____________________________________________________________________________________________ Ginga GIRI GIRI! The Universe is in Danger! By SSJ Heero (http://66.75.107.143/animenext) ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ---- Recap ---- [Chibi characters of the six appear in the foreground as scenes from the last episode play in the background. Though, you can't see 'cause this is text. Haha!] SSJ: Hey, loyal reader! (That being only me, the author, at the moment.) Anyway, LAST TIME! Amiko: Nothing happened. Except I mysteriously got Link for some reason. Kensou: Well, we seemed to have been suffering from deja vu. Davis: And that ends the recap. TM: Since we have extra time, call me, ladies! Just dial '0' and ask for TM. They'll know. (Everyone then sweatdrops as a long call of rings filled the area, turning to a giant group of operators taking thousands of calls and rerouting them to TM one by one.) Cindy: ...Anyway! On with the show! ---- Chapter 45: Overture of Betrayal ---- [The sky seemed paler than usual as daybreak dawned upon a sleepy city along a small river. It was silent, save for the first rumblings of cars and trains. The day was fine and dandy, with no problems to be had upon the city. The morning was cold and damp from a slight rain, waving a mist of liquid upon the inhabitants. The sky was overall gray, blocking out the brightness of the sun as the river flowed on, providing the city with a great deal of its electricity. There was a troupe of four chocobos tramping along then; two of them being carrying disgruntled mascots of a certain anime starring a card captor. They were wet and miserable. Well, maybe not Amiko, Kensou, or Davis, who were riding with umbrellas, and Cindy rode while wearing a raincoat that most likely will never be seen again after this chapter. As they were constantly assaulted by the cold air, the light rain, and the splashes from the nearby cars, and neither SSJ nor TM were happy about it.] SSJ: DAMN IT! I'm tired of suddenly losing five feet of my height every time I get splashed by the most abundant natural resource! (And TM was sitting on the chocobos head, for he didn't have enough strength in that body to steer a giant bird, and turned to SSJ, who relied on Tenpi to steer his chocobo for him.) TM: Hell, yeah! We both need to get rid of this- (But then Amiko interrupted, pointing a blue finger at TM.) Amiko: Hell, no! This form is not only cute, but it's useful! (SSJ and TM shot narrow glares at the threatening Amiko, but simply turned back to the road and discussed amongst themselves.) TM: How we live with her, I still can not believe. SSJ: Yeah, it's a miracle we're still alive today. (They both were soon after filled with bumps and bruises, and Amiko teleported back to behind the sweatdropping Kensou, clapping her hands clean. It was then that they all felt the rain weaken, and the clouds were waning. Sunlight broke through, filling certain places with sunlight. There was a rainbow in the sky at the very moment, which Kero-SSJ caught sight of. It wasn't the normal rainbow that we're so used to seeing. It was particularly unique, for it was a halo that wrapped about the sun. SSJ suddenly was pulled back into a memory of his. ...He was in his parents' car, a minivan, sadly, with his brothers and sister, down the road through the mountains and past rivers. As the car solemnly passed the few other cars on the road, he got to thinking again that his father wasn't much of a safe driver at all. It was hard to sleep for him, especially in the car awaiting their destination. Up to Reno, Nevada. That was where they were going, and he always simply stared out the window instead of trying to sleep. He looked up, and caught sight of the peculiar rainbow formation, silent and thoughtful. His father spoke there, but he didn't remember what was said. His father's lips moved, without a sound coming out... SSJ was then pulled back to his current situation, as he was suddenly drenched in near boiling water, leaping about and screaming as he reverted to his normal self.) SSJ: ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?! (He then caught sight of everyone, for the chocobo troupe had stopped, with the Crew silent. Davis then presented his question, for he was unnerved by SSJ's sudden silence then.) Davis: Were you thinking of something? (SSJ grew silent again, thinking to himself. As he got to his chocobo, he leapt on and gave Tenpi back to Amiko, who huggled the cute little bird.) SSJ: My family... I suddenly remembered them. It's been a while since we got here, and they're probably waiting for us. (TM then smirked.) TM: I thought you hated your family. (SSJ sighed.) SSJ: After all this, I guess their mediocrity will be good enough for me... That is, if we can get out. (Davis then interrupted, pulling his golden chocobo forward through the puddles on the poorly built sidewalk.) Davis: We can. I've been coming here for a while. But