Matt's fist connected with Xazax's face soundly, and he recoiled in the air slightly from the blow, arm still extended. However, his claw suddenly opened, dark energy gathering in his palm. The demon smirked as he fired, sending a blast wave of darkness at Matt from the extremely close range they were in.

The Devil Dragon spun around in air, propelling itself further with its wings, and responded in kind of a heat beam of its own, a deadly ray of green fire blasting out from its mouth to connected with Helena's attack. The demon flew upwards and around, swooping down at Helena to attack with another heat beam.

R.D.'s double-sided blade flashed out rapidly within the surrounding horde, cutting away limbs and ending demonic lives with each strike. As one enemy shot down through the skies, the Phase Lance shredded it in moments, revealing a cleared path in front of the armored teen. A ray of dark energy lanced down the pathway, only to be blocked by R.D.'s shield.

Terranox stared hatefully at the end of the path, glaring fiercely at him. The monster spread his claws out at his sides, both of them filling with dark energy. R.D. spun the Phase Lance in his hand as he deactivated it, sheathing it in one smooth motion. He slammed his fists against each other in front of his chest, energy flaring from the impact.

"Zakaretsu..."

Terranox hunkered down low and began to run, swiftly crossing down the path. Beneath the visor, R.D. smiled coldly as he spoke. "... Gaia Crusher!"

With a loud roar, R.D. reared his right fist back and slammed it into the ground with a thunderous crash. Pillars of stone erupted from the ground, rending it apart as they filled the length of the pathway, stopping Terranox cold as he slammed into them, unable to stop in time.

===At Japan===

Alasea stared upwards at the vast amount of clones that Cora had produced, and her eyebrow twitched in annoyance. She spun the Megami Tsurugi in her hand, bringing it around to her back in a ready stance. Her eyes were the only thing that responded to Cora, as her lips continued her strange chant.

"I have created over a thousand blades."

Oh, crap! Matt's eyes widened at the sudden flash of darkness. Gotta think fast!

The wave of darkness flopped uselessly on the ground, now a scattered collection of fresh daisies.

"...well, okay, that'll work." Seizing his chance, Matt spread his fingers, and rushed Xazax, rapidly stabbing at him with his fingers. The air whistled, his strikes were so fast. "Nanto Senshu Ryu Goki!"

Helena spiralled, the Devil Dragon's attacks narrowly grazing her. Those beams were powerful-she couldn't contend with them head on. "Hugo!"

"Yeah?" The Mettaur was charging.

"You think you can shoot into that thing's mouth?"

Hugo laughed-a short bark of humor. "Sure, why not?"

"Shoot before it fires that beam again!" She soared upwards, then back around, keeping the other dragon in sight.

Edited by The Helldragon on August 17, 2007 at 23:23:52.

Still strumming on his guitar, Michael watched as Matt countered Xazax's attack, his crimson eyes alight in excitement. He had never quite seen teenagers this power, with the obvious exception of himself, of course.

Terranox bellowed as he slammed into the upper wall of the canyon, getting slightly stuck in it from the impact of the Zakaretsu Gaia Crusher. He struggled to free himself, and his friend's battle caught his eye.

Xazax snarled as his attack was turned into something he considered an insult to himself. However, his snarl of anger quickly became one of desperation as he weaved in and out of the vicious cutting strikes, his body gaining a number of slight rips along his frame. Shadows condensed in one of his claws, and suddenly the demon swung out with his reformed warhammer, aiming right at Matt's chest.

The Devil Dragon dove and swooped, weaving through the flying demons with ease as they continually tried to attack Helena and Hugo. As it came around for another pass, green flame sputtered from its jaws. It turned quickly in mid-air, with ease beguiling its massive frame, and spat the flame down at the dragon, a perfect sphere of burning energy that irradiated the air along its path.

"What the-"

Matt's sentence was interrupted by a whoofing sound as boy met warhammer, sending him flying back and tumbling along the ground.

"Damn it!" Hugo swore at the sphere of incoming power. He needed a clean shot!

Helena knew what she had to do, almost instinctively, to get Hugo the chance he needed. Soaring right up, she turned her body as the sphere smashed into her, taking the force of the attack with mostly her shoulder. "Now!" she growled.

Hugo took his opportunity, and aimed precisely at the Devil Dragon's maw, while it was still open. "Blazing Shotgun!"

He leaned back with the recoil as he fired.

The Devil Dragon's eyes gleamed dangerously as the Blazing Shotgun slammed into the roof of its mouth, burning it severely. It let out a deafening, pained roar as the force of the attack caused it to spin back, and it plummeted to the ground. However, moments before impact, it regained control and stabilized itself, turning and swooping over the ground. R.D. was running at the time, shredding through enemies, when his helmet's visor detected its approach behind him. The nightmarish dragon swept over, and R.D. leaped upwards, grabbing a ridge of hide on the Devil Dragon's leg, catching a ride as it flew down the length of the canyon.

