Monica's Vendetta

[Chris 2.1]

Powarun: It may well not be. But seeing as we are at Ch19, (and 9 pages in, I may add), I cant see the fic being longer than 40 Chapters. I may surprise myself, as I did think Revolution would only be 20 Chapters long (and It reached 37). Seeing as I am still planning the fic (how it ends, what happens, why, how etc etc yaddah) it could well reach more than 38 chapters (double 19, which is what we're at).

Actually Monica is Level 11 but we don't know if Lee is stronger. He WAS Level 10 at the end of MR but in the space between MR and MV he could have grown levels. We'll have to see.

Pyrites did indeed kill Martha, sneakily, too. He seems very strong, but does he have a side? Who thinks Pyrites will join Roger or Monica's sides? Maybe he'll stay on the fence. Thoughts, anyone?

Beautiful ending? Maybe. Gruesome ending? Maybe. Fantastic, Memorable ending? Definitely

[Chris 2.1]

New Chapter time. One of the parts of this chapter, the part at the end I might add, is something I have tried incorporating into the story since during Revolution. So enjoy it

Monica’s Vendetta
Ten
The V4 Strike Again

In Perlei, Damien and Salo had reunited with Chrome and Zuuki at the main capital city, Colina. At this grand metropolis, the four recalled to where this was they first met each other, although back then, each of them were no more than mere opposition to the other. It was here the four each took part in the Colina Tournament. Some, like Zuuki and Damien, were simply competing to showcase their skill. Meanwhile, Chrome and Salo, who were, back then, rivals, each vied for the possession of the Fire Emblem. Perhaps if these two had realized they shared a common goal so long ago (and their respected allies – Chrome was working with his brother, Afee, while Salo worked with Phoenix), then they could have saved a lot of time. Almost like a butterfly effect, it was possible everything could have been different at that pivotal point in the journey.

“Glad you arrived,” Chrome shouted, seeing Salo and Damien. “You were very quick saying your goodbyes; Zuuki and I did not expect to see for you a day or so.”

“I was the one holding us up,” Salo grinned. “Grandma was so sad to see me go…but she knows I will return one day. Damien was really quick; he was less than an hour!”

“Are you ok, Damien?” Zuuki asked, seeing a lack of colour in the boy’s cheeks.

“Fine,” Damien lied. “Father was just quite…rude to me. He didn’t want me to come.”

In truth, Damien was not ‘fine’. Guilt was shredding his insides, and his stomach felt full of angry, vicious snakes. He had to kill his Father – he was holding him back from his destiny. On the journey back to Colina, Damien had been staging this debate in his mind, the debate of whether or not being in the AU was what he wanted. At one side, yes, he wanted to be in the AU a lot. He was a young man of dignity and respect, always wanting the best of both. Redeeming himself with the AU was one way of keeping a firm grasp on these vital things. Helping out now would hopefully sort everything out. However, if anybody was to learn of what he had done to his father…Damien shuddered at the thought. In their eyes, he would definitely be ‘bad’. He was a murderer.

“I said we should go and sort him out,” Salo chuckled to Chrome. “But you were so persistent!”

“Sometimes we need persistence to remind ourselves of the task at hand,” Damien told Salo, eyes locked into Chromes. Damien knew Chrome did not approve of him returning with the AU after his leaving of the group before they arrived at Yilliap Island. In Chrome’s eyes, Damien was a coward. Another reason not to run.

“We’re here,” Zuuki cut in. “The telepathy circle will take us to Evayard. We just need to make sure we all think the same things and hold hands to keep our energy flowing.”

Wandering up the white marble steps in the center of the bustling city, they arrived in the telepathy circle. Holding each others hands, the four stood, surrounded by white roman pillars containing this adeptry energy.

“Everybody think of Evayard,” Zuuki said softly, eyes closed. “Envision it in your mind; let the word soar across your plain of thought.”

And slowly but surely, as the four envisioned Evayard in their minds, a whirring, spinning sensation flooded their stomachs. The world they knew steadily dissolved around them, melting into a completely different environment. Evayard slowly began forming before the AU members, until, within seconds; they were in a completely new setting.

Stepping out of the Stone Circle, Zuuki looked around. A busy market was the backdrop for their new destination. It was crowded, but not overcrowded. Truth be told, the bustle was rather refined and somewhat orderly. The other three - Chrome, Damien and Salo, followed Zuuki into the main part of Crufia.

“Here we are,” Zuuki said. “Crufia.”

“It sure is different to what I imagined,” Salo told the group, looking around. “It’s nothing like Colina.”

“We have to go to the Palace,” Chrome interrupted. “To see Afee and the others.”

“Excuse me,” Zuuki said impatiently to a passer-by. “Which way is the Palace?”

“Business with Lady Farrimond?” The woman asked sweetly. “It’s just outside the town. Follow this direction until you get out of the city. Keep going and you should see it.”

“Thank you very much,” Zuuki said busily, zipping her top up, slipping on her silver shades and leading everyone else through the city. As they wandered through this large market, they noticed not just foodstuffs were being sold. A weaponry sold a variety of quality blades, albeit not adeptry ones like this group had. These were simple swords, daggers, arrows and bows. There was also another stall selling armor and shields. Other places were offering clothes, and other fabrics for sale.

Eventually arriving out of the city, the group began wandering across a plain. In the distance, a set of high mountains shielded a secluded town called Mahanui from view. Little did the group realize that Lee and new ally Gauld were in fact making their way there now.

However, as they walked, there was a sudden buzzing noise. At first it was quiet, as if a small insect was flying by. But soon it got louder and caused intrigue. Looking around, Chrome saw the occupant. A large, tree-like creature flew through the air, glowing with pulsating green energy. It had claw-like feet, with four arms and a scary face. Sitting atop it as it flapped with insect-like wings were four figures.

“What IS that?” Salo asked, bewildered.

“It looks strong,” Damien murmured.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Zuuki admitted.

“Nor have I,” Chrome replied.

“Is it attacking us?” Damien asked.

“We’ll soon see,” Chrome said bitterly. Flying at them, the large creature, roughly ten feet tall, landed with a thud. Its thin face, comprised of bark, it seemed, contained red, bulbous eyes. Three figures leapt from it.

“What are you doing?” The first asked, bearing blue hair in a short, sensible ponytail. This was Karadon. “Do you have business with Lady Farrimond and Sir Roger Megallo?”

“Yes, we do,” Chrome replied. “Our friends are falsely imprisoned; we need to speak with the Lady Farrimond to clear their name.”

“That won’t happen,” Karadon continued. “We are here to stop you.”

“Why do such a thing?” Chrome barked.

“We are Roger’s four sons,” Scott snapped. He was the Flame Champion with wild, punky hair in thick orange spikes. He was standing next to Karadon. “And we have orders.”

Luke also landed, absorbing the energy from this wooden beast. It swept into his chest and he gave a small gasp.

“Scott, you and me will stay and fight,” Karadon boomed. “We can take these four on no problem. Luke, Therebus, head off for now. We will meet again in the Library.”

As Luke, the Adept who seemed to be a Quaker, and Therebus, the pale, sickly looking Adept ran towards the Palace, Karadon and his brother Scott stood ready and waiting. Chrome and Zuuki stepped forward.

“We’ll take you on,” she growled.

“Very well,” Karadon said. “But have you ever fought such power before?”

“Oh yes,” Zuuki replied.

“I don’t think so,” Karadon chuckled. “RISE! BEHEMOTH!”

As an odd rumble shook the ground, energy was released from Karadon into a form behind him. Blue energy started to take a solid form, as thin, wide fin-like arms emerged from the side of a wide body and reached almost to its feet, getting wider as they neared the bottom. The eyes were dark red slits on its ten foot tall body, and a head was not defined much. The bold blue golem had silvery angelic symbols all over its body. It sort of looked like a whale.

“What is going on?” Chrome asked.

“Our elementas take forms of creatures,” Karadon explained, leaping higher than one would think is possible and landing on this golem’s head. “This is Behemoth.”

The creature let out a huge roar.

“And my Golem is Delvil,” Scott sneered. Next to Behemoth was a stockier, red Golem with flames shrouding its body, flickering up into the air. This figure, Delvil, was shorter and had shorter arms, but its legs were more athletic and this one looked fast. It had black horns tearing from its head, and straighter patterns of gold and black intertwined across its body. It made the area around them much warmer.

“I don’t believe it,” Chrome uttered.

“That is very strong,” Zuuki said disbelievingly. “But it is adeptral energy. All we need to do is counter it with our adeptry to destroy it.”

“Ok, I will take on Delvil with Salo,” Chrome explained. “Zuuki, you and him go and fight Behemoth.”

Damien frowned, but held his hands forward as they glowed a bright blue. Sending water energy forward into the form of an icy eagle, Damien attacked. The eagle smashed right into Behemoth and did nothing. Running through the air, drawing his Jeweled Sword, Damien prepared to strike. Behemoth swung a clumsy, heavy, paddle-like arm and smashed into the young boy, throwing him back down to the ground.

“GO!” Zuuki cried, hurling two fireballs through the air. They smashed into Behemoth and did nothing. Zuuki cast a look at her comrade, Damien, and knew physical attacking was useless.

“What can we do?” she asked. Gripping her fists, she concentrated as a circle of throbbing red energy was created on the floor. She moved it with her hand, sweeping it under Behemoth and then punching the air. “LAVA BATH!”

A hot stream of molten lava erupted upwards, engulfing Behemoth. Before it reached past the golem’s waist, it flapped its arms wide so that it flew up into the air. It landed a foot away from the attack and, angelic symbols brimming white, it sent a pulsating beam of energy from an orb that was charged between its long arms. The beam smashed into Zuuki and threw her backwards.

“NO!” she groaned.

“Behemoth, finish them both off,” Karadon snapped.

Meanwhile, Chrome fired a metallic beam of energy at Delvil. The attack did seem to hurt its arm, but it spread its arms wide and released a flurry of football-sized embers. Salo sent an angel of water soaring into the embers, dissolving many, but a majority smashed into them both. Salo was not deterred by this, charging blue energy into her staff and racing through the air. She smashed her staff into Delvil, but it kicked her back and she fell down. Getting back up, both Chrome and her created attacks and threw them at Delvil.

“ALCHAMIST DRAGON!” Chrome cried, creating a steely beam of energy which morphed into a dragon. It swept forward and smashed into Delvil, dealing good damage. Chrome then used his strength to levitate, sweeping up into the air. His left arm flashed and changed into the shape of a long, silvery lance.

He raced through the air, lance ready, watching Salo shoot jets of water at Delvil. Scott, standing on his Golem’s shoulder, saw Chrome coming and alerted his gigantic ally. Delvil looked up, having more of a head and body than Behemoth, and opening his sharp mouth, blasted a series of fireballs at Chrome. Becoming peppered by the onslaught of fire, Chrome fell to his knees.

“Look at them,” Karadon shouted. “Defeated already. And you say you are united?”

The four were gasping for breath, watching the two brothers for mercy, eyes filled with beacons of hope just begging to be spared.

Damien pulled his strength together and rose. Grabbing his sword again, he took a few steps forward as his three comrades lay defeated.

“Damien!” Salo cried. “No!”

“Oh, one has risen again,” Karadon observed. “Ready, Behemoth?”

“Delvil, get ready,” Scott said manically, smile twitching with the prospect of seeing a good, well-fought battle ending in death.

“Get back!” Zuuki shouted.

“Ancestral Oak!” Damien cried, throwing his arms up in the air. A strange glow took over him, and an odd, blue steam rose from the young man’s body.

“What is going on?” Zuuki asked.

“That is an attack in Damien’s family,” Salo explained, knowing Damien best. The two grew up together in the Oceanside city of Guellion. “I never knew Damien knew the attack itself. It allows him to psyche his body up and boost his adeptry.”

“I…never knew Damien had it in him,” Zuuki replied.

“He may not be as physically stronger as you or Chrome,” Salo began. “But his inner strength is phenomenal.”

Damien stood ready, gripping the jeweled sword. He ran at Delvil, knowing element-wise he held an advantage over him. As he leapt high, a watery pulsation engulfed his sword and he swung it down at Delvil. A deep gash emerged across the golem’s stomach, hurting it to the extent that Delvil swiped a flaming arm sideways and swatted Damien out of the air, sending him hurtling towards the ground.

“No!” Salo cried, getting up. Zuuki grabbed the young girls arm and kept her still.

“Be careful!” she warned.

“Pathetic,” Karadon snapped. “Behemoth! Utilize an Absolute Zero.”

As Behemoth charged up a devilishly-numb beam of energy, Delvil watched the on goings as Damien, Salo, Zuuki and Chrome struggled to stay up. Behemoth, after releasing the devastating beam, watched it fly into the group and cause a small explosion, sending ice energy across the field. The four screamed in various pitches as their pain reached climatic levels…

“Still with us, are you?” Karadon asked, patronizing the fallen four. As steam rose from the explosion, the four were still lying there. Salo looked unconscious. Zuuki looked to be giving in to her senses, while Chrome was still awake, screwing his face up and heaving to his feet. Damien, meanwhile, lay there, hovering between conscious and unconscious states.

“Come on, bro,” Scott snapped. “Let me finish them off. I’d use my guillotines…I’d slash their throats and watch the blood leak from their necks…”

He was interrupted when Luke summoned up a pathian. His face looked worried.

“Karadon!” he cried. “Me and Therebus –

“Therebus and I,” Karadon corrected him.

“– We’ve found out what Roger’s been looking for!” he continued. “In the Library! Just now!”

“Oh?” Karadon asked, letting his eyes travel over to the defeated AU members. “We need to finish up here first.”

“It’s VITAL you come now; Roger’s making his way down to see us once he has finished making arrangements with Teresa and with the prisoners,” Luke hurriedly spoke.

“I see,” Karadon muttered in defeat. “Do you know what he is planning with the prisoners?”

“No,” Luke said. “Quickly! Come quickly! He’ll know if we’ve been looking at books, and if he finds out we know something we aren’t telling him –

“You’re saying we use what we know as leverage?” Karadon asked.

“Therebus thinks so,” Luke corrected him. “We can get Roger to tell us what he needs the information for in exchange for him finding out what it is.”

“Very good,” Karadon replied, smirking. “We’ll get these four into the prison with their friends. Being United won’t help them if it’s united in jail…”

The pathian ended, and Karadon turned to Scott.

“Did you hear that?” He asked.

“Yea,” Scott replied.

”Capture the AU members, and take them to the hold,” Karadon explained. He turned to face the hole where the AU members were scattered, but saw that they had, in fact, disappeared.

“Where the hell are they?” Scott barked, turning in all directions. As he did so, he noticed that the four had crawled past them as they talked to Luke, and sprinted towards the main entrance to the castle. Chrome was carrying Salo in his arms, and both Zuuki and Damien looked very tired.

“GET THEM!” Karadon screamed. “Behemoth! Icicle spear!”

As humongous javelin-sized icicles were hurled through the air, the four members of the AU arrived at the castle gates. Turning, Chrome saw the large, god-like figures sending flurries of attacks their way.

“EVERYBODY, HURRY!” he roared, slamming his fist into the gates. Everything seemed to be turning around – Roger, knowing the V4 were ordered to kill the AU members, also knew he could not have security witness murder before their eyes. Thus, he had lowered security, meaning that the AU could slip into the main gates and hide from their foes.

After seeing this, Karadon and Scott both leapt off their Elementas and absorbed the energy back into their bodies. Running towards the castle gates, Karadon proceeded to see Luke and Therebus, delegating the duty of finding the AU members to Scott.

“We’re safe here,” Chrome gasped, slowly jogging through the fantastic lawns of the castle. There were many ornaments, bushes, shrubbery and plant life to hide from. Aside from escaping death, there was no denying what was obvious. Scott was going to find them, and with Salo still out of energy completely, and both Zuuki and Damien drained of strength, Chrome thought everything looked bad. Even as a lavender coloured phoenix-like bird soared across the lawns, with fantastic colours beaming from its tail, the veteran heaved a sigh.

However, he recalled something he heard Luke saying before.

“…Roger’s making his way down to see us once he has finished making arrangements with the prisoners…”

Was his brother, Afee, in danger sooner than expected? Chrome began to fear the worst as he sat, exhausted, in the fabulous gardens of Crufia Palace. Scott was nearby. He could sense it. Staring at Salo’s unconscious figure, Chrome pondered on what he was to do.


Continued in next post

[Chris 2.1]

Continued from last post


Meanwhile, further South, Nat, Al and Tekaru were readying themselves to leave Agrotatio Town after it failed to yield any successive results with regards to where Monica was being held. However, an unexpected source had come to shed light on some new information.

“Before you go,” Greta said kindly, approaching them. “My Grandson, Berah, has some important information for you.”

“You said that Monica’s kidnapper had a midnight-blue Ferrari, right?” Berah said eagerly. Tekaru, being the one who witnessed this, nodded in agreement. “Well I know a manor just North-West of Agrotatio Town, and the owner has a Ferrari in Midnight Blue.”

“Cars are not very common around here,” Greta began. “I think you have a lead.”

“How do you know this?” Nat asked.

“He was caught robbing apples,” Greta snapped. “Now, we must go. Good luck in your search for Monica. Come on, you little rascal…”

And as Greta left with her grandson in tow, the three AU members smiled in prosperity. Getting a meal down them, and preparing to leave, the three left the North-West path out of Agrotatio town, leaving behind the simple, mysterious Ghost Adeptry settlement.

Walking across the plains of Perlei, the three noticed a rather handsome lake just out of their sight. Nearby, cloaked in a thick curtain of mist was a manor, set on a hill. They knew this was it. Nat drew her Raegan Blade in ready, while Al and Tekaru decided not to bother. There was no imminent danger. Not yet, anyway.

After arriving at the manor, which was a simple, short walk away from Agrotatio Town, they noticed a high wall going around the perimeter and not making this as easy as anticipated.

“I think we’ll just have to ambush,” Tekaru concluded.

“Yea, I second that,” Al added.

“Those gates are cast-iron,” Nat noted. “Very durable. We’ll have to simply clamber over the top of the wall, creep into the mansion and when we find them, we’ll attack.”

“And what if this woman has guards?” posed Tekaru.

“Then we kill them, or maim them,” Nat said briskly. “If this woman has Monica, then she has to pay the price. I think, however, we should spread out. I’ll go around the perimeter and enter from a back door. That way, we can get them from different angles.”

“Are you sure?” Tekaru asked.

“Nat’s an independent girl,” Al told their new friend. “She can take care of herself, right?”

“Damn right,” Nat said, bidding a brief farewell to the other two as she walked down a muddy trail towards the back of the house.

“I’ll send a lightening bolt into the sky to signal the ambush,” Tekaru called out. Nat stuck her hand up in the air to show she heard him. Tekaru and Al readied themselves as they realised what they were doing. Breaking into the manor to rescue Monica. Al thought of seeing Monica’s warm smile again, and was filled with a strong sense of being and purpose. He waited to give Nat enough time to get into position. But as he glanced across at the handsome prince, he made another promise not to let Tekaru get the girl in the end. That was what he wanted, after all.

*

Meanwhile, in Altonia…

Phoenix was starting to feel his drowsiness lift. He saw his mother, standing over him, beaming proudly as if he had just conquered the world.

“What are you doing here?” Phoenix asked hesitantly. Madeline smiled.

“Keeping an eye out for my little songbird,” she told him.

“You’ve been following me?” Phoenix questioned.

“Not quite,” Madeline admitted. “We have been sending our Violini to watch over you, and they reported back to Cloudina to tell us you had decided to challenge Thorrus to a duel. Fearing the worst, we made out way here.”

“Where is Thorrus?” Phoenix asked.

“He’s gone,” Serena replied, wandering over into view. Phoenix smiled at the girl, only sixteen years of age, wielding such a strong weapon in her hands. She wore the same, loose, long sleeved silvery white clothes. Her blonde hair was still neatly bobbed, and her sapphire eyes still shone like ocean beacons. “I drove him to leave.”

“You did?” Phoenix asked, intrigued.

“Yea,” Serena replied coolly. “My Celsius attack…remember that?”

“Serena has been under my surveillance,” Madeline explained. “I have been her mentor since she returned to Cloudina, and she has achieved much stronger inner sanctity since then. The weather control Cloudina is famous for has been enhanced in Serena.”

“I could never master weather attacks,” Phoenix mumbled. “Mother, I am still searching for Father. I still don’t know who I am.”

“Your search has taken you far,” Madeline said, closing her eyes momentarily. “All across Perlei, and through Altonia you’ll have to go. But you must know, Phoenix, I cannot tell you what your Father must.”

“Why not?” Phoenix pled.

“Tohweid never spent any time with you,” Madeline recalled. “Your relationship with him is weak and clouded. As it is he who passed down his extraordinary powers unto you, it is vital he is the one to explain everything to you, my son.”

“Can you tell me where I might find him?” Phoenix asked.

“He went on self-enlightenment,” Madeline said softly, turning to look up at the starry sky. “Through Altonia. I know his destination was the Ancient Fourth Lighthouse of Iger, but he has spent much time in Kralakorn.”

Phoenix cast his mind back to when Monica tried to prevent the sacred artifacts from the three elemental lighthouses being stolen by Mortimer. When the three artifacts; a sword, an armlet and a crown were stolen, and worn by Mortimer on a large peninsula, a large, fourth lighthouse rose in honor of the forgotten soul, Iger. This lighthouse contained the gateway to Evayard, which is what Mortimer hoped to achieve in the first place. But…something wasn’t right.

“How can he be in Kralakorn?” he asked. “The entire city is underwater!”

“There is an Island, in the center of the large lake,” Madeline explained. “It is there your Father spends his time, strengthening himself.”

“Why does he wish to visit Iger Lighthouse?” Phoenix asked.

“I do not know,” Madeline replied solemnly. Phoenix wondered…he did not know his Father well at all. Was he the type to go to Iger Lighthouse for a precious artifact that may lie there? Or was he the type keen to study the fascinating architecture? He did not know.

“Well, I will make my way North-West,” Phoenix declared, getting up. Madeline stopped him.

“I would offer my services,” Madeline began. “But I know my own son well enough to know he won’t want me joining him.”

Phoenix wanted to interject, but he saw his Mother’s smile and returned it.

“I…well…yes, I would prefer to go alone,” Phoenix said timidly, looking up at Madeline. She beamed at him happily.

“I’m just glad I could see you before you go to Kralakorn,” Madeline said softly. “Phoenix…you make me so proud.”

Phoenix kept smiling, albeit weakly, as he was feeling rather emotional at the time. Serena seemed rather embarrassed to be intruding upon the Mother and Son, but the tearful, emotional words soon faded away.

“We should be heading off now,” Madeline said.

“Where are you going?” Phoenix asked. “Back Home?”

“Serena has something she must do,” Madeline explained. “Then I shall go home.”

Phoenix nodded. Tightly embracing his Mother, he felt her shaking as tears spilled down her face. Why was she so upset? Why did she proclaim how proud she was? Did she know something he didn’t?

“Goodbye,” Madeline wept. “F-For now.”

“Goodbye, Mother.”

“Good luck,” came a voice.

Phoenix parted from the hug and looked at Serena, who was admiring him.

“Thank you,” Phoenix said. “Thank you, Serena.”

Serena and Madeline turned away from Phoenix and blew their whistles. While Serena still had a baby form of Violini, called Dragini, Madeline summoned her precious creature – the final form of the dragon family, Dravialo. It was a slender dragon, with big, feathery wings and a horned helmet with a beautiful gold orb on the top. It was a deep purple and was big and friendly. These creatures were signatures of the Cloudina people. Phoenix’s was simply in Cloudina, but awaiting a whistle call if Phoenix ever needed it.

“Come, Serena,” Madeline said softly, helping her student onto the beast. As Serena held her Dragini tightly, who sang shrilly, Madeline clambered onto Dravialo’s body too and summoned it up into the air.

“Make me proud,” Madeline said firmly, as Dravialo flapped its powerful wings and boosted off into the sky.

“I will,” Phoenix whispered, turning to walk out of the Graveyard. He had a long walk to Kralakorn, he knew that. What he didn’t know, and could not explain to himself was why he had chosen to walk there. Staring at the bleak landscape ahead through his chocolate-brown eyes, Phoenix let out a sigh and wandered into the distance. Still perturbed by his mothers words, the young man wondered ever more on his connection with Dimitri, the secrets of who he really was, and the identity of his father,

*

Meanwhile, in Silva’s manor, Monica was unleashing powerful new attacks at wooden targets in a dark room. Her new attacks included a psychic attack, in which she clenched her fists to solidify the air and then pushed her hands forward to expel the solid air in a firm motion, giving the sensation of somebody being punched in the stomach. It was rather like a force field of sorts. Another new attack involved Monica glowing silver, sweeping through the air at supersonic speeds and delivering two punches. Silva mentioned there were more attacks she would master, too.

