Chapter 2: Keves and Agnus
In Marguerite town, everyone is gathered at Lamia Scale's guild hall to celebrate Lamia Scale's thanksgiving day with a performance from its guild members.
Y/N: Whoa! Look at this, these guys really went all out.
Matthew: They sure do.
A: (looks at them) Shouldn't we be more focused on finding the stone?
Y/N: Come on, it's a festival.
Matthew: Yeah, you really need to lighten up A.
They saw a short man with long purple hair tied into a pony turn, long eyebrows, and a green outfit had gone on the stage.
Matthew: Whoa! Look at the size of that guy's eyebrows!
Yuka: First and guaranteed to give you thrills and chills, is Lyon, a member of Lamia Scale who always keeps his cool!
Then a man came out with short silver hair while also having his arms spread and conjuring up some magic in his hands before revealing to be Lyon, a member of the Lamia Scale.
For Lyon's performance, he creates ice birds that fly around and make sparkling ice flakes across the sky. He then turns the birds into fireworks, and then turns the remaining ice on the ground into rabbits to play with the children in the audience. Lyon bows as the audience claps for him.
Yuka: Next up, we have Toby with some impersonations.
Then a person with his face nearly looking like a dog appeared, it was Toby, another member of Lamia Scale.
Matthew: Yikes! I hate to see what his folks looked like!
Toby: (dog howl) So, I'm gonna start out with me when I'm crying.
He then starts his crying impersonation which confuses the crowd.
Man 1: He's impersonating himself?
Man 2: That's not how this works.
Lyon then started dragging Toby away while he started complaining that he wasn't done.
Lyon: Our apologies.
Toby: I ain't finished yet!
Yuka: (sweatdroping) And now, our Master Ooba will perform a very special dance.
Then a small old woman appeared on stage while having both fans in each of her hands, revealing be the Guild Master, Ooba.
Master Ooba's performance is a traditional fan dance, but the audience is silent with confusion because they are not sure what to think of her dance.
Ooba: (tries to strip) More skin!
Audience: WHAT?!?!?!
Then Lyon once again started to drag away Master Ooba with her also complaining that she isn't done.
Lyon: Our apologies.
Ooba: I'm not finished yet, kid! I'll spin you!
Y/N: Okay, is this guild just full of strange and weird people?
Natsu: Pretty much.
A: Well, I never saw anything like it before.
Yuka: And now... The moment you've been waiting for!
Natsu: You brought us to a festival?
Happy: (smile) Lots of excitement in the air.
Lucy: (smile) This is awesome, we made it just in time.
Y/N: (confused) In time for what exactly?
Lucy: (smile) You'll see?
Then two girls started to come out with Natsu, having a huge shocked expression because of who they are.
Yuka: Now make some noise for our guild's little Angels!
The Sky Sisters: Sherria and Wendy!
Natsu and Happy yells in shock that Wendy joined a different guild during the year Fairy Tail has been disbanded
Natsu and Happy: (shocked) AHHHHH!!!!
Y/N couldn't admit the fact that both really did look in those outfits and actually found them pretty cute in them. While A looked annoyed by his reaction.
Y/N: (blush) So cute... (looks at Lucy) So I'm guessing she's one of the people you're looking for?
Lucy: Yes, that's Wendy Marvell. She and Sherria have been friends since the Grand Magic Games, but this is pretty new.
Yuka: They've got a brand new song they wrote just for this occasion! So put your hands together for: Men's Love and Pelican!
A: (confused) Men's Love and Pelican?
Then both girls having mic in hands were ready to sing with Sherria going first. As Wendy and Sherria were performing, Y/N was in awe by their beautiful singing voices and dance routes.
Natsu: (confused) I don't understand why she's doing this!
Happy: They've got the entire crowd eating out of their hands...
Y/N: (blush) I have to admit they both have wonderful singing voices.
Lucy: (smile) I don't know why you're surprised that she joined another guild after Fairy Tail. She's still got to earn a living after.
Natsu: No, I mean... Wendy's not a Dragon Singer, she's a Dragon Slayer!
Happy: You go Wendy!
A: You think a Dragon Slayer would be fighting other people or slaying a monster instead of singing?
Lucy: Isn't this fun? It's all for Lamia Scale's thanksgiving festival. You know, like how Magnolia has its harvest festival? It's a way to bring the guild and the townsfolk together, and build a sense of unity.
Natsu: (commincal teary) Alright! It's my new personal goal to get Wendy back on the right path!
Matthew: How is she on the wrong path?
Happy: Hang on. If Wendy's here, then where's Carla?
???: I thought I might see some familiar faces in the crowd. If it isn't Natsu, Lucy, and the tom cat.
Then a girl with white hair, a cat tail and ears appears right next to them.
???: Oh my apologies. Hello there, Happy.
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy: Say what?
Y/N: Umm... you guys know each other?
A: I would think so judging from her voice.
(Somewhere else)
Somewhere near the town was a military looking camp with various people preparing for something for an event.
They are from Keves, one of the two factions that are at war with each other. For a long time, Keves was at war with another faction named Agnus. Both factions were fighting each other for their own queens. While both sides did have their own loss, it was not all important, because both sides used a system that created engined soldiers to continue the fight.
Each soldier was created to live only ten years or what both sides referred to as Terms. Once they've reached their tenth, it's game over for them as passed away to their so-called Homecoming. But few people have obtained a Homecoming, among both sides were people called "Off-Seers" whose job it was to send the dead souls of those who didn't manage to obtain it. Among the soldiers of Keves were five people.
One of them was a young man with black hair tied to a pony tail and blue eyes.His main appearance comprises a red jacket, a power frame on its back, straps on his chest in an X-shape, a short sleeved turtleneck underneath, black pants with straps, and black boots. His term mark is located on his right hand.
The second was a young man with grayish skin, white hair, and red eyes. He also had golden lines across his face. He wore a military style grey cargo pants, a tight grey tank top, some kind of black and blue coat adorning the Keves symbol, and black metallic boots. Additionally, he had on a pair of metallic gloves. He also wore full sleeves underneath his coat, and black pants. His term mark was located on his chin.
The third was a young woman with brown hair, blue eyes, and has small wings on the sides of her head. Her main outfit consists of a sleeveless skin tight jumpsuit, a black hooded jacket with yellow-green accents, and black sneakers with the same green accents. Additionally, she also wore a belt adorned with a power frame and a black choker. She also wore sleeves on top of her jumpsuit and black shoes with power frames on them. Her term mark is located on the right side of her breast.
The fourth was a young boy with blonde hair and green eyes. He wears a pair of red goggles on his head, a black sleeveless jacket vest, a blue shirt, black pants, and black, blue, and yellow shoes, and he also a backpack containing large mechanical arms.
And the last was a blue colored Nopon. He had a fluffy tuft of brown hair on his head. He was equipped with Kevesi armor that covers his entire body except for his stomach and legs.
Girl: Remind me, what're we lining up for here?
Blonde-Hair Boy: I don't. But it is probably something important.
Gray-skin man: Come on, man... I just got to sleep and everything...
Nopon: Friend's fault for staying up late!
Gray-skin man: (annoyed) And whose fault was it I couldn't sleep? I asked you to do the maintenance on my power frame... But you totally messed up my settings!
Riku: (unrepentant) Oho? Ahh. That probably different frame. Riku is popular guypon, crushed by weight of fans asking to do favors. Sometimes mix up orders. Meh. If configs bamboozle, why not fix by self?
