"Henshin!" Takada yelled out. "CHANGE BYAKKO!"
"Don't move!" Pluto warned as he drew out his gun.
"Oh, I'm not going anywhere," Isaka, the Peacock Beast Spirit, said. "You are!" With a wave of his hand he threw Pluto into a nearby wall.
"Ugh!" Pluto grunted and raised his gun, but fireballs rained upon him.
"You must learn Knight of Byakko that we Royals are in a whole different league."
"Sorry, but I have to kill you now," The Eagle Beast Spirit said. "No hard feelings, okay? This isn't personal." He then corrected himself. "Oh, actually, it IS!" he flew straight at Draco but was then slammed…by a sonic cannon blast.
"You mess with one Titan," Cyborg began.
"You mess with all of us!" Beast Boy finished.
The Eagle Beast Spirit got up and rubbed his head. "Alright, if you want to die so much than I'll be too happy to oblige!" he flew straight at them. The Common Room was gonna be thrashed after this.
Tara Markov was walking around town aimlessly. She had said goodbye to her friends to take a walk, saying she needed some alone time. Melissa and Stephanie did not question her and let her go to sort things out.
Tara walked by an alley and heard a commotion. She gasped. A large man was holding a woman against the wall with a knife. Without thinking, she summoned some rocks and slammed it into the guy. He was thrown back. She went to the woman to check on her.
"Are you okay, Miss?" she asked. She then realized, too late, that the woman was a fake. It was a mannequin. Her eyes widened with realization. "Oh no…"
The man got up and threw off his disguise. "I thought I taught you better than that, Terra…"
"No, it can't be!" Tara backed away in fear at the man in front of her. However, her only exit had been blocked by some black and silver robots with black heads that had orange circles in the centre. "Stay back! Leave me alone!"
The man, now revealed to be Slade, said, "My dear, you can never run away from me…"
She was about to scream but a hand covered over her mouth. Her eyes widened in fear at Slade.
"Time to reclaim what's mine, apprentice."
Episode 16: Honor
Slade smirked under his mask. He was soon to have his prized apprentice back. He had let her be so he could prepare. Terra might've been diluted and weakened with her peaceful 'normal' life. Oh well. Nothing a little conditioning and brainwashing couldn't fix.
The madman snapped his fingers, commanding his robot soldiers to move with their quarry. However, they did not seem to obey. Slade turned and glared and then noticed something that was off. There were vines growing out of the ground and crawling up the robot's legs, immobilizing them. The vines then grew quickly before wrapping themselves around the bots. The bot holding Terra let her go and tried to pry the vines off, much like its partner. The vines then thickened and wrapped around the bots tightly before crushing them. Sparks flew as metal was reduced to scrap by vegetation.
"Kidnapping innocent girls?" said a voice. "How much lower can you go?" Desmond walked into the alley, clad in his normal black wardrobe, and glared at Slade from behind his shades. His crucifix hung from his neck and he seemed to be holding a bible. "I was on my way to church today and wasn't welcoming the interruption."
"Do not get yourself involved, boy," Slade warned.
"I suggest you leave this girl alone, Slade," Desmond responded, the vines dancing around him. "I don't think my friends seem to like you." Vines swung about behind Slade. "Face it, Slade. You can't win. Go back from whence you came."
"I don't think so," Slade said before he went on the attack.
"Henshin!"
"CHANGE GENBU!"
Shadow was clad in his black and green turtle armor, much to Terra's surprise, and countered Slade's staff swing with his own, blocking it. He then twirled around and kicked Slade hard in the chest.
Slade's eye narrowed. He knew what Shadow was capable of since the Knight of Genbu really didn't have anything to lose. Suddenly, the ground shook. Terra, from her place on the ground, glared up at him. Shadow was shocked too. "LEAVE ME ALONE!" she shouted as she split the ground in half. Slade jumped up and landed on a fire escape.
"I'll be back, Terra," Slade swore, "That's a promise." He made his escape and disappeared up the fire escape. Desmond de-transformed.
"Are you alright?" Desmond asked as he kneeled down next to Tara. She wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I'm fine…" she said slowly.
"Here," he extended his hand and he helped her up.
"Thank you for saving me," Tara said.
"You should thank God for leading me on this path," he said to her. "What did he want with you?"
"I don't know…" she then asked, "How do you know Slade?"
"He was in the newspapers a lot battling the Titans," he answered. "Who doesn't know Slade? Despite my beliefs, I wish he would burn and rot in Hell for all the sins he has committed."
