Part 55: Broken Bonds
Ryuki just stood there, frozen and shaken to the core. His heart was racing as a bead of sweat ran down his face. "Nii…san…"
Tazuka, or now known as El Pasenderos Aguarius, just leered at Ryuki coldly with his cold blue eyes filled with uttermost hate. Ryuki was not an empath, but he could still feel it being directed right at him. "Do not call me that!"
Jinx put her helmet back on as Oni prepared to fight as well. Ryuki didn't even move.
"So, you have some new friends," Pasenderos grinned. "It would be fun to break you by taking them away from you!" As quick as a flash, he vanished.
He then reappeared behind June, smacking Jasmine away, and grabbed the Te Xuan Ze by the back of her neck before floating right back up. June struggled.
"Juniper!" Jasmine yelled out.
"Let her go!" Monroe yelled.
Pasenderos was already hundreds of feet in the air and then he said, "Okay," before he let June go. June screamed as she fell fast towards the ground.
"JUNE/JUNIPER!" Dennis, Ray Ray, Monroe and Jasmine screamed.
Oni quickly leapt up high and caught June in his arms before she went splat, but then got blasted in the back by Pasenderos with a 'Bala' blast. Smoke billowed from his back as he grunted and slowly floated back to the ground. His back began to heal from the blast but slowly.
"It feels nice to have friends, doesn't it, Ryuki?" Pasenderos asked the stunned Ryuki. "People you can trust to watch your back." He then narrowed his eyes, "Unlike you who left me to die."
That got Ryuki's attention. "But, niisan! I would never-!"
"Shut up!" Pasenderos sent an energy blast at Ryuki who was too stunned to move. Jinx, seeing this, reacted quickly.
"Clock Up!" she commanded, slapping her belt.
"CLOCK UP!" the Inzecter reacted and she vanished.
Ryuki also seemed to vanish as the blast flew by and destroyed a tree.
"CLOCK OVER!"
Pasenderos narrowed his eyes. "Interesting…Smart Brain has new toys."
"I won't let you hurt my Ryuki!" Jinx shouted out.
"Your Ryuki?" Pasenderos spoke. "So, you've found a lover and she fights by your side." He said to Jinx, "Little girl, you better leave him for your own good. When you're in danger, he'll just leave you behind to save himself."
"You're wrong! He would never do that!" Jinx protested, her pink eyes narrowed under his helmet.
"He let me die!" Pasenderos shouted. "And now I'm going to do the same to him!" He placed his face mask back on and reached for his Zanpakuto. Oni tensed up.
"He's ready to use his Zanpakuto," Oni said. "Be careful, everyone."
Pasenderos' Zanpakuto was a katana with a serrated edge and a shark-shaped guard with a blue handle. "Prepare yourself." He then landed on the ground and surged towards Oni and Jinx. Ryuki was in no condition to fight right now. He was still in shock.
Jinx charged and swung her fist but Pasenderos ducked and elbowed her in the stomach. She doubled over before he smashed his fist up into her chest, sending her flying up. Brimstone pounced and bit down on his arm. He swung his arm and threw Brimstone away. He then jumped up to slash her with his Zanpakuto. Oni intercepted and used his Trumpet Blaster, blowing into it to send a blast of sound energy at Pasenderos. The Arrancar raised a hand and dispersed the sound waves before he swung his sword and slashed Oni across the chest. Oni let out a scream as blood spilled from his chest. Pasenderos grabbed the Rider and then threw him to the ground before continuing his advance on Jinx, who was still falling. She screamed.
That scream brought Ryuki back to reality and when he saw Jinx about to be sliced by Pasenderos, he reacted.
"JINXY-CHAN!" He then teleported.
Pasenderos was close to Jinx but then a flaming wall appeared, placing Ryuki in between Jinx and Pasenderos. Pasenderos still swung his sword.
SLICE!
"AAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!" Ryuki screamed as his left arm was sliced clean off his. Blood gushed out of his wound and Jinx was horrified.
"BABY!" Jinx screamed but Ryuki grabbed her and teleported with her to escape another slash from Pasenderos.
Ryuki reappeared on the ground and then dropped to his knees, clutching the stump of his arm. Jinx kneeled down, "Baby? Are you Alright?"
