Act 1: Choices
Act 2: Consequences
Phase 1: Effects
Phase 2.1: Ramifications
Phase 2.2: Cold
Phase 3: Clashings
Phase 4: Crossings
-Phase 4: Dust in the Wind
Phase 5: Thrones
-Phase 5.1: Enemy Lines
-Phase 5.2: Game of Thrones
Phase 6: Strikers
-RS Arc 7: Holiday Wars
Phase 7: Corruption
-Phase 7.1: Leylines
-Phase 7.2: Dark Magik
-Phase 7.3: Angels
-Phase 7.4: Gods
Phase 8: Peace
Phase 9: Collapse
Mini Series: Heart of Terra
10-609.3.23
Location: PAX
When the dust settles from the clone fallout, Benjamin Carmichael is sent into custody of a low security prison for thirty years for the murder of The World, admitting to his actions in order to bar his mother or precious sister from succumbing to their own inner turmoil instead. Chii's chaotic nature threatens to stir from her discontent over the results, but her and Cheryl support one another in dealing with it.
Cuddles resigns her position, unable to deal with her conscience in handling the clone situation and all the surrounding people's choices, Enue deciding to join her from the bond they've created over the years, taking Lilien with him to live on the coast to the dismay of Jennifer.
8.15.2863
Location: Jeanole
An alarm announces the results of a gruesome playdate with one of the Scurrs in its outside pen. Barely given time to mourn, Fi and Thayer also fall victim to malignant detail, mimicing the effects of a poison that even after numerous remedies and magiks leaves them in a comatose state. The only clue being a note from someone clearly vengeful against Butler and her relations stating that she may only save one of them and only if she gives herself to the sender within twelve hours or both will perish. The elder Jean suggests they gather for a meeting of minds to discern their course of action.
Ten hours to go.
Discussion pours over whom the one who has lashed out is yet it cannot yet be pinned. They do suggest that perhaps it was not a personal grudge on Butler's part, but she does have the habit of acting in a cold manner when it comes to decisions with collateral fallout. The most likely candidate would be... Rose.
Considering that the inflictor may have required abilities on par with a Tarehn deity to make this ruse reality, they use the instruments acquired to scan Tareh for signatures and learn of many potentials now with the original gods having left and that Asmodeus may be still lurking in the Demon Realm after all. Not only that, but one besides him seems to be closing in on Deus.
Nine hours to go.
Location: Demon Realm capital tower
A short and sweet reunion of the newly demonized is turned awkward by the announcement that Asmodeus may be making a housecall after so long and with an uninvited guest. No sooner do they process this than Asmodeus comes crashing through the ceiling wounded-- followed by an ethereal and god-like Rose.
Words of bitterness are exchanged, but Rose' true aim becomes clear as she forces the Matrix from Deus and flees, stating that she will fix everything once and for all with the use of Centerpoint. She's not just turning back time-- she's rewriting it entirely by piercing the veil between Tareh and the Prime reality, once there, Centerpoint is a mere step away.
Location: Asteroid C
While Cheryl broods over the exchange of daughter for brother, the tears between the Trinity briefly become apparent to all, something shattering Centerpoint itself, instantly killing its guardian Jamie. All of Earth and PAX's heroes rise to join and deliberate, finding it obvious that this is a no-nonsense emergency on everyone's behalf.
Fifteen pieces of Centerpoint were broken off, all emanating reality powers, the conclusion being that the breaking happened from within Centerpoint itself due to an overload.
Eight hours remaining.
Location: Demon realm capital
At Deus' wish, Jubei joins the others with the Rune Blade and prepares to chase Rose beyond their world if necessary to put to rest the past once and for all. With Umi's great body as a vessel, the Tarehns descend the abyss to the center of the world where the seal placed by Lorelei and Aschae lies straining.
Location: Nue Manor
Through paper, rock, scissors Isis will accompany Miyuki to the final ends. Kasha staying to watch and protect their blossoming empire of children and family. As they merge with the other groups they set out only to find the Tarehn group awaiting them to press on to the final battle.
Location: Mizukaze Manor
Preparations are made for the departure to Centerpoint and whatever it may entail, a reunion of faces young and old alike, old sores and deep friendships both standing to protect what they hold dear. The discussion of Taiga's involvement arises and Ouka halfheartedly tries to remind her of her conviction to no longer fight, but gives in knowing Taiga's heart and conscience would never allow her to sit at the sidelines. She instead sternly reminds her that she won't be left behind again. The Zodiac as a whole reunites despite differences for this event.
Using her living room as a base of operations, Cheryl begins to detail the structure of Centerpoint and the most likely routes for Rose to enter without a starcraft of her own and how they might intercept her intelligently. They aren't any match for her head on, especially if they expect to avoid casualties, so instead the plan counts on everyone doing their part to wear Rose down bit by bit thoughout the procedure. Cheryl stresses this point, eyeing people like Mem who have a tendency to take it upon their shoulders to see things through.
