Overload: Mutagen Nightmare Begins

                                                            By Mardrena

 

     “Mal Daggur, I made the modifications you requested.”

     “Excellent. I will send an infiltration team to seek out the target subject.”

     “Might I suggest something though?”

     “Hmm?”

     “I know of a way we can administer the drug so subtly, he won’t even know it happened,” Professor Cochran said. Mal Daggur grinned.

     “You show great enthusiasm in your work. To think such talents would’ve been wasted on the Dynasty’s ridiculous conquests. What will you require for this?”

     “Well, do you know of any places this guy frequents?”

                                                                 *****

     Mia looked up when she saw Ryo walk into the room slowly. He appeared weary for some reason. He sat down on the sofa and stared at the floor. Mia set a half folded shirt on her lap. “Ryo? Is there something wrong?” Ryo remained silent for a while.

     “I had another dream.” Mia frowned and set the shirt on the sofa.

     “What....what did you see?”

     “I...I don’t know.” Ryo looked at the floor then closed his eyes. “It starts out where I’m running through some sort of maze. I keep running, but then I pass by a hall. I see something walk away and I follow it. I finally catch up to....whatever it is, but it’s Kento. He has his back turned to me when I come up to him. I call his name and he turns around and looks at me, except he looks.....different...I can’t describe it. It’s like something was wrong with him. He glares at me and his eyes have this weird white glow. Then he holds his hand out to me and says, ‘You have to tame the beast within before you can tame the one without.’ All of a sudden the maze vanishes and I’m just floating in black space. Then I see Mal Daggur, except a lot bigger. He rises up and holds his hands together infront of him, like he’s holding something in his palms. Then he opens his hands and this clear, red liquid pours out. It spreads out like a lake and comes up to my knees, but it disappears suddenly and I end up in a forest. The moon is full, so I can see. Then I hear this sound, something roaring. I turn around and I see someone standing there. It looks like a person except bigger. And that sound! He’s crying like something hurt him badly, but it also sounds so angry! Then I hear Kento’s voice again. He says, ‘You don’t know what it’s like being a prisoner in your own body’.”

     Ryo opened his eyes. “And that’s it.” He looked up at Mia but gasped. His jaw dropped when he saw Rowen, Sage, Cye, Anubis, and Tanya standing behind her.

     “Jeez Ryo, what’ve you been on at night!” Rowen exclaimed.

     “Thanks a lot Mia! That’s the last time I confide in you!” Ryo snapped accusingly.

     “I’m sorry Ryo, they just walked in while you were talking,” Mia apologized. Ryo sighed and hung his shoulders.

     “You think something’s gonna happen to Kento?” Sage asked. Ryo buried his forehead in his palms then ran his fingers through his hair.

     “I don’t know, he moaned. “Arrgh! I think I got gypped when I inherited this dream ability. It’s just so confusing, I don’t understand it.”

     “Should we tell him when he comes home?” Cye asked.

     “No....we can’t be sure...I don’t know what to do, but I don’t want to get him psyched out. Just...just keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t get attacked,” Ryo mumbled. He still couldn’t shake that thought. That sound! Such rage and sadness....

    

     That same moment in the city...

     The heavy iron weights clanged onto the base of the lift. “Whoa! Man, that’s some workout.” Kento panted for a while and leaned back on the bench.

     “Gee Kento, I know you’re strong but I didn’t know you could lift that much!” Yulie commented from where he sat on a bench in the gym.

     “Hey, I’ve got a reputation to uphold,” Kento grinned and wiped his face with a towel then ran his fingers through his dampened hair. He looked up and glanced around the nearly empty weight room. “Hey, where’s Whisker? I don’t see her anywhere.”

     “She’s sleeping over there.” Yulie pointed to the napping cub. Whisker lay curled up on top of the weights attached to the lifting cable.

     “Oh, heh, I knew I felt something different,” Kento chuckled. Yulie picked up the cub and carefully lowered her into a small duffel bag. “You don’t let her run around?”

     “I can’t. She’s getting too big to call a fat cat. Pretty soon she’ll be too heavy to carry like this, and I can’t just let her walk around with me. I remember how scared people were when they saw Whiteblaze.”

     “True. Any ordinary guy’d freak at the sight of her. Well, I need to change out of these clothes. You can wait outside in the mean time.”

     “Rrrowr?” Whisker awakened and poked her nose out of the bag.

     “Whisker’s hungry too. I’d better get back before mom starts gettin’ suspicious.” Yulie shouldered the bag but tottered to one side before being able to balance the weight. A few minutes later they left the gym. Yulie scampered on ahead while Kento followed behind. He didn’t see it coming when a bucket full of a clear red liquid fell and splashed all over his body. “What the f-! Pthoo!” Kento sputtered and wiped his face with his arm. “What the hell was that!?” He looked up and saw a man working on a store front sign.

     “Sorry dude,” the man apologized.

     “Thanks a lot you asshole! I oughta go up there and kick your ass you little shit wad! Damn,” Kento swore and held out his arms. The liquid soaked into his clothes and dripped from his arms. Yulie ran back to him.

     “Hey Kento, what happened?”

     “Aw, this jerk went and dropped this stuff all over me. You might want to stay back. I don’t want to get any of this on you.”

     Whisker shoved open the zipper and poked her head out. “No Whisker, get back in there!” Yulie scolded and shoved her back inside. Kento swore again under his breath and tried to wipe the stuff off with his towel.

     “Shit, and Mia just washed this!” he complained. Up above the man working on the sign grinned slightly...

                                                                 *****

     “Hey Mia,” Mia looked up from washing dishes. “Could you wash these again? Some idiot dropped paint or something in the city,” Kento explained and tugged at his shirt.

     “I don’t see anything.”

     “Huh?” Kento looked down at his clothes. He didn’t see any stains. “Hmm, guess it dried up.”

     “I can go ahead and wash them with the rest of the laundry tonight. They’ll be ready in the morning.”
     “Okay, thanks Mia,” Kento said then left. Mia shrugged and continued washing.

                                                                 *****

     “Other than getting paint spilt on him nothing serious happened,” Mia told Anubis as they walked down the city sidewalks. “Strange thing though, it didn’t feel like paint. I guess it was some cleaning solution,” she muttered.

     “Well, say something will occur involving Kento and Mal Daggur. The liquid in Ryo’s dream could represent a poison, or a weapon Mal Daggur is prepared to unleash. Danae warned us of his ways,” Anubis said and shifted the weight of the grocery sack he carried.

     “It’s possible, only problem is that Ryo’s dreams are too obscure. He admits it himself,” Mia added.

     “Almost to the point of being a nuisance,” Anubis agreed.

     “Well, imagine seeing you two.” They stopped and turned around. Dais, Sehkmet, and Cale walked up to them.

     “Hi guys, what’s up?” Mia queried.

     “Just reminiscing,” Dais replied.

     “Remembering nearly freezing a certain person in a waterfall,” Cale said.

     “Or holding her hostage with Nether Soldiers,” Sehkmet added.

     “Attacking her with Nether Spirits,” Dais shrugged casually.

     “Or tossing her into an active volcano,” Anubis chimed in.

     “Oh please, don’t tell me you came all this way just to mope about the Dynasty Wars! I know you four went through a lot but we’ve all forgiven you. I’ve learned to put the past behind me,” Mia scolded.

     “But we haven’t,” Dais said. Mia hummed understandingly.

     “I’m sorry you feel that way, but hey, think of how free you are now. You all have good lives, and save for the occasional attack, almost normal. Now, is that all you wanted to complain about?” Mia placed her hand on her hip.

     “Nope. We just wanted to check up on the psychological well-being of our comrade here,” Sehkmet answered.

     “What do you mean by that?” Mia asked and raised an eyebrow. Cale whispered something under his breath. Dais nodded and looked at Mia.

