Chibi screamed out in pain. Brighteyes looked away with tears in her eyes. Tadakono and Phenomenon cast Resurrect and Heal. Ara removed her dagger and placed two fingers into the cut. Lack took a hold of Chibi and held her still. His eyes clear and focused as he also cast Heal.
"Almost," Ara said reaching in and pulling out a shard as long and almost as wide as her index finger. "Got it!" Pulling it hard, she removed it from Chibi's body. Chibi closed her eyes and went limp against Lack. "That should release her completely from Loki's hold." Looking up at Lack, she added "We need to talk… About Velvet Touch of Enishi." Lack nodded and continued to Heal Chibi.
~~~
Ara, Alastor, Lack, Tadakono, Syaoran and Phenomenon sat together in Lack's room. Chibi laid curled up asleep in his bed. Lack looked at Ara and Alastor, his eyes narrowed and tired.
"Velvet Touch of Enishi members have the same thing Chibi had," Ara said softly. "During their battle against Momo's doppelgangers…" Lack raised his hand causing Ara to pause.
"Who's Momo?"
Ara looked surprised. "Kakaxi was suppose to report to you," Lack shook his head. "Anyway, Momo is one of Grand Lethal's new members. He's a Creator incredibly skilled in creating doppelgangers. Back to the point, Velvet Touch of Enishi had a great battle against his doppelgangers. During this battle, they fell to the swords and had pieces lodged within them. These pieces created links which allowed Loki to control them."
Lack looked up at Chibi, who's blue hair could only be seen, and wondered what he'd do if she was completely taken by Loki. He shook his head and look back to Ara. "So, if we remove these shards…"
"Difficult," replied Alastor. "Our guild has tried. Rena, herself, suffered badly against MikeRex and his brother JohnFlora. She had both myself and Ara as support."
Lack thought it over. "I'll go." he said finally and looked up at Syaoran, Tadakono and Phenomenon. "I'll need you three with me. Phen, you be support with Tada as secondary if things get really bad. We'll send a letter of challenge to MikeRex and his brother. Hopefully, if things go well we can get those two back to normal. Then after that, things will get easier."
"That's a lot of if's," Alastor said and looked behind him to Chibi. "Not going to take her? She's going to murder you if you go without her." Alastor could feel the spiritual connection between Chibi and Lack. He wasn't sure what it was but he knew it wasn't strong enough to be love. Perhaps siblings? They don't look alike though.
"She's going to stay put," Lack replied firmly. "I'll get Furama and FerrariSin to keep an eye on her."
~~~
MikeRex sat on his bed with Jemini nestled in his lap. "Should I go?" he asked her. She giggled and touched her ear. Smiling, MikeRex blew her other ear. "Lack is challenging me to a duel. But it doesn't seem a fair duel. Him and three of his guildsmen against myself and my brother."
"Do you know which guildsmen?" Jemini asked twisting around so she could rest her head against his neck. MikeRex nodded. "Is Chibi one of them?" He shook his head. "Then you have nothing to worry about. With Chibi, you have to worry about how much one potion will heal them for versus how fast John can heal. Without her there, it's even. Who's their support?"
"Phenomenon," MikeRex replied looking at the parchment in his hand. "He's chosen Syaoran, Tadakono and Phenomenon. Tadakono isn't that strong for a High Wizard and same goes for Syaoran. My only problem is that Fight Club members have gifts from the Gods. If Chibi can turn into a cat, even if it is a binding, I wonder what the others can do."
"Shouldn't worry you too much," she said running her fingers down his chest. "If his choices are that bad then accept his challenge."
MikeRex gave her a kiss and whispered "You make a lot of sense my queen."
~~~
Lack stood waiting in Clock Tower with Syaoran, Tadakono and Phenomenon. The doors opened and MikeRex rode in on his Peco with his brother walking at his side. "You're finally here," Lack said to him. "You took your sweet time."
"I had business that I needed to take care of," MikeRex replied. "Nothing that concerns you." He looked around the area. "Under the Shadows guild is watching. And no Chibi, I see. Left her at headquarters?"
"That doesn't concern you," Lack replied pulling his gloves tight. "You ready or not?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing," MikeRex readied his poleaxe.
"Then let's go…"
~~~
Furama sat in the Training Room with FerrariSin and Trelawney. "There's nothing to do," whined Furama as he broke a Dead Branch and a Fabre popped out. It promptly began to attack him.
"I hate bugs," Trelawney said looking at the Fabre. "Tho I like when that one becomes a Creamy. Creamy's are the only one's I like. They're so pretty."
