It's The Time To Fight, Time To Fly, Time To Die

[Felix Falora]

Masahiro appeared at the edge of the island with Perceval on his back and Patchouli by his side. "So that's what the void looks like... how interesting," Patchouli said.

"Indeed," Masahiro said with a sigh. "I predict Edd will be here soon. We need to apprehend him, get him to the Temple of Balance just like the cure said. If anything happens to any one of us, something fatal that guarantees death, continue apprehension. If it's obvious the victim cannot be saved, continue about your business. We can't lose any opportunity given." Masahiro said this because he knew what had to be done and hadn't told either Patchouli or Perceval about it.

"I feel it now... a dark wind blowing," Patchouli said, pulling out a few cards. "I will try to aid you. I think I might be in good enough health to do so."

[gantzgun74]

So sudden was his arrival that Masahiro and the others were likely surprised themselves.

"Am I too late for the party?"

Gantz really didn't have much to do during the week given that he was making himself busy finding his friends, but when he received a strange message from something over in this general area, he was quick to respond. "I shoulda figured that someone else would be here."

Along with him, Talim, Otto, and Wally were along for the ride. Talim stumbled around looking a tad bit dazed. "I will never get used to that teleporting thing..."

Otto shrugged, lightly shaking off any dizziness he had. "Your not the only one Talim... Give me a chocobo any day..."

Meanwhile, Wally himself was grinning like ens getting over his adrenaline rush. "So what are we doing here anyways Gantz?"

The Wind priestess shook her head. "All he told me was it has to do with this unrest I've been feeling in the balance of the world. The Wind has grown extremely uneasy recently, and I want to know why."

Gantz sighed. "You may soon get your answer Talim... But you may not like it too much."

"HEEEEEEEELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Suddenly a familiar being to Wally and Otto rushed past them, flying overhead.

"Kosumu?!?!"

"Hey mate what's up!?!?!?"

"......." Otto's eyes narrowed. "I think I'm figuring it out..."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kyle was looking rather depressed still as he approached where the others were gathering. Following behind him were Crow and Mr. Copycat, who both were coming along to help with the situation. Crow and Mr. Copycat were doing it because it was the right thing. Kyle was doing it because he wanted to genuinely save Double D. He had a debt to pay, and Double D was his friend.

And that was the part that was hitting Kyle the most. He hadn't been able to do anything last time. If he couldn't save Double D, if he couldn't help... he didn't know what he'd do.

Mr. Copycat gave a concerned look at Kyle, and patted his back. "It's going to be okay, Kyle."

The three of them stopped as they saw a strange child fly overhead. Like he was being chased.

"W-What's going on?!" Kyle asked.

"Brace for impact. I think our boy Eddward's on his way here," Crow said.

[nintendonut1]

"Huh?" Eddy traded odd looks with everyone, Ed standing on edge beside him. Oh, there was no WAY, Double D's closest friends were going to sit back and do nothing as these so-called 'professionals' rescued their friend for them. "What're you talking about!? Where's~OOF!!"

The impact hit Eddy first.

After awakening from a painful slumber in the Northern mountains, the creature still caught traces of the star child's airy smell... and some deeply buried instinct had told him to follow it, out of the snow and back into the bonsai forests. He was still horribly starved, but for once, it had to wait. Something deep inside him told him this was far more important.

But now, with the overpowering stench of meat filling his nostrals, he could help himself no longer. He leaped at the closest bag of flesh as he leaped into the clearing and pinned the small morsel to the ground.[/i]

"HOLY SHI~" Eddy gaped with eyes as wide as dinner plates at the snarling, putrid, terrifying monster above him, gnashing with toxic spit and still mildly covered in frost.. and nastiest of all, dried blood, caked all around his mouth and claws.

"EDDY!!" Ed swooped in without fear, freezing the monster briefly and yanking Eddy out from underneath.

"No way... that's not... that can't be.. what.. WHAT THE HELL!?!?"

