Reviews:
Tigracho: I don't think I know what you're referring to, friend.
Cyclone Fox: Yeah, things are going to be heating up. It's about time those two settle their problems once and for all.
Guest: Concuerdo. Ellos han hecho cosas horribles, pero comparados con los 3 mencionados pues se quedan cortos.
Guest: Se viene lo bueno. Lo de Yomi ya se viene y puede ser que te guste...o tal vez lo odies mas que a los demas. Odin no aparecera aqui pero si en la siguiente.
Akira: The two brothers are fighting separately and are far from the others. Bragi is doing the best he can and the Autoscorers come to their rescue. The battle is reaching its climax.
moniura2005: I think they weren't thinking about that part, just going back to being human. I think they were probably delusional enough to believe that once they were back to being human, everyone would want to be friends with them. And since they wouldn't have their powers, they'd be easy prey for the government. But I didn't like their victim mentality either. Unfortunately, people like that exist in the real world. And you're right, at least Hazuki and Yomi tell you to your face about what they want. I do feel bad about Elsa. She never killed anyone, unlike the other 2. I agree. They may look like monsters, but what if they were nice people? It's what's inside that matters, not appearances. They became what they didn't want to be. Monsters. And all because of their actions. And about Allister, he said that he believes that the Divine Powers affect their minds when they use it. If you compare what he was saying against Takeru to who he speaks normally, there is a big difference.
Lord Ri The Husbu King: Yeah, those are the worst type of villains. In terms of power. Since they rely on others for their power. I think Hajiki sounds nice as a couple name. Tobias and Bragi doing what they can to protect Elfnein. They came a long way. To be honest, I liked Garie the most. I think you can tell that from the treatment she gets in this story. But Leiur came in second. I'll think about your suggestions. I was thinking of Yuuki Yuuna too.
SoutaAmetsuchi: I love the Autoscorers. My favorite characters, honestly.
Tenzalucard123: Yes...they were a little intimate. But it worked. The two oldest of the FIS family are going to fight and only one is coming out on top. Garie and Damian came to save their son and their Prince. It's time for Carol to finally wake up too.
nickseverino8: I haven't thought about that yet. But probably something like reverting everything back to normal. We'll see.
Chapter 123
The Return of the Queen
"Easy, Hajime-chan." Maria carefully guided Hajime over to a chair."I told you to stay back with Hibiki and rest!"
"I'm fine. Just...I need a minute..." Hajime groaned as he sat down on the chair, leaning back."That thing was not messing around with it went after me and Hibiki."
"Good thing that Tsubasa-san suggested pulling back." Hamaguchi said, sitting on one of the consoles, earning a glare from Aoi."I don't know if I would have done any better."
"No need to thank me." Tsubasa shook her head."A sentinel must protect the weak. Kanade would have made the same decision."
"Kanade?" Hamaguchi and Kirika exchanged puzzled looks.
"I hope Raiden and Jades are fine." Chris folded her arms."Does Raiden really have a plan against Psykos?"
"Yes." Shirabe nodded."Apparently, it's something that Bragi-kun was working on. It might very well give us the advantage we need."
"But still, can it work?" Maria pondered."We can't harm Psykos without hurting Yosuke. It's as he said, he's not taking damage. It's Yosuke."
"But Raiden will still have to fight him." Chris pointed out."Enough to weaken him. But is he strong enough to do that on his own?"
"I mean, even if this plan doesn't work, we still got our plan Z." Hamaguchi placed his hands behind his head.
"God damn it, Hamaguchi, we're not going to break his legs." Hajime groaned, rubbing his temples."The idea is to not take Yanagi-san out of the fight. If we do that, then he won't be able to fight."
"But it is a possibility." Tsubasa said a response no one in the room had expected from her."What? It's true. Or would you prefer him continuing rampaging around in my boyfriend's body?"
"W-we never said that Tsubasa..." Maria muttered taken aback by her words."But..."
"We'll have to trust Raiden-kun." Genjuro boomed."In the meantime, we need to formulate a plan. Hajime-kun and Hamaguchi-kun, do you think you both can pull something together?"
"If we use the Abyssal Dragon, for sure." Hajime nodded.
"But Blacky-kun is still wounded!"
"I'm fine, Kirika. I just need to rest a little bit. But..." Hajime clenched his fists in impotence."I can't help but feel like shit...just sitting here while the others are out there fighting for their lives...!"
"Commander! We've finished the data analysis that Maria suggested!" Aoi interrupted their conversation.
"Data?" Kirika looked up to the pinkette next to her.
"I recognized the harmony I heard when the bracer activated," Maria informed them."So I had it analyzed."
"We tried predictively transforming the waveforms to accommodate linguistic changes over time and electromagnetic shift," Sakuya said from his station.
Hamaguchi scratched his head."Oh, I see. I don't understand anything!"
Sakuya sighed, deciding to just let him see it for himself, and brought up the two audios on screen for them to hear and compare. Eventually, they became the same, and the 3 younger former members of FIS recognized it.
"Didn't we hear this song before?" Shirabe asked Kirika, who had a complex expression on her face.
"Yeah. Maria and Serena used to sing it a lot-desu."
"That's right." Maria nodded."You see when my ancestors were driven from their home by the power plant accident at Chernobyl, this nursery rhyme was the one thing they took with them."
"Why do you say it like it happened over hundreds of years ago?" Hamaguchi raised a brow."Didn't that stuff happen back in 1986? It's 2045. Only 77 years went by."
"Okay, fine!" Maria groaned."My great-grandparents!"
"Why do you always worry about the dumbest shit?" Chris glared at him.
"Because I have obsessive-compulsive disorder." He huffed in anger."Sue me."
"At any rate, it's changed significantly, but we can assume that the origin was the same as Maria's song." Aoi interjected."Meaning that the Anunnaki was humming a song from the homeland of Maria's ancestors."
"I see." Genjuro rubbed his chin in thought."I suppose it makes sense. It had a harmonious effect during the Frontier incident."
"So what does that mean, exactly?" Hajime asked, asking what everyone was wondering.
