Cao Cao stood within Jie Ting's castle, on it's balcony.

There was celebration below.

Shadowlaw had retreated, the remains of the Han had scattered. He could see the dark transport ships leaving his world.

The mixture of yellow armoured troops, blue, green, red, peasants with yellow scarves, keybladers, and the heroes was a sight to look down on for him…yet he could see many were enjoyed, tired from the conflict…and many of his world, didn't come back at all.

He could sense them beside him. Sun Jian and Liu Bei. Both looking at the crowd like him. Lingering shadows of what he had hoped for.

Then he heard the door open to his quarters here. The leaders he had called for had come, including those who had to replace the fallen. Standing close to the table in the front room, watching him standing at the balcony. Yuan Shao. Eraqus. Zhang Jiao. General Grievous. Sun Ce, Sun Jian's replacement. Ma Chao. Guan Yu, Liu Bei's replacement. Dr Light and Dr Wily had come as well, called by Cao Cao, having only teleported into Jie Ting a few minutes ago.

He finally turned away from the sight, sure to himself that he really did spot Sun Jian beside him as he turned and faced all the others, walking inside.

Yuan Shao was clearly happy about the victory. "My friend! We stand victorious a second time! I should work with you more often on the battlefield! The gods seem to favour you each time!"

"This is no grand victory Yuan Shao. We lost many lives for this one. Good friends, allies…brothers and fathers…"

Guan Yu and Ma Chao acknowledged that last bit by silently nodding, whilst Sun Ce looked away for a moment. His cheeks were red from him crying earlier on hearing the loss of his brother and father.

"Dr Wily, did you do as I asked?" Cao Cao looked to the doctor.

"Yes. I've informed Rufus of the uprising of the Han and their siding with the Galactic Federation. He seemed happy that your people repelled Keaton. He wanted to know if Keaton has been slain."

"Unfortunately not." Grievous turned to the two doctors. "I had tried to chase the fool, but he got away from my grasp when those still loyal to him blocked by path."

"General. Are your men gathered and securely awaiting transport?" Cao Cao folded his arms.

The cyborg nodded. "Although we have defected from the Galactic Federation, we have acknowledged that we must be dealt with by the Shinra Federation. My troops will wait for escorts, and my ships have stood down."

"It's a shame. You could join us instead. I will gladly attempt to fight for your case were you to establish a home here."

"A tempting offer, but one I will decline. I prefer to serve a force that will reign over the stars, not just one world."

"As you wish." Cao Cao placed his attention on the others now. "The celebrations cannot continue for long. We must restore order as soon as possible in the capital and across the land. Myself and Yuan Shao are the only original kings left of the 13. Much of the land has no one to command it. Once we take over the capital, we will formulate a council for our world much like before, but this time, the emperor will partake in it. He will listen to everyone, not just those close to him, and make a judgement based on the suggestions that are given to him."

"An emperor." Sun Ce faced Cao Cao. "We will need an emperor. Do you suggest yourself to be that?"

"No. There was one I had in mind, but he has been lost to us. There is another though. One that I feel will be able to handle the role with great pride."

"Who?" Yuan Shao was certainly interested.

…He then noticed Cao Cao was looking at him, and eventually, so were the others. "Ar, are you suggesting that you want ME to take charge!?"

"You have a head for leadership, do you not? And do not forget your prestigious name had gained you a position as High Minister before. You will be the face of our world."

Yuan Shao thought about this carefully, thinking what it would bring for him. "Very well. If everyone is fine with the idea, I shall take command of our world and lead us to a new future."

No one was sure but Cao Cao. Dr Wily thought the Wei ruler had lost it.

Meanwhile Cao Cao spoke up again. "Once you are on the throne, I suggest to you that we divide the land between all those here bar the doctors and General Grievous. Each have fought to save our world, and with the lack of leaders, we need replacements. I'm sure each will be grateful to get their homes back-" glancing over at Guan Yu, Sun Ce and Ma Chao "-whilst others will be thankful to have land to finally call their own." He then looked over to Eraqus and Zhang Jiao.

Yuan Shao liked the idea of people being grateful to him, playing with his moustache a little. "Well of course! I shall gladly hand back what territory belongs to those here, and gift those with none a piece of our beautiful world to understand that I am a good emperor to all!"

Dr Wily was relieved a little. It was clear Cao Cao was playing off Yuan Shao's need for praise, acknowledgement and being seen in a good light. Maybe him being emperor with Cao Cao around won't be so bad.

