Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction / Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction / Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction / Crossover Fan Fiction ❯ Ginga GIRI GIRI! The Universe is in Danger! ❯ The Gate of Ether ( Chapter 88 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

___________________________________________________________________________ _________________

Ginga GIRI GIRI! The Universe is in Danger!
By SSJ Heero (http://animenext.knorf.net)
________________________________________________________________________ ____________________

- OPENING SONG: SAMAYOERU AOI DANGAN - B'Z -

Kaze no tsuyoi hi wa allergy sonnano kamatte irarenai
Mukin joutai ni naresugi minna achikochi yowatteru

Kekkan no naka ga futtou suruyona
ijou na jitai(Suteki na jitai)
Nanimo tabenaide nemuranaide omoidashite mite

Tobidasha ii nakidashisouna kokoro o kette
Sagaseba ii machi ni kieyuku yume no kirehashi
Mou osaerarenai shock ni yarare me ga sameta nara
Tabi surya ii soudesu kimi wa aoi dangan

---- Recap ----

[Chibi characters of SSJ, Kensou, Amiko, TM, Van, and Davis appear in the foreground as
scenes from the last episode play in the background. Though, you can't see 'cause this is
text. Haha!]

SSJ: Last time on GINGA GIRI GIRI!

Kensou: Amiko runs into Seiryuu, and their battle begins.

Amiko: That is correct! I totally beat that guy!

Davis: But uh, weren't you supposed to not have enjoyed it?

TM: Yeah, what's up with that?

Amiko: Oh, please. Who cares about a few plot holes.

TM: Or two hundred.

Van: Anyway, keep watching! My fight scene will come! ...Eventually!

---- Chapter 88: Closing the Gate - Part Six : The Gate of Ether ----

The day wore on throughout Terra, and every citizen was frozen in place. The dire situation
was laid out before them, broadcasted through every television and computer. News reports
of the fights near the Core were echoed on every channel: the Outlaws, the Hokuten, and
President Tsumuji were in the Core fighting the Nishiten and the scourge, Virus.

Everyone had heard the screams of the world, as well as Mauzel's possessed laughter. No one
knew exactly what had happened, but the world shook as the day continued. On every
television were images of the inside of Terra, with the celesium pillars and darkness.

Following Kino and Kensou on their descent into the Darkness was a small machine, hovering
over the two silently. Kino knew about it, and Kensou noticed it a while back. The world
had a right to know, after all, what was happening. This fight won't be forgotten like the
Ragnarok. It would be remembered for all eternity.

Kensou noticed something in the distance. It was a single flare shining up above. A bright
white light in the darkness. It was too far away, but Kensou hoped that the others had not
fallen. With the darkness all around, and the world witnessing, Kino and Kensou continued
to descend...

***

With the calls of birds and the whispers of the wind, everything on Earth, though, seemed
to be normal. Nothing had changed in the real world at all. The Other World, the battle in
the Core, the cries of Mauzel- none of those were known. Everything seemed to move as
normally as it had moved forward on its steady course.

Of course, one person at least knew what was going on. Frank Miguel, alone in his home, was
sweating as he pounded on his brother’s computer. He felt the pressure on him as he
struggled to break through Virus' grip on Terra.

It had been about a year since he had lost control of Terra. Ever since then, he had always
been on the defensive, struggling to break Virus' hold on his world. He watched helplessly
as Virus corrupted the people and the world in a matter of weeks. It had all nearly fallen
by the time Mauzel called for his friends.

Frank couldn't give up, now. He was just as important as his friends, risking their lives
within that other world. If he failed, the world as he knew it would fall. The internet and
computers in general would be corrupted. Moreover, if he failed, the greatest friends he
had would die.

He needed to get the antivirus program to his friends. He looked through the text on the
screen, lines and lines of text. Finally, he found Davis' code. He grabbed the microphone
and screamed, "Davis!"

