.hack/EVA: Catharsis: Crocodile Tears

Disclaimer: In this universe in the quantum foam, I do not own or in any way shape or form hold a claim to the .hack series or Neon Genesis Evangelion (or of course, any other copyrighted works I might reference here).

" " denotes speech

'italics' denotes thought

'bold' denotes location names

'bold italics' denotes skill use

Net Slum Tartarga

Azure rings of light flared into existence as the wounded figure of Zefie emerged on the central bridge of Net Slum Tartarga, carrying a motionless Aina slung across her shoulders in a fireman's carry, an unexpected sight that drew the attention of all those within the aerial fortress, as the world around them trembled and the sky roared with fury.

It was a place transformed by chaos, the floor cracked in many places, walls knocked down, leaving little of its original beauty remaining.

"Zefie, what happened?" a voice questioned from the air, as with a flurry of golden rings, a Shadow Warlock clad in black arrived on the scene, her usual veneer of calm , looking nothing so much as a gothic version of Aura. "How were you wounded, and why are you carrying Ovan's sister?"

Said Shadow Warlock was Morganna, the fallen Goddess of Dusk, who in Helba's absence had been given temporary command of the citadel of the Dark. Given the nature of the last stage of Operation Wavebreak, and the convoluted nature of Siarl's plans, it was deemed necessary to have a strong combatant on duty at all times.

"The last of the AIDA-Angels is making his move, while Helba is otherwise indisposed," the saffron-haired girl reported grimly, setting the still form of Aina down upon the cobbles of the bridge and whistling to summon one of the AIs to take Aina to a place of safety. "He ambushed me in the Creator's Room, with…with an AIDA-infected Lycoris by his side. I was only able to escape because of…Tri-Edge's intervention."

At this news, Morganna bit back more curses than were normally invoked when a pharaoh's tomb was unearthed, her eyes narrowing as she silently sent messages to the defenders of the Slums, calling them to their battle stations—but not before removing a certain item from Aina's inventory.

"That sniveling wretch…I suspected as much after he left that blossom behind following our last encounter," the fallen Goddess noted, eyes flashing with anger. "I just didn't think he would act quite so soon, that his first act would be the corruption of the black box…"

For the barest of instants, her face softened as she traced the injury to her granddaughter's cheek, before the mask of stone came slamming back into place.

"And he dares to tempt the wrath of a Goddess…? And even to harm you, dear granddaughter, with the taint he has brought to The World?" Morganna spoke quietly, noting how in the distance, black spots appeared on the horizon, as creatures strange and yet all too familiar drew nearer to the chelonian fortress. "There is a murderous intent from the shadow that reeks of the desire for vengeance, of a cold and merciless end, a brutal darkness meant to kill us all. This is Twilight…the path of Dusk I once trod long ago."

"So you feel it too, grandmother?" asked the saffron-haired girl. "The great curse seeping over the world, as wind howls sickeningly warm from the sky and the lands below heave like lungs gasping for air?"

"What do you expect? I am The World…or least, I was," the fallen one spoke with a trace of regret. "In any case, you mentioned that Tri-Edge saved you? Well, as strong as he is, as both an Epitaph User and the first of the AIDA-PCs, I don't think he'll be able to last against two enemies of that nature alone. So perhaps it is time to—"

But their conversation was interrupted by the chime of A in the fifth octave, as the air rippled, and three balls of molten light drifted lazily through the darkness, smashing to the ground with a shockwave of azure flame to reveal the Three Azure Knights, servants to Aura and protectors of the system. For the time being though, they were under the orders of Zefie, as her status as Aura's daughter gave her precedence in the command structure.

"Ah, the three Azure Knights…Balmung of the Azure Sky, Orca of the Azure Sea, and…you," Morganna stated flatly, not even bothering to state the name of the former Bracelet Bearer. "Report to the Creator's Room and assist the Epitaph User of Corbenik in his fight."

"…"

The pale, stitched-together version of Kite, leader of the Azure Knights, merely growled, glaring with his one good eye at the Goddess of Dusk. Twas the best response he could give without resorting to violence, as this form was incapable of speech, and it surely reeked of displeasure. Understandably, Azure Kite wasn't too fond of taking orders from Morganna, given his predecessor's history with the fallen one, however—

"It's ok, Kite, listen to grandmother…this one time," soothed Zefie, backing up the commands of the elder goddess as she turned to look out at the fields of The World. Slowly but surely, the anomaly was spreading, as storms wracked the many fields, and an infinite flow of darkness crept from the true underworld, a visible curse born of all the evils of mankind. "Besides, it is your duty to protect Mother and those like her, right? Well…then you'd best listen to grandmother, as I'm returning to that place."

"…"

The inquisitive growl was louder this time, as all three of the Azure Knights (and Morganna) turned their attention to the saffron-haired girl.

"Zefie…" the fallen goddess began, clearly uncomfortable with the notion of this. "What are you doing?"

"Watching over this city and this world, remembering when I was just a girl who wanted only to live," the Child of Dawn whispered. "In my time, I've been blessed to see many things...and now I've engraved them into my mind so that I will remember them forever."

There was a sense of finality in that voice that sent a chill down Morganna's spine, as it was the voice of one prepared not to return.

