Chapter 18: Game Over
Outside Gaia's Domain, sometime after…
"I see. So because Ebony absorbed you into her soul, you became a part of her. So when White was resurrected, so were you." Axel said after receiving a lengthy explanation.
Yuu nodded. "Pretty much, yeah."
"I'm still surprised though. About you guys saving us. For the longest time the only thing I knew about you was that you were a…well…how should I put this?"
"An insane psychotic bitch who murdered millions and tried to plunge the multiverse into hell?" she was half joking.
"Y-yeah, something like that. But if that's true, then why did you save us? I'll admit you seem a little short tempered, no offense-"
"None taken."
"—but other than that you seem to be a fairly decent person. I've heard about your motives, and though your actions were a little extreme, I can see why you did what you did. How can they just label you a monster, when you're really not that evil?"
Yuu released a heavy sigh. "You should know that as well as I do. People are cruel. They only remember you for the crimes you've committed or the destruction you've caused. It's hard for them to forgive you for being a monster, but it's very easy for them to forget that they were the ones that made you a monster in the first place."
Axel nodded solemnly. Hoping to lighten the mood again, he then asked.
"So, what's the deal with you and White? Are you guys together or something?"
"…you could say that."
Yuu looked over at the woman in question. White Rock Shooter was currently standing beside Valkyrie, making sure the younger other-self apologized profusely to Hisana and Roxas. Axel noticed a faint smile creep onto the demoness's face as she watched them.
"Come to think of it, White doesn't seem all that bad either. Sure she's intimidating as shit, especially with those red eyes and that creepy pre-rape smile, but aside from that she almost seems…friendly."
"White was alone for a long time. She could see Ebony's life unfold from her mind, and could feel the bonds she made with others, but it only made her even lonelier. Then Ebony absorbed my soul, and I joined her in her empty world."
Yuu chuckled lightly. "You should have seen her then. She was so happy to finally have somebody she could feel and talk to, somebody to end her loneliness, somebody to love her and make her happy."
The fire users watched as White finished scolding Valkyrie, just before pulling both her and Hisana into a group hug. Now Axel smiled at the scene.
"You know, sometimes I wonder if White was Hisana's real mother. She seems to resemble her a lot more than Ebony. Who knows, maybe someday you and her will have a boy or girl to-"
"White can't have children."
Axel paused. He looked over at Yuu, whose smile had become more sad than gentle.
"We tried every method we could think of, but it seems that she is physically incapable of having a baby. She cried for a long time when Hisana and Shinzo were born, because even though they were her daughters as much as Ebony's, they would never know how much she cared about them. Now that we're free, she wants to make up for all the time she's lost."
Axel remained silent for a time, stunned at the revelation. He glanced back at White and the others. The pale woman was now laughing with both halves of her daughter as she held them close. Even though she had her usual sadistic smile on, Axel could plainly see the maternal love behind it. Yuu hid her sorrow as the other members of their group approached.
"Come, that's more than enough sad talk for now."
"Thank you for saving us… um, is it alright if I call you Mrs. Koutari?" Hisana said as she neared the demoness.
"It's alright to just call me Yuu, or Evelyn's dad if that's what you prefer. Although, considering recent events, it's more like Aunt Yuu."
"Huh? What do you mean by that?"
Yuu smirked. "Oh? White didn't tell you? Evelyn and Shinzo are married now."
Axel, Hisana, Valkyrie, and Roxas's jaws practically dropped to the floor in surprise.
"MARRIED?!" they said in unison.
"Oh yes, I forgot to mention that. Well, and the fact that the process of the marriage results in me and Yuu getting bumped to grandparent status~" White added snidely.
"Ahh, my little girl is all grown up! It was only her first time and she's already having a baby~"
"EVELYN'S PREGNANT?!"
"Considering how many more times they did the deed once they married, it'd be unbelievable if she wasn't."
