AN: Recently, I came across some old notes from my plans regarding Batman X Re:Zero...and ran into the fabled, "Lost Arc". These chapters were meant to be Arc 9, but due to time constraints and deadlines I was trying to keep up with, I skipped it entirely. Though it does officially happen in the story, and would be considered Arc 8.5, or so.
I'll just skim down the,"OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS" I dotted down on a liquor stained paper towel.
"It has been two months since the end of their battle and our heroes have tried to find peace as they heal their wounds and establish in friendly camaraderie, or even outright romantic advances.
However, a single event transpires that splits all our favorite allies across the four corners of the world.
Batman, Subaru, Beatrice, Sarah, a disguised Reinhard, Felt, Rom and Deathstroke head into the snow capped lands of Gusteko, trying to dismantle the dreaded Assassination Organization that has hounded against them for years. Only to wind up in the sudden outbreak of a rebellion, further spiraling them into an unfathomable situation. With Reinhard coming to grips with his orders to kill Batman should he become a threat to Lugnica, what will happen to them in this northern catastrophe?
Emilia, Ram, Rem, Roswaal and Petra accompany Annerose and Clind to a meeting with the Priscilla Camp, near the Vollachian border; but soon also run into the Crusch Camp. But this friendly encounter leads to an all out struggle for survival as they are all beset by a rogue God General and his minions, intent on getting revenge for the events of the previous Arc. Can our heroes hold out?
Anastasia's Camp, along with a surprise accompaniment of Frederica, Garfiel and Otto, along with The Three Goons of Felt, help them with negotiations for the Candidates company in Kararagi. Only to become embroiled in a manhunt against an escaped criminal named Garavito; a rescue operation to save Ton, Chin, Kon from slave traders; and a mad struggle to escape a pursuing Zarestia. And among all this, what does a mysterious swordsman named Halibel want with Frederica? Can our heroes escape this foreign land, alive?
These world spanning adventures blast into the crossover realm, as Batman X Re: Zero, crashlands into, "THE GREAT TRIBULATION ARC"!
Or at least, that's how it would've gone.
.
.
.
Uhhh, well I got to watch Godzilla King of the Monsters, and I really liked it! I do feel that the human characters were given waaaay too much time in the film, but it's almost tradition, y'know? Brave through the mostly boring humans, before getting to the BIG ASS MONSTERS beating the crap out of each other.
Oh well...
Welp, without further ado, you beautiful goons and ghouls, please ENJOY.
Chapter 36: A Promise to You
Wilhelm and Ovidius held him down as he kicked and writhed, screaming as if his entire body was torn apart. Genau also rushed to him, trying to use his body weight to keep him from running off somewhere. Ram ran through the halls, past a clearly disoriented Emilia, all they could was that.
Hold him down.
Try and let him have his fit, as he screamed and yelled, cursed out the fate he had just learned.
About the fate of his own flesh and blood.
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.
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The day was, quite normal, as Plum ran through the streets. She ended up hopping over some steps and turned a corner, making it back to her home. But before she could ran home happy as can be, she turned her head...as made a sullen expression.
Of course she would, seeing a house that was across the street from hers...still under repair.
Many buildings were still being looked over and others had to be completely demolished just to be rebuilt.
With the time allotted, the healing process had begun.
Jolokia was taking a seat nearby, watching as Plum ran back home. He wasn't too busy, smoking on a pipe of herbs as Callaloo snacked on some berries, ironically having retrieved them from that same market. He blew some smoke, looking as the patrons and workers continued about this day.
Time did begin moving forward.
For it was because, that one day, had passed on by one week.
The report he was forced to read, made his stomach turn.
Exogenesis Attack
Lugnican Casualties: 340
Exogenesis Casualties: 1,100
Property damage: 1.2 million gold
Injuries: 1,450
Subaru had gotten up from his chair, which overlooked some flowers being grown. He took some small steps, going for a small walk around the De La Soul Estate. He noticed how in less than one week, with the efforts of his Red Lanterns, the building looked brand spanking new, untouched by the battle that occurred a week ago.
He touched the wall, and softly inhaled. And he heard a sudden voice.
"Please don't break it Natsuki-san, I'd rather not have to call the others from their homes."
