Reaper Invasion - Codename: Nemesis

As the fight went on, it started to change from a sad attempt at a play-date to a really serious cardfight. The truth that Carlos refused, or rather, didn't want to acknowledge became clearer than before - Some Drones were helping the Reapers by their own volition. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something bad should've happened to them, specially Fuki, to send them to the hand of basically planet eaters.

Even thought Carlos managed to beat the Star-Vader user along with her Infinite Zero Dragon while using the same finisher combo that took out Chris, it was all for nothing because Fuki was just fulfilling her role as a distraction to prevent anyone from chasing her fellow Drones. After recognizing the possibility of meeting again, Fuki left the area by jumping in a portal. "This war cannot be ended by either side talking things out" He thought of the last words said by the beautiful blonde before leaving the battlefield.

"Just... Take care of Kachidoki, Chris and..." He said to himself. "Wait... She said we'll meet again! That's surely a date!" He cheered up, maintaining some good feelings towards the future despite recent revelations. "Oh boy! This is my one in a million lucky strike! Next time... Next time I'll definitely help her and the other Drones escape this nightmare!".

But then, a sudden flash of pain in his head sent Carlos to the floor before disappearing as fast as it appeared. "What the- What was that!?" He said while getting up, only to notice the giant figure of a mechanical dragon vanishing in the distance and leaving a much smaller, familiar figure floating in the air. "Isn't that... Chronos! Is he helping us defeat the Reapers?". Leaping on the newly summoned Recklessness Dragon, the young man flew towards the Agent of Time to welcome him to the battle. "Hey! Long time no see, old friend!" He shouted, ignoring that the Agent was in fact, fighting both parties.

Darren glared at Chronos. Even though he showed himself capable of harming a Reaper, more than what they could do given the opponent, he knew there was a reason Chronojet never went this far. Either Chronos would succeed in destroying Sovereign and get what he wants, only for Harbinger to jump him like the horny demon she is and take that power for herself, or he fails and Sovereign overpowers him. There was no way this could happen without the Reapers having a way to get what they want. Was that their plan? Even if it was, it was something that needed to stop now.

Darren lifted a unit, Super Dimensional Robo, Daikaiser. The hero appeared, now repaired from the damage from Dragonic Overlord, and drew his blade to Chronos. "You're not as powerful as you think you are, but you're not gonna listen to that. Only way around a stubborn herald on a high-horse is to show them where they stand."

Fighting an enemy like this was worse than most Reapers. He was at least as strong as Sovereign or Harbinger separately, but Darren was stronger as well... even if he didn't have control over it. "I'll fight you myself to stop this!" he said to Chronos. "Even forgetting what you'll do to humans, I won't let you risk the universe because you and the time lord are having a spat!"

It seemed odds were adding on either side. Chronos and Harbinger were at odds, but both on power levels so far beyond humans that the chances of survival only dwindled further and further down the rabbit hole. On a physical scale, the morale of the troops only raised slightly when Haruka spoke, but was immediately diminished and then erased by the presence of the supernatural, time-bending superpower of Chronos. Even if Chronos' very presence wasn't making his head split, Haruka would get a headache from the guy.

Fucking time shenanigans.

Soldiers a la the Resistance stopped tossing themselves so much to the drones as they did to Chronos now, viewing him as the bigger threat. And, quite honestly, Haruka hadn't a clue who was a worse threat at this very second. The Twin Tower Reapers, or Chronos himself. That was an astonishing revelation and it took all of half a second to figure out that it didn't matter because of what was coming next.

From the air, he saw her shoot right at him. Though as the general positioned himself upon Nemesis' location, he heard her respond to his call. Though it was very off-putting, as she claimed to not know anybody by the name. His brows furrowed, before realizing the immediate speed of collision. He took a deep breath, and just as her body would connect with his, he sprung his body off the ground back, wrapping her frame in within his embrace as he took all of her momentum and transferred it horizontally, instead of a diagonal course for destruction. Albeit, he had to grind his teeth and take quite a beating as they tumbled a few yards rolling together. First Sera, now Haruka was catching people out of mid-air. They could make a profession out this.

As he held her, he gently lifted his face up to look at her. This cyborg-esque woman who bore the very portraiture of the one he fell in love with only so long ago. Why did she not remember her name? Why was she attacking everybody? What was wrong with her? Is this the result of being deleted? No, that isn't possible. At least, Haruka didn't want to believe it was so.

"Hey... hey, Yukino, are you alright? Can you hear me? Say something, dammit!"

Haruka lightly shook the frame, not too keen on whether she was hurt or sustaining any long-term damage. It was a mixed state of panic, anxiety and delusion.

As Seifer collapsed from his fight with his sister, a searing pain shot through his head as Chronoscommand appeared... and then vanished. Looking up he saw people gearing up to fight Chronos now? He struggled to stand, gritting his teeth before shaking his head and holding it. It still hurt like hell. Through the pain he could barely make out Darren's voice shouting at Chronos about some nonsense which caused him to look up. "You're all idiots!" he shouted at those who chose to fight this wanna be Time Lord. "And you Chronos... I may not be my sister, nor should you give a shit about humanity. But you understand what will happen right? If they get there before you, then it doesn't matter what you do, you lose! Are you really going to risk it all, including yourself, just because you don't agree with whoever? You chastised humanity for being arrogant but look at you! You've stooped to the same level! You're no less arrogant than any of us!" he shouted at the Time Being before collapsing to one knee again. Look at him, weakened to this state and yet yelling at those more powerful than him.

Aedan flinched as Chronoscommand appeared, holding his face in his hand. The pain lingered for quite a while before he looked up... to see the absolute melee. To many beings of power here, and now one seemed to be attempting to perform something even more outrageous. Aedan sighed, glancing down at the two Ezel cards he held in his right hand. "...Why should I bother helping them all?..." mumbling to himself as he cast his gaze across the battlefield, the ice boulder caught his attention for a moment. Staring at it for a long while as the battle raged he glanced away, a guilty feeling building in his chest. Why? Well why not? He wasn't down there helping, but no matter who won this fight, he possessed no future. A hand was placed on his shoulder, causing him to glance up at the partner he held even in his past life, though now changed by the Void. Raven Haired Ezel stared down at the young Irish champion, previously a Seed, with the look of disappointment and urging. "If you stand here doing nothing, we both know you'll regret it... Even if you die." the truth bit deep into Aedan's soul, and he bit his lip as Ezel removed his hand from the boy's shoulder. The time for him to make his choice was drawing near...

Fubuki stared in shock as her attacks were distorted to fire in every direction but Chronos.  However, she didn't allow it to keep hold on her for more than a brief moment.  Her focus switched back towards Chronos as soon as the shock wore off, and she engaged him with the full force of the Blue Storm Fleet.  Immediately out of the gate, on her Grade 2 turn, she rushed him with a full field including two Tidal Assaults.  She seemed to overwhelm him, even if just for a moment, and with a critical trigger on Tidal Assault, pushed Chronos to what she felt must have been his edge in that instant.

