Episode 9: ザラストプリンス;アレックス対ラスプーチン! The Last Prince; Alex vs. Rasputin!
Flashback: 30+ Years Ago
Alex stood in Jadwiga's office, carrying his sword to the side. He has completed another set of training for his time but it was almost his hibernation period to start again.
"I see you've been learning well," said Jadwiga as she was writing on paper with a quill.
"I know," he answered, "But…I need to tell you something."
"Oh?" she asked, "What is it."
"I need you to promise me," said Alex, "To fulfil my wish…when it's all over."
"A-Alex," began Jadwiga, getting a bit concerned.
"It's the only way," he answered, "It cannot be done by other means."
The leader was going to say something when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," she called out.
A young boy stepped into the room and was looking around in his mid-teens. Alex turned to see him with a small smile on his face.
"I want you to meet Takeshi Kinsale. His father works for me here but now that you'll be sleeping again soon, I guess it's irrelevant," explained Jadwiga, "However, when you wake up again; he will work with you."
"Pleased to meet you," said Takeshi as he bowed.
"No need to do that," blushed Alex as he laughed a little, "But…I hope you ready when that day I return."
"Can you leave us for a bit?" asked Jadwiga, "We'll meet you right out."
"Sure thing," replied Takeshi as he left the room.
Once it was the two of them again, Alex turned to her and said, "My wish…is…"
Days Later…
Alex sat on the hill that overlooked the HQ of The Watcher's, watching the sun setting down a bit. The last few days were exhausting as he was getting more sleepy spells going on. However, he wanted to at least enjoy the scenery one more time before he entered his period of rest.
Takeshi arrived and sat down next to him, much to Alex's surprise.
"Oh?" asked Alex, "Why did you come here?"
"Well," he said, "I was curious about you. Is it true that you lived for over 100 years?"
"I've lived for as long as I can remember," said the Chiropteran with a smirk on his face, looking at the skies, "However, I made a promise to protect this world...because of the monsters that keep threatening. I could only wish I be out much longer though...it's unfair to sleep for that long of a period of time.
"Sometimes…I wish I had friends."
Takeshi blushed and asked, "C-can I be one?"
Alex turned to him and smiled, "Well of course! I do get annoyed at times though because of my Chiropteran nature but…"
"As long as it's you, I can handle it," said Takeshi.
The two turned to see Jadwiga and a little girl as the wind picked up a warm breeze. Jadwiga turned to the little girl with a smile on her face.
"Don't be afraid," said Jadwiga, "He's not going to hurt you."
Gerogia walked over as she was feeling more nervous but she looked into Alex's golden eyes and felt something about him as if he was human.
"And you are…?" asked Takeshi.
"Georgia," said the little girl, looking at Alex with fear, "Please don't hurt me!"
"Why would I hurt you?" asked Alex, laughing, "We'll be friends forever, okay?"
"S-sure," blushed Georgia as Takeshi chuckled.
Alex turned to the sunlight but his eyes were getting heavy again. The two watched as the Chiropteran lied down on the ground and closed his eyes. Jadwiga rushed up to check on him but realized that he has just entered his hibernation stage; his breathing was much slower and the pulse was almost nonexistent.
"H-he fell asleep!" said Georgia.
"He's going to rest for a while now," replied Jadwiga, resting her hand on his head, "We have to return him back."
Jadwiga led the two on the Hover bikes with an extra seat connector that held the carriage behind them. It took several hours to fly to Iwamara but they made it by around 3 in the morning or so. She woke Georgia and Takeshi up as they brought Alex's body to the abandoned temple before them.
Georgia was amazed by the sight of the ocean and commented, "It looks nice out here...I wish I could make a living."
"Someday you just might," smiled Jadwiga, "After all, we'll need someone to watch over him."
Takeshi and Jadwiga placed Alex's body inside the tomb as the Chiropteran took on a fetal-like position. They closed up the tomb and knew that it would be a long time before they could see him again.
"I'll fulfill your wish," muttered Jadwiga.
Present Time: Tottori Castle, Iwamara
Mariko stood hidden from the courtyard with the two cocoons in his hands. He was surprised that Rei didn't show up with Alex but was not too surprised that he himself had made it. He stared at them while hiding in the shadows.
He turned to the cocoons and said, "Hush...little ones…and wait. Your time will be here soon."
The cocoons vibrated softly as Mariko knew that it was all of a matter of time before they would hatch and a new generation of Chiropterans will be born.
The Chivashi turned to the battle and muttered, "Finally…the main attraction."
Back in the courtyard, Rasputin walked across the bridge before taking down the stairs, dragging the sword by his side. His clothes were very elaborate and fancy but it was all feminine-like and his face was similar to one of the people back in Alex's dreams.
W-why, does he look like that kid, thought Alex as he never left his eye off of Rasputin, He keeps changing forms to fool me.
The sword clanged and scratched the rock of the stairs while Rasputin kept a smile on his face. He turned his head to Alex with a sneer.
"Big brother, why are you trying to kill me?" asked the younger twin, walking closer to the bottom of the steps.
Alex stared at him with anger, hatred, and vengeance put together as one. He knew he had a lot to say but he had to keep it short as possible.
"Our mere existence has caused so many people such sorrow and suffering. 18 years of blood and 144 years of our lives have damaged this world," he replied, gripping his sword at the ready, "And that's why I'm going to kill you Rasputin!"
Rasputin stopped walking and answered, "But…you see it's not my fault. I don't really understand the humans, brother. And I know that the humans don't understand us either."
"No that's not true!" gasped Alex, "They have been important people of my life whether I remember them or not! It doesn't even matter if I am related to them by blood or adopted!"
Rasputin smirked to himself while Alex lectured, "Even after they found out that I was a Chiropteran, Rei never left my side! Haruka and the other boys did not judge me for what I have sinned upon! And…my mother…she remained by my mom till the end!"
