Part 88: One Week Ago
Well, things went pretty normal for a change once I got home. Rae beat the crap outta me for not contacting her in 2 months, but then again how can I communicate across dimensions? She forgave me. I spent some time with the kids.
Then I had to go back to work.
Took the family to New York to spend some time with Alan, while I took care of business. First I brought Craig to my pal Reed, as in Dr. Reed Richards of the Fantastic 4. He called in some other friends; Mr. Terrific, Hank Pym, and Tony Stark. Who better to find a medical cure than the four greatest scientific minds on my world?
Turns out there was no cure, guess that bastard Occultus wasn't lying about that. They did manage to create a serum that suppressed it though.
Next I brought him to my old pal Dr. Strange, who called in a mutual acquaintance, Dr. Fate. Together they worked on any possible mystic angle the Orphenoch gene could have. They couldn't find much, but they at least managed to get Craig back into his human form.
Then I brought Craig back to the JSA Headquarters. Here they would get his confidence back, remind him what it means to be a hero. After all, that's what they do at the Justice Society of America.
And now, I'm back on Ryuki's world, face to face with a girl who looks just like Copycat, but is this really her?
-Warren Smith/Wraith
"So, what did I miss while I was away?" Warren asked in an attempt to break the tension.
Neko entered the living room and immediately locked eyes with Warren. She froze.
"Uh-oh," Neko gulped.
One Week Ago...
Neko finished explaining everything, with Rose, Cathy and Kenzaki filling in the blanks for her. It didn't change the expression of both Zodiac Knights who'd scolded them.
"You disobeyed a direct order," Shadowcobra said, "You weren't supposed to leave the Tower without permission."
"I know," Neko nodded.
"When I went to check up on you, I was surprised to see you gone. Plus, you don't have a communicator. Do you know the horrible things I was imagining?" Draco said. "I could've lost you again, Neko-chan."
"I know," Neko bowed her head. "I'm sorry. How many times must I apologize?"
"You cannot ignore the fact that she had little choice in the matter. She wished to rescue the people she loves. It was noble, honorable and courageous," Gekiryuken stated. Draco and Shadowcobra had been surprised about Neko gaining a Keyblade and even more surprised to discover it could talk. Nonetheless, it didn't change the fact that Neko had disobeyed orders.
"What you did was foolish, irresponsible and totally reckless," stated Shadowcobra. "You shouldn't have gone off alone like that. You could've gotten killed if you were unlucky."
"I was with her," Kenzaki defended, he received a glare from both Draco and Shadowcobra and the combination gave him goose bumps.
"As for you, you were placed under our custody for attacking Neko," Shadowcobra reminded. "You too disobeyed orders."
"Hey!" Kenzaki snapped, "I don't answer to you or anybody else! I'm a bounty hunter and I was just doing my job!"
"Some job," Shadowcobra snorted, "You didn't even capture Copycat."
"Why you…" Kenzaki growled.
"ENOUGH!" Draco shouted. This shocked everyone, Neko the most, who'd never seen him so forceful. The Dragon Knight rubbed his temples, exasperated by the arguments. "Can we pick this up tomorrow? It's late and I want to get back to sleep."
'You just want to cuddle with Jinx,' Yaminekoryu chuckled.
'Urusai!' Draco shot back. He wasn't in the mood to argue. Yet, he was curious about Gekiryuken's origins. He seemed familiar for some reason, like he'd seen the medallion before.
"But what about Rose and Cathy?" Neko questioned. The two Knights already knew that Rose was Slade's daughter and this would no doubt cause a commotion in the morning, especially Robin who fiercely hated Slade. Cathy, on the other hand, was a mutant girl that Neko had adopted. She hadn't divulged the details yet as if she was hesitant too. However, they couldn't ignore the fact that Neko had rescued them for her own reasons.
"They can stay with you in my room," Draco answered, smiling tenderly. This was his sister's girlfriend and his niece here, therefore he was honor bound to let them stay the night. Shadowcobra quirked an eyebrow.
"Arigatou, Ryu-chan," Neko hugged her brother briefly.
"Thank you," Rose said in gratitude.
"Arigato, Uncle Ryu!" Cathy chirped. Though she looked 14, she was still a little childish. Ryuki found her cute, especially with her cat-like features. He couldn't help but ruffle her hair a bit. He sent them on their way.
"Excuse me, but I believe the ALPHA Gear belongs to me," Shadowcobra said. Cathy was still holding the briefcase. She looked sheepish and then turned back to hand the briefcase over to Shadowcobra.
