Age of Gods and Beasts

Chapter 9: The New Guy

In the weeks that Staromega was at the Celestial Domain, Mirage had become good friends with him. He proved to be quite friendly to others, especially Jackson. Lupa didn't trust him though. He showed up in the battle the same time the corruption did, which seemed suspicious to her. Mirage assured her that he had good intentions and wouldn't hurt anyone. While Lupa trusted her queen's judgment, that didn't mean she had to like Mega. Mega didn't trust many others as well, except for Mirage and maybe Jackson. Mirage was happy that he was liking his new home, but some formalities had to be observed. Everyone who wished to live in the Celestial Domain had to go through several tests. And she had a feeling it would be hard to convince Mega. She found him in the training hall, watching the soldiers train. She came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. "Mega?" He turned around to look at her. "Yes?" "I just wanted to ask if you like it here. It's a little confusing to find your way around, isn't it?" "Yes and yes." "Well, before you can stay, we need to perform a few....tests." "Tests? Why?" "Just to check your health, intelligence, and combat ability. Nothing invasive." "If you think it's safe, then alright." She smiled and took his hand, leading him to the infirmary. They got to the examination room, where a team of doctors were waiting. "These doctors will assess your health." Mega twitched his tail nervously. "What do you want me to do?" A female doctor with honey colored skin gestured to the examination table. "Just sit down there and relax. We won't do anything without your consent." Mega did what was asked of him. He looked around the room looking at the decorations and tools, wondering what they were meant for. One of the male doctors came by with a butterfly needle in one hand and a vial in the other. "I'm going to take a blood sample. It might hurt a little though." Mega squinted his his left eye and cocked his head to the side, wondering what he was holding. "Could you extend your arm please? Mega extended his arm, his muscles relaxed. The doctor used a visor to locate the vein. He then stuck the needle into Mega's arm. He closed his eyes, then his mouth opened, teeth showing, and released a terrifying screech. Mirage covered her ears and attempted to comfort him. His brilliant blue blood filled the vial and the doctor removed the needle. "There. That wasn't so bad was it?" Mega hissed. He never wanted to experience that again. The female doctor went up to him with a stethoscope. "Now we're going to check your vital signs." Mega looked at her in suspicion, but allowed it for Mirage's sake. She pressed the stethoscope against his chest, looking for his heartbeat. He wondered what she was doing. "I'm having trouble locating your heart." "I have a core, does that count?" She felt around the middle of his chest and hears a pulsing noise. She removed the stethoscope. Mega looked at Mirage and asked, "So what happens now?" "Now we'll test your intelligence. It will take place in the library." She leads him to the library, where Jackson was waiting. Mega sat down in front of a blackboard. Jackson came by and drew symbols indicating a battlefield. "When entering a hostile situation where innocents are involved, what should you do?" "Get the innocents to safety?" "Correct. When entering a battle, what is more important? Strength or strategy?" Strategy." "Also correct." After three hours of correct answers, they were at the final question. "Final question. When you are in a battle and you become aware that you cannot win, what should you do?" "Retreat." "That...is correct. I'm very impressed." "You could say I've been in a few battles." Mirage was beaming. She took his hand and led him around a few more hallways. They were at the training hall. Koji, Dove, and Lupa were waiting there. Mega looked at Mirage, wondering what was going to happen. "The combat test will be watched by me. These girls will be your sparring partners." "Alright then." Mega proceeds to go over where they were. He stops about eight feet from them. The girls prepare their weapons. Lupa draws her giant claymore. Dove readies three arrows. And Koji summons her flaming staff. Mega draws his fists, intending to go easy on them, for he does not wish to kill them. Mirage goes behind bulletproof glass to watch. "Ready? Fight!" Mega readies himself for the onslaught, going into an A stance. Dove flies into the air, shooting her arrows with surprising accuracy while Lupa runs at him with her claymore, yelling. Mega dodges the arrows; he also dodges Lupa's attack. He grabs her by the ankle and throws her at Dove. Lupa collides with the winged girl and they fall to the ground, groaning. But Koji was nowhere to be seen. Mega sniffs the air, ears folded back. She suddenly appears behind him, blowing fire right at him. He is unscathed by the fire and walks towards her. She teleports again, making blue spirit fire out of nowhere, little wisps floating around her. She sends them after him. He flicks them away as if they were flies. A look of fear plasters her face. She then starts levitating, fox tails floating around her and a ball of blue light appearing in her hands. Mega continues walking towards her, calm as can be. Then he starts running. She responds by blasting a beam of blue light at him. He reaches one hand out, reflecting the beam, but his movement is slowed down. She makes it stronger, the beam growing bigger. Still reflecting the growing beam, Mega begins charging energy into his right hand. Fully charged, his hand glowed neon blue with electricity crackling around it. He rears back, punching the beam with his right hand. The beam is reflected back at her, sending her flying back into the wall. She falls face first on the ground. Lupa looked up at him. "You are...a formidable fighter."  Dove nods her head. "I agree." "You were formidable as well." He goes to help them. Koji is struggling to get up. He walks over to her and helps her to her feet. Mirage is walking towards them, a satisfied smile on her face. "All of you did remarkably well. Mega, you a see now free to live here. But until I make the announcement, you must not leave the castle. Do you understand?" Mega's ears get back down. "I...understand." "It'll be fine. I promise."

Meanwhile, in the Death Realm.

A figure was looking through a crystal ball, spying on Mirage. The figure laughed, a feminine laugh. "Oh, if it isn't my dearly beloved sister. She's made a new friend. And a guardian no less. But will her new friend be enough to protect her, I wonder?" Her violet eyes glowed and twinkled in delight. "Atlas!" A male vampire wearing an ankle length trench coat walked into the dark room. "I want you to go to the Celestial Domain and keep an eye on Mirage. Can you do that for me?" The vampire bows before her. "Yes, my Lady Dementia."