Subaru sighed and peeked over at Ovidius, who this time wore the same snazzy clothes, but this time covered with a completely buttoned up black topsuit.
He walked over and patted Subaru on the shoulder.
"Hey Ovidius, what's up?"
"Nothing too pressing, just coming back from several meetings with our new financial adviser."
Subaru trembled hearing that, as Ovidius rubbed his goggles with a wipe, proceeding to clean the rest of his helmet mask.
"Goodness, I have to watch how I explain things."
"No, it's just, well...y'know."
"Of course, even I don't have to assume the feelings stirring in you."
He leaned on the wall tapping on the window.
"We all barely made it out of that nasty day, with most of our bearings."
"...Speaking of which, how is the new adviser?"
"...? Ah, fine I'd say. She rose quite quickly, even past Russel Fellow."
"She participated in the war right?"
"Correct, she was a mage who mostly fought in the Vollachian Front, her name is Aldious."
"Wait, isn't she Felix's girlfriend?!"
"Again, correct, you remember her right?"
He recalled the woman in question and how she was very prideful and book-smart...and how Felix was very accommodating to her.
Subaru's brows winced.
"D-Didn't Felix talk with Wilhelm about her?"
"Riiiight, she seems to be a domineering kind of woman, who one would say is the man of the household."
Both looked up and imagined the BDSM kind of love the two could be making...leather suits, whips and chains.
Both of them shuddered in horror.
"Geez, is he always into those kind of girls?"
"Everyone hides some kind of fetish, I guess."
Ovidius hid his laughs, but relented as he saw Subaru bumping his chest to control his laughter.
But Subaru and Ovidius peeked over, and saw a little someone coming over.
"Hiya, everyone!"
"...Hey, Mimi."
Mimi Pearlbaton skipped on over, happy, way too happy...creepily happy. Her previously adorable light blue eyes, were now the very same color but swirls. Swirls of the inner madness within her.
Around her neck, was a white fox scarf, almost identical to the one Anastasia owned.
"What's up Mimi?"
"Everyone just wanted to say!"
"...Oh."
Mimi put the fox head up to her ear and nodded.
"Ricardo said hello, and so did my brothers!"
Yet, no sound ever came from the scarf, forcing Subaru and Ovidius to uncomfortably wave back.
"Ahaha, my lady says she still wants to kiss ya! Can you kiss her? Well, well?"
"Um, sure?"
Subaru leaned down and kissed the fox, making Mimi blush happily as she twirled around.
"See, see? Everyone is having a great day! Mimi is soooo happy today!"
"Right."
"Um, Mimi has to go into to town, so I might be late back, okay?"
"Sure, take your time."
Mimi nodded, waving bye for now and flew off. Ovidius groaned at what he wrought in this situation, Subaru agreed.
"It's almost too painful to see her like that."
"Agreed, but lying to her like this, was the last thing I wanted to do, but it was necessary."
Completely reeling in seeing her, Subaru held his head as if he had a migraine.
"Telling her about a fucking scarf that houses souls, the souls of her only family. Voices only she can hear? How did we stoop so low?!"
"Sometimes it's the dirtier solutions that get the job done."
"...I can't dispel that, especially after all the bullshit I rubbed over everyone."
Subaru sat on the grass, with Ovidius rubbing his own neck.
"That day was a complete mess, for everyone involved."
"It's complete crap...Has Genau or Wilhelm told you anything yet?"
"Sadly not, their search has only yielded inconsequential captures. We, haven't found Crusch or her stronger lackeys."
Distraught, Subaru scratched his nose, mellowing in the thought of that woman still alive despite their efforts.
"...Natsuki-san."
"How can I own up to this? All those people died, lost their homes and livelihood, cause I fucked up and didn't end her like I should've."
"Look, you already informed all of us about who that woman really was, and her position with us in the forgotten past."
It was true, a day after the Exogenesis Attack, Subaru told his closest friends and allies on the real identity of Crusch, her past as a candidate and how it was possible that everyone besides him forgot about her.
He...was quickly forgiven, with Wilhelm being surprisingly calm about the fate of his former master. Felix did seem troubled by it, but he enjoyed his new life, and didn't want anything to do with a terrorist, regardless of her past.