Pasenderos just looked on in disgust before sheathing his sword. "You're no fun at all. You won't even fight back. If I wish to defeat you, I want it to be when you're at your best. That way…it's more satisfying."
"Niisan…why…?" Ryuki asked.
"You let me die, so I'm going to make you suffer…but I'm willing to let you all have a chance for a fair fight. Tomorrow night, I will return." A portal materialized behind, "Until then, recuperate and get a new arm." He vanished into the portal. Brimstone barked out angrily.
"Damn it!" Ryan cursed as he changed back to human form, punching his fist into the ground.
"We have to stop the bleeding!" Jinx cried as her armor also vanished. Ryuki's armor had shattered off as well and he was clutching his stump, gritting and hissing in pain as blood continued to drip.
"I can take care of it," Ryuki told her. He ignited his hand and placed it over the wounded area before pressing down. "Ugh!" he grunted as he sealed the wound with his fire power. Jinx and Jasmine cringed. "Now, let's go home."
"But your arm…" Jinx began.
"It will be alright…but right now…what happened to Tazuka-niisan?"
"But he died, didn't he?"
"He did," Ryan said, "And now he's an Arrancar."
"But wouldn't that mean he'd have to be a Hollow first? How did that happen?" Ryuki asked.
"Many reasons how that could happen, but we better get some rest."
"Let us get back to my house," June suggested.
"We also need to disinfect that wound you got there," Jasmine added, looking at June's bandaged shoulder.
Gizmo and Mammoth had finished fixing the porch as soon as the group returned. Mammoth looked at Ryuki's missing arm and both of them got the story from Jinx. She escorted him to one of the guest rooms and laid him down on a bed. After tonight, he needed plenty of rest. He was mentally exhausted after what had happened. Brimstone was with him, keeping him company as he laid his head on the bed, whimpering sadly.
"Great, and I was called for a Hollow problem and now we got an Arrancar," Ryan said, crossing his arms.
"How bad is an Arrancar?" Dennis asked.
"A lot worse than a Hollow," Ryan answered. "They are Hollows who have gained Shinigami powers and are intelligent. Most Hollows are like wild animals and follow their instincts, but Arrancar can plan ahead and strategize. Combine with their power, that makes them more dangerous. Only one group can match them; the Vizard."
"Vizard?" Jasmine questioned.
"The antithesis of the Arrancar; Shinigami who have gained Hollow powers. Technically, I'm one of them."
"What do you mean 'technically'?" June asked.
"I…don't want to talk about it," Ryan said evasively. "Right now, we need to plan out a way to take care of this Arrancar."
"He used to be Ryuki's best friend," Jinx stated, "But now he's a monster that wants to kill him."
"I met Tazuka a while back. He was a good piano player and played the keyboard along with Desmond, Takada and Ryuki when they were a band. Tazuka and Ryuki were really close, almost like brothers. I don't know what happened, but maybe when he became a Hollow, his memories were warped and when he became an Arrancar, they got warped even more. Now, all he wants to do is to destroy Ryuki."
"Isn't there a way to help Tazuka?" June asked. "I mean, there has to be a way."
"Doubtful," Ryan said. "Arrancar don't have hearts so he's no different. All they have is hatred and malevolence as well as the urge to cause pain."
"You're wrong!" someone snapped and everyone turned to see Ryuki and Brimstone.
"Baby, you should be resting!" Jinx said as she got up.
"I'm fine, Jinxy-chan," he smiled to her before glaring at Ryan. "The Tazuka-niisan I knew is still in there. I just need to find a way to bring him back."
"Don't be naïve," Ryan bristled. "Arrancar and Hollows are all the same; evil. They can't change."
"I can't accept that!" Ryuki shot back.
"He cut off your arm," Ryan pointed out. "What does that tell you? Furthermore, how will you be able to fight without that arm of yours?"
"I can grow it back," Ryuki said.
Everyone stared.
"Grow...it back?" Gizmo parroted.
"No way," Ray Ray said.
"Watch me," Ryuki growled.
"Baby…" Jinx whispered. She knew what it meant when he needed to grow back a limb. He would need to use his Orphenoch powers to regenerate his entire arm, but to do that he would need to change.
