Chapter 13 - Showdown at The Bridge

The Roka bay Bridge was beautiful at night, it was an ideal place for couples to be when just going out and having fun, but that is not the case tonight because one, El Roka city has been deserted due to the mass disappearance led by Falrich and second this will be the area in which the final showdown will happen between him and his former Comrade. Falrich brought insurance in the form of Republic Soldiers in order to ensure his victory against the showdown. He also brought Jade with him. She was still tied up, held against her will, but something had changed. She lost all hope.

"Can't you feel the excitement?" Falrich said to her "The Showdown is about to begin!" he added.

"I...don't care anymore..." Jade replied.

"That's good. Lose faith in your precious Creed for he lied to you. HE doesn't trust you you know." Falrich replied.

Falrich drew his sword which was a long katana, but it was no ordinary katana. It had electric power up to 900,000 volts and he can control this energy with his blade as a conduit.

"Creed will lose, and King's plan will finally be realized." Falrich said. "I think that it is just about time he got here, any moment now." he added.

Falrich called it right. Creed had just arrived on the bridge and was now making his way towards Falrich. He was then stopped by the Republic Soldiers. They stood in front of Falrich like a brick wall.

"You're just in time, Comrade." Falrich said.

Creed looked around and saw Jade tied up on the railing of the bridge. Jade saw Creed too but she wasn't as enthusiastic as he hoped she would be. There was emptiness in her eyes and a huge distrust of Creed.

"What did you do to her?" Creed asked

"Why nothing. I just told her the truth about you and what you did to her sister 2 years ago." Falrich said.

Creed felt a cold sweat. He was not sure how she would take it. He had planned to tell her before, he just couldn't get the timing. Then he noticed that Jade was looking at him, but he did not look back once she looked at her.

"Creed...you seem different" Jade said.

"You just told her one side of the story." Creed said.

"Whatever makes you feel better about your self." Falrich said to him smugly "Finish him." He commanded the soldiers.

The republic soldiers now started to attack Creed all at once but Creed did not flinch. He evaded the attacks with his superior agility and elusiveness and began countering the strikes and dispatching the guards one by one. He hit them on their vital spots with the precision of a true martial artist. Now he had dispatched most of the guards and there only two left. The soldier attempted a grapple hold on Creed but Creed countered and broke his arm. The soldier fell to the ground, immobilized and now there was only one. That soldier rushed at him and attempted a punch but then Creed evaded and threw him overboard on to the bay below the bridge. Once all of the soldiers cleared out it was only Falrich, Creed and Jade who were on the bridge.

"Impressive. She really was your mentor." Falrich said to him while he was charging up his blade.

"Now tell me, what is King planning?" Creed asked him. "And stick to the truth, I'm in no mood to play games."

"Now that's the Creed I remember." Falrich replied.

Jade was depressed when she heard Falrich say what he said. It proved him right about everything he told her about Creed. Truly she did not know who he really was.

"I didn't kill them." Creed said. "But they can't move either." he added.

Falrich was pissed when he heard this, for he had not retained his true self at all. 

"Stop being righteous Creed. I know you still have the urge to kill!" Falrich said to him furiously.

"I don't. NOW TELL ME WHAT HE'S PLANNING!!!" Creed replied furiously.

Falrich laughed sinisterly at him and then he proceeded to tell him what the Grand Kaiser has in store for the world.

"Since you won't be around for long I might as well tell you. King's planning a war against the Kaisers" 

"What?! Has he gone insane?!" Creed replied.

"No. He won't wage war without preparing. That is the reason he got me to be here in El Roka. I kidnapped the people in the city and brainwashed them, to fight for the republic. The soldiers you have been fighting, They are the citizens of this city." Falrich replied.

"No..." Creed said in disbelief.

"He's scared of you. I mean, who wouldn't be? You killed the mother of modern assassins who was your mentor. He fears that you will side with the Kaisers just as she did. That's why he sent me to kill you." Falrich replied.

"He also has plans of a "Perfect Soldier Project" to ensure his victory in this war." Falrich added.

"He has the resources." Creed replied.

"Well it's been fun talking to you but times a wasting!!" Falrich said as he charged at Creed and swung his electric blade.

Creed dodged the attacks and then drew his .45 pistol. He began shooting the 4 sides of his attack source to neutralize the lightning effects. He landed perfectly on the ground while Falrich landed on his back.

"You've gone faster, but that's not good enough." Creed replied.

Falrich got up and said.

"Predictable as always Creed. I knew you would shoot the 4 sides. That's why I had magnetized your bullets." He replied.

"What the hell?!" Creed said as he felt bullets hit is left harm.

"You should've prepared ahead Creed. you were lucky that it hit your prosthetic." Falrich replied as he again rushed at Creed to attack.

Creed had to rethink his approach now. He had to disarm him in order to weaken him so he was going to do just that. Falrich swung his blade in a predictable direction and Creed evaded it. He took his arm and attempted to disarm him and he successfully did. he threw the blade away and threw Falrich on the ground and pointed his gun at him.

