Creative Works

[DeaconPhenix]

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McDavey wrote:

I am going to post a new one tommorow if I can find time.

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That's good news and it's good news to see that Nismonotz is still around!

[forgingaheart]

Well the idea was to post it Sunday, but I goofed up and was doing the final proof on Chapter 25 instead of 24.  It was as I was in the middle of posting that I realized the end of 23 didn't line up with 25 (Gee, I wonder why? )  

Well, at least I realized my error before finishing the post and went looking for 24.  It, unfortunately, still needed final proofing.  Went looking for the correct chapter and found it still needed final proofing, dang. 

On a postive note at least Chapter 25 won't be late, it's already done. I'll post it in 2 weeks.

Now without further ado, I'll get to posting 24.

[forgingaheart]

Recapping from Chapter 23
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Not finding Ritoru and Liana in any of the common rooms Kai heads for their rooms, knocking first on Ritoru’s door and then on Liana’s door, but no one answers at either door.
‘I wonder where they are?’ Kai ponders silently. Even though concerned for his friends, he still finds himself reluctant to invade their privacy while they are grieving. Knocking on both doors one more time, he finally pushes one of the doors open only to find the room empty.  Quickly opening the door to the second room, Kai finds it unoccupied as well.  Turning to look for his friends elsewhere, he notices a note propped up on the table.  Kai hurries over to pick it up and read.
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“Dear friends, Ritoru and I are sorry we left without telling anyone. Toonzi was very near and dear to our hearts. Spending all those years together and running dangerous missions and risking our lives for one another made us very close friends. To honor him and get revenge for him as well as others who have fallen to Thanatos' forces we have struck out on our own to first kill the man whom we have learned killed my brother recently, Poise. We wish all of you the best....”
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Chapter 24: Fool's Errand
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The letter continues on but a shocked Kai, finding he no longer wishes to finish it, crumples it in his hand as he shouts aloud, “RYU!”
Moments later, an alarmed Ryu comes rushing in the room with Yuki and Kariudo close behind.
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“What is wrong Kai?” ask a worried Kariudo as she starts checking him over. 
“Calm down Kariudo.  Now Kai, take your time and explain what is going on,” says Ryu calmly. 
“Well you know Ritoru and Liana were not at the meeting, and they are not here either.  They have set out to get revenge on Thanatos and his army,” Kai says holding up the crumbled note. 
“OH NOES! THAT'S SUICIDE!” shouts Yuki. 
“Yes it is. Ryu before we can continue training I have to ask you to come with me and find them. This is all my fault,” says Kai woefully. 
“Blaming yourself will accomplish nothing and that kind of doubt will only cause more trouble if we find them and find ourselves fighting,” Ryu points out wisely.
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“I can't break my promise to Ayumi though...” says Kai softly, clearly torn. 
“Then I will go alone. We cannot risk anymore lives and I can travel much faster by myself,” says Ryu. 
“Are you sure?” Kai questions his bodyguard. 
“You know it's the truth,” replies Ryu attempting to reassure Kai. 
“Alright...I will leave it to you, my friend,” says Kai as Ryu immediately sets out to find the two.
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Needing to get away from everything in order to clear his mind, Ryu first heads for a clearing in the forest surrounding the dojo.  After arriving and taking a moment to quiet his thoughts and emotions, he thumbs his zanpakuto open.   Drawing in a deep breath, Ryu’s softly utters “Bankai” resonates, filling the clearing with the sound as he sets his mind seeking, trying to pick up the location of Ritoru and Liana.
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*****
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While Ryu is using his power to try and seek out Ritoru and Liana, they have finally arrived in the outskirts of the Rukongai surrounding the Soul Society. They start by asking around town, talking with the locals before trying to see if any of the people that Kai had placed under their command still remained.  However, as the two had figured would be the case, Liana and Ritoru were unable to find any useful information.  It appeared that all had already escaped and Liana and Ritoru fervently hoped they had all made their way safely to the designated refuge far outside the limits of the districts.
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Leaving the Rukongai and making their way out into the deserts surrounding the Soul Society, Ritoru and Liana eagerly press through the dry blistering heat heading toward the agreed upon oasis to where their people are supposed to be hiding at, but when they arrive they find themselves staring at a scene completely unlike anything they had expected...the bodies of their friends laying rotting in the desert sun.
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A look of horror fills Liana’s face while Ritoru grits his teeth together and clinches his fists in an absolute rage as tears fill his eyes. 
“ARGGGGGGGHHHH!!!” roars Ritoru, his spiritual pressure welling up in side of him as a blue aura surrounds him and then shoots up into the air.
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Because of Ritoru’s huge increase in spiritual pressure, Ryu is able to lock onto him and immediately snaps out of his meditative state. 
“There they are....Oh no...That is awful! Thanatos' men must have tracked them down. That is just horrible. Over a hundred of our people wiped out so easily,” Ryu says softly to himself.  After briefly evaluating the situation, he opens a Senkai gate to Soul Society.
