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Crystal Guardian

Arc 3: Perversion of the Light

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Chapter 25: The Heart is Lost

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When Naole emerged from the underground facility he found Enala was already reunited with her loved ones onboard the Indigo, but there were more concerning events, and the Indigo reported to Naole all the activities and events it could detect.

When the Intrepid hit the ground over Zambia it was quickly surrounded by a HOD contingent that consisted of; 3 Grandlords, 12 Overlords, 55 Under-Lord and 700 Enforcers.

Many of the Intrepid's Vanguards were injured by the crash and were in no condition to fight, and Casara had used most of her energy to power the Intrepid after the explosion. They were surrounded with no hope of escape, and Casara was using her remaining energy to power the Intrepid's shields. The Hodian attack force was launching a massive assault on the downed Intrepid.

The Hodian attack force was jamming the Intrepid's Communications, and thus preventing Intrepid's distress signal from reaching anyone that might be inclined to help. Naole could sense Casara's distress even from such a great distance, their connection was still strong even though he could not communicate with her.

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When Naole returned onboard the Indigo he found Kato and Lord Cyris desperately trying to re-establish communications with Crystalorb

Kato : " Come in Crystalorb; Come in!” There is no response “It's no use the line is dead"

Cyris : " We must immediately set course for Crystalorb!"

Naole : " With all due respect Lord Cyris; This is not a Crystalorb vessel. You can go to Crystalorb if you wish! But Indigo and I are going to Zambia."

Kato : " Zambia?"

Cyris : " But Crystalorb needs your help!"

Naole : " Casara is in trouble; And Blood comes first Lord Cyris!"

Naole then starts to recharge his energy.

Kato : " The ship is slow, I'm going ahead!"

Naole : " I'll be off as soon as I'm fully charged!"

Kato then leaves the Indigo.

Cyris : " But Crystalorb might be under attack"

Naole : " If Crystalorb is under attack, then Casara is the only one powerful enough to make a difference"

Enala : " Naole is right Father; If Crystalorb is under attack Naole would be outnumbered and outgunned, even with all his power, this is a fight for Guardian Armour."

Cyris : " I see."

Naole : " Kato is almost there; I must get going." looking directly at Enala "Take care of the kids."

Enala : " I will; Be careful."

Naole : " Always!"

After raising his energy level Naole left the Indigo for the location of the downed Intrepid.

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When Kato arrived at the crash site he found Casara outside the Intrepid trying to draw fire away from the downed vessel. Casara was under considerable attack from three Grandlords who were wearing a second Manacle of Destiny that gave them flight capabilities. The new Hodian Manacle was similar to the modern Manacle of Ilesia.

The HOD gained access to the designs of the Manacle of Ilesia with Amun's help, they reverse engineered the Manacle of Ilesia handed to them by Amun and constructed their own version using Metallic Crystalline architecture. The Hodian Metallic Crystalline Manacle of Destiny was not nearly as capable as the Manacle of Ilesia, but combined with Hodian plasma technology they could achieve capabilities comparable to that of Crystalorb's Manacle of Ilesia.

The Hodian Metallic Crystalline Manacle of Destiny gave them flight, plasma weapons capabilities and limited energy field generation, but the Manacle of Ilesia was still superior to the new Hodian Manacle. Things had come full circle; the Manacle of Ilesia was developed by reverse engineering the Manacle of Destiny, and now the tables had been turned, and Crystalorb's technology was now being used against Crystalorb.

Casara and Kato fought side by side against insurmountable odds, they fought with conviction and purpose, but there was a chink in their Armour. Casara's energy was nearly depleted, and the prolonged engagement with the Hodian attack force was draining her reserves. The remaining Vanguards onboard the Intrepid were working hard trying to reconnect the power supply that was damaged by the explosion.

Casara's shield was failing, and when she was hit by multiple plasma energy balls she was knocked to the ground.

Kato : " Casara!"

Casara : " I'm out of power; I'm sorry my Love. You have to fight alone now!"

Then Casara passed out and became unconscious.

Kato : " Casara; No!"

With Casara down the Hodian attack force saw an opportunity to finish the two Guardians off. Kato extended his spinning energy field shield around Casara to protect her from the barrage of plasma attacks that they came under while he was trying to move them closer to the Intrepid for cover. It looked like the end for Kato and Casara, and the Hodian attack force was now emboldened by Casara's collapse.

When it seemed like all hope was lost for Kato and Casara a large blue holographic projection of the Egyptian Ankh appeared in the sky above the area.

Then every one heard a loud voice; Naole's Voice!

Naole : " This I cannot Allow!"

