Part 46: Sadness, Kindness and Friendship
" EUREKA!" Pluto exclaimed as he jumped into the living room, holding a disc high up over his head with both hands, "I'VE FINALLY FINISHED IT!"
The other Titans in the room looked at the excited Dog Knight curiously. They were also inwardly worried about what he had cooked up for them since his reputation for being a mad scientist was well known. Cyborg and Beast Boy, who were his most faithful friends, were the first to ask.
"Dude, what did you finish?" Beast Boy asked.
"Yeah, dawg?" Cyborg eyed the silver circular disc within the hands of the Dog Knight of Immortality. "What you got there?"
"And does it have a point?" Raven quipped from her place on the sofa, reading a book with Shadow next to her who snickered/hissed.
"This," Pluto said as he held up the disc, "Is the result of tireless research and programming that I've been working on for the past 3 years and now it's finally finished for all of you to see!"
"Well, what is it?" Robin asked.
"Yes, friend Pluto, tell us what it is!" Starfire urged excitedly.
Blackfire entered the living, having finally caught up with her boyfriend. "Yoshi…" she panted. "Slow down…"
"Sorry, Komi," Pluto apologized. "I didn't think I was running that fast."
"Well, you were," she glared at him with her hands on her hips. "And you're gonna make it up to me later." She gave him a sly smirk. Whatever she had in mind…well, never mind.
Pluto cleared his throat and held up the disc and began his speech, "Friends, Titans, Countrymen…and women! This disc I hold in my hand is the result of all the time, blood and sweat I put into working on a special project I began three years ago before I even met most of you. Back then it had only been a simple idea, but today the finish product is…Better yet, let me show you!" Pluto leapt over the sofa and over to the Gamestation. He slid the disc in and the Titans' TV screen came to life.
Music began to play and the images on the screen were…
The Zodiac Knights, ALL 26 of them, being shown one by one as the music score continued.
The song was Alive A Life (The Theme Song of Masked Rider Ryuki)
The opening credits began with the song as CGI versions of Draco, Pluto and ARMS standing in a triangle showed on the screen followed by CGI Pluto sliding a card into his sword (his Trick Vent) and then multiple CGI Plutos were on the screen performing kicks, stabs and slashes.
It was followed by CGI ARMS sliding his Shoot Vent into his gun and the firing with his shoulder mounted Giga Cannons.
After that, it showed CGI Draco battling with CGI Pluto and then blocking CGI ARMS' bullets before falling on the ground and then getting back up.
It then showed CGI Pluto and CGI ARMS posing with their weapons and CGI Draco blasting at the camera with his Dragon Flame Cannon.
CGI Shadowcobra was finally shown in his armored glory and threw away his staff before charging at Draco like when he started his Genocide Crash Final Vent. CGI Draco slid his Final Vent card into his Dragauntlet and then performed his Dragon Combustion Kick. The scene faded showing the other Knights and then the title…
As soon as the opening credits were done the Titans stared at the screen where the title "ZODIAC KNIGHTS BATTLE ROYALE" was displayed on the screen. Pluto stood in front of them all, grinning.
"So, what do you think?" Pluto asked everyone who looked at the screen in a mixture of curiosity and disbelief.
"A videogame?" Terra asked incredulously. "You spent three years creating a videogame about the Zodiac Knights?"
"It wasn't that easy, alright!" Pluto shot back.
Shadow was angered, "And why is ARMS featured more prominently with you two," he pointed at Pluto and Draco before pointing at himself, "And not ME? Why was I featured close to the end?"
"I thought ARMS looked cooler," Pluto radmitted and Shadow hissed angrily. "What? I did put you in, didn't I?"
"Friend Pluto, this is simply amazing!" Starfire said.
"I was right," Raven said, "It was pointless." She went back to reading her book.
Mortuary looked at the screen curiously as it featured a demo fight between CGI Striker and himself. The CGI version of his armored self was winning. "It looks fun."
"Pluto, were you planning on marketing this?" Shadow asked the Dog Knight suspiciously.
"As a matter of fact, I was," Pluto confessed. "I mean, think about it; a videogame based on the Zodiac Knights' battles. The special effects, the graphics…think about it, really!"
"You were planning on making money for yourself," Shadow stated with an even tone and narrowed eyes.
"Yes, yes I was," Pluto admitted.
Draco stared at the game again and then turned to his friends. He then saw a CGI version of Jawz fighting against Façade (or was it Mirage? He couldn't tell due to the identical armors). Jinx noticed the way he was looking at Jawz and understood.
"I think this is a good way to honor the fallen Knights," Draco said with a smile.
"Really?" Pluto placed a hand on Draco's shoulder. "I knew you'd like it."
"I do," Draco nodded. He saw Jawz winning on screen and smiled. Tazuka would live on…even in videogames.
Cyborg, Beast Boy and Renia were fighting over the controls of the Gamestation. That was when Shadowcobra pulled out his Gunblade and shot at the ceiling.
BANG!
That shut the three up.
He turned to Pluto, "Alright, you can have this mass produced…"
"Really? That's great-" Pluto began but was interrupted.
"…As long as Smart Brain receives part of the profits made. You'll be marketing this game under Smart Brain's brand so that means we need to negotiate, Pluto."
Pluto thought about it and shrugged. "Good enough for me."
