AN: Here we are! The start of Arc 7! Our heroes must now face off against the powerful Sage Shaula, who I can honestly say is going to be their toughest opponent yet.
While Crusch is more for her covert and tactful in her nefarious schemes...Shaula is a powerhouse, being able to take on multiple opponents at once.
Basically Crusch is as to Joker, as Shaula is to Doomsday.
They'll need all the help they can get!
Anyways, right now there is only preparations in order. And now, we can start the show!
Also, surprisingly, there is a song title reference..."The Tower" by Bruce Dickinson!
Ladies and Gentleman, and Robots, please...ENJOY!
Arc Seven: The Tower Incursion
Chapter 37: The Tower
The two years had passed since that declaration made on that bygone day.
Subaru ran through the snow, he huffed and panted, all the while he could see in the distance...the mountain covered in smoke. The red streaks of light dashing in the sky, the explosions sprouting like lilies all along the side, completely evident of what was happening.
He jumped and quickly flew over to the site.
The village below the mountain, was under strict watch.
All the villagers were gathered in the middle of town, surrounded by Lugnican knights, armed with swords, spears and Metia Rods, aimed right at them.
But soon, they lowered their weapons and broke away, making a path for the three interrogators.
Genau, whose tribal tattoo was updated, so that now it traveled down the right side of his face and down to the base of the neck.
Wilhelm, who sported a pair of mirrored teashades and a long, warm looking black coat, over his Red Lantern uniform.
Moussaka, who wore a long red scarf and had a red beanie on.
The villagers shivered, out of the sheer freezing environment, and of the awful glares they were being given. Moussaka squatted down motioned his finger to have the elder, come forward.
He did, and Genau strutted over to him.
"Look, you can ssssee what'ssss going on here, right?"
"Y-Yes sir."
"Good, now unlesssss you want to have any of your villagerssss being brutally chopped to piecessss, and have thissss village wiped clean off the map, ansssswer our questionssss. GOT IT?"
"Y-Yes."
"Good boy, now then, tell ussss the truth. Are there any Exogenesissss among you, you'd probably know about?"
Before his stuttering words could answer, the elder was then grabbed by Moussaka.
"Don't try to bullshit us, okay?! That burning mountain is proof enough that Exogenesis was using this area as a base of operations!"
"But we-"
"-Being compliant or ignorant of them, doesn't absolve you of this! They came to this village, bought supplies, ate your damn food and built up the strength needed to carry out their attacks!"
"...!"
"Just last week they were responsible for a stabbing spree in North Lugnica, three people died in that attack! If we had a mind to, we'd take ten of your lives for every one of theirs!"
"No! N-NO! PLEASE!"
Moussaka looked back, seeing an assuring nod from Wilhelm.
Turning his attention back to the elder, he let go of his grip, patted his shoulder and smiled.
"Then just tell us, then we can refocus on the mountain assault."
Just as he said that, they could hear it, feel it. Everyone looked up and could see a Zeppelin begin breaking through the dark clouds and begin firing its cannons on the mountain.
Moussaka snapped his fingers getting the Elders attention.
"SO?"
"Well, the truth is-"
Just then, a young man broke away from the group and bolted, trying to get away as quickly as possible.
Only for his throat to be slit wide open, staring unbelieving, he saw Wilhelm had made it over there, his sword drawn and bloody. Before the young guy had a chance, Wilhelm spun and used his blade to slice his head clean off. Once his body hit the floor, all the villagers screamed in horror. Only to be quieted when Wilhelm reached into the young man's pocket, pulling out a Exogenesis Emblem.
Shutting them up, the Elder relented and whispered to Moussaka, who then whispered to his Red Ring, sending a quiet audio message to Genau.
Genau nodded, happily and joyfully...right as he jumped into the crowd and used his jaws to clamp down and painfully drag a middle aged woman by the hair. The villagers attempted to pull her back, but when one of the older men had his hand blown off by a sphere construct, they quickly let go. Genau dragged the screaming woman, when she suddenly pulled out a dagger, only for Wilhelm to chop off her hand.
Continuing to scream and cry, Genau dragged her behind a house.
They heard awful noises, horrifying screams, loud slurping sounds, and then silence. Before Genau walked back to them, droplets of blood etching into the snow behind him.
Moussaka looked at the terrified crowd...pulled out a Metia Rod and fired, blowing an old man's forehead out. His corpse fell on top of a small girl, who wept insanely. Whether he was related to her or not, was none of their concern. Genau then fired a beam from his ring, shooting out the eye of an elderly woman, and right as she fell onto the snow...the three Red Lanterns turned around walking away, nonchalantly.
Genau wagged his tail as he muttered…
"Thankssss for the help."
The elder punched the snow as he began to cry, the villagers cried and sobbed as well, as their village was spared a frenzied slaughter.
There was no lies in his words, Genau knew by his breathing, his scent and his blood coursing into his heart. And the Wolgarm relished that fact.
Within the mountain, inside the hideout built into it, Red Lanterns were locked in combat with combative members.
Mimi crawled across the tunnels walls, leaping onto a member as she used her own teeth to rip open her throat. Noticing others trying to escape through a secret doorway, she used her staff and Ring to combine abilities and fire a swirling red beam, which curved and slid, straight through the escapees chests.
