Kara no Kyokai: The Borderline to Emptiness Chapter 25, a naruto fanfic

Standard Disclaimer: This author does not own the creative properties used in the development of this story. Have fun figuring out which ones I've used. There are a few original characters; those are mine.

Surgeon General's Warning:

Read at your own risk.

Kara no Kyokai - The Borderline of/to Emptiness

In the Dark Future, there is only -- Magical! Lyrical! Naruto?

Verse 25:

The Purgation

A Naruto AU fanfic by Tempest Dynasty

Seven bodies shuddered as they felt a great wave of chaotic energy ripple through the Immaterium, churning the pandemonium of the Warp. Seven heads tore their attention away from their tasks, whipping their heads around to simultaneously gaze in the same direction. Seven warriors of the Inquisition narrowed their eyes at the encroaching darkness that loomed in the distance, their fists clenching as feelings of calm fury and disquiet washed over them.

Something terrible had happened.

At the same time, though closer to the wave's epicenter, Chrono and Yuuno were unable to realize the full significance of the disturbance. They too, felt the pulse wash over them, but their insensitivity to the Warp served only to give them feelings of hesitation and anxiety rather than grave dread.

"M-Master, that feeling…!" Yuuno looked to his sire and friend, his eyes wide in apprehension.

"Yes. I felt it too. It… disturbs me," the blue mage seethed, nodding his agreement. It did not bode of good intentions, that he was certain.

"Could Nanoha-san, Naruto-san, or Sister Reseda be in danger?"

"They could be. However, if they truly need our help, they would have sent us a message of sorts. For all we know, it could be like with the rats: a light show and a hassle to deal with. Hnnn, let us fret not and have some faith in their abilities. They are not mewling kittens anymore, those two children."

"I-if you say so, mi'lord," Yuuno did not sound completely sure, but he would follow his master's words. Still, he offered a silent prayer to the Empress and the old gods to watch over his friends.

Out in the cold black of space, dozens of Imperial cruisers lay hidden in the shadows surrounding the planet Earth, Mother Terra. These magnificent ships of the Inquisition kept silent vigil over a planet so sacred yet so mysterious. There was a flash, however, a sliver of light that soon grew to encompass an entire ship highly unlike the Black Ships. Whereas the Imperial ships had a distinctively Gothic design to them and were as solid as they looked, this newcomer had a sleek, almost frail appearance.

Much smaller too, the spacecraft barely passed five hundred meters in length, and the difference in tonnage became clear as it swooped into the shadow of a mighty Imperial battleship, dwarfing the tiny thing at over ten kilometers. The sight alone was akin to a miniscule silver-white winnow swimming in the oceans amongst titanic whales that dominated the saltine seascape.

The ship paused momentarily, as if waiting for something, before it began a gradual cruise towards the blue and white marble.

It was almost by accident that they ran into a single parasite, and in eerie parallel with Reseda's group, the mages nigh stumbled into a grand room teeming with almost innumerable beasts. Unlike Naruto, Nanoha, and the Sister of Battle, the Blue Breaker and his companion were prepared for this.

"A Hive…"

"Master?" Yuuno was already charging a spell.

Chrono nodded. "We purge."

Nodding to each other, the Bureau mages charged forward ablaze with magical power. Green chains and blue swords arced through the musty air, the chittering cries of the Parasites echoing along with the sounds of combat. Together, these boys would show the full might of a mage to cleanse the world of the mutant, the heretic, and the unclean. The hive stood little chance against their coordinated attack, so in tune and harmonious that they seemed to dance a furious dance of death instead of a synchronized strike. Hundreds of the monsters fell, their Queen bound and torn apart by magical green chains then burned alive by a Blaze Cannon.

If there was one thing Chrono appreciated the Imperials of, it is their habit of being thorough. So thorough, in fact, that they would sooner cleanse utterly with fire than fight to preserve. This habit rubbed off on the Blue Breaker somewhat, spurning him on to purify the entire room with blazing heat. He looked around, satisfied with his work. Yes. This was how it was done. Purgation through fire; a cleansing flame.

Just… in… this way…?