Silva entered the room. Wasting no time, she addressed Monica.

“Come on. We’re going.”

“What? Where are we going?” Monica asked keenly. Silva slapped her across the face.

“No questions,” she snapped. Turning and heading to the door, Silva continued. “We’re leaving now, to go to the lake.”

“Lake?”

“Tatami Lake, not too far from my Manor,” Silva explained. “It is the location of the Destiny Amulet.”

Silva led Monica through the mansion, taking her down all the corridors Monica had ran down not too long ago. Monica felt the prickly sensation of fear creep around her shoulders as she left the manor. However, to her surprise, they did not leave through the impressive, stained-glass front doors. Silva led Monica to a porch-like area to the right of the main hall, shooting down a long, thin staircase.

“Why are we –

“No questions!,” Silva reemphasized. Silva finally opened up a rather boring-looking door which led into the cold outdoors. It was late at night, dark outside, with a bright glow coming from the opulent moon itself. Silva cast her emotional, sharp eyes around the area.

“I need to trust you here,” Silva continued. “Run down this grassy slope and jump the wall around the perimeter of the mansion. We need to hurry. My house is not safe anymore.”

“Not safe?” Monica asked.

“Somebody wants to stop me getting that Amulet,” Silva went on, a dark undertone hiding in her voice.

The two set off, sprinting down the very lenient grassy slope towards the walls of the manor. In the semi darkness, Monica followed Silva as a tranquil lake was visible, not too far away. That must be Tatami Lake, she thought.

However, as the two were half way down the hill, they turned. The manor they left minutes ago suddenly exploded, sending debris of the fantastic house flying through the air. Powerful yellows, oranges and reds engulfed the structure as a humongous roar filled the air and the darkness became illuminated. Silva gasped.

“My house!” she cried. “My family’s memories…NO!”

Collapsing on her knees, Silva burst into tears as she could not contain herself. Staring at the crumbling remains of the house, she sobbed loudly into the night, feeling the heat from the flames all around her.

Despite tears leaking down her face, she tried to remain focused. Getting up off the floor, Silva wiped the dirt from her skirt and looked around. Suddenly, her eyes met those of Monica, who was a few feet away, with a shadow ball in her possession. She released it and hit Silva, throwing her back, before turning and running off into the grounds. Silva got back up and gave chase.

“Monica!” she cried, getting her pistol. A night shade swept through the night and stunned her, knocking her over momentarily. Meanwhile, Monica fled off into the night, escaping Silva’s strong hold on her. “COME BACK!”

Silva gave a long sigh, blinking her eyes in rapid succession. Soon, within mere seconds, Monica was swallowed by the darkness.

“My house, my hostage…” she wept. “Why?”

Silva delved into her pocket and produced a metal plate, which had a cover over it. A clear jelly-like substance was inside. She stashed it away, and with that, Silva disappeared off into the night, leaving behind the smoldering wreckage of her once beautiful house, and her captive, Monica. Monica ran off into the night, hoping to find her friends. Silva knew Monica had been the perfect candidate for her assistance in getting her Destiny Amulet…and if she still had her way, then Monica would be helping her in more than one way.

*

.

“Ok, are you ready?” Al asked, Tekaru by his side. Tekaru held his long, golden hammer ready. It was glowing with a yellowy golden energy, as he had charged up his Karma Air into his weapon. Al did likewise, and his powerful Assassin Blade glimmered green.

“Yes I am,” Tekaru replied. The two prepared themselves…but a humongous roar erupted in the atmosphere, and the manor was plunged into a horrendous explosion. Debris flew everywhere; flames licked all around the building and shrouded it in explosive colour.

“NO!” Tekaru cried.

“MONICA!” Al screamed, falling to his knees in despair. “OH MY GOD, MONICA!”

“There’s no way she could survive that…” Tekaru whispered, tears forming in his eyes. He looked at Al, who as already flooded by his own tears of grief. Tekaru didn’t know what to do – standing up, he put his hand on Al’s shoulder and patted it gently, Al crying loudly. Tekaru sighed, staring up at the stars.

*

“No…” Nat gasped. Watching the flames flicker in the night, the young girl saw, from her vantage point the manor exploding into flames. Unfortunately, neither her, Al or Tekaru were able to see Monica flee the house, or Monica run from her kidnapper.

Nat’s grip on her sword slowly released, and she dropped to her knees. Eyebrows raised in self-sympathy, Nat felt as if a dark void swallowed her up. Her stomach gurgled. Her chest felt stiff and her throat was sore; clogged up and cold.

“…Monica…” Nat sighed, screwing her eyes shut and shaking her head. “NO!”

And with that, she swayed, before falling into unconsciousness and collapsing on the floor. She lay there for some time, roughly half an hour, in silent thought as her world crumbled. Was Monica really dead? It seemed so.

Nat was woken by a pair of children. A boy and a girl.

“Are you ok?” the boy asked. Nat rubbed her head.

“…yea…I’m fine,” she sighed. She felt a sharp sting in her forehead.

“What are you doing on the floor?” the girl asked. “Did you get hurt?”

Nat just stared through both children, shaking her head softly. She felt her wrist, and it hurt. How had it got hurt? She flexed her fingers back with intrigue. The boy and girl continued to stare.

“…what’s your name?” the boy asked, not satisfied with no answer to his other questions. Nat perked up and stared at the boy.

“I…don’t remember,” she said weakly. She looked around her. Nothing was familiar.

“You don’t remember your name?” the boy asked, smirking.

“I believe her,” the girl replied. “She looks really mixed up!”

“Come with us,” the boy declared. “To Samyura Town. We’ll help you.”

“Ok…” Nat mumbled, following both of them across the plains of Evayard towards Samyura Town. With no recollection of what had happened, Nat felt vulnerable and scared. She would feel even more so if she knew Pyrites was following them towards their destination, ready to fully take advantage of the situation. From behind a tree, the whimsical man watched a confused Nat wander away from any protection she may have had.




Next Chapter!

-Roger makes his position clear as his sons try to stand up to him
-An unusual source helps the group
-Lee and Gauld are tested by an age-old legend

[Chris 2.1]

Buuuuuuuump

Just giving an update. Where is everyone? Ch20 is finished, which will please a lot of people, I can tell. Ch21 will be begun shortly.

[Powarun]

Sorry Chris, Um, I was um sleepy when I read this chapter and well enough excuses.
Nat has amnesia, that is not a good sign, wonder what kind of hostage sitution she will be put into once the villagers discover her power. Can't say much else because I have been busy and have to go.

[Chris 2.1]

Powarun: Nat really is in trouble now, especially now Pyrites is on her trail again. How will she cope? Well it's nice to see I still have one reader. *sigh*.

Ch21 nearly finished.

[Powarun]

LOL, I am sure I am not the only reader. Glad Chapter 21 is nearly finished. I am beginning to wonder if Pyrites died how would he die? He doesn't seem to be a character where a mere swordslash could kill him, but more like three sword slashes at once or something, hope we see him a good fight soon.

[Chris 2.1]

Powarun: How would Pyrites die? I wonder. I wonder if he has, will, or does? Only time will tell.

Anyway I won't update with a new Chappie just yet. Where is everyone? The forums are back, people! Come back!

[Chris 2.1]

*Groan* where is everyone?

Monica’s Vendetta
Eleven
The Twin Swords

In the dank, underground prison of Crufia Palace, Mortimer, Afee and Boko still sat around miserably. Their fate was, to their knowledge, undecided, and it had been some time that they had been locked up. Framed, as it were, for a crime they did not commit.

Mortimer looked up when he saw Roger, Teresa, and a group of armed men approach their cell. They looked orderly, formal, and serious. Mortimer walked to the bars, gripping them with his thin fingers.

“Yes?” he asked impatiently.

“We are here to discuss your fate,” Roger said stealthily. “As you may not be aware, Teresa and I were to be wed in a mere three days time. However, due to…events beyond our control, we are now getting married in 10 days time. That means that before the Kingdom of Evayard becomes my responsibility as well as Teresa’s, we want to eliminate any possible threats beforehand.”

“Threats?” Mortimer asked. “You consider us threats?”

Roger carried on.

“You will be trialed for acts against humanity in four days time,” Roger announced. “If you are found guilty, you will be sentenced to execution.”

“What?” Afee roared. “Who is representing us?”

“Nobody,” Roger growled.

“Who is the jury?” Mortimer asked.

“My four sons,” Roger replied. “Good day to you.”

As Roger, Teresa and the guards walked off, Mortimer collapsed in the nearest seat.

“Well we know the trial will be one-sided,” he said grimly. “Hence having a bias jury. Put simple, we are being led to the slaughter. There is no way we can avoid this…”

“Unless Chrome gets here soon,” Afee pined. “He may just do that.”

“We have to hope so,” Mortimer sighed. There were no windows in the cell, being underground, but the three did not realize that Chrome, Zuuki, Salo and Damien were in fact in the gardens of Crufia Palace, hiding from Scott.

Meanwhile, Roger parted from Teresa as she was escorted to a financial meeting in the conference room of the castle. Roger walked towards the Library, where he would be meeting his four sons to see of their progress in researching what he had asked them to.

Pushing the door magnificent, tall doors open, Roger made his entrance noticeable. The Library was large – about the size of a cathedral. There were three levels altogether, but you could see through the middle of each floor up to the large mural on the ceiling. It showed a shadowed knight charging towards a golden angel. In the Library, which was lined with bookcases, the V4 stood waiting for their father. Scott was with them, having had to give up the search for the four AU members to be ready when meeting their father. Roger wanted them together when he met them, just in case they were away plotting something.

“So,” Roger boomed. “Any luck?”

The four brothers looked around at each other. Luke gave Karadon a pressurizing, demanding look. Therebus looked rather scared; fearful and sometimes twitching. Scott was looking as angry as he usually did. Karadon stepped forward.

“Yes, Father, we have found some information,” Karadon announced.

“You have?” Roger asked, excited at the prospect.

“Y-Yes, we have,” Karadon confirmed. “But we want to give you this information in exchange for some answers.”

“What are you talking about?” Roger snapped. The other three brothers stayed silent.

“I speak for the four of us when I tell you we are sick of being treated like your personal do-wrongers. We do not work in unison, Father, but rather we work for you: doing your dirty work, getting our hands dirty and generally shifting the blame from any of your schemes or plans. This ends now. We want to know why you need the Wysha Diamond.”

Roger was awestruck. He took a precarious step back, eyes wide, wondering what on earth he was about to say. Mustering his strength up, his eyes flared and he shot a deadly glare at Karadon. Therebus watched him.

“How dare you!” he screamed. “Threaten me? Negotiate with me? I am your father, and I was the one who raised each of you to be the people you are today!”

Roger looked at Therebus, who was shaking softly.

“What’s wrong with you?” He barked. Therebus’ lip was twitching.

“You never raised me,” he whispered, eyes narrowing and signaling evidential malice. “Mother raised me! Mother taught me everything good I have out of life.”

Roger’s eyebrows rose.

“It’s this kind of…ignorance I really do hate,” he sighed. “Your elementa’s are truly powerful. Essence of Adeptry. Without them, you would be a lot weaker and would not be as godlike with your strengths as you are. The AU could pick you off easily. But it is because of the training I put into you that you have become such omnipotent adversaries!”

“So you are protected even further,” Karadon rasped. “Father, why do you want the Wysha Diamond?”

Roger raised his voice.

“NEVER SPEAK DOWN TO ME LIKE THAT!”

“TELL ME WHAT THE DIAMOND DOES!” shouted Karadon.

“YOU ARE IN NO PLACE –

“YOU INSIST ON TREATING US LIKE –

“I WANT YOU TO STOP THIS, NOW!” Roger roared. “Shame on you! Shame on all of you!”

“We are not working with you any longer,” Karadon snapped. “Brothers, let us go. We need to get our hands on that diamond, and once we do…”

Karadon began to walk out of the door. Roger held a hand out to stop him, which Karadon ignored, flicking his ponytail stylishly and continuing towards the doors. Roger charged energy into his fist and within seconds was levitating Karadon high into the air with the simple power of his mind.

“Karadon!” Luke cried.

“Say you’ll help me,” Roger growled. “Or I’ll drop you.”

Higher and higher Karadon was being lifted. Into the rafters of the ancient Library he rose, his three brothers watching with mixtures of grief, anger, suppressed rage and worry.

“I won’t help you!” Karadon shouted. Roger clicked the fingers on his other hand, and Karadon soon began roaring out in pain. Sparks of energy erupted beneath his skin as Roger’s true power unfolded.

“Say it!” Roger cried manically. Karadon, floating with his back facing the ceiling, held his hands down and fired a barrage of icicle spears down. They rained towards Roger, but he didn’t seem to care. Holding his spare hand in Scott’s direction, he absorbed flame and glowing red energy from his son’s body before throwing it up into the air, all the while keeping his eyes locked on Karadon. The flames melted the icicles and neutralized the attack.

“NO!” Karadon roared. Roger sighed, clicking his fingers and turning to walk away. Karadon fell from a very, very large height – he had reached the ceiling of the library itself. He gave a roar as he plummeted down to the ground. With a sickening crunch he crumpled up into a pile on the ground. Roger reached the door, and turned to see his three sons approach their brother.

“Oh my,” he said, watching the spectacle. “You were such strong people…and now you are mere weaklings.”

“We’ll tell Teresa about this,” Luke cried out. Tears leaked down his face at the sight of his brother. “She’ll find out you’re a monster!”

“I’m already planning Tekaru’s permanent destruction,” Roger snapped. “Don’t make me kill any of you, either.”

He clicked his fingers sharply before walking out the door. The bookshelves – every single one on the ground floor sped towards them as a purple glow surrounded them.

“GOLEM AXE!” Luke roared, summoning his axe, comprised of rough, black rock. He held it ready and swung as the bookshelf got near. He split it into two inanimate pieces, but as they hit the floor, more appeared. Scott flew forward with a punch, but it was too hard. The bookcases actually missed them – some of them anyway, instead choosing to stack themselves in front of the door. Five bookcases wide across the door, seven bookcases high, and coming out about three or four bookcases. Other ones from other floors had also come down the stairs, possessed by Roger’s powers. Now all the bookcases trapped the V4 in the library.

“We’re stuck in!” Luke cried.

“Are you ok, brother?” Therebus asked. Karadon was in bad shape. Arms and legs splayed at various angles, he was very pale.

“I can’t move,” he groaned.

“Do not worry,” Therebus said calmly, pulling from around his neck a pointed crystal. He held it forward and chanted, and soon an azure glow took over the insides of the glass. Karadon gave a sigh as the energy amplified slowly healed his body. “This may take some time…but we have it.”

“I can’t believe that scum of a Father won’t tell us what we need to know!” Scott shouted.

“Scott, we have not told you what the Wysha Diamond is for yet,” Karadon muttered. “When I came here, Luke and Therebus had a book which contained a lot of information on the diamond. A timeline was given of its possession, and it is quite certain we can find it easily. We also know what it does.”

“Well, tell me!” Scott snapped.

“It is on that table,” Karadon pointed. Scott approached the table as Luke began smashing away at the bookshelves. But Scott was confused.

“There’s nothing here,” he pointed out.

“No…” Karadon muttered.

“Father must have it!” Therebus cried.

“Oh god,” Luke muttered, turning.

“I have to get it back,” Therebus said, pausing. “But you need help, brother.”

“This is much more important!” Karadon stressed. “Leave me until later.”

“The longer I wait, the longer it takes,” Therebus admitted.

“We need more time,” Luke pointed out. “If Roger has that book, he could get to work immediately.”

“I will be fine, brother,” Karadon sighed. “Therebus, you are the only one who can help. Use your veil ability to get through the walls and get that book!”

Therebus looked at each of the brothers. Karadon wore a sympathetic look, Luke watched bravely and Scott even showed a stare of awe and inspiration.

“Hurry back,” Karadon cried, as Therebus faded into shadow and slipped through the walls of the Library.

“We must stop the alliance with Roger,” Luke announced. “And form our own society. The V4 must cease to exist.”

“Yes,” Karadon replied. “A new era has begun.”


Continued in next post

[Chris 2.1]

Continued from last post



Meanwhile, Al and Tekaru wandered through Agrotatio Town. The night before yielded horrendous results, with both Nat disappearing and Monica presumed dead. Despite looking long and hard for them both, Al and Tekaru found nothing. Al was incredibly upset over the loss of his friend.

“I think we should stay,” he sniffed. “In case Monica comes to find us.”

“Al…” Tekaru mumbled.

“We need to look for Nat, too!” he cried. “She is alive.”

“Where did she go, though?” Tekaru asked. “We searched. She isn’t there. Al, I do hate to shred up your optimism, but we need to get to Crufia.”

“Oh, because me and you can take Roger on ourselves,” Al replied sarcastically. “Tekaru, you said faith was the strongest thing a human can have. Why are you so dry of it now?”

“Faith is strong, but not so strong one is blinded by it,” Tekaru replied solemnly. “But Al, you cannot slash away helplessly at any little bits of hope. You must pull yourself together, take a step back and review the situation.”

“Monica…” Al said slowly.

“Yes, Monica,” Tekaru replied.

“No, look! Monica!” Al cried, pointing ahead. Tekaru turned his gaze and saw the girl, braided hair messed up and swinging around her face. Her clothes were slightly torn, and her face weatherworn, but as she ran through the agricultural town, her face shone with hope.

“Al! Tekaru!” Monica gasped, leaping into Tekaru’s arms and hugging him tightly. Al watched, arms half-raised as if he, too, wanted a hug. He quickly dropped them. “Oh I’m so glad I found you!”

“Oh we thought you’d died!” Tekaru cried. “What happened?”

“I’ll explain everything,” Monica sighed, smiling. “Hey…where’s Nat?”

“We don’t know,” Al admitted. “She went to a different side of the mansion to ambush it. When the explosion happened, we lost track of her. We haven’t seen her since early last night.”

Monica sat down, seemingly upset by this.

“Where do you think she’s gone?” she asked firmly.

“We’re unsure,” Tekaru replied. “Do you have any idea?”

“Well…” Monica said slowly. “I have known her longer than both of you…she wouldn’t cause us any worry unless she was in trouble. She could have been attacked by someone like Pyrites.”

“Maybe someone caused the explosion at that manor to divert everyone’s attention,” Al wondered.

“All I know is, it was as much of a surprise to Silva as it was to me,” Monica began. “That was the name of the woman who kidnapped me. I remember Martha knocking me out…and then I was in a large manor with this woman. Her name was Silva, and she shared the Mansion with her older brother, although I never met him. I was locked up for a while…and then I got chained to this large rock, and it sent electric shocks into my body. What I didn’t realize at the time was that the shocks were forms of adeptry being sent into me. Overnight I collapsed from the sheer exhaustion, and learned the next day I had gone up two levels!
Silva said that she wanted me to help her. She had so very little adeptry in her body, which was a dominant trait for the females in her family. She showed me portraits of her ancestors who had triumphed over these illnesses. Their natural adeptry was restored by means of an amulet. Silva needed a ghost adept to help find the map for where her amulet lay. She used a device called a bond bracelet on us both – this enabled her to leech my adeptry from me. It severely weakened me and she felt nothing as she used my new Veil ability to drift through the heavily locked door and to search for the map. I tried to run, but no avail. She caught me.
The next time anything happened was last night – Silva urgently explained that someone didn’t want her getting her amulet, and we fled the mansion seconds before it exploded. I took this chance to smash the bond bracelet and hurt Silva, catching her off guard, and ran off into the night. However, she did catch up with me, and held me hostage early into this morning. But I prevailed, using my new abilities as a level 11 adept to overcome her and find you guys.”

“Well how did the house explode?” Tekaru asked.

“Mines placed all around the house,” Monica replied grimly.

“Definitely the work of Pyrites,” Al concluded. “He loves explosives and attacks with them.”

“I don’t know,” Monica replied lightly. “I just don’t think it was Pyrites…Pyrites is more like a magician or something. These were like military weapons. But either way, we have to find Nat.”

“I have tried using my Pathian ability,” Tekaru told Monica. “But it has not worked.”

“Hey, Mon,” Al began. “If you went up two levels…then you’re Level 11!”

“Good point, you are!” Tekaru noted. “Equal to me in strength!”

“I suppose I am,” Monica replied, smirking. “But wait a second…I still don’t know everything with Martha Michael.”

“Oh…the night you were kidnapped?” Tekaru asked. “Martha knocked you out…she was muttering about – oh yes! She said that she was brought to Evayard by Karadon – he claimed to be Alan’s friend. You remember telling her Alan had left to travel with new friends, you know, to get rid of her? Well Karadon used that to his advantage and pretended to be one of Alan’s new friends. He led Martha to Evayard and obviously used her to get us out of the way.”

“I see,” Monica said.

“Anyway, Martha tried to kill you, and as she tried, that Silva woman appeared and shot her with some sort of pistol. It used adeptry. Martha collapsed, and I confronted this woman. Then she turned and shot me, before…well, disappearing in her car.”

“Oh,” Monica muttered.

“But we must find Nat,” Tekaru said boldly.

“Nat?” A voice asked. They turned to see a man standing behind them. “You’re looking for somebody called Nat?”

“Yes, we are,” Monica replied.

“I had a vision today,” the man replied, wandering towards the group. “A vision about a girl. She was called Nat; she kept telling me that. She fell to the floor…and then all of a sudden swords rose out of the ground. Samurai swords. They surrounded the girl, and she kept shouting her name…”

“What is your name?” Monica asked.

“My name is Thomas,” he replied. He was about 25, with rather handsome features. His hair was short and fuzzy. His face was pale, and he carried a staff with him. It was a bronze colour.

“What do you think it means?” Al asked Thomas.

“I think it’s hinting where your friend is,” Thomas said innocently. “Prince Tekaru…do you know of Tevaro?”

“Yes, that name is familiar to me,” Tekaru thought. “He is a smithy in Samyura, is he not?”

“Yes, he’s renowned,” Thomas explained. “The swords…they looked like Tevaro swords.

“Then I suggest heading to Samyura,” Tekaru concluded. “It’s the only lead we have.”

“But think about it for a second,” Al interrupted. “This ‘lead’ is a mental state of self containment. And how do we know Thomas saw this? No disrespect, Thomas, but I can’t take your word for it given what we’ve been through in the past. What if we’re being set up?”

Monica glared at Al.

“You’re so rude,” she snapped. “I believe you, Thomas. But since I have to prove your story, I’m going to share your vision with you.”

“No problem,” Thomas said kindly. Monica placed each hand either side of Thomas’ head. She closed her eyes, screwing her mind up into a coil and tensing up her energy. She waded through lost thought, eventually gasping as a vision unfolded around her eyes…

Al and Nat both watched this, feeling somewhat neglected that they could not share this moment with Thomas or Monica. A minute or so later, Monica was jerked backwards in an uncomfortable fashion as she gasped for breath.

“His vision is accurate,” Monica said slowly.

“Did you notice how easier it is to analyze visions when somebody else is sharing it with you?” Thomas asked.

“Sort of,” Monica admitted. “I could see some odd enigmas…I was unsure what they meant, though.”

“Did you see the golden light?” Thomas inquired.

“Yea…now you mention it, I did…” Monica replied absently. “Listen, Thomas, you’re welcome to come with us if you’d like. You know, to help us find our friend.”

“I think I was destined to find you,” Thomas replied, smiling. “And help share what I had seen. Remember, help is always in the most obscure of places. Never be afraid to check everywhere for answers.”

“I’ll remember that,” Monica replied, smiling. The three adepts bode a fond farewell to Thomas as he wandered off to the south. The group, with their sights set on Samyura, headed out of the north entrance of the crossroad town towards their next destination and, with any luck, Nat.

*

Over the last few days, Lee had been training extensively under Gauld, his new ally. While Gauld did seem to keep a hold over his somewhat hostile attitude and snobbish, arrogant stride, he was an excellent tutor. His large sword, named Faust, was a thick, meaty, powerful blade. Very long, approximately six feet in length, many people would not even be able to pick it up. Gauld, however, had a strong yet discrete build and had trained with this sword. The sword, it seemed, had some sort of subnormal soul. When you were strong, Faust could sense this, and made itself somewhat lighter. Thus, through rigorous training, Gauld had mastered his phenomenal sword.

