Editing Forum:Shadowkeeper Apocalypse

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|next=[[Forum:Hunt for the Rogues|Hunt for the Rogues]]

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|place= [[Forum:Aincrad|Aincrad]] <br> '''[[Earth]]:''' [[Forum:Auradon|Auradon]]; [[Cosmodrome]], [[Old Russia]]; [[Old Chicago]]; [[Old Accra]]; [[European Aerial Zone]]; [[European Dead Zone]]; [[Forum:Isle of the Lost|Isle of the Lost]]; [[Plaguelands]], Old Russia; [[Mumbai Push]] <br> [[Moon]] <br> [[Venus]] <br> '''[[Mars]]:''' [[Phobos]]; [[Hellas Basin]]; [[Forum:Olympus Mons|Olympus Mons]] <br> '''[[Saturn]]:''' [[Dreadnaught]]; [[Titan (moon)|Titan]]; [[Cassini]] <br> [[Nessus]] <br> '''[[Jupiter]]:''' [[Io]]; [[Deep Stone Crypt]], [[Europa]] <br> '''[[Reef]]:''' [[Tangled Shore]]; [[Dreaming City]]; [[Distributary]] <br> '''[[Mercury]]:''' [[Infinite Forest]] <br> '''[[Unknown Space]]:''' [[Forum:Chinese Dead Zone|Chinese Dead Zone]] <br> [[Ascendant realm]] <br> [[Black Garden]]

*Deaths of Kazuto and Stacia's evil doppelgängers Kirito and Asuna and defeat of the Shadowkeepers and Shadow Army

*[[Forum:Vothriks' Faction|Vothriks' Faction]]

*[[Forum:Neon Wraiths (reworked)|Neon Wraiths]]

*[[Forum:Golden Legion|Golden Legion]]

*[[Forum:Shadows of Nohr|Shadows of Nohr]]

|side2= '''The Darkness'''

*[[Forum:Shadowkeepers (Paradox)|Shadowkeepers]]

'''Mugunghwa Legion:'''

*[[Yuna]]

'''Cult of Osiris:'''

*Sister [[Lupe]]

*[[Variks, the Loyal]]

'''House of Spider:'''

*[[Forum:Kirito, the Black Swordsman|Kirito, the Black Swordsman]]

*[[Forum:Asuna, Kirito's Betrothed|Asuna, Kirito's Betrothed]]

*[[Forum:Totomaru, Skyfire of Kirito|Totomaru, Skyfire of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Eobard Thawne, Speedbreacher of Kirito|Eobard Thawne, Speedbreacher of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Malcolm Merlyn, Crystalline of Kirito|Malcolm Merlyn, Crystalline of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Damien Darhk, Magebreaker of Kirito|Damien Darhk, Magebreaker of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Tobias Whale, Gauntlet of Kirito|Tobias Whale, Gauntlet of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Reign, Heart of Kirito|Reign, Heart of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Leopold Fitz, Technohacker of Kirito|Leopold Fitz, Technohacker of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Anton Ivanov, Supremacy of Kirito|Anton Ivanov, Supremacy of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Hiram Lodge, Champion of Kirito|Hiram Lodge, Champion of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Morgana le Fay, Orderwalker of Kirito|Morgana le Fay, Orderwalker of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Zevon, Pride of Kirito|Zevon, Pride of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Fikrul, Armament of Kirito|Fikrul, Armament of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Uldren Sov, Graveburner of Kirito|Uldren Sov, Graveburner of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Djin, Shieldbreaker of Kirito|Djin, Shieldbreaker of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Sasuke Uchiha, Vengeance of Kirito|Sasuke Uchiha, Vengeance of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Phoenixaro Uchihamaki, Threatmaster of Kirito|Phoenixaro Uchihamaki, Threatmaster of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Ruby Hale, Deathkeeper of Kirito|Ruby Hale, Deathkeeper of Kirito]]

*[[Forum:Ahnkra, Devoted to Zharves|Ahnkra, Devoted to Zharves]]

'''Minions of the Darkness:'''

'''Technology of the Darkness:'''

*Many Guardians and Guardian Orders, such as the Sunbreakers, are destroyed

*Deaths of [[Zavala]] and [[Emperor Calus]]

|casual2=*Kirito and Asuna and their Shadowkeepers killed, but then resurrected as Nightmares

|civilian=All Auradonians massacred by the Darkness and all Danville civilians wiped off from existence by the Red Legion

{{Quote|Dear Diary,<br> <br> This is pretty much the first time I've written to you. In this new world, that is. The diary from my world doesn't exist anymore. So, the two of us are gonna have to acquaint. Maybe for the rest of my life. I don't know. Everything is a blur now. A dark, unforgiving blur. Much like me. But enough about that. Where do I start? Oh, there's too many places to start, but I guess I should start with why I'm writing to you.<br> <br> It's been exactly 29 days since I woke up into this new world. A world I created. Long story short, I killed Maleficent and avenged my parents, but in doing so, I created a world even worse than what anyone had imagined. Just because this world isn't Maleficent's, it doesn't mean it's any better. The Shadowkeepers rule all of Auradon now. Kirito and Asuna are at the top of it all. That's right. The Shadowkeepers have won. I didn't just change reality. I changed history. To keep it simple, there was a war. A war that lasted 5 years. The Shadowkeepers, as I mention, won. The heroes are all dead, although some few unknown souls are in hiding. Kirito mentioned a resistance, but who knows how big or small it is. <br> <br> As for me, well, I have it all. At least, what the old me ever wanted. A [[Forum:Zevon, Pride of Kirito|boyfriend]] who's proud of me. A luxury bedroom I can call my safe haven. Feared and respected by the entire kingdom. A lifetime supply of strawberries. Okay, that last one wasn't exactly what the old me wanted or expected, but you get the point. But I'm living the good life. The good bad life. I can't deny that a part of me is loving this, but a huge part of me knows this is all wrong. It's not real. It's just an illusion created by some few floating Pyramids. I didn't wish for all this. As far as I'm concerned, everything I created is random. If I ever wished for anything, I'd want to change myself completely. Be the good girl that everyone expected me to be. But I haven't changed. I'm still the same me I've always been. I may not possess the dark scepter anymore, but the transformation I went through when I touched it, it still remains inside of me. <br> <br> My parents. Oh, how I wish they were proud of me for real. For being a sort-of good girl. Not this ruthless, heartless vixen they believe I am. For the past 29 days, I had to keep up the act. That includes acting like a bad girl, which isn't exactly hard. The hardest part so far was what happened on the anniversary of the Shadowkeepers' victory. Apparently, in this world, since I was 13, Kirito presents me with an innocent life to execute just for the fun of it. I know. It's sick. Hypocritical, I know. The next victim was a member of the resistance. A husband. A father. A soldier. I was asked to behead him. But I didn't. I put my sword down in front of everyone. But I knew that I couldn't risk suspicions. So, I burned that poor man alive. He screamed and screamed as his body slowly turned to ash. The Shadowkeepers, as you expect, cheered at the sight of it. You'd think I'd feel pleasure for burning someone alive, well, I didn't feel it. I felt disgusted with myself. The worse part, I barely hesitated. <br> <br> I've kept myself locked up in my room since then. I just couldn't swallow the fact that this is the world I'm living in right now. It's horrible. Everything and everyone I touch, I'm worse than poison. But now, I'm done hiding. it's time I get out there, familiarize myself with this new world, and see how I can manage all this. Like they said, I'm gonna rule it all one day. Might as well start by getting to know everyone all over again, if they don't remember anything. Whoever's alive, at least. <br> <br> I just wish the others are okay. Maybe they've gotten better or worse, but I would really like to see them. Evie. Jay. Carlos. Ben. Oh, Bennyboo. I miss you. <br> <br> 'Til next time. <br> <br> - Mal|A page from [[Forum:Mal's Diary|Mal's Diary]], retrieved by the [[Exo Stranger]].}}

