Kuzuri: Route X

by Remus973

Ken Kaneki now knows safety in the halls of the X-Mansion. And yet, life still throws curveballs at him. On top of trying to bond with the sister he never knew, Professor X chooses him to take his father's place while keeping a vital, world-changing secret. Read as Kaneki struggles to live up to the legacy of the Wolverine as the world calls on the X-Men to take action once again.

13. Ch 28

Hello again. Welcome back. Here we are in a brand new year. I know I'm going to make the most of it. And as well as the second to last chapter of the story. Let's not waste any more time. In this chapter, the GCB receive aid from the very people they're trying to wipe off from the face of the earth, in order to fight the Shi'ar that are under the control of the Dark Phoenix. How will they fare now? Read to find out!

Chapter 28 – Unforeseen…The Flames of war

As the light from the opened orb dimmed down, he finally sees what was he reason for what was going on. The object within the orb was a strange looking object. It was a small, metallic, hand-held device with a slider trigger on its top. A sort of abstract-shaped lighter with no apparent function. Director Washuu asked,

"What is this?"

Lilandra gave both the Director and Investigator Marude a closer look.

"This is called the Ultimate Nullifier. This object is part of the reason why my kingdom has stood strong for a long time. Longer than the lifespan of your species."

Both Marude and Washuu were slightly shocked to learn that Lilandra's race was older than humanity itself.

"The Ultimate Nullifier possesses the power to erase anything within the universe out of existence. Its power is so great that even planet eaters fear at the sight of it."

"Planet eaters?"

Asked Washuu. Piotr then says,

"She speaks the truth. We must believe her. The stakes are too great for us not to take her at her word."

Both Marude and Washuu heavily considered Piotr's words. Washuu asked Lilandra,

"If we use the Ultimate Nullifier against the Phoenix, will it be the end of this?"

"Unfortunately no. Regardless if the Phoenix is successful of retrieving the Ultimate Nullifier or no, my brother will come to your world."

"Who is he, exactly?"

Asked Marude. Gladiator explained.

"His name is D'Ken, a ruthless tyrant driven insane by power. He will conquer this world as if it were nothing to him. And that is what your species is to him. Nothing."

Both Marude and Washuu recognized the gravity of Gladiator's words. Director Washuu then came to a decision.

"I'll have to make a number of calls regarding people who are better equipped to handle these types of situations. Nevertheless, I offer the services of my organization to you, Princess Lilandra."

Director Washuu bowed to Lilandra as a gesture of his word. Investigator Marude did the same as he says,

"If your cause involves saving our world, then I'll gladly put my life on the line."

Piotr spoke next.

"We haven't much time. Right now, there is a war going on outside of this building. We must act-"

Just then, Marude just got a call on his personal radio.

"Special Investigator Marude, are you there? Please answer me."

"This is Marude. What's the situation?"

"The fight out here is getting worse."

"How bad is it?"

"The aliens were kicking our asses left and right. Even with the X-Men and the Iron Fist helping us, we barely stood a chance…wait, what?"

"What is it? Talk to me, damn it!"

"Sir, the Owl has arrived."

Now a feeling of dread filled the room.

"Are you serious?"

"Dead, sir. He's arrived with two large groups of ghouls. The Devil Apes and the Black Dobers."

Both Director Washuu and Special Investigator Marude were filled with further anxiety.

"Tell our forces to regroup! We cannot fail here!"

"They did, sir. Special Investigator Shinohara is leading our forces until you and the director return."

"That's excellent to hear."

"Yes sir, but there's something important I have to tell you sir."

"Hmm?"

"When the ghouls got to the battlefield…they went straight for the aliens sir."

The Investigators within the room was floored by this unexpected chain of events.

"Could you repeat that, son?"

"The ghouls are fighting with us, sir."

A moment of stunned silence filled the room. Piotr broke the silence by saying,

"Perhaps, for a moment, we could accept this and turn it to our…"

"ARE YOU INSANE?!"

Yelled Marude.

"Many of our people have lost comrades to these flesh-eating freaks, and you want to buddy up with them?!"

"Shinohara made the idea into an order. He even brought up a very good point to defend it. Even if we gather all our forces and take out the Shi'ar under the control of the Dark Phoenix, we still have the Dark Phoenix herself to contend with."

"He is right. The Dark Phoenix can destroy an entire planet. It would be nothing for her to wipe your people off the face of the universe."

Both Marude and Washuu took Gladiator's words with heavy consideration. Marude spoke into his radio once more.

"Is Shinohara still leading out there?"

"Yes sir. As a matter of fact, he was the one who suggested the alliance in the first place."

"Why the hell would he…?"

Marude sighed as he realizes that the how of this chain of events was irrelevant. What mattered was the larger situation at hand.

"Are we winning?"

"Yes sir. It appears that we're gaining traction against the enemy."

"All right then. I'll get back to command soon."

"Affirmative sir."

Marude ended the call.

"I'll have to get back to the fight, Director."

"Go then, my friend."

Before he left, Marude asked Piotr,

"Rasputin, your old teammates are taking care of Ms. Grey?"

"…Da. They hope that they can separate the Phoenix from her. Just as they attempted before."

"Attempted?"

Asked Lilandra.

"Perhaps Jean may have seen the memory differently, but your hopes in the X-Men are not misplaced, princess. Both Professor Xavier and Emma Frost have aided Jean Grey into suppressing the Phoenix before, but it was only when Jean did her part that the Phoenix obeyed her will. With your brother in the mix, it may prove to be…difficult endeavor."

Lilandra looked down as she felt a slight feeling of despair within her.

"I must go back into battlefield. I cannot allow my comrades to lay down their lives without doing my part."

"As much as I desire to do battle alongside you and your fellow comrades, I must stay here for the protection of Lilandra."

Said Gladiator. Piotr replied,

"I understand. Director."

Director Washuu nodded. Before he left, Lilandra said,

"Wait…You will need this."

Lilandra gave the Ultimate Nullifier to Piotr.

"I know Charles will be successful in separating Jean Grey from the Phoenix. I believe it."

"Da."

Piotr exited the room, joining with his comrades outside.

xxxxxx

The streets near the GCB 20th ward branch office as fill with all manner of species. Humans, mutants, and ghouls were fighting alongside each other against the Shi'ar. Under the control of the Dark Phoenix, who was still fighting against both Professor X and Emma Frost. Little by little, the Shi'ar would meet their defeat against the combined armies of the earth, but they were still more formidable than them. The Shi'ar still took down more fighters than the other side took down theirs. Takizawa looks at this and says,

"Damn it! Even with the ghouls and X-Men fighting with us, those aliens are still kicking our asses."

"Keep your temper under control, Takizawa. Try to gain a bigger perspective on the battle."

"Which is what exactly?"

"Their numbers are dwindling down. We keep this up, no matter what."

Investigators Amon and Madou held up against three Shi'ar.

"Partner, you hanging in there?"

Asked Amon to Akira.

"I should be asking you that."

Akira dodged a spear thrust by a Shi'ar and used her quinque to slash him in the chest. Yet, the Shi'ar stood strong.

"I knew these were tough sons of bitches…"

The Shi'ar soldier readied another thrust, only to be met with a hail of bullets. Despite the damage the Shi'ar sustained, it could still fight.

"But this is insane."

Amon looks at this and was eager to finish it, only to see three devil apes finishing the job. Each of them stabbed their kagunes in vital parts of its body, including one ghoul stabbing the Shi'ar soldier in the head with his quinque. The Shi'ar soldier finally died on the spot. One of the devil apes said,

"These damn ETs are a bitch to take down."

"We know."

Said Akira. She then sees two of the devil apes carrying a silver rectangular chest and later placing it in front of them. Soon, a little more GCB gathered as Amon asked,

"What is this?"

One of the Devil Apes explained.

"We got it from the spaceship that landed in front of the building."

Another one says,

"As a matter of fact, we're close to it."

The last Devil Ape pointed to the ship in question, making the doves realize how close they were to it.

"Some of us had this idea. Half the reason why the aliens are kicking our asses is due to their weapons."

"So we thought we'd use those against them."

The doves all expressed surprise at such a simple, yet strangely effective, idea. One of the Devil Apes opened the chest to reveal the same weapons the Shi'ar were using against them. All the doves expressed various degrees of amazement. From the beam rifles and pistols that they carried with them to the close-range weapons akin to their quinques were in the chest that was opened in front of them.

"Some of us ghouls are getting more out and giving them to everyone in this fight. Get what you see and like."

Some of the doves jumped on the opportunity for the chance to wield advanced weaponry. Some of them even looked at the weapons with a slightly sensual gaze. One of the Devil Apes took a sword hilt. Akira says to him,

"I don't think you should mess around with that."

The Devil Ape accidently presses a button on the sword hilt to reveal a blade made entirely of concentrated plasma light. Everyone around him were impressed by what they saw. Amon simply said,

"My childhood is screaming with joy."

"Yours and everyone else's"

Replied Akira. Soon, more of the doves went for the sword hilts until there were no more. Some of them complained, to which Amon yelled out,

"Enough! The alien ship is nearby, which means there are more where those came from."

"No to mention we still have an invasion to fight against. Here's the plan, those of us who are armed with these…"

Akira held one of the Shi'ar beam rifles in her hands.

"Join with the rest of our comrades."

"Right!"

Said the doves who did have Shi'ar weaponry in their hands. They immediately went to help their comrades in battle. Amon then says,

"The rest…help the ghouls to distribute the weapons from the ship to the rest of our forces."

"Yes sir."

As the GCB soldiers aided the Devil Apes in raiding the Shi'ar ship for more weapons, Amon as left with a bad taste in his mouth.

"Something wrong?"

"It's what I said…"

"Let me guess. You'd never thought you'd say help the ghouls?"

"…Yeah."

"Amon, we're fighting to stave off the end of the world. Let's be flexible for today."