The gray-skinned man gets increasingly ticked off as the Nopon speaks.
Gray-skin man: That's why I didn't get any sleep, furball!
Soon their commander appeared before them.
Commander: I'm here to announce today's mission. You have one target. It's currently on course for the suppression area, here.
The commander's iris glows as he taps the side of his head. The soldiers check their own irises in response.
Commander: Judging from the mass, it's expected to be large in size. And based on its speed, we estimate it will reach the town of Marguerite at 0100 hours. Notably, the target's emitting a considerable amount of ether energy. As for your mission, deploy at the canyon by the designated time. Investigate and destroy the source of ether.
Keves soldier: Commander, one question.
Commander: Go.
Keves soldier About this target... Can we assume it's from Agnus?
Commander: We don't know. We haven't been able to confirm, but it seems that they're also gunning for it. This would suggest it should be seen as part of... a different enemy force. Combat with Agnian troops in the area is also expected. Details will be sent to your Iris after deployment. Clear? You are to remain vigilant throughout the operation. Dismissed!
With that all of them salute him. The soldiers prepared themselves for their mission. And so gathered at the camp's gate. The gray-skinned man spies on a group of Levnises.
Gray-Skinned Man: Yeeeeah! Now we're bringing out the big guns!
The black haired man was lost in thought.
Black Haired Man: Hmmm.
Blond Haired Boy: You okay Noah?
Noah: Our rank...it is Copper, right?
Girl: Talking about colony ranks? I mean, we did win big yesterday. It'll only be a matter of time before we make Iron. That'll be it.
Blond Haired Boy: Yeah. Like that will happen to us, Eunie. Man, people like us stay the same rank for a long time.
Noah: Uh... Yeah, I dunno...about that.
Riki: Oho? Looks like they rolling out Silver rank for this operation.
Noah: Silver rank?! What would they be doing here...?
Gray-Skinned Man: Orders are orders. Can't complain about the help, though.
Noah: Hmm.
Blond Haired Boy: Got a point there Lanz.
Keves soldier: We're moving out! Wedge formation until Point D! Don't fall behind!
After that the Levnises walk out, with the soldiers marching close behind.
Noah: Lanz. Eunie. Nikol.
Lanz: Yeah?
Noah: No heroics this time. Keep your heads screwed on.
Lanz: Pfft, come on man. No one ever tell you? I'm a hero in the making, I am! Without my heroics, our combat unit would be right up the-
Noah: (dead serious) Lanz!
Lanz: ...creek.
Lanz leans back as Noah approaches him.
Noah: Come on, stop being so cocky.
Lanz: I-it was just a joke, mate. No need to glare...
Nikol: Noah, is everything okay? I mean, you never act like this.
Euine: Is it that bad?
Noah: Yeah...Something's...not right here. (grips his fist) Something just feels...off.
Nikol: (pats him on his back) Well, your intuition is never wrong.
Riku: Friends better listen to Noah.
Lanz: Got it.
Back at Lamia Scale's guild hall, Wendy's was blushing red.
Wendy: (blush) Oh my gosh! I've been so embarrassed in my life!
Sherria: There's nothing to be embarrassed about. You were super cute over there and everybody loved you
And both Toby and Yuka sing some of her and Sherria's song which makes her feel more embarrassed.
Toby: But why is the song called Men's love?!
Yuka: Don't get ticked off.
Lyon: You have some visitors, Wendy.
Wendy: I do?
Wendy sees that her visitors are Natsu, Lucy, and Happy.
Natsu: (smile) Yo!
Lucy: (smile) Long time no see.
Happy: (smile) Hey Wendy, do you remember us?!
Wendy: (smile while teary) Oh wow! I can't believe it! I missed you guys so much!
Natsu: (headpats) Have you gotten taller?
Wendy: Sorry, I guess I'm still kind of a little shrimp.
Wendy: (sees Y/N, Matthew, and A) Huh? Who are you?
Y/N: Oh right! This is Matthew and A. (smiles at her) And I'm Y/N. Nice to meet you.
Wendy: Hi, I'm Wendy. (cute smile) It's great to meet you.
Y/N: (thoughts, blush) Her smile... I think it's burning a hole right through me!
A looked at this and was irritated by it. While Lucy was herself seeing this could help but feel a sudden urge of jealousy inside her, but she doesn't know why.
Natsu: (picks up Wendy) Alright, that's one down! Now let's go find the others!
Wendy: W-Wait Natsu!
Lyon: Hey!
2 minutes later
Soon Lucy explains to Wendy that she and Natsu are planning to find everyone and rebuild Fairy Tail.
Wendy: You're traveling around, trying to track down everybody, and then you're gonna rebuild Fairy Tail?
Lucy: That's the idea. But ever since the guild disbanded last year, nobody's even heard from Master.
Lyon: The Council's been concerned. They've been trying to pinpoint Makarov's whereabouts to no avail.
Natsu: The Council? Like those jerks care.
Happy: I didn't know there was even still a council.
Lucy: Since you two have been up in the mountains, there's probably a lot that's happened that you don't know about.
Y/N: Well, I guess when you two put something first, you tend to block out everything else don't ya.
Yuka: The wizard Guilds can't really function without a proper Magic Council in place. So last year, the Ten Wizard Saints decided they would come together and form a new one.
Toby: (crying) And Jura left us in the dust!
Yuka: Stop your howling.
Toby: (howls while crying)
Natsu: Well if it's made up of a bunch of those types... (grins) It must be awesome!
Happy: Does that mean Master's is a member?
Lucy: He was supposed to be, but then he disappeared without a trace.
Natsu: Sounds like an annoying gig, I would have disappeared too.
A: More like you couldn't stay awake during the meetings.
Natsu: (annoyed) Hey! I could too!
Lyon notices Sherria was smiling, though with a hint of sadness.
Y/N: But anyway, (looks at Wendy) would like to come back to Fairy Tail with Natsu and Lucy?
Wendy: Well um... you see, it's just... (sad smile) I'm a member of the Lamia Scale Guild now. I can't just walk away with them.
Natsu and Lucy are shocked that Wendy basically just says she's staying with Lamia Scale. Even Sherria is shocked because she knows that Wendy loves Fairy Tail more than anything.
Natsu: (shocked) You're kidding?!
Lucy: (shocked) Why?
Matthew: Wait a second! Don't you want to see the rest of your friends too?!
Wendy: I'm sorry you guys.
Lyon: You don't have to stay here for our sakes? We knew from the start this time would come someday.
Toby: (crying) And that's why we're all ready to say goodbye without making a scene!
Yuka: Like that?
Natsu: But why can't you come with us?!
Wendy: (shy) Because....
???: She's clearly made up her mind.
Everyone notices the same girl with the cat ears who had her arms crossed.
???: So please don't berate her for it.
Wendy: Don't get mad, Carla.
Lucy: (thoughts and shocked) How is she human?
Happy: (shocked and thoughts) How is she Human?
Natsu: HOW THE HECK ARE YOU HUMAN?!?!?!
Carla: (smirk) Oh this? I mastered my transformation ability. This increases my magic power and my clairvoyance. (bends down to Happy) So what do you think, Happy?
Happy: Well I trained for a whole year too, you know. And it has come a long way. (shakes and drools a bit) Now I am able to wait a while before I eat my fish.
