GLITCH

## Prologue

I wake up inside to see myself in the same black background, covered to my knees in red mist. I look around to see her staring right at me. But it couldn't be, she was supposed to be dead with Void. How could she still be in my mind? I stand in a defensive position, readying myself for any attack she'll bring.

Maliphina: ***"Hello, sister."***

Seraphina: *"Don't 'sister' me you disgusting parasite!"*

Mali: ***"Aw, it's nice to see you too."***

Sera: *"What do you want? And how are you alive? Void is dead, which means you should too!"*

Mali: ***"You and your merry friends think you killed my master? It's hilarious of how you'd think. Well.... It doesn't matter, because I will be the one to ruin you, your friendships, and your entire life. Get ready Seraphina, because we're about to have some fun together."***

She begins to smile creepily as she slowly walks forward to me. I back away with every step she comes forward.

Sera: *"N-No! Stay away from me!! I'm w-w-warning you!!"*

I strike a blow at her, and she easily dodges it and gets behind me. As she does, she puts her hand towards my mouth. As she does, her hand outstretches and it wraps around my face to the point where I can't breathe, and where I can only see the beating red of the Malice as small yellow eyes stare at me from inside the malice. She kicks me down to my knees as she puts herself on my back. As I gasp for air inside the bubble, she leans in to me and goes to my ear.

Mali: ***"I think you've had enough control for a while now. So go into that little bubble, and sleep."***

I wake up inside my room, frantically feeling my face. I look around the room quickly and rub my eyes to make sure it's alright. My breathing becomes quick at first but then becomes normal as I calm down.

Sera: *"Only.... a nightmare. She can't hurt you anymore. Void is dead."*

I pull up my internal visor to check the time to see that it's only 7:30 AM.

Sera: *"\*sigh\* I think I just need some food in me. I feel really hungry."*

I get out of my bed to get some breakfast. I get out a box of cereal and a bowl. I look at them both, and I eat out of the box.

Sera: "Mmm... That really filled me up!"

After some "questionable" ways of eating breakfast, I open my window to see the ocean out in the horizon, as people are walking around in the city nearby. There in the distance, is my favorite hill with only a single large cherry blossom tree in the center, overlooking the massive ship and the town. I then look to my right see a large building that says Red Blossom High School on the front with a large insignia. I smile, thinking about Phoenix and Alice, and my friends. After my daily shower, and changing to my Red Blossom Tankery uniform, I open the door out of my house. I breathe in the fresh air, as I put on EMMA in her watch form.

Sera: *"Another day, another round with another school. Ok then! Let's get this day started."*

## Chapter I: Match with Saunders

I arrive in Saunders with a pack of famous American brownies in my hand while wearing my RBHS uniform. Phoenix wanted me to go so I can ask Kay if we could battle. When I enter the large office after going in the waiting room, I see Kay as she sulks with her head down on her desk.

Sera: *"So I wanted to see if we could do a little friendly match Kay."*

Kay: "Hmm..."

She sits there with her eyes downcast at the desk.

Sera: *"Kay, you seem a little off. Is there something wrong?"*

Naomi: "Kurusu-san, a minute, please?"

Sera: *"Oh yeah, of course."*

I exit her office and sit down waiting for her. As I exit, Naomi bursts into the office, looking like she hasn't changed at all since the match against All-Stars University.

Naomi: "It's just some guy. I swear, she's worse than Alisa, but I have my worries for him too.... You may not know him though."

I sit down in the waiting room holding a Grimm Troupe mask that Akira used to wear for fun. He used to mock me while wearing that thing because I reminded me a lot of the strange stuff. I also remove and look at his final gift to me, which seemed to be a strange charm he called a "Grimm-Child" charm. I continue to look at it as it's scarlet eyes gleamed at me. I put it back on my RBHS uniform near the top-right of my chest.

Sera: *"Sigh.... Aki you idiot. Why did you have to leave? You know that you were all I had."*

Naomi: "You lost someone?"

She looks to me as she throws a piece of gum in her mouth. I become jumpy from the sudden hello.

Sera: *"AH! Oh, it's just you Naomi. Um, not exactly but.... I guess. He was my twin brother, Akira. Kay may have told you about him after the meeting for Operation Apocalypse, or you may have met him. Sure, he had no idea what I've been..... \*eyes beep\* going through, but he was always there for me even when he didn't know how to help. To be honest, I wasn't even sure if he was my brother. We may have been raised together when we were young, but he wasn't 'made' the way I was."*

Naomi: "Hai."

Just when she said it, it sounded more depressed than when she usually says it.

Sera: *"I can sense that you've been through some stuff too, huh?"*

Naomi: "How would you know?"

I tap my head a couple times as my eyes dimly flash to her, showing I scanned her.

Naomi: "Oh yeah, you're some kind of robotic human. Kay told me about that."

She sighs with a smile on her face and sits in the chair next to me.

Naomi: "It's just the sleepless nights. All Kay does now since the reconnaissance officer disappeared is mope around. She doesn't do anything around here anymore other than go to class like all the other bored students. Acting like zombies."

Sera: *"Hmm.... Now that I think about it, I've actually been seeing strange activity around that in the other schools that I've visited recently. Where most of the students, even some students at Red Blossom have been acting all sluggish and mopey. So I thought 'Hey! Perhaps a little Sensha-dō match would make everyone better!' All I want is a little round so that can at least light the fires in us, cause I think it could help bring a little spark back into our lives after all the events that have happened recently."*

Naomi chews thoughtfully for a few seconds and then stops.

