Please note that this chapter is an alternate version of Chapter 52: Christmas Day, the title 'Boxing Day' is just a trend I'm using. Please start from chapter 51 AND ONWARDS. But enough about that, I hope you enjoy
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Chapter 53: Boxing Day (Alternate Ending)
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Previously:
As if in slow motion, the Sainan High girls watched as the hoop flew up, lighting up in rainbow. They gasped in pure shock as a petite ball of fire whizzed out of the hoop, a trail of grey smoke following. But that trail of smoke was broken as a woman with slightly charred red strips of clothing also flew out. A woman with golden eyes and light blue hair. She too was flung out in the same fashion.
The girls were about to comment when a third figure, or should I say two figures, appeared out of the hoop. All space travellers fell from the setting sky at an angle as they scraped onto the top of the school fence, and towards a park in the distance. The airborne hoop then crackled with lightning and exploded shortly after.
"Was that…." Rin stuttered in shock, unable to finish her question.
"Let's go!" Haruna shouted urgently as she ran for the stairs. You're back, Yuuki-kun! You're back! She inwardly cried in relief.
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Chapter 53: Boxing Day (Alternate Ending)
(Shortly after…)
"Yuuki-kun! Yuuki-kun!" The muffled but slowly sharpening cries of females woke the earthling boy up. His golden-brown eyes fluttered opened as he tiredly he gazed around, turning his head to do so. And one by one, he recognised the people around him.
"H-Haruna-chan… Kotegawa….Rin-sempai…." Rito uttered and with the help of the three, he sat up from the chilling snow, scraping his back against the broken street lamp as he did so. He could feel his hoodie jacket scraping onto the pole. And slowly, he remembered the situation that he was in. His eyes widened in realization.
"Mikan…" He uttered as he slowly unwrapped his arms, which shielded the young girl sitting between his legs from everything. The girl leaned onto his chest as he softly took his jacket off, and promptly handed it to Haruna, signalling her to lay it on the snow covered ground. Sairenji did so without argue.
Seeing the camouflaged jacket across the ground, Rito weakly carried the unconscious girl and placed her on the piece of warm cloth. "Mikan!" He cried out as he wiped strands of brown hair off her delicate face. Seeing no active response, he activated his eagle vision and looked upon the girl. His eyes widened as the girls golden aura flickered lowly, like a candle in a gentle breeze. "No…"
"Yuuki…..Rito….." A voice huffed out from a distance as the earthling girls looked at a figure across the park. On the other side of the park was a torn and tattered Azenda, whose already revealing strips of red clothes became even more torn, if that's possible. She slapped a hand on the newly created tree stump and shakily stood up. Flakes of snow fell from her body and onto the concrete dent below. She had one hand pressing onto her opposite shoulder, which seeped with redness. A trickle of blood dripped from the corner of mouth as she coughed.
But Rito ignored her. Instead, he concentrated his undivided attention on the laying before him, trying his hardest to keep her alive. He checked her pulse, neck and wrist. He pumped her heart, and even gave mouth to mouth resuscitations. The girls and watched on, Rito's efforts fell short as Mikan laid unconscious. "Mikan….Mikan, wake up already…." He begged unceasingly as he weakly nudged her side, trying to get any response from his little sister. "Don't…scare me….like..that…" Tears then began developing in the corner of his eyes.
"It's no use…..Yuuki Rito…. By the time…the sun sets…..the apple will detonate…and so will this accursed world…." She huffed in response as she once again fell into the snow, struggling to get back up. "Time….is….up…." She groaned out. Three audible gasps could be heard shortly after.
"The world…."
"Will end?"
"Nani…" The three girls finished of the sentence with a frightened voice.
But Yuuki Rito did not care about the world, no. Right now, the world meant nothing to him.
"The apple….the apple!" Rito repeated to himself in realization as he looked up towards the horizon, the sky was indeed setting. A hue of purple dominated the entire sky, however, its clouds could not cover the yellow sun that steadily lowered. Now in panic, he stared at the increasingly brightening sphere beside him. "That's right…." He muttered as he reached for the object meters away from him. "I….I can…."