     “Does Anubis go on drinking binges and hang from the ceiling in his underwear?”

     “NO he does NOT go on drinking binges and hang from the ceiling in his underwear!!” Mia exclaimed.

     “Okay then, as long as he’s still sane.” Dais simply replied and the trio walked on past them. Mia stared after them in disbelief then looked at Anubis.

     “And that doesn’t surprise you?” she demanded.

     “Not in the least bit,” he answered and continued walking. Mia rolled her eyes in exasperation and walked after him.

     “Why on earth would they say something like that?”

     “Because during Shannon’s Halloween party I invited the others to the House and shook soda cans on purpose so they’d explode on them.”

     “What on earth possessed you to do something like that!?” Mia exclaimed in shock.

     “Because they ridiculed me for knowing too much about the Mortal World.”

     “Well, I understand how you felt, but that doesn’t justify spraying soda all over them. But...” Mia began to snicker. “You....hanging off the ceiling...*ghk* it’s just....” Mia began to laugh and had to stop to lean against a wall for support. “In your underwear!? Ah hah hah hah! The thought’s s-s-so f-funny!” Mia giggled. Anubis looked a bit hurt.

     “Uh, Mia, please stop. You’re making a scene.” She only laughed harder. Anubis narrowed his eyes and growled. “Mia, please contain yourself!” he howled. Mia nearly choked and gasped. She stared at Anubis wide-eyed in fear. He glared at her with his glittering green eyes. For a moment he resembled his old warlord self. Mia gulped and averted her gaze, feeling slightly embarrassed. She cleared her throat and continued walking. *Poor Anubis. I shouldn’t have done that. *sigh* He’ll never be like he was in the Second War. He was so kind then, but, I suppose that’s passed in him now. Still....*ghk* the thought of him.....* Mia began to giggle again but stopped abruptly when she saw Anubis glaring at her. She gulped again and returned her gaze to the front. The two remained silent until Anubis spoke.

     “Where is Kento anyway? Ryo said to keep an eye on him.”

     “He went with the other boys but Sage called and said he went walking in the city.”

     “Blowing time?”

     “Yep.”

                                                                 *****

     Kento straightened his vest and slipped his hands into his pockets. “Well, looks safe today. No retards working in the city,” he muttered, recalling what happened about that time the day before. He continued walking but stopped when he passed by an alley. Something caught his eye: The fleeting form of a large shape. People pushed past so he stepped out of the way. He frowned and glanced back at the alley. He saw a spiked ball disappear behind a wall. He scowled and walked towards where he’d seen the shape. “Now I’m sure that was a Noble, I know I’m not seeing things,” he grumbled and searched around. He ducked suddenly to avoid a long tail that swept overhead. “Whoa! Jeez!” Kento flipped forward and changed into sub-armor. An 8-foot tall Noble wearing light green and black armor splayed its claws. “Oh, so you want a fight then? ARMOR OF HARDROCK!!!” Kento transformed into Battle Armor and brandished his bo. The Noble chuckled and pointed at him. “What are you laughing at you overgrown horny toad?”

     A second tail whacked him in the ribs and sent him skidding and tumbling on the pavement. A 9-foot tall Noble in red and orange armor stepped out from the shadows and snickered in amusement. Kento groaned and stood up. “Oh, two on one huh? Well, I’m the strongest of the Ronin Warriors. I can take both of you-uhhh...” Kento sank to one knee when he felt a stabbing pain in his gut. He grimaced and squeezed his eyes shut.

     The Nobles laughed. “Heh, hure sek sil pentotimoic,” the red-orange one snickered. Kento dropped to hands and knees when the pain increased.

     “Ahh....uhh...w-w-what d-did you....bastards do to me?” he whispered. The smaller Noble raised its arm and spoke into a communicator.

     “Human, the drug is taking affect.”

     <“Good, now you have to attack him.”> a voice argued. Aboard the Nsenagvvik, Mal Daggur watched Professor Cochran. “You have to goad him into fighting back or else he’ll just stand there and not know what to do. If you can get him pissed off he’ll cause enough trouble to distract the Ronin Warriors.”

     The smaller Noble looked at his comrade and nodded towards Kento. “The human scientist wants us to kick him so he’ll get angry.”

     “Orders are orders,” the larger Noble snickered. The two walked up to Kento as he knelt on the ground doubled over in pain. The small Noble coiled its tail and smacked Kento upside the head. The other kicked him in the gut. The two Nobles laughed as they beat up on the helpless Ronin. They frowned when they heard an odd sound: A low guttural growl, like that of an animal.

     They stepped back when Kento slowly staggered to his feet. He glared up at them. His eyes flickered with an eerie white light. His growling grew louder. Then a glowing orange aura appeared around him. His armor began to flicker with a glowing orange light. Kento held his arms to the side slightly as his fingers twitched. The two Nobles stepped back further. Then they turned tail and ran. The growling rose to a low moaning roar. They looked behind them and gasped at what they saw. They kept running down the alley towards their parked scout bikes.

     The large Noble howled in shock as a huge spherical claw closed around him and yanked him back. His partner stopped and watched in horror as a massive cable jerked the large Noble into the air and out of sight. His eyes widened at sight of the gigantic form that steadily grew. Buildings around it collapsed from an unseen force. The form stepped forward. Each foot fall sent a tremor through the ground. The surviving Noble fled and frantically searched for his scout bike. He dodged behind a wall and watched wide-eyed as the beast stomped past. Now it was so big it didn’t notice the Noble cowering in fear. He cringed from the powerful roar it emitted. “AANNNNUNNNAAAA!!!”

                                                                 *****

     Mia finished loading the groceries into the holding compartments on the rear of the Ronin Rider. “Ready?” Anubis asked and held out the spare helmet.

     “Yep, better get back before the boys get desperate.” The two mounted the vehicle. Mia held on tight to Anubis’ waist. He fastened the chin strap of his helmet and slid the visor down. Before he could gun the engine, the two felt a shuddering thump. “Is there something wrong with the engine?” Mia asked.

     “That wasn’t me,” Anubis said. They felt it again. “What on earth...” The two looked behind them. People looked up to the row of buildings to the right and screamed in terror. Suddenly a wall collapsed and sent rubble tumbling to the ground.

     “AAAUUUNNNNNN!!!” Something let out an echoing roar.

     “Anubis! What is that?” Mia cried as she saw a pair of gold colored horns.

     “I don’t know, but let’s get out of here!” Anubis gunned the engine and took off. “Now, let’s see if this closed fusion engine is as good as Vud says.” The Rider let out a screaming whine like that of a jet and sped away. Anubis wove in and out of traffic skillfully and continuously glanced in the rear-view mirror.

     “Anubis! You can drop me off here! The amulet Michelle gave me should protect me! You should go see what that thing is!” Mia hollered over the whine of the engine.

     “Mia, you’re eight months pregnant with Ryo’s child. It is my foremost priority that I get you to safety!” Anubis shouted back. Mia frowned in response. *A priority? She could remember the time when she and Yulie were just a nuisance. Now she was a priority.*

     “AARRAAANNNUUUNN!!!” Mia looked over her shoulder and gasped when she saw the mysterious creature in full view. Two golden horns curved up straight from the top of its head. It stopped and looked over its broad shoulder. Mia shuddered, for in that moment it seemed to glare right at her with glowing white eyes.

     “Anubis, what is that thing?”

     “It’s not so much in the matter of what it is, but who.”

     Mia raised an eyebrow and looked again. *No, it can’t be! Can it?.....*

                                                                 *****

     Ryo gulped down some milk before glancing back at the paper. Then he heard his wrist-com beep. “Ryo here, who is it?”

     <“Ryo, I’ve got bad news and worse news.”> Ryo frowned.

     “Bad first.”

