Disclaimer: I don't own the King of Fighters…
A/N: Hello and welcome to my story. So, this is it; we've come to the final confrontation. However, there is one thing that must be done before I go any further. WARNING: there are some mild spoilers regarding KOF XIII as it pertains to Ash. However, there's isn't much in the way of story-breaking I don't think. Still, if you're concerned, simply scroll down and start at the break. In any case, Ash reveals a secret for the fight, but Hiroshi has a hidden truth to uncover as well. So, let's get to it; and here … we … go:
The King of Fighters XV
Moonrise Umbra and Heaven's Eclipse
"Well, that was certainly amusing… but I guess it's my turn now." Ash twirled his index finger around before preparing a 'Thermidor', and said aloud, "Ladies, I commend you. You've been quite useful assets to me, and you did fight admirably. Unfortunately, you've outlived your purpose, and I no longer require your existence. But, please accept this as a parting gift, and I do hope you enjoy your … 'retirement'."
With that, Ash tossed the large green globe of fire toward the three people on the ground. Hiroshi, feeling an attack coming, jumped up and spun around at the next-to-last moment, and tried to offset the attack with a fireball of his own. He didn't anticipate the power of the assault however, as 'Thermidor' brushed past Hiroshi's attack, and was forced to absorb the damage with his body. Hurt again, Hiroshi fell back to his knees while he held his now-stinging chest. The Sneering Blaze stood, and promptly stepped off the ledge, slowly levitating from the balcony…
Ash commented as he gently floated to the ground, "Now, now; why did you have to go and do that? I figured I was doing you a favor, Mon ami."
Hiroshi spoke through his pain, "They're not part of this anymore. So, you're the one with all the questions swirling around now."
The Sneering Blaze paused to figure the proposition momentarily, and conceded, "Hmm… I suppose there's no harm coming clean at this point. Okay; since you've been so riveting, I'll give you any truth you seek. Ask away; I'll have no difficulty answering you."
Hiroshi began, "Good. First of all… I know you're not really Ash Crimson, and I know he's truly gone. So, that leaves this: who are you?"
The Sneering Blaze giggled like a child before answering, "So, you know that much, do you? Well, you are correct; I am not Ash Crimson, at least not totally. I'm actually, wait for it … Ash's ancestor, 'The One who Rules Time', Saiki."
Shocked and very confused, Hiroshi responded, "Saiki? But … everyone said you died along with Ash."
Saiki nonchalantly twirled his hair around his finger, and said as he walked forward slightly, "Well, yes … and no. It's true my son did erase me along with himself, but I managed to find a convenient loophole for a return; you actually have your 'sisters' to thank for that. I found out that, with enough effort, a phantom can give itself physical form. So, with that thought and some power from the Yata Mirror, here I am. I can only assume that I came back in this form because it was the last form I was in, but thanks to the added power from the mirror and Magatama, it's still a form worth having."
Hiroshi, still really confused, forged forward, asking, "Okay, Saiki… If you're not really Ash, then what do you want with Kyo-san?"
Saiki laughed with evil glee, "Oh, my dearest Hiroshi. This isn't about Kyo at all… It's about you. That's why he's facing personal demons outside, and you're here with me. You're the object of my desires."
Hiroshi shuttered and stammered through his perplexity, "Me…? Why me?"
Saiki stepped closer and explained, "Oh, don't be so modest, Mon ami. To be honest, Kyo had a role to play at first, but then we had our meeting. Ever since, it's been all about you. It's why I've kept such a close eye on you, why I kept those two around for so long, why I kept quiet for so long, why I went through all the trouble to lure you here, and why I kept risked everything for this moment…"
Getting chills, Hiroshi asked with dread, "So, I'm here… Now what? What do you want from me?"
