SailorStar9: Figured I might as well get this fic over and done with, so this is Chapter 29 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, will it kill you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and the pairings.

Chapter 29: Future Battle Arc, Finale

"Is this some kind of game, Tsunayoshi?" Byakuran beamed. "Who's that man?"

"The first-generation Boss of the Vongola Family, Vongola Primo." Yuni replied.

"Primo? Byakuran echoed. "First-generation? Could you stop joking around? It's not very nice to use a hologram of your ancestors."

"It's not a hologram." Yuni corrected. "Even among the 73 Policy, this will never happen for your Mare Ring or my Pacifiers. The Vongola Ring's Miracle of the Vertical Space-Time Axis. 'The sea knows no bounds, the clam passes down its form from generation to generation, the rainbow appears from time to time before fading away.'" she recited from memory. "Mare means sea, Vongola means clam, Arcobaleno means rainbow, this represents the different 73 Policy elements of Sky. The Mare knows no bounds and moves horizontally through space and time. In other words, they move horizontally between parallel worlds. The Vongola move through the generations down the vertical space-time axis, in other words, their traditions are passed down from past to future. And the Arcobaleno never stay in one spot. They exist not as lines, but as points in space and time. So just as Byakuran can gain knowledge and power from parallel worlds, Tsuna is able to inherit the 'time' of the Vongola."

"Yuni," Byakuran started. "Sorry, but I find your story hard to believe. Because I didn't have this Mare Ring when I first became aware of parallel worlds."

"That's because the Ring chose you as its rightful bearer." Yuni replied. "Just as Primo has chosen his."

"Now Decimo." Giotto turned to his descendent. "I'm going to unleash you. Decimo, the Vongola Ring you hold has yet to take its true form. To preserve the strict process to succession, the Vongola Rings were divided into two and divided between the Boss and an outside adviser. However, the power of the Rings' Flames had been reduced in comparison to the Mare Rings and Arcobaleno Pacifiers, in order to sustain that diversion. But that is no longer necessary. For it seems that you will understand the true purpose of the Rings and carry on my will." and pressed his glove against Tsuna's.

"This is the original Vongola Rings." Tsuna breathed as the Vongola Rings reverted back to their original forms.

"Decimo," Giotto rested a hand on his descendent's shoulder. "Go give that Mare kid a scare."

"Your ancestor likes to mess around." Byakuran chuckled after Giotto vanished, but was silenced when Tsuna blasted him with astonishing speed. "That was a little better." he noted, pinned to the wall.

"Natsu!" Tsuna called his Box Weapon as Byakuran charged at him. "Burning Axle!" he swapped from defense to offense in an instant.

"White Applause." Byakuran was forced on the defensive. "Too bad." he taunted. "I've only been using 80% of my power."

"And I'm at 50%." Tsuna retorted behind him and slammed a fireball at his back. Grabbing Byakuran by his wings, he kicked him over the head, tearing off the wings. "What's wrong, Byakuran?" he questioned, dropping the burnt wings. "Reduced to a human once you lose your wings?"

"This Tsunayoshi is amazing!" Byakuran laughed. "I've been to many parallel worlds, and you're the first to deal me so much damage. Man, I'm so happy. I never expected this day to come. Why am I so happy? For the first time in my life, I can finally use my full power." he grew out black wings.

"A change in appearance won't be enough to defeat me." Tsuna stated.

"You think that my appearance is all that's changed?" Byakuran mocked. "Stop joking around!" and shot towards Tsuna, who blocked the punch with his arm. He grinned after dodging Natsu's attack, but Tsuna's elbow slammed into his cheek.

Weaving past the twin black dragons, Tsuna hammered a punch straight at Byakuran. "Byakuran, is that all the power you have?" he growled. "I've only just begun."

"Then I haven't even started." Byakuran chuckled, his wings growing larger, and from them emerged dozens of claw like figures.

