A/N: Sorry for the previous chapter, not so much action and frankly, I did not think it was really necessary but what the heck. It has some uses for plot devices. I would like to remind the readers that I use British English, not American, for my writing.

We're starting to move into the battles so if I forget to explain something before I go full swing with the battles, well... sorry in advance.

Angel Beats!

What We Live For

Operation 34

Gears in Motion

Meanwhile

She blinked. Once, twice, a few more times. Where was this place? She looked around and saw nothing but white. Was this even a room? She looked down and saw that while her feet seemed to be on some sort of flat ground, she did not cast any shadow. She did not even know if she was standing on a floor in the first place. In first place, how did she end up here? She closed her eyes to think. Sakurai Yuri. That is her name. Her past name was Nakajima Yuri. She may have had many past lives but at this moment only these two lives were important. After all, the previous lives of being a barnacle or a sea cucumber did not really matter in this case. But in the first place, since when was she ever a barnacle or a sea cucumber? How did the conversation (which is mainly internal and being a monologue) end up in this direction? After some sort of strange ritual that Kamiya Yuzuru performed, she ended up here. She could not really remember what did Yuzuru do but she hazily remembered something about a sledge hammer and a rocket chair.

"... Why don't you stop snooping around like a rat and come out to face me?"

Yuri suddenly said, crossing her arms as she said that.

.

.

.

.

.

Nothing.

"..."

Yuri still stood there, staring blankly. She was so sure that someone would come out if she said that.

'... Eh? This is really strange. I was really sure that this very cool line would most likely make someone or something appear.'

Yuri thought to herself.

.

.

.

.

"... Why don't you stop snooping around like a rat and come out to face me?"

"I can't believe you actually said the same line twice."

A voice suddenly spoke up.

"Hmph, so you finally show yourself."

Yuri smirked.

"... No, I have not. And don't act like this was all part of your plan. You really messed it up."

Indeed, the owner of the mysterious voice was not seen and Yuri really did mess it up.

.

.

.

.

"... Why don't you stop snooping around like a rat and-"

"Enough already!"

A young man suddenly appeared before Yuri shouting at her. With his orange coloured hair, he was extremely familiar to Yuri. It was Yuzuru.

"Kamiya-kun? ... No, you are not Kamiya Yuzuru."

Yuri stated, realizing who was standing before her. Yuzuru smirked.

"You are Otonashi."

"You are correct."

Otonashi Yuzuru replied with a smile.

"... What is this place? Why are you different from Kamiya?"

Yuri asked, to which Otonashi nodded. He walked over to one side, where a chair appeared out of nowhere and he took a seat.

"This is a separate space from 'that' World. It is most like 'that' World, but it isn't. You do know what 'that' World is?"

Yuri did not like these round-about questions, but Otonashi always had a reason.

"... The afterlife is a place where souls with regrets go. It is a place created by humans who feared death. Isn't that right?"

Otonashi smiled and nodded to that answer.

"Yes. It is a place made up people's thoughts and emotions. And so there would be hundreds, thousands of those Worlds. This... Is merely the beginning stage of a new World."

This? Yuri looked around but still saw nothing but whiteness.

"It is a blank slate, free of impurities and defects. Free from worry, from stain and corruption. Free... from humans."

Yuri immediately sensed that there was something wrong with Otonashi. Something very wrong.

"Do not worry, Yurippe. I am not your enemy. At least not this time."

Otonashi said that with another smile. A smile that really unnerved Yuri.

"I created this place after testing out the Angel Program. It isn't a perfect replica of what the afterlife is so this place will never become an afterlife World. As such, it will remain as such, a blank slate that can be manipulated."

Otonashi waved his hand towards Yuri and a chair appeared out of nowhere in front of her. In between the chair and Otonashi appeared a table with a tea set. Yuri was unnerved by this but still sat down on the chair. The tea cup filled itself with tea and Otonashi took one, sipping on it casually.

"Ah, nothing beats a good tea. Why don't you take a sip?"

"..."

Yuri still not trust Otonashi. Although he was 'Otonashi', he wasn't the 'Otonashi' she knew. That person is gone now. Replaced by Kamiya Yuzuru but even so Kamiya Yuzuru wasn't exactly the same as Otonashi from before. No... They were different people. Perhaps this 'Otonashi' here was the reason for that difference.