"Yu-Yuuki-kun?" Kotegawa stammered out as she watched him place the apple beside him. He then wrapped his hand around Mikan's cold right hand with his own and placed his right hand on the globe. He winced in pain upon feeling the sheer heat radiating from the apple. It felt like it was slowly tearing his skin apart, but he didn't seem to mind. Now in a kneeling position, he breathed in deeply and closed his eyes.
"Yuuki-kun, what are you-"
"I offer you my life as payment." Rito uttered as golden rays of light then flared off around the boy's body, illuminating the area. "Please give back her life." The girls all gasped at his words. But Rito could no longer hear the muffles that were their screams of defiance as his field of vision was transferred to whiteness.
"Irreversible, Assassin." A feminine voice warned inside his head, much to the boy's surprise. But his surprise didn't last for long as his thoughts flashed to memories everything he had done up till now.
"DO IT!" Rito ordered loudly in rage and desperation as he now placed both his hands onto the apple. The girls around him could only watch the boy in sadness. Rito was furiously shouting at the globe, in their perspective, which added onto their confusion. The boy, now with both hands clutched onto the searing hot apple, lifted it up and smashed it down on the ground with a great 'Boom'. The three earthling girls had to cover their eyes as snow blasted from where the apple stood. There was now a crater around the apple, half the sphere was embedded inside the cracked cement ground, which was grey and damp after having the snow melted off it. "I don't have time for jokes!" He shouted again at the globe once again, smashing it against the concrete ground.
But almost in defiance, the golden flare around the boy's body vanished, like flames against unrelenting wind. Rito, as well as the girls, winced in surprise as he felt the spiral of energy within him vanished in an instant.
"Yuuki-kun!" They cried out in worry for the boy as they knelt beside him, supporting the now gasping and tired boy. Rin looked up into the sky, only to see that the sun's rim inching closer and closer to the ground. The purple sky became darker and darker in colour.
"Oh no…" Haruna gasped upon seeing the same thing as the kendo captain.
"Sunset…" Yui breathed out in worry.
"Face it, Yuuki-kun….. There's nothing…you can possibly….do….. I have…won!" Azenda groaned out from a distance. Causing Rito's eyes to flinch.
Is this really it? One year's hard work, all for nothing? And now…the world will end? Rito asked himself as he stared at the snow below him, which now seeped with a hue of red. "No…" He whispered determinedly as he slowly pushed himself up from the snowy ground. He then crawled towards the apple, which glowed even brighter as night fell. There, in the snow, he knelt before the apple, glaring at it with exhausted eyes. This thing….has caused everyone so much pain…..There the boy knelt before the apple, a gentle breeze brushed across his face, his hair wavered relaxingly against the wind. He closed his eyes momentarily and looked up.
Without warning, he lifted both his fists up above his head, his arms buzzing with neon electricity. With a cry, he brought his hands down, hammering the golden globe into the concrete, hard. The earth below the apple cracked as a crater formed around the sphere, a wave of electricity was discharged around the boy. The impact caused a loud clang! As the surface of the apple, having suffered the full force of his attack in such a close proximity, began to crack, like the ground below, although not as serious.
Rito panted for a few moments, trying to catch his breath. His eyes wandered to Mikan, whose golden life force seemed to flicker periodically. The boy then repeated his processes again, smashing onto the apple relentlessly.
The others, including Azenda, were thoroughly shocked at the actions that took place.
"Wh-what are you doing?!" the Talha Galaxy assassin screamed in shock. You-You'll destroy the bomb, you'll never see her again!" The whip wielding assassin yelled in a panicky tone, too shocked to do anything. "Her life will disappear along with the apple…. NO!" Azenda cried out in worry. But her pleas fell to deaf ears as the earthling continued what he did. Loud clangs and screeches of metal could be heard throughout the entire park as the apple cracked more and more under the powerful blows. These sounds quickly dominated over the screams of Azenda.
Seeing the apple on the verge of shattering, Rito halted his attacks. He gripped onto the apple firmly with both his hands and brought it before his face. You will give Mikan her life back! I command you! He thought, his mind completely fixated on the apple's bright but fractured surface.
…So be it, Assassin…but there will be a price. Those cold words from the apple strangely comforted the boy as he once again lit up in gold. At the same time, the body of Mikan also flared up in the same fashion. Golden rays of light connected the two glowing siblings together.
