Tears to Shed

Note: Takes place between IV Shockwave and V Wavemaster of "Horseshoes and Hand-grenades"

VII: 19-11-9-14

"The most important thing formed as an artist is having an identity."

-Eric Church

Gentaro traveled toward an old ramen cart that he frequented as a young boy. Dressed in a pair of red pants and a black hoodie, along with his newly dyed auburn hair, he could parade around town and no one would even notice his true identity. It was perfect.

"This shall be the perfect place to summon Libra Zodiarts," Ophiuchus whispered into Gentaro's ear. "There is no one in sight that will disturb us. Shall we summon him to our side?"

"Let us do so, Master," Gentaro whispered, carrying a bowl of tonkatsu and miso ramen over to a lone table. He licked his lips in hunger—to ensure that he could keep his bond with Ophiuchus intact, he needed to at least eat once a day. This also helped keep his body from decaying as the nutrients from the food absorbed into his body. The past few days had him slowly regaining his sense of smell and taste, and he found that they still worked even while he was still dead.

"Concentrate on the Energy that you left on him back at the hospital. Feel the energy transform into a pair of hands to drag Libra to our location."

Gentaro closed his eyes and concentrated, feeling the Cosmic Energy inside him about to let loose. It began to rise inside his body, filling him with power and strength. Just as he thought he was about to be consumed by this power, he felt it. The Cosmic Energy found the person he needed.

"There he is…" Ophiuchus chuckled. "Now, let's bring him here…"

Rising from the ground were two clawed hands that held onto someone in a gentle grasp. The hands dispersed as Gentaro took a good look at the supposed Zodiarts of the Scales—it was none other than his old school principal, Kouhei Hayami.

"My, my," Ophiuchus chuckled, seeing the look of shock on his Serpent-bearer's face. "Do you know this man?"

"I do," Gentaro whispered. "I never would've believed that he was behind this madness."

"From the memories we obtained from Yamada Tatsumori, your principal seeks attention. With what you've done to undermine his authority, I can see that making this fool become one of our pawns in the very near future."

Gentaro saw Kouhei Hayami gasping for air before he turned back to his food, hiding the smile on his face. The plan that he and Ophiuchus came up with would be successful. All he had to do was push some buttons.

"Ah, principal," he began. "You were the one that master sensed."

"You," Principal Hayami slowly stood up, anger on his face. "Who are you? Why am I here?"

"Your answers will be revealed in due time. Come," Gentaro motioned to the steaming bowl of miso ramen. "Eat up."

Gentaro observed his principal sitting down, hands folded together. The Serpent-bearer went back to his tonkatsu, savoring every bite. He felt the flavors burst in his mouth, making him nearly shiver in delight. It was so good….

When he finished the fried pork cutlet, he licked off any crumbs left on the corner of his mouth before speaking.

"Aren't you going to eat?" he asked, pushing the miso ramen toward his teacher. "Go on. I haven't put any poison in it."

Hayami broke the chopsticks apart and began to fish out a spiral fish cake. He slowly stirred the miso ramen, the smell of the broth making Gentaro hungrier than before.

"Who are you?" Hayami repeated. "And why did you call me 'Principal?'"

"Isn't that who you are? Oh," Gentaro chuckled, shaking his head. "I forgot to tell who you I am, or rather who I was. I am known as the Serpent-bearer, but you know me better as Gentaro Kisaragi."

"Fourze," Hayami narrowed his eyes. "If you are who you say you are, how were you able to teleport me here? Rather, how did you know that you were able to teleport me here?"

"It's very simple, Principal. When I performed that Limit Break back at the hospital, you were covered in an aura of Cosmic Energy. Master sensed the Cosmic Energy trail you left and summoned you here so we can all…negotiate."

Gentaro nearly laughed at the expression on his principal's face. It looked like a cross between "You're joking" and "I can't believe I fell for that." He kept his smile hidden as he let his principal speak.

"And why should I negotiate with a student who can't even score a ten on a simple mid-term?" asked Hayami. "I doubt that someone with your intelligence can be of use to the Horoscopes. You're not worth my time."

Gentaro narrowed his eyes as he saw his Principal stand up, preparing to walk the distance it would take to reach his home. The principal then made a snarky comment of not liking the miso ramen before Gentaro took another bite of tonkotsu. Once he swallowed, he spoke.

"Are you worth the time of your own master?" he asked. He saw Hayami stop in his tracks. Noticing his principal's distress, Gentaro continued. "Seeing as how you've become a failure to your master's eyes, it's amazing how you've come this far."

"How dare you say that!" Hayami snarled, stomping toward Gentaro. Gentaro didn't even blink as Hayami added, "What do you know?! You're just a child!"

"That may be true, but this 'child'knows more about the human psyche than you or any of your Zodiarts buddies. I know you want something more, Libra Zodiarts."

"You do know that I can kill you where you stand," Hayami growled, pulling out the Libra Zodiarts Switch from his pocket, thumb on top of the button. "Make one more false wisecrack about me and-"

"You'll what?" said Ophiuchus, his voice speaking through Gentaro's mouth. The principal narrowed his eyes as the serpent grinned. "In case you know, I let you escape as a warning for things to come. Also, if it wasn't for that teleportation technique, that pink angel buddy of yours would've been roast goose by the time I finished roasting her on a spit. Seeing as you're nothing more than a Master of One, you do not have the power to beat me."

