Crossover Together ~クロスオーバ 一緒に~

It had been a very long while, but now everyone was finally back together, Lugia and all. Yet, it was hardly time to really celebrate. Team Harmony finally had everything they needed for the final push. Sombra had been doing game after game with them, demons coming up here, there, and everywhere, and now it's time to get this started. After getting back to the human world, they didn't have too much time to rest, and their next area of meeting was back in the palace after the day and a half of preparation. Probably the best place anywhere to avoid any interaction and encounter with the demonic spies Sombra would send out to find them at this point.
This meeting in particular was out in the throne room, with all the big minds themselves all there and waiting:
Celestia, Heine, Seitenshi, Victoria, representatives of the pre-mentioned realms: Morgiana for the Fanalis, Karasuma for the Tokyo armed forces, Yoroi for Amestris guard, and of course Team Harmony themselves. This was a big crowd, and a very important one as well for what they were all about to do.

"I've checked in on Lugia. He's off hidden away, and should be just enough to keep out of sight until this is over," informed Yoroi, who actually went off to check in on him sometime earlier. It was then that Celestia presented everybody.

"Everyone. We have little time now. As we're all aware by now, Sombra's plans for destroying the human world is close at hand. As such, we all must take this opportunity to stop him before he could reach this realm," Celestia began. As she was explaining, Olivier and Alex both brought up the map that of Tartarus, showing the entire territory, including the castle itself. A rough site for some of them, but they kept themselves together.

"Listen up: Sombra himself has his mercenaries all lined up around the borders of the castle. His squads are placed over all around the palace itself, though he does have patrols on guard throughout the northern, and eastern borders specifically. IF these reports are accurate," Olivier stated, shifting a glare over to Kyoya.

"I guarantee that they are the exact readings, my dear. I wouldn't dream of having this mission compromised, especially after such an ill treatment to my master," Kyoya said, sounding surprisingly noble in contrast to his usual sly behavior.

"Good! Now, the weakest patrols are aimed over to the southern borders, lining the canyon here, yet once we're over that line, they're sure to come after us."

"Let me guess: we send the soldiers to the strong borders as some troops aim at the rear, right?" Karma concluded. It sounded straightforward enough, really, but Nagisa couldn't bring himself to believe that. Sombra would never be that straightforward with his set-ups.

"That would be the idea, Akabane. With the fight going on at front, there wouldn't be time for reinforcements to head south to stop the troops from infiltrating the castle itself," Alex explained.

"That's what he wants us to do." The group turned over to Envy.

"Why would he want that?" questioned Celestia.

"Look, this is Sombra we're talking about: a demon Umbra who was once from the Overworld, AND has a future sight adaptation to boot. That demon's not a type to leave an opening THAT easily without some catch to it," Envy explained. If anyone would know him, it would be Envy himself, and they took his word for it.

"Then what does that demon have planned in the south?" wondered Yoroi. Victoria smirked, and walked over to the map itself for a better look.

"Quite simple: he would have a trap set for the majority of the troops. He would see the majority fly in, spring his trap, and then take out a good amount of our forces in little time at all. I would do that, no hesitation," Victoria said.

"You would say that, princess, but you're not exactly a demonic entity now are you?" Olivier questioned. However, Victoria just needed to give her one of her dominant looks for the moment.

"Have you forgotten who you're talking to, Olivier?" However, as far as Team Harmony was concerned, this had to come to conclusion. Nagisa stepped forward, bringing himself up onto the main platform to address everyone there.

"Everyone, listen. We don't have much time to question anything right now: Sombra's taking this time to get all his energy together, and destroy everything. If we're going to act, I say we do it now - the longer we fool around just puts us at more risk," Nagisa concluded. The group all had to agree on that term, and Seitenshi smiled to him.

"Like a true leader. ... So, Nagisa. It's your call now. Now what is it you need us to do?" Seitenshi asked, awaiting for Nagisa's answer. Nagisa actually felt humbled from this response, as the leaders and representatives listened and waited.

"My call, huh? Well, my old life is gone now. ... Let's do it," Nagisa thought. his old self had completely come off now. With Lugia's ultimate vision, and the allies he had on his side, the time to fight back is now. Determination edged his face.

"Right. Lugia had given me the vision of the final battle with Sombra. No doubt in my mind that Sombra would be expecting the exact same thing, so let's turn the tables in our favor. Karma, Morgiana, you two take charge of the Fanalis tribe."

"Us?" Morgiana said in surprise.