Blue flames began to appear all over his body and then collected at his stump. Gritting his teeth, he growled as his body began to change. His skin turned grey before he morphed into the Ifrit Orphenoch! Jasmine, June and Dennis were shocked. Ryan's eyes widened slightly. Mammoth and Gizmo's jaws dropped. Ray Ray was watching with interest and shouted out, "WOW!"
Jinx watched as the Ifrit Orphenoch let loose a pain filled roar before the stump began to become covered in flame. Suddenly a new arm shot out of the stump. The Ifrit Orphenoch stared at the new arm and growled in appreciation before he changed back to Ryuki. He dropped down to his knees. Brimstone was immediately at his side, licking the sweat off his face as Jinx rushed to pick him up and help him to his feet. He panted.
"Now…I have…my arm back," Ryuki grinned exhaustedly.
"What…happened?" June asked.
"Something I don't want to get into right now," Ryuki said hesitantly.
"Let's get you to bed," Jinx suggested and the Dragon Knight was in no position to argue with her as she walked him back to the guest room to put him in bed.
"Shoot Vent!" Draco summoned his Dragon Cannon.
"Copy Vent!" Jawz created an exact copy of the weapon. They got equipped to their right arms.
They reared their arms back and Dragonzer appeared. They then thrust out their cannons, shooting fireballs and sending Dragonzer straight at their target. The monster was destroyed in a huge explosion. Dragonzer then swallowed the energy orb.
"Yatta," Draco cheered. "Arigato, niisan!"
"No problem, Ryuki," Jawz said. "Remember, you're never alone in this."
"I know that. I have you, Takada-san and Ichijyo-san," Draco smiled under his helmet.
Jawz's visor glowed for a brief second and then he looked at Draco, "I see big things in your future, Ryuki. Very big things."
"You do?"
Pasenderos was still in Orchid Bay, but had masked his energy so that he wouldn't be detected. When he came to this city, he never expected to see Ryuki again. Now he could have his revenge.
"Soon…very soon…rest up, otouto…you'll need it."
Everyone was asleep in the Lee house. Jinx slept with Leo on the bed with Brimstone on the floor. Mammoth, Gizmo and Ryan were all asleep in the living room. Ryan took the couch while both the big teen and small genius slept on the couch. Gimo nearly got crushed by his larger friend when he grabbed him and hugged him like a teddy bear.
Ryuki couldn't sleep. He was still thinking about what had happened.
'How could Tazuka-niisan have turned into that?' he wondered
'He said you abandoned him when he died,' Yaminekoryu replied to him.
'But I would never do that! He knows it!'
'Does he? It seems to me that he's forgotten about all that.'
'Then I have to remind him!'
'What are you going to do?'
'Remind him of the bond we shared!'
Careful not to wake up Jinx and Brimstone, Ryuki got out of bed. He checked to make sure he had everything he needed for this. He had to go see Tazuka. He needed to see him!
He took out his Pactio card. Closing his eyes, he focused on calling it forth. He remembered using it when he had been hopping dimensions. He never thought he'd have to use it again for a long time.
In a flash of light the card vanished and his Keyblade appeared in his hand. Inspecting his weapon, he was satisfied with its appearance. He looked back at Jinx and Brimstone and apologized, "Gomen nasai," before he used the magic of the Keyblade to teleport him.
He wanted some answers from Tazuka. He needed to know what'd happened to his brother. He deserved to know.
A Hollow was cornering one of the many magical creatures in the city, a fairy. As it was ready to devour her, a flaming vortex pushed it back. Ryuki appeared, gripping his Keyblade. He turned his attention towards the fairy, and said, "Get out of here." The fairy nodded and flew off before Ryuki faced off against the Hollow.
Hollows, to Ryuki at the moment, were no different from Horrors. Both stemmed from human darkness and the Keyblade he held was created to purify such darkness. The Hollow was wolf-like in appearance and let out a howl before it pounced on Ryuki. The Knight narrowed his eyes and then leapt over the Hollow before the Hollow rammed into several trash cans. Incensed, it growled and then lunged for Ryuki again. Ryuki grabbed it by the mask and held it at bay before he raised up his Keyblade.
"It's over…for you," Ryuki said slowly before swinging down his Keyblade and splitting the masked head of the Hollow in half. It let out an anguished scream before it faded away into nothing.
