Chapter 9- �All or Nothin�!�
 
Kaz leapt forward, create ding a small shockwave as he flew towards Feralina. Her smile widened even more as she widened her stance in preparation for his first wave of attacks. Kaz plowed into her like a freight train, sliding her back as he attacked full force with a flurry of punches and kicks. She didn�t seem to have much difficulty dodging them all much to his dismay, and eventually she caught both his fist and yanked him toward herself and a powerful head butt. Her rampage was just beginning however as she released him and crouched punching him hard in the stomach-causing him to double over in pain. Next came a swift kick to the side of the head which sent him spiraling into the adjacent trees. She turned with a grin towards the mass of wood and dirt and mimicked the same motion Kaz had done with his Psionic Storm.
 
�FAE FYRE DESTRUCTION!� She shouted out as she raised her hand suddenly. The result being a brilliant red explosion, which engulfed the whole area. She waited a moment before speaking. �Oh darn, I hope I didn�t kill him�I really wanted to introduce him to my stomach, I think they�d get along great.�
 
�Kaz�� Laka said lament fully.
 
�Have faith dear friend, all is not lost yet.� Eon said reassuringly looking up at her. �I can still feel his presence.�
 
�Very impressive spell, even though she doesn�t draw on the same source, she was able to mimic his technique exactly.� Vivian mumbled aloud.
 
<The winds begin to pick up, and there is a light rumbling sound as the organic mass starts to glow a bright blue.>
 
�Sir, he�s not down�I�m getting a reading on the energy reader! 1000 ENE...2000...5000...� One of the field specialists said looking up at Eon a bit concerned. �It�s�it�s��
 
�It�s what?� Eon asked concerned.
 
�It�s over 9000!� the shocked marine yelped looking at everyone else.
 
�PSIONIC SURGE�TIMES 10!� Kaz yelled as the debris surrounding him al flew off, then stopped in flight surrounding him.
 
�Kaz I hope you know what you�re doing! If you�re not careful you�re going to kill yourself long before she ever does!� Laka yelled out. �How am I supposed to mate with a dead man?!�
 
�Incredible�he seems to have it under control�I know he�d been training hard�but such an amazing jump.� Eon said with a smirk. �At this rate I might have to train harder just to be a good sparring partner-got get her��
 
�Ooohhhh�.pretty~� Both Malika and Crisis uttered at the same time prompting a sigh from Vivian.
 
As if taking his cue from Eon, Kaz lit into the air like a bullet, his blazing blue aura completely obliterating the debris as it intensified. Feralina didn�t even get a chance to react before he was on her again. This time it was he who did the head butting, as he hit her dead square her forehead, stunning her momentarily. He then leveled himself with her and let loose with a series of palm strikes to her chest knocking the wind out of her. He went to uppercut her, but he was forced to dodge as she snapped out of her daze and swiped at him with a glowing hand. He back flipped several times as she leapt for him and swiped, leaving a scorched hole in the ground where ever she missed him. After awhile she�d backed him up to a tree, where she thought to finally catch him with her debilitating attack, but met with a most unpleasant surprise when Kaz rebounded off the tree and clothes lined her into ground, once again knocking the air out of her. He leapt back some out in the open and stood up straight, his head cocked in her direction some, and psionic energy blazing in his eyes. The Marines began to cheer at this point prompting a hiss from Malika. She looked back over to her friend getting up and a smile crossed her face once again. Some of the marines turned to look and their hearts sank as they watched Feralina get right back up, despite the abuse she�d just taken. When she was back on her feet, she began to laugh, almost uncontrollably at first, before it tapered down to a normal laugh.
 
�This is better than I expected. Fabulous!� Feralina said unable to hide the glee in her voice. �Beings like you are rare indeed.� She said as she examined him.
 
�Thanks�I have to admit�you�re no push over either.� Kaz replied with a smirk.
 
�I should hope not�I�m glad I didn�t just eat you awhile ago�look what I�d have missed.� She said examining herself some. �Oh my. My clothes seemed to be quite tattered�I guess I should do something about that.� Feralina said with a smirk.
 
�Sorry, I don�t know any good tailors�� Kaz replied eying her.
 
�No worries.� She said as she ripped off her shorts, then her top, and then her boots. �I don�t like clothes anyway-they get in my way.� She said impishly.
 