However, he retaliated, attempting to remove both Tidal Assaults.  He managed to take out one, but Fubuki held on to the other as she brought out Tetra-Burst Dragon.  She filled the spaces she had lost in her formation and struck forth with all of her power once again, though was unable to deal any further damage with Chronos.  Fubuki's gaze was ice-cold and unmoving, she was confident the game was hers.  However...  Chronos responded by calling forth his G Unit yet again, bolstering its power with something he called a "Heart Beat."  As if he had a heart to beat.  Once again, the pain was intense, so intense she was unable to defend herself or her units from the incoming blast of space-time.

Everything in that instant was wiped away.  She was pushed to the edge herself, sent flying back almost off the building, with her entire field scattered in the sands of time.  But she didn't give in.  Fubuki held on to what little she still had, two grade threes and whatever was next in her deck.  Once again, she laid her entire hand on the board.  Despite being unable to Legion, she fought with everything she had and...  Victory was in sight.  Until Chronos activated his unit's other ability.  Once again calling on the power of G Units, he defended himself from Fubuki's final assault.

In response to her "foolish hope and determination," the revolutionary of space and time asked her. . .  "Did you not learn anything from the Chosen Sword's erasure?"  The question made Fubuki scoff.  Even if she was currently at the mercy of this god, for Aoi, she remained strong and stared back at Chronos, dead in the eye.

"I should be asking you that.  You saw what happened.  She gave us hope, hope that we can win.  Harbinger isn't invincible."

"Do you believe you all to be her?  Don't be ridiculous.  Especially you who clings on to the existence of a seed."

Fubuki remained silent, staring right back at Chronos as his final attack struck.  That ice cold glare refused to stray from the target of her silent rage.  He had given up on humanity, perhaps everyone did.  Except humanity itself.  When the next blast struck, Fubuki was blown backwards off the building, falling...  Falling...  Falling.

Then she saw it. The boulder of ice where Aoi had been just moments before. What had happened? Was she alright!? Fear and worry paralyzed the girl as she helplessly plummeted to the earth below. Was it really hopeless? Was Chronos right? Tears welled in Fubuki's eyes as time seemed to slow around her. This really was the end, wasn't it? Hope was foolish to hold on to. Defeat was all that would await them.

And then they'd rise back up. Again and again. That's what humans did, right? Nobody else had given up. Nobody else was going to give up. Not now, not ever. Fubuki, with seconds to spare, activated her reality bangle again just briefly, using Tetra-Burst's water cannons to slow her descent. Clutching her cards, an ice cold wind blew around her. A wind as cold as death. Fubuki ran towards the ice boulder. Aoi wasn't gone, there was no way. Fubuki wouldn't let it happen.

And Cero was still screaming from under his rubble.  Shut up, Cero. You're ruining the mood.

"Mindless fools! That woman despaired because she was arrogant, assuming she could destroy and defeat all enemies, when she did not have that power! I, however, do have that power! It took a miracle to harm Harbinger, and it's taking ALL of you to make Sovereign FLINCH. Meanwhile, my one ally has done the latter by himself! I have the power!" Chronos roared, ignoring Carlos and arguing with the mankind who still failed to grasp the point. They were not invincible, and miracles like Exculpate's costed a life. As the "agent" of time with the colossal Gear Dragon, however, Chronos could at least go toe-to-toe with Sovereign, as evidenced by Sovereign's grunts and snarling, even if his skull wasn't cracked open. The two deities clashed along with fighting those who interfered, Chronos' Gear Chronicle facing off against Fubuki's Blue Storms and Darren's Dimensional Robos. Chronos himself was loud, violent, and brushing them off for the most part. The clan itself couldn't say the same with the beating it was taking from Aqua Force, pressed down to five damage very quickly, and holding their own the best they could against Daikaiser's quick Superior Ride.

But that all changed when Chronoscommand attacked.

Any foe who faced the colossal Gear Dragon was met with their allies all being sent back in time. Even worse, Chronos' Grade Three wielding "Generation Break" had the power to utilize Stride and become a twenty one thousand body by itself. There was no lie in this power, the arrogance was being justified. The Temporal Renegade showcased its power to control time, even as others attacked him harshly and quickly along with his clan.

"It's time to end this drama with your demise!"

Chronoscommand evolved once more into Chronoscommand Revolution, the earth trembling and the skies being tore apart to reveal the night sky behind the clouds as the Interdimensional Dragon attacked everyone around, including Sovereign! Sovereign smirked, taking the hit, then unloading a massive blast of Void from its hand like a cannon, blowing Chronos and his ally back, while others were scattered about. Chronos quickly found his balance, however, and began using his time magic for an unknown purpose...

Why heal wounds when you can rewind time-

Sovereign's gigantic claw slammed into the Renegade of Time, who wailed in pain. He subsequently grit his teeth, holding on to not be sent flying again, and created an explosion out of a blue energy clock, separating the warring entities.

"H-Holy shit..." Bashiro swore, watching the battle in awe. ... He clenched his fist, wanting to do something, but could he really intervene at all...? Could anyone? Wait, no, scratch that thought! He found his resolve, now's not the time to lose it! Slapping his own cheeks twice and cracking his knuckles, the brawler accelerated toward the colliding deities.

And speaking of deities, Solis and Okuri duked things out themselves between Kagero and Great Nature. Solis had... an issue fighting a dog... and a couple questions, but it wasn't as strange when he thought about Harbinger playing. The warrior saw that his foe was clearly angry and distraught, but composed enough for him to not need to give warning. So, the two fought hard, Okuri getting great advantage his Grade Two turn with rushing and setting off the resource generating specialties of Great Nature. Although, Kagero's specialty was destroying advantage, which is what the offspring of Dragonic Overlord in the distorted timeline: Dragonic Neoflame did. But Okuri was smart in response, not giving the Great a rearguard in the front row to attack.

... However, the Sun has more than one extremely hot flame.

Karin's own "Dragonic Conquerer, Sharyu" appeared at Solis' side, needing no units at the front to gain a powerful restand. The Gods of Salvation - or rather, the Gods of Death favored him with spawning a breed of Critical Triggers to blast through the spirit's hand, with his unfortunate state of having no ten thousand shields.

Yet, he didn't give in.

None of them would give in.

"Why..." Solis breathed quietly. Why... are they fighting for a future... when said future will always be distorted and endeared, filled with misery and chaos... Why?! He mentally roared, maintaining his outer stance, but was torn apart inside. He didn't want anyone to suffer, and here these heroes were all willingly fighting for what could be a future of darkness. This one wanted to die, but found new determination by the... erasure of another person. Solis offered his condolences with his motivations: "I believe the end of consciousness... is real salvation."

Overlord and the Tester Foxes clashed, and Solis was at his limit for his newfound power. He defeated Okuri, but clearly couldn't continue. The Reaper forces were dwindling, and Chronos was taking too much of Sovereign's attention.

"... Tch." Solis scoffed, vanishing in flames.

-----------------------------

Nemesis had braced herself for colliding with the earth, but to her surprise, Haruka not only remained in the way, but he jumped to catch her as the couple crashed down and rolled about on the ground. An attempt was made to use a blade to stop their spinning, but her programming wouldn't respond, stuck in Haruka's warm embrace. She fell a bit limp when they finally stopped, resting in his grasp. While he lifted her head, she remained lying on him, quiet and unmoving. ... After a moment or two, she raised her gaze to his, her empty, yellow eyes staring into his. Haruka's were filled with confusion, anxiety, he was simply panicking while asking her if she was okay.

