Heroic New Era: Strive for Overture
Final Chapter: The Situation At Hand/Destroying the Cube
"So allow me to get the information you just told myself and Richard straight." Magina said as they were at the rift, which Lucretia and Richard were standing before. "Essentially, Elm's gone delusional with the wishes of Lady Embla, he killed Lord Askr's retainer Ash to allow Embla to open and close gates, and locked up most of the Order of Heroes. Usually you'd be on board with that scenario in the other timelines. What makes you different?"
"Because Lady Embla is not corruptible and evil like other timelines. There is no curse of our blood, there is no war between Askr and Embla, in fact there were many years of peace for my dear Veronica to mingle with Askr, without worry of what might happen to her in Embla. Then Elm finally killed Ash and well… we've been trying to pick up the pieces since." Lucretia sighed. "It was truly a sad sight, seeing our peace torn apart by one of our own."
"So that explains the loyalty Bronquia has to you but the others don't. You had a leash hard on Elm during your time in that world. He wasn't allowed to roam free." Magina deduced.
"It was also because Elm, in all reality, is truly afraid of me." Lucretia stated plainly. "If he had his chance, he would off me faster than anyone could tell him not to. He believes I'm his true obstacle between him and taking full control of all the countries in Zenith."
"Well, that clears everything up. You are an ally, through and through. I suppose this opens up our aid in helping you with your next mission." Magina said.
"Good. I can explain it to you then. Are you aware of a continent known as Fódlan?" Lucretia would ask.
"Of course." Richard answered back. "It's… a world I'm familiar with, but not exactly one I have visited."
"Well, our next mission involves going there." Lucretia stated. "Elm was involved for the first half of their timeline… and ended up managing to get all of the Golden Deer faction killed off except for Lysithea… If he appears there again, who knows how many more will die under his misdirections."
"Hm, I see what you mean there." Richard nodded back, before they then stood before the sealed gate to the Backyard. "This will not take long."
Richard then began to pour energy into the closed Gate, as the energy streams could be seen, as they slowly pulled the gate open, until there was a visible rift in the air, as the group were prepared to step into it, before Richard flexed his fingers, as a wave of energy washed over the group.
"...What's this-" Izuna remarked, before he then felt the energy itself. "Oh, you must be aware of what it's like in the Backyard, so you left us wrapped with some protective energy barriers for us?"
"Only for those who aren't familiar with the otherworldly presence. The rest of us can handle being inside it for as long as we like, princess and goddesses alike here." Richard stated, referring to Veronica and her guard. "Come on, let's not waste more time. Elm definitely got more in store for us."
The group entered the Backyard, as the rocky scenery around them, covered by the orange sky, could be seen everywhere.
"Huh, your magic did have some effect." Dr Paradigm remarked. "...Normally we would have felt the pressure, but-"
"It matters not, we should be lucky we got capable people helping us. Let's get that Cube dealt with." Sol growled.
"Well done for protecting the Cube, Elm!" The voice of Cataclysm Siege said from inside the Backyard, as he, Elm, Sundowner, Hela, and Echo were before the Cube. "Vara won't be able to pursue us here, so let us-!"
"They may not, but we can!" Haohmaru exclaimed, catching the attention of the enemies.
"Well, well, well! If it isn't Richard and his little band of heroes! Think you all can stop us? Once we harness the power of this cube, we can finish charging our weapon, and destroy this world!" Cataclysm cackled. "And it seems there are traitors among you as well. The Bronquians, Veronica, and Lucretia."
"You dare to defy me!? We share the same flag, the same desire as Lady Embla!" Elm exclaimed to Lucretia and Veronica.
"Clearly Lady Embla's vision in our eyes is different from yours, Elm." Lucretia growled as she prepared her magic for battle.
"We've all wasted enough time with the chit-chat." Sundowner smirked as he turned to the group. "It's time we get down to business and finish this!"
"For once, I'll have to agree with you." Richard remarked, as his group drew their weapons to fight.
The tides of war are raging, two sides vying for ultimate glory.
Do not lose ambition. Push forward and rule the day!
HEAVEN
OR
HELL
LET'S ROCK!
Only two master-ghosts appeared this time. One around the Cube. The other, behind the group at the rift they opened.
The two ends rushed at each other, while numbers were on the allied side, the enemy side had strength and power, as an epic clash of epic proportions was happening, both sides not backing down in their hopes to smash the other end's master-ghost.
The fierce combat allowed for Vara, who noticed all the fighting, to begin to sneak around the fighting as best as she could, in hopes she could quickly obliterate the master-ghost holding the Cube.