Y/N: (sweatdrop) Is that even called training?
Carla soon returns to her normal, Exceed form.
Carla: This is no small decision, Wendy. So be sure.
Happy: Oh, your kitty form is just the cutest.
Wendy stayed quiet and simply nodded to the group while Sherria still had the sad expression plastered on her face in the pillar.
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy: (shocked) You're really gonna stay?!
Lyon: Honestly...
Y/N: Excuse me. But do any of you know if an airship has come into this town recently?
Carla: An airship?
A: Yes. We came here to meet up with its owner. Well?
Lyon: Well, I do recall seeing something flying in the sky. It was heading to the other-side of the town.
Matthew: (looks at Y/N and A) Think it's him?
Y/N: Possibly. Let's go check it out, just in case.
A: (nods her head) Right. (turns to them) Thank you for the info.
Y/N, Matthew, and A left the guild.
(sometime later)
Meanwhile, at an Agnus military camp.
???: Mio? Are you here?
Coming in the tent was a girl with a small physique and dark blue hair. The tips of her hair as well as certain lines along her body glow in the same blue light as the gem on her chest. She wore short denim shorts and a belt as well as a black crop top and a small denim jacket. Additionally, she wore gloves and boots with white plating, a color associated with the military of Agnus. She also wore a short sleeved chestplate, with white sleeves, and grey pants. Her term mark is located at the top of her left arm.
She looked around the tent for her friends, but someone else.
Girl: Hey Glimmer, you've seen Mio?
The girl she spoke to was a girl with red hair tied back into a ponytail, red eyes and a similar looking crystal on her chest. She wore miko inspired clothing, and by her side was staff.
She was sitting down reading a book.
Glimmer: No Sena. (turns a page) I have not.
Sena: Oh, okay. I'll go and see if Taion knows where she is.
???: If I know where who is?
Turning around she saw a young man with dark skin and had a slim build with messy brown hair. He sports a long flowing orange scarf, an Agnian jacket with orange highlights (albeit opened), white arm guards, a dark jumper and trousers with rolled-up cuffs, and white boots. He also had on a pair of glasses. His jacket is buttoned up with additional armor plating on it, and grey pants. Taion has a blue wedge-shaped core on his chest. His term mark is located in his left palm.
Sena: Ah, Taion! Do you know where Mio is?
Taion: (rubs the back of his head) Sorry Sena. I have no clue where she is.
Sena: Oh, then where could she be?
???: Sorry Sena! I was being informed what our mission would be.
Coming into view was a young woman with neck-length silver hair styled into a bob cut and golden eyes, with cat ears on her head. She also has a blue and red gem on her chest. Her main appearance comprises a white jacket with black accents, a white tank top underneath, white skirt, and white boots with black leggings. Her term mark is located on the right side of her neck.
Sena: Mimi, where were you?
Mio: Sorry Sena. But I just told you I was getting brief on our next mission.
Sena: Huh? You did?
Taion: So, what's the mission about?
Mio: According to the details. We are to go to the nearby town and locate an ether source and destroy it.
Glimmer walks out of the tent.
Glimmer: Is it Keves? Bet you 100 Jewels that it Keves.
Mio: I'm not sure if it is, but it surely drew the attention of Kevesi soldiers as well.
Sena: It's heading to the nearby town? Doesn't the town have one of those wizard Guilds?
Taion: Indeed. Lamia Scale is the name of it.
Sena: Cool! I always wanted to see one before... You know.
Glimmer: Well, I think you got a chance once the mission's over.
Mio: (smiles at Sena) Once we finish we pop over there for a quick look. Sounds fair.
Sena: (smiles) Yeah, thanks Mimi!
Mio: (smiles) No problem! Anything for my closest friend.
(Back at the town)
Night has fallen as we cut to Wendy and Sherria talking in a room.
Sherria: Hey Wendy, about what happened earlier...
Wendy: (smile) It's fine. I promise that I'm not gonna go anywhere. Sherry out when got married, that had to be tough on you. And if I leave, that means you're gonna be left all alone.
Sherria: (sad smile) Well I don't really see it that way.
Wendy: (confused) Huh?
Sherria: I'll still be right here with all of my guildmates by my side. I mean, we're like a big family too, you know. (looks at Wendy with a smile) So you shouldn't stick around because you feel sorry for me. I want you to do what makes you happy.
Wendy gasped at what Sherria said. She was so focused on making her friend happy that she never considers doing what makes herself happy. Before she could reply, a loud boom happened.
Wendy: (worried) What was that?
Carla: That crash...
Wendy: It came from the guild!
Outside the room, the town was under attack as both Keves and Agnus soldiers began to clash with one another. Lyon and the rest of Lamia Scale are evacuating the civilians.
Lyon: Get the citizens to safety!
Toby: (howls)
Yuka: This way!
Lyon took a look at dead Agnus soldiers, soon he noticed the symbol on them.
Lyon: A symbol? (eyes widen) That symbol! It's Agnus!
Natsu, Lucy, and Happy arrived seeing the destruction that was happening to the town.
Natsu: What's going on?!
Lyon: Natsu!
Suddenly, a group of Agnus soldiers appeared behind him.
Lyon: The town's underattack! (quickly froze the soldiers) All of a sudden, a group of soldiers from Agnus just appeared out of nowhere.
Natsu: (confused) A gout?
Happy: It's Angus Natsu!
Lucy: (shocked) Agnus?! What are they doing here?!
Sherria: I think they came because of Keves! Those factions have always been at war with each other for as long as I can remember!
Natsu: Keys? Anus? What kind of people name their homes like that?
Happy: She said Keves and Angus!
Sherria: They're so obsessed with getting rid of each other that they don't care how many innocent people get hurt!
Wendy: And since Jura isn't here right now, we're missing our strongest member.
Carla: But why are they here? Those two never stray from their homes.
???: Oie! You lot!
They turned to Lanz walking up to them, flanked by a group of Keves soldiers.
Lanz: What are you guys doing here?!
Lucy: WE should be asking you that!
Lanz: Sorry, that's classified.
Sherria: Classified?! Don't you realize what you are doing? You're hurting innocent people in your damn war!
Lanz: What? But our commander said this place was evacuated? (sighs) Never mind that, where's the ether source?
Everyone: Ether source?
Lanz: You know, the ether source we tracked here? The one that Agnus got?
Lyon: I'm sorry, but we never heard of such a thing.
Lanz: (put his hand on his face) Great.... Just perfect! (takes his hand off face) Thanks anyway. (turns to leave) Come on!
But before he could leave, someone jumped into the air and slammed their weapon onto the ground, causing the soldiers Lanz had to be struck down by the shock wave. It was Sena who was welding a giant metal hammer.
Sena: Hold it right there! (points her hammer at him)
Lanz: Tch! Talk about terrible timing.
Sena: Okay! Kevesi, where's the ether source?!
Lanz: That's my question!
Sena: Your question?! It's mine!
Glimmer walked up behind her and pointed her staff at Lanz.
Glimmer: Focus Sena! Don't let him distract you!
Sena: Right!
Sena charged at Lanz with her hammer and swung it at him. But he brought out his weapon in its shield form and blocked her strike. But Glimmer went behind him and shot a fireball out of her staff, and struck him in the back.
???: Lanz!
Nikol rushed toward Lanz with his mechanical arms out and sent them toward Glimmer who back flipped to avoid them.