But Nemesis didn't know who Yukino was.

She simply stared at him with blank confusion, perplexed by his emotions.

And then--

"Blade Sync restored." The super weapon spoke robotically. Her cold, dead eyes were filled with downward pointing swords in the color of Void, replacing her pupils as they would for Yukino. The detached blades all rose telepathically, all aiming at Haruka with the clear intent to stab into him repeatedly.

-------------------------------------

Aoi's ice "cocoon" remained frozen, emitting a chilly mist.

Okuri couldn't understand much of what he was doing in this battle. He had come so ready to join Jessie in nonexistence and yet found himself determined to live like he hadn't been in some time. There was anger and pain welling up inside of him as he battled Solis. The god of the sun seemed cold and unfeeling at first. And yet somehow he found the complete erasure of existence to be a salvation for those it came upon. Jessie hadn't been saved. He'd had his life and everything about him taken from him.

The Tester Fox Legion arrived to battle the dragons of apocalyptic hell fire empowered by their comrade Chatnoir. But the attacks from the Overlord legion had been so strong that there were hardly any among Great Nature left to mount a counteroffensive. The foxes did all they could but ultimately Okuri lost while having dealt Solis five damage. The blasts from the dragons knocked the legion back and they collided with their vanguard, the three all having seen much better days.

Had he his senses about him Okuri might have taken a moment to appreciate the physical contact he was making with the Fox legion but something else came into view. Charred and battered, lying on the ground, Okuri saw nearby Haruka who appeared to be pinned by the Reapers' shell of Hikari. The Foxes stood ready to shield their vanguard from the god of the sun should he continue but soon took note of where his sight was fixed.

Okuri took to his feet despite everything in his body screaming at him to stay down and rest. "Not Haruka... You won't take another!!" he screamed in defiance at what Solis had told him and what Nemesis was preparing to do. With an incredible surge of strength all of Okuri's units materialized at his side, all making brief contact with their vanguard to pass on what they could of their strength. They were all battered like he was but were determined to help him to the end. With blinding speed the spirit took off and with his feet nearly collapsing under him rammed the whole of his body into Nemesis knocking her off of Haruka and some feet back. Just barely able to keep his footing he slammed his front paws down on each of the girl's arms attempting to hold her in place once the pair stopped sliding across the ground.

"Hikari what are you thinking! You can't be this blinded to what's happening around you!" he growled at the girl. From what little he'd seen of her he knew she wouldn't register his words. It was all he could do to try and hold her down and it wouldn't work for long. The units of Great Nature gradually faded back to Cray as Okuri's strength wavered. Researcher Fox alone held on, watching with great concern.

What filled the ears of Haruka and Okuri were sounds that could only be dubbed "eldritch screeching", Nemesis screaming garbled Reaper words as Okuri launched her off of her target! Taken off guard, even with her restored systems, she slammed harshly into the earth from the force of the spirit's speeding body, like a bullet. Gritting teeth and snaring angrily over the interruption of her killing a priority target, a hand of hers violently took hold of her attacker's head, attempting to push him down and off of her. He screamed something at her, something about "Hikari". He stated she can't be "this blinded", but her sight programming was functioning normally as far as she was aware.

Whatever.

"I do not... know anyone by the name... 'Hikari'!" Was growled, overwhelming him with her amazing physical strength and his own waning strength putting the trade in her favor, he was eventually in range for her to simply and strongly kick the spirit off of her. Literally kicking the dog proved those emotions of Yukino Espoir's were sealed, if not, completely erased by the terrible Harbinger. The super weapon got to her feet, looking up at one of her owners: Sovereign combat Chronos and others. Then, her vision went to the Resistance Commander, killing intent clear.

His death will create a despair beyond which humanity will ever recover.

Harbinger's most delightful result.

Hikari's response was predictable. She didn't know anything Okuri was saying to her. She seemed enraged as he tried to hold her down. But it quickly proved futile. This woman was no ordinary human, Okuri couldn't possibly have the strength to keep her in place. Another sound kick was delivered to the spirit's chest, in much the same place Karin had earlier. The first wound hadn't had nearly any time to heal and this second trauma was going to make things a lot worse. A single reassuring thought passed through his mind: "Haruka will live". And that was enough for him.

The strength of Hikari's kick launched Okuri off of her and he came crashing down beside Haruka. His eyes were open but looked pale and lifeless. He didn't appear to be breathing. The spirit simply lied there motionless. Researcher Fox let out a scream of panic as she ran towards her vanguard but faded away as the others had as Okuri's reality bangle fully deactivated.

It is not uncommon for one's life to hang in the balance, just not so commonly does it happen this way. Haruka grasped whom he had believed to be his darling Yukino, but instead was met with blade that sought to destroy his own being. He did not cower, but rather waded in absolute misunderstanding. Something akin to a desperate desire to figure out what missing piece of the puzzle Haruka needed to find, yet he could not account for it no matter how many times he had tried.

It was once the blades seemed like they were finally going to seep their way into his flesh, that Haruka felt the weight of the world tumble from his right, as a flash of fur bulleted into Nemesis, sending her off flying. Haruka's breathing became ragged, almost startled by the event unfolding. He raced to his feet, the bottoms of his boots crushing the dirt under him. He looked over at the two wrestle briefly, before watching what he believed he would never un-see. Nemesis swiftly delivered her foot into Okuri, sending him off into the distance once more. His life force was slowly leaving. His eyes widened in absolute horror, as if his own breathing was slowly but surely coming to a halt. It wasn't until the indicator on his Reality Bangle beeped, sending a notification that someone on the network was powering off. He looked to Okuri, his breathing was becoming further primal. He slowly shifted his gaze, his ghoulish gaze, to Nemesis.

Thavas and Lambros gripped his shoulders.

"Exercise patience, Haruka. Your time--"

I'm out of fucking time. I sat here waiting. I bided and I waited, and I watched people I care about get hurt under my own supervision and I didn't do a damn thing to help them. I stood here and played the part of some head structure to a false crown, heavy here lies no gold.

Haruka stepped forward, seeping with a newfound desire. He knew now that whatever person, whatever image he had been seeing all this time, was distorted. Yukino was gone. He saw it with his own eyes, the way this thing treated everyone. The way it acted. It wasn't truly a thing Haruka could show compassion for. The thread he was holding onto wore bare, and now snapped. Haruka, snapped.

"You..."

He stepped forward, glaring up through the shade of the evening at her. Straightening his back, he approached. His footsteps crunched leaves and dirt under every single one. War waged behind him, but right now every battle he wanted to fight was standing in front of his eyes. Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Breathe. In.

B r e a t h e.

"You..."

Why couldn't he finish that sentence? Why couldn't he understand what he wanted to say? Was conveying this emotion that difficult? Was he truly so emotionally ambiguous at this point in life that words were no longer a fashionable conduit for it? Suppose not.

"I... I'm not letting you, get away, with this."