Lee was using one of Gauld’s old swords – the Spirit Sword. A dark grey colour, the hilt was a moody plum colour and was decorated with fancy swirls engraved deep within it. When Lee held it, he felt a thousand memories sweep into his body and boost his own spirit.

They had trained most of the day, and the two were still making their way up to the Mountain community known as Mahanui. They were well up the mountains, but the snow was starting to get heavy.

“I suggest we find shelter,” Gauld announced. “There is a small village just west of here.”

“But won’t that take us off the road to Mahanui?” Lee inquired.

“Very clever,” Gauld said tauntingly. “But if you use that iota of common sense you were blessed with, you’ll remind yourself it will, after all, be better than freezing to death tonight.”

Lee smirked. Gauld showed no signs of kidding around. He walked on, Lee clutching his sword tightly. As he went, he felt it vibrate gently, humming somewhat. Gauld did not hear it, and he was too far away to actually bother bringing it to his attention. As Lee followed his mentor, he considered what he had learned so far. Would it help in the long run?

Unfortunately, as the two wandered through the ever-increasing cold, they met a figure wandering towards them. At first, he seemed like an ordinary traveler. A large jacket covered his face and body. As they passed him, Lee’s sword gave a shuddering vibration that could not be good.

“What is that noise?” Gauld asked impatiently.

“My sword keeps humming,” Lee said innocently.

“Did you say your sword…hummed?” came a voice. Turning around, Lee saw the man they just walked past. His face was obscured by the large hood he wore.

“Yea…” Lee replied stiffly.

“I’ve found you,” the man replied, unzipping his large puffed up jacket. He was revealed to be about twenty years of age, with bleached blonde hair which hung low over his eyes. His face was piercing and he had many scars littering his face. The red clash of his scars against his tanned face was intriguing. He was lanky, but muscled.

“What?” Lee asked.

“You are the bearer of Spirit Sword,” the man replied darkly.

“I…it’s the sword of spirits,” Lee corrected him.

“But you carry it with you?” the man asked persistently.

“Only temporarily…” Lee admitted. The man held a hand up.

“You are oblivious to the responsibilities that sword demands,” he snapped.

“Hold on here, what are you talking about?” Gauld snapped back, equally snobbish and rude.

“You don’t know the tales?” asked the man. “Soul Sword and Spirit Sword…the cataclysm war?”

“No, I do not,” Gauld snapped. “I’ve had this sword a good solid fifteen years, and there has been no mention of any…cataclysm.”

“That’s because the Cataclysm occurs ever one hundred years,” the man explained arrogantly. “My name is Garu. I am the weilder of Soul Sword.”

“Soul sword?” Lee asked.

“Eons ago, when the earth was formed, one wandering warrior, named Kotoki, forged an ancient sword from the elements themselves. He spent his lifetime working on it. His entire life passed by as he worked so hard on this masterpiece. As he got old, and continued to forge his sword, Kotoki placed the last ounce of his strength into the sword – his soul. The soul poured into the sword and gave it an added force within it. Kotoki died, but left his sword to its own devices.

“After a few years, Kotoki’s son Mamoto rose to use the sword as his own. He found its potency incredible, and began spreading its power across the land in the form of deadly tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. The sword can bond with nature to create utter chaos. Mamoto wreaked havoc across the land.

“When Mamoto eventually perished, he left his sword to whoever could find it. And since then, across time, man has found the sword, fought with it during their lifetime, and perished only to pass it on to someone else.

“Eventually, Soul Sword was getting out of control, with stronger and stronger adepts utilizing its power in ferocious ways. The world was in danger. A new sword was made to fight it, containing the same sort of powers. However, only those of good will could unlock the fantastic forces within.

“And then, the wielder of the new sword, named Spirit Sword to commemorate the positive spirit within it, journeyed to find the wielder of Soul Sword to end this feud between good and evil. They found each other, and there was a dynamic duel beyond recognition. When the two swords clashed in battle, they exchanged their strengths and weaknesses to each other. The two swords formed a significant bond between each other. After the fight, the swords began feeding on each others powers.

“From then on, every century, the two swords were destined to clash and fight. And it has been so. Every century, the swords have found their way towards each other. It has been destiny. And now, after the tenth showdown, we are now at the 1,000th year since the legendary blades first met. I am Garu Katomo.”

“Katomo?” Lee asked. “Wait…that’s like…”

“…you’re right,” Garu replied, smirking. “I’m a descendant of Kotoki and Mamoto themselves! My name comes from both of theirs.”

Garu held Soul Sword forward. Lee, already gripping Spirit Sword, felt a strong, pulsating throb. The sword yearned to fight, but Lee was very much hesitant. Maintaining his firm grip on the sword, he prepared himself.

“Hold on there,” Gauld snapped. “I was the one who owned this for fifteen years. I lent it to Lee for a brief period while I trained him up in combat! I will fight you, Garu Katomo.”

“I’m so sorry, but Soul Sword has chosen,” Garu replied. “Whoever is in possession of Spirit Sword and Soul Sword must duel.”

Gauld, holding Faust steady, stepped up.

“Say that to my blade,” he replied dangerously.

“Get lost,” Garu replied, laughing. “SPIRIT SWORD AND SOUL SWORD HAVE MET! THE MILLENIA CATACLYSM IS ABOUT TO BE UNLEASHED!”

Lee watched, finding it difficult to comprehend the situation.

“When your sword is filled with an everlasting light, and emits a beautiful chime-like ringing, that will be the signal that the time is right. On that day, meet me in the middle of Mahanui for our destined duel.”

Garu jammed the sword into the ground, releasing an incredible, earth-splitting tremor that shook Lee and threw him backwards. The boy fell awkwardly onto the hard, frozen earth.

“LEE!” Gauld roared, sweeping forward with his Faust held ready. He stood in front of Lee, watching Garu stealthily.

“The time will come,” Garu replied coolly. He turned and wandered off. “Nice meeting you.”

Lee was utterly petrified. Even with his preferred weapon, his nunchucks, he would hardly be able to fight pure elemental energy like he was supposed to with this sword. While Garu wandered off into the distance, swallowed by the darkness, disappearing under a sharp veil of snow, Gauld stood over Lee protectively. Lying on the floor, gasping for breath, Lee fought his instincts and wondered how on earth he would get around fighting this duel with Garu.



Next Chapter:

-Silva tries to reclaim what she lost
-Monica and Al's relationship continues to worsen
-Therebus wanders into a trap
-Monica, Al and Tekaru try to track down Nat...but Pyrites is a few steps ahead...

[Powarun]

First I would like to comment, getting the V4 to join the AU would be awsome. But it would take a few trials and errors to work out the whole trust situation.

Lee, after reading this chapter I feel that he should be a bit more comfortable, he has had the most training mentally than any other adept in his age group. He should just trust himself. And can his numchucks fuse with the spirit sword, that would be pretty tight.

The end of this chapter reminds me of Soul Caliber 2

[Chris 2.1]

Powarun: Imagine the V4 with the AU....Having Behemoth, Delvil, Forrai and Spirit of Mother would certainly be a valuable assett. In fact the V4 would be inexpendable WITHOUT their huge elementa. I wonder if the past can become water under the bridge, or do some scars run too deep to heal?

Lee cannot fuse his nunchucks with Spirit Sword. His lack of confidence comes from many things, like the sudden shock that he has to duel to the death after having never used a sword before. Furthermore, his foe knows the story about the Milennia Cataclysm inside out. Could he be hiding some information, something that could help Lee win perhaps? Hmm. I've written the Milennia Cataclysm and it is, if I may say so, fantastic. Action-packed. I wonder if Lee loses....

And yes, it IS like Soul Calibur 2.

[Chris 2.1]

Where is everyone?

[Charizard04621]

Lol, Powarun reminds me of Gabi. She's the only one who posts responses to my chapters nowadays. I know I can always count on her to show up ^_^ Chris, I recommend that you record the amount of views every time you just finish posting a chapter, then come back after some time has elapsed and compare the previous number to the current one. That is, if you're not doing that already. Lune jumps like 50+ views after each chapter but like I said, Gabi's the only one that posts. =/

[Powarun]

Yo, Charizard did you even read this story, if you haven't the series their awsome. Besides, I guess I'll be pkmaster for life.

[Chris 2.1]

Monica’s Vendetta
Twelve
Sharp Sting Of Reality

Meanwhile, in Samyura, Nat had been led to the homes of the two children who had found her that night. Sam and Gabi were their names. Each was about 11 years old, and they had arrived at their house.

The children’s mother, Eva, arrived with a glass of milk for Nat.

“I’ve heard of this before,” she began busily. “In some cases, people can develop temporary amnesia after witnessing or being in a horrible situation.”

Nosily, Eva’s glance wandered across Nat’s bemused face.

“Do you remember…being raped at all?” she asked.

“No,” Nat said bluntly, unable to elaborate. “I…I don’t.”

“Oh,” Eva said slowly. “Well, please stay with us until everything…you know… sorts itself out…”

“Thank you so much,” Nat replied emptily, staring at the floor. Truth was, she felt so weak, so vulnerable, and so alone. These people, despite being kind, didn’t know her, and were of no help as far as she was concerned. She needed to meet someone she knew so badly…

From outside the house, a figure watched in the shadows. He flicked his stylish hair out of his eyes and tried to wipe a blood stain off from one of his silk gloves.

*

Far away, in Evayard, a tall, attractive woman was busying herself in a cryogenics laboratory. With a white lab coat on over a black top, she looked rather pretty. Her equipment was big, expensive and important. The woman heard a knock at the door.

“JUST A SECOND!” she cried, disposing of her rubber gloves and heading to the door. She wandered to the door, which she unlocked and opened straight away. In a split second, she saw Silva standing there with her pistol. In another split second, Silva pulled the trigger and blasted a bullet into the woman’s face.

“Bitch,” Silva muttered, watching the woman gasp in shock as she fell to the ground. “Don’t worry, you’ll live…”

“What are you doing?” the woman asked.

“You destroyed my house,” Silva snapped, dress torn, face splattered with soil and earth. “I know you did it Keri!”

“You can’t prove anything,” Keri spat, her pretty face twisting into a deadly glare. She lay on the floor, a large wound on her face.

“Oh, but I can,” Silva retorted, aiming and shooting Keri in the leg. Keri let out a long scream. “I went back to my wreckage of a once beautiful manor…”

Silva pulled something from her top.

“It’s a dud mine!” she cried. “And it has YOUR company’s name on it Keri! HOW WILL YOU EXPLAIN THAT?”

Keri watched her. Silva, after not receiving an answer, swung her foot and smashed Keri’s side. The woman gave a heavy moan. Silva held the mine in her hand.

“I checked it and double-checked it, it is a dud,” Silva explained. “I’m going to really get you done for this you bitch.”

“Look,” Keri sighed. “What can buy your silence?”

“MY HOME!” Silva screamed, grabbing her pistol and firing shots into Keri. Keri gave another series of screams. “GIVE ME BACK THE MEMORIES!”

“I can’t do that, Silva!” Keri protested. “What’s done is done!”

Silva crept down to Keri, pressing her face forwards.

“Why did you do it?” asked Silva childishly. “WHY?”

“I was paid,” Keri said calmly. “My family wanted you out of the way. Silva, our families have never got on. Ever since Gauld –

“SHUT UP!” Silva screamed. “I’LL SHOOT YOU!”

“Look, Silva, what can I do?” Keri asked, knowing she was winning this argument.

“I’ll tell you what you can do,” Silva murmured, withdrawing a metal plate from her pocket. There was some sort of jelly in it. Keri eyed it and her eyes seemed to open widely.

“Hang on…” she began. “You want…?”

“Yes,” Silva snapped. “How long will it take?”

“Well…quite some time,” Keri explained. “We have the whole process to do…and even though I can speed it up…Silva we could be here quite a long time.”

“Just get to work,” Silva ordered, holding her pistol forward. “And don’t EVER mention my brother again.”

*

Monica, Al and Tekaru were currently on a short break as they made their way to Samyura Town to get information on Nat. Monica was so upset, having not seen Nat for such a long time. She was very worried, and despite reassurance from both Al and Tekaru, the young girl still felt somewhat pessimistic about the whole thing.

“Come on,” Al said soothingly. “She’ll be ok, you know how tough Nat is.”

“Yea…I suppose,” Monica sniffed, staring at her feet. Al looked around, and saw Tekaru a good distance away, on his knees, talking softly.

“Tsch, he’s praying?” Al asked.

“You saw him against that Sphinx; Tekaru has a strong faith,” Monica pointed out.

“Religion is for naïve people,” Al stated.

“You might think that,” Monica replied coldly.

“And you don’t?” Al asked incredulously.

“I believe in God,” Monica snapped. “There has to be some sort of creator in our world. I’m just not sure what shape or form it comes in. But Tekaru is so faithful…so dedicated, he knows who he is worshipping and why. I admire it.”

She turned to Al.

“If you can’t believe in something…or if there isn’t anyone for you to reach out to in your hour of need…I pity you.”

She got up and joined Tekaru, helping him pray for Nat. Al sat there, on the smooth, flat rock, feeling the space Monica sat at a few seconds ago. He squinted at the girl as she wandered away from him. This wasn’t right.

*

Meanwhile, in Crufia Castle, Karadon lay wounded with brothers Luke and Scott as their other brother, Therebus, used his cloak ability to slip through the walls of the castle and leave their locked, confined area in the library.

Therebus had to run in order to stop Roger finding the bookmark which would lead him to see everything Therebus and his brothers had just learned inside the book Roger had taken from them.

Dashing up the elegant flight of stairs, Therebus arrived at the top and scanned the area for his father. Then he saw him, wandering down the left corridor to his private room. Therebus pelted down towards him, getting closer and closer.

He stopped, seeing Roger stop and look around. Therebus thought for a second. Should he get out his crossbow? Wounding Roger in, for example, the leg would hurt him and Therebus could get the book back…but then again, Therebus used a home-made crossbow bolt that would instantly put him in the frame for the one who hurt his Father. He couldn’t do that. Even worse, Roger might not be found until he died. Therebus could be a murderer. The Ghost Whisperer began questioning his morals as he stood, poised in shadow, waiting for the right time to strike.

“Ok…” Therebus whispered to himself, as Roger continued down the corridor. “Just use Darkness Call…and then grab the book, then run.”

He held a hand forward and charged his energy up. Therebus used his spare hand to grope the air in front of him. Soon the energy built up. Therebus then stopped groping the air with his hand and held that forward, too. The ground shook as a ghostly hand materialized by Therebus. It was about to sink underground when a voice called out behind Therebus.

“Roger!”

It was Teresa. She looked somewhat startled. Roger froze. He eventually turned around as Therebus cancelled out his attack. That was close. Therebus was still calm about standing in the middle of the corridor. He learned to cloak from a young age, something Roger was pleased about, and something he exploited in young Therebus. Due to this overuse of cloaking, Therebus was comfortable with it and knew that nobody could see him. Nevertheless, he pressed against the wall and listened to the conversation.

“Yes, sweetheart?” Roger said.

“You need to come back downstairs!” she hollered. “The Duke and Duchess of Leyworth are expecting you!”

Roger sighed.

“Roger, you must attend these dinners with me! You are about to rule Evayard with me, and we need to stay together a lot more often! Swanning away in the middle of a fancy meal is not acceptable!”

“I was just returning this book to my room,” Roger sighed. Therebus had a brilliant idea. He dashed to the end of the corridor, running past Roger and turned the corner, making sure he was hidden from view. Re-appearing in the darkness, he stepped out around the corner and burst in on Roger and Teresa.

“Oh!” He exclaimed. “Father…”

“Therebus?” Roger asked alarmingly, eyeing his son with a contempt his fiancée could not see.

“Hello Therebus,” Teresa said exasperatedly. “Oh! This is perfect. Roger, give Therebus the book. He can take it to your room for you, and YOU can come back with ME!”

Therebus wandered over and took the book from Roger’s grasp. Roger looked furious, but Therebus didn’t care. He was thoroughly enjoying the dissatisfied expression his father wore.

“Here,” Roger snapped. Therebus took it enthusiastically.

“Thank you Father,” Therebus said softly. “Now, give my regards to the Duke and Duchess.”

Roger’s eyes narrowed, turning and walking off with his fiancée. Teresa voiced her gratitude, and Therebus heaved a sigh. That had worked only too well, giving him ample time to look around Roger’s private room. Therebus gasped. He could investigate the hidden corridor behind the tapestry.

First, Therebus took the bookmark and slipped it out of the pages on the Wysha Diamond. That way, even if Roger managed to re-obtain the book, he would have a slightly harder time finding the right information. Thinking, Therebus then opened the page (he knew it was Pages 50-55 which had information on the diamond), ripped the pages out and clutched them in his hand. Suddenly eyeing a small portrait slightly down the hall, Therebus quickly took it from the wall and opened up the back of the frame. Sliding the pages inside, Therebus hung it back up and looked around. Nobody would see this again, but as long as he and his brothers knew the information they were ok. Therebus grabbed the large, heavy knocker, twisted it and entered the room.

It was dimly lit, with many books strewn around. A neat-looking desk contained a big, old map of Evayard spread right across it, with rocks acting as paperweights in the four corners. Therebus looked at it. It was incredibly worn, but clearly showed Crufia. It was circled in a red marker. Also circled was an Island south-west of the coast which Therebus knew was The Unitan Settlement. Scribbled in an untidy scrawl from a fountain pen was the word ‘Seryun’ by the Island.

“Seryun…the Storm Tamer who failed in Perlei…” Therebus muttered. “Is this relevant to why he has not come to the castle since he failed?”

Already deep in thought, Therebus left the map and saw a picture which brought a tear to his eye. It was of his mother, Yuwana, who passed away. Her face was of such opulent beauty Therebus gave a sniff and stopped the flow of tears. His emotions were overpowering. He put the picture face down and thought of his elementa. The two were so alike…yet so different.

Suddenly, a thought erupted in Therebus’ head. Seryun…at The Unitan Settlement…does that mean Roger is getting close, or is he simply combing the continent?

Confused, Therebus wandered towards the tapestry and swallowed hard. He was never the brave one – his three brothers each had that trait. He was more afraid of things than his brothers, and realizing he may finally uncover some of the hidden truths his Father was keeping.

As his fingers stretched forward towards the old, worn, dusty tapestry, Therebus felt his heart thump vigorously. Feeling his fingers wrap around the side, Therebus proceeded to lift up the tapestry and see the stone corridor leading deeper into the room. Torch brackets on the walls illuminated the thin corridor with an eerie orange glow.

This is for the best, he assured himself. I need to make the most of this time.

Nearing the end of the corridor, Therebus felt sharp stings of regret and knew he wanted to turn back so badly. But there were so many people he was helping here…his brothers for starters, and he might even help put a stop to Roger.

The corridor panned out to a large, circular stone room. Therebus let out an audible gasp as the torches ignited what was before his eyes.

…nothing. It was completely empty. Wandering around, the confused adept searched every nook and cranny, but it was obvious nothing was here at all. Deeply confused and let down, Therebus wondered WHAT was breathing that time his brothers had been in here.

“How mysterious,” he pondered. He summoned a Pathian and contacted Luke immediately. Holding the blue orb in-between his hands, Therebus felt it morph into the shape of his brother’s head.

“Therebus? Are you ok?” Luke asked desperately.

“Yes, I am fine,” Therebus said. “I tore the pages from the book – Father is at a fancy dinner with Teresa and some guests. But I need to speak to you. I’m in the secret corridor behind the tapestry.”

“Really?” Luke asked. “What – or who – is in there?”

“That’s just it,” Therebus admitted. “It’s empty.”

“A-Are you sure?” Luke replied, bewildered.

“I’ve checked it numerous times,” Therebus sighed. “This just does not make any sense.”

“Karadon believes Roger has moved whatever was behind the tapestry,” Luke told his brother. “He knew our curiosity would overcome us. The problem is, where could they be?”

“I have no idea,” Therebus sighed. “Should we look for them?”

“No, Karadon seems to think it is easier keeping our hands clean,” Luke explained. “Did you get the book?”

“Yes, I tore the pages out on the Wysha Diamond,” Therebus told his brother proudly.

“Excellent,” Luke replied. “Please, come back as soon as possible. Karadon needs healed, and we can discuss our plan of action from there.”

Therebus stopped the pathian and sighed, letting his stiff arms drop to his side lazily. He froze, however, when he heard something beyond the veil-like tapestry.

Footsteps. Someone was in the room. The high-heeled click-clack suggested a female, but Therebus was left wondering what on earth they would be doing here. The Ghost Whisperer began to realize he had the element of surprise – a mercury bolt from his crossbow through the tapestry and his foe would be no more. But was it a foe? What if it was Teresa? The boy wondered what to do.

He approached the end of the corridor, a meter or so away from the tapestry, and listened. The woman made no sound, nothing except for her walking around the room. Therebus summoned his crossbow to strap around his arm, holding it forward and deciding to strike.

“Halt! Who goes there?” Therebus cried, leaping out from behind the tapestry. A woman stared back, looking no older than Therebus himself. She had strict black hair and carried a short blade.

“We meet at last,” the woman purred softly. She darted through the air across the room with her sword, prompting Therebus to run to the left in evasion. He fired numerous bolts forward, but his foe swiftly slashed her sword at precise moments to deflect the attacks. She leapt high and charged up an orb of energy before hurling it down to Therebus. Therebus blocked it by crossing his arms and unleashing them to deflect the orb across the room, where it splintered a bookcase.

“What do you want?” Therebus asked weakly. The woman slashed the air with her sword and sent a sonique speeding into Therebus’ ribs. He fell back but regained posture. Throwing a hand forward, Therebus summoned a Demon Days attack, a large demonic cloud of energy, to hover around his foe and lash into her insides. She looked weakened by the attack, but still got up and showed steely determination on her pretty face.

“I want you,” the woman hissed softly, smirking. She snapped her fingers, and her blade began glowing and taking a much longer form. It was long and thin, and as the woman stood facing Therebus, she swung her sword around her, making up a large radius of pain.

“Don’t play with big girls like me,” she said.

Therebus aimed his crossbow, but instead fired repeatedly at the chandelier above the woman. It was sent crashing down and smashed over her head, causing her to stumble and whimper in pain. Blood leaked down her face.

Thinking and acting fast, Therebus aimed his crossbow and fired a bolt into the girl’s foot. She gave a long scream and stumbled backwards. Knowing he had a good edge in the battle, Therebus put his crossbow away and charged up a shadow ball. As he did so, the woman leapt forward with her long sword, suddenly determined, almost as if a wind had blown her status the other way around. She slashed against Therebus’ chest and smirked.

“You’re easily fooled,” replied the woman. “I lured you in, like a sweet nectar to your nostrils, and being the naïve person you are, you though you were getting an edge over me. Let me tell you, I am much stronger than you shall ever be.”

Therebus swayed on the spot and fell down. He looked up to see the woman staring menacingly at him, her long blade by her side.

“If your brothers want to see you again, they’ll need to stop putting the pieces together,” she explained, before Therebus fainted due to sheer exhaustion. The woman’s smirk etched into his mind as everything went black.

[Chris 2.1]

Monica, Al and Tekaru still made their way towards Samyura, hoping to learn of Nat’s fate there. The city was not too far off now, and each was anxious to find their friend again. After their brief morality argument, Monica and Al still remained somewhat hostile, with Monica clinging to Tekaru to show she was still strong after the quarrel. Tekaru sensed his presence was being manipulated, but knew preventing it would not happen.

Wandering into the city, the three felt purpose and motivation, albeit wandering aimlessly around for any sign of the Smithy was what they had to resort to. The Smithy went by the name of Tevaro, but nobody knew what on earth he looked like. The three did not realize also that Nat was in Samyura, and in more trouble than they could imagine.

Like Agrotatio Town, Samyura had no towering industrial skyscrapers sweeping up into the heavens. It was a simply a community, with many houses and buildings, with a beautiful coy pond in the center of the city. A large fountain spurted crystal clear water up into the air. Many went to the large pond with water bottles to replenish supplies. There was also a temple behind the pond, in the center of town, which had an interesting symbol on the front. The temple was like a dojo and Monica was intrigued.

“Let’s find someone,” she commented. “Ask where the Smithy lives.”