Friendships across realities take the moment to try and speak their peace, such as Rosetta and Prime's Mem, as it's supposed they will never see one another again without extreme circumstances, the aftermath of this plan going to seal off the multiverse for good. Cersei and Wyrd both wonder when they hear Ouka referred to as a wolf...
Two hours remain.
Location: Centerpoint Outer Edge
The Zodiac members arrange themselves around the possible entries to Centerpoint on its outer shell, awaiting Rose's arrival. Her appearance marks reactions from Centerpoint itself, outward bursts threatening to harm Earth and thus some of the bonded Zodiac and their partners pursue pieces of shards and distortions to neutralize them while others engage Rose herself to delay and weaken her.
By their coordination and combined efforts they keep shards from bombarding Earth or the nearby Lunar colony and even land strikes in on Rose before she breaks through their first layer of assault, the only casualty so far being Jem's dignity as the bonding process comes to a close and she's left nude.
Location: Inner channels
Lorelei situates the second assault team to ambush Rose on the inner crystal catwalks, Mem venting her frustration on the crystalline structures. Though Lorelei tries to comfort and suggest she could catch up to the core team, Mem comes to terms with the fact that Cheryl knows her best and where she'll be most useful-- and that she'd want to be there of all places to watch over Zephyr.
Rose makes her appearance on another catwalk and Mem sees her chance, leaping across and threatening her, goddess or not. Attempting to dispose of Mem using an ice manifest, she falls prey to Zephyr's Dragoon Bustah from afar, Mem using a blade to claw her way back to traction and finds herself destroying a bug planted on Rose in her zealous nature to go overboard. Immediately realizing her mistake, she internally swears to make it right, not willing to allow Rose to go on with eve the slightest advantage and pursues her beyond their original parameter despite the others' protest. As she enters to chase, however, Rose turns the ambush on her and blasts her clean through.
Feeling her mistake may be fatal, she holds onto her tenacity to clutch Rose in place so that Lorelei can drain off her reality power as much as possible and weaken her for Cheryl's team, however it begins to have further consequences as it appears Katrina may be harmed too. Thankfully, due to Zephyr's own tenacity and efforts, she brings Katrina still living to Mem and the two are stabilized. She wouldn't admit it, but Mem then felt the fruits of the family and friends she'd made since coming back into the light.
Location: Outer core
Battered at this point, Rose arrives to the barricade of Erevis, Cassandra, Seraphna, Elayne, Darien, Ao, X, Peter, Teddy and even Classic Erevis and Nyaomi. She pleads bitterly to be allowed on, but their paths at this point already set, the brawl opens with a desperate telekinetic-like strike that crushes surrounding structures and blows Ao clean away temporarily.
Engaging all their potention and not holding back, the melee take to the fray and the ranged and supports take their shots and abilities from afar, both Johns invariably trying to take the fight directly to Rose and perhaps biting off more than they can chew alone-- but together..? Rose is withstood more than she'd like, eventually taking to racing away rather than outright brawl and the team stands down to lick their wounds having accomplished her part.
One hour remains.
Location: Monitoring room
The Tarehn group is awaiting her, once more desperate to talk her down, but her sorrows and pain won't allow her; her eyes set on the task she gave herself, and soon the talk is over and the magik begins to cross. Umi enters fray with tooth and claw, tangling with Rose as Jean resolves herself to fight and the others steel their hearts to lay their relationships from the past with Rose to rest and end her ambitions.
Due to her regeneration even with the level of wearing down she's been given, it takes all the spells in Jean's reperatoire and simultaneous strikes of the Tarehns to expose the god hearts she stole and utilizes, finally bringing her to her knees. Without the power to realize her goal, Rose's fragmented mind finally caves to her sorrow and she simply sobs.
Location: Inner Core
With the threat of Rose taken care of, Cheryl, Miyuki and Wind set about their task of seperating the multiverse forever more. However one last hitch Cheryl finally brings up makes Chii's stomach turn and she annoyedly informs her that she KNEW she would leave out something like this. With the self destruction of Centerpoint means that because of all the forces preventing travel abilities in and out, the person who does it will surely perish.
But once more, Miyuki brings her talents to bear, creating a clone of herself with her kitsune powers that is able to start the sequence at no one's expense and Chii snorts her gratefulness that she won't have to darken Taiga's heart.
Utilizing all they have left, each group makes their escape as they say goodbye to Centerpoint.
Location: The Breach
At the entry from Tareh, Jubei and the Tarehn group find one more sacrifice to be made. Asmodeus is there, holding the breach open, which would have trapped them all a minute prior if not for his efforts. Allowing them all to pass, Asmodeus is crushed by the seal and Deus, tears in her eyes, informs them of this fact. His final decision was to help not only the Tarehns in general, but Jubei, one of those whom had opposed him, that she might return to his daughter having witnessed their relationship and leadership of the Demon Realm.
Location: Jeanole
Butler returns now with the ability to revive her wives, only minutes left on their mortal timer.