Chapter 64

"Hah..." I punched out, matching his own blow, and used my other fist, his own meeting that one as well. "-!" I recoiled, staggering, though he went flying as Riki forcibly scraped his Biter along his torso. "Good one!" Stop whining. Whining about wanting to stop fighting when he's this determined to come at me...

How insulting.

"Sidekick help Heropon Riki!" called the Nopon, puffing out his chest as the aura of Hero Time came back to him. "Freezinate!"

"Kh...!" Tyler hissed, falling to one knee briefly as the Art struck his body. "Hah..." His joints audibly creaked, movements sharp and mechanical, as he rose up again. "Rrgh... bastards...!"

"Sorry." I breathed out, grasping my sword and activating the chainsaws. "If you're willing to go this far... I'll respect it and kill you." That's all I am, anyway. A serial killer. I can't atone for what I've done... so I might as well see this through to the end.

A wide grin rose his face as he lunged for me. "Do it, then!" I focused my senses on him as he approached, feeling his muscles twitch as he neared my blade before I finally lashed out, grinding into his flesh. "RRGH-!" He shifted sideways in some effort to dodge, though I simply followed, blood spraying out with the prolonged contact. His eyes widened, and ignited fire on his limbs, a scream starting to leave him as the sword ripped him apart, scrapping at his body.

I ignored the heat transferring along my blade and cut deeper, feeling my sword cutting through bone and internal organs, his armour shattering from my blow, grinding at his very being. Die already, please, let these sounds stop-

"ANDREW, STOP!" I heard Shulk shout, and I felt myself falter for a second at the sound.

Tyler used his leg and kicked me away from him, his follow-up leap stopped as Riki moved in to combat him. "YOU-!"

I grunted as I slid on the ground, rising up to see Shulk look over after diverting a slash from the swordsman Mechon he fought. "Don't kill them! We-" He looked back, raising the Monado in a block. "These are Homs, we can't...!"

I sensed Riki use his Biter and force back Tyler, who moved back to continue the clash. "...It's like with Virgil, Shulk," I spoke. "These guys have no interest in trying to understand... they want nothing to do with us except kill us. And if that's it... I'm gonna kill them first."

I saw him give me a wide look before his attention was once again taken by the Mechon he was fighting. "Andrew-!"

"Hah..." Fifteen... twelve seconds at most. I panted, wiping along my face and returning my sword in favor of my katana. If I don't kill him with my soul here it's trouble. "Okay." I gritted my teeth, pain burning in my veins as I forced the Soul Demon and my black form again to return. "I'll kill you... JUST LIKE YOU WANT!"

Tyler grunted, with Riki bouncing away, with him missing a punch, before laughing as he looked at me. "BRING IT ON!"

I sensed the ether shift around him and activated Time Slow as I flew for him, the Demon following. "SOUL JET CROSS!" I rushed by with the Demon, the two slashes threatening to sever his body as I sheathed the weapon, with blood seeming to explode from his mouth. I turned back and lashed out wildly, the Demon doing the same and causing slashes to practically engulf him, with more white surrounding him than anything else. "Goodbye... Soul Slash Frenzy."

I sheathed the katana and saw his body be torn apart with the sheer quantity of projected slashes, leaving no sizeable traces of his body, all cut to shreds. "NGH-!" I fell to one knee, barely keeping a hand on my katana while I fully reverted to normal. "Hah..." I gasped, almost collapsing on the ground. "Hah...!" Nice going, younger me... you got what you fucking wanted. Another opportunity to kill.

"Andrew hurt... here! You Can Do It!" Riki's healing Art washed over me, slightly abating the exhaustion assaulting my body whilst wearing at my wounds. "Hah... Riki tired too, but... sidekicks still fighting! No sleepy time yet!"

"Hah... yeah." I put my katana away, wiping my mouth. Probably should avoid using my soul if I can now... "You help... with Fiora and Shulk. I'll go over and see if... Melia and Sharla are okay."

"Riki think so... can still hear them," he speaks, nodding to me. "Stay safe, Andrew!"

"You too." I moved over to some nearby cover, sensing Riki running over to join Shulk and Fiora in their own clash, and peeked out to see Gadolt aim. I ducked back as a blast of energy rushed by the air beside me. "Whoa... scary," I breathed out.