Frederica blocked hits from the giant man, who barely fit in the tunnel. Frederica kicked, but he blocked it using his massive forearms. He pushed her back using the ridiculously large cestus he wield, ominously similar in appearance to the Nemean Cestus of the mighty Hercules. He punched the floor, making the floor start to collapse, so Frederica floated in the air and tackled him straight through the wall and out into the open air. As they began to plummet, Frederica bearhugged him, he reacted by beginning to headbut her.
She spun with the grapple, faster and faster, until she tossed him down, much like a Seismic toss.
He got up and blocked a diving kick to him, sending a massive shockwave all around and even uprooting the trees. He used the cestus to punch the air, sending little burst of compressed air to attack. But Frederica dove under them, rushing at him.
Realizing she was about to land a devastating blow, he used a technique to strengthen his skin to beyond steel toughness. A technique passed onto his father, and his father before him, he had no children, but always intended to do so when he had one. He took in a deep breath and his skin glimmered.
Right before Frederica made his face bend under a devastating knee, he now saw she added gear and bolt constructs above her knee, adding to the power of her strike.
His defense had failed.
But he slammed his cestus together, blasting Frederica to the ground with a thunderclap, and shooting snow all over the place. He raised his fists up and punched down at incredible speed, only for Frederica to wrap her legs around his neck, and grab onto his forearm, with a massive spin, a horrible snapping sound could be heard.
His right shoulder was dislocated, making a face of pain and confusion...making one almost feel sorry for the guy.
He roared in pain, and tried to punch her off, but she slid expertally off, and landed a spinning kick to his chin. His consciousness was shot to pieces, and Frederica used that to her advantage, using a penetrating fingers strike to stab into his chest. Then while her fingers were in his flesh, she created a claw construct around her hand and gripped hard. With a loud grunt, she yanked out his entire heart and slammed it on his face, smashing it to bits. His face totally covered in blood, she pulled him in and spat napalm blood onto his face, melting it off. He fell forward, Frederica moving out of the way as his body became lifeless.
Fredeirca yawned and stretched her arms. Then, she blinked and leaned down.
"Well, we can't put these to waste."
Grabbing the Cestus, she put them on and grinned.
"I think I can get used to these."
Glancing around, she saw him float down to verify how she was doing.
"Well? How do they look?"
"I think they suit you well Frederica-san."
Ovidius touched his feet down as he looked over the Cestus.
"Fine craftsmanship there, even though I'm a bit jealous I couldn't come up with something as fine."
"Can you add Metia to it?"
"Maybe, it'd take me time, but I'll work on it after our approaching mission."
"Very well."
Ovidius and Frederica then felt a massive blast, both looking up and realizing that the Zeppelin has been shot and was now plummeting to the ground. They both nodded to each other and began flying back into the battle.
Nijino flew around the smoke and reached to find the magic cannon that brought down the Zeppelin. She drop kicked the main mage, before making a small dagger construct and stabbing the other man several times in the face.
She then levitated a nearby boulder and smashed the unconscious mage to death with it. She then levitated the magic cannon with her ring, flying up with it, and noticed another magic cannon being prepped. As easy as ever, she flung the magic cannon and crashed into the other, resulting in a massive explosion.
Mimi crawled around, like a feral animal, until she was fully out of the tunnel and stood straight up. She brushed her fox scarf and...smiled at it.
"Mimi did good right guys? Really, really good?!"
Listening to the fox scarf, she hopped up and down.
"Yeah, yeah! Mimi agrees with ya!"
The inanimate object yet again said nothing, not even a peep...but Mimi relished.
"Got it captain! I'll make sure we get some clues, just sit tight and relax!"
Mimi flew out of there, continuing to search the forest for clues.
Even if it was obvious the assault was over and all the Exogenesis members that used that mountain as a base, were dead.
Subaru walked up the snowy hill, connected of the mountain. Harsh winds blew, but he didn't blink, not once, not when he saw her.
Alone, standing there so nonchalantly, before slowly inching her way forward. The snow made crunching sounds, as both people continued their walk to each other.
Step by step.
Step by step.
One foot forward.
Another foot forward.
Step by step.
Step by step.
Luckily these steps ceased, once they were a few feet away from each other.
"Hey."
"I'm surprised to see you as calm as you look. Given how many times this kind of thing has happened already."
"Well, I guess I'm trying to fool you...or maybe myself. Shit, maybe both of us."
"Degrading as ever, Natsuki Subaru."
Crusch nodded as she kept her amber eyes on him.
The scar across her face, a result from that battle, were that of a beast slashing at her face. Four lines straight down across her face, from the top of her forehead, to the bottom of her lips.
She still wore her armor and hair was in that style, of which was meant for when she did battle with the White Whale. But again, that was not the reality they lived in.
"You found another one of our bases, truly impressive, congratulations."
Crusch clapped her hands, but showed no emotion in her fake smile.
Subaru raised a brow, before scratching her nose.
"Like I give a shit about your passive aggressive jokes."
"Come now, even I have a sense of humor."
"Again, I don't care."
"You do, my Divine Protection senses it."
"Hmph, a living lie detector, how rich."
No longer clapping, she stroked her hair and peeked over his shoulder, then back to him.
"But this isn't a total loss for me."
"I can imagine, an asshole with your pedigree wouldn't be that easy."
"An ugly comment, now who's the one being passive aggressive?"