"Once we have settled things Yuan Shao, we will go and inform Rufus of the change of command. He will be glad a, humble man, such as yourself is now protecting Earth V and remains a close ally to the Hero Base Faction."

Soon the meeting was concluded, and most of the people left, except Eraqus, who was still certainly surprised by it all.

"Is there a problem?" Cao Cao asked him.

"A home of our own? Forgive me Cao Cao, but my people are outsiders. Will we be accepted?"

Cao Cao went over to the balcony once more, with Eraqus following him. "It will ensure that Rufus cannot touch you. If you are harmed, it may return instability to our world should you rule a part of it and trigger hostile actions against the Shinra Federation from the rest of us. I suggest you summon as many of your people from the other worlds as possible."

"But, what if Rufus doesn't care about that? He may attack us all."

"No. I think with a man like him, he wants internal conflict in his federation over as quickly as possible. If you are serving someone who is under him, Yuan Shao, then you should pose no more a threat to him. He knows he destroyed your world. He knows your army is crippled and humbled. He'll take this all into account. He'll be more interested in where Keaton is going to go next, the real issue in all this."

"…Thank you."

Eraqus left him alone.

Cao Cao looked to the people below…only then noticing a new wave of blue troopers. Men of his kingdom had arrived. Cao Ren, Zhang He and Cao Pi were leading them. In Zhang He's arms, he was carrying the wounded Medi, someone they had found on their venture here to Jie Ting to see the damage after figuring out the false message they had been given.

"I know what I must do from here, if I am to keep the promise I have made to you, Liu Bei."

Richard was blasted through the chest, being flung back by the holy energy beam Zuo Ci had unleashed from all five of his cards. But as soon as the energy faded out, the hole healed up, and Richard unleashed a Chaos energy beam at the deity who had to teleport out of the way.

The start of battle made it seem like Richard had little chance.

With Zuo Ci, Darkmega and Chad focusing on using energy attacks from afar and Kel'Thurzard, Diamas and Dr Rich going in close, Richard seemed to have little in the way of an opening. Whoever he aimed for, another would hit him.

He managed to do some damage, striking Kel'Thurzard in the shoulder with a Phazon beam, causing a cut across Diamas' chest with one of his remaining claws, slamming Chad into the ground with a group of Zerg veins before Dr Rich sliced them apart.

It should've been over soon.

But Richard was able to keep coming back. He was able to keep repairing the damage they did to his body. Kel'Thurzard tried to destroy his pressure points, it destroyed Richards arms. They grew back.

Diamas perfectly cut him in half horizontally. He just reattached himself back together before using a Chaos blast to knock him away.

Dr Rich's scythe embedded itself into Richard's skull. He just punched his light self away, yanked the scythe out and lo and behold, the wound healed.

It was beginning to baffle them. None of them had seen a Zerg recover this fast before, and most of their attacks weren't really hurting him, just slowing him down if anything.

Richard just took the blunt force of Chad's Chaos beam, before forming a red and blue energy wheel in his hand and tossing it, the spinning blade just missing the mobian lad as it sliced through the wall behind him. "Anyone got any ideas?"

"I have tried every element at my disposal! There is nothing that will slay this abomination!" Zuo CI called over to Chad has he threw two fireballs at Richard, who sidestepped them both, only to be hit by the impact of Dr Rich slamming into him, yelling out "BURNING JET!" Blue flames flowing freely out of the back of his armor.

Darkmega had been using the normal battles, aiming the Hi-cannon again as Richard was knocked down to the floor and fired, striking the Zerg hybrid a few times before he jumped up back into action. "Energy strikes just annoy him!"

Diamas ran up, swinging the master sword over and over, hacking into Richard's shoulder, his stomach, chest. Richard soon just aimed his hand at Diamas. "LIGHT FANTASTIC!" the dark grey beam struck Diamas in the head, sending him skidding across the ground before he forced himself back up on his feet. "Close combat is a minor hinderance also! LIGHT FANTASTIC!" Diamas tried to fire a beam back at Richard, but he easily ducked the attack and then found himself fending off both Kel'Thurzard and Dr Rich at once.

"Chaos must've been doing damage to him at some point! He had Richard on the ground and was ready to finish him off when I…" Chad drifted off for a moment, that loss of Anna and Chaos coming back into his mind.

"Chad, can you recall what power Chaos was using?" Zuo Ci snapped him out of it, before rushing to take Dr Rich's place as Diamas was taking Kel'Thurzards, as the both were blasted away by a point-blank Phazon energy blast.

Darkmega rushed over to Chad whilst watching the fight. "Well Chad? Do you remember anything?"

