Date A Re:Live
S1 Chapter 22: Kurumi Fallacy, Part 9
By : Tohka_Yatogami
...
Summary
Even a similar story can take it's own path. Shido and Mana are amnesiac siblings living with their friend Kotori, however the past catches up to Shido when he nearly runs into a space quake, and his world changes as one girl asks... "Are you here to kill me?" (Stronger Ratatoskr, weaker DEM, games & movie are canon to story) [Shido/Tohka/Harem]
As you may have noticed, the story's cover has been changed as of the last chapter, to anyone curious to why this is the case, it's because this was the original cover I intended, but... I had a feeling that I should withhold using it in particular at the time so as not to spoil Mayuri's eventual appearance. This cover's choice is due to Tohka being the first canon spirit to have a major change in her story, while Mayuri is the last non-canon spirit to have this. It's meant to be a representation for the part of the summary that says, "a similar story can take its own path".
Now let's backtrack a bit to the moment where things all went south last chapter. We saw Shido use a new Spirit Ascension, his final and greatest level of it. The "Over-Limit Spirit Ascension" as Tohka decided to name it, and freed Kurumi and finally sealed her... but that clock Westcott had on Kotori was used by him as a speaker to announce he's called a giant killer robot over. The Deus, an extreme robotic weapon named after his own company, it's a literal "Deus Ex Machina", but used for the purpose of what would be a Diabolus Ex Machina.
On the villains' side? Only Westcott using the Cassiopeia through a neural link, and said machine having 10 years' worth of energy from nearly 20,000 scum bag type victims, and Jessica will show up soon. Then there's the Deus itself, which while I didn't say it last chapter, is currently being piloted by the AI: Marina, since it's too big to work autonomously, and wouldn't let its full power be used regardless. The heroes have the Fraxinus, their own AI: Maria, seven spirits when Rio and Mayuri were included, two half-spirits with one using the First Spirit's power, and a bunch of AST members.
Their chances still aren't very good despite that, right now the best example for what their situation is that I can give you is this. Imagine the scene from Attack on Titan when the Colossal Titan first appeared... but without the walls defending the city, or Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle's fight with the Giant Warrior. Yeah, that's how big Deus is compared to everyone. That is the challenge they are facing, and now we'll see just how they face what seems impossible, they have to kill the god of DEM's machines!
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention this earlier, so let me fix that here. While Maria and Marina are both AIs based on Spirits, the recent information Minerva allowed Westcott to get his hands on that detailed a bit on Kotori's Inverse form has allowed Marina's data to become more like an Inverse Spirit's, it's another thing to help differentiate the two since Maria was born from copying some of Marina's data. I'd say the Yamai arc should be the best place to see how it changed her from her AI twin.
The most important thing I'll explain is now that Kurumi's been freed from the manipulations of Westcott, her powers have changed because Westcott's clock eye controller was essentially a nerf to her darkness elemental powers yet a booster to her time manipulating powers, so the former element dominates most of her abilities now while her time powers manifest as much as the few earth based abilities that Tohka seems to have. I need to fully think up the data sheet, so you might not see it for a while.
Alright, now it's time for the data sheet on Shido's final Spirit Ascension level, there's also one for Rinne at the bottom since some stuff mentioned on it has spoilers until you read the whole chapter.
With that done... let's get this chapter started!
-Shido Takamiya, Over-Limit Spirit Ascension State-
- Powers: By wielding the power of the First Spirit, Shido's Spirit Ascension reaches its maximum level, and he's given the power of flight and the automatic mana barrier all other spirits possess. Through Uriel he can even channel the power of every Spirit he's managed to seal so far, but can only use one at a time. Unfortunately, the massive raw power the First Spirit possesses makes it even more dangerous than the Triple Spirit Ascension.
After using it, the stress on Shido's body will be too much and he'll barely be able to move normally, if at all, until he recovers. There's a 30-minute time limit to using this form, and Shido can't dispel it early or risk serious harm to his body, leading Reine to declare he only use it as a last resort. Like the previous three forms of this technique, Tohka also named this one, and chose it over its nature as a last resort.
Like Rinne herself, Shido is also capable of using the Harmonic Convergence, but due to the limits of his body compared to hers, he can only use it one time and it requires an entire day to recharge. Also unlike Rinne, the condition for Shido to use a Spirit's power in the attack is to have sealed their powers away.
Risk Factors: SSS
Spacequake: None
Spirit's Astral Dress: None
Angel Rank: SSS
Strength: 280
Consistency: 240
Spiritual Power: 300
Agility: 250
Intelligence: 260
Out in the distance, everyone saw the gigantic robot that made the Goliath look tiny in comparison, known as the Deus, as it slowly walked towards Tenguu City. Aside from all of them, none of Japan saw the behemoth mecha due to Spacequake alarms going off to ensure it wasn't seen by civilians.
"This is the ultimate DEM weapon, the god of machines in Deus-Ex-Machina Industries! Behold, I give to you, the Deus!" Westcott cackled as he unveiled his ultimate weapon, expecting fear. However one reaction...
"That's the most unoriginal name I've ever heard of!" Hiroto called out.
"Wait, what?" Westcott asked, caught off guard.
"You named your company Deus Ex Machina Industries, you named this robot Deus! It's a giant machine you call at the end game! It's a literal Deus Ex Machine!" Hiroto explained, and at that moment... the Cassiopeia sweat dropped.
"Uh..." Westcott responded without success, even he felt his name choice was kinda dumb now that he noticed. The Deus stops for a moment as its pilot groans.
"Wow, really dad? You come up with a bunch of machines based of various creatures that fit their name perfectly, and then our enemy tells you that your best machine trips up because its name references the whole company... by complete accident?" Marina inquired, the Cassiopeia sweat drops further.
"...Who cares about the name, what matters is what it'll do! Destroy this city and the entire area before moving onto the rest of the world!" Westcott declared, the Deus resumes its walk as Marina resumes control. Westcott flies over to it have the Cassiopeia aid the gigantic machine in its soon to be destruction.
Everyone stares at the robot in worry.
"A robot like that might just have enough power to breech the shelters. If we don't stop this thing, everyone will die!" Cecile sweated, the reality finally sinking it.
"Worse is if it even gets to the city, we'll likely still have causalities just by it stepping on the ground. We have to stop it before it reaches the city with just all of what Ratatoskr has and all of us."
