Eternal Performance: Lovers of the Moonlight Sky

Chapter 11

Eternal Performance:

Lovers of the Moonlight Sky

Early morning downtown on the opening hour, Bamboo and Axe barge into the restaurant to make a sudden announcement.

"What are you guys so excited about?" Alistor asked.

"The best plan yet!" Bamboo jumped.

"This sounds shady. Well, keep me out of this."

Alistor turned the other cheek around.

"No, dude! This one's legit."

"I'm all ears." Maigashi entered.

Axe begins explaining to them.

"Ever since my demo tape played on that radio, I became an instant hit overnight. My bandmates even contacted me the other night. So we're totally gonna be hosting a big rock concert."

Alistor stumbled for one brief second before objecting.

"What!!! But Bamboo, you promised you guys would train me this weekend. So this is not going to help me at all."

"A concert sounds like a splendid idea." Auroa agreed.

He continues to object to their decision while Bamboo passed fliers over to them. Then, finally, Maigashi goes over to knock some sense into him.

"Come on, don't be a killjoy."

"We even got the paperwork all filed here." Bamboo presented.

The rest in the room were excited except for him.

"Well, I'm still not going. It's a waste of time." Alistor refused.

"Hey! I paid a premium to rent this spot. You're gonna help, whether you like it or not." Bamboo ordered as he felt belittled.

"Ok! Ok! Fine, I'll help. Where will the concert be held at?"

He began looking over the content of the papers.

"The concert will be held at the Kabuki Coliseum."

"Kabuki Coliseum?"

"Yep!" Bamboo nodded. "A place that holds a significant amount of history. Tell you more about it later."

Meanwhile, back with Aggerona…

"It's done! Finally! At last." The emperor announced.

General Scrap Ram appears on the other screen.

"The repairs are complete, my lord. May I present Discordus 2.0!"

A different color variant of Discordus emerged from behind the screen. Vilevelious applauds for his finished work.

"Now to get to business."

He presents a new cassette tape to the monster.

"Didn't we try that plan before?" The general questioned.

"I'm aware, general. But that was our first time, so they won't expect us to try the same plan twice."

He sends the tape over to the monster.

"I'm not sure if this is the best idea. Discordus nearly failed last time attempting."

"But he was able to injure one of their friends." The emperor reminded.

"True, but still. Maybe we should try something more passive?" The general suggested.

Vilevelious heard his general out for a brief moment.

"Not a problem. I have something that will cover our monster's weakness this time."

"Oh?"

The lights dimmed out.

"Amp Master! Come forth!"

A new monster enters the spotlight. Clunking back and forth, the room suddenly shook up. A metal sound screeched in the air.

"I nearly forgot."

"Yes! With Amp Master, Discordus power increases by tenfold." The emperor announced before catching a paper sent by the general.

He looks over the ad for the concert.

"I wanted to bring this up before you announced the plan. Thanks to Discordus last slip-up, many have become intrigued over Axe's song. So many are bound to show, and the tickets are selling out fast."

"Even better! Our monsters will play this tape at the event. So we better get ready."

Meanwhile, back with the rest, the party sells concert tickets while Axe chats it up with Cheryl.

"Two thousand and counting. At this rate, I'll be rolling in the money." Bamboo spun.

"So, tell me something about the Kabuki Coliseum," Alistor asked.

Bamboo went into deep thought for a brief moment. Then, clearing his throat as he began to recall the story.

The Kabuki Coliseum…

"Many battles have taken place on those very grounds. It was said to be where the Great Moon and Hundred Hands Emperor clashed. Also, rumor has it, he proposed to some lucky gal under the very stars."

"Ok."

"I'm not done." Bamboo snapped. "Other than that. This place was known for its great performances. There was said to be once a great performer. No one really knew his name, but they said he lived for the spotlight."

"The spotlight?"

"Yes! He would put on many shows daily. With his puppets, he would take the stage and reenact famous battles such as Moons."

"Tell me more."

"Not only did he perform, but he was an exceptional battler during his time." Bamboo continued. "Offering his service to the highest bidder."

"What kind of weapon did he wield?" Alistor asked.

"Puppets….ahem. Kabuki was known for using poison to his advantage. He would concoct them himself. A warrior by day and performer by night. He had it all, but sadly…he had plenty of heat on his shoulder."

