The Forces That Control You and I: Final Word
1.1 Japan 1980
In a remote location, a solitary tombstone stood erect, like a tower overseeing all below it. Whoever the tombstone belonged to, obviously he or she had earned the right to rest eternally alone.
The sound of an engine rumbling along was heard for the first time in a year. The cicadas were drowned out by the ominous sound. The sun was setting, and the red rays were giving the tombstone an unnatural gleam.
Footsteps crunching grass were soon heard as well, as from the car came a tall man and a woman, both in their mid-twenties.
Ukiya Shun and Ruriko Ikusawa.
Shun now had a more mature look, and he had also grown taller. The band-aid was still on his nose, but now he also wore a scholarly pair of spectacles.
Ruriko was even more beautiful now, and she still tied a yellow ribbon at the right-hand side of her hair, which was still waist-length. She also looked more mature, and she was wearing a nice dress.
Shun was lost in his thoughts.
Here we are again, old friend.
It has been ten years. Time has really passed by.
I am now the A.E.G.I.S Far East Branch Commander, and Rurippe is my sub- commander. Shirei and Miss Ochiai have retired and are getting married, and we are also taking their places in the school.
The invaders are all but gone. There are fewer of them now, but we must still be vigilant. When the time is right they will rise up and threaten mankind again.
Ruriko saw that Shun had a distant look in his eyes. She sighed. He was always like that during these times. She knew he blamed himself for his death.
Just then, a boy about four years old bounded out of the car. He dashed towards the two silent figures.
"Mommy! Daddy!" he shouted.
Ruriko smiled. She turned around and hugged the little boy. "I thought I told you to stay in the car." She said sternly.
"But Mommy! I was bored!" He protested.
Just then, Reiko Asagiri came walking out of the vehicle, shouting in her high-pitched voice. "There you are! You ran off again!"
"You couldn't catch me!"
"Don't be rude to your nanny." Ruriko reprimanded.
"Sorry." The boy sheepishly apologised.
Reiko was now an accomplished pianist, and has since retired from active duty and is now a back-up agent for A.E.G.I.S. She is now teaching music in Tategami High School. She was still her ditzy self, and even at the age of 28, she still fantasises about becoming a good witch. She is also the nanny to Shun's and Ruriko's child.
Shun and Ruriko married finally five years ago, after the events ten years ago, they realised their true feelings to each other and eventually became man and wife. A year later Ruriko gave birth to a baby boy.
Feye had returned to Shanghai after the defeat of Kageyama, but she always returned to commemorate this day. She was still continuing her studies and fighting Invaders in China.
Megumi was now the owner of her father's ramen restaurant, and through sheer hard work, she had made it one of the greatest restaurants of Japan. No longer was she the anti-social girl of ten years ago.
Bancho and Specs were still working in A.E.G.I.S, and they were still working as a mechanical team, the best in the business, keeping A.E.G.I.S's arsenal in tip-top condition. Bancho, until now, had not been able to open any Gate, and has since resigned to a life of a normal person.
Ruriko sighed.
The rest will be coming soon, but she expects Kaoru not to come.
She has not for the past nine years.
Sometimes time heals no wounds.
The boy walked over to his father, who did not react at all. He examined the inscriptions on the stone face.
"Daddy?" He asked.
Shun turned his head slowly and faced him. "Yes?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Why does he have the same name as I do?"
Shun smiled warmly, bent down and rubbed his head. "You were named after him." He replied simply.
The tombstone also simply read:
Ichiro Kaketa.
Born 1952.
Died 1970.
Rest in peace.
Japan 1970
Shun could see nothing, could feel nothing.
Am I dead? He wondered.
Slowly, the surreal surroundings calmed, and Shun's vision cleared.
The area looked as though someone had dropped a nuclear warhead on it. The complex was totally gone, and at ground zero a crater five metres deep was created. Everything in the way of the burning fireball was incinerated to bits.
It was a miracle that he survived.
He became frantic. Where are the others? He wondered. Looking around, he relaxed as he saw them slowly come to and sit up unharmed.
How did they survive?
Then he remembered.
Megumi.
He heard a low groan coming from a few metres in front of him.
Shun rushed up to the half-dead Megumi and rested her on his lap. The others came soon after.
The weak Megumi looked at them, before allowing herself a pained smile. "You are all safe. For once I did some good."
She nodded to Ruriko. "Now I understand why I will always be second-best to you."
"No! Your self-sacrifice is greater than anything I did! You are indeed better!"
Megumi was slipping away. "Nothing else matters now." Slowly, she closed her eyes.
"No! I will not let my friend die!" Saying that, she opened her Gate and used her Miracle of Life to heal Megumi.
Megumi could see the world swirl before her, but the kaleidoscope stopped abruptly. It then slowly faded and yellow light bathed her face.
"It feels so warm." She muttered.
Slowly she stood up. She raised her open palm.