"Yes. You all follow the tribe to south of the borders: Sombra will be expecting you to charge from the frontlines, no doubt on that, and his trap is mostly set for the alchemists and magis. Your people don't have any magic, so the trap won't work on you," Nagisa explained. Karma smirked smugly.

"Putting me in charge of an entire tribe. Now we're talking," Karma said, cracking his fists, though they knew he was as determined as everyone else would be. Nagisa got the first group together.

"Edward, Alphonse, you're in platoon two. Take your attack to the eastern side of the border. Olivier, you and Alex Armstrong have the aerial troops fly in from the north. Sombra wouldn't be expecting so many aerial flyers, and would've set it all up with mostly ground patrol, it will give you a higher advantage there," Nagisa explained.

"Got it," Edward said, even giving him a salute. Next he turned to Ciel Phantomhive.

"Ciel, did you get the others together like I asked you to?"

"Mey-Rin, and Bardroy had arrived yesterday, yes."

"Good. Now, I need you to keep guard of Lugia himself. Go to where he is, and it'll be on you if he gets too close, you understand me?" Nagisa informed. Ciel was a little quiet but still smiled.

"Think I can't hold my own there? Very well."

"It's probably for the best anyway. With how much Ciel already had gone through down in Abaddon, he wouldn't want to go back," Twilight thought, which made sense considering everything that went on down there. All that torturing, all that trauma to add to what he had already gone through, Ciel wouldn't be able to continue on with them in this operation. It was then that Celestia presented everybody.

"And for the assassination squad. ... Envy." That choice caught most of them by surprise, Envy the most. Him? In charge of a platoon?

"Me, Nagisa? Y-you're serious?"

"Yes. You know the interior of the palace more than anyone else here, you have to take us, and infiltrate the palace itself. We're all relying on you," Nagisa explained. Envy took a moment to absorb this sudden responsibility he was put in. The angels were putting the trust in him, the first time ever ...

"... Y-Yes. YES! You can count on me!" Envy announced. Nagisa smiled, and turned to the rest of the group.

"Blair, Pinkie, you two join Seitenshi and Victoria back in the human world. as soon as Sombra catches on, he'll head into the Surface World, so the forces have to be ready there the minute he arrives. The portal will open just outside of Orora High, over by the E building forest. If we don't get him in time, we'll give you a warning," Nagisa explained, working off of the images Lugia had given him.

"Right-o, Nagisa! Those demons will be packing their bags for a home trip when we're all done!" Pinkie said, saluting him.

"Yeah. and hey, maybe get some angels with us too, can't have too much defense on the up-side," Blair added.

"Good, make sure the teams are set up as well. Twilight, Aladdin, Gaara, you come with me. We'll be joining Envy in infiltrating the main palace," Nagisa instructed. Both walked over to his side. The plan itself was simple, yet a plan that Nagisa was confident that wouldn't fail. Or at the very least, the best plan they could get at such short notice. Nagisa looked over to Gaara, who just gave Nagisa a smirk and a nod. They got his support in this endeavor, and they need all the help they could get. And there was no turning back now.

"Let's go!"

~~

And Sombra was expecting his own trouble in all of this as well. Tartarus was all up in arms now, and Sombra began to look around the troops he had placed. His own Future Sight got him ahead with defense, and he got the troops all lined up best he could manage. As he stood there, Pride went on in to see him, standing off nearby.

"Hello Pride. Are they all in place now? I see Wrath is out in position," Sombra asked, as he looked outside to Wrath out in the field. Pride's Homunculus self started to loom around Sombra.

"They're all in place more or less. Apart from a few."

"Excuse me? Who's missing?" Sombra asked. Pride didn't look pleased at all about it.

"Lust and Gluttony left. They're not anywhere in Tartarus by now."

"What? ... Damn it. And what a time to lose comrades too. Envy must've inspired them," Sombra sighed.

"Trust me. I'll perfectly make sure they're punished for betraying their master."

"Let them go, Pride, there's not much time for it left anyway," Sombra informed. Pride was a little bit bothered by this answer. But for Sombra, and what was going on, there would be little point for it.

.......

"Here they come!"

Looking on ahead of the group, Wrath took sight of the oncoming troops heading their way. however, rather than the strong magic users as he was told, the troops coming in turned out to be the Fanalis tribe, with Karma and Morgiana leading into the fight. This wasn't what Sombra informed him about, but Wrath wasn't remotely worried about it too much.