Things suddenly turned quiet.

"What happened in the end?"

"In the end, he fell. Then, by the very poison he used slipped into his own drink. So he passed before his very time came."

"I see…"

Just as Bamboo wrapped up the story, three figures approached them. A surprised look was on Axe's face.

"Dude! You guys came."

It was none other than his former bandmates. Reunited once more as he introduced them to the rest of the party.

"Long time no see, Axe."

"Hey, guys! Uh, so yeah, these are my bros. Blade, Lance, and Bow."

Each member of the band begins introducing themselves to the party.

"Blade Tempest, Bass guitarist."

"Lance Yamada, group's Drummer."

"And I'm Bow Kaito, the Keyboardist."

Axe and his bandmates then huddled up for a brief second. Then, in a matter of seconds, the group begins to pose.

"Power Hair Metal Band, Steel Specters!"

Alistor was lost for a brief second.

"With Axe as our leading vocals, we're gonna rock at the Kabuki Coliseum tomorrow night."

"The grand opportunity we've been waiting for. Our big Break."

Bamboo abruptly breaks up the conversation.

"Back to work! We've got more tickets to sell."

"Yes, sir!!!"

Axe's bandmates leave the scene with a handful of tickets in their hands.

"How many more are we supposed to sell?" Alistor asked.

"About 8000 more."

"Say what?"

"You heard me! Get moving." Bamboo ordered.

"And we're selling these for as low as a dollar." Maigashi nodded. "Come on, let get this over with. I'm starting to get hungry."

Alistor hurries off with Auroa and Maigashi to sell the remaining tickets for the rest of the day. Hours later, the party is seen checking out backstage. Meeting up with Axe and his band the night before the performance.

"Man, why are there so many puppets back here? It gives me the chills." Alistor shook.

"Come take a look outside." Auroa pointed.

Two giant Kabuki statues are seen fixed within the center stage. An astonished look was on their faces as they took one glance at the massive arena. The stage lighting suddenly turns on. Fog from a smoke machine begins flowing through the ground.

"Getting a preview?" Axe entered.

"You guys actually did all this?" Alistor marveled.

Layers of equipment's from Amps to sophisticated soundboards wall off an entire section of the stage. The band members are seen setting their instruments in place.

"Tomorrow night is gonna be something, dudes…."

"Hey! Let's warm up with a practice jam." Blade suggested.

"Just like the old times."

Axe and his band begin a session while Alistor and the rest watched for the remainder of the night.

Later that night…

"Good! It's all clear."

Vilevelious arrives with Scrap Ram at the empty coliseum. The Whoopers tamper with the equipment on stage.

"Now plant that amp right over there." The emperor points.

Four Whoopers carried over the amp backstage.

They placed it down gently as it immediately began to emit a dark aura all around. Then, negative energy starts infecting the arena.

"Tomorrow will spell the sound of their demise." The general laughed.

Back somewhere at Alistor's home, he is asleep. Visions of the emperor appear before to torment him. Roots begin grabbing hold of him once more.

"No! Not like this again."

With his blade, he slashed his way out, but more roots continue to sprout from the ground. Snaking its way as he struggled to hack them down. He was entangled within a matter of seconds.

"Just like your father, but with the stupidity of the reckless mother."

"What? You know something about my parents. Tell me!" Alistor demanded.

"Soon, you'll be joining them."

The roots quickly wrapped him up to his neck. He begins to lose all hope.

"I just don't have what it takes…."

"Face it! You'll never have what it takes. Now be gone!"

The roots suddenly cover his face as he let off a scream in agony. Then, in a split matter of seconds, he finds himself awake.

"What a horrible dream…."

He opens the window for some fresh air. Looking out at the stars above, he ponders once again about his past.

The following night later, the concert was underway. Lines from all across packed the entrance, filling the arena within minutes. Bamboo was seen selling food at the corner, while Alistor and the rest are seen backstage. Finally, Axe makes his way to the stage while the opening music started playing.

"Dudes and Dudettes! Let's get started."

Axe and the Steel Specters began performing their song. Rifts from the electric guitars start playing as the crowd cheers. The sound of the drum thundered as the keyboard followed along. Axe began singing.

"Man, look at him go." Maigashi pointed.

A guitar solo begins playing.

"I'll be sure to pick up an album later," Auroa assured.