He stopped speaking, picking up the pace in an instant. Unlike most people who take at least two or three strides to set up speed, Haruka unleashed it from the first glide off his dominant foot, rushing directly at Nemesis. Whatever words he had to say to her, would easily be conveyed through battle. He was much better at figuring out his thoughts in the heat of the moment anyways.

Haruka wanted to shatter this fucked-up delusion that was set ahead of him. This thing in front of him had no heart, no soul, no reality. And that was pitiable enough that he felt the remaining, small, bleeding compassion in his heart, to take her head on and end that suffering for her.

Haruka...

Nemesis was unfazed by Haruka's apparent wrath and sorrow. While Haruka was the fastest of the Triad of Hope, empowered by Void and technology of a cyberoid, the super weapon matched his instantaneous dash and velocity. In the heat of battle, Star-vaders and Blue Storms roared at each others' hearts... except, for most of the cyberoids, there wasn't one to speak one. "Wingal" appeared as "Brave Fang", the Royal Paladin Berserk Emotion Clones mindlessly standing against the empire's blazing force.

... Blazing force?

"Red Pulse Dracokid confirmed", Nemesis scanned Haruka's forerunner, which was clearly Bubble Edge Dracokid. That was confusing, assuming those of blue were actually red and fiery. Regardless, as if to rub salt in the wound of the new commander's beloved being brainwashed... "Marron" and "Gallatin" rode in succession. The quickly advancing troops of Haruka's Kagero- Aqua Force darted at the woman the same way all others rushed her down. This was of no surprise, and she maintained composure through surprising anger and feeling her insides struggling. Contrary to popular belief, she was not actually a machine, but her body was stuffed to the brim with unadulterated Void, twisting and deforming her body to be more cyborg-like. The battles had been doing their fair share of numbers, as did her overuse of power. Even so, she stubbornly fought aggressively against the commander, summoning the blade that never left her: "Ace" to stand against "Dragonic Overlord", who was Lambros. For some odd reason, she couldn't recognize a single Aqua Force unit as what it was. Instead, they were all Flame Dragons, Dragonmen, or Dragon Dancers.

Lambros struck hard, and Blaster Joker countered by destroying the red thread of fate that tied Legion together. With no other Grade Threes in sight, Haruka was forced into a turtle game with only Lambros at the vanguard. Unfortunately, the surging waves from before did take their toll, Nemesis not being able to reliably capitalize on his sealing. Another grind game like she had with Cero, and yet, she still felt nothing relating to her opponent's feelings. The only frustration she was emitting was from struggling through her failing systems or overloading programs.

And Haruka asked if she was okay.

"Concern... is not necessary."

Yukino would have appreciated that so, so much. Nemesis, however, focused on herself and the battle. Blaster Blade and Dragonic Overlord in her vision clashed, when it was really Lambros' beam sabre blocking Ace's assaults.

It always had to be this way.

The two clawing their way to possible victory against one another, to save the other. Though, blessed be Haruka as Nemesis couldn't keep going as strongly for so long. That was his opening, and Nemesis couldn't respond with no resources at her disposal. She couldn't even Black Hole Lock again, surviving a full force brunt assault for Blue Storms, surviving, howling back with Ace and company, and still not making their mark due to Haruka's Heal Trigger balancing out her Critical Trigger that would've been game. Nemesis did not falter mentally, but her body could only sustain so much. Even with Tellerium doing her best...

Haruka pushed through.

"Ngggaaaa!!" Nemesis cried out, along with some more eldritch garble that was incomprehensible, even with the Reality Bangles translating. Photon left her and Ace to take the damage by themselves, and neither of them ran from it. United, always were the Chosen Sword and Sword of Courage. Through the beginning, as a spirit when the latter was sealed away, following to Gold Paladin, standing across time as a Seeker... and now, as a two-pair set of tools for the Reapers. The duo were launched backward, unable to recover from the recoil as they crashed into a building's structure, falling inside of it.

There was a longer pause from those who witnessed the battle.

Longer.

Longer...

Longingly holding their breath, praying it was finally over...

... And she did not respond, staying within the building.

"We... we stopped... the former commander...!!" A man cheered, removing his helmet, only to be swatted by Sovereign's tail, his unprotected head being the death of him. They were already celebrating, praising the current commander, and some whispering their condolences. This was an enormous morale boost, causing humanity to get aggressive! "We stopped that super weapon!! Those guys who all fought against her did it!!" More rallying cheers boomed across the battlefield, gunfire pressure greatly improving, and summoned units finding more strength in their elated moods.

"... HEH." Sovereign chuckled.

Her eyes were filled with codes.

That building was destroyed in only a few moments. Nemesis' heavily damaged body, with Ace floating behind her, levitating in front of the fires caused by the explosion, their yellow and red eyes gleaming while their forms were silhouetted by the flames. How... is this monster still able to function? Nemesis and Ace descended back to the ground, where, surprisingly, their revealed forms showed Nemesis bleeding from where her scar as Yukino used to be and blood pouring form her mouth. Images of Yukino herself in heavily wounded states like this flashed, settling the synchronized horror of this god-machine. It really was Yukino converted into a Drone. The insane power, the absolute, mindboggling refusal to stay down, the Blaster Blade who followed her to submission... Sovereign grinned, Chronos began grinding his teeth. The Resistance's short lived morale boost was on the verge of dying and still living. For their current commander, her brother, and her past rivals to push her so far... Strong people like that were still at their side. And at the same time, fear began to choke them. How would they ever finally put down the Strongest Woman in the World?

"Your tool is... very... powerful." Chronos himself had to commend what the Reapers had done. That woman who made him trust humanity for once, he felt betrayed by her erasure, and still couldn't deny that her enduring soul was quite possibly infinite. Man may be defiantly arrogant to the point of hurting them, but... the sight of those leaders and warriors who simply were not designed to surrender were impressive.

"O̧͝V͞E͏̧́͟͡R̨̧̛C̶̀L͢͝O̸͘Ć̷̴̕Ḱ͜͠ ͝͞͞G̷͜͝͞É͢͜N̷̨͘͞͡Ȩ̷̀͟͢R͜҉̵A̡T͟͜I̕̕͝O̴͝͏͟͠Ǹ̡̕̕͏.͏̵́͠҉" Nemesis roared, putting every necessary system and booster within her on full blast, boasting power like no other drone had ever wielded. A column of Void engulfed her and she shouted so, so loudly, causing the earth about her to quake in terror as if the God of Death's descent was occurring when Harbinger revealed her true form. Rubble began to float, structures barely holding on caved in, breaking apart at the twisted might of Exculpate that began to force the clouds to split even further, the night sky unprotected from the herculean trump card that exuded raw energy. Finally, the pillar dispersed. Nemesis' damages and bleeding were still present. That will, however, still stood, even if crackled everywhere thought possible.

Her priorities changed.

She wasn't strong enough to eliminate the commander, so what to do? Serve the masters and deal a devastating blow. Breaking every limit possible, Blaster Joker stood closely behind his Vanguard, wrapping an arm around her and extending his blade with the other. Nemesis took hold of the Sword of Void with one hand, and the other clamped itself onto Ace's. The two howled angrily, letting loose an endlessly extending spear of nothingness. This halberd was the key to despair, as it shot past Commander Haruka, and engulfed the Blue Storm Legion: Lambros and Thavas. And that wasn't even the end of it, as it continued on and on until it even hit Chronos, stabbing him with energy and creating a black ring that tightly clamped onto and squeezed his body.

