Author Note: Thanks all of you for your massive support! I appreciate every single review, favorite and follow I got just in this short time. I never thought I would get so much positive feedback, thanks a lot! I hope you all enjoy the second chapter from this story as well.
"Naruto." Speech
'Naruto.' Think
Warning: English isn't my first language, but I try my best.
The pillar of white light drew the attention of everyone, not just a certain elf girl with long gold-blond hair. A certain woman also looked at the massive pillar of white light from a distance. She was searching for her little sister like mad and simply couldn't find her. Iris Midgar was the first princess of the Midgar Kingdom and known as strongest swordswoman of Midgar.
Iris was a red-headed beauty with fiery straight hair that reached down to her back and red eyes. She wore a knight order uniform sans cape, a royal dark violet uniform with light edges and black should straps, with cuffs folded back one-third up her arm from the wrist. Part of her attire required her to wear white gloves for her dressing, a black shirt with matching edges to her uniform, and a ruby-like gem with a single ribbon necktie that stretched down into her uniform. Iris wore white tights and knee-high heeled boots with single-tie laces at the collar which fold over, and she could normally be seen with her sword adorning her side on her waist belt.
Iris was a brave, diligent, and prideful swordswoman who earnestly strived to fulfill her duty to protect her kingdom. She was revered as an exemplary warrior and princess by not only her people but the world as well. Ever since Iris was young, she was held in high regard for her abilities and accomplishments, which led to her people regarding her as the pride or icon of Midgar. She worked diligently to uphold not only her father's but her people's expectations of her as a symbol of hope, protection, power, and victory.
She looked at the massive pillar of white magic and didn't know what to say. She hadn't seen anyone so far even when at more than one place in the capitol a few houses were destroyed in explosions. It was as if a group of people were attacking those houses at the same time. She had this feeling that her little precious sister was where this massive pillar of white magic was created. She jumped from a house and ran as fast as her legs could carry her towards the white pillar of magic enhanced with mana.
She simply hoped that her little sister was still alive and ok. She would never forgive herself if Alexia would be dead.
At another part of the capitol came someone to the elf girl with the long gold-blond hair and blue eyes. "Alpha!" said another woman. Alpha looked behind her and could see a comrade from her. "What's wrong, Beta?" asked Alpha.
Alpha was a young, slender, voluptuous, and extremally ravishingly beautiful female elf with long golden blond hair and blue eyes. Those who once saw her are said to be become utterly mesmerized by her bewitching beauty. Even Shadow himself described her as an unparalleled beauty, standing in a league of her own among the most beautiful individuals. She appeared to be the perfect embodiment of elegance, with features so refined that it seemed as though someone had sculpted her out of stone, meticulously chiseling her body with the most graceful and exquisite features. She adorned herself in the customary slime bodysuit, with the chest area exposing her cleavage. There were also unique decorations patterned around her uniform, reminiscent of her gown's décor, with numerous gold accents displaying status. She wore Shadow Garden bracers with golden ends, lining, and design, signifying her authority. The lining of her shoulders connected at the throat where a piece of the bodysuit was stylistically placed over her sternum. Under her breasts, a gold diamond shape was centered atop her diaphragm, with two parallel gold trims starting from her bustier at the exposed cleavage and descending to where her torso meets her pelvis. Along her hips were ornate golden stripes, with symmetrical decoration of two belts originating from her inner thigh and a third belt around the center of the femur. On her feet, she wore platform high heels with gold edged collars.
She was the second-in-command of Shadow Garden, being the first of the original "Seven Shadows", as well as a descendant of the "Elf Hero" Olivier. After being cured of Demon Possession by Naruto and being found later on by Shadow, she devoted her life to finding others like her and helping Shadow to fight the cult of Diabolos. She grew his organization rapidly into a world-class superpower in only two years. But she never forgets the boy 5 years ago who gave her the opportunity to hear the truth about everything. Only because of that boy 5 years ago had she the chance to meet Shadow and hear the entire truth. Only because of the boy 5 years ago could she went her new path she chooses.
