Notes: Ah. The final duel. Everyone that has seen or read about the final duel will have an idea what I'm going to do to poor Harry. My Inner Draco is practically squealing.

About Draco... from my point of view, I've made him extremely Anthy-like, right down to his psychosis. I know the complete subservience and seemingly lack of personality got to Lauren at least. However, if you've ever seen Utena and paid attention to how cruel and cunning Anthy really is, Draco doesn't seem as subservient as a first reading will lead you to believe.

And now, in true Utena fashion, the fairy tale shell around the world I've built in this story is about to be completely shattered. Enjoy.

Chapter 6

The End of the World. The gates of roses, where the final duel will take place...

Draco stood at the rusted gate that lead to his rose garden, not willing to step into the sea of roses. When he was in there, it was a symbol of his stupidity, his servitude to the spell. But when the End of the World would step in there, the gates would reveal themselves, waiting for someone to open them.

There was no one left to open them. Draco smirked, running his hand across the top of the gate. He knew what would have to happen for the doors to open.

And he wouldn't let it happen.

"Thinking hard, Draco?" Strong hands slid across the boy's chest. Draco leaned back into the warm embrace.

"No harder than usual," the blond purred. "That boy... the Gryffindor... he's ready for the final duel."

The arms stiffened. "So soon? He has duelled only... once?"

"Twice."

"Ah." The word was littered with disgust. "He holds on to his noble heart."

"Not for much longer," Draco snarled. "But why do we talk of this? He will follow the path of the other duelists soon."

"Mm." The End of the World turned the boy around, and tilted his head up. "Indeed. You haven't come to see me recently."

Draco kissed the man. "I'm sorry," he purred. "Perhaps I will make it up to you?"

We only have eternity, a cynical part of Draco's brain spat out.

***

It was if he was invisible. Harry touched the white rose gently, eyes narrow. He had gone to Charms and Defence against the Dark Arts, and yet neither of the professors had noticed him. In fact... none of the students had either.

A hand reached out, ripping the rose from his chest. "You are disgusting, Mr. Potter."

Snape. Out of all the people, Snape had to see him.

"Parading around, flaunting that pure, noble heart..."

Harry took a deep breath and looked up at the Potion Master, understanding spreading across his face. "You are the End of the World."

Snape raised a greasy eyebrow. "I'm surprised. Draco doesn't usually tell the duelist about the spell. You must have found out." He smiled, a ghastly look on his sallow face. "The rose garden, Potter. Come to the rose garden, and you'll see the power of the World's End."

"You're just like Draco," Harry told him. "I won't lose. I've promised Draco."

Snape was quiet for a moment, then turned away. "I've heard that. I have heard that often. And yet he remains here. If they couldn't do it, Mr. Potter, you can't."

"You're wrong, Professor." Harry looked down at the rose, the white petals scattered across the ground. "You're wrong."

"If you believe it. Noble one."

***

"The final duel is different than all other duels."

Harry glanced over at Draco. "What was that?"

Draco's eyes had glazed over, and ritual words spilled from his mouth. "The End of the World is not a duelist. He is more than that. He does not duel for me, but rather for the right to open the gates and release the power that had been sealed in years past."

The raven haired boy looked over the seemingly decrepit garden. "I made a promise. Power or no power, I won't break it."

"If you say so," Draco said mockingly, and opened the rusted gate. The two boys stepped into the garden, and into the sudden rush of wind.

Harry reflexively raised his arm, shielding his eyes from the burst. When he lowered it, he stood at the entrance in surprise. Instead of a lovely sea of crimson roses, the platform was nothing but barren stone with some odd monument in the centre.

Where the dove fountain used to be.

"Welcome to my world," Professor Snape's voice could be heard. "Welcome to the edge of the real world, where the power of eternity dwells."

"Always so theatrical," the blond murmured sarcastically. "Let's just get this over with."

Snape stepped away from the monument, a sword already in his hand. "Draw your sword, Mr. Potter."

Harry held out his wand, and Draco accepted it, transforming the wood into a handful of rose petals. Slowly, the Slytherin caressed Harry's face. "Stupid Gryffindor," he hissed, pressing his palm against his chest. With a savage movement, he yanked the sword out of Harry's chest. The raven haired boy managed to grab it and support Draco, but he felt violated.

"Is that how you feel after they would pull the sword from your chest?" Harry wondered aloud as Draco stepped away.