They both went silent, as both slowly glared at one another. Subaru's Red Ring began to glimmer, and Crusch's sword began to glow.
"If only."
"Just you wait Crusch, one of these days, we'll have our moment."
He leaned closer and gritted his teeth.
"I'll make you pay for what you did to me and my buddies."
"Another victim?"
"SURE! You'll be just another dead body, like Priscilla or Petelgeuse! I'll throw the biggest party Lugnica has ever seen, with balloons and cake, hell even Ice Cream, when you and all your little friends are dead!"
"...That sounds lovely, I bet your son would've loved it."
"YOU SHUT UP!"
He began to surge with red aura, blood seeped out of his teeth, his scar glimmered orange and his eyes turned white.
"NEVER USE THAT FILTHY WHORE MOUTH OF YOURS TO SPEAK ABOUT MY KID EVER AGAIN!"
"...His death was on you."
"YoU FUckER!"
"All of this has been spun into motion by your actions, not mine, try and remember our last conversation."
"That was a few months ago, I try to forget things easily when they aren't important to me!"
"How can you forget that lovely brisk day in Vollachia, the birds, the flowers, the smoke and fire?"
"All I remember was taking down your pal Zulu Creed and finding a base without you in it!"
"Really, I'm sure everyone recalls how your Red Lanterns paraded down the streets of that city, with the heads of my comrades."
"...That was the lesson, to never cross us."
"And yet here we are."
"Yeah, here we are."
It was quite the issue, Subaru had every desire to kill her, but every base they raided, every siege they proceeded with...she was never truly there. They spoke to each other, mocked, yelled, or just quietly acknowledged the other...but never truly face to face.
With Subaru now calmer, he appeared back to normal...even with a scowl aimed at Crusch.
"My time is up Natsuki Subaru."
"..."
"I hope we can continue this conversation, it is very fulfilling."
"Oh yeah, just you wait Crusch. I am going to find you, the real you...and we'll have a long, loooong talk about our relationship."
"I look forward to it."
It was now evident that she was beginning to fade, become transparent.
"Till we meet again."
"Oh yeah, until then."
With one last smile, the illusionary Crusch disappeared, and the Metia that created such an elaborate lie, fell to the snow and burst into flames.
"...DAMN."
Subaru kicked at the snow, before turning around, letting some snow bask onto his face. The melted snow formed water, and it dripped down his face.
And finally, after this long drawn out declaration of murder...he actually blinked.
The mountain was still smoldering from the fight.
.
.
.
.
The round table at the mansion, all of them sat down and began deliberations. It was two years after Subaru declared his next mission, and things had been put into motion.
"Wilhelm, how many soldiers were you able to gather?"
"I was able to acquire 100,000 men and women for the assault, Subaru-sama."
"Anything on the front line agreement?"
"Indeed, we have now been given permission to use 1,000 prisoners to be the main charging infantry."
"Good, that way we can get some intel on what the Sage is capable of, also letting us set up for artillery strikes. Or shit, just them as simple human shields. Thanks Wilhelm."
"You are absolutely welcome."
Subaru shifted his eyesight.
"Ovidius, where are we on Metia?"
"Four Zeppelins are ready to be launched, we have fourteen tanks and about all the Metia Rods necessary to arm our troops."
"Great, anything else?"
"I have some experimental suits ready for some of us to try out."
"Suits huh?"
"They're based on that giant samurai I had to fight years ago. The idea about utilizing charged up mana suits as a power source could be a benefit for us."
"Interesting, how many have you made?"
"I was only able to craft eight of them."
"Hmmmmm, so all of us here, then one extra?"
"Yup."
"Alright, I'll look into who we can give the extra one to."
He then stroked his hair, exhaling as he asked a little more.
"What about, your main project?"
"...Behemoth is ready on standby. I hope we won't be needing it, but should the situation turn unfavorably, I can let it out."
"Ooookay, sounds good, thanks Ovidius."
"No...thank you."
Both nodded, making Subaru now turns his attention to Frederica.
"Have our soldiers gotten the proper training?"
"Most of them have received minimal martials arts training, under my supervision."
"About how many?"
'Maybe...80,000?"
"Alright, list them down and we'll have that 20,000 used as a back up."
"Understood."
Subaru tapped his fingers on his table.
"Nijino, where are we on medical crew?"
"We've set up an entire encampment filled with 12,000 healing mages, as well as 10,000 assitants to help them out."
"Nice, thanks."
"Anything for you."
Mimi was up next.
"Mimi, did you do the surveying like I asked?"
"Yup! Mimi did it very, very sneakily!"
"And?"
"It's like the rumors said, Mimi noticed the Tower got farther, and farther, farther away!"
"So there is a dimensional disruption. Anything else?"
"Yeah! Listen, listen, it's crazy! When Mimi used her ring, firing a nice beam, she was hitting the air!"
"...! Then our Rings could be the key to breaking through! Great job Mimi, you get ten cookies today!"
"Hooray! Mimi is the number one! Number. One!"
His smile went away when he looked over, letting Genau know it was finally his turn.
"What's happening on your end?"
"I spoke with Soulfly, he said that the desert has an underground cave system."
"You think we can use them?"
"Not for an entire army, but like, a battalion or two."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Extremely so."
"...Okay, I'll get to organizing who'll be sent down below."
'Exactly."
