A month later than expected, but here it is, the grand finale of part I of this adventure. A lot of you may be surprised by the length of this chapter as it seems to be short, but I find its length to be satisfactory. I'm going to keep this brief and let you guys read!
Rima watched, amazed, as the Embryo sparkled under the sun. It shined so brightly that she had to squint to look at it closely. She could feel its great power emitting from within; it overwhelmed her. All she could do was stare wide-eyed at the egg in front of her, its sparkle tantalizing her.
"No, that's impossible!" Saira cried, the voice sounding distant. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Saira begin to launch an attack at her, but she saw a basketball deflect the beam. Nagihiko looked at Rima, his expression hard. He nodded slowly, a small smile forming. She could tell that he was trying to be reassuring, but his smile was ephemeral, and all she could see was anxiety ridden across his face.
She turned back to the floating egg in front of her. It beckoned to her as it floated directly in front of her. She reached for it absentmindedly, unsure if it was her own free will or some force guiding her to it. Her hand touched the surface, and to her surprise, the egg was warm. As she wrapped her fingers around the small egg, she suddenly felt herself getting uplifted. She gasped, her heart beating rapidly as it dawned on her that she was levitating in the sky without any sort of support. If she let go of the Embryo, she wondered if she would fall far down. But somehow deep inside, she felt calm, knowing that she would not in fact fall to her demise. She stared at the glowing object in her hands, its presence emanating. She could feel the deep power seeping from it, but somehow, she knew that she could control it.
She clutched the embryo in her hands, staring expressionless at it. Inwardly, she could feel her heart beating rapidly. Two choices, she had. Two options—neither of which was desirable—were her only paths. An impossible decision and yet, she was the fortunate one bestowed with a decision that could risk the guardians' lives: risk everyone's lives.
"When I first learned about you, I imagined having this opportunity," She whispered, speaking to the powerful egg as if it could respond. "I wanted to have a wish-granting power more than anything. I wanted my parents to be happy; I wanted them to be in love and for us to be a happy family. I wanted to undo my kidnapping. I almost went searching for you, but I knew it would go against the guardians, and even back then, I was appalled at the thought of betraying them."
"But the thing is… even though I had all those years of unhappiness, even though I am still afraid whenever I'm in a dark room, I know that I needed that. I became stronger. I knew I would never let myself get kidnapped again, and I certainly wouldn't let Easter do that to my best friend." Everything Rima had done was to protect her best friend; she would not let them hold her captive as their slave. If she did make this wish, Amu would be free of Easter's control over her. But at what cost? Amu would be erased from existence. Her best friend, the person she worked so hard to save and fight for, would just be gone, and Rima would remember nothing of this. She frowned inwardly. As she had for the past week, she contemplated all the likely scenarios surrounding this wish. She never would have remained with the guardians, losing all the people that meant the most from her, even…
Rima frowned.
"My parents' fighting made me believe that love was imaginary," Rima continued aloud, directing her attention back to the Embryo. "It hurt immensely, but after a long time, I realized that I was wrong. I realized that love doesn't always fail, and while it can be delicate, it can also be powerful. And without love, I wouldn't be the person I am today…" She knew that he was down below, likely holding off massive attacks from her. While they had been broken up for nearly two months, Rima had been a mess. But now that they were together again, she never wanted to leave his side again. She loved him dearly; she couldn't lose him again. And if she went through with this… "I may not have a reason to hate him like I did at first, but it was through Amu that I met him and eventually got close to him. Amu was one of the biggest supporters of us together, and at first I thought she was insane, but now… now I'm happy with him. Now I love him."
