Kindred Hearts x Zenkai Heroes Chapter 3: Once a Zenkai, Always a Zenkai

The Espers' Homeworld was about to face another decade-long darkness again. Hideo wore a regal-looking ritual robe as he and Lukretia chanted ancient mantras to awaken the fallen Deviants' souls using the bodies of both Gabbie and Rei. Their mother pleaded the two to stop as she watched in agony, but the two villains kept chanting. Their paternal grandfather cried as he was about to witness the thing he saw in the book. All of the fallen Deviants that were slain by the Angeluses and their forces are about to rise into the mortal world once again. Meanwhile in the tower's basement, Daiki, his childhood friends and the Ijuuin siblings were on their way to the top.

"May we reign victorious in our final battle. This is our only chance, and we shall decide the ending of this story" said Daiki.

As they went up through the tower's spiral stairs, Daiki was amazed by the murals painted on the tower's wall. The murals depicted Juno, the Angelus Warriors and the war against Dark Nightmare and the Deviants in the past. All of them were like the one he saw in the book when he was in Toshiharu's place. He saw Aurora Angelus, Gabbie's ancestor among the major Angeluses depicted in the mural.

"I've never seen such artistry before, and yet these date back as far as millions of years before modern civilization. Amazing!" said Yuito.

"This is the very secret behind my beloved one, to think she was the descendant of this realm's past guardians" said Daiki.

"You have a very valuable woman on your side. Please protect her when we're done saving her and her family" said Altair.

"When can we get to the free food? I want pilaf rice with chicken curry for lunch! Oh, can I also have some umm ali or kunafa for dessert too?!" said Jimmy, who's hiding inside Altair's lamp.

"SHUUUUT UUUUP JIMMAAAAAAAAY!" said Altair angrily before he closed his lamp, sealing the noisy and hungry Djinn Beast Carbuncle inside. "When I get outta here you're gonna regret starving me, Ass-hair!" said Jimmy angrily.

The last mural amazed Daiki. It depicted people carrying Aurora Angelus into the top of the tower, where she was laid to rest after succumbing to her wounds. Before she died, she gave birth to what appeared to be the progenitor to the Desjardins. The first Transcendent born on the frigid lands of the red maple leaf. Murals of what appeared to be Mastodons, mooses and maple trees were also seen there too.

It is written on the mural, that "on the day when the snow thawed over the great white tundra and the maple trees turned green again, the first of the ones who came from the gardens was born. On that same day, the seven-colored angel fell into eternal slumber after fulfilling her duty, thus this tower served as her final resting place".

"So that's what behind Gabbie's true last name, and the tribe of Lumians we met before led by Finnius. Maybe Finnius is Gabbie's maternal grandfather. No, he might be her great grandfather. How could Lumians live so long? It is truly something out of this world, let alone I haven't seen such people living so long back in my homeworld, especially in my home country Afilia" said Daiki.

"Such miracle, isn't it? Even me, someone who once sailed many seas and explored many islands was amazed. There might be treasure here.." said Altair.

"Alright my fellow siblings. The final battle awaits us. May us, the Ijuuin siblings save the world together with our otherwordly allies. We helped Daiki before, fought by his side with Yuito and now we got Altair by our side. Time to give it our all!" said Tsubasa to Mekuru and Mitsuki.

The six entered the altar room. They saw Gabbie's family chained to the wall, the Minato siblings lying unconscious on the altar and the two villains chanting mantras upon them. Hideo and Lukretia stopped chanting as the three Zenkai Heroes and the Youkai siblings broke into the altar room.

"You…. YOU!! How did you…" said Hideo angrily.

"It's over, Hideo Iwakura! Give me back the Minato siblings and release their family!" said Daiki angrily.