Shido looks at the group behind him, the 5 Spirits he sealed, the loyal fighters of the AST, his own younger sister, Rio and Mayuri, not to mention his fellow classmates and members of Ratatoskr. That wasn't all, there was the Ratatoskr members still at their base, Maria and the Fraxinus crew... the odds weren't the best, but they COULD win.
"Don't forget, I'm here too!" Rinne said, making Shido look at Uriel in his hands.
"That's right... we fight together, and we'll win together! Come everyone, let's take this machine down!" Shido declared, making the others raise their hands in agreement before tapping his headset. "Alright, let's gather everything we need and head on out to stop it! Reine, you read that?"
"Loud and clear, we'll be deploying everything we have." Reine nodded, soon connecting with everyone.
"OK, listen up well everyone. This isn't a normal fight. We have to throw the best that we can. To all non-fighters, return to base, we'll give you access to the remote controlled artillery. To all AST, I'm authorizing the highest degree of weapons. This situation is THAT dire. Mana, I have one I believe you alone are the only one who can use. If any of you have piloting skills, get into any of our vehicles. Everyone else, join the Fraxinus as we begin our initial assault."
"Roger!" Everyone shouted.
Everyone scattered while Shido and the Spirits all stayed in place as they readied themselves, Kurumi looked at the others.
"Um... if your powers are sealed, how are you able to still use them?" Kurumi asked.
"We basically turn our feelings into power, it should work for you too." Tohka explained, soon whispering near her ear. "I'd keep the jacket on to be safe though."
Kurumi blushed at that as she held it closer, soon focusing and seeing her Astral Dress reform on her.
"There we go!" Kurumi smiled, soon summoning Zafkiel into her hand.
[Hey master, glad to have the real you back.]
Kurumi smiles at that.
"Thanks Zafkiel, sorry I kept you waiting. So, we ready?" Kurumi asked.
"You go on ahead, I need to use some of the school's electricity to recharge and help heal up Rio. We'll meet you there in about two-5 minutes tops." Mayuri replied, piggybacking Rio on her back.
"Alright, we'll see you there. Here we go!" Shido exclaimed.
Shido, Tohka, Origami, Yoshino, Kotori and Kurumi all fly off towards the Deus' location. Mayuri and Rio smiling as they see them go on ahead. Mayuri starts walking inside and soon finds some electricity to drain.
"I better overcharge for more time and power." Mayuri noted, drawing in all the electricity she can. "Shido, Mana and the others? You know some pretty great people Rio. Glad it's something we can be a part of as well."
"What do you expect, that's Rio's big brother and big sister for you." Rio smiled, giggling a bit. Mayuri giggles back.
"Yeah, they're..." Mayuri suddenly stops and blinks three times. "Wait, they're your Brother and Sister! Why didn't you tell me that before just now!?"
Rio blinks.
"...Rio forgot!" Rio answered, playfully sticking her tongue out as Mayuri's head suddenly hits the wall. Her face showing an odd chuckle and sweat dropping.
Back inside Ratatoskr, every member was pushing themselves to the limits, all the agents who had no combat or technical experience quickly began rushing to a section of the hallway made specifically for the occasion marked [Room 0]. It quickly opens and lets them inside as everyone sits themselves in the piloting seats.
"This is Ai Yamabuki, linking to Pilot-Fighter 01- Taurus!" Ai called out.
"Mai Hazakura, initiating link to Pilot-Fighter 02 - Scorpio!" Mai called out.
"Mii Fujibakama, requesting Pilot-Fighter 03 - Leo!" Mii called out.
Three doors open to reveal vehicles based on an Ox, Scorpion and a Lion as they have their 'eyes' glow and drive out at top speed. Hiroto soon enters a different room and sits down.
"Hiroto Tonomachi present, request a link to Pilot-Support - 07 Gemini!" Hiroto called out, and a vehicle with two pillars extending from the back drove out. At the same time, Mildred got onto the Sagittarius while Tamae pumped the gas on the Sleipnir and drove over.
"Mana, follow me. Protect Shiroi is over here." Matthew requested, and Mana followed him as he led her to a door where the sight of a pure white realizer battle suit extension was seen. It was mostly covered with dust like it had barely seen recent use, if any.
"This is the White Licorice, it's an experimental annihilation-type battle suit that we based off stolen blueprints from a similar DEM weapon. It has the power of an entire AST troop in one machine, but it's nearly crippled everyone who's tried to use it. As a consequence, we've never activated it. You might be able to handle it with your Spirit powers. So... are you willing to risk it."
"...I guess we can't afford to not take a risk. Suit me up!" Mana reasoned, and Matthew nods as he activates the machines as Mana turned the attachment area of Murakumo's Wiring Suit.
The White Licorice soon attached itself to the CR-Unit, and Mana screamed as the White Licorice's intense power clashed with hers.
"Oh no, this is bad. I'm going to disconnect it-"
"No!" Mana shouted, grunting a bit. "I can bear it, I can do it! Big brother and everyone is will be giving it their all so I can't just sit down because this hurts!"
Mana stands up and shouts, her spirit powers fluctuating before the White Licorice suddenly glows and gains some blue on it, surprising Matthew as the White Licorice's readings stated Mana's compatibility rating was a 100%.
"She actually tamed it to her, amazing!" Matthews noted, Mana panting as she caught her breath.
"Mana, a few key things to know. The suit is powerful so there's a 30-minute time limit once officially activated. After that it will teleport back here, since we finally got a successful use we don't have the right ways to recharge it for you. In other words, you get one chance, and after that you only have the Murakumo to use. understood."
Mana nods.
"I understand, I'll make sure to use it at the right moment."
Mana soon puts the White Licorice in storage mode before running out, and as she did, the other AST with some more powerful Wiring Suit attachments and weapons followed. Soon all of them take off as Ryouko takes the lead.
"Everyone, assume Delta Formation!" Ryouko ordered.
"Roger!"
They all shift into a 'V' shaped formation and fly towards Deus while the various vehicles fellow behind shortly after.
Meanwhile in the Fraxinus, the crew began typing as they were getting things ready, Kannazuki moves from his spot near Reine to the area to a chair that suddenly raised behind Maria's hologram protector.
"Everyone, all system limiters and regulations are hereby released, prepare the Fraxinus Ex-Celsior for battle! Everyone into position, Kannazuki, monitor all battle information and artillery!" Reine ordered.
