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Chapter 25: Struck by Fear
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Nova's POV
"Ha, killing you will be very interesting." Tyki drawled as he twirled a lock of my hair around his finger. I grimaced in disgust and at our seemingly close distance, pulling away from him swiftly just as Kanda came flying down from above.
"You'll be the one dying, smoking bastard." He growled as he lunged forward with the point of his katana.
It was only moments after I escaped that hell of a cyclone that I was instantly engaged into the fight. The surviving horde of Tease dispersed and clung to the walls of the training room again, preventing us from escaping. I had landed on my feet smoothly and was instantly knocked off them when a hand shoved me in the chest. I stumbled back but twisted on my heel to turn and clash weapons with the Noah of Pleasure. He smirked when we met gazes and decided at the time to play with a lock of my hair. The man's already creepy enough...
Kanda and I yelled as we came to him from both sides, weapons raised, when Tyki suddenly whipped his hands up. One of his hands punched Kanda in the face unexpectedly, while the other caught me by the throat painfully. I let out a strangled cough as he lifted me into the air, feet dangling. I could already see his hand pulling back for he killing blow. Before his weapon could hit me, the blade of a katana slashed against it, halting its movement. With a click of gears, I raised my arm and fired a bullet right into his chest. I fell out of his grip and landed on my butt when a hand wrapped around my waist and pulled me away from the figure of smoke that was Tyki.
"Thanks," I mumbled as Kanda nodded in response, standing beside me with Mugen in his hand. I tensed at the sound of a low laughter, growing louder from the smoke where I shot the bullet.
When Tease's wings pulsed again, I heard the tap of a shoe and felt a terrifying presence behind me. Before Kanda and I could even react, I felt something sink into my back, pain erupting in that one spot. I inhaled sharply as the sharp weapon slid out and yelled when a foot slammed into the open wound. This all happened in a span of five seconds. Since when did Tyki get so fast?
"You think a simple shot like that can kill me? Huh?!" I looked up from my position flat on the ground, to see glowing yellow eyes and a horrifying grin; the owner to all this, the Noah of Pleasure. For a second, a spike of fear ran through my veins as those eyes met my own, everything freezing for one moment.
You're going to die...just accept it!
That small thought crossed my mind as I saw the crazed look Tyki lunge for me like a lion. I couldn't move. Why was I scared of him? I didn't know the answer. All I felt was the constant coldness of fear in my fingertips. By the time I got on my knees, Kanda already appeared in front of me, a hand wrapped around the wrist of the hand that would've ended my life. Tyki's eyes were still locked on my own, making my breath hitch in the back of my throat.
What the heck was going on?
"Get up Nova, or else you'll die," Kanda growled in front of me, his voice low and menacing. With a shaky breath, I took a few steps back as I regained my footing, letting the machine gun morph back into my arm. The wound in my back burned like a fire from hell but what struck a cord with me was the strong emotion of fear and terror building within me. I clenched my fists in anger at why I couldn't figure out why.
"You won't be able to hold me back for long kid, right now, the way she looks at me; I'm her worst nightmare." I narrowed my eyes at this and tried to consult that small little thought that had crossed my mind. Why had I thought that? Was it because I didn't want to end up like Patrick and mom had? No. It's more than that.
"No, no you're not. You're just a bug who's in my way!" I forced out, struggling when I heard my voice crack noticably. The Noah of Pleasure's gaze wandered back over to me, my stomach clenching up.
"Really? Then why do I see the look of fear in your eyes?" Kanda remained silent but pulled his fist back quickly, striking Tyki in the chest. I noticed that the bullet wound wasn't even there. H-he could heal that fast? The punch that Kanda threw barely even moved him. Just how did he get so strong so quickly?
"Nova! Move!" Kanda barked, catching me out of my daze. He was gripping on to Tyki's fist, having trouble as the Noah grinned, pushing him back slightly. I materialized my scythe in my hand and jumped out of the way, just as Kanda moved back, Tyki's eyes following in my direction. "No you don't," the Japanese man scowled as he appeared in front of the rabid looking Noah.
