A couple of you threatened me with bodily pain if I did not post this to
the Fanfic ML (the best way to convince me...), so here it is, straight
from Sig War 3. And, please, stop stalking me.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Rob Orick and Panda wrote:
The ronin looked up at the swirling portal before him and smiled sadly,
the thought of that fateful night bringing back many memories, including
the image of the face of his long lost Uki. He had travelled many lands in
search of her for many years, every trail telling him that she was lost
forever. Now, his most hated rival had given him hope that she was still
alive, although bearing a different name. He stared at the blood-stained
head-band and then without hesitation stepped throught the portal to
whatever lay beyond . . .
The Portal wrenched as the direction of its destination shifted. Kajagua
felt as if the twisting tunnel was trying to rip him apart. He felt as
if his innards were changing places and he was taffy at the mercy of dark
forces. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the tunnel deposited
him in a large tower room. A voice echoed against the walls and his
heart jumped in recognition of the white haired woman. Kajagua followed
the voice to its source...
--------------
[Before the the black hole formed on Tokyo Tower]
A spark of electricity erupts from the shattered purple armor at the base
of the Tower. Slowly, blue electricity forms around it and it fades away
as the misdirected portal grabs it up into its swirling darkness... The
black hole forms immediately after...
[The Moon...]
The portal opens up and drops the unmoving form at the base of the
tower. The portal opens up again and deposits Kajagua 50 feet away...
----------------
[In the tower, two weeks ago...]
Virgo(chained to a wall[Anyone seen the movie Mortal Kombat?]): ...you
moronic, pathetic, shadow of a man... (she continues her barrage
of insults, but her target doesn't hear her. Scorpio Zodiak looks
up at the Earth through a small arched window as the events of
the last week returns to him...)
-------------------
Allegra(under a panel on the device): I think I got it!
Rumic(Yanking her out by her feet): I think you don't! (slamming her into
the ground... which gives way and Allegra falls to into the observation
room)
Virgo(still bond in chains): Allegra!!
Allegra: ow... virgo? Jody said to distract him, not get captured!
-----
Musica: aunt jody! allegra failed!
Jody: Then send me to them!
Musica: if i send you there, i won't have enough strength to bring you back.
i'm spending extra energy just to breach dark one's interferance...
Jody: Getting out is my problem! Send me in!!
Musica: hai! (begins to chant the words to the teleport spell. Jody
steps into the circle of magic and vanishes in an orb of white light.)
-----
Rumic: Die, you little tech rat!
Zodiak: No, Lord Rumic!! She is my daughter... (unsheathes his sword)
Allow me to take her.
Rumic(putting away the bokken): Fine... But be quick about it. The Dark
One wishes for the device to be activated as soon as possible...(Rumic
vanishes)
Zodiak: You shouldn't have come her, Iiko...
Allegra(lashing out): Don't call me that! (Zodiak blocks her shot and
holds her there)
Zodiak: Listen to your father. Surrender.
Jody: Listen to your aunt! Knee him! (Allegra complies and Zodiak doubles
over. Allegra runs to the other side of the room towards the
window...)
Zodiak(pulling out a crystal ball): is that any way to treat your
father?! (throws it at Allegra's back...
-----
Computer: 5...4...3...2...1... WARNING! THRUSTER PACK IS NOW AT CRITICAL
MASS!
-----
The ball impacted against her back. The pack exploded. Jody, Virgo, and
Zodiak were forced to cover there eyes as the explosion rocks the tower.
Rumic: What the hell?
Zodiak lowers his arm and sees Allegra, her armor shattered, sliding across
the floor towards the blown out window.
Zodiak(running across the floor): No... not again!! (Allegra falls out
the window. Zodiak drives his sword into the floor of the room
and grabs his daugther's left hand) ALLEGRA!!!!
Allegra(through her shattered faceplate): daddy...? (The damaged gauntlet
groans as the the elbow joint starts to buckle)
Zodiak(bracing his legs about the sword): ALLEGRA!!! GIVE ME YOUR OTHER
HAND!!!! (sparks fly from the gauntlet as Allegra tries to gather
her thoughts that were scrambled from the blast)
Allegra(reaching up): daddy? (the joint explodes in a shower of sparks)
DADDY!!!! (Zodiak is blinded by the sparks and Allegra is already
falling by the time he can see again)
Zodiak: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Zodiak lashes out with a dark tendril gained
from merging with the shadow beast. Allegra falls. The tendril
flies down after her. It reaches its limit and wraps itself...
around nothing...) OH, MY GODDESS!!!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!! NOT
AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Zodiak can't tear
his eyes away as his daughter falls and crashes into the ground far
below...) iiko...
Jody and Virgo watch in shock... Rumic jumps down the hole in the ceiling.
Rumic: WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING?! (Sees Jody) Another one...? Seize her!