She opened her eyes briefly, staring down below again. Amu leaned against a wall, her eyes glazed over. She was gazing up at the sky, standing next to Seto and Deidre, who were typing vigorously into their tablet. Luca knelt beside the motionless body, facing opposite Rima. The rest of the guardians were fighting against Saira, the Easter employees, and the Extractor, but she could see they were tiring out. Tadase was yelling incoherently, his attention fixated on Amu. He had cast a shield around Ikuto, who was panting after getting weakened by a hit from the Extractor. Yaya and Kukai were still fighting the remaining employees whom, despite their constant fighting, were relentless. Kairi and Utau were now with Nagihiko against Saira. Nagihiko had been guarding every attack Saira had aimed at Rima, but she could see his breath getting heavier and his dodging sloppier. She knew it wouldn't be long before he wore out completely, leaving Rima completely unguarded.
"I…" Rima knew she had to act fast. Tsukasa was already gone; Saira had already caused massive damage, and Rima knew she needed to make the wish to prevent more casualties. Amu was under their control now; they had everything they wanted to make their plans happen. But Rima could stop it all.
She turned back to the glowing object in her hand. One more wish… that was all Rima needed to end everything. Amu wouldn't be indoctrinated; her friends wouldn't be suffering. If she ended it right here, Easter's plans would be foiled and the world would be at a balance.
But at the cost of everything I care about? Of everyone I care about? Tears welled up in her eyes. She knew she had to do this. Tsukasa, the one who guided her through everything for the past three months, was gone. Perhaps he would be alive if Rima followed through with the wish; after all, he never would have left Saira and Luca, would he? He would have never heard about the girl with four charas, as she never would have existed.
I just have to wish that…that Amu never existed. I just have to say it.
"Rima, you can do this!" Kusu-Kusu reassured from within. "Whatever you do, you'll do the right thing! I believe in you, and the guardians believe in you too!" Rima closed her eyes, feeling her eyes continue to water. She could feel tears rolling down her cheeks, her whole body shaking in trepidation, but she finally knew what she had to do. She finally recognized what she was always going to do.
To her surprise, she felt herself levitate downward slowly, the Embryo still glistening in her hand. Saira watched her with malice in her eyes, as Rima's feet caressed the ground. Rima exhaled heavily before opening her eyes, her hazel eyes meeting Saira's emerald ones. She could feel the eyes of everyone on her, but that didn't matter. She knew what she was doing was right.
"The power to grant any wish in the world is dangerous," Rima began, her voice steady. "No one should have that kind of power; no one should be able to abuse the fates of so many." She clenched her vacant fist. "I'm so sorry Tsukasa…" Taking another deep breath, Rima squeezed her remaining left fist tightly, and in one swift motion, the Embryo had shattered into several pieces. Resounding gasps echoed outside, as Rima opened her palm, letting the shards of the Embryo glitter to the ground.
"What have you done?!" Saira screamed, charging at Rima. Rima side-stepped, watching stoically as Saira ran past her, stumbling on thin air in the process.
"What was right," Rima responded, a juggling pin forming in her hand. Saira turned around and shot green energy at her to which she aimed her juggling pin back. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Amu's eyes turn back to normal, as Saira's control loosened. A small smirk formed on the petite girl's face; she had hoped for that effect.
As a blast sounded from the collision of Saira and Rima's attacks, Rima turned to face the other guardians. She ignored their shocked expressions and uttered a confident smile.
"We need to keep fighting," Rima persisted. "We can do this. We can stop them." Tadase opened his mouth, but closed it quickly. He turned back to face his uncle's limp body and then faced Rima again, nodding slowly. He gripped his scepter tightly and without another word, started back toward the Extractor. Yaya and Kukai nodded as well, turning back to focus on the fight. Upon seeing her friends closer up, Rima could truly see how worn out they were. Kairi gripped his katana loosely, sweat drenching his skin. Even the normally boisterous Ikuto looked as though he was on his last stand. But with one last glance at Amu, he surged forward and aimed toward the Extractor as well with Utau in tow. Utau normally looked confident, but her pigtails were falling loose, her heavy breathing echoing as she followed her brother.
