Narrator: Threatened by a ruthless demon, humanity was on the brink of destruction. All seemed lost until a lone mage stepped forward and took up the fight. After his triumph, he was hailed as the Wizard King, and his story has become legend. Asta, Finral, Tyrus and Vanessa unleashed a new innovative plan to counteract the overwhelming power of the newly awakened Vetto of Despair who continually wreaked havoc in the Underwater Temple. With the usage of Asta's anti-magic, Tyrus's ice magic, Finral's portals and Vanessa's threads, the plan seemed for the longest to work. Until..

Vanessa: I knew it- it isn't because Finral and I are getting tired... Vetto- He's starting to match the timing of our attacks!

Vetto: THERE YOU ARE... COME TO ME YOU ARROGANT COCKROACHES!

Asta: CRAP!

Tyrus: MOVE YOU- GAHHHHHHHH!

A Bear Claw meant to kill Asta instead met the midsection of his brother Tyrus much to the horror of his Black Bull squadmates.

Noelle: TYRUS!

Asta: OH NO, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!

Tyrus: Define okay.... DAMNIT!

Yami, sensing the ordeal rear its head in the wrong direction immediately told the four to slow it down unless they wanted to be killed, they would need to-

WE'RE GOING TO PUSH TO PUSH PAST OUR LIMITS AND BREAK OUR CEILING EVEN MORE!

Vanessa: Get ready you three, we're about to go even faster!

Tyrus: NOT A PROBLEM, LET'S CRANK IT UP NESSA!

Asta: YEAH!

Finral: Asta, Tyrus! JUMP THROUGH HERE!

Tyrus: ON IT, YOU GO FIRST ASTA!

The new vigor Yami had installed into his charges only seemed to ramp even further when Gauche, Charmy and the newly appearing Grey showed up on the scene to help the rookies as they best could.

Charmy: STRIKE OF THE SLEEPING SHEEP, STRIKE ONE! STRIKE TWO! STRIKE THREE, YOU ARE OUT OF HERE!

Gauche: MIRROR MAGIC, REFLECT REFRAIN!

Vetto: YOU DAMN MOSQUITOES ARE STARTING TO GRATE MY LAST NERVE, WHY WON'T YOU ALL JUST DESPAIR ALREADY!

Two sets of portals open up with Asta and Tyrus emerge and stab Vetto deep in both of his torso flanks, a massive dust cloud obscuring the rest of their teammates view.

Tyrus: SHUT UP ABOUT YOUR DAMN DESPAIR!

Asta: WHO HAS TIME TO EVEN DESPAIR?!

WHEN WE ALL HAVE DREAMS WORTH LIVING FOR?!

Tyrus: VETTO, TAKE YOUR DESPAIR AND SHOVE IT RIGHT WHERE THE SUN DOESN'T SHINE!

The never-ending fight continues.... NOW!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

The dust cloud continues to swirl about as Noelle, Vanessa, Finral, Gauche, Grey and Charmy look on desperately, hoping that Asta and Tyrus had finally brought an end to Vetto's rampage.

Noelle: D-Did they get him?

What the Bulls can't see they hear in the form of multiple grunts and screams as suddenly the dust burst all over the place and Tyrus goes flying!

Finral: TYRUS!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Tyrus: GAHHHHH!

He hits the wall with devastating impact and while creating a crater, is still conscious but barely able to keep his eyes open. Everyone looks on horrified especially Noelle when she realizes Asta isn't accounted for.

Noelle: Wait, if that's Tyrus... WHERE'S ASTA?!

Vanessa: ASTA?! TALK TO US KIDDO!

Gauche: COME ON, IDIOT!

They all witness Asta hanging on as he continues to dig the Demon Dweller Sword into Vetto's abdomen as the man beast writhes in agony but paints a demonic smirk on his face.

Vetto: AHHHHH! RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Vanessa: They got him!

Finral: Finally!

Gauche, Grey and Charmy cheer as Noelle helps Tyrus regain some semblance of consciousness.

Tyrus: T-Take that, you furry fucker!

Noelle: You're okay!

Tyrus: Told you Noelle, I-I-I'll sleep when I'm dead. Good stuff, Asta, we got him!

WE WON!

The atmosphere quickly intensfies and the pressure deadly drops when Vetto begins to laugh his ass off, striking fear into the Black Bulls hearts.

Vetto: OH? YOU BELIEVE YOURSELVES TO HAVE BEATEN ME?

That same menacing red aura surrounds not only his arms again but Asta's this go around as the manaless boy feels the sensation of his bones cracking under immense pressure and magic.

Asta: NHHH!

Tyrus: Not good, ASTA GET OUT OF THERE! LET GO OF YOUR SWORD!

Asta: I-I CAN'T, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING BUT I'M TRAPPED-

CRACKKKKKKKKKKKK!

Asta: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Tyrus: ASTA! HANG ON, I'M COMING!