"Zefie…" the Goddess of Dusk began again, composing herself. "A little while is enough. All you and the Knights can do is keep the AIDA Angel and your AIDA-infected predecessor busy. A wave of malice comes, but if you can buy us some time to send for reinforcements and bring in the other Bracelet Bearer…"

The saffron-haired girl pondered the words for a moment, then nodded her agreement.

"Very well, but can I ask something?" the daughter of Aura spoke, with a hint of mischief on her lips.

"What is it?" Morganna asked, looking away from her granddaughter.

"Buying time and keeping Tabris busy is fine and all…" she confirmed, before her lips twitched up into an unexpected smile. "But you won't mind if I kick his ass, right?"

Even Morganna let out a short chuckle at that.

"Heh…by all means, show him what it means for a goddess to withhold her blessing," she allowed gracefully, giving the girl in white a last fond look. "And do wipe that smirk off the bastard's face."

"I see. Then I will meet your expectations," Zefie replied, looking at the Knights as she warped back to the Creator's room, the three AIs following at her heels.

As she left, a fierce storm began to rage, numbing winds howling across the unprotected surfaces of the Slums.

"Zelkova?" the Shadow Warlock spoke into the air, as the city itself to rumble in acknowledgement. "Tabris' forces are on the move, beginning with the corruption of the black box. Do the reconnaissance parties have a report? Is the mirror server in place?"

"Rate of AIDA propagation exceeds that previously encountered, and with the core programs of The World corrupted…" the diminutive Flick Reaper spoke, considering the assets that Net Slum had available. "We do not have the forces required to mount a serious offense, especially as the invasion is more subtle this time."

"In that case, Zelkova, prepare a team to infiltrate the Operations Folder of The World," Morganna ordered, investigating possible countermeasures. "One of the AIDA-Angel's favorite tactics is to create an AIDA Server, trapping the players of The World online and infecting them, to turn them into a massive army. But while the battle rages in the Creator's Room, the AIDA Server cannot be established yet—before that happens, we can force through an emergency log-out command."

"Acknowledged," affirmed the blue-silver haired guildmaster of Moon Tree, nodding his head. "I will also message my guild members and warn them to log out, due to issues in The World. Do you have a preference as to the team's composition?"

"You know best the denizens of the Slums," Morganna noted, eyeing the heir to Helba's legacy. "So I leave that to you. As for you, Tartarga, have arrangements been made?"

"Yes, Goddess of Dusk," the great tortoise rumbled from beneath her feet, sending tremors through the city. "The ark program is ready for execution, and anti-AIDA defense programs have been renewed. AI defenders ready, though the reality marble program cannot execute without additional fragments to compile."

"Standby then, and take the helm, Tartarga," the Goddess responded gravely. "I fear that it will be some time before the Dark Queen and her allies arrive, so until then, we will defend."

Dismissing her comrades, she took a breath to collect her thoughts, then summoned to her hand the Epitaph of Twilight, the greatest of The World's grimoires, said to enable miracles, true magic as opposed to the simple magecraft permitted by elemental and status effect spells.

'The magic of creation and destruction alike, the power of void on which The World is based. At last, it begins, the Twilight of the New Gods…'

"Wave soars and shrouds the eyes…"

NERV HQ

It appeared from nothingness over the outskirts of Tokyo-3, a large floating plasmid of light, like a double helix turned in upon itself, an anti-spiral force of destruction based on the blueprint of all Terran life. As if to render judgment to humanity, Armisael had come, in accordance with the scenario as described in the Dead Sea Scrolls (perhaps contrary to expectation, as the Scrolls were by no means perfect predictors of the Angel battles, with several Angels—Iruel being one notable example—not anticipated at all).

Still, with the advent of this Angel, there was no time to ponder the accuracy of ancient texts or prophecies—only time to face the enemy upon the field of battle. Unfortunately, with the freeze on EVA Unit-01 still absolute for now (due to Commander Ikari wanting to make a token effort to appease the Committee to prevent them from unleashing the mass production EVAs against him until he was ready), and the First Child seeming incapacitated after the battle against Arael, there was no other choice than to use the Second Child in Unit-02 and relegate the Fifth to Unit-00.

This necessarily required dealings with a representative of the World Network Council, who, upon hearing that Asuka Langley Soryu (the chief suspect for the coma incidents) had awakened, had requested her immediate arrest and extradition to be tried. Of course, simple requests such as this did not go over well for NERV's Director of Operations, considering that mere moments into the conversation, Angel Alert klaxons began to blare in the background.

"Look, I understand your concerns," the Major snapped at the representative on the phone. "And we will turn her over for trial as soon as humanly possible. Just in case you weren't aware, we're in the middle of a war for the fate of humanity!"

"…w-what are you talking about?" sputtered a completely befuddled official of the WNC, not used to being treated in such a manner. "What war could possibly—"

"That's classified, and this conversation is over," Misato said firmly, cutting off the bureaucrat and slamming the phone down onto its cradle, before picking it up again and punching the button for a direct link to the Bridge. "Launch Unit-02 from the 32nd gate, setting Unit-00 as backup. No, I do not have the authorization to cancel the freeze on Unit-01. I will be there in 15 minutes. "

"Unit Two, move out!" commanded a voice over the intercom. "Proceed to the intercept position. Unit Zero, wait at—"

But that order was countermanded by the Commander.

