13Final Arc: Restoration of the World
Shinjuku, Tokyo (新宿, 東京)/(JST)
As soon as the Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants escaped the pocket dimension, they were ejected out of King Ghidorah (Legendary)'s body. The Yami Matter Avatar's pocket dimensions closed up, which stabilized the world's dimensional fabrics. The world was starting to heal from the Yami Matter's influence.
However, there remained one obstacle: the Yami Matter Avatar/The First Evil.
With Pandora removed, the Yami matter Avatar became unfettered and began spreading its dark power like an infection. As its body shook uncontrollably, the Yami Matter Avatar's form switched between the First Evil and King Ghidorah (Legendary). Finally, as black light enveloped King Ghidorah (Legendary)'s body, it mutated and took on a new appearance. Using King Ghidorah (Legendary)'s body as its base form, the beast gained black bodily scales, a sign of the First Evil's influence. A thick black aura materialized over its giant three-headed frame.
As all three heads let out high-pitched and deep bellows, this 'Yami' Ghidorah took hold of the vicinity and spread its darkness, dissolving everything in its path. Upon sensing its opposition heading its way, Yami Ghidorah saw a large assembly of SWO members charging its way.
Among these SWO members: Ultimate Madoka, Devil Homura, Superman, Batman in his Batjet, Wonder Woman, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Goku, Vegeta, Eternal Sailor Moon, Sailor Mars (w/the Phoenix Force), Sora, Saitama, Omegamon Merciful Mode, Dukemon Crimson Mode, Godzilla (Legendary), Yugi & Horakhty, and many others attacked Yami Ghidorah. After a brief battle, Yami Ghidorah overwhelmed them with its dark force.
With the SWO members quickly taken down, the Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants confronted the frenzied force of nature. Before implementing their attack, the Urban Legends noticed Buffy Summers, standing up despite her wounds. She was the last SWO member left standing, fearlessly facing down an incarnation of the First Evil. Despite being outmatched, Buffy wasn't willing to let the First Evil take over another world.
Then, the Thieves and the Revenants concocted their next move. They convinced the SWO members to send their energies over to Buffy. Using her hacking skills, Prometheus ΩX contacted everyone through their smartphones, computers, televisions, and other digitized devices to convince them to help defeat the Yami Matter Avatar. After witnessing Yami Ghidorah dissolving sections of Tokyo, everyone across the city and the world sent their energies toward Buffy in a moment reminiscent of the Spirit Bomb. Finally, the Thieves and Vein Remnants transferred their energies toward the Slayer as well.
Even those within the Thieves and Vein Remnant's inner circle, their friends, families, and confidants came together and transferred their energies to Buffy. Among them are Sojiro, Sae, Kawakami, Takemi, Iwa, Ohya, Chihaya, Yoshida, Mishima, Shiho, Karen, Aurora, Emily, Rin, Coco, Davis, Hifumi's parents, Hojo, Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, Li-Ming, and Miyako.
Also appearing in a big assembly are Yumeko, Mary, Ryōta, Mina, Kyosuke, and Maria. Joining them are the other former Hyakkaou Academy, including Terano, Itsuki, Yuriko, Midari, Yumemi, Rei, and many others. As Yumeko rallied everyone together, they raised their hands and sent their energies toward Buffy.
Once receiving everyone's energies, Buffy felt their hopes and dreams filling her with indescribable power. Her wounds were instantaneously healed. She also started growing until she matched the size of Yami Ghidorah. A bright white ethereal aura outlined her body. Her eyes turned bright silver. She gained an appearance similar to Goku's Ultra Instinct, minus the spiked hair and silverish white hair color. The bright ethereal aura surrounding her brimmed like a burning bright star, cutting through the thick darkness shrouding the city.
Standing out as a glorious beacon of hope, Buffy Summer transformed into Ethereal Buffy, the last warrior with the power to rival the Yami Matter Avatar.
