RWBY: Bonds Between Hearts
Chapter 25: Eruption of Magma
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than, well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
In the shadows of the forest, 899 was looking at his Scroll as the tracker they've planted continue to move. They weren't just there to kill those within that aircraft, but push Vernage and Cody into revealing the hidden location of the escaped experiments. Evol still had plans for them after all, but Lily has served her purpose.
"How much longer…?" 898 groaned out, as he was killing time by coming back with either the smoking remains of a Grimm or as Atlas soldier freshly killed from either tracking the two or someone who survived the wreckage.
"They are still traveling quite far. We cannot assume that it'd be even close to the city." 899 responded.
"Ugh, but I'm BORED!" The younger twin brother groaned out, "I don't wanna leave for a few hours and come back with no change! Can't we just kill her already?"
"We have our boss's order you idiot! You are so childish in certain things!"
"I'm just better is all." 898 shrugged, "After all, I got a girlfriend!"
"That Cinder chick is just using you…"
"Says the guy who tries to flirt with the girls for the sake of it!"
"Hey!" The two began to get into another of their scuffles, a cloud of dust erupting upon their brawl with each other. "I am not the one who hates vegetables!"
"They are just revolting things! I will never-"
*BREEP!*
This quickly made the two stop, as 899 walked over and took up the pad, the tracker finally stopped moving and gave the coordinates to where Lily and Cody were. With a few taps the older twin grabbed their gear and placed it on to obscure anyone from seeing their faces.
"We have them now. Time to move out." He ordered his twin.
"Finally!" 898's mouthguard glimmered red across the teeth markings of it while 899's visor gleamed red across the slits of it. Their nature as the hell bros now in motion.
"Let's go hunting like the devils we are."
XXX
As the two entered the dome, the children who saw the injured Lily gasped with fear and worry as many of them gathered to try and help or get answers, but the several teens helped push them back. Cody led the bluenette to one of the wards for her to be treated and rest up. He of course noticed their looks of worry and fear as he had to reassure them.
"She'll be okay, Lily's a tough cookie." Cody smiled to reassure the children.
The children remained unsure as their looks of worry didn't seem to dwindle any doubt. Once one of the older children brought over a first aid kit, Cody went to work to patch Lily up, doing what he could to make sure she was better as he only hoped that it would be enough.
His eyes softened when he briefly noticed the lingering scars on her. Unlike the time in the school's dance, it merely hid what was beneath. She fought tooth and nail during her time in Faust and still fights tooth and nail to not just redeem herself but to finish Vernage's quest.
"You know if that Xiao Long girl saw this she would be mad." He jumped when he noticed his sister figure awake albeit slightly in tiredness.
"H-Hey, she-"
"Wanna finish that sentence?"
"…" He grumbled to himself, making Lily laugh but grimaced. Her Aura was doing its work while the patches were serving to keep the skin from being affected.
"Relax now, you need to heal." He said to her, making sure she didn't move too much. "They truly did a number on you… er, on Vernage." He corrected himself.
"Tell me about it… Ugh… what a hassle…" Lily groaned out, knowing that she didn't like to be bedridden.
"You're just as human as I am, so deal with it." Cody playfully rolled his eyes and poked her forehead.
"Since when did you become the mother hen?" Lily joked.
"Since you gained sass." He responded with a snicker.
Lily snorted, her head turned away and stared at the window. Her mind wandered, the foreign feeling of being here still unwavering. She still felt that her freedom was still needed to grow. All she had done was free herself from the clutches of Evol. To no longer be his second in command of Faust. To remember the nightmares she had in the night of the people she killed. Of the days of her own life growing up in the streets of Mistral.
And yet, here she was – having friends and people to protect to make sure Faust doesn't continue their crimes. She may never be able to forgive herself, but she can at least make amends by giving these children an actual future.
"You can get going, I'll be fine here." Lily said to Cody, giving him a reassuring smile, "Sides, you still need to prepare to tell Xiao Long how you feel after all in the festival"
"Can you please stop bringing that up?" Cody groaned from her teasing.
"Only if you can take the plunge and just kiss her already." Lily snarked back with a snicker only to groan in pain from the laughter and her injuries. "You only get one chance after all Cody… don't lose that. Unlike me…."
"You say that, but seems a certain kitty has some eyes on you." Cody noted with a snicker.
