After the events of the Dimensional Mirror, and Taranza's word the he'll keep watch of Floralia while Sectonia is gone, the group made their way to Marksburg and used Julius' soul bridge to get to Canaan. When they get there, they were overwhelmed by the miasma.

"This sensation..." Muzet said.

"What's with all the black smoke?" Genis asked.

"This must be the miasma that's been leaking from here." Raine deduced. "It might kill us if we linger for too long."

"But..." Colette said. "I thought the miasma was only supposed to produce if the purification process stops."

Milla decides to explain. "Miasma is expelled as souls pass through the cycle of reincarnation. It's a toxin that eats away at souls."

"And if I heard right..." Ramona starts. "Origin is supposed to keep it under control."

"What are supposed to, hold our noses and charge through it?" Zelos asked.

"I don't think that's a good idea. Just inhaling it sounds dangerous."

"Nonetheless, Bisley has already gone through." Sectonia said. "Albeit with Elle's power."

When David moves forward, he noticed the floor ahead disappear. "What did I just...?"

"I see you've noticed, David. What we're seeing here is not real." Milla said. She uses her motions to summon the Four Great Spirits. The light caused part of the path ahead to vanish.

"One of Chronos' traps, I take it."

"Yes. He's probably warping space around us."

"Just when I thought he couldn't possibly be any more of a prick."

"Creating tricks of light. Illusions to wayless us."

"It's hard enough to see straight in this funhouse, let alone fight. Now what?" Scott asked.

Milla had a suggestion. "Muzet and I could charge forward, and dispel Chronos' power. However..."

Muzet finished for her. "We'd deplete our strength, and become useless in the battle to come."

Milla has another suggestion. "If each of the Four Great Spirits, and Sheena's spirits shield one of us, we'd be able to move forward without weakening."

"That's a good idea, but..." Regal starts before Muzet cuts in.

"Right... Only eight of us could actually move on."

David looks to Ludger. "It's obvious that you have one of the spots. That said, you get to decide who to take with you."

Ludger decided on Jude, Milla, Leia, David, Sectonia, Gaius, and Muzet. The spirits envelop them and Rollo in a barrier as they proceed through Canaan. After trekking through the maze that is Canaan, they came across Bisley battling Chronos.

"It seems we've missed the overture, but we've arrived just in time to see the finale." David said.

Chronos looks to the group. "The Key of Kresnik. Is this your trump card?"

"Perhaps." Bisley responded.

"Guys..." Sectonia said. "Elle's in really bad shape." The group look to Elle, and see the right side of her face is blackened with her eye turning red. Chronos used his bits to create a barrier around Bisley and Elle.

"I suppose you thought that you could best me if you both attacked at once." Chronos said. "A futile plan, as you can see." Chronos said as the group got their weapons out.

"That can't be the barrier's only purpose." David said.

"Correct. The girl you call Elle will have the privacy to complete her transformation into a divergence catalyst."

"And you expect us to just let that happen?" Muzet asked.

"You dare judge me? You who force Origin to dispose of the miasma produced by your souls? Origin granted humanity the chance to evolve and grow, despite the toll your soul-purification process had on his body. And yet you think nothing of your toxic impurities, nor do you attempt to raise yourselves from the filth! I cannot bear to watch my friends torment any longer! I'll put a stop to all this and save him!"

"If that happens, then-" Leia starts before she's cut off.

"The miasma once kept in check by Origin will no doubt overwhelm the universe. The miasma will consume all human souls, reducing them to nothing more than inanimate objects for producing mana. Afterwards, I will seal away the miasma. Then spirits will finally have the universe to themselves."

"You're mad..." David muttered. "What you're planning is nothing short of genocide." He saw Ludger tap into the chromatus. "Ludger, wait!" Ludger deflected the bits that Chronos set on him and matched his strength. Ludger was pushed back, but was reinvigorated. "Well, he was beyond the point of reason, anyway. I'd say you did us a favor."

The party battles Chronos, who as usual, uses his time abilities to be nothing more than a pain in the rear. After a proper smackdown, Chronos got on his knees.

"I won't accept this... You will not inflict agony upon Origin any longer!" Chronos uses his magic to rewind time and heal his wounds.

"This again?!" David asked in annoyance. At this point, he's just about had it with Chronos.

