Episode 9: オペレーションインフィニティパート1: クモの息子!
Operation Infinity Part 1: The Spider's Son!
Kira kira hikaru sora ni wa FYUUCHAA
Mekurumeite ryuuseigun
Tokimeki michiteiku
Kimi no inryoku ni torawaresou
2 Days Later:
Since Oikawa's demise, the city was back in peace for a bit and the Nerbils were finally wiped gone out of existence. Several people were bitten by them and were required emergency care but with the powers of the Saviors, miracles were performed. Hajime and Kisumi kept in touch with each other's contacts knowing that they both shared the same fate from dealing with Oikawa.
However, Alexa was starting to have headaches as he could feel the time key lingering against the Death Mark from activating. It was only a couple of days or so left till his 21st birthday.
If Neo King Julius survived this…how did he, he thought, why can't he just tell me the truth? Will this world even have a future?
Kagami has yet to forgive Kuroko and Aomine still and he continued to avoid the Generation of Miracles. This worried the Iwasame Seshi and Gaardus as they wondered if the other savior was being corrupted after what he did. Nonetheless, they continued to trained him in swimming as he began to specialize in freestyle.
"He had to protect the innocent but none of this even fits!" sighed Rei, while he and Nagisa were just leaving the lockers, "Something triggered him to kill Oikawa-kun."
"I'm sure he didn't mean it," Nagisa nodded as the team walked over to the café diner where the Generation of Miracles waited. Makoto stayed at the loft with Alexa as the Aqua Duniyan savior was still tired and a bit sick.
Theagenes crafted a tomb to put Oikawa's body inside as he shook his head and muttered, "Bad choice…if you only listened to me dearie, perhaps you would've got your happy ending. And now because of that, my grand plan is coming closer to its final stage."
To turn the savior into darkness…Taiga Kagami, he thought, who will then be the one to kill Alexa with the Death Mark once activated. As for that final savior…he will continue his ordinary life with no vision or premonition. But first…
After a moment of silence, he sent the tomb back to the funeral site where it would be placed in a mausoleum with his name engraved on stone.
Sportsbrooke Diner
The remaining Iwasame Senshi, Pandora and Deidi sat down with the Generation of Miracles as Kagami walked inside with a plan in his fiery mind. After learning from Pandora/Gaardus and Deidi that Theagenes planned to turn him dark, he was already trying to formulate something to stop him.
"I'm going after Theagenes," Kagami said as he announced his plan to the Generation of Miracles and the Iwasame Senshi while they were all sitting in the diner.
"He's the one who set this up, he's gonna pay and answer some questions about what's been happening," he continued.
"Don't go off like that," Midorima replied.
"He's right about that Kagamicchi," Kise agreed, "He wants you mad."
"Well I am, but that doesn't mean he's gonna get what he's after!" Kagami growled, "Do I wish on what I could've done different to Oikawa? Yes…because that's regret, NOT darkness! I think we've all done things WE regret."
"For now we have to focus on one thing and that's to get Theagenes into a trap and to answer for what he's done…" he continued when the door opened.
"I might be able to help with that," a voice said.
Everyone stared at the door as Makoto Hanamiya walked into the scene as his expression was also outrage but not at the group before him, "It now appears we have a common foe…Theagenes."
"Eh? But you were resurrected by him…" Aomine replied.
"To help HIMSELF…not me," Hanamiya said, "Oikawa's death only confirmed that."
"Oh so it looks like now you'll turn on him before he turns on you," muttered Kise.
"I knew Theagenes couldn't keep the spider in his nest for long," smiled Akashi.
"What do you want?" Kuroko asked, slightly annoyed.
"Nothing from you…but…I've heard that this Savior…one of the two per say…has an ability to track people down, yes?" Hanamiya replied.
"Yeah…who do you want found?" asked Kagami.
"My son," he said.
The crowd gasped as Kuroko's eyes widened "H-He's alive?!"
Murasakibara and Akashi kept silent about this as they both previously knew while the others were a bit shocked to hear of this news.
"Yes…he survived the journey to this land…the journey you BOTH sent him on," Hanamiya smiled a little before continuing to Kagami, "You want to prevent Theagenes from turning you dark, right? What better way than to leave this town and help me?"
"I'm not running away from him," Kagami said.
"It's not…it's only hindering his plans," Hanamiya replied.
Kagami nodded and asked, "What do you know about him?"
"Just like what the Dark One showed me…through a vision with this," Hanamiya said, revealing the baby rattle, "He was banished to this world about 20 years ago to a place called Yousen, where he was adopted by a couple; and they named him Tatsuya."
Kagami's eyes widened in shock at the name as if it was only yesterday, "No…It can't be!"
"What's the matter Kagami?" Nagisa asked as the taller man's eyes widened in disbelief, running out the door and heading to the library for research. Pandora looked at Deidi with a bit of a shock as the former sent a metal note to Alexa and Makoto.
Kagami grabbed a series of newspaper articles that were exported from across the world through special messengers. He looked at them one by one before finding the matching birth date and year and looked through the particular news from the village of Yousen.
At last, he found the one he looked for: Tatsuya Himuro, adopted by the Himuro Family. Immediately, he recognized the little spot by the eye as Kagami sat there completely stunned.
"Tatsuya…" he muttered as hid mind raced back to that day.
Flashback: Kagami and Tatsuya's Back Story Part 3, Several Years Ago...
Location: Crescent Spike Mountain Southeastern Village: Atarus
After leaving Tatsuya back in the hands of his "family", Kagami was brought to the southern side of the mountains where he was finally registered into a foster family. Excited for this new opportunity, Kagami joined this new family consisting of a pair of twin identical brothers: Michiko and Michiru along with a mother and father.
A younger Kagami was busy counting all the items ready for the camping trip as the mother walked in to check the list.
"This is going well," he said, "We're almost done."
"I'm glad we could have you with us," the mother smiled.
