Triton Prism

CHAPTER FIVE: REBURN

From atop the tall barrier Reburn weaved his arms and a black chain extended, he snagged the end of it. Waving his other hand over his face he sprouted his black helmet. Then clutching the chain in both hands he descended the wall in jumps until he could fling himself atop the train. The black armored figure rose, standing on the front carriage. Douglas wasted no time in jumping upon his own carriage, scimitar in hand. He raced the length of the train while his siblings called out after him.

Douglas jumped the gaps between carriages and pressed toward his target in a straight line. Down the end Reburn raised his hands and spawned a machine gun. Aiming and rapid-firing bullets, Douglas only just managed to skid and slide down a carriage gap as the gunfire pelted overhead. When it stopped Douglas climbed up and peeked over, Reburn had dropped the weight of his gun and covered three carriages worth of distance. He landed on Douglas's carriage, his metal feet denting the metal. He sprinted and jumped, a huge black scythe built itself as he readied to swing.

Douglas flipped himself up and slid forward, the tip of the scythe carved into the carriage as Reburn landed, causing the passengers to scream in distress. Douglas lashed with his sword and his bigger enemy turned, blocking with the handle. Spinning the scythe over his shoulder and causing Douglas to jump back once, twice. Standing his ground he raised his scimitar and put his other hand on the flat of the blade. The impact of the strike he blocked made his feet slide, almost causing him to fall from the train. Up close Douglas could see no gaps in that armor except for his eye holes.

The two separated and Douglas backed up, jumping to the next carriage. Reburn lifted his scythe and the handle extended. He brought his weapon down from three metres away and Douglas jumped off the train and rolled amongst the grass, getting up into a crouch.

Reburn stood watching, prizing his weapon free and making the handle of his weapon shrink back to normal size. Then he tossed it behind him like he was tired of using it. The other crushers ran to join Douglas; Kanra had already sprouted his wings, now without his cloak or top.

As Douglas glared up at his enemy, now that they were up close and in broad daylight he could see something he'd not noticed before. In the middle of Reburn's armored chest-plate was a glimmering purple crystal. It almost looked like ornamentation. Did he make it along with his armor? Back at that warehouse Douglas remembered seeing something glimmering from Reburn's chest before he'd armored himself, but it'd been too dark to see.

The villain jumped from the train and landed a few metres before them, straightening up from his crouch. Douglas stood up as well.

"What are you doing here?" Zao shouted.

"Titania has members all over the city, one of my spies saw you at the station and followed you all to Edgar's city. He waited for you to leave and followed you onto the train back, reporting to me so I could catch you." He pointed a long black finger, being encased in metal made his baritone voice all the more threatening. "As for why I'm here... it's for you, Douglas."

The black-haired teen's eyes widened and the man raised both hands "As a first generation crusher you are more skilled and have more potential than any of my subordinates. As the strongest Triton clan member on this planet I'd like to offer you... an apprenticeship. Work for me and I can offer you more power than your elemental ever could!"

"You want Douglas to join your gang?!" Shari exclaimed.

Douglas lowered his head, speechless at the unexpected proposition. From beside them the train started to move, reversing along its tracks and retreating to avoid their dangerous battle. No one moved as it zipped back along the tracks and disappeared. When it was gone Douglas raised his head to study the armored figure.