Xazax's face was twisted in anger, breathing heavily as his wounds slowly closed up. "You've got skill, I'll give you that," he snarled as he approached Matt, "But skill alone won't be enough to defeat me. I've had enough of this game. It's time to die!"

"And you'll be the first to go!" a voice shouted, out, and Xazax spun on his heel, turning to the voice with a look of shock on his face. R.D. let go of the flying dragon, using the momentum to smash his Godhand-enhanced fist into the demon's face. Xazax was sent sprawling through the air into the wall as R.D. landed next to Matt and helped him up. "Need a hand?" he asked.

Edited by RisingDragon on August 17, 2007 at 21:22:29.

Kalmar shot forward toward the massive sphere darkness the Devil Guardian spewed forth. He summoned a tremendous amount of energy into his being, an aura of black fire surrounding his form.

The Demon Hunter focused the gathered energy and used it to throw a giant wave of corrupted energy into the sphere. Hopefully the arc of energy would disrupt the attack, saving Blazen the trouble of dodging the massive sphere.

Kalmar quickly altered his course, and after gathering enough energy to cause his aura to return he shot a corrupted beam that would trail along the Devil Guardian's head and back.

"Nah, I've already got two." Lifting his legs, Matt pushed foward, flipping back onto his feet. "But thanks for the assist." Straightening, he placed a hand to his chin. "Now...I think it's time to do something fun with that Devil Dragon. Can you distract the Dynamic Duo long enough for me to set up?"

"You'd let me have them all to myself?" R.D. said, grinning behind his helmet, "You're too kind. I'll take care of it."

Xazax picked himself off of the cold ground, glaring at R.D. angrily as he wiped away a trickle of blood from his mouth. Hearing the moment, R.D. turned slightly, looking over his shoulder at the demon. Overhead, the Devil Dragon roared in anger as it renewed its assault on Helena, firing its heat beam at the dragon girl from below.

From the ground in the nigh hellish-like area just outside the Tartarus Gates rose up a pile of sand, twisting, dark particles flowing through and around it as it came to be about as tall as a human could be. As the sands started to lower again, the muscular body of a humanoid being was revealed with a jackal's head being seated on top of the muscular neck. Anubis flexed his muscles for a moment and his neck cracked. He always felt somewhat uncomfortable when he did that little transportation trick. The jackal god's sharp teeth were exposed for a moment as his lips drew back in a menacing grin when it saw the draconic figure of ZetsumeiRyu just ahead. The person's presence felt familiar, and he now knew him to somehow be related to the other two he had just met with. The jackal god felt glad that his long stay in the hellish prison realm had not numbed his abilities, despite the numerous curses and enchantments that had been placed on his person when he was sent to Tartarus. Slowly, he started to approach the lone, distant figure of ZetsumeiRyu with long strides, distorted light of hellish fire gleaming off the fur of his jackal head and illuminating his dark skin.

"Did I?" Anubis uttered as he came close enough to ZetsumeiRyu so that they would be able to converse in a normal manner, whatever "normal" would be to beings of demonic or divine origin. "What is it that brought your here... ZetsumeiRyu?" He asked the young-looking draconic man.

Blazen panted a bit as his heart rate had raced from the coming attack. He was more than grateful of Kalmar's action and would have thanked him, had there not been a demonic guardian that stood 40 feet high before them. Blazen dropped down onto a rock and quickly shot heat into the rock and bounced off, and found another rock, bouncing off that as well. He continued this pinball pattern, trying to confuse the guardian. In between his pinballs, shots of white fire would come to burn the guardian, be it small.

Blazen would then stop shooting his flames and stop on a ridge behind the guardian. Hopefully, Blazen's antics have confused to guardian so much that he lost Blazen. In the mean time. Blazen drew Valermos he then charged the white flames he controlled into the sword. The flames that danced around the blade turned to a bright white and yearned to burn whatever it could for food. Blazen would then hold his sword behind his head and would slash it forward, sending a wave of the burning white fire down the back of the guardian.

"Unknown to death," Alasea muttered, standing slightly as Cora spoke. She looked up at the Cora that had been in her original position, and made a "Come get me" motion with her hand, before continuing, "Nor known to life."

===At Germany===

While Kalmar's attack hardly damaged the massive beast due to the darkness in it, the Devil Guardian bellowed as the white flames struck its hide, but its eyes managed to keep a hold on Blazen despite his quick antics. Its left claw clenched the dirt, and a curving slope of ground rose up quickly as Blazen attack with the sword wave of white fire. The flames cut into the earth only to slide up its slope... and was redirected right at the airborne Kalmar. The beast roared as it did this, and fired another wave of darkness from its maw at the God of Fire.

