Part 26: Tests and Judgments
The Guardian Knight, The First and Last Knight, the Master of Balance; these were some of the titles and names held by the Knight of Libra himself, Zodiac Knight Libra.
The 8 Zodiac Knights stood stunned against the presence of the Guardian. ARMS, Aqua, Mortuary and Scizzors knew nothing about the First Knight; however, this could not be said about Draco, Pluto, Shadowcobra and Copycat. They had heard of Libra and Draco, Pluto and Shadowcobra also witnessed the power of Libra. He could go toe to toe with a Death Knight without breaking a sweat and it could be correctly assumed that he could beat all of them with his hands tied behind his back and blindfolded.
Now, he was here and he was going to test them. Would they succeed?
…?
Even I do not know that and I'm the bloody writer!
Tapping his staff on the ground, Libra stood regally with his cape hanging down from his shoulders. His green eyes scanned each and every one of the Knights before him. Compared to him, they were mere children.
"I am Zodiac Knight Libra, the First and Last Knight and Guardian. It is my solemn duty to fight the last Knight standing. The one who defeats me shall receive unimaginable power." He then said, "Ready?' Libra said in a calm voice. He then, with a swing of his staff, sent all of the Knights flying. They slammed into the trees with a hard thump.
ARMS picked himself up and glared. He drew his gun. "I'll show you…" he growled. He drew a card. Copycat saw this and yelled out.
"ARMS! Don't!" However, her warning came to deaf ears.
"Final Vent!" Like before , Gigataurus rose up from the ground and positioned itself in front of the Knight of Taurus. Placing the barrel of his gun in the monster's back, the robotic minotaur revealed its weapons, aimed straight at Libra who did not seem to make a move to run. "Sayonara, sucker," ARMS said smugly before pulling the trigger. "END OF THE WORLD!" Gigataurus let loose all its ammunition at Libra, making it look like WW3. The other Knights took cover. Coincidentally, Draco and Copycat ended up behind the same bush.
"Tell me again why the heck you have this trigger happy psycho on your team!" he asked his evil twin sister.
"It seemed like a good idea at the time!" she retorted, placing her hands on her head as a means to protect herself.
The blasts smashed into Libra and blew up, creating a massive explosion. ARMS smirked. He had defeated Libra. "Hah! There's your test!" he laughed.
He had defeated Libra.
Or did he?
The smoke subsided and in the centre of a crater was none other than Libra, holding his Xuanwu Shield Guard Vent and perfectly unharmed. ARMS looked shocked at this.
"No…way…" ARMS gasped. How was that possible? His Final Vent should've blown him to bits. It should have if Libra was an ordinary Zodiac Knight, which he wasn't.
Libra dropped the shield and floated out of the crater. He dusted off his armor. He didn't seem to be fazed at all by ARMS' End of the World Final Vent. ARMS, in his rage, ran at Libra with his gun drawn. Copycat would've warned him not to, but sadly, ARMS was just too stubborn.
ARMS shot at Libra rapidly and the bullets flew towards him. Libra merely raised his hand and like Neo from the Matrix stopped the bullets in mid-air before sending them back at ARMS. The bullets smashed into ARMS and sparks flew where they hit his armor. ARMS, however, kept going and threw punches at Libra. Libra effortlessly dodged each one.
"My turn," Libra said before tapping his finger gently on ARMS' chestplate. This wouldn't have done so much damage, but this was a god we're talking about here. That single tap blew ARMS away and sent him flying through several trees before he smashed into a nearby mountain, hard, leaving a sizable imprint of his body before he fell flat on his face. The other Knights' jaws dropped.
Copycat slapped herself in the face. "I knew that would happen," she murmured.
"Now then," Libra said, crossing his arms, "Would anyone else like to try their luck?"
Why was Libra doing this? Wasn't he their, the Titans, ally?
No, he was a god and he was just doing his job.
Was it a good idea to fight Libra? Wouldn't escaping be better? There was no shame in running, right? I mean, "Those who fight and runs away, lives to fight another day."
Actually, that was not an option. Why?
"And don't think of running off," Libra said. "Until you defeat me, there's no escape." He teleported and smashed his fist into Pluto, sending him reeling. He did the same to Shadowcobra and Scizzors. They barely saw him move and he was on them before they knew it. "So, what's it going to be?" Shadowcobra picked himself up and summoned his staff, Pluto drew his sword, Copycat drew her whip, Aqua drew her fans, ARMS (who had returned) drew his gun, Scizzors got ready with his shears, Mortuary's hands glowed with necroplasm and Draco'sDragblade popped out of his gauntlet. Libra admired, "I see…well now. Let your judgment begin."
