Part 99: The Final Door
"Neko-chan! Neko-chan!!" Ryuki cried as his armor vanished. He held her body against his own, crying a river of tears from his eyes.
She was gone. Copycat had won. However…
"Wait, if Neko's dead, then doesn't that mean Copycat is too?" Ichijyo asked in wonderment.
"They're connected by the Power of the Tiger, aren't they?" Takada questioned. "If one half dies, so does the other."
Libra cast both Ryuki and Neko a sad look before sighing. "That may be the case under normal circumstances," Libra began. "However, Copycat was able to gain immortality and now does not need Neko alive to survive."
"What did she do?" Ichijyo asked.
"She devoured Yoshido."
Ichijyo's eyes went wide with surprise and Takada shouted, "WHAT!? SHE ATE SOMEBODY!?"
"Not only does she absorb his abilities, but she's gained the immortality and powers of a god," Libra said grimly.
"You knew this…didn't you?" Ryuki growled as he looked up at Libra, eyes narrowed with anger and damp with tears. "And yet you still…"
"There are rules I need to follow-"
POW!
Libra was sent to the ground by Ryuki's fist. Ichijyo and Takada were shocked at seeing their friend so enraged but they should've expected it. He had been angry when Tazuka had died and now his sister was dead too. They just never thought he would hit a god.
"YOU KNEW!" Ryuki accused, "YOU KNEW BUT YET YOU STILL SENT HER TO HER DEATH!" Blue flames engulfed him and morphed him into the Ifrit Orphenoch. He let out a roar and lunged at Libra.
The Guardian of the Zodiac Knights stopped the Orphenoch in the air, entrapping him in an energy bubble, before standing up. The Ifrit Orphenoch struggled, angered. "Calm down," Libra commanded. "CALM DOWN!" he commanded more fiercely. For some reason it did work and the Ifrit Orphenoch relaxed, turning back to Ryuki. However, his eyes were still focused on Libra. "Yes, I admit that what I did was foolish. But I never expected Copycat to go this far."
"Some guardian," Ichijyo scoffed. "You couldn't even foresee this coming."
"I apologize, but right now things are becoming much worse." Libra tapped his staff and an orb of energy formed around Neko, suspending her in the air. "We must return to my home so you may see what is happening." He tapped his staff once more, teleporting them away.
Madame Rouge was fighting with Jinx. The hex-mistress was donned in her Scarab Armor in Speed Mode. Both were striking at each other. The French woman had turned her fingers into sharp claws and slashing at the armored girl. Psimon, meanwhile, was floating in the air, firing psychic shockwaves from his brain, destroying buildings. Along with the two Lords of Sin was Ternion. Plasmus had arrived with a liberated Cinderblock and Overload before the three monsters fused and become Ternion. At current, Ternion was in battle with Changeling who'd assumed his Crystalsapien form. Starfire was in a swordfight with Nami, the Lord of Lust, who'd just assumed her Orphenoch form. Blackfire soon joined in to assist using her Inzecter Armor and thus turning the battle into a violent catfight.
The city was in chaos. Survivors had been evacuated but there were many wounded and uncountable casualties because of the Horror-Beasts. The evil forces of Tartarus were immense. Not only were the Titans fighting with familiar villains, but they were also fighting against demonic Horror-Beasts and Slade's android soldiers. Not only that, the entire Earth had been shrouded in darkness as Horrors rained down from the sky. Damien stalked through the streets, looking for fresh victims and perhaps a few recruits for his harem. But in truth, he was waiting. "Come to me, Warren Smith…And let our battle shake the very Multiverse!"
Renia was using her Inzecter Armor and crystal alchemy powers to the limits and her armor had been damaged to the point that her chestpiece was cracked her helmet was gone. She still continued fighting with Terra and Blackfire's help. Starfire struck with her Starblade, slicing Horror-Beasts and Sladebots apart.
Robin and Slade were fighting each other, their armors reaching the limit of how much damage they could take. Ravager was also fighting Slade with ALPHA's assistance, wanting him to stop.
In New York, Jake Long was breathing fire on Horrors as the Ghostbusters blasted them and entrapped them. Even Spider-Man was there to land a helping hand and several local heroes as well. Rose the Huntsgirl, reformed and back in New York, was aiding Jake the best she could with her fighting skills.
In Bayville, the X-Men and the Brotherhood were working together to help the citizens escape the Horrors that were now plaguing the town. Down in the sewers, the Morlocks were being massacred by Sylar who was chopping off the top of their heads and devouring their brains.
Juniper Lee was in Orchid Bay and the darkness had eliminated the barrier, causing the monsters to become visible. She tried to keep the Horrors at bay as she instructed her brothers to help get the people and good monsters to safety. Several of the peaceful monsters had become casualties.
In Amity Park, Danny Phantom, his family, friends and allies were blasting and destroying Horrors but many more came to take the place of their fallen brethren. Masked Rider Fang arrived with the Arms Monsters and the Great Dragoon with the white armored Masked Rider Slayer as well as the Slayers.
In Tremerton Jenny was blasting at the Horrors with her weapons as Misty and the Silver Shell assisted her.
In San Francisco, the Charmed Ones were using magic to fend of the Horrors.
In Juuban the Sailor Senshi were using their own magical powers to fight the Horrors. Aiding them were some Smart Brain Masked Riders and Smartroopers that had arrived. Smart Brain's forces all over the world were assisting anyway they can.
In Fukurou, Draco's hometown, a Rider clad in armor similar to Renia's Inzecter armor, but green with red eyes, was battling a hoard of Horrors with powerful kicks, even executing an attack called, "LOCUST KICK!" He was known as Grave.
All over the world the Horrors attacked, forcing the Justice League and similar groups to stretch their forces to fight off the invasion. Honorary Titans were stuck in their home cities defending them. Every military force on the planet was also helping but with limited success by the number of Horrors and the horrendous Horror Beasts.
Makai Knights were also dispatched to take on these demons, along with Makai Priests and Priestesses with the magical know-how to send the creatures back to the abyss that spawned them.
The Kamen Riders, both all and new, were scattered all over the world as well, aiding innocent civilians and valiant heroes anyway they can. It was their duty and what they lived for. They were warriors of justice and they were the defenders of the innocent.
And on top of Titans Tower, Copycat laughed as she looked upon the destruction. Soon, all the worlds would be destroyed and engulfed by the darkness and nobody could stop her…NOBODY!
Ryuki, Takada and Ichijyo witnessed all this trough Libra's viewing mirror, absolutely horrified.
"Kami…" Ryuki breathed out.
"It's the end of the world all over again," Ichijyo muttered.
"We have to get down there!" Ryuki shouted. "The others need our help!"
"Can't you send us down there?" Takada asked.
"Copycat has closed off all portals leading here to Earth somehow," Libra said grimly. "I don't know what to do. All the Horror Gates opening had caused every other portals to disappear."
"Because those portals have become Horror Gates," Fuji added. Neko's body was lying in bed. She hadn't shown any signs of improvement or recovery but Fuji confirmed that she wasn't truly dead. Her soul was still in there but right now even he couldn't do anything.
Ryuki grabbed Fuji by his coat, "Please, there has to be a way to get down there!"
"I think there is," Libra heard and turned around to see Clockwork, the Ghost Master of Time.
"Clockwork!" Libra exclaimed.
"Time Trains are the only things that can travel back to Earth from other worlds since they use the Sands of Time as a path between these worlds," Clockwork explained. "You need a time train to return."
"A time train?" Ryuki questioned and gasped, "The ChronoLiner!" He reached into his pocket and pulled out his DRA-Phone. "I can call Ant-san with this!"
"I don't think there is a need to, young Dragon Knight," said Clockwork. "It's waiting outside."
The three Knights blinked before Ryuki ran out of Libra's home. Outside, waiting for them, was the ChronoLiner, much to Draco's surprise.
"Sugoi!" Ryuki shouted out happily. He turned towards the entrance to see Libra standing with Ichijyo and Takada. "Ano…Libra-sama…?" Ryuki began. "Gomenasai for hitting you…"
Libra blinked a bit before nodding, "Apology accepted. But, for the record, if I were in your shoes I'd kick my ass too."
Ryuki blinked as Ichijyo smiled knowingly. The Snake Knight spoke, "Draco, let's go. We got a world to save."