Beast Boy and Cyborg both picked up controllers and the character screen showed up. Cyborg chose Pluto while Beast Boy chose Draco.
The two CGI Knights appeared on the screen, facing each other on a 3D area that looked a lot like the middle of Jump City. Also displayed in the left and right corners of the screen, under the two Knights, were their cards.
Pluto explained, "The battle system also uses our Vent cards. Activate them using the square button. (I imagine the Gamestation's controllers have buttons like on a Playstation.) Go ahead, try it."
Cyborg and Beast Boy did as instructed and activated the cards.
"Shoot Vent!"
"Sword Vent!"
The Dragon Flame Cannon appeared on CGI Draco's hand and the Wing Lancer appeared in CGI Pluto's hands. Cyborg and Beast Boy then had the CGI Knights fight. Beast Boy has CGI Draco blast at CGI Pluto but Cyborg made sure to block with the lance.
"Pluto, dawg," Cyborg said, smiling widely, "This game is the bomb!"
"No kidding!" Beast Boy added. "You da man!"
"Thank you, thank you," Pluto said proudly. "I try my best." Raven and Shadow rolled their eyes.
When CGI Draco's life bar was low enough, the music changed and then a card glowed on CGI Pluto's side. It was one of his Final Vent cards. Cyborg pressed the square button again to activate it.
"Final Vent!"
CGI Draco got finished off by the Immortal's Deadly Drill and exploded. Beast Boy cried, "Hey, no fair!"
"You lose, sucka!" Cyborg cheered as he did his victory dance.
Draco was a bit unnerved at the realism and Jinx noticed this. "What is it, baby?" she asked.
Draco shook his head, "It's nothing." He watched the screen again and then, to his horror, he saw CGI Jawz going up against…CGI Scorpios. Shadow hissed. This was not good.
"Guys, I don't think you should be playing those characters," Pluto said to Cyborg and Beast Boy, warningly. Cyborg took advantage of Beast Boy's destraction (he was controlling CGI Scorpios) and activated Final Vent.
"Final Vent!"
Draco's eyes widened under his mask as he watched CGI Scorpios finish off CGI Jawz with the same attack he had seen Scorpios use on the real Jawz which resulted in his death.
"I…need to go," Draco said hastily as he turned to leave. Brimstone was hot on his heals. Jinx then glared at Beast Boy and Cyborg, who were sitting on the sofa, and hexed it, causing the sofa to collapse under them. She then went to follow her boyfriend.
Beast Boy and Cyborg looked confused. "What? What did we do?" Beast Boy asked.
Shadow reminded, "Don't you two idiots remember that Draco said Jawz was killed?" he pointed at the screen, "THAT was how he died!"
Cyborg said, "Woah…" he looked guilty, "I feel like a pile of scrap."
"Man, how could we be so insensitive?" Beast Boy said shamefully.
Shadow said to Pluto, "I think you made the game a little too realistic, Takada."
Pluto sighed, "Guess we can't sell it now, huh?"
Shadow was silent. The look on his face was saying, "Figure it out for yourself."
Draco was sitting on the roof, thinking. Jinx sat down next to him and asked, "You okay?"
He sighed. "I will be. I just need some time alone, that's all."
"They shouldn't have played those characters, baby," Jinx said comfortingly.
"No, it wasn't their fault. It was just a game. But…to see it happen all over again…" he placed his hand to his chest. "It hurts."
"Was that how I happened?" Jinx asked. "That attack killed Tazuka?" He nodded.
"Hai, it did." He added, "That attack was originally meant for me but then Tazuka pushed me out of the way and…" He shut his eyes as tears fell. "He saved my life, Jinxy-chan, and yet I wasn't able to protect him." He hugged her and she rubbed his back soothingly.
"He was only trying to protect you, baby," she said, trying to comfort him.
"Demo…"
"Hush now," she said.
They let go of each other and he wiped his tears. He was smiling again before he commented, "You know, Tazuka gave me these goggles," while tapping on said goggles.
"Really? I didn't know that."
"Hai, they were a birthday present from him," He said. Draco looked at the sky. "It's such a beautiful day."
"Wanna go out?" she suggested.
"That would be nice, but may I do it alone?" he said. Jinx frowned "I need some time to myself, Jinxy-chan"
"Oh," Jinx looked a little disappointed but understood why he needed to be alone. "If that's what you want." He then kissed her.
"Jinxy-chan, please don't frown," he smiled, "You look prettier with a smile on your face." She blushed at his compliment and giggled. "I promise you to take you out later tonight, okay?"
"Okay. It's a date."
"Hai."
They shared one last kiss.
Occultus was in his office, thinking/planning/scheming. All of his attempts to convert the young Ifrit Orphenoch (Ryuki Hasuma/Draco) had proved to be failures. The young boy was still pretty much delusional and held on to his beliefs that he was human. What was so good about being a weak and pathetic human? They were all weak and useless. Orphenochs, however, were the true masters of the Earth, the peak of human evolution, and Occultus would see that Orphenochs would walk the Earth as its masters, reducing the humans to extinction.
Occultus was not an Orphenoch, but he didn't see himself as human either. No, he was above both humans and Orphenochs. He had experimented on himself to accelerate his evolution and not only was he able to retain his human form, but also gain the powers of the Orphenochs. The power ran through his veins…it was magnificent.