"No!" Cathy refused. "It's mine! Mama gave it to me and I've been using it all this time!" She was whining like a spoilt brat and refusing to cooperate, "You can't have it!"
"Give it, or I'll make you," Shadow hissed.
"No!" She stuck her tongue out at Shadow. "Bleh!" Shadow was ready to force it out of her hands when Neko intervened.
"Koneko-chan, please return the ALPHA Gear to him," Neko commanded in a tender tone. Cathy gasped, surprised, and stared with her mouth agape at her adoptive mother.
"But, mama!" Cathy retorted, "You gave it to me! It's mine! It's mine, it's mine, it's mine!"
"It wasn't mine to give, Cathy," Neko clarified. "It belongs to his company. Now, do as I say, young lady," Neko ordered sternly.
Cathy pouted but the adorable look on her face would not make Neko change her mind. Cathy sighed, sulking. As much as she wanted to keep the Gear, her mother was right. Didn't mean she had to like it. though "Fine, I'll give it back." She really didn't want to but her mama wanted her to. "Here you go." Cathy apologized, reluctantly, "Sorry for using it without permission." Shadowcobra took the case. He was going to have to send it back to the New York HQ for safe keeping and this time under heavy security. Cathy then joined Neko and Rose to walk towards the elevator.
"Well, now that that's over, I should get some shuteye," Kenzaki yawned. He walked off.
"Matte," Shadowcobra and Draco said at once, stopping the interdimensional bounty hunter in his tracks.
"We're not done with you yet," Shadowcobra said sternly.
"You put my sister in danger so now you're going to pay," Draco cracked his knuckles, fire in his eyes.
Kenzaki turned and faced Draco and Shadowcobra. He took off his gloves and trench coat, revealing his metal arms and clawed fingers. "Try me."
Rose and Cathy put down their bags and let out the two cats, which promptly ran towards Neko. They rubbed themselves against Neko's legs and she giggled. "Oh…I missed you too, my kitties." She kneeled and petted them gently.
"It feels weird," Rose commented. "I mean the last time I was here in this tower was to kidnap that Homunculus girl."
Neko gulped. Renia was temperamental. She looked half tempted to eat her to a bloody pulp as soon as she got here. 'Let's just hope she doesn't recognize you.'
"Mama, are we going to stay here from now on?" Cathy asked her adopted mother, Neko.
Neko sighed and shook her head, "I don't know, Koneko-chan…I don't know…" It would be lucky if she wasn't thrown out the next day.
Suddenly, the alarms blared as red lights flashed in the room. T.I.T.A.N.'s voice came out, announcing, "WARNING! WARNING! PERIMETER BREACH! PERIMETER BREACH!"
It would be lucky if she survived this.
Shadowcobra and Draco were in the lobby with Kenzaki when they heard the alarm.
"A perimeter breach?" Shadowcobra questioned. He pulled out his SB-Cell and flipped it open, turning on the screen. He connected to the exterior surveillance cameras. "Oh…no…"
"What?" Draco looked over Shadowcobra's shoulder. As soon as he saw the image, he knew this was going to be trouble. "Kami-sama."
"Looks like Copycat sent a party," Kenzaki quipped. The screen showed an army of Horrors coming to shore, either from the water or from the air.
Draco and Shadowcobra exchanged looks. The alarm must've woken up the Titans so they'd be down here soon. The Horrors started to smash against the door and they weren't being gentle. The sound was echoing in the lobby as they continued to smash against it. It was a lucky thing that the windows were thick or else they could come right inside.
"We need to hold them off," Draco said firmly, taking out his Zodiac Deck.
"My sentiments exactly," Shadowcobra agreed, taking out his Zodiac Deck as well.
Kenzaki fastened his Garoh Belt around his waist, taking his Rider Pass as well. "Let's go welcome them."
Neko looked out the window to see an army of Horrors approaching the Tower. She knew her other half could hold a grudge but to act this fast was shocking. She turned to look at Neko and Rose.
"Ojou-sama, we have to stop them!" Gekiryuken said. Neko nodded in agreement.
"Right!" Neko nodded and ran for the door.
"Neko!" Rose shouted. The door slid open.
"You both stay here!" Neko shouted as she ran down the hallway towards the elevator. Gekiryuken glowed briefly as she gripped him before he resumed his Keyblade form.
'I'm going to protect them with my life!' Neko resolved.