The father stepped in to calm Michiko and Michiru down as they all grouped in a circle to review the items one last time.
"Have you ever been camping?" asked Michiru.
"I haven't been on a vacation at all," blushed Kagami.
"Not everyone is as fortunate as you and your brother have done," the mother said, "We are happy to have Kagami here with us."
"So am I," he smiled, "Oh, the sleeping bag…I better get it from the shack."
Kagami made his way to the shack and grabbed the sleeping bags but heard a loud rattle from nearby. Alarmed, he grabbed a broom and walked over to the source of the noise.
"Kagami wait!" a voice popped out as Tatsuya Himuro got up from the ground.
"Tatsuya?" Kagami gasped a little, "W-what are you doing here?"
"I know I'm like the last person you want to see…but I really had nowhere else to go," Himuro answered.
"What's the matter?" Kagami asked.
"Bad…really bad…I know I've lied to you before but this is serious right now, I need your help," he begged.
"And why should I trust you now?" Kagami replied.
"Because I'm in bigger trouble than where I was previously," Himuro said, "You once said that we'd be friends forever. Did you mean it? 'Cause I did."
"Kagami, who's this?" asked the foster father, walking in to check up on the boy.
"Oh um…this is Tatsuya…my friend," Kagami said.
"I didn't know you had friends out here in the neighborhood," the father replied.
"My foster family and I just moved out here recently. I wanted to be a big surprise for him," Tatsuya smiled as Kagami made a fake smile.
"Huh, so then…do you want to join us for dinner Tatsuya?" the father asked as Tatsuya nodded with a smile while Kagami's stomach turned upside down.
Present Day:
Kagami stared at the newspaper clipping as he was still reflecting those days with Tatsuya in his mind. So much happened in a short period of time and now he was about to dive back into this person's life. He knew that it's his duty as the savior to bring justice but after what he did to Oikawa…was justice even a part of his existence?
"Ain't fate a bitch…you knew this kid…how?" asked Murasakibara while eating some chips. Kagami was slightly startled by his appearance.
"H…he was my friend," Kagami revealed.
"Really? I'm surprised for someone like you to have crossed paths with him," the purple-haired man answered.
"We were friends ourselves…and we exchanged our rings…one of which Kuroko has now," Kagami continued, sitting on the chair, looking at his own ring, "But how is it even possible? The one who I end up as a friend is the same baby who Kuroko and Aomine banished?!"
"Kagami there are powers beyond OUR understanding…and those two messed with them," he shrugged.
"So then the only friend I had back then…wasn't even a friend by my choice," Kagami sighed, rubbing his own face from the sweat.
"I know…it hurts doesn't it? I've been there too," said Murasakibara after biting another chip slowly.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"You think it was by coincidence that I've crossed paths with the others? Theagenes might have staged us up but to think that we'd be reunited as the lost team? Our actions are our own but fate pushes us…and for your information, I've met him too once," replied the purple-haired man.
"So you knew about him?" Kagami asked.
"Yes and I was in fact a classmate with him in early school for a bit but he one day disappeared and I'm assuming you met him sometime after," he said.
"Something like that," Kagami shrugged.
"You know, maybe it's time we push back," the purple-haired man said, "Let's go out and get him."
"Like a road trip?" he asked.
"Well, perhaps with both of us in his path, he might be able to reason with," Murasakibara suggested.
"I'm alright, I don't need a babysitter," Kagami said.
"I wasn't planning on that," he answered, "But maybe I need you. I haven't even seen that town for years ever since I left with my folks to start our business out here. You're familiar with the mountains more than I am. How about it? Let's make today…the day we both beat fate."
Kagami stared at the tall giant before nodding in approval. They were going to need some stuff for this trip so they both got up and left the room.
Kagami's Loft
Makoto conjured a wash rag and submerged it in a bucket of warm water before putting on top of Alexa's head.
"Mako-chan…" Alexa breathed.
"Calm down Alexa," he answered, "You and Kagami were definitely using so much of your energy lately."
"True but Kagami is what I'm really worried about," said Alexa.
"I'm worried about YOU!" Makoto argued back, "You're feeling ill which is a sign that the death mark is going to activate! I can't believe this…I'm the one at fault."
"It's not yours to blame," Alexa replied.
"Those damn wretched purification rules kept me of innocence and light," Makoto cussed silently.
"Neo King Julius is me…I am sure he has done a great miracle to survive," said Alexa, "We need to have hope."
"Much easier said than done," he sighed, "I should've just traveled back in time."
"And change the future that would have been previously be the answer to save this world?" Alexa argued.
Makoto kept silent before getting up and walked back and forth, "When I saw the death mark on you Alexa…the Dark One…I swear, it has to be Theagenes but…unless if he's in a glamour spell, the outfits and that aura don't match from him today compared to that incident."
"Mako-chan…what if we defeat the darkness?" Alexa asked, "Maybe defeating him might undo the mark."
"Just how are we going to defeat something that is of pure shadow?" Makoto replied.
Alexa smiled and revealed the Solar Crystal, "Mako-chan…Antonius…I placed a part of my life in the solar crystal. Can I entrust you?"
Makoto's eyes widened a little, "Alexa…the crystal is your treasure."
"And that treasure should not just be alone to bear…Makoto. People in the past have tried to steal it…and soon more people will come after it," Alexa explained, "Please…entrust this to your heart."
"I can't do this," Makoto answered, pushing the crystal back to Alexa's chest, "My love for you is more than enough."
"You really…" Alexa made a sad smile before they exchanged a kiss.
Rei and Nagisa walked on as Makoto withdrew the kiss and blushed a little, "What's going on?"
"Kagami is about to leave town, Nagisa answered.
"We've heard," Alexa replied, "The child of that man…Pandora sent a note."
"Sou-chan, Haru-chan, and Rin-chan are going to try to find that psychic store," the blond replied.