Then Naole launched hundreds of high energy ElectroLaser Lightning Bolts using his Chest Crystal, and this pushed the Hodian attack force into a defensive position.

This created a lull in the fighting as the Hodian attack force reassessed their position. Naole took this opportunity to go to Casara and held her in his arms.

Naole : " Ooh No!" With tears in his eyes "What have they done to you Casara?"

Then Naole stood up and gathered all his energy and focused it into his entire body, and as the Crystals his cells became energized they began to transform Naole's skin to a deep Blue Crystalline form. Naole then used his Crystalline skin to produce an aura that then created an energy field shield.

Naole : " I call this Indigo Form!” he looks at Kato “Are you ready Kato?"

Kato : " Let’s do it!"

Naole then used his Chest Crystal to produce a holographic projection that covered the area in darkness. The entire Hodian attack force was engulfed in darkness, and the Enforcers began to panic as Kato and Naole moved in and began killing the Hodians in the cover of darkness. The Hodian attack force began to scatter, and in their panic the Hodians began to fire at anything, even each other.

Naole located one of the three Grandlords in the midst of the darkness and then took the opportunity to charge his Chest Crystal for his ultimate attack.

That particular Grandlord saw a flash of light, and then ...

Naole : " Blue Wave!"

A combination of ElectroLaser Lightning Plasma Energy Ball attacks and massive blue ElectroLaser Lightning Bolt from Naole's Chest Crystal hit the Grandlord instantly killing him.

Naole repeated the attack and killed another Grandlord. The remaining Grandlord decided that the advantage has been lost and it was time for him to make his exit, and with the Grandlord's retreat the remaining Hodian forces also retreated.

Naole then went into the Intrepid and began working on the Intrepid's repairs.

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When the Indigo arrived Casara was taken onboard for medical care and to recharge her Crystal Armour. Naole used the Indigo to transfer energy to the Intrepid's systems, and with the Intrepid's systems operational the Intrepid could begin automatic repairs. Naole took the opportunity to rest, recharge and rebuild his core body energies.

As Naole was resting and recharging the others gathered around him.

Canala : " You were amazing Father!"

Naole : " I'm glad you approve." He said jokingly while Canala held his hand "Kato where are Nasara and Kalen?"

Kato : " Fortunately Nasara has been on an extended trip to Crystal Valley City for her studies, she took Kalen with her."

Just as Naole was about to fall asleep he felt a disturbance in the energy field, it was as though something very powerful was passing through the air. Naole was fully recharged, but he was still very tired

Naole : " Can you feel it Lord Cyris?"

Cyris : " Could it be another Ship?"

Naole : " No my lord; It's the Spirit Stone."

Kato : " No! It can't be?"

Cyris : " By the Source!"

Enala : " It's not possible?"

Naole : " Clearly the HOD has had inside assistance; Someone has betrayed Crystalorb!"

Cyris : " Who would do such a thing? And Why?"

Kato : " How?"

Naole : " If that is the Spirit Stone, then Crystalorb is without power."

Cyris : " Ventilation?"

Naole : " I'm setting course for Crystalorb; the Indigo will help to supply energy for the mobile robots to conduct repairs until the Nuclear reactors come online. The Intrepid's power supply repairs are nearly complete, and the crew can finish the job." Canala looks at Naole “Canala; The Indigo will recognize your DNA and therefore will follow your orders in my absence."

Canala : " Where are you going Father?"

Naole : " I have to try and recover the Spirit Stone."

Kato : " Then I will come with you."

Naole : " No! Your Crystal Armour still needs to be recharged and my blue energy is not compatible to clear Crystal Armour. Canala needs time to recharge and return your Crystal Armour to full power. Time we do not have! For all we know Lord Cyris is the only Elder left, and should I fail Crystalorb will need him to recover the Spirit Stone" Naole looks Kato in the eyes "So you must protect him at all cost!"

Kato : " Whatever the cost!"

Naole then once again leaves the Indigo on a mission to intercept those transporting the Spirit Stone.

Canala : " Is he strong enough to do this alone?"

Kato : " No!"

Enala : " It’s very likely he goes to his death."

Canala : " Then why did you let him go grandfather?"

Cyris : " Because he’s choosing this fate; Today your father has chosen to become a Crystal Guardian. In spite of all that Crystalorb has put him through he’s chosen to fight for all Crystalans. Today we find out if Nalen’s prediction is true; he said that Naole would bring truth to impossibility."

Enala : " The Ascended Crystalan prediction?"

Canala : " Ascended Crystalan?"