Suddenly, a vision unbidden from the depths of somewhere forgotten rose up and seared into his eyes and skulls, with a scream. It was hot. Unbearably hot. Searing heat and scorching flames. The smell of choking ash and blinding soot. Fire that licked the air and consumed everything it touched. A blaze that once consumed him. His very flesh roasting alive. Boiling. Bubbling. Broiling. Blackening. Eating. Smothered by smoke, unmoving as he burned. Ashes to ashes…

Agony.

Fire.

Terror.

"Master!" a young, worried voice sliced through Chrono's consciousness like a powersword, yanking him out of whatever strange private world he was trapped in. It was warm around him, but it was… comforting. Looking down, the Blue Breaker saw that a pair of pale arms had encircled his chest, a light pressure upon his back.

"Y-Yuuno?" the boy stuttered. He felt strangely at ease, and simultaneously awkward, in the embrace of his servant; it was good he had returned to his senses. But…what in the Mysteries had he experienced just now?

"Master, are you well?" the changeling released Chrono and held him at arms' length. "You completely gave up the ghost for a whole minute there! I tried to get your attention, but you just would not respond. Y-You were walking, almost drawn towards the flames!"

"I was?"

"Yes! If I had not heard your staff clattering to the ground, why…oh, here."

"Ah," Chrono accepted his staff back, noting he was only a few strides off from walking into the hellish inferno of his own making. Even with the protection of their magicks, he could feel the scorching heat against his face.

Oddly, the pyres and the ashen hulks of the slain mutant beats made for a fascinating play of light and shadow. Almost winsome feelings of nostalgia, but more specifically, it was not of the pleasant kind; memories better left well alone in the buried corners of a man's heart. The Blue Breaker's carefully schooled complexion darkened.

A reaction that did not go unnoticed by young Yuuno Scrya. The fair-haired boy flushed and nibbled his lip in consternation, as he battled a surge of emotion and ethics. What it would be too presumptuous, perhaps impertinent of him, a subordinate, to question the health of his liege? Clearly, something had happened to have shaken his lord, and he had nearly lost him too. For once, Yuuno wished he had the courage, foolish or genuine, as Uzumaki Naruto possessed, to convey his feelings without hesitation.

"M-My Lord, I-I…I nearly lost you, in my moment of weakness. I was stopping to catch a second wind, you see, a-and…"

Oh, shame! How he wished he could hide his girlish face in the shadow of a hood.

"It's… nothing. Thank you, Scrya."

"But—!"

"Scholar Scrya, please, just drop it. I am fine, now," Chrono's tone booked no further argument, yet he seemed to almost beg. Without another word, the boy slipped away from Yuuno's grip and into the tunnels with a flutter of his robe.

Left behind, Yuuno only sighed weakly before following his master. "…Yes, sir."

For Yuuno, the silence was driving him insane. His master had not spoken up in a while, and to be frank his current state was far from the noble silence he usually exuded. No… now, it was a tense, almost anxious quietness that only served to unnerve the Scholar. But what could he say? There was nothing he could do to console his master, no words to soothe him – Chrono's pain was as private as his thoughts, unspoken and utterly mysterious, just like the Moon.

Oh, if only the proud git would speak his mind, so that I would not suffer alone in dreadful anxiety. Better, we suffer together, than fall alone… Yuuno's attention snapped from his melancholy blue back to the present when his master made an odd sound, something akin to an inquisitive hmm.

"Is that…?" Chrono's words trailed off as he sped up his walk, practically stepping into the air and gliding out of the passage way, Yuuno not far behind. Sure enough, the ambient lighting had lightened considerably with every foot gained. At a junction in the tunnels, they could see the evening starlight and the coast.

"We've found the exit, Master!" the changeling proclaimed joyfully. He admitted it was a bit forced, but if it helped to uplift the heavy weight upon their conscious shoulders, then so be it.

"Yes… but where is everyone else?"

"Ooooy!" another voice came from an adjacent tunnel. From the shadows stepped out the dirtied but welcomed sight of Sister Reseda, an unidentified heap in one arm and her rifle cradled delicately in the other. Not too far behind her was Nanoha, Raising Heart gripped tightly in her hands. "Spot on, lads, ya're both alive!"

