Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 9! I hope everyone will enjoy this chapter and without further ado, let's start!
Normal POV
Leon turned to the twins as he signaled them over to him.
" Jillian, Sharlene."
The twins brought a mirror towards him as he nodded in thanks.
" In this mirror, the real Takuto Tatsunagi is residing in it. He's really just communicating using mirrors while he's still trapped on Cray."
" The real Takuto Tatsunagi?!"
" Unfortunately, only Psyqualia users can see or hear him. So if he wants to relay anything important about the enemy's plans, only us Psyqualia users will be able to hear it."
" But I'm surprised you're still here. I thought you'd be back at Hong Kong."
" I was, but Takuto reached out to me through a mirror fragment and I returned to help out. After all, the source of all this is right here."
" I guess the more, the merrier!"
The mirror glowed as the Psyqualia users took notice and Takuto's astral form appeared.
" Takuto-kun."
" It's nice to meet you, Aichi-kun and Kai from the other world."
" Same here."
" Looks like you never change."
" Of course I don't. Although, it is surprising to know that you also possess a genuine Psyqualia."
" I never thought I would, either. But I would never use it for fights. It's just that it's been active lately without my control."
" Yeah, I sense that too from you two. And there's a hidden talent with your Psyqualia." Takuto said as he looked over to 'Aichi', " Tell me. Has anything odd happened in your world and Cray? Like... units manifesting themselves?"
Aichi took notice of their reactions as his eyes narrowed a little at their nods.
" The source of that happening is the reason your Psyqualia has been activating. It's trying to warn you two about the imminent danger your world is in."
" But we got rid of them once."
" They might return. While I don't know the origin, I know that this is related to someone with high imaginative powers. You two must work together even better than before with your new Psyqualia abilities."
" Could it be that...?"
Ren went over towards Aichi and tapped his shoulder while 'Aichi' and 'Kai' were thinking about something.
" They're pretty mysterious too."
" Yeah."
" ... It happened in a fit of rage. I don't want that to happen again." 'Kai' said
" But you have a stopper. If you use Aichi-kun as the outlet, he can control how it happens. Anything can happen, you just have to imagine it."
'Aichi' whispered something to 'Kai' as he continued to frown at the discussion.
" It seems that we'll need that power for our future fights, so it wouldn't hurt to try again."
" I guess..."
" Anyway, I also wanted to talk to the rest of you. So I would want someone to relay what I say."
" I'll do it."
Takuto nodded as Leon began to translate Takuto's words.
" As everyone might have known by now, our enemies don't consist of just the Reversed fighters now, but also someone from the Goddess clan. With both his and Void's combined power, who knows what's about to happen. But thankfully, these two from the other world came just in time. I heard from a nearby mirror that you guys need fighting power. With them, you guys can have more of it."
" What do you mean?"
" Their Psyqualia have an untapped ability that's still not awakened fully yet. If they can master that power, maybe just once, you guys can become the units that you have the closest bond with."
" Become the units?!" Naoki exclaimed
" It happened... once. In our world."
" But I lost control of my emotions and almost burned down the forest."
The two continued to whisper to each other a few words before continuing.
" Either way, we only did this once... I don't know if it's possible right now..."
" Why don't we test it out? We have a large field outside after all."
" ... This is going to be a terrible idea..."
As they silently walked over to the field, Aichi looked over to the two as he noticed 'Kai's worried expression.
" I wonder what happened back in their world... Their fighting abilities are definitely not like how a normal person fights, like martial arts... Instead, they can use swords and even manipulate quite a few things. I should continue observing them for now." Aichi thought
" It's okay. I'll be there to stop you. Plus, I think it'll help if you remember why you chose Overlord in the first place. It'll strengthen your bond with it."
" I'll try..."
'Aichi' nodded as they arrived at the field and 'Kai' took out his Overlord's card from his pocket, staring at it for awhile before handing it to 'Aichi'.
" Well... I guess this is the point where we start trying."
Aichi nodded as Kai stood at the center of the field.
" Will this be alright...?" Nerva ask
" Well... If worst comes to worst, we'll just have to fix up the field."
'Kai' then closed his eyes and Aichi sensed his Psyqualia activating and his eyes opened again. 'Aichi' nodded and looked at Overlord's card. He then sensed 'Aichi's Psyqualia activating as he threw the card. Once he did that, 'Kai's body changed into his astral form and the red Vanguard Circle appeared below his feet.