The other boy refused to answer, and instead stepped away from both duelists. Harry watched him move away, only seeing Snape's strike at the last minute. He jumped out of the way, starting to understand what Draco meant about how different the final duel was supposed to be.

Snape was the better duelist. Harry realised this as the professor scored another hit on him, causing his blood to splatter against the ground. He stumbled back quickly, reflexively covering the wound with his free hand.

"You won't lose, you said?"

Harry grit his teeth, lowering his hand. "I won't." With a burst of speed, he rushed forward, attempting to put the Potion Master on defence.

With a bored strike, Snape knocked away the pathetic attempt and cut a long trail across Harry's chest. He smirked as he watched the boy tighten his grip on the sword, breathing heavily from pain.

"I... won't..." Harry attacked again. Quickly, Snape side-stepped, stumbling against Draco. Suddenly, he grabbed the boy, placing the sword against his throat. "Draco!"

"You won't be able to save him." Snape pressed the blade against the pale haired boy's throat, almost drawing blood. "Well? Are you going to try to stop me?" When Harry didn't move, he snorted. "Pathetic." He released his grip on Draco, and pushed him into the Gryffindor.

Harry caught him reflexively, and glared over the blond's shoulder, at the oily professor. Slowly, he moved in front of Draco, shielding the boy with his own body. "I'll save him."

He felt a gentle hand grip his shoulder. Draco's hand. Draco hugged himself close to the dark haired boy, and kissed his shoulder. Harry shifted his weight, readying himself when a wave of agony erupted from just under his ribs. He looked down, blinking stupidly at the sword point protruding from his torso. "You..."

Draco's harsh laugh filled his ears. "You think you know what it takes to open the doors. I won't let you. You're going to be the sacrifice." He yanked the sword out of Harry, pushing him towards the monument. The gates. Harry fell against them, seeing the stone roses carved into gates. His blood stained the stone, leaving a trail as he slid to the ground.

Snape lowered his sword, and gathered his student, his nephew in his arms. "Are you sure he has a noble heart?" he whispered, holding Draco possessively.

"Does he?" Draco murmured back as Snape stroked his chin. "If the gates open, he is the perfect sacrifice, isn't he?"

Harry closed his eyes, not willing to hear this. Draco had betrayed him. He had... The boy groaned in pain, then croaked out, "Draco. You..."

There was no answer, then Draco's spiteful voice spoke quietly. "I have the chance to gain my body back, Potter. If those gates open without my blood, then I'll be released. I'll be able to live again. Your pathetic life is worth it."

Harry laughed, then coughed up a substantial amount of blood. "I didn't lie, Draco." He opened his eyes, blearily regarding the blond blur that was Draco. "But my life isn't worth the life of another's. I've used that card once already. It's worth nothing now, my... noble heart worth nothing." He coughed again, watching the blood flow out of his mouth. "If it was worth anything, I would use it to save you."

Was the ground rumbling?

He watched Draco stiffen, his grey eyes narrowing. "Liar."

"I'm sorry, Draco," Harry whispered. "I can't save you after all."

Harry closed his eyes, and tried to clear his lungs of blood once again. The rumbling grew louder, and he heard Draco's scream of horror over it.

"No! You have a sacrifice, by the gates! He's bleeding already..."

Harry opened his eyes with much difficulty, only to watch a sword embed itself into Draco's body. "Draco..." He started to push himself up, wincing as his body screamed in pain. "Stop it." He kneeled, legs weakened. "Stop!" Harry screamed, another sword flying out of no where. "I don't care about these duels. I don't care if the gates open! I'm giving my life for him; isn't that enough?"

"Shut up, Potter!" Snape ordered him, an unholy smile lurking on his lips. "The gates will open. It takes the blood of the one that is in servitude to the roses." He pushed Draco towards the gates, removing one sword as the boy stumbled forward.

Harry caught him before he could hit the gates, and fell over. "Draco."

"Why...?" Draco was actually crying. "Why didn't you keep your mouth shut? Why didn't you give up your noble heart to save your own worthless skin?"

"Because..." Harry hesitated. "Because..."

"Stupid Gryffindor. Nobility is everything to you." Draco moaned in pain, pulling the second sword out of him. "You should have been a Slytherin. Power hungry, like the rest of us... I wouldn't have..."

Harry hugged the blond to him, their blood pooling around them. "Listen. You were my friend. You... you are my friend. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry... I didn't want this."

"I know," Draco whispered, tired. "I didn't either." He looked up. "Go ahead. Make a wish."

