Part 83: Two Months Later
It is man's ability to remember that sets us apart. We are the only species concerned with the past. Our memories give us voice. They bear the witness to history, so that others might learn, so they might celebrate our triumphs and be warned of our failures.
2 months had passed since the battle at Zandia. Upon returning to the Tower, Draco immediately locked himself up in his room. It was obvious that he'd been crying in his room. Whenever he came out, he smiled, but it was really only a mask. It was just like when he'd first come to the city. It was after Tazuka's death.
2 months ago he'd, reluctantly, gone to inform Vincent Harker, Mortuary's adopted dad, of his adopted son's death before being thrown out by the angry man. Draco couldn't blame him, really. It was after all his fault that Mortuary had died.
A memorial service had been held in Mortuary's honor. Friends and family came…well…most of them came. Draco couldn't bring himself to attend. He just felt that he didn't deserve to be there. Of course, he'd been coerced into attending though, albeit reluctantly, to pay his respects. Afterwards, Ashleigh, Cassandra and Billy left to travel the world.
Jinx was the most concerned as was Brimstone. They didn't know what to do and were unsure of how to help him.
Renia had also been affected by Mortuary's death. Her temper was shorter and she would yell out in a rage before storming out of the room to blow off some steam via the training room. She had beaten up several training dummies before shredding them to ribbons. She didn't want anyone to see her crying.
Shadow and Raven hadn't returned from Azarath, but news of their marriage did reach the Titans. Starfire and Robin had returned a month earlier but Pluto and Blackfire stayed on Tamaran. Pluto was working on restoring Tamaran's tropical environment.
At first he was reluctant to stay but then he received a surprising message…
It was from his mother. She had miraculously awakened from her coma. Venus brought her immediately to Titans East Tower to send a transmission to him. At first Takada was shocked and couldn't believe it but there she was, his mother, smiling.
Sure, his mother had been upset about her husband's death but had moved on. Takada and his mother had spent hours talking through the computer screen. He'd told her everything that had happened in the last 4 years. She laughed, cried and was shocked. Also, she finally got to meet the girl her son had chosen as his girlfriend. Sure, she was an alien, but since she could make her son happy, she was happy too. She hoped that one day they got to meet in person.
What Takada didn't know that Reika's revival was all due to some 'divine intervention'. Libra had gone to Heaven and met with his old friend, Ryo Takada. Ryo knew that his wife was in a coma. He couldn't bear to see her suffer that way so he begged Libra, who he knew was Kyousuke, to revive her. Libra couldn't do it but Ryo decided to pay the price.
Ryo was willing to stay for eternity in Hell as long as his wife was revived. He wanted his family complete again, even without him. Libra tried to talk him against it but Libra knew better than to deny his old friend and teacher. After pulling some strings, Ryo was taken to Hell but he wore a smile on his face. He wouldn't be tortured, hopefully.
Reika gave her son her blessings with his mission and just hoped he would succeed. She had faith in him. Apparently, her son had neglected to tell her about his previous failed experiments.
Blackfire had never seen Takada so happy. She remembered when he'd been so happy after winning her hand. He had to go through the X'Handal tournament, fighting various suitors to make himself worthy in the eyes of the Tamaraneans. He'd also humiliated a few men since he was human. Too bad for them that he wasn't a normal human.
The happiness he showed that day at the end of the X'Handal was nothing compared to the happiness he showed when he saw his mother, awake at last.
Takada had no idea of the deal his father had made but it was for the best. He didn't need to know about his father's sacrifice.
Draco, of course, wasn't as happy as he seemed. Jinx knew it. She could see it. The pain in his eyes was apparent. They'd lost their usual shine. She grew worried about him. For 2 months he'd driven himself hard in his training, forcing himself to the brink of exhaustion. The failure of losing Mortuary had caused this.
She'd tried to make him feel better. He even got to speak with his idols, the Kamen Riders. They gave him their condolences. A few of them understood, really. The one she got to know as V3 even confessed to having witnessed his whole family being slaughtered before his eyes.
He even got a few words of advice from Kamen Rider Ichigo/Takeshi Hongo.
"A Rider's strength stems from tragedy."
Ryuki's interpretation was that he had to become stronger to avoid another tragedy. However, in doing so, he was pushing his friends away.
He was pushing her away.
