By Indigo Siren
Disclaimer: Bloody Roar is copyright to Hudson Soft. The use of the characters and depicted storyline are purely for entertainment purposes only and in no way is this story being produced to make money. I do however own my outlined idea and characters or plot idea that don't appear in the Bloody Roar series. All rights reserved.
Epilogue: Destiny of the Spurious
It was early next morning when Yugo, Nagi and the others returned to the shrine. It had taken the Japanese duo quite a while to clear a path out after the tremors had shaken most of the ground levels into ruin. Strenuous work and many helping hands saw a quite leap to freedom from the temple.
In the air, there was a sense of uncertainty. It was obvious that people had start to realise something had happened, when out of nowhere, the violence and coma and all the other natural disasters just stopped. No more pressure in the air, or dark energy of any sort. It was obvious that the rest of the world was slowly coming to the realisation that the terror was finally over. Though, it was early days for some to agree - it was just a time to wait and see what happened next.
Though with Yugo and his group, everyone was very much agreeing that the situation had hit a resolution. Mana had kept assuring that before the six had left back homebound.
When they had returned, they were surprised that the many little rooms in the shrine were now filled with humans and Zoanthropes alike. From one of the assistants, they were told that a tired entourage had been travelling away from the big city to escape an attack that had happened a day or so ago and had found that shrine while lost up the country path.
It was like Yugo had said to Alice, that some people might turn up seeking sanctum. And she was glad to intercept the group, because amongst the leaders was none other then her adoptive mother, Mitsuko Nonomura, who'd helped her group look for a new safe haven. The boar Zoanthrope was greatly surprised to find her two daughters at the shrine and didn't waste a second to grab both in a tight hug.
Standing in the top room, Yugo surveyed his friends helping the other arrivals as much as possible. From his standing point, this was a small start on the big road of repairing what damage the loose seal had caused, but a small start was better then no start at all. Across the room, he noticed Nagi milling around rather thoughtfully, gripping his own 'Silver Noise' jersey to her form. After she'd changed back, her apparel was not in the least satisfactory and she didn't plan on walking around with her breasts exposed to the world.
The rather distracted look on her face perked his curiosity to what she was thinking. When she started to abandon the crowd to go stand on the balcony, he decided to go inquire her thoughts.
The sun was low in the sky and the air still mild and Nagi clung to what little clothing she had left for warmth.
How she was glad that she would actually get to see another morning. Just staring at the soft orange circle in the sky made her think of things that she'd always taken for granted… and people too. Like Shinji from the garage and what was left of her rather scarce family. And even the young and rather annoying Uriko - but heck, she wouldn't change her one bit. Just to breathe and again and to wonder what she'd have for breakfast - simple things that could have never been again if she'd remained in the possession of the unborn. She inwardly blanched, fingers tightening to the jersey. She had Yugo to really thank for saving her…
… Yugo…
"Got a lot on your mind?" She looked over her shoulder towards the man of her thoughts. He smiled and came to stand beside her, patting her shoulder softly. She returned the smile. What a good friend he was to her.
"Yeah - life basically. And that word means a hell of a lot," she said, brushing aside some annoying bits of hair from her face. "I'm glad to be alive, that's all."
"Aren't we all?" He smirked, interlocking his hands behind his head. "I mean, all this chaos because of a seal coming loose. I hate to think what would happened if it had truly broken off."
"Hmm…" She gave a nod, a rather distant look in her eyes.
He noticed this, though went on anyway. "Though, we shouldn't think of what could have been worse. It's over now. Mana said so." She didn't seem to reply, a mumble really sitting on her tongue. He frowned. "Are you okay?"
She blinked and turned to face him. "Oh, uh, yeah… I'm fine…"
"Talk to me, Nagi. You're worrying me."
She sighed, taking a moment to find the words. "It's just… I came so close to becoming this dark, evil being and nearly destroyed something so precious to this planet. I was suppose to be doing a deed for Gaia and look what happened." Again, she sighed. "Though I guess that Gaia didn't know that copying the unborn meant copying the mind. I could have killed that man because of what I become…"
"But you didn't," he said firmly.
"Only thanks to you intervening," she said, a small smile flickering for a second but disappearing into an expression of deep-set melancholy. "I wished you'd been there to stop me when I stabbed Xion."
"It wasn't your fault…"
"You don't understand!" She snapped in quickly in obvious distress. "It was my fault. When I stabbed him, it was me in control, not the unborn!"
Yugo couldn't say anything. He was stunned to say the least. But really, had she been responsible in her true mind-set to stabbing Xion?
