Heroic New Era: Fantasies of Heroism
Chapter 8: Mining The Root of the Problem
Siege and Yang had been hard at work in the Crown Mines, from helping quell rioters, to Siege stopping Yang from handing out the medicine Giggs told them to give out, instead handing out legitimate medicine, to starting to investigate on suspicious activities Giggs was doing, which was what they were doing when the main group began to arrive.
Gus then arrived before the duo, with the rest of the group around him.
"So, Siege, how's the situation in the Crown Mines?" Gus asked.
"Yang's currently tailing the boss's nephew, we got wind of some shady acts he's doing so we need some hard evidence on him before we get anywhere… but I have a hunch the 'medicine' they're giving miners isn't truly medicine at all." Siege explained.
"Hm, that's a bit distressing to hear. It smells of exploitation." Gus sighed deeply. "And the boss themselves? What do you think of them?"
"Mr. Kim… he's your typical businessman." Siege stated. "Does whatever he can not only to make a profit, but whatever he can to keep his workers satisfied, even if it means shady business. What I can say: He knows absolutely nothing about what his nephew is doing. If we can bring back hard evidence of such things… we'll be on his good side."
"Better than nothing." Kaguya sighed. "Sometimes, you got to get your hands dirty with the more questionable of people. And at least he does have some concern for his workers, even if it's for the sake of profit."
"There's something worse on the horizon though… I sensed a new presence entering this world and you guys aren't going to like the name of who I believe it is." Siege stated.
"...Well, spit it out already, might as well tell us now." Sam stated.
"...I think Cataclysm me is here now, ready to pull strings of his own." Siege explained with a stern and heavy tone.
"And with the World Government…" Mokou stated. "...Guess Richard's prediction that they're going to poke a terrible bear is likely going to happen… if they decide at this very moment to cause problems. It'll be a three-way brawl that is going to endanger everyone in the mines, if not the surrounding regions."
"Which is why we need to act fast." Yang stated, returning down as she brought up a medicine bottle. "While Gibbs denies everything accused of, like this medicine not being true medicine and whatnot, this medicine here is labeled with Heirs of Aida insignia. Gibbs explained there's other medicine in a different location, but I don't trust it. I think it's a trap he's luring us into to get rid of us completely."
"Point is we need to be ready on all fronts now…" Lucia stated firmly. "Orders, Commandant?"
"Split up our efforts. We need to not only report to Kim regarding Gibbs' strange actions, but we need to send a team to that area anyways, and explain to Mr. Kim that if the medicine isn't there, then not only have we been duped, he also has been duped by his own family." Siege explained.
"And the other team?" Valentine asked.
"I only recommend we split up into two teams for this. One team for the location Gibbs gave, the other for reporting to Kim, and don't be stingy with the numbers, we need to have eyes in the back of our heads. Yang and I ran into a new branch of Cipher Pol on our way here that are nastier than CP5. CP4 is the branch." Siege explained.
"Cipher Pol 4… The number 4 is synonymous with death in Japanese culture." Kaguya stated, before biting her lip. "This doesn't sound good. I think they're basically 'cleaners' in a sense."
"So the relief pitchers in the ninth inning…" Sam referenced.
"Then we can't waste time." Gus stated. "I'll lead the team to investigate the site. Mokou will come with me, as will Heiwa, Popol and Valentine. Anyone else?"
"I always fight with my sister." Ramlethal stated as she was ready to fight.
"I'm going too. After all, I have your coordinates." Yang explained.
"Then that leaves the rest of us to go and report to Mr. Kim about the situation." Lucia explained.
"I can deliver him the news right now, and then you guys could catch up?" Lynestra asked.
"No. We need to all be there. Kim trusts me, and the only way I'm gonna keep his trust is through continual business meetings in person." Siege explained. "I only wish Richard, Shirli, Ruby, and Brazera were here to help pick up some slack…"
"About that…" Sam started as he slightly chuckled. "Ruby uhm… isn't in the best of health."
"What happened to my sis!?" Yang exclaimed in anger as she looked at the main group, having just as strong sibling connection with Ruby as the Overlord felt on her end. "TELL ME!" Yang yelled, her eyes red and her hair on the verge of catching fire.