Just then Zuo Ci was punched in the stomach and kicked aside. Richard then was about to target just Diamas, when the deity got back into the fight along with Dr Rich. All three were then met with a mixture of Chaos and Phazon energy blasting out from Richard, sending them all into the air.

"No, I don't recall Chaos using anything unique. He just seemed to be able to overpower Richard at one point." Chad was desperately trying to figure it out, before giving up and charging at Richard, Darkmega joining him readying a dark cyber sword.

Richard seemed to avoid anything Darkmega was trying to do, and allowing the blade of darkness hack into him, chuckling at each hit. "Come on Chad, I know you never know WHEN to quit but can't you see nothing you do will truly hurt me?! CHAOTIC SPREAD!" shooting out of his working claws were small rapidly firing purple energy balls, striking like bullets to Chad and Darkmega, pushing them back as they tried to deflect them with their weapons.

"Darkmega! Got an idea!"

"If you suggest fusion I got news for you! I don't have THAT much energy in me to use it right now ARGH!" Darkmega stumbled as one energy shot got him in the knee. Chad quickly moved over to protect him from the remaining energy bullets, before Kel'Thurzard grabbed Richard from behind, swung over overhead then slammed him headfirst into the ground…the Zerg veins came, wrapped around Richard making him disappear and reappear behind Kel before he blasted him away with a Light Fantastic beam.

"Darkmega we might not have a choice here! Remember when we used it before! That seemed to make him feel some actual pain!"

Richard was coming at him and Darkmega, but Dr Rich got in the way, blocking Richard with his scythe, his armor and helmet looking damaged now.

Darkmega nodded a little. "Yeah, but he might've been just playing around with us! I mean look at him now! This is not the Richard we know!"

"We have to try Darkmega!" Chad put his hand out to the Dark Navi, as Dr Rich was heard yelling out in pain as two claws stabbed into his shoulders and cast him aside.

Zuo Ci then appeared in a white flash next to Darkmega and Chad. "I can give you energy Darkmega to endure the fusion, hold still." He raised his hand to Darkmega, and slowly, a white aura surrounded the Navi.

Richard noticed and was going to come at them, when he felt the master stab into him one side, and the fingers of Kel'Thurzard plunge into his neck on the other, trying to use his pressure points. Richard grabbed the master sword and pulled it out of him, before lifting Diamas up with it and throwing him into Kel'Thurzard, now focused on those two as they were soon back on their feet.

"Diamas, stay focused. We will both strike him at once!"

"Understood Kel! Together!"

Both rushed at him as Richard was grinning, ready for them.

Darkmega felt himself become more and more refreshed, feeling his energy levels rising back up, soon up on his feet again looking over at Zuo Ci. "Man, you sure know when to come in handy don't you?"

Zuo Ci smiled a little as he lowered his hand. "I have my moments. As I deity it's part of my job. Now both of you, fuse and deal with this creature before us."

Chad and Darkmega nodded to eachother. "Ready Darkmega?"

"Hell yes! CROSS!"

"FUSI—DARKMEGA!" Chad just saw a purple and red beam of energy smash into Darkmega's side and send him flying backwards, smacking headfirst into the metal walls of Unicron.

"No! That's not happening! You can all die apart instead of fused!" Richard called out as he had already taken down Diamas and Kel'Thurzard, having used his Zerg veins to hold both of them firmly in place just as they were about to reach him.

"HOKUTO! MABU KOSO!" Kel'Thurzard yelled, the gust of wind flowing past him and heading to Richard, who quickly turned his attention back to his two captives.

"Hokuto Suieishin!" Richard glared at Kel'Thurzard as he raised his hands outwards, as the wind caused cuts on his body.

Another flow of wind came from behind Richard and back at Kel'Thurzard and Diamas, the former recognizing the technique. "Water reflection!? You know Hokuto!" Before yelling out as he felt his clothing and flesh cut sliced open along with Diamas, the Zerg veins being diced apart allowing them both to fall to the floor.

Richard focused now on Chad, who he noticed was running to Darkmega. He snarled and was trying to use more veins to teleport himself from where he was to block Chad's path.

But Zuo Ci was not having any of that, unleashing several bolts of lightning from both his hands and his flying cards to briefly halt Richard, as he flew near the Zerg hybrid. "I will not allow you to touch the boy of destiny!"

"Then I'll kill you before that destiny dies!"

Chad meanwhile reached Darkmega, grabbing him and sitting him up against the wall, before shaking his shoulders. "Darkmega! Darkmega snap out of this funk! We gotta end this!"

