Now, I've already said this in the previous chapter. But for those who skipped right to this chapter, allow me to address an issue.
A lot of you reading this story are more than likely having issues accessing certain chapters. This is not exclusive to my story. This is a problem that pops up in quite a few stories, where some chapters just won't pop up due to an "outdated url". If you get this message, just try again on occasion, and you'll get lucky and FanFiction will allow you read the chapter.
If this problem persists, then I may consider moving this story to Archive of Our Own... after I figure out how to post there.
Anyway, onto Shido and Maria's decisive battle against Marina!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Date a Live.
Third POV:
"Basic Realizer controls have been seized. Activation of main cannon, complete. The target... Well, that'll do for now." Marina says to herself as she prepares to fire Fraxinus' main cannon. "I will fulfill the task I was given. Then, I'll have him teach me everything I've yet to learn! That is my and one only... wish?" Her voice trails off with a frown as an image off Shido pops up in her mind. "Why do I think of Shido Itsuka's face at a time like this? No! I don't need him!"
"Don't need who exactly?" She hears the voice of the person in question behind her and turns to see Shido and Maria walking forward.
"Oh, you're here already." Marina smiles. "Along with Maria, my copy."
"She's not a copy and you know it." Shido defends Maria.
"No matter what you say, it doesn't change the fact that she is a copy."
"To hell with that crap!" Shido exclaims, standing his ground. "Maria is Maria and Marina is Marina! Both of you exist here! It's not a matter of who's real or fake!"
The DEM-created AI glances at her counterpart, and then smiles. "Well, it is true that both she and I have a will, and there is no mistaking that our lives are separate." She seemingly admits. "I can acknowledge it if you want me to."
Maria gasps. "You will... acknowledge me?"
"That's right. Here, let's make up."
Marina holds her hand out as an invitation to Maria, and Shido looks at it with a frown, believing that Marina wouldn't so easily back down and acknowledge Maria existence. That's when it clicks in his head what Marina is planning. This is the trick Yoshino warned him about.
Seeing Maria about to grab Marina's hand, Shido quickly imbues Soul Steel with Metatron's power and unsheathes his sword with a slash, calling down a row of light blasts between the two AI Spirits and forcing them to back away from each other.
"Shido?!" Maria looks at the [Sealer], shocked by his actions. "What are you-"
"It's a trap, Maria." Shido tells her with a serious expression. "She was trying to trick you into giving up the rest of your authority."
Marina frowns in annoyance. "So, you saw right through that?"
"It was too obvious." Shido replies. 'And also because Yoshino warned me ahead of time.' He thinks the next part. Regardless, he walks in front of Maria, pointing Soul Steel at Marina. "Now you understand that I'm being serious here. If you're going to put both worlds in danger, then I will have to stop you!"
"Very well. Then I'll have to stop you as well!"
Her body glows a bright light, and her outfit changes as she enters her Artificial Spirit Form. Parts of her outfit opened up, revealing a lot of her cleavage as well as her stomach. Her sleeves and the skirt portion also look to be 'torn' revealing her arms and thighs, and there are wiring cables wrapped around her body.
"Once I defeat you, there'll be no escape in this world! You will disappear..." She starts laughing.
Shido sighs. "Oh Marina... To think that I gave you a cream bun a few nights ago."
Marina laughs. "So long as I exist in this realm, no one can challenge me! Face me with all you have if you wish, Shido! But your brilliance ends here!"
"Shido, please be careful!" Maria warns him with worry.
Marina attacks with several small lightning bolts, but Shido teleports with Metatron and dodges them all. "Oho! So, you can avoid my attacks? Well, let's see how long you can keep that up!" She fires more electricity at him, but Shido slashes them all with speed and precision that admittedly has the DEM AI Spirit impressed. After deflecting all the lightning, he charges forward and jumps towards her. "You're open!" Marina shouts, manipulating the wiring cables on her dress to attack him.
However, Shido quickly uses Raphael's wind to initiate a double jump, catapulting him higher into the air to avoid the cables. Marina looks up towards him and points her hand at him, sending the cables towards him as he sheathes his blade in a quick draw stance, then unsheathes it with a powerful slash, creating a shockwave of slashes that cut apart the wires. Marina braces herself as the shockwave hits her, small cuts appearing on her body, but quickly repairing due to her nature as an AI.
Shido then launches himself at Marina with another burst of wind. The DEM AI forms a barrier to protect herself, but Shido charges his power into fist instead and slams it into the shield, making it crack severely, shocking Marina with the strength of his Reiryoku-enhanced punch. That punch is quickly followed up by four ethereal energy swords forming around Shido, aiming at the area he punched and stabbing it in unison, causing the barrier to shatter and leaving the AI open as the [Sealer] twists his body perform a spin slash, striking Marina across the stomach and knocking her back.