With that, the meeting was wrapping up, as everything seemed to be in order.
"Look guys, this has been something that has been brewing for years now. And right as of this moment, the entire Kingdom is under martial law, everyone knows that this thing is about to blow it's lid."
"..."
"And like that, we should all get our bearings, finish off anything personal...in two days we're taking on that goddamn tower, in just another step...to UTOPIA."
"..."
"Understand?"
"...YES!"
They all yelled their stance on the situation, and it was all Subaru needed to hear.
"Then let's get going."
The meeting was adjourned.
Ovidius shuffled through his papers.
He was somewhat eager, but anyone in his position would still be nervous about all this…
"You look a little pale."
"...Ha. Is that a morning joke, from you?"
Tall and with striking white hair, Beatrice entered his study room, wearing a striking black dress with pink butterfly designs. Brushing her hair softly, still in the body of her creator Echidna, she sighed.
"Maybe removing your helmet will help you relax a bit more, I suppose?"
"Oh please Beatrice-san, like I'd be that open to a suggestion."
"But, isn't this what you wanted?"
"...Yeah."
"So why are you so, preoccupied, I suppose?"
He set his papers down, nearly crumbling them.
"I just, I don't know. Maybe because of ridiculous jitters."
"Jitters?"
"I have longed to kill Shaula, for what she did to my family. No, for what she has done to countless others, the sheer irresponsibility and benign ignorance she has been allowed to fester in."
"We know that you aim to avenge your family, this is what you spent all those years for!"
"But I...I-I, I'm scared. I am man enough to say it! I am dreading the possibility this all fails and most of us wind up dead."
He leaned on the table, stabbing his gloved fingers into the table.
"...I cannot afford to lose...not like back then...I don't, lose…"
Beatrice slowly, but comfortably walked over and patted his shoulder.
"...You don't want to lose your family."
"...You caught me."
"Ovidius, I can honestly understand why you are stressed, I suppose. Betty also fears for Subaru, and everyone in this core. Before Betty only had Mother and Lewes, but Mother is gone, and Lewes has disappeared, now all Betty has is all of you, I suppose."
Giving a gentle hug, she could hear him begin to try and control his breathing.
"Everything will be alright, I suppose. Have you gone to see Liliana?"
"No, not in a while."
"Go see her, it'd be good for the both of you."
"...When did you become so empathetic?"
"Betty is always amazing, in any skill she musters, I suppose."
She continued hugging him...not noticing Nijino watching them from the doorway. Giving a big smile, she strolled away, leaving them alone.
Wilhelm was wiping his blades, in the steps of the mansion. He looked ahead and could see Attero keeping up with his watch of the grounds. But sensed someone coming up behind him, he quickly turned around and saw who it was.
"Oh, Emilia-sama."
"Hey Wilhelm, mind if I sit down?"
"Not at all, please."
Emilia sat down, just a few feet away from Wilhelm.
"Um, can I ask you something?"
"By all means."
"Do you think this, Tower Invasion, will work out?"
"I do not think in such a sense, there is always a possibility of failure. Even during the World War, when I fought Cecilus with Mimi-chan, I feared that my life would be lost."
"And this will be even tougher?"
"We are up against the Sage, one who trained under Flugel, a key figure in the defeat of the Witch of Envy."
"That does sound tough."
"Even so, we will strive to be victorious and return home."
"...Y-Yeah, sorry, I'm just a little anxious is all."
"Emilia-sama, there is nothing to be ashamed of with worrying."
He patted her shoulder but kept his eyes on his reflection, the man staring back at him.
"Look, I would always ceaselessly fret over my wife, almost daily in fact. But I knew that deep down, she would always understand my worries and fears, not because of any paranoia per say...but because of what my feeling with her were."
"...She was a lucky girl."
"No, oh no...I was the lucky man."
He finally looked at her and smiled, giving Emilia the kind of ardor to get up and proceed.
"Thank you Wilhelm, I'll do my best to wish Subaru luck."
"By all means, good luck."
"Thank you!"
She nodded and went on her merry way, leaving Wilhelm to finish up his cleaning. Sheathing his sword back in, putting his sunglasses back on, and putting his coat over his shoulder, he sighed.
"Hopefully, it'll work out."
He could see Ovidius in his mind, a friend he has come to respect and trust over the years of working together...and wished to fulfill his dream, much like he did with letting his wife rest in peace.
"We will take the Tower."
Windmills continued their circular motions, as Jolokia walked on the fine grass. He was in Mil Gray, a small town near the Capital, meeting with an old friend.
He entered a small house, without even knocking once. His large frame barely fitting through the door. It was a quaint little place, but what one would notice was all the tools scattered around, the various keepsakes. And catching his ominous all red eyes, was a Metia Rod over the fireplace...and a sketch.
He took hold of it, and sniffed the air.
"You kept this, grrr?"
"Yeah, I mean, it wasn't all bad."
Stanley, came out of the corner of a doorway, leading to his bedroom.
He now had a buzzed haircut and a nasty burn scar on his face.
"Eyesight okay, grrr?"
"Ah shit, welp, my left eye is not so good, and they get really dry all the time."
Like that, he took out a vial of water and poured a bit into his eyes. Afterwards, he put it back and shook hands with Jolokia.
"Good to see you again."
"Likewise."
They shook hands for a bit, before letting go and letting Stanley relax.