"Ahh!" Yuuki Rito then began to cry out in pain as his body lurched forward, the strands of light seemed to carry bright lights from him to the girl, similar to optic fibre. But even amidst the pain and shouting, still he didn't let go of the apple, no matter how tempting it was.
"Yuuki-kun!" The girls yelled as they attempted to make their way towards the boy, but found it impossible due to the pressure that the air around him was exerting.
It's painful! But I have to hang on! For her sake! The single thought of Mikan was the only thing which kept Rito going as the apple became dimmer. And at the same time, the thirteen year old girl seemed to become brighter and brighter. Not very long now… Ahh!...
"N-No!" Azenda yelled as she watched her plan being torn apart, bit by bit. She got up from the snow and reached for a small knife behind her back. And with lighting speed, she hurled it towards the boy, her eyes desperate and bloodshot. The plan will not go to waste! She shrieked inside her mind. She watched as the small blade hurdled across the park towards the golden boy trapped in pain. The girls beside the boy were so focused on him that they were completely unaware of the imminent danger, safe for one.
"No!" Rin cried out as she quickly stood up from the snow and ran forward, between Rito and the knife. She held her brown kendo sword before her, her hands shook as the blade came sped towards her, but still she held firm. Even if there's no way I'll block it, I'll protect Yuuki-kun Those thought ran inside the mind of Rin as she got ready to block.
But the impending blow never came as a towering figure appeared before the girl, shadowing her, deflecting the blade with his own.
"Zastin-san!" The earthling girls called out in surprise at the newcomer.
"Gid-sama sent me to check up on the Princesses, but what's happening here?" The calm and collective voice of Zastin asked.
Azenda, now seeing the newly introduced Devilukean, became irritated as she plucked the knife in her shoulder with a small grunt and prepared to launch it, cocking her arm backwards. But the already bloodied blade never left her hand as green vines sprouted from the ground, constricting themselves around the body of the assassin. She was forced to remain in place as she battled against the unexpected vines for control. "Nani!"
"Rito!" The voice of a female Devilukeans cried out as a small wormhole materialized beside the surprised Zastin as four girls flung out and landed on the chilling snow. The black hole simply disappeared shortly after.
"Lala?! Nana?! Momo?!" Zastin cried out in shock as he eyed the tired and tattered princesses, who carried a now unconscious but dressed Konjiki no Yami in their arms.
"What's happening to Rito and Mikan?!" Lala and Nana asked in fright as everyone turned towards the Yuuki Siblings, whose flares began to subside, like fire in strong winds. Wisps of golden fire left their bodies and rose, carried by the wind.
Wh-what happened? Did I…. Rito thought as he watched the globe in his hands, dissolving into tiny golden particles. And one by one, they evaporated and ascended past Rito's shocked face, and ultimately into the night sky, leaving the boy smoking, but more or less breathing.
"Yuuki-kun/Rito/Rito-dono!/Mikan!" Everyone called out in worry as they now approached the siblings. But out of the corner of their eyes, an imminent purple fire illuminated the night sky in an ominous manner, and a breeze seemed to have picked up from the direction of the light. The people snapped to their right.
There stood Azenda, bottom half of her legs buried into the white snow. She stood in a slightly slumped fashion, her arms by her side. Her entire body was surrounded by a vortex of purple flame, spiralling into the darkened night. The vortex of energy caused winds to blow off around her. Her body shuddered as she breathed in, and out, and in, and out. And slowly, she began to growl.
"Yuuki Rito… you have ruined everything…." She hissed in anger as she tilts her head down and released more power. Instantly, the snow around her melted into water, seeping into the damp concrete ground.
The people glared at Azenda as they readied their weapons. The pink heads had their D-dials opened, and Zastin and Rin drew their swords, pointing it at the enemy. They formed a protective line in front of the Yuuki siblings.
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(At the same time…)
Meanwhile, Rito was kneeling beside his little sister. He looked down upon her with worried eyes. "Mikan! Are you alright? Are you awake?!" as flurry of questions flew out of his mouth as he lifted her head gently with his hand. A phase of confusion flew over him as he looked at the girl's life force. It was restored, burning alight like fire, much to his relief. But instead of gold, it shone grey. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion and shock as he looked at the unconscious thirteen year old with question.
