Previously on the Monado Arc...
Sharla and her allies have succeeded in defeating Egil and Brigitte within the Mechonis Core. However, just as they were ready to make amends, Shulk is killed by Dickson and the others, who are revealed as Zanza's disciples. Zanza's reawakening has also caused the Bionis to reawaken as well. Brigitte gave Sharla her final Rally in the form of a potion for her and Shulk to drink before giving up her own life along with Egil when the Mechonis was destroyed. Now that she gave the potion to Shulk via a kiss and drinking it herself, Sharla can only hope the effects work in time before Zanza's disciples come to take another shot to kill her and her allies.
Monado Arc Chapter 13: Rise Up
The next day, I went up to the roof of the Reconstruction HQ to view the colony from up there. It was truly a breathtaking sight to see, it was complete and I couldn't be happier.
Still, I couldn't help but wonder if I did the right thing last night. Did I make the right choice kissing Shulk to give him the potion? His Battle Gem healed when I did, but what do the wings on them mean? I saw them on Fiora's gem, but I wondered what will happen to Shulk when he uses his when he wakes up.
"Sharla, there you are."
I turned around to see that Nessa and Drednaw were standing behind me. The fashionista then walked up next to me and looked at me.
"Is something wrong?" I asked.
"Zellium was looking for you." She responded. "He says he confessed his feelings to Sae and she accepted his confession. He wanted to tell you but he didn't know where you were."
"That's great news!" I said. "I knew those two had something going for them. I'm proud of him for finding the courage to confess to her."
Nessa turned to the view of the colony before she spoke up. "You know, I couldn't help but overhear your words to Shulk and seeing the moment you kissed him last night."
My eyes widened in shock. "What?!"
"I wanted to talk to Miqol about how you guys were going to reach Zanza if he's inside the Bionis." The fashionista explained. "He told me that you can get inside via the wound from Egil and Brigitte's final assault. I heard your voice from the medical bay and wasn't sure why you were up there. I figured you took advantage of Linada not being there since it was midnight. I went up there staying as quiet as I could, and that's when I saw you kissing Shulk. There was also something else that I saw that caught my attention."
"What was it?"
"It was Shulk's Battle Gem. It was glowing brightly when you kissed him. That potion Brigitte gave you must've healed it, that's why it has wings now. Am I right?"
"Yep." I confirmed. "I can only hope he wakes up soon."
"As a former servant of Zanza, I wholeheartedly agree with you. No matter what happens to us, we cannot abandon hope."
I looked out at the view of the colony once again and Nessa did the same as Drednaw approached us. "Hope... Nessa, thank you. I think I finally understand now, what my role in this world is. Perhaps, I can help you find new gym leaders to replace those that were killed."
"It's not a problem and you're right. The Pokémon League wouldn't be the same without me and the other leaders." The fashionista said. "I'm certain we'll find the perfect candidates to carry out the deceased leaders' duties. I can feel it."
As she closed her eyes to feel the breeze flowing through her hair, I couldn't help but smile. Nessa really does understand why I did what I had to do last night and I'm grateful for it.
And then, without warning, a siren rang out.
Drednaw let out a sound of shock as we all looked up into the sky, searching for whatever was coming to attack.
"A siren?!" I exclaimed. This could only mean one thing.
"Let's get to Junks!" Nessa advised. "I think I know what's coming straight for us."
We quickly ran to Junks and went to the bridge to see everyone else there. Melony, Lapras, Allister, and Gengar looked like they know what's coming.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"The colony is under attack!" A soldier shouted.
"But by what?"
"Telethia!"
"I knew it." Nessa said grimly. "Let's move, everyone!"
While Otharon left with two soldiers to scrape together a defensive force, the rest of us ran for the colony's entrance, hurrying outside and looking up to find hundreds of Telethia above.
Riki gasped as all of us drew out our weapons. "Lots of Dinobeast!"
"Look, it's them!" I shouted, rifle at the ready.
A few Telethia flew in, twenty-one familiar figures on their backs.
"So they survived." Sae muttered.
"You!" Nessa growled.
"Everyone!" Murasaki called angrily.
"That's right!" Minori exclaimed, staring down at us from her seat on her and Murakumo's Telethia. "Glad to see us~?"
"Shut up!" Zellium shouted.
Dickson laughed. "Looks like that High Entia's big bro died for nothing!"
Melia inhaled sharply with an enraged look on her face.
"Hey, don't look at us like that." Murakumo said as a smaller Telethia flew near her. "You'll meet him soon enough anyway."
