Part 78: Rise of the King
We all imagine ourselves the agents of our destiny. Capable of determining our own fate. But have we truly any choice in when we rise... or when we fall... or does a force larger than ourselves bid us our direction? Is it evolution that takes us by the hand... does science point our way... or is it God who intervenes... keeping us safe?
The whip was tied tightly around the alchemist's neck, threatening to cut into her skin. However, being a Homunculus, she hardened her skin. Clutching the barbed weapon in her hand, she crystallized the barbed whip and shattered it apart. She then turned her crystal hand into a blade and dashed straight at her opponent. She swung and stabbed her weapon at Richter who was forced to dodge but she was quicker and cut him several times.
Restoring his whip, Richter lashed his weapon out at Renia who leapt to the side and sprung herself once more to the side using his hand. The Centipede Orphenoch hissed and lashed it at Wyvern instead. However, the young sorceress created a dome of magical energy to block the barbed whip. She then fired energy bolts from the dome, striking the Orphenoch in his most vital spots.
"Eat crystal!" shouted Renia, firing crystal spikes at the Orphenoch general. Richter was struck several times.
"Heh!" snickered Richter. "Looks like I underestimated you children."
"Oh, you got that right!" Renia snorted.
"Well, it's time that you deal with the big boys!" the Centipede Orphenoch exclaimed before his lower body morphed. His legs were replaced by the entire body of a centipede. It was long and segmented with many, many legs. Wyvern and Renia's eyes widened in shock at this transformation. Finally, a pair of curved blades extended from the Orphenoch's wrists.
"Oh crap," Wyvern gulped.
"How do you like that, little girls?" Richter sneered.
He just had to say the 'L' word.
"What did you say?" Renia growled. Wyvern backed away from her friend in fear. The Orphenoch didn't know what he'd done so he repeated himself, foolishly.
"I said little girls, which you are," Richter spoke.
"THAT'S IT!" Renia roared, throwing off her overcoat, "IT'S GO TIME!!" Her Inzecter leapt into her hand and she attached it to her belt as she charged at the Centipede Orphenoch.
"HENSHIN!" the belt announced, "CHANGE PUNCH LOCUST!"
Roaring with a rage that many have seen before for making the most fatal of errors, which was calling Renia the 'L' word, the red armored Rider lunged at the Centipede Orphenoch. She leapt high up and pummeled his armored stomach, head and chest with her fists. The Centipede Orphenoch staggered back with each hit and Wyvern stood to the side, feeling useless. Seeing an opening, she chanted her magic words and curled her fingers into claws. The floor under the centipede body formed into several sets of hands that grabbed the body, immobilizing him. The Centipede Orphenoch's eyes widened as the pummeling continued.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SMALL MICROSCOPIC GERM THAT CANNOT BE SEEN UNDER A MICROSCOPE!? WHO ARE YOU CALLING A TINY MIDGET WHO SHOULD JUST GO AND JOIN THE CIRCUS!? I'LL SHOW YOU HERE LITTLE MISS SHORTY IS HERE!!" Renia the Red Locust Rider roared angrily.
"I (POW!) never (SMASH!) said those (THUD!) thing!" Richter tried to deny but with little success as he was being struck. "Let me finish!!" Richter swung his arms, attempting to slice Renia's head off. The girl ducked and then leapt up to land an uppercut to his chin, knocking his head backwards violently.
"Hah! That's what you get for making fun of me!" Renia jeered. The Centipede Orphenoch grew angry and managed to break the grasp on his centipede body. He swung his tail around and smashed Renia to the side, slamming her into the wall.
"REN!" Wyvern shouted. She tried to run towards her friend but Richter blocked her path. He looked at her maliciously and swung down his blades. Wyvern used her agility to somersault backward as the blades came down and got stuck to the floor. Chanting quickly, she launched an orb of mystic flames at the Orphenoch's head. He roared in pain as the mystic flames burnt through his organic armored hide.
Renia narrowed her eyes at the Orphenoch and then slammed her palms onto the floor. The transmutation circle formed beneath her hands and several crystal spikes shot out around her in a circle. She then sent the spikes flying like missiles, aimed straight at Richter. He got stabbed in the chest by the sharp crystals and wailed in pain.
"Does it hurt? Let me help!" Wyvern yelled and chanted another spell. She levitated the Orphenoch and slammed him against the ceiling and floor repeatedly. "And this is what I think of your books!" She smashed him into his bookshelf, scattering the works of literature he cherished so much.
The blow forced him back to his normal humanoid Orphenoch form, growling in pain. He still had the wrist blades but now blue flames licked his wounds.
Reaching down to her Inzecter, Masked Rider Red Locust/Renia flipped the hind legs up over the main body of the device. "Locust Jump," she called.
"LOCUST JUMP!" the Inzecter announced, transferring energy from it into her legs. She then leapt upwards. The Orphenoch general looked up to see her in the air. When she reached the apex of her jump, she reset the hind legs.
"Locust Punch!" she called out.
"LOCUST PUNCH!"