***

During Genbu and Anya's fight, during TM and Suzaku's, and during Amiko and Seiryuu's,
Davis continued sliding down the celesium pillars, speeding into the darkness towards
Cindy. This fight was all a great gamble. He wondered if all the armor in the world could
protect him from what awaited him.

He certainly was feeling a little concerned as he slid down, feeling the air move faster
all around him. As he neared Virus, he came to think of all he had done the past years
helping Frank. It was all about to come to an end. For too long had he been caught up in
this covert battle between Frank and Virus. It was finally coming to an end, and he was
feeling antsy.

Suddenly, he heard Frank call in his mind, "Davis!"

Davis was taken aback, bracing his feet and arms to slow to a stop. He shifted his course
to a bridge and landed upon it. "Frank?!" Davis called back in surprise. "What did you call
me for?"

"This!" Frank called back. Davis looked up at the dark air, searching for what Frank
referred to. He felt a draft from above. He looked up, and there he saw the air rip open.
The lights of blue, white, and black colors filled the area, and three black shapes
appeared.

Davis saw them with surprise. "Those..." The first one that dropped into his hand was a
golden key, as long as his forearm. He looked up and saw a small object drop from the Gate.
He caught it and inspected it. It was a bullet made of the same gold. And one final item
fell into his hands; a golden arrow. Davis looked at the three items with surprise. "Frank,
what are these for?" Davis noticed a key shape to all of them.

Frank's voice echoed in his head, "While you all were preparing, I created this antivirus
tool to fight Virus. However, if I try to move it to destroy Virus myself, there is a good
chance that Virus can infect that before I can get it working. The keys will bring up this
'Ether Gate'. Give them to Amiko, Cindy, and TM. If the three keys hit Virus at once, then
the Ether Gate will be summoned to capture and destroy Virus."

Davis nodded, looking at the items. He opened a pack on his side and placed the weapons in
them. He then heard Frank say, "However, the Ether Gate is not bug-free. If something goes
wrong, I'm counting on you to do the rest. This is all I can do."

Davis grinned. He said in reply, "Don't worry, we will definitely defeat Virus!"

***

On Earth, Frank smiled in reply. He said finally, "Alright then. I can trust you. Over and
out!"

Frank set down his microphone. He looked up at the ceiling, sweating with fatigue. It was
all up to them. There was nothing more he could do. With that, he typed another command
into the prompt. A window showing the pillars and bridges came up, showing what was
happening like a movie. Frank chased after Davis, watching and hoping that everything will
end up fine.

***

Davis stood there upon the bridge, looking at the darkness below. Yes, even if he descended
into the dark, he will rise up and escape it. No matter what.

Davis then felt something land on his shoulder. He turned and saw Mokona there. "Oh!" Davis
said with surprise. "Do you see anything?"

Mokona looked around the darkness. "We're getting close to Virus."

There was a brief silence as Davis looked down below. Davis then asked bluntly, "Are you
ready to combine with my gloves?"

Mokona said nothing. He sat there, looking at the darkness below. Davis felt Mokona shaking
on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," he heard Mokona whisper. "Even if this is important, I can't
make that decision so easily..."

Davis said nothing at that. Suddenly, Davis felt a chill run down his spine. His eyes
widened and his senses sharpened. He looked down into the darkness, and from it, he saw a
figure emerge. From the shades, cloaked in black, a man walked up the pillar.

Davis saw with surprise claws cutting into the celesium emerging from the man's soles. He
recognized the claws, even if he couldn't see the face. "It's him," whispered Davis.
"Byakko of the Nishiten..."

Davis stood there as he saw Byakko casually step up the pillar, his cloak pulled towards
the ground behind him. He looked at Mokona and said, "Just watch." Mokona nodded and leapt
off of Davis' shoulder, floating in the air.

Byakko said nothing as he came to a stop, looking up at Davis. Davis looked down upon
Byakko. Byakko looked back, his red eyes visible against the black. "Kid," Byakko broke the
darkness. "This is as far as you go. I will not let you pass me."