"So the Fanalis are heading this way?" Wrath realized. He would have to talk to Sombra later, but for now there was a fight to be had. The Fanalis charged forward into the fight, and with a signal of his own sword, the demons with Wrath also charged on forward. Wrath himself went in himself, both blades out at his side and leading this charge. It wasn't entirely what he had in mind, nor what Sombra had instructed, but as far as he was concerned, this fight will end like every other he had faced in his life.

"And that trap will activate ... NOW!" On Morgiana's prediction, the ground at their feet suddenly started to glow, a gigantic alchemic signal opening up under their feet. The demons didn't halt their charge, and they were more hyped than ever, as a Houndoom rushed in with abandon.

"HA! NO MAGIC FOR YOU, DUMBASSES!" the houndoom roared, rushing in. The light grew so bright, they couldn't see beyond the alchemic activation, the circle reaching a good mile to cover the entire tribe, and then some. The demons were confident, but the houndoom was met with a nasty surprise: Karma's sword piercing through his neck! Karma tossed the body aside, a quick kill for him, and looked to the demons in front. Three other houndours rushed in, only for three Fanalis to charge in and crush them with little trouble at all!

"Ain't gonna work, bitch. CHARGE!" Karma called, rushing in head on with the rest of the tribe. Wrath was disappointed in Sombra now, but he had little time to actually do much about that. The Fanalis were closing in, and his swords were itching to cut them to pieces.

"We'll talk later, Sombra," Wrath groaned, before he went in himself.
It didn't take much time until it was a bloodbath out in the battlefield: demons and Fanalis retaliating and fighting it out. Blood scattered everywhere from both sides in the scuffle, and Wrath could tell for a fact that this wasn't just a simple fluke on Sombra's part. He would know if the Fanalis were coming one way or the other ...

"Hey, Wrath! Remember me?"

Karma got up to him now, already blood stained from the fight at hand. His miracle sword was covered in the blood of those he already sliced up, and by the appearance, he didn't even look touched by teeth or claw, though a few cuts were still there.

"Looking to a fight against impossible odds? You may have shown promise, but it's for the wrong side. And you'll deeply regret it."

"Is that what you thought when Morgiana crushed you, Bradley?" Karma retorted. The memory flashed through Wrath's mind, as a swell of anger built in him. Of course, with his anger, it didn't take too long until he and Karma charged at one another, blades clashing against eachother, and bloods at a boil. Wrath went at him with no mercy, but Karma was faster, stronger, and whenever Wrath would leave even the slightest opening, Karma would go in and actually cut him! Wrath groaned in pain from his cuts.

"You've grown a lot stronger, Akabane. Haven't had this good of a fight in a while," Wrath stated, before running in, swords a blazing, and forcing Karma back.

"I learned from the best, old man," Karma mocked, only infuriating Wrath more so. Karma made his point especially clear after a bit, and actually got one sword out of Wrath's hand, sending it flying into the air! Wrath jumped back, feeling a deep cut in his own hand as well. As this fight was going on, some of the demons took notice, and actually were starting to come in.

"DIE, SLAYER!" they called, catching Karma's attention away from Wrath. However, it wasn't the only attention they got, and Morgiana suddenly came in and sent them flying with a well aimed kick, cracking one demon's skull, and sending two other houndour flying into the bloodbath where they came in. She wasn't going to let him die, not if she could help it. Wrath found a two on one match again, and this was an all too familiar setting.

"Not this time," Wrath thought, and with one sword in hand, he rushed forward again at them both. Karma and Morgiana focused on Wrath now, but Karma then saw something in his single eye that told him Wrath's true target. Morgiana had moments to duck to avoid a stabbing, but Wrath sent his knee right into her face, the blunt force of the hit knocking her back. She didn't have time to shake herself off before Wrath readied his sword for a head shot, only for Karma to come in and shove her aside!
The hit was deep, and deadly, striking Karma right in the shoulder, and slicing down his right arm! The hardest hit Karma had yet, and his miracle sword didn't get any hits to heal him yet.

"Why throw your life away?" Wrath questioned. Karma cringed, gripping his arm for a moment before answering.

"Because I actually have morals, unlike you. No one told you when to quit, and look what happened to you. I still have some friends who kept me from going down the same way," Karma stated boldly. Wrath looked to Morgiana, who was in the Fanalis fighting stance to face him.

"For the longest time, I saw you humans as nothing but stubborness and pride. But it seems there are some of you who can learn. Who will change. ... It infuriates me that I can't predict how you'll behave."

.......

"Hmm ... Interesting set up."