Naomi: "Alright, Kay is always competitive, so this should be able to rekindle her spirit."

Sera: *"Wait, really? This is amazing! I will go tell the others! Thank you Naomi!"*

She stands up and looks to me.

Naomi: "Alright. Let's take this to the commander. Mind you, we are working at a limited capacity, so plan very accordingly."

I stand up very quickly as my eyes quickly flash a brighter blue as they prepare to analyze.

Sera: *"Of course. I'm prepared for any situation!"*

We both enter the office, as Naomi very directly calls to Kay.

Naomi: "Kay."

Kay: "Hm?"

She picks her head up just after I've finished analyzing what to say to her.

Sera: *"Red Blossom wishes to have a friendly match against the Sensha-dō team of Saunders Academy."*

Kay: "Mmm.... Fine, whatever, I guess."

Naomi sees my hand clenching and shaking quickly as I become angered by her response.

Sera: *"Whatever? Whatever!? REALLY!?"*

Her head is still down on her desk, as if she wasn't fazed by my anger.

Naomi: "Sera-san, please."

Sera: *"Snap out of it Kay! Listen to yourself and look at what you're doing! This isn't the friend that I met with during your round against Oarai. This isn't the person that helped me raid Vermillion's castle. What happened to the brave determined commander that fought to her last breath against All-Stars University? WHERE IS SHE HUH!?"*

Naomi: "Sera-san!"

She puts her hand on my shoulder and my eyes turn to her as my face flashes into Maliphina's. My eyes turn into Malice eyes with her grimacing smile, and she backs away from me. I turn back to Kay with my normal face and red pupils. I slam my hands on the desk, which shocks her.

Sera: *"Stop acting like such a child Kay! This isn't how the commander of Saunders' tankery squad should be acting!"*

My voice becomes calmer.

Sera: *"I'm not ordering you or anything, but only asking you as a friend. You seemed so down lately, and I only want to rekindle the dying flame that is still in your AURA."*

Kay: "You're right!"

She chuckles and mutters to herself.

Kay: "Alright, best to move on, I suppose..."

Sera: *"That's great! When do you suggest we start?"*

Kay: "Tomorrow!"

My eyes begin to glitch when she says it, and I see Kay's eyes shoot up to stare at me, as a yellow flame seems to show, but it happens so quick it could've only been my imagination. I quickly shake my head and my vision returns to normal.

Naomi looks to me with worry after when I made that face to her, and she turns back quickly. She also mutters to herself.

Naomi: "It gets weirder here everyday, I swear."

Sera: *"A fair match as always, right Kay?"*

Kay: "Hm! Of course!"

She forms a big smile as she extends her hand to me.

Sera: *"Yeah!"*

I go and shake her hand. Despite her apparent resolve, Kay's grip was weak. I exit the office after bowing to the two and get my phone out to call Phoenix. He answers quickly.

Phoenix: \*What's up Seraphina?\*

Sera: *\*Hey Birdy! We're battling Saunders tomorrow! Get a team of 10 tanks ready by then, ok?\**

Phoenix: \*Great! We're getting it ready now, and don't call me Bird-!\*

I hang up quickly and leave Saunders to the aircraft zone, hitching the RBHS carrier drone I was in to pick me up.

The rest of today seemed to flash by, until tomorrow's match had begun. Red Blossom had an arrangement of my AMX 13 75 as the flag tank, Phoenix in an IS, and Alice in a Cromwell. Also there will be an 6 T-34s, one being Erina, and a KV-1.

Nonna and Katyusha aren't in this one, cause they are visiting with Misha in Oarai.

Saunders fielded Kay in her standard M4A2 Sherman, Alisa in her standard M4A3 command variant(better radio), Naomi in her Firefly, 4 M4A2 Shermans, 1 M4A3E2 "Jumbo" as a heavy tank, and 1 Calliope, or a Missile Sherman as it is called in the round. The flag tank will be one of the other M4A2 Shermans.

## Chapter II: Cost of Defeat

The battle takes place in a large field covered with several small hills and trenches in the center. The left side will have a thick forest with some ruins. The right area will have a large trench-like area filled with several points of cover. In that area will be several rocky parts that can be perfect for covering flanks. By the rocky parts covering the frontal hill, there will be a long, thin trench with rocky mountains behind it.

Sera: *"Alright, everyone ready to roll?"*

Everyone: "HAI!"

Erina comes out of the commander's hatch of her T-34.

Erina: "Why were we put into a regular '34?"

Phoenix: "We'll need you to be a part of the frontal assault."

Erina: "Ryokai.."

She lowers herself into the hatch and closes it.

Alice: "As I will cover Seraphina, since she's our flag tank."

Sera: *"Thanks Alice that means a lot, but I think I can cover myself just fine. Flag tanks can shoot too."*

Alice: "But they can't be shot at, so that's why I'll need you to be safe with me."

Erina moves to join the T-34 formation, leaving the other two commanders near her.

Sera: *"Zenpō no sensha!"*

All of the tanks roll forward, while the AMX 13 75 heads towards the left with Alice pursuing her. Phoenix heads towards the frontlines next to the KV-1 and 4 of the T-34s. The other 2 cover the right flank of the frontline team in order to cause a distraction from within the forest.

Meanwhile, Saunders' tanks form an Echelon, with the Jumbo taking point.

Naomi is taking charge because of Kay's emotional state.