"Tch," Davis said back. "You're not going to stop me. I defeated Virus' soul in the
Underworld. I can defeat you, no problem."

Byakko sighed. He reached for his hood and pulled it back, revealing his face, brown hair,
red eyes, and light skin. "That was only a fraction of Virus' true power," said Byakko.
"Besides, I am the winner of the World Tournament for the past five years. I am officially
recognized as the strongest man on Terra. No pathetic kid- not even trained in fighting-
can defeat me. Give it up, kid."

Davis was silent, glaring at Byakko. Davis stepped ahead, towards the edge of the bridge.
Using his chakra, he stuck to the walls as he stepped to the pillar. He felt the sensation
of his weight shifting towards the ground. As he stood upon the pillar, looking down upon
Byakko, he felt the clutches of Terra grasp at him. If he slipped, he could die.

"It doesn't matter what you say," said Davis. "I won't lose. No traitor to the human race
can change that. Even if you had called upon the power of God, I wouldn't allow you to
rampage and kill everyone. This is what I feel in my heart, and nothing can sway me."

Byakko looked up at his opponent. He turned away, looking to his side. "I could care less
about God, let alone the human race." His glare turned back towards Davis. "The only voice
I obey is Master Suzaku's. His power is greater than that of God!"

Davis glared back. "It doesn't matter how much power he has- I won't allow anymore of your
existence," he replied bluntly. "You made a big mistake capturing my friend, and your
second biggest is trying to sway my cause. The third mistake is still continuing this
meaningless fight."

Byakko's glare narrowed. "Meaningless..." he repeated. "So you say, you hypocrite." Davis'
eyes narrowed. "People like you think they are high and mighty. You were the ones who drove
us away. Now that we have done what you wanted, you say we are in the wrong?"

"This fight is meaningless," firmly stated Davis. "What good is there to erase life?"

"'What good?'" Byakko repeated. "That's the entire point, there is nothing good about it!
Just like how we were forced into these lives." Davis said nothing for a while. Byakko
glared at Davis and Davis at Byakko. Davis saw Byakko suddenly dash up the pillar at an
amazing speed.

Claws came from Byakko's knuckles as he sent a speeding punch at Davis. Davis dodged,
knocking the fist away with the back of his hand. Claws tore from Byakko's arm, sharp and
long as ever. Byakko saw in surprise, though, that the claws did not tear through Davis'
skin. They didn't even touch his skin.

Davis' Rood Gloves had blocked the blow, much to Byakko's bewilderment. Davis lifted his
leg and aimed a kick at Byakko's gut, but it was stopped by spikes that tore from the man's
stomach. Davis grit his teeth in anger, glad that the steel in the sole of his boot stopped
the blades.

Davis skidded away, thinking of a way to hurt Byakko. At this perilous time, releasing his
bishoujo was too great a risk. He needed all the strength he could get, and he needed to
draw it all against Byakko.

Davis let his aura burst free, surprising Byakko with the ever changing hue. Davis dashed
at Byakko, his jeweled gloves giving off a red aura. Byakko was surprised to see the trail
of red light that followed the gloves. "Firebolt!" Davis shouted as fiery sparks raced from
his gloves.

A weaving bolt of flames sped towards Byakko, who blocked with his spiked hand. Smoke
filled the darkness, and in Byakko's lapse, Davis reached him and gave his face a good
smash with his fist.

Davis pulled back his fist in pain, remembering that Byakko was all metal. Byakko reacted
by kicking Davis in the side, blades tearing from it and slicing Davis' side. Davis
screamed in pain as he slipped from the pillar, crashing into a bridge below. Byakko let
himself fall towards Davis and landed just before the boy.

Davis swore has he held his side, edging away from Byakko. Byakko raised a fist at his
opponent. He suddenly noticed the effect of Davis' firebolt. The spikes had warped and
melted from the heat, covering the forearm in a shell of metal. Byakko's eyes widened with
surprise. Davis noticed his reaction.