"I return those sentiments, Sister. 'Tis good to see you unharmed, Empress be…"

His words trailed as what feelings of relief lasted only moments before his eyes locked on to the unknown lump carried underarm of the Sororitas, soon revealed to be an unconscious Uzumaki Naruto hanging limply, like a doll with its strings cut. What in Mystra could have happened to knockout the dead-last? He was an idiot, yes, but he was also stubborn and hard to put down. The Lady Takamachi Nanoha too, she was far quieter and subdued that her usual self.

The Blue Breaker's vision locked onto Sister Reseda, "What happened?"

"Ehh. We 'ad a-bit o' a scrap wit' them bugs, nuffin' too problematic, an' the kid 'ere took a nasty hit. He's alive though, if a bit knocked silly," the nun gave a nonchalant shrug. "Give 'im a spell why don't ye, an' he should be ace."

The way the Daemonhost seemed, draped over her arm like that, and Nanoha's awkward silence and timidity, did little to convince Chrono. The Sister was hiding something, without a doubt. Unfortunately, he was unable to inquire further into the matter, as he sister's vox-caster crackled to life suddenly. The small device barked out a voice that all of them recognized, but speaking a language familiar only to Reseda and the Bureau mages. "This is Takamachi Shirou calling Sister Reseda. Are you receiving this?"

A look of puzzlement briefly passed over the girl's face before she quelled it down and picked up the transceiver, switching from heavily accented Japanese to perfect High Gothic.

"I hear you, Lord Takamachi. What is the matter?"

Nanoha, recognizing her father's name among that foreign tongue, perked up a few shades.

"I'm assuming the boys and my daughter are there with you? Have them come to the surface immediately. There's something that all of you must see," Shirou's voice was rather clipped, a calmness that Reseda did not like too much – something weird was going on, without a doubt.

"Understood, Sir. We will arrive as soon as possible. Out," the battle sister broke the connection and turned to face her expectant allies. The two mage boys understood what was going on, but poor Nanoha was left in the dark. Didn't Raising Heart have a translation program?

"Awright, lads, we been called top-side! There's a bigger bash upstairs, an' we've been invited. Let's not disappoint now, yeah?"

Chrono had a look of guarded apprehension. Something bigger on the surface? "Did he say what it is?"

"No, but de guv'nor sounded bare urgent. Let's not tally anymore."

"Right. Let's go then."

Be it strange coincidence or convenient fate, the mages and Sister were given the sight of an elaborately designed Rhino troop carrier idling only a short distance away from their exit point, the familiar sight of Sisters of Battle and Stormtroopers standing by a comfort. At the same time, they had to wonder – how did the rest of them knew where to be? Certainly, they could have detected the presence of the parasites on their scanners, but their timing and position… it was eerie. However, they would think more of it as they regrouped with their allies.

"Lord Takamachi, Sister Superior, what is this about?" Reseda asked, once again speaking in High Gothic. Dinah's response was just a wry grin, a message hidden behind beautiful lips. Shirou answered in her stead,

"When you reported of your operation, Sister Dinah was gracious enough to inform my men and I, as well as the Grey Knights of the situation. Just in case, we deployed on the surface. The auspex scans we've received matches the data you sent us."

Chrono's eyes shifted to look at the blonde Sister of Battle. When had she sent the data?

"However, we also detected a mass movement from the sewers out to the bay. Thus far we've only encountered strange crab-like creatures in small groups and eliminated them, thusly. However, as we did so, they seemed to completely ignore us and forego any form of self-defense. They seemed to head into the sea as a means of escape."

"Yes. We've met similar opponents in the sewers, leading us to a large hive of them. They were quite numerous, but we managed to destroy the hive and drive them out. We are fairly certain that the beasts had fled to the coast, where you must have encountered them," Chrono gave a short report.

"We, too, found a hive. Although there were some difficulties," Sister Reseda spoke up, nodding her head at Naruto's state. "We managed to purge the area of the parasitic filth."

