Previously on the Monado Arc...

"No matter what happens to us, we cannot abandon hope."

"You know what to do when I'm gone, Sharla."

"I can feel it... The light of my friends, our unbreakable bond, the power to seize our destiny."

"We'll be on our best behavior."

"Why is that Telethia still here?!"

Monado Arc Chapter 14: Their Song of Melancholy

I found myself floating in space once more, this time though, I was fully awake even though I knew it was a dream. I was transformed, wings included. I looked around, I wasn't on Bionis anymore.

"Where am I?" I muttered.

"You're in my world, insolent mortal..."

I gasped as I turned around and saw that Zanza was behind me. The god smiled as he approached me. I let out a low growl.

"What do you want from me?" I said. "If you're mad that I've saved Shulk's life by protecting his Battle Gem from being destroyed, you certainly don't look like it."

He scoffed in irritation. "Do you really think that is the reason when it is actually because you are ruining my plans."

"Huh?" I let out a sound of confusion.

"I see that you are clueless. You clearly had no idea of what destruction you had caused to the passage of fate on that fateful day." The god continued.

"You mean when I found out the current events through that game before the Mechon attacked my colony?" I asked.

"You are correct, you have made the choice to fight against the passage of fate and now you are paying the price for it." He then glared at me. "You are a pathetic excuse for a hero!"

"You're wrong!" I shouted, the rings in my wings activating. "I can be the heroine the world needs, just you wait! When I reach you, I'll make sure to end you and this war once and for all!"

Zanza smirked as he laughed. "Then go ahead, Sharla. Defeat my disciples and come to me so we can engage in battle! Only then can the outcome of this war be done!"

"ZANZA!" I screamed as I woke up in an enraged fury. My breathing was ragged as I looked around and saw that I was back in Colony 6. I was also in my normal clothing, I can't believe that Zanza is trying to get me to give up. What else is out to kill me? I've already had enough with the attempts to kill me, so I don't need anyone else taking a go at it.

I saw a note and picked it up to see it was from Melony. She was asking me to meet her outside by the Main Entrance as soon as possible, it seems that it has something to do with Bea and Minori's corpses. I got up from where I was sleeping in and headed for the Main Entrance. I saw that Shulk was there as well, holding a box of garbage bags. Melony was holding a circular saw over the upper half of Minori's bisected corpse. Her lower body was already dismembered into pieces as her legs were completely detached from the rest of her lower body. The woman in white was also wearing a transparent raincoat that was splattered with the confectioner's blood, probably to keep any blood from getting on her clothes. I was bewildered by the sight and Shulk looked just as confused as I was.

I got closer and noticed that Minori and Bea's corpses were placed onto large, blue rolled-out tarps, seemingly to prevent blood from getting onto the ground during the dismemberment process. If this is Melony's way of disposing of corpses, then it's safe to say that this was a rather unconventional way of doing so.

"Melony, what the actual fuck..?" I asked in complete bewilderment.

The tactician turned to face me. "I know this seems... unconventional at best, but I figured it would be easier to dispose of the remains of yesterday's events if they were dismembered and put into separate garbage bags. We're all probably still tired from the intense battle, so doing this can save us some extra upper body strength for the final battle with Zanza and his disciples."

Shulk quickly pulled out three bags to put the parts of Minori's lower body in. "I'll be direct with you, Sharla. I'm just as lost as you are, but perhaps this is for the best."

I picked up one of the bags and the confectioner's left leg before sighing. "OK, if you say so. I'm just surprised by this method of corpse disposal, that's all."

Melony quickly finished dismembering Minori's upper body and we managed to stuff all of the parts into seven garbage bags, the tarp that soaked up the confectioner's blood was quickly balled up and disposed of along with the rest of the filled bags in a nearby incinerator. Now the same thing must be done to Bea's corpse, and I would be lying if I said I didn't feel bad about it.

"Don't you guys feel bad?" I asked. "I mean, she and Gonta had something special going for them. Melony, you and Bea were gym leaders before this war shook the entire world."

"You're correct." The tactician responded as she went in to dismember the karate master's corpse. "I have been informed before all this that if anything should happen to Bea, then Allister was to take over her gym as its leader. For two total opposites, they really complimented each other. She's usually the bold and headstrong of the two and he's the timid and soft-spoken introvert that could speak to the ghost Pokémon all day."

Shulk laughed. "That sounds like something they would do. Let's dispose of what remains of her. The quicker we get this done, the better."

Melony had just finished dismembering Bea's corpse and has already balled up the tarp that was probably soaked in blood now. She took off her blood-stained raincoat and wiped the sweat off her forehead as she spoke. "Right. The less power Zanza gains from the dead, the stronger your chances of defeating him and his disciples become."

We got to work pushing the dismembered body parts of Bea's corpse into garbage bags and into the incinerator. The karate master was still wearing her transformation outfit, I guess this is what can happen if you're killed instantly while transformed. I picked up Bea's dismembered head and saw the horrified look in her lifeless silver eyes. I sighed in regret and closed her eyes shut before picking up a garbage bag and putting her head in it.

Sorry, Gonta. But your girlfriend's soul is in peace now. I thought to myself as I tossed the bag into the incinerator and activated it.

"Hey, Sharla..."

I turned to face Zellium as he approached us. "We found a High Entia who seems to have collapsed outside the colony, we're gonna have to carry her to Junks for medical treatment."

"Really? Let me see." I said.

Melony went back inside the colony while me and Shulk followed my Pokémon partner to where he, Sae, Fiora, Melia, and Riki found the High Entia in question. I recognize those clothes from anywhere. This is who attacked us in the tomb during our stay in Alcamoth!

"Who's this?!" Shulk asked in surprise.

"Isn't this the one who attacked you in the capital before I joined your cause?" Sae wondered.

The High Entia woman lifted her head to face us, straining in pain. "Y-You..!"

"Tyrea!" Melia exclaimed as she kneels beside the woman. "What are you doing here?! You're hurt."

"Do not touch me! Vile girl!" Tyrea growled.

"Watch it!" Zellium scolded.

Tyrea groaned and she fell back, unconscious. Zellium let out a sound of surprise.

"Tyrea. What happened?" Melia muttered.

"Is she dead?" Sae asked.

"No. It looks like she's just passed out." The princess responded.

"Let's get her to the infirmary." I said. "Help me out, Zell!"

"OK, I got it!" My Pokémon partner exclaimed in a flurry.

"Please." Our High Entia ally said simply.

Zellium quickly picked up Tyrea's body and we hurried to the infirmary inside Junks. Once everything was settled, I examined Tyrea's body to try to figure out what cause her to collapse so suddenly.

"Is she OK?" Sae asked.

"Her injuries aren't severe." I responded.

"When the Bionis awoke, the ether flow around the colony became unstable." Melia explained. "Maybe that's why she lost consciousness."

"No. That's not what I meant." The elegant Pokémon said.

"You mean why didn't she become a Telethia?" I theorized.

"Precisely." She confirmed.

"For pure-blooded High Entia to become Telethia, the ether energy surrounding the Bionis has to be above a certain level. Luckily, the level of ether energy here is not as high as on the upper regions of Bionis. That may be what kept her safe." Melia explained. "Or perhaps..."