Shadowcobra and Draco were already fighting off the Horrors. Draco was in his normal mode, using his Keyblade to cut down their numbers. Thankfully, lesser Horrors were easy to fight off. Unfortunately, there were too many of them and the three of them weren't going to be enough to fight off this army.
"RAMPAGE FORM!"
Kenzaki had transformed into a new form, using the gold colored button on his belt. Like always, his Plat Form appeared first. Afterward, new armor appeared and slammed onto his Plat Form armor. The usual pattern of an animal's head and paws becoming the upper body armor was the beginning of the formation. This was finished off by a jagged gold mask with fangs sliding down his faceplate and locking in place. Rampage Form held the resemblance of a golden lion. Garoh took out his Gasher and assembled it into the shape of a long stick, before a golden blade extended from the tip, turning it into a naginata.
Garoh spun the Naginata-Gasher around and started strumming it like an air guitar. "Let's turn up the volume! The music is just starting!" With his new weapon, Garoh decided to make 'Horror-kabobs'.
The trio wondered where their fellow Titans were and got their answers when green starbolts, a blue sonic energy beam, explosive birdarangs, rocks, pink hexes, dark energy blades, crystal spears and a green pterandon flew at the Horrors.
"Great, the cavalry's here!" Garoh growled in appreciation.
"How many?" Robin asked Cyborg as he took out his Bo-staff and smashed a Horror in the head.
"About 50 of them," Cyborg reported. He fired missiles at a few airborne Horrors. "45," he corrected. "45 ugly mothers."
"We can take them!" Terra shouted, flying on a slab of rock. She slapped her hands together and palms of stone rose up from the ground and crushed a pair of Horrors. "Oh yeah!" Horrors flew down on her but her Cutter Inzecter leapt off her shoulder and sliced their heads off with its mandibles before returning to her. "Good boy!"
The Scarab Inzecter was flying circles around a group of Horrors, confusing them. A distance away, Jinx was calculating her next move. She sent a wave of bad luck energy straight at their heads and they blew up. The bodies dropped and evaporated. "Yes!" Jinx cheered. The Scarab Inzecter returned to her and chirped. "I know! Come on!"
Renia found herself surrounded by Horrors but instead of looking worried she was grinning. She slammed both her palms onto the ground and a transmutation circle appeared under her speed. The circle grew and the Horrors caught in it ended up being turned to crystal. She stood up straight and snapped her fingers, shattering the crystals thus killing the Horrors. "Oh, yeah!"
Starfire and Raven remained in the air, blasting at Horrors with their powers. They made sure not to get any blood on them or else they'd be cursed. Starfire's starbolts caused the Horrors to combust on contact due to her powers being fueled by sunlight, a Horror's worst enemy. Raven concentrated and grabbed a few Horrors and then engulfed them in a ball of dark energy. The demons hissed and screeched, struggling inside their prison. Raven cupped her hands and then slowly shrunk the ball, crushing the Horrors inside into a black fleshy and bloody mess. The flesh and blood evaporated soon after as she dispelled her aura.
"Nice job, Raven!" Starfire complimented. Raven shrugged.
Beast Boy jumped at a group of Horrors and morphed into an armadillo in mid-air. He started to ricochet off their heads and slam into the repeatedly. Cyborg helped to finish them off with a double sonic-cannon combo, destroying their bodies.
Beast Boy chuckled. "Hah! Too easy!"
Draco had heard Beast Boy. "Too easy…" The Horrors, despite being mindless and hungry demons, were far too easy to defeat. It was like they were letting the Titans win. Draco didn't think any further as he used his ice powers and froze a few Horrors before telekinetically shattering them. A large number of Horrors like these wouldn't be too easy to defeat, unless…
Draco then sensed a powerful evil presence and looked up to see a dark ball growing in the sky. It had camouflaged itself using the darkness and was growing bigger with each Horror being destroyed. In the air, Starfire and Raven could see the ball of darkness in the air. This came to Shadowcobra's attention too as he looked up at the dark ball.
'Aibou, that ball, it's filled with an incredibly malevolent aura,' Yaminekoryu explained. Draco could only nod. It was so cold and evil, that it sent chills running down his spine.
"What is that?" Starfire asked.
"Nothing good," Raven frowned. The dark ball was generating an aura that was similar to the Horrors they had vanquished, but stronger, and more malevolent.
Shadowcobra realized what it was. It was the accumulated energy of the Horrors and each Horror had evaporated and their energy…had…entered…that…thing…
The Titans were feeding that thing.