She reached over and stroked the smaller Telethia's head. "Perhaps you'll be reborn if you're returned to Lord Zanza. Who knows? He might be your boyfriend in the next life."
"You will not mock the memory of my brother!" Melia shouted.
"You guys just don't know when to quit!" The manga artist shouted before kicking the Telethia away. "Can't you just give up?!"
The Telethia rushed downwards, arms extended, hurtling straight for us.
Nessa, Melony, Allister, and their Pokémon managed to block it in time before the predator turned to face the rest of us.
"Quick! Transform!" She exclaimed as Zellium and Sae charged in to join the fight.
All of us nodded in confirmation before shouting in unison. "Xenoblade Transformation!"
Clutching her Battle Gem to her chest, Sharla has her eyes closed as light begins to surround her. The light engulfs her upper chest and around her hips, bursting to reveal a black top that covers her breasts and exposes most of her upper back with gold details on her chest, black wing-like feathers on the top, and thick dark orange string creating details on the back, and a black skirt with white and gold trimming and white lace on one side, black and dark orange feathers on the other, and the back reaching her ankles made of black feathers and gold tendrils. Light went down her left leg and her other leg became engulfed in light when it reached her knees, fading to reveal a black legging with small crystal details imprinted on it and metallic black boots reaching near her knees with gold armor on them as well as gold plating, black lace in the middle that was exposed, and dark orange soles. She crossed her arms in an 'X' formation in the sky as black skin-tight gloves reaching her elbows with an black and gold encryption attached to them and dark orange armor around her fingers formed from water-like light. In a flash of light, a cute little black top hat with black lace, gold ribbon, and crystal details imprinted on it attached to a black headband with crystals on it formed. She opens her eyes and aims her rifle at the 'camera' in a jumping leap, creating her final pose.
A small light shines in Fiora's eyes before she closes them as white smooth-looking Mechon armor attached themselves to her body. Soon after, black armor parts attached themselves to various part of her body mainly at her hands, lower body, and neck. A mint green color came to life on the jewels at her feet, legs, hips, under her breasts, and shoulderblades. White and black armor cover her chin up to her ears and mint green jewels with thick black rims attach themselves to the back of her head. A gold headpiece with a horn attached to the armor at the top of her head and white drones with the insides black and golden rings around mint green gemstones attach themselves onto her back piece-by-piece. A gold chain appears under her chest piece in a flash of light and she opens her eyes before pointing one of her twin blades at the 'camera', creating her final pose.
Small bolts of dark purple lightning shine in Murasaki's eyes as she spins around with dark purple energy surrounding her. The energy takes the form of chains and surrounds her legs, breaking to reveal dark purple leggings covering most of her legs with black rims and a pair of black shoes. The rest of the dark purple energy covers her body, slowing revealing a long-sleeved black dress with dark grey trimmings that reaches her ankles. She throws her right arm outward and one of of her shurikens goes in that direction, creating her final pose.
Holding her Battle Gem to the sky, Melia did some ballet moves as light resembling an aurora spun around her. Starting at her chest and to her hips, the aurora slowly revealed a black, purple and gold armored dress with most of her midriff exposed, a black choker around her neck attached to it, and white and gold talons on her upper back and either side of her skirt. The water she seems to dance on flows up her legs and forms white laced stockings reaching a little above her knees and a pair of black, purple, and gold knee-high boots with silver plating at her ankles and gold soles. As Melia finished her dance, the remaining aurora forms a mainly purple and gold headpiece on top of her head, black and gold cuffs around where her elbows are, and a pair of black and gold fingerless wrist-length gloves. Gripping her staff tightly, she spins it before holding it behind her back while she looks at the 'camera', creating her final pose.
Riki's Battle Gem glows in a blazing aura while he looks at it in confusion until it flies out of his wings in the form of a dragon, catching him off-guard in surprise. The dragon's dust-like breath engulfed him and when he opened his eyes to see what happened, he saw that the dragon's breath has materialized into black and silver armor on most of his body with a red demonic face with silver eyes and a tail like a dragon's, black crescent moon-like markings near his eyes, and a cute mini dragon on his back like a backpack. The dragon goes into him from behind and in what seems like a instant, forming black dragon-like wings over his wings and a helmet appearing like a dragon's head with grey and red hair, red eyes, and a red mouth. He pointed his biter at the 'camera' in a jumping charge, creating his final pose.
We managed to take the Telethia out once we were transformed, but dozens more approached.
"These things don't give up!" Zellium gritted out as he shoved one back with a Pyro Ball.
