Brittle Bullet [Completed]

[tdc456]

I'm posting this chapter super early because i want to get to the really good stuff.
Trust me, this is almost over.
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Chris looked at the palm of his right hand. His thoughts were resting on a memory of just few days ago. It was one of the last sessions of his training with Isaac. It was so unexplained. Not even Isaac had any answers for him. He replayed the whole occurence in his head.

Brittle Bullet
Chapter 21: The Power With No Answers

Isaac walked past a massive boulder.

"You can't hide forever, Chris!!"

His voice echoed across the barren wasteland. He stood surrounded by random rock formations scattered on an open desert. Nothing but rocks and dirt as far as the eye could see. His eyes scanned the horizon. His hair was in his old style with the right half down covering his right eye. Obviously this was before the big change with all of them. No sight of Chris anywhere.

Just a few feet away, Chris hid behind a rock just big enough for him to aim his gun around. He didnt have to aim, just make sure the bullet would turn once to hit him. He pulled the trigger. Isaac couldn't have been more ready for it.

Without so much as a twist of his neck, his yo-yo stopped the bullet in its tracks. Suddenly another yo-yo smacked into the boulder. Chris was sent flying back from the force of the boulder exloding in his face.

"When are you going to use something I won't see coming?" Isaac reeled back his yo-yo's. "Just shooting isn't going to work anymore. The Zodiac has powers that can't be stopped with guns. Bullets are nothing but brittle in their eyes."

"I'm sorry, Issac," apologized Chris getting to his feet again. "I still don't understand this air power. I've gotten really amazing with it, but I lost control of it and nearly killed you. I don't want to risk it again."

Isaac seemed ashamed of his answer. He didn't care what happened as long as Chris got stronger.

"We need everyone to be their strongest long before we can hope to take them on." Isaac sat on a small mound of rocks and dirt. "I'm going to give you a tip on getting stronger. When you're fighting, don't think... just do. Do whatever. If it isn't possible, make it possible."

"I don't understand. Like making dreams a reality?"
"No. If you want to do something, don't think about what could go wrong. Just fuckin' do it. Who gives a shit as long as you win, right?"

Chris couldn't help but laugh. He had never heard Isaac talk like this before. It was refreshing in a strange brotherly sort of way. Chris threw down his guns. Isaac stood up a little confused.

"Let's go, Isaac. One more round. No guns. I'm just going to focus on my solidifying air ability. How does that sound?"
"It sounds to me like you aren't thinking. And I like it."

Chris jumped up onto the mound of rocks Isaac had been sitting on. He shot a blast of air at his left arm. Isaac rolled to the right and shot a yo-yo directly at Chris' face.

Putting a small wall of air in front of his head, Chris headbutted it away with no problem. Isaac laughed and ran right at him. Chris smiled and gave the chase.

-20 Minutes Later-

Chris was kneeling on his right knee. Both his left arm and right leg were bleeding pretty bad. Isaac stood just thirty feet away. One of his yo-yo's had blades surrounding it on all sides.

He launched it straight at Chris' heart. If this hits, it's going to kill him. Please Chris... do something, anything.

Without thinking, Chris shot up his right hand to catch the yo-yo. The yo-yo came just an inch away from Chris' palm when it...

vaporized.

The yo-yo simply disintegrated on impact. Chris stood dumbfounded. Isaac fell to his knees, both full of relief and confusion.

--Present Day--

Chris sat on the couch. The lights seemed to reflect off of his hand. It was as if now he had the power to do almost anything. But something Isaac had told him still stuck in his mind.

A door opened and Isaac entered followed by Enka. Kibo came in from the kitchen with a can of soda. They all took seats in the living room.

"I told you all that I know where the Zodiac is hiding and I wasn't kidding." Isaac interlocked his fingers and leaned forward in his seat. From this angle, Chris could've sworn that for the second time since they had met, he had seen Isaac's right eye. "We are leaving right now. We have to catch them off guard. Let's go."

Only a minute later, they were all completely prepared for any battle they would face. The door closed behind them and Chris once again remembered the strange info that Isaac had given him not a week earlier.

"Remember Chris, everyone in the Zodiac, whether they are ex-members or still part of it, they all have only one true power. I just wonder which one is yours."
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To be continued in
B.B. Chapter 22

[Andillexe]

Yay, early update! I'm happy that the end is almost here, but it makes me sad too.

Great chapter. We're near the end, but you throw another one of Chris' hidden powers out there just to confuse us? Way to go. And you explained the title. That was nice.