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Grieving over the loss of her friends, full of anger at Thanatos and shocked of the amount of spiritual pressure released by Ritoru a teary eyed Liana is experiencing a tumult of mixed emotions as she looks at her friend.  Now finished with his outburst a grim Ritoru looks to Liana and says, “Let's go find Thanatos, but first, we might be able to find a clue if we search our comrades.” 
“Right, it's shame we can't give them a proper burial,” Liana says with renewed vigor.
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The two of them search the remains, finally finding a scouting report of Thanatos' camp and although it's completely covered in blood they can still make out the location of the camp.  Looking at Liana, Ritoru says, “I don't know how much good it will do to go through with this, but I am tired of losing everyone I care about.  I know we don't stand much of a chance, but we have to do something to avenge our friends!”
“I understand how you feel.  I really don't think we should be doing something so foolish, but I just can't take anymore!  Let's go Ritoru,” says Liana.
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The two them race for Thanatos' camp not sure what to expect. As they draw near the camp they can feel they faint presence of the army's spiritual pressure. Looking over at Liana, Ritoru exclaims, “Wow, that's impressive, even though there are Ex-Royal Guards in there, the amount of spiritual pressure they are letting off...” Ritoru exclaims, “And it can't even be felt until their camp is in sight.” 
“I know Ritoru,” says Liana also astonished.  “Let me use my powers to seek out Thanatos and Poise.”
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Liana puts the palms of her hands together in a prayer-like position and only a few seconds later an orange glow forms inside her chest in the form of a sphere.  She then separates her hands a few inches apart and forms a circle with them. The sphere then moves from her chest to rest between her hands. She the cups her right hand, placing it under the sphere she says in a gentle voice, “Come out my firebird.” 
At her command the glowing ball hardens and begins cracking as a small bird made of flames breaks free.
“Find Thanatos and Poise, please,” says Liana watching as her firebird flies off to fulfill her request.
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With her firebird now high overhead, Liana closes her eyes in order to see through her firebird’s eyes.  Seeing Thanatos’s camp spread out under her, Liana quickly gets her bearings as she directs the firebird’s flight.  Not too long afterwards, she spots Thanatos talking with a couple officers near the center of the camp.
‘D*mn!  We’ll never be able to get to him there,’ Liana thought, now sending her firebird spying along the outskirts of the camp, desperately hoping to find a more accessible target. 
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Soon afterwards she spots her quarry near a waterfall and much to her delight, Poise was all alone!  Immediately, Liana opens her eyes, severing the connection with her firebird.  Its purpose now finished, the firebird begins to dissipate as its fiery plumage quickly turns to ash. 
“I found Poise! He is on the other side of the camp!” says Liana excitedly. 
“Alright, let's go!” says Ritoru as the two stealthily set off for Poise’s location while desperately trying to control their eagerness to get there as quickly as possible.
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Meanwhile, Ryu arrives at the desert oasis and upon seeing the decaying bodies of his dead fellow Soul Reapers and other friends... 
“D*mn it!” Ryu swears aloud, starting at more than a few vultures.
Attempting to put aside his feelings of loss and his disgust at such wanton waste of life, Ryu thumbs open his zanpakuto and scans, first checking for any signs of life and as expected finding none.  He then starts scanning for Liana and Ritoru and quickly locks on to their location near Thanatos’s camp. 
‘It seems I have underestimated them!  I must hurry,’ thought Ryu urgently as he hastens to catch up with the two.
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Finally reaching the location she had seen through the firebird’s eyes, Liana and Ritoru find Poise quietly meditating underneath the waterfall. 
‘Perfect!’ thought Ritoru grimly, as he makes his way to the top of the waterfall and then braces himself with his zanpakuto. 
“Waves crash down upon my enemy!” Ritoru commands.  In response, a vast amount of water suddenly surges up around him before spilling over the waterfall in a torrent.  Crashing down on the unsuspecting Poise, the surging waters continued on downstream, flooding everything in its path and finally overflowing the camp’s reservoir down below.
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Pulling her bow from her back, Liana quickly notches an arrow from her quiver and taking her stance, she draws the bowstring back as she yells out, “Rage with fire!”  In response her bow and arrow quickly becomes engulfed in fire as she seeks her quarry, but Poise can no longer be seen under the waterfall.  Looking around a frustrated Liana is having trouble finding him as she desperately wonders, ‘Where is he?’ before deciding that Poise has to be in the reservoir.  Glancing at up at Ritoru, he pointed at the reservoir letting her know that he had come to the same conclusion.
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Boiling over in anger as he is standing in the bottom of the overflowing reservoir, Poise is furiously planning what he wants to do to his attackers.
‘Should I make a scene and try intimidating them with my spiritual pressure?  No!  Those insolent dogs must pay!’ Poise thinks before deciding on his next action, ‘I will kill them slowly....’
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Still waiting in anticipation, Liana stands at the ready with arrow drawn,
while on the transformed version of his zanpakuto, Ritoru starts gathering
water underneath his board forming it into large wave, both of them ready and waiting to swoop down upon Poise as soon as he resurfaces.
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Hopefully continued on to the very next post, so please wait for me to post the Cast List before you post your comment.
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[forgingaheart]