(Shadow beasts jump down the hole and attack Jody)
Jody: CUTTING EDGE!!!!!!!!! (her rage adding to her ki) Virgo!!!
Rumic(stands in the way): I don't think Zodiak will like it if I let this
one get away...
Jody: SHIT!
Virgo: Save yourself, Aquarius!! Get the hell out of here!!!
Jody is torn until another shadow tries to grab her. She flees down the
elevator shaft.
Jody: I'll come back for you!!!
Zodiak still looked down the tower to the ground, Allegra's gauntlet still
held in his hand...
Rumic: Zodiak? Zodiak?
Zodiak: ...
-----
Musica(grabbing her head in pain): IIKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (she didn't
need to scrying to know her twin was dead. The low mummer in the back
of her mind that she knew was her sister's surface thoughts was quiet,
which meant only one thing) SISTER!!!!!!!!! YOU PROMISED!!!!!!!!!
YOU PROMISED YOU WOULDN'T LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (with a
cry of despair, Musica Michan Zodiak fran through the empty streets in
tears)
-----
"Well done... the thruster pack exploded as you promised... but the
device survived..."
"There's only so much I could do, master. Rumic was a wild card I hadn't
placed in the equation..."
"Then I suggest you never make that mistake again."
"Yes, master."
-----
Virgo: ...and you let them kill Musica!!!
Zodiak snapped his head up at that last comment. He pleaded for the Dark
One to allow him to search for his missing daughter one last time before
the device was activated, but was refused. Zodiak's rage welled up and
demanded he strike her... but his sorrow kept him in check as he looked
up at the Earth again, and the family he lost...
-------------------------------------------------------------
The ruins of the Tendo home... the black hole rages on but the figure at
the doorway doesn't care. Her visage blocked in shadows, she moves to
the door at on the side of the stairs. The door was never repaired since
the last time it was damaged so she walked down the stairs and down the
hall to a plain wooden door with the sign that had Priss with the warning,
"Allegra's Room. Intruders will be shot." She stepped in and turned on
the terminal at the desk. The power was still on, even though the city
was dead. The user prompt came up...
<Name: Ronin Saber>
<Password: Dance_Away_3:35>
<Powering up Ronin-2...>
A panel on the wall slid away and the figure looked at the prototype
hardsuit in the space. The girl tugged off her clothes and put on a
spare softsuit. The armor opened up and she got into it. After checking
the systems she brought down the helmet.
Ronin Saber: Computer. Prepare the solid fuel booster rockets for a trip to
the moon. Check life support and weapons systems for the trip.
Computer: Time necessary to comply: 1 hour and 5 minutes.
Ronin Saber: Remove second rocket fro return trip. I don't plan to come
back...
Computer: New time to complete: 32 minutes, 30 seconds...
----------------
Jody(still lying on her bed, resting): I can't stay here... (stands but
still feels a wave of nausea overwhelm her) I can't stay here...
(waits for the nausea to pass and concentrates) 'Open the paths of
darkness for me...' (a swirling portal opens up) Master Yar's
teachings do have their uses... (she steps in and the portal closes)
-----------------
Far below the tower's eminence, a shadowy form drifts from a dark pocket at
the base of the tower to where the shattered body of Allegra lies twisted and
unmoving. The dark form kneels beside Allegra, and grasps her wrist gently,
pausing to hold it in its hand for a moment. It then places her arm
gently back on the ground and stands, its jaw firming in anger.
Kajagua turns suddenly, hearing footsteps coming from within the tower.
He rushes towards the door at the base of the tower and quickly leans back
against the stone wall, waiting for the door to open.
A female form burst out from the door, followed by two shadows. Jody
continues running past the hidden Kajagua, while the two shadow beasts
halt. A flash of steel cuts across the forms of the shadows, a green aura
glimmering blindingly as it makes contact with its targets. As the glowing
blade follows through, the two shadows convulse in terror, their figures
distorting into mere outlines. A swirling vortex opens above their heads,
and the shadowed outlines compress into vapourous streams, their faces
frozen like grotesque, distended masks. The vapourous forms abruptly shoot
upwards into the vortex, disappearing into a seemingly endless tunnel,
sealed just as abruptly as it appeared, leaving behind only echoes of
screams and then silence.
Jody stops, not hearing her pursuants any longer, and turns to see a figure
bearing a katana standing in the doorway to the tower looking up.
Jody: What the ...
Jody narrows her eyes and runs catiously back towards the figure.
Jody: Who the hell-
Kajagua(Not turning to face Jody): There's no time. I have been summoned
to aid the Band. The one named Virgo is still in peril, but I came down
because I need your help.
Jody: Summoned? By who? Hey! ...
Kajagua: There is no time for-
Kajagua is cut off by Jody's anguished look, as she spies Allegra's
shattered body on the ground to her side. Moisture wells up in her eyes.