Edited by RisingDragon on August 19, 2007 at 16:07:27.

Helena raised her jaws and fired, her beam smashing into the Devil Dragon's beam. The two beams struggled, pushing against each other, seeking to overthrow. Helena's eyes squinted with the pressure. The Devil Dragon's beam was too strong, she couldn't hold it off-!

"ORAAAAAAAAAA!"

A bold, rising aerial kick smashed into the Devil Dragon's left flank, provided by Matt. As the Devil Dragon flew back, he pursued with high-speed flight.

R.D.'s Phase Scythe cut the air as it descended rapidly at Xazax's skull, only for it to be struck away by the demon's warhammer. The armored teen, not to be deterred, spun around and attacked again, and the two continued to duel, neither one gaining ground. Xazax snarled as he swung his warhammer low, aiming to crush R.D.'s legs with the spiked end of the weapon, only for him to jump over it and split the Phase Scythe into the two component swords. R.D. flashed by the demon, leaving a gash in the right side of the demon's chest. R.D. skid to a stop behind the demon, and spun around, only to be struck away by the angry demon's swing.

The Devil Dragon bellowed as it was struck away, the heat beam emanating from its mouth going awry and vaporizing a swathe of airborne demons, but it quickly regained control and shot up into the air. Its wings cut a path as it circled around and shot downward at Helena, its claws forward in an attempt to ram her. Terranox suddenly appeared on one of its arms, and the canine demon pushed off, spiraling down in the air at Matt. As he plummeted, he threw his arms wide, attacking him with Emerald Splash and sending dozens of emerald shards down at the boy.

===At Japan===

Alasea spun on her heel and slashed out, deflecting both slashes with her sword in a single, smooth motion. She pushed off with her foot and shot backwards into the air, holding the Megami Tsurugi with both hands.

"Have withstood pain to create many weapons," she said, continuing her chant before spinning around and slashing the air, firing a large, hundred-foot-long wave of blazing light at the mass of clones in the air. Her ascent stopped, and she dropped down to the ground, flipping in the air deftly, a second sword appearing in her hand. She spun around and readied herself for the next volley of attacks.

"Hold it!" Matt shouted, as the Devil Dragon shot down. "I ain't finished with you yet!"

Soaring past, he seized the Devil Dragon by the end of its tail. Summoning his power, he poured it into his arms, granting him the strength he needed to improvise and make this big bastard into something useful.

"YAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH-!" With a great, giant swing, dragging all heavy weight of the Devil Dragon through the air, brow furrowed in concentration, Matt launched the nightmare creature at Terranox, plowing through the opposing Emerald Splash with impudence.

"YEAH!" Hugo whooped, raising his weapon. "KICK HIS ASS!"

Helena just kept herself in the air, staring. She had always known Matt to be very powerful, but still, whenever she saw him perform dramatic feats like this...it was always amazing.

Despite Matt's incredible feat of strength, the Devil Dragon stopped well short of the flight to Terranox, flaring its wings out and stopping. The beast spun around in the air, roaring angrily as it fired its heat beam at the boy. Terranox landed on the monstrosity's shoulder and grinned as it attacked.

R.D.'s hip cannons unfolded as he flew, and when Xazax appeared to continue his assault, he fired them both into his torso, sending him flying into the wall. R.D. dug his heels into the ground as he righted himself, and shot back towards Xazax, his blades at the ready.

Anubis wasn't fazed in the least by the display of maniacal laughter and malicious intent shown on ZetsumeiRyu's face. It actually moreso seemed to relax him to see such an expression. "Blood?" The jackal god spoke. "Then you have chosen an odd place to get it."

Anubis' eyes narrowed. His lips pressed themselves tightly shut. The jackal god stared at the dark dragoon who challenged him. "I advise... against that." He said in a tone that was devoid of anger, fear and hate, but through which sounded incredible seriousness and ageless power.

Anubis' shoulders rose in a shrug. "If you want me to move, alright then." He spoke, and not too soon after the jackal god had stopped speaking, he set one step forwards. "...there."

Kalmar gaped in shock as the wave of white fire was redirected at the Demon Hunter. He quickly summoned a wall of dark energy to negate the wave.

"Blazen! I can't injure this beast! I'll distract it while you attack it!"

Kalmar quickly summoned his demonic scythe and threw it at the beast's head. He then shot forward toward the Devil Guardian, firing a volley of dark energy orbs at it.

"Watch out!" Helena shouted.

