u/Choice_Quarter_2497

Lets set the scene...

YOU in all your nerdy loser glory, have done the impossible by some miracle have managed to land a date with an absolute baddie.

You sit at the table together talking and the topic of anime comes up, this date couldn't be going better.

You sit in the dimly candlelit room, laughing and talking together but then...

it happens.... she says something, a take or a scale.

Something so bad, your view of her instantly changes, you cant look past it, something much worse then just a small ick.

You run out of the restraunt, not daring to touch the bill, knowing that someone with that bad of a take would order the food to the same table as you.

This once perfect woman is RUINED... her take so terrifying and outrageous. You cant dare look back

Choice is dispatched to a misson. A menacing demon has been killing civilians brutally, using a range of military weaponry to cause mass murder.

Choice arrives at the scene, bodies are everywhere, people are Crying and then he sees the demon.

The Demon has the image of a shadowed wolf.

"I AM OWN RUN, STRONGEST OF THEM ALL, THE STRONGEST DEMON OF TODAY"

The demon summons 7 huge mini guns and prepares to open fire.

But in that instant the demons head falls to the ground.....

Choice beheaded the demon before it even got an attack in, casually walking and slicing its neck off like a knife through hot butter....

Choice is summoned to the DSS head quarters. Master Medical is waiting.

"Congratulations Choice, after defeating that member of the 12 Kizuki, you are now a Hashira, i will soon introduce you to your fellow combatants" Master Medical says proudly.

"Oh? That was a kizuki? It was very weak, but i do thank you for the promotion" Choice replies

The end

We jump straight back into the action, as a now marked Pkmpdi is staring down Ryukendo with a smile on his face.

Pkmpdis eyes grow bloodshot, his heartbeat racing, his senses honed.

"Flame Breathing, 1st form, Unknowing Fire"

Pkmpdi shoots himself foward in a firey flash, he takes an incredibly powerful swing at Ryukendos neck. His sword bursting with a huge blazing Inferno.

Ryukendo leans backwards, a look of shock on his face, his neck explodes with blood.

He tries to counter with a powerful punch, but Pkmpdi slips out of the way.

"Flame Breathing, 2nd form"

Pkmpdi twists his sword up, cutting straight through the demons arm.

Ryukendo kicks Pkmpdi. But Pkmpdi blocks it. Pkmpdi is sent crashing through a wall, Pkmpdi begins freefall down a long deep vertical corridor. Ryukendo presses after him.

Pkmpdi catches himself on the wall, ans as Ryukendo falls alongside him, he leaps at the Upper rank, fighting back powerfully.

The pair begin exchanging strikes, Pkmpdi weilds his blade with speed and precision, that seemingly increases with every swing.

Cold watches in awe as the two powerful combatants trade blows at a speed he struggles to comprehend.

Ryukendo jumps back trying to create some range, but Pkmpdi closes the distance instantly, his body seemingly surging with even more power and energy, the flames engulfing him with each strike.

"FLAME BREATHING, 7TH FORM, UNYIELDING INFERNO"

"DESTRUCTIVE DEATH, FLOW TYPE"

Pkmpdi attacks Ryukendo with more force, unleashing a flurry of powerful strikes, a winding twisting Inferno surrounding the two. Ryukendo uses his blood demon art to defend, deflecting Pkmpdi's sword with precision, the clashing of blue and orange creating a bright purple light that shines beautifully.

The pair begin jumping from structure to structure. They end up fighting on a huge concrete and cobblestone castle tower. Towering tall in the middle of the castle like the empire state building, although it towers much taller.

They begin expanding strikes at speed again, Ryukendo punches Pkmpdi, but it grazes him, his head squirting out blood.

Pkmpdi begins feeling a slight wave of fatigue, he needs to move quicker, he cant fight at this pace forever....

"BLOOD DEMON ART, CATASTROPHIC STOMP" (imagine catastrophic orchestral music for added effect)

Ryukendo picks up his leg, and slams it to the ground with immense force, the ground begins blooming with these bright, almost blinding lights that shoot of the ground, as the whole building shakes.

"Flame Breathing, 4th form, Blooming Flame Undulation"

Pkmpdi takes on a defensive stance, he tanks the majority of the attack, his powerful firey blade engulfing and absorbing the attack, however the impact is still there, blood absolutely explodes out of Pkmpdi's nose, his muscles nearly rupturing from the sheer impact.

The force of the attack, begins collapsing the gigantic building. Pkmpdi braces, as floor by floor the building begins toppling.

He battles the Upper rank from floor to floor, using incredible speed, footwork and swordsmanship to avoid attacks and dodging falling debris. His sword pluming with powerful flames as he dodged and weaves.

The castle watches in awe, both humans and demons watch as the incredible structure is absolutely effortlessly leveled by the demon.

Pkmpdi and Ryukendo continue their incredible battle, taking their skills and speed floor to floor, Pkmpdi slashing at the demon, yet Ryukendo regenerates with speed, countering incredibly fast.

The buildings collapse causes a huge amount of falling debris. Killing dozens of demon slayers, Pkmpdi sees the floor approaching and has to move, he sees his window and leaps out of the collapsing structure just in time to save himself from getting crushed by hundreds of gigatonnes of concrete and stone.

He stands on a ledge, looking on at the fallen structure, dust pluming the air, the sound of the screams echoing through the castle. Upper 3 absolutely demolished this huge building in a single attack with ease.

Pkmpdi takes a few seconds to breathe, his expression turning to one more serious.

*BANG*

Suddenly Ryukendo explodes out of the pile of rubble, sending bricks flying everywhere, he jumps with incredible force, leaving him hovering in the air, he has an excited, evil, violent smile on his face.

"DESTRUCTIVE DEATH, EIGHT LAYERED DEMON CORE"

In a booming flash, he sends 8 incredibly powerful shockwaves, towards Pkmpdi. Something is different about them, they're glowing a bright red, Pkmpdi jumps to the side out of the way of the first one and sees as the shockwave obliterates the platform he was stood on, the bang almost deafening.

Pkmpdi knows, he cant block that attack. It would kill him, he continues sprinting towards the hovering Upper rank, who is laughing, as he launches punch after punch. Each of the 8 more powerful than the last.

Pkmpdi ducks and weaves, its now or never, he needs to put his all into one last assault.

Ryukendo lands on the rubble, Him and Pkmpdi coming face to face to face, Pkmpdi begins surging with energy, the fire around him burning endlessly.

He swings his sword at top speed, he cuts of Ryukendos arm, Ryukendo twists his body to launch a kick, but Pkmpdi lobs his leg off. Ryukendo and Pkmpdi exchange strikes again, Cold runs alongside them, trying to keep up, but they are just too fast.

Ryukendo tries forcing Pkmpdi back with punches, but Pkmpdi weathers the storm in a firey fury... any time Ryukendo thinks Pkmpdi is at his limit, Pkmpdi pushes further.

The two begin freefall, As Pkmpdi pushes Ryukendo back, Pkmpdi cuts off an arm and a leg, Ryukendo goes to regenerate, but before he can finish regenerating, Pkmpdi simply cuts it again.

Ryukendo is covered in wounds, as Pkmpdi's speed continues to increase, Ryukendo struggles to keep up, having to constantly exert himself to regenerate, he grits his teeth, and tries to punch Pkmpdi through the chest, but Pkmpdi catches the lousy punch, and stabs Ryukendo through the shoulder, the blade impaling him deep, the flames blooming, as a look of pain crosses Ryukendos face.

"FLAME BREATHING, 5TH FORM, FLAME TIGER"

PKMPDI swings his sword incrediblely fast. He cuts straight through Ryukendos head, slicing it in half. He delivers multiple blows to Ryukendos body, outspeeding the demons regeneration for a short while.

A huge firey beast, begins tearing through the Upper Rank. The roaring sound of flames echoing through the castle, the demon absorbs the attacks with his body.

As Ryukendos face begins to regenerate, a wide excited smile dawns his face.

"DESTRUCTIVE DEATH, DISORDER"

"FLAME BREATHING, 3RD FORM"

The 2 attacks collide head on, causing mass destruction around the castle, toppling more structures.