�I�see�� Kaz replied trying to regain the seriousness of the moment.
 
�That�s more like it~� Vivian said eying her intently along with Malika.
 
�Oh you like what you see�hmm well after this why don�t we have ourselves a little party, I could certainly stand to release some tension~.� Feralina said grinning back at the naga.
 
�I think I can make some time for THAT type of party.� Vivian replied as she turned her attention to Malika. �I suppose I should get warmed up.� She said as she entwined herself with he larger naga once again locking her in place. �Mmm you�re already warm�this will be fun��
 
�Oh a party�will there be food there? Like humans and nekos?!� Crisis asked as a gleam entered eyes.
 
�I�ll see what I can scare up-but for now I have a date to finish.� Feralina replied turning back to Kaz with a smile.
 
�I�m ready�let�s get this over with.� Kaz said as he got into his fighting stance.
 
With that said, Feralina lunged for him, her hands glowing once again. She got little more than thin air as he phased out and reappeared behind her with an elbow to the back. The impact knocked her off balance and he seized the opportunity to reappear back in front of her and uppercut her in the chin knocking her up into the air. Instead of following her this time, he clenched his fists and began gathering psionic energy in each. When he had enough he extended his hands and released a steady volley of small psionic bolts at her. Each one exploded on impact, and slowly but surely a large cloud of smoke began to form around her. After awhile he stopped and began to gather energy in one of his hands, along with building up his aura. When it was all ready, he braced himself and Leapt into the air and sped at her, leaving a trail behind the whole flight.
 
�PSIONIC CRASH ATTACK!� Kaz shouted, which caused his aura to explode out further, his speed to more than quadruple, and the light in his attacking hand to intensify.
 
He dashed and his hand entered the smoke to find its mark, he made contact and the smoke dispersed almost instantly from the force. However, the impact he�d made was not the one he wanted. Instead of hitting the deciding blow he�d hoped for, what he got was a smirking Feralina, who was holding his glowing hand and inch or 2 away from her body, by his wrist.
 
�Impressive, just a hair faster and you might have gotten me. Tsk tsk.� She said mockingly as she began to squeeze until he lost the glow.
 
�Shame�on me�I guess I�ll have to do a better job of taking you out next time.� he replied through gritted teeth from the pain.
 
�I don�t think so.� She said yanking him to her. �There isn�t going to be a next time for you, because it�s time to eat.� she said as a grin crossed her face. �But first you need some tenderizing, and I have just the way.�
 
Kaz brought his other fist around to hit her, but she only snared that one too. She pulled him close and flew up high, before changing direction and spiraling towards the ground, her speed boosted by her magic. As the others looked on, Feralina and Kaz shot towards the ground like a comet and just before impact, she let him go and pulled her self out of the dive. The next thing that came was a brilliant flash, followed by another loud explosion which shook the whole area. A few moments past and the smoke cleared revealing a small crater with a pair of legs sticking up and nothing more.
 
�Ahh I just love planting humans in my garden.� Feralina said with a smile.
 
�You mean you can grow a human tree, and make lots more if you put them in the ground?� Crisis asked suddenly more interested.
 
�I don�t know, but I doubt you could wait that long-you like to eat as much as Malika does, it�d never grow.� She replied with a slight giggle.
 
�Well, I guess your right�I�d think I�d rather chase them anyway, it�s funny to see them run!� Crisis replied with her usual innocent smile.
 
�These people are sick�� one of the marines said looking to the others. �I know we all have to die sometime, but I really don�t want to meet my end inside one of these creatures.�
 
�What if I let you inside the fun way first?� Vivian said turning to the group. �At least you�d go out with a big smile on your face.�
 
�Or you could join the both of us.� Malika chimed in. �I don�t mind sloppy seconds�especially not if it tastes like her.� She said batting her eyes to the one who�d spoke.
 
�Well�if ya gotta go�might as well go happy I �spose�� he replied causing some chit chat among the others.
 
�That�s ENOUGH!� Eon growled. �Stop talking as if it�s over, nobody�s dead yet so there is no reason to give up yet, even if all seems lost.�
 
�Yes sir!� some of the marines saluted and responded.
 