"…Right."

xxxxxx

As the X-Men fought on with both the GCB and the ghouls against the Shi'ar, one of both the Devil Apes and the Black Dobers spoke with one of them while they fought the Shi'ar. They went for Kuzuri.

"Good to see you, Kuzuri."

Said the Devil Ape, with the Black Dober saying next,

"So this is what're like in action. I've heard it, but I had to see it."

Kuzuri recognized those voices, but had to speak in a manner that would not arouse suspicion from any doves that were near him.

"Sometimes I'm a guy of action. Other times, I'm just someone who enjoys books and coffee."

"We don't doubt that."

Just then, one Shi'ar went for the Devil Ape, but the ghoul defended himself, viciously. He soon ended the Shi'ar by stabbing him in the head with his kagune.

"Impressive. And here I thought what you call yourself was nothing but bluster."

"BLUSTER MY ASS! I MEANT EVERY WORD."

"After what you saw, why call him a liar?"

Said the Iron Fist, joining the rest in the conversation.

"What he said. After all, you remember how much hell I gave you before."

"How could I forget? I was near death."

Iron Fist was then confronted by another Shi'ar, to which he fended him for the Black Dober to finish him off.

"Well, that was the test you had to do. For your mission."

Kuzuri picked up on what they were talking about.

"Shifu, that test you told me about when you took down the Hand here…"

"Yes…the test was that I had to survive a night of fighting against the Devil Apes."

"I won't lie. Fighting you was like fighting a dragon. But then, that's where you power came from."

Iron Fist's arms then began to glow as five more Shi'ar came charging towards him. Three he killed by digging his forearms into their heads while the last two he took down by decapitating them with a chop to their necks.

"Damn right."

Kuzuri sees that the battle was nearing its end.

"Looks like we're about to win."

"It's never that easy, but we need to keep it up regardless."

"Guess we gotta get back out there."

Kuzuri knew that he was talking with Koma and Irimi underneath those masks, but could not say it out loud. Iron Fist got close to him and whispered,

"They did miss you."

"I know, shifu."

xxxxxx

Word began to spread as both the GCB and the ghoul groups that the Owl led that alien weaponry would soon be given to them. It soon began to reach the ears of both the X-Men and upper-class Investigators. Beast went to Cyclops' side and spoke with him.

"Notice something different about the GCB armed officers?"

"Yeah. They're using the weapons from the Shi'ar ship and using them against the soldiers Jean thoroughly brainwashed."

"You know that's not Jean."

"I know, Hank."

Cyclops sees the Dark Phoenix locked in psychic battle against both Professor X and Emma.

"I believe they can do it, but we're missing one last thing."

"I think we're getting it now."

Both see Piotr come out of the branch office and unto the battlefield.

"Piotr!"

Piotr hears someone call out for him, later seeing Cyclops and Beast heading toward him.

"Did you get it?"

"I have it here."

Piotr shows the Ultimate Nullifier in his hands. Beast commented on its appearance.

"Hmm…thought it would be bigger."

"Lilandra says this would erase the Phoenix from existence. I believe her."

"As do I, Piotr."

Said Cyclops with Beast replying,

"The thing is, we need to wait for both the Professor and Emma to successfully separate the two."

They all see the professor and Emma still going at it.

"How long will it take?"

Asked Cyclops.

"If they need time, then that is what we need to provide them."

Cyclops sees the Shi'ar numbers slowly decreasing.

"We keep up the offensive. Take down the soldiers first. Piotr…"

Cyclops reached his hand out as a signal for Piotr to give him the Ultimate Nullifier.

"Da."

As soon as Piotr gave him the item in question, the three then rejoined the battle. But not before Piotr was taken aside by Associate Special Investigator Houji.

"Rasputin, what's the word?"

"We are to keep up offensive. Professor X and Emma Frost are in the process of separating the Phoenix from its human host."

"Will it be over then?"

"Halfway over. For now, barring more difficulties, the situation will soon be over."

"All right then. Let me notify Marude."

Marude, in the command trailer, sees some of the soldiers being handed new weapons as they fought the Shi'ar. He then receives a call from Houji.

"Houji, what the hell is going on?"

"Rasputin just said to me that two of their psychics are keeping the Dark Phoenix occupied. Meaning that's she's too distracted to maintain her control on the Shi'ar she's brainwashed. He also said that we need to keep on the offensive. I can see why. Both forces are circling around the Shi'ar, and using their own weapons against them to turn the battle in our favor."

"Then keep on the offensive. Show no quarter to these Shi'ar."

"Roger that."

xxxxxx

Houji ended the call with Marude and gave the order to his team.

"We got them on the ropes! Finish them off."

The ghouls and humans circled around the Shi'ar, alongside the X-Men and Iron Fist. Those with the rifles kept shooting at the Shi'ar. The Shi'ar huddled together, taking on the damage while shooting their rifles at both the humans and ghouls. Armor used her powers to protect the soldiers she was with by absorbing the shots from their beam rifles and channeling it into power she could integrate with her mutant abilities. She slammed the ground, resulting in a mini-shockwave that left eight Shi'ar dead.

"Nice job, young lady."

Armor smiled as she gave a peace sign. As the combined forces of the GCB and the ghouls maintained their attack, the number of Shi'ar left standing slowly decreased. The Shi'ar kept on fighting, despite how closer they were to their defeat. Cyclops spoke with Shinohara.

"Your troops performed with great courage, Investigator Shinohara. I want you to know that."

"Much appreciated Cyclops. How's it going with the Dark Phoenix?"

Cyclops looks at the scene where the Professor and Emma were in psychic lockdown with the Phoenix. Within their collective mindscapes, Charles and Emma fought to rescue the mind of Jean Grey.

xxxxxx

The Phoenix was stronger than before. Its fire burned hotter, its might was greater. Charles and Emma hung on for as long as they could, but they knew for the Phoenix to be rejected, Jean was needed.

"Charles, the Phoenix…!"

"I know, Emma! But we must keep trying!"

Charles called out for Jean, who seemed comatose.

"Jean, please listen to me! We want to free you from the Phoenix. But you must reach out to us."

"SHE CANNOT HEAR YOU!"

Said a mysterious voice. Both Charles and Emma had an idea as to who it could be.

"Professor, could it be…?"

"Yes Emma. I sensed it as well. What we felt before could be this. Show yourself."

Soon, a face appeared above the comatose Jean. Charles knew who it was.

"D'Ken!"

"FOOLS! THE WOMAN YOU KNEW AS JEAN IS SEALED BY POWER OF THE M'KRAAN CRYSTAL! YOU CAN NEVER REACH HER EVER AGAIN! NOW THERE IS ONLY THE DARK PHOENIX, A FORCE OF DESCTRUCTION UNDER MY COMMAND!"

Enraged by this, Emma attempted to fight D'Ken.

"You bastard!"

"Emma, don't!"

It was too late. D'Ken amassed enough psychic might as to instantly expel both Charles and Emma from the mindscape.

xxxxxx

Both Emma and Charles were forced off the psychic connection, making the backlash from the ejection painful. Scott sees them writhing in pain.

"Emma! Professor!"

Dark Phoenix regained consciousness, only to see her brainwashed forces complete decimated. No more Shi'ar were left standing as both the doves and ghouls were successful in killing all of them. Dark Phoenix was enraged by this. Her screams of anger roared over the victorious humans and ghouls. They all faced the Dark Phoenix, weapons pointed at her. While the X-Men went to Emma and the Professor.

"Professor, are you all right?"

Asked Storm.

"I…will be…unfortunately, Emma and I have failed."

Scott feared the worst as he aided Emma.

"Emma, what happened?"

"…We failed."

"What?"

"I'm sorry, Scott. Jean's mind is more far gone than we believed."

"Don't say that. You and the Professor were successful before."

"That was because Jean didn't give up on herself, but this was different."

"D'Ken was there."

Said Professor X. To which Cyclops asked,

"D'Ken was there?"

"Yes, and he used the power of the M'Kraan crystal to seal away Jean's mind, leaving only the Dark Phoenix."

"That means…"

"I am sorry, Cyclops, but the Dark Phoenix must be destroyed. Otherwise, we face armageddon."

Some of the X-Men anguished over the possibility of having to use the Ultimate Nullifier against Jean, knowing that destroying the Phoenix will now mean destroying her. While the other X-Men felt bad that Jean had to die if they had to save the world from the Dark Phoenix. However, they knew one thing: failure was not an option. Kuzuri asked,

"What's our next move, professor?"

Cyclops was angered by Kuzuri's question.

"How could you ask that?!"

Kuzuri was shocked by Cyclops' reaction.

"The hell's your problem, Summers?"

"You want to kill Jean already!"

"Well it's not like I'm going to like it or anything, but we got bigger problems at play!"

"But this is Jean! She meant everything to this team! Hell, she used to mean something to you!"

Everyone was confused by Cyclops' words. Especially Kuzuri himself.

"The hell you talking about?"

Cyclops grabbed Kuzuri by his arms.

"I'M TALKING TO YOU, LOGAN! DON'T MAKE YOUR SON FIGHT YOUR BATTLES FOR YOU!"

"GET OFF ME!"

Kuzuri and Cyclops began to fight one another, to which Beast says,

"Here we go again."

Angered by this, Professor X yells,

"ENOUGH!"

The professor used his psychic powers to amplify his voice. He then scolded Cyclops for his behavior.

"Scott, Emma and myself have done everything in our power to free Jean from the Phoenix. However, D'Ken did everything in his power to take Jean away from us. However we may hate it, this is the reality of the situation."

Scott looked down with a frustrated look on his face.

"Furthermore, do not take out your unresolved issues with Logan on Kaneki. The only thing he is guilty of is the willingness to defend this world. By any means necessary."

After a pause, Cyclops says,

"I'm sorry, Kaneki."

After another pause, Kuzuri replies,

"Just as long as you know…I'm not my dad."