We have to do this. Rima thought. What's done is done. We will win. She turned to her left, turning to the remaining guardian. It was even more clear that Nagihiko was not well. She could see the bruises and scrapes on his body, his breathing slightly ragged. But as his eyes met hers, a familiar sense of warmth was present. He nodded at her, smiling gently. Rima forced a weak smile, before turning back to face Saira. But as Saira prepared to aim another attack, a brown beam hit her from behind.
"Focus on the Extractor," Luca hissed. "I can take her." Rima and Nagihiko exchanged a nervous glance before nodding and walking over to where the others stood fighting. Rima's eyes met Luca's for a moment. There was a sense of darkness, but Luca nodded slowly. As she turned back around, a flock of X-Eggs suddenly emerged from nowhere. Rima gasped, watching as thousands upon thousands of them appeared suddenly. She had once controlled that many X-Eggs, but she no longer possessed that kind of technology Easter had once equipped her with.
"Your bold moves are feeble, Mashiro Rima," Saira spat. "We don't need the Embryo to make our plans a reality. With the Extractor and the strength of these X-Eggs, we can use Amu to make our dreams a reality."
"Juggling Party!" Rima yelled, ignoring Saira, and shooting her juggling pins at the X-Eggs. To her horror, they glowed purple, before sending her pins right back at her. She gasped.
"That's not the normal barrier," Nagihiko observed, forming a shield around the two of them. "It's more powerful now." His eyes widened. "The Extractor! It must be an amplified version of the X-Powers; it strengthens the severity of the X-Eggs. We can try to purify them, but I have a feeling our efforts would be futile."
"We need to put an end to this," Rima hissed, tossing her ropes around the X-Eggs, which immediately disintegrated. The pair of them continuously threw projectiles at them to no effect. Rima gritted her teeth, dodging another X-Beam. Out of the corner of her eye, Rima saw a movement of pink. Turning around rapidly, Rima could see Amu kneeling not too far away from the flash beams Saira and Luca kept sending each other. She stood up quickly, and proceeded to move forward. Opening her mouth to question further, she suddenly heard a cry of pain. She turned back and gasped, watching as Nagihiko crumpled to the ground.
"Nagi!" Rima cried.
"I-I'm okay," He tried to reassure, his teeth gritted in pain. Rima stood in front of him, shooting juggling pins at the X-Eggs, trying desperately to hinder them. She cursed under her breath as the X-Eggs kept deflecting each successive hit.
"Scorching Flames!" Rima yelled, her pins lighting aflame. She shot them directly at the X-Egg cluster, quickly spinning another set of juggling pins in front of her as to deflect the inevitable attack. Not to her surprise, the X-Eggs flashed purple, sending the pins directly back at her. She gritted her teeth.
"The barrier…" Nagihiko began weakly.
"I know. It's not shattering!" Rima exclaimed. "I don't understand! I—"
"Amu-Chan, what are you doing?!" Luca cried suddenly, interrupting Rima. Her brief moment of distraction allowed for a mild green beam to strike her, sending her flying backward. Saira turned to face Amu as well, her eyes widened. Rima watched Amu curiously. She could see her hand clenched into a fist as if gripping something.
"Putting an end to this," Amu hissed.
"That's enough." Saira extended her hand, but Amu didn't budge. Saira's eyes widened. "Obey me!" She shouted angrily. Amu flinched for a moment, but took a deep breath.
"I won't let you possess me," Amu declared. She sighed. "But I know I can't hold you off forever." Sticking out from Amu's fist, Rima could see a bright shiny piece. It only took Rima a second to realize what Amu was holding.
"Amu, what are you doing?!" Rima cried. Amu turned to face her, her expression softening.
"You are the bravest person I know, Rima," Amu began. "Everything you have done for the sake of protecting the world—everything you've done for me—I'll never truly be able to comprehend it all. But after all the trouble I've caused, I need to do something."
"You're not—" Kukai started. Amu opened her palm, revealing all of the Embryo shards Rima had recently caused.