"Hm...? He aimed elsewhere," I heard Melia speak. "Is someone there?!"

"It's me, Melia, Sharla!" I shouted. "You guys okay?"

I heard a harsh grunt as some gunshots fired, and from the other side of the cover Sharla came over. "Yeah," she spoke, wincing briefly as she held a hand to her side, cooling her rifle. "Hah... this one's tough though." She exhaled, tapping a foot against the ground, Melia coming back to join us. "...He doesn't really chase, so we've been resting like this... but his attacks are vicious. Melia and I couldn't take two successive direct hits and still fight."

"Hm... even if I kept Summon Earth and Ice active without releasing them, enduring such swift attacks is difficult," spoke Melia, the elements of wind and fire currently above her head. "And that then leaves very limited avenues to possible release from my end."

I frowned slightly. "...How about you two wait behind this cover and back me up? I'll go out there." I felt my muscles throb as I drew my sword again and placed it on my back. "With your elementals and Sharla's healing, I should be good to take a few hits. 'Sides, you two work better at a distance anyway." I sensed over at Gadolt, whose stance remained ready, yet remained in the same spot. "How to get up close though..."

"Here, then. Aura Bullet," spoke Sharla, shooting me. "Be careful, though. If it's who I think it is..." She glanced back, creeping slowly to one side of the cover. "Then he's dangerous at any range."

"Yeah." I sighed, dashing out. "-!" I rolled along the ground to avoid another energy burst, dashing diagonally to slowly close the distance between him and I, his eyes following me. "Hah..." As I sensed another discharge coming for me I turned back on myself and dove the other way, dodging the blast, the sound electrifying my ears, it felt like.

"Hm..." Gadolt's Mechon tilted its head slightly before rushing for me. "Interesting... it seems your foresight is similar to the one with the Monado."

"Thanks," I deadpanned, using my gauntlets to block his charge. "Ugh!" I slid back and slammed into a wall, wincing. "Hah-" A shell of ice rose up in front of me, an energy blast breaking it. "Thank you!" I called, breaking into another run. "Ngh..." The engine on the Mobile Suit activated, and Gadolt's head shifted slightly to a point behind me. Huh? I sensed over in that direction and felt the swordsman coming for me. "Uh!" I raised a gauntleted-arm and slammed along the ground from blocking a slash, blood spurting from where I ground along the floor, tearing my clothing. "Gh...!"

"Kh... Monado, lend me your power!" shouted Shulk, dashing over. "Monado Buster!" He slashed out horizontally, the swordsman using its own blade to block the blow. "Rrgh...!" Shulk reared back and swung again, the Mechon continuing to match his strikes, even as the beam slowly reduced in size. "Hah...!"

I felt a shiver rush through my body and glanced over to see Jade Face pointing his weapon at me. "Head Shot!" I heard Sharla shout, the blow slamming through the Gundam's visible head, making him recoil.

I lunged forward, though the swordsman Mechon cut me off with a vertical overhead swipe. "GUH!" I raised both gauntleted-arms and bounced briefly off the ground, sensing Gadolt regain his bearings. Gotta move-

"DOUBLE WIND!" Fiora dug her twin blades into the swordsman's leg, causing his head to snap back and raise his blade at her. "Ah-!"

"Fiora!" shouted Shulk as she blocked the blow, tumbling at the ground briefly. "Hah...! Andrew, Riki, can you handle that swordsman for a little bit?! Melia, Fiora, Sharla and I will take on this one!" He gestured to Gadolt, rushing over. "When we disable him we'll help you!"

"Sounds good...!" I drew my sword, a shell of ice briefly engulfing Fiora as the sword swung for her again. Whoever was inside -probably Dunban, I still thought- clicked their tongue. "Fiora!" I grabbed her arm and heaved her over. "Shulk's waiting for ya-"

"I- I know!" She stumbled briefly, though kept her footing as she rushed over, Shulk meeting Gadolt in a brief melee.

"Hah..." I focused on the Mechon, Riki coming up beside me. Probably don't need to worry about getting sniped in the back... Shulk and them should have our backs in that regard. "Showtime, then." My muscles growled as I raised my sword over my shoulder.