"…Got it."

After taking a deep breath, Cyclops gives the order.

"X-Men, we take down the Phoenix…whatever the cost."

The X-Men nodded in agreement.

"Let's go!"

The X-Men charged towards the Dark Phoenix. As they made their way, Professor X communicated with him via telepathy.

"Remember my X-Men. The fate of the Earth rests on whether we can do what must be done."

Each of the X-Men confirmed the Professor's words. Cyclops was the last one to do so.

"Scott…"

"I know Professor."

As Kuzuri was closer to the Dark Phoenix, he caught up with both his Shifu and Piotr.

"Hey."

"Kaneki, are we close to the end?"

Asked Iron Fist.

"Yeah. Last target is her."

Kuzuri pointed to the Dark Phoenix. Piotr asked,

"What happened with the original plan?"

"The professor and Emma couldn't do it. They said that D'Ken has such a strong grip on the Phoenix, he's locked away Jean Grey pretty tight."

"Nyet…" (No…)

Piotr had a sad look on his face. Kuzuri had an idea at what was going on with his mind right now. In an empathic voice, Kuzuri says to him,

"From what I could tell, Jean must've been someone extremely important to this team. You'd never wanted to do anything terrible to her. But…right now, whatever was good about her was taken from her. Don't make her fate be the reason why you will do nothing."

Little by little, Piotr regained his resolve.

"What is plan?"

"Do whatever it takes to take her down."

Just after Piotr moved to join with his old comrades, just as Kuzuri and the Iron Fist were right behind him, Kuzuri saw something run on the top of the building near where he was.

"Shifu, did you see that?"

"See what…?"

Iron Fist saw what Kuzuri witnessed. A little later, some GCB soldiers and a few of the ghouls on their side saw the bridge as well. They all saw a great number of figures running on top of the buildings near them. Kuzuri asked,

"Getting flashbacks from Ikebukuro?"

"More than you know."

One of the doves asked,

"What's happening now?"

"Most likely, Dark Phoenix called for reinforcements…and they're ghouls."

"Very deadly ghouls. The kind who like to wear crimson robes."

Said Iron Fist.

Soon, more of the doves paid more attention to the building next to them rather than the Dark Phoenix. Marude sees the GCB troops turning their heads away from the Dark Phoenix via the feed from the command trailer.

"What's the problem?"

Shinohara answered.

"Shinohara here. I think we're gonna get another problem."

"The hell do you mean?"

"I'm getting reports from some of the soldiers. They say they're seeing more ghouls arrive…"

Just then, something landed near Shinohara. He turned around to see the Owl next to him. This alerted him briefly.

"Believe me when I say this Investigator. I am not your enemy tonight."

"…Then why participate all of a sudden?"

"…Aogiri is here."

This alarmed Shinohara.

"You hear that?"

"I did. Keep an eye on the Owl all the same. Remember, this is temporary."

"Roger that."

Just as Shinohara was going to speak with the Owl, Investigators Kuroiwa, Suzuya, and Ui arrived to backup Shinohara. In the event that the Owl would turn on them, as they believed.

"How can you tell?"

"I saw some crimson robes arrive a little earlier. During when you were defeating the invaders, I killed some of them, leaving one for interrogation."

"And what did it had to say?"

Asked Investigator Ui.

"I asked why is Aogiri Tree entering this battle?"

The Investigators stood silent for the answer.

"He said that they heard her call for them."

"You mean…?"

Asked Kuroiwa, to which the Owl answered,

"I believe the mutant previously known as Jean Grey telepathically called for any individuals who would gladly bring our world to ruin."

"So she called for Aogiri?"

"Worse…she called for their leader."

Then, from out of nowhere, a screech could be heard by everyone on the ground. All looked to the sky as it sounded like that was where the sound came from. When they all looked up, they see a red light streaking its way across the sky. As it got closer to the ground, the screeching got louder and louder. Shinohara then asked the Owl,

"Is that…?"

"I believe so."

The red light changed it trajectory, so as it could land near the Dark Phoenix. When it landed, it caused a minor crater to the ground, which made it hard to see as it caused concrete dust to act up. As the dust slowly cleared, what everyone opposed to the Dark Phoenix saw was a terrible sight to behold. It was a ghoul, but it was one of a massive size. Kuroiwa exclaimed,

"My god!"

"God has nothing to do with this."

Said the Owl. The ghoul was three times as big as a human, bearing a mask with one kakugan eye in the middle and horns attached to its side. The mask also had zig-zag lines on both sides. Its mouth stayed open, leaving the tongue out in the open, possibly as a means to project additional fear. While its body was very similar to that of the Owl, much to the shock of the Investigators. Ui remarked,

"Its kagune…"

"It's almost like…"

The Owl finished Kuroiwa's sentence.

"Mine."

Shinohara asked, in a very tense voice,

"Who the hell is that?"

"That is the very reason why I resolved to be evil. The reason why I was content to be the core of your nightmares."

Marude listened with constricting anticipation.

"That is my offspring…"

As more Aogiri ghouls gather around the Dark Phoenix, the Owl's offspring stood beside the Dark Phoenix.

"The One-eyed Owl."

Everyone stood in fear over the sight of not just the number of Aogiri ghouls that clearly outmatched the amount of their own, but outmatched even the ghouls under the leadership of the Owl. Both Koma and Irimi went to their forces and gave them orders.

"All Devil Apes regroup!"

"All of you as well! We got another fight on our hands!"

Both ghoul groups reformed their ranks for the fight ahead. The Devil Apes and Black Dobers that had Shi'ar beam rifles on them were at the front. Some of the doves looked at them, think if they should do the same. Marude gave the general order, in his own fashion.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SHITHEADS STANDING AROUND FOR?! FORM RANKS, GODDAMN IT!"

Investigator Tanakamaru then says,

"You heard the man! FORM RANKS! Rifles up front!"

The doves did what they were ordered. Soon, each group formed up aside one another. A little later, the Investigators joined with the rank soldiers. As did the Owl, who joined with the ghoul groups under his command. Koma, still wearing his mask, asked,

"What's the next move?"

"Wait for theirs."

The Dark Phoenix then spoke with the One-Eyed Owl.

"YOU HAVE ANSWERED MY CALL."

"I couldn't resist the opportunity."

Everyone who could hear the One-Eyed Owl speak were surprised to hear it sound female. A little after, The X-men made it to the front. Just in time to hear Jean speak with the ghoul.

"WHEN I CALLED OUT FOR THOSE WHO WOULD AID ME IN SUCCEEDING ME IN MY MISSION, I SENSED YOU. I SENSED YOUR INTENSE HATRED AND CONTEMPT FOR THIS WORLD. THAT MADE YOU WORTHY OF MY OFFER."

"I assume you're good on your word."

"YES. IF YOU AID ME IN KILLING THE PRINCESS LILANDRA, I WILL HAVE MY EMPEROR GIVE YOU DOMINION OVER THIS PLANET. YOUR AUTHORITY ON THIS WORLD WOULD BE ABSOLUTE, SECOND ONLY TO THE EMPEROR D'KEN."

The One-Eyed Owl stood silent for one moment before laughing like a madwoman.

"I ACCEPT! I would gladly kill anyone for fun…"

Said the One-Eyed Owl as she faced those who were ready to fight her.

"But for world domination, I'll gladly serve the head of Lilandra on a silver platter and her beheaded body on a golden crucifix."

Each of the doves and ghouls aligned with them expressed disgust.

"THEN SLAUGHTER THOSE WHO WOULD GET IN YOUR WAY."

Soon, more Aogiri ghouls arrived. Two of them were their executives. Most notably, Tatara and Noro. Kuzuri recognized one of them.

"I know the one in the red mask."

Iron Fist asked,

"You've fought him?"

"Tried to. He had some of his guys block me. But that doesn't matter now."

Kuzuri left his shifu to speak with Cyclops.

"Cyclops, do you have the thing we need to take down the Phoenix?"

Cyclops was internally satisfied that Kuzuri said Phoenix instead of Jean.

"In my right pocket."

"I think we need to get close to her in order to use it on her."

"Agreed."

The Aogiri ghouls brought out their kagunes in anticipation of their leader giving the order to attack.

"Although we might have a hard time doing it."

"Since when did it stop us?"

"Point taken."

The One-Eyed Owl then gave her order.

(play Far Cry - Rush)

"KILL EVERYONE HERE!"

The Aogiri ghouls yelled as they charged toward the doves and the ghouls under the Owl's command. Investigator Kuroiwa gave the order.

"ALL UNITS, OPEN FIRE!"

Koma gave the same order as well to his Devil Apes, as well as Irimi to her Black Dobers simultaneously.

"FIRE!"

Each of the forces did so, shooting their rifle at the charging Aogiri ghouls, although they took out a good chunk of them, a lot of them made it past the beam shots and began killing the GCB soldiers and the ghouls aligned with the Owl. Although the combined forces held up, the Aogiri ghouls were showing no mercy. Investigator Tanakamaru instantly used his quinque against the Aogiri ghouls.

"HIGHER MIND!"

The resulting shot took down at least 20 Aogiri ghouls. He waited for his quinque to cool itself, which made him wide open for five Aogiri ghouls to get the jump on him. However, he was saved by Koma. Tanakamaru sees him saving his life and remarks,

"Never thought I'd be grateful for a dirty ape to watch my back."

"We're fighting against the end of the world. Show a little leeway."

Tanakamaru gave a small chuckle.

"Just like how you're not fazed by me killing some of your kind?"

Tanakamaru changed the form of his quinque. Now it took on the form of a battering ram that when it made impact on its target, which was an Aogiri ghoul, what came next was a concentrated energy shot that effectively killed its target. After seeing it Koma remarked,

"These ghouls are siding with the invaders. They deserve whatever fate you give them."