Byakko's face quickly erased all emotion as he glared again at Davis. Davis figured
Byakko's weakness then. Davis grinned as he closed up his wounds with flames.

Byakko gave a dramatic bellow as he dashed at Davis. Davis reacted with his gloves turning
blue. Byakko saw the blue trails as Davis screamed, "Freeze!"

Byakko suddenly stopped, unable to lift his leg. He looked down, and to his surprise, he
saw ice racing up his body, until it encased his entire self. Byakko grew angrier, letting
the blades tear from every part of his body to break through the ice.

Davis struck then, the jewels of his gloves growing bright red. "BURN IN HELL!" Davis
screamed as Byakko was suddenly set aflame, the ice evaporating into steam. Steam covered
the area, but that didn't stop Davis from noticing that only Byakko's cloak was on fire.
Byakko was nowhere near the flames.

Davis quickly ducked as Byakko's fist flew over him. Davis twisted and attempted to trip
the man. Spikes tore from Byakko's leg again, and quickly, Davis dodged and rolled far away
from his enemy. Davis panted. Byakko stood tall.

Davis saw in surprise, though, the throbbing veins that reached around Byakko's torso.
Byakko grinned, turning and letting Davis see the ooze that gathered on his back. Davis saw
the throbbing, moving mass, which cut into Byakko's skin with veins that reached all
through his body. Davis saw the gray veins thicker as it reached the head.

"What the Hell is that?!" demanded Davis.

Byakko said through a smile, "This is a piece of Virus, which was granted to all of us.
After all, you guys took on Rantmon, so he gave us this extra boost so we could defeat you."

Davis' look of surprise softened. "Doesn't that mean he has little faith in you?"

"Perhaps," replied Byakko. "But I will prove how strong we are. I don't need Virus'
strength. I will rip you apart with my hands."

Davis sighed at that. "Geez, what's the point?" Davis asked. "We don't need to fight. I
wish to save my friend, and you don't really have a compelling reason to keep her, do you?"

Byakko glared at Davis. "You know nothing!" Byakko roared in hatred. "Suzaku tells us to do
it, and we will do it! You can not sway us. Do not underestimate our will, you hypocrite!"

"What is there to understand?!" screamed Davis. "So you hate us, get over it. Moreover,
stop following this angry crony like he's God."

Byakko suddenly burst with anger, "I WILL NOT HAVE YOU SPEAK OF MY MASTER IN SUCH A WAY!"

Davis saw with surprise that Byakko had disappeared. In an instant, Byakko was behind the
kid, hand in the air. Davis blocked the bladed hand as it slammed down upon him, but just
barely. His knees buckled at the force of the blow, making him glad he had the gloves. "MY
MASTER IS GREATER THAN GOD!" Byakko venomously snarled. "ONLY A GOD COULD HAVE PULLED US
FROM OUR PLACES AND RAISE US TO SUCH A LEVEL!"

Davis' eyes narrowed as he knocked Byakko's hand away and skidded back. Byakko stood in
place, seething. Every vein on his body rose high, giving him an eerily demonic look.
Byakko said nothing more. He covered his eyes, thinking back to how Suzaku met him. Davis
then asked, "So explain, how bad was your life, huh?"

Byakko glared at Davis, but he still began his story.

***

Byakko recalled the days when his life completely changed. He was born as Toramaru Yamato
to unwilling drunkards, raised and treated as an accident. With being beaten by his parents
and being forced to fend for his own food, he was forced to survive on his own. He was
unusually strong for a fourteen-year-old, and stark and stoic to boot.

The day was dark and cloudy when he passed two teens about his age on the streets of
Solarice. They looked up at the capitol buildings with stars in their eyes, speaking
amongst themselves in tones Toramaru could not understand. The two noticed him, but he
slipped away as they did.