The swordsman lunged forward, bringing his sword along in a horizontal strike. I jumped, twisting my body over the attack, whilst Riki used his wings to fly above it. "Hah..." I landed and lashed out to divert another strike aimed at me, gritting my teeth as he forced my swing down low. "Uh-?!" I felt my eyes widen as he shoved at me with the sword, knocking me across the ground. "Ugh!"

I felt blood burst from my shoulder at the skid, tearing my clothing. "Ngh..." I groaned as agony, dull yet mounting, wore at my body. "Hah..." I saw Riki strike, the Mechon's sword causing sparks to fly from his Biter. "Kh..." I wiped some blood over the clothing on my shoulder and it repaired itself as I got up.

"Gale Slash," spoke whoever was inside, thrusting the blade forward. I shivered, gauntlets forming and clanging against the Art. The Mechon's eyes glowed as it made contact with me, and heat from sparks -from the friction- burst up as he struck, grinding against the gauntlets and piercing my flesh.

I gritted my teeth and felt blood, red hot, spurt as he tore the sword out, more rapidly spilling down my body. "Hah-!" I sensed Riki bat the sword away from a follow-up, Biter meeting the sword in grand clashes. "Nice-" I coughed, feeling my movements shift awkwardly, almost like a robot, as I forced myself back up. Am I reaching my limit...?!

"Bitey Bitey!" shouted the Nopon, gnawing briefly on the Mechon's body. "Ngh... tough!" He spat out, cringing slightly, bounding away as a hand rushed for him. "Lurgy!"

"SOARING TEMPEST!" the Mechon spoke, ascending upwards.

A tornado blew up, tearing Riki and me apart. Cuts burst about our bodies, and I screamed as some even touched my eyes. "NGH-!" It was pain. Exploding inside of me, forcing itself into every inch and cranny. Moving couldn't have been possible to save my life.

Somehow, it stopped, and I groaned, sensing faintly of the blood spilling from my eyes. "Fuck..." Opening them I couldn't see shit, to be frank. A blurry incomprehensible mess at the best. I closed them again, wincing. "Ugh... Riki?" I mumbled, groggily sensing his body lying a few metres away from me. "You..."

A grunt rose from the Heropon, and he slowly rose up. "Mm... ah!" I heard something slide along the ground and the sharp clash of metal, making me hiss as it pierced my ears. "Gwuh!" A few thumps, growing quieter and duller with each one, Riki groaning.

...Should be able to heal, at least- I gritted my teeth as I forced my body to take on soul form, shifting onto one side, the scratches wearing off my eyes. "Tch..." I wiped blood away and felt a sword pierce my body, pinning me to the ground. "UGH!" Instinctively I dropped my sword and pushed along the blade in my body, cutting my hands in ways that restored themselves as I did it, staring upward at the faced Mechon.

Blood continued to spurt from the fresh wound as he twisted his sword, silent.

"Dunban...!" I gasped, feeling my form revert. Fuck- I willed the gauntlets to form and gritted my teeth as I strained, in vain. I can't-!

"MONADO BUSTER!" I heard, and the Mechon's head twisted, tearing the sword out of me and moving to block the extended beam of Shulk's sword. "Rrgh...!" The beam reverted as he moved over, breathing heavy as he wiped his mouth with a sleeve. "Riki, Andrew, you two okay?!"

I rolled onto my side and sensed the sword point at me. "Ah-" I rolled rapidly, hearing the screech the tip the metallic weapon made as it ground briefly against the ground, before sweeping toward me. "-!" Raising both gauntlet-clad arms, I went flying, somehow finding my footing as I came to a stop. "Hah..." I grabbed my sword and sighed as I got off my knees. "Riki?!"

"Ngh... not nap time...?" mumbled the Nopon, slowly rising up again as Shulk grabbed one of his stubby arms.

"Hah... not yet, Heropon!" A blue kanji flared up behind Shulk for a moment before its glow shifted around to his shoes. "Speed!" His eyes darted back to Gadolt, where gunshots and such were ringing out, before rushing forward and running up the sword as it went for him. "Hah-"

The Demon... I felt my body twitch as I moved forward, the chainsaws activating on my sword as I adjusted my grip. Maybe not that long, but I can- "Uh!" I sidestepped Shulk as he went flying toward me, with the blonde slamming the Monado in the ground in an effort to slow his momentum. Focusing forward, I lashed out and diverted a strike for me, the Mechon's blade grinding briefly along the ground. "Tch...!" Too drained... how the hell do I-

I sensed the Mechon's arms twitch slightly, and felt my instincts scream when he suddenly burst forward. "Worldly Slash."