As the first song comes to an end, the audience cheers roared through the air. Then, Axe goes to make an announcement.

"Looks like we're having a good time tonight. You ready for some more?"

The cheer continued on.

"This next song is for all you ladies out there."

Just before the next song had the chance to begin, familiar laughter was heard through the speakers. Alistor hesitated for a moment as it was none other than Vilevelious making his way to the stage. He grabs the mic right from Axe's hand.

"You may have won the battle, but the war is far from over."

The labyrinth materializes in the air above the Kabuki Coliseum. The sound of booing commenced all around.

"Insubordination will not be tolerated."

The emperor responds with a blast of lasers dispersing the audience. Panic soon commenced as the audience attempts to make an escape, but a wall of junk seals off all the exits.

"Escaping is useless." The general pestered.

Alistor and the party confront the emperor on stage.

"Not this again. Can't we ever enjoy something without you guys bothering?" Maigashi asked.

The emperor called for his monster to the stage.

"Discordus!"

Discordus arrived down on stage with the cassette tape in hand once more.

"You again? But didn't we already beat you?" Alistor recalled.

The monster quickly inserts the tape into a ready player nearby. Large wires connected to an amp nearby. The sound of Vilevelious song played through the arena. The audience in the background is seen drained as the unbearable sound played. The band members covered their ears in pain as Axe made his way to the party.

"Dude! This monster is ruining our show. We have to put a stop to this."

"Do try." The emperor pestered.

Axe, Maigashi, and Alistor surround Discordus once again.

"Just like last time. On a count of three, we'll fire at the same time." Maigashi ordered.

Just as the three readied to fire, Discordus stood in place without any fear.

"Three!"

The attacks impact the monster, but a surprise was suddenly in store for them. In a matter of seconds, Alistor witnessed their attacks wholly absorbed, leaving Discordus unharmed.

"What happened?"

Axe suddenly spots something emerging from backstage.

"Dude! It's coming from over there."

The large amp begins taking shape in the background. A second monster formed before Alistor's very eyes.

"What the heck is that?" Maigashi hesitated.

Three large power cables are attached to Discordus from this new monster. In addition, a battery pack is seen attached from behind.

"I introduce to you, Amp Master."

The monster takes the stage intimidating the party with its mass size. Then, things begin shaking up from the sound of Discordus. The general rams through them, unexpectedly knocking them back.

"Damn! One of us has to handle this general."

"These numbers aren't looking good." Maigashi hesitated.

"What do we do now?" Alistor asked.

"I don't know…."

The three found themselves cornered as the emperor laughed from a distance. General Scrap Ram begins spreading his junk-like body across the arena. Just before the general had the chance to make the next move, a burst of wind intervenes.

"I'll handle the general," Auroa said.

The party regains its ground as Auroa stepped in.

"No! You can't be serious," Alistor said. "You're still injured from the last fight."

He attempts to pull him back, but Auroa continued to step forward. Confronting the general without any hesitation.

"Do not worry. Go and take care of the monsters and that song. I got a score to settle anyway."

"No! You can't!!!" He objected.

He continued being persistent, but Maigashi suddenly pulls him back.

"It's ok…."

"No, it's not. I can't bear another guilt if something worse happens."

"I know, but this is his fight. You'll just be getting in his way."

A focused look was now on Auroa's face.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah… Auroa will be fine." Maigashi assured. "I know that look on his face, but now all we can do is focus on these monsters. In fact, I have a plan."

The scene focuses back on the two monsters. The general begins leaving the stage as Auroa pursued after him.

"You do?"

Maigashi suddenly points his bow towards Amp Master.

"If we can't hurt Discordus. Then we'll have to focus everything we got on the source powering it."

"Locked and ready, dude."

"Let's do this."

Meanwhile, Scrap Ram makes his way towards the outer perimeter of the coliseum. Face to face with the injured wind channeler as bystanders around cleared out. A large fountain sits gently at the center while the two Kabuki statues stand firm from a distance.

"Hahaha. With that broken limb, this fight will be a piece of cake."

"I wouldn't be so sure yet."

Auroa pulls out his whip from his left hand as the general begins building a ball of junk. Within moments a wave of scraps and debris are sent flying towards him.

"DIE!!!"