Warren did not want his friend to go down a path of self destruction so he decided to take matters into his own hands. He went off into the city with Chaco, who he'd hidden in a special sub-space pocket during the battle to keep her safe. He'd promised the late Mr. J that he would take care of the dog and he was going to keep that promise no matter what. Warren, upon seeing the state this Earth's Titans decided to stay until things got back to normal, relatively speaking. He paled. "Rae's gonna be pissed," he said to himself
He was going to meet three other special people who could help him deal with Ryuki's problem. They were the people who Ryuki considered as brothers.
They were Saeji Takuma, Ryunosuke "Ryan" Kazama and Tazuka Mizuki, also known as the Red Fanged Makai Knight REDDO, the Vizard known as Kamen Rider Oni, and the Arrancar known as El Pasenderos Aguarius, respectively.
He was going to meet them at an outdoor café. Chaco was walking alongside him on a leash, yipping happily. The small Chihuahua had made friends with Brimstone, Draco's pet demon dog. Ryuki was walking alongside him after being convinced by Jinx to take some time off. He'd been training non stop and needed a break. Brimstone was on a leash he was holding.
Warren had met Tazuka and Saeji when they had come to visit the Tower. From what Warren gathered, Tazuka was an Arrancar and Saeji was a Makai Knight. Both were like brothers to Ryuki. They became friends shortly after meeting and having a 3-way spar.
Warren had also contacted Ryan. The Oni Kamen Rider had been part of their ChronoLiner crew which had saved the Multiverse months ago. Warren knew Ryuki looked up to his sempai.
Saeji and Tazuka were already seated at a table, waiting for Warren and Ryuki to show up. They had already ordered and were drinking coffee while snacking on some cheese and crackers. They were both talking as they waited for the remaining members of the meeting to show up.
"Ryuki-kun is not doing well," Saeji sighed. "Last time he was this bad was when you died, I believe."
"True," Tazuka sighed. "Unlike me, however, Mortuary is not going to come back."
"Human life. So fragile and so irreplaceable," Kurenai, Saeji's magic ring, sighed. "How I pity you."
"Hey, guys!" Ryan greeted as he sat down after pulling himself a chair. He set his guitar case down. "So, when are they coming?"
"Hello, Ryan," Saeji greeted. He and Ryan had met a while back when a few Horrors and Hollows decided to work together. It'd taken their combined efforts to destroy a Hollow-Horror hybrid created when a Horror and Hollow bonded. It hadn't been an easy battle.
"Greetings," Tazuka greeted. Despite both of their races being opposite, they learnt to at least tolerate one another. They weren't friends but they were still allies. The only common factor they shared was their friendship and fondness with Ryuki.
The waitress came to take Ryan's order. He simply asked for a sandwich and a tall glass of cold milk.
"How has Ryuki been doing?" Ryan asked bluntly, but with concern in his voice.
"Not well," Saeji sighed. "He's sealing himself up and not letting anyone through."
"Frankly, Jinx is unsure what to do and is worried about their relationship," Tazuka nodded.
"From what's going on, I don't think it's going to last soon as long as this problem isn't solved," Saeji said observantly. "I mean, I like the girl too."
"Same here," agreed Tazuka. "He's happier with her than he was with Alex or Caitlin." Jinx at least understood what it was like to have power she didn't like. Ryuki didn't particularly like being an Orphenoch. At a moments notice he would turn into a rampaging monster. Only Jinx had the ability to get close enough to calm him down.
"Hey, here they come," Ryan pointed and both Saeji and Tazuka turned to see Warren and Ryuki approaching them with their dogs. As soon as Ryuki saw them he looked a little hesitant to approach. He nearly turned around but Brimstone forced him forward. Ryuki didn't have the strength to argue and just surrendered.
Warren and Ryuki sat down and the waitress came to take the new arrivals' orders. Ryuki ordered a tuna fish sandwich and a glass of milk while Warren ordered some black coffee and a club sandwich. The dogs both lay on the ground, resting.
"Good afternoon, Ryuki-kun," Tazuka greeted. Ryuki gave a brief nod and Tazuka frowned. He knew Ryuki would be in mourning but it'd been 2 whole months. He should've moved on by now. However, things were different. It was taking a lot longer for Ryuki to recover because it had been him that had killed Mortuary. He'd done so with his own hands.