"Yes commander!" The whole crew declared.
Soon the others' chairs moved positions and Reine moved to a seat that rose in the front. Soon with Maria's hologram projector as the middle, everyone's seats took the corners of a hexagon shape and its middle.
"And Maria?" Reine called, getting the AI's attention. It's time, use the Astral Dress."
"Are you serious, I can finally use it?" Maria gasped, Reine nods and smiles. "OK! Fraxinus Ex-Celsior, full link up authorized! Activating full synchronization with all ship systems... Astral Dress equip!"
Maria's body began to glow, and soon her outfit changed until it took the appearance of the Fraxinus itself if it were a pair of clothes. Compared to the cable wires of Marina's Astral Dress, Maria had Yggdrafolium cords with the crystals that made said realizers at the end.
"Transformation successful, assuming battle mode!" Maria declared.
Soon the Fraxinus' outer haul opened up like it was a closed flower that finally bloomed and increased its speed as it rushed towards the Deus, Maria gave a serious face as she did.
'Marina, be prepared. This time I'm not letting you hurt my family!' Maria thought with determination.
Shido and the Spirits flew closer as the Deus reached a distance that was still about 300 km from Tenguu City, the Cassiopeia soon flies into the Deus' range and attaches itself onto a spot placed in the machine.
"Now Marina! Show them the power we have, a machine with no power supply limitations!" Westcott declared, Marina smirking form inside as she tapped a button. The Deus' body soon made a loud hum as its entire body gave off a golden glow to show the power it had obtained. Once they were nearly in range of the machine, Shido looked at the others.
"We're getting close, everyone ready for this?" Shido asked, and the group nodded.
"Shido, when this fight's over there's something important I need to tell you and Mana. For now, that can wait, and when the right moment comes, I have something that we'll use to deal with Westcott's little clock robot. I can't let him keep any of that power from those he reaped." Rinne replied.
"Got it, that's a promise." Shido nodded, soon hearing electricity.
Soon Mayuri and Rio appear besides the group to their surprise, Mayuri's body cackling with brown lightning that glowed all over her with Rio riding on her back excitedly. She turned to everyone as they made it.
"Sorry for the wait, but I decided to overcharge just to be safe. A lot of excess power leaves with a huge boost in my powers." Mayuri answered, knowing they'd ask about her electric charge.
"Rio's ready too! Rio can't attack, but Rio can shield everyone! Rio will do her best!" Rio smiled.
Shido smiled, and right as they neared... suddenly a bunch of missiles fire at the group that made them scatter, and it wasn't fired from the Deus. Shido and Tohka gasp as they see Jessica with a red battle suit attached to the Mordred.
Many DEM wizards, including the remaining Adeptus numbers aside from Minerva who was tasked to stay behind due to her eventual mission from Westcott, appeared besides her. All having been waiting on the Deus.
"Remember me? I'd honestly rather try killing that sister of yours, but you'll do for now!" Jessica declared, she readied her battle suit as Shido held out Uriel and prepared to attack... only for a green beam to fly by and strike her. Jessica barely formed a territory in time. "Who did that!?"
"You called for me?"
Jessica's eyes gained visible veins from her anger as she saw Mana, but gasped at the sight of the White Licorice.
"No way... you reverse engineered my Scarlet Licorice!?" Jessica growled angrily, her fist squeezing so hard it drew blood. "I was the only one who could avoid the crippling from this machine, how can you handle a copy of it you bastard!?"
"Guess you didn't get the memo, I have an upgrade compared to last time." Mana smirked, and Jessica noticed her eyes and growled.
"Take care of the others, only I get to bring this tumor down!" Jessica declared, scaring the other nearby wizards into obeying. Soon Both Mana and Jessica unleash a barrage of missiles at one another while trying to dodge the other's own fire.
"Take down the Spirits now!" Adeptus 4 order, they all prepare their territories to subdue them. Unfortunately...
"Territory Jamming activate!"
Suddenly the territories shattered around them, and the wizards saw Cecile fly before them before the rest of the AST showed up.
"What!? No way, how does Ratatoskr have so many wizards?" Adeptus 4 gasped, horrified at the sudden firepower Ratatoskr brought out. Cecile rushed forward and she barely guarded from the Longma's attacks. Katie fired at some of the others' shots aimed at them.
"Shido, we'll focus on them. Take on the Deus! Please trust us!" Katie reasoned.
Shido nodded.
"Alright guys, let's go!" Shido shouted, soon rushing forward along with the rest of the Spirits. As they neared the giant machine, its eyes move to notice their presence. Inside the Deus, Marina stood by an orb in a circle room of the machine, her Astral Dress' wires attached to maybe drive points while her hands over a control orb.
"No choice, time to rain down instant death on these fools." Marina smirked, soon moving the orb a certain way.
Back outside, Origami suddenly notice the sky suddenly go red in color as Deus' wing shaped crests suddenly have dozens of spots glow and charge beams instantly. The moment they aimed at them, she gasped.
"We're about to be hit from above!" Origami screamed loudly, getting the others' attention. The beams all fire at the group at incredible speed, however at that moment...
"Fire all three Mystletainn cannons!"
Suddenly the Fraxinus loses its invisibility and fires all of its magic cannons, they fly out and shred the incoming beams nearing the Spirits before hitting the crests, suddenly making the entire Deus rumble as it took some slight damage. Marina fell over from the result and growled.
"Who did that!?" Marina demanded, soon seeing the Fraxinus. Her eyes glow as she sees Maria inside the ship, causing her face to contort in anger.
"That program! You... you're the one who copied my data! You damn doppelganger, I'll take care of this quick and easy!" Marina growled, letting her anger remove his focus from who she should to the AI who copied her form. 'I will murder your existence off this plane of reality!'
The Deus' eye focus on the Fraxinus, firing a barrage of beams from slots on its chests while raising one of its four arms to grab and crush the ship in.
"Deus is focused on us, what's your recommended tactic Maria!?" Minowa requested., Maria's eyes glow as she analyzes the area
"Activate protect territory! Coordinates locked, move to quadrant A-28!" Maria ordered, shocking most of the crew.
"Protect territory at A-28, deploy!" Shiizaki replied.
Soon a glowing circle appeared and every shot that hit the Fraxinus failed to do any damage. The arm was still coming at them though.
