Author's Note: I am very happy! Yay! I am back to the usual 10 reviews per chapter! YAY! And yes, I am very happy xD Anyway, there is a reason why I don't usually do hime or otome universe fics. They are too complicated for my liking. Their universe and ways are too hard for me to describe –and no, I don't do after carnival fics or pre-carnival since there are enough around. This is the very reason why I had to get new definitions for every little thing to minimize the inconsistency and possible plot holes. That and originally, the manga events sucks. If you thought My hime manga was bad at the beginning, don't even think about reading the end. It just bad, bad and bad.
Anonymous replies:
catco: now, now of course I don't want to kill you xD I mean, you are one of my dearest readers. And actually, yes. I can stop there. I am the author, you know xD I think you will enjoy this chapter too, at least the less informative part. And yes, I agree. It is a shame. I know it would be a epic fight x3 I did tell you that the hints were all over there. Anyway, the new chapter is here catco. I hope you enjoy it and review again! Always grateful for them!
griisss: Hey griisss, thanks for taking the time to review. I am glad you enjoy this version of the manga. I always like to hear about how many of my readers love it xD boost my ego. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter.
wolf-chan: The end is still a little far away. Everything is JUST about to start wolf-chan. I hope you enjoy this chapter and the ones coming soon. Thanks for taking the time to review, I appreacite it.
Warning (not really, but read it): I will kill someone if anyone dares ask something that is explained in this chapter. Its not a threat, is a promise. So don't you dare make me repeat myself. So unless you really didn't understand, please don't make me repeat myself. PEOPLE DIE HERE SO BE CAREFUL.
Disclaimer: This is completely original. I made all this up and just put My Hime characters for my own twisted pleasure. That sounded kinky…Also, I hold no responsibility about the way things happen. This is fanfic, this is based on anime/manga world. Which means, nothing makes sense!
Chapter 21: The Tragic Truth
-Hime Star-
They said the beginning was always a good start. But, there are many beginnings. It could be the beginning of the birth of the last monarch of the Hime Star, The Obsidian Princess Shizuru. Along with her, the last Royal Guard of its Majesty, The ice QUEEN Natsuki, The fearless QUEEN Haruka and clever QUEEN Yukino. They shouldn't be forgotten either, the ever faithful knights, the Himes. All the last of their lines, all of them doomed to suffer at such young age.
But, a beginning is needed and that is the end of the Hime Star.
It all started with a sudden rebellion from the Hime Star citizens. A small group, something the Himes didn't have to worry much. But that same group grew as time passed. Soon enough, the Hime Star found itself in a Civil War. The battles were but bloodbaths. Men, woman and children. None of them were spare of this horrible decease to rebel and attack those who protected the Obsidian Princess and herself too. The QUEENs began fearing for their Majesty's life. They knew that soon enough, they wouldn't be able to contain the citizens any longer. Not unless they wanted to really annihilate the last remaining survivors.
It was now time. The last day was today.
The Obsidian Mistress stared at the window from her Obsidian Palace. Her hand, ever slowly, was raised to touch the crystal surface. She sighed, seeing her Himes fighting against another group of rebels.
"My Mistress."
She turned around and smiled, a soft and gentle smile that let her most precious servant speechless.
"Natsuki should know better than use that title when we are alone." The Obsidian Mistress scolded playfully as she walked toward her bowed Queen.
"I'm sorry…Shizuru."
"That is better. So, what is my sweet, ice Queen doing here tonight?"
Natsuki frowned but complied anyway, "You were right. We went to the Core of the Star and it seems that its strange energy is the one affecting our people."
"I see." Shizuru commented and went back to the window, Natsuki close behind her. "I always prayed for this day to not come. This is our home, after all."
"I will protect you. I will always be there for you. So don't worry."
"How sweet for you, my dear guardian."
Natsuki was about to say something else when the door slammed open, interrupting the momentary peace and joy the Queen and Mistress had achieved moments before.
"Chie, Midori what did I told you about slamming the door like that?" Natsuki inquired, her eyes glaring at the newcomers.