�Cute�but now it think it�s time I reap the fruits of my labor, he should be ripe now.� Feralina said as she walked over to Kaz and plucked him from the ground by one of his legs and examined him. �Aww the poor thing is asleep, I want him to squirm on the way down�� She said with a slight pout.
 
���EAT THIS PSIONIC BLAST!� Kaz yelled suddenly as he snapped his arms forward and blasted her point blank. He floated in the air upside down for the moment as his beam carried her up into the air, before righting himself. �If you�re so hungry that is�� He said as his tatter gi top fell off and blew into the wind.
 
�WHOA!� the marines seemed to say in unison.
 
�I told you�never give up-even in the grip of death.� Eon said watching on.
 
�Sly dog�� Feralina growled as she rolled off his blast and hovered there.
 
�I try�� Kaz said breathing deeply as he looked up at her.
 
�Well if you want to survive�you�re going to have to TRY HARDER!� She yelled as she appeared right in front of him and resumed her offensive.
 
Kaz barely had time to react as she began lashing at him, a faint glow coming from each hand as she did so. Everything seemed to be even until she faked a shot for his stomach, then switched to his head. He barely had time to put up a block, but it wasn�t enough. Her hit connected solidly with his arm, shattering the bone in his forearm. Immediately he backed up holding his arm and yelling in agony. She only laughed in response and dashed at him-not giving him a chance to recuperate. She punted him dead square the chest high into the air, phased out and then appeared to intercept him, catching him by the bad arm. She held him by the wrist of his broken arm and with a smirk she jabbed into his bicep, shattering the other part of his arm now and causing him to yell out in even more pain. She dangled him there for a moment reveling in the pain she�d caused before she released and backhanded him to the grounds, creating yet another small hole, next to the one she�d just pulled him out of. After coughing up a bit of blood he began to stand up, but was interrupted when she dashed down into him, knees first pushing him back into the hole. At this point the coughed up a ton of blood and gagged some. She got off of him and backed up licking her lips as she watched him writhe in agony. Slowly bust surely Kaz raised himself up off the ground, and still gasping for air he stepped out of the hole she put him in. He stopped short though when he realized his surge was no longer in effect, he must have been injured too badly to continue using it. Feralina only smirked and fluttered high into the air, before her body began to glow and her size increased to 120 feet, the size difference from her current state carrying over to her full size.
 
�Well, this certainly has been fun, but your time is over little man. My stomach yearns for you, and I don�t plan to make it wait any longer.� she said with a big grin patting her belly.
 
�I know you said not to give up hope sir, but�it�s kinda hard.� One of the marines said to Eon.
 
�I know�we�ve been in some tight scrapes before, but never anything like this.� Eon said looking at him �But you can rest assure Kaz will die trying if he must.�
 
�That would certainly be a spectacle.� Vivian said with a smirk. �I rarely see such devotion amongst your kind, even unto their own mates.�
 
�I�m afraid I have to concur�loyalty is rare these days.� Eon replied watching Kaz.
 
�I�m gonna eat you up~� Feralina began to sing playfully as she started to circle over head eying a weary Kaz.
 
<�I hope you�re wrong about him�he looks so delicious right now� Feralina said speaking to Relina within herself.
 
�I hope I�m not�I know there is more to this one...it just needs to be brought out�but if I m wrong. Let�s savor him at least.� she replied.
 
�Sounds lovely.� Feralina agreed.>
 
�Prepare yourself!� She shouted as she dived for him, mouth gaping ready to take him in.
 
�Shit�this is it�come on..� Kaz growled to himself, he had been working on his arm but she hadn�t given him enough time. As if it finally sensed the urgency Kaz�s body finally responded again and is aura came back up. �About damn time�� He said with a smirk as his energy began to gather. Alright here goes! PSIONIC SURGE�TIMES 10!� He shouted with a new vigor-his aura began to flame as new psionic energy coursed within his body. He lowered him self into firing position, his good arm at the ready, while the other hang limply.
 
�I can�t watch!� one of the marines said.
 
�Kaz�no�� Laka said sadly
 
�~Ahhhhh~� Feralina said almost musically as she opened her mouth wider0-she was practically on top of him now.
 
�If you�re so hungry�try this...PSY-KO�� As he spoke a large ball of energy formed in his good hand, at first light blue-then it shifted to an intense white. The sheer force of the new dark energy he�d tapped caused him to sink into the ground some. �DESTROYER!� He finally as he swung his arm flinging the ball straight into her.
 
