Vollkommen: Kanata and Azrael - Leader's Core!
Last time on Vollkommen: Yuko's Corruption...
(Several Hours later, after AKB0048's usual training session...)
The Angel of Death looked upon the huge aerial balcony, his eyes drooping low in a mix of regret and anger as the memories of the past flooded back into his mind.
(Abaddon)
"The Council ties our hands!"
"Yes, old friend…I do."
"There will be no war, Azrael! We will strike Hell's Legions down before it's even begun."
"It will be our words, Heaven's word, against that of the Prince of Lies…now do you see?"
"The Seventh Seal...has not been broken!"
"Yes, Azrael...I have come back from the dead."
"I see, the Tree of Knowledge. You have kept it from the dredges of darkness, isn't it?"
(War and The Watcher - Darksiders era)
"Yet I'm the one who pays for your betrayal!"
"Treason! War, you swore that you will rid anyone who have pulled you down. Do it, starting with him!"
"When all of this ends, the Council will see that justice is done. I will destroy Abaddon, and all who schemed with him..."
(Chris 'Quattro' Fuschia - True Armageddon)
"War! There's been too much angels and innocent people who have gave their lives to destroy the dredges of hell! They are the real enemies! I plead you, stop this unnecessary bloodshed and destroy the Prime Evil once and for all!"
"If you want to kill Azrael...slay me instead! He's the only one that can command the Hellguards to guide the Third Kingdom, and not rule over them, after the True Armageddon!"
The memories clung onto Azrael like a stubborn child demanding candy from his parents.
The memories that reminded him of the atrocities that he had committed a hundred and two years ago, which led to the premature Apocalypse.
"All of those atrocities...the burden that I have to endure..." Azrael sighed.
Then...
"Those atrocities are not entirely your fault so much as it's the pride of Abaddon..."
Azrael's eyes widened slightly.
"Who's there?" Azrael turned behind him and saw a long red-hair girl who was wearing a brown coat jacket wrapping around his pale peachy shirt, and dark brown shorts with a medium-sized orange ribbon tied on her hair.
"Miss Kanata?" Azrael's eyes went wide with surprise.
Several minutes earlier - Chris's office...
*Knock knock*
"It's Kanata, Chris-sempai!"
"Oh, come in! Door's not locked."
Kanata entered the room with a determined frown upon her face.
"Kanata? What happened? What's with the determined stance?" Chris wondered.
"Azrael...That Azrael, I want to thank him for helping both Shiori and I out." Kanata replied.
Chris sighed...
"Azrael told me that he doesn't need anyone's thanks...He is just doing what he can to prevent history from repeating itself - to prevent Shiori, or even anyone, from becoming the next Abaddon."
"But that's why! He saved Shiori from any potential danger from extreme zealousness, possibly even the Balance, and even allowed me a valuable chance at becoming the sixth Takamina! Besides, it isn't Azrael's fault!" Kanata replied.
Transition back to the White City Tower...
"What makes you think that this fault isn't mine? I agreed upon Abaddon's plan. I can't completely pushed all the blame to the Angel of Destruction alone, couldn't I?" Azrael frowned.
"But you were forced! To be fair, weren't you pressurized you by your friend who was just plain eager about getting rid of Hell's legions as soon as possible? You were just being dragged into all of this; it ain't your fault all of this crap happened!" Kanata replied in earnest.
Azrael shook his head and sighed.
"I appreciate that you wanted to help me...but why? I am responsible for the premature Apocalypse, and all I'm doing is to atone for the sins I have wrought after being spared the axe during the True Apocalypse."
"I know it seemed crazy. Call me nuts if you want, but you have helped me, my sempai, and every one of us! You have no idea how much positive impact you have done, even the Four were shocked at the impact you have made! You have helped us, helped me, and now we wanna help you!" Kanata shot back.
Azrael 's eyes widened; stunned, and drooped in to a guilty state.
"Abaddon and I were best of friends...old friends, you can say. We have been through a lot, and he was one zealous archangel. He was always determined to rid the world of its darkness; constantly claiming that Hell's Legions will consume the Third Kingdom at any minute. His paranoia eventually get the better of him. I should have stop him when he decided to strike at the Legions of Hell before the appointed time by starting the Apocalypse prematurely. Alas, I didn't, and I can only blame myself for my inability to outwit him. If only...if only I could have suggested more than one idea to safely keep the darkness at bay without bringing the Four or even the Council into all of this...All of this, the burden, the guilt I held, the sins I bear, it would not happen at all." Azrael shook his head.
