#{ The makai Priest Return! }

[brighth0pe]

Okay I think I had enough with all the crack and dash post commentary and I gotta get back into writing my story. Stay tune cause Xing is gonna slay a alpha horror.

[darksaiyangoku]

RWBY x Garo: Into the Fire

Where there is light, shadows lurk and fear reigns. Yet by the blade of the knights, Mankind was given hope.

A crowd booed and jeered, pelting Jaune with stones, dirty clothes and rotten fruits and vegetables. He could do nothing but grit his teeth and bare the pain as he was dragged across the streets by the inquisitors of Vale. Small tears were forming in his eyes and his face tensed from trying to supress his sadness. He felt like a failure. It was only his second mission and he had already made a mess of things. His "trial", if you could even call it that, didn't allow for him to defend himself. Every lord and lady threw accusations of witchcraft against him, for which he could not rebuff thanks to the sways of the young priest, Cardin Winchester.

The inquisitors stopped in the middle of the city and dragged Jaune up to the pyre, bounding him up tight. Walking towards him with Cardin, dressed in a wine red robe and a a golden emblem of the cardinal bird on his back.

Cardin: *smiles sinisterly* Good people of Vale, we have gathered here today to witness justice! *points to Jaune* What we have here is a witch! A heretic servant of the Grimm sent here to uproot our peaceful lives and bring damnation upon us!

The boos of the crowd grew louder. Jaune hung his head, not wanting to face the humiliation.

Cardin: Thanks to our fine inquisitors, we have captured the witch and now, we shall send him back to the depths of hell where he belongs! *turns to Jaune* Do you have any last words to say before we cleanse you?

Jaune glared at Cardin, his eyes bloodshot with anger. Cardin simply smirked and lit the pyre with a torch. Jaune heard the cheers of the crowd as sweat began dripping from his skin and the heat was becoming intense. His lungs were filled with the toxic smoke and he coughed violently. It was pitiful. Jaune couldn't believe that he was dying like this. Suddenly, the cries of a horse alerted the crowd and a woman riding on horseback leapt into the town square. She quickly dismounted and, using only her fists, started to beat down the inquisitors one by one. Cardin drew his knife and tried to attack, only to be disarmed and knocked down. She turned to the pyre and raised her hands, splitting it so that it wouldn't crawl to Jaune. Walking up to him, she cut open the binds and caught him as he fell into her arms. With a sharp whistle, she called her stallion and jumped into him, riding off with Jaune in toe.

They rode for an hour until they stopped at the woods. The mysterious stranger dismounted again and let go of Jaune, who was still in shock at the whole ordeal.

Jaune: Um, thank you mademoiselle. Not many people would've raised their arms to save someone like me.

Stranger: Well unlike them, I actually have a heart. Watching an innocent die like that is sickening and the fact that they have the nerve to cheer about it. *clenches fist*

Jaune: I am truly grateful. *bows* May I ask your name?

The mysterious woman unhooded herself, revealing light tanned skin, luscious golden blonde hair and bright eyes that resembled the lilac flower. Jaune immediately stood back, in awe at her stunning beauty. She gave him a warm smile and reached out to touch his hand.

Yang: My name is Yang Xiao Long. You could say I'm a kindred spirit of sorts. *shows Jaune a necklace*

Jaune: *eyes wide* T-That's a necklace from the Makai Order. Y-You're a Makai Knight?

Yang: *nods head*That I am. From now on, your life is mine and my life is yours. *touches his hand*

Jaune felt a warm sensation course through his body. Not one of hatred and death like the fires from the t,ial. but a soft and gentle warmth that reminded him of his role as a protector of mankind. From her pockets, Yang handed him another necklace. It was a golden yellow pendant in the shape of a burning heart. Jaune smiled and held the pendant to his chest. His will to fight had returned.

[toku-explained]

Guide to GARO: Part 20: GARO Hagane wo Tsugu Mono

A return of the GARO Franchise after 4 years, this series returns us to Dougai Ryuga, some years after the the events of KAMINOKIBA.

Dougai Ryuga is called by Makai Priestes Mutsugi to CREACITY, to assist the local Makai Knights and Priests in attempting to seal the Gate of Destruction, an Ancient Horror Gate sealed beneath the city, and believed to be reopening, as people within CREACITY have been becoming Horrors too easily. There he encounter Shirahame Souma, CREACITY's Makai Knight, who is a little too protective of his territory, and may need some reminders of what it means to be a Makai Knight.

Now a veteran Makai Knight, well known enough that by name people know he is the Golden Knight. While he continues to use the same style he's used in recent years, Zaruba no longer has his shield, returned to the red eye appearance. A few years ago, Ryuga met Godou, and learnt from him the Flashing Cut, and made a promise to watch over Souma if they met.

Shirahame Souma is the only current Makai Knight in CREACITY. A young titleless Knight who wears a HAGANE armour, he has refused to leave for training or accept another Knight in the territory for the past 3 years, wanting Godou to be able to reclaim his territory when he returns. Prideful and not in full control of his emotions yet, he has been known to risk human lives due to reckless fighting of Horrors. Despite his training, he has yet to master the Flashing Cut.

Koyori is a junior Makai Priestess in CREACITY, training under Mutsugi. She goes to request Ryuga's aid on Mutsugi's orders, and fights alongside both him and Souma. Close to Souma, she understands his feelings more than most, even if she knows he is too prideful at present.

Mutsugi is the senior Makai Priestess in CREACITY. Due to understanding Souma's feelings she has not forced him to seek training. Has detected the increase in Horror awakening and determined the source as the Gate of Destruction, and knows the Gate first showed signs of disruption 3 years ago around the time Godou disappeared.

Igusu, Ron and Obi and 3 titleless Makai Knights collectively known as the AGORA Swordsmen, responsible for defending the area surrounding CREACITY, they are called by Mutsugi to help in preparation for the attempt to seal the Gate of Destruction. Igusu, the mentor of the 3, is an old friend of Godou, and while he misses his friend, he feels Souma should have been sent for training, and feels he needs to open his eyes to the worse possibilities of Godou's disappearance. Ron is Igusu's senior pupil, a competent Knight whom Igusu recommends placing in charge of CREACITY. Obi, the junior pupil, is still inexperienced, and places a little too more stock in titles, but is able to fight well alongside his allies. Like Souma, all 3 wear HAGANE, Igusu having red eyes, Ron green and Obi yellow.

A mysterious Seducer appears to those falling to darkness within CREACITY and tempts then to darkness.

[thedrag0nking]

The Horrors (ホラー, Horā) are a race of parasitic demon like entities that are the sole inhabitants and civilians of the dark realm of makai. They are the parasitic race of abominations that plagued gensokyo and upon humanity for a millennia when crossed over into the realms. Not only are they the citizens of both the uncivilized and civilized regions of makai but are also the physical manifestation of negative and dark energies by man. Whenever there's a great build-up of hate, rage, sadism, and acts of violence are committed, these negative energies seep into the Makai Realm, a place where the Horrors exist and feed on such energy.

Shinki the benevolent goddess of makai is the one responsible for the creation of the horrors along with the creation of the realm alongside the few noticeable and more well known inhabitants such as Sariel and along with the progenitor of these creatures that long ago during Gensokyo' s creation and when the realm was young do was the dark realm of makai with her blood spilled into the emptiness of the void, and the dark essence known only as inga spilled all in the emptiness birth not only the realm but also the progenitors of the horrors she and the others call the messiahs which lead to the birth of the horrors and Makai's residents.

Legend speaks of the very first creation of Shinki the Messiah, mother of all Horrors that gave birth to this demonic race and her spawn has continued to thrive without their progenitor for generations all are drawn to negative energies and human flesh, Horrors break into the mortal realm to feast upon humanity. The messiahs are the immortal beings that can only be defeated, but not destroyed by anything. Not even the dragon god or the shrine maiden could not destroy her. The messiah is not only the only being that could not be destroyed by anything but are the Messiah is the most unusual Horror, even among legendary ones because she' s the only Horror that appears, well, almost perfectly human in form, resembling a giant snow white skinned half naked woman with long-clawed fingers and unique jewelry and tattoos around her head and shoulders. Her back contains a Taoist halo but despite the messiah being completely unkillable as long as the darkness are within the hearts of all races of gensokyo mainly with humanity her spirit requires immense levels of darkness to resurrect herself (approximately 1,000 Horrors) and a girl born on the sixth day of the sixth month which marked upon her 6th birthday as her new vessel to give herself a physical form.

For millions of years until the precent day the horrors have plagued gensokyo terrorize both yokai and humans alike as well as the humans of the outside world. This was the at the time the birth of the makai order and the golden age of the ronin come to it' s aid striking and fought back against all form of horrors from the east, the west and all other across the realm. Sendai no miko one of the first ever shrine maidens in the hakurei line have fought the horrors endlessly with no end until her death by the legendary in the karakuri incident. Today in the precent the lunar descent ceremony, the lunar insanity plague, the racism against the lunarians and the constant wars play a key roll into their horrifying resurgence and this time there are no other knights or priests anymore in the land that has long forgotten both the makai order and the ronins. The darkness within all of gensokyo is greater than thet anticipated before. The horrors have return and no one but the crimson dragon can stop them.

[dangerouscommiesubversive]

Jinga × Ryuga (Garo; Goldstorm) with the song "Hellfire"

Song: "Hellfire," Tony Jay (Spotify, or the link in the ask is to Peter Hollens' a capella version on YouTube, which is also good)

me or your pyre

Ryuuga knows that he’s dreaming. He’s certain that it’s a dream, because it has the flavor of a memory, but this encounter never happened. This is not a real thing, this can’t be real. Jinga is dead twice over by his sword and banished to the Makai, from whence he might return someday but not any time soon. But here he is, flesh and bone and fine black cotton and hair the color of moonlight. Moreover, it’s not just that he’s here, but that his mouth is here, and it is mesmerizing in its smooth and sneering curvature, his eyes flickering black and green in mockery above it. “We meet like this so often, I almost think I should call you ‘lover.’” A pause, and the curved lips part in that lazy smile, teeth bared and so, so white. “Or maybe ‘beloved’ would be more apt.”

“Shut up,” Ryuuga says, voice faint in the way that voices are in dreams. “You’re dead.”

“Well, sure. It’d almost be a pity if I wasn’t, after all the trouble you went to just to kill me.” Jinga shrugs like a ripple on still water. “But here you are, calling me, and so I came. I’m nice like that.” He’s moving closer, strolling with his hands in his pockets, the dim moonlight gleaming on his hair. “Hey, you remember that first big fight of ours? When you caught my sword in your scabbard, and I caught yours in mine? I’m not really big on metaphor, but that was a little bit sexy, wasn’t it.”

Ryuuga tries to respond, but his throat works without noise, and eventually all he can get out is, again, “You’re dead. I didn’t call you.”

“Sure you did. Maybe you didn’t do it on purpose, but really I’m a very good king, I try to pick up on what my people need from me even when they’re not saying it. Anyway, I’m impressed that you managed to get here, dreaming into the Makai is a pretty specialized skill. Priests take decades to perfect it. My lovely wife was studying the technique once, but even she never quite got the hang of it. And then we could get here by ourselves, of course, so she didn’t need to.”

“Dreaming?” Thick-tongued, throat-stopped, Ryuuga forces the words out and feels his body slowly come alive. “Makai…dreaming.” He shakes himself, with difficulty, and this time he can feel his real body, shifting restlessly in the bed, brushing up against Rian beside him, and her presence is like an anchor to which he can return as the Makai begins to fade around him.

Jinga waves cheerfully to him as he fades. “See you next time, Dougai Ryuuga. You know where to find me.”

---

He wakes with a start, arm prickling—he’s been sleeping on it. He’s also rolled over uncomfortably onto his sheathed sword, which lies in the camp bed between himself and Rian like it might between a fairytale princess and her faithful knight.

Which, sure he’s a knight, but if he called her a princess she’d punch him.

She’s stirring too, and she sits up rubbing her eyes and frowning and grumbling, “What.”

It’s hard to make his mouth work, but this time it’s in the normal sleep-tied way, not that dreaming barrier to speech. “Is it. Rian, do you know about. Makai dreaming?”

Her frown deepens, but she has to stifle a yawn before replying. “Weird thing to ask about. Yeah, Burai could do that. Never taught me, he said I was too young.”

“Can you do it by accident?”

“N…no? Pretty sure not.” A narrow, thoughtful look. “You probably just had a normal bad dream,” and this time she doesn’t bother to stop herself from yawning. “We all have those. Go back to sleep, fuck, it’s way too early to be getting up.”

---

He doesn’t dream again for several weeks, and then after one after particular exhausting and lengthy fight with an especially unpleasant Horror he falls asleep like he’s dropping into a pit and the white smile is there to greet him.

The last time they’d been in a sort of waste, like the place where he’d killed Jinga the first time but grey and deathly. This time it’s a warehouse, nondescript but nonetheless familiar. We fought here, he thinks, numbed by dreaming. And I caught his sword in my scabbard, and he caught his in mine.

“That was a little bit sexy, wasn’t it,” echoes the mocking voice in the back of his mind, which is followed on by the mocking voice in front of him, a cheerful, “Well, you’re a sight for sore eyes.”

It’s easier to speak this time; Ryuuga’s tongue feels less thick in his mouth, his jaw less locked. “This is a dream. You’re not really here.”

Jinga stumbles back theatrically, hand over his heart. “Cold. And after I came all this way to meet you when you called me. How’s your priestess? Cute as ever? Still in love with you?”

“I’m telling you, I didn’t call you the first time, and I didn’t call you this time either.”

“You ought to be more honest with yourself, don’t you think? The heart wants what it wants. I won’t think less of you if you admit that you want my…company.” Having recovered from that false stumble, Jinga is approaching him now, and while he can speak more easily, it’s still nearly impossible to move, his arms and legs frozen as long fingers stroke the side of his face. “This was a fun spot to pick, by the way. Did you go for it because I mentioned our nice fight here the last time we talked?”

This is a dream, there shouldn’t be sensation, but nevertheless Jinga’s pale hand is pleasantly warm against Ryuuga’s cheek, and Ryuuga shuts his eyes against the mocking gaze and smiling mouth and says, “This is a dream. This is a dream. This is a dream,” fighting the binding stillness as he tries to move his body.

It works, to his desperate relief. He starts to fade.

“It is a dream,” says the teasing voice, “but you are getting better at it. Maybe next time you’ll be able to move around properly and you can dance with me. I’d like that.”

---

Rian is already awake this time, on the other side of the little room they’re sharing in this city, rubbing her eyes and saying, “Bad dreams again?” as he jolts upright.

“Yeah.” There’s a strange taste in his mouth, an acrid burn like the scent of Horror on the wind. “Yeah, I…yeah.”

“About Jinga?”

He nearly jumps. “How did you know?”

“You say his name in your sleep sometimes.” Rian is watching him, quiet and steady and sad. “I figure the nightmares must really be something.”

“Yeah, they’re…” He swallows hard, the acrid taste still coating his tongue. “They’re pretty bad.”

“Do you…want to talk about it?”

“…no. No, I’ll be. I’ll be fine.”

---

No dream the next night, or the night after that. On the third night after that he does dream, but it’s the normal kind. It starts to make him nervous; the longer he goes without dreaming of Jinga, the more on-edge he becomes.

They reach the city nearest to the city and meet up with Aguri, who unexpectedly hugs them both and treats them to a meal and introduces them to the beautiful priest to whom he’s apparently been engaged to for seven years already. She and Rian take to each other immediately and spend the next hour and a half with their heads together, talking; the only thing Ryuuga can catch of their conversation is the fiancée saying, “Darling, I worry that your knight might be haunted, he has sort of a…look?” and Rian replying, “He doesn’t sleep well, you don’t have any tips, do you? Does Aguri have that problem?”

He’d rather she not worry Rian. He’s not haunted. He’s just having bad dreams.

“You seem…a little tired, Ryuuga,” Aguri says, sounding like he doesn’t quite want to let on how concerned he is. “When was the last time you took a few days just to rest instead of traveling around like you do?”

“I’m fine, really.” Ryuuga tries his best to smile, wondering if Jinga will be there when he falls asleep. That white smile feels like it’s been burned into him, a brand unhealed in the back of his mind. “I like the travel anyway.”

---

That night, finally, he dreams, and it’s such a relief to be free of the anticipation that he almost smiles when he realizes what’s happening.

He recognizes this room too, white marble and a black throne, white hair and teeth and black clothes and a hand reaching out and grasping one of his as Jinga says, cheerful as ever, “I do miss you when you don’t come to visit me, Ryuuga. This is a great dance floor you’ve given us.”

It’s more like a superstitious chant at this point than an actual statement of fact. “This is a dream.”

“Well, sure, but isn’t it nice?” Jinga’s other hand comes to rest on his waist, and they begin to dance. “I guess now’s as good a time as any to admit that you never did call me, I called you. I mean, you’re shaping the whole place, that part is on you, but I’m the one who brought you here to shape it. With Amily’s help, of course.”

“You called—”

“And you listened! You’re just so good at listening to me. Not surprising, really. A knight’s someone who takes orders, and you’re excellent at being a knight.” A turn, another step, maybe it’s because this is a dream that Ryuuga knows how to follow Jinga’s movements, it’s probably the dream that makes Jinga’s closeness feel so warm and comfortable. “And a wolf’s only a big dog when you get down to it.”

“This is only a dream,” Ryuuga says again, although it’s starting to feel hollow.

“’Only’ is doing a lot of heavy lifting there, isn’t it? I don’t think this is ‘only’ anything.”

“It’s only a dream.” Jinga’s hand on his waist feels very natural, why is he letting Jinga lead?

Because it’s only a dream. And eventually he’ll wake up. And anyway, it’s nice to not be fighting for once.

Jinga is smiling at him and saying, “There you go, why not let yourself relax,” and he nods, because this is a dream, and he lets Jinga lead.

[gabriel-gabdiel]

Youtou Shinnoken: Demon Sword Chapter 56: Living Sin (Part 8)

Likka Ikumi and Natsuki Shinkai deal with the Karasu and Kuronue tandem. The Oniwabanshu with Kuwabara deal with Gein and the Omyouji.

Hiei and Kurama deal with Usui as well.

The original source of this idea comes from Chad Yang. I continued his story idea found here.

The rest of the chapters of my Yuyu Hakusho and Rurouni Kenshin crossover fan fiction are available here and here. Enjoy.

First | Previous | Next

At the Okushiri Airport...

Natsuki Shinkai freed herself from Kuronue's tight chains, increasing their velocity even while at rest by focusing and infusing her unique reiki unto them.

Kuronue barely dodged the bullet-fast broken chain shrapnel along with the follow-through Kousa Dageki (Cross Strike) strike and thrust combo that nearly crushed his skull and/or put a hole in his trachea.

Or maybe he didn't. Maybe he got hit after all. And killed.

However, the next thing Natsuki knew, he was about 6 feet or 2 meters away from her, none the worse for wear. As though she had hit and killed a mirage.

Damn. That was close.

They were currently inside the flaming remnants of a 747 cargo plane that Karasu had earlier blown up along with the rest of the airport.

Yes, Natsuki Shinkai could be as softhearted as Kurama in that she wouldn't indiscriminately kill her enemies. However, when she was pushed far enough, she could be every bit as cruel as the Youko.

Especially if she thought you deserved it. Like her father, Feng Xinhai, attempting to kill Daiji Matsudaira with a half-formed supercell of a tornado.

Apparently, a simple humiliating parry of her best friend's flying kick was enough to send her to the edge.

Figuring out what Kuronue meant by Natsuki's limits, Kuronue started blasting the remaining buildings and planes of the decimated Okushiri Airport.

Even though she could redirect the explosions or even rubble away from herself, the mindful Natsuki kept her barrier down against the high-speed shards of earth and glass for fear of accidentally deflecting it against nearby civilians or her friend, Likka Ikumi.

"Dammit," she cursed as she concentrated hard to deflect the individual rubble and debris at only Karasu and Kuronue in order to protect Ikumi.