He tries to break away from Noelle's grasp but the sensation of blood coming up his throat forces him to spit it out as he falls over in pain again.

Vetto: DID YOU REALLY THINK YOUR PATHETICALLY COMBINED EFFORTS WERE GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO WORK AGAINST ME?! THAT WAS A FATAL MISTAKE ON YOUR END AND NOW I HAVE YOU RIGHT WHERE I WANT YOU, ANTI MAGIC BRAT! I TOOK YOU AND YOUR TEAMMATE'S BLOWS INTO MY GUT NON-FATALLY INTENTIONALLY AND ONCE I BLITZED HIM OUT OF THE WAY, I KNEW I COULD FOCUS ON STEALING THE DEMON DWELLER SWORD WHILE PLUNGING YOU FURTHER INTO DESPAIR!

Asta: GAHHHHHH AHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Vanessa: We... fell into his trap?

Finral: That can't be....

Noelle: N-No... we failed?

Tyrus: Just a little closer.... hang in there Asta, I'm trying!

He reaches for his blade as his brother and rival continues to scream in agonizing pain.

Vetto: I KNOW ONCE A INDIVIDUAL LOSES HOPE, THAT UNMISTAKABLE FEELING OF DESPAIR REARS ITS BEAUTIFUL HEAD! NOW THE TIME HAS ARRIVED, LITTLE BOY. LET ME HEAR SCREAM THE SONG OF DESPAIR, LET US PLUNGE INTO DESPAIR TOGETHER!

Asta: NEVER! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Asta continues to thrash about but fails to escape the overwhelming pressure Vetto is placing onto his arms as they contort and twist all sorts of ways, making him scream even louder.

Noelle: There's no way!

Yami looks on in exasperated horror as his star rookie goes through the indescribable.

Yami: ASTA!

Asta: NNHHHHHHHHHHH! AHHHHHHHHHH!

Vetto: There it is, the song I've been wanting to hear all day! Come on, I ENJOY the way you squishy little humans scream for me. MORE, MORE, DESPAIR, DESPAIR, DESPAIR! WALLOW IN YOUR FAILURE AND DESPAIR, I SHALL JOIN YOU.... BOY!

Everyone looks on horrified, from Charmy and Grey hiding their faces at the terrifying sight in front of them, the spectators in the temple looking on shocked and scared as Asta finally lets go of his sword, falling to the ground. Defeated and broken.

Vetto: DESPAIR, DESPAIR, DESPAIR, DESPAIR, DESPAIR!

Tyrus: No.. Asta! Get up, damnit!

Noelle: Tyrus?!

Tyrus: I won't let it end like this, if I don't do anything Asta is going to die! Vetto won't just stop at breaking him.

Noelle: So what, you're just going to throw yourself to the literal beast again and get ragdolled?!

Tyrus: IT BEATS STANDING HERE AND DOING NOTHING, NOELLE! I'M NOT LETTING THEM, YOU OR LEAST OF ALL MY BROTHER DIE, DO YOU HEAR ME?! Hold my coat for me, I'll be coming back for that. But before that-

He grabs his blade although he has to put some effort into doing just that one task because now along a dislocated shoulder that he recently popped back into place, he was pretty sure he sported some cracked ribs. He pulls out a heaband similiar to Asta's as it too sports a Black Bulls insignia and was slightly longer in its length than his brothers without the red stitching on it. He ties it up as he then hands Noelle his trenchcoat.

Vetto: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! NOW INSECT, HOW DID THAT FEEL?! I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU JUST TRY AND STAND NOW, YOU WILL NEVER RECOVER AHAHAHAHAHA!

Asta: Not... yet...

Vetto: What did you say?

He suddenly is then met with a boot to his gut and kick to his chin which barely even drives registers with the Midnight Sun signature member but is pleasantly surprised to see Tyrus back up so quickly.

Tyrus: He said.... NOT YET YOU MANGY BITCH!

Asta: WE'RE NOT DONE YET!

Finral: TYRUS, YOU'RE OKAY!

Vanessa: Something told me you wouldn't give in that easily kiddo! Good to see you up and moving around.

Tyrus looks at his teammates and gives a knowing half smile, half smirk.

Tyrus: Ye of little faith guys, sorry for the dramatics. Bastard got me when I was feeling myself, I'm going to pay it forward now with a new look, thanks for the update Vanessa.

Vanessa: Just put the headband to good use, and don't let ugly destroy it.

Asta struggles to get up but finishes through the pain, gritting his teeth, his breaths ragged and trying as he defiantly shouts at the smirking man beast.

Asta: I'M NOT GIVING UP YET!

Tyrus: AND MAKE THAT DOUBLE!

Everyone looks at the injured brothers resolves, Noelle clutching her chest where her heart resides, Gauche widening his eyes a tad, Charmy and Grey gasping with Finral and Vanessa looking on in pure shock.