     <“Bad news is that Kento is romping around the city with apparently no idea what he’s doing,”> Anubis said.

     “And the worse?”

     <“He’s about as tall as Talpa was when you fought him in the first war.”>

     “Yeesh!” Ryo winced in response.

                                                                 *****

     “Mia is with Kayura and Michelle, but....oh fiddlesticks!” Anubis swore.

     <“What, what’s going on?”>

     “Military just gave pursuit.” Anubis stood on the roof of a building in Battle Armor far away enough to observe the giant Kento safely. To the pilots of the army choppers, Kento looked like a giant monster from an old movie. His face plate was down. Only his glowing eyes could be seen. He stopped when three helicopters surrounded him.

     “Attention, this is the military speaking. We are ordering you to cease action and surrender, or else we will be forced to take drastic measures!” a voice echoed over a loud speaker. Kento let out a puzzled groan but did not move. Suddenly he turned around and took off running down the open streets. “Engage the enemy and pursue. Shoot if necessary!” The helicopters flew off after Kento. He stopped abruptly and clutched onto the wall of a large tower. He hauled himself up with his weapon in hand. Two helicopters followed but the sphere at the tip of his bo whacked the right-side chopper in its belly and sent it plummeting to the ground.

     “Chopper 3 down! I repeat! Chopper 3 down!”

     “Fire at will! This thing’s dangerous!” A pair of missiles launched off but Kento vaulted over a row of buildings. The missiles couldn’t follow because of his armor and exploded in the air. The choppers sped after Kento as he took off running. Kento whirled around and reached out. His hand closed around the base of a chopper’s tail and crushed it in half. The cockpit and tail propeller fell to the ground. Kento opened his hand and dropped the mass of crumpled metal.

     Anubis used his chain to swing after him. “There you are!” Dais, Sehkmet, and Cale ran up to him. “My word! What has gotten into him!” Cale remarked.

     “I’m not sure. I think the boys can get through to him, but with the damned military interfering this will be real messy. Dais, do you think you can create a copy of Kento to distract them?” Anubis asked and jerked his thumb at a second trio of choppers.

     “Of course I can!”

     “Where’d that damn thing go?” Kento had seemingly vanished. No one could see him. Suddenly he reappeared out of the air right infront of a chopper. “Whoa! Jeez cripes! There it is!”

     “After it!” The illusion giant ran away and the choppers followed. The Warlords ran after them on the roof level below.

     “We have to keep them busy long enough for the boys to get here!” Cale shouted.

     “Plus I have to maintain the illusion,” Dais added.

     “Ryo, we’ve done what we can. Are you ready now?” Anubis asked.

     <“Yeah, we brought a couple of friends along.”>

                                                                 *****

     The other Ronin ran towards where Kento stood in the street. The giant remained still and looked from side to side. He let out another groan and searched for danger. Ryo, Rowen, Sage, Cye, and Tanya stopped at a building a block away from where Kento stood. “You think the Dynasty did this?” Sage asked.

     “No, it’s not Dynasty related. Tar says he knows what’s wrong. He should be here soon.” Ryo looked behind him. Bak dashed along the roof tops with Tar Uhnin running at his side. They joined the Ronin. “Tar, what’s wrong with Kento?”

     “I’ll make a long explanation short: Your friend has been affected by a Thunthen manufactured drug. I know because I’m one of the ones who made it.”

     “You!? Then why’d you come to help us?” Tanya demanded.

     “Mal Daggur denied me the rightful credit. That, and he helisiked my sister.”

     “Uh, I’ve got a pretty good idea what that means,” Rowen muttered.

     “I can remedy his condition, but you have to keep him still in the meantime.”

     “Rowen, go see if you can talk to him,” Ryo said.

     “Who, me?”

     “You’re the only one who can fly.”

     “Oh, allright then.” Rowen changed into AnimArmor sub-armor and took off. He glided up towards eye level with Kento. “Hey Kento! Hey, over here!” Rowen waved his arms to attract his attention. Kento didn’t notice him since he gazed off to the side. “Hello! Kento, I’m over here!” Rowen continued to wave his arms and call out but stopped abruptly when Kento turned his head to look at him. “Uhhhh....” Rowen trailed off for loss of words. The way his face plate concealed all but his eyes gave him a frightening appearance. “Uhh...hi...so, how’s the weather up here?” Kento stared at him and blinked. “Heh heh heh...” Rowen laughed weakly and gulped. Kento narrowed his eyes. “Uh, Ryo, he looks.... kinda pissed off.”

     <“Just keep him from trashing anything else.”>

     “No Ryo, I mean...*gulp*...he looks pretty pissed off,” Rowen whispered into his wrist-com. Kento narrowed his eyes further and let out a low growl.

     <“Try to keep him in the wide, straight areas in the mean time.”>

     “I mean he looks really pissed off!!” Rowen cried when Kento let out a groaning roar and stomped towards him. “Whoa! Whoa!” Rowen dodged to the side to avoid a swipe from Kento’s claws. *Claws! What the heck is wrong with him?* Rowen turned around and flew off as Kento ran after him. Rowen had to move to the side continuously to avoid being swiped at. He looked over his shoulder and yelped when he saw Kento looming close behind no more than thirty feet away. “Oh man, oh shit! I feel like I’m being chased by freakin’ Godzilla!” Rowen cried. Kento roared and stalked after the flying Ronin.

     <“You’re doing fine Rowen, just keep him in the street.”> Ryo shouted.

                                                                 *****

     <“Bullshit! That’s bullshit Ryo, and you know it!!”> Rowen cried. Ryo scowled and rolled his eyes. He turned to Tar.

     “So what’s this stuff that affected Kento?”

     “The drug induces growth in any solid matter at an exponential rate. I can only guess that someone administered it to him sometime yesterday or today.”

     “How’d he get so big like that?” Cye asked.

     “The drug acts like a magnet on the very smallest molecular level. It pulls surrounding matter and reshapes it into the required form. Pegasus achieved his size because Thangiens employ dererium in many of their architectural structures. When you cured him you might have noticed a layer if fine dust on the ground. When the drug is eliminated all matter gained is shed and returned to it’s natural state. However, he retained his size only through a certain tool. The drug will wear off without a recycling filter. Danaetanera destroyed that device, thus allowing the drug to lose effect.”

     “So Kento’ll change back in a while?” Ryo asked.

     “I don’t know. Mal Daggur was so hasty in the production he denied us any further testing. Pegasus was exposed for more than two years. By then the drug would have become substantially ‘stale’.”

     While Tar talked, Rowen continued to lead Kento around. “Shit on a stick! I can’t do this!” Rowen cried when Kento slowly gained up on him.

     “RRNNNAAAHANNN!!!”

     “That’s it!” Rowen ducked into a street corner out of Kento’s path and tried to summon his AnimArmor Battle Armor. “Eag-aaaooow!” He had to move out of the way when Kento all of a sudden shouldered through the corner of the building.

     <“Rowen! I told you not to let him cause any damage!”>

     “F*** YOU RYO! JUST F*** YOOUUU!!” Rowen dove down and swooped back up in an effort to gain speed. Suddenly Kento moved to the side and climbed on top of a building. He ran along the rooftops overhead but Rowen didn’t notice.

     <“ROWEN! He’s on the roof! He’s on the roof! Look above you!”>

     “Huh? Yow!” Rowen jerked to a stop when Kento jumped down infront of him. “Whoaaa!” Rowen dove down between Kento’s legs. Kento turned back around and glared at Rowen as he flew ahead. He didn’t move but grabbed his bo with both hands and raised it. Rowen kept on flying.