"Minna, chotto matte!" Draco shouted to all.
Neko was growing impatient. She was holding Gekiryuken and stuck in the elevator. It had stopped all of a sudden. "Kuso…" Neko cursed as she repeatedly pushed the button. "Come on! Come on! I want to go down there!"
"Ojou-sama, what are you doing?" Gekiryuken asked.
"Trying to make this stupid elevator go down!" Neko snapped in frustration.
"But, ojou-sama, you're a teleporter."
Neko stopped pushing the button and sweatdropped. "Oh…yeah." She chuckled stupidly.
"Ojou-sama, you are an interesting person…" Gekiryuken sighed, sweatdropping too.
Neko closed her eyes and concentrated before teleporting out of the elevator towards her desired location.
The dark ball floated in the air and the remaining Horrors all screeched before flying upwards and entering it. The Titans regrouped, waiting for whatever was coming, which was definitely not good.
Neko appeared and asked, "Where's the party?" She noticed that the Titans were silent. "Um…what's going on?
Gekiryuken alerted her, "Ojou-sama, look up there!"
Neko looked up and her blue eyes widened. "What is that?"
"I sense a lot of malevolent energy!"
"And those Horrors are being sucked in," Neko finished. "We have to stop it!" She ran past the Titans, yelling, before leaping up.
"Neko-chan!" Draco shouted, "Chotto!"
Neko couldn't hear him and swung down with Gekiryuken. However, as soon as her blade made contact with the ball, she was electrocuted by dark lightning. She fell down to the ground, her body smoking.
"Neko-chan!" Draco yelled and flew up to catch his sister. "Daijoubu?"
"Mama…I don't wanna go to school today…" Neko said in a daze as her eyes swirled around. Draco gave a nervous laugh. Garoh shook his head. This was the same girl from yesterday?
The ball began to crack on the surface. The cracks spread all around it and pieces began to drop.
"Dude, that's an egg!" Beast Boy realized. "And it's hatching!" Way to state the obvious Beast Boy…
"But what's going to come out?" Terra questioned.
"Nothing good, that's for certain," Shadowcobra replied as they all watched the cracks spread.
"Well, we're not going to let it hatch!" Robin shouted. "Titans!" He took out his explosive discs, "Get ready to smash that egg!" Shadowcobra and Draco grabbed his arms before he could throw them. "Hey!"
"Don't!" Draco warned. "That isn't going to do much!"
"We don't know until we try!" Robin struggled.
"Robin, stop being stubborn and listen!" Shadowcobra snapped. "Blowing up that egg won't work! You'll just make it break faster."
"So, we just wait?" Robin asked receiving silent stares. "You've got to be kidding."
"Guys, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that chicken is about to come out!" Beast Boy yelled, waving his arms.
"And it's releasing a lot of dark energy," Raven stated, shivering. Jinx too was shivering.
"That feels…so…evil…" Jinx trembled, holding herself.
"Get ready to transform," Draco said, eyeing the egg as the cracks spread all over. "Because it's coming out!"
Shadowcobra took out his Pactio cards from his pocket and signaled for Starfire and Raven, Robin took out his communicator, and Jinx and Terra got their Inzecters ready. Cyborg was arming himself as Beast Boy fidgeted.
The shell of the dark egg finally shattered, revealing what was inside, as the 'baby' reared its head back and roared into the heavens.
It was a giant Horror about the same height as the Tower and right now its red eyes were focused straight on the building.
'We're going to need the GaroLiner for this,' Kenzaki thought.
Back in her room, Katherine was sitting on the floor in a meditative state, eyes closed and deep in concentration. An evil aura waved around her body like tendrils of darkness as her lips curled into a horrid smile.
The Horrors she had sent were just food for her true plan. A Horror seed had been sent along with them, floating above the battle. The Horrors were weak alone but that just made it easier to collect their energy. When each Horror was destroyed, its energy would be absorbed into the seed as they evaporated. Each defeated Horror would become food for the seed.
Now, the seed had hatched and a huge Horror now stood in its place. The end result would be no more Titans to get in her way. Then she'll finally have her revenge on her lesser half. She would first torture her before reabsorbing her.
Hah…it felt good to be the Living Gate. She let out a horrid laugh as her aura danced around her, somehow moving to her internal pleasure.