"ZODIAC TITANS! CHARGE!" Shadowcobra commanded.
"TARTARUS! SEND HIM TO HELL!" Copycat ordered.
Pluto slashed down his sword, but Libra side stepped it and kicked Pluto away. Shadowcobra jabbed at Libra who stepped back a bit before ducking under a swing before punching Shadowcobra in the gut. Scizzors and Aqua slashed at Libra with their weapons, but he effortlessly blocked with his gauntlets before sending them flying with a telekinetic blast. Mortuary blasted at Libra with necroplasm, but the blasts were blocked by Libra who sent them back at Mortuary. ARMS tried his luck again only to be kicked into the air, screaming. Draco and Copycat attached together. He used his Dragblade while Copycat used her whip and lashed out at Libra. Libra grabbed the whip and blade in his hands. The twins tried to pull back, but Libra's grip was strong.
Libra then let go and the twins tumbled to the ground.
"He's too strong!" Draco said.
"Thank you, Mr. Obvious!" Copycat snapped sarcastically. "Now what?"
"Got any ideas?"
"No."
"Damn. Then we just have to attack him until he tires."
"You mean, if he tires."
"Yes." Draco paused, "We're so screwed."
"Gee, you think?"
Libra yawned and leaned on his staff. "Could you please hurry up? I have an appointment after this and I mustn't keep that person waiting."
"Well, he has to wait longer, doesn't he?" Shadowcobra said as the shadows danced around him. "PLUTO! NOW!" Shadow sent several shadow claws at Libra.
"GOTCHA! EAT LIGHTNING!" Pluto fired several lightning bolts at Libra.
"Not even close," Libra said as he jumped into the air.
"Oh, damn," Pluto said before the shadow claws caught him.
"Bloody hell," Shadowcobra moaned as the lightning shocked him. "Watch where you're blasting!" he yelled out at Pluto.
"Me?" Pluto pointed to himself. "You missed too!" he pointed accusingly at Shadowcobra. They then began arguing and calling each other names.
Draco sweatdropped at this. "Well then," he turned to his sister. "Looks like it's just you and me, huh?"
"You first," she said.
"Okay then. Time to test out this new armor." He drew a card and slid it into his Dragauntlet. "Add Vent!" Dragonzer was summoned. Here I go!" his body glowed red. "ARMOR SHIFT!" Draco shouted as Dragonzer blew flames at him. His black, silver and red armor glowed and began to change, much to the surprise of the other Knights, including Copycat.
"What's going on?" she asked, but no one could answer.
"Bright Flame Form!" Draco announced as his armor had reverted to its original red and silver color. The green eyepieces flashed on his faceplate as the Dragblade popped out of his Dragauntlet. "Let's get ready to rumble!" he then roared and ran at Libra with all his might.
"Weak," was all Libra said before raising his hand just as Draco struck down with his blade. Libra caught the Dragblade, much to Draco's surprise, and kicked him hard in the gut; sending him flying. Draco did a flip and landed in a crouching position. "Is that all?" Libra asked. "I expected more from the Knight who held the most Zodiac Beasts."
"That's not all!" Draco placed his hand onto the ground and several stone spikes erupted from the ground and around Libra. The Guardian Knight harmlessly leapt away. "Gotcha!"Draco focused and sent the spikes flying at Libra.
"What?" Libra's eyes widened as he crossed his arms to guard his body. His cape got caught by the spikes and was torn to tatters. Draco smiled, but Libra said, "So, you know how to control an element besides fire. Very impressive." Libra's body glowed blue, "BUT TRY THIS! ELEMENTAL FORCE OF WIND!" he extended his hand and conjured a massive whirlwind. Draco did not foresee this and was sucked in by the vortex.
"DRACO!" Pluto barked and spread out his wings, but was stopped by Shadow who placed his hand on his shoulder. "Let me go, Shadow!"
"You shouldn't charge in like that. It's foolhardy!" Shadow told him. "You might end up sucked in like Draco.
"Then what do you want me to do, huh?" Pluto retorted. Shadow could not reply.
The whirlwind dispersed and Draco fell to the ground. Was he still conscious?