[Felix Falora]

"He's here!" Masahiro said.

"Fire Metal Sign: 'St. Elmo's Pillar,'" Patchouli muttered. Raising her hands, she gathered a form of dense mass and high temperature before throwing it at the ground by Eddy. The flame burst out into a pillar that would knock Edd off of Eddy. She then grimaced, flying over and landing next to Eddy before pulling out another card. "Water Sign: 'Jellyfish Princess.'" A bubble of concentrated water wrapped around her and Eddy as she stood there. She pulled out a book and began to build up what looked like a bullet of wind within it. "Flash of Spring." The powerful bullet fired out at Edd, to make him hopefully dodge, but still deal considerable damage to him if he didn't.

"Alright Patchouli," Masahiro yelled, then came out. "Alright Edd. I hate having to fight you, but let's dance."

[gantzgun74]

"Oh my..." To say Talim was horrified at the sight of the boy in his current form would've been an understatement.

Otto looked away, ashamed at what was occuring... Where had he been when this mess started?.. Some friend he was...

Oh well no time like the present, he supposed. "Talim." The girl looked to the boy with a raised eyebrow. "Go check on Kosumu, me and Wally will handle this..."

And speaking of Wally....

"............. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Yeah, he was pretty much 'hit the ground and suck your thumb' horrified at this point. thank you for asking. Gantz was quick to slap Wally out of his mindless terror. "WALLY!!! SNAP OUT OF IT!!!"

Wally looked like he was doing everything in his power not to die from a heart attack at that moment. "Th-that's..?!?"

"Yes." Gantz was pulling out Eclipse, at this point. There was no need to use Soul Calibur. Pulling that sword out would've frightened the beast off. "And unless you want him to stay that way, you'll help us to capture him!!!"

Wally was terrified of course, but he knew when to put his terror aside. With a terror filled expression and shudder, he pulled out his sword, charging light energy. Something that would be bound to catch Double D's attention.

Even if it did though, Gantz and Otto was way ahead of him.

"THUNDARA!!!!!" A small flurry of Lightning bolts shot out of Gantz's sword, all of them aimed for Double D.

"SHADOW BULLETS!!!!!" Otto fired out tiny beams of darkness from his fingertips. It wasn't like the two wanted to fight Double D. But they knew that they had to first weaken and knock out the beast to capture him.

As for Talim, she walked up to a shivering and terrified Kosumu, whom looked no better then Wally was earlier. "T-Talim..."

Talim smiled a little at the child, before embracing him, the child returning it, crying fitfully. "It's okay... We will fight this monster for you... Don't worry."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kyle's eyes widened as Double D crashed into Eddy. That was the thing he had to keep reminding himself. This was Double D, and he was confused, mindless, and corrupted by Aku's curse. He fought to not cry out when everyone's attacks hit Double D, looking away as they ran forward and attacked him.

Crow summoned several of her dark feathers, and threw them at the monster, while Mr. Copycat morphed his hand into the claw from his true form, slashing at the beast.

Kyle winced, and then ran forward, shadows swirling around him. "Double D! We're going to help you!" He yelled as he sent a wave of shadows toward Double D. After the initial strike, they wrapped around his wrists and ankles, holding him in that spot.

[nintendonut1]

"H....HEY!!!" Eddy protested, pounding on the bubble. "Lemme out!! DOUBLE D!!!"

Again... again with this... pain, hurting, pounding~! Why did he come back!!? He KNEW this would happen... that his predators would find him and hurt him and bound him and...!

He SHRIEKED as Kyle imprisoned him, thrashing about... but stopped at Masahiro's deep, clear words. His body still trembling, ever in constant pain from the infected wounds and raging chaos, he dragged his gaze up to the angel, panting haggard breaths.

And deep down, a buried anger began to surface. There was something about this angel... something he DESPISED. Something about him... no, something he DID...The beast shook his head; what was it remembering!?