He yelped when he felt his body lifted. He briefly saw the large metal claw that had formed, hoisting him up. "C-Come on, I didn't really mean it!"
The other claw opened the door before it shifted slightly. "I was just joking!"
"Mhm, suuuure you were." The claw that opened the door booted Cody out the second the other released its hold on the blonde. "…Idiot."
XXX
Cody grumbled softly, as he didn't need to be booted out of the ward due to his joke. He had already exited the dome since it wasn't going to end well if he continued to tease her. He had to get going and just let her rest for the time being.
The Dragon Rider pocketed his hands but felt something in his pocket. With curiosity, he took the item out and noticed the Obsidian Bottle. He must have forgotten to hand it back to Pietro due to the incident.
"Looks like I need to make a detour." He said to himself, his fingers slightly tracing the bottle as he fiddled with it mostly out of boredom.
He remembered Pietro mentioned the Jelly Bottle solidified after being in contact with the dark matter energy Evol unleashed on his kick. Question is, if it was supposed to be broken, why is it still expelling smoke as Pietro described when he tinkered with it? Was there something going on with the internal components of the bottle?
It left more questions but if Pietro was the smartest man in regards to technology he may be able to unlock whatever was going on with this bottle… without it exploding black soot like before of course.
The blonde kicked a pebble and blew air through his lips. "I hope he finds out about this thing. If it is useful then it should be something if it still functions as mentioned."
Checking his Scroll, he was abruptly interrupted when a flash of light glimmered behind him. Looking back he noticed the dome was repeatedly flashing as if it was continuously in contact with something and keeping them out.
But when a loud blast exploded off of the barrier of the dome, his eyes widen with fear. They found it! With utter fear for Lily and the children rushing into his head, he bolted towards the dome to protect it.
It was still active as he drew closer which meant Lily still had full control in her sleep. Call it her paranoia but she really made sure it only opened for those she allowed. His legs carried him closer before he quickly scrambled to a tree, peeking to see two familiar teens.
'898 and 899!' Cody gasped.
"Again!"
898 swung the hammer, only meeting a powerful jolt before dropping his hammer. "Woohoo…" he stumbled left and right. Shaking his head, he repeated again and again. "That 932 really made a serious one!"
"She's very attentive on her work dimwit, what else do you expect? A key and out goes the gates?" 899 snarked.
"I mean… it makes sense." 898 shrugged softly. "Besides, with how weak she was from our last bout, it's only a matter of time before it falls and we get those experiments back to Lord Evol."
"As long as that Verny or whatever her name is rests then we are okay. Right now we just have to go through it."
"How exactly, you dumbass?"
"If we can't get through the barrier, we just have to dig our way below it."
"Then tell me this brother… WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE HITTING THIS THING?!" 899 shouted angrily, glaring to his brother.
"I'm moral support!" 898 said innocently.
"Jerk."
"Brat."
"What was that?!" The two shouted in unison as they began to smack and insult one another once more, forgetting the objective.
'Lily wasn't kidding. They may be psychopathic killers, they sure as hell are devilish idiots.' Cody sweatdropped at the sight. But as he sat there, he had to do something.
If left alone or simply head off to get help, the barrier would fall as both his friend and the children would be back in danger, and he couldn't let that happen again. He promised he'd be there for her and protect them all. And he'll keep that promise. It was one against two experienced killers.
Psychopathic, sadistic, twisted, experienced killers.
… okay, he can do this. He managed to stand up to Evol so he can do the same here, hopefully.
Cody soon jumped out of the tree branch as he landed, the thud earning the attention of the two assassins.
"What are you doing here, 931?" 899 questioned.
"Stopping you, what else?" He responded, holding up his normal Build driver. With the belt in place, he caught Cross and placed in his Fullbottle into it.
"Henshin." He called out, churning the crank as the blue dragon armor formed onto him, ready to fight the duo.
WAKE UP BURNING!
GET CROSS-Z DRAGON!
YEAH!
When the armor formed, Cross-Z readied himself with his sword.
"Two against one? What do you think brother?" 898 slinged the hammer over his shoulder.
899 chuckled before he cocked his gauntlets, chainsaw blades erupting above the forearms. "Seems fair." The crimson lights of the slits in his visor beamed while his sharp smile contorted to a sadistic grin.