Out of nowhere, a single snowflake dropped onto her palm, but it did not melt. Megumi brought the snowflake to her face and observed it.
She understood.
It was her chance for redemption.
She then approached the source of the yellow light.
"I will live again!" She shouted.
After what seemed like an eternity, Megumi awoke. Slowly, she sat up, before facing the exhausted Ruriko.
"Thank....you." She mustered.
Ruriko managed a weak smile. "We are even."
Kaoru squatted beside the massive crater, desperately searching for signs of life.
She found none.
Sadness filled her heart, and tears flowed steadily.
Ichiro..
Megumi spoke up behind her.
"I'm sorry, Kaoru. I couldn't save him. They were too strong."
There was silence as the Gatekeepers mourned their fallen comrade.
The war had been won.
Yet they did not feel happy.
In war, there are no winners or losers, merely survivors.
1980 Japan
Shun was snapped out of his thoughts by the arrival of the others, Feye, Megumi, Bancho and Specs. They all brought flowers which they placed on the grave. Shirei and his wife were not coming, as they had regrettably informed Shun earlier.
Feye was the first to speak up. "Kaoru is not here?"
Ruriko nodded. "We expected it."
"After all these years, she still blames herself for his death." Megumi said.
"It has been hard for her." Shun said.
"She had to do what I almost did to Megumi." Ruriko said.
"Still, she has to accept reality." Bancho added.
"She cannot keep running away, it will only make it worse." Specs said.
1.2 Japan 1970
The sound of someone scraping dirt was unmistakable.
Kaoru stopped sobbing and strained her ears, heart hoping against hope itself.
A hand shot out from the crater, and she could hear his heavy breathing.
Rushing forward, she grabbed him out of the crater and placed him on the ground.
The battered, bruised and bloodied figure laid still on the floor, before turning his head to face her.
Above them, an A.E.G.I.S rescue helicopter was descending on the battle- scarred ground.
He smiled faintly.
The paramedics were rushing to him.
"Kaoru...." He managed weakly.
He lost consciousness and fell into a deep sleep.
1.3 Japan 1980
The former Gatekeepers of the Far East team stood silently before Ichiro's tombstone, each of them mourning his passing like they did every year. Most of them have retired from active duty, paving the way for the newer generation of Gatekeepers. Shun was personally overseeing the operation to recruit newer Gatekeepers.
The silence was broken by another vehicle driving along the dirt road.
The Gatekeepers turned around, surprised to see anyone use this normally deserted road.
The car pulled up behind their vehicles, and out came a woman in her mid- twenties with short hair and a fit body.
They gasped in surprise.
Kaoru Konoe.
She approached the group slowly, eyes not daring to make contact with them. In her hand she held a bouquet of flowers.
For a long time, the others did not react, but Ruriko held out her hand. "Welcome back, Kaoru."
She nodded slightly.
After Ichiro's death, she went to Singapore to take over as the active agent there. There, she had mourned for Ichiro with Madam Lee during this time, but she decided to return to Japan this time around.
She wanted closure.
She stood in front of the tombstone, eyes staring at it intently. Slowly, she slumped to her knees and placed the flowers lovingly on the cold stone. With her right hand, she ran it over the carved inscriptions.
Tears came to her eyes as she recalled the events of ten years ago.
1.4 Japan 1970
It was the same hospital room, but it felt less gloomy this time around.
Flowers were placed in every corner and crevice to brighten up the place, and the table had a basket of fruits always.
Ichiro laid in bed. He observed the same ceiling fan again.
This time he did not feel confused or frustrated.
"What is going on?" Reiko asked in her high-pitched voice again as she was dragged out of the hospital room.
"Shh! We have to give Kaoru and Ichiro some privacy!" Feye said in a fierce whisper.
"Do you think Kaoru likes Ichiro?" Reiko asked.
Ruriko sighed. "Think? We know it for a fact!"
"Calm down Rurippe. Reiko is just being herself." Shun said in his laid- back voice. He was very relieved that none of his team members were killed or hurt.
"Stop calling me that!" She struck him squarely at the jaw. He comically fell down to prevent her from attacking him again.
Shun rolled his eyes. Maybe not everyone escaped from the battle unscathed.
"Captain! You should be more sensitive to Ruriko. What will happen after you guys are married?" Feye nudged Ruriko.
Ruriko blushed red. "What are talking about?"
Reiko had an empty look on her face. "Who is getting married?"
Kaoru sat next to the bandaged Ichiro. He suffered serious injuries, but was on the road to recovery. He now smiled more often and looked very cheery and joyful.
Kaoru was peeling an orange for him. Finished, she was now feeding him.
Ichiro stared at her lovingly.
So this is what it feels like to be loved.
"Kaoru, after I have recovered, I have to go back to Singapore."
She froze.
"Would you..would you like to join me? I can arrange for you to transfer to Singapore."
