Disclaimer in earlier chapters.
It has come. The Day of Salvation, The Day of Decision, The Day of Transition, The Day of New Life…
The Day the Rains Came
Chapter 9: The Day the Rains Came
The very next day after the ball, Pie received a call sometime in the afternoon. He took the glass communicator into his room to not disturb Tart. His body shook, itching to just here those words before hauling everyone onto a spaceship.
His hopes fell as an adult female voice began to speak on the other side. "Hello. This is the office of the Mercuritopolis Palace branch hospital for a Mr. Pie Xenimis in regards to his close friend…"
"Y-Yes, this is he," Pie interrupted. Just by the way this conversation was beginning, he knew that he didn't want to hear the point.
"Well…" The receptionist didn't want to have to deliver this news either. "Unfortunately, today, our other victim…"
"Kish," Pie said. "Just say his name."
"Well, Kish has reached the final stage and fallen into a removed, coma-like state."
Pie sighed. "Phase three."
"Precisely," the receptionist replied. "You're one of those scientists, aren't you?"
Pie disregarded this statement, not wanting to remember his duties. "Well, thank you for informing us. I know it's a tough job. Good day." He turned the device off and stared, regretfully out the door of his room. He looked back. Then he picked up the phone device again and pressed a round button marked with a blue crown.
---
There was no way to restrain her. King Jubala could try to keep her locked in her room. Heck, he could send out the entire Mercurian army after her, but Ichigo would not stop. Her ribbons flapped by the doors of offices and apartments, the residents glancing up and wondering what could cause the Princess to rush like doomsday had come. Because it had.
She burst through the glass double doors of the hospital, creating quite a scene for the spectators in the waiting room. But for once, their whispers and gibes were the last things on her mind. She looked around, got her bearings and went tapping down the west corridor. Pie's words echoed in her mind. I'm afraid…he's reached the final stage of Shadow Plague. …a coma-like state. He probably won't be able to understand and respond to you… But it didn't matter. Nothing mattered. She just had to get there. Kish needed her!
Ichigo slowed herself down. At last, she carefully opened the door, quietly closing it behind her. There he was again, lying comfortably on his hospital bed, his eyes closed, facing the ceiling. Ichigo slowly sat next to the bed. "Kish?" she asked, although it was probably useless.
His chest still gently rose and fell, assisted by the machines hooked to his throat. He was a living ghost, an entity from beyond. Just as Pie explained, Kish didn't respond, as much as Ichigo talked, prodded him, or fondled his head. So there she sat, all afternoon, watching over him.
A few times, Kish shifted, as if he were only sleeping, sometimes muttering to himself. Ichigo began to wonder what was going on in his mind, and she was almost tempted to use her new Peeker Power. It hurt to look at him like this- frail and sickly, but she only wanted to help him. That was all she wished for, was to be able to help him, but that was impossible. She gazed at his form, with that same feeling nipping at her insides.
"No…" he mumbled, turning to one side. "Leggo."
Ichigo perked up, looking down at him. "Kish? Hey, Kish? Can you hear me?"
That provoked no appropriate response, as Kish just flipped back, muttering something about being late.
Ichigo's heart hurt as she looked down at him. "It's okay, Kish," she said, running her hand down his cheek. "You don't have to be afraid." Then, Ichigo decided that, right there she wouldn't leave. As much as the nurses tried to shoo her away as night fell, saying that visitor hours were over, Ichigo insisted on staying right where she was. "I am the Princess of Mercury. I can go wherever I want. I want to be here for my friend." The doctors couldn't argue with that. Even they were submissive to the royal power of the Blue family.
As the lights were doused, and the hospital turned to pitch black, Ichigo laid her head down on the mattress, next to Kish's hand. After hours, all the lights went out. After hours, destiny is decided. And this time…destiny shall not forsake them.
---
The lights went on, to the morning hum, as the other Mercurians arrived and assistants swerved around the corridors, bringing food and supplies. Ichigo watched, painfully, as an assistant came to check on the machines in Kish's room, and refill the tubes that kept him from just wasting away. The assistant asked Ichigo if she wanted anything, but she shooed him away. She didn't feel like eating or drinking. How could she in the midst of so much suffering?
"Good morning, Kish," she whispered. "You made it." She brushed his hair a little, lovingly. Much time passed, but the hours felt like minutes. So little time… Slowly, Ichigo picked up Kish's hand, since it would be impossible to hug him without pulling out the wires and tubes. She held that bony hand tight. She tried to stop the tears, but they couldn't help but roll down her cheeks.
"I know…this has happened before," she gently said. "But…this time…I can't afford to lose you. Kish…" His face remained expressionless.