"Ugghh…did you get the number of that donkey cart?" Darkmega's eyes were just rolling around, unfocused.

Chad slapped him. "Will you get back here!? NOW!?"

Zuo Ci was heard screaming out briefly before he gritted his teeth, as three of the Zerg claws stabbed into his chest and stomach, yet still he continued to fight using a holy beam to push Richard back, even it was just a little. "Holy energy used to work on you! Life energy, Death energy-!"

"When I wasn't in control it did! To my small parts as well but me, myself and I? I've long since gotten over it! I've had years of practice!" Richard lunged at Zuo Ci.

Chad looked back at Darkmega. "I need you here pal!"

Darkmega soon shook his head, quickly looking around and clicking on what was going on. "Right! I'm here! Let's get this fusion underway!"

Then there was a brief yell of pain.

…That wasn't Zuo Ci. Chad glanced over his shoulder to check.

Zuo Ci was on the floor, having been rapidly punched in the head by Richard before being uppercutted away, but something made Richard yell out in pain for a moment.

Dr Rich had formed a Dark cyber long sword in his hand and plunged it into Richard's side. "I'm not finished yet dark me! I'll gladly use what created you!"

Richard was pissed. He grabbed Dr Rich's helmet, using his spare hand to yank the dark energy sword out of his side, and then charged up Phazon energy in the hand that held Dr Rich before the energy exploded, causing a light blue cloud of smoke as Dr Rich went flying back his helmet destroyed and slamming into the ground, groaning in agony.

But Chad picked up on something.

The wound on Richard's side did not heal in an instance. It actually seemed to take several seconds before any healing started to occur.

…Dark energy.

"Darkmega! I got it! Fuse now!"

"Right! CROSS—"

"—FUSION!"

There by both stood, fused once more as Richard looked over at them. "Darkmega! Trigger your Death Soul!"

'Got it Chad! DEATH SOUL!' Darkmega called out in the boy's mind.

The Black aura covered Chad before he replied with "LIFE SOUL!" causing his mobian fused form to be covered in a light grey aura.

Richard smirked at them, now rushing over to face them.

Chad then spoke in his mind as he leapt over Richard, rolling up into a ball to spinning away as Richard tried to shoot them with several Phazon energy beams. 'Darkmega, I need you to give your dark energy to me! Let me use it in the beam attack!'

'What!?'

'Trust me on this! Do it!'

'But it might infect, I mean I might infect—'

'I'll goddamn take the risk!' Chad got out of his spinning state and readied the blade of darkness, meeting two of Richard's claws as they almost plunged into him.

Chad felt it, the power surge that the dark soul grants, it was flowing into him, his aura flicking with a purple shimmer as he now grinned at Richard, who stopped trying to push the sword aside with his claws, looking surprised. "What in the…"

Chad raised his spare hand just above the blade of darkness, aiming right at Richard's face. "Twilight beam!"

Richard found himself blinded by the beam whilst being lifted off the ground going backwards before finding himself rolling on the floor for a moment. He quickly got himself up, staring at Chad in bewilderment.

That actually hurt him. He felt the energy in the attack. "You would go that far and let Darkmega's energy infect your own!?"

"What's the matter? Never had this problem before!? Twilight beam!" Chad fired it again, this time it struck Richard in the chest, making him take a step back grabbing the struck area with his hand.

"No…This is new. This is very new." Richard sounded…honestly surprised by the change. "But those two hits will be the only ones you achieve!"

Richard charged, using Phazon beams and Chaos beams to strike at Chad who was just managing to avoid them and fire his Twilight beams back, hitting Richard a few hits before the hybrid got close and tried to stab all of his claws into Chad.

The mobian boy jumped back, and whilst in the air curled up into a ball and used a homing attack whilst covered in the energy he had been using, slamming into Richard's head and causing him to momentarily back up. As Chad landed he pointed his spare hand and fire another shot of the beam, now sending Richard to the floor.

Richard forced himself back up, now enraged. "Of course YOU would figure out what can hurt me! I'm done messing around!" He placed his hand in front of him, aiming at Chad as energy started to build up rapidly in his claws, causing them to go purple. "I may not be able to go full power with this now, but I'll make you suffer it over, and over, and over again!"

Chad tossed the blade of darkness aside, placing his hands together and raising them towards Richard. "You won't win!" With that he started to charge up his twilight beam, to make it more powerful then before. "This is going to be the end of you, Richard!"

