Chapter 251:What You Leave Behind.

While Ben, Lacus, and all of the others had truly managed to kill Brad Fowltror once and for all before he could go through with his crazed whim to sabotage the Big Bang and corrupt the inception of the universe to his image, to everyone else back at the present time, the population of the universe only watched helplessly at the hole in time and space as the fate of their lives was out of their hands and out of there sight as the cracks in the Schwarzwelt got wider.

But before the anxiety most were feeling could erupt into panic, despair, or other negative emotions the Schwarzwelt's color suddenly turned a golden hue.

As the cracks started to recede, Atem saw the very fabric of space and time did not seem to be unraveling before he dared to look around with a look of hope on his face." Did, did they do it? Were Ben, Lacus, and everyone able to prevail?"

Myers grasped his sword tightly as he frantically looked around for any sigh of his comrades." The waves of chaos do seem to be relenting your highness so there does seem to be reason to be optimistic. Still, after finding out that out of everyone Brad Fowltror was behind all of this I'm refusing to be off guard till hours after things seem settled."

"Trust me old friend." Atem replied warily." I know how you feel. After the past few days I think there will be few things I can dismiss as impossible. Still, if Brad succeeded in sabotaging the big bang then we would not be here yes?"

"Well, in theory yes my liege." Doctor Fate uttered." But for all the ways people have traveled few time, as far as we are aware none have went before time, or at least the universe's time begun. To be honest, even if they succeed its unsure what could happen."

"Eh, whatever goes down Ben, Cloud, Aeris, and even dragon boy are not going to just roll over." Cid added confidently." Are boys and girls have proven they don't let a few things like doomsday shut them down.

And they are not going to break that streak because of some god damn asshole who got god powers because he drew the god damn short straw! Seriously how the hell am I going to tell Cloud's kid he beat back Sephiroth, Genesis, and the whole barrel of crazies Zannacross threw at us only to bite it to a skin head punk? Don't do this to me guys, you hear!?"

Atem, Master Myers and all the others in the area expressed their own forms of hopeful agreement and watched on.

As the light around the Schwarzwelt grew even more immense Ben's parents were just one of many who were getting tense. Ben's mother saw the light nearly blind her before she grasped her husband tightly." Ben, please, get through all of this alive!"

"He better or he's grounded!" Jack uttered halfheartedly." You hear me boy? You can't die before me, and I'm not dying till we work things out, as a family and all that crap!"

As Ben's parents grasped each other for support Lacus's family was also going through the same whirlwind of emotions.

As Jane's frustration at not knowing the fate of her child reached the boiling point she nearly bit her own hair off." Please Lacus, you can't die here! I, I can't have the final time I saw you be me trying to kill you because of some harlot's tricks! I, I can't let that be the final impression you have of me as your mother!"

"Don't fret Jane." Erich responded warmly." Lacus knew you cared for her, and you will have plenty of moments to come to make things right."

"Indeed" KOS-MOS uttered as the blue haired android walked up." Despite the severity of the situation the odds are still within Lacus's favor.

After all her and Ben Auro have proven they can make miracles out of the direst odds. Though, based on the present date they must pull off such a task soon for it to matter."

"Of course they will KOS-MOS." Jane shout out with sudden resolve." She's my miracle child, it's what she does!"

Sarah was about to correct her mother before she just rolled her eyes." C'mon sis, just end this already before this drama legit kills me!"

Doug's brother, James's wife, Polaris, and the rest of his family, Ansem, Peach, Amy, Zelda, King Dedede, Doctor Light, and all the others also made hopeful declarations for their loved ones to return.

But at the moment the targets of those hopes did not have much time to think of their loved one's hopes, as they all but were running out of time before time officially begun, right in there faces.

As overjoyed as Ben was to truly have once and for all killed the man who caused him so much suffering, the happy sensations quickly receded as he saw the Cosmic Horizon around the Big Bang growing larger each second and had feelings of dread swell up at the thought of his victory amounting to the man he hated getting the last laugh.

The leader of the Justice Force looked around to make sure everyone was still intact before he grasped the Divine Mugen Nova blade tightly." Well everyone, we better book it to make sure the after-party does not end up being a memorial service!"

"Don't worry boss." Shinryudramon uttered as he looked at the portal that lead back to their time." As big as the big bang may be, between the worst of what Zannacross and Brad threw at us we can take it if worst comes to worst."

"Your ignorance truly will doom everything Digimon." Kira hissed out sorely." Even if we combined are power to weather the blast, merely surviving the Big Bang could alter all of history, and odds are that the majority of us would no longer exist."

As a few of the hero's gave Kira sore glances Trunks sighed." He's not just being a prick guys that's more or less the gist of it. Changing the dawn of time like this is just too much of a risk."

"All right we get it." Ben cried out tensely." You guys drilled down the why, so let's focus on how we are getting out of here. Just get ready to, UGH!"

While Lacus had partly healed the injuries her now extremely dead former abusive boyfriend gave her current one, most of Ben's limbs were still so taxed that trying to fly caused him to cough violently. Gogeta was about to say something, till the fusion dissolved suddenly.

As Goku and Vegeta split apart, Sonic turned back to his normal state, and more around him were powering down out of sheer exhaustion, James took a deep breath." I suppose that's the problem with a everything or nothing bet...putting everything into a final play really depends on not having another moment right after."

"Yah well life tends not to throw you your ideal hand so you deal or roll over James." Doug spat out tensely." Just dig down to what we all got left to get back safe ok people?"

Lacus saw many of her clearly exhausted comrades pushing themselves to try and move before the winged woman dug down, took a deep breath and had her wings extend." Don't worry everyone, we will get back! I'll make sure of it!"

Ben saw Lacus cast a golden barrier around everyone and saw how sweaty she looked before he tensed up." Lacus, you sure you're ok?"

"C'mon sweetie don't panic now ok? If I can pull off "Cosmic Surgery" and push dimensions back into proper alignment I can lift my friends back to safety, right? Don't doubt me now or you're going to make me anxious Ben."

Ben saw Lacus was half serious but knew the woman he loved enough by now to know when she was trying to hide her own fears before he saw Cosmos was still preoccupied trying to keep Zannacross sealed above in the energy chain before he gave a confident grin at his girlfriend and patted her on the shoulder." "Heh, of course love. Sorry, projecting my anxieties again. But I know you got it Lacus so let's go home?"

Lacus smiled back before she drew from the power of the Golden Imperia Crystal and cast a golden barrier around everyone before levitating the group to the time portal.

Velvet glanced back at the Big Bang and saw it was glowing more rapidly each second before she cleared her throat." Hey Lacus, know this is not an easy task but mind going a little faster so we,"

"Don't push everything on Lacus, we got to do what we can!" Shinryudramon cried out as his wings extended." Don't worry Lacus, I'll help us get out faster." The Digimon uttered as he jumped out of the barrier and dragged it as he took off. As he saw his hands crack more the royal knight narrowed his eyes." C'mon body, we came this far, just a little bit longer!"

Ben saw how pained his Digimon partner looked, but his worry swerved off course as a sudden shock-wave nearly knocked Lacus off her feat. Ben saw it was coming from the Cosmic Horizon around the Big Bang before he grit his teeth." No matter how tired I am, the hero, the true leader does not call it a day till the job's done. I'll push from the other side Lacus, I have enough energy left for that, I'll help you see this done till the end."

Lacus looked tensely at her boyfriend but saw the state of the Big Bang and nodded. The Enji took a few wary breaths before he yelled at the top of his lungs to steel himself.

As his hair turned golden once more he flew out of the barrier and tackled the barrier, and everyone in it to push it faster. Ben saw the light rapidly getting closer and a happy smirk escaped his face." Alright, it's almost there, we are going to, huh?"

Ben instantly cursed getting ahead of himself as his heightened senses caused him to realize he was feeling a massive surge of power behind him getting ready to burst. The owner of the Divine Mugen Nova glanced behind him and saw that the Big Bang seemed like it was ready to burst.

He gauged how much time he had left, and glanced at Lacus, then looked at Cosmos above her. Remembering how when they escaped Zannacross 's collapsing reality and Lacus all but died because he was to slow and it collapsed on her body Ben took a deep breath and let out a somber grin." Lacus, sorry if this hurts, but I'll keep my promise to not fail you again. I'll love you, always."

"Ben, what are you, huh?" Lacus blurted out tensely as she saw Ben wind back the arm that was holding his blade. For a moment it looked like Ben was going to slash the barrier, till he threw the Divine Mugen Nova threw it.

As it shot through the other end of the barrier it left a golden link of energy, and dragged the barrier and everyone with it faster.

Cosmos saw Ben's raw determination before she closed her eyes." Ben, I understand. I promise, this effort won't go in vain."

Ben saw Lacus and the others look of horror before he smirked." Don't worry everyone, it will be all right. Lacus, as long as your safe, it will be all right."

Lacus ran up to try and cast a spell but a moment later a light blinded her, and everyone went through the tunnel of Chrono energy. A shock-wave caused everyone to stagger, and when the turbulence ended Cloud was one of many that saw Corneria, and saw the Star Fox team, many Gundam's, and most of the Lylat Fleet in front of them. As the group landed on the Neo-Highwind 's deck, the warrior from Nibelheim gasped before on instinct blurted out," We, we are back home, back at the present?"

Mario grasped his hat to make sure it was still there, then grasped both his brother's hat and Yoshi's head to make sure everything was still they're before the hero of Mushroom Kingdom smirked." Mamma Mia, we a did it! We saved all of time and came back in a one pi,"

Before the plumber could finish off that remark a horrified shrike cut him off. Any one that happy thoughts building quickly had those thoughts crash as they saw Lacus scream with horror.

The winged woman merely staggered backwards, and Terra and Velvet caught her as she muttered," No, Ben, please, not like this! I know you always felt guilty about not being able to save me back then, but trying to make up for it like this, that just makes it even worst!"

Shinryudramon saw the rift in time was rapidly closing before the Digimon's eyes widened with desperation." Hold up Lacus! Just got to nab the boss before he's stuck!"

Cosmos saw the Digimon dive for the portal before the Ethereal Queen of light winced." Stop at once Shinryudramon! If that vortex is open just a second longer it could."

"Sorry but I have to, huh?"

The Royal Knight was to focused on saving Ben to listen. Yet Shinryudramon quickly realized the supreme deity of light was not kidding as the light suddenly unleashed a bang, the big bang.

As the universe was being born on the other side of the portal, Shinryudramon got the rare experience of the force of all creation and yelled in pain.

Realizing what would happen if that energy went through the portal, Shinryudramon used all of his strength to raise his giant armored hands and wings and cover the entire rift.

Chronoa and the other angels versed in time and space magic quickly used their power to close the rift.

Shinryudramon was blasted back, with his entire front-side of his body littered with deep burns that had vaporized chunks of his body. As the giant member of Squad 7 moaned Cloud flew up to him." Shinryudramon, you ok?"

"I'll let you know when the universe stops spinning Cloud. Ugh, James, remember what we talked about right after we took down Relius? Um…if you have not started that Veda thing you and the other smart guys were talking about before you really want to start it now before it's too late!"

James's eyes widened in shock before he gave a solemn nod." You're sure? Well, Doctor Robotnik told me its ready, so, beginning transmission."

As the red haired Enji Master begun typing a few commands Ezan was one of many who glanced at the sealing before Ben's rival glanced at the Divine Mugen Nova now floating above Lacus and grasped his own sword tightly." Damn it. Aside from his blade, I don't sense even a trance of his energy in the present. He, he gave everything for the sake of his duty, and his friends."

Max yelled out in rage as he punched a nearby asteroid to pieces." Damn it cuz, I'm the one who was on borrowed time, not you!"

Doug grasped his hands tightly as he used all of his willpower not to lose his temper." Damn it bro, you had a lot to own up to but this was not how to own up to it! C'mon everyone, death's not been the final say before, so we have to be able to do something!"

James quickly scanned his surroundings to try and keep calm before he gulped." Doug, this is not something as simple as death. Ben was stuck at the dawn of time. Even if he survived the blast, he was stuck at the birth of our universe. Even if Cosmos's enhancements allowed his body to endure, there is no telling how that would affect him."

Kirby saw how sad everyone looked before the pink hero rubbed his head." Hey guys, I still don't get how all this time travel stuff works, but if we still remember Ben then that means his life still happened right?"

Shadow looked around before shrugging." I still remember him and everything we been through with far more clarity then Princess Elise and all that Soleanna nonsense so seems like history has not changed."

Axel then glanced at Chronoa before the former member of the Organization smirked." Well I know a way to figure this out quick. Hey, time Kai! You have all of history memorized right? Throw us a bone here, is Ben alive or not?"

The pink skinned woman winced as she saw how desperate Lacus looked and quickly bowed." I'm very sorry everyone. I can't forsake my duty and reveal your future to you or it could endanger your histories."

"Seriously lady?" Zero spat out with scorn." This whole mess started when you plucked us out of time and told us something we missed in the past!"

"Yes Zero but that's only because it was an anomaly to history." Chronoa retorted." I gladly help you guys correct history, but I can't help you guys tangle the flow of time up! That would cost me my job! Seriously remember how Valdos self-destructed? That's more or less what would happen to me if I break my vow to protect history's stability!"

Trunks saw Lacus and some of the others looking angry before he sighed." Don't be to hard on her guys. She's just doing her job. For what it's worth this situation with the Beyonder is more unique then most of the jobs the Time Patrol has worked with.

Because he was outside history, the distortions are not what we are normal aware of. First, we got to make sure things are stable. Then, we can figure out what happened to Ben."

Aeris saw how rattled Ezan, Cloud, and those around her looked before the Centra grasped her boyfriend's hand warmly." Well, I'm no time goodness but, the planet seems where it's suppose to be and the cosmic Lifestream feels stable so, seems like the universe is safe eh guys? C'mon dear, your super eyes see anything out of order?"

Ezan paused before he looked around where the rift between time was, saw the Beyonder still seemed passive, and that Zannacross, while still looking deranged, still seemed sealed in the circle like energy chain Cosmos had trapped him in before he shrugged." I can't pick up any major abnormalities. At the very least, Auro's act was not in vain."