"You are correct in your assumption."

Otonashi said, still sipping on his tea. Was he reading her mind?

"I cannot read minds, Yurippe, but I have anticipated your thoughts from the moment I learnt of your intentions to return here."

"Intentions?"

"Yes, intentions."

Otonashi said, putting down his tea cup. He looked straight at Yuri, his eyes showing no lies, no sign of joking.

"You see, The person known as 'Yuzuru' is made up of two individuals. One is Kamiya Yuzuru, and the other is Otonashi Yuzuru. One who chose to move on, and one who chose to stay behind."

Otonashi explained.

"One who only looks at the past, and one who only looks at the future."

A new voice spoke up. Yuri turned around and saw-

"Y-Yuzuru?"

A second Yuzuru stood there, walking over to stand by Yuri. He smiled while placing a hand on her shoulder before turning back to the other Yuzuru, narrowing his eyes.

"It seems you've been talking a lot of unnecessary things to Yurippe."

Kamiya snapped at Otonashi. Otonashi merely smirked, sipping his tea once more.

"It is merely because you failed to explain anything on your part."

"... There are certain things that the others do not need to know."

"You can only hide these things from them for so long. Do not try to run away from the inevitable."

"I'm not running away from anything!"

Kamiya Yuzuru shot back. This argument between two Yuzurus is interesting, but weird all at the same time. Kamiya Yuzuru sighed, closing his eyes to reorganize his thoughts.

"Well, it doesn't matter now. What we need to do now is to prevent the second 'apocalypse' from happening."

Otonashi Yuzuru nodded in agreement with a smile.

"Finally something we can agree on."

At this point, Yuri was feeling somewhat irritated about being left out.

"Someone explain all of this to me!"

Yuri snapped, making the two Yuzurus turn in surprise.

"Ah, sorry about that, Yurippe. I still owe you an explanation. I'm sure Kamiya-kun here would not mind if I explain it to you."

Otonashi looked to Kamiya with a smirk, and Kamiya merely sighed, closing his eyes while muttering 'do what you like'. Otonashi replied with a curt smile.

"Well, let me begin with your previous question. Who am I? I am Otonashi, or at least the fragment left behind."

"Fragment?"

"Yes, fragment. At the end of our war, all of you moved on from this World, being reborn back in the living World. But the being known as Otonashi Yuzuru was an irregular being in this World. He had no regrets, no lingering thoughts that anchored him to this World. So why did he exist? Why was he brought to this World? And why was he allowed to stay? These were questions that plagued Otonashi Yuzuru until he nearly went mad. In one last ditch effort to save himself, he decided to experiment on the Angel program."

Yuri remembered that program well. It was the cause of a lot of problems the last time around.

"The Angel program is the beginning of everything, as well as the end of everything. Otonashi Yuzuru was brought to this World because of Tachibana Kanade. He was only brought here to serve as Kanade's way out of the afterlife. After Kanade moved on, Otonashi was trapped in this World, having lost his purpose and desperate to see Tachibana Kanade. Using the program, he found a way to move on once more, but it came at a cost."

"... And that cost?"

"The cost, was the division of his soul. Only a human soul can move on from this World as part of the rules, but at the same time the rules of this World prevents anyone who has not cleared their regrets from the living World to move on. Otonashi Yuzuru had no regrets before coming to this World and thus he 'created' regrets for himself. This caused a great contradiction in the system as he did not clear regrets from the living World, but rather from the Afterlife. Together with his strong desire to see Kanade, Otonashi split himself with the program, sending one portion of his soul to the next World, whilst leaving the portion with 'no regrets' behind. In other words, from that point, the person known as 'Otonashi Yuzuru' became two beings. 'Otonashi', and 'Kamiya'. One living in the past of regrets, and the living in the future. One who is held back by Otonashi's desire to help others move on from this World, and the other inherited Otonashi's desire to be with Tachibana Kanade. With the program, we are both two separate beings, but at the same time still the same. That is why Kamiya was able to still hold onto a link back to this World. Through me."

