Vandread Fanfic - Until the End
Chapter VI - White Reflection
Rating - G / Romance / Sci-Fi
Author's Note - Yeah!! It's 25th December!!
Special Note - This chapter is based on the episode 'White Love'
Free the dream within
The voices calling, a song
A prayer from deep inside you
To guide you
Lara Fabian - The Dream Within - Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within
"Boss, according to the disc that Xero gave us, his home world is really connected to the 'Harvest Operation'. That means, it is related to our unknown enemy." BC reported in to Magno.
"I see. So, what's this 'dark personality' of his?" Magno asked.
"According to the doctor, there are actually two people inside Xero. One is Xero himself and the other called himself Erick. However, Xero
is in control of Erick right now, but not completely." BC explained.
"So, this Erick is actually more powerful than him?"
"According to the witnesses, he beaten up Rabat in a matter of seconds."
"Hmm...he is evil and powerful at the same time." Magno muttered.
Meia is in her room, thinking about what she heard from the conversation between Rick and Hibiki.
(Until you find the purpose of your life, you can never find a proof that you're alive.)
"Purpose of life..." she mumbled as she looks at the empty space through the window. Then, she heard an alarm. They are under attack.
"What's the number of our enemies?" BC asked Coco.
"A mother ship and a few hundreds of fighters," she said.
"Here comes the great helmsman." Bart entered the bridge area casually.
"Hurry up and steer the ship to safety!!" BC yelled at him.
"Yikes!! Okay, okay!!"
Rick was repairing VX4 when he heard the alarm.
"Aww, not again. Better go and help Gasco at the requisition. I'll be back. Okay?"
VX4 hummed.
"Okay, okay. I'll be back as soon as possible."
With that. Rick rushed off towards the requisition area.
By the time Rick arrived, all the females had made themselves busy.
"Hey, Gung-ho!! What took you? I almost out of hand here." Gasco shouted at him.
"Sorry. Just tell me what I should do."
"Go out and take the shuttle." Gasco said.
"Huh? How about you? You're not coming?"
"I'd like to. But since the situation here is getting out of hand, you must do it. Don't worry. I have faith in your ability."
"Thanks, I better get going then."
"Hey!! Where's that shuttle? We're almost out of ammunition here." Barnette screamed.
"Help is on the way!!" Rick piloted the shuttle above Barnette's Dread.
"Hey!! Where's Gasco?" Barnette asked.
"She got her hands full at the moment." Rick replied.
"Anyway, you're late." Barnette complained.
"Sorry dorry. Here. I'll supply with what you need."
With that, Barnette's Dread is re-equipped with the necessary firepower.
"Okay, I'm outta here. Good luck." Rick pilots the shuttle away.
"Better watch your back." Barnette gave a warning.
"Leader!! Look out!!" Dita shouted. A few moments later, a blast hit Meia's Dread near the cockpit.
"Meia!!" Dita shouted for her.
"Uhhh...I'm losing control..." Meia grimaced in pain as her Dread loses control.
Rick saw the whole incident. Suddenly, he remembered how he left Sara back home. This prompted him to take matters in his own hands.
"I'm going in!!" Rick said.
"Hey, that's too dangerous. She's in the enemy's area and that shuttle can't take much damage either," Jura's voice echoed through the
intercom.
"I'm not going to repeat the same mistake!!" With that, Rick dived in through the enemy lines for Meia.
"What did he mean by that?" Barnette wondered.
"The requisition shuttle dived through the enemy lines for Meia!!" Ezra shouted.
"What? Who's the pilot?" BC asked. Then, Gasco appeared at the intercom.
"BC, don't worry about it. I have faith in his abilities." she said as she chew the lead in her mouth.
"You allowed Xero to pilot it?"
"If anything happens, I'll be responsible." Then, she cuts out the conversation.
(Hang in there. I'm coming for you.)
The enemies tried to block his path, but Rick skillfully eluded them and squeezed between two lines of defense. His masterful skills attracted the remaining enemies that were on the offence. When Meia's Dread is in range, he attached four tubes on each side of it. Then, Rick pulled
the Dread up and attached it.
"You okay down there?" Rick asked.
"I...I'm fine." Meia gave a hesitant reply.
"Good. Can you still fire your weapon?" Rick asked.
"Yes. The weapon is still functional." Meia replied.
"Okay, we're getting outta here. Just fire any enemies you saw."
With that, Rick pilots the shuttle towards Nirvana with Meia shot down any enemy in sight.
"Hey kid, we're safe now. Take care of the rest." Rick said to Hibiki.