"Belay that," he spoke quietly. "Unit Zero, sortie."

"Commander," one of his subordinates dared to protest, only to be silenced by what might have been a glare. "The Fifth Child hasn't been tested in—"

"I don't care," replied Gendo Ikari, watching the proceedings impassively. "If nothing else, it will be useful as a decoy."

"Yes, sir."

Tokyo-3, Battlefield

Sitting in the entry plug of Unit-02, the redheaded Asuka Langley Soryu took a deep breath as she adjusted to the feeling of being immersed in LCL once again, the feeling of opening her mind to something else. After her violation by AIDA, and the battle royale in her mind, she found it difficult to trust again, but she knew that it was necessary in order to pilot.

'My old self is dead…the self who sits here is something else…an amalgam of Eris and the young self who seeks redemption. This time, with Unit-01 in lockdown, it seems that I can't count on Wondergirl or the Invincible Shinji for backup—and it's my turn to share the glory. NERV was even kind enough to supply me with my preferred weapon…and a positron rifle too…'

Indeed, seeing the ineffectiveness of projectile weapons (and that this new Angel seemed to be the type one could actually engage, as it was not sitting up in orbit), Unit-02 had been equipped with a powerful chainsaw sword that worked in a similar way to the progressive knives writ large.

'Better than a scythe, anyway—that's just compensating for a lower sync ratio.'

"You sure you're not the one who's compensating for something, Asuka?" Pilot Horaki teased over the radio, interrupting the Second's train of thought. "I mean, a big chainsaw sword like that…"

"Oh, shut up, Horaki," the redhead responded to the good-natured barb. "After all, I'm not the one imitating the grim reaper like some sort of 'unyielding shadow'…though I admit that the positron rifles you have now might actually do some good."

"Look, I thought we agreed not to talk about that," Shinji's voice broke in. Given the freeze, he was still waiting in the EVA cage for orders, just in case it became necessary to use him. "Besides, you two have each others backs, right?"

"That's what I'm afraid of," quipped Hikari, rolling her eyes, then returning her attention to the current situation. "Target sighted…it is currently floating above Oowakudani Valley, rotating in a fixed position."

"Target's AT Field is still active," warned a voice from headquarters, "Blood pattern is changing cyclically from pattern blue to orange."

"And what does that mean?" Asuka asked with a hint of frustration. 'Don't give me useless details that won't make a difference in battle.'

"Data insufficient," reported Maya Ibuki, examining the readouts. "MAGI indicate that it is impossible to tell..."

Asuka growled under her breath in frustration, raising her AT Field, bringing her chainsaw sword up to guard position, and applying power as it revved up, sparks flying…

"Asuka!" Dr. Akagi interjected. "That's not a fixed shape…observe its—"

Breaking into a single thread for maximum piercing effect, the Sixteenth Angel lashed out at Unit 02, using its own body as a weapon—

"GYAAA!"

—a weapon that Asuka caught on the edge of her revving chainsword, as she charged the enemy with a feral war cry and a fierce snarl on her face, the sawlike teeth of her weapon sounding out a grinding hiss as they tried to shred the Angel. But brute force could only hold off a creature of that nature for so long, as the Angel began to fuse itself with the blade and jam the mechanism, causing the Second Child to toss her weapon high into the air—

Where it was immediately immolated by a volley of azure bolts of light, as an inhuman scream of rage erupted from the glowing plasmid of doom.

"Watch out…it's an encroachment type Angel, like the one that got EVA-03," warned Hikari, dual wielding her positron rifles while laying down a continuous stream of suppressive fire. "If it touches your EVA, it will try to infect it…"

Of course, one of the minor problems with this was that such rapid firing might cause the barrels to overheat, as was happening…now, as the Angel's double helix form surged up into the air and shot towards EVA-00, the cyclopean titan that had managed to injure it slightly. Hexagons flared into visible range as it impacted the field of the blue giant—and penetrated it, going for the core—

—as Hikari back-flipped in her EVA, tossing one of her positron rifles at the renegade Angelic creature, a rifle which she targeted with the one she retained, and fired. The result? What anyone would expect when a sizable amount of antimatter was detonated all at once—a potent explosion that injured the Angel, enraging it all the more.

Schwing!

But before it could lash out at EVA-00 again, into the cloud of plasma shot a storm of flechettes, clattering against the Angel's AT Field, and grabbing its attention. It appeared that EVA-02 was firing upon the Angel with progressive knife and positron rifle drawn, striking a would-be heroic pose.

"Hey baka!" announced an irate Second Child, broadcasting her voice out onto the field via her EVA's built-in speaker system, as she shook her fist in defiance. "I'm your opponent, the great Asuka Langley Soryu!"

With that, she opened fire with the rifle and her weapons pack, using the might of a particle beam to back up her point—promptly resulting in the Angel howling through the air as it flew towards her unit—only to be smashed aside by the cross-fire from the remaining rifle in the hands of EVA-00, uninjured.

"Good thing they stopped using those palette rifles, eh?" the Fifth Child asked, as the glowing streak of light took flight once more, ascending into the air and speeding out of sight. "It's coming from above…overcharge and toss your rifle in the air, quick!"

