(Infinity Castle)
Now back with Tanjiro and Caleb with his two partners, they continued across the fortress and killed demons, they found Aidan, Tetsu, Dark Pit, Christopher with MetalGreymon, Midna, Corrin, Thomas with MirageGaogamon, Jeri with GrapLeomon and Jin Kazama.
"Tanjiro, Caleb." Aidan called them.
"Over here." Tetsu added and both Caleb and Tanjiro approached the group.
"Aidan, Tetsu, guys." Tanjiro said before adding. "It's good to see you here."
"Me too, even if we were separated, me and my group managed to go through these situations before." Aidan explained about himself and the rest of the Elemental 10 going through these situations before.
"I'm glad to hear that." Tanjiro said while being impressed by the Elemental 10's resilience. "This is a difficult and dangerous situation, but you all have been able to handle it so far."
"So, how is your situation?" Christopher asked them.
"Several dark clone demons were defeated along with the second and sixth Upper Moon demons who were Doma and Kaigaku, even Seth had to send Shinobu far away from the battle. I cannot blame him, he was very traumatized by barely losing her." Caleb explained and Tanjiro nodded in agreement, understanding Seth's decision to send Shinobu away.
"It's good to hear the demons are being defeated, and Kaigaku is not an easy opponent. Seth made the right call sending Shinobu away. I don't blame him either, he's just trying to protect her." Tanjiro said.
However, before they could continue they heard a haunting voice.
"Isn't this a touching reunion?" The voice said and then revealed himself as Enmu, the demon of the Infinity Train and 1st Lower Moon Demon, now as a dark clone.
"You again!?" Aidan growled with fury.
"I should've known you would be here too!" Tanjiro muttered under his breath.
"Enmu…!" Caleb dryly said.
"Here we are again, Infinity Train or not, I will be able to fulfill my dream by seeing your souls in torments of pain and suffering, Muzan managed to bring me whole here, a dream turned back into a reality." Enmu said, the 1st Lower Moon.
"You won't fulfill your dream!" Tanjiro firmly said before adding. "And we won't let you fulfill your dream, we won't let you cause us any torment or suffering."
"And you won't cause nightmares to anyone else here ever again!" Caleb said.
"All this time you were lucky to be brought back here. However, I know your intentions well, you're not following Muzan out of loyalty, you do it out of fanaticism." Tetsu added while pointing his sword at Dark Enmu and Tanjiro nodded in agreement and his eyes narrowing in disdain.
"You're nothing more than a pawn for Muzan, used for his selfish goals." Tanjiro said. "You're delusional if you think you can get what you want from us."
"Let me tell you a secret before arriving here, just after Rui's death, the Lower Moon 5, I enjoyed seeing the Lower Ranks suffer while they were being slaughtered by Muzan and I was only spared after I openly expressed my love of seeing others die in agony and fear, then he gave his blood, Muzan admired my ambitions just like right now." Dark Enmu explained to them as they glared at that psycho who revealed his twisted and sadistic nature.
"You're a sick and twisted creature." Tanjiro said in disgust. "Your love for seeing others suffer and die is utterly despicable and evil."
"It was better when you were dead just like we killed you in the Infinity Train!" Aidan angrily told Enmu.
"And now that you're a dark clone demon, it only gives me more motivation to kill you again!" Caleb told Dark Enmu.
-Lower Moon One, Dark Enmu-
*Majora's Incarnate Battle (LOZ: Majora's Mask)*
"This is where the dream will begin!" Dark Enmu said.
"We will defeat you and put an end to your wretched presence." Tanjiro coldly said.
Dark Enmu ran at the group but they managed to dodge the clawing and kicks from the dark clone, then Midna grabbed him while riding her wolf and slamming Dark Enmu multiple times before tossing him and followed Dark Pit using his Electroshock Arm but then Dark Enmu fired his energy shots but Dark Pit used the Guardian Orbitars to deflect back the attack at the demon who then used his Blood Demon Art to cause nightmares.
"Why were you created? Pit is dead and you had your fault!" Dark Pit heard Palutena's harsh words.
"Why should everyone trust the people from the Twilight Realm? All you have done is use Link as your puppet, you're just betraying yourself." Midna heard Zant's cruel words.
Before he could continue, Tetsu used Metal Arrowheads which hit Enmu while also canceling the nightmares from Dark Pit and Midna.
"I made my choice! Pit saved my life!" Dark Pit angrily exclaimed, knowing that Palutena won't say those things.
"I just released my people from Zant's tyranny and returned Hyrule back to normality!" Midna angrily said before using her hair to punch Dark Enmu.
Then MetalGreymon used Metal Claw and Giga Blaster against the dark clone demon and followed by MirageGaogamon using Spirit Break and Double Crescent Mirage, and GrapLeomon used Bullet Punch and Fist of the King, Dark Enmu took the chance to put nightmares on Thomas, Christopher and Jeri.
"Because of your innocence your mother is dead!" Thomas heard harsh words from his father but it was a nightmare where he is a child.
"You and your team destroyed our home!" Christopher heard the voice of a Togemogumon and then he was attacked by the Digimon from the Disc Zone.
"Your mother was destined to die, you cannot deny your fate!" Jeri heard the voice of the doctor when her biological mother died and in the present Jeri collapsed in her knees while sobbing.