Out in his balcony, Sombra and Pride stood there in the balcony, as they watched the whole battle unfold down before them. A strong mixture of holy and unholy energy was all over the place, with all sorts of demons, angels, and a few othyer races and deities running around and fighting practically everywhere.

"It seems the Overworld is a bit more dynamic than you've predicted, Sombra," Pride noted, though Sombra himself had already figured that out.

"I don't need any reminders. It won't be long until - ... wait a minute." Sombra took a moment to have a closer look at the battlefield around him. Sure, it was chaotic, and it was easy to tell who's on what side just by looking at the fighters, but there was one particular head that he couldn't count longer he looked. His eyes widened as one question passed his mind.

"W-Where's Nagisa?"

... And that's when the realization hit him like a freight train. Pride examined the crowd, but couldn't see the weight of the situation just yet.

"What difference does one human make?"

"Don't take this lightly. Go into the Homunculi chamber, keep guard," Sombra quickly instructed, and making sure each word did not miss Pride's ears. Pride just agreed and went off on his way, but Sombra didn't know what to do now. Not only were these angels giving him a run for his money, but Team Harmony was closing in faster than he anticipated. If they reach him now ...

"What was I thinking? They got Lugia over there, of course he would give them a heads up first? Think, Sombra, think? You're so close, you can't give up now," Sombra thought, trying to get himself together. The thoughts ended up making him pace around back and forth, the sounds of war outside not making things easier. He brought his hand to his forehead, and tried to focus on getting the answer of his through his Future Sight. His stone glowed as it was activated ... and after that, he calmed down.

"Ok. It's a bit soon, but ... the time is now."

~~

The assassination squadron: Nagisa, Aladdin, Gaara, Twilight, and Envy just managed to find the secret cave leading off into the palace. There was still some good patrol nearby, but none of them noticed the small group of five standing by the entrance. Nagisa looked off to the east, and there stood the another part of the platoon: Kyoya and Olivier. They nodded over to the five, and Olivier turned to the squad with her.

"Onward!" she called. And the group began their attack on the demon group right then and there. It was just the cover they needed to get in.

"Good luck," Nagisa thought.
and with that thought, Envy taking lead, the group rushed into the tunnel. It was now or never.
With their charge, it didn't take long until the tunnel darkened up, and the path less noticeable, but Envy knew these tunnels like the back of his hand. Even with the lack of any light, he had it all mapped out in his head, so there was no time to slow down. However ...

"There they are!"

Guarded! After five minutes of running, they all quickly were met with guards set up in the tunnel. Sombra wasn't taking chances apparently, but lucky for them there didn't seem to be too many, and with five fighters on their side, they didn't have much to worry. Nagisa and Gaara met with the demons first, the first demon knocked out right away. Twilight got her magic together, and used her magic to throw one of the demons into a crowd, slamming them into the wall. Aladdin saw one demon jump to him, but his shield launched it back no problem. It only took a minute for the group to finish off the first group, and soon they were off running again. Good timing too, as just around the corner of the tunnel was the entrance to the castle catacombs.

"The homunculi chamber. Envy, where do we go from here?" asked Twilight.

"Once we get out of here, it's a straight shot to the palace. Sombra's throne room should be right down the same hall. just focus on getting there," Envy said. Simple enough.

"Nice of you to make it this far."

Wouldn't you know it, it wouldn't be that simple? The group looked to their only exit out of the chamber, and found that someone else was waiting for them.
Pride Homunculus.
This homunculus already looked a bit worn out from the fight going on the surface, but he still looked as ready to fight off the main enemy as anybody else would be. Worse yet, this Homunculus was right in their way, his true form between them and the door, with his human vessel of a body standing at center.

"Not again, Pride," growled Gaara. This was the last thing they needed here.

"Don't act like you're surprised, Gaara. You really think lord Sombra will leave an opening like this unguarded?" Pride questioned. His true form started to shoot out at them, Aladdin using his shield to protect them from Pride's attacks. Pride was just faster though, and actually grabbed Aladdin in his grip! The shield was torn down, and the magi was pulled up out of the crowd, slamming him into the ground hard. Nagisa rushed in, his knife slicing off a number of Pride's arms, just to get entangled himself and his blade forced out of his hand!

"No you don't!" Envy grabbed the blade himself, and actually threw it directly at the core body of Pride, getting his eye cut open! Nagisa and Aladdin broke free, the magi sending a few spells at Pride's true form to do so. Pride was now getting angry, a hand over his eye.