Thus, even if she was a Karsten, none of them saw her as such. She was simply Crusch, leader of Exogenesis, and the most wanted person on the planet.
"Though I wish to completely absolve somehow of it, I too was responsible in not making sure either she was dead or was bereft of memories. Her and Aldebaran."
"...We'll continue our searches, comb the every inch of this world, until we can find her and…"
His eyes flared up and his scar began to glimmer ominously.
"...We hang put her head on a goddamn pike, as a message to anyone and everyone who even dreams about attacking us again."
"Well said, I'll inform Wilhelm-san and Genau."
Ovidius patted his shoulder, making his feet begin to walk off to speak with them, but Subaru sprung up to his feet, stopping him.
"Ovidius."
"Hm?"
"Listen, you've had my back for the longest time, and I appreciate what you've done on my behalf."
"Hey, it's only necessary."
"No, it-it-it isn't."
Ovidius fixed his goggles as Subaru took in a deep breath.
"Look, when we first met, we made a promise right? A deal."
"Wait, you-"
"-Yeah, I think it's about time."
"Woah, look that's really not necessary, we got thin-"
"-Dude, I know how you can be, but I have to do this. Not only for us, but for the others too, our rings have been doing okay for now. But for now, it's really dangerous! Who knows whether with over a hundred members, we can still maintain the power levels needed to defend ourselves against Exogenesis?!"
"That is a good point."
"Then accept it, accept what I am going to order you to do."
It was quiet, a small gust of wind blowing around them. However, it didn't detract Ovidius in taking off his helmet, staring directly into Subaru's hazel eyes.
"Give the order then."
His hazel eyes saw the seriousness in Ovidius' lime green eyes, giving him the extra shove today it.
"Prepare the announcement...we begin preparations a.s.a.p., for the promise I made to you."
"Yes sir."
Ovidius flew away, leaving Subaru to walk through the gardens as he stared up at the dark blue sky.
"We're really doing this."
Wilhelm walked through the snow capped forest, taking his sweet time, right before stepping over the dead body of an Exogenesis member. He turned his head and heard the screaming, dreadful and nightmarish. Someone was being interrogated by Genau. Wilhelm sat on a tree log and exhaled, the mist emanating from his mouth blood red escaped. The door to a cabin opened and out steeped a clearly riled up Genau.
"Well?"
"Ssssame damn thing, excusesss and liessss. I barely got anything out of all ssssix of them."
"They are quite excellent soldiers then, refusing to give out information like that."
"It'ssss more frusssstrating than anything! I did everything mind sssshatteringly painful assss posssssible! Nothing fucking worked. Now that cabin sssstinks of blood, urine and fecesssss."
"I did not need a complete description thank you."
Genau laid on the ground, peeking up and seeing several streaks of red light passing by.
"More on the ssssearch, huh?"
"The only info we obtained from our last raid was that the base was here, however-"
"-It was jusssst a ssssstockpile and a couple assholessss! Eassssily taken care of, but it happened again!"
"Yes, there is no sign of Crusch."
"Damn it, why issss it so hard to find that bitch?!"
Wilhelm stood up and rubbed his grey hair.
"Maybe she is getting help, from someone with immense power?"
"Who the hell would help her?"
"...Who knows?"
Genau eventually got up and the two took to the sky and began to search from above.
In the underground dimension, where the real Exogenesis members were hiding out, Volcanica moved past the magically constructed mansions they resided in. The blueish scales atop his charcoal grey body glistened as he found himself facing someone else.
Melakuera, the supposed resurrected Great Spirit...however.
"We must speak."
"Hm? And what is it that we must speak about?"
"...The truth behind your identity."
Melakuera seemed taken aback by this, but tried to wave it off.
"Whatever are you speaking of, I wonder?"
"Enough of this, I knew the true Great Spirit, and all of his shapes and forms. This was not one of them."
"Now wai-"
"-Adding to that, did you think I couldn't sense the mana fluctuations swirling around you, are different than the spirit in question?"
The giant ape...then smiled.
"You are a hard one to deceive Great Dragon."
"Reveal yourself."