"So, anything new happening?" Ryan asked, trying to make conversation, "I mean, how's the drumming?"
"Haven't played the drums, really," Ryuki answered. The waitress came with their orders and Ryuki lightly nibbled on his sandwich. "I just wasn't in the mood."
Saeji blanched. Seeing Ryuki like this was foreign. He remembered that his cousin was more active than this but he seemed so melancholy right now. It didn't suit him. Sure, there were moment of sadness but he got over them fast. "Anything interesting with the Titans?" his cousin asked.
Ryuki sighed, putting down his sandwich. He had taken small bites. He didn't seem to have an appetite, "I know what you're all trying to do and I'm fine. I'm dealing with it."
"You're not," Warren objected. "We're all worried about you."
"You don't have to be," Ryuki responded. "It's my burden to bear, alone. I'll carry it myself on my own shoulders. You don't have to help."
Warren frowned, "Kid, it's affecting everyone. They're all worried. I'm worried. You need to let it go."
Ryuki stood up, glaring, "I don't know what you're talking about." He tugged at Brimstone's leash. "Let's go, Brimstone." He slammed money on the table. "Keep the change." He grabbed the sandwich and took a large bite out of it before drinking the rest of his milk. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and started to walk. He didn't get too far as he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Let me go," he said slowly.
"Not until you sit down and talk," Tazuka said sternly.
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Yes there is. You're hurting." Tazuka then pulled his hand away when he felt Ryuki's body heat up like a flame. "Ow!"
"Just…leave me alone," he requested. "I really need to be alone."
"You don't have to be," spoke Saeji. "You got friends and family who care about you."
"They shouldn't," answered Ryuki. "I'm a killer."
Before anyone else could protest, Ryuki had teleported away with Brimstone.
"Well, that idea worked," Ryan commented sarcastically.
"Not in the mood, Vizard," Tazuka growled.
"Bite me, Arrancar," Ryan shot back.
Tazuka was tempted to reach for his sword. Really.
Tempers were rising, Warren realized that. Whatever was going on with Ryuki was affecting everyone around him.
Even Warren's temper was rising. "That's it! I'm gonna go beat some sense into him!" Warren then thought worriedly, 'I sure hope he doesn't do anything stupid. Jinx is counting on me. If anything were to happen to him she'll kill me.'
Saeji stood up, leaving money on the table, "We should go after him."
"I would if he hadn't hidden his energy trail," Tazuka stated. "He's learnt to hide it."
"Yeah, thanks to some lessons from me," Ryan added. "But, seriously, he's not exactly in his right mind. Where could he have gone?"
Tazuka appeared thoughtful. He had an idea, "The one place he would go."
"What do you mean?" Saeji asked.
"When I died, he visited my grave to apologize," Tazuka answered.
They all knew where Ryuki was headed.
Ryuki arrived at the cemetery with Brimstone. The hellhound looked up at his master with concern filling his yellow eyes. Ryuki ignored the look as he kneeled down in front of a gravestone.
Mortuary had been his friend. Sure, they had their differences and the first time they'd met Mortuary had intended to put a bullet in Ryuki's head, but they managed to become friends despite a very bad first impression. They'd helped one another and even saved the Multiverse together. Now, he was gone.
Ryuki remembered attending the memorial service. It couldn't be called a funeral, really, since there was no body present. This stone here was placed only to remember Mortuary by after his death. Ryuki had spoken a few words in Craig's honor, before everyone left. He had been the last to leave.
All the time, he could feel Vincent Harker glaring at him, blaming him for the death of his son. He was right. It was all Ryuki's fault that Craig was dead. If only Ryuki had been strong enough then maybe Craig wouldn't have been turned into the Orphenoch King.
Ryuki had begged Ant to go back in time to change things but the owner of the ChronoLiner had declined. Ant drew the line when it concerned drastic changes to the timeline. As much as Ryuki hated to admit it, changing things may cause irreparable damage to the timeline. Ryuki just couldn't risk it.
It was still tempting though.
"I'm sorry," Ryuki apologized, eyes cast down with tears falling. "It should've been me! Not you!" He balled his fists, "Why did you have to die!? Why did I have to be the one to kill you!? Why? WHY!?" His shoulders shook as he sobbed. "Why…?"