"You'll wish you let yourself be erased!" The energy flowed into Richard's hand in it's multi coloured form.

Chad's energy was rapidly building up, he was readying this as an all out attack…his only worry was that the Corruption attack might just cancel it and take him down, he recalled the pain before.

But in that moment, he felt something in his heart. A burst of energy, a feeling of confidence washed over him. Someone was there, with him besides Darkmega. A brief pink glow appeared on his chest.

Richard noticed it, and just lost all composure "You can't have already fully harnessed it! He never did so soon! She's not even here! DIE OSWALD! DIE! CORRUPTION DRIVE!" He fired the beam of chaotic energy, rushing towards Chad…who just gave a brief little smirk.

Before using Chaos control to teleport himself to the side of the beam, still aiming true at Richard. "Surprise mother fucker. TWILIGHT BURST!"

Chad's entire aura left him, as a massive light, bright grey beam several meters wide consumed Richard entirely as he was screaming out inside the beam strike. Richard was trying to protect himself, but he felt his body being torn up. His remaining claws ripping apart as the dark energy infused was doing it's damage. He felt himself fly off the ground, still calling out in sheer pain.

The beam slowly died off. Chad stood there, shaking a little as all the energy he had built up was now gone. In a flash, he unfused with Darkmega who was standing now next to Chad, panting. "Did…did we get him?"

Richard was on the ground.

He was on his back, black blood flowing out of his orifices, his skin, his clothing destroyed and his body still.

Chad was relieved. "We got him…We actually got him! Uggh…Shit…" he grabbed his chest, falling to one knee. "Jesus I think using the dark energy did something alright."

"I told you man! We need to get you to the docs ASAP!" Darkmega quickly got worried over Chad.

"I'll, I'll be fine for now Darkmega. I just gotta, heal myself a little. Got any recovery chips?"

"I got this." A hand came into view, showing it had a 300+ recovery chip which in Navi terms, was a very effective item to heal with.

It was Dr Rich, as he was looking relieved himself. "I saw the action Chad. Good work."

Chad looked and noticed the likes of Zuo Ci had recovered, and had been healing both Kel'Thurzard and Diamas, who were both now standing. Eventually all three of them came over and joined Chad and the others.

Chad himself during this, used the recovery chip…and felt a little woozy as expected, but got himself up off the floor. "Hey guys…so, that happened huh?"

"You managed to take him down…that was one unusually powerful dark soul. You've earned my respect somewhat." Kel'Thurzard praised the mobian lad.

"Unfortunately. We have another battle to wage." Diamas pointed out grimly. Looking at Chad. "But I will offer you a chance. Leave my—Unicron's, head. I will give you time to rest before we battle it out as is required."

Chad looked at him, a little surprised. "Seriously? You just helped me win this, and now you want to kick me out?"

"I have a mission to complete. Even if those I worked with have betrayed me for the time being, if I rebuilt Unicron I can help them. I take it you want to fight instead?"

"Gimme a minute and we can slug it out."

Kel'Thurzard looked to Chad, then to Diamas, sighing and shaking his head before placing his hand on the Hyrulians shoulder. "That's enough Diamas."

"Hm?"

"You have no place with us. Ingrid was ready to throw your life away for the sake of Unicron. You clearly still have a heart of virtue, hidden behind the rage and misery you endured for millions of years. That alone is enough to confirm you must leave our side."

Diamas was stunned. "Kel…"

"I came here to make sure you survived this…and for another object, in the depths of Cybertron. Unicron in this state is finished. That chip Chaos was making carried the last piece of data that would've made him salvageable."

"It's been destroyed."

"I know. I saw before I took any action. Zuo Ci—" He looked over to the deity, who bowed a little. "—Brought me here at my request whilst the one he actually wanted went off to save his friends."

"So…what do you propose?"

Kel'Thurzard thought about this for a moment, before looking to Chad. "If I recall, the Hero Base is not just for those who dabble in righteous, but for everyone is it not?"

Chad could see where this was going, looking at Diamas. "Well…it would be interesting to have what was the brain matter of Unicron hang around. I mean that'll be something for the Hero Base records. 'Planet Eater Brain'."

"You cannot be serious Kel! He is a descendent of Primus!" Diamas was annoyed by that idea.

"A man who you now know was not the source of your ills. I overheard it all Diamas. I heard Hylia. You must move on now. Embrace the present. Unicron no longer holds any sway with you, and you've been granted your wish."

"…Can you not come with me?" Diamas asked.