Waiting for the end. :3

[tdc456]

I loved being able to fit the title of the story into this chapter. I didn't know if I was ever going to get the chance.
After the next chapter, I will tell you now, are the final fights of the story.
Many, many, many answers revealed. Including one to a question you have never even thought about asking.
I promise you that.

[Andillexe]

Squeedom! I can't wait.

I love it when all the questions are answered, but telling me about this big huge plot twist is just going to make me insanely curious. Now I'm going to be thinking of questions I didn't have before. Thanks bunches.

[tdc456]

I'm in a crazy good mood right now.
I just pre-ordered both Dissidia Final Fantasy and 358/2 Days from Amazon.com!!!!
So good news for you is that I'm posting yet another chapter today. I'm so happy!!

[Andillexe]

I'm so looking forward to Days coming out in the States. I want to play it so badly. But I have no idea what Dissidia Final Fantasy is.

Alas, the penultimate chapter to this story. Exciting. ^_^

[tdc456]

Here we go. Last chapter before the good stuff.
Hopefully it will make you look forward to what is coming.
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The four boys walked together side by side. Across an open exspanse of wasteland. In front of them lay a chain link fence rimmed with barbed wire. They all stopped simultaneously. Enka smiled and laughed.

"And they thought this would keep us out?"
"They didn't put this here, Enka. It was put here a long time ago." Isaac walked forward and pointed to a sign a few feet away. It read "AREA 51" in faded and chipped red letters. There were government seals all over it.

He put a small GPS behind a nearby rock. It was their only hope of getting home if they came back out alive. The four boys together crossed over the fence. Walking towards the finish line. They were all glad that they weren't crossing it alone.

Brittle Bullet
Chapter 22: The Surprise Gift

Isaac fiddled with something in his pocket. He wondered if now was the right time. Any other time might be too late so he guessed that Chris was ready.

"You know Chris, I just remembered something." He stopped for a second. Looking at the ground and crossing his arms in thought. "Do you know what today is?"

"Not really. Care to fill me in?"
"...it's your birthday. You're 18 today."

Chris' eyes lit up with surprise and embarrasment for not remembering his own birthday. He recalled letting the date slip once in casual conversation, but not enough for anyone to remember. Then he realized where this was going.

"I actually have something for you." Isaac reached into his right front pocket. Enka and Kibo exchanged confused looks. Both seemed excited to see what kind of gift it was. In Isaac's hand was a small vial. Filling the vial was a slightly clear liquid with a bluish hue to it. "This is for you." Chris nervously accepted this offering. Isaac felt the question coming.

"I'm not telling you what it is. Not now. Not ever. But you will know what it is when the time comes."
"I don't know what to say. It's so sudden."
"Just remember this: because it's your birthday, it's your sign in the sky right now. Which also means your powers will be at their strongest. Be careful."

Kibo and Enka couldn't help but wish Chris a 'Happy Birthday' and laugh in nervous excitement. As they continued their walk, Kibo's eyes met Isaac's. Kibo knew exactly what it was and ave Isaac a nervous look. Isaac simply nodded and Kibo felt a wave of calm swallow him. If Isaac knew it was the right thing to do, it had to be.

*****

Leo examined the blade of one of his katanas. Capricorn was playing with the clasp on the case for his deck of cards. Aquarius sat smoking like always. The meeting room seemed empty without Virgo around. Leo had told Capricorn and Aquarius that she had left for a short time. Their huge guest entered the room. Both Aquarius and Capricorn gave him wierd looks as he took his seat next to Leo.

A small red light began blinking on the dash in front of their wall of monitors. Leo stood up and pressed down on it. The screens began displaying one connected image across all the screens. The image was of four young men walking through the desert above their hideout.

"So soon," muttered Leo hoping that the others wouldn't hear his tone. He turned and faced the three other people in the room. "Everyone take your positions. Capricorn, the transition must be smooth. One less floor since there is one less of us."

Capricorn nodded and they all left the room. Leo hoped that the building wouldn't be completely destroyed in the process.

*****

Chris stopped walking. The others looked at him strange. He looked off into space as if he was focusing on something.

"Something isn't right." He took a few steps forward and pointed at the ground. A small hatch opened. A boy of about Chris' age or maybe even younger stepped out.

He was dressed in all black and had black and silver striped hair cut extremely short. Chris remembered him from the day that the Guild was destroyed.

"Hello there fellas!!" He waved in an oddly friendly way. Kibo gave him a look full of hatred and contempt. It was as if he hated everything about him.