"Again…" Takada added, approaching the Time Train. "Man, if I knew how they built one of these things…"
"Mongrel, if you were meant to mess with time travel…" Ichijyo began before shuddering, fearing the worst. "On second thought, don't even try it. I fear for the time stream if you were allowed to play around with it." The door slid open as they got close to it.
"Hey, are you insulting my intelligence?" Takada asked indignantly.
"At least I know you're not just a pretty face if you can already guess that," said Ichijyo before entering the ChronoLiner. Takada huffed before following him inside.
Ryuki turned to face Libra again. "Ano…about Neko-chan…"
"She's not dead," answered Libra. Ryuki's eyes widened. "You were going to ask about that, correct?"
"H-Hai." Ryuki asked. "Neko-chan is not dead? But she's not breathing and her heart isn't beating either."
"To be truly dead, your soul must leave the body. Copycat's actions caused trauma to her body but left her soul intact. Your sister's body is in suspended animation. Psychics tend to go into such a state, though none so severe, to heal themselves. Just because her bodily functions appear to be dead, doesn't mean they are."
Ryuki scrutinized Libra. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to trust this person. He had done a lot of things, giving out mixed signals, but all had been for the greater good. There hadn't been a time when Libra had done something with any malicious intent. There was a method to his supposed madness.
For some reason, from what he sensed from Libra, he knew he could trust him. "Just, take care of her, alright?"
"I will."
"Hasuma, let's go!" Ichijyo called from the train car's entrance.
"I'm coming!" Ryuki shouted back before turning towards Libra and bowing. "Libra-sama, when you can, help us, alright?"
"I will," nodded Libra before watching the boy go onboard the ChronoLiner. The door slid close and the time train rose on its tracks towards a portal before vanishing straight inside of it.
Fuji was leaning against the doorframe, smiling, "You missed your chance again, I see."
"Now's not the time to tell him who I really am. He's got too much on his plate."
"It's a shame you can't help him."
"Stupid rules," grumbled Libra.
"I could…turn a blind eye," Fuji offered. "And Clockwork can help."
Libra considered this for a second before shaking his head. "No. I need to take care of my daughter right now. I promised him that."
"For all it's worth, my friend," Fuji said sincerely, "Despite the circumstances, you're a great father."
"So why do I feel like a piece of spoiled sushi?" muttered Libra.
On the ChronoLiner, Ryuki was surprised to see Warren in the dining car but he was also surprised by the other man drinking a cup of strong coffee. He thought he was dreaming but the resemblance was uncanny. No, this was not a double from another dimension. It was him!
"Craig?" Ryuki asked, softly.
"Hey, kiddo," Craig waved. "It's been awhile, hasn't it?"
"CRAIG!" Ryuki cried, lunging at the other boy, hugging him. "IT'S REALLY YOU!"
"Hey, get off me, you!" Craig growled, his eyes glowing white. Stunned, Ryuki stepped away. Craig scowl turned into a smile, "And, thanks. I missed you too."
"Wait; weren't you turned into the Orphenoch King?" Ichijyo asked. He'd read the reports regarding the mission in Zandia to take down Occultus. "So how did you get restored to human form?"
"And…you were dead," Ryuki recalled. He had killed the Orphenoch King, or so he thought.
"I wasn't dead," Mortuary answered, "And as for how I'm back in human form, why don't you ask Warren here."
Warren Smith was a hero from another dimension, a friend of Ryuki and Craig's, and fellow ChronoLiner crewmember, nodded. "Yes, it was I."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Ryuki asked. He felt a little betrayed that Warren, who he'd come to accept as a good friend, had kept such a secret from him.
"Well, I wanted it to be a surprise," said Warren, shrugging. "Plus, Ant knew too."
"I should've known," muttered Ichijyo.
"Hey, I was sworn to secrecy," replied Ant. "Besides, I wanted to see a happy reunion. I wanted it to be a surprise party, but…well…"
"Now is not the time for that," said Warren. "It was a lucky thing that Clockwork led us to the Celestial Realm. There's trouble on every world in the Multiverse."
"All the Horror Gates are opened," stated Ichijyo. "We know. Libra told us."
"And we have to get back to our world, fast!" said Takada, firmly. "They need our help!"
"We'll get there, on time," assured Ant.
"So, Craig," Ryuki began, "How did Warren help you?"
A doorway opened as Warren entered the top story of a building, the Baxter Building. With him was Craig, trapped in the form of the Orphenoch King, still in a cryostasis unit. "Hey, Reed, You in here?" called Warren.
"Come on in, Warren. We're in the lab!" shouted a voice. Warren walked into the lab to see various pieces of medical and scientific equipment. Standing in the room, waiting for them was some of the greatest scientific minds on his world; Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four, Mr. Terrific of the Justice Society of America, and Hank Pym and Tony Stark, aka Ant-Man and Iron Man respectively, of the Avengers. "Welcome to the Baxter Building Warren," greeted Reed.
"Hey, Reed, everyone," greeted Warren. He was serious and wanted to get right to the point. "I need your help for my friend here." He then explained everything to them.
The four geniuses looked over Craig. "We'll do our best Warren," said Mr. Terrific.
"Thanks, everyone. I wish I could stay and help, but I gotta spend some time with my family. I've barely seen them for the past two months."
"It's not a problem," said Hank.
"We'll contact you as soon as we're done," said Tony. "And we'll have a celebratory drink afterward."
"Unfortunately, they couldn't find a way to cure Craig of the Orphenoch King," said Warren. "Afterwards, I took him to see Dr. Strange and Dr. Fate to see what magic could do. Unfortunately, it wasn't that much it could do. But we were able to get Craig back to his human form. And the big brains created a serum that could repress the Orphenoch, giving Craig control over it."
Ryuki and Takada stared. Ichijyo didn't seem to show any response except for a raised eyebrow.
Mortuary continued, "I wasn't so sure of myself though afterwards. So, Warren brought me to the Justice Society of America, and I've been working with them for the past few months."
Garoh, clad in his Emperor Form armor, tore through several Horrors with ease. They were standing between him and getting to Neko. "GET OUT OF MY WAY!!" he roared. A familiar tune filled the air as the GaroLiner ran over several Horrors. Garoh leapt up while it was still moving and grabbed hold before pulling himself inside.
As he entered his Liner, he undid his transformation. "That's exhausting…" said Kenzaki as he walked through the Liner. He arrived in the Dining Car, he was shocked at who he saw. Sitting there, being severed coffee by Shiori, was Tazuka and Saeji. The Wolf Rider glared at the Makai Knight. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"We need your Liner," said Tazuka. "Copycat has opened the Horror Gates, and we need to close them. The only way to get to each one is by Time Train at this point."
"I'm taking my Liner and going to the Celestial Realm," said Kenzaki. "I'm going to save Neko. Feel free to seal the Gates on our way there, but I'm not making any detours."
"I knew I should have killed her," said Saeji. He was shocked when he felt Kenzaki's fist slam into his jaw.
"Urusai…" he growled. "You want to use MY train." He lifted up Saeji by his shirt. "If you wish to stay on it, you'll keep your mouth shut."
"Now, gentlemen," said Tazuka. "Fighting with each other is not going to help any of us, will it? The Horrors are our enemies so why don't we sit down calmly and talk about this?"
Kenzaki snorted and let go of Saeji. "My train, my rules, got it?" Kenzaki told Saeji who glared back in contempt. "Alright, then. I'm going to set a course for the Celestial Realm." He went onto the teleporter and teleported straight into the cockpit. He opened up his Rider Pass and slipped in a ticket with the infinity symbol on it. "Hope the God's Line can take us there." He got on his bike and slipped the Pass in a slot above the gauges and between the handlebars. "Ikuze!"
The GaroLiner raced through the Horrors, crushing several of them. The automatic defenses were activated as Tsume's wolf head howled and fired a barrage of missiles in its way. The time train then flew into a portal, heading straight towards the Celestial Realm.
Back inside the cockpit, Kenzaki spoke, "Neko, I'm coming."
Libra was watching over Neko's body. She was still unresponsive and looked dead but he could still sense her spirit inside. Unfortunately, despite his powers, he could not reach her.
"Wake up, daughter," he mumbled.
There was a strange sound coming from outside his home which linked it to a time train. Only a time train could make such a noise on arrival. Casting his daughter one last look, he then walked outside.
