Times have never been bad for The NEW Gang…

Ayame Kajou was reborn, but she chose to die, not without saying goodbye to Tanukichi Okuma, the boy she loved…

Kana Koumoto died by The Boss, Haruhi Suzumiya, after learning that she was selling drugs, for no good reason, and that she wanted Okuma dead, because his father knows her secret… However, her body was reborn, only to aid her friends to one last mission…

Man "Mossan" Motoyama died at the hands of Haruhi/Camie, but in an ounce of hope, learned of her true visage…

And now, if you remember, last chapter… Tomomi Hetada is dead… Inside June's body, thanks to Chariot Requiem and the power of the arrow, she was killed, presumably by The Boss, inside a random body. June healed her own body and returned to it. But it didn't save Pets…

With Kana (in Haruhi's body), Yamabuki (in the turtle), June, Beth (in Emily's), Emily (in Beth's), Okuma (in Nanao's), and Nanao (in Okuma's) remaining, what comes next?

Requiem (Part 3)
Episode 13, Chapter 3: My Final Goodbye…
End Haruhi Suzumiya…

Forlorn over Pets' death, the rest are sitting down, upset. Beth/Emily was being comforted by June, who was upset. June said, "I'm so sorry, Beth."

Beth/Emily moaned, "Hm? No… Don't be. We were too late, that's all… Still… Why did Pets have to die, like Mossan and Kajou?"

June whispered, "Shh… It's alright, Sis… You have me, now…"

Emily/Beth was watching on, completely sad. She whispered, "Beth really cared for Pets… like she was her partner… Even so, without Pets, Beth's Aero-Bunny is all we got. NO Galaxy Train means NO advanced radar. Dammit… We didn't even know…"

Kana/Haruhi replied, "You seemed upset over the little one… Well, not that it matters, but you're still you, Emily Maynard."

Emily pouted, "Hmph! Like I care for that little fucker…"

Kana said, "Don't be. Deep down, you do care for her… Like how she cared for Pets."

Emily sighed, "Yeah…"

Miz-K NOTE: To avoid any more confusion, now that June has regained her body, we will no longer use the "soul/body" method, constantly.

Kana replied, "All my life… I was lonely… Tomomi Hetada was my first best friend I ever had…" She explained, "When I was a kid… I was so lonely. Pets and I shared a bond… only… Only to reveal later that our friendship was fake. She actually thinks that I was butting into other people's lives. She was leaving for Mars… and she didn't even tell me. I tried to pretend that this wasn't real. I tried to pretend that it was all in the past, like it never happened. Even so… I lost Pets, again. This time, forever…"

The shimmering ocean from that day was burned into our memories…
The days go by, even though we never took off.
I suppose I knew this time was to come… I knew, I pretended not to be… pretended not to notice… I thought if I pretended long enough, everything could stay the same… but…

Kana whispered, "Pets… Mossan will join you, soon enough… Once we succeed, it'll all be over, and we can go back to the way things were." She sobbed, "I really… I really…" She wept tears, closing her eyes, and whispered, "Mossan… Pets… Why?"

Emily felt uneasy, as she said, "I know how it feels, Kana… You were lonely, yet…" She explained, as she growled, "But that little brat… That piece of shit… I still remember that day, when she let that vampire rip my tooth out, out of a dare, when I was held hostage. It burned into my memories, knowing how much I hated her… But… She saved my life… That's why…"

"I think it's because… You do care for her…"

Emily watched on, seeing Beth sad. But she whispered, "She saved my life… she talks shit at me… she acts like a total asshole… But she and June are family. June's my friend, after all. We had our moments, especially with the moments back in Switzerland, New York, and Italy. I don't know if I can forgive Beth… anytime soon… but Beth's all June has now… and if she dies by The Boss's hands, I'll never forgive myself, either way. If she dies, then she dies… but still, annoying little bastard that she is… I have to protect her. She's just a kid… yet… she can handle things, on her own." She sighed, as she muttered, "I guess I have gone soft on the little brat."

Yamabuki watched on, as she snarled, "That bastard! This is a nightmare, and someone has ta stop this! Hetada's death… It was out of nowhere! Kana Koumoto's body is disabled… only it is never moving now. Who's controlling it?" She stared at Kana's prone body (unknown on who or what is possessing her) and thought, "This should never have happened. It's like that if there were two Haruhis! Or four! Or… even… an army…" She gasped, "NO! Wait! That girl I saw in spandex… Could it be? Were both of them… one physical body… with TWO DIFFERENT SOULS?!"

She called out, "Koumoto! I GOT IT! Haruhi Suzumiya must've had two different personalities! That is the only possible answer!" Kana gasped, as Yamabuki continued, "The one that is in yer body was the girl I met, earlier. She and Haruhi may share a physical body, but their souls are separate!"

She explained that she was born with two souls in her body, "A traumatic childhood effect could easily fissure it. As the individual grows, so does the fissure… until the soul becomes split. Over time, the second personality distinguishes itself from the original… with one of them soon becoming dominant. It's a well-documented disorder. One of The Gang has it, but had grown to control it, completely. But Haruhi Suzumiya is much different. What I am saying is no mere conjecture. Reports from across Europe has confirmed that even one's physical form can change, once the dual personalities alternate. Requiem managed ta extract the two souls from Haruhi's body, which is now harboring the soul of Koumoto. The girl's soul traveled ta Koumoto's body, but it's unknown where Haruhi's soul has gone ta. She must've traveled ta a random body of a citizen, and used it as her new vessel. That's how Haruhi took us by surprise. We didn't think she'd still be roaming around in a different vessel."