Finral: T-That's incredible! Asta, Tyrus, HOW ARE YOU TWO EVEN STANDING?!

Vanessa: That's right you two tell him, kiddos!

Charmy, Finral, Gauche, Grey, Noelle and Vanessa all exclaim the same saying Asta was known for stating on a regular basis.

WE WON'T GIVE UP EVER, SO LONG AS WE CAN STAND AND FIGHT!

Vetto shares a look of contempt, disgust and fear as he looks on at the Black Bulls as he roars defiantly and angrily.

Vetto: TCH! DAMN ALL OF YOU COCKROACHES, IF YOU DON'T START DESPAIRING IMMEDIATELY!

Yami looks on at the monitor, seemingly communicating with Vanessa on the telepathic level.

Yami: NOW VANESSA!

She slings new threads around the boys, yanking them out of Vetto's new blast radius as he screams repeatedly.

Vetto: YOU CANNOT ESCAPE FROM ME, BOYS! DIE!

He meets them halfway, his arms still ablaze as he's prepared to kill Asta and Tyrus just as Finral summons a portal.

Vetto: AHAHAHAHAHA, GAH?!

His attempted double murders are cut short when Gauche strikes him with Reflect Refrain as he taunts Vetto.

Gauche: Who's despairing now, you giant furball menace?!

Grey: Sorry guys, but that's the last of our magic!

Charmy: Yeah, IT'S ON YOU TWO! WE'RE ROOTING FOR YA!

Noelle begins to stand as she looks upwards as Asta and Tyrus go through the portal while Vetto stalks the mirror, cotton and transformation mages in addition to where her fellows have landed.

Noelle: Asta and Tyrus are right! We won't give up, NOT NOW AND ESPECIALLY NOT EVER, WE WILL NEVER LOSE VETTO! NOT TO SOMEONE THE LIKES OF YOU!

She begins to shoot water bullets of various sizes and intensities at the brutish beast who casually swats them away. Vetto turns on a dime, finding his prey kneeling as they take a moment to themselves. Finral, ever concerned for his juniors asks them the burning question.

Finral: Asta, Tyrus! Are you two alright?!

Tyrus: Hm? Oh yeah I'm fine outside of my shoulder and ribs, I can still go. Asta?

Asta continues to breathe raggedly as Vanessa looks on concerned yet amazed at his durability despite the horrible odds they were up against.

Vanessa: Asta.... you're so much more different than us. Born with no magic and in a world where magic is the absolute law or you're treated as less than. And yet even so....

She smirks as she continues think and sing Asta's praises since meeting him.

Vanessa: It's as if fate chose him to be like this because of what he is and what he can be capable of. Whatever the case, that kid is going to do some marvelous things in this world and I'll be sure I'm there to see you achieve your wildest dreams kiddo! You and Tyrus, we need to help you both fight and guide, we won't let you two down! Here you go Asta, I'll be your sling for that broken arm of yours and Tyrus, I'll be your abdomen to get you some movement with those cracked ribs!

Tyrus: Much obliged, Vanessa!

Asta: Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to hear, Miss Vanessa! Ty, you ready?

Tyrus: You kidding me, you may have a busted up arm and I these cracked ribs teetering on the edge of broken? You already know, so say it!

They look up with new aggression and resolve at Vetto who is ready for them make a move.

WE CAN STILL FIGHT!

Finral begins to tear up at his friends resiliency but is quickly interrupted by Vanessa snapping him back into reality.

Vanessa: Finral, get ready to move out.

He wipes his tears away as he rares his hands up and primed for the next wave.

Finral: Right! Yout two ready?!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Vanessa quickly slings the brothers back into the frey as Tyrus lets Asta in on a plan.

Tyrus: Let me draw him in! I may not look it, but I'm in much better shape than you Asta, it's not a dig though. Focus on getting your sword back!

Asta: Right!

Tyrus dashes and as expected is met with a violent flurry of Vetto's offense but does his best with Vanessa's assistance to avoid any debilitating blows. She also slings Asta right in the direction of his general as he fights to bend his arms back in an effort to recoup the Demon Slayer sword.

Asta: I STILL GOT ONE SWORD LEFT, GRRRRRRR!

Vanessa grunts as she pulls back a little further as he finally grabs Demon Slayer just as Vetto witnesses the action having punched Tyrus back a considerable distance and agonizes in his own despair.

Vetto: WHY?! WHY WON'T YOU DESPAIR ALREADY HUMANS?!

Asta: I TOLD.... YOU ALREADY! WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO DESPAIR!

They think about Yuno, who looks over a pasture with the Wind Spirit Sylph.

Tyrus: WHY DESPAIR, WHEN WE ALL HAVE DREAMS WORTH PURSUING?! THERE'S SOMEONE OUT THERE-

Asta: THAT WE CAN'T LOSE TO, NO MATTER HOW HARD IT GETS!

