After taking a short amount of time to recollect themselves, Dairoku and Akame found the strength to stand back up, with the ravenette clutching onto him tightly. Judging from her expression, she had managed to calm down but her eyes, they were filled with a bit of relief and but stress and emotional strain. It made sense.. after killing Saikyuu, she just bawled her eyes out into her boyfriend's chest, with the sounds of the war going on outside, in the background. It wasn't from sadness, but from feeling the massive weight lift off of her shoulders, and Dairoku felt it too.

He gently lifted her head with his hand under her chin, causing her to look up at him.

Dairoku: "Do you feel better..?" There was no audible answer from her.. But she leaned up and gently kissed his lips. They held it for a few seconds before pulling away, with the Vampiress smiling sweetly.

Akame: "Now I feel better." At that, the Vampire smiled and nodded.

Dairoku: "I can tell. That kiss and smile proved it." The female let out a small giggle. They pulled away from each other before the male noticed the book Saikyuu was holding; the Teigu Rongo Rongo. He picked it up and inspected the book carefully.

Akame: "Is it a Teigu?"

Dairoku: "Could be.. Najenda would probably know.'

Akame: "Then we'll take it to-" A Strong and malicious presence startled her. "Who's there!?" Echoing footsteps cut her off and alerted the two Vampires who swiftly looked around to the shadows behind them. Emerging from there, was Suzuka.

Suzuka: "I'm surprised. I came here for a mission but Saikyuu got killed."

Akame: "Suzuka!"

Dairoku: "Tch.. Not her.."

Suzuka: "Aww.. It's been such a long time. You've gotten quite big the last time I saw you, Dairoku. If what Esdeath said was true, then I can only imagine how strong you are.. Just the thought of it makes my heart race~"

She licked her lips seductively while Akame was gritting her teeth before she clutched onto Ketsuekime and pointed it at her.

Akame: "Back off, Suzuka. He's. Not. Yours!"

Suzuka: "Ooo, how protective~ Well you're in luck as I wasn't planning to. I don't want to kill either of you to be honest, but since we met each other, it is my job as well."

Immediately, the entire basement began to crumble and shake violently, as if an earthquake had hit the Palace. Rubble from the roof began to fall around them, with one directly above Akame, but Dairoku quickly pulled her out of the way before glaring at Suzuka.

Dairoku: "The hell did you do!?"

Suzuka: "I activated a trap to destroy the basement because I know that against the two of you, I won't be able to win. So let's all die together. I learned this from your comrade. Well I won't die anyways, then I will go first!"

Soon piece of the roof fell on top of her and seemingly crushed her with her hand all being visible. Dairoku growled as he gritted his teeth before grabbing Akame, lifting her into bridal style before making a mad-dash towards the Basement's exit. The combined factor of the intense rumbling and the falling debris, made it more than a challenge to escape, as sometimes, Akame would be forced to swing Ketsuekime to destroy any debris that could crush the two of them.

Soon, the light at the end of the tunnel could be seen but there was an issue, the roof was caving in quickly and had caught up to them as the area directly above them was just about to crash. Dairoku gritted his teeth in frustration as at the speed they were going at, they wouldn't make it. And he couldn't transform with Barbatos in time to burst out. He knew that there was one more decision.

His sudden coming to a halt confused Akame as she was about to ask him what he was doing, only for her eyes to widen in surprise as he gently planted his lips onto hers, stealing a surprise kiss away from her. Soon after, he ended it. This seemed all too familiar to her...

Akame: "D-Dairoku??" He looked at her and smiled as the black Barbatos Gauntlet formed on his hand.

Dairoku: "Athena. Force activate Ajax by giving it a power boost."

Athena: "...Got it."

"TRANSFER!"

Akame: "W-What are you doing!?" She yelled as her body suddenly glowed and Ajax's armor shielded her body.

Dairoku: "Akame... my love... I'm sorry.. doesn't seem like I'll be keeping my Promise.. Tell Air that daddy love her.."

Without waiting for another word and using all of his strength, he tossed his girlfriend right rough the basement's entrance which collapsed just after she went through. Dairoku could hear it, her desperate cries for him. He smiled a bit and closed his eyes.

Athena: "Partner.."