Tsuna managed to burn the appendages off with his Sky Flames. "Shoot!" he cursed when the claw flew towards Yuni. "It's going to hit Yuni!" There's an incredible amount of Death-penetration Flames coming from Yuni's body. He noted, the claw bouncing off the Sky Flames around Yuni.

"She's begun the process of feeding her Flames to the Pacifiers." Byakuran realized. "So you're seriously going to do this, Yuni? You're seriously going to sacrifice your life for the Pacifiers."

"Wait, Yuni!" Tsuna protested. "You don't need to sacrifice yourself to bring back the Arcobaleno."

"No," Yuni corrected. "I must revive them to ensure that you all return to the past safely. And many lives will be saved in the process. I finally have the opportunity to use my power for good. This is the only gamble I can take. One I cannot avoid. This is my fate."

"Don't think you can die without my permission!" Byakuran shot towards Yuni. "You're always in my way!" he glared when Tsuna blocked his path. "If you insist on interfering, I'll eliminate you first!" and kicked Tsuna away.

Steadying himself, Tsuna hurled himself at Byakuran, sending both of them crashing into the ground. The two rivals, with contrasting emotions and reasons for victory, resumed their fierce struggle for victory.

"We cannot simply stand here and watch." Mukuro stated. "Destroy the barrier and rescue Yuni."

"But we can't do a thing against this barrier!" Gokudera reminded, blasting the shield with Xanxus and Basil.

Mother... grandma... Yuni mused. I'll be seeing you soon. When a vision of her death stopped her. I'm scared of dying. She thought, her Flames diminishing. I'm scared...

"What's wrong, Yuni?" Reborn was puzzled.

"Perhaps she's scared of dying?" Byakuran grinned.

"That shouldn't be possible." Reborn objected. "But I can't be sure."

"I'm sorry." Yuni shook her head. "It's fine. There is no other way." she reignited his Flame.

"Okay, now!" Basil gave the order as the rest of the Box Weapons sent their Flames to Alfin. "Okay, let's do this, Alfin! Super Nova Ocean!" the combination attack stuck the barrier. "Damn, it's not working!" he cursed, his boomerang cracking the shield. "I can only manage a brief crack."

"That's more than enough." Gamma jumped in. "Yo, Princess." he greeted.

"Gamma..." Yuni blinked.

"Running away again after we finally meet." Gamma chided. "That's cold. My Flames are yours to use." recalling what Reborn had told him the previous night. "I won't let you do this alone." he pulled Yuni into a hug. "Do you remember when you whispered in my ear? I never got a chance to give you my reply. Hey, you shouldn't look so sad when we're about to set off." he scolded, Yuni tearing after hearing his answer. "That's not what your mother taught you."

Mother... Yuni remembered what Aria told her. Smiling, she leaned into Gamma's embrace and began the final step of the Arcobaleno Revival, both their bodies vanishing, leaving their clothes behind.

"Gamma, Yuni!" Tsuna landed beside the empty clothes. "Yuni..." he held the Sky Pacifier.

"That can't be!" Fuuta gasped. "The Arcobaleno haven't returned!"

"No, they've received the Flames." Aeon Mercury corrected.

"Hold on a moment." Byakuran muttered. "What have you done? I finally found the last piece of the puzzle, and she's dead. It was all for nothing. My dream of awakening the 73 Policy and becoming the ruler of all space and time was shattered by your little act of friendship. Do you understand what this means?"

"Why do you think Yuni had to do this?" Tsuna's fury was at its peak, the teen now engulfed in a tornado of Sky Flames. "You ruined our world. That's why Yuni died! Byakuran! I won't forgive you!"

"You won't forgive me?" Byakuran echoed. "What nonsense." he laughed. "You're such a joke. I might understand your reaction if you viewed her as a powerful tool. After all, Yuni was a super item that would help me become an omnipotent God! But you treated Yuni like an ordinary girl. Your desire to attack me is but a temporary rush of humanistic emotion. An expression of self-satisfaction. If that's the best answer you've go to this selfish society of humans, then you fall hard! Individual desires will trump collective hypocrisy every time! That's the world we live in!" rooting himself to the ground, he prepared for the final attack.