"I think I understand her weakness now," said Karasu, who sneered and produced Clamshell Shrapnel Bombs for good measure. "She's only as powerful as the attacks directed at her! She also needs to concentrate hard to manipulate the direction and trajectory of a multitude of objects coming at her simultaneously or else there'll be collateral damage!"

"That's right. She can't deflect multiple things at the same time!" said Kuronue, who easily maneuvered through the raining debris, metal shrapnel, glass, and rubble in order to attack Natsuki with them, knowing that she could only dodge and couldn't return fire with any effective offense of her own.

The demons attacked simultaneously at two fronts, which kept Shinkai from focusing her psionic redirection powers properly.

Natsuki held on remarkably well though, redirecting the flying rock shards at both demons while using Hawatari (Sword Halt) and Hadome (Sword Crossing) at the supersonic Kuronue's attempts at stabbing her and making her mess up her concentration.

"Ahhh!" Likka cried out in pain as several bits of shrapnel hit her on the thigh and abdomen.

There were too many bullet-fast objects chaotically shooting at every direction and at different speeds for Shinkai to properly take account of and deflect.

"Likka-tan! I'm sorry!" shouted a tearful Natsuki, only for Kuronue to aim for her neck with his scythe. She then faced her attacker and said, "Fine. You want me to kill you? Then I will!"

She proceeded to do what Kuronue claimed she couldn't do, which was to reverse the flow of his blood in one direction, leading his head swell and burst like a balloon.

A second Kuronue appeared right behind the deceased one, his blade at the ready. "Whoa. Those are some frightening powers, child."

'What the hell was going on anymore?' thought Natsuki as the tip of the sickle cut through her stomach.

Karasu then threw a new grenade at Natsuki, who attempted to deflect it only for it to explode in her face.

***

Youtou Shinnoken: Demon Sword

A Rurouni Kenshin/Yuyu Hakusho Crossover Fan Fiction Story by Chester Castañeda

Original Concept by Chad Yang

The Misao reincarnation known as Likka Ikumi gets to activate her special powers at last.

Disclaimer: Yuyu Hakusho is the rightful property of Yoshihiro Togashi, Shueisha, Fuji TV, and Studio Pierrot. Rurouni Kenshin is the rightful property of Nobuhiro Watsuki, Shueisha, Shonen Jump, Viz, Sony Studios, Fuji TV, Studio Gallop, Studio Deen, and ADV. This disclaimer also covers all the other copyrighted materials that are far too many to mention here. Don't sue me please, I'm very poor.

***

Chapter 56: Living Sin (Part 8)

***

At Nabetsuru Rock...

The Nabetsuru (Pot Handle) Rock was a tourist destination off of the coast of Okushiri Island. It was a rock formation visible across the shores of Okushiri with the appearance of a pot handle.

Speaking of pots, the water surrounding the rock soon boiled, steamed, and bubbled like water inside a pot being heated by a stove. Something was afoot.

The half-healed zombie corpse body of Usui Uonuma was still licking his wounds from his defeat against Hajime Saito when one of the ferry-girls located him off of Nabetsuru Rock and informed the Reikai Senshi (Spirit World Warriors) of the fact.

Shikigami from Houji had gathered around him to present him with enough spiritual power to restore his body to seeming health.

It was weird how jaki (negative energy) of all things could heal him, but he knew his body was really more of a corpse and he was more of a vengeful ghost than a reincarnated spirit.

He knew and he didn't care. He'd cling to existence by any means necessary after it was nearly snuffed out by Makoto Shishio and "permanently" ended by Hajime Saito.

Usui had by then reconnected his body's top half with his bottom half, but his fatal wounds were still tender and his broken spine was still in bad shape.

The Spirit World Warriors were really hammering their forces down, weren't they?

A few minutes later and there he was: Jaganshi (Evil Eye User) Hiei.

Probably the second or third most powerful member of the Reikai Senshi, behind Kenshin Himura (with his inimitable Demon Sword) and Yusuke Urameshi (the direct descendant of one of the Three Kings of Makai, Raizen).

Usui smirked, opened his mouth, and licked his lips.

This was now a battle between the Shingan (True Eyes) and the Jagan (Evil Eyes).

The blind swordsman turned spearman zombie wondered about something. If he had Jine Udo's Jagan on one eye socket and Hiei's Jagan on his other eye socket, would he finally gain the power he needed to usurp the likes of Tenro? Or the Chojin?

Or Shishio?

'Same difference.'

He remembered how his supernatural Tinbe shield grew thick enough to stop even the ultimate attacks of both a super-powered Kenshin and Saito, which in turn allowed his Rochin to penetrate anything weaker and less dense than his Tinbe.

If he had the power of one Jagan to hypnotize people and another Jagan to gain control of huge amounts of demonic energy, he'd be unstoppable: The most powerful Shin Ju who possessed both superhuman senses and supernatural powers.

'But first thing's first,' Uonuma thought, noticing the fewer number of shinigami (death gods) assisting his healing as Hiei approached his perch on the unusual rock at dangerous speeds.

The sea seemingly parted in twain from the jaganshi's flashing steps as though he were a mix of a miniature speedboat and Moses himself parting the Red Sea like theater curtains.

***

There were too many of them. There was a suffocating amount if multiplying Iwanbos there as well as shikigamis who fed them jaki.

The combination of Houji "Onmyouji (Occult Priest)" Sadojima and Edward "The Puppet Master" Gein (also known as Dr. Shoji Sugino from Unit 731) were too much for this batch of Reikai Senshi to handle.

That was the simple conclusion that the Spirit World Warriors and the Oniwabanshu (Garden Keepers) had when fighting against the armies of undead Iwanbo and shikigami spirits from both of the Chojin's top generals/captains.

Like the Roku Youkai (Six Demons) on Mt. McKinley versus The Nameless Yatsume, the Reikai Tantei and the Oniwabanshu were flooded with Iwanbo versions 1, 2, and 3 and the shikigami they fed on for jaki and power ups, like this was an ecosystem teeming with predators and the Reikai Senshi were their prey.

Kuwabara had been chopping out reanimated puppets and familiars left and right with his twin Jigen Tou (Dimensional Sword) for almost an hour, only to end up sapped of energy.

He ended up with only one flickering Dimension Sword left as more and more of the puppet monsters appeared, multiplying by mitosis or something.

At the same time, he had to contend against Houji turning everything nearest him into fast-healing creatures like Toguro Ani, with their wounds or even pureed bodies healing instantly. Like nothing they did to them could faze them.

Gein, in turn, used his own unique jaki to supply the Chojin's necromancer with fresh corpses to bring to life.

The reincarnated Okashira (Boss) of the Oniwabanshu—Daiji Matsudaira (formerly Aoshi Shinomori) —fluidly maneuvered against the razors-sharp web of trip-wires that the World War II veteran mad scientist ninja known as Gein weaved with diamond-covered threads, only to be bull-rushed by the one Iwanbo Version 3 with the four arms: The Iwanbo Version 3.2.

The Iwanbo 3.2 had thus far trampled on all of the efforts of the Tokyo Oniwabanshu to take it down, whether it was through poison, fire, sword slashes, brute strength, or martial arts.

Like Shikijo, it got cross-slash scars from every part of its body, but it still kept moving, shrugging off the rain of kodachi Daiji produced as well as the pistol shots to the head (the police officer could conjure guns as well).

Kuwabara did notice how the monstrous puppet recovered as quickly as Toguro Ani while sporting the same ridiculous musculature of Toguro Ototo. 'Hiei and Kurama's investigations were true! That old ninja guy really was responsible for demonizing the Toguro Brothers!'

Meanwhile, Kuwabara desperately held on to his knife-sized Jigen Tou, willing it to existence even as he had to contend against an undead army of shikigami and Iwanbos.

He could summon a Rei-Ken (Spirit Sword) instead, but even a dimensional knife had more utility to it.

He sliced apart portals, warp gates, dimensions, space, and even the sky itself with the way his cuts remained in the air like cracks on glass, cutting through the guts of the zombie puppets down below and the ghoulish ghosts from up above.

Houji and Gein pushed him to the brink of using up all his spirit energy, which may then force him to use his own life force to keep on fighting (like what Yusuke did to take down Suzaku the first time they fought).

The Onmyouji sloppily sliced his scythe at Kuwabara, who then blocked the blade but his knees ultimately buckled against the weight of the Chojin's negative energy instead of the strength of the strike.

'Dammit, we're going to lose!'

The bowl-cut necromancer cackled and ranted, "This is the power of the Chojin! This is the power of the gods! You were no match from the start!"

As for the Aoshi Shinomori of the modern era, he threw every last kodachi he could muster at the charging Iwanbo 3.2, whose tackles were so impactful he turned even fellow Iwanbo and stray shikigami inside-out into road kill, ground beef, or ectoplasm.

Even after being turned into a knife holder sculpture or Julius Caesar after his assassination, the four-armed Iwanbo would not stop charging.

The tired Okashira ended up taking a knee. He willed himself to move away with his Water Flow Movement, but Dr. Sugino caught him off-guard from behind with razor-sharp thread that wrapped around and bit into his neck.

"Checkmate, Okashira. You killed me before, right? Well, let me return the favor."

Daiji struggled against the old man, surprised at how strong he was for his age, the piano wire digging deeper into his throat. They'd be both turned into mush by the rampaging Iwanbo 3.2, but only one of them would end up getting resurrected by the Onmyouji when all was said and done.

The air around them then changed as the ghosts of the Oniwabanshu rose again. However, something inside them changed. They exuded menace that wasn't there before.

Hannya, Shikijo, Hyottoko, and Beshimi rose up like zombies hungry for flesh.

"Don't you dare touch the Okaaashiiiraaa...!"

***

As Likka Ikumi—Misao Makimachi's Heisei reincarnation—went unconscious due to blood loss, she dreamed of what had happened earlier, when she was deemed a C-Level martial artist ninja girl while the rest of the people she knew from past and present ranked B-Level and higher instead.

"This isn't fair!" Likka complained to Yahiko Myojin. "You'd be B-Level too if you didn't have special powers yourself, you little brat!"

"Yeah, funny how that works. Even Cat Eyes got better superpowers than you and your quick costume changes! OW!" teased Yahiko before he got hit upside the head with Misao's patented flying kick.

"KECHO GIRI!" Ikumi screamed. "Grrr! I want superpowers too! I don't want to end up in the battlefield being some sort of liability to Uncle Jiji (Daiji) or Tsuki-chan (Natsuki)!

Yahiko then relented, "Jeez, Weasel-chan! Don't be upset about me being stronger than you. You only 'woke up' recently! But you're still the reincarnation of Makimachi Misao and yes, you're better at hand-to-hand combat than I am."

Likka paused then pouted. "Really, Yahiko-chan?"

Kenshin himself then said, "Misao-dono, I know that Shinomori Aoshi's talent might have blinded you of this fact, but shinobi (spies) are not known for their swordsmanship or strength. They're instead known for their cunning."

Natsuki herself interjected, "You are not a swordsman but a spy, Likka-tan. A ninja. A shadow warrior. You can take down a samurai many times more powerful than you by ambush and stealth. Use that."

Likka then woke up back at the Okushiri Airport, in time to see the miko (priestess) ferry-girl tending to her shrapnel wounds, removing the foreign objects and healing her body the best she could.

"Please, wake up! Please, hang on!" pleaded the shinigami known as Hinageshi.

***

Back at the Kyujimayama Observatory...

The combination of Houji the Onmyouji and Gein the Puppet Master was truly too much for Kazuma Kuwabara and the Oniwabanshu to handle.

Daiji Matsudaira then did the Jissen Kenbu (combining the Water Flow Movement with his one-handed kodachi strikes) to escape Dr. Sugino's wire-based grasp. The doctor was not as adept at pure ninjutsu as his Meiji Era counterpart.

However, Shoji's supernatural powers and modern scientific knowledge more than made up for his lack of physical prowess and skills.

However, just behind them, the transformed Oniwabanshu tore apart the four-armed Iwanbo 3.2 like a pack of wolves.

"Saaaave the Okashiraaa! At aaaall cooosts!"

Hannya. Shikijo. Hyottoko. Beshimi.

Again, their supposed Okashira had failed them and soiled their memories. Or this watered-down copper version of their Okashira living in the present Heisei Era did so.

These ghosts that served as Daiji's guardian angels from the death of his wife at the hands of Feng Xinhai to the present, when he discovered his dark destiny as being the reincarnation of the Last Oniwabanshu Okashira, were now forced to demonize themselves.

They abandoned their humanity and turned themselves into monsters in order to save Matsudaira.

Shikijo's muscles bulged and popped as his complexion turned grey or even metallic, with him grabbing one set of the Iwanbo's arms in order to stop him in his tracks.

Beshimi bit the Iwanbo with snake-like fangs and threw toxic spines growing from all over his body at him for good measure, the corrosive toxins directly seeping into the undead veins of the puppet monster.

Hyottoko turned into a full-on kappa youkai who breathed fire, toasting the creature from behind.

And finally, the tri-clawed Hannya mauled the Iwanbo repeatedly by slicing apart the veins of his other arms and ravaging him like a rabid wolverine.

The more they ripped apart the puppet, the more mindless they became. Like wild animals.

Houji chuckled at the display, letting his shikigami deal with the weakening Kuwabara for a change. "How would it feel if I brought your ghost friends back to life, Okashira? Alas, they'd end up as the Chojin's minions, but at least they'd be alive."

Meanwhile, Gein retreated and used his own knowledge of the dark arts in order to form a fresh new Iwanbo 3.2 puppet out of the spare parts of the discarded Iwanbo corpses.

No. Enough was enough.

The deceased Oniwabanshu had been haunting Aoshi's soul all this time, even a hundred years later in another body, because they felt like they had failed in protecting him when the opposite was instead true.

Time and time again, they'd saved him.

His blue eyes shining bright like twin stars on a clear night, Daiji's aura of reiki (spirit energy) flared to life and reacted to the youki (demonic energy) emanating from his former Oniwabanshu comrades.

He then started to absorb their dark energy unto himself, shouldering all their anger and feelings of failure unto his own body.

It was his failure and lack of strength that kept them anchored to him for so long, keeping them from passing on.

It was his turn to save them.

As Matsudaira absorbed more of their dark energy, the Oniwabanshu ghouls started to go back to normal. They were neither demons nor monsters any longer.

"Uh, what happened?" asked Shikijo.

"Beats me. I don't remember much," said Beshiimi.

"I feel hungry," said Hyottoko.

"You can't be hungry! You're a ghost!" admonished Hannya, who then turned towards Daiji's shadowy form. "It's the Okashira. He has saved us again, as usual!"

Daiji then went face-to-face against the Iwanbo 3.2, who had again started to cannibalize the corpses or even the "living" bodies of his undead puppet brethren as well as the nearby shikigami unto him.

To build his strength by feeding upon the weak just like Matsudaira did to his Oniwabanshu underlings' youki.

The Iwanbo Version 3.2 then charged at Matsudaira, with the pair of Houji and Gein close behind him.

"Kill the Okashira! Do so and we'll have this battle in the bag!" said Gein to his puppet.

"We might even be able to revive his soul and turn him into one of the Juppon Gatana," suggested Sadojima.

They were in for the shock of their lives.

***

Back at Nabetsuru Rock...

Jaganshi Hiei ran on water like Jesus Christ in a hurry then blasted the rock where the half-healed (or still-healing) Usui Uonuma lay with a Jaou-En-Satsu Kokuryuha (Dragon of Darkness Flame).

The fire demon didn't want to take any chances. However, as expected, Uonuma's Tinbe still remembered the sheer power of the most powerful strikes given to it by the Battousai and the Miburo.

Thusly, the dense adaptable shield survived even the atomic heat of the Makai flames from Hiei's deadliest attack, neutralizing it completely.

"Hn."

Usui answered that indignant harrumph with a chuckle. "And just like that, my Tinbe is now fireproofed as well as shock-absorbent. Is that your best shot, Jaganshi Hiei?"

Hiei then visually disappeared from Uonuma's midst, but the blind man couldn't even see him regardless, so he wasn't too worried.

Usui heard Hiei all the while though.

The blind spearman could only smile as he caught each and every slash or stab Hiei attempted to hit him with, deflecting them away like rain with his Tinbe umbrella.

Earlier, he was made aware that the Shin Ju had lost contact with Houji and Gein, which meant that there wasn't enough shikigami and jaki left to heal him fully.

However, he was an S-Level entity himself.

This meant that even though Uonuma didn't have the Onmyouji's assistance to restore his damaged body to health, he could damn well heal himself on his own. Not at the cancerous rate that the regenerative Toguro Ani could, but fast enough to count when the chips were down.

'I just need to buy myself a little bit more time,' Usui thought, blocking all of Hiei's sword strikes and countering them with his Rochin spear that was as irresistible as his Tinbe was impenetrable.

'Battousai's reports are accurate,' thought Hiei. 'This man is hard to kill, even without the powers of the Onmyouji aiding him and keeping him alive. Or at least undead.'

The two combatants jumped from the rock to the shore, their feet both using the waves and the surface tension of the saltwater to travel from that long distance.

Not once was Hiei able to scratch the injured man. Not with the Kokuryuha. Not with his blade.

However, the blind Shin Ju in turn wasn't fast enough to counter with his Rochin. He kept missing his kaeshi (ripostes) even though he parried or blocked all of the fire demon's physical attacks.

Getting behind Usui to stab him and avoid the shield didn't work because the spearman sensed the fire demon's presence every time and blocked accordingly.

However, thanks to Hiei's Jagan and his inborn twitch reflexes, the Rochin could not touch him in turn, no matter how badly he missed or got parried by the former bakufu swordsman turned Juppon Gatana member.

Perhaps it was because Usui was too injured. Or perhaps it was because he was too slow from the get go.

They seemed to be at an impasse.

***

"Ahhh!" Natsuki shrieked, her impenetrable deflection powers working against her, drawing the implosion towards her instead of away from her due to the nature of her reversal powers.

The crow demon smirked.

His experimental Pillbug Implosion Bomb was a success.

Shinkai predictably attempted to deflect it like Karasu's other bombs, but she did so by reversing its momentum. This made the bomb explode instead of implode unto itself.

The way Natsuki affected her environment was to use the inertia of the objects going towards her and reverse their momentum so that she didn't have to expend her spirit energy moving them away.

To reverse the momentum of an implosion bomb was to turn it into an explosive.

"Now, Kuronue! While you have the chance!"

Kuronue and his afterimage clones attacked Natsuki. Then, after several more Kuronues died out, one of them decapitated Natsuki with his scythe.

Game. Set. Match.

However, that Natsuki turned out to be a standee advertisement of a stewardess instead. Taken straight from the rubble.

"!?" intoned Kuronue, only to realize it was the Misao reincarnation who duped him into decapitating the decoy.

It was a classic ninjutsu trick. Substituting one object for another.

Karasu attempted to get rid of the troublesome onmitsu (ninja girl) with his variety of bombs, only to be greeted with a rain of kunai (ninja daggers) moving at every which way and direction, defying the laws of physics, gravity, and momentum.

He yelped as a dagger ended up in his eye, which would normally be weak enough for him to swat away. 'Where is that damned ninja...?!'

As for Kuronue and Natsuki, they were locked in a battle of wills and wits. Or perhaps a war of attrition.

For different reasons, both Shinkai and the bat demon ended up cleaving or crushing through dozens upon dozens of their respective "clones".

With Natsuki, they were illusions made by Likka. With Kuronue, it was still a mystery where his doppelgangers came from.

For every Kuronue clone that got beat up, head-crushed, stabbed, blinded, or disabled in some way, so too did every Natsuki clone suffer getting their limbs chopped off, their heads decapitated, and their bodies bisected horizontally or vertically.

The fading corpses of Shinkai and Kuronue that littered the landscape disappeared as soon as they fell.

