Planet 14: Ethereal
Iris Heart landed on the dirt path of a forest and skidded across the ground. She stood straight up and looked at Planeptune in the distance. She smiled to herself and walked towards the main city slowly. She looked up at the night sky, then looked at the bright iris purple neon lines that shone on the city skyscrapers.
At the entrance she saw Ambience standing by the gate. Ambience wore a suit of armor, except a large portion of the torso plates were gone as they made room to expose Ambience's rib cage. Ambience stared at Iris Heart, then kneeled and dipped her head.
"Welcome back Iris Heart." Ambience said.
"Retreated to niceties Ambi? I still expect much from you. Although I must admit, you came here quickly. Have I slowed down? Or have you used the teleport?"
"Yeah, I teleported here to welcome you back."
"Welcome me back? Hmm, I suppose that's your cue to trigger the trap, is it?"
"No, there isn't a trap. Not for you at least, I'm here to bring you to the Basilicom."
Iris Heart stared at Ambience, then squinted her eyes.
"What?" Iris Heart asked.
"Right, right, I should explain. I've reflected on my actions lately and… you're right. I was an idiot, but… I think now's the time I serve you. I'm sorry for all the mean things I've said, I'm sorry for hurting you if I ever-"
"You're not Ambi, I cut Ambi's arm off and killed Tsunemi right in front of her. Show me who you really are, unless you're a masochist? In which case I am more than happy to fulfill your desires."
Ambience looked down at a new mechanical arm attached to her and a blue screen of a clock was projected out of the wrist area. She sighed and stood straight. She blushed and looked away.
"As you wish, uhm, geez, sorry I made a vow to never reveal myself but if it's you, I'll do it. My real name is Charlie Mortis, Ambience was the name my adoptive parents gave me before we found out. I used to live in a dimension where the only goddess left was Nepgear after the battle against The Deity of Sin."
Iris Heart frowned as she stared at Ambience.
"So, after a while, everything started to crumble. Nepgear was losing shares and Planeptune began to lose power. So The Deity of Sin came back and everyone asked Nepgear for help, but she died and Gehaburn was lost during a fight against the Deity of Sin. With no other choice, Histoire sent me to this dimension to prevent the same thing from happening again. And that's me, that's who I really am."
"Ambi… did you say "as you wish."? To me?" Iris Heart asked.
"I told you, I serve you now."
"Why? You can't be Ambi. Hmm, perhaps I should kill Histoire in front of you next, maybe that will snap you back to reality."
"Do uhm… do what you want. But, the promise was that you wouldn't hurt anyone else and I would become a hero. More specifically the hero you want me to be. And well… you broke that promise, now I'm doing what I want."
Iris Heart stared and quickly looked around before looking back at Ambience.
"Have you gone mad Ambi? Maybe I need to find someone else. No… I've been in your head… I…"
Iris Heart looked down at her left hand. She stared at it for a bit before clenching it and glaring at Ambience.
"Fine then Ambi, if this is really what you want, then I order you to attack me! I order you to swing that halberd and cut my head off!"
Ambience shook her head.
"If you're feeling suicidal you haven't come to the right place. We're here to help you if you're depressed or-"
"Ambi I will kill you right now if you do not act! I will pull out your veins and use them like the strings of a marionette! In fact, I'll keep you alive just to use your body to cut down the rest of your friends, then me since you care about me so much!"
Ambience stared at Iris Heart, then kneeled down and dipped her head again.
"If that's what you want, go ahead. I'm not stopping you."
Iris Heart stared at Ambience, then whipped her with her chain sword. Ambience flinched as Iris Heart flicked her sword back into its proper form.
"Get up." Iris Heart commanded. "Tell me what you were thinking, exactly from after I killed Tsunemi till now."
Ambience slowly stood up with her halberd and sighed.
"Can I take you to the Basilicom while I talk?" Ambience asked.
"Hmm, and if I say no?"
"I'll just talk here."
Iris Heart frowned more at Ambience, then sighed.
"Know that I am extremely disappointed in you Ambi. Words can not describe how much I hate what you've become."
"Hey now… maybe my reasons will make you think otherwise."
Ambience turned and headed towards the Basilicom in the distance and walked down the street with Iris Heart. She looked at the few people walking as she did staring as she did. None of them gave her weird stares nor did they care much at all.
"Let's start with the facts. You're a goddess, you're smarter than me, faster than me, stronger than me, hell even with my slightly higher physical defense you'd still make for a better tank. But the most important thing is that you're smarter than me, smarter than a lot of people actually."
"And so what if I'm smarter? Evil people can be smart." Iris Heart argued.
"You're not evil, obviously you're not. Why else would you be trying to make me a hero?"
"Not evil? Does your arm, does Tsunemi mean nothing to you Ambi?"
"I recognize that, and I've learned my lessons. But you deserve to be the ruler, you'll bring us all into prosperity."