Saiki's voice gained intent as he stepped ever closer, "No doubt, you have a lot of admirable qualities, but I would think it obvious what I'm after: your sacred treasure, the Rosary and Talisman… You see, when I touched your treasure, it's true the pain was horrendous, but … it was also the most exhilarating and breathtaking experience I've ever had! Just holding it in my hands made me feel more alive than I have in years! It was intoxicating … and I must have more…" The air began to churn from Saiki accessing his deepest power reserve as he continued, "Now, I can't access my fully powered form in this state, but it's very close and still quite impressive I might add…"
The One who Rules Time proceeded to show his menacing intentions, and … spiraled into darkness. The opening chords of 'Diabolosis' rang out again as black flames began to emanate from Saiki's body… His clothes faded to black, and his features including his face and hair waxed to pale white… A black aura as thick as a cloud rose and bubbled up around him like boiling water until he was completely covered in it. Watching this descent, the three witnesses were stricken with similar feelings, the now sitting up Vice and Mature watching in abject horror and Hiroshi silent with shock. Then, Saiki spoke… He now had a double voice with Ash's lighter tone alongside Saiki's slightly deeper and decidedly threatening tones. Altogether, it resonated through the large chamber with an eerie, phantasmal echo.
Saiki boasted, "You know, I was originally planning to steal the three treasures and use their power to reopen the time gate, ready to start my quest anew … but, with your treasure, I will simply breathe new life into myself and begin right where I left off. You truly are a godsend! Oh, it makes me tremble just thinking about it! When I add the power of your treasure to my already supreme strength, I will reach existence's perfect nirvana!"
Hiroshi replied as his eyes dropped to the floor, "It's frightening… You have so much power at your fingertips." After a moment of silence, Hiroshi looked back up, saying decisively, "And yet you understand so little. I don't think you did enough research on your target."
Saiki humored the seemingly absurd words, "Well, I'm sure it doesn't matter, but I'll play along. Go on and enlighten me."
Hiroshi let go of him chest, and slowly stood, saying emphatically, "The truth is… it was actually a good thing you didn't claim my treasure last time. If you had managed to extract it, I would have died, but the Rosary and Talisman would have cremated you, made the name Ash a description… You see, if you knew my family history, you would know that our treasure is not like the Sacred Trio or Japan's Ten. We don't inherit it; we merely give a vessel. Unlike the Kusanagi Sword, Yata Mirror, and Yasakani Magatama … our treasure actually belongs to someone, the woman you glimpse in my strongest attacks. She grabbed your arm last time because you were trying to take it from around her neck."
Saiki's eyes glimmered briefly from the new knowledge, and he asked, "Well, you're just filled to the brim with secrets. I'm dying to hear more; please tell me: who is it I'm going to wrest control away from?"
Hiroshi continued revealing, pulling back the veil from over his family's story, "They are in the possession of our founding member, the first of our family. But the Rosary and Talisman don't behave like others because they aren't even of this world. Through my studies, I have confirmed the legend my parents told me long enough: many speak in longing; ancient kings claimed to be of the lineage … but only one family bears the name. Ours is not homage, but a matter of fact. The name of our first member, our matriarch, is in our very crest: The Goddess who Shines Over Heaven. That's right; she indeed is the true supreme being, elder sister of Gaia, the Mother-Heaven herself, Amaterasu."
Mature and Vice looked at each other, completely lost. Saiki, meanwhile, was struck silent with confusion. He wasn't sure if Hiroshi was being honest or delusional, and the lore simply went right over his head. Hiroshi, however, wasn't finished; he unzipped his vest and opened it up to reveal an elaborate Japanese mandala on his black undershirt…
Hiroshi put his hands together in a praying position, and said, "You know, if it wasn't for you, I might not have learned how to do this. Nevertheless … As Amaterasu's son, I'm a part of her, and so can be granted access to her power. And as my ancestral mother, if I call her right, she will answer…"
Finally, Hiroshi gave a response to Saiki's transformation … and soared into a new plain. He generated a small flame and placed it over the mandala… While Hiroshi kept his hands around the shape to accurately guide it, the ember didn't burn through the shirt but spread over the mandala's pattern… A titanic version of the mandala design soon appeared high over his head as he maintained the burning pattern over his heart… Moments later, the flames over his chest suddenly disappeared, and Hiroshi listlessly fell to his knees with his face to the ground. The entire area grew slightly darker as the above mandala burned even brighter. Out of the middle of the elaborate design, a small golf-ball sized orb of the fire slowly descended, and burrowed into Hiroshi's body… The mandala above suddenly extinguished as Hiroshi smoothly rose while turning away.
