Hello everyone and welcome to the next chapter. One or two chapters away from finishing the arc and I mean that because I am basically adding as much to each chapter as I can. This chapter would have been uploaded earlier if a small Thanksgiving mishap hasn't happened. Either way it's up or I hope you all enjoy it.
Announcements:
I'll be working on the wikia page, updating it so that it is consistent to what has happened. I also might be adding some spoilers so be on the lookout for that (of course wikia were created for the purpose of spoilers). Everyone seems happy with the fic (which I am happy for) the rewrite will probably only be minor but I'll still work on that as well. This is the last opportunity to send any changes to your character; after the next chapter is up I won't be making any changes.
Also FFW finally got its own theme! (Insert cheers and applause) Everyone has Ravena Felidae to thank as she made us this gift that I uploaded on to YouTube. All it needs is a name and some lyrics and we are good to go! Let's see if anyone can come up with something clever! Search up Fanfiction World Opening Instrumental or search for my channel Shadowlight0982 (original I know). If anyone wants their character uploaded with their theme of choice feel free to ask.
Reviews:
Going to keep this short since everyone seemed to love the holiday filler, I don't really plan to make it a big deal but I suppose I can try and write more. Thanksgiving has passed through, though Christmas is around the corner so expect a filler for that holiday.
Now that everything has been taken care of…ON WITH THE SHOW!
"FFW"-Speech
'FFW'-Thought
'FFW'-Flashback
"FFW"-Attacks
Disclaimer: I do not own any reference to any anime/game/show/book, etc. that appears in this story. I own the original plot (at least I hope its original) and my own characters and OC's. All other characters and references belong to their original creators.
(Recap)
"O…ok then, what could possibly be our final Final round…Shadow vs. Renchard vs. Amaterasuice. What might happen, no one has a clue."
"Let's get the games started then." Kyoto said nervously. "Ready…FIGHT!"
(Start)
As soon as the call sounded through the air Shadow was already in front of the blond boy with his scythe raised. Amaterasuice kept his smirk as he brought up his sword to guard him before the blade could carve its way into his jugular. The lieutenant of CHAOS was suppressing a laugh as he stared into the Dark One's hate filled eyes.
"A little eager to start, aren't you the type to let your opponent deal the first move?" Amaterasuice mocked his opponent.
"Shut up, unlike you I'm not treating this like a game; I'm going to break this barrier down." Shadow continued their clash.
"You'll have to beat me first, maybe you should…"
Silver Storm!
The two had to jump away to avoid the needles that were now embedded where they once stood. A giant blade of steel sweep where Amaterasuice landed as he kept his eyes on both of his opponents, seeing Renchard now raising his zanbatou the boy smirked.
"I forgot I have two opponents for this fight, sorry if I didn't give you the attention you deserve." Amaterasuice sent his regards.
(Play All Hail (Vegeta's Theme))
Shadow was about to charge again but spikes of silver rose from the ground forcing him to stop. Renchard allowed the silver to liquefy and return to him. The scythe user looked towards Renchard with a mixture of anger and confusion.
"I don't know what you're planning but forget about the tournament I have…"
"You don't have to do anything." Renchard interrupted him as he rested the pole of his massive sword on his shoulders. "You only need to worry about us finishing our fight after I deal with him."
"Renchard right, I can only guess the reasons why you entered this tournament, but now you expect me to just sit around and watch while the lives of one of my friends are at stake?!" Shadow allowed some of his temper to show.
"You're right, I have special reasons to enter the tournament," Images of Renchard's sister on her hospital bed flowed through his head. The fighter then took his zanbatou and pointed it towards Amaterasuice. "He is getting in the way of that, first I will send this unworthy fighter to the next world…"
Renchard then took a glance towards Shadow. "Then I defeat you and take the prize so that I can fulfill my promise." A seal faintly appeared on the zanbatou but it went unnoticed.
(All Hail ends)
Amaterasuice's laugh got both of the players' attention. The insane fighter looked at the two with an amused grin. "Unworthy you say, well I never really participated in the tournament to begin with so we wouldn't see if I would make it this far. However, it will take more than an alchemist swinging a giant sword to be enough of a challenge to me."
(Play Two weeks by All that remains)
"We'll see about that!" Renchard then charged with the large sword raised to disembowel the arrogant player.
Amaterasuice duck to avoid decapitation and raised his sword to pierce through the sword user. Before the blade could reach flesh it was knocked off course by a sliver marble and passed through the air harmlessly. Renchard brought his blade around and slashed it downwards; Amaterasuice dodged but was sent back by the shockwave produced by the massive weapon. The boy skidded across the stage as he observed the crater the mass of steel left in the marble arena.
"Well you do have some skill; this might be fun after all!" Amaterasuice chuckled.
"There you go thinking that this is a game." The voice was followed by a flash of light as Shadow's scythe went through Amaterasuice separating his torso from his legs. Shadow flicked the blood of his blade as the two parts of Amaterasuice fell to the ground.
The arena went silent as it appeared that the threat was easily defeated. Renchard picked up the marble he had used to block the madman's blade as he walked towards the corpse. "I thought I said I would handle him while you would stay back."
"You really expected me to stand and watch; besides it will take more than cutting him in two it seems." Shadow said as he readied himself.
"What do you mean, you killed him didn't you?" Renchard asked confusedly.
"Look again,"
Following Shadow's suggestion the two watched as the pieces of Amaterasuice slowly reattached themselves back together on the ground. Using his sword as a stand, the CHAOs member rose to his feat though he did cough up a few globs of blood.
"Didn't think I would be killed so easily, now that would take all the fun out of this," The boy wiped the remains of blood from his lips and then looked to his opponents. "Attack me separately or together it will not matter."
"Is he an immortal type?" Renchard asked as he grabbed hold of his zanbatou.
"Maybe but there has to be a catch to it." Shadow answered. "Regardless, question him after we defeated him?"
"Let me ask you both a question, how do you kill an immortal?" Amaterasuice asked them jokingly. "You don't you either remove their source of power or entertain them."
"Entertain," Shadow's eyes narrowed as his anger built up when he said that word.
"Yes, entertain me enough that I don't want to kill you or so that I spare your lives. Give me a good fight and I'll drop the barrier and release your friend." Amaterasuice brought out a second sword.