As Ichigo brushed the tears from her eyes, she reached down. The little heart diamond necklace bumped into her hand. She fingered it gently. He loves me, she remembered. He has always loved me. And for so long, I never realized…She looked down again, Kish's face growing blurry again, his features all one part of his face. "I-I'm sorry, Kish…" she slowly said. "You…you can't leave now. Just when I was starting to realize… It's my greatest fear too. That you will…disappear. And I will never see you again…" She searched his body, looking for some kind of reply, but none came. "And it doesn't matter…if you can't hear me…if you don't know. I should have said sooner…I should have realized sooner. I want you to know…"
At last, Kish's white lips parted. They formed words, with his precious breath. "Don't…let go."
Ichigo's eyes clouded, and she grabbed a hold on his hand. "No. I won't let go. I'll never let go. It doesn't matter what happens. I will always hold onto this." She squeezed Kish's hand, and that night, fell asleep, there by his side once again.
---
"Ichigo…Ichigo…" the voice that blinked into tune was not the one she had expected, but it was still…there. She blinked, to see Pie and Tart standing over her. Confused, Ichigo blinked again. "Where…?"
"They…called us," Pie stonily replied. Just from those three words, Ichigo knew. Tart was standing, shivering behind. Pie blinked back at her. "You were here all night?"
Ichigo looked back at Kish. Thankfully, his chest was still moving. …but for how long? Her whole body felt weak and wrung out, but she still stayed.
Pie and Tart stepped closer. "…Kish," Tart slowly said, just barely forcing the words out, while the rest of his breath remained balled up in his throat. "Kish…don't die. I'll miss you…very much." He stood there, making no noise, and just letting the tears roll down.
Pie stepped closer, putting his arms around him. He turned out to his silent, fading teammate. "I'm sorry," he said, blinking. "I…couldn't save you. No one could. You've been…a great partner." Tart buried his face in Pie's sleeve.
Now, it was Ichigo's turn. She kneeled over the bed. Kish's breathing was beginning to slow. "Kish." It felt funny, saying his name aloud, the word emerging softly from her mouth, as if speaking of a long-lost treasure.
And then, it all flooded back, in a shower…her life…his life…their life…gently flowing through her mind. There he was, in the bed in Pie's apartment, holding her, as they made up after Ichigo's outburst. Then, he was there again, a different time, as Ichigo leaned over and kissed him. His face as he glanced back, after traveling all the way from the hospital to the royal floor.
Strangely enough, Kish's voice began to come from nowhere. His lips remained together, but she could hear his voice as she looked upon his face. I had no reason to live any longer …But now, I have something to live for. The hugging, that comfortable, warm feeling. Thank you for coming here, when I need you most, and thank you for caring. The happy feeling, as she put her arms around him, and his hurt expression transformed into a smile. I needed to see you again. It's…the only thing that keeps me alive. …I love you. Kish's face was before her, that wonderful smile spreading across it, the flames in his eyes dancing warmly. Even if you're really not the Princess of Mercury, you'll always be my princess. Now, Ichigo could see what only him before could see. They slow danced together, in love. Just them. Alone in the darkened ballroom. Then, that comfortable, breath-taking kiss… …that one was different…from all the others. Ichigo's heart was going to burst. All of that would be… …I don't want…to leave you. That's my greatest fear. That I will…disappear, and never see you again. …I only recently realized what a devastating loss that would be…
Ichigo's body was trembling. "Kish…" she croaked again.
…Never let go.
She gently wrapped her arms around him. It didn't matter now. This was the final hour. And she knew exactly what to say. "Kish, like I said before, I never thought much of you. But, now, you gave me the chance to see what a great person you are underneath it all. I will always see you. And I will never forget you, or the time we spent together. I will never let go." Her tears fell and merged with his skin. "I know I say I'm in love with Masaya, but Kish, I will always have a spot for you, and nothing can remove that." Her trembling hand fingered the strands of his limp green hair. "You will never disappear. My fear had been the same, afraid of never seeing you again. I only just realized losing you would be a terrible, devastating loss also. But now I know." Slowly, Ichigo looked up, as Kish's body began to move.
"…Chiiiigo…"
Ichigo looked down, her breath snatched in wonder. "Kish?"
Those still eyelids slit open, revealing that warm fire inside one last time. Ichigo could feel his cool, soft breath against her damp cheek.
"Ih…chi…go…"
Then, the fire blinked out. The soft movement of his chest stopped. No. No…it couldn't be true. This couldn't really be happening.