"We're not sure yet. But one thing is for sure, it's not a mere miracle. Right now, we should focus our efforts on retrieving the people Noble Red kidnapped from the Chateau. So let's get ready for another attempt. Hajime-kun and Hamaguchi-kun will be our heavy hitters wielding our Divine Power against the enemy. Are you all prepared?"
"Yes, sir!"
"It's my Mama! And my Papa!" Tobias beamed, running over to the two water Autoscorers.
"Tobias!" They both rushed to their son, meeting him halfway and engulfing each other in a hug.
"I-I missed you so much!" Tobias sobbed in his parents' arms. Garie kissed his cheeks and Damian patted his head, both of them overcome with joy to have their child.
"Look at you! You've grown a lot!" Damian sniffed, wiping his son's tears.
"Tobias, what happened to your clothes?" Garie smiled, fixing his scarf and typing up his bow on his head properly."You have to look presentable. It's very crucial. Never forget that."
"Mama...Papa..." The boy began to cry in his parents' arms.
"We're happy to see you." Damian kissed his forehead. He shifted his gaze to his wife."Garie?"
"Yes, dear?"
Damian wasted no time in kissing Garie passionately, catching her off guard briefly but she soon melted in his arms."I love you."
"You're so bold, Damian~." Garie giggled."I love you too."
"Heh. Can't you do that somewhere else?" Zeke clicked his tongue, folding his arms."There are children here."
"And what about you?" Phara raised a brow at her brother."Don't you have someone to compensate as well?"
"Huh?" Zeke blinked, turning around to see Micha behind him with a big smile, pursing her lips.
"I want a big ol' kissy too, Zeke!" Micha beamed.
"W-what?!" Zeke took a step back, running into Lulu, who grunted at him and started to sniff him."L-Leiur! Control your sister! She's smelling me again!"
"She's just egging you on." Leiur shrugged, not at all concerned."What's wrong? I thought you were a prideful Royal Knight to the Prince. Can't a knight man up and go through with his word?"
Zeke sighed."Fine, fine. I suppose I did say I loved her-"
Micha didn't let him finish and grabbed his cheeks, kissing him on his lips. Unlike Damian and Garie's gentle kiss, their kiss was rougher due to Micha's nature, not allowing Zeke to move at all.
"What is...going on?" Bragi muttered, still dazed."Where did they come from?"
"They must be the scrapped bodies that were chained to the reactor core..." Elfnein deduced."Maybe our voices reactivated them?"
"That's right." Damian nodded as the group began to approach them. Both parents held their child together as Tobias continued to cry quietly."We're the scrap bodies that were left in those coffins. Your voices reached us and we came to help."
"However, it's a good thing we got out of there." Phara chimed in."They are intent on using the leftover memories in our bodies as energy to create that new doll."
"But... the way you're acting...Do you...?"
"We remember everything. Even or past lives." Garie nodded.
Zeke and Damian looked at each other, nodding before approaching Bragi and kneeling in front of him."We're happy to be of service again, your Majesty."
"H-huh?"
"Wow...He really looks like Master-I mean, Carol, huh?" Micha and Lulu inspected him from all angles, ignoring his personal space."He looks like the first Bragard! Just a little taller!"
"I see the resemblance." Leiur pulled Bragi's braid lightly before inspecting his face."The face too."
"I guess that makes him our Young Master, huh?" Phara chuckled."I'll admit, I never imagined Carol would have a son. But I'm happy to see he's a brave boy. Him and Tobias."
"Damian." Garia grabbed her husband's attention, looking behind them to see Noble Red was beginning to get up from their assault.
Damian took a deep breath before conjuring a massive blue magic circle, spewing a stream of water so powerful that washed them away and broke through several rooms."We must get going. I don't think that will hold them off for long."
"Agreed." They all nodded.
"Zeke, help me put the Prince on my back." Damian turned around, squatting down."He's barely able to stand as it is. He's in no condition to be walking let alone running."
"Why the hell can't I be the one to carry the prince?!" Zeke grumbled, only to receive a smack to the back of the head from Phara.
"Stop complaining and be good."
"O-okay! Jeez!" Zeke helped Bragi and guided him toward Damian, helping him up on his back. The male wind Autoscorer secured Bragi's arms around Damian's neck.
"Tobias, let your Mom carry you." Damian said."I'll also carry Elfnein. The others will act as our sentinels."
After their arrangements were done, they started making their way further into the Chateau.
Garie was enjoying every second of carrying her baby boy in her arms as she constantly gave him loving kisses to his face."I used to carry you like this when you were a tiny baby, you know."
"Oh..." Tobias gaped, worried that he would hurt her since he had no recollection of that.
"It's fine if you don't remember." The female water Autoscorer shook her head."You were just a baby back then. Of course, you don't remember. But this brings back some great memories."
Damian smiled at his family.'Thor...Thank you for keeping my boy safe all of this time while I couldn't.'
"Having kids seems fun!" Micha perked up, eyeing Zeke."When can we have a baby of our own, Zeke?"
"Why are you asking me that?! This isn't the time for this!" Zeke cried out.
"My, my. Am I going to be an aunt soon?" Phara teased, much to her brother's dismay.
"I worry about that baby." Leiur grinned."Having these two for parents must be a unique experience, to say the least."
"And what does that mean?!"
Lulu grunted lowly, nodding.
"Not you too, Lulu!"
The Autoscorers laughed amongst themselves and eventually, Zeke caved, joining in.
"Why are you...doing this?" Bragi asked them, resting his chin on Damian's shoulder as he skated along with Garie, holding Tobias in his arms."I get saving Auntie Elfnein and Tobias? But why me? I'm..."
"We know you're also Bragard's son. The Second Bragard." Garie said."It's hard not to see the uncanny resemblance."
"So then why? He ruined your lives." Bragi frowned."He's the reason you're dead! So why are you saving his bastard child?"
"Because you're innocent." Leiur stated."You may have his genes but you also have Carol's. If anything, you have suffered as much as we have. I can't imagine what it must be like to look like the person who caused so much suffering."
"It must have been rough." Garie cooed, pinching his cheek."But unlike him, you're adorable and a great person. You were protecting my son and Elfnein with everything you had, right?"
"If you're a different person then it only makes sense to treat you as such, ain't that right?" Micha grinned.