"I may not have murdered the dragon, but I sure as hell murdered the 'White Zoanthrope'," she whimpered. "I could feel my desperation, after searching so long and hard for him. He was going to hurt me… but… I don't know. I struck without thinking."
Yugo gazed over her softly. "I felt something dark around you, in the underpass. Mana said that there was something inside you that didn't mean well. From that point, could you have been really been responsible for your thoughts or actions. The unborn can easily use and trick people - like Xion's sister had done to him originally, making him believe his own thoughts and actions were really under his power. I know you Nagi; you're not a murderer. It wasn't you that killed Xion. It was the unborn."
Closing her eyes, she held back the tears. "I want to believe that."
"Why can't you?" He asked.
Her brown orbs opened to face the sun, glowing radiantly in the sky. Turning from the sight to Yugo's pressing eyes, she couldn't help but actually take in what he was saying. Could she call herself a murderer, for completing the task that was required of her originally? "I guess, under my own power or not, I did my duty and rid the world of the 'White Zoanthrope'. His power was a threat…"
"It was justice to stop him," he confirmed, with an assuring tone.
"My guilt shall be my punishment," she murmured. "Someday soon I shall come to believe that my actions, how unforgivable, were what I was meant to do for the rest of the world."
He patted her back. "You keep thinking like that. It'll be okay."
"I shall make up for everything by helping the W.O.C. cause," she said, smiling once again. "I want to make sure from now on there is Zoanthrope and human peace."
"We shall work to it the best we can." He took her hand and shook it.
She chuckled. "Done deal, boss."
It was surprising to her when he used their joined hands to pull her into a hug. A slapped her back affectionately, though she couldn't help going rigid. Wow, he was usually one to keep his emotions in check.
Looking up to inquire in his eyes the meaning of this, she saw nothing but the caring of a worried friend and she couldn't help but feel flustered. She was just so lucky.
"At one point, I thought that the violence had changed you or that you were linked to the cause. But you weren't. Merely…" He considered a word in his rather limited vocabulary. "… A key…" He felt proud for that rather good symbolic reference.
"The violence never changed me, but in a way I was a link to the cause with the unborn and my mission." She thought about the whole 'key' aspect and nodded. "And I think you were right. I was somehow a key in the operation."
Parting from her, her leaned his hand carefully on the balcony - which had weakened since Nagi had blasted a gap with Uranus's body a day or so ago - and he looked down upon the quiet yard. "And it's all locked up and done now. No more worrying about it."
"You're completely right," she agreed.
"Yugo?" Alice had finished attending to a few minor injuries in her makeshift ward and had come in search of her boyfriend. The rabbit Zoanthrope had been all emotional on their return earlier, but now was in her composed manor, but her eyes still glowed with relief. It was visible that she wanted to spend as much quality time with him as she could between her calls to duty.
"Someone has a greater need for you then me," Nagi said, indicating to the newcomer.
He gripped his hands his heart, mock offended. "I'm hurt. You want rid of me that easy?"
"Well, you're hogging up all the sweet air out here," she joked, punching his shoulder. "Now go on, off inside with you, before I get an ear full for hogging your attention."
His look turned somewhat serious. "You sure you're going to be alright?"
She scoffed. "Of course. I'll let you know when I'm ready for my bottle feed."
The wolf Zoanthrope laughed, slapping her shoulder as he walked away. "Sure thing! Later, Nagi!" He called back, leaving her alone to join his girlfriend.
The Spurious just let herself stare out at the fluffy clouds on the blanket of soft blue, her mind drifting with gentle wisps and the melt of colours.
'So, Gaia, I did what you asked me and you left me this body,' her mind voice said, wondering if Mother of all creation could hear her. 'I should thank you, but this was never what I expected and ever wanted. But you entrusted me with a task, gave me a second chance and now I have a new found strength. I have promised to accept this as a part of me and I shall use it for the good of the other Zoanthropes, and the humans too. I do truly thank you, Mother Gaia. Thank you for everything.'
A breeze tickled like a sweet, warm breath beside her ear. In that gust of air, was a murmur. 'You're welcome.'
Nagi jumped. "Huh? What! Was that you? Gaia?" Did she ACTUALLY get a reply?
"Talking to yourself! Man, you're in a worse state then me!"
She turned around, very surprised to a smirking face that she was actually glad to at least glimpse at again. "ShenLong!"
"Ah, so you didn't forget me! Leaving me held captive here!" He walked smoothly towards her, hands dug into the pockets of his purple trousers. "I am surprised to find you back here."
"Well, I am. And I wasn't sure if you had been let out before now," Nagi answered.
"Only just got out," he said half-covering yawn. "I am going to kill for a stiff drink."
