Heroic New Era: Strive for Overture
Chapter 5: Echoing Cataclysm
Elphelt ran into the center of the Bel Canto Valley first, looking for Ramlethal, as she suddenly was met with Cataclysm Siege.
"Hello darling." Cataclysm chuckled, as he grabbed Elphelt.
"Put me down! This is no way to treat a LADY!" Elphelt screamed as she was dragged to a looming dark cloud circling a weapon that was near completion, lightning striking around it as it looked to be a beam to shoot up to the clouds.
At nearly the same time, the group led by Richard, landed right at the edge of the valley, as they moved ahead, before they were greeted by a massive army of Valentine's servants.
"Humans, outsiders,, they've come…" One of them remarked, before the others joined in. "Break them, break them, break them both."
"Shut it all of you!" A voice yelled as a tornado burst into the area, wiping the army out as a long haired samurai jumped into the area, being Haohmaru as he looked towards the dark clouds.
"That doesn't bode well for sure…" Haohmaru commented.
"Haohmaru, hero of the hour." Richard remarked, with a thin smile. "I suppose that you've simply just wandered in to deal with this rabble who have irritated this great samurai?"
"Well, partially. But my guts also told me I'd find the source of what brought me and a couple others here as well. And by the looks of things…" Haohmaru said, looking at the clouds. "...I'd give a good guess here is where I'll find it."
"You'd be right!" Charlotte exclaimed as she, Baiken, and Ukyo dashed into the area.
"Ah, there you three are! Where were you?" Haohmaru asked.
"That is of no importance. Did you happen to see a woman running into the area?" Ukyo would ask.
"Come to think of it… I did see a bunny looking girl run by…" Haohmaru said. "Then someone else grabbed her."
"MERDE!" Charlotte cursed. "They already have her…"
"Figures." Richard scoffed, before he then turned to Ky. "Well, King, it seems that we got one hell of a fight coming soon."
The first among the defeated allies was soon seen limping towards the group, as Rutega wasn't alone. Majorita and Usalia had pulled off teleporting to Rutega to pull off a team attack… however none of the trio seemed to be in too good condition.
"Oh shit… those three have seen better days." Haohmaru remarked, seeing the trio approaching.
"Are you alright?: Dizzy asked, concerned about the health of the injured heroes. "...Have you seen any other of your friends nearby? Richard seems to be looking for them."
"Urgh, we got rocked, that's what.." Majorita groaned. "I'm going to feel this down to my bones…"
"Tch… Echo pulled a fast one on us…" Rutega grunted as she limped over. "When we thought Cataclysm Siege was down and out, Echo came from behind and beat us down… I got extremely worried, I knew these two hadn't faced an opponent as strong as him, I thought he killed these two… thankfully it isn't the case but… until we rest up, we're next to useless in this state…"
"Your allies. What of them?" Haohmaru asked, redirecting to Dizzy's question.
"Mangled and beaten… you'll find them, just as that bastard told you… leading to a trail to his true plan all along… he's not looking for Justice's power anymore… he intends to draw the power from the Valentines, Siege, and you, Richard…!" Rutega warned. "What's worse… Valentine's actually flipped thanks to Ramlethal… but if this isn't stopped she'll never have a chance to experience what life is truly like… Agh!" Rutega yelled in pain as she spasmed and collapsed to a knee. "Damn that… Echo son of a… Aaaah…."
"Take it easy, don't force yourself." Richard remarked, as he eased Rutega into a sukima leading back to the Golden Blaze. "...Usurping Valentine's role in all of this… what a real villain power play move right there. I have a feeling that both Valentines might be… no, I don't want to even think about it. One Merciless Apocalypse is already enough… one birthed from two, if not three… I dare not imagine it, especially if it's controlled."
"Don't tell me you're having second thoughts on this, kid." Sol scoffed.
"Like hell I do." Richard snarled. "I'm not leaving here until Siege is back in my care. I know that he'll make it through this, but I'm the only one who he's counting on to break him out of his predicament. Besides, I got two imposters to smash in the face, one a smug prick of a self, and the other a nihilist copy."
"Heh. Just how tight of a brother in arms pair are you two?" Haohmaru asked with a small smirk.
"..Pretty close." Richard remarked. "Let's keep moving. We need to find the rest of our allies, and bring them out of this mess."
As they moved closer to the looming clouds of darkness, they saw more and more blood stains on the floor… before seeing the mangled bodies of everyone that had joined Siege in his fight. Shallot, Caulifla, Sienna, Popol, his mount, and Heiwa… and right now, Popol was trying to get his beloved to wake up, for she hadn't since the others recently did.
