Fighting Aios: Endgame

Pearl awoke as his soul.
Yes, that's strange, as you ARE your soul inside a body, but Pearl awoke as his soul, wearing soft robes and full of pure power.
His frozen cocooned (is that a word?) body was inside a tub of liquid, and several surgeon droids were inspecting him. Pearl tried to speak, but his mouth was glued shut by dark energy.
Pearl saw that the bodies of the other heroes were also suspended in tubs of liquid, but they seemed to be in a complete sleep.
Pearl...
Pearl turned around, but saw noone. Then, he saw a Core materialize, glowing like a ball of magma.
I am Tempest core, a part of her soul. Her consciousness hasn't been uploaded to me yet, but it will be soon. Because my mentor, Frost, has connections to you, I am going to help for once.
Then, he noticed that the wispy core was purple and black, emanating an aura of neutralness and a hint of corruption.
Pearl tried to dash towards the droids that were now inspecting his body further, but his soul was frozen in place.
Metal Frost and Quantum Aios are raging all over the land, destroying the last of nature. Tunnel Town has great defenses, but cannot survive under the might of two ultimate beings. The robots affected by the EMP field are all non-evil ones, of course, and are being repaired. Everyone else managed to escape, but I have no idea where Snowyclaw went.
Pearl growled in frustration as he was forced to gaze upon his own helpless body. For some reason, the dark energy had unfused, probably by Tempest Core's own will.
"Let me move!" cried Pearl.
Good thing that they were partially inside the Duat and invisible to the untrained eye, as Pearl probably would've gotten several droids with sharp scapels after him. Eek.
Tempest Core chuckled, although it was hard to tell, as cores didn't have distinguished faces.
Not yet, my hope, I have to warn you that they are planning to use your bodies to give MF unlimited power. No help can arrive because the EMP field is now blocking all charter into the Vramaasian dimension, and the remaining rebellion is scattered. Even mighty Raika cannot arrive in time to save you. Only you can save yourselves. Only you....
Tempest Core flickered, and for a moment, Pearl saw the outline of a dark shell, but without any "filling", or features, inside the outline. Sparkles that glowed in every color of the rainbow gracefully fell down from the essence.
I'm sorry, Pearl, but Tempest's body needs to have me back, else she will dissolve into a vegetive state, and be of little use. Goodbye, Pearl -
Just as Tempest Core vanished in a large, white sparkle, Pearl was able to move.
So free, so powerful...
Pearl shook his head, and looked down at the droids.
"I have to attack them!" said Pearl.
"Like that's not palpable, Mr. Obvious."
Pearl turned around, and saw none other than Jade's flickering soul behind him!
"Jade!"
Jade rolled her eyes.
"Like that's not dead obvious."
Jade looked almost exactly like she was fully alive, except that she wore a gazillion spiked wristbands on her limbs and that she was transcluent. Thank goodness her jean-shorts were essentially part of the body, as Pearl didn't want to see her... parts.
"Look, I have a plan. Somehow, this core of glittering darkness spliced the souls out of all of the Mobian Heroes, so we have ample backup. You take out the droids attending our bodies, and I'll restore them to full vigor. I know you're the balanced type, and both Onyx and Bayetta are offensive, but they seem to be taking time to fully assemble themselves, so just do it, m'kay?"
Pearl nodded, despite being blown in the face with a million hairdryers as she blasted him with too much information.
"TMI, Jade, TMI." muttered Pearl.
Jade's face flushed, making her look like a cucumber with red paint splashed on it.
"I did NOT say anything like Daddy wipes my butt!" huffed the echidna.
"Now that's TMI." retorted Pearl, waggling a finger.
"Fine, you win. Just get down to it."

Pearl quickly and nimbly dove down to the droids, despite being weighed down by furry robes. Whose idea was it to cover his soul in robes that wouldn't come off for spirit combat, anyways?
Pearl knew it was dangerous to immerse himself in the Duat, the very source of magic and all things, but he had to draw upon the vast mana river within the top layer. The bottom layers were goldmines of magic, sure, but were very hard to delve into, much less access the mana and come out alive.