"I don't care anymore!" the one-eyed Karasu threw implosion bombs at the pair's direction. "I'm sure you'll somehow survive this, Kuronue, but she won't!"

That was Likka's cue to detonate the bombs with her flung kunai, one of which ended up stuck unto Karasu's hand.

"...Fool! You fell into my trap!" said Karasu even as one of the implosions set him ablaze. He then took his mask off with his other hand in order to activate his Full-Body Implosion rather than Explosion. "Now to kill you to get rid of all these illusions!"

Likka then smirked before she shifted forms and turned into Natsuki.

"...What?!"

A flabbergasted Kuronue then spared a glance at the Natsuki he was fighting all that time. The bat demon chopped her up, only for her to turn into a stop sign.

"Since when were you under the impression that you were fighting Tsuki-chan?"

"Natsuki" then appeared behind him and turned him into a kunai holder. Sure enough, this "Natsuki" ended up being Likka in disguise instead, mimicking her friend all the while.

"I will not be a burden to Tsuki-chan any longer! I can help her out with my own special power! We can win against you two!" said Ikumi.

Thus was the power of the "C-Level" Likka Ikumi: Optical Illusion. Perfect Deception. Absolute Fantasy.

In other words, Genjutsu (Illusionary Techniques).

Her skills allowed her reiki to create mirages or hallucinations from her own imagination that, when used properly, could make even gods kneel and devils cry.

A special power that could beat even S-Levels to submission.

A power similar to that of the Kanji Killer and his hypnotic Jagan, but it involved projecting her imagination unto reality like realistic mirages instead of invading her opponent's psyche for them to see what she wanted them to see, thus she used up less reiki to do it.

"You've underestimated the both of us," said Shinkai, whose only injuries were from that one implosion bomb from Karasu that slipped through. "Now pay for your arrogance!"

Just as Karasu was about to explode and take both the girls with him to kingdom come, Yutaro Tsukayama's female reincarnation reflected and focused all that potential energy towards Kuronue, blasting him with her own version of Suzaku's Railgun.

She turned the crow demon into fuel and matter for her own energy gun, the same way Suzaku could turn any piece of steel into a blast of pure energy.

The golden beam of light seemed to kill multiple clones of Kuronue at the same time, his body stubbornly refusing to disintegrate, with him reviving over and over, only for him to die again, until there was nothing left of both Karasu and Kuronue in that seeming infinite loop of life and death.

***

Hiei harrumphed.

His speed did not phase his opponent one bit. Nor did his S-Level youki and Dragon of Darkness Flame.

However, he still had to kill Usui then and there.

The blind swordsman with his adaptable Tinbe was too dangerous to be left alive. He'd just disrupt their plan to take out Houji Sadojima permanently and drive the Shin Ju back without hope of resurrection.

Was it shameful to strike down an injured man? In war, there was no such thing as honor or fairness. Just survival of the fittest.

Uonuma cackled. "The speed by which you attack and how hard it is to catch you off-guard is impressive. You remind me of someone."

Hiei didn't answer back.

"Ah yes. Sou-kun," said Usui with a hint of wistfulness in his voice even though his comrade Soujiro Seta was still with him, just in a different unit of the Chojin's Army (the Dai Shin Kan).

The two used to spar from time to time, with both being amazed at the other's prowess.

Seta was surprised by the fact that no matter how fast he went, the Tinbe would block his strike despite his lack of presence or sakki (bloodlust). Uonuma was shocked at how, at times, the boy would reach supersonic speeds that even his Rochin couldn't hope to counter.

Instead of turtling up in defense, Usui attacked for a change, the sands of the beach underfoot blasting behind him like a sandstorm. His Shingan senses and Hiei's Jagan third eye kept the both of them from making fatal contact with each other. The most they could muster were flesh wounds.

Perhaps the youkai underestimated the revived human's abilities just because he was injured.

"Sou-kun's Shukuchi made him blindingly fast and his lack of bloodlust made him nearly undetectable. Your speed and constant bloodlust reminds me of him. You're always brooding while he's always happy. Like twin sides of the same coin."

"Sou-kun", huh? Soujiro Seta was a thorn in Hiei's side all throughout his mission and investigation on human experimentation at Alaska's Mount McKinley (also known as Denali).

The longer the battle went the further Usui pushed Hiei into a corner (literally even as they battled from the beach to the resort to the streets and to several nearby buildings), much to the prideful demon's shame.

It wasn't because Uonuma was as fast as him. Rather, Shishio's oldest rival was used to fighting people as fast as Hiei was, such as Soujiro.

This allowed Usui to use prediction and skill to match Hiei's superior reflexes.

The jaganshi harrumphed again, growing impatient. Someone who was this injured should not be this hard to kill.

Regardless, the youkai still had an ace up his sleeve that the nimble "Ten Ken (Heaven Sword)" lacked.

Summoning the Sword of Darkness Flame felt like a waste of time, but he did it anyway. If speed didn't work then raw power might tip the scales of their deadlock.

This only made the wistful, deranged, and sightless man happier for some reason.

A wave of nostalgia filled Usui. He couldn't see the fire of Hiei's flaming sword with his own actual eyes, his stolen Jagan from Jine sealed away with his blindfold, but he felt the heat from blade, giving him goose bumps and raising the hairs behind his neck.

Usui was for all intents and purposes a living corpse with an unbeating heart, but his mind made him feel as though his heart raced and his blood flowed like hot fire through his veins. His aortas. His artificial circulatory system.

To Hiei's surprise, the zombie discarded his impenetrable Tinbe and charged with only his Rochin. Shouting one name all the while like a lunatic.

"DIE, SHISHIO!"

Compared to Soujiro and even Hiei, Usui knew more nuanced sword/spear forms and cutting/stabbing techniques than a simple upward, side, or angled slashes. Fire sword or no fire sword.

Like a drunk brawler picking a fight against a championship boxer. Quickness could be countered by experience against predictability.

The jaganshi attempted his usual modus operandi of making his opponent miss and slash at his afterimage, only for him to appear from behind and slash his opponent to bits instead.

However, it was Hiei who ended up slashing at air and an afterimage that wasn't there.

Did Uonuma heal his wounds already? Was he hiding his true speed all this time...?!

Hiei's Jagan tried to sense and locate where Uonuma was, like always. His sight beyond sight served as his means to activate his tripwire reflexes.

Wait a minute. He couldn't see or sense him. Even Usui's jaki was gone. Hiei's vision had become clouded. 'Dammit...!'

The Rochin from out of nowhere stabbed him in the back and shot him right into the sign saying they were in Kitaoimisaki Park, his youkai blood spewing forth his mouth, nostrils, and even his three eyes.

The illusion faded away like a pile of cherry blossom petals blown away by a strong breeze, and soon reality set in.

As soon as the flames from Hiei's Jaou-En-Satsu Ken (Sword of Darkness Flame) enticed Usui's senses, he lifted his blindfold and unsealed the power of Jine's version of the Jagan.

Apparently, even Hiei's artificial Jagan that Shigure transplanted unto him was susceptible to hypnosis. Along with the eyes he was born with.

The Forbidden Child of the Koorime fell into a boneless heap before his blood pooled from underneath him.

He was too careless.

He believed he was there to take care of injured game, forgetting that an animal's flight or fight instincts made them many times more dangerous than usual.

"That was refreshing," said Usui. "I have to thank you, Jaganshi Hiei. Your flaming sword reminded me what I'm truly fighting for, even after a century."

The maneuver Uonuma did on Hiei was something he wished to do on Shishio himself. Trick him with the Jagan then stab him in the back. S-Level or not, such a sneak attack would kill him.

Uonuma then frowned. Inwardly, he thought, 'I haven't mastered Jine's Jagan yet. I can only use it once a day. Maybe more with the help of the Onmyouji's jaki power up, but he's sealed off from the rest of us Shin Ju right now.'

After a minute of pondering, the taller, bearded man grabbed hold of the diminutive demon by the hair and lifted him up high over his shoulders, his bloodstained Jagan in full view.

"No matter," Usui decided. "I have a new Jagan to play with now. As soon as Gein returns, I'll have him surgically implant your Jagan into the empty socket of my other eye. Then I'll have the power of both the Shingan and twin Jagan at my hands."

Uonuma trembled with barely contained excitement, which woke Hiei up after blacking out from the pain of being stabbed so hard.

"Not even Battousai nor Saito Hajime nor Shishio Makoto nor Tenro nor the Chojin will stand a chance against me once I have both those Jagan in my possession along with my Tinbe and Rochin!"

Just as Uonuma was about to melon-ball Hiei's Evil Eye from its artificial socket, Kurama then arrived, parrying the Rochin away with the Grass Blade.

"...Ah. You must be the Legendary Youko Kurama," said Usui with a sneer. "Udo Jine has told us a lot about you."

***

Kyujimayama Observatory suddenly had an entire building sprout from its lookout. Like a gigantic tree of steel and concrete. An ominous castle made of black spires and iron ore.

A structure with no discernible entrance, doors, or windows.

Earlier, just as another Iwanbo 3.2 was on the verge of turning Daiji Matsudaira into a messy pile of shattered bones, giblets, and mince meat, something changed inside the policeman's soul.

He absorbed the guilt and unfulfilled desires of the Oniwabanshu that left them as earthbound spirits, this energy mixing with the reiki of Daiji's soul and the kenki (swordsman spiritual energy) of Aoshi's warrior spirit.

Pushed into a corner and forced to feed into the negative energy of his comrades, his reiki and kenki started to mix with their youki and jaki.

It produced a whole new kind of energy: A swordsman's energy mixed with a human soul's spirit energy and the bloodlust of a demon.

Reiatsu (Spirit Pressure).

Like Shinobu Sensui's Sei Kou Ki (Holy Light Energy), Daiji produced a different sort of spiritual power worthy of one the gods or shinigami themselves or their version of the police, the Reikai Tokubetsu Boueitai (Spirit World Special Defense Squad).

It was through this volatile cocktail of different energies that Matsudaira was able to produce the spire-filled castle by which he trapped Houji Sadojima, Gein, and their undead army in one huge, tangible prison with his Quest-Class powers to create matter out of spirit energy but without sacrificing his life energy to do so.

And, like the One-Eight-Ten Killer before him, he himself was on the verge of breaking through from A-Level to S-Level by suddenly learning this spirit energy blending technique that took Sensui years to perfect.

Afterwards, a flabbergasted Kuwabara created a portal out of the constricting spire and exited with Officer Matsudaira in tow. He then sealed the portal shut before the Onmyouji, Gein, or their creatures could come out.

They'd finally stopped and sealed Houji from reviving the Shin Ju every time they were beaten. For now.

"You're really something else, Officer Matsudaira. You know that?" said Kazuma.

Catching up with his own shallow breaths, Daiji turned behind him and stared back at his ghostly Oniwabanshu comrades. "I can't let them down. Not again."

Kuwabara himself turned towards where the copper was staring at, in time to see the will o' wisp or blue fireball souls of the dearly departed Oni Gang.

The fireballs then formed back into the transparent human bodies of the four deceased shadow warriors. Hannya. Shikijo. Hyottoko. Beshimi.

With a smile hidden behind his mask but could still be heard from his ghostly voice, Hannya said, "As expected of our Okashira."

From there, Uchiko Shikoku (Sayuri), the ferry-girl of the Northeast Quadrant, arrived and started replenishing their spirit energy, although she pouted as she told Daiji, "I was almost sure you'd die, Ikemen (Pretty Boy). Oh well. Maybe next time?"

To Kazuma, the blonde shinigami instead said, "You, I couldn't care less if you died or not."

"Nobody asked you!" shouted back Kuwabara.

***

Back at the Okushiri Airport...

Sayaka finished up her report to the other Reikai Senshi and then said to them. "So far so good. Kurama-san's plans are coming along smoothly. I've also heard reports from Sayuri-san that Sadojima Houji and Gein had been sealed inside a castle-like structure by Matsudaira Daiji-san."

"As expected of the Okashira!" said Likka, mirroring Hannya's sentiments. "We have this mission in the bag!"

Natsuki then told the young Spirit World Inspector, "Tell Shuichi-sempai, I mean, Minamino-sempai to watch out for that Kuronue person. He may still be out there."

Sayaka tilted her head to the side in askance. "Tell Kurama about Kuronue? Why? Isn't he dead? Didn't you just kill him? Killed two birds with one stone by making Karasu into an energy blast?"

"That's the thing. I'm not sure he's dead." Shinkai shook her head. "Killing him is actually easy. Keeping him dead is hard. It must have something to do with his current powers. He might still be out there, hunting Kurama at this very moment."

The Heisei Era Misao piped up, "Yeah, it was weird. Every time it seemed like you've killed him, another him kept popping up in his place."

The youngest ferry-girl considered their words. "Do you think he's like Toguro Ani? An S-Level, Regent-Class regenerator?"

Natsuki shrugged. "The best way I could describe it is that he's like Schrödinger's Cat. Like he's alive and dead at the same time."

"Maybe even Schrödinger's Bat!" Likka quipped to mostly silence.

***

Kitaoimisaki Park was located in the westernmost corner of Okushiri Island.

The Sea of Japan served as its backdrop. It was designed as an open-air museum of sorts filled with sculptures made by Masayuki Nagare, a modernist Japanese sculptor.

Sculptures that soon turned to dust from the battle that ensued.

"RENGOKU SHOU! (PURGATORY WOUND!)" shouted Hiei as he pummeled the wide-open, distracted Usui with his fists of flame, but the flurry of blows were also countered and neutralized by the damnable Tinbe shield.

It did allow him to get away from his captor, though.

Meanwhile, Kurama had arrived there just in time with the assistance of Sayuri's intel and Kuwabara's Jigen Tou.

Kurama asked for their help after they were done sealing away the Onmyouji with Daiji Matsudaira's evolving powers.

"Let's not risk having Usui use Jine's Jagan again," Kurama told Kuwabara. "Leave and don't look anywhere near his face or eyes, Kuwabara-kun."

"You got it, Kurama," said Kuwabara before making a portal out of there. "Hiei, you fucked up! Now Kurama has to bail you out!" Kazuma jumped right into the portal he made before Hiei could follow him and beat him up for his remark.

Kurama then told Hiei, "Kuwabara-kun's right, you know," which made Hiei seethe even more. "I know how you feel, but sit this battle out for now. Let me handle this while Sayuri-san heals you for now."

As for the scythe-bearing Uchiko "Sayuri" Shikoku, she balefully used her shinigami powers to heal the damage done on Hiei, although the pint-sized youkai didn't look too pleased about it.

"Look, we're both not happy about this, so could you stop glaring at me?" said Uchiko, who actually wanted to see what was next for the death-defying "hunk" known as Daiji Matsudaira instead.

Actually, Kitaoimisaki Park was supposed to be under Botan's jurisdiction (she was assigned the northwest quadrant), but she was too busy guiding Yahiko safely towards the Onmyouji to finish him off, so Sayuri had to do for now.

Usui chuckled, rubbing his chin. "Toguro Ani warned me about you," he said. "You're quite the trickster, I hear. So are you going to fight me now?"

"Yes," Kurama said, picking a rose seed inside his hair and turning it into a rose bloom then finally into the Rose Whip. However, this time around, it was a Rose Whip tied around the handle of the Grass Blade, thus turning it into a Rose Kusarigama (Chain Sickle).

"I hate tricksters like you," confessed Usui. "You remind me of a Saizuchi (his fellow Juppon Gatana member) that could somehow fight. The best way to take care of people like you is to kill you before you can come up with a convoluted scheme to take me down."

"Saizuchi?" repeated Kurama as he attempted to scan through Kenshin's memories given to him through his contact with the Demon Sword. "I don't know who that is." Himura must've never met that particular Ten Sword member.

They then proceeded to fight. Kurama was decently fast but not blindingly fast so like Kenshin Himura, Soujiro Seta, Yusuke Urameshi, or Jaganshi Hiei.

However, like with how Usui countered Hiei's speed with technique, Kurama knew how to methodically place his whip strikes and whiplash to minimize movement and maximize his range.

Also, thanks to his new weighted weapon, he could actually maneuver his whip to bounce off the Tinbe then hook-stab Uonuma from the back, as though he were fishing in the ocean.

What a frighteningly clever demon.

It took full focus and concentration from Usui's Shingan to predict the trajectory of every whip strike and whiplash from all sorts of awkward angles.

Kurama even made sure to attack only from a distance. He patiently waited when he'd commit to his strikes to keep himself from giving away any openings. A true chess master that outwitted even the likes of Feng Xinhai.

Truly irritating. Usui had no time for such protracted nonsense.

Usui let the Rose Chain-Sickle wrap around his Tinbe, which allowed him to pull Kurama towards him and stab him with the Rochin at last. The fox spirit turned human was able to twist his body in time to prevent a full-on stab like with Hiei, as though he was used to these situations.

Kurama grunted and tumbled backwards before ending up kneeling and gasping for breath.

Uonuma spared a sightless glance at Hiei and Sayuri, sneering at the youkai in particular. This was more for Hiei's sake (and mockery) than a need for him to sense the demon by turning his head, since he had heightened senses.

"I've defeated both Kurama and Hiei! The right-hand men of Yomi and Mukuro! Even the best demon warriors that Makai (Demon World) could offer are no match against me!"

However, before Usui knew it, he felt his Tinbe start to crumble, with cracks forming all around it like the time Kenshin hit it with the follow-up strike of the Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki (Heavens Gliding Dragon Flash).

"W-What? But how...!?"

His fingers then noticed the growth of moss on the shield, which had taken root throughout the battle. "Moss...?"

Kurama said as he stood up, "A rolling stone gathers no moss. But a turtle shield might. Your Tinbe is amazingly sturdy, with it getting stronger the more you break it apart like organic bone. But since I added Makai Moss to it, the tiny cracks and marks it was supposed to heal couldn't heal because the moss roots had filled up their space."

Like moss on an old building, the moss on Usui's Tinbe compromised the strength of the magic item, keeping it from reconstituting itself properly. Making it crumble as the cracks and gaps where bone or shell was supposed to be was instead replaced with insidious moss.

Also, the Rochin strike to Kurama's side was shallower than before, the spear becoming more and more brittle in cadence with the weakening of the Tinbe.

A cold sweat dripped down Usui's beard. Even after he was warned by Toguro Ani to watch out for Kurama's trickery, he still ended up tricked in the end!

"I take it back," said Uonuma, gasping for air even though he didn't really need to breathe. "You don't remind me of Saizuchi after all, Kurama. You're more like Shishio Makoto himself. You're as shrewd as a fox yet you fight like a demon."

He glanced again at Hiei, this time not to mock him but instead because his Shingan sensed the sudden spike in heat from the fire demon, which in turn knocked Sayuri back.

"Eeek!"

"Jaou-En-Satsu...!"

"NOOOO...!"

"KOKURYUHA!"

Multiple Dragons of Darkness Flame engulfed and blasted open the compromised Tinbe like a roasting chestnut, the Demon World Moss burning away along with the rest of the turtle shield as the second-in-command of the Juppon Gatana and Shin Ju practically got nuked in place.

***

Meanwhile, in the sky overlooking the northwest part of Okushiri Island...

Botan flew top-speed towards the Kyujimayama Observatory, exchanging places with Sayuri since that was under the northeast quadrant's jurisdiction.

Right behind her, riding shotgun, was a tired Yahiko Myojin, who was conserving his strength for the battle ahead against the Chojin's so-called conduit of power.

As soon as they got confirmation of where Houji the Onmyouji hid, they flew up in the sky under Kurama's orders while Natsuki herself met up with Likka in order to run interference against the incoming Karasu and Kuronue (a replacement Shin Ju along with Toguro Ani).

Even better, they stopped bothering to hide in the clouds for fear of aerial strikes after both Natsuki and Daiji neutralized their targets.

The Yutaro reincarnation blasted away Karasu (who could make flying Trace Eye bombs) and the Aoshi reincarnation trapped both Gein (Kaoru didn't remember who that was) and Houji (Kaoru heard of him through Sanosuke) inside a sealed, castle-like structure.

