SailorStar9: Nya? Chapter 12 goes up. This is Chapter 13 and no review. No one is reading this fic! *Sob, sob, wails*
Tailmon (from 'Digital Light of Hope' and her current muse): Great, now you non-reviewing readers made her cry. Leave your comments in your review, or else... (Warp-Digivolves into Magnadramon and fires a stream of 'Fire Tornado' at the non-reviewing readers and 'accidentally' turning Kakashi into KFC, along with a good potion of Konoha's forest. Said Mega-level Digimon continues her rampage until she causes more damage than Kyuubi.)
Disclaimers: I own nothing here.
Chapter 13: The Second Hand of Time
In her room...
"A dream..." Riku aroused from her sleep.
"Riku!" Risa entered.
"Risa." Riku looked at her sister.
"My ribbon's gone." Risa replied.
"What?" Riku gasped. "Why?"
"In my dream, I was with Riku and Dark." Risa added.
"In the world of Niwa's painting?" Riku affirmed.
"Dark got hurt, so I bound his wound with my ribbon." Risa remarked. "Then some weird soldiers came... Yeah, we were thrown into a cell But..."
"Niwa and Ami saved us." Riku finished.
"Then Niwa drew a picture of your room." Risa continued.
"So, it wasn't a dream." Riku concluded, the twins exchanging an unison nod. "It wasn't!"
"But why were Niwa and Ami there?" Risa wondered.
"I don't know." Riku admitted. "But..."
"Niwa and Ami stayed behind, didn't they?" Risa confirmed. "In that world."
"Niwa said to wait, because he'd be back for sure." Riku stepped out of bed. "So I'll believe in Niwa."
In the Niwa household...
"Dark, what's going on?" Emiko demanded when Dark returned empty-handed.
"I've completely lost contact with Daisuke and Anhara." Dark replied.
"What?" Emiko gasped.
When I call Daisuke, there's no response at all." Dark added. "And I can't even get in."
"I can faintly feel them in the painting." Towa supplied.
"DON'T TOUCH IT!" Dark barked. "Just bringing it this far did this to me." he showed them his blackened wrist and causing Towa to scream in horror. "When I got back, it was already like this." he unveiled the totally blackened canvas. "As soon as I touched it, it started seeping into me."
"Is it alright?" Towa stammered. "Your arm..."
"Yeah, I'll recover after a while." Dark assured.
What is this color? Emiko mused. It's pitch black! Daisuke is inside this...
I see! Kyousuke realized what was going on. So that's what it was!
Back where the 'Second Hand of Time' was kept...
I can't sense any magic from this work of art anymore. Hiwatari mused in front of the crystal. Did the 'Second Hand of Time' really transfer to Niwa's painting?
In his office...
The Hikari family's talent turned out to be cursed, after all. Kei affirmed. The many works of art that contained magic that the Hikari created, magic that was strong enough to steal and destroy a person's soul. The Hikari themselves feared its power and sealed the magic away. The same as they did to 'that'. The 'Second Hand of Time' should have been destroyed. However, when your ancestors before you went to try, they were unable to do it. That is the 'karma' of the Hikari family.
Back where the 'Second Hand of Time' was kept...
So, I'm supposed to shoulder all of this myself? Hiwatari wondered. The Hikari's curse. Niwa.,it's impossible for you. You can't save the 'Second Hand of Time'!
In his painting...
I'm happy that you stayed behind. Freedart passed her thoughts to the unconscious Daisuke. I believe in you!
Daisuke and Ami awoke in a grassy field. Turning, the pair spotted Freedart standing on the road.
"Welcome to my real world." Freedart stated.
"You're..." Daisuke started.
"I am Freedart." Freedart confirmed.
"Freedart?" Daisuke echoed. "I met a Freedart in a place where it snowed a lot, but... she was different from you."
"She is the 'Second Hand of Time', isn't she?" Ami inquired.
"Yes." Freedart nodded.
"The 'Second Hand of Time'?" Daisuke echoed. "But I'm sure she was Freedart."
"Yes, she is me." Freedart replied. "And yet she is not me."
"Where are we?" Daisuke looked up at the sky.
"The village where I live." Freedart replied. "The village from my memories. But, it will disappear soon. This world, and me... the 'Second Hand of Time' won't live much longer either."
"Why did she call us?" Daisuke wondered. "To this world?"
"Because we needed the two of you." Freedart supplied.
"The 'Second Hand of Time' told us there was something that only we could do, but, what is that?" Daisuke asked.
"Your drawings." Freedart answered. "There is life in your drawings and paintings."
"Life?" Daisuke echoed.