"-!" The Soul Demon came up behind me as I moved forward. "Soul Whip Slash: Chain!" I winced at the grinding sensation as the large blade ground against mine and the Demon's, rising up before descending. Right, Worldly Slash is two- "Soul Cross Slash: Chain-" I somehow moved out in a half strike before the second slash cut harshly along my shoulder and I tumbled to the ground. "Ugh...!" I instinctively held a hand to the fresh wound, manipulating the Demon to move in front of me. "Hah...!" I blinked as the Gundam moved away, hearing Riki and Shulk chasing it. "Hah..." I let the Demon fade away and flopped on the ground. "Ngh..."

I groaned, a sensation like a knife digging its way into my body- an indication I wasn't breathing properly. "Hah..." I heard my bones creak as I slowly shifted onto my stomach, despite the heaviness and pain assaulting my body. "NGH..." After that, I shoved my sword on my back and used both hands to push myself up, staggering slightly on my feet. "Hah..." How's Fiora, Melia and Sharla doing? Gadolt doesn't have his memories, so he wouldn't hesitate for a killing blow...

I saw some kind of shadow growing on the ground next to my feet and heard something, like an engine. "Huh...?" Looking up, I felt my eyes widen as Gadolt rapidly descended on top of me.

"Manifest!" I heard someone call, and a shell of ice surrounded me as I raised both arms, gauntlets and greaves forming. The feet of Gadolt's Mobile Suit pierced through the thick layers of ice, and I crumpled to the floor as I tried to push up against his descent. "Andrew?!"

"RRGH-!" Fuck, what to do- My eyes widened further as I felt the ground under me start to give way. Shit- how high up are we if I fall then- "KGH...!" Despite the strain of trying to push, I simply couldn't. The blood spurting from my open injuries from the attempted exertions were unpleasant as well, to put it mildly, as was the sword digging into my back.

I could hear the sounds of battle, of shouts, screaming, and the like, but the increasing pressure on top of me didn't stop. The heaviness above me was choking me out; couldn't breathe. I was being embedded into the ground, inch by suffocating inch, fighting to shove up against a force too heavy to lift.

Kinda like Atlas, from Greek myth... what the hell am I thinking?! Greek mythology's useless to me right now! I gritted my teeth, an unpleasant taste coming in my mouth as I continued. Blood, probably. If it's just a little... the Soul Demon should still have energy to-! "Persona...!"

I faintly sensed the ghastly demon appear, and willed it to lash out at the legs of Gadolt's Mechon. A grunt, perceptible somehow in the chaos, came out and he faltered. Yes- I willed the demon to launch rapid blows and Gadolt eventually shifted slightly off my body, some more sounds-presumably attacks from everyone else-being enough to get him off of me.

I coughed, feeling my limbs flop, dull pain coming in again. "Hah...!" Coughing, the Demon faded away, no more energy left. Get up... stay down and they're gonna...

"Andrew!" I saw, somehow, someone clad in white rush over to me. "Hey! You have to get up!" Reaching out, they took one of my hands and forcibly heaved me off the ground, steadying me. "You okay?!"

Like with Melia the previous time, some of my bleeding and wounds closed as I rose up. "Hah... uh... yeah, thanks..." I focused briefly on whoever had picked me up, nearly doubling over when they released me. "Fiora..."

She gave a quick nod. "Hah... look out!" She reached out and wrapped an arm around me, tugging me with her as she dodged. My foggy senses and ears picked up on a sword stabbing into where we were. "Do you need Sharla?!"

I felt clarity rush back into my mind, shaking my head and wincing. "Hah... no." Trouble... we're gonna get into a war of attrition if this keeps up. I groaned, somehow drawing my sword and standing on my two feet as Fiora released me. ...Not long, but... black form, at least. After it's done, though... dunno if I'll be able to move.