Tanakamaru gave a small smile at the leading Devil Ape and resumed his job. Elsewhere within the battle, Investigator Hachikawa took down whatever Aogiri ghouls that he encountered. The quinque he used was coil-like as it wrapped around his left arm, similar to Investigator Houji. Alongside with his personal team, many Aogiri ghouls were effectively killed. Yet, within his mind was a burning resentment for whatever Black Dober who were fighting alongside his fellow doves.

"It's disgusting! The Black Dobers are no worse than Aogiri! Why the hell should I fight alongside them?!"

Just then, one Aogiri ghouls leapt above him and attempted to kill him. Just in the nick of time, his life would be saved by one of the very Black Dobers he hated with a passion. And it was not just any Black Dober. It was Irimi. She stood still for a while as she was familiar with Investigator Hachikawa.

"Bow-wow."

"Black Dog…"

Hachikawa's fury was well past its limits. He felt a burning desire to kill her right on the spot.

"Nothing would make happier than to make you pay for what you have done."

Hachikawa gripped his weapon tighter than before.

"I get that feeling…"

Just then, three Aogiri ghouls leapt up from behind her. Irimi looked back as she attempted to counter, only to be beaten to the punch as Hachikawa fired his quinque at them. Irimi was genuinely surprised by this act. She turned around to see the Investigator having just fired his weapon. Much to the shock of his team as well. He says to her,

"DON'T READ INTO IT! I still hate you for what you did to my master, my team…"

Hachikawa revealed the lower half of his face. There was zero skin at the lower mouth area of his face.

"AND ME! But right now I got bigger fish to fry!"

Hachikawa resumed fighting against Aogiri, as well as his to their recent befuddlement. Meanwhile, The X-Men, plus Piotr and the Iron Fist, finally confronted the Dark Phoenix with the One-Eyed Owl at her side. Cyclops relayed his orders.

"X-Men, execute your orders. No matter the cost."

Cyclops fired an optic blast at the Dark Phoenix, but the One-Eyed Owl blocked the shot. It laughed as it did so. The X-Men feared that they would have to take on two opponents who possessed more power than they do. Before they could make the same move, they were soon joined by Investigators Shinohara, Kuroiwa, Suzuya, Ui and the Owl. Shinohara says to Cyclops,

"We got the ghoul. You handle the Phoenix."

The One-Eyed Owl softly growled at the opportunity to fight her father. Cyclops replied,

"Thank you."

Cyclops fired another optic blast at the Dark Phoenix. The One-Eyed Owl almost blocked the shot, but stopped by the Owl. The One-Eyed Owl gave a sharp growl as the Owl tackled her to do it. The Dark Phoenix was finally hit, angering it.

"YOU REMEMBER YOUR MISSION?"

"I've already assigned my best people on it."

Cyclops feared the worst and asked Shinohara,

"Investigator Shinohara, get some of your people inside the building."

"On it."

"X-Men, to me!"

"HANDLE THE RABBLE!"

Said the Dark Phoenix to the One-Eyed Owl. The X-Men ran with Cyclops through the battlefield. As the Dark Phoenix chased the X-Men, the Investigators stood ready against the One-Eyed Owl. As did the Owl against his daughter.

"Please…don't make this mistake."

"Regrets, old man?"

The One-Eyed Owl manifested additional kagune pikes on her body and used them against the Owl. The Owl dodged them and defended himself by himself for a while. Investigator Shinohara says to his comrades,

"Let's get in there!"

"Right!"

Said the Investigators with him. They charged in. Kuroiwa stopped one of the One-Eyed Owl's kagune pike from hitting the Owl. While Investigator Ui stopped the other one with his quinque. Th Owl looked at the two of them and said,

"Much obliged."

The Owl repelled his offspring for Shinohara to get the hit. He successfully sliced the chest of the One-Eyed Owl. Investigators Kuroiwa and Ui went for the arms. Shinohara says after that,

"Suzuya! Your turn!"

"Right!"

Suzuya went for the neck of the One-Eyed Owl, and gave it a deep cut. The One-Eyed stood still for a while before laughing off their coordinated attack.

"Sorry boys! You're gonna have to do better than that!"

The One-Eyed Owl regenerated is wounds from their attack, and proceed to retaliate. She produced crimson crystals from her back as she began to glow in a crimson aura. Soon after, she fired the crystals from her back. Ui shouted,

"Defense!"

Each of the Investigators, plus the Owl did their hardest to deflect the crystals fired at them. Although they deflected most of them, at least a few sliced them at the middle parts of their bodies. Luckily for Shinohara and Kuroiwa, their Aratas covered those areas. For Suzuya, he was agile to dodge the crystals when he could not deflect them. The Owl's kagune covered his entire body, therefore he was unharmed. That meant that Ui was the unfortunate one, as he suffered a blow to the right side of his body. Shinohara asked,

"Ui, you with us?"

Although the crystal pierced his bulletproof armor, Ui could still stand.

"…Yes."

"NOT DONE YET!"

The One-Eyed Owl extended the kagune crystals from her back as to get them to touch the ground. The Owl noticed the ground acting strangely, and feared the worse.

"MOVE! NOW!"

As soon as they did, kagune crystals started to pop up from the ground. Each of the Investigators had to remain on alert as they avoid the kagune crystals forming from the ground up. A few of the kagune crystals started to catch up to Investigator Ui, whose injury was slowing him down. As one finally got the jump on him, he received unexpected help. The Owl got to him on time, and moved Investigator Ui out of way, injuring himself in the process. The One-Eyed Owl laughed, saying,

"Never thought I'd see you shedding blood for humans, father!"

The One-Eyed Owl called the Owl 'father' gave Ui a mild shock. As did Kuroiwa and Shinohara. While Suzuya was unfazed.

"Then again…YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN A HYPOCRITE!"

The One-Eyed Owl starting hitting the Owl with her arms, and she did so with absolute fury. As the Investigators looked on, they were stunned to see how much ferocity the offspring had for the parent. They looked on in silent terror at how the Owl not only beat up her father, but how she ripped him apart with unmitigated cruelty. What further astonished the Investigators was how the Owl never raised a single finger against the kakuja ghoul. The Owl, although feeling excruciating amounts of pain, could not bring himself to hate his offspring. For the One-Eyed Owl, however, she felt nothing but hate for the other half of the reason of how she came into this world. She was almost done stripping away what made the Owl the embodiment of fear for the doves. The only thing left was his mask. She grabbed the Owl by the head with only one hand, lifted him as high as she could, and viciously slammed his face unto the concrete ground. The Owl's mask broke apart, revealing him to be an elderly man. While Kuroiwa, Ui, and Suzuya were floored to see the true face of the Owl, Shinohara looked on in sorrow. Although he knew the Owl to be the one who took so many of his comrades from him and possessed every right to hate him, at that moment, he pitied him. He felt sorrow for the Owl as it was revealed that he resolved himself to be the definition of evil out of love for his offspring. An offspring whose hatred for everything would have undoubtedly be a priority for the GCB to kill. Within the mind of Yoshimura, his life flashed before his eyes. The last thing he thought about was his wife.

"Ukina…"

(continue after music ends on its own)

The brutality was done. The Owl laid on the ground, broken and bloodied. Marude, on the intercom, asked,

"What's happening? Answer me!"

Shinohara answered.

"The Owl is dead."

Marude was in a state of mild shock.

"My god…that thing was supposed to be the worse of the ghouls."

"It was its offspring that did it…"

Marude now felt a chill up his spine.

"Everytime you think you've slain the monster, there's a bigger one taking its place."

Marude regained his composure and gave the order.

"If you can't take on this terror, then leave right now."

Each of the Investigators regained their nerve as they stood.

"Understood. Engaging the target."

As Shinohara ended the call, the One-Eyed Owl turned to face the doves.

"Are you ready for a miserable death?"

xxxxxx

The combined front held its ground against Aogiri, but it was still a fierce battle as Aogiri ghouls were determined to fulfill their end of their bargain with the Dark Phoenix. The Investigators who aided both the soldiers and the ghouls in defending the west side of the of the area where the 20th ward branch office was located held on to their positions. Akira took down a couple of Aogiri ghouls with her quinque. Five Black Dobers and eight GCB soldiers kept on the offensive. Fighting alongside Akira was Takizawa. As more Aogiri ghouls arrived, he shot some of them down with his quinque. Growing frustrated at the seemingly endless enemy ghouls, Takizawa says out loud,

"How many of these bastards are there?!"

"It doesn't matter! We cannot let them pass!"

"No shit!"

Thankfully, the more the combined front kept up the offensive, the less Aogiri ghouls seemed to arrive. Unfortunately, one ghoul seemed to run past both the Aogiri ghouls and jumped right over the combined front. Takizawa exclaimed,

"What the hell was that?!"

Akira knew who that was, based on what she remembered on reading on the files on the Aogiri executive membership.

"That was Tatara."

"Whoa, for real?"

"He has to be acting on his leader's orders."

"This Princess Lilandra, right?"

Akira then remembered an integral detail.

"The director is inside the building as well."

Takizawa was shocked to hear it.

"I have to go in there."

"No Akira. You have to stay out here. Keep on holding the eastern line."

"But the director…"

"I'll handle Tatara."

"But Seido…"

"But nothing. We can't afford to lose here."

Takizawa left to beat Tatara to the branch office. Akira could only look on as her classmate left to do what he had to do. As she coordinated the eastern front line, she began to think about Amon.

flashback

She made her way to her father's grave, only to find Amon there before her. When she got closer, Akira could hear him speaking to the gravestone.

"I went to the R&D lab, asked to get my original quinque, Dojima, a do-over. Kura was good, but…it's like you said, your first quinque is always special. Not only did they fix it, they even gave it something special. Courtesy of my new partner."

Amon paused for a while before saying what was really on his mind.