Ichigo laid her head over Kish's chest. "No!" she cried. "Kish, you can't die!!! Not now! Not after…all that's…happened." Ichigo's soul felt like it would tear apart. Kish had died before…and it was tragic, but never before as heart-wrenching as this good-bye. Then, she realizing what was different about this time. This time…he wasn't coming back.
Ichigo's body trembled as she heard…and felt…as Kish's heart pumped one last time…and then no more. And Ichigo's was shattering.
"Kish…" The heart pendant…the symbol of his everlasting love pressed against the covers. Then, Ichigo, although knowing he couldn't hear her now, uttered those three, undying words that she had kept inside her all this time.
"I love you."
Tart and Pie, standing just behind her, stared in shock and sorrow. Even Pie was beginning to grow misty-eyed.
Then, a soft pink glow started up around Ichigo. In a flash of brilliant light, she was wearing her Mew Mew outfit, bending over the bed, the tears still falling.
Tart stepped forward, suddenly disgraced by this transformation. "I can't believe it!" he yelled, his tears flinging from his eyes. "At the moment of his death, you transform?! I can't believe you'd interrupt this moment with your…"
Pie clamped his hand over Tart's mouth, and the room fell to solemn silence once again.
Then, Ichigo stood up. She flew up, suddenly featherweight. Pie stared as she flew, towards the ceiling. Ichigo's eyes closed. She could feel something, wrapping her body…something very familiar, and it felt right. So she entrusted her fate to this force.
Pie stared as Ichigo floated higher…straight through the ceiling. Tart's muffled screeches erupted from under Pie's hand. At last, he released him. "She's going to the surface!" he cried, beginning to run for the door.
"Wait!" Tart cried, angered by everyone's inability to comply with the occasion. "You're just going to leave him here?! You're just going to walk out?!"
Pie took a deep breath. "Kish is not there anymore. We need to go…to the surface." He grabbed Tart's hand and the two rushed through the palace. They flew through the Mercurian streets…the world whipping by before their eyes. Nothing was as it used to be. At last, Pie and Tart arrived on the sandy surface.
Ichigo floated high up in the sky, silhouetted by the blazing sun. She felt that old feeling again. That comfortable, happy feeling, that she had always felt when in Kish's arms. The heart with the ribbons and the diamond center blinked into her hands again. She was surrounded by that feeling…by the past events. She only wanted to make everything better again. She wished with all her heart that she could correct whatever was wrong.
Her arms rose, all on their own. They folded themselves inward, towards her shoulders. Make everything okay. Yes, everything would be all right…
Her left arm moved across her chest, tightly clutching to that precious weapon. It dropped down beside the other one. Loving thoughts, thoughts of her fallen lover, thoughts of her dear Kish…only these remained in her mind.
A voice traveled through the air around her. It whispered, softly to her. She knew what to do. Her lips moved, on their own, putting no thought in her words and her actions, but in the hands of this feeling…
"Ribbon," her soft, whispery voice began. "Strawberry…"
Her arm began to raise. The breath flew into her body, as a few stray tears made their way down her cheeks.
"Rainbow…" She could see it all so clearly now. She felt it in her heart, bending itself…in memories.
At last, Ichigo summoned everything she had…every single ounce of power she could find. A blinding white light began emanating from her body. Finally, she whipped around, that ultimate expression, holding the diamond heart weapon at arm's length, sprinkling this light over all the eye could see.
"CLEANSE!"
Pie stared up, through this bright light. Something was happening, although he couldn't tell what. He looked deep inside of himself, bringing everything to the surface, recalling everything he could, in order to connect with that side.
And then, he opened his eyes. That moment, he would always remember. Kish? His mind said to itself. Yes, he was sure of it now. Kish was there, his spirit, guiding Ichigo's hand, the flutter of his long, pure white wings holding them both there in the sky.
And then he blinked. The white light disappeared. Pie still stared up at Ichigo, still in attack pose. What had happened? Suddenly, he felt a tingling feeling on his nose. Then, there was another one, this time on his arm. More of them came, all around him now.
Ichigo slowly lowered from the sky, landing with a squish on the ground below. The whirling sand seemed to have stopped in its tracks.
Pie lifted his arms, as the world grew dark around them. He reached out his hands, to feel whatever this was…and one fell right into his palm. Raindrops.
Tart fell to his knees, splashing in the newborn puddles.
Pie stared in astonishment. Never had they had rain on Mercury. Did this mean…? He glanced over at Ichigo, her eyes closed again. At last, his voice managed to say. "…Mew…Aqua?"
Ichigo's eyes opened. She smiled.
"Look, mud!" Tart called, but no one heard or recognized him at the moment.