Kana gasped, as Beth moaned, "This shit hurts my head."

June asked, "Two personalities?!"

Emily said, "So, that's why The Boss has been hiding."

Yamabuki continued, "As we speak, countless civilians are awakening. The yeast will grow bigger, by the minute… and that may cut down our chances of finding Haruhi. I'm certain, if she does, she'll encounter us again, and finish the job!"

Kana said, "That's one scenario. However, it's just as likely she's nowhere near us, right now. Haruhi wants the arrow, too… which is why Pets was the first one targeted. She's blinded us. Beth is our only radar left… though, Pets was a supporter for Aero-Bunny, but now she's gone. It's enabling her to move about freely! NO ONE can track her! Even if Aero-Bunny assists us, Beth's Stand may turn on her and shoot her, if we get to the arrow."

Yamabuki replied, "Yes, but even so… Ya must get the arrow from Chariot Requiem. There's no point in going on, hunting fer Crimson War Goddess, while Requiem has the arrow. That is why we must get ta my Stand, before she does."

Kana asked, "Do you remember which way he went?"

Yamabuki said, "To the west. He's left a trail of people, regaining consciousness in his wake."

Okuma cried, "Wait a minute, are you seriously going to chase him down, like that? What about your mangled body?"

Nanao said, "Not to worry. I avoided her vital organs… but knowing what the girl is doing in Kana Koumoto's body, she will not get up, anytime soon. I made sure of that."

Emily said, "Right. Kashima-san and I will stay at the Colosseum. The rest of you, go get Chariot Requiem, and get that arrow back, before Haruhi does!"

Kana said, "She's right. If we all leave, there's a chance that the girl in my body may escape, if she is able to get up, that is. Maynard, Kashima, I leave that to you two. Don't forget… You, Maynard, do not have a Stand, yet you are still open to The Boss's attacks."

Emily said, "I know. But I'm responsible for letting that bitch in the Colosseum, in the first place. But even so… I'm going to get back at The Boss, if she comes back. For now, you guys go on ahead. Kashima-san and I will handle things here. But…"

She grabbed her hand and said, "The minute we defeat Haruhi Suzumiya, once and for all, I quit! I want nothing to do with this backwards Famiglia, anymore!"

Kana said, "So be it. Once Crimson War Goddess is defeated, you're officially expelled from the Famiglia. ALL of you! Haruhi Suzumiya is evil to the core, and we all fled from her hand. Even now, we are all traitors to the famiglia, so resigning is out of the question. Once she is killed, it's all over… and then we move on. Even before the famiglia… I've had hardships… and I lost the only two friends I ever had… Emily, June, Kashima, Beth… I promise, when this is over, I'll treat you guys to ramen."

Emily nodded, "Deal!"

June placed her hand on a pillar and said, "Pets…" She was talking to Pets' corpse, "Stay put, alright? We'll be right back. You'll be safe here. I promise, we'll get you home, once this is over. I won't let anyone hurt you again." She stepped back and smiled, "And don't worry… Kana is sorry for everything… as does she forgive you, for what you've done. When we finish this, and it's done… I promise… You'll return home."

She dashed off, as the pillar sprouted a long strand of vines, wrapping around Pets' body. June, Kana, Beth, Okuma, & Yamabuki left the Colosseum, as Emily & Nanao stayed behind, watching over Kana's body, harbored by the soul of Camie.

"Watch out for any abnormal sightings! Let's go!" Kana boomed, as they went to find Requiem. Okuma stopped, as he suddenly sensed her.

Beth called, "Okuma, what are you doing? Hurry up!"

He moaned, "Uh… Right…"

He raced off, as Crimson War Goddess was lurking in the darkness.

XXXXX

At the west area of the Colosseum, they were able to locate Requiem, and then started running. They passed a lot of people, swapped from their souls, with each other. A policeman, who is actually the robber, then grinned, seeing Nanao's body, running past him. He snickered, "Ahhh… fresh thicc-ness." He chased after her and said, "HEY! You're under arrest! How about you spread your pretty legs over to me, baby?"

Beth stopped in front of the policeman, and then hissed, "Now I know you're not a policeman… Next you'll say "Get out of the way, whore! This hot babe's mine!"

"Get out of the way, whore! That hot babe's mine!" He hissed, but gasped, "Eh?"

POW!
Beth landed a huge left to the policeman, and then grinned, handcuffing him to a pole, tethered to his face, "Well, he's not Haruhi, that's for sure."

Okuma asked, "What are you doing?"

Beth said, "Well, this guy was about to paw ya, but I stopped him. Luckily, he was a policeman, but his soul's a pervert."

Okuma gasped, "WHAAAA?"

Yamabuki said, "Good call, but I'm afraid that Requiem is getting away!"

Beth groaned, "Ugh! Don't remind me! That pervert was about to paw Okuma! Doesn't he know that his soul was switched, too? And I thought he was The Boss!"

They stopped running, and transitioned to walking. They were ten feet away from Requiem, as Kana said, "There he is. Now slowly…" She then examined, "It's become clear to me now. Requiem has neither directional nor emotional objectives. Though, we have arrived at him, not once he looked at us. There's no doubt he's a living organism… even if the resemblance to a rubber figurine would suggest, otherwise."

She tripped Requiem, and he dropped the arrow. Kana called, "In his mind, I've yet to register him as a threat. But even if I did, he's not much of a fighter. Still, his physical presence is quite real. He's been seen and touched, yes." She announced, "June, grab the arrow, and hurry!"

