Fractured Reality

Beginning of the End

"I don't think we can beat him…"

Ness and Ninten stare at Lucas for a few moments in silence. It was often Lucas who pointed out the facts that they often tried to ignore. But this particular fact was rather difficult to swallow. Sure they knew that this Ifrit guy was powerful, but they just couldn't comprehend the fact that even with their combined force that they wouldn't be able to tackle this freak. They had defeated each and every corrupted guardian, tackled and conquered every obstacle thrown their way. Ness and Ninten were never the type to give up just because things were hard. When things get difficult that means try harder. When things are impossible, that means try even harder than that. The idea, the mere thought, that they would surely lose this battle simply didn't sit well with them.

"So what do you suggest we do?" Ninten inquired, fists clenched as he sent a glare towards the Ifrit. "We can't just give up, we've come way too far and far too many lives are at stake here."

Ness nodded in agreement, "Yeah even if this guy is out of league we still gotta do something!" Lucas sighed and shook his head at the two.

"I never pegged you as one to give up Lucas," Ninten added turning a stern stare to Lucas.

"That guys mind it feels…it feels like its on fire." The blonde stated. "I was able to see just how powerful he could possibly be. I can't even comprehend it, and you guys know I'm right!"

"So do you expect us to just give up?" Ninten questions with crossed arms.

"No, that's never an option!" Lucas exclaims raising his fists. But he quickly deflated dropping his arms to his sides. "I just don't know any other options…we can't give up…but we can't win either…"

"Well Luke, I know you like to think logical when it comes to things like this," Ness states walking over to the boy. He threw his arm around Lucas' shoulders. "You're the one who makes the plan and then everything turns out okay. And I'm sure right now you have no idea what the heck to do."

"…yeah…" Lucas mutters.

"Well don't sweat it. For something like this you can only plan so much. We'll do what we do, and feel the situation out. We'll be fine!"

"Not the first time I've gone up against an unbeatable enemy way out of my league," Ninten states slamming a fist on his chest. "So for now the only plan of attack right now, is to attack."

"Okay, we'll try it your way guys," Lucas relents. "So, what do we do?"

"Well Flame and Void seem to be able to deal some damage, as minimal as it was, to this demon," Ness reminded, glancing at the red head and the dark old power user "Maybe if we sync up with them we would be capable of doing something similar."

"Your suggesting that we sync up with both Void and Flame at the same time? Wouldn't that overload our bodies?" Ninten question, not outright rejecting the idea seeing as there were no alternatives.

"And Void's Old Power is very different to Flame's who knows how that may affect us…" Lucas adds.

"Well it's worth a shot. We have to explore all our options, as long as you don't use too much power all at once we should be ok." Ness pointed out. "Besides they should be similar after all Void and Flame are two sides of the same coin."

"What about Lucas?" Ninten asks concerned looking at the blonde. He knew that Lucas wasn't going to stand by while they face this threat, but he couldn't fully ignore the danger that this presented to him. Any time that he tried syncing it lead to some pretty fatal results.

"I'm willing to try. We have to bet it all right?"" Lucas questions glancing at both of his friends for clarification.

"But Lucas-" Ninten tried to argue but Lucas shot him a sharp look, telling him that he wasn't going to stand down no matter what.

"There are no other alternatives guys," Lucas reminded and both dark haired PSI users deflated at that, they knew he was right but the risks just seemed far too great for them. They know when it comes to protecting them Lucas tends to go to the extreme. "I won't die on you guys, I promise. I know I have to live FOR my friends, not die for them." This statement put them at ease as they nod more enthusiastically.

"Alright!" They said in unison, just as Void and Flame came back to check on them. Before anything could be said Lucas informed the two of the situation.

"Are you sure about this?" Void questioned with a raised brow, "It's your funeral if this ends badly."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence dude." Ness said sarcastically.

Void simply shrugged his shoulder, "So how the hell does this thing work?" he asks looking at Flame.

"You have to establish a sort of emotional connection with them. It's hard to describe but it's like a torrent of emotions that are all driven towards the same goal."

"Well that doesn't sound possible for me to do. In case you hadn't noticed emotions and feelings aren't my thing."

"Agreed," they all state making Void frown.