"Very well."
The body became swirls of light, spinning and forming into a brand new body. A more appropriate corporeal body to show it's true face and name.
A golden furred and feathered hippogriff, it's eyes bright silver and silver halo atop of it's head.
"Who are you exactly?"
"I am the collected form of many spirits, brought together unnoticed by anyone, into one brilliant form. I am the worlds disapproval of the Red Lantern Corps."
"...So a reaction to their dangerous sins."
"Correct, I was the result of their past sins. Garfiel and the Sanctuary. Priscilla and the Bloodstained Roses War. Priestella and the Witch's Cult/Red Lantern War. And finally, the moment that birthed what I am, the World War and the needless destruction that resulted from it."
He rose his wings showing the true majestic power he illuminated.
"I am Longinus, I am the truest miracle, brought to aid you in your time of need."
"...And I take it you tried such trickery, because-?"
"-I am regretful about that, I was worried none of you would trust me as I am."
"Well, do you still wish to seek out the defeat of the Red Lantern Corps.?"
"Indeed I am."
The two giant beings nodded to each other right as they looked down.
"Well Crusch-san? What do you have to say?"
A bandaged up Crusch nodded, smiling seductively.
"I accept all who wish to plant the seed of dissent."
And like that, Longinus was accepted fully into Exogenesis, what role he would play, would be shown in the future.
Mimi ran around, hugging the scarf around her neck, enjoying the brisk day, the swirls in her eyes showing the clear indifference she was experiencing with reality. The grass swayed in the wind, she reached a special area behind the estate...a small graveyard.
This was built to honor the employees and friends who were killed in the attack. Most of the graves did not actually have the bodies buried, that was for their families to decide. Yet ignoring her way through most of them, including the ones honoring the deceased famiy she once had...she found one at the very end, by itself. A well crafted square rectangle shaped gravestone, with a star carved at the top of it.
On it read…
"Mimi, what are doing here?"
"Huh? Oh, Hi Nijino-nee san!"
Nijino came around, on the other side of a bush.
"Where did you come from, Mimi and the others didn't see ya coming!?"
"I just took a walk around, getting my mind clear on things, but I could ask you on what are you up to?"
"Nuthin'! The family said they wanted to go around and get some air!"
"...You mean, them right?"
She apathetically pointed at her fox scarf, making Mimi nod happily.
"Yup! Oh, and hey, hey, they said you look great today!"
"Um, thanks."
Mimi giggled eagerly, making Nijino kneel down and brush her hair.
"Mimi, are you really okay?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't Mimi be okay?"
Staring into her swirling blue eyes, Nijino's orange eyes lowered in sadness.
"Hey, tell ya what...how about we go and have some snacks, I'm buying."
"YEAH! Yeah, yeah! Mimi really wants to eat!"
"Okay, come on."
Mimi took her hand and led her away, as they flew up into the air and towards the capital...leaving the gravestone, to have a leaf dance off of it.
With two loud sounds of a mat being pounded, Frederica stood up, panting and heaving, sweating like she ran a marathon.
In reality, it was similar.
Having just done a gauntlet style training, she wiped the sweat off her face and began to walk around, handing towels to the 20 people she defeated in sparring.
Her sensei Kong, and his wife, simply watched as Frederica took her time to help the others.
No words were said between any of them, even the defeated trainees could only notice the determination in Frederica's eyes. Her mind flashed the face of Crusch, the moment they all had to console a distraught Subaru, and the sight of those three charred bodies. Her fists clenched a fist, loudly.
"Shisho, let's continue."
"...Very well."
And so, Frederica began to shadow box...imagining the people she intended to kill...she would get stronger, no matter the fatigue, no matter the time lost, no matter what it did to her own sanity.
Frederica was intent on destroying Exogenesis.
Emilia sat on her bed, sipping on some tea, right as Puck materialized.
"Hey Puck."
"Lia."
"Hm, is something wrong?"
Wearing her outfit, modeled after the one her aunt wore, she laid down on her bed, crossing her legs.
"Lia, how are you feeling?"
"...Okay, I'm still a little restless y'know?"
"How come?"
"...That Crusch person."
Puck lowered his ears as Emilia stared up at the ceiling.