"This barrier will fall and not because you were entertain…" Shadow raised his scythe and began to build energy. "You forgot another way to kill an immortal."
"Oh really and what have I forgotten?" Amaterasuice asked though he noticed the building of power and the aura around Shadow he made no movement to dodge the imminent attack.
Renchard feeling the pressure in the air moved back so not to get caught in the crossfire. When he got a safe distance away he saw a faint image appear around Shadow's scythe. The scythe user looked with contempt as he finished charging his technique.
"You destroy them until no traces are left!"
Witch Hunter!
The ethereal crescent slashed through the stage as it continued its journey towards its target. Amaterasuice held his two swords in a defensive stance as he tried to stop the path of destruction. As he held the attack at bay he saw Shadow now wielding a much larger, crimson red version of the attack.
The moon laughed wickedly along Shadow's weapon as he held the dark power. He held nothing back as he finished his two pronged attack.
Lunar Destroyer!
The massive slash combined with its counterpart causing Amaterasuice to stagger as he fought against the twin arcs. The attack pushing him slowly along the stage as he tried to push back against the assault, Renchard watched as he tried to fight against the attack that would most likely end the tyrant.
'If that move connects Shadow could destroy his soul, I better help speed this along.' Renchard reached into his vest and pulled out a deck of cards.
As Amaterasuice held his ground he was about to push back until he felt a chilling sensation, he slowly glanced down to his legs and saw them frozen in a block of ice along with two cards. As if to answer his thoughts another card flew around the attack and close to his arm, releasing water from the face before it froze in a flash of light.
'Shadow hasn't shown to have any of these, and the way the water freezes…' Amaterasuice thought as the ice worked against him allowing the attack to break through. "Alchemy," The boy spoke just as he was caught in an explosion.
(Two weeks by All that remains ends)
"Whoa now, in a mock attempt at teamwork Renchard held the bastard still as Shadow's attack finished him. I don't know much about immortal types but I do know that an attack can still hurt if enough damage is done!" Plugman made more commentary on the battle.
"But was it enough, from where we are all sitting the barrier still stands, is it a delayed reaction?" Kyoto asked as everyone watched anxiously for the smoke to clear.
(Kurotsubasa)
"So what happened now Key is the barrier going down at all nya?" Ravena asked the Beta as he went to work scanning the field and the barrier.
"I don't know, I'm still having trouble against the barrier but at least it's not draining Illu's soul for now. What all that I can see it must do it in intervals or…" Key tried to explain.
"Illu been resisting, maybe there's a chance for her to break out!" Bella yelled as she once again tried to break though the field around their booth.
"She may be fighting but if she fights too hard she could use up too much energy from her soul. There's not much we can do but have to trust Shads." DB said.
"How can someone like Chaos organize a barrier like this, I don't think anyone has this level of hacking skills." Key typed more along his terminal as he tried again to release the barrier.
"What do you mean?" DB asked.
"A hack as big as this, where it is holding so many players captive would have been brought to the Admin's attention right now. So either CHAOS has completely bypassed the security around the system or…"
(Scene Change)
"Dammit, there's someone on the inside!" Rina yelled as she once again tried to get communications through to the Analyst.
"Inside, someone in the Admin is doing this?" Cast asked as she heard her cousin swear.
"CHAOS may have created this barrier, but someone at the Admin is making sure that the barrier can't be touched." Rina went back to work. "Hell is going to be full by the time I'm done finding out who the mole inside headquarters is."
"That might be another reason for blocking communications; it would explain why no one could log out." Cast realized. "Can you bring it down from here?"
"From a terminal like this, forget it. You need to be at an Admin terminal to try and take this thing down." Rina looked at the battle in anger. "Great and the troubles continue."
(Tournament Stage)
(Play DBZ Ultimate Tenkaichi-Evil Desires)
The smoke cleared and the two fighters saw that Amaterasuice was still standing. He brushed off the remains of the ice as he examined his blades; both had large nicks in the blade but nothing that he was concerned for. Amaterasuice sheathed his most damaged one only keeping a single sword.
"That was clever; I would be surprised if you didn't plan that." Amaterasuice mocked them. "Sorry to say but my soul is a little bit too strong for an attack like that to be any effective."
"I forget people like you have no souls…pity guess I'll have to switch to more damaging methods." Shadow said.
"I don't think anything we have now will be of any use at this point." Renchard said. "At the state we are now this battle will be drawn out and that's something you want to avoid am I right?" He asked the black clad scythe meister.
Shadow stayed silent but the let the blade of his scythe hit the ground as he held up his right hand. "Normally I don't believe on going all out in the first few moments of a battle, but I'm willing to make an exception in order to end this."
"Right behind you," Renchard held his zanbatou and thrusts the steel giant into the ground. He kept both hands on the pole as he began to concentrate.
"No more planning, not attempts to make me fight sloppy, you're just going to charge in?" Amaterasuice began with a barrage of questions. "This isn't anything like my research said at all."
"I guess your research is a bit flawed then, however let me add something to your so called research." Shadow growled as the shell on his glove opened to show a glowing gem.
"Restriction 666 released"
A seal appeared on the blade of the zanbatou as a dark aura formed around the blade and its master. Renchard's dark brown eyes shone a faint ominous violet as the aura began to flow into him.
"Transformations huh," Renchard rhetorically asked as he felt power pour out from the two, both giving off an evil presence in the air. Seithr and reiki seemed to battle for dominance as the reluctant duo continued to charge their power. "Well if they want a serious battle, who am I to ignore their request am."
"Dimensional Interference field deployed!" Shadow continued his call as raw seithr formed around him as he summoned the dark powers of the Azure. He felt two more powers growing from Renchard and Amaterasuice but he though nothing as he allowed some of his emotion to feed the beast he was unleashing.
'Who would have thought I would be using the grimoire to this level, I'll have to finish this quick I'm sure that I'm pushing this too far.' Shadow felt something stir inside him but focused only on controlling the Black Beast's form. A dark blood red aura cloaked his body, though it solidified around his right arm forming a large beastlike claw.