Rasputin turned his head to look at his brother and said, "But…you're still a Chiropteran big brother!"
Alex gasped as he had to remember what he was.
"EH-HAHAHAHA, you got upset!" laughed Rasputin, shaking his head.
"You just don't understand…you never were to begin with," muttered Alex.
"Gee, I wonder why? We're brothers," said Rasputin, "Both you and I were born from our true mother…"
Alex's eyes narrowed as Rasputin continued, "But now you accuse me of not understanding? How foolish of you! You realize that was pretty hurtful…out of the both of us, only you were able to see the outside world and embraced it! Remember only you were treated like a human! Only you could experience happiness! And only you were permitted to have fun."
"Oh Raspy…" said Alex, feeling almost sorry for him. He remembered his days with The Watcher's while Rasputin was locked away for a while and then later living in revenge thanks to Pandora's brainwash teachings.
The skies flashed with light from the lightning as Rasputin transformed to his original, stronger looking form as he walked over to Alex slowly with his eyes glowing green.
"You've been a selfish young man…I saw what you and Rei did together that one night…the full moon," said Rasputin, "Funny…how that moon can give you relief."
Alex took ready on his sword as his hands were getting sweaty and nervous.
"I had enough of this!" growled the younger chiropteran, "You doubted yourself that night on your mission in Herisia…you allowed me to be a part of you."
"And that is why I must…" began Alex.
"That's why you what, brother?" asked Rasputin.
Alex pointed his blade to Rasputin and replied, "Since that day, that fateful day when I killed those people while you hijacked my body, I've been allowed to exist for the sole purpose of killing you, Rasputin!"
Rasputin swung his blade out as well and replied, "My? You're trying to kill me only to justify your existence? To gain forgiveness after what you've done with your bare hands?"
He pulled the blade toward himself while crossing his heart with his hand and replied, "You're not just selfish Alex…you're totally deluded."
Iwamara Temple
Rasputin's song stopped as the Tabukists and Starrists armies alongside with Akane broke the barrier out and readied for more Chiropterans and monsters.
"The song…" said one of the fighters.
"It stopped," replied another.
The Chiropterans screeched and soared down to attack the temple but the magic from the Starrists and the weapons of the Tabukists repelled them away as much as possible.
"That song is gone for now," muttered Anastasia.
"Thank god!" sighed Shirahama in relief, "I'm ready to fight those suckers! Let me have 'em!"
"Yeah, let's go finish them!" agreed Anne, turning to Awlida.
"Yes," nodded Awlida, "For Haruka, Makoto, and our friends!"
And…to my Matsuura, thought Awlida, my love…
Anastasia turned to see a member from The Watcher's asking her to get Anne.
"I see," she answered as she turned to Anne and said, "Hey, Anne! Your father has arrived in the region. You want to join me on meeting him up? He's going to need some assistance and we need to deliver him the current report on the town."
Anne turned to Shirahama and said, "Shira, stay with Awlida; don't let anything happen to her."
"You too," he answered as he hugged her, "Be careful out there!"
"T-thank you," she replied and turned to Anastasia, "Let's go."
"You can borrow my vehicle down by the steps," said Akane as she casted another exploding spell at the Chiropteran.
"CASTELLA!" shouted some of the Starrists as they used their magic to explode the monsters into guts.
Meanwhile, the five boys reappeared back on the road as they saw an explosion from the bar down below as a result of the destruction from combining their powers. They barely escaped on time when they destroyed the computers as the music from Rasputin's song was no later playing.
"…I feel bad for that place," said Rin, "Now how are we going to party after this?"
"Maybe we can rebuild it somehow…" replied Rei.
"I don't think we'll have much time for that…" answered Nagisa.
"We don't' have much time left right now, we have to back him up!" said Haruka.
"Let's go then!" answered Makoto, running on the road, "We need to keep our powers to recharge!"
They ran at least a couple of miles or two when the ground began to shake and tremble ahead of them. The road exploded before them as several megascolides appeared and charged down to eat them.
"SHIT!" growled Rin as he and the others narrowly dodged them and readied his sword.
"We need to kill them quickly!" said Rei as he took out his sword.
Makoto readied his vase just as one of the worms descended down again; Haruka summoned a water slash with his sword as he chopped it in half.
"Rei to your left!" shouted Nagisa as another one was sneaking behind the megane.
Rei turned and jumped to the side while Nagisa charged up and sliced its head off. Makoto threw more splashes of acidic solution at the worms, dissolving them and burning their tissues/organs to slush.
"You guys!" shouted Rin, "We need to get to the forest and keep moving form there!"
Haruka turned to see the damage on the roads that were caused by the megascolides when they emerged out from the ground. It was clearly too dangerous to keep on moving that way but they had to get to Alex as soon as possible.
"Come on then!" said Haruka as he jumped into the forest.
"H-haru!" cried Makoto as he goes in after narrowly dodging the megascolide.
Nagisa grabbed Rin's hand as the two along with Rei jumped into the forest, running to escape the gigantic worms.
In the darkness of time and space, Suiei Marotta felt weaker and weaker; his magic…was almost gone. His life…was almost gone too. He could feel Alex's wish in his mind as he realized what it was going to do should it be fulfilled.
"A-alex…" he coughed, "N-no…if you-your wish…is granted…"
He vomited up water and magical energy as he could feel Rasputin trying to probe him.
"SHUT UP YOU!" hissed Rasputin's echoing voice, "I'm going to fight him…just as it's been foretold!"
Rasputin…you ate Alex's memories…and doing so, you ate me…thanks to that, he was unable to remember everything, thought Suiei.
Back in the skies of Duniya, the Five Suiei Gods floated together as they were trying to reach out to the last star.
"He's getting weaker," said Suiei Tachibana.
Suiei Nanase turned to see a giant flock of Chiropterans and Acephlipterans soaring their way. He unleashed a gigantic blast of water at them, knocking them into the seas.