"Not this time!" Caleb shouted before thrusting his schiavona to hit Enmu and canceling the nightmares again.
"Don't you dare to insult the memories of my mother!" Thomas shouted angrily at Dark Enmu.
"I overcame the past! The Disc Zone was already restored!" Christopher said firmly.
"I will never forgive you for using my fear against me!" Jeri yelled, never feeling so much anger than before and then used a Digital Card through her D-Ark. "Digi-Modify! Seraphimon, activated!"
"Strike of the Seven Stars!" GrapLeomon used Seraphimon's attack which hit Enmu.
"I had enough of you causing nightmares to my friends!" Tanjiro shouted with fury before performing Sun Breathing: Cross Slash to hit Dark Enmu.
Then Aidan swung his dragon gauntlet to unleash arrow waves to hit Dark Enmu, Corrin using Dragon Lunge, Jin Kazama using Tidal wave move and Caleb performing Rising Sun with schiavona and Keyblade, then Dark Enmu took the chance to cause nightmares.
"Damn it! Not again…!" Aidan exclaimed in his thoughts as he watched himself without controlling his fireballs and causing destruction.
"Hoshido and Nohr nations are enemies, you should accept it." Corrin heard Anankos' words in her head.
"Why were you born in this world?" Kazama heard Kazuya's words during his nightmare.
Despite them having nightmares, only Caleb and Tetsu weren't affected and slashed Dark Enmu while canceling the nightmares and Tanjiro slashed the dark clone demon.
"You coward!" Aidan snarled at Dark Enmu.
"The Hoshido and Nohr nations are no longer enemies!" Corrin shouted with fury.
"I don't cling to my past any longer!" Jin Kazama said.
Then Dark Enmu put Tanjiro to dream where he was having a peaceful night with his family instead of going to seal coal and then Muzan himself attacked, he tried to fight Muzan while his mother and siblings tried to escape, however Tanjiro was clawed mortally by Muzan who then dashed and killed his family instantly.
"It doesn't matter if you had stayed home that night, you and your family are doomed to die and the Yoriichi lineage will no longer exist." Muzan told the dying Tanjiro during that nightmare, seemingly like an alternate timeline which sadly could be true if he had stayed at home that night.
During the fight, Tanjiro found himself consumed by nightmares, a twisted alternate reality where he stayed home instead of sealing coal for the night. In this nightmare, he failed to protect his family against Muzan, their lives snuffed out before his eyes. Muzan's words, filled with condescension, only added to his heartbreak and rage.
"Damn you, Muzan!" Tanjiro spat out, his voice filled with emotion.
"Tanjiro, wake up!" Caleb's voice shouted and slashed Dark Enmu which cancelled the nightmare making Tanjiro wide open his eyes angrily while knowing that his family was revived again and that nightmare won't happen ever again.
Tanjiro blinked, snapped out of the vivid nightmare by Caleb's voice. The images of his family being attacked by Muzan and the words he said still linger in his mind, a reminder of Tanjiro's fears and failures.
"I'm awake!" Tanjiro murmured, his voice a mix of anger and determination. "I won't let that nightmare become reality!"
"Impossible, how are you now awake?" Dark Enmu asked Caleb.
"Last time on the Mugen Train you made me have that nightmare which insulted the memory of my biological parents, but now thanks to the fact that I unleashed my Soul Steel ability, your Blood Demon Art won't affect me anymore!" Caleb firmly said to Dark Enmu which shocked the dark clone demon.
"This isn't over!" Dark Enmu said. "I'll destroy you, even if it's the last thing I do!"
Dark Enmu lunges at Caleb, his attacks fueled by his anger and frustration, ready to eliminate the one who had resisted his powerful abilities but then DB Veemon as Magnamon X along with shiny Mew used High Jump Kick which hit the dark clone demon and followed by Aidan performing a fiery slash with his broadsword.
"This is the last time you get inside my head!" Aidan shouted with a raging fire and then Tanjiro followed by slashing Dark Enmu with his katana before expressing his rage after the last nightmare where he and his family were killed by Muzan.
Tanjiro's face contorted with anger as he recalled the nightmare Enmu fed him, his family's lives slipping away in front of his eyes. He slashes at Dark Enmu with a renewed sense of anger and determination, his movements forceful and unyielding.
"We'll end you, right here, right now!" Tanjiro shouted, his voice filled with a mixture of fury and resolve.
"And you seem to forget that your Blood Demon Art doesn't work on me!" Tetsu firmly said before using his double-edge sword to stab through Dark Enmu's chest before he could use his Blood Demon Art while preventing Dark Enmu from moving or evading as Tetsu shouted. "Caleb, Tanjiro, now behead the dark clone's head!"
"With pleasure!" Tanjiro grits through his teeth, lunging forward with his sword in hand. "This is for haunting me with that nightmare, and terrorizing so many people!"
Tanjiro swiftly swings his sword in a powerful horizontal slash, aiming at Dark Enmu's neck in an attempt to behead him.
"Your twisted and insane ambitions end here!" Caleb said as he and Tanjiro used our swords which beheaded Dark Enmu's head successfully and Dark Enmu's head, then Tetsu swung his sword from up to down which sliced vertically Dark Enmu's body to half and both halves of Dark Enmu's body fell to the floor which started to disappear.
