A/N: The AU has officially begun. *grins*
The first half is OC-centric, explaining how did the rest of the Burst Linker community really became aware of Chrome Falcon.
«Final Elimination Phenomenon» is the process when a Burst Linker dies and loses all their points...this much was said in the messages given to us.
But do they actually lose all their memories as well? I wish I knew one of them in real world...just 'ta see if they still remember me, heh.
-Argon Array, «Losing Brain Burst»
Three points left. That number stared at Klein Apprentice with absolute zero emotion.
Having been slaughtered by Chrome Falcon- no, the thing that Chrome Falcon had become for the nth time now, he presently was in the 'Ghost' state in the Unlimited Neutral Field. Besides observing the state of other combatants, he is also able to access his game menu. Clicking on 'Points' naturally brings up a number showing how many Burst Points one has remaining; as such, Klein Apprentice was unable to deny the truth any longer. Soon, he would be joining the ranks of fallen friends and leave the Accelerated World permamently.
They had all tried to reason with that monster. While their Burst Points were drained and their loss rates climbed, Apprentice and the others had argued, reasoned, and pleaded. All their efforts to save themselves were merely answered with a slash of the dark greatsword.
Now, Apprentice is the only one remaining out of the thirty-odd players who had originally gathered together. Diamond Wrist, the player who had contacted them in the real world to gather had long ago lost all his points. Apprentice was only able to survive this long because not only was he Level 5, the same level as Falcon, his previous experience duelling against - and alongside - Falcon in the past had helped him somewhat. In many ways, Falcon was his old friend.
With less than two minutes left before he will respawn, a tight ball of fear and adrenaline seeps into the pit of his stomach again. Apprentice glanced at Falcon standing still about twenty metres away, the bloodstained greatsword planted in the earth. Some of his own blood is on that blade as well.
Apprentice is beyond the stage of feeling pity and sympathy for Falcon. His mind is too numb from the endless violence, too weary from being killed again and again. At this point, the only things he is able to feel is the acute fear of losing Brain Burst and the raw hatred emanating from Falcon.
It is no longer the simple tantrum of a grade schooler that the players are in the real world. Falcon's feelings have since been distorted and twisted into something deeper, more animalistic. The black-silver armour encasing him is proof of that.
The one hour penalty elapsed and Apprentice's senses began to return. His perspectve returned to being a tall warrior, and his sense of feeling was restored. A smooth wooden bokken was reformed and settled into his hands in a two-handed grip.
"So...is this the end?" Apprentice whispered.
The destroyer of black silver took a menacing step forward, drawing his greatsword from the earth. Apprentice meekly raised his own weapon, but he had no fighting spirit left to assume a proper posture.
If I die here today...will I really lose all my memories of Brain Burst?
Apprentice recalled his memories of playing the mysterious game that had arrived as an anoymous mail long, long ago:
Happier times when he fought side by side with Falcon and Blossom.
Leading others on Enemy hunts with his seniority and skill.
Countless hours spent training sword techniques in the Unlimited Field, and with much better results than training in the real world.
If I die...will I forget all these things? Is it fine with me to return to the grade-schooler kendoka that I am...?
Will Dad be pleased I gave up this game...?
A small spark suddenly lights up in his heart even as Chrome Falcon takes another step.
Klein Apprentice is a reflection of his real-life self. Born in a prestigious family and destined to be a master kendo practitioner, he had always been coached by relatives, and barely talked to his father informally. The only time he has ever felt warmth and feelings from his father is when his training is diligient and the results excellent.
But with the additional fighting experience gained from playing in Brain Burst, Apprentice began to develop a fighting spirit he could never summon previously. That kind of drive which he couldn't find in the real world was still good enough to earn his father's approval.
If he lost all his memories by the Final Elimination Phenomenon, and with that his drive to fight, would his father be pleased...?
...No.
Apprentice bows his head slightly as the realisation hits him.
I have not had enough. There is more I enjoy from this game...not just as a player, but-
Apprentice slowly lifts his head to meet Falcon's hungry stare.
-but to be stronger. To be a strong swordsman...and make Dad proud!
With a stronger determination than he has ever summoned before in his life, Apprentice raised his wooden sword. As though gambling, he's staking his right to play, his dignity, everything on his three remaining points. Chrome Falcon merely leers and opens his 'mouth' - a yawning abyss within opens that yearns for its next victim. The aura of darkness around his increases in size, but-
Another aura is beginning to form around Klein Apprentice. A pale blue-white in colour that perfectly matches the deep blue colouration of his armour, the space around him is distorted as he raises his sword above his head.
"I won't just give up here...!"
Apprentice screams with all his remaining willpower. The blue aura surrounding him has now grown to cover all of his body, including his weapon, but he doesn't notice it. As though he is being overtaken by the same phenomenon that Falcon succumbed to, but- Apprentice is feeling nothing but a pure hope filling his heart!
Chrome Falcon's hunger can wait no longer. With his third step, he leans forward, lifting his sword- and changes his body into massless particles charging straight at Klein Apprentice.
"...I won't just leave everything I have behind!"
Apprentice tears the last words from his throat, and swings down-
CRASH. The two aura-wrapped blades collide with a sound that shakes the earth.
In that moment, a star seems to light up where the two avatars meet. Where the greatsword touches the slender wooden weapon, light effects continuously pour like raging waters. Black light from Falcon's sword sucks in the surrounding illumination as though denying their existence, and the torrent of blue plasma from Apprentice's weapon seemingly repels the dark aura of Falcon.
Klein Apprentice has never seen this happen before. Normally, his wooden weapon was mercilessly cut down by the greatsword, so parrying was useless.
But at the brink of death, he can't pay any attention to the phenomena; a single thought occupies his mind and fuels the will holding Falcon back:
"-I cannot stop here!"
The two opponents open their eyes and lock gazes. In this precarious equilibrium of their clashing mind power, Apprentice touches the absolute darkness within Falcon for the briefest instant.
The much-abused stage finally gives, unable to tolerate further damage. A chasm opens up between Falcon and Apprentice, unbalancing their equilibrium and unleashing terribly strong repulsive forces. The two swordsmen are blown apart a hundred metres instantly, dissapating their auras. Klein Apprentice lands at the far side of the killing ground, his weapon clattering to the earth. Falcon lands in a sticky swamp and stops moving for a moment.
Moving on sheer adrenaline, Apprentice sprang to his feet and scrambled behind a withered tree. The Leave Point is just right in front, he opens his stride and runs for it-
CRACK. Just as expected, Falcon uses Flash Blink and cuts down the tree, hell-bent on killing him at all costs. Apprentice pumps his legs furiously; just five metres left-
"GUURAHHHH!"
The roar of a hungry beast is the last thing Apprentice hears. His fingertip touches the Leave Point, and turns his body into countless specks of light.
tbc.
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OC Credits:
Tusjecht (Klein Apprentice)
