Tiki Island Trouble

Dante floated down from the sky on the island of Oahu, from a private airplane that he had pertained, summoning his armor but not activating the full power of the armor, merely serving as cosmetic. Dante floated down through the forest in order to walk the rest of the way, for he did not want to use too much of his magical power in order to be prepared for anything else that may come his way. Dante walked through the forest, looking into the minds of the local flora and fauna in order to tell where he was supposed to be going in order to find the artifact that he had heard of through local legend. What he was searching for was apparently a tiki mask that allowed the user to contact the volcano gods, which in turn could give Dante the information he needed.

"Rumors have been coming many times" Dante said to himself "I'll have to move fast before someone gets to it before I do"

Dante traveled until he reached a museum that was a ways off from Pearl Harbour, Dante had heard that the mask had been recovered by scientists and was being studied, but the regular people could never understand the magical rituals behind the mask. Dante walked up to the front door of the museum until he was confronted by guards. However, the guards were quickly confronted by Dante's shades, which came out of the ground and slammed them into the walls, knocking them out. Dante walked through the museum without slowing his pace for anything. A guard managed to get out of the way of the shades and prepared to shoot at Dante, but he was immobilized by a liquid coat which slowed down his movements to the point that he was barely moving. Dante eventually came to the main exhibit to find the mask he had been searching for. Dante ordered his shades to look like the fallen guards, who were placed in another location. Dante looked down and held onto the mask, looking into its vacant eye sockets.

"Once I get you back, I'll figure out how you work my weird looking friend" Dante said to the mask as he chuckled

Micheal was sweating, he didn't like sweating. He was a temperate climate boy by birth and a big advocate of air conditioning. He'd been on his way to Los Angeles to trace the stranger who's called Bliss's phone when the engine caught fire.

'I really should consider getting my own plane. And maybe a pilot's license.' He mused, sipping on a cool coke, dodging the crowds, 'there's an irony about the one guy who doesn't like the tropics accidently winding up in Hawaii.'

He wandered through, pausing at one stage to pick up a hawaiian shirt that looked like it would fit him, before looking for a place to escape the heat. According to the tourist guide, he was near the Bishop Museum.

'Largest collection of hawaiian and south pacific Islands,' he read off the guide. Micheal wasn't much of a culture buff but was a sucker for a good myth. Within a few minutes he was experiencing blessed cooling as he paid his way inside. The scanning plate allowed the his bag to pass through the scanners, showering nothing but clothing, a few toiletries and some tastelss underwear.

Finishing and binning his coke. Micheal wandered about the exhibits, before coming to the realisation.

-That's it! I'm getting a plane-

A loud thunk sounded as he walked into the door to the next area of the museum. He backed up and waved at the sensor. Nothing. He heard a series of clicks and looked at the top of the door frame. Several bolts had slid into the door. It wasn't going to open for anyone.

-Security bolts, only thing that should trip them is an alarm- He took out his phone and flicked through the wifi tab, scanning through it to find the hidden networks. He got a code breaker app running and put it on a bench next to his bag. Micheal tugged it ope and took out a familiar head.

-Not exactly the ideal american debut I had in mind- The tail clicked in -But then I've always been a sucker for trouble- Generator clipped on the belt -People just got to learn- the gloves slid on -That the Antarctic Fox is town- The head slid on.

He picked up the phone, it had broken into the security network of the museum, 'now where is the trou-'

Someoen screamed. Micheal looked at his phone. 'Never mind.' He kicked the bag under a bench and took off. Tail arcing behind him he dodged displays and benches, and the odd shocked person. He could see into the main gallery ahead, some guy holding a mask. Fox set up for an old fashioned tackle. Charging straight down the corridor at the man.

Dante didn't flinch when he heard the sound of a person heading towards him in a wayward charge. Dante wasn't one to be without a plan. One of Dante's shades jumped up and took the hit for Dante, holding the would be attacker in place. Dante turned to look at his opponent, who was young looking, and brave to say the least.

"Well isn't this a surprise" Dante said in exasperation "I never thought a young man would come fighting against someone who took out the guards, you must have something special about you, or just possibly very brave. However I do not have time for this"

Dante pulled his arms back and then thrust them forward, unleashing a torrent of lightning straight for the young man. The lightning was dangerous for anyone to be hit by, in addition it had a powerful kinetic force behind it, enough to send a car flying.