"We…are sorry?" The duo said in unison with a sheepishly grin.
The ice Queen shook her head and sighed, "Please, at least tell me you have some good news."
"Well…" Chie looked at Midori, who shook her head. The older Hime sighed, she was expecting this. "Traitor…" she muttered before explaining the current situation to Natsuki. "The rebels have been efficiently halted. Aoi, Akira, Nao and Akane are handling the causalities from both sides." Natsuki and Shizuru raised an eyebrow, questioning what Chie meant with 'both sides', "Mai and Mikoto, they were careless and the rebels attacked them by surprise."
"But there are good news!" Midori added with her ever cheerful voice and wide grin, "Yohko and your Majesty's Queen have finally being able to work out how the Hime Gate works."
"What do you mean?" Natsuki questioned, obviously having no idea of what the Hime just said, "The Gate is too dangerous for us. We might be affected just us our people if we get near it!"
"Not…exactly."
"Midori, time is not a luxury we have now. So please explain what you mean by this." Shizuru demanded as she saw her beloved Himes fighting once again.
"A year ago, when the Hime Star's power started affecting people. Yohko and I started researching for a new home, just in case we couldn't find a permanent solution. Initially, we thought that The Core was nothing more than our Star's living life but later on we found that it did had a second function. The Core is a Gate too. Then we remembered the planet called 'Earth' and started building another copy, something alike, to this Gate underneath an island in Earth."
"That's why you were gone for so long…" Chie commented, thinking that Midori was just being lazy as usual and had found a perfect excuse to get away from work with Yohko.
"Yohko and I have created three, no four individual in Earth. They have already prepared everything for our arrival, Mistress."
Natsuki glanced at the quiet, impassive face of her Mistress. She knew the risk Midori and her lover had put themselves in. They should have told Shizuru sooner. Their plans weren't authorized. The implications of such betrayal were harsh. Death might be the ultimate option too.
"Midori…" Shizuru finally spoke. Himes and Queen shuddered in fear, feeling the omnipotent power of their Mistress, "Do you know what you just did?"
"Yes, Obsidian Princess."
"I should kill you, right away for such treachery but I won't. Not when my home, my Star is killing my people."
"There…there is something else you should know, my Mistress." Shizuru raised an eyebrow expectantly. "Common citizens can't….no, they won't survive the exposure of the Core."
"You are telling us that we have to leave the rest of people here? To kill themselves?!" Natsuki shouted angrily as her hands held Midori's neck, lifting her a few inches from the ground.
"There is not other way. We tried our best, that is why we took so long to tell you this."
"Leave."
"My Mistress?" The Himes and Queen wondered in unison.
"I don't want anyone here but my Queen." Shizuru stated and then ordered, "I also want every Hime at the Gate. We will proceed immediately."
"Yes, Obsidian Mistress."
Shizuru sighed, feeling the other woman's eyes upon her. She knew that the presence of the Himes was the only thing that had stopped Natsuki from an outburst about her decision. Now, with the duo gone, nothing stopped Natsuki from questioning her choice. It was Natsuki's time to take advantage of the power she had been given by the other woman.
"You didn't even hesitate about your decision! Do you care so little about your citizens!? About the people who had promised to serve you and in return you will protect them?! Are you going to just leave them like that!?"
"Yes, I will. I am."
"Shizuru –!" Natsuki stopped speaking as she felt the tremendous power emanating from the other woman.
"I already lost my family, your family and my friends." Shizuru began saying, her eyes changing to a golden color. She was now the Obsidian Mistress and not the woman Natsuki had secretly fall in love so many years ago. "I don't plan to lose more people, not when they are my Himes, not when they are my Queens and especially not when I can save you."
"Shizuru…"
"A world without Natsuki, is a world not worth to save."
Natsuki let out a soft gasp as she stared at Shizuru's eyes. It had been so long that she had forgotten about it. Forgotten that Shizuru was still her friend, was still a living being and not just the Hime Star monarch. She was still the same woman she had sworn to protect and fall in love with.