The '''Shadowkeeper Apocalypse''' (also known as the '''Apocalypse''', the '''Shadowkeepers Apocalypse''', and sometimes the '''Second [[Collapse]]''') was a massively cataclysmic system-wide conflict fought between millions of [[Guardians]] and inhabitants of the [[Solar System]] and [[Forum:Kirito|Kirito]] and [[Forum:Asuna|Asuna]] and their armies of [[Forum:Shadowkeepers (Paradox)|Shadowkeepers]], [[Forum:Shadowkeepers (Paradox)#Shadow Army|Shadow Army]] minions, and [[Forum:Shadowkeepers (Paradox)#Ghosts of Nagasaki|Ghosts of Nagasaki]] to take back Auradon, save [[Forum:Mallory Bertha|Mallory Bertha]], and protect the Light. Although this crisis was initially triggered when Mal killed Maleficent, it actually began when the Shadowkeepers murdered countless people in Auradon, including Ben, Evie, Suguha Kirigaya, [[Emperor Calus]], the Auradonian Kids' parents, and Commander [[Zavala]], in order to take over all of Auradon and begin an eight-year reign beyond the heart of Aincrad. Unlike the previous enemies the Guardians killed, the Shadowkeepers sought to rewrite history and create a dark future, with them controlling all worlds as gods.

 

 

After much sacrifice and determination, the Guardians succeeded in killing Kirito, Asuna, and the Shadowkeepers, driving the Shadow Army and Ghosts of Nagasaki away, saving Mal, and destroying the Darkness for good. Despite this momentous victory, various figures of the Shadow Army, including Kirito and Asuna's eldest son [[Forum:Tatsuyi Kirigaya, Vibebreaker of Shadows|Tatsuyi Kirigaya]], would resurrect the Shadowkeepers and his parents as [[Nightmares]] and attempt to carry on the Shadowkeeper Apocalypse, either for their own purposes or to finish what the Shadow Army elites and the Darkness had started in destroying the Guardians. Despite these new foes, the Guardians maintained their strength and determination, while also contending with major threats besides the Shadow Army and Ghosts of Nagasaki.

{{Quote|Pain... Your suffering. Your death. Your misery. Your despair. This is what I fight for. I fight to one day see the despair of all humans. The fear twisting their expressions. The despair of seeing your children screaming as I violate the bodies of their parents. The screams of mothers losing their babies. The fear that I'll cause to all your friends and family. I was born to deliver the justice mankind so greatly deserves. To make them look at the world they destroyed. In this universe of billion years, your existence is nothing. You're absolutely nothing. That's why all your kind is unnecessary. Every life... every intelligent life in this universe is unnecessary. Your fate is inevitable. And so is all of this reality. This place is not worthy of my presence. Humans, your existence is a mistake. War, cheating, jealousy, greed. You once made me lose everything. But today, I will devour everything. Because I am the Honkai!|[[Forum:God Kiana, Herrscher of the End|God Kiana, Herrscher of the End]] to the civilians of the Old World.<ref name=HonkaiImpact3rd>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-b6rdyIJsY '''Honkai Impact 3rd''': ''Will of the Herrscher - Honkai Impact 3rd Animations '']</ref>}}

 

 

 

As the world changed, the Houkai Eruptions grew stronger with the rise of more Herrschers, each possessing dark forms of energy capable of devastating countless worlds.

 

Manipulating Kiana, the Herrscher of the Void invaded her body and killed her father with her own hands before sealing her memories away to keep it a secret so she could use her in the future. Later, Anti-Entropy invaded St. Freya Academy, and Kiana's group sneaked into the battle of the Anti-Entropy Battleship "The Moonlight Throne"; the result was resonated by the consciousness of the Second Herrscher. Then "Moonlight Throne" crashed in the St. Freya Church. Kiana accidentally touched the core of the Second Houkai Herrscher buried deep in the church. Cocolia originally wanted to take her out of danger in good faith but she only want The Fusion to become true, and later from the mouth of Cocolia, accidentally learned the whereabouts of Siegfried and his own life. Kiana, having learned the truth, fell into Houkai will, and finally awakened to become The Ultimate Herrscher. In front of its overwhelming absolute power, all of Kiana's group members perished.

