Final Battle! Showdown against Anise!
(Cue- The First Unison- Valkyrie Profile)
The group started climbing a tall tower with the sky overtaken by darkness.
"She's up ahead. Her aura is overwhelming." Ace said. "But we've come too far to give up now."
"Yeah. Time to finally put an end to all of this." David said. "You ready, Cheetah? You may have to use the Sword of Mana to deal the final blow. Do you think you can handle it?"
"After everything we've been through, I'm sure I can use this sword." Cheetah said.
The group soon reached the top as the ground then began shaking.
"It's the welcoming party…" Hawkeye said.
"She's here!" Miriam said as appearing in the center was Anise the Witch herself.
"Mmhmhmhm… Bold of you all to come here instead of running away." Anise said.
"Anise! We've slain all the Benevodons and freed all the generals under your control. It's over!" David said.
"Hmhmhm, as long as I stand, the portal to Mavolia will still be opened, and I will use it to destroy the world!" Anise said. "I will ruin this realm with my own two hands! Ahahahahahaha! Now! Behold my power and despair at your worthlessness!" she said, releasing a wave of pressure.
"Don't give in, everyone! This is the final battle! We can't afford to lose this, no matter the cost!" David said.
"Yeah, the people of this world are counting on us to save it! We'll never stop fighting as long as we draw breath!" Ace said.
"Let's do it already then. For the sake of everyone in this world!" Hope said.
(Shift- Premonition- Final Fantasy VIII)
"Mm… Aha ha ha ha! Writhe, worthless mana worms! Fall from the tower of your dreams and wallow in the pits of despair! Feed me with your pain!" Anise said, summoning four elemental crystals that represent fire, water, earth, and air.
"My instincts are saying we need to get rid of those first before attacking her." Bow said.
"In that case, let's get to smashing." Cheetah said.
"I'll soften em' up for ya!" Ajna said, entering her Maha Heruka form and used Goddess Hand, sending large fists that did palm strikes, cracking the crystals up to their breaking point.
"The Fire crystal's mine!" Mermista said, firing a blast of water at the red crystal, smashing it to pieces.
"I've got the Earth Crystal. Garudyne!" Ramona said, blowing a powerful wind.
"Guess I got the Water Crystal." Razmi said, unleashing Bom as he clawed at it.
"And that leaves Wind." Poison Ivy said as sprouts appear under the Wind Crystal, damaging it with their thorns, causing it to shatter.
"Now's our chance to strike at Anise!" Duran said.
"Everyone, strike her with the strongest attacks you can muster!" Cheetah said.
"Leave it to us!" Riesz said.
"Don't hold back!" Duran said, raising his sword into the air, unleashing a blast of light around him. "Glint Slash!" he said, slashing it back down and unleashing another burst.
"I'll show you my magic!" Angela said, tossing her staff into the air as a red orb formed in her left hand, and a blue in her right as she fired multiple beams of magic before combining them both, as it turned purple. "This is goodbye! Blessed Pledge!" she said, launching it at Anise.
"Let's go wild!" Kevin said as he entered his Beastman form and gathered energy into his hands and launched a massive laser blast forward. "Dragon Torrent!"
"I've been saving this one!" Charlotte said as she turned her back to Anise as multiple giant spiked balls dropped down onto Anise before a larger one fell down and exploded.
"Another one bites the dust. Petal Crossfire!" Hawkeye said holding a blue rose before throwing it into the air as the petals floated around him before turning into a variety of throwing weapons as he launched them forward, resulting in a variety of explosions before finishing with a rising strike.
"Give me strength." Riesz said as astral purple wings appeared behind her back as she dealt multiple air thrusts at rapid speed, each one causing lightning to strike down. "Raptor Lance!" she said as a larger lightning bolt struck down.
"How'd you like that!?" Ajna said.
"Hehehehe...HAHAHAHAHA!" Anise laughed, as she slowly stood up.
"You're one crazy woman, laughing when you're losing." Akane said.
"Do you think you have won? Foolish children, you have not witnessed my true power!" Anise said as she glowed purple before the area was engulfed in light.
(Shift- Sacrifice Part 3- Trials of Mana)
The light then died down and in Anise's place was a giant serpent-like dragon as she screeched at the group.
"Really? A dragon? Is that the best you can do?" David asked.
"If you're trying to intimidate us, you're doing a bad job of it." Hope said.
"She kind of looks like Eternatus. But… Something tells me we won't need Zacian and Zamazenta for it this time." David said.
"Yeah, we can slay this dragon ourselves." Mari said.
"Cheetah, we're gonna whittle her down for you. We'll be counting on you to deal the final blow." David said.
"Alright." Cheetah said.
"~You, are the Ocean's Grey Waves~." Azura sang as she began singing the Revelations version of the song, raising everyone's morale.
"Kacrackle!" Jessica said as she unleashed a blast of ice.