Chapter 24 – Continued
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Slowly walking across the reservoir floor, Poise heads in Liana’s direction and once there, he zooms to the surfaces hoping to surprise her.
However, Liana is ready and as she sees Poise’s head break the surface of the she takes aim and fires.  Also ready, Ritoru’s wave is still rising even higher by several feet per second as he turns and points the point of his surf board down at Poise' head.  Releasing his zanpakuto, Poise’s double ended katana easily deflects Liana’s arrow.
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As he zeros in on Poise, Ritoru realizes his attack will be just as easily thwarted by Poise, so he reaches down into the wave he is riding and commands, “Come to me! Ninja starfish!” 
Now covered with starfish he brings his hand out of the water, which Ritoru then begins throwing like ninja stars at his enemy.
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Not concerned about the attack Ritoru is launching, Poise scoffs at the first few starfish thrown....until they hit him.  The first three strike deeply stick into Poise' chest and shoulder. 
“ARRRGH! B*STARD!” Poise screams at Ritoru. 
“DIE, YOU ARROGANT B*STARD!” Ritoru bellows back at Poise.  With god-like speed his enemy deflects the rest of the starfish.  Reaching up, Poise grabs the right-hand tip of Ritoru’s surfboard and as the knife sharp edge bite into it his hand begins bleeding, the blood running down Poise’s arm.
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While Poise is focused on Ritoru, Liana launches several more fiery arrows at him, though much to her consternation, Poise manages to bat all of them away, spinning his blade around like a helicopter blade, defending his body from her arrows. 
Seeing an opening in Poise’s move, Ritoru capitalizes by reaching down into the wave once again.
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Finally Liana decides she needs to summon up even more spiritual pressure before attacking again.  As she gathers and harnesses her spiritual pressure and the more it builds up in her, the more it starts to become visible, flowing out into the very air around her.  The spiritual energy gradually forms into an egg-shaped ball surrounding her.  Finally having gathered enough, it is with the sound of wings fluttering that the energy spreads out forming a giant firebird with a fifty foot wingspan.  As Liana begins to direct all that enormous amount of spiritual energy into the arrow in her right hand and the firebird starts fading from view as it begins to forming a large fiery ball around the arrowhead.
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“Help me pierce the heart of my enemies!  Swordfish!” commands Ritoru as he pulls a swordfish from the wave.  Hearing Ritoru’s voice close by, Poise manages to turn his head in time to see Ritoru plunging for his neck, but without any time to defend or avoid the attack as Ritoru’s swordfish slices into the left side of Poise' throat. 
“ARRRGH!!!” Poise roars in pain as blood sprays continuously from the gaping wound.
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Her attack finally ready, Liana fires the fiery arrow.  Midflight the arrow's fire turns into the giant firebird that was surrounding her earlier.  Noticing the giant firebird coming at him from out of the corner of his eye, Poise yells at the top of his lungs, “YOU THINK YOU CAN KILL ME THAT EASILY!!! YOU FOOLS!!!” as he turns to meet this new attack.   
“BANKAI!!!” shouts Poise.  The invisible aura unleashed launches Ritoru about one hundred feet into the air along with his surfboard as Poise continues to spin his zanpakuto.
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“Bring me perfect harmony,” says Poise as a clear bubble immediately encases him.
The firebird collides with the bubble and dissipates, however the arrow tip manages to penetrate the bubble, but that is not the only damage done to Poise’s bubble. Liana watches as crack starts and then quickly enlarges until it quickly runs from top to bottom of the damaged sphere as Poise watches in disbelief.  “She actually damaged it?” Poise asks aloud.  While reforming the damaged bubble, he looks over at Liana who collapsed after she released the attack.
“Hah! You’re out of energy. I am done underestimating the two of you,” says Poise.
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Thrown quite a distance away and landing on the ground with tremendous force, Ritoru was still trying to catch his breath.  He looks around, but with blood streaming into his eyes he can barely see movement coming towards him.  In an effort to see better, Ritoru wipes the blood away from his eyes with his sleeve until his vision finally clears enough for him to make out the shapes coming towards him...
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“Oh no, this is bad,” Ritoru said spitting out blood as he eyed the enemy soul reapers almost on top of him.  Poise is also aware of their approach and pointing at Ritoru he stops the approaching group with a warning.
“Lay one finger on him and by the time I am done with you...You will beg for death,” says Poise seething with anger.  Backing off, his fellow soul reapers leave to inform Thanatos what is happening.
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Rushing towards Liana’s and Ritoru’s location, Ryu had kept his zanpakuto barely thumbed open in an effort to keep track of the fight with Poise.
‘This is getting bad.  I suppose I really shouldn't be surprised,’ Ryu thought, ‘Need to get there faster.’  With that thought, Ryu increases his speed to its utmost limits.
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Having sought out Thanatos, one of the soul reapers that came across Poise' fight is now making his report. 
“Sir!” the soul reaper says trying to get Thanatos’s attention.
“What is it?” a bored Thanatos finally asks.
“I am sure you have already sensed Poise' fight...”
“Of course,” Thanatos replies, cutting the underling off.
“...but I also sensed another large power on the way!” says the soul reaper urgently.
“I see.  Send my order to dispatch one of the generals to intercept the oncoming assailant,” commands Thanatos.
“Right away sir!” replies the soul reaper.
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Poise is heading towards Liana, slowly stalking his prey as he creeps up on her. The energy in the bubble surrounding Poise swirls and then condenses into a small bubble in his hand. The bubble then turns into a rod about four feet long and five inches around. Seeing that Poise stalking Liana, Ritoru, his entire body aching from the impact of his fall is crawling along the ground slowly toward Liana, attempting to get there first.
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Seeing Ritoru crawling, Poise smiles sadistically and grabs the unconscious Liana by her hair pulling her head off the ground into striking range.  Waiting just long enough to make sure that Ritoru was aware of what he was going to do, Poise cocks his arm back, rod in hand and swings for Liana’s face.
“LIANA!!! NOOOOO!!!” Ritoru screams helplessly, his blue aura flaring up again as his hands futilely claw at the ground in his attempt to get there in time.  Poise stops the rod just inches away from her face, savoring Ritoru’s reaction. 
“Ha ha! You’re pathetic!” Poise mocks.  Watching as Ritoru struggles to get to his feet and failing, a mocking laughter erupts.
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Finally Ritoru manages to get to his feet and hobbles towards Liana and Poise.  His enemy then drops her head on the ground before using flash steps, deftly moving behind Ritoru before the badly injured soul reaper could react and then before the sudden intense pain could register, Poise was in front of him again, blood dripping from his zanpakuto.  A split second later blood gushes from the back of Ritoru’s left hamstring, causing him to fall.
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“If you don't beat me getting to Liana, I will kill her right then and there,” says Poise with a devilish grin, “and if you even think about attacking me before I get there...she will die a death beyond your worst nightmares,” Poise warns before he begins walking very slowly toward Liana...
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Watching as Poise starts towards her, Ritoru attempts to stand even as he thinks, ‘Liana...got to...get...to...Liana...first...’ but he is no longer able to stand and Poise mockingly laughs at his attempt. 
Struggling to even just crawl on all fours, Ritoru grits his teeth and starts off towards his friend, his useless left leg hindering him even as it leaves a bloody trail tracing his progress across the rough ground....
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Until next time....
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Cast List
Prince Kai - McDavey
Ryu Hatori – Naios44
Yuki Hana – Cidthekittyisfun
Kariudo Hikage - SayanSudoku
Liana Bristow - Leandrah
Ritoru Chikan CAC/gekko_man

