A/N: Dedicated to all affected by Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan
(3/3/11)
Same time...
4:00 PM...
The cold air rushed and roared loudly as I choked Cato while we both fell down from the Astronomy Tower. Furiously and with pure rage, we punched each other, throwing the occasional headbutt and kicks as we fell. Our swords were left behind at the apex of the Tower, but they would come at our call.
"Argh!" Cato grunted as I punched him in the face, "Come, Fafnir!" He bellowed as he used his Evoker.
A giant, blue dragon appeared and bore him away as I clung on his shanks for dear life.
"See you in Hell, chump!" He snarled as he kicked me in the head, causing me to let go.
I fell into the void as I screamed at the top of my lungs. I grabbed for my Evoker, but realized I left it with Minako. Things were decidedly bleak as I fell to my death. But... I found something in my hands. A card. A glass-like card, with a young woman, surrounded by figures of an angel, a bull, an eagle, and a lion. I had in my hands a representation of the world's totality, the symbol of fulfillment, wholeness, and harmony.
The World Arcana, forged from my bonds with Minako.
"Persona!" I cried as I crushed the card, which exploded into a shrapnel of glass shards, and immediately turned into blue fog, which turned into a beautiful peacock-like bird, so beautiful that words cannot properly describe it.
"Thou art I,
And I am Thou,
From the Sea of thy soul I arise
I am Adarna, the World Bird."
The World Bird appeared and grabbed me by shoulders and threw me to her back as we chased after Cato. We came closer towards him as he was heading back to the Astronomy Tower. I summoned Deus Xiphos and slashed at Fafnir's wings, causing him to cry loudly and dropping Cato as he dissipated.
Cato fell, crying as he desperately summoned the power of Time to create wormhole gate as he disappeared inside it. Adarna knew what to do as she flew near the wormhole as I leapt for it just as it was about to close.
My molecules revolted as they go a thousand miles per hour into the timeless space. I knew I wasn't just moving through space: I was moving through time as well. I approached a light at the end, passed through it and landed on the ground with a pop. From the scenery and the location, it seemed to be Medieval Italy, in Pisa, most likely, since behind me was the Tower of Pisa, slightly more upright and wasn't leaning haphazardly like it did in modern times.
I couldn't spend any time admiring it, since Cato was trying to run away. I gave chase with extreme reluctance.
"Damn it, leave me alone!" Cato barked as he grabbed his Evoker, "Rudra!"
The Vedic storm-god appeared and spun his naginata and created a wind gust that nearly blew me away.
"Scathach! Niflheim!" I cried, crushing a card that appeared in my hand as Scathach appeared and created a solid pillar of ice to protect me from the winds. The winds bounced off the ice, but unfortunately caused the Tower to lean from the mighty winds.
Cato kept running away as I followed him relentlessly. Cato passed by a pottery and summoned a Persona.
"Serve me, Atlas!" He bellowed as the four-armed and Greatest of the Titans appeared, wearing a regal toga and looked really mean. He grabbed a pile of pots and sent it crashing to the ground, blocking my way. I crushed another card as Adarna lifted me up and set me down across it, causing Cato's smug smirk to melt into a scowl of contempt.
"Bah, to hell with you!" Cato spat as he opened up another wormhole and passed through it, while I jumped after him.
When I came to, we were in Colonial America. The rustic scenery was very pleasing, but, again, I had no time to sightsee as I saw Cato desperately trying to escape.
"Thor!" I cried as the Asgardian Prince appeared and struck a lightning bolt at Cato, who fell down in a heap.
"You... bastard." He hissed, electricity curling from his mouth, "RUDRA! ZEUS! THUNDERSTORM!" He bellowed as he used his Evoker and summoned a huge thunderstorm before collapsing from the strain.
I tried approaching him, but a bolt of lightning blasted where I was about to step. I nodded to Thor, who nodded back. I jumped the gap as Thor absorbed the bolt with Mjolnir and redirected it somewhere else, where some fool was flying a kite in the middle of a thunderstorm. What made it worse, was that he had a key tied on the end. What made it even worse, was the fact he had hair on the side like a girl. I honestly thought this guy was begging to be blasted.
Thor and I continued to weave past the lightning strikes as I sprinted toward Cato, who staggered to his feet and summoned Gaea to heal him before creating yet another portal, slipping away as I dogged him.
We returned to Mediaeval Europe, in a heavily populated port-town. A large mob of villagers looked at us expectantly.