Soon, his master plan would be implemented and nothing, not even those so-called heroes, would be able to stop him. He would awaken the Orphenoch King and gain control over the Earth and then…THE UNIVERSE!
He laughed manically to himself until he heard a knock at his door.
"Come in," he said, politely, sitting at his desk with his hands clasped together and composing himself. The door opened and the person came walking in. She was female. "Take a seat and welcome to my office, Crane. You do know why I've called you, don't you?"
"No, Master Occultus," Crane said timidly, shaking in her seat. "I do not know why you asked for me, Master."
"I have an important mission for you, my dear," he said to her with a smile. Crane then listened to what Occultus had to say about her mission.
"Fetch, boy!" Ryuki shouted out as he threw the Frisbee and his dog, Brimstone, caught the object in his jaws. Brimstone then ran over to Ryuki, returning the Frisbee. "Good boy!" he petted the dog and Brimstone licked his hand.
Ryuki was in the park with Brimstone. Jinx wasn't around to accompany him since he said that wanted to be alone today. It was Sunday and a lot of people were at the park hanging out with friends and family. He ran his hand through his red and braided hair and looked up at the sun.
Using his SB watch's image inducer, Ryuki was now in disguise and looking as he was before he cut and dyed his hair. The holographic braid hung down his back like it was real and he was dressed in a red shirt with blue jeans and red sneakers.
Ever since facing his evil future self, Ryuga, Ryuki kept thinking about his possible future and his role as a Zodiac Knight. Libra had told him that his future was his alone to create and could not be considered 'carved in stone' because of Ryuga's words and existence; that all had been erased. Yet, he still feared for himself and his friends. That monster was him in every way, just evil and heartless without an ounce of humanity left within him. He shuddered to think that that would be his future, but as long as his friends were with him…
He looked down to see Brimstone, wearing his holographic Doberman disguise, looking up to him and wagging his tail. Ryuki kneeled down and scratched his pet dog's ears. The dog licked his face in appreciation before Ryuki said, "Fetch!" and threw the Frisbee again for Brimstone to chase after and catch. He watched as his dog dashed after the circular object, jumped up, and caught it within his jaws again. It was days like this that made Ryuki feel normal and forget about being a Knights…or even an Orphenoch.
Ryuki stared at his hand. This morning it had turned grey and spilled some ashes before reverting to its normal color. He had asked for a day off from Ichijyo/Shadow and his leader and friend allowed him to do so. He had also requested that he'd like to be alone with Brimstone and to spend the day at the park. Ichijyo felt concerned for Ryuki but relented anyway, knowing Ryuki could take care of himself.
Brimstone ran back to Ryuki, carrying the Frisbee and jumped up and down. The Dragon Knight laughed and reached into his pocket, pulling out a doggy treat (that he stole from Pluto's stash) and popped it into Brimstone's mouth after the disguised demon dog dropped the Frisbee. Brimstone chewed on the treat in satisfaction.
"Lie down," Ryuki commanded and the dog did as told. Ryuki sat down on a nearby bench that was under a tree and rested.
"It's a nice day, isn't it?" Ryuki heard a voice and turned to his left to see someone sitting next to him.
"Nani?" he asked.
"I said it was a nice day, don't you think?" the girl repeated the question. She was quite pretty, with black hair that hung down her back and brown eyes. She was dressed in a purple hoodie with blue jeans. "I'm Yuka. Konnichiwa."
"I'm Ryuki," Ryuki introduced himself, nodding politely and returning her greeting, "Konnichiwa."
Brimstone noticed Yuka and immediately padded up to her. Yuka beamed and cooed, "Oh…what a kawaii little dog! Is he yours?"
"Hai, he is. His name is Brimstone," Ryuki answered.
"Brimstone?" she giggled. "What a strange name for a dog."
"If I told you why, you wouldn't believe me," Ryuki said. He had wanted to spend his day alone with Brimstone, but this unexpected conversation was…nice. "Do you live around here?"
"Hai," Yuka aid with a smile. "I just moved here and I don't have any friends yet." She frowned sadly.
"Not true," he said. "You got a friend right here."
"You're sweet, Ryuki-san," Yuka said, smiling.
"Arigatou, Yuka-san," Ryuki returned the smile. "Hey, wanna play a game of fetch?"
Meanwhile, Craig Smith/Zodiac Knight Mortuary was riding around town on his bike. Equipped to his vehicle was a new device created by Harker Tech made specifically to detect and track Orphenochs.
Ever since the massive Orphenoch attack on the city, Craig had called his adopted father to have his team of scientists create something for him to help track down Orphenochs. It wasn't until today that he had gotten it in the mail so he was out to give it a test run.
'Occultus is going down,' Mortuary swore to himself. Ever since he found out Occultus was responsible for the deaths of the Templars, he had been planning his vengeance on the man and his Orphenochs. They would all pay, every single one of them, one at a time, for killing the other Templars and leaving him for dead.
His device then detected an Orphenoch. He grinned to himself. It was close…and there were two of them. Excellent. Maybe he could have some fun today.
He revved up his engine and followed the signal.
Yuka and Ryuki laughed as they played fetch together with Brimstone. The dog jumped up and down as he caught the flying Frisbee before running towards the two of them to have them throw it o that he could catch it again.