Dinah gave a proud smile while Shirou gave a small speculating hum. "Two hives… perhaps the filth has been cleansed? We have not seen any more until your arrival."

"That cannot be right," Chrono shook his head. "If that were true, then were are the Jewel Seeds? These creatures were spawned from those tainted artifacts, and unless we find it, we cannot assume that things are safe."

If not the hives then where could they be? What was it they were missing here? Perhaps… the sea?

These thoughts could not be entertained for long, as a long high pitched squeal of Yuuno's auspex going off cut through the air like a sword. Even the young archaeologist was surprised as he fumbled to inspect the device. It took only a cursory glance but what he saw was enough to make his eyes go as wide as platters. All the attention shifted to the changeling boy, questions left unasked as they watched him slowly lift a trembling hand up and point out into the water.

Out in the bay was a small shape, a hump that grew with every fleeting moment. Wholly unnatural, those gathered could only stare with abated breath as the bulge grew bigger and bigger, the surface tension of the ocean straining abnormally against the building pressure.

The water surface burst like some kind of mutated pus-filled pimple, a monstrous explosion of water from which some sort of horrid creature clawed its way out. It was huge. No. It was greater than that. To the humans down below, the Behemoth seemed capable of reaching into the sky and shake the heavens themselves.

As if Yokohama's port was only a puddle, the Behemoth towered over them all like a twisted skyscraper. It cast a great shadow with the setting sun, a dark path polluting the pure earth. Draconic in appearance, the beast was like some horrid graft of machine and monster. Thick, muscular legs leading up to a heavy body, wires and flesh jutting out almost randomly; its arms were long, gangly, but they appeared strong enough to smash through entire buildings. Its head was enormous, a reptilian long jaw with equally large teeth.

Countless parasites crawled over its gigantic, grotesque body, so thick a swarm that it was like a second skin to it. With a great shake, dozens upon dozens of these creatures fell off into the water. Uncaring of the fallen creatures, the Behemoth let out a magnificent, earthshaking roar! Entire buildings shook, the vibrations penetrating through flesh and steel alike – those gazing at the beast with shock and awe could swear that their hearts fluttered and their stomachs churned at the bellow. With that cry, it began its terrible trek towards the city.

And now the parasites were swarming towards them in a fiendish tide of chittering filth.

Dammit. "Open fire!"

Bolter and lasfire choked the air as Shirou, his Stormtroopers, the Sisters of Battle, and one armed Rhino unleashed their combined righteous fury, their fire supplemented by the magical firepower of Nanoha and Chrono. Ruby beams, blue photons, and burning tracers arched through the air, tearing apart and blasting away the beasts as grand pink beams and glowing blue swords tore into the sky. Protected behind the armored hull of the Ecclesial Rhino was Yuuno, keeping watch over the still unconscious Naruto.

"Warp-damned things are like tyranids!" Shirou growled as he sprayed another group with lasfire. Despite the combined volume of fire of the group, there were far more bodies than there were bullets. Slowly, ever so gradually, the parasite swarm gained ground. It would not be soon until they would have to enter close quarters combat. While the rest of them were prepared to dive into the meat grinder, his precious daughter was hardly equipped for. Not only that, but the very city he loved was under threat.

"Dammit they're breaking through! Put fire down that direction!" the ruby beams spread like fans in an attempt to slow down the swarm, yet several groups managed to split off and scurry into the city.

"If we can't deal with this shit, how the hell are we supposed to bring the Big Ugly down?!" one of Shirou's stormtroopers shouted, his words a grim reminder. With only infantry level small arms, none of them had the proper anti-armor weapon that could effectively deal with the Behemoth. Perhaps, the mages could muster some heavy magical firepower of sorts, but they were still inferior in numbers.

Fortunately for Chrono, the previous fact would soon become untrue.

Something made him pause. A mental alarm of sorts, one that the Blue Breaker both expected and was surprised to feel. Yet it was nothing that would bring more problems – on the contrary, it was good news. Rather, it was a… presence.

Finally…

"Ladies and gentlemen," a smile grew across the boy's face. He knew something no one else did. "I have our solution. Cover me."