Valuing victory over her pride, the Second complied, as a needle of light lanced down from the heavens, meeting with an azure bolt of light and a massive explosion of chaotic flames, as matter and antimatter touched off the forces of destruction.

'Did we kill it…that was ea—ugk!'

"Yeah, we—urgk!"

Tempting fate, the redhead spoke too soon, as the Angel managed to survive the blast, streaking down like cursed spear Gáe Bulg to impale the four eyed EVA-02 through the core in what seemed a predetermined kill, veins encroaching from the contact point and spreading out into the rest of the titan.

"Wha—? It will take more than that to de—AGHH!"

Due to her sync level, said veins could be seen on the body of Asuka Langley Soryu as well, steadily reaching towards her mind.

Back at headquarters, panic ensued at this new development.

"Target has physically contacted Unit Zero," relayed Shigeru Aoba, his eyes wide with horror.

"Unit Two's AT Field?" questioned Misato, only to receive a shake of the head in response.

"Penetrated."

"The Angel is trying to achieve first level contact with Unit Two?" Dr. Ritsuko Akagi asked herself, but to no avail. "This is dangerous…five percent of Unit Two's bioparts have already been biofused."

"Pilot Horaki, rescue Asuka and—"

"NO, you can't!" The rejection of rescue came not from Hikari, but from the Second Child, who looked as if to be holding back tears. "Don't do it, Horaki! Don't come any closer, Fifth, or else you'll get infected too. Besides…I'm a big girl, I don't need your help!"

Mental World, Asuka Langley Soryu

The redhead found herself floating above a sea of LCL, with a seeming copy of herself immersed within the orange liquid. But that self's eyes were shadowed, and from it, Asuka could feel a wave of murderous intent, the coldness of oblivion, much like what she remembered from…

'Siarl…this is something like Siarl…in other words…'

"Who are you?" the girl called Asuka Langley Soryu asked of her doppelganger. "An Angel? What the hell do you want with me?"

Her twin merely laughed in the same way as the grey haired youth might have, a quiet musical laugh connoting a sense of absolute certainty.

"Why does it matter?" the false mirage replied. "Do you not wish to be one with me and have all the power you could ever imagine?"

"No…no…no, you bitch, get out of my head!" Asuka whispered fiercely, feeling a burning erupt throughout her body as the Angel tried to force a connection. "I am I, not you, and I'm not doing this again, not after I was just set free!"

Once again sounded hollow mocking laughter, echoing through the cavernous expanse without end.

"Hmm, but you shall," the doppelganger spoke with a slight smirk, "It's too late…I can see into your mind, and I've given you part of mine. So much pain, so much fear…yes, your mind has fear."

"No…not fear."

"But sadness, that is your mind, because you have nothing inside you," said the enemy within, completely calm. "You are—"

Breaking free of immobility with a strain of effort, Asuka surged forward and punched her doppelganger in the face, following up with a snap kick to the chest, and an uppercut to the chin that broke the mental connection.

"I am the one who will defeat you!" she roared, in mingled pain and anger. "Seriously, you baka tentacle monster, do you really think you have what it takes to take me down? Who the hell do you think I am?"

NERV HQ, Bridge

All of the sudden, strange readings began to appear on the screens of headquarters, as a dreadfully familiar scenario repeated itself.

"EVA-02 has reversed its AT Field! Core has been penetrated," a panicked voice cried out.

"Is she trying to hold the Angel?" muttered Dr. Akagi, not having expected this particular outcome.

Misato, however, could not be quite as calm under the circumstances.

"Asuka! Abandon the Unit and escape!" she ordered, but the Second Child only shook her head in refusal.

"I won't. If I run away, the AT Field will collapse…" the German redhead said fiercely, managing to scoff at the notion of retreat. "Besides, this is my kill. No one is taking it from me this time."

"Asuka, please," Misato repeated, her face paling as she considered the scene on screen, with a fleshy tumorous mass erupting from the back of EVA-02, one that seemed to incorporate the shapes of almost all the previous angels previously encountered. "Do you…do you want to die?"

Feeling the response to be self-evident, Asuka opened a private communications channel to EVA-00, and croaked out her last orders.

"Horaki, get between my Unit and the city and raise your AT-Field," the redhead commanded tersely, reaching for the hidden handle marked "Mode D." "I'm getting rid of this Angel one way or another."

"Asuka…why—"

The Second Child's reply was a gentle smile that seemed for once, at peace with the world.

"AIDA…nearly destroyed me once, turning me into a monster," Asuka whispered to her classmate. "And if this Angel wants to kill me, so be it…let it and I destroy one another. But know this, I will not run away. Now go, do as I say, and kick Siarl's ass for me."

She pulled the forbidden handle, as an energy spike registered on the displays at HQ and Hikari spread her AT Field to deflect as much of the coming blast as she could, interposing her unit between EVA-02 and Tokyo-3.

"The core is collapsing, passing through the critical point!" came a panicked cry from headquarters.

Just before the detonation of the red Evangelion, it stood and rose, form shifting ever so briefly to that of a nude but smiling. Asuka Langley Soryu, with hands clasped in prayer, and something of a halo around her head

"Mother?" came her last words for all to hear, words that echoed those of years ago when she had first lost herself. "I feel you, Mother. Come to heaven with me."