Cold is running still, he sees Pkmpdi and the demon burst through a wall infront of him, he stops and thinks, what is it he is missing. How is it Ryukendo is able to track his every movement, its like he has aimbot, a way to constantly be on target, and adapt to any opponent he outspeeds.

He thinks and thinks and then it hits him, Ryukendos blood demon art. His compass needles, the magnet is the opponent, and the needle is him, it allows him to hone in on his surroundings and fight with ease.

Cold wonders what it is that allows him to do this, is it his heartbeat? His mere presence, he is unsure. If only there was a direct way to counter his compass needle and shut it off. But that would be insane and too convenient and makes no sense that he would have any idea how to. He focuses on the battle.

He watches the blade and fists collide over and over again. He sees an opening and jumps for it.

"Hinokami Kagura, Raging Sun"

He leaps at Ryukendo, but Ryukendo blocks the attack and launches a powerful backfist at Cold....

Its seemingly inescapable, Cold watches the fist come flying towards his torso, he watches closely and just for a second, time seems to slow....

He uses the leverage of the sword to hoist himself over the Upper rank, landing out of range.

Pkmpdi tries to attack the distracted Upper moon....

"Flame Breathing, 1st form"

He swings his sword at the demons neck.

*CLINK* (Imagine dread music)

Pkmpdi's sword goes flying in 2.

In the middle of his swing, Ryukendo delivers a powerful uppercut at Pkmpdi's Katana, snapping into 2 pieces.

Ryukendo launches a punch at Pkmpdis face. His sword barely redirects it, the punch grazing his eye and slashing his face open, causing it to bleed on the right side.

Pkmpdi stumbles back, his brain working overtime for a solution.

He sees the demon loading up for a powerful attack.

"THIS HAS BEEN A FUN BATTLE, BUT ITS ABOUT TIME IT ENDS" Ryukendo laughs

"DESTRUCTIVE DEATH, ANNIHILATION TYPE"

Pkmpdi sees Ryukendo charging up. His hands generating a huge amount of energy, glowing a bright blue and white....

Ryukendo squats, preparing to launch the attack...

Pkmpdi pulls his sword behind his head, he isnt backing down, he prepares for a Coup de Grace, his body begins burning, he smiles, his mark glowing red, flames almost appearing to engulf Pkmpdi.

"I will see my duty fulfilled"

Cold watches on, the two powerful forces preparing to clash one last time....

"Flame Breathing, ESOTERIC ART, 9TH FORM, RENGOKU!"

Pkmpdi dashes straight ahead towards Ryukendo in a huge firey burst, Pkmpdi screams as he charges foward, everything is on the line, the image of a huge flaming dragon charges straight at Ryukendo.

Ryukendo unleashes his attack straight back at Pkmpdi, Pkmpdi swings his sword, the collision sends dust and scatters debris all accross the battlefield, Cold cant see what happens as a gigantic firey tornado engulfs the 2 warriors.

Inside the endless Inferno, Pkmpdi slams his sword against the Upper ranks neck, he begins forcing it through as much as he can. He manages to avoid the blunt of the would be fatal attack, however the attack blows one of his arm clean off his shoulder.

Pkmpdi doesnt have the strength with just one arm to cut through, he twists his blade downwards.

Cold looks through the flames, and then he sees it. His vision becomes almost astral, he can see the movements of Ryukendo and Pkmpdi, down to a muscular level, he watches as Pkmpdi slams his blade down into the heart of Ryukendo, watching Ryukendos face turn to one of agony as his heart ruptured, as his right hand is sliced off in the process.

However, Ryukendo begins charging up his left hand, Pkmpdi is defenseless to the attack, his arm missing and his sword jammed, its inescapable.

Cold watches the punch approach, if that hits, it is going to crash straight through Pkmpdi's Liver, Lungs and then heart.

The attack connects as Pkmpdi winces, However, as Ryukendo pulls his arm away its...

Severed.....

*HISSSSS*

Hovering in the air to the side of the two combatants is Cold, his eyes wide, dark red flames shooting out of his mouth as he breaths. seemingly awakened or enlightened.

Ryukendo watches in shock, how did he react to that, how, its impossible, the attack was point blank....

Cold lands relaxed, both Ryukendo and Pkmpdi stunned.

Pkmpdi jumps backwards, yanking his sword from the demons chest, Ryukendo looks massively unnerved, they can sense a catastrophic attack is coming....

End part 5.

TW: Mentions of Suicide

Choice was born weighing 4lbs and over a month premature.

His mother suffered a ruptured uterus, meaning Choice had to be emergency C sectioned from his mother as to not drown in her blood.

Choice came out of the womb blue and not breathing, after intense efforts he was resuscitated and things began looking up for the young baby.

However a week later, his mother would later die of sepsis in the hospital. Due to improper handling of the procedure. To make things worse, his father abandoned his mother after he found out she was pregnant.

Choices first few years were tough. He had lots of complications, he had severe asthma and issues with his vision, hearing but most notably his growth.

Choice was taken in by his Grandparents, who raised him well in his early years, they made a good amount of money in their early years as farmers, and had now retired.

He loved his grandparents dearly, they tried their best to take care him, given their age they often struggled to take him to places, leaving him to be sheltered.

Choice joined the local school at 5. Due to his size and constant unwellness, he was commonly the victim of bullying. Kids would insult his appearance all throughout his childhood, making fun of his measly size as they grew, Choice always firmly remaining and approximate foot shorter than his peers.

He grew up with no friends at all and as much as his grandparents loved him, they were never truly able to teach him social skills and he didnt have anyone else to talk too outside of school.

This didnt help him and his social life. Kids would not only bully him for his short weak appearance, but also his social

unawareness and ineptness.

At age 8 Choices Grandfather passed away. This left a huge hole in his heart.

His grandmother later that year, gifted him with his first pet, a Bunny.

Choice loved his pet rabbit, for a long time it was his only friend, he lived with it for 2 years. Until one day after a day of school. A group of older boys followed Choice home.

The boys broke into Choices house, whilst his grandmother wasnt home. They beat him over the head, tore his room apart, poured cold water over him, smashed up his belongings, but it all hit a peak when one of these boys. Grabbed Choices rabbit by the ears, and twisted its neck 180° right infront of a weeping Choice.

Choices grandmother came home that day, seeing her young grandson, bruised, humiliated and heartbroken.

Choice never truly recoverd from this. But for his grandmother, that was the final straw.

She traveled miles with Choice. She found a Jiu Jitsu coach. At first the coach refused. "The boys would eat him alive, there's no chance"

But Choices grandmother refused to back down. After almost an hour of talking, the head coach finally allowed Choice to train.

So starting that day, Choice travelled miles daily to train with the group.

Choice didn't have the size or strength, but his technique was flawless from the get go, the Coach would demonstrate something only for choice to be able to execute it perfectly every time.

Choice was 2 months in and was able to outgrapple black belts, however they would begin to resent him for this, they'd use their overwhelming size difference to pin him down and crush him.

But thr Coach realised the Prodigy he had on his hands, he began paying for treatment for Choice, helping him grow slowly, not to anything magnificent, but enough to give him a fighting chance.

Around this time however, Choices Grandmother began suffering from a brain condition, Choice slowly watched as the woman who raised him wilted away, in her final days not even recognising him.

The Coach let choice live at the gym for free Choice that day, and that is Around the time he met the Coaches daughter.

The coaches daughter is different, from the get go, she treated choice with incredible kindness, she understood his social ineptness and unawareness, the pair immediately bonded, spending every day together, drawing, cooking, training.

She also had a Pet Snake named Few-Air, who acted bitter and Cold towards Choice.

Over the next few years they formed an incredibly close friendship, becoming inseparable.

Choice began competing in local tournaments, he was dismantling everyone, landing submissions with a speed never seen before in the sport.

On the evening of Choices 12th birthday, he has his first international tournament. He is flying over to the United States to compete in the world championship by himself.

He flew away for a weekend alone, effortlessly dismantling everyone there, submitting black belts 3 weight classes above him in exhibitions.