"Good boy, Brimstone!" Ryuki said as Brimstone came and returned the Frisbee. "Now, go fetch!" he threw it again.
"Gambatte, Brimstone-chan!" Yuka shouted out encouragingly as the dog ran at it and jumped up to catch it expertly in his jaws. "Good boy!" Yuka petted the dog who then dropped the Frisbee and licked her hands. She then kneeled down to hug him and laughed.
"You seem to be having fun, Yuka-san," Ryuki observed.
"Hai, I am," Yuka admitted. "It's been so long since I've had so much fun."
"Me too."
"What do you do when you're not here in the park?" Yuka asked.
"Oh, I hang out with my friends," Ryuki said. Yuka had a sad smile and a far-off look on her face.
"Must be nice having friends," Yuka said with a sad tone in her voice.
"Hey, maybe I can introduce you to them," Ryuki suggested.
"I-I wouldn't want to intrude," Yuka said nervously.
"No, you wouldn't be intruding at all. I'll bet they would love to be your friends!" Ryuki said excitedly.
"I doubt it," Yuka muttered.
"Nani?"
"Never mind, Ryuki-san," Yuka said with a dismissing wave.
"Want to get some hotdogs?" Ryuki said, pointing at the hotdog vendor behind him.
"Hai, I'm hungry," Yuka said.
Brimstone barked.
"You too, Brimstone-chan," Ryuki said.
Suddenly, Craig stopped in front of the park and removed his helmet. Ryuki saw him and waved. "Craig!" Ryuki called and waved. "Hey, what brings you over here to the park?" Craig's eyes narrowed. "Ano…Why are you looking at me like that?"
The signal Craig had followed led him to this place and when he saw Ryuki with the girl, he knew who the Orphenochs he was looking for were.
"Is that your friend?" Yuka asked as Craig walked up to them.
"Hai, that's Craig," Ryuki said. "Craig, meet Yuka. I just met her here at the park."
"Oh, I know who she is," Craig said with a menacing tone as he withdrew his gun, much to Ryuki's confusion and surprise, "Or to be more precise what she is." He then pointed his gun at her head. "Dead."
Yuka's and Ryuki's eyes widened.
They said your life would flash before you when you are about to die. Well, the same was happening to Yuka.
Yuka remembered her life back with her family. Actually, it wasn't much of a family.
Let us start from the beginning shall we?
Her family was rich. Her father was a very successful lawyer and her mother owned her own business. They were well off and lived in the lap of luxury. Yuka was pretty much happy…until her little sister was born.
Since then she was pretty much ignored and neglected as her parents spent all their time with her little sister. She got everything that was Yuka's but Yuka didn't hate her for it. Yuka was a loving girl and loved her baby sister.
Too bad it wasn't mutual.
Yuka's little sister grew up and pretty much became a spoilt and bossy brat, ordering the submissive Yuka around like slave. And every time she did anything wrong, she'd pin the blame on Yuka and nobody believed Yuka when she said she didn't do anything wrong. Her life became hell for years and degenerated.
In school she was picked on and bullied and her little sister was the one who had started it. Yuka's sister was prettier, smarter, popular and everyone liked her while Yuka was alone and friendless. She would sometimes find her shoes stolen or her books in the trash.
Her parents turned abusive but would not dare to hurt Yuka's 'dear sweet sister'…but Yuka was not so lucky. She was beaten by her drunken father and yelled at by her mother while her sister laughed at her, mocking her, humiliating her.
One day, however, that all changed when she was walking home from school. Her coat had been stolen so she had to walk in the cold. She then fell unconscious and…
"Craig, what are you doing!?" Ryuki's yell broke Yuka out of her stupor. Ryuki was holding Craig's gun holding hand by the wrist and forcing it down while standing between him and Yuka.
"Move aside, Leo," Craig growled. "This girl isn't who you think she is. She's an Orphenoch!" Yuka gasped.
"No, you're wrong!" Ryuki denied. "She's not an Orphenoch!"
Craig then lifted up the device that had been attached to his bike and pointed it at both Ryuki and Yuka. "This says otherwise." Ryuki looked at the screen. There were two red flashing blips on the radar screen. "This little toy can track down any Orphenoch at any range and since it says they're right here in front of me…Do the math, Leo. The only other Orphenoch here," Craig pointed at Yuka, "Is her and I'm going to put a bullet through her head." Ryuki was shocked and Craig took advantage of this and pulled way from Ryuki's grasp. He pointed the gun at a stunned Yuka.
"Goodbye…freak," Craig pulled the trigger.
BANG!
Yuka returned home late that night and immediately her family began yelling at her and hitting her. Yuka's sister and mother's words hurt her heard and her father's fists were hurting her body. She defended herself with her arms but there was little she could do from the pain of her sister and mother's words.
"Why can't you be more like your sister?!" her father said in disgust.
"She's prim and proper, not like you," her mother added with disdain at her.
"You better, change, onee-san," her sister mocked. "But I doubt it would matter…"
Yuka's eyes glowed white and…
Yuka's eyes were shut tight, expecting hot and searing pain. However, aside from the ringing in her ears, there was none. She opened her eyes slowly to see that Ryuki had grabbed Craig's wrist again and then had the guy to shoot into the air. Yuka's eyes turned to Ryuki.