"Now, activate territory fields, focus all propulsion on the right side! Push all rotary motors to maximum and disable inertia stabilizers for 6 seconds! After that, restore functions to normal and fire the Mystletainn! Vice-Commander, I think you know where I want you aiming." Maria replied, Kannazuki smirked as he put his headphones on.
"Now we're talking baby!" Kannazuki shouted.
A few territory fields form, and the Fraxinus spins left, suddenly a roll to avoid the hand. Kannazuki sees the join area in question.
"Target lock confirmed." Reine replied, nodding to him. Kannazuki smirks and fires.
The Fraxinus fires all its side panels to shoot focused beams at the join, and the entire hand suddenly goes limp and sparks to Marina's surprise. Her eyes shaking at the sight.
"This is... how can it..." Marina growled as she saw the ship's schematics and was shocked. "These blueprints, they're... isn't this our tech! How is this possible!?"
As Marina panicked, Marina found a vulnerability in the Deus' systems and she quickly peaked in to see it. Finding a hidden secret only her programming could recognize upon seeing and gasped.
"Reine, Kannazuki, I need you to take over. I found something I need to verify." Maria replied, soon vanishing from the Fraxinus' systems.
"I hope what your checking is good news." Reine told herself, wanting to be hopeful for one.
"Fire blasters! Deploy lock territory!" Jessica shouted as she blasted the Scarlet Licorice's lasers at Mana, who in return quickly shifted out of the way as she avoided the territory fields being used to try trapping her in place. Jessica screamed loudly. "Why... why can't beat a little girl like you!?"
"Because you're too naive!" Mana shouted, soon noticing her timer was running out. 'The White Licorice will vanish any moment now. What can I... wait, maybe I can use that to my advantage. I have to time this just right!'
Mana boosts herself at Jessica using the White Licorice's boosters, making the torturous Adeptus 3 cackle.
"I'm naive? Look in a mirror, you got in a hurry to win and left yourself sloppy!" Jessica declared, soon focusing everything before a combined attack. Mana focused on her timer as it hit the last few seconds and then... the White Licorice vanished and Mana gasped as she was flung at Jessica and wide open. "Now die, Mana Taka-"
Mana suddenly smirked, and Jessica gasped as she coughed up some blood. She saw Mana's sword extend through her spirit power, cutting through her side and causing the Scarlet Licorice to malfunction and fall off.
"No... this isn't possible, it's not." Jessica mumbled before she soon fell to the ground unconscious, her CR-Unit being the only thing keeping herself from dying due to the height as it teleported her back to Arubi Island. Mana panted before she fell back, Ryouko flew over to catch her. The AST captain smiled at her.
"You did a good job soldier." Ryouko praised.
The other Adeptus members all flew for a sneak attack, but at that moment, Mikie turned visible and slashed her dagger claws to surprise them. Katie focused at them and shoot them all, causing them to fall as special lock territories with a heavy amount of weight formed around them.
"Damn you Ratatoskr!" Adeptus 4 screamed as fell to the ground with the other 8 members, teleporting back from the impact of striking the ground as well.
"Nice one Katie!" Mikie cheered, high five the AST's rookie sniper. Cecile, Leonora and Ashley stare at the two and Mana and smirk a bit.
"We might just have competition one day." Cecile joked, making the other two laugh.
"HALVANHELEV!"
Tohka swung the giant sword down heavily, slashing at the Deus' multiple times as she cuts through the machine's near-unbreakable armor, but still doing some damage to it and shaking its focus trying to deal with the Fraxinus, Shido, herself and the other Spirits at the same time.
"Just a little more!" Tohka yelled, seeing the Halvanhelev beginning to flash red, indicating it was nearing its critical state for her plan to discharge it in the spot she had slashed constantly. "We can... we can do this!"
"We've got your back Tohka!" Ai's voice spoke through the Taurus. The bull like vehicle catapulted into the air and rocketed forward, its body and horns spinning as it drills into one side.
"Yeah, bring in on" Mai shouted through the Scorpio.
"We're fighting for our home too!" Mii yelled through the Leo.
The Scorpio fired its tail harpoon soon stabbing a focal point and discharging a sonic frequency into the area, making the one spoke begin to smoke heavily. The Leo soon spun before its 'claws stretched out and slammed into the Deus' leg like a hammer, causing it to stop moving as it tipped back, but barely enough to do anything but briefly stop it.
"MEGIDDO!"
"SIRYON!"
Kotori screamed as she blasted her beam of fire, and Yoshino 'wearing' Zadkiel puts her arms together to fire an ice cyclone. The fire and ice combined pushed Deus back a few feet, and the element left traces that locked into Tohka's and the Scorpio's attacks.
"Kadour - Sword of Light!" Origami screamed, sending the Metatron pillars forward as they rushed at Deus, firing their beams of light at the Deus before stabbing it and leaving more damage. "Keep going, no matter how little the damage... any hit we land is important!"
"That's right! Now, go Zafkiel!" Kurumi shouted, blasting two streams of darkness that swirled and into the chest area again, soon spreading to lock its movements.
Mayuri screamed as she unleashed all her lightning as a beam, striking the Deus' body with it but barely doing anything. Mayuri's aura flickers away as her powers start running lower, soon making her lock as they empty.
"Dang it... I don't have any more power..." Mayuri pants.
"No worries, here's some new juice!" Hiroto called out through the Gemini. Mayuri suddenly felt electricity being zapped at her, and she turned to see the pillars on the Gemini creating and discharging lightning at her. "I'll keep you charged!"
Mayuri smiles as her power comes back and she another beam at the Deus. Tohka struck again and soon saw Halvanhelev go red.
"Yes!" Tohka cheered, soon she noticed the Deus get its attention briefly away from the Fraxinus to look at her.
"Not so fast!" Marina cackled, firing every weapon at her.
Tohka stared in fear, un-moving as the deadly blast neared her, she closed her eyes as she expected to be severely hurt or even killed.
"Utopia Barrier!"
Suddenly an umbrella shaped shield took the attacks and then spun before reflecting them all back. Marina gasped in horror.
"When could she do that?" Marina muttered to herself before the attack hit, making her fall on her back as it struck the Deus' eyes and rendering her visual aid's sight to 20%. She adjusted some settings to restore vision slightly. "Ratatoskr... you're all no different from a swarm of annoying flies!"
