The Red Wand
Epilogue
"…and that's it."
The group of five PC's in front of the blonde haired teenager looking AI blinked.
A female Harvest Cleric with silver hair spoke. "That's all? What happened after it was killed? What happened to that guy?"
"Vanished. When the light faded, we were back in the original area. About a week later, maybe a day before you all showed up, Aura found an area…this area."
She stood up from the grass she was sitting in, and motioned for the group to do the same. They followed her past a group of trees, into a large clearing, filled with multiple beautiful flowers, butterflies, and a strange ethereal glow. However, what was the biggest surprise was a gigantic stone slab in the center of all of it.
"This…we think…is the Key to bringing him back…something Aura wishes dearly."
"What is it?"
"Dunno. None of us do."
She pointed to a symbol at the top of the slab. The symbol was made of one circle, and seven triangle shapes. The center of the symbol looked much like a hazard sign, while three other triangles, one above the center, one just outside the circle below the left most tip of the sign, and another just outside under the right most tip.
"All we know, is that, is what'll help us get him back."
"What is it?"
"Again, I don't know. This whole area came out of nowhere, it just…appeared. I didn't make it, Morgana didn't make it, and Aura didn't make it. CC Corp doesn't even know the place exists, because it's an area just outside of the borders of the game."
A bluish-green haired young man inquired. "Then how did we get here Zefie?"
"Aura sent me to bring you guys here. She said it would only be fair for you to be caught up to the events of The World."
"That's right."
(Play Sonic 3 Breaking the Ice OC Remix)
In a blaze of brilliant light, Aura, and a blue-green haired little girl appeared.
"After all, three of you are the Heroes of The World, one of you posed as my surrogate mother, and the last…was the key to my awakening."
The whole group smiled.
"Aura!"
"Aina…why are you here?"
"Aura-nee-chan and I were out looking for information. We showed a few players the symbol on the rock, to see if they knew what it was."
"We came across something quite interesting. But I'll explain that in a few moments…we're waiting for-
"HEY!"
Approaching from the entrance, the Infinity Eight greeted the group.
As they arrived, a distortion formed, and Morgana stepped out. She nodded to Aura and sat down. Aura motioned for the others to sit, a white haired Blade Brandier taking a moment to gawk at Pai's cleavage in surprise, before being yanked down by the brown haired man next to him.
"Good, now we're all here."
Yata spoke first. "I take it you have information?"
Aura nodded. "Yes. Aina and I found one person…ONLY one person, who recognized the symbol."
Saku blurted out. "You mean someone actually knew what the hell that thing is?!"
"Yes."
"So tell us, what is it?"
Aina spoke up.
"It belonged to Zero-nii-chan."
The group blinked as one. Kuhn spoke up next. "I think I speak for everyone present when I say, 'Huh?!'"
Aura smiled sadly. "The symbol was a creation of Zero Shinzaki…better known in The World as Shinigami Xenmaru."
Looks of astonishment were all around. "It gets better."
"There's more?"
"The symbol means 'Chaos'."
Endrance mused. "That…can't be good for us."
"Actually there was a reason behind it."
"What is it?"
"Zero-nii had split personalities when he was younger."
Another round of confused looks. Haseo shook his head. "I don't get it."
Aura clarified. "Much like Saku is a creation of Bo's, Zero Shinzaki had, at one point, also created multiple persona for a specific use. However, unlike Bo, his never took over his body to act out their own will."
Ovan puzzled over what that could mean. "Keep going…"
"Zero used those personalities as an anchor. He lost his family at a young age, and then created a new one in his mind. Six people, three male, three female. He gave them personalities, histories, even special abilities…but the trick to them was that he used them as buffers for his own thoughts. Instead of them being tangible persona, he used them as reflecting points. He'd muse over a situation, or problem, and then he'd gain seven different ways of seeing it. Needless to say, it allowed him to excel at many forms of strategy, and games and even logical works."
The blue haired woman that was with the first five spoke. "But what does that have to do with the symbol?"
"He made the symbol to be a form of Family Crest. An insignia all his own. He labeled it the 'Crest of Chaos', due to his mental state. He was aware of their existence, and their purpose. The symbol was made of seven pieces, each one representing one of the seven minds he had within him. He even gave the mindsets Elemental Affinities. Seven in total. Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, Darkness and Light. The seventh was an unknown power that was never given an accurate enough name. It ranged from Temporal manipulation, to reality distortion, to mastery over all forms of elements…it was the ultimate power, held in check by the balanced states of the other six."
"In other words…Chaos itself."
"Exactly."
Atoli spoke. "What does this have to do with the rock?"
Aina stood up, and held her arms out to the sides, and closed her eyes. A glowing light surrounded her, and then condensed in front of her into a diamond shaped crystal. The crystal was colored silver, and had a small pulsing light within it. It floated in front of her, shimmering.
"What…the hell is that?"
"And what was it doing within my sister?"
"If what the PC said was right…and the knowledge I have of Xenmaru from Alicia is correct…this…is a fragment of Xenmaru."
The gem glowed, as did the center triangle on the stone.
"Looks like I was right."
The gem faded back into Aina, and she opened her eyes. Aura continued.
"It would seem, that at the end of the battle, Xenmaru didn't die…he fragmented, much like I did when I was Data Drained by Skeith. Perhaps it was subconscious, or maybe he intended it…or maybe he's just a copycat."