until we settle problems here, let's not think about it. I'm not sure we want to be reminded at this time. (Everyone was then silent, with Kensou looking about from person to person. Though younger than him, he perceived, they certainly were stronger. Maybe not physically, for most of them, but they all had the mental determination to still live in this strange world. He never did believe they were from another world, as they have claimed to him multiple times, but with everyone's silent, serious faces, he smiled and realized how wrong he had been. And it was then that Davis stopped his chocobo in front of everyone.) Davis: We're here. Hayden lives here. (Everyone looked up from the ground. They saw it. The place was huge! Even if it was mostly covered by the large hill it was on, stairs leading all the way up to the plateau, there was an air of richness. Trees were everywhere, presenting the beautiful array of cherry blossoms blooming. SSJ, TM, and Cindy weren't much amazed as they were surprised, pointing in indignation at the gigantic house.) TM: NANJA KORYA?! [Subtitles: WHAT THE FUCK?!] SSJ: HE LIVES- Cindy: IN HINATA-SOU?! (And as the three pointed, a silence passed over them for a bit. Their surprised gasps softened. Their twisted eyes returned to normal, skin no longer folded. They then sighed.) TM: Figured a plot twist like this would happen. SSJ: It's so like me to write this in. Cindy: You two will forget the quest, probably, with the girls and hot springs here. (TM and SSJ exchanged glances, and shrugged, for she hit it on the mark. Now, the stairs were not wide enough for normal chocobo feet to keep balance on, so the three normal chocobos leapt through the trees and bushes beside the stairs as the gold one stepped through the stairs [since golden chocobos can walk anywhere, as demonstrated in FFVII]. The giant inn became even larger as they all reached the height overlooking most of the town, sighing with relief upon reaching their long sought destination. Their chocobos tramped forward, along the stone steps leading to the inn, and there on the very steps was a young girl, blue hair and all, sweeping the floor. She caught sight of the group, quite surprised at the large party. Then she recognized them. It seemed like everyone did those days. Eyes wide, she wheeled about and dashed back towards the inn, running straight into the tall, proud figure of one of the boarders. His clean hair was long enough to reach his chin, shining with a tint of silver not from old age, but from his own doing. He was an alchemist after all, Davis thought. He had strong features, with his strong jaw, hard cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes, quite contrasting with his simple red t-shirt, gray shorts, and bare feet. Still he smiled upon catching sight of Davis.) Davis: Using your skill for simple hair dye, huh? (Hayden grinned as he stepped onto the sandy ground off of the path and started etching into the ground as he replied with a carefree voice.) Hayden: Well, better silver than a regular color. (He pulled his finger from the sand at that point, clapped his hands together, and then a flash erupted from him. His red shirt were replaced with a red, long sleeved shirt with a collar that reached up to his chin, circling around it. Boots reaching to halfway up his foreleg appeared as bandages wrapped about both his legs. Shinobu then appeared again and presented Hayden with a belt carrying many packs, which he put on then and there. He then smiled at his amazed crowd, who were clapping at what they had just seen.) TM: Incredible! Kensou: Alchemy did that, huh? (Amiko then turned to SSJ.) Amiko: Much more impressive seeing this in reality, ne? SSJ: Yeah, better than in Full Metal Alchemist. (Then they were all brought into Hinata-sou, where a group of male appeasing, attractive girls between 15 and 22 years of age greeted them, much to the TM and SSJ's excitement. There was Narusegawa Naru, as Davis struggled in vain to hold back his excitement and keep a serious face as she greeted him rather casually. TM noticed, slapping Davis on the back of his head and laughing.) TM: Haha! Go ahead, player! (And, quite expectedly, Davis landed with his face right on Naru's cleavage. Needless to say, he was flying away in pain as Naru's common reaction took place.) Naru: Pervert! That's the last time I greet you! (When Davis landed, rather painfully at that, the meeting began. Hayden sat across from the Six, arms resting on his chair. The Six all sat on two separate sofas, resting their weary legs upon the table separating the two parties. The inhabitants of Hinata-sou had retreated from the main hall, where Hayden then spoke.) Hayden: You have gotten quite famous, you know. (Davis grinned.) Davis: Yeah. We are kinda building up a reputation, huh? Hayden: You didn't seem to want one, and yet you drive all this attention to yourself. (Davis glared at Hayden, only replying by pointing