 

During the final battle, Sirin slaughtered all of the Valkyries of the world, including all heroes of capital ship. As the final trump card, Raiden Mei (in her Herrscher of the Lightning form) fought God Kiana to avenge her friends but ultimately lost the battle. In front of its overwhelming absolute power, all of Kiana's group members have lost. Despite their best efforts, they eventually faced extinction by the hand of the final Herrscher, but not before Mei used her technology to seal part of the Herrscher of the End's power inside of the moon to seal the evil Goddess. Before she could be sealed, Sirin recreated the world, rewriting the humanity with parallel versions of all people in the previous Earth in order to make her new parallel-self carry on her ambitions and one day finish what she started.

 

Fearing that what happened to the Old World would soon happen to the New World, various forces from many dimensions would come together to hunt down God Kiana's parallel-self and prevent the Apocalypse from returning again.

 

{{Quote|For all of you innocent souls, I have come to this world with a singular goal: to save our world from a threat that seeks our destruction. Join us and we shall present to you a key to a special utopia that I plan to unveil to the universe. For those who seek my death, I am here for another reason: to liberate my people from yours. You and your people... you all never had the right to be called "heroes." You thought that by killing me, you'd save your precious world... oh, you will have done it... but you will be too late. If you succeed, I will indeed die, but my legacy shall live on... and you won't live to see the birth of my utopia.|[[Forum:Nagasaki, Ender of Worlds|Nagasaki, Ender of Worlds]], revealing himself to the world.}}

 

Fearing that Nagasaki's arrival would resurrect God Kiana's dark legacy, a group of freedom fighters known as the [[Forum:Flame Watchers|Flame Watchers]] would rally under the banner of a lone rebel known as [[Forum:Alanzo G. Zeppeli|Alanzo G. Zeppeli]] to hunt down Nagasaki and his Herrschers in a daring effort to end their reign of terror. Forming an alliance with various [[Forum:Hamon|Hamon]] users and the first [[Forum:Auradonian Knights|Auradonian Knights]], along with the members of the [[Forum:House of Tudor|House of Tudor]], some of which included the relatives of [[Forum:Bruford|Bruford]] and [https://jojo.fandom.com/wiki/Tarkus Tarkus] and [[Forum:Trish Una|Trish]]'s great-great-grandfather [[Forum:Raphael Una|Raphael Una]], they would manage to destroy the Houkai forces and incapacitate most of the Herrschers, revealing the true origin point of Nagasaki's awakening. Venturing into the heart of [[Forum:Arc City|Arc City]], Alanzo and the freedom fighters would seemingly succeed in defeating Nagasaki and bringing an end to his reign of terror, but little did they know that with his dying breath, he would go on to become the progenitor of the coming Apocalypse.

 

{{Quote|It seems that we're not the only Guardians chosen by the Traveler. Even before it arrived, there were others like us... those chosen to wield these dark powers.|[[Eris Morn]], explaining the creation of Fusion to the Guardian.}}

Long before the [[Traveler]] came, there were numerous [[Guardian]]s who were blessed with dark forms of magic that would later become a part of this new power, and among those Guardians were [[Forum:Hendrick Yor|Hendrick Yor]], [[Forum:Kaguya Narusaka|Kaguya Narusaka]], [[Forum:Aoi Narusaka|Aoi Narusaka]], and [[Forum:Yukito Narusaka|Yukito Narusaka]], [[Warlock]]s who were capable of mastering these forms and using them for purposes that benefited [[Humanity]]. Recruited by a lone [[Hunter]] named [[Forum:Lila Bray|Lila Bray]] and a [[Titan (class)|Titan]] named [[Forum:Darius Watanabe|Darius Watanabe]], they would harness this power and combine the Light with Darkness in order to create a strong sense of prosperity, peace, and unity between Humanity and numerous non-human forces. On December 31st, 1999, Kaguya gave birth to a girl named Mal, whom she and Hendrick knew would someday carry on their legacy and use this power to help bring an end to the coming war. Moments after her birth, while Lila and Darius and these Fusion-empowered Guardians were praised and commemorated by most of the Lightless civilians, some of the people, however, grew worried that their discovery would jeopardize the balance between Light and Dark or, even worse, enthrall everyone into abandoning their long-held traditions, creating a chaotic society fueled by anarchy and dark ambition in the process.

{{Quote|We have watched over majicks and worlds since the stars were young. But man has destroyed the balance. Just as they tried to destroy you." <br> "But you brought us back. Why?" <br> "Because you can right what the [[Guardian|mortals]] made wrong." <br> "How do you know that?" <br> "You come from their world, but fight for ours. You will be the Black Swordsman and Lightning Flash, Overlords of Shadows. You will be the instruments of our reckoning.|The [[Darkness]], speaking to Kirito and Asuna.}}

Some time after the Guardians' victory of [[Forum:The Dimensional Wars|The Dimensional Wars]], the [[Darkness]], having found a still-open portal, sent the [[Black Fleet]] into the dimensional gateway to recruit its new allies: Kirito and Asuna. Having known firsthand about how they had seen what it saw and mourned for the deaths of their friends and of innocence, the Darkness not only gave them back their powers from Sword Art Online, but also granted them permanent access to its Pyramids, knowing that they can succeed where its previous forces failed.

 

 

 

 

Moments before the coming assault on Auradon, Kirito and Asuna would be teleported to a court within the [[Pyramid (Europa)|Europan Pyramid]], where a [[Forum:Winnower's Servant|servant]] of the Darkness would proclaim about the discovery of the [[Forum:Dragon's Eye|Dragon's Eye]] on Auradon and how Kirito and Asuna would soon lay waste to the kingdom and help the Darkness claim a victory unlike any other.

Upon traveling to Auradon from a few weeks after the Jewel-bilee, the Shadowkeepers and their newly-assembled Shadow Army, led by Kirito and Asuna, breached the gateway to Auradon, eager to lay waste to its hierarchy and destroy everything that symbolized its kingdom. Being the first to respond to the civilians' evacuation from what appeared to be an escape attempt enacted by Maleficent, Zavala and Leafa would rendezvous with Ben, Evie, and Merlin to detain her and send her back; however, by the time they got to her, she was already killed by Mal, who became corrupted by the Darkness. Unbeknownst to them, the Ghosts of Nagasaki, led by [[Forum:Magda Peterson, Devilwalker of the Damned|Magda Peterson]], had already freed the son of Yzma known as Zevon from the frozen prison on the Isle of the Lost, which led to a full-scale assault between the Auradonians and the Shadowkeepers.

