After an unscheduled stop on a distant planet, the group had finally arrived back in the World, but it was not the same world they were use to. Bits of data were flying around as buildings were starting to decompile.

"This is even worse than when the cursed wave hit." Kite said.

"The World. I hoped we'd never have to see it become like this again." Black Rose said.

"What happened before?" Hope asked.

"Yes. The Cursed Wave, which brought about nearly the Worlds destruction as well as the 8 phases, Skeith being the first. Each phase was more dangerous than the last. Then we came to face the one who made them, Morganna. We defeated her and restored the World and saved Aura." Kite explained.

"Wow. I had no idea something like that could happen in a game." Rainbow said in surprise.

"And it shall very well happen again!" said a voice as the group saw Ghirahim standing on top of a large rock with Skeith.

"Ghirahim?" Lucina said.

"And Skeith. No, this Skeith...it feels different somehow." Blackrose said.

"Correct. This is no longer the Skeith you knew. He has evolved and upgraded himself. He is now Skeith Zero." Ghirahim introduced.

Then Feydooms and Gionis appeared.

"It's the feydooms, really!" Neneko said.

"And we got some Gionis reinforcements. Tel-os, bring them into reality!" Hope said.

"That won't be necessary, they're already in real space." T-elos said.

Then two other Skeiths appeared on either side of the large rock.

"More Skeiths? Great. Just what we needed." Yosuke groaned.

"And we cant load Aura back up." Jexi said.

"We do have more guests coming, but until they get here, let's just move on to the prelims." Ghirahim grinned. "Attack!" he commanded as the Feydooms and Gnosis moved in on the group.

Before the Gionis could strike any of the surrounded, multiple sword slashes cut through them all, ending them in one strike. Then, a man wielding a large sword with blonde hair and a black outfit stood there as he landed infront of them.

"What?" Girahim asked in shock.

Rainbow gasped, eyes wide. Kirito, Kite, Blackrose, Nekeko and Asuna were shocked by the mans skill with a sword so large.

"Amazing. I've never seen sword skills like that? Who is that guy?" Kirito wondered.

"Who is he!?" Rainbow asked in shock. "You dont know who this is?"

The man stood up, and hefted the sword over his head.

"I'd never thought I would see the day." he said turning to the group.

"Cloud? THAT Cloud?!" Indigo said.

"Cloud? Cloud Strife? The warrior of Midgar?" Jexi said in surprise.

"Grrr. How dare he show up uninvited to our battle?" Ghirahim shouted.

"This is so awesome, we have a legend in the house, people!" Juliet said.

"Cloud!" said another voice as a girl came in. She had black leather gloves on as well as a white shirt and shorts.

"Tifa, you were supposed to stay behind with Yuffie." Cloud said.

"I couldn't just let you run off on your own." Tifa said.

"Tifa Lockhart too? Wait, is Yuffie also here?" Rainbow asked.

"No. I just ran off on my own to go after Cloud." Tifa said.

"Grrr. So many interruptions!" Ghirahim shouted.

"Warning, incoming soldiers." Kos-Mos said as several Mavericks were beamed in with Vile in his Walker as well as Shade Man beside him.

"I was hoping I would find you here, X and Zero." Vile said.

"Looks like the tip off was correct. They did return to the World." Shade Man said.

"Tip off? From who?" Hope shouted.

"I prefer to keep quiet about that. The important part is we are here." Shade Man said.

"And just in time for my vengeance against you, X, Zero." Vile said.

"And mine for you, Hope. Don't think I forgot, who did me in the first time." Shade Man grinned evilly.

"So, looks like things are gonna get complicated." Cloud said.

"Youre more than welcome to fight with us, you and Tifa." Hope said.

"Yeah. Join up with them, that is, if you don't mind teaming up with a merciless killer, right Zero?" Vile asked.

"Shut up!" Zero shouted.

"Let me think. What was the name of that Reploid girl you murdered during the war? Ah, it was Iris, right? Shame. And I heard you had feelings for her too. Tough break." Vile said.

"Shut up right now!" Zero shouted.

"Zero, don't listen. He's using mind games with you." Jexi said.

"Ah. But this is where the real surprise comes in. Allow me to introduce our guest of honor!" Ghirahim said as appearing before the rock was a girl with long brown hair and a red and blue uniform.