"Damn you, Envy. Have you forgotten you were one of the Homunculi? Where's your honor?" Pride asked, forcing the knife out of his own head, taking part of his human face with it.

"My honor? You wanted me dead, what difference would it make? Just like everyone else here!" Envy yelled. Pride straightened up.

"Lord Sombra was willing to recreate you, but it seems you'd rather stay trapped in that pathetic husk of yours. You really think being a human's better than a Homunculus?" Pride asked. With his attention focused on him, Gaara took the advantage, and forced the others to move to the exit! Pride saw them go, but Envy took the moment, and threw the halo blade at him again, making him screech in pain.

"BASTARD!" Pride roared, focusing all attention on Envy, and slamming him into the wall with all his strength! That immediately made Envy cough up blood, and Gaara grabbed the halo blade before Pride could catch him.

"Envy!" gasped Aladdin.

"Guys move, Sombra's waiting!" Gaara yelled, trying to get them to move.

"But Envy, he can't face him alone!" Nagisa said.

"He knows that," Gaara simply stated. Nagisa looked to Envy, his head down, and blood coming out. However, Envy looked to Nagisa, and while he appeared at his end, Envy's eyes told Nagisa a different statement. Nagisa felt a tear run down his eye before he too understood. And just in time: Pride attempted to block their path again, but the others rushed through and Gaara, for extra measure, used his sand to collapse the ceiling above the door! Rocks collapsed and tumbled down, and soon there was no entrance into the castle. It was only Pride and Envy now.

"Good. You'll find him," Envy thought. But he wasn't out of the woods yet, Pride throwing Envy to the ground. Angry, Pride tried to finish him off, but Envy actually grabbed the strand, and used all his strength to keep himself still. It was a stand off between Homunculi.

"How much information did those humans force you to take, Envy? You could've got everything back if you were to just listen."

"Listen? Listen? I've listened to enough of Sombra's crap my entire existence. Oh wait, he nearly killed me! You're telling me I should take that kind of command without complaining?"

"Why ask such a ridiculous question? It's only natural that we should obey our master, no matter the order," Pride coldly stated.

"You're the one who's ridiculous, Pride: you're the first ever Homunculus, you don't even have a master, and you think it's best to have some lower demon tell you what to do? He's running you ragged, wearing you down, and he's willing to throw you away at any time when you can't do anymore."

Pride was fuming. And all those facts were true.

"Why should I care if Sombra doesn't? I'm still something far above a worthless worm you've turned into. I am one of the Homunculi! WHAT DO YOU KNOW HUMAN?!" That was met with Pride tossing Envy around like a ragdoll, slamming him here, there, and everywhere, breaking him apart, until he slammed him into one of the blood pools. Envy was still alive in that pool, just above the blood pool so he could breathe.

"Apparently more than you do. I'm not as strong as I used to be, but at least my voice isn't dropped on deaf ears anymore. I'm no longer some byproduct of the Underworld like you are, I got far more with those "worms" than I ever could working with you." Pride started to tighten his grip, and strangle the breath out of Envy, but his neck was refusing to break, much like Envy's own desire to stay free. Pride came down to him, starting to feel his own strength starting to quiver a little bit.

"This vessel won't last much longer. No matter. This body has outlived its use. Once you're gone, I'll have a new vessel. Your body belongs to me," Pride stated, ready to finish Envy off. Envy could barely think straight now.

"Damn it. I can't get out of this," Envy managed to think, feeling blood come down his face from the beating he took. He felt his life begin to flash before him. In particular, his memories of his time as a human, and how much he had been given, and how much better of a life he had then. Along with a few other things ...

Just stay here with us, Envy. It'll be fun to have someone like you as a friend

"Friend. ... No. No. They were willing to die for eachother, to die for me. I can't fall now. I won't!" As Envy was thinking this, to Pride shock, he actually, albeit slowly, started to get to his feet. With all that strain Envy had against him, he was not falling.

"They all believe in me. ... I WON'T FALL." With that thought, Envy finally broke himself out, his mouth biting into the arm around his neck, and biting so hard it broke off like coiled rope! Pride was surprised at this, Envy forcing Pride to release him with each arm torn off!

"What? but how? You're nothing but a mere human now, you couldn't be able to break free!" Pride gasped. Envy straightened himself, standing in the same pool he was born in, his eyes staring Pride down.

"That's one thing that about humans, Pride. You'd think you can figure one out after some time, but then they always have some way to surprise you."