Now was the perfect opportunity for them to strike Houji down before finishing off the rest of the Shin Juppon Gatana and rescuing Okushiri from being under siege by the Chojin.

However, the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Instead of them going straight to the sealed Houji, the Chojin's top minion apparently decided to go after them instead.

"What the hell is that, Tanuki-chan!?"

The top portion of the castle of spires proceeded to float towards Botan and Yahiko like some sort of alien ship or U.F.O.

The monument to their success had now become the flying tombstone of their imminent doom.

Jaki laser beams then blasted through the windowless structure, creating windows and doors.

"AHHH! Retreat!" screamed Botan while the Kaoru inside her head wondered how ordinary humans from the Meiji Era could take on something as ridiculous as a floating sky fortress.

***

Before the Kokuryuha could completely sublimate or at least carbonize Usui to the point of Gein needing to create a new body for him, Kuronue blinked into existence and pushed him aside in order to take the full brunt of the Demon World equivalent of a nuclear warhead.

"...Kuronue!" Kurama shouted out at the bat demon, concerned with the wellbeing of his former partner-in-crime despite their circumstances.

Then a curious thing happened.

Kuronue turned into a shadow in the street. Only for another him to (re)appear, who also turned into ash. Another him then replaced him, dying from the flames of the black dragon conflagration. Then another. Then another.

The bat demon died probably a dozen more times before Hiei thought it prudent to return the flames into his arm as tattoos, sealing them. Not willing to let Kurama's partner from millennia ago waste more of his demon energy.

After the present Kuronue gasped his dying breath, a new him took his place, completely healthy and unharmed.

What the hell was going on?

Even Kurama was shaken by the proceedings. He had heard Natsuki's explanation about Kuronue's new powers relayed to him by Sayaka's communicator, but even then he couldn't believe his eyes when he saw it in action.

Was it instantaneous resurrection powers like with Toguro Ani? Clones, like with Suzaku? Or even hypnotic illusions, like with Likka Ikumi and Jine Udo?

The Kuronue whom Kurama knew that died because of a bamboo trap never had such powers. Granted, he was a much weaker demon around that time. But still.

"Uh... Usui, was it?" said Kuronue to Usui. "You should be more careful when fighting Kurama. He's a sneaky one, you see. Don't let him figure you out or else he'll get you killed. It's rare for him to get overwhelmed, like in the case of that one S-Level Reikai Tantei or the Reikai Boueitai."

Uonuma harrumphed. "Ah, so it's you, newbie. Don't get full of yourself. You were only revived by the Chojin because you're the only guy we know who could deal with Youko Kurama's cunning. Udo Jine was supposed to fill the role of Achilles' heel to Kurama, but he ultimately failed and got killed by him."

The bat demon could only laugh. "Haaai (Yeees). Read you loud and clear, sempai (upperclassman)."

Hiei then told the blonde shinigami, ""You better leave now if you don't want to get hurt."

Uchiko said, "But you're not yet finished healing...! Ah. You know what? Fine. Whatever." She then made her exit using her floating scythe as her means of transportation instead of a long boat paddle.

Kurama and Hiei backed away unto each other's sides while both Uonuma and Kuronue loomed towards them, their weapons at the ready.

The Tinbe had already started to reconstruct itself. The gambit Kurama used to weaken it couldn't be used twice now that Usui was aware of how his trick worked.

"Is that really Kuronue or just another imposter?" Hiei asked Kurama, remembering the Meikai (Nether World) god who impersonated the bat demon to mess with the youko's head.

"I'm afraid that's him," Kurama said, his smile looking more like a wincing grimace. "And yes, he does know me like the back of his hand."

"Hn," said Hiei. "Then the same could be said with you to him, right?"

Minamino turned towards his fire demon companion and smiled. "Yes, of course."

Multiple Kuronue "clones" served as Usui's meat shield as his actual shield continued reconstituting its cracked surface, with it now strong enough to resist the Kokuryuha and perhaps even Demon World Moss.

"What's going on? Is Usui using Jine's Jagan again?" asked Hiei.

"No, I don't think so," said Kurama. "From what I remember, Jine's hypnosis affected one person at a time. I'm not sure if Usui evolved the Jagan enough to affect multiple people or create mirages like with Ikumi Likka's powers."

Hiei grunted. Before them was a scene reminiscent of one of the Dai Shin Kan (Great Priests), whose name escaped him at the moment, multiplying endlessly. 'It was Something-Yatsume who did it,' he thought.

Was multiple cloning the M.O. of the Overfiend?

Was it his way of showing his undead army of Dai Kaijin (Great Monsters) were as unlimited as a pestilence of voracious pests? Like a swarm of locusts or a mischief of rats? Unkillable like an intrusion of roaches?

He even heard from his communicator that the same thing happened with Gein and his Iwanbo meat puppets with the assistance of the Onmyouji, which forced Detective Matsudaira to seal them off inside a windowless, spire-filled prison.

Did they intend to infest the world like a plague, from Kuronue to Suzaku or even the Iwanbos of Gein and the Shikigami of the Onmyouji?

Hiei was sick of this clone nonsense but knew that using up his Kokuryuha wasn't in his best interests.

Kurama murdered several shadow clones of his partner, only to succumb to cuts and slices to his neck, abdomen, and thigh. This reminded him of his fight with the Fake Kuronue. That Meikai God did a convincing impression of his old friend.

But this time he was fighting the real deal, and none of his tricks were working against him.

"Rejoice, Youko!" said one of the Kuronues. "When the Chojin snatched me up from the depths of Hell, he told me he did so because he saw you as a threat. You were the only one who wielded the Demon Sword and used it to boost your powers to X-Level."

Kurama frowned, decapitating that one Kuronue and countless others with his Rose Kusarigama. "Who cares about being X-Level?"

Usui shook his head. "Fool! I'd jump at the chance to be as powerful as the Chojin himself! The only X-Level in existence at present! More powerful than the most powerful of the Demon World! You could've single-handedly killed the Shin Ju if you had that kind of power! Save everyone on the Human World you so love! Why do you deny greatness?"

The Youko inside Kurama chuckled, and for a split second his true form emerged. "What's the fun in that? Something given is taken for granted. Something earned is treasured."

The horde of Kuronues laughed upon hearing this and chorused, "Ah, now that's the Youko I know and love."

Hiei also chopped and burned the Kuronues before him with his Jaou-En-Satsu Ken. The sword had flames that, unbeknownst to him, were reminiscent of Shishio's Homura Dama.

The jaganshi did know enough about the Shin Ju to realize that doing the Sword of Darkness Flame would only entice Usui to fight even with his unfinished Tinbe.

The risk of fighting someone with the power of hypnosis was high, but as long as the brilliant and prepared Kurama had his back, Hiei had no fear against such hallucinations.

Whether they were from Kuronue or Usui.

Kuronue continued, "As one of the Chojin's Dai Kaijin, I then developed newfound abilities to help me take you out in the best way possible, Youko. Knowing you, the only way anyone can defeat you is if they're given unlimited retries to do so. You're a cunning fox. Most people would die a thousand deaths first before they can find an opening to take you down. So I chose to develop that kind of power."

Hiei had to admit that that sounded about right. You did not want the Youko as your enemy.

Using the brief rise of energy elicited by Kuronue's tempting words about gaining X-Level through the Youtou Shinnoken, Kurama turned a single stalk of bamboo into the Hydra Bamboo once more.

This weaponized plant of Kurama's was bamboo on "steroids" that multiplied twice for every stalk you cut down. Just like the legendary Hydra of yore. The only ways to kill it involved overcrowding it with other plants or by burning it to the point of carbonization.

The forest of bamboo pierced through the hearts, lungs, stomachs, muscles, intestines, livers, kidneys, and brains of the nearest gathered Kuronues while the rest scattered away like disturbed flies on shit. Or bats, since he was a bat demon.

"Hiei, NOW! While we still have the chance! Kill Uonuma Usui! I'll figure out a way to deal with Kuronue later."

The jagan user charged with his flame sword, able to keep the Hydra Bamboo at bay with his burning slices and cuts so that he wouldn't get overwhelmed himself by the deadly malignant forest.

He wasn't able to kill the half-healed Uonuma earlier but now he should be able to fare better against the blind man's half-formed turtle shield. His airtight defense earlier was now broken in half.

Usui's supernatural hearing and enhanced reflexes allowed him to block Hiei's 17 fire sword strikes in one second.

However, that one second of blocking was the opening the fire demon needed in order to blast a Dragon of Darkness Flame straight into the night sky before it came crashing from behind Uonuma while he busily defended against the Sword of Darkness Flame.

One of the Kuronues ended up protecting Usui from the rear, his chain scythe weapon turning into an iron mine's worth of steel that melted from the heat of the Black Dragon Spirit Wave Technique, which in turn flooded the bamboo forest with fiery molten metal.

Also, the Tinbe had by now reformed two-thirds of itself instead of only half, with it having a pie-sized opening left on an otherwise complete turtle shell shield.

They were running out of time.

The Spirit World Warriors would be back to square one or worse if the Onmyouji managed to escape Daiji's seal before Yahiko could get to him and neutralize his connection with the Almighty Chojin.

Again, Kurama used the Invasive Kudzu Grass to smother and eat the fire away, making it grow with the same uncontrollable rate as the Hydra Bamboo had over being sliced or physically torn apart.

Kuronue said, "I've seen that technique of yours before as well!"

From there, one set of Kuronues served as gardeners who chopped and diced up the Invasive Kudzu before it could absorb enough energy to become a problem, with them even sacrificing several of their own in the process.

Another set of Kuronues kept the blaze of the growing forest fire alive, filling the air with smoke and flames that burned up the mutated bamboo before it could grow enough to become unstoppable.

Unlike the mindless puppets of Gein and the Nameless Yatsume, Kuronue's phantoms had a frightening hivemind that learned from every mistake they made and adjusted thusly with every new generation of himself.

One Kuronue branched out into multiple versions of himself, thusly exploring infinite possibilities.

The Quantum Kuronue.

Maybe Kurama should've gotten hold of the Demon Sword and finished all the Shin Ju off with one or ten slashes. A potential eleventh slash for the Onmyouji.

But that was the boring way of doing things. And Kurama loved a challenge. How should he solve this puzzle that Kuronue suddenly became?

Besides which, Kurama noticed that Hiei had been hiding one more ace up his sleeve all this time. An ace that the Shin Ju were probably also aware of, but had yet to experience firsthand.

Hiei backed off from Usui's Rochin stab, sheathing his sword and adopting the same battoujutsu or iaido (sword-drawing) stance that Himura Battousai was known for.

The whole park had become a mess. One part of it was composed of burning bamboo and molten metal that had started to harden.

The other part was filled with bits and pieces of kudzu grass reaped by scythes, with several of them allowed by the Kuronues to eat the remaining red and black flames, thus controlling the blaze.

That was one helluva landscaping job Kuronue did.

The army of Kuronues then remerged into one body, awaiting the next attack from Kurama to occur that they'd then dissect and deconstruct.

Once Uonuma's Tinbe was completed, nothing in their arsenal would be able to take down his defensive turtle shield.

The shell had already tasted every last technique they could throw at it, from Demon World Moss to Makai Flames. Everything but the kitchen sink.

Regardless Hiei flickered into action and Kuronue multiplied once more.

Usui lay in wait, his Shingan soaking in all the different noises surrounding him yet his supernatural senses able to distinguish which ones were the Kuronues and which ones were Hiei.

He also screamed, "Hey, Newbie! When you decapitate the fire demon, make sure to keep his Jagan intact! I need that!"

Kurama walked calmly towards the chaos of burning bamboo, chopped kudzu grass, a self-contained forest fire, and what seemed like an army of Kuronue converging into what appeared to the naked eye as empty space but instead was actually a supersonic Hiei.

He then snatched the jewel necklace hanging from the neck of (one of the many clones of) Kuronue.

The youko figured out the new powers that the Chojin bestowed upon Kuronue. All of his clones were the real him.

On a quantum level, Kuronue managed to exist in multiple planes of existence and manifest himself in one reality, allowing some of his selves to die and his other selves to live at the same time in an infinite loop.

It enabled him to interact in one dimension in a multi-dimensional manner, so that he could do one, two, three, or more things at the same time until he succeeded in a given instance, his realities branching forth endlessly as he explored every possibility.

For a schemer like Kurama who tended to finish off opponents with cunning and wit, this new version of Kuronue was an absolute nightmare to handle. He was like Yusuke. Creative. Unpredictable. Chaotic.

An honest demon who'd never attack you from behind but knew every trick in the book because he was an expert in unraveling mysteries, traps, techniques, and lies. He loved figuring out the truth behind everything.

The same bat demon who ended up dying, ensnared by the simplest and most primitive of bamboo traps due to his immense sense of sentiment, which was ironic and truly unbecoming of someone as clever as him.

Kuronue should've known better.

Kurama figured out that the Meikai God who impersonated the Fake Kuronue was a fake with the way he discarded the jewel around his neck.

In the same vein, he knew this Kuronue was the real deal when he... all of him... scrambled for the jewel with a high amount of sentimental value to him.

The seeming dozens—perhaps even hundreds or more—of Kuronues all jumped at grabbing hold of the jewel Kurama threw away in the same manner that the Meikai God Kaiki did.

This was the opportunity Hiei was waiting for.

"Jaou-En-Satsu KOKURYUHA!"

***

Thousands of years ago...

A bloodied young Kuronue cackled with gnashed teeth and a raspy throat at Youko Kurama and his bloodstained claws.

Maimed but not broken. His body scourged with lacerations. His limbs flopping uselessly on the floor.

His clenched teeth gripping the string of a necklace.

The leader of the demon bandits looked at the bat demon with disdain and confusion. The kid managed to steal a necklace from their haul.

"Why are you so happy? That's just a trinket compared to the countless treasures we've gathered," Youko Kurama said with a toss of his silken hair.

On shaky legs, Kuronue rose up, his bloody back on the craggy wall. "If it was so insignificant, you wouldn't have almost killed me to get it back."

Kurama raised his clawed hand, the constant lightning from Makai's dark clouds illuminating his silhouette. "Would you die for that necklace?"

Again, through clenched teeth, Kuronue spoke. "What an honor it would be to do so. Let me die a martyr. Let me be known as the one demon who outwitted the Legendary Youko Kurama."

Kurama changed his mind then and there. He put down his raised arm, turned, and walked away.

"HEY! Are you just going to let me go, you coward?" Kuronue spat, which led to him accidentally dropping the necklace. He then went on a mad scramble for it, willing his trembling arms to catch the jewelry.

"Rest up. Heal your wounds. You're now part of my bandits. Bring my jewel along with you," commanded the youko. "We hunt in the next earth day."

After finally grabbing hold of the jewel, Kuronue demanded, "And if I refuse?"

While still facing away from him, Kurama turned his head and gave the bat demon a sidelong glance. "I don't think you will."

From that point forth, the youko ended up with an ally more valuable than the trinket he stole from him.

***

The Dragons of Darkness Flames killed every last one of the Kuronue doppelgangers with its youki-infused flames from the Demon World burning them to sublimation at an atomic level.

Kurama went down on his knees, exhausted. He'd lost a lot of blood from his war with what seemed like a thousand Kuronues converging at him at once.

However, in the corner of his eye, he could've sworn he saw at least one Kuronue move out of the Kokuryuha's line of sight.

If a Kuronue had survived, then there was at least a one in a hundred/thousand possibility that if Kurama had thrown away that necklace, he wouldn't have gone after it.

Kuronue was learning. Changing. Evolving.

Kurama smiled. At least something good came out of the Chojin's plans to revive their dead enemies/comrades to use against them.

***

To Be Continued...

I based Kuronue's new powers on the version of Kuronue featured in my first-ever fan fiction, "Shonen". Something about the (watered-down for fiction version of the) Many-World Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics with a dash of Schrödinger's Cat thrown into the mix.

The boss battle is fast approaching, but those mini-bosses can be quite the handful!

Ciao, Abdiel

[jokerxtreme36]

Garo Versus Road followup idea (Spoilers)

Have been thinking of what if Garo Versus Road had a sequel, was thinking maybe a second season but it’d be off since having another game where another set of players fight for the armor wouldn’t make any sense. So I thought a followup movie that focuses on Kuon being asked by a Makai Priest to fully become the Golden Knight since he was the sole survivor of Versus Road. The idea would be how Kuon is trying his best to continue living a normal life but has trauma over remembering the pals he lost, he then notices someone following/spying on him and meets a woman who reveals to herself as Makai Priest, she reveals to Kuon that the Senate gave her the mission to have him be the next Garo since the armor chose him, explaining the events that lead to the previous wielder of Garo and how it effected the other armors not being usable, but through desperation, a few Priests (against the higher ups wishes) decided to make a game to have the rookie Knights fight to the death to see who can be the one to obtain the armor out of desperation, even if it meant breaking the code. Hearing the story, Kuon is reluctant due to everything he’s lost, the Makai Priest informs him that Azami is plotting something new, which makes him decide to finally cooperate with her, but must go through a test to earn his title as a Makai Knight, going through training that has him battle figures that take the form of his pals. Clearing the test, he is given Zaruba and the Garo Ken returns to him. Elsewhere, Azami decides to experiment with the remaining Dark Metal that she obtained on Inga Horrors to create a new type of Horror, possibly looking for remnants of Zedom to harvest the seeds to help make more Dark Metal.with assistance of a few powerful Horrors. eventually Kuon defeats the big enemy but Azami escapes for another day. A bit messy on the end but I think that’s the idea I would go with, then have a new season focusing on Kuon’s new adventures being Garo and having to get use to his new life. That’s what popped into my head, this might not happen but its wishful thinking at best.

[iristial]

Thanks for the last one! Can I ask another one? Zero-One's Garo AU: Horobi as Makai Knight and Jin human-shaped madou tool, like Mayuri, assigns to him.