" ... Ride the Vanguard!" 'Kai' declared as the card made contact with him and he was surrounded by crimson flames, " ... Dragonic Overlord!"
The familiar dragon appeared from the flames as he roared.
" He did it...!"
" But he's huge!"
" Won't that attract attention...?"
" ... I hope not..."
" What a strong Psyqualia presence... These two definitely does have strong imagination if their Psyqualia is this strong." Aichi thought
" Kai-kun! How is it?!"
They waited for a few moments as the dragon looked around before looking down at them.
" ... Wow! You guys are so small now!"
" That's the first thing you say?!"
" I wanna try it too!"
" You wouldn't be that tall anyway. You'd probably be Blaster Dark."
" It still looks fun!"
" So does that mean that it worked?"
" Yeah, looking at that." Aichi replied as he nudged Kai, " Don't hide it. I know you're in awe too. It's your favourite unit too, after all."
" It's not like I am..."
Aichi giggled as Kamui approached 'Aichi'.
" Hey, hey! Which unit do you think I can ride?!"
" I'm not sure... Maybe let me look at your deck?"
" Sure!"
" ... Hey, Aichi?" 'Kai' ask as he lowered himself
" What is it?"
" I just thought about this, but how do I go back to normal?"
A moment of silence passed between the both of them as they froze.
" Don't tell me..." Aichi thought
" Uh... Maybe there's a time limit...? Or we have to use our PSYqualia again...?"
" They have no idea how to turn back after all..." Aichi thought as he held in a sigh
" Aichi... You totally have no idea either, don't you?"
" ... Yes..."
" This is bad..."
" Okay... Let's just try using our PSYqualia again and see if it'll turn me back to normal."
" O-Okay..."
Both activated their Psyqualia again as 'Kai' slowly turned back to normal, albeit being released from the transformation in the air as he fell before quickly getting caught by a cloud.
" K-Kai-kun!"
" I'm fine..."
" Looks like we can conclude our experiment to be a success."
" Y-Yes..."
" I wonder... Everyone seems to be excited about fighting but what if they get hurt as their units? Will it hurt their real bodies?"
" That's true. We never knew about that."
" So we can't have everyone riding their units until we understand the full extent of what will happen to them."
" Huh?!"
" Don't 'huh?!' us. If anything happens to you all, I wouldn't know what to do. I'll become guilty for even allowing you guys to do that."
" He's right. For now, just leave all the fighting to us. The rest of you should just try to get as much Reversed fighters back to normal."
There were a few whines and protests as everyone was dragged back to the hall.
" So all we can right now is continue to train and wait for the attack?" Ren ask, bored out of his mind
" Yeah."
" I'm sorry. I can't tell when it'll happen, all I know is that I see it coming."
" I see..."
Soon, Ginta started crying as Aichi and Kai made their way out of the hall to soothe him. They made it back to their room as Aichi made Ginta's milk and fed it to him.
" Is he okay?"
" Yeah. He was just hungry. It's been quite awhile since his last feeding after all."
" I see."
Kai sat beside Aichi as he seemed to hesitate. Aichi immediately took notice and scooted closer to him on the bed.
" What's wrong?"
" No, it's nothing..."
" ... Kai-kun. You're not useless. You saved me from a life of bullying when I was young and we've been through many twists and turns in our paths to get to where we are today. It was all thanks to us meeting."
" But I'm not like that Toshiki Kai from the other world... All I do is get in the way. I can't fight like he does at all. I can't even protect you at all. I'm just powerless."
" That's not true at all. Please don't think of yourself that way. Promise me that, Kai-kun. Don't degrade yourself like that."
" Aichi... Do I really desire to be with you...?"
" Kai-kun. Look at me."
Kai continued to look away as Aichi used a ribbon of light to keep Ginta's milk bottle in place while he cupped Kai's cheek to turn it to face him.
" You're my savior and my Vanguard. It pains me to see you this way. You've protected me all this time when I was powerless too. It's my turn now. So please, Kai-kun. Promise me you won't think like that again."
" Aichi..."
" Promise me."
" ... Answer my last question. Are you just together with me because... because of our relation in the past before you regained your memories?"