*Ends*
Tanjiro watched as the remains of Dark Enmu's fading body, feeling a mixture of relief and satisfaction. Finally, they had rid themselves of that demon and his twisted Blood Demon Art.
Tanjiro watched as the remains of Dark Enmu's fading body, feeling a mixture of relief and satisfaction. Finally, they had rid themselves of that demon and his twisted Blood Demon Art.
Tanjiro lowered his sword, taking a moment to catch his breath and gather his thoughts. The image of his family being killed by Muzan still lingered in his mind, reminding him of the stakes and the urgency of their mission.
"But how? How could this happen? Who are you!?" Dark Enmu's head asked as he was disappearing slowly.
"Your worst nightmare!" Caleb said before grabbing debris and slamming it against Dark Enmu's head many times as splashes of dark matter with blood were spreaded in the floor as he kept crushing Dark Enmu's head until it completely disappeared. "See you never, you damned demon!"
Then Caleb spat at the place where he crushed Dark Enmu's head which surprised Tanjiro and some of the team members, only Aidan and Tetsu were satisfied.
For Tanjiro, he watched with a mixture of awe and concern as Caleb brutally smashed and destroyed Dark Enmu's head with a brutal display of power. Seeing the intensity of Caleb's anger, Tanjiro understood the emotional weight of what they had just witnessed.
"I've never seen you like this before." Tanjiro murmured, his tone tinged with both fascination and concern. "Are you alright?"
"It was just in case that Dark Enmu tried to take one of us with him, just like Yahaba tried to do with you before." Caleb said to Tanjiro while recovering himself from his anger and also explaining his hatred towards Enmu or his Dark Clone form. "Plus, the first time that I faced Enmu, he gave me nightmares where he insulted the memories of my late and biological parents, therefore I had to train a lot until unlocking the Soul Steel which made me immune against Dark Enmu's Blood Demon Art which caused me the nightmares."
Tanjiro listened to your explanation, nodding in understanding.
"I see." Tanjiro says, your determination and resolve is clear in your actions. "I'm glad you're able to protect yourself against his dark powers now."
His expression turns serious, and he glances at you.
"Don't let your emotions consume you, though. Stay sharp, because I don't want you to lose control in battle. Stay focused, and don't let anger cloud your judgment. That's when the demons will strike." He replied.
"You're starting to sound like me, just like during the battle against Doma, even when Kanao got injured briefly, I told you to control your emotions knowing that Muzan wants your emotions clouding your judgement and luckily Kanao is able to continue." Caleb told Tanjiro with relief and a smirk while giving a thumbs up to him.
Tanjiro chuckles softly despite the circumstances, appreciating the reminder.
"You're right." Tanjiro said. "I'll make sure to keep a clear head. Thank you, Caleb. We need to stay focused and watch each other's backs."
"So far we met 3 demons who did not deserve respect even in death, the Snake Demon, Genya's former father and Enmu, for Upper Moons, the second upper who was while also barely killed my girlfriend when she desperately tried to protect Shinobu and then the sixth upper moon was Kaigaku, better known as the traitor who received a slowly and painful but well-deserved death by Alban with his icy grip." Caleb explained with determination and also Tanjiro couldn't help but cringe slightly when Alban crushed Kaigaku's head brutally while said head was being frozen in a painful way.
"Those three demons really didn't deserve any respect, that's for sure." Tanjiro agreed with a nod.
But he shuddered a bit, recalling how Alban killed Kaigaku with such brutality.
"That was a harsh fate for Kaigaku." Tanjiro murmurs. "I hope he's the only one of the Upper Moons that Alban gets to punish."
"And as for Doma, he was an empty shell who doesn't feel emotions, only he could feel real emotions after being decapitated and was humiliating for him when Seth stomped his head." Caleb mentioned about the Upper Moon Two's fate.
"Doma was truly a strange demon." Tanjiro remarked.
He remembers the strange satisfaction he felt when Seth stomped Doma's head, a fitting end for such a peculiar Upper Moon.
"Okay, better keep going!" Aidan told them as Tetsu nodded in agreement.
"Later we'll reach you!" Christopher told them and the small group nodded before continuing.
Now along with Aidan and Tetsu, they continued until they found Sora with his Oshawott, Riku with his shiny Litten, Leo, Giyu, Marcus with Agumon as RizeGreymon, Takato with Guilmon as WarGrowlmon, Beelzemon, Kirby, Meta Knight, Goku, Luffy, Toriko, Kurapika, Yugi as Yami, Rengoku, Ash with Pikachu, Latios, Lucario, Charizard, Marshadow, Sceptile, Greninja, Noctowl, Greninja, Krokoodile, Dorumon as DoruGreymon, Koji as BeoWolfmon, Koichi as Loweemon, Ace with Articuno, Matt with Gabumon as WereGarurumon, Bokomon, Neemon, Mimi with Palmon as Lillymon, Joe with Gomamon as Zudomon, Davis with Veemon as Paildramon, Yolei with Hawkmon as Silphymon, Takuya as Aldamon, Kazu with Guardromon as Andromon, Kenta with MarineAngemon, Yoshino with Lalamon as Lilamon, and coincidentally Seth with Coronamon as Flaremon and Aria with Lunamon as Crescemon are there too.