He returned home that day to be greeted by a beer can. It fell upon the floor caked with
dirt, mud, beer, and God-knows-what. The walls were an unwholesome shade of yellow, and a
sickening smell came from every corner of the house. He rubbed his forehead, looking up at
his father. "Where have you been?!" his father roared.

Toramaru said nothing, nor did he make any face. Doing so means he would get beaten more
than he already had been. His father continued, "I thought I told you, you were supposed to
have fixed the roof!"

Such a thing was impossible without a ladder, which they happened to not have, anyway.
Still, Toramaru said nothing and let his father give him a smash atop the head with his
beer bottle. Glass shattered and scattered everywhere. The boy's head began to bleed, the
skin rising into a lump as big as the moon.

The pain shot through all of his body, but he managed to step upon the glass shards on his
way to the stairs, climbing them to his room, spreading blood across the steps. His father
roared in anger and smashed his head into the wall. The pain became too much, then, and he
fainted then and there on the steps.

Toramaru awoke the next day with the blood dry on his head. His father and mother were
asleep on the dingy couch, naked. Toramaru said nothing, stepping down towards the floor
and through the broken glass towards the door. As silently as possible, he stepped out the
door and through the streets, not caring about the cuts in his foot.

He returned to the spot where he had seen the two teens, and to his surprise, they were
still there, looking up at Solarice's Capitol Building. Toramaru looked up at it, too,
seeing it defiantly rise up at the world all around. It rose to the sky amidst the dark
clouds of the day. That would be him. He would rise up and claw at the sky. One day, he
will...

The two teens turned towards them. Toramaru was taken aback as they turned to him.
"S-Sorry," he began as he turned away.

"Wait," came from the taller one. "I've seen you here before. You're in bad shape, what
happened?"

Toramaru looked at the teen in surprise. That guy had shown at least some sort of concern
for him! Toramaru, though, warily relayed the events of last night, as well as what has
been going on his entire life.

The tall boy looked Toramaru straight in the eye. Suddenly, he gave a loud laugh that
pierced the silence of the dark. Toramaru glared at the teen and was about to attack him,
but the other just said, "Have you thought of doing anything?"

Toramaru was taken aback. He replied, "Well, doing anything would get me beaten. I figured
what was the point? If it means I would avoid punishment, I'd gladly be silent."

The tall boy then interrupted, "You are a fool."

Toramaru was silenced as the shorter boy spoke, "Being complacent and doing what is wanted
of you makes you weak. Just because you want to avoid more pain, you allow them to inflict
pain. Where is the logic in that?"

The tall one added, "No matter how hard your parents are, it won't compare to when they are
no longer forced to take care of you and fling you onto the streets. Here, people will kill
you without a second thought, and your murder will never be discovered or investigated. In
this world, you can only learn to fight for yourself."

The shorter one continued, "Have you ever thought of doing anything? I mean, really
thought? Not just complain or whine. I'm talking about murder." Toramaru's eyes were opened
widely as he heard the words.

"They are dead weight," the taller one still spoke. "If you really want to avoid pain, cut
it off at the source. Otherwise, you will always be trampled by the trash of society. You
will always be less than trash unless you stand on your feet and fight for yourself."

The taller one still added, "You are not the only one who has suffered. I was sold to slave
traders, and for two years I was subjected to hard labor, all before I was eight. Did I
simply keep to myself and let it go? No. When I was bought, I killed the family and started
to walk on my own."

"Are you afraid to kill?" asked the shorter one. "You must throw away that fear. What can
the law do if you kill someone? It can try to arrest you. But logically, if you are
stronger than the police, then there is no way they can do so."

Toramaru's eyes were opened by the words the two had given. He saw everything in a
different light. No, it wasn't his parents alone who were wrong for fourteen years... He
was wrong to accept it! He needed to return what they gave! Toramaru looked up at the boys
not much older than he, but much wiser in the ways of the world.