"Hmm."
Iris Heart stared at Ambience for a while.
"So you believe in what I say?" Iris Heart asked. "That extreme misery and death is the only way to motivate people to be the strongest they can be, to bring out their full potential. So why are you not following my orders and killing me?"
"Because we want you to keep doing it, to help everyone achieve their best."
Iris Heart stared at Ambience for a few more seconds, then looked around at the occasional pedestrian that walked by. Eventually they reached the Basilicom where Histoire waited for them at the main entrance.
"Welcome back Ambience. I see you've brought Iris Heart. We can begin the festival now." Histoire said.
Iris Heart stared at Histoire, then smiled as she peered at Ambience.
"Hmhmhm, how clever of you Ambi. You almost made me drop my guard, you really did. Too bad, so sad, you'll have to try harder then that."
Iris Heart turned around and watched as Green Heart, White Heart, Black Heart, and Purple Heart all landed behind them. Iris Heart drew her sword and her eyes flashed yellow as all four goddesses banged their right wrist against their left wrists making small crosses with their arms. Then, they all kneeled down on one leg dipping their head down towards Iris Heart.
Iris Heart stared at them as her smile quickly dropped to a frown. Ambience sighed and looked at Iris Heart.
"They're here to bring you your gifts. I told you, no traps." Ambience said.
"Gifts? Festival? Is this any way to treat a criminal?"
"Your wisdom clearly proves that you're fit to rule." Histoire stated. "Come, quickly, the crowd will begin to gather."
Iris Heart saw Ambience and Histoire go into the Basilicom. She looked back at the goddesses who all stood up straight and followed Iris Heart inside. Iris Heart kept her eye on them as they all made their way to the middle round circle. On the table was a large purple royal cape, a pure white tiara, a golden scepter with a green crystal on the top of it, and a pure black sword from edge to hilt.
Purple Heart walked by Iris Heart and picked up the cape. Iris Heart stared at Purple Heart who then proceeded to cover Iris Heart's body from her shoulders down to her feet with it.
"You've proven yourself." Purple Heart said with a smile. "It's time that I retire, and you take care of Planeptune."
Iris Heart squinted her eyes at Purple Heart as she walked towards the elevator. White Heart then picked up the tiara with one hand and roughly placed it on Iris Heart's head.
"I still want a rematch, don't think you're a better fighter just because you're right about a few things." White Heart whispered.
White Heart went towards the elevator and Green Heart walked to Iris Heart carrying the golden scepter. She handed the scepter to Iris Heart and smiled at her.
"It's nice to know that people are starting to favor wisdom and knowledge over simple strength." Green Heart said.
Iris Heart held the scepter in her left hand and watched Green Heart leave. Then Black Heart walked over to her and handed her the black sword.
"Just don't get in my way, got that? Do your thing and I'll do mine." Black Heart said.
Black Heart left and Iris Heart watched her go. She then looked down at the golden scepter and the black sword and gripped on them tightly. Histoire floated toward her and stared.
"Now then, shall we officially announce you as Planeptune's new goddess?" Histoire asked.
Iris Heart glared up at Histoire, then followed her to the elevator and waited. She continued to stare at the golden scepter and the black sword as the doors opened and she walked out. The hallways were dark, and light could be seen at the very end. She walked down the hallway and reached the other end where she saw the balcony the other goddesses were waiting on.
All four other goddesses were wearing gowns and dresses that matched their respective colors. Iris Heart looked around to see large lights shining on the walls and into the sky. She walked forward and looked down the balcony to see a very large crowd of people gathered before the Basilicom. She looked up at the moon and the stars, then looked back at the other goddesses as Histoire floated forward with a mic.
"*Ahem* Thank you all for coming to this wondrous occasion." Histoire said. "Today we are gathered here to celebrate the official announcement of Iris Heart, Planeptune's new goddess."
Iris Heart watched as the crowd cheered and clapped. Iris Heart looked behind her to see all the other goddesses clapping too.
"Before we move on, if anybody wishes to have their complaint or their disagreement heard, now is the time that you may have your voice heard. Your opinion is valid and there will be no consequences to whatever you say about Iris Heart, or anything else you'd like to speak of."
The whole crowd was silent. Iris Heart's eyes darted amongst the crowd looking for a raised hand but she saw none. She peered down to see Ambience standing along with other Basilicom members acting as guards making sure nobody entered the Basilicom.
"Then we shall begin the festival. First, if you wish Iris Heart, you may say a speech." Histoire offered.
Iris Heart slowly placed the scepter on the safety railing and held the mic up to her mouth. She then looked down and faced the crowd, and clenched her sword tightly. She then smiled with her teeth clenched tightly and brought the mic even closer to her mouth.
"Hmhmhmhmhmhmhm, Oh Histy, this may sound funny to you but I have a disagreement I'd like to announce."