"Maybe there's something I can do to bridge that gap. In some ways Void and I are connected right?" Flame states looking to Void.

"It could work, possibly but I still have no idea what I need to do."

"Take a few moments to find it I'm sure you can," Flame says confidently with a smirk aimed at Void. The black haired boy gave Flame a blank stare before he sighs. He nods that he would try. "Okay, you two ready?" He asks Ness and Ninten. Both boys nod then close their eyes to focus. An aura appears around Flame that reaches out to surround and envelope Ness and Ninten. This super charges them upon contact as the aura changes colors for them. A crimson red for Ness, and a sapphire blue for Ninten. Flame turns to Lucas. "Ready?" he asks holding his hand out.

Normally Lucas would've hesitated, held back his hand, had second thoughts. But for the first time, in a long time, he had no hesitation as he steps forward to grab Flames' hand. "I hope you guys are ready…" He mutters. Lucas melded with them and was almost overwhelmed with the emotions slamming against his mind. He breathed accepting these feelings and giving his own. It felt natural, almost like he was passing on his own heart. Flame's aura wraps around Lucas to change into a light blue color. Lucas looks at his friends to see them staring at him intently. He blinks as he feels like shrinking under their stares.

"What?"

"Lucas…these feelings…so raw. Is this…is this how you feel all the time…" Ness gasps placing a hand on his chest. "I feel this weight in my chest, and I'm not sure what to do with it."

"And the head rush, this power…this is incredible man!" Ninten exclaims. "I see why you pull back so much…geez…"

"And your emotions are…uplifting…it feels good to believe in myself again." Lucas adds. "Alright Void take your time, match with Flame on an emotional wavelength. You both should be connected so it shouldn't be too hard to do that."

"Well we should probably press our attack now while we have the chance." Ness turns to his friends. "You guys ready?" They both nod in response. Flame was assessing them all; he was oddly quiet after Lucas linked with them.

"Are you ok Flame?" Lucas inquired.

Flame placed a hand on his chest. "You had a lot of hurt inside you…and I finally understand how deep that goes. Just need to adjust…" Lucas opened his mouth. "Don't you dare apologize! It's not your fault besides I see how much you've healed too." Lucas smiles as he hugs Flame surprising the red head.

"I was actually gonna say thank you," Flame blinks at the blonde startled then nods understanding.

"Okay guys enough talk I really want to hit something now!" Ninten exclaims. When they were ready to fight the auras around them unleashed a powerful wind as they charged up for their opening attacks.

Meanwhile everyone else had their attention redirected from Phoenix as they felt the surge of power. Even Phoenix was shocked by the display of raw power and his eyes narrowed dangerously an intense wind had everyone holding on to each other to avoid being swept away.

"Whoa their not holding anything backs are they?" Sage questioned as held on tightly to both Yuma and Sean.

"I knew those guys were powerful," Kiki muttered, "But this-this is ridiculous!" Riku simply grunted in response as he held Kiki close to him.

The Ifrit or Eli stared blankly ahead at the sudden surge of power having no effect on him. He grunted in annoyance, he wanted to fight Haven to make him pay for what he did to him, but for whatever reason his fragments refuse to fuse. No matter if they didn't want to cooperate he'd make them. So he watched impatiently as the three boys rush forward to meet him. However, the Ifrit simply returned their hard gaze with a bored expression, they wouldn't even be able to entertain him. Lucas was still a bit stunned at the amount of power between his friends and himself. Old Power and PSI harmonizing together perfectly. But even then, he still wondered if it was enough.

The PSI trio launched at the Ifrit at full speed, Ness was first to reach the demon threw a powerful punch at his face, holding nothing back as he did so. However, the Ifrit simply caught the blow, a powerful shockwave followed, however it had little to no effect on the Ifrit. The Ifrit grip on the boy's fist tightened and in the next instant Ness found himself being slammed into the cloudy surface of the ground. The cloud surface never broke apart, it actually provided some slight cushioning when crashed into. So with this in mind Ness bounced back to his feet rather quickly then pointed his hand for a PK Rocken. What he got was something much stronger then he intended even while in this state. The surge of energy was so great it threw him off his feet as smashed into the Ifrit. The Ifrit was slightly started as well as his feet touched the ground in response of the intensity of the attack. Ninten quickly follow up Ness's attack leaping into the air to attempt to land an axe kick at his foes head. However, the Ifrit lazily place his right hand up in the air to grab the PSI user's leg stopping him midair. The force of the blow actually made the Ifrit's knees buckle slightly as his feet sunk deeper into the cloud surface. When it snapped back Ninten flips back yanking his leg free to deliver a barrage of fast straight punches at super speed akin to Ness.