"Operation X." Tsuna readied his attack.

"Your actions served no purpose!" Byakuran declared, charging up. "That girl and the Pacifiers were the best toy I ever had!"

"Stop insulting Yuni!" Tsuna snapped. "Byakuran! You're going down!"

"Die!" Byakuran roared.

"Take this!" Tsuna countered, both attack clashing with each other, the shield almost shattering. Tsuna's attack finally won out, engulfing Byakuran as he remembered the first time the Cervello appeared before him, the Sky Mare Ring in hand.

It wasn't that I hated human beings. Byakuran mused. When I was with other people, I felt warm and fuzzy at times. And I wasn't being pessimistic. I was good at finding things that were fun to do. And I tried my best to have fun. But something about this world just didn't feel right. You know what I mean? Doesn't it make you sick? Your eyes tell me that you don't agree at all. He looked at Tsuna's determined eyes. Man, it's so bright. I lose. With a silent laugh, his Mare Ring slipped off.

The shield obliterated just as Byakuran vanished, the crater left by Tsuna's X-Burner was visible for all to see, and as the Mare Ring fell to the ground with a soft "clink"; Tsuna still in his X-Burner stance, stood in victory.

"He did it!" Gokudera broke the silence. "10th!" he and Yamamoto caught the powered-down Tsuna before he collapsed.

"You did a good job, Tsuna." Reborn stated.

"But, Gamma and Yuni..." Tsuna muttered. "It's not just Gamma and Yuni," he added. "Far too many people were hurt by this battle."

"Your Boss is dead now." Belphegor snorted, his punch sending Kikyo to the ground.

"And you're next." Levi added.

"We're open to suggestions for your method of death." Flan remarked.

"Enough!" Tsuna barked. "Nobody else needs to die."

"What's the point of protecting the scum?" Levi pressed. "He's a monster who only knows how to harm others."

"You're wrong." Irie cut in. "They were originally normal people."

"Irie Shoichi..." Kikyo growled.

"That's impossible." Belphegor snorted. "They're way stronger than your average person."

"Bel-senpai didn't have a chance." Flan mocked.

"Neither did you!" Belphegor retorted.

"However, when I was recruiting capable personnel for the Milliefiore, I went through all the database for Mafia members, soldiers, hit-men and scholars." Irie explained. "But I never came across them. The only feasible answer would be that they were ordinary people who weren't on the list."

"Ordinary people..." Kikyo snorted. "That's insulting. In other parallel worlds, we were rulers. But in this world, we were deterred by unfortunate circumstances. Byakuran-sama transformed our resentment into power."

"Shut up!" Xanxus fired his pistol at him.

"Xanxus!" Tsuna scolded.

"Zip it!" Xanxus retorted. "You're too soft!"

"Just drop it, Boss." Squalo chided.

"Okay, it'll be fine." Lussuria grabbed Kikyo. "I'll keep him alive!"

"10th!" Gokudera exclaimed when Tsuna fell on his butt.

"So many people were hurt in this fight." Tsuna muttered. "Yamamoto's dad, and everybody in those parallel worlds died. We managed to win, but everything's a mess. Does this victory mean anything?"

"Of course it does, kora!" Colonello retorted. "You pulled it off Sawada, kora!"

"Master!" Aeon Mars breathed.

"Which means..." Tsuna gaped as Colonello appeared, holding onto the Sky Pacifier.

"The Arcobaleno..." Dino gasped.

"Are finally back!" Gokudera beamed.

"I see Mammon." Belphegor grinned.

"Well, you seem to be doing well." Mammon greeted.

"Master..." Aeon Mercury barely held back her tears.

"Guess I made you worry, Lal." Colonello remarked.

"I-pin, I'm glad to see you safe." Fong looked at his disciple.

"You guys sure took your time." Reborn chided.

"What was that, Reborn?" Skull fumed. "It's nothing." he stammered under Reborn's glare.