June reached for the arrow, but was nervous. Beth said, "What are you waiting for, June? You don't have a Stand. You'll be fine."

June placed her hand on it, but it showed black misama from her pores. She gasped, as Hanajima's voice called, "NOT YET!"

She gasped, as Hanajima's voice called, "Don't touch it yet… It's not time. I know you are NOT a Stand User, but patience. That arrow is all-powerful… but you cannot reach it, yet…"

June nodded, as she whispered, "I can't…"

Beth asked, "Even you?" She then picked up a rock and threw it. But it flew towards Beth, only for Okuma to catch it. Beth moaned, "Not good… Even June can't pick it up, and she's not a Stand User! I'd pick it up, but what good does it to me?"

June said, "It's not just our Stands. Anything we throw at it, it sends flying right back to our faces. This arrow might really be untouchable… but Master Hanajima… She says… It's not ready yet… What the hell did she mean?"

Kana said, "And here he comes again!" Requiem got up slowly, as Okuma cried, "How the hell are you going to pick the arrow up? It's like it's mocking us!"

Yamabuki had an idea, "Hey, curious… Requiem won't allow Stand Users ta pick up the arrow. But June Nevins has no Stand, let alone… her aura and her will is telling her not ta. So, I had this thought. What if the person without a Stand tried their luck? Would they succeed?"

Beth barked, "What do I look like, a Stand-ologist or something?" She gasped.

Yamabuki grabbed the arrow with her mouth and said, "Then… Leave it ta yer Bookie, fam!"

Okuma gasped, "What is she doing?"

She struggled to lift it up, as she stated, "I've been reduced from a ninja girl ta an android, and now ta a feeble reptile, fighting fer my dear soul! Since my Chariot has become sentient, that means I'm no longer a Stand User. It can't repel me."

Requiem went after them, as Yamabuki cried, "Beth Nevins! The time has come! Take the arrow and impale your Stand to it, now!"

Beth gasped, as she whispered, "M-Me?" June thought, "Wha-? HER?"

Hanajima's voice called, "Get it away from Beth, now! She's NOT ready!"

June growled, "No… What do I do?"

XXXXX

Meanwhile, Emily & Nanao were keeping watch, until they spotted Yamabuki's android body. Emily started fixing it, as she muttered, "Rotten child hands… I'm too small to fix her completely. Even so…" She was fixing up inside, as she responded, "This robot body… I know this tech…"

She then saw a few circuits inside, as Nanao asked, "Wait… This original body of Yamabuki Suou… It's damaged, but… Hey! It looks like my circuitry, when you fixed me up. … … …uh, back when I had my older body."

Emily growled, "I can't believe it! Damned ninja girl, she stole my prototype!"

"You recognized it?"

"I do… I was offered to test out an android host body for The Speedwagon Foundation, June's mother's affiliates, before she left The Gang. They offered me money to build the robot body, and I was greedy enough to give in for the Pounds. But I never expected them to get my old robot shell back!"

"You mean… I wasn't the first you created?"

"Oh, relax! I'm just too uncertain about this. I lost count of how many androids I built, and the first batch were deemed failures. But this one… I made her so curvy with a sexy hourglass body… only… They shrunk her boobs!" Emily complained, "She's a B-Cup?" She went to her loincloth and said, "Still… The attire seems lewd, but fair. Is that a sumo thong?"

She grinned, but Nanao punched her in the head.

BONK!
"Owwwwwwwwww…" Emily sobbed, "What the hell was that for?"

Nanao said, "My apologies, but the way you grin, in Beth Nevins' body, it's almost as if you are underage for peeking into a robot's bare crotch and buttocks. Plus, said body, you are 10 years old, and not for you."

Emily grumbled, "Fine… If it makes it look awkward, I'll lay off! I didn't even finish, before Koumoto came along. But yeah… by the looks of it, it's easily repairable. Once we get our bodies back, Yamabuki's robot body will be good as new."

"What of Tomomi Hetada?"

"Who cares about Pets? She's dead, alright?" Emily huffed, and then whispered, "Still… If I did, I'd save her life, making her into a cyborg. But that's passed." She sighed, "Even so… What a mess I am in… And it's not even over with. The Boss is somewhere, as does her Stand. By the way, check on her body."

Nanao looked, as he said, "No… No signs of movement. Still… Why are you not caring about Kana Koumoto's body?"

Emily said nothing. She then growled, "Look… Between you and me… if you did hit her vital points, I don't know if she'll make it."

"It's not like she bled out or anything."

"True… but…" she sighed, and then thought, "I can't tell Kashima-san… I can't tell Beth or Okuma. And it's far too late to tell Kana's allies, since they bit it. Even though this evil girl's soul is inside Kana, her body's useless now. Blind as a bat, trouble hearing, skin tearing apart, no feeling in her skin… Even so…"

Emily said to him, "Kashima-san, if she gets up again, shoot her down. But don't kill her."

"I won't." Nanao said, "I made sure not to hit her vital points. Her body's still breathing, but… barely… I'd like to know who this girl is."

Emily said, as she was closing the stomach panel of Yamabuki's body, "What difference does it make? You heard Yamabuki! She's an alter-ego of The Boss, Haruhi Suzumiya. What's in a name?"

"You may be right… And healing her is out. I don't think Tanukichi Okuma's body isn't into my healing powers."

"That's because it's built-in. Okuma can't control it, in your body. But he can control his Stand. You, however, I'm surprised that you were able to use your Octo-Eros, firing from your hands."

Nanao held a gun and said, "No… But this helped."