Nikol: Are you alright?
Lanz: (grunt) As soon as I strike that stupid Agnian down I will be!
Glimmer: Another one, Sena!
Sena: Yes?
Glimmer: You take on the silver skinned, I got the other!
Sena: Right! (charged at Lanz) Here I come, Kevesi! Take this!
Sena brought up her hammer and quickly brought it down, creating a crack in the ground and forcing Lanz to roll or be sent down into the crack. He then brought out his shield and turned it into a turret mode and started to shoot at Sena.
Sena: Whoa!
Sena starts running to avoid the bullets while Nikol tries to strike Glimmer with his arms, but Glimmer with a graceful and nimble stand dodge his arms.
She then jumped into the air, and struck him in the face with her staff. Soon after that, she kicked him in the gut, sending him to the ground.
Glimmer: (looks at the mechanical arms) What is that? That weapon...? Can't be a Blade...
Glimmer was taken by surprise when the arms grabbed her and threw her away and into a wall, causing her to drop her weapon.
Nikol: I'll have you know these arms are more than just show.
Glimmer: (grunts) I can see..... But it will take more than Kevesi to take me down.
Meanwhile, at the other-side of town. Y/N looks at the area around him with a surprised look on his face.
Y/N: What the? What is going on here? Agnus and Keves?
Matthew: What the blazes are they doing here?
A: I guess he was right.
Y/N: Right about what?
A: Someone once told me something about the war. I guess he was right about it.
Y/N: You mean... (realizes) Shit, the Ouroboros Stone!
Matthew: Come on! We got to find Guernica, before something happens to him.
Y/N, Matthew, and A rushed to find Guernica and the Ouroboros Stone before it was too late
Meanwhile, looking at the town was the Moebius from before. He had a smile on face as he watched the sight before him.
Moebius: How lovely! I just love the scent of blood in the air! Don't you think it's lovely too?
???: I admit it is an enjoyable view. But we haven't come here for sightseeing.
Moebius: I know! The stone and if I'm right, that pink haired fool is here too. Two prizes for the price of one! Shall we?
Meanwhile, the unknown force's troops are fighting Kevesi and Agnian forces on all sides. Among them are a large man named Guernica, together with his right-hand men, Yew and Zuo.
Guernica: Damn it! Fighting both of 'em? That's gonna be a tough break. But what did I expect? They'll do just about anything... for our precious Ouroboros Stone.
The camera focuses on the Ouroboros Stone, an egg-shaped green-glowing object about a metre tall in the middle of Guernica's defenses. Automatons are destroyed as the troops close in.
expect? They'll do just about anything... for our precious Ouroboros Stone.
The camera focuses on the Ouroboros Stone, an egg-shaped green-glowing object about a meter tall in the middle of Guernica's defenses. Automatons are destroyed as the troops close in.
Yew: Guernica! That's the last of the Automatons! We won't last long!
Zuo: The battle unit's still holding. Go, save yourself! Get that Stone to Y/N and his group!
Soon after those words, Zuo was hit.
Zuo: Argh!
Guernica: Zuo!
As Guernica counterattacks, Yew is hit too.
Yew: Arrrghhh!
Guernica shoots the last of the surrounding soldiers and rushes over to Yew. He puts his hand over Yew's chest.
Yew: Guernica... S-sorry... I should... have been more... perceptive...
Guernica grabs Yew's hand as he convulses and dies.
Guernica: (mourning) Yew! YEW!!! DAMMIT IT!!!
???: Guernica!
???: Are you okay, mate?
Guernica: (sees Y/N, Matthew, and A running towards) Y/N! Matthew! A! Bout time you showed up.
Y/N looked at Zuo and Yew lifeless bodies.
Y/N: Zuo? Yew? (grips his hands) No.....
A: Looks like we were too late to save the rest.
Matthew: (angry) DAMMIT IT!!!
A: (looks at Guernica) And the Ouroboros Stone?
Guernica: Safe for now, but not much longer with the Kevesi and Agnian forces here.
A: Quite right.
Matthew: Where is it? The sooner we get it, the faster we can get out of here!
Y/N: (looks behind) Guys, we got company!
Suddenly, Noah and Eunie appeared from the shadows and rushed at them, but then a swarm of flying origami birds appeared and blocked them.
Noah: Uh?!
Eunie counterattacks, firing back at Taion as Mio comes and dashes toward them.
Mio: Kevesi troops...Two of them.
Taion: It seems...we are just about the only ones left. And there's our objective. (glares at the Ouroboros Stone)
Eunie: Noah!
Noah: Yeah. We'll have to fight.
Taion: Mio.
Mio: Got it.
A: Things appeared to have gotten out of the frying pan...
Guernica: ... And into the fire! Quick grab the stone.
Y/N: I'm on it! Matthew, A, keep them busy!
Matthew: (punches his fist into his palm) Got it!
A: Y/N. (pulls out her sword) Please, be careful.
Y/N: You don't have to tell me twice.
Y/N helps Guernica with the Ouroboros Stone.
A: I know. But I still worry about you.
The Kevesi and Again soldiers charged once more as Matthew and A hold the line for Y/N and Gurenica. A strike from Noah splits Mio's helmet, revealing her face as it falls apart. Mio is uninjured. The two duel as Guernica watches on.
Gurenica: These kids are gonna end up stealing each other's life force... And me... I've robbed them even of that kindness.
Y/N: Guernica.... Whatever the reason for them being here is not your fault.
As Noah fights Mio, Eunie is running from an attack by Taion as she hides behind a rock as cover.
Eunie: How many of those cards has this geek got?!
Taion: There's no escape! When my Mondo have you... They'll follow you to the ends of the world!
At a signal, the Mondo form into several larger birds and fly towards Eunie's position under cover.
Eunie: Spark that! Why don't you back off?!
Eunie sticks her Gunrod in the ground and releases a wave of ether. The Mondo are dispersed.
Taion: (gasp) How did she fool my Mondo?!
Eunie: (pleased with herself) Creep. Try following that!
Meanwhile,
Sena and Glimmer charged at Lanz and Nikol were prepared for whatever the two had for them. Glimmer created a fireball which Sena launched with her hammer. Which was blocked by Lanz. All while Natsu and the others watched on.
Happy: This is crazy! These guys are trying so hard to kill each other!
Wendy: Is this how far they would go?
Lucy: Don't even care about their own lives?
Natsu: AHHHHH!!! I HAD ENOUGH OF THIS!!!!
Lucy: (confused) Natsu?!
Soon Natsu launched himself at the two groups and inhaled as he unleashed a fire breath at them.
Natsu: FIRE DRAGON ROAR!!!
Lanz, Nikol, Sena, and Glimmer: (shocked) What the?!
All of them managed to dodge the attack at the last moment, when the smoke cleared stood Natsu with an angry look upon his face.
Lanz: Oie! What the hell's that for?!
Sena: Yeah, who's side are you on?!
Natsu: (angry) Well, I'm on the side of "Trying to figure out why you're doing this!"
Glimmer: Because (gestures to Lanz and Nikol) these guys are the enemy obviously!
Nikol: Well, we're not the bad guys here! (points to Glimmer and Sena) You are!
Sena: US?! You're the bad guys!
Natsu: Alright, that's it! I don't care who's good or bad, you guys are bringing innocent people involved!
Glimmer: We don't want that either. But we're told no one would be here!