     <“Rowen! ROWEN! Watch out-”> Ryo cried as Kento swung his bo down like a baseball bat. The very end of the sphere-like tip smacked Rowen in the back. Rowen cried out softly and dropped to the ground. Kento stepped forward and reached out. He caught Rowen by his shoulders with his fingertips and lifted him up. The Ronin and the two Nobles hurried to the scene. Rowen moaned softly. Kento stared at the small, limp form in his grasp. The others stopped on the roof of a building next to Kento and watched as the giant held Rowen. Kento let out a puzzled groan and lifted up Rowen to study him.

     “Yoo hoo!” Everyone gasped in surprise when Tanya suddenly appeared on Kento’s visor. Ryo did a double take when he noticed his sister missing from where she previously stood beside him. Now the Lady Ronin hung upside down infront of Kento’s eyes. Kento grunted in confusion and scowled. He loosened his grip on Rowen and reached up to grab Tanya. Rowen opened his eyes and gasped when he saw himself falling towards the street. He spread his arms and swooped up in time. He landed on the roof with the other boys. Ryo watched wide-eyed in shock as Tanya scampered out of the way when Kento tried to slap her. She jumped onto Kento’s shoulder plate and jumped down his back. She caught onto one of the cords at his waist and swung back up to the opposite shoulder. She scampered all over his chest and shoulders with incredible agility. Kento growled in frustration as he tried to slap her. Tanya jumped on top of his head and stood up. “Yee hah! It’s rodeo time!”

     “Well, at least she’s keeping him still. Can you cure him?” Ryo asked. Tar reached behind him and unslung a long rifle-like weapon from around his neck. He reached into his shell and pulled out a large cylindrical dart the size of a Pringles can.

     “This is the antidote which will neutralize the growth drug and return your friend to his normal size.” Tar inserted the dart into the rifle. “Now it is only a matter of getting a clear shot.” He looked at Tanya, who continued to nimbly evade Kento’s angry grasp. She clambered on top of his head and whistled. Kento glanced up and scowled. He gripped his bo with both hands and began to swing it back and forth.

     “Wait, is he going to do what I think he’s going to do!?” Ryo exclaimed.

     “Kento! Don-” Cye cried.

     *WHACK!!*

     “AAARRRRAAHHHNNN!!!” The boys winced when Kento whacked himself on the head with his bo in attempt so swat Tanya.

     “Did he get her?” Cye asked worriedly. To answer the question, the Lady Ronin popped into view from behind one of the helmet horns.

     “I’m allright!” she hollered. Tar searched for an open area.

     “I have to hit him where the antidote will enter his bloodstream.”

     “Your best bet would be his neck,” Ryo said. Tar nodded and raised the rifle to aim. “Tanya, get Kento to look up so Tar can shoot him in the neck!”

     “So he can what!?”

     “Just do it!” Tanya shrugged and stamped her foot on Kento’s helmet.

     “Yoo hoo! Up here!” She jumped up and down, each time coming down hard on both feet. Kento growled and reached up. He grabbed around, searching for the elusive Lady Ronin. His head leaned back. Tar tapped his claws on the rifle and aimed. Kento’s exposed skin came into view. Tar’s finger slowly squeezed the trigger. Suddenly he squeezed his eyes shut and growled in frustration.

     “Arrgh! I can’t do it Captain, you know how bad of a shot I am!” Tar said to Bak. Bak fingered his beard thoughtfully and looked at Ryo.

     “Do you know of a skilled marksman who’s services we can employ?”

     “We can call Rowen’s gun-nut girlfriend,” Cye suggested. Rowen grabbed him by his collar and jerked him close.

     “You say that again, and I will have to kill you,” Rowen threatened calmly.

     “Roxi’s the only one we know of who can make the shot. Go get her Rowen,” Ryo ordered. Rowen released Cye and leapt into the air. He transformed into Eagle Armor and hovered in the air a few seconds before taking off. “And make it fast! My sister’s not a friggin monkey for crying out loud!” Ryo hollered.

     “Well, you could’ve fooled me,” Sage muttered.

     Tanya, in the meantime, continued to annoy and infuriate Kento by jumping onto his bo as it moved past. She ran down along the surface, onto his arm, then up to his shoulder. She jumped and avoided a slap and grabbed onto the edge of his shoulder plate. She stood there for a few seconds while Kento searched about for her. Then he spotted her and growled. “Thbbbppplth!! Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nah!”

     “RRNNNAAAHHHNNN!!!” He roared and again tried to catch the annoying little Lady Ronin scampering all over his upper body.

     Ryo looked to the side when Rowen landed on the roof with Roxi Hirochner in his arms. “That was quick,” he commented.

     “You said you needed me?” Roxi asked as Rowen set her on the ground.

     “You need to use this thing to shoot Kento so he’ll return to normal size.” Ryo pointed to the weapon Tar held in his hand. Roxi eyed the noble warily before accepting the weapon. She looked it over.

     “Trigger mechanism’s there,” Tar instructed. Roxi nodded and raised the weapon.

     “Tanya! Roxi’s here, try it again!” Ryo shouted. Tanya jumped on top of Kento’s head and grabbed onto one of the horns. Kento felt the thump and glanced up. Roxi took aim as Kento’s neck came into view.

     “Careful, there’s only one shot...” Tar warned. Roxi glared at him over her shoulder.

     “Shut up before I shoot you with this!” she threatened and returned her attention to making the shot. Tar looked a bit surprised by her remark. Roxi narrowed her eyes and concentrated on the area right above the metal mesh collar of the sub-armor where a major artery lie. Tanya clambered up along the horn until she neared the tip.

     *KA-THONK!* Roxi fired the dart. Suddenly Kento moved to the side. Everyone gasped when it seemed the dart would bounce off his helmet. Then Kento looked back up when Tanya shouted at him again. The dart swept under the helmet. *THWIP!*

     Kento jerked suddenly and let out a confused groan. The sharp movement caused Tanya to lose her balance. “YAAAAHH!” she wailed as she fell away towards the street. “Ooof!” she cried out in surprise when Rowen caught her in his arms. “Thanks.”

     “No prob.” Rowen flew back to the roof top and landed. He set Tanya down and watched as Kento shook his head from side to side and moaned. His eyelids drooped down and his arms hung limp. Then he turned around and staggered off. He slowly walked to a street corner and stumbled out of view behind a tower.

     “Where’s he going?” Tanya asked.

     “An injured animal goes to lick his wounds. Quick, we must hurry!” Bak and Tar took off with tails flagging behind them. They ran with surprising speed along the roof top. The Ronin followed by wall jumping while Rowen flew in the air.

     “I don’t see him. Wait, there he is!” Rowen dropped down and landed on the pavement beside an unconscious Kento, now back to regular size. The two Nobles landed, followed by the other Ronin.

     “Hey, what’s this stuff?” Tanya asked and ran her finger along the wall. A fine yellowish dust covered the surface.

     “That’s the discarded matter, mainly metallic particles and dead tissue,” Tar said.

     “Ewww!” Tanya squeaked and yanked her arm back.

     Ryo knelt down and pushed Kento onto his side. “Kento, you allright? Wake up.”

     “Uhhh.....ww-what? Oww...Ryo?....Hey!” Kento sat up suddenly when he saw Tar and Bak. He grabbed his bo and held it up.

     “Relax Kento. It’s just Bak,” Ryo assured. Kento blinked and shook his head.

     “Bak? But...the other two...the Nobles I saw...”

     “You saw two other Nobles?” Bak asked.

     “Yeah. I found ‘em sneakin’ around and they attacked me. Then I started to feel funny and then that’s it. I can’t remember anything else.”

     “Mal Daggur sent them to give you the growth drug,” Bak muttered.

     “So that’s what my dream meant. At least you’re allright. Anubis,” Ryo spoke into his wrist-com. “Kento’s fine now. You can back off.”

     Kento powered down to sub-armor and rubbed the back of his head. Tar reached into his shell and pulled out a syringe. He uncovered it and knelt down beside Kento. Kento yelped when Tar poked him in the neck. “Ow! Hey, whatcha do that for!”