"Alright, I understand." Natsuki said at last while wrapping her arms around the younger woman. "A world without Shizuru, is also a world not worth saving for me too."
And so the Obsidian Princess along with her Queens and Himes left the Hime Star and started a new life in Earth, in a remote island where they had what they wanted and humans ignored their truth nature.
But, this was by far the end. No, the Hime Star tragedy was but the tip of the iceberg.
-Earth, Fuuka Island-
During the first year, Himes slowly found themselves losing their powers to call forth their Child. After another month of research, Yukino found the answer. The exposure from The Gate had affected them by taking their Childs, instead of driving them mad like the other citizens of the Star. The Obsidian Princess tried her best to reassure her Himes but it was not easy. Everyone except Yohko, Aoi, Chie, Midori and Mikoto were distraught about their lost.
The second year, the Obsidian Princess proposed to allow the Himes to venture around the island. All in hopes to make them forget about their lost and find new ways to adapt. As months passed, the former habitants of the Hime Star started their new lives with the humans. However, it wasn't until one day, did the Childs came back. In the middle of their second year, Himes found out that certain humans were compatible with each other and thus allowing them to call forth their Childs again. Nevertheless, it was just Nao, Mai, Akira and Akane who had found these individuals. The Obsidian Princess named them 'Key' and were the only humans who knew about the real nature of her people.
By the third year, however, things seemed to turn for the worst. A Civil War had broken in the island and no one knew the reason for its birth. Himes tried their best to resolve it but in the end, it was the Queens' powers that allowed peace to come back. Though, the price was high for their achievement. Their secret was now out. Humans tried their best to not fear the immense strength the Queens had but there was still doubt inside them. Unlike the Himes, Queens didn't need a Key. They didn't have a Child because there was no need for it. And so, the plan to assassinate the Queens and Obsidian Princess began.
The fourth year was the last one. It was also the year in which the first Carnival of many would start.
"Shizuru! Shizuru!" Natsuki yelled and rushed to her lover's side once she found her, "Come on! We must leave!"
But it was too late. Midori had it all planned out. She knew it and was sure the Obsidian Princess had found it too.
The doors slammed open.
"Stop right there!" Midori ordered as Nao and Mai surrounded their former monarch. "I will not allow you to leave!"
"How dare you! Traitor!" Natsuki growled, her fist already being covered by a thin yet strong layer of ice. "You are all traitors!"
"All you need to do is go to the copy of The Gate, Natsuki. So please, don't make it harder than it already is." The future mentor pleaded while motioning the other two Himes to lower their weapons.
"You are madder than I thought if you even think I will do such thing," Natsuki hissed angrily, "I know what you did to Yukino and the others! You beast! How dare you create such abomination to us! How dare you strip us of our powers!"
"Be reasonable for once! Every Hime who doesn't have a Key and the Royal Guard are out of control! Did you forget what happened at the civil war? That was a bloodbath too! Just like back at the Hime Star!"
"I didn't have a choice!"
"You did! You could have just done what we did too but you chose the easy way! Just like Haruka and the others!"
"Enough!" Shizuru ordered and once again Himes and Queen fell on their knees by the immense power display by their Mistress. "This nonsense will stop right now, from both of you." she glanced at her lover first and then to her former servant, "I know what you are trying to do Midori but it won't work. Not this time. The Hime Star is too far away."
"But I–…"
Shizuru shook her head, halting any protest from the redhead, "The Hime Star needs to be closer if you want to destroy it. Right now, it is too far away. I can't believe that the thing will follow us. Its like a curse, a damned one. And I can't deny that its hold on us is rather powerful (1)."
"Shizuru…"
"I am sorry, for not telling you sooner." The Obsidian Princess apologized, "I wanted but I was also trying to find a new way to rescue us."
"I und–…"
It was the end. They all knew it the moment Natsuki face's touched the floor. Blood spilling from its wound and mouth.
"Natsuki!" Shizuru cried out, ready to rush toward her now dead lover.
But, she didn't take even one step before a second arrow was shot. This time it was aimed to the Obsidian Princess.