Kel'Thurzard shook his head. "I have Shadowlaw. I must attend to it's needs and existence. Perhaps one day…we will meet on peaceful terms again." He turned away from Diamas, letting go of the Hyrulians shoulder as he wandered towards the hole in the middle of Unicron. "My people will retreat from this world. The day belongs to the Shinra Federation, and to you all."

He jumped into the darkness.

Diamas looked to Chad now. Who dusted off his hand on his trousers and put it out to Diamas. "Heck, we got pushed together by a common enemy guy. Let's stick together for now."

Diamas looked at his own hand, holding the master sword. He reluctantly put it away, gave a deep sigh, then placed his hand in Chads. "Very well. I often listen to Kel, and his ideas are normally sound. I hope this will be the case this time too."

Chad shook for a little while, before he and Darkmega looked to Dr Rich. "So what about you? You wanna come to the Hero Base?"

"And meet my family after all these years of isolation from them? ...Sure, sounds like fun."

"Cool, now let's ask Zasz and see if she wants to tag along too."

Zuo Ci looked at Chad, confused. "Zasz?"

"Oh she's outside."

"I'm not now. I felt the surge of energy and got curious."

Walking in from the corridor into this wrecked room was Zasz, carrying Roll in her arms. "She's still breathing thankfully. Where is Richard?"

Chad motioned over to him. "Rotting corpse is over there."

"I see…"

"So, you wanna come to?"

Zasz slowly shook her head, as she moved closer and handed Roll gently over to Dr Rich. "I cannot. I feel I would not be welcome there. My kind is a vicious sort. Instead I might head back to the Arcadia."

"Kei's ship? Why?"

"I feel comfort there. I don't know what Kei plans to do next, but I will follow them and take, small hunting trips, off their vessel when they go to planets. Should be amusing."

Chad understood. "Alright. Well thanks. I hope you might join us another time Zasz."

"I'll be around if you need me." Zasz stepped back, and Zerg veins appeared around her, before she was gone.

"Now I must check to see if my allies have retreated before I return you all to the Hero Base, if you excuse me…" Zuo Ci bowed, and walked off down the dark corridor.

Darkmega looked at Chad. "We should head out with him, no point making the old man hobble his way back in. It takes a little while to get out of here."

Chad chuckled. "You first pal."

Darkmega walked off, with Diamas and Dr Rich, still carrying Roll, in tow. Chad looked back, looking glad it was over now, taking one last look at Richard's corpse, before he turned away…

…and heard a weak cough, and a small chuckle.

He slowly turned back.

Richard was breathing, his body twitching.

Then, there was that chuckle again.

Chad slowly made his way over, picking up the blade of darkness on the way.

"And like every time before. I get my ass, handed, to me on a silver platter. Doesn't matter when, doesn't matter where, heheheh…" Richard was speaking to himself. "A happy ending for them, a defeat for me. The gods truly despise me, don't they?" He slowly looked to his side…as Chad was now standing right next to him, sword in hand. "And here, you, are." He coughed, blood dribbling from his mouth. "You win Chad. You got me."

Chad looked to his sword, then at Richard again in disgust. "You can't die. Can you?"

"Heh, hey, what can I say? I've had plenty of practice at cheating death, both here, and in Oblivion. This is another time."

Chad readied his weapon, getting prepared to aim for the neck.

"You, You aren't powerful enough. You hurt, but you aren't, on the level of power needed, to terminate me and throw me back into oblivion. You're nowhere near Nameless' level. In the words of one Gamemaster, heh, 'Git Gud'."

Chad lifted his weapon high up.

"Go ahead. I'll play dead again, you'll leave satisfied. But, I'll come back. I'll take Roll's life. I'll snatch it from her before you, make her, scream for mercy, you, pleading to me, before I then, rip out your heart, and, consume, your soul…heheh…"

Chad paused…and suddenly lowered his blade, bending down close to Richard. "I have a better idea. You see asshole, I know in the Hero Base in Zebes, we have an isolation room. Built for quarantining someone. You wouldn't leave my sight. So you know what I'm doing to do you bastard? I'm going to take you to the base itself, I'm going to tell the docs to have you placed in isolation, to now and then purge the room. It was a fire system to fry anything inside it. But with your ability I'm sure that'll be a 'minor' problem for you, won't it? But the main thing is…you're not getting out of there. You can wait for death while we test your DNA, your blood, and find out what makes you fully tick. So when I finally have the power to slaughter you…I'll be able to fully utilize what they learn and make you suffer beyond ANYTHING you did to me…is that understood?"