She did not reply.
"I love you, Kaoru, and I want you with me."
She looked into his eyes. "Of course I will join you."
Ichiro's face broke into a smile.
"Thank you."
Their faces drew closer.
The airfield was deserted, as it was the first day he entered Japan as an A.E.G.I.S agent. Ichiro was at the runway with Kaoru, saying their goodbyes to the Gatekeepers of the Far Eastern Branch.
"I guess this is goodbye." Shun started.
"Don't worry about us. We will come and visit when we have the time." Ichiro replied.
"Take good care of Kaoru. Or you will have to answer to us!" Ruriko said.
"Calm down. Remember to send us your wedding invitations soon."
Ruriko blushed. Ichiro placed a hand on Shun's shoulder.
"Don't wait too long, my friend. You have already made her wait for eight years, surely you shouldn't let her wait anymore."
Shun nodded. "What about the two of you?"
Now it was Kaoru's turn to blush.
"Sigh. It will be very lonely for me in the first year class."
"Don't say that Feye." She turned to Megumi. "I will miss your noodles, Megumi."
"I will prepare a special bowl for you when you return."
Bancho was crying comically. "Princess Kaoru! I will miss you!"
"Pipe down Bancho! She will be happy there with Ichiro." Specs said.
Shun turned to face Ichiro. "Shirei couldn't come, but he wants me to tell you that he appreciates your help and hopes that you will be happy."
Ichiro smiled. "Tell him I too appreciate his guidance."
It was time to leave.
Ichiro and Kaoru sat at the window seats, waving goodbye to the Gatekeepers as the plane taxied out of the runway, gaining height all the time.
1.5 Japan 1980
"It was like fate had played a cruel trick on all of us, especially me. We had soared too high up." Kaoru stated.
The others agreed in silence. They understood her words.
They had hoped too much, soared too far and high.
And when disaster struck, they fell harder.
And the pain was worse.
Much, much worse.
1.6 Japan 1970
Kaoru sat next to Ichiro, looking out of the window. Suddenly, she felt her guts twist inside out as her sixth sense screamed "Danger!" She turned to face Ichiro.
She gasped as she saw Ichiro double over in his seat.
"Ichiro! Are you alright?" She saw his eyes glowing with a strange light.
Ichiro turned his head to face her. "I'm sorry, Kaoru."
Her face registered a confused look.
He opened his palm at her chest, and a split second later an invisible force throws Kaoru against the aircraft's body, causing her to fall through the hole made by the force.
Ichiro seemingly recovered, stood up slowly, dusting himself.
"It's good to be back." He said in an ungodly voice.
He laughed demonically.
In his eyes was a negative Gate.
The Gatekeepers were turning back when Feye's sharp eyes saw something falling from the sky. They realised it was the body of Kaoru and hurriedly rushed to save her. Megumi used her Wall of Shock Buffer to cushion her fall.
Ruriko went up to examine her, and found nothing wrong with her except that she was winded.
"What happened Kaoru?" Shun asked.
Coming to, her eyes widened with fear and sadness as she wordlessly pointed to the sky behind them.
They turned around and saw the airplane carrying Ichiro and Kaoru hovering there. It was now black and on the tip of the nosecone was red in colour.
An invader.
On top of the invader, a lone figure stood. He was lanky, and his eyes were cold and distant.
In front of him was a negative Gate.
Ichiro.
"What have you done to Ichiro?" Shun shouted.
"Captain Ukiya Shun, don't you recognise me anymore? I am Reiji Kageyama!"
'Kageyama? But you died..."
"You guys assume too much. When foolish Ichiro opened his Gate to overcome my power, he opened a door to himself, which my spirit took and now I am living within him. For the days before today I watch him make you hopeful, only for me to shatter the delusion now!"
The Gatekeepers gasped.
"Why aren't you attacking me? It is because you don't want to hurt your friend?" Kageyama laughed evilly. "Ichiro is now under my control and we are one entity! To kill me, you will have to kill him as well!"
Confused, the Gatekeepers backed off.
"I knew you couldn't do it." He raised his open palm. "Revenge will be very sweet."
Shun's eyes widened with horror.
"Let there be....no light."
A dark force enveloped the entire area, sapping the Gatekeepers of their energy. One by one they succumbed to the unholy force. Kageyama's demonic laugh echoed throughout the silent airfield.
"Pathetic bugs." Kageyama spat. "I will enjoy killing all of you one by one." He moved the plane closer to the fallen bodies of the Gatekeepers.
Suddenly, a blue flash appeared, hitting the plane, disorientating Kageyama. The blue flash turned out to be Kaoru, and she jumped on to the plane to face off with Kageyama.
"How touching." He sneered as he rushed towards her.
"You are not Ichiro! Give him back to me!" She screamed as she grabbed his arm. "Liner Throw!" she hollered as she threw the dark figure to the end of the plane. She rushed forward, determined to finish the impostor off.