He heard footsteps. Feeling the aura he knew who it was. "Hello, Jinx."
"Warren told me you'd be here," she said, kneeling down next to him. "How are you holding up?" She hated to see him cry like this.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that?" he returned, looking straight at her. "I'm fine."
"We're all really worried about you," Jinx explained, "And, for the record, you're not fine."
Ryuki remained silent.
"Please, talk to me," she begged. He stood up, "Baby?"
"I'm going to take a walk. I'll see you at the tower." As he turned to leave, he felt a tug at the back of his jacket. He gasped when he felt a pair of arms wrapped tightly around his torso. He demanded, "Let me go."
"No!" she snapped, stubbornly. "Now until you talk to me."
"Please…" he said, nearly begging. "Let go. I don't want to hurt you."
"Too late," she whispered but he could hear it, "You already have."
He dislodged her arms and spun around to face her.
"What is that supposed to mean?" he asked her. She looked up, tears running from her eyes and down her cheeks, ruining her makeup. He hated to see her cry, he really did. It broke his heart. "Jinx?"
"We're drifting apart," Jinx informed him, "It's like you're a stranger to me and I don't want to lose you!"
"We're not drifting apart," he denied.
"We are!" she insisted, clenching her fists. She asked, "When was the last time we made love?"
He blushed at hearing her say it. Then he frowned guiltily when he finally remembered.
It had been two months since they'd been together, intimate with one another. He hadn't been gentle with her. In fact, he had been like an animal. He took her and ravaged her violently. She had screamed but he hadn't stopped. When all was said and done, she ended up bruised and crying. He held her in comfort.
Since then he'd been too afraid to touch her. He was too dangerous to be around.
"I hurt you," he reminded.
"I know, but I forgave you," Jinx spoke. "You were hurting and I shouldn't have tried that with you."
"Wasn't your fault," he objected. "I could've killed you." He thought, 'Like I killed Craig.'
Jinx looked imploringly into his eyes. She confessed, "I went into your room."
His eyes widened, "You did what?" 2 months ago he had not allowed anyone entrance into his room.
"I saw the bags. You're going to leave," Jinx continued. She didn't want him to leave. He had done so when Tazuka had died.
"I have to," he reasoned. "The team doesn't need a killer like me."
"Where are you going to go?" she asked.
"Far from people, so I don't end up killing anyone again," he said dejectedly.
"Damn it, Ryuki Leonard Hasuma! You didn't have a choice!" she yelled. She knew she was in the cemetery, standing on holy ground, but she didn't care at the moment. "You did what you had to do!"
"But at what cost? Craig's life!?" Ryuki yelled back. "I'm supposed to save lives, not sacrifice them, not for any reason."
"No one ever said being a hero was easy," Jinx stated.
"I can't even call myself that," he looked away in shame. "I'm a killer. I'm no hero." He remembered the words Vincent Harker had used the day he'd informed him of Craig's death: murderer and monster. He was right.
He looked at his hands and saw them as his Orphenoch hands, with sharp claws. He could see the blood on his hands from the people he'd killed. He would always see it. He could never wash it away. He could never wash away his sins.
"Yes, you are!" Jinx insisted, "You saved all those Orphenochs!"
The Orphenochs that Occultus had manipulated. As much as they wanted to be 'perfect', they hadn't known that Occultus had just been using them. When the King came, their minds had been controlled yet again. Though many of them had been angry at him for denying them a chance at a longer life, they finally understood that they had to live the way they wished, not the way Occultus had wished. In fact, they never intended to be stuck as Orphenochs.
That what the King would've done. He would've stabilized their DNA at the cost of their humanity.
Such a cost was not worth eternal life.
"I might've condemned them too," Ryuki stated. "They'll die."
"They have the serum," Jinx said. "Smart Brain is providing them with it."
"That's good."
Jinx looked at his face. It looked lethargic, like he hadn't had enough sleep lately. He also hadn't eaten much. Though he smiled and insisted he was fine, he was far from it.
Two months he had been in pain, but he needed to move on. He had to move on. Craig would've wanted it that way.
"Want to sit down?" she asked.
"I think I'd like that," Ryuki nodded, giving a small smile. It didn't reach his eyes, though.