"W-"

The force of the unrivaled Reaper Drone's lock even interfered with Chronoscommand's power! It reached a G Unit!!

"S-Serve...!!" Nemesis growled, fighting the pain and eradicating or sealing threats on the battlefield. With Chronos losing power, Sovereign can easily destroy him. Bashiro's eyes darted around and back, seeing so many mixed emotions from every being in the vicinity except Sovereign's who cackled and hollered triumphantly.

"MEASLY HUMANS, WITNESS YOUR OWN TIRELESSLY DESTROY YOU, HER FORMER COMRADES. GIVE IN, SURRENDER TO THE VOID. BRANDT WILL SWALLOW THIS EXISTENCE WHOLE, AND ALL OF YOU WHO BARE NO NAMES OR WORTHS WILL BE LEFT OUT. T̀͏̀͡H̴̕͝E͏͢͝ ̷̢̕͞͡È́͢҉́N̸̸̷̨D̀͢͞͝ ̨̢̕͜͝Ḩ̸͠A̶͏̶̡S̢̨̛͡ ̧C̡O̸̡͢͜M̶̴̧E̕͟͠.͟"

Bashiro perked up at the words of "no names or worths", "measly humans". ... Yeah, he had no name, really. Titans like Yukino or Cero... those with purpose and value like Haruka and Okuri... Supremely powerful beings like Chronos and Harbinger... The thug only clenched his fists, tightening them as hard as he could. What a worthless man he truly was, deep down. If not for these hands of God he was gifted with, who would he be? A Joe? A Billy? A Jeff? Someone with a name you could find anywhere who struggled to find a reason to keep going. When his eyes met Aoi's ice cocoon, all he could think of was innocent people in pain... like... Jessie. A crying boy's wailing reached his ears, the memory of the day their parents died. Bashiro couldn't even remember how it happened, all he knows is everyone blamed his brainless father. Was it drunk driving? Maybe the other drivers were drunk? Was it actually a car accident? Wasn't it a bar fight? He pushed out the fact that he was on his own with his little brother for a long, long time, forgetting how his kin died. All that remained was the sight of that little, white haired brat gazing up at this loser who took after his scumbag dad, eyes sparkling with hope and admiration. Even as Jessie grew up and began mocking him, Jessie always looked up to him.

Why?

Bashiro remembered what got him into everything was Karin and Cero coming to the Slums for some god forsaken reason. That pretty girl kicked him out of his seat and sent him careening, while Cero randomly challenged someone who looked strong. The thug shrugged it off, who really cares? It was just a game. Yet, it was so much more to those two. Karin revealed a ridiculous "G Unit", and Cero actually tried to punch him. Somehow, those events and the Resistance coming to Umano led to a war the Hakaisha brothers never signed up for. ... Or at least, one they shouldn't have signed up for... or should they have? Their days got busy and lit up with goals, meeting new, treasured faces among heroes. Jessie got himself his own pet... spirit dog. Bashiro took such a liking to him, enjoyed messing around with Haruka and having drinks, helping Seifer through his tough times on the enemy side, meeting that bubbly Aoi, and becoming intoxicated by the rallying call of Yukino Espoir. He even went the extra mile to try to be good at Vanguard, fighting Cero Kirguis and requesting he train him. Such drive... for what?

Bashiro liked alcohol.

Bashiro liked lusting for a hot piece of ass.

He avoided responsibility as much as he possibly could.

So how did it end up like this?

How did this worthless cur end up standing in a warzone, watching three sides tear at one another relentlessly without his brother?

"We're a duo", Jessie would say. "Package deal, man!" "Whoa, I'm not drinking alcohol!" "Dude... you're such a sleazebag, I can't..." "... Thanks bro."

Bashiro finally understands the hell of war, more than he did when Jessie was deleted, and accepted that he as a character was "worthless". But he still made friends, people who enjoyed his presence, war commanders who needed him, people who wanted to talk to him. "... Son of a bitch." He whimpered, biting his lip. He keeps saying he'll be better than he used to be, but that's only because Jessie is gone! He won't drink without his brother, he won't keep trying to make jokes to make himself feel better, he won't try to hit on even his ex-commander who was the most violent threat on the battlefield! "I can't fucking help it!" Bashiro screamed to no one in particular, wishing that his lazy attitude and sleazy lifestyle didn't kick him so hard for doing nothing. "Of course I'm gonna fucking drink if you come back! I'm gonna hit on every girl I can see, man! I don't wanna work or do anything hard!"

His gaze met the warring deities: Chronos and Sovereign.

The Reapers took his brother, but Gear Chronicle caused this, right?

But Chronos doesn't want to destroy all of time, and you have people like that Solis guy who think they're doing the right thing.

So what's the right thing for him? ... Make his own decision for his life, even if it stood against everything he wanted to do in life. Steeling himself for the worst, the Big Bang Busters stood behind him. Knuckle folded his arms, while Slash keep all four legs on the ground, glaring toward the distance like a wild animal who found its prey. The Thunder Dragons stood with a worthless, nameless man who had strong arms, and nothing else. He was a vanguard they were still proud to stand by. Bashiro choked back his tears, steadying his shaky breath to release a sigh. He proceeded to reach for his eyepatch, discarding it and revealing his completely ordinary eye. That accessory was just to seem cool for women, so doing away with it meant... "Let's go boys." He stated to the Brawlers, whom all prepared by punching their palms, cracking their knuckles, cracking their necks, emitting strong, resolute roars. United as a clan and a vanguard, all of them began charging at the twin deities.

Chronos and Sovereign didn't particularly care, as Chronos himself still managed to summon Chronoscommand with Nemesis' bindings on him, blowing away the lesser Reapers, but not through time. The Brawlers all pounced on them instead, using them as footholds or just attacking them and nearby Gear Chronicle units. Bashiro remained on the ground, running, running, running as much as his tired legs could carry him, his feet smashing into the earth with great might. Nemesis took note of this, realizing his physical prowess was a threat to the Reapers, even Wokshiz. However, she was far too damaged and staggering too much to respond quickly enough. She began to move, only to see Bashiro stomp a foot into the ground, and leaping toward the battling Deletors and Gearoids.

Chronos felt his presence, looking backward to see not a man, but a bullet of lightning. "Cero- Wait, no-" The temporal renegade assumed it was the enraged Kaiser, as usual. He was surprised to see it wasn't, but instead, a lackey. ... Wait, that didn't matter, that guy hit like a train! Common sense caused the rebel to move out of the way as best he could with the black rings, leaving a confused Sovereign to see another fool coming to attack him. In fact, the same fool he dealt with already. Grinning, the Reaper raised its claws, ready to smash the man between its hands like killing an irksome gnat.

But Knuckle and Slash wouldn't allow it, grabbing the claws.

"HM?!" Sovereign roared, confused as Bashiro was coming down from the heavens with his fist.

"I'M DONE WITH YOU BASTAAAAAAAAARDSSSSSSSS!!"

I don't know why God gave me these hands, but if they can do something... Anything. That's good enough for me.