"She took a heavy blow from one of the Seraphims." Kaguya explained, as she kept her tone even and firm. "In response, we broke its defenses and Ryojmia literally dismantled it after it tried to rush us down. But don't worry, I'm sure that Richard is doing everything he can. He literally demanded Shirli to guide them to the nearest hospital, and quick-warped there. There's no way she'll die on his watch, knowing that it would shatter you. So hold on that hope… it could also be the thing that is keeping Ruby from shuffling the mortal coil. Her will to not leave you alone is what is keeping her heart beating."
"...Alright. I trust Richard. I trust he can get her up and going again." Yang stated.
"Then let's get back on track. You guys head off and fight the goons at the trap. We'll go talk it up with the head boss man." Klora explained.
The two assigned groups split off from each other as Siege, with his now larger group, approached Kim, who was a man with a crew-cut, and a blind right eye, with a cigar to his mouth, and a black and red business suit, who raised his eyebrow at the larger numbers.
"You have a bigger force… did your reinforcements come as you intended?" Kim would ask.
"Yes indeed. With my group now larger, we can make quicker work of cleaning up the mines, sir." Siege stated.
"Very well. What of my nephew?" Kim asked, as Siege produced the medicine bottle with the Heirs of Aida insignia on it. "Hm?"
"The medicine your workers are getting are faulty ones from the Heirs of Aida. Gibbs claimed to give us the true location of the shipment, and I have others dispatched to that area to quickly reconnaissance it out, and it the medicine is not there, then I hate to inform you that your nephew is playing us all like fiddles." Siege explained.
"I see." Kim stated. "I have faith in your words, you've not been untrustworthy yet. We await your team. If they return with no medicine in their possession, then we can be certain my nephew has taken advantage of us all. And thus, he must be removed from the workforce, and I must find myself a new foreman." Kim assured. "And if you do find him guilty… I ask for leniency, not as a manager, but as an uncle. He is my only nephew. Unless his acts truly must give me a death sentence without question, I ask that you return him to me safe and as uninjured as you can."
"On our vow of trust, I can promise you that should we successfully capture your nephew, he will be delivered to you for proper punishments, sir. In exchange, when this is all said and done, we will receive the Astrum?" Siege asked.
"A fair trade." Kim relented.
"Then you have yourself a full and proper deal, Mr. Kim." Siege stated as the two shook on it, as Gus's group returned. "Wow. That was fast."
"There was no medicine. A trap. Poorly set up, if I may add." Ramlethal explained.
"Literally too few people to handle us. It was a sad excuse of a fight." Mokou crossed her arms.
"It was certainly set up in a hurry, that's for sure." Yang explained. "Sorry to break it to ya, sir, but… your nephew's been duping us all."
Kim took out his cigar, before turning around, and letting out a deep sigh of disappointment, before putting it back in his mouth, and facing the group.
"And I assume that you learned something from it?" Kim asked back.
"Indeed, with some intimidation at how quickly their ambush was dealt with, one of the conscious ones blurted that the medicine originated from 'Area 4'." Gus responded back.
"Area 4… Yes, that's the place where that medicine was made." Kim answered back. "It has severed all ties from the rest of us, and so it is concluded that it has fallen into the hands of the Heirs of Aida. I would advise caution… but you seem well prepared for what is within. It is on the top of the mountain, and the elevator to it is nearby. It is still operational, due to the fact that it is required for transport of those medicine batches."
"Thank you for your confirmation." Kaguya stated. "We'll immediately head for it, and deal with the Heirs of Aida's presence there."
"One final thing before we go, sir. I've informed you of the World Government and their meddling in all affairs here, and you even witnessed it first hand upon our arrival. I fear their ambitions for killing anyone important are sending them into blind rage to try and instill fear into us." Siege stated. "And thus, I leave Sam and Lucia here as your personal guards. They are skilled warriors of the blade, and not a single hand will be laid on you by those that the World Government sends, sir."
"We will protect you with everything." Lucia stated.
"Kick back, relax, and watch the fireworks a bit, why don'tcha?" Sam winked at Kim in his usual playful manner.
"Very well, I accept your aid." Kim stated. "From what I have heard, my own security detail is grossly outclassed to handle such threats. If my own life relies on these two, then I will hand it to them willingly, for I have seen enough to know what would come of me without that aid. Now go, before my nephew causes more problems that you might convict him further upon…"
The group then headed towards the elevator, as it slowly rose to the high area, as they noticed a small patrol of Heirs of Aida troopers, which was completely dispatched in mere split-seconds, before they even knew what was happening.