Ajna changed into her Tara Heruka form as she channelled and released her inner potential from her third eye, massively damaging Dragon Anise.
"Blizzaga!" Kirumi said as she unleashed a very strong burst of icy energy.
"Breath of Ice: Third Form! Arctic Chains!" David said as icy chains came out of his sword, binding Anise.
"Grr… You pests! All you're doing is delaying the inevitable!" Anise said, struggling to break free from the chains.
"Now! Finish it, Cheetah!" David said.
Cheetah takes this moment to leap into the air, grab hold of the Sword of Mana, and slice at Anise.
"AAAAAAAAAAGHHHHH!" Anise screamed before she fell to the ground and reverted to her human form.
"End of the line. Your ambitions are at an end." Cheetah said.
Mmhmhmhm, maybe so, for now. I can never be purged from this world. Someday I will be revived and bring chaos with me…" Anise said. "Once time passes and you are long gone from this realm. I will remain...biding my time. Chaos will reign...someday…" she finished before fading away into a purple light.
"Then our children will come back to finish what we've started when that time comes." Ace said.
The skies were soon clearing.
"Whew… now everything that's happening in the kingdoms should return to normal, and this world can return to peace." Glimmer breathed.
"Not quite. There's one last thing." Cheetah said.
"Ah, that's right. We need to return the Sword of Mana to the pedestal." David said.
"Then let's return to the Sanctuary of Mana, one last time." Ajna said.
The group returns to the Sanctuary of Mana and walk back to the Sword of Mana's altar.
"Looks like this is it. It's been quite a long journey, but I'm… I'm glad that I had you with me through it all." Cheetah said to Faerie.
"It's me who should be thanking you, because of what you and your friends did. Mana will slowly return to this world. I'm glad I got to know you as well." Faerie smiled.
"Maybe...a little more than I would've wanted to admit." Cheetah said.
"You may have been the hero that no one expected, but you were definitely the one this world needed." Faerie said.
"Thank you, Faerie…" Cheetah nodded. "I'm honored to hear that." She soon places the sword back on its pedestal.
"So, what's next for you, Ace? Without a ship, you don't have a way out of this world. We can gather materials for you, if you wish." Miu said.
"I would greatly appreciate it." Ace smiled. "As for what to do next, we still need to track down the Mutos Reploids before they cause damage on other worlds."
While Miu was helping Spirit Force gather materials for a new ship, the other leaders met with the six heroes.
"What about you guys? What's next for you?" David asked.
"Well, since there are other worlds out there, I think I'm gonna go with Mari and her friends to seek out tough opponents." Duran said.
"As for me, I think I'm going to return home and reconcile with Mother along with studying magic better. But I know we'll see each other again." Angela said.
"Going back to Ferolia. Watch Baby Ludgar grow and help him train so we can have a rematch." Kevin said.
"I think I'm gonna go back home. Since we wescued Heath, we can hewp Gwandpa now!" Charlotte said.
"I would actually wish to accompany you all. But at the same time, I'm still worried about Elliot." Riesz said.
"Don't worry, Riesz, I'll keep an eye on things while you're gone." Hawkeye said as he held Riesz's hand.
"Hawkeye, are you certain?" Riesz asked.
"Are you sure about this, Riesz? I mean, Belladonna was one of the main reasons that Elliot was kidnapped in the first place after all." Yangus said. "It's nothing against you, but we're a bit worried about the two of you being together."
"And you have a right to. But at the same time, I cannot help but shake this feeling that Cheetah is going to need me when we deal with her own adversary. If you welcome it, of course." Riesz said.
"Actually… I think I might. It's going to be hard to adjust to, but… I believe that we can find a way to make it work." Cheetah said.
"Thank you, Minerva." Riesz said.
"Ah, I see what you did there, Cheets." David said.
"Anyway, I think it's time we all get going." Hope said.
"Yeah. I think we kept Jexi and Mark waiting long enough." David said.
"Good luck with whatever it is you guys are dealing with. And if you need an extra hand, I'll be there." Ace said, holding a fist out.
"Not a problem." David said fistbumping him.
"And I actually have a message for Roy. His grandfather sends his warmest regards." Leonora said.
"We'll be sure to pass it along to him. And Leonora, it was really great becoming friends with you. I hope we can team up again soon." Ajna said.
"I'm sure the time will come." Leonora said.
"Are these materials good, Ace?" Miu asked, bringing out some shiny materials.
"I think these will work perfectly. Thank you, Miu." Ace said.
"Well, seems like it's time we head off. See you guys in Tokyo." David said.
"See you then." Ace smiled.
With one last farewell, the Last Crusade and Shining Beacon were loaded up and left for the skies.
"So long as we trust in the bonds we have, there is nothing that can stand in our way." Ace smiled as he looked up to the sky before saying farewell to the Elementals as he walked away.
The End.