Tales of The Symphonic Abyss: Dawn of The Second Descendent

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Chapter 13: Battle Of The Two Swordsmen! Michael Vs. Van!

Van glared at the person that he had long thought was dead in front of him.

Michael – "Hello Van."

Van – "How are you alive?! You're supposed to be dead!"

Michael – "I know. But you could say that it's thanks to my three 'guardian angels' that I'm still here."

Legretta – "Tear!"

Velvet and the rest of the God-Generals had just joined with Luke and the others. Niko then noticed that they had two extra people with them.

Niko – "Izuku! Katsuki! What are you two doing here?"

Izuku – "We'll explain later Niko. For now, let's just support Michael as best we can."

Niko – "Right!"

Van – "You five would dare betray me!?"

Luke – "Why don't you look at who's talking! You Never Gave Them A Choice In The First Place!"

Largo – "Luke's right. Following you blindly would've done nothing but lead us to our own graves. It's thanks to Michael that the five of us now have a new path to follow."

Sync – "That's right. Having a different perspective on things makes seeing the true value in them all the better. Compared to your plan for getting rid of the Score, Michael's plan is way better because it doesn't involve bloody mass murder!"

Legretta – "If helping Michael save Aldurant means taking you down Van, then so be it."

Van had no idea what to do. Both Luke and the remaining God-Generals had betrayed him. He knew there was only one person to blame.

Van – "Why is this happening to me!?"

Michael had already drawn his sword. Van noticed that Michael's grip on his sword was slack and loose. He then lunged at Michael.

Van – "You Stubborn Brat!"

Legretta/Velvet – "Michael!"

Van swung at Michael. However, Michael did the one thing that no one saw coming.

Niko – "No way!"

Luke – "He…"

Everyone – "He stopped Van's sword!"

Faster than even Van could blink, Michael's sword went from hanging lazily in his hand at his side, to blocking Van's own sword from a horizontal strike in front of him. Van then noticed another problem.

Van – "What?! Why can't I move?"

Michael bent his sword back towards him, then flicked his wrist and sent Van skidding across the ground on his feet.

Van – "How!? How is he this strong!?"

Michael – "Good grief. Talk about pathetic."

Van gave off a low growl. Michael then pointed his sword at Van.

Michael – "Van Grants. No. Vandesdelca Musto Fende. I'm giving you one chance to prove yourself. You better not disappoint me."

(Insert Music: SAO Movie: Ordinal Scale OST – Catch The Moment)

Michael leaned forward, then struck at Van with a fury of sword strikes that were so quick the former Commandant could barely keep up.

Van – "How is he this quick!?"

Van wasn't the only surprised. Everyone else that was watching, including Izuku and Katsuki's classmates, as well as all their teachers, were just as stunned as Van with how quick Michael was moving.

-Sotto hakidasu tameiki wo suikonda koukai wa nigai aji nokoshite (I gently drank back the sigh I'd let out. Regret left a bitter taste behind.)-

Michael quickly spun in a tight circle while moving and swung at Van, who was just able to block it.

-Itsumo nande kanjin na koto ienai mama tsugi no asahi ga kao dashiteru (Why is it? I can never say the things that matter most. Next sunrise is peeking over the horizon.)-

Van – "Take This You Damn Brat! Rending Saber!"

Michael blocked most of the attack, suffering a few scratches in the process.

-Iya ni natta unmei wo naifu de kirikizande (But if I were to cut up this fate I've grown so sick of)-

Michael held his sword in front of him, placing his left hand over the blade.

Michael – "Soul Enhance!"

-Mou ichido yarinaoshitara kimi ni deaenai kamo (And start over once more… I might not be able to see you again!)-

Michael's sword glowed white. He then held it skyward.

Michael – "Skyward Strike!"

-Boku no koe ga hibiita toki ni hajimaru inochi no rimitto shinzou ga kaunto shiteru (The moment my voice rang out, my heart started counting the limits of this life:)-

Van took the full force of the attack, receiving numerous scars on his body. Michael then did another Soul Enhance.

-Kanaetemo kanaetemo owaranai negai (A wish that will never end, never end. No matter how many times it comes true!)-

Michael – "Getsuga Tensho!"

A black wave of energy ran across the ground and hit Van, knocking him back a good distance.

-Ase wo kaite hashitta sekai no byoushin wa itsuka tomatta boku o woiteyuku (running with sweat, the second of world will someday leave me stranded here, unmoving.)-

Luke – "Unreal. It's like Van can't do anything to Michael at all."