In an epic moment, the Phantom Thieves and the Vein Remnants landed on Ethereal Buffy's shoulders. At that moment, Ethereal Buffy became their Persona in this final moment to decide the fate of reality.
As Satanael ΩX pointed toward Yami Ghidorah, Ethereal Buffy rushed Yami Ghidorah. Attempting to ensnare her with its mouths, Ethereal Buffy quickly dodged, twisting around Yami Ghidorah's heads. Instinctively reading through Yami Ghidorah's moves, she perceived all of its attacks before it could conceive them.
As Yami Ghidorah expelled black flames toward her, Ethereal Buffy cupped her hands to one side and fired a massive white beam, mimicking the signature Kamehameha attack while at the same time launching an atomic-like blast like Godzilla's Atomic Breath. As the dual energy waves nullified Yami Ghidorah's reality distorting flames, Ethereal Buffy charged at Yami Ghidorah.
While the final battle occurred, everyone utilized their minds and imaginations to assist and cheer the Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, and Ethereal Buffy.
As Yami Ghidorah flew high into the air, it frantically spread its darkness to wipe out reality in one attack. Wasting no time and letting the Yami Matter Avatar get its way, Ethereal Buffy jumped high into the air and unleashed a flurry of punches, landing over a thousand punches into the Yami Matter Avatar. Then, Ethereal Buffy landed an uppercut straight into Yami Ghidorah's torso, sending the three-headed abomination flying into the air. As she rocketed toward Yami Ghidorah, it unleashed a powerful shockwave by flapping its wings. Ethereal Buffy forged a shield, stopping its shockwave. Then, she conjured feathered wings from her back, which combined traits of Ultimate Madoka and Eternal Sailor Moon. After slamming into Yami Ghidorah, Ethereal Buffy raised her right hand as if calling for something to use.
Answering Buffy's call, Satanael ΩX, Sion, Tennyo, and Io hovered on top of Ethereal Buffy's head. The trio intently stared down Yami Ghidorah, whose body contorted as it frantically altered between King Ghidorah (Legendary) and the First Evil.
Finally, in a moment reminiscent of Yaldabaoth's defeat, Satanael ΩX whipped out his Tyrant Pistol and aimed it for Yami Ghidorah. With a Joker-like smile, Satanael ΩX shot a single bullet, which then grew and transformed into a giant wooden stake, which Ethereal Buffy gladly took and shoved it into Yami Ghidorah's chest.
After staking the abomination, the Yami Matter Avatar let out deep bellows. As it started dissolving, darkness energies poured out of its body. During its final moments, the unstable entity switched between its King Ghidorah (Legendary) and the First Evil forms until it became a formless mass of black smoke. With everyone's energies ripping and tearing through it, the Yami Matter Avatar's cognitive form was cleansed and wiped out from existence.
The Ethereal War is finally over.
After the Yami Matter was purged from existence, Ethereal Buffy powered down and shrank back into Buffy Summers.
Sophia used her remaining powers to mitigate the damage caused by the Yami Matter and restored Tokyo, and by extension the world, back to normal. Having expended all of her reality warping powers, Sophia's form diminished, splitting back into Tennyo and Io.
The Phantom Thieves and the Vein Remnants floated over on a rooftop, observing their reality being restored to normal. Then, streams of light floated through the air. As this occurred, the cognitive Urban Myths and characters started vanishing.
"Hey, look!" Prometheus ΩX pointed toward numerous SWO members fading away.
"Since we defeated the Yami Matter, these cognitions have fulfilled their roles and can disappear back into our memories," Kamu Susanoo ΩX eloquently stated.
"That's one way of looking at it. Yes, and soon we can return to our normal lives," Loki ΩX added.
"Joker, check the time!" Mercurius ΩX insisted as everyone took out their smartphones and saw the year on their phones changing from 2020 to 2022.
"Everything's returning to normal," Satanael ΩX deeply sighed with relief.