Histoire stared at Iris Heart in confusion, then threw the mic at Histoire smashing it into her face. All the goddesses gasped as Iris Heart lunged and sliced Black Heart's head off. She quickly pointed the scepter at Green Heart and casted lightning bolts to strike her and as she did, she dropped her sword and threw her tiara at White Heart. The tiara shattered on White Heart's body causing her to become an ice statue. Purple Heart ran to Green Heart's side, but Iris Heart took off her cape and began to strangle Purple Heart with it.
The two of them wrestled on the balcony, slamming onto the safety railings and the walls while Iris Heart kept a large smile on her face. She looked up and noticed a large tv screen projecting the balcony to the audience. She felt Purple Heart's struggle become weaker and once her arms dropped, Iris Heart snapped her neck and picked up the mic again from Histoire's body.
"Hahahaha! Planeptune, you must be blind if you didn't see the murders I have literally just committed on live television!" Iris Heart announced. "Tell me I'm the good guy now, tell me you still want me to be your leader! I bet you wooon't!"
Chatter came from the crowd as her smile slowly formed into a frown.
"She knows what she's doing." An audience member said.
"For the good of us right? Now that the goddesses are gone, we'll have to take care of ourselves." Another one reasoned.
"Black Heart is kind of annoying anyway. Was, sorry." One pointed out.
Iris Heart held her head and took a deep breath. She gripped onto the safety railings, then tore them off and threw them aside.
"Struggle! Rebel! Fight! Kill me! Attack! Brainless slugs, all of you! None of you should be supporting me! Prove to me why I shouldn't exist! Prove to me why there should be no sadists! Do not say I am right, like a drone in a hive, stand up for yourself! Stand for what you believe in, not what I believe! I will kill each and every one of you as long as you don't struggle! I am a sadist! I'm not a goddess, I'm a psychopath! A monster! A demon! I am the devil's human form!"
A loud crack was heard and Iris Heart, along with the crowd, looked up at the sky. A large white crack was made in the sky as if the sky was a glass dome. It cracked open and the sky shattered as bright white light shone down on everyone. Angels hovered down from the heavens, some were nothing more than rings of eyes with a pair of wings while others were humanoid with robes, swords, and bows.
Another crack was heard and behind the crowd, the ground broke open and buildings fell in. Then demons crawled out, either as spikes with eyes on them constantly shedding tears or as humanoid red figures carrying tridents and torches. Fire erupted from the ground as the demons crawled towards Iris Heart.
Iris Heart laughed to herself and summoned her chain sword as she saw the angels first create a white platform at the balcony.
"So… the humans were incapable of defeating me so heaven and hell had to take the initiative. I don't mind, perhaps God may have to set an example yet again. Hmhmhm, I am more than happy to oblige." Iris Heart said.
As Iris Heart took a stance, she saw the humanoid angels kneel down to her as well. She stared in disbelief as she looked to her right to see demons carried on large spikes kneeling down to her as well.
Iris Heart took a deep breath and looked at them with her teeth clenched. She took a step back before taking more deep breaths. Her frown grew back into a smile as she clenched her sword and crackled it into it's whip form.
"Die then! All of you will die! I'll force all of you to your feet and make you fight me!"
Iris Heart leaped forward and landed in the middle of the white platform breaking it, and forcing herself down along with all the other angels. She began to grab them and cut them to pieces repeatedly while also cutting down the spikes causing demons to fall to the ground. She tore off the head of angels with her hands, she pierced the skulls of demons with her heel, she pulled Ambience to her using her whip sword, then thrusted her arm into Ambience's chest breaking her ribs and pulling out her heart.
"HAHAHAHA!" Iris Heart laughed while facing the people watching. "LOOK AT ME! I AM THE VILLAIN! GROW FOR ME! SUMMON YOUR RAGE! SUMMON YOUR COURAGE! SUMMON YOUR VIRTUES! I WOULD LOVE NOTHING MORE THAN TO TORTURE EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU TO TEARS AND BLOOD, BUT I'M USING THAT DESIRE TO MAKE SOMETHING GOOD! WHY ARE YOU ALL LETTING A MURDERER GO?! AM I IN THE RIGHT NOW?! AM I THE HERO FOR MAKING OTHER HEROES?! AM I?!"
Ambience's corpse fell flat on the ground. Iris Heart looked around her to see people staring at her. Her eyes darted around, then she grabbed a woman from the crowd, brought her close to herself, and placed her sword in his hands and brought the sword to her neck.
"One cut and it'll all be over, one cut and the world will be saved. It's so easy, it's so easy, why can't you do it? It's so easy, why aren't you cutting yet? You'll get a little dirty and you'll have to clean up after, but once it's over your life will be so much better. Isn't that right? Do you seriously believe that I'm right? Look at what I did because of my beliefs, am I still right?"