"Never! Come on, Lukretia! Let's take them to the top of this tower and finish the ritual. In the meantime.." said Hideo before he and his Meijuujin companion teleported along with the unconscious Gabbie and Rei. To make sure the Zenkai Heroes, the Ijuuin siblings and the Minato family are all dead, Hideo unleashed a gestalt Deviant created from some of the souls he summoned during the ritual.

"We are not mere Deviants! We were defeated by the descendant of Lumino...reduced to lost wandering souls; we are the Chimera Deviant, Gestalt of Darkness and Fusion of Fear! Prepare to die!" said the gestalt Deviant. It was created using the souls of Janis Spencer, Manami Kuroda and Lethe Cherry, the three Blood Gear lieutenants that were slain by Alfredo in the past.

Daiki, Yuito, Altair and the Ijuuin siblings fought against the Chimera Deviant and time. They did not have much time as Hideo and Lukretia are continuing the ritual on the tower's topmost floor, which has risen out of the water thanks to Lukretia's Madou powers. It even countered the Ijuuin siblings' elemental attacks, as well as Altair's alchemical blasts.

"I've never fought something like this before, it's too powerful!" said Altair.

"Maybe this time you should use my help before getting mad at me!" said Jimmy.

Altair opened his lamp and let Jimmy help the six heroes. The Carbuncle released itself from the lamp and joined the fight. It resembled a binturong with a gem on its head, and it stood on four legs. Jimmy used its Djinn Beast powers to restraint the the gestalt Deviant, allowing Altair to strike its main head with his sword, the Seafarer's Scimitar. The Deviant screamed in pain and stumbled to the back.

"Time to use the full potential of my new powers!" said Daiki. He awakened the Spinosaurus' instinct, giving him two Spino Slashtalons in his hand and turning his Spino Saber into a boomerang-like weapon known as the Spino Gaburiblader. He then tossed his new weapon at the Deviant using his wind-elemental powers, dealing massive damage upon the gestalt Deviant. Whilst it's weakened, the Zenkai Heroes and the Ijuuin siblings wasted no time in finishing it off using Yuito's Zenkai Gosei Hurricane, blowing up the Deviant and sealing the souls of Janis, Manami and Lethe back to the underworld.

"We gotta hurry! I feel that this whole world is going to be plunged into total darkness and turmoil if we don't act fast" said Altair.

Daiki, Yuito, Altair, the Ijuuin siblings and Gabbie's family fled to the top of the tower. Whilst they were running, Daiki saw a relief that foretold a prophecy. It shown a huge snake, a demonic figure and a hero in black-and-white who was chosen to deal with both evil beings. It depicted the return of Dark Nightmare, and the hero chosen to slay it. "I wonder who would that be.." wondered Daiki.

On top of the tower, Hideo and Lukretia were almost done with the rite, with both Gabbie and Rei losing most of their Sigil energy. The Canadian kickboxer and her younger sister felt weak and limp, and unable to move. They were in the verge of death as the two villians used their energy and their Lumian blood to unleash the horrors that was once defeated by the Angeluses. An ominous howl was heard from below, signalling Dark Nightmare's return.

"At last… Our Messiah has arrived! Hail Dark Nightmare… I am your High Priest" praised Hideo as he heard the howl.

"Bring forth darkness upon this world, show fear to mankind and claim this pathetic world as yours.." chanted Lukretia.

The two's rite were then interrupted by Daiki, who hurled his Spino Gaburiblader at the two, stopping their mantras. The Madou energy that sucked Gabbie and Rei's life force and Sigil energy was stopped, and Dark Nightmare's howl disappeared. However, the two were still unconscious. Gabbie's mother and father rushed to their daughters, evacuating them from the scene of the battle.

"You… how dare you ruin our mantra! Now our plans has been ruined thanks to these… three otherwordly heroes and these three vermins from Kitsunegahara! Gaaaaaaargh!" said Hideo angrily.

"Schweinhunds! Dummkopfs! Zanks to you six, our plan has gone kaputt! First, my plan to bring forth war and terror to zis utopian world has gone kaputt now my grandmaster's plan gone kaputt too! Bwaaargh!" said Lukretia angrily.