Marina manages to land on her feet and looks at her wound, which is currently healing. Grunting at Shido, she raises an arm and causes pillars of purply energy to rise from the ground, forcing Shido to dodge back to Maria. "It seems I've underestimated your skills, Shido Itsuka." Marina says as her wound finishes healing. "Despite being a human, you're quite powerful, being able to use the power of the Spirits you seal alongside your own."
"You're not half bad, yourself." Shido returns the compliment. "Your dress almost caught me off-guard."
Shido knows that Marina's dress will make things difficult as the fight progresses, and there's no way the same trick is gonna work twice. He glances back at Maria, who looks at him with worry. If Marina has an Artificial Spirit Form, then Maria most likely has one as well, but he's not sure if she can access with most of her authority taken.
Unless... he could provide her with the Reiryoku to transform using the newly-created Path between, similar to what he did wit Nagisa-san.
"Maria, do you trust me?" Shido asks Maria.
The Ratatoskr AI nods. "Yes. I trust you, Shido."
That's all the confirmation Shido needs as he places his free hand on Maria's shoulder... and kisses, shocking both AI Spirits.
"Wh-What are you doing?!" Marina stutters, her face blushing with embarrassment and perhaps a bit of envy. "Why are you making out in the middle of a battle?!"
Maria is also blushing, having not expected Shido to suddenly kiss her like that. However, she soon feels power entering her as they kiss, and realizes that Shido is sharing his Reiryoku with her.
After receiving a sufficient amount of Reiryoku, Maria's body glows, and Shido parts from the kiss as the Ratatoskr AI transforms into her own Artificial Spirit Form. Her outfit takes a more futuristic approach, with pieces of white, blue and violet armor attached to it, along with a blue ring attached to her back, and blue extensions that end in crystal-shaped tips.
"What the...?" Marina gasps, shocked by the turn of events. "What did you just do?"
"Trade secret." Shido smirk as he prepares to resume the fight. "If you want to find you, you'll have to beat us both!"
Marina 'hmph's at the challenge. "Then I'll take you both on! I don't need backup!"
Maria resumes the fight by firing blue bolts of electricity at Marina, to which Marina retaliates by firing purple electric bolts. With her focus on her counterpart, Marina failed to notice Shido sneaking up behind her. "Mirage Edge!" Hearing Shido shout his skill, Marina's eyes widen as he turns to him, but is far too slow to react as Shido attacks her with a barrage of slashes so fast that he leaves afterimages behind. Maria quickly follows up by aiming her crystal tips at Marina, firing blue beams of energy right as Shido backs off to deal further damage.
Recovering from the tag team, Marina straightens up and laughs. "You're much stronger than I thought! Impressive for a human!"
Shido narrows his eyes in response. "You don't need to keep this up." He replies. "Why do you want to do this?!"
"Isn't it clear? I must destroy everything!" Marina exclaims. "This is all I can do. I cannot touch the real world."
"Because you're an AI stuck in a virtual world?"
"Exactly! I'm no different from Maria! Like her, I have no body in the real world! I'm just a lump of data."
Maria looks at her counterpart with surprise. "You only exist in this world, too?"
"That's right. Hence why I made a connection. Did I sympathize with you, or did I want a friend?" She's about to attack again, but then stops. "Huh? Why? I don't know... I don't know!"
"Are you losing control of your powers?" Shido asks. "Looks like you can't focus on the battle and maintain control over the Fraxinus at the same time."
"Quiet, Shido! I don't need you to look out for me!" Marina snaps at him, and then smirks. "Or perhaps you wish to stop me from using my powers, just like how you sealed those girls' powers for yourself."
Shido shakes his head. "Mind games aren't gonna work on me, Marina. I'm well aware of how my powers work. You could say I'm a hypocrite, saying I want to save the Spirits, and yet I take their powers and make them more vulnerable."
"So you admit your own hypocrisy. You want to seal the Spirits' powers, and yet you use them for your own gain when in battle. Well this time, you cannot deny my power. You could never negotiate a say in the first place!"
"And you think I'm just going to stand by and ignore someone who's in pain?"
Marina frowns. "In pain? Who is in pain?"
"You."
"So you want to save me? Just like you're trying to save Maria?"
Shido nods. "Exactly. We don't need to keep going at it like this."
"How can you save me? You know nothing about my birth into loneliness. This is the path laid before me. I'll destroy it all! Turn it into ash!"
"So you're feeling lonely... If that's how you're feeling, why won't you let me help you with that?"
Marina laughs. "You don't need to worry about me, or your own life! The end is nigh for everyone!"
"I won't let that happen!"
"Shido... please, leave us." Maria pleads with worry. "At this rate, you'll..."
"No need to worry about me." I say, my voice firm and unwavering. "I'm far stronger than you think."