-Ato nankai kimi to waraeru no (How many more times will I be able to smile with you?)-

Despite his injuries, Van kept trading blows with Michael.

-Tameshiterunda boku wo Catch the Moment (I'm testing my own limits: Catch the Moment!)-

Michael – "I'll give you credit where it's due Van. But you're still too slow."

Van – "We'll see about that."

-Ikko shiawase wo kazoeru tabi ni kawatteiku mirai ni wobieteshimau kedo (Each happiness I account for… leaves me trembling in fear for my shifting future.)-

Van – "Lighting Tiger Blade!"

Michael dodged the attack with little effort, then struck back by stabbing Van in his left Shoulder.

-Aijou no tane wo taisetsu ni sodateyou (I'll carefully raise this seed of love;)-

Van – "Raging Blast!"

Michael couldn't dodge this attack as easily as the others due to it seemingly homing in on him. So he just put up a defensive stance and took it head-on. The attack did a good amount of damage, but not enough to severely hurt Michael in the long run.

-Buatsui kumo mo yagate tsukiyaburu ka na (I wonder if I can grow it tall enough to break through those thick clouds!)-

Van – "Seriously!? Nothing I do is working on him!"

-Kimi no koe ga hibiita boku no zenshin wo kayotte shinzou no doa wo nokku shiteru (Your voice rang out… traveling throughout my entire body, knocking on the door of my heart!)-

Van – "Such lamentation! I'll destroy you! Imperial Slaughter!"

-Okubyou demo akechaunda yo shinjitai kara (Even if I'm afraid, I'm gonna open it! Cause I wanna believe!)-

Michael was quickly caught off guard by Van's Mystic Arte. The attack tore through his body like he was being stabbed by thousands of knives.

-Nannimo nai to omotta hazu no ashimoto ni itsuka fukaku tashika na ne wo hayasu (Expecting nothing would grow beneath my feet, but someday grows out a deep, reassuring root)-

Legretta/Velvet – "Michael!"

Michael fell to the ground and hit. Hard. He then slowly fought to stand back up.

-Arashi no yoru ga kita to shitemo yuraidari wa shinai (Even if stormy nights come, it will never give way!)-

Michael – "Damnit! That's what I get for being so careless."

-Nandodemo oitsuitari oikoshitari kimi ga fui ni wakannakunatte (Again and again, Catching up to you… overtaking you… losing track of who you are…)-

Michael and Van continued trading blows, neither one backing down.

-Iki wo shita taimingu ga au dake de ureshikunattari shite (Then getting really happy when the timing of our breaths align…)-

Michael – "I won't let you win!"

-Atsumeta ichibyou wo eien ni shiteikeru ka na (I wonder if I can turn all these seconds I've gathered into an eternity!)-

Van – "Raging Blast!"

Michael – "Fonic Soul Burst!"

The two attacks collided, creating a massive explosion. Both fighters were nearing complete exhaustion at this point. Michael knew he has to end this now.

-Boku no koe ga hibiita toki ni hajimaru inochi no rimitto shinzou ga kaunto shiteru (The moment my voice rang out, my heart started counting the limits of this life:)-

Michael – "Soul!"

Soul – "Right!"

A second blade appeared in front of Michael, who grabbed it and entered his true sword fighting stance. One sword in front of him, and the other behind.

-Kanaetemo kanaetemo owaranai negai (A wish that will never end, never end, no matter how many times it comes true!)-

Michael yelled as his energy flared. He charged at Van. Van tried to hit Michael with a vertical strike, but Michael dodged and swung upwards, knocking Van's sword out of his hands and knocking him away.

-Ase wo kaite hashitta sekai no byoushin wa itsuka tomatta boku o woiteyuku (running with sweat, the second of world will someday leave me stranded here, unmoving.)-

Michael quickly chased Van. Van was somehow able to grab his sword despite his gruesome injuries, and went to block Michael's attack.

-Ato nankai kimi to waraeru no (How many more times will I be able to smile with you?)-

However, Michael instead lunged low past Van, then reached back and stabbed Van through the chest and stomach with his two swords. Van coughed up blood. Van then very slowly stood up after falling to the ground upon Michael pulling his swords out of Van's bloody body.

-Tameshiterunda boku wo Catch the Moment (I'm testing my own limits: Catch the Moment!)-

Michael – "Take This! Mother's Rosario!"

Michael stabbed Van five times in a straight line from right shoulder to left hip. Michael then pulled back and stabbed Van another five times from left shoulder to right hip. The eleventh and final strike was right in the middle of Van's torso, where the two lines of the first ten strikes overlap each other.