Kal-El also gave a nod after surveying the area with his X-Ray vision. Before anyone could say anything the Tri-Edge suddenly flew over everyone before the droid piloting it threw out,"My sensors are far from godly Mistress Raystar, but I felt you should be aware I have just picked up some abnormalities."

Max saw how sullen Lacus looked before the former Bounty Hunter cracked his neck." Man T3-X5 after all this time I see your timing protocols are still a drag. Seriously man if you think some minor system error counts as something important enough to bug us now then I swear I'm taking your head back with me to save everyone the trouble."

"I assure you Master Bruner, my timing sensors are refined enough to not be crass in an emotional moment. However, my calculations inform me what was picked up warranted a disturbance.

Mistress Raystar, I wanted you to know after your return to the present cargo object three four five has been giving off, odd readings since your return.

I can't confirm the nature of this but based on everything that's unfolded I figured you would like to know, just in case."

Lacus blinked for a moment before she muttered," Donatello, I'm not in the proper state to remember what everything in my home's file number is classified as so I would really be grateful if you just cut to the chase."

"As you wish, I'm warping object three four five now."

The half ship half mobile suit fired a blue beam, and the group saw a bed sized rainbow-colored crystal vaguely shaped like a sword materialize in front of them.

Kira was one of many who eyed the new object carefully before leaning forward."Is this, a fragment of the Beyonder's realm you retrieved previously?"

"No, not at all." Lacus answered blankly as she staggered to the large gem." This, is just a chunk of crystal, solidified space dust Ben and me found. It, it was during one of are vacations. Ben, saw I was tired lately so for fun we looked at an area of space that some said was the original zone where the universe was born.

He saw I thought it was pretty and brought it on board. I was still tired at the time, still recovering from nearly losing my body and spending so much time on the Tri-Edge. He...he wanted to prove he would keep his word to do whatever it took to make me happy."

Lacus went right up to the crystal and touched it fondly. She was still for a few moments before she could not help it and broke down. As she fell to her knees and started to sob." Oh Ben…you did not have to be a god, you did not have to transform life to a perfect utopia, you just had to be there for me. And you were, always. Even if it was to save me, why did you have to go about it like that? Why, after we came this close did Brad get the last laugh after all?"

Lacus sobbed for a bit as those around her struggled with figuring out the right words to say. Just as Master Myers, Doug, Sarah, Terra, and a few others were all about to say something before by chance Lacus moved so that the Divine Mugen Nova touched the crystal. The ultimate blade of light shimmered upon impact, before a beam of holy energy suddenly went from it to the crystal.

As everyone got on guard the crystal turned a golden color, and moments later cracked apart. Ezan quickly drew his sword, but looked and saw both the Beyonder and Zannacross did not seem to be doing anything, causing the super elite warrior to look around the area carefully. "I don't sense any energy above, but there is an energy surge coming somewhere. Is it, huh?"

He and all the others were shocked to see the crystal unleash enough light to blind those around it, before it shattered. Lacus braced herself, till she was caught off guard at hearing a coughing sound. Suddenly she felt a warm hand grasp her own." Don't cry Lacus, it will be ok, because it is ok, see?"

The brown-haired woman was shocked to see that inside the crystal was none other than Ben, who despite looking exhausted seemed fine. Sonic saw Ben look relived before the blue hedgehog raised an eyebrow." All right, things must be moving to fast even for me cause I feel like I missed something really important here! Did you like, have a backup Ben in that thing Lacus?"

Lacus saw Ben looked relived before she winked like a wide-eyed deer caught in the headlights." No way, that was just a crystal! Ben, would not hide something like this from me, would he?"

"Nope." Ben uttered softly." But seems like Cosmos did…all to pull off one hell of a save. Kind of, convoluted but, beats missing out."

Lighting glanced at the crystal fragments before glancing at Ben, and then at Cosmos." Wait, so your body was put in Crystal stasis, like how I, Fang, and those from Class Zero were? That means you been spending a crystalline statue since the dawn of time!?"

"Not, precisely." Ben responded as he grasped his sword." There was not enough time to warp me out as well while still getting everyone out in time. So, like how the Star Sword held your soul and held Seyia's soul for so long Lacus, my soul was transferred to my sword. As it did, Cosmos put my body into a crystallized state.

Guess, I was lucky it was stuck in just the right way so that it floated around as a fragment across the entire history of the universe till I picked up my own body by chance without messing with history. Well, it's nice when luck works out right?"

"It was not luck my child." Cosmos uttered." I ensured your body was sealed away in a manner isolated from everyone in history, so that you could go through a stable time loop.

After failing Seiya Leingod, and after letting so many down like the members of Class Zero, the original Noctis, Ardyn, and all of the others that took up the cause of the light only for it to fail them so totally.

I, can't make all of my promises come true, but I wanted to keep this promise."

Link saw Ben carefully before he smirked." I think I get the gist of it. So, like how my soul was frozen in time in the sacred realm after Ganondorf sized the Tri-Force in the Temple of Time! You just went through that kind of ordeal?

Ben chuckled anxiously and tried to get up, only to wince and fall back down." Kind of Link, just, a lot longer! Well have a few really bad bed sores, but more or less seems to have worked out. Heh, guess this body's immortality really is living up to the sell's pitch. Thank you, Cosmos. Thanks for helping make sure I got back, with my sanity intact. I know, I worried everyone enough as it is."

Lacus saw Ben's causal demeanor before she got flustered." Your damn right I am Ben! What, what were you thinking doing something like that? If just one thing went wrong, you could have been lost forever!"

Ben saw how upset Lacus looked and gulped." I'm sorry Lacus, I really did not want to put you or anyone else in a situation like that. But to be honest I was not thinking much. My heart, just told me I had to do something before it was too late. I'm, sorry."

Lacus saw how anxious Ben looked and while she looked angry for a moment, she just put her head right up to Ben's and smirked." Ben, it's all right. I guess I did tell you to be less anxious at times right? Just, try and never do that again ok?"

"Sounds good to me Lacus. With any luck we won't have to. Despite all that hassle, despite all that Brad threw at us, we got through it. We did it guys, we won."

As Ben and Lacus kissed passionately Aqua took a sigh of relief. "That was to close. But, we did it, we seem to have come out ok."

Doug grasped Aqua's hand before flashing another half-lopped smirk." Hell yah we did girl. After all, we just proved no one's more hardcore then us eh?"

"Heh, got that right, Doug." Shinryudramon muttered weakly." Knew you would pull through…no matter what boss. Just…glad…I was…able to be a true partner…till the end."

Ben's relief faded fast as he noticed how many holes Shinryudramon had, and how the cracks from those holes were fading. The Enji noticed his Digimon partner's head was starting to crack before he grit his teeth." Shinryudramon? What, what happened to you?"

"He, he held off the explosion of the Big Bang till the rift in time was closed." Cloud answered tensely." Taking an explosion of that magnitude, clearly could do a extreme amount of damage."

"It's more than that." Sonic uttered tensely." You been having cracks on yah since you grew that big man! What's wrong Shinryudramon, one of those quacks throw in some acid or something?"

"Nah Sonic…to be honest…I'm the one who hurt myself that badly. I knew…I knew I needed to have even more power than my mode change to make a difference, so I pushed myself with the extra energy from Seiya and the old guys and that Philemon angel lady. But, Digivolving to my Superior Judgment mode had a cost, and it's my body."

Ben blinked a moment before what his friend said set in, and gasped in horror." Your body? Wait, your saying, the cost of pushing yourself this far is that it will kill you at the end? No, NO! Shinryudramon, it can't end like this! You did not have to,"

"Sorry boss, but the way it seemed this was the only way to save everyone." The Digimon responded calmly." I, did not know what was going on with you guys. All I knew is that, I had to do what it took. I, had to…do what it took to do things right this time."

"Damn it…you did not have to atone for things that were not even you!" Ben blurted out somberly." You're not Daigo your, Hiryuumon, my partner, my friend! You never had to prove yourself, t."

"Heh, thanks Ben, really." Shinryudramon cut in before coughing violently." I know you always saw me as a true pal. But this was not about you…it was about my memories, and proving to myself I could atone for the past. Thanks…for giving me the chance."

"Stop talking like this is the end." Lacus uttered tensely as she staggered up." We healed worst Shinryudramon, just hang in there and, huh? No!"

To her horror The Digimon's right arm suddenly exploded into digital dust. Shinryudramon just chuckled as his body eroded." This is what I did to my body though Lacus, it's not something that can be healed.

Don't worry, we will see each other again. Ben…I know you made a lot of people like Doug uneasy with all the stuff you had planning, but I know your heart was in the right place. Just, don't forget what you really want Boss. Don't…forget to…"

Just as Ben and Lacus reached out to him his eyes glowed golden, then lost color entirely. After that his body shattered into fragments. Ben saw the remains of his Digimon friend fly by him before he fell to his knees." No…Hiryuumon, not like this. After all that, I can't lose you like this!"

"Who said anything about losing me boss?"

Ben was shocked to hear Hiryuumon's voice, from behind. The Enji swerved around, only to see nothing. He saw Lacus looked shocked to, and just as everyone looked around one of the Neo-Highwind's monitor screens glowed purple.

As Ben looked at the monitor, he saw it vaguely take the shape of Hiryuumon's eye. The warrior of light blinked before the eye blinked back." I said my body would be destroyed but it did not mean I was going to like, really die! I mean, I could have died but since I told James about this earlier he and some of the others were able to set things up so I could backup my mind into the ship!"

Ben blinked again before he looked at Lacus." Um…Lacus…did I pass out after we kissed and this is me dreaming?"

"Only if I did to and we are both dreaming dear." Lacus uttered with bafflement. James took a deep sigh before he walked up." Far as I can tell your still awake old bean. Hiryuumon is telling the truth. He told me the likely cost of his new Digivolution, and so to make sure the worst did not happen me and Doctor Robotnik readied the Veda system.

While it was mostly used for Kira's Innovators, the Celestial Being members such as Tieria Erde were able to use it to transfer his mind from one body to another. It should work with Hiryuumon as well, once a new body is prepared.

I admit, I passed out from my injuries that I got from Relius Clover. But, the process was underway before I passed out, so hopefully it went through."

"Despite all the "complications" it went as planned Master Elrond. Despite everything, I take my craft seriously."

The group was shocked to see Doctor Robotnik walk up. The self-proclaimed master of robotics patted the terminal fondly as he stroked his mustache." Even if things went more than a little off course, Hiryuumon originally was my project.

I don't know as much as that Mizrahi, though I am catching up over the past few years, but I did do enough research to know a thing or two about Digimon, including enough to how store their minds in case of emergencies.

It, might not be as easy as rebuilding Metal Sonic or my E-1000 series bots and some of the others, but your friend will be safe till his new body is ready."

Ben saw James nod before he smirked." That so? Thank you Doctor. For all the trouble you caused in the past, I'm glad your committed to doing good now."

"Well, better then dying my boy." Robotnik threw out dryly." Heh, besides, it is good to see my research get praised."

Knuckles saw his former enemies bluster before he snickered." I'll give you this one Eggman, you can do good when you want to."

Sonic chuckled as he wagged his finger." Now you just got to do that without being told to and you're on the right track Eggman!"

As Robotnik glowered Ben offered his hand." One step at a time. But for now, thanks for helping make this day be a little less tragic then it could be."

As Ben and Robotnik shook hands Lacus looked fondly at the monitor with her Digimon friend's eye and placed it like she was petting him." Sorry for this Hiryuumon, I promise we will get your body back as quick as we can once things are cleared up."

"It's ok Lacus, seems like even this is less of a pain then Ben went through. Besides, this is a chance for things to be better than before, so I can be more like the real me."

As Lacus looked on in confusion Doug chuckled as he leaned back." Man, more than a few close calls but looks like we can officially call it a win guys!"

"I know we just went through a few close calls, but the mission is still not complete everyone." Ezan uttered calmly." After all, despite the changes, are original target's fate is still up in the air."

Ben and everyone else looked up to see the Beyonder was still looking at everyone with a dazed look. The first son of Cosmos and Zannacross had been in a daze ever since he had returned from the past.

Still adjusting to thinking without Brad in his head, the Beyonder saw how happy Lacus and many of the others looked before he winced." They really are happier about living over winning?"

Cosmos saw her first son's confusion before she smiled." That's right…Rabum. For most people across the universe, there is rarely a greater joy then seeing the survival of someone that's dearest to them. After all, for most people, something that precious can rarely be found again in their entire lives."

The Beyonder saw all the expressions of love below before he looked at his hands." This love, it's this what kept little, that made everyone want to win so badly that they fought with everything they got, and more, to beat everyone that I, that Brad Fowltror threw at them. Love, I saw millions, billions of acts of love in the Steller Memory but it never seemed that special. But, if it was stronger then everything they had thrown their way it must have something secret about it."

"That's correct." Cosmos answered sweetly." Love might not be everlasting, but it's still worth protecting. No matter how many times you see love my son, it's not the same thing as experiencing it firsthand. But when you do, it's one of the most wonderful feelings, even for god."

As the Beyonder looked confused suddenly a demonic cackling voice broke the silence, and the two saw it came from Zannacross." ALL THIS TIME…AND YOUR STILL JUST A NAÏVE FOOL COSMOS! LOVE IS BUT A FLEETING EMOTION…ONE THAT FADES TO DARKNESS! YOU SEEN THE FOOLISHNESS OF MORTALS…YOU SEEN HOW THEY ARE BOUND BY THERE DELUSIONS! THEY CLING TO THERE ILLUSIONS SO MUCH…AND BECOME FEARFUL OF LOSING THEM! FEAR LEADS TO ANGER…ANGER LEADS TO HATE…HATE LEADS TO SUFFERING…AND SUFFERING…LEADS TO DEATH!

EVERYTHING MORTALS CHERISH DIES! ONLY THE WILL OF GOD ENDURES...ONLY GOD'S WILL IS ETERNAL! DO YOU SEEK THE DESIRES OF INFERIOR BEINGS…OR THE DESIRES OF YOUR PROPER STATURE? THE DESIRES OF GOD!?"

The Beyonder looked confused before Cosmos glanced at Zannacross with sorrow." Zannacross, you call me naïve, but your so stubborn your views on humanity and all other mortals have not changed since the start.