Richard was wasting no effort in fighting off multiple foes at once, as he fired blast after blast at both Echo and Cataclysm Siege, as both of his enemies were deftly blocking and evading his attacks, mitigating most of the damage he was doing, although the support that Elphelt and Sol were giving helped pull the odds back in their favor, while Dr Paradigm was dueling Elm, as he was casting various spells to try and force the malicious deity down to the ground. Elm had other plans, his agility showing as he avoided or deflected those attacks. Sundowner, meanwhile, was dealing with the SamSho crew, and Hela was fighting the Bronquian soldiers plus Lucretia and Veronica.
Meanwhile, Vara was working on using the proper techniques and skill to begin dismantling the Cube while all the chaos behind her was going on, landing precise blows and skills on the Cube to start chunking it down piece by piece. "Come on dammit…!" Vara cursed as it was taking longer than she thought it would, even with her precise skill and power.
Richard began to suppress Echo, as the latter was pushed to the defensive as Richard was rapidly slashing down onto him, while Sol and Elphelt were keeping Cataclysm Siege busy, as the gun-fire greatly restricted his ability to move without taking direct hits.
"Tch… you pests are so annoying!" Cataclysm Siege growled before unleashing a Shockwave of energy that sent Elphelt and Sol soaring back, before a familiar presence caught them both, in fact, three of them did as Elphelt turned to see…
Ramlethal, Valentine, and Jack-O, all patched up thanks to the works back on the Golden Blaze getting them up and running.
"Having some trouble, sister?" Ramlethal would ask, her blades dropping to her side.
"Yes… we need a bit of help." Elphelt admitted, getting back to her feet.
"The medics over there have done a good job bringing us back into the fight… That man, Siege, prioritized our health over his own group's." Valentine stated. "We can't afford to let that choice be in vain."
"I see you're in a little need of assistance too, huh dear?" Jack-O asked with a playful smile to Sol. "Don't you fret, your dear Jack-O is here to help you!"
"That voice…" Sol remarked, as he felt something familiar from it. "...Huh, if I have to be taken care of by one like you, I'm going to need to get myself together."
"Sure thing! Now, let's send this naughty boy packing!" Jack-O smirked, readying herself for battle, as did the others.
"Tch… more of you pests. No matter, you all die the same!" Cataclysm cackled and dashed forward.
Vara was so close to getting the Cube obliterated by this point, but she has reached a point where none of her current attacks were denting it now. "Hrgh… I'm so close! None of my attacks are strong enough to dent it at this point, unless…." Vara thought to herself, looking back at the fight. "...Of course."
Instant Kill Charged: Give them hell!
Vara smirked before teleporting as if she was just walking into the area, as she twirled her blade around. "Oh Echo~! Cataclysm~! I'm here for round 2!" Vara called to both, which caught the attention of everyone at last, honing in on Vara.
"What the-!? How did you know we were here!?" Cataclysm yelled at Vara.
"I was going to find this place if I searched hard enough boys, you both made mention of it many times." Vara smirked. "...Oh, I think you might want to be more careful, that Cube back there doesn't look too well."
"What do you mean, it's-" Cataclysm was about to retort, when he saw it in a few shambles. "...WHAT THE HELL!?"
"Truth is I snuck around you all and started smashing that thing in. I just need one final blow and your plans are going to blow up just like it will." Vara smirked.
"AS IF! Deal with her!" Cataclysm yelled, as he shoved the Bronquians, Veronica, and Lucretia to a wall to allow Hela to approach.
"With pleasure." Hela smirked as she charged at Vara.
BGM: Heavy Day - Guilty Gear Xrd Sign OST
Vara smirked before blitzing Hela in a large amount of slashes, inflicting an actual hurting to the Goddess before kicking her back.
"Come on! Who else wants some!" Vara smirked as she had her blade ready.
"Tch! I'll bathe in your blood!" Sundowner yelled as he charged and swung wildly with his scissor blades, only to be tripped up and knocked harshly into the Cube, which didn't hurt it yet.
"Rrgh! YOU!" Elm yelled as he fired a large beam at Vara, who only raised her sword as she fired lightning, striking Elm and knocking him out of the sky near the master-ghost and the Cube.
"Tch! Echo, do something!" Cataclysm exclaimed with slight worry in his tone for once.