Shido sheathes his blade into a quick draw stance once more and closes his eyes. "Soul Surge: Sandalphon..." He mutters, the orb turning purple as he draws all of Tohka's power and combines it with Pure Reiryoku. His aim is only one, to create an attack that could defeat Marina without killing her.
"Whatever you're planning, I won't allow it!" Marina tries to stop him by firing purple bolts of electricity, but Shido's power surges forth, the aura completely stopping her attack. "What?! This power...!" Marina gasps, unable to believe how powerful Shido truly is.
Maria looks at the [Sealer] with wide eyes, also shocked by Shido's power. "Is this the power that comes from his love with the Spirits?" She mutters.
"Cut the enemy from their power..." Shido mutters. With his Pure Reiryoku enhancing his Mana Detection, he can not only see Marina despite his eyes being closed, but also exactly where her power stems from, a glowing black-gold dot indicating his target. His eyes snap open and flash, and he moves so fast hat neither AI Spirits could see him, slashing through Marina right where the dot was as she freezes up. "Mana Severence." Shido says calmly as he slowly sheathes Soul Steel, and the moment the handle meets the sheathes...
Marina lets out a choked gasp as she feels the effects of his attack. It didn't physically hurt her, but it did completely sever her from her power, her Artificial Spirit Form failing as she falls to the ground.
"Marina!" Maria cries out as she rushes over to her counterpart. Shido turns around and looks at Marina, noting the dark-colored AI Spirit's condition. Not physically hurt, but without any power. Just as he hoped.
"You... cut me from my power..." Marina says in disbelief as she looks at him. "How... are you so strong?"
"It's the love he shares with the Spirits." Maria answers. "That love gives him the power to fight."
"Exactly." Shido smiles.
"Evaluation; Looks like the decisive battle has already reached its conclusion." A new voice speaks out, one that none of them recognized. And yet, this new voice shares Yuzuru's verbal tick... while also talking like Kaguya?
The three look and see a new face in the Mother Room. A girl with orange hair whose dress clearly shows that she is a Spirit. "Um... who are you?" Shido asks.
The Spirit chuckles. "Of course. To you, this is our first meeting, loving mortal." She smiles. "Reminder; However, I'm certain you know about my two halves."
Shido blinks. Her two halves? What is she...
Shido's eyes widen as he takes a closer look at the 'new' Spirit. Her Astral Dress is clearly a combination of Kaguya's and Yuzuru's, and the fact that she has Yuzuru's verbal tick while talking like Kaguya...! "You're... You're Yamai! The one that Kaguya and Yuzuru split from!" He realizes.
"Confirm; Indeed. I am the original Child of the Storm, Yamai Kazamachi." she introduces herself to him and the two AI Spirits, who are surprised by the revelation. "It's nice to finally meet you, Shido Itsuka."
"Same here." Shido smiles. "I never thought I would actually get to meet you."
"It was a surprise for us as well." Shido hears Yoshino say and sees the other Spirits coming in. "It seems that you forming the Complete Seal with Kaguya and Yuzuru gave them the ability to fuse and become Yamai."
"Indeed. And, I can split back at any time." Yamai confirms. "Confession: I wanted to get to meet you myself first."
"Okay." Shido says, understanding her curiosity. Yamai then walks up to Shido and kisses him on the lips. Though surprised at first, Shido starts kissing her back.
"Saw that coming." Yoshinon comments, and the other Spirits simply nod. Being a fusion of Kaguya and Yuzuru, it makes sense for Yamai to share their love for Shido.
The two part from the kiss after a whole minute. "Gratitude; That was my thanks for taking care of Kaguya and Yuzuru." Yamai says with gratitude.
"You're welcome, Yamai. Kaguya and Yuzuru are both very important to me, and I'm glad to have them."
"And they're glad to have you." Yamai smiles. She then moves away from Shido, and her entire body glows orange before splitting into two orbs, which then form into Kaguya and Yuzuru.
"It seems you've also earned the Original Yamai's love, Shido." Kaguya smirks. "Rejoice, as that is proof of your divine love!"
"Input; It's to be expected that Yamai would fall for Shido." Yuzuru smiles. "He's just that wonderful." Shido chuckles in embarrassment at the twins' praise.
"Maria, how's your authority?" Kotori asks.
"I've regained the stolen authority controls from Marina's separation from me." Maria reports. "I can send you all back now if you wish."
"Can you wait a moment?" Shido requests. "I want to talk to Marina." Maria nods in approval, and Shido walks up to Maria and kneels down to her. "Marina... I understand the feelings you have. I understand that you and Maria were created for a purpose, and that if you don't fulfill them, your existence is meaningless." The DEM AI looks at Shido as he continues. "But the way I see it, that's far from the truth. As you have seen and felt, I've given a lot of time and effort to Maria, to help her find the meaning of love and what it really is. While you two may never fine the answer, she has learned so much we got stuck in this world."