Dairoku: "Yeah... It's been an honor.. Athena... Man, what a shitty way for me to go out.. But I guess this is the Retribution a monster like me deserves... Heh... how fitting.."

Everything went black as the Basement had completely collapsed and nothing else was heard.

CHAPTER 62: KILL THE EMPEROR

In the Capital, the almighty Shikoutazer was faltering, being pushed back by the combined efforts of Tatsumi and Artoria. The Emperor couldn't understand.. the Primus Imperator was the Supreme Teigu, so why couldn't he easily beat the two that oppose him?

Emperor: "These guys... fighting against me like this. What are the..." Shikoutazer looked down at the Incursio wearer and the armored knight, who both stood atop of pillars of the Palace's walls, glaring up at him. "Aren't you fierce! This Jigo's Teigu...!!"

It had become clear now. The Emperor, due to his inexperience in battle and with this Teigu, he wasn't operating it at full power. Now that alone was a scary thought as if Shikoutazer wasn't even close to full power and was able to wipe out half of the Revolutionary Army like that, then there was no telling what its full power was. But that also showed Tatsumi and Artoria that if they kept up their assault, they would win.

However, that plan was soon shattered as the voice of the Prime Minister yelled out, calling.

Honest: "Shikoutazer! Trump Card Activate!!"

That alarmed the two Night Raiders and the Emperor as suddenly, Shikoutazer's entire body stiffened up and froze as its glowing red eyes completely vanished. It understood Honest's orders and began to morph. In its cockpit, the Emperor became alarmed as several hands grabbed onto his body. Looking behind him, he became terrified upon seeing a deformed face with quite a wicked grin that resembled the Prime Minister's.

Emperor: "W-What is happening..!? Prime Minister! What happened Prime Minister!? Honest!?"

Honest: "Majesty, you are too kind. It leads to the weakness of the Teigu. I have worried about it already, so I have prepared a hidden move. This is the combination of Alchemy and Teigu."

The armor surrounding the chest and shoulders suddenly purged from the massive Teigu, crashing onto the ground as Shikoutazer took a slightly hunched an bestial stance. Bulging out of the eye sockets were actual organic-looking eyes with multiple rows of sharp teeth in its mouth, almost like an octopus or squid. A thick and durable organic hide now became the Teigu's armor around the chest, shoulders and neck while multiple eyeballs that were the shake of a small star were present on the shoulders, knees and chest. A tail extended from its back and the lowered, becoming a type of tattered skirting. It had taken on the appearance of a Danger Beast.

This was Shikoutazer's Trump Card; Purge Mode.

Nation-Defending Machine God—Shikoutazer
Trump Card: Purge Mode

"When the trump card was activated, Shikoutazer shed its armor to reveal monstrous flesh while the user is corrupted by alchemic Danger Beasts and becomes violently insane. The Teigu's abilities were improved dramatically. It could control alchemic energy concentrating it around its chest cavity to create and fire a dark singularity bomb, produce small clumps from its mouth which unfurled into a horde of small, wasp-like Danger Beasts and projected a retractable, organic steel blade from its hands reaching up to incredible lengths. Other abilities it had included augmented toughness and resilience and a final armament which is the ability to fire multiple wave motion blasts from the various eyes on its body armor."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "It transformed!?"

Artoria (Fury): "I was not aware Shikoutazer contained such a hideous form..!"

Lifting its head into the air, the transformed Shikoutazer lets out an eardrum shattering roar, shaking the entire Capital to its very core. In the cockpit, the child Emperor's head was lifted, mimicking the Teigu's movements. His eyes had darkened and as did the orb he was inside of. Purge Mode had a dangerous side effect. The pilot of Shikoutazer's mind would submit to the one of the Danger Beast that was used to upgrade it and they would become a mindless monster on a rampage. And that was exactly how the Teigu's Trump Card was designed for, by Honest and Dorothea themselves; it was to change the Emperor's kind and naïve nature to one of a bloodthirsty warmonger like Esdeath.

Emperor: "You fools, trying to go against the Empire. As a ruler, I will judge everyone of you now!!!"