She's not even breathing… has she… NO! He contradicted in his mind as he brought his forehead onto hers, connecting them for a minute. And slowly, lifted his head away from the girl as he struggled to stand up. I have to believe…because…..
We had a promise…
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(Simultaneously…)
"Silence! You criminal! As captain of the royal guards to the Devilukean Throne, I will bring justice! I will protect the groom-to-be!" He announced as his energy sword glowed with alien green.
"Ha! Don't contradict yourself, Captain! I am but only one of three assassins here!" Azenda retorted, stunning the male Devilukean. "Look around you, Baka!"
One of three? He asked himself as his eyes hertrchromia eyes darted around the park. It zoomed into the trees, behind the trunks, under the earth, on the skies, and even in the rubbish bins scattered around the place. But still he cannot detect anyone else. She's bluffing, it's only her and Konjiki no Yami. Who else w-
But his thoughts were interrupted as he was roughly pushed aside by a figure behind him.
"Rito!" a dirty and tired Nana cried out in surprise as she found herself and Zastin pushed aside by a certain someone from behind. The figure stepped in between the two and stumbled, landing on the snow before the line of people.
"Rito-dono!" the royal guard called out with authority. "Stay back! There is a third assassin-"
"Shut it!" Rito hissed angrily as he shakily stood up, his back facing the group of people. On the injured boy was a ripped red shirt, with one sleeve completely torn. His red belt holding his blue jeans, which were littered with small rips. He had many fine scratches on his face and skin. Perhaps the only thing unscathed was his shoes. There he stood; his blood coated petite hidden blades visibly strapped his forearms. With every breath he took, fog seemed to come out of his mouth.
"Leave them alone. This fight is between us" Rito huffed to the equally injured Azenda from across the park.
"Between assassins."
Azenda, who now shared a similar state of clothing, was visibly enraged at the sight of her enemy. Her golden eyes narrowed as she zeroed in on the sixteen year old as her vortex of power seemed to fluctuate. "Yuuki Rito…..just like old times…" She finished as she slowly dragged her legs across the ground. Her body swayed from one side to another.
Seeing the enemy approach, the Devilukean swordsman began charging on instinct, ready to meet his foe. But again, he was stopped. He halted and turned around, only to see Lala and Momo, holding the hem of his purple cape, shaking their heads sadly, their eyes closed.
"Just like old times, huh…" the male assassin repeated sadly to himself. Let's finish this! He vowed determinedly in his mind as he closed his eyes. He grunted as he let out a tear of blood, and instantly his body crackled with electricity. The neon blue lightning, as if carried by the currents of a tornado, surround the boy in a vortex of energy. The tornado of lighting rose up like smoke above his head, ending with two seemingly outstretched wings and beak like figures. The energy around him gave off a high pitched screeching noise as Rito began walking forward, staring into the eyes of Azenda. His hidden blades activated by his side.
Similarly, the purple energy spiral around Azenda intensified and stretched upwards, ending with a fork like figure. It gave a hideous hiss as she approached the boy. She too had two small silver blades outstretched from her left and right knuckles.
The others could only stare at the two titans of energy as blue clashed with purple.
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The two, with a great cry, dashed towards each other with impressive speed. They met in the centre as one last battle begun.
Rito wasted no time and went in for a diagonal slash with his right blade, using his body to turn. However Azenda skilfully dodged by twisting her body to the left and followed up with a deceptive stab to his stomach. But having foresaw this, he followed through by spinning around counterclockwise, both his arms folded, leaving his elbows outstretched. He spun around and deflected the stab with his left elbow, then a swift right elbow to her left triceps, causing her spin around. Seeing her backside facing him, he attempted to thrust both hidden blades forward, in hopes of stabbing her in the back. But Azenda knew better. She dropped down performed a half hand stand, her body facing the sky at an forty-five degrees angle, her legs tucked in. She then used all her arm strength and pushed upwards, her legs aiming straight for his chest.