Natsu: If you guys won't stop fighting, I'm gonna make you! Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame!
Soon, he raised up his hands and created a giant ball of fire.
Lanz, Nikol, Sena, and Glimmer: (shocked) What?!
Natsu throws the fireball as Lanz, Nikol, Sena, and Glimmer get blasted away to where Noah, Eunie, Mio, and Taion are at.
Mio: What? (sees Sena and Glimmer) Sena! Glimmer!
Noah: Lanz! Nikol!
Guernica: Now what did that?! Moebius?
Y/N: No! But I have a hunch who did it.
Just then, Y/N felt his head having a headache again as places his hand on it.
Y/N: (in pain) ARGGGG!!! Not again...!
Guernica: Y/N, are you alright?
A: (worried) Y/N!!!
Y/N's Ouroboros Iris appeared on his left eye again as the pain suddenly stopped.
Y/N: What? What's going on...
He looked at the soldier from the two groups before he glanced at the Ouroboros Stone.
Y/N: The Stone, is it trying to tell me something...?
A rushed over to him with a worried look on her face.
A: (worried) Are you alright Y/N?
Y/N: ...Yeah, I think I know what to do now.
A: What do you mean by that?
Y/N: (stands up) I'll tell you later, but first... Gurenica, help me stop this fight.
Guernica was unsure at first, but he realizes when he looks at the stone.
Guernica: (to himself) Ah I see...I s'pose this is the reason I'm here then, eh? Heh! Guess this is what they call fate. Fine then. Time for Guernica Vandham... to make an entrance!
He fires a flare into the sky. Mio and Noah are about to clash when they're distracted by it, and Y/N uses the opportunity to pin them to the ground.
Noah: What the?!
Y/N: What the hell do you all think you're doing? Why are you fighting each other?!
Noah: What's this...guy saying?
Gurencia: (shouting) Well?! Answer him!
Nikol: Huh?
Y/N: JUST WHY?!?! ANSWER ME DAMMIT!!!
The others collect around Y/N and Guernica, staying a few meters away.
Mio: What do you mean "why"?! If I see an enemy I fight!
Mio releases herself from Y/N's pin and charges at him.
Mio: So don't you...interfere!!!
Guernica incapacitates her with a punch to the stomach.
Guernica: Pull the wool from your eyes, kid. Think about your real target: (points at the stone) that thing! And us! No, you just have your little scrap. D'you have any idea who the real enemy is? IT'S OVER!!!
He pounds the ground. The shockwave knocks Noah and Mio back.
Guernica: (slightly calmer) Now. Is that all you need to fight? Truly? That's all?
Taion: Of course. Countless comrades have lost their lives, thanks to this filth!
Nikol: Filth?! I have you know I'm getting a Homecoming!
Glimmer: Same with me and Mio! We were supposed to have a peaceful life until you guys showed up and ruined everything!
Lanz: Oh really now? I could say the exact same thing. What d'you think it's like for us? Losing friend, after friend... You steal everything from us!
Natsu, Wendy, and Sherria appeared and saw the sight before them.
Wendy: What's going on?
Sherria: Are they talking?
Eunie: You think we're even just because both sides do some killing?
Eunie's iris lights up, showing the Flame Clock.
Eunie: What good's filling up these flickering Clocks in our eyes?! It'll never replace the friends we've lost! That's why-
Noah (interrupting, at Eunie) We aren't fighting because we "want" to.
Eunie: (confused) We're not?
Noah: (softer) We can see our lives written before our eyes. Fighting is all we have! Is it any wonder...we lose loved ones? Or have to take them from others? All of us... We have to fight so we can go on living!
Mio: (gasps)
Noah: (angry) Just who decided that this was how it should be? If I knew who they were, or where, I'd...
Y/N: (walks in front of Noah) We know who they are. You'd what? (looks at his uniform) You're an off-seer, aren't you? (looks at his sword, smirks) I guess I can trust you with this. You better listen up now. 'Cause the face of your real enemy is-
He was interrupted when Guernica got stabbed in his chest by a glowing talon-shaped spear. He falls to the ground, yelling in pain.
Y/N, Matthew, and A: GUERNICA!!!!
Wendy: No!
Taion sends his Mondo in the direction of the source, and the others take combat stances. The outline of a hulking creature can be seen faintly through the trees, in particular two glowing spheres on its torso with red infinity symbols. The first thing that appears from behind the trees is Mwamba.
Noah: Mwamba?
Mwamba: (struggling to speak) N...Noah! I... sorry... I messed up...
The creature was the Moebius and was the one holding Mwamba in one hand and an Agnian soldier in the other.
Sherria: What is that thing?!
Natsu: It's that thing from before!
Slowly, flanking the Moebius was a small army of demonic looking dog that had black skin and tentacles attached to their back.
Matthew: And he looks like he brought some pets.
Agnian Soldier: M-Mio! H-Help me... Mio!
Mio: Hackt!
Suddenly Noah's sword begins to vibrate and whine intensely.
Noah: My Blade... What the...?
Lanz: W-What is that thing?!
Eunie: Never seen anything like it befo-
Eunie stops as she remembers a remarkably similar creature bearing down on her.
Lanz: (worried) Eunie! Eunie! What's wrong?! What is it? Seen that thing before?!
Eunie: (nervous) No, h-how could I have?
Lanz: Noah?
Noah: No, never. This is no normal creature... It's something else.
The Moebius's left iris glows with a fiery infinity symbol.
Moebius: (casually) Oi oi! Don't stop on my account. Get back to killin' each other! Come on. I thought that was your whole "raison d'être"?
Mio: It's... speaking?!
Gurenica: (weakly) M-Moebius...
Moebius: What's wrong? Too worried about your buddies to fight? Can't have that! ...All right. Dark Nations! It's Lunch time!
The Moebius soon drops them near the Dark Nations. Who then viciously attacked and began to eat them.
Noah: MWAMBA!!!
Lanz: Grgh, you scum...!
Wendy: (holds her hands over her mouth) No.....
Moebius: Oh, wow. This is some entertainment. Two rival factions, murdering each other over one little rock. (gestures to the Ouroboros stone) Well! Your objective is staring you in the face! Try and take it. 'Course, you'll be dead before you can lay a finger on it. (sits down on a nearby rock and grins) Don't you just love it? Don't you wanna savor it? The sweet taste of a life cut short!
Y/N: (pulls his sword) Y-YOU BASTARD!!! (charges at the Moebius)
Moebius: Oh. It's you again!
Y/N jumped at Moebius and went to slash at him. But the Moebius just flicked him away and into a wall.
A: Y/N!
Matthew: Damn it! (charges at Moebius)
Moebius: Uhhhh. Why must the lesser always get so worked up when I harm another of them?
Lanz: Ngh... You mudder!
Lanz, Eunie, and Nikol charge. Noah runs after them.
Noah: Wait, Lanz! Eunie! Nikol!
Mio: (rushing in) You killed Hackt!
Sena: (following) Mimi!
Taion: Spark!
Glimmer: This is a bad idea!
Natsu: Time for round 2! (rushed in)
They all charged at the Moebius, but he fired a dark purple laser from his eyes, they dodged, but the ground exploded from the laser, and sent them flying.
Moebius: Booooorrrriiiiinnnnng! (went over to Natsu) Hello again Pinky! Glad to see me again?
Natsu: You bet I am! I'm gonna burn you to a crisp!