"Riki never lose!" The Heropon vowed, smashing his weapon onto a Telethia's head and causing it to explode in a fine green mist. "Riki protect Colony 6!"
"Right!" Sae said grimly, firing Psycho Cut at one of the creatures as it swooped low. "We can't let them get any further!"
"You're asking for it now!" Bea shouted. "Pawns of the Bionis! Move out!"
She pulled out her knives as she and Machamp jumped off their Telethia and the pawns followed suit, drawing their weapons. Shoku with a war sword, Kenko with a pair of sickles, Seiyo with a handgun, Saki with a katana, Beshi with a pair of twin blades, Dora with a bat-like biter, and Kiba with a whip.
"If they want to fight, take them down too!" Nessa said, dodging a blast and quickly stabbing a Telethia in the chest.
"Got it!" Allister yelled, smashing one his axes down on a Telethia and killing it.
But dozens more swooped down and Bea, Machamp, and the pawns were proving to be tough foes.
While we managed to kill a few Telethia, we had to shove the others back somehow. With all the weapons clashing, shots firing, and roars echoing, we were managing well enough. I was impressed for the most part despite the seriousness of the situation.
"If only Shulk was here." Juju gritted out as he continued to fire at the oncoming creatures and pawns alike. "We're dead meat without the Monado!"
He heard a male yell behind him, and he gasped as he turned around to find Kenko swinging his sickles upward for the killing blow.
"Get away from him!" Zellium shouted, rushing forward and deflecting the blow with a kick to his arms before shoving the green haired boy away. "Forget about the Monado, buddy. The more space between Zanza and us, the better!"
Sae summoned a barrier around her, my brother, and my Pokémon partner that seemed to heal their wounds.
"If Zellium's got time to sound off, we must be doing OK!" She said with a grin as she stood back-to-back with Zellium and Juju.
"We are doing OK!" My Pokémon partner said as he noticed how long we have lasted.
"Zellium's correct!" Murasaki shouted, ripping her shurikens from a Telethia, the creature exploding and Saki yelping as she got out of range of it. "Perhaps we relied too much on the Monado and Shulk."
More and more Telethia flew in despite their numbers dropping. I managed to shoot one down before Fiora spoke up.
"Right." She said, glancing up at the countless creatures. "We've chosen to fight the Bionis. We have to manage on our own!"
She activated her drones, blasting through several Telethia at once. Bea and the others did not back down despite the number of Telethia taken down by the attack. The karate master and her Pokémon partner even laughed a bit.
"Look at them struggle." Dickson remarked. "If they can't even handle a few Telethia and all of our remaining pawns, how do they expect to defeat us?"
"Perhaps luck?" Angie theorized. "It's unlikely, but still."
I managed to shoot down a Telethia and blast Machamp back a bit when he got caught up within range of Metal Blast when I used it. Despite the pain of Reyn and Dunban's deaths returning to haunt me, I glared ahead determinedly.
"This is not the end!" I shouted.
"Sharla!" Fiora cried, causing me to turn to see Kiba about to strike me with her whip.
The mech pilot was struck, and she cried out as she flew through the air, crashing to the ground.
"Fiora!" I called out before rushing over to her.
As Seiyo aimed to finish her off, I countered his shots with my own and forced him to step back. Beshi, Shoku, and Dora tried to strike Fiora as well but Nessa and Allister barely kept them at bay.
"Nessa! Allister!" Melony shouted, sprinting forward, swinging her weapons outward, and forcing the trio of pawns away. "Are you OK?"
"We just... overdid it." The occultist panted.
Nessa breathed heavily, showing signs of uncertainty if we could survive before turning to the blonde haired girl. "Fiora!"
The mech pilot managed to rise into a sitting position, but she couldn't stand. She panted heavily, but she ignored the pain she must be feeling. "I'm OK. I can still fight."
"Why are you trying to cover it up, you traitors?" Miyadera called from her vantage point overhead. "Come on, just admit you've had enough!"
"NEVER!" Melony screamed.
"Look out!" Zellium yelled.
"Lots of Dinobeasts!" Riki shouted.
Several massive three-headed Telethia crashed down and we backed into a circle, surrounding Fiora protectively, glaring at the countless Telethia and the pawns.
"It truly seems as though everything is going... as Zanza planned." I said, hopelessness filling my voice.
Everyone else looked at me in shock, my head bowed and eyes closed in something close to defeat. But then they opened and I lifted her head, fierce determination on my face, glaring up at the disciples as my guardian animal appeared and circled around us as I continued. "But our hearts and minds... they still hold the will to seize our own destiny!"