Cyris : " Nalen always thought of the Crystalline Form as a stepping stone to what he called the Permanent Powered State; the Ascended Crystalan. Nalen believed that to be truly Ascended the transformation must be permanent.”

Kato : " Do you think he can do it?"

Enala : " I hope he can."

Canala : " I know he can; he can do anything."

Cyris : " I hope your right Canala; I hope your right."

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As Naole raced to intercept the culprits who stole the Spirit Stone the Indigo was making its way to Crystalorb, and the crew of the Intrepid finished repairs to the power supply. With the power supply restored to the Intrepid's systems the ship could get airborne, and the automatic repair systems of the Intrepid became operational as the ship tentatively made its way home to Crystalorb.

As Naole neared the source of the energy signature he was detecting he discovered two Negative Psionic Energy Signatures directly on his path. Naole slowed down and prepared himself for possible confrontation with the two powerful forces that were in his way. Naole found himself face to face with the hovering Lerumo; the secretive new Viceroy of the Hand of Destiny in his Metallic Golden Crystalline Form.

Naole sees the Viceroy of the Hand of Destiny.

Lerumo : " It seems that rumours of your tenacity are not exaggerated."

Naole : " You must be the secretive new Viceroy of the Hand of Destiny."

Lerumo : " I am Indeed. I have to admit that I expected that it would be your sister that came after us, but my associate assured me that your sister would be in no position to derail our plans."

Naole : " Associate?"

Lerumo : " I believe you know my second in command."

Amun then disengages his invisibility field.

Naole : " By the Source!"

Lerumo : " I hear that you and he have a history? He's now the General of the HOD forces."

Naole : " General?"

Amun : " Yes"

Naole : " You were the chosen of Lord Gaurdius; His heir apparent!"

Amun : " But after what you did to me, I knew that I would never be elected to the Council of Elders. I became the butt of everyone's jokes, and even though I trained harder than everyone else Casara's success became a constant thorn on my side. I quickly realised that no amount of training on my part would equalize the difference between my power and Casara's."

Naole : " You would betray your people over this?"

Amun : " You couldn't possibly understand my predicament! I was raised to believe that I was special; Crystalan Elite; I was promised greatness, honour and dignity! I was the pride of my mother and father, the favoured of my Grandfather Gaurdius, but all that meant nothing in the face of the superior capabilities of the Olen family. Whether we like it or not the Crystalorb population always looks to your family for its warrior Elite. My family has been reduced to political Elite while your family is loved we are tolerated. You can Imagine my humiliation when in the same day my father is killed your mother easily prevails against the very force that overwhelmed my father, and your father rises from four years of sleep to rescue Crystalorb's forces from my father's mistakes. On that day I recognized the undeniable truth!"

Naole : " What truth?"

Amun : " That the Olen are the true power of Crystalorb; Your Family created the Crystal Armour, and your Father built Crystalorb's ultimate weapons; the Airships. It became increasingly clear that my place was to live in an Olen's shadow! But I refused to accept that fate. When you easily defeated me with the odds clearly in my favour the writing was on the wall. You had the power to defeat me when I was wearing Crystal Armour and you were not. On that day I learned a very important lesson, and that is; the powerful always win."

Naole : " Power has nothing to do with it!"

Amun removes his Crystal Armour's face cover to reveal his Clear Crystalline Skin; a transformation induced by negative Hodian energy.

Amun : " Power has everything to do with it!"

Naole : " By the Source!"

Amun : " While you were imprisoned I sought to regain my position amongst the Vanguards, but none of my accomplishments could measure up to those of Casara. So I took a different route; I used my societal connections to fast track my advancement through the ranks, and before long promotion followed promotion. When Casara rejected the promotion to Guardian of Sector 11 my uncle persuaded the Guardian Council to give me the post, and even though I was not physically ready for Guardian Armour I was given the rank of Guardian. Those with Chest Crystals preferred to serve under a Guardian Armoured Guardian, and so my Sector was filled with Ex Hodians.” He sows a smirk "That's when I got the Idea!” he laughs maniacally "After prolonged talks with Ex Hodians I began to believe that the HOD might offer better prospects for someone like me. I knew that to gain influence with the HOD I had to have leverage, and I theorised that the answer might lie with the circumstances of the death of the last Viceroy of the Hand of Destiny. When I reviewed video footage of Tsela's last moments I noticed something unusual, and I knew that neither you nor Casara would have reviewed the material because it also depicts the death of your parents."

Naole : " What do you mean?"