The three approached a man by the pond, who was collecting water. He turned to them, a big smile on his elderly, tanned face. Monica looked up and saw a cloudless sky, as well as a big, white hot sun shining down.

“The water here is exquisite,” he informed them. “You must try it.”

As Al went to fill everybody’s water bottles up, Monica asked the man about Tevaro.

“Tevaro?” he said. “Yes, yes, he is a renowned craftsman. In the east part of the city is his craft shop…but…”

“But what?” Tekaru asked.

“I haven’t seen him all day,” replied the man. “He usually comes outside on a fine day like this…although in Samyura, every day is like this.”

“Sounds like we have a lead,” Monica told Al as he returned with their water. “Thank you very much sir.”

The three ran off through town, leaving the man by the pond. As they ran off in the east, not one realized that, in the west, Nat sat in Sam and Gabi’s house with mother Eva. All the while, Pyrites watched from the window, hiding in the shadows…waiting for the right moment to strike. He dashed from the window.

“How are you?” Gabi asked.

“Still…well, still the same,” Nat said, smiling. She sighed. “This feels so weird…I hope I can get my memory back soon…”

There was a knock on the door. Eva wandered to get it as Nat stared ahead mysteriously. She felt very awkward sitting in these peoples company. There was nothing to discuss, apart from her obvious amnesia, and the more Nat discussed it, she more she felt humiliated and helpless.

“Hello,” said a voice. “I came as soon as I heard. Do you have my sister?”

“Oh, my, yes!” Eva said hurriedly. “Sh-She’s right here!”

Eva led a figure into the room. With his light, powdery purple suit over a fresh, high-collared white shirt, the white cuffs came out the cuffs of the suit and were so rigid they stuck facing up the arm. The man had a smooth, handsome face, with a glint in his eye. His other eye was obscured by his curving brown hair down his face. He wore a silk glove on each hand.

“This is your brother!” Eva said happily. “What is her name?”

The man looked at her.

“She is Natasha,” he replied. “And my name is Dimitri. What happened to her?”

“We think she was hurt in the explosion by Tatami Lake,” Sam piped up. “She lost her memory.”

“Hang on…” Nat said slowly. “I do remember the name Natasha…and the name Dimitri, too. They sound familiar.”

“Oh, thank goodness!” Pyrites said happily, embracing Nat. “Thank you ever so much for looking after her. I think it is best we leave now, and get Natasha home. This must be terrible for her.”

“What about her memory loss?” Eva asked.

“I’ve heard of temporary amnesia,” Pyrites lied. “It does tend to disappear after a day or so.”

“Well we found Nat last night!” Gabi protested.

“Yes, well I’m sure she will be back to herself in no time,” Pyrites replied curtly, getting very irritated by the children. “Come now, Natasha.”

“Thanks again,” Nat said to the three. “You were a great help.”

“I hope you recover soon, Natasha,” Eva said fondly. “Goodbye.”

“Bye Natasha!” Sam and Gabi cried. Pyrites put his arm around Nat and led her out the house.

“You must feel awful,” he said to Nat. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine in no time.”

“Thank you, Dimitri,” Nat said quietly. “Where are we going?”

“Oh…of course…” Pyrites replied. “You lost your memory. Natasha, outside of town is a large hill, and when we were growing up we used to always visit it and look at Evayard from the top of the hill. I think it might get your memory back.”

“Ok then,” Nat said innocently. “Thank you.”

“I would do anything for my sister,” Pyrites said, with a flicker in his gaze. “Anything…”

*

“HELLO?” Monica asked, knocking on the door of the famous Tevaro Smithy. “HELLO? MY NAME IS MONICA WARD, I’M LOOKING FOR TEVARO?”

No answer. Al and Tekaru both looked impatient.

“Screw this,” Al said, stepping back. “We need to get that door down. Something isn’t right.”

He charged up green energy in his arms as he crossed them in an X in front of his face. He took a few steps back before launching himself through the air, slashing apart the door with his leaf blade attack. The heavy wooden door splintered before him and the three walked inside.

“Thanks,” Monica said lightly.

“No problem,” Al replied. Tekaru looked somewhat taken aback. Inside was a beautiful gallery containing many samurai swords all around the outside of the shop. There was a counter, with a back door behind it.

“These swords are fantastic,” Al noted, as he examined one. Recently the young man had become more interested in swords, and found these ones fascinating.

“I wonder where Tevaro is,” Tekaru asked mildly.

“TEVARO?” Monica asked. A cry came from behind the door on the other side of the counter. Hearing it, the three got their weapons out and ran towards the door, firing slashes of energy, thunderbolts and shadow balls to smash it down.

The three arrived in the back room, and a man was tied and gagged in the corner, a cut across his cheek. The man was oriental, with no hair on his tanned head. He looked scared and fearful, with a long, wispy moustache. He wore a light brown kimono, with sandals on his feet.

“Are you ok?” Monica asked desperately, dropping her scepter and rushing to the man. She ripped the tape from his mouth, pulling a cloth from his mouth and allowing the man to gasp for breath. His face was shining with sweat.

“Oh my goodness,” he gasped. “Prince Tekaru! Of all the people to find me…thank you so very much!”

Monica looked disgruntled.

“What happened here?” Tekaru asked urgently.

“I…I was just in the shop, minding my own business, and a man wandered in, asking for a sword. I told him they were expensive and he should have experience with swords to be able to wield a Tevaro sword, but he didn’t care. He waved a sort of…wand thing around and I was instantly paralyzed. He dragged me into here and gagged me, before preaching to me about society and its many flaws. Then he locked this door and left. He took one of my strongest swords, too – Placid Storm.”

“Sounds like Pyrites,” Monica declared.

“He is a mysterious adept who has been following us for some time,” Tekaru explained. “But why take –

Al interrupted.

“He’s going to kill Nat,” he said darkly.

“Oh my god,” Monica began, as comprehension dawned on her young, pretty face. “We have to find them now!”

“But where would he be?” Tekaru asked.

“If he was to kill someone, he would take them to a secluded spot,” Tevaro explained. “Samyura has such a place…Monumental Hill. It’s just outside the city.”

“Let’s check there,” Monica said hurriedly. The three thanked Tevaro and ran from his shop as fast as they could. Time was running out, and Nat’s life was in danger.

*

On the top of Monumental Hill, Nat stood in silence as a steady wind picked up and flapped her clothing around. She looked over the city of Samyura with a strained expression on her face. Screwing her face tightly, she stared blankly across the misty land before her, wading through the layers of obscurity for answers.

“No luck?” Pyrites called behind her.

“None…” Nat sighed, slumping and turning around to face the fiend.

“I was so sure just being here would bring back some memories,” Pyrites lied, looking bemused. “We come here all the time.”

“Oh,” Nat responded, crestfallen. “M-Maybe I’m just not trying hard enough…”

“I think you’re right,” Pyrites purred, his sharp eyes surveying her. “This time, do not focus your eyes. Simply stare into the void. Keep yourself firmly poised and do not respond to anything, even if I talk to you. Any noises or voices just block them out.”

“I will,” Nat replied firmly, turning and staring ahead. She tensed herself and stared wildly across the land, not blinking, not moving. Pyrites watched this for a few seconds, waiting until he was fully convinced by the girl’s concentration. He grabbed the sheath on the floor beside him and slowly, surely, gently lifted the sword out; making sure its noise was not heard by the girl. Feeling the metal make a harsh slicing noise as it loosened, Pyrites coughed loudly and, in that time, slipped the sword out completely.

Pyrites got up, steadying the sword in his hands. He paced forward gently, moving with the wind, completely silent. In his time, Pyrites had done many stealth killings and knew exactly how to do things.

The space between Pyrites and Nat lessened as the seconds went by. Nat stared ahead, Pyrites paced towards his prey like a hungry lion, lightening fast; lithe on his feet. Nat was still so vulnerable and stood there innocently.

“You’ve been a challenge,” Pyrites whispered quietly. “But recently you’ve become an annoyance.”

He held the sword back, ready to slash. As he did this, Nat stared blankly ahead. Suddenly, as Pyrites’ fingers clasped around the handle of the sword, a sharp sting erupted into Nat’s head. Her concentration ebbed away as if water was cascading down a drain. Admitting defeat, she turned to face Pyrites.

“Oh my god!” she screamed, diving to the left as Pyrites swung. The man cursed as Nat sprung to her feet. Suddenly, as Nat hit the ground, a fresh, cold wave of empty thought swept over her. Her mind pulsated as all her memories flooded back into her head…memories of Dimitri, her parents, Monica, Lee, the AU…Pyrites trying to hunt her down before, Tekaru, Al, the V4…but the last thing she recollected was the explosion near Tatami Lake.

“MONICA!” Nat screamed. “MONICA! NO! NO!”

“What on earth?” Pyrites asked himself.

“DON’T LEAVE ME MONICA! NO!” Nat was sprawled against a tree, screaming in protest to the memories that rushed into her head.

“Stay still!” Pyrites snapped, readying himself once more. However, as he did so, a thunderbolt flew through the air, striking the man in the back. Giving a groan he dropped the sword and fell to his knees as Monica, Tekaru and Al arrived on the scene.

“Monica!” Nat cried, smiling as tears streamed down her face. “You’re alive?”

“Nat, we’ll explain later!” Monica said desperately. “Are you ok?”

“F-Fine…” Nat muttered.

“Come on,” Al said to Tekaru. “Let’s deal with this guy.”

Drawing their weapons, Al and Tekaru watched Pyrites as Monica ran to Nat. Tekaru gripped his large hammer with its long, gleaming golden handle. Al held his black Assassin blade with vengeance.

“You have been on our tail for a long time,” Tekaru growled. “Now you must pay.”

Pyrites got to his feet, holding the samurai blade.

“I am merely trying to avenge an innocent boy,” he said.

He charged at Tekaru, who darted to the left as a golden streak raced behind him. Al leapt forward and slashed at the whimsical man, who blocked the hit with his sword. Retaliating with slashes back, Pyrites was fiercely dueling with Al. His light, thin sword was easier to swish and sway than Al’s heavier one. Tekaru could only watch.

“Do you think I’ll go down easily?” Pyrites rasped. “I’m not an ordinary adept, you know that.”

“We’re not weak either,” Al snarled, smashing his sword forward and disarming Pyrites. He gave a smirk. “SONIQUE!”

Having learned the technique from Nat, Al slashed his blade forward as a silvery strip of energy hit Pyrites in the ribs. Clicking his gloved fingers, Pyrites caused two identical copies to materialize. Al stepped back.

“Everyone attack a clone!” he yelled, sweeping towards the left Pyrites with anger. He slashed at it, but it multiplied into two more clones, leaving 4 standing and smirking. Tekaru’s Mass Smash attack, in which he swung his charged hammer down at his foe, also produced the same result. The copy of Pyrites flashed and formed into two other copies. Now five stood.

“Confused?” the five clones asked. “I’m not surprised.”

“Keep fighting!” Monica said. “Shadow Ball!”

Hurling the ball forward, Monica saw it smash into Pyrites. The real Pyrites. As he gave a groan and clutched his face, the four copies faded away into the air. The man watched the four disgustedly.

“Society has destroyed your souls,” he growled, face contorted with fury. “Look at you all! Even the royalty in Evayard is…tainted.”

“How dare you,” Tekaru snapped, standing forward. “THUNDERBOLT!”

But as the bolt swept down, Pyrites leapt fluidly back. His sword charged up with fading blue and yellow energy, morphing fantastically as a surging wave of powerful energy was slashed at him. Tekaru fell back with a cry.

“Nat, you’re a lucky girl,” he explained. “Such good, strong friends to protect you. Alas, you came together to defeat me, and you are still unable.”

The four watched Pyrites.

“Perhaps Alan will be ok in the afterlife…”

Little did the four realize Pyrites was referring to the fact that he had killed Alan’s mother.

“He did hate you, I shall not deny that,” Pyrites told them. “But…it is not my duty to keep coming after you. After all, if I were to kill you, your three friends would then hunt me down. Do you see my angle here? If you retaliate, you are giving birth to a never-ending feud between peoples. No good can come of this. I was fond of Alan, I must admit, but this cannot go on any longer.”

He held his hand forward.

“May we call it….quits, as they say?” he asked mildly. Nat looked at him.

“Forget it,” she snapped. “Just leave me be.”

Pyrites retracted his hand. He put Placid Storm back in the sheath and strapped it to his side.

“As you wish,” he said simply, turning and wandering off. “However I am keeping Placid Storm…it will prove useful to me.”

“Give it back!” Monica snapped, stepping forward angrily. Pyrites turned. His face had a stony, serious look on it.

“Don’t you dare make demands of me,” he replied fiercely. “Keep your nose out of my business. This is serious. Leave me while you have the chance…there are forces bigger and more incredible than you will ever know acting as we speak. Go.”

Holding the sword, Pyrites wandered down Monumental Hill.

“We have to stop him!” cried Monica.

“I think we should let him go,” Al said. “He’s leaving us be, and while he is out our lives, Nat is safer. He sounded serious when he mentioned his ‘business’. I don’t think we want to get tangled up in that.”

Tekaru turned, casting his gaze across the land. In the distance, Crufia Castle lay. He clenched his fingers into a fist and stared ahead, a smirk on his face and his hammer in one hand.

“We have a destination,” he told them. “Roger needs sorted out.”

Although while Tekaru said this, Roger’s last words rang in his ears like an alarm, reminding him of everything at stake.

“If you come back to Evayard, I will kill you.”





I hope you all enjoyed that. I'm assuming we have a bunch of closet readers, which I still don't get the idea behind, but hey closet readers!

Just finished writing Ch 23. Fantastic Chap if I may say so. Almost solely based on one group, not really any multi-storylines. And it's a whopping 23 pages :O

Thanks guys!

[Chris 2.1]

Update.


No new Chappy yet. Just started writing Ch25 - The Unitan Settlement. Ch23 was cut slightly - I got rid of 4 pages in total. Perhaps when we get that far, you'll see why. Ch24 is an interesting one, with a lot of action and duelling, and Ch25 looks to be more of the same.

I'll guess the fic will be around 40 chapters. We're on 25 now and it's got a LONG way to go.

[Chris 2.1]

Another update:

I saw someone (A Guest) printing some of this topic off. Is that you, Oakbark? I can only assume your account got terminated or something...but why didn't you make a new username? I miss everyone who used to reply to the fic. But I know people are out there!


Currently writing Ch26. I will update with a new chapter very soon. I am predicting the fic will stretch past 40 Chapters, as I have reached a point in a small subplot that will hopefully explain quite a lot. It might also take some time to develop, so I might have to allow a few more chapters in there.

As it stands, there is quite a substantial amount of character development for nearly all of the characters in one form or another. Some are stronger than others, and I do plan on focusing on some aspects of the fic and some characters in the fic in due course.

The map of Evayard will be posted very shortly, too, as it is nearing completion.

[Chris 2.1]

Monica’s Vendetta
Thirteen
Ninja 5: Part 1

Now that Nat was reunited with the group, the 4 Adepts spent the next day in Samyura, in the cool shade from the powerful sun. Under the canopy of leaves a large, docile tree provided, everybody got up to speed on the current events. Nat explained to the group about her temporary amnesia, and how she remembered collapsing once the mansion exploded. Al came to the conclusion that the amnesia was brought on after Nat thought Monica was dead. She collapsed from grief, and knocked herself out, bringing the amnesia around. Tekaru backed this up, saying he had heard of this before.

“And then, when I leaped from Pyrites, I collided into the ground,” Nat added. “…yea, that’s when I recalled everything and got my memory back…”

“Do you think Pyrites did blow up Silva’s manor?” Tekaru asked Monica, having learned of the woman’s name.

“No,” Monica said simply. “I don’t think he did.”

“Neither do I,” Al said, looking across for Monica’s reaction. “I think he simply exploited Nat’s condition. After seeing Nat in Samyura (he does follow her around, remember?), he probably figured out how to take advantage of it.”

“Yea, I agree with Al,” Monica told Tekaru, for it was he who fielded the question. “For now, I’d say it is unrelated to us.”

Nat looked around the serene city. It was something so simple and relatively easy that made this charming city so appealing. No special ‘feature’; it was purely a wonderful place to lounge around and simply think.

“I wish we could stay here longer,” she sighed blissfully. “This place is…nice.”

“We have more to concentrate on,” Tekaru reminded her. “Crufia lies north of here.”

“This is it…” Monica said slowly. “Our confrontation with Roger.”

“Are we really ready, though?” Nat asked skeptically. Tekaru looked intrigued, and his look seemed to motion for Nat to elaborate. “I mean…Monica and Tekaru are both Level 11. Al is level 7 now, and I am level 9. Tekaru, you told us the V4 are each Level 20. How do you expect us to defeat them?”

“We may not need to,” Tekaru retaliated. “Roger would fight us with the V4 if he anticipated our arrival. Perhaps we can launch a discreet sneak attack so he is not ready.”

“If that is the case, then we’re still stuck,” Nat said calmly. “We don’t know how strong Roger is, but we’ve seen he can beat you up pretty badly.”

Tekaru looked rather embarrassed. He stared down at his feet. Nat watched him, thinking to herself, before finally speaking up.

“Look, Tekaru, I know you want to get to Crufia as soon as possible,” she told him, a soothing sound in her voice. “But we have to be logical about this. If we get stronger, we’ll take Roger on and be triumphant. If we go now, we could all perish at his hands.”

“If you ever come back to Evayard, I will kill you.” Tekaru ran those words though his head.

“Perhaps,” he admitted.

“We still don’t know what Roger is doing,” Monica added. “He may not be doing anything wrong at all.”

Al looked at Tekaru, who was glowing red in shame. He saw Nat and Monica, both trying to assess the situation, and knew he had to do something.

“I know you’re right, Tekaru,” he said boldly, looking at Monica and Nat. “Roger is up to something.”

“Thanks,” Tekaru said lightly.

Yes, he thought to himself, seeing the shocked expression on Monica’s face. He had done the right thing there, giving Tekaru some confidence again. Al was worried that Tekaru might become reclusive if any arguments broke out over the Crufia situation.

Monica, meanwhile, gave Al a faint smile as he stuck up for Tekaru. Al saw this and didn’t really know what to think. The quaint silence was ruptured when both of Monica’s hands glowed a bright blue and faced palm-up. From each hand, a blue head formed. On the left was the wise face of Mortimer. On the right, the determined frown of Chrome. Monica had not been in contact with either of these AU members (or their respected groups) since the mission in Perlei.

“Mortimer! Chrome!” Monica cried out.

“Monica, you’re using the pathian ability!” Tekaru cried.

“Silva’s…training must have helped,” Nat concluded.

“Monica, good to see you,” Mortimer said wisely. “As you may be aware, you are in a 3-way connection with me and Chrome. Little do you realize, a lot has happened since we all dispersed from Perlei. This connection allows a free spread of ideas and news to each party.”

“Ok,” Monica said lightly. “I’m here with Al, Nat, and Prince Tekaru Farrimond. You might know him, Mortimer.”

“Of him, yes,” Mortimer replied. “But…might I ask what he is doing away from Evayard?”

“We’re in Evayard,” Monica explained. “Tekaru found us after being thrown from the continent by his soon-to-be stepfather, Roger Megallo. And –

“Monica, Monica, we know about Roger,” Mortimer began. “You mean to say you’re in Evayard? It might interest you to know Chrome’s group is here, too.”

“So the AU is all in Evayard? That cannot be coincidence,” said Monica. “We’re in Samyura now…there have been complications like a kidnapping and a short-term memory loss, but we’re probably heading to Crufia today.”

“I see,” Mortimer said lightly. “Well, Monica, Lee managed to find a location for the Mask of Babylon. He is currently heading north to Mahanui to locate the Mask before returning to us. Meanwhile, Roger has falsely imprisoned Afee, Boko and I for treason. Prince Farrimond, I assure you we were doing no such act. We have been in jail for some time, underneath the castle, and recently Roger announced two things. One: his marriage to Lady Teresa will be in a few days time, and secondly: the three of us are to be trialed for acts against humanity. If we are found guilty…we will be killed.”

“No!” Monica shouted.

“That is preposterous,” Tekaru boomed. “Roger has taken this too far!”

“We need help, fast,” Mortimer told the groups. “Our time is running out.”

“Monica,” Chrome said. “I am here with Zuuki, Salo and Damien. As with us too, a lot has happened of late.”

As Chrome began, Al was explaining to Nat (in a mere whisper) that Damien ran from the ship and headed home after he got cold feet about fighting Dimitri. He was indeed surprised that Damien’s position in the AU was still maintained.

“In Perlei, at Serenity Lake, Seryun Kotsoru attacked us. He managed to kill Master Jackson instantly. He is still a young man, but has mastered incredible strength in the short time on the earth. We fought him, but sensing a defeat, split up to meet in Colina. Seryun was without his accomplice, Splinter, who we believe to have perished at somebody’s guilty hands.”

On the mention of guilt, Damien felt his face redden and his feet shift around. Taking deep breaths, he found it hard to quell the self-hate rising in his body. No news on his father…had anybody found him yet? Remembering how he dragged the corpse into the fireplace, Damien wondered if his house was burned to a crisp. A tear tried escaping his eye, but he would not allow it. If his Father burned to a crisp…could it be that he, Damien, was also presumed dead?

“Hey…it’s ok…” Salo said softly, putting an arm around him. Damien quickly looked at the girl, who gave a worried gasp and pulled her arm back so fast it might have been elasticized. Pink patches appeared in Salo’s cheeks as she began muttering something about ‘sorry’ and ‘just friends’. Damien looked at her and smiled. That human contact…it had briefly put out the fiery guilt licking his insides.

“We contacted Mortimer’s group to tell them of the news,” Chrome carried on. “And learned of their imprisonment. We made our way to Crufia, but were attacked by two of Roger’s sons. Karadon and Scott. Karadon soon left after we were weakened; apparently he found some information worth looking into. Scott chased us into the gardens of the castle as the four of us lay weakened, but he too was called away to meet the other two brothers. We have been in Crufia resting since then.”

“Ok,” Monica said slowly. “Well, we had an encounter with the V4, as they are known, in Saffron City, where I live. The four of them hunted us down, and killed a boy named Alan Michael while doing so. They want us dead.”

“And we’ve begun to learn why,” came Zuuki’s voice from somewhere on Monica’s right hand. “All of us have been targeted one way or another by this ‘V4’. It’s clear they didn’t want us arriving in Evayard. Not all 3 groups, anyway. With one group already here they had to stop them meeting any of us, and they tried, but things just fell apart. Obviously the V4 know about Dimitri’s collapse, and they know that we are strongest when united. Obviously they wanted to prevent that from happening, and decided to pick us off separately.”

“That sounds correct,” Mortimer agreed.

“Tekaru told us something was up with Roger. He didn’t know what, exactly, and I don’t think we will just yet. But we can tell Tekaru was serious,” Monica said darkly. “Roger is obviously doing something if he doesn’t want a group like us interfering with his plans.”

“And with his V4 helping him, with those huge elementa’s, we’re going to have a tough time,” Chrome added.

“I think not,” Mortimer chuckled. “You see, we were visited by Luke a few days ago. He did, after some persuasion, spill his heart open and reveal more than he intended to.”

“Like what?” Tekaru asked enticingly. Mortimer looked satisfied at having everybody’s attention.

“He explained Roger does not give any information to his sons. It seems he is their puppet master, and they are mere puppets. A tapestry in Roger’s chamber seems to be hiding something…and if you ask me, that is our next lead.”

“You mean our only lead,” Chrome sighed.

“I think that Tekaru can try to get some leeway with his mother to let us out,” Mortimer concluded. “If not, with Roger’s sons on the panel, things would look grim. However, now that an abyss has opened between this father-son relationship, I’m not all that certain we are to be lead to our death.”

“Train up a little bit more,” Mortimer advised Monica. “And then make your way to Crufia. Assemble with Chrome’s group and form two mixed groups – we need some sort of mix between your groups. Team A’s objective is to find the Tapestry, which I believe is in Roger’s chamber. Tekaru will be able to tell you where this is. As for Team B, they are to come to the prison and break Boko, Afee and myself out of prison. Tekaru, I am asking that you are in the Team that goes to the Prison. The guards will let you to see the prisoners. Then, Team B (which will include Boko, Afee and me) will come to the Tapestry and lend backup support.”

“Right,” Monica nodded.

“You must be careful. Roger may nearly be royalty, but he still plays dirty by the sounds of it. Do you know what you have to do?”