Kat was taking a stroll around town, alone. She was bored. She had been bored for two months. So far, her life had been reduced to training the other villains who know formed the group called 'Tartarus'. Though a few had potential, the rest were just fools.
"I deserve better," she muttered.
'Yes you do,' a voice in her mind agreed. It was like hers but darker and more demonic. 'You deserve minions that are worthy for the likes of you and reach your specifications.'
"Damn right. The only ones I can count on are Rose and Cathy." Where was a Mirror Monster when you needed one to fight? It just wasn't fair! "Ugh, I need to hit something!"
She felt a tap on her shoulder and spun around angrily. "What?" It was a man in a three piece black business suit and wearing sunglasses. He had short brown hair. "OK, who are you?" she asked, hands on her hips.
"Are you Miss Neko Katherine Hasuma?" he asked, "Also known as Copycat?"
Kat's eyes narrowed, "Who wants to know?" How did he know about her? Maybe she could kill him to get rid of some of her stress.
"My employer sent me to ask for your assistance. It regards your brother."
Kat glared, "Don't ever mention him."
"I see you dislike him," the man observed.
"What was your first clue?" Kat snorted. "Are you going to continue wasting my time or are you going to get straight to the point?"
"Well, you see, my employer also wishes to take care of him," the man explained, "It's for personal reasons, really."
"Whatever," Kat crossed her arms, "What do you want me to do and what do I get in return?"
The man smiled. "You will be greatly rewarded. Why don't we talk as we walk?"
"Sure, whatever," she responded, bored.
"I've been ignoring you, haven't I?" Ryuki asked Jinx. They'd been sitting for quite awhile now.
"Ya think?" she replied sarcastically.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I'm just…"
"You're hurting, we all are," Jinx finished. "I mean, Renia is more pissed off as usual if you haven't noticed."
"She did blow up at Beast Boy," Ryuki said, remembering what happened one day. Beast Boy was lucky to have gotten away from Renia's wrath alive.
"And his tofu breakfast buffer," Jinx added, giggling as she remembered seeing all that tofu on the kitchen floor, walls and ceiling. That laughter turned infectious and Ryuki found himself chuckling too. Jinx smiled, having able to make him laugh again. It was a good sign.
He then froze when he heard a ringing in his ear. "I need to go," he told Jinx. She knew that look already by now.
"I know," Jinx nodded. She took out her compact and opened it up to show the mirror inside. "Here, use this."
Ryuki reached into his pocket and pulled out his Zodiac Deck. He thrust his right hand, which was clutching the deck, out in front of the mirror before calling out, "Henshin! Empowerment of the Zodiac Dragon!" and then he slid the deck into the belt. Glass shards and flames enveloped him, forming his Zodiac Armor of the Dragon. He took in a deep breath of air before focusing on the mirror. He reached forward with a finger before he was sucked inside the mirror portal.
Jinx sighed as she held the compact to her chest. 'Come back to me…'
Gazelles. Why did it have to be Gazelles of all things? Gazelles had been Mortuary's Zodiac Beast and seeing them just further reminded Draco of him. Regardless, Draco charged forward and fought. He drew his cards and summoned his sword and shield before he began slashing at them ferociously. They struck at him but he used his shield to block and deflect their strikes before countering with his blade. He used his legs to kick at them and dodged their attacks. He also bashed at them with his shield.
Over the years he'd gotten better at fighting the monsters of the Mirror World, with a little guidance of course. Also, with his enhanced Orphenoch senses and abilities, he was more than a match for them in his armored state.
He dropped his weapons and sent the Gazelles flying with a telekinetic blast. He froze a few and shattered them with telekinesis. He flung fireballs at a couple of them and they burst into flames. Reaching to his belt, he then pulled out his Survivor card. His Dragauntlet morphed into the Dragblaster before Draco put the card inside its 'mouth' before snapping it shut.
"Survive!" Draco called out as the flames enveloped him and changed his armor to its Survivor Mode. The Gazelles recovered and charged at him. Drawing another card before sliding it inside his card reader, he prepared his attack.
"Survivor Final Vent!"
Dragonzer roared as it transformed into Dragonrizer. The dragon flew down and blasted the Gazelles with fireballs, destroying a few. Draco leapt up and landed on his dragon's back, straddling it. With a roar, Dragonrizer flew towards the ground, reconfiguring its body into its motorcycle form before it touched the ground. The wheels screeched as they made contact with the ground.