Tyrus: HE WON'T GIVE UP ON US, SO WHY WOULD WE DARE GIVE UP ON HIM?! HAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Asta: AND WE MADE A PROMISE TO HIM! AND YOU'RE IN THE WAY OF OUR PROMISE RAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

SO TAKE YOUR DESPAIR AND BUZZ OFF, VETTTTTTTTTOOOOOOO!

They race towards him with renewed vigor, the spirit of Yuno clearly weighing them something heavy and fierce as they blitz Vetto.

Vetto: THAT'S ENOUGH OF YOUR PESTILIENCE, WORMS!!!! IT DOES NOT MATTER, I HAVE ALREADY READ AND STUDIED YOUR MOVEMENTS AND PATTERNS-

He stops his sentence as he realizes just like at the beginning of the battle, they once again move at hyper speed.

Vetto: THEIR MOVEMENTS ARE TOO FAST FOR ME TO KEEP UP WITH!!! NO- THE DEMON DWELLER SWORD THAT LITTLE INGRATE STABBED ME WITH, IT'S STILL EMBEDDED WITHIN MY TORSO. IT'S- IT'S CANCELLING OUT MY ABILITY THOSE TWO'S PATTERNS AND WEAKENING MY PHYSICAL ABILITIES- GRRKKKK!

His thoughts are stopped when Tyrus slashes him clean across the ankle, blood oozing from his lower left leg as he flicks him off before jumping into another portal.

Vetto: I HAD INTENDED TO TAKE HIS WEAPON BUT IT IN TURN HAS BECOME MY BIGGEST FOIL! HAVE THEY STOLEN MY GREATEST WEAPON FROM ME INSTEAD?!

He takes a deep breath, summoning what massive amount of mana he has to rip the Demon Dweller's blade from out of his torso as he screams in agony defiantly.

Vetto: NO! I WON'T LOSE TO YOU ORDINARY, MISCHEVIOUS HUMANS! NOT HERE AND NOT NOW!

Tyrus: SORRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU... BUT!

Asta: YOU'VE BEEN LOSING THIS WHOLE TIME VETTO!

Flashbacks of Magna, Luck, Gio, Kahono, Kiato, Noelle, Asta, Tyrus, Vanessa, Finral, Gauche, Grey and Charmy register clear in his mind.

Tyrus: WHEN HAVE ANY OF US TRULY DESPAIRED, THINK REAL LONG AND HARD ABOUT THAT?!

Asta: YOU TRIED SO HARD TO MAKE US DESPAIR, BUT YOU FAILED HORRIBLY!

He erupts in anger as his aura oozes all over the place.

Vetto: SILENNNNNNNNCEEEEEE!

He proceeds to launch several debris projectiles at the duo in his temper tantrum, succeeding in hitting the both of them his last try as Asta and Tyrus hit the ground, rolling cruelly about.

Noelle: ASTA, TYRUS!

He snarls victorously but quickly notices he's getting weaker as indictative of his mana slowly fizzing out.

Vetto: MY MAGIC! TCH, NO MATTER. I'M STILL INFINITELY YOUR GREATER EVEN IF MY MAGIC IS CANCELED OUT AND I SHALL PLUNGE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU INTO DESPAIR, WHAT?!

He stops rambling on when he notices.... two terrifying presences standing in front of him taking the forms of a..... Dragon and Devil. The devil fixture appears to thrash violently about as it quickly retracts itself into Asta while the dragon fixture roars to the high heavens before it too rushes back into Tyrus, his hair significantly spiked up as a dust cloud surrounds them and a lone sweatbead forms on Vetto's head, dropping at the intensity as he gets unnerved.

Asta: Not.... yet.

Tyrus: We'll sleep when we.... DIE!

We're still.... NOT GIVING UP!

They look and share the same expression before they snarl at Vetto, stalking him like an alligator awaiting prey dumb enough to enter its domain as Finral and Vanessa look on perplexed. The Man Beast pays no mind to the anger radiating off of Tyrus but instead Asta, who draws most of the Third Eye member's virtually non existing fear.

Vetto: This boy.... he's just like me.... NO, HE'S WORSE THAN ME. He's no beast....

The three leaves of a clover represent intergrity, love and hope with the fourth leaf generally given over to the concept of good luck... AND WITHIN THE FIFTH LEAF...

Vetto: THIS ONE FEEDS ON DESPAIR NO MATTER WHAT! HE IS.... A DEVIL!

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

(I figured some of you guys didn't appreciate me literally putting the whole song in the first couple chapters, so I went with a one hour loop of Haruka Mirai to simulate the epic conclusion of the Black Bulls vs. Vetto of Despair)

Asta and Tyrus blitz him from both directions as Vetto once again roars in defiance.

Vetto: RAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Tyrus: HERE WE GO ASTA!

Asta: YEAHHHHH, LET'S END THIS!

They bolt for portals, slashing every nook and cranny Vetto left open to exposing, frustrating the man beast.