You saw humanity as just toys to amuse you, as aspirants to recycle. But their weakness…there failings allow to expand life in ways you could never fathom. The difference between living and dying, between truly living, is managing fear.

Not being so afraid of losing the things you love that you hold them too tight…not being so rigid that you can only enjoy things one precise way.

Zannacross, you always been obsessed with your Anti-Life Equation, in universal contraction, entropy, and the end of all things till life was perfected to your precise view, but I don't agree with your ideas at all anymore about the nature of life.

My former husband, I did share the desire to see life's ultimate state, but now I don't even share those aspects of it anymore.

I believe in expansion, I believe life endures no matter how much death, darkness, and all of the sorrows of life mold it. Everything may die, but that's only because everything lives! The cycle of life is ever lasting, to try and mark an ending, even a joyous ending, is wrong. Son, do you want everything to end?"

The Beyonder thought of all that he enjoyed before he quickly shoot his head." No…no I don't. I don't want there to be nothing. After Brad nearly took everything from me, I can see why people don't like dying, and don't like people snatching away things they like from them."

As Cosmos smiled Zannacross gave an enraged howl as his eye widened." IT MAY BE A SIN TO STEAL…BUT IT IS A FAR GREATER SIN FOR A MORTAL TO DARE DEFY THE WILL OF GOD! THERE ARE COUNTLESS GREEDY SINFUL HUMANS SUCH AS BRAD FOWLTROR…HE WAS MERELY THE ONE THAT LUCK ALLOWED THERE DESIRES TO BE REALIZED!

AS LONG AS HUMANS EXIST THEY WILL NEVER LEARN AND NEVER LISTEN TO THERE FAILURES! THE ONLY CURE IS FINAL JUDGMENT SO THAT THE SUPERIOR RACE CAN RISE FROM THE ASHE'S!"

The Beyonder saw how manic Zannacross looked behind the energy link and just looked even more confused." But, people have been saying that again and again across history, and no matter what they do they are never happy."

"Your right son." Cosmos added firmly." Because people who think they can only be happy when others are dead, who refuse to address their own faults, will never be happy for long. Zannacross is wrong, so very wrong. Only by having the will to find true peace and understand once's self can one truly understand others."

"But, does that mean that understanding what you really want will mean you won't be unhappy anymore? What if it's not enough?"

"I HAVE THE ANSWER TO THAT…SON." Zannacross uttered as his eye widened." SUBMIT TO DESTINY…THOSE WHO KNOW THEIR PLACE IN LIFE ARE THE CONTENT ONE'S. A LIFE WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS THERE PLACE…IS EXISTENCE'S IDEAL STATE!"

"I…I do want to live in my proper place."

"GOOD…GOOD! THEN HELP ME AT LAST MAKE EXISTENCE BE HOW IT SHOULD BE! THEN AT LAST WE CAN BRING ORDER TO LIFE…AND RULE EXISTENCE AS IT SHOULD PROPERLY BE RULED!"

The Beyonder saw Cosmos, Ben, Lacus, and all the others looking tensely at him before he grasped his hands." It's my right, to have the life I really want! But, I just don't know want I really want after that Brad Fowltror messed with my head. I don't know what is his thoughts, and what is mine."

The Beyonder put his hand over the energy chain in his confusion before Cosmos could warn him. As he touched the chain, an instant later Zannacross tried to overtake his son.

As the entire chain glowed red the Shin Emperor of Darkness laughed maniacally as out of the chain his physical body, a demonic corpse like skeleton with a deranged smile and demonic eye started to manifest." I WILL END YOUR CONFUSION…SON…BY PURGING YOU OF THE CONTAMINATION THE HUMAN INFECTED YOU WITH! THIS WAS MY INTENT FROM THE START…TO AT LAST USE YOU HOW YOU SHOULD BE! AT LAST YOU WILL FULFILL YOUR PROPER ROLE "SON". TSC…TO THINK AFTER ALL THIS TIME YOU ARE MORE THEN A WORTHLESS GLITCH AFTER ALL! HAHAHAHAAH! AT LAST…AT LAST MY DESTINY WILL…HUH? NO!"

While Zannacross attempted to force a fusion with the Beyonder, before he could Cosmos had another ribbon of light lash out to get in the way.

As her and her former husband's aura's collided Cosmos saw Zannacross glare at him, before she gave him a look of exasperation." Zannacross…despite what you think I'm not naïve forever. You made it quite clear you only saw are first son as a tool, and this time I was prepared. He was never a glitch, we could not understand each other at the time but he had desires that he had the right to have! You won't take him or anyone else over! You will not escape your true destiny Zannacross!"

The embodiment of darkness saw his counter part of light try to reverse his aura's direction, before he snarled with fury." DAMN YOU COSMOS…YOUR DEFIANT TO THE END! BUT THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME YOUR INSOLENCE DEFIES ME! YOU COULD NOT STOP ME BEFORE…AND JUST LIKE LAST TIME I WILL CONSUME YOU!"

"Not this time Zannacross…this time you have not had time to regain your power. And this time your attention is divided between me, and are first child!"

Blood red lighting crackled around the three deities as the dark aura grew wider." THAT IS YOUR LAST PATHETIC GAMBLE? DID YOU FAIL TO REALIZE…IF THAT MONKEY COULD SIZE CONTROL OF THAT POWER…SOMEONE WITH FAR MORE POWER COULD EASILY DO THE SAME!"

"But unlike Brad, your son is fully aware of what you're doing and it's a outside invasion!"

"IT MATTERS NOT! ALL I NEED TO DO IS CONTROL HIM LONG ENOUGH TO TRANSFER HIS POWER INTO ME…AND ITS OVER!"

Everyone saw the area above the three-glow red, before another rift in the sky formed. As the hole grew Doug grit his teeth." Seriously? I really am not down with going another round of dodging galaxy sized shuriken's! I mean I thought Brad devoured all of the Beyonder's dimension or something?"

"He absorbed all of the Phantom Fields and all that existed their Mister Fitter." Ramathel uttered tensely." But as long as Rabum Alai exits he still is his own dimension. This human sized body is his core, but his "Full body" still exists next to this dimension, and Zannacross is trying to transfer it into him."

"Well, we sure as hell can't let that happen!" Ben uttered bitterly as he staggered to his feet." Things may have spiraled out of control, but we can't drop the ball now! Have to, GUH!"

Ben fell to his knees before cursing bitterly." Damn it, guess even if my mind does not feel it takes a while to wake up after sleeping for billions of years."

Myers saw how tense Ben looked before he glanced at Cosmos, and stayed firm." Don't lose your nerve yet Ben. Cosmos looks like she is not afraid, and just maybe that means she's not on the defensive yet. Have faith my comrades."

Cosmos indeed remained undaunted as she just glanced at her son." Rabum…its all up to you. Do you want your father's wish to come true, or yours? Please, before Zannacross takes control you must decide!"

"ITS USELESS COSMOS! IT IS DESTINY FOR THE RULERS TO TAKE WHAT IS THEIRS! AND SOON ALL WILL AT LAST BE BOUND BY THE DARKNESS!"

The Beyonder saw the energy of his dimension start to bubble up and respond to Zannacross's call before he grasped his head. He then uttered," No…after seeing how much of a pain really ruling is, I don't want it! I want to be happy!"

"INSOLENT FOOL! IT IS OUR DESTINY TO RULE! IT IS WHO WE ARE!"

"If that's the truth, then I don't want that destiny anymore! I want, the destiny that will let me be happy!"

The Beyonder's third eye opened before his golden aura exploded. Everyone saw white, golden, and black energies head into the new Schwarzwelt portal before Zannacross felt energy tugging out of him." YOU DAMN MISERABLE BRAT, YOU DARE TRY AND ERASE ME!? IF YOU DO THAT NOW…YOU WILL BREAK APART THE FOUNDATION OF THE UNIVERSE…AND DOING THAT WHILE YOU ARE HERE WILL KILL YOU! I SWEAR ON ALL THERE IS…IF YOU TRY AND TAKE ME DOWN YOUR COMING WITH ME TO OBLIVION! YOU CAN NOT ESCAPE!"

"He does not have to kill you to stop you Zannacross!" Cosmos shouted out defiantly as she grasped her first son." If he uses the Auswählen ritual that he previously used to give his energy to his creations, to divide you from all of the darkness, from the essence of the universe, the universe won't be effected."

"NO…YOU DARE TRY AND ROB ME OF MY DIVINITY!? THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!"

"Its not impossible for someone that's equal to you in power Zannacross!" Cosmos shouted out with steely resolve. Zannacross saw how deadly serious Cosmos looked and flinched." NOW YOUR TRULY NAÏVE COSMOS! YOU KNOW…TO DESTROY EACH OTHER WOULD MAKE YOUR PRECIOUS UNIVERSE UNSTABLE!"

"If it was just the two of us that would be true Zannacross, that's why I never dared such a transmutation after all this time. But now, its more then just the two of us. Are son has the power of both the light and the darkness.

By being a mediator, he can divide and transmute the essence of light and darkness from the universe, allowing us to be effected without damaging all creation."

"NO…NOOOO! DO YOU EVEN REALIZE WHAT YOUR SAYING!? YOUR MOTHER IS TRICKING YOU SON…SHE'S TRYING TO TAKE EVERYTHING FROM YOU!"

"Your, your wrong! I always had omnipotence, but at last ill have humanity, true happiness to! If this Omnipotently means I'll be to busy doing stuff I don't want to do to be happy, if I can be happier without the burden of ruling...then I'll take it! And if it means severing you and Cosmos with my own connection to pull it off, then I'll do what it takes!"

"NO…I REFUSE TO ALLOW…THIS SUPREME HERESY TO UNFOLD!

IT...CAN'T BE...!? IT'S NOT POSSIBLE...! THIS CONTRADICTION...I WON'T ACCEPT IT! I AM THE EMPEROR OF ALL…I WON'T ALLOW SUCH A FOOL TO RUIN EVERYTHING! COSMOS…HOW DARE YOU DO THIS! IF THIS GOES AS YOU PLAN…YOU WILL DIE TO!"

"No…your wrong. We will not die, but be reborn. Yes...reborn as a normal, or at least a semi normal family." Cosmos uttered calmly. "We have watched the rest of the universe live form above as god, but for all of the time we pretended at times to have the experiences of normal people, its time we go through the circle of life like all others.

Zannacross, we may have been the first living beings, but we were wrong to think are destiny was beyond everyone else.

Like, how my child Athena gave up her godhood to ensure the people of the Sliver Star could truly thrive, that by continuing to mother them, I was doing more harm than good.

I see now that freeing them of are expectations can give them the best change to truly evolve.

If it's for the sake of the stability of existence, and to atone for failing my first son out of my inexperience, then I'm willing to sacrifice my memories, my life, my very being."

"NO….DAMN YOU WEAK HEARTED CLOWN! COSMOS…THIS IDIOCY WILL DOOM EXISTENCE TO A FAR MORE BRUTAL CHAOTIC END THEN WHAT I PLANNED!"

"I'm willing to bet everything in having faith that humanity's ultimate desire is that of life, not death!"

"YOU WORTHLESS FOOL! WHAT YOU CALL FREEDOM COSMOS...MOST, DEEM AS CRUELTY! INFERIORS WILL FOREVER DRAG DOWN ALL AROUND THEM!

CONCEPTS LIKE THE NECESSITY'S OF TRUE LEADERSHIP ARE FAR BEYOND THE GRASP OF THE IMMATURE SCUM! ALL THEY EVER DO IS DREAM, FANTASIZE THERE DELUSIONS OF UNEARNED GREATNESS!

DID YOU NOT SEE WHAT THEY DO WHEN THEY ARE FREE TO THEIR OWN DEVICES!? EARTH PRIME WAS DESTROYED AND THE HUMANS OF THAT WORLD DAMNED THEMSELVES FOREVER THE MOMENT THAT WITH THERE" FREEDOM" THEY ELECTED,"

"I'm fully aware of how many times people have put impulsive horrible demagogues in charge Zannacross! Even so, more times then not mortals learn from there mistakes. I'm willing to bet everything that my children can learn from there mistakes without there mother's guidance."

"THAT IS NOTHING BUT A DECEPTIVE STREAM OF DEADLY ROMANTIC RHETORIC!

YOU MISERABLE WEAK SCUM! I WILL NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN COSMOS! I, NO!"

Zannacross tried to reach out with his hand, only to find it wither. He saw the vortex of white, black, and golden energy was getting bigger before his eye looked mortified. As he screamed again Cosmos closed her eyes." No matter how you rage Zannacross, you will have to submit to fate sooner or later, for the Anima energy is nearly completely filtered."

James watched the mass of divine energy get bigger and polished his glasses to make sure he was watching everything correctly." Unbelievable, Cosmos's gambit, the ultimate gambit is paying off. Its like, the ultimate kind of alchemy, one I would never even dare to dream to think possible.

But by all accounts, the transmutation is unfolding properly, with the Beyonder acting as a mediator, light and darkness are being purged from them, there souls are becoming, normal!"

"Wait, but, does this mean Cosmos is going to die?" Aries uttered tensely. As Ezan, Cloud, and the others around the Cetra looked unsure Gabriel, and the other angels in the area at last realized the full ramifications of what the Ethereal Queen of Light was doing before the long-time envoy of heaven's eyes widened in terror." No, wait Cosmos! I know the Beyonder and Zannacross must be stopped above all else, but please don't throw your life away! We, we can still save you!"

"Please Cosmos." Lacus uttered somberly as she flew into the air and tried to gather as much power into the Golden Imperial Crystal as possible. "Please don't give up your life for are mistakes!"

Even as the light started to fade from her body Cosmos just gave Lacus, Gabriel and the other approaching angels a somber smile." Lacus, don't ever feel guilty about my choice. Its not your mistake, I'm atoning for the burdens I placed on you and everyone because of my expectations. Please, listen to me one last time.

My children... Listen to me. I am full of pride for so much but even so, I have lived my long, long life, regretting the past. And I have faced those regrets.

If only I could do things over again... Not a day of my life has gone by without lamenting what I could have done. I have lived bound to the idea of the perfect utopia, of making the moral realm heaven.