Notes:

May contain some errors with Garo continuity and lore. I only relied on my memory of the three Garo seasons I watched, a Wikipedia page and one Garo wiki page on Watch Dogs to help me

That being said, while Garo has its handful of amazing Makai Priestesses, I decided to ignore the rule that women can’t be Makai Knights. Yua will be a Makai Knight if it’s the last thing I do

Once again, a glitch occurred with the “read more” so blacklist #long post if you don’t want this clogging your dashboard

*

Garo was split into pieces and tainted some forty nine years ago, and the family bearing the armour was lost to time. Their last descendant, barely a year old, was prophesied to help defeat a great progenitor of Horrors and restore Garo’s shine. Thus, preparations were made and he was locked away by Korenosuke Hiden, who hoped the child would join forces with one of his bloodline. Twenty seven years later, the child would be released by a Makai Priest and be given a name - Jin

The Order of the Ark was a cult riddled with Horrors in the Makai community, and its herald was Makai Priest Horobi, who believed in the mission to restore Priests to their former glory by destroying Makai Knights. He was born a century ago but he has the appearance of a man in his late twenties thanks to his immense spiritual powers. When Raiden (a Makai Knight bearing Garo, and Horobi’s brother-in-arms) was slayed by a Hiden, Horobi vowed to take revenge. He proceeded to wipe out eight bloodlines over the course of several decades. Horobi broke the seal on the last descendant of Garo with the intention of making the child a Madou Tool. He raised the child for ten years but came to care for Jin as his own. This spurred him to betray the Ark and take up training as a Makai Knight; if only to protect Jin and to honour his old friend. He spent twelve years training and gathering pieces of the Garo armour - but he intends on passing the armour on to Jin when the Ark is defeated and Garo regains its shine

Jin is a Madou Tool with the unique ability to not only seal Horrors, but control them and temporarily purify them to do his bidding. This places him as the prize of a tug of war between evil forces and the Makai community. His pure heart renders him vulnerable to being stained by Horrors but the Order of the Ark neglected to purify him after every battle. Thus, it took years before he could be free of the joy he found in violence, by which time Horobi returned from his Makai Knight training, found the lost armour of Garo, and they could travel together. Jin eventually develops an interest in becoming a Makai Knight but gives his blessing to let Horobi use Garo. Instead, Jin uses the handle of Falcon the Burning Knight, and he played a part in crafting the armour so that he could fly unlike the Knights before him (at the cost of ten seconds being deducted from the time limit

Izu is one of the two last Watch Dogs in existence; the other being Naki. Originally a Makai Priestess who could protect two cities at a time simply by standing in one place, she left her humanity to help guide Makai Knights and Priests for several centuries. But due to the dwindling numbers of Makai Knights and Garo’s absence, she decided the best course of action was to discard tradition and help the Makai Knights personally. Thus, she goes to the Hiden household. She is one of the few people Horobi would trust with Jin, as she can purify him of Inga. When she remembers defeating the Ark would mean returning to her duties, she realizes she’d rather stay with her newfound friends and live a mortal life. She goes back to her Makai Priestess roots and now works in a partnership with Aruto

The Hidens became the leaders of the Makai community after the family with Garo’s armour was annihilated. Home to Zero One the Shining Knight, those with great compassion - even to the hosts of Horrors - were selected. The current Knight of the family, Aruto, wouldn’t wear the armour until twelve years after Soreo’s death in the first purge of the Order of the Ark. A common rumour was that his upbringing in regular human society made him the weakest of his family line. Aruto’s true passion lies in guiding other Makai Knights and reviving the old tradition, so he opens an academy to let those without antiquity take up the sword. He becomes vital in the battle that would end the worst Horror of them all - the Ark

The Fuwas bear Vulcan the Rampaging Knight, the pinnacle of raw power. The clan was decimated when the Order of the Ark was purged twelve years ago. Fuwa was left as the only survivor and he discarded his first name; vowing to reclaim it once all the Ark’s Horrors were vanquished. The Fuwas’ selection process involves survival of the fittest, and they’re infamous for pushing beyond the 99.99 second time limit out of sheer determination (or stubbornness; Fuwas never had a strong track record for long lives). Even before Fuwa lost his family, he was considered the strongest of his generation, and used his fists more than his sword

The Yaibas only allow the women to be Valkyrie the Lightning Knight. Twelve years ago, they were usurped by the Makai Priest Gai Amatsu, who took the armour and reshaped it for himself. The true heiress, Yua, became a Makai Priestess with immense talent in swordsmanship and footwork, but answers to Gai’s bidding. As the Makai community decide to discard the rule of not forming personal relationships, Yua finds herself in close contact with Aruto and Fuwa. Watching them follow their hearts causes Yua to plot against Gai and take back her family’s armour; finally becoming the Makai Knight she had dreamed of being since childhood

Gai was a Makai Priest who pretended to defect from the Ark when in reality, he believed the traditional order of the Makai community should be restored. Part of this includes prohibiting women from becoming Makai Knights - which is why he usurped the Yaibas. He took the armour for himself to become Thouser the Golden Horned Knight. It has a time limit of 1000 seconds but half the power of the original Valkyrie armour. He was responsible for letting the Ark come into the human world and feed on humans; making him centuries old. He lived as long as he did because he fed on the spiritual power of other Makai Priests and Priestesses (even consuming a Watch Dog at one point), and made a deal with a Horror without losing himself

send me an au and i’ll give you 5+ headcanons about it

[devichilinfo]

White Book – Part 3

“Shin Megami Tensei Devil Children: White Book” Game Summary / English Translation (Gameboy Color, 2001)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 /  Part 8

This is a (mostly-complete) translation of the story portions of the game as well as a summary of story-related text in chronological order. Names and dialogue have been edited for easier reading. Scene locations are labeled using square brackets. I will be using default names for characters who can be renamed.

Part 3 – Ventus Makai:

[ Circle Gate ]

Masaki and Clay arrive in Ventus Makai.

Clay: “Be careful here, Masaki.”

Masaki exits the Circle Gate building and continues on the path to Firá Village.

  [ Firá Village ]

The demons in the village provide Masaki with the following information:

The winds of Ventus Makai can be ridden using the Rainbow Kite.

The Shrine in Talca Village is where the winds of Makai originate.

Ventus Makai has two territories; the Greater Cliffs and the Lesser Cliffs. The Priests of Brahman are in the Greater Cliffs.

A demon named Bran is missing; his sister is bedridden with illness.

A demon is waiting for his friend to arrive so they can travel to Kathmandu Village.

The path to the Lake Shrine South of the Village is underwater. If Masaki is underwater for too long, he will drown.

Game tip: Clay can move boulders and jump up cliffs.

  [ Firá Village – Bran’s House ]

Inside Bran’s house, Masaki finds the Rainbow Kite on display, and a sick demon in a bed.

When he speaks to the ill demon:

???: “Cough! Cough!”

Branwell: “Brother, is that you? Oh… you’re not him. My name is Branwell.”

Masaki: “Are you sick?”

Branwell: “Yeah. My brother, Bran, left to the Lake Shrine to get medicine for me, but he’s been gone for so long…”

Branwell: “If you see Bran, could you tell him his little sister is worried about him?”

Masaki can find the Lake by using the South exit of the Village.

  [ South Lake & South Lake Cave ]

To get to the island in the middle of the lake, Masaki must use the entrance at the South-East edge of the Lake and swim along the underwater paths.

Clay: “Masaki… we can’t let ourselves be underwater for too long.”

If Masaki is underwater for too many steps, he will pass out and (presumably) Clay will pull him out of the water and you will need to attempt the underwater path again.

 Masaki will encounter Bran in this area:

???: “Have you seen the Mysterious Mushroom? I need it to cure my little sister…”

Masaki: “Are you Bran? Branwell’s brother?”

Bran: “Huh? Yes, that’s me—did something happen to Branwell!?”

Masaki: “She’s worried about you, since you’ve been gone a long time.”

Bran: “…I see… Thanks for telling me. But, I must find that Mushroom for her!”

Masaki: “The Mushroom is the cure?”

Bran: “Yes. It’s supposed to be somewhere in the Lake Shrine. The Cave Master is probably guarding it, though… I can’t risk running into him.”

Masaki: “…the what?”

Bran: “There’s a powerful demon who lives in here! He’s killed all the demons who have challenged him! You should be careful in here, too!”

Bran: “Ah… I should go back to the village and check on Branwell, if she’s worried about me. Visit us next time you’re there.”

Bran returns to his home.

 Masaki can continue through the Lake Cave until he encounters the Cave Master:

???: “How dare you intrude upon my territory!”

???: “Hmm… some kind of devil that looks like a human child…? How strange…”

Masaki: “And you are…?”

Cave Master: “I am the Master of this Lake Cave! I will punish all who trespass!”

Maskai: “…why?”

Cave Master: “Because I am Lord of this territory! My word is law! Everything within this place is MY world, and I will guard it from intruders!”

Masaki: “Being Lord of a world where you are the only one there is kind of a pointless, hollow victory, don’t you think?”

Cave Master: “You—little brat! How dare you! HOW DARE YOU!!!”

Boss fight versus Unicorn. When Masaki wins:

Cave Master: “…my…world…”

Masaki can continue and finds the Mysterious Mushroom:

Masaki: “This is a Mushroom, but is it the right one? Can it cure his little sister…?”

Masaki has the option to pick the Mushroom. After he picks it, return to Bran’s house.

  [ Firá Village – Bran’s House ]

Inside Bran’s house, Masaki finds Bran and Branwell.

Bran: “Good to see you’re safe, Masaki! I heard rumor you’re headed to Glacies Makai; you’ll need to go to Kathmandu Village, across the Cliffs.”

Masaki: “Thanks! Hey… is this the Mushroom you were looking for?”

Masaki shows the Mysterious Mushroom to Bran.

Bran: “Ah! That’s the cure! Can I have this for Branwell?”

Masaki can choose to give the Mushroom to Bran, or refuse. If he refuses, Bran will be sad and commit to looking for another one. Masaki can speak to Bran again to have the option of giving it to Bran.

When Masaki gives the Mysterious Mushroom to Bran:

Bran: “Oh! Thank you so much, Masaki! I’ll give it to Branwell right away!”

Bran brews the Mushroom into a drink and gives it to Branwell; she immediately recovers her health.

Branwell: “I feel better!”

Bran: “Looks like your energy has returned, too! Can you stand up?”

Branwell leaves her bed.

Branwell: “I’m cured! And Masaki helped too, right? Thank you!”

Bran: “For your help curing Branwell, I’d like to give you something to show my gratitude.”

Bran gives Masaki the Rainbow Kite.

Bran: “I made this myself. This Rainbow Kite is strong enough to carry you on the wind paths of Makai. It might come in handy on your journey.”

Bran: “On the way to Kathmandu Village, you’ll pass Talca Village. If the windmill in Talca is spinning, it means you will be able to ride the wind paths anywhere in Ventus Makai.”

The East exit of the Village is now open. Masaki can take this exit to the Wind Cave area.

  [ Wind Cave ]

Masaki climbs the cliffs and enters the Wind Cave.

When he enters the cave, he encounters someone:

???: “Who are you!?”

Masaki: “What? Who are YOU?”

???: “Hmm. Looks like you can take care of yourself. I’m Setsuna.”

???: “Huh? Aren’t you a student at Harajuku Elementary?”

Setsuna: “Do you know him, Mirai?”

Mirai: “My friend’s little sister talks about him. He lives in an apartment near us.”

Masaki: “…who ARE you!?”

Mirai: “I’m Mirai! This is Setsuna. We’re the Devil Children!”

Masaki: “What!? There’s more Devil Children?”

Setsuna: “Yeah. We’re DeviChil, like you… these two are our Demon Partners.”

Mirai: “Hey, Setsuna… those demons who attacked us on Earth said they were hunting the Devil Child… do you think they meant this kid!?”

Masaki explains everything that happened so far.

Setsuna: “Huh. So they attacked us, thinking we were the Devil Child they had been sent to find. But, they were really after you…”

Mirai: “Aw, yeah! This means we’re on another Devil Children adventure, Setsuna~!”

Mirai: “Let’s see—we need to find out who’s behind this attack, first of all. Masaki, we’ll let you continue on to Kathmandu Village. If we find out anything, we’ll let you know.”

Setsuna: “…Masaki… we’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Setsuna: “Up ahead, the path in the cave gets rough. If you ride on your Chimera, he will be able to reach places you can’t.”

Masaki parts ways with Setsuna and Mirai. He continues through the cave until he encounters Rahab blocking a ladder:

Rahab: “Hello Masaki; I am Rahab.”

Masaki: “How do you know who I am?”

Rahab: “Ha ha ha… Your name is inscribed in the New Book of Raziel.”

Masaki: “…what is the Book of Raziel…?”

Rahab: “It is the transcript of your destiny. It was written that I would find you here, at this moment, and so I knew where to meet you.”

Rahab: “Would you care to read it yourself?”

Masaki must agree to read the Book of Raziel to advance:

Rahab: “It is a wise decision to gain knowledge of what the future holds for you. The parts of the book have been scattered across Makai; I hold only one of them.”

Masaki obtains Part 1 of the Book of Raziel, and Rahab leaves.

Masaki can read the Book in his VineCom:

“The wind is called by an ancient, withered god. In his drunken madness, he longs for a battle. When the battle is finished, the road will open, and the Path of Wind paved.”

 Masaki continues out of the Cave and East into the Cliff-Top Fields, and East again, until the path runs North and South. To the North is Talca Village, and to the South is Kathmandu Village.

  [ Kathmandu Village ]

The demons in the village provide Masaki with the following information:

Talca Village has a famous Windmill.

There’s an old demon in Talca Village who drinks too much.

The Circle Gate to Glacies Makai is in the Wind Shrine.

Brahman’s Mansion is connected to the Wind Shrine.

The demons are happy with how the Preist of Brahman runs Ventus Makai.

Zett is standing outside of Brahman’s Mansion. When Masaki talks to him:

Zett: “Hi Masaki!”

Masaki: “…you again?”

Zett: “I’m here to give you a mobile DeviPhone! With this, you can contact your friends and connect your VineCom to the VineCenter anytime! Just make sure you’re somewhere with good reception, okay?”

Masaki obtains the DeviPhone.

Zett: “Have you met with Takaharu yet? Well, if I have anything else, I’ll find you!”

Zett leaves.

Masaki can enter the Mansion.

  [ Kathmandu Village – Brahman Mansion ]

Inside the Mansion is a Lady Brahman. If Masaki tries to enter the back room, she will tell him he doesn’t have permission to go there.

When Masaki speaks with her:

Lady Brahman: “What brings you here? You must seek my permission if you want to enter the Wind Mansion.”

Masaki: “I need to go to Glacies Makai… I have to save someone from the Eternal Sleep.”

Lady Brahman: “Oh? Are you Masaki? Takaharu mentioned you.”

Masaki: “Takaharu made it here safely… that’s good.”

Masaki: “Then, you know I need to catch up to him! Can I get permission to use the Gate?”

Lady Brahman: “…hrm… Well, Takaharu said you needed to stop following him around! He said you were getting in his way and you need to leave him alone!”

Masaki: “Bullshit! Takaharu wouldn’t say something like that!”

Lady Brahman: “He did! And I swore I wouldn’t let you go any further!”

Masaki: “……”

Lady Brahman: “Go away! Leave! I’ll never allow you access to the Gate!”

Masaki must leave.

If Masaki speaks to Clay, Clay suggests they find another way to get to the Gate. On to Talca Village!

  [ Talca Village ]

The demons in the village provide Masaki with the following information:

Talca Village has a Windmill and a Casino.

An old demon is causing problems in the Casino.

The Windmill opens the Wind Paths in Ventus Makai when it turns.

The Wind Paths lead to the Wind Temple.

The Windmill is not turning right now; there is no wind.

When Masaki goes to the Windmill:

Clay: “The Windmill is enormous! How can the wind turn such large blades?”

Masaki: “The Wind Paths that Bran talked about will open, if we can get this thing to turn.”

Clay: “Indeed! Then, we can ride it using the Rainbow Kite.”

Masaki: “Well… It’s not moving and I don’t control the weather. Let’s go somewhere else.”

Masaki heads for the Casino.

  [ Talca Village – Casino ]

Masaki speaks with a demon working in the Casino:

Demon: “Business is ruined! That drunk old man is causing so many problems that no-one wants to come here!”

Masaki speaks to the old demon:

???: “Hic! Who-? Wha-? Hic! What do ya want, kid!? Get out of my face! Hic!”

Stribog: “Do you know who I am!? I’m the mighty Stribog! I’m the Lord of all Lords, kid! Gimme some respect!”

Masaki: “Hey, grandpa; I think it’s about time for you to head home and sleep it off.”

Stribog: “Do you know who I am!? Don’t you talk to me like that, sonny! I’m not some frail old man!”

Masaki: “Take it easy! These demons just want to play games, and you’re scaring them!”

Stribog: “Scary!? I’ll show YOU scary!”

Boss fight versus Stribog. When Masaki wins:

Stribog: “Okay… okay… maybe did I drink a bit too much. But… I’ve just been so stressed lately, with all the orders from Brahman!”

Stribog: “That fight really sobered me up! Whew! Hey—is that a big kite you’ve got there? Come out to the windmill, sonny; I’ll show you something fun!”

With peace restored, Masaki can leave the Casino.

  [ Talca Village ]

Masaki speaks to Stribog standing near the Windmill:

Stribog: “There you are, little one!”

Masaki: “…my name is Masaki! And I’m not little! Geez, old man…”

Stribog: “Ha ha! You’re a feisty little one!”

Stribog: “Let me tell you—I am the god of the Wind!”

Masaki: “Oh? So you can make the Wind blow whenever you want?”

Stribog: “That’s right, kiddo! Are you awestruck by this revelation?”

Masaki: “…nope.”

Masaki: “So, like… can you open the Path of Wind or what?”

Stribog: “Yes! I shall open the Path of Wind with this Windmill, so this little one can ride on his kite all he wants! You’ll have so much fun, sonny!”

Stribog: “Hey, Winds! Listen to your grandpa! I command all the Winds to move this Windmill and open the Wind Paths!”

Clay: “Look to the sky, Master! The clouds are changing, and the Windmill is stirring! It’s moving!”

Masaki: “So, can I use the Path of the Wind now?”

Stribog: “Aha ha! You can’t wait to get up there and have fun on your kite, eh? Go on, little one; don’t be shy. Well… I’m going to go take a nap now. Don’t be a stranger!”

Stribolg exits.

At the North edge of the cliff, Masaki can access the Wind Path.

Clay: “Master! The Wind is blowing strong. We can use the Rainbow Kite here.”

Masaki chooses to ride the Kite:

Clay: “It’s working!”

Masaki: “Don’t fall off, Clay! Let’s go!”

On the floating islands:

Inside the Isolated Shrine on one of the islands is Frost Ace, who will ask to join Masaki.

On one of the islands, a demon has disguised itself as a Mushroom. Masaki can try to guess the demon’s name (Zashiki Warashi).

The Wind Shrine is located on one of the large islands.

 [ Wind Shrine ]

Masaki encounters Zett in the East part of the Wind Shrine:

Zett: “Hey, Masaki! Sorry to block your way, but you should go to the West part of the Shrine before you head to the Gate.”

In the West of the Shrine, Masaki will encounter:

???: “You’re doing well to have survived this long, Devil Child Masaki.”

Nathanael: “I am the Angel Nathanael. A decade ago, I fell from Heaven to this place and have anticipated our meeting.”

Masaki: “Are you saying you knew about me since then?”

Nathanael: “Since your birth, I have watched over you, as the Angels have watched Takaharu.”

Masaki: “Why is everyone so interested in me and Takaharu, anyway?”

Nathanael: “The Angels have been planning this for a very long time. Yet, you and Takaharu can still…”

Masaki: “Huh? Well… we’re trying to cure the Eternal Sleep, and we need to go to Glacies Makai.”

Nathanael: “Yes. Follow the path through this shrine. The unlit candle marks your destination.”

Nathanael: “Walk this path you have chosen… it is the only way…”

Masaki exits, Harmil appears.

Nathanael: “Harmil…?”

Harmil: “Lord Nathanael! Was that all you were going to say to him?”

Harmil: “You didn’t tell him that it was you who chose to give him the power of Devils!?”

Nathanael: “There was no need. Fate has been set in motion, and I shall not interfere any further.”

Harmil: “No way! I was the one who delivered the power to him, so I’ve got stakes in this! I’m going to stick by him till this whole thing blows over!”

Nathanael: “Very well. I trust you.”

Harmil: “Thanks, Lord Nathanael! See ya…”

Harmil exits.

As Masaki nears the Gate, he will be stopped by the Lady Brahman:

Lady Brahman: “I’ve been expecting you, Devil Child Masaki. However, I shall not allow you to go further!”

Lady Brahman: “I must stop you from being with Takaharu, even if I disagree with this order!”

Masaki: “Wait, what!? Who told you to fight me?”

Lady Brahman: “One of the Angels.”

Masaki: “An Angel…? Why are the Angels set against me helping Takaharu?”

Masaki: “Hey, why would you obey the orders of an Angel, anyway?”

Lady Brahman: “They kidnapped my baby! They told me I’d never see my child again if I disobeyed them!”

Masaki: “They took your kid…”

Lady Brahman: “Yes… they will return him if I stop you from leaving Ventus Makai! I will do anything to protect my child!”

The Lady Brahman reveals her true form:

Kali: “I am Kali! I will defeat you Masaki, for the sake of my child!”

Masaki: “……”

Kali: “En guard, Devil Child!”

Boss fight versus Kali. When Masaki wins:

Kali: “…please… Masaki… save my child!”