Emily huffed, "What the hell are you doing with a Beretta?!"

Nanao said, "Like I said, I have upgrades built-in my former body. But I cannot function Octo-Eros, if I am human. So, I figured we do it, manually and realistic."

"Where did you even get it?"

"On the ground, the minute I woke up."

Emily sighed, and then clicked a button. The body was still lifeless. Emily said, "Well, for the most of it, it's still deactivated… without her soul."

A shadow appeared, as Nanao said, "Do you think it's busted?"

"Not really… We'll tell Yamabuki about this, when-." She gasped, as she sensed something. "N-N-N-Nanao?"

She trembled, as Nanao turned around. Kana's body was standing up, as she was moaning. It was Camie, inside Kana's body. Nanao cried, "It's alive!"

Emily snarled, "BUGGER! Kana's body's a zombie!"

"No, I don't think it's a zombie! What now?"

"SHOOT IT DOWN! DON'T JUST STAND THERE, GAWKING AT IT!"

Nanao aimed, "Understood! Octo-Eros, ground that body! Forgive me, Kana Koumoto…"

She shot it down, aiming at her chest and legs. Camie gagged, as she coughed up blood. She collapsed to the ground, and Nanao sighed, "PHEW! Talk about too easy."

Emily huffed, "Thank god. No damage?"

"Only gunshot wounds. Missed any vital point, and she's stable enough."

Emily groaned, "Stable enough, she says…"

"Huh? Did I stutter, Master?"

"No, I meant-."

Yamabuki's body sat up, as she beeped, "Hello. I am Bookie-05."

They gasped, as Emily cried, "SHE'S ALIVE! ALIVE, I TELL YOU! ALIVE!" She gasped in horror, "WAIT! THAT'S NOT COOL, AT ALL! HOW IS SHE-?"

The android stood up and beeped, "Hello. I am Bookie-05. I am an Alter-Ego Unit. Prepare to be defeated. Fight!"

Emily cried, "Oh, pooh!"

WHAM!
"AAAAAAAAAGH!" Nanao was taken down, as the robot landed a blow to Nanao's torso, which is Okuma's own body. Nanao coughed out blood and gagged, "M-Master…"

Emily cried, "KASHIMA-SAN!" She roared, holding up her sword, using Beth's small body, "I haven't used this stance, in this height, in a while… Blasted robot! HAVE AT THEE!"

She swung back, but the sword flew out of her hand. She gasped, "No…"

The android beeped, "Destroy! Destroy!"

Emily hollered, as she was being cornered, "BETH NEVINS, YOU ASSHOLE!"
POW!
She and Nanao, in Beth & Okuma's bodies, were easily defeated.

XXXXX

Outside the Colosseum, Requiem went after Beth, who was about to get the arrow. But June pulled her out of the way. She cried, "NO! Don't let him get the arrow again!"

Kana cried, "Merda! This is bad!"

Requiem went to the arrow, but Beth fired bullets at Requiem's head. It fell, as Beth said, "Well, I may not get it, yet, but this will suffice to putting him down, for a while. Now… Aero-Bunny has to get pierced, and it's all set? No problem."

She flew over to the arrow, but then it passed the arrow and crashed into the ground, nearly wrecking it. Beth cried, "WHAT THE HELL?"

Yamabuki said, "I was afraid of this… Beth… The arrow, it does not choose ya…"

Beth moaned, "Aw, what a gyp!" She smiled, "But imagine… Aero-Bunny Requiem. That sounded so cool!"

June sighed in relief, "Thank god… Beth isn't chosen by the arrow. But still, Yamabuki said for her to be pierced by the arrow, using only her Spirit Caller, but… It whizzed through the arrow, like it was nothing."

Beth said, "Looks like Aero-Bunny's grounded. I still have my secret weapon."

Okuma asked, "So, now what? Do we go after Requiem, before it tries again?"

BANG! BANG!
Beth shot the arrow away from Requiem and said, "It's a good thing that I stole that policeman's gun. Rabbits, I summon you!"

One of her white rabbits appeared and snatched the arrow away from Requiem. June thought, "Beth's a Stand User now, albeit a Spirit User… but her rabbits are NOT part of her Stand. They are part of her psychic powers. So, it won't repel from her. Sadly, there's still the matter of the arrow's power, including why it went through Aero-Bunny."

Requiem got up, and chased forward. Beth cried, "Ah, shit! It's getting up! What the hell is his deal?"

But it wasn't after Beth. Yamabuki said, "No, stand down! It's my life he's after! Simply havin' the arrow back is no longer enough."

June kicked Requiem down, and Beth shot at his legs. Yamabuki replied, "Yes. Requiem now seeks ta punish me, because I dared ta touch the arrow."

June cried, "SIS, RUN!"

Beth grabbed Yamabuki and dashed off to a lamppost. She cried, "DAMMIT! Why didn't I get that asshole's bullets?! I need to reload!" The rabbits appeared, as they had cloud-like shells presented to her, "That'll work. But I need time to reload! I mean, Nanao can handle firearms, but I'm still a child, albeit inside Emily's adult body!"

She leapt upwards and climbed up the post. Requiem stumbled down, and got up, resuming its slow walk. Beth whined, "Damn it all… Get back here, ya coward!" She called, "Sis, get Yamabuki! Get ready, I'm gonna-!"

SMASH!
Beth gasped, as Yamabuki was knocked off her hands, "God dammit! Can't you wait until I finish, you idiot?"

Requiem escaped in a slow walk, as Beth slid back down. Beth asked, "You okay, Ms. Yamabuki?"