The Giant Horror let out a roar so deafening that it forced the Titans to cover their years. Raven's eyes widened horrified at the beast that looked like it could rival her father in power. However, that was not the case. What frightened her was the overall appearance of the Horror. It was composed of the bodies of the Horrors, bonded together in a mangled mess like a macabre display of art. The Horrors squirmed around as their bodies twisted. The entire skin of the thing was alive with Horrors. The monstrous demon was quite tall and quite impressive looking at the same time, in a morbid sort of way.
"That is so sick and wrong," Beast Boy pointed out as he watched the thing's skin crawl, literally.
A strange yet familiar tune was heard. Garoh looked behind the Horror and smirked. "And help has arrived!" called Garoh. The GaroLiner blasted through a portal, slamming into the Horror's back.
The Horror toppled over from the impact and fell face first upon the island.
Robin was the first to transform as he spoke into his communicator, "Henshin!"
"Standby!" the communicator responded before he snapped it to his belt buckle, "Activation!" In a flash of light the armor formed over his body.
"HENSHIN!"
"CAST OFF!"
"CHANGE SCARAB BEETLE!"
"CHANGE LEAFCUTTER ANT!"
"CHANGE PUNCH LOCUST!"
Jinx, Terra and Renia had just activated their Inzecter armors.
"Partners, Starfire of Tamaran and Raven of Azarath," Shadowcobra recited, raising the two Pactio cards into the air, "Reveal the Power Within!" The energy flew out of the cards and engulfed the two girls, changing them into their Pactio powered up forms.
"Ministra Magi: Starfire the Warrior Queen!" Starfire called out, holding her Starblade to her shoulder as she was clad in her white and gold battle armor.
"Ministra Magi: Raven the White Priestess!" Raven called out, a white aura surrounding her in her white dress.
"Ojou-sama, ikuzo!" Gekiryuken called.
"Hai!" Neko nodded, raising Gekiryuken above her head, "Shadu, Iraki, Yuuza!" Her eyes showed determination, "Gekiryu Henshin!"
A blue dragon of energy flew out from the blade and roared above her before flying back down and fusing with her. In an instant, her armor formed over her body. She did her pose and called out her armored form, "Zodiac Knight Ryukendo, Raijin!"
The other gawked at her. They hadn't realized that she could transform. This shocked Jinx too. How did she get that kind of power and where did she get that weapon?
Jinx said to Draco, "You didn't tell me she could do that."
Draco shrugged, "Who knew?" He pressed a button on his SB-Watch and called, "Ant-san, I need to borrow the ChronoLiner. Come quickly!"
Ant was in the dining car of the ChronoLiner, relaxing, as the time train cruised through the Sands of Time. After being fired from the Dragon Force he found that he got a lot of free time on his hands.
Andie was at her station, making coffee for him.
As Ant was enjoying his downtime, he got a message coming through his com-link, "Ant-san, I need to borrow the ChronoLiner. Come quickly!"
Ant sighed. "Well, looks like I'm needed." He got off his seat and headed to the teleporter. "To the cockpit!"
Andie saluted, "OK!" and pressed the button, sending him to the cockpit.
The ChronoLiner's first four cars detached from the rest and then zoomed towards a multicolored portal, taking it to its destination.
"Liner Drive Form!" Draco called out after sliding the Zodiac Deck into his Masked Rider Sword Keyblade. The surge of energy changed him into his Liner Drive Form. His mask flashed red as it locked into place. "Ikuzo!"
The Horror got back to its feet and began to swat at the GaroLiner as it flew around its head, suspending itself on train tracks it was generating under itself. It avoided a vicious swipe and raced down towards the ground, the door to the first car opening. Garoh ran into the train car and the door slid close.
Garoh sat on his bike in the cockpit and his eyes were locked on the viewing screen which showed him the Horror. Garoh smirked and said, "It's showtime!"
Outside, Renia had leapt into the air via LOCUST JUMP and was diving back down with her fist aimed at the Horror. "LOCUST PUNCH!" the Inzecter announced, sending the energy into her fist. She crystallized it and smashed her fist into the Horror's ugly mug, sending it staggering backwards. It regained its footing.
Starfire and Raven were in the air. Starfire flew ahead, roaring with righteous fury and slashed furiously at the Horror's body. Raven backed her up and fired a beam of Holy Energy at the Horror's chest with her Scythe of Light. The Scythe of Light was a long silver shaft with a curved blade of white magical energy. It was her Pactio Artifact which she had accidentally discovered while practicing with Shadow after their marriage. The Scythe of Light was not only capable of increasing Raven's attacking powers but could also launch high concentrated beams of white magic or even hurl crescent energy blades when charged and swung. The beam of white magic burnt against its skin vaporizing some of the Horrors that made up its body. However, as soon as she stopped firing, more Horrors filled in the gap. She tried her hand at hacking them with her scythe but they kept regenerating.