Clay evolves into a Death Chimera, and Masaki can advance to the Circle Gate…

[ END OF PART 3]

[ka-za-ri]

“When there is light, shadows lurk and fear reigns. And by the blade of the knights, Mankind was given hope. “

Since the beginning, the darkness within humanity had the power to influence the spiritual makai realm. It is through this darkness which creates malevolent creatures called Horrors, a destructive spiritual predator that breaks into the human realm through gateways. These gateways are also influenced through dark energies, be it a gun or a lamp, if the object or place is contaminated with enough dark energies, it becomes a crack between realms that allows Horrors to escape into the human realm, where the Horrors can cross over and posses and/or prey on humanity as subsistence. As creatures that operate within the shadow, many lives were ruined and destroyed by the Horrors; they aim to turn the world into darkness. The only force preventing their attempts to overthrow humanity is the Makai Order. Through use of spell-casting, mysticism, and martial arts, the Makai Order established their own shadow force of priests and knights that secretly hunt down and defeat all forces of darkness.

(X)

Whoo After way too much talking about it, I’ve finally gone ahead and done the thing for this crossover AU! It’ll be taking parts of the Original and Ryuuga continuity. Basically tagging @hypaalicious and @roses-and-oceans and @thirsty-angst-lord bc I’m basic as fuq and meta’d them into this lmao

Noctis Lucis Caelum: The God’s Fang Knight

Though the title of the Golden Knight belongs to the Saejima line, Noctis’ title is not unknown. He received his training at a young age in Kantai, like many young aspiring knights. Completing his training there in a few short years, he followed his father, Regis on many hunts against horrors in the Eastern Territory. 

With an increased frequency in Horror reports, even the Watchdogs have warned Regis against pushing his limits. Unyielding in his decision to be a protector, Regis loses his life one night protecting a child from a Horror. That is the same night Noctis took up his father’s Makai sword to don the armor for the first time. 

Sensing the increase in Jaki in the world from the increased number of Horrors, he receives orders from the Senate to seek out the source and eradicate it with a team of selected warriors by his side. 

Makai Priest Prompto Argentum 

(I’m sorry Prom, I couldn’t find anything that was without a face, you get Rian instead)

Prompto hails from Kantai and is requested by Senate to serve as Noctis’ personal Priest. Much like his friend Rian, he prefers using a Makai Gun over his brush. He has a rather large fascination with Horrors and keeps a running tab of the ones they have encountered. Loyal to a fault, his earnestly works hard to gain the trust of his party members to ensure for a smooth trip. 

Since he’s the only Priest in the group, he is charged with regular purification rituals and the creation of any potions, tinctures and tools that may be needed. Since he only recently completed his training from Kantai, he’s often not confident in his abilities to support this group. 

He’s addicted to Bar Chess and any time he gets a chance to, he’ll ask to play. The best times being under a crimson moon when they’re allowed to rest for a night without having to hunt. 

Gladiolus Amicitia: The Bone Crushing Knight

One of the Knights who taught Noctis after Regis’ death, guiding Noctis to his path of Knighthood. His tattoos are actually the result of a Madogu gone awry and now he carries the spell on him at all times. Gladiolus spends most of his time training young knights in handling Soul Metal and basic survival skills needed as a Knight. Though he was ordered by the Senate, he has his own reasons for vanquishing Horrors. 

Being Noctis’ former teacher, he knows best Noctis’ temperament and is regularly on guard to reel in the younger knight from any reckless actions. In return, he’s constantly reminded to reel in his own emotions and desire for revenge after seeing his students devoured by a Horror. 

Ignis Scientia Silver Knight ZERO

After the fall of the Silver Knight ZERO, no one was able to pick up the dual blades left on the ground where he had fallen. Raiga had already claimed the title of the Golden Knight. As such, the only other disciple Rei had picked up the heavy mantle and title of the Silver Knight. 

Ignis is hesitant to carry such a weighted title. The name of the Silver Knight was well known throughout the land. However, after striking a contract with Silva, he takes up the armor in the name of his late teacher and to assist in cleansing the night as his teacher had taught him. 

Though he is much more stoic and reserved than Rei was, Ignis is undoubtedly his student. The Senate sees his abilities and orders him to join Noctis as a comrade and a fellow protector. 

Time is running out before the darkness envelops the world and the Horrors take over. 

BONUS: 

Chancellor Ardyn Izunia and Jinga

They’re friends. That’s all. .... For now. 

[brighth0pe]

3:00 P.M.

As the reawakening of the remnant horrors spread through out the outside world like wild fire they kill and mutilate their enemies devouring them all in sheer numbers in the battle for the outside world bringing death and destruction like no other. The tall green demon beasts from the ancient past that is long forgotten, have shred their machines like claws cutting flesh and their armor like nothing. It didn't matter as these creatures ate their enemies completely into nothing.

As this battle for the most part have seem lost all hope one person in the world have the power to shred these monsters of the darkness to nothing. Standing before them is none other than the blessed makai priest who was given the title by the spirits of the past, the lord of the night. Xing-Mei the one who is born in the darkness, the child of the skeleton king. Her eyes slowly opened as a red flash from her eyes appeared imbuing so much power.

Both she and the horrors have a stand off as they stared at each other for minutes before finally speaking.

" No matter what generation you were born in, no matter what kind of monstrosity you appear to be, no matter the strength and power horrors are to be cleansed away from the land of mortals. Now let me show you what real power feels like. "

Right where she wanted them the remnant horrors began their assault on the undead girl but before they could get a hold of her to rip her to shreds she activates one of her spellcards that will give her an edge and also to weakened them a bit.

' Rigid Sign ~ Makai Flame! '

Upon activation a blue fiery serpent appear from her body flying into the sky straight towards the ancient makai beasts and upon impact the serpent exploded setting these demon beasts ablaze as the fire scorched their flesh but even that the demon beasts are able to endure from the consumption of humans.

" KYA HEH HEH HEH HEH HAH HAH HAH!

FOOLISH MAKAI PRIEST YOUR MAGIC ALONE WILL NOT RID US AWAY FROM THIS HORRIFIC SOIL!! "

" What gave you dumbasses the idea that I work alone? "

From the hope and despair of the victims they killed, he arrived into the scene the dark knight himself, humanity's greatest hope against the Shinki and her army of horrors that have devoured the world around her hands. Jaaku have returned reunited with his new apprentice and get the final blow in eradicating these horrors back into their past!

The remnant - Horrors become horrified and shocked at the presence of the knight as the creatures mistaken him for an actual makai priest, which also made the jiangshi become so amused!

" A MAKAI KNIGHT?! IMPOSSIBLE! THEY WERE WIPED OUT MANY YEARS AGO, THIS CANNOT BE!! "

She chuckled.

" Man I gotta love the element of surprise... ~ "

In one final swoop his sword infused with the violet makai flames in a powerful slash all his dark energy unleashed upon these horrors tearing everything apart in it's way until....

' F O O O S S H H H ! '

The energy tore the ancient horrors into ash finally eradicated from the area for good and avenging the fallen whilst bringing hope into the survivors and soldiers of the battlefield.

Now eradicated the knight's shadow absorb their darkened energy into his body eating the demon beasts into his body whole but upon doing so he suddenly gained new memories and knowledge of these new and nightmarish ancient creatures. Seeing what gensokyo from the past looked like before he or his family was even born. Once he is done he reverted back out of his darkened armor and simply stared at his apprentice with a smile.

" That was something, wouldn't you agree? "

[calimera62]

[Fanfic] The Fallen, Makai Ouji

William had no compassion for a fallen archangel. Not when he caused so much hurt. And yet... Spoilers Pillars 79-81.

AO3 | FF.NET

Everything happened so fast.

That quiet night he shared with Isaac and Mathers turned upside down when Kevin, against all expectations, appeared – more like crashed, in the garden. He didn't have much time to be surprised by Kevin's unexpected landing when he noticed he didn't come alone.

He didn't recognize him, at first. The angel was in a bad shape. Then, he saw long white hair, and suddenly William knew who was exactly Kevin's companion.

Before any questions could be asked, they had to carry the unconscious angel and let him rest in the closest bedroom. It didn't please William, having to shelter him after everything he had done. However, he wanted answers about Hell, Heaven, and their political war. Recently, the world has been moving so fast and so irregular William had trouble catching up. He wanted to know what was going on.

He didn't know some of the answers would be hurtful, mostly about his family.

Uncle Barton...., why?

Haunted by Kevin’s revelations, William didn’t realise he drifted away until he realised he unconsciously came back to the bedroom, where their unexpected guest was. Michael, now awake, was sitting on the bed, curled up with his arms and hands around his knees. Though he tried to hide it, it was not difficult to tell he was feeling rather miserable.

Yet, William had no pity, no compassion left in his heart for him.

He looked at his pale, miserable figure and all he wanted to do was to scream at him or to shake him hard by his shoulders, to knock some sense into him.

He deserves it! After everything he's done, he deserves it! a voice screamed inside his head.

Deep down, William knew he ought to feel ashamed of himself and his thoughts. It wasn't how he was raised. It was not kind or proper to look down at people who were in need, people who were suffering. Inside his head, his thoughts felt like poison running through his mind, twisting his morals, putting venom inside his heart.

He looked up at him again. While it had been difficult to think of Kevin as Archangel Uriel, it was even more difficult to see Michael – the one who harassed Kevin, the one who framed him, the one behind all this – as the kind, powerful and mighty archangel books and priests would tell about.

His knowledge in religious matters wasn't perfect. He knew however of Archangel Michael's reputation.

Archangel Michael. The Prince of Angels. The one who triumphed over Lucifer. The Supreme Commander of the Heavenly Host. The patron saint of chivalry.

Now he was nothing. Barely an archangel. A broken little thing.

Archangel of nothing, he thought bitterly. A fallen archangel.

How the mighty have fallen! William remarked, though it was not out of malice. Merely a statement. A bitter irony.

You should go to him, a voice ringed inside him.

It was not the same voice as before, William could tell. It still sounded like himself, he was sure of it. It wasn't Solomon. It was his own voice, yet the words were soft and calm, unlike William's harsh, cold previous thoughts.

William closed his eyes and sighed. Sorrow and exhaustion running through his bones. Despite his young age, at this moment he felt ancient.

Go to him, that voice again.

Why should I? he spat, too tired to think how ridiculous it was to debate with himself in his own mind.

He is suffering, the voice explained.

So I am! William shot back. Why should I care?

He's hurt, and Kevin trusted you when he brought him here.

He hurt Kevin too! It's his fault Kevin suffered! And he attacked me, almost expelled me from school by making people believe I cheated!

Yet, Kevin forgave him. Why don't you?

I can't forgive what he has done, nor I can forget!

You forgave Kevin for his deception, the voice remarked, though it was not judging. Just like you forgave Dantalion for his past.

It's different! I know they care and I know I can trust them. Why should I trust Michael after what he's done?

Because he has no one else to rely on.

It's a little too easy! William remarked bitterly. Was he really expected to trust and feel pity for Michael because he was hurt and betrayed? He didn't think so! Michael, he believed, was still the cause of everything that happened (or almost everything).

He has been punished enough. He has been betrayed, by his own family, just like you. He feels alone and betrayed. You remember those feelings too well.

William paused in his thoughts. The hurt of his uncle's betrayal was still vivid in his mind and his soul.

He closed his eyes and, in his mind, saw his home, smelt the sweet smell of the trees, imagined the soft voice of his parents, of his uncle and his words of praise. Then, they were erased by the harsh truth he learned.

No more loving parents, no more trusting uncle, no more the comfort of home.

He opened his eyes again, his mind and his soul hurting from the visions. His eyes then fell on Michael. He watched him, and in him William saw the pain in his heart reflected on the archangel's face.

This one knew pain. He knew betrayal. Angels, demons or humans. They were no different. They all knew what suffering was.

Did anyone deserve to suffer? To be left alone? Even the worst of them all?

William’s heart surged with something he couldn't quite name. Then, without a word, he rose to his feet and walked slowly toward the fallen archangel. Fallen, homeless, friendless, betrayed, vulnerable.

“Here,” he said, spreading an arm toward him, seeking to adjust the cover better around the angel. “Let me.”

Michael, however, moved away from him, looking at him with distrust. William wanted to sigh. He could tell things were not going to be easy the time they would shelter the stubborn archangel.

“You need to be less stubborn,” William told him, his green eyes focused on him. Michael didn't respond, so William dared to go on: “This isn't going to help. Let me help you!”

“Why should I?” shot Michael, unconsciously asking a question similar to the one William had in his mind.

“Because I am not Solomon,” William answered, his eyes flashing with determination and conviction. “And because you don't have much choice in the matter, in your current state.”

Michael huffed.

“You may think I'm not trustworthy, but Kevin does and I won't betray his trust. This is why I am going to help him hiding you.” William told him. “He saved you,” he reminded him. “So we can try and be civil to each other, while this situation lasts.”

Michael's eyes flashed angrily at him, but he made no protest nor did he say anything against the criticisms. It was unlike him, from what Kevin told him about the former archangel's tempter, but it only proved Michael was troubled.

“You need to go back to bed,” he said. “It is safe here.”

“Yeah.” Michael said, he leaned back into bed with a huff. “It better be.”

William said nothing, for nothing more was needed to be said between them for the moment. He waited until Michael laid down on his back, then he adjusted the blanket around the angel. Michael stiffened for a moment, then, slowly, he seemed to relax. He lowered his shoulders, closed his eyes and kept silent.

William supposed it was a way to prove him Michael was willing to try and trust him. One would never know, with angels.

A/N: For the sake of this story, let's pretend William knew it was definitely his uncle who was behind the death of this parents, and that he think his uncle most probably did it for Solomon’s ring, and that he also knew how Michael used to hurt Kevin/Uriel.

English is not my first language, so please be indulgent. If you notice any mistake, if you notice the characters are OOC or that I forgot some important things from the manga, please tell me in a private message so I can correct my text.

One of the things I like the most with William’s character is his tolerance. It doesn’t seem to be in his nature to hate someone, or to stay angry at someone, no matter what they did. He knows Dantalion killed him/Solomon in a past life, and basically told Dantalion this past doesn’t define him, and that he’s a changed man. He knows Kevin lied to him about his real identity, yet he forgave him in the end because he cares for him and knows Kevin truly cares for him in return. His uncle came back after years of disappearance and after leaving him without a penny? Sure he was angry at first, but he was glad to see him back (no let’s see how he will react the next time he will see him!!). 

So when Michael came into the picture and William and co had to shelter and hide him, I thought William would be angry, and for a good reason, but in the end he would allow it, try to accept his presence and help Kevin hiding him, and somehow try to be civil to Michael, no matter what he done. And I wanted to play with the idea of William being initially angry with Michael, even wanting to hate him, but in the end he just can’t because it’s not his nature, and because they had one thing in common: they both have been betrayed. I don’t... think they could be friends or something, but I think they could grow to learn more about each other and change their mind (at least a little!), because they do have some things in common (both stubborn, both were betrayed, both hard working, ...)

Thanks for reading! Feel free to tell me what you thought about it, I would love to hear your impressions :)

[toku-explained]

The Fire Alchemist

Hagane wo tsugu mono: Garo is back, along with Dougai Ryuga, this with season is I believe the character, beside Zaruba, with the most appearances, if he wasn't already. It's been over 5 years since his last appearance, and 10 years since his debut but the man who restored Garo's shine is here again. So HAGANE, despite its status as the generic armour worn by nameless Makai Knughts has appeared all of twice in the franchise, once in the Makai Senki finale, where we saw legions, and one in Honoo no Kokuin, used briefly by Marcelo, and been depicted a little in side media, Raiga is seen donning one in PGARO Saeijima Kouga, and I believe Akatsuki is implied to have acquired one in Yoseki no Wana. Nameless Knights have frequently appeared, but until now one has not been a main character. PS: Official Subs on youtube.

A Horror using LCD advert boards as a gate is interrupted in hunting by Ryuga and Zaruba (back to the classic design it seems), after a fight it tries to flee to the gate, but Ryuga destroys it, forcing the Horror, Chaurus to fight, he destroys it by summoning his armour, for he is Ougon Kishi GARO Sho. On his way out he is approached by Makai Priest Koyori, who delivers Orders from Mutsugi, her Priest superior, requesting his help, as the Gate of Destruction is opening, she wants him to accompany her to CREACITY. A Gate of Destruction is apparently a particularly ancient gate, able to increase people's Ingatestone so they fall, they know it is opening as Horrors have been appearing more and more, from people who shouldn't have been at risk, Zaruba agrees there is a darkness in the air. The city is lively, and while Koyori confirms they have a Makai Knight in town, she doesn't discuss him further, instead sharing how she wants to protect her home. A construction foreman is hung out to dry by his boss after their attempt to skirt regulations was discovered, and in that moment of despair and rage is seduced by a Horror, murdering the boss and a henchman with a hammer, the last man flees. Ryuga and Zaruba sense the Horror and rush into action to Koyori's amazement. Ryuga interrupts as the Horror has the man cornered, fighting the Hammer wielding form of Regrege while trying to protect the man, he is saved by Koyori arriving, though her hand-to-hand strike doesn't achieve what she hoped, she still helps Ryuga keep the Horror off balance until it flees then takes care of the man as Ryuga chases. Ryuga's chase is interrupted by a Makai Knight in Hagane Armour, who manages to destroy the Hammer then cut down the Horror. The Makai Knight is annoyed to see Ryuga in his territory, even when Koyori turns up, leaving while snapping not to get in his way. Koyori explains he is Shirahane Souma, Makai Knight for CREACITY.

Blazar: The 3rd Wave Kaiju, observed by cameras on the dark side of the moon, has been dubbed Vallaron, and is placing organic bombs with the aim of causing explosions large enough to disrupt the lunar orbit and send it in to earth. On hearing if this development Dobashi burns Emi's father's journal. Haruno has been relieved of duty to make up for SKaRD disobeying orders, and they are now expected to take the rushed to completion Earth Garon Mod.4 to fight Vallaron. Anri and Teruaki will pilot, with Gento and Yasunobu controlling the Mod.3 unit. With 24 hours before they are mission ready, Gento gives everyone 18 hours leave. While the others have moments relating to their focus episodes, Gento tries one last attempt to have Haruno talk, and Emi discussed with Earth-kun how they still don't know what the V99 Kaiju's motive is, leading it to reveal it does know but program blocks prevent it discussing it, but in the name of friendship it gives her an encrypted SD card with the data. After talking with his family, Gento returns to duty while Jun is asleep. Earth Garon deploys, and as it approaches the moon Dobashi intrudes in CCP to watch the mission up close, and Emi starts trying to look at the data in Mopy. Earth Garon is hit by a bomb explosion point blank, knocking out everyone except Gento, including Earth-kun, and he has to strongly request Blazar's help, while Dobashi's men come to stop Emi just as she gains access to the files. Blazar struggles with Varallon until another string of explosions knocks down the immobile Earth Garon and knocks the moon out of orbit, Blazar grabs Earth Garon and leaves it to drift back to earth, then puts massive effort into trying push the moon back. Recognising the exertion is knocking it out, Blazar says a goodbye to Gento and returns him to the cockpit before freezing as well, the moon back in its proper place, but Varallon was blasted free and is now en route to earth. Dobashi orders it be destroyed before making planet fall, but with only Gento conscious aboard an immobile Earth Garon, and Blazar's body drifting near the moon, is there any true hope.