Everyone but Hisana, who amazingly was able to disregard her mother's implications, fainted. The vampires stood in shock.
"Then, that means-" she began.
Yuu nodded. "Shinzo has finally accepted her feelings. They plan to run away together, and it's quite possible they won't see you again for some time."
Hisana felt a mixture of relief and regret. She was happy that her best friend and her former sibling were together, but she couldn't help but feel saddened over the fact that she had now severed all ties Shinzo. She felt a hand on her shoulder, and saw White smiling fondly at her.
"It'll take a while, but they'll come back. And when they do, we'll all find a way to work things out. I know we will."
Hisana was surprised to hear such comforting words from the other-self, but it was quickly replaced by confusion.
"Wait, how do you know they're married, and that they…you know…"
"Easy. I have the power to peer into the minds of others, so I looked into my daughter's mind, and found out everything." seeing the mortified look on the vampiress's face, she then added with a smirk. "I didn't watch them for long, but if you really want to know what happened…"
"No thanks, I'm good." Hisana replied instantly.
Still, at least they're finally happy. The vampires smiled. Good luck you two, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful life together.
Just then, the ground began to shake violently, and pillar of blue hellfire exploded skyward, seeming to reach all the way into space. At the same time of the explosion, a terrible cry of agony rang out over the world. By now the group had all regained conscious, and were wide eyed with fear. They all knew the voice, but it was Yuu that named its owner. Her lips trembled with fear as she whispered.
"Evelyn…not you too…"
Elsewhere...
"Tsuyo-sa, hurry up!" Kurai called.
The sword smith and the short girl had left Windbloom the moment he had gotten a fix on Shinzo and Hisana's location. Kurai was well aware of the former's recent transformation, and knew there was not much time left to prevent the apocalypse. He originally planned to go alone, but Tsuyo-sa had pleaded to accompany him, reasoning that since her older sister was most likely with the twins, she wanted to make sure she was safe. The girl didn't appear to have an ulterior motive, and the cute puppy eyes she had used convinced Kurai that she might be useful anyway. Tsuyo-sa had certainly proven so when they encountered Tabuu, the final guardian of the Otherworld. Thanks to the addition of the girl's strength, they were able to quickly dispose of the threat, though not without taking quite a few hits themselves.
"So when we find her, what will you do?" Tsuyo-sa asked, having been given a quick briefing on the prophecy.
"It won't be easy, but hopefully I will be able to convince Shinzo to let go of her feelings. The safety of the multiverse is important, but I'd rather not shed any more blood if I can avoid it."
"If you're worried about Shinzo bedding Hisana, then you're wasting your time." a new voice called out.
Kurai and Tsuyo-sa paused and turned in the direction of the speaker. Sitting upon the remains of a building was none other than Felicity, smiling with all her mad glee.
"Who are you? And what do you mean, 'wasting my time'?" demanded the sword smith.
"Oh come on, you seriously haven't figured it out yet? Geez, I don't have the power to see the future and even I saw it coming! Both literally and figuratively."
"Goddammit, I don't have time for your games! What is it that I haven't figured out?"
Felicity shook her head at the sword smith. "Man, no wonder he calls you a fool. The prophecy was that Shinzo would mate with her sister, and from their union the child of destruction, shall be given flesh. Tell me, is Hisana Shinzo's sister right now?"
"Of course not, her sister is-" he froze.
Tsuyo-sa shot the sword smith a look of concern. "Kurai, what is it?"
Kurai fell down on one knee, and brought a hand up to his face. "It can't be...how did I not see it before?"
Felicity broke out in a fit of hysterical laughter. "Hahaha! So you finally realized the truth! God, you're such an idiot!"
"I don't understand, what's she talking about?" Tsuyo-sa inquired.
The vampiress grinned down at the short girl. "The truth behind the child of destruction's mother. You see, it's not Hisana who's destined to bear Shinzo's offspring. No, the real mother is-"
Suddenly, Felicity's mad grin disappeared, and her joyful expression turned to one of shock and hate.