Amun : " Right before Tsela detonated the bomb, he took off both his Manacles. I wondered why he would do that? When I reviewed video footage from multiple directions the answer revealed itself. The reason Tsela did that was to protect the Manacles! He threw the Manacles into a ditch, and I believed that the Manacles were still intact. I secretly went to the location, recovered the Manacles, and hid them in a location that only I knew about. I knew that Tsela's son Lerumo had ascended to Viceroy of the Hand of Destiny, so I made contact with him and made him an offer he could not refuse. In return for the Manacles the Hand of Destiny gave me authority, influence, pride and most importantly ultimate power. Now I have power that rivals even that of the Viceroy! The power of a Grandlord combined with the power of Guardian! Ultimate Power!"

Naole : " Huh!" Naole yells out in pain as he begins to power up "Aaaaah!"

By focusing his power Naole gathered all his energy and focused it into his entire body, and as the Crystals in his cells became energized they began to transform Naole's skin to a deep Blue Crystalline form. Naole's Indigo Form.

Naole : " Indigo Form!"

Lerumo : " The wolf reveals his true Form!"

Naole : " Negative Psionic Energy is dangerous for Crystalans Amun!" Naole increases his energy output "It will drive you mad!"

Amun : " I expected this power, but you still don't stand a chance."

As Naole activates his energy field he recognizes he can't fight both Lerumo and Amun, and so he devices a strategy that would separate the two. Lerumo was limited in speed, his adapted Manacle could only reach speeds comparable to a jet fighter, and like the Ilesians maximum speed was a little over Mach 3.2. Amun on the other hand could reach speeds in excess of Mach 15, and Naole on the other hand could reach similar speeds without Crystal Armour.

Naole : " It's my duty as a Crystalan to recover the Spirit Stone."

Amun : " You can try!"

Naole Rapidly moved higher in altitude, higher than Lerumo could reach, and Amun followed Naole higher. When Naole tried to get passed Amun in the direction of those who were travelling with the Spirit Stone Amun blocked his movements by attacking him with ElectroLaser Lightning Plasma Energy Balls and ElectroLaser Lightning Bolts. Naole tried his best to dodge the attacks, but on the occasion that the attacks hit him he would be slightly injured.

Naole realised that Amun's attacks contained Negative Psionic Energy, and when the Negative Psionic Energy collided with his own energy there was an annihilation effect as the energies destroyed each other, this meant that the residual electrical and heat energy were able to get through Naole's energy field shield. Naole and Amun quickly moved beyond Lerumo's ability to detect them, so Lerumo decided to rejoin those who were transporting the Spirit Stone.

As Naole and Amun continued to battle in the sky their attack charged the atmosphere creating streams of lightning. Naole knew that Amun's Guardian Armour offered him additional protection, and so his objective was to exploit the weaknesses of Amun's Guardian Armour, but the Guardian Armour has very little weaknesses. The amplified power of the Negative Psionic Energy ElectroLaser Lightning Bolts was taking their effect on Naole, and with every impact Naole grew weaker.

Amun's release a stream of ElectroLaser Lightning Bolts from his Armour's Left Hand, Armour's Right Hand and Armour's Chest Crystal overwhelmed Naole's shield and sent him crashing to the ground. The Blue Crystalline Skin and energised Crystals throughout his body protected his body from serious damage, and because Crystalans and Hodians could regenerate Naole's body was already rapidly repairing any damage he suffered.

Amun hovers just above Naole

Amun : " You are much stronger than I expected"

Naole : " As are you." Naole spoke as he stood up. Naole decided to keep talking in order give himself enough time to regenerate "You've been training."

Amun : " I pushed myself to the edge of my limits and beyond, and I've mastered the shield techniques, but it was not until I received Hodian energy that I truly came into my own."

Amun then charges his Crystal Lance in preparation for a hand to hand confrontation, and Naole increases the energy in his energy field in preparation to defend against a physical Crystal Lance assault.

Amun : " Now the techniques developed by your parents will be your end!"

When the fighting resumed the confrontation took a different form as Amun deployed the Crystal Lance; the chosen weapon of a Crystal Guardian. As Naole and Amun exchanged blows the ripples could be felt in the sky and on the ground. The force of their blows shook the ground and compressed the air into shock waves, and they created frequent sonic booms as they rapidly accelerated beyond supersonic speeds during their engagement.

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Meanwhile as the Indigo neared Crystalorb air space the Hodian attack force detected its approach, and believing it to be one of the larger Crystalorb ships they decided to retreat. By the time the Indigo reached Crystalorb all the Hodians had left and the remaining Crystalorb Leadership was working profusely trying to restore ventilation systems to Crystalorb, and the evacuation of Crystalorb was underway.