"Ready to die in front of these people?" Cato grunted as we circled each other.
"I don't think so." I breathed gleefully, "Not today." I lunged at Cato while he parried sideways. I was on the offensive, slashing horizontally and vertically, wildly slashing at Cato, berserker-style, in the hopes he'd falter.
He, however, calmly deflected my strikes, and even capitalized once I had overstepped. He elbowed my back and followed up with a rising knee, causing me to reel back. He tried charging again before I put my sword in front of me, nearly impaling him had he not stopped.
"You're planning to kill me, brother?" Cato mocked, "You haven't the stomach for it."
"I've done things that'd shock you," I snarled.
"Face it brother," Cato cried, "Second born, second place."
"We were born at the same time." I spat.
"Touché." He mused, "But cowardice suits you. You cannot even muster enough courage to claim a life."
"True courage is knowing when to take a life," I said grimly, "And when to spare one."
He smirked, seeming genuinely impressed, "My brother, the Philosopher... You'll end up like Socrates."
"Socrates committed suicide." I pointed out.
"Exactly." Cato laughed, "You should follow his example rather than fight me."
"I'll pass."
Then, a group of organized soldiers broke through the crowd, "Fermare due diavoli prima di causare una piaga!" The leader cried.
"Better wrap this one quick." I said as the man kept babbling in another language.
"Damn it, Minato, if it's death you want, then you'll have it!" Cato snarled as he suddenly lunged at me. I defended myself as I knocked his head with a fist, causing him to reel back and grab his Evoker.
"Shitali!" He snarled as summoned a two-faced goddess of Disease, "Pestilence!"
The goddess opened her mouth as fleas fell out like a crashing waterfall and ran toward us. Strangely, they avoided me, circling around me like a boulder in a river and instead attacked the people, who became itchy and scratched everywhere. Then, strange boils appeared in their armpits and they grew feverishly sick.
"You freaking caused The Black Plague!" I cried.
"Who gives a rats ass?" Cato spat as he ran off and created another portal, which I entered as well.
I emerged into a Spanish-Colonial area, which was the Philippines. There was a large gathering nearby as a group of soldiers aimed for him. I looked on.
Meanwhile...
The two Spanish Officials of the Government looked on.
"Governador General, are we seriously gonna execute Rizal?" His subordinate asked, "If we do, it will create a nation-wide revalucíon!"
"Nah." The Governor-General winked, "The soldiers were ordered to fire into the air after my signal. I plan to just scare the crap out of Rizal's pantalones and send him on his way. To exile, maybe."
Suddenly, Cato appeared out of nowhere and fired a thin bolt of fire at me. I dodged and it hit the Gobernador-General's shanks.
"Gobernador! Fuego!" His subordinate cried.
"Eh?"
"Fuego! Los pantalones están en llamas!" He cried as he tried stepping on his fiery pants.
"Los idiota!" The Governor-General cried, "Fuego! Fuego!" He bellowed as the soldiers cocked their guns.
"Consummatum est..." the prisoner uttered. I looked away as a volley of muskets were shot, and making their way into his flesh. When I looked back, he was on the ground, looking peaceful as his hat was on the ground.
I looked back and saw Cato escaping. I followed him into five more timelines. Into Rome, where he caused the Great Fire, into Scandinavia, where we caused it to become snowy, causing the Ice Age to end, breaking down the Walls of Jericho and causing a flaming cross to burn into the sky, with Emperor Constantine's army below, until, finally, we reached another location.
When I looked around after emerging, it seemed I was in a desert-like pasture. The fields were beautiful as the wells were sparkling blue, with sheep in droves of hundreds and thousands.
After slaking my thirst from the cool well, I looked around as my sword was missing. I summoned it, but it wouldn't appear.
"Is this yours, sir?" A soft, boyish voice questioned me. I turned around and saw a Shepherd-Boy with a stick and a sling at his shoulder holding Deus Xiphos, and he was unscathed and unharmed by the Holy magic, which made me very alarmed.
"Y-Yeah." I managed.
He handed it to me, "I would have like to own a fine sword like that. My father has one just like it." He confessed, "And if I inherit it, I shall use it to smite the pagan Philistines. All I have are these stones."
"Sometimes, kid, all you need is faith." I said, pressing my hand on his shoulder, "Have you seen a man dressed in black, about my height, with a wicked sword at his side?"
"Oh, yes, he hurried that way." He said, pointing to the east.