"No way...she told me he was dead..."
For reasons unknown, the ground began to shake violently, and a humongous pillar of blue hellfire erupted from somewhere in the distance. The eruption was immediately followed by a cry of agony that reached the far corners of the world.
The remains of Fury's Fortress, a few moments before the explosion...
Shinzo Koutari stared dreamily up at the starless black sky. Evelyn lay curled up smiling beside her, exhausted after the hours of love making they shared. The younger girl's hand traveled to her wife's stomach, where she felt a faint life begin to stir. Evelyn reached down with her own hand and intertwined their fingers. The feeling of the one she loved beside her, and the new life she had to look forward to were all the older girl could ask for. Still, there was one thing that bothered her. At one point during their bonding, Shinzo had suddenly paused, and a partially dead look entered her eyes. It disappeared before she had the chance to inquire about it, and at the time she wasn't in any condition to think straight. No matter, there would be plenty of time to talk with her husband about it later. They had the rest of their lives together, after all. The younger girl shared in the joy of her wife, and was already looking forward to seeing their child's smiling face. According to Evelyn, it would take half a year for the baby to develop completely. Shinzo could hardly wait. The younger girl shot a glance at the far wall of the demolished room, where pair of twin katanas in red sheath's sat beside a single one in an amber sheath. Like Evelyn had said, they now shared power, and because of that the older girl had been granted a zanpakutou of her own, though its name was a mystery. Shinzo inhaled deeply and looked back up at the sky. For once in her life, everything was perfect. Sighing contently, the younger girl was about to drift back into sleep. Suddenly, a foul odor reached her nose. Recognizing it at once, she sat up in alarm, and turned to the side. The long silver barrel of a high caliber handgun was waiting there, along with a pair of hateful red eyes.
"You forgot one soul..."
Click!
"Mine."
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Evelyn wasn't sure how it happened. Not even a minute ago, she was holding hands with her beloved as they lay in bed. The next thing she knew, there were gaping holes in Shinzo's eye and chest, and then she was covered in a spray of green/black blood. Shinzo fell limply to the bed, and in front of her stood a dark haired man with blood red eyes and clothing holding a smoking gun. In just mere seconds, her true love, and the future that awaited them together, was gone. Trembling, Evelyn scooped up Shinzo's limp form into her arms. Tears began streaming from her eyes faster than they ever had before.
"Shinzo?" she said weakly.
The younger girl did not respond.
"Shinzo?"
Her scent grew faint.
"Please, don't..."
The stench of death rose.
"Don't do this...please, don't go..."
Using the last of her strength, Shinzo looked up at Evelyn and lifted a hand to the older girl's cheek. The younger girl tried to speak, but because one of the bullets had pierced her lung, all she could do was mouth her last words. Nonetheless, Evelyn could make out what her husband was trying to say.
"Thank you, Evelyn...I love you..."
Barely able to talk from the sheer shock of what had just happened, the older girl could only nod. "I love you too."
A ghost of a smile formed on the younger girl's lips. Then, her eyes went blank, and was still. Evelyn didn't move. The sudden loss came so fast and left so great a void in the older girl's life that she wasn't sure how to respond. Rage, terror, and sorrow coursed through every fiber of her being, so much so that it was impossible to react on just one emotion. While she silently grieved, Alucard released a heavy sigh.
"At last, all is as it should be. Now the multiverse is no longer in danger." he said before letting out a huff. "What a waste, she could have been so much more. But the stupid bitch just wouldn't listen to reason, she insisted on pursuing her feelings for Hisana, and now she has finally paid the price."
A second figure clad in red emerged from the shadows, with darkness in place of her left arm.
"But master, did you really have to kill her? She didn't seem to be hurting anyone."