Harry turned slightly, looking at the blood pooling around the gates. "You want your life back..."

"No. Don't waste it on me, you stupid Gryffindor." Draco coughed, his voice losing life. "Make a wish, and the power of eternity will make it come true."

"I wish this world would not exist anymore," the dark haired boy whispered, watching the gates open in response to his wish. "I wish that all the souls in this world be released to where they need to go. I wish... to save you, Draco."

Draco attempted to punch the boy. "Bloody... stupid..."

The platform started to crumble, and Harry lost his grip on Draco. The world became dark.

"Gryffindor..."

And then nothing.

***

The smell of lilac was in the air. Harry groaned, slowly opening his eyes, only to shut them when a bright light assaulted them.

His chest felt tight and itchy. The boy shifted slightly, trying to raise a hand to scratch his skin. There was an odd feel encircling his chest. It almost felt like strips of cloth tightly wound around him. Like... bandages. Harry opened his eyes again, more cautiously this time.

He was lying in a bed. Someone had tied bandages around his arms and upper torso, and they were already soaked with blood. There seemed to be so much blood that he wondered why he was alive.

In fact, what had happened? There was something about silver... metal. A sword. And pale hair. The more Harry concentrated, the more memories slipped away. Almost exactly like a dream...

Harry turned his head slightly, taking in the surroundings. He was in the infirmary. Which meant Madame Pomfrey was around somewhere. The lilac smell came from the table beside him. But that wasn't what caught his attention.

A gorgeous ring laid on the table, glinting innocently in the sun. That ring was important. It was, in the past. But... Harry just knew. It was nothing now. Just jewellery. He felt should do something with that ring. Once he was able to walk, he should take it somewhere. Slowly, he started to sit up, surprised at the lack of pain that accompanied the movement.

A sob rose in the back of his throat, built on the memory he couldn't remember. There was a person he missed. A friend that he had let go. A friend...

"Malfoy," he whispered, his voice breaking from emotions and need for water. "Draco."

Yes, that was it. The ring had something to do with Draco leaving. He had to put the ring in the place Draco had spent time in... in... the rose garden.

Harry had to say goodbye.

The End

Author's notes

As I can see, not that many people have seen Utena or, like myself, have read synopsis and scripts of the final episodes. I should clear a few things up, shouldn't I?

Why did I make the connection between Anthy and Draco, and why did I say Anthy is cruel and cunning?

In Shoujo Kakumei Utena, the Rose Bride, Himemiya Anthy, first appears to be incredibly meek and subservient, much like the outer shell of Draco. However, even in the first episode one can see how cruel Anthy is. All through the first episode, she was calling the person who had currently won her "Saionji-sama." The suffix "-sama" denotes great respect. It would be used for a common person to the emperor, for instance. However, after Utena wins the duel, she says this:

"Cheer up, Saionji... senpai."

"Senpai" basically translates to "upperclassman." A freshman would use it to speak to a senior. It holds much less respect. That one little word, said with a smile, shows how calculating Anthy is with her cruelty.

As I said before, I made Draco incredibly Anthy-like. He appears subservient, though with careful observation you can tell he's beating at that cage throughout the entire story. Because he is forced to follow the will of the one that won him, much like Anthy was, it appears he has no will of his own, no soul. However, that is just how others view him, and it is not the truth.

Why did Harry mostly forget? Will anyone else remember?

At the end of the Black Rose Saga, no body that became a Black Rose Duelist remembers the mental anguish Mikage inflicts on them to get them to duel. After Mikage loses the duel, no body even remembers him. The same holds for Utena at the end of the series. After she leaves the academy, no one remembers her. All they seem to remember is that there was some girl that wore boy's clothing. The only person that remembered was Anthy.

In a way, that's what happened here. Harry remembers Draco, but it's a fuzzy memory. He remembers Draco's a dear friend, and he actually misses him. But that's it. It's more a dream to him than reality.

Did everyone in the shadow world disappear?

Yes. They were dead, after all. Harry's wish put their souls to rest.

If there are any other questions about Shoujo Kakumei Utena elements and how they tie in, you can send them to bookie5409@yahoo.com. I am perfectly happy to explain what you don't understand, and I'll try to do it as clearly as possible.

"If you listen to what they want, you understand what they're each lacking, don't you. A person who admires purity will continue lying to himself, and a woman who hates women will not be able to love herself. A person who admires princes is the one who's been most unhappy." Himemiya Anthy, Shoujo Kakumei Utena: Adolescence Mokushiroku manga