On the ground lies Mike covered in blood. A battle rages around him as he lies unconscious, barely clinging to life. The sky is dark and the world looks like it's on fire. He thinks to himself as he fades in and out of consciousness.
This is it? Is this where I die? In a bloody pool in the street, groveling in the dirt. Jerry always told me this would happen. Normally I would shake this pain and carry on but my body won't move, even if I want it too. I could just let myself slip away. Let this trial end in another failure. At least I can say I went down with a fight. Just add this one to the journal of missteps that grows thicker by the week." Mike slowly leans his head and looks sideways. Blood drops slightly from his lips and he blinks slowly to a rhythm. "No, it can't end here. Not for my sake But for theirs. While my book is filled with failures there is still time for them to write a better story. For them to carry on my will and cleanse me of my overwhelming mediocrity." He slowly rises, groaning and wincing at the pain. As he sits up he looks down at the broken blade and grabs it violently pulling from his abdomen with a quick jolt. "That hurts but I will push through it. I have too."
He throws the blade to the ground and shudders to his feet. Charging lightning in his hand he shoves it to the wound on his chest. Letting out a loud scream, he closes the wound with the heat off his hand.
Reyna looks at him. "Your back up? How are you-."
"Don't worry about it." Mike says, turning around. His eyes turn to the floor as he sees Nathan and Lena. He runs over to the two who now lie on the ground near Hinako. "What happened?" He asks.
"Nathan's arm was lost in the blast, he is going to be fine though." She says.
Nathan turns his head slowly. He blinks slowly but does not speak.
"Lena. She's hurt badly. I can't heal her, I can't do anything."
"Don't worry, I'm good." Lena croaks out through a labored breath. She motions him downward.
Mike leans in. "We can get you to an ambulance."
"Don't talk, just listen. I don't have a lot of words to spare. When I die, I want you to take my place as the city guardian. You think you are gonna be terrible at it, you won't be. Lean on your friends for help. Do your best, and please. Don't burden yourself with guilt over this. You did well." She attempts to speak another phrase but her words stop without warning.
Mike looks down and the faint movement in her chest halts to nothing. The girl lies at peace with a smile on her face. He lies her head lightly on the ground and looks at his brother. His eyes now wide open.
"You can't lose. Get up and fight. Or I'll do it myself," said Nathan. He slips back into a daze as Hinako goes back to healing, wincing and grimacing from the pain of her ability. She returns to applying bandages to the now soaked wound.
"Hinako, take care of Nathan. I'm going to end this."
Mike stands up and turns to the man in the sky. Hinako and Nathan lookup. His outline shimmering against the horizon.
He stands tall and a shiver of electricity hits the ground underneath him as he bolts toward the shadowy bubble. He moves fast appearing behind it and attempts to strike it down. Godkill's bubble acts with a mind of his own and forms a tendril to counter attack. Mike attempts to dodge but falters from the pain. It grabs him by the neck and rears back, whipping him towards the group. Reyna leaps and catches him and they both go sliding until they hit a barrier roughly. She coughs up dust and looks at him.
"You fought back with sheer will alone. While I'm impressed you are in no shape to fight."
"I will fight him. The rest of you run. Retreat, regroup and come back with reinforcements," said Mike.
"No chance. You have no shot fighting in your condition."
"Do you have a better idea?"
"I do." A voice says from behind.
"What are you doing here?" Asks Youta.
Vargas stands, still in handcuffs escorted by police.
"Why did you bring him here?" Asked Mizuki.
"Sorry, he insisted he had the answer on how to stop this guy. So we kept him in the energy cuffs and brought him," said the officer.
"More tricks? Why on earth would we trust you when this is all your damn fault?" said Reyna.
"No tricks. I want to help you," Vargas said.
"Why?" Asked Mizuki.
Vargas pauses for a moment. "I won't say why, but without my help you won't win. Hikari are not coming, not in time at least. You need to win now."
"Why aren't they coming?" said Mike.
"I made sure to tie them up with fake police calls. Far from here. I am going to help you."
"No, you need to leave," said Reyna.
"Hear him out," said Mike.
"You only have a few members left who can fight. I don't expect you to let me fight alongside you. So let me use my power on you."
"No way! You just want to use it to absorb Mizuki's power so you can turn this around!" said Reyna.