"Tanjiro, Caleb, over here!" Leo called us and they approached them.
"Young Kamado, young Lhantis, young Addler, young Kagami!" Rengoku called, addressing them by their surnames.
Tanjiro and the others approached Rengoku, Leo, Giyu and the others, happy to see them again.
"Guys! Leo! Rengoku! Giyu!" Tanjiro calls out in relief, a smile spreading across his face. "I'm glad you two are okay."
"I was with them during your absence." Leo told Tanjiro.
"Oh, that's good to know," Tanjiro nods in gratitude. "How are you doing?"
"A lot of demons were appearing here but we managed to defeat them." Giyu replied.
"There are a lot of demons indeed." Tanjiro sighed. "I'm glad you all were able to hold them off."
"I'm glad you two could reach us too." Caleb replied to them.
"Kanao and Inosuke are still continuing there." Aria replied.
"And where's Shinobu?" Giyu asked her.
"I have to send her far away for the battle after all the times she allowed us to recover ourselves in the Butterfly Mansion, somehow I had to return the favor to her." Seth answered.
"I see." Giyu said in understanding while also respecting Seth's relationship with Shinobu.
Tanjiro nods understandingly, grateful to know that someone was protecting Shinobu during the battle, specially after barely being the sacrifice for the victory against Doma, Aria barely turned herself the sacrifice and Seth did the right thing for not losing any of the Hashiras, specially his girlfriend.
"So, it's true that Shinobu is happy with you?" Giyu asked Seth.
"Yes, but right now it wouldn't be the suitable moment." Seth replied, knowing that one of the Upper Moon demons or another dark clone demon could attack.
Tanjiro nods in agreement, his attention still focused on the surroundings, constantly on the lookout for any approaching demons.
"We should keep moving." Tanjiro said. "Who knows what else we'll encounter."
However, before they could advance, two beings appeared in shadowy blurs before landing in front of the group and then revealed themselves as Revlis and Akaza but now as a Dark Clone, new and former Upper Moon 3 respectively.
"Akaza!" Tanjiro growled.
"Revlis!" Ash growled too.
"I'm surprised that you recognize me, the former weakling. I'm back after my other half surrendered after he was beheaded, surely he proved to be weaker, but now that I have no memories of my human life, I'm stronger than my original self." Dark Akaza said.
"Being a hybrid-demon means a lot to me, Lord Muzan told me that being a first hybrid-demon makes me stronger because I was created with no human memories and that makes me stronger!" Revlis said.
"You two are nothing more than a copy and an abominable creation, twisted and empty shells!" Tanjiro retorted while glaring at Revlis and Dark Akaza.
"Don't you think that I forgot your friend, the Flame Hashira, because I remember how he decided to fight to protect you but he ended up dying for you in vain, I don't know how he was brought back, but I'll make sure to kill him again because once dead, he must stay dead, that's how Lord Muzan decides." Dark Akaza told Tanjiro.
Tanjiro's eyes widened, anger and hatred boiling inside him at the mention of Rengoku's previous death and the threat to take his life again.
"You won't kill him again!" Tanjiro said, his voice shaking with rage. "I won't let you hurt him, or anyone here!"
"And you have to face all of us!" Ash added.
"Just because you succeeded previously, it doesn't guarantee the chances of victory, Muzan is nothing but a coward who never plays fair, I realize it now because your previous self was sent after Enmu was killed along with the destroyed Mugen Train!" Aidan firmly said, willing to protect Rengoku.
"Even if I died, I made my choice to protect the people on the train, even if Tanjiro isn't a Hashira he is at the level of one!" Rengoku added.
"What if Lord Muzan never plays fair, everything that the Upper Moons see, Lord Muzan can see you all and he always finishes unfinished business!" Dark Akaza explained the reason why Muzan sent the Upper Moon 3.
"It doesn't matter if Muzan is playing fair or not!" Tanjiro said with determination. "We will do whatever it takes to defeat him, no matter the cost!"
"My weaker self underestimates you, the previous Akaza was weaker, but now I won't make the same mistake because if I don't have human memories that will make me stronger than my original weakling self who lost because of his past!" Dark Akaza said.
"No one of you haven't arrived this far, however, somehow or another all you will end up dying here!" Revlis said.
"Human emotions and memories may seem like a weakness to you, but they're the source of strength." Tanjiro retorted. "You lack the very thing that makes us strong, and that's why you'll fall again."
"Muzan lost his sense of reason, you are just a puppet to him, his idea of immortality instead of human memories makes Muzan insane, and even killing our families is another proof of his insanity!" Leo said firmly to Dark Akaza.
"Your past self was really harder to defeat but we succeeded despite the huge difference in power and experience. Seeing Rengoku revived is a gift and therefore I cannot let Muzan keep living like a parasite in this living world!" Caleb added.
"It's ironic." Tanjiro says. "Muzan seeks immortality to become a god, but the process of obtaining that immortality has made him lose his humanity and sanity."
"I won't let you insult Lord Muzan, I was weakling before, he granted me the power that I desired to be stronger, he gave me what I really wanted!" Dark Akaza retorted.