"My thanks, uh-"
"David, son of Jesse, at your service." He said, extending a hand as I took it. Now I knew why the sword didn't hurt him. I just met my anscestor.
"Minato Arisato, at your service and your family's." I said properly, "I'll take my leave, but here's a hint- dip those stones in viper venom and sling them at the heathens." I winked as David nodded furiously.
We eventually reappeared inside a walled city. The city was pretty trashy, with whores, thieves and drunkards in every corner and alleyway.
I looked at Cato, who sneered, "Well, here we are." He then too a whiff before choking, "Man, this place smells like semen, ass and frankincense."
"Yeah. This is it." I said as I prepared myself, "The final showdown."
Suddenly, a great big mob of men stopped by to fawn at us.
"Oh, my!" A man squealed, "I call dibs on the blonde one."
"I get him afterwards!" His companion cried.
"..." Cato grunted in embarrassment.
"Haha, look bro, you've got admirers." I laughed.
Three men nudged each other.
"The bluenette there looks pretty nubile to me." One grunted.
"Yeah. I'm gonna have some fun with him."
"We all are." His friend nodded, "Hey, we're gonna rip you a new asshole."
I perked up as I handled my sword, before realizing it wouldn't harm mortals, unless they were evil.
"We can take them." Cato said as he got ready.
"Uh, I can't," I mumbled.
"Oh, come now!" Cato cried, "I know you're a goody-two-shoes Messiah and all, but you have to kill these Sodomites before they rape you."
"It's not that." I said, "My sword probably will be ineffective."
"Satan help us all." Cato rolled his eyes, "I still think we can beat 'em."
We glanced at the number of torches down the street, which extended as far as we cold see.
"If we don't hurry," I advised, "This will be a very long night for us."
Cato nodded reluctantly, "Got that right." He said as he sheathed his sword and we ran.
"Come back here, we just wanna know ya!" They cried as we took no chances and just hightailed it out of there as fast as our feet could carry us.
We eventually reached the Town Plaza, where they rested.
"Rough crowd..." I panted.
"I know..." Cato gasped for air, "These guys are Sodomites."
"Dude, don't be so homosexual, it's their choice-" I began.
"Don't lecture me, you punk. They're literally Sodomites, we're in Sodom. You fool." Cato seethed.
Then, a man came forward as Cato unsheathed his sword slightly. I held his arm to prevent him from striking.
"My lords, good evening." He bowed again, "My name is Lot, son of Haran. I humbly request you two stay at your servant's house for the night, wash your feet and feast before you two take your leave."
Cato and I looked at each other, "I don't think so, Old Man. We've got places to go. We'll stay here for the night." Cato said, winking at me.
"Yeah, he's right." I nodded.
"Please, my lords, your humble servant begs you!" He cried as he looked around, "The streets of Sodom are not safe at night!"
"We gathered that." Cato said dryly, "We were almost raped and killed by Sodom's premier lynch mob."
"Oh, no! Please don't do that!" Lot said, bowing lower, "It's really dangerous. I beg of you to come with me!"
"A nice hot dinner would be good." I said to Cato.
"Hmmm... Alright." Cato grunted as we followed Lot.
"This way, milords, and quickly please!" He led us to his home, which was rather small, but more wholesome than what the rest of the wicked city had to offer.
"We have guests!" Lot cried when we entered the house, "Bring water for their feet at once!"
"What? At this hour?" An attractive older lady said, as she was flanked by two younger ladies.
"My lords..." Lot said humbly, "This is my family. Please get our guests something to eat."
The three ladies blushed at Cato and my good looks.
They hurried away as the mother said, "What is it about your father? He just loves to entertain guests."
They prepared us a hot meal of roasted lamb, unleavened bread, which we ate heartily while sipping on some wine.
"This is delicious." I said as I stuffed myself, "The wine is the shit as well." I said, saying what Minako would normally say.
Lot's eyes turned to horror.
"What my brother means," Cato interjected, "The wine tastes very good. High quality."
Lot bowed, "I thank you, lord. That wine was looted from King Chedorlaomer's armies."
"Don't you mean they LOT-ted it?" I said before laughing loudly as Lot laughed as well. Cato sighed as he gulped the wine straight from the bottle.
"I shall get you some more food." Lot said as he left,
"Which one would you do?" Cato asked once Lot left.
"Say what?!"
"Which one would you do?" Cato asked, "I call dibs on the Milf."