Okuma said, "She looks fine… but still."

Yamabuki said, "Beth, did ya remember what I said at the Colosseum? I confess that I cannot fully grasp the extent of Requiem's powers, but that is now changed. It won't be long… before we…" She suddenly produced a third eye and growled, "Requiem has struck…"

They all gasped, as Yamabuki cried, "This is all but the first stage in Requiem's plans - slow mutation! His intention wasn't just ta swap souls with one another, but transform us into completely different beings! It's like he's resettin' the world in his image, recreatin' from er'ry single one of the people in Italy! The prelude is complete, but now comes the crescendo! And whether or not I live is irrelevant! The history of the world has unfolded for four and a half billions of years, and Requiem will thrust in a New World, in a matter of hours!"

June whispered, "Another Moji Mikisa? No… It cannot happen again… I heard reports about everyone saving the alternate worlds from corruption… but it can't happen again. Not because of Yamabuki's ex-Stand!"

But… Crimson War Goddess was examining Requiem and said, "Fascinating… The true nature of his powers intrigues me. Grazie, children. Your help has been most valuable to me. The path forward is clear. With nothing in my way, the arrow will soon be mine, and it's all thanks to you!"

Yamabuki said, "There's no stopping this now. In a matter of hours, we will all become damnable mutants."

June said, "Then we better not waste any more time. Let's get a move on."

Beth yelled at Yamabuki, "You did this, you stupid ninja turtle! All you did is make things worse-!"

Kana cried, "THAT'S ENOUGH, BETH! Our focus is to get to Requiem, before it's too late! Let's go!"

She dashed off, as Yamabuki said, "Wait! Take me with ya!"

Beth barked, "Fuck you!" She ran off. June and Okuma followed, as Yamabuki cried, "WAAAAAAAAAAIT!"

Crimson War Goddess smirked, "Yes… Almost there… Run to him, you fools. I can feel the revelation of his secrets, faster and faster with each step you take. Let me seize the arrow, so the world will grovel at my feet!"

Kana cried, "We're almost there!"

June called out, "WAIT! EVERYONE STAND STILL!" They stopped, as she cried, "THAT'S IT! STAND STILL, AND DON'T MOVE A MUSCLE!" Beth moved, as June yelled, "I TOLD YOU TO FREEZE, BETH!"

Beth asked, "Wha-? What are you talking about?"

June said, "I'm sorry, but we'll deal with Requiem, later. Right now, we have a bigger problem."

Beth yelled, "But Sis, I don't want to be a mutant!"

"I took a look at your Spirit Caller, the one that jammed your turrets…" June held up Beth's Spirit and said, "It's no question or answer, you were sabotaged."

"Sabotaged?!"

"Someone bent your turret to the point of not firing. And there's a piece missing."

Kana said, "June, what are you saying?"

June said to Kana, "I need you to stay in place, too! You need to stay here, as well! Trust me!"

Beth whined, "Siiiiiiiiiiiiiis, I wanna go after Requiem! If Aero-Bunny didn't fire, it's obvious that I was out of ammo! Besides, this Beretta will suffice, until Aero-Bunny gets patched up! And I refuse to unleash it, especially with The Boss in tow."

June said, "You're right. But it's far more likely to be something else." She held up Aero-Bunny's dislodged turret, and a mole approached her hand. "I gave part of your Spirit life and let it loose. It's blind, but its nose will make it up. It can pick up things that our eyes might miss." She recovered the piece and said, "This little guy managed to recover this piece of the puzzle."

Beth gasped, "So, it was sabotage? Then, who would've done it? June, you do realize that Requiem is getting away, and that me, you, Okuma, and Kana were all present with Yamabuki. No one else was here, when my Aero-Bunny was attacked!"

"That's just it!" June said, "No one else was here. So, it's pretty obvious! Remember, her range is 2 to 3 meters!"

Kana gasped, "J-June, you don't mean…"

Okuma cried, "You mean… The Boss's soul… is…"

June said, "No one got anywhere closer to Pets, when she was killed, either. NO ONE… besides any of us. One of us did it… only inside one of us… is The Boss!"

Yamabuki gasped, as June continued, "Miss Suou, if it's really what you said, and The Boss is able to possess two personas, then that means she is able to grab a random body of her choice. My guess… Haruhi is hiding out inside one of us. Think about it! Why hasn't Okuma been able to sense her, at all? And that's not the only thing. She's also waiting for us to die, doing her dirty work. Do you get it now? She's the reason why Aero-Bunny broke."

Beth stammered, "Wha-? Uh… You mean… But I cannot sense her… So, it's not me, right?"

June said, "Then the person closest to it… was you, too."

Beth gasped, "Wait… I'm not-. Sis, you can trust me! I'm like you! There's no way it's me!" She pondered, "Wait… Let's see… before Pets was killed, I was far away from her, to gather another area in the distance…"

The Stand gasped, "Merda… June Nevins, that bitch! I have to act quickly! Requiem is slipping from my grasp! June Nevins, you pestilent brat!"

June said, "She's inside one of us. That's all I know for sure. But what we do know is that we backed her into a corner. Haruhi might be able to sic Crimson War Goddess on us, but she still can't completely control her physical host." The Boss growled, as she continued, "If she did have that kind of freedom, she wouldn't use subterfuge. She'd be able to finish us off, right away. It's exactly why she's restraining herself from appearing, because we're all standing here, alive. We have the upper hand! Let's not waste this chance!"

Beth cried, "Then kill the turtle! She led us to this trap, so kill her!"