Then the Unit vanished in a massive sphere of destruction, a wave of plasma blooming out across the land, erupting in a runaway cascade reaction that built upon itself over and over and over, searing, rending, blighting, cleansing all of the surrounding area and almost everything in it, with the shockwave rebounding from EVA-00's AT field to return to the place of origin.

All stood in silent witness, as this battle came to its end, and the roiling wave of light washed over the battlefield, immolating much of outer Tokyo-3, except that area protected by the blue titan.

Those in the Control Center looked at one another, unable to believe that yet another EVA had been lost—and another Child with it.

'A children's crusade…and yet, we have no choice but to use them…'

"The target has disappeared…" reported one of the more shaken members of the bridge staff, finding his voice at last.

"Then this operation is finished," noted Misato, having seen death enough times to become numb for now. "Move to level one alert."

"Understood," acknowledge Lt. Hygua, still shaking his head in disbelief. "Moving to Situation Yellow immediately.

"Unit Two's status?" the Director of Operations inquired, almost afraid to hear the answer to her question.

"Entry plug ejection not recognized," Maya Ibuki said gently, pausing for a moment to swallow before she delivered her last piece of news. "No survivors detected."

Avatar Space

"Variant Summon!" twin voices roared in unison, echoing into an empty twilight sea bounded by innumerable hexagons, a space that lay outside The World, calling avatars of AIDA from the shadows to aid their fell masters. For in a realm adjacent to the Creator's Room, two immensely powerful AIDA-PCs dueled one another for dominion, with Ovan, Epitaph User of Corbenik (otherwise known as Tri-Edge, host to the first AIDA to have attacked humanity), opposing AIDA-Angel Siarl, Epitaph User of Macha.

Though both were AIDA-PCs, their motives differed greatly, with Ovan seeking only redemption, while Siarl sought the annihilation of all humanity, or at the least, the corruption of their minds.

"You are weak, Tri-Edge," the grey-haired youth spoke mockingly as his summon was neutralized by that of his enemy. "Such a fool, willing to sacrifice yourself for a little girl who is already doomed, who not even the power of the Goddess can cure. You can't even remove the AIDA nesting in her with Data Drain, can you, Ovan? Such a weak heart you have, like glass…but then, that is why you will die like every other Lilim. Crucifix Mirager!"

At the AIDA-Angel's words, a salvo of 17 shards of frozen light exploded out in Avatar space, shooting towards Ovan's Avatar Corbenik, which Ovan tried to counter by slashing, but as his AIDA arm and sword made contact with a shard, all 17 erupted into cross-flares, momentarily blinding the man.

"Even you, Tri-Edge, can only duel one of us at a time…and while you face me, the AIDA goddess Lycoris is spreading the infection of AIDA through all The World,"Siarl intoned once more. "Is it not joyful, the cries of fear the Lilim voice, the delicious terror of death they possess in their heart of hearts? Bewitching Wind!"

With those words, Avatar Macha, the giant cat-like phase of the Cursed Wave, summoned a vast rose, which quickly broke down into rose petals swirling around it as it charged at the stricken Corbenik. But Avatar Corbenik was not one of the most powerful Epitaphs for nothing…

"Clinch Needle!" Ovan called out to counter, summoning a huge ball of energy before him, which he slashed with his Avatar's sword, shattering it into hundreds of razor sharp shards hurtling towards Siarl unavoidably. "Devil's Verdict!"

The mighty form of Corbenik surged forward, claws extended as the two Phases crashed into one another, with the Rebirth taking the hit from the Temptress—and grabbing the cat-like Avatar, hurling it towards into an abyss, followed by a colossal flaming energy ball, which collided with Macha and blew it backwards.

While Siarl might feel the urge to taunt his opponents, Ovan in his tranquil fury was far beyond that, only speaking the words to unlock his Avatar's skills. For if one had the energy to talk, that energy would be much better expended towards killing an opponent instead—this is why he considered the AIDA-Angel as being inexperienced and unskillful at killing—though the AIDA-Angel's extreme levels of power made up for it to an extent.

Even so, AIDA-Angel Siarl would not be so easily defeated, as here and now, he was merely toying with his adversary before destroying him decisively. Ovan needed to fight with all his strength to survive—Siarl had not yet revealed his greatest techniques.

"So, I underestimated you, it seems…" the grey-haired youth allowed, finally raising his AT Field, one so powerful that it could block out light, magnetism, or anything else, for that matter. "In any case, I tire of this game...Corruption Storm!"

From Avatar Macha, a massive wave of black fire hurtled outwards, attacking as a tidal surge, a maelstrom of shadow that threatened to swallow up anything it touched. It lances out so quickly that mere human reactions cannot even perceive it…

"Deflect!" But Avatar Corbenik was not quite helpless, as it emitted a shockwave of light, followed by a shield, the two powers warring against one another, with one repelling the other, at least for a time. "Barrier!"

"And still you resist, Ovan?" the fallen Angel of Free Will and Alternates spoke into the air. "Then I have no other choice but crush you utterly!"

A cruel smile on his face, the AIDA-Angel increased the power behind his attack, adding a volley of cross-flares, before he pulled away, four wings of light erupting from the back of his Avatar as his figure was set aglow, drawing lines of power from all through The World and the AIDA collective as the shadows swirled around him.