"That magic… what should we do? This isn't from Shadow-sama. Someone else has caused this massive pillar of white magic," said Beta a bit worried. No one except Shadow himself was capable of creating such a massive magic explosion. No one else in Shadow Garden, not even Alpha could cause such an overwhelming disaster. It was overwhelming looking at this massive pillar of white magic that split the heavens and evaporated the ground and everything it touched. The location where the pillar had its beginning was also the location where one of the facilities was which was targeted. Shadow wanted to deal with this facility himself but now seeing how an unknown individual causing such a massive explosion was worrying for every member from Shadow Garden. If Shadow would have caused this massive pillar of magic, then everything would have been fine but with an arrival from an unknown individual who could kill everyone from Shadow Garden and maybe even threaten Shadow himself was very bad.
Beta was the second member of Shadow Garden, being one of the original "Seven Shadows". Beta was a beautiful young voluptuous Elf with blue pupils and shoulder-length silver hair with a left braid behind her ear and a mole underneath the corner of her eye on the same side. Those who once saw her were said to be utterly mesmerized by her bewitching beauty. Her Shadow Garden outfit consisted of a low-cut dark slime suit that exposed her cleavage with golden decorations around her chest, shoulder, arms and waist. Her collar was styled with shoulder guards that latched onto two ribbon capes, each ending with golden clasps adorned with tassels. The torso of her bodysuit had gold edged one-piece black bustier that dressed atop ink gray leggings, which also had golden trimming from the center of each breast to where her abdomen meets her inner thighs. Her sleeves were black with matching cesti around her forearms and black gloves on her hands. Along her waist was a black belt with golden buckles and gold plating on her hips, acting as a decorative armor. The leggings were connected to her boots lining down the fibula of her legs, which wrapped the insides of her legs, decorated with gold rings and lining. There was an asymmetrical aesthetic to her suit, where a single belt looped around her right leg above the knee. Within the golden parts of her attire, there were violet gemstones which resemble the color of her master's magic.
"I know," said Alpha while a small smile was attached to her face. "We will go there immediately." Alpha jumped from the high building she was currently on the roof and didn't let Beta time to answer since she jumped to the location immediately. Beta simply followed Alpha and trusted her like always. Alpha was a trusted leader since Shadow wasn't directly involved in every decision Shadow Garden made. They only saw him when something really big happened and since he always knew anything, Shadow Garden didn't thought that Shadow needed to be informed since he always appeared when it was really necessary.
The other members of Shadow Garden who were also present in the capitol at the moment made their way towards that massive white pilar of magic. When everyone began to make their way towards the source of the explosion, the pillar of white magic simply began to dissolve and revealed a massive crater that had destroyed a few house blocks, streets and other things. The hidden tunnels beneath the capital were all visible from the edge of the massive crater.
Alexia Midgar looked into the cloudless night sky with an absent look. She stood at the edge of the crater in the tunnel which she stood and observed the fight between Naruto and Zenon. She looked around and couldn't really grip what happened just a few seconds ago. In one moment, Naruto was fighting the genius and her kidnaper and directly followed a blinding white light which blinded her and when it was gone, there she stood at the edge of a massive crater.
She felt a touch on her neck and after that she widened her eyes while her body didn't reacted to her commands anymore. She was simply falling forward, and her vision became a blur before she became unconscious. Naruto held her and gently laid her on the ground. He couldn't let her see anymore than he already did. He was driven by rage when he met Zenon and Alexia. Normally he would have disguised himself as his fake identity, but he didn't think about it at that situation. He simply wanted to make Zenon Griffey pay. His gold-blond hair began to change its color to pitch black and it became even a bit longer with 2 long bangs now framing his face. His blue eyes became blood red and his round pupil changed into a black slit. (Author Note: Just look at the cover image and you will know exactly how he looks right now.) He stood up and took his jacket and covered Alexia with it. He stood up and looked down at Alexia.
"I have to say, you were faster here than I first anticipated," said Naruto with a deeper voice. He manipulated his voice with some magic to make it sound different than his original voice. He turned around and saw Alpha and Beta standing next to each other. They were wearing their hoods so only their lips could be seen because of the shadow of the hoods from their body suits.
"Who are you?" asked Beta with a serious voice.