I landed a good distance away from the two of them and saw the walls pulse with pink once more. Keeping my guard up, I wandered over to one of the walls and examined them closely. I knew they were Tease but that was it. I didn't know what they did. However, from the way things look, every time these butterflies glow, it seems to provide some sort of boost to Tyki's power. How though? I extended my free hand towards the wall, my fingers hovering over the black wings of one of the Tease. I could feel the tremor of fear pass through me again, making me freeze in place. Based on what happened only minutes ago, this feeling occured when-
"Nova!" I heard his voice too late. A presence passed through me and I felt like something invaded my body. I glanced over at Kanda's expression as he ran over; fear. Clear as day in those eyes of his.
"Welcome to your worst nightmare love," He whispered behind me, his voice light and filled with satisfaction. I looked down to literally see a hand coming out from my chest. I saw it move and felt the need to puke, my blood cold. Then I froze when I felt that hand disappear and wrap around the only thing that kept me alive; my heart.
"No!" I heard Kanda yell, but it was distant because all I could hear was the rapid beating of my heart in my ears. I glanced over at the hand that was still hovered over one of the Tease. They pulsed once more, the grip around my heart now suffocating. Oh...this is not good at all...
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Lavi's POV
I hated to leave them all like this. They needed my help but I couldn't leave my duty unfinished. Old Panda here needs me to get Tigress from the Science Division and lead her to Nova. He told me that because Tigress is Nova's partner, she must have something incredibly important as a weapon. I told him that Nova or I haven't seen one yet but he just simply chuckled. "It's like that again is it?" the Old Panda muttered to himself. Then he was gone, going off to provide as much assistance as he can in my stead for now. I was running through the halls now, adrenaline rushing through me when I felt the rumble of an explosion somewhere in the Tower.
Not yet Lavi! After you pick up Tigress! After! I chanted in my mind as I leaped over the side rail and landed on the bottom one. The Science Division was only a few doors away. I jumped off of the railing and put more pressure on to my feet, moving forward faster. I spotted the open door and slid to a stop in front of it, panting as I scanned the inside for the familiar orange black striped coat. I barely had time to move aside as a line of hot fire headed my way.
I spun on the heel of my foot, pressing my back against the wall that was beside the door and breathed heavily, trying to catch my breath. As a bead of sweat rolled down the side of my forehead, I carefully leaned closer and peered inside the room. I widened my eyes at the scene: Lenalee was fighting someone who looked a lot like Victoria...seeming like she was having a difficult battle against her. I spotted her red eyes instead of her blue ones and realized that she wasn't Victoria.
"Avon..." I whispered, a fire of anger towards her for trying to harm my close friend. I shook my head and tried to focus on the task at hand. Where was Tigress? My gaze roamed the entire room, seeing Allen hopping off the spot he landed on, dodging what looked like a blast of ice and lightning. I tried to see where it was from but I wasn't in the right position. Still no Tigress. Just where is she?
"Allen!" I glanced up to see Lenalee hovering in the air, looking down at her comrade with worry. "Allen, look! It's Tigress!" She was too busy trying to point the tiger to her friend that she didn't notice the shadow that had appeared behind her. Allen whirled around, his eyes wide, mouth opened to warn her-but I reacted faster.
I activated my Innocence and extended my hammer, ramming it straight into the body of Avon, throwing her to the side. I stepped inside the room with a smirk on my lips, meeting Lenalee's thankful gaze. I heard the soft growl and spotted Tigress' head under a large pile of books. I dashed over to her but was stopped when Avon's familiar face floated down from the sky. She stared at me with contempt, a frown on her cherry red lips.
"Backup?" She scoffed, raising her eyebrows incredulously as she gaped. I bristled at her remark, knowing that she was implying that Lenalee was weak. She wasn't.
"Don't underestimate me, Avon." I glanced over to the side to see Lenalee land beside me, a peeved expression in her violet eyes. "Lavi, go. Whatever you need to do, go ahead. Just make sure you come back. Allen's having some trouble with the Master. We can't figure out his weakness yet so be quick." Lenalee quietly said in my ear before she leaped up into the air, launching one of her signature moves at the Shigai.