She raised her fist to strike the fatal blow.
"No! Wait! Kaoru! It's me Ichiro!" The figure was talking in his voice. Her heart melted and she dropped her fist.
"Listen to me Kaoru!" Ichiro started, urgency in his voice. "Kageyama has infiltrated my body and is now using it to make a comeback. You have to stop him!"
"How?"
"By...by...killing me."
"NOO!! I can't do it!"
"Listen to me Kaoru! If you don't, millions of people will die. Look at the others. Kill me now!"
"But I love you, Ichiro. I can't do it. There has to be another way."
Ichiro shook his head sadly. "There isn't. Please Kaoru. If you really love me, do it. Prometheus sacrificed himself as well. After I am gone, I hope that you will always be happy and never blame yourself for my death."
With tears in her eyes, she brought his face to hers with those strong yet feminine hands of hers. Their lips touched, and they both shared in a moment of their love.
"I love you, Kaoru."
"I loved you too much, Ichiro."
With those strong yet feminine hands of hers, she broke Ichiro's neck cleanly.
His eyes became totally lifeless, and the light disappeared from them in a flash.
The plane reverted to its normal self, and now it was spiralling out of control. A jolt threw her off the plane, and she landed some distance away.
With a heavy heart, she watched the plane crash and burst into flames before she blacked out.
Kaoru was standing alone a dark room.
Suddenly, a chorus of whispers could be heard from every corner.
"Why did you kill him?"
She could not take it. She slumped to her knees, tears in her eyes and hands covering her ears.
Suddenly, she heard a loud voice boom. "Why did you kill him?"
"Because..because...he was the enemy! He would kill us all if I didn't kill him!"
"You loved him."
"I did."
Suddenly, the room was filled with images of the places that she saw Ichiro. But he was never in these images.
"Stop it! Stop it!"
"Look at your hands." The voice said.
Slowly, she brought them before her eyes. She could see fresh blood on them.
"You killed him with your own hands."
"I had to!"
"Is that what you wanted?"
She had no reply to that.
She cried again. "Ichiro....sorry."
She awoke in the hospital room, and around her stood her comrades.
The first question she asked was: "How is Ichiro?"
The others looked at her, before shaking their heads sadly.
The pain within her was incomprehensible.
1.7 Japan 1980
Shun placed his hand on her shoulder. "Don't blame yourself, Kaoru. You did what you had to do."
"I wish I didn't. I have been such a coward, never coming back here. I ran away from reality."
"It was hard for you." Ruriko said.
"Don't run away anymore, Kaoru. Ichiro would want you to be happy." Shun said.
Kaoru wiped her face dry and stood up.
"Ichiro, I'm sorry for not visiting you for so long. I will live again, I promise."
In an another location halfway around the world, Shirei flashed his identification and was led in through a secret doorway. There, a retina and thumbprint scan was done to certify his identity before finally being led to a laboratory. Inside was the A.E.G.I.S World Headquarters Commander.
"I see you have finally arrived." The bearded man said.
"I would rather be somewhere else." Shirei replied, distaste evident.
"Please, this way."
Shirei was led deeper into the laboratory. The World Headquarters Commander punched a few buttons on a secret panel, and a trapdoor opened. Slowly, a vat filled with green liquid was raised.
Inside the vat was Ichiro Kaketa.
"We have cryogenically frozen him ever since the incident ten years ago. Somehow he did not die even though his neck was broken."
Shirei walked up to the unmoving figure and placed his hand on the glass vat. It felt cold.
"Recently, we have detected signs of life in him, but nothing's concrete now. We are afraid that he may break out. If that happens, he will be controlling two Gates at one time. That will be disastrous. If he can survive a broken neck, who knows what he is capable of?"
"Do you have any preventive measures?"
"Of course. The best in the world. Anyway, I invited you here to discuss this problem. There is nothing else here."
"I am only too glad to leave this place."
The exit slid open, and the two men left the room.
Silence.
Ichiro slept motionless in the vat.
Suddenly, the liquid bubbled.
Slowly at first, before gaining intensity.
The sound of leaves rustling outside.
His eyes fluttered.
The sound of cicadas chirping.
His hand twitched.
The sound of children playing.
His eyes opened.
They glowed darkly.
The biggest negative Gate ever recorded opened.
The sound of glass breaking was unmistakable.
1.7.1.1 END
Author's note: Finally, the end. I took one month to write this and I think I am quite happy with it. I do have a continuity in mind if you want me to continue it just review and say so.
Most of my ideas come from the difficult lives we live, but I twisted them badly. Sorry to all those Kaoru lovers out there.
Ichiro is somewhat autobiographic for me. Hoped that you enjoyed the story.
" Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly - the ill deeds, along with the good - let me be judged accordingly. The rest ... is silence."
Dinobot's last words.