"Master of...a Master of ONE?!"

The yell caught the commotion of the chef at the ramen cart. Gentaro, taking control of his body, just said, "It's all right," before letting his master take over.

"You heard me," Ophiuchus continued. "Jack of all trades, master of none. 'Tis better than being a Master of One. Let's compare yourself to your fellow Zodiarts, Libra.

"First is the Scorpio Zodiarts. He—I mean, she—was a true Jack of all Trades. Great attacker, hard to find defenses and that stinger could kill anyone without the right antidote. Her Supernova form could put up quite a fight.

"Second is the Cancer Zodiarts. His sturdy armor, sharp claw and sociopathic behavior made him a very formidable foe. Too bad Meteor-" Ophiuchus let out a hiss at that name. "Had to get rid of a giant pool of Cosmic Energy.

"Virgo is one not to trifle with. With her wings and axe to block any and all attacks on her, in addition to her teleportation powers, she's one that would give me a run for my money. I can't wait to annihilate her and obtain all of the Cosmic Energy she has within her.

"And poor Aries. He was powerful whether in close combat or as a mid-range attacker. Up close, he could seal the powers of the Astroswitches, leaving me defenseless. Plus, his staff's abilities affect my body the most. I can't be a powerful warrior if I start dozing off, can I?

"As for you, what can I say? You just do parlor tricks."

Gentaro felt himself back in his own body as he felt Hayami's fist connect with his face. His head snapped back in response.

"DIE, KISARAGI!" Hayami screamed. "Die and never come back! Go drown in the Sanzu River for all I care!"

Gentaro chuckled and shook his head. He wiped off the corners of his mouth with a napkin.

"If I die, who will be the one who can give you unlimited power?" he asked. "Besides, in case you haven't noticed, I'm already dead. I offered my heart to Master Ophiuchus so I could claim vengeance on all who have wronged me. It is magnificent. I don't feel tired. I don't need to breathe or to sleep. I have no limit as to how far I could lift or jump. The only donwside is that I must have something to eat once a day, else my body starts decaying." Gentaro took the spoon into his mouth, sipping some of the warm broth.

"Also," he added. "Have you ever wondered why you haven't received Supernova status? Why are you wallowing away while both Cancer and Aries were given the Supernova abilities? You've been loyal to Gamou all those years but you were never given the respect you deserved. Is it all because..." Gentaro leaned close to Hayami's ear and whispered, "You're weak?"

Hayami snapped, grabbing onto Gentaro's throat in an attempt to squeeze out any oxygen in his lungs. Gentaro nearly had to resist rolling his eyes—didn't he already tell Hayami that he didn't need to breath just a minute ago. Instead, he smirked, showing a pair of venomous fangs. He opned his mouth and bit deep into his thumb. Hayami relinquished his grip and soon stepped back. He placed a hand in his head as his body became sluggish, before he collapsed onto the ground.

Ophiuchus laughed within Gentaro's mind as Gentaro returned to his ramen. Slurping some of the noodles, he heard his master speak.

"This went exactly as planned, didn't it?" Ophiuchus hissed. "That venom will give a temporary boost to his powers at the cost of his sanity. While we won't let him become a Serpent, we shall make sure that his soul will become proper fodder for an old 'friend' of mine. In the meantime, let us eat. We haven't had food in quite some time."

Gentaro nodded his head as he began to drink his ramen in silence.

0-0-0-0-0-0-

"Caelum."

In the early morning, Gentaro stood on the rooftop of the school, a large chisel appearing in his hands. He then crossed his arms over his chest.

"Pictor," he whispered.

A barrier of prismatic scales encircled him, changing his features until he resembled his former school principal, Kouhei Hayami. With a slight grin on his face, Gentaro watched Ophiuchus take on his serpentine form, staring at the sight with interest.

"You look like you could pass for the principal yourself," he chuckled. "You've been doing some research and studying, haven't you?"

"Of course," Gentaro answered. "However, I think that just waiting for the poison to take over our beloved Principal's mind is too boring. I want to have fun with him first."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Let's just say that I'm his voodoo doll. Anything done to me happens to him. What I say, he says. When I raise my left hand, so does he. Time for me to walk in his skin."

"And the chisel?"

Gentaro smirked as he plunged the chisel's tip straight into his heart. The Serpent-bearer pushed the tip deeper into his chest, feeling black Cosmic Energy gush out of his body. Ophiuchus stared in curiosity as strings of light wrapped around his Serpent-bearer's fingers.

"Could it be..." The serpent thought to himself. "Is he truly the descendant of Asclepius? If he is then..." A wicked smirk grew on his lips. "Then, my goal shall be accomplished. King Ouroboros will resurrect this time! I will ensure that."

Next time: The preparations to Kyoto were still underway for Gentaro Kisaragi. What was he doing just before his confrontation with his old pal JK? What secrets does the Serpent-bearer hold?

To be continued in Tears-8: "Prediction"