There was a train with the design of a wolf. A hatch popped open and a youth leapt out from it, landing not too far from Libra's Japanese style home. Libra recognized him to be the boy who cared for Neko. As a father, he would have to interview this boy to see that he was worthy but as a god, he'd seen what he'd been through and the lengths he was willing to go for his daughter. He knew his daughter to be bisexual but Libra could not find a man finer than this Kenzaki Tsukuba.
Kenzaki's eyes were locked upon Libra. He could sense the Celestial had great power. The train had brought him here meaning Neko was here. He approached Libra and asked, "Where is she?"
Libra motioned towards his house, "Follow me."
"It's…so cold…" Neko shivered as she sat in the darkness, her knees against her chest as she hugged her legs. "So dark…so lonely…" Tears were falling from the corner of her eyes. "I…I deserve this…"
"You killed us…" she heard and she gasped. She stood up, backing away, as ghosts rose up. These were the haunting manifestations of the people killed by Copycat's hands. She remembered their faces. She remembered what they had done to her.
Gekiryuken was gone. He'd abandoned her. Everyone had abandoned her. Nobody cared about her.
"Ojou-sama!!"
"Nani?" she questioned as the ghosts came for her. She didn't care as they reached out to grab her.
"Ojou-sama! Listen to me!"
Neko covered her ears, "Go away! You're not real!" The ghosts were coming closer. "You're just an illusion!"
Suddenly, there was a flash of light as an armored figure barreled through the horde and grabbed her hand. The figure then pulled her away. The ghosts faded away but they would be back. They always came back.
"Good, we're safe here," the armored figure said. Neko recognized that voice and she recognized the armor. She was looking at Ryukendo, except that his armor was bronze and the bodysuit was black. Even the visor was pitch black. Plus, a cape hung from his back.
"Geki-chan?" she questioned.
"Yes," the Ryukendo look-a-like answered, "But in this form I am Gekiryukendo. I've come to take you back home."
Neko didn't budge and muttered, "Leave."
"What?" Gekiryukendo questioned.
"Leave me here, just go," she said in surrender. "There's nothing for me out there."
"There is!" Gekiryukendo grabbed her shoulders. "There are people out there waiting for you!"
Kenzaki was looking over Neko's prone body, worriedly. Libra stood behind him. "So, she's not dead?"
"She's in suspended animation," replied Libra. "A person only truly dies when their soul leaves the body."
Kenzaki nodded and asked, "So, why hasn't she woken up?"
"She has to want to wake up," Libra sighed. "It's like she's given up. Not even her brother could awaken her."
"But maybe I can," Kenzaki said as he placed his palm against Neko's cold cheek. "Neko…can you hear me?"
"Neko, can you hear me?"
Neko's head snapped up. "Who's that?"
Gekiryukendo smiled, "Someone who wants you back. Don't you recognize that voice?"
"Come on, Neko. You have to wake up. Everyone's waiting for you."
"That's a lie," Neko said. "Nobody wants a killer back."
"Your brother wants you back, Rose and Cathy want you back," Kenzaki's voice continued. "I want you back. Neko, I need you back. Come back."
Neko's fists were clenched and she was fighting tears. Someone needs her back? Was that true. Gekiryukendo knew Kenzaki could reach her. Well, Kenzaki or Rose.
"Neko, I love you."
Neko gasped when she heard those words but then the ghosts again appeared, surrounding them. Gekiryukendo summoned his sword, telling Neko, "Stand close to me! I'm going to protect you!"
Neko was still like a statue as she said, "I…I want to go back." She looked at the ghosts, "And I'm going back so all of you GO AWAY!!" She unleashed a powerful blue aura from her body that soon reformed into a blue dragon, a flaming dragon, a watery dragon and an electrifying dragon. The 4 dragons roared and attacked the ghost, sending them away.
"I want to go back," Neko said to Gekiryukendo.
"Then take my hand," he offered. "We're going home, Ojou-sama."
Neko beamed as she grasped Gekiryukendo's hand before everything turned white.
Neko sat up all of a sudden, awake, but then her lips were pressed against Kenzaki's the instant she got up. Kenzaki and Neko's eyes both widened at the sudden kiss as Libra looked, smiling. Kenzaki backed away, yelling, "Sorry! I'm sorry!"
Neko, however, wasn't angry, but was stunned instead. She touched her lips. 'That…tingled…' She looked towards Kenzaki who was cowering. "Kenzaki."
"Yes?" he asked fearfully.
"If you wanted to get to 'A' with me, you could've just asked," she said before getting off the bed. Kenzaki fell silent. Neko yawned and stretched. "So, what's going on?"
"The Multiverse is in danger," Libra said, getting direct.
"Well, then let's go!" Neko summoned Gekiryuken. "Are you ready, aibou?"
"I am, Ojou-sama!" Gekiryuken replied. "Henshin!"
"Hai!" Neko nodded. Kenzaki and Libra watched as she initiated her change, "Gekiryu…HENSHIN!"
This change was a lot different as her clothes turned into a skintight blue bodysuit that hugged her body. White guantlets and boots also formed. She thrust the Keyblade upwards and a blue dragon came flying out of the blade. It roared and flew around its mistress before fusing with her.
"If the enemy becomes a demon, that means I must become a god!" she announced as the armor formed. It was still the same white and gold but designed differently. Her gauntlets now had dragonhead armguards and the dragonheads on her boots were on the shins instead of the ankles. A shield formed and attached itself to her left forearm. It was blue and gold, resembling folded dragon wings, and had a white gem in the centre. The torso armor was mainly white with broad shoulders and golden trimmings. A golden dragon's head decorated her chest and the gem was on its forehead. Her helmet remained the same but had spikes at the base.
The transformation complete, she announced, "God Ryukendo! Raijin!"
Kenzaki's jaw dropped as Libra approved. Neko's God Ryukendo armor vanished by her will. She had just wanted to see what it was like, this new power.
"Ken-kun! Ikuzo!" Neko said to him before running out towards the GaroLiner.
"Gotta love that personality of hers," laughed Kenzaki as he quickly followed. Libra watched as the two young warriors boarded the train.
"Good luck," Libra said.
Onboard the GaroLiner, things were a little tense with the way Saeji was looking at Neko. There was no doubt that he was blaming all this on her existence. He was still thinking of killing her but seeing as now it would be a moot point, since Copycat was immortal now thanks to her devouring Yoshido and all, he now had to help in sealing all the Horror Gates.
"So, where to first?" asked Neko.
Kenzaki was about to answer when all of a sudden the GaroLiner rocked. "What the!?" Kenzaki yelled out.
"Horrors!" Kurenai warned.
And he was right. There were Horrors on the GaroLiner and they were rocking the train about. Unlike before, now there were nearly hundreds of them as they covered the windows.
"Oh, man!" Raion wailed. "Not good! I'm gonna get sick, dudes!"
"Oh, shut up with your whining!" exclaimed Okami.
"Can't you get control of this thing!?" Saeji yelled.
"I gotta get to the cockpit!" snapped Kenzaki, struggling to maintain his balance. "On second thought, Shiori, activate the emergency breaks!"
"Hai!" Shiori saluted before opening up a hidden panel and slamming her palm on it. "GaroLiner, emergency stop!"
"Brace yourselves and hold in your lunches! This is going to be a bumpy ride!" Kenzaki informed them as a portal formed and the time train vanished into it.
As soon as they arrived in this new world, the skies darkened by Horrors, the entire GaroLiner was derailed and fell on its side. Sparks flew as the massive vehicle slid across the ground, skidding out of control, before it smashed into a large rock formation. The Horrors were thrown off by the impact before the door opened up. The entire crew all climbed out of the wrecked vehicle.
"This is just great," muttered Saeji. "We're lost and we have no idea where we are."
"I sense a lot of dark spiritual energy," said Tazuka. "The Horrors have completely taken over this realm."
Neko shivered but Kenzaki placed a hand on her shoulder. He said, "Don't worry. All we need to do is repair the train…and not get eaten."
"Hai," Neko nodded but suddenly felt Gekiryuken tugging her. "Hey! Geki-chan!" She was being dragged by her partner and necklace. "Stop pulling!"
"It's not me, Ojou-sama!" Gekiryuken replied. "Something…something is pulling me!"
