The Price of Revenge: A Bloodstained History {closed temp}

[Shadow Dragon]

"Can't say I'm not pissed off," the mage sighs, turning his head away, "but at least this time, the enemies ignorance is a blessing in disguise." He smirks, "I wonder what they would've done if they found out that the great dragon they covet so much doesn't exist." He then turns to Ganondorf, "Where are the others?"

[ganondorf2]

"Back at my castle...well, castles. You know what I mean. You want a ride to them? Save you a trip," Ganondorf offered, "What with the dragon form I gained from..." he cuts himself off before saying, "I'll explain it later. I don't want to say much out here."

[Shadow Dragon]

"I let my ruse go far beyond my usual means and wound up drugging it through the mud." he sighs, "Funny how even after recruiting me, they continued to keep their little secrets from me." He stores the weapon back into it's holster, "I knew there was something about the clan I didn't like. A bunch of power hungry fools bent on vengeance that shouldn't matter." He walks off, but then stops and turns to Ganondorf, "Best to keep our distance for now. Ending my charade with the clan now wouldn't be so wise. Luckily, they don't seem smart enough to put two and two together so easily..."

[ganondorf2]

"Fair enough. I'm going to do the same. I did my part anyway. I'm going to let the others know before I take off. Mostly to get ready for the next wave. He doing one thing right. Sending out weak fighters before sending in stronger ones. Broly is going to take my place for now anyway. So if you don't see me, that's why," he said.

[Shadow Dragon]

Tikal nods, "I'm willing to bet he's not finished with you yet anyway." he shook his head, "'Tyrant'. What a joke. I knew from the start that vampire was playing up his side of the story, but thought if I went along with it, I could get some answers. Tch," He turns back to his black castle, knowing that it, as well as the inside, was in need of repairs no thanks to the clan, as well as the mage's own recklessness in his dragon form. Oh well, he planned on coming back to it later, but right now, it was too risky. The clan might come back to this area later to find him, so he knew he had to make himself scarce, "If they continue their efforts in getting revenge after this, I'll step in."

---

As the rest of us who remain inside the castle watch the skies, we notice there was no more enemies coming in.

"Well, that was anti-climatic," huffed Ed.

Tristan sighed, "Guess they got scared and hightailed it!"

"They'll be back," Zelos crossed his arms, "if I know the type, they won't give up until they get what they want."

"Yes," Brandon nods in agreement, "but I wonder why they withdrawaled so suddenly."

Haku just stared outside the window, then turned away and sat down.

[ganondorf2]

"There was a battle..." I said, "They were targeted and it was a distraction. Good enough...though, I worry about Big Guy...he has become too protective since that day..."

[Shadow Dragon]

"Good thing we have someone on top of all this then," said Luke.

Zali turns to Ganondorf2 on that note, "What are you talking about?"

[ganondorf2]

"Since Zephon got killed...Let's just say, he still hasn't moved on from his death," I say.

"Ah, he was pretty quiet for weeks. Maybe a month," Bowser said.

[Shadow Dragon]

"Maybe a month, give or take," said Brandon.

Zali's eyes widened as he then realized, "I remember that name. He was with you when we first met. Was he the one with the long red hair?"

I nod sadly, "He...well, in terms of looks, he and Zelos aren't that far apart."

"Excuse me?" Zelos raised an eyebrow.

"There are people out there who look close to the same as the other," said Ed to Zelos, "but doesn't really mean anything, man."

"Hope not. I don't remember having any other relatives aside from my sister," Zelos sighed, then got serious, "So he's the one you were talking about when you said you lost one of your own?"

"Yeah...and I haven't been able to move on either," I spoke, "I can't! We've had friends die in the past...but with him, it was different, and I don't know why!"

"You've always had a tough time with one of our own dying," Sparky reminded me.

"But this one was recent, Shawn!"

"Zephon was murdered in cold blood, all in spite of the beasts's 'code of honor'," explained Brandon, "we realized too late that their honor system wasn't as genuine as they said. THAT'S why it's a bigger deal with him than it was with the others who passed before him."

"Sounds like this demon played you guys like a fiddle." said Zali, not liking the sound of it.

"No wonder Archion was after that demon," said Sparky.

[ganondorf2]

"And Ganondorf doesn't want something like that happening again," I said, "He's been training by himself all that time too. Mostly to keep his voices in check..."

Over hearing, Athena asked, "Voices?"

"He's not a normal person in any means...he had to stay away as he still heard screams in his head from the death."

"Screams?! How does that work?"

"It's complicated."

[Shadow Dragon]

"I've never heard of that before," said Zelos about Ganondorf.