He flies home with a huge trophy and a gold medal, he gets off the plane with a huge smile on his face.

But he isnt greeted with one back.

Stood infront of him is the coach and on that day, he hears news that would never leave him.

The coaches daughter, took her own life.

Choices mind goes totally numb, he had no idea why, what had happened, why would she do that, she had always seemed so happy...

Choice ponders over it relentlessly, he tries to justify it in his head, but can't, he can't even remember the last conversation they had, his mind runs through all the scenarios of everything he could have done differently, but nothing makes any sense, choice doesn't even shed a tear. He is just... broken. Bewildered, his mind cant physically process what has happened.

Why does everyone he gets close to die, her begins believing he is cursed, he is the problem, he shuts himself off from the world, hides from the coach, believing himself to be guilty for the death of his daughter, he can't bare to look him in the eyes.

Choice falls into a deep depression, a constant feeling of mundanity lingering over his life. He reaches 16. But on one night, he leaves the house.

He walks, not expecting to come back. His path takes him to a tall bridge.

Choice leans over the railings. He stands there for nearly an hour. Just thinking.

He is almost done, until the serene silence is interrupted by the sound of screaming in the distance.

Choices barely functional ears perk up to the sound. Walks towards the sound, the run turning into a jog, the jog turning into a full on sprint.

He runs down a path that takes him to a house. The screaming is coming from inside.

He runs and swings the door open powerfully. Inside he sees what looks like the rabid shell of a human, attacking a girl around 14 years old.

Choice jumps at the creatures legs but it turns and grabs his wrists, slamming Choice to the ground.

Choice wraps his legs around the creature. Pulling it down with him. He catches its arm and tries to Armbar the creature but it's arm snaps back into place instantly.

The demon pulls its arm free. It claws powerfully at choices face, slicing through one of choices eyes fully blinding it. Leaving a gaping scar.

Choice spins the demon around, wrapping it in an incredibly tight guillotine choke, Choice holds the demon down with everything he can, he screams and screams as he squeezes and squeezes, until the demons head tears off. The head rolls out of the door into the early rising summer sun, as the demon turns to ash.

Choice stands up, bleeding heavily from his eye. He turns to see if the girl is alright, but before he can say anything, the girl embraces him tightly, crying "you saved my life" she weeps.

This event changes Choices perception of life, he found meaning for the first time in 4 years.

He travels back to the house of his Jiu Jitsu coach.

The coach is holding up ok. Choice explains why he left, he had to, what matters is he made it back in one piece.

Choice explains what happend with the girl in the cabin, the coach sighs.

*long boring speech about the demon slayer corps*

Choice is preparing to leave, but the coach stopped him.

"Before you go, there's one thing you should have" the coach says.

The coach holds our a large box, inside, coiled up, is an albino rat snake, but not just any, its Few-Air.

"This is just about the one thing my daughter loved as much as us..." the coach breaks up "I think you need a piece of her with you..."

Choice holds out a hand to Few-Air and unlike ever before, the snake slithers up his arms, coiling gently around his neck...

Choice eventually joins the Demon Slayer corps, becoming a hashira in a record month and a half.

On a more serious note, Suicide is the leading killer among young men and a huge killer among women to, it was important to me to include this in one of my stories as this is one of my only places to share my voice and Suicide is something that has effected me deeply at various parts of my life, im not asking for any sympathy u just ask if you are struggling please talk to someone, nobody deserves to go through the trauma of losing a loved one to Suicide.

Mental health helplines https://share.google/qKmCq0DMBWk3FMklC

Mental health services - NHS https://share.google/mvauMK7ceFIOImjyF

In the midst of all the Chaos, DumbRedditer is running along a tall ledge, all around him He hears commotion, but he is locked in on a demonic scent he picked up.

As he sprints he tries to process the situation he has found himself in. Mere hours ago him and his friends were talking and laughing, but know, theyre trapped in an endless hell, with no way out but to fight.

He comes to the edge of the ledge and looks up. There is a huge floating platform, sat there is a demon, a woman, holding a Biwa, with a huge awakened Eye, with "Upper 4" Written inside.

As she strikes the Biwa, he notices the Castle turning. He understands, she is the one controlling this castle.

He goes to draw his weapon, but feels something crash into him, sending him tumbling down a flight of stairs.

DumbRedditer looks up, expecting to see an attack, however stood towering above him, is non other than Yogurt....

"WELL IF IT ISNT THE SMALL FRY! DIDNT SEE YOU THERE" Yogurt boasts "WATCH THIS!!"

He squats powerfully before leaping through the air, he grabs his swords revealing 2 huge Nichirin Cleavers chained at the bottom.

"Sound brea-"

Suddenly his movement gets interrupted, as a huge wooden pillar slams into him from the side, launching him into a room.

Yogurt climbs up and peers out the hole in the wall.

"Too slow..." DumbRedditer laughs.

He leans himself low, grabbing his sword, his foot dragging against the floor...

"Thunder Breathing, 1st form, Thunderclap and Flash"

DumbRedditer in a thunderous Flash shoots towards the Biwa Demon. But a door opens infront of him...

He goes flying through the door, sending him falling, he is now to the demons right, he begins freefall, until something catches his Haori. He looks up and Yogurt has a tight grip on him...

"What was that about me being too slow, you didnt even get as close as me" he says before throwing DumbRedditer over his shoulder, as he lands behind him, a disgruntled look on his face.

*Meanwhile*

Cold is alone against Upper 3, Ryukendo.

The Upper rank is tightly gripping Colds Jaw "Now your little Hashira buddy is gone, we can have our long awaited conversation...." Ryukendo growls angrily.

Cold thinks fast, cutting off the demons hand in a sudden burst of flames, he kicks the demon in the chest, flipping backwards off him, landing on one knee, his sword held above his head, pointing at the demon.

"Destructive Death, Air Type"

"Hinokami Kagura, Burning Bones summer sun"

Ryukendo sends 4 Shockwaves at Cold, but Cold expertly absorbs them, twisting his blade similarly to Pkmpdi did earlier.

"IMPRESSIVE, YOU HAVE A NICE BATTLE IQ, TRY THIS ON FOR SIZE"

"Destructive Death, Leg Type, Flying Planet, Ten Thousand Wheels"

Ryukendo slides across the floor incredibly fast, attacking cold with a powerful upkick from below,

Cold blocks the attack but is blasted upwards with force, getting sent through a number of roofs.

Ryukendo leaps after him.

"Hinokami Kagura, Clear Blue Sky"

Cold reacts again, he spins his whole body into a powerful rotating strike, aimed at Ryukendo.

Ryukendo, Blocks the attack with both arms, Cold cuts through, but Ryukendo launches a kick after a spin. Cold blocks and goes sliding accross the floor.

Ryukendo lands comfortably infront of cold, a red lighting creating a dark creepy silhouette as the demons fresh hands burst out.

"That little breathing technique of yours really is discraceful" Ryukendos head tilts eerily "The way you swing your blade really burns now doesnt it..."

Cold takes the small talk as a chance to take a breather.

"That's the problem with you humans, you're all so pathetic and measly, not one of you can touch me" Ryukendo snarls bitterly.

Cold starts laughing. Ryukendo tilts his head the other way "What?" He tuts.

Cold smiles sadistically "You thought I'd forget didnt you...

I watched how you freaked out when Acro was holding you down, i watched how you squirmed to escape, how terrified you looked as the sun rises, how you ran away from me, knowing that you couldn't hurt me without being burnt to a crisp... its funny really... you and your kind are nothing, you are cowards, even Bitzan, he lives in fear.....

"OF ME...." A deeper voice cuts into Ryukendos head, he begins seeing double, his vision staticy and glitchy, as the ghost of THE STRONGEST appears to almost speak through Cold...

A wave of terror washes accross Ryukendo, He shudders violently, before the voice of Bitzan echoing through his head....

"KILL HIM..."

"Destructive Death, Ten Thousand Leaves Flashing Willow"

Ryukendo jumps to smash Cold into the ground, Cold jumps out of the way just in time, barely avoiding the attack.

