Solar Blood Masters

"ARGHHH! Big Brother… HELP ME!"

Raphael's ears twitched. He froze. Slumped against the cavern wall as a chill had his golden hide trembling. It was a sound he recognized with a dread he'd thought long forgotten until this very moment. It was Lu Jade. His little brother was in danger!

"No! Little Lu is in TROUBLE!"

He struggled to his hooves and glanced towards the tunnel he'd been thrown into, but before he could even take a single step to help, he felt an unbearable pressure on his chest.

BOOM!

"You're MINE, bull!"

The Devil Horn Rhino slammed him again, this time with a force that shattered the wall behind him! He was sent hurtling through a cascade of dust, jade crystals and roots as his massive form crash landed with a thunderous thud.

"Cough, cough…"

As his vision cleared, he looked around and couldn't believe his eyes.

"Woah… So many eggs! I'm LUCKY!"

The rhino with a purple flag above his head, stood amidst a trove of Kepfu nests. Hundreds of oval-shaped eggs were nestled within glistening, black goo that coated the cavern floor and walls.

"This is truly a grand prize!" The rhino's massive form towered over Raphael who was buried beneath rubble. He had a smug grin as he lowered his head to inspect the eggs. A single horn, blood red, and radiating heat was aimed menacingly.

"My name is Pam Long. Nightmare Calamity, 3rd Layer. And you, bull… well, your points will be a nice addition to my collection, hahaha!"

But their conversation was interrupted, for Raphael and this brute, they weren't alone in this haven.

"HISSSSSS!"

The sudden disturbance had startled the mature Kepfu, those massive worm-like creatures that Raphael had encountered earlier. They emerged from the shadowy crevices where they'd been guarding their nests. They settled their gazes upon the intruders.

This wasn't about claiming points or protecting eggs anymore.

This was a territorial war.

"DIE! You intruders!" one of the Kepfu screeched as it lunged forward with blinding speed.

"Hmph. Those weaklings, they think they can stop me? I've crushed dozens of your kind on my way here!"

Pam Long didn't hesitate. He met their attacks head-on!

His fists were rushing forth in a blur of brutal efficiency!

CRACK!

He slammed a fist into the Kepfu's jaw, shattering its skull. Its body shuddered, convulsed, and then…

Splat!

It burst, spraying green goo and blood across the cavern!

The other Kepfu were undeterred. They attacked relentlessly, launching themselves at the rhino with their massive jaws snapping and their tails whipping!

But Pam Long was too strong. He was a whirlwind of violence!

He grabbed one Kepfu by its tail and slammed it against the wall repeatedly!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

"This is how a REAL Calamity fights!" He roared as another Kepfu wrapped itself around his body, its teeth sank into his thick neck with a horrifying crunch, those thousands of razor-sharp teeth were trying to rip flesh from bone!

"What the…! Are you tickling me?" He laughed then squeezed its body until it burst, sending a shower of green entrails that splattered his hide.

Another Kepfu found itself impaled upon his 'Devil Horn' as he ripped it in half.

The carnage continued.

It was a brutal display of power that had Raphael staring in shock, and a touch of respect. This rhino… it was a monster!

Finally, with the last Kepfu crushed beneath his hooves, Pam Long stood triumphant amidst a sea of green goo and blood. He was drenched in gore.

He picked up a chunk of meat and tossed it into his mouth. Blood trickled from his jaws and he savored the taste. "Delicious!" He licked his lips as he stared at Raphael.

"And now… BULL… it's YOUR turn!"

"Damn! I underestimated this brute." Raphael muttered as he picked himself up from the debris.

He watched as Pam Long opened his massive jaws, and a horrifying vortex of dark energy appeared. It began pulling the Kepfu's Solar Consciousness towards him with a frightening speed.

"This is my chance!"

While his opponent was distracted, Raphael gathered his strength.

He then thrust a hand forward, and with a whisper that had the ground trembling…

"SHADOW SUMMON!"

WHOOSH!

A golden spear materialized out of thin air!

And before Pam Long could even react…

"Huh…?"

BOOM!

The spear pierced his backside! It lodged deep in his flesh!