"Protector SHAAAAADE!" Holding up his flat palm again, Matt created a shield that repelled the beam, dispersing it in all directions. "Now I'll finish you off!" He threw out his arms, and Hierophant Green appeared. "Mystic Trap!"

As Hierophant Green's extensions shot through the air, capturing the Devil Dragon and Terranox within its web, Matt raised his right fist. "Super Fist of Awesomeness!" Rearing back, he punched directly through the back of Hierophant Green. "Combination!"

There was a brilliant flash of white light-when it faded, Hierophant Green was now an extension of Matt's arm, with a heavy-looking weapon protruding from its chest as if it were a natural extension of its form. Matt's eyes narrowed, taking aim. "20 Meter Radius-Emerald Rocket Splash!"

A steady, dense stream of powerful emerlads launched from the massive barrel, streaking toward the confined foes.

Blazen jumped above the darkness and charged two orbs of white fire. He growled to himself and allowed the blast to shoot below him. Blazen knew he would need to get to the same height of this creature if he wanted maximum damage, thus this boost was needed. As Kalmar would distract the beast, Blazen would busy himself making two large orbs of white fire in each palm. He then spread his arms and allowed them to charge further and combined the palms in front of him, cupping the hands. The orbs molded into one ferocious flame, ready to burn away at whatever it hit.

Blazen only could hope this attack would at least wound the beast enough to show his progress. Blazen would then add heat to his feet and charge forward. The orbs were still in front of him as Blazen darted to the head of the guardian. He knew this move was risky, but would rather get a decent hit and then hit himself, than just making small damage. Blazen would then stop right in front of the beast before letting loose the flames in his hands. The flames were so large that the blaze would easily cover the guardian's head and then some.

Xazax snarled and took to the air, motioning for the demons to hamper R.D.'s progress. Snarls alighted around him as they charged, claws flashing as their feet tore the ground. His remaining shoulder cannon swung upwards and fired a plasma beam at the retreating demon as R.D.'s Phase Blades began slicing around him in a lethal dance.

As the Devil Dragon roared, it spun around deftly within the web. The emerald shards slashed into the the back and wings of the beast, but while many of them embedded themselves into the thick hide of the beast, none managed to shred through it. Completing its turn in the air, it faced Matt and Hierophant Green once more, and emerald flame was billowing from its maw. It roared angrily, bellowing its defiance at Matt. Terranox watched gleefully as the nightmarish beast attacked, and readied his claws for battle.

"Kid, I think you should worry now!" the canine demon yelled, leaping off of the Devil Dragon right at the two of them. His claws were flattened into palms, the sharp tips of his claws gleaming. "I learned a really nasty attack thanks to you! Let's see how you enjoy your own power!"

Terranox's claws spread open, and he began a rapid barrage of stabbing attacks with his hands, his movements blurring as he attempted to impale the boy on them.

"Nanto Senshu Ryu Goki!"

===In Japan===

Time seemed to slow for Alasea, the attacks of the ten clones subtly slowing as they came in. Her weapons flashed out and deflected three of the various arm blades, and she nimbly dove through the gap, and everything seemed to resume.

Her strange chant continued as she maneuvered through this dangerous coordinated attack. "Yet, those hands will never hold anything."

Alasea smirked when she heard the ring of various demonic steel blades striking against each other, signaling her successful escape from the trap. She turned around confidently, holding both blades by her sides. The Megami Tsurugi was beginning to shine with an unearthly light.

Come on, skank, she thought with a smirk, You want to be excessive? I'll show you what it's all about.

===In Germany===

The scythe Kalmar threw wound up embedding its serrated blade in the Devil Guardian's arm, which had lifted the claw up to block. It glared past the claw at Kalmar, and the blasts slammed uselessly against its hide. As Kalmar came in, the waving tendrils on its shoulder suddenly writhed and cut through the air at him like liquid blades.

The Devil Guardian whipped its head around and roared, gathering a sphere of dark power within its maw. It forced its gigantic snout forward, spitting the lethal blast at Blazen's attack. The darkness neared the white flame, and the opposing energies interacted, forcing the projectiles away from and around each other. The sphere of darkness continued along its path to the God of Fire, while the burning white flame scorched the beast's neck and shoulder, causing it to roar with fury.

Edited by RisingDragon on August 22, 2007 at 11:23:15.

"Damn!" Kalmar yelled as the bladed tendrils cut his left leg and torso, leaving deeper gashes then he would have liked. He quickly dropped his altitude, but continued his breakneck pace toward the Devil Guardian.

He summoned his demonic short swords, which in turn caused the scythe embedded in the creature's arm to dissipate into a fine black mist. He roared as he gathered energy into the blade, firing a volley of corrupted energy waves at the demon's neck.

After this he would fly upward and attempt to get close enough to the beast to embed his blades into the creature's head and neck.