Life. What a precious thing it was, a gift from the heavens to anyone lucky enough to experience it. This was something Akagi had taken for granted and now he was given a second chance at it. This time around, he was sure to live it properly. No more hurting people or attempting to destroy the universe and reshape it to his will. He was still lacking in emotion but kept having a feeling that it may change one day.
The ride through the portal was strange for Akagi, different to the last time he teleported and the last time was when he was entering the Distortion World…not leaving it.
As soon as he first stepped foot on his former world the sight of it practically blinded him. The light, he hadn't seen light for five whole years and he couldn't open his eyes. The adjustment took quite a while but when he could finally open his stinging blue eyes, he was shocked to see his past standing there, watching his every move and surprised to see him alive. After all these years and they finally were to meet again, same ground, same stance.
Hikari was stopped in her tracks and speechless. She didn't know what to say or do. Was this some kind of sick dream? Or a nightmare turned reality that was fated to happen. She squinted her eyes slightly, just enough to block out the harsh light and make out the figure that stood before her. After a terrifying realization, Hikari stepped back slowly hoping the figure would not notice her departure.
"Do not be alarmed!" Akagi held out his hand in a stopping gesture. He blinked and turned away to face Hikari side on. He didn't know why he halted the girl and started to panic.
"A…Akagi…? You're alive. It's been…"
"Five years, yes." Hikari's words were trailed off by the man's gruff voice.
She had noticed something very different about Akagi this time around. Had he learned his lesson and righted his wrongs whilst in his dark imprisonment or had he returned to continue his plans? For some strange reason Hikari only wanted to move closer to him and find out why he had returned all of a sudden. He looked weak and undernourished. He was now motionless and just as Hikari was about to speak again, he had collapsed on the spot. Akagi was lying there in a dead-like heap with an occasional twitch in his arms and legs.
"AKAGI!" Hikari squealed and ran to the man's corrupted body that lay in front of her. An ear splitting sound followed by pulsating waves emitted from the portal that Akagi had arrived from. It was fading, closing up and Akagi managed to force his head up to take one last look at the world he called home for a long period of his young life. As the last of the pulses and waves ceased, Akagi's heavy head dropped to the ground again. He was so heavily corrupted that his body was struggling to adjust to the earth's atmosphere.
Hikari had some time to think and observe her current situation. Time to think about what actions to take next. She couldn't just leave him there on top of Spear Pillar with an active pulse in his near lifeless body. Her observations had shocked her once she moved in closer for a better look. He didn't look normal anymore; his hair was still the lightest tinge of blue, his masculine but lanky body still held shape but there was something very different about Akagi's features. His skin was almost snow white with shades of the dullest grey and his fingertips and forehead were a dark grey, almost completely black. What shocked her most were the rips in his Team Galaxy uniform he still wore during the years he was held captive within the Distortion World. There were two very distinct lines down both sides of the jacket and vest on his back. Did Giratina attack him? She could see a wound had healed into a black scar across his left eye after being struck by the Beast's deadly claw. Hikari instantly guessed that's what had corrupted his entire body, after five years it had finally spread to every inch of flesh inside and out.
Poor guy, he looks as if he was in quite a struggle.
Hikari felt sorry for him and made the decision to take him home with her. She maneuvered the man's body so she had an easy and firm grasp to drag him down the slopes of Mt. Coronet. The first few levels were easy as cake but eventually she had to rest.
Ugh, Akagi you're heavier than I thought!
She sighed and knew she had to continue to save his life. During her time struggling to haul Akagi's body down the mountain she started having second thoughts. What if he hadn't changed and decided to turn on the world again? Was she making a mistake or doing a good deed? Hikari knew that goodness triumphed bad and had to do this whether he was still the same or a completely changed man. She wasn't a cruel enough person to leave him up there to simply die.
She had made it, finally the struggle and exhaustion was over. Looking down over Hearthome City, where Hikari and her mother had moved earlier that year, she felt relieved and happy to be home.
Hikari entered her apartment and found a note from her mother on the dining table.
Dear Hikari,
If you are home, I am needed for late night judging at the contest hall. There's some dinner in the fridge if you get hungry. I hope you had a fun and safe adventure! Don't stay up too late, brush your teeth and remember…
I love you. See you tomorrow morning my darling.
Love,
Your mother.
She smiled and turned her attention back to Akagi. He had stirred a bit and eventually started to open his eyes. He found himself lying comfortably across Hikari's couch wrapped in blankets.
"W…where am I?" He murmured softly.
"Safe. You came back to earth through a portal and well, I thought I'd bring you home to look after until you recovered. You look awful!" she replied assuring him.
"You?! You're just a kid!" he groaned.
"Or…I could sell you to science." She retorted.
He didn't speak and turned away from her.
"Just relax and have something to eat. I'm going to heat up some of my mother's ramen and rice."
Hikari smiled and set down a meal for Akagi to fill his grumbling tummy. She shook her head at how much his eyes lit up, his mouth practically watered at the tantalizing sight and smell. After the food was consumed, dishes stacked and showers done, Hikari went to bed. She lay there thinking about what she had to say to her mother in the morning when she discovered Akagi asleep on the couch. She also had to get him to the lab even if he protested; he needed to have his health examined.
Oh well. She thought and closed her eyes. Goodnight Akagi.