Renchard grunted as he felt the darkness beginning to cloud his mind, the only thin stopping him from going on a rampage was the thought of his goal. The Goddess's power rose from him as Kusanagi's seal glowed along his sword. 'Have to overcome, with this I can end this pointless battle and face my true opponent.'
A pulse of power came from Amaterasuice adding to the power struggle that filled the air. The power all three were emitting was taking effect on the crowd as some had trouble breathing as oxygen was replaced with raw intent. A glowing seal crept from Amaterasuice's neck and began to spread across his body, the boy's sinister smile remained as the curse mark fueled his growing madness.
"Blazblue…ACTIVATE!"
That call broke the dam as all three allowed their power to explode forward. Three pillars of power rose from the arena and hit the barrier, physically showing their strength. The winds died down and the pillars of light faded revealing the contenders to the crowd.
Shadow's jacket fluttered in the wind as he was enveloped in a dark aura, his right eye glow red and his right arm changed dramatically. While the aura was dark and ethereal the arm was a solid mass of energy in the shape of a large bestial claw. Shadow held his scythe in his normal arm as he raised his transformed limb to get into a stance.
Renchard also glowed with a dark aura only it was an ominous black as opposed to the Blazblue's blood red aura. His zanbatou had another layer of power around it with Kusanagi's seal now visible.
The heaven's curse mark finished encroaching across Amaterasuice's skin and was now active. The corrosive purple chakra that flowed from the seal invaded the air for an instant only to fade away. His smirk turned into a grin as he looked at his two opponents.
"Well now, let's begin" Amaterasuice beckoned them both to start. The two warriors were silent but then clashed into his single blade as a loud shockwave tore through the air.
The shockwave hit the stands as wind and pressure passed through all of the captive audience. After the clash it quickly turned into a battle.
Hell's Fang!
Instead of the normal burst of darkness, a large snake head formed over Shadow's claw. Amaterasuice block only for Shadow to turn his punch into a slash that tore through his body. The boy coughed out blood but was still standing as he pushed Shadow back. Amaterasuice was about to prepare an attack until a wave of light tore off his arm and sent his sword flying.
Renchard then charged forward with water particles forming around him. The member of CHAOS tried to escape only to be flash frozen. Renchard then powered up his blade until it was truly a massive blade of light, he pulled his sword forward and thrusts.
Ruin Thrust!
A blast of power broke the ice and left Amaterasuice with a massive hole in his stomach. Before he could register the pain Shadow then appeared with his scythe filled to the brim with seithr. Shadow glared at him with glowing eyes as he prepared his Astral Heat.
Black Onslaught! Black Zagam!
With his scythe raised he began slashing through the already broken child. Orbs of soul energy flew from Amaterasuice's body and into the grimoire allowing the attack to grow in power. Shadow's form became shrouded in energy as he entered a demonic form.
Nightmare Rage!
The scythe now appeared as a draconic wing, red eyes peered into Amaterasuice's soul as Shadow bought down the scythe for the final attack.
Destruction!
After the final slash Amaterasuice was blown back by the force of the Azure. The grimoire closed and the aura vanishes as Shadow held his limb weakened by the final move. Looking at the beaten body Renchard began to power down.
(DBZ Ultimate Tenkaichi-Evil Desires end)
"Unbelievable that had to be the craziest clash that I have ever seen, immortal or not he is NOT getting up after that!" Plugman yelled.
"A hole through his chest and his body slashed apart, not to mention having his soul slowly sucked out
'There isn't many that can survive an Astral Heat, this fight is over.' Renchard then faltered and used his sword to brace himself from falling over.
Shadow was panting for air as he dropped his weapon to nurse his pain filled arm. 'I had to put all I had into that last move…surely that's enough.'
(Audience)
"It's done, that's a full power Astral Heat, and nothing can get up after that." Rose said confidently as she stood from her seat.
"From the amount of soul energy taken even an immortal would have trouble getting up." Grim said. "We'll just have to wait for…"
"I'm afraid there's more to come, this battle isn't over yet." Grim and Rose turned around to see ROM sitting over them.
"What are you talking about; immortality can only do so much and he may not be able to heal the battle is over." Rose said once again.
"Perhaps but tell me this…" ROM said knowingly.
(Kurotsubasa)
"Why is the barrier still up?!" Key yelled as he saw the barrier still active.
"It's still up, even after he was torn apart?" DB asked.
"They may have set a machine but he's the one that set up the barrier, it should have faded when he was defeated." Key continued to look at his terminal. "The barrier is still up and nothing has change."
"I wouldn't say that guys," Bella then pointed to the point that housed Illu's soul.
The ball of light shined a bit brighter and trails of energy flew from the ball to the barrier. The guild watched as the barrier began to react with Illu's soul and began to glow brighter along with the stage.
"This magic, it's almost like the forbidden magic." Ravena said as she held Punnya close.
"Punnya~~, Nya?" Punnya whined until she noticed movement in the stage that wasn't the three fighters. While everyone was focused on the stage Punnya focused on a familiar white blur.
(Admin Booth)
"This guy just doesn't quit," Rina then slammed a hand down on her portable terminal. "To think that someone human came up with this barrier, it's insane and immoral"
"What's happening Rina, why is the barrier not going down?" Cast asked her more tech-savvy cousin.
"That guy has more things keeping him alive than his immortality, that last combination almost finished him." Rina answered.
"And the barrier?" Cast reminded her.
Rina stayed silent for a bit and then raised her head with a grim expression. "What that boy just did was use almost half of the barrier's energy to regenerate."
(Tournament Stage)
"Are you kidding me?" Shadow asked as he saw the barrier shine much harsher.
"The barrier should be destroyed, what is happening?" Renchard looked around and observed the barrier.
"Well I would say this is the tenth time I have brushed death."
"Bastard" Shadow snarled and turned around only to be shocked at what he saw.
"Such language, I thought we were supposed to keep our T-rating." A disembodied voice spoke from the growing pile of Amaterasuice's remains. Streams of energy poured from the barrier and into his wounds, his limbs attached themselves and the holes sealed themselves. After a moment he wiped the blood from his lip.
"Any who that was really effective, I hope that wasn't all you two have?" Amaterasuice smiled and looked to the weakened fighters.
'I poured all I had into that attack and he shrugs it off…no there's got to be something else.' Shadow began to think as he tried to ready himself.