-Nogasanai yo boku wa (I won't let it go!)-

Michael jumped and lunged at Van again.

Michael – "This Is Your End!"

-Kono toki wo tsukame Catch the Moment (Gonna catch this point in time: Catch the Moment!)-

Michael hit Van with numerous diagonal and x-slashes, before ending it with a thrust and lunge.

Michael – "Starburst Stream!"

Michael was then behind Van. He returned his swords to their sheaths, which caused numerous cuts to appear on Van's body as he fell to the ground and lost consciousness.

(Music Ends)

Michael – "Such a pain…"

While the others were celebrating Michael's victory, Michael heard someone walking towards him while they were slowing clapping.

Michael – "And you are?"

? – "Let's just say… I'm someone who's surprised that you're still alive."

Before Michael could even respond, the mysterious person threw numerous jabs, hitting Michael's body in multiple places while he could barely defend himself. Michael fell to the ground in a heap.

Legretta/Velvet – "MICHAEL!"

The mysterious figure then pulled down their hood.

Legretta – "Rensho!?"

Velvet – "But Michael sent you flying back at Deo Pass. How did you get back here?"

Rensho – "Let's just say that I have my reasons. Along with nearly having the same powers as Michael as well."

Suddenly, Luke, Izuku, and Katsuki appeared out of nowhere and slugged Rensho in the jaw.

Luke/Izuku/Katsuki – "You Smug Bastard! How Dare You Hurt Our Former Teacher?!"

Rensho shook off the triple punch. He then gestured for the trio to keep attacking him.

Luke/Izuku/Katsuki – "GALICK GUN! FIRE!"

Rensho shrugged off the attack. He then appeared behind the trio and swatted them away. They then saw something behind Rensho out of the corner of their eyes that had them somewhat surprised.

Luke – "Don't tell us that this is the best you can really do?"

The smug look on Rensho's was starting to disappear. He couldn't take the fact that someone on Michael's side thought that they were better than him.

Rensho – "What do you mean by that?"

Luke – "What do I mean? What do I mean? Hey Izuku, Katsuki. Don't mind giving me a hand here?"

Izuku – "I've got nothing. You Kacchan?"

Katsuki – "Same as you."

They glanced over to see that Rensho was getting more ticked off by the second.

Rensho – "Are You Three Gonna Give Me An Answer, Or Do I Have To Force It Out Of You!?"

They didn't bother answering Rensho, which ticked him off even more.

Luke – "I guess what we're trying to say…"

Rensho calmed down at finally getting an answer.

Izuku – "…is that compared to the three of us…"

Katsuki – "…against Michael…"

Luke/Izuku/Katsuki – "…you have completely no chance."

Nothing but stunned silence for a few seconds. Suddenly, Rensho flipped his lid at not only getting the answer he never wanted to hear, but hearing the one thing he never wanted to be told in his whole life.

Rensho – "OH YEAH!? THEN WHY DON'T I PROVE IT!"

Before Rensho could even attack the trio, he heard a familiar voice behind him.

? – "Well done you three. You were winning against Rensho psychologically."

Rensho quickly turned around to find a female fist that hit the arm he used to block with.

Rensho – "What?!"

There was Michael using every bit of his willpower to stand up. The most noticeable injuries Rensho gave him were to his right shoulder, left calf, and around his heart. He was also wearing what looked like a white spirit version of Jotaro's outfit. Rensho calmed down after the initial shock.

Rensho – "Well, this is a surprise. I never thought you'd be able to stand with those wounds… However, you would have been much better off if you had stayed down. I can almost see the view behind you through your wounds."

Rensho casually looked down at the watch on his left wrist.

Michael – "That's a nice watch. But I'll break it so you can never see the time on it again… By that, I mean I'll break your face."

Class 1-A – "He's so cool!"

Toshinori (All Might) – "Once again young Michael. You always find a way to be so cool!"

Rensho – "Interesting fellow as always I see."

Rensho then started walking over to the fallen Van.

Rensho – "I'd love to catch up with you and all that, but I really must take my leave. I only have twenty seconds left. I don't have time for idle chit-chat."

Michael was shaking a bit and then coughed up a bit of blood as he fell to one knee, while using his left arm to hold himself upright. Rensho smirks at the sight of Michael in front of him.

Rensho – "Soul's power just now was very weak. I was easily able to catch it, like a little pop-up fly. Do you two really think you can defeat me with so little power?"