"Soooo, how's things been with Callaloo?"
"Grrrr, um, well…"
He scratched the back of his head, embarrassed, flustered as all hell.
"Ahem, grrrr, uh, she just laid an egg."
"OH DAMN, well look at you!"
"Cut it out, it just sort of happened."
"But aren't ya worried? You're a sabertooth beastman, and she's a half lizardman, what if the kid comes out, well, y'know?"
"I wouldn't care, it'll still be my child."
"...Damn."
He put his hands on his waist and smiled, than he went over and patted Jolokia's arm.
"Congratulations."
"Thanks."
"Though, I'm wondering why she isn't with you? I kinda wanted to see her."
"She's nesting with the egg, I'm the only one allowed near her at this moment."
"HUH?"
"Anyone else who gets too close, well, she loses it."
"Wow."
"Last week, we had visitors from the De La Soul visit she tried to bite Emilia-sama when she got too close to her."
"Holy crap, what happened?!"
"Mimi-sama almost got into a fight with her, but with the stars blessings, Wilhelm-sama and Genau-sama stopped things there, all was forgiven."
"Whew, if it was the old regime, she'd have her head cut off."
"I know, grrrr."
Stanley chuckled imagining a growling Callaloo cradling her egg.
"So, you came to recruit me is that right?"
"...You figured it out?"
"Well, I called you over mainly to see if this was true or not, but now I have it clarified...I am in."
"But…"
He once again looked at the sketch...it was all of them, from the days of the World War...
DuPont, Bertha, Bougatsa, Lissette, Butch Bull and many others in their brigade, no longer here.
Stanley nicely took the sketch and placed it back above the fireplace.
"It wasn't all bad, we had our good times, our victories and chances."
"But, grrrrr, your face."
He tapped his burnt face and smiled.
"I made my mistakes, paid for them and, hell, without me, Moussaka wouldn't have had his chance to become a Red Lantern."
"...I won't force you to."
"I am going to force myself into this."
Stanley grabbed his Metia Rod and held it close to his chest.
"Let me fight for my country, this time, until the end."
"...Grrrrrr, alright."
Both of them nodded and began to walk out...making one last glance at the sketch...then they left, shutting the door behind them.
A small gust passed by his window, so Moussaka closed the window shut.
"Hey, Moussaka?"
"Yeah?"
Juel walked over and hugged him.
"Are you really going?"
"Of course, I have a duty to undertake."
"Someone else can go instead!"
"No, I want to go."
Having the embracing end, she walked back and forth, truly in an upset manner.
"This isn't like Vollachia, Moussaka! This is the Pleiades Watchtower! The Sage is there, and she'll do everything in her power to kill all of you!"
"If she's anything like Halibel, I'll take my chances."
"Hey!"
"Relax, please."
He took her hands and kissed them softly.
"Nothing is going to happen to me, you can make damn sure that Jolokia is gonna take care of me."
"OH?! LIKE HE DID WITH YOUR BROTHER?!"
"..."
Quickly she covered her mouth, realizing the hurtful thing she had said, and turned away just as fast.
"I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean that!"
"...Juel."
Frightened, she turned around and was kissed on the forehead and hugged tightly.
"I know you didn't mean that, you're just worried, scared even."
"I-I am not scared."
"And all those nights? Where you cry those names? Bertha? Bougatsa, Lissette?"
"...It's nothing."
"Listen, the only time at night you'll be calling my name is when we're trying again to have a kid."
Juel giggled at his comment and kissed him, their locked lips untangled and stared at one another longingly.
"I will come home."
"...Okay, promise me you'll duck down if it gets bad."
"Right, Right, I'll do it, I'll do it."
"...I love you."
"Yeah."
They hugged each other, though, both look worried more than anything.
Orlena sat on her chair, looking at the Metia made for her all that time ago. Smiling at it, a sense of pride washed into her being, she was important to her Kingdom.
Just a sole girl living in a small village, near a Royal Candidate, her stake raised as she participated in the World War. While she gained friends, she just as easily lost some. Her small world carved into a much larger place, a purpose that shined in this dark place they called home.
"Guess it's time."
Everyone in the village wished her luck as she left, entering a parked Dragon Carriage, it marched off...up above red streaks of light zipped forward.
The capital was busy, too busy.
Soldiers marching off, women waving goodbye, zeppelins flying overhead.
The uproar was feverish, as all non-combatant civilians were eager to hear of another victory, they already quashed the Witch's Cult, the White Whale and the antagonistic neighboring nations. Not only that, not just that, but last week...The Sizable Hare, another menace to the world on par with the Red Lantern Corps, was lured off the edge of the Great Waterfall by Wilhelm and Nijino. Victory assured yet again by the Red Lantern Corps.
Nijino sat on a rooftop watching people scurry around and prepare for what was coming.
"Damn, and I thought I could enjoy myself this weekend, oh well."
Getting up and stretching, as Subaru once taught her, she exhaled a relaxed breath.
Just to remember Ovidius without his mask, looking longingly at a vast field of flowers. With her mind cleared, she stood steadfast.
"We're gonna give that Sage bitch a lesson, I promise you."
The prisoners were being marched through the jail grounds, forced to put on armor as they were being watched closely by Attero and Gyras.
"If you do as we say, the core will protect you."
"BUT IF YOU DIE, YOU DIE FOR THE GLORY THAT IS THE KINGDOM!"