Hercules' fist slammed into Sovereign's head with force unknown to man.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!" Sovereign wailed as the godly force of this man's hand crashed into him so powerfully at its head, the pain bypassed the metaphorical "armor" the Deletors wore to nullify damage. ... No... it was doing far more than that. God's hand was akin to a meteor colliding with a being, the pressure of the blow causing a tear at Sovereign's head, its hide bursting and shattering like glass as the Reaper's weakpoint was assaulted and cracked wide open. What seemed to be impossible was done by this slimeball of a human being, who screamed and shouted even louder as he knocked the Vanguard of Destruction into a tall pile of rubble.

Everyone and everything was silent, save from the booming and crashing into the earth.

"Problem detected, emergency acknowledged." Nemesis stated as an order from Harbinger herself resounded in mind. Bashiro knew Sovereign wasn't dead, and he himself clearly was done kicking his ass yet. So, the brawler and his "boys" landed, coming together and charging. Nemesis, the unholy super weapon of the Death God renewed her prowess as much as possible, slashing away with her detached blades if Haruka or anyone else tried to interfere as she rocketed toward the threat. These two already met at the beginning of the outbreaking battles, so they would clash one more time--

Or so one thought.

Bashiro ran right past her.


Nemesis jabbed a foot onto the concrete, sharply turning and moving at an incredibly fast rate. Yet, with her failing state, she couldn't properly keep up... To make matters worse for her, the thunder dragons appeared to block her path, with the Busters at the man's sides. She knew this situation, and formed a new plan to remove the threat. Five detached blades spread themselves open like wings, the android stabbing them into the obstacles and locking them one by one by one. Soon, five rearguards were locked.

The conditions for her erasure had been met.

Bashiro never looked back as the visual of a red colored Grim Reaper chased him.


Nemesis generated an enormous sphere of Void, launching it toward Hercules, who never stopped running as his erasure finally overtook him.

Bashiro vanished from existence.

Nemesis felt miniature explosions at her body, just as she did against Haruka, as she fell onto the ground, still fighting against heavy damages and critical malfunctions.

Karin had stood by on the sidelines, witnessing everything this spectacle of a "Descent" had to offer. She could still only barely feel herself, and her entire body was heavy and sluggish, but she had finally managed to get back on her feet. But no sooner had she regained her composure did she see- and feel- Sovereign, a huge gash carved into his skull. Karin almost immediately collapsed again, clutching at her heart as the seed wrapped around it tightened, putting a heavy strain on her. Her eyesight blurred, and she felt her consciousness slipping fast. Gripping the handle of her sword and extending a shaky hand out in front of her, Karin faded from existence with a purple shimmer.

After the battle against Chronos, Darren had been knocked out for some time. He knew in his mind that he was using a power he did not fully understand. He had almost won, but the overwhelming power outdid his own judgement. He needed to control it better. Even with all that happened in the battle, he had the ability to win, to stop the ambition, and to turn that power to Sovereign.

But wait... Sovereign... Darren could not sense his power any longer. His eyes opened as he rose from the ground. he looked around and saw the creature on the ground. Did they... win? In a sense, one could say they did. Still, it was not yet over. There was still more to be done. He had to wonder what it was that did this. Raiden's update to the Reality Bangles that he mentioned? Did it allow for them to release powers that were within them but inaccessible because of the previous limitations of the Bangle? Or had someone stepped in and done something about the situation? Whatever it was, things were almost beginning to settle down.

Almost because there were still the matters of the tomato with tits, the doll with Yuki's face, and Future Noel who was still causing problems even now. He needed to do something about that but his body felt weak from the power he had used so far. Did the True Great Daikaiser drain him that much? He hadn't even brought out its full power yet.

Of course his words wouldn't reach. What was he expecting to happen? 'Oh Seifer you're right, let me just stop.'? No, no one ever listened to him. Then he felt his skin crawl. Static electricity? Cero...? Wait no... Glancing up, the brunette spotted a charging Bashiro. One of the people who helped him from the abyss that was his heart was cloaked in lightning, and charging toward the enemy. And as elated as Seifer was to see the scum of a man he called a close friend fighting and gaining strength to battle the Reapers, an equally powerful, but opposite feeling scorched through his being as he watched the man become erased. Eyes going wide, he screamed. Another friend gone, another that had to be removed from existence. And he was just as powerless now to save him as he was anyone else. Cursing his own uselessness, he punched the ground, causing the ground under his fist to crack, and splitting open his own knuckle. Who cared, what good was he?

Sighing to himself, the brunette struggled to his feet, turning his gaze away from those before him, and the pain that was still fresh in his mind, to a scene off in the distance. He saw Neo, Haruto and... A third figure. A face he recognized. He gritted his teeth before sighing once more, limping his way over to the small group. With everything going on around him, he figured he could deal with this first. Haruka seemed to have Nemesis under control... Nevermind. "Can't even let the dead rest huh." he muttered before stopping a few yards, shoving a hand into the pocket of his jacket, staring at the figure with the face of a man who was once friends with Seifer.
___________________________________________________________________
Aedan bit his lower lip before advancing toward the battlefield, Raven Haired Ezel glancing down at him. "You've made your choice then?" while walking, Aedan didn't even look back, just waved his hand to which the black lion laughed, following behind the Irish champion. Ignoring the rest of the battlefield however, the former Seed stopped where yet another Seed had reappeared after fleeing from her fight with Aoi. "Look at you..." he spoke softly to Mirai, running a hand through his hair, stopping at the back of his head as he scratched lightly. "You've all but given up, just like I did. But why are you fighting, instead of just sitting off on the sidelines. They can't win against these monsters, so you'd get what you wanted in the end anyway. Right?"

Mirai ran from Aoi. Honestly, she questioned as to why she was running. Was it cowardice? Or some sort of fear that Aoi may be right? It didn't matter, her body simply reacted and ran while Dragruler appeared from nowhere casting an illusion of a blinding light as if to protect it's current master. All the Seed could feel was anger that she couldn't start things out like she wanted to. Especially with a fellow Seed. Why are they resisting? The girl stopped running and started walking slowly while looking down. That was when she heard a voice speaking to her.

Looking up, she saw Aedan who was another fellow Seed. He gave up... then why is he here...

"I'm only fighting to end everything... my future is now but an impossible dream. You should know this just as well as I do. We were played like fools, having things being given and taken away without us having any say. I don't want to disappear... but I know that my wish won't come true... yet others like us.... they are fighting for that future they won't have..." Mirai looked at her deck once more and gripped it tightly. "I could very well step away and watch them all die out like I want but I want to do this myself. I want to ensure a more definite conclusion. If everyone were to simply disappear like us... then we don't have to worry about the future. There won't be anymore evil because we won't be around to know if there is any! Everyone here will achieve true peace, an everlasting peace! The suffering before death will only last a moment but after that, we don't have to suffer anymore!"

She looks at her deck again and puts it in front of Aedan, "Fight me, please lets end our suffering!"