"PK Beam!" He exclaims pressing his hands forward to shoot out a concentrated beam of PSI Old Power. The attack smashes into the Ifrit as the attack refracts around him. Ninten also taken by surprise the intensity of the attack as pushes him back like a rocket as he lands on his backside. "What the heck…"

"You seem to have more power then you know how to use," The Ifrit comments.

"He's not wrong. Lucas you gotta help us on figuring out how to put a cap on this power. We can't be thrown around by our own attacks!" Ninten states through telepathy.

"Now you guys know how hard this is to control. But between the three of us I think we can manage to control this monster. Our powers, strength and skills has been divided up between us. The key is to use the weakest form of your attacks. It'll help tell you how much stronger you are and how much strength you need to put into an attack." Lucas responds.

"Sound advice, we'll try it…and stop calling your power a monster we've been over this!" Ness adds. "Here goes, PK Rocken!" He unleashed the alpha variation of the attack was still awestruck with how much power he released. This time he managed to control it even though the Ifrit easily swats it away like a bug. Ninten's PSI was focused through his physical strength and he decided to test what this new boost could do. He rushes forward swinging his fist at the Ifrit. The Ifrit stared at the attack with a bored expression but when contact was made he took a look of total shock. Ninten's fist connects with his check that sends him off his feet and into ground traveling at least a meter away.

The Ifrit then began to swing Ninten around rapidly before hurtling him towards Lucas' approaching form, said blonde barely managed to dodge his friend's quickly approaching form. Lucas launched several concentrated PK Love γ blast at his foe. The Ifrit responded with his flames suddenly leaping from his body in the form of snakes. The snakes all collide with each attack cancelling them out. Then he flicked his wrist and a gust of powerful wind sent the blonde soaring through the air before he came crashing hard against the ground.

"I'm disappointed Lucas, with my power you could've regain everything you lost. Everything you ever wanted…"

"You…you couldn't-,"

"I could have. Your mother, your father, and your brother. Your home you left a crater, everything could've been restored. All I needed was you at my side…"

"I-."

"Hey knock it off!" Ness yells leaping up and to throw a right hook at the Eli's temple. This made Eli's head jerk to the side. The Ifrit slams Ness down with a laser eye beam. Lucas shakes off his shock to hurry over to Ness side.

"You okay?" He asks him taking a knee at his side.

"Don't you dare play with Lucas' feelings like that!" Ness yells enraged. "Thanks to this link I can finally feel what he feels. I can feel the suffering he has within him, and for you to take advantage of that hurt. That's disgusting!" Lucas blinks surprised at how furious Ness is. The Ifrit glares down at Ness.

"So what if you can feel his hurt, and that you can connect with it. However, the fact is this hurt is not your own. This hurt is beyond your true understanding and this darkness is not yours."

"You're wrong!" Ness barks at him making the Ifrit flinch back in surprise. "His hurt is my hurt. Because he's my friend!"

"Mere friendship is not enough to castaway darkness in one's heart. One needs more than just kind words and friendly head pats. One needs to do much more than that!" The flames around the Ifrit begin to grow fiercely as the black flames swelled with each word the Ifrit uttered. As if to punctuate everything that he was saying.

"I know that!" Ness barks back enraged himself as his own emotions was starting to flare up his aura. "Let me show you, PK Love!" Ness extends his hand for a sphere of light blue energy to gather in his palm. Then the attack lashes out as sphere of concentrated PSI that smashes into the Ifrit's chest. This makes the Ifrit flinch back startled although the attack did little physical damage to him. He still looked hurt.

Lucas was more startled that Ness managed to use his own attack. "How did-."

