//------------------------------// // Chapter Thirty Four: Dragons Against Gems // Story: A Displaced Dragon // by Prince_Zodiac //------------------------------// Chapter Thirty Four: Dragons Against Gems {Third POV} Epidemic didn’t know whether or not he could take her seriously. Did this girl just say she was from the future? How could that be? Granted, it did explain how she had Symbol’s power, considering Epidemic was pretty sure Symbol wasn’t training anyone right now. Epidemic grunted as he let the thought flow out of his head. He needed to focus on the battle right now. He dove at Ruby, scythe at the ready, and swung. Ruby blocked the attack with her fire blades and knocked him back. “You know, Symbol told me that you could only beat him a few times when he got like this. Any other time and he kicked your ass.” Epidemic ignored the comment as he recovered. Ruby leaped at him and thrust one of her flaming swords forward, but Epidemic managed to dodge. He grabbed her arm, swung her around, and tossed her into a wall. Or at least, he attempted to. She recovered mid air and flew at Epidemic, slashing him across the chest. He was sent flying back into a wall. Ruby just smiled as he pulled himself out of the rubble before disappearing. ”Do you still remember what mode three does to the user's body?” Her voice was echoed. Epidemic remained silent, keeping himself prepared for any surprise attack. Suddenly he was struck out of nowhere which pushed him to the side. He was struck again in the back which made him stumble forward and as he regained his bearings he was hit right in the face resulting in him flipping over and landing on his back against the crystal floor. ”Converts most of the user’s energy and focuses it on speed and agility. If used in small doses like level one has an amazing effect. Load it with most of your energy with level two and it becomes extremely powerful. With level three it will exhaust the user but works extremely well against the likes of you. However I think I'll stick to level one for now.” Rudy then appeared behind Epidemic and swung both swords at his back. Epidemic grunted in pain as the fire in the blades coated the newly formed wound. Ruby then grabbed him and slammed him into the ground before blasting him with magic. Rudy smirked at the plume of smoke that held her opponent. “”Now I see why Symbol would have trouble beating you at times, but at the end of the day he's still stronger than you.” “That may be true. However...” Suddenly Epidemic was behind her, his red eyes glowing with power and hate. “I’m not fighting Symbol, I’m fighting you.” Ruby was blasted with a beam of magic and thrown into a wall. Epidemic leaped at her and plowed his knee into her stomach, pushing her further into the wall. He then grabbed her by the neck and threw her down the hall before blasting her once again. ’What the hell? Why’s he suddenly so fast and so powerful?’ Epidemic began walking to her, his scythe at his side. “You may have Symbol’s power, but nowhere are you near him in skill. If you were, I would have started fighting for real a long time ago.” Ruby was shocked. He hadn’t been going at full strength all this time? Ruby could only wonder what kind of power Epidemic really had. Ruby knew how strong Symbol was going to become from her future. But even at that strength Symbol had told her that Epidemic could match and sometimes even beat him in battle. Ruby knew she had to be prepared for a tough fight, but she didn’t expect him to be this strong so early in time! ”Symbol told me that you would be strong, that at almost any point in time you could match him. But he never told how powerful you would be in the past. I thought you would be a lot weaker.” “You were foolish to assume. You don’t have Symbol’s skill, nor the experience. This battle, will be your last.” Ruby got up and charged at Epidemic. Somehow, he dodged her, and kneed her in the stomach. He then grabbed her and threw her into a wall. Ruby separated herself from the indent and flew at him. She swung her swords, but Epidemic blocked them with his scythe. She then threw a knee into his face, sending him back a bit. He quickly recovered and managed to block her swords. “Your fighting style is similar to his, but there’s more openings. I’m guessing he wasn’t able to complete your training?” Ruby just grunted as she attempted to kick Epidemic. He grabbed her leg with his right arm and tossed her behind him. She quickly recovered and fired a beam of magic at him. Epidemic countered it with his own blast before he rushed her, and slicing at her with his scythe. He cut across her chest and she was thrown back. She slammed into the floor before rolling a couple of feet away. She slowly got up, breathing heavily, blood dripping down her torso. As she held her wound she stared down her opponent. Suddenly her