"Thank god," Hecate ΩX became relieved, feeling all the stress leaving her.
"Hey, check it out! Skyler, Hifumi, Io!" Engineer pointed toward a few familiar faces.
Facing the other way, Sion, Tennyo, and Io saw all members of Funeral Parlor, including Shu who was most distant from the other members. Yuu was also seen floating far from them. Ayase quickly floated over meeting with Sion, Tennyo, and Io.
"Ayase, I…" Sion muttered as she put a finger to his lips.
"Don't. It's ok. I did what was necessary to ensure we survived that collision," Ayase reassured him. "If not for my sacrifice, all of you wouldn't be here."
"Thank you, Ayase, but I wish you hadn't died for our sake," Tennyo shook her head, prompting Ayase to pat her left cheek.
"I have no regrets. I did what any selfless hero did and I wanted to make up for any mistakes I made in the past," Ayase said.
"And we all pitched in," Gai addressed the group as he, Inori, and the other members of Funeral Parlor (Tsugumi, Argo, Shibungi, and Fyu-Neru) floated toward the Thieves and Vein Remnants. Gai hovered over Sion and Jack. "It was great fighting alongside real men like you. Thank you for bringing me back to the light."
"At least we can agree we can move on and not cling to the past like certain individuals," Sion said without referring to the ex-Yami King by name, giving an irked glare at Shu, who remained distant from the group.
As Fyu-Neru floated next to Inori, she hugged her old robot friend. "It's good to see you again, Fyu-Neru."
"Inori, it's good to see you in person," Io approached Inori.
"Same with you. I thank you, Hifumi, and Sion for helping us stop the Yami Matter Avatar and bringing Shu back to his senses," Inori genuinely smiled at Io.
"You're welcome. It's amazing how alike we are," Io said, touching Inori's face.
Inori's facial features softened. "Yes, you're quite right."
"Hey, it's been fun, but we've gotta go, Futaba," Tsugumi said, shaking Prometheus ΩX's hand.
"I wish we were able to hang out a little longer," Prometheus ΩX grinned. "Thanks for those new hacking tips. They'll come in handy."
"It was truly an honor to fight alongside the SWO and its members," Yakumo stated, speaking for his friends.
"So, you're able to walk again?" Sion asked Ayase.
"Yeah, I'm dead now. My heroic actions have been greatly rewarded. And I can a Void, too. I'm so happy," Ayase answered, lifting her legs without restraint.
"So, that means Shu's eyesight has been restored, too, right?" Asked Tennyo.
"Yeah," Ayase said, pivoting toward Shu, who was already on the verge of tears again and whimpering.
"I also no longer inhabit his mind and body as a spirit since he's dead now," Inori informed them.
As the group watched Shu crying, no tears were shed for the young man. However, Ultimate Madoka was seen floating over to Shu. For a moment, Ayase, Tsugumi, Argo, and Shibungi showed remorse and guilt for cutting ties from Shu. Shu not only cried, but he was seen almost snorting and blubbering like a manchild. Not a single person said anything disparaging and left Shu to cry incessantly.
Inori hovered over to Shu and knelt in front of him. As he looked up at his old love, Shu's eyes became full of tears. She smiled and splayed her arms open for an embrace. Shu immediately hugged Inori and soothed her.
"It's ok, Shu. The others may never forgive you, but I do," Inori smiled, folding an arm around her and caressing his face with her other hand.
Watching Inori openly embrace and forgive Shu, Gai scowled and turned away with a look of utter contempt. Seeing Shu openly forgiven by his lover didn't sit well with him. As he was about to step in and castigate Shu, Ayase stopped him.
"Let him be, Gai. Practice what you preach and move on. It's over," Ayase openly chided her former Funeral Parlor leader.