"They have to hurry!" gasped Suiei Hazuki.
"Yes, Alex is…" began Suiei Ryugazaki when he turned to narrowly dodge a Chiropteran attacking them. Suiei Tachibana snapped his fingers, using his power to freeze its wings as the monster fell into the seas.
"Nobody messes with my Nagisa!" said Suiei Hazuki as he snaps his fingers and created water spheres over the monsters's heads.
"The same with my Rei!" growled Suiei Ryugazaki, unleashing water spears, stabbing the monsters down.
"I don't understand these beasts," said Nanase, "Where are they even from?!"
"That's certainly another mystery that we need to solve here," nodded Matsuoka.
"Those brainless little beasts are going to be rid for the last time!" hissed Hazuki.
"...If they really do come from a place, we need to track at least where they are from," agreed Ryugazaki.
Nanase felt a sense in the air as he could feel Haruka and the others running, "Let's go…we have to seek them out!"
The others nodded as they vanished into the mists, heading back to land.
Chirottori Castle
"W-who's there?" asked Tesseract as he stared at the darkness before him. He kept the book hidden as much as possible.
Pandora stepped into the room and said, "Honey, what on Duniya are you doing down here? You can't smell the battle cries in the air?"
"I…I do," he replied.
The Mother of the Chiropterans giggled and said, "You know...you've made soooo many mistakes. But I let you live...not because of love."
Tesseract grunted as he was not surprised by this but the dark lady continued, "Because your powers are much more efficient than Dodecadron's...his power was nothing compared to yours. Up until now, I let you live just so I could have you in need for your powers...but I've learned something in one of our notes about Rasputin long ago..."
"What are you trying to get at!?" growled Tesseract.
"You remember...18 years ago...Rasputin took over his body because that flawed child of his tried to put his own heart into him...he wanted him to live a happy life," said Pandora, "But I told him the TRUTH...I told him what he needed to know...so he could do the job for me. Don't think your games you played back then were something I didn't know about.
"But as for what I discovered...I too, possess that ability...to eat memories and to rewrite them...but my own memories went scrambling too...up until now. Thanks to you, I now can obtain the powers of the 4th Dimension...powers that I should have had...long ago…powers that I once had until my exile!"
Tesseract gasped as he remembered that day…that fateful day when the universe was first created. While he was in a different form, he remembered that the universe was only mean to exist to use the elements and create from there.
"So you finally remembered," said Tesseract as he readied himself, "I guess I got no choice but to put an end to all of this!"
He unleashed his powers against her, trying to trap her to a portal but the beast smirked and flicked her fingers, turning the portal around and changed the location inside.
"I don't need you…anymore," she replied, pushing the portal towards him, "I will take back what was mine! Thanks to those bastards…I was unable to…but now…I shall. And it all starts with your demise…Iwatobi!"
Tesseract stood as the portal swallowed him inside as Pandora laughed wickedly. She walked over to the book and opened the pages.
"Reveal me…your secrets," she hissed.
Back outside, Reiji unleashed another blast of energy from his staff. Aki and Takeshi dodged it as the heat from the blast softened the road to almost at lava-like temperatures.
"Haven't you realized it yet," hissed the Chivashi, firing another, "It's no use to dodge or hide from me!?"
Aki dove down while Takeshi twisted to the side, narrowly dodging the heat.
"Aki!" said Takeshi, "You must hurry back!"
"I won't!" she argued, "This is not safe for you either!"
"There are others that need your assistance," he answered.
"And what about you?" she asked as she saw Reiji readying another blast.
Anastasia and Anne arrived as they saw the scene. Takeshi turned his head to see his daughter before him.
"Dad...DAD!" screamed Anne as she got off and ran.
Reiji smirked and fired the blast towards Anne.
"LOOK OUT!" shouted Aki as she fired her gun at the Chivashi but missed. Anastasia took hers out and fired it, finally striking him down but the blast from the Chivashi was soaring down slowly as time seemed to have stopped for a moment. The Chivashi turned into mush as the radiation from the gun smothered him down.
Takeshi ran as fast as he could, shielding Anne from the blast as it struck him, burning his clothes and several areas of the skin.
"YAHHHHHHHHHHH!" he shouted.
"DAD NOOOOOOO!" screamed Anne as the impact caused him to collapse, falling into her hands.
Aki and Anastasia gasped at the sight as his burnt skin patches cracked open from the burns, leading it to become 3rd degree burns and a few areas of 4th and 5th degree burns.
"A-Anne…" coughed Takeshi.
"Da-dad?" asked Anne as her face was beginning to tear up.
"Please tell me there's still a way to save you!" she cried, "PLEASE!"
"I...I'm so-sorry," he moaned as he tried to make a smile, "S-save him...p-please…and-"
"And what?" she asked as her breathes were getting heavier with sadness.
"T-take it…" he muttered as the necklace broke off of him from the heat but to her surprise, it was mostly intact.
"I'll protect him," she said, "But please don't go…don't leave me!"
"I-I love you…sw-sweetie…" he said as he closed his eyes for the last time as his hands fell from her. Anne gasped and cried while holding him.
"D-dad, d-aaaad…oh DADDDD!" she cried as her tears rained down from her cheeks. Anastaisa and Aki walked up to her for comfort but it was going to take a long time…or perhaps never, for Anne to get over this.
18 years, she thought, I am so glad we finally reunited…but still…I'll never forget.
Anne wiped her tears and said, "We have to go."
"He's waiting for us," nodded Aki as she stared at the castle ahead.
"Brother…" muttered Anastasia.
"Graaaaah!" growled Alex as he slammed his sword against Rasputin's. The younger brother jumped back and narrowed his eyes at him.
"So you're saying…" hissed Rasputin, "Chiropterans shouldn't be allowed to EXIST?!"
Alex grunted as he walked up towards him with his sword ready. However, Rasputin stood there with a smirk on his face.