The seedy, scrupulous, murderous, depraved, loser prisoners, quickly fell into fear once they saw Gyras begin glimmering red.
"Your blood, will enrich the core and give us all a fighting chance."
Attero, smiled.
"Good luck."
Beatrice knocked on a door, before letting herself in, this time her long white hair was tied into a bun.
"Betty is coming in, I suppose."
Once inside, she found Ram in only her underwear organizing her old clothes.
"Oh. Too bad, it's Beatrice-sama, had it been Natsuki Subaru I'd have some fun kicking him into the clouds, too bad."
"Even now you have a sharp tongue against him, I suppose."
Beatrice could only sigh exasperated, yet she did have a reason to be there.
"Look, I only came to fulfill Subaru's request for you."
"Me? You sure it's not Rem? If so, let me go get her, she's currently with Frederica."
"No, it's you, I suppose."
"...?"
Ram focused and the ring made her uniform form and wrap itself snugly on her body.
"There, I don't want anyone ogling at my supreme figure."
"Oh please..."
Shaking a sweat drop over her forehead, Beatrice retrieved the suitcase that was next to her, set it on the bed, popping the sucker open.
Ram took a look and her eyes went wide.
"You mean-"
"-Yes, it appears you were the one chosen, I suppose. Try and be a little grateful about it."
"But, why me?"
Beatrice's brown eyes sharpened as she locked them onto Ram's crimson ones.
"Subaru asked Betty to tell you, 'You have an important task to undertake, more than any of us. And that is to protect Emilia and Rem, and you'll need all the help you can get because of it.' That's what Betty recalled at least, I suppose."
Ram scoffed but then sat on the edge of the bed gripping her nails onto the blanket.
"Does he think this'll mend the rift between us?"
"No, it'd take more than this, Betty is sure of that. But, he understands that both of you still have one unifying desire."
"My sister."
Beatrice made her way back to the doorway, placing her soft hands on the frame of it, and taking a glance back.
"We will both be staying behind, to take care of Emilia and the mansion."
"You'd think Exogenesis would pull off something like they did two years ago?"
"Betty is not sure, but we cannot put it past them, I suppose. Crusch is an incredibly resourceful fiend, far worse than even Betty could've anticipated."
"...Still-"
Ram frowned, but Beatrice loudly slapped the doorframe, getting her attention again.
"Choose what you want Ram, but Subaru wasn't the only one who pleaded to give you the spare armor."
"..."
"See you around, I suppose."
Beatrice finally left, giving Ram much more of an opportunity to look inside the suitcase. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she reached in, pulling out a steel choker, very thin but strong looking, with a line of black leather or rubber of some kind running along the bottom.
In her mind, she made her decision.
She opened it, put it around her neck and closed it.
The black rubber then suddenly stretched and tightly covered everything below her neck covering everything but her Red Ring. Then metal plates began to cover her body, forming armor around herself...leaving only her Red Lantern Insignia left to be shown, even her hands had flexible metal covering them, giving the Ring space.
Completely shocked, she then felt the surge in mana, and her Insignia shined purple, not only that, but spaces within the metal plates; such at on the elbows, knees, knuckles, collarbone and ankles...began to glow purple as well.
They would be called: Aeon Suits. One of Ovidius' greatest creations.
"...I'll accept it then. Be thankful."
Ram grinned, almost like, she was actually happy, but who could say?
Frederica sat on the grass and scratched her hair.
"Frederica-nee san, are you okay?"
"No, I am alright Rem, just psyching myself up for what's going to happen tomorrow."
"...Rem wishes that wasn't the case."
Frederica rubbed her fingers on the gem that housed her soul.
"Rem?"
"Rem, always knew about this plan."
"Really?"
"It was suggested years ago, before you became a Red Lantern."
"When was that?"
'When Atrocitus came to visit."
"...Then, there is no going back, if the original Red Lantern was involved especially."
"Why? Why is all the violence necessary? As if everytime one threat is quelled, another one rears it's head and brings misfortune upon us?"
"That is the new world, Rem."
"Huh? Rem doesn't understand."
"...The moment these Red Rings came to this world, they became the spark to finalize the world order, to bring a new era to life."
A harsh wind swirled around them, making Frederica's braid move a tad.
"Whatever happens, has happened because of the choices made by us, involving these Red Rings."
"Rem only wants peace, so Nee-sama and Subaru-kun can no longer fight, no longer get hurt. Rem wants to go back to the old days. Days when we made food together, celebrated snow festivals, and shared quiet moments together...why can't we go back to that?"
"...It can happen Rem...but only once we take the Tower, and only when Crusch is dead."
The winds continued.
"Rem hopes you are right Frederica nee san."
The winds continued.
Unbeknownst to them, Subaru was leaning on a tree nearby, unseen by the both of them, listening quietly, honestly troubled. Yet, he clenched his fist...and walked away, ignoring Julius who just as quickly, disappeared.
The winds continued.
The day became night, and everyone laid on their beds, each and everyone...could see it.
They could see that thing.
That structure.
At the corner of their eyes.
Amongst the depths of the shadows.
Hidden amongst the stars.
THE TOWER.
It loomed over them.
It crept next them.
It tantalize them.
It was there for them.
THE TOWER.
Waiting for them.
Threatening them.
Calling out to them.