"No, it sounds like something else is going on," said Ed.

"And now that the demon is gone, Archion decided to go after the son of the one who killed his father," Zali shook his head, "what a mess."

"Were you not paying attention when I told you about it before?" questioned Vincet to Zali.

"And at the same time, something doesn't feel right," said Brandon.

"Hm?"

"Tikal fought those beasts before, in an ancient past, or so we've heard," he tries to play it casual, "Then we hear Archion is responsible for the beasts' freedom after they were sealed, and them almost destroying everything." he replies, "Then why would Tikal team up with the very man who caused the demon's freedom from their prisons?"

"Because Tikal doesn't know," said Haku, "and I believe once he gets wind of Archion's involvement, he won't be too happy."

"As long as we can turn this around in our favor, I don't care," grinned Kyle.

[ganondorf2]

"Something tells me, Nova is going to do his own investigation..." I said, to hear a door closing nearby, the very clone walking in, still in demon form.

"You tell them?" he asked me.

"Yeah. What of Tikal?"

"He left for now, but he will step in to help us if things get messy. I shouldn't be long, as long as Archion doesn't get any idea's on you, I'm going to stand back."

"Want me to cover things?" Broly asked.

"Yes and have either Bowser or Andrew as back up."

"A human?" Athena asked about the scientist, "He could get killed!"

"Was human, ms," Andrew said.

[Shadow Dragon]

Haku smiles after hearing that, "See? I told you."

"Wait, you actually spoke to Tikal?!" asked Kyle, "How do you know he's going to help us?"

"It's OK," Haku tried to reassure, "Tikal's honor is much bigger than his legendary title. He was just keeping tabs on the clan when he 'joined' them, remember? I promise you can trust him."

"In the meantime-" I jumped in, "-what is it we need to do now?"

[ganondorf2]

"Because we helped him," Ganondorf said with a smirk. "Those demons were all after him a month ago and we all teamed up to take them out. I had to back off on the power a bit..."

"We know you would do more harm then good," Andrew said.

"As for what to do, training is needed," I said.

"And keeping an eye out more," Bowser said, "The paratroopas can only do so much..."

"I'll call our more heavy flying attackers if needed," I said to this.

[Shadow Dragon]

"Wow, really?" asked Sparky.

"That's true," I replied.

"Huh, they must've been pretty powerful beasts if a great dragon couldn't fight them on his own," said Ed.

"Trust me, you have no idea what we had to go through."

"Yet I thought Vincet said they were sealed away!"

"They were," he replied to Ed, "but the seals were weakened because of Archion's meddling with The Beast of Oblivion's seal, remember?"

"Then how the hell did Tikal fight those beasts if they were sealed the entire time before just a while ago?"

That caused Brandon and I to freeze, the prince tries to reply, "That's just a rumor."

"And has nothing to do with our cause anyway!" Haku suddenly joined in, "Mind getting back to the main issue, please?"

"Yeah, we're wasting time here!" agreed Zelos.

"Yes," Brandon nods to Nova's team, "the more, the better."

[The Melee Master]

A gloved hand gently planted on Melee Master's face before moving it down to her side. She decided to jump in after some radio silence from her, with a smirk, "Too many questions will spoil things. You're better off figuring some things out on your own." her smirk faded, "And I'll see what I can do about some of the flying enemies, if need be, unless I'm needed on ground level."

[ganondorf2]

"Sounds like a plan," I said.

"Ground troops are ready and willing," Ganondorf said to me, "Just give out the signal."

"I can't wait for them to get a load of me!" Bowser said.

Maxwell stayed quiet for now.

[Shadow Dragon]

"After you went MIA on us last time?" Ed hissed at Melee, "You'd godd*mn better follow through with your words, or I'll hunt you down and drag you back here myself! We need all the help we can get, missy! Put that sword of yours to use for a change!"

"Ed, enough!" Zali tries to calm him.

"What, Zali? If those sh*theads are as powerful as we keep hearing, then we can't afford to go soft on them and step up on our game! Everyone needs to pull their own weight here!"

"Well that's easy considering that they're not stepping up on theirs except sending out mass enemies to attack us," Brian chimed in, "I get strength in numbers and all, but-"

"And then there's me," Sparky spoke up.

"You can ride with me," I told him, "you're going to anyway, if I know you. Better keep that switchblade out, too. You might need it."

Sparky smiles.

[ganondorf2]

"I wonder if you should borrow Soul Edge at times..." I wondered.

"I'll catch you guys later. Shouldn't be long," Ganondorf said, before flying off.

