Pandora gasps looking at Michael's new transformation with horror, grasping at her heart. "Michael… no… I didn't… want this," She mutters looking up at Lucifer as tears flow from her face, seeing him staring blankly at the arena. "Lucifer… are you okay?"

Lucifer tightly grips his cane. "I am fine. I am perfectly… fine. I knew this day would come," He says Pandora noticing the ground cracking as he pushes his cane into the floor just a little. "The cruel and selfish nature of humanity would eventually clash with Michael's… unknowable superiority complex. Seeing yourself as the ruler of a people who do not want to be ruled… it was never going to end well."

Pandora snorts a little as she wipes her tears. "I'm sorry… I didn't want this to happen."

"Then what DID you expect, exactly?"

Pandora gulps, clearly noticing how much Lucifer is suppressing himself. "I guess I hoped… Edward would give Michael a swift and painless death… I never expected anything like this."

Lucifer looks down at her, his demonic eye blazing on the inside. "Good. Now don't look away. This… is the final stage."

Pandora looks back to the arena, clenching her hands together.

Humanity is stunned as they look at Michael's new form. Demonic, but not monstrous. Holy, but not just. He is… gray. "..." The silence is deafening as the only noise echoing through the arena is the splintering wood from Blackbeard's ship.

"What… have you done?" He asks his voice having a demonic echo behind it. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?" He yells, his eyes flowing with tears of blood. He springs off the bow, clenching his fist and the black liquid from his wing flows into his grasp, forming an ornate blade, seemingly hardening as it forms. WING OF THE REJECTED ANGEL! "LOOK AT WHAT YOU'VE DONE! EDWAAAAARD!" He swings the sword down onto Blackbeard. who deflects the wild swing with ease, spinning and striking Michael with the handle of his cutlass, smirking down as he stumbles onto his knees, dropping the blade and it disintegrates back into his wings.

"Yeah? Ya got a problem with me, then that's on you!" He aims his flintlock at Michael. "I just wanna kill ya for good. I've killed ya TWICE and ya just won't stay DEAD!"

Michael ducks right as Blackbeard pulls the trigger, shooting to his feet and headbutting the pistol out of Blackbeard's hand, grabbing his sword-holding wrist and shoulder, glaring at him. "Look at me! LOOK WHAT YOU DID! Are you satisfied now!? Dragging me down to YOUR level!"

Blackbeard just smirks throwing his head back and SLAMMING it into Michael, making the angel stumble back. "Ha! My level!? I thought all human life matters! Yet you don't treat it equally!?" He slices at Michael. "You're a MESS! So shut up and DIE!" He stabs at Michael who dodges to the side, gripping for his sword again, making it appear in his hand and he slashes at Blackbeard in a frenzy.

"Please! There's still time! I can do better! I will recover! I can… I can- I can do it… I will do it!" He desperately swings at Blackbeard who swiftly reverts back to his youthful form, to improve his reaction speed and flexibility, dodging with ease as he leaps back onto a barrel near the middle mast. Michael charges at him, crying tears of blood, which seem to flow down his arm in unnatural patterns, being added to the red and black blade he carries. "This is all your fault! You cannot claim innocence! You MONSTER! I will NEVER be like you!"

Blackbeard smirks as he presses his arm against the mast, aging himself up to his oldest form, His Black Heart flowing into the mast and up the entire thing in mere moments, as he blocks the blade with his cutlass. "Nay. You ain't EVER gonna be free Michael! When ya own damn mind is a prison!" He says as the sail blackens and the ropes holding it suddenly shoots down at Michael, grabbing hold of him. The deck is slowly filling with water and Blackbeard smirks, before grabbing a rope, forcing it to yank him into the air, tossing Michael up with him. Mid-air he switches to his young form, landing a perfect spin-kick on the angel, sending him tumbling along the gallant. Michael manages to cling on and he climbs up as Blackbeard stands on the opposite end. "Kyahaha! Bring it on then, Black Fairy!"

Michael's eye twitches. Suddenly the cloth on his back fluffs and shakes before it is ripped apart, a second wing shooting out of his back! This one is different. Sharper, more formed. Feathers of deep red metal dripping with red blood. WING OF THE WRATHFUL ANGEL! "GRAAAAAAAAAH!" He pants as he holds out his hand, the black blade forming from his Rejected Wing, the metal shards from his Wrathful Wing blasting off to attach to it, making it stronger and sharper than before. "Edward… I can still beat you… But please surrender… I know I can still do this!"

Blackbeard smirks as he re-enters his Prime form. "I'd love to see you TRY!" He runs forward, Michael gritting his teeth and doing the same, the two clashing blades in the middle, Blackbeard's cutlass enhancing itself to nearly match Michael's.

Icarus steps forward, past Ra who raises an eyebrow. "MICHAEL! I believe in you!" He yells as Ra scoffs.

"Quiet with you. We already know the victor of this match."

