"No more games! We know you're working for Asil! We know what you're planning to do! And we're not going to let you!" Bunny stomped the ground.
Lucious looked down at her and sneered, "Oh really? You're really not gonna let me go are you? Such a pity. Because of you, you made our plans immediately fumble before we can even get started...how annoying."
"Well duh! We're not gonna just LET you even try! Why would we just wait?" Lucy rolled her eyes at the ridiculous statement, "Doing all of this right when we're supposed to do the tour de inferno today?! Way to ruin the event yourself!"
"Ruin it? Oh no my dear...I'm just livening things up a bit!" Lucious snapped his fingers and chains shot out of nowhere.
But Bunny and Lucy tried to defend themselves only to see it completely bypass them. They hear a sharp gasp and a sudden thud as the target fell to the ground.
"Ah-?! Lisa! Why are you here?!" Bunny panicked as she tried to get to me but a chain threw her back. "OW-!"
"Me?! What about YOU?! We've been looking everywhere for you!" I shimmy in the chains "Oof these are really uncomfortable..."
"Really? Thats your worry here?" Bunny rolled her eyes.
"Hey I'm your carrot cake provider, at least be a little concerned- WOAH-" I suddenly got yoinked back.
Reappear giggles as she reveals herself, "Looks like we caught the 'whore' finally. We just gotta finish the job!"
...I slowly looked at her, "Oh now I'm a whore?"
"Lisa. No. You are LITERALLY not in the position for shit talking-," Bunny already was horrified that I was going to try.
But still I talk my shit, "What? Still mad I chose your brother over you? That I'm so much of a hoe and I STILL won't fuck you?" I scoffed with a shit eating grin as I taunted her, "I'm bi sexual and I STILL wouldn't pick a bratty little Oujidere bitch like you-? You're not royalty. I'm not bowing to you-!" I hissed as she tightened the chains on me.
"SILENCE! UGH! I despise that even now you always run that stupid mouth of yours!" Reappear started stomping her feet and throwing a tantrum, "IHATEITIHATEIHATEIT-"
"...wow. And I thought losing my temper was bad..." Lucy sweat dropped.
"WHAT is going on here...?!" We all turned to see the overlord Pompey, "Lucious...We already begun the tour de inferno. Where the hell have you been?!"
"Oops. Must have lost track of time boss," Lucious shrugged, "We were just rounding up some saboteurs. You can just go on ahead and throw the spark stone in. We can handle it from here~"
"That so? To think The sons of Calydon would sink this low...how unfortunate." Pompey shakes his head in disappointment as he walks up to cinder lake, "A disgrace...but we'll discuss this after the ceremony has been concluded."
Bunny's ears perked up. That Spark stone...! "Wait sir! Don't use that one...!"
But it was too late. Once Pompey threw the spark stone in, the ethereal crystals suddenly shot out of cinder lake. The ether matter in the air suddenly increased, making the air thicker and tense.
"Heh...should have listened to her 'boss'. It's a shame...Being brought here to be their executioner...," Lucious had a malicious grin.
"What...?! What did you do Lucious-" Pompey was cut off by his own coughing, "You bastard...you poisoned me...?!" Bunny helped him stand up by letting him lean against her.
"Don't worry~! You'll be alive...long enough to get ether corruption of course..." Lucious chuckled. But that simply made Pompey slash his face with his long sword, making him scream in agony, "You...?! HOW DARE YOU...! Enjoy your last minutes of humanity old bastard! Cause I won't be here to let you have the last laugh...!" He runs off.
"You coward...!" Pompey scoffs, "...you young ones need to leave. NOW!"
"But sir..! We can't just..." Bunny began to say.
But she was soon interrupted as Reappear started summoning and swinging multiple chains around to attack or try entrapping them within the small area. Bunny quickly realized they wouldn't be able to leave regardless. Now they'll have to face a powerful Ethereal alone?! She sighs and surprisingly gives Pompey a hug.
"...I'm sorry...," Bunny says quietly.
It was a mercy hug.
He'll...need some kind of act of kindness before full corruption right? Even if from a stranger. Pompey understood immediately and hugs her back. A quiet moment and a small thank you before the man slowly started turning into a monster. Lucy managed to pull her away before the monster attacked her of course.
"Jeez are you crazy-?!" Lucy shouted, "...Just...focus on defeating him now. So he can rest in peace properly."
"...I know." Bunny focused on the battle instead.
Unfortunately I was still being held in chains. Seriously I need ASSISTANCE! Oh hey my Dragonboo is flying up to me. Spot must have sent her in!
"Wonderful timing...Hello?" I asked.
"Wonderful timing?! THIS IS THE WORSE TIMING! PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER AND GET IN THERE!" I flinched at Spot being surprisingly loud for once.
"Dude I'm kinda stuck in shadow chains. Like what do I do?" I sigh
"...please Lisa. I'm worried about the others. Don't hold back now. They won't judge you. We will never judge you. Just please...I'll even help you." Spot reassured.