Shikoutazer roared in aggression, stomping on the ground as missiles fired from Missile Launchers on the Teigu's back. Tatsumi and Artoria watched in horror as the missiles flew through the dark sky. The Capital was soon in complete chaos, with intense blazes raging through the towns.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Normal citizens and even their own soldiers were killed together..."

Artoria was just speechless. She had experienced many battles in the past, many death.. even the death of the Original Emperor, her lover. But to see one of her own blood destroy the Empire his legacy swore to keep alive.. she clenched her fists and glared up at the Supreme Teigu, only for her eyes to widen through her visor.

Emperor: *grins maliciously* "This is a celebration light of my new nation!!!"

Shikoutazer arched its back, with the eye on its chest pulsing in black energy. Materializing in front of it was an object that resembled a black hole that continued to grow in size.

Artoria (Fury): "No! Don't do it!!"

It was too late however as Shikoutazer unleashed the black hole. It landed in the outskirts of the Capital as everything in that area became engulfed in a blackened energy, before an explosion.

The mushroom cloud formed, rivaled that of a Nuclear Bomb, and everything in that area, was reduced to nothing but a crater. It was so large and devastating, that Wave, Kurome and Lauren were able to see it from where they were. The trio looked at it, their faces shrouded in horror while Kurome clutched onto her boyfriend.

Kurome: "What kind of ordinance did he use...?"

Lauren: "I think I know... Father always talked about the Empire having a Secret Teigu... Was this it..?"

Artemis: "It was, partner. Nation-Defending Machine God—Shikoutazer. That Teigu can only be used by those of the Royal Blood line, meaning that the Emperor himself is controlling it."

Cendrillon: "But whatever that power was... it is safe to assume that it was upgraded in some form."

Wave: *grits teeth* "Are you going to kill every single living thing here...?"

Kurome: "...Wave..."

In the Imperial Capital, Honest watched from the Palace's balcony, a satisfied bloody grin on his face.

Honest: "How beautiful. It feels like I am looking at a technology from far future. According to my sign or to my death, it will be activated. So this happened, now both His Majesty and Shikoutazer will not stop killing their enemy until all of them die. It is you resistance's fault that you guys pushed until here. Now just get killed quietly."

In the northern area of the Empire, Esdeath stood on a small mound of Revolutionary bodies, her eyes fixated on Shikoutazer as the sky was a dark blood red.

Esdeath: "The Supreme Teigu... It is very powerful due to the size, but it has a lot of empty spots." Glancing to her left, she spotted some of the Revolutionary army charging forwards. It was clear who, or what they were after and she wasn't going to let them get away so easily. "They are aiming for that... Rebels are trying their best but, I won't let you past." With a snap of her finger, they all came to a halt upon being encased in spikes of ice.

Imperial Palace; Basement...

It was cold and a loud ringing noise disturbed her eardrums. A groan of pain escaped the ravenette's mouth as her eyes fluttered open, however she was treated to an interface, meaning that Ajax's armor was active. She sent the telepathic command, causing the armor to deactivate and vanish. Akame found herself outside of the Palace's Basement. Her head pounded like drum but then she remembered...

Dairoku.

She quickly got up and ran towards the Basement, however it was too late. It had already completely caved in.. she couldn't get inside. Her eyes glowed as she tried to use her enhance sense to see through the cracks in the rubble, trying to spot any sign of him..

Nothing.

She sniffed the air, trying to pick up on the scent of his powerful blood and life force, only for the only smell for her to pick up on was the smell of war and blood shed... there was...

Nothing.

She used her telepathy to try and communicate with him, however she clutched her head upon attempting, as if whatever connection she had was either blocked off.. or shattered. Once again...

Nothing.

Akame didn't want to believe it.. she fell to her knees as she was praying, begging to god that somehow, he was still alive. Her eyes burnt as she wanted to bawl her eyes out.. but the sound of war outside prevented her. She knew that Dairoku would want her to continue fighting, even if he was to perish. So, gripping onto Ketsuekime, she slowly rose to her feet. She took a glance at the closed off basement before turning around and dashing toward the outside.

Akame's thoughts: "Dairoku.. Watch over me.."

The Imperial Capital; Shikoutazer's Rampage...

In the cockpit of the Mecha Teigu, the young Emperor gripped onto his scepter tightly, with his teeth grinding against each other roughly.