"Lucas is more than just a friend. Honestly, he's like a kid brother I'd never had. Like any older sibling I'll be there for him no matter what. Ninten and Flame feel the same way. We'll be there for him, and no matter how dark it gets we'll be there to pull him out!"

The Ifrit was visibly seething as if Ness' words drove him to such a rage he couldn't fathom. He extends a palm out towards them for a fireball the size of a baseball was launched at them. Ness quickly grabs Lucas then accelerates out of the way of the attack. The explosion that followed was enough to shatter apart the cloud surface of the layer. It was shocking to see as the flames consumed everything in its path. The Ifrit turns to glare behind him to see Ness standing there glaring back at him with his arm raised in front of Lucas signaling that he was going to protect him. The Ifrit hated the sight of it.

"Don't forget about me!" Ninten yells smashing his fist into the Ifrit's jaw again. However, the Ifrit did not budge an inch on impact. The flames around his body lashes out at Ninten attempting to make him catch on fire. The flames ate away at him as he struggled to put them out.

"Ninten!" Ness and Lucas yell. The aura around Ninten offered protection from actual burns.

"The black flames are ever present. As long as darkness exists these flames will burn. It will burn and burn until nothing is left. My Old Power is a curse, able to give but it also takes."

"Leave him to me," Ness states. "See what you can do for Ninten." After that Ness rushes forward into the fight. Lucas thought he must've gone crazy to try and take on the Ifrit alone. But he had the power of his friends' backing him. He'll last long enough. Lucas quickly runs over to Ninten's form covered with the black flames. Flame and Void stared in disbelief, even with all that power the boys had, the Ifrit was swatting them around as if they were nothing! Flame was visibly shaking as he tried to contain his rage.

"We need to do something!" The redhead state and Void stared at him from the corner of his eye.

"I've been trying to find this connection we have but I haven't been able to do that. It feels impossible!"

"You can't synch maybe there's something else we can do."

"No offense kid, but there's nothing we can do, you know as well as I that simply maintaining this link with them is incredible draining," The Dark Old Power stated in an impassive tone. "All you can do is attempt to maintain the link long enough for them to figure out how to beat this guy. And me jumping in there would only throw them off," Flame wanted to argue his case but knew what Void was saying was the truth. He had never felt so drained after lending these guys Old Power, but that didn't mean he had to like watching his friend get thrown around like ragdolls.

Ness attempted to land a roundhouse kick on Eli only for it to be blocked with his forearm, stopping the kick dead cold. The PSI user gritted his teeth, how strong was this guy! Ness flung himself backward, flipping midair and landing in a crouching position, to gain some distance, this fight wasn't going the way he had imagine it. What's worse is they weren't able to figure out any of this guy's weaknesses seeing as he was simply swatting them away as if they were mere flies. He didn't feel comfortable with the idea of Lucas fighting him either. The Ifrit was praying on the darkness in Lucas' heart, Ness was able to feel it the moment it happened. Ninten was trying to maintain his aura with a shield to hold of the ever present flames. Lucas looked frustrated and flustered as he didn't know what to do to end Ninten's suffering. Ness launched at the Ifrit breaking the sound barrier causing the Ifrit to raise his brow at him.

Ness threw a barrage of blurred jabs towards Eli in a vain attempt to land a lest a hit on the freak. Ness was used to high speed battle so he was able to dodge around each counterattack. He was also careful where he struck seeing the flames lash out at him. He backed away holding his arms out. He charges one hand with PK Rocken, and the other with PK Love. He mashes the attacks together to unleash a beam of red, light blue psionic energy that smashes into the Ifrit. However, the attack did nothing as he didn't even flinch. Ness gasps thoroughly confused. Earlier his low level PK Love showed signs of causing him pain but now his best attack combined with Lucas' best attack did nothing now!? It didn't make sense.

"Enough!" The Ifrit proclaimed, releasing a shockwave that sent Ness crashing to the ground sliding several feet before coming to an abrupt stop. The boy struggled to get to his feet that meager blast of wind was more than enough to knock the wind out of him. However, when he looked up the Ifrit was no longer where he was. Quickly his head snapped over to Lucas and Ninten to see the situation unchanged. So where did he go? Ness hears a shout of shock that made him jerk his head toward Void and Flame. Flame jumped back when the Ifrit suddenly appeared before him and Void was quick to summon up energy around his hands. "That is enough Haven, stop being a coward and face me like a god. At least then I'll take some joy in ending your pathetic existence."