 

[McDavey]

Well I was going to try to do it Saturday. I was trying to do it every two weeks, but it was a busy weekend. Celebrating my upcoming birthday with my family, and so it had to wait until Monday. 

[DeaconPhenix]

Nice fight so far. Poise is such an **beast** lol. I wonder who the general is that's going to cut off Ryu.

Question on the names: Is it Poiz or Poise? Aand Liana or Leanna? You have those two written differently in the chapter.

[stewie_castro]

Hmm, short and sweet this time.

Man, Laina and Ritoru definitely messed this one up big time.

Poise is a bit of a sadistic bastard, ain't he.

Here's hoping Ryu gets there quick.

[McDavey]

We will have to fix that lolz. Liana, Poiz. This has nothing to do with forging getting it wrong. I tend to do these things when I write and we both must it lolz.

[McDavey]

Poiz is a guy who likes to feel superior. He is a biotch lolz.  We are trying to cut down chapter sizes because in the past we let them run on and on and this made it hard to get new stuff out on time. Not all chapters will be this short. It just happens to be that way this time. The next one is kind short too if I remember correctly.

[forgingaheart]

Well looks like I missed proofing some names, it's suppose to be Poise and Liana.  At least that would be consistant with all the previous chapters.

I guess I'll get right on that...*yawn*...later today.

[McDavey]

lolz crap I will get it straight sooner or later

[Nismonotz]

good stuff... i am just glad there coming out again. no need to worry about the day. dont sweat the small stuff like name mcd we all have our days

[McDavey]

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DeaconPhenix wrote:

I'm surprised Mugen didn't try to bowl his way through Ryu to get to Kai after that revelation.

It'll be interesting to see another look into Shimin's past to see why he is so apathetic.

Wow, Ritoro and Liana are pretty foolish in trying to undertake this mission. Hopefully, they don't get killed in their passion for revenge,

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I was thnking about this for awhile now and came up with something

The room fell silent momentarily until Mugen jumped up from his seat and with his zanpakuto drawn, he lunges at Kai.  

He tried to take his life and was knocked back by Ryu. After how easily Ryu knocked him back it would be foolish to continue.

and if I may continue

“Why, you b*stard!” roars Mugen as he charges, but finds that Ryu is already there meeting his attack with his own zanpakuto, swiftly knocking Mugen's zanpakuto out of his hands. 