His green eyes flashed as he shouted again, "ARMOR SHIFT!" this time, Dragblacker flew and gave Draco his power. Draco's armor then changed into a black and blue suit. His eyepieces were hidden under the faceplate and visor and the only clue to their existence was the red glow under his visor. "Dark Ice Form!" he announced as he landed on Dragblacker's back. The black dragon's red eyes glowed before firing ice blasts at Libra. The Libran Knight effortlessly dodged the blasts by warping away as the blasts came close. The last one went straight for him, but he absorbed it into his hand. Draco's eyes narrowed and Dragblacker growled. Dragonzer also flew close by.
"I see you can change your armor. This must be a side effect from drawing power from two dragons; a red dragon of light and fire…" Dragonzer roared. "And a black dragon of darkness and ice." Dragblacker roared. "Well now, isn't this interesting."
Draco's armor shifted back to its normal form. "Interesting? You think this is a game?"
"A part of me does. You see, I came to test you out and so far you're the only one who has come close to even impressing me. Congratulations."
Draco felt his anger rise and his eyes glowed white. He was about to change into his Orphenoch form. Taking in a deep breath, he calmed down before drawing a card and sliding it into his gauntlet. "Trick Vent!" Activating his Multiply Trick Vent, 6 more Dracos, wearing identical armors, appeared around Libra. They then said at the same time. "I'm not here to impress you. Just beat you."
"Let's see you try," Libra dared. He watched as the Dracos drew their cards and slid them into their Dragauntlets.
"ADD VENT!"
The cards called forth the rest of Draco's Zodiac Beasts; Razorclaw the black lion, Wildcat the tiger, Overbite the red shark, Hardhead the buffalo and Brainstorm the blue condor. The Beasts were flying thanks to their Knight's power. The individual Dracos rode upon their individual beasts and looked ready for battle.
"ATTACK!" Draco shouted as he, his duplicates, and his beasts attacked Libra simultaneously. However, they ended up crashing into one another when Libra warped away. Draco fell to the ground, but landed safely. Libra floated down after him.
"Is that the best you got?" Libra said.
"No," Draco said as he called his Zodiac Beasts back into their cards. He drew a card and slid it into his gauntlet. "XL-Vent!"
Shadowcobra, Pluto and Copycat saw this and did the same, sliding the XL-Vent cards into their readers. "XL-Vent!" ARMS, Aqua, Scizzors and Mortuary prepared to fight. Copycat's Excel Suit was now white with blue patterns that were similar to her brother's.
They drew their Final Vents, minus ARMS, and activated them all simultaneously.
"FINAL VENT!"
"DRAGON COMBUSTION KICK!"
"DEADLY IMMORTAL'S DRILL!"
"GENOCIDE CRASH!"
"DARK NOVA CRASH!"
"SCISSOR CLAW ATTACK!"
"TORRENTIAL TERROR!"
"CALL OF THE HERD!" Mortuary's Final Vent was executed by the summoning of his herd of Gazelle type monsters. The 4 Gazelles attacked in unison, performing acrobatic punches and kicks. Mortuary finished up by jumping at Libra and slamming his knee as hard as he could in Libra's faceplate.
The Final Vents struck Libra simultaneously. However, the results were not as expected. Libra was still unfazed and undamaged.
"What the…?" Mortuary said with shock.
"Not even a scratch," Aqua added.
Libra yawned, "Is that the best you got? Although I'd like to battle you all, the 4 of you aren't my main concern," Libra said and with a wave of his hand, ARMS, Aqua, Scizzors and Mortuary vanished.
At seeing Aqua disappear, Copycat shouted accusingly, "What have you done to them?"
Libra said calmly, "Don't worry yourself, Cat. They are safely outside of the Mirror Dimension. Now, I can focus on you." The 4 Knights activated their Excel Gear. Pluto was armed with the DOG-Katana, Shadowcobra was armed with the SNK-Gunblade, Draco was armed with the DRA-Blaster and Copycat was armed with the CAT-Tonfa.
"Attack!" Shadowcobra shouted as he slashed at Libra, who blocked with the blades on his gauntlets. Pluto swung with his sword, but Libra warped away, causing Pluto to slash Shadowcobra instead. Draco fired with his DRA-Blaster, but the blasts were defelcted when Libra spun his staff around. Copycat slashed and stabbed with her tonfa blades, but they were parried by the staff before he countered with a leg sweep.
"He's toying with us," Shadowcobra hissed.
"Well, duh," Pluto said.
"We got to give him all we got!" Draco said.
"Well, let's make mincemeat out of him," Copycat agreed.
Libra thought, 'My children hate each other, but will work together for a common goal. There might be hope for them yet.'
