Okay, here's the second part of Shikamaru's fight. I hope you enjoy it. This one may be a little crazy, but it's difficult to get into Zir's head. Yes, he is absolutely insane. Some of this, including how Shikamaru escapes, is completely off the wall crazy. If you don't like nonsense, skip to the AN at the end of this chapter.
Chapter 21: Shikamaru vs. Zir pt. 2
Shikamaru was officially having a bad day. First, he had been woken up from a wonderful nap to be told that the village was being invaded. Then, he had been told he had to fight some crazy kid. Finally, the crazy kid had trapped him in the most feared genjutsu of all time, and he acted like he had no idea how to use it. Yeah, Shikamaru's day could have been better.
Zir was in a world of his own. Literally since this genjutsu took place inside his mind. He was sipping a bowl of ramen that he said "tasted like rainbows."
Shikamaru was sure Zir must have lost his mind. Anyone who used a genjutsu like this and didn't use it to kill their victim immediately and preserve their chakra… well… they couldn't be sane. Shikamaru looked over at Zir, who appeared to be in a daze. Shikamaru racked his brain for an idea, any way to get out of this, but he'd tried to release the jutsu multiple times, but it didn't work. Zir's insane will was still holding fast to this jutsu.
Shikamaru had nothing. He was strong, but none of his jutsu would have the power to break through this genjutsu, and in this world, Zir was just too strong. Shikamaru decided that there was no way out except for Zir to release the jutsu. That's when it hit Shikamaru. There was a way. If he could convince Zir to release the jutsu, then Shikamaru could escape.
"Hey Zir!" said Shikamaru.
"I already told you! I'm not Zir anymore!" the maniac replied. "My name is Prince Underworld. If you can't call me that, then I'll just have to turn you into a squirrel."
Shikamaru sighed. He wondered if being a squirrel would possibly be better. He wouldn't have to deal with Zir, or Ino for that matter. Yeah, being a squirrel sounded like a good idea, but Naruto needed him. Another day perhaps. And what was with this guy? Shikamaru had never wanted to kill someone so badly.
"Whatever. Take this!" Shikamaru threw a kunai at Zir, who turned it into bubbles.
"I like bubbles!" he cried.
"Naruto just had to make me fight this guy. If I die, I'll kill him," Shikamaru muttered.
He pulled another explosive kunai and threw it. Zir made it explode in his face. Then, Zir summoned an explosive tag at Shikamaru's feet and caused it to explode. Then Shikamaru put his plan into action.
"OWWWWWW!" cried Shikamaru.
Zir ran over to check on him. "What's the matter?" he said innocently.
"Oww."
"I'm sorry. Here, I'll make you feel better." He formed a hand sign to heal Shikamaru. Shikamaru continued to moan.
"If that didn't work, then how can I make you feel better?"
Shikamaru wasn't sure what to say. He knew what he wanted, but he didn't want the kid to turn psycho. He decided anything would be better than this. "I need you to fight me like a real man and stop hiding behind an illusion. I want a real fight."
"Fine! If you think you can handle the real me, then I'll let you try. Release!" Zir formed a hand sign and released the jutsu.
Reality closed back in on Shikamaru, giving him a headache. Why had he been tortured like this? He decided that he would make Zir pay. Zir was over alone, seemingly returning to his own sanity. He formed a hand sign, and a giant spear rose from the ground. The spear flew toward Shikamaru, who summoned his shadow to protect himself. The shadow blocked the spear, but Shikamaru was unaware of the coming punch from Zir, which caught him in the left side of his face. He flew into a nearby building.
"Sorry about that," said Zir. "I usually don't let that side of me out. Don't worry though; I'll make sure you forget all about that insane jutsu!"
"No way. I won't lose. You're too dangerous to let go. I guess I'll show you what I showed your friend."
"Ahh yes. The Seven Shadow Beasts. Let's see them."
"You asked for it! I summon you: Skrag, Baurus, Titan, and Salamandus!"
"Four? You can't be serious! They'll devour us all."
"Don't worry," said Shikamaru. "They'll only devour you."
The four shadows rose and charged toward Zir. He was no match for them, and they picked him clean until only his bones were left.
Shikamaru felt his hatred subside. He dismissed the beasts, and sat on the ground. He knew one thing. He never wanted to be in a fight like that again.
Shikamaru is incredibly powerful. Maybe in a future story I will explain where these beasts came from. They are supposed to be unbelievably powerful, and only the Nara clan can control them. You will never actually see all seven in this story though. Even Shikamaru can't control all seven. That's why there's such a fear associated with them. For those of you who skipped the nonsense, Shikamaru won! Please R&R. See ya!