Shulk looked at her. "Perhaps what?"

The princess saw the look of concern on his face and quickly shook her head. "No, it's nothing."

"Something about this makes me feel uneasy." Sae muttered, gazing at Tyrea in worry.

"I know what you mean." I said. "We'll have to keep an eye on her recovery."

Fiora walked up to the unconscious assassin. "Why does she hate you so much, Melia? You're both High Entia. Is being pure-blooded really that important?"

The smaller High Entia lowered her head. "Tyrea's birth mother is most likely my step-mother."

I looked at Tyrea. "You don't mean... Yumea?"

"Yes." Melia confirmed. "I heard about it from Kallian after I returned from the tomb. 'Mother' was leader of the Inquisitors, a secretive organisation operating in the shadows of the imperial household. The group plotted to maintain the imperial bloodline through a clandestine ritual, a ritual where Tyrea was conceived."

"And she was secretly raised as an Inquisitor assassin." Shulk finished for the princess.

"Hold on a second. Are you saying that Tyrea is basically Kallian's half-sister?" Zellium asked in surprise.

"That's right." The small-winged girl replied.

I looked at her in curiosity. "Then isn't she in the same position as you?"

She let out a sound of confirmation before lowering her head and closing her eyes.

"That is correct."

All of us looked at Tyrea, who has waken up and seems to have heard the conversation. Melia looked surprised that the woman had recovered as quickly as she did.

"Tyrea! You're awake!" The younger High Entia exclaimed.

The assassin struggled to sit up in the metal bed as she strained. "I had more right to the throne than she ever did! Were it not for the consort system that has so polluted the pride of our people..." She looked down before continuing. "It would have been me, a pure-blooded High Entia, who would build the future of our people!"

She glared at Melia, her shining blue eyes filled with rage. "But you..!" The princess inhaled sharply and the assassin continued. "You are a hypocrite, just like me. If we are honest, what is the difference? You, too, would take the lives of your own people to protect your bloodline. Melia, you too are nothing but an assassin!"

She laughed cruelly and Melia retaliated. "You're wrong! I'm..!"

"I don't buy that for a second!" Zellium exclaimed.

"Zellium?!" Melia cried out as she and Tyrea faced him.

"Pride of your people?!" My Pokémon partner said. "How about you're just jealous of Melia!"

Tyrea laughed. "Do you really think I would be jealous of her?!"

He shook his head. "Aren't you? You're envious of her, right? Of how she lives her life. You just want everyone to feel sorry for you for being in the shadows all your life."

The assassin faced him. "How dare you?! No one speaks to me like that!"

"I'm saying that you'll never have a life like Melia's!" The rabbit Pokémon scowled.

Tyrea turned away and looked down before Zellium continued. "You don't have the faintest idea why Melia's been fighting. Even if you'd been born in her place, the Emperor still would've chosen her as his successor. Succeeding the imperial line isn't all about blood. It's about taking on the will to do whatever it takes for your land, for your people, when the time comes. That's what makes Melia different from you!"

"How dare you!" The assassin growled.

"Stop this, you two!" Sae pleaded. "This isn't the time for pointless arguments!"

"She's right. We survivors shouldn't be fighting amongst ourselves." I said before coming to a decision. "Right, time's up! I want the room cleared out."

"Yeah, OK..." Zellium muttered, face still red from rage.

I looked at Tyrea thoughtfully. "And you. You need to calm down and get some rest."

"Grr..." The assassin growled as everyone left.

Once everyone was gone, the woman glared at me. "Vile girl! I know who you are! You are lucky no one has killed you as of yet!"

I sighed in annoyance. "I don't need you to bring my current situation up. Go to sleep."

I injected a Tranquilliser into her, catching her by surprise. "What are you..?"

The assassin fell unconscious before she could ask about what I just did. I looked at Linada. "Look after her. A safe recovery must be ensured."

The Machina doctor nodded in agreement before I exited Junks. It looked like it was going to be a thunderstorm tonight. I sighed as I walked down the streets, not seeing why people would insist on staying put over running with the Telethia out to get them.

"After them!"

"Stop right now!"

"Get back here, you thieves!"

I turned upon hearing several shouts and yells from the residents to see three familiar girls running at high speed with several items in hand that I couldn't identify from where I was standing. It was at this point that I realized they were going too fast to see me in their path. By the time they saw me, they could only scream and I gasped then...

CRASH!

They ran into me at full speed, sending all four of us and the items they were carrying to the ground. My vision was covered in silver, Kiba's ankle length ponytail had ended up on my head. I grabbed the hair and tossed it out of my face.

"Watch where you're go-" Beshi was about to say before she noticed me and what has just happened. "Oh, it's you."

"Beshi, Dora, and Kiba?" I said as I got up. "What are you three still doing in the colony? We all thought you fled with everyone else yesterday."

"Don't come any closer! Gankona baka!" The bassist shouted, getting up and taking a defensive stance.

"Huh?" I muttered, surprised by her sudden resistance.

"You're still clueless? How pathetic, Zanza should've broken you in by now." Kiba growled. "You're the one who started this war in the first place and you still choose to defy him."

"Basically, what we're trying to say is..." Dora began.

"Your actions let Zanza take control over all!" All three of them exclaimed at the same time.

"What?!" I shouted in shock. "No! I thought I was preventing him from taking control! I worked so hard to fix this situation... and yet you honestly think that he's already done so?! I don't believe you!"

"Sharla, what are they saying?"

I turned and saw that Shulk has been watching this entire argument along with everyone else as the bassist, drummer, and keyboard artist had already scared off the residents around this area from their little theft spree.

"Guys, I..." I muttered, unable to find the words.

"If you want to know more, then have at you." Kiba said as she took my log I've started taking during our stay at Frontier Village from behind me and handed it to Shulk.

I let out a sound of distress as he looked through it and gasped in complete shock at what he was seeing. This is a disaster, I'm not sure if anyone is going to believe me if I told them. I kept the log a secret so no one has to worry about Shulk's condition after all!

"Sharla..." The mechanic muttered. "How long have you been doing this?!"

"Ever since I first joined you and Reyn back on the Bionis' Leg!" I shouted in response. "I got the idea of a physical log while we were in Makna Forest! I figured it can prove useful for later!"

Kiba laughed. "You actually think it'll help when you didn't realize the truth behind his symptoms until the very moment Zanza woke up? You're more idiotic than you look. You try so hard and yet he still takes control of most of it."

I gasped softly, feeling tears pricking at my eyes. "But I... I didn't mean to cause this big of an issue..."

"Enough of this, you three!" Zellium demanded. "Clearly, you're not working with Zanza anymore and you act like you still do. Us survivors shouldn't be squabbling with each other in this phase of the war."

"The rabbit has a point." Dora snarked with a smirk crossing her face.

"Grrr, OK." Beshi growled. "Impulse must've gotten the better of us. I really should calm down. We all need to."

"Alright, if you say so." Kiba sighed before picking up a raincoat that was as blue as Eryth Sea and handed it to me. "Here, sorry about what I said. I know they've already gotten to you but apologizing the lease I can do. This coat was free, don't get used to it. You'll need it for the storm tonight."