The tall one held out a hand. "I am Suzaku."

"I am Seiryuu," the shorter one added.

Suzaku added, "We two are the Nishiten. That tower there is our dream. We will rise up from
the trash we were born from in order to become Gods. We will stand defiantly at the heavens
and defeat what it sends. I see that you are strong. Join us. We have thrown out the
remnants of our past lives. Throw away yours and become Byakko, the Tiger of us devils."

Toramaru's face alighted with joy. He was quick to raise a hand and shake Suzaku's. "I am
no longer Toramaru Yamato," said he. "I am Byakko."

Rain was pouring that night when he returned home, his face still stained with dried blood.
His father roared in anger, still naked, as he saw the boy. "WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU?!"
screamed the man. "THE ROOF IS LEAKING, GODDAMN IT! I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO FIX IT!"

Byakko looked up at his father, casting a hateful leer at the man. His father was taken
aback by the sudden show of defiance, but the man quickly reached for his bokken. [1] "I
WILL NOT LET YOU DISOBEY ME!" roared the man, slashing down upon Byakko.

To the man's surprise, Byakko had caught the bokken easily. All the hard labor he did about
the house, all the precise repairs, all of the strains his muscles received, all of it had
made him stronger. Byakko pulled back his fist and slammed it into his father's nose.

His father flew back, blood flying from the broken nose. Byakko stood over his father, his
glare becoming almost demonic. With his feet still filled with glass, he stepped upon his
father's crotch. The man screamed in pain, but it was quickly cut off by Byakko reaching
down and grabbing the man's throat.

Byakko smiled as his father struggled to get the boy off of him, but Byakko was much too
strong. His hand fell to the ground.

Byakko suddenly heard a shriek. For a moment, his grip abated, allowing his father to
breathe. His mother stood in the doorway, shrieking in terror. She dashed at him, holding
her purse tightly. She flung it at him, but he easily knocked it away with a hand. In this,
his father mustered the strength to mutter, "It... It doesn't... Matter now... Shoot. Shoot
him...!"

His mother, somewhat reluctantly, pulled a pistol from her purse, aiming it at Byakko.
Byakko glared at his mother, eyes aflame with all the hatred accumulated from the years.
His mother screamed, "YOU DEVIL!" She squeezed the trigger. A shot rang through the room.
The bullet missed her son by a foot.

Byakko said nothing as he tore the bokken from his father's hand and slammed it into his
mother's head. With such ferocity, he smashed his mother and father's bones. Cracks and
smacks echoed for an hour. Finally, when blood filled the area and the two were almost
unrecognizable, Byakko stopped. He panted, finally smiling at what he had done. He dropped
the bokken and stepped towards the door.

He saw Suzaku and Seiryuu waiting for him by the street. He called to them, "I'm done. I'll
follow you wherever you go." Suzaku nodded with a smile. With that, he brushed the glass
pieces from his aching foot and wore sandals, and with that, they headed off towards their
destinies.

***

"And so," finished Byakko, "I still continue to defy the heavens. No matter what, I can not
turn from this path. I have found the answer, and I won't lose it to some brat like you."

Davis said nothing for a long time. He glared at Byakko. "You are still a fool!" shouted
Davis. "You had your revenge, didn't you? You killed the parents who had turned their backs
on you. What has the rest of Terra done?"

"Nothing," said Byakko. "And that is exactly the point!" Davis listened as Byakko
continued, "The government always speaks about protecting the people. Yet, they were
selfish enough to only help the people they were near, not coming to those who really
needed it. Instead of going out of their way to save one boy, they only saved people at
their convenience. They did nothing to help me. They turned their backs on me. And now, I
turn my backs on them."

"Geez," Davis replied. "You're hard-headed. So, because he saved you then, you'll follow
Suzaku, huh? And because he follows Virus, so do you? Well, it sounds like you still aren't
walking on your own feet, yet."