"That isn't important," said Naruto while his blood red eyes shimmered dangerously. His whisker marks also were more feral looking than before. He looked at Beta and could see her twitch from his look. "You should probably go because the big sister from little Alexia here is on her way."
"What is your goal? Why did you help the princess and with who are you working together?" asked Beta. She wanted to get as much information from this unknown individual as possible. Maybe he would never become an enemy from Shadow Garden, but it could well be that he would attack Shadow Garden. Nothing was known about this mysterious, dangerous man in front of her. She didn't feel safe even with Alpha beside her. She was sure that the both of them didn't have a chance against this dangerous man with the frightening red eyes.
"You should know when to retreat, woman," said Naruto while he was grabbing the grip of his sword which was sheathed. "I guess I simply have to deal with you right now."
"Wait!" said Alpha. Naruto stopped pulling the sword out of its sheath and looked at Alpha. Her hoody simply vanished, revealing her stunning beauty to Naruto. "Alpha-sama! Why did you do this?" asked Beta, shocked. She couldn't understand why she revealed herself to this dangerous man.
Naruto looked a bit surprised and sheathed his sword again before relaxing his body stand. "So, your name is Alpha… you have come a long way from the first time I saw you 5 years ago," said Naruto while he smirked.
"Yes… I found my way and never gave up. I found new comrades and a purpose in my life," said Alpha with a smile. She could still feel the sensation from 5 years ago. The sensation of freedom and relief when she saw how her body was back to normal.
"Then I am glad," said Naruto. "What do you want from me? With your 3 comrades at your side…" Just when Naruto said this landed 2 others girl with a bodysuit next to Alpha and Beta. "… you definitely aren't here to talk about the past and to thank me because I cured you 5 years ago."
"No… all we want is to know what happened here and where Zenon Griffey is," said Alpha with an authority that didn't let room for her comrades to say anything else. One of the girls was even shaking when she looked into the bloodred eyes from Naruto.
"Didn't you saw the massive pillar of my magic?" asked Naruto. "I got a little tip that the second princess was held hostage here. Turned out the genius Zenon Griffey was the one who was responsible for all what was happening in this facility, and he was also the one who experimented on girls with the demon possession. I fought him for a while before I blew everything up. Nothing more is to say about the event that took place in the tunnels."
Alpha simply nodded and said, "Thank you for your answer. It makes things easier for me and my comrades. We will leave for today, but I am sure we will see each other again, Menma."
Naruto simply turned around and took the princess into his arms and held her like a bride. He looked over his shoulder and said, "We will see about that, Alpha." He looked forth and walked deeper into the dark tunnels.
"Alpha, why did you just let him leave? I am sure he knows more than what he let on! In this facility was an important information we needed but now we aren't able to find this important information!" said one of the 2 newcomers.
"We go for now, Epsilon. The first princess will be here any second." Alpha turned around and jumped away with mana enhancing her body. Every other person followed her and just in time before Iris Midgar appeared on the edge of the massive crater. After the 4 members of Shadow Garden were a good distance away from the crater, they stopped.
"Alpha, what was the meaning of this?" asked Epsilon. Epsilon was the fifth member of Shadow Garden, being one of the original "Seven Shadows". Epsilon was a young Elf with a highly refined posture and a beautiful smooth face. She had long light blue hair tied into pigtails. The color of her eyes was purple, different than the color of her hair. Those who once saw her were said to be utterly mesmerized by her bewitching beauty. She had a curvy figure with great curves, good buttocks and giant breasts. As a member of the Shadow Garden, she used a dark colored slime bodysuit with a distinctive pattern adorned on the chest with a mix of colors, gold, and sapphire. There was a gold decoration on the arms and shoulders, as well as purple sapphire accessories on the arms, shoulders, and stomachs. She used a long purplish colored scarf with gold accessories and purple sapphire at the edges.
"Look at Delta," said Alpha. Epsilon looked at Delta and got wide eyes when she saw her. Delta was crouching in a corner and was whimpering. Her entire body was shaking as if she was fearing something. Delta, formerly known as Sara, was the fourth member of Shadow Garden, being one of the original "Seven Shadows". As a Beastkin Wolf, she served as the organization's main combat force but lacked any other noteworthy talents.
