15: Creed Diskenth

Train stared wide-eyed at the glistening steel blade which had pierced him. His head was spinning, his muscles seizing up and he could feel blood pooling in the back of his throat. He was in agony. This pain was intense, as if the blades edge was coated in salt. The wounds seemed to burn, stinging like acid.

"I knew it! You hadn't changed at all! The Black Cat wouldn't have let that happen. I thought this battle would have brought you back to your senses but all it has done is made you weaker!"

"Ugh...W-What..." Train's eyelids were fluttering.

"The Black Cat seems to have died long ago. It's only fitting that the weak shell he left behind be destroyed as well!"

"C-Creed?" Train coughed violently, thrown down onto his hands and knees.

"I'm afraid your little spell has worn off Train." Creed kicked his former idol onto his stomach and drew the blade out from his back. He studied the blood stains and ran his tongue along its edge. "Your blood is as sweet as ever. Such a shame, I would have loved to see the Black Cat free the princesses and unleash his fury upon that Aizen fellow, but the man I worshipped is long gone! I thought I saw that spark in your eyes, but I guess it was just the after-glow!" He kicked the downed assassin once more.

"Creed what did you do?" Ichigo was already rushing to the scene but something collided with him, something with the force of train at full speed. Ichigo was knocked off his feet and sent sprawling across the floor.

Grimmjow stood over him, triumphant. "I've got no idea what your buddy is trying to do, but while they sort out their little lovers spat I'm gonna finish you off once and for all! I'll pick their scraps clean when they are finished. But you're first!"

He laughed maniacally as he brought his sword down but Ichigo rolled aside and slashed at his ankles. Grimmjow leapt up high but Ichigo managed to flash step behind him and knock him back down to the floor. He hesitated then, knowing full well that Train needed him, but Grimmjow was a bigger menace.

As he struggled to decide Grimmjow made the decision for him, slamming a fist deep in his gut. Ichigo coughed violently but still managed to smash his forehead against that of his foe. As they staggered about, dazed, Ichigo launched his attack. The two crossed swords, striking madly in a frenzy of sharpened steel. Both bore bitter grudges for the foe they had only known for a short time, but to each man his opponent was a fearsome obstacle in their quests.

Neither could back down and neither would gladly lay down their life for the other. They would battle to the death without question. With blades of tempered steel they would decide each other's fate.

Meanwhile Creed stood over Train, the murderous gleam in his eyes back once again. It seemed erasing his powers had done nothing to cure his mental instability.

"I remember what you did to me that day. You mocked me and refused our chance of glory. You were blinded by the words of that stupid little cow! You betrayed me and took away everything I ever had!"

"Creed, I never betrayed you. I saved you...From yourself." Train groaned through gritted teeth.

"Lies! All lies! You stripped me of my powers and rendered me a frail and broken man! You were never there to help me when I was in pain! You were never there when I called out for you, when I begged for the Black Cat to save me! I struggled alone, every day encouraged by the hope that I could still catch that one last glimpse of the Black Cat in action. I learned to walk once again; I took up the sword and trained every single day! I swore to myself that I would one day find you and wake you up!"

"Why? Why can't you accept...This is my life now?"

"Because I know you Train! This is not you. This is the curse of that damned she-devil! Even now as she rots in the earth her insidious lies plague you so! You've been fighting it for so long Train, because I know the real you is still trapped in there somewhere!"

"You're wrong!"

"No! The day you visited me I swore it was the legendary assassin who had arrived. That is why I followed you! That is why I helped you. I thought I could reignite the flames that burn within your soul!" Creed shook his head and pointed his sword right between Train's eyes.

"I was wrong...That little girl has you as well. I see now that you are but a tainted rose, whose brilliance is marred by the straggling weeds around it. They have you in their grips now. It is too late. No matter how beautiful the rose might have been each time I try and pry the weeds away I am cut by your thorns. You do not appreciate all I have done for you nor do you wish to be free from these pathetic creatures and join me atop the heavens once again."

"Creed...I should have killed you back then!" Train leaned against his sword and struggled to stand. "I was wrong to think you could change...I know I promised Saya I would never take another life...But not avenging her death has haunted me for many long years. It is time to make you feel her pain!"

Train suddenly became overwhelmed with a flood of strength, as if Saya's spirit was there behind him once again, offering him a shoulder to lean on as he rose to his feet. He could see her then standing by him, clutching his hands tight. She looked upset, but she slowly nodded her ascent and smiled weakly. She tried to speak but no words came out. With that she was gone, but it was enough for Train to steel himself. His eyes blazed, burning embers of rage embedded within his skull. His expression drew blank and slowly he assumed a fighting stance.

Creed chuckled to himself, his lips curving up into a sinister smile. "There you are! I've missed you Black Cat! Now fight me! Show me the strength you have been hiding for all these years! Unleash him upon the world and drown your enemies in blood! Kill, kill and kill again! Leave nothing but death in your wake! Spread the curse of the thirteenth number, the ill omen, the dreaded Black Cat!" Creed howled with laughter. His mirth was sickening, only serving to fuel Train's anger.

"Fine," he snarled, "I'll show you your precious Black Cat. Enjoy it while it lasts because it will be the last sight you ever see!"

"Then I shall die happy, now come! Face me Train! Cast off the shackles of that oppressive whore and fight!"