 

While Zavala and his crew of allies fought valiantly, they would be slaughtered by the Shadowkeepers, including Kirito and Asuna. [[Petra Venj]] and the [[Awoken]] [[Techeun]]s - [[Shuro Chi]], [[Kalli]], and [[Sedia]] - attempted to kill the Shadowkeepers in retaliation for Zavala's death, but Kirito and Asuna activated the codes for Lightfall, a corruptive-matter system created by the Darkness to destroy every representations of Light, and used it to summon waves of malevolent Blights that destroyed everything that Auradon stood for, killed all living beings of Light and civilians of Auradonian blood within it, and turned the entire city into a realm of Kirito and Asuna's ideal birth worlds, forcing Petra and the Techeuns to retreat as unfathomable armies of Shadows begin to appear across the system in larger numbers, officially beginning the Shadowkeeper Apocalypse.

 

===Death of a Legend===

Back at [[Felwinter Peak]], the Guardians, the Vanguard and people of [[The Last City]] mourn Zavala's loss. [[Ikora Rey|Ikora]], realizing that the Last City does not possess the strength to carry on in the wake of the recent conflicts, declares that everyone, including the Guardians, will have the chance to avenge his death and protect the Last City. Refusing to let Zavala's death go unnoticed, the Guardian would promise Ikora that they would avenge his death and protect the Last City and its civilians.

 

At the same time, numerous Guardians would hunt down the Shadowkeepers in an attempt bring an end to their reign of terror, only for most of them to be slain by Kirito and Asuna, who used the powers of the Darkness to drain them of their Light, while those who survived would retreat. Meanwhile, the forces who remained loyal to Maleficent, including [[Forum:Dio Brando|DIO]]'s army of zombies, would also attempt to kill Mal and revert the timeline back to its original form; however, though all of them would be slain by the Shadow Army, most would eventually mutate into the Ghosts of Nagasaki while the others would become Taken, effectively bringing an end to the existence of the Overtakers.

 

Unbeknownst to the Last City, Cayde-6 would be teleported to a past version of Auradon from during the events of [[Wikipedia:Descendants: Wicked World|Descendants: Wicked World]], where he teamed up with [[Forum:Kirigamine Tougorou|Kirigamine Tougorou]] in the hopes of detaining Zevon and sending him back to the Isle of the Lost without damaging the timeline. During the mission, Cayde would also uncover the blueprints for the Fusion-empowered prototype of a [[Stasis]] weapon known as the [[Salvation's Grip]].

{{Quote|When I was a kid, I entered the world of [[Wikipedia:Sword Art Online|Sword Art Online]] to escape the cruel depths of reality. But now, as I look back, I remember the faces of those I saved from the death game. Klein, Agil, Silica, and Lisbeth, my old friends... may be gone, but they are with us now and always. As for you, my loyal servants, my new friends, my Shadowkeepers... I gather you today because the time has come to rain darkness upon Sol. For too long, the Traveler has prevented the universe from entering the true, final shape - that of Darkness. But now, this ends. Ever since you came to this world, you've helped me do what no one else has done: kill a Guardian. I have already slain the Guardians' [[Vanguard]] Commander, the man they called Zavala. There could never be a better time to strike, now when their morale is low and they are susceptible to falling to Darkness. Go! Unleash chaos upon their people! Create fear in the hearts of those who follow the Light!|Kirito, addressing the Shadowkeepers and his elites.}}

Moments after taking over Auradon, Kirito and Asuna set up countless programs and [[SIVA]] networks from his computer that the Pyramids used to rebuild Aincrad as they saw fit and split up the Shadow Army into its six respective groups: the [[Forum:Shadowkeepers (Paradox)#House of Shadows|House of Shadows]], led by [[Forum:Kotrik, Bloodcrafter of Kirito|Kotrik, Bloodcrafter of Kirito]], the notorious [[Fallen]] [[Kell]] of Shadows who formerly worked with the [[House of Devils]]; the [[Forum:Shadowkeepers (Paradox)#Shadow Swarm|Shadow Swarm]], led by [[Forum:Zharves, Shadowcaster of Kirito|Zharves, Shadowcaster of Kirito]], a surviving [[Hive]] [[Deathsinger]] who formerly served [[Crota, Son of Oryx|Crota]] and [[Oryx, the Taken King|his father]]; the [[Forum:Shadowkeepers (Paradox)#Shadow Divisive|Shadow Divisive]], led by [[Forum:Hydrax, Mindkiller of Kirito|Hydrax, Mindkiller of Kirito]], a massive [[Vex Mind]] [[Hydra]] who possessed the ability to stop time; the [[Forum:Shadowkeepers (Paradox)#Shadow Legion|Shadow Legion]], led by [[Forum:Gha'arn, Crownforger of Kirito|Gha'arn, Crownforger of Kirito]], a powerful [[Cabal]] warlord who helped restore the Cabal Empire to its full glory; the [[Forum:Shadowkeepers (Paradox)#Reborn|Reborn]], led by [[Forum:Thu'urg, Blightmaker of Kirito|Thu'urg, Blightmaker of Kirito]], a [[Taken]] [[Cabal]] commander who sought to seize control of Oryx's army; and the [[Forum:Shadowkeepers (Paradox)#Cult of Shadows|Cult of Shadows]], led by [[Forum:Vayeriks, Fatesmith of Kirito|Vayeriks, Fatesmith of Kirito]], [[Fikrul]]'s right hand and a commander of the first [[Scorn]].

Hoping to further weaken the Traveler, they sent their forces across the system to launch countless waves of devastating attacks against its forces. On [[Earth]], the Shadowkeepers led a series of invasions against valiant heroes, including the Justice League, Simon Templar, Milo Murphy, and Legends of Tomorrow, and successfully managed to slaughter them and their fellow allies, including Cisco Ramon, who was killed by Tatsuyi, who fused his [[Necrotic Grip|gauntlets]] and [[Thorn]] with Vibe's metahuman powers. Across the Sol System, the Shadow Army attacked various factions, including the [[Forum:Dusk Splicers|Dusk Splicers]], the Houses of [[Forum:House of Emperors|Emperors]], [[Forum:House of Vipers|Vipers]], [[Forum:House of Dragons|Dragons]], and [[Forum:House of Time|Time]], and other enemy factions, which led to some of the members of these aforementioned factions to pledge their loyalties to Kirito and Asuna, while those who survived the attacks would depart to another worlds.

