The next day, the city had undergone a distinct change: Crusader patrols walked the streets, flanking armored vehicles, as announcements sounded out across the city from time to time.
"Please stock up on non-perishable foods and other essential items. Mandatory curfews for non-combat persons and those not in essential jobs will begin at sunset and end at sunrise."
"If you suspect that you or your loved ones are possessed by demons, please direct them to the nearest Crusade patrol. They will be taken into custody and exorcized."
"Any and all Devilmen are required to report to the Crusade for recruitment or exorcism. All who resist will be deemed a threat and be forcibly taken into custody. May the Lord bless you for your service."
Akira peeked out a window at a patrol passing by the apartment building, shutting the blinds and closing the curtains quickly.
"This is one hell of a mess we're in." Balthus said over a screen in the middle of Akira's room with the other Ashen Wolves.
"Just another reason to hate the church types, B." Hapi added.
"How's Ryo faring, Akira?" Kokoro asked.
"He's…" Akira said, glancing over to where he had Ryo tied up and gagged. "...Coping. He started freaking out after you all left, so I have to constrain him until he calms down."
"...Right." Mark decided to press on. "So, what's our game plan?"
"Well, the first thing before we think of a plan to deal with these crusade guys, is to gather my sorta team." Akira said. "Right now, my Dark Hell squad, that J-Hack guy, Wamu's gang, and Miko are all around the city, probably hiding. You guys are gonna have to find them."
"And what do we do if the Crusade tries to stop us?" Simon asked.
"Just do what you normally do to assholes." Akira said. "I gotta stay here and keep an eye on Mr. Morningstar Motherf***er. Let me know when you're done, and I'll head over so we can start planning."
"Of course." Ace said. "Stay safe."
"Back at you, guys." Akira said as he ended the call.
The Galaxy King…
"Alright. We have to work fast if we want to save everyone Akira mentioned from the Crusade." Adora said.
"We have to figure out where they are first." X said.
"Not only that, but if the Crusade finds out we're helping demons, including Ryo, they'll gun for us." Ragna said.
"Alright, let's see if we can't find some demons. Peridot-2?" Mark asked.
"Understood." Peridot-2 said, typing into the computer. "Ah-ha! It seems J-Hack and the Dark Hell troops are together at the city center. This gang, meanwhile, is at the hospital, and Miko is in the park."
"Alright, let's split into teams and rescue them. J-Hack's top priority considering the circumstances." Hope said.
"Then we'll have to send our best to pick him up." Mark said.
"Where can I pitch in?" FS!Sapphire asked.
"Hmm…you should go and get J-Hack. Since you haven't met him and all…" Mark said. "David, can you go as well?"
"Yeah. Got it. With Miraidon, it will go much quicker. I'll be counting on you, buddy." David said.
"Pshah, bet I can beat you." FS!Sapphire stated with a smirk, holding up arcane energy to form another motorbike.
David was turned off by Sapphire's attitude. "Does everyone in Future Seekers have a damn ego or something…?"
"Dude, I make bad jokes when I'm stressed." FS!Sapphire apologized with a dreadful anime look to follow.
"I know. But not everything has to be a competition." David said. "In fact, what you just showed could make the extraction much more smoother."
"I hear you, let's just move…" FS!Sapphire sighed as she prepared to move out with David.
Once they were outside, David tossed Miraidon's Pokéball to send him out, while FS!Sapphire summoned the arcane motorbike again, as she and David sped off to J-Hack's location.
"As for the rest, I'll lead the group that picks Miko up. Any volunteers?" Mark asked.
"We can help." A familiar voice rang out as the now fully undisguised Eirika and FS!Lumera appeared, thanks to them following FS!Sapphire to the Galaxy King.
"Hey, it's Eirika! The flesh and blood one to be exact and… Lumera?!" Scorpia asked.
"Not the one you're familiar with, sadly." FS!Lumera said with a soft smile.
"Not to worry. Our Lumera is still alive and well, with Alear and Veyle." Mayumi said.
"Ah, you got our letter then! That's a relief." FS!Lumera smiled.
"Yeah, but we couldn't prevent everything you listed. There was nothing we could do about Zephia and Griss." Tenko said.
"Oh, at least you saved poor Marni-" FS!Lumera would say.