"You don't have to tell me. UFO-onna, let's do it." Hibiki's Vanguard approaches Dita's Dread.
"Yes!! Let's do it!!" Dita shouted excitedly. Then, the Vandread was formed and lay waste on the enemies.
After the battle, Rick returned to the Vanguard hangar to repair VX4.
"There. At last, I'm finished. Now you can get stuck in any battle." Rick let a heavy sigh and rest in the cockpit.
"Hey. I may not get to pilot you anymore. I must return home. To fulfill my promise."
VX4 hummed.
"No way. You belonged here and I'm not." Rick replied.
(Sara...) Then, he remembered Sara's last words before he left her.
(Rick...I'll wait for you to come back. I trust you...Now, go on...leave me.)
(If she could place the trust in me, why I can't do it? Why? I should believe that she'll wait for me. But I can't...)
"Rick, are you there?" Meia's voice broke his thoughts.
"Meia? What's up?" Rick jumped down from the cockpit.
"I...no, I mean thanks for helping me out back there. " She said with her eyes wandering around.
"Oh, that? Nah, no problem."
Then, there's an unusual silence. Their gaze met each other. His heart is pounding hard. Meia approached him closer. Rick didn't move an inch. She leaned in towards him. When their lips almost touched, Rick pulled away from her.
"I...I can't do it. I'm sorry." Rick picked up his coat and sprints away from the place, leaving Meia alone, wandering what will happen if he
didn't pull away.
(I...what am I doing?)
Paiway almost screamed when she saw the incident. But that didn't prevent her from taking a picture of Rick and Meia, almost made the kiss. Then, she took out a small notebook and scribbled something.
"Pai - check!!"
Rick is standing in the middle of the park, thinking about the incident. Then, he let out a shout.
"WHY? TELL ME WHY? I CAN'T ACCEPT THIS!!! I CAN'T!!!"
His shout echoes throughout the park. Dita was watching him from afar, realizing the pain within him.
"Kuroi-san..."
Meia is sitting on the bed in her room, struggling with her feelings. Then, she looks out at the space, trying to find the answer.
(Do I...love him? Am I in love? Mother, please tell me what should I do.)
Then, she uttered the words she never thought she would.
"I LOVE YOU, MAVERICK XERO."
Few weeks had passed without any incident. With VX4 is fully repaired, Rick didn't have anything to do except playing with his own guitar, trying to forget the whole incident with Meia. He totally cast himself out from the ship's crew. He tried to persuade Magno to let him go but
she insisted on keeping him on Nirvana. This put Rick in even more depression. Everyone didn't notice the change in him except for Meia and Dita. Meia knew what's going on, but she didn't know what she must do. On the other hand, Dita tried to talk with him, but he keeps avoiding her all the time. After couldn't stand anymore of Dita's persistency, he finally decided to hear what she wants to say.
"Finally, I've found you." Dita said as she tries to catch her breath.
"What do you want?" Rick asked with a rasping tone.
"I just want to ask you something. Umm...do you like...Leader?"
Rick is stunned by the question.
"I'm sorry. I can't answer that. I'm not sure myself. Anything else?"
"Umm...do you celebrate Christmas?"
"Yeah. Of course."
"Today's the Christmas Eve."
"Christmas Eve? You mean today is 24th?"
"Yes. Would you want to perform on stage during the party?"
"I...don't know. I'm not in the mood right now."
"It's okay. If you change your mind, just go to the park. There's a stage there."
"Okay. I'll think about it. Thanks."
"Yes. See you." Dita runs off, leaving him alone wandering what he must do now. Then, a familiar voice echoed.
"Rick, you're such a loser."
"Erick? What did you mean by that?"
"Heh. I knew you love Meia. Why don't you go and tell her?"
"I...I can't. How about Sara?"
"I love her too but on this side of the universe, Meia is 'Sara'. Don't you realize it?"
"I..."
"I knew why Sara loves you. To tell you the truth, I'm not as evil as you thought. But since I exist inside you, it's better to call me the
'darker side' of you. I also have seen all your inner thoughts and feelings. That's why many people find you're special. Maybe its better that
I remain here, deep inside your consciousness."
There's a silence.
(I...Sara...Meia...) Then, he started to laugh maniacally.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA..."
Meia tried to forget the incident that occurred a few weeks ago. But she can't. The image of Rick standing still, waiting for her kiss keeps
playing in her mind over and over again.
(Why? Why do I love him? Is it just because he saved my life? Is there a reason to love him?)
"Leader, are you inside?"
"Yes, come in, Dita."