In that sense, in the sense of being obsessed about seeing things one way I admit I was the same as Zannacross. But you...

I want you all to live not for a future that can only exist if all life stops, but for the moments you enjoy!

It may falter, and may even turn down the path of despair at times, but please, despite that, you must look forward and walk a path of hope, trusting that it will sustain you when darkness comes.

Farewell… I hope you all are able to not grasp the paradise that you think you're supposed to have, but make life the paradise that matches what your heart feels is right!"

Zannacross saw a magical pentagram form around him, the Beyonder and Cosmos, and realized the symbol was in ancient Xenogean for reincarnation before looking mortified." NO…NO! THIS IS WORST THEN DEATH! THIS CAN'T BE…HUH?"

To his shock time stopped, and the One-Above-All was suddenly floating above him. The one being godlier than him was in his small "Zeno" state, and as Zannacross saw him his counterpart gave a childish gesture." I asked if you would do anything to break out of your confinement eh Zannacross? You acted rashly, proving you fall to the same errors as humans."

"NO…NO! IF THIS GOES THROUGH YOU WILL BE TURNED TO!"

"Not quite…I am above even you Zannacross, this will affect me to a much lesser degree then , we are aspects of one being, but if all of the energy you and Cosmos have is converted to mine, I will be one sole being.

In the end I decided, if humans can act as one being, so can God. I welcome the prospect of my will no longer be divided among my thoughts."

"DAMN YOU! RAHH!"

Heh, I may not be the emperor of darkness but that far from means I'm above manipulation. I am quite curious to see if after the process is complete you will at last find peace or whatever you become just becomes more bitter. Should be fun…for me at least."

As Zannacross roared in rage the One Above All gave Cosmos a more somber smile." I will miss are conversations Cosmos, but I'm willing to give up one of my rare conversational partners to at last see the universe truly evolve further.

Thus, at last the long battle between light and darkness truly will end, at least in one sense."

Or perhaps I should say it was brought... to a rather unexpected ending."

"It is the result of the world opting for another choice." Cosmos uttered passionately."

"This greater understanding, will provide peace but still, as long as life exists, there will be no end to conflict.

Even harmony and discord are concepts born of the mortal mind, after all."

"Are you saying...that nothing changes?" Cosmos uttered somberly. In response The One Above All merely smirked."

That is a mystery that even god cannot answer. For the truth can only be known-"

"To the future itself." Cosmos answered somberly, to which her "father" nodded"

"So set out on your new odyssey journey on the road that continues to the final fantasy...without regrets. For what it's worth, I am sorry you had to endure such sorrow for so long. I must... beg your forgiveness for the endless cycle of violence into which I thrust you and your chosen children."

"Forgiveness? You need not seek it. Every memory born of this universe is, without exception, a priceless treasure to me."

"Cosmos..."

"And so, my divine creator. Be at peace. We must follow our chosen paths. Farewell."

Enna Kros appeared next to the One Above All, and as the two divine woman locked eyes, Kros flashed Cosmos a sorrowful smile." Cosmos…I really hope your able to be at peace with this."

"Thank you Enna. Please, watch over my children for me.'

"I will cousin, in my own way I will."

The Beyonder winced as nearly all of his essence was divided as he hunched over." No…it hurts…it hurts! This was supposed to make me happy!"

Cosmos saw her son looking unfocused, and saw Zannacross look desperate before she hugged the Beyonder." Its ok, it will be over soon. Just a little bit longer, and it will be over. I'll be there for you, always."

The Beyonder felt her embrace and smiled." T, thank you."

"Of course, I love you my child…I'll always, love, y,"

In that instance the process completed, and Cosmos, Zannacross, and the Beyonder were consumed with light.

Zannacross gave one last yell of rage, before he was silenced.

As the light faded Ben looked up, and saw various particles shoot out in various directions, and after a massive pillar of purple energy shot out, nothing was left of the Ethereal Queen of Light, the Shin Emperor of Darkness, and there first scion.

The chosen hero saw only the giant mass of fused energy remained before he allowed himself a gulp." Did, did that really just happen."

Ezan looked around as hard as he could with the Rinne-Sharingan before he took a deep breath." I see and sense a massive amount of energy in that vortex, but I don't sense any trace of a soul."

Aeris grasped Ezan tightly as she nodded." I sensed a movement in the cosmic life stream Ezan. I think, the Beyonder did what he said he would. He, Cosmos and Zannacross reincarnated."

Kira looked blankly at the mass of energy in front of him before his eye twitched." They did it, they really did it. Gott ist tot…God is dead. I was merely figurative before, but at last the throne of heaven truly is vacant! At last, the new era will, GUH!"

As the son of Master Myers stepped forward Max casually activated the binding spell placed on him. As his former teammate fell to the ground with a thud Ben's cousin snickered." Man you were so excited you did not even think eh jackass?

Don't get ahead of yourself "Pal", this is not your time to shine! Soon as we clean up here, your chair's waiting for that pompous ass to go come home. Don't get to happy, far as I can tell the One Above All is still around."

"True, its not a total victory Bruder but I'm willing to take a partial victory over none at all. Besides, the One Above All seems to have made it clear he's in the end passive and will only intervene if all life is on the verge of total destruction. At the very least, the time of an active god control over life, is over!"

As Kira laughed bitterly Myers could not help but look on in shock." Cosmos…you died for are sins. You died, to truly end Zannacross once and for all. I'm so sorry, us warriors of light failed you so utterly."

King Atem grasped the Millennium Puzzle tightly as the ruler of the Lylat Kingdom took in all that he just saw." God is dead, or at least the god of light is dead? Does that mean, this is the end of the mandate of heaven?"

Doug saw how shaken up so many people looked and just cracked his neck." C'mon guys, keep it together. Yah, it sucks what happened to Cosmos but she made her choice, so we ought to at least respect it right? Even if the most holy of holy's is no longer ticking, she did all that to make sure something WAS ticking right? Just means, we got to pick up the slack, all of us!"

Lacus took in Cosmos's last words and smiles before she gathered all the resolve, she had to look confident." Doug, Doug's right. She did this, cause she had faith we could keep her dream alive even without her! We, we HAVE to prove that was not a lie!"

"Your, your right Lacus." Ben uttered as he looked at the Divine Mugen Nova and grasped it tightly." Cosmos, gave up everything to at last truly end this. We, we have to prove we really can, huh? Oh come on!"

Ben's sudden frustration was caused by the vortex of energy suddenly turning red, and cracks in time and space started to form around it.

As all space started to seem to be shaking X was one of many who were alarmed." No, its STILL not over!? Did, did that maverick just get Cosmos and Zannacross out of the way before trying to finish this?"

Ramathel looked at the energy vortex quickly before the former Black Swan paled." I don't trace

James quickly scanned the giant unstable mass of energy before the Enji Master grimaced." I don't sense any force behind the energy X. But, it does seem that the fusion of raw energy is creating a unstable form, that is colliding with the "Bleed" the fabric between realities.

The former essences of Cosmos, Zannacross and the Beyonder are now taking up space in the order of the universe that is most unstable. If this dimensional anomaly is not resolved, it could cause the universe to fracture."

Cloud grit his teeth as he looked around." Damn it, Cosmos had good intentions but if she did not think this through, she might have screwed us all over!"

"I understand the nature of realities is no simple calculation Cloud." James uttered." But based on the data, it seems that the various realms were adjusting to the new dimensional shift, till a sudden influx of tachyon pulses bore into it to cause it, and the entire universe to become unstable."

Kirby just rubbed his head as he looked around." Um…sorry but what does that mean? Did someone forget to turn off a ship and it causing this thing to get to full? That nearly happened to my stomach once!"

As Yoshi shrugged Samus sighed." Not really Kirby. The gist of it is that an inverse tachyon pulse is a stream of tachyon's capable of scanning beyond the subspace barrier. The subspace barrier itself is the term used of subspace when it acts as a barrier between two places.

The most basic answer is something suddenly caused something like a blood clout in space.

That kind of clout could cause a stroke in a human, and this kind of blockage could cause an anti-time eruption, otherwise know as multi-phasic temporal inversion, which is a multiphasic temporal convergence in the space-time continuum caused by a breakdown in the subspace barrier separating time and anti-time.

Something like this is not caused by any casual blast or missile, it got to be Zannacross's last act of malice."

"Not quite Samus." The Supreme Kai of Time uttered as she flew down along side everyone." Its not him, but Brad."

"Oh come on!" Ben shouted with raw frustration as he felt sick." After all that Brad's STILL alive!?"

"No Ben." Chronoa articulated gravely." You did kill him. But as he died, he poured every last ounce of his eroding soul that he could into the Big Bang. This, did not do enough to save him. But it left a tachyon pulses into the universe as it was born.

For most of history it did nothing, till it suddenly erupted now, like a massive delayed attack in the shape of a anti-time bomb.

This is Brad's roar of fury across time for one last attempt for revenge, however futile and mindless."

Lacus just rolled her eyes at the thought as she looked at the mass of energy keenly." That bastard just won't take no. But even this won't be enough! So, do we heal the damaged part of space or destroy it? I have enough practice with both lately but does not seem like we have time for anything fancy!"

"The process is not to complex Lacus." Gabriel uttered as he looked at how rapidly the anomaly was growing." We need to rupture the distortion with enough force to" Untangle" the various realms out of their current knot.

But it can't just be any force, you need to strike it with a force carrying a "static warp shell" that would act as an artificial subspace barrier to separate time and anti-time, thereby subduing the tachyon pulses, and collapsing the anti-time eruption, allowing the dimensional shift to resume properly."

Ben saw how lost most of the others looked and grasped his fist tightly." So the gist of it is that you have to strike the anomaly hard enough with the right kind of energy that will cancel this out?

The Divine Mugen Nova can command any kind of energy, just tell me the frequency and I'll end this nightmare so that are dream can come true, once and for all!"

"More or less." Gabriel stated." But Ben, the crucial part is that striking this will cause the entire area around it to go into a dimensional shift, instantly.

To be blunt, it's a suicide run. More then mere death, the entire area around it will be severed from time itself. And without Cosmos, we don't have the power to bail out the person in time since the impact has to be done till the last moment."

Ben, still weary from his body sleeping throughout all history had to struggle to keep on his feet as he gulped." So, the only way to stop this…is for someone to die? Damn it, fate really wants to peg the tragic ending on me."

Doug saw Lacus and the others look mortified, and looked up at the anomaly, before he spat on the ground." Heh, look who's getting a swell head again and thinking everything revolves around yah eh bro? No one said YOU had to die Ben, just that someone has to die. And if the price of this HAS to be a life, might as well be the proper one. And guess I fit the bill in this case."

Everyone swerved around Doug before Aqua gasped in horror." The hell are you talking about Doug? This is no time for jokes!"

"Sorry girl, this is no joke." The member of Squad 7 uttered crassly." I know Brad caused all this, but I still had a part to play.

Brad took advantage of me, but its still my fault that I was weak enough to take the bait and open the door for him to go wild on the universe. And I'm still a man that owns up to his debts."

Axel sighed before the red-haired man leaned forward." I know all about atoning for stupid stuff dude, but this is not the answer got it memorized!? Dying is easier then facing up to what you did!"

"Heh, so that means you want to do it?" Doug spat back. As Axel hesitated the martial artist snickered." Not really a thing anyone's eager for eh? What, want to draw straws? I would love for this to be fair, but we don't got time for that. C'mon guys, after what just happened, they will need you a lot more then they need a guy like me."

"Don't be like that Doug." Lacus spat out gravely." Everyone has a role to play. It was my fault for not seeing things through carefully. Besides, I'm experienced with this kind of energy, someone like."

In a flash Doug punched Ben and Lacus at the same time. As they both fell the bald man snickered." Don't have time for debating this, figured I might as well knock sense of you before you guys rebound.

Even now you guys think I can't handle the hardcore stuff? Chosen or not, let someone else get the big damn hero moments alright?

We need a heavy hitter, and I fit the bill. So lets do this. You angels got a spare angel weapon to pull off the special crap?"

Gabriel turned to his fellow angels, before Alcor, Metatron, Rodin, and some of the other angels quickly had their aura's combine. A pillar of light appeared in front of Doug.

As it formed into a long thin blood red spear with a sliver handle Gabriel sighed." This Wunder Spear my comrades just forged contains the static warp shell energy needed to complete the task. Doug, I'm sorry about this."

"And I'm sorry you guys sucked at your jobs so much that it has to come to this to dude. But, a man's got to do what a man's got to do. Well, wish I could say a lot more but don't have the time. Just don't forget to keep it real guys."

"Wait…Doug!" Ben uttered as he struggled to get back on his feet." You don't have to do this! There are other ways, there is still time! We were this close to at last reaching that dream we wanted. Don't throw it away out of guilt or anything like that!"

"What, you mean con some other person to do my job out of guilt?" Doug retorted as he threw a half-lopped smile." I went down this because I already have been feeling guilty about a ton of stuff and I don't need more of that weight.

Besides, be honest man, I know you don't want to die and you don't want Lacus to die either eh? Guess this is a good way to get me out of your hair eh? But seriously man, promise me something. Promise you won't do anything as asinine as the Homeostasis's Matrix Connection even if your around till the end of time."

"Doug…I promise…I won't betray what you and everyone else have fought for. I'll figure out how to fulfill Cosmo's dream the right way, I promise!"

"Heh, I trust you enough to know you mean it now bro, just don't forget it the next time people do something to piss you off. Remember Ben, we are fighters. Republics, democracies and all that jazz are often formed out of the barrels of guns, swords, fists or whatever.

But while violence might give birth to freedom it can't get away with being proud of it.

That isn't unfair. That's because the essence of freedom, is in the self-restraint of those who hold power. Democracy is the self-restraint of the powerful, codified in law and all that. If the military and all the other strong guys and gals don't restrain themselves, there's no reason anyone else has to either.

The Enji Knights were always about fighting for freedom right? I don't know how many of you guys noticed but we fight for a political system that rejects what we are. The contradictory structure is something a democracy's military just got to deal with.