"There you go again" Shadow stayed silent but was inwardly confused when his enemy said those words. Amaterasuice sighed and now looked at the black clad warrior with disappointment. "Focusing too much on thinking instead of acting."
"What are you going on about?" Shadow asked as he picked up his scythe.
"If you had really used all you had I wouldn't be standing here would I?" The psychopath asked.
"I've had enough of this talk," Renchard then charged forward ignoring Shadow's warning.
Amaterasuice snapped his fingers and the alchemist were struck from behind. Renchard's eyes were open with confusion as he wondered what had attacked him.
"See while that required some planning I don't allow my plan to block out my instinct." Amaterasuice explained as a snake slithered over towards him. The boy then looked to the downed Renchard. "My friend here injected you with a small amount of poison, you won't die but you won't be moving for a while."
"Damn you" Renchard tried to rise to his feet only to feel the stiffness of his limbs as he failed. Amaterasuice smiled as the snake changed into the sword he had carried.
"Shadow why are you fighting this battle right now?" Amaterasuice asked.
"To save my friend and every here from your boss's plan." Shadow said.
"That's good…now stop lying to yourself." Amaterasuice said when he saw Shadow's confused expression, he then chose to continue. "That's what you tell yourself in your mind right, but what you really want is to kill me."
That explanation made Shadow's eyes widen before he regain a stoic look. "Trust me I plan on killing you but what makes you think I'm lying to myself?"
The blond haired boy let out a laugh before he went back to his explanation. "You may word it so that it sounds noble but let's be real; I took something from you so you want to destroy me."
"My friends aren't possessions!" Shadow yelled back.
"Even so, though if you are doing it for them why not use your full power?" Amaterasuice asked.
"If you're talking about the Wings you can forget it, I can hardly figure out how it works as it is." Shadow said.
"As interesting as the Wings are I'm talking about your true power." The boy said in a dark tone. The tattoos of the Curse mark flashed in color as to mimic its user's voice.
Shadow stayed silent, glaring at his opponent hoping he would die from just his vision alone. The boy continued as he found amusement in Shadow's glare.
"I may not look like it but I am a bit of a scientist, I did my fair share of research on all of the best candidates in this tournament." The boy continued.
"Candidate?" This time it was Shadow who asked the question.
"Yes, candidates for my research, little subjects that I can dissect all day for my experiments. This place was a goldmine as many strong potential rats were already here, though you were the prize." His mood then turned sour. "At least you would be if you stop holding back."
"I'm not holding anything back, I used everything in that last move and it was enough to keep you down until you used this barrier to reform." Shadow reminded him.
"But I bet if you could you would have destroyed me until nothing remained." At that Shadow stayed silent; Amaterasuice shook his head. "You think too much, you use too much reason in your action that it blocks out your instincts."
"Does the name Ground Zero mean anything to you?" Shadow was shocked when he asked him that question. "Oh yes you know, the event that wiped out an entire AREA, reduced it all to rubble; a once tall standing stadium now a lowly crater." He continued.
"Let's not forget the best part…" Amaterasuice then pointed to Shadow. "The one who destroyed that area and all the life in it are standing in front of us right now."
There were gasps in the crowd as they listened with confusion and fear. Bangs fell over Shadow's eyes blocking them from view as Amaterasuice continued his verbal attack.
"You have the power to end this but you choose not to, why? For a whole stadium of people you don't know? For the few that you do?" The boy then chuckled. "Is it because you can't or because you won't?"
"That's it, I have enough of this!" Shadow charged forward though people could easily see he was still weakened from the Black Onslaught. Amaterasuice simply sidestepped the slashes as they were two slow to hit him.
"Pathetic, all pathetic" He whispered.
(Kurotsubasa)
The guild was silent hearing the whole conversation from the stage. The group could only watch as their leader swung aimlessly against the small devil that was Amaterasuice. A few of them had looks of confusion while others had blank looks.
"What's he talking about, isn't Ground Zero a myth?" DB asked.
"I've heard stories but they are all different, what is Ground Zero?" Bella asked though it seemed no one wanted to answer.
Ravena stood silent watching the battle though she was also preoccupied with something else. 'Shadow is the cause behind Ground Zero, how did that happen?' Ravena thought.
"He probably is holding something back, or at least he was." Felis spoke. 'What are you talking about nya?' Felidae asked.
Felis huffed as she watched the already losing battle. "It happened years ago but I can still remember the large blast that turned everything to dust and ash, the wave of darkness that swallowed all in its way." The other personality reminisced. "All of that seemed to be sealed within your boy toy out there."
'Get to the point already!' Felidae yelled too embarrassed to add her usual feline tick. Felis smirked but chose to continue. "Point is if Shadow was the one to destroy a whole area a simple person shouldn't too hard, but the problem is he has done nothing to make me believe he has that power."
'Power or not I don't like where this is going, if this keeps up we could lose Shads and…' Ravena ended her conversation when she saw a blur of white.
"Great as if this wasn't enough" Key grumbled as the power from Illu's soul seemed to drain again. "What's going to happen now?" He then looked from his terminal to the match.
(Audience)
In the midst of the terrified crowd Rose and Grim sat silently. The demon weapon leaned back and then addressed his former teammate. "Rose, I have heard a lot of things about Ground Zero, is what he said true?"
Rose still watched the fight but answered the bounty hunter's question. "I wouldn't know if anything I haven't heard of Ground Zero until I was by myself. Maybe it happened back when Shadow was still…"
"Still what?" Grim asked.
"Nothing" Rose said as she pictured how different Shadow was now since the time they separated. "All I know is that whatever they are talking about we don't want to see."
"Still all of this just to reveal whatever Shadow is hiding?" ROM asked the obvious question.
"And I bet you know all about it don't you?" Grim asked the Beta.
"My knowledge is legendary though there are some things that I have yet to learn, what caused Ground Zero was one of the things I never found out." The Beta answered. "Now we know the source is Shadow, yet how is still what I want to know."
"You are better off not knowing." The two turned to Rose whose eyes were glued to the match. "It's best that you stay away from things that were kept hidden for a reason you nosy bookkeeper."