     “Standard blood test. Just a precaution,” Tar explained.

     “Let’s get you back to the House. We’ll let the city take it from here,” Ryo said after glancing at the various damaged buildings. Tar re-covered the syringe and sealed it in a metal case. *Just to make sure...*

 

**************************************************************************

 

                                         Overload II: Taming the Beast Within

                                                            By Mardrena

 

     Ryo slid down the runner cables, very tired and very grumpy. No more than a few hours of sleep after the harrowing ordeal with the giant Kento, Bak called him saying that a call waited for him in the Comm Room. Ryo landed on the floor and slowly walked towards the chamber. He leaned against the console and slapped his hand on a flashing panel. Ryo’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw Jacqueline O’Connor. He’d half expected to see a Thangien, but Shannon’s aunt? “Uhh...Ms. O’Connor, what is it?” Ryo yawned and rubbed his eye with his knuckle.

     <“I got a call from a Tar Uhnin. He told me about some little incident you had yesterday so he called Shannon, who asked me if I knew anyone who could help him out. He doesn’t know much about the way we work so I’m sending a friend of mine over from New Zealand. He’s one of the lesser known guys but he’s an expert in genetics. He should be there in a couple of hours, so you can pick him up at the airport.”>

     *Why does everyone in Shannon’s dumb family have to get involved,* Ryo thought. “Oooahhokay then. I’ll be there.” Ryo slapped the panel again. Jackie’s face bleeped off from the screen. Ryo staggered out to the hangar pad where the Rider was parked. He fished out the spare keys and started the ignition.

                                                                 *****

     Engines screamed and tires squealed on the runway. Passengers disembarked and reclaimed their luggage. A medium height man walked out to the parking lot. He continuously glanced from a sheet of paper to various parking spaces. Then he spotted a young man astride a white-colored motorcycle. He walked up to him. “Uh, are you Ryo Sanada?” The man nodded, but from sleep. His eyes were closed and he snored softly. “Excuse me. Hello? Are you...” The man gently poked Ryo.

     “Huh? Uhmghm...wha? Oh, you’re that guy...” Ryo blinked and yawned loudly.

     “Uh, yes, Professor Anatole Duncan. Ms. O’Connor told me to meet you here.”

     “Fine then, get on. I’ll drive you back,” Ryo mumbled. Professor Duncan hesitated.

     “Uh, you don’t look...well enough to drive.”

     “Hmm?”

     “You look kind of tired.” Professor Duncan felt uneasy about Ryo’s obvious drowsiness. Ryo glanced to either site to check for any observers. Then he glanced at Professor Duncan.

     “Well, if you want a faster way.” Professor Duncan gasped when Ryo’s body flashed. Now he wore a form fitting body armor of some sort. Ryo reached out and grabbed him by his arm. “Hold on to your stuff.”

     “What? Oh my!” Professor Duncan cried out in surprise when a red colored column of light rose up around them and swept them away from view. They reappeared over a large metal plate. “Amazing! What was that?”

     “Teleport,” Ryo grumbled in reply and dismounted.

     “Where are we?” Professor Duncan set down his luggage.

     “We just call it the Roost,” Ryo answered and walked off the plate.

     “Where are you going?”

     “I’m going back to sleep. You’re on your own,” Ryo snapped and grabbed a runner cable. He jerked the grip slightly and allowed the cable to retract and carry him up to the House level. Professor Duncan tapped his briefcase and hugged it to his chest. He looked around the Hangar Bay cavern and bit his lip. Then he glanced at his paper.

     “Uh....I was told to look for a Tar Uhniiiinohmy!” he yelped upon turning around and seeing a large saurian creature.

     “You’re looking at him,” Tar calmly replied.

                                                                 *****

     Ryo changed to street clothes and staggered up the stairs. Mia paused on the stairs as he walked past. “Ryo, did you pick up that man?” Ryo grumbled something in reply. “Well, just to let you know, Kento and Cye are in the city.”

     “Again? I thought he was tired?”

     “Apparently he’s feeling better. He ate two full lunches.”

     “Oh. Okay then. Iaahmm gonna go nap,” Ryo yawned and entered his room.

                                                                 *****

     “I did all this?” Kento asked as he surveyed the damage. He and Cye walked past various construction sites on both sides of the street.

     “Yeah, but hey, you didn’t know what you were doing. You smacked Rowen, so obviously you didn’t recognize him. Maybe your body grew but your brain didn’t,” Cye joked. Kento laughed in reply and returned to watching. Then his face lit up in a smile.

     “Hey, I just had a thought. At least the warlords won’t be out of a job,” he added. Cye chuckled in reply and continued walking. They approached a street intersection where a traffic cop directed motorists away from the blocked street. Kento frowned and held a hand to his ear. All of a sudden he began hearing strange noises. He shut his eyes tight but the sounds persisted. He thought he heard people talking from across the street. Suddenly the traffic cop blew his whistle. “Aaahh!” Kento stopped and clamped both hands over his ears. The shrill sound hit his eardrums like a scream echoing from all over.

     “Hey, you allright?” Cye asked.

     “Yeah...it’s just an earache,” Kento said and rubbed his ears.

     “Well, come on. We’re supposed to be gettin back soon. Don’t wanna miss dinner.” Kento nodded but still couldn’t get the sounds out of his head.

                                                                 *****

     Whiteblaze padded into the room and walked to Ryo’s bedside. Ryo lay sprawled on his side with one arm hanging off the mattress. He snored softly and his mouth hung open a bit. Whiteblaze sniffed at him. Then he licked Ryo across the face. “Mmm....no Mia...you already have one.”

     Mia happened to be walking by the room with an armload of towels when he said that. She stopped and raised an eyebrow. Then she heard the sound of a car. “Oh, that must be Kento and Cye.”

     The two boys got out of the car and shut the doors. Kento paused when he detected an odd scent. He looked up and closed his eyes. “Hmmm....”

     “What is it now?” Cye demanded, partly annoyed.

     “Mmm....someone’s cookin’ barbecue...” Kento answered and sniffed the air.

     “Barbecue!? Mia never cooks barbecue. If you want that, call Raurgoth, come on!” Cye walked into the House but Kento waited awhile before following.

     What he didn’t know was that several miles away a family hosted a party...and served a barbecue dinner......

                                                                 *****

     “Ryo...Ryo...” Ryo looked up. Sage stood in the doorway.

     “That Professor Whatshisface wants to talk to you. Says it’s real serious.”

     “Oh, okay.” Ryo sat up and wiped his face with his palm. He groaned when he felt sticky. “Ugh! What, did I drool in my sleep?” He stood up and walked out of the room.

     In the living room Kento sat on the sofa after a very satisfying dinner. He opened the TV guide and searched for a good movie. Then he heard a sound. A faint buzzing that steadily grew louder. A fly landed on the coffee table and began skittering around. Kento glanced at it. He heard the fly come and land. Now he could see it as it walked about and cleaned its head. The minuscule legs moved up and down. The fly fluttered its wings then walked around in a circle. It tapped the surface with its sponge-like mouth. Kento blinked, surprised he could be aware of such detail. He could see the fly’s body as if through a magnifying glass. He sat there watching it a few seconds.

     All of a sudden he felt angry. He slowly wrapped the TV guide up and squeezed it tight, crushing it in his hands. He frowned and twisted it in his grip. He was about to swat the fly, but instead put down the booklet. Then he stood up and stooped over. The fly continued to search about on the wooden surface. Kento felt a sudden wave of anger overcome him. He crouched slightly and held his arms out. He almost looked like he was stalking the fly. The fly skittered around, oblivious to its hunter. Kento’s anger grew, apparently without cause. His eyes flickered with an eerie white light. He bared his teeth in a snarl and a low guttural growl escaped his throat. The glow in his eyes intensified along with his growling. He pulled back one arm.