Ryuki had just defeated the 5th Hollow he'd encountered tonight and was going off to hunt for another. He had also changed into a new uniform. It was a black jumpsuit with a red chestplate and matching gloves and boots. He also had on a red scarf and his goggles were over his eyes. He leapt up and the flames shot out of his feet as he took to the air.
More Hollows to hunt. If he destroyed anymore, maybe Pasenderos would show himself and then they would talk.
Jinx yawned as she woke up. Checking the clock on the wall, it showed that it was 4 am in the morning. Groaning, she then went back to sleep but then her eyes shot wide open as she realized that Ryuki wasn't with her. She panicked and looked around frantically. She accidentally woke up Brimstone and the demon dog barked at its master's absence. The Kaiser's barking also woke up everyone else that was inside the house. They all came into the room.
"What's going (yawn) on?" Mammoth yawned as he scratched himself.
"What's with all the racket?" grumbled Gizmo.
"Ryuki's gone!" Jinx answered, fearfully.
"He must've woken up to go after Pasenderos!" Ryan concluded.
June's bracelet began to flash, signaling an imbalance in the magical world. "We got trouble. Come on!"
Pasenderos had sensed the elimination of several Hollow signatures and knew immediately who was responsible. He gritted his teeth, "Ryuki…so you're sending me a message." Pasenderos, out of courtesy, had allowed them to rest for a day, but clearly Ryuki did not want that. He wanted to face Pasenderos now, and killing Hollows was the only was he knew to draw him out.
"Well, allow me to answer your call," Pasenderos said before he vanished.
The group was now back in the forest where they'd encountered the Arrancar of Tazuka. June's bracelet had led them there. Mammoth and Gizmo were given trinkets to allow them to see beyond the veil. They would need it if they were going to face against Pasenderos.
They soon found the Arrancar, leaning against a tree and waiting for them. He removed his face mask and waved at them.
"A beautiful night, isn't it?" he asked. Jinx stepped forward.
"Where's Ryuki?" she demanded. Pasenderos shrugged.
"I thought you knew," Pasenderos retorted. "He's been killing Hollows all night to get my attention."
"It seemed to work, though," Ryan said.
"Well, now I am here so where is he?"
"Right here," Ryuki's voice came as he walked into view, in his Zodiac Knight armor and brandishing his Keyblade.
"So, you've come to face me, Ryuki," Pasenderos sneered as the Dragon Knight approached him. Draco reached up and with a click loosened his helmet before pulling it off his head and dropping it on the ground. Pasenderos quirked an eyebrow.
"You fight without a mask, I should do the same," was Ryuki's remark before he summoned his Keyblade. Smirking, Pasenderos unsheathed his Zanpakuto, slowly sliding it out of its scabbard, the cold steel hissing as it slid against the scabbard's inner surface.
"You should've kept that helmet on. It would've protected you from getting your skull split open."
"I'll take my chances."
Both former friends stared each other down, circling one another as they gripped their respective weapons tightly. Everyone watched as this was unfolding.
"This…isn't right," June muttered. "They shouldn't be fighting like this!"
"I know, Juniper," Jasmine said, regrettably, "But sometimes…life…doesn't always go our way."
"But, Ah Mah," June pleaded, "Their supposed to be friends. Tazuka would never-"
"Tazuka's soul has been warped by the darkness in his heart and lost it in the process. " Jasmine turned to look at the unfolding battle, "Let's just hope Ryuki can provide the light to help find it."
"Go for it, Ryuki," Jinx spoke under her breath.
With a unison cry, both Knight and Arrancar lunged at one another, swinging their weapons. Both Keyblade and Zanpakuto clashed they impacted, shredding sparks off one another. They then pulled back and swung again, blocking, slashing, parrying.
"You're going to pay for what you did to me!" Pasenderos shouted as he swung his Zanpakuto horizontally, aimed at Draco's neck. Draco raised his Keyblade up to block.
"I tried to save you!" Draco retorted.
"LIAR!" Pasenderos sent Draco reeling back with a kick before jumping and twisting his body to strike him down. Draco ducked and spun his body to catch Pasenderos in the side, hard, sending him flying into a tree and smashing it in half. Pasenderos looked up, eyes filled with hatred.
"Tazuka-niisan," Ryuki said, panting, "How could you ever think that I could leave you to die like that?"