Oh, what did it matter!? He was hungry. And this own's perishing was long overdue, as far as he was concerned. He let out a roar of challenge, beginning to draw away form the shadows holding him down.[/i]

The noises of the tremendous battle echoed throughout the eastern forests, and hardly went unnoticed. But one samurai in particular was keen on discovering the source of this brawl, already darting his way through the woods.

(Someone mention Aku at SOME point... gotta stir up Jack a little so he prepares to make a move)

[Felix Falora]

"You're not yourself," Masahiro said to Edd. "Aku's vile magic has twisted and corrupted your body... but not beyond repair. There is a way, a way to fix you, and I intend to do it... but I have to fight you first, of course. I can't just let you hurt our friends. So come, Double D. If you want a meal, just remember... he who doesn't work doesn't eat."

"Edward!" Felix had taken flight, looking for Edd. The others had gone without noticing him. What were they thinking? Aku was his to kill and Edd was his to save. "Edward!"

[gantzgun74]

"Exactly Double D!!" Gantz frowned deeply. "That's why we got Talim. You remember Talim don't you? She'll be able to help you out of this!"

Wally held up his sword defensively, ready to defend himself at a moments notice.

"It also works that he's here." Otto was in a battle stance, ready for the moment Double D might break out of the shadow binds. "We're so close to the Temple of Balance here, Yin and Yang will be able to help as well. We just need to catch him."

Talim smiled at the little star child before patting him on the head. "Wait right here okay?" Kosumu nodded fearfully. With that done, Talim turned back to the squabbling pulling out Syi Salika and Loka Luha, her trusted elbow blade weapons. She didn't like to fight, but she too knew what had to be done. This monster had to be subdued before any work could be done. "Wind, guide me." A gust of wind blew on the scene, seeming to give Talim it's blessing...

She'd likely need it given what was bound to occur.

[Sweet_Chef (Ani)]

Alex had been tailing the beast all day, never tiring and never slowing his brisk pace that had morphed into a full-blown run once the trail became obvious and strong. He simply had to look for the clawed up earth and the smashed foliage of the forest, which was child's play compared to some of the tracking he'd been forced to do in the past. He was running at his full speed, leaping effortlessly over obstacles and carelessly shoving trees out of his path like they were branches. Alex knew he was making a horrible wracket, but he did not care in the least. Part of him actually hoped all of the noise and destruction would lure the monster to him, saving him some trouble.

Knowing that he was nearing the edge of the island, he decided to do a quick, simple check of what was up ahead. Alex switched to heat vision, and was instantly shocked by what he saw just past the forest's edge. There was an entire gathering of creatures, most of them humanoid, surrounding what must have been the beast. Clenching his teeth, he returned to normal vision and knew he had to change his plans now. Whether the monster was attacking them or vice versa, Alex had made it his goal to destroy the creature, and nothing was going to stop him.

Veins of black and red viral energy wrapped around his right arm, transforming the bone and muscle into his favorite weapon, the Blade. The same energy then gathered around his legs, which he was still using to run with at inhuman speeds, twisting and whipping about until a subtle pulse flared outwards. That was Alex's cue, and he suddenly leaped into the air as if a wound-up spring had been released, soaring over the treetops like a great, predatory bird. He flew forward, using the momentum from his run, and then allowed gravity to drag him down towards his target. He paid the others present no mind as he swung his Blade back, then slammed it forward into what would be the beast's back- unless it managed to dodge in five seconds.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kyle winced as Double D began to pull away from his shadows. A couple more wrapped around Double D's ankles, but suddenly, they all pulled away from him as Kyle spotted Alex coming out of the corner of his eye. A weapon like that, at that velocity, would cut Double D in half if he couldn't move.

Crow tossed a few knife-like feathers into the ground to cut Double D off, but she knew her feeble attacks wouldn't do much. She glanced toward the new arrival for a moment, but he was of no concern to her.