"Hm?" Blank was approached by Neo and Seifer, two individuals he remembered as friends of the person he used to be. "You can't ask for a proper re-union without somebody interfering, but yes Neo and Seifer I was dead it's so wonderful to get to see you both again, I threw myself away for the sake of y'all yadayada the whole sacrificial shit but now here I am, Harbringer decided she wanted people to mess with y'all and I was one of her choices so yay me." he said, as he motioned with his hands with each statement.

Haruto simply stared at the ground while his chest began to weigh at least a ton after all he heard and all he could do was just stand there and watch his only remaining family turn into one of the Reapers, "...Somebody please help me...I can't take this anymore..." he said lightly as he clutched his head with both hands.

"Can't take what anymore? Come on bro it's still me under all this cold, purple, jacket covered exterior it's still ur big brother. I'm here now, we don't have to be separated anymore so what's bothering you?" he said, as he stared at Haruto then back and forth between Neo and Seifer.

Haruto froze and could not reply, he was shaking to say the least.

"Don't listen to him Haruto!" said Aglovale.
"How can he be your brother when I'm-" Percival was stopped as a purple sword was now pointed at his throat only millimeters away. Blank's Ace "Jack" Percival was now standing between Percival's voice and Haruto.

"Am I the only one here who's with the whole go with your family rather than stay with some strangers?? Srsly what in the fuck did these people do for you so u can be so confused like this?? The only time they ever properly supported you was when you went on a rampage in that tournament stage, otherwise you were alone just left to your lonely self to feel regret and sadness about everything you lost, well now I'm offering you a chance to regain part of what you lost which is more than what these people can offer, heh they can't even seem to keep a hold of their loved ones and now look one of them is wrecking their asses now and giving a clear advantage to Harbringer...come on little bro, join me come back to where you belong." he said, extending his hand to Haruto. "I'd appreciate it, no I would recommend that no one interfere, this is a...matter between brothers if you catch my drift bois." he said, glancing at both Neo and Seifer.

"Haruto, you knew Tsubasa better than anyone. You know for a fact he would never say something like this. This... broken mirror of your brother isn't real. He might have his face and voice..." Mordred's sword appeared in his hand, as he raised it, gripping the greatsword tightly with both hands. "But that's all he has. That's it. He's trying to get you to turn against everything your brother sacrificed himself to protect. Everything that I shall now defend from this phantom." Seifer spoke, stepping in front of Haruto, blade raised. "As for you, a fake, an image. What have you done for him? You're not really Tsubasa."
____________________
Raising his deck, Aedan quietly accepted the challenge, golden light surrounding the young man.

Darren could feel the power levels around him beginning to decrease, the air was calming. With Sovereign gone, most of the enemies were retreating. All but one from what he could tell. The one who felt of Bluish Flames mixed in with the stink of the Reapers. He didn't have much left in his tank, his energy almost spent thanks to his use of powers he didn't fully master, but he had to do at least this much to end the battle.

He raised his hand high into the air. From above, Dimensional Robo, Daidragon swooped down and Darren grabbed hold. He flew at great speed to the area he sensed as he saw the false Tsubasa speaking to Haruto with Neo and Seifer both being there. He let go as the momentum of the Dimensional Robo pushed him to the area, landing just next to Seifer.

"Hold on!" Darren called out, staring the false hero in the eyes. "Tsubasa... or at least that is what they probably want us to see you as. I heard about you, saw what happened with you. I also know this is your little brother. And I already know you're the real thing, just like Yuki..." His eyes flashed as the wind around him picked up, a sign he would fight. "I'm already tired of that tomato with tits messing with us by bringing our fallen friends to fight us! I'll tear you all apart if it makes you stop! I know you would rather that then destroy your friends. After its done, we can always wish you back with the Time Dragon."

"When are you going to tell him that's not how that works?"

"Is that how it works? I don't even know for sure."

"If you're expecting some kind of special reveal about how i'm being controlled or some shit save it, I'm the real Tsubasa none of your words can change that, Haruto is not stupid he knows his brother when he sees him, last thing he needs is someone like you who does not even stand by his own sister trying to act like you understand anything about being us." with a swift motion that could not even be seen Blank's sword was immediately summoned and was struck against Seifer's blade as it sent him off the ground and several meters away from them. "I'm all for some swordplay but I have to get this boy right here, time to go Haruto." he said, walking up to Haruto.

As he walked up to his younger brother he could hear Darren address him, "Oh wow the guy I saved from that burning building a long while back is now talking a big game, proud of you buddy though your facts are a little off, there won't be any wishing back this isn't an anime, actually I would rather y'all just surrender and get this over with, Chronojet is fucked regardless and y'all are falling apart without your 'heroes' to save you." Blank was slowly reaching his limit, he did not want to hold back against any of them but for the sake of getting Haruto to join him he had to tone it down.

"Enough of this!" yelled Aglovale as he materialized in front of Haruto slashing his blade at Blank.
"Ooooh nice try, but how should I say this.." he paused as his blade and Aglovale's blade were against each other. "You're a bit wide open." with a snap from his finger a purple fireball appeared from Aglovale's right side and sent him flying to the other side, as he was sent back to cray.

"Alright Haruto, not gonna say it again, come with me now...we'd get the chance to be with our parents again you know." he said, as he put on a genuine smile on his face.

"..............Mom...Dad.....Nii-san....." his eyes went blank as he started walking towards the man who offered him the one chance for him to be happy.

"Awaken... my master."

Nemesis breathed a request to the Daunting Deletor, who was brutally damaged by Hercules' god-given hands. She struggled to even attempt to stand, giving cute, girlish grunts and cries of pain as if she were actually human. Like her appearance, a mere distraction from the horrific truth. Chronos, still being restricted by the black rings, gazed down at the enslaved Exculpate. Disgust and awe filled his heart, accepting that Harbinger was a maliciously brilliant fiend. She created a monster out of her own sworn enemy with everything said enemy had, only now she was obedient. This woman the rebellion leader put his faith in...

"Tch", Chronos hissed. How did it come to this? He was too busy gathering himself during the aftermath of the second Hakaisha brother's sacrifice. The thought of Sovereign being dead or not didn't even cross his mind. He gazed around the warzone, fires and flames still raging from every side. He was still angry and violent, yet a part of him was relieved. Soon, he'll have enough to perform the Agent's Override, taking over for the cowardly Chronojet Dragon.

That was the plan until Nemesis' voice didn't fall on deaf ears.

The Daunting Deletor rose from the rubble and debris piles, seething with unparalleled fury unlike that which any member of Link Joker has ever experienced. Sovereign, with his visibly damaged head, stood up, back in battle. "A MERE HUMAAAAAAANNNNNNNN..." He snarled wrathfully, even if this offender was erased, his name would not be spared the Vanguard of Destruction's indignation. ... And he did have to acknowledge that Bashiro Hakaisha was a name to be remembered.

"You're still alive?!" Chronos inquired, but then wondered why he was shocked in the first place. There wasn't an explosion of Void like he'd normally see, but the Twin Towers were hardly normal...

"YOU THINK THAT FOOL COULD KILL ME HIMSELF? PERHAPS YOU DO HAVE MORE FAITH IN MAN THAN YOU LET ON."

"Get real, ugly abomination!" Chronos insulted, denying the trust in the godhands. His countering fury turned into a cocky smirk within an instant. "It's just... You were down for quite awhile, Sovereign. What, forgot how to get off your own back? I suppose you would resemble a helpless turtle after being pinned down and straddled by your 'sister' for so long."