"Are you sure?" Fiora's gaze travelled over me for a second, before sharply gazing over to where Shulk was clashing with Gadolt. "You're still bleeding a lot, and-"

"No." I spat out blood, wiping my face. "Hah... I'm gonna force their guard to drop," I mumbled, idly sensing some serious damage along my ribs, the jags poking into my vitals. ...Fuck. Not good. I blinked, feeling parts of my legs being broken, or close to. ...Probably won't be able to run anymore, without my soul. "Then attack."

"Wha-" Not hearing her speak, I forced the black side of my soul to form on my body, flying up. "Andrew?!"

I focused a shockwave around my sword as I drew it, the chainsaws revving to life as I rushed at Dunban, who shoved Riki away and faced me. "STAB WAVE: CHAIN!" I screamed, my blade bursting out against his. "-!" Releasing the shockwave, the sword cracked slightly, the Mechon's posture faltering. "AURA SLASH: CHAIN!"

I sensed surprise register in whoever was piloting the Gundam as I lashed out, the shockwave bursting out and separating part of the sword, scratching its face. "NGH-!" I felt pain come in my chest as I forced my body to continue, dropping a hand from my sword as I flew over to where I sensed Gadolt was, briefly sensing along myself. Did my lung collapse...?! You just love to see it, don't you?! I shoved the now silent sword in my jacket and drew the katana, slashes manifesting as I swung. More-! I tapped into Time Slow as I rocketed forward, the world transforming and seeming washed out with the activation of the Talent Art.

Gadolt blinked as he was almost trapped in a realm of white from the sheer quantity of slashes I forced to manifest. "Hm...?!" He glanced at me as I approached. "...I see. Impressive."

Moving to sheathe my katana, I felt my arm stop as something popped out of place, blood spurting outwards in a wave. "RRGH-!" I willed white form to take over the left side of my body and finished sheathing the weapon, sensing blood burst from Gadolt as Slash Frenzy ripped him apart.

I reverted and collapsed, falling and hitting the ground with a dull thud, groaning. "Ngh..." I coughed, blood coming out from my mouth. "Oof..." I strained slightly and stopped. My body won't move... figures.

"But not enough to defeat me." Gadolt's Mechon, though cut in probably at least a hundred different directions and bleeding considerably, still stood strong.

"Hah..." I groaned, sensing Dunban behind me clashing against Shulk, with Riki bounding over to help out. With the reduced range, it seemed the Monado's disjointed hitbox was a better match than before. ...What am I thinking about Smash for.

"Andrew, here!" I grunted as Sharla shot me, feeling my wounds reduce in severity as she rushed over, Fiora and Melia coming to face Gadolt, whose gun blast burst and cancelled out a curtain of fire. "You okay?!"

"...I can't move," I spoke honestly, lifting my head just enough so I could look at her. "Leave me alone, these guys aren't done yet." I strained, though nothing happened. "...Hah."

"Here-" Sharla grabbed my arm and dragged me; I scrunched up my face as my body screamed at the movement, dropping the katana. "Sorry," she murmured, somehow moving enough to get me to lean against a small wall. "We won't let them get you, so stick tight." She cooled her rifle, wincing slightly as the heat released from the gun, handing me the katana.

I nodded. "Yeah, no worries." Fuck I'm useless... I didn't even incapacitate either of them, and I'm done now... goddamnit. "Stay safe."

She laughed. "That's rich, coming from you." Sharla nodded, shooting ether into the air that wore at the wounds dotting Fiora and Melia. "Of course. I still... need to find out if that's..." She gazed at Gadolt, before shaking her head and moving over.

"Rrgh... hah!" I heard Shulk shout, the blonde lashing out, the Monado's beam splitting out and halting Dunban's slash, causing it to lose its momentum. "Stream Edge!" he called, the Art causing Dunban to stagger backwards. "Yes! Riki!"

"Yep! Sneaky!" the Heropon declared, smashing his Biter into the Mechon's side, a hiss escaping its pilot as the blow pierced the armour, drawing blood. "Yosh! You Can Do It, Shulk!"

"Thanks!" A smile briefly appeared on Shulk's face, dodging a large swipe from Dunban, a shiver rushing through his body. "Ah-!" He immediately dashed away. "Riki, get back!" he spoke.

"Okay!" The Heropon bounced away as a raging tempest engulfed the Mechon, though with their evasive movements, Shulk and Riki managed to escape with light wounds. "Hah... Lurgy!"