"But even so, you are still his son, meaning that you are next in line for the throne. Therefore, you are our Prince as well." Zeke sagely nodded."We're aware that our kingdom is long gone, a kingdom is not just a place. It's where the people are. And as long as you exist as the prince, the kingdom of Ventara will never fully die."
"See, Bragi-chan?" Elfnein smiled at her nephew."No one blames you for anything. Not even them."
"Maybe those guys from back there can't forgive you. But we can." Phara added."And that should count for something, correct?"
"You guys..." Bragi teared up but closed his functioning eye."Thank you..."
"Aw, we made the young Prince cry~!" Garie giggled.
"Leave him alone, guys..." Elfnein said, but her expression betrayed her words as she laughed too.
"It's Dienheim."
"Huh?"
"You guys said protectors to the Hyperion family." Bragi said after a short pause."But my last name is Dienheim. Bragi Third Dienheim."
"Third? Why that?" Micha tilted her head.
"It's because he's the third Bragard, dummy." Zeke rolled his eyes."So you took on Master Carol's name?"
"Yeah...I decided to stray away from what I was originally created for. And thanks to my friends, I became a better person." Bragi smiled warmly."I owe it to them. And I owe it to Miku-san as well. That's why we have to get her back no matter what."
"I'm pleased to hear of your decision to carry on her name." Damian smiled, fully supporting him."Even if you are a Dienheim, we will still protect you, as Royal Guards. And friends, of course."
"Wait a minute, who is this Miku?" Leiur asked, causing the boy to flush."Could it be...You have a little girlfriend?"
"Oh! The Prince is in love!" Micha cheered."Is there going to be a Princess too?!"
"What?! The Prince?! He's growing too fast!" Zeke cried."He can't get a girlfriend yet!"
"N-no! We're not dating or anything!"
"But you want to, right?" Elfnein joined in on the tease.
"He totally does." Tobias giggled.
"Y-you guys are traitors!" Bragi flushed, covering his face in embarrassment.
"It's okay if you do, Bragi." Damian chuckled."Nothing wrong with that. Just make you sure treasure her and love her with all of your heart, okay?"
"O-of course I know that..." Bragi sighed."By the way, where are we going?"
"Just keep going straight." Elfnein told the others."There's something that we have to do."
"Wow...This place looks so depressing now." Garie said as they entered the old throne room of the Chateau.
"Look! They're still here!" Micha ran to her old pillar, striking a pose."I still remember how to do it!"
"Get off there, Micha." Zeke groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose."We don't have to do that anymore."
"Hey, Prince Bragi!" Micha helped Bragi off Damian's back and carried him over to Carol's old throne."Sit over here! Act like Master-I mean Carol did!"
"Huh? What do you mean?" Bragi tilted his head.
"Cross your legs then rest your chin on your palm." Micha began to list with her claws."Then look very serious! Like you're trying to act all tough and cool!"
Bragi blinked, then did just that. He crossed his legs, resting his chin on his palm while leaning on the side of the throne, mustering the most detached expression he could make.
"Oh, I see it..." Leiur nodded, placing her hands on her hips."A little more serious, narrow your eyes a little more."
Bragi nodded, doing what Leiur instructed him to do."Now what?"
"Now say "Garie. How goes the collection of memories? You're rotten to the core."
Bragi cleared his throne and repeated the lines, eyeing Garie directly while the young woman waited patiently to see what he could do."Garie, how goes the collection of memories? You truly are rotten to the core."
"Pfft! Okay, that was pretty good." Zeke couldn't help but laugh, unable to keep his poker face.
"Right?!" Micha guffawed, rolling on the floor from laughter.
"Okay, yes. That was funny." Garie sighed."Still, looks like hell broke loose here. What exactly happened?"
"I don't know. I was in the Overall and was pretty out of the loop of what happened. I guess even the Chateau can't take this much punishment."
"So did you guys destroy the Overall?" Zeke asked."I hope you didn't have Zolda kill me for nothing, Damian."
"Well, I overloaded it. I assume the others finished it off if they're still alive." Damian shrugged, approaching the setup located by the throne. He put Elfnein down, and the girl quickly got to turning the computer on."So, you'll contact your friends?"
"Yes. I'll relay all they know." Elfnein said as she finished typing on the keyboard. She set up the webcam, but Leiur and Garie got in the way."H-huh?"
"Wouldn't it be funny if they saw us as soon as the call starts?" Garie had a mischievous grin."A little prank never hurt anyone."
"M-Mama...that's foul..." Tobias muttered.
"Hush, now, darling. Let your Mother have some fun." She winked as she and Leiur got in position. As soon as the call started, they heard someone on the other end scream."Hahahaha! Got you!"
Sakuya fell to the ground, clenching his heart."That scared the hell out of me!"
"W-wait a minute!" Maria gasped, recognizing Garie's face."Garie?!"
"And Leiur!" Chris joined in, equally astonished.
"Oh? I'm happy you remember me." Garie smirked."After all, you killed me, Maria."
"Uh..."
"Just kidding! I know you had no choice so it's fine!"
"Let me say hi too!" Damian squeezed into the frame."Commander Kazanari. Thank you for taking care of my son and keeping your word."
"Damian?!" Hajime gasped.
"N-no problem." Genjuro nodded, stupified upon seeing people he once thought dead."But...how are you-"
"Long story. But we don't have time for that." Damian sighed."By the way, did you ever use the Abyss Deck again?"
"Yes. You have your successor right here." Genjuro jabbed his thumb at the blue-haired teen behind him.
"Yo! I'm Hamaguchi Kuroiwa!" Hamaguchi winked at the Autoscorer couple."Nice to meet my predecessor. I'm doing all I can to make sure to live up to your legacy."
"Indeed, he's grown splendidly and helped save his hometown." Genjuro added."I'd say he's earned his position."
"I see." Damian nodded, relief evident in his voice."I'm glad my power was put to good use."
"We have to thank you too, Damian." Hajime managed a small smile at the Autoscorer."Because of you, we managed to destroy the Overall and defeat Bragard."
"No, you're giving me too much credit." Damian shook his head.
"And what about my Deck?!" Zeke pushed Damian and Garie out of the frame."Who ended up getting my Deck? Let me see if they're worthy of my power."