Delta was a beautiful teenage girl with long black hair and with large wolf ears on top of her head. She sported purple eyes. Her body was a slender build with an ample bosom. As a Beastkin race, Delta possessed the species' natural traits which were her large wolf ears and a thick tail. She wore a customary slime bodysuit with black and bronze decorations on the shoulder, stomach, and thighs. The setting was open in her stomach and wore feather accessories around her neck.
By the common personality of any Beastkin, Delta was often described as a musclehead and depicted as excitable and immature, akin to a child. She also referred to herself in the third person. As a member of Shadow Garden, Delta loved fighting. She was shown to be merciless and sadistic towards enemies, leaving none of them alive. This made her dangerous, as she would go overboard in brutality and even unnerve her master and her comrades. This was a trait of Beastkin, who would follow the strongest life form, regarding them as their leader when Delta acknowledged only strength and she swears loyalty to Shadow in awe of his overwhelming power. She's very bloodthirsty, along with her nature as a Beastkin, making her prone to react impulsively, almost often resorting in killing as the solution to any problem they had, or merely due to being bored.
This beastkin who reacted mostly on instinct and was merciless when she was hunting her preys was whimpering in the corner like she saw an overwhelming force that she wouldn't dare to touch because she was confronted with an overwhelming being that could easily kill her. She was also the one who was shaking when she saw Naruto. Those blood red eyes and the aura he had were simply too much for Delta. She only ever felt such an overwhelming aura from Shadow himself and back then it wasn't nearly as dangerous as the aura she felt today.
"W-what?" asked Epsilon, unsure what she should make out of it.
"Delta felt how strong the man was who stood just 3 meters in front of us a few minutes ago. Her instinct told her that he was too dangerous and now she reacts like the first time when she saw Shadow the very first time. She wouldn't dare to attack someone who was so much more powerful than her," answered Alpha while she looked over the capitol.
"T-that can't be. No one is as strong as Shadow-sama," said Epsilon. She just couldn't believe it.
"Open your eyes, Epsilon. Just look at the massive crater the man created with his magic attack," said Alpha and mentioned to the massive crater Naruto created. Epsilon knew it but she just didn't want to believe that someone else was as strong as her beloved master. Shadow-sama was always this untouchable force, king and being that no one could reach. Now seeing how someone had displayed a power only someone who was as strong as Shadow could unleash was simply shattering the image of Shadow as the perfect being who was unstoppable. With Shadow as their leader, Shadow Garden simply couldn't lose no matter the situation. With the appearance of this man on the picture… it simply changed everything.
"I know that!" said Epsilon. She knew it but simply didn't want to believe in this new reality. She was intelligent enough to know that it was true, but she just didn't want to believe in it.
"What should we do now, Alpha?" asked Beta. She realized it from the start that someone appeared who could destroy everything Shadow Garden stands for. This man was more dangerous than any member of the Cult of Diabolos. She could only hope that this man didn't chose to fight Shadow Garden.
"Nothing. Overall was the operation a success. We destroyed all locations and facilities from the Cult of Diabolos in the capitol. We will retreat and shape new plans," answered Alpha.
"What is your connection to this man? You know him, do you?" asked Epsilon.
Alpha simply nodded and looked to the sky where all the beautiful stars shone. "He was the one who cured me 5 years ago. Shadow wasn't the one who saved me from the curse, it was Menma." 'At least that was how he named him 5 years ago. I am sure that is also just a codename to hide his real identity,' thought Alpha. She had searched for Menma over the past 5 years but couldn't find anything about a boy named Menma.
"I understand," said Beta. She knew both had a certain connection. She only hopes that this connection would protect Shadow Garden from Menma who cured Alpha 5 years ago.
"It was only because of Menma that I got the chance to meet Shadow and heart the entire truth from him. Menma was the entire reason why I could join Shadow Garden and search for others with the curse. Only because of Menma are we here today," said Alpha.