"NO! That's not the case! Yamabuki did no such thing! Don't you remember? Requiem almost killed her, when she had the arrow, and only because she injured your Spirit Caller. The Boss wouldn't risk injury on her host body." She sensed Yamabuki and said, "Besides, I can only sense one soul inside her."

Kana asked, "You can discern souls?! That's good!"

June stated, "But there's a catch… If I cannot make physical contact, then no. Life energy comes in clusters. Direct touch tells me how many souls are in a clump. No other way… I'll have to touch each of you, to know."

Okuma nodded, "Good. Then touch me, first."

Kana said, "NO! You can trust me, June. I may have The Boss's body, but I can safely say that her soul is not inside. But I want to know… What if you fall into the Boss's range, if you get closer?"

June bit her finger and bled out. She said, "I'm going to count the blood drops from my hand, in case of how much time she skipped. Yamabuki used this method, when Haruhi entered the Colosseum, earlier. She was kind enough to teach me that, right before we left the Colosseum."

Yamabuki said, "That might help… if ya detect her. But the rest will be in yer hands, alone. The fates be willing. Ya might be able ta narrowly dodge her strike."

Beth muttered, as she said, "I know it's not me… I mean… If it is, The Boss knows Pets, when she killed her. I was far away from Pets."

June said, "Kana, you offered me to examine yourself first. If it's fair, then can I examine my sister, before you?"

Beth cried, "WAIT! Don't come any closer! You don't trust me?!"

Kana said, "You may go ahead, June."

Beth held up her gun and cried, "STAY BACK! I will not die, even from you, you fucker!" They gasped, as Beth said, "What if Haruhi was hiding in your body, June? Then what happens?"

June explained, "By the time Pets died, her body was an empty shell. I know, because my soul can travel seamlessly into it. Nothing stopped me. That's why I'm certain for sure… it's only just me in there. Haruhi killed me, only she killed Pets in my body, while my soul was inside Pets' body. But I would never do such a thing."

Beth huffed, "If you really are certain, since I can buy your story… Then tell me, why didn't you discern your soul, huh?"

Beth doesn't trust June, as she pointed her gun at her own sister. She believes that Haruhi was inside June, all this time.

"Sis, trust me! We can kiss the arrow goodbye, if we stall!"

"You can kiss your kneecaps goodbye, if you take one more step!"

Kana cried, "THAT'S ENOUGH! BOTH OF YOU!" She offered, "You can check me, June. And do it, NOW! We've wasted so much time bickering. You said it yourself. We have to seize The Boss, no matter what."

Yamabuki said, "There's no other way. Let's go. We must proceed, quickly. Koumoto first, then Beth, then Okuma."

June went closer to Kana-.
SHOOP!
Time skipped again, as they were closer. Crimson War Goddess attacked, as June cried, "SHE'S HERE!"

SLICE!
Crimson War Goddess slashed off June's right arm. She collapsed.

Beth yelled, "JUNE!" She aimed her gun at the Stand, but…

Okuma cried, "HANG ON! I'll save you! WONDER MAN, TO THE RESCUE!"

Kana hollered, "NO, STOP! SHE WAS IN YOU!"

Crimson War Goddess emerged from Okuma's body, or rather Nanao's body! Crimson War Goddess grabbed Wonder Man and cried, "Surprise, my friend! So, I got to see your Stand, face-to-face, now, inside this little doll!"

Kana cried, "What speed. She was able to jump on us, at an alarming rate!"

The Boss sneered, "This robot body, I think it belongs to the green-haired one… So, your body is back at the Colosseum. Good. This will be sufficient… Your body is that of a puppet, so it'll be useful to me."

"RELEASE HIM, AT ONCE!" Kana cried, as Alt-RC attacked. But The Boss avoided it. She cried, "She's coming for the next strike! Get re-!"
SHOOP!
Okuma dashed off, as time skipped. The Boss is controlling Okuma in Nanao's body.

Beth cried, "Did she forget to kill us, first? Why is she running away?"

Kana said, "It's likely that she's saving us for later. Her only focus is the arrow. It's the only thing that matters to her! Shoot her down, Beth! I don't care if it's Kashima's body, but Haruhi cannot get the arrow!"

Beth said, "Right." She fired, but did nothing.

"DO IT! I don't care if it's the robot's body!"

Beth stammered, "That's just it… I did fire at her!"

Kana gasped, "Merda! She did it again, did she?"

Beth nodded, as The Boss was able to escape, avoiding the rabbit shots, heading in her direction, "The bitch has already skipped time, with every step she's taken! It's not Octo-Eros, but they are heat-seeking shots! But she wouldn't let them touch her! Damned boss knew our every move!"

Kana and Beth chased after her, "AFTER HER! Don't let her get the arrow!"

They headed off to another part of Rome, as The Boss caught up to Requiem. But then noticed its feet.

"That shadow…" She said, "That explains everything…" She looked in each perspective, and then smirked, "Interesting… Requiem's shadow always points to behind him, by the view of one person's sight… almost like sunlight shining straight at the person. That must mean… to that man's view, he could not see the shadow, either, only mine. Yes, I figured you out! That's the secret to Requiem's power. The man can only see my shadow, but to Koumoto, the shadow is pointing towards her, but not Requiem's! In other words, the shadow does not appear from Requiem, in the eyes of the observer! Abusive shade! Your powers are exposed! I know all about your soul powers! Requiem is the silhouette of the soul! To face it is to contend with the shadow of one's own mind! Therefore, attacking it is futile. It's akin to attacking one's own self! If I destroy that thing now, the arrow will be mine! Wherever a shadow travels to, a source of light is nearby!"