Something dark welled up infront of Fox, too fast to react. With an ooh he tackled the shade, knocking it to the ground with him on top. He blinked as he looked at the dark morass, he could make out small sparks but it looked like some black gas.

He writhed and wrestled with it on the floor, trying to keep an eye on the strange man. He saw his arms raise.

-That can't be good- He heaved, rolling himself and the shadow over, putting it in the way of the lightning instead of him. There was a loud screech, he could feel a huge shockwave ruffle his fur as he pressed himself into the floor.

It was over that thing was gone and he scrambled back onto his feet.

'That was the most refreshing aircon blast i've felt,' he straightened his jacket, 'reminds me of those nice long winters far south.' He looked from the mask to the man. -Wow, someone I can look in the eye!-

'Now now, one ugly mask is enough, you don't need a second. Didn't your mother ever teach you covetessnous is a sin?'

Dante chuckled to the young one telling him about sin, it was obvious that the boy had never suffered Hell. Dante walked around the boy, tossing the mask in his hands as he paced around him. Dante was using his slow movements as diversion to get into a better position for movement.

"Well young man, you certainly had a sense of humor" Dante began, stopping his pace and cradling the mask in his arm. "It is obvious that you haven't gone through the rings of Hell. I have gone through and have repented for my sins, but it will be a long time before I can redeem myself for my greatest sin"

Dante stepped back as the remaining 14 shades arose and formed a large circle around the boy. Dante levitated himself above the exhibits and stood on top of a large statue. He stared down at the young man and pointed at him.

"Now" Dante said to his minions, pointing at the man "Kill him"

On that command, Dante's shades moved in on the boy, charging straight for him with morphed claws and blade arms.

'I like your plan, 'I must redeem my greatest sin by stealing'. Show's a bit of forethought.'

Micheal eyed the ring around him, plans, thoughts, ideas streaming through his head, dismissed due to variables or likely hoods. The main trouble was he just didn't know what the hell he was fighting.

-Alright back to basics, outnumbered and surrounded in ring. As they move in their numbers will be a hinderance, but but not enough for me to work with, single line ring. Break out, ones opposite will likely follow- He looked around the exhibits the room, and formed a mental list of the contents of his pockets.

-Hit them all at once-

Plan formed he leapt into action, 'I can't stand crowds.' He bolted at his chosen second of line. He'd identified 3 shades he needed to deal with. They all had claws. He slowed for moment just before reaching them. As expected they were spreading a gap, claws out to slash him. If he'd continued his charge they would've shredded him. Instead he took advantage of the moment's confusion to grab the left one by it's 'wrists' and theaved it onto the claws of the second. The shades collapsed flailing and Fox fled through the gap, 'such a nice couple.'

He felt the shades on his tail, 'God doesn't like sinners,' A few choice lines came to mind as he took a road flare out of his hip pocket, '“He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind.' Fox tossed the flare up to the ceiling, the flare bounced off the ceilng and triggered the fire sensor, alarms blared as firedoors slid shut, sealing the room.

Fox thumbed the generator on his belt, cranking up the power and setting up a single burst with one paw, while the other snagged a metal signpost used to direct tours. Up ahead was the display he'd chosen, showcasing tables and pelts. He through himself through the plate glass and semi curled one of the tables, thumbing the activation switch on the generator and ramming it into the ground.

Electricity surged from the generator in his belt through cables on his arms, out through his metal claws, down the stand where it hit the wet floor. The shades screeched as energy crackled across them, collapsing as the energy faded.

'He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark.His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach' He straightend and shook off glass and water, grinning up at the figure.

'Your move'

(Job 36 27-33)

Dante clapped his hands at the performance held in front of him, the young one had performed marvelously and though he didn't need to, the reference was a nice touch. Dante floated in the air in front of the boy, who did have a strange look to him, but nothing Dante hadn't seen before. Dante continued to clap his hands as he descended, but still not touching the ground.

"Well done" Dante chuckled "You certainly are an impressive one, it is obvious you are not ordinary"

Dante began to charge a spell in his left hand, the Glyph of Paralysis. Though Dante didn't wish to use it now, he would eventually use it against the boy. Dante raised his right arm and created five large balls of seemingly space, filled with stars and celestial bodies. The orbs of energy floated around Dante, as if he were the sun.