Immediately, Hiroshi's body burst into flames, completely covered with white fire! The impact shook the two ladies, Mature and Vice aghast at this new development. Saiki, meanwhile, watched on with ever growing interest. Finally, when the flames extinguished several shocking moments later, Hiroshi turned back to Saiki in a completely new form: His 5'11" stature had grown to 6'4"; his figure had actually slimmed down slightly and his features softened a little to vaguely match Saiki; his black hair was now platinum gray; and his brown eyes were now dark red... Clothing-wise, his vest was now inexplicably hanging from his waist, and his now-white t-shirt now sported the family crest on the front…
Much more enthusiastic now, Saiki subtly rejoiced, "Ooh, that's what I like to see. You're a regular surprise a minute. Now, I know I made the right choice to pursue you."
The new entity turned and looked dead at the two women; Mature and Vice, of course, were completely petrified by this point. They had no idea what just happened, but they could definitely see that Hiroshi was no longer himself but something completely different. All they could do was stare up at this ascended being, wide-eyed with terror, confusion, and awe…
"Please … stand clear now."
The voice that came out was also not his. This voice was also a double voice with Hiroshi's in the forefront and Amaterasu's in the back, in tune with one another. This one sounded at the opposite spectrum to Saiki; it resonated transcendent and ethereal. It rang clear in the ears, and garnered a physical reaction by the mere sound. Despite all of this however, it was oddly-soothing and reached deeply, as if into the soul. Vice and Mature, utterly frightened, were given flashbacks of the Riot by this form, but this was much stronger while maintaining control of self. Its voice itself gave them chills, made their skin grow pale and their bodies tremble. By this point, the two were still exhausted and in great pain, soreness having thoroughly set in … but they weren't about talk back. Urgently, they got up and got out of the way.
Still not convinced, Saiki requested, "Now that we're alone … you can tell me who you really are."
Its voice deathly serious, the Divine Entity responded, "I am Amaterasu, my mind having joined with my son. I know all about you though, Saiki; you have caused great pain and distress, not mention to your trifling with time, and yet still you survive. You resilience is remarkable, but … you have escaped Heaven's Judgment for far too long…"
Amaterasu quickly showcased hostility toward Saiki. The Divine Entity motionlessly sent out a huge pulse wave of power with the sound and feel of the sonic boom from a jet. The force 'blew out' Saiki's aura, uncovering his body from the innate black fog, and broke the Mirror's influence over the space, the façade breaking away like glass and leaving only a white void behind. Even the balcony where Saiki was first perched was brought crashing down. This show of power was not lost on Saiki; with it, he gained an inkling of what Vice and Mature were slammed with: There was a bit of confusion to what had just transpired; there also came a tinge of awe at the effects of the obviously perfunctory display; most surprisingly though was … the pinch of fear in the back of his mind.
Saiki, piecing it together, exclaimed in sudden realization, "So … then it's true? It is, isn't it? You're truly an embodiment of the supreme being herself. I have completely underprepared myself mentally for this situation…" His voice soon shifted toward excitement as he continued, "This is even better than I imagined! What lies before me … is the power of The Goddess! Once I smite you, I'll truly be untouchable with the power of the very heavens at my hands!"
Unfazed and unmoved, Amaterasu proclaimed, "You claim to rule time, but truly your time has come; you overestimate your abilities, boy… For your crimes, redemption is beyond you, and mercy will not be offered. Saiki, prepare yourself. Heaven's fire craves your soul; your heart shall be judged!"