"Your time is up Lukretia.. or should I say Hades Beastman Succubus Queen, Lukretia Yseult Freiin Von Creuzfeldt!" said Altair.

Lukretia was dumbfounded at how Altair found out her true identity. She was not from the Espers' Homeworld, but rather a stray Meijuujin or Hades Beastman who found her way through a dimensional rip. Furious at Altair, she morphed into her true form: the Succubus queen herself. She assumed a demonic form with bat-like ears and wings, a dominatrix-like outfit and claw-like nails on her hands. Her hair turned from reddish brown to reddish black, and her eyes became even more scarier than before.

"I leave the rest to you, Lukretia. I have a bigger fish to fry, and that is the Takahitsuji clan especially that scumbag who killed my men who's also the descendant of Lumino himself, Alfredo. You go end the Zenkai Heroes and the Desjardin clan once and for all. Bury them here along with their pathetic civilization and ruins!" said Hideo before he assumed his true form, the Rhyniognatha Deviant Perfect Form and flew towards Aomori.

"Alright guys, let's go Zenryoku Zenkai and give it our all! Don't underestimate our world!" said Yuito.

"We shall decide the story's ending, try and stop us cuz it's gonna get wild!" said Daiki.

"Our overflowing courage changes into pure mana! My feelings and knowledge will pierce through!" said Altair.

"Unknown to the people, unknown to the world, we become beasts of shadow to combat evil. Now, here comes the highlight!" said Tsubasa.

"DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!" screamed Lukretia as she charged towards the six heroes. She also summoned her own footsoldiers, the undead-looking Majuu Evildeads using her Madou powers. The Ijuuin siblings clashed against Lukretia's footsoldiers whilst the Zenkai Hero trio fought against Lukretia herself in a 3 v 1 battle. Yuito awakened the spirit of Crystal Phoenix within him and dive bombed towards Lukretia multiple times as he flew around the Succubus Queen herself at great speeds. Altair used his alchemy skills to summon bolts of thunder and shot them using a slash from his scimitar, while Daiki roared towards Lukretia and attacked her using water and wind-charged slashes from his dual Spino Slashtalons. He then hurled his Spino Gaburiblader again towards the Succubus Queen.

The Ijuuin siblings defeated all of the Majuu Evildeads using their weapons and their Youjutsu and reduced them to sludge. However, Lukretia summoned even more of them, including her elite footsoldiers, the rock-like Majuu Trolls. They proven to be a toughie for the three Youkais, as the Trolls were very durable and almost curb-stomped the trio. "Ugh.. they're even stronger than we thought!" said Tsubasa as he winced in pain.

Seeing his comrades in peril, Yuito unleashed his secret weapon: the Zenkai Enestal. Daiki was shocked seeing that his childhood friend was able to produce an Enestal of his own using alchemy. He inserted the Enestal into his Zenkai Zapper and fired it into the sky. A wormhole was formed above the tower, summoning the Higurashi siblings and Irene into the field of battle.

"Alright, let's do this, brother!" said Mamoru.

"Mhm, let's teach that bastard Lukretia a lesson and help Daiki!" said Junichi.

"Sure thing, honey! Besides, we just got married recently and I even invited our pal Marika to our wedding! Let's make her happy by defeating Lukretia!" said Irene.

The three Espers aided the Zenkai Heroes and the Ijuuin siblings in their battle. Junichi single-handedly shattered the Majuu Trolls using his bare hands, thanks to his Sigil and his Transcendental blood line. Mamoru used his dual pistols and martial arts skills to defeat a couple of Majuu Evildeads and Irene provided support using her new weapon that Hiroki gave to her, a metal staff.

"This looks fun!" said Irene naively as she bashed some of Lukretia's footsoldiers in their skulls using her new staff.