Otonashi looked to Kamiya but the latter refused to look at him straight in the eye. Otonashi sighed, saying something like 'cold guy'.

"And... what is this 'second apocalypse'?"

Otonashi looked to Kamiya, before continuing back to Yuri.

"During the original Otonashi Yuzuru's quest to find a way back, he tinkered with the Angel Program more than he should have. You do recall the last battle of the SSS?"

"... All too well."

Yuri replied bitterly. The last battle of the SSS, one that cost them greatly.

"Yes, it was a painful battle, but the resulting chaos that Otonashi Yuzuru released into this World during the 'first apocalypse' was far worse. In his attempt for salvation, Otonashi Yuzuru released a hell storm in this World. Dubbed as the 'first apocalypse', with much difficulty he managed to seal it back into place. Unfortunately he realized that this 'apocalypse' was not just an event, but rather a certain program or rule written into this World. Certain circumstances needed to be present in order for this event to take place. Otonashi only managed to divert and delay such conditions from being met before he split his soul into two. While Kamiya went off to enjoy being alive again, I took on the mantle of the student council president. In order to fulfil another of Otonashi's original goals of preventing another formation of the SSS."

"Which you failed."

Kamiya pointed out.

"Now now, Kamiya, I'm not god. You should know better than anyone about that. In order to elevate my own despair and sadness of not being the one to find Kanade, I had tinkered with the Angel Program, something that the original Otonashi would not agree upon. I stretched the limits of the program and came discover many abilities that the program hides, such as the creation of this space. In my own madness of solitude, I became obsessed with creating life from the program. So much so that I actually did not notice that a second group of people had arrived and set up a revival of the SSS. I would admit that it was a grave mistake on my part, but unlike the fortunate Kamiya, I was alone in this World. And so I managed to create three NPCs who were very much like human beings. Unfortunately their pure and innocent states meant that any contact with the vile despairs of humanity would easily taint them. Two went on a rampage after being corrupted, leaving only one that I managed to save. That one NPC is my last bet to contain this situation."

"By situation, you mean that your creations are planning to re-ignite the conditions for the 'apocalypse' program."

Kamiya stated, to which Otonashi nodded with another smile. His smiles were really creepy and unnerving.

"Yes, that is right. I am unable to intervene directly in these turn of events, having been too far absorbed into the program. My two rampaging creations believe themselves to be workers of 'God', which is apparently me. If they are able to unleash the 'apocalypse' program, not only would that wipe out every soul in this afterlife, but it will also affect the World of the living. I cannot say what the implications might be, but it is never good."

"And what about the new SSS2?"

Yuri asked.

"That... that I would have to ask you to leave it up to my third creation. My perfect NPC, Katsuragi Rei. It is his job to ensure that they are allowed to pass on. Not to mention it is a request from... a friend."

Otonashi trailed off, hinting to Yuri that he did not want the matter to be pressed any further. Yuri sighed, getting up to her feet.

"Alright, I understand your position. But as it stands I cannot allow this war to continue. My pride as the former leader of the SSS is on the line here. I will make sure that this will end by my hand."

Yuri said sternly. Otonashi smiled, sitting back in his chair while crossing his arms.

"I would not have it any other way."

Back down in Guild

Katsuragi Rei parried another blow from an Angel wielding a black essence weapons shaped like a sword with his rifle. The brunt of the attack was absorbed by the rifle, but soon the rifle began to crack. Just before the rifle snapped into two, Rei released the weapon and jumped back. The enemy charged forward, brandishing her blade for another attack.

"Tch. Defence skill: Blade Sonic"

From Rei's right hand appeared a blade that he managed to bring up to defend himself. An identical blade formed itself on his left hand. He used this blade and drove it straight into the Angel's chest, finishing the Angel off. Pulling the blade from the body, Katsuragi Rei let the body slump to the ground with a thud as he stood up. Looking around, he saw that his 'group' had more or less cleared out the remaining enemies. They had reached the outside of Guild and found that the place was swarming with enemies. While Rei's group stood with more or less on equal grounds with their number, it was still a harsh battle to overcome. The number of bodies from both the enemy and their own group were high. Not to mention the bodies of SSS2 members who fought against the Angels and Shadows before the arrival of Rei's group. It must have been an extremely bloody and costly battle, judging by the large mass of bodies littered everywhere. Not a single survivor was found. So this was the war that they had been fighting for so long. This was the result of their long struggles. This was what awaited them. Death.