Nessa seemed to smile as she looked at me, my eyes filled with a fierce hope that seemed unyielding. "No matter how hard you try to break us, the future is ours to shape, guys! Always!"
"When will you learn you have no future?!" Mirai called back. "Face it! Your destiny is to die here!"
Just as the nearest three-headed Telethia prepared to fire at us, a figure with angel-like wings and holding a green sword that was split apart to reveal a blade of blue light sprinted forward. He flew toward the heads, slamming his sword into one. The Telethia cried out, thrashing it's heads back and forth as a green mist spurted from the wounded one, and then the figure leapt straight up, spiraling into the air.
All of us gasped, knowing who it had to be but hardly able to believe our eyes.
The figure hurtled down, plunging his sword into the Telethia's neck, and then he slid down the neck, down the back, dragging the sword with him and tearing through the shiny green hide.
"What?!" Murakumo exclaimed, furious.
The figure landed with his wings, and the Telethia collapsed before exploding.
It was Shulk.
"Shulk!" Sae cried out, overjoyed.
"Thank goodness you're here!" Melia called.
"Damn kid!" Dickson said, loud enough for Shulk to hear as he turned to face the bladesmith. "So, you're still alive. Attack! Destroy them!"
Several Telethia shot blasts of light down, but Shulk charged forward with an angry yell, and dodged to the left from a blast of light. Then he dashed forward using his wings, slicing down a Telethia that came too close, dodging another blast, and then killing another one.
"What?!" Bea shouted angrily as Machamp let out a sound of shock and disbelief.
The mechanic straightened and turned towards us as we approached him.
I got a good look at his new appearance. He now had large white angel-like wings on his back and his outfit when transformed had completely changed. He now wore a dark nearly skintight shirt with gold details, matching pants given a baggy-like look by his armored boots that were black with golden details with diamonds at his knees, his dark gloves had armor the same colors reaching his elbows, matching armor was also around his upper and lower body, three thin talons on his left hip, a spike at his right shoulder, and spiked black armor with gold detail was on the right side of his head.
"That was... awesome!" Zellium exclaimed.
"Just as awesome as your new appearance. It's amazing!" I added.
Shulk gave a little laugh. "Sorry for worrying you all."
Melia helped Fiora forward, and then she stepped back as the two childhood friends approached.
"Shulk..." The mech pilot said, smiling. "Welcome back."
Nessa glanced up and then she spoke up. "Guys, look out!"
We turned, watching as Dickson's Telethia dove, crashing down beside us.
"Oi, kid." He said, sitting and leaning casually. "It's about time for your final lesson."
"Dickson!" Shulk said, staring up at the bladesmith.
"Show me what you've got!" The older man challenged. "You think you've got the power to oppose Lord Zanza? Let's see how you do against me!"
The Telethia lunged forward, it's jaws opening wide to snap up Shulk, but he rolled to the side, slicing at its head. I planted my feet and opened fire, and Melia attacked with her elementals. The Telethia roared, focusing on Melia, but she continued her attacks grimly.
Nessa and Allister slashed at the Telethia while Drednaw and Gengar clawed at it. Minori jumped in and swiped at them with her bucket, but they swerved aside.
Zellium, Sae, Fiora, and Riki surrounded the Telethia while me, Shulk, Melia, Juju, Melony, and Lapras kept it's attention. But no sooner had Sae struck, slamming her tendril into it's hide, then the Telethia rounded on her, knocking her over.
Before the creature could finish him off, however, Fiora activated her drones, and the Telethia thrashed wildly as the beams of light tore through it. It lunged toward her, but she slashed at it, refusing to back down, holding it's attention so Allister, Riki, and Shulk could all strike at once, their weapons biting into the hide, green mist spurting from the wounds.
I closed my eyes as the Telethia snarled and then time froze again...
A beam of light lances down from the creature, striking Melia, Sae, and Riki, killing them instantly.
"No!" I shouted, using Monado Shield as quickly as I could.
A beam of light lanced down from the creature, but domed shields sprang up around all of us, protecting us from the attack. Riki charged forward, smashing his weapon onto the Telethia's snout, and it shrieked in pain. While it was distracted, we all attacked, and it cried out even louder, thrashing about wildly.
But then the Telethia seemed to gather itself, energy swirling around it, and then no matter how carefully we aimed our blows, our attacks missed.
"You'll have to do better than that!" Bea called out, smiling as we struggled.
"Get 'em, guys~!" Minori exclaimed as she and the pawns charged in along with the karate master and her Pokémon partner.
Lapras let out a sound of warning as Shoku, Kenko, Seiyo, Saki, Beshi, Dora, and Kiba charged at us from the left of the Telethia.