The woman was silent and her eyes were wide with fear. Iris Heart brought her own face closer to the woman's with a wide grin and waited. After a moment of silence, Iris Heart dropped the woman and turned around. She walked down the street with her arms dangling by her sides and an occasional stumble. She laughed to herself and wandered down the empty streets.
"Not a scream was heard, not a single one." Iris Heart said to herself. "Like dogs, dogs that come back to their master even after being kicked and beaten and locked out in the rain. What a shame, but what now?"
Iris Heart found herself outside of Planeptune's borders and she leaned against the tall white wall. She sighed as she sat on the ground and stared at the sunrise in the distance. Iris Heart smiled as she dipped her head nearly falling asleep.
"It's a lovely morning in Planeptune and you're a horrible goddess." Iris Heart said to herself quietly.
She smirked and slowly began to doze off. She blinked and looked up to see the sun fairly high in the sky. She stood up and looked into Planeptune to see cars driving by and people walking down streets. Iris Heart smiled widely as she pressed her left palm onto her eyes, knocking her head back.
"A nightmare. Hmm, and Ambi is in Planeptune. I couldn't have asked for more."
Iris Heart kept her left hand pressed onto her eyes as another ghost-like version of herself materialized in a hospital. She walked past a nurse who didn't seem to notice her and she took the stairs up. Eventually she walked into a waiting room where Ambi, IF, Iffy, Compa, and Comp all sat on chairs.
Ambi's left shoulder was bandaged up and she wore a basic normal purple t-shirt. IF had her arms crossed and her glare stayed on Ambi while Iffy was staring at the ground. Compa was leaning over Comp's shoulder watching her play games on IF's pink phone.
"Neptune is ready to see you girls." A nurse said.
"Why aren't you with Nep again?" IF asked while looking at Compa.
"I may be a nurse, but we also have to comfort the patient's family." Compa replied. "Besides, you look really really angry Iffy."
"Yeah, I'm not exactly in a good mood right now. Whatever, let's go see Nep."
The group got up from their chairs and walked with the nurse down the hallway and into another room. Iris Heart saw Neptune in a hospital gown eating yogurt and soggy cereal with a spork.
"Oh hi girls! Before we do any talking can I ask what happened to all the money we put into hospitals?! What happened to the food? I mean it's better than roasted dirt vegetables, but this is cheap! Where is all the money going?" Neptune asked.
"All went to repairs and… Look Nep, I'm glad you're back, really, but things are really bad right now. Let's start from the beginning, what happened?"
"Weeeell, Junior and I found this weird grey and orange device which sucked us in and threw us in this old freaky dimension! Then we found this cool girl named Uzume who-"
"Histoire told us about Uzume Nep." IF interrupted. "So you pressed the button of a weird device. Okay but how does that explain these younger versions of us?"
Neptune looked down at Iffy and Comp.
"Mmmh, I dunno! They just kinda showed up."
"Well she keeps on telling me that she's me from the future, which she's clearly not."
"I am you from the future." Iffy stated.
"Right, so then who do I marry in the future?" IF asked
"I never get married."
"See Nep?"
"Even if they're a little different, they still like you as much as we do Nep-Nep." Compa said.
"Yessie." Comp replied.
"Hey, Ambi, it's been a while! How's it been girl? Missed me? I bet you did." Neptune said.
Ambi stared at Neptune, and wiped her eyes using her sleeve. She opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
"A lot happened, especially with her. First of all-"
"Iffy, I think we should let Ambi and Nep-Nep talk in private." Compa whispered to IF.
IF looked at Ambi, then at Neptune and sighed.
"You're right Compa. Okay Ambi, I'm only trusting you with Nep because she could probably still kick your butt even in a hospital bed. Let's go Compa."
"Iffy… I know what happened but you have to be nicer to her."
Compa, IF, Iffy, and Comp left the room leaving only Ambi and Neptune in the hospital room. Neptune smiled and placed her empty cups on a bed tray.
"Sounds serious. Uhm, still not exactly healthy enough to transform, and this isn't my lazy mouth talking, so uh, wanna do this later?" Neptune asked.
"No… this form is okay. It might be better actually, uhm, maybe, I don't know."
Ambi sighed and looked at Neptune. Her eyes watered a little bit and she wiped them frequently.
"I know what you said." Ambi started. "I remember, I remember my vows and- and everything you told me. I know you told me that you can't give up. On people specifically. I remember how you chose to save Overlord Momus."
Neptune blinked at Ambi as she sighed.
"It's just so difficult to keep up your values. Like, I'm doing my best, I really am, but it's not working. Everything I do just seems like it makes things worse, whether I try to do things my way or not. I didn't think this would happen, how could anyone predict this? I don't want to be hurt anymore, I want to give up. I want to be happy again."
Neptune placed her finger on her cheek. She closed her eyes and sat still for a moment before smiling at Ambi.