“Yes,” came from Monica and Chrome.

“I will go now,” Mortimer concluded. “Be strong. Train up – there is a Gym in Samyura. Head to Crufia over the next day or so and make a difference.”

And with that, Mortimer’s head slowly faded away. Monica stared at Chrome.

“See you soon,” Chrome muttered, before slowly fading too, leaving Monica with her hands free. She looked at Al, Nat and Tekaru, who seemed to be waiting for some confirmation of their mission.

“I cannot believe Mother is marrying Roger!” Tekaru cried.

“I can’t believe Lee has gone solo finding that mask,” Monica sighed.

“I can’t believe we’ll be seeing the rest of the AU so soon,” Al said, almost as if a reunion was foreboding towards what they may have to face over the coming weeks.

“I can’t believe Serena won’t be with us,” Nat sniffed. The four seemed lost in the information both Mortimer and Chrome had helped provide. Monica, still worried about Lee, imagining him fend of biting winds on his own, jumped from her daydreaming and clenched her fingers into a fist.

“Let’s head to that Gym,” she said powerfully. She felt somewhat flushed and, for reasons she could not explain, preferred not making eye contact with Tekaru, who seemed inquisitive.

Now with a new purpose, new motive, and a plan set in stone, Monica’s group made their way through Samyura towards the Gym. Meanwhile, from the Gym, a man watched the group wander closer. He had shaggy black hair and a pig-like snout. He was broad and beefy, with an oriental background.

“It is her!” he cried. “Brother!”

Another man, oriental but skinny and tall, grabbed the binoculars from his brother and pressed them to his eyes.

“I do recognize Monica…” he said slowly. “And Nat looks familiar to. Perhaps we will be seeing a reunion on our hands?”

[Chris 2.1]

Meanwhile, Roger wandered down a stone passageway in the castle. It was broad and lined with torch brackets and portraits. He used his fingers to style his graying moustache. Arriving at a large door, he eyed the lettering on the front and gave a snort. Opening it up, he commenced his walk through the room, which had a fancy four-poster bed in one corner. As Roger approached it, he held a hand forward and frowned thickly. A pink aura materialized around the bed and it gradually moved to the left a few feet, revealing a large, square trapdoor barely visible in the stone floor. Roger wandered towards it and felt for a handle. He heaved it upwards and propped it upright. He could see a small golden light down there.

Clambering down the hole via a ladder, Roger stopped and made sure the bed was covering the trapdoor once more. He dropped off the ladder and arrived in a dimly-lit chamber. It was large and spacious, with many bookshelves lining the walls. A woman approached him and greeted Roger. She was looking as cute as she ever did, with her sleek black hair now in two bunches either side of her tanned, oriental face. Her eyes twinkled with a familiar majesty, and her white ¾ trousers showed soft, exquisite legs. She wore a white top over her smooth body, leaving her tanned stomach visible to all. A pretty jewel was embedded in her belly button. Now 20 years old, she eyed Roger with intrigue. It was Lusaka-Lae. Dimitri’s second-hand woman. The kidnapper of Nat all that time ago.

“We had to do it,” she explained. Her voice was not cute, but harsh. Like a whip it cracked meaning and demonstrated a core of power.

“He’s my son!” Roger protested manically. “People will find out.”

“People will find out he went missing,” Lusaka snapped back. “Not that he was kidnapped by his father and held hostage.”

Roger sensed the young girl would not back down.

“It will be hard to cover up,” Roger admitted.

“If it goes badly, you’ll get the chop,” Lusaka smirked. “You’ll be interrogated, blamed, and quizzed for answers. Not me. Everybody who knows I fled Asterid Fortress believes me to have been destroyed by the falling of Obola.”

“Can’t you at least empathize with me here?” Roger snapped. “I’m about to become King of Evayard, and marry the woman I love. I have so many skeletons in my closet I’ll need a second one any day now. It’s all secrets and lies.”

“When your son went behind the tapestry, for a few seconds he felt like the biggest idiot in the world,” Lusaka laughed. “All that hype, and nothing there at all.”

“He heard breathing,” Roger replied grittily. “He’ll have guessed we relocated, not that he was wrong about there being someone else there.”

Lusaka feigned an offended look.

“Don’t get snappy with me,” she muttered. “Anyway, we need to think about what we can do with your son. He saw the map, and thinks you know where the Wysha Diamond is.”

Roger stayed silent. Lusaka smirked again.

“Funny, isn’t it?” she asked rhetorically. “Your sons all know about the Wysha Diamond…and I know everything about the Wysha Diamond…yet you don’t seem to know a thing. Do you know why that is?”

Again, Roger stayed silent.

“Because you’re an IDIOT,” snapped Lusaka. “Naive and foolish…”

“Shut up,” Roger said threateningly. “I’m strong, you know.”

“I should know,” Lusaka replied enticingly, rolling her eyes. “I GAVE you all the power you asked for. My Master may have passed away, but he left me something useful…”

Lusaka patted something in her pocket.

“Your sons do not believe in you any longer,” she announced. “In the Library, I watched them. As a dormouse, of course. Karadon, Scott and Luke all think you’re not worth trusting any more. You’re allies have left you, you IDIOT.”

“Well I have you,” Roger said. Lusaka let out a cold, hollow laugh as she watched Roger’s expression.

“YOU have ME?” she asked. “Is that right? Roger, you may be old, but you’ve got no such authority. If anything, I have YOU.”

“W-What I meant, is that we are on the same side, fighting for the same cause,” Roger said desperately. “If the AU attacked me…you’d back me up, correct?”

Watching the hungry expression on Roger’s face was satisfying for Lusaka. Like a cat ready to strike down on a tiny mouse, she moved softly; lithe, yet with a complex mix of sharpness and stealth.

“We’ll see,” she said softly. There was an operating-style table to their left. It had a figure on it. Lusaka turned towards it.

“I could strike NOW,” she hissed. “But I have to restrain myself. Never enjoy the puzzle until all the pieces are in place.”

Roger watched her. He muttered to himself, contemplating his next decision. Before long, he clenched his fist and, as Lusaka wandered around with her back to him, speaking prophetic words and linguistic phrases, he readied himself.

Pacing forward, grunting heavily, Roger held his fist back and approached Lusaka. This is right, he told himself. I am a slave no more. Aiming a punch, he was surprised when Lusaka pounced forward as if she were a cat. Turning on the spot and getting back onto her feet, Lusaka sent four ninja stars shooting from her agile fingers. They cut the front of Roger’s clothing and managed to pin him against the stone wall.

“These are…a special brand of weapon,” Lusaka admitted. “Able to penetrate stone, as you can see. Lucky for me, I have a friend who is very, very good with weapons…”

Roger hung from the wall, unable to get down.

“Where is my son?” he barked.

“He is in a safe location,” Lusaka confessed. “And as long as you never try that again…he should stay safe. But try and turn your back on the promises you made, and the devotion expected from you…and your fiancée, your sons, and your soon-to-be kingdom will suffer at my hands.”

*

At the Gym in Samyura, Monica knocked on the door. It was a large, wooden gate, and the inside looked something like a dojo. As Monica pushed on the doors, she eventually opened them up. They could see a large courtyard with an arena drawn in the dusty earth. The house, or building, was constructed on all three sides around the arena, made from thin walls. It was a typical Japanese-style house from olden times. A wooden porch all around the house had three wooden steps leading onto the courtyard-turned arena. The roof was stylish and a dark slate colour, with a pointed top and the ends curved upwards somewhat. On the roof opposite the gates was a peace symbol and a yin-yang merged together.

“Looks like a dojo,” Monica said. “Any of us could fight here if we wanted to.”

“I’m fighting,” Al said triumphantly, stepping forward. “Level eight, here I come.”

Nat looked at Al, sighed, and stepped forward. “I’ll fight too,” she said. “I need the experience.”

Both Al and Nat watched for any signs of life, but there seemed to be none. Suddenly, the gates blew shut with a bang. Monica gasped as she turned around. Had they been led into a trap?

“Hey! What’s going on?” she asked. A voice came from the shadows of the house opposite the gates.

“Monica Ward…” it said.

“They know you!” Tekaru cried.

“Natasha…” another voice said.

“What is this?” Monica asked desperately. There were five cries, all varying in pitch and tone, and five figures swept from the insides of the house, landing on one side of the arena. Monica gasped as she recognized four of the figures. Nat also seemed shocked.

“It is us, the Ninja 5!” cried one of the men. All of them looked to be between the ages of 14, to as old as 21. There were 4 men – Pheno was the short one and probably the youngest at around 14. Jiin was the fat one, maybe up to 16 or 17, with a sumos build and a squat face. Gohra was the broad one, with big shoulders and a flat nose. His eyes were deep and he looked around 21. Then San Jai was the tall one, perhaps a year or so younger than Gohra, with a spindly figure and a surprised expression. The fifth member was a girl, probably 17 years old, with her black hair short and looking tomboyish. Each wore coffee-coloured kimonos. On their belt, the same symbol of a merged yin-yang and peace sign was visible.

“I remember you now!” Monica cried happily. It was in Kikio, all the way in Altonia, that Monica and Nat encountered the four (the woman was a new face to Monica). These four ran the Alliance Gym, and the four brothers battled Monica, Nat, Victor and Lee. As a result, each earned an Alliance Badge – A shield in a chosen colour. Monica looked at hers, saw Nat looking at her Alliance badge too and smiled. “What brings you to Evayard?”

“After you left Kikio, we spent a few months taking on challengers,” San Jai told them. “But soon after, we felt the need to move on. We heard about the warriors who managed to find their way into paradise -” (this was actually Mortimer’s group; Mortimer, Boko, Afee, Reef and Lee) “- and decided to find that place ourselves. Since then, we have been training in Samyura with weapons given from Tevaro himself. We converted our courtyard into a gym for duels with adepts.”

“Wow,” Nat said, smiling. “And you have a new companion?”

San Jai looked across at the girl.

“Lilla is a very strong adept we met shortly after arriving in Evayard,” he went on. “Gohra is currently dating her. They are very much in love.”

“Congratulations,” Monica said, smiling.

“However, we are all very keen fighters,” San Jai continued. “It is disappointing only two of us shall fight you.”

“I suppose we could duel too,” Tekaru mumbled. “But neither of us can use badges.”

“You would be able to, Prince Farrimond,” Pheno said quietly.

“Well then…” Tekaru mused. “I suppose I’ll fight too!”

“Same here,” Monica said. “A 4-5 duel it is then! Only I won’t be receiving any badges.”

“Firstly to battle will be Pheno VS Al!” San Jai cried. Nat, Monica and Tekaru sat on a bench behind Al’s side of the arena. Similarly, the other three of Ninja 5 sat on a bench behind Pheno, while San Jai refereed.

“BEGIN!” San Jai roared. Instantly, Pheno drew a wooden sword and ran headlong at Al. Al watched, hands by his sides, patiently waiting for the right time to strike. As Pheno got close, Al reached for his sword…but the pint-sized fighter sped through the air and dealt a blow to Al’s face. Being a wooden, blunt sword, this only bruised his jaw, but nevertheless Al still fell down. Pheno leapt backwards, soaring high up, arching back and landing back on his side of the arena as Al got up.

“LEAF BLADE!” Al roared, crossing his arms in front of him. A glow took over as blades of green energy swept out from his wrists. The boy stood, watching Pheno with a devilish stare. Pheno charged again, but Al was ready this time. Pheno saw the leaf blade and leapt up into the air, charging energy into his sword. However, Al uncrossed his arms in a double-swiping motion to expel the green energy right into the ground. The sand was hit by the attack and a small cloud of dust rose around the arena. Pheno, falling down into the cloud of dust, could not see where Al was. He suddenly leapt up from the cloud of dust, slashed his sword lengthways and sliced up Pheno’s wooden sword.

“Nice work Al!” Nat cheered. As both Pheno and Al landed back into the dust, Al gripped his sword in both hands and began spinning around wildly, doing something similar to a swords dance. The dust cleared, and Pheno looked to be still standing, albeit without a sword.

Pheno ran forward again, screaming out loud as a semi-transparent rat creature formed from behind him. It was a bronze colour with large fangs. Pheno let the spirit sink into his body, and it psyched him up.

“What was that all about?” Monica asked.

“We get our power from our Chinese Zodiac signs,” Gohra shouted. “Pheno is born in the year of the rat.”

Pheno’s nails became long, metal claws that he feverishly swiped towards Al. The young man blocked with his broad sword and tried to attack Pheno, but being as short as he was, he managed to weave in all the little spaces and strike Al.

“Hit him with bigger attacks!” Nat shouted. Al heard this and slashed a sonique forward, smashing into Pheno’s ribs and forcing him back. He sniffed the air and slashed with his claws. Al charged energy up in his sword again and swung it from left to right, sending a plethora of magical leaves sweeping towards the young boy. Pheno slashed some away, but a lot managed to slash away his strength. Al took a few steps back, slipping his sword away and charging another leaf blade.

“Yes!” Tekaru cried out. “Leaf Blade!”

Soaring through the air, blades of energy forming from his wrists, Al smirked as he swiped his arms apart and, getting closer to a stunned Pheno, slashed both blades across his foe’s chest before planting a kick and leaping back into the air.

Pheno collapsed, unable to continue, his sword in pieces. Monica’s side cheered loudly for Al, who turned and beamed proudly at them with his perfect teeth. Monica smiled, nodding in approval, while Nat whistled with her fingers, and Tekaru clapped with gusto. Pheno went to sit on the bench with his brothers.

“Great duel!” Nat cried. “That leaf blade into the ground was a brilliant idea!”

“Brains over brawn,” Al said boldly. “Or brains AND brawn if you’re me!”

Monica was surprised what emotions rose out of this little bit of fun. Pheno was not seriously hurt, but the rugged duels seemed to fuel everyone’s lust for fighting. Monica felt that was a good thing. In the weeks to follow, the group would need to be ready to fight – whenever and wherever.

“Are you staying on for the next fight?” Monica asked.

“Yea, bring it on!” Al cried, turning towards the Ninja 5. They looked somewhat offended. The fat one, Jiin, rose from his seat, double chin wobbling profoundly. His kimono looked stretched and Monica thought he had definitely gained weight since they last met. His belt was black. Stomping to the arena, he began slapping his belly like some sort of psyche-up.

“Are both of you ready?” San Jai roared. Al narrowed his eyes, and the rather corpulent Jiin clapped his shovel-like hands together, before giving a firm nod. “BEGIN!”

“Leaf Blade!” Al roared, crossing his arms as the familiar green glow overpowered him. As the long blades of green energy curved from his wrists down to his elbows, Al swiped his arms apart as he flew through the air at Jiin. Jiin looked ready. As Al prepared a double slash, Jiin drove his hands together like a pair of cymbals and trapped both Al’s hands. His grip high above his head, Al was hanging from the tall, bulky warriors vice as his attack failed.

“Oh my god!” Monica cried.

“He blocked the attack!” Tekaru shouted. Jiin then surprised everybody by crouching before leaping high into the air, taking Al with him in his firm grip between his large hands. He then threw Al down towards the ground, who smashed into the worn floor and let out a groan.

“Watch out! He’s coming back down!” Nat screamed. Jiin flew down towards Al and prepared to land on him. He smashed down onto Al and caused the young man to give a roar of pain.

“Al!” Monica cried out. “Are you ok?”

Al precariously got up, swaying on the spot. The Ninja 5 were laughing at him. He looked very hurt and reached for his sword. Jiin stood there, his little slits of eyes showing mirth and pleasure at stopping Al in his tracks.

“Are you going to keep going?” Monica shouted. Al stood weakly, swaying on the spot. Before he could answer, Jiin stamped at the ground with his large feet and disorientated the young Quaker. As this happened, he ran forward with his huge hands and smashed them into Al’s head, one on each side as if he were being hit with cymbals. Al collapsed weakly.

“I suppose he won’t!” Gohra shouted, laughing heartily. Lilla wrapped her arms around his muscular torso, silently watching the group.

“Fine,” Monica snapped. “Al, come back. Tekaru, get out there!”

As Al crawled off the arena, eyes screwed up in pain, Monica and Nat helped him towards the bench, where he sat, feeling his ribs throb with pain. Tekaru walked forward onto the arena, feeling eyes pressed against him as he prepared to take on Jiin. He closed his eyes and bowed his head. He clutched the crucifix that he carried with him at all times.

Dear Father, he began whispering. Help me fight this colossal beast.

[Powarun]

I like that last line, "help me fight this colossal beast" Glad to know that the AU is reforming, and almost ready to take on Roger. I am not going to say anything spoilerish till someone else replies, but this is a good chapter for foreshadowing, and underingstanding the AU's stregnth and Mortimer's genius. Now it kind of puzzles me how and why they had to get all of the god's weapons in teh orginal story, instead of just getting the V4 pissed off.

[Chris 2.1]

Powarun: Yea finally we're learning about Tekaru. So the mysterious King Farrimond is finally mentioned...but why does Tekaru pray to his Father? Obviously this plot is explored more and more, and in the more recently finished chapters (Early 20's) we see a lot on Tekaru's Faith when it is truly tested.

And you're right, this chapter really shows the AU working as a single unit; reaching a decision together and finally taking action against Roger Megallo.


Oh and spoil it, please. This chapter is at the top of the page, and you're the only reader anyway. Go nuts! talk about the Roger scene, what did you think of it?

[Powarun]

I thought the Roger scene was well played out. I especially enjoy the fact that Roger is a puppet, like most kings are. Lusaka again. Hope she gets a good one on one fight with the sister of Dimitri. Although I see the V4 all attacking her to protect Roger whom told the truth about everything to them in order to protect himself. Like I said, glad to see them all acknowledging the fact that they need to get better.

[Chris 2.1]

Powarun: Hey again. I think one thing about the V4 is that they show just how far the AU have to grow - individually, I don't think any of them compare to the V4, elementa's or not. So it is nice to see these powerful, god-like adepts get some depth. Lusaka is back - something I wanted to leave you guessing about for some time (is she alive? How? Are Ray and Scabb? Etc), but there came a point when she needed to be revealled, which added a new level of depth to Roger's character.

And I do think, since this is the final Monica fic, that Lusaka and Nat will have a duel to end all duels. I am currently half-way (approximately) through Ch27, and can assume the fic will reach at least 35 Chapters. I still have a lot planned, and am currently planning the Final Battle.

The next parts of the fic are some of the best...I really think the quality of Vendetta is improving vastly. I have written a lot already and I have re-read it, and was actually captivated by my own writing, which sounds both big-headed and impressive. I hope you enjoy it.

[Chris 2.1]

Monica’s Vendetta
Fourteen
Ninja 5: Part 2

“Ready?” San Jai asked, eyeing both Tekaru and Jiin as they stood facing each other. Tekaru’s heart was hammering fast. He had to try and defeat this giant beast; he had already defeated Al in minutes. With pressure now on in regards to his performance, Tekaru took one last look at his friends and cleared his throat.

“Yes,” Again, Jiin gave a firm nod.

“BEGIN!” San Jai roared. Tekaru stood still, waiting for any movements. Jiin stayed where he was, his tiny eyes focused on Tekaru the entire time. Tekaru held his hands out and gave a roar.

“HAMMER OF TARTARUS!”

The long handled, golden hammer formed in both hands as he gripped it tightly. Giving off a golden glow, Tekaru still saw no reaction from Jiin. His velvet shirt, short-sleeved and a plum colour meant he was stiflingly hot in this weather. Similarly, his baggy black silk trousers were heating up. Moving his feet slightly in his nimble, slipper-like shoes, Tekaru thought to himself.

“KARMA AIR!” he roared. “Into the hammer!”

The orb of energy materialized into Tekaru’s hand as he plunged it into his hammer. The hammer flashed a golden colour and started to give off an odd, golden steam suggesting it was full of power.

“Tekaru’s powering himself up,” Nat commented. “Taking advantage of the fact Jiin doesn’t like to attack directly.”

“But he will be able to attack directly, if he needs to,” Monica said thoughtfully. “And he still has his Chinese Zodiac…”

“Was there even a year of the Hippo?” Nat asked, smirking. Al started to chuckle, but it hurt his ribs doing so.

After a third Karma air, a much bigger golden glow shrouded Tekaru as the same golden steam rose from his body. Angry, he clenched his hammer tightly and narrowed his eyes. Jiin still watched, a wide smile on his face.

“He needs to attack,” Monica sighed.

“He will,” Nat replied.

At that moment, Tekaru began to run towards Jiin. Readying his large hands, the big adept waited for the right time. His accuracy and precision was top-notch, and while Tekaru ran, he waited.

Tekaru, however, was not going to allow a repeat of Al’s duel. He leapt up into the air and soared above Jiin. As he did this, he swung his hammer down with both hands, sending himself sweeping down with a bolt of lightening coursing through his hammer. Smashing the hammer into Jiin’s face, Tekaru pushed back and flipped through the air onto the arena again. He slipped his hammer away. Jiin looked shocked, but carried on.

It was then that Tekaru drew the small, golden cross from his pocket. It was roughly the size of his hand, and a shimmering gold in colour. He held it forward.

“Power of Faith!” he roared. The cross began pulsating a feverish white. Legs apart, Tekaru held the cross forward as if he were brandishing a sword. Jiin saw this and gave a laugh. He stomped forward.

“YEAR OF THE OX!” Jiin roared loudly. A large spiritually transparent form of an ox hovered above him, before sweeping into his body and giving him a new found animal strength. As his arms soared above his head, Jiin charged. An orange energy shrouded him as he got closer to Tekaru.

This behemoth was ploughing right at the young prince, hands held forward and covering his face and body almost. It was if Jiin was using these large hands as a shield while he aimed right at Tekaru. However, a golden circle appeared beneath Tekaru, widening its diameter and stretching outwards. As soon as Jiin stepped over this golden line of the circle, he flashed blue and became paralyzed.

“Oh my god!” Nat cried. “Jiin’s stopped in his tracks!”

“What is this?” Gohra roared.

“My Plasma Wave,” Tekaru grinned. “An area of pure electrical energy. Enter the electrical field and face a heavy electric shock.”

“I can’t move!” Jiin cried.

“HAMMER OF TARTARUS!” Tekaru shouted, summoning his huge hammer again. The golden steam rose from his body. “Remember all that powering up? Prepare to feel it.”

Tekaru sped along the arena, hammer withdrawn back. Jiin, still frozen, looked on with pure horror across his face. Tekaru swung and smashed Jiin with his hammer, throwing him to the ground in his frozen state.

“Thunder!” Tekaru roared, as a huge, gargantuan bolt of electricity flew down and struck Jiin. He gave a long cry of pain.

“I SURRENDER!” he bawled. Tekaru clapped his hands and the paralysis wore off. Instantly, with a smile on his face, Jiin leapt to his feet and drew his fist back. Tekaru darted to the left, around Jiin and smashed him in the back with his hammer. Jiin fell down, unconscious.

“Tekaru…wins…” San Jai said emptily, as Jiin was helped off by Gohra. The big, muscled adept looked aghast at Tekaru.

“The Prince of Evayard wins!” Tekaru cheered.

“Great work!” Nat cried. The tone of her voice suggested she really was impressed. Gohra stood up.

“I will not allow such underhand tactics!” he cried. “I’M NEXT!”

Lilla watched stiffy, and Tekaru came to sit back down on the bench, reserving his health for later on in the match. Nat got up, drawing her Raegan Blade from her sheath and wandering forward.

“I hope you’re better than last time,” Nat rasped, legs apart and facing Gohra. He flexed his muscles and gave a shuddering roar. Monica watched from the sidelines, seeing Al looking utterly defeated on her left, and Tekaru full of life and vitality to her right.

*

Meanwhile, in Crufia, Chrome, Zuuki, Salo and Damien hung around a large Inn. They had to lie low. The four had recovered their strengths over the past few days and were back on top form. They wanted to stay hidden in case the V4 tried to attack them again. Salo was petrified of the large elementas.

Their room consisted of four beds, each single and with white sheets. The room was like a cabin, with wooden walls and a wooden floor. There was a picture of Mahanui, the small village in the mountains. Another picture showed a drawing of Evayard itself. Chrome lay on his bed, his shiny, metal body glimmering in the light. He looked somewhat flustered by the lack of any other adults in his own group. However, Mortimer’s words had an impact on him, and he felt, in his mind, stronger than ever. Zuuki sat on the window sill, looking out onto Crufia, her shades over her pretty eyes. A meaningful expression was on her face. Damien and Salo were sitting on a bed together, whispering.