"Capricorn!! You bastard!!" He stepped forward but Isaac placed a hand gently on his shoulder and shook his head. Not yet, Kibo.

"Glad you remember me, Sagittarius." Capricorn held in his left hand a case for a deck of cards. "I've got some news for you guys. We know you are here to eliminate us once and for all. Here is how it's going to work."

Capricorn opened the case and removed a card. It was longer than a normal playing card. Upon turning it around, the group realized it was a tarot card. "Awaken,... Tower."

The ground beind Capricorn began to split and break apart. Rising slowly from beneath the ground a hug tower appeared. Once it was done rising and the smok settled, Capricorn spoke again.

"On each floor of this tower is one Zodiac member. I count as the first floor. To continue you must defeat us one by one."

"Bullshit, we are going through you. We are fighting one on one." Chris smiled oddly and gave Capricorn a strange look of confidence. "So one of us is going to fight here while the rest continue on."

"Fine, have it your way. It's not like any of us are going to lose to you. Be my guest. Just one more thing. You only have 10 minutes starting as soon as you pass through that door. After that... a bomb will detonate annihilating everything withing a half mile radius." Capricorn giggled. "Just something to think about."

Without a word to each other, the four set their watched together to countdown 10 minutes. Kibo nodded to all of them. Chris frowned, but Kibo simply smiled at him and placed a hand on his shoulder. Isaac grabbed Chris by the sleeve and pulled him into the tower behind him and Enka.

Kibo stood face to face with Capricorn.

"Bet that you didn't know about that power of mine, huh?" He laughed in Kibo's face.

"Just start the fucking countdown."
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To be continued in
B.B. Chapter 23

[Andillexe]

Grrr, cliffhanger. And not just any cliffhanger, a really big cliffhanger. It's the second last chapter, and yet you found some way to not reveal the big guy's identity. Grawr. He better be on the second floor.

Another thing: what's in the vial? The curiosity's eating me alive. Oh, and since when was Chris 17? For some reason I thought he was around 14. Your next chapter better be super long.

[tdc456]

It will be. There are going to be around 30 chapters.
Not sure on the exact number. But all of the last chapters are fights.
Plus most of them have cliffhanger endings. Just enjoy. haha

[Andillexe]

I don't like reading cliffhangers. Waiting isn't fun. And before the last chapter you said there were only two chapters left. You lied and got my hopes up. :(

[tdc456]

That is not what I said. I think you misunderstood me.
What I said was there were two chapters left before the good stuff happens.

[Andillexe]

Ah. I probably did misunderstand you. Lately I've been hyper and braindead. But it won't be too long until the final battle between Chris and Leo. Right? *hopeful smile*

[tdc456]

Indeed. Their fight will be the last of all of them.

EDIT: I need a favor. Could you please tell some of your friends about this story? Anyone you think might like it. I would love to have more readers.

[Andillexe]

Sure thing. I know a few people, but none of them are on this site.

Could you do the same for me?

[tdc456]

I'm not sure what you mean. You want me to tell other people about your stories? No problem.
Anyway, I've had a great weekend so I wrote and now posted another chapter. This makes three in a row.
Hooray.
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Kibo and Capricorn stood in the shadow of the behemoth that was the tower Capricorn had just summoned. He laughed yet again for no reason. Kibo couldn't stand his laugh, not since he first met him back during their time in the Zodiac together.

Brittle Bullet
Chapter 23: The Contempt

Capricorn reached back into his case of cards and removed one from the middle of the deck. Another tarot card spinning on top of his index finger.

"Figure it out yet?" He stared into Kibo's eyes. Hoping to get a rise out of him. "I can bring these tarot cards to life. No matter what card it is, I can bring about it's true form. Behind me is the Tower."

"Like I give a shit about your stupid cards. I'm here to pay you back for getting into Kani's head."
"Kani? Who the hel-"
"MY LITTLE SISTER YOU ASSHOLE!! CANCER!! It's payback time."

Kibo pulled out two large knifes, one in each hand. His right eye spun around to reveal the sniper scope. He flipped a knife around to hold it backwards. Kibo broke into a sprint straight at Capricorn. He simply stopped spinning the card and gripped it hard in his right hand. Kibo jumped and swung his knife down at Capricorn's left arm in an attempt to slice it off.

"Awaken, Hanged Man."

The card lit up and exploded outward. The light became a floating body bound by ropes. It acted as a shield and blocked Kibo's attack. In the process, a small number appeared over it's head. It stayed a vibrant golden "13". Once again, Capricorn laughed.

