TTGL Brothers to the End.

Chapter 7: Simon the Destroyer.

Impenetrable darkness and blinding light threaded into one another in a chaotic weave that defied all logical conception. Pain like incineration on a cellular level ebbed and flowed in unreadable patterns that reduced the mind to little more than a whimpering mess.

Raindrops on a dessert, each and every orb of water absorbed by the sand into oblivion. Every thought screwed up and eaten by snakes. A red sun dripping blood. Teeth in the night's sky. A constant humming on the edge of hearing like a swarm of locus hovering in the distance, awaiting their order to consume the world.

Voices whispered promises without end, heart's desires laid out on platters that begged to be taken…

Simon stirred within the machine, his muscles convulsing awkwardly in the tight confinement. He murmured unintelligible words that rattled within his own head.

"It sounds like he is ready for the next stage." observed the leading Meta-Spiral. A group of the glowing beings had gathered around the machine that contained Simon. "Administer the procedure, Nikkita."

"Leave it to me." affirmed the green haired woman. She skipped up to the machine and placed her hands over the section that contained Simon's head. The blazing yellow energy that surrounded her body spread over the metal. Her eyes glowed a brilliant what for a few seconds then she staggered back.

"It is done." she announced through laboured breaths.

"Let's say hello to Simon then." smirked the lead Meta-Spiral. He typed in a series numbers. The machine clicked and began to open. Steam billowed out, followed by the shadow of a man.

"Welcome back, spiral warrior Simon." greeted the white haired Meta. "Did you sleep well?"

Through the steam stepped a young man, limber of limb yet clearly well muscled. He was completely naked, showing his well toned body to the world. He looked solid as though he was carved from stone. His dark blue hair was untamed, covering his eyes. He lifted his head, revealing the spiral patterned eyes beneath the hair.

"Where…am I?"

"You are in our base. We have fully restored you to your youth so that you can finally fulfil your destiny."

Simon nodded dully. "My head…feels strange."

The white haired Meta-Spiral handed him a pile of clothes. "That would be Nikkita's doing. You're compliance is essential to our plan yet you are very resilient to the idea. Altering your mind was not enough to guarantee your loyalty. She has split her soul and placed a small part of it within your head. You may suffer a few side effects but they should fade. It will direct your thoughts without making you into a mindless drown. Brainwashed slaves cannot be spiral warriors after all."

"Understood."

"After you have grown in power we will each impart a section of our soul into you to create the perfect spiral being. That is a worry for another day though. Today, you only need to worry about our first objective." the Meta informed.

"And what would that be?" Simon asked as he dressed himself. His old personality was starting to come back to the surface, much to the Meta-Spirals' delight.

The leader's mouth split into a toothy grin. "You must reclaim your core drill and pilot Gurren Lagann once again!"

"Ah, Gurren Lagann. That will be nice." smiled Simon darkly. His smile faded as he locked eyes with the Meta. "I have something else to do first."

"Oh." said the Meta, slightly surprised, a bemused look upon his face. "And what would that be?"

"I have a place to visit. There is something that I need to get before I'll do anything."

"Excellent. You still have such a fierce spirit. Go ahead. We will take you where you wish to go. Follow us, our ship awaits your orders, Commander Simon. I, Marcus Vale, and all members of the Meta-Spiral order are at your command."

Vale led the group through the plain white corridors, their footsteps clicking rhythmically on the hard floor. Simon's new blue overcoat swishing behind him dramatically, flowing like water in his wake. They entered into a large room that had been converted into a hanger. A single spaceship was docked, its sleek silver body looking like a shark. They embarked, the ships interior comfy and able to facilitate its crew's every need.

Under Simon's direction, massive doors in the ceiling opened to allow the ship out. It took off with a burst of power, moving at speeds that turned the world into a blur around it. The ship sped past two continents and vast expanses of empty sea before Simon called the vessel to a halt.

He left the ship alone, the Meta-Spirals remaining within. His feet moved across soft grass as his swirling eyes took in the rolling plains and distant volcanoes. He had chosen to land the craft slightly away from his objective, instead choosing to stretch his body and go on foot. Before him was a cliff with a narrow path that led up the shallowest slop to its summit. He scaled the path with ease and basked in the awe inspiring view that flooded his vision. The sight brought back vivid memories.

Simon allowed his eyes to drift toward the object that sat near the cliff's edge. Worn red fabric spread in the wind, its flight to the heavens only obstructed by a sword that anchored it to the earth. Its purple handle stood high, defiant against the elements that had weathered it for years.

"It's been a while, bro." Simon said as he settled himself beside the grave. He sighed to himself. "I threw away my life, went against everything you taught me. You would never have let me fade away into nothing, let me be so alone. You would have helped me find a different path where I could be happy again. I've been given a second chance, bro. I'm going to take it. I deserve some happiness after everything I have done, you more than anyone knows that."

His head turned his head to examine the other graves that flanked the sword. He nodded at each in turn, his eyes only resting at the white cross that marked his wife's memorial. He didn't speak to it though, no words coming to his mind.

He sat without moving for several minutes, simply soaking in the sights, smells and sounds. After a while he sat up and rose to his feet with a youthful ease. He eyed the white cross again but turned himself back to the crimson cape. He was here on business after all.

"I think its time to set you free, Kamina. You've been bound here for too long. It's time for you to finally see the world." Simon spoke as he untied the cape from the sword. The wind caught in the material, pulling the cape from Simon's loose grip. He watched as the cape flew away over the cliff, looking like some great bird on a journey to traverse the world.

Simon placed a firm grip upon the sword and withdrew it from its decades old resting place. Slowly he pulled the blade from the battered scabbard. The metal gleamed in the sun, its edge as sharp as the day it left Kamina's hands forever. Simon gave it a few experimental swings, satisfied with the way it sliced through the air.

Kamina's power flowed through the cold metal. Simon could feel it through his hands, confidence and strength flowing into him at the slightest contact. He sheathed the sword and fastened it to his belt. With Kamina at his side, he couldn't fail. Simon really would pierce the heavens and he wouldn't just move toward tomorrow but he would create it!

Simon the Destroyer returned to the ship, his mind locked solely onto his core drill and the hands that held it…

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A/N: Sorry for another short chapter but don't threat, the next Simon chapter will be where things really start to heat up. More to the point though, I apologise for the irregular uploads. I think I'll take a week off in order to get back on track. Sorry for the inconvenience.

The next omake goes to 'hunterror' as a thumbs up for recommending my work to someone. Big thanks. Send me your idea in a review or PM and I'll see what I can do.

As stated before, next chapter will be late but should return things to their normal schedules. Until then…

-FWF