The remaining group go into a room with monitors all around.
"We're here, The End." Sho said. "There shouldn't be any reason to hide anymore. Why don't you show yourself?"
"Th-the monitor just turned on! Maybe he wants to show us something?" Marco asked.
"An image? What does he want us to see?" Sho asked.
The clip showed what looked to be a research facility.
"...Why is this happening?" one of the researchers asked before another clip showed a group of kids.
"Wait, are those supposed to be...us?" Yoko asked.
"It's not just us. It's everyone." Himeno said. "I see George, Sojiro, Agito, Toya and Zenji in there too."
"But wait, who's the white haired boy over there, the one right between Sho and Marco?" Nagi asked.
"He kind of looks like The End a little bit." Mana said.
"Using the TOF and 'erasing' the children with Materia was supposed to create a new world." the researcher said. "And yet… Why did that child see that kind of future?"
"See the future? He's talking about you, Sho!" Yoko said.
"...Indeed. It appears that the boy certainly saw it." another researcher said. "A 'vision' in which the newly created world was destroyed by a meteor as well..."
"The whole thing is still under investigation, but the leading hypothesis is that transferring the twelve children with Materia was the cause." a third researcher said.
"What do you mean?" the lead researcher asked.
"There is a high probability that the Fate Materia are divided into two different classes." the third researcher said. "There's one type with the power to 'change' the timeline in order to protect the world and steer its fate… But there's another Materia with a 'fixation' property, a whole type that tries to resist any fluctuations in the timeline. We think these two forces activate on different occasions to sort of balance out the world. That's the most likely scenario."
"...I see. So a power to change and a power to maintain. Using both simultaneously won't alter the outcome." the second researcher said. "Is this why the new world can't escape its fate, even after transferring the twelve Materia there?"
"I believe so… There is only one way to save a doomed world from destruction…" the third researcher said. "We need to transfer only the Materia of 'change' onto the newly created world."
"So in order to alter our destined destruction, that's the only thing we can do…" the lead researcher said.
"Is it even possible to even distinguish between the Materia of change and fixation?" the second researcher said.
"For us? No, that would be highly unlikely. But that child, maybe… The one who sees visions." the third researcher said.
"Then let's have him decide who will be saved and who will be doomed." the lead researcher said. "The boy with the Gift of Vision… Sho Kasugai…"
"This is…" Sho said.
"I have a feeling what we just saw wasn't a lie." Himeno said. "Creating a new world because the old one was doomed…"
"What were they talking about? What is this video!?" Nagi asked as The End appears.
"Perhaps I can shed some light into this topic." The End said.
"The End. So, what we saw in this video…" Chikasu said.
"That's right. The twelve of us were raised together in that facility, where the researchers experimented on us in hopes of nurturing our powers. Unfortunately, a crisis occurred and the researchers were forced to make a desperate decision." The End said.
"They...turned to me." Sho said.
"Yes. They used your power of Vision to decide our fates. By distributing the Materia of change and fixation, the field would be cut in half. Six of us would live, and six would die." The End said. "Watch this next video, and all will be made clear."
"So why do you need me?" the young Sho asked.
"The destruction of this world can't be avoided. That's why we must create another world, one that isn't doomed to the same fate." the third researcher said. "It's known as the 'Other Earth Project'."
"Other Earth?" the young Sho asked.
"The twelve children who carry the Materia stones will need to be divided into two groups." the third researcher said. "One group for the doomed world, and one for the world that will be saved."
"Um, I don't understand." the young Sho said.
"Of course he wouldn't. We were all just kids back then!" Yoko said. "There was no way a situation like that would be taken seriously."
"I told you this would happen. What's the point in telling everything to a child?" the lead researcher asked. "Listen, Sho. From here on, you are to select your friends. You must choose six of these poor children to remain in the doomed world. Use you power of Vision to create a future where the world is saved."
The video is cut out at that.
"So you're saying that… All this time, I've…" Sho said.
"Ten years ago, you were given monumental choices. Harsh ones, considering the fact that you were a mere child back then, but still monumental nonetheless." The End said as tears fell from his face.
"Tears? What?" Marco asked.
"I was one of the people who was given the Materia of fixation." The End said. "The others were the ones judged as traitors. George, Toya, Zenji, Sojiro, and even poor happy-go-lucky Agito. All of our fates sealed, because of one choice. They were all residents of another world, one very similar to the one you knew, but a separate existence, severed from your world ten years ago. All they wanted was a chance to save their own world… But that can never happen now…"
"So that's why you have such a deep hatred for Sho." Chikasu said.
"I don't plan on making excuses. It appears I have altered everyone's destinies and passed judgment on you all unknowingly." Sho said. "But that doesn't justify all the actions you committed. If I'm the one you hate, why didn't you just exact your revenge on me!? Why are you trying to destroy the world? Why involve everyone in this?"
"To put it in the simplest terms: Because you'll suffer more this way." The End said. "What I couldn't forgive was that you made your choice without a hint of malice or insight. That's why I made you all go through all of this. It may seem petty to you, but to me, it's all I have left. So come. Let us end all of this!"