Rensho went for the killing blow, however Soul had other ideas.

Soul – "ORA!"

(Insert Music: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders OST – Stardust Crusaders)

Everyone that were watching what was going on were completely stunned.

Rensho – "Wh- Th-They're fast…"

Michael quickly stood up and grabbed Rensho by the wrist before the latter could fall on the ground from Soul's punch.

Rensho – "Wh-What's with this speed?"

Michael – "Upon closer inspection… Good grief, what an ugly watch."

Michael let go of Rensho's wrist and put his right hand on his hat.

Michael – "But you won't have to worry about that anymore… Because your face is going to end up"

Michael ran the index finger of his right hand on the rim of his hat.

Michael – "even uglier."

Rensho barely had any time to react before Soul rained down numerous punches on him.

Soul – "ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORA!"

Rensho – "What is this Stand? They're so fast, it's like they've stopped time!"

Soul – "ORA!"

Soul's final punch sent Rensho flying away.

(Music Ends)

Michael – "Luke, Izuku, Katsuki. Thank you. If it weren't for you three, I would've been dead. You three did very well fighting Rensho without me. You have my full respect. You've all matured."

Michael stood for a few more moments, then passed out and fell to the ground.

Legretta/Velvet – "Michael!"

The duo quickly ran over to check on him.

Niko – "How is he?"

Velvet – "He's fine, but he'll die of blood loss if we don't tend to him quickly."

Suddenly, they heard laughing and watched as Rensho slowly rose to his feet while laughing manically.

Luke – "Impossible!"

Izuku – "Michael easily knocked him out with Soul's barrage!"

Katsuki – "How the hell did he stand back up?!"

Rensho – "Now then… WHAT SAY I BURY EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU UNDER AKZERIUTH?!"

Rensho pressed his thumb on his hand. Suddenly, an explosion went off, causing the entire passage ring to shatter.

Guy – "He destroyed the passage ring!"

Rensho then whistled for two bird-like creatures to carry him and Van away from the crumbling Akzeriuth.

Rensho – "I'd like to say that it's been fun, but it truly hasn't. See you around. NOT!"

Rensho started flying away. He then caught someone out of the corner of his eye.

Rensho – "By the way…"

The unoccupied bird swooped down and picked up Asch.

Asch – "…Let me go! I'm going to die here, too!"

Asch was trying to punch the bird and make it let him go, but he wasn't having much success.

Rensho – "Van was intending to save Ion with that, but now we have no choice. He can't afford to lose you."

Rensho then flew away, taking Asch as his hostage.

Jade – "Damn! The tunnels are collapsing!"

Tear – "Everyone, come close! Hurry!"

Luke quickly carried Legretta and Velvet over from by the destroyed passage ring, while Izuku and Katsuki did the same with the somewhat near dead Michael. Tear sang a Fonic hymn, creating a force field to protect everyone from the destruction of Akzeriuth around them. After a few moments, the destruction of Akzeriuth settled down. Luke awoke to Mieu standing in front of him.

Mieu – "Master! Thank goodness!"

Luke walks around the others, making sure that they're alright.

Mieu – "I don't know what happened…"

Jade – "If Tear hadn't sung that Fonic Hymn, we all would've been dead as well."

Dist – "Yulia's Fonic Hymns are powerful indeed…"

Ion – "Is this the Qliphoth? I never imagined I'd come here like this…I'll explain in due time. Right now, let's try to find a way out of here."

Anise – "I'm glad Ion's safe…"

Arietta – "Same here…"

Guy – "Did we get caught in Akzeriuth's destruction and fall underground?"

Sync – "Seems like it. Now how do we get out of here?"

Luke then came across Tear and Natalia, who were helping Niko patch Michael up as best they could. Meanwhile, Izuku, Katsuki, and Soul were trying their best to comfort Legretta and Velvet, who were extremely worried about Michael's wellbeing. He walked over to Soul.

Luke – "How is he?"

Soul – "Michael's been through worst. It's a good thing that those three were able to start working on him right away. Otherwise, who knows what would've happened to him."

Largo – "I agree. Times even I've seen Michael fight on despite a very gruesome injury. His will to live is strong. Maybe that's why he'll survive this."

Luke silently agreed with Largo. After the fight with Rensho at Deo Pass, everyone else realized that Michael's life could very well end in a second if they weren't paying careful attention.

Luke – "The one good thing is that despite Akzeriuth's destruction, no one was killed since it's just all of us here."

Ion – "Agreed."

Suddenly, a tremor was felt underneath the party.