====Conquest of the Light====

{{Quote|It's a day for pretty speeches and medals. But we know the real fight takes place out there. There's so much more, [[Forum:Sinon|Sinon]]. I've seen terrible things born out in the Darkness. Every moment brings them closer. All ends and beginnings... Our fight is far from over.|The [[Exo Stranger]], revealing the existence of the Darkness to [[Forum:Sinon|Sinon]].}}

With Aincrad rebuilt, Kirito and Asuna, along with the Shadowkeepers and their armies, would lead a series of devastating invasions against the forces of Light and people still loyal to Ben, corrupting numerous universes and turning them into realms of Kirito's world along the way. The Stranger, having witnessed the fall of Auradon's forces, the corruption of numerous outcasts, and the deaths of countless champions of the Light, led her forces in an attempt to avenge the Traveler; however, she was forced to retreat after a close encounter with Kirito and Asuna. Fueled by grief and her desire for vengeance, she attempted to reach Mal, but suddenly found herself transported back in time to the day [[Cayde-6]] was named Hunter [[Vanguard]] after his victory over [[Taniks, the Scarred]]. Having determined that this had happened before, she was determined to make sure that she would successfully prevent the dark future from coming into existence.

 

Some time later, she would enter the [[Forum:Chinese Dead Zone|Chinese Dead Zone]] on the [[Unknown Space]], where she would meet with [[The Drifter (character)|The Drifter]] and [[Forum:Sinon|Sinon]], an amnesiac Lightbearer who had been struggling to find out what happened to her in her past life, to uncover the emergence of the [[Cradle]]. Along the way, the Stranger and Drifter would help Sinon recruit many allies to their cause, including Kibaou, Caesar Zeppeli, Lila Rossi, Sleet, Dingo, Guts, Alex Louis Armstrong, [[Mithrax, Kell of Light|Mithrax]], Varvatos Vex, Sai Yukitsugu, and Hendrickson, in the hopes of fighting back against the Shadowkeepers.

 

{{Quote|Our greatest fear has come true. Kirito has returned.|[[Forum:Dominus Xaruun|Dominus Xaruun]]}}

Some moments after [[Dominus Ghaul]] became [[Cabal Emperor]], he sent his resurrected [[Red Legion]] forces across the system to secure more territories for his empire.

 

On [[Mercury]], the Red Legion reinforced the beleaguered Cabal legions battling [[The Sunbreakers]], which turns the tide after centuries of conflict. Although the Sunbreakers fought valiantly, the Legion actually manages to cripple and slaughter the Sunbreakers on Mercury by destroying their Light, putting an end to the once mighty Titan order. On [[Earth]], they began launching an invasion on the Tri-State Area, brutally massacring its civilians and erasing them from existence shortly before terraforming all of Danville into a Cabal empire. On [[Io]], they began to drill into the planet to access the latent Traveler energies within the moon, investigating the possibility to harvest and control the Light. However, their actions attracted the Shadowkeepers and their Cabal Shadow Legion, who formed an alliance with them in the hopes of crippling the Traveler.

 

{{Quote|Ghaul was meant to die, and now this "Kirito" managed to slip past me during my prophetic resurrection and do the thing that I was meant to do?! This pest is slick and deserves pain!|[[Forum:Emperor Zor|Emperor Zor]]}}

Enraged by their atrocities, the [[Forum:Neon Wraiths (reworked)|Neon Wraiths]] led an assault against the Shadowkeepers and their Shadow Army in an attempt to prevent the Pyramids from corrupting their world with Darkness, but were eventually forced to retreat after a close encounter with Kirito and Asuna. Knowing that even their strength wasn't enough to stop them, they went into hiding and began bolstering what remained of their forces. Eventually, the Wraiths would be contacted by [[Forum:Emperor Zor|Emperor Zor]] and his [[Forum:Golden Legion|Golden Legion]] who wished to join forces against the Shadowkeepers, an offer in which a disheveled and desperate [[Forum:Dominus Xaruun|Xaruun]] would accept, officially beginning an alliance between the Neon Wraiths and the Golden Legion.

 

{{Main|see=1|Forum:Battle of Bannerfall}}

 

 

Enraged by the atrocities committed by Kirito and Asuna, [[Ikora Rey]] and [[Rasputin]], along with numerous Guardians hellbent on getting their revenge on the Shadowkeepers not only for killing Zavala, but also for robbing them of their arsenal, created Dawnrise Protocol in the hopes of fighting back against the Darkness, retrieving their tech, and saving the Last City, while factions such as the [[Forum:Stygian Brood|Stygian Brood]] and the [[Forum:House of Lions|House of Lions]] would lead countless assaults against the Shadow Army and those who pledged loyalty to Kirito and Asuna.

 

At the same time, across numerous known and unknown dimensions within the Void, [[Forum:AJ, the Relentless|AJ]] would rally numerous factions of dimension protectors to fight against the Shadowkeepers; however, although AJ and his crew fought valiantly, the Shadowkeepers managed to cripple the dimension protectors' forces by destroying their Light and slaughtering them, leaving AJ and [[Forum:Cinnamon|Cinnamon]] as the only survivors. Filled with rage and guilt, AJ would lock three dimensions, including his own, shortly before isolating himself on [[Forum:Yavin|Yavin]].