Screamed the horrors and rewards it offered to all of them.
THE TOWER.
Born to conceal.
Used to destroy.
Hidden away from prying hands.
THE TOWER.
And now, the time had come.
It had to be taken.
Must be taken.
They would take it.
Take it.
Take it.
Take it.
Take it all.
All of it.
Take it.
Take it.
Take it.
Take it.
KILL HER.
HER.
WHO?
HER.
HER?
HER.
NO ONE ELSE.
JUST HER.
ONLY HER.
And that is the prayer made, formed under its shadow….
THE TOWER, PLEIADES.
.
.
.
.
.
The Tower stood, the sun rose.
It was the morning light, that became their signaling flare.
Actually, it was already happening.
In the desert, having been mass teleported by many mages, many willing subordinates...the thousands strong army stood amongst the entrance of the desert, just far enough to be safe against Ma-Beast.
The Zeppelins floated in the air, and all the Red Lanterns stood firm.
Jolokia gripped his battleaxe and snarled.
Moussaka flew in the air...and finally met with Stanley.
"Oh, damn, Moussaka. You looking pretty good."
"Thanks, it's good to see you again."
"...Sorry about your brother, I didn't even get a chance to attend the funeral."
"...It's fine, you didn't miss much."
Unsure of what to say, he just rubbed the back of his neck...until Moussaka showed his hand.
"It is good to see you again Stanely-san."
"Same man!"
They shook hands firmly, as if it was the easiest thing to do.
"After this fight, we'll talk again, I promise you that."
"Over a couple drinks?"
"Definitely, I'll bring Juel along."
"Great."
...The two then hugged each other, patting each other hard on the back.
"Good luck out there."
"Yup."
Letting go, Moussaka flew up and back to the Red Lanterns, leaving Stanley to take in a deep breath and get serious.
Orlena turned around and could see the Predator Tanks rolling through the sand, hundreds ready for combat. Recognizable faces from the time of the World War, all ready to face the upcoming obstacle.
"Wow, so we really going through with this."
Gripping her custom Metia, her eyes narrowed as she could hear the Zeppelins above her, ready to get into action.
"I got this, I gotta get a grip."
The sands blew around them as her face truly became determined.
"I can do this."
Floating above, in the ranks of his fellow Red Lanterns, Natsuki Subaru touched his cheek. Reminiscing about his earlier meeting with Emilia.
It was one hour before they were all mass transported, and Emilia met him at the entrance of the De La Soul.
"Fixing yourself up Subaru?"
"Yeah, just the usual…?"
He now noticed it, Emilia was not wearing her Fortuna suit, but instead the dress she wore on their very first date, before everything had happened. Before the Royal Selection formally begun, the tragedies that came from it...and before the Red Ring descended from the skies.
He was thrilled to see it.
"Wow, you still look good in it! That's E.M.T. for ya!"
"Emilia-Tan, Major Tenshi...right?"
"You remembered?"
"Duh, you used to say weird things like that all the time, after a while it's hard to brush off."
"My compliments were weird?!"
Whacking himself on the head and sticking his tongue, Emilia couldn't hold in her laughter seeing this.
"Ahahahaha! Oh my gosh, it's been too long since you acted like that, it's refreshing."
"Hey, I'm still the usual broke as hell, and clueless beyond hope guy you met since the beginning."
"Ahaha, really and who's this strong guy in front, he's like a tooootal stranger."
"Then allow me."
He reached to gently take her hand and kiss it.
"Recognize me now?"
"Ahaha, cheesy, even for you. Definitely Subaru!"
"Cheesy now?!"
"Ahahaha!"
Now, Subaru couldn't hold it.
"Bwahahahaha!"
Both enjoyed their moment, as Emilia brushed her short ponytail, before both stopped and kept their eyes longing at one another.
Her amethyst and his hazel, reflecting the visage of their beings.
"Hey Subaru."
"Yeah?"
Fiddling with her hands, cheeks becoming flush like fresh tomatoes, and her eyes wandering around...Subaru stepped in closer.
"What's up?"
"This."
On her toes, she planted a soft kiss on his cheek. He felt like he was flying into a new reality from the simple feeling. But like that, she stepped away and smiled.
"That was a good luck kiss, okay?"
"It's like, an extra prayer for your safe return."
"...Thank you, I'll make sure I come back safely."
When Subaru began to walk away, he could hear her pray to the stars...and he knew, it wasn't only for him.
She would say their names, Genau, Wilhelm, Frederica, Nijino, Mimi, Ovidius, Attero, Jolokia, Moussaka…
He kept that close to his heart.
"We're all coming back, alive."
He then said his goodbye to Rem, to Beatrice, and finally to the two he asked to keep Emilia and the others safe.
"You guys will keep them safe, right?"
"Of course, anything for you Subaru."
Petra smiled beautifully as she did a courteous bow, standing next to Ram and the remaining Lewes Clones.
"Good luck Natsuki Subaru, don't die a horrible death now, it'd break Ram's fragile heart."
"Why do I get the feeling, you almost want me to fail?"
She shrugged her shoulders, and Subaru groaned, but did put on a smile.
"I trust you guys, the both of you."
Subaru patted Petra's head, so tenderly that she looked...excited...by it.
Once he stopped, he nodded to both of them and began heading to the exit...taking one last glance back at them all...and giving a goofy thumbs up to the lot of them.