With a roar she came back down, rearing her energized fist back. When she came down, she smashed it down on his head, slamming him into the ground to create cracks on the floor. She pulled her fist back and walked away. The Centipede Orphenoch pulled itself out of the floor, groaning in pain. He generated his whip and stumbled towards his two foes. However, the damage had already been done as the flames grew more intense all over his body. He fell to his knees, and questioned, "How…? I am a general? How…could I…lose?"
Renia's armor deactivated and she gave a tired sigh. "That's what you get for underestimating your enemy for their size. Now, rest in peace."
With a howl, the Centipede Orphenoch's body exploded with blue flames before his entire body disintegrated and crumbled to ash.
Richter the Centipede Orphenoch was no more.
"Cassie, let's go," Renia called as she picked up her coat and put it back on, "Let's go find the others."
The young sorceress nodded to her friend, "OK!" they held hands and made their way towards the exit.
Terra fired her shoulder guns at Danuth who used his Squid Staff to block the shots by spinning it around in front of him, like a shield. He then shot a glob of ink at the green clad Inzecter Rider. She leapt to the side and the glob hit the floor. The part of the floor hissed as the ink corroded the surface.
Cyborg analyzed the ink's composition, grimacing, "That's strong acid."
"How strong?" asked Beast Boy.
"Strong enough to burn through Terra's armor."
Narrowing his eyes, Beast Boy began concocting a plan. He'd done it before to fight the Brotherhood, he could do it again.
The Squid Orphenoch lashed out with his tentacles but they hit a wall of stone Terra summoned. He blasted the wall with his ink instead, melting it to nothing.
"I see you," Danuth snickered as he aimed his staff at her, but then he was slammed in the side by a stampeding green buffalo. He slammed into the glass wall, hard. Beast Boy morphed back and gave his girlfriend a thumb's up.
Terra smiled under her helmet but shouted, "Watch out!" in a panic. Beast Boy looked towards Danuth and morphed into a rat, just before a glob of acidic ink hit his face.
Cyborg went into action, converting his fist into a wrecking ball and throwing it at the Orphenoch. Danuth had the air knocked out of him but then he threw his tentacles at Cyborg, binding him. Cyborg struggled but the tentacles were crushing him in a fatal embrace. He was immobilized as Danuth continued to squeeze.
"That's what you young ones get for disrespecting your elders," Danuth spoke.
"CAST OFF!"
"What!?" Danuth shouted as armor pieces smashed into him.
"CHANGE LEAFCUTTER ANT!"
Terra reached up to her shoulders and then threw her blades at the tentacles. They sliced through the appendages causing Danuth to fall backwards. Cyborg removed the dismembered tentacles off his body, sticking out his tongue in disgust as they turned to ash. He mentally swore off calamari.
The blades returned to Terra's hands like boomerangs as she took a stance. Mortuary had studied the Gazelle JyuKen style of martial arts and taught Terra a thing or two about JyuKen. Smirking, Terra dashed forward at Danuth, this time battling out with him melee style.
The Squid Orphenoch general swung his staff to strike but Terra proved more agile now. She kicked Danuth in the stomach before slashing at him repeatedly, sending sparks ripping off his organic white armor. The old and evil man howled in pain. Terra leapt up and went into an overhead swing. Danuth tried to parry with his staff by holding it horizontally above him but Terra chopped the shaft in half before slashing him straight down the middle. Blue flames erupted from the wound as the Squid Orphenoch stumbled back.
"Cy, Beast Boy Blitz: Revised!" Beast Boy announced and Cyborg nodded. Beast Boy morphed into an armadillo with spiked armored plating on its hide. He leapt backwards and rolled into a ball, setting himself inside Cyborg's barrel. Cyborg aimed as crosshairs appeared in his red mechanical eye, aiming straight for Danuth.
"FIRE!" Cyborg shouted, firing Beast Boy at Danuth. The changeling rolled and shot towards Danuth like a cannonball. Terra saw the Blitz at work and leapt to the side. As soon Danuth saw what was coming, he was too late and got struck in the chest, hard. He smashed against the glass walls, letting water leak in through the cracks.
Danuth morphed back to human form, exhausted, saying, "I am too old for this."
Terra, Beast Boy and Cyborg stood around the old man and Beast Boy frowned sympathetically. "Dudes, we just beat up and old guy."
"An evil old guy," said Terra as her armor deactivated. She scoffed. "He doesn't have much time left anyway." The blue flames were licking all over Danuth's body.
Cyborg scanned Danuth's body and detected that the cellular decay had increased rapidly. There was no way to save Danuth now.
Danuth coughed, smiling, "Thank you, kids, for giving an old man one heck of a fight."
"Um…you're welcome?" Beast Boy replied uncertainly and confused.
"This place is gonna fill up with water soon," Danuth spoke and instructed them, raising up a shaky finger towards the exit, "Go, now…before it's too late…"
Terra was conflicted. What could she say?
"We better go now," Cyborg said as he watched the cracks growing all over the walls. "This place ain't gonna be nice and dry in about a few minutes."
"Let's go," said Terra finally, casting Danuth a brief glance, before she led the way towards the door.
