMC3 – Vergil Battle 2)
One of the insectoid creatures charged at the being.
"Wait…are you Zero…or the Dark Dragon?"
The being turned its head.
"We are both…and we are neither…in this form…you may call us…Zeromaru."
It turned back to the insectoid and vanished. It appeared in front of the creature and pivoted, slamming its foot into the Majin's "stomach" and knocking it away. It turned its head, and everyone followed its line of sight to the Kitetsu, lying unsheathed on the ground where everyone originally came together. It twitched…then moved…then suddenly rocketed towards Zeromaru, spinning like a saw. Zeromaru flickered over to where the fallen Majin was getting up, and stepped back a few paces. The sword angled itself to its side and continued its flight path, slicing through the "neck" of the creature, and landing in Zeromaru's hand.
Destroy…
Listen here you stupid thinking piece of metal. See that bull looking motherfucker over there? I'm going to destroy him. And YOU are going to help me whether you like it or not. And after that, you're gonna do everything I tell you to do. Got it?!
You…worthy…understand…master…
Good. Tiamat, do your thing.
With pleasure.
During the mental exchange between the mind of Zero and the sentient demonic "soul" of the Kitetsu, the blade was attempting to once again override Zero's will with its insatiable lust for souls. However, once again Zero's will served to be stronger than the blade's, and with his promise of blood to it; it relinquished itself over to Zero. Everyone watched the blade flare red as crimson sparks ran up and down Zeromaru's right arm…only to be repelled by a silver glow. A purple glow overlapped the silver and both flooded into the blade. The blade glowed purple…then silver…then back to its normal red.
Done. The blade's essence has been purged, the curse lifted. Now it will still drain the life force of those you cut with it, but if you use your Eyes of the Death God, you can potentially seal the souls of your opponents within it.
Sweet. Now…what say we finish these fuckers and get to the good part.
Gladly. Uploading now.
Zeromaru glowed black once again. Its red eyes flashed. One of the remaining three Majin leapt at Zeromaru, claws open, aiming to slice it in two. However Zeromaru stepped to the right and swung its new blade down, cutting off the creature's left claw. Yellow fluid spurted from the newly made wound, but the Majin would have no time to revel in its agony.
The armored being quickly flipped the blade around in its hand so it was held like a dagger. A leftward slash sliced off the rest of the Majin's arm. Zeromaru continued its movments by flipping the blade around again, holding it normally, and bringing it diagonally up from the right cutting through the Majin's lower torso, before spinning and bringing the blade down in a double handed vertical swing that severed the demon in two.
The two halves fell apart and dissolved into yellow liquid as three small yellow orbs appeared where it once stood, and then flew into the blade.
It quickly dispatched the other two Majin with similar tactics, and then stared down the Demon Lord.
"You have done well, but I will take those shards from you!"
"You are welcome to try…fool."
Zeromaru threw its blade at the winged bull like monster, but Belthazar used one of the metal bands on its wrists to knock the sword away, high into the air. However he didn't expect a follow-up attack.
"Tempest!"
Zeromaru flickered in front of the demon and delivered a solid punch to its midsection. That was quickly followed up by a left hook, then a kick with its right heel. It leaned back and placed its right palm on the ground and lifted its left foot for a second kick, this one to the monster's chin. Zeromaru flipped itself upright and then extended the blade on its right arm, slicing into the bull-monster's torso. It pivoted on its right foot, following up with a similar swing using its left arm blade, then it angled itself and made a diagonal kick with its left foot, followed by another with its right.
Not done, it landed and then twisted itself like a top horizontally, extending both arm blades to slice into Belthazar's torso a few times, and then land. STILL not finished he leapt off the ground and curled into a ball, extending both arm blades as well as "wing" blades and tore into Belthazar like a saw. One last flip and then a swift fist to the bull's face, sending it backward.
Zeromaru held its hand up and caught its once errant blade and got into a stance. Blade held with the cutting edge facing the heavens, Zeromaru positioned its left leg in front of it with its right pressed behind, leg muscles coiled and ready to spring at a moments notice. It brought two fingers along the flat side of the blade, a glowing mixture of silver, purple and red swirling around it.