Rito swiftly retracted his blades and grabbed the incoming legs as he stepped a few steps backwards, rendering her attacks useless as she felt herself slamming onto the ground once more, face first. Rito, seeing this opportunity, was about to slash at her bare back. But was countered by a surprise attack. Azenda instantly flipped over, her left leg knocking the incoming hidden blade away, then the other slammed into his face, sending him flying to her right in mid-air. Rito recovered and just as he was about to touch the ground, he executed a cartwheel and ascended back in to mid-air, then finally landing on the ground, but not before skidding a metre to his right in a crouching position. Rito stood up and moved one step backwards, his hands and blades in stance. The kick left him with a bruised cheek. But the slam onto the ground left Azenda with a bleeding nose and mouth.
Both parties now stood up and circled each other, almost animalistically, each one growling at the other. Backing down was not an option for any of them. Above them, their respective clusters of energy clashed together. Purple gas mixed with electricity as a violet haze began surrounding the two, with neon blue electricity bouncing about. Screeching and hissing noises filled the area.
"Rito!/Yuuki-kun!" The others called out anxiously from a distance, silently praying for their lover's safety.
"I'll kill you today!" Azenda growled as she bloodied nose and lips began almost repairing themselves.
As expected of a snake. Rito mused as he counter. "Read my mind." He then took his last rope dart from his belt and threw it up, promptly catching the blade handle with his mouth, holding it so that the blade poked to his right side. The rope detached and fell onto the ground. He gave a menacing growl as they circled each other.
Azenda then stepped in with a push kick, to which Rito blocked by pressing it down with two hands. Rito retaliated with a roundhouse kick to the face. But Azenda folded her arms at her ear, blocking the kick. She then followed his example and kicked him in the side two times. But the boy knew better and placed his left hand beside him and his right hand beside his face, which turned away from the blow. He felt two rapid strikes onto her forearms and hand, but shrugged it off as he moved forward and bashed her with his shoulder, knocking Azenda backwards by a few feet. He then attacked by thrusting his right blade forward. But the woman smirked and retracted her blades. She then twisted her wrist outwards and gripped his forearm whilst pulling him forward, simultaneously thrusting her own blade forward.
Unexpected to the whip wielding assassin, Rito leaned his head in and moved towards the inbound blade. Azenda's blade was deflected by the small knife in his mouth. Orange sparks were produced as a result of the counter as Azenda's eyes widened in surprise. Rito then expertly spun around. And with his left elbow up, he slammed onto her left collarbone, a crunching sound could be heard as she let go of his right hand and stumbled backwards one hand holding her left shoulder.
How careless of me… Azenda thought to herself as she eyed the boy wielding three blades. With a small twist of her ankle, she disappeared from view, and reappeared before the boy, who narrowed his eyes in seriousness. She spun around and slashed with both blades, but Rito dodged the first one and deflected the second one, letting it slide off his own blade. Rito then advanced, attempting to stab her in the right thigh, but Azenda foresaw this and made a anticlockwise circle with her straight arm, knocking the blade out of the way. This action was then followed with a stab to his chest from Azenda. But Rito dodged with lightning speed as the arm pushed past his shoulder, but not without creating a small cut beside his neck. All the boy had to do was turn and cock her head upwards, deal a sizable cut on the side of her arm. Rito, having momentarily disoriented his adversary, spun around and slashed across her stomach with a left blade, immediately followed by a forward stab which his right wrist blade. The stab was accompanied with a fist. Sending Azenda flying backwards.
Or so he thought.
But instead, the female assassin stood ground, her feet dug into the concrete below as she resisted the attack. She stumbled back and breathed deeply. Her massive horizontal cut and stab hole then, much to everyone's surprise, began to smoke. The wounds then began healing themselves at a quickened rate, resealing themselves, as if an invisible stitch was helping her.
Rito narrowed his eyes as he stayed where he was and got into another battle stance. He faced Azenda, with one thigh bending parallel to the ground, leg suspended in mid-air, his other leg balancing on the ground. He had his right hand tucked near his chest, and his remaining hand outstretched in front of him. His blood cotted hidden blades activated. Her wounds…. I can't keep this up forever…
He watched as Azenda got up from the ground with a kip up and also got ready. She too narrowed his eyes. I can't keep regenerating much longer, I have lost too much blood…
I have to finish this quickly! The both combatants thought in unison as they wordlessly ran forward, meeting each other in the centre. The titans of power above their heads clashed together.