As soon as the door closed, Danuth closed his eyes. "This is how I should've died when my family was lost at sea." The glass walls shattered, causing the water to flood the whole chamber. Danuth's final thoughts were, 'I'm coming home…Maria…Billy…'
Nami didn't look all that impressed. She mocked Jinx's Scarab armor instead, "That suit makes you look fat, girl."
Jinx shot back, smirking, "Well, at least I don't look like one half of a Surf and Turf dish!"
Nami growled and brandished her rapier, "You'll pay for that remark, bug girl!"
"Up yours crustacean!" Jinx jeered. She looked back to Snow Blood, "Help me out here?"
"Don't mind if I do," Snow Blood replied, an aura of cold arctic air rising around her.
Charging forward, Jinx swung her fist at Nami who dodged to the side and started to stab at Jinx with her rapier. The Scarab Inzecter user was struck several times in the chest, yelling out in pain as sparks were ripped off. Nami then punched Jinx in her helmet covered face, sending her stumbling back several feet.
"Heh, you're weak. I wonder what your handsome boyfriend sees in you," Nami mocked. Jinx looked up and glared at the Lobster Orphenoch through her visor. The female general boasted, "He deserves better. He should've gotten himself a pretty little Orphenoch like me. And when I mean 'like myself', I mean myself."
"You're not good enough for him!" Jinx snarled.
"Oh, and you are?" Nami shot back. "As if! You're human. He should be with his own kind. I mean, you humans are due for extinction anyway! Once the Orphenoch King has arisen, we Orphenochs will be the lords of the Earth while you human scum will end up pushing up daisies. Face it! He'll live and you'll die!" Nami smirked though it was unseen on her Orphenoch face, "But don't worry, I'll help him in his time of need." Nami emphasized this by running her free hand over her curvaceous body.
Jinx growled and fired a hex bolt, sending Nami flying and crashing into one of her paintings. The painting fell over her and tore when her head ripped through the painting. She looked down and saw red, "MY BEAUTIFUL PAINTING!!"
"Hey, that looks good on you," Jinx teased.
"I'M GONNA SKEWER YOU AND HANG YOU BY THE THROAT!!" Nami roared, throwing off her ruined painting. She charged straight at the armored witch but Snow Blood created a sheet of ice beneath Nami's feet, causing the Lobster Orphenoch to slip and slide across the surface, uncontrollably. She swung her arms around, trying to regain balance but was unsuccessful. Jinx stood in Nami's path and rolled her shoulders. She then raised up her right arm, clothes-lining Nami as she slid over. Nami's face smashed into Jinx's fist, sending her reeling backwards on the ice.
"How's that, bitch?" Jinx jeered at Nami who looked up at Jinx in rage. Snow Blood leapt in and froze Nami's body over, leaving only her head not covered in ice. The Lobster Orphenoch struggled in her frozen prison but could net get out.
"OK, we're done here," said Snow Blood, looking down at Nami with deep disgust.
"Let's go," Jinx agreed. And she waved at Nami, "Ta-ta, crustacean!"
As Jinx and Snow Blood turned to leave, Nami seethed with rage and roared, "IT'S NOT OVER!!" Her body erupted with a fiery blue aura. Snow Blood and Jinx sensed this and spun around and were caught in a blazing blue explosion. They both screamed in surprise.
Draco's head snapped up in surprise and then he yelled out in pain as the Alligator Orphenoch slashed him across the chest with his sword. J then sent Draco flying back with a powerful kick, sending him crashing into a wall. Wraith landed next to his friend.
"You okay, Ryuki?" Wraith asked as he helped the Dragon Knight up.
"I think so," Draco groaned, cracking his neck.
"What happened?"
"I sensed that Jinx and Snow Blood were in danger," Draco explained. "I think it's my Power of Pisces."
"Well, we better finish this walking handbag quick," Wraith told him. "The sooner we deal with this guy, the sooner we can help Jinx and the ice queen.
Draco nodded in agreement and summoned his Keyblade again. "I go low, you go high?"
"The usual," Wraith shrugged before they both charged at J.
The Alligator Orphenoch gripped his sword in one hand and held his shield in the other. "Come and get me," he challenged.
Draco swung down with his Keyblade and J blocked. At the same time, Wraith was using scimitar, the Shikai form of his Zanpakuto Kage Enbu. The Alligator Orphenoch was able to parry all their strikes, blocking with his shield and sword. He then knocked the two Riders backwards with a powerful blast of blue energy. Draco skidded to a halt and Wrath landed next to him.
"He's good," Wraith admired. "Now this is a fight."
"Well, we need to beat this guy quick," Draco informed. "Every second we waste is a second closer until the Orphenoch King awakes."
"OK," Wraith nodded, "Let's take it up another level!"
Draco banished his Keyblade drew his Survivor Card as the flames danced around him. Smiling under his helmet, Draco said, "I thought you'd never ask." His Dragauntlet morphed into the Dragblaster and the 'mouth' of the gun opened. Draco slid the card onto a port inside its mouth before snapping it shut.
"SURVIVE!" Draco called out before the flames engulfed him and dispersed, revealing him in his red and gold Survivor Mode. He slid in another card, his Sword Vent, and a golden blade extended from the Dragblaster. He re-summoned his Keyblade and gripped both weapons tightly.