"What are you doing? Everyone is busy preparing for the party."
"I...had a lot of things in mind."
"About Kuroi-san?"
Meia looked at Dita. "How do you know?"
"Well, ah...just a lucky guess."
No words came out from Meia.
"Do you like him?" Dita gave a trick question.
Meia closed her eyes, trying to find the answer.
"Maybe...Just maybe..."
20 minutes to midnight...
A man in red was sitting inside the cockpit of VX4, strumming his guitar. The he saw Hibiki approaching his Vanguard. The man in red decided
to ignore him. Hibiki then launches into space with the Vanguard. Then, he flashed a chill smile.
(Heh. It's showtime.)
With that, he jumped out and sprints towards the park.
15 minutes to midnight...
Most of the crew was at the park, waiting the clock struck at midnight. Dita is among them.
"I can't find Uchuuji-san anywhere. Where could he be? How about Kuroi-san? Will he perform on the stage?"
Then, she heard gasps among the crew. Then, she heard a man's voice.
"Get out of the way!! Hot stuff is comin' through!!"
The crowd moved aside to make way for the man in red. He was running so fast that the crowd could only saw strokes of red running by. When he almost reached the stage, he jumped and did several somersaults and landed on the stage on his feet.
"TA-DAA!! Here I am." He spreads his arms wide. The crowd questioned among themselves about who he is.
"I know what you all were saying. For you info, I'm Erick."
"Where's Kuroi-san?" Dita approached the stage.
"He wants me to take over while he tries to search his own feelings."
"Where did you find that red clothes?" Jura asked Erick. He gave a smile.
"Actually it's the same black clothes Rick is wearing. When I took over him completely, this is the complete manifestation of me."
"So, you're going to perform?" Barnette asked. Erick looked at her and her sexy Dread outfit for a moment.
"Hell yeah. You're right, cutie." He smiled at her.
"Cu...cutie?"
"Anyway, this song is for you." Erick winked at Barnette. This has caused her to blush slightly. Jura looked at her skeptically.
"Seems that he likes you."
"Don't jump to conclusions, okay?"
Erick gave a shout.
"LET THE SHOW BEGIN!!"
I want to become the endless skies
When the sound of violent rain stands still
I strum my guitar and
calm your heart
Come on people, I want to feel it
Right now, because it's good that I don't understand
Come on people, to the limits of mortal life
I'll continue to protect you
My soul for you
When you lose your way
you illuminate the darkness by your smile
If your sadness will be cured
then until my voice dies
I will continue to sing
Come on people, I want to believe it
Forever, I won't change
Come on people like the sun
I'll brighten you up.
My soul for you
Come on people, I want to feel it
Right now, because it's good that I don't understand
Come on people, to the limits of mortal life
I'll continue to protect you
My soul for you
Come on people, I want to believe it
Forever, I won't change
Come on people like the sun
I'll brighten you up
My soul for you
My Soul For You - Macross 7
boys & girls are you ready
the Saturday night is come, ready to go
when the night like a fever
is takin' me on the line, ready to fly
screamin' with me all the night just tonite
you have to take a fever... "fever"
another time to say I wanna be yours
you're my fever baby
Saturday night fever
music on the floor
beating in my soul forever
Saturday night fever
the rhythm in my heart is beating for you babe
Saturday night fever
take me to the top
everybody feels the music
Saturday night fever
the Saturday is come, the fever night - really got me
when the light like a fever
is takin' me on the line, ready to go
boys & girls are you ready
the Saturday night is come, ready to fly
screamin' with me all the night just tonite
you have to take a fever... "fever"
another time to say I wanna be yours
you're my fever baby
Saturday night fever
music on the floor
beating in my soul forever
Saturday night fever
the rhythm in my heart is beating for you babe
Saturday night fever
take me to the top
everybody feels the music
Saturday night fever
the Saturday is come, the fever night - really got me
Saturday night fever
boys & girls are you ready
the Saturday night is come, ready to go
when the night like a fever
is takin' me on the line, ready to fly
screamin' with me all the night just tonite
you have to take a fever... "fever"
another time to say I wanna be yours
you're my fever baby
Saturday night fever
music on the floor
beating in my soul forever
Saturday night fever
the rhythm in my heart is beating for you babe
Saturday night fever
take me to the top
everybody feels the music
Saturday night fever
the Saturday is come, the fever night - really got me
boys & girls are you ready
the Saturday night is come, ready to go
when the night like a fever
is takin' me on the line, ready to fly
screamin' with me all the night just tonite
you have to take a fever... "fever"
another time to say I wanna be yours
you're my fever baby
Saturday night fever
music on the floor
beating in my soul forever
Saturday night fever
the rhythm in my heart is beating for you babe
Saturday night fever
take me to the top
everybody feels the music
Saturday night fever
the Saturday is come, the fever night - really got me
Saturday night fever!!