"I…am sorry." Midori said, no longer feeling the power of her former Mistress upon her.
Natsuki and Shizuru lay close together, just inches apart and unable to reach for each other. A cruel and tragic death for the lovers, indeed. And one that Midori knew was held responsible for, even though she wasn't the one who had shot the arrows.
"Thank you, Miyu." Midori said after helping Nao stand up while Miyu arrived and took the lovers away.
The android nodded as acknowledgement and proceeded to complete its task.
Sometimes, the redhead Hime wondered why she had created her and then she reminded herself that ever available hand was needed for what was to come.
"Midori…"
"Please…just, leave me alone for a moment alright?" the redhead Hime requested to the other two. Nao and Mai looked at each other before leaving.
"I am really sorry, your Majesty."
Truth be told, Midori did regret what she had done and will do in the future. Truth be told the Obsidian Princess had planned this from the first year the Hime Star had affected its citizen. It was a cruel, bitter truth but real in every sense of the word.
The Obsidian Princess Shizuru had hoped, even prayed, for a miracle. Initially, she believed there was salvation for her beloved citizens. But the days turned weeks and then into months. Her hope, her faith was gradually fading away. It was now clear that no miracle would happen. There was no salvation for them and Shizuru feared. She feared for the remaining survivors, but above everything, she feared for Natsuki's life.
Shizuru, noticing the violent fights and the dramatic changes from her servants, (2) formulated a secret plan with Midori and Yohko. She had used her powers so neither Hime found itself exposed to the Hime Stars spreading disease. But, as side effect, Shizuru was left herself open and the Hime Star had started affecting her too. Yet, it was still in a lesser degree. Enough time for Shizuru to be able to finish her plan and order the two women to start it.
The plan itself was simple. They had to destroy the Hime Star one way or another. It was, however, the process that would take longer to achieve. But, first, Shizuru needed a new place for her Himes and Queens. She needed a place out of the Star to activate the final steps. That is when Earth was chosen. After all, humans were physical similar to them.
Once they arrived, Shizuru could still feel the pull, the temptation from the Hime Star. It was then when she realized that the Star was coming to Earth, as if following her and the others. She had expected something like this. The trio had. But, they just didn't want to know. So, Shizuru started the second part of her plan.
The Obsidian Princess knew that something was needed. Something should be created for the Himes to resist the Hime Star power. It was then, when her Himes lost all ability to materialize their Child, did Shizuru along with Yohko thought about using the humans and thus create the individual 'Key'. The Key would be a being with an almost perfect harmony with the Hime, have the ability to enchant the Hime's power and bring forth a Child too. However, Shizuru wasn't prepared to have a few Himes left without their Keys. (3) It had been an unexpected result. But the Obsidian Princess was determined in her decision.
Shizuru had also been aware that her Queens were too powerful, that if the rebellion (4) she planned to do was to take place, something should be done about them. She then proceeded to finish the second function of the replica Gate. Shizuru planned to take her Queen's power and seal them within it. It was her best chance to success her future plans and at the same time, make sure that nothing from the Hime Star might come to Earth.
Now, with the Hime's without Keys, Queens and Obsidian Princess out of the picture, the time had come. The real challenge was to start now and the Himes planned to finish it one way or another.
Shizuru had told Midori that the Hime Star was unpredictable. Neither of them knew when exactly it might arrive, but Shizuru understood that when it did, certain conditions were needed. It was then when the Carnival was created.
"Miss Midori."
Midori turned around and gave a small smile at the little girl and older woman behind her, "What are doing here silly girl? This place is not a playground, you know."
"I was worry about you."
Midori chuckled and shook her head.
Fumi was the name of the older woman. She was one of the four individuals that the Obsidian Princess and Midori had created for the sake of a future. For the sake of the Carnival. Fumi was the one in charge of the reincarnation cycle. She was the one that would use the powers the Obsidian Princess gave her and make sure that every Hime and Key (5) would revive within the same time line. It was what she was created for.