"Destructive Death, Crown Splitter"

Ryukendo kicks straight up at a Cold, blasting him through a thick stone pillar.

Cold is winded, Ryukendo appears behind him and kicks him to the floor.

Midair Ryukendo sends more shockwaves through the air, Cold rolls out of the way, hiding behind another column.

Cold is panicking and tries to regain his breath. Ryukendo is a different monster, each attack feels like it could literally make him explode. Each attack seems like it has aimbot, he knows where cold is and always is going to be. Meanwhile Cold can barely land an attack unless its layed out for him.

Cold looks up and Ryukendo is stood straight infront of him. Ryukendo launches a knee aimed straight at Colds head.

"Hinokami Kagura, Fake Rainbow"

Cold dissappears in a beautiful gleaming glow.

Ryukendo turns to punch him but cold isn't there.

"Hinokami Kagura, Solar Heat Haze"

Cold leaps down from a pillar swinging at Ryukendo, Ryukendo laughs thinking the blade is nowhere near him, but suddenly the blade wavers and seemingly shoots foward.

Ryukendo reacts incredibly and dodges foward, his neck bursts with blood as he lands.

He giggles excitedly "Wowwww.... HOW EXCITING"

He turns around. Cold is mid attack.

"Hinokami Kagura, DANCE"

Cold unleashes a powerful downwards strike at Ryukendo, his blade erupting with solar flames....

But Ryukendo catches it effortlessly in-between his palms. Cold panics, he tries to get his sword free but can't, Ryukendos demonic physical strength is just too much, he feels his sword bending, he fights against it, he kicks Ryukendo but he doesnt even move an inch, Cold looks on in horror, he watches as Ryukendo bends his sword, he knows he can do anything.

"LOOK WHOS SQUIRMING NOW, I TOLD YOU, YOU ALL THINK YOURE SOMETHING SPECIAL UNTIL YOU MEET ME-"

*SWOOOSHHHH*

A burst of flames moving at blinding speed shoots past Ryukendo, a gentle trail of embers floating in the air in the gap between Ryukendos severed arms and his body.

Ryukendo and Cold look off to the left in shock, standing there, looking away, Pkmpdi stands, his bright yellow hair gently flowing, as is his firey cape.

He turns around, his eyes brighter than ever.

"You did a good job holding your own Cold, im impressed, sorry for putting you in that situation." Pkmpdi speaks confidently.

"Pkmpdi..." Cold says, his eyes glistening

"I always thought that my hate would be what killed you Upper 3, that the rage that burns inside me would grant me with unseen power, but this battle has freed me of that hatred and all of a sudden, I have nothing to lose, all the pain inside me has gone, i feel awakened more than ever before..."

Pkmpdi pulls his sword behind him and smiles... "Let's fire this place up shall we.... Upper 3."

Suddenly a Bright Red Mark burns accross the Face and neck of Pkmpdi, the image of a blazing Inferno seemingly surrounding him....

End part 4.

TW: Depictions of extreme violence and domestic abuse

Things are going well, GoW-BOY has just managed to defeat the replacement Upper rank 6, MammothChemistry.

across the castle small battles are being won, a large amount of Demon slayers were lost to the fall, but many others are holding their own.

However, far across the castle, Lonely has stumbled upon something, he sees a large pond, covered in Lily's, a Bridge heading straight towards a huge castle, he smells an incredibly strong smell of blood.

He walks accross the bridge, making his way to the door, his heart races but he does an expert job of remaining calm.

He steps towards the door and opens it, an odly bright light shining on his eyes forcing him to cover them.

The light suddenly fades to a shrouded dark light as he looks across the room.

The room is large, the pond still beneath, the room is made up of large platforms, and bridges.

Lonely looks straight foward and what he sees is sickening.

Sat there in the center on a large platform is a pile of corpses, covered in blood, limbs scattered accros, a mixture of woman and children all lay there lifeless and desecrated. Sat next to the corpses is a demon, with a long robe and tall hat, knawing away at a young child, the child is shrieking in agony, begging for help, screaming for his mother, but this gets drowned out by the sound of Bones crunching and blood squirting.

He sees a drop of blood fall from the ceiling, he looks up and sees hundreds of hanging bodies, some hole, some missing body parts, some are just missing their eyes others are just hanging heads.

The demon notices someone there is someone, it turns with a snap, its mouth dripping with blood and saliva, holding a severed head in one hand.

"Oh? I see someone has found me, are you a Hashira, dont you know it's rude to interrupt someone who is eating" The demon speaks.

Lonely tries to process what he has just walked in on, in his years of a demon slayer he has never seen anything like this, this demon isn't an animal, it doesn't eat humans to survive or to fight, this demon is a monster, a truly evil being, something that should never exist.

He looks closer at the demon, it has bright blue eyes, he sees the writing "Upper 2" engraved inside its eyeball.

Lonely simply sighs, staring at the demon coldly, but something changes, out from behind the demon crawls a little boy.

"PLEASE HELP ME, IM BEGGING YOU" The boy screams, crying as he reaches out.

Lonelys eyes widen, his mind flashing back to his childhood...

His little brother reaching out and crying, begging him for help, before his father grabs him by the ankles and begins pummeling him to the floor.

He snaps back to reality, watching as the demon notices the little boy.

The demon pulls out a fan, swinging it at the boy.

*CLASH*

The demon looks down, its eyes widening in mild surpise, he sees Lonely, knelt above the young boy, his sword blocking the fan, but something is different, Lonely has a Bright Red water shaped mark burnt accross his face.

A sudden but incredibly powerful chill fills the room, as ice begins blooming off from the demons fan, Lonely has to react fast as he leaps away from the demon.

He lands accross the water. He tries to readjust himself, trying to protect the boy...

But a long icey lotus vine shoots out from under the bridge, it wraps around the boys neck tightly, lifting him into the air, the child kicks the air trying to pull the vine away but its hopeless, his body falls limp with a crunch, as the demon throws the boy accross the room, landing straight infront of Lonely.

Lonely looks down at the body of the young boy, his blood boiling with a rage he didnt think he was capable of feeling.

He looks up at the Upper rank, casually wiping the blood off its mouth, this was the demon Choice encountered and now Lonely has to face it by himself.

"That was impressive, are you a Hashira, what an interesting mark you have, I could feel the heat radiating off you" The demon asks.

Lonely spits to the side and jumps straight at the demon.

"Water Breathing, 1st form, Water Surfice Slash"

Lonely swings his sword with incredible force, a huge surging wave of water following behind. But he hits nothing...

Did he... miss?

No, he was sure he was on target, he places his step perfectly, so how did he not hit the demon...

Is it really just... THAT FAST

The demon pulls out both if its fans, swinging them through the air.

"Blood demon art, Frozen Lotus"

As the demon swings its fans, it summons beautiful crystal ice sculptures of Lotus flowers, however these sculptures immediately shatter, the fans blowing sharp freezing cold air towards the Water hashira.

"Water Breathing, 6th Form, Whirlpool"

Lonely twists his body swinging his sword. His movements are able to deflect some of the ice particles away, however some slip through, tearing away at his Haori.

"I see, so you're the Water Hashira huh, how tasteful, since I know who you are, allow me to introduce myself, My name is Wise-Weeb, and if you haven't worked it out already" Weeb grotesquely reaches in for his eyeball, pulling it out, displaying it to Lonely "I am the Upper rank 2 of the 2 Kizuki"

"What makes you think i would care who you are, you're just a demon to me, either way this is going to end with your head on the fl-"

Suddenly before Lonely finishes his sentence, Weeb is stood right infont of him, his razor sharp mid swing aiming straight for his neck.

"Water Breathing, 11th form, Dead Calm" In an uncomfortablely last minute attempt to block, Lonely drops his blood pressure, becoming perfectly calm and deflecting the incoming attack in a flash.

But as he turns again he notices something...

His sword.... its broken

Lonely leaps further back... but his body feels fatigued, he feels his temperature drop massively due to the ice.

