Previously on Doerai: Dawn of the Darkness...
"NICK!!!!" Akemi exclaimed. "LET HIM GO, YOU LAVA FREAK!!!"
The Dragoon shook his head. "I don't think so. This boy is mine."
In response to this, the Dragoon's grip on Nick tightened, as if ready to squeeze the life out of him.
Nick, however, simply grinned and shut his eyes. The seven Majokai Crystals appeared around him.
"What?!" the Dragoon exclaimed, still tightening its grip on Nick, but it was not to be, as the instant Nick disappeared from sight in the Dragoon's fist, golden energy exploded outwards, crumbling the Dragoon's hand and showing that Nick had taken the opportunity to transform into his super form, his golden hair flowing in the aura surrounding him.
Not wasting a single second, Nick flew forward, surrounding himself with energy as he crashed straight through the Dragoon's chest, flying around to where the Dragoon couldn't reach him.
"You are beginning to annoy me, boy," the Dragoon stated.
"Yeah, yeah, tell it to someone who cares!!" Nick shot back, focusing his energy.
All of a sudden, back down on solid ground, Torikki hopped out of Hitomi's arms and rushed towards the Dragoon.
"Torikki-kun, WAIT!!!" Hitomi exclaimed, fearing for her tanuki's safety.
Torikki stopped just short of the lava flows the Dragoon had appeared from, glowing with a ruby red light.
"Torikki-kun?"
"Phoenix Ring!!!" Torikki exclaimed, a red ring of energy shooting towards the Dragoon and knocking it off balance.
"Go for it, kid!!" Torikki exclaimed. Nick nodded, taking this chance to fly forward and slam his knee into the Dragoon's face, causing it to stumble forward, dazed.
Akemi was REALLY surprised. "Did Torikki-kun really just do that?"
Hitomi nodded. "I didn't even know he could do that..."
"All right, time to end this!!" Nick exclaimed, charging up an Ojamajo Arrow of Light that would hopefully end the battle quickly.
However, before Nick could launch his attack, the Dragoon dipped his destroyed hand into the lava, thus reforming it, and reached out to grab both Akemi and Utau in its grasp.
Before Nick could make a move to stop the Dragoon, it only tightened its grip on the two girls.
"I want you to make a choice, kid. Which do I kill? Your daughter? Or your little lover?"
"YOU JERK!!!" Hitomi exclaimed, ready to shoot off a Phoenix Flare.
"Ah, ah. No tricks or I kill them both. So which one is it going to be?"
Nick could only float there, not sure what to do.
(Footage: As the opening begins, we can see a crystal-colored bird flying across the screen.)
Habata itara modoranai to ittte
(You say if you could fly, you would never come back)
(Footage: Nick and Akemi can be seen walking towards the beach, staring towards the sun.)
Mezashita no wa aoi, aoi ano sora
(You aimed for that blue, blue sky)
(Footage: Akemi smiles brightly, leading Nick to do the same. During the instrumental, we pan into the sky as the Doerai: Dawn of the Darkness logo appears on the screen.)
"Kanashimi" wa mada oboerarezu "setsunasa" wa ima tsukami hajimeta
(You've yet to remember "sadness", just now began to grasp "pain")
(Footage: Yuki and Doremi can be seen strolling down the city streets, just happy to be with each other.)
Anata e to daku kono kanjou mo ima "kotoba" ni kawatte iku
(Even the feelings I held onto for you are just now turning into words)
(Footage: Something knocks Doremi to the ground, and Yuki spins around, only to gasp in shock at what she sees.)
Michi naru sekai no yume kara mezamete
(As you awaken from the dream of an unknown world)
(Footage: A tanuki hops off of a nearby building, crossing great distances with very little effort, as if it's looking for someone...)
Kono hane wo hiroge tobitatsu
(Spread your wings and take off)
(Footage: The tanuki sees something and its face lights up. It charges forward, hopping into the arms of a girl. We can't see her features, as her upper half is obscured by the camera.)