"Now, now, behave." She waved her finger at him all motherly like.
"Me, behave?" He laughed, eyes never leaving her form. "It looks like I should be saying that to you. Boy are you a mess! And why the hell are you wearing the mutt's clothes?"
She looked down at the jersey. "Well, I'm not decent under here… And DON'T get any ideas!" She snapped the last part fairly quickly to stop any crude remark following up on her. "After the night I've had, I am glad to be alive and a mess rather then neat and dead."
"Sounds like your little mission went straight down the pan," he said, stating the absolute obvious.
"Not half!" She snorted, placing her hands on her hips. "Down the pan, round the u-bend and wedged into crevices unknown!"
ShenLong laughed. "Explains your state to the very last detail!"
She scowled, stabbing a finger into his chest. "Don't push your luck."
"Come on, you love me too much to get mad," he said, a coy look in his eyes.
She snapped around, putting her back to him. "Whatever."
He used the opportunity to sling his arm across her shoulders. "I can tell you missed me."
"About as much as a dog misses licking its balls."
He chuckled. "That much, huh?"
"How could I forget how annoying you are…"
"For shame!" He put a hand to his heart dramatically. "You got me right here!"
She couldn't keep the smile off her face. "You're an idiot."
"Oh, so I've down graded from pervert?" He asked, with hopeful eyes.
Glancing at his arm, she addressed him. "If you don't remove your arm this instance, not only will you be a pervert, but a class A pervert taking an express trip down to Earth through the gap of this here balcony."
Extracting the offending arm, he folded it with his other, almost pouting. "There is no love."
"Aww, poor ShenLong." She squeezed his cheek, as she baby talked him. "You need someone to be all cuddly wuddly with you?"
He pulled away, looking a little apprehensive. "Hey! Watch what you're doing!"
Nagi laughed vibrantly. "You're such a dear sometimes!"
He paused, cocking his head to the side. "Really?"
She gaped and suddenly flushed pink from her own words. Using a dismissive motion with her hand, she looked back out towards the sun. "Yeah, you have you good moments."
"Ah, I told you that you loved me!" ShenLong seemed very smug with this, though Nagi didn't care to answer. He'd only tease further. Not getting any further, he cleared his throat. "So, what's your plans now?"
She shrugged. "I'll figure myself out. I'll stick about, see what I can do before going back to see how much more of a mess my apartment is. Life goes on as they say."
He nodded, stretching his arms out in front of him. "Going to high tail it out of her momentarily. Need to refill on the alcohol and settle back into my own pit."
"Can't believe you're wanting to ditch the sober get up at this time in the morning!" She rolled her eyes rather displeased with his choice.
He ran a hand through his dark hair, shrugging off her comment. "We all have our rituals. Mine is to stay drunk the majority of the time."
"Fine, you do that," she said nonchalantly, rubbing her arms for a bit of warmth.
Uncomfortably, ShenLong spoke the next part with his eyes away from Nagi. "I hope you'll think of stopping by… you know, if you ever want someone to drink with or whatever…"
Taken back by that, she looked to him, noticing the uneasiness for him to say that. He wasn't an emotional guy and it seemed this invitation wasn't something he'd just blab out without a care.
"Maybe, if I stop by in the neighbourhood," she said with a half nod. "Never say never."
In a way, he took it as a yes and smirked. "Bring plenty of cash - if you're going to hang with me, you'll be buying in your fair share of the drinks."
"Now that is cheeky!"
"Not cheeky - straight up!" He corrected and turned on his heel. "Well, I'm off. Not much use standing around and chatting all day. There's booze to be drunk and plenty of time for a hangover afterwards."
"Well… okay…" She licked her lips carefully. "You, take care now."
He looked back at her face, trying to read her carefully masked expression. He may have seen something rather concerned or maybe even a compassionate flicker in there somewhere because he smiled, an expression that wasn't so harsh and nodded. "Later, sweetheart."
'Sweetheart!' She let it slip though as he left and she blew out a long puff of air. 'Damn me for letting myself get caught up with him. Oh well… he's not all bad…'
Admiring the view for one last time, she decided to actually do something more productive like start on the amending. When she started this, things working towards the hereafter would be much easier.
Crossing her arms, she turned and walked back inside, all the time her mind set on looking towards a brighter future.
And a fruitful one at that…
A/N - THE END!!! And finally, I can say it is over! And with that comes the many thanks with it...
I would like to thank the readers for keeping up with my story - especially the ones who left me a review along the way. They were much apprechiated.
I shall continue with somemore Bloody Roar epics and who knows where they may lead! Until then, thanks for reading and bye for now!