"What a shame, it seems my Ice was able to negate that little mark of your" the demon let's off an evil grin, showing his bloody teeth.

Lonely feels his breathing become laboured, he feels his lungs start bleeding, resisting the urge to cough, he is running out of time.

He grits his teeth and leaps towards the Demon with everything he has left.

"Water Breathing, 10th form, Constant Flux"

Water bursts out of his blade as he swings at the demon, the demon effortlessly deflects it, but lonely presses, forward faster, a huge water dragon roaring with each strike, he is giving it everything, the demon defends, he fights through fatigue, but the demon has no issue keeping up at all.

Lonely squats low and tries to cut the demons torso in half but the demon dodges with incredible speed.

He turns and swings again, but one of his hands goes flying off, he swings at the demons neck. But Weeb doesn't even bother defending, the blade connects, but not with his neck, the demon casually places the fan infront of his neck, blocking the attack.

Lonely pushes as hard as he can, but irs helpless, he feels his grip on his sword fall.

He collapses to the floor, writhing in pain. His lungs slashed to pieces, he coughs and gags as blood comes flying out

He looks up at the demon, standing over him, the image straight out of a horror movie, a tall silhouette with two huge fans and a sadistic wide smile, his mind flashes back again to his father, standing over him.

Lonely was born into a tough family, his mother died when he was born, he was the youngest out of 7 boys, however, lonely never met 6 of his siblings.

His father was a decorated Water Hashira, and all he cared about was legacy. Lonelys brothers were seen as huge failures for not being able to perform water breathing, which is supposed to be the easiest of them all to perform.

Most of Lonelys brothers ran away, but him and his brother born just months remained together, they both trained, they both tried their hardest, but Lonelys older brother just couldn't do it.

One day after a training session, Lonely's brother fell over, in fatigue, the force of the breathing style just too much for his 6 year old body to handle.

His father lashed out, kicking the boy to the ground, he cried out for Lonelys help. But there was nothing the young boy could do, he froze in fear.

Lonelys dad grabbed his older brother by the neck, and Lonely had to watch as his little brother got beaten to death right infront of him.

From that day onwards, Lonely never spoke a word out of line, he kept training, he had too, he joined the corps, but not because he wanted to, he had to for survival.

The light drains from Lonelys eyes as he runs out of oxygen.

Weeb looks down at Lonely, enjoying watching him suffer, he watches as he stops breathing....

He reaches out, grabbing Lonely by the scruff of his collar, lifting him up.

Weebs face begins transforming, his mouth grotesquely growing and widening, hundreds of sharp teeth begin creeping out through his mouth, he brings Lonley closer to his mouth, ready to bite his head clean off...

*BANG BANG*

2 loud gunshots wring out, from underneath the bridge leaving a huge hole, Weeb drops Lonely and dodges out the way, as Mounim climbs slowly out of the hole, looking angrier than ever, growling and drooling like a rabid animal, his gun smoking as he reloads it.

*meanwhile*

Elsewhere in the castle, Cold and Pkmpdi are still running around, hunting an Upper Rank demon.

Suddenly from miles away. Cold detects a sound, the ground begins shaking incredibly violently.

"HOLD ON" Pkmpdi yells, the two demon slayers begin looking around.

Theres rumblings that can be felt for miles, Almost everyone feels is as structures hundreds of meters away collapse from the floors...

"ABOVE" Cold yells.

With incredible force absolutely decimating the room they were fighting in...

RYUKENDO COMES SMASHING THROUGH THE CEILING WITH INCREDIBLE FORCE, Leaving Cold and Pkmpdi to jump backwards, the shockwave so powerful their eardrums nearly burst and their Noses bleed

"DADDYS HOME" A voice yells "ITS BEEN A WHILE COLD CHALLENGE"

"RYUKENDO" Cold screams intensely drawing his sword with force....

End part 2.

Going away for a bit so hopefully this gives you all a chance to catch up

Ecologica was born into a fairly normal household, she was raised as an only child by a loving mother and father, she grew up surrounded br friends and everything was shaping up to be perfect.

To make things better, Ecologica was a young genius, from a very young age she was able to read and write, being leagues above her peers, from just 6 years old she was able to to solve complex math, but science was her bread and butter.

She was fascinated by medicine and chemistry, studying the human body, diseases and how theyre treated, her parents gifted her with a small chemistry kit for her birthday, something she used daily, she was shaping up to have an amazing life as a doctor.

However something changed, her Mothers health was rapidly declining, she collapsed and was taken into hospital.

It turns out just after Ecologica was born, she was diagnosed for an incredibly rare hereditary brain condition, slowly over the years her brain had been rapidly deteriorating over years.

For years prior Ecologica remained unaware as her mother slowly began to lose her motor function, stammering and forgetting things, losing mobility in one of her hands and suffering seizures, all of which she hid from her daughter to give her the most normal childhood she could.

But now there was no hiding it, her brain had shrunk so far to the point she couldn't even stand up. In hitting her head she had a brain bleed, one that she would never recover from, her Mother remains bedridden to this day, her speech limited to loud mumbling, unable to walk freely.

After this, Ecologica was immediately tested and it was found that Ecologica was not only suffering from the same condition, but subtle bleeding and deterioration was spotted around her Hippocampus (the part of her brain controlling her memory).

In an ironic tragedy, the girl who was blessed with a genius brain, giving her unheard of intelligence, but that same brain is a ticking time bomb, slowly killing her.

After this her goal changed, she became dedicated to studying, rare and incurable diseases, she joined a University research team at 13, together her and her team worked vigorously, developing cures and treatments for diseases once thought untreatable.

However the cure for her brain remains unknown, as her brain continues to deteriorate, she begins developing a stammer and struggles with her short term memory, having to constantly write things down.

One night her and her team are working late on a cold evening. Ecologica goes to grab a drink, the bathroom tap being the only working place to get water from.

She fills up her glass, drinking it gently, looking at herself in the mirror, she walks out the door...

Before her is a horrific sight, blood and bodies everywhere, all their research destroyed, their team murdered, slash marks everywhere, not a sight of a killer.

Ecologica pauses in sickness, her face turning blue, she stands there stunned struggling to process what could jive possibly happened in the few moments she has been gone.

Hours pass and the university opens again, the smell of blood reeks through the halls, a professor walks through into the room and sees the horrid bloodbath, Ecologica still stood there in shock.

The professor runs and tackles her, to the floor soaking her in blood, screaming for someone to call the police.

Ecologica gets arrested, everyone knows she is innocent, there's no way a 14 year old of her size could create such destruction, but with so many dead they feel a need for justice, it doesn't help she can barely speak to defend herself, after a short, rushed and unfair trail she is sentenced to be executed the very next day.

Until...

Suddenly the guards walk in and open the door. They're followed by an incredibly tall man, as out from the shadows steps Acro.

Ecologica looks up at Acro in shock, confused as to what is happening.

"Come my child, follow me" He speaks

Ecologica stands and stumbles, following after a him, the guards not questioning it.

Acro takes the young Ecologica to his mansion, as she walks in she is greeted by the warm welcome of Pkmpdi and Sophiya.

She watches as they smile back at her.

"Sit, allow us to explain" Acro says.

Eco sits down, the three hashira looking across at her.

"I am truly sorry for what you have had to go through, we know it wasnt you who killed those people" Acro says

Eco stays silent, before finally speaking.

"Who..." she says, her body shaking.

"We belive it was the work of a man eating demon"

Ecologicas eyes widen "D-d-d-d-demon? I-i thought they w-werent real"

Acro lowers his head "yes, we try to keep them out of the public knowledge, but there is only so much we can do, me and my friends here are part of a group called the demon slayer corps...(long boring monologue about the DS corps) However, we belive the murder of your group wasn't the work of any demon. But an Upper rank (long boring monologue about the 12 kizuki)"

After a while of thinking, Ecologica decides she wants to fight for the Demon Slayer corps, however her condition makes it difficult, her muscles are too weak to lift and wield a proper sword, let alone cut off a demons head.

So she does what she does best, she developed a powerful potent poison, strong enough to kill most demons wirh just a single thrust.

