The Thirteenth Order
Final Battle
(BGM: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann – Libera me from Hell)
He slowly stood. The one being who could put an end to it all. In front of them floated the cackling creature that was behind all of the events that had happened thus far, the mutated form of Clotho, Weaver of the fates.
The others around him shakily got to their feet. Sora, Kairi, Riku, Roxas, Naminé, they all grabbed their Keyblades. The forms of Twelve of the Thirteen Nobodies stood with them. Each one holding their respective weapons. Alicia stood next to Zero, Ragnarok in hand, ready to attack at a moment's notice.
"Still you stand? Have you not yet learned I cannot be destroyed?"
Zero shook his head.
"By us alone you are untouchable…"
"But combined, our strength outclasses your own!" Alicia's eyes glowed a fierce blue.
Sora glared at the floating head. "You've knocked us around a bit and think you've won?"
Riku scoffed. "You're strong, we'll give you that, but you haven't won yet!"
Kairi nodded. "We can't give up here! Not now that we've come so far!"
Roxas flipped his Keyblades in his hands. "Give up? No way. We're just getting started."
Naminé grasped her own Keyblade tightly. "After all this, after everything we've done, you think we're going to sit down and let you beat us?!"
Xemnas' form chuckled. "These Keybearers are correct. You have yet to see everything we nobodies are capable of…"
Zero's form began to glow faintly.
"You call yourself Fate…but you know nothing about our strengths! The worlds we've been to, the battles we fought to protect them, all of it was just preparation for this moment! Our backgrounds are varied, our goals are different, but our wills are connected by one thing! And that is the need to defeat you!"
Strings of energy whipped around his body. Instantly they all lanced out and connected to the bodies of those around him. And from them, more strings appeared, all linking together in a wide web. The bonds between worlds had come alive.
Zero shook his head sadly. "This is all my fault. When I went to take back my body I released you. But I'll fix that now. WE will fix that now! Together, all of the worlds as one, we WILL defeat you! Once and for all, your machinations will end here Clotho! No longer shall your will reach the cores of our souls!"
His eyes blinked as a single tear rolled down his cheek. "I understand now…why I was given the power I was…it was for this. My destiny, my fate…was to end your hold on the worlds. All the people who gave their lives for me…the people who died to get me off that world before it was wiped out by your forces…their hopes, their dreams, their wills lie within my heart! For that reason I will never give up!"
The single tear dropped to the ground, and when it did, a massive glyph appeared beneath Zero's feet.
All over the Universe, the varied inhabitants of the worlds watched as the small group of people stood against the massive force that was Fate.
Dante and Lady stood together, their eyes locked on the group that stood against a God.
"Come on Kid…you gotta pull this off…"
From behind them, a familiar voice called.
"Dante!"
The white haired man angled his head slightly. "Oh hey kid. See you decided to join the party."
"What the hell is going on here?! You could see that thing from all the way over on Fortuna!"
Nero and his girlfriend Kyrie trotted up to Dante and Lady.
"Well, as far as I can tell, we've got a kid like you fighting against an actual God. Just like you. Hey! You'd probably get along well!"
The red-haired Kyrie was confused. "A…God?"
That's when a different voice rang out. One that only three of their group of four recognized.
"One of three Goddesses of Fate actually."
Dante froze. No…fucking way.
"Vergil…"
From the shadows emerged a pale skinned man wearing a sky blue long-coat. His white hair was slicked back. "We meet again…brother."
"So you didn't die on Mallet."
"Oh I very much did. But it would seem that my connection to this world was kept in tact by this boy's right arm…and your little friend fighting Clotho up there. For you see, this world…no…the entire universe, has become unstable because of their presence. This battle…will decide whether we all live…or die."
"Still as dramatic as ever aren't you Vergil?"
"At least I'm not as bad as that fool Agnus. On my way back I encountered his stuttering imbecile of a soul…ugh…that man…is very…annoying."
"I never liked him much either…and definitely not after what he did…smelled like a wet cat."
Nero couldn't help but stare at his girlfriend.
"What?"
"You…never say bad stuff about people."
She leveled a stare at him. "He kidnapped me and shoved me in what might as well have been a bad tentacle hentai. I think I have the right."
Dante started laughing at Nero's plight. "Kid, you still have a lot to learn about women."
Two smacks rang out as not only Lady, but the just arriving Trish smacked Dante upside the head.
"So do you!" They said in unison.
Vergil gave a small smirk, his attention on the battle above them. "It looks like your young friend is about to make his move. Provided he wins this…I would greatly enjoy the honor of battling him."