Rio smiles at Tohka, and she smiles back.
"Now Tohka, Shido and I will finish the rest afterwards! Rio, cover me!" Rinne ordered, both nod as Rio flies in front of Shido while Tohka shouts as she stabs Halvanhelev into the Deus.
"Halvanhelev... discharge!" Tohka screamed loudly, and soon her Angel's form explodes in the crack it embedded itself in. Tohka was flung back with Halvanhelev reverted back into Sandalphon.
[Master, I think it worked! Look!]
Tohka did, and gasped as she saw the chest area of the Deus with some noticeable holes and smoke coming out.
"Alright, now it's time to-" Shido began, soon hearing Westcott laugh loudly.
"You think you've won! Well, that's where you've made a grave mistake! The Cassiopeia's link is complete, and now... Marina!" Westcott shouted.
Marina soon noticed a spot on the orb she was standing before glow, and taps it with an evil grin. Suddenly... the Deus glows a bright golden color as all of the damage done to it was negated instantly to everyone's horror.
Moments after, a huge wave of energy pushes everyone back, knocking them to the ground or tripping the vehicles, the Sagittarius and Sleipnir escape, catching everyone who fell, while Mayuri and Rio combined their power to make a shield to protect those they couldn't reach in time.
"Hang on everyone!" Tamae shouted as she caught people in the car.
"Dang it... Isaac Westcott, what is he doing exactly?" Mildred wondered, now terrified as she saw the power the machine emitted.
Shido looked up weakly, Rinne soon feeling intense rage at the sight.
"No! You bastard, all those scum bags you killed... it was a mockery to the fact what seemed like an act to better the world was giving you the power to ruin it like this!" Rinne declared, Shido feeling her anger in him.
"Best of all is Marina will let it recycle endlessly! Ten years of power, and not once will I waste any of it!" Westcott cackled victoriously, everyone staring in horror. "Marina... do it now, show them true despair."
"Of course father." Marina said as she grinned wickedly. In a matter of seconds, the Deus' face shifted and its optical units stretched out, glowing an intense dark red as a powerful beam charges... aimed at Tenguu City! "10 seconds until Tenguu City's destruction by the Diabolus Cannon."
"NO!" Shido screamed in horror, everyone's eyes widened at what might just be the end of the city.
"It's too late, this is the power of survival of the fittest! I am at the top of this law of the jungle!" Westcott declared, his ugly mug smirking wickedly through the clock face. "And now, the world will submit to me forever!"
Inside the Deus, Marina was about to finished the countdown.
"Three, two, one-" Marina was suddenly cut off as she heard the sound of something being cut, she stared to see that it was... her control orb before her. Maria suddenly smiled as she waved, Marina having not even seen her as she gloated with Westcott at their 'assured' victory. "No! How, how did you know!?"
"You told me, not a good idea to get so angry you leave an opening. Especially one that shows the entire Deus' support for its full powers, maximized controls and connection to Cassiopeia are stored in the crystal I just broke." Maria giggled, Marina's eyes shook before she growled.
"You stupid defective little-" Marina began, however she suddenly felt odd. "Wait... no, don't disconnect me-"
Marina was ejected from the Deus' systems as it could no longer contain her, Maria smiled and vanished shortly afterwards as she was qualified for the forced ejection.
Back in the Fraxinus, everyone sees Maria return to her hologram projector.
"Maria, what you were doing... did you get the result you were looking for?" Reine asked, her hand shaking at the possible news. Maria turned and then smiled.
"It did, I just crippled the Deus." Maria replied and giggled, surprising the whole crew. "Take care of the rest Shido."
Right as the Deus was about to fire, its optical units suddenly explode, to everyone's surprise yet joy and Westcott's complete horror. Not just that, but suddenly all the healed damage returned as the Deus suddenly exploded in multiple places.
"No, how is this possible! Explain this Marina!" Westcott demanded, but soon got no response to his surprise. "Marina? Wait... no, she's been disconnected. That's not possible! She was in the systems, there's no way anyone could have gotten in unless they had some kind of twin-"
Westcott suddenly felt a burst of energy force the Cassiopeia to disconnect from the Deus.
"No... no, no, no! Why... this isn't supposed to happen!" Westcott growled, soon making the Cassiopeia glow brightly. "If that's the case, then I'll kill all of you damn Spirits! Even if I have to waste an entire year of the power I gained using [Nightmare]! That way I have a victory, that means you die again [Ruler]!"
Cassiopeia changed into its battle form, soon rushing forward and preparing to attack Shido. Right as it tried, Tohka parried his blow and knocked him away with a mighty swing of Sandalphon.
"Your time is over, before it ever began!" Tohka declared loudly, the other Spirits minus Rio and Mayuri gathering around Shido.
"Alright Shido, let's steal the power of the Cassiopeia! If he'll only use it for evil, then I'll use it for the most noble cause I can with the amount of power stored within that machine!" Rinne declared, and Shido nodded.
"You've got it! Shido exclaimed in agreement, soon looking at his girls who all look back at him. "Now let's end this, the power of our unity! Of our bond!"
"Law of the jungle? He razed them into mere forests when he caused the first Spacequake and shredded that law! Survival of the fittest? He still needs minions to do his jobs, he's not even fit or surviving! He's running!" Rinne said, mocking Westcott heavily.
"And now... right now, the seven of us are gonna show him that fighting alone under his condition its dog eats dog is what has made him turn into the weak one!"
"HERE WE GO!" Shido and the Spirits said in unison.
Westcott roars in retaliation, rushing at the group, Tohka rushes ahead to his surprise and slashes into the Cassiopeia's machine body. He was flung far away, and Tohka rushed after him and kept slashing over and over. Soon she stopped and pulled the sword back.
"This is for separating me and Shido and costing me my memories!" Tohka screamed as she thrust forward and pierced into the clock's skin.
"Augh!" Westcott screamed, feeling the pain transfer to his real body.
Soon, the Cassiopeia was fired at by a beam of light right where Tohka hit, and soon he was flung around like a pinball as Origami angrily shouted, making Metatron's pillars fire and mover around viciously before she moves one pillar by her arm as Westcott neared her.
"This is for the chain of events your actions caused that took my parents' lives away!" Origami screamed, throwing her first forward as the pillar of Metatron near it fired at the same time, Origami's fist smashing the Cassiopeia's left arm hard before the beam breaks it off.