Moebius: You can try! But someone wants to see you! Sooooo NIGHTY NIGHTY!!!
The Moebius brought his fist and went to knock out Natsu by striking his head, but suddenly, a spiral of wind came towards and stopped him from delivering the blow.
Moebius: (curious) What was that?
Wendy: Leave him alone!
Moebius: Oh? What a pipsqueak like you're gonna do about it? Tea party me to death? Hahahahahaha! Dark Nations rip her to pieces!
The Dark Nations growl as they go to attack Wendy.
Wendy: Sky Dragon Roar!
Once again, a spiral of wind appeared out of Wendy's mouth, striking the Dark Nations and dealing major damage to them, as all of them were seriously damaged and had some missing pieces of their body.
Moebius: Another Dragon Slayer? Well... This is my lucky day! Two Dragon Slayers and the Stone! The boss is gonna love this!
Sherria: (seen behind Moebius) Don't forget about me! Sky God Boreas!
Sherria unleashed black wind from her hands at Moebius.
Moebius: A God Slayer?! Well... (fires a dark purple beam from his mouth)
The beam cut through the black wind and struck Sherria in the chest, sending her through a nearby wall.
Moebius: .....How is that for you?
Wendy: Sherria!
Moebius: Seriously, this is all you got?! This is so pathetic!
???: You fool! Don't forget yourself! Remember our goal!
Guernica, still bleeding from his chest, climbs back into the transporter and starts it up. A talon from the Moebius's hand sends the entire group sprawling. It takes aim at Noah. Lanz interposes himself; the Moebius doesn't care.
Before it can attack again, Guernica's transporter collides with it and drags it a good distance across the ground. Guernica yells and attempts to strike with one of the transporter's appendages, but the Moebius catches the strike mid-throw.
Moebius: Hmph. Well... What did I expect? (grabs the transporter) That's about...all you're...good for!
The Moebius throws the transporter around by the appendage. The joint breaks and the transporter is thrown a significant distance away.
Gurenica: Well, crud. Helluva throwing arm. But y'know... I ain't... takin' thatLYING DOWN!!!
Guernica turns the transporter back around and attacks with an attached machine gun. The Moebius casually bats away some of the shots, before firing another talon to disable the attack and leaping right at the cockpit. He tears it open, grabs Guernica, and holds him aloft.
Noah: (weakly) Leave him alone...
Noah rushes towards the Moebius again.
Noah: (angry) LET HIM GO!!!
The others rush after him (with some hesitation from Taion). Noah forces the Moebius to drop Guernica with an upwards sword slash to the arm.
Moebius: Tsk! Don't get on yer high horse. You're nothing more... than a grunt!
Power manifests in the Moebius's fist, and Noah is blasted back as he punches the nearby ground. Lanz catches him.
Lanz: Noah!
Moebius: You've got a real death wish. Maybe I'll take care of you first! How 'bout that?! Then I'll take my prizes and go with a happy laugh in me!
Matthew: You'll try, but we'll beat you up!
Moebius: You make me laugh! Hahahahahahah!!!
Natsu: Then I'll make you cry instead! Fire Dragon Iron Fist!
Natsu struck him in the face with a flaming fist, but it did not. The Moebius grabbed him by his face and punched him in his gut. He then repeated this process again and again, until finally he slammed him into the ground.
Moebius: Had enough?
Wendy: Natsu! (rushes) Sky Dragon Wing Attack!
Wendy waved her arms to create a pair of vortexes, trapping the Moebius in between them, but he was surrounded by a field of dark purple energy and shot upward reaching the sky, and then zoomed toward Wendy, crashing into her and created a cloud of dust.
When the dust fade, it revealed that Wendy was being held by her neck by the Moebius.
Moebius: I guess that's all a pipsqueak like you can do. (brings a nail to her neck) Shame too! The boss does love unique things. Oh well. Time to slice and dice!
Glimmer sends a fireball at the Moebius which makes him drop Wendy, while Matthew gives him several punches to the face which force him back a bit. While he was doing that Glimmer went over to check on Wendy.
Glimmer: Are you alright?
Wendy: I think so. But what is it?
Glimmer: I have no idea.
Sena then rushed at it. Strike him right on his left foot, then follow up with a strike on his right foot. The Moebius fires a dark energy blast that sends Sena rolling over to Eunie, who heals her.
Sena: Uh... Thanks for that.
Eunie: (impatiently) Pfft... If you're done thanking me, maybe you can get up! We have to beat him together or we're dead in the mud!
Meanwhile, the Moebius bats Lanz's Shieldblade away and rears back with an attack. Taion blocks it by forming a shield with his Mondo.
Taion: Get out the way! You're just slowing me down!
Lanz: Tch... The nerve on this guy!
Nikol uses his mechanical arms to attack the Moebius, but he gets kicked away. Glimmer stopped him with her staff, then blasted him with a barrage of spears made out fire.
Nikol: Did you have to use your staff to stop me?
Glimmer: Shut up and fight!
Meanwhile, Guernica approaches the Ouroboros stone, audibly in pain, and performs percussive maintenance.
Guernica: Start working...! Wooork!!! Ugh... If you don't start up soon... Those kids...! And the world!
He suddenly grabs his chest and was about to fall down until Y/N grabbed him.
Y/N: Don't go dying on us, old man!
Guernica: Y/N...
A soon went over to the stone and started to continue his work on it.
A: Are you certain about this Y/N?
Y/N: Believe me if I didn't, but what over choice do we have?
A: Well.... I never doubted you before. But if we truly do this, I want one thing from you in exchange.
Y/N: Name it.
A looked away from him.
A: I..... want......you...
Y/N: A?
A: (turns to Y/N) I want..... A kiss.
Y/N: (blush) Huh?!
A: (blush) You heard me.
Y/N: (blush) But... why would you...?
A: (blush and turn her head away) Just do it!
Y/N: (blush) Alright fine!
Guernica: Ha! Boy, do you too really know how to live things up! Well Romeo?
Y/N: (blush) Shut up old man!
Guernica: What? Ain't you going do it?
Y/N: Now's not a good time!
Guernica: You chicken?
Y/N: (anime angry tick mark) Damn it...!
Y/N walked over and gave A a kiss on the lips. As they did it, A slowly slipped her tongue into his mouth while also raising her left foot. It lasted for a few moments before they separated their lips.
Y/N: (blush) Happy?
A: (bliss look) C-C-C-C-Certainly....... What are we doing?
Y/N: (facepalm himself) Oh for the love of...! Fine, I'll do it myself.
Y/N walks to the container, and after a few knocks, the egg opens to reveal a cylinder extending upwards from the core.
Y/N: Yes!
A: (bliss look) What's happening?
Y/N: This is the beginning of the new generation of Ouroboros, A.
A: (bliss look) What an Ouroboros?
Meanwhile, the Moebius manages to knock Mio off her feet.
Moebius: One down, good start!
It takes aim at Mio, but Noah bats its arm away and jumps an inconsequential distance away with her. The Moebius is unperturbed and rears back to attack them both.
Moebius: Two for one!
Y/N: IT'S NOT OVER YET!!!
Y/N slammed the Ouroboros Stone's cylinder into its core. As he does so, a blast of green-blue energy fills the surrounding area. A Ghost-like image of Y/N appears and is seemingly thrown out of his body, with A, Matthew, Noah and Mio and their respected group to do the same.