Pride wasn't having it: he tried to regain his grip, but this time Envy was moving a lot faster, and dodging him with some flowing movements. The closer Pride got to him, the more nervous Pride got, and it got to the point when he actually started to move back. Next thing Pride knew, and to his surprise, Envy had a hand gripped right over Pride's open wound, and as such, the main connection between his true form, and the vessel he relied on!

"This is impossible! How's this human able to do this to me?! I'm the Homunculus, it shouldn't be possible!"

"I got you now, Pride!" Envy yelled, getting a vice grip. Pride froze up in fear, the reality of the situation finally sinking in. Pride tried to move, but he found his vessel locked in place, Envy pulling back hard on the major connection between his true form and the vessel. It hurt. Pride tried to use his human body to fight, but Envy was not budging from his struggles, even though they were hurting Envy too. Pride wrapped his body around him, and tried to pull himself free, but the more times Pride tried, the more pain shot through him. There was only one thing to do ...
And in one mighty pull, Envy severed him. It took all the strength Envy could muster, but it was enough to finally severe Pride from his human body. A horrific shriek from the Homunculus echoed throughout the Homunculi chamber, as the gigantic form of Pride started to disintegrate, and wither away, along with the physical body as well. Envy stayed completely still, watching Pride reduce himself down to another form. And one that Envy would never would've expected. He took a moment to check his hand, and turned out he was holding Pride's Philosopher Stone. As for Pride himself? ...

A small child. A tiny, fetal, humanoid child. with a small circle on his forehead.

"So this is who you really are," Envy simply stated, gently picked up the child, who was so small in fact he could holding it in his hands. At first, Envy wasn't sure what to do with him. He could finish him off now and try to continue on, but on the other hand, this was a child. And Envy too was a Homunculus like him, and he can say now, a Homunculus now turned human. Envy took a look around the area for a bit, and then came to one main conclusion.

"Now you know how I feel, Salim. ... Let's go."

Envy turned around, and tossed Pride's Philosopher Stone into one of the pools, just before he started walking out with Pride in his arms. He only stopped at one point to glance back to the entrance to the castle. He had only one thing to say before he began heading back out.

"Good luck, Nagisa."

.......

"Okay, just a little more, a cut here, and there ... good."

In the top chamber, Sombra was getting his portal ready to go. He could hear the fight outside, everywhere there is, and who's to say on where Nagisa was at. The demon king didn't feel right in leaving the demons like this, but he knew if he stayed here, then it will be the death of him for sure, and he wasn't going down without a challenge surely. The symbol will get him to the Human world above him, but before he could even get it activated though, the sounds of footsteps rushing up to him got him under more pressure. He may not have any senses to figure out who it was, but he already had a good guess, the doors to the chamber knocked right open as the Assassination Squad arrived. Sombra jumped up his feet, turning around to see them. Gaara, Twilight, Aladdin, and Nagisa.

"Just in time," Gaara noted. He didn't hesitate and rushed for Sombra, the demon king having to jump aside away from the symbol on the ground. Gaara tried multiple slashes at him, lightning fast, and Sombra actually had some trouble. In his attempt to avoid the blade, his body quickly ended up turning into shadow, the blade going right through him.

"Why're you fighting me Gaara? Of all people," Sombra asked, before grabbing him by the arms and throwing him right back at the group. Twilight caught him in the fall, Sombra solidifying again.

"I promised you I'd help, but then you ran off on me?"

"You were never going to help me in the first place, liar," Gaara growled. Sombra didn't had time for this, and got back to the symbol, hands clapping together and ready to activate it. They weren't going to let that happen: immediately Aladdin readied a Gyro Ball and launched it right at him, Twilight following up behind with a magical beam. Sombra just got the portal started, but couldn't get into it in time before he was struck down by both magical hits. The portal was open now, and Sombra was hurt a bit but barely much. The group quickly blocked Sombra's way from the portal created. Sombra didn't had much time for this; he had a goal in mind, and damn it, he was going to do it!
Without another word, he rushed forward again, his body turning into shadows, but even with this Nagisa's blade still got him, and the Umbra groaned in pain from the cut he managed to get him in. It wasn't enough though to finish him off, and before they realized it, he was through the portal!

"Damnit, he went through!" Gaara growled.

"We're not done yet. Time for plan B: Aladdin, get Karma and Morgiana, meet us in the Surface World, okay?"

"On my way, Nagisa!" Aladdin replied, starting to rush off to do that. Twilight, Gaara, and Nagisa meanwhile took the chance with this portal themselves, and jumped right on through. They weren't out. Not yet.