"Hopefully with the location exposed we'll strike," Rei nodded.
"Very well," Alexa smiled, "Don't worry about me…I know my future self exists."
"But where are Nitori and Momo?" Makoto asked.
"Checking to make sure there are no more nerbils," replied Nagisa, "Those filthy beasts are worse than we've encountered so far as enemies."
Momotarou and Nitori were going through town to investigate any further damages from the Nerbils when they recognized that "guy" from the shop earlier talking to his circle of friends. They both hid themselves from view and watched behind the scenes.
"Are you sure this man will find your son?" Hiroshi asked on his device.
"He will; his duty as The Savior isn't over yet," Hanamiya replied on the other line, "How is our prisoner?"
"Doing okay I suppose," Hiroshi answered, lugging Hosoya in chains. Momotarou and Nitori gasped and connected themselves to Sousuke about this discovery.
Rin, Haruka, and Sousuke searched on the maps to find the approximate location of the shop when they encountered an "abnormal" free space area of the building lots that showed as if nothing was ever there.
"This has to be it," Haruka observed.
"Just how are we going to expose this back?" asked Rin.
Sousuke narrowed his eyes a little but grunted when he heard his communication device going off. He answered it and after a moment of discussion:
"I have to go," Sousuke said, "My father is here."
"EH!?" Rin gasped.
"It seems we got some family business," he shrugged, "I'll be back."
Kagami and Murasakibara walked to the shed where a bunch of vehicles were stored. They each carried a backpack took a small floating bike that would bring them to their destination and back. Kagami's heart raced a little as he thought about Tatsuya as Murasakibara could tell his expression was still a bit confused.
"Are you going to be okay Kagami?" the taller guy asked.
"Y-yeah, I just need a moment," he replied.
Murasakibara sent a text to the other Vorpal Swords, telling them that he will accompany Kagami on this quest. The others sent the okay and he finished up his bag of pretzels before putting it in the trash bin.
"Let's go," said Kagami, "We don't have time."
They both got on the vehicle and turned on the engines. Kagami was warned by Akashi that leaving the town line might weaken his magic especially now that he used it to kill Oikawa. Kagami doubted he'll need it for Tatsuya since it was the 'real world' problem.
With a shrug, the two set out for the journey.
Flashback A: Part 3 of Kagami and Tatsuya (Continued)
Kagami and Tatsuya sat down with the family as they prayed a thank you for the meal before chomping down.
"Sorry that we just got all this take-out and junk," the mother said.
"Oh no, I like it…this house, the chore wheel…homework, all of that," smiled Tatsuya, "Gotta work hard to get bigger accomplishments, right?"
The parents chuckled as one of the twins noticed the spot on his eye, "Hey what is that?"
"Michiru…" the mother answered.
"Oh it's just a freckle," smiled Tatsuya, "A birthmark I had."
"So then…Tatsuya, how did you and Kagami met?" asked the father.
"I met Kagami when he was learning how to play basketball for the first time back in Northern Heights. His performance was great but I was having special classes so I brought him in to help him unlock his potential. We hit it right off together, best friends forever," Tatsuya lied.
"Sounds like you both must have had a hard time when being separated," the mother answered.
"Yeah but thankfully we're back now in the same neighborhood. Kagami was the only person who could ever understand me…as if we were meant to be," Tatsuya smiled.
Kagami stared hard at him before turning to his parents, "Oh um, could we have seconds?"
The two got up and went to the kitchen to get some more food as Kagami hissed quietly, "What are you doing!?"
"Making a good impression," whispered Tatsuya.
"By having to lie about how we first met!?" Kagami shouted silently.
"Would you have rather told them the truth? That you and I were stealing groceries and I was giving you tips?" Tatsuya shrugged in a murmur.
"I was hungry and look…that wasn't the point. I'm FINALLY in a good situation now," he answered.
"Yeah, you're right…it's nice here," Tatsuya replied as the T.V. was on showing a breaking news happening. Kagami's eyes widened as he recognized what was on the screen as a group of guys were making a robbery at some mini mart.
"I…I can explain," Tatsuya answered, nervous.
After the family went to bed, Tatsuya and Kagami went back to the garage as the former cried, "It's not what you think it is?! I had no idea we were going to do this! They told me it was a snack and run and then we get to the store and gives me a gun and…"
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND! YOU DIDN'T HAD TO JOIN THEM!" Kagami growled.
"I KNOW BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME!" Tatsuya said, "EVERYTHING I TRY TO DO IS WRONG NO MATTER WHAT!"
"You have to get out of here! The police are probably looking for you!" Kagami answered.
"I can't! I have left my stuff at their place!" Tatsuya cried out.
"I have an allowance saved up. I'll give it to you so you can use a bus pass! You CAN'T STAY HERE!" Kagami argued back.
"No you don't understand! There's this birth stone that I have and it's the only thing I have of my father!" he answered, "Please Kagami, I just need it back!"
Kagami sighed for a long moment before answering, "Fine. I'll get you this stone. But then, YOU'RE GONE!"
Present Day:
Nitori and Momotarou transformed to their Arabian Senshi clothes as they were ambushed by the Sherwood Spiders.
"THUNNDDEERRRRRRRR…GEYSER!" Momo shouted as he unleashed explosions of water from the ground.
"SUBMAARRRRINNNEEEEEE…COLLISION!" Nitori chanted as two waves of water from both ends tried to smash to the group.
Hiroshi fired streamline of spider webs, wrapping them both and pinning them to the ground.
"Not so fast!" a voice shouted. Hiroshi turned to see Sousuke arriving at the scene with his Deep Sea Sword at the ready.
"Your father is in our hands," Hiroshi answered, "Be a good boy now."
"Release them," Sousuke ordered, "They are under my grip."
With a shrug, Hiroshi snapped his fingers and they broke off from the webs, joining Sousuke side by side.
"Your last name is also Yamazaki," Sousuke answered, "Why is that? Who are you?"