"It's over." Creed said.

"I believe its just begun." Falrich said as he magnetized his blade on to his hand to defend himself. Creed evaded the attempted attack and got far from him as possible.

"That's it? You had a gear upgrade?" Creed said.

"Its more than enough to kill you!!" Falrich said as he sent lightning currents towards Creed's direction. He got eveded the earlier currents but he got hit with the last one and sent him flying towards the edge. 

Creed was now helpless and stunned with the attack. He can still see Falrich going towards him but he was too weak to move. Falrich got near him and kicked him in the mid section causing him to hurt more.

"You should've never left!! You're weak! I'm stronger now..." He said.

Creed didn't say anything.

"You gave up your chance of leading us again!! You were our leader!! But now look at you, reduced to a mere pup." Falrich said as he cut Creed's arm with his blade.

"AGHHHH!!!" Creed exclaimed in pain.

Falrich went near Jade who was not reacting to anything due to her misery. 

"Do you see now??? He's weak! He is-"

Before he could finish, he was attacked by someone. The punch sent him flying towards the bridge railings. It was Jephtah.

"Nice timing." Creed said and he got up on his feet.

Jephtah was facing Creed and was about to go help him when Falrich appeared right behind Jephtah. He sensed him so he dodged Falrich's attacks but then something unfortunate happened. Jephtah got hit with the electric current from Falrich's blade and was knocked out cold.

"Jeph!" Creed said.

"Relax, he's alive but you won't be!!" Falrich said as he charged towards Creed to attack him. Creed predicted his strike and effectively evaded. Falrich notices that Creed's movements were different. Falrich tried to predict his moves but he reappeared behind him and shot him on the left shoulder.

"Ugh...nice shot." Falrich said as he fell to the ground injured.

Falrich did not give up. He still attacked Creed despite his shoulder was shot rendering his left arm useless. He swung his sword recklessly but Creed was moving smartly and he caught Falrich's arm while holding the blade. Creed then broke Falrich's right arm, destroying the magnetic mechanism with it and now Falrich was unable to fight. He was stunned because He never saw this side of Creed. He finally realized the old self of Creed. 

Creed now shot him in both of his legs to render him immobilized. He got nearer and was determined to kill Falrich for all he has done. 

"Please... don't do this!!!" Falrich pleaded with his life.

"You pathetic piece of trash. You'll now get what's coming to you.." Creed said as he pointed his gun at him.

But before he could shoot he heard a woman's scream thus stopping him. It was Jade, she finally got back to her normal self.

"NOOOO CREED!! DON"T DO IT!!!" She shouted at him with the hope of convincing him not to kill Falrich.

Creed hearing her scream immediately put his gun down and rushed at Jade. He untied her and lay her down on the ground.

"Jade!! Are you okay?" Creed asked her.

"No please do not kill anymore....I..."

Before she could finish her statement she passed out. Creed lay her down on the ground and went back to where Falrich is to apprehend him and bring him to headquarters.

"You're coming with us." Creed said as he began lifting Falrich's immobilized body towards his shoulders.

But before he could even lift him he noticed that flames started appearing out of nowhere. The flames got stronger and Creed dropped Falrich to defend himself.

"No....It Can't be!!!" Falrich said.

"Grand entrance...Only one person in the Disciples knew pyrokinesis." Creed said.

Up from the flames they saw a man dressed in all black ninja suit. He wore a balaclava head gear but his eyes were covered for some reason and he also had a katana on his back. 

Without hesitation Creed began shooting the ninja assassin but the bullets didn't do him any harm. The ninja was capable of pyrokinesis and stopped the bullets before even making impact.

The ninja like figure went near were Falrich is and just looked at him. Without hesitation killed Falrich right then and there. He now turned and faced Creed.

"He has outlived his usefulness to the disciples." The Ninja said.

"Nero..." Creed said as he looked at him

"It indeed has been a long time Creed." Nero replied. "I am not here to fight yet."

Creed had none of it he attacked Nero but he was countered with a quick throw to the ground. Creed landed on his back and Nero pointed his Blade at him.

"Our showdown is not yet set, Creed. You'll just have to wait a little longer." Nero said as he was engulfed in flames and disappeared.

Jephtah caught a little of the flame guy as he regained consciousness when the flames started building up during Nero's arrival. He went near Creed who just got up after the skirmish with Nero.

"Falrich is dead and cremated." Creed said. "Nero's responsible."

"Who is exactly is this Nero??" Jephtah replied "I only saw him leave with flames and when you got thrown." he added.

"He is the new me in the republic. He leads the disciples now." Creed replied. 

"But you're better than him..Right?" Jephta asked.

"No. We fight at the same level before but now, I fear he has surpassed me." Creed replied. "Anyway enough about that now we need to get Jade to the hospital."

The duo rushed at Jade. She was alive and just asleep. Creed carried her onto his back and the three of them went to the hospital at El Roka where they would rest and recuperate.

"Let's hope that there are still doctors here.." Creed said as they entered the hospital and waited for the new day.