"Please… please please please wake up…" Popol cried as he shook Heiwa over and over. "I can't stand to lose you… please wake up…!"
"...Tch…!" Shallot growled as he was trying to stand, but pain prevented him. "God… damnit all…"
"Just how strong are those guys… to plant us down like this…" Caulifla groaned.
Sienna was also motionless, not moving as well.
"...My God…." Haohmaru commented, as he and the other SamSho characters looked at the battle.
Ukyo was silent, but the look on his face told the story, as he viewed the battlefield in pain and disgust.
"Putain d'enfer…" Charlotte cursed as she looked around the battlefield.
"Tch, this is a real mess right here…" Baiken remarked, as she looked at the scene. "...I suppose that's why people like me exist, because this kind of thing always leaves a mark on people."
"Are we… going to be able to end this?" Ky asked RIchard, concerned with the current state of their allies.
"Be thankful none of them have perished." Richard retorted back, before walking over to Popol and the unresponsive Heiwa. "...I suppose that we came far too late to provide any meaningful aid for you… But at least we didn't come to arrive to see only corpses. Only the servants are dead…even though that still is a harsh price to pay…"
"...But she… she hasn't moved… I can't hear her heartbeat or anything… I haven't gotten anything out of her…!" Popol exclaimed, looking up at Richard with tears gracing the Demon Overlord's face for the first time in years.
"...Then let me do this. I don't know how effective this will be… but it's better than nothing." Richard remarked, as he picked up Heiwa from Popol. "...I only ask for your trust. As for the rest of you with me… keep moving, I'll catch up soon."
"I have trusted you since you saved Dragon Fang… my trust will never waver from you…" Popol stated.
"Thankfully Sienna over here ain't dead… I sense her energy still…" Shallot commented to confirm Heiwa was the only possible death.
"I won't have a death on my hands, that's not good enough." Richard stated with a firm look in his eyes. "...What are you doing? Are you not worried that the enemy could ambush us? Go on, and ensure that the path ahead is not obstructed! I will not take long to try and save a life!"
"...As you wish." Dr Paradigm responded back, as the rest of Richard's group moved ahead.
"Yes sir, right away sir." Haohmaru quipped as he walked ahead with the others.
Richard then turned his attention towards the still body of Heiwa, before he then took a deep breath. His hands glowed slightly with magic energy, before he then immediately began to perform CPR right on Heiwa, pressing under a steady rhythm, as the magic seemed to be flowing from Richard right into Heiwa, as the pulse of magic spread across her body with each press he did. After a few set of presses, he immediately gave Heiwa a few breaths, hoping that it would help her breathe again, if her pulse was not the only issue.
The process lasted for a while, as Popol was left on the edge of tension, praying that Richard could save Heiwa as he was checking her pulse constantly, trying to see if she was alive yet again. He closed his eyes, with silent prayers raising to Drumdawn or whatever other gods existed… when suddenly… he began to feel something on her wrist.
"Richard, halt…!" Popol exclaimed, as Richard slowly lifted his hands off, while Popol inspected it further, before he went to confirm, placing his head on Heiwa's chest… and what graced his ears brought him to joyous tears as he hugged his beloved. "Her heart beats again! She's alive!"
"But unconscious, and in danger still." Richard reminded Popol, before opening a sukima to the Golden Blaze. "You know what must be done."
"Yes. Return us… I will not leave her side… she will make it through this." Popol nodded, carrying Heiwa in a bridal pose. "I will make sure she comes through. I didn't make a declaration of love to her for nothing." Popol said, before descending into the sukima, as Shallot, Caulifla, who were both carrying Sienna, did the same.
"Hey Rich! They put up a blockade but we've got it chopped up and cleared! You comin' or what!?" Haohmaru called back.
Richard flicked his hand, as the sukima disappeared, before he then dashed to where the group was, seeing that ahead of them was a passage leading to a large cavern that he was sensing immense power from, tipping him off that his enemies were there.
"...This is it. Our conclusion lies there." Richard stated, as he began to enter the passage, with the rest of the group following him.
As the group entered the area, they saw Cataclysm cracking his neck, seeming to still be recovering from the blows of before, as he was making final preparations, a line of energy tubes set up to draw power from Valentine, Ramlethal, Elphelt, and Siege, as Siege was hooked up to the main one, while the Valentines, just for ironic sake, were put together in one.
"Those girls got me good but I am so lucky to have you all here with this plan!" Cataclysm Siege cackled, looking at his crew of Echo, Goku Black, Naraku, Shizuka, and Amakusa. "You all have helped me achieve such a goal, and I cannot thank you all enough for it! Now… it is soon time to complete it! Once Richard and his gang of goody two-shoes arrive, we'll be in-!"