Alucard turned toward the newcomer. "You may not have seen it, police girl, but that woman committed several heinous crimes during her travels. She was so obsessed with bedding her own sister, that the only thing I could do was kill her. If I didn't, she would've impregnated Hisana and fathered Ryunoko, the child of destruction. And if that's not all, she nearly killed me!"
Ceras's eyes widened in surprise. "She almost beat you?!"
"Yes, and were it not for the intervention of that strange growling fellow in the black cloak, I would have lost all my souls and burned to death. But thankfully, I was able to escape and put an end to the little traitor in time."
The no-life king looked back at Evelyn, who was still staring down at her lover's corpse with tears flowing from her eyes. Though Ceras felt a pang of guilt at the sight, Alucard merely scoffed and walked over to the demoness with an angry scowl on his face.
"Why do you grieve? She was fated to bring about the end of all of us. But then again, I don't suppose it would be that bad if you were to disappear."
Ceras turned back toward her master in surprise.
"You know, despite her insane desires, Shinzo was still a vampire brought about from my blood. She still had honor. But she threw it all away when she became one of you. Instead of remaining a proud member of the Takanashi family, she chose to defile herself and become a demon of you worthless Koutari's! You are nothing but a bunch of sad, jealous whores who only know how to hate! No one loves you, no one cares! You're nothing but trash!"
"Master, stop it! She hasn't done anything to us!" Ceras tried.
"Why should I stop? She knows it's the truth! It doesn't matter if she tries to change, in the end they're all the same! Outcasts who try to belong, when they know they'll never be accepted! You think Shinzo loved you? Ha! Preposterous! She was fated to long for Hisana, not you! You are nothing but a sad and lonely harlot, just like your father!"
Alucard loaded a fresh magazine into his gun and pointed it at the demoness's head.
"I should just do us all a favor and kill you right here and now to save everyone else the trouble!"
"Master, don't!"
Alucard pulled the trigger. To the surprise of both him and Ceras, the bullet incinerated upon coming in contact with Evelyn. All of a sudden, a flaming blue aura sprung up around the demoness.
"Unforgivable..." her voice was suddenly deeper and slightly distorted.
Slowly, Evelyn turned around to face the vampires. Although her face was void of any emotion, her eyes were now glowing a fiery bright blue, and her irises had become ringed.
"She endured so much cruelty from you people, but taking away the one thing she held most dear, that is absolutely unforgivable!"
A blue aura appeared around the zanpakutou with the amber sheath, and the sword immediately flew to the girl's waiting hand. Without taking her eyes off of Alucard, Evelyn drew her sword.
"Punish and avenge, Jigoku no Hofuku." (hell's retribution)
The aura surrounding Evelyn engulfed her, and when she emerged again she was holding a 3ft long shaft with curved forked blades on either end of the shaft. Each end of the dual spear was covered in hellfire. Too stunned at the sheer power radiating from the girl, Alucard could only watch as she rose the weapon in a throwing position.
"Fukushu no kokuso." (black spear of vengeance)
Instantly, she flung her arm forward, hurling the spear through the no-life king. Alucard collapsed to his knees as he began to turn to ash. Evelyn's hate filled eyes glared down at him.
"You have failed, vampire. Shinzo has already planted the seed that will become Ryunoko. It is not Hisana Takanashi that will give birth to the child of destruction. It is EVELYN KOUTARI."
It was the last thing Alucard heard before he was completely incinerated, not even leaving ash behind. Evelyn then turned toward Ceras, who was trembling after seeing her master so easily obliterated. The vampiress cringed as the demoness grabbed her throat.
"Because your hand in this was merely that of an observer, I will spare your life. In return, I have a message I want you to deliver. Do you understand me, vampire swine?"
Ceras fearfully nodded her head.
"Good, then listen closely. The time has come for the insolent fools of the multiverse to pay for what they have done. Because of them, Shinzo has perished, and with her Evelyn's love and happiness. Now, only I am left to carry out her will. Just as my father was named Fury for the hatred in her heart, I shall be known as Strife for the pain within mine. If the people of the multiverse want us to become the monster they claim us to be, then they will get exactly what they desire. Now, begone from my sight!"