Mr. Copycat wasn't really able to do much, with his limp. He was preparing to catch the beast so they could take him where he was needed: the Temple. Once there, though, Mr. Copycat wouldn't be able to go in. He was a doppelganger, and they were not permitted inside such temples.

[nintendonut1]

"...Aku!?" Jack's hand went to his sword as a reflex. He didn't hear all of Masahiro's words from this distance, but he had heard enough. Even now, Aku plagued this world...! With sword drawn, he rushed ever closer towards the struggle

The moment the shadows weakened, the beast was able to tear away, barely dodging Alex's stab. If its currently fractured state hadn't left his mind so one-tracked, he would've recognized that scent and wonder how he was still alive.

But Alex was the last thing on his mind as he thundered towards Masahiro. All of it, every last shread of conscious thought was directed towards the hatred of this angel, this inexplanable RAGE for reasons he couldn't begin to understand.

That, and he was STARVING all over again. And the way to solve this delimna?

By diving at the accursed angel and plunging his teeth into his throat.[/i]

Eddy paled. Ed had to turn away--there was just so much blood....!

"..holy... what the...n...no...way...!!"

[Felix Falora]

"I'll save you Double D," Masahiro said.

No. Edward is mine to save. Not... yours...! And with that, the very last threshold of Felix's sanity snapped and he threw a knife at Masahiro, distracting him from fighting back.

"Eh?!" Masahiro just dodged the knife. "What in the...?!" But no one had time to look and see it was Felix who threw the knife. Edd had pounced so swiftly that all eyes were focused on him.

Blood spilled everywhere.

(Music for the occasion
www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_KTIllP0vk
Yup... had to be done.)

Masahiro's eyes rolled in the back of his head as he fell to the ground. Having been unable to even get one fair blow in, he hit the dirt as Edd began to gouge himself on angel blood. No doubt, by this point, Percevel was screaming. Felix landed a ways from the group, so as to appear as if he only showed up, and smirked to himself.

You deserve to die, Masahiro. For thinking you could steal Edward from me... for thinking you could be such a punk and have nothing bad happen to you... for denying me my revenge.

Patchouli had noticed Felix's involvement, however. Her eyes were wide and she looked stunned. However, as she regained herself, she began to dig through her spell-cards. Please... please be in here...

[gantzgun74]

?!?!?!!?!?!?!?

"MA-MASAHIRO!!!!!!!!!!"

Talim was way ahead ahead of Gantz's yelling. Running as fast as she could, which was pretty dang fast given the Wind Deity's blessing, she was fast to slam the blunt ends of her right elbow blade against Double D's face. This was followed by a swift uppercut with the left elbow blade, which sent him into the air. The last move performed was Talim jumping into the air and handing out a tough kick, sending the monster backwards...

What could be noticed however was that by the time that first attack connected, Double D had already eaten quite a bit off of Masahiro. Talim was thoroughly grossed out when, after knocking Double D away, noticed the extent of the damage done. "Oh my..."

"MASAHIRO!!!!!" Gantz stumbled before quickly rushing over to the fallen angel (No pun intended), Falling to his knees and grabbing the angels wrist to check for a pulse... Truthfully however, Gantz already knew it would be no use. Double D had done a lot of damage, as was made apparent when no pulse was found...

And what a time for Gantz to not have Pheonix Downs!!!!

"No..." Gantz lowered his head, caring very little that blood was starting to stain his jeans. "Masahiro..." Okay, maybe he didn't know Masahiro that well, but it mattered little. Masahiro wanted to save Double D just like the rest of them... And he died in the attempt. A friend of a friend... And the boy only regretted that he didn't know him better.

Wally looked ready to barf at the sight of the massacre. "Holy Yin..."

Otto meanwhile looked at Felix strangely. "Where the hell have you been?!? Double D just TORE Masahiro to SHREDS!!!!"

Wally held up his sword higher, "We need to catch him! And FAST!!!"