"Navy Bravo-Charlie Alpha-Halo, this is Breaker Bravo Six transmitting from operations area. Are you receiving, over?"

Within the mage ship, a holographic panel of Chrono's face bloomed to life amidst the numerous data screens.

"Ten-Four, Commander Harlaown. Asura receiving you loud and clear," a communications operator replied over the secured military magi-link telepathic channel.

"Barely a moment here and I already have a request," the boy cracked inwardly, a small smirk before professionalism smothered it down. "Requesting orbital strike on my position. Adjust Fire, Polar, Over. Target: Bio-Titan. Closing in. Relative speed seven knots. Defensive capability unknown. Three-Hundred by One-Seven-Five. Attitude Two-Eight-Zero-Zero. Precision, Danger Close, Three Rounds, Mark, Over."

"Request received and approved. Commander, be advised that the targeting system is not adjusted for this planet's atmosphere. We estimate an eighty-five percent accuracy rating with current calibrations, and it will take some time to reconstruct the targeting data."

The Blue Breaker bit back a curse. Normally such a degree of error was acceptable, especially with a target this big and a situation this bad. However, they were near the city with plenty of collateral just begging to be incinerated on the spot, along with the support mages presently maintaining the many temporal force fields on the premises. No, they would need surgical pinpoint fire from the battlecruiser, as accurate as it can get.

"Ten-Four. Stand-by, Asura. We will improvise," the uplink was cut as the Blue Breaker returned his attention to the battle, shouting into the din. "They need something to lock on to! Otherwise, we risk incinerating ourselves too!"

"I can make it so, Master! My auspex can serve as a targeting beacon!" Yuuno shouted from the Rhino, holding up the device in question. "But how can we secure it on the monster?"

"I can handle that, boy! Dinah broke off from battle, snatching up the device. She approached the mess-covered Reseda, a grim look upon her normally smiling face.

"Sister, your power is needed today."

"Aye. I understand, Sister Superior."

Spiritus dominatus,
Domine, libra nos,
From the lightning and the tempest,
Our Emperor deliver us.

Dinah murmured the Fede Imperialis battle hymn as she stood in front of the Celestine, the same words echoed by the blonde. Bringing her hands together in prayer, Sister Dinah spoke in calm, controlled tones. "Releasing control art restriction levels three and two."

Runic wards and high gothic text previously unseen flashed to life upon Reseda's armor, the sigils covering nearly every inch of her ancient armor. The battle sister visibly winced as something washed over her, her eyes squeezed shut as some unknown transformation twisted her body from the inside. Her teeth were tightly clenched, and her entire body seemed to give a great shudder as the words washed over her.

The others could only watch on in indifference and (in the case of the Mages) awe. Never before had they seen such a strange and mystical power, especially in a group that emphasized purity over anything else. Here and now, they would witness something unseen by many and understood by only a few.

"Situation C – The Cromwell Approval is now in effect. Hold release until vocal command given."

Sister Reseda finally opened her eyes, brilliant blue now replaced by a crimson red not unlike the changes another blond

The Sister Superior held out the auspex. "Plant this upon that beast. Let nothing stand in your way! Show them the strength of our righteous fury!"

"AYE," was all the woman could muster, a guttural snarl that rumbled deep from her throat. Chrono did not miss Nanoha's flinch at the sound of Reseda speaking, his suspicions rising. He could not think more of it, however, as Sister Reseda tore away from the group and headlong into the thick parasite horde.

"Whilst Sister Reseda makes a path, the rest of you fall back into the city and meet up with the Grey Knights! Cleanse this land of its infestation!" Sister Dinah pointed her soldiers into the city, the Rhino's machine spirit roaring in agreement. She herself had to remain behind so as to observe the rampage.

"Bravo team, go with the Sisters. Alpha squad, with me! We're going bug hunting," Shirou's vicious grin was mirrored by the rest of his men. Turning to the mages, the Rogue Trader tossed a small vox-caster to Chrono. "Keep in touch and tell us when the fireworks start."