"Call upon the devil, and he shall come." Richard interrupted, as he made himself known, with his entire group taking up arms. "You want me so badly, then consider your wish granted. We're settling this matter here. One way or another, this debacle ends here, no matter who tries to interrupt this."
"Heehee!" Cataclysm Siege clapped with joy as he turned around. "Welcome! You're all just in time to witness the completion of this weapon! It's not only going to destroy the Gears… no, not at all… My plan is on a grander scale, a much higher scale! For you see, with all this power at the disposal of man, they didn't just have the power to destroy the Gears, oh no. With this power… I could destroy… THIS ENTIRE UNIVERSE! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Cataclysm yelled as he laughed maniacally. "Oh, Richard! I saved you the best seat! You get this tube right here, next to your little friend Siege! Once I have you inside, all that needs done is to flip on the switch, and you two will then be raised skyward, and watch as one by one, the beam bounces from world to world, before it finally ricochets to its final destination, HERE! Isn't it marvelous?" Cataclysm Siege cackled.
"...Funny. So that's your final plan all along." Richard remarked. "Well, I'll admit it myself, considering that we have a grace period before we get to murdering each other for the fate of this universe. I say that you got this thought out well, and I give you a standing ovation for that. But at least I know that once I beat you down, I have a back-up measure that I'll have on standby. But I guess my time to talk ends here…"
"I do not know what your justification for the end of the known universe is…" Ky remarked. "But I will not allow your omnicidal plans to go unopposed. I may not be the greatest king of Illyria, but the responsibility falls to my shoulders regardless."
"...Hmph, in the end, you're just another man with the same maniacal intentions of purging the slate clean." Sol scoffed. "...I might not know who you are, and I could care less. All that matters is that once I'm through with you, I'm going to get back to dealing with That Man."
"You mortals don't understand this at all!" Goku Black scoffed at Sol's remark. "Purging is required! In order to make this world perfect, divine judgment is required! Take a look at all religions! God rains down fire upon the world in Christianity! Islamics go to war against non believers! Even the Buddhists have their great moments of violence! With every tainted world, a god must rise, and smite it to make it perfect, and in his image! This is our purging of the worlds, to recreate them all in our image!"
"And yet, in the end of all that, and even amongst it all, there is always grace and mercy, a glimmer of hope that stays the hand of divine retribution for the sake of humanity." Baiken scoffed. "Don't sell me the shit about genocide being a great thing for everyone, especially with such religious drivel. From where I come from, my religion states that purging is a sin to be frowned upon. And you're one to talk about judgment, rose-hair? After summoning Shiro Amakusa to your cause? Whatever, it doesn't matter. Your sins end with you, and I'll put Shizuka to rest again. And this time, she'll never have to suffer being a puppet by some evil force again."
"Hmph. Heathen. Suit yourself then." Amakusa remarked. "Those like you who cherish violence and vice like you are not welcome in the new world to come. I might not live, that's true by his words… But the prospect of a new order being made, where I will become more than even god, an existence to be worshiped? That is my ultimate desire! And all that's required is to use the blood of that wretch who leads you, and eradicate you pests once and for all!"
"Make your final stand, heroes! And let's see if your will is strong enough to free your friends, and stop us!" Cataclysm laughed, as multiple master-ghosts form, including one encapsulating the tube the Valentines were in, drawing from their power to summon ethereal copies of themselves, and the other over Siege, which formed copies of him.
Defeat Cataclysm Siege's army!
Destroy the master-ghosts holding your friends to set them free!
Destroy all master-ghosts to win!
Multiple Instant Kills can be used in this battle!
"This is it, hold no quarter back!" Ricahrd declared, as the allied master-ghosts appeared, as the servants immediately began to saunter forth to fight against the opposing force.
"To victory!" Haohmaru yelled as the two ends of the war charged, clashing with one another in a massive war, massive explosions of power taking forth, servant bodies laying across the battlefield in a huge mess, as neither end backed down.
The one factor everyone forgot about was Sin, who was making his attempt to sneak past everything on the outskirts, making his way over to the master-ghost holding the Valentines.
"...Sin…?" Ramlethal asked, having been trying to comfort the newly reformed Valentine alongside Elphelt, when she noticed Sin approaching. "...What are you doing here…?"
"Bastard didn't realize that as soon as Valentine let her control over me fade, I was pretending to be out cold." Sin remarked. "Hold still for a moment, I'm going to get you guys free, and then we're going to fix this together."
"...Together…?" Valentine asked.