body was enveloped in a light blue glow and her wounds healed. Looking over her shoulder she spotted another robot. He was slightly smaller than the others and his cannon was shorter as well, he was coloured light blue and was shooting out small blue balls of transparent energy into Dubys body. “I don't know what's going on here or who you two are, but Katie told me you needed help.” His voice sounded like a young boy. Krystal and Katie ran up to them and held their cannons up at Epidemic while standing beside the third robot. “Zane, glad you could make it.” Katie said as she focused her scope on Epidemic. “Is Thane coming too?” Krystal asked. “I don't know, the only reason I was able to get here so quickly was because Nathan threw me from Canterlot, thank goodness for my shield generator.” Zane replied. Epidemic was about to fire a beam when all of a sudden he felt a sharp wave of pain. He looked to his chest and saw two blood red energy blades sticking out. He felt his body being torn in two as the new attacker pulled the blades away from each other. He managed to dislodge the blades and stumbled forward as the blades had went straight through his lungs. Looking back he saw a fourth robot, this one had no arm cannon but had two hands, it had black metal and a crimson glowing eye. “How many of you robots are in this world?” The new arrival just swung his blades, that were generated from his wrists, and sliced Epidemic over the shoulder before becoming invisible. Epidemic frantically looked around for his opponent but was surprised as he was blasted in the back by the returning Sapphire. He was then stuck by another blade from the invisible robot bit grabbed it while he was nearby and smashed it into the ground. He was then blasted by Katie from one side, Krystal on another, Ruby on another and Sapphire on the last side, they had him surrounded. They just continues blasting away, moving closer with each shot. He wasn't given enough time to dodge any of the attacks as they were constant and were powerful enough to make him stumble. As the group closed in on him to robot beneath him disappeared and reappeared behind him. The robot brought one blue back before slicing Epidemics neck before pushing him down with a foot, causing his head to roll off. “Thane! You actually came.” Krystal said surprised to the new arrival. “You agreed to help Nathan.” “I wasn't doing this for that traitor Nathan Phoenix, I was doing this to protect you three.” Thane said as he looked to the three robots. “Now that this is done I'm heading back to Canterlot. Come on Zane, Katie.” He said as he began to walk off. ”This is far from over.” Rudy said as she looked down at Epidemic who had turned all black and formed into a black liquid with a blue outline as did his dismembered head. The goo formed together in a puddle and slowly began to shape into a regenerated Epidemic. Everyone was shocked. Even though Epidemic kept a straight face, he was surprised too. ’How in the hell?’ ‘Can’t have you dying on us can I brother?’ Now Epidemic understood. In that moment he was dying. Because of that, Psychotic was able to take full control for a second to regenerate the body before partial control was handed back to Epidemic. Taking advantage of the confusion, Epidemic charged up a giant red ball of magic before firing it out at his enemies. The blast threw everyone back. “What the hell? How is he alive? I cut off his head!” ”Epidemic isn’t normal. Killing him will be especially difficult.” “Wait, you know who he is?” ”Yes but we don’t have the time right now. With all of us gathered, there’s a chance we could win this battle.” “Well that’s good.” ”Not necessarily.” “What do you mean? With our numbers and combined power we’ll surely beat him.” ”Yes, but that’s the problem. With our numbers and combined power, Epidemic is going to go full power now. This will be by far the most difficult enemy any of you have ever faced.” They all watched as Epidemic stood there, glaring. Suddenly, he was gone. He then appeared behind Thane before he grabbed his arm and slammed him against his allies. Everyone except Ruby was thrown to the side. Ruby tried to strike at Epidemic’s back, but he turned around and caught her arm as if it was nothing. He then punched her in the gut, sending her flying back into the wall. Thane grunted as he got up. He leaped at Epidemic, two energy swords at the ready, and swung. Epidemic blocked them both with his scythe. His glare shifted to Thane, his eyes glowing with hate and power. “Pathetic.” He forced Thane’s blades back before he turned and swung, slicing across Thane’s chest area. He was thrown back as the others recovered and readied their weapons. They all began firing. But, to their shock, Epidemic started moving around extremely fast, as if he was teleporting. First he was in one spot, the suddenly