"So a better future is a future where war is fought, not to resolve territorial, ideological, or resource disputes, but rather for fun and glory, as in the times of the Roman Empire? Where only the elite prosper, while the poor suffer? Where freedom is dependent on the mood of the ruler?!" said Sunset, rage increasing with every word. "She's right, Crim," said Circuit, "You're only repeating the mistakes that led to the collapse of civilization in the first place. Someone had enough of that, and that's when the bombs fell. Well, I say that we learn from the mistakes of the past, and apply that knowledge to the present, so we can build a better future. For EVERYONE, not just yourself."
All of this was enough for Crimson to rise out of his throne, now standing up looking at the group as the anger began to be seen on his face. "THIS ISNT ABOUT ME!" He roared. "This is about something that is so much bigger then all of us! Are you suggesting that I walk away from a future where mankind is equal! Where war becomes all but a distant memory! Where children don't end up as slaves? Where the elderly and men are torn apart by wolves! Are you that idiotic to suggest that I, the Emperor of this New Monarchy, leave my people to die! I, who made this land noble and pure for all generations to come! And you walk into my palace and assault me with false dreams!" Crimson was visibly shaking with utter rage by now. "I'm the Son of Heaven! I'm the Emperor of California! AND YOU WILL NEVER DICTATE ON HOW IAM TO BE KING!!!"
"Then the young man I once knew really is dead," said Circuit, clearly distraught by this turn of events. "You are blind to reason, your vision clouded by the power you attained. The Crimson I knew would never have ruled by force like this, he would have sought a peaceful solution. Well, perhaps the only thing that will remind you of who you truly are is the only thing you know anymore..." And with that, he raised his fists uncertainly, knowing that he didn't have much of a chance.
Crimson just scoffed before walking down the steps of his throne, just as guards surrounded him. But before they could intervene, Crimson waved a hand out. "Do not intervene. This is between me and him. If the others try and rescue our...'hero', kill them" Crimson ordered. The guards backed away and were positioned on stand-by, as Crimson threw off his Royal cape as he menacingly approached him.
Circuit was scared. He had never really been in a proper fight before, and he wasn't as strong as Crimson was, not by a longshot. Nevertheless, he knew he had to. If there were any way to get through to his old friend, this would be it.
Crimson had the advantage. Five years as the commander of his own army, and the conqueror of many different towns and raider gangs had left the Emperor to be very experienced in combat. Even before the bombs fell, he was fairly strong. This left Circuit against an enemy who was playing his own game, and this would prove poorly. Crimson raised his fists and got into a stance, locking eyes with Circuit and never moving.
Circuit, quite reluctantly, threw the first punch. It wasn't that strong, as to be expected. But he knew it had to be done.
Crimson caught his fist and held it there for a moment, before suddenly kicking his kneecaps in while he was distracted and sent him flying with a blow to the jaw
How Circuit managed to land with nothing but a sharp pain in his side was anyone's guess. Nevertheless, he got right back up.
Crimson walked over to him again at Circuit got back up, before suddenly side-kicking him in the temple with an intensely powerful blow
Circuit felt intense pain in his temple, but tried not to worry about it, and instead tried to plan for the next attack.
Crimson slipped ahead of him and took him by the neck, strangling him and lifting his entire body with only one arm. He merely held him for more then ten seconds before throwing him towards the girls, where Crimson could help but laugh manically. "Useless..." Crimson just said.
Circuit had had enough. It seemed Crimson was not only powerdrunk, he also disregarded those closest to him. "Useless, you say?" he replied angrily as he stood back up, "I came all this way, not because I was jealous, but because I wanted to snap you out of your megalomania because I legitimately care about you, and you have the nerve to call me useless?!" His newfound resolve boiled through his veins as he ran towards Crimson and began to give him everything he had. "I'LL MAKE YOU EAT YOUR WORDS!!" he shouted as he proceeded to strike Crimson in the gut.
Circuit shrugged it off like it was nothing, before stepping on Crimson's foot as hard as he could, then taking the time that Crimson was caught off-guard to deliver a rapid-fire set of punches to the groin, then an uppercut to the jaw.
Crimson flew back and landed on his back on the floor, before getting up with a sinister smile, just as blood escaped from his lip. "That's more like it..." -------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile..... Ivory, concerned about the conflicting feelings of her master and his friends, rushed to Canterlot as fast as she could, rapidly bypassing the guards and desperately trying to make it before it's to late.
Circuit continued to strike Crimson, not caring about whether or not he missed, so long as he could get Crimson to come to his senses, no matter how long it took.
Crimson rushed to Circuit as hard as he could, completely steamrolling him once he made contact with monstrous blows before the two of them met equally. The Emperor was going to end this quickly, and was going to dominate Circuit and beat him to an inch of his life. Just when the fight was about to head into Circuit's way, Crimson was just prepared to counter and strike him dead with one blow to the head. But before he could do it, Ivory burst through the door crying. To make matters worse, she seen the chaos that was ensuring. "Stop!" She cried out. "Master Crimson! You are going to kill him! Please! Stop!" Crimson hesitantly pushed himself away, slowly feeling his injuries come to haunt him.
Suddenly, Circuit collapsed to the ground, reeling in all the pain he had accumulated, but ignored. "So this is how you treat your friends, huh?" said Circuit weakly, yet anger still showed with every syllable, "I don't wanna know how you treat your enemies..." And with that, his head fell to the floor, his eyes glazed and unfocused, his jaw slacked. He had died from all the damage he had taken, defiant to the very end.
Crimson looked Circuit's body and just kicked him to roll him over, before picking up his body by the back of his shirt and presented him to his horrified friends. "This is what happens when bravery stands in the way of unity!" Emperor Lionheart sadistically proclaimed before something shocking happened. A blue streak of energy, nothing more then the size of a .308 round, suddenly streaked across the throne room and his Crimson directly in the lungs. The Emperor screamed in agony as he slowly fell back, looking at the face of who was responsible. None other then Ivory herself, who had tears streaming down her face as she fired the near-fatal blast. The Emperor hit the ground, the blast of energy piercing straight through him as he coughed up blood. He was on the verge of death, as the guards suddenly aimed their rifles at her. She turned to the others. "This will never happen....never again." Ivory said before closing her eyes as a flash of white suddenly engulfed the room, as the apocalypse ended. Time began to reverse drastically, and all the destruction began to never occur at all. Ivory reset the timeline...