Tyrus: YOU'RE WIDE OPEN!

SHING! CHING!

Multiple cuts open themselves up on his body upon blades and claw meeting fur and flesh, Vetto failing to catch up with the Forsaken Realmer's movements.

Noelle: Incredible, they're moving even faster than before!

Asta: HAHHHHHHHHH!

Tyrus: RAHHHHHHHHHH!

Vetto: GRAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

He flings a boulder their way which Tyrus intercepts with his dragon claw, disintergrating it as he and Asta continue their frenzied rush like a couple of piranhas smelling blood in the water. They go through a portal as Asta then takes the reins of cutting up Vetto while Tyrus distracts him with covering fire. They meet up in the same portal as they bull-rush the debris Vetto keeps slinging at them, as blue, white and silver mix with black and purple in the mad dash!

Vetto: YOUR LIVES BELONG TO ME, INSECTS!

Tyrus: NEVER THAT!

Asta: KEEP DREAMING IN YOUR DESPAIR, YOU BIG, UGLY APE-MAN!

They grip their blades with as much strength their bodies and Vanessa's strings allow them as they begin to finish each other's sentences.

Tyrus: HEY DESPAIR!

Asta: THIS IS-

Charmy, Finral, Gauche, Grey, Noelle and Vanessa: ASTA, TYRUS! GOOOOOOOOO!

Asta and Tyrus: WHERE YOU LOSE!!!!!!!!!

Vetto: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

They bring their blades down on the intimidating bruiser, clobbering Vetto as hard they could despite their own injuries taking their toll on them as Tyrus summons a spell to charge up his claw.

Tyrus: AND NOW YOU DIE! ICE MAGIC, FROST FRENZY!

After a series of well timed kicks, punches and slinging Vetto around, he finally punches the beast in his literal third eye sending him crashing, forming a massive crater underneath his sheer weight with a massive mushroom dust cloud immediately following after. As Vetto stands, floating in and out of consciousness as he looks at the two boys largely responsible with defeating him and ending his ambition of acquiring the magic stone for Licht, then falling down. As for the two brothers, they fall flat on their asses with everyone waiting in bated breath, just anticipating Vetto getting up at any second. Noelle, looks to see his grimoire not floating or glowing anymore.

Noelle: His grimoire... it isn't glowing anymore! THEY DID IT, EVERYONE! IT'S OVER, ASTA AND TYRUS DID IT! WE WON!

Asta and Tyrus bump fists as they suddenly get yicked up and summoned through a portal!

Asta: AHHHH!

Tyrus: DAMN STRAIGHT WE DID, YIPE!

They immediately are captured by an awaiting Finral and Vanessa who make sure they don't fall on their injured limbs or bodily organs as Asta and Tyrus's impact alone knocks Vanessa's hat off.

Finral: IT'S ALRIGHT!

Vanessa: WE GOT YOU KIDDOS! THANK GOD YOU TWO ARE ALRIGHT!

Finral: Geez guys, do you have any idea how much you scared me just now?! I'M SO PROUD TO CALL MYSELF YOUR SUPERIOR!

Vanessa: I never doubted either one of you two out there! Thank you for giving me your trust and faith you reckless knuckleheads!

Charmy: That.... WAS AMAZING!

Grey: B-But oh so scary! I'm so glad you two didn't fall into despair!

Gauche looks, sharing a chuckle as he too collapses on his ass.

Gauche: Hah! You two always keep finding ways to surprise me. Nice work, you idiots.

Tyrus: Um, guys?

Asta: You're squeezing a little too tight here! WE'RE SUPER HURT HERE REMEMBER?!

Vanessa: Sorry!

Finral: Shit, sorry!

Gifso heartily laughs, his son and grandchildren thoroughly avenged.

Gifso: HAHAHAHAHAHA! THEY DID IT, THEY DEFEATED THAT RAGING BEAST!

Yami in the meanwhile wondered the hell he witnessed out of Asta, nevermind his other star rookie.

Yami: What the hell was that type of power I just witnessed just now? These kids, goddamn what do they be eating for breakfast?

The people outside the Temple cheer, knowing the worst of the worst was finally over.

Male Onlooker: YEAH DID YOU SEE THAT?! THOSE KIDS ARE SO AMAZING!

Male Onlooker: OH MY SEA GOD, I THOUGHT WE WERE DONE FOR! THANK YOU BLACK BULLS!

Female Onlooker: You saved us Magic Knights we're forever in your debt.

Asta and Tyrus walk over to Vanessa as she inspects an unconscious Kiato along with his sister.

Asta: So how bad are they, Vanessa? Will they make it, please tell us you have good news.

Vanessa: They're serious as serious can get but they scraped by, none of their injuries appear to be life threatening or fatal. Finral, do you think you can transport with a spatial spell of some kind?

Finral: Sorry, not yet. I burnt up all my magic slinging Asta and Tyrus on the battlefield, it'll take a while before my stores are fully replenished.