"I messed up, I couldn't get to her. Maybe if I ended up killing her, Subaru wouldn't be so upset about it."
"Lia, do you hear yourself? You're wishing death upon another person, you had never been so eager to outright kill someone before. Sure, you would defend yourself here and there...but not like this."
Emilia slammed her tea cup on a counter near the bed, and sat right back up.
"Puck, that kind of thinking barely did anything for us. Had I kept up those pretensions, I probably would've lost the election, gotten some of the others killed, or I might've been dead at some point."
"But these kind of decisions led to all this, Crusch, Exogenesis...Subaru losi-"
"-I don't want to hear about it."
She hung her head low.
"It's bad enough Subaru lost her, but also…"
"...Violence begets violence. Didn't Subaru say something about it once, years ago, before he was a Red Lantern?"
"Yeah, 'An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind', or something to that effect."
"Then anyone can see it Lia, everything is happening for a reason. Exogenesis is the outcome that was always meant to happen, a reaction to the Red Lanterns and their growing influence."
"I know...but from what Ovidius-san said, it's the last step."
"Last step?"
Nodding gingerly, she got off her bed and held Puck in her hands.
"Simply put, Ovidius said that they were the final obstacle. All of the strongest swordsman are gone, except for Reinhard, who works directly under me. There are only two Great Spirits left, you who is contracted with me, and Muspel, who is too scared to go up against us. Vollachia and Kararagi have no military might to spare, even if they wanted to start a second World War. And luuuucky for us, Gusteko is in good relations with us."
"...Emilia…"
"They're the last hurdle, once they go down, no one will dare to raise even their voice against us."
"But…"
"...We'll finally achieve world peace."
Puck shuddered at the sight of Emilia's brilliant smile, knowing full well that there was no way to change her mind. He relented, even as he feared for her safety, recalling how he was infuriated over Emilia's injuries against Crusch. Yet he knew there was hardly anything he could for her brash actions, or her willingness to comply with Subaru.
He was at a loss, he loved her too much to try and fight against this. It was too much, even for him, all he could was comply.
She stroked his fur and hummed.
"Everything will work out, trust me Puck."
"I'll trust you Lia, my beloved daughter."
Puck relaxed in her soft hands.
For even if the world was up against her, he would defend her, and any decisions she would undertake...the cost would never matter.
Petra was on a tree, making a sour face...staring at Emilia. Turning her attention to Subaru, she gushed at the sight of him, blushing madly. Her mind raced of a romantic encounter with him, being thrown to the ground, whispering to him to be gentle and-
"The hell are ya doin'?"
"GUWAHHH!"
Petra nearly fell out of the tree, as Felt poked the back of her neck. Catching herself, she grumbled at her fellow partner.
"What is it? You have anything better to do than bother me?"
"Bother you in what? Stalking Subaru nii san, and scrutinizing the King of the Kingdom?"
"As if!"
"Then what were you doing?"
"...Ummmmm, checking the sturdiness of the treeline! Genau and Mimi hop around these things all the time, I just want to see if it can handle it! That's that!"
"What an awful lie!"
"Oh shut it!"
Petra sighed as Felt laughed at her baffingly made up excuse.
"And you, aren't supposed to be checking Vollachia out?"
"Nah, I got Bulldozer to go instead, she got interested in visiting there."
"What? Are you just trying to keep your distance from Reinhard? You were supposed to go with him, right?"
"Yeah, but I just didn't feel it."
She rubbed her own elbows and shut one eye.
"Look, I know everyone assumes I'm trying to get away from him, but it's not like that, really. It's just, after Rom-jii died and my three buddies were killed last week, it just well, made it harder for us to get along, like we used to."
"...I guess that would be difficult."
Petra flicked her forehead, making the former Royal Candidate yelp.
"Ow!"
"That's for interrupting my precious viewing time, but again...I think you should do your best to reconcile with the Sword Saint, if not, at least pretend."
"Maybe…"
Felt showed an unsure nature to his words, making Petra fuss a bit, but relented and hugged.
"Look, I'm not saying to rush over and be buddies with him, but just try and make a more afforted effort in just being in the same room as him."
"I guess."