Draco performed a wheelie and the dragon blasted flames at the remaining Gazelles, trapping them, before it dropped down and then rushed straight at them. A flaming aura engulfed Draco and Dragonrizer as they raced towards their target.
"DRAGON METEOR FIRESTORM!!" Draco roared as he accelerated, running the Gazelles over and ramming straight through them. Each and everyone one of them exploded in a fiery blaze. Their energy cores rose up into the air following their defeat. Dragonrizer roared as Draco got off it, calling forth his fellow Contracts. They all rushed in to partake in the feast of energy. Sighing, Draco let his Survivor Mode armor fall away to reveal his normal armor.
As he turned to exit, Draco's danger senses were set off. He spun around in time to see a stream of blue flames headed straight for him. He rolled out of the way and got on one knee to see who, or what, had attacked him.
It was a Zodiac Knight, at least he thought it was.
The 'Knight' was clad in black armor. Under it was a navy blue bodysuit. There were yellow stripes on the sides of his chestplate and silver piping on his shoulders. Armor also clung to his thighs. Equipped to his right arm was a thick silver gauntlet. His helmet was mostly black with a silver mouthpiece resembling insect mandibles and his visor was pitched black and bulbous like insect eyes. There was a pair of black antennae sticking up from the forehead. His belt, however, was what set him off from the other Knights. Its design was different as it concealed the deck inside of it, only revealing a round yellow emblem and a slot for the cards. Of course, the slot for the cards was on the left side instead of the right.
Draco instantly knew this wasn't one of the original Zodiac Knights.
"Who are you?" he asked the newcomer.
"Your executioner," was the answer he received before the mysterious newcomer raised up his silver gauntlet, pointing it right at him. There were gun barrels equipped to it but it wasn't firing bullets. It was firing blue flames like a flamethrower.
Draco dodged the flame blasts. Once again, life had thrown him another curveball. Just who was this guy?"
"But if you need a name, call me Alternative-01," Alternative-01 added before firing more flames at Draco.
Growling, Draco shouted, "Time to fight fire with fire!" He shot his flames at the flames coming at him, pushing forward with all his might. Alternative-01 seemed to be struggling as he grasped his flamethrower gauntlet with his other hand. It would appear Draco had the advantage.
Or so it seemed.
Draco suddenly shouted in pain as he felt sparks being ripped off his back by a devastating strike. He lost concentration of his flames and was engulfed by the blue ones belonging to Alternative-01. He would survive, though, but his armor was scorched.
Alternative-01 stopped his assault and said, "Oh, and here's my partner." Copycat walked over to stand by Alternative-01's side. "Zodiac Knight Copycat."
"Onee-chan?" Draco questioned as he struggled to stand on his feet, his armor smoking with scorch marks. "Why?"
"We both hate you," Copycat informed, wearing her large clawed gauntlets known as the Feline Claws. "So why not work together to take you out?"
"We both made a business arrangement," Alternative-01 added. "She helps me defeat you and will be rewarded." He reached down to his belt and pulled out a card. He swiped it over a slot in his silver gauntlet and the card vanished into blue flames as the gauntlet announced in a female digital voice, "Sword Vent." A black lance appeared in his hands as he strode forward towards Draco with Copycat following.
They attacked Draco in tandem, striking him with their weapons and causing sparks to fly off his armor, eliciting pain filled screams. A few more violent strikes sent him reeling to the ground.
Draco knew his end would come, as did all Orphenochs. He knew he would die one day, but he never expected it to be today. Regardless, he wasn't going down without a fight. He managed to push himself back to his feet but was slashed again by Alternative-01 and forced to the ground yet again. Draco panted as he laid facedown on the ground. He felt as if his entire body was numb. He was flipped over and then Alternative-01 had him pinned down with his foot, his lance aimed at the Dragon Knight's throat.
"My employer is seeing all this as we speak," Alternative-01 informed, tapping his visor. "He would be so pleased that I manage to kill you."
"Why does he want me dead? Who is he?" Draco asked hoarsely.
"Might as well tell him," Copycat said, shrugging. "He's gonna die. He deserves the courtesy."
Alternative-01 considered her words and answered, "My employer is named Vincent Harker." Draco's eyes widened under his helmet, "And this is for the life of his son. A life for a life."