Habata itara modoranai to ittte
(You say if you could fly, you would never come back)
(Footage: Nick and Akemi hop away from an energy attack, both holding each other's hands. They stare at each other for a second and nod.)
Mezashita no wa aoi, aoi ano sora
(You aimed for that blue, blue sky)
(Footage: A quick flash of the mysterious girl, then cut back to Nick and Akemi, both glowing with a powerful aura. After about a second, they thrust their hands forward and perform the Double Ojamajo Sparkle Screw, the silver beam of light blinding the screen.)
Tsukinuketara mitsukaru to shitte
(If you break through, you know you'll find it)
(Footage: Yuki pulls Doremi close to her to avoid a barrage of dark energy beams, nodding to the pink witch. The two join hands and begin chanting.)
Furikiru hodo aoi, aoi ano sora
(So try until you break free to that blue, blue sky)
(Footage: A quick flash of another mysterious girl, this one holding a microphone, then cut back to Yuki and Doremi, who thrust their hands into the sky to perform the Double Ojamajo Rewritten Masquerade, the massive collection of energy once again blinding the camera.)
Aoi, aoi ano sora
(That blue, blue sky)
(Footage: Quick flashes of the rest of the Ojamajos in spirit form.)
Aoi, aoi ano sora
(That blue, blue sky)
(Footage: A very familiar pair of blood-red eyes opens, the light covering the screen. When the light clears, we cut to Nick and Akemi at the beach, only this time, they're joined by Yuki and Doremi. Both couples are smiling brightly as the summer sun shines down on them.)
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(Even in the brightest light, there is always a little bit of darkness.)
YukiShinoya444 and S.P.D. Gold Ranger present:
Doerai: Dawn of the Darkness
Story Created: November 9th, 2008
Summary: AU. In the end, there is only a new beginning. The story continues as Nick and his friends go through another set of experiences... And what of the others?
On Today's Episode: With an ultimatum that Nick can't possibly get around, how is he going to stop the Dragoon from killing the two people who mean the most to him? It's a mystery that Hitomi may be able to solve...
Authoress' Notes: This time, I will do the odds and Nick-kun will do the evens! Wai~
Disclaimer: ...Shouldn't it be obvious by now we don't own anything? (by S.P.D. Gold Ranger: EXACTLY, Yuki-chan.)
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Phase 11: Emptiness of the Starry Skies (written by YukiShinoya444)
Nick's glance dotted to Utau and then Akemi, trying to desperately decide what he should do.
Hitomi blinked, biting her lip as her eyes darkened with worry.
No way will he be able to make a decision like that!!
Torikki growled. "Damn... Looks like the kid doesn't have much to deal with..."
"Torikki-kun!!" his master gasped, clearly upset. "I don't want ANYONE dead right now!!"
Her tanuki perked up, his eyes glittering.
"Maybe we don't have to let them die..."
"Huh...?"
Hitomi blinked.
"Torikki-kun... Do you got a plan?"
Torikki growled, but it seemed more like a chuckle.
"Of course, mistress."
Hitomi seemed surprised for a few minutes but smiled brightly, her eyes glittering as well.
"That's my Torikki-kun."
Back up in the air, Nick's gaze darted between the two girls again. Akemi's pleading gaze and Utau's obvious fear.
"N-Nick..."
"D-Dad..."
The green witch held his head, still struggling.
No. No. NO!! I ALREADY lost Yuki-chan and Doremi-chan!! Why the hell do I have to go through this, damn it?!
"N-Nick..." Akemi whimpered, biting her lip. "Nick... I want you..."
"I want you to save okaa-san."
"Huh?" Both Nick and Akemi stared at Utau. Their future daughter took a deep breath.
"Otou-san... I'm from the future anyway... So you'll already meet me again... I mean... kill Akemi-chan, and I disappear, too! Isn't it obvious?!"
Utau growled.
"There's no point... in keeping me while you let this thing kill okaa-san!!"
Nick's eyes widened, and the Dragoon suddenly doubled its grasp on Utau, earning her to scream in pain.