~~

Karma's fight with Wrath was a slaughter all things considered. With screams of battle cries and pain-filled howls, Karma akabane was left in the fight of his life in Wrath. The Miracle Sword got his arm working after some good slashes, but in honesty, he was getting hurt quicker than getting healed, and it didn't help that Wrath had two swords over one. With many fighters going out all around him, he ended up tumbling onto the ground at a point, knocked down hard by Wrath.

"Is that really all you got? I thought I taught you better," Wrath growled, Karma getting up to his feet, a bit dazed and bleeding out the mouth. Karma would remark back, but he was getting tired. Looking to him, Wrath was pretty bloody too, but walked on like nothing happened to him. Karma was not enjoying this at all, and aimed his sword right for him.

"Well, excuse me for my enthusiasm," Karma said, coughing up a little blood for a moment. That just left him open again and Bradley slammed his foot into Karma's stomach, knocking him off the ground. Karma found his feet before landing, though he wasn't showing much power as when he started. Wrath was NOT letting up. Karma had to think fast, and in a desperate move, his sword dug into the ground and dirt was shot at Wrath's face. Barely a distraction as Wrath sliced up the rocks knocked up at him with a few hits of his blades.

"Damn it. He may be old, but he's still got it," Karma thought. Whatever thoughts he had in mind next were cut short when Wrath moved up to him, trying to skewer his head. Karma moved fast enough to avoid the stabbing, except for the last one that got his ear. A minor wound but still stung good and strong, his free hand grabbing where he got sliced before jumping back from a deadly slice. It felt ironic really: a warrior with a sword that can heal the user was doing worse than a fighter with two swords. At this point, it was a stand off between them both, Karma still willing to fight Wrath despite the injuries. He was tired, hurting, but if he fell now he would not get back up - they wouldn't let him do that. Wrath waited for him to fully get up and actually didn't jump at him right away.

"... There's something quite comforting about facing death like this, wouldn't you agree?" Wrath asked. Karma kept his guard up, and despite the war around him, he could hear every word as clear as crystal.

"It doesn't matter. nothing else seems to exist, out of my pure instinct to survive. ... Rank. Personal history and birth. Race. Sex. The name given to you. ... It's all meaningless. This is the only thing that's real: to fight on behalf of my own life and nothing else."
Karma could see the dead scattered around them as he was saying these words, a mixture of allies and enemies scattered amongst the same ground. This was a man only out for one thing: his life. His life and no more.

"I've never felt so complete ... I guess you can say I've finally arrived."

And with that, Wrath charged again, Karma this time having no choice but to jump back at him. Both swords clashed together hard, two sabers against one miracle sword. Karma gathered what he could manage, but Wrath brought his foot up and finally slammed him under him. Karma found his foot was actually metallic now, and he wasn't getting it off of him. Morgiana must've done more damage than he thought if the king of Amestris had automail to replace. Karma found himself in the worst possible situation: underneath a killer, bleeding ... Karma's eyes widened at the reality of it all.

"Damn it. ... I'm ... I'm going to die ... I'm gonna die ..."

Something snapped.
Spurring into action, Wrath suddenly felt a sharp pain of Karma's sword jutting out and whacking his head, getting his ear cut in two. Any harder and it would've killed him on the spot, but Wrath found himself jumping back from the sword almost getting his eyes. Karma jumped up and suddenly he was all over Wrath, slashing, slicing, and whacking every which way he could do, giving Wrath not much time to get him. Karma's attacks now weren't as predictable as it was before, flowing together like it was one single attack. In one of the many spins Karma ended up doing, Wrath saw one sword get sliced at the rim, and his hand cut in the process. Karma made sure he didn't use anything on it by slicing it several more times. Karma took a moment to gather himself, but when Wrath looked, his eyes were not from the cocky, and confident boy he had met before, but this time one of pure primal aggression.

"I'm not being killed that easily. Come at me, demon," Karma growled. Wrath was ready to oblige, and rushed him, now gathered up again. This sudden shift in behavior just infuriated Wrath even more: he was just talking about morals half an hour ago and now here he was as wild as the demonic fauna of the Underworld. How the hell was he supposed to read any of this? And it didn't help that when Wrath started striking swords with Karma, two hits clanged the sword, and a third strike actually got in between his teeth! Karma used the sword them to slice the sabre, keeping it in his mouth for a bit and forcing Wrath back before spitting it out.
Now things were a little more shifted, Karma now having the blades and Wrath left with only fists to fight. Swordsmanship was one thing, but fisticuffs were another matter. Not saying he didn't give Karma a rough time though, but killing him was just going to take a bit more brute force instead of some clean cuts. For Karma, he continued his attacks on Wrath, and with no guard, Wrath had to dodge the slices. He couldn't do them all though, and then ... in a battle cry from Karma ...