"... What should we do?"

Kai asked, walking over to Rei. Kai's face was smeared with the blood of the fallen. It really did not suit him at all.

"... Where is Saya?"

"Over there, by one of the bodies. I think it was a friend."

Kai pointed to one side where Saya knelt down by a fallen SSS2 body, not muttering a single word.

"... I see."

Rei sighed, looking over by the battlefield. It was a mess, one big bloody mess. He raised a hand towards the NPCs who stood by him.

"Collect all those bodies that can be healed as well as any NPCs who can be converted."

He ordered and the former Angels all nodded, carrying on their task without a word. This was the least he could do. End this mindless war as soon as possible. That was his only goal and only way to finish this. Rei looked over to where Guild was, behind those heavy doors. He had not yet seen if anyone was inside and it would be best to find out, whether they were friendly or foe did not matter. For now.

"Kai, Saya, follow me."

He called out as he walked towards the doors of Guild. Kai followed suite but Saya hesitated. She looked down to the fallen SSS2 member one last time before she got to her feet and followed Rei. Upon reaching the doors, Rei released that the doors were not locked and it had seemed as though no forced entry was evident. But why would Guild, of all places, be unlocked? Unsure of what he would find, Rei pushed the doors open and stepped inside. Guild was dark, not a single light was turned on.

"I think there should be a switch somewhere around here."

Kai said, feeling the wall with his hand before he hit something.

"Ah, there."

With a loud sound, the main switch for the lights within Guild turned on and slowly the lights began to light up, brightening up the now abandoned guild. With tools and weapons scattered all about, Rei deduced that everyone left this place in a hurry. Well, almost everyone.

"Katsuragi, I think I see somebody there."

Kai pointed to the end of the room, where Musashi's work bench was. The three cautiously made their way over, weapons ready in case it was an enemy. But as it turns out it was-

"Musashi-san?"

Rei was surprised to see the veteran Guild blacksmith still here. Worn, battered and bruised, the blacksmith had definitely seen better days.

"Are you alright?"

Kai asked, checking the blacksmith's wounds.

"Ah... I'm fine. I managed to escape the massacre by hiding myself in here. It was cowardly of me to do so... but even then, there was something that I must do."

Musashi said painfully as he winced at the pain when Kai tightened up a bandage around his abdomen.

"Something that you must do?"

Rei asked, to which Musashi merely pointed. Following his finger, Rei saw two large objects wrapped in cloth on Musashi's workbench.

"My... last two works... my last two masterpieces."

Musashi struggled to his feet.

"H-hey! You shouldn't be-"

"Shut up!"

Musashi snapped, pushing Katsuragi back. Musashi struggled with his steps, staggering the entire way as he made each painful step at the time towards his work bench. Was that something so important that he would not care about his own body over? Upon reaching his work bench, Musashi grabbed onto the smaller of the two cloth-wrapped items and turned to Katsuragi. With the last of his strength, Musashi threw the item at Katsuragi, who caught it.

"Wha-.. what is this?"

Rei asked, looking at the long item in his hand.

"That... is probably... my greatest creation."

Musashi said, slumping to the ground.

"Your... greatest... creation?"

"... Yes. It is."

Musashi said with a strained smile. He lifted a finger and pointed at Katsuragi.

"I... can see it. You... are not human."

This news surprised everyone in the room.

"H-how did you know-"

"Hmph... you may be able to hide yourself from others... but your body and soul... can never lie... But.. it does not matter. You are not human... yet strive to be one... I am a true... blacksmith. I make weapons for those... I see worthy... For you the challenge too great to pass on... I had to make a weapon... for a being who can transcend... humans."

Rei stared at the weapon his hand, feeling slightly shocked and surprised by all that he was hearing. He pulled the knot that was tightened around it and pulled the cloth aside, revealing-

"... A katana?"

Kai wondered out loud.

"Not just any... katana."