Anise – "Is this whole place gonna break apart?!"

Jade – "Let's go to the Tartarus. The emergency buoy is operational, and it's managing to stay above the mud."

Izuku – "Good idea. That should also make it easier to take care of Michael as well."

Jade and Dist took a few minutes to check and make sure that the Tartarus' systems were in full working order.

Jade – "It looks like it will still run."

Dist – "A miracle, if you ask me."

Tear – "There's a place called Yulia City here in the Qliphoth. It should be to the west. Let's try heading there."

Jade – "You seem to know a lot about this place. I'd like to hear an explanation once we're safe."

Guy – "No matter how far we go, there's nothing in sight. …Are we really underground?"

Tear – "…In a way. The place you live is known down here as the 'Outer Lands' – the world's outer shell. It's a floating land supported by pillars called 'Sephiroth Trees' that extend from the Qliphoth."

Natalia – "I don't understand."

Luke – "Not much is written, but long ago the Outer Lands WERE here in the Qliphoth. Right, Tear?"

Tear – "That's correct."

Anise – "Unbelievable…"

Niko – "Two thousand years ago, the miasma enveloped Aldurant and infected the land."

Tear – "That is when Yulia read the seven-part Score, finding a way to escape destruction and bring prosperity."

Ion – "Based on the Score, Yulia proposed a plan to raise the planet's crust by using the Sephiroth."

Guy – "And that was the beginning of the Outer Lands, huh… That's quite a story."

Luke – "Yes. Only maestro rank members and above in the Order of Lorelei know. As do those that are born here in the Qliphoth."

Natalia – "I still find it unbelievable how much Michael taught you about all of Aldurant."

Luke – "Michael thought that it was better for me to know as much as I can about Aldurant once I WAS able to leave the manor, and by extension Baticul, on my own."

Arietta – "Then, you're from the Qliphoth, Tear…?"

Sync – "…At any rate, we've fallen down here. We were saved, thanks to Tear's Fonic Hymn."

Katsuki – "But at what cost…"

Everyone turned to look at the trio of Michael's former students.

Tear – "What do you mean Katsuki?"

Izuku – "Michael's Nearly Dead! It'll take a complete miracle for him to live through this!"

Tear then looked at Luke.

Tear – "And you Luke?"

Luke – "Michael WAS able to beat Van, but nearly killed by Rensho in response to that. As for the three of us, we could barely do anything. We were nothing but a distraction while Michael found the willpower to stand up and knock Rensho down a couple of pegs."

Niko – "That doesn't matter. All that proves is that you three need to get even stronger. Besides, I'm sure even Michael wouldn't be happy to see you three like this."

The frowns on the trio's faces were soon replaced with smiles.

Izuku – "Thanks Niko. We needed a pick-me-up right now."

Niko – "Happy to help!"

Katsuki – "Jade. Any place on the Tartarus that the three of us can train together WITHOUT causing major damage at all?"

Jade – "The Bridge is your best bet. Just be careful."

Luke/Izuku/Katsuki – "Right!"

Tear – "Mind if I join you three? Someone has to heal you all once the training is over."

Luke – "Not at all. Thanks Tear."

-With Michael-

Michael slowly opened his eyes and took in his surroundings.

Michael – "What happened?"

He suddenly remembered what happened to him at Akzeriuth.

Michael – "That's right. I beat Van, but Rensho nearly had me killed in response. It's only thanks to Luke, Izuku, and Katsuki that I found the strength and will to fight back. Guess Akzeriuth did get destroyed after all. At least there weren't any casualties from the event."

Michael then heard his phone go off.

Michael – "Hello?"

Two voices were simultaneously chirping in his ear, so he pulled the phone away to recover.

Michael – "Hey, Hey, Hey! Ease up!"

The two voices quickly calmed down.

Michael – "Now what to report?"

-Back With Luke. Tear, Izuku, & Katsuki-

Luke – "Alright you two, let's work our hides off and show Michael that we can be just as strong as him!"

Izuku/Katsuki – "Right!"

-With Legretta & Velvet-

Legretta was giving Velvet a tour of the Tartarus. Upon Niko stating that Michael's life was no longer in danger, they both decided to stay away from him out of fear of going crazy over worrying about his wellbeing every second once he woke up.

Legretta – "What do you think Velvet? Michael's awake by now?"

Velvet – "Most likely. But he probably isn't able to do much else for the time being."

They both agreed that Michael being awake was a big first step for him after what happened in Akzeriuth against Van and Rensho. Suddenly, they heard a pair of voices.