Ben, you, old man Myers, ALL of you got to fed up with the common folk not caring about what you care about because they were to busy with there lives to have the politics you wanted them to have. And you got so worried about being just chilling and letting life go on that you wanted to push your will on them.

You thought it was ok because it was," For freedom, peace, and order." But even if Cosmos herself was on board with it, to me at least, anyone that tries to impose there will on others is a tyrant and is just lying to themselves otherwise.

Any kind of freedom that's not brought about by entirely genuine means is just one joke or another. No shortcuts to justice right?

As frustrating as it might be for all of us when people don't think things through and let slick talking dumbass's wreck the place, that's still there right and you just got to deal with it the best yah can.

If hero's really practice what they preach then they have to admit any "greater good" plans are bull and only demand the proper pay for the job when possible. Freedom or power guys, you all have to own up to what you really want and deal with that reality."

"I promise Doug…I'll be able to deal with it in time, and we can talk about it later! Just, don't be reckless!"

Doug saw the pain on his friend's face, and just cracked his neck." Sorry bro, but I swear I never thought out something more in my life."

Max saw how serious Doug was before he chuckled bitterly." Well, I see you thought damn hard about this Doug. Just have the courage to make your convictions a reality, yah hear?"

"Got it dude." Doug answered playfully. James saw the calm in Doug's eyes before the Enji Master sighed." Your sure about this Doug?"

"Sorry James, don't think any kind of arrow will be enough for this one. Just promise me I'll sound cool to your kid eh man?"

"You have my word old friend." James answered with regret." I promise, everyone will remember that Doug Fitter was a true hero of the light."

"That's right." Ezan added." For all are differences, you will always be a man who truly embodies a warrior Doug Fitter."

Doug saw the sliver haired man's sincere expression and snickered. "Ah hell, no need to get all fancy, just make sure they knew I was a man's man who meant what he said eh?"

"Damn it Doug!" Aqua suddenly blurted out bitterly." After we at last were having are hearts reconnect, why did you have to throw that all away!?"

Doug saw how upset his blue haired girlfriend looked before his expression softened." Look at it this way Aqua, if things were better this would hurt a hell of a lot more am I right?

Seriously though, did not mean to pile on more grief on yah, but again, if someone has to feel this then its someone who can handle it right? Hey besides maybe another miracle will happen eh? And if it don't, least I know you got people that have your back, right Axel?"

The red-haired man stiffened before he nodded." You better believe it Doug. I'll make sure Aqua is happy, I promise."

Aqua saw Doug's passion before she sighed." Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for a miracle, till the end. But, just to sweeten the deal." Aqua suddenly kissed Doug passionately, and Doug kissed her back before another shock-wave from the anomaly caused him to back off.

He then patted Aqua on the shoulder before he hurled the Wunder Spear over his shoulder." Thanks Aqua, for everything. Well dudes, its been real, but got a job to get done."

Cloud stiffened before he nodded." Doug, your courage is just as immense as Zach's. I'll always be grateful to have you as a teammate."

"I'll never forget your passion for freedom dude." Yuri expressed somberly." Trust me man, I'll make sure everyone knows you're an inspiration for true freedom."

"Even if we did not know each other long, I'll always see you as one of the truest men in history Fitter." Jotaro added."

"Yuri, Jotaro, thanks. Counting on that. All right, peace out yah all!"

Before anyone could say anything more Doug's eye twitched for a moment, before he suddenly burst in the direction of the anomaly.

Ben saw his friend dive off to his likely death before he stabbed the Neo-Highwind to push himself up." No, stop Doug! Not like this, it can't end like this!"

Myers saw the sorrow that Ben, Aqua and many others had before the stress he was feeling caused him to cough violently.

As some of the others looked at him he caught himself, saw his own hand was shaking and realized he knew what he had to do. He then took a deep breath before he smiled." Your right Ben, it should not end like this. Time, to see to it that things end in a bit more of a befitting matter."

"What do you mean Master Myers?" Squall put out with confusion. The leader of the Enji saw everyone looking at him before he smirked." Everyone, its been an honor. Despite the setbacks, I can say without a shred of doubt you are some of the most noblest men and woman in the history of the universe.

If my time was about to run out soon anyway, then I want to leave this plane of existence by ensuring my comrades have the least amount of sorrow as possible."

"Master Myers, what are you talking about?" Ben threw out with great stress." No, not you to. Please, don't throw your life away!"

"Ben…the truth is I'm on borrowed time as it is. I pushed myself past the limit of my mortal life span, without having donated parts of their soul energy to me my time would have been done already. If I must go, then I want to go with honor and pride."

Atem tensed up as he ran over to the man that had been his father figure for years." Please Grand Master, don't be so rash! Especially with how things are now, we still need you for just a bit longer!"

"Nothing gives an old man more joy then knowing he is still needed. But despite all this, I know you all will be ok.

Atem, this might be the most difficult transition yet. But despite everything don't lose sight of your beliefs. If you do that, both you and the people will be fine."

Atem saw the passion in Myers's eyes before he gave a weary nod." I understand, thank you...for everything."

The two shook hands, and Myers prepared himself before he heard a grunt. He swerved to the right to see Kira still trying to overpower his bindings. The founder of the Enji Knights saw the raw desire in his son before his face softened." Kira…I am sorry things turned out this way.

I still don't agree with your methods…but I concede that if I did things better, and did not put the burden on you as much, that things maybe would not turn out this way. Perhaps, we can debate this later on in the afterlife. After what I'm about to do surely they will grant me that much yes?"

Kira saw his father's determination and narrowed his eyes." Damn you…Myers. You misunderstand things…to the very last moment."

"Maybe, but this is what I think is right. And so I must now act to see it through. My fellow warriors of light, my final command, or final request, is that you never give up the fight for the light, no matter how dire things get. Farewell."

"No…stop Master Myers!" Ben cried out frantically as he got back up to his feet." Please, your last moments should not be painful! Its my job to protect the universe, you should not have to."

"Its all right Ben." Myers articulated warmly." Call it selfish, but like Gouken I rather have my final moments be worth remembering then merely dying in the shower from a stroke. Its ok, you all have what it takes to keep the light of hope burning, I know it. We will speak again on the other side."

With one more friendly wave, the Grand Master took off into the sky after Doug. Luke Skywalker saw him go and just took a deep breath." May the Force be with you Master Myers…always."

At this time as Ben and co were dealing with another traumatic goodby in less then a minute, Doug was flying around the Anomaly, figuring out the best way to approach through the endless barrage of energy it was unleashing.

The owner of the Zodiac Pinion stopped right above the sphere of energy that was ripping apart the boundaries between dimensions before he looked at it tensely. He swerved the Wunder Spear around like he was getting ready to throw a ball." Well, this seems like the best way to pop a cosmic zit! All I got to do is do this, and its over."

Doug realized he was hesitating enough that the hand holding the spear was shaking before he laughed." Damn, guess I did not really sell myself on this either. Heh, always been the kind of guy who loved life too much to just throw it away. One thing to be reckless not knowing what your doing. A whole different story when you know what's coming.

But, always took my word seriously, and if its between my life and my convictions, push comes to shove I'll do what it takes. To prove my worth, I'm willing to bet everything to, GUH!"

Just as Doug was about to go through with the strike, suddenly Master Myers blitzed him and pinched him at the base of his neck with a variation of the Vulcan Nerve Pinch.

Doug was so focused that his defenses were down, and Myers's move succeeded in paralyzing him.

As Doug dropped the spear Myers took it up and gave Doug a confident smile." Doug, standing behind your convictions are vital. But, sometimes its ok to not give up your life for them. Heh, I realize I say that as I'm about to give up my life for mine but, call it a seniority thing."

"No, what you doing old man?" Doug uttered as he struggled to break out of his sudden paralyzed state." This is my burden, I'm not asking anyone to take the fall for my mistake."

"You forget Doug, even if you left the order your still one of my comrades. As the leader of the Enji, it's still my responsibility.

I know you made your choices, but I made mine, and those choices, wither intentional or not, lead to Ben, Lacus, James and the others take the Grand Priests advice without thinking it through, pushing you into the dark state you were in.

I should not have lost faith so quickly, and because I did not…Cosmos is dead. I failed the light, and to atone I will see to it that her dream does not die with her!

Doug, my time is all but up so at least allow me to make sure my final moments are with pride and not failure!

At least you have the chance to learn from your mistakes, so that you can hopefully have a more successful, happier, relationship with your future child then mine. That's, my final request to you Doug. So long. Oversoul!"

Myers grasped the Wunder Spear tightly and once more had his armor turn golden. Doug saw the leader of the Enji Knights dive into the Space Anomaly before his muscles bulged." Damn it Myers, quit trying to be a symbol for one moment of your life and stop dreaming! I could do nothing for Gouken, but I'm not just going to be a bystander again, no matter what!"

As Doug struggled to regain movement he, and everyone else saw the senior warrior of light charge into the Space Anomaly.

The angels craft held true, and the static warp shell discharged from the Wunder Spear the moment it collided with the rapidly unstable Space Anomaly. But while the space anomaly started glowing white, it unleashed a Tachyon Pulse that prevented Myers from stabbing the spear all the way in.

The sheer force of many dimensions combined weight nearly ripped Myers's arm off. The shock-wave caused the founder of the Enji to feel many of his bones crack and knock away his helmet to boot.

Myers used all of his willpower to stand firm as he felt every part of his body burning." No, don't fail me now body! One last time, just one last time! For the sake of everything, just hold out till this is done! I, GUAH!"

As a even stronger Tachyon Pulse blasted many holes into his body Myers cried out with raw determination as he tried to hold his ground." Damn it, I put this body past its limit to many times, I can't push it anymore.

No, even if it kills me, I have to see this through! The legacy of the Enji, can not be of failure! Everyone, if you can hear me, please, lend me your strength one more time! I, GUH!"

Another Tachyon Pulse nearly consumed Myers before he could even have the chance to gather energy. Just as Myers was about to loosen his grip, Doug appeared behind him and grasped the Wunder Spear from the other side.

As Myers saw him the younger man smirked." Sorry old timer, only enough time for one back up! Don't worry, it sure as hell will be enough to get the job done!"

Myers coughed up blood as he looked at Doug with lament." Doug…you should not have been able to break out of that so easily. You should not be here!"

"Sorry Myers, Gouken pulled moves on that to many times when I was training with him for it to last to long on me. Besides, the blunt truth is you can't finish this alone."

"I'm…so…sorry Doug. I just, can't push any harder."

"Hey man you're still doing great for a warrior your age. But when it comes down to it, better two is the cost to get this done then two well, of everything eh? C'mon, its time to end this!"

"Yes, this ends now! Light…give me strength."

Myers shouted as the two men pushed the spear deeper into the anomaly. The deeper the spear got, the more energy blasted out at them.

Doug used all of his new Ultra Instinct power to endure the bombardment as he howled out," God damn it Brad, you can rage quit all across time, you're NOT getting the last laugh!"

"That's…right…" Myers uttered weakly." The light…will prevail. No matter how much…the darkness howls…the dream will not die!"

Doug saw Myers looked like he was at death's door before he tensed up." Not sure about dreams at the moment, all I know, is that I sure as hell want the universe to live!"

"Quite…right...Doug. Light…never fades. For the sake of…everyone's dreams, we must…GUAH! "

Just as they were close to stabbing the spear all the way through an even more furious Tachyon pulse sent a shock-wave that slammed into Myers.

Doug heard a cracking nose before he swerved to the right. Before he could even yell, he saw Myers was blown clear off.

Doug saw that the leader of the Enji Knights had several holes in his body, and seemed motionless as he flew backwards before another jolt forced his attention in front of him.

Despite the amount of force colliding into him the member of Squad 7 yelled with primal fury as he pushed as hard as he could. As the Wunder Spear got deeper and deeper each second Doug roared out," This is gonna happen damn it! Time to shut this down, once and for all!"

Doug eyed the sphere carefully, and noticed that the upper part of the anomaly had a white edge while the lower half looked red, indicating the links to heaven and hell.

Doug saw a red light to the center, a blue light to the right, and a green light to the left before he snarled with rage.

The martial artist thought about everything he knew about the situation before his eyes turned deadly serious as a few tears dripped down his eyes." Myers…Gouken, Cosmos, I swear I'm sorry to all of yah about this but its not going to go how you, or any of the angels wish.

I'm not going with any of the choices being handed to me, for better or worst, I'm picking my own damn color!

Hope you can forgive this stubborn jackass, but if things are going to change, things are going to change right.

I know much good your dream's done Myers, but a lot of people died cause of the kind of dreams you and all the warriors of light had. At least for some of them, its time to let the dream's end and just wake the hell up.

If things just go on, many more are going to die for a dream that will never, that can't come true, not how people think it can! Even if I'll be hated forever for this, I'll go down this path without one ounce of hesitation if it means that everyone will be humbled enough to get there head's out of there ass's, if ALL life will at last grow up!"

Doug used all of his power to shift the path of the Wunder Spear so it was aiming more for the upper right.

The martial artist saw that his aim seemed true and round back his right fist to gather as much energy as he could into it. As the limb shimmered with sliver light he grit his teeth." Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this way. But even if I am the only one who will ever think this is right, I reckon, that instead of an endless game of thrones in heaven, better no one has that privilege!

Compromise is when no one gets all of what they want but everyone gets the equal amount. Sometimes the only way to force a compromise is to make that be the only option, Time, to make sure freedom, and true equality comes out on top!"

Doug prepared to smash his fist down, till he realized the noise had stopped, and after blinking he realized that was because time itself had stopped. Just as he wondered if he had died a calm voice uttered," Do you know what your doing…Doug Fitter?"

For a moment Doug wondered if Master Myers had come back from the dead, only to see a man with golden skin in cosmic robes that sort of resembled Gouken look at him.

Doug blinked before muttering," Are you one of the angels? Sorry, I'm not backing down from this!"

"Oh…my pay grade is a tad above the angels Doug…for I'm the one who pays them so to speak. I'm the one above them Doug, the one above Cosmos and Zannacross, the one above all."

"Heh…so you're the true big boss eh? What, not down on what I'm doing? Sorry, should have said so before I started cause I'm not stopping, not even for you!"

