Chapter 100-The Anti Noah Association

"So…WHY is this guy joining us?" Khione asks once the six of us (plus Carbon) have exited the hot springs and gotten dressed.

"Long story…" I sigh.

"You mentioned something about a map, right?" Carbon barks as he turns to face Old-Man F, "Lemme see it."

Old-Man F reaches into his gi, but Gaia places a hand on Old-Man F's arm, causing him to pause, while glaring at Carbon.

"Noah, do we trust this guy?" Gaia asks.

"We don't have a choice."

While still glaring at Carbon, Gaia lowers his hand from Old-Man F's arm, allowing for Old-Man F to pull out my map and hand it to Carbon, who unravels the map and holds it up.

"This line here is leading you guys to Kira Village, home of the E- Charger of Light," Carbon explains as he lowers his map for all of us to see.

"Didn't you mention something about a Darkness Charger long ago?" Khione asks as she peers over at Old-Man F.

"The Light and Darkness Chargers are sort of tied to the E-Chargers of the original four elements by fate," Old-Man F explains as he stuffs the map into his gi, "On top of that, only one E-Charger of Light and Dark can exist at one time."

"The Darkness Charger is actually one of the Children of Fire," Carbon adds.

"That must have been whoever dragged Prometheus into his shadow," Mary suggsets.

"Why would the map even be leading us to the Light Charger…?" I ask.

"I think I know why," Carbon answers, "Prometheus once told us about the ULTIMATE spells of the four original E-Chargers, spells that the Light and Darkness E-Chargers can use, as well: INFINITY CHARGE. Only the E-Chargers of the four original Elements as well as the Light and Darkness Chargers can use this spell. By E-Charging your body to its maximum potential…you can unleash spells powerful enough to destroy the planet."

"Woah…" Ana, Gaia, and I marvel in unison.

"Do you…think the Light Charger will be willing to teach them…?" Mary asks.

Carbon shrugs. "Worth a shot. It's the only conceivable way I think Prometheus can be defeated."

Gaia sighs. "I SERIOUSLY can't believe we're trusting OR following this goon…"

"Suck it up," Old-Man F smirks as he slaps Gaia roughly on the back.

"Lead the way, Carbon," I smirk.

***

The next day...

"How close is Kira Village?" Khione asks.

"Should be another day's walk from here," Carbon answers.

"You keep saying that..." Gaia growls, "You better not be leading us the wrong way…"

"And HOW would that benefit me?!" Carbon snaps as he spins around to face Gaia.

"Maybe your sob story was a lie…" Gaia explains as he narrows his eyes at Carbon, "…And you're leading us into a trap.

"Now THAT would be a plot-twist!" Ana laughs.

"I thought you knew your way around the Land of Fire…" I sigh.

"I DO!" Carbon snaps as he turns to face me, before turning away and blushing, "It's just…been a while…"

But before our conversation can continue, a thick white mist begins to flood the area, before completely engulfing our vision.

"Wh-what's happening?!" Mary yelps.

"Is this another effect of the Elemental Apocalypse?!" Khione cries over the trembling ground, as another earthquake kicks up.

"No, this feels familiar…" Ana replies.

While I can't see anything, I hear some rustling come from the bushes ahead of us, followed by what sounds like a mess of voices shout: "HAH" in unison, and then, the fog begins to clear.

Once the fog clears, our eyes widen, because standing before us…are our former (still living) enemies-Tungsten Brasher, Zippy, Cloud, Echo, Rocket, and Marsh.

"It's been a while, huh, Mary?" Tungsten smirks, causing Mary's small body to tremble. 

"T-Tungster…" Mary quivers as tears well up in her eyes. Poor Mary…is traumatized by the reminders of her past standing before her.

"You bastards better leave Mary alone now!" Khione shouts as she throws a comforting arm around Mary.

"Wh-who are these guys…?" Gaia sheepishly asks, but everyone talks over him.

"Dad…" Carbon growls.

"Son…" Tungsten smirks.

Everyone's eyes widen -friend and foe alike- as we peer over at Carbon.

"DAD?!"

"Yeah…" Carbon growls as he leers at Tungsten, "My old man…Tungsten Brasher…"

"How have you been, son?" Tungsten smirks, "It's been a long time.

"Yeah…I ran away over ten years ago, now…" Carbon growls.

"Did you know this, Mary?" I ask as I peer over at Mary.

Mary furiously shakes her head. "I-I had no idea…"

"So what do you want, pops?" Carbon grumbles.

"I'm not here for you," Tungsten smirks, before turning and jabbing a finger my way, "I'M HERE FOR THAT ONE!"

"ME?!" I recoil.

"You see…after Zippy and I were BRUTALLY defeated by Team Noah, we began to wander the Land of Water and think about the meaning of life," Tungsten begins to monologue as he paces back and forth.

The rest of us sigh, knowing that we're going to be in for a long story.

"For a few months, we tried to live good, HONEST lives as shopkeepers, but found that…BORING!"

Tungsten kicks a tree in rage. Nothing happens.

"Eventually, we stumbled upon the Assassin Trio after they attempted to rob us for food, but due to them being weak from hunger, Zippy and I dispatched them easily. We then learned that Rocket, Echo, and Marsh were once mercenaries that were put out of business by Team Noah. No one wanted to hire the Assassin Trio upon learning that their previous client -Nevel Gambino- was killed."

I cringe upon hearing the word "kill."

"YOU DON'T NEED TO GO INTO DETAILS!" Echo snaps.

"Eventually, we then met Cloud, and the six of us decided to team up to form…"

Everyone enters their Charge Stances and strikes a pose, with Echo and Rocket on one side, Marsh and Cloud on the other, Zippy down low in front, and Tungsten in the middle.

"-THE ANTI-NOAH ASSOCIATION!" The six goons then boom in unison.

"We've been following you guys ever since you first entered the Land of Wind," Zippy adds, "Ever wondered how your faces get into the newspaper?"

My eyes widen. "N-no way…it was YOU GUYS?!"

"That's right!" Tungsten booms, "And now that Team Noah has garnished a reputation…we shall KILL YOU HERE and have our revenge!"

The six goons turn to the sky and let out a synchronized, evil laugh.

"They…must have practiced that…" Khione whispers, causing me to nod.

"So…what now?" Old-Man F asks.

"Now…we FIGHT!" Tungsten answers as he SLAMS his staff into the ground, causing mine, Khione's, Old-Man F's, and Mary's eyes to widen as memories of our prio battles flood into our brains, and the ground begins to tremble.

Silver sparks of energy begin to burst and swirl around Tungsten's body.

"IRON CHARGE, LEVEL TWO: DYSTOPIAN MAZE!"