"We…are your ancestors," Hiroshi revealed, "I am the first of our kind. My name is Hiroshi. My son is your grandfather and his son is your father."
"H-how though?" Momo asked, "Did you drank the fountain of youth?"
"What do you want from us?" Nitori added.
"Living as a tree is rejuvenating indeed," Hiroshi answered, "And no. All we want is our master to be happy. He has led our organization for a long time until two men dared to steal something precious of his."
"The child…" muttered Nitori.
"Yes, his child," Hiroshi answered, "We will not threaten anyone in this town but we will not rest until that boy is found."
"Then let my father go," Sousuke replied, "And we will leave you guys alone."
"Not yet. There is one answer I must find," Hiroshi said, "Why did our offspring diverge from having arachnid abilities."
"I don't know the answer to that question," Sousuke answered, "It just happens that we live in a world of water and we had no need to be spun on a web. I for one, am a Suiei God and my powers are enough to destroy you and your folks…and even this world."
"So it seems…you are the successor to him…Marius," muttered Hiroshi, "I know him quite well to be exact."
"Really?" Sousuke asked, disbelief.
"I saw the destruction of Atlantis…both the raiders and by the Glaive you unleashed. It was before our master lost his child," he replied.
"Sousuke, can we trust them?" asked Momotarou.
"Release my father and we'll bring you to your master. He's at the Sportsbrooke Blue Inn," Sousuke said.
After a shrug, Hosoya rejoined with his son as they began their way to downtown. Momo and Nitori took the back flank to keep an eye on the group while Sousuke walked with his father side by side.
"I see you've been doing well," Hosoya smiled.
"Just a matter of believing," Sousuke answered, "We'll get you at an inn too until you are ready to get back home."
At the inn, Makoto Hanamiya sat alone by his room, looking at the outside serenade while holding the baby rattle. His mind remembered the day he first met his true love…her patience, her beauty, and her ability to also transform into a spider. She was a unique kind and he thought his attitude would tear them apart but her patience into helping him become a better man did work.
After losing his son though, he was very vengeful and distant but now he was thinking about her and the egg. Her final words were to take the egg and keep it safe and remember her image through the child.
A small lone tear fell from his eyes as he could only pray to see his son as soon as possible. He turned to see Akashi by the door.
"Come in," Hanamiya answered.
Akashi walked in and said, "They're going to find him. You don't have to fret."
"Perhaps but now that the Dark One is off his leash…" Hanamiya replied.
"What is he planning to do?" Akashi asked.
After a moment of silent, Hanamiya said, "He plans to turn one of the saviors into his own and use him to kill the other two, preventing the prophecy."
Kagami…Alexa, thought Akashi, but who is this third savior?
"What did he say about those two?" Akashi continued.
"It's complicated…not even can I explain it right but…darkness has existed even before existence began. When there is light, there is also darkness. In order to keep its preservation, the darkness must be inside a host…one who can use its dark magic to fulfill its purpose. Theagenes is strong but after using dark magic to time travel back and forth, it's violating his body and he's getting weaker," Hanamiya revealed, "However killing Theagenes will result its murderer to be absorbed into its darkness, taking on the next role."
"Instead of killing him…the darkness can be removed," muttered Akashi.
"It could work but it will certainly go after the next host that it finds the highest potential," replied Hanamiya, "And that person is The Savior: one of the three has the highest light energy and that darkness will snuff it out in no time."
"Why doesn't it go after a normal human being?" Akashi asked.
"Because normal humans are not as gifted compared to The Savior. Even your darkest days when you committed crimes do not qualify compared to The Dark One," Hanamiya answered, "Many of us carry magic it's true…but The Savior has a job…a destiny…and that is the darkness' weakness."
"Destiny," Akashi said.
Olmpus Desert: En Route to the mountains
Kagami and Murasakibara soared through the air bikes, arriving closer to the Southern region of the Crescent Spike Mountains that contained several villages, one of which was Yousen.
When they arrived, the two parked at a nearby semi-ruined apartment complex and walked in after they asked the name to an elderly folk.
Walking inside, the area was dusty and crammed. Kagami knocked on the door that supposedly was Tatsuy's room but another door opened as an older man asked, "Can I help you?"
"Hi, we're looking for someone named Tatsuya Himuro," said Kagami, "Is he here?"
"Heheh, he used to live here but over a month ago he got into some trouble with the law," the man replied, "And if you asked me, you don't want to go near him…he was a bit dangerous and acted like a loser."
Kagami grabbed the man by his collar and growled, ready to punch him, "He was my friend you FUCKING IDIOT!"
"KAGAMI!" snapped Murasakibara, holding him back, "STOP IT! Leave him alone! He's not worth it!"
After a moment, Kagami released him and went back down the stairs. Murasakibara was not far behind as they both continued to explore the town area.
"Kagami, I know you're upset but you have to take it easy on yourself," the purple-haired man said.
"What a trashy bastard," Kagami murmured, "Yeah Tatsuya lies and stuff but he once had that kindness in him…even if it was all a lie."
The other man sighed and they continued onwards on their vehicles, heading to a small café diner area just a bit east of Yousen. They crossed over to the next town called Yamen and parked right in front of the diner.
Kagami got off and walked inside while Murasakibara checked the fuel level on the vehicles.
The two-toned haired man made his way to a free table and sat down as a tall man wore purple and white clothing with an apron around his waist. His hair was longa and covered one of his eyes.
"Hey," he said.
"Yo," Kagami replied, "I need two cups of coffee and a pack of Advil. Actually make it two."
"Tough day?" the man replied.
"You don't even know half of it," Kagami smirked sadly.
"I'll leave the pot here then," he answered as he flliped his hair. Time slowed down as Kagami looked up and his eyes widened silently to see that same spot by his eye. There was also a necklace around in neck that had a replica of the chain but there was a golden ring instead of silver.