As they travelled through the area, they noticed that there was a large barrier ahead of them, which Kaguya moved forward to deal with.
"Hang on." Kaguya stated, before she then pulled out a hand-held hacking device, before connecting it right into a part of the barrier, as it disrupted the energy matrix, creating a large-sized hole for the group to enter through. "After all of you."
"..." Siege was about to walk through when suddenly, he sensed a presence nearby as his eyes narrowed and turned to the mountain above them. "...Yang. Ramlethal."
"...He's up there isn't he." Yang asked.
"Not just him. I suspect an alliance that's going to prove most difficult… Echo is here too, which is even worse… The rest of you, storm in and get the information you need. Yang, Ramlethal, let's go greet the unwelcome guest." Siege stated as he opened a portal.
"Indeed." Ramlethal stated with a harsh growl, remembering Cataclysm very well, as Yang pounded her fists together, the trio walking through to the area up top.
Gus took a moment to watch the trio leave, before heading forward through the portal, as they began to search the premises for clues regarding the medicine's production.
On top of the mountain…
Siege, Ramlethal, and Yang walked out to see Cataclysm resting upon air, with Echo and Irelia there as well, as Cataclysm saw Siege and smiled, rising to his feet.
"The hero of the hour arrives at long last!" Cataclysm smiled brightly, gesturing for Echo to stand to attention. "You've made quite the progress, even with Cipher Pol breathing down your bloody necks. I'm quite impressed. You've secured a post alliance with 3 of the 5 Angels of Clemency! You should take pride!"
"It's not like you to praise me, for someone so hell bent on my destruction." Siege stated in a low tone.
"Oh I merely want to raise you up! Before Echo and I smash you all the way back down to the dust you were birthed from, you eyesore." Cataclysm said with a wicked smile.
"And I got to hand it to that other me. He really knew how to pick his foes. Sacrificing himself and his friends for his less fortunate other self and HIS friends." Echo remarked, before sighing with a sly smirk. "That's so him. I imagine that at this very moment, he's saving another life at the moment, or else he would be here with you. You two aren't exactly separable in most cases."
"But in any case, behold the results of our labor, for we stand here with a CP5 Elite! And I must say, you've all racked up hellacious bounties with the World Government, just for existing it seems!" Cataclysm laughed as he brought out an updated Siege bounty.
Wanted: Dead or Alive (Alive has been scribbled out by Cataclysm)
Siege Sukui
Reward: 150,000,000,000
"150 Billion, eh? Boy they're desperate." Siege chuckled, looking to Irelia. "Another sign of fear, I see."
"Tch! We aren't afraid of you!" Irelia growled.
"The rising bounties, the calls for backup, the triage of Seraphim? Admit it. You actually feel threatened. Richard's message is doing exactly as intended for you sick fucks." Siege smiled.
"Krrrgh…!" Irelia growled in anger and admittance.
"Hey, look on the bright side, if you manage to live through this, with all of the Seraphim cores you recovered, you might be able to give the WG a chance to improve their Seraphims,when things get hectic on their side." Echo chuckled towards Irelia, before turning back to Siege and his group. "And right now, you literally has a bounty that smashes Gol.D Roger's right out of the park… no, out of the literal country. He's the man who started the Golden Age of Piracy, and he had an existing Bounty 25 times lesser than yours. Siege is right, the message is well and clear, if the Gorosei don't wise up quickly… the World Government is about to be a footnote in the book of history."
"Ghk…!" Irelia cursed as Siege cracked his neck.
"So. We didn't gather up here just to talk shit to each other, as genuinely enjoyable as its been." Siege stated.
"You took those words straight from my mouth! I guess to the core we really are Siege, eh?" Cataclysm chuckled.
"Hah! To the core we may be but beyond that? We're as polar as the opposite poles on the Earth." Siege smirked.
"True words yet again!" Cataclysm cackled. "Perhaps I've been too harsh on simply killing you! I think I'd simply go for seeing you suffer now!"
"Aww, you'd do that for me?" Siege smiled. "I'm flattered, Cataclysm."
"...Are we gonna fight or are we just gonna smack talk?" Yang asked.
"Sorry, just wanted to ink out a little more banter." Cataclysm smirked.
"Agreed. But banter is over." Siege said, drawing Ragnell-Yato. "The fight is now."