"Sorry to burst your bubble, Zeke, but no one got your Deck. We never figured out how to make the Advent Stone into a Deck." Tsubasa said, much to his dismay.
"What?! Are you serious?! You buffoons! What happened to my legacy?!"
"That's enough out of you, Zeke." Phara grabbed her brother and pulled him away.
"Wait, hold the fuck on! What's going on?!" Chris yelled to get some proper answers.
"Sorry, sorry! Everyone, please move out of the way!" Elfnein yelled, prompting all the Autoscorers to give her space."It's me!"
"Elfnein!"
"Wait, where's Bragi?! Is he with you?! Tobias?!" Genjuro asked, worried that Bragi somehow hadn't made it.
"Yes, they're with me." Elfnein nodded."It seems Bragi-chan managed to sneak in while the others were fighting. But listen, we can talk about that later! We need to be quick or they'll trace this call here. We're all here! Miku-san too!"
"Thank God..." Chris sighed in relief, clenching her chest.
"What about my sister? And Despia?!" Hajime asked.
"I...Wait, what?" Elfnein blinked, bewildered."Setsuna-chan and your cousin are missing too?"
"Yeah! They disappeared when you guys did too!" Hajime nodded."Noble Red must have kidnapped them as well!"
"I...I haven't seen them." Elfnein rubbed her chin."Nor did any of them mention them. It's possible that the DDV took Setsuna, but why would they take your cousin too?"
"We can worry about that later." Genjuro told Hajime, who reclutantly nodded."What will you do now, Elfnein-kun?"
"We're going to rescue Miku-san!" Came the voice from Bragi from out of the camera.
"Junior! Get your ass in view so I can yell at you for being an idiot and rushing out without a plan and not being fully healed!" Chris yelled, not at all making him want to show his face.
"How are you going to get Miku out of there?" Maria asked, deciding to continue the conversation.
"It's suicide!" Genjuro stood up from his chair."Even with the Autoscorers' help, you are facing formidable enemies."
"I know. And Bragi-chan and Tobias are wounded. Which is why I'm requesting backup." She said, catching the commander by surprise."We have no choice but to fight if we want to get anywhere. They don't have Psykos with them."
"Raiden is currently in his pursuit." Maria supplied.
"And it seems that they managed to transmute Amy's soul into an Autoscorer body." Elfnein said, earning several gasps."We don't know what that would entail, but for now, we have 5 enemies to worry about."
"Even if we want to help, Hibiki-kun is in no condition to fight." Genjuro said, eyeing Hajime."And Hajime is wounded as well. We have our Divine Weapons, but at the moment, we only have Hamaguchi-kun on standby.
"What happened to Jades-san?"
"He's fighting Ryuga and preventing him from reaching the Chateau." Chris replied."Can you hold on until we're ready to go?"
"We'll try our best!" Garie winked.
"And we'll make it flashy. So you'll be able to tell we did our part." Leiur added.
"It's too bad I couldn't get my rematch with you, Tsubasa. But I suppose these enemies shall suffice." Phara chuckled."What about you Zeke? Are you willing to help?"
"I'm a Royal Guard. I'll fight to protect my Prince, no matter what." He smiled at Micha, grabbing one of her claws."And you, Micha."
"Aw, Zeke! Give me another big smooch!"
"H-hey! Cut it out! Not in front of them!" Suddenly, they heard a loud noise and the call ended.
"What happened?" Hajime inquired, startled by the loud noise they heard from the other side of the call.
"It seems they have visitors..."
"You guys sure took your time." Bragi clicked his tongue, watching as the 5 active members of Noble Red entered the throne room.
"We'd figured we'd let you have some sweet time with your...family, you devil." Angelo said, cracking his knuckles."You're right where you belong. With trash. And that throne suits you just fine. The Prince of a dead kingdom."
"It's not a dead kingdom." Bragi frowned, standing up but he was still weak. Damian was quick to be by his side, helping him to his back."As long as I'm alive...no, as long as we're alive, Ventara will never die. I am the Prince Bragi Third Dienheim!"
"What are your orders, my Liege?" Phara asked, drawing out her Sword Breaker.
"Phara, Leiur and Lulu. Can you guys buy us some time?"
"Of course."
"It won't be subdued. Isn't that right, Lulu?"
Lulu growled, eyeing Noble Red with disdain.
"Micha and Zeke, you two will be our guards. Damian and Garie, protect me, Auntie Elfnein and Tobias!"
"Right!" Garie grabbed her child in her arms.
"Okie dookie!" Micha saluted and followed after them.
Zeke stopped, glancing over his shoulder at his older sister."Phara! Give them hell like you do to me!"
"Ara, Ara. And what does that mean, exactly?" Phara giggled."What a rowdy little brother I have. But I love him nonetheless."
"I understand you perfectly well," Leiur smirked, conjuring her batons.
"So, you wish to protect that monster, you devil sympathizers?" Angelo huffed."Well, okay. Suit yourself."
"Nothing personal." Vanessa said."But you must die to fully awaken our friend's new body."
"You keep calling him devil when you're the one with the horns." Phara shot back, brandishing her blade.
"Guys!" The Autoscorer heard Bragi yell from afar."Thank you! All of you!"
"Tch! Like hell we'll let this piece of shit escape!" Reina screamed, rushing toward the escaping Autoscorers, but Lulu grabbed her tendrils with her arms and threw her across the room.
Leiur began to rapid-fire her coins, forcing Elsa to lash out her claw tail to block them. Finally, Phara thrust her blade, shooting a tornado that forced them to split up and back away.
"You shall not pass," Leiur said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"That's right. You'll have to go through us first!" Phara smirked, standing next to Leiur. Lulu landed in front of them, snarling like a beast.
"Then..." Angelo grinned maniacally."We'll just have to cut you down, you devil sympathizers."
"In here!" Micha pointed toward an elevator as everyone got on.
"I didn't know the Chateau had an elevator." Bragi mused."I can't imagine Mama using it."
"And she didn't." Garie nodded."It was mostly just for show. It's broken now, but it used to have elevator music and everything."
"Mama..." Garie looked down at Tobias in her arms."Will the others be okay?"
"Don't you worry about them, darling. They'll do their very best to protect us."