Naomi: "Kay-san, you should stay back and defend the flag tank, let us push through their lines."

Kay nods with affirmation and then lowers herself into tank as it breaks away with the M4A2 flag tank.

Seraphina lowers herself inside the AMX and proceeds to drive to the left into the thick forest and ruins ahead. Alice pursuits.

Erina: [as tank no. 5, scans the forest through periscope sight

Saunders stays on the road, the Echelon focuses on the forest. Phoenix's forces turn off of the road so that they can use the forest as cover. The two T-34s that seperated are sent further ahead as recon.

Phoenix's forces become bombarded by the Echelon at the right, while they try to shoot, the Jumbo provides cover for them. One of the T-34s with him becomes immobilized by Naomi's Firefly, and the KV-1 immobilizes a M4A2 that has some more distance between itself and the rest of the formation that left it exposed. Seraphina's AMX 13 75 and Alice's Cromwell hear the sounds of battle at the other side. Alice tells Seraphina to retreat as they will be trying to shoot her, whereas she will cover her retreat in the meantime.

The Echelon begins to wheel toward the direction of the enemy so that their armor is faced to them. Kay and the flag tank hole up in the eastern trench, only their turrets are exposed. The echelon also tightens their formation so that the Jumbo is covering the front directly and the M4A2s behind can angle behind it, they also halt.

Erina winces as a shot hits near her periscope, throwing sparks over it and obscuring her vision as she fires at the Jumbo to no avail.

Erina: "I didn't expect them this quickly!"

The AMX 13 75 rushes back as Seraphina sees the two T-34s become eliminated by Naomi and the Jumbo, and Phoenix manages to eliminate the Jumbo and Erina gets one of the M4A2 in the Echelon.

Seraphina's AMX 13 75 rushes straight back in to see Alice's Cromwell battling three more M4A2 Sherman. She seemed to have already eliminated one, but the other two arrive and the remaining three cover her. The AMX 13 75 fires two shots and eliminates the first with a track and a direct hit. As the second one rears from cover, the Cromwell flanks and destroys it. The third destroys Alice's track, and the AMX 13 75 drifts behind it and destroys it. At the front, Phoenix's IS manages to take on all of the shots as it's armor is really tough, but it can't hit the other tanks. They then see that it was a distraction, when the other Shermans have already entered and eliminated the KV-1. The Echelon begins to make a tactical retreat to keep out of the IS's range. They reverse steadily, as to not create a gap in their defense. The also reform into a staggered column. Phoenix orders the 3 remaining T-34s to split off and find the flag tank.

Alice and Seraphina rejoin Phoenix as a stalemate starts to form. The 3 T-34s start to enter through the right rocky area, but one is struck by a missile and is flipped on it's side. The Calliope stays in the back lines. Naomi manages to hit the IS, but not eliminate it. As it retaliates by attempting to shoot the Firefly, Naomi's driver pulls back, dodging the shot.

Inside the AMX 13 75, I begin to feel a very sharp and long pain inside my head, as I begin to panic and drive the AMX 13 75 uncontrollably. The tank rushes out of it's position, swerving around frantically as Naomi sees it immediately and attempts to lock on it. She continues to miss as Phoenix radios in for her to stop what she's doing.

Phoenix: "Seraphina! Stop what you are doing! This is not a part of the plan! Retreat immediately."

Ren answers him instead.

Ren: "Commander Phoenix, Seraphina is panicking and becoming out of control! We're trying to calm her down, but she can't hear u-"

A large boom is heard from a missile that lands just to the side of the AMX 13 75, forcing it to flip over from the shockwave until it stops at the bottom of the hill, making a dirt path like a fallen meteor. A white flag pops up from the side of it. Luckily, all of the other crew inside is fine, but they see Seraphina passed out inside the tank with her head bruised from the impact, which finally knocked her out. The judges have declared the match going to Saunders.

Meanwhile: 30 minutes earlier:

\*The radio buzzed\*

Phoenix: "Tanks 3 through 5. Proceed into the forest and flank them from the side. We need to end this stalemate."

\*The remaining T-34s turned deeper into the forest. Erina in tank no. 5 was at the rear of the Vee formation\*

\*suddenly, a rocket screamed into the side of the tank to Erina's right flips\*

Erina: "Too close!" \*she searches for the tank that fired that shot, but the forest is too thick\*

Tank no. 3 over radio: "Full speed everyone, rockets are hard to aim on moving targets, especially in this dense vegetation!"

Erina grabs the radio: "Hai! Mii-chan, push through!"

\*The T-34s speed away before another rocket can hit them\*

\*Kay listens to the radio intently, but doesn't say anything as she hears reports of tanks being knocked out, she is too busy criticizing herself.\*

Flag tank TC, over radio: "Kay-sama! Movement spotted at the edge of the forest! What should we do?!"

\*Kay's gunner trains the gun to the moving shadows in the tree line.\*

Gunner: "Two targets. Both '34s. Orders?"

\*Kay clenches her fists in her lap, crumpling her skirt as she ignores what is going on.\*

Tank no. 3 over radio: "Near the rocks! halt!"

\*Both tanks stop and turn their guns toward the Shermans\*

K gunner: "I don't see them anymore... where did they-"

\*A shot hits the rock that the M4 is behind\*

K gunner: "SHI-"

Flag tank TC: "Commander!"

Kay: "I- uh..."

K gunner: "Should we fire?!"