Panicking, Neko shouted, "Help!" Kenzaki and Kumiko grabbed her arms and dug their feet into the ground. Gekiryuken was still pulling. "Itai!"
Gekiryuken stopped pulling as his chain fell limp. He fell against his mistress' chest. "Thank you."
Kenzaki demanded, "What the hell was that all about?"
"I don't know but something was pulling me towards it," Gekiryuken told him. "It's leading me towards it."
Kenzaki frowned and thoughts for a second. Whatever had been pulling at Gekiryuken, it had to be something powerful. "Well, if you start dragging Neko again, I'm coming with you."
"I don't think you need to wait long," said Gekiryuken as he was being pulled again. "It's calling me again!"
"Neko, don't resist!" instructed Kenzaki.
"Okay!" Neko responded, nervously.
Kenzaki turned to the others, "Fix up the Liner and kill anything that comes too close!"
Raion saluted and Byakko bowed. Okami grunted as Buraki complained.
"Well, lead the way," Kenzaki said and followed after Neko and Gekiryuken.
Sylar had just killed another one of the Morlocks. He removed the brain and began devouring it. Torpid cowered in the corner, watching as this monster of a man killed her family.
Sylar had blood around his mouth. He wasn't always a messy eater but the amount of mutant powers he was able to find was like a buffet table. After this, he would move on to the X-Men and Brotherhood, taking their powers for himself. He looked upon the young girl with big hands and grinned. He pointed a finger at her, saying, "Hold still…"
Suddenly, out of the blue, Callisto swung down her staff at him but he heard her a mile away and sent her flying into a wall. Sylar, the Lord of Gluttony, looked upon her with a sadistic smile. "Your powers…I want them."
"Fuck you!" Callisto cursed before her mouth was frozen shut. She struggled against Sylar's telekinetic hold.
"Now, hold still," Sylar said as he pointed to her forehead. He began to use his TK to cut open her head. A bleeding cut was starting to appear and Callisto let out a muffled scream.
"DARK TORPEDO!!"
Sylar was suddenly sent flying by a bike that rammed into him at full force. Callisto stared at the armored man who'd saved her. Pluto cast a glance everywhere at the dead Morlocks and sighed. He looked towards Callisto and said, "Take the little girl and run. I'll take care of this."
Callisto was usually reluctant to accept help from an 'upperworlder', but seeing as Torpid's safety was at stake she gave him a nod and grabbed the girl's hand before running away.
Pluto was in Survivor Mode and dismounted from his bike. Sylar, from what he heard from Ryuki and Warren, was a psycho that came from another world where superhumans were still a secret from the general public. Sylar was also bonded to a Horror and the Horror allowed him to absorb powers by eating his victim's brains. Before coming here, Pluto had seen bodies missing the tops of their heads and their brains scooped out. Sylar was the culprit. He smelled of blood and death.
"So, you're one of Draco's friends," Sylar stated. He had seen Draco in armor and had seen the other Knights in action through video recordings. "Heck, you won't be so tough without that armor of yours."
Pluto reached towards his arm-mounted shield and pulled out his sword. He dismounted from his bike and walked towards Sylar. "You're going down."
"Let me help too," said a voice as a long bony spike tipped with flames flew through the air. It struck Sylar in the arm and the murderous superhuman let out a scream before pulling it out. Pluto turned and saw a young African American youth covered in bony armor with spikes on his forearms, shoulder, and horns. This was Spyke, the former X-Men and now protector of the Morlocks.
"So, who are you?" asked Pluto.
"Call me Spyke and this dude killed off nearly half of the Morlocks," Spyke glared at Sylar.
"Peh," Sylar spat. "They had it coming."
"Wanna take this guy out together?" Pluto asked.
"Dude, you don't even need to ask," said Spyke as a pair of blades came out from his wrists.
The mutant and Knight charged at the superhuman who charged right back at them. Sylar's eyes glowed yellow as a dark aura surrounded him.
Kenzaki and Neko slowly entered the cave. "I feel a weird presence in here," said Kenzaki.
"But what?" asked Neko. Her question was answered when the three of them came across a silver pedestal with a moon engraved on the base. There was a sword resting upon it.
Kenzaki slowly approached the sword, which seemed to react to his presence in the cave. "I think it's trying to tell me something…" He reached out and touched it. His body then flickered and he vanished.
"KENZAKI!" Neko screamed.
Kenzaki now stood in a dark forest. His body was incorporeal and wavering, like a ghost. "Where am I?" he asked.
"In my domain…" spoke a voice. Kenzaki looked ahead of him and saw a wolf, its form also wavering.
"You must be…" began Kenzaki.
"I am Tenrou, wolf of heaven. Hear me, o one who would use me…"
Kenzaki felt a strange tingling in his legs and looked down. "What's going on!?" he shouted. His legs were vanishing from right beneath him!
"Cease your struggling. It does you no good…I have spoken to you many times, yet you never sought to answer…Relinquish yourself. Submit to my rule." With each word Tenrou spoke, more of Kenzaki's body vanished, until only the right side of his face and his mouth remained.
"What did you say?" asked Kenzaki. "Submit!?" Kenzaki began to glow, his body slowly reforming. "You've got a lot of attitude. I think you forget…You're just a sword and nothing more! It's up to me whether I want to use you or not!" Kenzaki was now fully reformed, except something was different. His normally blue right eye was now a bright crimson, like his left eye. "So just shut the hell up and be a good dog!" Kenzaki's body then vanished from Tenrou's domain.
"The demonic crimson eyes!? His soul and aura have awakened!" growled Tenrou. "He is the one who will inherit the power of the Rou Youkai!"
Kenzaki then reappeared, now holding Tenrou, in its sword form. Neko gasped at this. He'd come back seconds after he'd disappeared. She had gotten worried. She was about to speak when he said to her, "We need to get to the others. They're in danger."
Neko fell silent and nodded before both ran out of the cave.
Back at the GaroLiner, Shiori and Kumiko were busy with repairs after Byakko had gotten the GaroLiner back up on its wheels using his impressive strength. Tazuka, Saeji, Okami, Raion and Buraki were fighting with Horrors who'd come to have them for dinner, literally.
"I hate Horrors!" Saeji shouted, cleaving one in two.
Tazuka was slashing away with Tiburon, "They are as pesky as Horrors, I can give you that." Tazuka then sensed a presence of highly concentrated energy and turned towards the direction. He shouted out, "Kenzaki!"
Tazuka and Saeji looked behind themselves, surprised at what they saw. Standing there was Neko and Kenzaki, but he looked different. First off, both of his eyes were blood red and glowing. He was also smiling widely, revealing extraordinarily long and sharp canines. He was holding on to Tenrou in his left hand, resting it on his shoulder. "Great…some target practice," growled Kenzaki.
He held his blade out in front of him, the blade facing downward. He held out his Rider Pass, positioning it at the hilt of his blade. "Now, let's have some fun…" His blade began to glow. "LUNAR HENSHIN!!" roared Kenzaki as he slid his Rider Pass across the flat of the sword.
"LUNAR FORM!" proclaimed the Garoh Belt.
At first, nothing happened, but then the wind began to howl. Silver strands began to flow around Kenzaki. Soon, the clouds moved to reveal a large, bright full moon. The light from the moon shone down upon Kenzaki, encompassing him in the light. The silhouette of his Plat Form appeared before it glowed brightly. Neko, Saeji and Tazuka averted their eyes at the bright light.
When the light fell away, it revealed an entirely new Garoh. His chest was covered with smooth silver and black armor that didn't hinder his movements. Shoulder guards jutted outward and curved at the end. His forearms and hands were protected by silver gauntlets. He was also wearing silver boots with black trimmings. He wore a black bodysuit underneath that, with specks of silver that resembled the night sky. His helmet was also unique. It looked exactly like a ferocious wolf's head, complete with snarling fangs and dark glowing red eyes. A sliver cape cascaded from his shoulders. The only remnant of his previous forms was the Garoh Belt strapped to his waist.
Garoh threw his head back and howled into the night sky. "My fury, my honor, my blade…they shall BREAK YOU!" he roared, fueled by a sort of primal fury. He sped right past Saeji and Tazuka, who barely saw him. He was crouched low and snarling at the Horrors that stood between him and the GaroLiner. "You are all TRASH!" he roared. He leapt up. A crescent blade appeared on his right leg as he swung it at the Horrors. "Know your place!" His bladed leg slashed straight through the Horrors, destroying all of them in one mighty blow.