"Yeah, together." Sin smiled back. "...Listen, I might have had some issues with you back there, but then again, I had far worse with both of my old men. So don't fret it much."
"We'll do this together, we can show you what it's like to be part of a family." Elphelt smiled, putting a hand on Valentine's shoulder.
"Family… so it's not just Mother now…" Valentine stated, as she placed a hand over her chest. "...This feeling… warm…"
"That, my predecessor, is the feeling of love." Ramlethal said, smiling at Valentine.
Sin then immediately began to assault the master-ghost containing the Valentines, as Richard noticed his efforts, immediately throwing magical blasts that surged towards the attacked master-ghost, as Sin watched as the master-ghost was beginning to fall apart.
"Where are you aiming that, foo-" Goku Black was about to mock, when he noticed Sin. "Gack-! We have a problem!"
"What problem could we-?" Cataclysm Siege asked before noticing this. "...WHEN DID HE COME BACK INTO THE PICTURE!? ECHO, STOP HIM!"
"As if you'll have the chance!" Charlotte yelled, pinning down the enemy forces with Ukyo in a massive array of slashes.
"Alright Baiken, time this well! Yo! White haired guy! Out of the way!" Haohmaru yelled, raising his sword high to unleash a massive tornado.
"That's what I like to hear." Baiken remarked, as she raised her blade high, as it glowed with pink energy, as she leaned forward, as if she was about to charge the enemy.
"Who just-!? AIYE!" Sin yelled as he saw the attacks, jumping out of the way.
"RAGING STORM SLASH!" Haohmaru yelled, slashing, a violent tornado rushing towards the master-ghost.
"TSURANE SANZU-WATASHI!" Baiken yelled, as she dashed right towards the master-ghost, and as the tornado arrived, not only did it cut into the master-ghost, but a bunch of other pink slashes from Baiken followed… as the master-ghost crumbled away, the lock broken on the tube, releasing the Valentines, as they walked out of the tube.
"Are you prepared to fight with us, predecessor?" Elphelt asked Valentine, as she was getting her guns ready for battle.
"Yes. I am." Valentine remarked, summoning her familiar and her mace, as her doll servants immediately appeared to assault the enemy forces, as the trio of Valentines were causing a pincer attack between both sides.
"Then let us fight… as family." Ramlethal said, her swords dropping to her sides.
As Cataclysm Siege saw this, at first, he was livid… but then he laughed. "Change of plans, it seems! Always have the backup!" He cackled as he ran to the controls… as suddenly, the weapon moved from pointing up…. to pointing towards the core of the world.
"What is this maniac doing…!?" Haohmaru asked.
"All I need is Siege to do this… hehehe… energy extraction, COMMENCE! In a matter of moments, this world will be turned to DUST!" Cataclysm Siege yelled as Siege yelled in pain, being the sole one who was getting drained, the strain on his body putting him in excruciating pain.
Timed! Siege is being drained! Destroy his Master Ghost before his Health reaches 0%!
Siege HP: 87%
"So it come down to this." Richard remarked, before turning to the rest of the heroes. "All of you, run an interception! I'm going for a straight shot towards the enemy leader!"
"As you wish!" Ky remarked, as he immediately used his blade to push back Naraku, as Izuna and Dr Paradigm assisted him.
"You want dibs on this freak?" Sol answered back, before he then immediately dashed right towards Amakusa, as Ukyo and Charlotte supported him. "Go on, I've got the others to keep me pumping."
Richard then nodded, before he then charged right towards Cataclysm Siege, intent of finishing the battle.
However, as Richard charged to the front, he would soon find that those of Echo and Goku Black were mere illusions they left, as Cataclysm laughed. "As if we would leave this up without a failsafe. You didn't think we would be naive to let all of us be on the field of battle did you Richard?" Cataclysm cackled as Black and Echo had wide grins.
"Face it mortal. This world needs to be purged, and you are but one of the many self-righteous sinners who stand between us and perfection." Black laughed.
"And may I add outnumbered." Cataclysm laughed more, before giant swords dropped next to Richard. "Hm!?"
"Not when he has us." Ramlethal would say, descending next to Richard, as Valentine and Elphelt joined her side.
"Ah, the troublemakers from the start. Are you happy? Your predecessor sees you as family now. You should take that and be truly satisfied!" Cataclysm said with a smile.
"As if!" Elphelt yelled. "I still owe you for that un-gentleman-like grab you gave me when we first met! Who grabs a lady by their neck, hmph! Brutes!"
"It doesn't matter. You're in the presence of three gods, you four lowly sinners. And in our presence, we shall grace you. Prepare for your divine judgements!" Black said with a wicked smile.