the next. Each and every bullet was dodged before he stopped and fired a blast of magic at them. They were all blasted out of the castle and onto the streets. Epidemic hopped out of the second hole in the structure, landing on the ground a couple of meters away from his opponents. Ruby tried to surprise him by diving at Epidemic form above, but he just blocked her attack with his scythe before grabbing her and tossing her at her comrades. She recovered along with the rest and they all stood at the ready. “Is this really the best you all can do. Fine then, I’ll end you here and now.” Epidemic began charging up a huge ball of red magic. He pointed it at the group, ready to end their lives. “Good bye. I hope you have fun in hell.” Suddenly Epidemic stopped as he felt a strong presence in the area, far more powerful than the rest of the group. Ceasing his attack he looked to the ground, finding that a huge shadow was being cast down on the area. Turning around and slowly looking up he found himself face to face with a robot that was larger than a fully powered Tirek. It was heavily armoured, it's metal being purple with silver platings. It reeled it's huge fist back before crushing Epidemic under it. “No one, and I mean NO ONE, hurts my friends or family!” His voice was that of a young man but with his robotic form there was a metallic buzz. ”Dad?” “Ruby, are you okay?” He asked with concern. ”Yeah I’m fine, but you might want to look down.” Nathan had no idea what she meant, until he felt his hand shift. With a shocked expression, he looked down to see his hand being lifted up from the ground. Thane, Zane, Krystal, and Katie, also had shocked expressions as they watch Epidemic slowly lift the giant fist off of him with a single arm. There was a red aura around him, that just kept building as he lifted the massive fist off the ground. Suddenly, he threw Nathan’s fist away, causing the giant ranger to stumble back in surprise. The red aura around Epidemic had grown a considerable amount, and now his dragon wings, tail, and horns were out. His red eyes glowed with even more anger, hate, and power as he glared at his opponents with an emotionless face. “If this is the best you weaklings have, then your fate will remain unchanged.” He began walking towards Ruby and the others. “I’m going to kill each and every one of you.” His glare focused on Ruby. “Starting with her.” “You, will, not, touch, my, daughter!” Nathan attempted to punch Epidemic once again, but he disappeared from the attack’s path. He was suddenly behind Nathan, a giant ball of red magic in his hand. “So you want to go first. Fine then.” He blasted Nathan with a massive beam of magic. “It makes no difference in the end.” Nathan took the hit, then turned around with the RYNO 2 at the ready. He blasted Epidemic at point blank, sending him flying back. Epidemic recovered and dove at Nathan, scythe ready to strike. Zane watched as the conflict between two powerful warriors began. “I don’t understand how someone could be this powerful. What is he anyways?” ”Epidemic is a symbiote.” “A what?” ”A symbiote. And a very powerful one at that.” They all looked back out at the battle, which appeared to be and even match between the two fighters. “Well Nathan is our strongest fighter, if he can't beat that guy no one can.” Krystal said as she sat down to watch the fight. As Epidemic charged Nathan he was grabbed by the huge robot who began to repeatedly crush him in his palm before spinning his upper body and furiously tossing the raging symbiote into a mountain. He then aimed his huge cannon at the mountain and began firing a steady stream of energy blasts. Epidemic shot out from the dust cloud and flew towards the faint warbot with his fist charged with energy. As he reached his target he was surprised as Nathan quickly dodged to the side and smacked him with his arm cannon. As Epidemic crashed into the ground he looked up at the machine towering over him. “It would seem that this world actually has some challenge to it. What is your name? I wish to know the identity of my adversary.” Nathan just glared down at him. “My name is Nathan Phoenix…” He grabbed Epidemic in his hand and pulled him up to eye level, the symbiotes head only visible as the rest of his body was trapped in the huge metal hand. “...and I am sick and tired of displaced like you coming into my world and attacking my family!” Nathan began to crush Epidemic with his strength, causing the symbiote to yell in pain only causing his anger and power to grow. Nathan realised what was happening and threw Epidemic away before pulling out a new weapon. Nathan aimed the now giant gun in the direction of Epidemic. “So sorry about this forest.” He pulled the trigger and held it down. Waves upon waves of huge bullets and rockets shot out of the weapon, the multiple barrels spinning, the