The Indigo immediately began pumping fresh air into Crystalorb as repair teams began work on restoring power to secondary ventilation systems. The Crystalorb Nuclear Reactors were not damaged, but since the power was supplied through the Spirit Stone there was no transformer to regulate the energy. Electrical Energy was fed directly to the Spirit Stone, and the Spirit Stone would then distribute the energy to the rest of Crystalorb.

The Indigo transported a mobile transformer from the Crystal Valley Farming and industrial complex to Crystalorb and it was installed, this returned adequate lighting and ventilation to Crystalorb. The devastation in Crystalorb was unimaginable; there were thousands of bodies and even more wounded who could not receive medical care because the Crystalorb Medical Centre had been destroyed.

Canala and Nasara began to recharge Crystal Armoured Crystalan capable of fighting that needed recharging. Enala began to search for her husband Kanalo, but sadly she found him amongst those killed by the Hodian invasion force. Crystalans were elated to see that at least one of the Council of Elders was still alive, and since the other Elders were dead Crystalans looked to Lord Cyris for guidance.

Casara was still unconscious and recovering from her injuries, and when communications were restored it was discovered that the other ships crushed into the ocean and that the survivors were making their way to Crystalorb.

The Navies of the ADA countries had moved quickly to secure the locations where the Crystalorb ships had crashed, and since the ships were largely intact Crystalorb could recover them once things settled down. The Intrepid was making its way to Crystalorb, and conducting automatic repairs on most of the ship's critical systems. As Lord Cyris tried to determine the extent of the damage he quickly realized that only 7 Guardian Armoured Crystalans were still alive.

They were; Aman the Deputy Guardian Commander, Nasan the Guardian of Sector 9, Isalo the Guardian of Sector 12, Casara the Captain of the Intrepid and the Deputy Expeditionary Guardian, Thato the Captain of the Leba and the Deputy Guardian of Sector 1, Kano the Captain of the Gaurdius and the Deputy Guardian of Sector 2 and Kato the Crystalorb Command Centre senior Officer. Palo the Captain of the Jalen and the Deputy Guardian of Sector 3 had the Rank of Deputy Guardian but was not yet ready for Guardian Armour.

The Crystal Valley City Executive Council was concerned that the Hodian forces would return and target Crystal Valley City, but the Lord Cyris assured them that the Crystalorb defence systems were now back online and Crystalorb was watching the situation for further development. President Molema of the South African Federation of City States sent additional troops to the area to help secure Crystalorb.

When Casara recovered she was told of Naole's mission to recover the Spirit Stone. Casara used the energy of the Indigo to recharge her Guardian Crystal Armour in preparation to support Naole in his mission. Casara knew that even with his great power Naole was no real match for Guardian Armoured Amun and the Grandlords who were with him. Time was of the essence, and the longer Naole fought the weaker he became.

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Naole on the other hand was fighting for his survival against an enemy who wielded absolute power. Amun's introduction of the Crystal Lance changed the situation from a fight to a torture cession. Amun was intent on punishing Naole for all the pain Naole had caused him. Even though Naole still had plenty of power left it seemed to be of no use because Amun won every contest of strength, speed and power.

Every exchange resulted in an injury for Naole, and Naole's body was covered with wounds. As a testament to Amun's absolute power his Crystal Lance easily pierced even Naole's Blue Crystalline Skin. The force required to puncture Naole's Blue Crystalline Skin was enormous, but Amun seemed to have the power in abundance. Amun had finally realised the true power of the Crystal Armour.

And as Amun approached a Fallen, battered and beaten Naole it looked like it was all over, but when Naole staggered to his feet Amun was astounded by Naole's unyielding spirit.

Amun : " Even at the End, you won’t give up, will you Naole?"

Naole : " It's not in my nature to surrender!"

A gust of wind blows through the area and Naole activates his Chest Crystal, and the Chest Crystal begins to shine as Naole lifts slightly off the ground.

Amun : " Over the years I came to understand what Crystal Armour truly is! It's an ability amplifier, and once I understood that simple fact I could use it more effectively. Your father was right about the nature of control and with Hodian energy I was finally able to reach Crystalline Form. In my Crystalline Form I input enormous energy into the Crystal Armour, and the Armour multiplies the energy a hundred times over as energy attacks. If you still had your Crystal Armour you would have been more of a challenge, but in your current state you are just Pathetic."

Naole : " Pathetic? I remember I once called you Pathetic!"

Amun launched a massive assault on Naole with ElectroLaser Lightning Plasma Energy Ball attacks, ElectroLaser Lightning Bolts, and then finishing the attack by stabbing Naole on the Chest with the Crystal Lance and releasing electrical energy directly into Naole's body electrocuting Naole from the inside. Naole was laying motionless on the ground when Amun finally removed his Crystal Lance.