"Johei!" I cried, "We did not come to this house, accepting a man's hospitality, to have sex with his family!"
"They're about to show us more hospitality, brother." Cato said, "What do you plan to do? Make corny-ass jokes before these hot ladies? What are you, the Chairman?"
I was about to say something, when I realized that Cato knew a lot about my life, "You know, they're our ancestors too."
"Grandfather paradox, bitch." Cato said as he sipped on more wine, "It states that one can be their own ancestor if he goes back in time and bangs his ancestress."
"You're a sick man, you know that, right?"
"One of my best features." Cato said proudly.
Suddenly, the door was being slammed by fists.
"Lot!" A harsh voice cried, "Open this door! We want to meet your guests!"
"You can't keep those handsome stranger all for yourself! Share the blessings!"
Lot hurried to the door.
"Lot, what are you doing?" I asked.
"Be careful, you old goat!" Cato implored as Lot opened the door and shut it behind him.
"Listen, friends." He said behind the door, "Please, don't do this to my guests! Have my daughters instead! They're both unmarried virgins, do what you please with them, but spare my guests."
"What?!" The youngest cried as her mother protectively grabbed her two daughters.
"Father, no!" The eldest cried.
"You're no friend of ours!" The ringleader said, pushing Lot into the door, "Out of our way before we treat you worse than your guests."
I looked at Cato, who nodded and got up.
We rushed to the door. He opened the door as I grabbed Lot and threw him back inside as Cato slashed the ringleader's neck.
"Cato!" I cried, pulling him back, "Adarna!" I hissed, breaking a card as Adarna appeared and blinded the men of the city.
"My eyes!" Several of them cried out.
I slammed the door as Cato wedged it with a chair.
"Lot, Abraham's nephew, son of Haran..." I said as Cato and I began barricading the door.
"Y-Yes?"
"What other relatives ya got in this city?" Cato asked as he shut the windows.
"None!" He said immediately.
"Listen very closely..." I warned, "You are in grave peril. If this is really Sodom, then it will be destroyed by God. Take your wife and daughters and run."
"Y-You're angels?!" He cried.
"Destroy the city?!" His wife cried.
"Hurry! You better start running if you want to live!" Cato cried.
"Lot..." His wife said quietly, "Do you really trust these men?"
"No time!" I cried as I crushed Thor's card. Thor appeared and started smashing the wall with his hammer. "Flee the city!"
Lot nodded, and grabbed his wife and daughters and started running.
Cato then ran off and teleported away. I followed him as we ended up, as usual, and ended up, in a hilltop, with the Dead Sea and two cities nearby, the first one below a hill of limestone and the other being in the middle of a plain, speckled with wells, oases and springs, with lush greenery so suited for grazing animals, which were abundant nearby.
For some strange reason, four figures were running away.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Cato sneered at me nearby, "Sodom and Gomorrah. The crown of the Dead Sea, roughly a few minutes ago. Inside that very city, is us eating with Lot."
I responded by switching to Siegfried and using Vorpal Blade, causing Cato reeled back as several deep slashes mutilated his body.
He didn't fall down, however, and remained passive as his wounds began to stop bleeding, "You know, I've done so much Demonic Rituals to this body that I can't feel pain anymore." He winced as his wounds closed up, "Which makes this body the perfect tool for a fight to the Death." As he said that, the sky began to glow grey. He was messing with the Weather as it began to drizzle strongly, turning the loamy soil into mud in a matter of seconds.
His hands twitched for his sword.
I acted fast, "Scathach! Heat Riser! Mind Charge!" I howled, and then intercepted him with Surt, "Ragnarok!" I bellowed as the Muspell Jotun appeared and blasted Cato with firestorm of massive proportions, that even Satan himself would be scorched.
Cato acted extremely fast, "Leviathan!" He hissed, shooting himself with the Evoker as he summoned the monster of the abyss, with a massive head, streamline body, nearly one hundred feet long serpent is covered in teal and violet scales. It also has bright, evil red eyes. It has two long, thin barbels and a set of sharp, serrated white teeth. Fins protrude from its side and head. It would have been more beautiful rather than fearsome, had it not included the number of battle scars it held, the sheer number of swords, spears, arrows, harpoons and hooks lodged into its foul hide signified all the fools who fought this monster- and lost.
It opened its giant maw and roared as it inhaled a considerable amount of mud and swallowed it before, to my shock, swallowing the firestorm whole for a whopping 3 minutes and 30 seconds.