"Same here," she said. "By the way, what's your name?"
"Desmond." He then said, "I noticed your eyes glowing." Tara froze. "You have a gift."
"It's more like curse," she remarked.
"God gave you your gifts for a reason like He did mine. Don't consider them a curse or they will be." He then said, "I need to go. I have church to go too."
Tara blinked, "But it isn't even Sunday."
"The Lord welcomes us into His home everyday, especially Sunday. I bid you goodbye and may God bless you." Desmond then left her alone.
Blinking in confusion, Tara then remembered what she was supposed to do. "Oh yeah, gotta get to the Tower."
Pluto shot at the Peacock Beast Spirit who avoided the shots by flying around and countering by raining down fireballs upon the hapless Knight of Byakko.
"You can't win!" Isaka taunted. He threw more fireballs.
Pluto rolled out of the way and drew a card. He said, "Two heads are better than one!" he slashed the card through. "GEMINI!" By the card's power, another Pluto appeared and began shooting at the Peacock Beast Spirit, grazing his shoulder. Isaka clutched his wounded shoulder and hissed.
"So…THAT'S how you want to play it, is it?" he floated down and summoned a black broad sword. "Let's see you handle me now!" he ran at the two Pluto's and slashed his sword in a diagonal arc. Both Knights dodged. He then summoned up some fireballs and threw them at the two Knights of Byakko, only for them to dodge as the fireballs made impact with the ground and exploded.
"Nice shot," Pluto 1 remarked sarcastically.
"Time to show him what we both can do," Pluto 2 said.
"Gotcha." Both Plutos charged.
The Peacock Beast Spirit was then bombarded by punches and kicks and sent staggering back. The two Plutos then drew two cards each and slashed them through their guns.
"FIRE! UPPER!"
"BURNING FIST!"
"DROP! FIRE!"
"BURNING SMASH!"
Pluto 1 nailed Isaka with a flaming uppercut before Pluto 2 descended upon him with an explosive drop kick. He was sent flying. He wasn't beaten yet, however.
"Take this!" the Peacock Beast Spirit summoned dozens of fireballs and sent them at the two. They effortlessly dodge, using tiger-like agility. The fireballs did, however, destroy the clone, leaving the real Pluto alone. Isaka grinned inwardly. "My turn." He charged and slashed Pluto across the chest, sending him reeling. Pluto went to shoot him but his gun was smacked away by Isaka's sword before Isaka kicked him in the faceplate. Pluto fell next to his gun but his weapon was kicked away by the Peacock Beast Spirit. The tip of the Beast Spirit's sword ended up close to his throat.
"Say goodbye, Knight of Byakko!" the Peacock Beast Spirit shouted before thrusting his sword down on Pluto's throat.
When Robin saw the top floor of Titans Tower had a big hole in the window, he knew something definitely was wrong. He went in and took the elevator to see what was going on. When he got there, he saw the Titans, Draco and Jinx including, facing off a humanoid Eagle. Robin could only guess that it was another Beast Spirit. Robin took out his Bo-staff and pointed it at the back of Takahara's neck.
"So, the gang's all here," the Eagle Beast Spirit remarked. Robin arched an eyebrow. A Beast Spirit that could talk meant…
"You're one of those High Class Beast Spirits T-Pluto told us about, aren't you?" Robin asked.
"I am," Takahara nodded. "No sense in lying, is there? Of course, I prefer to be called a Royal."
"What do you want?" Robin demanded, pressing harder. The Eagle Beast Spirit just jumped up and landed behind Robin.
"Just the Knight of Seiryu. I do not want to involve bystanders so tell you and your little friends to stay out of my way," the Eagle Beast Spirit warned.
"And if we refuse?" Robin asked as he turned and glared.
"Then I cannot be held accountable for what happens to you."
The Titans tensed up. Was that a threat? The Jack of Spades looked at them calmly. "You, Draco!" Takahara pointed.
"Hai?" Draco asked.
"Your power comes from the Category Ace of Spades, the Seiryu Beast Spirit, am I correct?"
"Hai."
"Then you are also bound to the rules of the Battle Game!"
The Titans looked confused. Beast Boy said, "Battle…Game?"
"What do you mean?" Draco asked as he sheathed his sword.