"You call yourself stronger now, but you are a mere shell, nothing more!" Tanjiro replied with a hard edge in his voice. "You're nothing but a puppet to Muzan, serving his dark ambitions like a mindless servant!"
"Let the best warrior win!" Dark Akaza as he got ready to fight.
"Agreed!" Tanjiro said, his grip tightening on his katana. "I'll make you regret underestimating us, even if I have to cut through you a hundred times!"
"This time we will crush you all here and now how all your hopes disappear!" Revlis said.
*13th Dilemma (Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Remix)*
-Former and Replacement Upper Moons 3, Dark Akaza and Revlis-
As Dark Akaza advanced, Tanjiro dodges his punch, uses the Hinokami Kagura: Fire Wheel on the dark clone demon, and, with considerable effort, severs the Upper Rank's arm, Tanjiro tries to recover, Dark Akaza attempts to behead Tanjiro with a back-fist punch but Caleb quickly casted Protecga and followed by performing Sonic Blade while allowing Tanjiro to perform Hinokami Kagura: Fake Rainbow, managing to create a long cut on Dark Akaza's face.
Now with Revlis, he attacks with the Bloody Slash and Bloody Fists but they dodge, Pikachu attacks by using Electro Web, Latios using Dragon Pulse, DoruGreymon used Flash Cannon, Lucario using Aura Sphere, Charizard using Flamethrower, Marshadow using Shadow Punch, Sceptile using Leaf Blade, Greninja using Water Shuriken, Noctowl using Psychic, Greninja using Water Shuriken and Krookodile using Scorching Sands clearly cornering Revlis as he was having a huge disadvantage against Ash's Pokémon who then retaliated by firing Bloody Fireballs and Blood-Crystalled Snowflakes but BeoWolfmon swung his blade to block the enemy attacks and then attacked by using Frozen Hunter, Loweemon used Shadow Meteor and Aldamon used Atomic Inferno.
"My turn! Articuno, use Triple Axel, follow by using Icy Wind and Hurricane!" Ace the Ice Hero commanded and his Articuno used said moves to hit Revlis.
Then WereGarurumon used Double Kick, Lillymon used Tropical Kick, Zudomon used Stone Edge by slamming his hammer and unleashing sharpened stalagmites, Paildramon used Pin Missile, Silphymon used Aerial Ace to punch Revlis several times, Andromon used Charge Beam, MarineAngemon used Scald and Lilamon used Pollen Puff, the Digidestined who have Keyblades used their usual skills against Revlis.
Now back against Dark Akaza, Giyu entered the fight and performed the Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance, Dark Akaza retaliated by using his Destructive Death: Disorder, a flurry of punches that produce giant shockwaves, which Giyu negates using his own creation, Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm and hit Dark Akaza, Sora's Oshawott used Razor Shell and Riku's Litten used Fire Fang, Sora and Riku used Blizzard Raid, Leo used his sword to slash Dark Akaza, RizeGreymon used Powerful Flame, WarGrowlmon used Radiation Blade, Beelzemon used Double Impact, Kirby swung his mallet twice in the air, Meta Knight fired sword beams from the Galaxia, Goku used Kamehameha, Luffy used Gum-Gum Gatling Gun, Toriko attacked by singing his fork, Kurapika used Dowsing Chain, and Yami summon Black Magician and Black Magician Girl to attack, followed by Tanjiro tries attacking from behind using the Hinokami Kagura: Raging Sun, Dark Akaza appears from behind and attempts a backhand chop, but Giyu cuts his attacking hand with the Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel. As Giyu attacks the Upper Rank, Tanjiro tries to trip Dark Akaza by using the Hinokami Kagura: Flame Dance on his legs; however, he is countered by his Destructive Death: Leg Type, Crown Splitter but before he could hit Tanjiro, Tetsu appeared in front of Dark Akaza by using his shield which managed to return the attack back at the Dark Clone demon, followed by Aidan and Rengoku performing Third Form: Blazing Universe.
"I'm so excited for this battle, if you could be demons like me we could do this forever!" Dark Akaza gloated.
"I'd rather finish this battle!" Seth spatted back.
Then Crescemon used Triple Axel and followed by Flaremon using Blaze Kicked, Seth unleashed Twilight Energy Blades and Aria performed Axe Raid, but then Revlis charged energy before unleashing bloodish flames which pushed everyone back.
*Ends*
However, Seth kept fighting as he and Dark Akaza jumped back and landed at the right side of Revlis, and then a reddish blood projection of Muzan's face appeared.
"There was a time when I trusted you to deal with traitors. And now, your betrayal outstrips them all. What final words do you have for your superior?" Muzan angrily asked Seth.
"I just was misguided and lost by the shadows of my past, only I'm a double agent to search for hints about your goals, why so obsessed to become a perfect being, even your fear towards the man with the Hanafuda earrings, but you were never my superior!" Seth boldly explained to Muzan.
"No matter what side you're on, you are only betraying yourself, you're always going to lose." Muzan told Seth.
"There is an advantage to losing, one learns from mistakes!" Seth managed to get up while still speaking to Muzan.
The group watches in awe as Seth boldly confronts Muzan, a mixture of surprise and admiration in their eyes, Tanjiro listens, the tension thick in the air, his focus on the battle and Muzan's words.