Pasenderos growled and then flashed towards Draco, appearing behind him and then swinging his sword at his back. Sparks flew off his armor as Draco screamed. June cringed as Jinx's eyes widened.
"RYUKI!" she screamed.
Ryuki stumbled but recovered quickly before striking back at Pasenderos. Pasenderos easily dodged all of Draco swings by stepping back and side to side. None of Draco's attack struck him but something did as Draco drove past him…a small bit of wetness hit his cheek. Pasenderos wiped it away and looked up. Was it raining? He looked back at Draco and was surprised to see tears trailing down the green eyes of the Knight of Dragons. Was he…crying?
"Why are crying?" Pasenderos asked, curious.
"I'm crying…for you," was Draco's reply as he got ready with his Keyblade.
Pasenderos averted his eyes and then narrowed them angrily before he sent a powerful energy blast at Draco. The Dragon Knight used his Keyblade to create a magical shield to protect himself but the shield shattered from the impact, flinging him back violently. His body shattered a rock upon impact. He groaned in pain as he was on his hands and knees, coughing blood. The tip of Pasenderos' Zanpakuto was at his chin and slowly raised up his head to look up at the malevolent spirit of his fallen friend…his brother…
"Get up, and stop crying," Pasenderos ordered before raising his foot and kicking Draco in the chin, sending him flying back. A memory flashed in his mind.
"Get up," Jawz said to him as both of them faced against a powerful looking Mirror Monster.
"I can't…" Draco said weakly, and in pain as he was on his knees, panting.
"You can, I know you can. I need you to help me so get up."
Draco telekinetically stopped his unintended flight and slowly descended on the ground to lightly land on his feet. He gripped his Keyblade in one hand and wiped his tears away with the other. His eyes were narrowed sternly as he crouched down, his other hand on the Keyblade's handle, grasping it tight.
Pasenderos saw the look in Draco's eyes and clutched his head. He really wished Draco had kept his helmet on. That way, he wouldn't be looking into those eyes. His head ached when a memory came into his own mind.
"Ryuki…" Tazuka said weakly. Blood began to pool under him from his wounds.
"Niisan…" Ryuki said weakly, hands stained with blood. "Hold on…help is coming…just hold on…"
"I can't…" Tazuka said. "Ryuki…please stay strong for us…you're the light to this dreadful darkness…" His eyes closed as an eternal slumber grasped him.
"Niisan?" Ryuki said as he no longer felt Tazuka. "Niisan?" he shook the body. Tears began to fall from his eyes. "Niisan…No…TAZUKA-NIISAN!!!"
'He…stayed with me? No, that can't be true! He left me to die!' Pasenderos shook his head as he charged once again at Draco. Draco side-stepped and then smashed the back of his fist hard into the back of Pasenderos' skull, shattering the back-side of his Hollow mask and causing the Arrancar to stagger. Pasenderos retaliated by twisting around and striking at Draco with his Zanpakuto but was blocked by the Keyblade. Both warriors stared one another in the eyes, cold blue and emerald green gazing into each other.
Another memory.
Draco was forced to the ground by a powerful elbow strike in the back from Scorpios. The Scorpion Knight picked up Draco and hurled him into a building and through the window, shattering the glass and landing on the floor. Scorpios stalked towards him, brandishing his scythe. He climbed through the shattered window and stood over Draco, his scythe raised.
"It's your time, kid," Scorpios sneered before bringing down his scythe.
"Add Vent!"
"Huh!?" Scorpios yelped as a blue armored hammerhead shark rammed into him and out of the building. A blue and white figure leapt into view and held his hand out to Draco. Draco grasped it and was pulled up.
"Niisan?" Draco gawked. "But-"
"I was just in the neighborhood," Jawz cut him off, "Didn't we tell you not to go after this guy alone? He's dangerous."
"I had to…he needs to be stopped for all those people he hurt," Draco told him.
"Then let's do it together!" Jawz raised his hand and Draco slapped his into it before they grasped their hands tightly together, unifying them. They both looked to see Scorpios glaring at them before he howled and charged. Both Knights, brothers, charged right back at him.
Pasenderos shook his head, growling in annoyance. He then heard Draco ask, "You saw it too, didn't you?"