"Things have been really crazy as of late. I've learned that there was this organization that was making mutant-ghoul hybrids for the black market. I've had to fight a lot of strange enemies. Like the U-Men for example. And there was this time the world almost ended. Huge black blobs eating the city, you would've loved that…"

Amon then spoke his feeling about the person that he once hated with a fury.

"Kuzuri helped in taking down Weapon X, the people who made him like his father. I know that you blamed the Wolverine for failing to save your wife properly. Akira told me that…"

Amon gave a brief sigh before continuing.

"I did hate him for a while, but that was to cover up my weakness."

Amon then started to think about Kyoji.

"Truth be told, he reminded me of a mutant I once knew in the orphanage where Donato raised me. Kyoji died trying to defeat him…"

Amon now felt unable to speak further.

"Sorry if I was boring you, sir."

"I wasn't."

Amon was lightly startled by her voice and instantly looked back.

"Akira?"

"Investigator. Fancy meeting you here."

As he got of her way, Akira placed flowers on her father's grave before giving a small prayer. The two Investigators then headed back to the office. As they did, Akira asked Amon a question.

"Do you blame yourself for Kyoji?"

"…A little. I know I was a small child when he tried to save me…but still…"

"You'd wish you were like him?"

"No, but I remember what I wanted back then. I wanted to be stronger. Cliché, I know. It was my honest wish, nonetheless."

Akira stopped for a while, to look at the sunset. Amon looked at her, this time with emotions that he believed would never rise again within him. He could not find the right words to express himself. So instead, he would be blunt in his emotional honesty.

"Akira…I promise as your partner…no one would take your life."

Akira had a small smile on her face.

"Will you do whatever it takes to keep it?"

"Of course."

Akira maintained her smile as she got closer to him.

"Prove it."

Akira got so close to Amon that she grabbed his tie, which surprised him.

"You're too tall for your own good."

Akira had to increase her height to reach Amon's mouth. She attempted to kiss him, but Amon blocked her lips making contacting with his with his right hand.

"I'd do anything, but I won't do that…At least…"

Amon wanted to say two more words, but could not bring himself to say them. Akira, feeling dejected yet not taken aback, simply replied,

"That's so like you…So very like you."

end

As more Aogiri ghouls arrived, she used her quinque to kill five more before giving the order.

"Don't let up! Give these bastards no mercy!"

xxxxxx

Getting past both the doves and the ghouls that followed the Owl, Tatara and Noro made it inside the branch office. Tatara then said,

"All right. Split up and find this princess."

Noro nodded without saying a word. Tatara searched the started at the floor level first before moving on the rest of the lower half of the building while Noro instantly went for the top half of the building. Little did Tatara knew, Hide was there, waiting to see if any ghoul made it inside. He sees Tatara walking around the floor, making his way to the stairs. Hide wanted to stop him as it was the 17th floor where the Director and Lilandra was. He knew Gladiator was there, but felt that he would be outnumbered by two ghouls.

"There has to be something I can do…but I don't have a weapon."

Just then, shots could be heard. Tatara instantly heard them and jumped to the floor level. He looked around to see Takizawa with his quinque in hand.

"That was you, I assume?"

"Damn right it was."

Tatara took a good look at him. He noticed the other weapon Takizawa had on him.

"Why don't you use that weapon on your back? Looks more intimidating than the one you have on your hand."

"It's the nuclear option."

Tatara slightly laughed.

"Right."

Tatara then brought out his kagune. It was long, thin, and skeletal with a spearhead at the tip. Takizawa still held firm, resolved to do his duty as an Investigator. He started firing at the ghoul. Unfortunately, Tatara was too fast for Takizawa to land a shot. All the while, Hide looked on at the fight. He saw how it was going, and he felt that it will not end well for Takizawa.

"Oh no, Seido…"

Tatara finally got close enough to Takizawa that he lunged his kagune at Takizawa's neck. Thankfully, Hide ran to Takizawa in time for him to tackle the Investigator to the floor, saving his life. Although it annoyed him, Tatara treated it as a minor inconvenience. He stood still to get a read on the new "challenger." Takizawa got up to see how it was that tackled him.

"Nagachika?"

"Hey there Seido. Thought you could use some help."

Takizawa then noticed the Shi'ar rifle Hide had in his hands.

"Hey, when did you…?"

"You really want to sit here and argue about it? Because…"

Hide pointed to Tatara, who was readying his kagune for another attack. Takizawa realized the situation, but give a quick response to Hide,

"We're not done speaking about it."

When Tatara attacked once more with his quinque, the two split, with Takizawa firing his quinque firearm and Hide firing the Shi'ar rifle he got from Takizawa. Tatara dodged the shot with much agility. While Takizawa's weapon was automatic, meaning all he had to pull the trigger once for continuous weapons fire, Hide's weapon was semi-automatic, which meant he had to pull the trigger for every single shot. Nonetheless, the two young men were resolute in making sure that this ghoul did not reach both the director and Lilandra. Hide asked,

"What do you think he wants?"

"Either this Princess Lilandra person or the Director. He doesn't get out of this building alive."

"Is that right?"

Tatara then stopped for a while to sprint toward Hide. Once he got close to him, Tatara gave Hide a flurry of punches. Hide was already knocked out by then, but Tatara then pierced his left shoulder with his kagune for good measure. Hide was now at the further end of the dark, empty lobby area, impacting a stone pillar before dropping down to the floor. He laid, unconscious. All the while, Takizawa looked on with horror.

"My god…"

Tatara then turned to see Takizawa almost paralyzed with fear.

"Is it finally setting in?"

Takizawa was quivering with fright. His arms shook as he held his weapon. His breathing, heavy and broken. And yet, although his fear weighed him down like a ton of bricks, he still found some nerve to raise his weapon at Tatara. The ghoul asked him a question.

"You're Houji's subordinate, aren't you?"

Takizawa, still shaken with terror, aimed his weapon at Tatara. His brow, dripping with sweat. Tatara laughed a little at the "show" of courage. Takizawa fired his weapon. However, in a nigh-unseen sprint, Tatara grabbed Takizawa by the neck.

"Tell me where to find Princess Lilandra."

Takizawa spoke one word, despite being choked.

"…N…Never…"

"All right then…"

Tatara threw Takizawa up in the air before summoning his kagune once to slice off his right arm. Before he landed on the floor, Takizawa saw his life flash before his eyes. The last memory he remembered was the last day he got to see his family.

flashback

Takizawa had the day off before. He decided to spend with his family. He ate his breakfast, which was something his mother put together.

"I wish you'd call earlier. I would've made your favorite."

"Don't worry. This is good."

Takizawa finished his meal.

"Well, I'm glad. Someone has to make sure that you're fed."

As he was finishing up, Takizawa felt a measure of warmth.

"Thanks mom."

Just then, he heard his dog rolling on the floor near him. Takizawa smiled at his pet as he petted him.

"Still, it's strange having you home. Is work stressing you out?"

"No, it's not much."

Takizawa then watched some television while playing with his dog. He remembered why he was given the day off during this. He was informed by his superior, Investigator Houji, about the mission to exterminate the Owl. It came from Marude as he worked with Shinohara investigating the possible whereabouts of his location. The operation was in the works for some time, but the opportunity to take down Weapon X meant its delay. After that was done, the work was resumed. They now knew where the Owl was. He was within the 20th ward. Considering the scope of the operation, a special procedure was in place for the Investigators to say their goodbyes, write their wills, etc. Before he went to his room to so, the last thing he saw on the television was a news report reporting a disturbance in New York City. Specifically, in the Goddard Institute for Space Studies. The only thing he had to say about it was,

"Sounds like the Avengers should look into this. If they're still around."

His dog barked once. Takizawa assumed in agreement.

"You get it, don't you Rocky?"

Rocky barked a couple more times before laying down with his belly upfront. Takizawa took it as a signal to rub his belly. After that, he resigned himself to his room. He sat upon his desk with nothing else on it but a pen and paper that only said "Testamentary Note." He spent the rest of the afternoon writing on it. At first, it was a standard will, declaring that his mother would inherit his personal property. In between that was his goodbyes to his family and any friends he made over his life. He then began to look back on his life. He began to remember that he never made any friends. At least, not lifelong ones. He recalled that he spent his life just scraping his way to the top, only to come up short. Something that his dad never failed to remind him. He was never punished for it, but his father would convey his disappointment in ways that would go over most people. Even when Takizawa worked hard in the GCB academy, he came up short once again. Although his mother was there to console him of his shortcomings, the reality was, for him, was that he was not good enough for anything he would aspire towards, despite all his best efforts. And now, he was going to take part in an operation that could possibly take his life. And he spent so much of it trying to appease standards he could never satisfy. Regret grew within him. So much so, he started to cry as he lamented over how he spent his life.

"Why…?"

It weighed heavy on him, the revelation of his actions.

"WHY?!"

Soon, he wrote over what he had written before with one message. Simple, yet chillingly blunt.

I DON'T WANT TO DIE

He spent the early night crying on his bed, wishing he had another chance to live his life a different way. A way that was better than how he did it.

end

It rained blood for a little while before Takizawa landed on the floor, writhing in pain over his lost arm. He screamed as he covered his wound with his one hand. Tatara looked at him with derision.

"What a sad little monkey you are…"

Takizawa stopped screaming when Tatara spoke to him.

"Seems as though no matter how hard you try, you fail."

Takizawa reached for quinque, which landed near him when Tatara sliced off his right arm.

"F…F**K YOU!"

Before Takizawa grabbed his quinque, something crashed through the ceiling above him. It was Noro thrusted through, what seemed to be, 17 floors worth of concrete. Tatara instantly went to his comrade's side. This gave Hide the opportunity to get to Takizawa. Hide woke up just in time to see Tatara sever Takizawa's right arm. He dragged him behind of the front desks.

"Hang in there, Seido. I'll try to find a first-aid kit."

"DON'T!"