"Does this mean…you'll kill my babies as well big brother?" asked Rasputin.
Alex's eyes widened in shock as he turned to see Mariko holding the two cocoons in his hands; each of them were the new generation of the Chiropteran line.
"Aw…aren't they the cutest things?" smiled Rasputin, "My two adorable baby children."
The elder brother gripped on his sword as he knew that this was not the time to ask questions but to kill him once and for all.
"So what do you plan to do about yourself Alex?" asked Rasputin darkly.
He paused for a moment before replying, "...I know...I'm a Chiropteran...as well!"
The other teammates of the Magic Six ran through the forest as Rei led them on the route to the Tottori Castle. It was still ways to go but they had to get there to back up Alex and defeat Rasputin.
"It looks safe so far," said Rin as he used his x-ray vision to check their surroundings.
"I hope we're not too late," muttered Makoto, worried.
"Me too," whispered Rei as he was feeling nervous but kept on running as fast as his legs could carry.
"Alex-chan is strong! He'll be alright," smiled Nagisa, "But he knows we're here for him!"
Iwamara Temple
Awlida and the other pirates readied their weapons with Shirahama as they were going to go help with the NTs but Akane shook her head and said, "I think you both should get moving soon."
"Akane?" asked Masaru, "Wh-what's going on?"
She turned to him and replied, "It's alright now, we got plenty of people here...The Starrists have to prepare the temple anyway...the Sixth Star will finally awaken."
"Starrists?" asked Shirahama.
"Who are they?" asked Awlida.
"It's our religion," said Akane, "We believe in the Six Stars and that they will return to this world to bring order and peace...for everyone. You've seen five of them already...but the last one must rise and reunite."
She turned to five of the Starrists combatants and gave them a nod of approval. The five Starrists clasped their hands together and bowed to the statues of Ryugazaki, Nanase, Tachibana, Hazuki, and Matsuoka.
"Mbinguni o nguvu, Mbingu o mzaha, kusikia maombi yetu. Mbinguni o nguvu, Mbingu oh mzaha, Splash nje ya maji ya imani, tumaini na upendo!" chanted the first one.
(English: Heavens o Mighty, Heavens o Lightly, hear our prayers. Heavens o Mighty, Heavens oh Lightly, splash out the water of faith hope and love!)
"Mbinguni o nguvu, Mbingu o mzaha, kusikia maombi yetu. Mbinguni o nguvu, Mbingu oh mzaha, mwisho laana giza katika neno hili!" sang the second Starrists.
(English: Heavens o Mighty, Heavens o Lightly, hear our prayers. Heavens o Mighty, Heavens oh Lightly, end the dark curse in this word!)
"W-what are they doing?" asked Awlida.
Akane hushed her lips and said, "Praying for the Suiei Gods...let them be. But you might want to close your eyes once the light shines..."
"Mbinguni o nguvu, Mbingu o mzaha, kusikia maombi yetu. Mbinguni o nguvu, Mbingu oh mzaha, kufufua nyota mwisho wa bahari!" chanted the third starrist.
(English: Heavens o Mighty, Heavens o Lightly, hear our prayers. Heavens o Mighty, Heavens oh Lightly, revive the last star of the seas!)
"Mbinguni o nguvu, Mbingu o mzaha, kusikia maombi yetu. Mbinguni o nguvu, Mbingu oh mzaha, basi sita kuungana pamoja!" sang the fourth.
(English: Heavens o Mighty, Heavens o Lightly, hear our prayers. Heavens o Mighty, Heavens oh Lightly, let the six reunite together!)
"Mbinguni o nguvu, Mbingu o mzaha, kusikia maombi yetu. Mbinguni o nguvu, Mbingu oh mzaha, Splash nje ya maji ya imani, tumaini na upendo!" chanted the fifth prayer.
(Engish: Heavens o Mighty, Heavens o Lightly, hear our prayers. Heavens o Mighty, Heavens oh Lightly, splash out the water of faith hope and love!)
The temple began to glow slowly as the five statues began to unleash colors of green, blue, purple, pink and red.
"You guys better shield your eyes!" said Masaru.
Shirahama and Awlida covered themselves to the floor as Akane closed her eyes along with Masaru to continuing praying and chanting.
Haruka gasped as he saw his necklace glowing brightly along with the others.
"W-what's going on!?" said Makoto.
Rin turned to see a gigantic tower of light reaching out to the skies above as Nagisa pointed it out to the brightness.
"W-what's that!?" asked Rei.
Makoto felt his magic linking to all of his body as if it was growing stronger by the minute…could it be?
"Alex…did he get his magic back?!" gasped Rei.
"His memories…he must have got them finally!" smiled Nagisa.
"We can only hope though," said Rin, "But let's back him up!" said Rin
The forest around them shook and several trees collapsed in front of them as Byatis croaked loudly with several Chiropterans flying around them and a few megascolides exploding from the ground and ready to kill them.
"Just when something good happens," growled Rin.
"You and I, Haru," said Makoto as he grabbed Haruka's hand.
"W-what!?" asked Rei.
"The rest of you keep moving!" said Haruka, "You have to get to Alex!"
"Come on you guys!" shouted Rin as he unleashed a blast of water to escape the circle of monsters.
"Very well then," said Nagisa as he and Rin ran with Rei to escape the circle of monsters while Makoto and Haruka linked their hands together to combine their powers in a dual blast of water mixed in with some ice and vapor.
The trio got back onto the roads but saw that they were damaged and ruined by the megascolides that erupted from there with cracks and pits on the path.
"Looks like…w-what!? Nagisa?" asked Rin, "W-what are you doing?!"
The blonde summoned the compendium as he looked at the page that talked about the items.
"Don't you guys remember?" replied Nagisa, "There's a set of materials that will bring forth a miracle! Rei-chan, Alex told you what he saw through that, right?"