"Well, it sounds like you're in quite a pickle!" Neptune said. "And you know what they say, pickles are just vinegar cucumbers. That basically, uh, wait hold on I was going somewhere with this. Uhm… hehe, sorry Ambi I told you, I'm not good with this stuff in this form. Oh right! I talked to Uzume about something similar a few days ago. *Ahem*"
Neptune shuffled around to sit up straighter and smiled at Ambi again.
"What I told Uzume was that as long as you keep doing what you believe is right, and you keep going even if you feel bad, you'll be a-okay! Uh, although that would be bad for villains right? Uhm, I guess keep an open mind too. Yeah, yeah that works right? Tell Histoire to write that down in the quote book."
"Yeah I… heard that before." Ambi said. "I guess you're right, but I… I don't know what's the right thing to do."
Neptune took off her watch and handed it to Ambi.
"First thing's first, here's my inventory! If it's a monster problem, go get 'em. If people are troubling you, that's normal." Neptune said. "Philosophy, politics, morals, so complicated am I right? There's usually no right answer to a lot of things so I say act before it's too late! I remember I had to make the decision on whether to keep my power and defeat some ASIC lackeys, or give up my power and save my friends. Wow, that hurt my head but it all worked out because I got lucky! And that's the thing, ya can't tell the future so all you gotta do is take a gamble and pray to Lady Luck that what happens will go in your favor."
Ambi stared at Neptune, then she allowed tears to fall down her face as she hugged Neptune tightly.
"OW! Wait, wait wait wait wait!"
"I missed you so much." Ambi said. "I missed you."
"Augh! I missed ya too girl, but like, no touchy yet!"
Ambi released Neptune and stared at Neptune. Neptune smiled at Ambi back.
"Hey, uhm, I'm gonna let ya on a little secret alright?" Neptune asked.
"Alright, what is it?"
"I'm gonna have to leave again. I kinda left Junior and Uzume in the other dimension and I need to go save them. Obviously we got problems here, but I can't deal with them now. So we'll split our forces, you gotta take care of things here and I'll save Junior and Uzume. Got it?"
"I- do you really have to leave again?"
"Mmh, there's a time in everyone's life where you gotta leave your old home and make a new one. That's what Blanc said once, I don't really get the metaphor on that one but I think the point is I can't baby you forever. You gotta be a big girl now Ambi, but if it's too hard I can help out. I'd rather not though, but I'll leave that judgement to you cause you were here while I wasn't."
Ambi stared at Neptune for a bit, then turned her head and looked at where Iris Heart's ghost stood. Iris Heart smiled as Ambi was first shocked, but her face slowly turned more stoic and determined.
"Save them." Ambi replied. "I'll have everything prepared for you when you come back home. I promise, I'll do things right this time. I swear I'll have Planeptune ready for your return. You're Gamindustri's soul, I promise I will reflect that. I promise, even if I bleed for the rest of my life, I'll win and save Planeptune. I'll lose a million times and I'll make as many mistakes as I have to but I'll save Planeptune, expect that okay? Expect nothing less when coming back, I'll have faith that you'll return as long as you have faith that I'll return the favor."
Neptune smiled at Ambi's determined face and gave her two thumbs up.
"Nice! Now remember, it's a secret. Don't tell anyone okay?"
"Yes, yes I understand. I got it."
Ambi looked at Iris Heart's spirit as it began to leave the room.
"I have faith in you." Ambi said.
Iris Heart's spirit smiled widely as she left the room. The spirit walked back to the body and Iris Heart took her hand off her eyes. Her smile grew wider as she walked down the streets. As people ran away from her and called out for help, she summoned Ambience's hat from purple lightning and wore it on her head. She summoned her chain sword and dragged the tip across the street as she walked towards the hospital.
"Hey, goddess."
Iris Heart turned and looked behind her to see Arfoire staring at her with her arms crossed.
"You're no Neptune, but you're a goddess. Not only that, but you're a huge threat." Arfoire started. "I don't think either of us need to say anything else, unless you want to start begging for mercy! Hahaha! Be prepared!"
Arfoire summoned her spear from purple lightning and Iris Heart's smile grew wider. The surrounding people watched Iris Heart flick her sword causing the sword to transform into a whip. Iris Heart swung it around above her head causing electricity to crackle and spark from the whip.
Arfoire summoned a fireball in her hand and threw it at Iris Heart. Iris Heart whipped the fireball destroying it and continued to swing her whip around giving it momentum.
Arfoire stepped backwards as Iris Heart stepped forward until eventually Iris Heart whipped the sword at Arfoire. Arfoire rose her spear handle up above her head. The chain hit the handle, but the tip still whipped Arfoire on the head.
"Guh-"
Arfoire looked forward and saw Iris Heart dash towards her and grab at her face. Arfoire dropped her spear and ducked. She made an icy wind swirl around her fist and she swung her arm upwards to uppercut Iris Heart. Iris Heart was hit in the jaw, but she didn't move and simply smiled.