Pie stared a moment longer, his damp gray ponytail hanging heavy on the left side of his head. Then, his face broke into the biggest, brightest smile that had graced his face since childhood. He threw his arms to the sky and whooped to the heavens, his voice echoing, seemingly around the planet. Then, once his air was gone, he broke into a run, sprinting across the soft, wet ground that was now the surface.
When he stopped and turned around, Tart was zooming towards him, his clothes stained, the wondrous substance spread all over him. "Pie!" he called.
Pie got to his knees as Tart ran up, flinging his arms around him. He laughed. "You're covered in mud!" he cried, happily. "You're a little mudball!" Then, Tart tackled him, and he fell down backwards in the mud, still laughing.
Ichigo stepped up near them, holding her pink heart with the diamond to her chest.
Pie looked up at her from the ground. "We probably look like a couple of lunatics to you," he chuckled.
Ichigo just smiled and wiped the last of the tears from her eyes.
---
The noise began, softly at first, but steadily growing louder and louder. It sounded like small beads hitting a floor.
King Jubala rose from his throne to get a better listen. "What is that noise?" he at last asked the nearest person who could tell him.
"Uh…well, it…" the guard by the door slowly spoke up. "…It sounds like rain, sire."
The king's eyes widened. "Rain?"
---
At last, they began to emerge. The Mercurians crawled forth from the ground, like earthworms. All types, from all walks of life emerged together, from the elders leaning on walking sticks, to the mothers holding newborn babies, from the nobles of the palace wearing fancy, expensive clothes, to the peasants of the dark streets, clutching rags to their bodies. Some stared up at the sky, marveling at this strange phenomenon, while some stared down to the muddy ground, and Pie and Tart, covered in the messy, runny substance.
"Praise the Master!" an old Mercurian cried, embracing the dark, cloudy sky. "I am blessed to see this day!"
The others all called shouts and phrases in agreement. The children played in the mud, along with some adults even. The nobles smeared their expensive clothes with this goop. Mothers held out their babies to be touched with this sacred water. The entire planet rejoiced in its salvation.
"Taaaaarrrrrt!" Pudding burst through the crowd, running as fast as her young legs could take her.
"Pudding!!!" Tart cried, glancing up from the ground, just before she came swooping down on him.
She hugged him very tight. "Are you okay?" she asked, a few tears swelling up in her eyes. "I heard what happened."
"Oh, it's okay now," Tart replied. "He's…not really gone. I know he's not." They hugged for a moment in silence.
"Why's everyone going crazy in the mud?"
"Well, it never rains here. It was scientifically impossible. So, for many of us, this is the first time we've ever seen mud."
Pudding smiled. "We can make mud pies!"
"Mud pies?" Tart asked. "But there's only one Pie in the mud."
"No!" Pudding cried, laughing.
As she explained it to him, Pie smiled at them from further back. Suddenly, something slammed into his back- a ball of mud. He glanced around his shoulder, raising an eyebrow.
Flan giggled, in back of him. "Hi, Pie! Just thought I'd send you a little gift…"
He rushed over to her, pushing her down onto the ground. Now Flan was also soaked with mud as she shrieked with laughter. Then, they lied there, kissing as the beautiful rain spattered all around them.
---
Then, he was the last to emerge from the passage. King Jubala stepped forth on the surface. The citizens of Mercuritopolis stared over at him, surprised to see that even this mighty monarch was marveling at the awesome power. "How?" he asked, his eyes wide. He moved slower, walking through the crowd, his long blue hair now soaked and dragging in the mud. "Who?"
"Look!" a group of little Mercurian children chirped in unison. "Look! Look! Green!" Everyone turned and gasped, at the sight of the small green shoots poking through the damp ground.
"This is a miracle," the old man at the head of the crowd cried. The rest of the citizens murmured in agreement, astonished at the sight. Plants! Real live plants growing naturally on this planet!
Even the king was astounded. "Tell me," King Jubala demanded. "Who did this? Miracle worker, show yourself!"
Slowly, Tart, Pudding, Flan, and Pie got up, stepping to the side, showing Ichigo, her wet hair and ears hanging as she stood in the middle of the flat plain, staring out into the crowd. At last, she de-transformed, the Mercurian dress and veil reappearing in place of her Mew costumes, the cat ears and tail vanishing.
King Jubala's eyes went wide. "My daughter…you did this?"
Ichigo remained silent, as she had ever since issuing that tremendous attack.
The king slowly bowed, sweeping almost to the ground. As he did so, the rest of the Mercurian race followed. "That amazing power…" King Jubala told her. "Anyone with power like that is far, far above me. My daughter…you are destined to be the greatest queen this nation has even seen."