He felt his stomach (if a soul could have one) tingle, like he was in a dropping rollercoaster.
Slowly, the fog cleared from his eyes. He could see the droids and his own body. The droids were purple with spots of blackness inside them, as they were machines and couldn't draw upon magic unless they were equipped to. His body glowed in warm colors, which meant it was still alive, but he saw... angelic wings?!
Pearl shook the thought of being a seraph aside, and focused on the shimmering, salt-colored mana in the Duat. He could only see the enviroment in the Duat because he was pretty much an earth creature, not a magic one.
Holding up his psychokinetic hands, he sucked in a healthy amount of mana. Instantly, power began surging through his veins, and his gold wristbands glowed blinding white with enhanced power.
"Good amount. I should be able to destroy the droids with this." he noted.
Just as he was scooping up the last liquid mana, he saw a drakon approach from the river near the mana pools. Drops of water-like mana dripping out of his glowing rings, he quickly exited the Duat, and nearly collapsed.
"Get moving! I can't disable our coating until the droids are disposed of!" shrieked Jade.
Man, was that lady shrill and scary when she wanted to.
Pearl quickly snapped to his senses, and immediately created a serpentine dragon made of psychokinetic energy out of his glove. Somehow, though, it obeyed his every move, unlike his usual dragon chains.
Like one of those legendary dragons the East talked about, it swiftly moved like a heavenly snake, slithering through the droids and making their circuits overheat and explode.
BOOM! KRAKOOM! FLASH!
Before Pearl knew it, his Duat-traveling dragon dissolved into shimmering sparks, and the white glow faded. Yellow spots danced before his soul's eyes, and he could barely stand up.
He saw a green streak pressing buttons on the tubs, destroying the ice and wires, and he saw his allies start to slowly wake.
Pearl understood why they were so slow, as their souls were supposed to be splicing, not awakening inside their bodies. He made a weak face when he saw Dawson drooling as he awoke. Seriously, was that kid ever going to stop making armpit noises and being obnoxious?
Just as he felt the yanking of his body to return, he blacked out.

Pearl awoke on the roof of the Cybernetic Castle, and for a moment thought he was in his room, decorated with posters of the Forget-Me-Knots, Melody in a bikini, and various video game characters, in solitude from the complicated Third Phantom War. It wasn't official, but most dimensions declared that the last war was starting in the basis of the world.
Then, he saw his friends glaring at a large beast, and a very familiar black Chao with them.
"Onyx's Chao, Met!" exclaimed Pearl.
Jade turned around, and said: "Shhh," putting a finger to her mouth.
Behind Met was a four-legged, black and brown antlered wolf...
"Snowyclaw, the eternal hero!"
"Now you're making me blush," said Snowyclaw, a faint speckle of pink on her cheeks. She looked so beautiful and dashing, glaring at whatever his comrade were glaring at with silent confidence and pride...
Pearl shook the admiration out of his head. Snowyclaw was a Jamaasian, not a Mobian, and besides, he was sure she had friends and a boyfriend of her own.
Pearl glanced down at himself, and pinched his cheek, making sure he wasn't his soul anymore. (Still sounds odd to say that he wasn't his soul..)
Then, Pearl saw the thing that his allies were glaring at.
It was MF and Aios themselves, in gory 3D.
Dried blood was splattered all over their metal bodies, like an army had died to them - which wasn't far-fetched, according to what he thought of what Tempest Core said.
"Bwa ha ha ha! The whelps have opened their eyes! I don't care, though, awake or asleep, Mobians make scrumptious munchies." hissed MF.
The pixel eyes awkwardly moved from gel pixel to gel pixel, moving her vision from side to side.
Aios floated by her, somehow restraining himself from shooting beams all over the place. Bayetta could clearly feel that the Quantum Dial was struggling to keep itself from making its body from firing beams everywhere like a madman, as she tensed.
"You will cease all operations on the nation of Vramaa, Metal Frost, malicious tyrant, foul schemer and hero impostor! I, Jade, leader of the Mobian Heroes and daughter of Silver the Hedgehog and Crystal the Echidna, bearer of the Color Wisp powers and deputy of the Guardian of Angel Island, official citizen of Neo Mobius and hero to heart, decree so!" said Jade courageously, looking the intimidating Metal Frost right in the vile eye.
