Fergus starts narrating about how living in the wilderness is a cruel competition of life, a contest of selection. If you live by following your will, you'd likely die off quick. In order to survive out there, you'd need the instincts to choose how to live on. So in that case, it's probably right to call him wild. He didn't care if he won or lost, as that is just a System for Survival.
Fergus talks about how he pulled out the two handled sword that day, the one that could be called a ship's rudder. This is the same sword that would eventually be drawn by King Arthur as the next chosen one, the holy sword he was said to never have let go of until his life came to an end. Now let's say the one who obtains this sword has the role of a balancer, a representative of the wills around them. They divide left and right and put them on a scale, paddling down the 'correct' route where only they will live. They don't make the choice to go where they want, they just do what it takes to survive the day.
Fergus picks back up with narration, saying his life after being chosen by the sword was like that the whole time. He met the hero Setanta that he knew on the battlefield, and Fergus himself suggested that they let the other win. Fergus was seduced by his lover Medb, pushed into further war, and was the only one to survive as his relatives and vassals died one after another. He refused Medb's offer, but after leaving Connacht he was unable to keep his followers fed, so he came back shamelessly. Everyone would call Fergus mac Roich a wild man, someone who lived based on his instincts. He himself however felt that meant less as 'someone who stays true to themselves' and more being chosen as the most optimal way to live.
Fergus says all he did was obey the judgment that could be called the will of the world. Eventually he started regretting choosing this life, so at the end of his journey he went to return the light of his sword back to the bottom of the lake. He had one last fling with Medb, and once she left, he sent the memories of his whole life of his worn out self with the sword and cast it down. He cut away the life he didn't choose, and he kept the desire for the life he wished he'd chosen. The former went to the lake's bottom while the latter wished for a world where he could redo things. Soon he came here to Tokyo to redo the youth he wasn't supposed to have again. Normally it would never be permitted, but in Tokyo it was possible. He forgot about his original role and everything he did, and he lived while enjoying his youth. That's not to say his old life disappeared mind you. His past went on into a different direction, and if he ever happens to run into it both of his selves would probably kill each other.
We tune back into the present, and Fergus is regaining his memories of his past life as he runs on ahead. He also grips his sword hard as he charges at his mirror reflection. They yell as they attack each other, and narration says it's natural that they would fight. There's no need for two Fergus mac Roichs running around. If he wants to show that he is the real self, then he has to be the one that survives.
Duo watches the fight silently, and thoughts start running through his head. The World Representatives are fated to clash with one another, but why is that? It is impermissible for two of the same beings to be in the same world, but why is that? It's because thet are the ones who are given the identities of those who survive until the end. In Tokyo, there is only room for one in that position, so when they all came to the same world it was fated for them to battle. And those who choose to live as heroes are fated to be crushed by the world's will.
Duo thinks some more about his friend who was chosen by the world and about himself who wasn't chosen. They were both born from the same gene pool, then split into true and false through tests and sortings. No matter where Duo would go, he would be the unacceptable sham of a failure. If he stayed that way he'd be disposed of eventually, so he had no choice but to run away. Duo then wonders out loud about whether he should hope for Shuuichi's success in observing things, and he thinks about how he's come here to analyze things and thinks about his friend.
Back to Fergus, Fergus yells as he challenges all the mobs to come at him while he says he'll push through until the end of his youth. He runs at full speed and swings at full power, but there are still some things he can't reach. It's because some things can't be taken back and some things cannot be happening simultaneously that they must be taken seriously. Fergus knows instinctively about the conditions that will end the current state of things, which is either he or his Shadow winning in the battle against each other. He's also aware that the conditions will still be fulfilled if he's the one to lose here. His current self that has lived like a hero is unlikely to win against his past self since those who prioritize their own beliefs cannot outlive those who prioritize their life. This is an immutable rule of the world and an absolute hierarchy. But still he goes as if to make up for his past regrets. If he shows this to his other self, something is likely to remain afterwards.
Elsewhere, Claude orders Snow to report on the situation at hand. Snow starts summarizing about how the underground arena's special stage and audience seating is caught up in an unusual phenomenon. The Wisemen have confirmed that this is an overworld shift, an overlapping of other worlds. Their collaborator Cait Sith meanwhile has confirmed that this place is Tir na Nog. Claude recognizes it as Fergus's home world, and Snow says what he's thinking is likely correct before moving on with his report.