"Y-yes…" said Rei, "He said that they will help him recover everything…"
Nagisa took out the three crystals and the mirror while Rin opened to the page to read the list of items that were needed.
"Hmm…it says we need a sword still," said Rin, "I'll try mines!"
Rin took out his sword and placed it down by the items but nothing happened. He gave a shrug as Rei picked it up and handed it back to him.
"I'll try mines," replied Rei as he took out his weapon and set it down.
"Not working," muttered Nagisa.
"SHIT! We can't be screwing too much time!" growled Rin.
Nagisa read the page and replied, "But it says that the sword has a design…so rare and foreign that it hasn't been seen for ages. Rei-chan…do you think…?"
Rei gasped as he finally knew what it could be; it was The Dragon Kopis Sword!
"A-Alex has it!" gasped Rei, "The Dragon Kopis Sword!"
"Wh-what?!" gasped Rin and Nagisa.
"After I found Alex a while ago, we went to a shop and the owner of it looked really familiar…but that isn't important now," explained Rei, "Anyway, he traded out his old sword for the one that he's using now and it had a rare design on there! I'm sure that's what we need!"
"Yes!" said Nagisa.
"I just pray we are not too late," nodded Rin.
"I hope not," agreed Rei as he felt worried.
Before either of them could move on to the castle, they turned to see several Oorn, Cthulhu, Nachas Spiders, and some Acephlipterans.
"Shit!" snarled Rin, "Rei! Go take the items! Nagisa and I will deal with these bitches…"
"Go, Rei-chan!" said Nagisa.
"Be careful you two," he replied as the megane vanished the items to his magic and dashed off.
Aki and Anastasia took out a blanket and covered Takeshi up while Anne held onto her late father's hand. First it was Matsuura and then her father…her closest friend left was Makoto but now that he is with Haruka…
But I made new friends with Awlida and Shirahama, she thought, I'll be okay…but for now…
"We still need back up," said Aki, "We cannot proceed to help Alex or get Takeshi out and put for proper rest."
The weather finally began to rain a little as droplets of water finally hit the area. Anne turned to Anastasia and said, "Maybe you should go to him…"
Before the princess could reply, they turned to see several members of The Watcher's along with a truck vehicle. Together, they brought Takeshi inside the back of the load.
"Go Anne, it's best if you stay with them…and him," said Aki, "They'll keep you and him safe."
"A-Aki!" gasped Anastasia as she pointed out to someone in the distance. They turned to see Rei arriving at the scene as the megane breathed heavily from the running.
"W-we have to get to Alex…quickly!" he said.
Aki turned to Anastasia with a nod as the former said, "I'll go back up Rei. Keep Anne some company at least."
"Very well…and…Rei?" she asked.
"Y-yes?" he replied.
"…please don't lose him," said Anastasia as she and Anne got onto the truck and left with the watchers.
"I won't," he vowed quietly as he turned to run with Aki, heading to the castle.
Haruka dodged the attack from the Byatis as Makoto threw another acidic splash at the Megascolides. The Chiropterans screeched loudly and soared down to grab Haruka but Makoto brought him to safety while throwing up a water shield.
"Makoto! We have to combine our powers again!" said Haruka.
"Wouldn't have that it any other way…Haru-chan!" chuckled Makoto.
"Oh quit the –chan," he sighed.
The two linked hands as Makoto chanted, "We are always here…in my base…your pace…"
"Waters of the sea…rain mercicless judgement upon our prey!" said Haruka as the two unleashed a rain of icicles on the monsters with a slash of water slicing several of the monsters down in their duo powers. The Megascolides, Chiropterans, and Byatis collapsed and were impaled by the sharpness as blood and guts spewed all around.
"I think we got them finally," said Makoto.
"We need to keep moving!" replied Haruka as the two held hands together and ran.
"H-Haru…you know…" answered the taller boy, "I hope Alex will forgive me…after what I said to Rei a while ago."
"Ma-Makoto?" asked Haruka.
"I've been hard on him in the beginning...it's not fair for me to be this harsh...He was your love back on Earth after all...and with that, I don't want him to feel hurt ever again," he explained, "And now on this world...I've hurt Rei as well...but I know it's going to be okay once we win this."
Haruka kept silent as the taller one said, "It's meaningless...if I don't swim with all of you...espeically you Haru-chan!"
"T-that's right…" answered Haruka as he remembered that night at the festival, "You said that to me…and yes, I did love him as we lived our lives on Earth. Things have changed and you and I are together…but in our hearts…we all love each other…"
"Our hearts for each other belong to us...the Magic Six!" smiled Makoto.
The two narrowly dodged another Chiropteran as Haruka fired a blast as he muttered, "The Magic Six…"
Meanwhile, Rin dodged a Cthulhu and thrusted his sword to slice down the tentacles while Nagisa created another slash at the Acephlipteran in half.
"I…I remember…how we first met," said Rin as he sliced down an Oorn and dodged a Nachas, "I came to the school...and back then, I swore that we would become the team! Just like what the Compendium showed us!"
Nagisa slashed down at the Cthulhu and jumped back to a rock while slashing down a Chiropteran as he replied, "Rin-chan….I remember how much fun we had while we swam together! The relay and all!"
"It was once four of us…and five with Rei…" said Rin.
"And six with Alex," smiled Nagisa as he turned to stab down a Nachas.
"I was with Rei...keeping our sexy butterfly stable...you with Makoto..." began Rin when he turned to see a swarm of Oorn and he unleashed his blast of water, throwing them back to the seas, "We faced several challenges…both fighting and swimming!"
"But we keep ourselves to win to stay together…" said Nagisa.
Rin slashed at the Cthulhu and replied, "Na-Nagisa…let's make out later once this is said and done, okay?!"
"Hehehe, about time you said soething romantic!" smirked the blonde as he stoo back to back with his lover.