"I always said I admired beauty..." Cato said wistfully as he gazed at the two cities, "Like a flower quickly fading... Here today, and gone tomorrow." He said as he nodded to Leviathan, who fired a combination of fire and brimstone over a wide area of effect, burying the city in flames and burning mud. Within minutes, the city was aflame. I, on the other hand, did not stop Cato. Sodom and Gomorra needed to be punished.
"I'm heartily shocked," Cato mused, "A Messiah, allowing people to die? Unheard of!"
"You're wrong, Brother." I said, "I may allow this, but at least I'm clean. I don't kill people on a massive scale, like you do. Let's face it, bro, at the end of the day, no matter what elaborate planning you took to this moment, it clearly didn't work out. Now, here you are running away from me. You're nothing more than a gutless child. A phony. Just like everyone who tried to commit genocide."
"Are you calling me gutless, brother? Are you truly?" Cato mocked, as he roared and pointed to one of the figures below who looked back into the city. She turned to a pillar of salt. "And I'm gutless now? A phony? Shall we analyze the situation here... Who follows the will of the unseen blindly and foolishly? Who is lost without guidance, who needs the helping hand of a god, who rules with an iron fist, to cope with daily life?" He demanded.
I remained silent as Leviathan continued blasting the twin cities.
"Don't call ME gutless! Just because I broke free from the grasp of Law doesn't make ME gutless!" He snarled, "I make my own decisions, something your so-called 'Loving Lord' oft promotes! You fools believe different things from morning until evening. You drive yourselves to ruin with each and every passing day. I seek to correct these errors. These imperfections in Human Nature." He then glared at me, his eyes reflecting the destruction below, "You fools call yourselves 'The Army of Light'. In truth, without aid and guidance, you cannot do anything. The Army of the Light can go home and play SMT games. Because humans are far too weak-minded and weak-willed to think for themselves."
I took a deep breath, "I do it in the name of the Lord. What I do, is to protect those who I love!" I said with conviction, "Let's face it, Cato, with all you're 'Holier-Than-Thou' attitude, you're really just some dude with a personal agenda. This whole mess wasn't for the improvement of the world. It's to fuel your hatred."
Cato looked like he was about to laugh, addressing me insultingly with my old nickname, "Hey, Mako. This is about you and this is about me. And for the fate of the world." He said darkly, "Minato Arisato, Saint in the making. Hell, I'm surprised they haven't canonized you already. It's really easy for you to sit there, on your throne, acting all noble and 'holier-than-thou' when you've been thrown opportunity after opportunity, with your cushy little ass on a pedestal, where you look down at guys like me." He sneered, "Let me give you an example... Right after I escaped my prison, I came looking for you. That's what I did. I did all in my power to track you down, and even hired dozens of investigators to track you down... Naoto was successful, finding a news clipping of 'Minato, the Miracle-boy' some odd months ago. And when I finally met you, when I looked you in the eye at the first day of school, what did you do to your twin?" He demanded as I chewed on my cheeks, "What the hell did you do?! Here's a hint: You ignored him. You ignored your only family. Well, sad to say, I hold grudges. Ever since then, I've had a bitter taste in my mouth for you. You know what, Minato, you may think I gave up on humanity, but in reality, it was you who gave up. You think I want this world for myself? You're damn right I do. You see, Minato, in this pecking order, you're the the Eagle and I'm the Vulture. I've got to fight to get what I want. I had to steal this blade from Lucifer himself before you invoked it. I had to learn how to summon a Persona, I had to train and fight alone inside the Abyss of Time and the Mansion of Night, Nyx's home, where countless Shadows dwell, just to remain on top, to defend you, brother. I had to fight and kill the three Dark Lords and stole their powers while you? You were given it. On the other hand, you were given Demigod-like abilities, a Divine Sword, The Wildcard Ability, the Universe Arcana and even the ability to arise from the dead! When it comes right down to it, you've got nothing." He said as the two cities were nothing more than a melted pile of rubble. Leviathan returned to him.
"I've got something." I seethed, "I've got people to protect, ethics to uphold and a mission to do-"
"A mission!" Cato cried gleefully, "Well, let's elaborate on that, eh? You serve a god, who murdered no less than 25 million people since the Dawn of Man, while Lucifer only killed 10, the children of Job. Which God allowed, all because of some bet between the two. Which is ironic, since Job is one of his most faithful follower." Cato then smirked at my expression, "You destroy and eliminate in the name of destroyers and eliminators. You seriously think yourself better than me? In all nature, Minato, you and I aren't that much different... We are more alike than you think."