“All we must do now is wait,” Chrome announced, staring at the ceiling. Zuuki, unable to take this silence, leapt from the sill and started doing pushups.

“So…do you mean it?” Damien asked innocently.

“Yea!” Salo replied. “I – think – you’re – cute.”

Damien smiled. Salo gave him a little kiss on the cheek.

“Do…do you like me?” she asked nervously, shuffling her feet. Damien gave a throaty gulp as he glowed red.

“…Yea,”

He pecked her on the cheek lightly. Salo, still young at only 14 years of age, moved her hand onto Damien’s, staring into his eyes and smiling. Damien was bewildered; his red cheeks making him look somewhat exhausted.

As they enjoyed this moment, Chrome intervened.

“Don’t be so stupid!” he snapped. “Fraternizing with each other! You’re about to raid a Castle for gods sake!”

Normally, Damien would apologize and never look at Salo again. But not this time. He stood up, glaring at Chrome’s grey eyes.

“Don’t you dare bully me around,” he snapped back. “I’ll do what I want, when I want, with who I want, and you can’t stop me. You’re not my father!”

“I should bring your father with us,” Chrome replied. “Maybe he could bully you into learning some manners!”

“HE WON’T BULLY ME ANYMORE!” Damien roared. Chrome was stunned. Salo looked apprehensive, shuffling along the bed and stroking her hair back. Zuuki stopped her pushup. Damien was read in the face, breathing deeply as Chrome took a step back.

“I…sorry…” Damien muttered, particularly at Salo. He wandered off outside. “I need some time alone.”

Slamming the door, Damien left the other three with confused expressions. Zuuki got up and sat on the end of her bed as Chrome sighed to himself.

“When did he get so…confident?” Chrome asked.

“He obviously began standing up to his father,” Zuuki explained. “What a fiery temper!”

“You’re so horrible to him,” Salo muttered.

“He is nothing short of a traitor!” Chrome cried. “He left us when we needed him the most.”

“His father’s a very pressuring man!” Salo cried back.

“Look, just because you kissed him, doesn’t mean you need to stand up for him,” Chrome said. Salo sniffed in displeasure.

“If Margus is so pressuring, Damien must have said some awful things to get the courage to leave,” Zuuki concluded. “Just…give him a break, Chrome.”

“He is nothing short of a traitor,” he repeated dully. Zuuki gave an annoyed sigh and flumped onto her bed. Salo wandered towards the window dolefully, looking out and seeing Damien run through the city.

“We should get him,” she warned them. “What if the V4 ambush him?”

Perhaps it was because Zuuki was worn out with shouting; perhaps it was because Chrome was too ignorant to back down. Or perhaps it was because Salo knew she was not as strong as her friends, and that her age had an impact on her importance in the group, that nobody left the Inn to find Damien.

*

Meanwhile, in the north, Lee and Gauld wandered through a blistering storm. They forced themselves through the land as they fought against Mother Nature herself. After receiving the challenge about Soul Sword and Spirit Sword a day ago, Lee was left with only the opportunity to wait for a sign to signal the start of the final duel between Soul Sword and Spirit Sword. This duel would be known as the Millennia Cataclysm. Gauld had often explained to Lee that, before the signal was emitted, he would equip Spirit Sword and therefore duel Garu, the possessor of the brother sword. Lee, however, would feel guilty if the situation turned ugly because he delegated a task to someone else. However, he reminded himself of Gauld’s strength. His stomach still hurt from when Gauld attacked him many days ago.

The sharp, biting winds began to simmer down, and it was then that Lee and Gauld noticed shadows in the distance forming into a small village community. Lee gave a sigh of relief. This must be Mahanui.

“We’re nearly here,” Gauld said happily, although his tone was irritable and sharp. The small village eventually appeared as the snowy blizzard came to an end. Shaking off snow from his cloak, Lee wandered into the village and saw the Inn straight away.

They booked a room for the night, but Gauld explained their priority was finding the Mask of Babylon. The two headed out into the town to look for answers.

“Please, Lee,” Gauld said, his voice beginning to get desperate. “Let me shoulder this burden of yours.”

“I just don’t like the idea of willingly leading you into such a dangerous fight,” Lee explained rationally.

“I am a very capable adept, Lee,” Gauld argued. “You have so much to accomplish in life –”

“You’re hardly old – you have a lot to live for too!” Lee cried. Gauld sighed.

“You are only sixteen,” Gauld said. “And you are just about to be freed from this mask! Think of how free you will be.”

Lee gave a heavy sigh.

“Let’s get the mask first,” he concluded. “Then worry about the Millenia Cataclysm.”

“Excuse me?” Gauld asked, moving towards a woman in the village.

“Yes?”

“Can you tell us anything about the Mask of Babylon?”

The woman, with a stern brow and sharp eyes, scanned both Lee and Gauld. She shot each a disapproving look.

“You’re travelers, I can tell,” she began. “Never seen you around Mahanui before. And that half of the mask you’re wearing looks like the half that goes with the Mask of Babylon.”

“Yes, I’m –

Lee was interrupted by the woman.

“FURTHERMORE, if you’ve come here to take the mask from us, then I won’t tell you where it is.”

“We need it!” Gauld roared.

“The toxins beneath this mask will kill me if I cannot the Mask of Babylon to cure me!” Lee cried out.

“We have pride,” the woman retorted. “The Mask is a sacred treasure! We will not surrender it to petty thugs.”

Gauld drew his Faust. The long, thick sword pointed towards the woman, who looked nonplussed. She smiled nonchalantly and looked at Gauld the whole time.

“Threaten me, would you?” she barked. “This village is a small one. If anything happens, like death, people hear about it and boy, do they point the finger. So don’t try killing me big shot.”

Gauld looked taken aback.

“Now that your big sword is useless…you can leave,” she snapped. Gauld clicked his fingers and his sword disappeared into wisps of golden smoke.

The woman simply stood and watched as Lee looked at Gauld for some sort of clue. Gauld shrugged his shoulders and began wandering off through the village, Lee in his wake.

“So…what’s the plan?” Lee asked.

“Let’s just head home,” Gauld said, turning and looking at the woman disgustedly. She laughed.

“What! But…I need the mask!”

Gauld turned to see the woman wander away. Then, he grabbed Lee and pulled him close. He began in a mere whisper.

“We have to let her think we’ve gone,” he hissed. “So we can come back and do some sleuthing.”

“How are we going to find this out?” Lee asked. Gauld smirked, and Lee began to wonder what his mentor had in mind exactly. They wandered towards the outskirts of the village. Meanwhile, the same woman wandered into a building.

“Mayor Ihfra,” she said, bowing. “A man and child came searching for the Mask of Babylon.”

There was no response from the man high in the throne.

“I got rid of them,” she added, looking up into his eyes.

“Good,” came the voice. “They could look all they want…but they’ll never find it. Ever.”



Continued in next post

[Chris 2.1]

Back in Samyura, Nat and Gohra were furiously fighting each other. Nat leapt forward with her sword glowing silver, but Gohra brought his sword up and blocked the attack. Using his strength, he threw Nat back, but she managed to land on her feet.

“EARTHQUAKE!” she roared, throwing her arms to her side as pulsating rings of energy rumbled from beneath her feet. Gohra jammed his sword into the ground and leapt up high into the air, before sweeping down at Nat with his fists as a white energy shrouded them.

“Sonique!” Nat cried, slashing the silver energy up as Gohra swept down. It hit him in the ribs and he landed awkwardly. Grunting, the large, beefed up adept charged again. Nat turned and slashed at him, but he allowed a slash to sear across his hand before punching his opponent. Nat fell down and gave a cry of pain.

As she sat there, Gohra began powering up Year of the Horse. A ghostly, muscled white palomino reared its head as it formed into Gohra’s body. His muscles on his arms throbbed magnificently as he managed to get even stronger. Nat watched in horror. She was quite out-of-sync with her dueling. She concentrated. Recalling her days in Itshubii Forest, when she was a mere child, she focused her senses as her foe charged towards her.

“POWER PACK PUNCH!” Gohra roared. He sped through the air, fingers curled into fists, flying at the girl. Nat suddenly recalled the Hotel in Saffron City, and began tensing all the muscles in her body…

As she did so, she turned into a block of stone and Gohra smashed his fist forward. He gave a long roar as his fingers shattered on his left fist. Recoiling, Gohra gave Nat the chance to dissolve back into her normal form, leap forward and smash across his stomach. Gohra fell back in agony.

“I am not finished!” Gohra snapped. Huge balls of energy circled him as he roared loudly. The orbs flew off towards Nat, and as the girl stood there, she allowed herself to analyze the direction of each one. Diving forward, she evaded one; a second was evaded by a roll to the left. By standing upright and tilting herself back almost like a limbo, two more missed her. Three more remained, together in more of a clump, but as they got near, Nat unleashed a sonique and slashed them apart.

“She evaded each one!” Pheno cried. Lilla raised her eyebrows in silent intrigue.

“Sledgehammer hands!” Gohra cried, leaping up into the air. A plate of golden energy materialized over his hand as sheer energy began piling up into a devastating attack. Nat crouched, darting suddenly under Gohra and turning to face him. Gohra landed, turning to face Nat as a blade of energy smashed into his side.

Again, Gohra ran at Nat. Nat could not evade him…could she? Scanning the area, she saw spaces either side of the huge warrior. Nat ran to the left of Gohra, but as she did, her foe was ready. He brought a hand flying to the left and smashed it into Nat’s face, throwing her back.

“Nat!” Monica shouted.

“How did she evade those attacks before?” Tekaru asked. Al looked similarly intrigued.

“Because Nat has been a sword fighter for a very long time,” Monica began, smiling. “Her parents died when she was young, and Nat had to fend for herself when she was growing up. She has always fought opponents bigger and stronger than herself.”

As Monica said this, Nat got back up from the punch. She readied herself and wondered how she could stop Gohra. If she could lower his accuracy in some way…perhaps he would be less likely to attack, giving her ample time and space to fight back. But alas, she knew not how to do so. It was then that she remembered an attack Luke used in Saffron City, when the V4 and the AU had their ferocious duel through the city one night. He hurled a ball of clay through the air, and it blinded Nat for a few seconds. Nat slipped her sword into her sheath and held her hand back. Gohra roared and flew through the air at her. Nat focused, trying to solidify the energy in her hand into the form of a ball of mud…

But it didn’t work. Gohra tackled her and sent her flying down to the ground. He summoned a sword himself, standing over her. Nat narrowed her eyes, pushed up from the ground and soared up into the air, over a stunned Gohra. She slipped her sword back out and slashed down, sending a sonique hitting the muscled warrior. As she landed, Nat turned sharply and faced Gohra again. He was still standing, and was not quite done yet.

“Is that all you can do?” Gohra boomed. “ATLANTIS SWEEP!”

Sweeping his sword from left to right, Gohra sent a feverishly white strip of energy at Nat. She leapt over it strategically and landed, slashing away at her foe. Alas, Gohra blocked each one with swipes of his impressive sword. Nat was knocked back after a powerful counter-strike and sighed to herself.

What is happening to me? she asked herself. I can’t beat this guy!

Narrowing her eyes again, and focusing herself, Nat looked at Gohra, who was beckoning her tauntingly. She tightened the grip on her sword, for she was sweating a lot in the sun. As she stood, thinking of some attack or strategy she could use, she wondered what level Gohra actually was.

I have to do this, Nat thought. I have to start using his strategy against him.

Slashing a sonique forward, Nat predicted right when Gohra leapt over it and began his charge forward. Sword ready, face stricken with sweat and frustration, Gohra ploughed towards her. Nat smirked. She had him where she wanted. As he got near, Nat leapt forward slightly to Gohra’s left. As she went, she slashed her sword and smashed it into his ankles. Gohra gave a roar and collapsed to the ground, losing his balance and spurting blood. Nat landed and turned to see blood leaking from his wound.

“You!” Gohra roared, his eyes screwed shut in pain. Lilla ran forward instantly and pressed her hand onto the ankle and muttered something. Flowing periwinkle blue energy took over Lilla as the wound began to heal itself. Gohra began sighing in relief as the blood flow started to stem.

“Thank you…” he said gratefully, kissing Lilla on the cheek.

“It is no problem,” Lilla replied. She looked up at Nat. “That was barbaric.”

“It was strategic,” Gohra contradicted. “Overthrowing my balance, and using my strategies against me…it was clever.”

“Thanks,” Nat said emptily, feeling somewhat remorseful.

“Nat wins,” San Jai mumbled, as Gohra was helped onto the side bench. With Al the only member of Monica’s team unable to fight, and San Jai and Lilla the only ones able to fight of the Ninja 5, Monica’s Team was in the lead. They needed to keep this up.

“I’ll stay on,” Nat said, as Lilla got up and wandered onto the arena. She watched Nat intently, and Nat watched back. “If I go down, Tekaru can take my place.”

Lilla smirked. Nat narrowed her eyes and focused the grip on her sword.

“I don’t approve of the way you battle,” she snapped. “I think you play unfairly. Don’t try hacking me to pieces; I can heal myself.”

Lilla’s voice was no longer flowery and pleasant. Now it was sharp and acidic. She watched Nat with hatred as the Quaker gripped her sword tighter.

“Lilla seems to know healing moves,” Tekaru said to Monica. “That will help.”

“Nat has to be ruthless and not give Lilla a chance to heal,” Monica commented. Al did not say anything, as he was quite hurt. The beaten members of Ninja 5 cheered Lilla on as she stood there.

“Nat versus Lilla,” San Jai said. “BEGIN!”

Lilla sped forwards instantly at Nat. She tackled into the girl and knocked her down. Kneeling on Nat’s chest as the Raegan Blade skidded along the arena; Lilla summoned her weapon – thick leather gloves, like the ones used to train birds, with long claws for the fingers. Lilla ruthlessly slashed against Nat’s chest as the girl screamed out in protest.

“HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT?” Lilla screamed. Nat clenched her fists and started enduring the pain. Powering up energy, she began to use her outburst attack. With a loud boom, Lilla was thrown up into the air. Nat leapt to the left and grabbed her sword before leaping right up after Lilla, sword charging with silver energy.

“TAKE THAT!” Nat screamed back, slashing at Lilla. However, Lilla, despite being thrown up, grabbed the sword with her bare hands (somewhere along the line, she recalled her weapon) and endured the pain of the blade searing into her skin. She threw Nat down to the ground, and as her hands bled profoundly, she soared down after her foe and charged up an orb of energy in her hands. Hurling it down, it smashed into Nat and drove her into the ground. Lilla then jammed her feet down onto Nat’s chest, before leaping back.

“Hurts, doesn’t it?” Lilla sneered. Nat gasped for breath. Standing there, the slender young girl let herself recover fatigue as Nat struggled to get back up. Looking as if she was concentrating highly, Lilla allowed her skin to reform over the gashes from gripping Nat’s sword. Nat let out a groan - she had, after all, taken damage from Gohra’s duel. She readied herself, holding her sword by her side and charging manically. Swinging her sword, Nat aimed a slash, but Lilla leapt up and rolled in the air. Landing behind Nat, she turned swiftly and aimed a double slap to the Quaker’s face. Nat stumbled back, and Lilla proceeded to slap her some more.

Nat slashed a weak sonique, but it did nothing to the girl. Lilla leapt back, doing some back flips across the arena and launching herself high into the air. Her fists started glowing a brilliant white, surrounded by a large aura of charcoal-black energy. Lilla then swept down through the air, fists ignited by white-hot flames.

“COMET PUNCH!” Lilla screamed viciously. She slammed both fists into Nat and the poor girl collapsed. Sword materializing back into badge-form, Nat was instantly helped up by Monica and Tekaru.

“LILLA WINS!” San Jai cried out, as the worn out Ninja 5 cheered for their comrade. Monica and Tekaru helped Nat sit down. Al looked to be recovering although he was in incredible pain. Now it was two of Ninja 5 against two of the AU. Monica let Tekaru go up against Lilla. He had to defeat her, it was essential.

“Go for it Tekaru!” Monica cried. Tekaru nodded firmly before summoning his Hammer. He stood facing Lilla, who watched him with fierce intrigue. Lilla, unfortunately, had not yet demonstrated the full extent of her Chinese Zodiac Spirit. Monica wondered what form it might be.

“Ok then – Lilla versus Tekaru!” San Jai shouted. “Ready and BEGIN!”

Tekaru flew forward with his hammer as it sparkled a golden colour. Racing forward, he slammed his hammer into Lilla, only to discover the girl leapt nimbly to the side and landed on all fours. She leapt at Tekaru and slashed his side.

“BOLT!” Tekaru roared, holding his hammer in one hand and firing a golden bolt of lightening from the palm of his now-free hand. It smashed into Lilla and threw her back, but she landed gracefully. She then darted forward and aimed another slash at Tekaru, but he leapt over her and turned, smashing his hammer into her side.

Skidding across the sandy earth, Lilla got back up to see Tekaru race forward. Hammer now back in badge-form, Tekaru summoned a ball of electrical sparks and charges, hurling it down at the girl. She gave a scream as it shredded into her body and gave her a jolting surprise.

She leapt up. Summoning her clawed gloves she tore through the air at Tekaru, who fired a double bolt of electricity through the air. Lilla, almost like Nat, dived around the attacks gracefully and slashed Tekaru right across the face. Tekaru leapt back but Lilla followed, racing forward. As she got near, she performed a backwards flip, kicking Tekaru in the face and throwing him up into the air. Lilla raced up after him and grabbed him with her hands. Smirking, she threw him back down to the earth and the boy smashed into the ground. Lilla flew down after him.

“This is just like what happened with Nat!” Monica cried.

“Frenzy bolt!” Tekaru gasped. Lying flat on his back, holding his hands up, hundreds of tiny jolts of lightening flew from his palms, forming into a large bolt and sweeping up to Lilla. She fell down right into the attack and screamed in pain. Tekaru leapt out of the way as Lilla landed on the ground. However, she was still fighting strong.

“YEAR OF THE SNAKE!” she screamed. A ghostly, semi-transparent form of a viper materialized behind Lilla, slithering into her body. Snake patterns formed on Lilla’s arms, rather like sudden tattoos. Her left hand changed to a sort of green sinewy tentacle, complete with a snake’s head where her hand once was. She threw that ‘arm’ forward and it extended, rather like it was on a reel. This strange mutation flew forward and wrapped around Tekaru, gripping him tight and throwing him into the ground.

“What is that?” Monica cried.

“Lilla has the most unique zodiac spirit,” Gohra boasted. “She becomes like her animal. She is the strongest of us 5.”

Tekaru was stuck fast. Lilla kept smashing Tekaru into the earth, causing his nose to become bloody and sore. She then released him from her grasp, clenched her body and allowed her hand and arm to re-form from the bizarre snake-like tendril, and raced forward again.

“Whiplash!” she screamed, leaping over Tekaru and whipping him with her arms. Tekaru have a shriek of pain as he struggled to get up. “Go on – give in.”

Tekaru sighed.

“I FORFIT!” He shouted.

“Lilla wins,” San Jai said softly. Lilla cheered as a worn out Tekaru sat on the sidelines. Monica swallowed. She was next, and would have to beat both Lilla and then San Jai in order to win for the AU and get those badges. It was all down to her…as usual. She wouldn’t even benefit from a badge. She walked to the arena and stared at Lilla, who changed her arms into the tentacles. The snake pattern went partway up her neck, too. She smirked.

“Are you ready for this, Monica?” Lilla hissed.

“I have to be,” Monica replied. She stood there in silence as Lilla watched her keenly. San Jai held the flags up, eyed each duelist, and threw his flags back down.

“Monica versus Lilla – Ready…and BEGIN!”

Monica had observed Lilla’s battle patterns and had figured out a way to use them against her. Lilla struck instantly, with amazing speed and ability. Monica decided to try an attack she grasped at Level 11 – Starcross. Both her arms glowed a dazzling silvery purple as she stood there. Lilla did her usual routine and soared through the air, claws ready. As she got close, Monica crossed her arms in front of her face and a projected X of silver swept forward and smashed right into Lilla. She flew backwards, spiraling out of control…but managed to land on her feet.

“Good,” she muttered. Leaping forward, Lilla summoned her claws. Monica was far too slow and received a slash across her face. Stumbling back, she was kicked in the jaw. Lilla flipped backwards into the air and landed in a crouching position. Knowing this match had to be quick before Lilla could a) heal herself or b) Monica could take too much damage, the Ghost Mage charged a shadow ball and hurled it forward. It hit Lilla and caused light damage. Racing forward, Monica charged energy in her fists and feet. The purple energy flickered around her appendages as she got closer.

“SHADOW COMPLEX!” Monica cried. This attack was a combination of shadow punch and shadow kick. Monica delivered a sharp, double punch to Lilla’s face, before flipping backwards (in a similar style to Lilla herself) and smashing both her charged feet into Lilla. She fell back.

“ELEMENTA!” Monica roared. Holding both hands forward, a plate of energy materialized and blasted a huge jet of sweeping purple energy at Lilla. The young girl flipped back but was not fast enough – engulfed by the rush of chilled energy she dropped to her knees.

“LILLA!” Gohra roared. “Be strong!”

A feverish sparkling took over Lilla. They rose up and around her body. It was evident she was healing herself, and Monica took this as a personal insult to her strength. However, it was a key indication the girl was weak. Monica ran forward, charging a shadow ball as she did so. However, as she neared Lilla (a shield was erecting itself around her) jets of light burst forth to try and repel her. Leaping up, Monica avoided these jets and hurled the shadow ball down. It shattered the shield, and Monica soared down to land a double kick into Lilla’s face.

“The time is nearly up,” Monica heard Lilla hiss as she darted away. Monica smirked. Lilla was weakening. It seemed her animal semi-transformation used a lot of fatigue as she was not resorting to it at all. The snake patterns were still etched onto her skin in emerald green ink, but the snake-like arms did not appear.

“NIGHT SHADE!” Monica screamed.

“Guard beam!” Lilla screamed, holding her hand forward too. Her jet of silver light flew towards Monica’s purple bolt of energy and the two smashed into each other, blasting outwards and keeping the duelists at bay.

“Shadow ball!” Monica roared, hurling the orb forward. Lilla smirked.

“Guard beam!”

Again, the silver jet of light flew from her hand, but it seemed to be locked onto the shadow ball, in the sense that it homed onto it and destroyed it before it could even his Lilla. Monica realized the brilliance of this. The guard beam destroyed any oncoming attacks…but how did it deal with multiple attacks?

“COSMOS SWEEP!” Monica screamed, sweeping her hand from left to right. Multiple gold, silver and bronze stars streaked through the air towards Lilla. She rubbed her hands together.

“Multiguard!” she cried. Tiny orbs of silver light sped from her hands, growing in size and engulfing the stars. Monica gasped. Lilla was fantastic, it had to be said. Monica gave a light pant and realized she was tiring herself out trying to defeat Lilla.

Thinking of an attack to use was difficult, as Lilla used an attack called pinball to send many orbs of energy flying at her. Monica then recalled the two newer badges she acquired through Silva. She was, according to Silver, going to learn 4 new techniques overall. She had Starcross, Shadow Complex…of course…

The other attack springing to mind was called “Mime Air.” It involved Monica punching the air and sending an invisible force into her foe. It was rather like a long-ranged punch. Monica did as she was taught, firing a punch ahead of her and watching a silvery force in the air smash into Lilla from afar. Lilla skidded back, giving Monica the chance to tear through the air with her hands and feet throbbing with an overpowering purple glow. Delivering a Shadow Complex, Monica managed to finally overthrow Lilla. She smashed into the ground and gave a weary sigh. San Jai watched. Lilla confirmed her status with a bleak nod.

“Monica wins,” he announced. Nat, Tekaru and Al cried out in unison for their friend, although all three were very sore. Lilla gave a long sob as she ran over to Gohra, weakly hugging him.

“It looks like you’ve done well,” San Jai muttered. “But now you face me.”

“You make it sound like I should be worried,” Monica replied, smirking.

“You defeated me when we last fought in Kikio,” San Jai continued. “But now I fight you. This match has no referee and will be deemed over when one adept can no longer stand up. Lilla, start the match.”

“Commence,” Lilla rasped.

The adept felt a sudden gurgle in his stomach and looked worried. A stabbing feeling provoked his insides. He stared at Monica, who watched readily. Their glances matched for a few moments, but San Jai was beginning to doubt himself. Nevertheless, when Monica sped forward with her hands glowing with purple energy, he knew he needed to act.