"What a futile attempt to take my life. This card, the Hanged Man, is the ultimate in defense. You don't what to know what happens when that number reaches zero. You can trust me on that." Kibo sighed in amusement.

"That thing is supposed to stop me? It's just floating there." He threw his knife like a boomerang and it curved around the doll straight towards Capricorn's head.

The Hanged Man shot backwards and caught the knife with it's chest. The number changed into a bright golden "12".

"Your "pinpoint accuracy" means nothing with my shield here."

"I'll show you exactly why that shield is useless." Kibo then reached back and pulled another knife from his belt. He threw both on curves on opposite sides. One of them has to hit him. That thing can't be in two places at once.

It almost appeared as if the Hanged Man had turned his head in recognition of the attack. It's body instantly split in two and blocked both knives at once. Upon returning to its original state, the number then changed to "10".

A drop of sweat rolled down the back of Kibo's neck. Shit, this isn't looking good for me.

*****

Isaac, Chris, and Enka were sprinting up a huge spiraling flight of stairs. The walls were extremely tight forcing them to move in single file. Isaac was leading the way with a look of extreme focus on his face. Nothing was in his mind except for reaching the top.

Chris was tired of running up these stairs, but the thought of finally killing Leo and ending this kept him going. Plus the fact that Enka runs faster and was pushing him up the stairs anyway.

Ahead of them a door appeared. Without hesitation, Isaac smashed it open with his shoulder. The three of them stood in the room amazed at the sight before them. Enka stepped forward.

"There is no fucking way. I saw you die."

Stepping out of the doorway at the other end of the room, was Taurus. His muscles were bigger than ever before. Enka took it as a sign that his body now contained even more heavy artillery.

"No, you saw an explosion. But did you ever actually find my body? HA!! Get ready bastard. Time for us to get even."

"Chris!!" Isaac grabbed his arm. "Let's keep moving. We can leave him to Enka."

They took off running and Taurus made no attempt to stop them. When they reached the door, Chris took one look behind him back at Enka. He gave Chris a huge smile and a nod. Then Chris kept running, hoping that it wasn't the last time they would see each other.

*****

Capricorn sat in a massive Chariot summoned from another card.

"Not only can you not hit me, but now you can't even keep up with me."

Kibo was kneeling and panting. The Hanged Man was floating just behind Capricorn and the number was sitting at "3". Kibo got to his feet and pulled out even more knives. Maybe I can just get rid of that stupid thing so that I can hit him. He launched all of the knives at once and the Hanged Man split once again and caught all of them. The number then disappeared and Capricorn's eyes went dead. He lcouldn't laugh, it was too funny.

"Oh, you are as retarded as you look. Now for the big surprise."

Kibo was petrified by the sight. The Hanged Man reconnected itself and then began walking like a limp marionette towards Kibo. It's rope shot forward and wrapped themselves around Kibo, immobolizing him instantly. Then as it got closer, its arms and legs entangled themselves within the ropes. The body began to glow red and radiate with energy. Capricorn began laughing hysterically.

"It's over for you!!!"

Kibo was enveloped in a massive explosion.

*****

Chris busted in the door this time. Leaning in a far corner of the room was a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl smoking a cigarette. She looked up and stared at Isaac and Chris for a second. She then stepped away fomr the wall, threw down her cigarette, and stomped it out.

"Go, Chris." Isaac looked him in the eyes. "I can handle her. Aquarius is for me, but Leo is for you."

"That's right." Aquarius piped in annoyingly. "Go ahead. You can't beat him anyway. It'll be fun to see you try."

Chris couldn't say anything. He simply shook hands with Isaac and then Isaac pulled him into a hug. They relished this moment. Feeling like there was no more to be done, Chris ran to the last flight of stairs up towards Leo.

Aquarius stared at Isaac and walked to block the doorway. She wondered if he knew as much about her as she did about him. It didn't matter to her anyway.

*****

Capricorn stood in his Chariot looking at the cloud of dust and smoke. He reveled in his victory. But something caught his eye within the smoke.

"You know... I always hated you."
"It can't be. You were in the middle of that shit!!! IT"S IMPOSSIBLE!!!"
"You also forget that when I was in the Zodiac, I was stronger than you."

The smoke blew away and Capricorn's eyes fell on a sight that shook him even more than the thought of death. Kibo looked straight into Capricorn's eyes. On his forhead, glowing brightly like the sun, was the symbol of Sagittarius and in his hand was a long golden bow. But he had no arrows.

"Much stronger."
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To be continued in
B.B. Chapter 24