"God knows what's best..." I managed, "And the way He rules, the way He thinks, the way He acts... Is far beyond human comprehension. You claim to be the Bringer of Utopia, Cato, but in truth, you're just damaged."
Cato nodded as he held up his palms, and a large, white metal door appeared, "Follow me."
I entered the door, where it became blindingly bright, until I could see an endless hall, filled with doors, like Dreamscape. At the end, the very end of the hall, was a giant, black marble mansion.
"Welcome," Cato began, "To the Abyss of Time."
I looked in wonder as I felt several Shadows coming closer, seemingly prepared to strike.
Cato looked sharply at them as they squealed and ran off.
"I've gained a sort of notoriety here, brother." Cato smirked, "Shadows fear me. I've been hunting them down inside each and every door here. I've mastered everything here. I am the biggest bad guy here. I even slept on Nyx's bed and had sex with Eris."
"Which explains why she nearly gutted you." I said darkly.
He smiled, "Yeah, I guess." He sighed and opened a door marked 'Moonlight Bridge, 1999'.
There, I saw Cato being banished by Death, with a move similar to Mudo.
"After the events of the bridge, I was banished here. I was meant to die that day, but my innocent spirit was free of darkness... Was." He then kept walking, until we reached a door marked, 'Cocytus' and opened it.
"I met Lucy here, Lucy Aketchi. Better known to you as Michonne."
"Michonne?!" I cried, "She doesn't look like Michonne!"
"Shapeshifter. A succubus. She was a child of Light and Darkness. Her father was a Devil, whilst her mother an Angel. Her father was consumed by Lucifer for defying the Laws of Demons. As such, she was often bullied by others. Until I stepped in and killed those Demons with a spear imbibed with my blood. You see, I too carry the blood of David, and a single touch to them causes instant Death to Demons," Cato said, "Anyway, she decided to help me by turning me invisible while I stole Lucifer's Blade. From that moment onward, we were inseparable. I took her with me when we escaped." He closed the door and kept walking toward another door, yet far off yonder. Steps of glass materialized at our feet with each step.
He opened the door and I saw a familiar room, where I saw the destruction of the world. Instead, I saw a single Mirror.
"That Mirror predicts the future." Cato explained, "And when I looked into it, I saw destruction. There is no hope for the future, Minato. Know this."
I took a closer look. I felt dismayed at the sight as it grew more horrifying. But, with hope in my heart, I willed myself not to despair. To my immense surprise, the view changed from a bleak Dystopia, to a golden Utopia, filled with wonders and beauty. I then realized something...
"This Mirror will predict the future..." I whispered.
"Yes and no." Cato said "It shows us whatever we want…"
"No, Cato... you have it all wrong... It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. What we want the world to become, depending on our outlook. No wonder you saw that wasteland... You have no hope for the future."
"No hope?" Cato snarled, "Look around you, Minato!" He gestured everywhere as he slammed the door, "There IS no future to hope for! What, did you expect me to hope in a place like this?! I was 6 years old when I landed in this shithole, but after a few days, my body turned into this!" He gestured himself, "We aren't anywhere, Minato. Nowhere. We are literally on the edge of reality. Infinite mass, infinite density. These doors are here to symbolize that anything can happen!"
"We're at the edge... of reality?" I mumbled.
"Non-existence, brother. No past, no future. No universe." Cato snarked, "Which is why I could freely use the power of Time around here."
"Brother, please..." I pleaded, "End this madness. Come home."
"I am not. I am doing what is right." He said as he aimed his Evoker at himself, "Come, Venus!" He roared, "Morningstar!" A bright light dropped and was about to implode.
I acted fast, "Messiah!" I cried as Messiah appeared, "Eveningstar!"
A dark orb fell on top of it.
Cato's eyes widened.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
I felt the space-time continuum ripping shreds and fabrics of time across me as I hurled out of non-reality and into reality, before the fragments tear me apart.
I opened my eyes and knew I was at the lobby of the Astronomy Tower. I understood Cato and I caused the Big Bang. I also knew that the doors, Worlds and other things inside the Abyss of Time were the fragments of it that composed of the world today.
"Minato!" Minako cried as she rushed to me, "How did you get here so fast!?"