"Yes, you are giving strength to this world." Freedart noted. "The same could be said about the power of your prayers." this was directed at Ami. "That's why we can be here like this."
"Oh..." Daisuke blinked. "I know this world well. You're in a story. A story called 'Ice and Snow'."
In the basement of the Niwa household...
"'Ice and Snow'." Kyousuke stated. "It's real title is 'Ice and Dark'." he presented the book on the table. "A much sadder and harsher tale."
"They were burnt, weren't they?" Daichi confirmed. "All of them."
"It even has magic that is like the magic in the artworks." Kyousuke affirmed.
"Works of art that harbor magic." Dark echoed. "The 'Second Hand of Time'."
"Yes, it became a target of the Cultural Revolution and was rewritten." Kyousuke nodded. "To a much different story."
In Freedart's world...
"Different?" Daisuke echoed. "Then what was the original?"
"There were two boys whom I was friends with, when I was little." Freedart replied. "Elliot and..."
"Kael." Ami breathed. "The author of 'Ice and Dark', the original version of 'Ice and Snow'."
"Yes." Freedart nodded.
"Kael?" Daisuke echoed.
"The three of us were always together." Freedart continued. "However, at some point, Elliot and I became attracted to one another."
Flashback
"We'll be together forever." Freedart told Elliot in a flashback, the two lovers sealing the promise in kiss.
"Yes, I promise." Elliot swore, not noticing a fuming Kael behind a tree.
In the basement of the Niwa household...
"The war began." Kyousuke continued. "Freedart gave Elliot a sword, to protect him. The morning he was about to leave, Elliot asked Kael, his best friend, who he believed could be trusted, to look after Freedart."
Flashback
"I'll be back as soon as I can." Elliot informed Kael. "While I'm gone, look after Freedart."
"Don't worry, leave it to me." Kael assured. "I'll protect her, no matter what."
"However, Kael was madly in love with Freedart." Kyousuke narrated. "Enough to make him hate his best friend. Kael went to the work of art that had been handed down in the village, the 'Second Hand of Time', believed to be the guardian of Time, and made a forbidden wish."
Flashback
"Please, stop Elliot's time!" Kael prayed before the alter. "I know that I'm wrong to ask this, but, I don't want Freedart to belong to him! If Elliot dies in battle, I'm sure Freedart will...!"
"Elliot took a spear in the back and died in battle." Kyousuke continued. "That spear had the shape of a giant second hand. Hearing this, Freedart prayed to the 'Second Hand of Time', 'Please give all my time to him.'"
Flashback
"Freedart!" Kael flung the doors of the shrine open, to find Freedart dead on the ground.
"Kael never thought that it would lead to the death of his beloved Freedart." Kyousuke added. "When Elliot, back to life because of her wish, returned to the village, he saw a cold gravestone with Freedart's name carved upon it."
Flashback
"If it is her light that is giving me life, I return this light to her." Elliot prayed before the 'Second Hand of Time'.
"Elliot used the sword that Freedart had given to protect him, and stabbed himself." Kyousuke continued. "At the foot of the 'Second Hand of Time' where Elliot had fallen, the sword emitted a strange light."
"It's a surreal love story." Dark concluded. "Giving life, stealing life, it pisses me off."
"This is what it says in the notes." Kyousuke added. "'This is a true story. Kael Enduil.'
"You mean that Kael?" Emiko gasped.
"Yes, he is the author of 'Ice and Dark." Kyousuke nodded.
"What happened to him afterward?" Emiko inquired.
"It's possible that the 'Second Hand of Time' took control of his time, as he had made a forbidden wish." Kyousuke concluded. "He continually suffered from regret and despair. Then, after writing this story as a way to pass the story down an as a confession, he was finally allowed to die. Elliot's sword was known as the 'Wedge of Time'."
"Could that be..." Emiko gasped in realization.
"It's a Hikari work of art." Dark confirmed.
"Yes, the key to retrieving Daisuke and Anhara-sama is that sword." Daichi agreed.
"So where is the 'Wedge of Time'?" Emiko inquired.
"After Kael died, its whereabouts became unknown." Kyousuke replied. "It may be difficult to find it right now."
"Is this anytime to be saying such carefree words?" Dark snapped. "Hey Towa!" he barked.
"Yes, I haven't been doing very well lately, but I will try." Towa stammered.
"Father, it is time to show the skill of the family of thieves." Emiko told her father. "Let's find that sword."
"Right." Daichi agreed. "We mustn't let down the daughter of our patron God."
Commercial Break.
The camera slowly zooms in to a large, peaceful-looking forest.
Voice-Off Announcer: If you've seen the teaser, you've been waiting for this for too long. Now it's here.