Back in the other parts of the Berserkers' guild area, Kamui is attempting to break down the door into the arena area and is unable to make a dent on it. Pollux is surprised Kamui has had no luck either in breaking down a door that's not that sturdy, and Ikutoshi says that all other possible entrances like the back entrance or the ventilation shafts are a no go. The remaining Berserkers are surprised at this, and Taurus Mask comments that means that the arena is isolated now. Nomad says they'll have to report this to Claude then since they can't do anything else. Garm is concerned for you and Kyuuma, and Moritaka hopes that you guys are all okay.
Scene shifts back to Claude and Snow as Snow says he's gotten a report from the rest of the guild about how they're unable to get into the arena area. Claude notes that means all that can be done is communication, which also means it's impossible to evacuate the audience. As such, you guys are on your own for solving the situation. Snow confirms this to be the case, so Claude declares it's not a problem and says it's time to get all the strong people together to form an army to fight back against the other army.
Time skips a bit as Snow goes around explaining the idea and asking if people will join in. You agree and say you can't leave Fergus on his own. Shuten also agrees, saying he, Alp, and the others will be defending the audience. The rest of you will be going after Fergus for lack of anything else to do. Snow thanks you guys for being quick to accept, then hands you guys some things. Kengo, Kyuuma, and Seth are shocked at this, and Snow says going out to fight in their workout clothes would be inappropriate.
Back to Fergus, the enemy mobs have managed to knock his sword away, creating an opening for them to cut off his movements and pin him down. Fergus however still has enough steam in him to throw them away regardless as he yells for them to let go. Once he has a little breathing room, he starts saying goodbye to Tokyo, his beloved friends, and you. One of his legs has been hurt so he has to drag it along, but he still charges ahead towards the mobs all holding up spears at the ready. Then he makes one last goodbye to the days of his youth.
Fergus is then surprised when you, Kengo, Seth, and Kyuuma run in and stand in front of him. You guys look larger than life to him in that moment, and ever so reliable. He seems saddened that you guys came out here, so Seth tells him that he helped him out once, so Seth can't just leave him to die now. Kyuuma says Fergus is being too formal and brings up that Shuten taught him people cover for each other in times like these. Kengo says they were just getting to the good part of the fight, and since it's not done yet they should pick back up with it later. You declare that you've come for him and won't let him be by himself since it's Valentine's.
Fergus is quiet for a second, then starts asking if you guys realize you don't have anyone to take your place if it comes to it and asks if you guys are going to throw your youth away for him. Kengo says he doesn't really get what's happening, but he points out that Fergus should be irreplaceable as well. Fergus says there is someone else actually, and when he or Shadow Fergus disappears, this area will disappear too. He also points out that this would mean it won't go away until one of them is down. Fergus says you guys don't need to get involved and asks that you leave him be as he pushes past, but you respond by either running in front of him again or lining up next to him.
Fergus is taken aback by your actions and asks why you won't understand as he insists he's here because he wants to be. You either say you're doing as you please as well or ask why you have to listen to him. He can't come up with an argument either way, and Seth calls him an idiot to his shock. Fergus then gets ashamed when Seth yells at him to think about the people he'll leave behind, even if he might be okay with dying himself. Seth starts talking about how his brother had left behind back in the past. He was a hero to him, always so far ahead no one could catch up. He was a rogue, strong, unparalleled. But he also looked sad and lonely to Seth. Seth admits he could be wrong about that, but it's why he felt like he didn't want his brother to be alone. He wanted to run with him, constantly passing by each other. Seth then flounders for a moment when he thinks he's not sounding very Seth-like, but you either say he said something great or smile silently at him. He then chuckles to himself, wondering if he should relax then.
Fergus says nothing as he turns to look at the sky, with clouds passing by just as they did on that day. He admits to not having a response to what you guys are saying, and for the first time he's noticed something. That day, cowardice and compromise weren't the only feelings he had back then. The reason he negotiated with Setanta about allowing each other to win wasn't just about caring about his life. He's realized he didn't want the bright hero he was charmed with to disappear from the world. He wanted to run past everyone with that hero around the world.