"I want to use it on you, and a few of the others. To transfer what energy you have left into him. I'll give what I have too. The truth is if we don't stop him the city will be destroyed. My offer is there. Take it or leave it."
"Uncuff him," said Mike.
Everyone fights and bargains, rallying behind the poor nature of the idea.
"Mike if we do this," said Youta.
"If we don't, we lose either way. Uncuff him."
The cop uncuffs Joe and he walks over.
"Thank you." Vargas says.
"No need for thank you, just don't try anything." Says Mizuki.
"This will take time. If he gets out I'm gonna need a chance to finish." Vargas replies.
The bubble begins to split as the shadowy figure steps out. His eyes glowing and his aura emanating a disgusting force.
Youta interjects loudly "If it's time you need I got you."
"Youta, if you fight him you might die," said Mike.
"I am aware my odds are not good, but it's needed. This is what we signed up for. You would do the same and I must set an example for my student. I know I am a man of few words but sir, I trust you. I'm willing to die here because I believe you and the others can bring peace to this. With that being said. You need not worry. I will be ok."
"I will get started, Reyna. You first," said Vargas.
"Yeah I guess so."
Vargas begins the siphon transferring energy from Reyna to Mizuki.
"Good, now my turn," said Youta. He points his finger at the man and scowls. He powers up as the veins on his head begin to bulge and his muscles tighten. An aura builds as the ground begins to crack from the sheer power. "You. Man of shadows. You will battle me right now."
Godkill glares at the young fighter. "You? Do you realize just how stupid you sound right now?"
Youta flashes with a thundering speed. Leaving a quake beneath him as he moves. He reappears and sends a straight punch in the direction of Godkill who moves back to dodge it smugly. As he does he's slammed and shaken. The force of the punches sent a barrage of compressed air at him.
"Punching the air hard enough to create a current? Maybe you aren't as weak as you look. Alright boy let's have some fun."
Godkill goes in for an attack with inhuman speed and Youta dodges it.
Mike thinks to himself Looking onward from below the team watches the battle unable to jump in. "Youta is faster than ever."
"I can't even see them. It's just a flash of light." said Reyna.
After a moment the 2 collide and Youta is sent spiraling towards earth but he catches the ground roughly and lands on his feet. He propels himself forwards and up back towards the attacker.
Youta thinks to himself. "This opponent is too strong to beat. I just need to stall. but if I keep this momentum up for long I will be rendered immobile. If that happens. I'm finished."
The two rage in aerial combat clashing violently, while on the ground Vargas begins the next transfer. Kazuke. Nathan shuffles over bloody. His arm now bandaged at the elbow.
"I'm useless in combat as it stands. I have exhausted my energy and my arm isn't going to help matters. Give my mana too. Master Youta is using his final form and he still can't keep up and if that's the case we will all be wiped out soon after he falls. Take my power and let's destroy Godkill. Tear him apart."
"I'll do it, you just rest brother." Mike says.
Joe finishes on Kazuke then moves to Nathan. The energy begins to swirl faster and faster still as Mike struggles to handle it. Meanwhile Youta fights Godkill but is slowly losing ground
"Damn it. The kid is losing ground quickly," said Oluo.
The once evenly matched fight is now going one sided. Attacks Youta was dodging moments ago now landing with violence. He leans backwards as if to try to catch his fall and Godkill lands a harsh bone-shattering blow on his left eye sending him crashing towards the earth. Youta's veins and complexion return to normal as he lays unable to move.
"Is it done?" Asked Mike.
"No, almost. Only a few more seconds."
Godkill begins charging a powerful attack. He floats towards Youta and aims his arm outward at him. He charges the large red energy ball as it radiates raw destructive force.
"Burn away." The figure says.
"As he begins to release it his arm is knocked upwards and the energy orb flies upwards into the sky. Nathan rushed the god-like figure and knocked him off balance. The attack sailed away and upon reaching a certain distance. The ball expanded into a hellfire. Flashes of orange and crimson fill the sky as the ground rumbles from the impact. Sheer power incarnate radiating from every flicker of destructive light.
"I'm impressed you managed to steer the blast of course. With one arm too."
"Leave my master alone."
Youta grovels and lets out a soft spoken word. "You need to run."