Richard just smirked. "Fine then. I'll let you babysit me, heheh—"

Richard's little laugh was cut short by Chad first socking him in the face, before standing up and kicking him in the head as hard as possible before plunging the blade of darkness into Richard's chest, allowing it to stay there as Richard gave a small gritted cry of pain.

"I'm sure you'll recover." Chad got on the com-link. "Darkmega, change of plans…get Zuo Ci you take you guys back, then tell him to come back for me and my…special package. Tell the docs to ready the quarantine room."

"What? What special package?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Kel'Thurzard was in the darkness of Cybertron. No light reached here.

There was shattered glass, the home of Diamas once in pieces. Kel'Thurzard could see in the darkness, he noticed the location was small, an isolated segment away from the rest of the catacombs of Cybertron.

He saw Chaos' body, slumped in a corner, neck clearly broken along with legs. The now red eyes of Chaos simply looking forward, glowing slightly in the dark.

Kel'Thurzard walked over, grabbing the hilt of the Dark Wolf and pulled it out, before tossing it away, the blade clashing on the metal ground.

It started to burn with a purple fire, then it disappeared. Kel'Thurzard had watched for a moment, before focusing back on Chaos. "What happened Chaos?"

…

The eyes looked at Kel, as the mouth spoke. "Chaos is gone. The Dark Wolf weapon took his soul."

"Understood. Damage?"

"This entire body is harmed. It is difficult to control. I need your help."

"I see." Kel'Thurzard got on his com-link "Xehanort. This is Kel'Thurzard. I require teleportation from my location along with the lifeform next to me. Inform Ingrid we've suffered both a setback in our plans and one of the guardians have suffered damage beyond anything we can do."

Soon, Chad and the others of the Hero Base returned home bar Cao Cao, the Keybladers, Yuan Shao and most of those of Earth V. Kei and her crew followed them back to their home as well for the moment.

Well, their home on Earth X.

Dr Wily explained what had happened to the Zebes base.

Put it plainly, it was bombed to shit by Shadowlaw. It had alerted the SF of their activity, but Rufus chose to wait it out and see what was to come of it besides the docs relocating after being told they were okay and got out in time.

Thankfully the docs have been spending this time to ready the rooms for their return, explaining about them having ironed out many of the kinks that they suffered before.

Then Dr Wily lost his shit.

It didn't take him long to recognize Dr Rich, demanding what in the name of Azrael was he doing there.

"Well I'm here because you replaced me with the dark soul me gramps!"

"I replaced you because you were a failure!"

"Becoming unable to help in technology because of a personal loss is not a failure!"

"Your counterpart proved more useful than you!"

"Well he turned against you so hey, at least he follows the family tradition of backstabbing others if nothing else!"

"HOW DARE YOU! GET OUT AT ONCE!"

It took Dr Light, Dr Regal (Who was more welcoming to his adopted son coming back into their lives) and Keira to cool Dr Wily down and accept Dr Rich in.

Meanwhile, many of those of the Hero Base were tending to their wounds…or mourning for the loss of their friends on Earth V, be they from Shu, Wei, Wu, the other kingdoms or Link and Zelda. Things were quiet as they recovered slowly.

Chad though, he was now just staring into what was Anna's old room here, standing at the door.

He still could see that strange moment in time when he sat with her when he closes his eyes. Her smile, the red light covering her before the blast of energy.

Hearing that sound in his mind caused him to open his eyes, staring at her bed.

He asked Zuo Ci. He asked if he could bring Anna back.

Zuo Ci said she was not in the Farplanes, the realm beyond. If she isn't there, it is not possible. He couldn't sense her at all.

He cried for hours after.

Now, he mumbled to himself "Goodbye Anna, I love you." Before closing the door and heading off down the corridor.

The voices he used to hear, the happy chatter or arguments he was used to picking up on as he headed to the main room, were replaced with silence.

This place felt a little more empty. The people sadder then when Darkmega took control of things here.

But he had a duty in his mind now. Two duties. He had a purpose beyond the loss of his love.

He walked into the main room, the glass ceiling showing it was night time. Waiting for him there was Kei, with Dark Rich next to her. She spoke to him. "Hey, Chad."

"…"

"Listen, I just wanted to ask…I overheard from, Darkmega that you had lost your father?"

"Yeah. Chaos was my dad it seems." He answered coldly.

He didn't bother looking up, missing Kei's pained expression. "I, see…I'm sorry."

"Thanks. You are leaving then?"