"I'll be back with your Advil," the man said, walking to the back of the store.
What the hell is he doing here, thought Tatsuya.
Murasakibara walked into the shop and saw Kagami's face, "What's the matter? A wolf?"
Kagami leaned over and whispered, "It's him…"
Back in Sportsbrooke
Theagenes watched through the golden orb as Rin and Haruka were standing outside of his shop. With a wave of his hand, the shop visibly appeared once more and they both walked inside.
Welcome to my labyrinth…Suiei Gods, thought Theagenes, watching them entering.
The two walked inside but found themselves inside a dark maze with twisted directions and traps all around.
"This is his doing," muttered Rin.
"Let's transform," said Haruka.
"SHARK PRIMAL POWERRRRRR…MAAAAKKKEEEEE UP!" chanted Rin, raising the Shark Creature Wand Dagger. His nails glowed fire red with the shark symbol spinning out from the wand. The background was crimson with hints of maroon, and vermillion as the wind and Sakura petals gently blew past his hair.
Rin kept his grip on the dagger and made several air slashes with it as if he was in combat. The slashes transformed into streaks of water swirling around his body as a pair of shark fins appeared on his shoulders before it dissolved into his white tunic and black and gold cloak.
His hair flowed slowly as his red turban hat with the red-gold-blue scarf appeared with his Suiei Shark Necklace and his Malia Bee Pendant and blue-green beads. Rin spun around as his white pants and skirt appeared along with his red velvet belt as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Rin raised up his hands to don his cuffs while his Razor Shark Blade upgraded into a Full-Sized Shark-Toothed Cutlass on his side. His forehead glowed a neon symbol of the shark before he opened his eyes and showed off his badass smirk.
The dual sensation of the warrior and competitive swimmer radiated around his aura as he grabbed his sword out and pointed it out to his prey in battle pose.
"DOLPHIN PRIMAL POWERRRRRR…MAAAAKKKEEEEE UP!" shouted Haruka, raising his Dolphin Creature Wand Dagger. His nail glowed in ocean blue as the symbol of dolphin spun out of the wand. The background turned blue, sky blue, and navy blue with small stars of light exploding in with ripples of water.
Haruka kept a grip on his wand as he skated around the scene with dolphins swimming around him and his body before spinning fast circles in one place. Upon standing still, he flipped his hair to the left and right as the white and blue turban with his scarf appeared on his head and neck. He raised up his arms and hands as a pair of golden cuffs appeared on his biceps and triceps.
He extended his left foot out as a pair of his black shoes formed as swirls of water formed his black pants, his golden belt, and his black top with a white cloak. The neon dolphin symbol appeared on his forehead just as his Dolphin Razor Sword flared to his side, waiting to be unsheathed. Finally, he donned his Suiei Dolphin Necklace just tucked safely inside his clothing.
Haru opened his eyes, pulled out his sword and twirled it before making his solid pose to the viewer's left, extending out his weapon to his enemies before him.
A bunch of Nerbils and Woodies charged at them. The two combined their powers:
"DOLPHIINNNNNN STREAMLINEEEE SWORRRDDD!"
"SHAAARRRRKKK SLAAAASSHHHH!"
The dual attacks swirled around, smashing the monsters into shards. Two massive swinging knives almost struck them out of the clouds but they dodged themselves low enough to avoid getting sliced. The walls of the maze were changing around them as they ran through as fast as possible.
"How the hell are we supposed to find the Dark One!?" Rin growled, dodging the second swing.
Rei, Nagisa, and Makoto's daggers glowed along with Alexa's brooch as they could hear Rin and Haruka struggling through. Gaardus/Pandora explained that Sousuke had to drop off his father at the inn but will join them as soon as possible.
"Oh no!" Nagisa gasped.
"They're in trouble!" said Rei.
"Alexa we have to go find them," Makoto answered.
"I still feel a bit ill," he replied, "My head feels like on fire."
"You can't use the crystal?" Nagisa asked.
"It doesn't want to respond to me," Alexa revealed, "It's telling me to stay here. You guys have to go."
"But we can't leave you alone," said Rei.
"I'll watch him," Pandora replied as she walked in with Deidi, "The three of you must hurry."
"Let's go," Makoto nodded as he kissed Alexa's hand, "Stay here."
The three rushed off as Pandora turned back to Alexa, "I know what you are thinking…"
"And I think I know the answer to the question," he said, "I thought about him…Neo King Julius…his power…is strong but…he didn't just get all super like that instantly."
"You don't have to go through with that fate," Deidi answered.
"But it has to be," he argued, "If that future is changed even by the slightest hesitation…all of this will be for nothing."
Pandora looked at him sadly and replied, "And with that, you still want to go through?"
"Yes…" he answered, "It's almost that time."
Back in Yamen
Kagami stood by the backdoor of the shop as he saw Tatsuya holding a lighter to himself. It seemed as if Tatsuya smoked but he didn't as he was already just enjoying the flame as it was. After a moment, he walked out.
"Is there something wrong? Did I get the coffee pots mixed up?" Tatsuya asked, "I always do that, I'm so sorry."
"That's not what I am here for…Tatsuya," said Kagami, "That's your name…not that other name you have on your shirt as Kanye."
"H-how did you…" Tatsuya began.
Kagami brushed his hand to his hair and saw the spot, "You showed me this mark after we robbed the grocery store back in the Northern side of the village."
"K-Kagami…?!" Tatsuya asked, stunned.
"I thought you were dead, what the hell happened to you?" Kagami replied.
"I…got into trouble, with some people a few years ago," Tatsuya said, "I've been going back and forth between the mountains but I've really been careful now that I work at the shop. How did you find me?"
"…Fate," Kagami answered.
"W-what?" Tatsuya chuckled, "You believed in that silly idea from childhood?"
"No, I mean it," said Kagami, "I know it's strange to think about that but you always told me about that back when we were kids… I was meant to find you again."