Strife tossed Ceras to the ground. The terrified vampiress immediately nodded in understanding before fleeing from the premises. Strife then turned back to Shinzo's body, which remained unharmed by the deadly flames raging around her. The demoness picked up her fallen love and held her close.
"You did not deserve to die like this. Evelyn was finally happy, finally able to look forward to a life of love and joy. But now that you have passed, she can no longer suppress me. I will avenge you, just as I will avenge Evelyn. I promise, I will find a way to bring you back, for both our sakes. Ryunoko shall not be fatherless. There is much to do, but for now, I will allow her to grieve."
Strife closed her eyes, and unleashed a terrible cry of pain and loss. As the sorrow within her and Evelyn's heart was released, the aura of hellfire that surrounded her skyrocketed, not stopping until it had seemed to reach up into the heavens.
Unknown Location, meanwhile...
Marluxia was absolutely furious as he stood before his arc-guardians. Now only Grimmjow and Sephiroth remained as the final defense before all the multiverse's competitors arrived to confront him. He still had not built up enough Nobodies to form a full army, and due to his terms at the beginning of the tournament he would soon be forced to open the doorway to his world. Not only that, but he still had not managed to find a solution to his own personal 'problem'.
"What the hell are we gonna do now, boss?!" Grimmjow demanded angrily.
"It is only the two of us now, so it will not be long before they come here. I hate to admit it, but even I will most likely die when faced against such odds." added Sephiroth.
"Both of you just calm the fuck down!" shouted the overseer, slamming his fists down on his desk for emphasis.
Both the arrancar and the swordsman paused in surprise. For Marluxia to actually swear, he must have been pretty damn angry. The overseer collected himself as best he could in his furious state before continuing.
"I am well aware of our situation, I do not need a reminder. I just need a little more time to think of a solution-"
"I'm afraid you've long run out of time, Marluxia." a new voice said.
Both arc-guardians eyes widened at the sound. They knew the voice and who it belonged to all too well. The room's occupants turned toward a swirling black portal that suddenly appeared at the back. Out of the portal stepped a man with short white hair and grey eyes clad in shining white armor. The man grinned sinisterly upon catching sight of Grimmjow and Sephiroth.
"Hello gentlemen, did you miss me?"
"White Steel Wrath?!" both arc-guardians said at once.
"In the flesh."
"But...but how?! Didn't your counterpart die?" stated Sephiroth.
"Yes, but thanks to your so called 'boss', he and I have been resurrected."
Grimmjow shot a glance at Marluxia. "You brought this fucker's counterpart back as a Nobody?!"
"I...I didn't think it would carry the same effect if it was a Nobody..."
"Well, it does. And now that I've returned, I've decided that it's high time you stepped down from your throne, you foolish pretender."
Before Marluxia could make a retort, Wrath summoned his axe and cut open his robes. The overseer staggered back in pain and alarm as a small pendant in the shape of an hourglass revealed itself. Within the hourglass was a small amount of black sand.
"Just as I thought, your body is incomplete." Wrath explained. "That sand in there, those are your own remains, aren't they? If I had to guess I'd say it was back when you were playing spy for Yuu. As soon as she died, you began to burn up, just like everyone else. But, somehow, you managed to seal your ashes within that trinket, as well as the power that was bestowed upon you during your service. After that it was simple. You just had to build up enough power to restore your body and be able to command the Gehenna Gate, which you used to summon your initial three arc-guardians and begin this game. But in doing so, you used up the last of your real power, leaving you with just enough to call up an army. At least, until your lifeline was damaged by a certain blonde brat, then it was gone completely. Sound about right?"
Marluxia grit his teeth. Everything the other-self said was true. "How...how did you find this place? I have not yet lowered the barrier!"