     *WHAP!!!*

     “Kento?”

     “Huh?” Kento jerked out of his trance and looked over his shoulder at Mia.

     “What are you doing?”

     “Uh....just swatting a fly.” Kento stood up and looked at his hand. Mia walked over to the coffee table and gasped.

     “My goodness! Splattered it all over the table! Hmm, let me get the Pledge,” she muttered and walked off. Kento shook his head and looked at his hand again.

     “What was all that about?” he wondered aloud. He shrugged and walked down to the kitchen to wash his hands. He winced and squeezed his eyes shut when he felt a pain in his head. He turned off the water and placed a hand to his head. The throbbing pain ebbed after a while. Suddenly he felt dizzy. “Uhh...nmmm..” He blinked and shook his head. “Hey Mia! I’m gonna go outside for a walk. I just need some air!” he hollered before walking out the door. He placed a hand over his eyes to soothe another headache and walked into the surrounding woods.

     No more than a few minutes later Yulie and Whisker scampered into the House. “Hi Mia!” he greeted.

     “Hello Yulie.”

     “Hey Mia, where’s Kento? He said he’d play basketball with me.”

     “You just missed him, but he’s outside. You should be able to find him.”

     “Okay. Thank you!” Yulie and Whisker ran off.

                                                                 *****

     Ryo walked over to the Infirmary where he found Professor Duncan waiting by a table and tapping his foot. The man bit his lip and folded his arms over his chest, as if hesitant to speak. “Hey Doc, whatcha wanna tell me?” Ryo asked sleepily and rubbed one eye. Professor Duncan took a deep breath and sighed.

     “Ryo...I’m afraid I have some...not so pleasant news pertaining to your friend, Kento.”

                                                                 *****

     “Kento? Where’d you go?” Yulie called out. He’d gone around the House twice and still no trace of Kento. Now he ran down one of the familiar forest trails. Suddenly Whisker stopped and perked up her ears. “Whisker, what’s wrong?” Yulie walked back to her. Whisker flattened her ears in a worried expression then growled in anger at a mysterious presence. She ran off roaring shrilly and growling. “Whisker! Come back! Whisker!” Yulie chased after her but stopped when he lost track. “Aw man!” Yulie kicked a rock in frustration. The rock stuck an ancient dead tree that had fallen over from a storm and leaned against a smaller tree.

     The hair on the back of Yulie’s neck stood on end when he heard a soft creak. He turned around slowly and stared wide-eyed as the dead tree slowly slid off its support and fell towards him. Yulie shivered but terror paralyzed his legs as the tree loomed near. He cried out and fell back as the tree descended upon him.

     He felt nothing. Yulie held his arm infront of his eyes to shield himself. Then he lowered his arm and opened his eyes. He saw Kento standing there holding the fallen tree on his back. “Kento!?”

     “Yulie...go...now...” Kento growled. Yulie frowned. His voice sounded different. He looked different, bigger almost. “GO...now!” Yulie stood up and backed out of the way. Suddenly Kento’s legs buckled under the tremendous weight of the tree.

     “Kento! Kento, get up!” Yulie cried and pushed against the heavy trunk, hoping to roll it off the fallen warrior. Kento grunted and heaved it off with his shoulder and moved up on his knees. “Kento, are you allright?” Yulie asked worriedly. Kento rubbed the back of his head and groaned. “Kento, did you hurt something inside?”

     “Huh?” Kento looked at Yulie with a confused expression.

     “Let Mia take a look at you. That tree might’ve messed up your back real bad.” Yulie stood up and tugged at his arm. Kento stood up but didn’t follow. He stood still while Yulie tugged at his arm.

     “Wha?” Kento’s voice sounded weak. His skin looked pale and sickly.

     “Come on Kento!” Yulie tugged harder. Suddenly Kento growled and jerked his arm away. Yulie fell back to the ground and sat up. “Kento! What’s wrong with you?” Kento turned around and walked away. Yulie heard a rustling as Whisker pounced out from the brush and landed infront of him. She bared her teeth and growled at Kento. She wiggled her hips and swatted at the air. “Whisker, don’t growl at him!” Yulie scolded. Whisker snarled, treating Kento like an enemy. Kento stopped and looked over his shoulder. Whisker’s ears flattened when he let out a low rumbling growl, like an animal. Yulie gasped when Kento’s eyes glowed white. Whisker stepped back but watched cautiously as Kento walked away. “Kento! Where are you going! Kento! Come back! Kento!!”

                                                                 *****

     Professor Duncan sighed. He seemed to be having trouble saying something. “We tested that blood sample from Kento to check if he’s allright....he’s not. We found something else in his system...Tar and I...” Professor Duncan gulped. Ryo looked so calm, concerned, but calm nonetheless. *Ah jeez, how am I gonna say it to him.* “Ryo...damn, I know you guys have never faced this kind of thing before...I don’t know how to break it to you...” he sighed. “We found that....Kento has some sort of mutagen in his system.”

     “Mutagen!?!” Ryo cried out and unfolded his arms from over his chest.

     “Just listen to me! When we checked his blood we found an abnormality. Tar isolated it and found a mutagenic substance, except it was dormant. A second test showed it affected Kento the same time the growth drug did. Neutralizing the drug weakened it temporarily. The reason I’m concerned is that a time lapse showed it would become active exactly twenty four hours since dormancy. Kento could be transforming even as we speak...”

                                                                 *****

     He staggered forward, unable to move any faster because of the echoing sound of his own heartbeat. All over his body ached. He moaned when he felt another pain in his back, not from his injury, but something else. *Ohh...I....I feel so strange....* He stumbled and fell to the ground but held himself up on his hands. Then he felt weak and dropped onto his side. *Nmmm...mnnn...what’s happening to me?*....

                                                                 *****

     “The good news is that Tar and I were able to produce an antigen to reverse the effect and neutralize the substance. The only problem is that we only had time to make three doses in such short notice. You have three strikes...or you’re out.” Professor Duncan held out three small vials of a bluish liquid. Ryo took them in his hand. His hand trembled from the thought of such a thing happening to Kento. “Now, listen to me carefully. You have to find him and cure him immediately. A second time lapse showed something else.” He sighed before speaking again. “If left untreated, the mutagen will adhere itself to Kento’s genetic structure. If you don’t cure him within seventy two hours, any physical changes to his body will be permanent...and irreversible.”

     Ryo’s gut churned at the thought. He clenched the vials in his hand. *Don’t worry Kento, I’m coming!*  Ryo turned and ran.

     “Wait Ryo, before you leave, know this: Kento might not recognize you. You must be extremely cautious. It would explain his behavior in the city,” Professor Duncan warned. Ryo nodded and ran towards the cables.

                                                                 *****

     Mia was putting up dishes when she looked up and saw Ryo running towards the door. “Ryo? Why are you in such a hurry?” she asked, a bit concerned.

     “Where’s Kento! I have to find him, quick!”

     “He’s outside, said he needed fresh air. Why?” Suddenly the door slammed open and a panting, exhausted Yulie and Whisker fell into the room.

     “Mia! Mia, something’s wrong with Kento!” Yulie cried.

     “You saw him? Where is he?” Ryo knelt down and held the boy by his shoulders.

     “Well, I went looking for him but I couldn’t find him. Then Whisker ran off and I tried to follow, but I lost her. All of a sudden this dead tree falls over and almost squashes me, but Kento saved me. Except, he didn’t look the same. He didn’t sound the same either. He acted like he didn’t know me and he growled at me. What’s wrong with him, Ryo?”

     “That’s why I need to find him, Yulie. Where’d you see him?”

     “By that path going to the waterfalls I play at. There’s a big tree lying across it, the same one that almost got me. Kento walked off in that direction.”