Just as it was about to start, a sukima opened and a red streak charged out of it like a bullet, and slammed into Irelia hard!
"Well. Whaddya know. I unintentionally stalled long enough for backup to arrive." Siege stated.
"I helped you there. I couldn't bear this fight beginning without Richard here!" Cataclysm cackled, watching as Richard, Brazera, and Shirli emerged from the sukma.
"What in the…?" Brazera asked in shock at seeing Cataclysm and Echo.
"Who are they? They're, you and Siege but-" Shirli asked.
"Bastardized in every way." Siege explained. "All you need to know: You can kill them if the opportunity arises."
"But don't count on it." Richard remarked. "You don't want to take a hit from them. They're another step higher than just simple Seraphims. They're a godly threat."
"Aptly put, Richard. Aptly put." Echo remarked, clapping his hands. "And so the star of this show appears, riding in with a streak of red. I figured that you would have sensed me this far, with Siege so close."
"Cut the crap, you and Cataclysm, I can get… but what's this CP Agent doing here?" Richard growled. "You literally plan to use them in an attempt to create a smokescreen for whatever plot you have."
Irelia choked on her breath hearing that, as Echo laughed. It also didn't help Ruby was on top of her trying to murder with her scythe.
"Oh, don't be so quick to discount them. After all, they've managed to hurt three of your friends pretty badly with their Seraphims. Oh, and I guess they have a special surprise in store for you. After all, you already know the pattern…" Echo remarked. "But now, let's not spoil it. And to answer your question, we just had similar goals. In honesty, they wouldn't last long enough as a smoke-screen, if you put your back figuring out what was really happening. No, they were just a few people we took pity and gave them a bit of a guiding hand and a lift to. If they get themselves destroyed, no skin off our teeth. Not like they could have done anything to us, especially after all the kindness we done them, compared to you all."
"Hnnnh!?" Irelia exclaimed as she heard the slander from them, while also trying to hold off Ruby to hear their true intentions on the World Government.
"That's sick, even for the World Government, that's sick. You two are using them as your pawns, to send them into death traps by our hand, to not only accomplish our goal but yours as well?" Siege asked.
"By golly he's figured it out, Watson!" Cataclysm mocked in a British accent to Echo, before returning to normal. "You, sir, have really upped your deduction skills since we last met! Indeed, all of these Cipher Pol and Seraphim are merely people we can use to throw at you as meat to slaughter. We know they're nothing to you. Richard had perfect basis in his threat. He made it knowing you all could handle it! And we want to see you two suffering, and such, we guide them straight to you! Only to meet their end in glorious bloodbaths that we so much enjoy seeing. In fact, CP4 should be arriving to fight your friends down below! Death troopers to the core, they kill or be killed, not a single intent to stop any of them!" Cataclysm laughed. "So really, the World Government has the absolute worst end of the stick here! They lose, we win! Isn't that what you wanted for this dimension?"
Richard was left stunned. "Jesus, so you literally set them up to take a swing at us." Richard remarked. "Siege is right. I'm so appalled that it loops around impressing me, and I can't even call it wrong, which I loathe it."
"And it's not wrong." Echo remarked, with a hand to his lips. "Like I said, we gave WG the bat and the direction. They had their chance to swing, far more than what cruel reality would give them. But yes, in the end, it's to our benefit. If they take a few of you down with them, all the better. But in the end, they failed, and that's just how it is. And you know the sad thing? They'll believe in their invincibility and send more and more of their agents over here, in futile attempts to kill you. And they might destabilize a few nations doing so, but again, their loss, our gain. It's just how life is, you call it evil, I call it taking opportunity. In the end, they'll wring their own military dry trying to get rid of you all, and by the time they realize it, all that's left is the Marines, who will be more disloyal than loyal to them by the time this ends, and Im, who will realize that he has been outplayed by you. What a sad creature, hiding in the shadows, and expecting himself to have the power to control the world. How sad he is, unable to realize that there is nothing that he can do to save his doomed tyranny."
"I have to ask…" Siege stated as his eyes were shadowed. "...Do you know the state of CP5?"
"In utter shambles. All that remains is their higher ups, and poor Irelia is the last of their normal agents." Cataclysm laughed.
Richard, Siege and Irelia were left shocked silent, before Echo realized what he said.