I looked down, my lower lip quivering. "I understand. I... want to be alone for a bit."

I walked away from them and headed for the park. The sound of thunder crashing down made me put on the raincoat Kiba gave me, covering any exposed skin that my clothes didn't cover. I would be lying if I said I was expecting night to come so quickly.

I sighed as I walked towards the fountain and looked in the water at my own reflection. A strong woman on the outside, but a fragile heart within. I couldn't keep my emotions bottled up anymore, I felt tears start to flow down my cheeks and plop into the fountain water, creating ripples in it and shattering the reflection.

"How could I let all this happen..?" I sobbed, squeezing my eyes shut. "Who am I trying to fool? There's no way I could be the heroine this world needs now more than ever..."

I sobbed violently as rain began to fall and I pulled up the raincoat's hood. I didn't even hear footsteps approaching until I heard Dora speak up.

"Hey, love?"

I wiped away my tears and turned to see the drummer wearing a bright yellow raincoat with the hood over her head as she looked at me. "Look, I know what happened earlier was tense, but I swear all that was a force of habit. It happens to the best of us, am I right?"

"How was that a force of habit?!" I asked, slightly offended by the logic behind it. "More importantly, what are you guys doing here?! We all thought you guys retreated with the rest of Zanza's disciples and pawns!"

"Uh, yeah, you never heard the full story of why we're here." The blonde haired girl muttered in embarrassment. "Truth is that the three of us actually abandoned being pawns to Zanza during the battle with you yesterday. I think we were knocked out cold last night 'cause the next thing I knew this morning is that the residents of this colony found us and got us to medical aid as soon as possible."

"So that's why." I said. "But why were you acting as thieves? You gave plenty of people a scare during your heist spree."

"Beshi insisted on getting materials for 'battle outfits' for the next encounter with the Telethia and money was pretty tight given the amount of gold some of the materials are in the needed quantities." Dora responded. "So yeah, you have your friend priorities straight since they helped us pay for everything we stole, and we're grateful for that."

"You think so? What exactly was needed for these 'battle outfits'?" I asked. "There's plenty of places they can be made in the colony. If you wanted new outfits, they would be more than willing to help."

"We actually managed to convince Lorithia to hand us the armour from her 'Grace' project before the Bionis reawakened. They're made from the ultimate fabric that's derived from ether rather than matter. We wanted to spice them up to make them unique." The drummer explained. "We had Silver Antol Fibres and Azure Flamii Wings on hand, but we needed materials to make them pop. That's why there was so much craft materials taken."

"I see, Beshi wanted you guys to become heroes on a path to protect people." I said in realization with a soft smile on my face. "You want people to forgive what you've done while working with Zanza, that's why you decided to make a run for it yesterday when Bea, Machamp, and Minori engaged in battle with Murasaki."

"Yeah, sounds like a pretty petty thing to become thieves over if you ask me." She admitted, giving a smile back at me.

"What is that?"

"Some sort of calling card?"

"Meh-meh! Me thought Dinobeast bad enough!"

"If this is a prank, it isn't funny!"

"What's going on?" I wondered, seeing several residents gathered where several calling cards of some sort were posted.

"Oh, yeah. Someone's been posting strange calling cards everywhere, they're all over the colony." Dora said. "Some say that they've been there since this morning. This is not even something we're involved in at all! Otharon says everyone must pitch in to take them down as soon as possible. There's no telling how many of them there are!"

"If no one know who or what is behind this, then I'll investigate this myself." I said as I headed for the location most of the cards were at.

I picked up a card off the ground and took a look. The card was double-sided it seems. One side has a logo of what looked like a mask along with images of the sun, a kernel of popcorn, a seahorse, a crocodile, a jellyfish, and a mushroom on it and the words 'HEAR OUR VOICES' imprinted on it. I flipped the card to the other side and saw a message directed at me.

"To the Valkyrie of affection, Sharla Kuhlauf..." I read. "You are a truly strong fighter despite all this war has put you through. We have taken notice of your affectionate side and how you weaponize it in battle with your friends and have decided we want to meet with you tonight and join your cause to end this war once and for all. On this night, come to us as you hear our song and let your voice sing with it. From, the warriors of destiny."

Me? The 'Valkyrie of affection'? What does that or any of this even mean?! I thought to myself in confusion.

I sighed, handing the card to a Homs woman named Perrine, who was helping to collect all the cards the residents found. "Alright, I don't have much of a choice right now anyway."

As I was preparing to leave the area, I heard something that stopped me in my tracks.

Singing.

There was singing coming from outside the Main Entrance, four female and two male voices.

My eyes widened for a moment as I realized it was the lullaby I would often sing to Shulk whenever I was on watch duty at night. The six had amazing voices, and I got swept up in them.

Remembering what the card said, I headed for the Main Entrance as I started to sing the lullaby from where the six left off. I've heard back in Makna Forest from Shulk and Murasaki that I had an amazing singing voice and there was a soothing feeling that came with it.

When the lullaby finished and I have found the source of the six voices, there was nothing but silence between us. As we looked at each other, I got a good look at their appearances.

One woman was 5'5" in height and had fair skin, blonde hair held in a messy ponytail by a holder that looked like dark gold spikes, and bright yellow eyes. She wore a sleeveless gold bodysuit that left most of her legs exposed with dark gold cuffs at the bottom, dark gold rims at her chest, curved waves directly below her breasts and on her hips, and bright yellow teardrop shaped gemstone adorned below the rims and on her stomach. She also wore a spiked dark gold makeshift belt with light yellow fabric attached to it on her midriff, matching gold fingerless gauntlets with similar curved spikes and bright yellow gemstones engraved in them, matching boots reaching near her knees and contained similar details to the gauntlets and dark gold soles, and a gold flowing cape reaching her ankles with a bright yellow gemstone in the shape of the sun holding it on her shoulders. Her weapon is a large, spiked ring blade on her back.

A young girl who was 5'2" in height had slightly fair skin, blonde hair held in two poofy pigtails and a top part which seemed to curl in the middle, and green eyes. She wore a red and white striped dress adorned with decoy popcorn kernels and a dark blue bow on the chest that resembles a popcorn bucket, white leggings, red heals with decoy kernels on the straps, and white cuffs with silver lines at the top on her wrists. Her weapon is a silver rapier stowed on her left hip.

The next girl was 5'4" in height and appeared the most colorful. She had tan skin, brown eyes, and auburn hair with black, blue, and purple highlights reaching nears her shoulders. A white seashell clip with green seaweed on it was also attached in her hair. She wore a sleeveless orange and black layered top that looked ridged with spotted details that seemed to be sprayed on, an orange, blue, and purple layered skirt which made it form a ridged dress of color, ridged purple and blue fingerless gauntlets, and matching boots reaching near her knees and containing black soles. Her weapons are a pair of hunting knives with blue and purple handles stowed on her hips.

One boy appeared to be the tallest out of the six at he was 6' in height. He had fair skin, short pink hair, and green eyes. He wore a rose-colored blazer a big bow tie, matching pants, dark pink dress shoes with violet soles, a pink fur coat, and a spotted violet bowler hat. His weapon is a spear which looked like the Alpine Spear that Dunban would use stowed on his right hip.