"If you want this, then so be it! Dark Akaza, Revlis, kill him!" Muzan said and his projection disappeared as Dark Akaza and Revlis lunged to attack Seth and Flaremon who kept dodging.
Tanjiro watches intently, his grip on his katana unwavering, waiting for the right time to step in and support Seth and Flaremon as they continue dodging.
"Why do you insist on protecting the weak so much!?" Dark Akaza asked Seth.
"I barely lost two ones that I care deeply for, this is why I'm determined to protect them but not desperate! That was why I trained night and day to become stronger before arriving here! I won't let that mega imbecile Muzan take away everything that is precious to us!" Seth explained as he and Flaremon kept fighting against Dark Akaza and Revlis despite his anxiety, feeling like he lost Shinobu, however she was teleported far away from Infinity Castle.
"I can see much despair in your eyes' partner!" Revlis said as he was fighting against Flaremon.
Tanjiro listens, his thoughts consumed by the struggle unfolding before him. He understands Seth's words and feels a deep connection to his desire to protect others. Seeing how he fights despite his anxiety only strengthens Tanjiro's admiration for him.
"Me and Aria lost our parents, not by the demons, therefore I refuse to let go my little sister Aria and my girlfriend Shinobu and I'll do everything to keep them alive in the living world even at the cost of my own life!" Seth yelled as he kept fighting.
They continued watching the Duo of Redemption fighting against Dark Akaza and Revlis.
"I can understand my brother's determination, despite his anxiety, I can feel like if he lost Shinobu at hands of Doma, even if she was saved from a fate worse than death by being absorbed by the Upper Moon 2, he still haunted by said experience, I know that because when Shinobu was injured I lost control of my movements to protect her and I was mortally injured and barely absorbed..." Aria said with a mix of guilt and concern, even feeling like an idiot when she interfered in Shinobu's decision to be the sacrifice by being absorbed by Doma but to weaken the demon due the wisteria inside her body.
Tanjiro glances at Aria, hearing her words and the guilt and concern in her voice. He nods in understanding, still watching the ongoing battle between Seth and Dark Akaza.
"Even so, I felt like an idiot because my brother is upset by the fact of barely losing Shinobu and me...!" Aria said as she was breathing hard as she couldn't get off the images of Shinobu being mortally injured during the battle against Doma even if Shinobu had planned to be absorbed by Doma to weaken him but Tanjiro listens to Aria's words, his expression softening with a hint of understanding.
"It's okay, Aria." He said gently. "Your brother is strong, and I'm sure he knows you had good intentions to protect Shinobu. Sometimes we make decisions in the heat of the moment, even if they seem foolish later on."
"But what about when Seth said when he wanted to die to reunite with Shinobu if she had died, that was also my fault...!" Aria fearfully said but then Tanjiro frowned at Aria's words, concern etched on his face.
"He was grieving, and people say things they might not mean when they're hurting." Tanjiro said gently. "Your guilt is understandable, but you can't blame yourself for his words."
"It's just that I wished to help more even beyond my limits, unless to avoid the injuries of our allies but in exchange of that I only hurt myself...!" Aria said as she recalled when she got wounds greater than Shinobu's and even being on the verge of death..
"Aria." Tanjiro says, his voice gentle but firm. "We all want to protect our loved ones, and we'll do anything for them. But it's important not to harm ourselves in the process. The guilt is something to feel, but you can't change what's already happened. Your selflessness and love are admirable, but it's also okay to take care of yourself and not go beyond your limits."
"Tanjiro is right, sometimes we got desperate in situations like this, even we could get mental breakdowns, haunting experiences like this ones and even having different perspectives on the present as if they were alternate futures, Shinobu tried to protect you, even if she didn't survive, but right now she is far away from the deadly battle and she doesn't want to see you like this!" Caleb said to his girlfriend and Tanjiro listens to Caleb's words, agreeing with his sentiments.
"Protecting others can be a huge burden, but your loved ones don't want to see you suffer or blame yourself." Tanjiro said softly. "Shinobu doesn't want you to blame yourself for her actions. She's strong, and she wants you to be strong and take care of yourself too."
"Shinobu is like a sister to me, therefore I didn't want to lose her, even to be with her in the afterlife..." Aria said with regret and fear not wanting to lose her and Tanjiro nodded, understanding Aria's feelings of connection to Shinobu and gently placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It's natural to want to protect those you love from harm." He said. "Shinobu is a strong and resilient person, and she has gone through battles in the past. She's fighting just as hard as you are, and she wants you to focus on your own safety as well."
"I felt terribly sad when Rengoku has died, however you and Keith searched for Akaza untiringly and defeated the Upper Moon 3, then Keith with his Primal Power revived Rengoku along with Makomo and Sabito, and then your family was the next one, it was a gift that you won it after defeating an Upper Moon, you won a chance to see your loved ones again." Aidan explained to Tanjiro and he nodded, a mix of gratitude and sadness in his eyes.
"Yeah, seeing my family back was a gift." Tanjiro murmured, his voice filled with a mixture of emotions. "But it also showed me how fragile life is, and how precious our time together is."
"Seeing Rengoku revived was a gift for me, because his Flame Breathing and his passion reflects a lot of my personality." Aidan added with a few tears when he remembered the day when he met Rengoku.