Nathan attempts to retreat but as he does Godkill summons a large metal contraption from his arm. A large blade almost appeared from nowhere. Nathan turns as Godkill backhands him, slashing his back and spiking him towards the earth. Godkill flies towards him to finish him off. Godkill flies towards Nathan quickly and he winces bracing for the impact, but it does not come. He looks up and sees a man. A bright blue hue radiating off him almost hot to the touch. A man with a silver jacket now torn to shreds. The man stands holding Godkill's arm steady with his hand wrapped around the ornate blades. Blood drips as the man turns around. It is Mike. He grips the man's blades and in a swift kick slams into the shadow being chest, sending him flying backwards. Mike turns around and leans down to his brother, flipping him over. His back now gashed deep. Mizuki looks back over his shoulder at Godkill and his face crinkles. A crackling large aura begins to expand as a change in mana brews.
"You killed my friends, you hurt my family. You have destroyed my city. I'm tired of holding back. You aren't human, so killing you won't go against my code. Even if it did. I don't care. I'm going to crush you and throw you into the wind!"
Nathan looks up to see now noticing the difference. Mizuki radiates with a large aura, one eye usually brown now a shimmering purple brimming with energy. His calm face flush with violent anger.
"Oluo, get Nathan and Youta to safety." Mike says.
Oluo walks up and grabs Youta, tossing him over his shoulder and goes to take Nathan. Mike lets him down, still crouching. He looks back at the creature and his eyes lock. No movement, just a dead glare. His body shaking with pent-up stirring angst.
He stands up and the last thing Nathan sees before passing out and being taken by Oluo is the outline of him about to enter battle. Once the others are clear no more than a second later. Mizuki leaves the ground in a boom. He collides with the shadow man as they hold each other's attack battling for an edge.
"I think you have done enough." Mike grits through his teeth.
"You've changed. How quaint. But it won't be enough."
"Shut up. You have no claim to this world. You failed to take it once and you will fail again."
"And you will stop me?"
"I will kill you, my resolve is absolute."
The two break and both jump back.
"And tell me. What is your resolve? You plan to usurp me and become god instead?"
"No. I don't want to be god. What kind of fool is so full of themselves they think they deserve to be above others just because they can fight? Power is a gift meant to be used to help the weak. Not abuse them. Fool. How far have you had to fall before you realized that your ideas of world domination won't stand. You were killed once and you tried it again? Stupid. This time you'll fail even faster still. My resolve. Is to protect my teammates who have done the same for me time and time again. And to protect the people of the city who can't protect themselves. That is my resolve."
He flies in and the two exchange blows. This time evenly. They move as two blurs invisible to the naked eye. Both clamoring for an advantage.
"You are a fool. We are gifted with power to be used. Not to be stunted by a false sense of justice. We are shunned for our power. I was in my time and you will be too. They will fear you and not praise you. Soon you'll be an enemy of them no matter how much you try to avoid that fact."
"So be it."
Godkill shows a reaction of surprise.
"That's fine, because I didn't become a hero to get recognition. I did it because it's just right, but I'm done talking. You killed my friends. Destroyed and terrorized my city."
Mike begins to power up letting off an energy of similar fortitude to Godkill.
"You have done unspeakable things. You hurt my family, and for that. You will never be forgiven! Final release formation. Lightning magic. Lightning deity. Full power."
A crackling cloud of lightning forms around him and a blue aura booms.
Mike runs at Godkill max speed sparks and crackling energy flying around him.
"Very well then! I will crush you and your will."
Godkill runs seemingly at full speed for the first time. The two clash in the middle. From the outside it's impossible to track just two flashes of light and after image clashing. Godkill wields his blade and tries to cut violently but it is met with overwhelming velocity. Mike leaps back to catch his breath but Godkill moves in and tries to counter.
"I forgot you don't have to worry about stamina."
"That technique has quite the strain on you doesn't it. You're not gonna have much left while I continue to thrive in blazing glory."
The two clash again this time with Godkill having the advantage. He gets a hit in sending Mizuki clamoring back. Mike drops to one knee and charges. "I guess it's time to try something new. Lighting magic. Shiv single thrust." This time the lightning forms around his shaped fist but different. Instead of a crisp blue the lightning is a dark navy and black and far more violent than before. "This power. With this power I will not lose."