"Yeah, got that." Echo remarked casually, before he then booted off Richard with a hard kick, as he then ran towards Vara, with both hands raised. "Hope you can dodge well~"
Echo then began to fire a massive barrage of dark orbs, towards Vara, as they pelted the entire area around Vara, although she managed to weave through the attacks, and break down several blasts. Before Echo could fire a much more powerful barrage, he was suddenly interrupted by Richard gapping right above him, and pinning him to the ground.
"Not on my watch!" Richard remarked, as he began to smash Echo hard with his fists, as the attacks dazed Echo, before he then noticed a enraged Cataclysm Siege rushing towards him, as he was knocked back, with the blades clashing. "Oh come on, is that all you got!? I didn't get this far to let an edgy imposter like you get one over me!"
Cataclysm Siege and Richard then began to clash blades, as Echo used the chance to rush towards Vara, as he pulled out several revolvers, as the bullets ricocheted across the area at subsonic speeds. Vara smirked as she only stood still.
"Good, this means that a beloved family member of mine at last gets to see action. She's been waiting patiently. The time is now." Vara smirked as a portal opened, with just as many shots firing out of it, negating or piercing through Echo's shots as they soared right for him. Walking out of the portal could be described as a mini-version of Vara, however with her own unique characteristics. Her white jacket for starters, along with white bra underneath, blue jeans, and her black boots being different from Vara's. She twirled around her guns, having a blade at her side as well.
"Finally! Took you long enough to call me, sis!" The girl said with a smile.
"I told you that you would get your chance Yarie. Now help me finish this fight!" Vara smirked.
"On it sis!" She smirked as she suddenly sparked in magic, her guns turning into a mega laser. "Eat this, chump!" She yelled as it fired at Echo, colliding right into him to send him into the Cube, but not before he collected Cataclysm with him.
"WHAT THE-!? ACK-!" Cataclysm yelled as he and Echo smashed into the wall, as Vara smirked.
"Kore de owaridesu. Kao no handan!/(This is the end. Face JUDGEMENT!)" Vara yelled as she unleashed a hellacious Judgement Cut on the group of five, before it ended with one final slash, which split the Cube as well, causing a massive explosion.
DESTROYED!
Yarie twirled her guns around before holstering them, as she shrugged. "Man, didn't even get to use my blade skills. Oh well." Yarie stated.
"You did well. Thanks for coming on short notice." Vara smirked.
Vara Yarie
WIN
"No…. NO NO NO! WE NEEDED THAT!" Cataclysm yelled, looking around at the shambles of the Cube. "...This… this can't… The Cube… MY ENTIRE PLAN, RUINED!" Cataclysm yelled in anger before he stood up quickly. "Fine. I don't need the machine. I don't need my weapon… I'LL REDUCE THIS PLANET TO SPACE DUST ON MY OWN!" Cataclysm Siege yelled, rushing out of the Backyard and back to the physical world. "Echo, Elm, Sundowner, Hela, if you value your lives for another day, RETREAT." Cataclysm's voice echoed in the area.
"Hehe, looks like you won't stop him from obliterating this place." Sundowner cackled. "Later, losers!" Sundowner laughed as he walked through a portal made by Elm, as did Hela.
"Coming, Echo?" Elm would ask.
"Nah, I'll just see myself out." Echo shook his head. "Don't worry, I'm just simply taking my own route."
Echo then created his own sukima, before he then disappeared through it. Elm nodded before doing the same, leaving the group to get out of the Backyard, and fast.
"We gotta try and stop that maniac!" Yarie exclaimed.
"Richard, we just finished evacuations, we felt immense amounts of power starting to charge up, what the hell is happening down there!?" Siege exclaimed.
"Well, Cataclysm is throwing a hissy-fit, and really pooling in what remains of his power to go for a omnicidal-suicide move." Richard answered back. "I don't think that this is going to be as easy as it was before, who knows what he could do in this damn state…"
"Son of a bitch… We need to come up with some way to stop that and fast…" Siege stated simply, straining as he tried to think of a solution to this imminent problem.
"Well, I can tell you this much…" Richard answered back, watching as Cataclysm was creating a storm of energy in the area. "...sending people willy-nilly is a damn sure way to get them killed. We're going to need to BOTH rack our heads for this one… there has to be a way to disrupt his energy flow, or even at least temporarily weaken him… but how?"
"Gentlemen, I believe you have the solution right under your noses." The voice of Sapphire perked up, as her team was ready to go. "Send us in. We have our ways of taking care of this asshole."
"...Are you certain you can stop him, sis?" Siege asked.
"Hah! I've faced 10 times worse than this temper tantrum baby! Send us in there!" Sapphire said with a laugh.