 

In the following days, Ahnkra would launch repeated strikes against the Stygian Brood while adding more to the Shadow Ravagers' ranks from across the system. Furious, Viznoor rallied his brood to stage a counterattack on Ahnkra's forces, leading to a violent large-scale conflict between the Shadow Swarm and the Stygian Brood amidst the Tangled Shore. Sometime after the skirmishes began, Ahnkra began preparing a ritual to infest the Tangled Shore with Darkness in Kirito's name, which a Fireteam, led by [[Forum:Anna Blue|Anna Blue]]'s friend [[Forum:Zoe|Zoe]], would discover when they were sent to investigate the Hive activity. Working with Viznoor and his forces, they managed to break through the Shadow Army's defenses; however, before they could have the chance to stop the ritual from being completed, Zoe and her crew would be slaughtered by Ahnkra, forcing Viznoor's forces to retreat. Moments after hearing about Zoe's death, Anna Blue went to her friend's last spot on the Tangled Shore and fought a harrowing battle against Ahnkra. However, just when Ahnkra was about to slaughter her, she is saved by [[Eris Morn]], who sends a series of brutal attacks against Ahnkra, who is forced to retreat, but not before vowing revenge on Eris. Awed by Eris's daring effort, she would eventually work under Eris's tutelage and help forge a powerful weapon of Light known as the [[Forum:Silent Scream|Silent Scream]], her personal [[Scout Rifle]] that combined [[Symmetry (weapon)|Symmetry]] with both [[Void]] energy and Hive runes, which she would soon use against the Hive.

 

Some time during Dawnrise Protocol, Kirito and Asuna and their daughters Yui and Konno and sons [[Forum:Tatsuyi Kirigaya, Vibebreaker of Shadows|Tatsuyi]] and Yuji met up with [[Forum:Castris|Castris]] and her Elites, offering [[Forum:Castris's Criminal Empire|them]] a chance to work alongside his syndicate. At the same time, [[Forum:Rudolph McAlister|Rudolph McAlister]], one of the spies whom [[Forum:Robert E. O. Speedwagon|Robert E. O. Speedwagon]] dispatched to investigate Castris's criminal empire, found numerous evidences about Castris's past and attempted to rendezvous with [[Forum:Ashe-5|Ashe-5]] so that they could bring down the empire, only to find that Ashe had been slain by a Guardian-issued [[Sword]]. Appalled and shocked by this, he attempted to find Castris and apprehend her, but is suddenly attacked by [[Forum:Kotrik, Bloodcrafter of Kirito|Kotrik]], who immediately slaughtered him, but not before Rudolph sent a message to Speedwagon, telling him that Kirito had returned. By the time Speedwagon and his associates arrived, Castris had already escaped. As Speedwagon attempted to pursue Castris, he runs into Tatsuyi, Kirito and Asuna's eldest son who had stolen Cisco Ramon's metahuman powers and fused them with both his [[Necrotic Grip]] gauntlets and [[Thorn]] before murdering Vibe. Enraged by Vibe's unjust fate, Speedwagon summoned his version of the Burning Maul, an alternate form of the [[Hammer of Sol]], and attempted to end Tatsuyi's life, but finds himself temporarily paralyzed by the effects of Thorn, which gave Tatsuyi an escape plan. Some moments after Kirito's family escaped, Speedwagon, no longer paralyzed, woke up to find his associates dead and vowed revenge on both Castris and Tatsuyi.

The Titan would be awoken by one of the Empire's Barons, [[Forum:Solviks, the Gunslinger|Solviks]], who consoled him that Castris and her Empire were allies, not enemies, albeit unconventional. Speedwagon would also meet one of the Empire's lesser known, yet most treasured associates [[Forum:Myra Winters|Myra Winters]], who told him that she had upgraded his [[Ghost]] with tech that just might help with his investigation and prove the Empire's standing on the Shadowkeepers, starting with a previously recorded conversation between Wren and his trusted [[Psion]] friend, [[Forum:Lithwe|Lithwe]], who were conversing about Castris's decision on the deal with the Shadowkeepers as well as what might happen if they did accept. But before the two could let on about her decision, the two are interrupted by a familiar looking, muscular [[Fallen]] brute who was asked if he could purchase a special sword; Speedwagon recognized the Fallen brute as one of the attackers who snatched Wren, learning his name was [[Forum:Kamrak, the Titan|Kamrak]]. The Titan hesitantly thanked the two Criminal associates before the two left, stating that they had some business to attend. Continuing the investigation, he would utilize the "ECHO" tech to discover the murder of Ashe, where he would see the Vanguard representative being escorted by some of the Empire's associates, learning that they were there to guard her on her way to Rudolph. Expecting them to turn on her, he would, instead, discover that the squad was picked off one by one and the Exo Hunter would be murdered by the other mysterious assailant from the night prior. Raising even more questions, the Titan would attempt to go back to where he meet Tatsuyi to learn more. Going back to the site and activating the recording software, seen from his eyes, the Shadowkeeper scion would be seen conversing to the members of the assailants and gave them new orders, attempt to frame Castris and rope the faction into war, telling the [[Forum:Lilthis, the Daemon|female assailant]] to stay here and wait for Speedwagon and attempt to escape to give the guise she was Castris while telling the other two to hunt down and capture some of the syndicate's higher weapons designers and suppliers such as Wren and [[Forum:Vyslaks, the Technomancer|Vyslaks]] to which a respected new member of the Shadowkeepers would get them to replicate some of the Empire's work. It all came to the Titan that this was a conspiracy, one that will force the Empire into war with the Shadowkeepers.

====A New Consensus====

{{Quote|My name is Kotrik. I claim the title of Kell of Kells for myself. The Given shall fall. The Great Machine will be reclaimed. To arms, brothers! Let us advance the work of Kirito, who has given us this strength!|[[Forum:Kotrik, Bloodcrafter of Kirito|Kotrik, Bloodcrafter of Kirito]], rallying his Fallen brethren shortly before triggering an assault against the Guardian.}}