"I haven't thanked yet Keith for reviving my first friend Sabito, also I was surprised when he met Makomo in the afterlife and now was revived, only would remain to see my sister Tsutako revived, however it will be better to see her revived after Muzan is gone, for her it will be like waking up from a nightmare." Giyu explained.
Tanjiro listened to Giyu's words, a mix of admiration and gratitude in his expression.
"It's a miracle to see our loved ones revived." Tanjiro said. "It gives us hope and strength to keep fighting, to make sure Muzan can't take that away from us again."
"Only I know one weakness that Dark Akaza had, me!" Aria said and we looked surprised at her. "Only he fought against you all, but when I faced him all he did was avoid hitting me, like if he only killed men and not women or other girls like me."
Tanjiro's brow furrows at Aria's revelation.
"That's strange." He remarked. "Dark Akaza avoiding attacking you seems odd, even considering his twisted nature. Maybe he has some twisted sense of morality, even as a demon, or a personal reason for sparing you."
"Clearly the Dark Clone demons, despite lacking heart and soul, are even twice as strong as the originals, even if they have no memories from their human lives, they have a part which hints a past from their human lives." Tetsu explained, referring to the part where Dark Akaza doesn't harm women and Tanjiro nodded, listening carefully to Tetsu's explanation.
"So." Tanjiro considered. "There's a part of their humanity still lingering, even in the dark clone form. It seems they may not be entirely mindless, but still influenced by their past selves."
"In the same way when Rui wanted to take Nezuko forcefully away from you to make her his own sister, but he was trying to recover his human memories before Muzan turned Rui into a dark clone and erased his human memories." Caleb added and spoke to Tanjiro who listened, a mix of understanding and sympathy in his expression.
"So it's possible that these dark clones possess remnants of their human memories but they can't recall them fully." Tanjiro concluded. "They might still be clinging onto some shreds of their past, even in their corrupted state."
"In other words, every memory is linked, even if Muzan erased the memories of the dark clone demons, their memories are eternal, something that Muzan will never be able to see because he is obsessed with immortality which he believes is eternal." Caleb said and Tanjiro nodded, a flicker of resentment in his eyes at the mention of Muzan.
"You're right." Tanjiro said. "Muzan's pursuit of immortality blinds him to the true strength of human memories and emotions. He'll never understand what makes us truly human."
"Muzan is no longer human, all that is left of him is a god-wannabe, a walking corpse without soul and heart." Leo said.
"That's exactly how it is." Tanjiro agrees. "Muzan has lost all traces of humanity, and what's left is a monster without a soul or compassion."
"It is time!" Caleb said before entering but only to be kicked back by Revlis, and pushed back.
But suddenly, four blurs of light appeared before landing in the floor, which revealed to be a 12 years old boy with white skin, blue purplish hair (bowl-styled like the one of Rokuta Kamado) and dark blue eyes, he is wearing light blue shirt, dark blue short, white socks and black sneakers with white soles, however his sneakers were emitting watery energy just like his gloves, and a 12 years old girl with white skin, fuschia short hair and dark blue eyes, he is wearing a dark blue overall dress with a short-sleeved purple undershirt, pink socks and white sneakers, and she was wielding a special staff which was emitting stars circling around the staff's top, also they were in company of Herissmon and Hackmon.
"Rei, Ila, Herissmon, Hackmon…" Caleb said in surprise.
*Hearts as One (Kingdom Hearts 3)*
"Hands off from our cousin!" The boy named Rei said.
"Who are they?" Tanjiro asked.
"My cousin twins, Rei and Ila with their Digimon partners Herissmon and Hackmon." Caleb said.
"I see." Tanjiro said before asking the two cousins and two Digimon. "Are you four here to help?"
"Yes, I never left my family and friends behind!" Rei said, showing his loyalty.
"I always find a way to defeat the enemies!" Ila added.
Then the group managed to recover themselves, Giyu remembered the time when he was younger, the moment where his sister Tsutako sacrificed herself to protect him from the demons, the memory where he was saved by Urokodaki and also befriending Sabito, the moment where he was slapped by Sabito it was to encouraging to keep living no matter what and never die, then in the present watery tattooed marks appeared on Giyu's left cheek.
"Now let's see our hearts ablaze!" Rengoku said and then flaming red tattooed marks appeared in the lower part of his cheeks.
"Rengoku and Giyu awakened their marks!" Tanjiro said.
"Now Digivolve!" Rei and Ila said while holding their Digivices.
Herissmon Digivolve to… Stefilmon!
Hackmon Digivolve to… SaviorHuckmon!
"Now let's keep fighting!" Seth said.
During the battle, Giyu and Rengoku performed their breathing skills, water and flame respectively, which became stronger and faster that Dark Akaza wasn't having enough time to dodge, now with Stefilmon and SaviorHuckmon it was very difficult for Revlis to equal their levels, their teamwork was overpowering the two demons, during the battle Rei emitted watery blades from his gloves as he slashed Dark Akaza several times and followed by firing multiple homing bubble shots which hit Dark Akaza while Ila casted multiple shooting and colorful stars which hit Revlis multiple times.
"We got this!" Ash said and then Greninja become Ash-Greninja while his trainer used the Key Stone to make Charizard Mega Evolve to Mega Charizard X.