"How are you feeling Prince?" Damian asked the prince on his back.
"I can't regenerate..." Bragi sighed."I'm completely out of energy...I can't even transform into Alternative like this...If I could, I could have beaten them all."
Garie and Damian exchanged glances, the former smiling at her husband. He nodded slowly. This small exchange confused their son.
"That's why you should have rested." Elfnein shook her head in disapproval.
"Don't be so hard on him, Elfnein." Garie smiled."He wanted to rescue his princess. There's nothing wrong with that."
"G-Garie!" Bragi blushed.
Suddenly, the elevator started rattling and came to a stop. Someone began to punch it until a pair of claws forced the door open, revealing Millaarc."Here's Johnny!"
The vampire girl grabbed onto Micha, throwing her out of the elevator.
Zeke wasted no time and leaped into action, kicking her out of the elevator.
"You bastard! That hurt!" Millaarc rubbed the back of her head.
"Yeah, that's good then." Zeke smirked."It'll hurt even more, I promise you that."
"Is that so?" Angelo walked inside the room, his eyes fixated on the wind Autoscorer."Then show us how you intend on going about that."
"With these big ol' claws of mine!" Micha dashed at Angelo, swinging her arms and forcing him to parry with his own claws."Oh! You have claws too! And they're so cool looking!"
"Heh. Right back at you, kid." Angelo smirked, grabbing onto her wrists. He was about to slam his knee against her, but she opened the holes in her palms, shooting fire rods and forcing him to jump away to dodge.
"Damian, take the Prince and the others out of here!" Zeke yelled at his comrade and friend."We'll hold them off!"
"Zeke..."
"Don't give me that look." Zeke scoffed."You were always close to the Prince too. This is no differnet."
"It is! Because we're going to fight alongside each other!" Micha twirled around over to Zeke."I wish we could dance together like Damian and Garie. But my claws make it impossible."
"Your claws are perfect. You're perfect to me, Micha." Zeke smiled at her and made even her doll body blush as he squeezed her claws."Let's show them some true dancing."
"Guys..." Elfnein muttered as Damian carried her and Bragi away.
"Good luck!" Garie shouted, receiving a thumbs-up from Zeke.
"Damian! You better protect the Prince, got that?!
"Of course!"
"The amount of people willing to risk their lives for that bastard is staggering." Millaarc remarked, enlarging her fingernails."Poor fucking morons."
"Maybe he's just more likable than any of you and you're jealous!" Micha grinned.
"Sounds interesting. You all seem to think you can save him." Angelo placed his hands in front of him, creating a sphere of fire."Girly, your ability is fire, right? Let's do it your way and have a battle of fire versus fire."
"Sorry, but she has a knight by her side willing to protect her with her life." Zeke stood next to Micha. The girl conjured a gigant fire rod and Zeke encased it with wind."I love you, Micha."
"I love you too, Zeke." Micha's body began to glow, entering her awakened power as her shirt ripped to shreds. They fired his attack, and Angelo responded in kind, unleashing his sphere of flames. Both attacks collided, creating a shockwave of intense heat that forced Millaarc to step away.
Angelo's left hand was done charging and he fired a Dissect, cutting through all the attacks and cutting Micha and Zeke in half. The girl groaned, but Zeke started to regenerate his body.
"He can regenerate too?" Angelo mused.
"Ugh! He's just like that little freak of a Prince!" Millaarc spat in disgust.
"Don't you dare...insult my Prince!" Zeke screamed, lunging at Angelo but Millaarc clad her legs with her wings, kicking him back to the ground.
"But we know how to deal with your kind." Angelo raised his left hand, creating a miniature Hellfire while shooting several slashes from his right arm, tearing the Autoscorers to pieces. But while all of this was happening, they never once stopped holding hands."All we have to do is burn you to a crisp..."
"Hellfire."
"I hope the others are okay..." Elfnein muttered, concerned for the friends they were forced to leave behind so they could move on.
"We just have to trust them," Bragi said, acting tough. But he was also worried about them. It didn't feel right to leave them behind to buy them time.
"Are you feeling any better, Prince Bragi?" Damian asked the boy on his back.
"I'm not dying anymore, at least..."
"Why can't you regenerate?" Garie asked."Are you out of lives? Did your life force run out?"
"No, not yet. I just...my regeneration is different from Damian's or the Second's. I can only regenerate when I have energy. And I had already regenerated my whole head before coming here without resting."
"Wow...your whole head?" Garie blinked, awestruck."That's impressive...But coming here with no plan and half dead is definitely not your brightest idea."
"I know, I know..."
"So if you had energy or more life force, you could regenerate?"
"Yes..."
"Then..." Damian turned to Garie, who just gave him a small smile.
"Garie? Damian?" Elfnein blinked, confused.
"Dissect!"
Damian's eyes shot wide open, pushing Garie out of the way and throwing Bragi and Elfnein away from him as a giant slash cut his left arm and some of his torso, cutting through the walls.
"Damian!"
"Nice reflexes." Angelo praised the Autoscorer, emerging from the darkness with Vanessa, Millaarc, and Elsa."You dodged that pretty nicely. I assume that you can regenerate like the other one?"
"You...What did you do to them?!" Damian demanded.
"Not sure. But let's just say...They're not doing too well." He smiled deviously, not bothering to give him a straight answer.
"They tried but they were no match for us." Millaarc taunted."Just a bunch of withered toys."
"One of them could regenerate." Vanessa chimed in."The green guy. It appears the males in your group are capable of regeneration."
"However, if it's the same type of regenerative abilities like the devil over there, then the solution is simple." Angelo ignited flames in his hands."I incinerated all of them to a crisp. And their powers will be used to turn on our friend's new body. Earth, Wind, and Fire. All we're missing is water."
Damian looked back toward the others. Garie was holding tightly onto Tobias and Elfnein and Bragi was still on the ground, unable to move."Garie..."
"Damian..."
"Before we do this." Damian shifted his attention back to Noble Red."Do you mind if I share some words with my wife? Just in case I fall."
"Why the hell would we allow that-"
"Go ahead." Elsa nodded, interrupting Millaarc.
"Elsa?"