"The pain... it burns!" Westcott shouted, for once not able to enjoy pain he felt inflicted on him.
Soon Zadkiel blasts a stream of ice at the Cassiopeia, smashing it into the Deus' body with extreme force, Yoshino showing a rare occurrence of an angry face from her. Yoshinon herself having her one eye glow for emphasis.
"This is for making unable to trust people, for making me always feel scared!" Yoshino screamed, albeit in a softer quieter tone than the others. "And for making me attack innocent people I kept thinking would hurt Yoshinon whenever she cried!"
Zadkiel soon blasts pressured water that tosses Cassiopeia up into the air as if it was flung like a rag doll. Soon Zadkiel shakes before blasting steam, causing the Cassiopeia's armor to chip while melting through it.
"It's... too much!" Westcott yelled, barely able to move the Cassiopeia now.
Kotori roars loudly before spinning Camael so fast, the Cassiopeia was struck and simply spun as well rather than being flung away, each strike stronger and quicker than the previous had been.
"This is for killing Saya just for her powers, and for all the suffering you made her lingering consciousness feel!" Kotori screamed, raising Camael before slamming it down, the spinning Cassiopeia stopping its spin as its right arm was broken right off.
"This... won't..." Westcott grunted, trying to not give the satisfaction of showing them he was in pain.
Kurumi aimed Zafkiel and fired as many bullets as fast as she possibly could, the shots denting into the Cassiopeia and slightly juggling it as they it. Kurumi flying closer every second.
"This is for using me and filling my head with lies for the past decade, and for enjoying every second of the cruelty!" Kurumi screamed, soon slamming both guns of Zafkiel together before firing at point blank range, and shattering the Cassiopeia's legs, leaving only its torso and head left.
"I won't be defeated... you can't stop me!" Westcott exclaimed, now denying he had any chance to lose at all.
"Wrong, because we're about to right now!" Shido declared loudly, soon raising Uriel. "Now!"
Uriel charged a pink beam at its tip, soon aiming it at Westcott. Westcott saw it and simply laughed at Shido's actions.
"That attack? You're a fool boy, I survived it in flash and skin, there's no way metal would die to it! So go ahead, I'll survive the First Spirit's strongest attack again!" Westcott cackled, but Shido smirked. "Huh? Why are you smiling!?"
"My strongest? Oh no... I think you're mistaken. Shido, let's do this together." Rinne replied, smiling alongside Shido as he nods.
"SPIRIT POWER... UNITE!" Shido exclaimed.
Suddenly aside from Rio and Mayuri, the other Spirits all saw their Astral Dresses glow so brightly, they became their Sephira Crystals associated color.
"What is this?" Tohka asked, surprised yet in awe. Soon, purple spirit mana shot from her, and the others' glows did the same but in their respective colors, all of which rushed towards Uriel.
Once they did, Uriel's blade grew as five of the jagged edges stretched out, glowing with their colors. Soon the pink beam became a mix of the six colors and grew large, exponentially increasing its power for each Spirit! Westcott senses the power surge in the Angel's attack.
"W-what is this!?" Westcott said, feeling true genuine fear he couldn't deny for the first time he could remember in his life.
"You didn't take my strongest attack, you took my weakest! See, I didn't create the Crystals from my power, they were stored within me from the start! I couldn't free them, and if I could, the Spirits born from them?" Rinne began, looking at the others.
"Each would unit with Uriel to increase its greatest ability's hidden power and achieve its true level! Don't you get it, by allowing me to free them and create more Spirits... you only made me stronger! That's why I made the gamble I did today, survival of the kindness has always overcome you Westcott!"
Westcott's eyes shake in horror, his efforts... aided the First Spirit!?
"No... this isn't possible!" Westcott gasped, the Cassiopeia's eyes shaking to represent his impossible levels of shock. Soon Shido grabs Uriel in both hands, looking at the girls, they all move to him.
"I told you Westcott, don't take from others if you don't want things taken! Now, you'll pay the price for it!" Rinne started before Shido finished it, the Spirit and him glowing as they pulled Uriel back.
"HARMONIC... CONVERGENCE!" They all shouted as one.
Westcott voice crackled as the strongest Angel slammed down on him, and pushing him into the Deus' body. After a few seconds, Uriel's attack finally cut the Cassiopeia in half, right through the head and eyes before the same happened to the Deus! As it did, Rinne's aura rushed and quickly took all the power he stole over the years.
'I regret I can't use it on the level I want, but with the power that is here... I can at least give it to those who worked so hard for us to get to this point.' Rinne thought, soon dispersing the energy throughout the skies. 'This is my gift to you all.'
"NOOOOOO!" Westcott screamed as both the Deus and the Cassiopeia exploded! Everyone stared at the result before them, and Shido himself panted at the sight with his harem still holding Uriel with him.
"We... won. WE WON!" Tohka cheered, and soon everyone joined alongside with her as all the members of Ratatoskr celebrated their combined efforts as they achieved victory. Shido and his harem hugged each other close, right before Shido screamed and collapsed a bit.
"Shido, are you OK!?" Tohka asked worriedly.
"Y-yeah... I'm fine, but I can barely even move my finger right now!" Shido smiled, making the girls all sigh in relief before resuming their group hug.
Back at the Arubi Island base, Ellen suddenly hears Westcott scream, and soon rushes to the room he was in as he suddenly falls off the link chair.
"Ike!?" Ellen said worried, soon Westcott looks at her, his eyes hidden.
"Get the medical realizer, my body, my eyes, everything... they all burn!" Westcott screamed, looking up to show Ellen his eyes were stained red and he had cuts almost everywhere.
She gasped before running out, leaving a shaking Westcott where he was.
"That... Shido Takamiya, ruined everything!" Westcott growled, but then suddenly realized something about him wielding Uriel. "Wait a second..."
Westcott gasped as he remembered it, the First Spirit said his and Mana's names after he defeated her. The way she spoke was like...
"A mother! Of course, that woman is his damn mother, he can do what he does because he's half Spirit!" Westcott said, cackling with new vigor. "I shouldn't focus on the Spirits he's already quelled anymore, I think I need a test... because I think he's the one I should pay attention to for my plans."
Westcott laughs again, a new plan being born in his mind.