"Yeah, man. The war is over, Gai. You need to lay off Shu and just move on with your life. I hate all Shu's done to us, but he's been beaten and the Yami Matter is gone. It's kind of pointless to hold grudges when you're dead in the afterlife," Argo reprimanded Gai, who jerked his arm away from Ayase. "Just enjoy eternal peace. We've seen character growth since you died and Shu sacrificed his sight! Ayase has shown us greater leadership than you ever demonstrated, Gai!"
"You'd willingly defend Shu after all the crap he's put us through?!"
"Who said anything about me defending Shu? I'm just telling you to lay off!" Argo chastised Gai, who backed off and turned his back on the group.
"He's right. It's done. Holding grudges is not worth it anymore since we're all going to fade away anytime now," Tsugumi reminded him.
Gritting his teeth, Gai begrudgingly gave Shu the cold shoulder and stormed off.
Suddenly, Yuu appeared in front of Funeral Parlor and addressed them.
"It's time to take our leave now, friends," Yuu informed Ayase and her entourage. "And it's farewell for all of us. Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants, you have our regards." With that, he started to vanish.
"I do wish our world could be rebooted. Like a fresh new start for us," Tsugumi wondered such a possibility as she and the other Funeral Parlor members started disappearing.
"A fresh new start for us? That sounds comforting," Argo muttered.
"Best be careful what you wish for," Shibungi remarked, cleaning his glasses.
Suddenly, many SWO members appeared, including Sora, the MCU characters, the Justice League, Dragon Ball cast, Sailor Senshi including a Phoenix bonded Sailor Mars, Buffy and her friends, and a host of other crossover characters. Most cheered in unison for the Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, and Ayase. Ayase found herself basking in the glory of leading her SWO to victory.
Hecate ΩX smiled at the Vampire Slayer. "Thanks for helping us out there with the Yami Matter's last form, Buffy. I'll never forget that."
"Anytime. You're all cool in my book and it was fun beating on a three-headed dragon," Buffy addressed the Thieves and the Vein Remnants.
"Great job taking down the true mastermind behind the Yami Matter!" Sora praised the Thieves and the Remnants.
"Yeah, that was a spectacular battle. Good job getting rid of Pandora," Iron Man said.
"You proved yourselves worthy to be heroes," Superman acknowledged the Thieves and Vein Remnants' latest and most important victory.
"We'll always keep you in our memories," Captain America saluted them.
"It was an honor fighting alongside you, Phantom Thieves!" Sailor Moon added happily.
"Pandora seemed like a tough opponent, but y'all come out on top like champs!" Goku raised a thumbs up to the real heroes during the conflict.
"And with the Yami Matter, it's time for us to leave," Ayase announced.
"Time to take our leave, Lord Beerus," Whis said.
"Already? Guess our screentime has now expired," Beerus remarked.
As Ultimate Madoka helped Inori tend to Shu, the cognitive characters started fading away one by one until Funeral Parlor were the last ones left.
"Ayase, it was fun while it lasted, huh?" Sion said as Ayase floated over to him, Tennyo, and Io.
"It was, but you have a marriage to look forward to now. I'm rooting for you two!" Ayase said as she hugged Sion and Tennyo. "Make sure he stays on his best behavior, Hifumi."
Tennyo nodded. "I will. You can count on that."
"And Io, you do the same," Ayase turned to the Persona Vein.
"Of course, I will," Io replied.
Pivoting over to Sion, Ayase lightly jabbed his right shoulder and winked. "See ya, tough guy." With that, she floated off as the other Funeral Parlor members vanished. Then, as Inori, Shu, and Ultimate Madoka were the last ones to vanish, Ayase waved them off and faded away, leaving them memories of their latest adventure.
Kanius' A/N: That's the end of the Guilty Crown POV for the Final Yami Matter Event for Urban Legends. I know this is not meant for everyone, but Allfather-Ford asked me to post this on my page since he's largely retired as a fanfic writer. Anyway, like it or not, this story is over.
Later and stay cool, my friends.