(insert song: "Rain" by Okiayu Ryuutarou)

In the middle of a conveniently deserted street, they faced off. But the lines of good and evil were blurred by the additions to this long standing fight between Weiss and Schwartz. With Weiss stood two additions; Eagle Vision and Subaru Sumeragi. With Schwartz stood more; Duo Maxwell, Chang Wufei, Genjo Sanzou, Tasuki, Sesshoumaru, Kazutaka Muraki, Mirai Trunks, Xellos Metallium, Koinosuke Odago, and Ryuuichi Sakuma.

" Doushite...? " Subaru and Omi said quietly... at the same time. They looked at each other briefly.

" Subaru! " Trunks took a step forward. " Get out of here!! "

" Touching, isn't it? " Schuldich sneered, looking to Nagi.

Nagi threw Trunks into a building.

Subaru started in that direction, " Trun-- " He stopped suddenly and grabbed his head with an outcry.

" Subaru?! " Weiss and Eagle were alarmed.

Super-saiyajin or whatever... we could still end his life if we really wanted to... Subaru's fingers tightened in his hair at the words that echoed within his mind. You were brought here to work for us, not against us. Be a good boy now, Subaru...

" No... " Subaru choked out.

You don't want to lose another loved one, now do you?

Eagle looked from Subaru to the enemies, pulling down his visor and scanning them all. He pointed at Schuldich. " You! You're a telepath! " He watched the truth come out as Schuldich blinked in surprise. Eagle keyed in a command on his arm band and pulled a gun out of the air. Aiming it at the member of Schwartz in question he demanded severely, " Leave Subarukun alone. "

Crawford smirked at the line of sweat running down the side of Schuldich's face. For once the telepath had been defeated, the electronic headband Eagle wore blocked any access to his mind. It seemed he'd chosen a little too well, the people Riva was to collect.

Subaru was left shaking as Schuldich retreated from his mind. He dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms about himself, sobbing.

" Aww... dammit!! " Duo shouted, squeezing his eyes shut and running towards the Weiss side. " Forgive me Riva, really! But I can't do this!! "

Farfarello cut him off half way, manic gleam intact in the solitary amber eye. " Where do you think you're going? "

Duo froze in place. Fighting Farfarello was instant death in intention alone. What was he supposed to do?

In the morning stillness a gunshot rang out and sent Farfarello sprawling. Duo twisted around and stared at the smoking barrel of Sanzou's gun. From behind the gun, Sanzou said severely, " For once Duo is right. Just because we were brought here for this purpose doesn't mean we have to fulfill it. " He started walking away from Schwartz, followed by Ryuuichi, Tasuki, Wufei, and Koinosuke. Only Muraki, Sesshoumaru and Xellos remained with Schwartz.

" Maa... " Xellos said in response to the questioning gaze. (Nobody was surprised about Muraki and Sesshoumaru) " ... I think the end of the world might be fun! "

Sweatdrops en masse ensued.

**

("Blue Eyes Baby" by Pierrot. Not the same Pierrot that sang Haruka, a different group by the same name)

Trunks crawled out from under the rubble and found himself back inside the building. Getting shakily to his feet, he leaned his head back and sighed. This is insane, it shouldn't be this way He noted Riva's presence in the room, still lying on the couch were Muraki had left her. Staggering over, he grasped her shoulders and shook her gently.

" Riva... " he called, trying to wake her, " Riva... "

The only response he got was a moan and a turn of her head. He shook a little harder.

" Riva! Ochite!! "

Another moan. " Trunks...? " Her eyes flashed open and she sat up with a start. " Goshujin-sama?! "

" Riva! " Trunks forced her to look him in the eyes. " Riva, tell me, tell me you didn't know! Say you didn't know this was all for the end of the world! "

" End of the... world...? What? " she trailed off, still half-dazed.