Pasenderos roared and swung his Zanpakuto at Draco's head. Draco didn't even make a move as the metal blade swished through the air. Everyone present gasped as Draco did nothing to react against it. He just closed his eyes, waiting for it.
Then, the blade just stopped, close against Ryuki's neck. Ryuki opened his eyes and stared into the eyes of the Arrancar who had once been his closest friend…his brother.
Pasenderos…he was hesitating. Something inside of him was stopping him from dealing the finishing blow, but what? What was it?
Scorpios had activated his Final Vent as a sand storm blew into the area, blinding Draco and Jawz. They couldn't see anything as the sand was in their way.
Scorpios, however, could see just fine. He leapt onto the tail of Garuzak, his Scorpion Zodiac Beast, and then catapulted into the air. He was aiming this fatal strike directly for Draco.
Draco could not see the attack coming but then felt like someone had pushed him out of the way. He then heard the sound of metal being smashed and shattered and his heart stopped in shock.
'No…No…'
The sand storm cleared away to reveal Scorpios standing triumphant yet disappointed at the same time. Disappointed that he had not hit the right one, but triumphant that he was able to defeat one of his targets. He stared at Draco who was staring in shock.
"TAZUKA-NIISAN!!!" Draco screamed. The concrete ground around him shattered at his screams.
'I…protected him?' Pasenderos was wondering. 'Are these…memories…real?' He took a step back and dropped his Zanpakuto, clutching his head. Was everything he had thought to believe a lie?
He had always believed that Draco left him to die when instead he had protected the Dragon Knight. Also, Draco had stayed with him until he died…How could he have thought of that of his little brother?
The others were wondering what was going on as the fighting ceased. Ryan was tense as he flexed his fingers, waiting to move in if Pasenderos made one wrong move.
Pasenderos placed a hand to his chest. He had allowed himself to lose his own heart, warping him into a savage Hollow before he somehow became an Arrancar…All he ever thought about was his revenge against Draco for allowing him to die.
Instead…instead…he did not know what to do anymore. Different emotions and memories were mixing around in his head as confusion reigned. What was he suppose to do?
Half of him wanted to seek forgiveness while another half wanted to destroy Draco. Which side was he to follow?
His eyes then fell upon the cracked goggles on Draco's forehead as another memory flashed.
"Here you go, Ryuki-kun," Tazuka said as he handed the goggles to the younger boy. He had brought them at a sport's store called 'The Penalty Box'. For some reason, he had thought of Ryuki when buying them.
"Goggles, niisan?" Ryuki asked as he examined them.
"Something told me that they belonged with you," Tazuka shrugged. "Go ahead, try them on." Ryuki did as told and strapped them onto his forehead. He looked at his reflection and smiled.
"Hey, they look good on me!" Ryuki then asked, "But…why?"
"Call it an early birthday present, otouto," Tazuka smiled
"Arigato, niisan!"
'Those…goggles…'
"Tazuka-niisan?" Ryuki began, hesitantly.
"Don't call me that!" Pasenderos snapped. "Shut up!" He wanted to hate Draco, he really did, but when these memories came flooding into his mind he had no idea what to think anymore. Giving one last look at Ryuki, he vanished in a flash.
"Niisan!" Ryuki called, but Pasenderos had disappeared. Ryuki looked down, "Niisan…"
Pasenderos stumbled along a cold and dark back alley as he struggled to get away. He leaned on his Zanpakuto for some support. Memories flashed in and out of his mind as he tried to gain some balance. Some of them were what he believed while others echoed in his soul.
"What am I doing!?" he cried to himself, tears escaping his eyes. "Otouto…..I ALMOST KILLED MY OTOUTO!!!!!
'He left you to die!' a hollow voice echoed in Pasenderos's mind. It sounded very similar to his own. 'He ran like a coward from Scorpios and let you die!'
"No," Pasenderos sobbed. "He wouldn't do that! He stayed with me to the end!"
'Lies!' the hollow voice hissed. 'Lies! Lies! LIES! LIES! LIES!'
"Shut up!" Pasenderos cried, gripping the remaining pieces of his partial mask. "Just SHUT UP! LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Pasenderos clawed at the bone mask, attempting to tear off the final fragments. He wasn't sure if this was a wise thing to do, but his emotional state made him viable to do anything at the moment.
To Be Continued...