"Now, now, not so fast. A fight this large needs just the right setting. Let's see:"
Saiki proceeded to physically jeered at his opponent, trying to get a rise out of the Divine Entity. Rapidly, he cycled the area through different locations: the first was a Japanese garden containing a dojo with American flags all around. Next was a large ball room with orchestra seating at one side and dragon statues everywhere. Right after came a gothic cathedral-like setting with statues of hooded figures running down both sides and a swinging chandelier overhead. Next in line was decidedly less grand: a stone cave around a huge snake-shaped lock on a wall. From there, the setting became extravagant again, being in a large white palace with a large portrait of a beautiful blond woman. The scene was next shifted to a huge room seemingly overlooking the earth with large artistic statues of nude women covered in red drapes and small gravestone-like structures on the floor. Finally, a confined space with a gyrating structure floating in the middle. Meanwhile, as this went on all around, Amaterasu didn't flinch, barely even moving…
With each new location, Saiki briefly commented on each, saying respectively, "Hmm; a little too old… Pretty grand, but too similar to the last one… Nice look, but too dark… Hah, I bet this one looks familiar, but still no… Oh, this one is fancy but a little too much so; maybe later… Now, this one is interesting but it just doesn't fit us though… Ugh, this one has bad memories; just no…" He then said as if the idea had just donned on him, "Oh, I'm not stalling too much, am I?"
Amaterasu answered calmly and decisively, "It doesn't matter. I am patient, and judgment is inescapable. Stall to your heart's content."
"All business, huh?" Saiki relented, "Alright; we'll cut to the chase."
Saiki, with that, gave a succinct snap of his fingers, and summoned the true final stage. The floor remained a white void, but the sky turned to a starry night with numerous polar aurora lights streaming across it. The two landscapes were in extreme contrast to one another, enough that, if not for the two beings standing in the midst, it looked like the settings were placed one on top of the other. Both landscapes voided the limits of the room, and seemed to stretch on forever…
Saiki ominously asked, "Are you ready?"
Not waiting for a reply, Saiki went on the offensive, and shot out waves of 'Ventose' one after the other. Amaterasu, however, simply dodged them, weaving between the breaks in the pattern and returning to the original position. Next, the One Who Rules Time set a 'Genie' right in front of the Divine Entity, prompting Amaterasu to dodge backward to avoid the explosion, and then tried to trap his opponent between two more motes, but a swift sideways dash gave an effective escape. Saiki's next attack was much harder to evade; with a deep breath, he set out a whole field of 'Genie' motes, surrounding Amaterasu completely.
"Feeling a little trapped, are we?" Saiki jeered.
The Divine Entity remained silent as Saiki detonated all the floating fire bombs at once, producing a cloud of black smoke. When the thick murkiness finally cleared, Amaterasu was nowhere to be found … before attacking from above with a much-faster-than-usual 'Divine Dive'. Saiki teleported out of the way just in time, Amaterasu bursting through the still-lingering puff of smoke left behind. The Divine Entity slowly stood back up while searching for the enemy…
"You're wide open!" Saiki shouted as he rushed in.
Amaterasu reacted with inhumanly speed as The One Who Rules Time attempted a 'Germinal' and responded with a much stronger 'Angel Rush'. After the two powerful beings sped toward each other, both ended on opposite sides from where they started in a split-second. The colliding attacks resulted in an explosion of black and white flames between them. Several more times they repeated the process, each with the same results.
"Impressive speed…" Saiki said as he stood up after the third rush, "This going to be…"
Amaterasu appeared right in front of Saiki a blink of an eye later, grabbing him while saying, "You talk too much."
Attacking with both hands, The Divine Entity blasted Saiki backward with an enhanced 'Divine Press', the flames exploding in the shape of the kanji for 'Angel' and 'Shine'… Getting down to business, Saiki adopted a rather different approach; the One Who Rules Time went on the offensive with a surprising aggression, a very uncommon strategy for him. In that, he revealed two more techniques that turned into his most effective tools: 'Sourage', a mid-air downward flipping kick, and 'Fortife', a downward drilling kick. In addition to both being executed from the air, both led right into combinations on the ground, making them highly successful pressure tools. Of course, 'Germinal' was his go-to weapon as an excellent closing tool and was long enough that he could pull out a 'Nivose' right after. Then, 'Vendemaire' offered a free juggle and cut off offensive advances by his opponent.
Under attack from all angles, Amaterasu was cut off at every turn and not making any headway at all as Saiki continued to show off his power. All of this was before he uncovered one more wrinkle: Amaterasu spun forward with 'Heavens Fall' and felt the attack connect, only to be greeted the sight of Saiki disappearing upon impact. The Divine Entity searched for the One Who Rules Time, and was caught off guard when he grabbed the side of Amaterasu's face…
"Ha ha ha ha! What are you looking at?"