Not to mention, total concentration breathing manages to massively reduce swelling and deterioration of her brain and whilst she is still slowly dying, her life expectancy has increased by 75%.

Ecologica eventually makes her way to be the Insect Hashira after defeating 50 demons.

She continues researching ways to kill powerful Upper ranks, its believed her current poison is enough to beat a lower end Upper rank demon with enough injections.

However the elusive treatment to a withering brain is still out of her reach.

Cold begins falling again, incredibly fast, Bitzan slowly fading out of view, he looks around, scanning his surroundings, it's incredible, structures everywhere, houses, staircases, rooms, bridges, lights, stretching as far as he can see.

He cant see any of the other Hashira, one moment ago they were all meters apart now they are nowhere to be seen.

He can't get his bearings, he is tumbling trying to find his balance but can't, he barely manages to avoid crashing into a huge wooden platform.

But its no use, not much further down is a large concrete floor, there's nothing to grab on to, not enough time to use a Breathing technique anymore, its unavoidable....

Cold reaches out in despair and then...

*swoosh*

In a small burst of flames, Pkmpdi jumps out from the side, catching cold, sending him gliding across a smooth wooden floor.

Cold turns around "Pkmpdi!!!!" He exclaims excitedly.

A DEMON JUMPS AT HIM FROM BEHIND WHILST HE ISNT LOOKING.

"Hinokami Kagura, Dance"

Cold spins his body, easily beheading the demon in one swing.

The building rumbles as a huge set of doors appear right infront of them.

The doors bugle open as a hoared of demons burst out.

Cold springs into action, Pkmpdi following suit.

"Hinokami Kagura, Burning Bones, summer sun"

"Flame Breathing, 4th form, Blooming Flame Undulation"

In a flurry of twisting flames the 2 demon slayers move perfectly in unison, they slice through all the demons without breaking a sweat.

*meanwhile*

Sophiyah and Pooninkle are sprinting through the castle together, jumping from structure to structure, they easily dismantle each and every opponent they come up against in a mixture of chaos and grace, Sophiyahs wild swings combined with Pooninkle harmonious twirling blade

*meanwhile*

Ecologica and Choice have managed to end up getting pulled into the same door together. The sound of a rapid powerful slithering is heard as Choice speeds through the surface of the castle Causing rumblings.

He beheads around 10 demons in an instant. He comes face to face with another one, he slowly closes in, sword in hand, the demon quivering.

Few Air jumps off of Choices neck and wraps himself around the demons neck. Squeezing tightly, strangling the demon powerfull, the demon claws at the snake but it does nothing.

And in a burst of blood a sword thrusts though the back of its head, the demon begins slowly melting as Ecologica pulls her sword out of the demons head.

*meanwhile*

Lonely walks along a bridge in the castle, his hed hung solumly as he strolls in the darkness.

He hears footsteps walking across from him. A tall demon hunched over strolling towards him with huge claws.

The demon swings at Lonely but he doesn't flinch, instead he jumps straight at the demon, hovering in the air behind it, a winding trail of water behind him, the demons limbs fall to pieces as it topples over the bridge, falling into the abyss

*meanwhile*

Levy and OG explore the castle together, jumping between structures.

Levy jumps off a ledge and sees a huge Hoarde of demons below.

"Love breathing, 5th form, Swaying Love, Wildclaw"

She draws her sword, long and winding. She flips in the air, her sword twirling in an explosive pink swirl, decimating all the demons in an instant.

The ground rumbles and opens infront of Levy, as another hoard of demons shoot up, lunging at her.

A one of the demons reaches out towards Levy, but its hand comes flying off.

As from above. OG jumps overhead, locking eyes with the demon upside down.

"Wind Breathing, 8th form, Primary Gale Slash"

He swings his sword with speed sending out a wide arching slash of green wind, easily cutting through all the Demons in a screeching Gale echoing loud.

*meanwhile*

GoW-BOY walks alone down a dark eerie corridor, seemingly endless the light flickering with each step, he senses something, to his left he opens a door, and finds himself in a room, lit by just a single orange lantern.

"Come out MammothChem you're not fooling anyone" GoW-BOY hisses.

A long creepy hand wraps around a sliding door, slowly pulling it open, as out the darkness steps a demon, eyes glowing blue, hair black and matted, a blade attached at the hip. And deep within the demons eyes, is engraved "Upper 6"

The voice growls and cackles "its been a long time hasn't it, it seems youve grown disrespectful... thats no manner to talk to your father" the demon gloats....

GoW-BOY cocks his head to the side "you're no father to me, as far as I care I only had one parent"

The demon scoffs "and I stopped having a son the day that he let my wife die.."

GoW-BOY finally snaps "AND WHAT? YOUR ANSWER TO THAT WAS TO BECOME A DEMON, BETRAY EVERYTHING YOU TAUGHT ME, TURN AWAY FROM THE ONE PERSON WHO STILL CARED FOR YOU, I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD, THEY SAID YOU COMMITED SEPUKKU, UNTIL I FIND OUT THIS IS WHAT BECAME OF YOU"

"WHAT CHOICE DID I HAVE... I WASNT GOING TO LOOK AFTER A SNIVELLING LOSER LIKE YOU, LOOK AT YOU, YOURE NO MAN, I HAD TO PROTECT MYSELF, AND NOW I CAN, MY POWER IS UNMATCHED"

MammothChem reaches for his sword.

"THUNDER BREATHING, FIRST FORM, THUNDERCLAP AND FLASH"

He drops to a lowered stance and in a bright black flash he shoots straight towards GoW-BOY.

A cloud engulfs GoW-BOY, as he seemingly dissapears in an instant (think muichiros HCK2 throw animation)

The back of MammothChemistrys neck erupts with blood.

'He... cut my neck, how" he thinks to homself as he panics, jumping back and regenerating followed by his mid length hair.

He turns slowly giggling psychotically "Breath of Mist i see... how interesting"

In a flash he is inches away from GoW-BOY, his sword aimed and swinging with force.

"Thunder Breathing, 2nd form, Rice spirit"

GoW-BOY is able to react just in time.

"Mist breathing, 2nd form, 8 Layerd Mist"

The pair exchange strikes, a mixture of Lightning and Mist clashing together with force. Sending shockwaves through the room.

However the physical presence of MammothChemistry is overwhelming, GoW-BOY gets pushed back, he feels the heat of the lightning, something is different, he cant just see it, its real...

MammothChemistry leaps straight at GoW-BOY again.

"Thunder breathing, 3rd form, Thunder Swarm"

MammothChem attacks GoW-BOY again, GoW-BOY blocks the first attack but MammothChem appears behind him, each attack leaving an afterimage as GoW-BOY is barely able to defend himself, MammothChem attacks from above sending GoW-BOY crashing through the floor onto an open roof.

"Whats wrong, you dont want to dissapoint your father even more now do you" He yells manically, landing infront of GoW-BOY.

"Mist breathing, 5th form, Sea of Clouds and Haze"

GoW-BOY shoots forward, Mist engulfing him, MammothChem has struggled perceiving him, his movements unclear and hazy.

GoW-BOY attacks with force, pushing the Upper rank demon back.

"Thunder Breathing, 4th form, Distant Thunder"

MammothChem strikes back immediately, leaping at GoW-BOY, unleashing numerous powerful slashes, GoW-BOY struggles to react, sustaining shallow cuts across his body, as the demon lands behind him.

The demon turns, expecting GoW-BOY to be weakened.

"Mist breathing, 4th form, Shifting Flow Slash"

GoW-BOY attacks low, as a rapid fast breeze of mist shoots a cross the floor, he swings at the demons legs, cutting them both off in a fast motion.

The demon flips back and lands comfortably back on freshly regrown legs.

"Thunder breathing, 5th form, Heat Lightning"

MammothChem swings his sword from range, but pillars of red burning lightning come out, GoW-BOY tries to react but cant.

Suddenly thousands of volts of blood infused electricity go straight through GoW-BOYs body, leaving him stunned and screaming in agony.

He tries his hardest to resist, but his muscles are seizing.