Gauche: Tch, thanks for nothing, you gutless coward.

Finral: EXCUSE ME I AM YOUR SUPERIOR, RESPECT ME DAMNIT!

Tyrus: Damn it, I'm gutted for Kahono and Kiato. We have to put this right, Vetto knew what he was doing by going for their throat and leg respectively.

Finral: Don't you and Asta think you should be worrying about other people right now? I mean look how beat up you guys are, no one would blame you two if you wanted crash and burn right now. You trusted all of us and still got beat to hell. What were you guys thinking?

Vanessa: Yeah, especially knowing Finral would and could have run away at any point?

Charmy, Noelle and Gauche share her sentiments, nodding in agreement which as you could imagine horrified the serial womanizer.

Finral: I can't stand any of you, seriously! Is that how all you feel about me, way to spare a guy's feelings. I mean sure, Vanessa's not lying there was a part of my mind that kept screaming for me to run away, but it was you two that kept me in the fight. Once I saw you and Tyrus in action Asta, my body just sort of moved on its own.

Vanessa: It was all you guys, you two may be rookies but you sure as hell look and act the part of senior or grand Magic Knights. Your refusal to give up was evidence of that.

Finral: You trusted Vanessa and I to keep you guys safe and moving around. Because of that, we won!

Asta: Oh please.

Tyrus: Don't give us that, you're our seniors picked by Captain Yami of the Black Bulls who in turn accepted us, the unknown. You get what I'm saying? Of course Asta and I trusted you two!

Vanessa: Well, it really means a lot you put all that into us.

Finral: Seriously, you're gonna make me cry.

Charmy: Your senior squadmates are something awesome, aren't we?!

Grey: I-I I'd expect nothing less from the junior knights Captain Yami accepted!

Gauche: I'm not really surprised by Tyrus but with Asta, anything is a given with Captain Yami. Hell, he's the only person who accepted him, what else is new.

Noelle, for the moment blushes over the victory but quickly plasters her snide game face back on.

Noelle: Just putting out there, I'm one of your juniors too. Asta and Tyrus aren't the only rookies he selected you know.

Vanessa: Of course Noelle, as if we'd ever forget you. You were absolutely spectacular in your own right, something with an incredibly powerful spell.... am I hot or cold?

Asta: Oh yeah, Sea Dragon's Roar! It was powerful but weirdly terrifying too.

Noelle: Good.... now keep the compliments coming for royalty, I have all day.

Finral: Oh, and you're cute too!

Charmy: The perfect royal to a tee!

Noelle: Well, it has nothing to do with my role in the battle but please do go on. Maybe just one more?

She gets her wish as Tyrus meets her face to face, who then gives her the cheesiest smile giving her head pats.

Tyrus: Noelle.... you probably heard it a thousand times since we met, but seriously good work. You got us back into the fight, YOU got me back into the fight when all seemed lost. I can't thank you enough.

Noelle's brain and face start to overheat from the first head pat, squealing from the display of admiration.

Noelle: GAHHHHHHHHHHHH! STOP IT!

Tyrus: EH?! What're you talking about-

Noelle: Whatever weird or sick ideas you're gathering in your head, cease and desist immediately!

She cruelly but unintentionally shoves him down onto the ground as he lands on his injured shoulder as he cries out in pain.

Tyrus: SO MUCH..... PAINNNNNNN! So much pain! WHY NOELLE WHY, TELL ME WHYYYYYY?! I wasn't even thinking anything!

Noelle: Oh no, sorry!

Vanessa whoop whoops, bringing the Black Bulls to her attention.

Vanessa: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, NOT THAT WE'RE DONE LET'S ALL HAVE A DRINK TO CELEBRATE OUR MASSIVE VICTORY!

Asta: NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO DRINK, MISS VANESSA! We came here on Magic Knight business to find the magic stone!

Tyrus: Not only that but we gotta tie up big, furry and smelly over there so he doesn't go on another bloodlusted rampage and destroy the Underwater Temple. Plus between that third eye and his weird obssession with Asta's swords, I can't be the only person weirded out by him.

Asta: Plus he's a chief member of the Eye of the Midnight Sun! There's a lot we could squeeze out of him.

Speaking of the defeated Vetto, he's still very much alive but it's not like the bruiser isn't there entirely. His jaw is slacked wide open, his three eyes dilated but completely void of his pupils. He's taken back to what appears to be a more peaceful time as he cries over what appears to be deceased bird, tortured and killed for little to no reason as a younger Licht consoles him.

Licht: Vetto, hey... It's okay. You can stop crying.

Vetto: Licht, you weren't there. What those disgusting humans did to this innocent bird, an animal who was minding its own business and for that reason it was callously murdered.

Licht: But it's not dead! Come on, we can go back to my place and get it patched up and maybe one day? She will be able to fly again!

Vetto: Y-You're right Licht... I'm sorry for always dragging you into my nonsense!