Pearl noticed everything about Jade was stiff but proud. Her feet were glued in place, but by courage, not by fear. Her legs didn't quiver or move at all, and were as rooted in place as a stone statue. Her slim belly didn't move one inch, and her hands were curled in fists, ready to fight and stand her ground.
Then, they were her eyes. Gosh, her eyes. Everything moved in synch, just like a duo moving together, knowing each other's movements perfectly and corresponding actively to it. If it ever came to an ultimatum, Pearl would surely say Jade's eyes were the most courageous of all of her parts. He could sniff a tiny, flickering flame of fear inside her, but the large ocean of courage around it doused the fear whenever it tried to run rampant and consume Jade in a conflagration.
MF hissed, clearly not ready for such speak from a tiny grub.
"You understand nothing and are brashly naive, Jade. I already have exterminated most of the rebellion and taken over those who are wise enough to bow before me, and taking out you twerps should be like taking candy from a baby."
Aios glared down at them, and spoke, but it was clearly the voice of the Quantum's A.I..
"I have taken out armies and villages with a single breath, ants. I have destroyed the strongest leader of phantoms in a single glance, although Apophis is far stronger than her. Will you noobs put up an entertaining and splendid fight? I think not."
Each word that the two robots spoke seemed to flare up anger within Pearl, feeding the fire with sticks and dried grass. Every sentence they finished made Pearl's soul beg harder and harder for unlimited justice on these vile, malicious creatures. It was all he could do to make sure his power didn't burst out and turn him into a rampaging monster.
Just as Pearl was losing his grip on reality, Onyx saved him with a swift "Chaos Control!"
The six emeralds that the Mobian Heroes had found on their journeys together swirled around Onyx, then glowed in full synchronization, and a blast of green Chaos blasted Aios right in the face, pushing the metal mask backwards.
Metal Frost sneered, not caring for her "ally"'s injury.
"Ah. So you don't submit to the Vramaasian Empire. Adequate punishment should be administered... or worse."
As swift as a hawk hunting a field mouse, Metal Frost swooped down, diving like the bird of prey itself, and sharply cut Onyx in the side using a spike of hers. It was only one metal spike, but it was enough to cut a long gash and throw the Chaos Emeralds all over the roof. They would've fallen into the clutches of Aios and MF if it weren't for them being drawn to the heroes.
"CHAO!" cried Met. His pink wings contrasted with his black skin and daffodail head-spike and sphere, making him look quite fascinating. Black gangster glasses, sized down to Chao-size, were perched atop his slanted forehead.
Onyx, letting out a belated scream of a fallen soldier, fell down promptly to the Cybernetic Castle's roof, and Jade ran to his side. For some reason, after that, neither side attacked the other, and instead just retorted to each other's remarks.
So much anger... Unlimited power pouring out...
Before Pearl could react and keep himself under control, his consciousness was thrust like a broken toy out of his body, and he was forced to watch his rageful body wreak hell onto his enemies.

"P-Pearl?" was the first thing Dawson could utter as Pearl blasted off using his psychokinesis powers. His storage tank of energy within his rings was dried blood red, and his eyes were full of fire - not a good sign.
The streak of white energy shot between Quantum Aios and MF several times before the other heroes caught on to what they should do.
Dawson felt as if Pearl's true essence were right behind him, sending a shiver that seemed the person-walking-on-your-grave type down his spine, but Dawson had to concentrate on other things... such as...
"Oh, so you're turning into a rocket! Can I ride on you to Mars?" chuckled the flying squirrel.
"Dawson! Concentrate on the task - help Pearl! He can be classified as a beserker in this state, but he's our ally nevertheless!" snapped Tails-Ko. She was throwing small aquabombs and rusty wrenches (what?) at the beasts as Pearl attacked the likes of both of them, which seemed to distract them enough to ensure that Pearl could finally finish them off.