"Kore de owari da!"
Zeromaru shot forward just as Belthazar rose. It started with a lightning quick thrust, then pulled back and drew the shadow blade from its sword. A diagonal downwards slash from right to left, followed by the second blade doing one from left to right, repeated three times then a horizontal double slash going in opposite directions, before it combined the blades at their hilts and twirled them between its hands like a staff, repeatedly cutting into the demon's body. At the end of that it separated them again and moved into a vertical spin, once again sawing into the demon. As it landed, in mid spin it placed the shadow back to the blade and jammed the sword through the demon's chest. A second after that, it slammed its left fist into Belthazar, glowing purple. A half second after impact, the energy contained within its punch detonated and ripped Belthazar off the sword as it sent him flying.
"Hi-Ougi!"
Zeromaru flickered and appeared behind the Majin, right in its flight path. It drew the shadow blade from the Kitetsu again and crossed its arms in front of its torso. It leapt forward and slashed sending two powerful crescent shaped waves of energy through Belthazar, along with the blades themselves, throwing him back the way he came.
"Arashi Kokuryuu Zan!"
Seen only by Zeromaru, a field of energy shattered around Belthazar.
Now! Finish him off!
Zeromaru jammed the Kitetsu into the ground and raised its right arm. The shards of the Dark Dragon blade spiraled into place, forming the ring.
"Hey, that's the thing he used to defeat Kasumi's clone!"
The group, especially Ryu, watched in interest as four of the ring's shards grew slightly but instead of pointing forward, they pointed back, almost like a brace. A small bulge appeared around where the tips of the reversed four met the angled three. The three remaining shards rotated and grew, extending over Zeromaru's hand and forming what looked like a cannon. At the tip of the cannon a small orb of energy appeared, surrounded by rings of light, and rapidly grew. After the orb grew enough, it launched and slammed into Belthazar. The demon roared in agony upon impact…however it wasn't over yet.
The three lengthened shards reduced to a slightly smaller size and immediately returned to their original position, along with the reversed four…looking almost like a satellite dish.
The shards once again began rotating and the orb that had engulfed Belthazar lost an outer layer as fragments of light flew towards the ring. As if the fragments made a pathway, the orb flew from the Majin back to Zeromaru's hand, absorbed by the ring…which promptly vanished.
Thrashing around in agony, Belthazar roared one final time before shattering into millions of pieces. Zeromaru dropped to its knees, and the others ran to its assistance. A silver glow overtook it, as the purple bands once again cocooned around it. There was a small flare of light, and the bands cocoon seemed to expand, as if containing some form of explosion. The bands faded into Zero's skin, and he dropped to his hands, panting.
He reached for the Kitetsu, and upon grabbing its hilt, the red sparks shot up his arm. However instead of pain, it caused him relief, as the sword emptied the energy it gathered into him, restoring him to normal.
That…was wild. I have to agree. You ever do that before? I didn't know I COULD do that. Never once, has anyone wielding my power, EVER had the connection we seem to have developed. Looks like this was supposed to happen then huh? Yes it does…
"Zero-san! Are you alright!"
"Yeah…I'm fine Red…just a bit tired…give me a few minutes."
"What the hell was that?!"
"Beats me…even She doesn't know."
"I meant about the Jacket!"
Zero's face clouded. "Oh…" He stood up, much to Kasumi's worry.
"Should you be-
"I'm fine Kasumi."
The redhead silenced herself. Not once did he use her given name, preferring to call her "Red". This was serious.
"Alright…I guess you deserve an explanation."
Suddenly a loud nose sounded from him. Zero blinked and looked down at himself.
"Uhh…but maybe after we get food. Apparently I'm hungry."
That's when the pain set in. He winced and grabbed his stomach.
"Yeah…I'm definitely hungry."