Kyuuma brings up that Fergus espoused chasing two things at full speed if you're going to be going after two things at once to begin with. It's due to that advice that Kyuuma ran as hard as he can. He's painfully aware of his lack of experience, and he doesn't want to abandon the friends and senpai who helped him out. Fergus is touched and says he's right, then apologizes to you guys saying he was an idiot for charging in alone.
You either say Fergus's name or smile silently at him. Fergus admits that if he were to go up against his Shadow, he doesn't see any other way for it to end besides losing himself. He wonders aloud about what he can do in this case, and you think too but come up with nothing or silently look around for ideas. Kengo decides to ask what Shadow Fergus is to Fergus, and Fergus's explanation of his past life and his vow with Setanta gets skimmed over. Kengo says he gets that he 'can't fight against him' now, but then he takes it back and questions why it'd be 'over after one fight.'
Fergus is surprised at this question, and Kengo talks about how he wants to fight with you. One battle isn't going to cut it; he wants to keep fighting you. He also comments on not having imagined developing a relationship like this before he met you. Fergus is confused and asks Kengo to explain his point, so he fumbles a bit and guesses that if Shadow Fergus were like himself, there might be something after this even if Fergus ends up losing this fight. Fergus is shocked at this suggestion, which embarrasses Kengo as he talks about not being smart and not understanding much of what's going on, but you think on it some more and say he's right.
Kengo is so slow on the uptake that he initially thinks he said something weird in his confusion. Shuuichi inserts himself into the conversation, laughing and asking if you guys have a plan set up now. You either roll with Shuuichi's presence or be shocked he was there, and Shuuichi says he came to see how things were going at the front lines. If you guys have decided what to do, then all that's left is to take action. He tells you guys he'll take command of the defenses, so you guys just focus on making your attack. Most of the party is ready to go, but when Fergus looks at you he suddenly realizes something about the dream he had.
Fergus wonders aloud why he never realized it before, saying that if his dream really was a prophecy there might be a future he hasn't seen yet, which mean his youth will still continue. He thinks to himself about having seen the youths of his friends here, and when he places his hand on the chocolate he's keeping in his chest pocket he sorts through his resurfaced memories. He stands up again with a fierce light in his eyes, then he asks you guys to help him. He shouts as he balls up his fists, and everyone else agrees.
Time passes to the point where Shadow Fergus notes that Fergus has come. You guys have lined up to face against him, and the audience is cheering from behind. Fergus tells you guys the goal is to get at Shadow Fergus who's in the middle of everything, so he wants you guys to help him get to where he is. The party calls back in acknowledgement when he yells to charge.
Fergus starts narrating about how he went over to Connacht when he gave up the throne and left Ulster and says he really did love its queen Medb. When he went back to Ulster as head of an army, the hero Setanta was there to fight alongside him, and he genuinely felt friendship with him. He always wavered between the two, and he believed that he had regretted doing so. Fergus however says he was incorrect, that he wasn't regretting his hesitation in and of itself. He had chosen to hesitate, hoping to stay that way for as long as he could. This wasn't him picking a safe choice, but rather picking something unknown only to him. He wanted to defy his fate, as that was the sort of youth he wished he had.
Mobs are running in towards you guys, but the feelings charging the fighters on your side changes a bit. Claude calls out telling everyone to fight and find their chance to win, and his artifact fills people with a war frenzy. And so everyone heads into battle, fighting so that they can return home. Sitri shoots off his NP, throwing the warriors hit by it into confusion. Bathym takes advantage of the opening this creates to attack, thanking Sitri for the assist and saying armor means nothing against his kicks. Shuten smashes his way through and challenges people to come at him. Alp has his own backup dancers to work with as they start breakdancing, and Cait Sith declares that they will face off against anyone who'd try to ruin Valentine's Day, and Team Sideshow plus Sitri all pose as they call themselves Valentines and Friends. Snow also steps up to fight, apologizing to the mobs and saying Claude hasn't given them permission to come any further. He calls to everyone and says it's time to dance, and Claude says things will be fine over here and that he'll be counting on you guys to handle the other stuff.