"While you say nosy I say curious, hmm maybe we'll learn what Shadow's power is soon." ROM said. All three were silent as a scream tore through the air, Rose did her best to hide it but she turned her eyes away from the stadium, a long tear falling from her brown eye.
(Tournament Stage)
Renchard continued to curse as he could only watch. The poison still in his veins as it restricted all his movement yet left him with the pain. He wanted to reach to his zanbatou to reuse the seal only for the pain to shoot back through his system.
'To think it all ends because of a lousy snake,' Renchard cursed himself for letting his guard down. He looked to see his weakened ally swinging wildly. 'Even if those were to connect there is no power behind those strikes, we've lost…Sis I'm sorry I failed.'
Elsewhere on the stadium Amaterasuice sighed and then caught the scythe bare handed. Shadow tried to pull his weapon back only to a sword brush against his lung as it pierced his body.
"All that power and potential and nothing to show for it, too think I was interested in dissecting you before…you are the same as all the others, you talk big but can't back up your words…or in your case too afraid."
Shadow was silent as pain replaced all feeling; he only glared as Amaterasuice continued his rant.
"You let your own fear hold you back and in turn you hold back your true power. I don't even care about what you were hiding now, as it turns out you are just a drop of water in this ocean of weaklings." Amaterasuice twisted his blade and took small comfort in Shadow's pain.
"Look at yourself now because of your fear, too weak to save your friend's soul, too weak to put up a decent fight, and too weak to even make this entertaining anymore." Holding up his free hand black flames generated from his palm until he held a basketball sized fireball.
"The goal was to amuse me…and you failed." The boy grimly stated as his pale blue eyes were replaced with the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Blaze Release
The whole arena heard Shadow's scream as the black flames enveloped his form. The flames faded and left a burnt Shadow flying towards the end of the stage. He lay still, moving only slightly showing he wasn't unconscious.
"I…I can't believe it…it seems like our only hope was get cut down and then sent to a burning end. Is this really happening; is this how it all ends?" Plugman asked as the stadium was quiet, as if grieving over what they just saw.
Everyone was silent seeing the player lying defeated on the ground. Amaterasuice looked to Shadow's direction with a small disappointed look.
"I think I understand why you have the Wings now, because you would be weak without them. It's a shame that you can't set aside your fears or access the Wings' power."Amaterasuice mocked him more before turning to Renchard.
"I would dissect you but you aren't even worth it."Amaterasuice said and began to slowly walk towards his remaining target.
Before he could get closer walls seemed to rise and entrap the curse powered warrior. He broke down the walls to see a glowing Mukurowl flying in the air.
"The winged rat lives, what rock did you crawl from?" Amaterasuice asked amusedly. "Come to avenge your master?"
The owl hooted what seemed to be an insult but flew around him towards Shadow. The CHAOS member smirked only to watch an apparition appear next to the pet. The ghost then willed the black flames away and seemed to try and heal Shadow's body.
"Really girl, should you truly be wasting your soul on something as hopeless as that?"
(Kurotsubasa)
"Shadow!" DB screamed from the booth.
"Shads get up!" Bella yelled as she continued to bang against the barrier.
"Shadow you have to get up!" Ravena added.
"Punnya!" Punnya meowed with the cat girl.
"This can't be happening, it can't end like this. Get up Shadow!" Key yelled.
(Admin Booth)
"I didn't think I would ever see Shadow fall like this." Cast said as she looked sadly at the battlefield.
"We can only expect so much of him." Rina brought up her screen and keyed in on Shadow. "He doesn't have much energy left; even if that last attack didn't kill him I can't see him standing much chance. Even with his ghostly girlfriend helping it's still iffy."
"There wasn't much chance he could last against an Admin Guard Captain but he succeeded in that." Cast brought up. "I don't know how, but I feel this battle isn't over yet."
Rina looked at his cousin before going back to her screen and worked on the barrier. "Well if you're sure he can somehow get back up from that we can only watch and see if you're right."
(Audience)
"This is the end." Grim said.
"This can't be it; he shouldn't be losing like this!" Rose argued.
"The fact that he hasn't died is a miracle in itself, he would need another miracle if he wants to win." Grim said. Doppelman was just glued to the battle.
Rose turned from the bounty hunter and back to the battle. 'Get up, get you bastard! I won't forgive you if you lose here.'
(Tournament Stage)
Shadow was barely conscious as his vision began to fade. He saw black edge from the corners of his eyes and saw his vision haze.
'Is this it? I'm really going to lose…when someone needs me most?'
(Play Kingdom Hearts OST: Vector to the Heavens)
(Unknown Location)
Suddenly he found himself standing on his feet instead of lying on the ground. He looked around before hearing thunder as he looked up to a crowded sky. He turned to his surroundings again.
"I'm in my mindscape, how did that happen?"
Shadow
A voice called from above him, Shadow was shocked to see a ghostly form of Illu floating above him. His shock was later replaced with regret as he looked to the ghost sadly. "I'm sorry, guess I wasn't strong enough to save you."
You have to get up Shadow, you can still fight we all believe in you
"Even with the world behind me, he is right…I'm too weak to defeat him." Shadow glanced to the item around his wrist. "I wield the most powerful item in the world; ironically I'm one of the weakest around."
The ghost shook her head. You are one of the strongest I know, Wings of Creation or not you always find a way to win. Everyone is waiting for you to save them; you still have your promise. After those words the ghost vanished leaving Shadow alone.
"My promise…even if I could get back up what's stopping me from getting my ass kicked again?"
A roar got his attention and he turned around to see a large silhouette behind him. He could see nothing past the darkness of its form but he did see six large glowing red eyes. Instead of a typical reaction a normal person would give the monstrous being Shadow just looked with a solid glare.
"What are you doing out, you were sealed a long time ago." Shadow asked the creature.
"A woman appeared before the cage and broke us free." A voice spoke.
'Could that be Illu…no she has never been in my mind nor has any techniques that would allow her to.' Shadow thought. 'Kusanagi'
"You cannot run away forever." A different voice now spoke.
"You need our power." A third voice spoke.
Shadow continued to glare at the creature. "I don't need to use that power; I just need to wake up and save Illu on my own, with my power alone!"
"Then you have no reason not to use this power."
"We are a part of you; our power is your power."
"With this power you can rescue the girl and destroy all that stand in your way."