weapon being a mixture of a rocket launcher and a mini gun. As he took his finger off the trigger Nathan looked out to the destruction he had caused, an entire part of the forest had been completely destroyed. “Ok, I now know not to use this when I'm huge like this...I'm sure I can restore the forest somehow.” Putting the weapon away he began walking over to a large crater that had been the focus point of the destruction. As he slid down the slope he looked to the centre to not see an injured Epidemic, but injured Plague and Amnesia. He felt a wave of guilt and regret. “Shit! Two kids got caught in the crossfire?!” He frantically looked around the battlefield in search of Epidemic but found nothing. Looking back to the two unconscious children he rubbed his face with his hand. “Fuck...what am I gonna do?” Suddenly an idea came to him. He reached into his storage unit and pulled out a bundle of small boxes. “God I hope this works on you two.” He walked over to the two, knelt down on one knee, crushed the boxes in his hand and let the blue energy balls inside travel down to the twins. They absorbed the energy and their wounds started to heal, but slowly. “It's better than nothing.” He at them apologetically. “I'll get you to the castle where you can rest up, I'll see if I can find your parents or something. I'm sure Sapphire and Lyrics would like some other kids to talk to anyway. If it takes a while you can stay with me and Sonata. I'm sure whatever happened here was just a big misunderstanding.” Meanwhile inside the twins mindscape, Epidemic couldn’t believe what he was looking at. When the RYNO 5 had been used on him, Epidemic had been forced to separate back into the Twins. However, the firing had not stopped, and now they were incredibly hurt. In fact, the looked like they were dead. “No. No.” “Epidemic? What happened to them?” “That bastard. He killed them.” “Epi they’re not-” “HE KILLED THEM! I’LL MAKE THAT BASTARD PAY FOR WHAT HE’S DONE! I’LL MAKE THEM ALL SUFFER!” Patron went to calm her brother’s rising anger, but it was too late. There was a blast as everything in the mindscape was tinated a blood red. Both Patron and Psychotic felt Epidemic’s pain, anger, and pure rage spill into them, overwhelming their minds and forcing them to the will of Epidemic's anger. The three stood side by side in the mindscape, their eyes completely red and glowing. ”WE WILL MAKE THEM ALL SUFFER!” Nathan reached down, attempting to pick the two unconscious children up. But then, their eyes opened. They were completely red and glowing with power and anger. Nathan could sense the hate and anger, oozing out of them like a waterfall. They became all black before they fused. Then, they fused with him. “Ruby will Nathan be okay?” ”Yeah, Dad’ll be fine. Epidemic may be tough, but Dad’s even tougher. Besides, even if things got out of hand I’m sure that-” “AAARRGH!” Everyone turned in shock to see Nathan stumble out of the destroyed forest, a black substance seemingly wrestling with him. He tried to pry it off, but the substance only grabbed his arms before it continued to fight him. “GET THIS THING OFF OF ME!” ”Dad! No!” Ruby dove at her father, determined to help him get this black stuff off. However, the substance seemed to sense her, and reacted violently. It forced part of itself out like a fist, and nailed Ruby in the face, sending her flying back. “RUBY!” Nathan reached out towards her, but the black substance enveloped his arm, and converged on his body. It covered him completely and began to shift around, as if changing the body shape of its captive. Then, an arm shot out. It was huge, about the size of Nathan’s when he was full size. A body began to form as a massive creature seemingly pulled itself out of the black blob. It started to grow and grow and grow, until it was just as big as Nathan was at full size. The body began to take shape. It formed into a bipedal dragon, with massive wings. Its right arm had deadly claws, while its left was an arm cannon. Its chest and lower body had the armor that could be found on a ranger, and on the center chest piece was a giant orange oval, looking just like Nathan’s eye when he was in ranger form.. Its scales were blood red. It opened its red eyes, and roared. ”GRRRROOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRR!!!” The cry was deafening. Everypony in Ponyville ran away in fear, and the gathered fighters could only look at the mighty beast in horror. “What… the hell… is that thing?” ”That is Epidemic’s rage, possessing my father’s body. Meanwhile, a strange figure was watching these events unfold. “Hmmmm, this won't do...this won't do at all.” The figure turned away from the battle and sighed. “I should have completed her training before sending her here, then this wouldn't have happened...yet another thing to add to my list of failures.”