Kay: "Yes-" \*grabs radio\* "Fire!"

Flag tank TC: "On what?"

Kay: \*looks through periscope frantically when another shot lands close by, bouncing off the turret roof and causing a shockwave to travel into the tank that stuns the crew\*

Erina: "I hit it!"

Kay: \*sees the T-34s in the tree line and grabs the commander traverse lever to put the gun on target\* "There!"

K gunner: "Roger!" \*fires a shot after guessing range\*

\*Kay seems more alive after the action starts\*

Flag tank TC: "I see them!"

\*All four tanks are now in a firefight.\*

Kay: "Fire a smokescreen!"

Kay's loader: "Smoke white phosphorus!" \*shoves round into breach\* "Up!"

\*The M4 fires a round into the ground between the opposing sides and a large cloud of smoke appears.\*

Erina: "Damn! I can't see a thing!"

Tank no. 3: "Number 5, use the smoke to advance, I'll use machine gun fire to cover you"

Erina: "Ryokai! Mii-chan!"

\*Erina's T-34 starts to descend into the trench, driving toward the smoke as she sees tracer rounds from tank No. 3 flying over them.\*

\*tank no. 5 uses gravity to it's advantage to gain enough speed to push through the smoke cloud.\*

Kay: "Woah!"

\*The M4's turret starts to rotate, but isn't able to keep up as the T-34 blows past them\*

Erina: "Mii-chan! Hard right!"

\*Erina's tank turns to the right, sliding until it comes to a stop.\*

Erina: \*lays sights directly to M4A2's engine\* "Sayonara."

\*Before she could fire, an air horn sounds, signaling the end of the match.\*

Erina: "NANI?!" \*opens hatch\*

Kay: \*opens hatch slowly\* "We... won?"

## Chapter III: Fireworks

We arrived at the festival just in time, and we came prepared for it this time in case of any Reich attacks. We decided to split and explore the marketplace. Phoenix went to get costumes, Alice went to get the food, and I went to find the fireworks. Though, I couldn't find any that could make this place special.

Sera: *"Now then, what to get? Oh! This is perfect!"*

I purchase a small box of fireworks and I head to the middle where we planned to meet back. After a few minutes of waiting, I see Phoenix holding some costumes and Alice holding some traditional Japanese food.

Sera: *"I see you got the costumes Birdy."*

He blushes with a small frown when I call him that, and Alice snickers behind him.

Phoenix: "Don't call me that Seraphina. And yes, I did get the costumes. What about you Alice?"

Alice: "Yeah. I got some things, and one of those large towels for us to sit on too."

Phoenix: "You did a great job Alice."

I roll my eyes and see Misha and a cloaked Hollow walking around the plaza, and Misha waves his arm up.

Misha: "Hello Seraphina! It is great to see you!"

Sera: *"Misha! Nice to see you here! Wait, Hollow!? What are you doing here!?"*

As Hollow is about to sign, Misha stops him.

Misha: "Let me explain tiny woman. Strange person here said they were friend of yours, and wanted to know where you went. So Heavy decided to help them find you, so we searched entire plaza, and here we are."

Hollow: \*I also kind of want to see all of the festivities here too. I have never been to a... uh...\*

They scratch their head for a bit then quickly take out a small red book titled 'CyHuSL'. They look inside for a word and looks back up.

Hollow: \*'Japanese' firework festival before. So um..... can I?\*

Seraphina looks down and sighs, then looks back up at the two.

Sera: *"Sure Hollow. Just, keep your cloak on, and make sure not to attract any unwanted attention. Hang on, I'll be right back."*

He nods with his hands up. I go to Phoenix and Alice while they are still talking.

Sera: *"Hey Phoenix. Misha and a friend of mine wanted to see if they could perhaps join us to the firework area."*

He looks behind me, and sees Misha and a cloaked Hollow waving to him.

Phoenix: "Sure. As long as they bring their own food. I'm not paying for it all."

Misha: "Oh I have food covered tiny comrade!! Lead the way!"

We all arrive at the area where we'll watch the fireworks. As Phoenix, Misha and Hollow, already in their own costumes, are setting everything up, me and Alice are changing in the changing rooms near our spot. I leave my stall with a pink kimono, a half dragon mask covering the right side of my face, and my hair tied in a ponytail. Alice exits out of hers with a white and blue robe with a boko pin in her hair. Phoenix blushes a bit, Hollow has a thumbs up behind him and Misha smiles for the two.

Misha: "You two look amazing! You did great job in picking out costumes, tiny man!"

He slaps Phoenix's back as he still blushes.

Phoenix: "Ow... Uh, w-wow Alice, you look really nice."

Alice: "Th-thanks Phoenix."

We sit down as the fireworks launch into the sky. The stars mix around with the flashes of red, blue green and more. Phoenix and Misha are chatting with each other as me and Hollow exchange signs with each other. Meanwhile, Alice becomes scared of the fireworks and she hides her ears from it, as she silently panics in her mind. I look to her and quickly go to Alice, comforting her.

Sera: *"Oh shit! I forgot!"*

Phoenix looks at us, and he remembers, going to Alice and comforting her as well. Misha and Hollow look at each other in confusion. I think for a moment and rush to my pack, taking out a simple looking Purifier mask. I give it to Alice.

Sera: *"Here, put it on. It'll cancel out the noise."*

She complies and puts it on, as two small metal plates come out of the mask and go to her ears. She suddenly feels a lot better. She hugs me with tears in her eyes.