"We know everything that's happened." Colonello informed. "Since Yuni used Flames to communicate with us when we were in our Pacifiers."

"Yuni even told us what effects Byakuran's defeat would have on this world." Fong added. "Now that Byakuran has been defeated, the ownerless Mare Ring has lost its power. As a result, everything Byakuran had done that involved the Mare Ring, at any point in time, in every parallel world, was erased."

"In other words, every last one of Byakuran's wrongdoings will disappear without a trace, kora!" Colonello summarized.

"Even the future Reborn?" Tsuna pressed.

"It's probably be like he never died." Colonello confirmed.

"Excuse me for a second," Irie cut in. "I don't mean to ruin the moment but could the laws of space and time actually be broken like that? Is it even possible to get the calculations right?"

"Fool." Verde chided. "73 Policy is capable of phenomena that are beyond human comprehension. You could crunch numbers with a computer forever and never have an answer. At our current level of knowledge, we can only treat 73 Policy as a miracle or the will of a higher being."

"But what if someone else like Byakuran shows up and starts using the Mare Ring?" Tsuna questioned.

"Yuni sacrificed her life to prevent that from happening." Fong replied. "Yuni used her Pacifier's 'Life Flame' to revive the Arcobaleno and they used their power to make that Flame eternal, in order to permanently seal the Mare Rings in the past. In other words, in your time."

"Yuni entrusted us with that job." Colonello agreed.

"She sacrificed her life to create an everlasting peace." Fong added.

Thank you, Yuni. Tsuna turned to the sky.

"Now, it's time to grant your wishes." Colonello reminded.

"Let's go back to the past." Tsuna declared, Reborn having jumped on his head.

"Okay, everyone's here." Irie greeted the group. "It's almost time to go, but I need you to leave the Vongola Boxes behind."

"Colonello, make sure they get back to the past safely!" Lal Mirch barked.

"Of course, kora!" Colonello grinned. "We owe them our lives."

"I don't like using my power when money isn't involved." Mammon sighed. "But for Yuni's sake, I'll make an exception this time."

"I'll come back as soon as we're done, Lal." Colonello promised.

"Stupid!" Lal Mirch blushed. "Don't say that here!"

"Can we trust you, Verde?" Reborn looked at the Lightning Arcobaleno.

"I'll cooperate this time." Verde gave his word. "Since I owe it to Yuni."

"Can we get on with it already?" Skull complained.

"Then, I'll start up the time warp." Irie stated. "Time warp, start! Welcome back!" he greeted the returning Arcobaleno.

"We shook up the earth a bit, but everything worked." Colonello reported.

"Good work." Irie nodded.

"And we left them a little present for all their hard work." Colonello added. "I'm sure they'll be surprised, kora!"

"I can't believe we did all that without pay." Mammon complained.

"That was nothing for me." Verde shrugged.

"Well, the kids have gone back to their time, and these guys have woken up." Colonello looked at the ten-year-later versions of the Guardians.

"By the way," Gokudera started.

"Where's Tsuna?" Yamamoto asked.

"He already went up to the surface." Rei voiced from the entrance.

"Welcome back, everyone." Ami smiled, chuckling at Minako and Makoto tackled their respective fiances and laughed some more when she saw Rei literally jump her husband. "Kyo-kun..." she gave her husband a gentle smile, the Cloud Guardian pulling his wife into a hug. "Remember what I said about kids?" she asked, nuzzling into his chest.

"You mean..." Hibari looked at his wife.

"Yes," Ami nodded. "You're going to be a daddy in eight months."

"I call first dibs on being godmother!" Makoto declared.

"Not, I'm the godmother!" Minako glared.

"Guess we have to settle this the old-fashioned way." Rei sighed and the three women took their places. "Jan-Ken-Po!"

"It's going to be one of those days." Ami muttered, as Gokudera, Yamamoto and Ryohei shook their heads.

SailorStar9: This fic is done! Next stop, X Generation; or until X Generation airs. Read and review.