"I say let them do it." The wolf girl repeated."It's the least we can do. To let them say a final farewell to each other. That kind of love...must not go unrewarded-de-arimasu."
"Elsa..." Angelo muttered in surprise."Fine. You have a minute. Not like it's going to do you any good...Damian, was it? We'll kill all of you anyway. But feel free."
"Thanks." Damian winked before heading over to Garie."Sorry, dear. Looks like we have to say goodbye to each other again."
"I know..." Garie began to tear up but before she could, Damian embraced lovingly.
"Do me a favor. Protect them. They're good kids. All of them."
"I will, darling...I love you..." Garie buried her face against his chest, wrapping her arms around him.
The blue-haired Autoscorer glanced over to the 3 kids behind them, all of them with tears in their eyes."Don't cry. It's going to be alright. Just follow Garie from now on. Prince Bragi...it's in your hands now."
"W-what are you guys doing...?"
Damian just smiled before pulling back and kissing Garie's lips. They melted in each other's embrace, and since they were dolls, they didn't need to pull back for oxygen.
"Damian! Don't!" Elfnein screamed."You'll die!"
"W-what is he doing, Elfnein?" Tobias asked the short blonde.
"Go. Get ready. I'll buy you as much time as I can." Damian kissed her forehead."That should have given you enough. Don't follow me, okay? He only needs one of us here."
"Time is up!" Angelo bellowed."It's time to die!"
"Let's see you try!" Damian roared, creating a blade of pressurized water in his remaining hand and heading for certain death.
Garie fought back her tears and returned to the others.
"W-we have to help! We have to help my Papa!"
"W-why isn't regenerating his arm...?" Bragi mumbled, still at a loss for words.
"Because...He can't anymore." Garie knelt in front of the hybrid."He's willing to bet his life on this. Because he believes in you, Prince Bragi. So...I'm sorry if this is your first time, but I must do this. I'm sorry, my Liege!"
"What do you-"
Without warning, Garie cupped his cheeks and went in for a kiss, making the boy blush profusely. But then he felt his energy coming back to him.
'W-wait a minute...this is...'
'That's right.' Garie responded telepathically since they were connected.'I'm the only Autoscorer who can do this. I can give memories and life force to others via kissing. The Holy Grail.'
'So...that kiss you and Damian shared just now...'
'It was out of love, of course.' She giggled, despite her voice breaking down due to her anguish.'But...he gave me all the energy he had left so I could give it to you...Because you're the only one who can make a difference.'
'But...he'll die...'
'He knows...And I know that too. But we've died before, so this is nothing new.'
"I failed to save my friends before!" Damian blocked Millaarc's punch but received a missile through the stomach, courtesy of Vanessa. He stumbled back, summoning a wave of water.
Angelo fired a Hellfire, evaporating the water before lunging at Damian and punching him away.
"I couldn't do anything as Bragard sacrificed us all for his stupid Philosopher's Stone! I failed to do my duty as a knight and as a parent! But this time..." He locked gaze with Bragi."I will protect all of you no matter what!"
"Papa/Damian!"
Bragi's body began to regenerate slowly as Garie finished transferring the little energy Damian had left. The Prince felt his left eye regrow and the left side of his head heal.
Damian was thrown to the ceiling as Angelo conjured a sphere of fire.
"I'm not going down without a fight!" Damian focused all his remaining energy in a water stream, spewing it down to the ground.
"Bring it on, then!"
The ex-mafioso unleashed a beam of flames, completely overpowering Damian's attack and incinerating him.
'I'm not worried.' Damian closed his eyes as his body began to disintegrate.'I have no reason to worry. Because they have wonderful people by their side. I can go in peace...knowing they'll be fine...'
His body exploded, shaking the Chateau De Tiffauges.
"Fuck, Angelo! You're going to break this place down!" Millaarc complained as she bared her teeth at him.
"My bad. I had to put more force than I was anticipating." Angelo shrugged, his eyes landing on Bragi."Now..."
Garie gasped, her body exhausted as she fell limp on the Prince. But he caught her in his arms.
"Garie, are you...?"
"Just a little tired..." Garie muttered weakly."And you...?"
"I..." He reached for the bandages on his head, removing them and revealing his healed-up head."Damian...did this...He gave us a chance to fight and live..."
"My Papa..." Tobias fell to his knees.
"Oh, dear...come here..." Garie beckoned Tobias to crawl over to her and engulfed him in a motherly hug as they both sobbed at their loss.
"How could you do that?!" Elfnein screamed as loud as she could."Do you not feel anything by killing a father like that?!"
"Feel anything? And what about what this bastard's father did? What about what the world did to us?" Vanessa asked, hands on her hips."I'd say this is a small price to pay."
"I won't...let you get away with this..."
"Huh?!" Millaarc placed a hand near her ear."Speak up, bitch. I didn't hear you!"
"I said...I'M NOT LETTING YOU GET AWAY WITH THIS!" The small blond shouted, creating a small current of wind that shocked the 4 monsters.
"What was that...?" Elsa felt a cold sweat dripping down her forehead. They all got their answer as a purple portal opened up revealing a harp. Elfnein grabbed it, flicking her wrist as her fingers ran across it. Triggering a transformation.
A powerful bright light forced everyone to look away as Elfnein's body was now clad in the Dur Da Bla.
"What the fuck?" Elsa covered her mouth, cursing for the first time.
"Where did that come from?" Angelo wondered, examining the girl clad in a purple outfit.
"Auntie...Elfnein...?" Bragi muttered in awe.
"No...That's...Master Carol." Garie smiled, easily recognizing her due to their time spent together."Welcome back..."
"Just Carol is fine. Garie..." Carol looked back toward the fallen Autoscorer."Thank you for looking after my kid. And sorry. About..."
"Ah, don't say that, Carol." Garie chuckled weakly between her tears."You're sounding like the Prince now. I'm the one who should be grateful."
"Wait...Did you say Carol...?" Bragi's hands began to tremble."Then...That's...How...? I thought she..."
"Long story short, Elfnein and I share bodies. I'll go into details later." Carol hummed, turning her back on Noble Red and marching over to Bragi."It took you long enough to realize that. Hello, son."
"Ah..." Bragi rubbed the back of his nape sheepishly before whispering."Hi, Mom..."