Aichi smiled as he leaned towards Kai and kissed him on his lips. Kai's eyes widened as he closed his eyes and wrapped his arms around Aichi's shoulders. They soon broke apart for air as Kai gazed into Aichi's eyes.
" Does that convince you now?"
" ... Yeah... Thank you, Aichi."
" Promise me?"
" Yeah."
Ginta whined as he pushed the bottle off his mouth and cried. The two immediately jumped after realizing that Ginta had been caught between their hug.
" S-Sorry!"
" I-It's okay!"
Aichi quickly calmed Ginta as he continued drinking his milk. Once he finished his milk, Aichi burped him while Kai grabbed a new diaper to change Ginta into before carrying Ginta from Aichi while he stood up.
" Now then... we've been gone for awhile. Let's return to the others."
" Yeah."
They walked back to the hall as Aichi noticed their counterparts missing and was informed by Nerva about them walking around the school.
" Is that so? I hope they didn't get lost."
" I don't think they would."
" Aichi-kun~"
Ren walked over to them as he looked at Ginta.
" Hey, hey. Can I carry him?"
" Well... Just be careful."
Kai hesitated as he soon approached Ren to allow him to carry Ginta. However, as soon as they got close, Ginta started crying as Kai tried to calm him down.
" Ren-san just approached him... Does Ginta-kun...?"
" Looks like he doesn't like him." Nerva said
" Aw!"
" Aichi...!" Kai exclaimed
" Oh, I'm coming. Let's head outside so that we don't disturb the others."
The two went out for a walk as Ginta soon calmed down.
" I feel bad for Ren-san."
" Hmph. That's his problem."
Aichi smiled as he looked in front and soon spotted 'Aichi' and 'Kai'.
" Huh? What are you guys doing here?"
'Kai' turned to look at them as he waved as a greeting.
" Oh, well... He seems to have a sort of... separation anxiety or should I say depression? ... From our baby. He's been looking like that ever since you guys left to tend to your baby." 'Kai' said as 'Aichi' continued to scroll through pictures with a saddened expression, " I thought a walk would make him feel better, but..."
" Couldn't you guys just leave for your world and come back again later?"
" We could, but we really want to help you guys too. So leaving for awhile would be a bad idea if an attack happens while we're gone."
" Oh..."
" Maybe he'll feel better if he holds Ginta? He's a baby too."
" We can try." Aichi said as he walked over to the wheelchair, " Hey. You want to try carrying Ginta-kun? He seems to like you."
" How can he like me when I never went close to him before...?"
" Well... Usually, when I hold him close to someone he seems to not like, he starts crying immediately."
" Yeah. We went to the hall just now and he cried the moment Ren tried to carry him."
'Aichi' blinked before looking into his eyes as he nodded. He then carefully carried Ginta from Kai's arms. Ginta flailed a little during the transfer before calming down and cooed.
" See? He does like you."
" Yeah..."
" I'll leave him with you for awhile then. "
" Is that okay with you?"
" Yeah."
" ... Thank you..."
Aichi smiled and straightened himself before they returned to the hall together. They noticed that the others were still fighting with each other but soon spotted Ren and Leon in front of the mirror and went over to them.
" What's wrong?"
" Hey... Can you guys sense or see Takuto in the mirror?"
" Huh?"
" We kept calling him but he never responded."
The three immediately activated their PSYqualia and looked around before looking back at the mirror.
" None... I don't see him anywhere."
" Me neither..."
" What's the meaning of this?"
" ... No, it can't be... He couldn't have...!"
" What? What is it?"
" You think he..."
" He wouldn't just disappear like that... He must be... He's gone to the Tatsunagi building to confront Link Joker...!"
" What?!"
As if on cue a few moments later, the ground started to shake as they heard a noise from outside.
" What was that?!"
" Oh no..."
Everyone immediately reacted as they ran out of the school and saw the black ring contracting before seemingly exploding.
" That's not good..."
The black ring soon returned as an aura surrounded the inside of the ring.
" The Gate is..." Kamui exclaimed
" ... They're coming!"
Squinting their eyes a little, they soon saw the units of Link Joker pouring out from the Gate.