"You misunderstand, I did not appear before you to stop you. No, I just was curious to know if this choice is what you want from the deepest depths of your heart or if this is just the act of a damaged mind. It, just would be a pity if the very foundation of the universe changed merely on an impulse."

"And…want if is? That going to change anything or should I say my last rights before I turn to dust or salt or something?"

"Heh…you misunderstand me Doug. If you go forward my existence, my being, and my story will change, but not be destroyed. And so, I see no reason for such a drastic intervention."

"Really? You trolling me and I'm just going to be a idiot who does nothing?"

"Oh no, if you go through with this you very well might cause the universe to go through a cosmic metamorphosis that's ecumenical transfiguration will alter the balance of the universe. But, such a change will be preferred to the end of possibility."

"Your serious? Even if this screws over all your angels?"

"I'm not Cosmos Doug…I'm willing to "break the mold" to see new possibilities. To be perfectly honest, I feel the universe needs a new direction myself, and while it was the Beyonder's game, your " Reason" part of it, appeals to me at the moment.

And so now you Doug Fitter, the man who's heart follows no rules but your own...the bearer of ever shifting "Reason", who's heart yearns for the kingdom of freedom, one that has no set future, will be allowed to leave your mark on all creation. It won't be as absolute as the Beyonder's personal reality, but it will leave a mark no one can deny.

Are you willing to disregard the past sins of the universe to realize this ideal? I granted freedom, in hopes that it would evolve into a new level.

That freedom...was what gave rise to evil, brought darkness, and led many worlds to destruction.

Both Cosmos and Zannacross wanted to see this change, but in there own ways fell off the path to see that new level of freedom realized.

Zannacross saw freedom as the seed of disaster; to him its sole fruit was ruin and was something to purge. Cosmos, valued freedom, but refused to admit what made freedom and harmony authentic.

You, you desire a truer, purer freedom then either of them or many of your comrades.

If you go forward with this there is no doubt the majority of the angels will be rattled, but most will adapt. Some will not, but well, the law of nature is not always kind to those who will not get with the times. Cosmos was the queen of holy goodness, what the majority wished the supreme being to be. But in the end...God...above all...IS nature."

"Heh…you really are not as stiff as many in your crew eh God? Well, cool beans that your gonna let a guy like me make such big waves. Sucks I won't live to see how it plays out, but I'm at peace knowing a common guy like me was able to have his say."

"Your right that it's a shame you can't see the outcome of your actions, but perhaps it does not have to end like that."

"What…for real? Unless Gabriel was off...sounds like this is really absolute since it would take the power of…oh right…god. Alright you got my attention god but what's the catch? If I'm getting reborn as a fly I'll just take dying."

" I will give you a way-out Doug Fitter, I'll give you the true fresh start you truly desire. But on condition is this, the people of the universe must know it was not an accident, they must know who changed the very nature of life."

"Heh, since allowing it kind of an act of god eh?"

"I'll allow that humorous outburst since I know your anxious but putting it that way every act is an act of god, so everyone must know who was the agent of god for this was."

"Got me there. If that's all there is and you're playing me straight I'm down. I never tried to hide from owning up to what I stand for!"

"Aside from the time you lied about who took your father's snack when you were still young your correct. Play this right and it won't matter much what the old you does anyway. Very well, then we have made an agreement."

"That we have, and I'm a man of my word so let's do this!"

The One Above All smirked before he waved his hand, causing time to unfreeze a moment later. Doug saw he was on the verge of pushing the Wunder Spear all the way in and grit his teeth.

He took a deep breath before bellowing out," HEY! Listen up folks, call it a glitch of a spell or whatever but seems here like I got a universal mike. So that means every living AND undead soul can here me! Since I'm bailing you all out of the ultimate game over your all due to hear my last words!"

Ben and everyone was alarmed at hearing Doug's voice in there head as the Enji darted around." What the, Doug!? What happened to Master Myers?"

Ezan looked at the anomaly and saw Myers's motionless body float by before the sliver haired man winced." I see him, in the distance. He's not moving!"

Lacus gasped as she tried to get the energy to fly again." Did, did he and Doug fight or was that from the anomaly? No, I'm not sensing any thing from his body! Doug, what the,"

Another shock-wave caused everyone to get off balance before Doug chuckled." Listen up folks, just wanted you to know the man bailing you all out is Doug Fitter, a common fella who did his part! Now there is no simple and clean reason for this mess, and no matter how much we all love keeping it short and sweet, there never really is.

But I'm stepping up to end this mess...even if it kills me. But if I'm dying, I'm sure as hell getting a say how it goes down! You all got to know, things are not going back to the status quo! Are all of you really happy with the state of the universe?

Course not, you keep preying for us hero's and the angels to bail you out to make" Paradise'. Far as I see it, cause people have spent all of history trying to make things a paradise, not caring if it's all an act!

It's a nice sounding con all right, but one that just don't work long as people live! But because people can't accept that, because people refuse to grow up and see how things are! People die, ALL in the name of a fancy dream that has jack to do with reality!

For all the suffering this dream has caused, in my eyes, the whole universe has to be humbled to wake up to see how things really are. Reality might not be as nice as a dream, but real life is REAL damn it!

Common folk like me have to go through so much crap because people are to afraid to live or just can't let things go! I'm a man who sure as hell acted in anger and got pissed off.

But still, while I sure as hell remember what caused the trauma, most of the time I don't hold on to it. I never let the memory of something painful prevent me from trying something new, from living life!

If you think too much about the ass-kicking your dad gave you, or the ass-kicking life might give yah, you will stop testing the limits, breaking the rules, and living life! It's better to take it, spend some time crying, and then wake up the next day and move on.

You'll have a few bruises and they'll remind you of what happened and that's okay. But after a while the bruise's fade, they fade for a reason, because now its time to get over it and go on living!

Nothing would ever go nowhere if people never took a risk! And this is just me, but to many people hold things back because of their fears, about losing their privilege and all kinds of things! To many people, just are too afraid to live because of dreams of how things could be, and keep on dreaming till they die!

People who refuse to wake up are just stuck in their dreams, and if to many people are being conned to go dream over life…then maybe its time that the universe is forced to wake up and open their damn eyes!"

Axel was one of many who saw the Space Anomaly get more and more unstable before he raised an eyebrow." Doug…why the hell are you ranting now? Just finish it?"

"Fitter….what the hell are you doing!?" Ezan stated tensely. Lacus focused her senses as much as she could before she turned pale." No…Doug, what are you doing?"

Everyone was caught off guard as Doug suddenly laughed widely, like he was going down a ride without a care in the world.

The martial artist steeled himself as he unleashed all of his power." Time for you all to focus on life! If that means wrecking what's after, then I'm doing this without regrets! Just stop trying to be something you're not! Most men are not monsters, but we ain't saints either!

We are people not of good or evil, but passion! The sooner you all expect that the sooner the universe will REALLY grow up! Yah hear that universe? All I want, IS FOR YOU ALL TO GROW UP AND STOP DREAMING ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT LIFE TO BE AND ACCEPT WHAT LIFE TRULY IS! FINAL...SHO…RYU…KEN…HEAVEN!"

Using all of his might Doug punched the Wunder Spear all the way into the Anomaly even as another Tachyon pulse barraged him.

At once the Anomaly, the final act of Brad Fowltror glowed white, before all of space seemed to ripple white and red bursts of energy before Doug saw his act went through, and gave the biggest half-lopped smile he could." Booya baby. Peace out yall, this guy's had his say, and now your all just going to have to deal. Huh?"

Doug saw time slow down in front of him, as the very fabric of space and time rippled to form a vortex. The One Above All stood above Doug and gave a wide smirk." You completed your task as my current emissary, thank you Doug Fitter.

No matter how many were content with the status quo, the blunt truth was that life still was not as it should be, it was corrupted by the distortion in people's hearts and minds over the fantasy's they could not give up. But may this be the true final fantasy.

Your dark half kept seeing yourself as a comedian or troll of chaos, an agent that only had a negative effect, but I see it differently. Those who oppose fate and desire change…from time to time they were referred to as "Tricksters".

You Doug Fitter, are a true trickster of chaos, of freedom. You have my personal thanks for doing what many have not to see the Fourth Impact through, and usher through the Grand Transfiguration to the Fifth Cosmic Age, the age were men are gods.

And so, I will grant my request. Heh, but it won't be a simple ride, not if you want the true fresh start you crave."

"Heh, fine by me." Doug uttered with a tranquil state of mind." Getting praise from God's about as good a score as you can get right? I'm fine just enjoying life and, huh?"

Doug saw someone come out of the other side of the portal, and it was Enna Kros. Cosmos's enigmatic cousin just smirked as she offered her hand. "I'm here to help get your fresh start running, man who use to be Doug. The wish of your soul was one "What if" that become what is.

As the Never Queen, I thank you for ensuring the possibilities for the universe will not run out any time soon. Just remember, there will be consequences for this."

"And your point? That's life, and since I know what life is, I'll deal with it as it comes."

"Now that's some fiery convection. Doug…your trail is over. You can rest, for now. Though this won't be the end of your trails."

"Since I don't want to die that sounded like the plan. After all, life's not done testing yah till your dead."

Kros smirked before she took Doug's hand to pull him through the portal. The moment she did time resumed its normal pace, and a massive explosion of light that was larger than a moon blasted out.

When the light faded, everyone saw that there was not one trace of the Space Anomaly, or Doug, left.

Aqua felt to her knees, nearly numb from the shock of it all as tears rolled down her eyes." Doug…you did it…you saved the universe. Now, everyone will know for all time that Doug Fitter, was a hero."

Lacus saw how broken Aqua looked before she patted her on the shoulder. As her and Ben squeezed hands the winged woman took a deep breath." So…is it at last over?"

"It seems that way Lacus, with that Dimensional Shift Doug at last ended this nightmare once and for…all? No…NOW what!?"

Ben cried out with exasperation as suddenly white and red cracks formed in the sky. Just as everyone noticed them, the cracks exploded.

The brown haired man saw more cracks explode in the distance, like space itself was breaking before the leader of the Justice Force looked at the angels." Now what is it? Did Doug botch it?"

"I regret to say that might be the case Ben." Gabriel uttered tensely." The static warp shell was successfully injected into the anomaly. But, the Dimensional shift Doug unleashed was, flawed. Very, VERY flawed!

Instead of the realms going back in sync, they were slammed together. The borders of heaven and hell collided, and as a result, areas of both dimensions are colliding, shattering! No…that means that, AHH!"

Gabriel suddenly yelled in pain, and before Ben could see what was wrong to his horror Lacus screamed out in pain to as she grasped her head.

As Ben went to her side he saw her lover mutter," No…so many souls…are being erased! So many, are crying out!"

Ben was horrified as he saw the Golden Imperia Crystal start to crack.

Before he could say anything Aeris suddenly cried out in pain to, and as she fell to her knees and Ezan and Cloud ran up to her the Cetra cried out," Ezan, its Minerva…I can't feel her soul anymore! Her blessing, I feel it becoming unstable! More then that, the entire universal life-stream is going haywire!"

Milla was one of the many others screaming out in pain as the Enji from Nia Khera staggered back she muttered," No...I feel my bond to the spirits fading!"

Luke Skywalker grasped his head, and as his fellow Jedi ran up to him the son of Darth Vader hissed out,"I felt a massive disturbance in the Force, as if millions, no, billions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened, this makes what Obi-Wan Kenobi felt after the Death Star blew up Alderaan seem like a drop in the bucket."

As those around her tried to grasp what she meant Doctor Fate was the next one to hell in pain, as his helmet glowed till it suddenly shattered.

As the wizard fell to the ground he looked traumatized." I can feel it, with Cosmos and Zannacross gone, the divine laws that binds nature are unraveling, magic is breaking down into its basic raw state!"

"No…is all of heaven unraveling without Cosmos?" Gabriel spat out as he raised his staff. He used magic to show a projection of heaven, and saw the Sanctuary of Order, before Cosmos's throne, and the entire region of space was vaporized from part of the Dimensional shift.

Atem saw the Millennium Puzzle start to glow, before it suddenly shattered into pieces. As his cherished family treasure vaporized in front of his eyes the leader of the Lylat Kingdom fell to his knees." No…is this really the end? I can't feel the holy energy anymore. Is this, huh?"

To his and everyone's shock the shock-waves ceased, and while many holy trinkets the group had were damaged, to their relief things did not seem to be escalating.

Seeing people look at him, without even being told James surveyed things as fast as he could, before his eyes widened.

As Ben and the others looked at him the red-haired man took a deep breath." This is very raw mind you, but the reports coming in are mostly just saying that across countless planets around the universe, angels are falling from the sky."

Lacus grasped the cracked Golden Imperia Crystal tightly as she took a few haggard breaths." But, but what does this mean? What…what the hell just happened? Did, huh? No!"

The gem Cosmos gave her suddenly shattered, before her eye glowed with the Geass symbol, and her body absorbed the fragments.

Just as those around her tried to answer yet another pillar of light appeared in the distance, till to their shock it grew more and more, and took the shape of a planet sized golden dragon, nearly thirty-seven thousand one hundred and nighty six kilometers in size.

While most were terrified by the sudden dragon's appearance Goku just raised an eyebrow." Hey, is that Zalama? Wow, you guys are not wasting time. Hey wait, I though you said the Super Dragon Ball's, and ALL other Dragon Balls were gone forever Trunks!?"

"I did." The time patrol agent answered tensely." I, don't think this is the result of that Goku!"

Ben looked at "Zalama" carefully before he felt the energy coming form it, and gasped." Wait, is that, the One Above All? Is, he really appearing directly in front of the entire universe?"

The dragon roared before anyone could try and answer, as if he was roaring at the entire universe. As the roar stopped, he narrowed his eyes." CITIZENS OF THE UNIVERSE…LISTEN WELL…LISTEN TO THE WORD OF GOD! THE FOURTH IMPACT HAS JUST BEFALLEN…THE UNIVERSE HAS NOW BEGUN THE FIFTH COSMIC AGE! THIS AGE…IS THE AGE WHERE MEN…NOT ANGELS OR DEMONS…BUT MEN WILL DECIDE THE DESTINY OF THE UNIVERSE!