Carol chuckled, shaking her head."Seriously? Is that the kind of greeting I get? I was expecting a little more for our first meeting."
"But...don't you resent me? I mean...I look like the Second..."
"And you also look like the First," Carol said, walking circles around him and inspecting him from head to toe until she was back to standing in front of him. Due to the height difference, Bragi was slightly taller than Carol, so she reached up to his chin."Huh. You look a little bit like me too. You have my braid and my birthmark under your eye. And I guess you have my height too since you're short."
He gasped when he felt her hands on his cheeks, a tender smile gracing her features."You really are the best of both worlds. I could never hate you. You're my precious child."
"Y-you're...my Mama? Really?"
"Yes, silly. I'm your Mama." Carol sighed, standing on her tippy toes and kissing him on his cheek."I've wanted to meet you for so long, you know?"
"Mama...Mama!" The teenage boy couldn't help but hug Carol and the blonde could only reciprocate, soothingly rubbing the back of his head.
"Come on, don't cry. I promised myself I wouldn't cry either. It doesn't look good for appearances." Carol chuckled, whispering in his ear."I've wanted to be a Mama for so long. Even when I was a little girl. My baby boy..."
Bragi pulled back, his tears continuing to stream down his cheeks.
"Look at you. You're...tall? Not really. But you're still growing, aren't you? You've come a long way." Carol cooed, making her son giggle."But that being said..."
Bragi tilted his head, only to have his cheeks pulled harshly but the blonde."M-Mama?! That hurts!"
"You arrogant, impetuous, brat! Don't think I'm not aware of what you've done before!" Carol growled, continuing to pull on his cheeks. He squirmed out of her grasp, taking shaky steps back. With every step, he felt as if his body was shrinking, and Carol was growing taller.
"M-Mama! I can explain!"
"Explain? Do explain to me how you dived in head first against Adam and his lackeys only to have that damned institution destroyed, then how you fought Cagliostro with nothing but your ego and then went to fight Adam only to get destroyed. Not to mention the ridiculing of Hajime Adachi because you had an inferiority complex! On top of that, you always act first and think second! What were you thinking coming here, no plan, no backup, barely any energy, and half of your head missing?! What, were you expecting to die like that dog of a father of yours?! And to top it all off, you mock me?! Don't think I didn't see you sitting on that throne earlier!"
By the time Bragi hit the wall, he was as small as a child and Carol had grown into her adult form.
"W-what?! Why did I shrink?! Chibi Bragi gasped, noticing his size."I'm small now!"
"This suits me just fine." Carol picked him up by the shirt, bouncing him up and down."A child has to obey their parents. Isn't that correct, Garie?"
"Yes, that's correct." Garie giggled along with Tobias.
Carol smirked at her son, who trembled in fear."Now, what were you going to say? Go on. I'm all ears."
"I-I'm sorry, Mama! I promise I'll be good!"
"Good." Carol's mood completely switched, holding her son in her arms."I accept your apology. I do expect to see you acting your age and make a change."
"But Mama, I'm 7 months old-"
"Hmmm? What was that? It sounds like you're talking back to your Mother."
"N-no! Nothing like that!"
"Perfect. Then you're good to go." Carol set him back as they both returned to their normal sizes.
"Jeez...Say, Mama, how come you went back to looking like a child? Wouldn't looking like an adult be more imposing?"
"Yes, but I find it childish to rely solely on appearances." Carol waved her hand."I'd rather much more rely on my strength."
"Hey, are we chopped liver or something?!" Vanessa sneered."Stop ignoring us!"
"Oh. Right. The riffraff." Carol sighed."Guess we'll have to deal with them. Bragi, can you fight?"
"Yes, Mama. Thanks to Damian and Garie. And right now..." Bragi clenched his fists in anger."I'm done holding back. After what they did to the others, I can't forgive them. No matter what."
"I agree." Carol looked equally as upset."I treated the others horribly and they still gave up their lives to save us. I'll make sure to thank them someday."
"Mama, I apologize for sounding presumptuous, but I can't fight in here. Not with Miku-san so close."
"Oh, right. Your powers are rather explosive, aren't they?" Carol mused."And we wouldn't want to hurt your girlfriend by accident."
"M-Mama! We're not-"
"Oh, spare me. I already know everything. So, how do you want to do this?"
"I'll take on Angelo. He's the strongest of them. Those attacks he uses...they're dangerous. And if Garie and Tobias are around, he might target them with them. We can't defend against them."
"Then I'll take on these pieces of garbage." Carol nodded."Don't do anything reckless."
"Of course." Bragi nodded back, pulling out his Deck as his V Buckle materialized around his waist."Henshin!"
In a flash of light, Bragi was now clad in the Alternative armor.
"So, going all out huh? Then I'll do the same! Santa, full transformation!"
Angelo roared as his body morphed into his demon form. The two berserkrs eyed each otherr.
"Mama! Please rescue Miku-san! I leave her in your care!" Bragi kicked the ground, shooting himself against Angelo before the other 3 Noble Red members could even process.
"W-what just happened?!" Reina, who had just entered the room, saw a flash of light going by her side.
"Go after then, Reina!" Vanessa yelled."You have to go help your brother kill that bastard!"
Reina wasted no time rushing after them, fully transforming and using the wings on her head to fly.
Alternative and Angelo broke through the Chateau at great speeds before the cocoon could start attacking them as they glided in the air.
'I have to take him far away from here and the city.' Bragi thought."For Leir, Lulu, Phara, Zeke, Micha, and Damian! I'm going to defeat you!"
"As it happens, I also have people who got me this far! And their names are Vanessa, Elsa, Millaarc, Psykos, Amy, and Reina! In their name, I will kill you for what you and your father have done!" The Prince went for a punch, but Angelo caught it with his hand, fire wings sprouting from his back as they spiraled around in the sky.
"Letting your strongest asset leave like that is going to cost you." Carol addressed the 3 remaining Noble Red members."You've woken me from my slumber. You tried to have my child killed. And worse of all, you've killed all of my friends. Don't expect to get out of here alive."
"Tch. So, the one who was missing finally shows up." Millaarc clicked her tongue, her wings cladding her arms."It's about time we met the mother of the devil you gave birth to."