"We don't have time for chatting. I still have another reason I'm here after I help deal with all this. Chronoa's orders." Eirika remarked. "Now then, where can we help?"
With Eirika fully in view, the group could see she was a fair bit different from the Emblem Eirika. For one, she had a scar over her left eye, and she was dressed in feminine red armor, complete with arm shield, Siegmund on her back, Sieglinde at her hip, and another blade on her other hip.
"We're aiming to rescue some important figures in this world before the crusade gets to them. David and Sapphire have already gone to extract J-Hack. We just need to find Miko, Wamu and his gang." Hope said.
"I can track them down using some high level magic I've learned. Tell me their descriptions and I'll locate them." Eirika declared.
"That's our favorite sacred stone princess." Yang said.
"We don't really have a good read on Wamu, but we did see Miko. She's tall and has long auburn hair in a ponytail." Adora said. "Peridot said she was in the park, but can you find her location?"
"I've got it locked down now. Grab on to me!" Eirika exclaimed, as she summoned a Rewarp staff.
"She can cast Anima and Harmonious Light and Dark magic without tomes, yet you still need staves?" FS!Lumera asked in confusion.
"Believe me, it's harder to use White Magic than you think…" Eirika pouted.
"As for Wamu and his gang, no worries. The team I sent to protect them are still tailing them." Jexi said. "And the team protecting the Makimura's are still there too."
"Just hope Leia is gonna be okay." Teepo said.
"It's Leia, she'll be fine." Jude said.
"Alright, boys and girls, to borrow a quote from a place with no heroes…let's enter the Garden of Madness." Mark said.
City Center…
As a Crusade convoy drove past an alley, a pair of eyes peered out of it, waiting for the knights to pass. "...Alright. This way. Quickly."
J-Hack made his way out of the shadows, followed behind by the Dark Hell squadron. "This is a disaster. How did the Prideful Crusade get the nerve to do something of this scale? After their defeat, you'd think they would've never come back to the Demon Universe…"
"Must be a new leader." the lead Dark Hell soldier (Jeffrey) offered a suggestion. "Somebody looking to restart the campaign?"
"That can't be, we would've heard about it. We've got eyes and ears on every organization with a force over 10,000 on the radar." another soldier said.
"We'll look into that later. We have to reconvene with Sub-leader Akira." a third said. "Jeffrey, can't you contact him?"
"I've tried. Can't get a signal out." Jeffrey said. "The Crusade must be using a Class 4 jammer. My guess, only the Hero Alliance has comms unblocked right now."
"Leave it to the Super Hero Squad to have the best toys…" a fourth soldier sighed.
"We need to hurry." J-Hack said. "I'm sure the Galaxy King is this way. If we just find the river…"
"Hey! You there!" a voice barked as a squad of crusaders stood at the nearby intersection. "What are you doing here? This street is cordoned off until we complete the survey of the potential battlefield!"
"Wait…those are Dark Hell soldiers!" another knight realized.
"Oh crap…" Jeffrey gulped as the crusaders drew their guns.
"Stand down! You will be taken into custody-!" the lead knight started, until a noise caught their attention. "Is that a motorcycle?"
"Special delivery!" a voice said as ice crystals were shot at the Crusaders. "I told you Crusader guys that we'd stay out of your business if you don't step on our toes."
"IIIINCOMING!" FS!Sapphire's voice shouted as she rode in with her bike, aiming to slide it right into the Crusaders for a strike!
"Evade!" the lead knight shouted as they leaped out of the way of the attacks, being separated into two groups. "David Ishihara and…uh…unknown individual! You cannot interfere, these people are servants of an Antichrist!"
"Yeah, well… They're kind of my clients, so… I'm afraid we're in a conflict of interests here." David said.
"I'm starting to get tired of the number of 'holy rollers' on the opposing docket." FS!Sapphire sighed as she twirled around Demise and Tribulation. "Just do us a favor and step back, alright? Nobody's gotta shed any blood today if we don't have to."
"Just a moment!" J-Hack said. "These men don't serve Thorn! If you just let me explain, I-!"
"Damn it…" the lead knight grimaced as he holstered his gun and pulled out a hilt in the shape of a cross. "Men, switch to non-lethal melee! We're taking them into custody!" he ordered as he flicked the hilt, igniting a white laser blade, as the other knights switched to melee weapons.