"We'll see who's the one getting divine judgment." Richard sneered back.
"...Isn't it fitting to have such a fight at this point?" Echo remarked, as his hands glowed with malicious magic. "I can't simply hold back right now, with such thrilling determination thrown into the battle!"
~BGM: AGL UI Goku Theme - DBZ Dokkan Battle OST~
RICHARD
RAMLETHAL
VALENTINE
ELPHELT
VS.
CATACLYSM
ECHO
GOKU BLACK
The fate of the world falls into the hands of saviors from abroad…
Find the courage in your hearts, and charge forth to glorious victory!
HEAVEN
OR
HELL
LET'S ROCK!
Richard immediately charged right towards Echo, intent on dealing with him as quickly as possible, while gesturing for the Valentines to keep Goku Black and Cataclysm Siege busy.
"You really aren't pulling any stops for all of this, huh?" Richard remarked, firing several magic missiles that Echo directed away from him. "I should have expected that you would have had a hand in escalating all of this with your new friends."
"I won't deny that, but then again, what's so wrong with what I do? This is merely my nature." Echo chuckled, before firing down dark lightning that forced Richard to back away "I merely wish to see how you'll fight when everyone's backs are against the wall. After all, you and I have a connection that we both realize. The body's not a coincidence, I tell you."
Richard remained silent, as he kept on returning fire with his own magic, as they seemed to be mostly canceling out each other's attacks, with some of it spilling to hit both sides.
In the meantime, Ramlethal and Elphelt allocated their efforts to fighting Black, since Valentine herself opted to face Cataclysm.
"What's with the sudden hostility, Valentine?" Cataclysm asked with a wide smile, deflecting her attacks with ease. "I was helping you achieve your goal, shouldn't you be thankful I'm going to see it through to completion?"
Valentine shook her head. "...This is not what Mother wanted." She remarked. "Mother may have had her reasons to annihilate humanity, but the destruction of all runs counter to all of her purposes. And even now, I'm doubting whether Mother was right or not… Either way, that matters little… what is of concern is that you're against both Mother and my new family. I cannot allow you to succeed, no matter the cost."
"Tch. So even you have fallen victim to their virtues and values." Cataclysm scoffed. "Then I see no point in fighting you. I'm going to kill you, Valentine… NOW!" Cataclysm yelled as he fired a beam that splintered into wicked beams that ran unpredictable ways, before dashing straight for Valentine at all angles. Valentine shielded herself, waiting for the impact… but… it never came…
Dizzy would be freed up from her battle against Naraku, putting down the yokai as she looked towards the battle near the weapon… as her eyes widened, her hands clasping over her mouth… as tears welled up in her eyes.
"My love, what is-!?" Ky would ask, before he himself looked, as his eyes widened as well. "No… she…!"
Ramlethal stood in front of Valentine, multiple gaping holes carved through her, oozing blood as she coughed out, blood splattering on the ground of the battlefield, before she dropped to both knees… and collapsed in front of Valentine.
"Tch… inscrutable pest." Cataclysm remarked with a scowl.
"S… s… sister….! SISTER!" Elphelt yelled as she bawled, dropping to her knees as she cried.
"No, not like this… I just…!" Valentine exclaimed, as her voice portrayed sorrow.
Richard looked back to see the bloody scene, as he cursed under his breath, before increasing his strength to try and quickly suppress Echo, so that he could come to Ramlethal's aid, however late he might be.
At that moment, Siege let out a cry of pain of his own in the chamber, as Richard realized… time was not on his side for either instance.
Siege HP: 32%
"...You wanted to see how I fight, don't you…?" Richard remarked, as he moved back, as he began to charge himself up. "...I'll grant your wish then. I was hoping to hold this back in case a nasty surprise comes… but since you forced my hand with me between a rock and a hard place… you'll get it."
From the view of the Golden Blaze...
"This is bad…!" Sapphire from the Colorverse exclaimed, she and her crew joining the others as they watched all the fighting below.
"Siege's power is draining fast… not to mention Ramlethal could be dying down there… her vital signs are weak, from what I can see…" Yang commented, eyes closed and arms folded.
"What are we gonna do!? We can't just send an army down there like that! It's gonna blow away the cover we have as a unit from space!" Makoto exclaimed.
"But what other choice do we have…" Vergil would ask, eyes closed in thought.
"Perhaps a proper warrior should show you rookies how a battle is fought." A new, stern female voice, nearly sounding in similar tone to Vergil, stated as a portal opened to the Golden Blaze, formed from blue flames and lightning, as a woman in a black full body jacket, with blue furred skin from the looks of things, walked out of the portal, her very steps emanating an alternating pattern of flames and lightning on the ground, as Yang, Makoto, and Rutega recognized the figure.