"You are a poor sport, Chronos." Everyone heard Bisley's voice from inside Chronos' barrier. A red flash appeared and it is revealed to be Bisley in his chromatus piercing Chronos with a lance along with Elle in the middle. Bisley reverts from his chromatus. "Don't bother resisting. Your mastery of time and space is useless against the power of Origin's void."

"That means Elle is..." Elle falls over from the force of the lance.

"Correct. The true Key of Kresnik. Trial's over. Humanity wins!" Bisley rotates the lance, leaving Chronos in excruciating pain as the darkness surrounding Canaan begins to clear.

Ludger uses this moment to check up on Elle. "Ludger... What are you guys doing here?"

"We promised we'd come." Ludger answered. Elle was in tears and Ludger squeezed her hand as she reaches out.

Sectonia gave a glare to Bisley. "How could you put her through this?! She was just a child!"

Bisley answered her. "I did what was needed to defeat Chronos. At the very least, this tragedy will not be in vain. With my wish, I shall rob the spirits of their will, creating a universe solely for humans."

"And you believe Origin would agree to this?" Leia asked.

"Origin has no say in the matter. The Trial itself is a spirit arte, spawned from the pact between the Progenitor Kresnik and the Great Spirit Origin. As long as the pact's conditions are met, Origin will be compelled to use his power." Elle writhes in pain from the process of turning into a divergence catalyst. "Give it up. She's beyond saving at this point. Of course, you could always wish away her pain."

"No..." Elle lets out. "We have to get rid of...the fractured dimensions."

"Ah, yes. And Origin can grant only one wish from one person at a time. I suppose one way to save her would be for me or Ludger to turn into a catalyst before she does. That would be the millionth catalyst, the magic number, and all transformations in progress will be canceled. Of course, this also means humanity fails the Trial, and the universe comes to a bitter end."

"Please, wish away the fractured dimensions, so that Ludger...won't...disappear."

Ludger gives a determined look at Bisley. "We're going to wish that Elle be saved!" The group was shocked at this.

"Think this through, Ludger. Your real daughter will be born in the world someday."

Elle caused Ludger to let go. "He's right... I'm just... a phony..." Ludger sets Elle down and moves to the door.

"Ludger!" Bisley punches Ludger in the stomach as he passes by. "The right to make the wish is mine alone." Ludger swung his blades at Bisley, who countered them well with his fists.

(Bonus Scene: Jude and Sectonia)

"So, you've made your decision, Ludger." Sectonia said before turning to Bisley. "Bisley, don't forget that Ludger, and by extension, the rest of us, are the reason you're even here now. So we can just as easily defeat you so that Ludger's wish gains priority."

"And yet the puppet still dances, despite knowing nothing. Nonetheless, all flowers are destined to wilt someday. Can we measure their transcendence in the stars?"

"Flowers are irreplaceable... I'm here to take the first step...and complete Origin's Trial!"

"Are you saying that you regret the path that you took, even as you fought the Dimensional Heroes?"

"What are you talking about? Of course I do! Many people has suffered because of me... Because of what I have done!"

"As foolish as ever... Every flower wilts in the end. Spirits are no different."

"I understand your hatred of spirits..." Jude said. "...but don't you see what you're doing is absolutely no different from Chronos' plan?!"

"Those spyrites of yours... Aren't they just spirits turned into tools?"

"They almost ended up that way, but then I realized something. Spyrites won't function unless we build trust with the spirits!"

"What a complete waste of time! My way will save you the trouble!"

(Bonus Scene End)

"It seems you're all nothing more than the spirits' lapdogs." Bisley tells the group. "I've crawled over a mountain of corpses to get this far." He said, pointing at the dial before he retrieved his lance. "I'll show no mercy if you interfere!" Bisley pierces himself with the lance and a pillar of flames keeps the group back as he undergoes his chromatus, this time with blackened wings.

"Is this... Bisley's full chromatus?" David asked.

"Doesn't matter. We can't let Bisley win!" Milla declared.

{Cue Song: Following One's Own Purpose- Tales of Xillia 2}

The group fight Bisley, who is really strong for someone who just uses his fists to fight. After diminishing most of his health, he uses his Mystic Arte on Ludger.