I would say he was quite angry. Not sure how that was missed >_>

[forgingaheart]

Recapping from Chapter 24
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Poise is heading towards Liana, slowly stalking his prey as he creeps up on her. The energy in the bubble surrounding Poise swirls and then condenses into a small bubble in his hand. The bubble then turns into a rod about four feet long and five inches around. Seeing that Poise stalking Liana, Ritoru, his entire body aching from the impact of his fall is crawling along the ground slowly toward Liana, attempting to get there first.
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Seeing Ritoru crawling, Poise smiles sadistically and grabs the unconscious Liana by her hair pulling her head off the ground into striking range.  Waiting just long enough to make sure that Ritoru was aware of what he was going to do, Poise cocks his arm back, rod in hand and swings for Liana’s face.
“LEANNA!! NOOOOO!!!” Ritoru screams helplessly, his blue aura flaring up again as his hands futilely claw at the ground in his attempt to get there in time.  Poise stops the rod just inches away from her face, savoring Ritoru’s reaction. 
“Ha ha! You’re pathetic!” Poise mocks.  Watching as Ritoru struggles to get to his feet and failing, a mocking laughter erupts.
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Finally Ritoru manages to get to his feet and hobbles towards Liana and Poise.  His enemy then drops her head on the ground before using flash steps, deftly moving behind Ritoru before the badly injured soul reaper could react and then before the sudden intense pain could register, Poise was in front of him again, blood dripping from his zanpakuto.  A split second later blood gushes from the back of Ritoru’s left hamstring, causing him to fall.
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“If you don't beat me getting to Liana, I will kill her right then and there,” says Poise with a devilish grin, “and if you even think about attacking me before I get there...she will die a death beyond your worst nightmares,” Poise warns before he begins walking very slowly toward Liana...
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Watching as Poise starts towards her, Ritoru attempts to stand even as he thinks, ‘Liana... got to... get... to... Liana... first....’ but Ritoru is no longer able to stand and Poise mockingly laughs at his attempts. 
Struggling to even just crawl on all fours, Ritoru grits his teeth and starts off towards his friend, his useless left leg hindering him even as it leaves a bloody trail tracing his progress across the rough ground....
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Chapter 25: The High Cost of Revenge
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About to arrive at the scene, Ryu’s face twists into a face of absolute anger as he senses their condition and the “game” Poise is playing with Ritoru.  Striving to reach them before Poise can strike Liana, Ryu is almost there when suddenly from his left he senses a tremendous wave of spiritual pressure rushing to intercept him and before he even has a chance to react Ryu feels the sharp stabbing pain of a zanpakuto in his shoulder.  Turning to meet the threat, he finds himself face to face with an Arrancar.  The face of his eager opponent was flushed with excitement that added to the demonic appearance of the Arrancar’s curling horns sprouting from his temples and the spiky black hair.
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“So you’re the Legendary Ryu. Ha ha! I’m glad I beat Thanatos' goon to the battle. Now I can test my power against a worthy opponent!” the excited Arrancar proclaims.
“GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!” roars Ryu as he puts his arms inside the Arrancar and starts to pry them apart to break his guard.
“I WON'T BE SO EASY RYU!!! FOR I, DORAGON, AM A VASTO LORDE!!!” Doragon yells as he pulls a trigger that is at the top of his handle as his chainsaw blade rips at Ryu's shoulder.
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“ARRRGH!!!” yells Ryu in agony as he pushes against Doragon with his arms, liberating the chainsaw blade from his shoulder, but Ryu did not stop there.  He presses forward with his right hand and grasps his enemy by his face. 
“I don't normally lose my composure like this, but I can't afford to waste my time with you!” Ryu says as he places one of his legs behind Doragon and pushes at his face driving him into the ground.
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Ryu then begins pummeling Doragon in the face, but Ryu's adversary begins laughing at him. 
“Is that supposed to hurt? My skin is as hard as a dragon's hide!” mocks Doragon. 
“THEN HOW ABOUT THIS?” Ryu screams at his enemy as he uses his left arm to pin down his opponent by his throat and with his right hand open he hits Doragon with a blast of telekinetic energy.
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The blast hits Doragon with such force that his head bounces off the solid earth and leaves a small pot hole. Doragon is now bleeding from the back of his head. 
“I see you’re ready to get serious.  I am glad.  Now it's my turn to get serious,” Doragon says with a grin as he opens his mouth and charges up a cero.
“NO WAY! YOU'RE CRAZY!!!” yells Ryu as he prepares to counter. “I can't hold my hand over your mouth,” Ryu says to himself before roaring out, “I'LL LOSE AN ARM! TIGAR CLAW!!!” as his hand takes on the form of a claw.
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A white outline of spiritual pressure forms around Ryu's hand in the form of a tiger claw. He then pushes the energy from his hand and fires it as a projectile at Doragon's Cero.  The Cero has an appearance much like a fireball and has an orange glow to it. The Cero and the Tiger Claw collide and a fiery wind like inferno sweeps across the ground, and scorches the ground and the two combatants. The fire dissipates, leaving Ryu and Doragon several feet apart. Doragon lay in a crater twenty feet deep and forty feet wide. Ryu is outside of the crater lying on his back. Ryu jumps to his feet quickly to engage his opponent again as he suddenly feels Ritoru’s desperation peak as Ritoru can see Poise nearing Liana. 