"Let's take him down!!" Draco roared like his namesake and dashed at the Alligator Orphenoch. Wraith ran alongside him, gripping Kage Enbu tightly. The Alligator Orphenoch charged back, bringing his sword high over his head to slice his enemies in half.
The dust cleared away to reveal that Snow Blood had formed a barrier of ice to block the explosion and to protect herself and Jinx from the brunt of it which the barrier took. The barrier shattered and Snow Blood wiped the sweat off her brow.
"Woah, that was intense," Snow Blood spoke.
"You're telling-Urk!" Jinx was suddenly hauled up.
"Jin-Argh!" Snow Blood yelled as something grabbed her by the neck and hauled her up as well. The dust settled to reveal the Lobster Orphenoch. Instead of hands, she now had a pair of lobster claws gripping the two heroines by the neck.
The chamber had seen better days. The remaining paintings were torn in places and Nami seethed in rage, "You bitches made me ruin my paintings!"
Jinx struggled to pry off the claw clutching her neck but as she did, Nami applied more pressure. Jinx was alright considering she had armor and her neck was protected by Soul Fiber. Snow Blood, however, may not survive long and if that claw applied more pressure, the cryokinetic would become beheaded. Jinx had to think of something and fast.
"When I'm through with you I'll have your bodies stuffed and made into sex dolls!" Nami threatened. "Or I can just mount your heads on a wall!" She squeezed more. "I am not sure which to choose first."
Snow Blood's vision was growing blurry due to the lack of oxygen as Nami continued to squeeze the life out of her. She kicked her legs but she was weakening. Her hands slipped from Nami's claws as Snow Blood closed her eyes, growing limp.
"Snow Blood!" Jinx yelled and Nami threw Snow Blood's body aside like garbage. "You monster!" Jinx shouted.
"Now, I'm going to use this claw I used to kill your friend as a can opener to peel you out of that suit," Nami pressed the claw against the surface of Jinx's Strong Mode armor. "Now, where to start?"
"How about in hell? Cast Off!" Jinx shouted.
"Huh?" Nami then realized what it meant. "Oh, no!"
"CAST OFF!" the Inzecter roared at the command and Nami was forced to let go when the armor pieces exploded off Jinx and smashed into the Lobster Orphenoch's body. Most of the armor pieces imbedded themselves into the wall. Nami's body rolled to a stop and then she picked herself back up to glare at the armored witch.
"You witch!"
"CHANGE SCARAB BEETLE!" the Inzecter announced as Jinx's visor flashed. Jinx cracked her neck from side to side to get the soreness out.
"Well, now it's time we take it up a notch!" Jinx swore, "You're gonna pay for what you did to Ashleigh!" During the month they'd spend on the ChronoLiner, the two girls had bonded. They even had a slumber party aboard the train, trading stories and gossip. They shared a close friendship and it all started when Jinx'd suggested it, all because Ryuki and Craig were friends.
"Bring it on you little witch!" Nami screamed, clicking her claws.
"Clock Up!" Jinx commanded, slamming her palm on the special button located on her belt.
"CLOCK UP!"
"CLOCK OVER!" Draco's SB-Watch announced before he returned to normal speed. He'd landed several hits on J using his Keyblade and Golden Dragon Blade, but the Alligator Orphenoch was still standing. Even Wraith was having little luck.
"OK, he's tougher than he looks," Wraith admired. "Seriously, what does it take to bring this guy down?"
"I think I do, but I'm not sure if I want to use it," Draco said hesitantly, referring to the Hyper Inzecter. Using it had risks, like getting lost in another dimension for example.
"Then allow me," said Wraith. He readied his blade. "First Dance: Shadow Slash!" shouted Wraith as an arc of shadow energy was flung at the Orphenoch. The shadow energy slammed into J, causing him to slide backwards. Wraith looked at him in shock, seeing that his attack had barely scratched the Orphenoch's hide.
"Try that again, it almost tickled," laughed J.
"Fine then, chuckles," replied Wraith, preparing his blade again. "Second Dance: Ballad of Darkness!" Wraith slashed with his blade again. He then vanished and slashed again. He did this until ten arcs of shadow energy were slicing through Mr. J. The Alligator Orphenoch screamed in pain.
The Alligator Orphenoch's body became covered in blue flames before his body disintegrated and crumbled to ash.
"Heh, too easy," spoke Wraith victoriously. He looked over to Draco who had his head down. "Oh, sorry. I forgot how you felt about this."
"Reminds me too much of what I have to look forward to, unfortunately," said Draco sadly as he gazed into his own hands. "Come on, let's go." As he strode forwards, he froze.
"What's wrong?" Wraith asked curiously.
"It's not over yet!" Draco exclaimed, turning his attention back to the pile of ash which used to be Mr. J. The pile began to rise up and reform back into the Alligator Orphenoch. This shocked Draco. "Nani!?"
The Alligator Orphenoch grinned. "Like it? That's my special ability. I can reform myself each time whenever I get killed."
"Damn," cursed Wraith as he saw the reformed Orphenoch. "I fought a guy like you once. Bastard wouldn't stay dead no matter what I hit him with."
"Yeah, and what happened?" asked J.