"Oh, did I do a whoopsie?" Echo remarked, with a childish chuckle. "Of course, Irelia. You weren't meant to know about little Im. Sitter of the Empty Throne, and the true master of the World Government, and the one who nuked a kingdom trying to get rid of a single Revolutionary… and failed. His little weapon will be useful, not unlike that device back then. But we are busy trying to avoid the attention of the gods over there. At least until we have what we need to make our debut. Anyways, guess that means, Irelia, I'll just have to make sure you die. Can't have you blabbing to Im first, and telling us what we have done. Naughty little snitches get buried six feet under.
"Gh…!" Irelia exclaimed as Ruby was about to slice her head off.
"Oh, no need, Echo, looks like Little Red Riding Hood is going to do our job for us! So long, Irelia! And good riddance to CP5! The higher ups will have no choice but to shut it down with your death!" Cataclysm laughed.
Hearing these words, Ruby stopped, turning to them. "Wait, you're not stopping me?"
"Ruby. New order. Irelia has to live. With everything you have in you, keep those bastards from doing her in!" Siege yelled.
"Sigh… Here we go." Echo rolled his eyes. "One speech about how they're used by us, and you suddenly pity them."
"...You know, I may have a bone to pick with the World Government, but I don't intend to end things with a full slaughter." Richard stated. "And if you're literally asking me to kill her, you definitely have something planned when she dies. And that is not happening."
"I don't need your concern…" Irelia growled.
"Bullshit, be quiet!" Ruby yelled as she twirled her scythe. "OVERLORD OVERDRIVE! Rose's Thorns!"
Ruby slammed her scythe down, creating a demonic-enhanced barrier of thorns that shielded herself and Irelia.
"...Pfft. What a piss poor attempt." Cataclysm scoffed as in one blast, the barrier blew apart, as Ruby and Irelia were both sent off the side of the mountain.
"Oh no…!" Shirli exclaimed as Siege stopped her.
"Ruby has her orders. She's not dying. Neither is Irelia. Our focus is on these two megalomaniac pricks who cleverly designed our struggle with the World Government for their own personal gains. I don't fucking like it a single bit." Siege growled. "Normally, I would be thankful for help in taking down the World Government, but when it's designed in such a way by you two sick fucks… then that gets thrown off the skyscraper."
"In a classic case of rare moments when the villain and hero share a goal, the heroes simply justify their actions to state they refuse to work with the villains. Tragic indeed, we had something beautiful for a moment there." Cataclysm scoffed. "But now it's time to re-write the tale. The heroes lose, and the villains win!" Cataclysm cackled. "Let's obliterate them, Echo!"
"And back to regularly-scheduled programming." Echo remarked, before summoning a blade of darkness. "Now then, let's not waste words."
"Exactly." Richard answered back, before he then readied his own stance, as magic flowed through him, in preparation for the battle.
Siege brought out his Restraints Released spell card and used it, replenishing his reserves and power yet again as Cataclysm's eyes widened.
"Nani the fuck!? When did you get this shit? I don't ever recall-" Cataclysm asked before getting his shit blasted with an elemental fist to the face.
"Don't act surprised. Growth is a part of life." Siege stated bluntly.
"Owieeeee why'd you hit so haaaard?" Cataclysm mocked as he got to his feet. "Well, I guess I had it coming. Really was dumb to question you getting stronger. But perhaps that was me thinking you'd be out of commission longer after what happened to you last time."
"Oh, I got all that energy back. Then some." Siege smirked.
"You little…!" Cataclysm growled before he and Siege sped at each other and began clashing DBZ-style all over Aesperia.
"Well, just the two of us… and some girls to watch us." Echo remarked, eyeing Brazera, Yang, Ramlethal, and Shirli, who could only watch what happened. "And I assume that you got some power-up like Siege did."
"More like I regained what I had." Richard answered back. "Manifesting the same form in different ways is more effective than you think."
"Oh-ho? Now this I got to see." Echo remarked, before Richard transformed in a flash of white light, with white hair and crystalline wings. "Huh, that does seem different from what I remember. Let me guess, 'Master Mode Alter'?"
"Oh please, that's just plain unoriginal. I'll decide on it's name after I make use of it enough to deem it a standard practice of battle." Richard remarked, before he then fired a laser blast from a summoned magic circle, as Echo deflected it with a slash. "And you're not any weaker either."