Wrath smirked and held out his free hand. "I'll show you."
Within moments, an ornate looking weapon in the shape of a key materialized.
"You know what this is, don't you?"
The overseer's eyes widened. "A keyblade?!"
"So you do remember it. You should also remember then, that these weapons have a particularly useful ability: opening gateways to other dimensions."
Marluxia glared with all the hatred he could muster at the other-self. "You bastard!"
"Hmph, is that seriously the best thing you can say right now? No matter, it is time for you to leave this life. Farewell, pretender!"
With that, Wrath brought both his weapons down on the overseer. There was a cry of pain as the blows landed, followed by a burst of dark energy as Marluxia faded from existence. Wrath stood up with a smirk of satisfaction as he turned to Sephiroth and Grimmjow, who had their weapons readied for battle.
"Gentlemen, are you sure you want to do that? I think you'll find it to be much easier on yourselves to just accept me as your master." he warned.
"As if! Give us one good reason why we shouldn't duke it out right here, right now!"
"Two words: Night Terror."
"Night Terror?"
As if on que, a monstrous roar sounded throughout the room, just before a large orb of flame appeared beside Wrath.
"You may have known him previously as Roxfienn, a Nobody of Inferno that Marluxia created. Inferno is the very spirit of Soul Edge itself, so all I had to do was point him in the direction of the cursed sword. When he found it in its ultimate form, he joined with it and became the almighty abomination of evil known as Night Terror. He is so powerful in fact, that I have trouble keeping a firm hold over him."
The fiery orb dissipated, and a nightmarish being was revealed. It was at least 8 feet tall, had large wings made solely out of fire, a long tail, and a hulking body covered in teeth, red scales, spikes, and volcanic fissures. In its maw like claws it held Soul Edge, which now had rows of teeth that stretched along the inner length of the sword.
"The choice is yours, gentlemen." Wrath continued. "You can either join me, or be consumed by Night Terror. Better choose fast, I can practically feel my control slipping."
Both arc-guardians were well aware of the dark power radiating from the monster, and it frightened them to an extent. Reluctantly, they laid down their weapons and dropped down on one knee. Wrath chuckled darkly at this.
" I knew you'd make the right choice. Now come, it is time for me to inform the others."
In the sky above every world in the multiverse, the humongous dark sphere cast forth a hologram of White Steel Wrath.
"Greetings, people of the multiverse." it began. "It is I, White Steel Wrath. Yes, that's right, the very same White Steel Wrath that made you all aware of other worlds. Where is Marluxia, you ask? I can happily tell you that he is no longer with us, and thus has passed on his tournament and domain to me. For my first act as ruler, I will reveal to you what the pretender has been keeping secret for so long."
The dark sphere began to dissipate, revealing an enormous castle floating beneath a brilliant and luminous light.
"Do you all see that light above my new castle? That was the source of Marluxia's power. It is the prize that would have awaited the winner of his game. What is it? Quite simply, it is both creation and destruction, the very center of the multiverse. The power to give life, to rewrite time, to become a god. It lies there, only a few hundred miles from my castle. At present, I cannot reach it. But, in honor of the late Marluxia, I will uphold his promise of handing over this power to anyone who can brave my armies and defeat me. However, there is one thing I want to make perfectly clear."
The hologram's smirk faded into an angry frown.
"This game, is over. From now on, until the end of my reign...
WE ARE AT WAR."
TO BE CONTINUED...
A/N: and so ends the new tournament. Now, before you all get mad at me and say this was a crap ending, please know that I wrote this with a sequel in mind. (don't worry, the next story will be the last in this series.) The next story will be entitled "The Reign of Wrath", and should be up within a few weeks. (after all this, I need a break T_T) Regardless, hope you enjoyed this story and look forward to the grand finale. Please leave a review! Until next time, DarkNovelist out.
PS: I promise that the final ending will be much happier