One of the giant Horror's hand came down on her but with quick thinking and a swipe of her scythe, she sliced the hand off, causing the giant Horror to shriek in pain as its discarded limb vaporised. It painfully began to renerate its limb, giving the Titans an opening for another attack. She energized the blade with a chant and started swinging wildly, sending crescent energy blades to slash at the Horror's body.
"Excel Charge!"
"Here I go!" Robin announced and ran ahead. He bounded off Cyborg's shoulders and leapt upwards. He went into a flying kick position, his foot glowing. He performed his Titan Kick and the explosive force of the attack sent the demon staggering backwards.
"Final Vent!" Shadowcobra called before charging forward with Genosnaker behind him. He did a leap and back flipped before being catapulted forwards by a stream of acid and venom.
"GENOCIDE CRASH!!" he shouted as he performed his destructive bicycle kick attack into the Horror's gut.
Beast Boy transformed into the Beast, but was now coated in armor made from his suit. He jumped up the Horror's arm and began to claw wildly. The Horrors that made up the arm tried to slash at him but he bit he managed to defend himself and leapt off. He snarled.
"BB, throw me at him!" Cyborg shouted. The Beast nodded and grabbed Cyborg by the wrists. He spun around and around and then threw Cyborg at the Horror. Cyborg configured his Bomb Fist and then smashed it into the Horror's chest where he was aiming for.
BOOM!!
The, literally, explosive punch, caused the Horror to release a shriek of pain as it toppled over forwards, supporting itself on its hands and knees.
Draco took this as his opportunity and called to his sister, "Neko-chan! Ikuzo!"
"Hai!" Ryukendo nodded, "Gekiryuken, ikuyo."
"Hai, Ojou-sama!" Gekiryuken replied.
Draco ran up the left arm of the Horror as Ryukendo ran up the right. The Horrors tried to grab at them but they stomped on them as they ran. When they reached the head they began slashing wildly at it with their Keyblade. The Horror shook in pain as the strikes from the legendary weapons started to do damage.
Jinx frowned. How could her boyfriend trust Neko so easily? Regardless, she chose to help out, "Clock Up!"
Terra took this as her cue and activated Clock Up too. "Clock Up!"
"CLOCK UP!"
All movement stopped around them as they dashed towards the giant Horror and ran up its arms. Terra used her Cutter Katanas to slash at the Horrors in the arm as Jinx used hexes to deal damage on the body.
Garoh pressed the white button on his belt, sliding his Rider Pass over the center.
"PREDATOR FORM!" Garoh's armor switched from that of Rampage Form to Predator Form.
He pressed a button on his bike. "Activate! GaroLiner Kulon!" called Garoh. The second car separated from the rest of the GaroLiner, and prepared to fight the creature on its own. The car transformed into what looked like a giant white mechanical tiger, the head coming out from the front and the legs from the sides. The beast rose on its hind legs.
Garoh stepped off the bike and stood at the center of the chamber. Garoh slammed his fists together and did a martial arts pose. At the same time, GaroLiner Kulon Mecha-Form did the same, copying his motions. "REMEMBER THE BASICS! MY FISTS WILL CRUSH YOUR SPIRIT!"
The tiger roared and lunged at the Horror as it stood up. Kulon started to swipe at it with its paws like they were fists before leaping up and kicking it backwards.
Draco heard the tune of the ChronoLiner play as the portal formed in the air. He was holding onto the Horror. As soon as the ChronoLiner got into range, he called out to his sister, "Neko-chan! Ikuze!"
"Hai, Ryu-chan!" Ryukendo nodded. She leapt off the Horror's arm as did Draco. The cockpit opened and the twin Knights entered the vehicle.
Draco's face appeared on Garoh's viewing screen, "Garoh, link up!"
"HAI!" Garoh agreed.
Kulon punched the Horror, causing it to stagger backwards.
The two time trains had their tracks converge with the ChronoLiner in the lead. The GaroLiner followed behind the ChronoLiner. When the GaroLiner got close enough, it linked up with the rear car of the ChronoLiner.
Draco sat on the bike of the ChronoLiner, his sister standing by his side. "Ikuzo!" Draco shouted, pushing the button.