"Okay…" Siege stated as he sent down Sapphire's team.
Once down there, Gogeta and Kefla immediately began to power up.
"Have some of this, asshole!" Kefla yelled as she readied her Gigantic Blast attack.
"Eat this! X100 Big Bang… KAMEHAMEHA!" Gogeta yelled as he and Kefla fired their attacks, a huge beam being shot up as Cataclysm Siege fired one back to hold it off.
"That's just what we needed him to do. Sephiroth! Vergil! Dante! Kiana!" Sapphire stated, as the four in question nodded, as they all took to the air, Dante unleashing a hellfire of ranged attacks with his various devil weapons, adding style to his moves as usual as Cataclysm was being pelted on all angles.
Vergil and Kiana both blitzed Cataclysm with numerous upon numerous slashing attacks, Kiana finishing it for them with a huge flaming slash that actually sent Cataclysm flying back, as he quickly got back to struggling against Gogeta and Kefla.
"Tch…! This… how can this be…!?" Cataclysm growled as Sephiroth chuckled.
"You cannot defeat us. In the end, Justice always wins. And evil falls… to despair." Sephiroth smirked as he summoned the power of his Gigaflare attack and chucked it, making it blow up on Cataclysm Siege, as both the Big Bang Kamehameha and the Gigantic Blast from Gogeta and Kefla connected, sending Cataclysm soaring through the air, as he yelled, before finally suppressing the attacks and getting one huge beam attack ready.
"YOU ALL, AND THIS STUPID PLANET, ARE AS GOOD AS SPACE DUST!" Cataclysm roared, as he fired a massive beam, Sapphire standing in its path, before simply raising up a blade… and blocking it. "WH-WHAT!?"
"You call that power? Hah! Declare Spell: Counter Sign: Full Reversal!" Sapphire declared as she whipped a card out that soon vanished, as suddenly, the beam was met with a reverse beam that carved right through it towards Cataclysm.
"No, NO NO NO!" Cataclysm roared in anger as he got out of the way, severely weakened from overuse of energy as he growled. "You all… YOU ALL HAVEN'T SEEN THE LAST OF ME!" He yelled before teleporting away.
"...It's over." Richard stated, before he then sighed deeply. "Well, I suppose that we managed to do what we came here for. Now then, we should-"
Before Richard could finish, suddenly another gate appeared behind them, as Richard sensed the presence behind him, turning around, as the rest of the people were on their guard, prepared for another battle.
Suddenly, a man clad in white robes appeared before them, with the hood covering his entire face, with red colors on it.
"Oh it's you… That Man." Sapphire stated.
"Long time no see, Frederick. It seems that I am late to the show…" The man spoke with a harmonious voice, as Sol tensed up. "...I suppose that all of those who have participated in this affair have gathered here, including the one who banished the great disaster that raged here."
"...You really have been late. I never thought that you would have the gall to show your face in these times." Sol growled back.
"Wait, who's this?" Izuna asked.
"He's the creator of Justice… the source of the Crusades…" Sol stated. "...And the one who made me a Gear in the first place… also-"
"...The Gear Maker, Asuka R. Kreutz." Richard stated with a neutral tone. "It's funny, I never expected that you would show up here. Have you come to check upon Valentine? After all, she is your responsibility after all, and before anyone asks… no, he's not the reason she was like she was before we turned her around."
"I suppose this is where I bring her here for this part." Siege would say, walking out of a portal with all the Guilty Gear members that were evacuated.
"Splendid." Asuka remarked with a nod. "I never thought that you would have known much about me, to state me by my name."
"...With all that happened, I should be gone by now, ignoring whatever you have in mind." Richard stated. "But… I know that for people like you, your showing is no coincidence. Did you expect us to clean up the mess in the Backyard for you?"
"Indeed. I may be powerful, but I am not omnipotent." Asuka admitted. "Besides, you are all more versed to deal with this situation than I am. To step between you and your duties would be unbecoming of me."
"Well, you have our thanks on that." Richard answered back. "What now, are you going to try something with Sol? Or Jack-O in that matter?"
"If you even think about-" Sol started to threaten Asuka.
"At this point, it's better that I do not try such a thing before you." Asuka stated. "No, I noticed the displacement of a good portion of your band. And so, I offer a solution to return them to where they belong. I have the chords required for such a intricate spell after all."
"...Well, that's up to them. After all, their will is their own choice." Richard stated, turning around to face the crew. "So, let's hear it."