"...Aren't you…!? Siege's instructor!?" Rutega asked in shock, patched up from the events down below.
"Clever eye. You remember me. Magina told me something may require my attention… so I didn't hesitate, and came as soon as I heard the distress call. My pupil and someone important to the timeline is in distress down there, as I understand." The woman stated.
"And who is that important person?" Gus asked.
"She means Ramlethal." Yang deadpanned. "Considering she caused the switch in Valentine. Elphelt was only there for the tail end of things… though I do wonder where Jack-O is within all the events down there. I suppose that can be answered another time."
"In any case, just what kind of damage are they committing to my pupil down there?" The woman's eyes narrowed, more anger entering her tone.
"They're using his energy to charge a weapon that will destroy the entire world!" Makoto said with a worried tone.
"...They… what." The woman asked, lightning and flames sparking, flipping off her hood, revealing her white hair and her blue wolf ears.
"Whoa… the power…!" Ruby stated in shock.
"Send me down there." The woman stated, heading towards the teleporter.
"...I'm sorry?" Towa asked. "Are you cra-"
"I said SEND ME DOWN THERE!" The woman yelled, tossing off her jacket in anger, revealing her full body, which was covered in blue fur except for a large patch of white fur going from her muscular abdomen up to her neck, tapering off as it went up, her wolf tail being white in color, as she wore a white sarashi and long black pants underneath. "They will learn what happens when they mess with the pupil of Vara - The Blue Flare Lightning Empress!"
"Powering up the teleporter!" Yang immediately yelled in fear of Vara. "Someone else send her down, now!"
"Let me." Kaguya remarked, turning to Vara. "...Go ahead. Those bastards are going to be in a surprise, when someone even more powerful comes down to wreck their world."
"Glad someone sees my point of view." Vara smiled, as she was warped down.
Back at the Battle…
Siege HP: 15%
"...I… I can't… feel anything anymore…" Siege weakly said from his chamber, numbness taking full effect of his body.
"Don't die on us!" Elphelt cried as she and Valentine were trying to keep Ramlethal alive, leaving Richard to face the trio of Goku Black, Cataclysm Siege, and Echo alone.
"Hahahahahaha! Face it, Richard! You're out of time, you've lost no matter what now!" Cataclysm Siege cackled.
"...Funny, that's what you're saying, when the three of you are solely focused on me." Richard remarked. "Sure, you're stalling me… but at the same time, you've given me what I want."
"And that is…" Echo stated, before he then realized it. "...Oh, you cheeky bastard. I see where this is going."
"You called for backup, didn't you, you unsightly wretch?" Cataclysm Siege smirked.
"Maybe I did, maybe my friends did it for me." Richard shrugged. "But the one thing for certain… you just made yourself targets for me, all gathered up nice and well."
~BGM: Bury The Light - 9 String Guitar Cover by Andrew Baena~
A storm brewed over the field of battle, striking down as servants burst into brilliant flames, the power of the lightning shaking the foundations of the battlefield, knocking everyone off balance from the sheer might.
"...Is… is that…!? No… she said she never would come back for me, she had her own… unless…" Siege weakly stated, as he watched as the teleporter beam struck down, the blue flames and radiant lightning coating the figure of his own instructor, who looked upon the field of battle with a righteous anger in her eyes. "...Vara…!" Siege exclaimed.
"Who!?" Cataclysm Siege exclaimed, looking back to Siege, turning his attention back to the wolf anthromorph.
"You've stolen quite enough power from my pupil. Release him. Or face my power." Vara stated coldly.
"Tch. Just another pest. Naraku! Send her to-!" Goku Black began to say, before Naraku was cut in half, exploding in brilliant blue flames, as Vara walked slowly towards the opposing trio.
"Fine. You've dug your own graves." Vara said, as she wasn't even making slash moves, as servants to the left and right on the opponent's side were falling to multiple slashes, clearing the battlefield in mere seconds as Vara continued marching along the battlefield, at a slow, menacing pace.
"Oh boy, well, that's a real hornet's nest we stirred up." Echo remarked, as he was actually uneasy at the situation, and the menacing warrior fast approaching them.
"...Tch! I'll do it myself!" Black yelled as he powered up, Amakusa and Shizuka charging as the trio closed in on Vara, who finally assumed a ready stance, unsheathing her blade as it sparked with blue flames and radiant lightning as she unsheathed it, before blitzing in a storm of slashes, before teleporting into Goku Black and kicking him, blue flames and lightning striking hard, sending him crashing into the ground, being knocked out as he groaned, before she would approach Amakusa, forming a spell circle with only a thought as she procured a spell card.