He knew he was just falling for his taunts, but Train did not care. He knew he was going against everything he had believed in, everything he had been fighting for, but for just this one time...None of that would matter. Creed had long been a thorn in his side, a pain he had struggled with for so long. He believed he could let him live, let him redeem himself. But now the truth had come to light. Creed's image of a man who had learned his lesson and wished to save himself was nothing but a facade. Behind his cold eyes there still reigned a vicious creature, turned into a ravenous bloodthirsty demon by the childish vice of jealousy.

No more. As much as Train had loved Saya's way of life he saw now that it could not work, not always. He would bear the shame of breaking his oath if only to protect his own pride. If only to save what was precious to him. He would save Creed, save him from the cancerous ideals that had rotted him from within. He would save Creed from his cursed existence and set him free.

Creed would find release only in death and so the Black Cat bared his fangs and drew his weapons.

The two charged at one another, colliding with a thunderous explosion. Swords clashed and shots were fired. Amidst a screen of smoke and dust a battle was raging. As it dispersed the two assassins came into full view.

Train pushed himself beyond his limits to swing the sword back and forth in a furious string of relentless attacks. Creed brushed them off with a malicious smile ever planted on his features. Train only grew more furious at his former comrade's nauseating smile. With a fierce battle cry Train doubled his efforts, causing his wounds to spew blood over himself. Nonetheless he fought on, ignoring the pain and the exhaustion.

"More!" Creed cried excitedly, "More, more, more, MORE!" I can see it in your eyes! The Black Cat! It is the Black Cat! Mwahahahaha!"

"Shut up!" Train roared, opening fire upon him.

Creed sliced the bullets into tiny pieces and stepped forward, gracefully swinging his sword in a wide arc. Train ducked back and fired once more, emptying the clip on his foe. Creed merely swayed back and forth, from side to and dodged each one.

As Train became weary and tired, Creed seized his chance and slashed across his chest, sending a fountain of dark crimson to spurt forth from the deep trench carved in his flesh. The Black Cat stumbled and fell on his knees, cursing his weakness in the face of an opponent he had managed to defeat so many times in the past.

Why? Why can't I defeat him? I never struggled to defeat him before. Why now is he so strong? He doesn't have any powers! Why can't I beat him dammit! Why?

"Train, you've underestimated me for quite some time now. You always thought of me as ill of mind and spirit. You thought I was nothing more than a psychopath. You always thought you were better than me, even when you were a weak little kitten in the hands of that succubus! You overlooked something very important didn't you?"

Creed paced back and forth casually, dabbing salt in the wound for his foe.

"I worshipped you Train! I watched you fight, entranced by your power! I analysed your every move! I learned everything about you! I know you better than anyone! I even taught you how to use the sword! I know every move you've ever used in combat! I know your reflexes for any given situation. I understand the way you think, the way you fight! With no powers to support me I trained night and day, perfecting your style of combat! As I was teaching you the way of the sword I always watched you practice. I learned of your new fighting style and analysed every movement, every attack! I know your every move Train!"

Train cursed under his breath and stood back up. He was panting heavily, struggling to breathe with his terrible injuries, but the caged beast within was still baying for blood.

With grim determination Train stepped forward and reloaded his trusty pistol, Hades.

"I don't care. Even if you know my moves I will still defeat you."

"I welcome you to try!"

"I will defeat you Creed! Because I have to! Grrrrraaaaggh!" Train charged head-on and once again Creed lazily extended his sword to block it, anticipating it perfectly; however he did not count on the strength behind Train's attack and was thrown back regardless.

With eyes wide in shock, Creed managed a dry chuckle, "Marvellous! Even when cornered, the Black Cat still manages to strike fear in the hearts of his opponents. Just a little more. A little more and the Black cat will finally be free!"

Train grit his teeth and opened fire, shooting three times in rapid succession. The bullets soared across the battlefield in a tiny triangular shaped cluster, so close they looked like one bullet. Creed sneered at this and prepared to hack down upon them, but as his sword clashed with the bullets they each exploded like miniature grenades.

"Burst bullet!" Train declared proudly, racing across the battlefield and running his sword through Creed's side. Rather than force a cry of agony, or even a curse, Creed just laughed, his sickening unnaturally joyful laugh.

"Excellent!" Creed cried, "I had forgotten about those special little toys of yours! What is next? Will your next shot make me freeze? Ha ha! How fun!"

Enraged, Train tried to club him with the gun but Creed caught his wrist and used his free hand to impale his opponent on his own sword. The two stood together amidst the sudden silence of the battlefield, both impaled upon each other's blades.

Both men looked to the other, no sign of pain or remorse. One gazed thoughtfully at his foe and the other scowled, burning with anger.

Creed's hands dropped by his side and he smiled thinly, "This...This is what I wanted...To die together with my Black Cat. To drown in each other's blood and fall in glorious battle side by side...Together..." the madman never wished more than to laugh at his predicament but only a strangled wheeze escaped his parched lips.

Train glared at him with eyes alight like candles, still burning strong. He did not laugh, nor did he cry. He just stared at Creed and whispered quite softly, "Sorry Creed but I can't die just yet."

A mixture of confusion and betrayal crossed Creed's features then and he made to protest but was silenced when Hades was pressed against his heart. Suddenly he went rigid and his eyes narrowed upon the figure of his opponent.

"You wanted to see the Black Cat right? Well here I am. Now I'm afraid I've got to deliver some bad luck."

Creed's eyes became clouded by tears as the deafening blast echoed around the chamber. The madman was thrown back a few steps where he stood silent, frozen. As tears slid down his cheeks he smiled weakly. Slowly, he fell down to his knees and then doubled over.

He was free at last...

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