"It's the best for the Corps, and whats best for them is the best for Subaru. That's why I am asking you to try your best."
"Oh my gosh, I had a feeling it would lead down to him!"
Felt yelled this, but took in some breath and laughed. Petra let go of her hug, and Felt patted her shoulder.
"And you should find a way to talk more with Nii-san."
"Um, well, he's always so busy, and really coming up with great ideas. Oh, and he just lost a-"
"-Oh knock it off! If you like him that much, just try and woo him."
"Woo him?"
"Impress him, somehow."
Felt grinned at her, causing Petra to nod eagerly. Her determination in making Subaru notice her was truly a cause besides her work as a faithful Red Lantern. In her mind, she saw her hugging his chest as he patted her back...and Emilia was in the backround making them food, nice and out of the way.
Her tomato red face, caused Felt to slowly step back. With a small breeze, Felt looked over and saw the two red streaks of lgiht which were undoubted Nijino and Mimi coming back home.
Jolokia walked along the long, almost seemingly far reaching shoreline, Callaloo was running ahead. He was here investigating claims by the Independent State of Aphex, the minister was walking next to him, a truly wrinkly old man.
"Grrrr, and what was it that you wanted to show me?"
"Well, this."
He pulled out a sack that wriggling around, showing that something was alive inside.
He opened it, and allowed the creature to get out. Jolokia quickly used his ring to scan the being, which shocked him, and he was not so easily surprised.
A crab with such long legs, it appeared more as a large spider, began to try and march off...before Callaloo pounced on it and began to eat it.
Jolokia sighed angrily as the old man trembled at her spry attack.
"I apologize, grrrr."
"It is quite alright."
Ovidius got the information into his own ring, and bit his finger.
"Oh damn."
Nijino walked over and looked at the holographic image of the crab.
"Blegh, that thing is creepy! Is it like, another Ma-Beast."
"No...No it's much more important than that."
"Huh?"
"Natsuki-san told me a lot about some of the animals indigenous in his world, ones that do not exist in our realm whatsoever...and would you guess my thrills about this thing?"
"...It's from Subaru's world?!"
Now this got her attention, Ovidius got ried of the hologram construct and hurried over to write down some notes.
"I'm going to have to inform him about this."
"You mean, that not just the ring, but other stuff from his world are breaching into ours?"
"Yeah, especially since that hasn't been the only thing we've discovered!"
"HUH?!"
He pulled out some other notes, and stacked them nicely, pulling them into his arms.
"What do you mean Ovidius?!"
"A few days ago, a raid in a mountainside Exogenesis hideout yielded something."
"And it was?"
"A flower, classified as Rhizanthella gardneri, or the Western Underground Orchid...a plant that Natsuki-san says is not only endangered, but only found in Australia."
"Australia, that's-"
"-Another country from his world."
He then put the notes down and put his helmet on, buttoned up his coat and grabbed the notes.
"And a month before that Exogenesis attack, we had discovered a large rodent the size of a dog in Vollachia. According to Natsuki-san, they're called Capybaras, and they are also from his world."
"What does this mean?"
"My best guess, is whatever force brought that red ring into our world, is still happening, occurring at a steady rate. Bringing in various objects and animals from his world into ours, it is only a matter of time until it starts bringing people or much larger objects over."
"Is this bad news?"
"Not necessarily, we've been to connect our universe's wavelengths along with the one Atrocitus is from. Maybe, just maybe, this is a sign that we're reaching a prime connector phase."
"As in?"
"We could be getting closer to a day where if we make a connection, it'll be incredibly stable, no fuss or issues involved."
Nijino sat on a chair tapped her knees.
"When would that be?"
"I'll discuss it with him, makes some calculations to infer what should be done."
Ovidius hurried off, with Nijino following close behind. Sure enough as they exited the front door, they encountered Emilia.
"What's going on?"
"Have you seen Subaru, we gotta give him some news."
"Um, not sure…"
In the corner of her eye, she noticed Beatrice wearing an incredibly puffy pink sweater and wearing her white hair in a knot.
"Beatirce!"
"Hm, oh Emilia, can I help you, I suppose?"
"Have you seen Subaru, we're all looking for him."