He shut the door behind him.
Putting on his choker, his armor formed around him. The other six followed suit with Wilhelm carefully putting his glasses in pocket, which got covered by his armor.
Now all seven of these Founding Members, had their Aeon Armors worn, and ready to go.
Genau snarled.
Mimi puffed her cheeks as she stroked her fox scarf.
Frederica put on her brand new cestus on.
Nijino fixed her hair into a bun, so as not to get in the way.
Wilhelm unsheathed two swords.
Ovidius spun his two Metia wands.
"Initiate."
All 43 Red Lanterns they brought along with them, flew up into the air and forward, firing beams into the nothingness...until it was actually hitting an unseen force. They pushed and pushed with all their might, until they heard a shattering noise. And with that, they all turned around flew above the army, as it marched forward.
"Natsuki-san."
"Ovidius?"
"Thank you, for all this, for giving me this opportunity."
"Ah to hell with that, we're the closest thing to a family here, got it?"
Ovidius looked stunned and glanced around his fellow Founding Members. All smiles and grins.
He felt relieved, proud and truly from the bottom of his heart thankful.
"Thanks."
'Now let's take that fucking tower."
After a few minutes, pressing through the sands, facing the winds...they saw it...THE TOWER.
"Go for it."
The prisoners used as the front lines charged forward, with all their might they ran.
Ma-Beast, which lurked in these lands so easily also made their way against them, but the prisoners took care of them with their swords and crossbows...only to see a vast field of flowers. It was an odd sight for sure.
But before anything, the flowers sprung up, revealing to be on the backs of bear-like Ma-Beast that charged at the prisoners...letting Ovidius know what to do next.
"Fire down on them."
The zeppelins rained blasts upon the prisoners and the bears, smashing them into bits and pieces.
The commotion shook the inside of the tower, so Shaula jumped out of her small futon and rushed to see what was going on.
"THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!"
Once she stepped out onto the balcony….she saw the smoke and fire, and the large army, just a few miles away.
"Then, what I felt, really was the Sand Time being broken?! They got this close so quickly?!"
Energy funneled around her body as he eyes shone like newborn stars.
"Messing with my teacher's masterpiece?! Oh-ho-ho-HOOO! YOU ARE SO DEAD!"
Subaru took in a deep breath.
At the De La Soul Mansion, Emilia was playing checkers with Ram...when Saggitarius, the Lewes Clone most famous amongst them, noticed something.
One of the backyard trees, was moving strangely.
In the underground cave systems of the desert, the selected men combed through the scary tunnels. All of them were tough, but cautious about any little thing.
Within them, was a man with scars on his face...in his knapsack, he had a very steel helmet.
And an Exogenesis emblem right next to it.
At the border of Kararagi, several men guarding the fort yawned and woe their nation's current dilemmas. But when they looked closely...at the rocky hills...they saw flags, banners.
"Oh...Oh shit…"
A massive army.
Hailing from the Republic of Gusteko, marched forward.
Their leader, Rasputin, nodded at the sight, from the other side of the border.
"Our proud home deserves the gifts of a luscious green state, one free of the harshness of the snow."
"Commander, is this really allowed."
"I asked Natsuki Subaru once, a hypothetical question about our nation attacking our neighbor."
"And?"
With a big grin on his face, from ear to ear, he answered.
"He didn't care."
And so, the army of Gusteko, stomped it's way into Kararagi.
All of them, on the sands of the Augria Sand Dunes, readied their weapons. The beasts growled, the men pumped themselves up, the women licked their lips, the Zeppelins and Tanks slowly inched closer.
Until Subaru with one last nod to Ovidius and the raising of his hand.
It had been a long time coming, but the day was here, the future of the Red Lantern Corps, hung in the balance.
Shaula raised her fists.
Ovidius lurched in the air.
"TAKE THE TOWER! ATTAAAAAAACK!"
The bloodshed would now begin.
...TO BE CONTINUED...
AN: Let the battle begin. DING! DING!
If there was an opening for this, it has to be "All Guns Blazing" by Sabaton!
Images would include the vicious fighting all of our heroes would be involved in, the sands quickly engulfing a Red Ring and Ovidius flying up the tower to reach Shaula. Only to be accompanied by Subaru, as they engage in battle against her. Frederica with a massively bleeding face, Ram dragging a bloody kanabo across the grass, Crusch grinning madly, Rastputin pointing ahead. Aldebaran running through some smoke, Petra calmly drooling blood with a black eye, Genau and Jolokia flying close to the moon's surface. Before it ends on the last image of Subaru snuggling up to Shaula, as they close their eyes, right on top of all the other slumbering participants, as the sands quickly buries them all.
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.
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Ending theme has to be "Something w/o Sunrise" by Myth & Roid!
Putting it bluntly, it'd just be Emilia in her room drawing adorably bad drawings of the Founding Seven Red Lanterns, and the fights they have been in so far...only to end on a creepy image of Emilia smiling directly at us, before zooming out and showing the sun outside her window being eclipsed...by the Pleiades Watchtower rising into existence, until everything it engulfed in pitch black.
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This Arc will be pretty short, but regardless, it's gonna be a doozy of a FIGHT. Get your beer and chips ready.
NEXT TIME, Ch 38. "The Siege of Pleiades", see ya then Space Cowboys!