"Oh no, you don't!" Melony shouted as snowflakes surrounded her. "Blizzard Burst!"
She swung her fan outward and the pawns were sent flying a bit by the wave of white mist and snow before hitting the ground, all of them under Topple.
"Nice one, Melony!" Shulk called out as he shoved Bea and Minori back by countering their attacks.
I glared up at the Telethia as I aimed at it, activating the Monado Trigger. Melia must've seen me as she stepped forward and made her move.
Her torrent of white-gold light ripped through the Telethia, causing it to falter. I quickly fired Monado Purge, the green light latching onto the creature, binding it's movements. Dickson leapt leapt to the ground as Shulk swung his Monado replica, slashing through the Telethia. The creature collapsed, white-gold light welling from it and consuming it.
"Those brats." The bladesmith muttered. "How could they read my movements? What the hell's going on?"
All of us backed into a circle, panting heavily, holding our weapons at the ready. But for the moment, none of the Telethia overhead attacked, they simply hovered there, waiting.
"Shulk!" Sae called, approaching the mechanic. "How did you do it?"
"I could see it." He replied, glancing at the Machina weapon in his hand before looking at her. "The future. I don't have the Monado, but it came to me, Sae. From within."
"Nice one!" His Pokémon partner exclaimed, grinning fiercely. "Looks like we're back in business!"
Bea let out a sound of irritation. "They really are something special if Brigitte gave them her final Rally."
"Hey! Hey! You can quit hiding and get yourself out here now!" Minori called out. "You know Father doesn't like being left to do all the hard work! Alvis!"
Murasaki gasped. "No, it can't be!"
Alvis walked straight through us as we backed away from him in horror, disbelief, and sudden hatred.
"Alvis!" Zellium said in shock. "Not you, too!"
"Yeah!" Tsumugi said with a smile. "Another one of Lord Zanza's faithful. One of the original Trinity."
"No!" Sae breathed. "How can he be one of them?!"
"Alvis!" Melia said, hardly able to believe it. "Is this the only reason you served under my family?! You traitor!"
The seer continued calmly walking towards the disciples.
"Hey!" Murasaki shouted, enraged. "Say something!"
Shulk blocked her with one of his wings, stopping her from running forward.
"Shulk!" She said.
"Leave it." Shulk said as I walked up to her and shook my head. "It doesn't matter what he is. That doesn't change anything at all. Does it, Alvis?"
He halted and glanced back towards us. "Yes, precisely. You must find your own path to the future."
He held out a hand and the beating of wings can be heard.
"The Telethia." Zellium said in disbelief. "He's..!"
His Telethia swooped down, it's massive wings raising a cloud of dust as they beat heavily.
"So you're just another one of Zanza's lapdogs!" Murasaki growled.
"Get ready, everyone." I called grimly.
"Show them no mercy." Sae muttered, softly but intensely.
"As you wish." Alvis said with a smile. "Let us see that will to survive!"
The Telethia roared before attacking. Sae threw herself to the side, summoning a shield just in time, for the creature's head slammed against it. With a fierce glare in her eyes, she shoved it back, but then those massive wings came dangerously close to striking her, and she leapt out of the way to avoid getting hit.
Those wings proved to be a problem, for they were far larger than the wings of any other Telethia we had fought, constantly beating. Nessa leapt toward the creature, but one wing caught her, knocking her down. Riki ran in for an attack, but a wing struck him as well, winding him and flinging him aside. I aimed for the Telethia's head, but it moved suddenly, and the bullet that should have punctured its skull instead slammed into its wing in a spurt of green mist, still doing damage, but not as much as I hoped.
Fiora, Allister, and Melony worked their way to the creature's back, dodging the wings, slashing at them whenever they came in range. They leapt onto the Telethia's back and plunged their weapons down.
It cried out, rising a little higher into the air, trying to throw them off, but they clung to their weapons grimly, trying to shove them further into the creature. While it was distracted, me, Melia, and Juju attacked, and now my bullets struck where I wanted them to, hitting it's chest and head.
The Telethia roared and finally dislodged Fiora, Allister and Melony, flinging them off. They landed heavily, and for a moment the mech pilot couldn't move.
I saw the light beginning to build around the Telethia, and without thinking, I fired Monado Purge at it at the same time Shulk swung the Monado replica, the blade of light flashing green.
The Telethia halted, struggling to move as the green light latched onto it, and then Shulk leapt up toward it, and slashed at it. His blade sliced through the creature's front, and then he slashed again as he fell. The Telethia screamed, green mist welling at the wounds, and then it exploded in a blinding flash of light. Machamp growled in anger when it did as the pawns got up on their feet.