�WHAT?! HOW?!� Feralina yelped as she tried to dodge, but with her size and momentum, that wasn�t going to be possible. She put up the best guard she could s the ball made contact and sent a massive shock into her body, then began to push her back into the air finally exploding into a brilliant light as it did so.
 
�RELINA!� NO!� Malika shouted with tears beginning to form in her eyes. She sat up so quickly she�d forgotten about Vivian holding her and was now holding her up as well pretty much wearing her as a jacket.
 
�Calm down, I�m sure she�s fine.� Vivian said trying to reassure the crying naga. �I can still feel her magic�have faith in your friend.�
 
�Is she going to be ok?� Crisis ask now concerned herself looking at the other 2 with a worried look.
 
�I�don�t believe it�� Eon said looking at Kaz, then into the air at the massive ball of smoke.
 
�Woo-Hoo! Go Kaz!� The marines began to cheer.
 
�I would save your cheers until -after- you�ve been taken off the menu boys~� Vivian said coyly as she motioned up to the ball of smoke which was beginning to dissipate. �This isn�t over.�
 
�WHAT?!� they all exclaimed after seeing the large form in tact.
 
�Wicked..� Kaz said with a smirk as he looked up Feralina who�d emerged from the smoke in a defensive position, her arms braced in front of her. �This gets better and better�
 
�What are the fairies here made of?! Titanium?! Steel?! One of the marines shouted. �What does it take to drop one...I thought fairies were delicate things�at this rate we�re chow.�
 
�Shut up�all of you...if you cant say anything supportive�then just be quiet, I don�t see none of you out there nor could any of you get THIS far. The deal was THEY can�t eat you unless she wins but if you keep it up I�LL eat you myself and you wont have to worry about them anymore.� Laka growled down with tears in her eyes.
 
�Impressive little man�a bit faster and you�d have gotten me for sure. However almost doesn�t count. Now, where were we�o yes...I believe it was lunch time, but I think I need to take a bit more of the fight out of you~.� Feralina said with a grin as she extended a glowing hand down towards him. �Here�s one you�ll only get to see once�FAE FYRE DEMOLISHER!� She shouted as the red glow from her hand turned into a red ball of power then shot off towards Kaz.
 
The next few seconds seemed to be an eternity for everyone as Kaz looked at Laka, then to Eon, the marines, and finally the 3 nagas. That�s when he made up his mind that he would do whatever it took to protect them-even if it meant he had to die trying. It would be far better to go fighting, than to go in the stomach of anything or anyone.
 
�Hey...Eon�If this doesn�t work�I�m countin� on you to take care of Laka and the others.� Kaz said with a smirk. �Laka�try not eat everyone else for me ok�and...Just incase I don�t get a chance to say it later�I know I always avoid your attempts at me...but truth is�well�I�ve never been good with the whole feelings thing...I�d have liked for you to have been the one to teach me��he added with a smile.
 
�Do not speak such things, you will pull through like always old friend just�be careful.� Eon replied with a nod.
 
�Kaz�don�t talk like that�I am going to be the one who teaches you those things�because you�re going to live Damnit! I Swear I�ll kill you if you go dying on me.� Laka growled trying to hide the fact she was on the edge of crying her eyes out for him.
 
�Go with honor, with pride, and integrity. You do us all proud sir!� one of the marines stepped forward saluting.
 
�Thanks�now�it�s all or nothing.� Kaz growled as more psionic energy began to crackle around him and his aura formed again meshing with his natural barrier to stave off the blast when it hit.
 
Everyone watched on as the ball collided with his field bearing down on him. The ground beneath his feet began to give away and crumble as the ball pushed further and further into his field. At this rate it wouldn�t be much longer until it collided with him-which would seal his resting place in her stomach.
 
�It won�t be long now�� Feralina said with a smirk from her watch point.
 
�I guess that means it�s almost lunch time.� Crisis said with a smile as she moved closer to where the marine�s were, mindful not to touch with Laka and Eon so close.
 
�One life�one shot�one chance�if I�m right�I might survive long enough to hit her. If not�there wont be anything left of me to eat.� Kaz said to himself. Better than just waiting for her to do it�here goes nothing�PSIONIC SURGE..TIMES�.100!� He shouted suddenly.
 