" Don't let them penetrate the barrier!" Nerva exclaimed
'Kai' clicked his tongue as he summoned a sniper gun from a ring and started firing bullets engulfed in purple flames. The bullets scattered and hit the units as they disappeared little by little.
" Ark!"
A sphere of light engulfed the units still pouring out of the ring as they disappeared in the sphere. Elizabeth and Meliodas landed in front of them.
" Onee-sama! Meliodas!"
" These small fries are no match for us!" Meliodas chuckled
" That's not the problem!" 'Kai' exclaimed as his gun clicked empty, " Damn it! I don't have time to reload enough!"
" Try using your flame energy! Create a bullet with flames!"
" That won't work that well!"
" Then gather spatial resources! Generate an element!"
" But-"
'Aichi' quickly signaled for Kai to carry Ginta from his arms as he forced himself to stand and leaned onto 'Kai' for support.
" Hey! Don't exert yourself!"
" Be quiet and look straight into the scope! I'll help you!"
'Kai' flinched and immediately listened as 'Aichi' placed his hand over Kai's.
" He's scary... He just scolded that Kai..." Miwa muttered
" Yeah..."
That was when they noticed that the gun was started to charge up with a strange energy.
" Uh... That looks bad..."
" Stand back!"
" ... Burst element!"
A giant red beam fired out of the gun once 'Kai' pulled the trigger as it flew straight towards the ring and exploded everything upon contact. Once the blast dissipated, the Gate seemed to waver and freeze.
" A-Annihilated...!"
" That must've used a lot of energy though."
" They sure went overboard!"
" Amazing..."
'Kai' slowly lowered the sniper gun as he breathed out a sigh of relief before it was replaced by a sharp pain in his head. Nerva immediately went over towards them to catch 'Aichi' from collapsing after 'Kai' knelt down as the two were wincing in pain.
" Hey!"
" ... Oh... Sorry... That took a lot out of me than I thought..."
" That power was really strong, but it was other worldly as well. It makes sense if they're draining their own strength to make up for whatever they needed to fire that beam." Aichi thought
" Well, it was a pretty intense attack. No wonder they were drained."
Aichi used his powers to heal their exhaustion as 'Kai' got up after feeling his strength returning to him. He then turned to Nerva to carry 'Aichi' from him and placed him back onto the wheelchair.
" Jeez... You obviously haven't recovered yet, so stop forcing yourself."
" Whatever you say."
" Anyway, thanks for that. I think we would've been knocked out for the rest of the day if you didn't do that."
" I guess we can only stick to flames and swords to fight from now on."
" Yeah."
" But at least that stopped the advance a little... The black ring stopped working immediately after the blast."
" ... What element did we just use?"
" Huh? ... You were the one that called for it. All I did was provide the missing resources."
" Oh... Is that so...?"
" This Kai sounds way more clueless than ours." Miwa whispered
" Yeah. He even interacts with everyone more. He's way more friendly than someone we know." Ren whispered
Kai clicked his tongue as two smacks immediately landed on their heads.
" Ow!"
" Ren-sama!"
" Same as always..."
" Y-Yeah..."
" Anyway, I'm sure Link Joker would've sensed this disturbance by now. It wouldn't be long before they come over."
" That's true. Let's hurry and form a proper plan."
The others nodded as they entered the school again.
Meanwhile, at the Tatsunagi Corporation, Reversed Takuto sensed the disturbance while sipping his tea as he set it down on the table.
" What...?"
" What's wrong?" Kourin ask
" The Gate over Miyaji High... It's been paused...? More like... It's been frozen by an unknown power."
" With the Goddess Elizabeth and the Seven Deadly Sins 'Dragon's Sin', Meliodas there, I wouldn't be surprised. But it is the first time I'm hearing of an ability to freeze a portal." Frederick said
" How unusual... And with that pesky barrier in the way, we might have to push all of our forces towards there."
" I'll head over. I can destroy the barrier and fight with the units. They'll definitely resist, but they are all but mere humans after all. I just need to be able to hold off the Goddess Elizabeth and Meliodas."
" Then feel free to use the power of Link Joker. After I absorbed that foolish Takuto Tatsunagi, who thought he could beat me in a fight, I've become stronger than before. That means anyone with the power of Link Joker would be stronger too. So use it as much as you want to."
" I'll do just that. No one will get in the way of my goal. Not even Aoi."
And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!