"No," he said to Craig and the other man pulled his hand away. People had run away, panicking, at hearing the gunshot, leaving the trio of teens and dog alone in the park. Brimstone growled at Craig as Ryuki's eyes narrowed at his friend.
"Leo, stand aside and don't get in the way," Craig warned. He took aim again but Ryuki stood in front of Yuka, between her and Craig.
"No," Ryuki repeated. Yuka was flabbergasted. Why was he protecting her?
"She's an Orphenoch, Leo," Craig reminded.
"So? I am too. Are you going to shoot me too?"
"You're different."
"How? Because I'm your friend?" Ryuki questioned. "So what if she's an Orphenoch, Craig? She's not hurting anybody."
"She could be working for Occultus," Craig accused. Yuka felt her heart stop a second.
"What if she's not? You can't say every Orphenoch is working for Occultus."
"I can't take that chance," Craig said. "Now move or I might put this bullet through your head too."
Yuka was afraid now. Ryuki muttered something.
"Just try it."
Yuka and Craig blinked.
"Huh?" Craig asked, "What?"
"Why don't you put your bullet through my head, Craig?" Ryuki challenged. "I'm just an Orphenoch so why should you care?"
"You're playing with fire, Leo," Craig warned and then ordered, "Now stand aside."
"Actually, you're the one who's playing with fire," Draco retorted, hands being covered in flames. Yuka took a step back at this. She then heard him say, in Japanese, "Run and take Brimstone."
She didn't think twice at his words and ran away as fast as she could with Brimstone hot on her heels.
"Stop!" Craig aimed but then his gun was blasted out of his hand by Ryuki's telekinesis. He glared at his friend/teammate who glared right back at him. Ryuki then showed Craig his Zodiac Deck.
It was a challenge to a duel and Craig had to accept without question. He showed Ryuki his Zodiac Deck as well.
The park was close to the forest as Brimstone led her deep into the foliage. She stopped to catch her breath and leaned against a tree, panting heavily. She had not been so scared in her life.
Actually…there was ONE time.
Yuka's clothes and hands were covered in blood and so were the walls and floor. Her family lay before her, sprawled out and dead. Their faces held a look of fear and Yuka felt horrified with herself. When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she jerked away.
"Who…who are you?" she asked.
"A friend," the man said, smiling kindly. "I am known as Brother Occultus and I provide a safe haven for you and your kind."
"My kind?"
"Yes, your kind. The great Orphenoch race. Just take my hand and leave your former human life behind."
"But I can't just leave."
"Tell me, my dear." Occultus asked, "Were you happy here?"
"I…" Was she? She had no friends, her family treated her like dirt…was she ever truly happy here? "No, I'm not."
"Will you come with me? All you have to do is swear your loyalty to me."
Yuka took his hand and said, "I do."
"Sword Vent!"
"Strike Vent!"
Sparks flew as Zodiac Knight Draco and Zodiac Knight Mortuary continued their battle. Draco was wielding his Flame Dragon and Frost Dragon Sabers while Mortuary's right hand was equipped with his Gazelle Stabber drills. Draco swung and slashed with his swords that Mortuary dodged expertly before the Knight of Aries struck at him. Draco sidestepped and then slashed down on Mortuary, ripping sparks from his chestplate. He then kicked Mortuary away.
"Gomen…asai…" Draco apologized as his grip on his weapons tightened.
"You're making a big mistake, Leo," Mortuary said to Draco, "Letting her go. She must be reporting to Occultus as we speak."
"You're wrong," Draco said.
"How would you know?" Mortuary questioned. "You only just met her!"
"How would you know she was evil then? You've just met her too," Draco shot back.
Mortuary growled and charged at Draco. He then created two duplicates that struck at Draco's hands with high kicks, causing the swords to fly out of his hands, before Mortuary leapt up and kneed Draco in the chest. Draco stumbled back but then the Mortuary duplicates struck him in the face with their elbows, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Mortuary rolled his shoulders and neck and then made his way to where Yuka had run off to. His duplicates disappeared. He was stopped when he felt grip on his ankle.
"Let go, Leo," Mortuary said.
"No," Draco said. Mortuary then stomped on his back.
"Let go!"
"No!"
STOMP!
"I SAID LET GO!"
STOMP!
"NO!"
Draco roared and then froze Mortuary's leg in place with ice. Mortuary was shocked but was then struck by a powerful super strong punch in the gut that shattered the ice and sent him flying before crashing into a bench and breaking it in half. Draco pushed himself back up to his feet and then said, "Gomen."
"Oh, you're gonna be sorry," Mortuary said as he shot at Draco with necro-blasts. Draco dodged each shot but a few hit and he grunted. He tried to draw a card but Mortuary's blasts kept his hand away from his deck. He then decided to perform a simple trick that Terra had taught him during one of their many training exercises.
He stomped his foot on the ground as hard as he could and it shook, creating a fissure under Mortuary' feet. He jumped up as the fissure widened and the bench fell in. The fissure closed but now Mortuary was in the air and vulnerable.
Draco shot fireballs at Mortuary in which the Knight of Aries was unable to evade and they exploded on contact with his suit. He howled in pain and fell hard on the ground. Panicking, Draco ran towards his friend.