"I mean that's what teenagers do to stay bffs and…" Tatsuya began.
"But what if there was more to it?" Kagami asked, "You told me that your life was on a downswing ever since we met."
"I'm doing good Kagami, I don't need your help," Tatsuya answered, "I don't know what kind of 12-step ward you are in but…I already got a kid of my own. My life is finally settled."
"Oh?" he asked as he could see the lie once more, "I mean…I'm sorry and…"
"No need to apologize. Anyway there's the school bus arriving, I'm going to go get him now," Tatsuya said as the bus stopped and a bunch of kids walked out.
Tatsuya looked at the one particular boy and said, "Hey, you know me…from the shop right? Come with me for a walk about 15 minutes okay? I'll give you free burgers for a week. Gotta decide now."
The little boy smiled and held hands with him as Kagami analyzed this with his narrowed eyes. It clearly didn't look right.
"Maybe he doesn't want you to bother him," Mursakibara shrugged as he was busy eating a bag of potato chips.
"No…he's definitely lying. We are going to follow him to his place," Kagami replied, "Something's up his sleeve and I have no idea what it is. I'm going to get information from his workers."
The two arrived at Tatsuya's shacked house as Tatsuya dropped the boy off to his parents before leaving back to work. Kagami and Murasakibara waited till he was out of the view before they broke into the house.
"As I thought, he has nothing that is belonging to that kid," Kagami muttered.
"I'm surprised he kept this place somewhat clean," muttered the taller guy.
"Yeah but it's not going to be easy for him to believe about his past. How will he come to terms about his father and stuff?" Kagami asked as Murasakibara walked ahead.
Kagami looked at a different room while the taller man stood still at a large poster, "K-Kagami…it might be easier than you think."
The other man walked in and saw a poster that was a map of the Olympus Desert with several locations around with several chicken scratch marks of questions on "Sportsbrooke's" location. Kagami's eyes widened as he saw a family tree map and reincarnation map of all the people involved including the Generation of Miracles and Marvels along with the Iwasame Senshi.
"Son of a bitch…he knew…he already KNEW!" Kagami answered.
"And he was looking for you too," Murasakibara pointed at the picture.
Kagami looked at the picture of Kuroko/Kaede and Aomine/Minori with red x's on them, "No…he already knew about this…he knew everything! He wants revenge!"
The two gasped to hear the engine going on as Kagami swore, "Dammit! REALLY!? TATSUYA! TATSUYAAAA!"
They got outside just as Tatsuya drove on the hover bike while the other bike was snapped of the ignition. Kagami growled as he grabbed a long pick axe and broke the glass that covered an older looking hover bike.
"Let's go!" Kagami said, "He already ruined things back then! He is NOT doing it again!"
Flashback A: Part 3 of Kagami and Tatsuya (Continued)
Kagami walked through an abandoned complex as he found the stash that contained Tatsuya's bag he recognized. He opened the zipper and found the stone just as Tatsuya described.
At least you were truthful for once…so far, Kagami thought as he quickly snuck back out. He returned to the house in about 20 minutes and went through the back door. Relieved to be back safely, Kagami walked a few steps in when the lights suddenly turned on.
"Kagami," the father said.
He turned to see him and the mother staring at him with concerning looks on their faces, "W-what's going on? Where you've been?"
"My friend…lost something of his and…" began Kagami.
"Did you knew what he was up to?" the father asked.
"Up to what?" Kagami replied, scared to find out.
"Well he robbed of our wallets and told us you and him did some shop lifting together?" the mother replied.
"I convinced him to leave because I didn't want him to get to our place," Kagami said.
"Y-you knew!?" the father gasped, "You endangered our children?!"
"N-no…NO!" Kagami gasped as he went over to grab his backpack and ran off. The mother called him back but Kagami was already on the run. His heart raced as his face was filled with tears of anger and sadness mixed in.
That fucking idiot, he thought, once again I let my optimism cloud my judgement!
He finally sat down at a bus stop with his arms crossed…it was so much for going on the family trip when once again Tatsuya ruined his opportunity and now he was back to where he started; a run away.
"Kagami," a voice said.
He turned to see Tatsuya and growled, "Of course you'd find me. You knew that little stunt of yours will kick me out! Do me a favor and stay the fuck away from me!"
"Is that how you say thank you?" Tatsuya smirked.
"For what? Ruining my chance to stay in that family?!" Kagami answered back.
"To set you free from the chore wheel. I mean, look at this cash…we can do WHATEVER we want," Tatsuya smiled.
"You don't understand Tatsuya, I WANTED to stay there…they CARED about me!" Kagami said.
"The moment they found out the truth they turned on you, they're the frauds!" Tatsuya argued.
"You're THE FRAUD, Tatsuya! You play that orphan card of yours…but you have no IDEA what it's like!" Kagami growled, "You think it's fun pretending to be a run away! This is MY life!"
Kagami went into his pack to get the stone out and threw it at Tatsuya but it struck the necklace and it broke off the ring.
"Take that stupid stone of yours…and go back to that house…with your pile of plastic cards…and your family…and leave me alone!" said Kagami.
"…I can't go back, they kicked me out," Tatsuya revealed.
"Right," he answered, unconvinced.
"Kagami please listen to me," the other boy said, "I don't know how to explain this. Ever since you left, things got worse and worse. I got kicked out as a result. I don't have a place anymore."
"And how am I supposed to feel sorry for you? You blame me?" Kagami asked, "Maybe try making better choices!"
"No…it's just that…I'm like cursed to be this way…I'm trying to do what I think is right and whatever I do literately blows up my face," Tatsuya said.
"That's stupid," Kagami grunted.
"It's true…please don't leave me again!" Tatsuya begged, "Whenever you are with me…things look brighter."
"After all of this, I'm better off alone," Kagami answered as picked up the second ring and walked away, vowing to destroy it with the other one. However, that ring would be one day be given to Kuroko in a new necklace after he had it repaired by some blacksmith he met on the way.