Rin dodged the claws from the Oorn but a Chiropteran slashes a part of his clothes and a little bit of his skin as blood spilled out.
"RIN!" gasped Nagisa as his eyes glowed from hot pink to vermillion red and said, "NO ONE MESSES WITH MY RIN!"
Nagisa created icicle claws on his hands and began to slash his way down violently with a sadistic smile on his face. Rin fell to his knees but did his best to stay up. He turned to hear Haruka's echoing voice from the distance.
"Waters of the Free…slash down thy beasts of shadow!" chanted Haruka as a storm of sharp rain stabbed the monsters around.
"Haru-chan! Mako-chan! Hurry!" shouted Nagisa, "Quickly!"
The other two rushed to the scene and saw Rin with the blood on his back. Haruka and Nagisa turned to combat the monsters while Makoto chanted from his vase to heal Rin's injuries. Finally, the monsters seemed to back off which allowed them to regroup.
"We have to keep going!" said Makoto.
"Yes, Alex is facing off Rasputin…and Rei is trying to get to him," nodded Nagisa, "We figured out the final object for the Compendium Riddle!"
"W-what!?" gasped Makoto.
"It's Alex's sword…" said the blonde, "Only with that sword and the objects we can get Alex back to human again!"
"But he has to defeat Rasputin though," said Haruka.
"He will," replied Rin as he got on his feet as his eyes glowed crimson red, "We will reunite…for this team!"
"Let's go then!" nodded Nagisa as the four held their hands together and rushed through the road.
Aki ran side by side with Rei as she could feel the megane's determined attitude to reunite with the last member of the team.
It was only like yesterday when she first met the four; Rin, Makoto, Naigsa, and Haruka at the Iwatobi Elementary Swimming Club and things evolved from there…their magic, their gods, Rei…Alex…and many others both friends and foes.
The castle stood tall and mighty before them but they still had to get through the entrances and the stairs before they could reach the final battle.
She could only pray to herself while Rei thought to himself, I have to reunite with him…he has to remember before it's all too late!
Back at the castle, the weather began to rain a little as the two Chiropteran Kings stared at each other. It has been far too long for revenge and now…the time has come!
"I have nothing more to say to you," hissed Alex as he pressed his thumb on the sword, activating his blood power with his eyes glowing red.
Rasputin smirked and did the same with his sword as his eyes glowed green, "Nor I to you…"
After a brief pause, Alex charged for the attack, "RAAAAAAAAAGHHHHH!"
Rasputin clashed his sword against Alex's and jumped back to propel himself forward, trying to slash him down. Alex dodged the attack and turned around to clash blades again. Their glowing eyes were fueled with anger, vengeance, and destruction as both parties were locked in duel of the dance.
Alex jumped back just as Rasputin almost grabbed him for the kill and clashed swords again. The skies grew heavy as thunder and lightning struck around.
Mariko smiled at the sight and said, "Oh how beautiful."
He watched the two as he kept tight on the babies, keeping them as warm as possible.
"A Tale of Two Brothers…one fighting for humanity…the other fighting for the beast," he muttered when he saw the cocoons cracking a little, "Oh, looks like they'll hatch."
Jadwiga pointed her gun behind Mariko's neck and narrowed her eyes.
"Okay, okay," he muttered, "Put the gun down…I'm not going to hurt you."
"Save your cries for your death, Chivashi!" growled Jadwiga as she readied the trigger.
"Don't you see," replied Mariko, showing her the cocoons "Why should I fight you when I got these?"
Jadwiga wasn't too surprised to see this as she knew what this could mean for the battle.
"They are Rasputin's children…born from the mother in Lha'li back when it was still a paradise," explained the Chivashi, "But anyway, I have no reason to fight while I am on duty of keeping them warm. See, just look behind you."
Jadwiga turned to see Alex and Rasputin fighting away to no end as their swords clashed at each other and their eyes still glowing with power.
"The real duel here was only meant to be fought by the…two kings. I'm only here to see…how it all ends," said Mariko.
"…You're right," she answered, lowering her gun, "The fight is theirs."
Alex clashed his blade against Rasputin as the younger Chiropteran jumped over him and was heading to one of the walls. Alex followed right behind him but felt the sleepiness coming back to him.
"What's the matter?" smirked Rasputin, "You feel sleepy?"
Alex growled and jumped back just before Rasputin could stab him. Time was running out as he knew that it was going to be his hibernation cycle again if he fails to defeat him.
I got no other choice, thought Alex as the thunder and lightning struck again.
Rasputin tore off a part of his garments since the clothes were getting wet and heavy to fight. Alex did the same with his Arabian clothes as he tore off his cloak and tossed it to the side.
The two brothers stared at each other as they knew that this was the final moment before one side could win and the other will fall.
"Here we go," hissed Rasputin as he readied his blade and scraped more blood to the sword.
Alex replied by getting his sword ready as well, pressing his thumb to drip more blood down. He could feel his heart racing with determination and fear at the same time but there was no other way out of this mess.
"HUAAAAAH!" charged Rasputin as he soared over to Alex.
The elder brother stood in place and readied himself and cried, "HEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
"Alex…" said Jadwiga as she saw their swords drenched in blood from each other.
Aki and Rei arrived to see them exploding blood out from each other as their swords stabbed together. They both pulled the swords out from each other while Rasputin's blade broke in half and Alex dropped his down and fell to his knees.
At first it all seemed to quiet and strange for a moment but then the world around Alex's eyes changed as he saw a whole vast of memories before him; from his days in Mayfield to his journey in Japan and the relationships between him and Haruka and the others. The swim race, their days in Lywnwin…everything…
FINALLY, it was all coming back to him as his eyes widened in shock and realization; his life from Earth!
On the final scene, he saw his little brother, Sergi standing before him, smiling out to him.
S-Sergi…H-HARU! REI! MAKOTO! NAGISA! R-RIN, his mind screamed and a tear fell form his eyes.