The rider growled as he lunged forward, attacking first as he went to deal with 898 first, slamming his sword against the hammer to cut it down first. The younger brother grunted from the powerful hit, only for blue flames to erupt as he cut through the hammer, and damaged 898's aura from the slash.
"Ugh! Seriously? It's going to take some time to get another one now!" 898 groaned out.
"Tough luck!"
"How about too bad for you!" 899 leapt over 898, striking Cross-Z with the wrist-mounted chainsaws. Sparks bled off the armor but not before the twin experiment spun around like a top, striking the armor repeatedly.
The former experiment gritted his teeth in pain before focusing on within. Azure flames gathered in one hand while normal flames gathered in the other. With it, he quickly struck 899, sending him flying and crashing against the barrier. Flames of his Semblance and Magic.
"Now that's cheating!"
"Sucks to suck!" Cross-Z smirked, "Now, I'm giving you your only chance. Leave now and never harm them again…"
"No can do. We have orders and until we take them back, we are not leaving." The twins raised their firearms and said in unison as it made the rider flinch from seeing it.
"Let's Henshin." 898 grinned.
"Actually… To show him the depths of hell… I believe using the Fever setting, should be used…" 899 stated, earning a shock from his brother.
"Eh? But Lord Evol said you're still not ready for that!" 898 noted with worry.
"Maybe so… but this failure has pissed me off enough…" 899 glared at the rider. "If he is gonna use that magic shtick, then we might as well go all out with our Semblance that Evol saw useful for it!"
"Well okay then. But don't complain to me, when you can't move an inch afterwards." 898 sighed as he handed his brother his Kaiser Bottle.
'What are they planning now?' Cross-Z pondered from this exchange.
898 and 899 placed their hands on their own chests, and then Cross saw their Aura glimmer and reveal the outline of themselves. 899 tossed aside his visor and slowly raised the weapon and it was there the dragon rider heard 899 speak but it wasn't just his voice but 898's own, as if the duo were in sync. The patch over their eyes was pried away and revealed a symbol of a gear. As if… they were half of one being.
GEAR ENGINE
899 first slotted in his bottle, only to remove it and place in the one his brother handed him.
GEAR REMOCON!
FUNKY MATCH!
His wolfish smile grew and said, "Jundou."
FEVER!
Blue and white gears flew around 899, hovering before grinding and slam onto his body, spinning and churning together as a new faceplate, one of blue and white together slammed onto the face and spun until it was upward.
PERFECT!
Sparks exhaled from the joints of his arms, shoulders, face, and chest.
The newly formed Rider slouched forward, making Cross blink under his helmet. However the body twitched before popping a bone in his neck to the left, then to the right. The combined Rider exhaled darkly and monotonously, "Hell Bros, Sanjou."
"What… in the-"
The Rider suddenly punched Cross directly in the face, breaking through a few trees and into a boulder. A harsh gasp and cough of pain came out from him, as he didn't even expect such a drastic change. He already could feel his aura flickering weakly alongside his armor.
Hell Bros slowly approached, picking up the weapons the twins had dropped. He slammed them together, the gauntlet twisting and latching, allowing the hammer to reconnect but also the chainsaw blades to spread open, becoming a scythe on the lower end while the hammer shifted and became a cannon that served as the guard of the weapon. Twirling the weapon, Hell Bros aimed the cannon side of the scythe and fired.
Cross-Z's eyes widen as he summoned a shield of magic, yet the weapon broke through and struck him, erupting into an explosion as it flung the rider away, only for him to see Hell Bros now above him as they slashed their scythe at him, causing to be flung back into the ground, making a crater from the impact.
'F-Fast… They're fast as Evol is..' The rider grunted in pain as he could tell the next hit would have him lose his armor and aura.
"Are you frightened now?" Hell Bros calmly asked, the voices of the twins mixed together.
"A-As if… Evol… is scarier than you idiots…" He chuckled as he slowly got up, "I.. promised them, I would protect them… I wouldn't leave them alone again… So I won't stay down until I die…"
The injured rider slowly picked himself up, still unable to be put down as he won't let them win and take those children away.
"Then why are you trembling of not pain but fear itself? Tell me."
"Cause… I am… But I still can't let that put me down… I've worked too hard for that."
"A pity." He struck Cross across the chest, sending the Rider rolling. "You are just blinding yourself to the truth. All I see… is your fear of the monster you really are."