As for Tatsuya, he got on a different bus that would take him down to the lower areas of the mountains. He stared out at the window before he turned to see a woman sitting on the bus.
"I've sensed great power in that stone," she said.
"Sure," he nodded.
"Actually I see you have been questioning about yourself. Perhaps I can answer them," the mahotsukai replied.
"Who are you?" Tatsuya asked.
"I think it's better ask who you are. That stone isn't just an ordinary thing as you predicted…it belonged to your father," she explained.
"What do you even know about me?" he asked, annoyed.
"I can tell you who your father is…I've known his history for a while…because sadly, I play a role in what happened to you. Your journey to this land was my responsibility after being cursed by the Dark One eons ago," she said.
"Tell me the truth," Tatsuya said, "What happened?"
"Let's start with this stone," Deidi smiled.
Present Day: Olympus Desert
Kagami and Murasakibara soared through the desert as they were looking for Tatsuya somewhere. Thankfully, the older bike had a prototype GPS that detected something far ahead of them. Kagami adjusted the bike to go faster as everything seemed all a blur but yet they could still talk to each other.
"Kagami take it easy!" Murasakibara replied.
"He's already done shit before! I won't let him do it again!" growled Kagami.
"What happened between the two of you?" the other man asked.
Kagami kept silent as he focused on what was ahead. He accelerated he vehicle upwards to get a bit higher ground and sure enough they saw Tatsuya ahead. The other man growled as the hover bike was getting empty and low fuel.
"You didn't," Kagami smirked.
"I left the tank low just in case," smiled Murasakibara.
"Let's go get him!" Kagami replied as they descended down.
Tatsuya got off the bike and started walking just as the others landed and Kagami got off.
"Hey! HEY!" shouted Kagami as he ran towards Tatsuya and got in front of his path.
Tatsuya stared at him darkly while Kagami continued, "You knew it all! You knew everything. Did you know when we were kids?"
"Of course not," replied Tatsuya.
"But now?" asked Kagami.
"Yeah," said Tatsuya, "I learned it all."
"How?" replied Kagami, still a bit shocked.
"Does it really matter?" answered Tatsuya, "It doesn't change anything. You screwed me over before we were even born!"
"I had no more saying on what happened than you did!" said Kagami.
"Well your little circle of friends did," replied Tatsuya, "And the moment I get into Sportsbrooke…"
"YOU LAY YOUR HANDS ON THEM, I END YOU!" shouted Kagami, pushing Tatsuya down to the ground.
"KAGAMI STOP!" shouted Murasakibara.
"Yeah? How are you gonna do that without your magic Savior?" asked Tatsuya, getting back up and punching Kagami on the right cheek. The skies briefly thundered with lightning struck.
"Your teammates were monsters, Kagami!" he continued, "They banished me to the present time and threw you to the Zone Gate! And here you are, ready to die for them because you're SO perfect! The Savior! Well they deserved to be punished! And there's only one way to stop me and you know it!"
Tatsuya grabbed him but Kagami twirled him around and threw him on the ground again. Before he could get back up, Kagami readied his handheld gun at him, freezing the young man in place.
"Of course it ends this way," smiled Tatsuya, with a sad chuckle, "It makes too much sense!"
"I'm just trying to stop you from doing something you'll regret," replied Kagami, keeping his gun pointing at Tatsuya.
"You can't!" said Tatsuya, "Thanks to you, I'm all hard-wired for bad decisions. So come on, just put me out of my misery. You know the truth. We both know that my life isn't worth saving. And if you don't, I will destroy everything. It's what I do. So come on, be the hero…and end this right here before it all even begins."
Kagami stared at Tatsuya as he could hear the echoes of their past together while the latter raised his hands out in surrender. Murasakibara silently moved in towards them with keen eyes on his face.
"Kagami," said Murasakibara, "Put the gun down."
Kagami's hands were struggling between the trigger.
"If you pull that trigger," he continued, "You'll be the one that's gonna ruin your life this time! And Kuroko's and your teammates and the others!"
"I have to protect them," said Kagami darkly.
"Then LOWER the gun!" replied the purple-haired man, "Your teammates made you a hero, NOT a murderer!"
"I already am one," answered Kagami.
"Oikawa was an accident!" he said, "But if you CROSS this line, the journey back will NOT be easy. TRUST ME, I KNOW! This is what Theagenes wanted you to do! So don't!"
"Kagami! You're better than this!"
The tall man stood still as time stopped for a few moments. Finally, Kagami…lowered the gun down as Tatsuya's eyes widened in shock while Murasakibara sighed in relief to himself.
Tatsuya sat down on the sand as Kagami did next to him as he handed the gun over to Murasakibara.
"Why didn't you just killed me when you had the chance?" asked Tatsuya.
"You know why," said Kagami, "You've been looking for your family and why would I waste your life?"
"That's not the whole point, you're the savior, not the anti-savior," he shrugged.
"Stop that okay?" Kagami asked.
Murasakibara froze in place to hear the news coming from Akashi. After a moment, he turned to the others.
"Bad news from home! The others are in deep trouble," said Murasakibara, "The Dark One has trapped Rin and Haru into a game of shadows."
Kagami got up and turned his hand to Tatsuya, "Come with me."
"Still want me to tag along?" asked Tatsuya.
"You remembered Murasakibara too, don't you?" Kagami replied.
"A little but it was before I met you of course," he said as he took the hand and got back up on his feet.
"Been a while eh mate?" Murasakibara chuckled.
"Yeah," he shrugged as the three got on the air bike together and Kagami reignited the engine.
Nagisa, Rei and Makoto found the shop as they sensed a dark aura of energy radiating out from the place. They readied their magical daggers before charging inside. They received word from Sousuke that he and the others will arrive soon after he finishes some arrangements with his father.