"No mercy." Bisley took a stance and reeled in a punch before striking Ludger. "Absolute Fist!" The attack sent Ludger flying, causing him to drop both of his watches. "Don't get cocky." Bisley walked over to the watches. "So you used Julius' soul to build the bridge."

"You really killed...Uncle Julius?" Elle asked from the distance.

"We didn't have a choice, Elle." David said, saddened. "It was the only way we could get here. He was more than willing to sacrifice himself just so we'd get here and save the universe."

Bisley grabbed Ludger. "With one poor decision, you instantly made everyone's deaths meaningless. Your brother's death. Your own death." Bisley crushes Ludger's watch and Victor, her father's, watch ends up with her. She dashes to help Ludger. "Even her death." Bisley shot fireballs from his fists at Elle, who manages to dodge them. Ludger manages to kick Bisley into letting go and heads towards Elle and Bisley shot fireballs at him, too. David and Sectonia nod to each other as they moved to intercept Bisley's fireballs. A light shines on their union just as a pillar of fire forms. Bisley punches the pillar only to be pushed back.

{Cue Song: If It's For You ~Song 4 u~ -Tales of Xillia 2}

The light settles, revealing David and Sectonia using their new Keyblades to block while Ludger reached his full chromatus, which covers him head to toe in black armor. "So Ludger made a pact with the watch itself." Bisley said.

"Victor's lending you his strength, Ludger." Sectonia said. "Don't let him down."

Bisley puts his fists together and a circles of fire forms. "This should be interesting."

The group fights Round 2 against Bisley, who is not holding back anymore.

"Father of the year, right here." David commented as the group fights him off, regarding his plan. "Bisley Bakur, do you really believe what you're doing is justified? All of this just because of what Chronos did long ago?"

"It does not matter." Bisley said. "Spirits lend their strength to those they favor. That's just the way it is."

"So you're saying that your authority will sway the masses in an instant? No... That is loathsome...! Even if the people are okay with this act of genocide, I will never pardon such an atrocity!"

The group manage to diminish Bisley to a sliver of his health.

"Ludger! The final blow is all yours!"

Ludger nods and goes into his chromatus, shooting projectiles along with a flurry of slashes. "Eternal Waltz!"

After taking the full force of the attack, Bisley falls unconscious on the ground as he reverts. Ludger reverts himself and runs over to Elle. Bisley gets up and slowly limps his way to Ludger. A gate of late appears and the rest of the group make their way through it.

"Ludger, behind you!"

Bisley tries to punch Ludger but he goes into his chromatus and points his lance at Bisley, stopping him.

"I wouldn't use the chromatus again if I were you." Bisley said. "When you make a direct pact like that, you run the risk of degenerating and becoming a divergence catalyst yourself. Considering the sheer power at your disposal, you would transform in the blink of an eye." Ludger reverts as Bisley chuckles. "I never expected that you would surpass me. Nor for David to convince Sectonia to walk the path of redemption." Bisley has a dark aura glowing in his chest, signifying the transition into a divergence catalyst. "But that...is exactly...what makes humans so interesting!" Bisley punches himself in the chest, causing blood to spray from his mouth. "We never do what's expected." Bisley limps his way over to the dial. "You want my wish, Origin? Let me tell you my own personal wish. To take this fist...and punch you all to oblivion!" Bisley punches the dial with the last of his strength and succumbs to his wounds, lying on the ground, dead.

"Bisley Bakur. May your soul rest in peace." Milla said.

"A man who gave his life to fulfill his duty." Gaius said.

"Hey..." Elle said. "I'm so glad that... that you all came to find me." Elle looks to Milla. "Even you."

"Of course." Milla said. She did promise that she's show her what she can do in Canaan. She guesses the way she fought Chronos and Bisley made a good impression.

Ludger and Elle walk over to the dial and lay their hands on it, getting it to open. At first, the group couldn't see anything on the other side.

"There's nothing to fear. If it comes to it, I'll handle things." Soon after she said that, a humanoid figure with his hair covering his eyes materialized.

"So this...is this world's Origin." David said.

"The one and only." Origin spoke. "I am very pleased to meet you, David of the Brave Adventurers."

"Wait... You know about us?"

"Of course I do. You see, the souls tell me everything. They're sort of like my little birds."

"You seem very curious about humans." Milla said.

"Perhaps. But not as much as you, Maxwell."