"Great, mage tank." Arfoire whispered to herself.
Arfoire raised her other arm up and summoned purple rings. Iris Heart transformed her sword and slashed upwards at Arfoire while stepping back but the rings blocked the hit.
Arfoire threw the rings at Iris Heart but Iris Heart ran through them without a visual sign of damage. Arfoire resummoned her spear and dodged a small thrust from Iris Heart. Arfoire stabbed back, Iris Heart parried and slashed at Arfoire, Arfoire dodged and thrusted again.
Iris Heart then smiled and gripped her sword with two hands. She lowered it by her hip with the tip on the ground, then she slashed upwards with it. Arfoire dodged and thrusted her spear to counter, but Iris Heart quickly parried it by slashing her sword downwards on it. She then gripped the sword tightly, raised it up again, and slashed downwards on Arfoire.
Arfoire quickly tried to block with her spear, but the spear was broken in half by the blow and Iris Heart slashed Arfoire's invisible barrier. Arfoire stumbled backwards, then dashed forward with a fireball in her hand but Iris Heart quickly grabbed Arfoire's neck and jabbed her forehead using the butt of her sword even while Arfoire hit Iris Heart's torso with the fireball.
Iris Heart jabbed Arfoire multiple times with the butt of her sword, then used her right leg to sweep Arfoire's ankles forcing her to fall. Arfoire attempted to roll out of the way but Iris Heart followed her and kicked her in the face. Arfoire got up while dashing backwards and started to create ice in her hands but Iris Heart slashed Arfoire diagonally with her sword and kicked her up into the air. While in the air, Iris Heart used her whip sword and wrapped it around Arfoire's neck. She spun around and threw Arfoire into a building straight through a wall and into store shelves.
"Geh- agh… augh." Arfoire grunted.
Arfoire struggled to stand up while her invisible barrier flashed around her. Her barrier then shattered and she fell to the floor. She attempted to use the shelves by her side to keep her up, but they only fell down along with her.
"Rrr… seriously…? After- after all that I still- still get crushed by a half competent goddess…"
Arfoire slowly pushed herself off the floor and forced the shelves to slide off. She held onto her cuts as she slowly stood up with her legs shaking, but she quickly fell onto her back.
"GAH! Damn it! Ugh… no, now's not the time to rest. 5 long years, I will not let any of our efforts go to waste. Not after my failures as an adolescent, not after my failures as a god, I won't run anymore! I will not!"
Arfoire summoned a large red crystal onto her hand from purple lightning and rose it up in the air. She grinded her teeth as her arm shook and she stared at the crystal.
"I will not- I'm not afraid, I will win this fight without reviving the Deity of Sin." Arfoire said to herself. "I am in control, I am Arfoire!."
Arfoire continued to stare at the crystal as she slowly lowered her arm. She then heard the door open and she looked to see a ghost-like figure of a tall, pale lady with a black eye patch and long dark pink twin tails.
"Is that hesitation?" The figure spoke to Arfoire. "Don't worry, I'm with you."
Arfoire stared at the spirit for a second, then immediately smashed the crystal onto her body. A large thick thunderbolt struck down on the shop destroying it completely and Iris Heart turned around.
Arfoire was seemingly forced onto her feet as she screamed. Purple lightning struck Arfoire continuously creating golden colored scales on her body. Light seemingly disappeared where Arfoire stood and when light shone through again, a large golden dragon stood where Arfoire used to be.
It's wide thick scales glimmered from the sun and it's shining red eyes stared straight at Iris Heart. The dragon threw its head up and roared at the sky before jumping towards Iris Heart. Iris Heart smiled and dashed out of the way and swung her sword to counter attack.
The sword deflected off of the scales as the dragon swung it's arms at Iris Heart. Iris Heart dodged backwards once before getting slashed by the dragon's other claw. The slash broke Iris Heart's invisible barrier instantly and she stumbled backwards before being smacked down the street.
Iris Heart skid across the pavement and when she stopped, she laughed while pushing herself back up to her feet.
"Hahaha, HAHAHA!"
The dragon lunged at Iris Heart with a loud battle cry and smashed the ground with its claw. Iris Heart dashed behind the dragon to whip it but the whip simply bounced off it's scales. The dragon whipped Iris Heart back with it's large tail causing her to fly back up the street towards the hospital.
Iris Heart used a street lamp next to her to pull herself up and her smile only grew wider. She grabbed the bottom and the top of her jaw and tore her cheeks apart, loosening the bottom half of her jaw.
She threw her sword away while laughing as the dragon flew towards her and swung it's claws again. Iris Heart swung her arm at the claw and deflected it, but her arm snapped from the impact.