"I blew him up with my car," said Wraith, smirking under his mask. "Now, this one should put you down for good!" He slammed his blade into the ground, disappearing into a shadow portal. "Third Dance: Ballet of Blades!" Several shadow portals opened around the Orphenoch general. Blades then exploded through the portals, each blade impaling J. Wraith was gasping for breath, the last time he had to release this much energy…No, he wasn't going to let that happen again. He refused to awaken… He fell to his knees and removed the buckle from his belt, reverting back to Warren.
"That should be the last of him," said Warren, breathing heavily. The Alligator Orphenoch turned to ash. However, seconds later, the Alligator Orphenoch reformed itself.
"Looks like you've exhausted yourself. Now that's a pity," said J, grinning wickedly.
"That…that's impossible," said Draco. The Alligator Orphenoch stood before the exhausted Warren.
"Any last words, punk?" asked Mr. J, smiling with rows of razor sharp teeth.
"Just one…" said Warren. Draco knew what was coming, but J was in for the surprise of his life.
"BANKAI!!"
Nami was being struck hundreds of time by Jinx, who was moving at Clock Up speed. Jinx was going to avenge Snow Blood's death. Therefore, she wasn't going to stop until this Orphenoch bitch was dead.
"CLOCK OVER!"
"HYAH!!" Jinx yelled out, landing a powerful punch to Nami's chest, sending her flying across the room and causing her to crash into her wall. She made an imprint as she was imbedded in it. Cracks began to form around her.
Jinx was not finished. Her visor glowed as she focused her hex energy into her hands. She then threw her hands at the Lobster Orphenoch, firing a beam of bad luck energy. Nami saw the beam coming and pulled her arms out of the wall to cross over her body, blocking the beam.
KA-BOOM!!
The explosion created a dust cloud that covered the entire chamber. Jinx tried to look around with her visor, scanning for any life signs of Nami, but found none. She breathed in exhaustion, satisfied that Nami was dead. "She has to be dead, now."
"THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK, YOU LITTLE BITCH!!" screamed Nami as she flew out of the dust cloud. She slashed at Jinx with her claws, ripping sparks off the hex mistress' armor. She then kicked Jinx hard in the stomach before spinning around to land a reverse roundhouse to her side, throwing her across the room. Jinx bounced against the floor before her body flung itself into the wall. Jinx groaned in pain.
Nami was seething, shoulders rising up and down in anger. "For the humiliation of ruining my beautiful face, you are going to DIE!!" Nami lunged straight at Jinx. Jinx reached down to her Inzecter and pressed the leg buttons. However, she was in too much pain and much too slow to press the buttons.
"1, 2, 3," the Inzecter announced. Jinx was in too much pain at the moment as her finger rested on the thorax button. Nami was getting closer. She needed a miracle.
Suddenly, arctic winds blew and Nami was shocked as her entire body was frozen in ice, leaving her stationary. She wasn't the only one as she saw Snow Blood, standing up, smiling.
"Hey," Snow Blood waved.
"ASH!" Jinx shouted happily. "How?"
"Hey, ask me later. First you need to finish this psycho off," Snow Blood jabbed her thumb at the frozen Nami.
"Gladly," Jinx grinned under her helmet before she pushed herself off the wall. She strode towards Nami, who was frozen literally and in fear. Jinx's index finger tapped the thorax button of her Inzecter ever so daintily
"SCARAB SMASH!" the Inzecter announced, filling Jinx with power. All that energy was arching all over her suit before it was focused into her right leg. Her visor flashed as Jinx bent her knee and raised up her leg. With a yell, she used a forward snap kick on Nami, shattering the ice encasing her and sending her flying up towards the ceiling. She blasted right through the ceiling creating a large hole as she screamed. Snow Blood admired Jinx's handiwork and whistled in appreciation.
"That's good distance," Snow Blood complimented.
"I know," Jinx agreed as her armor deactivated. She then hugged Snow Blood. "You're alive!"
Snow Blood hugged the other girl back. Jinx cried with joy. The two girls then pulled apart.
"So, how did you survive?" Jinx asked. "I mean, I thought you were dead."
"Oh, I'm a master at playing possum," Snow Blood winked. "All I had to do was put myself in a near hibernative state. I lowered my heart rate and held my breath as well as lowered my body temperature." She stretched her body and grinned proudly, "No sweat." Jinx punched her in the arm, "Ow!"
"Don't you ever do that again without warning me!" Jinx pouted.
"Sorry," Snow Blood apologised. "I needed it to be believable."
"It's still mean."
"Again, i'm sorry. Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Snow Blood gestured towards the exit which was now open.
"Race ya!" Jinx challenged.
The force of the Bankai's activation sent the Alligator Orphenoch flying backwards. Shadow energy coursed through Warren's body. His blade began to change. It now looked like the blade of a sword, no hilt, just the blade. It was surrounded by shadow energy and floated in Warren's hand, which was also engulfed in shadow energy. "Meet my Bankai: Odori No Shi!"
Warren's outfit had changed as well. He still wore his normal trench coat, except it looked more like a tuxedo jacket. Warren lifted up his free hand and adjusted his hat.