Back to your end, Fergus yells that you guys are going solely for a crushing frontal assault and says to not falter as you go forward. Seth complains about how much trouble he's going through for this, but he can show off a punk's good side for a friend's sake. He then calls up a sandstorm and commands it to blow everyone away as he casts his NP. You compliment Seth for being amazing, and Fergus laughs and acknowledges how strong Seth is. Seth is flattered by this, but he quickly tells you guys to look forward as he freaks out about something coming your way.
Seth's sandstorm is blowing away pursuing warrior mobs, but others from the front start hurling spears at you guys. Fergus volunteers to stop the attack and tells you guys to be careful, but Kyuuma says he'll do it and combine with David to shoot them all down. He fires off his NP, and you are amazed that Kyuuma pulled it off as you note that he's gotten some confidence. Fergus compliments his pitch and says he'll be looking forward to his next game. Kyuuma thanks you guys and says he has gotten a little more confident. More mobs are closing in, so Kengo says this is no time to be relaxed. He's annoyed by the endless onslaught, so he decides he'll just get rid of them all at once by busting out his NP. Once he does, Fergus says he can see the way forward and tells everyone to go forward wholeheartedly. Eventually you guys reach where Shadow Fergus is, and you call out to Fergus that it's time to go as the episode battle starts. More story happens after that.
After the battle, the story picks up by narrating how the battle of the Ferguses causes the ground the split and the sky to shake with each sword swing. The rest of the party watches while fending off nearby mobs. Fergus calls out to his Shadow half and tells him to listen to what he's able to say in the moment. He admits he tossed him away because he wanted to redo things, but now that their positions have flipped he understands why he made his geas with Setanta. Shadow Fergus is shocked at this statement, and Fergus says he affirms his hesitation now rather than cut it away. He believes that's why his sword is a pair now.
Shadow Fergus decides to ask Fergus what he believes youth to be, so Fergus answers that it's struggling with all your might, puzzling over things and rejecting the idea that your current options are all that's open to you. He talks about how people can only pick one path, which is why he believed the two of them split apart. Fergus then suggests that there was a third option available besides them having gone their separate ways, one that can be picked because they both exist at once. This option would be attainable through the two of them continuing to clash and reach for it. Fergus says he won't give up, saying his youth is about being perplexed by the many options before him.
Fergus throws his chocolate to Shadow Fergus, making a point about how the two of them are Not the Same, therefore they need each other. He proposes that they embrace their regrets and go to where they couldn't have gotten to before. Shadow Fergus is surprised speechless at this, and Fergus says he'll carry his doubts with him so that when he one day dies, he can go with a smile. But until that day comes, Fergus asks his Shadow to fight alongside him and refers to him as his irreplaceable memories. If his Shadow is suffering, then he'll step forward. And if he's suffering, he asks that his Shadow step forward for him as well. Fergus grips his sword, and Shadow Fergus starts laughing, looking refreshed. Fergus commands his sword to retake its original form as he activates his NP, and it releases a bright light that creates a rainbow. The two of them appear to fuse, and for a moment it looks like his sword is a single blade with two grips before the rainbow light outshines everything.
The next moment, Kamui, Taurus Mask, and Nomad break into the arena area to their surprise. Their loud entry causes everyone in the audience and on stage to look back at them with their own surprised expressions, and Kengo comments that his eyes still hurt from the bright lights while feeling like he saw a dream. Kyuuma points out that the sky is gone now, and Seth points out that they've returned and that Team Sideshow and the audience are waving. Fergus says nothing, and you turn to him as you say he did well and ask if he enjoyed his youth.
Fergus checks his chest pockets and finds his chocolate that he had given to himself. He answers that this incident is a bit too much for youth, adding that the feelings in his chest probably won't calm down anytime soon. He and his Shadow are both in his swords, and while he's out now there may be times when his other self will surface until they can finally make a choice. Fergus blushes for a moment and asks to talk with you about something, but Kengo interrupts to say it'll have to wait because the final arena match didn't actually finish. Kyuuma agrees that that's true, and Seth is in disbelief that he can still keep going after what's happened as he chooses to pass. Fergus asks Claude about how he intends to handle this. Snow and Claude are surprised by this, and Snow asks Claude what he thinks as well. Claude laughs and orders Snow to get things ready for what's left. Snow obeys, and camera pans over everyone present before Fergus suggests it's time to continue the days of youth. The spotlight falls on them, and it seems that the fighting spirits are still going strong. To be continued in the epilogue.
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