Musashi smiled, pointing towards the hilt. It was true, on the blue lined hilt was a trigger. At the butt end of the hilt Rei could see that there was a latch of some sort.

"Hold it, Katsuragi... hold onto the weapon."

Musashi instructed. Katsuragi did as he was told and the moment he held onto the hilt, his mind shuddered. His entire body tingling with strange sensations. Thoughts, emotions all flew into his mind. He could 'see' himself, swinging the weapon expertly, using parts of the weapon he never knew possible. These thoughts were-

"A weapon... made only for that specific user... Just like how... a user chooses his weapon... so does the weapon... chooses its master. That sword is made for you... Katsuragi, and no one else... only you can know how to wield it... only to you would it show you... its secrets... my ultimate weapon... to save... or to destroy the SSS2... that is up to you... use it well... The other weapon is for... Yamato... and for you Saya... your weapon... is there."

Musashi pointed to the end of the work shop where a giant wooden box was.

"You... hide many things... death lingers about you..."

Musashi muttered, to which Saya merely kept silent. She walked over to the other end and stood next to the large wooden box.

"This... is a coffin."

She said.

"Yes... it is... you are unsure of yourself... unsure of what to do... death... is the only thing that awaits you."

Saya stared at the coffin for the moment, before picking it up with ease.

"... I don't need a super weapon. I only need what I need."

She said, grabbing onto one of the two straps on the back and slung it around her arm.

[Saya equips GraveYard]

Without another word, Saya left Guild, leaving Kai and Rei with the injured Musashi.

"... Katsuragi."

Musashi called out to Rei, who walked over and knelt down next to the black smith. Musashi grabbed onto Rei's shoulder with a firm grip as he stared into his eyes.

"Your weapon... is a mirror to my other work... Kurogane Kou's ultimate weapon."

"Her weapon? You mean her scythe?"

Musashi shook his head to Rei's answer.

"No... her scythe... is only a tool for her revenge... her true weapon... is far worse... I made you weapon... in hopes to restore balance and order... I do not know what you are planning... but you must... not let... Kou use her true... weapon. That is why... I made this sword... my greatest work..."

"... The 'Blue Gear'."

Rei said his weapon's name. Musashi smiled and nodded.

"Yes... This World.. is one of madness... yours is one of order... use it, Katsuragi... Promise me..."

Musashi begged. Katsuragi knew that look. This was Musashi's greatest work. His pride and joy. He will not let Musashi down. It was his duty. His mission. His goal. Rei grabbed Musashi by the shoulders and nodded.

"I will save everyone and restore balance. You do not have to worry about a thing."

To Rei's words, Musashi smiled and released his grip as he slowly lay down. His body started to glow as it became translucent.

"Ah... that... is all I needed... to hear."

And then... he was gone. Musashi, the greatest blacksmith in the SSS2 was gone. Vanished. Rei's hand gripped onto nothing but air. Musashi had moved on. This was what Rei wanted to do, but why did it feel so... sad?

"Everyone has to move on eventually. That is what we were planning to do, right Katsuragi?"

Kai asked. Rei stood up, looking at his weapon. Blue Gear. Everything that represented Musashi was imbued into this weapon. His ideals, his strengths, his passion. All to bring order back into the SSS2. He will not fail this task. Not now. Not ever.

"The plan stays the same, Kai. I will save everyone. No one will be left behind."

Kai blinked a couple of times before smiling with a nod.

"Alright, so what is our plan now? There are no rail cars left for us to take down to Big Site."

Kai explained. Rei looked around him, seeing as how the entire of Guild had probably retreated down to Big Site by now. By as they had no way of reaching there on foot, Rei had to think of something else.

"There are probably other ways to get down to Guild, but we would waste a lot of time getting there..."

Rei trailed off, turning his head as he looked off into the distance. He seemed to be sensing something. With a smile, he nodded his head as though coming to an agreement with himself.

"Right, we'll head topside."

Rei decided.

"What about Big Site?"

Kai asked, to which Rei merely patted the cloth covered weapon meant for Yamato.

"This little baby will take care of it. Alert the others, we move out in five."

A/N: Someone asked what story I would write after this... Not too sure actually. I still have some projects left in the midst of writing. Maybe I could complete them, or at least attempt to complete them.