to TM as if to say "It's his fault". TM caught the gesture and was about to smack Davis, but then Hayden continued.) Hayden: What do you need? (SSJ cut in there, unwrapping his Hellfire sword and revealing it to Hayden.) SSJ: A sheathe for this. (Hayden looked upon the sword for a bit. Without saying another word, he got up, leaving the group alone in the room. A silence passed.) TM: Hey! Did he just ditch us?! (All of a sudden, Kitsune came into the room, speaking with her accent.) Kitsune: Now, now, don't say such things 'bout Hayden, 'kay? He'll be back. In the meantime, I hope you've got all that money I heard rumors about! (TM exchanged glances with Davis and Cindy. He sighed and shrugged.) TM: We lost it. (Kitsune's mouth dropped to the floor. Not only Kitsune, but Amiko, SSJ, and Kensou as well. Amiko dashed to TM and shook him by the collar.) Amiko: WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR QUADRILLION DOLLARS?! (Cindy then cut in, separating Amiko from TM.) Cindy: Amiko, calm down! Your black self forced us to hand it over for these books, you see. That Naraku demanded back there. (Amiko was silent upon hearing about Black Amiko.) Amiko: Damn... She got the books back in the end, anyway. (Cindy plopped back into her seat, as did Amiko.) Cindy: Yeah... That damn Sesshoumaru couldn't be trusted. (But Kitsune fluttered about, still flabbergasted over the breaking image she had of the glorious Trunks Maxwell. TM shot her a glance.) TM: Well, I've got no money, but hey, I'm still here! How about it? Kitsune: What's the point...? We can't gamble and I can't take all that for myself... (TM's eyes narrowed as SSJ and Davis slapped their knees in laughter. Upon Kitsune leaving, in came Hayden, carrying some metal plates, and Shinobu was following along, carrying a pile of wood. She set it down and sat down by the Crew, turning to the nearest one, SSJ.) Shinobu: It's always amazing when he transmutes something. SSJ: No kidding. (Hayden then took out a chisel and began etching into the metal plates. Soon enough, a fine circle was carved into hard metal, and with a clap of his hands, the pile of wood and metal glowed brightly.) Hayden: Give me the sword. (So SSJ did, and Hayden put it in with the glowing pile. The room flashed white, and as the light disappeared, SSJ saw that the Hellfire sword was surrounded by a hard layer of metal and wood. Its sheath was complete. Amazed, he took up the sword, placing it on his belt, feeling the polished wood that shone in the light. And quickly and suddenly, he drew the sword and slashed into the air. It worked great. He turned to Hayden and genuinely smiled.) SSJ: Thanks. (Hayden returned the smile.) Hayden: No problem. (And as SSJ stepped back to the six, Davis stood up.) Davis: Well, I think that was all we came for. (Hayden frowned, as well as Shinobu.) Hayden: Oh, come on. You've been here a couple minutes and won't stay for the day. Shinobu: Yes! Stay for tonight, at least! I'm already preparing a large lunch for you all. (The Crew exchanged glances. SSJ wasn't one to let a little girl be saddened [even if she was his age]. TM wasn't one to pass up a meal with several fine ladies. Amiko needed much rest. Cindy was getting mighty hungry. Kensou wasn't minding anything much, anyway. Davis looked at his friend, and then sighed.) Davis: Okay, we'll stay for today. Could you get a boat ready for tomorrow morning? We'll ride the river onward. (Hayden nodded, and TM declared a trip to the hot springs compulsory. Everyone sighed and left the area. That is, except for Hayden, who turned about and sifted through their inventory. He found a rather peculiar item. He held up the Shikkon jewel before him, examining it in the light.) Hayden: Heh... I might be able to make something of this... (At that time, he also observed one of Cindy's guns, and took it off with him to his workshop.) *** [Amiko, Cindy, and a few of the gals from Love Hina rested in the hot springs soon after, all thankful for Shinobu's marvelous meal of rice, chicken, and eggs (otherwise called 'oyakodonburi'). Tenpi was flittering about the hot springs water, since it was a blue chocobo, after all. The gals, being Naru, Kitsune, Shinobu, and Mutsumi were quite amused watching the young chocobo dash and leap about, chirping rather cutely before them. Mokona was there as well, relaxing in an inflated bed that floated on the water. Mutsumi put a hand to her cheek and muttered.] Mutsumi: Ara, ara... Shinobu: How'd you get a sea chocobo? They're quite rare, you know. (Amiko turned the thought in her head, trying to remember.) Amiko: It was abandoned. Last we know, someone took his mother, and we first found it newly hatched. (The Love Hina girls all let out a sound of surprise. Kitsune then inserted her idea.) Kitsune: Send it in to those chocobo races! You'll make a fine deal of money, looking at how fast it is. (Cindy and Amiko chuckled.) Cindy: Sounds more like something