     “Thanks Yulie, and don’t worry! I’ll find him!” Ryo stood up and ran out the door. Mia frowned and looked at Yulie.

     “Yulie, what’s happening to Kento?”

     “I don’t know Mia, but....it looks like.....it looks like Kento’s turning into....some sort of a monster!”

                                                                 *****

     Ryo changed into Lion sub-armor. *I can cover more ground this way. Kento, where are you!* Trees flew past as he tore down the path. *Man, I hope Professor Duncan’s wrong and he hasn’t changed just yet.*

                                                                 *****

     A buck with a fine rack of antlers carefully stepped down to the shore of the lake. It stooped down and drank out of the cool water. Then it looked up and to the side at a shadowy form kneeling on the shore several feet away and staring into the water. The shadows beneath the trees hid its features. It leaned over to take a drink then sat back up. It seemed unaware of the buck. The buck stared with curious, but cautious black eyes. The form stared at its reflection in the water. Then it reached out and touched the image with its finger tips. The reflection distorted and ripples expanded from where its fingers touched. The being recoiled and blinked in surprise. It let out a soft moan and hung its head. The buck flipped its ears. The being became aware of it watching. It looked up and stared at the buck with solid white eyes with glowing, white, slit-shaped pupils. The buck stood there for a few seconds then bounded off. The form averted its gaze then stared at the water again. It threw its head back and roared. “AAAAHHAAAAUUUNNN!!!”

                                                                 *****

     Ryo stopped when he heard a loud roar. Birds flew up from the trees near the lake. *I know that wasn’t Whiteblaze,* Ryo thought and took off running towards the sound. He slowed down and stopped when he came upon a curious scuff mark in the path. He knelt down and placed a hand on the indention. A sudden image flashed through his mind, so brief he couldn’t make heads or tails of it. Ryo shook his head and blinked to clear his mind. He studied the mark and ran his fingers along the ridges of dirt. Almost like something collapsed. Ryo scowled and stood up. *I may be too late already. I could call the others, but that would take time, and if Professor Duncan is right about Kento losing his memory, the other guys might frighten him. Same thing with Whiteblaze. No, I don’t want to worry the others. I’ll find you Kento, just hold on.* Ryo took off again. He concentrated so intently on the path ahead he didn’t see a protruding root. He yelped in surprise when he tripped and fell face first into the dirt.

     Ryo blew air through his nose and swore in frustration. He pushed himself up and cursed himself for being so clumsy. He reached up and brushed dirt off his hair. Then he noticed an object lying in the path a few inches infront of him. He reached out and grabbed it then sat down cross-legged to study it.

     Ryo’s eyes widened when he realized he held Kento’s wrist-com in his hands. He scowled with worry when he saw a tear in the band. He squinted to get a better view. Something either tore the band off or the strain on the band became so great it ripped apart. Ryo fit the two edges of the tear together. The material on each side bore signs of strain, like something pulled it off. Ryo gripped the object tightly. *Maybe I can find where he is. These are connected to our armors. Kento, where are you my friend?* His Kanji glowed briefly. *Virtue.*

     *Justice...find Justice....where’s Justice.*

     *Faint....very faint...*

     *Justice.* Ryo stood up and looked down the path.

     *If I keep on going I should run into him. Oh Kento, I can’t even imagine what’s happened to you.* He continued his trek at a steady pace. Then he braked abruptly and skidded to a stop. Ryo stepped back and looked up at a branch. He squinted and reached up to grab what looked to be a few short strands of thick white hair. Ryo fingered one strand and studied it. A closer look showed it had a black root, but the rest of the hair was totally white, as white as bone bleached in desert sun. A black root? Ryo frowned and tightened his grip on the wrist-com. *Kento, what’s wrong with you.*

     He continued running. Several minutes later an alarm flashed off in his mind. Ryo skidded to a stop and glanced about frantically. *Justice....Justice is near.*

     *Where? Where!!*

     *Look down.* Ryo looked down at the ground. His eyes widened in horror when he saw Kento’s armor orb lying in the dirt. Ryo bent down and picked it up. “No...No....this isn’t possible!” *Kento would never leave his armor! Did something happen? Did he cast it away? Did he forget about it when he transformed? Did it leave him! Arrgh! Kento!* Ryo clutched the orb in his fist. *No...No! Kento! Where are you!* “Where are you!!” Ryo cried. The orb began to flicker. It flashed on and off. *Our armors are connected....is he near?* Ryo walked the rest of the way and swept his gaze from side to side. To the right stood various trees. To the left Ryo saw a large gap in the ground. He knew a shallow canyon lay beyond those trees, and shallow meant a thirty foot drop onto some fairly large, pointy rocks. Anyone unfortunate enough to fall in would break something, preferably not one’s back.

     Ryo listened and kept alert. The path moved away from the canyon. Then he stopped. He looked to the left where the area opened up near the canyon. Through dozens of trees Ryo saw a shadowy form moving through the opening on the right side of the canyon. The numerous trees and shadows obscured his view, but he heard heavy breathing. The form walked away at a slow, but steady pace. *Kento? Is that you?* Ryo frowned in determination then ran towards the departing shape. He wove between the trees as he ran. He didn’t care when branches slapped his face. He kept running.

     Ryo burst out of the underbrush and rolled on the ground before coming to a stop on his feet. He landed no more than a foot away from the edge of the canyon. He stood up and locked his eyes on the shape. Then his eyes widened in horror. Ryo stepped back as if he’d seen something extremely terrifying. “K-Kento?! No...please....no..”

     The being stopped and glared at him over its shoulder. Ryo’s eyes widened to their limit when the creature turned around. A low guttural growl escaped its clenched teeth and it scowled in anger. Now Ryo knew why Kento’s wrist-com bore such signs of strain. Now he knew why he found those white hairs with the black roots. Now he knew what caused the scuff mark and the horrible cry near the lake.

     It stood almost eight feet tall, its body thick with muscle. Long, sharp, white claws, each an inch long, tipped it’s fingers. Like a negative, its hair was bone-white and its skin was a light gray lavender. It glared at Ryo from under white eyebrows then threw its head back and let out a loud echoing cry, like that of an angry bear and an infuriated bull. Then it returned its glare to Ryo. Its eyes glowed with an eerie white light.

     “K-Kento? I-Is that you?” Ryo stammered. It was Kento, no mistaking it. Despite his size his features remained the same. He still wore his clothes through they appeared to fit him just the same, even his orange sweat band. *Did they grow with him?* Kento stared at Ryo. His expression relaxed when Ryo just stood there. “Kento? Kento, do you recognize me?” Ryo asked and gestured to himself. Kento blinked but did not answer. He looked concerned, but not threatened. Ryo looked down at his clawnchers and the three darts filled with the antigen. He raised his arm and took aim but Kento didn’t move. “Listen to me Kento, the stuff in these darts can cure you. It might hurt some, but you’ll be back to your old self,” Ryo assured. Kento frowned but didn’t speak. Ryo held his arm steady and fired. The dart opened up and the needle in the center poked out. The dart struck Kento on his chest.

     “AARRRHHHAH!!” Kento cried out with anger. He glared down at the dart and reached up to grab it.

     “No Kento, don’t!” Kento pulled the dart out and crushed it in his fist. He glared at Ryo and growled in accusation. “Kento, please listen to me! If I don’t do this now you’ll be trapped like that forever!” Ryo shouted. Kento continued to growl. *Oh no, Professor Duncan was right! He doesn’t remember me!* Kento slammed the ground with clenched fists. “Whoaaaaahhh!” The ground Ryo stood on dislodged and crumbled away. He reached for the edge as he fell. He scrabbled frantically at clumps of grass but the roots gave way. Ryo howled as he fell away from the cliff edge.

