[h2][center]Geralt of Rivia & [color=BFBFBF]Zenkichi Hasegawa[/color][/center][/h2]
[center]Deep Ground- The Source[/center]
[center]Lvl 13 Geralt (64/130) +8 Collab XP -> Lvl 13 (74/130) (+1 pending) [/center]
[center]Lvl 6 Zenkichi - (67/60) -> Lvl 6 (69/60) (+1 pending)[/center]
[center]Word Count: 826 words[/center]

With all of the added support coming in the wake of Karen and Consul C's defeats, Zenkichi was able to slow down a bit and space out his last few attacks, conserving a small amount of energy for later. Even Tycoon's most desperate barrage of attacks couldn't stop the Seekers, however, and before too long, the Guardian of Midgar collapsed, starting what could very well prove to be the end of the city itself. The myriad portals around Tycoon closed, severing the flow of what Sandalphon theorized to be Midgar's energy source. Taken, as Avalanche had claimed, from the very planet itself...just not their planet. Not their [i]current[/i] planet, at the very least. 

Time travelling energy. What a concept. Zenkichi chose to ignore the horrifying implications for the future, while Geralt wasn't entirely convinced that this thing had such power as to make and keep open portals to the very same world, years if not millenia from now. Such a thing...did they even fight Tycoon at its true power if that were the case? Or was this merely a shell of what it could have been? She supposed it didn't matter. What mattered was what came next. She and Zenkichi went to collect Spirits from the fallen, though the latter had much more reverence for what he took in his hands. 

[color=BFBFBF][i]"Sumimasen, Konoe-san.[/i] I couldn't save you. But I promise, I won't let your death be in vain."[/color] With a low bow and a sad sigh, he crushed the Spirit of his twice-rival, Akira Konoe. 

[center][hider=For Zenkichi]Item obtained:
[url=https://i.imgur.com/vbrMPQL.png][b]Hero's Sword[/b][/url]
[i]A long straight saber, almost like a kendo stick, with an elaborate white handguard. Its laser blade glows brilliantly as a breaking dawn, its vivid red a foreboding promise to any who lurk in the dark. Wielded with dexterity and righteous resolve, it inflicts concentrated heat damage, capable of stripping armor in order to reduce defense, and its range can be extended when slashing (and especially stabbing) at the expense of some SP/mana/energy[/i][/hider][/center]

[color=BFBFBF]"I can't say I'm too surprised at that, actually. It was a really cool sword. I'll have to make use of it sometime. Thank you, Konoe."[/color] Dematerializing the sword to be resummoned at a later time, he looked to the others, particularly Geralt, who had bravely chosen to fuse with Karen Travers. 

[center][hider=For Geralt]Notable spirit consumed:
[b][url=https://i.imgur.com/xSiPD6g.jpg]Karen Travers[/url][/b]
The host is a little shorter, 6'6". Her hair is shorter but still long, down to about her thighs, and is a bit scruffier and grayer, with only a very slight orange tint. Her horn is almost gone, and her ghoulishness is gone, leaving a slight haunted, sunken, unhinged look around the eyes (which are now green-tinted), not helped by a bad case of RBF. Her physique is sturdy, and less busty. Her outfit is now more black and gray with sparse, more Japanese inspired armor, and the jacket is longer, essentially a trench coat. The tie is gone, and instead of a collared shirt it's more of a turtleneck. The host's personality is more serious, and willing to do whatever it takes for what she believes in, to the point of defying orders. This spirit confers the Power [b]Brain Eater[/b], which allows the host to permanently copy psychic abilities via aggressive grappling of other psychics' heads. Only psychic abilities can be taken for her own. This spirit also confers the Weakness [b]Brain Crush[/b], which will put the host into a special staggered state if enough brain damage is quick succession[/hider][/center]

"Gotta be kidding me..." she groaned, looking herself over. "Still a woman...but at least that damn horn is about gone. Less heavy in the front, too. Lost a lot of armor, too, though. Damn. I'll have to find someone to make me some more. And some money..." She sighed. Still, she was more normally sized now, and a quick feel of her face revealed that she seemed less monstrous, as well. All in all, it could have been worse. Though, she was curious as to what abilities she'd gain from this. She had a feeling it had to do with the sheer number of abilities he had. 

With their business concluded, the Seekers escaped via teleporter to the expanse of Arahabaki, particularly where they'd met Karen Travers, and where Zenkichi had foolishly trusted the man to take custody of Konoe. With Midna having a series of portals all over Midgar, they'd be able to get to plenty of places, including what sounded like an airship of some kind. 

The news that Sandalphon gave about the defeat of the Machine army was welcome, but given that Midgar itself was up a creek without a paddle still...it didn't get any champagne bottles popping, that was for sure. The others pitched in a few ideas, but Zenkichi...he was done with Midgar, and he said as much. [color=BFBFBF]"I'm gonna be honest with you, I'll be happy to see Midgar in the rear view. I feel like all I have of this place is bad memories."[/color] Still, Karin and Sakura's decision to stay and try to lead the people to a better life was admirable. Susie...he was less sure about her motives, but he genuinely doubted she could be even a fraction as bad as Shinra and his cabinet were. 

Karin gave a speech to the people of Midgar, explaining the situation, before her and Sakura turned to give their goodbyes to the Seekers. Sakura gave personal, heartfelt goodbyes, while Karin was quick, concise, and businesslike, as befit a woman of her supposed stature. 

Geralt squeezed Sakura close, and smiled as the younger girl whispered in her ear. "Thank you, Sakura. And I won't tell anybody, don't worry." She gave Sakura a small smile and nodded as she went around to the others. 

[color=BFBFBF]"I'm happy I found you guys, too. I don't wanna think about what I'd still be like if you never knocked some sense into me."[/color] Zenkichi replied with a smile.

As they were getting ready to leave, Zenkichi ran after Karin, waving frantically. [color=BFBFBF]"Oh, I gotta go with you! I need to get Akane!"[/color] If Midna was already gonna head to the SOU building, he was going with and getting his daughter!

Geralt watched him run off with a shake of her head. But she could hardly blame him; if Ciri were a portal away...even she'd run to it. "We'll have to try to find the others once we're done here. Though, don't take that to mean we need to rush. Another Guardian down...but we can't rest just yet. Still plenty more to go."