When Amun removed the Crystal Lance from Naole's chest Naole's skin changed from deep Blue Crystalline to normal. Amun then hovered for about a minute , and then prepared to depart from the area.

Amun : " And now our rivalry is finally over."

As Amun was ascending into the sky he noticed something peculiar; the plants and vegetation in a radius of about a kilometre around Naole were rapidly dying. When Amun stopped to try and discover what was going on he saw a blue aura around Naole's body, and as Amun descended to see what was going on he saw Naole move

Naole : " It’s not over!"

Brief silence as Naole staggers to his feet.

Amun : " How? You were dead!"

Naole : " How? My Father!"

Amun : " What does your Father have to do with anything?"

Naole : " I didn't fully understand the full extent of how my Father had altered my physiology until this very moment. Like everyone I assumed that my father mutated his heart cells with Blue, Red and clear Crystals to save me when I was a child, but the process was not a simple matter of a genetic alteration. My Father harnessed the reactive nature of the Blue and Red Crystals and stimulated a response."

Amun : " None of this makes any sense to me?"

Naole : " It wouldn't; The Red and the Blue Chest Crystal were born as a reaction to some kind of crises, and my father harnessed that ability of the Crystals to react to crises, and used it to save me. Today my Fathers' efforts have once again saved me, and you are the catalyst that accelerated the responsive nature of my Blue Chest Crystal."

Amun : " That still will not save you!"

As Amun once again charges his Crystal Lance Naole transforms to his Indigo Form.

Naole : " You still don't get it!"

Amun : " What don't I understand?"

Naole : " Every injury you've caused today has triggered a response from my body, and every time my body repairs itself the cells used to repair me contain more Crystals, but the Crystals are denser with more energy."

Amun launched a massive assault on Naole with ElectroLaser Lightning Plasma Energy Ball attacks, ElectroLaser Lightning Bolts Energy attack, and the Crystal Lance, but when Amun tried to once again puncture Naole's skin with his Crystal Lance he found that he could only just break the surface of the skin.

Amun was Almost in complete shock.

Amun : " I don't believe it!"

Naole : " The Light of Hope breaks Through the Darkness, This Form is my instrument; I am the Answer."

Amun : " What?"

Naole : " You should have defeated me when you had the chance!"

Amun launched a massive assault on Naole with Electromagnetic Radiation ElectroLaser Lightning Bolts, ElectroLaser Lightning Plasma Energy Ball attack and electrical energy from the Crystal Lance, but Naole counters with his maximum energy Blue Wave attack. The Blue Wave attack drains most of Naole's energy, but when it's over all that is left is Amun's headless body falling from the sky. Amun's head had been shattered by the Blue Wave attack.

Naole had used Amun's Negative Psionic Energy against him, and because Amun's Crystal Armour was now powered by Negative Psionic Energy his shield collapsed under massive energy of the Blue Wave attack, energy that was of the opposite nature to that of Amun's shield. Crystal Armour was not designed for Negative Psionic Energy, and if the shield collapsed the Negative Psionic Energy powered Crystal Armour revealed systematic vulnerabilities caused by the Negative Psionic Energy in the Crystal Armours energy systems.

Exhausted, Naole Transforms back to normal and falls to his knees.

Naole : " Now it’s over Amun."

After a moments' rest Naole stands and prepares to once again pursue the Spirit Stone, but as Naole gathered his energies he felt a strange and familiar disturbance in the surrounding area’s energy field. Naole then focused his senses in order to determine the source of the Negative Psionic Energy, and as he looked up he saw a figure approaching from the east. From the reflective golden shimmer Naole quickly realised that it could only be Lerumo.

Naole knew that he had two options; Run or Fight. The Viceroy of the Hand of Destiny would no doubt try and prevent Naole's escape, and history had proved fatal for anyone running from a Viceroy.

Lerumo : " Amun!" expressing surprise as he landed near Amun's body "I warned him about the limitations of his power." he looks at Naole "But he should have been able to defeat you without a problem; you must be more powerful than we expected."

Naole : " He had the advantage, but that's not always enough; Crystal Armour was not designed for Negative Psionic Energy."

Lerumo : " Clearly!" after a brief pause "Strange? A Crystalan was the one to revive Hodian power."

Naole : " Hodian power?"

Lerumo : " Following the death of my father we thought we had lost the Manacle of Leadership, but Amun found it and returned ultimate power to the HOD. With Amun's help the HOD could once again challenge Crystalorb for the right to determine the world's Destiny" after a brief pause "We could once again become the Hand of Fate."

