Vandread Fanfic - Slayer of God Duology Part 2: Together Forever
Epilogue Chapter (Default Version) - Together Forever
Rating - G / Romance / Sci-Fi
Author's Note:
Aaah...A happy ending. There should always be a happy ending.
And love is all that I need,
And I find it there in your heart,
Isn't too hard to see,
We're in heaven...
Heaven by Bryan Adams
Rick was floating in the darkness, alone.
"Where am I?"
He stared into the darkness. No answer. He closed his eyes.
"Is this the meaning of death? Yes, it must be. Finally, I can rest..."
He then went into deep slumber.
After of what it seems an eternity, Rick opened his eyes and was greeted by a wonderful sight. The darkness that surrounds him is gone
and was replaced by a view of a vast grass field.
"Huh? What the--?"
He looked around and saw children running at him. A boy approached him and said,
"You're knew here, mister?"
"What is this place?"
The children looked at him. Then they laughed.
"You're kidding, right?"
"Kidding?"
"You should know this place. Since you already here."
"I really don't know."
The boy smirked.
"Yeah right. Come on let's play."
"You guys go ahead. Let me take a look around."
Rick arrived at a large tree and saw the back of a female figure. She's staring at the sky.
"Umm. Excuse me..."
"Yes?"
The woman turned around. Rick instantly recognized her. It's his mother.
"Mom? Is...that...you?"
His mother was astonished. She then hugged him tight.
"Riiick!!"
"Mom, it is you!"
"Yes, it's me, son."
"Then this is..."
She gave a nod.
"Yes. This is Eden."
"I see."
"Let me call your father and your sisters."
She went inside a nearby house and returned with the rest of his family. Mary, his youngest sister ran at him.
"Brother! It is you. You came!"
Rick picked her up.
"Yes. I came. We'll be together again. As a family."
Lynn, his older sister came up to him.
"Glad for you to drop in, bro."
"Sis..."
She suddenly hugged him.
"We miss you like hell here!"
"I'm sorry."
Rick looked at his father.
"Dad..."
His father smiled held his shoulder.
"We knew what happened."
"I'm sorry, dad. If I..."
"Stop it right there. I didn't say you did anything wrong."
Mary looked up at him.
"Yeah brother. You did the right thing."
Lynn smiled.
"You saved your friends and your loved one. So, there's nothing wrong in that."
Rick flashed a weak smile.
"Yeah. Guess so. Hmm? Where's mom?"
Mary smiled at him.
"She went out. She's gonna bring someone special."
"Someone special?"
"Rick?"
Rick turned around when he heard the voice from behind. It's his mother with Sara.
"Sara?"
Sara ran at him, with tears flowing from her eyes.
"RIIICK!!"
Rick caught her and held her tight.
"Sara, I'm here. We will never be apart again."
"Rick..."
Suddenly, a loud voice filled the air.
"MAVERICK XERO."
Rick looked up at the sky. He saw an elderly man floating in the air.
"You must be Rah."
"YES I AM. BY DEFEATING MY SON, ANTIOCH, YOU SAVED THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE BUT YOU DEFIED YOUR FATE."
"I defied Fate?"
"YES. YOU ARE DESTINED TO LOSE EVERYONE AROUND YOU BUT INSTEAD YOU SACRIFICED YOURSELF FOR THEM."
Rick lowered his head. Sara and his family looked at him."Yes. I defied my fate as the Slayer of God. But I can't stand to watch many people die around me. My life is far worthless
compared to them."
Sara suddenly burst out in anger.
"Rick! How could you say such thing?"
"Sara, my fate is already determined since I was a child. The people that I loved most including you, all died before me.
So, my death will probably end that."
Everyone was speechless. Then Rah said,
"YOU MAY NOT KNOW IT, BUT YOUR ACTIONS HAS TAUGHT ME SOMETHING. FATE CAN BE DEFIED BY THE WILL OF A
PERSON. AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I'M GIVING YOU A SECOND CHANCE."
Rick was puzzled.
"Second chance?"
"YES. I CAN SEND YOU BACK TO THE WORLD. THERE, YOU CAN START ALL OVER. WE WILL NOT INTERFERE
WITH YOUR LIFE. YOU YOURSELF WILL DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE."
"I have to leave them?" Rick asked, referring to Sara and his family.
"YES. YOU CAN STAY HERE IF YOU WANT TO."
Rick looked at Sara, Lynn, Mary, his mother and finally his father.
"Everyone...I..."
Suddenly Sara stopped him.
"Don't say a word, Rick. It's all up to you. I'm sure your family will understand."
Mary looked at him.
"Yeah brother. She's right. It's your call. And besides, I think they still need you."