Sherria: (groans) What's going on?
Lucy and the rest came to the scene and saw what was happening.
Lucy: What is this?
Happy: (afraid) THEIR BECOME GHOSTS!!!! RUN OR THEY WILL HAUNT YOU!!!
Suddenly, Y/N's body began glowing in a golden aura along with his Ouroboros Iris as a flash of light emerged, causing everyone to cover their eyes.
Lucy: (worried) Y/N!!!
Soon, the light faded as everyone looked in shock. In Y/N's place was a dark colored giant around the same height as the Moebius.
Lucy: Y/N? Is that you?
Y/N: (looks at himself) No way... Is this... my Ouroboros power? Incredible.
Moebius: (shocked) What?!?! But how?!?! He did it by himself? That's not possible!
???: (angry) You fool! See what your playtime has caused?!
Moebius: (angry) SHUT IT J!!!
But Y/N wasn't the only one. Noah's iris glows, and his Flame Clock is replaced by a blue fiery depiction of a snake eating its tail.
Noah's vision changes to the inside of an orange hazy sphere. Projected on the 'walls' are a multitude of transient videos, primarily of Mio, Sena, and an unknown brown-haired girl. Noah looks around the space in confusion, his iris aglow. The visuals are accompanied by a jumble of audible sentences from Mio —
Mu: An off-seer? Really?!
???: Miyabi...?
???: This is all... such a waste...
???: You know, I was just looking for a training partner.
???: You've nothing to apologize for, Sena.
Mixed in is an unknown voice, perhaps belonging to the pictured girl —
???: Mio... Is that why you're here, for recognition?
???: Mio. Take this... I'm giving you my whole self. So please... Live life in my stead.
The final line overlaps with Mio screaming a name.
Mio: Miyabi!!!
Mio stands vertically reversed in the same space, her feet against Noah's, her iris similarly aglow. She looks around at images from Noah's past, accompanied by the voices of the younger Noah and his friends: Noah shouting
Noah: For now, just run! Run with all the breath you have!
Noah: Stop crying, Lanz! It won't change anything!
Lanz: We can take care of ourselves. Joran! Joooraaan!!!
As the voices speak, light swirls around Noah and Mio, and their bodies become two balls of light that combine into a single glowing core. This core appears where Noah and Mio stood, and a dark-coloured giant manifests around it. The Moebius is blasted back, toppling a tree in its trajectory.
Noah: What did I just...do...?
Noah's apparent hand is massive and deep purple, with glowing lines along it.
Noah takes a look at his hand which is now massive and deep purple, with glowing lines along it.
Noah: What...? This hand...
Noah/Mio: Is it.... Mine?
Noah looked over to the others, who looked at him with a warily look in their eyes.
Noah/Mio: Huh? H-how are you inside me?
Their new form appears as a deep purple muscular humanoid, with a long ponytail and a blade-like horn on its head. Its chest contains a glowing core.The form is armed with two asymmetric swords which were stowed on its back.
Noah/Mio: Inside...? Hold on... Are we...?!
Y/N: Amazing! You two just performed an Interlink!
Soon they heard the Moebius speaking. But for some strange reason it appeared that he was arguing with himself.
Moebius: NO! You're an idiot! I'm not an idiot! Stop calling me THAT!!!
Y/N: (clears throat) Ahem...
Moebius: (glares at him) SHUT IT!!! CAN'T YOU SEE I'M TALKING HERE!!!
Y/N: OH GET SNUFF, YOU FREAK!!!
Moebius: Never mind that! We'll settle this later! Now I've got a problem to deal with!
Happy: I'm confused. Is he talking about us or someone else?
Natsu: I'm not sure.
Moebius: Well, you sure catch on quick. (chuckles) So you got yourselves a transformation and Interlink going, eh? Guess I've gotta give the old fool credit where it's due.
Noah/Mio: Interlink?
Moebius: Well, whatever. (point to them) That form you just merged into? It's called "Ouroboros". Sear that into yer skulls.
Noah: Ouroboros?
Moebius: Oh, and... Me, I'm Moebius. We look a bit alike, don't we? When Keves and Agnus come together in unity, you're practically one step away from being on the same level as us.
Noah: So, we're...
Mio: One being...?
Moebius: But (point to Y/N) You somehow did it all by yourself! Quite unique you see you need someone else to do it with. So..... How do you do it?
Y/N: Beats me. You could say I'm part of a rare Ouroboros in a way.
Moebius: Well..... Looks like I'm bringing you in as well. Let's review the shopping list shall we. (holds out three of his talons) You and pinkie. While killing everyone else! Sounds right to me.
Wendy: What are you?! Why do you want to kill us?
Moebius: (point to him) Me?! Well! I'm a special being! A part of a group who can make that lame black gecko run away at the sight of us! So in a way, that makes us better than you. So why not kill you?
Y/N: (glares at him) Over my dead body.
Moebius: Heh. I thought you would say that. Ehh, to put it bluntly, you're failures. Fact is, the two of us are mortal enemies.
Noah/Mio: Enemies?
Noah and Mio's new form gets into a fighting stance.
Moebius: You got the picture? No further questions? Then let's get back on the dance floor! So who shall I kill first? (begins to point at them randomly) Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, Catch a tiger by the toe. If he hollers, let him go, Eeny, meeny, miny, moe. You.... are....
He then appeared in front of Lucy with his claws out ready to slash her.
Moebius: IT!!!!
Lucy was afraid as Moebius was about to kill her, but Y/N shoulder-tackled him away from her.
Y/N: (angry) STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!!!
Lucy: Y/N...
Y/N continued to shoulder-tackle him through several buildings, and then he slammed him into the ground with a loud crash.
Moebius: Well, this is starting to get fun!
Moebius grabbed Y/N by the face and threw him away. But he then disappeared with a flash and then reappeared in front of him and punched him in the face, then blasted him with a light purple beam, sending him flying into a building.
Moebius: What was that?! How did he do that?!
Y/N: Like this!
Y/N with another flash appeared in front of him and held out his hand, creating a light purple energy katana and with it slashed him across the chest. The Moebius yelled in pain as Noah delivered a punch across the face.
Moebius: What is going on here?!
J: I told you! But you always get carried away with your playtime! Call in reinforcement to back you up!
Moebius: NO!!! I can handle these fools!!!
Noah creates a sword from his back and slashes Moebius. But he then back handed Noah out of the building, he then shot another beam from his mouth at Y/N. Who slashed the beam in half and then dash at the Moebius, slashing him with rapid speed.
Y/N then delivers an uppercut which launches the Moebius high into the sky before slamming it back into the ground.
While Y/N stayed the same, Noah and Mio Ouroboros's skin color has changed to an incandescent red, and a shrill alarm-like beeping can be heard. The Moebius's highlights have likewise changed from blue to yellow-white. The others look on in awe.
Moebius: (dusting himself off) Pretty good! Weeell, what a tough'un. Enough. We'll say I lost this one, yeah?
Mio: Who is he talking to?
Noah: No idea. But...
Moebius: (chuckles) Got a parting gift for you. Don't worry, there's plenty to go round.
Suddenly, a searchlight-like beam is emitted from the Moebius's eyes and forms a blood-red infinity symbol on the clouds. Several people, including one in golden armor, take notice. He then looked at Natsu's guild mark and shot out a beam at it.
Natsu: Gah! What did you do?!