Jade was performing healing spells on Onyx, despite being intially unavaliable in Neo Mobius until Crystal, her mother, taught healing spells she learned from Frost Miranda Sagearium to most local Mobians on Angel Island.
Dawson actually did very well in school, but he was sent to the principal's office frequently due to his.. annoying habits. This led to many thinking of him as a mindless punk, which led to his exclusion out of Gifted Services's service, many field trips, and lifelong humiliation, which caused Dawson's self-esteem to implode on itself under a thick skin of happy-go-lucky antics.
Why is this important in the heat of combat? Because it made him unwilling to fight when it was needed.
"Dawson, DO SOMETHING!" screeched Bayetta, whose robotic arm was punching holes in Metal Frost's skin and causing the mechanaloid-looking robot a lot of pain and panic.
Dawson gritted his teeth, and a manly tear came down his chin.
"I won't! I'll just goof up and destroy Vramaa!" replied Dawson, his tone squeaky from internal sadness.
"You won't!" assured Tails-Ko. "You'll do fine."
"NO! Leave me alone! You never do anything great for me!"
Jade rolled her eyes just as she absorbed a purple wisp she summoned, and became the Void monster, floating up and tearing at her enemy.
"He's a brat, gals. Leave him to weep, destroy bad robots first, then talk." commanded the muffled voice of Jade.
Reluctantly, Tails-Ko and Bayetta nodded at their leader's command, and concentrated all their might on their priority - MF and Aios.
Radiant beams of red light shot out of the Quantum Dial suction-cupped (is that a word?) to Aios's forehead, if a mask could have a coherent one, shooting all over the place and making a few unattractive craters in the already-wrecked battlefield in front of the Cybernetic Castle, making aiming harder and harder as the beams grew more frequent and deadly. Dawson's allies fought bravely, including the boosted Jade and Pearl, but he, Met and Snowyclaw were just standing there, either too weak to help until gathered together (Snowyclaw), stunned at their might (Met), or simply unwilling to fight (Dawson).
That's right, Dawson... Three powerful forces, wasted...
Dawson looked behind him, and Pearl's image flickered on, washed in vibrant blue color; full of static, like a broken TV's image; and dressed in an ornate fur robe.
Fight, Dawson! I achieved power and wisdom through battle, now it is your turn. Even though you are considered an obstacle by my obnoxious sister and a hopeless twerp by the others, prove you are worthy.
Pearl's image pointed at Onyx. Just then, Dawson wondered how Pearl could be in two pieces, one attacking like a madman and the other guiding him, but he focused on what his self-proclaimed caretaker was saying.
Onyx is bravely using Chaos Control using the emeralds drawn to him, and making sure my body can efficently attack the enemy, along with Jade's powerful Wisp attacks. Tails-Ko and Bayetta are also playing support, but alas, we need more offense to ensure the enemy is taken down before we are overwhelmed with droids they summon and sheer exhaustion. You must join the team's battle, Dawson, and rally both Met and Snowyclaw!
"But I'm not a leader!" cried Dawson, making undignified hucking and snorting noises as he sobbed not-so-silently.
"Who are you talking to, nutcase?" asked Snowyclaw.
Sigh. Even a pacifist and peace activist/part-time hero treated him as a nut.
"Nobody, wonderdog!" replied Dawson.
Snowyclaw winced at the slightly-offending remark, but nevertheless continued to try to restore her grip on reality and powers after being awakened so abruptly. Meanwhile, Met cheered his friends on, which wasn't helping at all due to the din of explosions.
As hopeless as ever, Dawson. Please, don't let our team be overwhelmed by Vramaasian forces. As we speak, we are tiring. Help, and use your antics to save the day!
"Thanks for the pep talk, Pearl. I'll go crack my skull open with a chainsaw now." muttered Dawson, being as pessimist as pessimist could probably be - which was initially odd, due to Dawson's usual over applied happiness.
Pearl didn't reply.
Half-asleep from tiredness of mind, Dawson growled and slapped Met.
"Met, use your Chao powers. Most Chao are protected by Chaos, but you should be able to summon the demon itself. Just try." said Dawson.