"Monster… I may be… but there's so many… that see beyond that… and I will go with what they say, over ones who have no control over their lives or will…" He slowly looked up at them as he snickered, "I'm at least more free than you'll ever be…"
"Still blind as you lie to yourself." He grabbed the rider by the neck. "Look at you. You think it will be okay but you know it won't be. You know you can never defeat Evol where you are now, magic or not. All you have done was luck whereas the Saint? She has reached him yet you didn't. Why is that? Ah yes… because you cannot be like them for you can never be strong enough to end the coming apocalypse."
"Then… why doesn't Evol just kill me?" He questioned, "Seems like he has need of me for something… Unlike you two who can be replaced…"
"You want to know?" The Rider tightened his grip further. "You are all but a vessel for his next stage. Just as Vernage has Lily as her vessel."
"If… I was… just an….other.. Vessel… I'd be dead… long ago… He needs me… You kill me? Y-You're next…" He chuckled between the coughing and gasping for air.
"Who said to kill you? I am bringing you to him."
This made his eyes widen as he now attempted to break free.
"Why else did I say vessel? With the Fullbottles you have, and when I retrieve the box, Evol can use you to activate his full power within minutes. I told you, you are but a monster waiting to bring destruction to the world."
"I… won't…" he squirmed.
"Admit it. That is what you are blinding yourself from."
"I'm… n-not…"
"Say it."
"I…"
"Say. It."
"I-I… I-I-"
Hell Bros grunted when it was shrouded in a gravitational force and thrown aside. Cross-Z coughed, his armor vanishing and saw Lily who panted. She grunted, falling on one knee.
"L-Lily… You.. can't be out here…" Cody coughed out as he felt the air return to him.
"Shut up." She flung him backward to allow the barrier to manifest, allowing herself to crawl but gagged when Hell Bros grabbed her.
"The bitch." Hell Bros hummed darkly. "Seems this may be a better option."
"L-Lily! Let her go!" He was about to go through but Lily hardened it, stopping Cody. Cody tried to push and push but to no avail.
"If you want this rogue agent back alive, I better expect five things. One: the Box. Two: the Fullbottles. Three: the children. The teenage experiments can rot. Four: you. And five… the answer to my question. If you do not abide by these five demands, I will personally make sure Lily never forgets what happens to those like her." The glance at her gave enough evidence what else the united duo had in mind. "Hn. You have until sundown. Until then, 931." He dragged the wounded Lily.
"Lily!" Cody shouted, as he punched the barrier to try and help the girl. "Lily!"
"LILLLLLYYYYYY!"
XXX
The young rider sat in front of the Pandora's Box, his hands on his head as he was unsure what to even do now. He wouldn't have time to get help and save Lily, if anything that'd just add more people captured. He had to figure something out and soon, but he wasn't able to think of anything! His stress and anxiety was filling his mind as he couldn't think of any answer.
Why… Why couldn't he do anything right? He thought after the fight with Evol and sending him packing was enough proof he made it! Instead, he got thrashed around like a rag doll. The united Rider pushing him with questions that felt like an arrow to the heart. To take away Lily when he gave her the freedom she deserved. If he can't abide to any of the demands they will… will…
"Why… am I so weak…?" He said to himself as tears dropped down his face. "Am I really a monster of destruction like Evol is…?" He wanted to deny it as Yang had told him before. Alas the fact he was just a vessel for Evol's next form to achieve his full power was different than being the child of a monster. He wouldn't be himself the second Evol took control of him.
As the young blonde was breaking down with sadness and despair, the little robot dragon soon flew over, taking out the Scroll as it dialed for the one person who could help him. Yang. It held the screen over for her to see the despairing boy who needed her help, only hoping it would be enough.
["Hey Cody! How's my fav-"] Yang's face appeared on the Scroll feed, only to soon see the young boy on his knees and crying, ["Cody? What's wrong?"]
"The… The Hell Bros…" He wept. "They took Lily…"
["What?! Hang on, we'll be there-"]
"I can't do anything right! I have until sundown or they… They…" He buried his face against his knees.
Yang frowned softly from seeing this ["Hey! Since when did you ever let such things put you down? Didn't you say, you wouldn't stop until Evol was destroyed? What happened to that fire in you? The same one…"] Yang paused for a moment as she took a breath but shook her head to stop herself from saying something else, ["Remember what you've been fighting for… To stop Evol and Faust. Do you really think pouting and feeling sorry for yourself is going to do anything?!"]