Suddenly the forest lights up, and several strange creatures can be seen fighting each other and tossing massive energy waves around.
VOA: Watch as Pikarotto and his friends Caterpicoro, Bullgetta, Yamcharquil, Krilkuna, Ringohan and Tenshinzard face the evil Freezagoon, Buuterfree and Cellther.
Pikarotto and Bullgetta shot a large combined energy wave at the ugly, deformed mantis-like creature also known as Cellther, and the whole forest goes white with light.
VOA: Pokeball Z: The Series. Coming soon. (Cue evil laughter. )
End Commercial Break.
In Freedart's world...
"It's completely different." Daisuke gasped after Freedart finished her tale. "Completely different from the 'Ice and Snow' that I know."
"But it is the true story." Freedart assured.
"How could something that sad happen for real?" Daisuke wondered.
"Nobody notices." Ami mused. "Love, hate, there is magic in people's feelings."
"It was a mistake to listen to Freedart's wish." the 'Second Hand of Time' voiced, the other two turned to see the image of the 'Second Hand of Time' imposed on Freedart.
"You're!" Daisuke gasped. "The 'Second Hand of Time'."
"Could it be..." Ami realized.
"Yes, it is the 'could it be'." the 'Second Hand of Time' confirmed Ami's suspicions. "I cannot make time that has stopped move again. All I can do is freeze her time. Ever since that time, she and I have been one."
"One?" Daisuke echoed. Like Dark and me!
"Just like one of Pluto's many taboos." Ami breathed.
"I saved her from the darkness of death, and she saved me from the hands of the Hikari." the 'Second Hand of Time' added.
"Hikari?" Daisuke echoed.
"Yes, the Hikari family, said to have created works of art that harbor magic." Ami nodded.
"Created by them, they were planning to destroy me." the 'Second Hand of Time' remarked. "The Hikari were touched by Freedart's strong feelings, and I was able to escape that fate."
"I am waiting here, for Elliot." Freedart said, the 'Second Hand of Time' having rescinded control of her body. "She told me that if I wait in this village, Elliot will come back some day. I will be able to meet him. I believe that."
"But, even if you wait, Elliot is already..." Daisuke voiced.
"His soul is still alive." Freedart assured. "It may be a different vessel, but I'm sure he's searching for me."
"I'd like to help if I could, but..." Daisuke trailed. "But, truthfully, it would be a problem if you asked us to stay here forever. I promised Riku that I'd definitely return, so..."
"I don't plan on asking you two to stay forever." Freedart assured. "Is Riku somebody that is important to you? How cute." she chuckled at Daisuke's flushing face. "You're good people. I like you two. Will you two help me, just a little bit? I want the both of you to extend the time of this world with your powers."
"Our powers?" Daisuke echoed.
"Yes, I want you to draw." the 'Second Hand of Time' took over Freedart's body. "And you to pray." that was directed at Ami. "Will you?"
"Sure." the two teens nodded.
"If I am able to." Daisuke added.
In the Harada household...
"Hey, let's ask Dark." Risa suggested. "I'm sure he'll help us."
"But..." Riku had her reservations.
"You know it too, right, Riku?" Risa prodded. "Dark wants to save Niwa and Ami. He'll help us for sure."
"Risa, I still haven't..." Riku voiced.
"Are you saying you can't trust him?" Risa pressed. "Dark is a thief, but he's not some evil robber."
"But..." Riku protested.
"Can't you tell?" Risa insisted. "Niwa and Dark's eyes have the same glow. Can't you tell?"
"Anyway, I'm going to school." Riku snapped out of her musings. "I'll wait for Niwa."
In a tower. somewhere...
Hiwatari approached the trembling, yet chained-down 'Wedge of Time'.
Are you planning on using this to lure Dark out, Satoshi-sama? Krad inquired. Those feelings are ridiculous and foolish, they are not beautiful. It is an action that would have been unthinkable of the old you. You never hurt yourself for others, never concerned yourself with them, never attached yourself to them, never owned anybody.
"Silence!" Hiwatari barked.
I see. Krad chuckled. She has wormed her way into your heart too. Looks like she still has that effect. If it hurts you to talk about those feelings, I will leave it for now. For now. I care for you so much, and yet you always look away.
"You don't care about me at all." Hiwatari retorted. "You simply need me as a container. Disappear!" he turned to his other self. "I am not you!" My ancestors were wonderful. They simply want to make beautiful things. But that beauty, that splendor, called to people's souls, and in the end, bore magic. He unraveled his family brush set. I may simply want to make certain of it, that not all Hikari artworks contain evil. Isn't how the 'Second Hand of Time' move to Niwa's painting proof of that? When I look at Niwa, that is what I begin to think. At the very least, she believes. Wait for me, just a while longer, I will get you out!