Chrono nodded, watching the rest of the Stormtroopers follow their brethren. As much as he would have liked to join them in purging the city, the Blue Breaker understood his purpose: observe the Behemoth, watch its movements, and then call down the thunder. And watch he would, even as it crept closer with each noisy step.

Still, he could not help but worry when the monster finally made landfall (thankfully a healthy kilometer away, having changed course during its way). Naturally, a thunderous crash befitting its epic proportions shook the ground and rattled his bones. How he wished they had an Imperial Titan or a Bureau Deus Machina right about now.

"Sister Superior Dinah, what's the situation with that targeting beacon?" the mage asked with forced calm.

"It will be ready soon. Have faith."

Chrono only hummed in reply. Being little more than a spectator was not the way he would have liked things, especially with such a great threat right there in front of him. Everything in him screamed for action, demanding that he act in face of this terrible foe. Yet to do so was to just get in the way…

His attention was drawn to a suddenly airborne parasite, physically thrown into the air by some great force. There was no doubt in his mind of who was responsible – she was already abnormally strong before the change, and now? The mage did not want to find out just how much stronger her punch was.

Amidst the chattering brood and the distant echoes of urban warfare, the mages and Dinah could faintly hear the warcries of the berserk Sister as she tore her way through the horde, smashing chitin and throwing the creatures aside like ragdolls. Just as abrupt as her attack was, she was suddenly in the air, a great leap onto the Behemoth's leg. The monster seemed not to care, as if already used to the great horde living upon its body.

For Reseda, her upwards battle was one of furious punching, batting away all that stood in her way. Had it not been for the Behemoth's sheer size, she would have reached her objective in a blink. With every agonizing second that ticked by, the monster came closer and closer to the city, but so did Reseda to her objective. With a defiant scream of finality and victory, Reseda drew her fist into the air and punched down into the monster's back, shoving the magi-tech auspex deeply into the beast's flesh… and then promptly fell off.

"The device is planted. Worry not for Sister Reseda – she will be fine."

"I understand. In that case…"

"Ugh. What…the hell hit me-yo?" the boyish voice of Naruto Uzumaki interrupted the proceedings, sitting up from his indignant position from the ground. Yuuno was quite pleased with the change, but oddly enough, Nanoha seemed hesitant to approach.

"Well, well, glad to see you back in the land of the living, dobe." Chrono remarked dryly before reestablishing his telepath-communications link. "Asura, this is Harlaown. A targeting beacon has been placed on the OpFor. Fire when ready."

A brief moment of silence passed, sending a pang of worry through him. Did they get his message? To his quiet relief, the break was only brief.

"Roger, Commander. Target beacon detected and locked on. Now initiating firing sequence."

Never had such a warship been this close to Mother Terra beyond visitation; never before had permission for orbital based fire support been approved. Perhaps, it was the incredible trust that this particular ship had with the Inquisition, or perhaps, it was the captain of the ship that held such prestige, but beyond the Black Ships of the Inquisition that lay hidden in the darkness of space, this was the only ship that dared to do so. And now it would show its righteous fury upon the unclean below.

Along its side opened up several cannon batteries, their pronged emitters glowing with the power of man and magick. A tiny beacon far on the surface was their target, no bigger than a personal digital assistant, but they would not miss, for it was transmitting all they needed to fly as true as an arrow. With a flash of glorious iridescent light, they fired.

"Be advised, lance on high."

Down came the hammer of judgment.

Chrono's head whipped around to address the group, snapping open the vox-caster link at the same time. "Everyone, down!" he roared, dropping to a knee and ducking his head down along with Yuuno. Dinah reacted swiftly and dropped as well, pushing down an awed Nanoha.

"What the hell is going on?" Naruto, finally fully awake, managed to say before his very world exploded.

Like the piercing lightning of Zeus, like the thunderous hammer of Thor, the sky split apart as a shining ray of focused power struck the Behemoth. Air trembled and the world around them roared in lyrical discord with the beast, the great heavenly blast tearing into the beast and ripping its unholy flesh asunder. From nearby and afar, all paused to stare at the holy light. Behemoth could only roar in defiant agony as its very flesh disintegrated, its bones melting and muscles burning into carbon and ash. As gruesome as it may have seem, Behemoth's end came with lightning, blood, and thunder as its form crumbled away beneath the might of the orbital strike.