"Aren't we so the same? That we all have guilt and sins that we carry, but turns out that they are unfounded?" Kanata frowned.
Azrael wondered, "What?"
"My dad...When I thought my dad was dead in the firefight four years ago during the chaotic firefight in Lancastar, I was angry at myself. I felt that if I become stronger earlier, then maybe I did not have to struggle with so much crap, then maybe my father wouldn't have died at all...But I found out that it isn't my fault that my dad died, and that I shouldn't burden myself with thoughts of revenge against DES and self-mutilation. I knew that the best way is to throw all thoughts of revenge away, enjoy doing what I love, and fight with our love for music!" Kanata replied.
"The fact of the matter is...you weren't the gun, and besides, weren't your father saved by Chris and Alito? I, however, have no other choice but to agree to Abaddon's plan." Azrael frowned.
"That's the thing! That plan is Abaddon's, right? You were forced to make a decision in such a short span of time, and you didn't deliberately do it!" Kanata explained.
"But I witness the Third Kingdom destroyed right before my very eyes because I broke six of the seven Seals! If Abaddon can become the Destroyer, who can guarantee that I, or others, won't become one?"
Kanata clenched her fists...
"You numbskull! The difference between you and Abaddon, is that you have THE BALLS TO ADMIT YOUR MISTAKES, FACE UP TO THEM, AND ADMIT THAT YOU'RE NOT COMPLETELY PERFECT!" she scolded.
Azrael's eyes widened once more. He didn't expect a human being to shout at him, let alone being chided for being 'a numbskull'.
"Okay, you might have made a mistake to a certain extent. Let's say you did as you have claimed, but even then, you have the guts! The guts to admit that you're in the wrong to an extent! You didn't push the blame entirely on Abaddon! You could have just said, 'Oh, Abaddon did it, not me!', but you chose to confess to War! You choose to take responsibility, just like how a real leader should!" Kanata chided.
"Me? A real leader? But how...I thought..." Azrael shook his head.
"Don't ever let your doubts limit you, Angel of Death! A real leader is one who serves his or her comrades regardless of their predicament, right? Chris told me everything that you have done, from helping the Hellguards in their everyday jobs, to mentoring the young Hellguards, and even co-operating with the Four during the Abomination Vault Era, while Abaddon just flaunt his leadership as if he's expected to be respected! But you, Azrael, are no Abaddon! Yes, Abaddon might be your friend, but you're a better leader than him because you're willing to empathize the Hellguards' troubles! You serve them, just as they want to serve you!" Kanata frowned.
Azrael's eyes blinked several times, it's as if suddenly, Kanata's words...made a lot of sense...
"Shiori had said it, and I'm sure every other Takiminas had said it too, that a leader is expected to place their lives in front and serve the others before self and to show the enemies what the good guys are capable of! You are one, Azrael! You have helped us lot without even expecting much, only wishing for the Balance's restoration when you have no idea how big of an impact you have caused! The Hellguards have spoke highly about your guidance towards the human race in their recovery during the two years of reconstruction after the True Armageddon! You have the willingness to admit your part in your mistakes, even if I think you aren't to blame!" Kanata frowned.
"Kanata..." Azrael slowly replied, adding concern into his tone.
Kanata pouted. "Look, the Armageddon is over, humanity is back to normal, and you are a completely different leader than that prideful Abaddon - a way better one in that. You are what Abaddon isn't - a true friend. I will respect that Angel, but will never be his friend! You however, deserve better!"
Azrael sighed calmly. "All I wish is to protect and serve the Balance in whatever ways possible, without resorting to any underhanded means. I appreciate your thoughts, Kanata."
"See? You're an important ally to us! Don't let your past drag you down, Azrael-sempai! Just like how AKB0048 and the entire Akibastar solar system needs idols like me, Nagisa, Chieri, Shiori-sempai and others, the Balance of the Three Dimensions need people like Chris, Alito, Uriel, the Scribe, the Four, and even you! The past is the past, shouldn't we be looking at the present and anticipate what the future might hold?" Kanata smiled brightly.
"Miuuuu!" Kanata's tadpole-like Kirara squealed as it glowed brightly, matching Kanata's determined personality.
Azrael closed his eyes as he mused on about it.
It made a lot more sense to him now...
Even if it was his fault to a certain extent, there was no point in just moping about - what done was done.
What really mattered was he was what Abaddon was not - a responsible leader...
Compared to Abaddon, who betrayed the Balance when things get tough, Azrael himself was willing to take responsibilities for the things he had done, even if it was to a certain extent only.