She senses the sun and faces Requiem, preparing a huge blow, "Yes! There it is! The only place that it is hiding… IS BEHIND MY SOUL!"

SMASH!
The Boss destroyed Requiem, and then grasped onto the arrow. Beth cried, "NO! Dammit!"

The Boss cackled, "YES! At long last, it's mine again! It was a brief struggle, but I have the arrow within my grasp, again! Behold, the final victor is I!"

"Not so fast!" June said, reattaching her arm, "You should know better than to gloat in more than 25 words, Haruhi Suzumiya… I don't care if you get your vile hands on the arrow, the fight goes on! Luckily, the blood she spilled, from my arm, was only matter. No different than anything else!"

She stood up and called, "You gloated long enough that you lose again, Boss! The blood in your hand…" She snapped her fingers, and the blood on Crimson War Goddess's left hand produced termites. It munched on the wooden part of the arrow, breaking it off. It was now nothing more than an arrowhead with a small stick of wood.

"WHA-? WHAT'S HAPPENING? TERMITES?!" The Stand cried, "It's eating the arrow! Goddamned mongrel!"

The arrow fell, as June dashed off, "Not too bad. But I gotta catch up to them, and quickly!"

The Boss dove after it, and Kana cried, "FIRE AGAIN, BETH!"

Beth fired, and the arrow is shot away from The Boss's reach. But a man flew towards the arrow, and was mutilated by the bullets. The arrow knocked towards The Boss's feet. She giggled, "Did you truly believe that your slow wits could ever counter my mastery? There are no flaws to exploit. As i'm sure you've recently learned. However, Kana Koumoto, your gaggle of hens have already tried, and failed… miserably. I never imagine that you'd be foolish enough to betray your own famiglia, just to get rid of me… nor did I ever believe you had the audacity to reveal my true identity!" She went forward, "BUT… this path has already led me to the true power of the arrow! FATE NEVER FAILS! A fitting reward for someone to overcome one's flaws and past!"

She grabbed the arrow, and-!
SLASH!
The arrow flew into the air, towards June and the others.

"What?"

"Wonder Man…" Okuma regained consciousness, as he smirked, "Surprise. I didn't want to have you reach your grubby mitts onto that arrow."

He turned the bullets inside her hand into rubber, bouncing the arrow off of her hands, like it was a slingshot, ready to strike.

"Okuma! How long were you awake?"

"I, too, will conquer my past! I refuse to be afraid, to live with despair! I won't run from it! If it gets in my way, I won't run!"

Beth cried, "I GOT IT! MINE!" She was chasing after the airborne arrow, "I GOT IT! Suck it, Haruhi! The arrow's coming to my grasp! Once I have it, it's over!"

The Boss snarled, "Damn you… Impudent brat! AND YOU, YOU BASTARD! Zenjuro should've never brought you into this world! Seems I've yet to escape my past!" She roared, "ACCURSED WORM! NOW I'M ANGRY!"

KAPOW!
Hitting Nanao's body's jaw, she and Okuma were sent flying. Okuma was knocked unconscious, as Haruhi laughed, "And there you go… Done and dusted."

June cried, "No, it can't…"

Haruhi cackled, "What was it you said about fate, you little culo? You climb to reach your fate. But I hope you like flying!"

Kana shrieked, "OKUMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

It whizzed past Beth, as she cried, "NO! Did she just-?"

Haruhi escaped Okuma's borrowed body, as his soul was separating from Nanao's body. "And with that, the last shred of hope expires, in my visage… just like your life."

Kana said, "It's… his soul!"

June cried, "We gotta act!"

Haruhi cried, "NOW TO SEIZE MY FATE!"

CLASP!
She caught the arrow!

Haruhi cheered, "AT LAST, YOU'RE MINE! THIS TIME, YOU WON'T ESCAPE MY GRIP! With this victory, fate's designs are finally realized! Now behold, as Crimson War Goddess's glorious ascension has begun! CRIMSON WAR GODDESS REQUIEM! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

But the arrow went through her hand, and hissed, "Nice try! This time, you won't leave my hold, any longer! It's all mine! MINE!"

Her hands turned transparent, and she gasped, "Wha-? Why are my hands idle? Wait, those brats! What could they have done to it?" She grabbed the arrow again, by try as she might, the arrow kept escaping her grip, "DAMMIT! Come on, you stupid arrow! FATE HAS CHOSEN ME! Why won't you hold still? YOU DAMNED CHILDREN CANNOT STOP ME!"

CRASH!
Okuma and Beth crashed into each other, as Crimson War Goddess left Okuma's body. The arrow flew down to the corner, near June's knees. But suddenly, cyan wind emerged from all around Rome. Souls were traveling off, and everything was going backwards.

"Wha-?" She cried, as she saw the souls returning, "WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT? But how? What's going on here? How can this be?"

Beth's soul emerged from Emily's body and asked, "Whoa… Glad to get out of this roomy body… Did I miss something here?"

June felt it and asked, "This wind… What could it be?"

Haruhi turned to Requiem, and shrieked, "GAAAAAAAH, NOOOOOOOOOO!" Requiem was dissolving into nothing.

"What a curious revelation, Boss." It was Kana's soul, emerging from Haruhi's body. "Despite all your ferving boasting, those allegedly flawless eyes didn't see this coming."

"YOU… ARROGANT SWINE!"

"Still, I want to thank you. You've shown us the path to victory." She held up a golden orb, covered in a small portal, and added, "Requiem's crux… is inside this small luminescent orb, floating to each and every one of our souls. One would need to only crush it."