"Stay back, Demon King." Jeffrey said, as the Dark Hell operatives drew their knives. "This is about to get stabby."
"David, focus on getting J-Hack and his soldiers out. I can hold off these Crusaders." FS!Sapphire stated as she looked at the weapons of the Crusaders with an intrigued look, as if it might be a fun fight for her.
"Got it. Time to go, J-Hack." David said.
"But David, if I can just talk to them-!" J-Hack started.
"Not the time for diplomacy. If we stay, you'll get arrested. I'm getting you and Akira's men out." David said.
"Do not let the hellspawn escape!" one of the crusaders said.
Cue: Metal Gear Rising: Stranger I Remain - Special Edit by Tyrus Sparda
"Focus on your real opponent, pal!" FS!Sapphire shouted as she kicked the crusader back, blocking the entire army from the Hell Knights.
"Stay out of this!" the lead crusader said as he charged his laser sword up before he used a wide swing, sending a crescent energy wave at FS!Sapphire.
FS!Sapphire grinned at the sight, as she drew her own blade, and slashed the crescent energy wave in two before sheathing her sword again. "You guys seriously don't listen to anyone do you? Just go with whatever the hell you have on your mind. But if you think those friends of mine are servants of this 'Antichrist,' then you can take down one supporter like me, can't ya? So come on! Let's see whose conviction is of the Lord's, and whose conviction is falsely placed!" FS!Sapphire goaded.
"Ugh, it's always the young ones…" the lead crusader said as he and his squad dashed towards her.
FS!Sapphire smiled as she stood in place as one of the soldiers struck her… only for her to become a corpse of ice, as his blade was stuck!
"What-!? How did-!?" The knight exclaimed.
"Declare Spell! Niflheim Mark: Counterfeit Arctic!"
The clone suddenly blew up, freezing the attacker alive and sending ice shards into the other crusaders, before FS!Sapphire began to twirl midair like Dante and pelt the crusaders with arcane bullets from Demise and Tribulation.
"Demise and Tribulation: Obliterate!" FS!Sapphire exclaimed as she shot an energy blast at the central area the small army of crusaders stood around, hoping they'd take the hint and split upon them seeing the arcane residue begin sparking and swelling like it would blow.
The lead crusader looked at the residue, then at his squad, then made his decision. "Everyone, fall back! Fall back!" the leader ordered, the knights dashing away to get away from the perceived attack.
As FS!Sapphire anticipated, they scattered a bit, as she smiled, allowing her to move in as the blast exploded, clouding the vision of the crusaders as FS!Sapphire made swift knockout blows on three of the remaining army, quickly leaping into the view of however many were left minus the four incapacitated ones.
"Over here, crusaders!" FS!Sapphire goaded.
"This girl is REALLY irritating!" one of the crusaders said.
"Superbia's records warned us members of the Future Seekers would be arrogant, but this…this takes it to a whole new level." another of the crusaders said. "Change to the super powered suppression tactics! Even if she's a child, she has proven to be a threat."
"Oh you did not just call me a child. A girl I'm fine with but a child?" FS!Sapphire growled as she cracked her neck. "Can a child do THIS!? HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
A burst of red divine energy erupted from FS!Sapphire, as she now had red hair and red eyes akin to Super Saiyan God…
…No. It was Super Saiyan God!
Super Saiyan God
Sapphire Sukui (Future Seekers)
"By Jehovah!" one of the knights gawked. "Captain, we have to go!"
"Indeed you do." the commander agreed as he pressed a hand to his helmet. "Execute teleportation at city center, 55th squadron!"
"Captain-!" the knight said before the squad vanished, leaving only the leader.
"Dude. I'm not gonna kill any of you. I don't just murder people for fun like a maniac. Why make this a one on one?" FS!Sapphire asked as her divine red aura flourished with strength.
"Super Saiyan God… I heard the stories of the form. I'd be foolish to fight you now." the captain said. "This is only so I can surrender, and my men be spared."
"...You're wise, then. Truth is I act haughty because I try to fill in my brother's shoes. Act like he would and all." FS!Sapphire admitted. "I don't do a good job sometimes… but, just like him, I didn't really want any of you to die… So I'm really glad you chose to do this. I'll treat you as a prisoner and bring you to the Galaxy King in case they want to interrogate you on your actions. I can guarantee your safety there, and potentially back to your service for the Lord." FS!Sapphire stated, retaining her Super Saiyan God state just in case this guy had anything up his sleeve.