"WHATS WRONG, DONT YOU THINK ITS AMAZING, HOW POWERFUL MY BLOOD INFUSED ATTACKS ARE" MammothChem cackles

GoW-BOYs skin becomes cracked and torn as he begins feeling himself passing out...

He slips into unconsciousness, his mind going numb.... not again, is he going to die... not like this.

His body heats up under the effects of the lightening, gettinf higher and higher and higher.

GoW-BOY thinks to his mom, how she used to sing him lullabies at night whilst his father would be away fighting, the woman who adored him, died for nothing, and the only remaining thing she loved is about to die, her legacy is about to end, she is about to die for nothing.

After she died GoW-BOY had nothing left to live for, no reason to keep going, if it hadn't have been for Pkmpdi noticing the potential in him and the relentless care and training from Choice, he would have amounted to nothing, just another Orphan boy lost to the system.

The image of Cold crosses his mind, he finally found someone he loved, yet he was too scared to say how he felt and now never might, he keeps thinking of cold, all their battles, all their romantic moments, his heart beating, faster, faster, faster....

His eyes swing open, his body burning and his heart beating...

He feels an incredible heat crossing his face, but its something different this time....

*A BRIGHT RED MARK APPEARS*

GoW-BOY awakens a new strength he has never had before, he picks his sword up and cuts through the lightening, darting straight at the Upper rank.

Blood erupts from the demons neck, him barely keeping his head on.

He turns around, in a mixture of rage and fear as a he regenerates.

"THUNDER BREATHING, 6TH FORM, RUMBLE AND FLASH"

He swings his sword from a distance, letting out a powerful force of tens of hundreds of gigavolts of incredibly fast listening aimed straight at GoW-BOY.

GoW-BOY remains incredibly calm

"Mist Breathing, 7th form, Obscuring Clouds"

A Huge sea of fog covers the battlefield as GoW-BOY dodges the attack effortlessly.

MammothChem scans the area, but he cant see GoW-BOY, suddenly he appears, he swings and misses, GoW-BOY is behind him again, but he dissapears in a poof of mist yet again. Suddenly he hears GoW-BOYs voice behind him, he goes to turn around, but his head doesn't follow his body.

As the fog clears he realises, He has been decapitated.

He can do nothing but watch as he sees his body crumble, cut into dozens of pieces, his son walking past it.

His head hits the floor and rolls, the image of his son filling him with a sudden wave of grief as his human side creeps in.

But its too late, his head crumbles away, GoW-BOY did it, he defeated an Upper Rank demon alone.

His mark fades and his body collapses instantly, but the image of his mother echos throughout his mind, a proud smile accross her face.

"CAW CAW, GOW-BOY HAS DEFEATED UPPER 6 BY HIMSELF, I REPEAT GOW-BOY HAS DEFEATED UPPER RANK 6 BY HIMSELF"

A message of hope echos throughout the castle they are scoring victories already, things are going their way...

End Part 1

Cold wakes up refreshed, 2 days ago he completed the final level of his Hashira training, the past days being dedicated purely to recovery, he feels sharp and in better shape than ever before, the Hashira really put him through his paces.

He leaves the house to meet with his companions, they are all sat on a bench, GoW-BOY blushes and DumbRedditer gives him a subtle nod.

The 2 others completed their final test yesterday, their bodies fatigued, they are to head to visit The Insect Hashira, Ecologica, for a final checkup to make sure they are all battle ready.

The trio head down to her mansion. She is the only Hashira the trio haven't run into yet, they're unsure why, they enter the mansion, a huge building is surrounded by nothing but flowers, insects of all shapes and sizes flying and hopping around.

A door opens gently and a soft spoken voice is heard...

"Hello, Good Afternoon" the voice gently speaks.

The trio look up and stood there is the insect hashira, Ecologica, greeting them with a gentle smile.

Cold and GoW-BOY wave, but DumbRedditers face turns a bright red, his heart beating so fast you can see the blood pumping through his veins.

Eco has a confused look on her face, Cold and GoW-BOY both staring at DumbRedditer in embarrassment.

"Please, come in" Eco says, opening the door further.

The trio begin getting physically examined, by Eco, Cold and GoW-BOY get passed through easily, but DumbRedditer has a hard time acting normal, as the Hashira remains professional, checking him for wounds.

After the checkup they all sit down, Ecologica walks out.

"Congratulations... you all passed your final exams, I consider you all fit and at your current peak" Ecologica says with a smile.

A wave of relief washes over all the demon slayers, Colds face bearing a smile as he leans and hugs GoW-BOY, a warm blush rushing across the femboys face.

Ecologica walks to DumbRedditer, gently patting him on his head.

"You did such a great job, well done, im proud of you"

DumbRedditer melts to the floor, butterflies all in his stomach, his nose bleeding as he drools at the mouth.

After a bit longer the trio prepare to leave, as they walk out the door, a familiar loud, cocky voice can be heard

"Well well.. if it isn't the small fry" as in bursts Yogurt, the Sound Hinoe, loud and confident as ever before

A look of anger dawns DumbRedditers face, his heart begins burning, its the cocky Hinoe who almost cost him his life against a Demon a few months back.

"Hi! I dont think we've me before, yet you look... familiar" says Cold.

Yogurt laughs "well I wouldn't be surprised if you have seen my face, especially if the people are already painting murals on their houses of me.. My name is Yogurt, if you didn't already know"

A look of confusion crosses GoW-BOY and Colds faces, DumbRedditer begins burning even more.

Yogurt pauses "I see, you must be in awe at the mere sight of a PEAK male like me, Anyway... alas (for you) I must leave, the insect hashira wants to see me"

Yogurt barges past DumbRedditer, and he snaps...

*Zip*

With the sound of static, DumbRedditer appears behind Yogurt, placing a hand on his shoulder.

Yogurt turns slowly, towering over DumbRedditer letting out a slight 'hmph?'

DumbRedditer looks up, teething with rage and with a cold expression, he speaks

"You put your dirty hands anywhere near mommy, im going to make you beg for death"

"YOU WHAT?" Yogurt tells he turns squaring up to DumbRedditer.

Cold and GoW-BOY have to jump in the way to break the two up before they hurt one another.

2 hours later.

The sun is beginning to fall slowly, Cold has just one place he wants to visit before he leaves, the grave of Acro, recently moved away from the corps headquarters, for unknown reasons, he travels miles away to reach it.

He arrives at sunset, he walks up a hill and as he reaches the top, he sees the grave, as beautiful as ever, the sun directly behind it, creating a stunning silhouette, as he steps closer he sees a figure of a person, stood tall, his cape blowing in the wind, is Pkmpdi, simply staring at the grave.

Cold approaches closely, the wind gently brushing through his hair.

"Hello Cold" Pkmpdi says calmly

Colds eyes widen "Pkmpdi, Hi..."

"Its nice to see people make the trip out here, Acro was a..." he stumbles, his voice breaking a little "a great friend..."

Cold listens attently, walking closer, standing alongside Pkmpdi.

"When I joined the corps, I graduated final selection with 2 others, Jelly-Burgers-Dog (JBD) and Peak_Incidence(Peak), JBD was a student of Thunder Breathing and Peak was a student of Water Breathing.

Together we were all prodigies, all trained by Hashira, my father being the former flame Hashira.

People in the corps started referring to us as the "Terrible Trio" as we would hunt demons together and killed 37 between the 3 of us in a year.

One night we were called to fight a demon, that demon was a lower rank, the lower rank 2 at the time.

The demon had an incredible blood demon art, it was overwhelming... JBD and Peak didn't make it and me, defeating the demon alone, meant I became the Flame Hashira.

I didnt and still dont deserve it. Those two worked so hard and got in their position through skill alone, im nothing but a nepo baby, a Hashira through lineage and nothing more.

After that I shut myself off, i neglected mt duties as a hashira, my actions undoubtedly lead to the deaths of innocent people, I treated my colleagues awfully, bullied lower rank Corps members for my own amusement.

And then Acro stepped in, he beat the shit out of me, put me in my place. But then he sat down with me, spoke to me, levelled with me and slowly I began to come out of my shell again.