"Probably there, if you catch my drift."
"...I see, thanks."
Beatrice sighed, and led them to where they figured where he'd most likely be.
After some time, they were lead to the small graveyard. There they saw Subaru sitting right in front of that single gravestone. They slowly kept getting closer, all of them clearly uncomfortable. They could've sworn Subaru was having a full fledged conversation, just making out the name Julius from his whispers.
"Subaru."
"...Beatrice, can I help you?"
He never turned to face to them, he just sat on the grass, staring at the gravestone.
"Natsuki-san, I have to talk you about something?"
"Can it wait?"
"Uhm?"
"Please…"
His teary eyes, matched his weak gesture of his hand wiping clean the stone. Everything, even his wry smile, was all wasted. He could only hold back a sob.
"I'd like a couple seconds with my kid."
And with that gentle breeze, the truth that this was the grave of his unborn child with Anastasia was told.
Inscribed on that grave…
Here Lies
Natsuki Agito
Beloved Son, A Star That Dimmed Too Early
He was lucky to have gotten help from the others to identify the gender of his child, magic and clairvoyance did wonders. And in conversations he had with Anastasia, he always knew she had the desire to name her child with a quite normal name, maybe starting with the letter A.
Thus, he named his son that.
Everyone could see and recall, how it took a full day for Subaru to calm down, never ceasing to cry or fly into a rage for 24 hours.
It wasn't just him, the news spread and everyone knew about Natsuki Subaru's loss, only sparking the hatred this Kingdom had for Exogenesis.
Each of them, saw what they thought could've been.
Beatrice, watching the baby try to stand up, only to fall adorably on his behind.
Emilia, giving the baby a nice bath.
Nijino, dressing the little guy in adorable outfits.
Ovidius, reading to the young lad very fun but educating stories before bed.
Even those who were not there at the moment, could truly envision the possibilities.
Wilhelm, helping the boy play fight with wooden swords, pretending to be bested by him.
Ram, having the baby dress up in adorable clothes.
Rem, watching the baby being cradled by his father.
Genau, letting the baby pet his chin, as he laughed adorably at his wagging tail.
Frederica, cradling the baby as she sung sweet lullabies to him.
Mimi, hugging him tightly as he burped adorably from it...leading to her getting scolded.
Petra, kissing the baby as he had a laughing fit.
Felt, rubbing his belly as he laughed eagerly.
Attero, licking the baby, as the baby licked him back.
Even those who were not immediately close with them, could only imagine.
Linnea, blessing the child.
Jolokia, letting the baby pet his face as he laughed.
Moussaka, watching as his love Juel shook hands with the baby, both smiling.
Kong, hoping to have his wife watch the baby crawl happily around his dojo.
Everyone was truly heartbroken by the loss to their lives...and wished nothing more than to avenge him.
All of them, with a tear forming around the corner of their eyes, vowed aggressively.
"Exogenesis will pay for this."
Subaru got up, nodding to the gravestone, and wiped his face, before turning around to face the others.
"So what do you wanna talk about?"
"We were discussing the odd happenings around the world."
"...You mean how stuff from my world is appearing here?"
"That is correct."
"And…?"
To put things bluntly, Ovidius went through everything he had discovered or been informed about, every minute detail and what this means for them as Red Lanterns.
"The time is coming Natsuki-san."
"We're nearly at the apex, the allotted time that'll be the window of opportunity for everyone here."
"We can extend the reach, build ourselves an actual Battery Core, instead leeching off the populace, which I might add, may become finite at some point."
"Right, I guess that makes sense."
Subaru turned around yet again, letting his eyes rest upon the gravestone, he once again stroked the top of it.
"Just before you came here, I was talking with my little guy."
"...Oh?"
"Yeah, I was making some vows, letting him know what his old man was set on doing. Having the world fall under the banner, having Red Rings distributed all over the place...having a place where Crusch and her lackeys are pretty much dead. A place, where little guys like Agito here, never have to fear for their lives again!"
"Not just him! But hard working people aren't taken too early, where those closest to me never have to suffer again, and where everyone is treated fairly, regardless of race!"
He wiped away a few stray tears and smiled at his son's grave.