"Pfft, he'd kick your ass."
"If so then it would be a welcome defeat."
Odin and the Valkyrie watched as Alicia stood confident and ready.
"She has grown, hasn't she?"
Brahms stood to the side, watching the glowing form of the young man that stood against Fate.
"Go Zero…show me that you are worthy to stand by Alicia's side…"
Leon and the Hollow Bastion group watched, waiting. "So it's come down to this. Sora…don't die…"
Even Sephiroth had joined, watching with a half interested smirk. "That boy…he has a great deal of power in him…to stand against Fate itself…I must admit, he would be a worthy foe…"
The Twilight Town group watched, waiting for the next move.
"Come on Roxas! Kick that thing's ass!"
"Olette!"
"What?"
"Agh…never mind. COME ON ROXAS!"
Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Daisy, Chip and Dale all stood outside the castle, watching the warped field…waiting…praying.
"Come on you guys…you can do this…beat this thing and come back safe…"
Back at the battlefield, Zero's body had practically become a whole wall of light.
"Even with the thought of death in our minds, never will we stop fighting!"
"Together, combined with the might of the Universe itself, our power is unmatched!"
"We, the masters of the Keyblade, the bearers of the Light of Destiny stand in defiance of your will!"
"We won't give up! We will not fail!"
"Our might is unmatched, our will is strong!"
"You dare question our will?! You seek an example of our strength?! Our faith is strong, our hopes are great! We'll show you what happens when you threaten our homes!"
The glyph expanded to below the entire group. As one, their minds and souls were united.
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK WE ARE?!"
The group vanished in a wave of light. They all streaked towards the giant tentacled head. The Mutated God roared in defiance of their will.
Pellets of energy slammed into its eyes as a series of whirling lances tore into its sides. Torrents of flaming sakura petals engulfed the Mutated God as gales of lightning crashed into it from all sides. Spears of Ice and Water pierced its ghostly flesh and a series of exploding cards rammed into it from all directions. Giant boulders crashed into the beast and the dust particles formed into sheets of paper that summoned forth beams of lunar energy. A giant orb of nothingness engulfed the Mutated God before compressing.
Zero and the other Keyblade wielders charged.
Naminé leapt first, only to be restrained by phantom tendrils racing from the Mutated God's head. Her job was complete however…
Riku came next, firing a pulse of dark energy that slammed into the God, before he too was wrapped up.
Roxas raced towards the god as Naminé's unseen action increased the power of his blades. Two waves of energy, one dark, one light raced from his hands and slammed into the monster before he was bound as well.
Sora jumped in the air and launched his Keyblade. The spinning weapon became engulfed in energy and tore straight through the outer layer of the God's shell. From within, another set of tendrils launched and bound him as well.
Kairi sliced through tendril after tendril, cutting a path closer to the Mutated god. Finally she saw the line that represented a fault point of the god's second layer. She sliced through it, opening a big gash before being bound by another set of tendrils.
"Alicia! Go for it!"
The light haired girl raced for the inner layer, evading multiple tendrils herself. Inside, showing actual fear, was Clotho, surrounded by dark energy. Alicia pulled back and begun her assault.
"Hi-Ougi!"
A diagonal slash from over her left shoulder down to her right hip was her first attack. She twisted and swung again, left to right, horizontally. Her third attack was a powerful stab right in Clotho's chest. And finally came a hard diagonal swing from her left hip to the air, bringing Clotho up with it. The Goddess became engulfed in a sphere of pure white. Alicia took to the air, gathering every bit of energy she could, forming Six glowing pure white wings of energy.
A series of glowing red broadswords appeared around the sphere, each one rocketing forward and impaling it, causing the sphere to look like a giant pincushion.
Zero appeared at her side. She grabbed his left hand with both of hers, flapped her wings and then launched him forward.
The bound Goddess could only watch in fear as his form tore through the air, strands of energy linking to his right hand. The power of the Hearts of all the worlds in the Universe gathered to him. The Keyblade that once looked like a double helix flared with light as its form changed one final time. Zero pulled his arm back as he saw it, the one spot, right on Clotho's forehead. The glow faded as the Keyblade turned into a giant cross with a circle around it. The Ultimate Keyblade, created by the Heart of the Universe, the Grand Cross.