Naole : " Fate?"

Lerumo : " Yes!" after a brief pause "For years the HOD had been on the defensive, and it was because Crystalorb Technology was more advanced than Hodian Technology. Advanced Crystalorb Technology gave you the advantage by allowing you to own the skies, and from the beginning we were on the losing side. You could reach any target anywhere in the world, and we were forced to construct our structures underground to better protect them against air raids, but with Amun's help we've been able to equalise the fight."

Naole : " By the Source!"

Lerumo : " Today the HOD is once again the most powerful force on the planet; and with your precious Spirit Stone gone Crystalorb will never recover. The remaining Crystalans will have no choice but to submit to Hodian authority."

Naole : " You are making the same mistake your father made; Purpose defeats Ambition every time!"

Lerumo : " Unlike my father I understand the true nature of things. The Hodian and the Crystalans are two halves of the same coin; Diametric opposites, Opposing Polarities. You of all people should understand this!"

Naole : " Why would I understand?"

Lerumo : " On the day you were exiled from Crystalorb you agreed to the terms of the Council of Elders because your sister pleaded with you to accept, and you said; I will do as you ask Casara. But there is a prise to pay; I may not be here to help you when the Chaos returns."

Naole : " How do you know about that?"

Lerumo : " Your words were prophetic; You understand that Chaos is in a constant war with Order. The universe is constantly generating chaos in order to advance order. The two are mutually dependent. It’s the nature of evolution. Life favours progress."

Naole : " If I'm the agent for order, then does that make you the agent for Chaos?"

Lerumo : " I'm the march of progress, and because I believe in being in control of my own destiny whatever the cost, it puts me at odds with Crystalan philosophy."

Naole : " We can't interfere with an individual’s freedom!"

Lerumo : " We believe that freedom is an illusion, and only those with the power to control their destiny have absolute freedom. The rights of those without power are naturally limited by their limitations."

Then Lerumo Increases his energy level as he prepares to forcefully confront Naole, and Naole responds by transforming to his Indigo Form.

Naole : " It doesn't have to be this way?"

Lerumo : " Yes, it does!"

Naole then activated his Electromagnetic Energy Field Shield and prepared to defend against the assault of a Viceroy. As Naole defends against the first few plasma energy attacks of the Viceroy he quickly realised that Lerumo was operating at a completely different level of power, and the precision and skill with which the Viceroy executed his attacks was indicative of his extraordinary power.

Naole knew that this was no contest between equals, but a fight for survival. Naole was facing an opponent with absolute power, with little or no real weaknesses. A great warrior who had been training for many years to perfect his techniques. The plasma energy balls from the Viceroy were unlike any attack Naole had ever faced before, and the combination of Negative Psionic Energy and hot plasma meant that the Viceroy's attack had the potential to breach Naole's Electromagnetic Energy Field Shield.

To conserve energy Naole decided to turn the fight into a contest of physical attacks rather than that of energy attacks, and Naole knew that because his weapon is on his Chest while Lerumo's were on his hands avoiding them was simple matter of keeping a close eye on Lerumo's Hands.

As the fight shifted to a hand to hand confrontation Naole realised that Lerumo was only about 20% stronger than himself, and this meant that Naole could block Lerumo's blows, but Naole's main problem was Lerumo's speed.

Naole's Indigo Form was clearly no match for the Viceroy, and even though his strength had almost doubled during his fight with Amun it was still not enough. At most Naole could only try and anticipate Lerumo's attacks, and in an instant Lerumo could channel the power of the Manacle of Leadership amplifying the power of his blows by introducing Negative Psionic Energy. This was the true power of the Manacle of Leadership, and as soon as Lerumo activated this ability Naole was defenceless against Lerumo's blows.

With Naole lying tattered on the ground and Lerumo approaching.

Lerumo : " It's a pity you don't have Crystal Armour, I would have enjoyed fighting you at your best!"

Naole : " I don't have Crystal Armour anymore."

Naole uses his Chest Crystal to produce Holographic Volumetric projections in an attempt to conceal his movements, but the Viceroy quickly finds him.

Lerumo : " You can't run from me Crystalan; I never quit!." Smiling at the sight of Naole "You cannot Hide!"

Naole : " Yeah!"

Lerumo : " You are probably the most powerful human on the planet; more powerful than any Hybrid, Guardian, or even Grandlord. All this power without any enhancements, without Crystal Armour."

Naole : " I never claimed to be the most powerful"

Lerumo : " But that is exactly what you are Naole; I would be no match for you without my two Manacles." Shaking his head "It's a shame I have to kill you!"