"Yes. My crew and I are heading back to Earth V soon. Going to see where we can go from there…listen Chad I…I…"

She wanted to tell him here and now. She knew he felt alone without Anna, with the way things are. But she couldn't do it. She was afraid he would claim she was lying just to try and make him feel better. She could feel his pain from his mind. "I, wish you all the best."

"Yeah." Chad walked towards the hospital room. "You too Kei."

There were several beds in here, all of them filled. People recovering from the pain they suffered. He spotted Xiahou Yuan, who needed medical aid beyond his world and was being treated by Dr Hikari.

Darkmega was sitting next to a bed where Medi lay. She had several wires connecting her to the computer system, the cut on her body still present. She was out of it for now. Darkmega silently looked at Chad and nodded at him as he walked by, heading to a side room of the hospital.

He needed to be alone. The sounds of people complaining about pain, them talking to their friends around them. He didn't want that. His duty couldn't talk, it couldn't tell him of pain nor of the comfort it needed.

But he needed to protect it.

Roll laid there on a single bed, with a grey sheet over her clothed body up to her neck. She was connected to a computer system nearby via one white wire that was in her neck.

All the computer was saying was 'NO DATA FOUND.'

Chad sat down on a chair he had placed next to her and moved the sheet a little, to be able to place his hands on one of hers.

The docs told him what was wrong.

Her system was completely wrecked from within, a small handful of her programs were functional and they needed time to get the others back in order…a lot of time.

The other major issue was her memory.

It was gone. All of it was gone. They found nothing to retrieve that related to 'Roll' in her mind.

It was cold in this room. It was made for dead body storage. Cryo pods rested nearby.

She was like a dead body… Chad shook his head, he didn't want to see it like that. She could be fixed. She could be brought back.

He saw the last time she was awake in his mind. That evil face of Richard, her look of shock and pain as he stabbed his claw into her.

It made his grip on her hand tighter. "Never again. I won't let him hurt you again. He stole enough from me. He stole Anna. He stole my father. I won't fail you Roll. I'll protect you…"

He lowered his head, feeling the tears hound him again. "I promise…"

His other duty…

That was in a steel room, with a small toilet, cameras trained on it, a metal bed, and a ceiling covered in white lights that beamed down on it.

Dr Wily REALLY wasn't happy with this being dragged back here, but Chad told him they must have it here. He, must have it here. Thankfully they had a quarantine

It was sitting cross legged, it's hands in the middle, looking down at itself, the claws it had attached to it's back had grown back a little.

Richard.

He had mostly healed over time, but beyond that, had not moved from this very spot. He was waiting. In front of him was a fortified steel door that was protected by an energy barrier. If he touches it, the alarms go off, the small fire hoses come out and the flames consume him until someone shuts off the system.

The lights flickered for a moment, then in a flash of green light, a hooded figure was before him.

Nameless.

He spoke to Richard. "I've scrambled the cameras programming for a time…So, this is the new timeline."

"Yes it is. I don't think Chad even noticed you helped him at that moment."

"Good. Better that way. But I'm surprised, you were overwhelmed."

"Not really." Richard still looked downwards. "I guess I'm just a good actor." He chuckled a little. "You should know that."

Nameless nodded. "But he did damage you. That was not expected."

"Yeah. It hurt like hell…he figured the connection out already without even knowing it. Beat your record of four years by miles."

"I never saw her as anything more then a friend for those years, and she was happily enjoying life with others."

"Including me huh?"

"…" Nameless sat down in front of Richard, crossing his own legs. "I tried Richard. I honestly did before I doubted you."

"I know you did." Richard now lifted his head, looking at Nameless, smiling slightly. "It made betraying you all the more easier. You let me go because you felt I would come back."

"…So what's the plan now?"

"Just keep following my lead. I'll get us out of this."

"What about the others?"

"I know they won't help you. Just watch them and I'll contact them when I need them. Once their use is up…I suppose you should end their misery."

Nameless nodded. "I made them suffer, afterall."

"Tell me, why did you heal Chad?"

Nameless didn't answer for a little while. "Perhaps. It was looking at him and feeling sorry for him. Perhaps it was my past burning within me once again. I don't know."

"Well just pick your moments a little better…then again, it's you. You could never do it…always screw the universe before you save it, right?"

Nameless gave a small chuckle, before getting up. "Farewell for now, Richard." And vanished in a flash of green light, as Richard lowered his head back down.

"You'll see me again soon enough."

Notes:

1. And that's the end of Saga number 1! I'm back in high gear baby! Next stop Universe 1 for a while before the next saga appears: Broken Universe: Fate Saga!

-Dragonridley