Author Note: I'd like to thank everyone who at least looked at the return of my story… this is why I LOVE you Darkstalker fans! Fair warning… if we go down the road of more DBZ references; just be glad it isn't Gundam Seed. (Yes, I went there)

As always, R+R people!

Episode Eight: Soul Conversion… Embrace the Darkness!

Standing up in the groundless void, Joe couldn't see anything around himself and his two other selves. It wasn't hard to feel the sudden change in the friendly cat woman he had grown close with to be called friends. Sighing in frustration, the silver-haired chaos form grabbed the human by the neck and snarled. "Listen, you need to evolve RIGHT NOW!" Coughing from the fierce grip, Neko-Joe shoved the less than graceful side back. "Hey… we can't force him to become something he isn't. It doesn't work like that…"

"Work like what?" Joe gagged; recovery was instant seeing that he didn't have a physical form in his own head. "If you two are like me… then you'll stop bullshitting around and tell me. What do I have to become?" Looking at one another, the duo nodded in agreement. "You need to become more like a Darkstalker."

Outside the self-arguing human's mind, Felicia continued to rage on Pyron. Utilizing her Rolling Buckler, the changed cat woman was starting to force the murderous energy being back. Hovering around behind his barrier, the once weak creature was now confusing her opponent greatly. How… how can someone weaker than that human suddenly get strong? A glimmer of light sparkled in Felicia's eye as she suddenly kicked Pyron skyward.

The energy monster had prepared to lower his barrier to counter-attack, but its simple movement was caught and exposed. Jumping after her target, Felicia spiked Pyron back to the earth. Stopping himself easily, the yellow alien looked up and was blasted in the face by Felicia's heel. A fully charged Delta-Kick with a boost from EX-power connected and warped Pyron's face. You'll pay for that!

Growling, it seemed the attack hurt the otherwise godlike being. "So… you can be hurt after all." Taking her energetic pose again, Felicia was bouncier than ever before. A fierce gaze came through her eyes as Pyron pulled his face back together. "Round two…"

Back inside his own mind, Joe was still trying to figure out what his own forms wanted. "You say I have to become more like a Darkstalker… how the hell do I do that?"

"It's not hard really; just accept your darker nature." Neko-Joe answered with the other side smirking happily. Looking away, Joe pointed at the tailed male. "You know that's crap! If I did that…"

"Then Felicia would not have to let herself go." Shamed into silence, Joe realized that his own mind was right. If he was stronger… the kind-hearted feline wouldn't need to release a more violent side of her kind. Moving closer, the feline-fused human put a hand on the human's shoulder. "Listen, you have a good heart… most humans become corrupted due to the power of the Dark."

Chuckling with agreement, the chaotic side added in. "You've learned from past losses that being consumed by darkness doesn't work. So… if we give you another shot, you think you can do it?" Looking up at himself, the normal human nodded.

"I won't lose, there are too many people counting on Pyron to be defeated!" Fading into a form of light, the neko form became a ball of light while the chaos form became a ball of darkness. Echoing, their voices overlapped as the two returned inside Joe's mental body.

You know what to do…

Crashing several blows into Pyron's barrier, Felicia was blown back by Pyron's anger. With energy spiking off the furious creature's body, an explosion sent the powered-up feline into the sky. Watching his red-haired opponent travel away, Pyron let another Soul Smasher fly. Realizing the projectile was on a direct course, Felicia batted the attack away like a harmless ball before starting her fall to earth.

"Level Two EX Release…" Glowing a slight shade of red, Felicia rolled into a ball as she hit the ground. Spinning up quickly, the feline rolled directly at Pyron. Throwing up his barrier to defend yet again… Felicia was ready. Bouncing off the barrier, a set of extended nails came out of Felicia's left paw and cut into Pyron's barrier. IMPOSSI-

Cut off, the stunned enemy was suddenly cleaved from head to toe by Felicia's right paw. Her nails leaving Pyron with three long slash marks traveling up his body. "… Double Delta-Claw." One of Pyron's horns was nicked off when Felicia's upper-cut landed. Growling, the energy being found it difficult to recover from the attack. What nonsense is this?

Not saying a single word, Felicia was preparing to fight again. "Looks like I have the power to cut down barriers… who knew?" Smirking, the ferocious feline suddenly felt strange. Reaching for her chest, the cat woman grabbed the necklace that she never took off from Christmas. This thing is preventing me from ending this… why?

Taking advantage of his foe's freeze-up, Pyron used his Zodiac Fire on Felicia. Not able to defend properly, the unguarded cat woman was downed. Groaning in pain, the blazing red hair cooled off as the boost of power faded away. "No…" Laughing in success, Pyron finally pulled his body back together with his left horn being the final section to recover. You showed some promise… but again, I stand alone! Dropping a foot onto Felicia's stomach, the confidant enemy forced out a pained cry from the laid out feline. NOW DIE!

Teleporting himself into the air, Pyron exploded into a pillar of fire. Dropping towards the exhausted cat woman, the heat started to char the ground. "Guess this is the end… Joe…" Smashing into the ground, the pillar ravaged the area as Pyron laughed in victory. This world is mine!

Blinded by the attack, the remaining fighters were left with little options. Unable to counter-attack at their maximum power, Hsien-Ko pleaded with his sister again. "While that thing is busy, let's just use the Dragon Soul technique." Before she could refuse her blue sister again, Mei-Lin felt something tug on her clothes. "Don't go… I'm scared." Pico, while brave enough to come this far, was now on the verge of tears after seeing Felicia get destroyed. Patting the little one's head, Mei-Lin assured the young feline. "We'll be fine, go with Jeff and be safe." Spraying a small burst of powder from her sleeve, the little cat girl was knocked out by special anti-Darkstalker dust.

Picking up the now out Pico, Jeff had moved Phobos away from the battle area with the help of a still working tow-truck. Looking at the two sisters, he put the neko in the passenger side seat and commented. "Is Felicia…?"

"No idea… we'll find out soon enough." Combining together, Hsien-Ko took off for the distant battle field. Returning to his humanoid form, Pyron looked down at the devastated city and was pleased with himself. I still have the power to eradicate the weak… thus proving this world obsolete.

Below the cocky creature, something moved underneath the hovering Pyron. Not noticing the moving dirt, the ground started to push up from underground. What's this? Pushing aside the dirt, a barrier had covered up the lying feline and protected the blue haired creature from a fiery fate. A hand came over Felicia and pushed back some hair from her face.

"You did good Felicia buying me time…" Standing tall over Felicia, a recovered Joe looked up at Pyron and pointed. "This is it! I will end this!" Smirking and folding his arms, Pyron stared down at the human. I've seen your best and am not impressed. But if you want to die, then come on!

To Be Continued!

Trailer for next time…

With the reserves of fighters thinned down, a once promising feline comeback thwarted, and with no hope in sight… Joe soldiers on.

Next time… Episode Nine: Final Attack: RAGING CHAOS!

Pyron: Let us see who shall be victorious!

AN: To those who are still reading/just finding this story, I thank you. I do realize these last two chapters are on the short end and may seem rushed... but I'm getting back into the writing sense.

Just a couple of warnings/teasers:

1. Yes, we will be seeing the end of the "Pyron Arc" and move into the Makai World soon.
2. If you are not someone who likes to do background research on the different Darkstalkers, I advise to do so... because there will be some HEAVY referencing in future chapters.
3. After careful thought... I said screw it and ALL 20 Darkstalkers will be appearing in some form in this story. That's right, Bishamon/Q-Bee/Bigfoot and yes even some SECRET characters will appear.