"Actually, I never conceived him." Carol clarified."Nonetheless, he is my son. As such...I hope you said your prayers. This is your funeral."
"They'll kill your kid and we will kill you!" Millaarc lunged at her, swinging her giant arms. But Carol merely blocked her with a barrier, launching her away.
"It was smart of you to send that red-haired kid though. I hate to admit it, but in terms of raw power, my son has me bested. But still, I'm more than enough to deal with you. Now, shall we begin?"
(Play Sforzando no Zankyō)
Carol began to sing, alerting the girls as her power began to surge.
"Elsa! Millaarc! Surround her!" Vanessa wasted no time in popping her fingertips open, firing bullets at the Alchemist who merely blocked with a barrier.
'Child's play.' Carol rolled her eyes. Were they seriously thinking they could flank her like that?
She snapped her fingers, wires blocking Milllarc's attack with ease and hurling her away. She looked up to see Elsa's claw tail coming toward her, but more wires were enough to do the trick in keeping her away.
"I can't let my little sisters do all the work!" Vanessa's full arsenal was displayed."We'll kill the devil's mother right here and now!"
A barrage of missiles and rockets landed around Carol, creating an explosion that shook the Chateau.
"Hell yeah! We got her!" Millaarc beamed.
"She's still singing, you moron-de-arimasu!"
In effect, not once had Carol stopped singing. She had protected herself with her barriers and was preparing 4 elemental magic circles in front of her.
"Oh, shit!"
Earth, water, fire, and wind were spewed out of the magic circles toward Noble Red. However, 4 magic circles appeared in front of them, shooting the same attacks and canceling each other.
Carol stopped singing, frowning upon seeing her attacks negated.
"So this is the person who took on the whole world along that that monster that destroyed our lives."
A figure landed in front of the 3 monsters. She had long orange hair styled in two pigtails with blue highlights at the end with two ribbons keeping her hair in place. She had rainbow-colored eyes and was sporting black dressing shorts, a black vest, and a stripped long-sleeved shirt underneath.
(If you want a visual representation, she's based on Titan from Takt Op Destiny)
"Who are you?" Carol asked, eyeing the girl critically."This feeling..."
She materialized two pump-action shotguns in her hands, shooting 4 elemental bullets, forcing Carol to block. She lashed out several wires but the girl kicked the ground and clad her feet with wind, kicking the air and sending slices of wind in her direction.
'She's stronger than any other Autoscorer...' Carol conjured more barriers, stopping the attacks from reaching her."I see...So you're the idiot that had her soul transmuted into an Autoscorer's body. An amalgamation of all the other dolls."
"Wait, that's you, Amy-chan?!" Vanessa cried out in disbelief.
"The one and only." Amy winked cutely in her direction.
"You look so cute!"
"Aw, thank you. But you're the ones who put this body together for me. So thank you. That being said..." The girl glared at Carol."This is a good opportunity. We'll start with you. And after that, we'll kill that bastard of a son you have. Then it's a matter of time before we find out where Bragard is so we can wipe out your wretched family!"
"Wait a moment, Amy-chan." Vanessa grabbed her attention."You should go help Angelo and Reina-chan. They'll need all the help they can get to beat that devil."
"Huh? But what about you guys? Shouldn't we kill this whore first?"
"Remember your purpose!" Elsa shouted."Your primary objective should be revenge! Use your new body to take back what was yours-de-arimasu!"
"We have a plan. Just trust us!"
"Girls...Got it. Thank you." Amy nodded, sparing Carol one last look full of contempt."Just watch. Today marks the end of your lineage, Carol Malus Dienheim."
"I doubt you can even scratch my kid. So go ahead. I'll have fun tearing your little friends to pieces."
Amy's hair turned into spirals, mimicking Micha's hair to create makeshift propulsors, igniting them and rocketing out of the Chateau.
"That's right...We're so close...So close for our revenge!" Amy beamed."So close to finally getting our lives back!"
Reina was leaping around with her tendrils, ignoring the screams of fear from the civilians and watching two figures fighting on the horizon.
"Fucking damn it! How are they so damn fast?!" Reina growled. Even with her full speed, she was still trailing behind."I want to get my chance at fighting that cazzone too-"
Out of nowhere, Reina was kicked across the face, launching her through a building and landing in the middle of the street on top of a car.
A young man wearing white pants, a form-fitting blue shirt, and a black cloak landed on top of a street light, his body covered in black lines and his sclera pitch black, contrasting his blue eyes.
"W-what was that...? Who was the bastardo who hit me?!" Reina screamed before her eyes landed on Yomi Kugisaki, who had a big smile on his face."You! It was you, wasn't it?"
"Hmmmm...Yeah, you will suffice for now." Yomi nodded, seemingly satisfied."You will do nicely, I hope."
"Who the hell are you, pretty boy? God, you're sexy. You're lucky you're so hot because otherwise, I'd kill you on the spot!"
"My name...I guess you can call me Diavolo." He grinned, much to her annoyance.
"Is that supposed to be funny?" Reina's left eye twitched in irritation."You don't look like the devil to me. But that kick...I'm going to make you pay in blood for that! And when I'm done with you, I'll make you mine! You'll be my first addition to my harem! But what the hell do you even want?! Where did you come from?"
"Oh, I was just having a nice stroll. The night is beautiful. Tons of interesting things are going down tonight. I want to be part of them." Yomi looked at his nails, completely uninterested."Unfortunately, I am currently unable to do much with my current power. But you can serve as a good stepping stone for my evolution."
"Haha! That's funny! Okay, I don't mind a quick fight before I go help my brother." Reina agreed, her 4 tendrils supporting her body.
"Thank you very much. Let's have a taste." Yomi licked his lips, pulling his hands out of his pockets."I have a question for you, though."
"Yeah? What?"
Yomi jumped down from the street light, landing on the street as people were observing both in fear and amazement at what was going on.
"Can you entertain me?"
And finally. A lot was packed into this chapter. Carol woke up and is ready to protect her family. Yomi is finally making his move and Amy has her new body to help fight. The next few chapters are going to be mainly fights. Also, I'm saving Terunosuke vs Jades for later. So bear with me for a little. That fight is a little more crucial than the rest.