"Craig! Daijou-?" Draco began to ask but was cut off by a kick in the gut. He staggered back. He almost forgot that Mortury was his opponent right now. Mortuary's fingers flexed as did Draco's.
They both drew their cards and slid them into their respective card readers, activating them.
"Strike Vent!"
Draco had his Dragon Flame Knuckle on while Mortuary had on his Horned Greaves.
"ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Mortuary yelled as he dashed towards Draco.
"HI-YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" Draco roared as he charged as well.
They punched at each other, never letting up as their fists slammed into each other's faceplates and chests. Left hooks, right hooks, forward punches; neither of them was letting the other win. Draco then planted a fist into Mortuary's chest and Mortuary planted an elbow to the base of Draco's neck. They sent one another flying and Draco smashed into a tree while Mortuary fell into the fountain. Mortuary jumped up and dropped down with an axe kick, but Draco rolled out of the way and then slammed his flaming knuckle into Mortuary's chest. Mortuary grabbed hold of his arm and began to rapidly kick Draco, alternating his legs which were donned in his Horned Greaves. The spikes on his boots ripped sparks off Draco's armor as they slash and tore into his armor. He then executed a double-footed kick which slammed Draco away, causing him to crash onto the ground.
Mortuary panted. He felt guilty for hurting Draco but he was on a mission. He knew what his only chance was and spoke into his watch, "Timefire!" The brown parts of his armor turned red and then he jolted away, vanishing in a flash.
Draco was struggling to get up. "Itai…" he groaned and then he noticed Mortuary wasn't around until he remembered him saying 'Timefire'. Why would he need Timefire? Unless…
"No…" Draco's eyes widened with realization under his helmet. He had to move fast. He activated the XL-Vent card, "Excel Active," forming the black and red Excel Suit and pressed a button on his watch.
"CLOCK UP!"
This time he was not going to fail in protecting a friend…even if it meant fighting another friend.
Yuka backed away from the red armored Mortuary as Brimstone growled at him. The demon dog jumped at him but Mortuary just grabbed him by his color and mercilessly threw him against a large rock. Yuka gasped as she watched Brimstone whimper in pain.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked Mortuary who then grabbed her by the neck and pinned her against a tree.
"To make sure none of your kind ever walks this Earth alive again," he said hatefully as he brought up a hand glowing with necro-plasm close to her face. "Now, hold still." He then fired his blast.
FLASH!
"CLOCK OVER!"
Mortuary found his hand being grasped again by Draco as his necro-blast was being snuffed out. Draco then smashed his foot into Mortuary's chest and pushed him back.
"Daijoubu desu ka?" Draco asked Yuka who was grasping for breath.
"H-Hai," she nodded. "Who are you?"
Draco then realized that she hadn't seen him transform and said, "A friend." He then asked, "Where's the dog?" Yuka's eyes directed him towards Brimstone, who was lying on his side, whimpering in pain. Draco's eyes widened as he turned to Mortuary.
"How could you be so cold?" Draco asked his fellow Zodiac Knight and Titan.
"When it comes to Orphenochs I have to be cold, and if you get in my way then I'll take care of you too," Mortuary said.
"Let's see you try," Draco dared as he clenched his fists. Mortuary let out a battle-cry and they fought once again. Yuka immediately went to Brimstone's side. She noticed that his body was beginning to change and fizzle like static on a TV until Brimstone's true form was revealed. His collar had been damaged in the impact. Yuka was shocked but was unalarmed, holding no fear towards the animal. Brimstone had tried to protect her, so the least she could do was do the same for the Kaizer.
Meanwhile, Draco and Mortuary were still exchanging blows as they punched, kicked and struck one another. Mortuary swung his fist but Draco grabbed it before he head-butted Mortuary in the faceplate, followed by a kick in the solar plexus. Mortuary grabbed Draco by the sides of his helmet and brought it down as he brought his knee up to strike Draco in the faceplate. Draco staggered back but then performed a reversed roundhouse that caught Mortuary by the surprise and smashed him into a few trees.
Draco cracked and rolled his neck. He was starting to ache in a few places. He didn't want to fight Mortuary but he just wouldn't listen to reason. He saw both Yuka and Brimstone and yelled, "Go! Get out of here!"
"But-!" she started.
"HAYAKU!" he shouted out so she took Brimstone in her arms and ran away as fast as she could.
"No you don't!" Mortuary shouted. He jolted again.
"Clock Up!" Draco said, pressing a button on his watch again.
"CLOCK UP!" it echoed and the world around him began moving at slow motion, as slow as a snail crawl. He saw Yuka and Brimstone (slowly) making their escape and Mortuary was using Timefire to gain in on them. He rushed and then kicked Mortuary away. Mortuary flipped and landed on the ground, kicking up some dirt. The dirt was flying in the air in slow motion.
The two then charged at each other, letting their fists fly and smash into one another. Draco then grabbed him by under his arms and asked, "Can you fly?" Mortuary's eyes widened as Draco's feet blasted out fire and shot them high into the air. Draco then kneed Mortuary in the chest before sending him falling. Draco then dived down and then punched Mortuary repeatedly in the chest before finishing up with a heel kick that sent him crashing into the same rock he had thrown Brimstone at. The rock shattered into a million pieces as a result of the impact.
"CLOCK OVER!"