Shadow didn't want to listen to anything else the voices had to say but he knew that he couldn't save Illu unless he used that old power. Thunder boomed from the clouds as they all stood in silence before Shadow spoke again.
"I said I would never use this power again…but…if I have no choice…"
(Kingdom Hearts OST: Vector to the Heavens ends)
(Tournament Stage)
The glow faded as the ghost vanished leaving Mukurowl on his own circling over Shadow's body. Amaterasuice paid him no more attention as he stood in front of Renchard as he watched the panting teen try to stand on his feet.
"I guess I can entertain myself with you a bit more, we still have a good hour before the barrier drains that girl." The two then felt a strong presence and looked around trying to determine where the power was coming from.
The psychotic teen then turned around. "Standing back up, don't think that girl's healing would be enough too…" He stayed silent as the power grew higher than ever before.
(Play Three Days Grace: Time of Dying)
Slowly rising to his feet surrounded by massive streams of energy was Shadow as he staggered to his feet. He lifted his head and now glared with two glowing red eyes.
"Interesting, so can you still fight?" Amaterasuice mocked the now standing player.
Shadow started with a walk before slowly going into a sprint. Darkness was forming around his hands as he soon disappeared in a flash. Amaterasuice eyes widen as Shadow appeared in front of him.
The darkness solidifies into two blades and in several slashes Shadow began to hack away at his enemy. Amaterasuice ,starting to get annoyed, then raised his blades to stop the two swords of darkness from slashing into his torso. The force of the impact sounded through the arena as Shadow was pushing the younger fighter with just raw power.
Amaterasuice tried to push back against the berserk player but a kick then sent him skidding across the marble ring. The swords disappeared as a ball of darkness formed in Shadow's hand and he fired it across the field.
The evil fighter decided to get serious and smacked the ball away with some difficulty and it flew off his hand and into the barrier. Amaterasuice saw his hand was smoking from the attack and looked to Shadow who was standing still with the chaotic black aura still flying erratically from his body.
'That power, is it from the Wings of Creation…no, this is all Shadow's power.'
Renchard was just watching as he kept his distance as best he could. The way he was now he wouldn't stand a chance against either and he didn't want to get caught in the crossfire.
'These two fighting, right now it's like I'm watching two demons rather than men fighting.'
(Kurotsubasa)
"What is happening nya?" Ravena asked as she was shivering, her tails rose up in surprise and a little fear. "What's happening to Shadow?"
"I don't know I've never seen Shads this way." Bella said as she watched the display.
DB said nothing at first but noticed Key had a slightly less surprised look on his face. "Key, do you have any idea what's going on? You look like you've seen this before."
"I haven't…" Key said. "At least I've never felt anything like this. I can say this…nothing about this feels like Shadow."
"What do you mean?" Ravena asked holding a scared Punnya.
"What is it Key, I mean yeah this aura feels off but it's still Shadow right?" Bella asked.
Key stayed silent as he went back to monitor the fight and the energy of the barrier. "I don't think this aura is screaming save Illu, it's more like pure untamed killing intent."
"So there's nothing complicated about it then." DB said. "He wants to destroy."
"Destroy the barrier, Chaos?" Bella asked.
"No" Ravena said. "…It's to destroy everything."
(Admin Booth)
"These readings, what are they?" Rina asked as he looked from the battle and to her screen. "This energy, what sort of power or technique is this?"
"Is this an original power, no we've seen all of Shadow's powers in the tournament." Cast said. "It's feels so dark, alive even…like it wants to swallow up everything."
"If this keeps up we may have to do an entire system shutdown this tournament is becoming too much of a risk." Rina returned to her task of trying to disable the barrier. "We don't Admin access inside this thing, why would they design it like this won't they not be able to escape as well?"
(Audience)
"Ahahahahaha, now this is the best entertainment yet." Chaos laughed as he sat on his perch. He leisured and enjoyed himself as he watched the two beast fight to the death. "This is a battle, no I take that back, this is a slaughter!"
(Tournament Stage)
A sword broke as Amaterasuice was sent across the stage bleeding with a new wound as he looked at the hilt of his broken sword. He tightened his grip on his snake sword and returned to the battle. The two clashed with blades as he tried to dodge the dual slashes, Amaterasuice smirked as his thrust pierced Shadow's arm but wasn't prepared for the pointblank blast of energy sending him back.
"This is entertaining, though the fact that I'm still alive is because of my special power. Speaking of power let's try this one out!" The curse mark surged as his eyes blared the Sharingan.
Inferno Style!
Shadow was charging recklessly and then stopped seeing the black flames shoots his way. With a roar a black and purple wind swirled around him like a shield and kept the flames of the sun goddess at bay. His eyes became red voids as he sent the wind outward carrying the flames with them.
Amaterasuice jumped to avoid the flurry of flames but soon Shadow appeared above him in a black blur and sent him crashing down with an axe kick. Renchard rolled out the way to avoid the destructive flames.
'It's like watching two demons fight, this is insane.' Renchard thought and soon felt movement in his limbs. Feeling the poison ware off he slowly stood as he held his own against the shockwaves of the two's battle.
'Maybe I can do something to end this; I hope that girl's seal still works after the last time.' He grabbed the hilt of his zanbatou remembering how it was enhanced a short time ago.
(Flashback)
Renchard didn't know how but soon he was in front of a throne room when a few minutes ago he was in the room the rest of Team Destiny led him to. Sitting on the throne he could barely see the person's characteristics but from the form he could tell it was female.
"So you joined the tournament for the prize money…for your sister perhaps?" The woman's question startled him.
"How did you know that?" Renchard asked as his caution grew.
"I know many things, things that someone like you could comprehend, but this isn't about me it's about your wish isn't it?" He couldn't tell but he knew somehow that the woman was grinning at him.
"If all those other guys call you Mistress then you must be powerful, all I need is the power to win this tournament to take down all those in my way to the finals." Renchard said.
The woman let out a small chuckle, "What you ask for is within my power, of course such things come at a price."
"Everything in this world has a price, but price doesn't matter as long as it helps save my sister!" Renchard said determined.
The figure gave him a mock silence as if thinking the request over, after a while he finally heard the answer. "Very well then, I will grant you the power you need…for a small favor." She spoke.