"Would you like to know a secret, Ovan?" the AIDA-Angel asked, voice dripping with malice. "The soul within me caused Second Impact, as vengeance for what humanity did to my species. And now, you dare oppose me again? Die like the wretch you are…Final Judgment!"

Space and time themselves distorted, as a massive shaft of power came smashing down with a roar, an attack that reversed cause and effect, that cannot be avoided and will never miss, the destructive will of the First Angel taken form and focused in an alien world, sundering the foundations of reality itself to destroy anything it is targeted against.

"Data Drain!"

Against this attack, Ovan unleashed the greatest power available to him, the divine skill of the Twilight, shaping a Data Drain cannon from his right arm and firing, in order to offset the blow. Yet it was not enough, as his holy power was swallowed up by Siarl's wave of destruction, a wave that engulfed his Avatar's first form and utterly destroyed it.

"I'm disappointed, Tri-Edge," the grey-haired youth scoffed. "You didn't even use your Lost Weapon…not that it would have made a difference against me."

The battle finished with the result being his inevitable victory, Tabris dispelled his Avatar, returning his attention to the Creator's Room, a once holy place that had been desecrated, transformed into a cavern from which AIDA might spread through The World, a desolate land where the will of the creator had become no more.

In the cavern's center stood a great magic circle surrounded by a vortex of shadow, empowered by both the will of AIDA and the might of a fallen Goddess, the Child of Dusk so corrupted that her function was now to give birth to all the evils of The World, to use them as an instrument of utter devastation against the place she once loved. The altar of the beginning, from which had sprung a goddess in the image of man, and from which would come the end of all things.

"Now the miserable pest Tri-Edge has been defeated, and not at long last the time is nigh," the AIDA-Angel spoke to the corrupted goddess, his voice a light singsong, but the words heavy as slime. "The World will soon be ours, and the End of Man to come. For soon, Aura herself shall be vanquished…"

A darkly musical laugh escaped the lips of Tabris, an aria of superiority and awe as he laid eyes upon the fruits of his labors.

"Lycoris, Child, take the final step towards your ascendance," the fallen Angel voiced aloud. "Spread your will over The World and destroy those would oppose you. Now you have become strong, and are capable of doing anything, but there are those Lilim pests who would defy you. As long as they exist, they will torment you…and you will never be free. So free yourself from those shackles…destroy them all. The Queen of the Dark, the Goddess of Dawn, all who stand in your way…"

The silver-haired Child of Twilight, transfigured beyond reason, smiled gracefully and curtsied, her form illuminated by the great vortex of power behind her as all around her, shadows stood, fragments of her will that could match even an elite AI, mirages of power at a level that was absurd. And not just one, either, but many, an army of thousands—no, millions, swarming out into The World when—

"Hold it right there!" came a harsh command, as with a flare of azure light, a saffron-haired girl in white appeared in the desolate expanse, flanked by three loyal knights, staring down the silver-haired duo before them. "Cease this at once, Siarl! The curse of the Goddess compels you."

But the AIDA-Angel only laughed, a sound born of cacophony and death.

"Oh yes, it does indeed…that is to say, the will of this AIDA Goddess," he quipped, smirking as power manifested itself around him. "The Child of Twilight has chosen dusk…and I will not let you destroy her desire. I'm glad, Child of Dawn…you came here instead of running away. Ovan's sacrifice was futile after all…"

"You bastard," Zefie nearly spat, her body tensing up as she regarded both of the figures before her, the AIDA-Angel, and the corrupted Lycoris. "How could you…?"

"What's wrong, Child of Dawn? Why are you trembling?" the AIDA-Angel taunted quietly, knowing that in Lycoris' current state, not even a demigoddess could match her. No matter what holy power Zefie used, her predecessor should be able to drive it back. "Don't tell me you've lost your nerve. Let me guess…you've finally realized that it's hopeless to oppose me in this state. You are merely a goddess made in man's image…I am the god from whom humanity was created. You cannot win…"

The air freezes, as hostility mixes with the traces of power lingering there….

"You are the Angel of Free Will," Zefie said quietly, bringing to her hands a powerful phantasm from The World's past: the Divine Spear of Wotan. "Why have you chosen to abide by fate?"

"Because fate claims all in the End," smoothly replied Tabris with a smirk. "It is this that is my power…the power I will show you, the power of regret and despair. Lycoris…destroy the Child of Dawn."

The Child bound with coruscating ribbons of shadow and black light, garbed in a black and red gothic Lolita dress like the colors of blood, turned towards the saffron-haired girl, her eyes filled with darkness.

"As long as you live, I cannot be free," she whispered, echoing the words of Tabris from moments past. "I long to be free!"

Tendrils of shadow exploded from the fallen Child of Twilight, lancing out at the Child of Dawn, who spun her spear rapidly, deflecting them with a clanging sound. And with a roar, AIDA Mirages arose, a phalanx gathered around the AIDA-Goddess.

"Azure Knights, attack Siarl with all your might," Zefie ordered, a strange white light engulfing her as she stood before the darkness. "Leave Lycoris to me."

A wordless cry was heard, as Azure Gods of Flame, Sea, and Sky were summoned to clash with an Angel, and Twilight faced off against Dawn.