"And it also seems that you read fine literature of religious origin" Dante chuckled "Now allow me my late introduction, I am Drakontas. And your name would be?"

Dante's Battle System continued to orbit around him, waiting for his opponent to make the next move, or introduce himself.

Fox smiled, 'I'm just a downunder dog, a simple Antarctic Fox, and praise from a thief? Father Tom would be so proud.'

He recorded the spheres, but felt the need for a test, 'Now that my pelt is soaked you'll understand, i'm not very happy. So before the police and firefighters get here and let us out,' he referred to the lowered fire barriers, though he was starting to have doubts the reinforced steel could hold this man, 'why do you just put the mask down, that way I don't have to worry about breaking it.' To emphasise his point he jabbed a finger towards the mask Drak held.

His attention was more focused on the drops of water that flew off his arm, and what happened as they met one of the orbs.

Dante laughed at the one known as Antarctic Fox, he was incredibly amusing for Dante to watch. Dante watched as Fox had sent water droplets towards an orb of the Battle System. The moment the water touched an orb, it instantly disappeared without a trace. Dante raised his hand once again, the Battle System revolved around Dante then moved to circle around Fox. Dante expanded the battle system causing the energy to be released in expanding shocks around Fox.

"It was a pleasure to meet you Antarctic Fox, but I am a busy man" Dante said "I'm going to miss my flight"

The energy released from the orbs began to let off bolts of energy in all directions, the energy would eventually engulf Fox in the shocks and the expanding orbs would crush him. The orbs moved at a fast rate to surround Fox, hoping to defeat him in a single instant.

Fox looked at the orrbs approaching him inching back as they began to encircle. No time for thought, no time for plans.

Only instinct. He hunched down on allfours, rocking back to compress his legs before pressing them out with all his strength. His feet skidded a little on the tile as he shot out beneath and between two of the orbs. Inside the suit he was covered in sweat as the sounds from the ring grew more and more frightening.

Fox let out a menacing growl, 'from now on, it's my turn!' He sucked in air, displays marking the Arfe unit as full and ready for use. He grabbed the sign polle he'd used earlier and threw it like a javelin. The shaft of metal had only just begun it's flight as he kicked off too, charging the figure, his long stride closing the gap.

Dante watched the pole fire towards him, but it was easily blocked by a smaller barrier conjured by Dante. Dante casted his Glyph of Paralysis on the ground underneath him, so long as he didn't touch it he wouldn't be affected. Dante charged two energies into his hands, one fiery red-orange, the other dark crimson. Dante unleashed the fiery red-orange energy towards the ground behind Fox, which caused six flaming black skeletons to rise from the ground. From his hand sprouted seven crimson ghosts which floated through the air, looking like skeleton soldiers without a bottom half, leaving a wisp trail. Dante looked towards Fox as his minions began to circle him.

"Give up your battle here son and let me pass, for I do not wish to strike down one so young and full of potential" Dante beckoned Fox "Merely state that you yield and this battle will continue no longer, if not"

Dante waved his hand as the six skeletons charged from behind, moving much faster than the shades from before, though not at a superhuman level. The ghosts began to fly towards Fox, weaving in and out of the floor in order to attack Fox from different angles. Neither of these minion types were there to truly mutilate, but to drain the body and spirit of Fox.

"Your destruction will arrive" Dante finished

Fox gave a moment to pause. Something strange was going on, all Drak seemed interested in was the mask. And yet the undead he summoned didn't move to block his escape. They ran at him.

-They don't move with any coordination at all. Drak commanded the Shades and they surrounded me.-

It hit him a moment before they reached him. -He doesn't control them- Any further thought was gut off by the multitudes of skeletons and ghosts. Fox leapt back as two skeletons lunged, their jaws biting at air. Ass he landed he felt an intense and painful cold seep into his foot. two ghostly arms emerged fro mthe floor and entered his boot.

He howled and spun in a reverse kick, the ghost losing it grasp and flying at Drak. He felted a tug on his foot as it went flying. He pondered that for a moment, but was more concerned with the lack of protection his armour offered. He could still work with his foot, just felt like a bad case of pins and needles now.

Two more skeletons approached. Fox spun to the side, stuck out his tail and with one long kick booted them both across the wet towards Drak.

'These are your guests, not mine. Be a gracious host.' He spun and ran, a full out pelt aorund Drak, hoping to put him the closer of the two, but giving a wide berth against any close up tricks the man could pull from his sleeves.