"Now I wonder what he has planned," Athena said.

"Nova is a lot smarter then I give him credit for..." Maxwell said, "He always has something up his sleeve."

[Shadow Dragon]

"What's a Soul Edge?" asked Tristan.

"Powerful sword," I answered, "although I doubt Sparky could wield it."

"Sword, huh?" Sparky replied to my comment, "I've never dealt with a sword before in my life. Switchblades, yes, so I don't know."

"Got anything that resembles a gun?" asked Luke, "Maybe that'll be easier for him."

"Thanks, but no thanks."

"Well you're not going to face those freaks unarmed," Zali spoke up to Sparky, "take a gun, knife, or sword."

"Fine, fine, I'll take whatever you have and train with it as we go."

[The Melee Master]

"Tch," was all Melee had to say in response to Ed's words, even though she knew she deserved it. She watches Ganondorf fly off, then turns back to Shadow's group, but didn't say anything.

[ganondorf2]

I laugh and said, pulling it out, "One thing, this Soul Edge."

static.wikia.nocookie.net/spawn/images/4/4a/SoulEdge_SC2.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20190124001224

"And two, it can change into any weapon."

[Shadow Dragon]

"Ah, it truly IS a double-edged sword, then," Brian said with a grin.

"Cool sword," Ed looked at the blade, then eyed Brian, "lame joke."

Zali lets out a whistle as he was impressed, "Think you can handle a sword like that, Sparky?"

"No," he replied to his leader, then reaches for Soul Edge, "but I don't want to be deadweight either."

[ganondorf2]

"I told you, it can change into any weapon. Go on. Think of one!" I said, holding it out easily, The blade blinks once and this scared Athena.

"Wait! Did that weapon just blink?!" she asked.

"Yeah. That reaction is not new to me either," I said, "He talks too, but not often. Literally a 'living' weapon."

[Shadow Dragon]

Sparky withdrew his hand after seeing it blink.

"Uh, am I crazy, or did that sword just wink?" Kyle asked.

"Both," Brian teased, then after hearing Athena, "what did I just get done sayin'?"

"Living weapon?" Sparky took a good look at Soul Edge again, "Are you sure it's OK for me to borrow it?"

"You're the one who wanted a better weapon than what you already have," Ed told him.

"Yeah, just take it already, Sparky!" Luke encouraged.

[ganondorf2]

"Only bad, if you are evil at heart and mind. You're fine," I said, "And if you're worried about the weight, don't. He adjusts, but if you're thinking knives...well. Edge, show him."

Sure enough, it changed into two small knives.

static.wikia.nocookie.net/soulcalibur/images/a/ae/SE_cervantes_F.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20221216065736

"And there you go."

[Shadow Dragon]

"Whoa!" exclaimed Brian, "Heh, so it can change into any weapon, eh?" he approaches and reaches out to it, "so if Sparky is hesitant, then I'll just help mysel-"

"Out of my way, sulphur breath," Sparky uses his arm to shove Brian aside and away from Soul Edge as he reaches for the blade himself.

Brian manages to catch his balance, "Hey!"

"Brian, get your ass back over here," Zali commanded, annoyed.

"I was just joking. Sheesh," Brian dusted off his shoulder and walked back to the gang as they watch Sparky.

[ganondorf2]

I laugh to this and said, "OK boys."

"Are you not worried about losing them to Archion?" Athena asked.

"I'd dare him to try. If he touched the hilt with that state of mind, he would die in a matter of minutes. Sucks the life out of you. Good hands are safe, unlike the real deal which will do it to anyone, good or bad."

[Shadow Dragon]

"Well then it's a good thing Sparky doesn't have a bad bone in his body," said Zali, "Right?"

Sparky grabs the hilt of the blades and takes them, moving them around to get a better look.

"What do you think?" I ask as I watch him swing them.

"Uh, I don't think you should be doing that," Brian told him.

"It's a sword," Luke reminded, "what else is it used for?"

"Or in this case, knives," reminded Zali as he watches Sparky.

Sparky gives them another swing, only for him to stumble on his own two feet, making Luke run over and catch him.

Ed sighs with a hand over his face, "Oh god."

"Don't get over confident," Luke helps him to his feet.

"Sorry," replied Sparky as he calms down and gives the knives in his hands a better look.

[ganondorf2]

"I was the same way, though back then I had to stick with the default two handed. No choice...as I was just a kid...and thinking of a weapon off the top of my head was a problem," I said with a little embarrassment, "That and there's some weapons I refuse to think about!"

"I don't blame you," Andrew said, "I'm not a fan either, but humans made them."