Licht: It's not nonsense, you're helping the innocent Vetto.... That goes a long way, you're saving this little creature from despair and pain! Besides, isn't that what friends are for?

He looks at the injured bird who continues to sleep peacefully yet in pain...

Licht: We're like this bird, we may not be strong enough individually but together we can always become something special. But because of that special magic ability, we don't want to inflict pain yet the humans envy and wish to hurt us..... But.

Vetto: What?

Licht: I know in my heart of hearts, one day... We'll be able to understand the humans just like they'll be able to understand us.

The furry male smiles at his friend as he wipes the last of his tears.

Vetto: Yeah... If you hope for this Licht, then I'll hope for that with you, friend.

Vetto: Hope, huh? It's such a fragile expression and feeling.... honestly. That was my friend and compatriot, Licht. Yes, he was hope personified. AND WHO STOLE THAT HOPE FROM MY FRIENDS AND I?! YOU FILTHY, FUCKING HUMANSSSSSSSSSSS!

The pressure once again rises and drops as Vetto thrashes about violently and ridiculously. Finral, Gauche, Asta and Tyrus immediately recognize what's happening with him as his body ascends into the air.

Vanessa: His power's back already?!

Finral: No way, it's not that! We won!

Tyrus: Ha..... OH NO!

Vetto: I AM TAKING YOU ALL DOWN WITH ME! AS A MATTER OF FACT, I AM GOING BLOW THIS DAMN TEMPLE APART WITH ONE EXPLOSION! NAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA!

Gifso: NO, HE WOULDN'T DARE!

Yami smashes the table with one clean fist, splintering it right down the middle.

Yami: DAMN IT! THERE'S NO WAY THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP HIM NOW! THAT DOES IT, I'M BUSTIN YOU AND I OUT OF THIS FAKE JAIL CELL, GEEZER!

His dark aura surrounds him as his secured grimoire threatens to destroy its bag, Abari looking on in paled horror still puts on a taunting brave face.

Abari: Why even bother, I've told you again and again. There's no stopping my barrier, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Vetto's mana continues to swell, being mere minutes from detonating. Grey hugs Charmy for dear life who begins screaming in turn as Finral looks on in horror, realizing that he's seen this type of fuckery before.

Finral: This is NOT GOOD, WE'VE SEEN THIS BEFORE! NOT EVEN THE MAGIC KNIGHT CAPTAINS WERE STRONG ENOUGH TO STOP THIS POWER! IT'S LIKE THEIR LEADER'S POWER, ONLY THIS ONE'S MORE OVERWHELMING AND MENACING THAN EVEN HIM!

Vanessa: Is he going to self implode?! My threads are being erased one by one and the pulses are growing stronger.

Tyrus: Finral's not lying! When these idiots have no clear way out after they've been beaten, they turn in literal walking, talking bombs!

Gauche: Damn, I can't get any closer. If I did, the pressure alone would crush me!

Asta: Listen guys, this doesn't change a thing. Send Ty and I back at him!

Tyrus: Normally, that'd be a great plan Asta...

Finral: NO NO, nevermind ignore my mouth! I almost chickened out again. It felt like you were gonna say something.

Tyrus: Asta's thinking straight but Gauche is also right, if any one of us tried to stop Vetto from exploding, the pressure would squish and crush us to death. But... I would rather die a warrior than die a coward!

Vanessa smirks.

Vanessa: Tell you what, Finral. If we all manage to survive this little stunt he's pulling, and I'll let you take me out on a date!

Finral: A DATE REALLY?! ERROR, ERROR, DOES NOT COMPUTE! YOU'RE NOT HELPING, VANESSA!

Noelle: There's gotta be something we haven't done before that'll put him down!

Gauche: I'm with you, Noelle. NO ONE IS STOPPING ME FROM SEEING MY LITTLE SISTER AND GETS AWAY WITH IT!

Charmy: I am GOING TO DESTROY HIM! THERE ARE STILL SO MANY YUMMY SEAFOODS I HAVEN'T TRIED YET!

Grey: I'm basically scared out of my mind, but I'll give it my best!

Tyrus: Well... those are some very compelling arguments guys.... SO WHAT'RE WE WAITING FOR?!

Asta: ALRIGHT EVERYONE, LET'S PUT OUR ALL INTO THIS ONE! COME AND GET-

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

Yami: Hey! Did I miss anything, my favorite idiots?

They all turn and see-

Tyrus: CAPTAIN?!

Yami: Hey there, you jackasses. Are you alright?

Finral: YOU- YOU REALLY CAME FOR US!

Noelle: How though, we thought you were trapped!

Tyrus: She's right, you said specifically you and the High Priest were being held hostage by Midnight Sun Mage. Where is the clown anyway?

Yami: Was telling the truth.... mmmmm! Some spatial mage trapped me and the geezer while beastie was wreaking havoc and catching bodies down on the surface level. But as you all can see, I finally broke out and came to bail you all from certain death.