"What… the…?!" Pam Long's eyes widened in disbelief as a numbing sensation shot through him, he turned to see what had interrupted his feast, but…

"Damn, your NECK is really THICK!"

Before those words of shock could fully register in his adrenaline fueled brain, another attack came!

A whip, radiating a potent pink energy, wrapped itself around his thick neck, constricting tightly!

"Who?!"

He looked down!

From the shadows beneath him, two figures materialized! It was Bat General Kong and Bat General Melissa. Their eyes blazed with fury.

"Hello there, rhino." Melissa's seductive voice had a chilling quality that made his blood run cold.

"Did you truly think a simple cave-in could stop our MASTER? Such arrogance, you fool!" Kong laughed and twisted the spear embedded in Pam Long's side.

"Tsk! Such a pathetic trap. I won't die so easily." He struggled, but Kong's spear was lodged deep, and Melissa's whip was cutting off his air.

"Fuhuhu…" Melissa chuckled. "We're well aware of your resilient hide, rhino. That's why we made EXTRA preparations."

WHOOSH!

From the shadows, a third figure emerged.

Bat Major Buzzer, her massive, segmented jaws gaped, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth, as she brandished a glittering rapier.

"I AM HERE! MASTER!" She dive bombed towards Pam Long's midsection.

"You…!" Pam Long yelled in frustration.

Melissa's whip tightened. Kong twisted the spear. And Buzzer's rapier, it became a blur of slashes, each blow perfectly timed, was cutting him apart!

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

Within seconds, the Devil Horn Rhino was no more. His head shattered into multiple pieces and rolled to a stop.

Raphael, who'd been watching with a hint of amusement, coughed out a mouthful of dirt and rubble. He had spread those shadows earlier when he'd been slammed into that rock.

"Thank you for your assistance, my loyal Shadow Bats." He nodded in appreciation, "Return!"

In a flash, Kong, Melissa, and Buzzer vanished back into the depths of his black wings.

He gazed upon the treasure trove of Kepfu eggs scattered across the cavern. "This… this is incredible!" But as he was about to scoop them up, a wave of guilt washed over him.

He remembered Lu Jade's screams.

"Little Lu is in danger!"

He raced towards the tunnel.

…

"KYAHAHA! Weakling! You call yourself a serpent! You're nothing but a worm!"

Tranus's laughed hysterically as his axe came crashing down once more.

SLASH!

"ARGH!"

Lu Jade screamed in agony.

His emerald scales were scattered across the ground, his flesh was ripped, and his bones were shattered. Only a network of Phantom Willow Grass that was desperately stitching together his ravaged body, kept him alive.

But it wouldn't be for long.

"You… PATHETIC snake!" Tranus sneered. He lowered his colossal head and stared at the mangled serpent with disgust.

"Your scales? I wouldn't even use them to wipe my ass! You're a disgrace to your lineage!"

Lu Jade coughed. Blood splattered his scales. He could barely breathe. "This is it," he thought, as the world around him blurred and that metallic taste in his mouth overwhelmed his very being. "Big… Big Brother… I'm sorry…"

Tranus raised his axe high.

He grinned, "Your suffering ends NOW! Prepare to be…"

"LIKE HELL!"

Thienika's scream shattered his monologue. She'd managed to free herself from the rubble. She rushed forward with her staff held before her like a warrior's spear.

"MOVE, old hag!" Tranus swung his tail at her. It was a massive, bone-crushing appendage that could shatter a mountain.

Thienika watched, her ancient eyes narrowed as she calculated the trajectory. Her breathing slowed. The air sparkled with heat. Then…

"ROYAL GUARD!"

BOOM!

Once again, her translucent shield materialized, but this time she didn't simply deflect.

No!

In a blink, as if defying those very laws of reality…

She flicked her staff.

The shield vanished.

And in that instant, she was no longer behind the shield.

She was grasping his tail!

"Hmm…?"

Tranus was baffled. Then he felt the world spin, for her grip, it wasn't simply strong, she was controlling him.

"What the hell…?" His question and those roars of indignation were cut short,

BAM!

His massive form was slammed into the cavern wall!