Jody: *sob* how did she get here...?
Kajagua: There is no time for this! I can help her if you help me now!
Jody: But I can't-
Kajagua: You must! Follow me and don't look back!
Jody looks away from Allegra reluctantly, and pushes herself to catch up
with Kajagua, who has already begun to ascend ...
Jody shakes her head and runs back into the tower, turning briefly to look
at where the two shadow forms last existed.
--------
A flash of orange light appears on the battlements and a figure clad in black
appears from out of it. She looks around and steps quickly and quietly down
the stairs... She walks down the main hall and freezes as she hears
approaching footsteps. She steps behind a pillar and B-ko steps around
to the otherside, looking at what seems to be notes.
Rumic(as he passes): How's the project, B-ko.
B-ko(distractedly): Oh, just fine... I'm just taking a walk and
double-checking these figures, then I'll go back to the lab...
Zodiak: ...Don't work too hard, Alle... (catches himself and pauses) B-ko...
B-ko(slight nod while writing something): Right... (waits till the walk off)
The figure narrows her eyes and steps back into shadows and lets the
disguise melt off her. She continues to search for her targets...
--------
Zodiak(Turning away from Virgo and looking about the room wildly): He is
finally here! (Turning back to Virgo) Now you will see someone die who
means a great deal to you, but means NOTHING to me!
Rumic(Looking thoughtful): He has slain two of my shadow beasts. Hmm.
(To Zodiak) Capture him. He may be of some use to us.
Zodiak: Capture him? Impossible! The only way to deal with this one is to
still his heart. Like me he has lived for many lifetimes, and even now
forgets little of our past. He has spent a good portion of his life
searching for someone (looks at Virgo) and now that he knows she is
alive he will stop at nothing to reclaim her. Capture... Not even you
my Lord Rumic can capture this one's soul. For it is not his own
anymore. It belongs to-
A darkly-clad figure enters the room, his pace slow but deliberate. Virgo
blinks, attempting to understand the voice in her head that recognizes the
figure's face from deep in her past. Zodiak's eyes flare a crimson red as
he glares at the intruder, his shadowed soul screaming at him to lash out,
while a weak voice tears at his heart to honour his ancient, most-hated rival's
presence. Rumic raises a hand as if to command his shadow servants
to attack, but Zodiak gestures to him to stop.
Zodiak: This one is mine, Lord Rumic. If any of you others attack him while
we duel, I will strike you down myself... He and I have waited
centuries for this meeting. He is the cause of much of my problems,
seeking to tear my family away from me! (Suddenly looking anguished)
If not for him, perhaps Allegra would still be alive ...
Kajagua: You once were a good man Scorpio. You could be again, if you
throw off the chains on your soul, and step through ...
Zodiak: "Step through?!" Like your master the Rain Dragon requests? You are
insane, ronin! Your "god" is nothing more than a nightmare, brought on
by late night snacks before putting your head to your pillow!! He does
not exist to me anymore. And neither will you when the day is done-
Zodiak bows silently, his gesture returned by the dark-clad figure, and the
two men unsheath their swords to circle about the room like angry tigers.
Zodiak: Your long life is about to end, ronin.
Kajagua: Words are meaningless Scorpio. Let your actions reveal your true
being. You are two within one. There is only room inside you for one
soul, and eventually the other will perish. It is only a matter of
time.
Zodiak(Smiling and shaking his head) You don't understand do you ronin?
It's just one soul, my dark, corrupted soul! There is no other here!
Zodiak thrusts forward suddenly, slicing the air in front of his opponent with
his katana. Kajagua steps back calmly, and resets his defence.
Zodiak(Looking forlorn for a moment): I regret the loss of the members of my
family, but they had to die. It is not within the grand design for them
to exist, and I have the rest of eternity to get used to my new soul.
Kajagua: It seems your mind is not your own either Scorpio. Perhaps you can
still be rescued from the spell that enslaves it.
Rumic: Don't count on it warrior! And if he dies here then you shall replace
him (grins evilly).
Kajagua(To Rumic): Search my mind now if you will. It and my soul are not
completely mine to be taken away.
Rumic: Maybe so warrior. But whoever protects you may be my target instead!
Kajagua falters at hearing this. Zodiak sees the opening and reaches in past
Kajagua's weakened defense, slashing in a sidelong arc that leaves a long
thin cut in the ronin's chest. Kajagua steps back instinctively, then surges
forward to take advantage of Zodiak's lowered gaurd. Zodiak stifles a cry of
pain as the ronin's glowing blade crosses the shadow warrior's mid-section.
Zodiak grasps his stomach, as the soul within his soul writhes in its own
pain within him.