"Good Job, Sapphire. Taking a captain prisoner may just help us try to convince the crusade to stand down." Hope said over the comm.
"Thanks Hope. We're heading for the Galaxy King now. Sitrep on David and J-Hack?" FS!Sapphire asked while holding her finger to her ear for comms.
"David got J-Hack and Akira's guys back safe and sound. When you get back with the crusader captain, we'll have J-Hack try to talk to him." Hope said.
"Roger that. On my way." FS!Sapphire declared as she grabbed the commander and took him to the Galaxy King at fast speeds of flight.
(Theme end)
City Park…
Eirika would warp in along with FS!Lumera, along with anyone else who grabbed onto them, which included Azura, Mark, Adora, Merrin, and Zenitsu.
"Okay, I warped us to just beyond Miko's location. Now only to locate her…" Eirika stated as she looked around.
"She shouldn't be hard to spot." Adora said.
"Yeah, just look for the giant spider and or webs." Mark said, before looking to a shaded underpass nearby. "Hmm…over here, maybe?" he said as he walked over to the hole. "Hello? Miko Kuroda? Are you in he-"
Mark felt the stickiness for only a moment before he was snagged and hoisted up in a fluid motion, coming face to face with Miko's Devilman form, that of a giant spider.
"Don't call me-! What the-?" Miko asked. "You're not a crusader. You do look like one though. Maybe I should web you up and give those bastards a sign not to bother me-"
"No, Miko! He's a friend, we're here to help you." Adora said, coming into view.
"I know you… you were with those girls watching Miki in the locker room before the track meet." Miko recalled. "So, you knew I was a Devilman?"
"Mayumi sensed it straight away. But don't worry, we're not out to report you to the Crusade." Adora said.
"We are here to take you somewhere safe from them." Azura said.
"Guys, make it fast, we have crusaders incoming!" Eirika exclaimed.
"Look, if we were crusaders, we'd be dressed up in iron, wouldn't we?" Mark asked. "You can trust us."
"...Fine. But let's get something out of the way: I'm Miki, not Miko! I know it's confusing, but you better get it right!"
"Would you settle for Miki K?" Mark asked.
Miki K answered Mark's question by releasing him from her webs, letting him land back on the ground.
"They're here!" FS!Lumera exclaimed. "Hurry, Eirika and I will cover the escape!"
"If that's what you want." Mark said as the others left with Miki-K. "You better not die here, Lumera! Siege and Alear worked too hard to save you just so you could go out here!"
"Oh, trust me. I have no plans of dying." FS!Lumera smiled, as she and Eirika turned to face their opposition of the approaching crusaders.
"Hold up, we have contact. Non-demonic." one of the knights said.
"Hey, aren't they those two nuns that were wandering around town for the past week?" another asked. "Pardon me, sisters, but have you seen a Devilman around here? We tracked a signature here."
"A Devilman? Heavens, no." Eirika stated, deciding to play to the advantage they seemed to have. "We armed up expecting to find one in this area but… our trail has run cold, sadly." Eirika explained.
"We apologize, but it appears the Devilman we were searching for escaped, and we have attempted to track them without success…" FS!Lumera apologized.
"Well, that's a shame. We brought the St. George system and everything." a crusader with a peculiar device strapped to his chest plate said. "Guess we'll have to keep looking."
"You two should either find shelter or get out of this city quickly. This place might become a warzone in a few days." the lead crusader said. "May the Lord our God bless you, Sisters."
"May He bless you all as well." FS!Lumera softly smiled.
With that, the knights left the area, as FS!Lumera and Eirika shared a look of surprise.
"...That actually worked." Eirika spoke softly. "...Let's play the advantage we have and rendezvous with the others aboard the Galaxy King."
"You read my mind." FS!Lumera nodded as they followed Mark and the others.
The City Hospital…
"That's it. Just come with us, if that's all right." Tanjiro said to Wamu and his gang.
"Yes. There's no need to worry." Lie Ren said.
"Hey!" a voice called out as a few crusade members approached.