The ChronoLiner's cars activated their weapons. The first car opened up to reveal laser turrets, the second car revealed missile launchers, the third car revealed bomb slingers and the final car revealed a platform with a jet on it. The jet flew off the platform, controlled by an AI, and began firing. The other cars also fired their ammo at the Horror. Lasers, missiles and bombs slammed into the Horror's body, causing it to scream.
The Titans stood back and watched as the combined time train attacked the Horror. This gave Cyborg an idea and he said to Beast Boy who'd reassumed human form, "BB, follow me!"
"OK!" Beast Boy nodded and followed Cyborg back to the Tower.
The Horror screeched as it was being attacked by the time trains. At the same time, the Titans launched their attacks too. Terra and Jinx Clocked Over.
"CAST ON!"
Their Strong Mode armors returned and they started to fire. Terra used her shoulder vulcans in sync with her geokinesis, firing bullets and rocks at the Horror. Jinx fired her hexes at it, causing pink explosions. Starfire fired a beam from her Starblade, cutting at the Horror's skin. Raven sent a white bird of magic at the Horror. Robin continued to throw an infinite supply of explosive discs, causing explosions to erupt off the Horror's body. Shadow launched blades of shadow energy to slice it up too.
"Sugoi!" Ryukendo admired. "I think we're winning, Ryu-chan!"
"I think so too!" Draco agreed and then he froze. "Oh no!"
The Horror roared and grabbed onto the time trains with its claws. Draco fired the weapons at it but they proved ineffective. The Horror started to shake the trains that dared to harm it.
Suddenly, it was slammed in the stomach by a new Mecha, the T-Robo. It smashed its fists into the stomach of the beast, forcing it to let go of the trains.
Cyborg's face appeared on the ChronoLiner's viewing screen, "Hey, Draco!"
"Cyborg, glad you brought the big guns!" Draco smiled under his helmet.
"Dude, don't forget about me!" Beast Boy shouted as his face appeared too.
"Beast Boy?" Draco blinked. "You're his co-pilot?"
"It's OK! It's like a videogame! I'm controlling the movements!" Beast Boy began explaining.
"And I'm manning the weapons! Don't worry, we'll back you up!"
Garoh's face appeared on the screen and he spoke, "Yosh! Let us defeat this demon for honor and glory!"
Draco couldn't agree more. "Push it into the water!"
The two time trains separated and rode on separate tracks. They rammed into the Horror, sending it towards the water. The Horror dug in its heels and dragged along the surface of the island. Kulon and the T-Robo gave their assistance by pushing the Horror into the water. It struggled but the strength of the Mechas was actually more than it could handle. One last push sent it falling backwards into the water.
The cockpit of the ChronoLiner opened up and both Draco and Ryukendo stood on the roof of the time train.
The red mask of the Masked Rider Sword aligned with the blade and he said to his sister, "Hissatsu waza?"
Ryukendo nodded in agreement, "Hissatsu waza!"
"IKUZO!" Draco jumped off the ChronoLiner. "EXTREME SLASH!"
Ryukendo followed his lead, "RYUOU GIRI!"
Garoh stood upon his own time train and gripped his axe. Garoh attached the Garo-Gasher Axe Mode to the back of his left leg. He held his Rider Pass over his belt before throwing it away.
"FULL CHARGE!"
White energy flowed down Garoh's left leg. Kulon picked up Garoh from the train and threw him into the air. As he plummeted downward, he started doing forward flips. "TORA NO KULON SMASH!"
The three warriors unleashed their finishers and slashed at the Horror. Their attacks were the deciding factor as the Horror stumbled backwards, screeching in pain, before falling into the water. The Horror began to sink and then there was a huge explosion, causing a pillar of water to rise instantly. Water rained down on the island as a result.
Kulon reconnected with the GaroLiner and flew into a portal. The ChronoLiner also made its exit and flew into the portal which led towards the Sands of Time.
"SUGOI!" Ryukendo cheered. "YATTA!" she jumped up and down. "Ryu-chan, we did it!" She hugged her brother and they jumped up and down like they were doing a victory dance.
"HAI!" Draco laughed happily.
Kenzaki disengaged his armor as he watched the twins celebrate.
Back in her room, Katherine roared as her Horror had been destroyed. She punched into the ground, hard, making a crater on impact. She gritted her teeth and snarled, her face contorted with pure rage and hatred. "Next time…next time…"
After the battle and returning to their normal forms, the Titans all regrouped in the living room. Rose and Cathy were present and the centre of attention, much like Neko was the previous day. Neko explained their situation to the Titans, begging desperately. They listened, critically.