"Pft, it's as Siege says, growth is a part of life. You forget power creep works on both sides." Echo scoffed, before he then threw a barrage of slash waves, which Richard blocked with a barrier, before the latter snapped his fingers, teleporting them right into the midst of a very confused group of Heirs of Aida, who felt existential dread. "Oh, look, some toys."
"GET OUT." Richard growled, as his eyes glowed menacingly, as the Heirs of Aida did the most sensible thing that their fear-addled minds could process, and left the area post-haste.
Richard and Echo then proceeded to clash with each other, as their strikes seemed to shake the entire mining region, with errant slashes, cutting entire walls of stone and metal apart.
"Wh-who was that man!?" Numa asked Frigg as they had seen Richard and Echo appear, before Frigg had escorted her out, not out of fear but knowing it was a dangerous duel ahead. "I saw Siege's friend but there was someone else… someone… scarier…"
"I do not know what that dark perverted version of that boy is… But I know that this fight is better to be handled between the two of them." Frigg stated, as she too felt concern. "We are safer far from the battle than any closer."
Richard then smashed his hand right into the ground, creating an entire wave of earth pillars that Echo quickly decayed with a wave of his hand, only to be surprised, when Richard literally kicked one of the earth fragments right into him, obscuring his vision, and then slashed right across with a summoned blade from Richard, leaving a large slash-mark across his waist.
"Urk, well, that was a clever trick." Echo relented, before he then smirked, and then created tendrils of darkness that began to turn the area surrounding them into a dark muck. "How about one of mine?"
Richard barely had time to react, before thousands of spikes began to rapidly fire out of the pools of ooze, as he was forced to evade at supersonic speeds, his reactions pushed to the limit, as some of the spikes managed to graze his skin, before one hit him in the shoulder, wounding it considerably.
However, Richard would get a reprieve, as suddenly, crashing through the same building would be Cataclysm, bashing right into Echo, sending them both into Echo's own attack and knocking Richard out of it's area of effect, as Siege drew a spell card.
"Declare Spell: Aura Sign: DIVINE CROSS!" Siege yelled as multiple danmaku streams in the shape of crosses smashed into Echo and Cataclysm, forming chains after impact that bound the duo up, as Siege drew yet another spell card. "Double Spell: Fiendish Sign: HELLSPAWN DOMINION!"
From the ooze came a portal straight to hell, as souls of the damned shot up to claw and puncture deep hellfire wounds into Cataclysm and Echo both.
"Right where I need them. Hold on, this might be a bit spicy." Richard remarked, before he then pulled out a Spell Card with one hand, while tracing a sigil in another. "Declare Arcanum…"
Several magic circles in various colors began to surround Richard, before they then merged above him, in the same sigil that he traced, turning to a prismatic spell circle that grew to be the size of a soccer-field.
"...Almighty Sign 'Megiddo Ark'." Richard finished, before he then aimed the magic circle down, as it fired off a massive beam of pure white light that he swung right across the entire length of the small area, as the attack caught both Cataclysm and Echo, binding them with power beyond their resistances, before the entire area erupted into a massive crevice of pure light, that scorched them all.
When the light died down, there was a massive chasm where the laser went through, as Richard dusted his hands.
"Now that's definitely enough to put them down for a long time." Richard stated. "Ain't getting up from that like brushing off a minor injury."
"Well said." Siege nodded as they heard Cataclysm and Echo groaning from below.
"Tch… you two… really are trying to paint yourselves as Gary Stus you know that?" Cataclysm called up.
"Hey, we have our weaknesses, we just haven't found them!" Siege called down.
"And besides, you gotta be strong, if you want to handle bigger threats." Richard retorted back. "Blame the game, not the players, pal."
"Krgh… let's regroup, Echo…" Cataclysm cursed as Siege and Richard heard a portal opening down below.
"Well, overpowered they might be… their power won't save everything." Echo remarked, before dragging Cataclysm through the portal. "You know exactly what I mean, both of you. Better not forget your friends, this time around. Would be a shame to get this far after the 'bad ends' you both suffered."
The portal then winked out of existence, as Richard sighed in relief.
"Well, they're beaten back for now." Richard stated, before noticing Gus flying up. "Ah, you're finally here. I figured that you and your group hunkered down as soon as you got the warning that I popped Megiddo Ark on Area 4."
"We managed to get a log, saying that this virus was some means to mutate innocent people into nasty aberrations." Gus informed Richard and Siege. "Turns out most failed, and well… let's say the one case that worked… is already ashes and dust after what you did."