"...Ok Spot. I trust you-" I suddenly felt something happen in my chest.
The chip I absorbed...It's changing. I can FEEL it. Spot was changing its coding to act like an Emanator for my abilities. Holy shit...this feels...much more liberating somehow. I didn't hesitate to break out of the chains by slashing at them, accidentally ripping my sleeves to reveal my clawed dragon hands but now covered with sunset flames as well.
"HAHAHA HOLY SHIT MAN YOU'RE AMAZING...!!!" I say happily.
Spot was smiling from the sudden compliment, glad she wasn't upset, "Oh...just shut up and focus on the battle! The others are on their way..." Sure enough the rest of the sons of Calydon arrived!
"Sorry for the late arrival! Had to fight a few guys along the way!" Caesar exclaimed, "Ah...is that the overlord?!"
"Long story short, that crazy lady is hired to kill Lisa and Lucious is in cahoots with her!" Lucy shouted before jumping back to avoid another attack, "JUST HURRY UP AND HELP! BUNNY AND ME IS LOSING STRENGTH!!!"
"Yah heard her! Let's get this over with...," Lighter revved up his gauntlet to spew out some flames.
Reappear scoffs and has her chains aim for them, "Not until you go through me peasants!!!"
It was now an all out brawl between our friends and the enemies. Reappear may be annoying but her chains were skillful as they acted as puppet strings, commanding the new Ethereal like a toy to attack us while still spare chains grabbed or strikes at us like whips. Bunny was more worried about cinder lake. Not only was the fight important but it was a damn time limit over their heads...
"Dammit...Hey! Burnice! Did you bring a spark stone...?!" She called out to him.
"Huh...? Oh yeah we nabbed it from the guys we fought earlier~!," Burnice showed it but in lightening speed, Bunny nabbed it and ran to the Ethereal, "Huh? Where yah going...?"
I noticed her and quickly flew her way, "BUNNY! STOP...! PLEASE...!!!"
Reappear tried stopping me, "Ignoring me now huh?! Well I won't allow it- AHHHHH- You...You BEAST...You...hurt my cute face..." She summoned her chain to lock onto my choker necklace to pull at it. "You have caused enough trouble! Just give up-" She flinched as my expression grew dark.
"I don't care what you or your brother do to me...call me names, beat me down, torment me EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. But nothing pisses me off more than you hurting the people I love!" I struggle against the chain before pulling her to me, "Your brother already took away my self love and the last fucks to give after I was already hurting and barely recovered. Don't you DARE take away the few remaining things in my life that make me happy...!"
Reappear actually hesitated. Huh..? Why were my words...actually affecting her? She can't hesitate now when she has me here! Caesar heard us and saw Bunny's plan before got on her bike and drove past us. Once Bunny tackled the Ethereal, she and the monster fell towards Cinder lake. Caesar jumped off her bike before grabbing her.
"Huh...?! What are you..?!" Bunny was shocked.
"Heh...Can't let you get all the glory. Besides...I don't want you to shoulder all that responsibility alone..." Caesar looked at the upcoming lava below, "It's my duty to care about my home...just like it's yours to care for your family..."
Bunny's eyes widen before they both hugged, having their hands hold out the spark stone together into the fiery flames. Everyone was stunned, unfortunately unable to even do anything as no one made it on time. What COULD have they done...? The despair slowly started to dawn on them. Are they...actually...? Reappear had let go of me but I was staring down at the lava, trying to use my new abilities. Was it working? Did I know what I was doing? I don't know...Im crying too much to even see right now. They...Sacrificed themselves and saved Cinder lake.
"CAESAAAAAR...!!!" Lucy burst into tears on the spot once she finally come to terms. Lighter patted her back while Burnice was at lost for words.
"...Lisa. You can stop...trying now." Billy sighs as he put a hand on my shoulder, "They're..."
"Wait- I hear something...!" Lighter suddenly said, "Get back...!" He actually yoinked Billy back as suddenly all my dragon features were summoned at once.
A rare occurrence.
My hair slightly floating as I sounded like I was struggling. My flames suddenly swirling above us as it started to slowly open up a spacial rift! And soon floated out Bunny and Caesar, being surrounded yet somehow protected with those same flames. Once they were set down, they looked up at us.
"Uh...hi...?" They waved awkwardly at us.
Me and Lucy stare...before tackling them, "YOU FUCKING IDIOOOOOOTS-!!!"
Everyone sighs with relief. Now that was an adventure...
Later we ended up having a little celebration in the Cheesetopia, having a few beers, root beers, and food. After me and Lucy scolded the shit out of Bunny and Caesar, we bonked them and they ended up sitting together with an ice pack.
"Heh...I guess we kinda deserved this huh?" Caesar laughs, "Didn't take YOU to be reckless. You seem more like the responsible one of the group."