"What time is it?"
"4:00 PM- Just two minutes ago, you were on top of the Tower."
I hugged her as I stood up. She pointed upwards as I saw Hide, standing in front of Cato as he began shouting, "Cato has come forward with this message! You have fought... valiantly." He said with a strained voice, "And Cato knows how to reward such bravery. Yet, you are tired, worn out and outnumbered beyond your wildest hopes. If you continue to resist, you shall be killed one by one, with you, Minato, as last so you could see your friends die horrid and painful deaths. Yet, we do not wish for this to happen. Every drop of blood, pure blood, is a waste. Especially those with the Potential. We need all the manpower we could get to control the Shadows and eventually assault Heaven!"
Minako shuddered as I gripped her firmly. She clung on to me.
"Cato is unbelievably merciful! He will command the Shadows to disperse immediately. You have one hour furlough at most. Dispose of the dead with honor and dignity and treat your wounded. I will say this to you, Minato... You let your friends fight your battles for you, allowing them to die while you live than to face mighty Cato... And anyone, with Potential or not, who harbor you shall be treated equally guilty as an assault to Lord Cato himself. He shall await you at the top of the tower and expects you to pay homage to him. If not, he will enter the meleé himself and kill every man, woman and child that dares keep you hidden from him. After an hour, either you join us, or you and anyone who follows you, will die."
A/N: Hey guys! I hoped you enjoyed this! And Happy DoA anniversary! Hard to believe it's been a whole year!
Also, vote in my poll, please!
And you can now PM or put in your reviews what you want to ask the characters in the Days of Autumn Aftershow, a segment which interviews the characters of DoA, you can even be in the audience and do some crazy sh!t, like kissing Minato suddenly, before getting carried out by security and/or beaten up by Minako. Anything goes!
I'm sure you've all heard by now of the terrible tragedy unfolding in the Philippines right now. I can say, many are definitely suffering, some people haven't eaten for days, even weeks, and resorted to consuming food fit for pigs just to sate their hunger. And so I'm reaching out to those kind souls who have extra clothing/money/water/canned goods and don't really need it at the moment to please make a donation to the unfortunate people who were affected by Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan and to give a hand to them. They certainly need it more than we do.
Again, thanks to all. And Mabuhay Philippines!
Q/A:
Hoshi: Thank you Hoshi! But, sadly, I don't really have high opinions of Fairly English Story. The way Minato is portrayed, and the lack of research puts me off, somewhat. Sorry.
Rick: Thanks. Trust me, Cato is meant to fight Minato and him only. Minako will get payback for her Aunt later on, you'll see.
Nights: Better believe it, bud!
Decode: Thanks. Which one? Remember, don't let consume your life. It did to me already.,.
Gin: YupYupYup. Johei is Cato. And I planned Minako's Personas to show up earlier, but decided against it.
AlphaNumericBacon: Thanks for spending your free time reading DoA. I appreciate it! Oh, and thanks also for greeting me. You actually reminded me of it.
Kronos: Heres how it actually goes: Cato is Johei, who is actually Elder, who didn't die as Cato, to fool Minato. :)
Yup. Magdalene ftw.
DragOn: thanks. oh, and I already told you, I haven't heard of guren lagann, and Kamina's name was a play on words. Her name was supposed to be Komina, but I chenged it to Kamina instead. It's purely coincidental of the same name with a certain character from Guran Lagann. Yeah, me too, but Atlus people are dicks. Minako could've been The World S-link. Me? Well, I'd probably be Rudra. Cool name, cool abilities and cool look (in my mind)
Lionhart: Yup. I planned it from the start. Simply said, Minako is Minato's soulmate. For me, the power went down and the house started leaking like nuts. It stopped after a while though. Yeah, that's the Filipino Spirit. Knocked down, but getting up.
Mine: Oh, I see. And that's awesome, I'm glad you think so! But I don't think it's a good idea to print it into a book... Copyright of fanfiction and such. No idea. I made it up from what I randomly thought,
Tammy: Heh, sharp mind. And suspicious! Hehe, kidding. And as for Pink and Quan... Hmmm... Maybe? Not telling much! Yeah, Yolanda was a bitch. Third, fourth and fifth districts in Panay were affected and twelve people were killed. There's more to be thankful for, I guess.
Ace: Thanks bro! Glad you liked the symbolism. And too bad Thanatos has no ladies. I guess killing people and taking lives don't make you popular with the chicks.