Draco landed and went over to check up on his friend. Mortuary was in pain but alive. Draco would have a hard time explaining this to the others but was glad that Yuka would be okay.
BANG!
Draco was caught by surprise and looked down to his chest. There was a smoking hole in his armor. He looked up to see Mortuary with his gun aimed at him.
"Sorry, Leo," Mortuary apologized as he walked out of his hiding place from behind a tree as the duplicate lying on the ground disappeared. "Nothing personal, kid," he said calmly. "Don't worry, though, I didn't hit anything vital. I just needed you temporarily out of the way."
Draco's armor shattered away as he fell against a tree. He had numerous bruises on him, a broken lip and black eye, plus a bleeding gunshot wound in his chest, as he stared at Mortuary in pain and disbelief.
"Don't look at me like that, Leo. You know this is what I do," Mortuary said with a sigh. He shook his head as his armor disappeared as well, revealing several injuries on him too. "I never intended for this to happen, but you have to understand that my job is to destroy Orphenochs." He then turned to look for Yuka.
"A friends once told me…revenge is not sweet…but instead holds a bitter aftertaste," Ryuki quoted. The wound in his chest was bleeding. He wouldn't die but it sure hurt.
Craig did not answer but kept walking…the girl had to die.
Suddenly, he was caught by surprise when something flew past him and knocked him down. He turned around on the ground and gripped his gun as he picked himself up off the ground.
He was looking at a pure white creature with wings…
No, it was not an angel…it was an Orphenoch.
The Crane Orphenoch.
It was female with a high collar and large white wings on its back. Its lower legs were like that of a crane's, long and thin with talons. The Orphenoch lowered itself next to Ryuki.
"Get away from him, freak!" Craig threatened as he aimed his gun at the Orphenoch. Suddenly, he heard a loud and angry bark as Brimstone leapt at him and threw him to the ground. Brimstone was trying to bite him but, luckily, Craig was using his gun to hold the hellhound's jaws apart and away from him as drool fell on his face. The dog may not have been big, but it made up for its size with its sheer strength.
Meanwhile, the Crane Orphenoch shielded Ryuki with its-her wings. Ryuki thought she looked like an angel.
"Who are you…tenshi (angel)-sama?" Ryuki asked. "Have you come for me?"
The Crane Orphenoch giggled at being called an angel and then said, "A friend." Ryuki recognized that voice, or to be more specific he recognized her giggle.
"Yuka?" he asked.
"Call me Crane," she said soothingly. She dug her claws into the wound, causing Draco to wince. "It'll be okay, Ryuki," she assured him as she pulled out the bullet. His Orphenoch regenerative abilities began to kick in as blue flames enveloped the wound.
"You are…an Orphenoch…" Ryuki said in realization.
"Gomenasai, Ryuki-san," Crane apologized. "I've been deceiving you."
"It's okay," he said. "So have I."
"Then…we are the same?"
"More or less," he winced. He then said, "Didn't I tell you to run?"
"You did…but then I just couldn't leave you. You were so kind to me and protected me," Crane said. She didn't need to say anymore but then said, "Gomenasai…"
"You don't have to apologize," he said.
"Hai, I do," Crane said and then confessed. "Your friend was right; I do work for Occultus." Ryuki's eyes widened but he didn't say anything or get mad…yet. He let her continue telling her side of the story instead. "I was sent here as a spy to befriend you and later persuade you to join Occultus. But then…but then…I just couldn't do it."
"Why?" he asked.
"Because of you and your kindness…You were the first person to ever show me any sort of kindness and offered to be my friend," Crane said as tears fell from her eyes. "For a long time all I've wanted was a real friend."
Ryuki smiled at the kindhearted Orphenoch before he saw Brimstone being thrown back by a necro-blast. He said to her, "Go."
"But, I can help," she objected.
"I said go," he insisted. She nodded and flew away.
"She's getting away!" Craig aimed but then his entire hand and gun froze over before he saw the barrel of Ryuki's DRA-Blaster held to his face.
"Craig, stop," Ryuki said. "It's over."
Craig was about to retort angrily when their communicators beeped.
Crane's wings folded behind her as she landed. She was back on the Mountains of Madness that were in Zandia. She had failed to recruit Ryuki but she wasn't unhappy. She was the exact opposite actually and was happy now since she had made a friend, a true friend. She smiled widely as she started to walk back to the temple, but then her path was blocked by two other Orphenochs.
Nami the Lobster Orphenoch and Richter the Centipede Orphenoch.
Nami's Orphenoch form was based on a lobster and she had plated armor over her arms, legs and body. She also had a pair of antenna on her head and a visor with several holes over her eyes.
Richter's Orphenoch form was segmented with spikes on the side of his arms and lags.
Both of them were colored grey.
Both Orphenoch Generals did not seem happy with Crane. Not happy at all.
"You failed," Nami began.
Richter added while twirling his barbed whip around his arm, "It was a simple mission, Crane."
"Gomenasai…I just…couldn't do it, Nami-sama and Richter-sama," Crane apologized.
"That's perfectly alright, dear," Nami said gently as she placed a hand on the Crane Orphenoch's shoulder. "Master Occultus won't punish you."
"R-really?" Crane felt relieved until…
STAB!
Crane's eyes widened, "Nami…sama…?"
Nami withdrew her rapier from Crane's chest.