"Yang…" Cody looked at her from her words.
["So get back on your feet. Fight. And show them that they messed with the wrong Kamen Rider! You are so much stronger than this and them! Plus… Lily would be upset that you're acting like this again, huh? So get your musclehead together and act the way you do to those punks!"]
Cody chuckled from that, a nod in response. As the call ended, Cross flew back onto the driver and with the crank, his armor formed again. He soon glared at the dome barrier as he charged back towards it. Slamming his fist against it to break through it this time.
"This won't… Stop me… yet… AGAIN!" He howled out, his fist igniting in flames as the blue fiery dragon flames shifted into a red, orange hot coloring against the barrier. Howling and pushing with all of his might the barrier cracked against the pressure of his fist.
He held his arm, feeling the bones within his skin tremble. The armored blonde moved his arm back, panting before rearing it back and swung one last time, allowing it to shatter a hole for him to walk through.
Just as he was about to go, he glanced at the shielded box before growling and yanked it from the dirt alongside the Fullbottles. He wasn't going to give the Hell Bros the former experiments. Not a chance.
Running out the dome, he steered his focus on what he was aiming to do.
To send the Hell Bros straight to Hell where they belong.
XXX
"Geez, and we used to be afraid of this girl." 898 snickered, both he and 899 staring at the silent traitor.
Lily merely had her head lowered, her eyes staring at the dirt.
"What's wrong, traitor? Tired now?" 899 questioned coldly. She felt the top of her head gripped, forced to look at the gleaming red visor of 899. "Hey I'm talking to you!"
Her eyes glimmered before the large metal claw materialized and socked the chainsaw user across the face.
"Just… because I am drained… I can still relish in that." The buxom bluenette warned. "I remember… you two feared punishment for idiocy… by me."
899 rubbed his jaw, his Aura healing the near broken bones within before he growled and punched her back.
"That was before our ascension into Hell Bros… We have surpassed you, 932…" 899 huffed. "And you will fail as we kill you and take both the box and the experiments back with us."
"By ascend… you mean mere upgrades of armor." She spit blood aside. "Ascend is completely different than you think."
"Shut up!" 898 barked.
Lily coughed to the next blow she earned. She grunted painfully, her body still recovering when Vernage fought the Bros in the ship. Her eyes nearly blurred by the onset of unconsciousness.
"HEY ASSHOLES!"
The duo paused and turned around, finding their fellow experiment in armor. In his right hand was the Pandora's Box that was shrouded by the Hardlight whereas the fullbottes were in the other hand.
"You… idiot… I thought… I told you to… stay put?" Lily growled softly.
"Like hell I am sis! I am never leaving anyone behind! Not now, not ever!"
"Then you will comply with giving us the Pandora's Box?" 899 questioned.
"Wait bro, he didn't bring those kiddos." said 898.
"Oh yeah we did tell him. Got some explaining to do, 931. We did warn you what will happen."
"It's 'Cody'! Remember that, brain for bolts!" The blonde snapped, "And I didn't promise anything to you fools."
He tossed away the bottles and box, infuriating the twins. "I am going to kick both your asses and send you psychopaths back to hell you came from!"
"Bro."
"Yeah." 898 and 899 placed their hands on their own chests, and then Cross saw their Aura glimmer and reveal the outline of themselves. 899 tossed aside his visor and slowly raised the weapon and it was there the dragon rider heard 899 speak but it wasn't just his voice but 898's own, as if the duo were in sync. The patch over their eyes was pried away and revealed a symbol of a gear once more.
GEAR ENGINE
899 first slotted in his bottle, only to remove it and place it in the one his brother handed him.
GEAR REMOCON!
FUNKY MATCH!
His wolfish smile grew and said, "Jundou."
FEVER!
Blue and white gears flew around 898 this time, hovering before grinding and slamming onto his body, spinning and churning together as a new faceplate, one of blue and white together slammed onto the face and spun until it was upward but soon the color changed into red and dark blue instead, making it slightly different from the first time..
PERFECT!
Sparks exhaled from the joints of his arms, shoulders, face, and chest. "Hell Bros Zwei, sanjou."