"Is that all you got?!" Zellium shouted, glaring defiantly at Alvis. "Not so tough without your pet, aren't you?!"
The seer chuckled softly, causing Murasaki to charge forward, glowing in a dark purple aura.
"Alvis!" Bea shouted as she, Machamp, and Minori got in front of him. "Stay back! Me, Machamp, and Minori will take it from here!"
The three charged at Murasaki at full force and they kept clashing at every moment they can get. I turned to see Beshi, Dora, and Kiba beginning to run from the scene.
"What are they trying to prove?!" Beshi asked, enraged. "We're not throwing our lives away! No point dying to the Ultimate Calamity's truly powerful rampage."
"Girls, wait!" Shoku shouted as he, Kenko, Seiyo, and Saki got back on their feet, but the three girls were out of sight.
"I'll show you the will to survive, you DIRTY TRAITORS!" Murasaki screamed.
Bea, Machamp, and Minori kept countering her attacks as quickly as they could, but it was clear that they wouldn't be able to last for must longer.
"Come on~! Fight us! Come at us with everything you got!" The confectioner shouted as she prepared to strike.
"Minori! NO! STOP!" Murakumo pleaded suddenly. "Something isn't right!"
Minori ignored the manga artist's warnings and charged ahead. Murasaki sent her shurikens spinning at her at a extremely fast rate and before the brown haired girl could counter...
She cleaved through the confectioner's midriff, bisecting her and most certainly destroying her Battle Gem.
"Oh my god!" Seiyo exclaimed.
"Impossible!" Kenko shouted.
"No way..!" Saki breathed.
"How can this be..?" Shoku muttered.
They screamed before climbing onto their Telethia in a panic as Minori's body collapsed to the ground. This was getting out of hand, Murasaki's going absolutely apeshit and even Zanza's pawns are afraid of her. I have to put an end to this!
"Murasaki, stop it!" I shouted, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Suddenly, she shoved me aside in a burst of dark energy, I was knocked out of my transformation and hit the ground. Bea and Machamp clashed with the Jewel of the Bionis again, countering as many attacks as they could and clearly being pushed past their limits.
"You want some more?!" The karate master challenged before countering Murasaki's attack with her knives.
"Calm down, Bea! You and Machamp can't take anymore!" Gonta shouted as the fight continued. "She'll kill you like she did with Minori!"
"That doesn't matter!" She responded as she kept countering Murasaki's rageful attacks. "I cannot retreat with this... monster still standing!"
"Monster?" Kiyo repeated. "Don't be ridiculous, Bea."
"Oh really?!" Gita asked before she suddenly swept the hair covering her left eye out of the way, revealing a burst of emerald flames coming from it. "Then why does Murasaki look like she's not even human anymore?!"
I looked at her, the guitarist was right. She was completely engulfed in a dark purple aura, her hands looked a lot like claws, her dress skirt now reached above her leggings that were now visible, and her eyes lit up brightly in a dark purple glow.
"How?" Bea muttered. "This shouldn't be-"
The karate master was interupted when she and Machamp were hit by Murasaki's Shadow Barrage, knocking her to the ground and destroying Machamp's body enough to kill him as he vanished as soon as he collapsed.
"Bea!" Gonta cried out before several of the disciples gasped as the purple haired girl approached her to deliver the killing blow.
The silver haired girl looked up in fear at the Jewel of the Bionis as she was unable to get up because of the pain she was in. Her silver eyes were caught by the dark purple ones that glowed in front of her, unable to look away.
Murasaki raised all three of her shurikens, bringing all of them together and engulfing them in dark flames. I could hear disciples and pawns alike scream in horror and helplessness.
The shurikens plunged down, and Bea screamed, pain-filled and abruptly cut off. Murasaki removed them from her body and she collapsed. Her shurikens were now stained with the karate master's crimson blood though it was obscured by the aura coming off of her body.
I saw a flash of light from above and looked up to see Gonta, now with a pair of large black angel-like wings on his back, along with some of the details on his headpiece becoming dark orange and the ends of his hair now a dark orange in contrast to his normal dark greenish-brown color. He quickly charged at Murasaki with sword in hand, causing her to block his blade quickly with one of her shurikens.
"Hmm... Interesting." She muttered. "You must've found the strength hidden in your heart. That girl must've been important to you if that power was given to you."
"Important?" Gonta repeated. "She was my girlfriend! She said it herself, I became stronger because I believed in myself."