"Shido's right." Maria speaks in agreement. "I was able to date him. Everyone accepted me. Fun, happiness, saness. Shido showed me the true meaning of these experiences." She pauses as she recounts her dates with Shido, and feels her heart flutter. "Ah. I see." She smiles. "I've already learned what love is."
"Oh?" Shido and the Spirits all look at her, curious of her answer.
Maria places her hands over her heart. "My heart flutters whenever I think of Shido. I wish to cherish him, and to be cherished by him when we're alone together." She smiles at Shido, and everyone can see the love and warmth on her face. "To be able to spend my life with you by your side... That is love."
Everyone smiles. "It seems you've found your answer." Yoshino says approvingly.
"So... that's what love is..." Marina says quietly, her eyes beginning to water. "If only... I had known since the beginning..."
"You wouldn't have tried to destroy both worlds." Kurumi finishes.
Marina begins to cry tears of regret. "Shido... I'm sorry!" She sobs her apology as she hugs him tight. "I was so jealous of Maria getting all of your time and care, that I wanted to stop it all and destroy everything! But I couldn't because she had control over the virtual world!"
"Yeah, we knew it was a jealousy thing." Yoshinon says casually, only for Yoshino to smack the living puppet over the back of her head for being rude.
"Marina..." Maria says, tears coming from her eyes. "Why didn't you say something...? I would've understood..."
The two AI Spirits cry as they embrace each other. No longer enemies, they now look like a pair of twin sisters seeking comfort from each other. Seeing them together like this, Shido and the Spirits also begin to tear up. Kotori and Kurumi were trying (and failing) not to cry, while Miku is openly crying while hugging Natsumi, who decided to just let it happen as to not ruin the mood.
Once all the tears have stopped, Kotori decides to speak up. "Marina." She addresses the dark-colored AI. "While I was initially angry about you attempting a hostile takeover of my airship, it's clear to me now that you just want a place to feel belonged, regardless of your duty." The Flame Spirit smiles. "Ratatoskr, and my fellow Spirits... The time I've spent with them all has helped me see them as my extended family. Even Maria, who I've just gotten to know upon coming to the digital world, has become a member of this family."
"Aw shucks..." Yoshinon chuckles, rubbing a paw behind her head, while everyone else just smiles, Maria included.
"And now, Marina, I extend that invitation to you. DEM created you and immediately sent you off as a sacrificial pawn, but we wish for you to become a member of our family. Heck, I bet Maria already sees you as such."
Marina looks at her counterpart, and Maria nods. "Yes. Having most of my existence being given to me by her, she is, in that sense, my older sister."
"Older sister?" Marina questions, cracking a smirk. "I was created less than a week ago. Wouldn't I be the younger sister in this case?" Marina jokes earns more than a few chuckles. "But you're right. I was created without an identity of my own, and yet Shido gave that to me. And you all are willingly inviting me to stay with you despite what I just tried to do..." In her heart, Marina knows her answer, and she nods. "Forget about what DEM wants. I'm sticking with you guys. This is my home now!" Everyone smiles, happy at Marina's acceptence.
"New family member!" Rio cheers, running up to hug Marina, making the reformed AI look flustered.
"How can anything be this adorable?" Marina asks.
"That's Rio for you." Shido chuckles with a smile. "Welcome aboard, Marina."
Marina looks at him and smiles. "Hey, Shido. Why don't you welcome me with a kiss?"
Shido chuckles at her request. "Well, if that's what you want..." He moves closer to Marina and kisses her on the lips, and the dark-colored AI quickly loves the feeling. Shido himself feels his powers connecting him to Marina, just as it has with Maria.
"Well, everyone, time for us to head home." Kotori calls to Shido and the Spirits, before looking at the two AIs and smiling. "Don't worry, though, you two. We'll definitely be visiting you every once in a while."
"Yeah." Shido nods in agreement. "If you two ever want to go on another date, just say so."
"We'll hold you to it, Shido." Marina says.
After that final exchange, Maria uses her regained authority to log everyone out, their consciences returning to the real world at last.
And thus, Arusu Install reaches a peaceful conclusion, with both Arusu siblings still alive!
Shido does stop Marina from taking full authority, but she still proves to be a tricky opponent. I'm not sure if she has a regeneration ability, but her body is basically code, and with her having most of the authority she took from Maria, I'd like to say regeneration isn't a stretch. However, Shido manages to bypass that and defeat her with one hit with the desired skill Yoshino suggested him!
Marina is then accepted into Ratatoskr, and she decides to cut her ties from DEM and help the heroes, and much like Maria, Shido kisses her, and a seal forms connecting her to him.
The next chapter will be the Epilogue of Arusu Install. See you guys then!