Gotchard: Minato has disappeared and nobody at school remembers him. Greyon tells the Abyssal Sisters that the dolls are only suited to creating Malgam, leaving other stuff to Minato. Renge is basically giving up before the Malgam appears and captures both her and Sabimaru, then snatched Kudoh next to Ichinose, who with Gotchard Daybreak manages to fight it off using JungleJan and RaiDenji. When his counterpart offers him the Gotcha Igniter Ichinose refuses, knowing he should create his own power, he is told he'll have to create it from the treasured item he first created with Alchemy, and lent Daybreak's TimeLord to go back. He finds himself in the Ouroboros Realm 10 years ago, and is shocked to find his younger self there playing with Hopper1 and SteamLiner, and witnesses the Chemies create for him the item, a replica of his father's goggles. While he was warned not to interact with himself, Ichinose accidentally does so and plays while trying to make a plan, TimeLord comes under strain after the interaction. Hopper1 suddenly detects a presence, Greyon and the Abyssal Sisters arriving looking for Kudoh Fuga, they find his book which includes the plans for the key to the door of darkness. SaboNeedle attempts to drive them off, but encased in golf by Greyon. Fuga arrives, Greyon informing him he's already altered the assemblies' memories to believe him a traitor who stole the Chemies. Working in sync with UFO-X, X-Wizard and X Fortress, Fuga incapacitates the sisters and struggles with Fuga, who starts gathering the Chemies in one place, young Hotaro tries to shield his friends, and ours in turn shields both him and the Chemies. The distraction gives Fuga the edge he needs to drive Greyon away. When the dust settles young Hotaro gives the goggles as thanks, and when Ichinose is gone Fuga thanks the boy for his courage, secretly erasing his memories while hoping he keeps the memories if his friends in his heart. Returned to the present, Gotchard Daybreak tells Ichinose that in 5 years Greyon will have nearly wiped out humanity and Chemies alike, as such, to Alchemise his Gotcha Igniter, Ichinose infuses his wish of a world where Chemies and Humans can have peace. When he confronts the Malgam and becomes Fire Gotchard, Gotchard Daybreak notices the form is distinct from the one he created, feeling his counterpart has changed the course of their fate. Fire Gotchard saves everyone and completely defeats the Malgam to save NemineMoon. Gotchard Daybreak, seeing TimeLord cannot keep him there any longer, gives some last encouragement, Ichinose realising his word choice reveals him as his future self too late. Renge and Sabimaru are now motivated to help despite the lack of the Academy, while Minato assures Greyon he will deal with his errant pupil.

Kingohger: While Yanma is forcing Racles to sort gears, he suggests the others kings should try and awaken their sealed royal powers, sealed by the original 6 kings 2000 years ago along as Shugoddom's Ohger Crown was. Yanma starts studying his ear piercing, about the only thing the previous N'Kosopa king left when he abandoned the nation, Himeno's crown, Kaguragi's amulet and Rita's glove chain, and Racles suggests they decide a leader, to Yanma's irritation. Dugded decides it's time to put Tikyu in the collection, sending the Jesters to clear things out. The Kings gather for a competition to decide the leader, despite Gira arguing they don't really need one, Racles acting as judge, but it soon devolves into a full on fight to Gira's horror, and when he asks Yanks for help he just uses the now unlocked power to blast the Shugods and Shugoddom with lightning from God Tonbo, laughing as he declares himself on top. Gira was blasted down to the city, finding the people also fighting, only now realising Hilbill has controlled practically everyone. Kaguragi, immune, distracts her enough for Gira to rush to Yanma as Dugded starts preserving citizens in amber, Gira slugs Yanma and reminds him of his duty of protection, as Hilbill self hypnotises herself into believing herself invincible and grows giant. Now aware and properly able to use his kingly power, Gira and Yanma form King-Ohger and successfully destroy Hilbill. Later, Yanma asks Racles how he felt when he was ruling the world, Racles admitting that despite all his goals he felt on top of the world and drank on power, even revelling in Yanma's seeming death. Realising now he isn't so different from Racles, Yanma goes to everyone to request a resigning to the Six Kingdom Alliance, one establishing everyone as equal and imposing a duty to stop any of the kings if they are endangering the people. Suzume visits Racles in his cell to tell him of this, realising he suggested finding a leader to make them realise this, as he explains the 6 powers were originally one, and the original kings split them in the hopes that they would only be awoken again when their successors united as one in purpose for the good of their people.

[tokupedia]

Kamen Rider 45th Anniversary File: Double

2010:

Protecting the Earth is an Angel’s Duty! Tensou Sentai Goseiger debuts as the 34th Super Sentai season.

HeartCatch Pretty Cure aka THE BEST CURE SERIES EVER as deemed by some of Pretty Cure’s fans debuts and joins Goseiger and Double on Sundays. The season is slightly more mature with the subject of grief over the death of loved ones as one of its story arc themes and has great action in it. It also has a connection to Sailor Moon in the fact that Cure Moonlight is voiced by Sailor Mercury! 

After years of silence with nothing new on TV or film whatsoever, Garo returns in Garo: Red Requiem, a full-length feature 3D film which introduces the awesome Makai Priestess Rekka and the lovable Makai Priest Shiguto as the allies of Kouga.

After the successful crossover with Decade in the cinemas last year, Kamen Rider Fans get even more Den-O with the Cho Den-O Trilogy.

Samurai Sentai Shinkenger vs. Go-onger: GinmakuBang!! debuts in Japanese theaters and marks the only appearance of Hyper Go-On Red. 

Ultraman Zero: The Revenge of Belial, the sequel to the Ultra Galaxy movie, debuts in theaters.

Space Battleship Yamato gets a live action adaptation on the silver screen.

Tokusatsu actor Shunsuke Ikeda, best known as Ichiro/Kikaider 01, died from complications of his long battle with diabetes. He was 69 and fans in Hawaii and around the world mourned his passing.

During the All Kamen Rider vs. Dai Shocker film, the evil Shadow Moon was laying the smack down on Kuuga Rising Ultimate and Decade, when the rev of a motorcycle stopped the super villain in his tracks and a mysterious figure on a bike broke the two parties up by stopping in the middle of the brawl.

On opposing sides of the field, the Riders saw a Green Rider...

while Shadow Moon saw a Black Rider (No, not that one)

But then the mystery Rider spoke up after a disagreement about his color from the two sides: “I’m both actually. My name is...Kamen Rider... Double. *turns towards Shadow Moon* “Now...Count up your Sins!”

This strange hero spoke with two voices and could easily beat up Shadow Moon using USB thumb drives that contained his powers. However, things got weirder when the hero got into an argument with... himself as one half of him said he wanted to go home as the rest of the Kamen Riders could finish off the weakened Shadow Moon. The other wanted to stay and “get to the good part” (possibly his Rider Kick or weapon finisher), but reluctantly agreed and then drove off....much to the bewilderment of his seniors who witnessed his fight.

This was the start of a brand new tradition, where the old Rider would get a bit of help from his successor and pass the torch.

Planning

Toei needed to change the schedule up to stay on budget, so they made a bold move as Kamen Rider’s premiere would be moved into the Fall of the year and air throughout the majority of the following year. This also put the series in a unique position as it would run alongside 2 Sentai seasons before switching up for the next show. The merchandise sales of the single Rider Series in tandem with the 2 Sentai seasons would in theory give enough cash revenue to balance the books.

Another change is the fixture of Support Robots, while Hibiki is considered the alpha prototype of the concept, this season cemented its place in the Kamen Rider series (With Gaim being the only series thus far to opt out.)

Then the belt itself began to change, while Ryuki switched the belts away from the format of being attached to the bodies of the Riders, Double improved the belt’s combat ability even further. No longer was a Rider constrained to a single form or weapon via a singular input system, but now could diversify their abilities in various ways by using multiple input modules and transformation devices. 

Sure, this was done to make Kamen Rider even more toyetic to boost profits and cover rising production costs, but writers and staff when on their A-game made it feel like a natural evolution of the franchise and not a forced toy commercial.

When it came time to plan W....I should explain that real quick. The show and titular Rider are different in terms of label in a manner similar to Faiz. The English word “Double” sounds like the Japanese pronunciation of the letter “W”.  But since the show romanizes the hero to Kamen Rider Double on toys and on the title card, the Rider is referred to as Double and the show is W because of the Japanese text of the show’s title showing the english letter W.

Anyways, when it came time to plan W, the “Fall 10th Anniversary Project”, the staff was debating on ideas and one argument they had was that Double should be all red. Toei thought since Red was a heroic color it would test well with focus groups. PLEX disagreed with the Toei staff and saw inspiration from the Showa era, wanting a Rider who harkened back to the original Double Riders with a green and black body color. 

(Double, as drawn by Ishinomori assistant and concept designer Masato Hayase)

In fact, the designers wanted a lot of Showa elements back in the franchise, something the producers and writing staff were adamant about or outright felt was a bad idea. One of them was Yasuko Kobayashi, when the design staff proposed the return of a beloved aspect of a Rider costume that had been missing for over 25 years for the main heroes: the classic scarf. She at first saw it as unsightly for a modern audience and too “Showa-y”.  But she eventually caved into the pleas of putting it on under the condition that she chose the color: silver instead of the proposed white color.

Another proposed idea when the writers decided on a neo-noir detective theme was that the hero would wear a Sam Spade/Columbo style trench coat over the suit. But the staff nixed this as they realized it would make Seiji Takaiwa’s job more difficult as he would be wearing a heavy coat over a costume.

(*in a Peter Falk voice* “The last time I trusted a dame was in Tokyo in 1971, she said she was going out to get a bottle of sake. Two hours later, the agents of Shocker marched into Japan!”)

The love letter to the Showa Era didn’t stop at a scarf and a color scheme. Double has allusions of influence from Kikaider 01, Kamen Rider X, Black, Chojin Barom 1 and The Skull Man. The main Gaia Memory that Philip carries is called Cyclone, a reference to wind energized Riders from days of old and the original motorcycle Ichigo rode. There is even Bat and Spider monster villains during the early days of the incidents of the story and Bat and Spider gadgets the heroes use in the grand tradition of that mythology gag.

The next phase was marketing and whoo boy, did this series get the royal treatment. In addition to the new Movie Wars series and a summer film, the series had its own clothing line, several radio shows on a fictitious radio station with some connecting to the show and continued the promotion of Ganbaride with Double getting his own sets of cards. This was also the start of the Legend Rider series of toys, as Bandai made Gaia Memory toys based on each Rider.

Avex got multiple bands and artists together to create exclusive new “bands” for the show with most named after a Hurricane event such as Labor Day or Galveston 19. The music entertainment label even pulled some strings to get 2 members of the hit idol group AKB48 to be recurring supporting cast as Queen and Elizabeth. It truly was a love war..

Futo itself feels like a real city, with locations, businesses and people that you get to know. The world building was so well done that future Rider entries still touch it up every now and then. (Ex. In Drive, we learn Futo is just outside Tokyo and later see Futo Tower in the distance at an amusement park when Drive is fighting a monster!)

Now, let’s meet Futo’s resident local Superhero!

CYCLONE! JOKER!

Real Names: “Phillip” (Raito Sonozaki) and Shotaro Hidari

In 1999, a criminal element unlike any that ever had been seen before in Futo began emerging; distributing a drug-like device that enhances humans into superpowered monstrous beings known as Dopants. The only force that could stop the source of the city’s tears was someone Shotaro would later simply would refer to as “The Boss”, Sokichi Narumi, a private detective who was a real man’s man and moonlighted as a Kamen Rider with the help of his childhood friend. Despite his best efforts, the crime of the city continued.  

Later, while on a case to bust the bad guys on Christmas Eve 2008, Shotaro and Sokichi snuck into a warehouse distributing the drug-like Gaia Memories. Unfortunately, the bad guys found out they were sneaking around and a fight broke out. Due to his youth and stubbornness, Shotaro disobeyed an order to stay put from his boss and found a young eccentric man who had no memories that they dubbed “Phillip” after the famous private eye Phillip Marlowe from the Raymond Chandler novels. While trying to escape, The Boss got shot up pretty bad in a hail of gunfire. With his last breath, Sokichi told his protege to finish the case and become a man worthy of wearing his hat, giving him his prized fedora as he dies from blood loss.

Surrounded by guards, an armed helicopter and a monster later known as the Taboo Dopant, the eccentric Phillip asks his new friend a question and opens the briefcase they were carrying: Do you have the courage to ride with a Devil?

The two use a belt in the briefcase with Gaia Memories and as the guards and helicopter fire their guns....a new figure emerges from the blaze unharmed and destroys the entire floor with a gust of powerful wind (helped by the helicopter crashing into the building).

Jump ahead to late 2009 and Akiko Narumi has come to collect on her father’s detective agency as its new landlord (unaware her father has died). She gets ready to evict Shotaro until a case comes up and she finds all the weird stuff they do, like a hidden garage with a massive vehicle and Phillip scribbling on boards any data they can find on cases. But then Akiko finds out her evictee is a superhero and at first wants to evict the both of them right away, but then decides after being saved it would be better to help people and continue the Narumi Detective Agency. The trio continue investigating cases and stopping Dopants, while under the vengeful eye of the Sonozaki crime family and learning much later there is an even bigger enemy in the shadows pulling the strings.

But as their exploits grow, the citizens of Futo christen their masked savior as “Kamen Rider” and Philiip and Shotaro work hard to deserve that honor, fighting crime to wipe away the city’s tears and making villains count up their sins!

Gear:

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Double_Driver

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Gaia_Memories

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Memory_Gadgets

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/HardBoilder

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Rotation-Interchange_Base_RevolGarry

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Metal_Shaft

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Trigger_Magnum

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Transforming_Gaia_Dinosaur_Fang_Memory

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Transforming_Gaia_Bird_Xtreme_Memory

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Prism_Bicker

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Lost_Driver - Used in emergencies only or when one of the halves of Double isn’t available.

Powers and skills:

Phillip has a genius level intellect on par with a supercomputer and thanks to his connection to the Earth’s True Gaia Memory essentially has a mystical kind of Google search he can call upon. This allows him to accurately find people, places and objects if specific keywords are given that produce the results he is looking for.

Shotaro is a skilled brawler and a competent detective as he was trained by Sokichi. He is able to see small details the police sometimes overlook.

Both of them as Double are pretty diverse.

Cyclone: levitation or slowed descent via wind manipulation, wind energy blasts, capable of creating tornadoes and elemental augmentation of weapons

Joker: Enhanced strength, superior fighting skills and reflexes.

Luna: Mr. Fantastic like-Elasticity on the left side of the body, illusion generation and homing projectiles or giving the Metal Shaft rubbery lasso/whip-like capabilities.

Heat: Pyrokinesis, explosive generation and elemental augmentation of weapons.

Metal: Higher defense and strength and elemental augmentation of weapons. Summons Metal Shaft weapon

Trigger: Expert Marksmanship, enhanced firepower which can be strengthened further by elemental Gaia Memories. Summons Trigger Magnum Weapon

Fang: Feral instincts, Bladed weapon/projectile

Xtreme: Laser blasts, Twin Maximum Drive capability, instant analyzing ability to discover weak points, shield generation, swordsmanship. Capable of evolving to a higher state using wind power to give Double wings and stronger attack power.

Weaknesses:

When Phillip enters Shotaro’s body via memory transfer or vice versa in the case of the Fang memory, their bodies are at risk of being taken or destroyed, which could result in one of them..one of them....dying. *Cyclone Effect starts playing and the typer fights the urge to start crying*. If one or both of them has a status effect inflicted by a monster, that will carry over to Double in some cases unless Xtreme form is activated. Even then, there is a chance they will still be affected. Phillip has a one track mind as once he finds something that fascinates him he won’t stop until he knows everything about it, usually this could take hours or days for him to finish depending on the subject. (I like to think we on the internet have all had moments like that)

The key to Double is keeping the two users in sync with each other, if they cannot agree on something that causes them to fight intensely or in one instance where a villain used Phillip’s amnesia against him, the sync destabilizes and Double either de-transforms or gets weaker.

Speedy opponents can swipe away all of Double’s Gaia Memories save for the ones in his belt, thus putting the two-in-one hero at a major disadvantage.

Lastly, the Memories themselves have risk. A “Twin Maximum”, a move where Double uses more than one Gaia Memory in his base forms, is very dangerous as the suit will overload with energy and the Double Driver will act erratic. The energy surge will cause possible harm to both users, but Shotaro gets the worst of it as it causes physical damage to his body and could kill him. Its only perk is a more powerful attack but it is too foolish to attempt such a life threatening tactic unless it is a last resort. Twin Maximums can only be pulled off by teamwork with Accel or using Xtreme form. 

The Fang Memory causes Philip to go berserk if Shotaro does not reign in his partner, as it regresses Philip to a savage mindset if he does not impose his will into it. As explained in expanded universe material, there is a FangMetal and FangTrigger form but the Joker Memory’s compatibility combined with Shotaro’s will make it the best candidate for Fang. The use of the other memories would result in Shotaro losing control and Phillip going completely wild. The use of this memory also tires out Shotaro as he needs to use all his willpower to keep Phillip’s mind stable from its side effects.

The last one is that Gaia Memories are capable of breaking, so it is possible that the duo could lose their powers on a more permanent basis.

Signature Finishers:

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Maximum_Drive

Enemies:

Dopants

(A Masquerade Dopant, an example of Dopants and the common grunts of the Museum)

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Dopants

Dopants are superhuman beings created when an ordinary human injects a Gaia Memory directly into their bodies. Each Gaia Memory is based on an object, concept, person or animal. (Ex. Dr. Shinigami, Apple, Time and Triceratops) 

Due to the drug-like effects of the Memories being directly inserted into the body of the user, some people who use Gaia memories have mental or physical health deterioration and become unstable and even more violent. There are also side effects in some cases if the memory is destroyed, such as the Yesterday Dopant having a mind wipe occur from the powers leaving her. Some side effects are more fatal if the user has “O.D.” on the Memory as their body will break down and dissolve. Basically, this show in its own subtle way is sayin’: Don’t do drugs kids, it’ll mess ya up and you could die.

Double uses his Driver to filter out the bad stuff of a Gaia Memory to use its power safely with no ill side effects (for the most part). But so does...

The Museum and The Sonozaki Family

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Museum

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Sonozaki_Family

The Museum is an organization run by the aristocratic Sonozaki Family whose goal is to evolve humans and save life on earth in an event called the Gaia Impact. The Sonozakis have Memory Drivers that filter out the negative side effects...not that it changes who they are on the inside as they are wicked in some regards. (Though they redeem themselves in some ways) The head of this prestigious crime organization is Ryubee Sonozaki. Despite being an old man, you do not want to underestimate him as the Terror Dopant...

Also this is the first time in Rider History we have had a pet as a monster lieutenant: A cat.

(*Dr Claw Voice* Ryubee: I’ll get you next time Kamen Rider...next time. Mick: MRRREEEEEOWW!)

And lastly we have...

NEVER and Foundation X

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Category%3ANEVER

http://kamenrider.wikia.com/wiki/Foundation_X

NEVERS or Necro-Overs are, to put in the simplest terms, sentient pseudo-zombies who retain the knowledge, skills and faculties of their former living selves and are designed to be a breed of super soldiers. Despite interest and development by Foundation X to use them, they were soon abandoned after Gaia Memories were developed. One of them was a Kamen Rider who proved troublesome for Double and nearly killed him, though he was once a good person who slowly went mad from his undead nature.

Foundation X makes their presence known in this season and after the failure of the Sonozakis and their own ranks to stop Double and prove the value of Gaia Memories, the organization got word of another power source even greater than that of Gaia Memories to research...

Though Double/Joker gets to have fun (Maximum) driving them outta their town every so often when they try to reclaim their former territory to set up sinister research projects.

Final thoughts

Kamen Rider W is a beloved entry of the franchise and many newcomers get it recommended to them when asking where to start. The mindset is it is much like a western superhero show with a bit of Scooby Doo/noir mixed in. There is a mystery to solve and a bad guy to catch, defeat and unmask. (Though some of the mysteries are a bit smarter than that cartoon by giving you a bait and switch on who the monster of the week is!)

Unlike most Rider shows, the bad guys for the most part get their powers taken away after the beatdown and they are handed off to the police or get help instead of killed outright (though there are exceptions). In fact, this is the first time since Agito we see a Rider cooperating with the cops and even helping them. (It also helps that Accel is a cop too.) 

I on the other hand say you need to go to Decade first as that first Movie War depends on you watching that show to see that final story chapter and understand what is going on.  But if you don’t want to watch the Movie War...you kinda have to given Kamen Rider Skull is part of it and the episodes plug the film blatantly at one point to tie into the story. 

Other than that, you will have a Hard-Half Boiled good time watching a recent perennial fan favorite!