Naole : " The Guardians will never stop searching for the Spirit Stone; They will hunt down every Hodian if necessary."

Lerumo : " You are assuming that there are any Guardians left"

Naole : " The Red Guardian still lives"

Lerumo : " So you arrived in time to save her. Huh? One Guardian won’t make a difference, and without the Spirit Stone your numbers are in decline."

Naole : " Your father made the same mistake."

Lerumo : " What mistake?"

Naole : " He underestimated Crystalorb's resolve."

Lerumo : " My father made many mistakes, and one of his greatest mistakes was his constant focus on his feud with the Red Guardians. I won't make that same mistake, so I will end it here and now."

Naole : " You've missed the point completely!"

Lerumo : " What have I missed?"

Naole : " The Intrepid is still operational, so tell me? Do you have a plan to stop the Intrepid when my sister uses it to come after you and every other Hodian?"

Lerumo : " I will cross that bridge when I come to it." Lerumo fires plasma energy attacks at Naole Knocking him to the ground "Goodbye Naole."

Just as Lerumo was about to finish Naole off he was hit by a Red Wave attack, and when he turned to see who had attacked him he was surprised to discover Casara in Guardian Crystal Armour.

Casara : " Are you Ok!"

Naole : " I will survive."

Casara : " I'll take it from here Naole."

Naole : " Thanks for the assist, but this guy's power is unreal, so be careful."

Casara : " I've brought my reserve energy sphere; let me restore your Core energy."

As Casara continues to restore Naole's energy Lerumo takes the opportunity to allow his body to heal from Casara's Red Wave energy attack. Lerumo was keenly aware that the Red Wave energy attack was the same attack that led to his father resorting to the drastic measures he took, and even though Lerumo did not wish to fight both a recovered Naole and a Crystal Armoured Red Guardian he had no choice.

Lerumo's one hope was that his body would regenerate before Casara recharges Naole to full power. Casara's attack caught Lerumo unprepared, but he was confident that she would not get an opportunity to use the Red Wave energy attack again because of the time required to gather the energy. Fortunately luck was on Lerumo's side, and he recovered before Naole could be fully recovered.

Naole was at about 35% of his maximum potential, and his body was still badly injured from his confrontation with Lerumo, but when Casara realised that Lerumo was fully recovered she stopped supplying Naole with energy and prepared to confront the Viceroy of the Hand of Destiny. Casara had only been channelling energy from her reserve energy sphere, and that meant that her Crystal Armour was still at full power.

Lerumo : " Pretty good try; But not good enough!"

Casara : " It served its purpose!"

Lerumo : " You won't get an opportunity to repeat that attack."

Casara : " I won't need to."

Lerumo : " You're a confident one aren’t you?"

Casara : " I'm a Guardian!"

Lerumo : " That you are!" Nodding his head "That you are!"

Casara : " Like my brother I can transform to what I call my Crimson Form, so I'm not intimidated by even the power of the Viceroy of the Hand of Destiny."

Lerumo : " You have something your mother didn't have when she faced my father! But will it be enough?"

Casara : " The question you have to ask yourself is; do you have something that your father didn't have?"

Lerumo : " I do actually; Crystalan Technology!"

Lerumo then activates his enhanced Manacles generating an energy field around his body, and that allowed him to activate the Manacle's flight capabilities. When Casara saw this she harnessed her power and transformed to her Crimson Form, and Casara's skin changed to a Red Crystalline form.

Naole : " Wow Casara"

Lerumo : " Indeed; Your energy level just increased ten fold! Interesting! This is going to be a real fight."

Naole : " Be careful Casara; He can rapidly multiply the energy in his blows."

Casara : " Don't worry; My Crystal Armour will protect me! Naole find a way to recharge, I may need your help."

Naole : " Ok!"

Lerumo : " He's not going Anywhere!"

Casara : " Red Flash!"

In a flash of light Casara generates a massive bright aura of light from her Crystal Armour, and the intensity of the light temporarily blinds Lerumo, and thus providing Naole an opportunity to leave the area. Naole used his power to climb to high altitude where the sun's energy is most potent, and once he reached optimal altitude he gathered all his energy and focused it into his entire body, and as the Crystals in his cells became energized they began to transform Naole's skin to a deep Blue Crystalline form, his Indigo Form.

When the Red Flash diminished Lerumo realised that Casara had used her immense abilities to provide cover for Naole's escape.

Lerumo : " Clever;" Lerumo increases his energy level in preparation for attack "But it won't save you."

Casara : " I'm a Guardian."

In an instant Lerumo launches a fierce attack on Casara and the sky is covered in fire and lightning, while debris of rock and dust rains on the ground.

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