Lukretia couldn't believe that her army were destroyed by mere Espers, Youkais and three otherwordly beings that came from the same world as hers. "It can't be! Am I going to be defeated by ze Zenkai Heroes? Impossible!" said Lukretia angrily.

"It's over, Lukie Bitch! I, Daiki Higurashi, formerly Daiki Weilschmidt and soon, Daiki Minato shall end BOTH your reign of terror and your life here! You have caused suffering to my friends, my beloved one, her younger sister and her family! Time to die!" said Daiki.

He then gathered with Yuito, Altair, the Ijuuin siblings and the Espers that Yuito summoned to form a special formation to finish Lukretia for good. "OH NO YOU DON'T! I AM NOT DYING HERE, NOT DYING TO A BUNCH OF SCHWEINHUNDS! I AM ZE QUEEN OF DARKNESS! ZE OVERLORD OF VALHALLA! ZE ADMIN OF AFW! LUKRETIA VON CREUZFELDT!" said Lukretia in a panicked tone.

"Bla bla bla bla keep yappering.. you're kicked from AFW because you almost monopolized the entire wrestling federation and almost used Sakuya to get rid of Kathleen. You even killed Caitlin, the CEO of Valhalla and used it to satisfy your plans. You kidnapped not only Gabbie, but a number of other Espers and girls with fighting capabilities. You're also guilty of human trafficking, spreading terror, homicide, almost committed familicide to Gabbie and the entire Desjardin clan and genocide towards the Lumians, in cahoots with Hideo and many more" said Altair.

"You're guilty as sin, Lukretia! Everyone, let's give her a taste of Zenryoku Zenkai!" said Yuito. He charged up his mana to unleash a special finisher to defeat Lukretia once and for all: the Dai Zenkai Heroic Hurricane. A combination of mana, Kiryoku, Lumian and Sigil energy into one, designed to pulverize Lukretia into nothingness. Gabbie and Rei suddenly gained their consciousness and joined in the finisher.

"Dai-kun, let's end Lukie Bitch once and for all!" said Gabbie.

"Mhm, let's do it, Dai-kun!" said Rei.

"Alright… IT'S ZENRYOKU ZENKAI TIMEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!" said Daiki.

Yuito shot the ball of energy into the sky after charging it. "Daiki, fire it at Lukretia using your Spino Gaburiblader!" said Yuito. "Got it! This is for Gabbie, her family, her clan, my kingdom, my friends and everything I hold dearly! Taste the power of Zenryoku Zenkai and the power of the bonds I formed along the way with my friends! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!" said Daiki as he jumped into the sky and fired the ball of energy using his Spino Gaburiblader, forming a Spinosaurus' head made of pure Zenkai energy that bites through Lukretia like nothing.

"Urgh… I guess zis is farewell… Daiki… You have bested me fair and square… I am sorry for everyzing I did to zose your friend mentioned.. Kathleen, Sakuya, Gabbie, Rei, Dr. Irene, and everyone else… I am sorry… Auf wiedersehen…" said Lukretia before she closed her eyes and fell to her back. She then exploded harmlessly and nothing was left except small sparks of fire.

"Dai Zenkai! Critical Hit!" said Yuito.

"Brave da ze!" said Daiki.

"Checkmage! Gotcha!" said Altair.

Lukretia was finally defeated for good. Her reign of terror was over thanks to the brave Zenkai Heroes and their otherwordly allies. With Lukretia gone, Gabbie and Rei were finally relieved that no one is going after them ever again. The two then used their Lumian powers to reseal the tower back into the sea, before going back to Jōetsu using Altair's train, the Aldebaran. The Ephemeral Sky Tower went back into the depths of Hudson Bay, never to be unleashed again.

After they arrived back to the Minato residence, Gabbie and Rei kicked back and relaxed inside the living room. The two spent their time together lying on the floor, thinking about Daiki's heroism and such. Meanwhile outside the house, Daiki had to bid farewell to Yuito and Altair, as the two were about to go back home to their homeworld.