Damien was stalking through the ruined streets of Jump City when he saw them. Raven and Terra. Terra was without her armor as her Inzecter had been damaged. He smiled maliciously. Terra, because of the power she held within her, was his target, and Raven…The Raven of his world was gone. Taken from him before he had reached his true power. He would take this one instead. He began to make his way toward them when four figures stood in his way. "So, you are the four presences I've been sensing. You're not really what I expected." The 4 Symbols prepared to fight Damien, without saying a word. "Very well, but don't make this boring." He then charged at them.
"Get to safety!" Gou shouted as he and his fellow Symbols started their counter attack.
"Wait! We can help!" shouted Raven, getting her scythe ready.
"The safety of the Avatar has to take priority!" shouted Gou, releasing his lightning blade from its scabbard. "Now, go! Get out of here! We'll handle this demon."
Raven and Terra exchanged looks before fleeing. Raven could sense Damien's power and it was unlike her father's and Terra knew she had to live.
Gou struck with his lightning sword but Damien grabbed it. He felt the energy run through him for a second before wrenching it out of Gou's hand before stabbing him in the chest with his own weapon. Gai, horrified at seeing Gou's death became enraged. He let out a roar and let out his claws to slash at Damien. Rei prepared to fire a flaming arrow at Damien from behind. Damien, rolling his eyes, grabbed Gai by one of his wrists and spun around when Rei fired. The arrow pierced through the white clad Symbol's back and out his chest. Rei was horrified. He'd just killed his brother. In his stunned state, Damien attacked and swiftly crushed his ribs with a punch to the chest and crushed his skull with a heel kick. Shin was the only one left but instead of shaking in fear, he stood his ground. He had to. His brothers would have done the same.
He died heroically as Damien sent a blast of darkness at Shin. Shin tried to use his shield to block it but his defenses were shattered as he was completely obliterated.
Damien spat as he dusted off his clothes. "Heh, not even worth my time. Now, where are they?" He scanned the area for their energy signatures. "Oh…yes…I found you." He smiled with amusement before floating upwards and giving chase.
After repairing the GaroLiner and getting it back on track, the entire crew left the realm as quickly as possible. Now, Kenzaki stood in front of a mirror. "I need to change…" he said. "For too long I've been chasing after a man I could never catch…That changes today." Kenzaki grabbed a handful of his hair and his sword. With one quick motion, he sliced his hair clean off. He then grabbed a pair of scissors and began trimming and styling it. When he finished, his hair was short and spiky. Not as spiky as Draco's or Robin's, but still spiky.
He turned around and exited his bathroom and into his room, where he found Neko sitting on his bed. "Oh, Neko."
Neko looked at Kenzaki's hair, wearing a frown. "You cut your hair."
"Well…I thought it was time for a change," he answered. She still looked at him with a frown. "OK, what's wrong?"
"When you said you loved me…was it true?" she asked.
Kenzaki was silent for a moment. He stepped forward and sat down next to her. "Neko…I meant it. I don't know why…but I do. I love you."
Jinx, without her helmet, was being held at the throat by Madame Rouge. The sadistic former member of the Brotherhood of Evil and Copycat's Lord of Envy looked into Jinx's eyes. Jinx tried to dislodge Rouge's hand from her neck but the enhanced strength granted by her armor was not enough. She couldn't even hex Rouge as the pain and the loss of breath she was experiencing were taking their toll on her concentration.
Rouge held the girl at the top of a skyscraper. Rouge said to Jinx, "Au revoire," before letting go. Jinx's eyes went wide as she plummeted straight down to the ground but then…
"HYPER CLOCK OVER!"
There was green flash of light and a figure clad in a black bodysuit with red and silver armor caught her bridal style. Jinx looked towards him as her smile grew. "BABY!"
Hyper Draco looked towards her, his jets keeping them suspended. "Miss me?" he asked. He then flew up with her back to the top of the skyscraper to face Madame Rouge.
Madame Rouge snorted as she saw Hyper Draco. "So, you've returned after running away."
"I didn't run away," Draco retorted. There was a flash of light as the Perfect Inzecter flew through the air end ended up in his left hand. In his right hand was his Keyblade. "I just had some business to take care of."
"Whatever," spoke Madame Rouge. "You are still weak compared to me." She turned her hands into blades before throwing them at Draco. Suddenly, a white blur flew past and stopped, grabbing the blades in its fists. Jinx gasped when she saw what it was.
"No way…"
It was the Orphenoch King, and yet…different. He should be dead but here he was, alive and holding off Madame Rouge. He was still mostly white and covered in organic armor but appeared slightly slimmer than the last time she'd seen him. The cape had become a scarf and the organic armor formed torso armor, shoulder pads, boots and gloves.
"Hey, a little help here," said the 'Orphenoch King' and Jinx recognized that voice. It couldn't be.
"Mortuary?" Jinx questioned.
Madame Rouge kicked 'Mortuary' away before lunging to attack Draco.
"HYPER CLOCK UP!"
Draco's armor changed as the chestplate split open to reveal a tachyon energy fractor in the centre. His shoulder pads swung upwards as fins started to pop out from his gauntlets and boots and finally a pair of dragon wings spread out from his back. His armor released steam before he vanished in a flash of green light and Rouge hit nothing but air.
Suddenly, Rouge felt a barrage of impacts against her body. They strikes hit her simultaneously and repeatedly, breaking her bones painfully.
"HYPER CLOCK OVER!"
Draco reappeared after his Hyper Clock Up timed out and stood as Madame Rouge's body collapsed. He hadn't wanted to use such power on a human but she'd tried to kill Jinx.
Jinx looked towards the Orphenoch King, looking a little wary at his appearance before the form vanished and replaced by Craig's. She gasped and her eyes widened in shock. "CRAIG!"
"Hey, nice to see you too," Craig grinned.
"Warren brought him back," Draco informed. "Isn't it great?"
Jinx was stunned. Did Draco's friends have a habit of coming back to life or something? First it was Tazuka and now this. Jinx, of course had to ask…
"Baby, I-" Jinx began before Draco pulled her towards her, his faceplate opening, and silencing her with a kiss.
"I love you," he told her.
Jinx blinked and replied, "I love you too."
"After this let's have a big wedding," he winked but she couldn't catch it because his visor was covering his eyes.
"O...Okay," Jinx responded, bewildered by his spontaneous response. "What about her?" Jinx pointed at Madame Rouge's broken body.
Draco kept silent and said, "She can rot in hell for all I care," shocking Jinx before he said, "I have to get to the Tower, now. Go and help the others."
Jinx nodded and watched as Draco flew off towards Titans Tower. Craig resumed his Orphenoch form and said to Jinx, "Let's go! The others are going to need us!"
"COPYCAT!" Draco shouted as he landed on the roof, staring straight at Copycat who stared right back. She looked absolutely demonic now with her glowing red eyes and Horror wings.
"So, you came back to finish me off," she observed.
"Hai," Draco nodded as he slid the deck into his Masked Rider Sword. The energy from the Keyblade changed his armor to… "LINER DRIVE FORM!" He gripped both the Keyblade and Perfect Inzecter, getting into a stance. "It's over for you!"
"Let's see about that," she smirked. She shouted, "MASSHU!"
A box with a big mouth rose up from under Draco and opened up to devour him. With a slash of his Keyblade, he sliced the Masshu apart before it could close him up within it.
"GALIPER!" called Copycat as the grid of light appeared.
"HYPER CLOCK UP!" Draco called before vanishing as the box rose up. The grid and box vanished before Draco reappeared in front of Copycat. "HYPER CLOCK OVER!"
"FUUDOU!" The arm rose up and smashed into Draco, sending him flying skyward. Copycat aimed her arm up at him, shouting, "KUROGANE!!" The cannonball went flying upwards but was blocked by the sudden appearance of a Time Train. Copycat scowled as she saw it. It was the GaroLiner. That could only mean one thing…
"That bastard…" hissed Copycat as she watched the hatch in the cockpit opened. Two armored figures leapt out of it and landed on the roof, flanking Draco.
"Kenzaki-san!" Draco gasped as he saw Garoh's new appearance. "Neko-chan!" She was alive.
"Hey, sorry we're late," Garoh said. "We got a little held up on our way here."