“I have to hurry! I don't have any more time to play with you fool,” Ryu says angrily as he taps into the depths of his spiritual pressure.
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Far across the field, Poise reaches Liana before Ritoru.  Fighting the pain of bruised and broken bones, along with the pain in his hamstring, Ritoru struggles across the ground in agony. With tears running down his face, he watches as Poise picks up Liana’s head again by her hair. 
“Well you lost; and because of your weakness and stupidity...she will die,” Poise says with a sinister grin.
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Ritoru manages to get up to one leg and lunges at Poise, but his enemy smacks him away with the backside of his left hand with ease.  Poise then raises Liana to her feet. She lays limp on his arm as he places his blade to her throat waiting for Ritoru to look up at him and Liana. Once he does, Poise slices her throat open with a flourish as Ritoru screams in horror, “NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!”
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Ryu collapses to one knee, feeling the pain of his friend’s agony. 
“That sadistic b*stard!  How could he be so cruel?”  Ryu mutters to himself right before he explodes with even more power as he creates a crater the same size as the one Doragon is in, just by releasing more spiritual pressure. Doragon jumps out from his crater and lands on the outside of it. He then charges at Ryu, his chainsaw blade held overhead ready to come down and strike.
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Ryu blocks him with his double ended spear and the sparks fly from the clash.  Jumping back from the clash, Ryu holds his zanpakuto in place with his mind while he powers up another move. 
“RIP HIM APART TIGAR CLAWS!!!” Ryu yells as he takes a tiger Kung Fu stance. He forms up the tiger claws much like his last attack and fires off a barrage of tiger claws that vanish before they reach their target.  Doragon tries to evade the attacks by jumping from left to right, but Ryu's barrage is too fierce to avoid.
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“D*mn, no time left time to transform. DORAGON INFUEGO!!!” Doragon shouts as the tiger claws land on him and all around as well kicking up debris everywhere.  After launching his attack, Ryu flash steps away and then carelessly hurries over towards Ritoru, but is stopped as something grabs Ryu by the ankle and he hits the ground hard. Looking back, Ryu sees a tail coming from the cloud of dust where Doragon was. 
“Did you think this was finished?  I nust admit, that was quite an attack.  Even though I am only a Fraccion, I am still one of the mightiest Arrancars the Boss let live after he took over Hueco Mundo!” Doragon proclaims as the dust clears from the flapping of his wings.
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Ritoru falls silent as Poise continues to mock him. 
“You should have learned your lesson when your first friend was cut down by Thanatos...” says Poise.
“He had a name!” Ritoru says angrily through his gritting teeth.
“Then you just had to come here with that b*tch even though we cut down all your other friends...” Poise continues. 
“THEY ALL HAD NAMES!!!” Ritoru yells as he lunges at Poise in desperation.
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Poise brushes off Ritoru’s attempt to run him through and follows through with the opposite end of his weapon. Ritoru not only manages to stay upon his feet, but is able to stop his enemy's attack. 
“You’re not making this any better for yourself.  You should just give up and die before I lose my temper entirely,” says Poise coldly.
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“I don't care what happens now! Too many friends of mine are dead because of you. I haven't used Bankai before, but I have been able to summon my zanpakuto spirit! BANKAAAAAI!!!” Ritoru shouts as loud as he can. 
“It will not do you any good!” Poise says angrily.
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After Ritoru shouts Bankai, the air within the surrounding area starts becoming saturated with moisture gradually spreading to cover a large area. As this is happening, Ritoru is slowly losing in the clash of blades against Poise. Eventually the air is so saturated that rain falls until the immediate area is covered in water up to one hundred feet across and fifty feet high.
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*****
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Ryu takes notice of the water that appears to be contained in a perfect three dimensional rectangle as he attempts to cut Doragon's tail off with his zanpakuto. Doragon uses his tail extending it to pull Ryu several feet up into the air and then slamming Ryu down behind himself and opposite of Ritoru and Poise.
“Do not ignore me.  You will die if you keep this up,” Doragon boasts as he powers up another powerful Cero. 
“NAPALM NIGHTMARE!!!” yells Doragon as he releases his attack.
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*****
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Ritoru and Poise continue to lock blades underneath the water as they can see the water around themselves turn orange. Neither of them wants their fight to be interrupted so they press harder to try to gain the edge over the other when the water begins to swirl around Ritoru’s zanpakuto.  It pulls Poise and Ritoru together violently and their heads collide hard sending both of them into a dazed state.  The water begins to condense into an oval like shape until it is all consumed.
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Hopefully continued on to the very next post, so please wait for me to post the Cast List before you post your comment.
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[forgingaheart]