Legretta – "Strange. One of them sounds like Niko."

Velvet – "But the other…"

They turned the corner to find Niko talking with the one person they never thought they'd see.

Legretta/Velvet – "Michael?!"

Michael and Niko turned towards the two women, who were shell-shocked to see that Michael was standing on his feet so quickly.

Michael – "Hey you two. Nice to see you're both-"

Legretta – "What are you doing out of bed?!"

Michael – "I'm sorry?"

Velvet – "You're going back to bed right now mister!"

Niko suddenly jumped between the three.

Niko – "That won't be necessary you two."

Legretta/Velvet – "But he's-"

Niko then held a tablet in Legretta and Velvet's faces.

Niko – "I just scanned Michael with my tablet here, and it says that he truly is back to 100%. Whether you want to believe that or not is entirely up to you two."

Legretta and Velvet stared at each other. They were both happy that Michael was finally awake, but were still worried about his wellbeing.

Michael – "Don't worry, you two. I don't plan on doing anything serious until we're at Yulia City."

Both girls nodded at Michael. Then they realized what he said.

Legretta/Velvet – "How does he know about Yulia City?"

Michael – "Now then. On to sports practice!"

Michael led the female trio to the bridge of the Tartarus. They came to the bridge where Tear, Luke, Izuku, and Katsuki were looking at Soul.

Michael – "Hey guys."

Luke/Izuku/Katsuki – "Michael!"

Michael then noticed Soul.

Michael – "What's up with her?"

Luke – "She's been like that for the last few minutes."

Izuku – "We were practicing, when she just suddenly appeared. She just walked over to where she is just now. No doubt she was just as worried about you as Legretta and Velvet were, if not more so."

Katsuki – "We called out to her numerous times, but she didn't respond. Seemed like she was lost in her own world."

Tear – "She then pulled out an instrument from her robes. A harp by the looks of it."

Michael – "A harp…"

Realization hit Michael. He then gave a knowing smile while looking at Soul.

Michael – "You clever girl."

Michael then started walking towards Soul while pulling out his own instrument.

Legretta – "What's Michael doing?"

Niko – "Just watch."

(Insert Music: Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword OST – Zelda's Lullaby)

Once Soul played her first verse, Michael quickly joined in. They gave each other a glance of acknowledgement, and continued playing. The others watched and listened in complete silence at the scene in front of them.

Legretta – "It's so beautiful."

Velvet – "Just the fact that these two work so well with each other. It's unbelievable."

The frown on Soul's face quickly changed to a smile. She was truly happy to see that Michael was finally awake after what had happened to him.

(Music Ends)

Once they were done playing, the others gave them a round of applause.

Luke – "That was magnificent you two. Since could you both play like that?"

Michael – "For as long as we can remember. Soul's always been able to play her harp, while I have my Ocarina."

Tear – "What's the name of the song?"

Soul – "Zelda's Lullaby."

Izuku – "You're royalty Michael?!"

Michael – "Was. My family had a heirloom that stated that we were a royal family on Aldurant, but it was lost to time around a millennium ago."

Legretta – "Have you tried asking King Ingobert and Emperor Peony for help in finding it?"

Michael – "Both my parents did that day after they each came to power. If there's one thing they truly agree on, it's that the heirloom must be found, and the right of the Masi family's royal status must be restored."

Luke – "Wow. Didn't think that my uncle and Emperor Peony would actually agree on something so easily."

Michael – "My family was always seen as the peacemaker between Kimlasca and Malkuth. When word first reached both countries that we had lost our royal status, they were devastated. From that point onward, both kingdoms made a promise, both to themselves and each other, that they would help find our family heirloom by any means necessary."

Niko – "I still find it unbelievable how much your family suffered through. Even grandfather can't believe it sometimes. Anyway, back to Michael's rehab. So which sport first?"

Michael – "Baseball please."

Niko – "Which aspect first?"

Michael – "How about hitting."

Niko – "Alrighty then!"

Niko quickly got the pitching machine up and running. Meanwhile, Michael had changed clothes. He went from his normal attire to a baseball uniform. The others watched as Niko loaded up the machine before returning to them.

Niko – "Ready Michael?"

Michael – "Whenever you are!"

(Insert Music: Barns Courtney – Champion)

Michael took his batting stance. The pitching machine threw a ball. Michael just stood still and took it.

Michael – "Not what I wanted Niko."

Niko – "Fine…"

Michael took another pitch.

Niko – "I swear, if you take another one, I'll come over there and kick your ass!"