Back at the Ratatoskr base, everyone was getting healed or treated from the battle with even Rio and Mayuri present this time, and as usual... the whole city was unaware of what really happened. Shido was resting on a bed as Reine examined him, Shido finally being able to move a bit again.
"Good news, nothing serious. It seems that Rinne's power just overloads your body. I recommend only using this as a last resort in the future." Reine suggested, and Shido nodded while chuckling a bit. "To think all along, Mio and Rinne were one and the same... I'm shocked, but glad she's alive."
Maria soon appears by a hologram.
"Rinne, I've set up a hologram frequency that you can use to talk to us through your mana. I think everyone would like to be introduced to you." Maria replied.
"Thank you Maria." Rinne replied, giving an unseen smile.
Soon on the screen, everyone turns to see Rinne' face and they show surprise as the beauty it had.
"Hello everyone. I am Rinne Sonogami, the First Spirit, or [Ruler] by your code name system. I thank you all for the help you gave me during my time as Mio, and to Kurumi who helped me remember who I was." Rinne smiled, making the Shadow Spirit blush.
"Most of all... Shido, Mana. You don't know how long I've waited for this day. I waited, waited so long for it."
Everyone saw Rinne cry to their sudden surprise.
"Huh? What do you mean, why are you crying like that? What day?" Mana asked, Rinne looked at her.
"Shido, Mana... I'm crying because I finally got to reunite with my children. Your mother, has finally come home!" Rinne answered, still crying tears.
At that sudden claim, everyone but Rio stared in shock and went silent, Shido and Mana all opened their mouths in shock... and Mana suddenly cries.
"You're... our mom?"
Rio suddenly hugs Mana, surprising her.
"Mama, big brother, big sis! All of you are reunited, all of you and Rio are family again!" Rio smiled, and Reine suddenly sits on a chair.
"T-they're your... oh my god! Their powers and all their genes coming from my brother, it's no wonder! They're Half-Spirit!" Reine breathed, holding her head in shock.
Shido's eyes shook before he teared up.
"...I believe you, I can feel it. Your power, it was like it was protecting me like a mother's embrace... Mom!" Shido cried, and soon everyone began tearing up a bit.
"Shido, I'm..." Tohka sniffled, wiping her eyes. "I'm so happy for you."
Rinne smiled and clears her tears.
"I may have no physical form right now, but... when you can save all the Spirits, I can finally return. So don't give up. You have a reason now to. For now..." Reine stated, soon suddenly looking drowsy. "I need to take a nap."
Soon everyone face faulted to Rinne's surprise.
"Well, that's a way to ruin the moment and end the conversation by accident." Maria chuckled wile sweat dropping. Right after that, Kannazuki suddenly ran into the room, looking in a panic.
"C-Commander! Something's happened, I was looking at some readings a-and..."
"Kannazuki. Please stop, then breath, then continue." Reine asked.
Kannazuki nods and does just that.
"A bunch of spirit readings came up before suddenly changing into normal humans! Dozens of them, one's even near here!" Kannazuki claimed, surprising everyone.
"Wow, it worked faster than I thought." Rinne answered, confusing everyone as a result.
"That power I stole from the Cassiopeia? I used it to create a miracle, it wasn't enough to be at the level I truly want, nothing eve will be, but... I gave a few brave people a second chance."
After hearing that, Kurumi suddenly feels something familiar. She gasps as she turned, and soon got up and began running outside.
"Kurumi?" Shido called out, soon going after him as most of the others followed. Outside the city, Kurumi ran to a certain park and didn't slow down at all.
'This feeling, I know it! Can it really be?' Kurumi thought.
Soon Kurumi made it, and the others who had followed her all stopped alongside her, and then they saw it... a glowing mass of light soon formed into a girl with long brown hair that had three braids tied together around the back, and wearing a robe while fully barefoot. As she got up, everyone asked. Kurumi smiled and shed happy tears.
"Miracles do happen, my prayer was heard!" Kurumi cried, and soon the brown haired girl who stood up opened her eyes to reveal... blue orbs! Kotori gasped at the sight. "You came back... Saya!"
Everyone gasped as they realized who the girl was, the girl staring at herself.
"Wait a second... Kurumi? Kotori? Shido?" Saya stated to herself, gasping. "Wait, but if I'm seeing you, then does that mean I'm..."
Saya began to shed tears.
"I'm alive!" Saya cried, Kurumi ran at her and hugged her. Saya soon hugged back.
"I can't believe it... it really is a happy ending, incredible!" Shido shouted, tears in his eyes. Soon everyone gathered together into a group hug.
"That's right, I brought her and every past Sephira Crystal holder back to life. I don't think I'll ever be able to do this again. The Cassiopeia took nearly 20,000 lives... I can't revive the dead without too big a sacrifice." Rinne revealed, soon giving an unseen smile.
"But now, everyone who took the burden of a Spirit and lost their can now live them again."
Unknown to everyone, others around the world felt this energy.
In the skies above the ocean, two orange haired twins were fighting suddenly felt the ripple of Rinne's energy pass them, ending said fight suddenly.
"What the... this strange witchcraft, what necromancy is upon us!?" The first twin asked.
"Unease. This strange feeling, it overwhelms me, both in fear yet warmth." The second twin commented.
In a fancy looking mansion, a girl in a Rindouji uniform with indigo hair sipped tea, and soon she feels the ripple of Rinne's energy phase through her.
"Huh? What... what was that?" The indigo haired girl wondered.
She opened the window, looking outside for some explanation, but never found one.
A green haired girl with and a witch hat on her head slept in some creepy Halloween themed location, the ripple of Rinne's energy suddenly woke her up as it neared her and caught her by surprise.
"Holy... that wasn't from my dream, it was real. What was it?" The girl haired girl wondered.
A silver-gray haired girl was in a studio, trying to draw a picture with no luck, as she tapped her pencil on her head... the ripple of Rinne's energy went by and nearly made her fall. She gasped.
"I don't believe it, that sign... she finally woke up." The silver-gray haired girl smiled.
She got up and looked out the window to see the shining blue sky.
"A future of hope's coming, now the hard part is all that's left in the way." The girl smiled, still staring at the sky.
Deep in outer space, a blonde haired girl was floating with closed eyes while curled in place, and soon the ripple of Rinne's energy reached her and made her open her eyes.
"...What was that power?" The blonde haired girl wondered.