Draco darted forward at the Aligator Orphenoch and attacked with his weapons. He was knocked backwards by J's energy blasts and then landed next to Warren. Taking an example from Warren's actions, he banished the Keyblade and reverted back to normal mode. Raising both hands into the air, he called forth the Hyper Inzecter. A green portal formed in the air and two items flew out of it. The first one was the Hyper Inzecter, which went into Draco's left hand while the Perfect Inzecter went into his right hand.
Warren gave Draco a look. "You sure you want to use that after last time? I don't wanna end up chasing you into another dimension."
"What choice do I have?" Draco asked before snapping the Hyper Inzecter to his belt. "Hyper Cast Off!" he commanded before pushing down the device's horn lever. It flipped back up, calling out, "HYPER CAST OFF!!"
His torso armor changed to silver and red and bulked up while armored plating showed up along his arms and legs. The Dragauntlet also vanished in the middle of the transformation. The antennae extended and his visor flashed green as the transformation was complete.
"CHANGE HYPER MODE!" the Hyper Inzecter announced, signaling the completed transformation.
Grasping the Perfect Inzecter, Hyper Draco shouted, "Ikuzo!" Draco charged forward with his Perfect Inzecter pulsing. In an instant, the Cutter, Scarab and Fire Inzecters all flew into the chamber and attached themselves to the Inzecter's blade. Acting quickly, Draco pressed the buttons in the correct sequence. "Time to finish this!!"
"SCARAB POWER! FIRE POWER! CUTTER POWER! HYPER POWER! ALL INZECTERS COMBINE!" Draco pressed the trigger on the handle, causing the Perfect Inzecter to announce, "MAXIMUM HYPER TYPHOON!!"
A red blade of tachyon energy extended from the weapon. Draco activated the jets on his back, which propelled him towards the Alligator Orphenoch. J prepared himself and darted forwards. However, with his superior speed, Draco was able to execute his attack first. He struck the Alligator Orphenoch with a powerful horizontal slash, causing blue flames to fly. The jets ceased and Draco touched down on the floor. He turned around and shouted, "Warren! Now!"
"Now, let's end this," said Warren. Warren began moving at super speed, leaving afterimages. He did this until at least one thousand images were swirling around the Alligator Orphenoch. "Now die! Thousand Shadows of Death!" All the afterimages charged forward until only Warren remained right behind the Orphenoch general. He returned to normal. Soon the Alligator Orphenoch fell to his knees, taking human form.
Draco approached the Orphenoch, disengaging his armor and sending all the Inzecters flying. Warren strode towards Mr. J as well, his clothing and Zanpakuto reverted to normal. Mr. J looked up at Warren who had his sword pointed at the fallen general's throat.
"Any last words?" Warren asked.
Suddenly, loud yipping could be heard and Draco could see a small and cute Chihuahua coming into the room. It ran towards Mr. J and leapt into the black man's arms.
"Chaco…" Mr. J spoke gently. Warren was dumbfounded and Draco's eyes shone with certain emotions when he saw the dog.
"Kawaii…" Draco sighed. He then watched as blue flames began to lick all over Mr. J.
"I have...one wish," Mr. J said as he held Chaco in his hands and raised the little Chihuahua up towards Warren, who sheathed his zanpakuto. "Please…take care of…my…Chaco…"
Warren took the small dog into his hands and gentle pet it. "I'll make sure he-"
"She," Mr. J corrected.
"Right, she gets a good home."
Mr. J gave a gentle smile which was contrary to his prior behavior during the battle as his skin turned ashen grey. His body then slowly crumbled into ash.
He wasn't going to rise up after this. His life had finally ended.
Draco looked towards Warren who was holding a whimpering Chaco. "He…wasn't as bad as he seemed." He reached over and petted the Chihuahua. "If he could take care of a dog, then…"
"We should go," Warren spoke abruptly, holding Chaco protectively. If Warren was known for one thing, it was respecting his opponents' wishes, at least if they deserved it. A few had gained his respect and now Mr. J was among them.
"What about Chaco-chan?" Draco asked. "We can't bring her along with us. It'll be too dangerous."
"I know, but I don't know where to put her and she can't stay here." Warren looked down at Chaco who stared up at him with big eyes, imploringly. Warren sighed, thinking back to Mr. J. "We'll make Occultus pay for this, Draco. And I know exactly how…"
Mortuary and Saber fought for a long time. The Lion Orphenoch left scratches on Mortuary's skin but the leader of the Red Wolves had left his own marks as well. There were burnt marks on Saber's armor, caused by Mortuary's Necroplasm that he had used with his strikes. Sweat rolled down Mortuary's face. He'd used the Gazelle Style JyuKen to match with Saber's ferocity and despite not transforming into his armor Mortuary was still able to hold his own. That was why he'd been chosen to be a GekiRanger in the first place. He used the agility he had to dodge any and all fatal swipes.
Bruiser and Falconer did not dare interfere, as they had been ordered not to, and they both knew better than to disobey Mortuary. They were loyal and obedient to him. Plus, they knew this was pretty much personal.