FerrariSin sat leaning against a pole and yawned. "I wonder how the battle is going." He threw a stone at the Fabre which promptly killed it. "Chibi's sound asleep too so we don't have to worry about her either."
Trelawney's eyes darkened and went blank. "Bound in the abyss rises a messenger for darkness. When mischief foreshadows the land the people must rise. Deep within the earth the silence is coming. It looms over us all. Justice will be spread and the overpowered will be diminished. Only the dark messenger will rule in power. His sword will bring down his enemies with death at his command...." Trelawney pressed her fingers to her head. "I have a headache."
"I'll say," Furama replied glancing over to FerrariSin. "Have headaches often?"
"Recently they've increased in frequency." Trelawney laid down on the floor. "I don't get why I have these headaches."
Furama and FerrariSin looked at each other. "Neither do we…"
"I'm going to go get something for my headache," Trelawney got up and wandered off to the infirmary.
Furama thought over what he had heard. "I can interpret some of that." FerrariSin looked at him impressed. "I've been listening to Lack, Tada, Phen and Syao too much." He carefully went over some of the lines."Justice will be spread and the overpowered will be diminished. That's got to mean Kashy's recent change to the world. Mischief could mean Loki…"
"Then who's the dark messenger?" FerrariSin asked half listening. "Contra?"
"Well it fits doesn't it?" Furama asked. "He's bound at the moment. He ruled in power before he was bound. And with the Mediators missing that means the Hidden Gods are down four leaving only Kashy and Novus left." FerrariSin said nothing hoping that Furama was wrong.
~~~
"Asura Strike!" Lack screamed striking JohnFlora down. MikeRex spun and blocked Syaoran's sword. JohnFlora fell to his knees, leaving MikeRex alone. "You're left." Lack said breathing hard. Tadakono cast Lord of Vermillion pushing MikeRex back. Lack pulled out blue potions and replenished his magical power. Syaoran cast Berserk and began to slash at MikeRex.
MikeRex bit his lower lip and cast Spiral Pierce. I knew this was a bad idea. He noticed Ara and Haru had moved to his brother's side. Tadakono and Syaoran continued to push him away from JohnFlora. They're up to something. Lack cast Asura Strike on him. MikeRex staggered. I've got to concentrate. John'll hit me if he realized I wasn't focused on my battle. MikeRex attempted to Spiral Pierce Lack, who snapped away quickly and came back to Asura him again.
"Lack," Tadakono called. Syaoran heard him and began to attack MikeRex with renewed fury. Lack jumped back and landed in a crouch at Tadakono's side. "How much longer? My magical power is almost at it's limit."
"Have anything else that's wide area you can use that's less draining?" Lack asked taking in a few more bottles of blue potion. "Me throwing one at you isn't going to do anything. Though I think two more Asura's should do it." Phenomenon cast Kyrie Elysion on them and Lack prepared to cast Asura Strike.
"Storm Gust," Tadakono replied thinking. "Why didn't I cast that instead? I have a chance of freezing him." Tadakono switched to Storm Gust and within minutes froze MikeRex. Breathing hard, he stopped and let Lack Asura him. MikeRex fell off his Peco to the floor.
"Now then," Lack said cracking his knuckles. "Time to get them back to normal."
~~~
Chibi awoke to a dark room. Lack's bedroom… Why am I here and not in my room? Sitting up, she felt a sting on her chest. She stood and walked to the door firmly shutting it and turning on the light. It stings! What the hell did Ara do? She looked around the room and found a mirror hanging on the wall. Standing in front of it, Chibi pulled her top down slightly. On top of the thin white scar was a thicker pinkish scar directly over the middle of her breast bone.
While Chibi examined herself, the door opened slowly. A hand covered her mouth. "You don't get away from me that easily. A Creator of your abilities would be an asset to my plans." His lips brushed her ear as he spoke.
Chibi looked fearfully in the mirror. Loki!! She closed her eyes and grasped the emergency system. Lack! Loki's here! Somebody answer me!
"No you don't my pretty," Loki whispered wrapping his arm around her throat. Chibi's vision blurring, her body feeling lighter than before. Footsteps sounded outside the room. "Looks like we have company."
FerrariSin, Furama and Trelawney threw the door open in time to see Loki disappear into the shadows with Chibi. "Lack is going to kill us." Furama said punching the door frame.
~~~
Lack stood frozen in place. Tadakono and Phenomenon shook as they Healed MikeRex. Syaoran fell to his knees. Ara looked at them curiously. "What's wrong with you guys?"
Tadakono took a deep breath and forced his shaking to stop. "Chibi just sent a message though our emergency system. Loki's at headquarters."