We get a look at a bloodied Abari whose nose is broken with blood gushing from the source as well as a few scratch marks and lost teeth, breathing raggedly.

Yami: I might have been a tad too forceful, but I warned the idiot what I was going to do if he didn't let me out.

Noelle: What do you mean by forceful?

Tyrus: I'm getting a mental picture, but it's best if I don't actually tell you what I think Captain did, Noelle.

Asta: It would've helped if you got here sooner Captain!

Yami: Oi, shut up kid. I have my reasons, I can leave and let the furball nuke us all to hell if you want.

Asta, Finral, Noelle, Tyrus and Vanessa recoil in horror as they witness their rough around the edges Captain.... throwing a temper tantrum.

Tyrus: Is he...

Asta: Captain Yami.... sulking?!

Just then a massive eel like creature, brings Gifso into the battlefield as he makes a break for his battered family who are still unconscious.

Gifso: Kiato! Kahono! You poor things, what I was thinking with this stupid game?! Why didn't I listen to the Black Bulls Captain and his soldiers about the Midnight Sun lurking about? And it's because of my stupidity and never-ending thrill seeking that you two are hurt! I hope you can forgive this fool. Gio, don't think I forgot about you son.... you were so apprehensive and yet I still didn't heed your warnings and I nearly lost the three greatest gifts I could ask for! I knew the captain was strong but for him to wield his magic like that is downright insane! He's some sort of monster just like that mangy mutt of a beast that hurt my family! It's a good thing I followed my intuition and not let him participate in the game. More people would be likely to have died if he were playing!

Yami: Well, we don't exactly have time on our side, I'd say two, three minutes tops until he goes boom boom. So how about we all wrap this mission up?

Asta: ALRIGHT NOW THAT CAPTAIN YAMI'S HERE WE CAN TURN THAT APE MAN INTO A FUR COAT! WE'RE AT LEAST A HUNDRED TIMES- NO A BILLION TIMES STRONGER, OH YEAH, LET'S GOOOOOO! GAHA!

Yami: Where do you get off talking like that and better yet who are you talking to? Don't tell me you're getting a big head just because you and your brother could actually beat that guy, yeah?

Asta: Ow! Ow! Ow! NO, NO CAPTAIN PLEASE STOP SQUEEZING! COCKINESS-?

Yami: I'm saying I can put him down here and now, kid. Slow your role, you did more than enough.

Tyrus: Wait, what?

Yami: You all risked your hides and then some fighting this big freaky bastard. Each and every single one of you surpassed limits I thought you never had. Don't you think it's time for your captain to go all-out himself? Tyrus. Finral. Vanessa. Noelle. Gauche. Charmy. And who're you supposed to be?

Grey: Oh it's me, the real Grey, Captain!

He finishes patting them on their respective heads as he walks past the sleeping Luck and Magna.

Yami: Don't think I forgot about you two. Damn good work in a desperate situation, Luck and Magna.

Vanessa continues to rub her head as she blushes madly as Finral is about ready to pass out.

Finral: YAMI.... ACTUALLY COMPLIMENTED ME!

Yami: You all kick your feet back and let me handle the cleanup..... In other words? I'm taking all the glory for myself bahahahaha! No but seriously you guys, way to step up. Not bad for being the Worst Magic Knight Squad there is. You may be a bunch of pain in the ass knuckleheads, but... you're my knuckleheads and the reason I was able to surpass my limits as well.

Black smoke emanates from his katana as the pressure of his immense magic power hits his subordinates in waves.

Yami: Being cooped up in that sphere and my back against the wall was well worth it let's just say. This spell I'm about to use, it reminds me of a certain stretched out goofball. Can't say I'm a fan of his but-

Vetto: DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME HERE, YAMI SUKEHIRO! YOU HUMANS WILL TASTE DESPAIR, JUST AS I HAVE! YES, YES, YES! DESPAIR, DESPAIR, DESPAIR, DESPAIR!

Yami: Like a certain ice mage under my supervision would say, just can it already. Despair this, Despair that. How about despair my blade down your throat! However strong your magic may be, it doesn't matter to me. Because this spell I'm about to use? Yeah, it cuts through dimensions buddy.

His muscles bulge and he calls out the incantation.

Yami: Dark Magic, Dark Cloaked Dimension Slash!

The last thing Vetto sees is half of one side of the temple and the other half.... just as his body slides down cruelly from one end as he breathes one last desperate breath with Yami taking some time to talk to the fallen beast.

Yami: Consider that a reward for looking after my squad.... and toughening them up. And sorry, you wanted us to despair. But we just didn't really feel like it. See you down the road, Mr. Despair.

Final Word Count: 6,380 Words.

End of Chapter Thirty-Eight, Part X of the Underwater Temple/Vetto of Despair Arc. Next... The Aftermath and Conclusion.