"That's a promise."
He yet again moved away from that spot, walking to playfully punch Ovidius in the chest. A small surprised groan escaped his mouth, and looked down to see Subaru smile eagerly.
"I have to keep up with all my promises, even to you."
"You mean-"
"-Yeah, it'll take a while, for sure...but I think we can finally put it into motion, right?"
"YES."
His ecstatic breath, creeped out all the ladies there, seeing a red glimmer in his goggles. Subaru went around and patted Emilia on the head.
"Listen up, we are going to have to announce it soon."
"What exactly?"
"The moment we have been praying for...or just dreading."
Emilia thought ling and hard about it...until not only hers, but Beatrice's and Nijino's eyes went wide in complete turmoil.
They all knew what this meant.
"Gather everyone, get the announcement ready."
A harsh wind blew, leaves and dust filled the air around them.
Subaru could only snarl as his eyes seemed to turn red for a split second, and his words meant so much, not only to him, but for everyone in the entire world.
"In two years time, we will launch a full scale invasion, against the Pleiades Watchtower!"
That very same wind, as if a true beacon to Subaru's words, somehow blew all over the world.
Wilhelm and Genau felt it, as the trees shook around them.
Frederica could hear it from inside the dojo.
Petra and Felt clenched their fists as the leaves danced around them.
Ram held the crystal that housed Rem's soul, as if to protect it from that very wind.
Attero and Gyras stood firm in the face of this wind.
Jamiquari and Walthamstow were on a rooftop, letting the wind kick up dust around them.
Bulldozer scurried on the floor as the wind kicked up leaves around her.
Jolokia and Callaloo felt it enter their home.
Moussaka and Juel put up their hands to block it from their eyes.
...A work smith felt it creep up behind himself, so the worker named Stanley turned around to face it.
Felix shivered when he felt it behind himself.
Hidden in shadows, a pair of blue eyes opened...obviously belonging to the Sword Saint.
Linnea and her congregation, reached up their hands to feel the wind.
Al dusted himself off as the wind passed by him.
Capella scoffed at the harsh breeze.
Crusch smiled as her hair danced in the wind.
Volcanica and Longinis, narrowed their eyes at the sudden gusts.
.
.
.
.
.
Then, at the vast landscape of sand and harsher winds, the beasts that roamed in these unbearable conditions, suddenly faced in the opposite direction.
In that pitch black tower, in the middle of it all, the winds surrounded it, shooting sand all over the place.
And right there, using her long cloak, she swatted away some iof that sand.
"Wow, like this really annoying."
Her dark green eyes gazed at the bright, but cloudy day. Her long brown hair which tied to look similar to a scorpion tail, moved ever so slightly in the wind.
"Jeez, what's been going lately, crap just seems out of whack lately?"
Tall and beautiful, she stood firm, one hand on her hip. Her outfit was acceptable attire for hot whearther, but possibly not so for the perilous place she was in, a black bikini and hot pants, with nothing else but the cloak.
She may have been everyone man's best fantasy, but something about her, made animals and beasts of all kind afraid of her.
"Better not be trouble, or I'll just blast it away."
A determined smile.
An overwhelming aura of power.
A woman, who was the ultimate final boss.
Her name was Shaula, and she was the,"Star-Keeper of the Watchtower", an unbridled force in the shape of a sexy girl.
And she was to become the ultimate obstacle, the intended target, and pretty much, a being that was chosen to die.
She would not go down easily.
Nor would she be alone in this.
Because no matter the case, even she was unprepared for the battle that was lurching it's way to her.
The trial she had been born to undertake, was about to be realized.
Unprepared, unaware, it was truly time.
Two years had now actually passed...
As yet another world engulfing conflict, was etched into existence.
ARC Seven: The Tower Incursion
BEGINS.
AN: Prepare for ALL GUNS TO BLAZE! Yup, it's finally time to enter the very Arc that was used to tease the concept at the end of Batman X Re:Zero!
This Arc will be considerably shorter than the others, but damn will it be filled with ACTION, ACtIoN, ACTion, Action, action...fun, I guess.
And we will all witness the beginning next time in, "Ch. 37 - The Tower", until then, see you cool cats!