The other boy who was 5'11" in height has dark skin, messy dirty blonde hair, and brown eyes. He wore a light brown, short-sleeved shirt, a brown seifuku style scarf over his chest and shoulders with a small white flower holding it and braided green rims resembling a vine, a braided vine belt, a light brown ankle-length skirt with a braided vine rim and details on the bottom of it resembling moss growths, brown gloves with vine straps, brown slip-on shoes with dark brown soles, and a red mushroom cap with white spots resembling flowers much like the caps that the Nopon wear. His weapon is some sort of 'battle braid' which looks like a braided vine with a dark brown handle with a white flower on it stowed around his left wrist.

The last girl was 5'3" in height and has slightly tan skin, green eyes, and lime green braided hair reaching her shoulderblades. She wears a black sleeveless bodysuit with lime green details resembling unpredictable lightning all over it, a lime green trench coat reaching near her ankles, a green belt with a light green buckle over her midriff, loose light green sockings over her ankles, black platform boots with light green laces and green platform soles, and a loose light green bandana beanie. Her weapon is a mechanical looking bow stowed on her back.

The silence remained until the girl in the cape broke it. "Hello there, Sharla. We're the warriors of destiny. I'm Summer Nikokami, the Warrior of Passion. We finally meet."

"Hold on a second." I said. "Are you saying you each represent one of the powers of the protectors?"

"Yes-yes! Bri-bri had those traits in mind when she created us!" The popcorn adorned girl responded with enthusiasm. "Popicorina Aidoru, Warrior of Heroism at your service! You can call me Popi for short!"

"You're making that sound simpler than it actually is." I snarked.

"That's just how Popi is sometime. That energy is like that of the Nopon." Summer said with a smirk.

"Let's just finish introductions first." The colorful girl advised. "My name's Tatsuno Toshigo. I'm the Warrior of Rashness, nice to meet you."

"Name's Croclos Waninuma, I'm the Warrior of Obstinance! With my strength, we'll charge our way to victory!" The boy in pink, Croclos exclaimed as he gave me a thumbs-up.

"I am Kinoko Shizenhana, the Warrior of Camaraderie. I believe that if we all work together, anything's possible." The dark skinned boy, Kinoko said with a soft smile.

"And finally, my name is Jelivane Kurage. I'm the only one of us who represents two of the protectors' powers." The girl in green, Jelivane said as she approached me. "I'm the Warrior of Affection and Bravery, it's nice to finally get to meet you, Sharla."

I was completely lost now. "Do you guys know Brigitte? It sounds like you do from what Popi said."

"Yeah, about that..." Croclos muttered, taking off his hat and scratching the back of his head.

"There's much to be explained." Tatsuno said. "We'll tell you everything inside Junks, come on."

We headed for Junks and I decided to check on Tyrea as it was midnight, meaning that Linada was no longer in the infirmary. The six agreed to wait for me to head for the bridge after making sure the assassin was alright.

However, when I went up to the infirmary, she was no longer on the metal bed and had gone. Great, as if my current situation wasn't already worrying enough.

Where did Tyrea go? Somehow, I highly doubt she became a Telethia, that would've happened days ago if that was the case. I might have to make looking for her my top priority tomorrow. I thought to myself before heading for the bridge.

I had no idea of how much information I would end up finding out about on this very night.

Meanwhile, Tyrea walked near the Pod Depot with regret. The singing she heard was mostly blocked out as she reflected on what happened earlier that day, but as she listened to the story the song was telling, she couldn't help but wonder if she was too harsh on Sharla and Melia back there.

"Me? Envious?" She muttered, remembering what Zellium had called her before lowering her head. "I only... think of my people..."

She looked and gasped when she saw a cloud of Ether gathered near the area. "What is that?"

"Motto chikaku ni kite." A female voice whispered in Japanese as the High Entia got closer to the cloud.

She walked up to it and closed her eyes, feeling the Ether flowing through her veins. Suddenly, a Telethia appeared in front of her. The assassin looked up and let out a whimper of fear. She heard a female voice laugh sinisterly as the ether in the air surrounds her and turned to see a young girl in a pastel yellow raincoat and black rainboots holding a gunbrella being used to keep dry, a clear, sinister smirk on her face.

The roar of a Telethia woke me up the next day with a shock, what I was told last night from the warriors of destiny was completely appalling to me. For one thing, the leader of the seven protectors was named Kumiho Vixen, her talent was the Ultimate Serial Killer as she's apparently no stranger to murder, and she's been around as long as Zanza and Meyneth have. She also just so happens to be the true source of Xenoblade Transformation because of the necklace that the soul of the Mechonis gave her.

Most importantly, it turns out the reason why mine and Shulk's Battle Gems had wings is because we had gained the ultimate form of Xenoblade Transformation, not only that, but it's two of the three fate defiers. Shulk is the Pawn, the vessel who plays into the devil's hands, Gonta is the Warrior, someone who is even willing to deal with the devil to get what he wants, and mine was the most powerful of the three, the Valkyrie. The one who will do anything to protect those I care for at any cost.

As I ran out of Junks to find my friends, I recalled what Summer told me was what Kumiho said of the Valkyrie before she perished in the attack on Agniratha.

"The Valkyrie will be the one to save us all." She had said in her final moments. "Her healing powers can restore anyone no matter the wound, even reviving the incapacitated. She will become our savior and paint the world in her colors. I may not survive, but I know this, the Valkyrie will save this world from discord and bring forth peace and harmony among us all."

I couldn't believe it; I'm supposed to be the one to fulfill her vision of the future. I'm the Valkyrie who will 'paint the world in her colors'. Brigitte even created the warriors of destiny from the corpses of those killed in this war to aid me in my journey to reach Zanza. Summer and Popi were created from Ajia's best friends that were killed prior to this war even beginning, which made her and Gita join Zanza's ranks as disciples, Tatsuno was created from Callie, which explained why her corpse was taken during the Mechon attack on Alcamoth along with Reyn's, Croclos was the resurrected self of Raihan, who was probably the last one to be taken by Brigitte after me and my allies destroyed the Mechon that killed him, Kinoko's the resurrected self of Dunban, who of which I could assume was taken after me, Nessa, Allister, and Melony went into the Machina village for the night, and finally, Jelivane was created from Mei, who I was pretty sure was taken when Ashe captured me and dropped me into Sword Valley alone.

"Guys! She's gone!" I exclaimed once I caught up with my friends.

"You mean Tyrea vanished over night?!" Zellium yelled in fear.

"Could that Telethia that Mirai was riding be her?!" Shulk asked.

"We can't say for sure." Summer said as she and the other warriors of destiny reached us. "She would've transformed days ago if that was the case. Otherwise, she might've transformed later than the other pure-blooded High Entia."

"What?" The mechanic muttered, turning to face the six new companions. "Who are you?"

"There's no time now." Melia said before facing all of us. "We must pursue it."

"The real question is... Where did Mirai take off to?" Sae wondered.

Makna Forest...

Before I could react to the sudden female voice in my head, canary yellow suffused my vision and time seemed to freeze.