With Behemoth's death throes came the sudden death of every parasite around them, their bodies losing form and drying up into desiccated ruins of their former selves before they, too, dissolved into ash.

All that was left was a collection of sparkling blue gems, five in total, shining bright before fading away amongst the smoking debris.

"Destruction confirmed, Asura. Target is silenced. Excellent work," one could hear the grin on Chrono's face.

"The Mysteries reward us. Oh, be advised, Commander. Admiral Harlaown is descending via shuttle to planetary surface. We have also deployed a mass area T-F-F to mask their approach. Accompanying her is Lieutenant Limietta and their escorts of Rel--

"Wait… WHAT?!" the Bureau mage blurted out aloud, much to the surprise of those around him. He was not sure he heard that correctly, but… Mother and Miss Limietta were coming down. When did they even get the clearance for that!?

"As I said, the Admiral and Lieutenant Limietta are arriving groundside. They will be landing in close proximity to your current residence within the hour."

Oh no.

"Did they give any reason?"

"Negative, Commander. They departed immediately after the barrage."

Fear gripped his heart. Oh, how he dreaded the coming hour.

"Well… It cannot be helped, I suppose," he sighed with grim finality, once again drawing looks from the others. While he dearly loved his mother and Amy was a close acquaintance from his early career, but to make a house call of sorts now was not really the best timing. He would have preferred some sort of early warning, so that he could strengthen his resolve, or at the very least, clean up his room.

Wait. What did they say she was coming with?

Author's Notes:

And there we have it. After way too long a period, another chapter down and another in the works; life goes on and I keep typing. Your reviews fuel the fire, so please do not hesitate to leave some feedback. Hitting that little button down there and leaving a message tells me that people want more, thus I will reciprocate.

Until next time.

I'll take this time to thank my beta / partner / James "Ray" Edwards. His work and assistance is highly appreciated, and I probably wouldn't have gotten this far without him. I will also take this moment to direct you to his current story: Mahou Shounen Enforcer Chrono! It's constantly updated and definitely a good read.

Imperial Thought of the Day: Know the Mutant; Kill the Mutant.

Omake…?

Upon the grand set of Kara no Kyokai, a great scene was taking place. Crew members shuffled a long with set pieces and props and actors stood by waiting for their turn in the light. On stage were two of said actors, a literal army of technicians mothering them and preparing for the upcoming shot.

"Alright. Scene forty-two. From the top people!" a mysterious man shouted to the crew scurrying about. High above them all in a crane-operated chair, the director was having a little trouble with the scene, the emotion strangely lacking and missing a little something. But what was it? Damn this was troublesome. It didn't help that the actors didn't seem to understand his requests for improvement either…

Perhaps THIS time things would be better…

"ACTION!"

Just… in… this way…?

Agony.

Fire.

Terror.

"I was?"

"Yes! If I had not heard your staff clattering to the ground, why…oh, here."

"M-My Lord, I-I…I nearly lost you, in my moment of weakness. I was stopping to catch a second wind, you see, a-and…"

Oh, shame! How he wished he could hide his girlish face in the shadow of a hood.

"It's… nothing. Thank you, Scrya."

"But—!"

"OY. THIS SCENE IS CRAP-YO! Where's the freakin' chemistry?!" a blond in silver armor stomped onto the scene, pointing a finger at the Blue Breaker.

"Stop being such a prude, teme!" Naruto Uzumaki roared at his fellow cast member before turning his attention on the other blond boy. "And have more emotion, ferretboy! You sound like a robot!"

"But, well, it's…" Yuuno began bashfully, with a blush, fidgeting with his fingers.

"Ehhhhhhh? But it's what?" In an instant, Naruto was inches from the boy's face.

"Oh, um…you see…" Yuuno suddenly found it difficult to speak.

"You know what? Screw it! I'll show you losers how it's done!" Naruto puffed up his chest proudly. "Teme, you're with me! We're going to get this right on the first try, you hear?"