"So is this your choice? Who do you want to keep?"
"I... I..." Nick looked around, desperate to find some other way. "I... I'm not going to do that to you Utau-chan..."
Utau's eyes widened in shock. "But... Nick..."
Her sentence was cut off by Akemi's high-pitched scream, the grip on her body obviously tripled.
"AKEMI!!" Nick exclaimed, eyes wide with horror. "LEAVE HER ALONE!! DAMN IT, I don't CARE already! I'd rather die than lose her!!"
"N-Nick..." his girlfriend whimpered weakly, wincing with pain.
The Dragoon simply laughed.
"Sadly, you're not the one to make that choice... And since you can't decide... Maybe I should kill them both..."
"Don't you dare," Nick growled, his aura growing fiercer by the second. "Put them DOWN."
"Huh..."
Suddenly, he let out a roar of agony.
"What the hell?!"
Looking down, he saw Hitomi, beaming with obvious determination.
"I said no tricks!!" he growled. "You'll regret that, Kokoro!!"
However, before he could tighten his grip on either Utau or Akemi, there was a slash and he let out another painful roar.
Nick's gaze darted, and in the next second, Hitomi was gone. He blinked, clearly confused.
"W-What?!"
Then he saw it. Torikki carried Utau over his back while Hitomi carried Akemi. The two landed, setting down the unconsious girls.
"Living up to your name more and more by the day, Torikki-kun," Hitomi teased.
Torikki barked in agreement.
"Hiko-chan!!" Nick exclaimed, quickly landing towards them. "What... What the hell just happened?!"
"Ever the slow one, boy."
"Relax, Nick." Hitomi laughed, using his name. "It's just a little gift me and Torikki-kun have always shared. Aren't you happy I saved the two?"
Nick blinked once furiously, but let out a laugh.
"Yes... YES. Thanks a lot, Hiko-chan."
Torikki growled darkly, getting ready to pounce again.
"AWAY from her. NOW."
"Relax, Torikki-kun." Hitomi rolled her eyes. "Look kid, I only did it because I took pity on ya. So don't get all buddy-buddy with me, okay?"
She winked.
"Understood?"
Nick turned blank, a little confused.
Huh...?
"HEY!!!" the Dragoon roared. "This isn't over yet, you damned brats!!"
"Please..." Nick growled, Hitomi tilting her body to the side.
"5... 4... 3..." the brunette started.
The green witch perked up, completely confused.
"Hiko-chan, why in the world are you counting?"
"GET DOWN!!!" Torikki roared before his master could answer. Without hesistation, Hitomi slammed Nick down to the ground, her light weight a shock.
What the...?
Suddenly there was a boom, and the rocks began falling, covering the Dragoon.
There was one roar, and Torikki growled back.
"Damn... it..."
Hitomi looked up.
"He escaped, didn't he?" she asked innocently.
The tanuki let out a gruff sigh, shaking his head.
"I'm... SO sorry, mistress..."
"Don't worry about it," Hitomi stated, removing herself from Nick. "We all should of known..."
Torikki pawed into the ground. "He'll be back... and we'll be ready..."
His master nodded, smiling.
"Of course we well, Torikki-kun."
"Okay, I'M confused..." Nick groaned, reverting back to his normal form. "So the Dragoon escaped?"
Hitomi just sighed, shrugging.
"Apparently."
"Figures." Nick turned to Akemi and Utau, who were both still out cold. He laughed a bit.
"Utau-chan's going to be so disappointed."
"Don't worry." Hitomi said as she bounced to him. "You should just be glad they're still alive..."
"Yes..." Nick automatically agreed. "Thank you... Hitomi."
Hitomi merely blinked in confusion before flushing a deep crimson.
"You... You're welcome."
Suddenly Nick screamed.
"OUCH!!"
"How many damn times..." Torikki growled, furious beyond belief. "DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU TO KEEP AWAY FROM MY MISTRESS, BOY?!"