"But we will," Nami said heartlessly as she let Crane drop to her knees. Crane then morphed back to her human form. Blue flames began to appear on her. "Let's go, Richter."
"Yes, Nami," Richter said as he followed after her, leaving Yuka's body behind.
Yuka let out a tear…but a smile was on her lips. She said, "Sayonara…Ryuki-kun…" as her body disintegrated into ashes that blew in the wind.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Mirror Dimension in Tokyo…
Two Zodiac Knights, one female and one male, clad in matching green chameleon armor, were fighting against another pair of Knights who were clad in suits of armor based on two big cats, the lion and tiger. The two latter Knights were also named after the animals they were based on.
"Hold Vent!"
Mirage and Façade, the Chameleons of Gemini, hurled their yoyos forward and slammed their opponents repeatedly in the chest-plate, stomach and faceplate. Tiger and Lion were unable to react fast enough as the yoyos smashed into them, repeatedly, and at an alarming speed. It was hard to tell where the attacks were really coming from since the twin Chameleon Knights were using their power of illusion to confuse Lion and Tiger. The strings of the yoyos then wrapped around their necks and both Mirage and Façade grinned as they threw Lion and Tiger into the air and smashed them into the wall. They were all fighting in a tunnel. Mirage and Façade banished their illusions before they withdrew their yoyos and then antivated the cards that would finish this.
"Final Vent!"
The twins' twin Biomeleons (humanoid chameleons) appeared and spat out their long tongues. Mirage and Façade were launched into the air by their Biomeleons, grabbed their targets and spun in the air as they administered their patented Death Banish Final Vents. The powerful pile-drivers were then executed perfectly as they smashed into the ground with great force, enough to break the necks of their opponents.
Mirage taunted, "There, you see the awesome might…"
"…Of our power," Façade finished.
As the two Chameleon Knights laughed, Lion and Tiger had recovered, much to their surprise, and summoned their axes before sliding in their cards.
"Final Vent!"
Mirage and Façade screamed as they were grabbed and dragged along the ground by two familiar looking monsters, Savageleon and Destwilder, towards Zodiac Knight Tiger and Lion, also known as the Wild Ligers. The twin chameleon Knights had challenged the two half demons to a Zodiac Duel and now they were going to lose. Both Wild Ligers were preparing to strike, wearing their respective Strike Vents.
Tiger: " CRYSTAL BREAK!"
Lion: "BURNING CLAW!"
Tiger's freezing claw and Lion's flaming claw sliced into Mirage and Façade's armors, through their decks and shattered the crystals and decks, destroying them. Mirage's flaming form exploded and Façade's frozen form shattered like glass. Both were dead, defeated by the two Wild Ligers. Their powers of Gemini entered the two of them.
Tiger, the Knight in white and blue, sighed sadly at what he had done as he stared at his claws. "I hate having to do that, Tarou-niisan," he admitted to his brother.
"You're letting Draco get to you," Lion, the Knight in black and red, told his brother. "Don't. The tournament's getting closer and we need to stay focused. You have to remember that in the End there can be only One."
"I know but still…" Tiger began.
"Let's go home. Ami and Yumi are probably waiting for us as we speak."
Tiger nodded and as they were getting ready to leave the Mirror Dimension…
"Final Vent!"
"Huh?" Tiger and Lion responded in bewilderment. They saw a psychotic looking motorcycle speeding straight towards them. The rider was Copycat. The bike began to spin on its axis, spiraling fast like a tornado, headed towards the other two Knights.
"PSYCHO SPIRAL!"
Tiger and Lion were unable to react in time and the attack slammed into both of them, sending them flying into the air. Copycat stopped her spinning and then jumped up. She slid a card into her whip.
"Sword Vent!"
The Psycho Slasher appeared in her hands, dark blue flames engulfing it. She then lashed her whip at the hapless Tiger and drew him to her before she stabbed him with her weapon, piercing the crystal in his deck. Tiger screamed as his deck and armor shattered away before he was thrown to the ground, wounded. Lion had landed later, on his feet, and saw his brother. He assumed the worse.
"KAZUO!" Lion screamed, horrified, as he stood up before rushing towards his injured brother.
"Don't worry," Copycat said menacingly, "You're next." She slid another card into her whip.
"Accel Vent!"
FLASH!
SLASH!
She was suddenly behind him as he froze in his steps. He dropped to his knees, armor and deck shattered, and then fell facedown on the ground. Copycat looked over her shoulder at him, satisfied with her work. She then noticed two beasts coming at her. She sighed and reached for her belt again.
Destwilder and Savageleon attempted to avenge their Knights but were then halted when Copycat raised up two blank Contract cards at them and absorbed them into said cards. Now the two monsters were hers.
3 energy orbs, containing the powers of Gemini, Leo and the Tiger, rose up and entered Copycat's Zodiac Crystal. She smirked to herself and was ready to leave when she turned to look at Kazuo and Tarou's vaporizing forms. Hmm... they had been good Knights. Should she just let them disappear here?
Choices...choices...
To Be Continued…
A/N: Sorry it took so long but I had been kinda busy with studying and all. Anyway, I do hope that you enjoy reading this chap as much as I did writing it. Next up…I'm not sure when the next chap will he written but it won't be long…I hope. Pls, R and R.