"The Heirs at their finest." Siege sighed. "And Giggs?"
"He got away." Ramlethal reported as she floated down, having just talked with the group on that. "They're breaking the news to Mr. Kim now. I've received word as well that Sam and Lucia are heading to the final Omnium Tower, but there's a bigger concern welling up."
"And that is?" Siege asked.
"Hykros called and informed us there's been high levels of activity in the Tower of Fantasy." Ramlethal stated. "Something in regards to them wanting to reverse time to before the Cataclysm hit."
"...This is it." Siege stated as he nodded. "We've arrived at the endgame."
"Hm?" Ramlethal questioned.
"The Tower of Fantasy: The last ditch effort, the last stronghold Sage has on this world. Frigg stated she would defect during a certain moment at this point, considering we'll be putting all our efforts into stopping Sage. Valkyrie will be waiting the moment we get in. Don't kill her, but don't be pushovers. She still expects a grand duel atop the Tower of Fantasy from us, even if it won't be as large as our duel in Warren Snowfield." Siege explained.
"It should be clear for the home-stretch, other than having to deal with CP4's division." Richard answered back. "But who knows what they might deploy next. A Seraphim based on Jexi? Or a curveball with a different leader… or even a notable member…?"
"Oh, right. That reminds me, what happened to that agent?" Kaguya remarked, referring to Irelia. "I heard a good part of the conversation you had with Cataclysm and Echo. It seems that she has nowhere to go, considering that CP5 is all but extinct."
"I'm alive and well." The group heard a voice as they looked to see Ruby helping a limping Irelia as she looked at the group.
"And I've received new orders. CP5 was just a band of mercenaries anyway, working for the highest bidder. Sadly, with only me and our trio of higher ups, we have no more basis to work for the World Government. The payoff to lives lost to money we've made is the absolute opposite of profit. The higher ups will be going into hiding… as for me…" Irelia said as she stood up, removing her hat to reveal her purple hair. "We need to negotiate a contract, Siege, Richard."
"That can wait." Richard answered back. "While I know that your offer to negotiate is genuine, we don't have the time to properly broker a deal, with CP4 loose and what not. So we'll take you into protective custody for the time being. For the sake of others, and for your sake as well. Don't get me wrong, I'm doing this, since you have no reason to continue this suicide mission, and it's better to give you something to work towards, than just toss you away. Who knows, you might be a focal part of something great in the future. But for now, the best course of action is to just sit on the side-lines."
"Of course. All points are solid and understandable. I only ask that we negotiate at some point. Not at this immediate moment… and considering I'm no longer part of the World Government, it won't do me any good to report the concerns to the higher powers over there… so in the end, my stupidity as an Elite cost us from perhaps working together in a larger force to quelling both of those dark versions of yourselves." Irelia stated solemnly. "I apologize for the rash actions on behalf of what little is left of CP5… We were blinded by massive profits and massive pushes by the World Government."
"Well, at least you're alive." Kaguya stated. "And now, you have a chance to start anew. It will take some time for bad blood to be washed off, but when it is, you'll not regret standing alongside us. Trust me, I know after seeing so many people flock to our cause."
"In any case, it's go time." Siege stated. "We acquired all the materials to allow the space rift at the bottom of the Tower to be powered up. The one issue: It will only take up so many of us. I myself will be going up for Valkyrie, Frigg, and Numa. After all, you guys don't know the signal I discussed with them. Plus I fear Cataclysm and Echo left some parting gifts in the form of other of their cronies in that Tower as well. I wager we can get 4 of us up on the Spacerift. So. Who wants in?"
"I'll join you." Destiny said as she stepped forward. "It's time we have proper mother-son time bashing in enemy skulls. Plus. If a Seraphim shows, you'll need me."
"That's 2. Richard, how about you?" Siege asked.
Richard took a moment to ponder through his selections, before he then sighed.
"Well, Gus could be a reliable ally in this case." Richard answered back. "He's fairly strong, even without most of the quirks that the others have. And maybe that generality might be what will make it easier against the foes ahead."
"Fair, fair." Kaguya stated. "We'll keep watch on the situation below."
"Alright. With us all decided then, let's go and finish things proper. Whatever stands in our way, it won't matter once we smash them into the dirt." Siege said, as he, Destiny, Richard, and Gus sukima'd to the Tower of Fantasy to finish things up for good.