The impact shook the ground!

He lay there stunned as Thienika rushed towards Lu Jade's mangled body.

"Little Lu!"

Lu Jade coughed. Blood oozed from his wounds. He watched as his Grandma Thienika's wrinkled face came into view.

"Grandma… I… I'm sorry, I failed… I couldn't… protect… you."

He could feel his life force draining. Those emerald lights from his scales were fading. "You… You have to go… find Raphael… Get… out…of… here…"

But Thienika didn't move. Her gaze was locked on his; a silent promise that she wouldn't abandon him.

"I'm… dying…!" His voice was a pained rasp.

"I… I know…"

"He… He's COMING! I can HEAR him! Grandma…"

From the depths of that rubble, Tranus's voice boomed, "YOU… old tree BITCH! I'm going to KILL YOU!"

He emerged. His scaled hide bore the marks of Thienika's 'Regal Counter'. Blood seeped from the gashes.

His rage was potent.

He charged toward them with his axe raised high!

But Thienika didn't even glance back. She simply patted Lu Jade's head.

"Don't worry, Little Lu. It's alright." She then whispered,

"Natural Phenomenon."

Thienika pointed her staff at Lu Jade's chest. And then…

WHOOSH!

Starlight particles emerged from his wounds!

They coalesced above his chest, forming a radiant, pulsating sphere.

A 'Leaf Orb'.

"Get CUT to PIECES, bastard!"

Tranus was almost upon them!

His axe was a black fury that descended!

However, Thienika was faster!

BOOM!

She met his attack! Her staff slammed against the axe and diverted its deadly trajectory.

Then, she flicked her wrist and tossed the 'Leaf Orb' with a graceful, yet powerful movement.

It sailed forth and landed in Tranus's gaping maw.

"Huh? What…?"

He instinctively gulped it down and recoiled.

"YOU BITCH! What was THAT?!" He was about to launch another attack…

When…

SLASH!

SLASH!

SLASH!

SLASH!

He stumbled backwards while clutching at his throat.

"Argh! What the…"

Crimson gashes appeared across his neck, his sides, his back, as if invisible claws were shredding him! Even his belly was ripped open, and his intestines began to spill out. He stared down at the carnage in disbelief.

"How… how is this… possible…?"

And as he struggled to comprehend those grievous wounds now claiming his existence…

Lu Jade's injuries vanished. His scales glistened with a healthy emerald glow.

"I'm… I'm not… dead?" He gaped at his body, flicking his tongue across those scales that were cut apart mere moments before.

"You are very much still among the living." Thienika smiled softly, then added, "My 'Natural Phenomenon' ability…"

"It healed me!" Lu Jade was about to express his shock, his gratitude when…

"DIE!"

Tranus attacked! He'd ignored the pain. His primal instincts to survive were overriding logic and pushing him onward! But in his haste, he'd forgotten an important member of the team.

He was a Calamity, sure… 9th layer even.

But this…

"GOLD PRESS!"

BOOM!

The ground erupted! A massive golden hoof slammed into him from above.

Tranus was flattened!

His massive form was pressed into the earth with such force that it created a crater and shattered his bones. He didn't even scream, only a sickening 'splat' sound resounded.

"Big Brother!" Lu Jade cried out.

Raphael strode forward. He surveyed the scene with narrowed eyes.

"You're alright? What about that screaming? I thought…"

"It's… It's a long story, Big Brother, Grandma… she saved my life with her incredible technique."

Boom!

Suddenly, Tranus Solar Consciousness appeared before them.

"Hmph! Serves him right!" Raphael then casually plucked the purple orb that hovered above the pulpy mess that had been Tranus, and tossed it towards Thienika.

She smiled and absorbed it. "Hmmm, such potent Solar Essence."

Raphael nodded. He'd then remembered his other mission, "Those eggs! I found a cave…"

"What about the ones that worm was carrying?" Lu Jade pointed toward the remnants of the Kepfu that had crashed from above.

"Right! Let's go, NOW! We don't have time to waste."

They quickly collected the eggs before rushing into the tunnel, following the trail of destruction that lead them towards another cave.