Emperor: "I will purge you all, everyone!"

Artoria (Fury): "Enough!! Stop being so blind!!"

Both the Emperor and Shikoutazer glared down towards the Armored King who leaped up to the massive Teigu, golden thrusts jetting out of her back and the rears of her calves. Tatsumi was following close behind her

Emperor: "Ha... There was an enemy nearby.. But..." The teeth on Shikoutazer closed before opening, regurgitating a mass of tissue that formed into hundreds of wasp Danger beasts that began flying towards the two. "Go, Melee Guards!!"

Artoria yelled out, pointing her lance in front of her as a swirl of Mana bursts around it, spiraling like a drill as she flew right through the entirety of the Melee Guards, with Tatsumi flying past her and up to Shikoutazer's head before landing a punch right on its right cheek. The Teigu stumbled slightly, but its armor wasn't even dented.

Tatsumi's thoughts: "It's not just that he got more armor.. it became harder as well..!!"

Emperor: "Before I move on, it will be better to kill you both, properly. How do you like this!?" The Mecha Danger Beast Teigu unleashed its missiles towards the Night Raiders, who began to maneuver out of the way, only to realize that they were exploding right before them. "There are a lot of explosions. If I see any empty spots, kill them directly with that!"

The random explosions were proving too intense for the two, to even get through. If they were to charge through recklessly, the explosion would have easily penetrated their armors. But upon seeing one of the projectiles heading for the Capital, Saber's eyes widened. She dived past it and used her body as a shield, blocking the projectile and protecting the citizens underneath. Blood flew out through the Knight's helmet, only for her to suddenly be shoved out of the way, just as a large spike-like blade slammed into the ground. Artoria looked over to see that Shikoutazer's right hand produced a large blade that had penetrated the ground... and Tatsumi.

Artoria (Fury): "TATSUMI!!"

Emperor: "Empty spot..!! The blade began retracting, dragging Tatsumi along with it. "This is the strongest Melee Armor, Jigo Ken!!" Shikoutazer grasped onto Tatsumi in its palm before slamming him into the ground. "Execution completed."

Tatsumi lied in the crater beneath him, a pool of blood underneath him and his eyes going slightly blank. He had lost.

Tatsumi's thoughts: "I... lost huh..."

His eyes slowly trailed upwards as he saw a small sight of pink. He immediately knew who it was. It was the image of the girl he loved with a sad frown on her face. But it wasn't her only her.. a second image, with a sight of beautiful long black hair and sad violet eyes.

Tatsumi's thoughts: "Mine... Kuraime... Sorry... my body moved on its own... I couldn't let Artoria die too... Still I will return... I will return to where you are, Mine. And I promised you Kuraime... I won't ever die... I'll live my life to the fullest, like you wanted."

He slowly and weakly rose his hands to the two. The two girls looked at his hands surprised. They both took a glance at each other before they gently took his hands and caressed them lovingly. Slowly, the two girls leaned against each other before their images vanished from sight. From the courage of seeing the two girls that loved him most once again, Tatsumi rose to his feet, with Incursio surprisingly still intact. Even he himself was surprised but it made sense now.. Incursio was now becoming one with him so the armor didn't break.

Artoria (Fury): "Tatsumi..!" He looked to his left and saw Artoria approaching him. "You're... okay..??"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Somehow I am.. I think it's because Tyrant is fusing with me."

Emperor: "What!?" The two looked back up towards Shikoutazer, with the Emperor gritting his teeth from within the cockpit. "You took Jigo Ken and are still standing.. There is a limitation for being irreverent you bastards."

Saying nothing, Tatsumi hunched over with the sounds of bones cracking and his back moving a bit unnaturally. Soon, two dragon wings with the sails colored a blood red sprouted from his back. Artoria wasn't far behind, with the armor on her back shifting around before sprouting two large angelic wings with white feathers falling to the ground around her.

(A/N: "Pretend those wings are on the back of Artoria's Armor.")

Tatsumi (Incursio): "We will stop you... No matter what! Even for the Emperor's dignity... We must execute you no matter what!!" Artoria said nothing but gripped her lance tightly before taking a deep breath.

Artoria's thoughts: "Here I come... My young kin."