The Eagle Beast Spirit explained. "The Battle Game, the original Battle Game, occurred over 10,000 years ago. It was a battle to determine the strongest of the Beast Spirits. The winner would have the right to populate the world with their progeny while the losers were sealed away for all eternity. Being free again, we must continue the Battle Game and, unfortunately for you, you must also participate in the place of the Seiryu Beast Spirit."
"He doesn't have to play this Battle Game of yours!" Jinx shouted out. "You can't make him."
"He already agreed the day he became one with Seiryu," Takahara clarified. "Like it or nor he's in until only one Beast Spirit remains in the end, including the Advent Knights who draw power from the Category Aces."
"Sorry, bird-dude," Cyborg aimed his cannon. "No game today."
"I accept," Draco said suddenly, shocking the Titans. They all shouted, "WHAT?"
"ARE YOU NUTS?" Beast Boy shouted.
"DO NOT ACCEPT!" Starfire pleaded.
"THAT'S SUICIDE!" Robin yelled.
"YOU CAN'T!" Jinx added.
"DON'T DO IT, DAWG!" Cyborg begged.
Raven was silent. She saw the look in Draco's eyes, even under his helmet. Nothing they can say would change his mind.
"Really?" the Eagle Beast Spirit said. "That was quick."
"I didn't want my friends to get involved," Draco said.
"Noble, very noble, even for a human."
"My friends cannot interfere, right?" Draco confirmed.
"No, they cannot."
"If I win I get to seal you, correct?" Draco inquired.
"That is true, but if I win I get to destroy you," Takahara replied. The Titans protested but Draco assured them, "I'll be okay."
"We'll fight outside," the Eagle Beast Spirit said as he pointed at the hole in the window. "It's too crowded in here."
"Agreed." Draco nodded. Takahara flew out of the window and Draco followed after, using his wind powers to cushion his descent.
Robin ordered, "TITANS! OUTSIDE!"
As the Titans headed straight for the elevators, minus Raven, Beast Boy and Starfire who could fly, Jinx pondered as she looked at the hole. 'Be careful…'
"C'mon, Jinx!" Cyborg called.
"Okay!" Jinx responded as she ran into the elevator, joining Robin and Cyborg.
The tip of Isaka's sword was close to Pluto's throat right before he thrust it down. Victory was close at hand and…
"RUSH!"
The Peacock Beast Spirit was slammed in the side with incredible force. He was sent flying before he rolled on the ground. He looked up and scowled at who dared to iterupt him.
Pluto's white eyepieces looked up to see that Shadow had saved him. The Knight of Genbu extended his hand and Pluto grabbed it. Shadow hoisted him up and said, "Is this too hard even for you?"
"He's tougher than you think," Pluto remarked. "He's one of the Royal Class Beast Spirits."
Shadow's blue eyepieces fell upon the Peacock Beast Spirit who had scrambled himself up to his feet. He smirked under his helmet. "Really? How interesting." He then said to Pluto, "Don't you know how to use your powers? Aren't your elements earth and metal?"
Pluto tried making excuses, "Well…you see…I…It's kind of…" He noticed several fireballs heading towards them. "WATCH OUT!"
Shadow did not move and merely extended his hand forwards and blocked the fireballs with a water shield, extinguishing them. The Peacock Beast Spirit's eyes narrowed. "Fire?" Shadow sounded amused. "Against me, that's nothing." He then sent a powerful blast of water that smashed into the Peacock Beast Spirit and slammed him into a wall. He continued to put more pressure into the attack, pressing Isaka against the solid surface. Cracks formed in the wall. Shadow then ceased his attack. "Do you need to dry off?"
"You little…!" Isaka lunged only to be slapped away by Shadow's staff. Shadow then took the offensive and charged. Isaka slashed with his sword but his weapon got blocked by Shadow's staff. They were in a stalemate as they pushed against each other with their weapons. Sparks suddenly flew from the back of the Peacock Beast Spirit's neck. He yowled in pain and then grunted as Shadow delivered a kick into his midsection.
Pluto had his gun out and had delivered the shots. Drawing a card, he slashed it through his gun. "BULLET!" he fired again at the Peacock Beast Spirits. The Jack of Diamonds howled in pain again as sparks and, this time, feathers flew. His body was smoking.
"Not very tough, are ya, bird-brain?" Pluto said as he punched the Beast Spirit across the face and sent him reeling. He then drew a card to seal Isaka.
"I'll be back!" Isaka swore before reverting to human form. With a snap of his fingers he disappeared and was replaced by a dozen Dark Roaches.