Next was a burst of flames right into Amaterasu's face; Saiki has evaded the attack with 'Bijou' and counterattacked with 'Recoulter'. From there, Saiki delivered a crippling assault. He quickly got into position and blasted Amaterasu by generating a spiraling pillar of black fire around himself, a 'Sans-Culottes'. To keep his enemy airborne, he swiftly drew the flames into a large sphere and fired it upon the Divine Entity, a 'Thermidor'. As his exclamation point, he teleported on the other side of his juggled opponent and laid it on with five continuous flaming somersault kicks, a 'Pluviose'. Amaterasu finally hit the ground motionless, and Saiki slowly approached as he let out a mocking laugh to himself.
Saiki kneeled next to the Divine Entity and gloated, "Now, this seems really familiar, but this time I know what I'm getting… And it's mine. It's all mine!"
Saiki reached forward, starting to claim what he saw as his prize … when Amaterasu sat bolt upright, completely unscathed! Amaterasu's eyes slowly panned to the side to gaze at Saiki, while the Divine Entity's posture remained unearthly still…
Amaterasu said in a grave tone, "That was your final chance; your period of grace has passed."
"Grace … period?" Saiki responded in confusion.
While the body remained still, Amaterasu's head followed the eyes and slowly panned over to face Saiki, saying, "I repeat: your overestimate your abilities, boy. You are truly foolish if you believed you could vanquish me."
"Don't derogate me, lady." Saiki fired back, "I still have a lot more where…"
The Divine Entity again interjected into Saiki's speech … with a grasp of the throat. The grip was so powerful, in fact, that it broke Saiki's aura and exposed his entire head.
Amaterasu threateningly threatened, "Your attempts at resistance are over, and now comes your recompense."
Saiki fired a 'Ventose' at point blank range in desperation. Amaterasu was forced to release him, but still blocked the attack without it even getting close. As the Divine Entity started to rise, Saiki twirled both index fingers while dashing backward, and then generated a 'Thermidor' in each hand. He quickly fired both one after the other when his opponent stood, but Amaterasu proceeded to retort with extreme prejudice. The Divine Entity fired three massive 'Reverent Saber' fireballs right after one another without any wind-up or need for recovery! The first offset the first 'Thermidor'; the second destroyed the far 'Thermidor'; and the final one, fired from both hands, hit home, completing a 'Reverent Arsenal'.
Finally, Amaterasu performed one action that Saiki failed to realize was as-of-yet undone: assumed a fighting stance; the fighting position was just like Hiroshi's, only still with no bouncing in expectation. This act served as a visual cue that the Divine Entity was ready to fight … and causing pain was now the focus. In this form, all the usual techniques were much stronger and faster, and now many of them naturally canceled or transitioned into others. 'Heaven's Brace' could now be transitioned mid-explosion into a 'Divine Press'. The momentum for a 'Divine Dive' could now be directed forward into an immediate 'Angel Rush'. The impact from 'Heavens Fall' could give enough airspace to fire an aerial 'Angel Spark' afterward. The speed of 'Heavens Flare' now allowed for an additional 'Sky Scraper' chain before even touching the ground.