"Hmph. I am. Lisa constantly gets into trouble without even trying and Spot is too nice to say no to someone! I constantly have to step in to make sure they don't get wrapped up into some other nonsense!" Bunny huffs.
"...then what changed today...? I mean yah kinda charged into trouble yourself this time. A few times considering what Lucy told us..." Caesar tilted her head.
"...Because of a promise I made with myself. To protect Lisa...and anyone else I cherish. Me and Lisa met in a hollow. She took me to her mom and they took me in as part of the family. I grew up with Lisa. And...I've witnessed how much someone can change just from so much pain. It was like losing a person you love..." Bunny sighs, "...I just don't want to lose anyone. I already owe her and her mom so much after they took me in. How could I ever explain to her that I let her daughter get hurt again...?"
Caesar looked surprised but sighs, "I understand...After today I'll be an overlord myself. It might seem like a catchy title but it comes with a lot of responsibility. Including making sure everyone in the outer ring has supplies to survive here. And seeing how much you were so willing to dive in and sacrifice yourself...Honestly it scared me. It made me think i wasn't cut out for this. How can I be a leader that protects these people if I'm not as bold as you? But then...it was like I found myself moving on my own before I found myself falling into cinder lake with you. And yet even then that fear burned away like the ashes in the wind." She smiles at Bunny, "It made me realize that even a small act of kindness can bring such a big change for those around us. And...I just understood why you were so willing to do it. It didn't matter about your pride or bold attitude. It was how your actions will help in the long run...you really inspired me Bunny."
Bunny blushed a bit and simply brushed it off, "Y-You're giving me too much credit...you jumped in despite the situation! You didn't even care of the consequences! You...only cared about how much the people here NEEDED cinder lake to survive here. And you...not only did that but you held me like you were trying to protect me too..."
"Oh! Yeah I kinda did huh?" Caesar chuckled as she rubbed the back of her head, "Well at least your friend helped out...but I'm glad I was able to jump in with you regardless. I respect you. Never forget that."
Bunny was extremely flustered but she...strangely didn't mind too much. As they ate some food and chatted, I myself was resting on a rooftop. Turns out I truly did have blot in me. So Leona and Idia will be sticking around to help out with teaching me. Apparently it can be dangerous if I don't know how to use it properly. How annoying...I jolted hearing a clang.
"Oop-! Uh...heya! Whatcha doing?" Billy awkwardly leans against the wall after tripping over paint cans.
"...nothing Billy. I'm just...thinking." I didn't look his way. Which made him a little antsy. He always jokes around with me but recently I have been so closed off. It was worrying him.
"...Thinking about today...or the vision?" Billy noticed my ears perk up, "Both then huh? Then...if you're comfortable with sharing...mind sharing what's going through your mind? Like why DO you wanna find Universia so badly?" He wanted to add a please but didn't want to sound desperate.
"...I was thinking about the dreams and flashes I get. I think...they are memories of my past life," I finally admitted, "Memories of past lovers...friends...family...All out there in god knows where. Maybe they're all already gone. But to answer why I wanna see her...I want to confront her. Like why would she allow this? Maybe I can get answers and make sure I protect this place too. I...I'm not a hero...but if I have a chance to help...why should I just ignore it..?" I finally look at him and was crying a little bit, "...what if she makes me forget all of you too..? And then today I almost lost Bunny because people keep targeting me? It's like everything I do is just never enough! It makes me scared that I'll never be able to-"
I finally stop when he suddenly hugged me, "...what matters is what's in front of you now. This is YOUR life. I know things are chaotic as ever...but don't forget who you are. And the people you love...because we're still here, ready to support you no matter what." He looks down...and gently flicked my forehead, "Stubborn ass. You could have told me sooner if something bothered you."
"OW-!" I sniffled but laugh a bit, "Ok ok my bad...overthinking again. I can't help myself...heh. I was just scared..."
"...I was too. Thought I was gonna lose you too...," He clears his throat, "But the starlight knight will always shine through the darkest of times-!"
He froze up when I nuzzle his chest, "Thank you Billy..."
He sighs, "N-No problem...just come on. Let's celebrate with the others!"
I simply smile and join him.
Nix sighs as he finished watching the battle come to its conclusion, "Lycaon...do you truly think my teachings will help that girl educate herself with her abilities?"
Lycaon nods, "I will never doubt your ability master...but may I speak out of line to ask how you should be scolding Asil yourself?"
"You can lead a camel to water but you can never force them to drink. You can only hope they learn they need it to survive...," Nix sips his wine, "I'm afraid she's been led astray. Only she can learn the right path herself. For now we can only hope that this will lead to a promising future. I as well wish for our worlds to be safe...a common goal only we seem to have."
"...and yet. Not Universia? How come she's grown so neglectful of this situation?" Lycaon tilts his head.
Nix sighs, "Ah but that's the mystery we're trying to solve aren't we? We'll simply have to wait and see. Until then...
I hope she does not disappoint me."