"Coward," Shadow remarked as he ran a Dark Roach through.
Pluto just supported Shadow by shooting at the Dark Roaches.
The Titans arrives outside and saw both Draco and Takahara the Eagle Beast Spirit facing off and staring each other down. The Jack of Spades and the Knight of Seiryu both circled each other as they awaited the first move to be made. The tension was so damn thick as the Titans watched this intently.
The Eagle Beast Spirit was first to strike and ran at Draco. He swung his claw blades down but Draco blocked them with his sword. The Dragon Knight then performed a roundhouse kick but the Eagle Beast Spirit evaded by flying into the air.
"Hey! That's no fair!" Jinx protested.
"Cheater!" Beast Boy jeered.
The Eagle Beast Spirit ignored them and dove down at Draco. Draco rolled out of the way. He then jumped up to attack, but the Eagle Beast Spirit evaded before striking Draco in the chest with his claws. Draco fell to the ground.
"You can't dodge very well while airborne, Seiryu Knight, unlike me," Takahara said cockily.
Draco then shouted, "Raijin!" A bolt of lightning struck at the Eagle Beast Spirit and he fell on the ground. Sand scattered around as Draco rushed towards him. The Eagle Beast Spirit kicked at Draco's chest with his feet before doing a kick flip and following up with two slashed across Draco's chest. Draco retaliated with a gust of wind that blew Takahara back. The Titans cheered.
"Impressive," the Eagle Beast Spirit said. "No wonder you were chosen to wield Seiryu's power."
"Enough talk," Draco responded.
"Agreed!" the Eagle Beast Spirit charged and slashed with his claws. Draco ducked and slashed him in the midsection. The Jack of Spades recovered and kicked Draco in the face. Draco got back up and charged but, to his and the Titans' surprise, the Eagle Beast Spirit started firing his feathers like daggers. They hit Draco in the chest and legs before sending sparks flying.
"LEO!" Jinx shouted with distress.
Draco was on his knees before the Eagle Beast Spirit kicked him in the face. Draco fell on his back. The Eagle Beast Spirit then grabbed him and flapped his wings, flying into the air.
The other Titans were ready to intervene until they heard someone shout, "STOP!" Their attention shifted to none other than Advent Knight Mimic. "Don't interfere.
"Why not?" Robin retorted. "Leo's getting killed out there."
"We must assist him, quickly!" Starfire added.
"Titans always stick together!" Beast Boy shouted out.
"My otouto-chan knows what he's doing, guys. Trust me," Mimic assured them.
"But-" Robin began to protest.
"This is a battle of honor and it means a lot to him."
"You knew about this?" Cyborg asked.
"He didn't turn off his cell phone. I heard every word," Mimic nodded. "Don't sweat it, you guys."
"Um, who are you?" Jinx asked.
Mimic pointed to the sky, specifically at Draco, "His sister."
"SISTER!?" Jinx shouted out.
The Eagle Beast Spirit was 500 feet in the air and was going to drop Draco. That was his plan. He said, tauntingly, "Looks like your friends will be peeling you off the ground. Sayonara!" Draco suddenly gripped Takahara's wrists.
"Sayonara to you too!" Draco shouted back as he sent electricity coursing through the Eagle Beast Spirit.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!" The Eagle Beast Spirit screamed as he was shocked. His body started flashing to the point that his skeleton could be seen. When Draco stopped, the Eagle Beast Spirit was smoking. He let go of Draco.
"LEO!" Jinx shouted out. The Titans stood in horror. Starfire was going to fly up and grab him but Mimic held her down gently by the shoulder.
"Look," Mimic said simply. Starfire looked up again.
Draco extended both hands towards the ground and unleashed a powerful blast of wind. The Titans covered their eyes as sand was blown away. Draco then gently landed on his feet.
"Konnichiwa," he said to them.
The Eagle Beast Spirit recovered and with a loud yell, flew down straight at Draco. Draco was ready for him this time. "Fuujin!" he yelled. A powerful gust of wind sent him into the air to meet up with Takahara. He then drew a card and slashed it through his sword.
"SLASH!"
Draco's Seiryu Blade/Dragon Fang was now charged up and with a single swing he slashed the Eagle Beast Spirit's wings right off. Green blood gushed out as Takahara yelled in pain. He plummeted to the ground and crashed into the sand. Draco used his wind powers to land.