Iris Heart reached out her arms to grab the dragon but it swung it's claws knocking Iris Heart away. She began to bleed from scratches on her torso as she laughed while pushing herself back up to her feet.
"Pain means nothing!" Iris Heart shouted. "Do you believe you're above a goddess? Hehehehe, you're not even above a demon. You may be stronger than Ambi, but a close minded, revenge addicted monkey like you deserves only the sweetest of deaths! Come closer and I'll serve you your medication!"
The dragon jumped at Iris Heart and swung it's claws at her but she blocked them with her broken arms. The dragon threw it's jaw forward to bite Iris Heart, but was kicked in the jaw by her leg. The dragon flinched and in that moment Iris Heart grabbed the dragon and electricity sparked from her body and flooded into the dragon.
The dragon roared from the shock and threw its head down to bite Iris Heart. Iris Heart moved her head and the dragon's jaws clamped down on her left shoulder. Iris Heart gripped onto the scales tighter as electricity continued to flow between them.
The dragon released it's jaw from Iris Heart and backed away from her grab. Iris Heart released her grip and her arms limped downwards. Her legs began to limp as well, but she continued to laugh to herself. A snake made of fire and a yellow snake made of electric bolts coiled around Iris Heart's torso and raised their heads over her shoulders. They showed their fangs and hissed at the dragon while Iris Heart slowly stepped closer continuing her laughter.
The dragon roared and charged at Iris Heart while it's belly started to split open. The two snakes jumped to the dragon and coiled into its body. The dragon threw its head up at the sky and roared as it's belly opened creating a second horizontal jaw with large thick white teeth. Two pairs of wings and two pairs of arms broke out from inside the dragon causing gold scales to fall to the ground.
The dragon roared again and it's second jaw bit at Iris Heart. She back stepped away from it and recalled her electric snake causing it to coil around her right arm. More electricity sparked from her body and it caused the snake to grow bigger. She twirled and spun it like a whip and slammed it's fangs on the dragon's face.
The dragon attempted to claw it off but it's claw got shocked from it. Iris Heart continued to laugh as she held onto the snake and pulled it back causing the dragon to fall forward and onto the ground. Iris Heart recalled the fire snake and coiled around her left arm. She walked forward and pressed her heel against the top of the dragon's head as she smiled and began to pushed down on it,
The four arms from the back then grabbed Iris Heart and the dragon rose back to its feet. The two snakes coiled into the dragon again as it bit Iris Heart and crunched on her. The dragon heard bones being crushed, but electricity continued to spark from her so it released Iris Heart and proceeded to slash Iris Heart with it's claws.
As the dragon continued to slash Iris Heart, it's claws and attacks grew weaker and weaker. Electricity and heat emitted from its body as the four arms began to loosen their grip. The dragon's legs were broken apart revealing four thick legs and causing golden scales to fall to the ground. The dragon swung it's claw one last time before releasing Iris Heart from it's grasp. Iris Heart smiled as she fell to the ground. The dragon charged a ball of fire in its mouth, however the fire snake coiled around its neck and snapped it's head in a position that caused it to launch the fireball into the sky. The dragon then fell to the ground and landed on Iris Heart.
Iris Heart slowly pushed the dragon off of her body and pulled herself away from it. She took deep breaths as she did and looked down at her body staring at the cuts, bruises and bite marks on her body. She laughed a little as her body snapped in half backwards in a 90 degree angle.
Iris Heart forced her limp body to at least stand her up straight as she stepped forward towards the dragon. She appeared to have been smiling widely as she reached for the head with her right hand.
"Plums." Ambi called out.
Iris Heart's heavy breathing slowed as she turned her head and looked at Ambi. Ambi wore heavy white armor with iris purple outlines. A shiny metallic robotic arm was attached to her left shoulder and she carried a poleaxe in her right hand. A thick waist cape surrounded her metal leggings and bottles hung on her belt.
"Ambi, how nice of you to join us." Iris Heart said happily.
"Don't kill the dragon, I mean the witch lady. The nurse told me a witch transformed into the dragon."
"And she is correct."
"I see you did the thing with your jaw again. Doesn't it hurt?"
"Hmhmhm, Ambi, I would sever my limbs to create the perfect hero if I had to. What kind of hypocrite would I be if I wasn't willing to go through the same pain you do? That being said, this one is a freebie. There's no hope for someone like her, so say goodbye."
Iris Heart began to reach down towards the dragon's head, but Ambi rushed forward and shoved Iris Heart away from the dragon with her metal poleaxe. Iris Heart stumbled to the side and she went limp on the floor. Her arms and legs bended and broke into strange angles as they pushed her back up onto her feet.
"You're… tired." Ambi said.
"It doesn't matter, I told you Ambi." Iris Heart said. "I'm willing to go to any length to save the world, is that a bad thing? Aren't you upset over what I did to Tsunemi? Why do you care?"