"OW!" Nick exclaimed as Torikki bit his hand furiously again. "LET GO YOU LITTLE-"
Hitomi quickly seperated the two.
"Stop it, Torikki-kun! I was just embarassed is all! For the love of me, don't rip his hand off! He still NEEDS that!!" she exclaimed, holding back the angry tanuki. "Torikki-kun... Torikki-kun..."
Her tanuki merely growled.
"Boy needs to learn boundaries..."
"Look whose talking..." Nick growled back, holding up his hand, covered in blood from the tanuki's teeth. "You bite WAY too hard."
Torikki huffed.
"Quite whining, boy. You're really getting on my nerves..."
"That's what you said right before you bit me the first time..."
"Can you blame me?"
"YES!!!"
"DIDN'T I ASK YOU TWO TO FREAKING STOP ALREADY?!" Hitomi exclaimed, finally sick of it.
Nick paused, huffing. "Fine..."
Torikki looked down, still glaring at him.
"...Fine."
"Good, now go wake those two up, Nick."
When Nick nodded, Hitomi finally smiled.
"Great. We got a long way to go."
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"So all that happened? Awww..." Utau moaned. "Well... at least I'm still here... for the time being."
Akemi giggled. "Did you already thank Hiko-chan?"
Nick nodded, just glad that the two seemed to be normal again.
"Yes... Though Torikki-kun didn't let me get that close..."
"Huh..." Utau sighed. "Well, Torikki-kun is just obsessed with Hiko-chan is all... I mean, imagine my surprise when I found out that..."
Suddenly she broke into a stutter.
"Uhhh..."
"What's up, Utau-chan?" Nick asked, a bit confused.
"It's nothing! I meant nothing! Hey, look! We're almost there! Yipee!"
And with that, Utau rushed off.
Nick and Akemi looked at each other, confused.
"What was..."
"...Utau-chan about to say?" Akemi finished for him, blinking in confusion as she shrugged. "Something about Torikki-kun, I think. Right Nick? Hey, Nick? What's with that face?"
Nick's eyelids lowered as he made a "huh" sound.
"It's nothing, Akemi. Just a little... suspicious."
Torikki-kun... What could that tanuki be hiding? Would Hiko-chan know... Or wouldn't she? For some reason... Now I'm a little confused about this... Utau-chan knows, but still... Hmm...
He shook his head.
Can't be anything too bad... right?
"Come on Akemi, let's get going."
Akemi merely nodded as he took her hand, the two of them rushing after Utau.
But, back with Hitomi and Torikki...
"...Mistres...?"
Hitomi looked over, a bit confused.
"Yes, Torikki-kun?"
"It's time... isn't it?" Torikki growled, shuddering a bit.
Hitomi blinked once in confusion but frowned.
"Mistress?"
Hitomi's eyes shifted to a miserable gray. Torikki's heart skip a beat.
"No... Don't be sad... Please, don't... I... I... I just don't want you to be sad, Hitomi."
Hitomi perked up, brightening a little.
"It's been a while since you called me by name..."
"Yes..." He seemed upset. "My apologies, mistress."
"No... I'm happy..." Hitomi smiled sadly, stroking the top of his head.
There was no response other than his suddenly heavy breathing.
"Torikki-kun..."
Hitomi's eyelids lowered and she brushed her lips to her tanuki's furry forehead.
"Don't worry... I promise I'll lift that curse... No matter what I can do..."
She held him close. Torikki's oddly colored eyes were half open and dazed.
"Mistress..."
He shut them, cringing into her shoulder. Hitomi sighed.
"We'll get through this..." she whispered, half to herself. "Torikki-kun, I... I..."
"I promise that we will."
Torikki whimpered softly.
"Oh, mistress Hitomi..."
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Next time:
Phase 12: Through The Rain and Into The Mist
As the heroes' troubles continue... Nick soon realizes the true danger of his situation with the other girls, and especially Torikki, himself. Puzzled, he sets out to solve these mysteries... Maybe even with some help from an unlikely source...