Haruhi gasped, "No… You wouldn't!"

Kana stated, "You desire for the arrow stopped you from completely destroying Requiem."

"Don't do it, Koumoto!"

"I, however, have no intention for such inclination. It would be very simple. I could end it all, in a single blow."

"STOP! Think of what you're doing, Koumoto! Figure it out!" The Boss pleaded, "I, Haruhi Suzumiya, am the true leader, and I deserve that arrow! Have you forgotten that I rule all of you traitors?! Think rationally! Is anyone worthier? Can you name even one person, other than me, that can wield this power?"

June whispered, "Kana…"

Haruhi yelled, "YOU KNOW THAT I, AND I ALONE, AM WORTHY OF BEING QUEEN!" She turned to the arrow and dashed after it, "DAMN YOU! I WILL NEVER ALLOW YOUR FEEBLE HANDS TO TOUCH THE ARROW!"

Kana said, "No… I will not let you touch the arrow, either. All the souls that Requiem trapped… shall return where they belong… IMMEDIATELY!"

SMASH!
Alt-RC smashed the orb, and Requiem exploded into a huge mound of bloody chunks.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Beth's soul was flying off, leaving Emily's body.

Okuma's soul flew back to his own body, as he traded back with Nanao's soul.

Eros 2 called, "WHOA, I don't know what happened, but we did it!"

Eros 5 cheered, "We're going home! Nanao's body is going back to where we belong!"

Eros 7 said, "Kana Koumoto, you did it!"

Beth cried, as she saw Emily & Nanao's bodies fly away, "Wait… Why are our bodies flying away? The others got their souls back, but our bodies…" She screamed, as her body and soul returned to the spot where she was, likewise the others.

The clouds subsided, and Kana, radiated in a golden hue, was floating upwards to the heavens. June saw Kana ascending, and then gasped in shock.

June cried, "Wait! Kana…"

Kana's spirit was leaving, as she said to her, "June Nevins… Now… It's your turn."

"But… Kana… The body that we… No, don't tell me…" June was shocked. She knew that Kana's body was dead. That can only mean one thing…

"June… Thank you for all that you've done. When you and I first met in New York, when we joined forces against the famiglia, to stop The Boss… though my body may be marked for death by fate's hand, my soul is reborn. You revived my faith…" She flew off into the heavens, "Thank you for showing me true happiness. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. Give everyone my regards, won't you?" The sun shone at her, and Kana disappeared into the golden morning sky. Kana Koumoto was gone. Her soul left this world, after she was reborn of her faith.

"YOU IMPUDENT WRETCH!" The Boss hollered, "YOU DID ALL THIS, FOR ONE BOY? YOU'LL ROT IN HELL FOR THIS!" She was reaching for the arrow, but she couldn't. She was about to leave to her own body, Haruhi's body, "I'LL MAKE SURE THAT YOU REACH THE UNDERWORLD, MYSELF, YOU PILES OF EXCREMENT! THE ARROW IS STILL MINE!" She grabbed the arrow, but once again, it slipped out of her grasp.

Haruhi's soul flew off, leaving the arrow's grasp. Beth landed on the ground, but June caught her. Beth moaned, in pain, "Ungh… Thank god… I'm small again."

June smiled, "I'm glad you're alright."

Beth said, "Thanks, sis… Did you heal Okuma?" She looked on, and then said, "I see… So, Emily & Nanao got their bodies back, too. They're gonna be so pissed, knowing what Requiem and The Boss did to them… Owww! But my body… It hurts…"

Beth's body (with Emily's soul inside) had already fought the Yamabuki Robot, in a losing effort.

June smiled, "No bruises and lacerations will make anyone angry. I'm just happy you're back."

They hugged, as Beth whispered, "Let's never do that again." She moaned, "Hey, Sis? I know about Kana's death… I can sense it inside you. But… She'll be back. We'll see. Right?"

June laid Beth down and said, "Rest up, Sis. Leave this to me, okay?"

Beth nodded, "Sure…"

June looked around, as the golden wind surrounded her body. She then kneeled down and whispered, "Kana… Pets… Mossan… I'm so sorry…"

Suddenly, she held her right hand out and saw what was in her hands. It was the arrow. She nodded, as she whispered, "Kana…"

She looked up to the sky, as Kana spoke from above, "Do not worry, June Nevins… No need to fear. I'm simply returning to the path I was born to walk… The path to my origin… I'm going back. That's all…"

Kana vanished, as June bowed her head and prayed, "Kana Koumoto… I will do this for you… for Pets… for Mossan… and everyone… I promise… Haruhi Suzumiya… will pay!"

She gripped it and went serious. Hanajima's voice called out…
"She's ready…"

She's ready. June Nevins has the arrow now.
The final battle draws near. Stay tuned, as the final battle begins, next chapter!

EXTRA

Camie, inside Kana's body, while Emily & Nanao were fighting Yamabuki's rampaging android body, was croaking, dying. She reached for a broken phone, but couldn't.

"B-Boss…" she croaked, "So that's… where you were hiding, Boss… Found you… Thank god… Guess that's your new body… Mine's… already gone. I can't remember. What was I supposed to do, before I, like, was napping? You told me… that you had to go… that you would make it, right? I believe, as long as you're still in the game… you'll bring it all home, for the both of us…" she chuckled, as she was dying, "But still… I miss you… It would mean the world… If you'd… call again… B-Boss…"

After that, Camie let out a death rattle, and then died.

To be continued…