TM would do. Amiko: And he's not going anywhere near Tenpi. *** [The boys, TM, Davis, Kensou, and Keitarou, were also relaxing in their own baths. TM, traditional to his wacky character, waited by the bamboo wall separating the two baths, listening in on the girls' conversation, smiling with glee. He then felt a rock hit him right on the back of his head. It hurt greatly, and he turned about to glare at Kensou.] TM: What was that for?! Kensou: Isn't it obvious? Stop that. (TM continued glaring, but then stepped back to the bath and muttered.) TM: As if you wouldn't do it. (Kensou looked away, not quite keeping a serious face, and TM observed a slight blush. What a closet pervert! TM then looked around, not finding SSJ.) TM: Where is that guy? Davis: He just got his sheathe, so he's probably practicing battoujutsu. (TM turned and looked up to a platform on the roof, seeing Aoyama Motoko in the distance, practicing her swings. TM stared for a bit before returning his attention to the nice feel of the springs.) *** {SSJ was practicing upon the platform on the roof of the dormitory, with Motoko nearby, ignoring him and practicing herself. A bunch of cleanly sliced leaves lay at SSJ's feet as he continually drew his sword, wiped it with the cloth that once covered the blade, and sheathed it again. It was tiring, to say the least, drawing as fast as he could every time and aiming his slash at a fluttering leaf. He was drenched in sweat by the time a pile of cut leaves rested neatly on his feet. He noticed Motoko was tired as well, seeing her drop down and rest on the wood platform. He sighed and fell to the floor. He had enough training. He looked up at the sky, panting as leaves still rained upon the area. He saw Motoko get up and leave without saying a thing, and he was left there on the platform, alone. He then sighed. So much of a player he was. He looked over the platform and at the wide, rough terrain just before Hinata-sou. He then got an idea for practice, again. Later, when Motoko came out from the front door, walking with her eyes closed away from the dormitory. She wasn't much excited about her high-profile guests. They made too much noise, and that TM was too much of a pervert. As she stepped forward, she thought about how annoying they were, but her thoughts were cut short as she tumbled forward, throwing sand into the air. She rolled and scraped along, finally hitting someone's feet. She thought she heard that SSJ speak.) SSJ: Hey, you okay? (She opened her eyes, looking about and seeing why she tripped. SSJ stood in the middle of a small crater. A crater! It couldn't have been there before! She looked up at the curious SSJ, but was quick to get up, dust herself, and walk quickly away from it.) Motoko: I don't need your concern. (SSJ looked on at Motoko with disappointment, silently standing there in the crater.) *** :: Later! :: [The six members of the Outlaws were resting in their own rooms in the gigantic dormitory, for night had come upon the land, with the moon hanging in the sky. Similarly, the Hinata girls dozed off in their rooms, tired from the commotion that arrived on their doorsteps. Everyone was overall tired and needed much sleep. Everyone except for Hayden Morningwood, who sat awake in his own room, the light on. He closed his eyes and simply breathed, ignoring everything else. He felt something in his mind. With his eyes closed, still, he turned his head towards where he felt it. He sighed.] Hayden: Cell... That's right, he wants them. (So he got up, and opened his eyes. They were pure white. His brilliant blue eyes were gone. He then turned towards the direction of the Crew.) Hayden: I must... (He slid open the door of his room. He stepped out of the room and into the hall. The first room he came to was his own friend's. It slid open easily, and he stepped towards Davis. He looked upon Davis, visibly saddened with his white eyes. He reached a hand out.) Hayden: Sorry, Davis... (His hand came closer and closer to Davis. It reached around the slumbering boy's neck. There was a tense second of waiting. He finally finished his business. He brought Davis to his feet and shook him awake.) Hayden: Sorry, Davis, but you can't sleep now. (Davis awakened slowly in the deep of the night, seeing Hayden and feeling his arm on his shoulder. He yawned and muttered.) Davis: Hayden...? What's wrong? Hayden: Wake everyone up. We have company. (And as Hayden stepped away, Davis finally realized that Hayden lacked the color and pupils in his eyes. His breath stopped for a bit.) Davis: No way- Those eyes again?! (Davis then dashed from the room, grabbing the Meteor Gloves and covering his hands with them. He came to SSJ, then TM, then Cindy, then Amiko, and finally Kensou. When he slid open Kensou's door with a fully dressed, yet tired Crew, he shook Kensou awake. The older boy opened his eyes and caught sight of Davis.) Kensou: Eh? Nanda? [Subtitles: What the...?] Davis: Remember when we were confused about Hayden's age? Here's the explanation. (Davis threw open the window and leapt out. The rest of the Crew were caught by surprise, and dashed to the window. They saw Davis standing besides Hayden. Then they saw them standing across from someone else. Even in the moonlight, he seemed to radiate. His skin was completely pale, and his hair was white and clashed with the dark area. They saw the long sleeves reaching long below the end of his arms. They saw the white pants a la Kenshin, with sandals separating his feet from the rough sand. The boys leapt out and landed upon the floor as Cindy and Amiko carefully climbed down, keeping an eye on the new comer. Then they all heard Hayden speak in a shaky voice.) Hayden: Father... (The Crew minus Davis were taken aback. Why is his father here? And not only that, why do they both have the same creepy eyes? Davis turned to Kensou.) Davis: You're looking at the forger of your weapon, Kensou. Hayden Morningwood Senior. Hayden: He always was such a narcissist, naming me after him with pride. (The senior Hayden spoke, his voice not quite as natural as a living man.) Senior: Son... I'm sorry, but it has come to this. (Davis heard a tear drop onto the ground. He turned and saw Hayden, tears streaming from his eyes. Hayden never cried before, not to Davis' knowledge.) Hayden: No, you're not. (But then there came a wind. That was funny, because there wasn't one a moment before. Everyone turned to TM, who was once again struggling to concentrate his chakra into his palm. The winds quickly formed into a ball. Perfect! TM dashed at Hayden's father, reaching out with his arm and aiming straight for the man's gut. But the man was quick, grabbing TM's right arm with his left.) Senior: Cell hasn't risked anything by sending me. You die today. (Suddenly, TM's ball of wind lost concentration. It tore free from the confines of the ball and streaks of sharp wind cut through the surrounding area. Lines were torn through the ground, and one particular wind severed the man's left arm clean off. The clothes were torn and flung about as TM flew back, the man's left hand falling to the ground.) TM: Heh... Only one hand left, now! (Hayden's father looked down upon the hand, lying there on the ground. Without saying anything, the hand quickly flew off the ground, and with unimaginable speed, smacked its backhand straight into TM's cheek. He was flying away soon after, into the arms of Yanagi, who had broken free from her bishie ball.) TM: What the... Your hand?! Senior: I have sold my soul for this ability. I can control every cell of mine, and create many more from the atoms in the air. It borders on creation of life, itself. When I was living, I was called... The Creation Alchemist. (The man looked upon the two, TM and Yanagi, where a bright light healed TM's wound. The man then ducked as SSJ's leg flew right over his hair. SSJ skidded on the ground, turned about, and threw a fist straight at the face. From behind, SSJ heard the left hand come back again, aiming its fingernails at his back. He was taken aback as the Crew gasped. Suddenly, the hand stopped before it pierced through SSJ, who was emitting a white aura, flooding the area with light. Quickly, though, he spun about in a circle, yelling his defense maneuver.) SSJ: Hakkeshou Kaiten! (The hand was instantly dissolved into a mess of broken skin and bones, and Hayden's father flew a distance away, skidding along the sand as SSJ was left in a crater. Everyone looked on, surprised.) Amiko: When did he... Davis: ...Learn Neji's technique? (SSJ grinned as he glared at the form of a man slowly get up.) SSJ: You've lost your left hand now, so I'll show you another thing I've learned. (SSJ quickly dropped down into the stance of the Hakke. He put his left leg forward, reaching it for it with his left hand, as he put his right arm back, palm facing up. He imagined the circles and lines that signaled the range of the Hakke. Good, that bastard was in range!) SSJ: Jyuukenpo - Hakke Rokujuuyonshou! (Gentle Fist Style - 64 Palms of the Divination!) (He smirked as he quickly dashed forward, twirling about and dodging the fist of Hayden's father. He spun and skidded to a halt, bringing two of his hands to Hayden's torso.) SSJ: Hakke, Nishou! (Divination, Two hands!) (Everyone gasped as the man skidded back, visibly in pain. SSJ continued again, striking more and more times with every successive wave. Upon each wave, he announced the constantly doubling number of strikes, shoving the man further back.) SSJ: Yonshou! Hasshou! Juurokushou! Sanjuunishou! Rokujuuyonshou! (Four hands! Eight hands! Sixteen hands! Thirty-two hands! Sixty-four hands!) (With that, Hayden's father flew back, gasping in pain. He fell to the ground in a heap of pain, gasping and coughing blood. SSJ smirked with a clear victory as Hayden Morningwood Sr. died there. Another wind passed. The body was suddenly blown away, a