The group snapped their gazes to Aura when she said this.
"All I know is that somewhere out there in The World, there are Six other gems like the one Aina has…and I'm sure if we brought all seven together to this rock…we'd get Xenmaru back."
Aina looked to the side…away from everyone. She turned and stepped away slightly.
"It…won't be that easy."
Aura looked at her, as did the others, confusion on their faces. Aina spoke…but not once did she turn.
"He didn't call them his Family…he called them his Guardians. They kept him sane, they kept him going when he had nothing…they protected him. The crystals…even if we were to locate them…we would have to fight the Guardian protecting it. It's like with Cubia. It's a failsafe. We would have to fight enemies…that are at least a seventh of his power…and you all saw what he was like when he went all out. These things wouldn't hesitate to destroy any of us…and knowing the nature of it, they'd probably be able to do damage to our Physical Selves."
"How do you…"
She glowed, and purple symbols covered her body.
The infinity eight, Aura, Zefie, and Morgana gasped. Ovan wasn't as surprised.
"Cubia…chose you didn't it?"
Aina turned and nodded. "Mikoto-san…she…she said Xenmaru would have wanted her to join me…to help me find the pieces. She said that it would take a lot of strength, both mental and physical to beat his Guardians. Tactics, knowledge…and luck. They won't know who we are, since the last time they were active, he was sixteen. To them, we'll be threats…and they'll stop at nothing to remove us as long as we seek their charges."
"We have to try though…for him…"
"Yes…he's probably bored out of his mind…if he's even conscious."
"Alright then…we know what to do now. Haseo, you've got the largest member pool of all of us. Contact your allies; send them an image of that symbol, and the gem. Tell them to keep an eye out for anything that looks like either of those, and if they find it, to not do anything, and message you immediately. Let them know this is a Quest issued by me personally."
He nodded.
"Everyone…your lives are your own. I have to do this…but you guys don't. Whenever you're free to help, go ahead, but please, don't push yourselves trying to help me. The three of us can take care of this matter practically ourselves…"
"We know Aura. We'll help when we can."
"Us too!"
"Yes…about that…"
She walked towards three of the five that showed up first. She motioned for them to follow her.
"I think it's time your characters returned to normal…or at least…the R:2 equivalent."
A ringing noise sounded through the area, and three glowing blue orbs appeared. The orbs exploded, one in blue flames, one in blue feathers, and one in a torrent of crystal blue water. The three gaped at the forms. Aura nodded at the zombie like beings, and they strode forward. Before the three could react, the beings had literally phased into their bodies. The three glowed…and when the light faded…they took the forms of the three creatures that had walked into them.
"The three of you deserve to keep your titles after all. You can warp to any area, from anywhere, just by punching in the words. No Chaos Gate needed. Any party members you have will be warped along with you."
"What…?"
"Welcome back…Orca of the Azure Sea, Balmung of the Azure Sky…and Kite of the Azure Flame."
The Azure Knights…had returned to The World.
"Kite, you have the bracelet again. No infection possibilities this time. Also, you have a pseudo-avatar form. It's called Azure Flame God. If I hadn't been rushing when I created those three, I'd have made forms for all of you…but for now, Kite will be your powerhouse."
The three stared at Aura.
"This…I never expected to see this character again…"
"Yeah…even if it does look a bit…frayed."
Aura blushed. "Sorry…like I said, I was rushing when I put them together…so they kinda look like Zombies…but hey, it matches the tone of R:2!"
"Yeah…it does."
Zefie and Morgana stood, as did the rest of the group.
"Tsukasa, Subaru, I'm glad to see the two of you again."
"It's good to know you're alright."
The three smiled at each other.
"Oh yeah, just so I don't forget…what were the area words to this place again?"
"Theta Server: Restoring Lovers Dream."
And this is it. Just as confusing as I wanted it to be. Yep, the Azure Knights have returned, as have Tsukasa and Subaru. Aina is now the holder of Avatar Cubia, and you learn more of Xenmaru's past, before he died and became locked within The World. It's been a wild ride, and I've already planned out the Sequel. I have Character Names picked already, along with their descriptions…but Area ideas are coming up short…
TheAzureDolphin: It would seem that way wouldn't it? Xenmaru's power is on par with that of Aura…only due to his circumstances. He's a human spirit trapped within the internet basically. Even as a normal human he was able to fathom and imagine possibilities most people wouldn't even begin to think of…which was reflected on by his connection with The World. The staff just gave him a boost. The Complete Aura is stronger than he is, but she's still getting used to her power. Xenmaru was quick to adjust. This chapter might feel incomplete as well…but…I plan on doing something different with the sequel…you'll see.
Yamimaru: Yeah I know…knowing my luck I'll be writing the sequel before then. And as you can see, no he's not deleted…per se. Be kinda dumb to build him up, then wipe him out suddenly ne? No, he's still around…and his TRUE power, along with Aura's, wont be seen till the near end of the sequel. Yep, the next fic is gonna focus on Aura, her growth, and her interactions with others.
I know many will have questions. I anticipate, and welcome them all. I'll answer whatever you ask to the best of my ability. You want background information for certain characters? Fine by me. You want ability comparisons? Go ahead and ask. If you've got an account, PM me, if not, my e-mail's in my profile, as should be my AIM name…if not I'll put it there. You've got questions? I've got launchers ready to destroy them with answers. Have a good rest of the summer everyone! See you next mission!