"It...it can't be." Zero said looking at the girl as if he was looking at a ghost.

"Hello...Zero." she said kindly.

"Iris." Zero said beginning to cry.

Zero quickly leapt away from the group and landed on a rock platform in front of Iris.

"X, whats with those two?" Hope asked.

"Iris was Zero's navigator and a member of the Maverick hunters, until their unit, Repliforce, was labeled as Maverick. Zero was in love with Iris, but was forced to kill Repliforce. Zero did it. He killed Iris along with her brother but this broke his spirit too." X explained.

"Harsh. I even heard she wanted to build a world just for replioids." Jexi said.

"Aha haha! This is hilarious!" said a familiar voice as Izaya appeared. "This is why I love humans! And these Reploids, are so very close to being humans. Seeing them wind up in different situations, its just so amazing."

"Izaya, why are you here?" Shizuo asked.

"Oh, Shizu-chan. You're still alive huh? Not that I expected less." Izaya said. "I just came to watch the show that is unfolding before us."

"Zero, stop. You promised me that you and I would live happily in a world only for reploids." Iris said. "Please, stop the fighting and make that world with me."

"Iris." Zero said crying a bit as he looked at her. "If things were different, I would have said yes. But I don't wanna make a world just for Reploids, I wanna make a world where everyone can coexist. One where you and I could have lived a very happy life, a world you dreamed of."

"Zero." Iris said crying a bit. "I see. You've made your choice. I won't be able to stay much longer, but before I go, I want to ask you to do one more thing: never change and overcome your destiny." Iris said as she started to dissapate into data before it reassembled into Aura.

"Aura!" Kite shouted.

"Forgive my lateness, but I couldn't do much. I'm still trying to access the main core of the world." Aura said.

"But what about…" Zero asked.

"That was Iris, or rather her spirit. She'll be fine. Her spirit has been released." Aura said.

"In that case, I'll fight harder for her sake." Zero said. "X, I believe we have a job to do."

"Understood." X said as the two coupled back up.

"Vile! I'm not going to forgive you for using Iris like that. I'm gonna make sure, you go back to the miserable junk pile you crawled out of!" Zero shouted.

"Now things are getting more interesting." Izaya said. "Now let's add something unexpected." Izaya said leaping off a building and landing over on the heroes side.

"Now this is unexpected. Never thought you of all people would be helping us." Jexi said.

"Traitor!" Shade Man said.

"Don't get me wrong. While seeing a united world is interesting, I do not like the idea of you controlling my humans. I told you before, humans are mine to do with as I please. So, consider this my declaration of war." Izaya said pointing his knife at the foes.

"A declaration of war, is it? Sounds like fun." Ghirahim said tossing off his cloak. "Then let's get on with it then!"

Chapter 29: An Unbeatable Love

Let's get at it then!" Ghirahim said leaping off the rock and plunging towards the heroes, grabbing Kirito by the throat as he soared past them.

"What are you doing?" Kirito said trying to remove Ghirahim's grip.

"If this is to be a worthy clash, I want it from a worthy swordsman and you are the only one here who comes close to matching me." Ghirahim said. "I want to settle things here and now: just you and me!"

Kirito drew his blade. "I'm ready for this. Come and get me, demon sword." Kirito said as Ghirahim removed his grip and created three platforms on which they stood on the highest one.

"This is the Plunge of Death, where we will have our final battle." Ghirahim grinned as his entire body hardened before snapping up his demon blade.

"Then lets go at it!" Kirito shouted as they rushed at each other with their swords clashing as they fought fiercely.

Down below, Cloud and Tifa engaged a fey doom with Celty's support.

Battle start:

"This is pretty interesting. A dullahan in the modern world." Tifa said.

"Well, what you call interesting seems to be ordinary in the world." Celty typed.

"Now, this is where we make our stand." Cloud said.

Ready….FIGHT!

Cloud swung his Buster Sword into the fey doom like it was nothing. Tifa's skills as FateBrawler were as great as ever.

"Cloud and Tifa, just as awesome as I remember them." Rainbow said as she saw the two finish off the feydooms like it was no sweat.

K.O!

End Battle:

"Ahh. All done." Tifa said.

"Feels good to finish a job like this." Celty typed.

"Dont relax yet, its only gonna get tougher." Cloud said.