"CHAO!" replied Met, a bit ego-hurt for being slapped on the bum by a bright yellow squirrel, but screeched for help anyways.
Nothing happened.
Then, as if a bit belated for its calling, a trickle of water appeared on the ground beneath Chao, and it molded itself into Chaos 1.
Dawson clapped half-heartedly as he saw Chaos absorb the six emeralds, then seek another to become Perfect Chaos while shooting lasers at the enemy. Met applauded, then flew off to who knows where. A Chao Garden cruise ship? A fancy Shangri-La Chao Garden?
"Snowyclaw, I learned from CNN Student News that you're a interdimensional hero for helping the founding of the Jamaasian Heroes and reviving the Alphas, one of the most powerful protection groups all over the world. Draw upon that power! Use all you have available! BE THE LEADER YOU ARE!" mumbled Dawson, sagging and not acting peppy enough to do a good pep talk...
...but it worked.
Snowy, as if she were a dimwit and suddenly became a wise man, lit up like a lightbulb.
A blueish glow surrounded her, and faded.
"Thanks... Dawson." said Snowy after a moment.
An orb of purity appeared above her head, resembling a halo in placement, then swiftly blasted off as if being fired from a cannon, and blasted a new dent into Aios's armor.
"The legendary Purity Control, for your eyes. Now, for the finishing move..."
Snowyclaw cried out like an anime character charging up an attack (she kind of was), and a bright blue orb resembling the first attack appeared.
Dawson's eyes widened as it started to hastily expand.
It was the size of a Shetland Pony...
then a station wagon...
then a studio....
then a two-story house...
then a T-Rex...
After it became larger than a T-Rex, Snowy started to break out into a cold sweat. Dawson couldn't blame her, as a spell of such magnitude probably depletes a ton of mana. Dawson immediately was filled with envy of her power, despite her intially standing on the sidelines.
Just as it became as large as a blue whale, nearly becoming a spotlight you could see all over Vramaa, the others actually noticed. How belated, as it was a LOT bigger than their enemy, and the aura + light it emanated should've been a dead clear clue.
"Woah! The power of Snowy is truly to be reckoned with!" exclaimed Jade.
Like that wasn't obvious... again.
"AAAAYAHHHHH!"
The large orb hit the enemy before they could even squeak, and Dawson whited out.

Snowyclaw awoke after her mighty attack sprawled on the cold roof of the Cybernetic Castle, the Mobian Heroes still out cold. Her mana was seriously depleted, and she could barely boost her melee, much less use any magic for quite a while.
Around her, the ruins of Metal Frost's body satisfied her, as the beast that made her a tyrant and assassin the first place was now exterminated, but it also saddened her. How many more times would she need to kill another, conscious creature for the sake of Jamaa? How many more times would she be fought over like a little kid's toy? How much longer could she put up with this madness?!
But before Snowyclaw could fly into a rage, the tentacles swirling from Aios's spikes suddenly appeared, and rooted themselves into the already-wrecked castle, dragging the mostly-offline robotic dictator.
"This is not the end..." rasped Aios.
"I will destroy your precious Vramaa, ending your puny lives with your puny land... I will surpass that maniac Apophis... I will not be a badmouther, Snowy, but I am not sorry to say that you will die painfully to kill your own self."
Snowyclaw could almost feel a quotation mark above her head, signaling she was confoundly puzzled. Why would she kill her own self, for Mira's sake?!
A large static jolt leapt out of Aios's body, somehow free from the Quantum Dial, and his eyes dimmed.
"Zira.. Our empathy link shut you down too... Heh heh... At least I will not lose my status to my treacherous wife..."
The gears clanking inside Aios ceased function, his computer brain shut down, and his furnace dimmed.
Aios was gone.
Just then, groaning came from the Mobian Heroes as they came to.
"What happened?" groaned Pearl, now non-beserk and in one piece. (Somehow, Snowy sensed Pearl's soul split quite a freaking lot.)
"Why... is my head tingling as if I just put a floating, explosive boulder above it?" moaned Bayetta.
"Well then," said Snowy, cheerfully, "let's end this war. One battle can win the war."