Chapter 25 – Continued
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Ryu had blacked out for a few moments, but he is now quickly regaining consciousness, only to discover that he is now lying in a fiery canal several feet away.
“It's a good thing I used a Kidou barrier. That could have really hurt,” Ryu sighs with relief.
“Ha ha! I knew it would not be that easy, Ryu!” Doragon says with excitement.
“I must admit that there are some aspects I do enjoy about battle, such as killing monsters like you,” Ryu says calmly. 
“That is big talk for someone who has only pulled off one offensive move the whole time!” mocks Doragon.
“I have taken too long with you. I will not forgive myself if I let another friend of mine die,” Ryu replies grimly.
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“Like I said all I hear is talk, I want to see it!” says Doragon as Ryu decides to go on the offensive.
“I will not stop trying to reach Ritoru, but I will do so by going through you!” Ryu proclaims before shouting out, “TIGER FANGS!”  He then separates his weapon into two katanas and charges forward while Doragon waits for his attack with great anticipation. Ryu's weapons are covered in his spiritual pressure as he charges forward. He turns his weapons to the dull side and they transform into curved blades covered in a pale white glow of spiritual pressure.
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Ryu's blades drive into Doragon's forehead and lower torso.  Doragon does nothing to avoid the attack as the tips of Ryu's blades can barely pierce his hard body. 
“Your friend will surely die if you don't take me seriously, but I guess that won't matter if I kill you here!” declares Doragon with excitement.  Doragon now wraps his tail around Ryu's torso and begins squeezing. 
“ARRRGH!” yells Ryu as he begins to attack Doragon's tail.
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*****
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Ritoru and Poise are lying unconscious on the ground only a few feet from each other and are now beginning to wake up when the spirit of Ritoru’s zanpakuto begins to speak with him.
“Ritoru! Wake up! Feel the energy of the Dragon's Eye pulsating in your hand... and when you feel you its power sync with your own, shatter the stone upon your zanpakuto!” says the soft sibilant voice. Ritoru sits up and looks straight forward and can see Poise standing up once again. He then gazes at the stone in his hand for a moment, pondering his current situation.
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*****
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Ryu becomes more frustrated with his situation as he continues to stab at Doragon's tail.  Suddenly Ryu's spiritual pressure begins to turn a pale orange and with each strike the color becomes more vibrant, and Doragon's skin begins to give way to the pressure of the attacks.  With that, a twisted smile comes over Doragon's face.
“Glad to see your getting serious,” says Doragon.
“I have been serious this whole time!” Ryu yells back as slams his zanpakuto down into Doragon's tail and it releases him.
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*****
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Meanwhile Ritoru senses Poise drawing near and snaps out of his trance like state and slams the mysterious stone into the broad side of his zanpakuto. Poise tries to run Ritoru through his chest, but the strong burst of spiritual pressure blows him away several feet. Poise sits back and watches Ritoru’s spiritual energy shoots up into the sky while Ritoru stands there basking in his new found power. 
“BANKAI!!!” he says again as his zanpakuto releases a flood of water and engulfs everything as far as Ritoru can see. This time as the water rises Ritoru remains on top of its surface.
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A whirlpool opens up next to him and he instinctively drops his zanpakuto into it.  Then suddenly a mighty sea dragon erupts from the whirlpool with a harpoon in its mouth.  Ritoru is now standing in the shadow of this mighty Leviathan holding out his hand as if to reach for something. The dragon releases the harpoon from its mouth and into Ritoru’s hand.
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******
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Meanwhile Thanatos has lost patience with Poise as he stand atop his newly flooded camp and he decides to take action.
“It is time to end this!  Bankai! Raijin! Strike down from the heavens and destroy my enemy!” roars Thanatos.  He raises his zanpakuto into the air as it transforms from its usual from as several massive lightning bolts are drawn to it. Thanatos concentrates hard on locating Ritoru’s energy and when he locks on to it, he swings down with his massive blade unto the water's surface.
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The bolts of lightning evaporate the water as it moves toward Ritoru. Poise can sense the attack coming and becomes very angry with the realization of its originator and who the attack is intended for. 
“I won't forget this Thanatos!” Poise proclaims angrily.
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Elsewhere, the other officers in Thanatos' are also becoming frustrated by recent events.
“This is will not do at all. How can someone die a beautiful in such an environment, this water has ruined the mood,” says Camilo with a grimace. 
“Yes I suppose it does...If you overlook the fact that what should have been a minor skirmish turned into a rather large commotion,” replies Malice in a cold tone.
“I suppose that does not help things either now does it?” Camilo asks rhetorically. 
“He is right you know, we should put a quick end to this, it has gone too far,” says Albel calmly. The other officers with him quickly agree and make for the scene of battle.
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*****
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Doragon and Ryu continue to clash blades as sparks fly from each pass they take at each other. Ryu is beginning to become frustrated at the fact that he cannot break Doragon's defenses. Feeling his growing frustration, the Arrancar purposely leaves an opening for Ryu to strike his chest.  As he becomes aware of the opening, Ryu strikes with all his might. Doragon smiles deviously as he prepares to counter.
“Careless...” says Doragon as he lunges out with his mouth open and clamps down on Ryu's arm, and he can taste the blood in his mouth. 
“ARGGGH!!!!” Ryu yells out in agony.