Suddenly, Rick remembered Aya, Axel and Meia.
His mother nodded in approval.
"Go, son. We'll be fine here."
Lynn tried to contain her tears.
"Yes. It's your decision, bro. We'll always be there for you."
His father approached him.
"Go on, son. No matter what your decision is, I'm proud of you."
Rick almost cried.
"Dad, thank you. And I'm proud to be your son."
He looked at Sara. She's crying.
"Sara..."
"Rick, go on. They need you. Our daughter needs you. Everyone needs you."
Rick kissed her.
"I'll be back. I promise."
"Rick, we'll be waiting for you..."
"HAVE YOU MADE A DECISION?"
Rick looked up at Rah.
"Yes. I made up my mind."
It's been 4 years. Many things have happened during the time. An uncultivated planet that was located between Tarark and Mejale has been established as a common planet. Not held by Tarark or Mejale. It was named Neo Terra by none other than Aya in memories of her
home world. She also named its capital, Xero City to honor her father's sacrifice in saving the universe and its population. This city is fast becoming into a station between Tarark and Mejale. Later, many people from these two planets moved to Neo Terra, which is under the leadership of Hibiki Tokai, a Tarark. Here, everyone is treated as equals, whether it's a male or a female.
However, something big is about to happen...
Meia was at the park, looking aimlessly at the night sky. Suddenly, she saw a white light in a shape of a bird flew across the sky.
"Huh? What's that?"
Axel, who was already ten years old, asked her.
"Mom, what's wrong?"
"Uh, I think I just saw a shooting star."
"A shooting star? Did you make a wish?"
She leaned back at the bench.
"A wish? I don't think my wish will ever come true..."
On the other side of the city...
A man in red with long, blonde hair was teaching his students the basics of playing a guitar.
"Okay. That concludes our lesson today. Go back and practice, okay?"
His pupil packed their things and thanked him.
"Thank you, Mr. Erick!"
Erick gave a nod.
"You're welcome. See you all tomorrow."
After the students left, Erick sat on a chair. He sighed.
"Damn, I'm beat."
"Daddy?"
"Huh?"
Erick turned and saw two little girls standing at the door.
"Hey, Janette, Mara! What are you two doing here?"
Both girls rushed at him. Erick embraced them. Mara, the blonde haired girl looked at him.
"We were so worried when you didn't return for dinner."
"Umm. You're busy, right?" Janette, the brown haired one asked.
Erick smiled.
"Yeah. You're right. I've been busy. Sorry for keeping you two worried. So, where are your mothers?"
"They're downstairs, waiting for you." Janette replied.
"Ha. Guess they gonna drag me if I don't come down."
"Daddy, Let's go!" Mara pulled his hand.
"You two go on. I'll be down in a few minutes, okay?"
"Dad!!"
"Just go, okay? I have to pack my things here."
After much persuasion, the children left. He almost had done packing when he heard a voice.
"You've been doing well, I see."
Erick was stunned. He hasn't heard that voice for quiet some time. He turned around. Now, he has to believe what he had seen.
"It's you..."
"Yes, it's me."
Barnette, Jura and their daughters were waiting for Erick at the parking lot.
"Hey. What's keeping him?" Jura complained.
Barnette looked forward. She smiled.
"There he is."
Erick walked towards them with a guitar slung on his back.
"Thanks for waiting. So, where shall we go? Home?"
"How about having dinner outside?" Barnette said.
Jura grinned.
"That's a good idea. It's been a while since the last time we have dinner outside."
Both Janette and Mara jumped happily.
"Yay! So, where are we going?" Mara asked.
"The usual place!" Janette immediately replied.
Erick smiled.
"Sounds good. Let's go, ladies."
A man in military suit entered an apartment. He sat on the couch and sighed.
(Man, I'm tired. I wish the council could just leave me alone...)
A woman came out from the kitchen.
"Oh, Hibiki. You're back!"
"Yeah."
"Let's have dinner together."
"Thanks Dita. But I really need a rest."
"Oh okay. But..."
Hibiki was perplexed.
"But?"
She then leaned towards him.
"Can I stay with you like this?"
Hibiki smiled. He caressed her hair gently.
"Sure you can..."
Suddenly, he saw a man in white at the balcony. He smiled at Hibiki then vanished. Hibiki was stunned.
(That's...)
Aya and Anton were having dinner at a restaurant own by Raymond. It was located at the top floor of the tallest building in Neo Terra.
"So, how's the food. Good?"
Anton who was munching his dinner gave a muffled reply. He then gave a thumb up.
"Hmm!"
Aya smiled.