"And what is that favor?" Renchard asked.
"Oh you'll know when the time comes, now hold out your weapon." The woman then stood from her throne.
Renchard complied and held out his large blade in front of the goddess. The woman's form lit up as he could now see her clearly as her aura lit up the room: long silver colored hair, a black dress, and sinister gold eyes. Renchard's zanbato grew a black aura and the wielder soon felt a power flow through him, the rush then ended as a seal formed on the blade.
"Three boosts, three limits…that is all you have, use that power wisely." The girl said. Before the boy could ask any questions he vanished as mysteriously as he appeared. Kusanagi sat back on her throne with a smile as she sent her latest toy out to be tested.
(Flashback end)
'I used up one burst when we all clashed; let's hope I just need this second one." Renchard then tried to concentrate on drawing power from the seal.
"Disappear!"
Amaterasuice skidded across the marble stadium. He wiped his lip and spit out a glob of blood into one of the few craters that littered the arena from their brawl. "Now this is entertainment, you really are different from all these other players! All of that power behind a simple façade of fear!"
"…disappear…disappear…" The dark fueled Shadow then vanished in another blur. He then appeared and had one blade stab through Amaterasuice's chest and another hand forming a ball of darkness.
"Disappear forever!"
Before the blow struck Amaterasuice kicked him away so that they both avoid a flying disk of destruction. The spinning zanbatou missed its mark and crashed out of the stadium, the seal across the blade disappearing as the power dropped.
Shadow's rage filled eyes then turned to a panting Renchard as wind formed around his hand. "You're in my way…begone!" A blast of dark wind blew Renchard out of the ring and against the solid walls of the stadium knocking him unconscious.
Shadow was about to charge again until Mukurowl got in the way and tried frantically to snap him out of his state of being. "You're in my way as well!" Shadow continued his charge and smacked Mukurowl out of his way and across the stage.
"Everyone…everything…all of it should just disappear" The darkness formed around Shadow again as he lost more control. "Disappear forever!" A massive shockwave tore through the stadium scaring the ground and kicking up wind.
Amaterasuice was smirking until it turned into a full faced grin as he saw Shadow forming a ball of energy in the air. As the darkness gathered he could only smile, "That's it show me all you have, show me the attack that destroys all in its wake. Show us all the power of Ground Zero!"
Mukurowl hooted weakly as he tried to fly back up only to fail. He looked over to his owner's soul as it weakened more and then forced himself up. The owl's eyes began to glow as he used all he had for a final allusion.
Two giant swirling balls of darkness rested in Shadow's hands before he slammed them together and held a massive sphere over his head. "Everything vanish…Ground…" His declarations stopped as images formed around him.
All of Kurotsubasa around him, smiling as they all were enjoying the few days without the usual job or chaos. Everyone laughing and smiling, he even himself amongst his teammates and friends as he watched the illusion.
Amaterasuice stood waiting wondering why he didn't finished until he saw the air waiver around his attacker. He looked and saw Mukurowl using all his power on the illusion he couldn't see. He glared as he held his snake blade.
"Stupid pest, don't get in the way of my research!" Amaterasuice dashed towards the pet. Mukurowl's eyes widen and he let go of the illusion as he feared his death. The blade fell and the sound of it meeting flesh filled the air.
(Three Days Grace: Times of Dying end)
Everyone opened their eyes as they heard the silence. They were all shocked as they watched with varied expressions but the ones who had smiles on their faces were Kurotsubasa. Mukurowl opened his eyes not feeling pain as he saw Shadow next to him holding the blade back with his bare hand. Shadow then threw the attacker back with all his strength sending him across the stage.
'What the hell, is the darkness…fading?' The boy asked himself as he saw the aura around Shadow fade.
The players red filled gaze returned to normal as he stood up straight, blood falling from his wrist from saving his comrade. "I should be ashamed resorting to use that and lose control…Mukurowl, thanks for pulling me back." Shadow said as he stood proudly, he previous form all but gone.
(Admin Booth)
"Now that power just vanished, what kind of monsters do you hang out with Cast?" Rina asked as she looked over all the data she had collected from the start of the battle to this point.
"Ones that know when it's time to stand up and fight back, we are about to witness something extraordinary today." Cast said cryptically.
"Again, I don't think my teenage heart can take more excitement." Rina said back.
(Kurotsubasa)
"Our Shads is back, it's all over now!" Bella cheered. "He probably has a way to end this whole fight now!"
"I hope he does, the barrier's almost through with Illu soul, 30 minutes left until it falls on its own taking her with it." Key said.
"This is Shadow we're talking about, he always finds a way." DB said confidently. "That little freak show sent chills down my spine but he had to be thinking of something while his body was on autopilot."
"Shadow-Kyun" Ravena said silently.
"Punnya" Punnya meowed as the whole guild watched.
(Tournament Stage)
Shadow the carried Mukurowl over to the edge of the stage. He set the wounded owl down out of the stage on top of Illu's body. "This won't be long, keep her body safe for me." He then turned around to face AMaterasuice.
"Really now, you think you'll be able to win by yourself?" Amaterasuice called from his side of the stage.
"You're right, not by myself, but I was just reminded that I'm not fighting by myself anymore or for myself." Shadow said.
"Really, what can your friends do now that they have been cut off? They can't do nothing but scream and yell from that box how could they possibly help you win?" He continued with his questions.
"You know for a scientist you're all kinds of stupid." Shadow smirked seeing him caught off-guard by his response. He held up his hand and willed his scythe to return to him, the weapon flew back into his hand as he set it down to the side.
"Those screams are cheers, they trusted me all this time to have their backs and win this thing. They trusted me to save Illu's soul; I can't lose as long as I have them supporting me." Shadow took off his now tattered jacket showing his slighting ripped shirt that was missing their sleeves. "You fight as one, we fight as a team."
"Find them, show me the power of this team, and let me see what power your friends have given you?" Amaterasuice gathered more corrupt chakra from his curse mark.
"Be careful what you wish for, but I'm more than happy to show you!" Shadow then raised the Wings of Creation, letting it shine briefly in the light.