Robin's eyes were focused on Rose. He remembered how they'd fought before. Also, Rose was Slade's daughter so he had little reason to trust her. However, after hearing what'd happened, he felt a little sympathetic for her. To be nearly raped by someone resembling the one you loved could be traumatizing.
Cathy was an interesting case. She was a mutant with the power of invisibility. Also, she had grown up from a baby to a teen within 14 weeks. Months ago, Copycat, when she used to be whole, had found her in a dumpster, abandoned. It pulled at Starfire's heartstrings at how some people could throw a baby away like garbage. At first the others were skeptical since they never knew Copycat to be kind without anything to gain. To adopt a baby out of the kindness of her heart seemed out of character.
"Can they stay?" Neko asked.
"This isn't a hotel," Robin reasoned.
"I need to keep them safe," Neko said firmly. "Please?"
"Please, Robin," Draco pled. "They're my family now too."
Jinx quirked an eyebrow. Family? Not long ago they had been enemies. She looked at her boyfriend curiously. They needed to have a talk later on.
"Fine," Robin sighed. "But if they're going to stay they have to help out around the Tower."
"I can help out!" Rose chirped. As much as she wanted to be with her father, Katherine must have him under her thumb like all the other villains. Her father had seemed different lately and it unnerved her.
"Me too!" Cathy said cheerfully.
Robin rubbed his temples, "I must be going soft…" Starfire hugged him.
"How kind of you, Robin!" Starfire smiled.
'But it's worth it,' Robin added mentally.
"Listen, we still don't trust you," Shadowcobra said critically, "You have to earn our trust."
"We'll do our best!" Neko, Rose and Cathy said in unison.
Present Day...
"Uh…hi?" said Neko, unsure of what to say, as she waved awkwardly. She remembered Warren from when she used to be whole and nearly destroyed the Multiverse. Warren was one of her brother's crewmates on the ChronoLiner.
Warren examined her closely. He then removed his sunglasses, revealing his black eyes. "Who are you?" asked Warren. Neko was shocked by this. "I mean, I know you look like Copycat, but I don't sense any evil or malice in you. Just…regret." He then walked over and extended his hand in friendship. "Well, whoever you are, it's nice to meet you," said Warren with a smile.
Neko cautiously took his hand and shook it. "I'm Neko. Neko Hasuma." Warren stared. "Let's just say I'm half of Copycat. The good half."
"The good half?" Warren repeated curiously.
"Maybe we should tell you what happened," Shadowcobra began. "It all started a week ago…"
My brother is an idiot. I know this and I've known him a lot shorter than a lot of other people he's met. I'm Emily Smith, twin sister to Warren Smith.
My brother and I were separated at birth, after our mother died giving birth to Warren. I was adopted by a pretty normal family, and raised as a normal child. They adopted me and not my brother because…they thought my brother was a freak. I've kinda cut ties with them since.
When I found Warren, I found out that he knew about me, but didn't want me to know him. Said he wanted me to live a normal life.
Since I met him it's been anything but normal. But he's my family. Even though we've only known each other for about a year, I wouldn't give that up for the world…
That, and my niece and nephew are just so damn cute!
-Emily Smith
To Be Continued…
The GaroLiner
First Car: GaroLiner Tsume. Used with Hunter Form. Based on a wolf, it tears at its opponent with its teeth and claws. Primarily close range offense, it does hang long range weaponry like missiles and a high powered laser. It finishes by summoning a large scimitar blade at the front, and using it to slice the opponent in half.
Second Car: GaroLiner Kulon. Used with Predator Form. Based on Byakko, the Guardian of the West. It can transform itself into a fully functioning Mecha. By using this, Predator Form can control it using his own movements. Like Byakko, it focuses on using his fists and feet, and is a close range warrior.
Third Car: GaroLiner Kin. Used with Rampage Form. Based on a male lion. A mainly defensive car, it has an impenetrable body, and main form of attack is slamming into its opponent. It also has speakers used as sonic blasters.
Fourth Car and remainder of train: GaroLiner Hageshi. Used with Savage Form. Takes the form of an Imoogi, a Korean serpent. Can constrict its opponent and breathes fire. Also it can form power fangs.
ZK: Questions 3
Do you think Kenzaki has a crush on Neko?
What is Katherine/Copycat planning?
Will Saeji try to kill Neko because she's linked to the Living Gate?
BTW: Thank you Shadow Element 13 for ur OC's and help!