"Hail Princess Ichigo!" one of the nobles near the front suddenly called. The rest of the Mercurians picked up the chant. "Hail Princess Ichigo! Hail Princess Ichigo! Hail Princess Ichigo!"
A few minutes later, their chanting died down to a low buzz. King Jubala traveled down the aisle created by Pudding and Tart on the right and Flan and Pie on the left. He approached Ichigo, and wrapped his arms around her. "My daughter…you have saved us. Every last one of us. We owe you our eternal gratitude."
Ichigo smiled. As she did, the little shoots rose up. They became tall, sturdy trees, and then became forests. The other shoots became flowers, fruits, vegetables, and other beneficial plants. The Mercurians gasped in even more awe as fuzzy grass sprang up under their feet. Then, portions of the ground collapsed inwards, pieces of the underground city crushed, including the entire palace. The rains poured forth, filling these ditches, creating lakes, rivers, and oceans. In a matter of minutes, the world of Mercury was recreated, rearranging itself, as a sister Earth.
The king's mouth hung open, gazing at the new world, from the forests, to the jungles, to the plains, to the deserts, to the mountains, to the ocean, and finally to the sky, where the black clouds had begun to slide away, letting in a brilliant array of sunshine. Finally, his eyes landed back on the smiling Ichigo, her eyes shining.
"Don't thank me," at last her musical voice graced this world again. "Thank Kish." She put a hand to her chest, right on the red heart studded with diamonds, now glittering in its place around her neck again. "He was there. I could feel it. He combined his purified spirit with all of my power as a Mew Mew…and created the first Mew Aqua ever on Mercury."
There was a solemn, wonder-filled silence throughout the crowd.
"Mew Aqua…?" Kinh Jubala asked. "Is that the substance they originally tried to bring back with them from Earth? The one that would not transport correctly?"
"That's right," Pie suddenly replied, stepping out from the crowd. "The Mew Aquas bring life to the planet, the way it's supposed to be. By combining his spirit with Ichigo's full powers, he saved us all, but at his own expense, as now he can never return to his body."
King Jubala nodded, looking down at the land below this raised spot they were all standing on at the moment. He smiled, and turned back to the Mercurians. "My people," he addressed the crowd. "Let us consecrate this ground in honor of our brave crusader and our true savior, Kish Willows." Willows. That was the first time they had ever heard his last name used. "For as long as this new world exists, may this spot be forever cherished as a scared site- Willows' Hill."
The Mercurians bowed their heads in a moment of reverent silence. When they lifted again, King Jubala turned from the informal ceremony to gaze, happily on Ichigo. "Now…my dear daughter. Will you stay here and assume your rightful place as Queen?"
Ichigo took a deep breath. The time had come. She shook her head. "No. I'm not your daughter."
Another wave of silence swept over the planet of Mercury's people.
Ichigo spoke again. "Or, even if I was, I know that my place isn't here. I belong on my own planet, Earth."
Needless to say, King Jubala was very shocked. "You…lied to me?" he started, his voice soft.
Ichigo stared up at him. It didn't matter what he did. She would protect her friends. As long as he didn't hurt them. She closed her eyes and prepared for the blast.
Pie suddenly jumped in front of Ichigo, defending her. "Please, Your Majesty! Don't hurt her! We're still not sure. We could run a paternity test…" He rambled on, desperately trying to please him and save her life.
King Jubala held up a hand, so Pie ceased fire. "No. It's unnecessary. Whether she really is the Princess or not, she has made her decision quite clear." Slowly, the King of Mercury managed a small smile. "Well…Ichigo. Be happy in your life on Earth."
Ichigo smiled. In a blink of one of her pinkish eyes, she was wearing her old, familiar uniform again. It felt great on her. She began to walk away.
"Wait!" the king suddenly cried. "We need to reclaim Pyridis on Earth. I hate to think what would happen if Jupiter got a hold of it."
Flan jumped out next to Pie. "Don't worry, Your Highness," she called. "We'll get the city back." She smiled. "I wanted to go back to Eath anyway."
Pie hugged her close. "And I'll come with you," he decided.
"Us too!" Pudding cried, volunteering her and Tart, dragging him out into the center.
"Five?" King Jubala asked. "That's a pretty group."
"Six," Pie corrected him. "Because we are always together. No matter what happens. If one of us fights, we all fight together."
"You're right, like you always are, Pie," Ichigo said, turning back around to face him. She was smiling, although a few tears glimmered at the edges of her eyes. " I will always fight on in the name of freedom and justice. For Masaya…and for Kish. For the Earth…and for Mercury!"