Mr. Gun and the Fallen Legend

[nintendonut1]

(yeah, you guys keep going. But let Kyle come with, him and Edd are supposed to get real close. Edd'll take care of him, honest! XD)

[gantzgun74]

Shantotto grinned and nodded at De'Marcus.

"That, among a few other lessons that needed to be taught to this impetuous young man.
After all, he was the one that left the only hope he has to defeat the evil that I scan."

She walked with a strut up to Gantz, jumped up and grabbed his collar, and pulled him down to eye level.

"Listen up, young man, and you better listen good.
Why were you able to defeat today? Figure it out you should."

Gantz lowered his head, he had figured that out well into Shantotto's test. "No matter how much stronger I get, there's strength in numbers."

Misty looked confused at this a moment. "So let me see if I got this straight... Not only was this test meant to see if Gantz can handle Soul Calibur, but it was also used to teach Gantz the EXACT SAME GOD-DAMN THING that all of US have been trying to tell him the ENTIRE TIME we've been with him?!?"

Shantotto nodded.

"Basically speaking yes, though forgive me if you already were trying,
It looked like, regardless of your attempts no matter how zealous, he wasn't learning."

Tarosuke shrugged, "You have to admit, she has a point." Misty glared at the demon child, making him flinch.

"And who's fault do you think THAT is?"

"Now, now, let's calm down, young one," Came Yin calmly, trying to keep everyone calm. "If it makes everyone feel better, I'd say Gantz has learned his lesson."

Otto looked to Yin, before turning to Gantz. "Have you?" He looked quite curious to boot.

.............................................................

..............................................................................

"The lesson was already learned." Gantz sighed... "I'm just sorry I didn't think about it sooner. I tried to get my friends uninvolved and thus far that plan has failed... Spectacularly."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

"Y'think?" De'Marcus said in response to Gantz. "That fisherman dude didn't bring you that newspaper for nothin', Gantz."

Waddle Dee gave a solemn nod. "There's not much you can do on your own. If you fight with friends, you're sure to win!" He pointed his parasol at Gantz. "You don't believe in yourself! You believe in those who believe in you! You can't do that when you're trying to push your friends away."

[gantzgun74]

Gantz shrugged at Waddle Dee's words. "As much as I believe that, man, a little self confidence helps too." He looked at the fuzzball curiously. "It seems your chock full of it yourself."

Yang shook his head at the scene, before turning to Gantz. "Is the sword holding out, young man?"

Gantz nodded. "Yes sir." He decided to bow respectfully. "I thank you for your kindness sir." Yang just waved it off.

A moment of thought occurred, before Otto looked to Misty. "You know, it just occurred to me... We had originally come to the temple to train up for our next fight against Him."

Misty rolled her eyes. "I remember. With all that's happened, all we've done is beat up one @$$ after another, we haven't had time to bring it up."

Yang appeared to grin at the thought. "If you wanted training, you should've just said so. We would've been happy to oblige to your request."

"Ah good!" Tarosuke walked up, grinning lightly. "Glad to know that, THAT part was easy at least." He bowed to Yang. "Are you sure it's not too much trouble sir?"

A nod was the response. "No trouble in the least. Besides, I have been looking for something to do anyways."

Wally grinned. "Goody! Let's get to it then!"

"Sure that sounds great! But only on one condition."

Everyone turned to Shantotto...

"but to train the boy in magic-

She motioned to Gantz to emphasize this.

"should be my mission."

.........................

I don't think it needed to be said that Gantz looked a little hesitant at the prospect. Likely he already knew how tough a teacher Shantotto was.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

"...Train him in magic," De'marcus said. He looked between Shantotto and Gantz, then back at Shantotto, then toward Yin's admittedly small chest, then back at Gantz and Shantotto. And then toward the door.

"Whelp, I'm outta here. Someone call me when it's time to go beat up that Him guy," De'Marcus said. He picked up Mr. Orange and started walking toward the door. "I'm gonna go drink coconut martinis on the beach. Come on, Mr. Orange."

"I like the taste of alcohol!"

Waddle Dee blinked at De'Marcus' actions, and then turned back toward the others. "I wouldn't mind training here for a while under Master Misty."

[gantzgun74]

Misty shrugged, "Whatever Waddle Dee." Grinning she pounded her right fist into her open left hand. "Just know that my regime isn't going to be easy. If I have to pound the living daylights out of you in the process, I'm going to teach you everything I know."

Looking over to Shantotto, Gantz crossed his arms. "Why would you want to train me in magic Shantotto? This seems a little out of nowhere don't you think?"

Shantotto waved off the confusion, as if the question itself was stupid.