Dave Rodgers - Saturday Night Fever - Initial D Selection 3
Erick was about leave the stage when the crowd chanted,
"MORE! MORE! MORE!"
"I'll be damned. Well, I'll sing one last song."
The crowd roared approvingly.
don't stop the musicdon't stop the music
don't stop the music tonight!
let's go to the rhythm
let's go to the power
keep on movin' - start the motion
jumping with emotion
crazy locomotion
move and dance and take my feeling
jump and go
the power of the night
the music and the lights
with the best emotion!
lost into your eyes
without control, my love inside
don't stop the music
the rhythm groove all right
play the song don't be wrong
make your feeling high - all the night
don't stop the music tonight
don't stop the music
to dance is like a fight
you can show your emotion
your secret side - all the night
don't stop the music tonight
dancing with obsession
show me your reaction
let's go! grooving all the night
move on crazy dancer
music is the answer
all the night
you make me crazy
jump and go
the power of the night
the music and the lights
with the best emotion!
lost into your eyes
without control, my love inside
don't stop the music
the rhythm groove all right
play the song don't be wrong
make your feeling high - all the night
don't stop the music tonight
don't stop the music
to dance is like a fight
you can show your emotion
your secret side - all the night
don't stop the music tonight
let's go to the rhythm
let's go to the power
keep on movin' - start the motion
jumping with emotion
crazy locomotion
move and dance and take my feeling
jump and go
the power of the night
the music and the lights
with the best emotion!
lost into your eyes
without control, my love inside
don't stop the music
the rhythm groove all right
play the song don't be wrong
make your feeling high - all the night
don't stop the music tonight
don't stop the music
to dance is like a fight
you can show your emotion
your secret side - all the night
don't stop the music tonight
don't stop the music tonight
don't stop the music
the rhythm groove all right
play the song don't be wrong
make your feeling high - all the night
don't stop the music tonight
don't stop the music
to dance is like a fight
you can show your emotion
your secret side - all the night
don't stop the music tonight
Lou Grant - Don't Stop The Music - Initial D Selection 1
Suddenly, Erick saw a Vandread flying from the white comet. Then he saw Hibiki's Vanguard is thrown away and landed on the glass roof
above. Then, he heard Dita shouted.
"Uchuuji-san!!"
"Heh. What a way to make an entrance." Erick gave a sigh before he ended the last sentence of the song.
DON'T STOP THE MUSIC TONIGHT!!
The crowd still screaming in excitement as Erick makes his exit. Then he is stopped by Magno, wearing a Santa Claus costume.
"Erick, isn't it?"
"Yes. I'm Erick." He looked at Magno with his burning red eyes.
"Where is he now?"
"You mean Rick? I don't even know myself. He only said that he wants to look at his own feelings and let me take over for a while."
"It seems that you're not that evil aren't you?"
"Hmm. I never thought I heard that from a space pirate. Don't trust me so much. Although I'm not truly evil, I still can do things that Rick
couldn't do."
With that, Erick left the stage and disappeared into the crowd.
Moments later, the clock struck 12 midnight and the Christmas celebration begins. Parfet's artificial snow machine that supposedly not
working miraculously creates a Christmas atmosphere.
Duero presented Parfet his snow drawings. She gladly accepted it even though she didn't know the meaning behind the painting. Bart gave BC a box containing some kind of mineral from his home, Tarark only to have a picture snagged by Paiway. Barnette, on the other hand, gave a ring to Jura and got a kiss on the cheek in return.
Erick was in the VX4's cockpit when he sees Dita waiting for Hibiki to return. A short while later, Hibiki returned and limps out from the cockpit.
"Uchuuji-san!! You're okay?"
"Here, take this. I tried not to let it melt." Hibiki handed her a red flower encased in ice. Then, the ice started to melt and the flower suddenly blossomed.
"It's beautiful. Thank you." She said as she looked at the flower. Then, she heard a snore. Dita looked at Hibiki who is sleeping soundly. Then, she gave a smile and left him.
Erick grinned after watching the whole scene. Then, he takes out his guitar and played a soothing melody.
I feel your love reflection
In your eyes as they gaze back into mine
Writing a distant, neverending story
White Reflection (transliterated)- TWO-MIX