Mirai stood on the three-headed Telethia as it absorbed the ether from the crystal deposit at the Lakeside in Makna Forest.

"That's it, my dear pet. Breathe in the power." She said as it absorbed the last bit of ether it can get.

Tyrea was hiding behind the deposit, watching the writer in fear as she laughed sinisterly. "With all this power, taking out the Girl that Defies her Destiny by myself will be a breeze!"

Abruptly, my vision returned to normal, causing me to gasp in realization. "Shulk, do remember where you first met Alvis in Makna Forest?"

"I think so. Why do you bring that up, Sharla?" The mechanic asked.

"Because that's where Mirai is. I saw her there in a vision." I responded. "She was at the Lakeside, and she clearly thinks she can kill me without any help from the other disciples."

"Let's get after her then!" Zellium exclaimed and all of us nodded in agreement.

"You can take the Illustrious Alighting to get there faster." Nessa said. "Me, Allister, and Melony will stay here in case any of the other disciples show up again."

Drednaw, Gengar, and Lapras let out sounds of confirmation while the rest of us got onto the Illustrious Alighting with Melia driving since it was her personal ship, me, Shulk, Riki, Fiora, Sae, Zellium, Jelivane, and Summer taking the eight seats behind her, and Popi, Tatsuno, Croclos, and Kinoko taking four of the eight seats in the glass, yet still solid, lower passenger sections which Nessa, Allister, and Melony worked with the High Entia who moved to Colony 6 to attach to the bottom of the ship. I supposed they needed some way to transport Lapras on their travels.

"Oh, I almost forgot." Melony said, turning to face us. "If you find Beshi, Dora, and Kiba there, can you bring them back here? We need all the reinforcements we can get for the next attack that Zanza's disciples carry out."

"Sounds like a plan." Jelivane agreed as the engines started up. "Wish us luck."

The Illustrious Alighting took flight from the ground and Melia steered it towards the direction of Makna Forest. I sat in one of the two seats in the third row with Zellium in the seat to my right, Shulk, Riki, Sae, and Fiora in the rows in front of us, and Summer and Jelivane in the seats behind us in that order from my vantage point.

I looked at the two girls from behind me before speaking up. "I'm not sure if Brigitte told you this, but heatwaves happen quite often on Makna Forest, so once we arrive, you might want to remove any article of clothing that might deter you from fighting in that kind of climate. We have some clothing from the Nopon that's fit for the area as well if you want."

"Thanks for the heads-up, Sharla." Summer responded with a chuckle.

"Me, Sae, and Riki are used to the climate there, so we're fine. We'll help you guys get the gear on." Zellium said as the Illustrious Alighting approached Makna Forest.

We landed at the Agni Tablet, which contained the path leading to the Lakeside. Melia activated the Illustrious Alighting's holographic stealth parking once all of us were on solid ground.

The heat was already getting to Croclos as he tried to fan himself with his right hand. "You weren't kidding about the heat. This climate is scorching hot even for me."

"Then stop complaining and put on the Nopon-made outfit." Tatsuno snarked as she took some of the armour and started to remove her gauntlets.

The rest of us went ahead and put on the climate-fit armour which we had gotten from the Nopon during our stay in Frontier Village. Summer's outfit reminded Fiora, who was wearing her 'Water Cowling II' armour, of her outfit before being turned into a Face Mechon pilot with light blue flowers holding her ponytail in place, Popi wore a blue version of that outfit with pastel yellow flowers replacing her ruby red pigtail holders, Tatsuno and Jelivane wore alternately coloured versions of Melia's and my outfit respectively with the Warrior of Rashness' hair held in a pair of pigtails by leafy flowers and the Warrior of Affection and Bravery had put her hair in a pair of buns, and finally, Croclos and Kinoko had to wear Reyn and Dunban's armour respectively.

"Please tell me these tattoos are fake." The Warrior of Camaraderie muttered as he sweatdropped while looking at the tattoo on his left shoulder.

"They are." I responded. "You can remove them once we're done with Mirai."

"Fake or not, you gotta admit, they look good on us." Croclos snarked.

The roar of the Telethia shook the ground before Zellium spoke up as he pointed at the path which led to the Lakeside. "This way! Let's move!"

All of us quickly ran down the path as fast as we could. By the time we reached the Lakeside, it looked like Mirai was in the middle of a confrontation with three familiar figures. I rushed ahead of everyone else in a flurry once I recognized the figures.

"What are you girls doing out here?!" I asked as I approached Beshi, Dora, and Kiba, who were all wearing armour fit for the climate and had their weapons drawn, ready to fight.

The keyboard artist turned to face me. "We know we still haven't fully recovered from our previous battle days ago, but when we saw Mirai attack the colony, we had to step in."

"This is our chance to prove once and for all that we're on the same side as you now!" Dora added.

"Really?" I muttered in surprised.

"Well, well..." Mirai's voice immediately made all of us look up at her as she stood on the Telethia that attacked Colony 6, holding her opened gunbrella over her right shoulder and holding her Battle Gem in her left hand. "You finally made it, Girl that Defies her Destiny."

"Zanza's dominance over the people of this world ends here, Mirai!" I shouted, pointing at her.

"Will it now?" The writer questioned. "It was me who helped you get this far in the first place. If it weren't for me, you would've been a goner! You should be grateful!"

"I know." I said, closing my eyes for a moment before opening them again. "And I must thank you for giving me that strength. It's because of you that I'm here, ready for you now."

"Then let's not delay our battle any longer, shall we?" As she spoke, Mirai held up her Battle Gem towards the sky as it glowed brightly. "Henshin!"

Danmaku Dangan!

The writer was engulfed in light, and I shielded my eyes for a moment before the light faded to show her in her transformation outfit. She laughed sinisterly as I pulled out my Battle Gem and my friends followed suit.

"Stand back, guys." Zellium said to Beshi, Dora, Kiba, and the warriors of destiny as he and Sae escorted them back a few feet.

Affectionate Valkyrie!

Hiro no Yuki!

Noble Swordswoman!

Empress' Grace!

Tricky Heroism!

We looked at each other and nodded in confirmation before shouting in unison. "Henshin!"

Clutching her Battle Gem to her chest, Sharla has her eyes closed as light begins to surround her. The light engulfs her upper chest and around her hips, bursting to reveal a black top that covers her breasts and exposes most of her upper back with gold details on her chest, black wing-like feathers on the top, and thick dark orange string creating details on the back, and a black skirt with white and gold trimming and white lace on one side, black and dark orange feathers on the other, and the back reaching her ankles made of black feathers and gold tendrils. Light went down her left leg and her other leg became engulfed in light when it reached her knees, fading to reveal a black legging with small crystal details imprinted on it and metallic black boots reaching near her knees with gold armor on them as well as gold plating, black lace in the middle that was exposed, and dark orange soles. She crossed her arms in an 'X' formation in the sky as black skin-tight gloves reaching her elbows with a black and gold encryption attached to them and dark orange armor around her fingers formed from water-like light. In a flash of light, a cute little black top hat with black lace, gold ribbon, and crystal details imprinted on it attached to a black headband with crystals on it formed. Light built at her back and bursts to reveal a large pair of white angel-like wings with black rims matching her outfit and six golden rings woven into them. Canary yellow light builds in the rings and a kanji reading 'healing' appears. She opens her eyes and aims her rifle at the 'camera' in a jumping leap with her wings spread outward, creating her final pose.