In Freedart's world...
Daisuke sat under a tree and continued to draw as Ami let her aura ripple out as she prayed on the opposite side of the tree.
"Why don't you two rest a little?" Freedart asked, noticing fatigue had started to set in.
"I will." Daisuke replied. "But there's just a little bit left."
"It's not good to push yourselves like this." Freedart cautioned. "Don't overdo it."
"Don't worry." Ami assured.
They look pale. Freedart sat between the pair.
This feeling... Daisuke blinked. I've felt it before. Oh yeah, when I was drawing with Riku. She looked at my drawing the same way. Oh, I want to see Riku.
I knew it. Freedart realized. It isn't possible to keep humans in this world for long. At this rate... at this rate... their lives will...
"The flowers!" Daisuke gasped when the meadow vanished, replaced by a snowy landscape.
"Freedart!" Ami exclaimed.
In school...
"What the hell happened to Daisuke and Hiwatari?" Saehara demanded. "What the hell are they thinking? How are we supposed to practice without the two main characters? For God's sake, those two... Alright, if they have no desire to do it.." he decided. Nijimura, you play Elliot!"
"Eh?" Nijimura gaped.
"And I..." Saehara pointed to himself. "Am Freedart!"
"What are you talking about?" the wardrobe designer snapped.
"The image is completely different." one of her assistants added.
"This isn't comedy." the second assistant reminded.
"Shut up!" Saehara barked. "Complain it to Daisuke and Hiwatari!"
"It's just that if you do it, it'll be a total waste!" the wardrobe designer insisted.
"Let's go." Riku decided.
"Yeah." Risa nodded in agreement and the Harada twins ran out in the midst of the commotion.
On the streets...
"Anyway, let's go to Niwa's house." Riku suggested as she ran, Risa following closely on her bicycle.
"Yeah!" Risa agreed.
In the basement of the Niwa household...
The Niwa family had Towa stand in the middle of the magic alter.
"I have found the location of the sword." Towa jumped down.
"What?" Dark pressed. "Where? Towa!"
"It's strange." Towa replied. "I didn't feel anything before, and yet I suddenly felt it so clearly that there's no doubt."
"That is strange." Emiko agreed.
"This must be a trap." Daichi concluded.
"However, it's our only clue." Kyousuke reasoned.
"How interesting." Dark grinned. "I'll test that trap."
In the tower...
"Hurry, Dark." Hiwatari released the chains on the 'Wedge of Time'. "Don't forget the painting."
On the streets...
"Riku, wait!" Risa shouted as her sister sped up.
"You're slow, Risa!" Riku chided.
"But..." Risa stated.
"What's wrong?" Riku asked when Risa stopped.
"Dark!" Risa looked at the sky. "Riku, let's follow him."
"But..." Riku was uncertain.
"I'm sure Dark knows where Niwa and Ami are." Risa insisted. "I'm going ahead!" she pedaled off.
"Wait!" Riku followed closely behind.
In the tower...
Dark had arrived at his destination. "Now then..." he released his shielding magic on the pitch black canvas. "Heh, they're calling out to each other." he snorted and entered the tower.
On the ground...
"He was holding the painting." Riku noted as Dark entered the tower.
"Yeah." Risa nodded.
"What should we do?" Riku asked.
"We're going in, of course." Risa decided.
"How?" Riku wondered.
"Look, there are stairs over there." Risa spotted the spiral stairway. "If we climb those stairs, we should be able to see into the tower through the windows."
"Let's go." Riku agreed.
In the tower...
"What a neat little seal." Dark noted and used his magic to open the doors. "The 'Wedge of Time'!" he saw the blade floating before him. "'Second Hand of Time', this is who you've been searching for." he stated as the two items resonated. "As flashy as ever, huh, Hiwatari!" he called as Hiwatari grabbed the sword.
Outside the tower...
"Hiwatari!" Riku gasped.
"Why?" Risa was shocked.
In the tower...
"Listen, Dark!" Hiwatari called. "There is no time! We have to do what has to be done."
"So, he's come." Dark frowned as Hiwatari winced, kneeling onto the floor as his other half started to take over. Hiwatari's glasses shattered on the floor as Krad took complete control over his Tamer's body.
SailorStar9: Okay, this chapter is finally down. Read and review folks. In the next chapter, Dark battles Krad to retrieve the 'Wedge of Time'. Satoshi repaints Daisuke's painting. The story of Ice and Dark is completed. Ami senses the end is drawing near.