"Mugen Rakutan saseru: Shinigami no Requiem!" (Infinite Crush: God Slayer's Requiem)
He slammed the tip of the red staff, for the Keyblade had become a cross shaped staff and Zero held it by the cross, into the Point of Death on Clotho's forehead. A massive flare of energy raced through the field of battle, disintegrating the tendrils that bound the others as Clotho's inhuman scream of agony pierced the souls of all who were present. Her body was torn to shreds by the force of the attack and her soul, the key of her continued existence was engulfed in the energy released from Zero's attack.
There was a massive explosion…
And then the world went black…
"Get out of here guys."
"Wh-what?"
"You heard me, go!"
"Why! Why without you?!"
"Look, I'll catch up later, I promise. I have to do one last thing before all this can end."
"Why alone?!"
"Because I can't do it and keep an eye on you guys at the same time dammit! There's a ship about ten meters to the east from outside this room. Take it and get out of here."
"But-
"Alicia…please. Trust me."
"I…fine. But you'd better hurry, or I'm coming back after you!"
Keep her from doing that Kairi.
What? Why?
Please. It's the last thing I'll ever ask you to do.
I'll do it.
Naminé? Why are you-
I owe him. I'll keep her on the ship.
Thank you.
"Go!"
With hesitant steps, the group left. Zero watched them go silently.
"I should have known it was you. Only you could pull something like this…"
A female image began fading into existence behind him. The figure was with long black hair reaching all the way down to just below her knees, floating before him, her pale skin glowing with an ethereal light.
"Miranda."
"There it is!"
The group found the gummy ship, being completely different from the flying fortress they came in on. Unlike their black and red ship, this one was all red, with violet scattered around. It looked more like something built for speed, rather than power.
"I'll start it up!"
Naminé ran into the cockpit, engaging all the systems, prepping the ship for lift-off at any moment. Alicia waited by the loading ramp, poking her index fingers together in nervousness.
"This is bullshit…and you know it."
"I know…I'm sorry."
"Why you? Why us?"
"You know why. I was naturally the most powerful being on our planet, and you…you found a way to match that. It only makes sense."
"Dammit Mir! You're supposed to be pissed about this!"
"I was…at first. I've lived every day just as you have. I've watched everything…remember who's power Clotho was wielding back there."
"Damn Gods…should wipe them all out."
"And un-do everything you've worked so hard to achieve? I know you Zero, you won't do that."
"But…DAMMIT! Why?! Gods I'm SICK of this! Why can't I be happy with something dammit?"
She wrapped her arms around his waist, her chin resting on his shoulder.
"We were perfect for each other…perhaps too perfect…but…you found someone else."
"You did it didn't you? You led me to her."
"Well…I had a hand in things yes. I didn't want you to be alone forever…I NEEDED you to have someone else…someone to do what I can no longer."
"It doesn't have to be this way…"
"Yes, yes it does. I'm tired Zero. You know it, and I know it. I want to be with you, I want nothing more than to go back to our lives…but we can't. I've been here for so long…If I remain…nothing will change. The universe will destroy itself and everything we hold dear."
"Why…why do I have to kill you…?"
"I'm already dead honey. I've been dead for centuries…all that's left is my spirit…and I'd want nothing more than to have my rest by your hands. If I don't fall here…the Genma…our world's creation…will continue to exist. They exist because I do…and if I go…they go."
"…you're going to sing either way aren't you?"
"Yes."
"…I hate you sometimes Mir."
"I know. And I'm sorry I do things that make you feel that way."
"Damn right you are."
She giggled.
"Are you ready?"
"No."
"Good. Just remember Zero…no matter what…I love you."
She pulled away…and began to sing.
Something rang in Naminé's mind. She sent a look to Kairi who nodded solemnly. The redhead flickered over to behind Alicia and pinched the back of the blonde's neck. Alicia dropped into Kairi's arms as the redhead backed away from the closing gateway. The ships engines kicked in and flared to life, the vessel lifting off the ground and beginning its escape from the end of all worlds.
(BGM: Ar Tonelico – EXEC RIG VEDA)
Iwake naki ko ya hikari ga gotoshi...
Zero stepped away from the glowing girl, struggling against his burning eyes.
sasage ya sasage ya koto no magatama ya
iyase ya iyase ya kashiri towa ni ma ni
A glowing glyph of Destruction appeared beneath Miranda's feet as she continued her singing. The glyph of Creation appeared beneath Zero, as he prepared the second half of Miranda's plan.
sasage ya sasage ya koto no magatama ya
iyase ya iyase ya kashiri towa ni ma ni
The two glowing bodies seemed to flare at the same time. Dark and Light energy began gathering between the two, creating pure Chaos.
iwake naki ko wa shinani tsumi nashi
uchi no kagiri wa takusareshi wasan
Chaos energy began radiating between the two, the pocket realm that the final battle took place in beginning to fragment and shake.
kakotsu wa sadame sumau sube nashi
kodoku ni nenji kaku ayumu michi
Multicolored rays of light began radiating from the glowing sphere that had engulfed the two. Strands of energy began lancing off the sphere, flying into an array of black and white suddenly opening and closing portals. Streams of energy floated along the dark and light corridors between worlds, traveling into the skies of the worlds connected to the Original.