"I suppose this is our first meeting, but we have little time for pleasantries. We have a request."

"To rid the fractured dimensions and continue soul purification."

"Precisely. I would be willing to help if you think you're at your limit."

"Even if that meant endless torment?"

"Even so."

"You really do love humans, don't you?"

"Milla..." Colette mutters.

"Enough!" Chronos said, getting up. "You would force Origin to continue the purification? I refuse to stand idly by as you continue to torment him with your corruption."

Origin shot a hand at Chronos and healed his wounds. "Thank you, Chronos. Your concern for me has consumed you for far too long."

"You mustn't burden yourself over me. We must make the humans accountable and have them pay for their crimes." Origin laughed at this. "What's so funny?"

"Well, you just showed the most human thing about you. It reminds me why I love humans. I hereby grant these representatives of humanity the right to make one wish. Ludger and Elle. For overcoming the Trial and opening the door, the wish is yours."

"Ludger and Elle?" Scott asked.

"Yes. They can wish for anything, but they must decide together. I could even undo Elle's transformation into a catalyst."

Elle spoke up at this. "No, you can't do that. We have to wish away the fractured dimensions."

Ludger then remembered Bisley's words, and made his decision. "Eliminate all the fractured dimensions. I know you'll ask me for Elle's safety, and I'll risk my own life for that."

"Risk your life?" David asked. "Ludger... Are you saying you're willing to become a divergence catalyst?! You can't! If that happens, then-" David was cut off by Ludger using his chromatus and a dark aura looms over him.

"Is that...your final decision, Ludger Kresnik?" Origin asked.

(Bonus Scene: Everyone)

"Ludger... Why?" David asked. "First the alternate Milla, the Julius, and now you..."

"Ludger, are you not afraid of vanishing away?" Origin asked.

Ludger responded. "I'm more afraid of something else."

"I see." David said.

"I understand." Origin said. "Then I will accept your wish."

Ludger's allies are saddened by the turn of events, but nonetheless understand that it was his decision because he chose this Elle over the one he could've had. His choice saved the universe and Elle's life, and the least they can do was see it through to the end.

"This is humanity's true nature, isn't it?"

"Yes. They truly are capable of anything their hearts desire." Milla said.

"Even profoundly foolish things." Chronos mutters.

"You may be right." Origin said. "But the impurity that exists within their souls is precisely what gives them strength. What do you think the impurity is?"

"Greed, maybe? Desire?" Leia asked.

"Our egos?" Zelos asks.

"Yes and no." Sectonia said. "Is desire different from dreams? Is ego practically free will, when viewed in a positive light? In other words, neither is good nor evil."

"Yes. Precisely." Origin said. "And that's exactly why I haven't been eliminating it. I remove the miasma created during reincarnation and seal it."

"But if you keep doing that, the production of miasma will never end." Ramona said.

"That is why I wanted to test humanity's decision. To see if humans could strive for protection while bearing the impurity."

"Humanity's decision."

"Precisely. That is what I truly wanted to know. But, you must continue to show me."

Jude nods. "Of course. We, too, will prove who we are. Just as Elle, Ludger, and Julius did."

Chronos decides to speak. "That is a test harsher than anything I can throw at you. If you can overcome it, I have no choice but to concede." Chronos floats over next to Origin. "For the time being, we shall seal away the miasma. Together. However, if humanity should once again-"

"Don't worry." Gaius said. "No matter how long it takes, we will succeed."

"Some very special humans have turned me into a believer." Muzet said.

"I expect to be impressed." Chronos said.

(Bonus Scene End)

"I appreciate it, Chronos." Origin said. "No need for thanks." Chronos said. "I'll give you a piece of my mind later. We have plenty of time for that."

A light shines on Origin. "Then it's time I grant Ludger's wish. The elimination of all fractured dimensions!" The light is shot upward and expands, covering the entire area.

Ludger looks toward the group.

"Ludger, it's been an honor knowing you." Jude said.

"I will never forget what you've done here today." Gaius said.

"You wrapped things up almost too perfectly." Alvin said.

"You're just jealous because you know you couldn't have pulled it off." Muzet said.

"Ludger, you need not worry about Elle." Rowen said.

"We'll take good care of her!" Leia said.

"We promise!" Elize and Teepo said together.