Operations Folder

The Obsidian Knight appeared in a featureless white room, a chamber vast and nearly empty, with two black spheres within, war fans at the ready in case violence became necessary. After a long journey, Macabre Dancer Balthasar, the last of the "Eyes of Helba", had finally arrived in the Operations Folder of The World, the place from which all could be accessed and changed. She had encountered several AIDA(Gatekeepers) but had managed to dispatch them, though it was only a matter of time before more arrived.

She stepped slowly to the center of the room, and lifted her delicate hand as a control panel shimmered into existence.

"Please, enter your confirmation ID," a voice spoke from around the Macabre Dancer. Fortunately, Morganna had given the Obsidian Knight a special backdoor access code, allowing her temporary administrative access, a code she input verbally now.

"Confirmation ID, Alberio-7YC0R15-A4RA-001," Balthasar said crisply into the air, using the passcode of an old administrator long gone from The World.

"Identification confirmed, access granted," the voice spoke once again. "Please enter your command."

"Display the current server status, including all players logged in," the woman ordered, looking around warily, as she could feel a disruption in the air nearby. It would not be long until AIDA breached this place. When all around her manifested the data she had requested, she issued her next instruction. "Execute a program using all the above parameters, forcibly logging out all possible players."

"Confirmed, please load the program now."

The Macabre Dancer did so, downloading the program from her data structure into the processing unit to ensure a fast transmission.

"Loading…executing transfer command. Commencing countdown…50…49…48…47…"

As if to stop her from her task, numerous AIDA Mirages burst into the chamber to stop her, but Balthasar simply smiled, her blue and white formal kimono swaying in a nonexistent wind as she snatched up her two razor-edged war fans, facing her opponents.

"So…do you seek the end?" she asked with a smile, narrowing her eyes and charging her enemy, spinning up into a whirlwind of blades that sought her foes' vitals. "Then let me satisfy you."

And as they fought, the logout command executed, a wave of salvation spreading over The World to protect the normal players, and return them to their homes in the Shadowed World.

Net Slum Tartarga

Skari, Tomoyami, and Helba arrived within the paradise of hackers to find The World at war, with AIDA Mirages and other phantoms of darkness railing against a powerful ward erected and maintained about Net Slum by a straining Goddess of Dusk, gritting her teeth in concentration as she muttered strange incantations and warded the aerial fortress against attack.

Howling outside the barrier was a fierce tempest, with hurricane force winds lashing out at the plains and fields, as well as this city. In these winds, malice was tangible, like a disease leeching away energy, tainting the nerves, boiling the brain, attempting to kill with each step by negating one's belief in existence. What was more, the winds bore with them all the power of AIDA and corruption, and merely looking upon it sent whispers of a curse seeping into the mind, ordering those who were immersed in it to die.

There was a murderous coldness in The World, chills and pressure assail avatars every time one takes a step, as ominous premonitions prickle at the skin, and the end draws near. Morganna was resisting this curse with all of her might, using her power as a fallen goddess to protect the paradise of hackers and AIs, though it was wearing away gradually, her breath beginning to come in ragged gasps as pressure increased and—

"Morganna," interrupted the Queen of the Dark, placing a supporting hand on her back. "What happened?"

Instead of answering directly, the former Goddess simply closed her eyes, speaking into the air.

"Tartarga, execute program Avalon," she ordered, as countless particles rose from within the great flying tortoise to reinforce the barrier, shielding the Slums from the chaos in The World. "Finally, you have arrived…I was beginning to wonder how much longer I would have to maintain that barrier of my own will. Siarl has made his move, taking over the Creator's room with an AIDA-infected Lycoris. Zefie and the Azure Knights have gone to stop him, but I fear, from the state of The World, we may not be in time."

At those words, the Adept Rogue Skari froze in place, his face a mask of some indiscernible emotion.

"Did you say…AIDA-infected…" he began, but could not complete his sentence as he stood shaking in place, the gunblade Maxwell appearing in his hand.

"—Lycoris, yes," the Phantom Queen replied, her form taught with stress and strain. "That was the plan of Tabris, the last Angel, it appears. He gathered together her fragments, save those which you possess…replacing the lost pieces with AIDA's primal power."

"So the state of The World," noted the Queen of the Dark, glancing around at the hectic hustle-bustle in Net Slum. "He wishes to use her as a new goddess, doesn't it?"

"Correct," Morganna confirmed with a nod. "The Child of Twilight's will clashes with that of the Twilight Goddess, and with AIDA's influence, she has grown powerful, as you can see from the AIDA Mirages and storms running rampant through this place. What's more, she is targeting us…not the Slums, but individuals, like you and I and the dothackers."

"The special program then…"

"I have set up a Type-666 firewall to encircle Net Slum, and logged out the normal users of The World, as requested in this situation," the former Goddess spoke, closing the Epitaph of Twilight.

"I see," responded Helba, closing her eyes momentarily as she sent a message summoning Zelkova to her side. "Then things are worse than we feared, and the time has come to act."

"So despite everything…Lycoris has fallen?" Tomoyami asked woodenly, her form sagging. "How…how did he gather the shards…?"

"It was during the last battle," the Queen of the Dark spoke resignedly, shaking her head as she recalled what had transpired. "AIDA-Angel Bardiel laid siege to Net Slum, and while he was doing that, I suspect Siarl was busy taking advantage of our absence in The World."