"For them, I see three choices." Siege said. "We, of course, extend our offer to you all, to join us in our missions and help things beyond your world. Of course, you could all stay here in this timeline if you so wished. Or, return where you belong. It's up to all of you."
Many of them took a lot of time to think on this matter, as for Haohmaru, he walked to That Man, along with Charlotte and Ukyo.
"Well, the whole reason we did this was to get home." Haohmaru stated. "We're not wasting that chance now. Baiken, you coming? Or are you going with them?"
"Sorry, but I'm sticking with these guys." Baiken admitted. "Always been one to wander from place to place without much of a reason to stay around. Might as well join up with a band that does exactly that, and I might be able to find my own calling there. Might even ask them to help me visit you. I don't intend to forget what happened between all of us, both the good and the bad."
"Words of a true warrior were never spoken better." Haohmaru smiled. "Until our blades clash again, Baiken."
With that, Haohmaru, Charlotte, and Ukyo returned to their world.
"Well… what are we going to do? This isn't our timeline even though we helped a lot…" Elphelt wondered aloud.
"For me… there are many connections we have right now. With our own predecessor, with many of our family reunited in one place… If you ask me, my decision rests on theirs." Ramlethal stated plainly, looking towards Dizzy, Valentine, Ky, Sin, and Sol.
"I feel that's where all three of us stand then." Jack-O smiled. "Soooooo…." She said before looking to Valentine. "What are you going to do, I wonder?"
"...I will stay with Siege and people have done much to help me understand myself." Valentine answered back. "...Perhaps if I fight under their cause… I might be able to feel like I have a proper place. Will you all come with me too?"
"Of course. Me, Ramlethal, and Elphelt, we'll all join you." Jack-O smiled, before she realized she was forgetting Sol. "Oh, but… are you going to join us dear? Or would you prefer to stay on this world?"
"Sorry, but I got business with this bastard that I have to settle, and it's going to take a long while." Sol remarked, glaring at Asuka. "Just so you know, I'm going to call a truce here, but only because I just came back from learning a few things with these guys that I never thought I would have known about."
"Ky, dear… what will you do? And Sin, you too?" Dizzy would ask Ky and Sin before final decisions were settled in.
"I would not be a good king if I have left my post, even if it's for you." Ky answered back with a grim tone. "But I believe that this will not be the last time we will meet again. I believe that no matter where you go, our love won't be easily lost."
"I am ensuring as such." Dizzy would say, walking up and wrapping and arm around Ky. "...I may not be from this current timeline… but I will never leave your side, dear. Nothing will separate us… I will remain here."
"Beloved…" Ky remarked with a trembling expression of relief.
"...You know, maybe this time, we'll be able to make up with each other. I'm willing after everything that happened on my end." Sin stated. "...Sorry, but I'm going to ensure my parents get along fine."
"That is all and fine. Then I suppose there is no need for me to linger." Asuka nodded back. "...That is all of your choices?"
"They are firm on their decisions." Richard responded back.
"Very well, may you all find what you seek down your paths." Asuka stated, as he re-entered the gate, as it sealed itself before the group.
"I suppose this is goodbye for now then darling…" Jack-O said with a longing tone to Sol.
"You can back out if you wish. While the option to return to your timeline may be gone, you still have the choice to stay here or come with us." Siege informed.
Jack-O had a longing look to Sol, clutching her heart before sighing. "Dear… what would you have me do?" Jack-O asked Sol.
Sol fell silent, as he began to recall his memories with a friend long-lost before he then responded back. "...It's best that you go with them. There's not much left of me for you to care about. I've already been through too much to let anyone like you into my own mess." He stated.
Jack-O clutched her heart more as she closed her eyes. "...Then my decision is made." She said… before hugging Sol. "I'm staying here with you." She said.
"Sister…" Ramlethal said, having an understanding expression of her choice.
"Just because you believe there isn't anything left of you to care about doesn't mean that's true." Jack-O said. "I'm staying by your side… and nothing you say or do is going to sway me otherwise."
"...Alright then. If that's how it is." Sol stated. "I know from that look you ain't going to budge. So then, I guess this is where we all part ways."
"Afraid so. You've done more than I thought, Sol Badguy. Everyone here had their role in saving this world, and even this entire reality." Richard answered back.
"We will ensure that everything done here will not be in vain." Dr Paradigm answered back. "The troubles in this world have yet to end, but I know that we are prepared for what is to come."
"Alright then. Take care, all of you." Siege stated as a portal opened up to the OSA Golden Blaze, as everyone returned to the Golden Blaze, knowing full well of their next mission thanks to Lucretia and Veronica.