"There's no reason to be alarmed. These men are not demons." Tanjiro said.
"What? Oh no, we're not here for them." One of the crusaders corrected.
"Really? Then why approach us?" Tanjiro asked.
"Well, we detected a demon signature from your group, so we want to figure out what it is." the lead crusader said. "Does anyone here happen to be carrying a demon or demonic item on their person?"
"No…there is no need for you to worry about such things. I'm with the Demon Slayer Corps." Tanjiro said.
"Wait, you are?" the lead crusader asked. "Uh…aren't you guys supposed to…you know…" he said, slicing a finger across his neck.
"Yes. I will lop off the heads of any demons who seek to cause harm." Tanjiro said. "But…there are no demons here who will cause any harm to humans!"
"That sounds like an oxymoron…" the lead crusader said, as the group tensed up, preparing for a fight, before…
"Hold up there!" Wamu spoke up. "I don't really know what you guys are talking 'bout here, but…I think the kid has a point."
"What makes you say that?" the lead crusader asked.
"We came to this hospital to visit a buddy of ours." Wamu said. "He'd been at a Sabbath party, when people started turnin' into demons and slaughtering the kids there. But then…there were four people who jumped in and started fighting those demons."
"I fail to see how that applies to-"
"It applies, cause two of those guys were demons too!" Gabi said. "They didn't kill anybody but other demons. Heck, they even saved Kukun's life! He's hurt real bad, but if it wasn't for them, he could've ended up a whole lot worse!"
"Yeah…maybe not all demons are so bad." Hie shrugged.
The crusaders looked between each other for a few moments before they backed off. "...If, hypothetically, that demon went too far, past the point of no return…would you be able to do what needed to be done?" the lead crusader asked Tanjiro.
"Yes. Of course." Tanjiro said.
"Then I guess we can trust you with it." the leader said, as he and his men turned away. "You all should get out of the city soon. It won't be safe for much longer."
"What do you mean?" Lie Ren asked.
"The demons of this world are mustering an army, to come to their master's aid." the crusader said. "This whole city…will soon become a battleground."
The group tensed before quickly hurrying back to the Galaxy King.
"That was a close one." they said, making it back to the ship.
"I should have realized carrying Nezuko would have been a huge risk." Tanjiro said.
"But we made it out without harm." Lie Ren said. "And just before the city could become a battleground."
"And we managed to get Miko and J-Hack." Adora said. "Last ones we need here are the team protecting the Makimura's."
It wasn't long before they heard the doors slamming open.
"Oh…welcome….ah!" Tanjiro said as he saw Inosuke looking beat up and carrying the unconscious Leia, Gemini, and Miki on his shoulders.
"Inosuke?! What happened?!" Mark gawked.
"The house of the track witch…it got ambushed by those weirdos in white." Inosuke said. "Cause…her brother…he's a demon!"
"So are they…" Ace asked.
"No. They're still alive. But they took them somewhere for their exorcism thingy." Inosuke said. "Cowgirl and reporter, they held back cause they were humans and got beat up. I would have fought if the track witch wasn't there. So…I knocked her out and got us all back here."
"Inosuke…I know you wanted to fight back…but what you did was the best choice. Thank you." Jexi said.
"Yeah…you're welcome." Inosuke said, dropping off the girls before turning to the door.
"Where are you going?" Titanica asked.
"Where else? I'm gonna raid their camp and take back the family!" Inosuke said.
"We're back!" FS!Lumera asked as FS!Sapphire was already back with the prisoner, as she and Eirika ran in before seeing things. "...What did we miss…?"
"The Makimura's have been taken by the Crusade for an exorcism and we were about to talk this guy out of raiding it by himself." Lie Ren said, pointing to Inosuke.
"They what!?" FS!Lumera exclaimed.
"You gotta be- What's their exorcism process?" FS!Sapphire asked.
"The exorcism process is based around a device known as the Virgin Mary." the captured crusader spoke up. "It separates a possessed human or Devilman from the hellspawn that took them over, or the powers they gained from the demon. In cases where the demon has a weak hold on the human, the human is freed from possession while the hellspawn is terminated, soul and all."
"And what happens when the demon's hold is strong?" Mark asked.
"...Both the hellspawn and the human are killed." the crusader answered. "The human's soul ascends to Heaven, while the hellspawn returns to Hell."