Even when he did take responsibilities, that did not means that he must embroiled himself in eternal torment. The past is the past. The world now, is not the world before the True Armageddon, it is AFTER the true Armageddon.
The past might have shaped and paved the way for present times, and would most certainly helped in preventing the same crap from happening in the near future, but it did not have drag him to a point of uselessness.
The Hellguards needed him along with Uriel to guide the Hellguards, that way, they could guide the human race, and not dominate over them.
The three dimensions, the Balance, the Voice of Balance needed figures like him, and not Abaddon, alongside Chris, Alito, Uriel, and the Makers to protect the Balance that kept the three worlds together.
It was about time he should let go of the very guilt that plagued him for a hundred and two years, and start looking into the future ahead using his past experiences.
Yes, the past will certainly help the future, but neither was it needed to plunge himself down like a dead rock.
He had two choices - either mope about it and nothing will come out...
Or throw the guilt away, and give in everything he has to prevent history from repeating itself, without dwelling too much about his guilt.
"It's no wonder that Lord Samsarel declare that the Third Kingdom are fit to stand up own their own before his departure to the after life...No one will really know just how hugely capable the human race is able of, until a crisis is presented to them. Crisis makes the man indeed..." Azrael simpered.
"You see, you can do it! You have what it takes! Let that past of yours not drag you down, but also push you through, think positively, and guide the Balance to its ultimate safety! Let's work together, shall we?" Kanata smiled.
"And what about the Four?" Azrael wondered.
"I knew you would say that, you silly angel!"
"That sound...Fury?"
Kanata and Azrael saw the Four Horsemen, Yukirin, Mikako, Tomoyo, Uriel, Chris, and Alito approaching them.
"What? Do you think our brother War is going to keep on holding that stupid grudge over the years? Especially since the main person responsible IS Abaddon, and not you?" Fury smirked.
"War..." Azrael frowned in concern as he face the Red Rider.
"You have surprised even us Horsemen with the amount of determination to atone for that sin of yours. I guess on account of Ayako, Kanata, Chris, and Alito, consider that sin of yours...absolved." War solemnly replied.
"Just be warned...Angel of Death, if you dare to pull my brother down into another web of conspiracy, I will make this the most ironic killing you will ever witness." Death crossed his arms and grunted.
"You heard 'em. My brothers decided to acquit you of your sins. You can thank the human's ability to repay a person's kindness for that." Strife nodded.
Yukirin nodded as she smiled gently.
"For better or for worse, without the crisis in this world, War and company will not have met Chris and Alito. Chris and Alito would not have the artefact to call the Four should anything that threatens the Balance occurs. And should that not happen, no one would have known when I will be able to reconcile with my parents, and love War for who he was - an honorable warrior. I will say it again...for better or for worse, without those events, we would not even be here, united as we fight against the threat to the Balance itself. I forgive you, Angel of Death!" Yukirin smiled with tears brimming around her eyes as her Kirara shone brightly.
"Ditto!" Tomochin simpered.
"No one would be there to save my butt as well! I say, ditto too!" Mikako winked.
Azreal looked at Chris and Alito, who nodded silently in content and gave him a thumbs up.
"We are not going to do it alone, Azreal. The time of Abaddon has ended. Now, it's our turn to show the betrayer, what we are that he isn't!" Uriel nodded.
Azreal faced Kanata once more as the latter extended her right hand...
"As the upcoming leader of AKB0048 as the sixth Takahashi Minami, let us help you and the White City, as we work together to conquer the last adversities that we are about to face!" Kanata smiled as her Kirara's aura glowed even brighter.
Azreal could see an aura of the first Takahashi Minami materializing as a result of Kanata's leadership qualities taking fruit, and smiled as the runes upon his wings and face glowed.
He joined his right hand on Kanata's right...
"The White City will offer you every help that we need! The Hellguard stands ready!"
As Kanata replied with a beaming grin upon her face, Azreal could only sighed in content...
Over...after a hundred and two years of torture, self-mutilation, self-blaming, puling oneself down as he struggled to find salvation...
It's finally over...
"Kanata...you will make a great leader in the years to come. I will help you in anyways I can, in guiding you to become the best Takamina you ever would!" Azrael thought with a simper upon his face once more...
And thus begins the budding relationship between Kanata and the Angel of Death...
Never to know, that the seeds of love had already been planted upon them after this heart-warming event.
Of course, as most people said when they have to get back on present things...
That is for another day... :)