Zodiak: Gyaggh! (Zodiak steps back from the ronin weakly, his eyes flaring
red with anger)
Rumic(To Kajagua): Finish him! Then take his place and find out what power
waits for you within the shadows!
Kajagua(Glaring at Rumic): Never. Scorpio was once a good man. I will not
rest until he is that man again.
Rumic: Nonsense! He has been consumed already! He is beyond your pitiful
powers, ronin.
Kajagua: The why does he yet hold the glove of his beloved daughter so
tightly even now?
Zodiak looked down at his left hand as if he had never seen it before. Sure
enough Allegra's gauntlet was still in his convulsing grip, as if he had
refused to believe she was truly dead.
Rumic: Do not listen to the poisonous words Scorpio. Remember who your true
master is. Evil is forever!
Zodiak leaned against a wall, his right forearm still clamped against the
wound in his gut. Inside him turmoil reigned, the forces of darkness welling
up to combat the good-natured soul that was losing ground, minute by minute.
Kajagua thought for a moment that the wounded warrior would begin to cry, but
instead, the Band's patriarch summoned his will and turned to face him.
Zodiak: It matters not that I am good or bad. All that matters now is that you
not be allowed to escape, ronin. For most of what I hold precious is
lost to me, and you have been the bane of my existence from the very
beginning. I will fight you 'til my last breath, ronin.
Kajagua: You shall not die by my hand Scorpio. Your death would not give me
any pleasure in this lifetime.
The two combatants square off again, this time with firmed jaws and gritted
teeth. Razor-sharp blades swing and arc through the air, inches away from
exposed flesh. Like two blades of grass in the wind, they weave in and
around each other, seeking an opening in each other's defense, and an end to
their fear.
-------
Along the back wall of the room, Jody inches her way past the tense scene,
moving swiftly from shadowed corners to where Virgo is chained up.
Virgo: Jo? JOD-
Jody: shhhhhh! (Whispering) I told you I'd come back.
Virgo: (Whispering) You shouldn't have come back! If Rumic sees you-
Jody: You don't have to tell me that. Now hold still while I work on your- hey!
(Jody see that Virgo's hands are actually free) You're not chained up!
Virgo: Of course not! It would ruin my nails if I was!
Jody: <sigh> Alright fine! Let's get out of-
Rumic(Spotting Jody) AGAIN? Sheesh! (To two shadow beasts) SEIZE HER!
And get it right this time!
Jody: Eep!
Virgo: Yikes!
----------------------------------------------------------
Virgo: Star Strike! (A shadow beast is pierce by the blast and dies.)
Jody: Multi-shot!! (smaller versions of her ki blast destroys a few more)
We need to go, now!
Zodiak strikes again, his concentration so intense he never realises that
Jody and Virgo fight near him. Then... something that should never have
happened occured... Kajagua blocked the strike and moved to the side and
into Zodiak's blind spot. Virgo backflipped to avoid a shadow beast...
and hit Zodiak in his back. Zodiak thought it was Kajagua and struck out
with his hilt into her kidney and, in a quick, fluid motion, swung the
sword in his hand to hold it backwards and plunged it deep behind him...
His triumphant sneer turned into shock as the voice that screamed out was
not Kajagua's...
Jody: Virgo! NO!!!!!!
Virgo(looking at the sword blade protruding through her chest, the point
a foot in front of her face. Blood trickles down from her
mouth): zodi... -chan... (the sword remains as Zodiak turns and
catches her falling form, cradling her in his arms)
Zodiak: Virgo... (holds a trembling hand to her face) what have i done?
Virgo(tears flow down her face as her weak hand touches Zodiak's cheek): i...
forgive you... (her hand falls away... her violet eyes closed in rest)
Zodiak: no... virgo? (shakes her slighty) you can't be... virgo??
Please, wake up... (he closes his eyes and screams) VIRGO
CELESTRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW CAN YOU LEAVE ME LIKE THIS!!!!!
(opens his eyes, madness blurring his judgment) THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!
(Soul Defender is jerked out of Virgo's body and Zodiak stands)
Kajagua barely brings his katana up to block the furious swing. Zodiak
has lost all form, but the sheer brutality of his grief adds strength to
his shots, making Kajagua have to move faster as each blow comes in right
after another...
Figure: Ninjitsu! (appears besides Virgo and scoops up her body and puts
it over her shoulder) Come on, Jody!!! We have to go now!!
Jody: It's not time yet!!!
Figure: You stubborn girl!!! WE GO NOW!!!! (grabs Jody by the back of
her trenchcoat and yanks violently as she cries out the command...)
NINJITSU! (in a ball of orange flame, the three girls vanish...)
----------------
A large purple hardsuit lands on the surface of the Moon and flies to the
fortress, the need for vengeance burned into her mind...
----------------
Rob "For the Band, the End Game Draws neigh..." Orick And Panda
'Nuff Said.