"You have helped me to fulfill my duty once again." Milla said. "Ludger Kresnik...you have my thanks."

Ludger nods and looks to Elle. "And I promise too. I won't lie anymore, and I'll even eat my tomatoes! I'll never forget how you saved me. And just how good your cooking was. Okay? ...Okay?" Ludger nods and Elle smiles. "It's a promise." Ludger reverts his chromatus to its level 3 state and hums the Hymn of Proof to Elle.

"This should restore the cycle of reincarnation to normal." David said.

"Yes." Milla said. "Now the human and spirit realms will live on."

Jude speaks up. "And we will make sure of that."

"Farewell, humans and spirits." Origin said as the door closes. "Let us hope for a brighter day the next time we meet." Milla and Muzet start to glow.

"I guess it's finally time." Sheena said.

"Yes." Milla said. "With Origin's Trial complete, we will return to the spirit realm."

"We know Muzet can come and go any time she wants, but..."

"Do not worry. I just know our paths will cross again someday."

"And we'll be waiting for when that day comes." Milla and Muzet fly out of Canaan. The dials reach one million and a light shines all around Canaan, causing Ludger to vanish and Elle restored to normal.

After returning to Trigleph, what's left of the group spotted Vera.

"You're here." Vera then looked around. "I'm guessing Ludger used his wish to save Elle."

"Yeah... Sorry about Bisley, though." David said, trying to reassure her and Nova.

"Honestly..." Nova said. "I knew Ludger would pull something like this. He always was one to put others above himself."

"So, Vera. Is the ship ready?"

"Yes. Follow me." The group follows Vera to the ship. It was a navy blue ship with a dragon on the front with pods and laser cannons for air battles. "I've researched the Dimensional Heroes and Shining Hope Squad's ships and equipped your ship with the necessary components, along with the pods for dispatchments and laser cannons for air battles."

"Okay. This is cool! You've really outdone yourself, Vera."

"Well, of course. This is top-of-the-line Elympion material."

"Are you sure you want to come with us, Vera? I mean, with Bisley and Ludger gone, there's no one left to run Spirius. Well, there's Elle, but she's not old enough to run it."

"They're willing to give me some training." Elle said.

"With that settled, shall we go?" Vera asked as the group head to the ship with Jude and Leia, who promise to bring back souvenirs.

{Cue Song: Sky Chase- Sonic Adventure}

"So... You gave this ship a name yet?" Genis asked.

"It's up to David, but I was going on the lines of 'Last Crusade'." Vera answered.

"'Last Crusade'... In fact, I like it!" David exclaimed.

Soon there was a rumbling.

"An earthquake?" Lloyd asked. "No... There are no earthquakes in space." The alarms went off at that.

"Well, that seals it. We're being attacked." Zelos said.

"But by who? We're not well-known enough to have people come after us." Leia said.

The screen turns on to show the Universal Villains' ship attacking.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me." David said.

"They must've caught on what happened in Canaan." Jude speculated.

"Then we have no choice." Vera said. "The three of you will have to use the escape pods."

"But what about you guys?"

"We'll fight them off with whatever we can and then we'll head..." The screen shows Tokyo. "There."

"Tokyo?" David asked. "Do you have any idea how much stuff goes on down there?"

"We don't have the luxury of picking our rendezvous point this time." Raine said. "We'll just have to settle with this for now."

"Once you're finished up with the rifts, put in the command that returns you to the ship." Vera explained.

"Don't worry about us. We'll be fine." Scott said. "We'll see you in Shibuya."

David, Jude, and Leia all got in their pods, where Vera inputted the command to drop them. The pods landed in the Hoenn, Kalos, and Unova rifts respectively.

"Be careful, you guys." Sectonia said as the team went to battle stations.

Moments before they entered the rifts, the three were conversing among themselves through the communication installed.

"Unbelievable. Our first time in space-travel and we're already attacked." Leia complained.

"Flux must not have wanted us, or anyone to be here. And with good reason." David said.

"We do-gooders just can't help but stick our noses into trouble." Jude said jokingly.

"All we can do is hope they make it to Tokyo and last until we get there." The responded that they're closing in on their rifts. "Alright then. Here we go!" David responded as they entered.

A/N: Inspired by Jexi the Hunter and Hope the Victor