Azenda cut diagonally with her blades furiously, but not without coordination as she moved forward. Her wrist blades now glowed with a hue of purple. Rito did not expect the intensity from Azenda as he moved backwards, putting all three blades forward, trying his best to block her strikes. But with each strike from Azenda, Rito found himself being pushed back further and further. Out of the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of Lala and her friends, who watched with a worry and scared expression. Even the newly woken up Yami, now being supported my Momo, stared at Rito with concerned eyes.
Rito couldn't bare the expressions on their faces. And he retaliated.
Growling deeply, his hidden blades made a crackling noise as it sparked with lightning. Rito then began his own barrage of attacks, slowly regaining the duel, pushing Azenda back.
Strike.
Block.
Stab.
Deflect.
Elbow.
Kick.
Dodge.
RIto's companions, both earthlings and aliens alike, could only watch helplessly on the sidelines as the two assassins conducted their dance of death, surrounded by a vortex of blue and purple. Each person would gain the advantage for a brief moment, but would then be overcome by the other. Their tango generated sparks every time their blades would come in contact with another, making ping! Pang! Sounds as they did so. For every moment passed, the pace of the duel would increase. Until the people were almost invisible, if not for the neon trails which they left behind in their wake.
Suddenly, a powerful explosion occurred as the two titans of energy around the two dissipated outwards. The blast of blue and purple sent both combatants a few meters backwards, crashing and landing into the snow.
"Rito!-" Some cried out in concern and was about to rush in to his aid. But hesitated when they saw the boy, slowly and shakily got up to his feet. Rito had cuts and bruises littered all over his body. He tiredly wiped the trickle of blood in the corner and held a single knife in his right hand. Both his hands by his side as he stumbled forward, unable to maintain any combat stance.
From not too far away, Azenda also regained composure and stood. Her body now covered with cuts and stab wounds. Her legs wobbled, but still she stood ground. And slowly she drunkenly staggered towards Rito, unable to lift up her arms. Bloodshot golden eyes met golden brown ones.
"Yuuki Rito… why do you go so far….." She asked as she went for a weak punch towards the boy, who stepped backwards unsteadily, dodging the strike.
"You have taken my parents….." He huffed out as he coughed out blood. He clenched his knife in his hand and stumbled forward his hand high above his head, ready for one a sloppy diagonal strike. But the blade never made it to her face as she turned her body sideways, narrowly allowing the blade past her front. "And my uncle…" Rito then swung his knife downwards once again, diagonally, this time making Azenda panic evade to her right, as oppose to last time. Rito then swung his arm over his head, flipping the knife into a reverse grip, he then pushed downwards, aiming for her head.
But the blade never touched her head as she held up two hands in an 'X' formation. Rito's forearm rested on the woman's crossed hands, the blade just inches away from her face. Rito pushed downwards, using all his own body weight to do so. But felt equal resistance as Azenda pushed upwards, the ground below her feet began slitting and cracking. But she remained strong, staring hard into the blade tip.
"But you will NOT take Mikan!" He shouted.
Then without warning, everyone watched in slow motion as Rito courageously let go of the knife, allowing the blade to fall down whilst spinning. But surprisingly, the blade did not hit the ground. It instead handed on his left hand, which was sitting in front of his stomach. He caught it perfectly in the grip and trusted forwards with all his might.
The knife pushed and came in contact with her bare dark skin. She gasp in pure shock as it penetrated through her layers of skin and into her guts. Rito got in close and looked her right in the eyes, silently taking his time, enjoying the feeling of the flesh.
But one was not enough for him, no.
He let go of the knife and placed a foot on her thigh, helping him pluck the blade out with both hands. But before blood could even begin spilling from the hole, Rito thrusted in again, this time stabbing in the area of her diaphragm.
He then pulled it out once again, and stabbed her dead centre in the chest.
Then again in the stomach.
And again in her side abdomen.
He was about to stab again when he seeming tripped on his own foot, causing him to fall over, pushing both bodies onto the snow. But still he got up, now sitting on the corpse's stomach. He held the knife high in reverse grip with both hands and jerked downwards onto her face, neck and chest.
Again and again and again.
And again.