1.1 Japan 1980
In a remote location, a solitary tombstone stood erect, like a tower overseeing all below it. Whoever the tombstone belonged to, obviously he or she had earned the right to rest eternally alone.
The sound of an engine rumbling along was heard for the first time in a year. The cicadas were drowned out by the ominous sound. The sun was setting, and the red rays were giving the tombstone an unnatural gleam.
Footsteps crunching grass were soon heard as well, as from the car came a tall man and a woman, both in their mid-twenties.
Ukiya Shun and Ruriko Ikusawa.
Shun now had a more mature look, and he had also grown taller. The band-aid was still on his nose, but now he also wore a scholarly pair of spectacles.
Ruriko was even more beautiful now, and she still tied a yellow ribbon at the right-hand side of her hair, which was still waist-length. She also looked more mature, and she was wearing a nice dress.
Shun was lost in his thoughts.
Here we are again, old friend.
It has been ten years. Time has really passed by.
I am now the A.E.G.I.S Far East Branch Commander, and Rurippe is my sub- commander. Shirei and Miss Ochiai have retired and are getting married, and we are also taking their places in the school.
The invaders are all but gone. There are fewer of them now, but we must still be vigilant. When the time is right they will rise up and threaten mankind again.
Ruriko saw that Shun had a distant look in his eyes. She sighed. He was always like that during these times. She knew he blamed himself for his death.
Just then, a boy about four years old bounded out of the car. He dashed towards the two silent figures.
"Mommy! Daddy!" he shouted.
Ruriko smiled. She turned around and hugged the little boy. "I thought I told you to stay in the car." She said sternly.
"But Mommy! I was bored!" He protested.
Just then, Reiko Asagiri came walking out of the vehicle, shouting in her high-pitched voice. "There you are! You ran off again!"
"You couldn't catch me!"
"Don't be rude to your nanny." Ruriko reprimanded.
"Sorry." The boy sheepishly apologised.
Reiko was now an accomplished pianist, and has since retired from active duty and is now a back-up agent for A.E.G.I.S. She is now teaching music in Tategami High School. She was still her ditzy self, and even at the age of 28, she still fantasises about becoming a good witch. She is also the nanny to Shun's and Ruriko's child.
Shun and Ruriko married finally five years ago, after the events ten years ago, they realised their true feelings to each other and eventually became man and wife. A year later Ruriko gave birth to a baby boy.
Feye had returned to Shanghai after the defeat of Kageyama, but she always returned to commemorate this day. She was still continuing her studies and fighting Invaders in China.
Megumi was now the owner of her father's ramen restaurant, and through sheer hard work, she had made it one of the greatest restaurants of Japan. No longer was she the anti-social girl of ten years ago.
Bancho and Specs were still working in A.E.G.I.S, and they were still working as a mechanical team, the best in the business, keeping A.E.G.I.S's arsenal in tip-top condition. Bancho, until now, had not been able to open any Gate, and has since resigned to a life of a normal person.
Ruriko sighed.
The rest will be coming soon, but she expects Kaoru not to come.
She has not for the past nine years.
Sometimes time heals no wounds.
The boy walked over to his father, who did not react at all. He examined the inscriptions on the stone face.
"Daddy?" He asked.
Shun turned his head slowly and faced him. "Yes?" he asked in a soft voice.
"Why does he have the same name as I do?"
Shun smiled warmly, bent down and rubbed his head. "You were named after him." He replied simply.
The tombstone also simply read:
Ichiro Kaketa.
Born 1952.
Died 1970.
Rest in peace.
Japan 1970
Shun could see nothing, could feel nothing.
Am I dead? He wondered.
Slowly, the surreal surroundings calmed, and Shun's vision cleared.
The area looked as though someone had dropped a nuclear warhead on it. The complex was totally gone, and at ground zero a crater five metres deep was created. Everything in the way of the burning fireball was incinerated to bits.
It was a miracle that he survived.
He became frantic. Where are the others? He wondered. Looking around, he relaxed as he saw them slowly come to and sit up unharmed.
How did they survive?
Then he remembered.
Megumi.
He heard a low groan coming from a few metres in front of him.
Shun rushed up to the half-dead Megumi and rested her on his lap. The others came soon after.
The weak Megumi looked at them, before allowing herself a pained smile. "You are all safe. For once I did some good."
She nodded to Ruriko. "Now I understand why I will always be second-best to you."
"No! Your self-sacrifice is greater than anything I did! You are indeed better!"
Megumi was slipping away. "Nothing else matters now." Slowly, she closed her eyes.
"No! I will not let my friend die!" Saying that, she opened her Gate and used her Miracle of Life to heal Megumi.
Megumi could see the world swirl before her, but the kaleidoscope stopped abruptly. It then slowly faded and yellow light bathed her face.
"It feels so warm." She muttered.
Slowly she stood up. She raised her open palm.