Shulk's eyes glow blue before he closes them as his body is engulfed in red liquid-like light. It fades away from the feet up to reveal a dark nearly skintight shirt with gold details, matching pants given a baggy-like look by black armoured boots with golden details with diamonds at his knees, and dark gloves with armour reaching his elbows. The remaining light materializes into armour matching his gloves and boots around his upper and lower body, three thin talons on his left hip, a spike at his right shoulder, and a spiked black armoured headpiece with gold detailing on the right side of his head. Bright blue light strikes him in the back and materializes into a large pair of white angel-like wings. Gripping onto his Replica Monado, he slashes at the 'camera' with his wings spread outward, creating his final pose.

A small light shines in Fiora's eyes before she closes them as white smooth-looking Mechon armor attached themselves to her body. Soon after, black armor parts attached themselves to various part of her body mainly at her hands, lower body, and neck. A mint green color came to life on the jewels at her feet, legs, hips, under her breasts, and shoulderblades. White and black armor cover her chin up to her ears and mint green jewels with thick black rims attach themselves to the back of her head. A gold headpiece with a horn attached to the armor at the top of her head and white drones with the insides black and golden rings around mint green gemstones attach themselves onto her back piece-by-piece. A gold chain appears under her chest piece in a flash of light and she opens her eyes before pointing one of her twin blades at the 'camera', creating her final pose.

Holding her Battle Gem to the sky, Melia did some ballet moves as light resembling an aurora spun around her. Starting at her chest and to her hips, the aurora slowly revealed a black, purple and gold armored dress with most of her midriff exposed, a black choker around her neck attached to it, and white and gold talons on her upper back and either side of her skirt. The water she seems to dance on flows up her legs and forms white laced stockings reaching a little above her knees and a pair of black, purple, and gold knee-high boots with silver plating at her ankles and gold soles. As Melia finished her dance, the remaining aurora forms a mainly purple and gold headpiece on top of her head, black and gold cuffs around where her elbows are, and a pair of black and gold fingerless wrist-length gloves. Gripping her staff tightly, she spins it before holding it behind her back while she looks at the 'camera', creating her final pose.

Riki's Battle Gem glows in a blazing aura while he looks at it in confusion until it flies out of his wings in the form of a dragon, catching him off-guard in surprise. The dragon's dust-like breath engulfed him and when he opened his eyes to see what happened, he saw that the dragon's breath has materialized into black and silver armor on most of his body with a red demonic face with silver eyes and a tail like a dragon's, black crescent moon-like markings near his eyes, and a cute mini dragon on his back like a backpack. The dragon goes into him from behind and in what seems like a instant, forming black dragon-like wings over his wings and a helmet appearing like a dragon's head with grey and red hair, red eyes, and a red mouth. He pointed his biter at the 'camera' in a jumping charge, creating his final pose.

"You might have me outnumbered, but you still won't defeat me!" Mirai exclaimed as her Telethia prepared to attack.

"Want to bet, Mi-mi?!" Kiba challenged before we charged forward with weapons at the ready.

The keyboard artist cracked her whip at the Telethia, which seemed to provoke it as it tried to stomp on her, but she leapt out of the way. Jelivane summoned an arrow made of solid light, put onto her bow, and fired. That seemed to do some damage, but we knew that it would regenerate soon. Summer quickly spun around with her ring blade as a golden fiery aura surrounded it, striking the Telethia and it roared in pain.

"You bitches just don't know when to quit!" Mirai yelled as energy swirled around her Telethia and no matter what anyone did, their attacks missed.

"Get behind it!" Beshi commanded as she, Dora, Kiba, and the warriors of destiny rushed to the back of the Telethia.

"Ability activate! Super Nova VII!" The writer shouted, focusing her attention to the rest of us.

I flew up into the sky and Shulk followed me before the Telethia unleashed a burst of ether onto Melia and Riki, who were both binded in place.

"Oh no..." Shulk muttered in worry.

"I always wanted to say that, you know?" Mirai said before pointing her gunbrella to the sky. "Now, how about I send you back to solid ground? Satellite Gustav!"

I looked up and my eyes widened as a purple beam of light quickly approached me. Suddenly, I felt something, or more accurately, someone push me out of the beam's path. A bloodcurdling scream made me look down to see that Shulk had taken the attack for me and is now plummeting to the ground below.

"Shulk! No!" I screamed as he struck the ground.

"Damn, missed the target I was aiming for." Mirai muttered, looking at my downed allies. "But since your friend took it for you and as long as I get to fight you, then it was worth it."

"You're gonna pay for that!" Dora shouted as she and the others attacked from behind.

Mirai jumped out of the way, but their weapons plunged into the hide of her Telethia which shrieked as it tried to get them off of it.

The symbol for Monado Purge appeared in my wings and I quickly fired at it, the green light latching onto it, binding its movements. The nine attackers on its back quickly leapt off of it and landed onto the ground to protect those that were currently down.

"Looks like it's time for the last resort! Ultimate Cannon IX!" Mirai yelled as light bulit at the middle head of the Telethia.

"Aquatic Barrier!" Jelivane shouted, launching an arrow into the air and it transformed into a green forcefield, protecting my friends from the blast.

The writer scoffed as the forcefield vanished and I looked around to see everyone getting exhausted. "Still resistant even through my pet's last resort attack, huh? No matter, in your current state, you won't be able to fight back when I gun you down for good!"

I let out a sound of fear as she looked at me. "What a damn shame, thinking you could actually stand a chance against me. I lost my friends before this Killing Titan War begun and now, prepare to lose yours!"

"NO!" I screamed as she looked at my friends, prepared to finish them all off.

What's the matter?

I gasped as the mysterious female voice from before echoed in my head.

"W-Who are you..?" I muttered.

Who am I? I am Kumiho Vixen, the Ultimate Serial Killer.

"You're the leader of the protectors who died long ago?"

Yes... So answer me this...

A turquoise and canary yellow ball of flaming energy materialized in front of me. I reached out, and the ball slowly levitated itself into my free hand.

"Are you really willing to let Zanza win?" Kumiho's voice spoke from the ball of energy. "Will you stand aside and let his disciples do whatever they want?"

"No way! Not when there's so much on the line!" I responded.

"Very well. I have heard your resolve. If you want to truly fight back against Zanza..." The protectors' leader said. "Then you have to consume my soul."

"What?" I muttered in confusion. "But wouldn't the destruction of your soul mean you perish forever?"

"I know, but my time as the Valkyrie has long gone." The killer's soul responded in regret. "Have you ever looked in the rings of your wings? I have put a seal on the Art connected to that symbol in my final moments. Only the destruction of my soul can break it."

"The symbol in my wings?" I wondered before looking at my wings.

Within those golden rings were one symbol in canary yellow light that I suddenly understood.

癒

A symbol which meant 'healing'.

"I think I understand what you said in your final moments now." I said, looking at the deceased leader's soul.