Brandishing the chainsaw hammer, the unified Rider lunged, forcing Cross-Z to leap box as the chainsaw hammer shredded the dirt and grass it impacted. The dragon rider delivered a double cross to the gear rider's ribs, earning a grunt. Then the former experiment ducked and gave a knee to the stomach.
"Gotta do better than that, 931." The Rider unleashed several gears from its armor, firing projectiles at him.
"Guh! Just when I thought one of you having this was bad enough, both of you make it difficult now…" Cross-Z growled in annoyance.
"It's pointless, 931. You couldn't defeat Lord Evol. You can't even defeat the might of hell itself." Twisting the grip of the chainsaw hammer, Hell Bros Zwei dug one foot into the dirt and swung horizontally. Cross saw it and leapt but he didn't expect the weapon to rotate and provide a push of force, allowing it to swing backwards, slamming into his back.
Cross felt the blades of the chainsaw hammer churn across the armor. The collision created a flurry of sparks, the back of the blue armor slowly heating up until being launched into a tree. The tree itself fell backwards upon the powerful collision.
"You have no answer to the question I told you before, don't you?"
"Go to hell…"
"Hmph. Then die." The red and blue Rider raised the hammer to crush the brat's head into bloody pieces.
That was until two metal claws stopped the swing, narrowly touching Cross's helmet. He exerted but it wouldn't budge. He and Cody darted to Lily who was weakly holding the box.
"The only one to die… is you." She looked at the box. "Vernage… do it."
Her hair shimmered into its moonlight white color before the device on the box twisted. "Cody… Lily devised this idea but only if you accept… the Evol Genes within you."
"Accept… his Genes within me?" He questioned her.
Hell Bros Zwei swung the arms away and rushed towards Vernage.
Cross lowered his head before his fingers dug into the dirt. "Even if I am the son of that bastard… I'll never be like him. DO IT!"
Vernage removed the hardlight device and rested her hands on the box.
XXX
Evol raised his head to the sky, sensing his genetics within the Box react. He stared at the crimson hue in the sky far away and chuckled darkly. "Phase 2 is on my doorstep. Excellent."
XXX
The red energy erupted, startling the combined Rider whereas the said energy from Pandora's Box fluctuated before shooting straight towards Cross-Z. The crimson hie shrouded him at first and suddenly the obsidian bottle floated to him, absorbing it. Behind the lenses, Cody's eyes glowed red.
"I will use this power… and change it to save Remnant!" He shouted with all of his might.
The obsidian bottle cracked and shattered most of the outer layer, making it that of a normal sized Fullbottle. But this has the depictions of several dragon heads with one larger one in the center as it retained whatever coloring it had before.
"Place it into the knuckle!"
With a nod, he took out his Magma Knuckle as he placed it in the weapon, causing a plume of heat and smoke to eject from it before he inserted it into the driver.
'Lily's theory was right…'
BOTTLE BURN!
CROSS-Z MAGMA!
As weapon was inserted into the driver, the middle section split apart to reveal the bottle, now gaining a orange glow to it. He then began to crank and churn the lever on it, only for a large, mechanical version of the fist weapon to appear behind him, but even more so was that it was filled with molten magma within it as the heat from it could be felt even from a good distance, yet for him he barely felt it as he stopped churning the lever.
ARE YOU READY?!
"HENSHIN!" He shouted and soon the magma container was tilted towards the blonde, causing it to pour all of its contents all over the boy, even causing it to spill outward in front of him.
"Seems he killed himself from such a foolish attempt." 899 noted with a chuckle.
"Gone like other pests." 898 added.
"You're both wrong… He's evolving." Vernage noted.
Soon as the final drop of magma was spilled, several serpentine dragon heads began to sprout from the magma, reaching out only for all of the magma to harden into obsidian. But the giant mechanical fist that held all of it wasn't done as it soon tilted back into its regular position, to reel back and slam into the hardened obsidian, only to shatter away.
But now standing there was a new Cross-Z, one that was fiery orange with obsidian black armor coverings on it. He had also several dragons now lining his suit, from his shins, to his forearms, to his shoulders and chest, while he now sprouted two magma wings on his back as the visor was now a fiery orange with a obsidian black dragon in the center.
GOKUNETSU KINNIKU!
CROSS-Z MAGMA!
ACHACHACHACHACHACHA ACHA!