Out of nowhere, a single snowflake dropped onto her palm, but it did not melt. Megumi brought the snowflake to her face and observed it.
She understood.
It was her chance for redemption.
She then approached the source of the yellow light.
"I will live again!" She shouted.
After what seemed like an eternity, Megumi awoke. Slowly, she sat up, before facing the exhausted Ruriko.
"Thank....you." She mustered.
Ruriko managed a weak smile. "We are even."
Kaoru squatted beside the massive crater, desperately searching for signs of life.
She found none.
Sadness filled her heart, and tears flowed steadily.
Ichiro..
Megumi spoke up behind her.
"I'm sorry, Kaoru. I couldn't save him. They were too strong."
There was silence as the Gatekeepers mourned their fallen comrade.
The war had been won.
Yet they did not feel happy.
In war, there are no winners or losers, merely survivors.
1980 Japan
Shun was snapped out of his thoughts by the arrival of the others, Feye, Megumi, Bancho and Specs. They all brought flowers which they placed on the grave. Shirei and his wife were not coming, as they had regrettably informed Shun earlier.
Feye was the first to speak up. "Kaoru is not here?"
Ruriko nodded. "We expected it."
"After all these years, she still blames herself for his death." Megumi said.
"It has been hard for her." Shun said.
"She had to do what I almost did to Megumi." Ruriko said.
"Still, she has to accept reality." Bancho added.
"She cannot keep running away, it will only make it worse." Specs said.
1.2 Japan 1970
The sound of someone scraping dirt was unmistakable.
Kaoru stopped sobbing and strained her ears, heart hoping against hope itself.
A hand shot out from the crater, and she could hear his heavy breathing.
Rushing forward, she grabbed him out of the crater and placed him on the ground.
The battered, bruised and bloodied figure laid still on the floor, before turning his head to face her.
Above them, an A.E.G.I.S rescue helicopter was descending on the battle- scarred ground.
He smiled faintly.
The paramedics were rushing to him.
"Kaoru...." He managed weakly.
He lost consciousness and fell into a deep sleep.
1.3 Japan 1980
The former Gatekeepers of the Far East team stood silently before Ichiro's tombstone, each of them mourning his passing like they did every year. Most of them have retired from active duty, paving the way for the newer generation of Gatekeepers. Shun was personally overseeing the operation to recruit newer Gatekeepers.
The silence was broken by another vehicle driving along the dirt road.
The Gatekeepers turned around, surprised to see anyone use this normally deserted road.
The car pulled up behind their vehicles, and out came a woman in her mid- twenties with short hair and a fit body.
They gasped in surprise.
Kaoru Konoe.
She approached the group slowly, eyes not daring to make contact with them. In her hand she held a bouquet of flowers.
For a long time, the others did not react, but Ruriko held out her hand. "Welcome back, Kaoru."
She nodded slightly.
After Ichiro's death, she went to Singapore to take over as the active agent there. There, she had mourned for Ichiro with Madam Lee during this time, but she decided to return to Japan this time around.
She wanted closure.
She stood in front of the tombstone, eyes staring at it intently. Slowly, she slumped to her knees and placed the flowers lovingly on the cold stone. With her right hand, she ran it over the carved inscriptions.
Tears came to her eyes as she recalled the events of ten years ago.
1.4 Japan 1970
It was the same hospital room, but it felt less gloomy this time around.
Flowers were placed in every corner and crevice to brighten up the place, and the table had a basket of fruits always.
Ichiro laid in bed. He observed the same ceiling fan again.
This time he did not feel confused or frustrated.
"What is going on?" Reiko asked in her high-pitched voice again as she was dragged out of the hospital room.
"Shh! We have to give Kaoru and Ichiro some privacy!" Feye said in a fierce whisper.
"Do you think Kaoru likes Ichiro?" Reiko asked.
Ruriko sighed. "Think? We know it for a fact!"
"Calm down Rurippe. Reiko is just being herself." Shun said in his laid- back voice. He was very relieved that none of his team members were killed or hurt.
"Stop calling me that!" She struck him squarely at the jaw. He comically fell down to prevent her from attacking him again.
Shun rolled his eyes. Maybe not everyone escaped from the battle unscathed.
"Captain! You should be more sensitive to Ruriko. What will happen after you guys are married?" Feye nudged Ruriko.
Ruriko blushed red. "What are talking about?"
Reiko had an empty look on her face. "Who is getting married?"
Kaoru sat next to the bandaged Ichiro. He suffered serious injuries, but was on the road to recovery. He now smiled more often and looked very cheery and joyful.
Kaoru was peeling an orange for him. Finished, she was now feeding him.
Ichiro stared at her lovingly.
So this is what it feels like to be loved.
"Kaoru, after I have recovered, I have to go back to Singapore."
She froze.
"Would you..would you like to join me? I can arrange for you to transfer to Singapore."
