An Ally of Old, A Friend of New

[Ryan - Loki]

Everything had moved so quickly. The last thing that Ryan had remembered was sensing that sudden wave of evilness and then what must have been Loki’s rebirth within himself, then feeling a sharp pain, a very sharp pain in fact, exploding on the back of his head. Not the best feeling in the world to be completely honest. He had forgotten himself in possibly the most important part of that battle, in the deciding moments in fact, and it had cost him dearly.

Was the pain he felt in the back of his head the result of the stranger splitting his head in two with one of those energy blades? Or was it a result of a much less deadly attack, like a punch or sorts? Either way Ryan had no idea and it didn’t matter all too much as it had sent him into a form of unconsciousness, barely but unconscious he was nevertheless.

Slowly but surly he floated about in a world of darkness, a place without sound, without feeling and without a physical sense. Am I dead? Ryan asked himself. No matter how hard he tried to shout out nothing but silence left his mouth, it opened but the air around him was not filled with the sounds of his voice. He was trapped in this horrible place and it seemed that he couldn’t get out; he had to be dead.

Slowly a light appeared off in the distance but he couldn’t move to travel towards it. An endless torture perhaps. Luckily enough the light began to grow and grow, maybe getting closer instead of actually growing, maybe this was Heaven that was coming to him? His father and his God’s had not forgotten about their messenger after all, but as the light consumed him everything began to fade, including himself, until there was nothing but bright light everywhere. It was then that the reality of things began to slowly faze back into vision.

“Arghh…” groaned Ryan as he slowly lifted his body up into a sitting position. Word’s from a slightly familiar voice rang out through the air, the person only standing a few metres away from him. Not even really knowing whom exactly he was talking to Ryan glanced up, his vision still slightly blurred, and took what he new stranger had to offer. It was a senzu bean; Ryan knew the workings of such a thing and quickly popped it into his mouth and consumed it. “Thanks…” Almost instantly he began to feel replenished, enough to remember whom this familiar voice was that is.

Looking up at the stranger again Ryan suddenly remember how he knew this person. “Wait a second, if I’m not mistaken your name is Gareeku…correct?” Ryan asked, not completely sure of what he was saying was true or not, but he wouldn’t know unless he inquired.

[Gareeku]

Seeing that Ryan was ok, Gareeku smiled. "Good, you're getting well again. Yes, my name is Gareeku, and your Ryan if I am not mistaken, we met back in the battle against the mirror" the blue-tailed warrior replied, helping his ally up onto his feet. "It seems that android had chosen you for its next target. I have been in battle with that monster many times. Unfortunately, it seems his thirst for suffering has not diminished" Gareeku continued, looking up at the sky with a grim expression on his face. Snapping out of this, the Krazoa-Saiyan turned back to the samurai. "He lives to cause pain. He has no sense of morality, but only a cold thirst for violence and evil. Its good to know, however, that his attempts at causing suffering have been stopped once again" Gareeku said, a smile now present on his face.

[Ryan - Loki]

It seemed that Ryan had been correct, this was in fact Gareeku. He had explained where they had met in the past, although Ryan had no recollection of a battle against a mirror he did indeed remember a great battle against an army of the un-dead but apart from that he did not remember much else of that particular battle, almost as if his memory of that time had been erased. Being helped to his feet by Gareeku, Ryan saw fit to reply. “I don’t recall a battle against a mirror but I do remember a great army of the dead, I’m pretty sure it was then that our paths had crossed.”

Gareeku slowly pressed the matter of the stranger whom had just tried to execute Ryan just moments ago. An android?…now it makes sense. Everything seemed to come together as Gareeku continued on explaining what he knew about the android. It seemed that the violence and evil had not ended with Loki’s death, much like Ryan had naively thought; evil still reigned through the many lands of this planet. Ryan’s job was not even nearly complete, despite what he had first thought.

Ryan returned his full and undivided attention back to Gareeku and noticed a smile upon he’s face. Indeed this was a joyous occasion but also one tainted in a distant darkness; not only had Ryan foolishly missed a chance to end a evil that could potentially cost many innocents their life’s but also Loki had seemed to return. With a genuine smile upon his face Ryan placed his hand upon Gareeku’s should. “Thank you Gareeku. Not only did you save my life but I also sense a deep sense of goodness within you, I’m thankful to meet a person such as yourself in such dark times.” The samurai said, slowly removing his hand from he’s shoulder and turning away and moving a few steps before stopping once more. “It’s my fault that this android is living, I should have finished him when I had the chance.”

