Preview: Pyrrhus's last stand

After trying to save Alexia, Prospera ran through hallways of the Dark Alliance’s castle. She knew that they were following her, and there was no way to defend herself. If she were to get caught, she would most likely be killed for letting go their bait for Menace. As she ran, she found someone staring into a room. He was holding something in his hand, a reddish orb. She thought that the man was an enemy, especially since his robe was hiding most of his appearance. The man turned toward Prospera and she saw a faint smile underneath the robe.

???: It’s nice to see you again, Prospera.

She was shocked that he knew her name. For some odd reason, she had the feeling that she also knew him, but she wasn’t sure because she couldn’t see his face. The cloaked figure slowly removed his hood and revealed his face to her.

Prospera: Pyrrhus? Is that really you?

Pyrrhus: Yes, it is me. I’m sorry that we couldn’t meet in better times, but we must act quickly. Erebus is looking for me. He knows everything about my plan. We must both destroy the Black Master Emerald with this *shows the red orb to Prospera*

Prospera: Why can’t we just wait for Oro and his friends?

Pyrrhus: I am sorry, but I am partly to blame for all that has occurred to this world. Since I was involved in the creation of that damn Emerald, it is my responsibility to destroy it.

Prospera: You don’t have to do this alone, we can get help.

Pyrrhus: *looks at the ground* You do not understand. I was a fool; I actually believe that I was doing some good for the world. I knew that we needed a power source to test the prototype armor, but I didn’t know Erebus’s true intentions on the creation of the Black Master Emerald. 12 years trapped in the Void turned me into a monster....just like Erebus.

Prospera: Is that what you want? Revenge against Erebus?

Pyrrhus: No.... okay, maybe I am, but by doing this, I will also be helping Oro save Orbis.

Prospera: *sigh* That is not the Pyrrhus that I looked up to. Whatever I guess... *looks behind her* Do you know where Oro might be at?

Pyrrhus: Oro is currently fighting the Dark Alliance. I think Menace is also going over to Oro. But his intentions are still a mystery to me. All who resides in his universe are all too confusing to understand.

Prospera: He may be the evil counterpart of Oro, but I think he is different. At certain times, he actually chooses to do the right thing, but it’s usually for the wrong reasons. That is why he chooses to fight the Dark Alliance. Not to help a universe in danger, but for revenge.

Pyrrhus: Yes, I had that talk with Menace before we fought each other. I tried to convince him to help Oro, but he was too stubborn.

Prospera: He told me that he was looking for someone, a girl named Alexia. I just met with her and saved her from the Dark Alliance. She had a similar appearance to the girl named Mia who always seems to hang out with Oro. But she was more shy and quiet than her counterpart.

Pyrrhus: We wasted enough time; we must go now before it’s too late.

As Oro fought the Dark Alliance, Pyrrhus and Prospera made their way to the Black Master Emerald. It was glowing with an eerie aura. They both felt the dark energy that was radiating from it. Pyrrhus walked toward the Black Master Emerald and held the red orb toward it. The red orb started shining and it shot out a red beam of light at the Emerald.

Prospera: I forgot to ask you. What is that Red orb suppose to be?

Pyrrhus: What? You don’t remember? This is one of the mystic orbs of Orbis. Nero used this and the other orbs to fight back Erebus. I will do the same, by using this orb to destroy the Black Master Emerald to stop Erebus.

Prospera: Are you sure that one orb can actually destroy something that powerful?

Pyrrhus: I am not exactly sure if this is enough. But it’s all I got at this moment, so it will have to do.

As Pyrrhus channeled all of his powers into the orb to destroy the Emerald, Prospera notice that his expression changed. He was once with a determined look in his face, but now, all she can see was fear and nervousness from him. Pyrrhus looked at Prospera and laughed.

Pyrrhus: Looks like this is the end for me. After all I have done to stop Erebus. All of my effort will now be in vain.

Prospera: Why are you saying this?

Pyrrhus: The Black Master Emerald is too powerful; I can not fight the darkness with this orb. I should have known that by now. All of my time living in the Void, and becoming Pyro, I should have known the true power of the darkness. No wonder Erebus seeks a way to fully control it. I thought that by getting Oro to fight with me against the Dark Alliance, that I would be able to fulfill my goal in destroying the Nega Universe. But my plans changed when I had the chance to speak with Alexia. She was the only counterpart who actually didn’t want to do anything wrong. And when I saw the reason for Menace’s intrusion to Orbis...that really changed my views toward the Nega Universe.

Prospera: *looks at the orb and notices that Pyrrhus is still firing the beam of light toward the Black Master Emerald. Then she looks at Pyrrhus* So, Why can’t you stop right now and we can find another way to destroy it?

Pyrrhus: I wish it was that simple. If I stop now, I’m afraid that will cause of explosion of dark energy to appear. That explosion will either kill us or we will both be consumed in the darkness. I know what would happen to me if I were to be consumed by the darkness again, as for you... I rather not think about you sharing the same fate as me. *Sees that Oro has arrived*

Oro: Prospera! Pyrrhus! He knows what you guys are trying to do, Erebus is coming soon!