People gazed into the air with fear, wonder, and unknowing, as their skies became lit with a myriad of color. None of them understood, but deep in their hearts they felt her words, her song.
Alicia woke up to the ship shaking furiously. Immediately she realized what was wrong.
"ZERO!"
"She woke up sooner than I thought."
Alicia looked out the window to see a wall of light behind the ship, slowly gaining.
"What's going on?! What happened?!"
"We don't know! Kairi said she heard something strange and had Naminé take off!"
"It was Zero's wish, that we'd be safe."
"I don't know how safe we'll be if that damn wall hits us! Punch it Nami!"
"I'm trying Rox! This thing's reached its limit! I can't push it any faster!"
"It's gaining on us!"
The wall of white overtook the ship.
"Oh…CRAP!"
And then everything seemed to stop.
"What-
Riku was silenced by the form of a girl appearing next to Alicia, who gave a cry of shock. The girl smiled at them all and began to chant.
"sasage ya sasage ya koto no magatama ya
iyase ya iyase ya kashiri towa ni ma ni"
Everyone's eyes widened as time seemed to resume once the girl vanished, her chanting still floating in the air. The ship suddenly burst out of the wall of white, traveling at speeds that not a single passenger had ever expected.
sasage ya sasage ya koto no magatama ya
iyase ya iyase ya kashiri towa ni ma ni
All over the universe, everyone heard her voice, her words. People began chanting along with her, not understanding the power they were unleashing. The bonds between worlds strengthened as the Original slowly was overcome by the power of Chaos.
sasage ya sasage ya koto no magatama ya
saranu yaku tote warabe no mae ni
iyase ya iyase ya kashiri towa ni ma ni
Rainbow colored lights seemed to flare to life in the ether between worlds.
sasage ya sasage ya koto no magatama ya
kiru ga gotoku ni inga wo tokare
iyase ya iyase ya kashiri towa ni ma ni
The location of the Original flared with Silver light. A ring of energy pulsing off it as the internal combustion of its inner dimensions collapsed. A small red ship shot from the center of the combustion, just ahead of the massive explosion of light.
sasage ya sasage ya koto no magatama ya
makoto no hikari wa ga mi wo terashi
iyase ya iyase ya kashiri towa ni ma ni
The universe's people…even some of the Gods themselves followed along with the chanting as Miranda spoke the final words of the song. Skies were alight with the rainbow flares of the dying Original. The ties between worlds radiating with their people's wishes. All over the Universe, Genma began falling apart as their core source died.
As the ship flew away from the dying world, its passengers looked back in sadness as the world seemed to give one last flare of light.
sasage ya sasage ya koto no magatama ya
hanatsu utagoe ama tarashitari
iyase ya iyase ya kashiri towa ni ma ni!
Suddenly, something in Kairi's, Naminé's and Alicia's mind snapped.
Their connection to Zero was gone.
And then…the universe became lit with one last sound…
A scream.
A dying scream that brought pain to all that heard it.
A dying scream that brought joy to all that heard it.
A dying scream…
Of the True Goddess…
Originally I'd planned a fight before this. Fay vs. Zero, it was going to be epic.
Of course the usual writer's block completely stomped on that idea.
This chapter's been written for a few months now…I put some finishing touches on it today.
One last chapter to go. The Aftermath of Her song.
RCRS (Aka Chasingfireflies): yeah…it was supposed to be rather depressing. There was a lot more to the original plan than what was there, but like I said, it'd have to be an Anime or something for me to work all that.
Here's the final battle. Completed two months ago but never posted cause I wanted to have something before it. Ehh, fuck it. I need to end this story so I can focus on others.
But trust me on this…the LAST chapter…is gonna be cool as all hell.
D&S Master: I am a right bastard aren't I? Well, the shit hit the fan, but unknown to the shit, the fan had a built in spray bottle. As I said above, I had a whole chapter planned out before this, with shittons of ideas for it floating around in my head…but it didn't want to come out so…there's a timejump between last chapter and the events of this one. Maybe one day I'll finally be able to write that bit I wanted to, and update with it.
One more to go…