Mashiro. That was the name of the girl. The girl was an artificial being, more exactly, an artificial Hime. Her task as a Hime was to slow down the Star, at least until the next cycle of reincarnation took place. She, along with Fumi, were the ones who were to guide the Himes and Keys in their journal toward the destruction of the Hime Star.
"Shouldn't you worry about Nagi instead? Especially since I am a grown woman and he is just a boy."
Nagi was the last creation. However, unlike the other first two, he held a darker meaning. His task was to train the Himes, to prepare the Queens when they awoke and eliminate any potential threat. He had been created as the trickster, the deceiver.
"Miyu is with him." Fumi answered this time.
"I see." Midori mumbled and then stared at the duo, "Let's go. Its time to prepare for the Carnival."
Little did Midori know that multiple Carnivals were needed for the final task to take place. Little did she know that Mashiro, Nagi and Fumi would eventually betray her for the Hime Star was already affecting them. After all, they contained part of the Obsidian Princess power. And little would she know that it wasn't until the previous Carnival to the present time did things change.
The Obsidian Princess had been very clear regarding the conditions needed for the destruction of the Star. She was also aware of the eventual mix (6) that might take place if it took longer than a Carnival to finish things off. That's why she was explicit at what needed to happen. That is why Nagi have been given the job to watch.
An Obsidian Princess was needed, however, whoever was to take her place, had to be a Hime first. But, that wasn't all. The Hime had to have a Key, a relationship with either it or another Hime and have connections with her Queens. Meanwhile, for the Queens a different set of conditions were asked.
The Queens all had to be Keys first (7). The first two had to be loyal and protective of each other and had to known the Obsidian Princess for a considerable time. However, it was the Third Queen who had to be closest to the Chosen Hime.
All of these conditions were to be achieved during the Carnival. All in hopes to recreate what had happened in the past. But, as time passed, things changed. The hold of the Hime Star on Nagi and Mashiro increased and with it the Carnival was turned into something else.
Nagi began developing a strange ability to create Orphans with his blood.(8) Not only that, but his personality and ways had changed completely too. Meanwhile, Mashiro began believing that the Obsidian Princess and her Queens were a danger to Earth. Rather than guide the Himes, Queens and Obsidian Princess, Mashiro began teaming them up against each other. She was firm on this believe, especially when the hold upon Queens and Obsidian Princess increased with each passing Carnival.
But, what Mashiro didn't know was that Fumi had other plans. Her simple existence was not only order for the cycle of reincarnation but bring balance between the little girl and Nagi. And that's when the previous Carnival from the present time took a role to end these continuous fights.
The Obsidian Princess was Mai Tokiha, a Hime who had fulfilled the conditions demanded. She had been romantically involved with Mikoto Minagi, the other Hime and had a Key. She was also childhood friends with her three Queens. Meanwhile, Chie and Aoi had been Himes and Keys to each other and were romantically involved. And at last, Natsuki Kruger, the bodyguard of Princess Mai.
This Carnival was one of the closest to achieve the conditions that had been demanded.
However, just like previous time, everything changed the moment a Hime died. The death of Shizuru Viola, had not only awakened Kruger's Queen powers, but it also announced the end of the Carnival.
Although everything seemed lost once again, Fumi was able to realize something. Whatever had happened in this Carnival had opened the doors to end it too. It was all about just making the right choices and watch over the future Himes and Keys.
And the truth was that Fumi had planned it all along. Fumi was the one who put both Midori and Yohko in the same university and classes. She was the one who gave Saeko the plans for the creation of Miyu. She was also the one to sent Haruka, Yukino and Natsuki to comfort Shizuru. Fumi was the one who created Fuuka Academy. She was the one who made everyone come. She was the one who had fated their reunions. Fumi was the real puppet master all along.
And so it began.
The Last Battle, The Last Carnival was to start.
It was now time to end it all and bring forth a new, brighter beginning.
This was the tragic truth of the Obsidian Princess and her servants.
Reference:
(1) Shizuru, even though she is the Obsidian Princess, is still affected by the Hime Star. The hold is weaker but still there. She knows that something bad might happen and she is afraid for Natsuki's life more than anything. This also shows how powerful the Hime Star is.