She did not reply.
"I love you, Kaoru, and I want you with me."
She looked into his eyes. "Of course I will join you."
Ichiro's face broke into a smile.
"Thank you."
Their faces drew closer.
The airfield was deserted, as it was the first day he entered Japan as an A.E.G.I.S agent. Ichiro was at the runway with Kaoru, saying their goodbyes to the Gatekeepers of the Far Eastern Branch.
"I guess this is goodbye." Shun started.
"Don't worry about us. We will come and visit when we have the time." Ichiro replied.
"Take good care of Kaoru. Or you will have to answer to us!" Ruriko said.
"Calm down. Remember to send us your wedding invitations soon."
Ruriko blushed. Ichiro placed a hand on Shun's shoulder.
"Don't wait too long, my friend. You have already made her wait for eight years, surely you shouldn't let her wait anymore."
Shun nodded. "What about the two of you?"
Now it was Kaoru's turn to blush.
"Sigh. It will be very lonely for me in the first year class."
"Don't say that Feye." She turned to Megumi. "I will miss your noodles, Megumi."
"I will prepare a special bowl for you when you return."
Bancho was crying comically. "Princess Kaoru! I will miss you!"
"Pipe down Bancho! She will be happy there with Ichiro." Specs said.
Shun turned to face Ichiro. "Shirei couldn't come, but he wants me to tell you that he appreciates your help and hopes that you will be happy."
Ichiro smiled. "Tell him I too appreciate his guidance."
It was time to leave.
Ichiro and Kaoru sat at the window seats, waving goodbye to the Gatekeepers as the plane taxied out of the runway, gaining height all the time.
1.5 Japan 1980
"It was like fate had played a cruel trick on all of us, especially me. We had soared too high up." Kaoru stated.
The others agreed in silence. They understood her words.
They had hoped too much, soared too far and high.
And when disaster struck, they fell harder.
And the pain was worse.
Much, much worse.
1.6 Japan 1970
Kaoru sat next to Ichiro, looking out of the window. Suddenly, she felt her guts twist inside out as her sixth sense screamed "Danger!" She turned to face Ichiro.
She gasped as she saw Ichiro double over in his seat.
"Ichiro! Are you alright?" She saw his eyes glowing with a strange light.
Ichiro turned his head to face her. "I'm sorry, Kaoru."
Her face registered a confused look.
He opened his palm at her chest, and a split second later an invisible force throws Kaoru against the aircraft's body, causing her to fall through the hole made by the force.
Ichiro seemingly recovered, stood up slowly, dusting himself.
"It's good to be back." He said in an ungodly voice.
He laughed demonically.
In his eyes was a negative Gate.
The Gatekeepers were turning back when Feye's sharp eyes saw something falling from the sky. They realised it was the body of Kaoru and hurriedly rushed to save her. Megumi used her Wall of Shock Buffer to cushion her fall.
Ruriko went up to examine her, and found nothing wrong with her except that she was winded.
"What happened Kaoru?" Shun asked.
Coming to, her eyes widened with fear and sadness as she wordlessly pointed to the sky behind them.
They turned around and saw the airplane carrying Ichiro and Kaoru hovering there. It was now black and on the tip of the nosecone was red in colour.
An invader.
On top of the invader, a lone figure stood. He was lanky, and his eyes were cold and distant.
In front of him was a negative Gate.
Ichiro.
"What have you done to Ichiro?" Shun shouted.
"Captain Ukiya Shun, don't you recognise me anymore? I am Reiji Kageyama!"
'Kageyama? But you died..."
"You guys assume too much. When foolish Ichiro opened his Gate to overcome my power, he opened a door to himself, which my spirit took and now I am living within him. For the days before today I watch him make you hopeful, only for me to shatter the delusion now!"
The Gatekeepers gasped.
"Why aren't you attacking me? It is because you don't want to hurt your friend?" Kageyama laughed evilly. "Ichiro is now under my control and we are one entity! To kill me, you will have to kill him as well!"
Confused, the Gatekeepers backed off.
"I knew you couldn't do it." He raised his open palm. "Revenge will be very sweet."
Shun's eyes widened with horror.
"Let there be....no light."
A dark force enveloped the entire area, sapping the Gatekeepers of their energy. One by one they succumbed to the unholy force. Kageyama's demonic laugh echoed throughout the silent airfield.
"Pathetic bugs." Kageyama spat. "I will enjoy killing all of you one by one." He moved the plane closer to the fallen bodies of the Gatekeepers.
Suddenly, a blue flash appeared, hitting the plane, disorientating Kageyama. The blue flash turned out to be Kaoru, and she jumped on to the plane to face off with Kageyama.
"How touching." He sneered as he rushed towards her.
"You are not Ichiro! Give him back to me!" She screamed as she grabbed his arm. "Liner Throw!" she hollered as she threw the dark figure to the end of the plane. She rushed forward, determined to finish the impostor off.