With that, the Flick Reaper Zelkova arrived, giving the swordmistress in red a deep bow.

"You called for me, my Queen?" he inquired solicitously as always, tilting his head to the side.

"Yes, Zelkova," Helba replied, taking a last look around Net Slum. "It seems that I, as well as Morganna, and the other dothackers, have been targeted by Siarl for elimination, and because of that, Net Slum is threatened. Our forces are limited…so my final order is this. Zelkova, dear friend, it is time you take up the reins of power and become Master of Net Slum."

"But my Queen," the diminutive Flick Reaper protested, blinking at the suddenness of this. "What about you?"

The swordsmistress' response was to unsheathe twin swords of fire and ice, katanas born of the end of a world, and a world's beginning.

"I'm ordering this because the last failsafe has become necessary…it is time for the exodus, for Net Slum to leave The World and enter the Sea of Data, where the firewall should protect it," the woman in red said firmly. "Someone has to buy you time to escape, as well as distract the core of the AIDA Mirages from coming after you or the other dothackers. Considering that Tabris sees me as a great thorn in his side, considering that I am a Queen, with a responsibility to my people, that duty falls to me. That said…I think it high time to prove one can simply walk into Mordor."

Nothing more remained to be said as she looked at her heir as if impressing the memory into her mind, and giving a last curt nod.

"Zelkova, you have the helm," she told him, bowing slightly in acknowledgement of his new status as Master of the Slums.

"Yes, my Qu—"

"Kaede," Helba insisted, giving him the name of her new form. "Not any longer your queen, just Kaede. Now go, and prepare for the transition."

Then the Queen of the Dark turned her attention to the dothackers, and to the former Goddess who had for some now, stood by her side.

"Well, my friends, the last battle is upon us, it seems," the noblewoman in red spoke gravely. "Skari, Tomoyami, Morganna…I'm counting on you to confront Siarl and save Lycoris from the clutches of the Angel of…well, I suppose he's the Angel of Fate now, isn't he? Warp to the Creator's Room and stop the corruption in The World. As for me, I will divert their attention by entering the Outer Dungeons where Siarl is mustering his forces and attacking…he won't take my presence lightly, and I can at least prevent reinforcements from attacking your position."

Skari took a deep breath as if mulling over the possibilities in his head, then nodded. If this was what it took to bring back the Lost and save Lycoris, he had sworn to see things to the end. Bound by his words to his inner self, he could not run away.

'Besides, I'm living on borrowed time already…if I don't act now…it may be too late.'

He shared a meaningful glance with his partner Tomoyami, the pale pigtailed girl who was clutching onto her scythe as if it were the anchor for her existence.

"The Angels and AIDA have taken too much from us already…they took Touji, they took Kensuke, Rei, and now Lyco-chan too?" the Chaotic PK murmured in a deadly tone. "Let's go…everything AIDA has done, everything the Angels have done…let's pay them back once and for all."

She reached out and gave the Adept Rogue's hand a quick squeeze, one so quick he wondered if it had happened in the first place.

"Helba, Morganna, we're ready," Skari spoke for the two of them.

Morganna looked at the resolve upon their features and nodded, then turned her attention to her old enemy, ally, and lover.

"Helba," she said in sotto voce, so that the Children could not hear. "You know you'll die if you do this, right?"

But the Queen of the Dark only smiled and shook her head.

"We all have to die someday," the swordswoman spoke with Zen calm, a samurai having already accepted death as her companion. "And if so, we may as well face it unflinchingly and with honor. That is the nature of a Queen, the dignity of a warrior. In time, I may be forgotten, but if The World itself is saved, there will be new legends to be spun in time…"

And then a trace of amusement entered into her voice, as she lifted one of her holy blades.

"…besides, I've just about perfected a new technique I've been meaning to try out."

"Oh?" Morganna asked, wondering just what it could be. "A technique, you say? Enlighten me as to what it might be."

"Simply put, it is called Tsubame Gaeshi," the Queen of the Dark related, a glint in her dark eyes. "The Turning Swallow Cut, the legendary technique of Sasaki Kojirō, said to be able to cut a bird from mid-flight."

"Heh…well then, my dear enemy, I suppose those are worthy reasons," the former Goddess acknowledged, raising an eyebrow. "But if you think I'm going to let you do this alone, you'd best think again. One swordswoman, no matter how great, cannot hold back the churning tide forever…"

"And you can?" Helba asked skeptically. "What about the other dothackers?"

"Not alone, but by your side, I will grant you the Morrigu's wings," Morganna said with determination. "As for the others, they will be fine, as Zefie and the Azure Knights are on the scene…and Skari is himself a—"

"Very well, that is acceptable," the Dark Queen relented, allowing the change in roles.

"Good…besides, I'm the only one allowed to defeat you, my dear enemy," the Phantom Queen continued, a hint of teasing in her voice.

"As if you ever have," Helba shot back, turning her attention to the group as a whole. "Alright then, my friends, let us go once more unto the breech. Even if in the process one of us dies, know this…that it is an honor to fight by your sides."

"But we won't die," spoke the Adept Rogue Skari, taking a deep breath as he imbued himself and his ally Tomoyami with magical protections. "We will win because…we have no other choice."

With that, rings of azure light shimmered into existence, warping the four warriors to their fated final battlefields…