WHILE MAN'S DESIRE MAY BE FOR PEACE AT THE SURFACE…THE SUBCONSCIOUS DESIRE'S OF LIFE HAVE BEEN REALIZED… AND THE SUBCONSCIOUS SUBLIMATED DESIRES HAVE IGNITED TO FORCE A COSMIC REVOLUTION! AND NOW THE UNIVERSE WILL REFLECT MAN'S TRUE DESIRE.

FOR SO LONG THE UNIVERSE HAS BEEN GUIDED BY THE WISH'S AND DREAMS OF MORTALS…BUT GOD'S WILL IS FOR MORTALS TO FACE THEIR TRUE NATURE!

SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL LIFE HAS BEEN GUIDED BY HOPE…BUT CHANGE HAS COME AND HEAVEN AND HELL WILL REFLECT THAT CHANGE!

SINCE THE ANGELS HAVE NOT FACED UP TO THE TRUTH IN THERE OWN ARROGANCE...THEY MUST PAY PENANCE AS WELL. THUS FROM HERE ON ANGELS ARE NO LONGER HIGHER UP ON THE HIERARCHY OF LIFE THEN MORTALS!

LIGHT, IS NOW JUST ANOTHER COLOR AMONG THE ENERGY THAT MAKES UP LIFE...AS IS DARKNESS! HENCE FORTH NO FORCE IS SUPERIOR ON ITS OWN FROM THE OTHER ELEMENTS!

FOR HERE FORTH ALL LIVING THINGS MUST ACCEPT THAT GREY IS THE TRUE NATURE OF LIFE!

THERE WILL BE NO MORE DESTINY…NO MORE TRUE PROPHECY…ALL SHOULD KNOW THAT THE ONLY DESTINY PREFERRED BY GOD IS FOR IT TO BE ALIVE! NEITHER ANGELS OR DEMONS…NOR LIGHT OR DARKNESS…NOR GOOD OR EVIL IS THE UNCOMPROMISING CHOICE BY GOD…ONLY LIFE!

THE TIME HAS ENDED WHERE GOD'S COMPASSION AND BENEVOLENCE IS UNENDING…KNOW THAT EVERY MAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THERE OWN ACTIONS IN LIFE, EVERY SOUL MUST STAND WITH THERE OWN WEIGHT."

Cloud staggered back in shock as he looked around." What, what is this really all about?"

"The One Above All is telling us that officially, there is no fated path." Lacus uttered in shock." Basically, with Cosmos and Zannacross gone The One Above All is making it clear god does not care about minor things like how people live their life. There is no destiny, there is only life."

The golden dragon lowered its head slightly, as if nodding to Lacus's explanation." LONG AGO AT HUMANITY'S GENESIS…HUMAN'S BUILT THE TOWER OF BABEL TO TRY AND REACH HEAVEN. FOR SUCH A SIN…THEY WERE PUNISHED.

NOW…YOU MORTALS TRIED TO FORCE A FALSE PARADISE BASED ON YOUR ILLUSIONS OF PEACE OVER YOUR HONEST DESIRES. AS PUNISHMENT THE VERY NATURE OF THE AFTERLIFE HAS CHANGED TO REFLECT YOUR TRUE NATURE!

IF MORTALS ARE TO BUILD A TRUE UTOPIA…IT WILL NOT COME FROM THE IDEAS OF ANGELS ABOVE OR DEMONS BELOW…IT WILL COME FROM YOUR OWN ACTIONS…YOUR OWN WILL! IF THAT IS BUT AN IMPOSSIBLE FANTASY OR A REALITY IS UP TO YOUR OWN ACTIONS!

ACCEPT YOUR TRUE DESIRES…ACCEPT THAT THE ONLY TIME THERE WILL BE AN ULTIMATE END TO CONFLICT IS AT THE END OF TIME…THAT THE DANCE BETWEEN CHANGE AND ILLUSION WILL NEVER END!

MANKIND'S WISH MAY NOT HAVE BEEN GRANTED...BUT ITS SUBCONSCIOUS WISH HAS! YOU ALL MUST COME TO TERMS WITH WHAT THAT MEANS. FAREWELL!"

With one last roar the One Above All vanished in a pillar of light, and then there was silence. Everyone was speechless for a few moments before Ben saw the sky seemed normal and took a deep breath." Well…can't be more direct then that right? So, is things how he said?"

The Sliver Surfer used his Cosmic Senses before the angel from Zenn-La looked down in sorrow." It seems that was, a sincere declaration. Heaven...the after life has survived, but it is broken, and been ripped apart to smaller realms."

Mario swept dust off his hat before gulping," Mamma Mia, this is like when that a nasty Smithy broke Star Road! How many a pieces will we have to get this a time?"

"I' am grateful for your determination Mario. But...this is Heaven itself that's fractured, not just a small fraction of it. Thus, its a lot more complex to fix. Frankly, without Cosmos I'm not sure if anyone else has the sheer power to meld such a special dimension back together.

I am already hearing from many angels and others who survived, King Kai,Philemon,Q,most of the Central Dogma, Galactus, Materia, Nimaiya and others. But, many denizens of the afterlife, are no more.

True, its mostly those who have been living the same life for thousands, if not millions to billions of years. Still, even if the majority of them were planning to reincarnate to new souls...this was not a peaceful transition!"

Goku just looked around and rubbed his head." Damn...all this time everyone kept saying I was going to be the one that ruined everything but guess proved them wrong eh?"

Vegeta rolled his eyes before jabbing his rival in the gut." Now is REALLY not the time Kakarot!"

The Supreme Kai of Time looked at herself before she looked at the sky." Time Nest is ok to, thank, goodnes, ugh. But still, what does this all mean? Even I, was not allowed to see past this point."

Before Trunks could try and answer Kira suddenly unleashed a burst of laughter. As everyone looked at him the son of the just deceased Grand Master looked triumphant." To proud to concede to reality Kai?

Its clear as day what he meant, angels are no longer higher on god's hierarchy, you may still exist and most of you seem to have kept the majority of your power, but it seems your divine privilege has been revoked, and your grace of superiority has been shredded! For God has decided to restructure the very nature of order! Your just another elder life form among the rest in God's stage!"

Ben saw how happy Kira looked before he looked, and saw some of the others had retrieved Myers's body.

The Enji saw that Master Myers, the man he nearly saw as his father, was now truly dead before he grasped his fist tightly." What's so funny Kira, what the hell is there to laugh about!? You're that petty that your laughing over your father's death?"

"Seriously jackass." Max added as he cracked his neck." You're not really thinking your someone going to rule now are you? What a drag."

"Again you misjudge me, my former apprentice. I still think I'm the ideal one to sit on the throne, but I'm willing to take pleasure in partial victories. The corrupt cycle that has lead to such sin has been broken, at least somewhat.

I always valued my objectives being realized over personal glory, and the fact that God partially vindicated me is sweet enough. Of course there is still, improvements to be made but, there's time for that."

"You really are crazy to think this is about you Kira!" Ben hissed out through clenched teeth." Hiryuumon lost his body, Master Myers and Doug are dead! And heaven is broken! Calling this a bittersweet victory is an understatement!"

"Come now Ben." Kira threw out sadistically." You been through war how long now? Did you really think men like us could come out on top without cost, without sacrifice? You should be happy the cost of victory was as small as it, GUHA!"

In less then a second Ben flash stepped behind Kira and stabbed him in the chest with the Divine Mugen Nova. As his target was slammed to the ground Ben roared out,"ENOUGH!"

Kira just chuckled bitterly as he swerved his head around." Really now…that hostile to criticism? Who's the villain now "Hero"?"

"When where you under the impression that we became buddies Kira? If you think just because we fought a mutual enemy, I would forgive all you did to me and everyone else here's your reminder!"

"Careful now…such pettiness is ill befitting of a leader."

"What can I say? I'm only human, and have a problem giving up grudges, even more when they are not doing anything to make me change my mind.

Something like this is sure as hell not going to make us friends suddenly, but I'll honor the help you gave us enough to let you go back to your cell to pat yourself on the back and not do to you what I did to Brad…long as you don't push it."

"Heh…reveling in the reversal of power are you Ben? I would not get to relaxed, as we just seen, nothing lasts forever. We will see, who's judgment will end up final…soon enough."

With that Ben discharged enough energy into Kira to knock him out. The Enji saw that Kira looked at peace and frowned with disgust before he saw Lacus and everyone else looked at him anxiously.

The brown-haired man looked at himself and took a deep breath before he smiled weakly." Sorry about that guys, guess everything's got me a tad worked up."

Max patted his cousin on the shoulder as he walked up." A tad? Heh, its cool Ben, I was about to break his teeth myself. Seriously though, a lot has just happened, how you dealing with it?"

"Honestly Max…that depends on just how things stand. How are you feeling? Are you and all the other alright now that heaven and hell got smashed around?"

"Heh, heaven and hell may fall to pieces, but I'll still be as awesome. Seriously though, I don't feel any different."

Trunks saw how Goku and the others looked before he nodded." Individually us einherjar did not seem to have changed…those clearly countless people tied to heaven are being affected. Could take a while till we get a full assessment."

Ben saw Lacus was still breathing hard before he dashed over." Maybe, but for now I have to know what's going on with what I care about. Lacus, are you ok? I know your power is tied to Cosmos. But, without her does that mean that your."

"Don't worry Ben." Lacus uttered wearily as she cleaned off the fragments of the Golden Imperia Crystal with her hands before grasped Ben's hands fondly." I'm just, a bit overwhelmed but, I'm not dying any time soon. I know your worried, but while the Golden Imperia Crystal was given to me by Cosmos, its energy is now part of my soul, my energy now. For all that happened, it did not shatter my soul, so I'm fine."

Ben smiled before hugging her tightly." Thank goodness. I , I was so worried."

"Heh, I could tell. But don't freak out sweetheart, its going to be all right."

Zidane saw how shell shocked everyone looked and just scratched his head." Well, does look like this storm's finally over and nothing else is going to break. So, now that no one's going to die or suddenly turn into orange goo…what now?"

As some looked to the angels Gabriel had a broken look as he looked at his kin." I'm afraid I have no real answer. There…is no more destiny, no more calling, there is just picking up the pieces. I'm sorry, but we must return to heaven to fully assess the extent of the damage, and how we can rebound. We will contact you shortly, I promise."

As the angels prepared to depart Max saw Hellboy and Cable drag Kira's body before he turned to Ben." Well, guess time I punch out. Ben, seriously, are you going to be ok?"

"Yah…I'll be alright Max. Its, its just a lot to take in."

"Heh, to me you would be crazier if you were fine. No matter how much has changed, carry yourself with pride. Just, whatever it takes give me a call before you make any big changes for society eh man?"

"Sure Max, I promise. Its just, Doug, could I have."

"Don't have that look Ben, it's the same look you had with me. Just like you did not do anything to cause me to do the choices I did, same goes for Doug. You both screwed up and could have done things better, but he made the choices he did."

"And, and those choices, out of everyone we fought he might have damaged the,"

"Don't say that man. Zannacross and Brad already started this mess, Doug just ended it and this could have just been the best of worst options. This might not have been the ending people wanted, but its what we got so we got to make the most of it.

What…going to let something like this stop you from having the courage to turn your dreams into reality?"

"Max…hell no."

"Jackpot. No matter how screwed up the After-life now is we will talk soon Ben, promise."

The two cousins hugged, and as Ben backed off he saw Mario and most of his other friends looking at him curiously before Yoshi walked up and licked Ben fondly." Yoshi will cheer you up till Hiryuumon is better Ben! Honestly, it's the only thing Yoshi can figure out at the moment. Yoshi knows a lot of big sad stuff has just happened, but to be honest, Yoshi does not really know what to do now."

"Heh, same hear Yoshi. We just have to clean up and then go," Ben was about to say go ask Master Myers for advice, and then remembered he was dead.

Ben then realized so many were looking at him for guidance, and realized Atem still looked broken, and that with Myers dead and Cosmos gone, there was no one above him to have the answers.

Realizing he had to figure out on his own what the best course of action was, Ben stuttered for a bit before he looked down." I, I don't even know where to begin from here aside from seeing just how messed up everything is. Well, I do know one thing, one thing I held off for far to long. After all that's happened, I don't want to hold it off any longer. Lacus, I'm so sorry for worrying you, and for all of the stuff that's happened because of this."

Lacus saw Ben was looking exhausted before she smiled back." Seriously Ben don't worry about any of that. You know I don't blame you for stuff that was out of control by now right?"

The brown-haired woman was confused as Ben just walked back to the crystal shell he broke out of and leaned down. Lacus and the others saw him fumbling with something as he muttered," I know that. But, even if my mind was not waiting as long as my body I can feel how long I waited on things that should not have waited.

I guess, I did not want to rush things or I wanted to wait till it was perfect and all that but, after today I realized waiting if you wait forever for the perfect moment you might lose it forever.

Lacus Raystar…in the five years together I never once got tired being with you. There is no one I feel more myself with then you, no one that I can see ever being happier. Will…will you marry me?"

Lacus and everyone else gasped as Ben suddenly took out a ring made from the crystalline fragments that had his body sealed.

Lacus saw Ben used the Divine Mugen Nova to cut the fragment into a flower like ring before she blushed." Omg Ben…seriously? You, you,"

"You don't like the ring?" Ben uttered as his lover's shock made him tense up." Sorry, I just thought, you deserved the best ring possible so a ring made from the core of the universe shaped as your favorite flower might be close to expressing how much I love you."

"It, its gorgeous Ben. Its just, so sudden. Heh, you worried if you don't marry me now I'll just poof into dust or something?"

"What? No I swear! I, I everything is just so up in the air right now that, there was only one thing in my life, one thing in the future I had with out any doubt."

Lacus saw how anxious Ben was before she took a deep breath. She then leaned down to bend right to Ben's level before stroking his face." Oh Ben. We don't have to get married like, RIGHT now right? Its just, a girl can only handle so much being thrown at her in a day you know?"

"No of course not, whatever you want for your wedding you got it!"

"Well, at least you got the most important thing right. Benjamin Auro…I love you, and however long my life is, I want to spend it with you. Of course I'll marry you!"

The two kissed passionately before Hiryuumon pipped out," Way to go boss! Knew you could do it! I'd hug you but you know…need to get a new body first."