At this time, Shadowcobra activated his cards. "Fusion Vent!" His monsters combined to form Genocide. "Final Vent!" he ran at Libra and smashed his feet into the Knight with a drill kick. Libra was sent flying into the vortex in Genocide's chest. However, Libra was not beaten. Drawing a card, he slid it into his staff.
"Add Vent!" A blue Chinese dragon roared and slammed into Genocide, causing the composite beast to fall. Libra landed harmlessly on the ground.
"Now!" Shadowcobra shouted, activating the SNK-Double Scope as Pluto activated the DOG-Torch. They leapt into the air.
"Excel Charge!"
The purple and blue energy drills slammed into Libra, but Libra smacked the drills and the Snake and Dog Knight away. Draco fired his own energy drill, but Libra warped away. He ended up in the air.
"Say hello to my little friends!" Copycat exclaimed before muttering to herself, "I've been hanging around ARMS too long." She was armed with the CAT-Sky Attacker and opened fire with lasers, photon blasts and missiles. Libra flew out of the smoke cloud and sent Copycat falling towards the ground with a well aimed kick.
"I gotcha!" Draco said as he caught his sister.
"Thanks," she muttered. "Now, let go!" he did so.
Libra went on the offensive and began to attack the Knights at warp speed. This forced them, except Copycat, to activate…
"CLOCK UP!"
Moving at hyper speed, the Knights attacked the Guardian with all their might. However, Libra fought the three of them effortlessly and skillfully. A powerful blow to each one of them sent them flying and caused Clock Up to power down.
"CLOCK OVER!"
"Well then, I see you 4 are more than I bargained for," Libra said to them. "But I am yet to be impressed."
"Well then, let's impress ya!" Pluto drew out his Survivor Card and slid it into his scabbard. "SURVIVE!" he transformed to Survivor Mode. Drawing his sword, he leapt into the air. His batwings spread out.
"He has the right idea," Shadowcobra drew his own Survivor Card and slid it into his staff. "SURVIVE!"
Draco did the same as he slid his Survivor Card into his Dragblaster. "SURVIVE!" his Survivor Mode armor was still the same, except with the grilled visor having golden edges, the red eyepieces underneath and a pair of golden antennae.
Copycat watched her brother with envy. She didn't have a Survivor Card, so she had to rely on her Sky Attacker's capabilities…for now at least.
Pluto flew at Libra, whoa activated his card, "Sword Vent!" the Zhuqiao Blades were summoned and Libra blocked Pluto's sword with his claymores. Shadowcobra to his chance and slashed down with the blades of his staff. Sparks flew from the impact, but Libra smashed Shadow away with Pluto. Draco fired with both the DRA-Blaster and Dragblaster, but Libra deflected them with his claymores. Copycat opened fire, but her target warped away and then behind her. To her surprise, he slashed her Sky Attacker to pieces. She remained in the air by mimicking the flight powers of her brother as flames shot out of her feet.
"NOW!" Shadowcobra shouted as he, Pluto and Draco blasted Libra with shadows, lightning and fire. Libra's was sent crashing towards the ground. He flipped onto his back to see the Knights upon him again.
"SURIVOR FINAL VENT!"
"DARK TORPEDO!"
"DRAGON METEOR FIRESTORM!"
"VENOMOUS TAKEDOWN!" Genosnaker transformed into Venosnaker and like Dragonrizer and Darkraider transformed into a motorcycle form. Shadow leapt upon his motorized monster and zoomed towards the target.
Libra only stood stationary as the Survivor Final Vents hit him. He thought back to the conversation he had with Fuji.
(Flashback…)
"You want me to judge them?' Libra asked his friend. "Now?"
"It is to see if they are the worthy for the challenges ahead," Fuji said as he handed four cards to Libra. "Cyclops already finished the Legend Cards. Here."
Libra took the cards and looked at them. The cards depicted the four Holy Saint Beasts: Seiryu, Suzaku, Genbu and Byakko. These were the Legend Cards that were to be given to "The Four". "So, all I have to do is test them?"
"Yes?"
"Why me?"
"Because you're the First and Last Knight, the Guardian."
"Alright then." Libra sighed. "But you know that The Four must protect The One, right?"
"Yes, and I hope you choose right."
"What if I choose wrong?' Libra said with a bit of uncertainty.
"You won't my friend."
(End Flashback…)
There was a huge explosion. However, instead of Libra being sent flying, it was the Knights as they flew out of the fire and smoke cloud before their Survivor Armors shattered as they fell upon the ground. Libra just looked totally unharmed. How tough was this guy?