Alice: "Thank you Seraphina."

Phoenix looks at me behind her and nods while smiling. I nod back and he then turns to look at the fireworks as they go off. After a few hours of firework watching, everyone packs up and goes their separate ways. Phoenix and Alice going to their home, Misha heading back to Nonna and Katyusha, and me and Hollow walking together. I look to him and he looks down to me.

Sera: *"Hey Hollow."*

He looks down at me with a questioned look on his face.

Sera: *"Did you enjoy your first ever Japanese firework festival?"*

He nods with excitement. I smile knowing he had a great time, but I begin to feel really woozy. I stumble on my legs, but Hollow luckily catches me before I fall.

Sera: *"Hey, how about you drop me off by my old dorm room? It's quicker to get there than at my place."*

He signs to me about being nervous when he's in the house alone.

Sera: *"Don't worry... You'll be \*yawn\* just fine by yourself."*

I give him an ornamented golden key with red eyes.

Sera: *"Look, you can use.... his key...."*

I begin to remember Akira when I first saw him, when he was a child, our fights together, the training we've done, the bonding, his death in the throne room, and the sacrifice he made to save us all. I begin to tear up, but Hollow goes to me and lets me use his cloak to wipe the tears off my eyes. He signs to me saying if there's something wrong.

Sera: *"I'm fine Hollow, I just got something in my eyes. Here..... just take the key. I.... I can walk myself. I don't want you to see me like this. I'll see you in the morning. Good night."*

I walk off as Hollow puts his hand out to me. He stops and just stands under a lit street lamp.

He looks at the red key and sighs. He then disappears into his cloak and turns into a shade form that flies in the wind, all the way back to my house as fireworks continued to light up the night.

## Chapter IV: The Uninvited Guest

This time, I go into my dorm room at the school ship, since I didn't feel like walking all the way back to my house. After that huge firework party at the public area, I felt really tired. I begin to think about his forces seeming to invade, but I'm more worried about a locked up Maliphina. I talk to myself while putting on my night gown.

Sera: *"She's becoming stronger every day. I'm not sure if I can keep myself secure while she's gaining power. But I have to, for my friends' sakes. I can't be the one to kill them. No, I can't let her get to me. I just need to calm down."*

?????: \*sips tea\* "Let them come."

Sera: *"A-ARE YOU CRAZY!! The last time they took over, the whole universe was at risk of collapse. I almost got my friends killed, several times! I could've become permanently evil and corrupted! Why would-!"*

I start to remember that voice as if I had heard it from yesterday. I turn around and see none other than the "traitor" known as Chichi Okinawa, who is now the corrupted Lieutenant of Vermillion's army. She used to be the commander of Oarai's Catfish team and it's Type 3 Chi-Ri. My face becomes shocked and a little afraid, as if I've seen a ghost. She sits there with her eyes a dark red and her pupils to be yellow with a small bright red dash inside the center. She sips a cup of tea as she smiles at me with the Malified eyes and the red parts of her robotic legs dimly glow.

Lt. Okinawa: "Hello Ser-chan. It's been a while."

Sera: *"Wait. That voice.... N-No... It can't be! You....the accident. Y-You were reported to be dead! I saw your charred body. Wait, your eyes. N-No, stay away from me traitor! Y-You're with him!"*

Lt. Okinawa: "Really? Because I seem to die quite often..."

Sera: *"Chichi, I know you're still in there. You just need to snap out of it."*

She begins walking towards me with a grimacing smile, but she stops once I threaten her, still with that smile on her face.

Sera: *"Don't come any closer!"*

I reach to get my gun from my holster, but it isn't in there.

Sera: *"What the-! Where is it?"*

Lt. Okinawa: "Fufufu.... You seem so conflicted... I guess I'll be on my way. Until then...."

She turns to leave and she looks over her shoulder menacingly to me, as the red gleam in her eyes seemed to brighten the dimly lit room, and put a spike in my heart at the same time.

Lt. Okinawa: "Sayonara, Ser-chan."

She disappears in the shadows as quickly as she had appeared. I look to the ground, as a small bright blue teardrop falls from my right eye.

Sera: *"I will save you Chichi. I swear of it."*

## Chapter V: Fuzzy Dreams

I drift off into a deep sleep after that strange conversation. Chichi knew where I was. But why? How even? I'm not even sure if I can save her this time. She's been imbued with Malice for so long, it may be irreversible. The dreams I get are really strange. It's like the footage of an old video at first, but when it gets deeper in, it becomes so real it hurts you just by touching it. I'm seen sitting at a hill overlooking a giant castle lit with fireworks on a starry night. A young kid sits next to me, and I appear to be his age. He looks to me and smiles.

???: "Seraphina, I'm happy that you like the fireworks! I've really enjoyed my time with you these past months."

Sera: *"I'm happy to be with you too Axolis. I feel that now our lives can be at peace. No more bad people...."*

Axolis: "Hey S-Seraphina.... I've uh.... been wanting to say..."

He turns away and he begins to shake lightly.

Sera: *"Axolis? You ok there?"*

I slowly put my hand to his shoulder, but he grabs it and squeezes it hard.

Sera: *"Ngh! Axolis. Y-you're hurting me!"*

The setting changes to an old church ruin. The part behind me is nothing but black emptiness. He turns to me as his deceased form, with multiple beatings on him as his chest and shirt are reddened with blood. He smiles to me as he squeezes my hand.