I took a look at Allen's condition to see him a bit battered up, but not too hurt. As long as he kept that up, I'd be able to reach him in time to prevent any serious injuries. I narrowed my eye suspiciously when I spotted Sam and his cold expression, fighting Allen. I noticed that his eyes gave off an unusual bright icy glow. The pained growl snapped me out of my trance, leading me running towards the pile of books.
With a heave, I shoved the books off of the tiger's body to see a few scratches along her body, some deep. I let out a small gasp of astonishment and placed a hand over one of them, instantly resulting in her growling in warning. I pulled my hand away, deciding on what to do. She was clearly injured, Avon possibly being the one who hurt her, but looked like she was in no condition to move.
I kneeled down and attempted to try and lift her when she growled again, making me freeze in place. I glanced over at her and was surprised to see her eyes wide open, the Innocence in them shimmering. Little flecks of green wandered through my vision and I gaped in awe at the tiger as I saw her wounds begin to close. In seconds she was crawling to her feet, shaking the bits of dust off of her pelt. She blinked up at me with curiosity and yawned, her eyes bright.
I let out a chuckle before giving her a pat on the head, beckoning her to follow after me. She did so silently as we carefully made out way through the two fights in the room, the yells of Lenalee's attacks echoing. As soon as I reached the hallway, I started sprinting in the direction I last saw Nova and Kanda go into to. I could only wonder what Tigress' power was. If she's been saving it, it must be important right?
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Kanda's POV
I literally felt I was punched in the stomach when I saw her face go pale, Tyki's grinning face behind her.
If I didn't do something quick he'd pull her heart out straight from the inside. She'd die.
But I couldn't move.
Because that crazed look in that man's eye kept me frozen in growing fear. He knew what I was afraid of, unfortunately.
Losing Nova was one thing that I would never be able to forget.
"If you move, she'll die. However even if you don't, I'm still sending my Tease after you. You either watch her die, or she'll watch you." Tyki proclaimed, the look on his face now calm and filled with amusement. I gritted my teeth at his offer, clenching my fists in anger. I glanced over at Nova to see her face sheet white, eyes wide.
Damn it! Do something! Something that will save her!
"Undecided, in Shining Armor?" I snapped my gaze over to Tyki's again, seeing fire in those yellow eyes of his. I scowled at him angrily, wanting to punch his face in when I saw him narrow his eyes with a grin. Immediately, Nova let out a spluttering cough, blood splattering on to the ground. I saw the hand jutting out from her side, blood soaking into her jacket.
"Fine then. Tease." Tyki pulled his arm out from Nova's side, causing the blood to flow even more. He thrust his arm out towards me and I literally saw the walls of darkness shudder. Then it was as if an explosion of shadows erupted before my eyes, the black wings of the butterflies all headed towards me.
I unsheathed my katana, ready to slice them all in half when I heard a loud growl from the side. I instantly swirved to the side as Tigress came flying out of nowhere, slashing her claws through a majority of Tease. I saw the staff of a familiar hammer and frowned when Lavi landed next to me, a grin on his face.
"Hey Yuu," He greeted as he swung his hammer, sending the organ eating butterflies into a flurry. I rolled my eyes at him and was about to head for Nova when Tigress got ahead of me, bounding towards her with increasing speed. I gave Lavi a questioning glance but he simply shrugged, not really understanding either.
However when I started to see Tigress begin to glow I was beginning to wonder if she was going to do something. When she leaped into the air and slammed into Nova, and practically disappeared into glowing sparkles, well that's when I knew that Tigress was somehow more than a tiger with Innocence.
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Umm yeah. Not so good of a chapter is it? Sorry for the really bad cliff hanger...too many ideas flowing through my head right now. If you have any fight scene suggestions go for it because my creative juices are somewhat lacking because of stupid school.
What do you think Tigress' secret power is? Give me your guess and a scene if you'd like! I might include the scene you suggest in the new chapter as well!
Thank you for reading! Please review!