"Heee. Guess Uncle Ray is getting better at this."
She looked up and saw Meia and Axel entered the restaurant. She waved at them.
"Meia, Axel. Over here!"
Axel ran to her.
"Nee-san!"
Aya hugged her younger brother.
"How you've been doing?"
"I'm doing fine!"
Meia sit in front of her.
"So, how the two of you been doing?"
Aya blushed.
"Umm...I just see Duero before coming here. He said I've been pregnant for two months now."
Meia and Axel stared at her, astonished.
"Really? Congratulations, Anton. You'll be a father."
Anton nodded.
"Yeah. Thanks"
However, Axel remained silent.
"Axel?"
"Uh, this means I'll be an uncle then?"
There's no reply. Then, the three laughed.
"You were worried about that?" Anton asked.
"Of course I am!"
"Well, there's nothing you can do about it, son." Meia said, trying to contain her laughter.
Aya smiled.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure the baby inside will like you as its uncle."
Axel sighed.
"Yeah."
Aya continued,
"If dad was here, I'm sure he'll be in shock should he heard the news."
Everyone grew silent.
"Dad..."
Suddenly, they were interrupted by Erick.
"Hey, hey. Long time no see, guys."
Aya looked up at him
"Huh? Erick?"
"Yeah. It's me. Look at what I bring along."
Jura and Barnette approached them, with their daughters, Mara and Janette. Axel tried to sneak away when Mara suddenly shout.
"BROTHER AXEL!!"
"Oh no..."
With that, both girls ran at him. Axel struggled to get himself away from them.
"Hey! Get away from me!"
"We are not letting you go." Janette said, holding his arm. Then, both girls dragged him out of the restaurant.
"Aaaaahhh!! Someone help meee!!!"
Everyone laughed at the scene.
"Take care of them, you hear?" Jura said.
"Go get 'em, little tiger." Erick said, laughing.
Raymond appeared from the kitchen area.
"Hey. Good to see you all here."
Erick smiled.
"Same here."
"Hey Uncle Ray, where's Gasco?" Aya asked.
Suddenly, Gasco appeared behind her.
"It's GASCOGNE."
"Ah! Sorry..."
Gasco sighed.
"How many times do I have to tell all of you?"
"Uh, well..."
Raymond suddenly interrupted.
"Hey! I'll treat you all for dinner right now. How's that sound?"
Erick was the first to answer.
"We've been waiting for those words. Right, people?"
Everyone nodded.
"YEAH!!"
Then, Hibiki and Dita walked in.
"Hey, you count us out?"
"Huh? I thought you don't like eating out."
Hibiki shrugged.
"For some reason, Dita overcooked the stew. So..."
Jura looked at Dita.
"You overcooked? That's quite a rare mistake there, Dita."
Dita scratched the back of his head.
"Uh, yeah..."
"Okay, that does not matter. Everyone, just order anything you want. " Raymond said.
Axel, Janette and Mara were playing outside.
"Oooh. I'm tired. Can I rest for a while, girls?"
The girls looked at him.
"Fine, fine. Just sit there, okay?" Mara said.
Janette waved at her.
"Hey Mara. Catch me if you can."
Axel sat on a bench and watched the girls chased each other.
"Phew...don't they ever get tired?"
He turned and saw a man in white standing near the railing. He couldn't see his face because the man was wearing a hat that was pulled down to cover most of his features.
(He was there all along? I didn't see him coming.)
Meia came out and called him.
"Axel! Do you want to have dinner?"
"Yeah. I'm hungry. Mara, Janette. Let's go inside and eat."
The girls nodded. Then, they went inside.
"Mom? You're not coming?"
"It's okay. I've already have my dinner. You three enjoy the dinner. Raymond is cooking something special."
"Something special? I have to see what it is."
Axel left his mother outside. Meia approached the railing. She looked at the busy streets many floors below. Lights can be seen anywhere. Come to think of it, she never see those lights went out.
(The city that never sleeps...)
She leaned at the railing. She then looked at the man in white whose been standing by the railing a few meters away from her.
"Beautiful city isn't it?" she said, trying to initiate a conversation.
He didn't reply. In fact, he didn't move a muscle.
(This man is weird. Oh? What...?)
Then, the railing she's leaning on collapsed and she fell down to the street below. The sound of the railing collapsed had caused the people inside the restaurant to see what's happening. Axel was the first to be there.
"Mom? Where are you? Mom!!"
He approached the collapsed railing and looked below. To his horror, he saw Meia was falling and screaming.
"MOM!!"
Erick stopped Axel from doing anything rash. Jura, Dita and Barnette helped Erick to restrain Axel.