"My power is overflowing...my soul is burning...and my magma is surging!" Cross-Z Magma thundered. "Let's do this, Hell Bros!"
With a single step, he made a soft explosion, only to use it to propel himself as he punched the brothers with his fist, sending them flying far. His magma wings igniting as with a flap he launched himself after them, ready to show them that he is not to be trifled with.
The combined Hell Bros howled from the punch he gave them as it broke off the helmet from it, and even more so left a branded mark of the boys' fist from it. Even from that hit, they could tell his power just reached a new level.
But what made the united Rider realize in shock at how powerful he has become, the evil rider realized he just launched them in one hit, right back to the lake they all crash landed in.
'He… has that much strength from one hit?' Hell Bros Zwei questioned in shock.
"Where do you think you're looking?"
A chilling voice rang behind Hell Bros Zwei, as he felt the same fear that Evol brought. Upon turning he was only brought face to face with the new magma visor of Cross-Z, slamming the fused duo into the river below.
The fused enemy was ready to swim back up, the river began to boil only for in moments the entire river to evaporate as they looked to see the changed rider now in the center of the evaporated pond.
"What's wrong? I thought you were going to stop me?" Cross-Z taunted the enemy.
"Just because you changed armors as well, doesn't mean you're any stronger-"
"Phase 1…" Cross-Z muttered as within an instant, he was behind Hell Bros Zwei, only for them to feel several red hot hits to their body, causing them to flail in response from the hits. "That is for those people you killed on the airship."
He punched the red and blue Rider again. "That is for the beating you gave me." The magmatic Rider reared his fist back, now burning with intense flames. "And this is for threatening to touch Lily!" He brought his fist down, creating a geyser of fire on impact.
Orange lenses stared down at the dark rider who groaned. Hell Bros Zwei heard the churning crank of the lever on the belt as the sound of a guitar rift was being played.
"And tell Evol… I will destroy him for good…" Cross-Z said coldly before jumping into the air. He flew downward with several dragons behind him before they coiled around his foot, igniting it in the orange and black fires he now has.
READY? GO!
VOLCANIC FINISH! ACHACHACHACHACHA ACHAAAA~!
As the dragon rider connected the kick, it sent the combined rider into the air above the evaporated pond, only for a powerful explosion to erupt from the kick as the two brothers were now unconscious, covered in severe burns and soot as they landed on the ground hard and defeated.
"Hmph, who's the weak one now?" scoffed the Rider. With a flap of his magmatic wings, he flew back to Lily to check up on her. Though as he was flying, steam was pooling out of his armored body, most likely cooling down from the powerful attack…. But even more so with a few small 'Hot' whimpers from the rider.
XXX
After the rider returned back to the dome, he looked over to Pandora's Box first to return it back to its secret state after he picked it up. With it set, he went over to Lily who was back inside of the dome, as he entered it and hoped she was okay.
"Are you okay, Lily?" He asked her with worry, though with his armor still on it was hard to show his worried face.
What he got was a punch to the face by her Technomacy.
"Wh-What was that for?!"
"For not listening to me. I told you and you didn't listen! You could have gotten yourself killed by the twins!"
"Ha?! I saved your butt! Shouldn't you be grateful that you're not dead thanks to me!?" Lily then placed him in a headlock, a vein coming up in her forehead.
"You… stubborn idiot!" She barked.
"So are you, idiot!" Cody huffed, as his armor finally dissipated, returning him back to normal, but now also showing burns marks on his body.
The former Faust agent slowly loosened her grip but before Cody could speak, he heard her say, "thank you."
The blonde smiled thinly and patted her arm. "We're family aren't we?"
"Yeah… we are…." Lily smiled, soon hugging the boy as he returned it back to her. Knowing that now he had the power to take on the Hell Bros and maybe even Evol at this point. He can only hope so, as he doesn't want anyone to sacrifice themselves for him.
"Sis… about Magma… how did you know that was the solution?"
"I remembered you explained Evol used his Phase 1 to defeat you. The very form that came into contact with your Bottle." She explained. "In theory, it needed something that can reactivate its functions of equal scale but at the same time it required a matching sequence."
"The genes I inherited from Evol…"
"From there, I had to convince Vernage to temporarily use the box."
"She tried to scream at you, not wanting that to happen, didn't she?" Cody guessed.