Shikoutazer in response, roared at the two viciously. However, it was soon cut off as a slight shine was in the dark sky. A blue and golden blur crashed into the mecha Teigu's face, causing it to stumble backwards before planting its foot into the ground to stop itself; it was Grand Chariot with Mastema's wings and Bael.

Wave (Grand Chariot): "GRAND FALL FLUGEL!!!"

Lauren (Bael): "SMASH!!!"

Emperor: "New bugs! How many of you are there!? I will find you all...!!" The two armored Jaegers landed alongside Tatsumi and Artoria.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Wave..? Lauren..? Why are you two...!?"

Wave (Grand Chariot): *smirks* "Kurome is the best girlfriend I must say." He proceeded to tell them about how Kurome had convinced him, that she'd be alright on her own and that he should go help the citizens of the Capital and protect them from Shikoutazer. He was even further convinced as Cendrillon promised him that she'd protect Kurome. With that, both he and Lauren headed to the capital. "That's what happened."

Artoria (Fury): "Here to save innocent people huh?"

Wave (Grand Chariot): "I remember I had a debt to you, Tatsumi. I will pay that back for me to stay as myself."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Debt..? What do you mean..." His eyes widened as he remembered the time that he saved Wave when they were attacked by those tree Danger Beasts, when he was captured by Esdeath.

Lauren (Bael): *smirks* "Eh, don't think about it. Anyways, I tagged along cause I wanna make sure the Empire that my father and his family swore to guard doesn't fall in such a manner and to help out these people. And let's be honest, you can't trust him to handle such a big task."

Wave (Grand Chariot): *tick mark* "What the hell is THAT supposed to mean!?"

Artemis: "Haha. How amusing."

Wave (Grand Chariot): *grumbles but chuckles and shakes head* "You want to get rid of that huge Teigu, right?"

Lauren (Bael): "Heh... Seems like a fun challenge. Let's do this."

Others: "Yeah!"

Emperor: "...Short range scan for enemy targets completed... So according to these readings, these four insects are the only ones here. Two of them are human, but the others are registering as... It matters not, I'll crush them both! I'll make sure to grind that tenacious struggle out of your bones once and for all!!"

Lifting its foot, Shikoutazer attempted to step onto the armored warriors underneath it. However, using their wings, they quickly flew from underneath it and into the dark skies before making their way straight up. Wave started off the assault by kicking the eye in the chest of the massive Teigu with Tatsumi following after with an uppercut to the Teigu's face. Next, Lauren's Rerumukattā became engulfed in blue spiritual energy before she tossed the Boomerang Blades them towards Shikoutazer, slicing the shoulders but the cuts not being deep enough to ensue serious damage. However, Artoria followed up by striking the eyes on the Teigu's shoulders with her lance. The Primus Imperator flinched but didn't seem affected.

Emperor: "That hardly made a scratch!"

Wave (Grand Chariot): "What!?"

Lauren (Bael): "Tch... So that thing's armor is as insane as I thought..."

Artoria (Fury): "Then hit it harder. Keep striking the same spot and we'll break through!" She said as she handed her lance to Lauren who looked surprised under her helmet but nodded, knowing what to do.

Emperor: "Do not underestimate the might of this Supreme Teigu!!!" Once again, Shikoutazer unleashed its missile barrage, forcing the armored quartet to temporarily retreat briefly

Wave (Grand Chariot): "That'll definitely work! Let's go, Mastema!!"

He flipped around as Mastema unleashed its blackened wings, countering the missiles. Both he and Artoria charged in together, while Lauren backed away. Tatsumi watched as Wave and Artoria charged in before he closed his eyes. Even with their help, it still wouldn't be enough.. So he needed more power.

Tatsumi's thoughts: "We'll need more power if we're going to defeat that abomination... More... More Power...!" A red aura surrounded him as he growled before erupting into a burst of energy, with Incursio changing shape once again. "It's still not enough... More... GIVE ME MORE!!!"

The roar of the Danger Beast Tyrant caught everyone's attention as they looked back to Tatsumi, their eyes widening. From the smoke, he hovered in the air, his armor evolving even more. The horns on the head had grown significantly and the armor overall became more spikier. The cloth around his waist has changed red, matching the color of his wings and a specific slit symbol was on his chest; the same one as his Tyrant eye.