Holy shit.

"FEH, YOU MUST SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCE AFTER BEING SO OBEDIENT TO YOUR BELOVED GEAR DRAGON."

"I care nothing about Chronojet Dragon any longer! I will stand as the revolutionary leader that actually saves time instead of sitting on my ass!"

"GAHAHAHAHA! HOW EXCITING!"

Nemesis did everything she could to restore her necessary applications while the deities argued, the two ready to break into an even more intense feud than before...

Darren gave Blank a glare and finally raised his hand. He was done listening to all of this, seeing his friends committing unspeakable acts they would never do of their own accord. He raised his hand as a blade appeared, the Kaiser Sword downsized just enough for him to hold.

"The guy who saved me, saved us... would never tell us to give up and sure as shootin' wouldn't lick that Tomato Head's boots like a lackey! Haruto, I'm making this easy for you!"

He moved forward, striking the blade down, not at either of the brothers but in between them. Even if it was blocked or guarded, the message was clear that he was going to get in the way. "A carbon copy like you doesn't give a damn about family. You just do what Tomato Head wants. I'm not gonna spit on that guy's name by letting his brother go with someone like you!" His power spiked up again, a sign that he was going to fight if need be. Someone needed to.

Mirai's challenge to Aedan was accepted. A match of Revengers Shadow Paladin vs Gold Paladin started to unfold. Like Aoi, Aedan was a reborn Seed and just like Aoi, he questioned her motives of fighting the Resistance. They are most probably going to die against the Reapers here so why is Mirai even bothering in fighting them? Her wish would be granted regardless of her interactions or not. Why am I fighting...? They would die anyway with or without me...? Is everything in my life not worth anymore that my contributions doesn't even matter?!

The poor Seed's mind was crumbling more. More doubts. More confusion. Power weakened after her fight against Aoi. The one who would die... is herself. Their fight continued, Mirai rode Blaster Dark Revenger "Abyss" and it was at that point when Aedan called her selfish. That's right. She was selfish. Mirai was jealous that she won't be around after this. If the Resistance do manage to win, she won't be there anymore. Her life in this world would disappear and all she will ever know before that moment would be nothing but despair. Leaving this world without truly having a moment to smile about and that is something Mirai considered more painful than death.

I want to live... I want to live.... I WANT TO LIVE!! That was all the poor girl was able to think. A wish that will never come true. So that was why her new wish is to take everyone with her, to try at least. That way no one can have a future. Suffering momentarily until death's cold embrace takes them into an eternal sleep of nonexistence. No one would have to worry about any evil because they will no longer be conscious about it.

Aedan rode into Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel and a combination of his attacks and a critical trigger, he drove Mirai from 3 damage to 5. The collected pain from this fight and her fight with Aoi is starting to take its toll, falling to her knees, all Mirai could do was to continue her own despair. As she got up, her black and red aura starting blazing like a raging fire as she mustered up strength to continue her fight. "Ruler of darkness, end our suffering and bring us true eternal peace! Crossbreak ride! Revenger, Dragruler... Phantom!!!"

It finally appeared. Dragruler Phantom. The shadowy figure that protected Mirai, watched over her, and then materialized to let Mirai escape from Aoi is now here to protect her once more against Aedan. Using it's Limit Break twice, sacrificing 4 Revenger units, it gained a grand total of 43,000 with the break ride bonus included and allowed it to use it's special ability twice. Dealing damage outside of the battle phase. Dragruler casted an almost realistic illusion that slashed Aedan twice bringing him from 3 damage to 5 as well. However, he unfortunately damage checked a draw trigger giving a defensive boost to Ezel. Calling the last card in hand being a Phantom Blaster Abyss, Mirai launched her final attack. Suddenly a little black haired girl got in the way, it was one of the Gold Paladin's Holy Mages. She cast a gigantic barrier. A perfect defense. One of Mirai's strongest weapons was blocked with ease. She checked into a perfect guard herself and a heal trigger but even that got blocked. It was over. There was nothing she could do unless she healed on 6th damage.

Aedan then rode into Garmore. This was a special version of Garmore. Aedan proceeded to return four cards from his drop zone. He was about to perform a legion but with who? A blinding light shined down and when it faded away, Blond Ezel was standing next to Garmore. After power-ups and superior calls, he got his legion vanguard to the same 43,000 power as Dragruler. Unable to guard it, Mirai took it but thankfully no triggers but she still went back to 5 and checked into a critical trigger. That wouldn't be enough. All she had was enough to stop one rear guard but the last attack from Badgemagus dealt the finish blow. The strike sent Mirai flying a few feet and rolled as she landed on the ground, cutting her forehead with a piece of debris. This... can't be... not again... why... why is this happening....

The beaten Seed struggled to get up as Aedan walked away after saying something but she didn't manage to hear it. Limping and holding her left arm in pain, Mirai walked away. "Someone... please.... make this end..."

Walking towards the scene of the battle between Mirai and Aeden was Raiden. He looked out and saw that she couldn't win once again. He ran towards her, grabbing her shoulder as he said, "Mirai... you don't want this. I know that you don't. If you did, you could have beaten the ones that challenged you. You're afraid, and if what you said is right then you deserve to be, but this isn't how to handle this."

His look was stern but concerned. He gave a sign and closed his eyes. "Even if you do not have a future, and I don't know what happened to say that you do, if you destroy everyone else, everything about you will vanish. If you allow them to die by the hands of the Reapers, everything about you will end. If you help us, and they are defeated... even if you disappear... then your memory will live on forever. So... stop this... Bring back the smile that wanted nothing more then to brighten the lives of everyone around her..."

Fubuki reached the ice cocoon as Sovereign and Chronos prepared to begin their second battle, and... Punched it. No super human strength, no summoning units with the reality bangle. Just straight up punching, over and over. Also screaming. Plenty of screaming.

"AOI! AOOOIII! WAKE UP!" She didn't care if 'hanging on' was pointless. Fubuki didn't want to give up on her friend, she wasn't going to give up on her friend. All she wanted was to know Aoi was alright, or at the very least alive, inside this cocoon of ice.

Do I even have to say what Cero's doing at this point? I don't? Good.

Mirai, bloody faced and weakened is approached by Raiden. The concerned look made things worse. "Shut up..." The beaten Seed said quietly, struggling to stay standing. She's had enough of it all. Killing everyone doesn't matter anymore. Mirai prefers to die now as a human being than to disappear like if her use is done in the world.

"SHUT UP!! I DON'T WANT TO LIVE ON AS A MEMORY! I WANT TO LIVE ON AS A HUMAN! I WANT MY OWN LIFE!! I RATHER VANISH ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAN TO BE SOME STUPID MEMORY!" Mirai yelled, gathering the rest of her strength. The ground began to shake as her aura flared in reaction to her anger.
"My life is going to end regardless... so why not take everything with me... but even that can't happen... my last wish... is being denied..."

Mirai lifts up her deck once more, channeling the rest of her remaining energy into it. "I won't stop... I won't stop until everything is gone or I will die trying! I will not disappear like a useless tool!"