Void growled at the Ifrit and Flame was glaring intensely at him. "Your obviously confused, I'm definitely not Haven," Flame stated crinkling his noise.

Eli gave an annoyed sigh as he shook his head at the red head. "Of course in the state you are currently in your nothing but a child, that is why I need you to be stop mucking about and become whole again!" Flame was growing increasing irritated by this guy, but before he could say anything in response, a familiar voice called out.

"Flame!" Lucas yelled as he launched a volley of focused PK Love spheres at Eli, who glared at the blonde for interrupting him. The Ifrit raised his hand to shoot out a small focused ball of energy that easily smashed through Lucas' attack and would have smashed into the blonde himself if Ness hadn't tackle him out of the way.

"You ok Lucas?" Ness question as he helped the boy to his feet. The blonde nods as he took a step forward his lips pressed into a thin line as his stared hard at the Ifrit before giving Ness and helpless look.

"But I don't know how to help Ninten…" he cried in terror. Through the link Ness could feel Ninten's struggle and pain. They focus their attention back on Eli as he stares down Flame again.

"Fine if you don't want to come out on your own merit, I'll force you!" An aura encompassed the Ifrit and the ground beneath his feet began to disperse, leaving a giant hole beneath his feet. Void was prepared to launch his shards and Flame was about to summon his fire, but didn't get the chance to as the Ifrit suddenly launched himself in the opposite direction. It took them only a moment to realize that they were no longer his targets.

Kiki gracefully dodge all the focused beams of Old Power-mixed PSI attacks and rushed at Phoenix, however he wasn't having any of that. He unleashed a shockwave to push her back. Cecil let out a powerful sonic scream but Phoenix simply erected a shield around himself. This was a bit of a mistake as the shield began to crack under the intense vibration of the sound. Lady Heart alongside Agitha and revived Balto all launch Magical Old power energy attacks at the same time. The blast shattered the shield and sent Phoenix skidding backwards on his fix. Sakura and Clark move to shoot multiple Old Power bullets/lasers at Phoenix who tried to dodge, but was assaulted by Lei and Warren who managed to get up close while he was distracted. Several shots hit home making him almost lose his footing. He swats the two impressive close range fighters away with PK Thunder. He was quickly growing annoyed by these pests, as much as he attempted to squash them they kept coming back. Suddenly he felt an immense power approaching him. His eyes widened, before a full grin broke out on his face.

Sage made to comment on that but his jaw went slack when he to sees the Ifrit staring menacingly at them as he stood in a sort of protective manner in front of Phoenix. Everyone tensed, why was he here? What happened to Ness, Lucas, Ninten and Flame? But before anyone could say anything the Ifrit let out a powerful stream of energy from his body and a massive explosion ensued. Phoenix was quick to take to the air, to avoid being caught. The others however were not so lucky. The bright flash of light blinding them as they are quickly consumed. Our heroes hurry towards the scene and are shocked to find a massive crater. However, they are stuck with panic as littered throughout the crater are their comrades all of which had multiple bruise marks and lie unmoving.

Lucas pulls ahead of even Ness as any adrenaline pumped through his veins, he landed with a thud as he scanned the area his heart beating a mile a minute as he couldn't since any life force emitting from them- they couldn't be. Lucas choked on a sob as he collapsed to his knees, he didn't hear the others lands behind him, their reaction to seeing all of their friend having being wiped out in one fell swoop similar to his.

Flame felt like he couldn't breath as he tried to make sense of the situation, this couldn't be happening, they couldn't be dead! Even Void had a grim look and he seem to stiffen at the sight of Clark and the shark bodies. His eyes quickly averting as he tried to stuff down his emotions. This wasn't right! The heroes weren't supposed to lose! Suddenly chains wrapped themselves around only Ness and Lucas since Ninten wasn't going anywhere still.