"I… I see," Chrono muttered, gazing upon Naruto with sad eyes. "It's over for us, isn't it?"

"Eh?!" the blonde boy took a step back, not expecting that kind of response. Above them, a set piece malfunctioned and released a gentle rain of pink sakura petals, creating a bizarrely dramatic scene. "Wh-what do you mean, ya b-bastard?"

"If I am to remain by your side… I may come to hate you," Chrono murmured in a dark melancholy voice.

"I… you…" Naruto bowed his head, his eyes squeezed shut. "But… even when we're apart, we'll still be friends, right?"

Watching the exchange between the two lead actors, Yuuno could only gush with barely contained enthusiasm. "Uwahhhhh. This atmosphere! This emotion! O Gorgeous! As expected of Chrono-sempai and Uzumaki-san!"

"You dobe! Of course, we will be!"

From off stage, one could hear a facepalm, the sound of an adamantine gauntlet bouncing off a knightly helmet, an action mirrored by the director above.

"CHRO-NO!"

"NA-RU-TO!"

"CHRO-NO!"

"NA-RU-TO!"

They bellowed each other's name repeatedly, much like a certain pair of bushy-eyebrow and bowl cut martial artists, until finally they embraced. Those watching swore they saw a burning red sun to the east, a great blue wave crashing against an imaginary rocky coast. They could only respond with bemused or dazed expressions – oh dear lord this was yaoi-bait so fierce the fans would scream! And some did.

Yuuno could only watch with starry-eyed awe and amazement.

Off set, Nanoha Takamachi blushed a bright cherry red as she saw the Boy Love potential skyrocket. Next to her, Fate Testarossa struggled to keep the blood leaking from her nose from staining her clothes – it was just so… hot! Away, in another room, Hayate Yagami sneezed violently as she read over a small book. Suddenly, she felt like she was missing something really, really good, and that she'd regret this day to the end of time. Dinah, Reseda, Kaspar, and Dahlia whooped and hollered like sorority girls, a strange contrast to their normal behavior, and Shirou could only shake his head. Unlike him, however, the Stormtroopers either joined the Sisters in cheering or falling to their knees in laughter – mocking or in good humor, no one knew.

But not everyone approved.

"AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHH! MY EEEEYYYYEEEES! I AM TAINTED!" a certain Chaos Sorcerer bellowed to the sky, heavy gauntlets clawing at an ornate helmet. Yet no matter how he tried, no matter what sort of psychic exercises or mental purges to cleanse his thoughts, the sight was forever seared into his psyche.

"NOOOOOO!"

Suddenly! The set's sewer wall exploded in a grand burst of foam, wood, and paint. From the debris stomped out the hulking masses of two Grey Knights, sword and halberd ready to strike and storm bolters read to spit fire. Alas, their timing was much to be desired.

"DAI-CENSOR HAS…Ahhh damn it. We were too late," Michael muttered as he relaxed his stance. The summons they received was rather urgent, though someone under the pseudonym "1KKing" sent them. As suspicious as the name was, the request had come following a splitting headache, the result of using a psychic catalyst to send a message. To do so was either the work of an evil sorcerer or someone truly in agony.

Funny that it was both. The set builders would have a bloody field day with this, all their hard work smashed to bits in a single hotblooded furious charge.

Oh and there was Ahriman too.

"WHY DO YOU FORSAKE ME, TZEENTCH?! WHY MUST YOU RUIN MY VISION!?" Ahriman fell to his knees and cried, his voice resonating through the room as he raised his arms to the ceiling. Around him, stage crew didn't even bat an eye – Ahriman's dramatic moments were frequent, usually by the hand of a certain kansai girl.

"Well, it is of no consequence. Nothing of importance was lost," Brother Raphael shrugged, earning a nod from his Battle Brother.

"WWWHHHHYYYYYY?!"

Above them all, the director buried his face into his hands and wept. This wasn't what he wanted at all!

"Why does this have to always happen to me...?"

This chapter is dedicated to George Carlin, one of the greatest comedians to walk this earth. Thank you for the laughs, the good times, and the wisdom.

Good bye.