Leaping high into the air, he unleashed a barrage of streaming golden stars. Monica summoned her scepter and leapt back evasively, smashing any stars away with her weapon. She then landed and summoned a night shade, sending the jagged bolt of ghostly energy sweeping through the air. San Jai leapt into the air and aimed an airborne kick at his foe, but Monica used her hand to guide her attack after San Jai, smashing him in the back and throwing him down.

“Good…” he sighed. “Good work.”

But San Jai leapt forward again. Monica stood in anticipation, swinging her foot and trying to smash it into her foes ribs, but San Jai leapt over her, landed behind her and sent an orb of white energy into Monica’s back. She fell to her knees.

Suddenly, as Monica scrambled to her feet, she felt her throat tighten slightly. Clutching her throat with her hands, she gave a strangled yelp as she fell back onto her knees again. Face feeling red and hot, she scanned the area for help.

“Monica?” Nat asked, seeing her friend in trouble. “What’s going on?”

To their surprise, San Jai fell down too, seemingly choking as he struggled to keep his breath. The other members of Ninja 5 ran up to help. Nat, Al and Tekaru went to see Monica.

“What did you do?” Al snapped. “What’s going on?”

“We did nothing!” Gohra roared. “Our brother is suffering too! Would we cut our nose to spite our face?”

“Sorry…” Al muttered. Nat was urging Monica to jam her fingers down her throat, to dislodge whatever was in her throat and obstructing her breathing. It did not work.

“There isn’t…anything there…” Monica wheezed. “It hurts to breath…”

San Jai suddenly collapsed in exhaustion. His brothers (as well as Lilla) suddenly gasped in surprise. Monica, on her hands and knees, gasping for release from this cruel lapse in breathing, felt her vision fade slowly.

“Monica!” Tekaru shouted. He turned to the Ninja 5. “What is going on?”

“I have no idea,” Gohra said firmly. His two brothers shook their head, as did Lilla. “This has never happened before!”

“Monica…” Al sighed. “Tekaru, come on, we’ll get a doctor or something!”

“I want to stay with her,” Tekaru replied. “Go with Nat.”

Suddenly, Monica fell to the floor completely and passed out. There were audible gasps everywhere.

“Come on!” Al cried.

“Wait,” Lilla said hollowly. “There is no need to seek a doctor. We have medicine in the house which could restore the twos conditions.”

“How?” Nat asked. “We don’t know what caused it.”

“Calm yourself,” Pheno, the small one, piped up. “Lilla is an excellent brewer of medicines and elixirs!”

“Oh,” replied Nat. “…you are?”

“Yes,” she replied. “I can concoct some medicine for them. Come into the house. Bring the injured ones.”

As Lilla led the way, the Ninja 5 and the AU members helped Monica and San Jai up. Monica lay unconscious, unable to work out how she had been hurt. Or why, for that matter. In fact, there was only one person present who knew why the two had fallen and how.

*

“This is useless,” Gauld snapped. “At this rate we’ll never get back into Mahanui!”

Gauld and Lee had both left the village, planning to strike at night and raid it for the coveted Mask of Babylon. However, guards were around the perimeter, and Gauld suspected the woman they met earlier had asked they did not let either Gauld or Lee into Mahanui again.

“Well,” Gauld continued, turning to Lee. “I suppose you’d better hand me the badge for Spirit Sword. While we have time.”

“Don’t be stupid,” Lee snapped. “I won’t send you to your demise!”

“You’d be heading to your demise, not me!” Gauld hollered back. “Lee, I am a Metal Edgemaster. My specialty is wielding swords. You cannot do that. I fear you will be obliterated by that man, and as the fate of Good vs Evil is at stake, I urge you to reconsider who will represent Good – Me, or you?”

“I stand by my answer,” Lee replied rudely. Gauld moved forward to grab it from Lee, but the badge was not there. Lee clenched it in his fist and grinned. Leaping at him, Gauld attempted to take it, but Lee refused to give in. As the two scuffled, Gauld knocked Lee over and he lost his grip. The badge flew meters away and landed in the soft snow.

Suddenly, as the two shot each other disgusted looks, an odd noise could be heard. A chime-like ringing emanated from the small badge. Furthermore, a purple glow took over the badge. Both adepts let out a cry of surprise.

“The badge…” Gauld muttered. “It’s time for one of us to fight.”

[Powarun]

Good chapter, it was a nice ending to the gym battle. Monica getting knocked unconscience, along with her oponnent by a mysterious force. I want to say it is that crazy woman, Silvia, or something. She probably is tracking Monica some how. Lee, better get his mask and his sword, so he can kick butt. But Lee being on teh good side, a ghost adept seems a bit odd. Oh well. Rock on.

[Dragonfree]

Well, long time, no see! I finally caught up, as you can see. Nice plot development.

I've got to admit that for some reason I'm not as fond of your style as I used to be and your errors seem to stand out more, but the plot is as great as ever. I love the twist with Roger being Lusaka's puppet. I'm liking the V4 too.

The battles were nice; I still very much like the way you do action. For some reason, though, the sub-plot I'm most fond of for some reason is Lee and Gauld. Nice cliffhanger there.

Anyway, I won't fall behind again.

[Chris 2.1]

Powarun: Hmm could it be possible Silva was involved? I wonder. It was a really battle-heavy chapter and I was worried it might drag on too much, so I did include other POV's to break it up a little. Who do you think will fight for the Millenia Cataclysm? Gauld or Lee? Hmm. I don't understand the last part though.


Dragonfree: Hey! Glad you're liking it. I'd love to know what parts you dont like, because I do know my style has changed slightly; maybe Vendetta is just a lot different from Revolution and Army. What errors do you mean? Could you PM me?

Hmm the Roger plot was interesting, and I wanted to make sure it was revealled at the right moment. So...was it Lusaka behind the tapestry?

Also, the Lee & Gauld plotline is pretty cool, I guess ^^. A few tidbits of information:

• During Revolution, I hadn't planned for Lee to go off on his own to find the mask. It was only when Oakbark's question about Vendetta having seperate missions (Nat, Phoenix, and Lee) that I decided to include one. Instead of the current plot, Lee was going to have had it removed by the time Monica met him, but I prefer this plotline more. I think the mask represents Mortimer's influence on Lee, and as the boys growing up, and leaving Mortimers care less, he is learning how to remove the mask. Meanwhile, Monica and Nat still feel hostile towards him, but by losing the mask, will they see the boy that originally joined the Army?
• Gauld was originally going to aid Phoenix in his quest to find his Father, but I decided against it:
  1) Phoenix is a loner, and wouldn't ally with another (although the idea was he would need to use social skills to convince an arrogant Gauld to help him)
  2) Lee needed someone to accompany him to Mahanui. He's still only 16. But as you may have seen, they've developed a strong teacher-student relationship similar to Lee's with Mortimer's. Hmm

Glad you like the V4. Plenty of storylines for them in the future for them, concerning a lot of the most important plotlines. More on the elemental golems as well.


Preview: Chapter 15

-Who is this new character, and what are their plans?

Meanwhile, the spider grew to the size of a slightly smaller man, roughly a few years younger than the beast-like man. He was very pale, with a shaven head. He was very lanky and thin, with twig-like arms and legs and an unbelievablely thin waist. His fingers were also very stick-like in appearance. The very thin man gave a weak smile on his rather long face as he silently walked.

-As Gauld and Lee argue over who should fight in the Millenia Cataclysm, Lee recalls a similar time when Mortimer, Afee, Boko and Reef risked their lives for him.

“You have such a long journey ahead in life,” Mortimer began. “You cannot jeopardize your life at such a young age!”

-Damien is in despair following the argument:

“I can’t run away again,” he moped. “Not this time. I need to get my head together. I need to prove myself to them.”

-But Al finds a clue to the condition of Monica and San Jai...did the Ninja 5 plan it all?

“Come check this out,” he called to Nat and Tekaru. He ran over to it and saw an odd shower-head-looking contraption sticking out of the solid ground. “What is it?”

[Dragonfree]

Well, when you refer to the characters I feel like you use the name too much, leading to unnecessary repetitions of the name - this was especially true for one paragraph about Silva somewhere that I can't really find again, but it went too much "Silva this and Silva that because Silva was like this and Silva blah blah blah" which was a bit annoying. Then sometimes proofreading errors slip past you, like how you referred to Silva as "Silver" once in chapter 14 and a few more like that.

Chapter fifteen sounds interesting. *likes that spider guy*

[Oakbark]

Hey Chris, well I’ve decided against a lengthy reply for the chapters I missed out on, I’ve been talking to you about them before and I think I can’t add on what I’ve discussed as of yet. Can’t wait for Chapter 15, I’ll be back to my usual replies then, yeah?

Hey Dragonfree, Powarun and Charizard, nice to see you all again! Or read your replies at any rate.

Hate to highlight the negatives, but while Dragonfree’s on the topic, I’d like to point out something that you might take into account in upcoming chapters. While your storylines and plot/plot twists are second to none (I mean you literally keep coming up trumps with that aspect of your writing – you’re like a constant story generator!), the one thing I’d like you to think about is the golden rule of writing – “Show don’t tell”. I notice a lot in your chapters that you are inclined to tell us things and justify certain actions in the fic by including titbits of information in brackets.

For example:
“SHADOW COMPLEX!” Monica cried. This attack was a combination of shadow punch and shadow kick. Monica delivered a sharp, double punch to Lilla’s face, before flipping backwards (in a similar style to Lilla herself) and smashing both her charged feet into Lilla. She fell back.

Here we see you give a definition of the attack and including a comparison in brackets, which never happens ordinarily in stories. I’ll explain what I mean by re-writing the lines above while keeping your style of writing (I think that will make it clearer).

“SHADOW COMPLEX!” Monica cried, as she leapt towards her opponent. Monica began by delivering a sharp, double Shadow Punch to Lilla’s face, before flipping backwards in a similar fashion to Lilla, smashing both her shadow-charged feet into the female ninja, who fell backwards with a thud.”

Now I know this looks similar to before, but notice how I didn’t explain the attack – I showed it working in action and that was sufficient to explain how it worked. By telling the reader the definition of the attack, you are not only going to be repeating yourself, but you are taking away from the action of the duel. Similarly, the brackets weren’t necessary and removing them kept the flow of the sentence going.


“Show don’t tell” is a common pitfall, *everyone* does it. But I love your writing, and I feel that fixing this would make your writing bestseller-worthy. When you write a paragraph, look back over it and think – “Am I explaining what is happening/what the character’s thinking, or am I showing it to the readers through flowing descriptions and self-explanatory sentences/dialogue. Don’t tell the readers what is happening – make the story/characters tell it. Readers don’t want to know Lee feels guilty for burdening Gauld by sentences such as ”Lee, however, would feel guilty if the situation turned ugly because he delegated a task to someone else.” You did a fine job showing he felt that way in the dialogue after this sentence. Readers don’t want to be told what’s happening or have it handed to them on a plate. Readers love the thrill of discovering this stuff without it being obviously told to them. It’s a part of the excitement of reading a story.

Yeah, so that constructive criticism dragged on a bit, and I already discussed with you the good parts, so I hope you don’t hate me for the above. I’m merely helping you iron out the tweaks that will get you from amateur to professional! I’m telling you the above because I see your work as a brilliant piece of writing, eligible for print with the right know-how.

Post Chapter 15 real soon, can’t wait!

[Chris 2.1]

Dragonfree: Oh an excellent character he is. Plenty of action, intrigue and even a surprising amount of back story. An unmissable chapter.

Oakbark: Hey stranger! Yea your advice is all common knowledge to me, but admittedly I have been going over things much less. Obviously I do go over chapters briefly before posting, but the later Chapters will need slight refining.


Anyway, to come in Ch15, which I will try and post on Monday:



--Lusaka feigned upset.

“You perhaps didn’t know that The Unitan Settlement is where the Wysha Diamond is located,” she sneered.

--Nat gets a nice surprise:
“You are a Level 10 Quaker?” Pheno, the short one, asked. “That means your class has changed. Now you are a Justice Quaker.”

-

“A Halo Blade,” Tekaru gasped. “That’s a signature move of Justice Quakers.”


--Tekaru shows us just what he learned from Roger:
“Very well,” he replied craftily. Energy began swarming around his body as Tekaru took the chain from around his neck. He clutched the cross tight in his hand. “ELEMENTA!”


All soon!

[Powarun]

Tekaru's Elementa may be very deadly, yay. As powerful as the V4's? Can't wait. Yay at Nat getting a class up-date, hope she pwns all.

[Chris 2.1]

Ch15 everyone!

Monica’s Vendetta
Fifteen
Seryun’s New Mission

In Crufia Castle, both Roger and Lusaka sat in the hidden chamber beneath Tekaru’s very own bedroom. Roger paced back and forth, every so often darting his eyes across the room to the locked, small chamber where Therebus was being held.

“It is time,” Lusaka said solemnly. Roger looked up and nodded, before focusing his eyes back at the door. Lusaka held both her hands out. “Pathian Seryun!”

The blue blob of energy slowly took the form of the handsome young man between Lusaka’s two hands. He looked somewhat surprised to see Lusaka.

“Greetings,” he said curtly.

“How is everything going?” Lusaka asked.

“We are making good time,” Seryun replied. “In fact, we are both in Crufia now.”

“I see – no problems so far?” asked the girl.

“None,” Seryun replied. “But...you said you would give us some more information on our task as we arrived in Crufia.”

“Yes,” Lusaka said raptly. “There are two AU members in Crufia who have a little high-school crush on each other. Damien Oak, who you are familiar with, and Salo Kirke, both of which are from Guellion. This…relationship is definitely something we can exploit. And don’t forget – we need a Water Adept in order to complete the next phase.”

“So, if there are two, is there one you think we should get over the other?” Seryun asked.

“Damien,” Lusaka rasped. “Salo went up to Asterid Fortress, and as a result, she will recognize your…companion. If she were to return to the group, she could alert them and everything would turn upside down. However, Damien has only met you before, and therefore he won’t realize that one of Dimitri’s Noble Servants is working with you. The AU needs to believe we died in Obola until the time is right for our takeover.”

Seryun nodded.

“I will contact you when I am at The Unitan Settlement,” he replied.

“Fine,” Lusaka replied, ending the connection and letting the energy re-absorb into her body. She turned to Roger.

“The Unitan Settlement is –

“I know, I know,” Roger replied. “On one of the Tri-Islands just out of Evayard.”

Lusaka feigned upset.

“You perhaps didn’t know that The Unitan Settlement is where the Wysha Diamond is located.”

Roger gasped.

“It is?” he asked. He thought, and suddenly cried, “What is the diamond for?”

“I shan’t say,” Lusaka smiled. “You’re a pawn, Roger. A pawn on our chess board. But if someone like you is an inferior pawn, I wonder what your four pathetic sons are.”

“Pathetic?” Roger barked. “How dare you?”

“I dare because I know I am right,” Lusaka spat. “Watch your vitriolic tongue, Roger! I am young, but strength is never measured in time, you boorish fool!”

“Stop acting like my boss,” Roger replied. “I am soon to be the King of this land!”

“And if you keep acting like this, I shall tell Teresa the truth!” Lusaka cried jubilantly. “That Roger Megallo is a loyal Dimitri Supporter…that he has been working undercover with me to help aid my plans…and that his lack of trust not only resulted in the murder of Splinter, but his wavering faith with his family caused the demise of his wife, Yuwana…”

“SHUT UP!” Roger bellowed, running at Lusaka with anger. In a flash, she darted to the left and leapt to the wall, pouncing off it and soaring back at Roger. She delivered a slash across the mans face and then promptly kicked him as she did a flip up into the air. Landing on a table, she watched Roger as he nursed a bloody nose.

“Losing your temper?” she asked mockingly. “Roger, you cannot lose me as an ally! I have contacts…”

“Sorry,” Roger said guiltily. “I’m just…stressed.”

“That is no excuse,” Lusaka replied.

“Please refrain from mentioning my previous wife,” Roger sighed. “My marriage is days away!”

“So why are you here? Staying here is merely letting your mask slip further off your true face. Go, go and see Teresa before she cottons on.”

Roger turned towards the ladder.

“If I marry Teresa, my ties with Tekaru will solidify, too,” he admitted. “We have to stop him returning here to brainwash Teresa.”

“Tekaru will be taken care of,” Lusaka assured him. “Now go.”

And as Roger went back up the ladder, Lusaka wandered towards one of the small open windows set into the wall. She stared out across the land, admiring Evayard as night time approached. Looking down at the tranquil city of Samyura, Lusaka let out a sigh. She waited until she heard the trapdoor slam shut before letting herself think.

“I wonder how my little sister is doing,” she muttered, as a gentle scuttling filled the room. The scuttling got louder, and Lusaka turned suddenly. A spider, about the size of a fist, glowed a bright white as it began taking a human form…similarly; an eagle swept through the window and began to glow, too. Lusaka gasped in mild surprise as the big, bulky, shaggy eagle managed to form into a person. With long, shaggy hair of a dirty blonde colour, the man was in his late twenties with a very firm, square jaw and handsome face. His big, muscular arms made him resemble a lion. He wore many layers of browns and yellows, and his boots were big and brown. He smiled at Lusaka.

Meanwhile, the spider grew to the size of a slightly smaller man, roughly a few years younger than the beast-like man. He was very pale, with a shaven head. He was very lanky and thin, with twig-like arms and legs and an unbelievablely thin waist. His fingers were also very stick-like in appearance. The very thin man gave a weak smile on his rather long face as he silently walked towards Lusaka.

“We came as soon as we received your message,” the beast-like man boomed in a thick, deep voice. “It is good to see you again, Lusaka-Lae.”

“Thank you very much,” replied Lusaka. “It is good to see you too, Leo.”

“Now,” the big man asked. “You said there was somebody you needed taken care of?”

“Yes,” Lusaka replied. “His name is Tekaru Farrimond, and is the Prince of this continent. He is a very popular young man so you must be discreet. Finding him is not a problem – we managed to tap into a pathian connection and learned a group of Adepts are making their way to this castle themselves.”

“I see,” the man replied named Leo replied.

“You and Spyda will not work together,” she explained. “But rather, you will work alone, waiting for the AU members to arrive before demonstrating the awesome power of Animaux Adepts.”

The three smiled at each other as Roger, unaware of this, paced back through the Castle to find Teresa. However, Therebus, from his chamber just outside this large room, heard the entire conversation and, pressed against the wall, gasped for release. He had devices strapped onto his wrists like watches, but they neutralized the power in his badges and made him useless.

“I have to tell someone,” he said suddenly. “I have to escape.”

*

Meanwhile, in Mahanui, Lee and Gauld watched as the signal for the Millennia Cataclysm was sent out. Lee eyed his teacher, unsure of what to do. Should he grab the badge, or delegate this terrible fate to the man he had grown close to recently?

“Lee,” Gauld said firmly. Lee was somewhere else. Thinking to himself, trapped in an eternity of hypothetical outcomes. And then it hit him. Gauld was willing to risk his life for Lee. He remembered, roughly 2 years ago, when he last felt so uplifted…


The group pressed on through the rocky canyon. Mortimer, Afee, Boko, Reef and Lee trekked along the rugged ground towards their destination. Mortimer had recently taken Lee’s Unicorn Rod and given him a pair of Nunchucks to train with. Although hesitant, Lee decided to use them.

Since leaving Monica’s Army, Lee felt somewhat empty inside. In truth, he was glad he left – in reality, he was not being acknowledged by his new comrades just yet. They simply allowed him to come with them, but did not really welcome him.

“The journey is a tough one,” Mortimer said firmly. “We still have a few days walk to go before we reach Sitkasa.”

“It will be worth it,” Boko announced. Lee nodded, but received a steely glare from the big man.

As they walked, there was a low rumble. The group scanned the area and managed to spy a figure standing on the top of a side of the canyon. It was a small figure with a wicked look in its eyes. It was rather round and had a somewhat dissatisfied look on its pale brown face. Its small horns protruded from its skull and looked rather blunt. Its stubby arms matched its stubby legs.

“Ahh,” Mortimer announced. “We have a Truba on our hands.”

“A what?” Lee asked.

“Truba,” Afee said, in his rather hoarse, broken-up voice. “A little roguish creature which live in dry areas like this. They often cause a lot of trouble for travelers.”

“I think it needs taken care of,” Mortimer said softly. “Reef, will you do the honors?”

“Indeed,” the handsome young man said softly. He took a step back. “ELEMENTA!”

His hands managed to charge up with blue energy. Reef held them forward.

“NEPTUNE’S SPEAR!”

A searing bolt of water pierced the air from Reef’s hands. As it swept upwards, it surged with fury and rage, building in power and smashing right into Truba. It toppled backwards and out of sight.

“Excellent work,” Mortimer said happily. They continued on with their walk, Lee rather impressed by Reef’s elementa. He still hadn’t mastered the attack himself and felt rather weak compared to these four ‘gods’ of adeptry.

On and on they walked, unaware that the little Truba was actually watching their every move with an angry look. From behind it, a group of Truba (presumably its tribe) started building energy up in their paws.

As a low rumble was heard throughout the canyon, Boko turned his attention behind the group and gasped as the little creatures began getting their own back. Throwing energy into the ground, the Truba were creating a landslide and showering boulders and rocks down the canyon at Mortimer’s group.

“My goodness,” Mortimer exclaimed. “They’re attacking us!”

“We have to attack!” Afee screeched. He held his hands forward and sent streams of buzzing energy bolts flying forward. Reef launched spears of thick ice, while Boko summoned and hurled balls of fire. Mortimer sent a shadow ball flying, and Lee simply stood in awe.

I should help them, he thought to himself. Grabbing the nunchucks Mortimer gave him, Lee ran forward and began swinging his weapons wildly. Leaping up, he prepared to shatter one of the boulders as it rumbled downwards…

“Lee, no!” came the cry of Mortimer. A strange energy enveloped Lee and he felt himself being swept back down to the ground by Mortimer’s doing. As Lee looked, a collection of smaller boulders smashed into the ground where he had been standing seconds ago. Gasping in shock, Lee looked around.

“That was dangerous,” Mortimer explained. “You are still a young boy!”

“I’m 14,” Lee replied. “I thought…”

“Don’t worry about a thing,” Reef said calmly, as Boko and Afee countered the huge landslide. “Until you’re stronger, we’ll protect you.”

“You have such a long journey ahead in life,” Mortimer began. “You cannot jeopardize your life at such a young age!”

“Thanks,” Lee mumbled, glowing red with embarrassment.


As memories of his past came back to him, Lee finally understood that Gauld was willing to do exactly what Mortimer, Reef, Afee and Boko did two years ago. Protect him. While he had not been with Gauld long, Lee felt a strong connection with him.

“Lee?” Gauld asked again.

“Yes,” he replied firmly. “Take the sword.”

“You…want me to now?” asked his teacher.

“If you are willing to fight for me, then so be it,” Lee replied, a smile on his face. “You can do this.”

“Thank you,” Gauld replied, picking up the badge and, while dispersing his other sword (the huge sword by the name of Faust), summoned Spirit Sword and turned to face Mahanui.

“I don’t want you to watch this,” Gauld explained. “When we are in Mahanui, spent all of your time searching for the Mask of Babylon. The girl we met earlier will be too occupied with this fight to want to stop you.”

Lee looked to the ground.

“What…what if I never see you again?” he asked weakly. Gauld watched him. His face showed signs of confusion, possibly over how to answer this question.

“I would never fight if I wasn’t sure I could win,” Gauld explained. “But, if I do happen to die…then please do me a small favor.”

“Anything,” Lee answered.

“Go to Tatami Lake. There is a huge mansion there. Find a woman named Silva and tell her what happened.”

“Tatami Lake…Silva…” Lee recollected. “No problem.”

“Silva is my sister,” Gauld told Lee. A tear began to spill down his cheek. “Come. We have to go now.”

Lee looked up at Gauld admirably as he marched forward back into Mahanui. With the uplifting feeling in his heart, the young boy felt stronger than ever and followed his teacher back into the mountain village.

*

Meanwhile, further South, the Perlei members of the AU sat in their Inn. Chrome, Zuuki and Salo were still without companion Damien, who was still outside. Neither Chrome or Zuuki felt a responsibility to find Damien, whose explosion earlier seemed to have annoyed them. Salo, however, after sharing a brief kiss with the boy, was angered at their decision.

“What if he’d died, and we hadn’t even bothered to look?” she exclaimed.