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Doragon attempts to capitalize on his good fortune by powering up a fiery Cero in his mouth, but instead of yelling out in pain, his enemy begins to growl.  Doragon is confused at his enemy's reaction. He then looks up to see Ryu's eyes take on a cat like appearance. Ryu's zanpakuto turns into a set of silver gauntlets with black tiger stripes, claws at the finger tips, and large blades that come to a curve. His sandals transform into silver battle boots also shaped like humanoid tiger paws. His haori turns white with black tiger stripes. The transformation continues with a silver tiger mask with the face area exposed like a tiger with its mouth open, and finally a tiger tail forms from his belt while his spiritual energy also turns white.
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“What the hell is going on?” asks Doragon.
“Grrrrr! Feel the claws of the man-eater, the Burmese tiger!” growls Ryu.
Doragon shakes off his confusion and continues to clamp down even harder while increasing the intensity of the fire, but this seems to have little to no effect on Ryu. Still Doragon holds onto Ryu's right arm, keeping it outstretched while standing to the side of him.  Ryu counters Doragon's mouth attack by launching a tiger claw made of spiritual energy. His attack hits Doragon hard and rips his flesh violently away causing blood to spray from the wounds.  In pain Doragon releases his vice like grip on Ryu's arm and retreats backwards quickly.
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*****
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Across the watery battlefield Ritoru can see Thanatos' attack coming for him and tries to flash step out the way but cannot avoid the attack. Poise also uses flash steps as well to get away from the attack and as a precaution he forms a protective bubble around himself.  The dragon sensing the danger Ritoru is in, manipulates the water in an attempt to soften the blow from the lethal lightning attack. She is successful, but Ritoru is still forcefully struck the attack as the lightning bolts converge on him, leaving a dazed Ritoru in a fiery charred crater along with his dragon that was only somewhat injured by the lightning.
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Poise can sense Ritoru is still alive and moves in quickly to get his evil clutches on Ritoru, but stops when he sees a flash of light. “Albel!” Poise mutters as he stops in his tracks. 
“Enough of this foolishness! Your arrogance has not only cost us the soldiers that drowned in this flood, but this without a doubt exposed our location. Continue on like this and I will kill you Poise,” says Albel in a calm but cold tone.
“Albel ‘The Flash Blade’...You still live up to your title I see,” says Poise nervously as sweat begins to run down his forehead.
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“I concur. I also am upset over the lack of care shown on this battlefield, such reckless destruction. I will talk to you about this later Poise,” says Kumori in a hostile tone.
“Just who the hell do you think you are anyway Kumori?” asks Poise in a demanding voice.  Kumori stands silent as he swipes his hand over his face causing his hollow mask to appear. After this Kumori disappears, reappearing mere seconds later directly behind Poise.  Sheathing his zanpakuto he then heads off in the direction of Thanatos.
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Once Kumori sheaths his sword Poise's bubble burst open and blood sprays in a diagonal slash from his kidney to the top of his shoulder.
“I follow Thanatos while I look for my own path. Something a weakling like you will never understand. You, on the other hand, follow him because you cannot beat him and are not strong enough yourself to lead anyone here,” says Kumori as he leaves Poise in a puddle of his own blood.
“I will kill you...I will kill you...and that d*mn Ritoru...,” Poise says, his voce fading out as he finally loses consciousness.
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*****
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Ryu and Doragon's fight continues as Ryu disappears from sight and then appears again right in front of his enemy as he slashes with the blades on his gauntlets. The attack is aimed at Doragon's shoulders. Ryu's attack succeeds and blood gushes forth from the wounds and Doragon's arms begin to fall off.
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Not willing to go down without a fight, Doragon powers up a Cero even bigger than before in his mouth.  Ryu hurries into action and runs both of his blades down in a punching motion and clamps the dragon Arrancar’s mouth shut.  With nowhere to go the energy inside Doragon swells, and eventually he explodes in a fiery inferno.  Ryu rushes off using flash steps in hope he will be able to save his friend.
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*****
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Rage steps forward and prepares to deal with Ritoru. The dragon sensing danger picks up Ritoru in her mouth.
“What are you doing?  I need to...take Liana with me...,” Ritoru protests. 
“There is no time, they will kill you!  I am getting you out of here!” replies the dragon as the water begins to swirl around the dragon which then dives into the water.  As he attempts to sense the dragon's presence a bewildered Rage can only stare at the troubled waters, but the dragon seems to have vanished.
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Until next time....
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Cast List
Ryu Hatori – Naios44
Liana Bristow – Leandrah
Ritoru Chikan – CAC/gekko_man
Thanatos – DreamTheater2112
Albel – matrixman124
Kumori Hateshinai - Zonbaru-Bonbaru

[DeaconPhenix]

Awesome fight scenes! I can't believe Ritoru was able to fight after everything Poise did to him. Too bad for Liana. I had a feling that they were going to pay for their foolishness in leaving the exiles.

I think you missed a person or two in the cast list.

[McDavey]

looks like she missed camilo.

[stewie_castro]

Pretty good fight scenes in this chapter, Ryu definitely was kicking @ss.

Well I guess that Ritoru and Liana both paid for their rashness, Laina is likely dying and Ritoru is in a bad way physically and mentally.

Poise was pretty awesoem though.

Can't wait for the next chapter.

[McDavey]

Well you know with all the things going on the exiles forgot about those two, and it is very fresh in their mind that people close to them just died. Might have gone a little better had they been able to sneak up on Poise, but he is a royal guard so the chances were slim as it is. Nice to see you two reading it.

[txanimeluva]

I hadnt been here to read the Fanfic in awhile but recently ive been reading it and its great.

Nice job =]