Once again everything stood still. Suddenly his aura became a brilliant white as if going critical, intense pain shot through his body, and his power sky rocketed. With this sudden burst of power, Kaz felt as if his body were about to tear itself apart and he gritted his teeth from the pain. It was one he�d gladly bear however if it mean saving his friends. Now he had the strength to push back Feralina�s attack, and gather strength for his own. He knew he only had one chance at this, and failure would not be an option. So he prepared for it and lowered himself into stance. His aura went from a flame like motion to slowly point up at her. The energy surrounding him began to swirl around, stirring up the dust as it did, in a corkscrew manner-almost like a drill. He raised his hand up towards her, forming a half triangle with her being where the center would be. Sparks and energy cackled everywhere as his energy, and that of her magic continued to collide.
 
�Kaz...you can�t sustain this much longer�you�ll kill yourself if you don�t stop.� Eon shouted to him concerned.
 
�I know�but this is the only chance I got�wish me luck�� Kaz said with a smirk as he turned back to Feralina. �I �ve never gotten to use this one before�I don�t even know it works�but here goes...PSYKO CRASHER!� As he shouted, the drilling motion intensified and he shot off like a rocket, he himself being the projectile as he began to push her blast back up towards her.
 
�What?!� Feralina gasped pure disbelief-no one had ever done this before, not since her trainer. It was then she smiled as she finally understood what Relina meant about him. �Fine�you were right�this has to end before someone gets killed or else we�ve just wasted our time she growled as the blast and Kaz streaked towards her. With a vigorous growl she intensified her own energy, her wings glowing and even brighter crimson as the Ball and Kaz�s advance began to slow to a halt. She managed to stop him only a little ways from her, sparks still flying off the collision point between him and her blast. It was then that they made eye contact-and it was if they peered into the very depths of one another�s souls-it was then that they understood one another. �Don�t take this personally�� Was thing last thing she said as the blast went off, creating yet another brilliant display in the air that could be seen from miles around.
 
�KAZ!� both Laka and Eon yelled out.
 
�RELINA!� Malika yelled out.
 
�I can barely feel anything now�and I�m not even sure if it�s her�� Vivian thought to herself. �Oh dear, I guess this means the party is off�even if she is alive she�s probably in bad shape.� Vivian just sighed.
 
�Is she�ok?� Crisis asked breaking the silence. �Vivian�she�s ok right?
 
�Is she?� Malika asked too, on the verge of crying now.
 
�Stop worrying you 2, I can feel magic yes, but there are nonliving things that can hold a magical aura�you both have senses, use them and tell me what you feel.� She replied casually.
 
Both of the nagas looked at one another and blinked, then did as she asked, focusing their senses on the area. Suddenly they both opened their eyes and smiled. Relina was in fact alive and drawing closer through the smoke, and they only had to wait a few moments before her silhouette appeared in the dust cloud, now only 100 feet tall. As she exited the cloud and became visible, it was obvious she�d returned to her normal self. Her body was also covered in scrapes and scratches, with a few burns here and there, and she was wearing only a smile at this point. Eon sighed as she got closer he could just faintly feel his friends life energy, and he was unsure if it was because he was already inside her, or if he was that close to being dead. He relaxed a little however when he noticed she was carrying something in her hands very carefully. When she got close enough she stopped in front of everyone and slowly moved her hand from on top of the other, revealing Kaz in her palm, his eyes closed and his chest barely moving at this point. Vivian clapped while Malika and Crisis cheered loudly. All of the marine�s hearts sank immediately, though some took the time to hang their heads in silence for their comrade. Laka�s eyes filled with tears, seeing the object of her affection in that state was more than she could take right now-especially knowing what was going to happen next. Malika examined Relina for a long while before she slowly moved over to Laka, after Vivian released her of course.
 
�Please�stop crying�you�re going to make me start if you don�t.� Malika said trying to comfort her. �Everything�s going to be alright now, trust me.�
 
�How can you even -say something like that?!� Laka asked very emotional at this point. �Your friend is going to eat the man I love!�
 
�I tell you not to worry, because the last time she smiled like that�we became friends for life.� Malika said with a big smile looking back to Relina.