"Ah, naruhodo." The purple haired girl said. "I could see it myself when I met you both, how much you cared for her and loved her. Affection for another person can be so fickle yet equally mysterious."
"Murasaki! It doesn't have to end the way this is going!" I pleaded as I ran up to her. "You can't keeping fighting for much longer!"
"It was always meant to be this way from the start of this war." The Jewel of the Bionis responded before she turned with her back to me. "You know what to do when I'm gone, Sharla."
"You mean the reason Brigitte trusted me with that power is because..?" I muttered, but then I froze as I realized what is being implied. Could this mean..?
I didn't have much time to think about it as she and Gonta took to the skies to fight. Their weapons seemed to clash at every moment, taking every chance to counter when needed. This time, countering was alot faster than before.
"You're a tough guy, you know." The Jewel of the Bionis said as they kept clashing. "You're the first person to be able to counter me this quickly, you probably feel even more powerful than ever with that power, right?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Gonta snarked. "You did say that love for someone else can be fickle and mysterious at the same time. Bea's heart lives on through me, and I'm not gonna let anyone take it from me!"
The violinist managed to overpower her with a quick energy ball straight at her, causing her to stagger back a bit. I gasped in shock as he brought my sword back a bit, aiming straight at her.
"NO!" I screamed as I reached out, hoping that something, anything, will stop what was about to happen.
But nothing did.
Gonta charged right through Murasaki, she screamed as soon as his sword sliced right through her. Killed in an explosion of dark purple ether that rained down onto the ground. Some of us could only look on in shock.
"How about that?" Dickson asked, looking at us. "Without the Jewel of the Bionis, you lot don't stand a chance against us."
I pulled out my Battle Gem with my free hand and could only look at it in regret as I felt tears pricking at my eyes.
"No..." I whimpered, dropping my rifle to hold my Battle Gem with both hands close to my chest.
Soft sobs began shaking my body as tears flowed down my cheeks and plopped onto the gem. What was I supposed to do? This is all my fault... I'm not sure if my heart can take this seemingly never-ending despair anymore.
"This isn't the end!" Allister shouted. "Not until Zanza is gone for good!"
"Even if they're gone, she and the seven protectors still live on through us!" Nessa added. "The will to change fate lives in us all!"
When I heard the occultist and fashionista speak, I could hear my heart pounding, the sound of my own blood pumping drowning out the disciples' laughter. Drowning out the breaking of my heart as dark purple ether rained down to the ground. What's happening to me? Is the potion taking full effect now?!
I saw a flash of light and wiped away my tears and see that golden wings have appeared on either side of my Battle Gem. I think I understand what Murasaki meant when she said that I knew what to do when she was gone.
"The will to change fate..." I said softly.
My body became surrounded in a multicolored aura-like glow as I closed my eyes and felt myself rise off the ground. This power... it's so warm. I could feel the connection between me, my friends, and the powers of the protectors. I understand now. I can't give up just yet, I have to believe in the path I've chosen and those I walk it with.
I heard my friends gasp in surprise and Lapras let out a sound of disbelief as Melony spoke up. "Brigitte's final Rally is awakening from within her!"
"Ridiculous." Mirai growled. "There's no way she trusted her that much. So unless you can prove me wrong, you'll still die at our wrath!"
I looked at the writer for a moment before closing my eyes as I crossed my arms in an 'X' formation and the light formed a large pair of angel-like wings behind me.
"I can feel it..." I muttered. "The light of my friends, our unbreakable bond, the power to seize our destiny. I am Sharla Kuhlauf, me and my friends are the ones who will end Zanza's tyranny. We all feel connected to the seven protectors' powers, affection, bravery, camaraderie, rashness, obstinance, passion, and heroism. And as one, we will end this war!"
I then felt myself being engulfed in light and my clothes vanished off my body as I let the transformation begin.
"Finally, the power deep within her heart has awakened." Nessa muttered.
And then she, Melony, and Allister raised one of their arms to the sky before they shouted in unison.
"Rise up, Sharla!"
