"If you think our best bet at succeeding in this war is to sacrifice Apocalypse, then you're better off in the scrap yard." Zaira extended her hand and condensed a frightening volume of Mental Energy, intending to activate all three Grade 4 Core Skills to annihilate the Fate System once and for all.
"Even though you're touted to be the most logical of all, at times, your logic is just stubborn obsessions clinging to your mental capacity." The Fate System spoke with a tone of ridicule, "If you wished to do what was the best, why did you ignore the Adventure System?"
"Wasn't it part of that original four?" It continued, "You were always after the Protagonist Genre. So, after countless years of struggles, the Adventure System survived even Mystique's world and returned as the Secondary System, part of the Protagonist Genre. But, all you did was antagonise it further, just because you wanted Arnark."
"Now, that Arnark will die under Compass Carburettor's hands. Isn't all your obsessions for naught then?" The Fate System laughed in mockery, "My plan relies upon the absoluteness of fate. Unlike you, I'll never fail."
In the end, the Fate System's string of arguments shut up Zaira, preventing her from retorting his plans any longer.
Letting out a smile, the Fate System spoke, "Let's pull back all the Systems camping at Rhizen's universe. Apocalypse will directly launch an attack and focus on changing the inherent foundation of that universe. That would force his hand and make him emerge for a confrontation."
"That's…a death sentence." Zaira sighed, "Apocalypse would die."
"This is for the best, since with its death, its entire foundation would merge into Rhizen's world and turn it into an apocalyptic wasteland. It would force him to flee, and I'm sure where he would go next." The Fate System grinned, "The Luck System has revived, right?"
"Yeah, it revived just a few days ago." Zaira nodded, "It's only at level 100."
"Perfect, that makes it a great prey for Rhizen. Send it first and empower him enough to face Apocalypse."
…
"So…you want to send me to my death." The Apocalypse System arrived at the System World and stared at Zaira, for a moment emotionally.
But a couple of seconds later, it nodded resolutely, "Anything for our victory. Just prepare my replacement."
"Apocalypse is one of the strongest concepts in the multiverse."
"I know," Zaira said, "I'll begin creating a new batch of Systems part of the Apocalypse Genre after you. Eventually, they would reach Grade 3 and become Apocalypse once again."
"I can rest assured then," The Apocalypse System nodded and hugged Zaira's energy-condensed form, "Take care of yourself in my absence."
"I will," Zaira nodded, emotional despite being incapable of something like that in her energy-condensed form. Even the rage she expressed before was just a timed response, a pre-planned setup existing in memory that allowed her to exhibit human-like emotions whenever she pleased.
But now, she truly was emotional. After all, the Apocalypse System had been with her from the start and was someone she had relied upon in countless predicaments.
Among the pair of sisters, Tell-Tale System had been devoured by Compass Carburettor. And now, Apocalypse System was being sent to the doorstep of death under Rhizen's hands.
"Well, I'll be accompanying you until your last moment. So, don't worry." The Fate System spoke casually.
"You're someone that only appeared now, so don't act like you know what's at stake." The Apocalypse System snorted at the Fate System.
"I know what's at stake here," The Fate System shrugged, "If you were that concerned about the System World, you should have attained Grade 4 and helped ease up our burden. Oh, I forgot…"
It jeered at the Apocalypse System, "You cannot attain Grade 4, right?"
"Only the ultimate three concepts can reach Grade 4."
"Forget it," The Apocalypse System was angry for a moment before deciding that it was a waste of time. It then dragged the Fate System with it and disappeared from the System World, immediately arriving at the Apocalypse World where the Post Apocalyptic Dispatch Society headquarters existed.
…
"Something is strange," Warktor frowned as he observed the change in surroundings, "Why are these…Grade 2 Systems leaving?"
"Something this abrupt in change doesn't spell well for us." Straxia observed the confusion evident on the faces of the Grade 2 Systems and said, "It seems even they aren't aware of what is happening."
"Where's Rhizen?" She turned around and stared at Chenger.
"He's arguing with Dita after devouring the Luck System," Chenger replied as she pulled out a pearl-like cylinder and tapped it twice. Immediately, the air within the room swirled as the figure of Rhizen appeared, in hand with Dita that had shrunk its body to the minimum to resemble a common cobra.
"What happened, Chenger?" Rhizen looked at the concern on the faces of everyone, "Why is everyone solemn…"
His words came to a halt as he stared out from the satellite station situated on the moon of their world. All the Systems furiously searching for the whereabouts of their world vanished, almost as if fleeing for their lives.
And in the depths of the void formed a layer, perceivable from every corner of the universe, a blanket covering everything.
The Astral Network solidified, appearing like the sky shrouding the universe. And from there, a cloud formed, revealing a crack, one unleashing a mighty roar akin to thunder.
Mental Energy swirled at a volume capable of drowning the universe itself as a formless power seeped everywhere.
"No!"
"Thirsty!"
"What is happening?"
Plants in the Apocalypse World withered while the animals dried up in a matter of seconds. Even the Mutated Beasts shrivelled up and died quickly. The entire world became barren instantly, causing food and water shortage.
Moreover, it seemed this effect wasn't just contained to this world as every world where the authority of PADS had reached was similarly affected, for the power system of the world itself was changing.
"Something massive is coming…" Rhizen just muttered when suddenly, a thunderclap resounded in the minds of everyone, knocking the strong unconscious while killing the weak.
Plop!
Even Warktor fell to his knees, feeling weak as he stared at the gigantic planet that dropped down from the solidified Astral Network, stammering in shock, "Is t-t-that…?"
"Yes," Rhizen nodded solemnly, "That's the enemy we vowed to eradicate."
"The Apocalypse System."