trail of particles pushed away in the wind. SSJ's eyes widened in shock. He heard it behind him. He wheeled around, and there was the man again, still alive with his body. SSJ didn't have time to think as again, he braced his legs and swung around, drawing his sword in a powerful battoujutsu attack. That body, too, disappeared with the wind after that impact. A silence seemed to have passed after that. Two arms tore from the ground, surprising the Hell out of SSJ, who was then dragged into the ground, so that only his head stuck out. He looked about him. The sand seemed to not have been disturbed, despite his whole self minus his head being buried! He looked up at the impossible man, who was coming together out of nowhere, the cells from the previous bodies in the wind floating back and reforming his limbs and clothing.) SSJ: Impossible... Senior: As I said... I am the Creation Alchemist. I will never die, for I can create a body from nothing and bind my soul to it. This is immortality. I have died, and was gifted with this. (Bullets and arrows flew straight at Hayden from behind, and the man dodged them quickly as the two volleys came dangerously close to SSJ's head, making him sweat with terror. Amiko and Cindy sweatdropped and bowed.) Amiko: Gomen, ne! Cindy: We'll try to be more careful! SSJ: ..."Try"?! (And then they all saw Hayden land upon the roof of Hinata-sou, outlined in the moon. They prepared their weapons and fired. Hayden dodged quickly, leaping down from the roof. As an arrow speeded by him, he reached out a hand and it tore through, stopping straight in the middle of his wounded hand. The man messily tore out the arrow, to Amiko's shock, and threw it back as his hand healed. Amiko and Cindy barely dodged the arrow as it came within a millimeter of cutting SSJ's skin.) SSJ: Will you two be careful, please?! Amiko: Oh, shut up and let us handle this. Cindy: Yeah, we'll deal with it. (Cindy launched volley after volley of bullets at the man, who gracefully moved limb and body barely out of harm's way with each attack, then dashed towards Cindy, finally revealing his weapon. From his arms tore out two sai weapons, also surprising the Hell out of Cindy. The Senior Hayden threw his arms forward and impaled Cindy straight through the neck. Amiko was quick to react and leap forward, launching arrow after arrow, disturbed over Cindy's injury, to say the least. But his other sai was fast, and tore straight through Amiko's heart. Hayden, with his white eyes, smiled at accomplishing his mission. His two sais disappeared into many particles, and he turned to Davis, Kensou, and Hayden. He could heal the two later. But he failed to look behind him, and only noticed something was wrong when TM grinned. A familiar bang filled the air, and Amiko and Cindy split into smoke. Kage Bunshin! TM had used it again! Hayden barely whirled around and saw Amiko and Cindy in the air, their weapons hidden. Instead, they were in their chibi forms.) Amiko: Take this! Cindy: Dual Chibi Storm! (But no, the insanely powerful attack failed upon Hayden punting the two back, one for each leg, and they skidded to a stop right by SSJ.) Amiko: Damn that guy! Cindy: Is it... Those eyes? (Hayden Junior froze in terror as his father turned about and faced him and the two people before him. Everyone then heard the senior Hayden speak.) Senior: These eyes... They are a cursed passed down from our generation. The men get an incurable curse upon their eyes, which allows them to see the invisible. Energy, wind, and even gathering chakra are all seen with these Eyes of Oblivion. We have all been alchemists for this very reason, to see the invisible and chose what to make of it. (And before everyone, right before the senior Hayden, a particularly dense drift of sand came upon him. Only when it started coming together did they realize it wasn't sand. They were cells again.) Senior: I have chosen to see the cells in the air. All the cells shed by you, all your dropped blood, all the hair around here. Even the seeds of the grass and the leaves of the trees. They all can be broken down and used for this ultimate act of creation. (Hayden, the junior, fell back upon realization on what his father was doing. Dear God, he would see them again. The dreaded things of his nightmares. The reason he hated his father forever. He saw two gigantic, demonic sais form before his father, who grabbed them both and aimed straight for him, the man's own son!) Hayden: They're... The Cursed Sais. Once they cuts you, he will control the cells of the sais to flow through your blood and poison you, tormenting you forever. They don't kill, sadly, and you suffer for eternity, which is what makes them truly terrifying. (He then turned to Davis and Kensou.) Hayden: No offense, but neither of you stand any more of a chance against him than me. I'll take him on. (Davis wheeled around, facing Hayden.) Davis: What, are you crazy?! You'll never beat