Emperor's thoughts: "This is bad!!!" Immediately, Shikoutazer crossed its arms in front of its body, blocking a striking punch from the evolved Tatsumi. However, unlike his last strikes, the Teigu slid back a bit, showing the insane increase in power. "That filth... he's forced me in the Supreme Teigu... to take on a defensive stance...!!"

Wave (Grand Chariot): "Woah...!!"

Artoria (Fury): "Tatsumi, you're not pushing yourself too far, are you?"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "I've evolved... This is the power up I told you about earlier, Wave... Artoria's right. If we don't attack the same spot simultaneously, we'll never generate enough force to do any significant damage. Follow my lead! We're going in!!"

Artoria (Fury): "Understood!"

Wave (Grand Chariot): "You don't have to tell me twice!" Together, the trio charged towards the Supreme Teigu, with the Emperor starting to panic a little.

Emperor: "You goddamned freaks!! Have a taste of the Supreme Cannon!!"

(A/N: "...Omegamon/Omnimon...??")

The eye on the center of Shikoutazer's chest began to build up energy, preparing to fire its strongest attack, only for the Emperor to gasp in shock as the three barrel rolled out of the way, making a clear path for..

Artoria (Fury): "Now, Lauren!!"

Behind them, was Lauren who was still floating in the air. However, she had managed to combine Rerumukattā's blades into a bow. In her free hand was Artoria's lance which had become significantly thinner. She loaded the lance into Rerumukattā and pulled the bowstring back.

Lauren (Bael): "I am the bone of my sword..." She became surrounded in a golden aura as the lance arrow glowed a bright blue. A target interface appeared in front of Lauren as she gritted her teeth, with a windy aura bursting around her. Then, she fired it.

"CALADBOLG!"

Releasing her bow string, the lance arrow fired, becoming a light blue blur that sped towards Shikoutazer before evidentially, striking its chest cannon, causing a massive explosion to occur as its strongest weapon became unusable.

Emperor: "What!? The reason they were charging in, was to distract me so she'd have time to charge that attack up and now they have managed to penetrate through my defenses!!"

While he was distracted, Tatsumi, Artoria and Wave put their backs together as they all performed a Grand Fall technique and slammed their feet into Shikoutazer's stomach, dealing enough of an impact to cause it to slide back quite a while before it dug its hands into the ground to stop itself.

Artoria (Fury): "Astonishing.."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Hell yeah!! We finally pushed him back a bit!!" They both then looked back to Wave and Lauren. "We owe you one, Wave, Lauren."

Wave (Grand Chariot): "We came here to protect the citizens that were evacuating. Once that's done, we're pulling ourselves out." He said, glancing away. Lauren just smacked his back.

Lauren (Bael): "Eh, he's getting embarrassed by your compliments."

Wave (Grand Chariot): "S-Shut it!"

Artoria (Fury): "You two... *chuckles* Must be nice to be so young and filled with energy."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Ahaha. You always stick to your guns, consequences be damned. That idealism of yours... don't ever lose it.. Ah, we need to clear up one last thing, before you go... *smirks* The greatest catch of 'em all... is Mine, hands down." The armored seaman looked back at him before smirking.

Wave (Grand Chariot): "You're nuts. It's definitely Kurome."

Artoria (Fury): "My master wouldn't agree at all. "Akame is the perfect catch", he'd say."

Wave (Grand Chariot): "Ha! Tell him he's more than fucking nuts!" He joked as he flew away. Lauren laughed at the small banter before shooting the two Night Raiders a little wave.

Lauren (Bael): "See you guys later."

She turned around before flying after her fellow teammate. Tatsumi and Artoria watched as they went, feeling a huge pressure release from their shoulders. Now, they knew what to do to destroy the Primus Imperator. Speaking of, Shikoutazer regained its balance and was slowly standing back up.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Now we don't have to keep a wandering eye on the fleeing citizens and can give this bastard our full undivided attention and simply focus on bringing him to his knees!" Inside of the cockpit, the child Emperor was clutching onto his scepter as he was on his knees, like the Teigu replicated.