The debris impacts Auroa, but he emerged unscratched. Instead, a barrier of air is seen tossing the scraps aside.

"Are we ready?" The general smirked.

"I'm just getting started." Auroa pestered.

Back with Alistor and the rest, the three fire their best attacks at Amp Master. But, again, smoke and explosions set off from the impact.

"Right at the core!" Axe snapped.

Amp Master emerged utterly unscratched.

"No way!" Alistor gasped.

"Not even a single dent. Even from our best attacks!" Maigashi pounds.

The three continued to feel intimidated by Amp Master as the song played on. The emperor further mocks them.

"Ha, haha! Fools! Amp Master's defense is composed of state-of-the-art Moon Titanium. Greater than any shields imaginable."

Alistor begins backing away.

"Give it up! Amp Master with Discordus, having their powers in conjunction with one another increases their total by tenfold. You can't win."

Discordus unleashed tremendous pressure on them. Within seconds, Discordus absorbs it once more, holding its mouth shut. Maigashi and Axe got into a defensive stance anticipating the monster's move.

"The Shock Cannon again?"

Discordus faced his head upwards, spewing his attack this time in the air. Then, to their surprise, a great ball of lightning begins dispersing into pieces across. Hundreds of Shock Cannons came raining down at the three as Alistor stumbled in panic.

"Ha, haha! That's Discordus Neutron Shock Cannon technique." Vilevelious bragged. "Face it! You've lost."

The three were seen down but not out. Barely with some power left to fight. The emperor continued to laugh away as the music plays on, draining energy from countless victims across while the labyrinth feeds above.

"It can't end like this…." Maigashi struggled.

"I know, dude…Total Wipeout."

Just as Axe got right up, he took a second glance at the battery attached to Amp Master. The monster is seen fixed in place as steam smokes out from a power box.

"I got it!"

"You do?" Maigashi asked.

"Yeah, dudes!"

Axe reached for his guitar once more. Connecting it through a stereo device as his bandmates regain consciousness. The three made their way to the sound equipment.

"You know how to beat it?" Alistor wondered.

An assured look was on his face.

"If we can't break them from the outside, then we'll have to hit them from the inside." Axe pointed.

An astonished look was on the rest as questions begin traveling across.

"So, how will we pull this?" Maigashi wondered.

"Through sound, of course. Through my years of rocking, a smoking amp only means one thing. When the music continues to play hard, the battery will leak. Imploding everything on the inside. So just follow my lead."

Axe readies his guitar in place as his bandmates took the position setting the wires by the equipment. Alistor and Maigashi got in place as he made the cue.

"What are you fools up to now?" The emperor questioned.

Meanwhile, back at the battle with Scrap Ram…

"Ha, haha! What's wrong, channeler? You've been on the defense this whole time."

Auroa deflects another round of junk hurled towards his way. Tossing the debris far aside from the flick of his whip.

"In due time, general. Due time…"

He grips on tight to his wind whip as another round of junk impacts his barrier. Then, bracing on by the skin of his teeth, the general brought forth his next wave of assault.

"Ha! You've got nothing. With that bad arm, you're only delaying the inevitable." The general mocked. "This next wave will end you!!!"

The general unleashed his second wave at Auroa as he embraced for the worst. Piles of junk begin crashing down like a tidal wave.

Back with Axe and the rest, the party had everything set in place. Alistor and Maigashi are given the cue to press a couple buttons.

"Blade! Lance! Bow! LET'S ROCK!!!"

Axe and the Steel Specters begin playing. Two forces of sound collide in place, shaking the entire coliseum up. Vilevelious starts to cover his ears as the labyrinth was seen no longer feeding.

"Gah! They're interfering with my sound. Amp Master! Make it louder."

The monster begins cranking the volume up. Absorbing all the sound Axe and his group unleashed.

"Dudes! We got to play louder."

Axe gives Maigashi the cue to increase the sound. Thus, the labyrinth stops draining energy once again.

"Maximum Power!" The emperor commanded.

Amp Master was seen smoking up as the song played at the max.

"We need to go all the way."

Axe's guitar begins to crack up as the smoke spewed from the intense playing. Then, finally, he gives Alistor the cue for the final push.

"But your guitar might not be able to take this." Alistor feared.

"It doesn't matter. It's now or never. Do it, dude?"