Hide was surprised to see Takizawa still eager to fight. Although he could pick up desperation on Takizawa's part.

"Listen to me. You're injured. We need to get you-"

"WHAT I NEED IS TO KILL HIS ASS!"

"Seido, you can't-"

"DON'T TELL ME I CAN'T! I AM GOOD ENOUGH! I AM GOOD ENOUGH!"

Hide looked at Takizawa with a mixture of confusion and pity.

"What are you talking about?"

"I AM GOING TO KILL THIS F**KING GHOUL NO MATTER WHAT! This will make everyone recognize that I earned, no deserve EVERYTHING THIS WORLD HAS TO OFFER ME!"

"Takizawa, you're making any sense!"

"F**K YOUR SENSE! I'M GOING TO KILL THAT GHOUL SO EVERYONE WILL KNOW THAT I AM NOT A LOSER!"

Before Takizawa would stand up again, Hide stopped him due to Gladiator flying through the hole that Noro came through first.

"What the…!"

Hide closed his mouth before saying,

"I don't think we should interfere."

Tatara helped Noro get up. Tatara then asked,

"How strong is he?"

"He helped me realize the limits of my healing."

This fact silently shocked Tatara as Noro's healing was one of his strongest attributes about him. Gladiator slowly landed towards the floor before speaking to the two Aogiri ghouls.

"So long as I live, neither of you ghouls will harm the princess. Leave now with your lives."

"Sorry. Not an option."

Noro summoned his kagune. It looked different this time, more lamprey-like. As it lunged toward Gladiator, Tatara circled around and summoned his kagune to strike Gladiator as avoiding Noro would keep him preoccupied. Sadly, both ghouls would soon realize that they fell short in comparison to the Strontian. Gladiator grabbed both kagunes with his bare hands. This floored not just the ghouls, but the humans who hid away watching the fight.

"I have given you mercy…"

Gladiator then threw both ghouls by their kagunes near the entrance of the building.

"And you have chosen to die."

Gladiator's eyes began to light a bright red. Both Noro and Tatara that he would hold back against them. Both got out of the way of Gladiator's laser vision. With their kagunes out, both ghouls went on the attack. Gladiator stood still for a while and observed them. He saw Tatara jumping around him.

"Probably waiting for me to react to his "blinding" speed."

Then he sees Noro waving his kagune around while around him.

"He thinks he can stoke fear with that grotesque appendage. That may work on for the humans, but he'll see no fear in me."

Gladiator went for Noro first. He used his speed to grab Noro by his neck. For Noro, he was counting on that. He detached his head to escape Gladiator's grasp. This only mildly surprised Gladiator.

"So, you can adapt to any attack thrown at you. Then adapt to this."

Gladiator inhaled air for a short while before exhaling in the grandest way possible. Gladiator created a gust of wind with the strength of a tornado. The force of the wind was something Noro could not stand against, and was instantly thrown out of the building through the glass entrance of the building. Both Hide and Takizawa were absolutely floored by how much power Gladiator possessed. For Takizawa, this amplified his feelings of inadequacy. His determination and desire for approval furthered clouded his judgement. As he saw Tatara go for another attack, he managed to escape Hide's hold on him.

"Seido, wait!"

Takizawa saw that his quinque was still in the spot from before. He rushed to grab it with his only arm. As he got it, he shot at Tatara while he was till in midair. Tatara acted quick and used his kagune to block the shots aimed at him. When he landed, he looked at Takizawa with rage-induced look on his face. Takizawa attempted to shoot him again, but Tatara grabbed him by the neck once more. Before he threw him again, he said one word to Takizawa. And he said in a venomous tone.

"Weak."

Tatara finally threw Takizawa out of the building through the hole that Gladiator threw Noro through earlier. Takizawa landed on his open gaping wound. It gave him great pain as he landed. He tried to get up, but his body was still weak recovering from having his arm severed. Takizawa laid on the ground, crying over how pathetic he felt. A little after, he saw soldiers running either behind the buildings near the branch office or getting inside the branch office. Then, he felt heat. He looked around to see where it came from, only to see a massive explosion rising from out of nowhere. Although it did not cause massive damage at first, the heat of the explosion was painful to endure. So much so, it began to scar him. The more he endured the searing pain of the heat, the closer he was to passing out. But not before Takizawa seeing somebody going towards the center of the explosion. Takizawa saw it to be Kuzuri. At first, he thought he was crazy, but not before seeing him regenerating his seared flesh. Then, the last he saw before passing out was Tatara being thrown into the agonizing heat, then running from the source of said heat.

xxxxxx

(earlier)

Suzuya was kneeling on the ground, shell-shocked at the Investigators that laid on the ground. Including his mentor, Shinohara. The One-Eyed Owl just stood for a while, almost as if it was recovering from fighting the Special Investigators. Then she turned her attention to Suzuya, who was still in a daze. Her scream of terror snapped him out of it. It also woke up Shinohara, who just saw the One-Eyed Owl targeting her sights on Suzuya.

"God, no…"

He whispered to himself. The One-Eyed Owl attempted to kill Suzuya with one of her kagune pikes, but Shinohara took the blow to his back. Said blow also decimated his Arata armor. Shinohara used whatever strength he had left to assure Suzuya that everything would be okay, but the blow made by the ghoul was too great for his body to endure. He coughed up blood before dropping to the ground. Suzuya whimpered for a bit before screaming for the man who was the closest thing he had to a father. Really, any positive adult presence in his life. Suzuya wanted to cry so much in that moment, but he remembered everything Shinohara taught him. He slowly stood up with his quinque in hand. The One-Eyed Owl sees this and says,

"There's no shame in running…"

Suzuya internally dismissed the ghoul's suggestion of mercy, and threw two knives at it. Although they did not hurt, the One-Eyed Owl noticed the knives landing on one of its arms. Suzuya then threw more at the ghoul, each of them landing on different parts of her body.

"That tickles."

Suzuya then charged toward the One-Eyed Owl and attempted to slice off her left arm, but could not apply the force necessary for it to be successful. He was still weak from defending himself from the ghoul earlier. The ghoul then used one of her kagunes to flip him in the air and fling Suzuya far from herself. The One-Eyed Owl then laughed at the young Investigator. Although he was exhausted, Suzuya still wanted to get Shinohara to safety. He made the choice to switch his weapons. He withdrew his quinque into a more compact size to put in his pocket.

"Now you're getting it!"

With whatever courage he had left, Suzuya yelled,

"I'M NOT DONE YET!"

Suzuya then brought out two plasma blades. The same ones he took from the two Shi'ar soldiers earlier. The One-Eyed Owl looked at them and said,

"Oh. Pretty."

Suzuya charged toward the ghoul once more. He leapt into the air for this attack. The One-Eyed Owl used the same kagune to fling the Investigator away once more. However, this time was decidedly different. With the plasma blades, Suzuya sliced through her kagune pikes. The One-Eyed Owl expressed shock as her kagune was cut through. Suzuya turned around to face the ghoul as soon as he landed, saying,

"Yeah. They are pretty."

Now feeling angry, The One-Eyed Owl charged toward Suzuya. The Investigator likewise. Although the ghoul was bigger than him, Suzuya was agile and acrobatic enough to dodge most of the attacks the ghoul gave him. Said agility and acrobatics also aided him in slicing away the kakuja armor of the One-Eyed Owl. However, the One-Eyed Owl possessed a versatile kakuja that allowed her to make sure that the Investigator could not get to where he could really hurt her, as well the ability to regenerate whatever kagune pikes Suzuya sliced off. The One-Eyed Owl could also see that he could not keep up with her any further. Suzuya showed signs of slowing down. Sure enough, The One-Eyed Owl just had to fling him again with one of her kagune pikes. Although Suzuya held on to his plasma blades, he struggled to keep on fighting. He could not even find to strength to stand up again.

"I…can't…stop…"

Suzuya whispered to himself. The One-Eyed Owl walked closer to the pale Investigator, slightly laughing at his childish determination. Then, a bright, red light began to light up the scene. The One-Eyed Owl sees this as well. She could see where it came from, and felt that it was not going to be safe being in the area anymore. She took one last look at Suzuya saying,

"Lucky day for you. You get to die at my hands."

Suzuya looked up at the ghoul.

"Although…I don't think being burned alive won't be that much fun."

Alongside many of the Aogiri ghouls, the One-Eyed Owl ran away from the area. But not before grabbing her father. She opened her mouth and swallowed her father whole before leaving. Suzuya then looked at where the ghoul looked at before. Suzuya could also see the bright ball of fire gradually getting larger. His first instinct was to grab Shinohara and get to safety, but his fight against the One-Eyed Owl left him deprived of energy. However, his fears would be put to rest as several GCB soldiers arrived to pick up the Special Investigators and getting them to safety. Leading them was a tall, bespectacled man with white hair, wearing a white trenchcoat.

"Gather the survivors! Get them and yourselves to cover!"

"Yes sir!"

As they did so, he went to Suzuya.

"We don't have a lot of time, so I'll have to protect you here."

The white-haired took out a quinque. It was stored in a black attaché case with gold trimmings. It took the shape of a lance that a European knight from the middle ages would bear in a jousting match. It matched the colors of the attaché case it was stored in earlier. Just then, heat from the ball of fire gradually became unbearable to endure. The quinque the white-haired man carried now became a large shield, protecting both him and Suzuya. He then says to him,

"Try to endure it as long as you can!"

xxxxxx

(earlier)

The X-Men attempted to lure the Dark Phoenix away from the area, but there were too many Aogiri ghouls for them to break through. Even with Storm's weather manipulation and Armor's armor, there was too much of a chance that their powers would negatively affect their GCB allies in the fight. As well as the Black Dobers and Devil Apes. Their efforts to spare their allies of the wrath of the Dark Phoenix came to naught. Armor says to Emma,

"We can't get the Phoenix away from here, Emma."

"I know, Hisako. We have no choice, Scott."