"Oh that is just messed up, man." Jesse said.
"See? Now you guys know, there's only one way to save that kid…it's for the King of the Mountains to raid the crusaders camp and destroy their exorcism thingy." Inosuke said.
"Without knowing how strong the hold on Miki's little brother is, it could go either way. However, you are not going alone. You need to take some people with you." Jexi said. "That way, when you are eventually found out and caught, they can back you up."
"I'll go with him." Kieran piped up.
"You sure?" Carmine asked.
"Yeah. Mark invited me to this team for a reason." Kieran said as he pulled out his ogre mask. "Besides, it's about time…I made my debut for real." he said, putting the mask on.
"Me too. I shall go as well." Kagetsu said. "I will consider this my first task under my new banner."
"Not going to count our fight against Kazuya and his forces?" Fulgore asked.
"That was a group effort. This will be my first solo job." Kagetsu said.
"You better make a very strong impression, then." Dynasmon said.
"I'll go. Lumera and Eirika can't show their faces around the crusaders, they still believe they're on their side for the Lord." FS!Sapphire stated.
"Wait, why's that?" Moltar asked.
"Because Lumera and Eirika prowled around the place as nuns. So the crusaders see them as not enemies." FS!Sapphire answered.
"Wait." a voice said, as Denji stood up. "I'll go."
"You sure?" Mikan asked. "Your fight and…"
"Heh…I'm not about to lose to a few wannabe's who wanna be great knights. Besides, better to fight blades with spinning blades anyway." Denji said.
"Alright, if you say so." Kieran agreed.
"All right, my minions. We're ready to bring the wrath of the mountains down on these chumps." Inosuke said.
"Wrath of the mountains? To hell with that s***." Denji said. "We're gonna be worse."
"Can we not kill them!? I promised our prisoner we wouldn't kill anyone!" FS!Sapphire exclaimed.
"Who said anything about killing?" Kieran said.
"What's it matter? No one gives a crap if you kill the bad guys." Denji said.
"...You're kidding me. Are you actually serious." FS!Sapphire remarked in disgust. "I changed my mind. I'm not going."
"What!? But why-"
"Because if all you people believe this life is black and white, good and evil, yin and yang down the middle no questions asked then you're all absolutely DELIRIOUS!" FS!Sapphire shouted.
"I'm afraid that is talk I cannot let stand." Kagetsu said.
"Kagetsu is right, he and I aren't like that. But…Inosuke and Denji…they probably are." Kieran said.
"Well said, ogre minion." Inosuke said.
"Wha..?" Kieran asked.
"..Life would be easier if it was like that." Denji said. "But, if you really wanna play Achilles, I'm not gonna stop you. Just one question, though."
"...Ask." FS!Sapphire asked, looking at Denji with a small hint of malice.
"If I didn't kill somebody that's okay with getting a kid killed, would that make me the bad guy?" Denji asked.
"So now you're gonna go the philosophical route, are you?" FS!Sapphire asked as she would shake her head. "I counter that question with a question of my own: Then I'll answer yours depending on what you answer me. The classic fairy tale: A knight, and a dragon. How do you view the story? Trivial as it sounds… I need to know." FS!Sapphire stated.
"...Well, if some guy rode into my house with a sword and tried to kill me, I'd definitely fight back." Denji said.
"...Definitely the answer I wasn't expecting from you. My viewpoint of you has improved. So then, let's traverse this, but briefly. Even when the whole world and town paints you, the dragon, as evil. Do you count your act of self defense as evil? Do you count your act of protecting what you believe in as evil? What you hold dear to you? Kill… even when you don't want to, as evil?" FS!Sapphire asked.
"If it's to give someone I care about the future I promised I'd give 'em… then I'd still think I'm the bad guy." Denji said.
"Let's bring it back to the person who wants children dead. No, it's not evil for you to spare that person. Because you gave them the impression that maybe, just maybe, the world isn't as bad as they see it from their viewpoint. You, as the dragon, have a choice. You can kill the knight, or this person you speak of, and be labeled a true monster for killing them in self defense, or you spare them, in the case of the knight, injuring him to the point he can't fight but allow him to leave. Do you get where I stand now?" FS!Sapphire asked.