“Damien wants to be alone,” Zuuki said simply. “Everyone needs their personal space, and he sounds pretty hurt by his Father. We need to let his wounds heal before we meet the others and head to the Castle.”

Salo looked out of the window. She couldn’t see the boy in the busy market, although as night time had well and truly settled in, many people were masked by the darkness.

“You know who we need?” she asked. “Phoenix.”

“Why?” Zuuki asked.

“He had a heart – he’d have cared about Damien. In fact, Phoenix was the one that got Damien’s badges back after he was attacked.”

“He got attacked?” Chrome asked.

“On his way home after fleeing the ship,” Salo explained. “Damien was attacked by Seryun and Splinter, and they stole his badges. Phoenix got them back.”

“He couldn’t even defend himself…” Chrome uttered. Zuuki gave him a disapproving stare.

“Just leave him ALONE!” Salo screamed. “You’re a bully!”

Chrome just shot a glance at Salo, before turning and examining a map of Evayard he had studied previously. It had previously been framed, but Chrome had removed it to examine.

“FINE!” Salo snapped. “I’m going to look for him myself!”

Salo slammed the door as she fastened up her coat. Zuuki looked at Chrome, who was utterly nonplussed about the situation. Zuuki wandered to the other side of the room and began doing press-ups.

Meanwhile, Damien wandered the busy streets of Crufia market alone, hands in his pocket, feeling nothing but despair. He didn’t want to face any of his allies again. Except Salo, perhaps. Chrome was so horrible, and Zuuki, while not as much of a bully, always seemed to look down her nose at him.

“I can’t run away again,” he moped. “Not this time. I need to get my head together. I need to prove myself to them.”

As he walked into the darkness, he bumped into a figure.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. The person grabbed his arm, and Damien spun around to identify the person. With his black, messy hair over his handsome face, with a nice tanned body under a midnight-blue kimono, and well-sculpted feet in wooden sandals, Seryun Kotsuro gave Damien a grin.

“You!” Damien cried.

“Me,” Seryun rasped. “Listen punk, don’t scream. Stay silent. Got it?”

Damien nodded. A figure on his other side, wearing a hooded cloak, pulled out a knife and placed it by Damien’s neck. It was done in such a way that the other person, presumably male, had his arm around Damien like they were friends. However, in the big sleeve, the man concealed the knife.

“We need you,” Seryun continued, releasing his grip on Damien. “So come with us, ask no questions, and you’ll not get hurt. But if you think of trying to act brave, like a hero, or redeem yourself at all, we’ll kill you, and go for Salo Kirke instead. Got that?”

Damien’s nod was easy this time – his frantic shaking looked like he was constantly nodding.

“Release your grip,” Seryun told his partner. The man took his arm from around Damien. Damien saw it had a thick glove over the hand.

“Come,” Seryun said slowly, walking through the market. Damien followed, and the cloaked man wandered behind. Damien turned his gaze up to the Inn, where, if his friends looked from, they might see a fellow AU member getting taken hostage. He sighed. Of all the things to happen…now he seemed to really being tested.

Within ten minutes the three were out of the main bustle of the city. Seryun spoke up as they plodded on through the darkness. Damien felt like breaking down. Like crying. But he was in no such position.

“You can take your hood off,” Seryun barked. Damien looked as the man behind him slipped down his hood. His face was broad and well-defined – the man looked about 30. Perhaps, in another time, this man was handsome and charming, for it did not show now. Thick red scars ran down the contours of his face. There were some blotchy parts on his face, while his skin was cracked. Although he wore a thick cloak, it seemed to hang off his frame. He was by no means thin, but by no means as well-built as Seryun. Conceivably, this man may have simply not kept a once-great build in shape and let himself fade into a less desirable figure. Staring across the moonlit land, with one vivid olive eye and one eye a subdued brown colour, the figure looked somewhat preoccupied.

This character was Scabb. One of Dimitri’s Noble Servants, Scabb was a very confused, almost psychotic man. He was a Chemical Adept – a very rare species of Adept who could release toxins and chemicals from the emotions he felt. Scabb became unstable and was classed by the Government as a Class A Adept – one not to be messed with. Sensing such a danger, the Government threw Scabb in the small city of Phinea and sent a seal right around the perimeter, stopping him from contacting the outside world.

Monica had stumbled across Scabb when she somehow broke through the barrier. Despite trying to run from the psychotic adept, they seemed doomed – until an odd disturbance saved the day. Little had they realized, Scabb had been visited very often by Lusaka, one of Dimitri’s Servants, in order to coax him onto their side. Once he had begun allying himself with Dimitri, he was promised his release from the city – provided he killed Monica and the rest of the group. When Lusaka next visited, she used incredible power to summon a Dragon spirit to cause an array of huge explosions around the city. Monica believed Scabb to be dead and therefore left, but it had been a faked death, and Scabb went to Asterid Fortress.

Although as Damien wandered from the city, he knew nothing of this. Even when Scabb attacked Boko, Zuuki and (the departed) Sid at Dimitri’s Fortress, and the AU dueled Ray, Lusaka, Scabb and Keisha in Dimitri’s city of Obola, Damien had already fled and run home.

As Damien was being taken away, Salo was running through Crufia, looking frantically for the boy. Although it was dark, she still searched and searched, hoping to find him sitting in the alleyways or down the streets. Little did she know she was late by a mere fraction.

[Chris 2.1]

Meanwhile, in Samyura, the Ninja 5 and the AU gathered around Monica and San Jai, who were on separate tables in a medicine room. Both were coughing up phlegm and blood, each weary and very fatigued.

Lilla was busying herself with a number of powders and elixirs, flicking through some books and hoping to find something of relevance. Gohra took a box from a shelf and opened it up, revealing many badges which looked like the yin-yang peace sign crossed over (the same symbol at the front of the gym). He took three out and gave one to Al, Nat and Tekaru.

“Here,” he said. “The Tranquility badge. Take them.”

“Thanks,” Al said, pinning it alongside his other badge. Nat and Tekaru did likewise. Al was now elevated to Level 7, while Nat was level 10 and Tekaru level 12. As the badges fuelled their energy, Nat felt a strong surge of power rising in her chest.

“Oh my!” she cried. “I feel so strong!”

“You are a Level 10 Quaker?” Pheno, the short one, asked. “That means your class has changed. Now you are a Justice Quaker.”

Nat looked rather taken aback.

“Justice Quaker?” she questioned. Her face broke into a smile. “Cool!”

“That’s pretty awesome,” Al said. “Only three more levels before I’m a Justice Quaker!”

“I’m still a Storm Tamer,” Tekaru said, admiring the badges he pinned on his belt. When Storm Sages reached Level 9, they became Storm Tamers. The level at which the class changes occur varies with each Adeptry group.

“Please,” Lilla said suddenly. “If you would all leave?”

“Yes, yes,” Gohra said, leading his two brothers out of the room. “Lilla needs silence to be able to concoct her remedies.”

“Do you mind if we go and practice our new attacks outside?” Al asked. Gohra shook his head, so Al, Nat and Tekaru went outside onto the arena and decided to see what they could do now.

“Ok then…” Nat said, running across the arena. She drew her sword and leapt high up in the air. Swinging her sword around above her head, Nat created a silvery circle above her. Slashing her sword downwards, she sent the circle of silver energy hurtling down. The attack smashed into the ground and caused a devastating explosion. Nat landed, brushed her scraggly black hair from her face, and smiled.

“A Halo Blade,” Tekaru gasped. “That’s a signature move of Justice Quakers.”

“It’s brilliant,” Nat said, feeling somewhat refreshed. “Come on Al, do you know anything new?”

“Let’s have a look,” Al said, focusing the energy in his body. He moved it forward into his hands and each began glowing with a green energy. Moving his hands in a circle, with his palms facing the ground, Al began drawing a larger, green circle on the ground on the other end of the arena. Roaring out loud, throwing one hand high in the air, a stream of heavy boulders flew out from the ground. Al gave a mixed laugh and gasp.

“Impressive!” Tekaru said. “Mother Gaia.”

“Mother Gaia?” Al asked. “That is awesome.”

“What about you, Tekaru?” Nat asked. “Why not duel Al and test your new skills out?”

Al gave a shuddering gasp as Nat smirked at him.

“He’s way too strong!” Al cried. Tekaru simply laughed at the boy’s incredulousy.

“I’ll go easy on you, I promise you that!” Tekaru said happily. He summoned his large Hammer and held it as an electric charge sparked around it. “What do you say?”

“I was just kidding,” Nat said, seeing the worried look on Al’s face. “We’ve all just been slaughtered and done slaughtering to the Ninja 5.”

“Very well,” Tekaru said, looking somewhat disappointed. The three sat on the bench and looked across the arena. Al, being somewhat bored, crossed his arms in a leaf-blade position and fired off a green X of energy, watching it sweep across the arena. It drove through the thin layer of dust and created a small veil of sand in the process. However, all three were suddenly alerted when they heard a dull clunk from the attack. As the dust cleared, Al got up and wandered across the arena. The thick layer of sand-like dust on the top of the arena had now gone, and Al could see something metal protruding from the ground.

“Come check this out,” he called to Nat and Tekaru. He ran over to it and saw an odd shower-head-looking contraption sticking out of the solid ground. “What is it?”

“I have no idea,” Nat said musingly.

“But it seems to have been covered by this layer of sand,” Tekaru noted. “Hmm…”

The young Prince bent down and looked at the sprinkler, now at an odd angle. Nat told him there was another one at the other end of the arena.

As that happened, Gohra wandered out onto the Arena haughtily.

“Gohra!” Al cried. “What are these sprinkler-things in the ground?”

“Oh,” Gohra said, wandering over. “They are used to keep the layer of sand on top of the arena moist enough. They are under the sand and are timed to release a cloud of water vapor into the sand to keep it healthy. You can alternatively use voice activation to cause the water to rise.”

“I see,” Al replied.

“Have you all been practicing some new attacks?” Gohra asked.

“Yes,” Nat replied. “We are all getting strong now.”

“Good,” Gohra replied. Al was still deep in thought.

“Gohra, where do the pipes from the sprinkler systems lead to?” he asked inquisitively. Gohra looked somewhat uneasy by this but answered.

“Underneath the house,” he said. “Why?”

But by that time, Al had run off towards the house. Tekaru and Nat shared a confused look before running after him. Gohra scratched his head in an inquisitive manner and simply kept walking across the courtyard.

*

Al bolted through into the old ninja-style house. He turned left and ran down the corridor, eagerly reaching the stairs. Pheno appeared from behind a door.

“What are you doing?” he squeaked.

“Which way is the basement?” Al asked desperately. Pheno pointed down the stairwell and Al ran down it. Soon after, Nat and Tekaru ran down after the young boy. They arrived in a rather dank room with dripping pipes above their heads. A rather large metal tank contained water in the corner.

“What are you doing?” Nat asked. “What does this have to do with anything?”

“The water vapor is a gas,” Al explained. “Or it comes out as a gas anyway. This is where the water is stored that is released through the sprinklers. There is a sprinkler at each end of the arena: under each Adept. Monica and San Jai were both poisoned, but Monica said there was nothing in her throat. She also said it was hard to breathe. That means it had to have been something in the air which caused them to collapse. Furthermore, it needed to be released at only the right time. My guess is that something in this water was released when Monica and San Jai fought. But since Gohra told us the water vapor was voice activated, someone needed to have said something different so that the poison was released when only Monica and San Jai dueled, and not anybody else.”

“Wait,” Nat said. “Why Monica and San Jai?”

“Because they were the last standing adepts,” Al continued. “In the final round. Obviously the match was going to be over too soon. Either that, or the Ninja 5 didn’t want to lose.”

“Why would the Ninja 5 poison one of themselves though?” asked Tekaru.

“And was it the Ninja 5?” Nat asked.

“It has to be,” Al said suspiciously. “Unless someone else is here.”

Tekaru instantly thought of Roger. Al, meanwhile, was considering Silva Tatami.

“Maybe Roger is trying to keep us here by poisoning Monica?” he asked. “Maybe he knows we’re on our way.”

“There is no way he could know that,” Nat replied. “Unless he captured one of Chrome’s group…”

“All we know is the water supply was poisoned,” Al began. “And it was done so to stop us from leaving here. Well I say we get Monica and go. We need to get to Crufia. Whether it was one of Ninja 5 or Roger, we have to just keep going.”

“If it was the Ninja 5…” Nat began. “They won’t let us go easily.”

“Can we fight them off?” Al asked.

“Yes,” Tekaru replied, while, unbeknownst to the other two, clutching a small golden cross around his neck. “If we believe we can, we will.”

Nat and Al summoned their blades. They wandered to the foot of the staircase. Nat turned to Tekaru.

“Summon your hammer!” she hissed.

“I have an even stronger weapon,” He replied. Nat and Al shrugged and ran up the staircase.

“Monica is in the room opposite the front entrance,” Nat explained, as they ran through the building. The three ran, with Tekaru at the back, still clutching the cross and whispering to himself. They arrived in the front entrance again, and turned to their left, bolting down the main corridor and heading to the room Monica was being treated in.

Meanwhile, Lilla concocted the potion over a roasting fire. Monica and San Jai were starting to wake, feeling somewhat drowsy and unable to move. Monica gave a long, hacking cough as she felt her insides sting.

The door was burst open and Nat, Al and Tekaru stood ready, swords glowing feverishly with energy. Tekaru simply stood with no weapon. Lilla dropped a conacle flask, watching it shatter into a thousand pieces, she eyed the three with anger.

“What are you doing?” she screeched.

“Taking Monica,” Nat snapped. “Get out the way, you tart.”

Lilla gasped.

“How dare you!” Lilla cried. “I try to save your friend and you threaten me?”

Nat sighed. She then bolted forward at Lilla, who looked somewhat surprised. However, at the last second Lilla leapt into the air and landed on San Jai’s stretcher. She summoned her clawed gloves and hissed.

Tekaru grabbed Monica while Al guarded him with his sword. Al and Nat leapt at Lilla but she pushed San Jai off the stretcher, grabbed the stretcher and used it to block the attacks. Nat gasped.

“Why did you just drop your ally to the ground?” she barked. “Why such a lack of compassion for a friend?”

Then, it began to dawn on the young Justice Quaker exactly what was going on.

“It was you who poisoned them!” she cried.

“Of course,” Al growled. “You said ‘commence’ when San Jai and Monica began their duel, whereas San Jai always said ‘begin’. The sprinklers were activated on the world ‘commence’.”

“Who are you working for?” Nat snapped, grabbing Lilla around the neck and ramming her against the wall. Lilla’s legs dangled helplessly.

“I do not work for anybody,” she snapped. “I am a simple minded Adept!”

“Utter lies,” Al snapped. “Nat, don’t waste time here. She wants us to stay in Samyura. If we go we’ll ruin everything she tried to achieve.”

“Monica isn’t well yet!” Lilla cried. Tekaru ran outside with Monica, while Al and Nat sent slashes of energy across the room. Lilla was hit and gave a cry of pain, but nevertheless ran after them outside.

As they ran across the courtyard, the other three from Ninja 5 – Gohra, the muscled one; Pheno, the short one and Jiin, the fat one saw them. The three looked rather determined as the other three ran forward.

“Stop!” Gohra cried. “Monica is not well!”

“GET OUT THE WAY!” Al spat, slashing energy forward. Jiin held his hands out and blocked them remarkably. Al, Nat and Tekaru stopped suddenly.

“We won’t let you take this girl away!” Pheno shouted. “She is not well, surely you know that? We are friends, are we not, Natasha?”

“Right now, I don’t know what to think,” Nat replied honestly. “But all I know is Monica is in more danger with you than away from you. And we have a mission to carry out, too. Let us past.”

“You’ll have to fight us,” Jiin chortled. Tekaru stepped forward.

“Take Monica,” he asked of Al. Al obliged, holding Monica in his arms. “I’ll take you all on myself. But this is your last chance. Let us go NOW.”

“Tekaru, don’t do it yourself!” Nat shouted.

“Stay back!” Tekaru shouted. “Ninja 5! Are you still willing to fight?”

“Bring it on!” Gohra snapped. Tekaru smirked.

“Very well,” he replied craftily. Energy began swarming around his body as Tekaru took the chain from around his neck. He clutched the cross tight in his hand. “ELEMENTA!”

The ground rumbled as a golden energy shrouded the boy’s body. The heat radiating from Tekaru was strong, and everyone could feel it. From beneath his feet, a gargantuan golden cross rose upwards. It was huge, comprised of gold itself (it appeared), reaching about the size of the V4’s elementa’s – roughly 9 feet. Tekaru stood on the right ‘arm’ of the large cross, his hand reaching to the topmost part and gripping onto that.

“Oh my god,” Nat gasped.

“That is incredible!” Al shouted. Monica started to stir and, opening her eyes, saw the magnificent sight ahead. She smiled as Tekaru stared at the 3 members of Ninja 5.

Suddenly, Lilla appeared out of nowhere with her comrades. 4 members of Ninja 5 versus the 4 members of the AU.

“EVERYONE PREPARE TO ATTACK!” She screamed.

“SACRIFICIAL WIPEOUT!” Tekaru roared loudly. The cross tilted slightly forwards and bolted towards the Ninja 5. Crackling with electricity, Tekaru stood boldly as a crack appeared in the ground. The members of Ninja 5 split and pelted away as the Prince of Evayard smashed through the fence and into the distance. Nat and Al, carrying Monica, gave chase, following the prince out of the Gym and into Samyura.

Catching up to him, the two were impressed. Monica was even rather bewildered as she woke up. Al lay her down and she got to her feet. Tekaru leapt from the Cross and absorbed it back into his body.

“That was brilliant!” Nat cried. She turned to Monica. “Are you feeling ok?”

“Yea…” she said weakly, coughing hard. “Yes I’m fine.”

“We have to go to Crufia, right now,” Al said firmly. “Come on.”

And with that, the four Adepts ran off through Samyura. Monica felt somewhat dizzy and ready to cough again – she had a very sore throat from whatever she inhaled. Al and Nat both found a new respect for ally Tekaru as he demonstrated another fragment of his power. Together they headed to Crufia for their showdown with Roger.








Next Chapter


-In the Library, the V4 are still struggling from Roger's attack. But help is at hand...

“Where is Therebus!” Luke snapped.

“I will tell you where he is,” Roger said calmly. “And hand him back over…if you do me one favor.”


-Meanwhile, friendships and patience is tested within the AU:

She put her hand on Salo’s shoulder, but the girl pulled away.

“If anything happens to him, I’ll blame you two for not even thinking of helping him!” she cried.


-The Millenia Cataclysm begins:

A tingling filled the air. Slowly, each sword let out a long, ringing chime. The gentle, soothing melody reverberated around the metal of the sword. Both Gauld and Garu were bathed in this eerie sound.

“It is time!” Garu roared. Gauld watched firmly, gripping Spirit Sword. “BEGIN!”

-

“You were armed with a sword, but not with the knowledge the sword has. You are, therefore, an unsuitable candidate to represent Spirit Sword. That is nobodies fault but fate. Fate has conspired to arrange this outcome,” Garu snapped.

-

Gauld just watched. As Garu got nearer, Gauld ducked down, evading Garu’s sword, and swung his sword across, slashing across Garu’s stomach. The man gave a cry as blood wept from his wound.

“That was cheap!” he snarled. “But you’ll have to do better than that, Gauld…”


-But things turn even worse...

“Are you ok?” Gauld asked him. “What is it?”

“It’s…the mask…” Lee said slowly, sweat glazing his face.


-- “Sometimes…” he began. “Good and bad is merely a perspective.” --




Extra long preview because of the Millenia Cataclysm

[Oakbark]

Hey there Chris, i loved the chapter!

There is a huge element of Dimitri-ism in this chapter, with Lusaka, Roger, Seryun, Scabb and Lilla all conspiring and trying to prevent the AU from ruining their plans! What is the Wysha Diamond's significance, and why do they need a Water Adept to help them?

Damien's gone again, through no fault of his own obviously, but i wonder if Chrome and Zuuki's opinions on the matter will be biased against him? It kinda looks like he's done a runner again, but hopefully Salo's faith in him will keep their thoughts in check. Damien obviously cares for Salo, he was more than ready to obey orders when they were in Salo's best interests.

Lee and Gauld are still heading towards the Millenia Cataclysm, it was interesting to see how protective Mortimer and the others were over Lee, despite their apparent carelessness for him. Touching in a way.

Roger has really taken a back seat now, far from the powerful calculating person we saw from his son's perspective, he is now merely exposed as a weak and petty servant for Lusaka-Lae. Funny how perspective changes everything. . .

Al was on the ball there, working out Lilla's plan, although perhaps he was a little too smart in working everything out so quickly. Nevertheless, Tekaru's Elementa was quite interesting, although it seems a little less lifelike than the other V4 beings, if you get what i mean. Not that the Cross didn't work well, i thought it was a fine symbol of Tekaru's deep faith.

I'm loving the preview at the end, and also your quotation on good and bad being a matter of perspective. Very true i think.

Well, gotta go, hope this was a long enough reply for you! Don't wait too long to post Chapter 16.

P.S.: Just a quick thought regarding the Monica/Al part of the chapter - i felt it was a little rushed. Don't be afraid to take your time and lengthen the chapters, we all like a good read, and the longer the better. Just don't be afraid to lengthen the dialogue pieces - they are the key to deeper characters and good characterisation.

[Chris 2.1]

Reply!

-It is interesting to see that Damien did actually go along with Seryun and Scabb purely because they would hurt Salo otherwise. If Salo wasnt involved, Damien would have probably asked to be killed there and then. Yet in the eyes of others, he's run off again. It's a shame what fate can do to you.

-Yea I really wanted to show how Lee sees Gauld compared to Mortimer - they're really quite similar. But what do they not have in common? That's quite a relevant thought.

-I'm sure Lee's quote relates quite well to Roger's predicament. But think about this: Even when Seryun wanted to quit, Roger made sure he stayed and threatened him with death if he decided to quit. And now he's in the same situation. Karma?

-I did think Al worked everything out quite quickly, but he is a sharp lad, and it was a foolish task. So is Lilla working for Roger, or directly from Lusaka? Could she be.....? Also a very good observation - Tekaru's elementa is inanimate. It works, but it is weaker than the V4's. This is very relevant.



Thanks!

[Chris 2.1]

I had a dream regarding the Monica series. Urgh. This contained tidbits and references to future chapters (because I know what happens, and you dont) luckily nothing will get spoiled.


Ouranos was pacing back and forth in a room before me - I came to the conclusion I was tied up to a chair, as I was very stiff and imobile. Ouranos kept mumbling, but I couldn't decipher the words very clearly. He finally stopped, turning to face me, but when he did, he had become Monica. Monica tilted her head inquisitively, as if I had said something to her. She mildly shook her head and untied me. It was interesting, because she seemed to smell of smoke and ash.

I got up, and stared at my hands. They were black, so I assumed I was a Purist. I felt a thick scar running vertically down my right eye. I followed Monica out the door and it soon transpired we had just left a cave, and were now standing on a large mountain, staring across a beautiful Island, with a small village distinguishable in the center of a thick grove of trees, which took up a lot of the Island.

I could see a body pinned against the wall, with crusted blood over his face. But I know who it was. I just won't tell you.

We ran down the mountain, and before I knew it, we leapt off the last part and were now in a colloseum. Phoenix stood opposite me, but he had a huge metal arm. I was unsure what to do, I remember trying to think of attacks but not knowing any. I threw my hands forward, and a rumbling black bolt of energy (similar to a Night Shade) flew forward, but it simply dissolved into the air. Phoenix' angelic wings grew from his back, and as this happened, a cloud of dark smoke was issued all around the arena. I was plunged inside it, and could see a variety of things:

-Silva unleashing an attack I know to be Chi Dragon
-A fully-fledged army racing through a forest
-A gaunt-looking Monica with tears streaming down her face
-Greta (the woman who taught the Pathian in Agrotatio) with odd, transparent palms, and a smile on her face
-A Quelsoir sweeping through the air
-Delvil and Spirit of Mother locking arms and fighting.

Then I woke up.



Relevance? Urgh well some parts of the dream are events in the fic, so it was quite odd. But some (Like Greta's palms) are details I quite liked, and plan to use. Yes, so you know, she does return with Berah and Thomas from Agrotatio.


Ch16 soon.

[Chris 2.1]

A much-needed Evayard Map has been completed, but is way too large to attach. I will try and find a way of putting it on the 'net