Michael – "Sure, Sure."

The others were talking amongst themselves, stating that there wasn't any way for Michael to even hit the ball. The machine threw a third pitch. This time it was one Michael wanted.

Michael – "There you are!"

Michael swung the bat.

-CRACK-

Michael hit the ball with such force, only Niko could follow it properly.

? – "Oh, That's Gone A Mile! That Has Gone Out Of The Ballpark!"

Michael – "Let's Go, Baby! Wooo!"

Michael gave the others his widest possible grin.

Michael – "Fire another one Niko!"

Niko – "Right!"

-CRACK-

Michael sent another ball flying away.

? – "And That One Goes, And That's Gone! Out Of The Park As Well!"

Luke – "You've gotta be kidding me…"

Izuku/Katsuki – "We'll say…"

Michael – "Send me another one!"

-CRACK-

? – "Another One! And It's Gone! Even Farther! Hahaha! Three in a row!"

Michael took 17 more pitches. Each one he knocked out of the park. He then moved on to base running. First was base running off of a hit. Getting the single and double were easy. However, Michael needed a few fancy moves to get the triple and inside-the-park homerun. Michael then moved on to fielding. The line out, which you need absolute timing for, came to him the quickest. Next came the groundout. Then the fly out. And finally the pop out. Niko then brought out three wood bats. She handed one each to Luke, Izuku, and Katsuki.

Luke – "What are these for Niko?"

Niko – "You three are gonna help Michael with the pitching aspect of his rehab. You three are each gonna have an at-bat against Michael. All you have to do is get a hit."

Izuku – "And Michael?"

Niko – "He has to get each of you out. However, it has to be by strikeout. If any of you get a hit, Michael fails the pitching challenge and has to do it again. If he gets all three of you out, he passes."

Katsuki – "Let's get this underway then!"

Katsuki decided to take the first at-bat. Velvet was acting as Michael's catcher, while Niko was the ump. Michael threw a 100 mph 4-Seam Fastball, followed by a 95 mph Cutter. Katsuki swung at both.

Niko – "Strike One! Strike Two!"

Katsuki decided to take the third pitch, but it was a 72 mph Knuckleball that was just inside the zone.

Niko – "Strike Three! You're Out!"

Katsuki walked back over to Izuku and Luke and mouthed to them 'You've got to be kidding me'.

Izuku – "My turn then."

Michael's first pitch was another 72 mph Knuckleball, then an 84 mph Changeup. Izuku took them, but they were both in the zone.

Niko – "Strike One! Strike Two!"

Michael threw a 100 mph 4-Seamer that was just out of the zone, but Izuku chased it.

Niko – "Strike Three! You're Out!"

Luke was the last one up. He was the lone obstacle between Michael finishing the challenge or doing it over again.

Luke – 'Here goes something then."

Michael threw a 95 mph Cutter, then a 85 mph Changeup. Luke swung at the first and took the second.

Niko – "Strike One! Strike Two!"

Michael then threw a 100 mph 4-Seamer for his final pitch. Luke swung and missed.

Niko – "Strike Three! You're Out!"

Michael pounded his chest as he yelled in triumph.

(Music Ends)

Michael – "I'll take a bit of a break, then on to hockey practice.

While Michael took his break, the others asked Niko about the rules of the sports that Michael was using for his rehab. After her explanation, Michael came back out, this time in a hockey uniform with ice skates.

(Insert Music: The Score – Legend)

Michael knocked the large pile of pucks off the bench wall onto the ice. He quickly made sure every puck was at center ice. Once that was done, he made his way over the team benches side of the center red line for the Fastest Skater Challenge. He quickly push off. Michael sprinted as fast as he could, doing a full circuit around the rink. He also made sure to make sure that he didn't spill on the turns.

Michael – "Time!"

Niko looked at the results.

Niko – "Not bad. 11.758 seconds."

Luke – "What's the normal average?"

Niko – "Around 13.5 seconds."

Everyone else paled. Michael then got ready for the Passing Challenge. The first of three parts were four targets that lit up randomly. Ding! One target. Ding! Two targets. Ding! Three targets. Ding! Michael hit all four targets in quick succession. He quickly moved on to Give And Go. Michael hit each rubber target in rapid succession. Now for the third and final stage: Mini Nets. He hit the wider outer nets first to get them out of the way, then the smaller, inner nets. Despite the major degree of difficulty, Michael hit both with complete ease before finally planting one in the game net to end the challenge.

Michael – "Time!"

Niko – "30.285 seconds."