Back in reality, Rasputin stepped back and felt the blood draining form his body, holding his chest and wondering what will happen. Alex breathed heavily to digest the memories but he had to keep focus on his prey, wondering if he and Rasputin were going to…
Rasputin looked down at his body and his hands and legs began to feel stiff and paralyzed. He gasped as the hands began to crystalize and shed into dust. The younger brother's eyes widened and he looked at Alex. The older brother could still feel his body and was rather shocked as well.
"W-WHAT?!" gasped Rasputin as his body began to shatter.
Alex got up from his knees and made his way over, trying to ignore the pain in his abdomen and back and grabbed his sword.
"B-brother…" said Rasputin quietly.
"This…is for…my SERGI!" growled the older brother, taking the sword and slashing Rasputin's right shoulder off, creating an explosion of blood and turning the limb into shards and dust. Rasputin screamed as the pain was beyond excruciation.
"H-HOOOOWWWW?! WHAAAAAAAAAA!" shouted Rasputin.
"This is for my TEAMMATES!" replied Alex as he slashed off the other arm off.
W-why…why me, thought Rasputin before he screamed, "MY BLOOD SHOULD HAVE KILLED YOU TOOOOO!"
"THIS IS FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS WOLRD!" screamed Alex, ignoring him as he slashed at the stomach/abdomen with blood exploding out and solidifiying.
"B-BROTHER!" screamed Rasputin.
"I am NOT your brother you bastard…and this…" said Alex, "THIS IS FOR YOU!"
Rasputin gasped as Alex stabbed him at the chest, through the heart and out on the back, solidifying the organ of blood as more blood exploded out.
"DAS-VI-DANYA!" he growled as he pushed the sword in while holding Rasputin. A small tear dripped from his eyes…but he was finally able to kill him.
Rasputin screamed as his body unleashed rings of energy out, knocking Alex out of the way. The younger brother's body solidified and crystalized to shards and dust with an explosion of light so bright that nearly blinded everyone nearby.
Rei wanted to jump in and get to Alex but Aki held him and said, "Just give him a minute."
He nodded and stared at Alex with great worry on his face. The last king turned to Mariko walking up to him while putting the babies next to the spot where Rasputin shattered.
"Oh my poor, sweet, lonely Rasputin…" said Mariko sadly as he turned to Alex and said, "All he only wanted was a family of his own."
"A…a family," muttered Alex.
"You finally got it in the end…my dear Raspy. You didn't realize that your sexual encounter result your loss in blood power…due to the hormones in your body," said Mariko as he rubbed the empty space that once stood Rasputin.
Alex took a step back as Mariko got up and said, "I guess now that he's dead...it's pointless for his Chivashi to remain alive...its significance is lost."
Mariko transformed to his monstrous form with claws around and stood mighty and tall, staring at the last king.
"Alex, will you please kill me?" asked Mariko, "As long as I am still alive...you won't be able to fulfill your one remaining wish...isn't that what he told you...?"
Jadwiga remained silent while Mariko kicked Alex's sword over and said, "Go on...if you feel sorry for me, send me off."
Alex took the sword and charged up to the monster, slashing him in half as Mariko muttered, "Thank you…"
The leader of The Watchers stepped in as Alex dropped his sword for a moment while covering his face with his hands. She hugged behind him.
"Oh Alex…" she said softly.
He opened his face and cried out loud, unleashing a scream of sadness and moans for a moment or two. The cocoons finally hatched as the two babies opened their eyes and saw the world before them and cried on their first breath.
Alex looked down at the babies as Jadwiga said, "Alex, if it's too painful for you…"
"No," he answered, "I…I must do it myself."
He grabbed his sword and stared at them as the babies stopped crying and began to giggle, "I…I must…put an end…to all of this."
He filled up the sword with his blood and readied on the blade when Rei rushed into the scene and screamed, "WAIT!"
Alex gasped and turned to see the megane standing several yards before him, "R-Rei…"
"Alex," said Rei, "W-what are you doing? Why are you going to kill them?"
"…I'm sorry, Rei," replied the chiropteran, lowering his head down.
"For what? Apologizing for what?" asked Rei, getting worried.
"….I'm going to…die now," said Alex as the thunder and lightning struck while Rei's eyes widened in shock.
"I made Jadwiga promise me…that she would kill me, when it's all over," he explained.
"WHAT?! NO! ALEX!" gasped Rei, "Give me your sword! We can still save you!"
"…If I remain alive…so will the Chiropterans. We'd be used as resources for war," he answered, "For all of this to end, I will have to die too. So I'm…I'm going to kill the babies…and then, I…I must die too. I HAVE TO DIE NOW REI!"
Rei stood in shock as Alex spilled some tears from his eyes as another thunder and lightning struck. The others finally arrived at the scene as they saw Rei and Alex standing face to face.
"W-what do you mean…no…Alex!" said Rei, "Listen to me! Give me your sword, please!"
"ALEX-CHAN!" screamed Nagisa, running closer to them with the others, "LISTEN TO HIM!"
"I'm sorry…Rei…I'm sorry, everyone" replied Alex as his eyes glowed red again, and holding his sword to kill the babies, "But…it's the only way to end all of this. I don't want anyone else to suffer again. We should not be…be allowed to live…"
"Don't be ridiculous!" said Rei as he took a step closer, "I know it's you…Alex please…"
Rei gasped as Alex dropped the sword and looked up to the skies. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before unleashing a sonic scream, unleashing wave of sounds against the monsters in the battle. The scream from his Chiropteran powers strikes at the monsters all over the Iwamara vicinity, shattering them to ashes as the blood power inside of Alex is unleashed...at full power...however, a tear drop from Alex fell onto the babies, keeping them alive during the blast.
All over the area, the people could only watch in shock as the monsters were dissolving into mush or ashes while others were shattering into dust and shard.