Other than Ayane, Ryu, and Hayate, the group chuckled, though Ryu was giving a hearty laugh inside his mind. Ayane was still puzzled from the events of this morning, her questions burning to escape, but she held them in. Calm down Ayane…let the man eat, he's earned it. I'll grill him later.
Before they began to leave, Zero pondered. "Now what am I going to do with you?"
His question was directed towards the sheathed blade in his left hand.
"If only I had a Vector Trap…"
Well…I don't know what the hell that is but I think I might have a solution…
"What's a…Vector Trap?"
Zero stared. "Don't tell me NONE of you have played Z.O.E.?"
Confused looks. "Oh great Kami I'm traveling with a bunch of heretics…where, WHERE is Ethan and his Church of Gaming when you need him?!"
If you're quite done confusing our present company, I'd like to put that blade away for you.
Surprised, Zero spoke aloud. "How?"
More confused looks. Tiamat rolled her eyes. I've recovered enough power to start making pocket dimensions. You can put the sword in one of those, and be able to draw it out at a moment's notice.
Sweet, you mean like a Bag of Immense Holding?
A what?
Zero shook his head and sighed. Just do it.
The blade vanished from view. The others looked shocked. "Pocket dimension. I'll explain later. I need food. Bad."
The group nodded. Ryu and Hayate claimed they would meet back at Kasumi's apartment, and leapt off.
"Frigging ninjas always showing off…"
Alright reviews!
Confused DOA Fan: those headings indicate music that works best at that specific point. It's part of my writing style to "suggest" songs to play at certain points in a chapter to add to the dynamics of it. Not to mention that's what I had in mind when I wrote that part. The songs generally add to the chapter and since I tend to write my stories like I would an anime or manga series, the music is practically required to get the full feeling. Kinda like a movie, only the headings are to inform those what I had in mind, RIGHT when it happens.
Ayane basically CANNOT be as composed as you think. For multiple reasons. First of which being that save for three or so people, her entire village treated her like a leper. Then, she finds out that it's because some asshole raped a very important woman in the village, and the woman gave birth to her. So basically, from what it seems like, since before she knew it looked like she had some near romantic class feelings for Hayate, who turns out to be her half-brother, that's ANOTHER point to her instability. On top of all that, after Kasumi left to do what the village themselves should have done, they sent her (among others, but she was the most notable one) to kill her own half-sister, one of the few people that treated her like a normal person.
If you think about it, Ayane's really fucked up. Stuck between choosing to have the recognition of the village, and the life of her sister, she chooses to have the village, and goes after her sister to kill her. From what I could gather she HATES Kasumi, all because Kasumi was treated like a princess, and Ayane like gum on someone's sandal. Then, Genra gets captured and turned into Omega, so though she got her half-brother and leader back, she had to go kill one of the most important people in her life, which she did.
Not to mention, as seen in this chapter, I plan on having her experience confusion, uncertainty, and just general unknowingness. She's a ninja, stuck to the shadows, unable to truly release that which was held within. So cursing repeatedly at her sister and ending up talking to an unconscious body are the least of the quirks of her personality. Honestly? Look up her past. Piece things together, she literally CAN'T be as composed as you'd think. Ayane's anger was mostly directed towards the idiots of the village and Kasumi, so since she's STUCK being around Kasumi, her ire being present more often than not is expected ne?
Improbable yes, but not impossible. Ayane never 'ports in the game series, nor in NG, so though it's ASSUMED she can, it's never shown she can, thus, in my story, she can't. Kasumi only does short hops in battle, and I'd assume the little warp thing she does at the end of certain battles is actually an illusion technique. Remember, ninjas are the masters of illusions, shadows, and death. So her not being able to port herself, let alone her sister out of a situation like that is understandable, if you look at the facts and use logic. Though I do like your nickname for them.
Plus, have you ever fought Alpha-152 in DOA4? I haven't, but I've seen that thing in action. It's a friggin BEAST. Teleports randomly without you even having to attack it, its attacks are insanely fast, it can knock you down to damn near no health in a single combo, cut your health in HALF with a single throw or counter…yeah, it's not unexpected for Ayane and Kasumi TOGETHER to have a tough time with it in a more realistic setting. As for the normal human being…well, at one point he was…but after spending six months with the power of the Dark Dragon flowing into him…he's not exactly normal anymore now is he?