"Amu, you-you can't!" Luca shouted, sitting upward. "The Embryo is shattered; you don't know what will happen if you attempt—"
"I have to try. Saira will succeed in indoctrinating me again. They will win if we don't make the wish. We can't let that happen." Seto and Deidre exchanged a nervous glance.
"Amu!" The other guardians suddenly gathered, forgetting about their pursuits.
"Don't do this," Ikuto hissed. "If you make this wish, you will be gone. Everything we know…"
"My life is meaningless compared to the lives of the world. You know I can't resist Easter's control for long. I have to do this."
"Amu!" Rima shouted, running beside her friend. "Amu, you can't! We can fight this; we can—"
"Thank you, for everything." Amu closed her eyes. "I wish the world forgets my existence!" To Rima's horror, the shards in Amu's palm began glowing. They floated up, fitting together to form the Embryo once again. Seto and Deidre gasped.
"What have you done?!" Saira screamed. Amu looked at Tadase, seeing his tear-stricken expression.
"Send Tsukasa-San my best," Amu whispered, his eyes widening. Suddenly, the world began to rumble, prompting Rima to gasp loudly, nearly falling over.
"W-What's happening?!" Yaya cried, having fallen to the ground.
"The world is being rewritten, as though Hinamori Amu never existed," Seto murmured. "All of the implications that her actions have had, it will all be gone permanently." He cursed under his breath. "This was Tsukasa's pursuit all along, the only foul proof plan to defeat us."
"But what will happen?!" Deidre cried. Seto said nothing. "Everything we've accomplished, it will…it will just be—"
"Amu! You have to reverse it!" Ikuto cried, desperation in his voice. "There has to be a way!"
"I'm sorry, Ikuto." Amu whispered. "But it's for the best." Yaya gripped Kairi suddenly, wrapping her arms around him tightly.
"But we just… we…"
"I know," Kairi whispered, holding her tightly back. His breath was unsteady, the bravery upon first facing his father completely expired. To both of their surprise, arms surrounded the two of them, hugging the two of them tightly.
"I've got you guys," Kukai whispered, a tremor in his voice. He looked up directly across from him, his eyes meeting Utau's. She sighed softly, her hand on Ikuto's shoulder tightly.
"Amu-Chan, I—" Tadase began. A bright light began emitting, matching that of the Embryo's light. Rima turned to face Nagihiko. She outstretched her hand, her fingers meeting the inside of his much larger hand. The light brightened even more so she could no longer see him anymore.
"Rima, I love you. I always will, and nothing-" Before he could finish, the world seemed to flash, and suddenly, Rima felt as though she was melting into nothingness, the last thread of consciousness escaping her. And suddenly, much like the fleeting grip from Nagihiko's hand, she could barely hold onto the ephemeral world as she knew it, her thoughts and mind becoming numb.
WE DID IT! Part I is complete! It feels so great, after so many years of planning this exact moment out, to finally have it written down and complete! I can't even say how many successive summers I said I'd reach this point, but at least 2018 is the lucky year! As for the future...
As you can see, we still have quite a lot of this story to go. When I say Part I is complete, that just means I finished I finished what I consider to be the first "divider" of the story; I am not creating a separate story or anything. I am probably going to have three parts; Part II will probably not be as long as Part I (I'm thinking ~10 chapters?), and who even knows with Part III.
My initial plan was to take a break from this story for a little bit, work on some of my other stories, and resume around January. If I'm being totally frank, as my semester starts up in three or so weeks, my "break" is probably what my normal update break looks like anyway. Plus, I'm super eager to work on this next part, so it may be up sooner than later! With that being said, I don't want to make any promises about my plans. I can pretty much guarantee there will not be another update this summer as I want to devote time first to planning and even writing the first few chapters of Part II before starting updating. I also would love to go back and edit older chapters of this story, but I do have limited amount of time, so we'll see how much that happens.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and part I of Renaissance! Thank you all so much thus far for your reviews and support; it means the world to me! Hope to see you all soon!