[Gareeku]

Turning to Ryan as he placed his hand on upon the blue-tailed warrior, Gareeku noticed Ryan's genuine smiled and spoke once more, his own smile still on his face. "No problem at all, my friend. The feeling is more than mutual" Gareeku replied, referring to Ryan's comment about his good nature. Noticing Ryan turn away and speak again, a hand was put on a shoulder again; this time Gareeku's hand on Ryan's shoulder. "You are not the only one, my friend. I too could have finished him off many times in my various battles against him. He shall pay for his evil deeds soon enough, I guarentee it" Gareeku said reassuredly, "I also sense that something else is on your mind besides his escape. May I ask what? if you do not want to talk about it, I understand completely"

[Ryan - Loki]

Once he felt a hand placed upon his shoulder Ryan turned his head and looked towards his old ally. Gareeku had obviously sensed a lot of turmoil within the samurai and had reassured him greatly with his words. Slowly Ryan turned around full and placed his right hand upon Gareeku’s left shoulder as he spoke. “Thank you Gareeku” Gareeku continued to speak, this time politely asking Ryan a question. Nodding softly Ryan slowly moved his hand away from Gareeku and turned around as he took a few steps away from Gareeku once again. Suddenly he stopped.

“You are most perceptive Gareeku, there is something else…something that greatly troubles me, something that has mostly been my sole quest for the last year…something that I had thought ended.” Ryan softly muttered, his head slowly lowering towards the ground. There was a slight pause, one that lasted no longer than a few seconds. “There.” Ryan sharply said, quickly lifting his arm and pointing off towards an assortment of mountains in the distance. “That is, or was, the resting place of a Lord of Hell…have you ever heard of the name…Loki?”

[Gareeku]

Listening to the samurai speak, Gareeku took in what he had to say, paying particular attention to the name he mentioned...Loki...he had heard of this name, or rather, the man who bore that name. He had head stories of this man, tales of his evil. However, the blue-tailed saiyan had thought them to be just that...stories...It seemed however, that Ryan seemingly knew this man name Loki to be real, almost as if he had encountered him.
"Yes, I have indeed heard of Loki..." Gareeku replied, a look of upmost seriousness on his face as he continued to think about the mentioning of Loki and what it could mean. "He lives? I have indeed been told stories of his evil, but i assumed they were just that. From what you have said, it seems you have come face with face with this man I take it." Gareeku continued, not taking his eyes off of the samurai as he spoke.

[Ryan - Loki]

Ryan simply waited for Gareeku’s response and when he gave it Ryan wasn’t surprised that his friend hadn’t actually came in contact with Loki, not many had and lived to tell the tale, but indeed it seemed he had heard the stories and that would be enough for now. Ryan would continue to explain.

“Loki; one of the many malevolent Lords of Hell. Yes…I’m afraid he very much is real, or at least he was…gah, I’m afraid I do not know at the moment.” There was much confusion within Ryan’s voice, as well as slight annoyance. Slowly he ran his hand through his long black hair, taking care not to disturb his headband, before turning his head to look back towards Gareeku. “And yes, I’ve been face-to-face with him on several occasions since he’s creation…I’m guessing from your words that you’ve never seen him, of that I’m glad.” Ryan paused. “Loki is most certainly real, I know this because…because he is me.”

[Gareeku]

Listening to Ryan try to explain about Loki, Gareeku raised an eyebrow at the last part of the samurai's explanation. He was Loki? to the warrior this didn't make sense. Gareeku did not doubt what Ryan said, he knew he trust the samurai warrior's words. However, how could Ryan be Loki? Loki was suppsedly a man of evil, yet if Ryan was Loki, then surely he would be as well. However, Gareeku could not sense any evil within Ryan. "I'm afraid i do not understand what you are saying...Loki is you? if the mirror was still around i would understand completely, but it seems that Loki is something else entirely" Gareeku said, thinking about this new revalation in his head as he spoke, and it showed. It was then that the blue-tailed saiyan thought of something. He had heard stories of many people who had managed to expel the evil within them, the evil sometimes even taking on a physcial form. This was the only logical explanation of Loki being the same person as Ryan that Gareeku could think of. "I have heard beings who had expelled the evil within them, only for the evil to take a physical form. From what you have said, it seems that this is the case, correct?" Gareeku continued, trying to piece togother the information in his head as he spoke.

[Ryan - Loki]

Ryan wondered if anything he had said had made sense to Gareeku. As he watched him he could tell that his words were swimming about within his head, answers and explanations being created then tossed aside in an almost frantic search for the solution. It seemed unlikely that he would discover the truth within his mind but nothing was truly impossible, only improbable. Maybe Gareeku wouldn’t understand, maybe he would, only time would tell.

Just then Gareeku spoke, it seemed that he had not understood but that was understandable. How was anyone supposed to completely understand the complete truth when Ryan had only gave away so little information and explanation as he had done? Ryan gave a slight smile and opened his mouth to continue his explanation a little further when Gareeku suddenly spoke once more, this time with the right answer. Ryan couldn’t help but let out a slight chuckle, he was astonished. Gareeku had figured it out so quickly with very little information given.

“Correct Gareeku, well done.” Ryan said in surprise. “Everything that makes him, all the evil, the desire for death, destruction, pain, revenge…all those traits ran strongly through my veins at one point. It was then, in my time of vulnerability, that I fell upon a woman who offered me freedom of those feelings. I accepted without thought. The process went wrong and Loki was created from those feelings and emotions, my brother. I later discovered that the woman was in fact another Lord of Hell out to enslave me.” Pausing for a few moments Ryan turned his head back towards the mountains he had pointed to earlier.