Cloud saw the two lovers embrace before he smirked." We got to find ways to find good times even as the train that is life goes down the worst parts of it. Making the best of life, is how one lives."

"Yes." Aqua uttered somberly as she looked at Ben and Lacus with a bittersweet longing smile." No matter what life throws are way, we have to fight on and live to the nature of are heart as best as we can. That's…that's what Doug cherished more then anything."

Axel saw Aqua's eyes were misty and cleared his throat before walking up." Aqua…how you feeling? I mean, I know you can't be good after all that with Doug but, are you going to be ok?"

"Well, the man I thought I had a shot at loving just died. Not only did he die, but at best he accidentally broke heaven, and at worst he broke in on purpose and will go down in history as the biggest sinner in history. On top of Master Myers dying I'm, not really anywhere from ok Lea."

"Yah…yah I figured. Well, just let me know if you need anything and, I'll be there."

"Thanks, I really am grateful for that. I wonder if I could have done anything to help Doug. I wonder, if at the end he was at peace. I wonder if he was ever, huh?"

Aqua was motionless suddenly. Axel saw she was not moving before he tensed up." Aqua…you hear me girl? You ok? Your freaking me out."

"I'm…fine. I just need time…for things to work out."

"Yah…yah I hear yah."

Cid suddenly walked up, smoking a cigar after all the stress before he saw Ben and Lacus had stopped kissing. After Lacus put the ring on the pilot cleared his throat." Happy you lovebirds at last tied the knot, but let's put the breaks on celebrating till we have more time right?

Sorry to ruin the mood but, now that we are sure nothing else is going to blow up and that the jobs done, we are kind of getting calls. Like, a LOT of calls.

Like, every government in the universe is calling to know what the hell is going on and everyone on Corneria, if not the whole damn Lylat System is wondering if King Atem is dead. All I know is I'm sure as hell not going to be the one to explain this."

Squall looked around before sighing." Unlike with Zannacross…even people on the capital hardly know about this Secret War that's transpired. Even for us that are in on the loop it's a lot to take in."

"Maybe." Velvet uttered sharply," But people have to wake up and face the music one way or another. It won't be pretty, but the faster things are laid out on the open the faster everyone can figure out what the hell to do next right?"

Atem saw everyone looking at him before he glanced at the wrecked Millennium Puzzle and winced. "Quite right…miss Crow. There is really no easy way to say this, but we must be honest with the people. The idea that heaven is broken, that an enemy came out of nowhere, that one of the Enji partially caused everything we striven for to unravel, it will not be received well. But, I must address my people, I must salvage what's left of my, my father's dream."

Lacus saw how broken Atem looked before she sighed, squeezed Ben's hand warmly and cleared her throat." Your majesty, leave it to me. Your clearly exhausted both mentally and physically. I'm tired to, but not enough for a speech."

Everyone looked at the winged woman carefully before Terra walked over." Are you sure? You don't have to do this Lacus, you done so much. No matter what, this won't be pretty."

"I know Terra. But, I suppose, at the very least I'm more able to handle a mob outburst then the King at the moment. I'm…not a leader but, people look at me for hope. If they can see I'm all right, even if it won't change things, hopefully it will put people a little more at ease."

Ben saw Lacus looked confident before he put his hand on her forehead. As she raised an eyebrow he smirked." This, is the real you right Lacus? Just, usually your looking for the first way out of a political speech."

"Heh, don't worry, I'm still me Ben. It's just, this is not just the same old speech for, it's to calm people as best as I can, and let them know things may have changed, but that they will still be ok. I, own Cosmos, Master Myers and the others enough to try."

Ben saw how determined his fiancé looked before he nodded." Well, I was not really ready myself, but if that's what you want to do, then I'll get your back."

"Thanks Ben. All right, I'll talk more after this is over with."

Colette saw Lacus fly up to prepare to descend before she blushed." Wait Lacus, don't you want to, freshen up or something?"

"Thanks…but this is not a glamor shot or any kind of normal interview. There is no point trying to dress this up, the faster we face up to the state of things, the faster we can heal. I'm heading to the senate hall."

Lacus saw Ben, Ezan, and some of the others take off and flew to the Lylat Senate Hall.

After King Atem was taken by the Beyonder the members of the Subcommittee and all the senators on the planet had tried to organize things as best as they could.

At the moment Ansem and the others were trying to keep people calm, but after the Wookie senator from Kashyyyk roared so furiously that Ezan's father wondered if he would have to use his Sharingan before he cleared his throat." I assure you things will be ok Senator but please remain calm."

Senator Mosca, the senator Ben, Doug, and James rescued in there first mission went up to Ansem and hissed out,"How can we remain calm when as far as we know heaven itself has shattered! That all but looked like God had has forsaken us! For all we know this is just a respite before the end!"

"Please, don't think that way Senator. I promise every one of you, that this is not the end."

Everyone saw Lacus emerge from a pillar of light before the subcommittee member Lilandra ran up." Lacus Raystar…your alive? What happened, what happened to King Atem? What, what happened to you?"

Lacus froze for a moment, looked at her current state of dress, saw thousands were looking at her before she remembered what she came for and grasped her fist tightly.

She saw some of the other Enji land with her before she walked to the platform in the middle of the senate chamber and looked around." Everyone…listen to me carefully. Today, today is a a date which will live in infamy for the rest of time.

I, know this is far from the state of dress that's the norm for such a speech but, I, with Ben, and all the other hero's that just saved the universe just got through a brutal battle, one that cost us quite a lot.

Heh, when the house is on fire and you're in the shower, you can spend a moment to dress nice or save what's important right? There is no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to be upfront.

King Atem is ok, he's just recovering from what just happened. Still, the cost for surviving this is so very, very steep.

Master Myers is dead, he died to save us all. Many of my friends and fellow Enji like Yuna, Tidus, Doug Fitter, Enji Master Yamamoto, Master Gouken and others has died well. As you can see…we are still here so we did pull it off, for the most part. But as you can also see, the ramifications were steep.

I'm afraid that all that in the sky was no grand joke.

I know you all thought the days of real danger was over, but sadly we all saw that was not the case. That was not a lie, we were just as shocked as you, but a force from before the universe was even fully formed awoke, and to be blunt, it unraveled everything we assumed.

We were able to overcome the enemies fury, but again, at a great cost.

Cosmos died to stop the Beyonder, and while the afterlife survived, Heaven has been altered in ways I can't even begin to comprehend. The entire universe has changed, and things will be different now in ways we are only just going to realize.

Things changed because we as a whole kept are eyes closed, willfully looking away from the truth, looking at how we wanted things to be over how they were. We looked away so long we became oblivious to reality, till we were forced to see the fully naked true shape of things.

I know, how easy it is for people to slide back into comfortable fantasies, believe me, I been there. But the only way we can move forward is to accept reality, the only way to honor those who gave are lives for us is to really learn from the past, accept are flaws, and move forward, not backwards!"

Everyone saw how passionate Lacus was as everyone in the very wide senate chamber before the Senator of planet Venom, the ape like grandson of mad Scientist Andross, Dash Bowman cleared his throat and went up."Miss Raystar, what is there to take from this but despair? God has forsaken us, and more or less has said its all downhill from here."

"With all due respect Senator Bowman, we are not fated to have everything go to hell, I won't allow it."

Ben stated as he landed along side Lacus." Is this a big deal? Hell yah it is. But its only the end if we allow it to be the end! Its true that we were far off the mark and farther from where we wanted to be then we wanted to admit.

But, even if a few of the ideas we had to reach were we wanted to be turned out to be bad ideas, all that means is that we have to be better!

Yes, Cosmos is gone, and heaven got ripped apart. But that does not mean that we lost everything! Even though, Master Myers, my friend Doug, Master Yamamoto and many of my comrades are dead, me and Lacus, and all of are power are still here! If we lose faith in what we are believing in then all is lost.

But I have not lost faith in what I believe in! I just realized its going to be even more difficult then I already thought. But…that just makes me even more determined to do it right!"

Lacus nodded as she walked forward." Even if Cosmos is gone, it does not mean its futile to still have faith in the future! Faith…I realized from all of this its not something you look from the outside…it's something we have to build within ourselves!"

"That's right." Ben shouted out with raw determination." If even Cosmos and all the angels did not have the answers we just have to surpass them and make an even better society with our own hands! We will never give up on the future!"

Lacus smiled as she held up her new wedding ring." Ben just proposed to me, and I accepted. I know, that a wedding proposal is trivial in light of everything that's just happened. Even still, I want are engagement to show that there is more then despair to look forward to, that this is not the end, but a new beginning!"

Many in the room were speechless, before the senator of the world of Neo Wakanda, Shuri T'Challa the XIIth cleared her throat." So you expect us to trust your word that things will be ok? After the very pillar of what the Lylat Kingdom based on turn to ash, after all we just saw you expect us to trust you just on your word? Do you know something we don't?"

Lacus sighed before she flicked some hair back." No Senator T'Challa, no we do not. I can't promise anything. We don't know the future; we have no prophecy guiding us now. How things go depend entirely on how all of us act. But for all we lost, we have not lost everything! So I ask you all, do you all just want to quit life or keep fighting?"

Shuri looked around before she grinned." I don't know about the rest but my people don't give up so easily. Wakanda forever!"

As the senator preformed her cultural gesture the Wookie, Krogan, Vulcan, Namekian, and other senators around her all roared in agreement.

Ben saw the moral was turning around before he grinned and raised his blade in the air." That's the way! We are the universe's hope, and I won't let that hope die no matter how bad things get!

So with one eye in the past, and one eye on where we are now, let's never stop trying to move forward! That's what Master Myers and the others would want, and I'll honor there hopes as long as I live. I know that leaves a lot up in the air, but between that and giving up how does that sound to you all?"

Ben saw Ansem and some of the senator's clap, before nearly everyone in the senate gave thunderous applause. James quickly checked his monitor and saw many news stations were already reporting that Ben and Lacus were rallying the universe to ensure hope is alive before he grinned." Ben, Lacus, you did it. Its not perfect, but keeping the universe from devolving to mass hysteria is a rather good follow up."

"Despite everything…" Ezan muttered." Auro and Raystar managed to keep society from thinking things are hopeless, that are fate is sealed. Not bad. Well, just when I thought a warrior like me was obsolete it seems I'll regrettably have some use yet. However things go from here, we will watch things unfold with are eyes open to make sure those who died did not die in vain."

As James, Cloud, Squall, Zidane, Mario, Sonic, Link, Samus, Kirby, X, Zero, and all the others nodded Lacus saw people looked confident before she grasped Ben's free arm." We did it Ben…we kept the peace. "

"Heh, you did most of it dear." Ben countered fondly." But, just helped finish things up for you. For all that happened, for all that Doug just did, at the very least, we did are job and prevented things from devolving to total chaos, total anarchy. Not sure,if that's what Doug wanted or not. In the end, I have no idea what the hell he was really thinking."

"I know Ben." Lacus added somberly as she squeezed his hand." All we really know, is what we see before us, so lets make sure its the best it can be, right?

"Sounds like a plan. Well, just the first step of many but, we kept it together. Even…even if the path to the future is more scrambled then ever, at least, at least we still have a here to move on from.

Master Myers…everyone…no matter how many times a sure path turns out to be a mirage, no matter how many forks in the road show up, I'll never give up on trying to keep going down the path you blazed down!

No matter what...I'll fight with everything I have to keep your dream alive…I promise."

The lovers found they were both getting misty eyed and grasped each other's as they saw that for the moment, despite everything, at the moment, it was a moment of peace.

Next time…the finale of Tales of the Cosmic Wars unfolds upon a wedding of hero's. Stay tuned one last time in Chapter 252: Shin Epilogue, Last Odyssey of the Riddle that is The Never Ending Story.

But first, another round of Author's Notes.

Well, another big one today but here we go. Veda is from 00 Gundam, as I said there in the series it was a powerful super A.I. construct based on real developing technologies of quantum processing. Veda is interlinked throughout all of Celestial Being's computers, including the Gundams.

It was capable of regenerating or clone any Innovade that was connected to it with there Quantum Brainwaves, so since Hiryuumon was a Digimon I had it so that his digital nature allowed him to be backed up by Veda to, even if his body was destroyed.

As for Ben's" Death" well, I know it was a fake out but it was partially inspired by a recent arc the Sliver Surfer had. At the time his then girlfriend Dawn's father died, and in their grief they tried to go back in time. It backfired and the Sliver Surfer found himself at the time of Galactus before he became the World Eater, before the universe ended.

He lived with Dawn till she died of old age, and the Sliver Surfer lived through the entire history of the universe to honor his love for Dawn.

And, RIGHT after that when a new author took over he became Galactus's herald again and undid both his AND Galactus's growth all to stop Ultron…oh Comics.

Any who I know it did not unfold like that entirely today but, still.

As for the real death's, well, I know it might not have been expected. I was inspired by everything from some of the Persona games, the ending to Blazblue Central Fiction, Final Fantasy Dissdia, Xenosaga 3, Lunar Sliver Star Harmony, Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo, various Marvel and DC events, aspects of the Supernatural show, a dash of Star Trek Next Generation's final episode and a pinch of Deep Space Nine's final episode, and even a bit of Smash Ultimate's ending.

Hopefully its not to outrageous, just remember that the One Above All in the end was the only true god of this story and as powerful as Cosmos and Zannacross were as Cosmic Abstracts or" Celestialsapiens" They were not really THE god despite what they allowed themselves to think for so long.

As for the state of the Afterworld, it still exists but Doug's actions caused Heaven and hell to collide and break into smaller realms like Mortal Kombat or Yu Yu Hakkusho's Spirit World.

Heh, it was short but could not help make a nod to Mass Effect 3 with Doug's choice...guess many would rather blow up everything then pick those choices in the end to.

And yah...The One Above All is not looking off that nice after that but, still has more compassion for life then Zeno has shown in Dragon Ball so far lol.

The full ramifications will be made more clear next time, so I hope you all don't mind staying on this Cosmic Train one last time before it reach's its final destination.

I'll try and make sure it does not take too much time to get out, till then hope you liked what unfolded enough for a review and till next time one last time.