Emperor: "I... I am the Emperor! You would dare raise your hands against me... raining down blow after blow upon me like this...!? Even if I took the heads of every last one of your kin, it would still not be enough to atone for this!"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Emperor...? You're no Emperor of anything anymore."

Emperor: "SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!! Only I can see what I to come!! The victor of this battle.. what awaits this Great Empire... I shall thrive for another millennium!!"

Artoria (Fury): "ENOUGH OF THIS NONSENSE CHILD!!" The Emperor was taken aback by her sudden outburst before she gestured to the Empire behind her, with its flames raging and citizens retreating to safety. "What's the point of the future when the Empire you and our family worked so hard to preserve is being destroyed by you!? Open your damn eyes and take a look at what is happening around you, now!!"

The Emperor's eyes widened as the interface within the cockpit displayed to him the destruction he caused, along with the fleeing citizens and Imperial soldiers.

Emperor: "Why... How dare they run away...? Fleeing in the presence of the enemy is punishable by execution."

Tatsumi (Incursio): "They're running because there's nothing left to follow! That's the reality before them!! When you indiscriminately engulf allies and people you were sworn to protect in your onslaught of attacks, victory is no longer an option. There's no winning anymore there!!"

Emperor: "W-What insolent cowardice...!!! You treasonous wretches!! This is how you repay all I've done for you!? With betrayal!?"

Artoria (Fury): "Betrayal!? YOU'RE the one firing down upon them!" She paused for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Your father and mother... They would be disappointed to even consider you their son at this point. You're too far gone."

The Emperor's face took on a look of shock. In his mind, an image of both his parents, looking down at him with a look of distrust and disgust haunted him. It seemed as if Artoria's words had worked as the effects of the Purge Mode seemed to be losing effect.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "This fight is over. We'll give you one last chance to surrender."

Emperor: "You... YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR MINDS!!1 IT'S FAR FROM OVER!!!"

All they could do was clench their fists as Shikoutazer began to rise once again. Tatsumi remembered what Susanoo said, that no matter how tough someone may appear to be, they always have a weak spot on them somewhere, and he had spotted it; The stomach area.

The Primus Imperator roared as it began marching forwards at surprising speeds for its size before throwing a left hook towards the two. With his evolved four pronged Neuntote in his hand and Excalibur in her hand, Tatsumi and Artoria quickly decreased their altitude to avoid the attack before spiraling and striking the mecha Teigu right in the same area as before. They were basically using Akame's method for when she defeated Wave, striking the same area of the armor before it breaks.

Tatsumi seemed to have recognized the damaged area around that spot and looked to Artoria, who only nodded. The Emperor saw that he was faltering, so quickly looked for assistance.

Emperor: "Someone, anyone! Cover me! I require support! General Esdeath, are you here!?"

Hearing her name, startled the two. They knew that if Esdeath was to get involved, then the advantage they had, they would have completely lost. Esdeath, hearing her name was already dashing up the Palace's walls with her floating icicles on her limbs, towards Tatsumi and Artoria, her sadistic grin ever present on her face.

Esdeath: "It appear I've been summoned, which means the duties I'd originally been assigned to can now be ignored. Finally... I can go where and do what I please. Come, Tatsumi!! Artoria!! Let us play once more!!"

However, her eyes widened as red lightning struck her on the icicles, throwing her off balance. Soon, she moved her hand up and blocked a strike from Ketsuekime, using the icicles.

Akame had arrived and she was pissed off.

Akame: "ESDEATH!!!"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Akame!!"

Artoria's thoughts: "Where's Dairoku...?"

Esdeath: "You insolent fool!! I've already seen through the extent of your power and speed! You're no match for me!" Her eyes quickly widened however upon the icicles shattering from the impact Ketsuekime inflicted on them. "What!?"

Artoria (Fury): "Akame! We'll handle Shikoutazer!"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Esdeath is all yours!!!"

Akame: "Got it!! My apologies for being late!"

Esdeath's thoughts: "So that's it... She used Scream or some Teigu similar to it in order to boost her fundamental abilities much like the soldiers do." *out loud* "You sure you'll be okay here? It might be in your best interest to test out Ketsuekime on that giant Teigu first to see if it actually works the way you want it to."