Karma's sword had skewered him. Right through the middle. And at the very tip of that sword was the Philosopher's Stone that made Wrath the Homunculus he was. Wrath froze, eyes wide and blood gushing from his mouth. When Karma had done that, feeling the blood on his face, and feeling his wounds slowly heal, he released his sword, letting Wrath fall to the ground, the sword popping out of him upon landing. If any of the Fanalis or Demons noticed this, they would be left speechless at what occurred. Karma blinked a few times, gathering himself, before seeing the fallen king. Any movement would surely kill him quicker, and Wrath simply stayed still. It took the king a bit before he looked to Karma.

"Well, that's that. Anything you have left to say, Bradley?" Karma then asked.

"... None. ..."

"Tough life. What were you looking for, Homunculus."

"... This."

"Huh?"

"... So disappointing, seeing so many humans ... humans who can't hold for themselves in such a crisis like this. ... What ever happened ... to human kind's power? ... Relying so much in deities you're not sure even exist, to the point when you won't do a damn thing yourself ..." Wrath paused only to spit out some blood from his mouth, though Karma could tell that he wasn't going to last much longer this way. Even in the midst of all this war, everything seemed to fall still between him and Bradley.

"I get it. Bringing humans to their former glory ... you know what, Bradley. ... You did a damn good job," Karma kneeled down to Wrath. "And what else? We have grown stronger over this last year. All these demons showing up, it's giving all of us a wake-up call. I say it's time we humans evolve a little."
Wrath was silent. Even almost killing him, Karma was talking to him in such a way ... well, like he would do. Wrath gave a low sigh, his eyes gazing up at the flickering auras of the Underworld sky.

"Your wife's still up there, you know. Got anything to say to her? I'll make sure she gets it."

"... No. ..."

"Wait, you don't have -"

"Don't trouble yourself. ... My wife understands. She's the one I chose to lead by my side. ... There're no words that need to pass between us now ... that's what it means to be the wife of the Führer. ..." Karma then began to see something happen to him: his hair started to turn grey, and his skin beginning to slowly peel away in paper-thin sheets, almost as if time was catching up to the man. "... Do me one favor, though. ... You may follow under god. ... But it's you who truly makes the choices. Make sure ... it is your hands that you use to decide your future. ... Not his ..."
It was an odd request to make, but Karma, a well-known fighter, felt his hand clench into a fist.

"I think we all can do that. Bradley."

"... Good. ..."

And with one final, slow breath, the former king closed his eyes, and gave his last breath. This warrior has fought his final war. Karma waited for some surprise, him to spring up on him, but nothing happened. Wrath was dead. Karma simply pulled out his sword from Wrath's body, and looked around at the battles around him. Or rather, lack there of, as some of the demons and angels stopped on this. They heard what Wrath said. Karma needed a minute before sighing, turning to the crowd he unwittingly gathered together, and surprisingly, some of the demons under Wrath's command actually began to run away! Seeing their strongest cut down meant they had little chance of fighting them off, and they weren't going to stick around.

"Karma," Morgiana said, going to him.

"... Well, there's no such thing as a good war. Come on, let's see if Sombra's down yet," Karma replied. This gave the team more than enough time to get everything together and finish off -

"Karma! Morgiana!"

Then came the sound of Aladdin, flying off as fast as he could on his flying carpet. What timing too.

"What's up, Aladdin?" called Karma. Aladdin flew down close.

"Karma, Morgiana, get on! Initiate plan B!" Aladdin called, flying off down as quick as he could to them both.

"Plan B. Don't tell me Sombra got away."

"What else does Plan B mean? Hurry, he'll be there any minute now!" Aladdin informed urgently, going off what Nagisa told him. There was no time to wait now, Karma cracking his fists, and getting his sword slicing up the ground to make the symbol, and as Aladdin was busy working with that to activate it, Karma took one more look over towards Bradley. He had fought and killed off demons, but this was the first time he actually killed a human being like himself. At least he still considered him a human being. After some magi magic, Aladdin got the portal to work. Morgiana and Aladdin went on in, and it took Karma a bit before he too entered through. He'll come back later when this is over.