Upon walking in they saw a massive room filled with arrows shooting out from certain holes. They realized that they were stepping on pads that fired the traps.
"This is a death trap," muttered Nagisa.
"We can't step on those things!" Makoto answered.
"Wait a sec…we can…some of these things…" Rei analyzed, "We just have to find the right one otherwise we have to dodge them."
With his directions, the trio jumped on the pads and made their way to the other side safely. However, they were in for an ambush of nerbils charging right at them.
"W-where are we?" asked Haruka as he and Rin were standing in the middle of a beautiful scenery of the plains. It looked a bit like their home but there were high mountains around.
Rin turned to see a group of children playing in the meadow. One of which they recognized Pandora as a younger person. She was eating a couple of snails and escargots after creating a meal out of them, grossing out her sisters a little bit.
"Is this her memory?" Rin gasped, "Or is this…"
"The Dark One…" muttered Haruka, "It's showing us some past about her...about Pandora!"
"But why would it show us this?" he replied.
The image shifted around them as it showed her much older into the same physical features as she is today. She was crying alone by the lake as a shadowed cloud drifted over towards her.
Pandora looked up to see the darkness and stepped back a little before it solidified into what appeared as a female entity.
"Very painful you have to suffer alone," it spoke.
"How did you…?" she asked.
"I can see your pain quite clearly," Chaos replied, "Join me…and our kind. You will have the ability to fulfill your desires."
"I won't give into darkness," she answered.
Chaos chuckled before it handed her a small fruit to her, "Eat and you shall know the truth…one bite is all what it takes. One bite and everything you've wanted will come true: your family, your job. One bite and you and I shall share the throne. Unless you want your fellow teammates to win all the glory for their hard work."
Pandora grabbed the fruit and ate a bite off but realized it was too late. Her tongue was on fire as she tried to spit out the contents but it was nothing but wisps of shadows.
"W-what did you do?!" she growled out as she could feel her power draining, "I should've known better than to listen to you!"
"It's nice, isn't it? How clear everything becomes. Your impulses are like that of those species you call human," Chaos said, "And now…my plans have finally begun. You shall wreak havoc to their works to prevent my other half from wiping my existence away."
"W-what have you don-aaahhhhhAHHHHHHH!" she cried out as she collapsed down from her seat, clutching her fist to her breast. Her cloak busted out as her dress tightened her airway, choking her as she could feel her eyes weakening.
"Your heart is withering away…soon you will see the power you shall gain," Chaos answered.
Pandora's body dissolved into the darkness before she found herself emerging from a pool of shadows at some sort of platform with a temple around it. She barely got on her knees upon hearing this as she could feel the dark side taking over her body.
However, she looked exactly the same as she was moments ago but dark magic covered her hands. Her clothes did change though as she was darker in outfit with designs in half-gothic and half-magical style.
"My denial to become an Author…has led me to this," she answered, "Iwatobi and the others will PAY FOR WHAT THEY DID TO ME!"
Chaos handed over the golden orb and answered, "Pandora…you are now one of us. This orb has your name on it but you must guard it with your life. Anyone who touches it will gain control of you. And those who kill you will take your place on this orb as all of the Dark Ones have been and will be."
She was ready…it was time…to begin the Reign of Chaos.
Haruka and Rin gasped just as the vision turned back into a blur before everything turned white.
"It turns out you are drawn in the same fate," a voice said.
The two turned to see two cloaked figures wearing similar if not the same exact clothes that they were wearing. However, their faces were not easily seen.
"I never thought we'd get to see you," the first man echoed.
"They are just descendants though," the other guy answered.
"Descendants? Of who?!" Rin shouted but everything turned into a blur.
Alexa opened his eyes and found himself back in the same white void as he could feel Rin and Haruka entering that same space as he was. Alexa turned to see the same white-haired man that bare the same resemblance of Neo King Julius but there was not tattoos nor the Atlantian Crystal Staff.
"You…" he began.
The man turned to see him with a smile, "All of you have done great so far. The truth is coming…you must wait in silence," the other man replied.
"How is it that I survived the curse?" Alexa asked.
"You are bound by fate to rejoin Chaos and Cosmos that started it all," the man replied, "If the war must come to an end…the two must rejoin as one."
"Who are you exactly? Why are you like me?" the senshi asked.
"The answer lies in the author…who wrote it all. Find this person…and they will give you the answer of our bonds," the man replied, touching Alexa's hand to wake up.
The savior opened his eyes as he could feel his body rejuvenating rapidly by the moment. The others are in danger and he had to find them…fast!
After transforming, he arrived at the shop along with Sousuke, Nitori, and Momotarou. The three detected the danger after bringing the Sherwood Spiders to Hanamiya as well as bringing Hosoya in for a room.
"Don't swing the glaive Sousuke," Alexa said.
"Wasn't planning to," he shrugged.
"We have to hurry!" Nitori cried out.
"Are you sure you can handle this?" Sousuke asked.
"I feel better now," Alexa smiled, "We have to protect each other...our team mates are in grave danger!"
"Let's do this!" Momotarou smirked, ready to enter inside.
The door swung open as the shadows from the maze invited them to enter if they dared to. Without further hesitation, the Samezuka Senshi and Alexa walked inside.
No matter what labyrinth we go, the savior thought, we will win this battle and stop Theagenes once and for all!
~Episode 9 END~
~Episode 10 PV~
Rin: This maze...it just won't end!
Haruka: The Dark One is clearly up to something...
Alexa: NO! Haru-chan! Mako-chan! Nagisa! Rei! Rin!
Kagami: Hanamiya, this is your son...this is Tatsuya.
Aomine: It's too dangerous to approach him! KUROKOOO!
Deidi: Darkness...is already here!
Sousuke: I can't swing the Glaive unless this is for sure what needs to be done!
Nagisa: Next Time, Free! Operation Infinity Part 2: Father!, we will do whatever it takes to build a family thanks to our fathers who guided us!