him alone! Hayden: And you'll never beat him, ever! This is something only I can do. I have to face my father and clear our family name. Davis: Tch! You forget I have these gloves now! I'll crush him- (Davis then raised a hand towards the senior Hayden, only suddenly, Hayden's voice rang out in the night.) Hayden: STOP. (That caught Davis' attention, but at the same time, awoke the whole residence of Hinata-sou, who came to observe the commotion. They rushed out, fearing for Hayden, as he continued.) Hayden: Don't worry. I have an ace. (Davis was silent, gaze falling to the ground. Suddenly, it lifted, and he was filled with a new revelation.) Davis: You... Mastered it? Hayden: Yeah. That's why only I can bring him to rest. (Davis shuddered at the thought. But finally, he consented.) Davis: I'll clear the way. (Davis directed Kensou to SSJ, and together, they dragged him out from the Earth and away from the scene with everyone else following. They all watched closely as Hayden readied for battle, putting a hand in one of his packets on his belt.) Cindy: What are in there? (Shinobu answered, never taking her eyes off.) Shinobu: You'll see. (He and his father faced each other, the climax of the chapter arriving. Quickly, Hayden threw his hands from his pocket and aimed a shot of something at his father. The father was to slow to dodge a whole fluttering cluster of sand that flew about his area. Amiko and SSJ were surprised, to say the least.) Amiko: What the-? SSJ: How does he fight like that?! (But Hayden proved them just how quickly, using his finger and quickly etching a midair circle in the floating sand. He clapped his hands together just as the sand quickly formed into spikes, tearing into his father.) TM: What kind of alchemy is THAT?! Davis: Particle alchemy... He won't speak now since he's busy, so I'll say it. He can control any particle around here. He'd be able to etch in the sand and have giant stalactites rise up, if he wanted to. Whatever is in particles, he can combine into other things, and his favorite substance is sand. That's why they call him the Sand Alchemist. (Every one of the Crew found amazement in Hayden, who kept on throwing sand and forming weapons with them, throwing volleys of new weapons wherever his father was to go. It must have been the Eyes of Oblivion that allowed him to see the flow of the particles and the transmutation circle quickly etched in the floating particles.) Hayden: Sorry, father. I'll end this quickly. (He once again clapped his hands together, and immediately, all the sand that had fallen about on the ground rose up. And rather unluckily, the senior Hayden was in the very center of it all. The sand rose, forming needles in the air, aimed straight at the man. They all pierced through the man in a split second, filling him with holes and sand without much time to feel it. The two sais fell to the ground, never to have touched anyone. But Hayden knew it wasn't over. He knew that his father was just behind him, seeing the flow of cells directly to the point behind him. Hayden quickly spun around and tore his hand into his father's chest, surprising the Hell out of his father, to say the least. His father suddenly realized something. He stopped regenerating! He couldn't move!) Senior: Son... What did you...?! Hayden: Right now, your cells are still particles, and I can control them from rebuilding your body. Senior: Is that what your hand in me is for?! Hayden: My right hand? No, father. This is for my final attack. (His father saw it clearly. Hayden bit his finger, causing blood to trickle out, and etched a red circle upon his father's forehead.) Senior: No! You didn't! Hayden: I did. I mastered the Soul Alchemy. From now on, your soul will fuse with mine. (Blood came from the senior's mouth as he continued yelling.) Senior: Fool! We'll only end up sharing this body and fighting to control it! This won't extinguish me! I'll win in the end and have your body instead! (But then he saw Hayden grin, making him surprised at the very least.) Hayden: I said I mastered it, father. This is no simple bonding. I will break down your soul and transmute it so I can gain your knowledge! There will be no heaven or hell for you, because you will just cease to exist! (His father was visibly terrified. Completely surprised at his son's capabilities. There came a light from within the man. It ran along Hayden's arm, straight to his heart. Soon, Hayden himself was emitting a bright light. The area flashed with a painful whiteness, and the body of the senior Hayden Morningwood split apart and flew away with a new wind. It never reformed again. Hayden fainted to the floor, completely exhausted from his night. Davis dashed to his friend, worried about his fate. He felt his pulse, saw his breathing, and heard his voice.) Hayden: Just take me to my room... There's something for you all there... (So Davis did, silently dragging Hayden back to his room and laying