"Have you decided to start taking me seriously now Haven?" Flame glared at the Ifrit trying to hold back tears that threatened to fall. Seeing as this was the only response Eli sighs. "I guess not, seeing as you've have yet to release your godly form. Very well you have forced my hand, say goodbye to this precious world of yours."

The Ifrit oozed energy as his fire encased his form, the entirety of the sky layers began to shake violently, the clouds slowly dispersing one by one, the sky itself began to crack and suddenly, without warning, chains erupted from Eli's form breaking through the 'sky' and causing it to shatter. The chains seemed to get taut as if latched onto something and began to slowly retract back. All of their eyes widened as the chains began to drag entire structures from what could only be the other layers. It was as if he were breaking down the very fabricate that held the world of Peril together.

"Peril will be no more!" Ifrit announced as the chains continued to break through the barriers of the upper layers and subsequently began to drag fragments of them down with them.

Phoenix touched down near them and grinned condescendingly. "It looks like you so called heroes have lost!" he joked grinning at the glares he received.

"Screw you!" Ness spat, tugging at his chains in a bid to get free. "When I get my hands on you!"

"Now, there is no need to be a sore loser!" Phoenix said, smirking "Just accept your fate."

"Why you-" Void started prepared to launch at Phoenix, only for chains to latch to his feet and keep him rooted in his spot. Then more chains sprung up to wrap around his body holding him in place. Phoenix wiggled his finger and then began to laugh at all of them.

"I warned you that your efforts would be in vein?" Something in Flame snapped as fire formed around his hands. "Oh are you going to challenge me fire boy?" Flame didn't say anything as he stared down Phoenix and then he did something that completely took Phoenix by surprise. He pivoted himself around shooting out a stream of heat that sliced through the chains holding Lucas. Without thinking, Phoenix sent a powerful shockwave that slammed into Flame's back sending him spiraling in the air before slamming hard into the ground. This successfully preventing him from cutting another chain.

"Flame!" The PSI Users shouted in dismay as their friend struggled to his feet, blood dripping from his face. Suddenly, Flame rushes Phoenix and started throwing punch after punch at him. The Dark PSI user simply smirked throwing up a PSI Shield as Flame started wailing on the barrier. However, he got a bit too cocky and forgot Old Power trumps PSI defenses. Flame powered up his fist with his flames to smash through the barrier, and land a solid hit in the boy's face causing him to stagger backwards. Seizing this chance, Flame quickly rushed towards Lucas and managed to slice two more chains with his Heat Gaze before Phoenix recovered. Phoenix unleashed a powerful PK Thunder at Flame who is sent spiraling violently through the air before falling head-first into the ground. Flame was motionless for a moment and Lucas could feel his whole body become numb, but after a few agonizing moments Flame propped himself up to his feet once again and glared at Phoenix.

"What's the point of fighting me in the state that you're in?" Phoenix hummed. "You were always the fourth wheel, the weakling of the group, your only purpose was so that you could give these three a power boost…well two of them at least," Phoenix watched as Flame struggled forward, determined to reach him. "So explain to me, why you continue to try and fight me, when you know I can kill you?" Phoenix questioned his eyes glinting with interesting. "It's over your idiot, you've lost!"

"Because," Flame began, ignoring the pain that coarse through his body. "Because, you and the Ifrit will ruin everything. I can't let you hurt anyone else, especially my friends!" the red-head gritted out. Phoenix gave Flame a calculating look before he spoke.

"Is that so?" Phoenix grinned sadistically "Well we'll see how well that goes," Electricity sparked around Phoenix's hand as he lunged for Lucas, preparing to strike his hand through the Blonde' chest. However, just before he made contact, a new body places itself protectively in front of the Blonde and while he did strike someone through the chest it wasn't his intended target.

Flame coughed out some blood as he shielded Lucas from Phoenix. The blonde's eyes were wide as tears formed at the corners of his eyes. Phoenix retracted his hand and jumped back, putting some distance between himself and the redhead.

"See Lucas," Flame began softly "I told ya, I would protect you…" the redhead muttered the last part weakly as he collapsed onto the ground. Instantly the connection between his friends faded. This fact was punctuated by Ninten's screams as the flames were now able to begin to burn at his skin without the aura's protection. Lucas stared at his friend's form for a moment longer as his mind began to process what had just happened. He stares at Flame on the ground, Ninten about to be burned alive, Ness about to be Phoenix's next victim, and his new friends who appeared to be dead. He had gained so much through this journey and now it was all going to be snatched away from him.