The others turned away from the gruesome, gut wrenching scene. Some even had to cover their mouths to prevent feeling sick. But still they could hear the sounds of steel going against bones and flesh as it made cracking and slapping sounds. The execution would've went on indefinitely if a certain guard had not intervened.
"Rito-dono!" Zastin shouted as he ran forward to the boy, securing him up by placing both arms under his armpits, and pulling the flailing and struggling Rito up. But by the time Zastin had succeeded, Rito had already fell unconscious.
An eagle feather was then seen softly cascading down onto the defiled body of Azenda, tainted in blood.
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(The following morning)
"Ghmm…" a certain Lone Eagle grunted softly as he slowly opened his golden-brown eyes. But regrated it as bright light blinded the newly awakened boy. He placed a palm over his head and narrowed his eyes.
Where am I? The boy asked himself cautiously as his eyes slowly adjusted to his surroundings. Through the gap of his fingers, he could make out a white tiled ceiling, with light tubes placed in an orderly fashion. Through his nose, he could make out the smell of bandage blood and cloth, as well the fragrance of lavender. Is this….heaven?
"Rito! You're awake!" a voice cried out as gasps of surprise were heard around the room.
"Wh….." he then attempted to sat up from his bed. But not without the help of a girl beside him. Momo fluffed up the pillow of one very confused Yuuki Rito and helped him ease onto his back. He winced and shut his eyes in pain as his back came in contact with the pillow.
"Are you alright, Yuuki-kun?" he heard a grown woman's voice called out from a distance. Rito opened his eyes, ready to answer Mikado-sensei. But his entire froze in shock at the sight next to him.
Next to his hospital bed, sitting on a chair, was none other than a small girl in a simple white dress. She had brown hair reaching down to her back and matching golden-brown eyes. There sat the petite girl, a weak smile on her face. At that moment, everyone, everything went silent, even the birds outside the window seemed to stop chirping. In Rito's eyes, there was just him, and her.
"…" Rito couldn't utter a single word as he stared at those golden brown eyes in shock and awe. "…" And ever so slowly, he shakily reached two hands out and gently cupped her face. "Y…you…..h-here…"
"Is this...a dream...Are you….really…..real?"
It was not until a few moments later, when the girl softly replied "Ri-Rito-" But she could not finish her first word as she found herself embraced by her bedridden onii-chan. Her eyes widened in surprised at the forward act.
"It's…..really…you!" He stuttered as he slowly closed his eyes, letting out a tear. A drop of tear soon joined by a stream as Rito cried openly, hugging the girl around the shoulder tightly whilst chanting. "I'm sorry…I'm sorry….I'm very sorry…."
"Ri-Rito…." Mikan shakily uttered. Rito's eyes widened as he gradually let go of his sister, but still maintained contact by holding her on the shoulder.
"Ha-a-hai?"
Mikan's crying face then suddenly broke into a modest smile, blinking away tears of happiness.
"…Tadiama, Onii-chan!" She called out.
"…Okaeri, Mikan!" He said, his tears now reflected that of joy and relief as they shared a hug once more, as siblings.
"H-Happy Christmas…" they both uttered in unison.
Yuuki Rito, was at last,
Alone no more.
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AUTHOR'S NOTES: I SINCERELY HOPE YOU ENJOYED READING THIS ALTERNATE ENDING.
WELL FELLOW READERS, THIS BRINGS US TO THE FINAL CONFLUSION TO MY FIRST EVER FANFICTION, 'THE LONE EAGLE'. I THANK EVERYONE OUT THERE WHO SUPPORTED THIS STORY AND REVIEWED. ALSO TO THE PEOPLE WHO HELPED ME ON THE WAY. IT HAS BEEN A BLAST.
I THANK YOU ALL!
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IT HAS ALSO BEEN POINTED OUT TO ME, FROM A NUMBER OF YOU, THAT A SEQUEL SHOULD BE MADE FOR THIS STORY. AFTER CONSIDERATION, I HAVE DECIDED TO CREATE A SEQUEL.
THE SEQUEL, TITLED AS 'BETWEEN KINGS', IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR READING. IF YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY, PLEASE JUMP OVER TO THE SEQUEL AND ENJOY SOME MORE ^^