"You might not care what happens to Michael after this, but I do! MICHAEL! Don't fall into that place!"

However his words fall of deaf ears as Michael pushes against the pirate. "You're inhuman…"

"Says the black angel with a wing of blood!" He pushes Michael back, gripping his blade with both hands, kicking at Michael, His Black Heart flowing into his boot, letting it bounce off Michael's blade, continuing his spin into a double-handed swing. Michael grits his teeth as he narrowly avoids the slash, flicking his free hand, causing the Wrathful Wing to launch its shards at his opponent, Blackbeard switching to his youthful form, for a swift and precise acrobatic dodge, switching his his old form as he lands, coating his blade in His Black Heart and slashing back, sending slashes of black energy through the air, Michael pointing his blade forward, causing the black goo inside of it to blast out and form a shield.

Michael grits his teeth, panting. "Why? How can a man… be like you!?" He mutters before suddenly seeing Prime Blackbeard leaping over his shield of goo.

"How the HELL would I know!? I'm just ME!" He slashes at Michael, pushing him further and further back with relentless slashes. As they pass the middle point of the mast Michael jumps back, swinging his Sorrowful Wing and a splatter hits Blackbeard's arm, sticking it to the mast they were passing, Blackbeard gritting his teeth as he tries to pull away.

"I don't want to kill you. I really don't! Please don't force my hand!" He pleads through gritted teeth.

Blackbeard laughs. "HA! You're a fuckin' TERRIBLE liar! Force your hand!? You're lookin' for an EXCUSE!" He yells dropping his sword which is in his stuck hand, grabbing it with his other and suddenly, without hesitation he SLAMS his blade into his stuck arm, cutting it off in one clean strike, rushing forward. "You wanna end this fight there's TWO WAYS! I kill you! OR YOU KILL ME!" He yells swinging his blade wildly once again.

Michael's eyes are wide with surprise, seeing his opponent so casually cutting off his own arm! Instead of making an excuse like 'I can't move because I'm stuck' he instead just FORCED reality to let him move again. Even at such a heavy cost! Is there NOTHING that can stop this man!? He keeps blocking strike after strike from the pirate, panting as he looks around for something. ANYTHING! His back is approaching the end of the gallant, the water rapidly approaching. "I don't- I can't- I can't!"

"THEN DIE!" Blackbeard leaps into the air, His Black Heart enhancing the blade into a giant cleaver.

Michael's eyes suddenly shoot open. "I DON'T DESERVE TO DIE!" He yells out.

Icarus steps past Ra. "MICHAAAAAAEL!" He yells out as suddenly silence falls upon the arena, save for the sound of metal through flesh.

Pandora holds her hands in front of her mouth, looking at the sinking ship. Michael, standing with his arm extended, his blade piercing straight through Blackbeard's stomach, the blade having grown into a grotesque spiked MESS of the black goo and red shards. "NOOOOOO!" She yells out. Lucifer closing his eyes and lowering his head.

Icarus calls out again. "NO! MICHAEL! MICHAEL! HE LEFT YOU NO CHOICE!" He yells out, Ra glaring Icarus in the back.

Michael's eyes fill with bloody tears looking at Blackbeard who drops his cutlass into the water. However the pirate smirks and takes a final swing, weakly punching Michael in the cheek, before spitting at him as his body starts to fade. "When you die, whatever comes next, I'll be there. Waiting. And I'll fucking win next time! Until then… Welcome to the real world… Executioner…" He mutters before laughing, a booming laughter filling the arena even long after his being has faded into dust.

Michael falls to his knees as the blade fades back into his wings. "No. No no no… I'm not… a monster… please," He looks back at Humanity seeing nothing but eyes of disgust and disappointment. Mothers shielding the eyes of their children. He glances back at Heaven's side who cheer loudly.

"YEAH! Go Michael! Finally killed that bastard!" "Knew you weren't some man-loving BITCH!"

Michael trembles as he grabs his head, shielding his ears. "Shut up… shut up all of you. This isn't… what I wanted. This isn't right!"

Heimdall comes over the speakers. "With this the sixth round of Ragnarok is OVER! We have our winner!"

"No… I'm no winner…" Michael mutters. "I'm a failure. You humans… why? Why… why?" He looks up to them, his brows furrowing as he stands. "Was I not… good enough? Is that what this is?" He takes a single step forward across the gallant of Blackbeard's ship as it is still sinking, though the water is slowly being drained from the arena. "I wasn't good enough for you… and now a man is dead. This is YOUR FAULT! I'M NOT THE FAILURE! I AM A GOOD PERSON! YOU'RE THE UNDESERVING ONES!" He raises his hand to form his blade.

Pandora gasps seeing Michael losing it. Lucifer suddenly shoves her aside, picking up his cane, the orb in the snake's mouth dislodging itself into the air and Lucifer HAMMERS it with his cane, before springing after it. The sphere strikes Michael dead in the head, causing him to fall, Lucifer catching him before he hits the deck. "... I wish this had ended differently, Michael," He manages to get out, the sphere flying back into his cane as he carries Michael out.