====Preparing for the Hunt====

{{Quote|There's more to this than just enemies swearing loyalty to one person. This… Kirito… is the one who murdered Zavala. He has made the Traveler - and the Light - vulnerable to attack. If we are not careful, there may be a situation like the Red War in Danville… or worse. Across the system, multiple groups of our foes rally around his banner. The Fallen House of Shadows and their Shadow Splicers led by Kotrik, Bloodcrafter of Kirito, a master with weaponry who has stolen much Guardian tech; the Hive's Shadow Swarm led by Zharves, Shadowcaster of Kirito, who is a surviving Deathsinger; the Vex's Shadow Divisive, led by Hydrax, Mindkiller of Kirito, an immensely powerful Vex unit attempting to cast us into a dark future; the Cabal's Shadow Legion, led by Gha'arn, Crownforger of Kirito, a powerful Cabal warlord; the Taken Reborn, led by Thu'urg, Blightmaker of Kirito; and the Scorn Cult of Shadows, led by Vayeriks, Fatesmith of Kirito, one of the first Scorn. We have also identified some of their leaders - the Shadowkeepers. They include the names: Uldren Sov; Fikrul - also known as Eugeo due to his current form; Ruby Hale; Totomaru; Malcolm Merlyn; and many others. I will send the full list to you, Guardian. One last thing. The overall objective of this is to save a certain high-value person - Mallory Bertha. She has been corrupted by the Darkness and made the Dragon Queen of Auradon and the Isle of the Lost. She must be saved from the Darkness. But we will have to defeat Kirito's armies of Shadows in order to accomplish this. Around the system, your fellow Guardians are taking up arms and fighting these new foes. Go and join them, so that the Light may be victorious.|[[Forum:Luther Hargreeves|Luther Hargreeves]], addressing the Guardian.}}

Upon reaching the Last City, Luther Hargreeves explained to the Guardian that ever since Kirito killed Zavala, many enemies of humanity have pledged their loyalties to him and Asuna, seeking to destroy the Light. The Guardian would also learn of the identities of the Shadowkeepers who helped kill Zavala and are planning to usher in a new dark future. Luther then tasked the Guardian with hunting down Zharves's Hive sect, to which the Guardian accepted.

{{Quote|The Darkness didn't choose Kirito and Asuna for nothing. They're both looking for the same thing: the opportunity to settle an old score with us and the Light. My friends gave their lives so that I can help you guys deny the Shadowkeepers that chance.|[[Forum:Anna Blue|Anna Blue]].}}

Some time after the Guardian uncovered the source of the Shadows' emergence in the Cosmodrome, [[Eris Morn]], aided by her new recruit [[Forum:Anna Blue|Anna Blue]], intercepted a distress signal coming from the [[Hellmouth]], searching for answers on [[Moon|Luna]]. After traversing deeper within the [[Scarlet Keep]], she stumbled upon an abandoned [[Clovis Bray (corporation)|Clovis Bray]] facility and touched a black surface, which revealed itself as some kind of footage. Upon getting a closer look at it, she discovers what happened to Mal back when she was a child and that the two adult [[Warlock]]s shielding her from Maleficent's attacks were her parents [[Forum:Kaguya Narusaka|Kaguya Narusaka]] and [[Forum:Hendrick Yor|Hendrick Yor]]. Moments later, the Guardian is summoned to the Moon by Luther Hargreeves in response to a disturbance that, according to Eris Morn, originated from the [[Forum:Phantom Keep|Phantom Keep]], a massive citadel recently erected by the Hive Shadow Swarm near the [[Hellmouth]]. While assisting Eris Morn and Anna Blue in fighting the Hive, the Guardian would encounter Zharves and [[Forum:Xyurdok, Commander of the Throne|Xyurdok]] and their Hive army.

 

Shortly after the Guardian intercepted the Hive ritual, they would soon come face-to-face with the Shadowkeepers, some of whom taunted them, with [[Uldren Sov]] claiming that Kirito gave them strength beyond the Light and granted them immortality and the necessary methods to finally destroy the Light once and for all and [[Forum:Fikrul, Armament of Kirito|Eugeo]] replying that the Light has weakened, that the Guardian had become weak, that the loss of their commander had destabilized their order, and that with their weakening, the Shadowkeepers grow stronger. Upon hearing what the Shadowkeepers said, the Guardian retreated back to the entrance of the Hive chamber, but luckily, not before retrieving the blueprints for Anna's prototype of the Silent Scream, which she entrusts to them.

{{Quote|If the Vex succeed, it's the end of everything.|[[Osiris]], addressing the Guardian.}}

{{Quote|You claim to be a defender of humanity, Guardian. But, in the end, you're just a person… someone who will always fall into the dark. No matter how fast you run, how far you go, and how hard you try to fight, it will catch up with you. The Light thought it could make you soft and sensible, but you have yet to feel all the pain I felt when I lost my friends and family! And this time, the Traveler will die for Auradon's sins!|Kirito, preparing to fight the Guardian.}}

Refusing to let Zavala's death go unanswered or let Kirito and Asuna and their Shadow Army rule the entire world, the Guardian prepared to fight Kirito and Asuna. While the Guardian initially had the upper hand throughout most of the fight, Kirito soon caught up speed and overwhelmed them, summoning Hydrax, who attempted to pull their Ghost out of its shell and delete them from existence, but was interrupted by the [[Exo Stranger]], who arrived to help the Guardian fight back against it and the Vex.

 

However, Kirito activated Deathburst Stream, his diabolical signature move that slaughtered the entire Auradonian enclavement, and attempted to obliterate the Guardian, but luckily for the Guardian, the Exo Stranger teleported herself and the Guardian to another dimension.

 

Upon arriving in another dimension, the Exo Stranger revealed herself to the Guardian as Elsie Bray, the long-lost sister of [[Anastasia Bray]], explaining that she came from a future where the Darkness won. As the Guardian heard from her about what happened, they would also learn that in that timeline, Mal had helped Kirito and Asuna and their dark armadas succeed in erasing the Light and all the things and people it touched from existence. But luckily for the Guardian, [[The Drifter (character)|The Drifter]] also revealed that when [[Forum:Sinon|Sinon]] came along, she helped fight back against the Shadows and set up a headquarters for her [[Forum:Sinon's Resistance|faction]]. Together, the Guardian, Elsie, and the Drifter head out to meet with her.