Suddenly, Mortuary froze as his necro-sickness started acting up again. He coughed up necroplasm. Taking advantage of his opponent's condition, Saber quickly grabbed Mortuary by the throat. Bruiser was about to intervene when Falconer advised him against such a course of action, saying it may endanger Mortuary. Bruiser reluctantly agreed but he could just stand there, could he?
"Any last words, punk?" Saber asked and got spat on the face with necroplasm. "YOU'RE DEAD!" He began to squeeze.
As much as Mortuary wanted to finish this alone and with his own power and skill, he wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. He shakily reached into his pocket and pulled out his Zodiac Deck. He summoned his belt and slid the deck inside, initiating the transformation.
The burst of energy threw Saber backwards as the armor formed over Mortuary. The Zodiac Knight of Aries crouched down, gasping for breath. Mortuary couldn't really question the power the Zodiac Armor and Deck gave him, but he considered it more of a crutch than anything. Nonetheless, it did hold some advantages. It did get him out of a pinch a few times and renewed his energy.
Mortuary's eyes focused on the Lion Orphenoch as his face twisted into a scowl of hatred. He swore, "You're mine!" before darting forward. Mortuary kicked hard at Saber, a green aura in the form of a gazelle surrounding him. He then shouted out, using one of the techniques he'd learnt as a former GekiRanger. With a shout, he manifested his aura into a physical form, a gazelle, and sent it at Saber. Saber was kicked by the gazelle's hind legs before he was impaled by its horns. The Lion Orphenoch roared in pain as the aura returned to Mortuary.
Saber could not stand this any longer. With a loud roar he lunged at Mortuary. The Red Wolf in Zodiac Armor smirked and then charged straight ahead, focusing his necroplasm into his fists and feet.
Saber roared and swiped at Mortuary but his opponent ducked down. Stunned, Saber was unable to comprehend what would happen next. An aura formed around Mortuary which manifested into the gazelle once more. This time, the head surrounded Mortuary's right fist with its horns aimed at Saber.
"HAH!! GAKIWAZA!! GAZELLE HORN STRIKE!!" Mortuary yelled, plunging his right fist through Saber's chest, the horns of the Gazelle Aura sticking out his back. Saber roared in pain but the roar was ceased when Mortuary punched into Saber's open jaw, hand glowing with necroplasm.
Saber's savage mind soon realized what Mortuary was about to do and his eyes finally displayed fear. Mortuary's eyes were filled with cold killing intent, focused entirely on him.
"This is for the Templars," Mortuary growled before he roared, "NOW GO TO HELL!!"
Mortuary pumped the Lion Orphenoch full of necroplasm that his entire body glowed with it as Mortuary forced it inside of him. Saber felt himself being incinerated from the inside out. His eyes snapped wide open as the inevitable came. Mortuary then withdrew his hands and shouted out, "GEKIWAZA! MAJESTIC GAZELLE KICK!" He quickly spun around, got on his hands, reared up and kicked with his legs. The force of the attack sent Saber flying backwards. He bounced against the wall and reverted back to human form as he landed facedown on the floor.
Mortuary removed the Zodiac Deck from his belt, causing the armor to shatter off like glass, before he asked for his gun from Bruiser. The larger boy knew better than to say no to his leader. He tossed the gun over and Mortuary caught it before making his way towards Saber. Saber was coughing blood as his body turned ash grey, blue flames licking all over his skin. He heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see Mortuary. Mortuary pocketed his deck, squatted down and asked, "So, not so tough now, are we?"
"Please…" Saber begged. "Mercy."
Mortuary's eyes narrowed, and questioned, "Did you show your victims mercy?" Saber turned silent. Mortuary pressed the barrel of his gun against Saber's forehead. "Guess not. Goodbye."
BANG!
Saber's body disintegrated into ash soon after.
Mortuary wiped the sweat off his brow as he stood up. He smiled sadly as he'd finally avenged the Templars. For some reason, it wasn't as satisfying as he'd originally expected. At least Saber was gone now. "Well guys, it's time for us to go," said Mortuary to Falconer and Bruiser.
"Yes, I agree," said Falconer ominously. He then fired a beam from his PDA. Mortuary had not expected it and was knocked out immediately. Bruiser was shocked.
"Andrew, what are you doing!?" Andrew fired the same beam at Bruiser, knocking the big guy out too.
"Sorry, old friend, but this is something important," Andrew sighed. Markings akin to an Orphenoch appeared on his face as he went over and picked up Mortuary. Despite his weak appearance, he was able to easily pick up the leader of the Red Wolves and sling him over his shoulder. Andrew then changed into his new form, his Falcon Orphenoch form. He was a humanoid bird and the feathers that covered his body were steel hard. He had wings which hung down his back like a cape and talons for fingers and toes.
Reaching inside Mortuary's pocket, the Falcon Orpheonoch removed the Zodiac Deck. Snorting, he then threw it aside like discarded garbage before he spread out his wings and flew towards the exit, carrying his former leader with him.
Occultus stared up at the tube which contained the essence of the Orphenoch King. He'd found the Orphenoch King's original body many years ago. However, the King's body had died and decayed. Fortunately, Occultus was able to siphon the essence out of the body. All he needed was a worthy host to house the essence.