WBX~ CRIME IN THE CITY!~

[arabellaflynn]

Advent Calendar: "Ku-Ula, The Fish-God Of Hawaii"

From Hawaiian Folk Tales, compiled by Thomas G Thrum, published 1907 by A C McClurg & Co. I don't know a great deal about Hawai'ian lore, nor about Hawai'i, for that matter. I mainly went with something interesting, that involved only a moderate amount of cold-blooded murder, and didn't have any women sold into slavery or being awarded as brides. The story of Ku-ula, considered by ancient Hawaiians as the deity presiding over and controlling the fish of the sea,—a story still believed by many of them to-day,—is translated and somewhat condensed from an account prepared by a recognized legendary bard of these islands. The name of Ku-ula is known from the ancient times on each of the islands of the Hawaiian group, and the writer gives the Maui version as transmitted through the old people of that island. Ku-ula had a human body, and was possessed with wonderful or miraculous power (mana kupua) in directing, controlling, and influencing all fish of the sea, at will. Leho-ula, in the land of Aleamai, Hana, Maui, is where Ku-ula and Hina-pu-ku-ia lived. Nothing is known of their parents, but tradition deals with Ku-ula, his wife, their son Ai-ai, and Ku-ula-uka, a younger brother of Ku-ula. These lived together for a time at Leho-ula, and then the brothers divided their work between them, Ku-ula-uka choosing farm work, or work pertaining to the land, from the seashore to the mountain-top, while Ku-ula—known also as Ku-ula-kai—chose to be a fisherman, with such other work as pertained to the sea, from the pebbly shore to ocean depths. After this division Ku-ula-uka went up in the mountains to live, and met a woman known as La-ea—called also Hina-ulu-ohia—a sister of Hina-pu-ku-ia, Ku-ula’s wife. These sisters had three brothers, named Moku-ha-lii, Kupa-ai-kee, and Ku-pulu-pulu-i-ka-na-hele. This trio were called by the old people the gods of the canoe-making priests—“Na akua aumakua o ka poe kahuna kalai waa.” While Ku-ula and his wife were living at Leho-ula he devoted all his time to his chosen vocation, fishing. His first work was to construct a fish-pond handy to his house but near to the shore where the surf breaks, and this pond he stocked with all kinds of fish. Upon a rocky platform he also built a house to be sacred for the fishing kapu which he called by his own name, Ku-ula. It is asserted that when Ku-ula made all these preparations he believed in the existence of a God who had supreme power over all things. That is why he prepared this place wherein to make his offerings of the first fish caught by him to the fish god. From this observance of Ku-ula all the fish were tractable (laka loa) unto him; all he had to do was to say the word, and the fish would appear. This was reported all over Hana and when Kamohaolii, the King (who was then living at Wananalua, the land on which Kauiki Hill stands) heard of it, he appointed Ku-ula to be his head fisherman. Through this pond, which was well stocked with all kinds of fish, the King’s table was regularly supplied with all rare varieties, whether in or out of season. Ku-ula was his mainstay for fish-food and was consequently held in high esteem by Kamohoalii, and they lived without disagreement of any kind between them for many years. During this period the wife of Ku-ula gave birth to a son, whom they called Aiai-a-Ku-ula (Aiai of Ku-ula), The child was properly brought up according to the usage of those days, and when he was old enough to care for himself an unusual event occurred. A large puhi (eel), called Koona, lived at Wailau, on the windward side of the island of Molokai. This eel was deified and prayed to by the people of that place, and they never tired telling of the mighty things their god did, one of which was that a big shark came to Wailau and gave it battle, and during the fight the puhi caused a part of the rocky cliff to fall upon the shark, which killed it. A cave was thus formed, with a depth of about five fathoms; and that large opening is there to this day, situate a little above the sea and close to the rocky fort where lived the well known Kapeepeekauila. This puhi then left its own place and came and lived in a cave in the sea near Aleamai, called Kapukaulua, some distance out from the Alau rocks. It came to break and rob the pond that Ku-ula had built and stocked with fish of various kinds and colors, as known to-day. Ku-ula was much surprised on discovering his pond stock disappearing, so he watched day and night, and at last, about daybreak, he saw a large eel come in through the makai (seaward) wall of the pond. When he saw this he knew that it was the cause of the loss of his fish, and was devising a way to catch and kill it; but on consulting with his wife they decided to leave the matter to their son Aiai, for him to use his own judgment as to the means by which the thief might be captured and killed. When Aiai was told of it he sent word to all the people of Aleamai and Haneoo to make ili hau ropes several lau fathoms in length; and when all was ready a number of the people went out with it in two canoes, one each from the two places, with Aiai-a-Ku-ula in one of them. He put two large stones in his canoe and held in his hands a fisherman’s gourd (hokeo), in which was a large fishhook called manaiaakalani. When the canoes had proceeded far out he located his position by landmarks; and looking down into the sea, and finding the right place, he told the paddlers to cease paddling. Standing up in the canoe and taking one of the stones in his hands he dived into the sea. Its weight took him down rapidly to the bottom, where he saw a big cave opening right before him, with a number of fishes scurrying about the entrance, such as uluas and other deep sea varieties. Feeling assured thereby that the puhi was within, he arose to the surface and got into his canoe. Resting for a moment, he then opened the gourd and took out the hook manaiaakalani and tied the hau rope to it. He also picked up a long stick and placed at the end of it the hook, baited with a preparation of cocoanut and other substances attractive to fishes. Before taking his second dive he arranged with those on the canoe as to the signs to them of his success. Saying this, he picked up the other stone and dived down again into the sea; then, proceeding to the cave, he placed the hook in it, at the same time murmuring a few incantations in the name of his parents. When he knew that the puhi was hooked he signalled, as planned, to tell those on the canoe of his success. In a short while he came to the surface, and entering the canoe they all returned to shore, trailing the rope behind. He told those in the canoe from Haneoo to paddle thither and to Hamoa, and to tell all the people to pull the puhi; like instructions were given those on the Aleamai canoe for their people. The two canoes set forth on their courses to the landings, keeping in mind Aiai’s instructions, which were duly carried out by the people of the two places; and there were many for the work. Then Aiai ascended Kaiwiopele Hill and motioned to the people of both places to pull the ropes attached to the hook on the mouth of the puhi. It was said that the Aleamai people won the victory over the much greater number from the other places, by landing the puhi on the pahoehoe stones at Lehoula. The people endeavored to kill the prize, but without success till Aiai came and threw three ala stones at it and killed it. The head was cut off and cooked in the imu (oven). The bones of its jaw, with the mouth wide open, are seen to this day at a place near the shore, washed by the waves,—the rock formation at a short distance having such a resemblance. Residents of the place state that all ala stones near where the imu was made in which the puhi was baked do not crack when heated, as they do elsewhere, because of the imu heating of that time. It is so even to this day. The backbone (iwi kuamoo) of this puhi is still lying on the pahoehoe where Aiai killed it with the three ala stones,—the rocky formation, about thirty feet in length, exactly resembling the backbone of an eel. The killing of this puhi by Aiai gave him fame among the people of Hana. Its capture was the young lad’s first attempt to follow his father’s vocation, and his knowledge was a surprise to the people. After this event a man came over from Waiiau, Molokai, who was a kahu (keeper) of the puhi. He dreamed one night that he saw its spirit, which told him that his aumakua (god) had been killed at Hana, so he came to see with his own eyes where this had occurred. Arriving at Wananalua he was befriended by one of the retainers of Kamohoalii, the King of Hana, and lived there a long time serving under him, during which time he learned the story of how the puhi had been caught and killed by Aiai, the son of Ku-ula and Hinapukuia, whereupon he sought to accomplish their death. Considering a plan of action, he went one day to Ku-ula, without orders, and told him that the King had sent him for fish for the King. Ku-ula gave him but one fish, an ulua, with a warning direction, saying, “Go back to the King and tell him to cut off the head of the fish and cook it in the imu, and the flesh of its body cut up and salt and dry in the sun, for ‘this is Hana the aupehu land; Hana of the scarce fish; the fish Kama; the fish of Lanakila.’ (Eia o Hana la he aina aupehu; o Hana keia i ka ia iki; ka ia o Kama; ka ia o Lanakila).” When the man returned to the King and gave him the fish, the King asked: “Who gave it to you?” and the man answered: “Ku-ula.” Then it came into his head that this was his chance for revenge, so he told the King what Ku-ula had said but not in the same way, saying: “Your head fisherman told me to come back and tell you that your head should be cut from your body and cooked in the imu, and the flesh of your body should be cut up and salted and dried in the sun.” The King on hearing this message was so angered with Ku-ula, his head fisherman, that he told the man to go and tell all his konohikis (head men of lands with others under them) and people, to go up in the mountains and gather immediately plenty of firewood and place it around Ku-ula’s house, for he and his wife and child should be burned up. This order of the King was carried out by the konohikis and people of all his lands except those of Aleamai. These latter did not obey this order of the King, for Ku-ula had always lived peaceably among them. There were days when they had no fish, and he had supplied them freely. When Ku-ula and his wife saw the people of Hana bringing firewood and placing it around the house they knew it foreboded trouble; so Ku-ula went to a place where taro, potatoes, bananas, cane, and some gourds were growing. Seeing three dry gourds on the vine, he asked the owner for them and was told to take them. These he took to his house and discussed with his wife the evil day to come, and told Aiai that their house would be burned and their bodies too, but not to fear death nor trouble himself about it when the people came to shut them in. After some thinking Ku-ula remembered his giving the ulua to the King’s retainer and felt that he was the party to blame for this action of the King’s people. He had suspected it before, but now felt sure; therefore he turned to his son and said: “Our child, Aiai-a-Ku-ula, if our house is burned, and our bodies too, you must look sharp for the smoke when it goes straight up to the hill of Kaiwiopele. That will be your way out of this trouble, and you must follow it till you find a cave where you will live. You must take this hook called manaiaakalani with you; also this fish-pearl (pa hi aku), called Kahuoi; this shell called lehoula, and this small sandstone from which I got the name they call me, Ku-ula-au-a-Ku-ulakai. It is the progenitor of all the fish in the sea. You will be the one to make all the ku-ulas from this time forth, and have charge also of making all the fishing stations (ko’a lawaia) in the sea throughout the islands. Your name shall be perpetuated and those of your parents also, through all generations to come, and I hereby confer upon you all my power and knowledge. Whenever you desire anything call, or ask, in our names, and we will grant it. We will stand up and go forth from here into the sea and abide there forever; and you, our child, shall live on the land here without worrying about anything that may happen to you. You will have power to punish with death all those who have helped to burn us and our house. Whether it be king or people, they must die; therefore let us calmly await the calamity that is to befall us.” All these instructions Aiai consented to carry out from first to last, as a dutiful son. After Ku-ula’s instructions to his son, consequent upon the manifestations of coming trouble, the King’s people came one day and caught them and tied their hands behind their backs, the evil-doer from Molokai being there to aid in executing the cruel orders of Kamohoalii resulting from his deceitful story. Upon being taken into their house Ku-ula was tied to the end post of the ridge pole (pouhana), the wife was tied to the middle post (kai waena) of the house, and the boy, Aiai, was tied to one of the corner posts (pou o manu). Upon fastening them in this manner the people went out of the house and barricaded the doorway with wood, which they then set on fire. Before the fire was lit, the ropes with which the victims were tied dropped off from their hands. Men, women, and children looked on at the burning house with deep pity for those within, and tears were streaming down their cheeks as they remembered the kindness of Ku-ula during all the time they had lived together. They knew not why this family and their house should be burned in this manner. When the fire was raging all about the house and the flames were consuming everything, Ku-ula and his wife gave their last message to their son and left him. They went right out of the house as quietly as the last breath leaves the body, and none of the people standing there gazing saw where, or how, Ku-ula and his wife came forth out of the house. Aiai was the only one that retained material form. Their bodies were changed by some miraculous power and entered the sea, taking with them all the fish swimming in and around Hana. They also took all sea-mosses, crabs, crawfish, and the various kinds of shellfish along the seashore, even to the opihi-koele at the rocky beach; every edible thing in the sea was taken away. This was the first stroke of Ku-ula’s revenge on the King and the people of Hana who obeyed his mandate; they suffered greatly from the scarcity of fish. When Ku-ula and his wife were out of the house the three gourds exploded from the heat, one by one, and all those who were gazing at the burning house believed the detonations indicated the bursting of the bodies of Ku-ula, his wife, and child. The flames shot up through the top of the house, and the black smoke hovered above it, then turned toward the front of Kaiwiopele Hill. The people saw Aiai ascend through the flames and walk upon the smoke toward the hill till he came to a small cave that opened to receive and rescue him. As Aiai left the house it burned fiercely, and, carrying out the instructions of his father he called upon him to destroy by fire all those who had caught and tied them in their burning house. As he finished his appeal he saw the rippling of the wind on the sea and a misty rain coming with it, increasing as it came till it reached Lehoula, which so increased the blazing of the fire that the flames reached out into the crowd of people for those who had obeyed the King. The man from Molokai, who was the cause of the trouble, was reached also and consumed by the fire, and the charred bodies were left to show to the people the second stroke of Ku-ula’s vengeance. Strange to say, all those who had nothing to do with this cruel act, though closer to the burning house, were uninjured; the tongues of fire reached out only for the guilty ones. In a little while but a few smouldering logs and ashes were all that remained of the house of Ku-ula. Owing to this strange action of the fire some of the people doubted the death of Ku-ula and his wife, and much disputation arose among them on the subject. When Aiai walked out through the flames and smoke and reached the cave, he stayed there through that night till the next morning, then, leaving his hook, pearl shell, and stone there, he went forth till he came to the road at Puilio, where he met several children amusing themselves by shooting arrows, one of whom made friends with him and asked him to his house. Aiai accepted the invitation, and the boy and his parents treating him well, he remained with them for some days. While Aiai was living in their house the parents of the boy heard of the King’s order for all the people of Hana to go fishing for hinalea. The people obeyed the royal order, but when they went down to the shore with their fishing baskets they looked around for the usual bait (ueue), which was to be pounded up and put into the baskets, but they could not find any, nor any other material to be so used, neither could they see any fish swimming around in the sea. “Why?” was the question. Because Ku-ula and his wife had taken with them all the fish and everything pertaining to fishing. Finding no bait they pounded up limestone and placed it in the baskets and swam out and set them in the sea. They watched and waited all day, but in vain, for not a single hinalea was seen, nor did any enter the baskets. When night came they went back empty-handed and came down again the next day only to meet the same luck. The parents of the boy who had befriended Aiai were in this fishing party, in obedience to the King’s orders, but they got nothing for their trouble. Aiai, seeing them go down daily to Haneoo, asked concerning it, and was told everything; so he bade his friend come with him to the cave where he had stayed after his father’s house was burned. Arriving there he showed the stone fish god, Pohaku-muone, and said: “We can get fish up here from this stone without much work or trouble.” Then Aiai picked up the stone and they went down to Lehoula, and setting it down at a point facing the pond which his father had made he repeated these words: “O Ku-ula, my father; O Hina, my mother, I place this stone here in your name, Ku-ula, which action will make your name famous and mine too, your son; the keeping of this ku-ula stone I give to my friend, and he and his offspring hereafter will do and act in all things pertaining to it in our names.” After saying these words he told his friend his duties and all things to be observed relative to the stone and the benefits to be derived therefrom as an influencing power over such variety of fish as he desired. This was the first establishment of the ko’a ku-ula on land,—a place where the fisherman was obliged to make his offering of the first of his catch by taking two fishes and placing them on the ku-ula stone as an offering to Ku-ula. Thus Aiai first put in practice the fishing oblations established by his father at the place of his birth, in his youth, but it was accomplished only through the mana kupua of his parents. When Aiai had finished calling on his parents and instructing his friend, there were seen several persons walking along the Haneoo beach with their fishing baskets and setting them in the sea, but catching nothing. At Aiai’s suggestion he and his friend went over to witness this fishing effort. When they reached the fishers Aiai asked them, “What are those things placed there for?” They answered, “Those are baskets for catching hinaleas, a fish that our King, Kamohoalii, longs for, but we cannot get bait to catch the fish with.” “Why is it so?” asked Aiai. And they answered, “Because Ku-ula and his family are dead, and all the fish along the beach of Hana are taken away.” Then Aiai asked them for two baskets. Having received them, he bade his friend take them and follow him. They went to a little pool near the beach, and setting the baskets therein, he called on his parents for hinaleas. As soon as he had finished, the fish were seen coming in such numbers as to fill the pool, and still they came. Aiai now told his friend to go and fetch his parents and relatives to get fish, and to bring baskets with which to take home a supply; they should have the first pick, and the owners of the baskets should have the next chance. The messenger went with haste and brought his relatives as directed. Aiai then took two fishes and gave them to his friend to place on the ko’a they had established at Lehoula for the ku-ula. He also told him that before the setting of the sun of that day they would hear that King Kamohoalii of Hana was dead, choked and strangled to death by the fish. These prophetic words of Aiai came true. After Aiai had made his offering, his friend’s parents came to where the fish were gathering and were told to take all they desired, which they did, returning home happy for the liberal supply obtained without trouble. The owners of the baskets were then called and told to take all the fish they wished for themselves and for the King. When these people saw the great supply they were glad and much surprised at the success of these two boys. The news of the reappearing of the fish spread through the district, and the people flocked in great numbers and gathered hinaleas to their satisfaction, and returned to their homes with rejoicing. Some of those who gave Aiai the baskets returned with their bundles of fish to the King. When he saw so many of those he had longed for he became so excited that he reached out and picked one up and put it in his mouth, intending to eat it; but instead the fish slipped right into his throat and stuck there. Many tried to reach and take it out, but were unable, and before the sun set that day Kamohoalii, the King of Hana, died, being choked and strangled to death by the fish. Thus the words of Aiai, the son of Ku-ula, proved true. By the death of the King of Hana the revenge was complete. The evil-doer from Molokai, and those who obeyed the King’s orders on the day Ku-ula’s house was fired, met retribution, and Aiai thus won a victory over all his father’s enemies. After living for a time at Hana Aiai left that place and went among the different islands of the group establishing fishing ko’as (ko’a aina aumakua). He was the first to measure the depth of the sea to locate these fishing ko’as for the deep sea fishermen who go out in their canoes, and the names of many of these ko’as located around the different islands are well known. from Blogger https://ift.tt/2OV3K6M via IFTTT -------------------- Enjoy my writing? Consider becoming a Patron, subscribing via Kindle, or just toss a little something in my tip jar. Thanks!

[raphaelfernandez2001]

Angry Birds Stella X Garo To Celebrate The Release Of Garo Special - Beast Of The Demon Night On Blu-Ray, This Picture I Made Is About The Angry Birds Stella Characters With The Garo Series Characters From The Original Series. What If Stella, Poppy, Luca, Willow, And Dahlia Meet The Makai Knights Raiga Saejima (AKA: Garo), Crow (AKA: Crow), Rei Suzumura (AKA: Zero), Tsubasa Yamagatana (AKA: Dan), Wataru Shijima (AKA: Baron), Leo Fudo (AKA: Rodo), And Eiji Busujima (AKA: Giru), Along With The Madou Tool Girl Mayuri The Butler Gonza, Makai Priestesses Jabi, Rekka, And Biku, And Makai Priests Shiguto And Daichi Kurama To Fight Against Barago (AKA: Kiba) From Garo: Chapter Of The Black Wolf After His Return From Being Defeated By Raiga Saejima’s Dad Kouga Saejima Years Ago, Along With Zaji From Garo: Makai Retsuden, The Karakuris From Garo Special - Byakuya No Maju, The GoryuJin From Garo: Makai Senki, And The Horrors Raizon From Garo: Makai Senki And Humpty From Garo: Chapter Of The Black Wolf? What Will Happen In It? You Decide! I Hope You Guys Like It! :D I Own Nothing. All Of The Garo Series And Angry Birds Stella Characters Are Owned By Tohokushinsha Film Corporation And Rovio Entertainment Inc.