     He felt his body jerk. Ryo had his eyes squeezed shut, awaiting the fatal plunge. “Huh?” He opened his eyes when he felt nothing. He looked down, surprised to see his legs dangling over the depths. Then Ryo froze. He could feel something clutching onto his wrist. Ryo slowly looked up. His eyes widened in fear when he saw Kento holding him by his wrist. Kento stared down at him. Ryo didn’t move for fear of Kento dropping him. Kento blinked, then, with a grunt, pulled Ryo up and set him on the ground gently. Ryo sat there with his legs sprawled out to his side and panted. Kento knelt on one knee and had his arm resting on the other knee. He stared at Ryo with his glowing white eyes. Ryo gulped and continued panting.

     Ryo carefully scooted back a few inches before standing up and stepping back slowly. Kento remained on the ground and stared at him with the same calm expression. *That’s funny, one minute he’s pissed off, now he doesn’t think I’m a threat.* Ryo moved away from the canyon edge. Kento still stared at him. Ryo took a deep breath and raised his arm to fire. Kento groaned and growled. He stood to his full height and glared at Ryo. “Now just wait a sec Kento, you’ll be fine. Hold still and you’ll be back to normal,” Ryo scolded. Kento leveled his gaze at him. The glow in his eyes intensified. He clenched his fists as tight as he could with his long claws. Ryo thought he saw something. It almost looked like Kento’s skin shifted, changed slightly. Ryo concentrated and took aim.

     Ryo shot off the second dart. Suddenly Kento brought up his arm to shield himself. The dart struck...and ricocheted off with a loud *KANK!* “What!?” Ryo’s eyes widened. Kento glared at him and snarled. He relaxed his arm and his skin changed again. “H-How did he do that?” Ryo stammered. Kento threw back his head and roared. Ryo prepared to jump but Kento pulled his arm back and thrust his fist into the ground. A powerful surge of dirt and rock knocked Ryo back onto the ground. He coughed and shook dirt from his hair. He blinked and gagged from the dust. He tried to stand up but suddenly a hand clamped onto his ankle and pinned him to the ground.

     It was Kento. He knelt down infront of Ryo and kept his right hand clamped onto Ryo’s leg. He stared Ryo right in the eye. The slit shaped pupils glowed white with anger. Ryo shivered with fear. He tried to raise his arm to fire but couldn’t move. Then Kento raised his left arm and splayed his claws. Ryo gasped when he realized what Kento was going to do. Kento growled and thrust but Ryo moved to the side. Kento’s claws plunged into the ground right next to Ryo. Ryo opened his eyes the same time Kento pulled his arm back. Kento growled deeply and prepared to thrust again. He pulled his arm back and spread his fingers. Ryo knew he couldn’t dodge forever. He raised his arms to shield himself just as Kento thrust. Suddenly an orange light erupted from the clenched fist of his left hand. Kento paused abruptly and grunted in surprise.

     Ryo still gripped the Hardrock armor orb in his hand. Now it poked out from between his fingers. Kento frowned and let out a puzzled groan. He cocked his head to one side and looked at Ryo, then the orb. Ryo kept his eyes squeezed shut, awaiting the final blow. Kento blinked in a surprised expression and reached out. He gently grabbed the glowing orb with the tips of his claws and pulled it out of Ryo’s grasp. Ryo opened his eyes when he felt the orb pulled out. “Wha? Hey Give that back-whoa!” Ryo yelped when Kento shoved him back onto the ground. Ryo frowned in confusion and watched as Kento stood up and turned around.

     Kento held the orb in the palm of his hand and stared at its surface. He let out a soft moan and stared intently at the glowing symbol in the center. “Hhmrrm!” Kento grunted in surprise when the symbol flashed suddenly. He flinched slightly when he felt something. His Kanji glowed on his forehead. *Justice....* “Rrrrnnnmmm....hrrrnhh...” Kento blinked and closed his fingers around the orb. He remembered. “J-J-Jus-tice...”

     “Huh?” Ryo thought he heard something.

     Kento looked up and began making an odd sound, as if trying to speak. “Rrrr....Rrrr...Rrrrrrry-o?”

    “What? He...he said my name! He remembers!” Ryo whispered. He looked down at his wrist. *I’ve got one shot left. He’s not looking....it’s now or never...* Ryo raised his arm and fired. Kento flinched and cried out in anger when the dart struck him in the back, right beneath the shoulder blades.

     “RRRAAAHHH!!” Kento roared and turned around. Ryo kept low to the ground and pounced. He rolled past and stopped behind Kento. Then he saw it, the one dart that had missed its mark. Ryo grabbed it and triggered the tines to open. He lunged and stabbed the dart into Kento’s back. Kento roared with rage and struggled to shake Ryo off. Ryo cried out when Kento reached back and grabbed him by his armor collar and yanked him forward. “Whoa!” Ryo thought he would fall to the ground but Kento suddenly grabbed him by the neck and held him up.

     Ryo scrabbled at Kento’s hand and tried to free himself but Kento’s grip tightened. Kento growled deep in his chest and his eyes glowed. He held Ryo up with his right arm only. His left still gripped the armor orb. Ryo’s feet dangled several feet off the ground. He tried to kick but the intense pressure on his throat weakened him. Ryo choked and gagged as he felt the tips of Kento’s claws sink ever so slightly into his skin. “K-K-Ken-to. P-Ple-ase!” Ryo croaked.

     “Huh?” Kento blinked in surprise. He stared at Ryo’s face. Ryo began to blank out. His arms went limp and his eyes slowly drooped shut. Kento frowned and released Ryo. Ryo landed on his side. He pushed himself up and coughed to catch his breath. He rubbed his throat and looked up. Kento stared down at him with a regretful expression. “Rrry-o...” Ryo lay there panting. Then he raised his arm and fired off two trank darts. Kento roared in pain. Ryo leapt back just as Kento lunged. He landed on his feet far enough to avoid a second swipe and summoned his Lion shield. He held it ready and prepared to fire but noticed Kento panting heavily.

     Kento’s eyes were half-lidded. He blinked slowly and shook his head. His breathing slowed. Then the two darts in his back fell off. So did the ones on his chest. The antigen fully entered his bloodstream. Kento shook his head and groaned. Then he stepped back shakily. Ryo watched as Kento staggered backwards until his back bumped against a tree. Kento clung onto it for support and sank to the ground slowly. Then he let out an echoing moan of pain. He sat on the ground and grimaced from a twinge of pain inside. He looked up at Ryo then reached out towards him.

     Ryo watched with fascination as the white claws shrank back and receded into Kento’s fingertips. His hair darkened back to its original shade of blue-black and his skin brightened back to its normal tone. Kento’s body shrank slowly as he returned to normal size. His pupils dilated and his eyes changed.

     Kento sat there for several seconds with his arm still raised and stared at Ryo with a shocked expression. Then he closed his eyes and fell over from exhaustion. Ryo ran over to him and knelt by his side. “Kento! Kento, you allright?” Ryo pushed him up and propped his back against the tree. He shook Kento’s shoulder gently. “Hey Kento, wake up.” Kento’s eyes fluttered open and he groaned softly.

     “Uhhh...oh man...Ryo? Wh-what happened? Ow, I hurt all over. Huh?” Kento opened his hand and saw the Hardrock armor orb resting in his palm.

     “You lost it a while back,” Ryo explained. Kento stared at the orb for a while then pocketed it. Ryo helped him to stand but Kento faltered slightly. “Whoa! Easy there, you’ve been through a lot.”

     “Hey Ryo, what happened back there, I can’t remember anything.”

     “Huh? You can’t?”

     “Nope, just that I was having a bunch of really bad headaches then I blacked out.”

     “Well, I’ll tell you later. I’ll take you to the Roost so Tar can take a look at you. Just to make sure,” Ryo said before the two vanished in a teleport.