Cyclops made a tight fist over how he could not get Jean away from the area. He then gives the command.

"X-Men, stop her however you can."

Each of the X-Men nodded as a way of confirming that they heard the order. Phoenix spoke with the X-Men.

"YOU CANNOT STOP MY POWER, NOT MY WRATH!"

Phoenix levitated large chunks of concrete ripped straight from the ground. Scott says to Emma,

"Emma, if one of those chunks land on any GCB soldier, send a psychic message telling them to get the hell out of the way."

"Got it."

Phoenix threw the chunks towards the X-Men. Kuzuri, Wolverine, and Armor were at the front, slicing and bashing away the chunks thrown at them. Phoenix levitated more, to which Cyclops and Storm used their powers to blast them away. In the dust of the destroyed chunks, Cyclops shot an optic blast at the Phoenix. Phoenix quickly created a barrier around her to protect herself.

"Offense!"

Said Cyclops, signaling the X-Men to attack her. Armor grew her psionic armor bigger to reach the Phoenix. Phoenix made the barrier stronger to protect herself against Armor's attacks. Armor hit the barrier with all the strength her armor could muster. While Storm summoned lightning bolts to shoot at Phoenix. Cyclops joined her, firing his optic blasts at her once again. While Beast went to Colossus, saying to him,

"Piotr, I am in need of your fastball specials."

"Make that two."

Said the Iron Fist.

"Da."

Colossus picked up the both of them, throwing Beast first with Iron Fist following after. Both landed on top of the psychic barrier.

Shall we?"

"Lets."

Both Beast and Iron Fist proceeded to punch the barrier covering her. In the heavy pressure of survival by defense, Phoenix had enough concentration to rip off more concrete chunks, each aimed at the mutants currently attacking her. Unfortunately for her, that would be thwarted by Colossus, Kuzuri, and Wolverine. They tore apart the concrete chunks when they got too close to their teammates attacking Phoenix's barrier. However, some of the sliced chunks headed toward some of their allies fighting against Aogiri. Seeing this, Emma instantly made a telepathic message.

"GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY!"

The GCB soldiers instantly see the slice chunk hurling toward them and instantly moved out of the way, the chunk hitting instead the Aogiri ghouls. Growing frustrated by this, Phoenix got into a midair semi-fetal position, crossing her arms and legs as a physical impulse to concentrate her powers. When she gathered enough, Phoenix created a psychic shockwave that violently pushed back the X-Men. Some of them stood their ground after that, while other laid on the ground due to its sheer power. The same applied to any human or ghoul within the area of the shockwave. While Beast and Iron Fist crashed to the ground. Beast was helped up by Koma while Irimi helped her boyfriend.

"You okay there, X-Man?"

"Just a slight daze."

Irimi rubbed her boyfriend's back as a sign of her affection, hopefully hidden from the eyes of the doves. Iron Fist softly replied,

"Thank you."

Now the Phoenix regained her concentration. With an angry look on her eyes, she spoke to the X-Men.

"YOU CANNOT COMPREHEND THE ENTIRETY OF MY MIGHT! TO FIGHT AGAINST A FORCE OF CREATION IS TO FIGHT AGAINST THE UNIVERSE ITSELF. PERISH IN MY FIRE!"

(play Avalon – Jojo's Bizarre Adventure OST)

The Phoenix put herself in the semi-fetal position in midair once more, only this time she stayed in the position for a longer period of time. The X-Men at first were confused by this. But they slowly realized that the area around them became warmer. Emma used her telepathy to read the Phoenix's mind, and was terrified by what she saw.

"Scott, we have to get out of here!"

"Emma, what is it?"

"She's gathering energy to become a burning mass of fire! When that happens, we're all going to die!"

Alerted by this, Cyclops told Emma,

"Send a wide telepathic message! Tell everyone of our allies to escape or take cover!"

Emma did what Cyclops told of her. It took no time for everyone of the GCB and the ghouls aligned with the Owl to receive the message. The allied fighters who were furthest from the area of the 20th ward branch office instantly ran as far as they could, while those who were closer to the battlefield frantically looked for places to take cover from the ultimate attack of the Dark Phoenix. Cyclops gave one more command before the Dark Phoenix unleashed her fiery wrath.

"X-Men, take cover behind Armor!"

Armor made her armor bigger to protect her teammates, just in time for the Dark Phoenix to unleash the full ferocity of her attack. The stragglers who reacted too late suffered a most cruel fate: being burned alive by the flames of the Dark Phoenix. A couple of them belonged to the Black Dobers. Both Koma and Irimi leapt out of where they took refuge, and went to help them, but the heat was too painful for them to bear. It even burned away their masks. Fearing that they would die, just then, the Iron Fist appeared before them. He created a shield barrier to protect them from the heat. However, the flames of Shou-Lou possessed its own sets of consequences, something he never told anyone. Irimi sees his hands being slowly burned.

"Danny, get out of here!"

"Never! I won't leave here to die!"

Danny held his ground despite the pain of his powers, much to Irimi's sorrow. Inside the branch office, more GCB soldiers arrived to take cover from the fire. While Gladiator simply floated in the air, horrified by the fire of the Phoenix that was just outside. More GCB officers noticed Tatara and instantly aimed their weapons against him. Gladiator says to them,

"Hold! He is mine."

Tatara feared the worst and instantly fled to the other end of the building. However, Gladiator was faster than him, instantly grabbing the ghoul by his neck and throwing him outside. As Tatara endured the flames as he escapes, the X-Men still took cover behind Armor. Concerned for her, Wolverine looks at Armor. She sees a strained look on her face, indicating pain.

"Hisako, are you all right?"

"I'll…live…"

Seeing that Armor was trying with all her might to stand her ground protecting her teammates, Emma speaks with Cyclops.

"Scott, we have to go on the offensive! Hisako can't endure this heat for any longer!"

"I don't want to put her through this as well, Emma, but we don't have that much options."

Kuzuri sees Armor hanging on by a thread. Spurned by this, he decides to act.

"Scott, do you have the weapon that Piotr gave you?"

"Yeah."

Cyclops showed the Ultimate Nullifier to Kuzuri.

"Give it to me. I can get the job done."

"I can't do that."

"Scott, Hisako can't handle this much longer!"

Armor then gave a loud groan of pain as she began to receive first-degree burns on her back.

"Hisako!"

Exclaimed Emma. Kuzuri says to Cyclops,

"We don't have time to debate! Give it now!"

Cyclops struggled at first to give Kuzuri the weapon to erase the Dark Phoenix. However, seeing the chaos around him and knowing said chaos would kill his teammates, Cyclops powered through his hesitation and gave the Ultimate Nullifier to him.

"Get the job done. No matter what."

"Got it."

(skip to 1:52)

With the Ultimate Nullifier in hand, Kuzuri braved the intense fire of the Dark Phoenix. He took incremental steps as the heat from the fire was too painful to endure, even for him. It gave him flashbacks of when he was last burned alive. He looked ahead to see where the Dark Phoenix was. The closer he got to her, the more the fire burned him. Pretty soon, the fire burned away his flesh, eating it away until there was nothing but adamantium bone. Seeing this, Wolverine wanted to go out there, but was stopped by Colossus.

"Colossus, let me go!"

"Nyet! I cannot!"

"KANEKI!"

In the branch office, Hide could see this through the glass door. He saw Kaneki being burned alive as he got closer to the Dark Phoenix. He attempted to go to him, but the heat from the fire broke apart the glass entrance of the branch office. The GCB soldiers retreated further into the building for their safety. Hide, on the other hand, wanted to go to his friend. He was stopped by Houji, who led his men into the building earlier. As well as two GCB soldiers.

"I have to go!"

"I can't let you do that. You'll die out there."

All he could do was yell out for his friend.

"KANEKI!"

The Dark Phoenix sees Kuzuri walking towards her. She could see the Ultimate Nullifier in his skeletal right hand. Panicked by this, she says to him,

"STAY BACK! I COMMAND YOU!"

Phoenix concentrated her fire at Kuzuri, who still walked toward her. Pretty soon, his entire upper body was burned away. Still, he kept heading toward her. Phoenix then levitated down to the ground to better focus her powers on killing Kuzuri with her flames. She read his mind for a while to discover why he could endure her fire and kept moving toward her.

"A HEALING FACTOR…YOU ARE THE SON OF…?"

Phoenix increased the intensity of her flames to stop Kuzuri in his track. Kuzuri would not stop. This made the Dark Phoenix feel fear for once.

"STAY AWAY!"

Kuzuri did not stop.

"I COMMAND YOU! STOP!"

Phoenix continued her onslaught, but could now see how futile it was. Kuzuri could not be stopped. Soon enough, Kuzuri was so close to Phoenix, he could touch her. Which he did by grabbing her head with his free arm, and headbutted her right on the spot. The resulting headbutt accidently created a psychic event.

(end)

xxxxxx

Within the mindscape, Kaneki was in his X-Men uniform. He looked around to see his father standing beside him.

"Hey son."

"What's happening?"

"I imagine that."

Kaneki looked ahead to see his personal mindscape, which was a serene ocean below a wide sky, acting different from before. While the ocean he stood on remained the same, the wide sky was replaced with a blue, cloud-like cyclone, which they were in the interior of. Kaneki asked,

"Where are we?"

"It's still your head. But when you headbutted Jean, it must've made her psychic powers act out of her control. Maybe why this is happening."

Both looked up, slightly mesmerized by the interior of the cyclone. Kaneki next spots something that stood out of place. It was a cage, big enough to house a human. Inside of the cage was a red-haired woman. Logan knew instantly who it was.

"Jean!"

Logan floated up to the midair cage. Kaneki at first was confused as to how his father could do something like this with no problem, but remembered that this was his mind.

"Dream logic."

Kaneki floated up to where his father was. He sees him attempting to slice away the cage, to no avail. Which made Logan visibly frustrated.