Pyrrhus: *looks at Oro* It looks like I have failed, but I shall leave this up to you and Menace. I’m not exactly sure if Menace would decide to help, but I trust that he will make the right judgment. If you ever meet up with Menace again, Oro, please tell him that I hope he can forgive me for all that I said and done.

Prospera: We can get you out of this situation, Pyrrhus. Please don’t give up hope!

Pyrrhus: You are still as kind as always, Prospera. It was nice to be able to talk to you again. As long as everyone is at a safe distance, you will not be affected by the explosion. As for me, I will pay for my sins with my life.

A portal opened up in front of Oro. Erebus slowly passed through the portal and looked around. He looked at the Black Master Emerald and saw that it was still unharmed. Then, he saw Pyrrhus. He only laughed at how his former friend was in mere seconds of a possible death or a possible chance to change into what Pyrrhus fears in transforming into again, Pyro.

Erebus: Greetings, Pyrrhus. I thought that by now, you should have learned to never mess with the darkness.

Pyrrhus: Haven’t you done enough damage? I thought that you wanted to do some good, but now I can see that I was wrong. We were all wrong in trusting you with that much power.

Erebus: You shouldn’t feel discourage. Only I can control the darkness, which means that only I can truly be trusting in being in possession of such incredible power. Plus, I merely helped create the Black Master Emerald; you were the one who inspired me to do so. In a way, I was not the only one who created all of this mayhem, *points at Pyrrhus* you are also the one to blame.

Pyrrhus: That may be true, but at least I did what I took to correct my mistakes. What have you done to correct yours? As Abyss the Dark, you found me, only to mock me. You had so many opportunities to just walk away and forget about this. And what do you have to show for it? Nothing!

Erebus: Nothing? You give me too little credit. I’m using what we created in order to start a new world order for Orbis. And I shall be their new ruler. When I found you, I thought that maybe you would want to help me, especially after seeing what you did as Pyro the Dark. But when I found you, it seemed that you had a case of amnesia and you have forgotten all that has transpired when you were Pyro. At first, I didn’t know why, but now I know. See, you can’t control the darkness, but I can. I was able to remember everything that I did as Abyss, but you couldn’t.

Pyrrhus: *sighs* It’s a shame that you have to be like this, Erebus. Blinded by your own thirst for power. You have only proved to me that you know absolutely nothing about what you are messing with. You keep telling everyone that those who can’t control the darkness are bound to be consumed by it. I highly consider that you take your advice before it is too late. Because the path that you have chosen to take, *glares at Erebus* will only lead to your demise.
Erebus: *Glares back at Pyrrhus* We will see about that. Unfortunately, you will not get to see my victory. *Opens up a portal and walks into it*

Pyrrhus: *feels that he can’t hold on any longer* Wrong! I will not be able to see when Oro finally defeats you. *Looks at Oro* What are you doing? I told you guys to run!

Oro: *nods his head* Okay, Pyrrhus. *Directs everyone to the exit*

Prospera: *starts to cry* Even though we barely got to enjoy our reunion, it was still great to be able to see you again, Pyrrhus.

Pyrrhus: I feel the same way. It looks like our little team is breaking a part *chuckles a little*. I hope you can forgive me for my past mistakes. And if you ever meet Nero again, tell him that I am sorry.

Pyrrhus was unable to hold on the explosion any longer. The Black Master Emerald was too powerful and it ended up shooting a dark blast right back at Pyrrhus. He screamed from the pain, and the room suddenly became pitch black. Oro and Prospera turned to see what happen. It was too much for Prospera, as she tried reentering the room, in hopes that she can save Pyrrhus. But Oro held her back, because he knew that the last thing that Pyrrhus wanted, was to see her get hurt. After awhile, there was only silence, the room was no longer pitch black, and the only thing that was left in the room was the red mystic orb. Oro tried to walk toward the orb, but the portal reappeared and Erebus grabbed the orb before him.

Oro: Hey! Give that back to us!

Erebus: I’m sorry, but I need this more than you right now. Plus... *lifts the orb in front of his face and looks right into it* this can be a small parting gift from Pyrrhus for me. *Tightly grasps the orb* Yes... I can feel that the Pyrrhus that you know is long gone now. *Walks back into the portal*

Oro: Wait! What does he mean by that?

Prospera: Pyrrhus must not be dead, but that would mean...

Oro: That Pyro the Dark is inside that orb now.

Prospera: Yes, but we shouldn’t worry about that. Erebus intentions are not to release Pyro once again to Orbis, but to use his powers through the orb.

Oro: So, he can become stronger than he was before. We need to stop him once and for all.

Prospera: Erebus seems to be the last member of the Dark Alliance to defeat, am I right?

Oro: *thinks about it for awhile* I believe so.

Rapid: *Finds a path that may lead to Erebus* I think he is this way, Oro.

Oro: It’s time to finish him, once and for all. Let’s do it for Pyrrhus.