"Hah... that Art..." panted Shulk, fending off another slash. "Dunban, is it you in there?!"

No answer from the Mechon as it continued to clash against the two, straining with its blade to overwhelm them.

"Hah...!" Drones flew up from Fiora's back and viciously surrounded Gadolt, breaks of Ether spilling out and striking him, though he simply raised his gun and physically knocked the drones back, which returned to Fiora. "Rrgh... he's still not going down...!"

"Do not worry, Fiora," spoke Melia, wiping her mouth with a sleeve as she panted, posture slumping, an ice elemental rising up beside her. "We're not finished yet, either...!"

"Right!" spoke Sharla, shooting something into the air before aiming down the sights of her gun. "Metal Blast!"

"...Wow." How'd I never realize it... everyone's really amazing. I sighed, relaxing slightly. ...Think I barely healed my ribs enough... they're not gonna pierce my lungs or heart or anything. I'm messed up as hell right now though.

"Hah... water, the source of all life," murmured Melia. "Power Effect!"

I blinked, feeling the pain at my body retreat, slowly. "Ngh..." I strained and moved a hand a bit before flopping back. Damnit... I felt my eyes widen as I saw Sharla drop her gun to cool it, and Gadolt aimed his gun at her. "Ah-"

"Manifest!" spoke Melia, ice concentrating briefly around the muzzle of the gun as he pulled the trigger, causing it to explode. "Ah...!"

"Tch..." A groan left Gadolt, his Mechon groaning and creaking as a hand dropped from his weapon to brace against the floor, falling to one knee, the arm blackening from burns. "Damn..."

"-!" Sharla forced the rifle on her back and immediately dashed forward. "Gadolt, it's you, isn't it?!" she called. "Please answer me! Let me-"

"Sharla, look out!" shouted Shulk. I whipped my head over to see Dunban rush over at the medic. "Ngh...!" He reached out with the Monado, forcing himself in the sword's way. "Hah...!" His eyes widened as the force shifting against him suddenly came to a stop. "Wait a- huh?"

A sound almost like what one would expect when releasing pressure from a valve, before the two Homs respectively stepped from their Mechon. A gasp came out from Fiora as she stared over. "Dunban... it's you...!"

The hero of Colony 9 looked down at Fiora and Shulk, gaze impassive, right arm plated with what looked like Mechon armour, a small katana hanging at his side.

"Gadolt...!" breathed Sharla, staring at him as he stared back. "God... I knew you were alive..."

"Gadolt...?" murmured Shulk, twisting his head back and forth to keep an eye on both Mechon as well as he could. "That... you mean, it's your fiancé, Sharla?"

"The destruction of the Monado," spoke Gadolt, voice steady, clear.

"That is the will of Lord Egil," continued Dunban.

"What are you saying, Dunban?" spoke Fiora, body heaving for oxygen whilst wounds littered her. "What..."

"Lord? What are you talking about? What do you mean?" spoke Shulk. "What..." He swallowed, voice cracking slightly and a look of something haunted briefly came into his eyes. "What's Egil done to you two...?"

"Gadolt, why are you talking like that?" Sharla took steps closer to him, and I saw Melia's grip on her staff tighten, a fire elemental coming into place beside her.

Gadolt just continued to stare at her, nothing flickering across his face.

"Speak to me, Gadolt!" Sharla's voice raised slightly, in frustration I thought.

"This world is in disarray," spoke Dunban, everybody's heads snapping to him with the words.

"I must eliminate the cause of this disorder and restore this world to its original form," spoke Gadolt. "That... is my duty. Nay... the will of the world!"

"How pretentious," I spoke from where I lay. "You really thinkin' the will of the world is to cause more death and destruction?" Man... if only destroying things wasn't so easy. Then maybe-

"Now the time has come." Gadolt raised his arm and his Face rose up, Dunban's doing similarly as he drew and raised his sword, the Mechon's own broken blade being raised high. "The time to restore order!"

I sensed a shiver run through Shulk's body, a blast of blue energy bursting from Gadolt's gun as he lowered his arm, an aura of some kind surrounding Dunban's Mechon sword, Sharla screaming Gadolt's name, Fiora's eyes glowing red-

And the world became an expanse of white.

Thank you for reading.