Amaterasu was moving at an entirely new gear from before. Saiki, under siege, tried to alleviate the pressure by zoning with 'Ventose', 'Genie', and 'Nivose', but it was to no avail. Amaterasu would simply move past them mid-rush or counter it before transitioning into another attack without an ounce of lost power or motion. It was a constant assault, and that along with the soul-thrashing power started to bludgeon the One Who Rules Time…
Soon, Saiki started backing down, but Amaterasu would cut him off every time, squashing all attempts instantly. When Saiki shot out 'Ventose', Amaterasu would spin around it with 'Heavens Fall', crowning with the axe kick, and use the impact to fire an 'Angel Spark' right to the head. Saiki would attempt a 'Nivose', but the Divine Entity would offset it with a swift 'Heavens Flare', and when Saiki was defenseless a moment later, tear into him with a 'Sky Scraper' chain. Amaterasu would cancel out 'Genie' with an 'Angel Spark' and sped forward right after with 'Angel Rush'. When the One Who Rules Time grabbed in a 'Vendemaire' attempt, Amaterasu would counter mid-combo with 'Heaven's Brace' and then utilized the grab, 'Divine Press'.' 'Sourage' and 'Fortife' were crushed with an ascending 'Sky Scraper' and, after the second link, Saiki was driven into the ground with a point-blank 'Divine Dive'. Even 'Bijou' offered no resistance; the Divine Entity would activate the trap with 'Divine Press', but when it came time for 'Recoulter', a near-instant 'Heavens Flare' offered a swift denial…
At one point, Saiki impulsively tried to teleport away, but the Divine Entity would have none of that. Amaterasu rocketed upward and grabbed Saiki before he could become intangible, a loud booming noise coming from Saiki's power being forcefully denied. Switching direction, Amaterasu drove him emphatically to the ground with a 'Divine Dive', carried the momentum while maintaining grip to administer a 'Divine Press', and finally, when Saiki flew backward, dashed behind him and administered the attack part of 'Heaven's Brace'.
Frantic for escape and feeling increasingly threatened, Saiki slowly backed away while clutching his aching chest, and Amaterasu slowly stalked after him, waiting to administer a final blow. Saiki, in sheer desperation, threw out a 'Ventose' and tried to teleport once again, but the Divine Entity was persistent and motivated. Amaterasu leapt over the black fire attack, swooped down with a high-speed 'Divine Dive', and connected … only to go through the facsimile. Saiki had countered at the last second with 'Bijou', and proceeded to throw everything he had at his enemy. Taking hold of Amaterasu, Saiki covered them both in an eruption of black flames, a 'Fructidor'. He then rushed through and trapped Amaterasu in the trail of black explosions set behind him by 'Germinal Ciel', an enhanced version of his dash attack. Taking advantage of the Divine Entity's airborne vulnerability to deliver a coup-de-grace, Saiki unleashed an 'Espoir', filling the area with many black explosions and assailing the mid-air Amaterasu!
The attack finally finished after several agonizing seconds, and Amaterasu hit the ground, body still smoking. Saiki held his breath in anxious anticipation as the Divine Entity slowly started up … but let out a deep breath of ease when Amaterasu fell back to one knee. The One Who Rules Time calmly walked over and grabbed Amaterasu's shirt though the being didn't look up at him from the ground…
Saiki shouted at Amaterasu in cheerful near-hysteria, "There; you see. Now, you understand. I am the supreme being. I am! The only divine power is mine! No god of goddess can even equal me, not even the mother-of-them-all! Do you hear me? Not even you can…"
Once more, Amaterasu interrupted her enemy and face-palmed Saiki, leaving only one eye uncovered. The Divine Entity finally looked up as Saiki was frozen with shock…
"I reiterate," Amaterasu said, "You talk entirely too much."
The Divine Entity quickly subjected Saiki to the most decisive of finishes: this form's personal MAX Danger Move, 'Sacred Talion'… Amaterasu fired a spiraling stream of white fire right into Saiki's face, engulfing his head! As Saiki was left defenseless and his body became limp, Amaterasu stood, grabbing him by the chest in the process, and administered the next phase of the attack: shooting and completely covering Saiki's body in a massive firestorm the size of a subway train! Saiki fell to his knees in pure, unfettered agony, but Amaterasu continued to hold on to him, ready for the last segment… Finally, the Divine Entity crushed Saiki under a diagonally-falling curtain of snow-white flames!
The aura around Saiki completely dissipated… The façade forced upon the room broke away like glass, with only the dark, abandoned chamber left… The One Who Rules Time ruled no more; Saiki was defeated. The Divine Entity lifted the now-helpless malicious enemy up overhead.
Amaterasu triumphantly and ominously proclaimed, "It is over, Saiki. The only thing left for you now … is your permanent end."
End Chapter
A/N: There you have it. Now, I know I just threw a big development at you, but the characters will react next time and give you some more explanation. The next chapter will see the ramifications of this battle. Thank you for reading, I hope you liked it, and I hope you come back to read more. Please R&R, and, as always, Rant, Rave, and Review.