Michael then moved on to the Save Streak Challenge. For this challenge, Michael has to either score as many times as he can in nine shot attempts, or keep trying until he DOES score. And his opponent was…

Michael – "Henrik?!"

That's right. Michael's opponent was none other than Henrik Lundqvist, star goaltender of the New York Rangers and Michael's hockey idol. Michael deked the puck from center ice towards the net, but was stopped by Henrik. Henrik then stopped him another 14 times before finally scoring on the sixteenth shot.

Michael – "Now for Puck Control Relay."

Michael quickly made his way through the first two sections, Stickhandling and Cone Control. He also did a constant back and forth motion to get through the Cone Control section. He then did the same for the Gates section.

Michael – "Time!"

Niko – "19.496 seconds."

Niko – "Now for hardest shot."

Michael has two chances to hit as hard of a slap shot as he can. Michael takes his first shot.

Radar: 107.6 mph

Everyone – "107.6 MPH?!"

Michael then waited a few seconds before taking his second shot.

Radar: 110.4 mph

Niko – "110.4?! That smashes Zdeno Chara's record of 108.8!"

Michael now moves on to Accuracy Shooting. Ding! Michael hits one target. Ding! Two targets. Ding! Three targets. Ding! Four targets. Ding! Five targets.

Michael – "Time!"

Niko – "8.395 seconds."

Michael had hit each target within his first two shots on them. Michael then got into a team scrimmage. He was a member of team blue. While the others thought that Michael was scary on his own, they then found out how even scarier he was as a team player.

Legretta – "How long do you think he needs to be 100% hockey ready?"

Niko – "Two periods, at least."

He only needed five minutes into the first. The scrimmage was slow going at first, being scoreless. Once Michael picked up his pace, he scored eight goals on route to a 15-2 Blue team victory.

(Music Ends)

Michael – "Just one more to go."

(Insert Music: FMLYBND – Come Alive)

Michael switched to his soccer uniform. He then started his soccer rehab by juggling the ball as many times as he could with his feet, chest, and head. Once he was done, he planted the ball on the ground with his foot.

Michael – "How many times was that?"

Niko – "500. And only in the span of three minutes."

Michael then got started on Free Kicks. He needed to be a bit creative, but he scored on all five shots. Same for Penalty Kicks. Then came his dreaded enemy, Corner Kicks. He did five scoring off of a header, converting two of them, while converting all five off of a chest drop, which is making the ball fall to the ground by bumping it off of your chest.

Niko – "Seems like you still have trouble with header corners."

Michael – "I know. Just have to keep trying."

Michael then did a small segment of passing and throw-ins. Finally it was time for the team scrimmage. Michael was a member of team white. Niko also joined him as the goalkeeper, as she wanted to keep her skills sharp as well. After what happened in the ice hockey scrimmage, the others figured that Michael was gonna have a fast start here. And he didn't disappoint.

Michael's first goal of the scrimmage came within the first two minutes. He also did his signature goal celebration as well. It was two front flips, with a twirl during the second one, ending with a fist pump. The scrimmage ended with team white winning 15-0.

(Music Ends)

Niko – "Feel better Michael?"

Michael – "Much better! Thanks for the help."

Niko – "Not at all."

The party finally arrived in Yulia City.

Asch – "There you guys are!"

Asch came running up to the party.

Luke – "Asch?! But weren't you forcibly taken away by Rensho as Akzeriuth was being destroyed?"

Asch – "I was. But thankfully someone was able to help me escape."

The others then saw a figure that looked eerily similar to Michael walk over to them.

Legretta/Velvet/Luke/Izuku/Katsuki – "Why does this guy look like Michael?"

Michael – "Hey Lane. Nice to see you again."

Lane – "Same to you and Niko."

Guy – "Who's this guy Michael?"

Michael – "This is my older twin brother Lane."

Legretta/Velvet – "Liar."

Michael sweat-faced at Legretta and Velvet's sudden response before letting out an expressed sigh. Lane went to protest on his and Michael's behalf, but stopped him with a hand in front of Lane's face.

Lane – "Michael…"

Michael – "Don't bother Lane. We had a good 18 year run with it, but it had to end sooner or later. You and I both know that."

Anise – "What are you two talking about?"

Michael – "Luke. You remember how Van called you a replica back in Akzeriuth right?"

Luke – "Yeah. Why?"

Realization suddenly hit Legretta and Velvet.

Legretta – "Wait Michael! You're not actually implying…"

Michael – "I am Legretta. Just like Luke… I'm a replica too."