Clutching her Battle Gem to her chest, Sharla has her eyes closed as light begins to surround her. The light engulfs her upper chest and around her hips, bursting to reveal a black top that covers her breasts and exposes most of her upper back with gold details on her chest, black wing-like feathers on the top, and thick dark orange string creating details on the back, and a black skirt with white and gold trimming and white lace on one side, black and dark orange feathers on the other, and the back reaching her ankles made of black feathers and gold tendrils. Light went down her left leg and her other leg became engulfed in light when it reached her knees, fading to reveal a black legging with small crystal details imprinted on it and metallic black boots reaching near her knees with gold armor on them as well as gold plating, black lace in the middle that was exposed, and dark orange soles. She crossed her arms in an 'X' formation in the sky as black skin-tight gloves reaching her elbows with an black and gold encryption attached to them and dark orange armor around her fingers formed from water-like light. In a flash of light, a cute little black top hat with black lace, gold ribbon, and crystal details imprinted on it attached to a black headband with crystals on it. Light built at her back and bursts to reveal a large pair of white angel-like wings with black rims matching her outfit and six golden rings woven into them. Canary yellow light builds in the rings and a kanji reading 'healing' appears. She opens her eyes and aims her rifle at the 'camera' in a jumping leap with her wings spread outward, creating her final pose.
My transformation complete, I opened my eyes and gazed at Gonta, who looked shocked at this sudden turn of events.
"This is..!" He muttered in shock as my rifle was sent to me by Zellium and my guardian animal brought it to me before I took it with both hands.
"It's the same power that you and Shulk have." I said before aiming my rifle at him. "This is what happens when you believe in yourself and your friends."
I fired at him and the violinist quickly blocked with his sword before shooting a barrage of energy balls at me. Undeterred, the symbol for Monado Speed appeared in the rings on my wings and I swiftly dodged the barrage of ether attacks. My control over ether seemed to have increased at an incredible rate. Before Gonta could react, I quickly hit him with my Thunder Bullet.
"Sharla!" Shulk called out.
"You don't to ask me to do what I will!" I responded with a smirk to him.
I threw my free arm to the sky and a column of ether erupted from the ground, sending Gonta crashing into a Telethia and holding onto it. The disciples that were still on the ground were forced to jump onto the closest one.
"I have seen your will to fight." Alvis said calmly, seemingly undeterred. "It is time to decide. What do you say? Does this world belong to you... or to Zanza? Well?"
"Either way's good with us." Kiyo said, struggling to hold on. "But I doubt Zanza is as willing."
"He desires the same." The seer responded. "And... he sees everything. As you see, Shulk, Sharla."
"It's like he says." Dickson said as the Telethia began to retreat.
"Let's get out of here!" Murakumo exclaimed as her Telethia carried her away.
"Get back here!" Zellium shouted as as the Telethia carried their passengers away into the sky.
"You understand." Alvis said, staring down at us. "Don't you both?"
I ceased the attack and gasped softly as my eyes flashed canary yellow for a moment before I looked up at the seer.
"Yeah." I said solemnly. "You can... bet on it."
"We'll be waiting." The sear promised, smiling.
"We'll be on our best behavior." Mirai said.
"And we will be the best guests you ever had." Shulk replied through gritted teeth.
"Ah, that's a good comeback!" The writer exclaimed. "I'm impressed!"
We all watched the Telethia all fly away into a sky that grew darker as night approached. I flew back to the ground and approached my friends before we all transformed back to normal.
"I knew you had it in you, Sharla!" Nessa exclaimed. "Even though we've lost Murasaki, you found the strength to keep fighting no matter what."
"Thanks." I responded. "She may be gone, but we should cherish the gift of survival that she gave us. It was her sacrifice that let us survive and get the chance to confront Zanza in order to end this war."
"Right." Melony said. "Come on, let's get some rest and decide our next move tomorrow."
Beshi, Dora, and Kiba watched as Sharla and her allies went inside Colony 6 before the three of them headed for the outer gates.
"The Ultimate Calamity is dead, but what is Zanza trying to achieve in this war?" Beshi muttered.
"Wasn't it to ensure the destruction and recreation of this very world?" Dora asked.
"Yeah, but with the way things are, it looks like he trying to get the Girl that Defies her Destiny killed by any means." Kiba explained.
They kept walking until they saw a High Entia woman who appears to have collapsed and a golden staff next to her.
Beshi went to pick up the staff and her eyes widened in realization. "This staff is..!"
A low growl made the three turn around to see a three-headed Telethia behind them. They gasped before it prepared to attack.
"Why is that Telethia still here?!" Kiba shouted in fear.
Before any of them could react, the Telethia struck them all, knocking them towards the High Entia. They only saw it fly away despite a lack of wings before the three fell unconscious.
Next time on the Disciple Arc...
Emotions are running high between disciples and pawns alike as several unexpected events will result in destruction of where they ended up when they became disciples and hidden feelings to be revealed. Gonta is left extremely conflicted by everything happening at once and he only has a few people who can he can talk about the events going on and what could happen when the Killing Titan War reaches it's true climax.