"Simply because there are two things in this world that I hate;
That conniving Him and total losers... Can you relate?"

Gantz nodded... Before he widened his eyes in realization. "HEY!"

"Don't look at me like that boy, you have brought this cruel criticism upon yourself after that stunt you pulled;
You better hope your friends are as forgiving as you claim, otherwise all of the effort you put in will be badly deformed."

"Think you can teach me a few tricks?" Tarosuke walked up upon saying that, raising his eyebrow. "Honestly? My Rei-gun could use a little strengthening. I don't want to have to depend on my Guardian Ghost Monmotaro all the time."

With Wally and Otto, the two of them were seated not too far off. "So... How are we gonna get stronger Otto mate?"

With a step, Yang appeared. "While helping the others here is a priority, who ever said that a god or goddess can't help out their consorts every once in a while?"

Yin smiled and nodded. "Just leave it to us. While Shantotto looks after Gantz and Tarosuke, and Misty after Waddle Dee, we'll help around with the effort... Though Wally and Otto will be our primary focus."

[Kyle will still go with us, no worries there NN1. Just give it a little bit... Maybe when Double D regains consciousness their will be reconsideration.]

[nintendonut1]

(T-ta-time skip!)

"...hnn...mm..." Double D awoke feeling... rather refreshed, actually. He wasn't sure how long he was out for, but after all his latest extertions, he certainly needed the rest.

The warm aura around him told him where he was before he even opened his eyes: still at the temple. Though obviously he had been moved, for the marble ground beneath him had been replaced by soft furs of a comfy cot, and he smelled the burning wood and heard the crackling flame of a warm fire nearby.

Rubbing his eyes, Double D breathed in deeply before pulling himself up into a sitting position, yawning and streatching hugely. He forcefully blinked a few times into alertness before gazing around the room...

And spotting Kyle in a bed opposite from him. The angel felt himself smile. Good. He was safe. And they allowed him to stay. How wonderful.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kyle groaned and pulled the furs tighter in his sleep. He seemed to be shivering, most likely plagued by some nightmare.

"Hey, Double D's awake!" Waddle Dee called into the other room. Waddle Dee had been standing in the doorway between the room Double D had been resting in and the room the others were waiting in just so he could keep an eye on the others.

Kyle twitched at Waddle Dee's loud voice and sat up, rubbing his eyes. "What....? Where am I?"

"...Hey, that Kyle kid's awake too," Waddle Dee yelled.

[nintendonut1]

Double D jumped in slight surprise at Waddle Dee's loud voice. Then again, considering earlier, it didn't come as much of a shock.

"It looks like we're still in the temple," he replied to Kyle's inquiry, heaving himself out of bed and onto his feet. There was a moment of shakiness before his equilibrium settled, and he approached Kyle's bedside with a soft smile. "How are you feeling?"

[gantzgun74]

"Ah the two are finally awake."

Walking into the room behind Waddle Dee, Misty appeared, her smile was a tad bit flat, but she did look pleased to see Double D and Kyle up. "The others were starting to wonder if you would ever wake up."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kyle blinked as Double D addressed him, and then looked away. "...Cold. I feel cold."

He looked toward the doorway where Waddle Dee and Misty were standing. "You were waiting for us...?"

[nintendonut1]

Double D's smile dropped. "...cold? Actually, the fireplace is keeping this room rather wa..."

...Oh! Oh.

Before he could think of a proper response, he turned as Misty entered. "Oh, dear... I'm sorry if I worried anyone."

[gantzgun74]

Misty rolled her eyes at Double D's concern. "Don't even worry about it Double D, you needed your rest after that episode with Oni." She looked to Kyle, rubbing her chin. "Speaking of which, you okay there kid?"

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kyle looked away again as Misty addressed him.

"My body's sore... and I'm cold," Kyle said. He suddenly stood up. "I-I'm sorry, I should go... it's dangerous for me to be around you. I don't know when he'll wake up again, and he'll just attack you again when that happens."

Waddle Dee blinked at Kyle. "Hey, it's okay! Mr. Double D stopped him before, anyways!"

Kyle looked down at the floor, which caused his hair to obscure his eyes. "I don't want to hurt anyone else..."

[nintendonut1]

Double D was silent for moment, considering all things. And then he smiled, venturing a light touch on Kyle's shoulder. He felt some remnants of dark energy oh him, but they were miniscule at the moment.

"Kyle... it's quite alright," he spoke reassuringly. "If we needed a few bruises to understand what we're up against, then so be it. I'll keep my eyes open and push him back to the moment he tries to rear up again, and that should keep him in check."