My walls came down and I felt this overwhelming desire to help people, ill never forget the words he said to me, 'You're a Flame Hashira, not just any Hashira, you have responsibilities, people who need you, you have no choice but to carry on and ever... if you are feeling disheartened, that you are somehow not enough... Set Your Heart Ablaze'.

Those words carried me through every day... and then he passed, and i felt myself slipping, my body filled with regret and hatred, why did it have to be him and not me.

But his words spoke louder, and I refused to let his death mean nothing, that's the only reason im still going."

Cold looks on stunned, listening to the Flame Hashira talk so fondly of Acro gives him double vision, the image of Acro stood next to Pkmpdi.

"I think he would be proud of that" Cold says.

Pkmpdi smiles.... but after a short silence........

'SQUAWK SQUAWK, THE MASTER MEDICAL ESTATE IS UNDER ATTACK'

Pkmpdi's crow screams the message, an intruder, directly attacking the Masters estate.

The warm moment is immediately killed as a mixture of shock and horror is immediately worn by both the demon slayers, they begin following the crow to the mansion.

*meanwhile*

The night is new, thunder is rumbling in the clouds above, a dark fog is dawning the Masters Estate, the master and his wife are laying together. The masters face is purple and disgusting, his wife is clinging to him tightly, they stare across the cold stoned courtyard, as the gates begin to slowly eerily creak open...

A wave of thick fog comes bursting through the gates.

Click

Click

Click

Click.....

And through the fog, his shoes tapping on the concrete walks out....

**Bitzan KiBITsuji**

He creeps towards MedicalPoem.

"Bitzan, you arrived...." Medical says

"I must say im thrilled, for centuries you and your little army of pests have hindered my every move, it ends tonight, im going to kill you and then dismember your Hashira" Bitzan interrupts

"I see, after so mant years of life you have grown arrogant, this mission of defeating you has grown to a scale you could never imagine, after your stunt at the Freakytown arc, the public is aware of you now, we no longer have to operate in the shadows, we have people volunteering more than ever and since then we've cut your upper ranks in half...

you can tear everything you see before down to splinters, but the heart of a young boy or girl who's family you killed somewhere far away, will be more than enough to keep the desire to defeat you alive" Medical speaks gently.

Bitzan turns up his nose "So? Don't you know that all your progress will amount to nothing, I can't be defeated, I cant die, i can't be beaten, this hopeless dream of yours makes me sick"

Medical laughs.

"Whats so funny?" Bitzan snarls.

"You told one lie just now... you have been beaten, 500 years ago to this day, I know the stories of the golden generation, and the founder... Redhotphones.."

Bitzan visibly twitches.

"I know how he cut you to shreds, how you ran, that's how I knew you would be here today, his image haunts you, you want to destroy the only semblance of his legacy, and most of all... You want to Kill Cold-Challenge"

Bitzan reaches his arm out, it twitches, preparing to kill Medical......

***BANG***

The whole mansion begins bursting into flames, a huge shockwave tears through the building, followed by a huge fireball.

The roof shoots thousands of tiles into the sky, a firey cloud mushrooms high in the sky, the Hashira are approaching, they stop in shock as they see this, debris fallinf all around them

Bitzan tries to absorb it, its just gunpowder, it should do nothing... but he takes damage... worse he is struggling to regenerate.

100 tonnes of Nichirin infused gunpowder was laced beneath the Masters estate all along, he sacrificed homself and his wife, simply for a cheap sucker punch, but Bitzan is already regenerating, he climbs his way back to his feet... but he feels something else...

He turns around, and small gun pellets are flying towards him, and stood there is Mounim, drooling at the mouth, eyes bright red...

Biztan cuts through them, but instantly they explode into bright spikes impaling him down to a near cellular size.

"A demon?" Bitzan thinks "no, he must have eaten one and gained his power, but being able to retain it is something ive never heard of"

And to make things worse....

A hand, jabbed through his stomach...

He looks down and stood there with Her hand in his chest is Lady Scholarstein....

"WHAT... YOURE SUPPOSED TO BE-"

"DEAD... AHAHA" She interrupts "WHATS WRONG YOU LOOK LIKE YOUVE SEEN A GHOST, HE LET ME LIVE, YOU RAN, AND HE FREED ME FROM YOU AND SINCE THEN IVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CORPS FOR CENTURIES TO COME UP WITH THIS!!!" Lady Scholarstein laughs

"WHAT A CHEAP SHOT, ILL JUST ABSORB YOU AND KILL ALL THE HASHIRA" Bitzan screams back

"YOU DID IT DIDNT YOU, YOU ABSORBED MY FIST, I DID IT" an evil demonic grin widens "YOU'RE WORST NIGHTMARE IS ABOUT TO BECOME A REALITY, YOU JUST ABSORBED A DRUG TO TURN DEMONS INTO HUMANS, AND RIGHT NOW YOUSUCKTAKEN2 IS TAKING IT TOO"

A look of pure rage goes across biztans face as he begins trying to crush Lady Scholarsteins head.

"NOW CHOICE" She yells...

Out of nowhere moving at a speed she cant see bursts Choice, winding and slithering towards Bitzan.

"Blood demon art, Black Blood Brambles:

He tries to use his blood demon art but its flimsy and nowhere near full power, even so Choice struggles to react.

"Serpent Breathing, 3rd form, Coil Choke"

He twists through the air at incredible angles cutting through the brambles instantly, the image snake trailing behind, hissing at Bitzan, his attack presses, he leaps over Biztan, cutting his head off.

As Choice lands, his sword held close to his head, pointing at Biztan, not a hint of fear in his eyes.

Bitzans flesh stretches, out to his decapitated head, catching it midair, attaching it back like it was nothing

Then the other hashira begin to arrive.

The first is Sophiyah, jumping on a wall.

Then OG cuts through the rubble.

Pooninkle leaps through the air landing comfortably

Lonely sprints and srops Abruptly.

Levy leaps on the wall and looks horrified.

Ecologica darts in through the woods.

And then last but not least Pkmpdi and Cold run up together, stopping in their tracks.

Colds eyes lock to Bitzan, his eyes narrow, a feeling of sickness flushes in his stomach, the gruesome image of his murdered family flashing in an out with the man who did it stood right infront of him

He draws his swords with enough force for it to send a shiver down the spine of Pkmpdi

"BITZANNNNN" He screams at the top of his lungs

The words echoing, suddenly the Hashira realise what theyre up against, the demon king, the one behind it all.

"HE IS IMMUNE TO DECAPITATION, WE HAVE TO HOLD HIM HERE" Choice yells out...

The hashira all look on in horror at the task a head, but one of them doesn't hesitate...

"Wind Breathing, 2nd form" OG pounces, starting a chain reaction

"Water Breathing, 8th form"

"Serpent Breathing, 1st form"

"Insect Breathing, Dance of the Horsefly"

"Love breathing, 3rd form"

"Beast breathing, 2nd Fang"

"Flower Breathing, 6th Form"

"Flame Breathing, 5th form"

"HINOKAMI KAGURA"

Cold and the Hashira surround Bitzan, surely they can do it, everything is going according to plan....

Bitzan grins........

A biwa echos loud, as Cold touches the ground, a door opens and swallows him hole...

He begins falling... fast

The hashira all watch in shock as they get sucked into the ground, they look beneath them....

Buildings after buildings, lights everywhere, seemingly going on forever, a huge endless structure its chaos as the Hashira fall.

Cold finds his footing on a ledge, looking up he sees Bitzan lowering down on a platform...

"YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD ME CORNERED, DID YOU NOT THINK ID HAVE AN ESCAPE PLAN, IM GOING TO SLAUGHTER EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TONIGHT" Bitzan exclaims

"IM GOING TO SEND YOU STRAIGHT TO HELL, YOULL NEVER ESCAPE MY BLADE BITZAN" Cold yells back....

"DO IT THEN.. IF YOU CAN... COLD CHALLENGE" Bitzan answers confidently.

As the ground opens beneath Cold, sending him tumbling into the unknown once again

The end.