As for the potential overpoweredness, of course he will be…eventually. Look at things logically. Ryu is badass, no question about it. But his power, his speed, his strength, are all his own. He WORKED to get to that level, and he's basically a normal human, besides the fact that he's a ninja. Zero was a normal person before the Dark Dragon came into his life. Not only that, but the Dark Dragon slowly seeps its power into the one wielding it. If it's power could make Murai do THAT, and he only held it for all of two minutes before that fight…imagine what it can do for someone who holds a piece for six months!
The power you saw Zero wielding wasn't his power. That was literally the Dark Dragon manifesting to protect Zero. Think of it like Kyuubi from Naruto. When Naruto uses ANY of Kyuubi's power, he gains a red aura, and when he taps a tail, the aura takes the form of a tailed fox. That's the idea behind Zero and Tiamat, only difference is, since Zero only uses his power, no aura. When he uses an ability activated, or enhanced by Tiamat, a purple aura appears for a brief moment. The battle last chapter was ALL Tiamat. Zero was unconscious, but since Tiamat is inside his soul now, she could still see. She sensed the Dragon Blade, and feared not only for her life, but the life of the one she's been stuck with for months.
Think of it this way. The Dark Dragon is basically a God. Tiamat, being the Dark Dragon, is inside Zero's soul. As such her power is internalized within him. Because of that, she can take over from time to time, it doesn't happen often and it's usually a desperate situation when it does, like Zero said. What everyone saw last chapter was Tiamat fighting Ryu through Zero. Hence the dragon shaped aura, the growling, the animalistic like attacks and the insane amount of power behind everything. The most important thing you have to remember is Zero was unconscious. Tiamat did all that on her own. And the difference in their abilities, power, and control was shown when Zero began to awake. He doesn't have the skill or control yet to hold that level of an attack, thus it exploded on him. That's why Tiamat was so worried just before Zero fully awoke; she had activated an attack skill that Zero could not use, and we all saw its effects.
Besides, I wrote that fight like a Ninja Gaiden boss battle. In NG you're gonna get hit. A LOT. ESPECIALLY from bosses. No matter how good you are, they're gonna catch you with something more often than not. And their stronger attacks are devastating. So while Ryu may be a friggin godly ninja, remember he got KILLED by Doku at the beginning of Ninja Gaiden, who was WIELDING the Dark Dragon blade. So actually FIGHTING the Dark Dragon, a god class enemy, while not even expecting a battle, being caught unprepared, AND not even having his blade at full power; it's expected for him to get smacked around a good bit. But if you noticed, he evaded most of the attacks, and even stated the worst of it was the Indignation.
Ryu was fighting a God, and he was severely outclassed. If his blade were at full power, if Ryu had been prepared, or if Tiamat's Aura didn't have such defensive capabilities, he'd have been able to hold his ground better. But considering that he was up against the sentient manifestation of HALF the Dark Dragon's power…yeah, it's not surprising he got smacked around. He may be the "Super Ninja" but he's still human. A human, no matter HOW powerful up against a God? That human would need every bit of skill, knowledge, and power to stand a chance.
Anyway, I'm glad you like the story so far besides all that, and I hope this helped clear some things up.
Damn…good thing there was only one of those…I'm on page 23 already! Ahh for the translation…
"Kore de owari da! Hi-Ougi! Arashi Kokuryuu Zan!"
This is the end! Ultimate Technique! Dark Dragon Tempest Blade!
I wanted to call it Twin Tempest Dark Dragon Blade Dance…but I couldn't figure out how to properly align the words without it looking and sounding stupid, and possibly wrong. Ehh, Arashi Kokuryuu Zan sounds cool enough. Speaking of "Zan." I wonder if anyone will recognize where Zero and Tiamat's "Full Synchro" form came from…