"I swore that I would kill you, and that's what I'm going to do." Himeno said as she got ready.
"It may not seem like much, but I love this world. So I'm going to do everything I can to defend it." Mana said.
"Thanks to all of this, I found people I can trust. And we're gonna take you down. All of us!" Marco said.
"I have finally found my purpose, and it all starts by defeating you." Nagi said.
"We all have dreams and aspirations to achieve. That's why I will not lose!" Yoko said.
"You heard it, The End. All of these ideals shine brighter than any star in the night sky." Chikasu said.
"We end this now." Sho said.
After a long and grueling battle, The End was finally defeated.
"So… I guess I can't win, after all." The End said. "No matter what, you will always survive. You will always be the chosen one of us. And just as inevitable… I will be destroyed alongside the world itself."
"That's not true…" Sho said. "There isn't a single life that shouldn't exist. That can never be allowed. You should be allowed to live. It's true I did forsake you, but that doesn't mean your existence isn't allowed. Aren't you here right now? So don't throw away your will to live!"
"That's not possible. Everyone says I shouldn't exist." The End said. "They say that as long as I'm alive, the world is doomed…"
"So what!? Even if millions of people deny your existence, there are sure to be people who can accept you!" Sho said. "I'll accept your existence… That you're allowed to live!"
"But what of the people we have condemned?" Yoko asked.
"Transported. We figured that if we have no right to live in this world, then we should scatter to other worlds where we can live better lives." The End said.
"So they're not really dead?" Marco asked.
"No, but without their Materia, they'll have no means of defending themselves. They will have to develop new skill sets all on their own." The End said.
"You're more generous than we gave you credit for. Everyone has the right to live." Chikasu said.
"That's right. And that's why… I want to save everyone…!" Sho said.
"Huh? Sho! The End's power is flowing into you!" Chikasu said as a flash of light enveloped them.
"I can see them. They're…" Sho said as images start to flow. "These are possibilities of the world."
"He combined my power of Dimensional Leap with his own Precognition. No, don't tell me… It's Sho's true Gift!" The End said. "Why didn't I see it? Could it have been the power to create possibilities this whole time?"
"That's right. And I remember now." Sho said. "All the other dimensions and bonds I've made, how could I have forgotten them? My irreplaceable ties to everyone's hearts!" he said as lights start to circulate around him. "Chikasu… Thank you for everything. I wish I can go to your son and help as well, but… There is something that I must do. Everyone, thank you… For everything. I can take the next step. I feel like I can overcome anything now." he said as a beam of light hit him and he was erased. At a parallel Earth, Sho appeared in front of the planet's atmosphere as he glowed a golden aura and punched the meteorite, destroying it into fragments.
"So we're allowed to live, huh?" The End asked as he picked up Sho's Materia.
"So, what's next for you?" Himeno asked. "Now that you've been given the right to live, you're free to live your life however you wish."
"Correct. I shall go where the winds of life take me. I look forward to the day where we all meet again." The End said as he leaves.
"So he's finally decided to embrace the life that was given to him." Mana said.
"Yeah. I'm happy for him." Marco said.
"He will go where his life takes him, no matter where it may be." Nagi said.
"It's a little anti-climactic, but I suppose...it's better this way." Himeno said.
"That's right. He and the others have as much a right to live as we do." Yoko said.
"Quite." a voice said as Nurarihyon appeared. "It's been a while, Chikasu Ishihara."
"Nurarihyon! I haven't seen you since that battle against Ultron Sigma!" Chikasu said. "Why are you here?"
"Lord Enma requested assistance against the titans. Assistance...in the form of this group." Nurarihyon said.
"He wants...us?" Marco asked.
"Correct, young Marco. Specifically, into a redux. A retelling of a past adventure. A ripple in time is soon to close, but it won't be the end. We need you to provide backup to esteemed warriors." Nurarihyon said.
"We'll do it. We cannot allow those monsters to do as they please." Himeno said.
"I am willing to provide as much backup as I can muster." Nagi said.
"You can count on me for support too." Mana said.
"I'm willing to help in any way I can!" Marco said.
"We all struck through this time of despair, through and through. We'll stick together until the very end. I'm ready too!" Yoko said.
"Such passionate spirits. I can see why Lord Enma wishes you all to join in this battle." Nurarihyon said as a portal opens and the SEALED members went inside. "You did a great deal helping them in their time of need, Chikasu. This couldn't have been pulled off without you."
"No need for thanks, Nurari. My son wishes to be the light that dispels the darkness of the multiverse. I'm just willing to be the shadow that light casts. That's...all I can do in my age." Chikasu said.
"Couldn't have said it better myself." Nurarihyon said as he closed the portal and opens another one back to Akihabara. Chikasu steps inside before it was closed again. "The players have now assembled. The final battle shall soon commence." Nurarihyon said as he made a portal in the air and flew through it.
To be continued...