"But better late than never," added God Ryukendo.
Copycat snorted, crossing her arms, "So, you're still alive. I thought you were dead."
"Keep on dreaming," Ryukendo retorted. "We're here to take you down and there's no force in this world that can help you."
Copycat considered her words and then let out a laugh. It was a laugh so demonic and horrendous that you would be willing to go death in order to stop listening to it. Copycat glared at them, scoffing, "You think you can beat me? The Living Gate? Now that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard!"
"Give us your best shot!" Garoh challenged.
Copycat smirked. "As you wish." She looked towards the sky and raised her arms. "I CALL FORTH THE TENTH WEAPON! MAOH!" Copycat shouted and soon her dark aura formed around her before tendrils of it rose upwards above her. Garoh, Ryukendo and Draco watched as the energy began to take shape. It looked like some sort of four-legged animal with a lithe body. There was a tail and they could see a head form. When the dark energy had solidified, their eyes widened at the sight.
"Maoh is a living weapon, you see," Copycat explained, proud of her summoning, "And its power is relative to the power of the user's will. In other words, my will to devour the entire world and reshape them into my own image has given birth to THIS!"
Copycat's Maoh was a reflection of her evil, taking the form of a gigantic panther with glowing red eyes and razor sharp teeth. Its entire spine had spikes coming out of it and the tails had a sharp tip like a spear. The claws were also razor sharp and could easily gut the warriors.
"Now, attack!" she called out and her Maoh responded, pouncing at them.
"SCATTER!" Draco ordered but Garoh and Ryukendo refused.
"No, we counter!" Garoh shouted, "GEKIWAZA! RO RO DAN!"
"Hai!" Ryukendo added before shouting out, "GEKIWAZA! NYAO NYAO DAN!"
Their Fierce Ki was projected into their desired forms. For Garoh it was in the form of a wolf and for Ryukendo a giant cat due to her affinity for felines. The two animal projections let out a howl and snarl before they jumped upwards. The Maoh and the two Fierce Ki Bullets slammed into one another, causing a chain reaction. Copycat's Maoh vanished and she just floated in the air, mouth agape.
"I have…the power…of a demon and god…" she began, shaking, "HOW IS IT THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO DEFEAT MY MAOH!?"
"Your Maoh is the representation of your will to destroy," Garoh pointed out.
"But our Geki represents our will to protect," added Ryukendo.
Draco added in, shouting, "And our will to protect this world is stronger than your will to destroy it!"
Copycat stared at them and then started to shake. She began to chuckle before rearing her head back, laughing. She mocked them, "Your will…to protect? Oh, how absurd!" She looked straight at them. "Well, let's see if you can do it again! That was my second Maoh and I still have four more, plus the powers I've collected, my HorrorLiner and my other 9 Celestial Weapons!" she proclaimed. "Namihana!" Copycat lashed out her arm, sending the Namihana at Garoh.
She was slightly surprised when Garoh leapt on top of the Namihana and charged at her. "Ikuzo, ikuzo, IKUZO!!" growled Garoh. He ran right up to Copycat. He jumped off and tried to kick her.
"Neko already tried that trick on me!" shouted Copycat as she dodged the kick. However, what she didn't see coming was Garoh's clawed hand as it grasped hold of her helmet and slammed her into the ground.
"I ain't Neko," snarled Garoh.
Damien had Raven and Terra on the run. "Just what the hell are you!?" shouted Terra as she threw several rocks at Damien.
He waved his hand and the rocks stopped before falling to the ground. Damien smiled. "I am the Devil…" He held out his hand. His fingers super-extended and pinned Raven and Terra to the ground by their shoulders, causing the girls to scream in pain. "And I am here to do the Devil's work."
"What the hell do you want!?" shouted Raven. She knew he could easily kill them, but he was taking his sweet time. Why?
"I want you to pray to your God. I want you to pray that he comes to save you. I want lightning to come down and crash upon my head!" shouted Damien. He waited and nothing happened. "That's what I thought." He held out his free arm and created an orb of shadow energy. "Goodbye, Tara Markov."
WHAM!!
Damien recoiled as he felt a fist slam into his face, before he was sent flying by a blast of dark energy. He readied himself and looked up to see Warren, his fist out, and Deathcobra, his Geno-Blaster drawn. "Go help the girls," said Warren. "He's mine!" Warren's angel wings expanded as he flew at Damien.
Damien and Warren were fighting on equal footing, with Deathcobra providing backup, blasting at Damien. When one would through an attack, the other would block accordingly. Warren threw a punch at Damien, who caught the fist and slammed Warren in the chin with his knee. Damien looked around and saw Terra trying to make a break for it. "I think not, child!" growled Damien. He placed a palm against Warren's face and blasted him with shadow energy, causing him to scream and fall to the earth. Damien then held his arms up. "Shadows! Your master commands you to rise! Destroy the armored one! And bring the women to me!" As he said this, various shadows rose from the wreckage. Deathcobra and Raven joined forces to protect Terra, destroying the demons. Deathcobra continued to shoot at them with his Geno-Blaster, adding his energy into the gun as Raven used her Scythe of Light to slash them to pieces.
Warren stood, facing Damien and the army of demons that would no doubt lead to his death. Black blood poured down his face.
It spins.
The world changes.
It turns. Each time it touches the sun and the moon…
…It takes a new shape.
The one thing that does not change…
…Is my powerlessness.
Warren stared directly at Damien. "It's time we ended this Damien. You and me. No interferences." He removed his sunglasses and let them fall to the ground. His black eyes were filled with determination as he crushed them beneath his feet.
"You realize I'll crush you? But don't worry about the others on your world. I'll take your place and welcome Father into your plane, and then kill him again. Your universe will be mine in a matter of days."
Sometimes, the people I care about just vanish. Leaving behind spots of blood only I can see…
No matter how strong I get…
…I can't protect them.
The realization cuts my heart like cold steel.
It's turning.
If fate is a millstone…
…Then we are the grist.
There is nothing we can do.
Warren looked behind them. He saw the phantoms of those he had lost. They were smiling at him, urging him on. He looked at his hand, and a strange mask appeared in his hand. It appeared to be large enough to cover the top half of his face.
So I wish for strength.
"If I cannot protect them from the wheel…then give me a strong blade…and enough strength…To shatter fate!" As Warren said this, he placed the mask against his face. A blinding light encompassed Warren. When the light faded, Warren had changed dramatically.
His body was pitch black, shadow energy flickering off his body. His muscles were much more defined. His right arm flexed as his hand turned into a black claw. Two small spikes shot out of his forearm. Large curved spikes shot out of his shoulder. Next his left arm flexed as it too turned into a black claw. Curved spikes shot out of this shoulder as well. He seemed to have grown another foot taller. His pants looked like rags worn by a wandering nomad. He wore boots with metal shin guards. His hair was now long and pitch black, flicking with shadow energy like his body. His eyes glowed white, energy burning off them like fire. Lastly, four wings unfurled behind him, two angelic, and two demonic. A blade rested against his shoulder. It was a pitch black, large, double-edged sword, similar to a long sword and shaped like a cross.
He looked at Damien and his demons. He lifted up his free hand and made a come-hither motion. Several of Damien's demons, at least 50, charged at Warren. He lifted up his blade, and with a single slash, destroyed all 50 demons. "Amen."
Damien smiled at this. "So, now we get serious…" Shadows began to swirl around Damien. He let out an earth shacking roar as his body crackled with black electricity. Damien's clothes vanished. His skin turned pitch black. His white hair stood on end. He seemed to grow to at least eight feet tall. His pants looked like rags worn under metal shin guards and boots. His mouth widened, revealing his razor sharp teeth. His hands turned into claws. Curved spikes came out of his elbows. Black demonic bat wings unfurled behind him. His black eyes were now glowing. The ground around him shook and cracked under the pressure. "Then let's have some fun!"
Warren and Damien's clawed hands slammed into each other, causing the ground to crater beneath their feet. "You won't win, Damien!"
"We'll see boy!" retorted Damien as he kicked Wraith backward and summoned a large sword. He charged at Wraith and slashed his blade, but was countered by Wraith's blade. The two warriors clashed, their powers equal. Damien and Wraith slashed their blades at the same time, the force of their attack shattering the glass in the buildings around them. Both leapt backward, focusing their energy into their blades.