Without hesitation, Alistor pressed the final button bringing Axe's guitar to the max. Pink and blue lightning rain across the arena as Amp Master pushed on. Ultimately, the battery pack gave out as it explodes, short-circuiting the fuse on Discordus.

"What?" The emperor's jaws dropped as his monsters mindlessly stumbled in confusion.

Both monster's insides crash as circuit boards and wires sparked out. Axe's guitar suddenly catches on fire as he makes the final note.

"SHAKA BRAH!!!"

Axe hurls his flaming guitar towards the monsters as it explodes in place. Two great explosions commenced bringing Vilevelious song to an end.

"Curse you!"

Alistor steps up to confront the emperor once again.

"You're done!"

"As much I would like to stay for idle chit chatter, I have pressing matters to attend to. General! I leave the rest up to you."

With one step back, the emperor leaves within a split second. Axe was seen lying flat on the floor, completely wiped out as his bandmates gathered to his side.

"You did good, Axe…."

"Blade….Lance….Bow…We totally did it."

The bandmates go retrieve what's left of his guitar.

"You end up sacrificing your guitar. The one thing you treasured most." Alistor sadly felt.

Everyone was bummed out for a brief moment, but Axe's spirit quickly lifts as he stood right up. Then, holding the only piece left, he tossed it aside.

"It's alright, man…Because the music was with me this whole time. Dudes! We totally rocked!"

Axe makes a big jump in the air.

"Hey! We need to check back with Auroa." Maigashi reminded.

"Let's go then!"

The secondary wave of scraps gets tossed aside. The general attempts to fire another round of junk but suddenly comes to a pause. Scrap-Ram's hand blindly traces across the floor for any material but comes empty-handed.

"Wait a minute…."

The general desperately searched his body. Salvaging for any material, but was now left with a skeletal frame. His cores are exposed in the open.

"Just as I suspected…." Auroa gestured. "Your power's limited to the amount of substance around you."

"But how? I had the advantage."

"We've been battling since the day Axe came along. The ruins, the nursery, the theatre, and now Kabuki Coliseum."

Auroa suddenly lowered his barrier as the wind quickly shifts in his favor. Then, a tornado begins spinning, pulling the general in.

"What? NO!" Scrap-Ram shouted.

"You've exploited your last resource. Now it's time to end this."

From his left arm, he brings forth his trusty whip piercing a couple cores. The vortex escalates, engulfing the general's body. Auroa takes one final dive.

"Raizen Hurricane!"

"WAAAAAAAHHH!!!"

An explosion commenced bringing the battle to its end. The labyrinth above immediately dissipates, bringing the sky back into place. Auroa finds himself by an open field outside the coliseum. Lying by a haystack, he spots the third piece of the mirror nearby.

"The third one finally at last. Huh? A green gem?"

He retrieves the shard finding the gem right under. Axe and the rest quickly arrive at the scene in a matter of moments. Alistor is seen adding the mirror to his collection along with the other gems.

"We're more than halfway there."

Bamboo is seen fiddling with the gems.

"Well, we still haven't figured what these gems do?" Maigashi reminded.

"Maybe the generals are into jewelry. It could be something like friendship bracelets." Bamboo thought. "Very pretty after all."

"I highly doubt that's the reason."

The rest of Axe's band finally caught up. The group celebrates their successful performance despite the attack.

"Dinner on the house tonight." Bamboo announced.

"Can't wait, dude! Whip up more of that bodacious jelly."

The following day after, the party waited outside as Axe packed his last bag. His bandmates were seen loading the truck right up.

"So…I guess you're leaving," Alistor muttered.

"Yeah, dude. It's time I hit the road again. Got another gig in the next city thanks to this concert. You've been all so good to me. I'll never forget this."

He turned away for one brief moment, silence in the air. Bamboo is seen wiping a tear off his eye. Unable to hold back, Axe turns around to give the party one last hug.

"And I'll miss your cooking." He cried.

The sound of a car beeps, breaking the moment. His ex was seen waiting in a particular vehicle along with the others.

"Come on! Axe, hurry up!"

"Uh, Coming Cheryl."

Axe stumbled his way into her car. Jumping into the backseat as he took one final glance back at them. The sound of the engine sparked.

"I'll be sure to visit."

"Take Care!" Bamboo waved.

Axe and Cheryl's band disappears into the setting horizon.