"Declare: Judgement Sign: Unforgiving Render." Vara deadpanned as danmaku magic literally grabbed at Amakusa, tearing his very body apart at the seams, as he soon was torn apart, screaming in bloody agony as he vaporized in blue particles, before she turned to Shizuka, and placed a hand on her head.
"Tormented soul. Rest in peace…" Vara declared, as Shizuka finally felt the embrace of death taking hold of her, as she was put to rest again, as Baiken saw her purified spirit ascend towards the heavens.
"Tch!" Cataclysm Siege sweatdropped, seeing the pure carnage left in Vara's wake. "Confounded… what… are you, woman!?"
"Oh. I'm no one special. Only a being that has withstanded the training of the greats. The ultimates of Zeabolos, the thrashings of Kratos, the godly might of Asura, the reality warping of Yukari, even a fair match for Lady Magina in her glorious splendor. Even with such titles, I hold pride in that I am of no special race. I am but a lowly mortal, a fleshly canine in the form of a powerful body. A weakling race, as you people who seek to play God wish to call it." Vara casually said, continuing to walk towards the remaining duo. "However, I must sadly inform you. Tell me, how much time is left until my pupil perishes from your draining?"
"Ohohohoho. Don't get cocky, woman. He'll be completely drained in…" Cataclysm Siege chuckled, looking over.
Siege HP: 5%
"5 minutes." Cataclysm finished.
"That's 4 minutes more than I need." Vara smirked.
"You bluff! You cannot possibly defeat Echo AND myself in such a short time!" Cataclysm exclaimed.
"Why don't you prove me wrong then?" Vara quipped.
"Not to mention that I'm not done fighting yet." Richard remarked, stepping up. "...Sorry, if I'm intruding in your fight, but with my brother in line, I'm not sitting on the sidelines."
"Isn't it a bit rude to interrupt a lady's dare to prideful men, boy?" Vara said to Richard. "Besides. Isn't there something more productive you could be doing with the time you have, instead of aiding me in a fight I've got full control of?" Vara added, hinting at the fact that there was still a master-ghost to destroy.
"...Heh, I got prideful myself. Apologies." Richard stated, before he then warped towards the device. "Alright, a better chance to get this dealt with hasn't come now, so time to crack this open. Hang in there, buddy, don't give up hope."
"No! Stop hi-" Cataclysm Siege was about to order Echo.
"Ahem! Boys~. Your fight is with me." Vara reminded the duo, holding her blade in place for combat.
"...Tch!" Cataclysm Siege growled. "...Echo… any ideas…?"
"Sorry, pal, but this lady ain't going to let us walk." Echo smirked. "...Only choice we have is to give it our all. Besides, you should be more worried about the fact that dear Richard will turn his back around to deal with us."
Echo was gesturing at Richard, who was fervently hacking away on the device, using magic to break the containment unit holding Siege in.
"...Fine." Cataclysm Siege said before drawing two dark blades. "We'll take you for that minute, but when we're done, you're going to be a bloody mess on the ground!" Cataclysm yelled.
"Heh, sure thing pretty boy." Vara chuckled as she dashed at the duo at blinding speeds in blue flames and lightning slashes.
While they clashed, Richard smashed the master-ghost at last, as the lock on the tube shattered, the door opened… and Siege tumbled out of the thing like he was a ragdoll, limp as he fell towards the ground.
Richard then quickly grabbed him, as he teleported the both of them out of the center of the battlefield, where the battle between Vara, Cataclysm Siege and Echo was occurring.
"...Take it easy, you've been drained this bad already." Richard quietly told Siege.
"...I… can barely feel my powers… I know they're there but… ngh… I… might be out of commission for… for a while, bud…" Siege weakly chuckled. "...This is a sorry state, isn't it? Sorry you… had to see me like this pal…"
"It's not much of a problem… we all have our bad days." Richard stated. "Take all the rest you need, you need it a lot more than I will."
"...What surprises me the most… I never thought… I would ever see her again… Vara I mean… she said she had her own problems to deal with… the only reason I can think she's here is that she's finally settled her end of things…" Siege added. "...Hehe, whaddya think of her buddy… pretty badass, ain't she?"
Richard looked back at the fight, as he saw how Vira was easily taking the blows of both Cataclysm Siege and Echo with little trouble. "Yeah, no contest on that." Richard nodded back.