"You're not coming with us? Afilia has been rebuilt, and from what I heard from Altair, your parents and your younger sister has been revived too. You wanted to stay behind here?" said Yuito.

"Mhm, I have decided a better place for myself, and it's this world. I found my new home with Gabbie, Rei and their family. I want you to tell my mentor Ken Enomoto to appoint my cousin Timothy as the new Commandant General. Tell him that I've retired" said Daiki.

"Mhm, I will pass the words to him. I wish you good luck with those two Lumian girls. Until we meet again, and always protect them and live with them until the very end!" said Yuito as he boarded the Aldebaran. He and Altair returned back home, and the Ijuuin siblings hitched a ride went back to their home in Kitsunegahara. Daiki cried tears of joy after hearing the good news from Yuito, but he already chose his own path. He will be marrying Gabbie soon, and probably Rei as well.

On the next day…

"WHAT?! Rei is YOUR elder sister?! Not your younger sister?! Impossible?!" said Daiki.

"Mhm, I actually faked my age. I'm actually older than you, I'm 26 years old! Oh, and did you know that Rei isn't my real name?" said Rei.

"Then who are you?" said Daiki.

"Actually, my Muh-mah named me Amélie, but for some reason the name Rei is stuck with me because of Dad. You can call me Amy BTW. I think it's kinda cute, don't you think?" said Rei, who is actually named Amélie.

"I like that name! Gabbie, Amy… Aww… you two are the best! You're like a gift from the Angeluses to me! I will never leave you two behind! I'm marrying both of you tomorrow!" said Daiki as he cuddled both Gabbie and her sister.

"MON DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEU?!" screamed both Minato siblings.

A day later, and Daiki's greatest day has arrived. His wish was fulfilled, as the Minato family arranged a marriage for him with both Gabbie and Amy, formerly known as Rei. All of Gabbie's friends are there to see, including her fellow Canadian nak muay Blair Yuen and Amy's childhood friend and former rival Jocelyn Elliot, who was infected by Serpentine Cartel back then. Kathleen and her friends, the Ijuuin siblings and even Marika herself came to the wedding as well.

After making their vow, Daiki kissed both Gabbie and Amy. He even got three rings for him and the Minato siblings. Marika cried tears of joy as she witnessed the first ever marriage between Espers and an Afilian. She then snapped some pics and added it into her ever-growing research on Espers. To Daiki's surprise, a figure in red and another in gold and an elderly man came to his wedding just after he finished marrying the Minato siblings.

"Congrats on your wedding. Afilia is in good hands now thanks to your cousin, and now you shall spend the rest of your lives with the two descendants of Aurora Angelus. Even in these peaceful times you must look after them and protect their smile. I wish you good luck, and may a new generation of Aurora's descendants be born from Gabbie and her sister" said Yuito.

"You're having two wives?! That's amazeballs! I need to marry Spica soon when the time comes!" said Altair.

"Good job, now those two are in your hands. Protect them from any threat, even if everlasting peace has found itself back in this utopian world. I trust you with my great great granddaughters.." said Finnius.

The three then bid farewell to Daiki and the two newlyweds and left the scene. Daiki went through a lot since he came to the Espers' Homeworld, fought against the Serpentine Cartel and Lukretia and saved the world together with his childhood friends and the Ijuuin siblings. He and the Minato siblings lived together not in Jōetsu anymore, but rather in Gabbie's birthplace in Toronto, Canada. Daiki found himself a new home within the Minato residence, or better known as the Desjardin residence.

"Ahhh… now to enjoy my time" said Daiki as he unpacked his stuff in his new room. He then mounted his Spino Slashtalons and his Spino Gaburiblader on the wall as a memorabilia to his battles. A new dawn for the former Afilian commandant general has begun. Que Booom!