X and Zero had already finished Viles walker and were proceeding to attack him next. Shizuo and Juliet then attacked shade man with Izaya.

"All three of you? Fine, I'll make sure you and that traitor go to hell together." Shade Man said.

"Shade Man, like I have said before, I am an information broker. I have no side, I just sell information." Izaya said.

Battle Start:

"I never would have thought I'd be fighting alongside a monster like you, Shizu-chan." Izaya said.

"Wanna die ya god damn flea?" Shizuo growled.

"H-hey, take it easy! The enemies over there!" Juliet said.

Ready… Fight!

Juliet and Shizuo layed into Shade Man almost immediately, with him taking minimal damage.

"Your attacks will not hurt me much, I am afraid. If you have not heard, I've been brought back to full power. But, I'm not going to waste it on you." Shade Man said.

"Who the hell cares?" Shizuo said as Izaya came in.

"Need my help already?"

Izaya ran in tossing small knives at Shade man while jumping and leaping all across the battlefield.

"Time for the best trick."

A large truck then drove in as it ran down Shade Man. But the vampire still got up.

"Amusing, now to…" he began before seeing his right arm spark. "Hmm. Seems my repairs were rushed from the last fight." he said to himself. "I apologize, but I must cut this fight short. Until then, farewell." Shade Man said flying off into the sky.

Battle end:

"Youre next, Izaya!" Shizuo said.

"Man, he sparks up whenever you are around huh?" Juliet asked.

"I don't mind. Besides, I feel exactly the same hatred." Izaya said.

Vile skidded back from an attack from X, but then ran right into Kos-MOs and T-elos. Backing them up was Batsu.

Battle start:

"What the hell are you staring at, boy?" T-elos said.

"Did you guys used to go to Pacific High?" Batsu asked.

" I think you are mistaking us for someone else, Batsu." Kos-mos said.

Ready….FIGHT!

Vile didnt hive time to react as the two androids laid into him at once.

"We havent shown our finisher yet. Time to die!" T-elos said.

Special attack: D and U-Tenteritas

The two androids hammered Vile with sabers, kicks and guns before taking opposite sides of him.

"I'll send you to hell."

"Chest, unlocking."

The two then fired a sort of laser from their chests as they trapped Vile inside. With one final attack from each android, they turned their backs as an explosion occurred inside the sphere.

K.O!

End Battle:

"KOS-MOS! Accept your fate of becoming one with me!" T-elos said.

" ...This is not the time for that now, T-elos." Kos-Mos said.

"Not this again, you may have won this round, X, but I will not rest until I finish you myself." Vile said before warping away from the area.

"Vile… you'll pay for stirring up those memories." Zero said.

Within a few minutes, the two copies of Skeith were eliminated as only Skeith Zero was still left to deal with as Kirito and Ghirahim pushed back from each other. The two leapt into the air as their swords clashed against each other as they each tried to do in the other.

"Gotta admit, you aren't bad being a sword and all, but I'm still gonna come out on top." Kirito said as they each leapt back. They then rushed at each other for one final clash, both their swords grinding against each other before Ghirahim saw a crack appear in his.

"What?" Ghirahim said as Kirito took the chance and broke the sword and knocked Ghirahim off the platform. Kirito then jumped off with sword in hand as he pierced Ghirahim's chest.

"There. Its over." Kirito said as Ghirahim began to fade away into darkness.

"Hahahaha! You may have finished me, but you are too late to stop the plans that have already been set in motion. No matter what happens now, you all are still doomed." Ghirahim laughed as he finally faded from existence.

"Doesnt matter. I got you good." Krito said.

By the time Kirito walked back to the others, the battle we as already done. Vile and Skeith Zero were gone as well.

"So, is the world going to be all right?" Neneko asked.

"It will take some time to undo the damage Skeith caused the world, but things should be okay from here on." Aura said.

"Great, we saved this place...but we're still no closer to finding the portalstone, the whole point of this crazy adventure." Mii said.

"And with each passing second, Laser Man is closer to commencing the reaping. If only we could figure out where in our home...wait. Maybe we're approaching this all wrong? We have to go back to the mansion. Aura, can you get us there?" Hope asked.

"I can transport you all as far as Akihabara, from there you'll have to walk." Aura said.

"No worries. We don't mind the trip." Jexi said.

"Then prepare for teleportation." Aura said as they all vanished from sight.