"Could you believe it if I told you when she was teaching me when I was younger… I actually straight up proposed to her?" Siege joked with a smile. "She was pretty flustered when I did actually… she declined politely of course but it makes me wonder if that isn't part of the reason she came back." Siege joked, chuckling a bit.
"Don't be so negative, I doubt that your words would have done such a thing. After all, you're the face of your squad, who could hold it against you?" Richard quipped in return.
"Heh, you're right." Siege chuckled, before looking to the Valentines. "...I'm not sure how much time Ramlethal has left, Richard. You have to get her on board the Golden Blaze."
"That can be taken care of." Richard stated, as he created another sukima that dropped Ramlethal's body against his other shoulder, using sign-less fire to cauterise some of the wounds to buy time. "...Either way, neither of us are giving up hope."
Elphelt and Valentine also fell through that portal, both landing harshly on the ground. "Ouch! ….Hey, hey please tell me you're gonna save my sister!" Elphelt pleaded to Richard, on her knees at his feet.
"You can be rest assured… I won't let such a fate befall an ally." Richard declared, as he created a portal to drag Siege and Ramlethal through, as Valentine watched, actually hoping to herself that her sister survives.
"...If only Jack-O were here…" Elphelt said to herself. "She would also know what to do for a situation like this… but where could she have gotten off to…?"
"I've actually had people working on that." The voice of Siege contacted Elphelt through the communicator system. "While not… 100% certain of where she is… she's in that world, trust me… we just have to find her, not just for your sake but for Sol's… because I have a sneaking suspicion that Cataclysm may have a backup plan to blow up this world…"
"...The Cube…" Valentine remarked, as she then realized what Siege was mentioning in terms of a 'back-up measure'. "...I think that I might have a clue about what the back-up plans of both Richard and that man is…"
"Good. Then find it and be rid of it." Siege ordered them both, before his comms cut out from him being a bit too weak to continue speaking.
"You know more than I do, lead the way, my predecessor!" Elphelt said, as she had her weapons ready to aid Valentine.
"Not so fast." Richard stated, as a sukima appeared before them, as Richard stepped out of this. "...Like I tried to tell Vara before, this doesn't have to be done alone. I mean, I leave dealing with the copies to her, but dealing with what comes ahead is my responsibility at the very least."
"I understand." Valentine remarked with a firm nod. "...In such a short time, Ramlethal told me that she saw the good in us."
"Should we go ask if Sol wants to follow us? Jack-O is his beloved after all..." Elphelt remarked.
"...Fine, but don't spill that fact, for the sake of us. Let him figure the truth out on his own." Richard nodded, before then warping over to Sol. "...I hope you've had your fun dealing with the mess here, but we need you for something else. I'm not going to order you, but this fight isn't over, just because a power-house dropped down to fix our issue with our nuisances. Do you recall what Dr Paradigm said about the Backyard?"
"...Let me guess, you want to deal with that Cube then?" Sol stated, as Dr Paradigm and Izuna heard of it, with Sin, Ky, Dizzy rushing over to see the commotion as well. Sol noticed the group gathering around. "...Bah, can't believe that so much old pains and old acquaintances are gathered around me. Surely you don't think-"
"Do not worry, I will remain with my beloved and my own son." Ky stated. "...I'm merely wishing you well when you deal with whatever threat comes ahead."
"...Sol, promise me that you won't perish. This world still has people who care for you. I'm sure that you know that as well." Dizzy stated.
"...Go get them, old man." Sin smirked with a thumbs up, which made Sol grunt with a smile.
"...If your goal is the Cube, then I shall come along. You will need my aid to do whatever is needed." Dr Paradigm stated, as Izuna nodded.
"...Then it's settled." Richard was about to say. "We will-"
"Let us come as well!" Haohmaru stated at first, as he and the SamSho group walked up. "After all, the more swords we have for this the better, yeah?"
"Oui, I agree with Haohmaru, allow us to aid you." Charlotte said. "You've all already done enough. Banishing Amakusa, and finally putting Shizuka to a peaceful rest… the least we can do is help seal this event fully closed."
Ukyo said nothing, but his eyes portrayed the emotions of his fellow samurais around him.
"...You put Shizuka to rest… well, that woman did. So I have nothing better to do. Besides, I've not been real sociable with much of my own world. Perhaps this will begin to shift that for the better." Baiken remarked, looking towards those of the Guilty Gear world that were coming.
"Alright." Richard stated, as he took the group through the sukima, as the group were gathered, before they then proceeded through one of the cavern passages that Richard kept note of.
Cataclysm Siege watched as they walked through the sukima, as he smirked. "So they're going for my backup plan… they'll soon learn why I wasn't guarding it myself, soon enough…"