"MY WINGS!" The Eagle Beast Spirit screeched. "MY BEAUTIFUL WINGS!" Feeling livid, he attacked Draco with quick yet sloppy slashes. Draco punched him square in the chest and then followed up with a tornado kick to his head. He fell to the side.
"You lose," Draco said before drawing three cards. The Eagle Beast Spirit attempted to stand. Draco slashed the three cards through.
"KICK! THUNDER! MACH!" his sword announced, "LIGHTNING SONIC!"
Draco rushed towards the Eagle Beast Spirit at the speed of sound before jumping up and delivering a shocking and devastating electrified flying kick. The kick nailed the Jack of Spades right in the chest doing incredible damage as he was sent flying. His whole body convulsed and exploded on impact. Takahara reverted to human form and lay limply on the sandy ground of Titans Island. Draco approached him, his sword sheathed and a Seal Card ready for the Eagle Beast Spirit.
"Before you seal me…" the weakened Jack of Spades began, "Can I ask you a question?" Draco nodded. "Why…why do you fight? Honor? Glory? What drives you?" Draco kneeled down in front of Takahara's prone form. He bent down and whispered something into Takahara's ear. Takahara's eyes widened and his lips curled into a smile. "Is that it? Your reason for fighting?" he sighed. "Looks like I've misjudged you humans…You are indeed an honorable and noble person. Now, seal me."
Draco gently placed the Seal card upon Takahara's chest and the card did the rest. He reassumed his Beast Spirit form for just a second before being sucked into the card. It flew back into Draco's hand.
The Titans ran to him and congratulated him on his win. His sister stood a few feet away with her arms crossed. Under her helmet she had a proud look on her face. A bit envious, but she was still proud of him.
Draco de-transformed back to Leo and gazed at the card in his hand. The image was a golden eagle. The card said: FUSION EAGLE.
Robin then asked, "So, what did you say to him?"
Leo smiled, took one look at his sister who gave him a thumb's up, and said, "That's…a secret," quoting his dear older sister perfectly. Robin slapped his forehead as Mimic doubled over with laughter. Except for Jinx Robin, Raven and Starfire, everyone was laughing.
"What's so funny?" Jinx wondered.
"I am not sure," Starfire shrugged.
"I'll explain to you later," Raven said.
Now only 11 robed figures stood in a circle. There was an empty spot where Takahara once stood but no more. King's eyes narrowed.
"My fellow Royals," he began. "Our numbers have lowered. Even though it's only by one, it's one step closer for the Knights to stop us. And you," his eyes went over to Isaka who was trying to hide from his leader. "Isaka, you ran away from a battle."
"I couldn't risk being sealed, King," Isaka defended. "It was my freedom on the line and the Royals still need me."
King nodded. "Very well, but don't fail me again."
Isaka bowed. "I won't, King. I promise."
Slade sat on his makeshift throne, looking at his monitors that were in his lair. His attention went to a monitor showing Pluto and Shadow fighting the Dark Roaches.
The monitor that was focusing on Shadow suddenly exploded. Slade tapped his fingers upon the armrest of his throne room. His eye narrowed.
The Titans were celebrating the Eagle Beast Spirit's defeat. Jinx and Leo were finally eating together at the kitchen counter. Kat had returned to the Café and told Leo to enjoy himself but not too much. This made Leo blush when he discovered the double-meaning. Kat had brought the okonimiyaki with her for the two to enjoy, much to Cyborg's dismay.
"Wow, this is good!" Jinx complimented with a smile.
"Arigato," Leo said with a blush. He then felt her hand on his. He didn't pull away.
The doorbell rang and Beast Boy shouted, "I'll get it!" he rushed towards the elevator and pressed down. On the ground floor, he went to the front door. Pressing a few buttons, the large doors opened. There, standing in front of Beast Boy, much to his surprise, was…
"T-Terra…?"
"Hi, Beast Boy," the blonde girl greeted nervously. "We need to talk."
A/N: We need to talk. 4 of the worst words in the English language. Anyway, this was a very hard chapter to write bcoz I've been havin writer's block. I'm okay now. My fingers hurt, btw.
Preview of next chap: Terra is going to come clean and tell the truth. That's not the only secret that is going to be revealed. Stay tune for the next chap to find out what Tara/Terra wants to tell the Titans.
Sealed Card: Jack of Spades Fusion Eagle.
Sealed By: Draco.
Function: Unknown.
New Combo: Burning Fist
Cards used: Upper Frog and Firefly
Used by: Pluto