"Oh she did. I have to sleep for a few days in turn, so… you will be stuck with her for that time."
"She really acts like a mom to you."
"… of sorts…" Lily murmured to herself. Deep down, the growing bond between herself and Vernage had become the equivalent of mother and daughter given their history together in the past.
"Well, either way… We stopped them. But I think moving the area to another safer location would be good. Don't want another repeat…" He suggested to her.
"Yeah… I guess." Lily had to agree with Cody. The former experiments had to be moved elsewhere and it won't be easy as it sounds.
At least now they will have a better chance of countering Evol and his organization.
Alas what the three (Vernage included) was they had played into Evol's palm.
XXX
Evol whistled a melody as he strided across the forest, spinning his finger around the air. He hopped over a Beowolf that disintegrated by him before punching another sky high. He was so glad his plans were going well. The witch still had no luck stopping him. Ah, the sweet smell of success!
The cosmic entity came to a stop and slid down the slope of the evaporated lake. He spun around in joy before slowing down and saw the two little devils who were unconscious. He knelt down, poking the two.
The snake stared before he slapped them both awake, startling them.
"Lord Evol, sir!" The two squeaked with a salute.
"Well, glad to see you're not dead yet." Evol noted with some amusement. "I take it you two knuckleheads actually lost?"
"Y-Yes… sir… 931 erupted with such power… And I'm sure he was still holding back…" The Phase 1 Entity chuckled, confusing the twins. "Sir?"
"It explains why I sensed my genes going haywire earlier. The boya awakened it."
"But.. we failed! We couldn't get the experiments nor the box!" 898 gawked.
"Yeeaaah no." Evol pushed himself up. "You two lost but you also allowed me to begin Phase 2." He snapped his fingers.
A Faust Guardian approached and presented the Fullbottles it took during the fight between Cross and the Hell Bro Zwei.
"This… was all part of your plan?" 899 questioned.
"We may not have my box but this step has been all part of my plan from the very beginning." Evol stretched before he swiftly extended his hand, allowing a rock to manifest to impale a squid-like Grimm. "Unlike Salem, I am quick on my work. So please, hold the applause on my brilliant work!" Evol made a mock bow.
The twins gawked. Their lord really was smart to even think this far ahead. He knew that defeat or not, he was expecting Cody to awaken the Evolto Genes to unlock more power. With it meant Evol's next step has been made.
"Hear that Salem? I am going to be the first ever to succeed! The gods can go kiss my ass when I eat this planet as my most favorite meal of all of my lifetime… hmm… maybe I should eat bits of this planet when I unlock Black Hole… as a snack. I am starving!" He waved his squad. "Let's get going! I am in the mood for some of my coffee in the meantime!"
"Bleh." The Hell Bros cringed.
"I heard that!"
On the other end of the feed, Salem watches as it gets cut off. The witch hissing in utter anger and rage as this had made her change her plans. She had to act now and take down anything that snake held onto, and make sure it doesn't get back up again.
Beacon was going to fall much sooner than it expected. Evol had no need for the Four Relics given all he needs is Cody and the fabled Pandora's Box. He already has completed several steps within one mere fight. That was how intelligent Evol was. That's how strategic he is as his brain ran faster than anyone on the planet. His speed, strength, tenacity all of it spoke of his might as the cosmic lifeform. Even if Beacon were to fall, he would simply shrug at it and merely continue his merry way with his mission through the chaos that he… wanted…
Her mind screeched to a complete halt.
Evol wanted the chaos to happen. Her fingers slowly curled in realization.
'You conniving snake.'
She had been dancing in his palm as intended!
But this now begs the question… If he's wanting all of this chaos and destruction to occur as well… what else was he waiting for other than the boy? Was it to reawaken his power to eat the world bit by bit? Or to see… of course.
He wanted to see the world burn as he devours it. He never stated the burning to be done by his hand. It could be done by anyone and he would still eat it amidst the chaos and destruction.
For now, all she can do is continue on with her plans. Once Beacon falls, she can try to change things around again whilst still searching for the other Maidens and Relics.
This was a race against time and the snake was already ahead.
XXX
A/N: At last! Magma Form has debuted! As much as I wanted to get this one out earlier? I'm still satisfied on this chap. Of course, this isn't the last bit of excitement as we'll be going into more later on.
But until then, later minna!