"Dad, what are you doing?"

"What does it look like?! I'm trying to free her!"

Logan continued to slice apart the cage bars, but everytime he did so they would come back. This only increased his frustration.

"This is your mind, so why the hell are you making this hard?!"

"What makes you it's my fault?!"

"It's your head."

"Not just mine. Remember, I headbutted her in real life."

Logan retracted his claws as he cooled down for one moment to remember that fact. He also saw Jean laying down in a catatonic state. Logan realized that it was not Kaneki that created the cage around Jean. However, at first, he believed Jean created the cage.

"Jean, listen to me! It's me, Logan! Can't you hear me?"

Jean did not answer.

"Why can't she answer?"

Suddenly, the color of the environment around them became crimson as a firebird appeared before them. At the center of the firebird was D'Ken. Kaneki asked,

"Who the hell are you?"

"I am D'Ken, emperor of the Shi'ar empire!"

"You…you're the one behind everything!"

"And you will not get in the way of my destiny! DIE!"

D'Ken sic'd the firebird on them.

"Split up!"

Said Logan. Both Kaneki and his father instantly flew away from the firebird. Kaneki realized what the firebird was.

"Dad, I think it's the Phoenix. Like, the literal Phoenix!"

"What gave it away?!"

The Phoenix concentrated on Logan for some reason.

"Dad, it's following you for some reason."

"I ain't waiting around to find out why!"

"That's a good thing! If the Phoenix is controlled by D'Ken…"

"Then taking that prick down is how we'll free Jean!"

"I'm going for him!"

"Kaneki, wait!"

Kaneki instantly fled toward D'Ken.

"Fool! You face one of the powerful men in the galaxy!"

"And yet your fashion sense sucks!"

Kaneki dealt an uppercut to D'Ken. This made D'Ken fly backwards. Meanwhile, the Phoenix stopped chasing Logan for some reason. It looked as if it were in a daze. Logan sees this and says to Kaneki,

"Kaneki, I think that the more you kick his ass, the more the Phoenix regains its senses."

"Isn't Ms. Grey a part of the Phoenix?"

Logan remembered the day Jean left the planet, and why she did so. Next, he looked at the Phoenix, shaking its head as if it was hit right on its skull. Logan saw that Kaneki was right. While this went on, D'Ken slowly regained senses and gripped his fist. His fist gave off a dark red shine. This was him regaining control over the Phoenix, which stopped shaking its head and resumed to chase Logan.

"Dad!"

Exclaimed Kaneki, but would soon be choked by D'Ken. Kaneki turned himself around to face D'Ken as he was being chocked. He attempted to free himself from the grip of D'Ken, but could not for some reason.

"In here, I am stronger than you! I will extinguish you and your father as my Phoenix razes your world to ashes!"

Kaneki spoke while he was being choked to death.

"This…is my…mind…you…have…no power…OVER ME!"

Something emerged from Kaneki's body. It overshadowed him for a moment, but the more it separated itself from Kaneki, the more it took a more corporeal form. Its right arm now took on a solid shape. It was yellow with a golden armguard encompassing its entire forearm. The back of its hand had a violet ladybug with orbs on its knuckles to match. D'Ken was puzzled by this.

"What is this?"

"My imagination… AT WORK!"

The arm punched D'Ken square in its face. A voice spoke at the same time when this happened, saying,

"MUDA!"

Although he recovered, D'Ken was angered by this.

"WHAT DID YOU DO?"

Kaneki gave a smug smile as he faced D'Ken.

"Just showing off my favorite Jojo stand."

What appeared before Kaneki was something humanoid, slender and bout Kaneki's height. The top of its head looked like a soldier's helmet, while its eyes were violet, columns of thin black lines ran through the eyes, giving off an insect-like appearance as J-shaped markings came down from the eyes on both sides. There were also wings on it shoulders and large ladybugs on certain parts of its body. Its overall design was similar to that of a scarab beetle. Further confused by this, D'Ken stammered before asking once more,

"What is this?!"

"This…"

Kaneki pointed to the humanoid.

"is Gold Experience, the stand belonging to Giorno Giovanna. Although I attack like Star Platinum, my personal favorite Jojo part was number five."

Logan got a glimpse of what was going while escaping the Phoenix. Since he shared a mind with Kaneki, he knew what that golden humanoid was.

"Hmm…him and his reading. Guess I get what I deserve."

Both Kaneki and D'Ken faced off against each other.

"This may be your mind, but mine has more power. Even more so, because to the M'Kraan crystal. Your fate was seal when you decided to fight-"

"MUDA!"

Gold Experience punched D'Ken in the gut, interrupting him. Gold Experience floated back to Kaneki's side. D'Ken looked at him with a furious expression. Kaneki, however, was unaffected and said in a deadpan voice,

"It's not enough to look like a fashion disaster, you got to be boring as hell?"

D'Ken roared as he charged toward Kaneki with his right fist outward. This just prompted Kaneki command Gold Experience to fight the Shi'ar emperor.

"Kick his ass, Gold Experience!"

Gold Experience charged toward D'Ken as well. Gold Experience proved himself to be faster than D'Ken as it kicked D'Ken in his face before dragging him back by his sash before punching him in the gut once more. Although D'Ken did not feel any pain, he still reacted as if he till felt any. The more damage Gold Experience gave to D'Ken, the more the Phoenix seemed to regained its sense of self. And with it, Jean slowly began to regain hers. Logan sees this and says to Kaneki,

"Keep it up!"

D'Ken made a desperate move, and concentrated his psychic powers to create mini-shockwave to disorient Kaneki, if only for a while. The ploy was successful as Kaneki protected himself against the shockwave. D'Ken sped toward Kaneki, and grabbed him by his head.

"You will regret making a fool out of me, boy!"

D'Ken then used his powers to break apart Kaneki's mind. The environment around everyone began to darken now they were in the interior of a cyclone of fire. D'Ken laughed like a madman, seeing all this. Logan sped toward Kaneki.

"KANEKI!"

The Phoenix instantly got in between, blocking the path. Logan got out his claws…

SNIKT!

And dug it into the Phoenix. Unfortunately, as soon as he did, Jean screamed in pain. Logan instantly moved backwards when he got his claws out of the Phoenix.

"Damn it. They're still connected."

Logan could only look on as D'Ken was tearing apart his son's mind. He despised this feeling of helplessness. D'Ken continued his attack on Kaneki, which seemed to succeed.

"Fool! To stand in my way is to face the brutality of my rage!"

Suddenly, Gold Experience emerged from his body. Only this time, violet claws emerged from Gold Experience's knuckles. When it sliced D'Ken, it literally sliced away a piece of his upper torso. There was nothing but empty space where a piece of his upper torso was.

"WHAT?!"

Gold Experience spoke. It spoke in Kaneki's voice.

"Now…face mine."

With its claws out, Gold Experience tore apart D'Ken in a flurry of slices while yelling,

"MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA!"

With every slice, the mindscape began to slowly fade away. Not to mention Jean slowly regained herself.

"Jean!"

Logan went to her. When he got to her, he saw the cage holding her in slowly disintegrated. Although she was in a fugue state, Jean could recognize Logan.

"Logan…?"

"It's all right, Jeannie. You'll be out soon."

D'Ken was losing more of himself the more he was in the shared mindscape of Jean and Kaneki. He had to act fast before Kaneki would tear his mind apart.

"MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA! MUDA!"

D'Ken was reduced to a mere eye. Gold Experience retracted its claws, and just punched D'ken's eye.

"MUDA!"

That last punch finally expelled D'Ken form the mindscape. It also released the Phoenix from his control. Soon, everything came white.

xxxxxx

The headbutt that Kuzuri performed not only knocked Jean unconscious, it also expelled the Phoenix out of Jean herself. Jean was back to being human, albeit she had to get knocked out first. As he regenerated his seared off flesh, Kuzuri caught her in time before she fell to the ground. The X-Men, as well as the GCB and all their allies, witnessed something incredible and impossible. Although they still had one more problem. The Phoenix screeched as spread its wings. Cyclops yelled out to Kuzuri,

"KANEKI! FINISH IT!"

The Phoenix flew towards both Kuzuri and the unconscious Jean. With the Ultimate Nullifier in place, Kuzuri pointed it at the incoming Phoenix. He slides the top switch of the Nullifier…

CLICK!

And just like that, the Phoenix, an ancient force of creation and destruction, the cosmic force that once teared a family of heroes apart, instantly became a scattering of fading embers falling from the sky. Hisako slowly faded away her armor, with Emma catching her.

"Emma…"

"You protected us excellently."

Hisako gave one positive laugh before sleeping in her teacher's arms. Cyclops and Piotr went to Kuzuri's side only to find him unconscious, yet still holding Jean in his lap.

"Piotr, get Kaneki. I got Jean."

"Da."

Meanwhile, Danny lowered the barrier he held up to protect Irimi and Koma. His arms suffered third-degree burns when he protected them. Danny almost fell to the ground, but Irimi caught him before that could happen. She cried as she held him in her arms. While the Doves only looked on at the sight of the battlefield. It was disorienting that something like what they experienced happened in their city. All that was left was to wait, and recover for whatever may come.

xxxxxx

In another part of Tokyo, far from the battlefield, the One-Eyed Owl spat out Yoshimura. Although now torn apart to the point where he was now a shadow of himself, he was still conscious enough to see what was going to happen to him now. The mouth of the kakuja armor began to open wide, emerging from it was a young woman. Green haired and wearing nothing but bandages covering her private parts. What stood out about her that she had a kakugan on her left eye. Yoshimura looked up, and instantly recognized her.

"Eto…"

"Why hello, father."

And cut! This took a long time to write, but I liked doing it. Hope you were satisfied in reading it. After this, the final chapter! I hope you're excited, because I know I am. Good chapter or no, leave a review to express how you feel about it.