Mike flies towards Godkill, crushing the ground underneath and moving with overwhelming speed he lunges for Godkill but he dodges and quickly counters punching Mike in the stomach full force. Mike winces but plants his feet and comes downwards. Godkill looks shocked but aims to block and upon impact his arm guard shatters flying into pieces across the battlefield. Godkill stumbles, and Mike jumps attempting to come down with a finishing blow. Godkill teleports a few feet away and catches himself.
"You destroyed my armor. You are the first to do that since the opponent I faced in my final battle. I'm truly impressed."
"Save your flattery for the afterlife."
"You know with power like yours. Think of what we could accomplish." Godkill says. A faint hint of desperation under his normal tone.
"You're joking."
"We can crush this world into submission."
"You guys are all the same, not in your life."
Mike takes off running.
"Running away? Our battle isn't over yet."
Mike thinks to himself. "I need to get him away from here. This fight is going to have a large destructive radius. I don't want the others caught up."
After a while Mike stops in a large open field just outside of town. He turns as Godkill flies at him. They collide and exchange a flurry of rapid attack. Godkill charges for a second and aims at the ground.
"Shadow magic art, performance from hell."
He lets out a black mist and as he does hands begin to summon from the mist. 5 humanoid creatures form and stand at attention. After a moment, they charge. Mike leaps back and charges. He challenges the creatures and fights them. Dodging and landing hits periodically.
"Enough of this," said Mike. He charges his blade with lighting and leaps, jamming it into the ground sending a large shockwave through the earth ripping the weak summonings to pieces.
"Child's play."
Mike charges up an attack this time aiming his hands at the shadow man.
"Lightning magic. Ripping currents!"
He fires a large electrical shockwave as Godkill runs sideways dodging it closely. Each charge is closer than before. Godkill blasts a cloud of hot black mist at Mike staggering him. Mike puts his hands to his eyes trying to wipe them clean. As he does Godkill is on him. Godkill dodges a sweep kick and begins pummeling Mike aggressively. Hitting him once, then twice, then three times. He swings his leg for a powerful kick. Mike aims to block it but on impact a crack is heard as his left arm breaks. He stumbles back and as he does Godkill boots him and he is sent flying hundreds of feet until he hits the ground with a loud thud. Before he can react Godkill is back in his face, taunting him.
"Times up. You had your fun. Now I'm gonna finish you off."
Godkill reaches back his arm and prepares his blade summons. He smiles and as he lunges forward. Mike catches it and holds it back. A large blast fires off and Godkill jumps back looking to the left.
"Over here." Shouts Reyna.
"You wish to die next? Very well."
Godkill looks at Reyna and as he takes his eyes off Mike he feels a large force on his chest. Mike flashes underneath him and boots him into the air cracking his chest armor. Nathan's move mimicked to a tee. As Godkill rises he guards but it's too late. Mike flashes behind him again and presses his feet to his chest, sending him downwards with force upon impact shattering his chest armor. Godkill let out a large groan as blood slipped from his mouth. The two hit the earth and a large crater explodes to life. Godkill lies injured. Mike stands near him breathing heavily holding his left arm.
"Let my guard down."
"You were so caught up in being cocky and showing off you let yourself get caught. I'll admit I borrowed that move but it worked nonetheless."
"You aren't stronger than me."
"No. I'm not but in the end it was you that was defeated. For obvious reasons."
"Those are?"
"You chose to be selfish, leading a life of putting yourself above others. Nobody was there to have your back in the end. Maybe if you didn't turn on Joe he may have saved you here who knows. Regardless, the end result is determined. You are stronger than me. Not stronger than everyone here combined."
"Vargas was an idiot. No sense in keeping him around."
"Joe and I never saw eye to eye, but he had a vision for this world. All he wanted was to see an end to greed. I disagree with his method but I have more respect from him than I ever will for you."
"I do not require your respect."
Godkill raises an arm and pushes himself up lunging at Mike. He dodges but a shadow blade sweeps from above slashing Mike's chest as blood flies and splatters, reopening the wound from before. Mike takes a step back and readies himself despite the injury .
"Shadow style, torrid current." Says Godkill.
Godkill fires a large thick beam of dark magic towards Mike. Traveling slowly but melting the ground underneath it as it travels.
"You don't quit." Mike pushes himself backwards and positions both hands. "Lightning magic! Lightning fissure!"
