[u][b]DarkRecon and Ariamis[/b][/u]

Mai, from her mind world of sorts, looked and actually SAW Elora in her mind of all things.

"...how'd you get...nevermind. It doesn't work that way. I need Seven just as much as she needs me. She's the whole reason I'm able to keep going...to fight...to destory...to live..."

That's when another "Mai" appeared next to her. Except, this one's expression looked neutral. Uncaring. Perhaps indifferent.

"...Mai...she's right you know...we've talked. Even I admitted that I can't hold your hand forever...though it is strange for me to admit that...but...that one moment...when I said "thank you" to Serah...that was the first time I've...been grateful..."

In her own mind, Mai looked shocked at her other half.

"Is it strange though?...to destory...to kill. To constantly make that tough choice no one else dares to make? Elora...you must understand. I only exist for Mai on that regard...we've...no, "I" made Mai do some things she couldn't...you weren't exactly the "first" to be thrown in our path against their own will..."

Both "Seven" and Mai look away from Elora at that statement...

"...brainwashed...doomsayers...it wasn't just Cruxi we've...killed...", Mai said slowly.

Elora's eyes closed, and she clutched her hands together. "Mai, we all carry our burdens with us; regrets, grief, sorrow...pain..." Then, the two sides of Mai found themselves in a desolate, scarred battlefield, with a burning sky and mountains of corpses, both human and Cruxi. The two saw Elora standing with her back to them; her suit was tattered and bloodied.

"Nobody wants to feel these things, nobody wants to suffer." She turned, and while her face was scarred, she still kept a gentle smile. "But running away is not the answer. That is why Seven exists; because you believe only someone heartless and incapable of feeling can bear those sins. That is why you created her to be your scapegoat."

She slowly walked, and behind her Framewerks clashed and fell into the rubble, their smoking parts scattering around. However, not a single piece hit her path. "But that is not the right way; you can't hide behind Seven. Don't let your heart be shattered." Then, the pieces that hit the ground transformed into patches of pretty yellow flowers, and slowly the war-torn world changed into a beautiful flower field, with a clear blue sky. "Mai, I know how hard it can be to not be afraid, to give up and to cower, but I know that you can overcome your inner fears." Once she was before the two, she took each of their hands; they felt how warm and radiant her touch was, and her outfit changed into a [url=http://i.imgur.com/V7YcJ3n.jpg]white dress[/url]. "You can be yourself, with no burdens weighing you down. You can be whole again, Mai, but only if you accept Seven as a part of who you are."

"...I'm still scared...but at the same time, I'm also tired...to a point where I...got mad...that Cruxi...that same Cruxi that tortured you Elora...it...it...mom..."

"...like Neo Angel said...I know you fear it...emotions...attachments...to people and even things...because you fear "loss"...or worse, loss of self control...regrets...but Mai. I have no regrets. Yes, it's a sad fate for me specifically but look at it this way...I'm not leaving you...just saying "Hello" all over again...only now, were trying to organize the mess in here", "Seven" said.

Seven then looked at Elora while still holding her hand in the mind's eye.

"...I'm sorry that I tried to hurt you...I always felt that the mission counted but what's the mission if there's nothing left? As the old saying goes, "To the victor go the spoils"...so Mai...let's help her...because even I'm tired...of killing..."

Mai then looked at her other half. She took a long look at "herself" in a way...then nodded.

"...Elora...don't fade on us...yeah, I'm mad at that Cruxi for what it did to you and even mom but it won't stop me...I won't run away...not in body nor in my mind...never again."

Mai then looked at Seven and the both of them nodded to each other then looked at Elora.

"...thank you Elora", both said at the same time.

Elora closed her eyes, and smiled. "Now, let's begin. Take each other's hands, and then embrace yourself. Let what was once two...become one again." When Mai and Seven held each other's hands and gradually became closer to each other, Elora's form began to turn transparent. "As long as you believe in hope, you can do anything, Mai. Goodbye..."

Then, as the two sides collided, they turned into pure energy. In that nuclear fusion, a new pilot was born; one who would shine brighter than before with a boost to 100% Synchronization and with both the memories of Mai and Seven, their souls of steel together as one.

* * * * * * * * * *

Meanwhile, Jake was still holding down the corridor with sniper fire as best he could. He already had burned out an energy clip with the current one loaded being his last and was down to his last bullet clip.

Responding to Ritsu, he said, "I'm pinned down by blind fire but still ok! I don't know the status of the rest of the team! But judging from what I heard before I lost touch, they were most likely ambushed."

Jake then tried to raise anyone inside that room behind him again.

"Mai! Serah! Katya! Anyone! Status! Please respond!"