"Excellent. Now, are you willing to accept such power?" Kumiho asked. "Once I'm gone there is no turning back. Have you made your choice? Will you face the odds against you and your friends and be the heroine and savior you're meant to be?"

I held her soul closer to my face as I responded. "Yes. I will fight, no matter the odds. I will protect everyone as I vowed to Gadolt. I will succeed where you could not, Kumiho."

"That's our future savior. Now consume my soul, and the power to heal and revive will be all yours!" The protectors' leader said.

I nodded in confirmation before I opened my mouth and sent Kumiho's soul inside. I closed my mouth as soon as her soul was fully inside before swallowing her.

OK, that was probably the weirdest thing I did in this war so far. I thought to myself.

The sound of electric sparks made me turn to see the symbol in my wings glowing brightly. A bright aura surrounded me before I shouted at the top of my lungs.

"MAY THE STRENGTH OF MY HEART PROTECT US!"

Light pulsed from me as it spread outward across the air and onto the ground. Everyone looked around in shock and awe as the damage that Mirai inflicted was undone.

"Nani?! What happened?!" Mirai asked in complete shock.

"If you thought you could beat me without the other disciples to back you up..." I said, aiming my rifle at her. "Then sorry to say, but you're sorely mistaken!"

I fired at her, and the writer quickly blocks by opening her gunbrella in front of her before closing it again. When she lowered it, she was face-to-face with Shulk who immediately unleashed Monado Eater at her.

She screamed as the large blast of ether enveloped her. When the resulting light vanished, her bonnet, eyepatch, and some of the lower parts of her dress and hair were completely missing, most likely ripped off by the ether blast.

"Nice one, Shulk!" I exclaimed. "Now Mirai can't use any Arts which involve the weapons under her dress, and that includes her Talent Art!"

"You know I can hear you!" The writer pointed out. "Telethia! Destroy them all! Don't let anyone escape!"

The Telethia roared at its master's command and prepared to attack, but Kinoko and Kiba swung their weapons at it, and the battle braid and whip caught the creature's front feet, preventing it from moving any further.

"Now!" They shouted in unison before Melia shot lightning at it, Fiora and Beshi slashed at it with their swords, and Riki and Kiba leapt high and bashed their weapons into the creature's middle head, causing it to scream as its body gave out and fall completely to the ground.

"Ah! I didn't see that coming!" Mirai exclaimed in shock and fear as she looked at her now-incapacitated pet.

"I'll leave the rest to you, Sharla." Shulk said, turning to face me. "Show her what you're made of!"

I nodded in confirmation as he flew down to the others to make sure that the Telethia stayed down. I glared at Mirai as I grabbed her right arm with my free hand, causing her to yelp as I pulled her closer to me.

"Hey, guys!" I shouted to the warriors of destiny, who looked up before I swung Mirai towards them as she screamed. "START THE CHAIN ATTACK!"

Summer wasted no time getting things started as she swung her ring blade into the writer before it glowed in a shining white aura.

"Lunar Shredder!" She yelled before slashing at Mirai through the midriff, breaking the fabric there and causing her to bleed heavily as she was knocked back. "Popi, you're up!"

"Leave it to Popi! Steal Twister!" The Warrior of Heroism exclaimed as she spun the tip of her rapier, summoning a whirlwind which engulfed the writer before she aimed directly where her target was and struck Mirai directly at her chest, sending her flying upwards. "Go-go, Croclos!"

"Alright! Rapid Thruster!" The Warrior of Obstinance quickly thrusted his spear into Mirai multiple times, some deepening the wound in her midriff before thrusting one more time to send the writer backwards. "Tatsuno, don't back down!"

"Yeah! Roaring Maelstrom!" The Warrior of Rashness spun around with knives in hand as bright blue aura spun around her while she struck Mirai rapidly, creating deep wounds across her body. "Show no mercy, Kinoko!"

"Got it! Spinning Wheel!" The Warrior of Camaraderie spun his battle braid outwards around as Mirai was caught in it by her leg and was hit by the green energy slashes surrounding her body before being launched by pure force when the vine let go of her. "Jelivane, it's up to you!"

"My turn! Scatter Surge!" The Warrior of Affection and Bravery launched an arrow at Mirai which then spilt into multiple arrows, all aimed directly at the writer and they struck right through her. "Sharla, finish it!"

"I'm on it!" I shouted before summoning my guardian animal and aiming my rifle at Mirai below me. "Metal Blast!"

I fired at her and the aura-like wolf charged downward at her. Both struck her at full force and...

BOOM!

She crashed into the ground hard, her shriek pain-filled and abruptly cut off. I landed back onto the ground and saw that a tarp like the one used by Melony had been placed down.

After a Chain Attack like that, there's no way she could've survived. All of us transformed back to normal and my guardian animal vanished once we were certain that both the writer and the Telethia were down for the count.

"That was awesome, you guys!" Dora exclaimed. "That's one less disciple of Zanza we have to worry about."

"I'm sending this to Ajia." Beshi said with a laugh as she snapped a pic of Mirai's corpse and sent to the sushi chef. "I can't to see her reaction to one of her fellow disciples dead at our hands."

"But remember, this war isn't over yet." Kiba advised.

Shulk approaches the Telethia which now writhed on the ground from its injuries obtained from the battle.

"Shulk, I must..." Melia muttered as she stepped forward.

"I know." He responded.

The princess brought her hands together and began to summon the ether attack which will put the Telethia out of its misery.

"Stop!"

The sudden voice caused her to stop charging the attack and turn to see Tyrea approaching us.

"Tyrea! You're safe?" She asked in surprise.

The assassin walked up to the princess before speaking. "You do realise? That Telethia is Yumea."

Melia gasped and some of us reacted in shock at her words.

"Yumea?!" Shulk repeated in surprise.

"I was pursuing Yumea." Tyrea began. "Even though she knew it was her fate to transform, she remained faithful to the Bionis."

"But why?" The mechanic wondered. "Didn't she feel betrayed?"

"Everyone has their own beliefs. And what they believe is their own choice." The assassin responded. "Yumea adhered to her path. I pursued her so that I could fulfill her final wish."

"Her final wish?" I repeated curiously.

"Yumea was imprisoned within the Tower of Investigation." The older High Entia said. "She told me that after she transformed into a Telethia, I was to destroy her as quickly as possible. She wished to sacrifice herself to the Bionis... At least, that is what I believed at first. But I now understand Yumea's true desire. That is why I must..!"

She began to charge her own ether attack before Melia interrupted her. "This is my responsibility."

The assassin cut off the ether summons and turned to face the short-winged High Entia. "Melia, why?"

"Father entrusted me with the empire and its people. What I believe in is the will of those struggling to survive." The princess explained. "I have to fight if I am to convey this to the next generation. Besides, Yumea is your birth mother."

She turned away from Tyrea to face the Telethia before continuing. "There is no need for you to carry out such an unpleasant task."

The assassin bows her head and closed her eyes. "Is the same not true of you? You may not be of her blood but you still think of her as your..."

"This is a duty that my father and brother conferred upon me." The younger High Entia said simply.

"Melia..."

The princess stepped towards the Telethia, summoned her ether attack again, and fired it at the Telethia that was once First Consort Yumea. The creature then dissolved in a burst of green light.