“It was upon those mountains, not too long before I came to battle that android, that dulled with Loki. It was a long and difficult battle but in the end I came out the victor. I left he’s lifeless corpse atop the highest peek within a circle of ancient ruins. Just as I was about to destroy that android I was hit with an extremely strong wave of evil, something I couldn’t control. At first I had no idea what caused it, but after a few seconds I knew only too well…Loki is back.” Giving a short laugh he looked back towards Gareeku. “It was then that the android got the better of me and you saved me Gareeku.”

[Gareeku]

Listening carefully to what Ryan had to say, Gareeku nodded his head in understanding. Finally he understood completely; Ryan's story made complete sense to him now. "I believe that the fact that Loki is alive again is one which has more to it than its face value. Something, or someone, has restored life to him. Whether they know of his true nature or not, intentional or unintentional, is of course unknown, but the fact that he live again is indeed worrying. Do you think he is still on Dragonia?" Gareeku asked. If Loki was indeed still on the mortal plane, then that was even more worrying, especially as his supposed resting place was close by.

[Ryan - Loki]

Ryan nodded, Gareeku was most certainly right, there was no way that Loki could have risen from the dead without outside help. The fact that there was someone out there with that sort of ability was both a blessing and a worry for it could be used for both good and evil, the question was who exactly was the person responsible and did they in fact know who they were restoring back to life previous to doing so or not, for if they did then they were most certainly one of evil and a threat to Dragonia.

But that was of no consequence now for there was no way of telling, now Ryan would search for an answer to Gareeku’s question. Closing his eyes slowly Ryan seemed to drift into an extremely light form of meditation, he then spoke to Gareeku while doing so. “Myself and Loki have always seemed to have a link of some sort with each other…it’s never lasted more than a few seconds and usually only allows the other a brief insight into either they other thoughts, or a glimpse through the others eyes, but mostly a sense of emotion that the other is feeling…what is for sure is I can almost always sense him…” after another slight pause Ryan’s eyes slowly opened once more, his expression quite serious.

“The answer to your question is yes Gareeku, he is on Dragonia still.” Turning around Ryan pointed once again over towards the mountains. “He resides exactly where I killed him, within the mountains…and he is no longer alone.”

[Gareeku]

Listening to Ryan speak and then point to where Loki still was, Gareeku grimaced slighty. This was not good. Not only was Loki still alive and on Dragonia, but someone else was with him. "What do you suggest we do? I for one cannot just stand by while an evil soul such as his continues to walk on the mortal plane" Gareeku said, staring at the location where Loki currently was. Even though he spoke in a calm voice, inside Gareeku was anxious to take action, his saiyan nature being a big influence in this feeling.

[Ryan - Loki]

Ryan continued to look on towards the mountains, a feeling of anxiousness to finish this once and for all swelling up deep down within him just waiting to explode outward like a volcano. There was a great conflict brewing within him, on one side there was his blood. The mixture of Saiyan and Dragonian blood that made up his DNA was driving him to jump into action headfirst and deal with the situation in true Saiyan or Dragonian nature. He knew better though.

“What to do indeed…” Ryan softly said. “I, like you my friend, would prefer nothing more than to go right there and settle this now…but he, like I, is part Dragonian and part Saiyan…I’m guessing by your tail that I don’t have to explain to you what happens when a Saiyan and/or a Dragonian recover from near death…or recover from actual death in this case.” Ryan shook his head and turned back towards Gareeku. “No, he’ll be twice as powerful as ever now…and lets not forget we know nothing of who’s with him. It wouldn’t be smart to attack now, even with the both of us.”

[Gareeku]

Taking in what Ryan said, Gareeku nodded in agreement. "You're right, my friend. It would indeed be too risky to fight him now" the krazoa-saiyan said. "I guess I should head back to the dojo. If you have nowhere to stay, would you like to stay for a while?" Gareeku offered.

[Ryan - Loki]

Ryan was actually glad that Gareeku agreed with him, showed he had great sense as well as other good qualities, but he had to admit, there was a part of him that deep down wanted to go for Loki here and now, no matter what the cost. He always put feelings like that down to his Dragonian and Saiyan nature, it being easier to blame it on his races rather than himself, but in all truth it was probably down to his races rather than anything else.

After Gareeku had finished speaking Ryan thought quickly about his proposal of somewhere to stay. Ryan hadn’t actually been invited in such a way in an extremely long time, before his people were killed, and it felt nice to have such kindness bestowed upon him once again. There was however a chance that Loki would track them down and destroy everything around them, including the people. He was already in turmoil over such a decision that many would take for granted as being easy. He had lived in complete isolation for almost a year now, never staying in a populated area for too long, never getting too attached to people just encase it lead to them getting hurt. It had been too long.

Nodding to himself Ryan looked towards Gareeku. “Gareeku, I would be honoured to come stay at your dojo for awhile. My friend.”