Copycat saw this and gasped. Libra had survived, no pun intended, the Final Vents of three Survivor Mode Knights. 'Maybe fighting him wasn't such a hot idea…'
Libra just sat on a stump and yawned. "Is that the best you got?" he taunted. "I've seen better. Your predecessors were more of a challenge. You're not even close."
"This isn't over…" Shadowcobra said as he balanced on his staff. Pluto and Draco slowly got back to their feet as well. They drew their cards simultaneously and struck luck
The Evolution cards.
They slid the Evolution cards into their readers and simultaneously activated them.
"EVOLUTION!" Cards were flying around before fusing with their owners.
"DRACO EMPEROR MODE!"
"PLUTO CYBER MODE!"
"SHADOWCOBRA VAMPANGEL MODE!"
Libra quirked an eyebrow under his mask and looked amused. "Well now," he said, getting up. "Maybe you three are a challenge after all."
The Knights didn't reply and attacked. Draco swung down with his Emperor Dragon Sword, Pluto's arms changed into an electric sword and cannon, and Shadowcobra's hands glowed with darkness and light.
"ULTIMATE DRAGON SLASH!" Draco roared.
"ELECTRO SLASH AND SHOT!" Pluto howled.
"DARKNESS AND LIGHT!" Shadowcobra hissed.
They unleashed their attacks, but Libra had his own.
"SAINT BEASTS REPEL THE ENEMY!" Libra raised his staff and the beast ornaments flashed, firing energy blasts at his assailants. They were thrown back and shocked out of their armors, leaving them in human form and unconscious. They were also badly injured. With a tap of his staff, he teleported them away to safety before sighing. He noticed Copycat who was shaking. "You should go. Your friends are waiting for you." And with that, he warped away.
Copycat fell on her knees, distraught. She had thought her brother and his friends as well as the other Knights were her only obstacles. However, she was proven wrong as Libra showed her what true power really was.
How was she going to beat that kind of power on her own and survive?
She got up and went to the nearest portal to get the heck out of the Mirror Dimension. She needed time to think.
She needed…to get…stronger…
New York City…
The Orphenoch that had killed the people on the bus before was in a night club. Teens and youths were just having fun, dancing to the music within the dark space. Lights flickered. Bodies gyrated and shook to the music. He stepped in front of the DJ, his back facing the DJ. Again, like before, he took out a paper crane and set it on fire before dropping it.
He changed into his Orphenoch form. He was seen much clearly in his Orphenoch form now. Spikes jutted from his legs and arms and there was what looked like a mixture between messy hair and webbing on his head. His face looked like the white silhouette of a spider upon a black background. One black cycloptic eye was set in the centre of his face.
In this form he was known as the Spider Orphenoch.
Like before, on the bus, he began killing people. He threw them around, broke their necks and did everything and anything he could to take their lives. No one would escape his rampage, everyone was his target. To him, all humans would die and deserved death. He didn't care. He loved to kill.
He stepped out of the night club as the paper crane burnt to a crisp, signifying the end of the massacre.
In the Ghost Zone, or to be more specific Clockwork's Tower, the wise old Ghost Master of Time was having a game of chess over a cup of tea with none other than Libra himself.
Clockwork shifted into a baby form as he watched the various Time Screens. "I saw what you did, Libra," he told the Guardian Knight.
"It's completely impossible to hide a thing from you, is it?" Libra said as he moved a chess piece. Clockwork moved a piece in response.
"Checkmate." Libra groaned. Clockwork laughed as he shifted to his adult form.
"Even all this time I still can't get the hang of chess."
"It takes years of practice, my friend."
"Not all of us have ALL the time in the world, Clockwork-sama," Libra joked lightly.
Clockwork smiled as he ran a hand through his beard in his old man form. "You didn't use all your power that time, did you?"
Libra smiled. "If I did use ALL of my power, I could've killed them. I barely used even 5 percent." He took a sip of his tea. Clockwork nodded.
"Of course, I know you care about your children and…" Clockwork began.
Libra sighed. "Clockwork-sama, right now I can't let my personal feelings impair my judgment. I have to become an unbiased judge, even to my own son and daughter."
"I understand." Clockwork nodded.
"Another game then?" Libra set up the chess pieces telekinetically.
"I'll just beat you again," Clockwork said.
"There's always a first time, Clockwork-sama," Libra replied. "Let's play."
To Be Continued…
So, how was THAT? Well, this took awhile to write.