Vengeance. Vincent Harker was swearing vengeance.
"And now, you die!" Alternative-01 shouted before thrusting down his lance. Draco shut his eyes, the final thoughts in his mind were of his friends.
'Sayonara, minna…'
Seconds past and the strike never came. He did hear the sound of metal piercing metal followed by a gurgling sound and cracked one eye open and then both his eyes shot wide open.
Alternative-01 was standing, stunned, with sharp blades sticking out of his chest. Blood was dripping from the wound and blades, which were really Copycat's claws. She stood behind him, her red eyes gleaming. She'd literally stabbed him in the back. Shaking, Alternative-01 turned his head to look at her and asked, "W…Why?"
"I said I'd help you," she reminded Alternative-01, "But I never said you could kill him." She removed her claws from his back. The blood dripped off her claws to the ground. "Killing him is my right, my destiny, and I will not let anyone else take it from me." Savagely, she attacked her former partner with her claws, causing him to scream out as sparks ripped off his armor. She continued her vicious onslaught, torturing him with each strike.
"YAMERRO!" Draco shouted, grabbing his sister from behind by her waist. She struggled in his hold. Draco shouted to Alternative-01, "Nigerro! Hayaku!"
Staggering, Alternative-01 made his escape just as Copycat managed to force Draco to let go. The two siblings then began to battle with one another, trading blows and sending sparks flying off their armor.
Alternative-01 needed to get out of the Mirror World and fast. Already his armor was suffering from the effects of this world's atmosphere. It was fizzling and vaporizing in the air. He dropped to his knees, weak and suffering. He started to crawl towards a nearby exit. He was unsure what would kill him. Would it be the mortal wound Copycat had inflicted upon him or this world?
It would be neither.
He heard footsteps approaching and lifted up his head to see who was coming. He feared that it would be Copycat but instead it was another Knight.
It was Shadowcoba.
Sighing, Shadowcobra said, "An artificial Knight, and I thought Global Justice's attempt was a mockery. Oh well."
"Please…help me…" Alternative-01 begged, "Please…my wounds…" He reached for Shadowcobra, pleading to him for help. "I'm…going to die…"
"Oh, that I can agree upon," Shadowcobra replied before reaching to his belt and pulling out a card. "Your life ends here."
Alternative-01's eyes widened as he realized the meaning behind Shadowcobra's words. He attempted to crawl away but he wouldn't be getting too far.
"Final Vent!"
Shadowcobra rushed at Alternative-01 with Genosnaker slithering swiftly behind him. The Snake Knight then leapt up, did a back flip, and Genosnaker reared his head back before opening its mouth, firing a stream of acid and venom, catapulting its master at his target.
"GENOCIDE CRASH!!"
Shadowcobra performed a bicycle kick which slammed into Alternative-01 and sent him flying after several violent hits. He screamed as his armor exploded.
Shadowcobra touched back down on the ground, watching the entire blaze. He was about to leave when he noticed something at his feet. He pulled it into his hand with his shadow powers and inspected the item. It hadn't been ruined. The item was a black rectangular case that resembled a Zodiac Deck, but instead of a crystal there was a round yellow emblem with the serial number ALT-01 inside written in black. Shrugging, Shadowcobra walked away with his 'trophy'.
Draco was thrown to the ground and Copycat stood over him, ready to kill him. She studied him and grimaced when she realized that her armor was vaporizing. "Damn," she cursed. "Out of time already." She then walked away, leaving him there to die. Fighting him had been dissatisfying, like he wanted to die. If he wasn't going to take this fight seriously, he was better off dead anyway.
Draco struggled to get back to his feet to find a reflective surface. A mirror, a window, even a puddle would work. The cemetery's Mirror World counterpart was close. He found a small puddle and reached into it before he was sucked into the exit portal.
He saw darkness afterwards.
There are many ways to define our fragile existence, many ways to give it meaning. But it is our memories that shape its purpose and give it context. The private assortment of images, fears, loves, regrets. For it is the cruel irony of life that we are destined to hold the dark with the light, the good with the evil, success with disappointment. This is what separates us, what makes us human; and in the end, we must fight to hold on to.
To Be Continued…
Krylla Orchid is credited for the term "X'Handal" which I used in this chapter. Thanks, Krylla.