MikeRex opened his eyes and raised a hand to his forehead. "Loki?" Sitting bolt upright, he looked around and asked "Where?"
"Loki's not here," Lack replied shakily. "He's at Fight Club headquarters… With Chibi."
MikeRex stood and shook Lack hard. "You crazy bastard! What are you doing here? Get going back there!" He jumped onto his Peco. "And I'm coming with you!" Phenomenon cast Warp Portal. MikeRex shoved Lack through and the rest followed. "Loki is going to do the same thing he did to Momo to Chibi."
Ara pulled MikeRex to a halt as FerrariSin ran out towards them. "You need to explain what you mean. Because it looks like we're too late."
MikeRex got off his Peco and grabbed a hold of Lack. Lack stared at him. His eyes dark and clouded. "You need to snap out of it. Momo was my guild's Creator. Loki saw his ability in creating homunculi and kidnapped him. Next thing we know, we are attacked by doppelgangers. Fight Club will be next if you don't wake up!"
Lack pushed MikeRex away and looked at FerrariSin. "Guild meeting in two hours. Make sure the word gets around."
~~~
Loki sat on his throne with Hel on his right side. Chibi stood locked in a giant upside-down glass vial. Momo placed a Loki's Whisper into a flask and placed it over an open flame. Chibi banged her fists against the glass. The tube blocked her voice from reaching Momo.
Jemini stepped into the room. After bowing to Loki, she walked over to the glass tube. Purple gas began to fill the tube. Chibi covered her ears, tears streamed down her face, and crouched down curling into a ball. Jemini touched the glass "Soon Chibi," she whispered her voice soft and alluring. "If you listen to the pretty voices, you'll be able to come out and be free."
Loki frowned. "Is it necessary to do it this way, Momo?" He watched the tube steadily fill with purple gas. "It's inefficient isn't it? To convert Creators this way."
"It's efficient," Momo replied, his black eyes sparkling for a second causing tears form. "If she doesn't listen to the voices, the inhaled gas will bend her to your will."
Loki stepped down and grabbed Momo's face. Picking him up, he tossed Momo into a similar tube and put him through the same treatment. Jemini stood watching both tubes. "That's why I think it's inefficient," Loki grumbled. "It doesn't last long and requires reconditioning."
Jemini leaned close to Loki and stroked his cheek. "The more Creator's you have the more chance they'll catch the moment they need reconditioning." She touched her chest. "Shards hurt much and takes longer for the Creator to heal. You want a force to trample the Gods sooner don't you?"
~~~
Lack stood before, not only Fight Club guildsmen, but guildsmen from Under the Shadows, 7 Deadly Sins, and Nothing. "I never expected other guilds to answer my call," he murmured to LadyDeathStrike, Rena, MikeRex and Balawis.
"It affects us too," LadyDeathStrike replied raising her hands for silence. "Alright. Everyone here knows the basic problem. As expected our problems are larger than first thought." She stepped aside to let MikeRex speak.
"Loki is capturing Creators from all over Rune Midgard," MikeRex announced, producing gasps from the crowd. "His aim is to have them create an army of powerful doppelgangers to take on the Gods in his war. As far as we know," he indicated to the four guild masters with him. "Loki has Momo from my guild and Chibi from Fight Club."
A large bang sounded from the Foyer. MikeRex and Lack looked at each other.
~~~
Chibi stood before Loki. Her eyes a deep blue colour. "Momo and I have created four test doppelgangers. If it pleases you, you may watch their progress against Fight Club." She bowed and Momo passed Loki a large, round mirror with the Fight Club symbol on the back. "This mirror will give you viewing access into Fight Club headquarters."
Loki ruffled Chibi's hair. "Well done Chibi." Chibi bowed once more and walked away. A few tears fell from her eyes. Momo noticed and said nothing, gave his own bow and followed her out. "Now then," Loki and Hel looked into the mirror. "Let's watch the excitement."
~~~
Lack jumped and smashed a blue gem with his Knuckle. Did Chibi create these? They're no different from the other ones. We outnumber them so it wont be too hard to deal with them.
"This is endless!" yelled JohnFlora over the noise. MikeRex nodded and smashed another blue gem with his poleaxe. "They're the same doppelgangers that attacked us!"
Lack's doppelganger fell into pieces of Alcohol. Lack stared at the Alcohol. Why Alcohol? The other Doppelgangers were falling apart as Alcohol as well.
Balawis shot the last blue gem with a Silver Arrow. Slowly backing away, he yelled "Run!" Lack turned and saw the final doppelganger falling apart. Bombs dropped into the Alcohol. Lack dived for cover, fire filled the entire room.
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