"Stop it, Axel. Don't do anything stupid."
"Let me go! I want to save my mom!"
Erick looked at the man in white.
"Don't worry, Axel. There is someone who can save her."
Hearing those words, the man approached them.
"Duh, why does it have to be me?"
Everyone was shocked when they heard the voice. Raymond slowly approached him.
"Rick..?"
The man threw his hat to reveal his features. He has long, black hair with amethyst blue eyes. Aya fainted the moment she recognized him. Axel almost fell to the ground. Everyone was in deep shock except Erick.
"Dad?"
"Yeah. I'm back. Now, let me save your mother."
He then jumped down to the streets below.
Meia was falling to her doom, realizing that no one can ever save her. She closed her eyes. She then remembered Rick.
(Rick, I'm coming for you...)
Suddenly, a voice echoed.
(Hey, hey. Even if you die, you'll not see me there.)
Meia was stunned.
(That voice...)
She then opened her eyes to herself floating in the air. She could feel the warmth around her. She looked up and saw Rick, carrying her up to the top of the building.
"Rick?"
"Yes. It's me."
Meia was about to ask a question when Rick cut her off.
"Don't worry. I'll explain everything later."
Both Rick and Meia landed safely on the floor as everyone gathered around them. Axel approached them.
"Mom! You're safe."
"Yes. I'm safe."
Axel turned to Rick. He then hugged him tight.
"Dad, it is you!"
"Yes. It's me, son. Sorry for taking so long to get here. Now where's your sister?"
"She's fainted, Master Xero." Anton replied.
"Anton! It's good to see you. You've been doing what I asked you to do?"
"Uh, yes."
Rick approached Aya, who was lying down on the bench. Rick gently woke her up.
"Aya, wake up."
Aya slowly woke up.
"Uhh...what happened?"
"Well...you fainted the moment you saw me."
"DAD!!"
She then hugged him tight.
"Dad, I missed you so much!"
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry."
"But how did you survived?" Axel stammered.
Everyone looked at him suspiciously. Rick flashed a smile.
"It's...a long story."
Meia stopped him.
"I don't care what the reason is. As long as you are here, I don't care about anything."
"Yeah. You are for real, right?" Raymond asked.
Rick smiled.
"Yeah. I am for real."
Meia hugged him tight. She wants to feel the warmth from the one she love.
"Rick..."
"Meia, we'll be together...forever."
Meia cried in his arms.
"Yes. Together forever."
Rick looked around the area.
"So, this city was named after me, eh?"
"Well, I can change it if you want." Hibiki said.
"Change, eh? I don't know about that."
"Dad. Do you know?" Aya asked.
Rick raised an eyebrow.
"Know what?"
"You're gonna have a grandchild!"
Rick grew silenced, blinking his eyes a few times.
"You're joking, right?"
Everyone shook their head.
"Rick, it's true. She's pregnant." Meia said.
Rick backed away.
"I'll be a...grandpa? I'm gonna..."
He then fell flat on the ground.
"RIICK!!"
Meia and Axel kneeled beside him, trying to wake him up. Aya and Raymond looked at each other and laughed. Then, everyone laughed.
"See, Uncle Ray? It's just like I told you!"
"Hahaha. That's right."
We're two hearts...
Believing in just one mind
Beating together till the end of time
You know we're two hearts, believing in just one mind
Together forever till the end of time
Two Hearts by Phil Collins
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, ranting, whatever...
Finally, I'm done with this fic. It took about...a year? Yeah. One whole year. That's because I've been busy with classes and stuff.
So basically, I'm one hell of a busy guy. cries
Now, that I completed the final term, I decided to have this thing finished by the time I get a job. Gladly I did. A side story, you say?
Not at this time. I need to rest my tired brain. Besides, my ideas have already dried up.
Okay, I wanna thank myself for writing/typing this sequel. I feel like a big part of my life was taken away because of this.
Special thanx to the members of - Sanzo, Murder of Crows, Cyberboy, Ayano Sama etc...
(Sorry, can't remember all of you guys) Your encouragements are really appreciated.
I also wanna thank my PC. Without it, there'll be no Fanfic from me. (Damn, I've gotta defrag after this...)
Special thanx to for giving me a space to post my fics and letting me to be with the whole bunch GREAT 'fanfictioneers' over
there. I also wanna thank vandreadML and vanfanfic at Yahoo! Groups for the infos I need.
Thanx to reviewers that reviewed this fic. All your comments (constructive & destructive, whatever) are appreciated. Thanx again.
Finally, to you readers out there, a really huge THANX for reading this fic. I love you all!! I MEAN IT!
-WHITE SHADOW-
18th JUNE 2003