Axolis?: "Do you know how it FEELS to leave someone for dead. Seraphina? You abandoned me!"

Sera: *"N-No! I tried to save you! But-"*

Axolis: "But you didn't...."

Sera: *"I tried! I love you Axolis, I really tried but I wasn't strong enough. I've been training so hard to become stronger so..."*

Axolis: "YOU? STRONGER?! AHAHAHAHAAA!!! You can't even control the powers of the Calamity! You're weak."

Now he looks even more like a rotted corpse as he looks at me with Zero eyes. His voice becomes distorted, like how Akira became possessed as Void.

Axolis: "And your weakness killed me, just like it'll kill all your friends. You're not strong....."

He quickly grabs my neck and hangs me above the cliff. I begin to choke as I look at him.

Axolis: "And you never will be!"

He throws me down the black pit and I descend into a dark tunnel, looking around quickly as I become scared to where I'll end up next.

I land in some sort of medical facility. The hallways are eerily quiet as I see multiple workers walking by me, seeming not to notice me. I wander into a large surgery room and I see a small pink-haired girl strapped on an operating table. She has strange cord-like devices and wires all connected to her. A tall and thin man looks over her. 2 men enter from behind me in lab coats and faze through me towards him.

**[UNKNOWN ASSISTANT 1]**: Sir, we've secured her tight and equipped her with the devices you've told us to put!

**???**: ***"Excellent! You two may leave."***

As they exit, a voice groans and he looks to the table.

Girl: *"Where.... am I?"*

**???:** ***"Child! You're awake.... Do not worry, you'll feel better in a moment's notice..."***

Girl: *"What... are these things on me?"*

**???: *"Do not fret. They are helping you live. It is necessary for the operation. Please... tell me what is wrong, child."***

Girl: *"No problem.... it's just..... I.... can't move..... Hard to breathe.... I'm scared...."*

**???:** ***"Don't worry child. May it as it is, it will be over in a second.... Just go to sleep.... You won't feel a thing."***

Girl: *"Thank you.... for comforting me.... Papa...."*

He goes and takes out a small note pad and writes in it while talking to himself.

**???:** **"*The subject has been comforted to a calmed state now. I will have to alter subject's memory files so she will not remember this. Bionic vessel has been completed. Now the specified AURA just needs to be transferred. After that. I'll need to contain them into a D.T. solution tube until further results come in. Why do I feel bad about this? I shouldn't be feeling anything if this experiment is to go any further. I've already had to bury 65 failed children. I mustn't fail again. It's all for her, and the world ahead."***

He then goes to a control panel and pushes a few buttons. Then, the wires on the girl's body glow and siphons the energy from her into another room. I then quickly rush to where the blue glowing cords lead me to. After a few minutes of running, I appear in a strange door. I flow through it and I stop only to become pale as a ghost. I stand looking at a large glass tube filled with a blue and red-bubbled liquid. Inside is a small robotic-looking girl with glowing blue veins. Once the glowing wires came in, she had taken the form of the girl in the operating table.

Once the blue liquid had stopped, I became dragged under again. I only floated midair as I ponder my existence, holding my hands up to my face.

Sera: *"What.... in the hell even am I?"*

As I asked the question, my hands kept trembling in fear. My eyes begin to glitch from my normal eyes to Malice eyes as Maliphina floats to my left in a relaxed position.

Mali: ***"You are what I am sister. Destined for chaos. We are not human, like those pathetic fools. You and I were created to kill. To corrupt. And yet you decide to leave your primary objective for some stupid kids. You know, you could easily kill them if you even mustered the power to."***

As she talks, I begin to see them becoming ripped apart, exploded, burning to a crisp, impaled, electrocuted, crushed, and dismembered before my very eyes. My mind begins to feel fear at it's maximum, until I see a new dream. It seems to be one that isn't mine. When I look to where Maliphina was before, she disappeared.

I look back to the light ahead of me and go to there. Once I do, I appear to be in the site of a destroyed plane. I walk around the ruins and I look at the flames and pieces of scrap metal. I take a look at one of the pieces to see the name "Aeroflot". It appears I'm in the site of the wrecked plane. I run across the site, checking to find Phoenix, Natalie, or anyone that is still alive. I stop quickly, only to see Phoenix's charred lifeless body next to his mother's. I try to touch it, but I faze right through it, which means I still cannot interact with it.

I hear footsteps and turn to the direction to see what looks like myself, but different somehow. They go to the body of Phoenix and kneel down to it. They look around and quickly inject a strange serum into his body. I listen closely to the corpse, and I begin to hear him actually breathing. I'm both confused and shocked. Did Phoenix actually die, and... did I actually bring him back? Then why don't I remember it?

They turn to me and look to my direction with emotionless greyed eyes. She pulls out a gun in my direction.

Sera: ***"No one must know of this, not even you."***

I brace for the bullet, but it flies right towards me and it seems to have hit the head of a person that was still alive under a pile of metal. She then takes out a chemical and tosses it on the body. The corpse immediately disintegrates right in front of me. She then goes to Phoenix's unconscious body and injects another serum into his head, which seemed to be a memory-wiping injection. Just after she disappears into the smoke around me with no other prints in sight.

It then all fades to black again. I brace myself for what comes next, feeling it will be pain that comes from the front, but instead, it came from my back, as Maliphina pounced on me and stuck a Corrupted Mask on my face. I began to feel sleepy as the red mist poured inside of my lungs and came out from the valves of the mask. I kept coughing from the poisonous gasses inside me. She whispers to me as I struggle.