The two charged at each other, and slashed. There was a flash of dark light. When the light subsided, Damien and Wraith were standing back to back, their blades outstretched. All the buildings around them then collapsed. "Looks like we're equal" said Wraith.
"As it was always meant to be," said Damien.
"Next blow decides it?"
"Sounds good to me."
Damien swung around and slashed his blade at Wraith, but Wraith defended before swinging around behind Damien. He stabbed out with his blade. He looked up and was shocked at what he saw. Wraith's blade had pierced Damien's heart! His body began to turn to dust and slowly collapsed.
"Interesting…" muttered Damien as his body turned to black dust.
Blows were exchanged and sparks were sent flying as metal met metal. Ryukendo and Draco, both Keyblade users, were using their weapons to slash at Copycat who was using her twin axes to deflect their attacks. Garoh joined it so Copycat decided to even the odds and create two duplicates to engage the other two as she confronted Draco.
Draco slashed at Copycat who parried with her axes. She questioned him, "Why do you even continue fighting? Why bother?"
Draco's answer was to send her reeling with a powerful slash that shattered one of her axes before using the Perfect Inzecter to stab her shoulder. Ryukendo and Garoh easily destroyed the two duplicates.
After a prolonged battle, Copycat decided the best way to take care of these nuisances was to literally call on her 'big guns'. She shouted out, "HORRORLINER, TO ME!"
The dark and macabre tune played in the air as a dark portal form. Draco gaped at the appearance of the HorrorLiner, the train he remembered destroying with the ChronoLiner, back and at Copycat's beck and call. Copycat leapt upwards and entered the HorrorLiner's cockpit.
"You're all mine now!" Copycat, in the HorrorLiner, activated her train's weapon systems. In an instant, the additional passenger cars opened up revealing weapons resembling her Celestial Weapons in the following order:
Kurogane, Fuudou, Masshu, Pick, and Namihana. Only the other weapons like Galiper, Raika and Seiku were unavailable due to their nature as support weapons.
The ChronoLiner and GaroLiner, in response to this, appeared once more. "Let's go!" said Garoh as he leapt upwards and into the cockpit.
"Neko-chan, ikuzo," said Draco before jumping up and into the ChronoLiner's cockpit. The floating tracks of the two time trains converged with the GaroLiner in the lead. The ChronoLiner sped forward and clamped onto the rear of the GaroLiner.
Garoh was in the cockpit of the GaroLiner while Draco was manning the controls of the ChronoLiner.
The ChronoLiner and GaroLiner had combined, with the latter train in front. The two trains activated their weapons. Kulon stood on a platform, roaring at the HorrorLiner as Kin did the same, the sonic blasters in the shape of speakers releasing the shockwaves. The final car and remainder of the train, the GaroLiner Hageshi, turned into a large dragon. The ChronoLiner's weapons all sprang out.
The time trains circled each other, firing their combined ammunition. The Kurogane cannonballs and Namihana tentacles were batted away by Kulon's paws. Masshu fired missiles but they were countered by Hageshi who fired a laser stream at them, blowing them up prematurely. At the same time, Tsume was howling and firing its own barrage of missiles while the ChronoLiner fired its lasers, missiles and bombs at the enemy time train.
The HorrorLiner's Fuudou swung out to smash at the two linked up trains but the AI-controlled jet belonging to the ChronoLiner got in the way and sent it back with its own momentum.
Of course, some of the HorrorLiner's attack did break through the ChronoLiner and GaroLiner's defences, causing massive damage on either time train.
The two time trains then flew at each other, at ramming speed. The ugly face of the HorrorLiner stared at them snapping it jaws as the GaroLiner howled.
The two time trains crashed but only the HorrorLiner was destroyed as the GaroLiner plowed right through it. Copycat escaped her cockpit via teleportation.
The GaroLiner and ChronoLiner both sped away from the exploding remains of the HorrorLiner. "Now that's awesome!" cheered Garoh. However, an alarm alerted him to a possible stowaway and he turned on the display to see Copycat standing on the ChronoLiner. She had activated her Kurogane and aiming it at the cockpit.
"Oh, no you don't!" roared Garoh.
Copycat, enraged, was ready to fire when…
"WILD SHOT!"
An orb of crackling energy exploded against her chest, sending her falling. She grabbed the surface with her claws, keeping her on. Her red eyes looked up to see both Draco Liner Form and God Ryukendo staring her down. "It's over!" Ryukendo yelled, "You've lost!"
"NO I HAVEN'T!" Copycat roared as she called out, "RANMA!" Her giant sword formed and she swung it at the two Knights.
Suddenly, Garoh got in between the twins and Copycat before using Tenrou to deflect Copycat's weapon. Copycat staggered and she snarled at the three warriors. "YOU! YOU DARE STOP ME!?" Copycat snarled.
"We do!" Draco shouted before gripping the Perfect Inzecter and Masked Rider Sword tightly. He charged at Copycat.
"FUUDOU!" Copycat shouted.
"HYPER BLADE!" the Hyper Inzecter called out.
"EXTREME SLASH!" Draco called out before he slashed the Fuudou to pieces with his weapons. Copycat's eyes widened before she was slashed across the chest. She flew away to gain some distance but this attempt failed. As soon as she flew off the connected time trains, the three warriors leapt after her and grabbed her.
"HEY, LET ME GO!" she shouted, trying to shake them off. She failed and despite her strength she was unable to maintain her balance and fell on the roof of the Tower. She tumbled along its surface as did Garoh, Copycat and Draco. She picked herself up and shouted at them. "You…you all have given me nothing but trouble!!" She shouted out, "KUROGANE!" she fired a flaming cannonball but it was sliced apart by Ryukendo.
"MASSHU!"
"DYNAMIC CHOP!" Draco called out and sliced Masshu in half with his Keyblade.
"PICK!"
The trio dodged and ran at Copycat. She withdrew her Pick and tried to use another weapon, "GALIPER!"
The grid formed but the three warriors leapt upwards before the boxes could entrap them. "NAMIHANA!" Copycat commanded and lashed out with the whip but even in the air they dodged. "RANMA!" she called out, the massive sword slicing through the air but it was deflected when Draco used the turntable hilt of his Keyblade as a shield.
No…she was a god! This was not happening! They were not beating her! NO!!
"MA-" Copycat began to call on her Maoh, but…
Draco spun his turntable hilt and the red mask aligned with the blade. "FULL THROTTLE BREAK-DENSHA GIRI!" Draco shouted as he rushed at Copycat along energy tracks that carried him.
A dragon hovered above Ryukendo and roared before coming down and fusing with her sword. "KYUUKYOUKU RYUOU GIRI!" Ryukendo shouted as she swung her sword, slashing at Copycat with a flying energy blade.
A full moon appeared behind Garoh. He lifted up his blade and moved it in a circle. The moon behind him began to eclipse. He rushed at Copycat. "SHOKU GIRI!" Garoh roared as he slashed at Copycat with every bit of strength he could muster. A silver arc followed the blade, before that too slashed through the Cat Knight.
Copycat screamed as the three attacks made contact. Her armor was obliterated in an instant and she felt the energy rushing through her, ripping her apart.
"No! I am eternal! I am a god!" Katherine shouted out, not believing this to be happening. "I AM A GOD! ETERNAL!"
"You may have the powers of a god," Ryukendo began as she stabbed Gekiryuken into the ground.
"And maybe darkness is eternal," added Draco as he stabbed his Keyblade and the Perfect Inzecter into the ground.
"BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE!!" the twins shouted out before they jumped upwards into the sky. Garoh followed them.
Katherine, stunned, looked to see the three warriors coming down at her with their legs extended.
"ORE-TACHI NO HISSATSU WAZA! TRIPLE RIDER KICK!!" Draco called out.
The three kicks smashed into Katherine and sent her flying. She dug her claws onto the surface to stop herself and ended up at the edge of the Tower. She picked herself up, her entire body bleeding with darkness from her wounds. Her skin was actually cracking.
She then heard Damien's voice in her head. 'It seems that our partnership has once again come to an end. No matter, I just wanted to say that I've collected my payment.'
"Pay…payment?" asked Katherine.
Another voice entered her head. 'Mistress! Please save me! Don't let him take me! I don't want to go back there!' It was Rosalinda's!
"You…bastard…" hissed Katherine.