The dark blue lightning fires from both his hands and collides with the shadow matter. The two collide in the middle causing a large orb to form. After a moment the orb bursts, creating a large smoke cloud as the energy fades. Godkill looks around breathing heavily. A second passes and he is hit square in the chest. Bones are heard shattering and cracking as he looks down to see Mike emerging from the smoke, sending him stumbling back. He lands hard and grovels. Mike jumps back and pushes off the ground ready to finish it.
"I don't know what to call this move but that's ok."
Mike winces with pain and channels a pure beam of lightning. Firing off every last bit of his energy that remains. "Now you burn away."
The blast hits the ground and explodes. Imploding the landscape and creating a large surge. The sound is deafening and brutal. Godkill screams out as rubble and air erupts into a fiery hellscape. Everything in the area is melting from raw energy. Mike braces but is sent flying back from his own attack. He hits the ground stumbling and barely stays up straight. The blast dies down and he looks on in the distance and sees it. The shadow man laying lifeless in the pit. Mike slides down the crater and walks towards the man. Upon closer look the man is still breathing but barely. His breathing slows as fades away. Mike drops to his knees from exhaustion and lets his guard down, powering down and settling back to his base form. The glimmering purple in his eye fading back to normal. As Godkill takes his last breath Mike falls over from the pain. Blood pooling from his wounds.
"Shit, I can't move. I've lost too much blood." Blood continues to flow as he fades out of consciousness. As he shuts his eyes he smiles slightly. "At least. It's over. I'm not a failure."
"Quickly, you must heal him." Reyna says sliding into the hole."
"Oh my god. You're bleeding bad. Hold on." Hinako says as she slides down into the hole. She stops in her tracks when Godkill rises to his feet. A large hole blown through his chest, one arm fizzling into smoke as he fades back to the afterlife.
"Back away girl, if he lives it means I lost the battle. I may die here but so will he."
Godkill lunges with the last of his energy and summons forth his claw now just one big blade. He is about to impale the girl before a blue flash blinds them both. Godkill collides. Mizuki stands holding him back with one arm as the blade is lodged into his torso. Mizuki stands holding him.
"You are gonna fade away soon, and i'll be damned if i let you kill anyone else before that happens."
"I'll settle for your life."
Hinako grabs the shadow man as if to shove him off. The spot she grabs on his shoulders begins to disintegrate into a fine powder. Godkill pulls his arm out and stumbles backwards.
"Damn you! You wench!"
He falls over and his helmet clamors. He slowly fades away from the legs up as he returns to the afterlife. A moment later Mizuki collapses backwards, Hinako catching him. He lies lifeless, no breath leaving his mouth.
"You will die, if I ever return. I'll kill the rest of your friends too."
Godkill fades away, melting into the soil. Nothing left but a dark outline of where he once was.
"He isn't breathing. This is bad, I can't do anything."
"We have to do something." Says Reyna now stumbling over.
"He isn't breathing, he's dying. I can't fix it."
"You can, you have to control your healing. You have too."
"You know I can't."
"If you don't, he is going to die. You have to try. Focus on it, imagine it like second nature quickly."
Hinako places both hands on the chest of the man now lifeless. She attempts to channel, but as per usual the hit or miss healing power lashes back sending shockwaves through her body and has no effect. She pulls away and then tries again, again, and again. Nothing.
"You need to think, what happens when it works? What happens when it doesn't? You have to think about what changes when you heal versus when you destroy yourself. The recoil, think about how to stop the recoil."
The word clicks in Hinakos brain. Destroy. She thinks to the moment she touched Godkill and his armor began to melt. Was it him fading to the afterlife? Was it something else? "When I grabbed him with my right hand." She places only her left hand on and performs the same action holding her right away. Before long the large wound slowly begins closing. The girl grabs a pebble with her right hand and watches as it turns to dust. Wincing at the thought of how simple it was.
"A power that activated differently in both hands? Or an uncontrollable outcome?" said Reyna. "Whatever it is, it's working for now. Just keep it up."
She finishes healing as his breath steadies. The man is alive but beaten up. He passes out as the two lay in the pit still. The once chaotic battlefield dying down to a calm breeze. Peaceful as can be. Hinako lies back and looks up at the sky, clearing back to its usual self.
"You did it, you won. At a cost."