Moebius: Listen well! Those who now bear that mark of yours will and now have become the enemies of Moebius! All who bear it shall fear the might we have! And with it, the whole world will be your enemy. So I wonder how your lives will turn out. I'll enjoy watching you.
Wendy: Wait what do you mean by that?
The Moebius vanishes in a cloud of purple motes. The sky brightens in a cloudy dawn.
Noah: (confused) Who in the... Who even was that...?
The Ouroboros forms vanished, as Y/N was back to his human form while Noah and Mio's bodies reform in its place. They check over themselves, and look at one another.
A walked over to Y/N.
A: You alright?
Y/N: Shouldn't I be asking you that? You were pretty dazed?
A: (blush) S-Sorry about that.
Matthew: Y/N, Gurenica is...!
Y/N and A walked over to them. All three couched down to his level.
Y/N: (worried) Gurenica? You gotta hang in there!
Eunie: : N-Noah!
Lanz: W-was that... Was that you guys just now?
Eunie, Nikol and Lanz jog over to Noah and Mio. Taion, Glimmer, and Sena approach from the other side.
Taion: Mio, what's happening here? What's going on?
Mio: I...don't...
Glimmer, Nikol, Eunie, Taion, Lanz, and Sena suddenly notice each other, and quickly get back in battle stances.
Gurenica: (struggling to talk) Hold it right there! You guys... Put away your weapons. You aren't- You're not enemies... now...
A: Don't speak!
Sena: We're not?
Lanz: Then...
Suddenly, Gurenica coughs up blood and grasps his stomach in pain.
Y/N: Hang on. We'll get you someone.
Gurenica: Too late...
Guernica removes his mask. He's reaching old age, and has an eyepatch covering his left eye.
Gurenica: Besides, with my age.
Nikol: His skin...
Glimmer: It's all wrinkled.
Gurenica: (chuckles) It's called getting old, this.
Noah: Old?
Gurenica: Well... Must be your first time, huh. Seeing a human...like me, I mean.
Lucy: (turns to Wendy) Wendy, is there anything you can do?
Wendy: I... I don't know, with these injuries that's...
Gurenica: Don't worry, sweetheart. This was bound to happen sooner or later. Looks like my plan was a success.
Eunie: What plan?
Gurenica: You eight... You're now Ouroboros. Check the Flame Clocks in your Irises. Do they look different to you?
They check each other's Irises. The circular flame has been replaced by the snake eating its tail.
Noah: Ah! Huh. Now you mention it...
Mio: Our Flame Clocks have changed shape?!
Y/N: That's the Ouroboros Ring. The ones Matthew, A, and I have just like you guys.
Glimmer: What do you mean? What's going on here?
Guernica: Guess I did good... Entrusting this power to you...
He looks at Mio, Glimmer, and Nikol's term marks. It's almost fully grey.
Guernica: Those marks there... Late tenth term, eh? Three months left. Till your Homecoming - that about right?
Mio gives a vocalization of confirmation and her hand moves towards her term mark, but stops short.
Guernica: As for the rest of you... You're probably about two years off, right? Me? I've been alive for sixty years. Or should I say sixty terms, by your counting. Yeah. I've been alive six times longer than you. This is how people are really meant to be. Listen, folks... That's not all. There's still...something else that needs to be done. You guys... You wanna survive? Live on? Hold the torch?
Y/N: (worried) Guernica!
Guernica: Y/N, you, Matthew, and A will have to look after them. Sorry I won't be here to see you guys fight the enemy. You have to teach them not to fight each other.
Matthew: Come on! You survived worse than this!
A: Guernica.....
Guernica: From this moment on, those Moebius bastards are never gonna leave you alone. Because now, kids... You share a common destiny. They'll hunt you constantly, relentlessly, without rest. (point to Natsu who had Happy on his shoulder) Listen Pinkie. I don't know who or what you are. But they will be hunted by you and anyone who has that mark of yours. Keep an eye out will ya....
Natsu: You bet I will.
Guernica: Good.... Make sure the next time you see that jerk, you tell him I'll see him in hell with him. (chuckles, then it turned into a loud cough) There's one place that might give you a chance: Swordmarch. The land pierced by a great sword. You gotta find our hope... Our City. It's the only way you're gonna defeat the real enemy... And reclaim what was lost... The way the world, and life... should be.
Golden motes begin to fly off Guernica's body.
Y/N, A, and Matthew: Gurenica!!!
Gurenica: It's up to you now... Y/N, Matthew, A... protect the future... and tell them I'm sorry...
He evaporates into motes. Mio exhales, then pulls out her flute.
Eunie: Hey, is she...
Lanz: Yeah. An Agnian off-seer.
Mio begins to play. Guernica's golden motes turn blue. After a few bars, Noah joins in, and Mio pauses, but resumes after they share a look. The Kevesi and Agnian off-seeing tunes harmonize as blue motes fill the area and rise into the sky.
Nikol: Poor Mwamba... He was close to Homecoming too.
Taion, Glimmer, and Sena sigh. The piece ends.
Mio: Thank you.... For doing this with me.
Noah: Well...This is what we're meant to do. To send on the voices of the departed, is an off-seer's purpose...
Mio recalls a time with the brown-haired girl Noah had seen during the Interlink.
Unknown Girl: To send on the voices of the departed is an off-seer's purpose...
Mio: ......Right.
Y/N: (knees down) Guernica... I promise we'll save the world from Moebius. You can count on it.
Matthew: What do we tell them? You know....
A: Yes.... It will be tough for them.
Y/N: I know, which is why I'll do it. This is what he wanted after all.
Lanz says something inaudible to Eunie, then addresses Noah.
Lanz: (turns to leave) We're leaving.Noah, Eunie. Nikol.
They begin to walk off, but stop when Noah doesn't follow.
Noah: What's up?
Lanz: The mission's over. We've got an obligation. Need to report the sitch.
Taion: As do we. Time to withdraw. Mio, Glimmer, Sena.
Mio: Huh? But-
Taion: "But" what?
Mio: (annoyed) Come on, Taion. Don't be rude.
Natsu: Hey! What about that guy? Ain't you guys going to do what he said?
Happy: Yeah! You guys gotta do what the guy said to do and go to this Swordmarch place.
Taion: It's hardly the time for pleasantries. We lost a great many of our comrades. We have to inform those still in the Colony.
Lanz: And we're any different? If you snuffheads hadn't come charging in...
Y/N: ENOUGH!!!
Everyone turned their attention at Y/N.
Y/N: Guernica gave his life, to give us a chance, and you're still going about this stupid war?!
The two groups looked at each other.
Matthew: Right, time out! That'll be enough out of you guys. Your fighting days are over.
A: Correct! Moebius have marked you as an enemy and will not stop until you're all dead!
Nikol: Huh?
Matthew: You're done. No need to fight any more. No need to take life, or fear its loss.
Glimmer: You're not serious...?
Matthew: Give it a couple of days for it to sink in. Your life's stopped draining. And that means you don't have to fight.
Y/N: If you wish to go back, that's fine with us. But you'll give yourselves a deathwish now. And if you've decided to join us, we'll tell you all you need to know. Because...
He looked at the rising dawn.
Y/N: You're gonna get all the help you can get.
Chapter 2 ended.
That was a very long chapter. But what do you expect from the Xenoblade series. Let me know what you guys think at the comments below, peace out and enjoy!
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