him in his bed. He then saw the light on, with a box and note on the table. He read the note.) Note: This is all I could do to help you on your quest. These are five bullets I have made to help you against the Enders. You'll need it. Don't worry if you all can't find the Shikkon Jewel, a shard is in every bullet. - P.S. The boat is waiting at dock 5. (Davis smiled, opening up the box and finding five single bullets on a bed of foam. He saw that they were .45 caliber, fitting with Cindy's guns. The guy really thought ahead... So, Davis left Hayden there to rest. The guy deserved it after that. He took the box and note, smiling with pride. Rantmon won't know what hit him.) *** :: The Next Day :: [The Crew were readying to leave, but Hayden couldn't be bothered to wake up that day. The Crew were being wished off by the majority of the Hinata-sou residence. There was Shinobu, assuring Davis of Hayden's health.] Shinobu: He'll be fine, really. He just needs some sleep. (Davis nodded.) Davis: I'll count on you to take care of him. (Shinobu bowed, and Davis turned to Naru, who was smiling.) Naru: I suppose I'll give you the power you need, right? After all I do to Keitarou, I'd be a help! (Davis nodded.) Davis: Yeah! Welcome aboard! (With that, he tossed a bishie ball and caught Naru. The scene shifted to SSJ, walking out of Hinata-sou after a general bonding with the toilet. He ran into Motoko on the way out, quite literally, because he couldn't be bothered to pay attention so early in the morning. They both fell to the ground, but SSJ was quick to get up and offer a hand.) SSJ: Hey, maybe you should be careful. (Motoko snapped. She flew up in rage and raised her sword in preparation to kill. SSJ turned white in fear, but then Motoko slipped on a banana peel and slammed into SSJ, causing a bishie ball to fall from his belt and capture her. SSJ was sprawled on the floor, confused, as her bishie ball fell on his head.) SSJ: Um... Yes! I caught Motoko! (So he got from his feet and laughed while Amiko, Cindy, and Kensou sweatdropped in the background. TM then was quite popular, for there he was with both Mutsumi and Koala Su, eating bananas and watermelons galore with them. SSJ slipped onto the screen, waving a hand.) SSJ: Oi, oi, TM. We need to get going. (TM turned to SSJ, almost finishing another banana and throwing it to the floor.) TM: Ara, ara... (Little needs to be said that TM caught Mutsumi and Su, for he had the wooing capabilities of a thousand men, or so he claimed. In any case, the Crew was off. They reached the docks, finding number five waiting with a boat large enough to hold them all. Kensou examined it, and then came to the same conclusion as everyone else.) Kensou: We'll have to leave our chocobos. (So they took their burdensome bags off the chocobos and placed them in the boat. Davis patted his golden chocobo and sent it off, hoping it would lead the others to safety. Amiko thought Tenpi was saddened by the loss of its foster brothers. She patted her chocobo lovingly. Then they were off on their large boat, and sailing down the Great River, the River of Hope that virtually stretched across the continent.) Davis: We'll ride to Middle Earth and walk through the Red Mountains. It's too dangerous to float through Middle Earth, especially with Sauron watching for us. We have to be careful now. We're gonna settle this feud with Rantmon. (And everyone sighed.) TM: Gah, I thought you said we'd boat the rest of the way... SSJ: Bah, this extra work... (And as they disappeared on the river, sitting tensely as they were pushed onward, Hayden's gift within his bags slipped out of Davis' memory as he looked this way and that. The boat drifted onward with the current. They couldn't rest now. They were too far into this mess to relax. They couldn't rest until they freed the world from Rantmon and Rantmon from himself.) ---- To Be Continued ---- - ENDING SONG: KIMI SAE IREBA - I'M A DREAMER yoake no hikari sosogu ka no chi wa doko? I'M A DREAMER Honojiroi sono hohoemi, douka sawarasete koko wa hi no ataranai basho hitorikiri de naku toki no himitsu no basho sakebu youni namae yobunda kimi ga inakerya, kimi sae ireba ---- Preview ---- [The Naruto Main Theme plays in background. The six appear as chibi style, and random scenes from the next episode play, though you can't see because this is text. Haha!] SSJ: Holy, that was a long chapter. Anyway, NEXT! On GINGA GIRI GIRI! Amiko: Things get even more serious as Cell declares it's the last draw and faces us on the river with the rapids coming on. Kensou: A speeding battle ensues as Cindy is the only one who can help in this situation. Cindy: Wait, WHY AM I SUDDENLY DOING ALL THE WORK?! Davis: Now, now, SSJ thought you needed some action every now and then. Cindy: Yeah, but I'm doing all the work here! Why should I- (And before chibi Cindy could spoil the chapter, chibi TM interrupted.) TM: Next! On GINGA GIRI GIRI! "The Five Bullets" ----