 

===Beyond the Darkness===

{{Quote|This world we're in now is a paradox. Reality has changed somehow and in some strange way." <br> "How do you know all this?" <br> "No one knows. Neither does [[Cayde-6|Cayde]]. But, I know [[Forum:AJ, the Relentless|someone]] who did.|[[User:Kirito Beater3|Nagihiko]], conversing with the Guardian.}}

Upon reaching the Tower, after regaining their memories of the [[Red War]], [[Panoptes, Infinite Mind|Panoptes]]'s attack on [[Mercury]], [[Nokris, Supplicant to Savathûn|Nokris]] and [[Xol, Will of the Thousands|Xol]]'s emergence on [[Mars]], [[Cayde-6|Cayde]]'s death at the hands of Uldren, the battle against the Pyramids and [[Nightmares]], [[Saint-14]]'s resurrection, the fight against the [[Red Legion]] to destroy [[The Almighty]], the destruction of [[Io]], Mercury, [[Titan (moon)|Titan]], and Mars at the hands of the Pyramids, the emergence of [[House of Salvation]], [[Savathûn, the Witch Queen|Savathûn]]'s arrival, and the destruction of the City, the Guardian learned from Nagihiko that they were living in a paradox and from Fireteam Infernium that many events had changed ever since the attack on Auradon, one of them being that the Red War had now destroyed Danville and transformed it into a Cabal empire. The Guardian would also learn that seven years after Zavala's death, AJ and the dimension protectors had fought in a war against the Shadow Army in an attempt to restore the timeline, but ultimately had their Light drained; although AJ was luckily able to escape, no one knew what happened to him after he left for [[Forum:Yavin|Yavin]]. Nagihiko then tasked the Guardian with finding any intel on AJ's location, starting with Mars, so that the Vanguard can bring him back, to which the Guardian accepts.

====Rise of the Taken Emperor====

====The Scorn Fatesmith====

[[File:Cheiftain1.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Vayeriks challenging the Guardian on an abandoned outpost in the Dreaming City]]

====The New Evil====

{{Quote|My loyal and ambitious subjects, you are here today to finally end your troubles, finally end your griefs over your losses, finally to end your droughts against The Last City's forces...and to finally bring your people's salvation. The wait is finally over, for I, Kirito, Chosen by the Winnower, Champion of the Black Fleet, Bringer to Light's End, will bring you the Salvation and justice that you crave so dearly...|Kirito, bestowing the powers of Fusion on his forces of Darkness.}}

Moments after the Guardians step into the Chasm of Corruption, they and Petra would eavesdrop on Kirito as he presented the powers of the Darkness to his Shadows. Expecting to kill him, the Guardian would instead be ambushed by a Shadow [[Marauder]], only grazing his shoulder. Now exposed by the Shadow Army elites, the Guardian would run from the arena, running into a room holding a prisoner.

{{Quote|And so it begins. Once it is done, the Great Machine shall suffer for what it did to my people... and yours.|[[Eramis, Kell of Darkness]] to Magda Peterson.}}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{{Quote|Kirito...yeah, I've heard a lot about him. He is from another Dimension... I guess he stumbled upon here... and now, he has killed [[Zavala]] and united all our enemies-excuse me WHAT?.....ugh...you gotta be kidding me. Guardian, I'mma join your bandwagon. You're gonna need all the help you can get. This guy needs to be put in his place, or be taken back to his Dimension or.....have a Bullet lodged in his head.|AJ, speaking to the Guardian about Kirito.}}

{{Quote|Times may be dark, but we are Earth's greatest and last hope. Look around you, a gathering of those who call this system home. This is a chance we've been waiting for. Our homes were attacked, and we were there to watch the onslaught. And despite the sacrifices we made, everything was lost. All that we may have left are those standing beside you. For today, we know our enemy: Kirito, the Black Swordsman and the dark leader of the Shadowkeepers. Look to each other for strength, for strength in each other will keep us united. So, I ask you! Who will stand with me?|Ikora, rallying the Guardians and their allies.}}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

====Saving the Dragon Queen====

 

 

 

Over time, the Guardians hunting the Shadows within the Solar System receive a message from Tatsuyi, who has resurrected his parents and their champions as Nightmares, issuing a challenge to them to avenge the Shadow Army. Tracking the Vibebreaker to the abandoned chamber of what remained of Auradon Prep, the Guardians battle against Tatsuyi and his Shadow Collective and despite his Dark abilities, they slay the Shadowkeepers and Tatsuyi, but he swears that they will return.

===Fall of the Remnants===

{{Quote|Morgana is dead... but her forces remain a threat. And worse of all, her champion, Angor Rot, has filled a void that would've crippled the Ghosts of Nagasaki. He must be stopped at all costs.|Viznoor tasking the Guardian with hunting down Angor Rot.}}

 

 

{{Quote|[[Forum:Kalviks, the Damned|Kalviks]] is a special one to kill, he was once one of my lieutenants, before that spoiled brat of a "savior" came and brought his ass here. Now he betrays the House and expects me to "not be mad about it". But you know what I do to traitors, Yes? heh heh heh...|Joskaa, explaining to [[The Guardian]] about [[Forum:Kalviks, the Damned|Kalvkis]].}}

 

 

 

 

{{Quote|So, that [[Forum:Kirito, the Black Swordsman|Motherfucker]] thinks he can bring back Menkrodos eh? No matter, we can put him back into the dirt, and any "Shadow" that was in cahoots with that [[Forum:Menkrodos, the Dimensional Mind|son of a bitch]].|[[Forum:AJ, the Relentless|AJ]], learning of the Dimensional Mind's Return.}}

 

{{Quote|You are finally here, Guardian. Monster slayer. Light avenger. All that strength, and you still have yet to fathom much more. You could be so much more... all you need do is wish it. This city within my vessel will challenge you in ways you have never thought possible. Come. Let's enjoy ourselves.|[[Forum:Evangelion, Mastermind of Eternities|Evangelion, Mastermind of Eternities]], welcoming the Guardian to his ship.}}

{{Quote|On our Solar System, the Darkness came into existence with civilization for many millennia, many timelines, and numerous worlds. As society developed and improved over the course of history, the Darkness grew even stronger with the sole purpose of exterminating us. For many years, there have been too many people who have given things up to the Darkness, and now... ever since the arrival of the Pyramids, Kirito and Asuna took so much...way too much...and what we've lost to them may be even greater than the Earth itself... But because of those we lost...because of them, we're alive now. Zavala. Evie. Ben. Suguha. Klein. Agil. Lisbeth. Silica. Eiji. Black Yuna. Alice. The war is over, and now begins a new era of hope... a new age of triumph.|Ikora Rey, speaking to the Guardian during the aftermath of the Apocalypse.}}