He already had a candidate in mind. At first, he wanted Draco to become his 'chosen one' but that had been a backup plan. His true 'chosen one' was due to come in any moment.
The double doors of his chamber swung open automatically as the Falcon Orphenoch flew in, carrying an unconscious Mortuary.
"I've brought him like you asked, Master Occultus," spoke Falconer, dropping Mortuary at his feet. He then reverted back to human form. "I hope we have a deal."
"Once the King has awakened, you will receive your reward, as all the Orphenochs loyal to me," said Occultus graciously.
Falconer had been Occultus' spy the whole time. It was unknown when he'd become an Orphenoch, but as soon as he did, Occultus had approached him and promised him a longer life than that which was allowed for an Orphenoch. Andrew did not want to die, but he didn't want to betray his friends either. However, he'd made his choice when his desire for life outweighed his loyalty to his friends. He didn't have much time left and if this was the only way to prolong his life…
He felt a measure of regret, but it was nothing compared to what Occultus had planned for the Orphenochs. He agreed that in this world it was survival of the fittest and Orphenochs were the rightful masters of this world, once humankind was eradicated.
"Grave, take Mortuary to the other tube," Occultus said to his apprentice. The boy bowed obediently and grabbed Mortuary by the leg before dragging him to the tube. Mortuary was starting to wake up. Acting quickly, Grave threw Mortuary into the tube before locking it, trapping him inside. The impact woke the guy up.
"Hey!" Mortuary shouted, banging his fists against the tube. "Let me out!" He saw Andrew, "Andrew! Get me out of here!"
"Sorry, Craig, but I'm not taking your orders anymore," Andrew shrugged.
Mortuary's eyes narrowed at Andrew, his former friend, "Warren was right about you all along,"
"Well, you should be careful of who you trust then, boss," said Andrew without any remorse.
Mortuary tried to activate his powers but then coughed, vomiting necroplasm. "Damn…my necro-sickness." He reached inside his pocket and then realized that his Zodiac Deck was missing. "Oh, shit!"
"Now, there is no need for such language," said Occultus, hands folded behind his back.
"Occultus, what are you up to?" Mortuary demanded, "Tell me!" He banged his fists against the inside of the tube.
"I'm resurrecting the Orphenoch King, and you're going to help me," said Occultus, "You see, Mortuary. I've been planning this for quite some time now. The tube next to you contains the essence of the original Orphenoch King. Several years ago I found the body of the Orphenoch King, but it has decayed. Fortunately, I was able to save its essence."
"So, what do you need me for?" Mortuary asked, though he feared the answer.
"Mortuary, you were born for this," Occultus spoke, "It's…your destiny."
"WHAT!?"
"You were created under the name Project: Xell by an organization called Dark Cronos," Occultus explained, "Guess who was the one who commissioned the project."
"You…" Mortuary concluded, horrified by the revelation. "It can't be."
"That's right. Though the idea was to create the perfect soldier by cloning the great sorcerer called Joachim Xell. Of course, that was part of the equation. Dark Cronos also acquired some Necrophyte DNA from some intergalactic benefactors which gave you your powers," Occultus explained further. "I think you know them. You've heard of the Deathtrons, right?" Occultus chuckled. "Well, that's enough history for today. Now, it's time for you to embrace your destiny. Be proud, you're about to be crowned the King of all Orphenochs."
Mortuary watched as Occultus went to the controls of this machine. Occultus gave Mortuary a chilling smile while Grave looked as stoic as ever. As for Andrew, he was looking away.
"Prepare to usher in a new era, my friends," spoke Occultus ominously. "The world and the future, is ours." He flipped the switch and Mortuary screamed.
The machine began to pulse with intense energy as the essence was being transferred into Mortuary's body, forcefully. The young Red Wolf could feel his consciousness and humanity slipping away with every second. He had to fight it, but the essence's influence was growing way too strong for him. It was starting to overwhelm his soul, mind, body and senses.
Andrew checked the computer attached to the machine. Panicking, he shouted to Occultus, "Master, it's overloading!"
Occultus laughed maniacally as he watched the essence of the Orphenoch King engulf Mortuary in blue flames. "My enemy now becomes my weapon!! How glorious!!"
Grave's stoic expression didn't change one bit and Andrew started to have second thoughts.
The overload continued and eventually the machine exploded. Grave stood before Occultus and generated a shield of Psycho Power to protect his master from the flying shrapnel. Andrew, however, was flung backwards by the explosion and crashed into the wall painfully.
There was a lot of smoke as a result from the explosion. Grave dropped the shield and Occultus showed his appreciation by squeezing the youth's shoulder. Looking up, Occultus could see the silhouette of a figure coming towards them from within the smoke cloud.
Grinning wickedly, Occultus exclaimed, "The Orphenoch King has awakened!!" He threw his arms into the air and reared his head back, laughing maniacally.
A blue glow was being emitted from the figure's eyes within the smoke. There was nothing but malevolent intent within them.
For all his blunder, it is the sad province of Man that he cannot choose his triumph. He can only choose how he will stand when the call of destiny comes... hoping that he'll have the courage to answer.
To Be Continued…
I'd like to credit Shadow Element 13 for the opening and closing narrations, which he got from HEROES.