'Oh, and just so you know, I'm going to take my time breaking her. You showed her so much kindness and love. I'm going to break her of that.'
"No…"
'I've won, Katherine. From the very beginning my victory was assured. Enjoy the remainder of your life Katherine, I'll be sure to come and collect the remains…'
Katherine was enraged as Damien's laughter rung in her ears, as well as Rosalinda's screams, before both vanished entirely.
Katherine let out a final scream of anguish before her entire body exploded in a magnificent eruption of dark energy. She ceased to exist as her entire body vanished.
They had won.
Or so they thought.
Ryukendo's knees buckles and her armor vanished before she started to collapse but then Draco caught her. "Neko-chan! Daijoubu?"
"Ojou-sama!" Gekiryuken shouted out.
Neko looked up at her brother's face after his helmet vanished. Garoh removed his own helmet too, looking at her worriedly.
"I guess I might be tired…" Neko chuckled weakly. Ryuki gasped.
"Neko-chan, your hand!" Ryuki pointed and Neko lifted up her hand. It was now translucent. She was starting to fade away. "What…what's going on?"
"Neko…" Kenzaki spoke up.
"It looks like that…" Neko said weakly as her body was fading, "That even if Katherine won't die when I die, I will still die with her death. We are still connected after all…"
Kenzaki kneeled down and looked at her face. "Neko, hold on. Just hold on…" She was starting to completely disappear. "Please…"
"Gomenasai, Garoh-chan," she said. "Tell Rose and Cathy I love them and I…"
'I love you too , Ken-kun…Sayonara…'
And she was gone. There was nothing left of her. Ryuki shuddered as he felt her entire weight vanish from his hold and he let out a shout, "ONEE-CHAN!!"
Kenzaki gripped his fists tightly, so tightly that they were bleeding. "NEKO!!" he roared. He felt like punching something. "I couldn't save her…WHY COULDN'T I SAVE HER!?" He lifted up his fist. Ryuki thought he was going to punch him. He felt like he deserved it, and awaited the blow, but it never came, to him at least. Ryuki looked at Kenzaki and saw that he was now bleeding from the side of his mouth. Kenzaki had just punched himself. "Ryuki…" he began, spitting out blood. "You win this war and you bring her back. Or I swear to God I will kill you myself."
The sky cleared as soon as Katherine and Neko died. With the Living Gate destroyed, the Horrors all vanished in an instant. The Horror-Beasts also started to combust after their mistress' demise. All over the world, the Horrors were starting to vanish as the light of the sun chased away the darkness.
The villains, seeing this, fled as the tide had turned. The ones who hadn't fled were either unconscious or too injured to move.
It was over and there were cheers. However, Ichijyo didn't feel like cheering as he felt something was wrong. He was feeling anguish and sorrow. He then realized where it was coming from. "Ryuki…"
Libra arrived and stood before Terra. The blonde girl looked at the Celestial in awe. He said to her, "It's time." She nodded, fully understanding what he meant before taking her hand.
Takada (having arrived via the Mirror World after defeating Sylar) and Ichijyo looked at Libra. He said to the two Knights, "You both must come too. This is important."
Seeing as there was nothing more to argue about, the two Knights approached Libra. They gave their friends and allies a single look, telling them they would be alright, before Libra tapped his staff and teleported them away.
Libra appeared on Titans Tower's roof to see a solemn sight. Ryuki was crying and Kenzaki was holding tears. The god approached the two men and said, "It's time."
"I can't," Ryuki replied. "I can't…fight anymore…" As much as he wanted to bring Neko back, he just lost the will to fight. Kenzaki even offered to take his place but Ryuki refused. He just wanted this nightmare to end.
"But the wish can only be gained by defeating the other Knights, and finally me," answered Libra. Ryuki stood up weakly, looking Libra in the eye.
"I won't…fight my friends. I'll find another way," Draco swore.
Libra sighed he then reached up to his helmet and removed it, shocking everyone when they saw Libra's face for the first time. He had short black hair that was spiky and three scars running down one eye. There were tints of red in his hair but what shocked them was his resemblance to Ryuki.
Ryuki's eyes opened as he stared. "O…otousan…?"
Libra nodded, "Yes, it's me, son."
No, it had to be a trick but Draco had the feeling that Libra was telling the truth.
Draco could only do ONE thing…
WHAM!
Libra was sent flying by the force of Ryuki's fist and fell to the ground, leaving a mark. Ryuki flew at Libra, his father, and grabbed him by the throat and pummeled him with his fist, repeatedly.
"Why? (POW!) WHY!? (POW!) WHY!? (POW!) WHY!?" Ryuki questioned as he punched the man, repeatedly, in the face. The others stood back and watched him beating the crap out of Libra.
"Ryuki, STOP!" Terra yelled. "Stop!" Draco did and let the god go in disgust.
"I know I deserved that, son," Libra said as he got back up.
"SON!?" Takada echoed in disbelief. "HE'S YOUR DAD!?"
"This man…is not my father," Draco growled.
"I know you must hate me," Libra began, but was interrupted.
"And why shouldn't I? You pretend to be dead for the last 16 years and then just watched over us without telling us you were alive this whole time!" Ryuki shouted accusingly and hatefully. "There are so many ways I can hurt you now…Why didn't you help Tazuka, Craig, onee-chan and the others!? Why did you only help me!? What about the others!? WHY, DAMN IT!? TELL ME!?"
"Because, it was your destiny," Libra replied. Ryuki scoffed.
"To hell with destiny," Draco said. "I'm done being anyone's pawn."
"If you don't fight, you have already lost," Libra said.
"I've lost my sister," Draco reminded. "There's nothing left."
"But if you fight…you can bring her back," Libra replied. Ichijyo and Takada stepped forward.
"Can he? Really?" Ichijyo asked uncertainly.
"When he wins, the Avatar will truly awaken and the wish can be made," spoke Libra.
"Maybe you should do this," Takada began, but received a glare from Ryuki.
"And ruin another life? Forget it!" Ryuki objected.
"There's not enough time," Libra said. "You must fight and win the right to that wish."
Ryuki shook as Ichijyo and Takada exchanged glances. They both stood forward. They'd decided. "We forfeit," they both said.
Ryuki stared at his friend, "Demo…your wishes…"
"Hey, they're nothing compared to what you want right now," said Ichijyo.
"And, well, it may take years but I think I can make Tamaran green again, or whatever color the plants are," Takada shrugged.
Ryuki gaped at his friends who took out their decks and then dropped them to the floor before crushing them beneath their feet. The power flowed from them into Ryuki who was the closest Zodiac Knight. Together with the powers gained from Neko's death and Copycat's defeat, Ryuki was now the last Knight standing.
Libra watched as the Dog and Snake both relinquished their Zodiac Powers willingly. Seeing this, he dropped his staff and decided, "I too, forfeit."
"You do?" Terra asked.
"I want my daughter back and the rules never said I could not forfeit either," Libra shrugged before removing his Zodiac Deck from his belt. He then slammed his fist down on the crystal, shattering it, and letting the power flow from it and into Ryuki. Libra's armor vanished, replaced by a gold Chinese shirt with black slacks. He was now once again Kyousuke Hasuma, but he was still a god since he'd been granted more than just the Zodiac Powers.
As soon as Ryuki felt the rush of power, the Zodiac Emblems glowed on his forehead, one by one, flickering out as they switched around. Draco had truly become the champion, the One, by default.
As soon as this occurred, Terra's body glowed and she spoke in an ethereal voice. Her arms were spread as her eyes glowed brightly, like when she used her powers. The Avatar had awakened, "You are the One," she spoke, "What is your wish?"
Ryuki stood there, still surprised by the actions of those around him. Ichijyo and Takada gave him a nod as did Kenzaki. Libra stood back wearing a neutral expression.
Taking a deep breath, Ryuki said, "I wish…I wish for a new life."
To Be Concluded…
Well, that was a climax. As for some of the fights seemingly incomplete I'll just leave all that to your imagination, my fellow readers. I'd like to thank my fellow co-writer, Shadow Element 13, for his help and hard work in helping me create this chap. The next chapter will be the epilogue but before that I want to ask you readers something:
What do you think are the effects of Draco's wish?
Any suggestions would be much obliged. So, anyway, thanks for reading the ZKD saga but don't worry, there are still some more stories left to tell just be on the lookout for them, my friends.