Byakko glared at Davis. "You still mock me. This talk has done nothing. No more from now
one. We only fight."

Byakko was above Davis then, spikes ripping from every part of his body. Davis grit his
teeth at the man's stubbornness and dodged the attack as it cut through the celesium bridge.

Davis' gloves left a trail of green light then, as he threw fists at Byakko. "Wind Slash!"
he screamed, imitating SSJ. Two waves of the wind cut through the air then, aimed at
Byakko. Byakko saw with surprise the two cut into his chest, leaving large scars in the
broken skin.

The skin moved and the wound closed as Byakko slipped behind Davis. Davis looked back in
surprise as Byakko's fist became a blur, blades evident in the darkness. Davis moved his
head so the blades merely grazed his cheek, but he met a powerful punch to the gut from the
other fist, covered in metal. Davis flew back, crashing into the pillar in pain.

Byakko then saw Davis' gloves become red again. "Explode!" screamed Davis. Byakko was too
slow as flames ripped through his bladed arm, melting the metal and covering his arm with
it. Davis grinned. That's two limbs less dangerous.

With shaky knees, Davis got to his feet, glaring at Byakko. His gloves changed many colors,
as did his aura. Lights from the aura bounced along the celesium, filling the area. Davis
suddenly had an idea, pulling his flare from his pocket.

Byakko saw the flare with wonder, but didn't let Davis use it. He was crouched just in
front of Davis in an instant, aiming a kick at Davis' gut with bladed legs. Then, to his
surprise, Davis slammed his fist into Byakko's mouth. Teeth made of metal flew everywhere
as Davis grinned. Byakko saw the red in Davis' aura.

An explosion suddenly tore through Byakko's head, helped by the flames in the flare. Davis
pulled his hand back and leapt away, leaving Byakko lying there.

To Davis' surprise, however, Byakko got to his feet. Smoke covered his body, making Davis
unable to see him clearly. But in the gaps between the smoke, Davis saw that Byakko's skin
became pitch black. When the smoke cleared, he saw that the veins of the ooze had reached
all around Byakko's body, making his skin black.

"Tch," muttered Davis to himself. "Figured he'd break his words."

Byakko glared at Davis. "Break them?" repeated Byakko. "No, I won't break them. This thing
moves on its own." To Davis' amazement, the veins moved back and retracted to their former
spots. His skin returned to the normal tan. Byakko glared at Davis with his two red eyes.
"I will tear you apart on my own. I will not betray Master Suzaku."

Davis sighed. The guy was just too hard-headed. Moreover, he was getting tired from
fighting. He needed all the energy he could spare for Virus, but the chances of beating him
without the Sigma were pretty dismal...

Davis thought about how to defeat Byakko. Then, he recalled the rather thick vein that led
into Byakko's skull. The vein between the brain and the ooze was thicker than any other
vein. Davis figured a plan.

Davis' gloves glowed blue. He took a hint from Shadow as he put his hands together and
announced, "Ice Clones!" Byakko was taken aback, then, when he saw the bodies of ice form
from the water in the air. He turned back to Davis and saw that the boy was gone, left with
only the ice bodies.

They all dashed at Byakko, fists pulled back. Byakko screamed in anger, spikes coming from
his body and legs. He kicked one body and tore it to pieces, quickly wheeling around and
breaking another. The bodies came and Byakko destroyed them. They rushed in droves as
Byakko simply dodged their attacks and tore them apart, muttering, "That fool... He
underestimates me!"

Byakko, however, failed to see Davis right above him, a trail of red light coming from his
gloves. Davis' aura suddenly burst out, surprising Byakko. "EAT THIS!" Davis screamed as
the bridge was suddenly engulfed with flames. Flames tore and burst everywhere. Smoke rose
into the sky, giant booms filled the space, and the celesium bridge and pillars became
covered in soot.