Akame: "On my way here, I tried slashing its leg, but it had no effect which only confirms that thing is nothing more than a machine. *clutches Ketsuekime tightly* So now that I've completed the mission I was assigned to, I can finally see to my original directive... Taking your head. And by doing so, I'd also be helping Tatsumi and Artoria... Two birds, one stone... Ajax."

Glowing a dark red as her pupils glowed purple, she bursts into her winged Z-Armor, the blue armored eyes glowing brightly as a black aura surrounded her from Ketsuekime unleashing its demonic howl.

Esdeath's thoughts: "This must be the work of some Teigu's enhancement.... She's putting all on the line right here, right now... She's resolved to this being the final battle... *narrows eyes* So you've made your move."

Akame (Ajax): "Here I come, Esdeath!! The countless days of fighting and skirmishes ends here!!!"

Esdeath: *grins sadistically* "So be it... I shall bear witness to just how strong you've become."

Meanwhile, Tatsumi was letting out a roar of power and pain as Incursio was coated in a blood red aura, with him gathering all the power into himself. Alongside him was Artoria who was covered in a golden Aura, with Excalibur's blade growing in size and erupting in golden Mana.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Give me the strength to smash through that armor once and for all!!!"

Artoria (Fury): "Excalibur.. Please.. Give me everything.. All of your holy power.. Awaken, The Sword of Promised Victory!!!"

Seeing the interface of the cannons charging on Shikoutazer, the massive Teigu got into a firing stance as all of the eyes on its body began glowing.

Emperor: "Preparations for all-cannon simultaneous fire will be completed shortly... I don't care who or what you both are... I shall blast you both out of the sky!! You goddamned freaks!!"

It was immensely painful for Tatsumi. He felt like his body was being completely ripped apart, that his mind was going blank, making room for the mind of the Danger Beast within him. But he wanted to hold on... no... He NEEDED to. As he was clutching onto his head, he felt a familiar presence. Looking in front of him, his eyes widened as he saw the familiar buffed and tall figure...

Tatsumi (Incursio): "Aniki...!?" Bulat stood before him, a smirk plastered on his face as he crossed his arms.

Bulat: "It's moments like these ere you need to shout, Tatsumi..!! Shout it out at the top of your lungs!! *pats his head* Come now... Just one final push and we can finally wash our hands of this."

The struggling teen closed his eyes, hearing the voice clearly. He knew what he had to do now. He was going to do it. He was going to end this war, right here and now. With both him and Artoria side by side, the two of them put their weapons together before bursting into a colorful mixture of red and gold, making a b-line towards Shikoutazer.

Tatsumi (Incursio): "INCURSIO!!!"

Artoria (Fury): "EXCALIBUR!!!"

Emperor: "FALL!!!"

Firing from all of its cannons, Shikoutazer unleashed its full burst attack, but the willpower and courage of the armored Night Raiders was enough to push through it, their golden and red aura vaporizing the beams and getting closer. Soon enough, a powerful impact shook the Primus Imperator as the two landed their attack on the weakened area of the Teigu, creating a bigger impact and causing large cracks to form.

Both: "Keep going all the way through!!!"

Emperor: "You scum!!! What the hell are you!?"

Tatsumi (Incursio): "How many times do we have to say it..." A flash of the deceased Night Raiders flashed through his mind as he gritted his teeth. *thoughts* "Hey everyone... I'll be seeing you shortly...!!"

Artoria (Fury): "We are..."

"NIGHT RAID!!!"

A hole, as big as the cannons on the Teigu's body was blown right through its chest. It was over, Shikoutazer had been defeated. Explosions began to erupt from the mechanized Teigu as its systems were failing and it was falling to the ground.

Emperor: *tearful* "Impossible... HOW DARE YOU!? MY TEIGU!!! MY COUNTRY!!! P-Prime Minster!! What are my options now!? Advise me like you always have!!" However, Honest's balcony chair was completely empty, meaning he had already fled. At that moment he realized... he was alone. "I-It can't be..."

Roars of victory erupted from the Revolutionary Army as they all witnessed the Supreme Teigu fall. It had been done. The Great Empire that has flourished for the past thousand years... Here, this very day, has finally fallen.

END