Heimdall gulps. "S-sorry about that folks. I will now announce the winner! The winner of the sixth round in Humanity's Struggle against the gods, Ragnarok is MICHAEL! THE ARCHANGEL!"

Michael vs Blackbeard

Match length: 10 minutes and 13 seconds

Deciding move: Blade of Rejection and Wrath

Victor: Michael

Icarus grits his teeth. "No this… this isn't right!"

Ra scoffs. "Raise your voice like that again… so close to my ear and it will not end well for you, worm."

"You sent Michael KNOWING that might happen!?"

"Hmpf. I was counting on it. Michael's plan was foolish and idiotic. Allow humanity to live? He is ridiculous."

Icarus' eyes widen as he steps closer. "What do you mean!? Don't tell me… even IF his opponent surrendered?!"

Osiris laughs. "Of course we would not agree to such a foolish plan. The gods giving up part of OUR Heaven for you insects? Best case, it's an easy win for us. Worst case… well there is no way Michael would lose. Either way we got even."

Ra smirks as he stands. "Not only that… but we took away those insects symbol of hope. Now let us prepare for the next match. Oh and Icarus…"

Icarus grits his teeth. "Yeah?"

"I would like you to go to your hole… your presence stains my spirit," He says walking out of the arena.

Icarus grinds his teeth. "U-unbelievable…" He looks up at Pandora who is heaving and sobbing over the railing, trembling heavily. He looks down seeing her walk off. "This is… messed up."

-At the Jade Palace-

Yu Huang sits in his viewing chamber, leaned forward, nervously tapping his foot as he has been doing for the entire fight. "No… this is…"

"MICHAEL!" An angel bawls out as the room is filled with angels, all bawling their eyes out. "Michael. This is awful!" "Please! Turn it off!" "I cannot bear to watch!"

Yu Huang takes a deep breath. "Hear me… angels. Do not cry because an angel has fallen. Do not avert your eyes at this horrid event. Turn your eyes upwards… and remember the angel that was. The Michael we lost today. Rejoice… for that man… is still Michael."

"But sir… he has fallen. Is this not the same as with Lucifer?"

Yu Huang nods. "It is quite the same as Samael. Please. Be so kind as to leave me be. Mourn how you wish. Something great was lost here today," The angels comfort each other as they walk out, leaving Yu Huang anxiously tipping on the couch until the door shuts.

A few minutes later Yu Huang exits the room as well, calm as ever. "I will be going to the arena once more," He states and the angels all nod as he heads out. One takes a peek back into the room, his eyes widening. The room is completely destroyed, like there was an explosion in the middle, a green mist-like substance steaming off of various dragon-shaped indents in the walls.

-Gods' infirmary-

Soon after, Michael wakes up in the divine infirmary with a shock. "Kah!" He sits up with a shock and sees Lucifer sitting next to him. "Lucifer! I thought I told you I never wanted to see you again!" He angrily says.

Lucifer blinks a few times, looking neutral as always. "I'm sorry it had to be this way, Michael. But now you too have seen what happens to those of us who try to help humans too much. Now I believe you owe me an apology."

"I owe YOU an apology!? Do not be ridiculous! I…" Michael looks down at his hands seeing the demonic skin spreading across him. He clenches his fists. "I… I'm sorry, Lucifer. I was blinded by my desires. To help. To lead. To guide. I did not see that humanity are not the kind of people who takes well to outsiders… no matter how good their intentions."

Lucifer nods. "It is their best quality. I'm sorry to see you like this, brother."

Michael clenches his fists. "I… I still wish to guide them from on high. I still wish to be their… their god. Does that make me a bad person?" Michael's eyes begin to well up again. "I just… want to help. I want them to listen…" Lucifer leans forward gently pushing Michael against his chest, Michael gripping his tuxedo, getting it bloody with his crimson tears.

"I know, brother. I know. It will be alright. That much I know."

-Heaven fighters' hallway-

Icarus gets into the room he was assigned on the side of the gods… it is barren with only a few simple stone-carved pieces of furniture, but quite expansive front to back, side to side, and even up and down. "Michael… I couldn't do… anything. I tried to stop her… why wouldn't she just listen to you. Even if we lost a round! We would still have you…" He hits the wall angrily, shaking his fist. "Ow… damn you, Pandora… why'd you HAVE to do it? Just… be good for once!" Suddenly his door FLIES open and he spins on his heel. "Is it my turn? I'm…. ready…" He trails off seeing who enters.

The giant god of the forge ducks heavily, gripping the top of the door as he steps into the room. "Pardon the intrusion, Icarus," He says setting down his gigantic hammer. "I have matters to settle with you, boy."

Icarus grits his teeth. "Hephaestus."