"What is this, is he actually going to bust out the ultimate weapon?! Captive or not everyone here is about to make history as the first to see the Wings of Creation in action!" Plugman announced as everyone now had their eyes glued to the battle. Cameras all around the stadium broadcasted to certain places around FFW showing this moment to all that watched.
"You think a bluff is going to help you win, if you could have used that power you would have!" Amaterasuice yelled.
"This power wasn't given to me for selfish reasons; I can't use it for what I want, but I can use it when I stop thinking about myself and focus on those around me!" The wings flashed again, the runes beginning to glow.
"Then let's see this selfless power then!" The boy continued to grow angry and impatient.
"Power of Creation, Power of Might, Hear my call and shine your light." Golden runes similar to those on the item began to appear on Shadow's arms.
"Ancient forces far and near," Power began to fill the air, the runes settled on Shadow's skin as strips appeared under Shadow's eyes. His eyes were now tinted gold as he drew out the ancient power.
"Bestow upon me the power" Two wing tattoos shined on Shadow's back and glow gold allowing them to be seen through his shirt. A final mark, a gold star like symbol, appeared on his forehead.
"To protect what is dear!" The Wings shined brilliantly as the cry came to an end. Shadow now glared with golden eyes as a white aura covered his body.
"WINGS OF CREATION!"
A blast of light caused many to cover their eyes as the transformation reached it's end. Amaterasuice opened his eyes when he was sure the light had dimmed enough only to watch the figure before him in awe.
Shadow made no noise as he soon vanished; Amaterasuice's blood grew cold as he felt a hand land on his shoulder.
"You have something that doesn't belong to you." Amaterasuice knocked the hand away and tried to attack only to hit a barrier. Shadow's hand reached forward and he tried to block only for the hand to pass through his, Shadow pulled his hand back and backed away now holding something in his palm.
"What did you take from me?" Amaterasuice asked in shock.
"You didn't notice, I took you're nexus to the barrier around us." Shadow opened his palm and showed a small ball of light. "Here's something that should have been done from the start." He crushed the ball in his hands and let the light fade.
With his connection to the barrier destroyed, the large red dome of disaster began to crack and fade. The once captive audience cheered as they saw they were free from CHAOS' trap. Amaterasuice turned to attack only to see Shadow not there. Said boy was now floating in the air towards the small soul that floated free.
"I almost forgot why I was fifhgting when I was in the darkness, I have you and Mukurowl to thank." Shadow then sent the soul back into its vessel. Illu's body then began to glow, showing it was healing as her soul had returned.
Shadow flew back to the stadium and stood before his opponent. "You're tool of intimidation is gone and you no longer hold any hostages. You have about a good few seconds before Admin swarm this place…it's over for you."
"I've come so close, I won't let my research end like this!" He then fired the black flames of Amaterasu towards his now god-classed foe.
In a flash of data and light a sword appeared in Shadow's hand. It was a slim gold blades longsword. The blade had a few symbols across it as it led to its silver and blue hilt; the guard shared the shape of a compass rose and a few points were different colored jewels. He then slashed the flames and watched as they vanished from existence.
The young scientist remained silent as the strongest flames in the world were smited by a single sword. "No sword should be able to compete with the Goddess of the Sun."
"It didn't, all I did was cut away the oxygen in your flames. With no fuel even the hottest flames die out." Shadow rested the sword on his shoulder. "Bold Requiem, the sword that can cut away anything in this world, this fight is done…go back to whatever hole CHAOS crawled from."
"You think I'm scared of something you just made up, have you forgotten I'm still immortal?!" Amaterasuice all but screamed towards Shadow.
"I didn't forget, it slipped my mind because I didn't care. I tore out the physical connection you had with your magic, who said I can't do the same with your powers?" Shadow rhetorically asked.
"Good question, but we will never find out" Amaterasuice smirked.
"You're right…we won't"
With a snap of his fingers chains flew from the ground and wrapped around the surprised teen. Amaterasuice struggled from his bonds as the chains securely wrapped around him. As the chains tightened it began to drag him downwards into the ground.
"I rather send you to hell the easy way, a straightaway to the river Styx. You may be immortal but I'm sure leaving the ring and being unable to return for an amount of time is a loss." Shadow played it in layman's terms. "When I said I'll send you to the next world, I meant it."
"Don't think this is over just because you sent me to six feet under, I'll respawn eventually and then my research will continue." With those words said he then vanished in a warp in the ground that retuned to solid marble.
"Until then enjoy hell, I'm sure it's very crowded when you get there." Shadow then looked up. "So are you going to be dragged down to or will you be going?"
"As much as a bath interests me right now after watching a good fight I would like to stay where I am as I don't really share Trysten's…durability." He jumped high into the air and from somewhere aNimbus cloud appeared and caught him.
"Chaos will always remain, but it's good that we find order to oppose it once and awhile. Keep on making this fun for me Shadow." The insane leader then flew off into the distance.
"Bat-shit insane all of them," Shadow then lifted Renchard's body from his crater on the wall onto the ground as he began to heal him as well.
The crowd was speechless until the two announcers broke the silence.
"In all my life of reporting I never thought I would witness carnage like this!" Kyoto yelled into her mike. "Finally the madness has vanished and order has been restored, we finally have a winner for the Final who will go for the grand prize!"
"You got that right, that battle had us all glued to our seat but it seems the dark horse or should I say the Dark Knight came through in the end! The winner is Shadow…Kurotsubasa wins the right to fight the Arena-king and walk away with the prize!"
Shadow gave Renchard to several nurses as he felt the power of the Wings fade and felt himself return to normal. He carried Illu's unconscious demonic body over to their teammates as he used the last of the great power.
'That seal was here for a reason right, better keep it there until we find out what it's for.' Using the last bit of power from the Wings of Creation he made an exact copy of Illu's seal on her forehead. The owlhybrid returned to normal as they reached their friends.
TBC…
One of the longest chapters I ever wrote but I'm sure that it was worth it. The arc is almost over, we all got to see the Wings in action, and the villians have been defeated. If only the scenes of this chapter could be shown as images so that you could fully enjoy his moment.
That's all for now as the Tournament Arc draws to a close, don't forget to visit YouTube and check out the theme for FFW; hopefully one of you all could come up with a name and some lyrics, I know I'm thinking of some.
-Shadowlight0982 out.