She raised her fist to strike the fatal blow.
"No! Wait! Kaoru! It's me Ichiro!" The figure was talking in his voice. Her heart melted and she dropped her fist.
"Listen to me Kaoru!" Ichiro started, urgency in his voice. "Kageyama has infiltrated my body and is now using it to make a comeback. You have to stop him!"
"How?"
"By...by...killing me."
"NOO!! I can't do it!"
"Listen to me Kaoru! If you don't, millions of people will die. Look at the others. Kill me now!"
"But I love you, Ichiro. I can't do it. There has to be another way."
Ichiro shook his head sadly. "There isn't. Please Kaoru. If you really love me, do it. Prometheus sacrificed himself as well. After I am gone, I hope that you will always be happy and never blame yourself for my death."
With tears in her eyes, she brought his face to hers with those strong yet feminine hands of hers. Their lips touched, and they both shared in a moment of their love.
"I love you, Kaoru."
"I loved you too much, Ichiro."
With those strong yet feminine hands of hers, she broke Ichiro's neck cleanly.
His eyes became totally lifeless, and the light disappeared from them in a flash.
The plane reverted to its normal self, and now it was spiralling out of control. A jolt threw her off the plane, and she landed some distance away.
With a heavy heart, she watched the plane crash and burst into flames before she blacked out.
Kaoru was standing alone a dark room.
Suddenly, a chorus of whispers could be heard from every corner.
"Why did you kill him?"
She could not take it. She slumped to her knees, tears in her eyes and hands covering her ears.
Suddenly, she heard a loud voice boom. "Why did you kill him?"
"Because..because...he was the enemy! He would kill us all if I didn't kill him!"
"You loved him."
"I did."
Suddenly, the room was filled with images of the places that she saw Ichiro. But he was never in these images.
"Stop it! Stop it!"
"Look at your hands." The voice said.
Slowly, she brought them before her eyes. She could see fresh blood on them.
"You killed him with your own hands."
"I had to!"
"Is that what you wanted?"
She had no reply to that.
She cried again. "Ichiro....sorry."
She awoke in the hospital room, and around her stood her comrades.
The first question she asked was: "How is Ichiro?"
The others looked at her, before shaking their heads sadly.
The pain within her was incomprehensible.
1.7 Japan 1980
Shun placed his hand on her shoulder. "Don't blame yourself, Kaoru. You did what you had to do."
"I wish I didn't. I have been such a coward, never coming back here. I ran away from reality."
"It was hard for you." Ruriko said.
"Don't run away anymore, Kaoru. Ichiro would want you to be happy." Shun said.
Kaoru wiped her face dry and stood up.
"Ichiro, I'm sorry for not visiting you for so long. I will live again, I promise."
In an another location halfway around the world, Shirei flashed his identification and was led in through a secret doorway. There, a retina and thumbprint scan was done to certify his identity before finally being led to a laboratory. Inside was the A.E.G.I.S World Headquarters Commander.
"I see you have finally arrived." The bearded man said.
"I would rather be somewhere else." Shirei replied, distaste evident.
"Please, this way."
Shirei was led deeper into the laboratory. The World Headquarters Commander punched a few buttons on a secret panel, and a trapdoor opened. Slowly, a vat filled with green liquid was raised.
Inside the vat was Ichiro Kaketa.
"We have cryogenically frozen him ever since the incident ten years ago. Somehow he did not die even though his neck was broken."
Shirei walked up to the unmoving figure and placed his hand on the glass vat. It felt cold.
"Recently, we have detected signs of life in him, but nothing's concrete now. We are afraid that he may break out. If that happens, he will be controlling two Gates at one time. That will be disastrous. If he can survive a broken neck, who knows what he is capable of?"
"Do you have any preventive measures?"
"Of course. The best in the world. Anyway, I invited you here to discuss this problem. There is nothing else here."
"I am only too glad to leave this place."
The exit slid open, and the two men left the room.
Silence.
Ichiro slept motionless in the vat.
Suddenly, the liquid bubbled.
Slowly at first, before gaining intensity.
The sound of leaves rustling outside.
His eyes fluttered.
The sound of cicadas chirping.
His hand twitched.
The sound of children playing.
His eyes opened.
They glowed darkly.
The biggest negative Gate ever recorded opened.
The sound of glass breaking was unmistakable.
1.7.1.1 END
Author's note: Finally, the end. I took one month to write this and I think I am quite happy with it. I do have a continuity in mind if you want me to continue it just review and say so.
Most of my ideas come from the difficult lives we live, but I twisted them badly. Sorry to all those Kaoru lovers out there.
Ichiro is somewhat autobiographic for me. Hoped that you enjoyed the story.
" Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly - the ill deeds, along with the good - let me be judged accordingly. The rest ... is silence."
Dinobot's last words.