Dante knew that the Ghosts of the Path of Hungry Ghosts would eventually come after him, it was only a matter of time, and it wasn't like he was defenseless. Once the Ghosts came towards him, Dante instantly unleashed lightning upon them, sending flying into the walls and killing them. It wouldn't be long before the Army of Hades would disappear from the world of the Living, as such, Dante move to his escape. Once Dante came upon the door he had a simple solution, he ripped the door apart as well as the walls around it with Gaia Storm, which then sent the boulders in random directions.

"I'll be taking my leave young man" Dante waved as he walked away. "It was entertaining, but I must be off now"

Dante snapped his fingers and created a barrier in front of the door way, which would hinder Fox from following him. The clock in his mind told him that the Army of Hades likely would have returned to the Underworld by now, but that was of little concern.

Fox ducked as a ghost flew straight at him, shrieking as magical lighting slew it. He saw the skeletons start to lurch as they started to crumble. His gaze returned to Drak, who was surrounded by spinning rocks. The boulders whirled faster and faster.

-Oh crap- The boulder flew apart. One punched a neat hole in the shutters, letting in the noise of sirens from the police and firefighters gathered outside. The second smashed into the wall above fox, showering with him with debris. The last two smashed through displays before coming to rest in the walls.

By the time the dust settled, he saw Drak leaving through the hole in the door, as something shimmered across the bent metal. He ran up and smashed into the barrier, sending a pain up his shoulder.

'On what world did I expect to punch through that' He shook his shoulder, seeing Drak moving away.

-Test time-

'Oh Drak!' he called, 'Woof,' He sank his claws into the twisted metal as shockwave leapt out from his muzzle. An airbag in his helmet inflated behind he had to stop the recoil from snapping his head. The wave struck the door and barrier, making it groan and creak before it rebounded, picking off up off his feet. Only his sunk in claws prevented him from getting knocked back. But the shockwave wasn't the only thing that went out.

The shockwave hid something else, a smaller but no more impressive boom. Fox banked on the barrier being similar to the one he'd used on himself. Sound had gone through it before and this soundwave wasn't much different, containing a mix of extremely high and lower frequencies at the edge of perception. Glass shattered as people clunched their ears, losing balance as there were pummelled with noise that upset nearly every structure in the ear.

For most people it was at least 15 seconds before they could stand. another minute before they could really hear without shouting. Fox just hoped it would disrupt Dante's focus, bringing down the barrier, and back to earth for a few seconds.

Dante turned around slightly from the sound of Fox calling him, wondering what had just happened. Instantly Dante was sent flying by the shockwave from Fox which cracked his barrier. However, Dante had luckily increased the defense of his armor, which cushioned his body from the impact with the wall. Dante sat down against the wall briefly as his ears rang from a pinching sound. Dante managed to pick himself up with the assistance of some shades coming to support him. Dante looked towards Fox, keeping a silence then unleashing a laugh which rang along the corridors.

"Very good young one" Dante said chuckling "Now that was a very good move, so as your reward, I shall play a game with you"

Dante then threw the mask towards Fox, the thing he was here for, was being thrown straight towards the one trying to stop him. But Dante truly didn't need it, and it was time for him to have some fun.

"It's called 'Keep away from the Minotaur'" Dante said in an amused tone "Now you have about 5 seconds to run"

Dante raised his hands in the air, a small jewel encrusted within the hand of his gauntlet.

"5!" Dante said as he began to fall to his knees, his armor becoming larger than it usually should be.

"4!" Dante said as the armor's horn decorations burst open to reveal two larger, real horns.

"3!" Dante said as he began to mutate out of his armor, revealing a hulking body behind it.

"2!" Dante said as his hulking form broke out of the armor and build its own armor of bone from its skin

"1!" Dante said for the last time as the armor covered its head and his voice turned hoarse as he said it.

In the place of Dante stood the Minotaur, glaring down at Fox from 12 feet height, its large glowing red eyes looked at him through the slits of its armor with pure animalistic anger. The minotaur smashed the ground multiple times with its arms and legs, then unleashed a massive roar from its powerful head. It started to grind its leg into the ground as the regular bull sign of it was about to charge. Instantly with its powerful legs, the minotaur charged straight for Fox, wishing to impale him with its massive horns.