Ambi gripped onto her poleaxe tighter. She sighed and raised the poleaxe above her head. The butt of the poleaxe was pointed at Iris Heart while the blade faced the sky.
"You're willing to go through the same pain as me?" Ambi asked. "Okay… alright…"
Iris Heart laughed as the two snakes coiled together on her right hand. They merged together through a bright light and replacing them was Iris Heart's chain sword. The sword sparked with electricity as Iris Heart transformed it, swung it around over her head, and whipped Ambi with it.
Ambi dropped the poleaxe down to her left and blocked the whip. The tip of the whip still struck Ambi causing her to flinch a little. Iris Heart pulled back the whip and continued to walk closer to Ambi. Ambi stared at Iris Heart as she walked closer and flexed her robotic hand a little bit.
Iris Heart diagonally slashed Ambi and she blocked it with her poleaxe. Iris Heart swung again which Ambi parried easily and jabbed Iris Heart's head with the butt of her poleaxe. Iris Heart staggered backwards and went a little limp. She then gripped onto her sword with both hands and scraped the tip across the ground as she approached Ambi.
Ambi lowered her poleaxe to her waist. She weakly swung her poleaxe at Iris Heart who stepped backwards and slashed upwards at Ambi. Ambi also backstepped and spun around extending her poleaxe with her right arm. Iris Heart positioned her sword in a way to cause the poleaxe to slide up and over her.
Ambi saw Iris Heart thrust her sword at her. Ambi pulled up her robotic hand blocking it, however the sword stabbed through the robotic hand. Iris Heart pulled her sword out and Ambi carried her poleaxe with one arm.
"Don't fail now Ambi, you're stronger than this! IF YOU WANT TO REPLACE ME, PROVE YOU CAN DEFEAT SOMEONE LIKE ME!" Iris Heart yelled. "DO YOU NEED A REVIEW?! DO I HAVE TO KILL NEPTUNE AS WELL?!"
Iris Heart slashed at Ambi horizontally from the left. Ambi blocked it with her halberd but staggered from the impact. Iris Heart then raised her sword over her shoulder and slashed down vertically at Ambi who slid slightly to the left and stabbed her halberd into the ground. The halberd pierced through the sword and stuck both of them into the street floor.
Iris Heart smiled as she rushed forward and punched Ambi in the face who punched her back at the same time. Iris Heart fumbled backwards more from the blow than Ambi did who rushed forward and swept her off her feet. Iris Heart fell to the floor and Ambi pressed her boot onto the side of Iris Heart's head.
"Is… is that hesitation Ambi?" Iris Heart asked with a bit of laughter. "If I were a villain, my vipers would take a little bite."
Ambi took a few deep breaths, then sighed and looked at her poleaxe.
"You ran out of mana." Ambi said. "I shouldn't have won that fight."
"Oh, but you did. And that's all that matters isn't it?" Iris Heart asked. "Dear Ambi, you've won. Now take your reward and send me to where I belong. Do what you have to do, and remember that pain means nothing. Never fear death, Ambi."
Ambi gripped her hand around her poleaxe and stared at it. She held onto it for a little bit, then slowly took her boot off of Iris Heart's head. Iris Heart began to relax and she rested her head, but after a bit she looked up and saw Ambi using her chin to tap on her watch on her right hand. The poleaxe faded into pixels and light and Ambi kneeled down offering Iris Heart her hand.
"Get up." Ambi commanded. "If pain means nothing to you, it's your turn to learn. I'm not scared of what you'll do to me anymore, but if you hurt anyone else I will kill you."
"Ambi… you've lost your mind."
"Oh shut it, I'm giving you a second chance. I'd rather kill you right now but I made a promise that no one else would go to hell because of me. That's just an excuse… I'm giving you a second chance because killing you would get me nowhere. Look, it's not important my reason, I can tell you that Neptune told me to, or that it's what Tsunemi would want, or that it would be more painful to you if you stayed alive, or whatever excuse I want to make but in the end I hate you and I hate myself for even offering you a second chance. But you've already hardwired my mind into making more painful decisions for better rewards so get up."
Iris Heart stared at Ambi for a bit. Then she laughed. She had a happy facial expression as she accepted Ambi's hand and hugged Ambi with her limp arms.
"Oh Ambi, you make me so proud." Iris Heart said.
"Yeah okay." Ambi replied. "I hate this situation you put me in. Remember that everyone wants you dead so I can't protect you if you decide to hurt anyone again."
"Of course Ambi, of course. As long as you recognize that not every villain is like me."
"I know, I know. I hate that you're one of the redeemable ones."
Iris Heart released Ambi and stared into her eyes.
"Ambi." Iris Heart whispered.
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
"I know." Ambi grumbled. "I accept it, but I don't love you back."
Ambi pointed down the street and Iris Heart turned around to walk. They walked for a few seconds, then Ambi turned around and looked at the dragon's body.