Soon she just went back to her position and closed her eyes one more, not caring that much.
After learning of Saya's revival, the members of Ratatoskr welcomed her, and soon had the two go and meet their parents who gave them a happy reunion. While that was happening, Shido, Mana and the other Spirits handed Rio and Mayuri bags as they prepared to head off from the viewpoint area.
"You sure you need to go?" Shido asked, and saw Rio nod.
"Rio still has a mission for Mama to complete. When Rio completes that mission, Rio will come back and we can be family again." Rio said with a smile.
Mayuri puts her fist out.
"I'll make sure to keep an eye on her, we'll make sure the remaining five Spirits out there stay safe until you find them. Good luck you guys." Mayuri replied, Shido returned the fist... and then suddenly the others gasped as Mayuri and Rio both give him a quick kiss. It didn't seal their powers though, so they both seemed to just do it for no reason.
"By everyone!" Rio waved as she and Mayuri began flying off.
Everyone waved goodbye as Mayuri and Rio soon vanished as a pink and brown comet of light. As they did, Mana looks at her brother and giggles at his reaction to their double kiss.
"Our little sister huh? She's pretty amazing, so... what's next?" Mana asked.
"I don't know, but whatever it is, we'll be ready to go!" Shido smiled, soon the other Spirits all get close to him.
"I think this is what's next Shido, you owe us you know." Tohka replied, and suddenly Shido sweated as all five leaned to kiss him, and soon he falls back down the nearby stares as everyone watches and then run after him.
'This is far from the ending, but... I know Shido and mana are in good hands. Together... we'll all prevail and stop Westcott for good.' Rinne thought, her unseen ethereal form smiling at the sky.
Shido watched the night sky along with Tohka, holding her hand as they stood on the viewpoint together.
"Tohka, I didn't get a chance to say this before now, but... I'm glad you're finally back in my life. Even if I didn't remember at first, it felt so empty not having you by my side for all those years we were apart." Shido replied, making Tohka turn to him.
"I'm the one who should be thanking you for that, I had fallen to despair but you saved me twice, no... three times over. Me, Yoshino, Kurumi, Kotori and Origami, we all responded to your feelings. I hope the other five Spirit will do the same the day you save them too." Tohka smiled, making Shido smile in return.
"Though for this moment, let me be selfish and keep you to myself. Even if we share you I'd like to have a moment were you're mine alone."
Shido blinks before chuckling a bit, hugging her close.
"Sure thing, there's nothing wrong with being a little selfish every once in a while." Shido replied.
The two stared at each other, and soon prepared to kiss each other... only for Yoshinon to suddenly pop up between them, without Yoshino somehow, and make them kiss the puppet to Shido's surprise and Tohka's horror.
"Aw, that's sweet. But I'm not into girls Tohka." Yoshinon giggled, while Tohka shook a bit in response.
"NO FAIR! YOSHINON, GIVE ME BACK THAT KISS!" Tohka shouted.
Yoshino shrieked in fear as Tohka began chasing her, while Yoshinon simply laughed at what she caused.
‹DATE A RE:LIVE, SEASON 1 - END›
That's right! The major twist I mentioned was... I had ALWAYS planned to revive Saya at the end of the season! I didn't hint it, but I was gonna do it! Also, what Rinne said about her revival trick being a one-time thing? She's telling the truth, she revived lives in the double digits with energy made from Westcott absorbing people in the 5-digit zone. The cost to revive the dead is too big.
Congrats Ratatoskr! You just took down something like a God in a sense, and Shido and Mana finally learn that Rinne is their mother, after not knowing their family for so long it's nice to finally meet her and learn she can be brought back. I hope you like the cameo the remaining Spirits made, and for Westcott? Well, seems like he's interested in Shido now, not good... 0_0
Also, Marina's learned about Maria finally, and now that she knows that program she messed with a long time ago has become an AI that ruined the entire plan at the end... well, Maria can't be Ratatoskr's secret weapon any more. At the very least, she's the reason everyone made it out alive by spotting the fatal weakness of the Deus that no one else saw.
Well... I can't believe I'm finally saying this, but Season 1 is over! Thank you all for the wonderful journey, and this journey will continue when Season 2 finally starts. For now, the story will take a short break, I have a few other stories projects I need to start up on, one being Date AST Re:Strike. Oh yeah, just remember that when Ch 23 comes, it will be an adaption of Rinne's route in Rinne Utopia, Season 2 doesn't start until after that ends.
Thanks for reading all of Season 1 everybody, stay awesome out there! ^^
-Rinne Sonogami, Code Name: [Ruler]-
Angel: Uriel - Uriel is a one-handed sword similar to Sandalphon, but with jagged edges that give the blade the shape or a tree or the branch of a tree and ten gems representing the colors of the other ten Sephira Crystals, reflecting its connection with or even being the physical representation of the Sephirot. According to Rinne, Uriel isn't that different from Sandalphon, the only major alteration between them is the type of swords they are and the Uriel's ability to borrow the elemental powers of the other ten angels by lighting up the respective colored gem on the blade.
- Alternate Form: Harmonic Convergence - The ultimate attack of Rinne Sonogami, by combining the power of the other Spirits, Uriel's jagged blade edges extend and using the other Spirits' power, amplify one another exponentially. After using it however, Rinne can't use it again until an hour passes by. When used against Westcott 30 years ago, he believed he survived the attack at its strongest, but Rinne states that it was actually at its weakest because the Sephira Crystals were inside her at the time.
- Powers: As the original Spirit, Rinne's powers compared to any other Spirit are unmatched. A testament to her strength is that if Rinne has enough power, she can actually revive someone who's died no matter how long ago they were killed, Rinne does state the cost to revive a live is equal to many more and that makes such a power have little use. For reasons unknown, Rinne formed the Sephira Crystals within her not of her own powers, creating a bond between her and them that strengthens them all. Rinne's main weakness is her powers are all offensive based, and she admits to only have her Astral Dress for defense due to that overwhelming strength.
Risk Factors: SSS
Spacequake: SSS
Spirit's Astral Dress: SSS
Angel Rank: SSS
Strength: 280
Consistency: 240
Spiritual Power: 300
Agility: 250
Intelligence: 260
-Spirit Bond Levels-
Tohka - 84%
Origami - 78%
Yoshino - 71%
Kotori - 79%
Kurumi - 67%