Shadowmasked: Mask of Power
Chapter 6: The One-on-One Duel – Save Our Planet!
The world trembled.
The skies darkened, and a sense of doom loomed across Earth.
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[Somewhere in the sky — Shiv]
Shiv hovered, his cloak flapping in the wind. His gaze pierced through the clouds as he whispered to himself.
> "My Storm… it's not just strong. It's getting stronger. Too strong…"
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[Demon Realm – Demon Lord's Palace]
The Demon Lord sat on his throne, clutching a cup of dark mana wine. His eyes were wide with realization.
> "He… the king… I mean, the Storm—he might be… mine…"
(His cheeks turned pink as he stumbled over his words.)
A flash of light appeared, and a familiar voice broke his flustered daze.
> "Still thinking about my hero, you ugly sister?"
It was Sayaka, wings unfurled, hovering above him with a cold smirk.
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[Earth – Yush's Bathroom]
Drip. Drip.
Yush wiped sweat from his brow, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
A smirk curved his lips.
> "Finally... new abilities. Yeah, it's a little cheating, but who cares?"
Ken, the AI within the mask, chimed in.
> "This new function allows you to copy others' powers and mana types."
> "Mana?" Yush raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
> "Mana is the essence of magic. There are many types—dark, wind, fire, celestial, and more."
> "So... I can copy anything?"
> "Yes, Master. Anything you see."
Yush grinned.
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[Suddenly – The Earth Shakes]
The floor trembled beneath his feet.
Ken's screen flickered to life.
> "Warning: Planetary threat detected."
On the display, Kracknoir appeared—destroying buildings, tearing through civilians, spreading chaos.
Yush's expression hardened.
> "That... thing. That's an alien. No... that's destruction itself. Our planet is in danger."
The scene cut again.
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[Astral Union Base – High Orbit]
All core members gathered in the central chamber.
> Flame: "Where's Heal?"
> Cloud: "You mean Sayaka? She returned to the Angel Kingdom."
> Mizu: "Yeah… She's royalty. A princess."
> Destruction: "Tch. Cloud, my hand's still busted from that sparring match!"
> Cloud: "My bad. But you were the one trying PDIMW."
> Sound Tracker: "Everyone, look! Earth… It's under siege!"
A massive screen projected Kracknoir, obliterating Earth's cities. The room fell silent.
> Flame: "Where is Storm…? Doesn't he live on Earth?!"
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[Back on Earth – City Ruins]
A news report echoed from a cracked television screen.
> Reporter: "The Earth is falling. Shadowmasked… our hero… has yet to appear…"
BOOM!
A surge of energy rippled through the air.
Yush teleported into the battlefield, his black cloak fluttering.
> Reporter: "Wait—He's here! Shadowmasked has arrived!"
> Kracknoir: "So you finally show yourself... my ultimate drag… the Storm!"
Kracknoir lunged forward with a brutal punch.
Whoosh.
Yush vanished mid-air, reappearing far above the clouds.
> Ken: "What are you thinking, Master?"
> Yush: "Ken… Show me Cloud's power. The blue lightning beam."
> Ken: "Roger. Scanning… Processing… Complete."
> Yush: "Alright… Copy."
He thrust his hand out, fingers glowing with electric light.
> Yush: "Paste."
A colossal lightning beam surged downward, decimating everything below.
Five million alien invaders disintegrated instantly.
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[Back at Astral Union Base]
> Cloud: "That's… my move. But… how?!"
> Flame (thinking): "It took Cloud years to master that attack. But Storm did it instantly… Who is this guy?"
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[Battlefield – Ground Zero]
Yush reappeared in front of Kracknoir.
His voice was calm. Cold.
> "Your turn, Kracknoir."
The alien tyrant staggered back, eyes wide with disbelief.
> Kracknoir: "So… this is the power… of the Storm?!"
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[In the Sky – Shiv Watches]
> "This Shadowmasked… He's not normal."
Shiv clenched his fists.
> "That mask… It's cursed. A devil's power sleeps within it. If he ever uses that… if he unleashes it…"
His voice trailed off in dread.
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TO BE CONTINUED…