She then turned to face Tyrea again. "Tyrea... I believe you and I are alike."

"Alike?" Tyrea repeated. "Never! Vile girl!"

The assassin began to walk off then stopped. "My gratitude for assisting Yumea. I mean... Mother."

The large wings on her began to flutter as she rose off the ground and then flew off into the distance.

"Tyrea..." Melia muttered as we watched the assassin's departure.

"Well, there she goes." Zellium said.

"Is she going to be OK on her own?" I wondered.

"She'll be alright." Sae responded. "We and Tyrea share the same goal. Our paths will definitely meet again."

"Yeah, you're right." Shulk agreed before turning to face Melia. "Melia, what did you mean just now? When you said you and Tyrea are alike."

"Tyrea must be half Homs, just like me." The princess said.

"What?! But weren't the wings on her head..?" Croclos muttered in surprise.

"Not all half-blooded High Entia have small wings, only the majority. Some are indistinguishable from pure-blooded High Entia."

"Dominant and recessive inheritance. I've studied this." I said.

"So that's why..." Shulk muttered.

"Melia, do you think Yumea knew this would happen?" Fiora asked.

"Perhaps." Melia responded, starting to head back up the path, but stopped. "Actually, she had to have known. At least, that's what I believe."

The mech pilot came up to her. "She was her mother, after all. She must have been aware."

"Yes." The princess said simply.

Beshi, Dora, and Kiba walked up to her. Looks like they dismembered Mirai's body and put the parts into garbage bags, Dora was even carrying the balled-up tarp.

"We owe you big time, guys. You really saved our skin back there." Beshi said before facing Melia. "Take this with you, Yumea and Tyrea would've wanted you to have it, Ultimate Empress."

The bassist held out a golden ether staff towards Melia, and the princess-now-empress took it with gratitude.

"Let's get back to Colony 6 and discuss our next move inside Junks." Summer advised.

"Finally I get to remove these tattoos..." Kinoko sighed in relief as we headed back up the path.

We took the Illustrious Alighting back to Colony 6 and helped throw Mirai's remains into the incinerator. After we had changed back into our normal clothing and had something to eat, I prepared to enter Junks before Jelivane stopped me.

"Hey, Sharla." She said. "I couldn't help but watch you break the seal of Monado Recover that Kumiho placed in her final moments."

"Really?" I muttered. "Was eating her soul in order to break the seal in the first place weird? I thought it was the weirdest thing I've done in this war so far, really."

"Kumiho always knew the risks of being the previous Valkyrie, and she was willing to pay for it with the destruction of her soul." The green haired girl responded. "May I remind you, that it was you who's meant to take the mantle as the Valkyrie and paint this world in your colors."

I turned away. "I highly doubt Zanza feels the same. He wants this world to be in his colors forever, and we can't allow that."

"Of course we don't want that!" The shorter girl exclaimed. "Brigitte made me and the other warriors to help you make sure this war ends. I believe you and Shulk will make the right choice in the end, so you should definitely believe in yourselves as well."

I now had a light blush on my face as I responded. "Now you're starting to make me blush! We're counting on you to make sure we survive to the end."

"Don't worry, Sharla. Me and the others, we got your back." Jelivane assured before the two of us entered Junks.

"Zanza is inside the Bionis. I just know it."

Everyone on the bridge turned to look at Shulk, at the person who once had a god inside him, had died at the disciples' hands, and had returned stronger than ever.

"Dickson must be there as well." Zellium said grimly, feeling hatred and anger rising up within him.

"Yes." Sae agreed. "And Alvis, too."

"The same goes for all the other surviving disciples." I added.

"That's all good, but how do we get to them?" Croclos asked. "If they're inside the Bionis, we're gonna need to dig a pretty big hole."

"How long that take?" Riki wondered. "Riki get old soon!"

"Popi doesn't know how long the dig will take." Popi admitted.

"It just so happens I have the answer." Miqol said. "On the Bionis' chest is a massive hole that leads inside. It's the wound made by Egil and Brigitte's final attack."

"Then that means..." Shulk began in growing realisation and excitement.

"Yes." Otharon confirmed. "While the allied force keeps the Telethia busy, you can sneak inside that wound and take out Zanza!"

"We will take Junks." Vanea said. "Let my father know when you are ready to depart."

"And one last thing..." Beshi began. She, Dora, and Kiba were now wearing their new 'battle outfits' which seemed casual yet battle-ready. "If you find Shoku, Kenko, Seiyo, and Saki in there, have the Machina bring them back here. The more allies we have, the stronger our defenses become."

"Yeah!" Zellium cheered eagerly, pumping his fists. "Time to bash some skulls!"

"Let's give them a taste of their own medicine!" Kinoko exclaimed.

"Riki never lose!" The Nopon proclaimed. "For Riki family, Riki win!"

"Popi never lose either!" The Warrior of Heroism yelled. "For the sake of everyone, Popi will prevail!"

"We must show this god our unyielding will to survive." Sae said.

"We'll show him what we can do together!" Croclos added.

"The suffering of my people will not be in vain!" Melia cried.

"They will know our names!" Summer shouted.

"Our bonds will never be broken by anyone!" Fiora said.

"They can try to split us apart, but we'll have them know that we will always get back together!" Tatsuno proclaimed.

"The crimes against our friends will not go unpunished!" I stated.

"We've been through a lot in this war, but now the true climax begins!" Jelivane said. "What do you say, Shulk?"

He turned to face her before responding. "Ready. We go to the Bionis' chest. We will free our world from Zanza's curse!"

All of us nodded decisively save for Juju, who seemed lost in thought.

"Think you're up to coming along with us this time, kid?" Zellium asked.

The boy scratched at his hair. "I think I'll stay here. I can help defend the colony."

"Are you sure?" I asked in surprise and sudden fear.

He met my eyes. "Yeah."

I hesitated, unwilling to voice my growing fear. What if Juju wasn't there when I came back? Or what if I never came back?

"Stay safe." I breathed, hugging my brother tightly, fighting to keep my tears back.

He was a little startled, but he hugged me back tightly, hoping he would see me again. I watched once we separated as he left with Otharon, Nessa, Allister, Melony, Beshi, Dora, and Kiba. I have to fight to keep them alive and end this war once and for all.

The colony folk gave us provisions. Glancing over the bags of food, I wondered if we would even last long enough to eat all of it. Nothing had ever seemed as daunting as this task of confronting a god, but nothing had ever seemed so necessary either.

"Are you ready to go?" Miqol asked.

Me and Shulk looked at our companions, all of us tired, all of us determined before looking back at the Machina leader.

"Yes." We said in unison.

Miqol nodded, and Junks took off. Hope you and your disciples are ready, Zanza. We're coming!

This is the beginning of the true climax of the Killing Titan War.

Next time on the Disciple Arc...

'Is there something we don't know that she hasn't told us?'

"Gonta, you have to come down here right now!"

"Chimera Orbs can also be used in the Bestia Drivers to transform."

"What do you desire of us?"

"I refuse to let Zanza manipulate us anymore. Which is why... I have to do this."

Disciple Arc Chapter 15: Henshin! Enter the Kamen Riders!