(2) From the start, Shizuru knew that everyone would eventually be affected by the Hime Star. However, she was able to safe a few Himes when the being "Key" was "discovered". Shizuru hoped that she was wrong. That it wouldn't affect them but it did and that is why she formulated a plan with Midori and Yohko.
(3) Oh to hell with it! The straight Himes got their male Key. The others didn't since obviously I wanted the Himes to be each other Key for the future.
(4) Remember the Civil War? She provoked it. Clever? Evil? Scary?
(5) Erm...yeah, a bit unrealistic but play along...yes? please? So, long to short story Fumi made sure that Natsuki, Shizuru, Yohko, Midori, Haruka, etc. were in the same timeline.
(6) So, in the end, what was left were just the straight Himes with their Keys. Obviously they had kids. That is the mix Shizuru is talking about. Half human, half 'alien'. So we have the Himes with the Hime Mark which equals to complete alien -himemian?. The Keys who aren't Himes are just humans. The ones who are Himes and Keys are half human, half alien. -see details in the chart below-
(7) Queens have to be obviously be weaker than the Obsidian Princess, that is why they are required to be part human or fully human. Meanwhile the one to become Obsidian Princess must be a fully 'alien', you know since she is suppose to be royalty and all.
(8) At the start, Nagi was suppose to be just like be a good teacher and help the future Queens control their powers but the influence of the Hime Star began affecting him too. This, thus gave him the ability to create Orphans.
HiME: At the start, a Hime was considered a Knight in the Hime Star. Later on, the HiME became the potential vessel for the Obsidian Princess. The Himes are pure blooded Hime Star habitants.
QUEEN: They are the Royal Guard for the Obsidian Princess, however, when the Carnival was to begin, the Queens' power were stripped and sealed in the Gates. Only the Hime's Keys can become a Queen. The Queens are either half human or fully human.
Hime Star: The original home of the Obsidian Princess and servants. It is the one at fault for the beginning of the Carnival and the madness that fell upon the Hime Star habitants. Currently, the Star is heading toward Earth.
Obsidian Princess: The monarch of the Hime Star. It has great and mysterious power. Only Himes have the potential to become the Obsidian Princess.
The Core: The source of energy of the Hime Star. It is the energy that it emits that caused the madness upon the Hime Star habitants.
The Gates: Part of the Core. The Obsidian Princess and servants used the Gates to teleport and escape to Earth. A copy of the Gate was created on Earth too.
The Hime Mark: It is one of the main things that distinguish the Himes from the Keys. This Mark also shows that the Hime has pure blood, a complete Himemian, while Keys are a mix of himemians and humans.
Orphans: The truth is, these creatures are the Hime Star habitants who changed so drastically because of the Core's power and influence. This is also why the Orphans chase after the Himes.
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Chart:
Pure blooded (Himes): Natsuki, Mai, Mikoto, Chie, Nao and Akane.
Hybrids (Himes and Keys at the same time): Midori, Yohko, Akira.
Humans (only Keys): Kazuya, Nao's dead Key, and the blonde guy.
Artificial beings: Mashiro, Nagi, Miyu, Fumi.
Exception: Shizuru, Haruka and Yukino. Because they were originally the Obsidian Princess and Queens respectively, so they are what you can consider pure blooded beings.
Three chapters left for the end! Just to remind everyone, this is completely original. It was done out from my head, the definitions and terms. Everything is mine, is not taken from the manga or anime. But obviously, I did retain some stuff from the mai hime anime.
I won't ask for a review, not forcefully since I know this was the "informative" type of chapter. Not very interesting for some. So, if anyone wants, please do leave a review.
One more thing, CrazyNinjaPenguin is still working on the last 3 chapters. Until I receive them all, I won't update just yet. Why? Because those 3 chapters are VERY important and have MANY cliffhangers. So, to lessen the pain. I want to have them all with me so I can update them all on the same week. Unless, of course no one minds and I might as well just update as soon as I get the first chapter.