" Crawford! " Trunks said, his voice rising imperitively. " He's trying to end the world through us! "

Riva stared at him, hurt and confusion standing out in her eyes. Some part of Trunks was relieved by the fact that she really hadn't known. " Uso... " she trailed off. But Trunks shaking his head proved that it was true. " Then... everyone...? "

" They're all fighting outside. " Trunks lifted Riva up, putting her arm over his shoulders to help her stand. " Come on, I'll show you. Listen Riva, Crawford may be your master, but we don't acknowledge him at all... all it takes is a word. All it takes is you. The world can't end. Something like that can't be allowed. "

Riva put her fist to her mouth and contemplated this.

**

(insert song: "Justice ~ Another Possibility" by Two-Mix)

Needless to say, there was one hell of a fight going on outside. Schwartz had lost many of their allies, but they were still going strong. Nothing much ever deterred them anyway. Eagle's 'upgrade' on Aya's sword was only a one shot deal, not that Aya cared anyway. He was slashing and stabbing at Crawford - he never actually *hit* the man of course, it was the effort that counted.

Xellos was having fun thwarting each and every attempt to attack him. Be it by any member of Weiss, or any member of his own party, each and every one was deflected by a spell and retaliated by another.

" See? " Trunks said quietly, releasing Riva to stand on her own. " You've been used. "

Riva's expression hardened. Hell hath no fury... you know. Not to mention that igonorance is bliss, and now that Riva was no longer ignorant, she was mad as hell.

" CUT IT OOOOOUUUUUUUT!!!! " she shouted at the top of her lungs, balling her hands into fists and squeezing her eyes shut as she did so. Surprised and maybe even a little afraid by the drastic change in personality, everyone froze where they were, in mid attack, mid fall, mid whatever it was that they were doing at the moment. " Xellos, if the world ends you'll have no one left to play with. Not to mention it'll get awfully boring around here. "

" Ah, so true, Rivachan. " Xellos ended the attack he was in the middle of.

" Sesshoumaru! If the world ends, what will happen to Rin? "

Sesshoumaru scowled, but retracted his claws from where they were hovering over Ken's face. He dropped the assasin and stood down.

Nagi scowled. " I knew she was a bad idea. "

" Muraki! Meifu is connected to this world and therefore ends when it does, taking Tsuzuki with it. " Riva watched as Muraki smiled and stood down as well. She turned her gaze to the true object of her anger. " Goshujin-sama. I still love you but-- " she pulled her kitana out and leveled the blade at his face, " --I won't forgive you! "

**

(insert song: "Mina soko ni nemure" from Blue Submarine No. 6)

Yukito opened his eyes to the sun and blinked. Turning his head, he found Kenshin sitting, smiling down at him. " Ara? Did I sleep here all night? "

" Hai, " Kenshin answered. " It was very peaceful here. Sapphire and Miki still haven't woken up. " The samurai's smile deepened subtly. " Yukitokun is very cute when he sleeps de gozaru. "

Yukito returned the smile. " Thank-you very much. " He blushed slightly. " Kenshinsan looks very nice in the morning sunlight, " he complimented shyly.

" Arigatou gozaimasu, " Kenshin leaned down towards him. " I think I could grow to like being in a shounen ai story de
gozaru. "

Miki woke up and yawned, rubbing his eyes and stretching. Turning around, he observed Kenshin and Yukito gazing at each other like this and commented, " awhn... "

**

(insert song: "I Want Out" from Generator Gawl)

Crawford turned away from Aya to face Riva fully. " Riva-kun... " he began.

" Stop it! " she cut him off. " I don't want to hear it. " She raised a fist into the air vehemently. " You could offer me undying affection and plushies galore and I still wouldn't accept this mission! I cannot advocate the end of the world! "

Duo's eyes glistened as he listened to this. " Riva...! "

" Next chapter is the last one guys! " Riva declared, " Let's make it a good one! "

" Ho! " cheered the group en masse: and Schwartz began to look a little worried.

**

Next chapter: The End Draws Near! But...