"W-what is this!?" gasped Anne as she and Anastasia were in the truck and seeing the Oorn shattering away.
In another area, Awlida and Shirahama gasped as the Chiropterans and Acephlipterans were flying away but didn't get far as the sound waves threw them off course and turned into ashes and dried guts and dust.
After a few moments, Alex closed his mouth as the waves of power that were unleashed from him were now hitting back against him, slowly shattering his body away. The other gasped in horror as they saw what was happening to the boy.
"ALEX!" screamed Rei as he saw his legs beginning to break apart as a glowing of white light surrounded Alex's body.
"Everything we've done…both past and present…" said Alex as he saw them standing in horror.
"NO DON'T DO THIS!" screamed Rin.
"ALEX-CHAN!" shouted Nagisa.
Aki lowered her head while Jadwiga stood in silence, knowing that it was going to be a painful end.
"Oh Alex…" said Rei as he rushed up to him for a hug, spilling tears as he could feel the boy fading away, "Please don't leave us…don't leave me…"
"We made so many new memories together…t-thank you…Rei," smiled Alex as he too spilled some tears, "T-thank you…Haruka…Makoto…Nagisa…Rin…Aki…Anastasia…and…"
Rei's hands trembled as he could feel the last of the hug disappearing from his love.
"Nankurunaisa…" said Alex softly.
"A-Alex…" gasped Rei as he trembled the hug as tight as possible.
"…I will always love you…Rei," answered the Chiropteran with a small tear from his eye.
The Final Star closed his eyes and his body dissolved away into shards, dropping Rei to the ground as his entire body was shaking and trembling with pain with flooding tears of pure sadness. All what remained after all of this was Alex's Suiei Necklace which fell to the ground and landed in front of Rei, glowing faintly before it stopped.
"No Alex, NO, NO…NOOOOOOOOOO!" cried Rei as he held Alex's Suiei Necklace in his hands, closing his eyes as the tears fell to the ground where the Chiropteran once stood.
Rin and Nagisa rushed up to Rei to comfort him but they too were in tears of their own. Haruka and Makoto followed right in as the former spilled a silent tear or two while Makoto was already flooding with sadness.
"I…I failed to save him, again" coughed Rei as he still cried and moaned, "Oh Alex…how could you!? HOW COULD YOU!? WHY!?"
"Rei-chan…" said Nagisa softly as he tried to wipe the megane's tears away.
Haruka and Rin hugged around Rei as the megane tried to breathe from all of the sadness but it was so hard to even believe that it all happened.
"We swore to be together…" said Rei finally, his face still wet, "That was OUR promise back on Earth! We would be together so he and I would be happy once more! And now he's gone…he's dead… again! I… failed to…save him!"
"R-Rei…" said Makoto sadly, resting his hand on the megane's shoulder.
They all lowered their heads for a moment of silence while Rei still whimpered between his tears; it was all back in Italy during their battle against the Shadow Mafia when they lost him.
"Rei," replied Haruka, remembering the riddle in the book, "We need to try...to solve the riddle."
"But…" said Rei, "It's too late! He's gone!"
"There must be a way," said Makoto as he wiped away his tears, "I'm sure that if we saved him before…we can save him again!"
"We need to do this…for the team!" agreed Rin as he was feeling shaky also, "If we give up now, we'll never get him back!"
Nagisa remained silent but nodded as Rei finally relaxed a little and summoned the Compendium.
"Four items together can create a miracle…a set of gemswith vibrant colors, a Handheld Reflection, a Compendium of Memories…and a legendary sword with a design so rare," said Rei as he and the others set the items down; The three (red, yellow, blue) crystals from Leon, the mirror from Izawa, Alex's Dragon Kopis sword, and the Compendium of Memories.
Aki and Jadwiga got the babies as they watched the five trying to put the items together with the book. Jadwiga wanted to say something but Aki gave her a nod to wait and they stepped to the side.
"These babies deserve a happy life," said Jadwiga, looking at the babies, "Chiropteran or not."
After a few moments of silence, the book finally glowed golden and white as the items swirled around and around, unleashing a wave of power across the area. The sounds were strange as a large gale of wind swept through the area.
"W-what's going on!?" gasped Nagisa.
Makoto and Haruka almost lost footage of their balance as the winds were picking up faster and faster.
"Rei, we have to get out of here, I don't like what I'm feeling in the atmosphere," said Rin.
Moments later, the skies opened from the seas as a gigantic vortex of light swirled its way across the bay, heading inland towards the castle.
"A tw-twister!?" gasped Haruka.
"H-Haru…" trembled Makoto, holding his hand tight with Haruka's in fear at the sight of the tornado.
"GET OUT OF HERE NOW!" shouted Jadwiga, "ITS HEADING THIS WAY!"
"Let's go!" said Aki, "Jadwiga and I got the babies!"
The seven ran and began to escape; heading down the steps as Jadwiga and Aki managed to escape into the forest but the vortex soared faster and faster, going around in a circular path before hitting to the castle. Before anyone could react, the twister pulled the five boys inside.
"MAKOTOOOOOOO!" shouted Haruka, losing his grip on Makoto.
"NAGISAAAAAA!" screamed Rin as his vision blurred by the speed of the vortex.
"REEEI-CHANN! RIN-CHANNN!" shouted Nagisa.
"HARUUUUUUU!" cried Makoto as he was swept away.
"NAIGSAAAA! RINNNN!" shouted Rei.
~One Destiny Remains: CAN WE BE REALLY THE TEAM THAT WE ONCE WERE!?
Epilogue - Friday May 30, 2014!
私は天に自分自身を見つけるために目を覚ます...私が誰だ覚えて目を覚ます。しかし、これは本当に私のために終わりですか？私は自分の手でこの戦争を終わらせるために私の血の最後を使用してラスプーチンを破った。
最終回, Free! "新しい始まり...ナンクルナイサ!" それは、チームであると我々の運命だから！