"...Yeah, I think I do." Denji nodded.
"Glad we reached that understanding then. I'm back in." FS!Sapphire nodded and smiled. 'Man… Siege, did you put words in my mouth!? I could have NEVER done that myself!' FS!Sapphire thought to herself.
"Sorry about all that, Sapphire. I know you haven't know him long, but Denji is a good guy at heart." Hope said. "Well… more like Chaotic Good."
"I'm just glad he's got the understanding of what the line between true good and evil is." FS!Sapphire smiled.
"Mmmhm! Now that's all out of the way… It's time for the Mountain God and his minions to march!" Inosuke declared.
"Is this like his thing…?" Kieran asked.
"It's better to just go along with it." Jexi said. "Honestly, there is no cure for delusions of grandeur."
With that, the group prepared for their confrontation with the Prideful Crusade…
Meanwhile, at the Prideful Crusade's base…
A ship landed on the roof as a man dressed in silver armor, with one of his eyes hidden behind an eyepatch disembarked with a few men, being met by Karl Franz.
"Boris Todbringer, I welcome you." Karl Franz said. "Thank you for coming. The state of this world is truly dire."
"This had better be good, Elector Count Franz." Boris said. "Middenland may be in the path of a warherd soon. I can only spare so many forces, and only because of the presence of daemons."
"Of course. I cannot thank you enough for this." Karl said as he and Boris walked into the base together, seeing such sights as knights arming themselves, possessed humans and Devilmen in holding cells, and a large machine with a figurehead in the shape of the Virgin Mary. "You arrived just in time. The order to march goes out in a mere five minutes."
"Then it is fortunate that I have already named my commanders." Boris said. "What purpose does that contraption there serve?"
"It is known as the Virgin Mary." Karl Franz said. "It is capable of ripping away corruption from humans. Upon some improvements, it may prove to be a boon to the Empire."
"Hmm…perhaps." Boris said. "A bargaining chip to buy your way to the title of Emperor?"
"I would much rather earn the title, rather than buy it." Karl said. "Otherwise, the talk of succession must wait until after this world is saved. Can I count on your support, Todbringer?"
"Hmm…I suppose." Boris said. "If nothing else, it will allow me to earn some favor in the eyes of the Cult of Sigmar. But as for these Crusaders…how do we know they can be counted on to lead the fight against these demons?"
The two Elector Counts stopped at a door, Karl Franz opening it for Boris. "They have…certain tools." he said as Bois walked into the room, only for his eyes to travel upwards as his mouth hung open.
Standing above them, towering over any building Todbringer had seen before, was a massive mech suit, colored white and gold, with a lion's head crowned in thorns.
"They call it a Samson." Karl said as he joined Boris. "This, I believe, will be enough to allow us to hold our own."
"...You have been busy." was all Boris could manage to say. "So, the worlds beyond our own truly hold such weapons."
"Indeed. But it is us who will lead the charge." Karl said. "Come, it is time to go."
The two Elector Counts headed to the ground floor, where thousands of knights and hundreds of armored vehicles stood at the ready. In the front, the six disciples present in this world stood around.
"Alright Brother Judas, you are in charge while we are gone." Saint John said as he stood with James Junior and Nathanael. "Keep Brothers Philip and Thaddeus safe, and keep the exorcisms going. We can't let the demons get reinforcements."
"You got it." Judas said. "Stay safe out there, you guys."
"And the Lord bless you as well, Brother Judas." John said as the three offensive disciples saw Karl and Boris approaching. "Ah, Boris Todbringer. Welcome to the front. Are you ready to face Hell?"
"It will be no different than home." Boris replied as, from above, two griffins landed, allowing the two Elector Counts to mount them.
Karl turned to face the army of crusaders. "Soldiers of the Prideful Crusade! Your names were slandered by your own hands when you last marched to war. Your actions led to the deaths of many innocents. But today is not that day! Here you stand, brave soldiers against the forces of Hell! Today…we march to meet the demons in battle! We will show them that humanity will not go gently into oblivion! Today…we cancel the apocalypse!"
(Cue: Pacific Rim - Ramin Djawadi & Tom Morello)
The doors opened up as the Samson mech powered up and began to march forward, the knights of the Prideful Crusade marched ahead, prepared to meet the forces of the hellspawn head on.