Mali: ***"Sleep sister. This world doesn't need you anymore. Your friends don't need you anymore. Just let ol' Maliphina do the thinking for you."***

Sera: *"N.....Never....."*

Mali: ***"Very well then. Suit yourself."***

I then feel a massive, yet quick pain as she stabbed me in the back. My screams became muffled as I cried in agony. The view then changes to Vermillion's courtroom as I see myself going into a portal, as I speak in Akira's weak voice with his chest impaled by a blackened redsword.

Akira: **"Forgive me.... someday.... sister..."**

Just then, it quickly changes to me on a large operating table with multiple metal claws piercing my skin and replacing some of my body with artificial parts. Vermillion walks over to me as I look at him dead in the eyes. Nothing comes out from it and he just smiles to me.

Vermillion: ***"You will be my perfect specimen. The last 67 may have been nothing but failures, but I know you will destroy the remnants, Mecha-Kira."***

Akira: **"Seraphina will... make you... pay... you old boot!!"**

He laughs at the remark and then looks to him dead in the eyes as his smile disappears.

Vermillion: ***"Yeah sure kid. Put down the mind-controlling helmet. And make sure he suffers in the process."***

As it happens, I just drift off, finally succumbing to the poisonous Malice in myself. Maliphina laughs in the background, knowing that I've sealed my fate.

Just then Hollow shakes me awake before I was fully enveloped, as I gasp while holding my chest. I look to him as he has a worried look on his face. I tilt my head in confusion as of how he got here.

Hollow shows me the time and I see it's about 1:15 PM. I'm shocked to see how I slept for so long.

Sera: *"Hollow. How long was I out?"*

He signs a lot of numbers.

Sera: *"I'VE BEEN ASLEEP FOR 2 DAYS!?!"*

## Chapter VI: Strange Behavior

In Seraphina's house, everyone's hanging out as she is currently somewhere else. Alice is in the living room watching TV, Satsuke is in the kitchen preparing lunch, Kai is off reading a book, and Phoenix is in the Training Room with Ren while teaching him how to swordfight, since he asked. Makoto is also there weightlifting, so she can keep up with her schedule. Although, he's making it a little hard. A wooden sword is seen flying off. Kai enters to find them both training.

Phoenix: "Oh come on Ren! How can you be able to swordfight if you can't even hold it for 5 minutes!?"

Ren: "I-I'm sorry! I'm trying my best."

Kai: "What the heck is going on in here!?"

Phoenix: "Well he asked if he wanted to try swordfighting, and he wanted an expert. And who better than the best swordfighter here."

Ren: "Actually, Seraphina was who I was trying to find. Instead, you just appeared and apparently kept boasting on how he's better than her."

Phoenix: "H-HEY! I'm a great swordfighter!!"

Ren: "And you got your ass kicked by Seraphina multiple times. Anyways... where is she?"

Kai: "We thought she was with you guys."

An explosion can be heard from the backyard.

Ren: "What the heck was that!?"

Makoto: "Sounds like it came from outside!!"

They rush off to the living area to find the other girls on high alert as well.

Phoenix: "Are you alright Alice?"

Alice: "I'm just fine when I'm near you...."

Kai: "Ugh, your banter is LITTERALY going to make us puke. Now come on! It's coming from the back!"

They all leave to find Seraphina with her Cerulean Blade out, poised against a wooden statue of Void, as the T-120 Walker watches her from a tree. She focuses and Rush Strikes it in half.

Walker: `"Good! GOOD!! Let the hate flow through you!!"`

They all appear just as he takes out another wooden dummy, preparing to through it in the air.

Makoto: "Seraphina-sama! What the hell are you doing!? Stop!!"

He then throws it in the air.

Walker: `"Look out! It's coming for your friends! Take it down!!"`

She stands there and leaps up, as she slashes it midair with a single strike, breaking it into a million pieces. The strike also manages to destroy the tree that Walker was in, causing it to be buried in a burnt ash pile.

Walker: `"Ow my processors!"`

As Seraphina lands on the ground, her eyes become pure white, as a small heartbeat can be heard from her. Her face becomes an emotionless slate, filled with an unknown power. Just then, Alice nears her.

Alice: "Sera. Are you okay?"

Just then, without a thought, she rushes towards Alice, attempting to strike her, but Phoenix blocks it with his sabre.

Phoenix: "SERAPHINA! What has gotten into you!?"

Seraphina then snaps to her senses, seeing how she is poised with her sword at Phoenix's blade. She watches everyone's shocked looks as she then immediately passes out.

She then wakes up inside her bedroom, as everyone is relieved to see she's alright. Alice goes to hug her.

Sera: *"What happened?"*

Alice: "Oh thank goodness you're okay! We were so worried Seraphina! What happened back there."

As she's about to speak, a robotic voice interrupts her. The Walker barges into the room.

Walker: `"I was helping her achieve.... limitless power-"`

Makoto then grabs the Walker and proceeds to punch it.

Walker: `"Please don't hurt! I am cripple!"`

Ren then stops her before she can act.

Ren: "Wait Makoto! Let's hear it out for a second!"

Makoto puts the small robotic animal down.

Walker: `"You know how everyone has seen Seraphina in action, right? And how we've all witnessed only a fraction of her power? I was just trying to help her reach her limits so she can become a more powerful entity!"`

Makoto then grabs the Walker again, and lifts it higher up.