Davis landed upon the bridge away from the epicenter, where Byakko was. The smoke cleared,
and he saw Byakko covered in the melted metal. "Bingo!" Davis said with a grin, though
panting.

Byakko screamed, "GODDAMN YOU, KID! HOW DARE YOU?!" Davis saw that the metal had covered up
the android's red eyes, now faint glimmers behind the thin shell of metal. Some had blocked
the android's ears, leaving the enemy down two senses. Davis grinned, and in an instant, he
was behind Byakko.

He pulled back his fist. A blue flame came from it. "This is it, Byakko!" shouted Davis.
Byakko wheeled around in surprise. "There is nothing you can do!"

With that, Davis slammed his blue fist into the back of Byakko's neck. Byakko suddenly gave
a low cry from the pain. Davis had smashed the vein between the brain and Virus.

Davis elbowed the main part of the ooze, sending it flying everywhere as burnt black ash.
Byakko was knocked away, suddenly weaker. Davis stood over Byakko, panting in exhaustion.
Byakko turned up towards Davis, not knowing what hit him, only barely able to hear the boy.
"I won't let Virus take Cindy," said Davis. "You are in the way. You're all Suzaku this,
Suzaku that. Shut up, already. I will make it to Cindy, no matter what."

Davis' aura filled the area again. Pieces of the celesium bridges and pillars pulled away
and formed small spheres in the air. They all suddenly burst into flames. Davis leapt away
and threw his hand at Byakko. "METEOR STRIKE!" Davis screamed.

Byakko only could barely hear it, then. The meteors shot from their places in the air and
struck him all over his body. Giant crashes echoed through the night as they tore into the
body. Dents were formed in his frame. Holes riddled the metal shell. Several tore through
the skull into his brain. Byakko gasped in surprise.

A small noise was uttered by Byakko. He gasped, "Master... Master Suzaku... I failed..." He
lifted his hand up towards the darkness. The metal over one of his eyes had broken, letting
him see his hand against the darkness. His eyes dimmed.

'I wanted to be in the sky,' thought Byakko. 'I wanted to be with them in the sky...' His
hand finally fell towards the metal bridge, unmoving. Davis sighed, finally finished.

Davis fell to his knees, panting with exhaustion. It had taken a lot of energy breaking
apart the celesium, but it was less than using the Sigma. He saw Mokona float before him.
Davis smiled and fell forward, over the edge of the bridge. He was about to tumble towards
the darkness, but he was caught by a larger Mokona.

Mokona said nothing, letting Davis lay on his head for once. He thought of his own
situation, and how he needed to walk on his own feet. He needed to join with the gloves,
but somehow, he couldn't find the will to do so.

Nevertheless, he flapped his wings and floated down towards the darkness.

---- To Be Continued ----

- ENDING SONG: HIMAWARI - KIRORO -

nazeka kuyashikute fuan ni natteta
anata to deatte omotteru koto wo
umaku hiyoogen dekinai koto ga
hontoo no kimochi wo mune ni kakushiteta
hitori no yoru nemurenakute anata no koto wo kangaeru

ashita ni nareba taiyoo ni mukatte saku ano himawari no yoo ni
watashi mo ippai no egao de anata ni ai ni yuku wa

---- Preview ----

[The instrumental version of "Eternal Blue" from the Lunar 2: Eternal Blue soundtrack plays
in background. The Crew appears solo in chibi style, and random scenes from the next
episode play, though you can't see because this is text. Haha!]

SSJ: NEXT TIME on GINGA GIRI GIRI! I'm up!

Amiko: SSJ and Momo meets Nataku.

Kensou: After a few words, as usual, they fight.

TM: But really, is it going to be hard predicting what will happen?

Davis: He IS the author, after all.

Van: NEXT! On GINGA GIRI GIRI! "Closing the Gate - Part Seven : The Windows to the Soul"

----

Author's Note:

[1] Bokken - Wooden sword mostly used for training purposes. Refer to Twilight Suzuka of
Outlaw Star.