Then Ash-Greninja used Hydro Pump while Mega Charizard X used Fire Blast with both attacks hitting Revlis, followed by Latios using Draco Meteor, Marshadow used Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike and Pikachu used Best Buds 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt while Caleb with his shiny Mew used Master of Balance Genesis Supernova with both attacks hitting Revlis and for finishing touch, Caleb and Sora used Lightspeed Flowmotion with both of them beheading Revlis as his head fell to the ground and now back with Rengoku, Aidan, Giyu, Tanjiro, Rei and Leo, they were coordinating their attacks against Dark Akaza.
"I got this!" Leo said as he summoned a lion made of star energy which managed to pin Dark Akaza by using the claws. "Now!"
"Flame Breathing Ninth Form: Rengoku!" Rengoku shouted as he performed his skill.
"I follow you! Flame Breathing Ninth Form: Adler!" Aidan shouted as he performed the skill as Rengoku with both of their swords landing on Dark Akaza's neck.
"This is your chance, Tanjiro!" Tetsu shouted.
"On it!" Tanjiro said before jumping behind Dark Akaza. "Hinokami Kagura: Setting Sun Transformation!"
And then as they swung their swords, Dark Akaza was finally decapitated.
*Ends*
Dark Akaza tried to reattach his head but Giyu throwed his katana piercing Dark Akaza's head and separating it from his body, Dark Akaza's body tried to move and attack but then Caleb ran and punched Dark Akaza making him to stop and just in case Aria and Ila stood in front of Dark Akaza who finally stopped.
"But how!? I have no human memories! I was supposed to be stronger!" Revlis said in disbelief.
"That's the problem, you proclaim yourself to be the strongest but without human emotions of memories you feel nothing, I won because I have a strong willpower, winning or losing it doesn't matter, that's why Azelf chose me." Ash explained.
"So, that's why…" Revlis said before closing his eyes and accepting his demise.
"I didn't wait for that…!" A stunned Dark Akaza said as his head was slowly disappearing.
"It's over." Tanjiro said.
"I was waiting to win this one, Lord Muzan told me that not having human memories will make me stronger…!" Dark Akaza said said.
"He was wrong…!" Tanjiro retorted firmly. "Human memories and emotions are what gives us strength, not the lack of them!"
"You're right, all this time I was a weakling...!" Dark Akaza admitted tearfully. "I failed to protect a woman because I was weak, that's why I didn't kill and devour girls and women...!"
"Koyuki... That's her name, your deceased fiance, even she told your original self to stop fighting, even if she is dead she had to stop your torment..." Caleb told Dark Akaza.
Tanjiro listens to Dark Akaza's tearful admission, a mix of sympathy and understanding in his expression. He can't help but feel a flicker of compassion for the demon despite its past cruelty. Caleb's mention of Dark Akaza's deceased fiancé, Koyuki, further humanizes the demon, revealing a glimpse of the person he once was.
"I was weakling, I couldn't protect Koyuki, then Muzan used my failure and turned into hatred towards the weak... I thought becoming a demon would make me stronger but I wasn't able to find peace and satisfaction!" Dark Akaza continued explaining part of his past with frustration and then Tanjiro approached the head of Dark Akaza.
"You couldn't find your peace because you were driven by hatred and a desire for power." Tanjiro says softly, his voice almost apologetic. "You lost yourself along the way, but it doesn't have to be your fate forever."
"I can understand your loss, I also lost my mother, even if life strikes you hard, you must keep going and therefore I forgive you." Rengoku told to Dark Akaza.
"You can go to heaven if you want, there you can find the peace you wish." Caleb told to Dark Akaza.
"Thank you, but I understood that going to hell without fear is the only way to atone my sins. I'll see you on the other side, Koyuki." Dark Akaza said before closing his eyes with a faint smile and then Dark Akaza disappeared completely, then Giyu grabbed his katana and at the same time the Demon Slayer Marks from Giyu and Rengoku disappeared.
Tanjiro falls silent as they watch Dark Akaza's head disappear. He can't help but feel a mixture of sympathy and sorrow for the demon, knowing he was driven by pain and desperation. He knows that forgiveness doesn't erase the past, but he hopes that Akaza finds peace in the afterlife.
In another part, an Arwing was flying above the fortress and then a male anthropomorphic Gray Wolf-Fox hybrid with dark blondish brown hair and blue eyes, mostly a standard build in terms of body shape. (Note he has a human form), he wears an outfit based around Fox's appearance from Star Fox Assault and Samus' Zero Suit which also doubles as his pilot suit and landed in the ground before using a communicator.
"This is Matt Sterling." He said.
"Matt, what's up?" Falco asked.
"What is this place?" Matt Sterling asked.
"The Infinity Castle of Muzan Kibutsuji." Fox said.
"Clearly he wants to see us all dead." Falco said.
"Help is here, Matt Sterling out." He said before deactivating the communicator but then he saw a new group, Ky with his Pikachu named Stormy, Lucky the white yoshi, Elena, Pax, Griff, Nex, Noel with her Eevee named Grace, Ken, Luka and Rubyna. "You too are here?"
"Yeah." Ky said.
"We have a common enemy." Nex said, referring to Muzan.
"And we must stop him before it is too late." Noel said.
The newcomers watched their surroundings, being ready to stop Muzan Kibutsuji.