"I get it…" Lucas mutters as tears fall from his eyes. "Do you hear me, I said get it?!" Lucas yells to the Ifrit who seemed to no longer be paying him any mind. "Eli I understand now!" Lucas calls to the Ifrit who only glances in his direction. "The curse of power…I get it…I understand. You lost everything. So did I…but not anymore. I can't lose anyone else!" Lucas charged up his PSI to have the energy explode from his body shattering his chains. Phoenix freezes then turns to Lucas surprised. A light blue aura, that slowly turns pure snow white as it becomes more erratic.

"Lucas, what are you doing?" Ness asks.

"I'm sorry Ness. I didn't want to do this, but I can't think of anything else. If…If I hurt you…and…I won't be able to say sorry later…would you…would you hate me?"

It took Ness a few moments to fully understand what Lucas was planning. But when he does it was a shock. Lucas was going to use the Omega variation of PK Love. This variation he's used only once. And the one time he did, he killed everyone he cared about. Lucas was desperate that much Ness could tell. But there had to be another way. There was no guarantee this would work. And if it didn't Lucas would be powerless and alone. Possibly susceptible to the Ifrit's influence again. Ness had promised him to be there and he keeps his promises. Using the faint link that still existed between the three of them he used all his strength and a smidge of Ninten's to break free of the chains. First thing was to punish Phoenix. Ness rushes the boy while he was distracted with Lucas. Ness grabs his face then fires off his strongest PK Flash. The PSI attack devastated him at close range as it explodes in his face and knocking him unconscious. Ness would be surprised if he didn't have a headache spanning months with partial blindness.

"Lucas don't!" Ness calls after his friend. But his call fell on deaf ears. Ness didn't understand, they couldn't stop him after all, and now everyone was going to pay for it. Void noticed the hopeless stare of Ness and the last ditch effort Lucas was about to go for, and Ninten suffering as the flames start eating at his flesh. Void doesn't say anything as he walks over towards Ninten first. He bends down to point a palm at Ninten. Slowly, the flames biting at Ninten began to leave his body as it converges into Void's palm. The flames leave Ninten as the boy gasp as he collapses in a heap on the ground trying to regain breath.

"H-How…"

"It's lucky you're so tough, anyone else under that stress would've died. However, that isn't the only reason your alive." Void stands back up to his feet. Ninten stares at Void confused and then his eyes widened.

"Y-Your…eyes."

"Rest up, you will be needed soon," Void states plainly as he ventures over to Ness. Void taps the boy's shoulder and the cap wearing boy turns to him confused. "You have the power to beat him you know."

"Huh?" Ness responds confused. He also notes he doesn't hear the pained gasp of Ninten and looks over to see his friend is no longer on fire. "Ninten!"

"Leave him be for the moment," Void states holding up his arm to stop Ness from rushing over to him. Ness glares at Void, but Void responds by pointing toward where Lucas is. "He's going to destroy everything making the Ifrit's job easier. Unless, he can channel that energy in a different way."

"Void what are you talking-." Ness pauses meeting eyes with Void. "Void?"

"Well as I am now, mentally I am not. The shell you nicknamed as Flame contains life still so I remain incomplete, but you may call me Haven."

"Holy shit!" Ness responds beside himself surprised to meet a deity and that said deity was so nonchalant about being a deity. "Could you not help us stop him!"

"That's precisely what I'm doing, but I suggest you stop Lucas. The Flame part of me really wishes no harm come to him from this attack."

"Uh oh…" Ness looks over to see Lucas about to detonate. "Damn it!" Ness rushes over to Lucas ignoring the harsh wind of Lucas' intense aura. "Lucas stop, bring it down!"

"I have to do this…I have to try…everything will be destroyed if I don't."

"Lucas, you'll destroy everything pull it back I have a plan!"

Lucas snorts, "No you don't."

"Okay you're right no I don't, but I know someone who does. A little divine intervention just saved Ninten, we could do this!"

