The Grand Battle [Game Over!]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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Amethyst, Eximo, and a befuddled Jerry flew towards Nathan's position - on Eximo's scanner, he stuck out like a sore thumb. Aeon would no doubt be nearby.

Jerry was lost in thought about what Amethyst had told him.

"You wish to know? I will tell you. But I do not expect you will like it."

She told him about the battle. About how the Director and Gentlemen had taken them from their home dimensions, solely to fight against each other.

About the senseless deaths they had faced in the previous rounds.

And... about how it seemed this city was an artificial creation of the Director. And it appeared that even the people were as well. Copies of people who existed in other worlds.

Including Jerry.

"Lifeform Nathan has moved suddenly. Adjust heading thirty degrees to the northwest," Eximo suddenly said. The vacuum's broomstick shifted direction; Amethyst followed suit, and so did Jerry, before reflecting on what had happened next.

"A copy..." He seemed surprisingly calm about the news. "So, these weird memories rushing in... They're from the original Jerry?"

"Most likely. I cannot say with certainty, as he seems to be from Eximo's world, not mine."

"This unit is only familiar with the information Konka Rar programmed into this unit," Eximo chimed in. "Lifeform Jerry believes that aliens are plotting to gather large quantities of lint for nefarious purposes. This unit is not programmed with information explaining why this has led him to be one of Konka Rar's enemies."

Jerry laughed nervously. "Judging by his memories, this other Jerry leads a weird life. And compared to some of the stuff he believes, this whole story of yours is pretty plausible. Okay, I'll buy it. So, based on what you've told me.. you want out of this contest, and ideally, to exorcise the demon possessing this friend of yours?"

"Correct," Amethyst replied. "But we would need to locate Nathan first..."

"This unit has already located him."

"There has been another sudden shift in movement. Adjust heading twelve degrees south."

"This Nathan guy moves fast," Jerry said, as he shifted the direction of his crystal. "Was he on the track team or something?"

"The demon lord is augmenting his natural capabilities," Amethyst explained. "With the demon's assistance, he is faster and stronger than an ordinary human. It will be difficult to subdue him, but it will be necessary if we are to find some means of escaping this 'game'."

Amethyst called Aeon to inform him they would be arriving soon. Afterwards, she turned to Eximo.

"You had mentioned Nathan's unique life signature before. I should have recalled that. Are there any other anomalies in your life scan?"

"This unit has located an area of significant size in the center of the city which shows no life signs whatsoever," Eximo replied. "It is very unusual, as there are high concentrations of life signals not far from it."

"Sounds like somebody's hiding something, if you ask me," Jerry interrupted. "Of course, I always think somebody's hiding something..."

"You may just be right this time," Amethyst replied. "We'll investigate that once we find Aeon, and ideally once we've dealt with Nathan. For now..."

She handed Jerry and Eximo each a broomstick.

"We're going for a little ride."

"Lifeform Nathan is very close. Adjust heading fourteen degrees to the west and prepare for landing."

"Understood. We are landing. Jerry - I am going to be blunt. Are you capable of fighting against an opponent with superhuman, and to a degree, supernatural abilities?"

Jerry shook his head.

"Then I would advise you to stay high, and out of combat. If all goes well, we will meet with you afterwards."

"Yeah, I get it." He landed his broomstick on a nearby rooftop. "Good luck."

He watched as Amethyst and Eximo flew down towards Nathan's life signature.