"Do you mean that Shadow-sama wouldn't have cured us without your presents?" asked Beta with narrowed eyes. Alpha looked at Beta with a smile. "I don't say anything here. Fact is that Shadow helped everyone of you and I was the one who found you before Shadow came and cured all of you."
Alpha turned around after that and walked away. Beta looked after Alpha and didn't say anything. She was one of the most intelligent members of the 7 shades. She was the one who always analyzed all information they got and during a meeting she was the one who presented a short and compromised form of the important information to the other shades. She could see the connection Alpha made with her statement and even when she wanted to deny that claim… she couldn't. The statement Alpha made was true to a certain extent. She was the second shade who joined Shadow Garden and before they found Gamma, Shadow hadn't done anything to find other girls. Alpha and herself were the ones who found the other shades and Shadow simply followed them when the time came. She simply went after Alpha; her thoughts were full of what happened today. It was as if the appearance of just one man changed everything they knew, believed and much more.
Epsilon also followed them, buried in her own thoughts about the entire event that took place today. Delta was left behind but that wasn't a problem. She always found her way back to the other members of Shadow Garden. She just needed a bit more time to work things out on her own. Naruto just looked at her one single time and that was enough to completely dominate her. His power was just too massive in her eyes and because of that her instincts went into overdrive. She needed to calm down first and went on a good hunt before she would go back to Shadow Garden.
"Alexia!" yelled Iris while she was going down the massive crater. She stopped when she heard footsteps from one of the revealed tunnels. She got wide-eyes when she saw her little sister being carried like a bride by an unknown man with spiky black hair, blood red eyes and 6 feral looking whisker marks on his face.
"Iris Midgar," said Naruto. "Your sister is safe and simply needs a bit of time to recover." Both were standing right in front of each other. Naruto bend a bit forward and Iris took Alexia without thinking. After Iris held Alexia in her arms, she sighed in relieve. She didn't see how Naruto turned around and went deeper back into the darkness of the tunnel.
"Wait!" said Iris. Naruto stopped and looked over his shoulder. "What happened here? What caused this massive explosion and who are you?"
Naruto didn't say a word for a few seconds. His blood red eyes simply shimmered in the darkness of the tunnel he was standing in. Iris narrowed her eyes at his silence. "Zenon Griffey was the one who was behind all of this. He was kidnapping girls who were infected with the demon possession and did experiments with them. Your sister was also a victim of his power-hungry self. I killed him and blew the facility up like you saw just 2 minutes ago. I was the one who saved your little sister from her demise. My name isn't important as you will not see me again after today." That was the moment he simply walked into the darkness of the tunnels and vanished in the darkness.
Iris would have followed him if she hadn't Alexia in her arms right now. She simply turned around and made her way to a place where she could help her sister, but she looked out of the corner of her eyes at the tunnel Naruto vanished. She would get behind all of this and who this mysterious person was.
On one of the many skyscapers stood a single person, overlooking everything. He sighed when he saw how everything ended. 'Man, I wanted to be the one who entered in such a badass way!' thought the man. This was shadow, the leader of Shadow Garden. He enjoyed the show he got from the fight between Naruto and Zenon but he simply wished he was there first. How cool would have been his entrance in his cool slime suit in the middle of the darkness of the tunnels? He would have fought Zenon Griffey and would have ended it in a badass manner! 'Well, never mind. This was just one event. There will be more chances to have my badass entrance as the Shadow Eminence. I will look forward to it.' thought Shadow. He couldn't simply run into the confrontation because it was Naruto who appeared. He used him to stay of out sight in his normal persona after all. He couldn't simply have a entrance with Naruto present. He jumped from the skyscraper and just wanted to go home to get some sleep. He was a bit tired from the boring day. He had his fun at the start but he couldn't get his badass entrance as Shadow Eminence... well it was what it was. He couldn't change this fact, at least he got some gold coins from the guys he fought.
Author Note: That would be it for the second chapter! I hope you all enjoyed it. I tried to show the aftermath of this situation as accurate as possible. I hope you all understood everything I wanted to ell you guys with this chapter. If there are any questions, pls feel free to write me a p.m. or a review. I would love to have you all on my side when the next chapter drops. See ya to this point in the future!