"Ness…I already charged up and I don't know if I can pull it back."

"You can do this Lucas I know you can."

"I can't…I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive me Ness."

"No that's bullcrap, you can do this Lucas, you're giving up before you can even try!"

"I can't!"

"Yes you can," Void states walking forward to Lucas' side. Lucas is startled to see him, and instantly notes something different. "You have incredible powerful, for a human at least. You fear your power and thus you allow it to grow out of control. Your pain is what holds you back. Your power draws on your feelings, similar to Old Power. Your emotions are chaotic and unstable. You have the strength of character to harness this great power. But the fact is this power didn't hurt anyone, you did."

"What the heck!" Ness growls startled at how this would help.

"It is an extension of you. Instead of trying to control it, control yourself. Calm down and you'll find control to be more plausible." Lucas takes in these words as looks at the Ifrit again. His heart ached seeing all the people that he hurt. But Lucas didn't want to destroy anything, and he didn't want to hurt what was left of his friends. He dropped his arms to his side and relaxed. He calmed the storm in his heart and allowed himself a moment to think. He was surprised to see the glow fade away and his PSI return to normal. The sudden ease of tension in his body made him keel over. Ness was quick to catch the boy in his arms as Lucas falls into him.

"I'm sorry…"

"You're alive, so is Ninten and I. Everything will be fine."

Lucas reached his arms around to hug Ness tightly. "Thank you."

"You've had his weakness this entire time." Void states. Ness plants Lucas back on his feet but Lucas kept his arm around Ness shoulder to keep himself steady. "Feelings of conviction. Friendship, love, trust, and kindness. Noble traits, these simple things is what was missing from Peril for so long. Instead of talking with your fist, just talk to him. Your words carry more weight then you realize."

"Okay and how do we do that?" Lucas questions before he glances over to see the Ifrit in the sky moments away from tearing apart the backbone of Peril.

"Talking is one of my strong points, I might as well be a PSI ability. I know just what to do. You willing to follow me lead Luke?"

"Why not big bro," Lucas remarks.

"Now I believe I'm feeling to very conflicting things." Haven says rubbing his chin curiously. "On one hand I want to hug you guys, and on another I want to upchuck."

"We seem rather cheery considering the end of everything is about to happen," Ninten states walking over with a slight limp.

"NINTEN!" both Ness and Lucas rush over to him tackling him to the ground.

"Ow! Hey stop that hurts!" Ninten says pushing Ness away.

"Why are you spurring my affection!?" Ness questions with mock hurt but pauses when he sees Lucas crying into Ninten's shirt. Ninten smiles as he ruffles Lucas hair.

"Come on Luke, you know I'm tougher then to let a stupid chemical reaction kill me."

"I was freaking out because I didn't know how to save you, and I didn't know how to stop this. Now I feel stupid that you got hurt and you're trying to make me feel better." Lucas says backing away to wipe away his tears.

"Can I hug you too?" Ness questions.

"No."

"WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS!" a demonic voice calls out. The three boys turn to see the Ifrit had halted in his destruction of Peril to glower at them. He was acting as if they just insulted him on a personal level.

"It's something called bein friends. Showing compassion and care for one another. From the beginning of this little adventure to the end, we've had each other, and that won't change."

"THAT'S SIMPLY IDIOTIC NONSENSE! HOW DARE YOU DEFY MY FLAMES, HOW DARE YOU RUB YOU HOPES IN MY FACE, AND HOW DARE YOU HAVE LIGHT WHEN I CANNOT!"

"We can do this." Ness states simply.

"Didn't we start off the fight like this before and didn't like everyone…ya know…" Ninten utters.

"Yes, but we have use the power of our virtues to stop him. Eli is hurting…I think instead of fighting him we help him understand." Lucas states.

"Good luck, I will see that this monster is dealt with and your many wounded friends." Void states backing away from the three of them.

"So at our strongest we couldn't take this guy when he was barely trying. Now we've got him pissed off and we're on our last leg. I fail to see how this is a good plan," Ninten stated rather unhappily.

Ness smirks at his friend and lookalike, "But we can do this. This is for Peril and our world now. We have a lot going for us so let's stop wasting time and save the day, okay?"