Makoto: "She has been through enough already Walker-kun! So how about you leave Seraphina-san alone!?"

Walker: `"Help me please!!"`

Sera: "Wait!"

Everyone stops and looks at her.

Sera: *"Actually, I started practicing myself.... I want to get better at controlling the power that is left inside of me, and I want to get better at my fighting."*

Alice: "But why though? There is nothing left for us to fight against. Now we can live our normal lives!"

Sera: *"I just want to get stronger so I can better protect my friends!! I..."*

She begins to remember Akira and all of the friends that she's lost to that plague.

Sera: *"I can't afford to lose anymore of you guys, because I know that it'll be on me for not being able to save you in time."*

Makoto goes to Seraphina and puts a hand on her shoulder.

Makoto: "You know Seraphina-san. If you really wanted help training to become stronger, you could've just asked us! Because we'll help you on the way! Makoto is here to coach your every training need! My mother suggested that I take coaching lessons so I could be able to train more youthful students so they could become strong like me."

Kai: "It's true. I actually watched her coaching one of her classes. And so far, I'm surprised that she could get those kids to pay attention."

Ren: "Yeah man! If there's anyone that knows how to kick butt and coach, it's definitely Makoto!"

Makoto: "Aw, thank you guys. You're all making me blush. So now that that's out of the way, let's get to work!!"

Sera: *"Hurrah! Let's go practice now!!"*

## Chapter XVI: Absolute Betrayal

I begin for wake up, seeing I'm inside of a large place, seeming to be a temple. I look around, only to see my friends in cages. I look at them in confusion.

I turn to them, as my eyes become normal.

Sera: *"Guys? Where am I?"*

I see everyone else all together on one side of the cage, and Niles just standing there at the other side.

Sera: *"Niles? What's going on?"*

Maho and Miho look at each other in confusion in the back.

Maho: "Niles?"

Miho: "Whose that?"

Sera: *"Uh... what do you mean? Our friend Niles is right there."*

They all look to their left in shock, seeing it like he's not even there.

I look to Niles as everyone looks in his direction, and he seems to be as shocked as they are.

Alice: "Seraphina... there's nobody there."

He smiles suspiciously as I speak in disbelief.

Sera: *"W-What?"*

He begins to slowly walk towards the bars of the cage as large bells slowly ring behind us. He continues to smile as he walks and he fazes right through the bars to me. I continue to look at him with shock and a little bit of fear as my memories of him pass by me. The moment where we chatted at one of the ship's docks, as he glitches out in the middle of his talk.

Niles: "Take a moment to see how far you've come."

As he walks towards me more, a silent echo of him says "Lesson 1: Expect the unexpected." It then flashes to the moment where we're training together against the rogue students. I crouch behind cover as he and Maho are throwing items at them. In the middle of it all, it changes to me throwing instead of Niles, but with my eyes closed. It then flashes to us on the ship, as I beg of him to help get the toolbox when the large crew carrier began to break down.

Sera: *"NEED SOME HELP HERE!!!"*

Niles: "Trust me. I couldn't help you even if I wanted to."

It then flashed to when we made the deal of him helping me train my Calamity Form back in the damaged carrier.

Niles: "Cmon, I'm serious. I'll help ya."

As Alice plays with a small Boko in her seat, she turns to see me talking to nothing. He walks up to me and then stops as I back up into the pillar I was resting on. I continue to look at him in fear. He chuckles quietly as he stares into my eyes. The memories then flash to me sleepwalking towards the carrier's engine, as I summon my Cerulean Blade. Then, my face becomes replaced by a smiling shade of Niles' as I stab into the engine.

Sera: *"W-Who.... Who are you?"*

He pulls over the hair covering his left eye, and when he reveals it, there was no eye there. Just then, his only eye moves in place to the middle. He puts his head down, and when he puts it back up, the pupil becomes the Eyes of Void. His smile becomes more larger and sinister.

Niles/Zero: "It's been a while, Hey Seraphina?"

I begin to feel as if my body and my emotions become so out of control, that I cannot hold it back anymore, as my face flashes into it's Calamity Form with the Deity marks forming across my face and my eyes changing to it's different colors. My face starts to anger and become so much until I scream in agony and fury.

Sera: ***"ZERO!!!"***

I transform into my Calamity form into it's truest potential, as I look down upon my traitor of a friend while everyone looks in shock from their cell. A shockwave brings everyone onto their knees as I summon my Cerulean Blade in my right hand, ready to strike at Zero. He smiles even more until it looks crazed. He chuckles to me until it becomes louder and into an evil cackle as if I'd laid his plan right out to him. I become even more angered, I target my blade right to his head and launch at him, but he becomes too quick, and he goes right into my very mind. I kneel to the ground, stunned from the move.

Phoenix: "SERA! NO!"

I remain standing, but my upper body becomes arched to my back.

Alice: "Seraphina! Please, wake up! Come back!"

I stagger a bit, but then stand back up as my eyes become the color of Malice. I look to them as the glowing blue blade on my lifeless hand becomes a dark, scarlet red, fused with yellow streaks and swirls. I then smile wickedly to them.

Mali: "Oh! It's GREAT to be back! And now, I believe it's time I give YOU a little welcoming present, dear friends."

The demonic aura laughs inside me as my body launches out to the sky in a blinding pace. Before doing it, I turn my head to him only for them to see Niles' normal face in my own, as I launch out of the room. The rest of them look to the hole above, and into the rising daylight.