Me: (sighed in relief) Finally… It's last one.
Draio: So it means… It's over?
Me: Maybe… Maybe not… (smirk slyly)
Draio: What did you mean by that?
Me: You will figure it out soon… (smirk again)
Draio: (roll eyes) Never mind, I'll do the disclaimer.
(silence…)
Me: Well?
Draio: (sigh) Disclaimer: Lady Lizgon does not own Xiaolin Showdown and its characters but her sheng-gong-wu and her ideas. Oh and she don't own InuYasha Ending Theme Song too.
Me: (grin) Onto the story!
Chapter 28: End of Apocalypse
…
…
…
Darkness…So much darkness…
That noise….
The sound of chirping…
The wind breezing…
The grasses and leaves ruffling…
Where…I…
Am…?
Khu groaned, concentrating every ounce of his muscle on just opening his eyelids. Slowly, they complied. He lay there on his back for a good while, gaining his senses. It was then something struck him odd. It took him another good minute to place it, before he finally realized its origin.
The sky was blue.
And what a blue it was. It was as rich as the most pacific of oceans, unbroken save a small wisp of cotton white cloud floating across its surface. Unable to move his body, Khu felt content in lying on his back, staring upward without a care. But all that peacefulness was broken as a voice cut through the silence.
"Aseso… You're finally awake!"
He opened his amethyst eyes and saw two lime green orbs were staring down at him, grinning at him happily. With a tiredly sigh, he closed his eyes again and let a breath escaped from his lips, "Marcos…"
He was so tired, so much tired… He needs a good long rest for now.
"… I am tired…" Khu uttered quietly, opening his amethyst eyes at his older brother. "I will no longer to fight anymore…"
Marcos smiled softly, "You rest now, Aseso…"
Khu nodded looking up at the clear, blue sky. "Where are the others?" He asked remembering the others he saved before he was trapped in the darkness and he shivered quietly, disliking the memory.
Marcos sighed in relief and then he glanced right over his shoulder with a relaxed smile as Khu noticed this and looked left at what his brother looked at and smiled.
It was all his friends and his cousin…
Xiaolin Dragons and Heylin Tigers sleeping peaceful on the grass or more like being knocked out cold. One by one, they were slowly waking up from their sleeping position and looked around with confusion expressed on their faces.
Khu closed his eyes tiredly with a relaxed smile and lend back on his back against the grass, started to sleeping again.
Glad to be back again… the spirit within him whispered quietly to his ears before he finally let the darkness consumed over him and leaving him asleep in peace.
Everything is now in peace… hopefully…
---
A wet, small warm something splashed upon his face as his eyes flattered slowly opening, to see the older werewolf were clutching him for dear life. His pale silvers eyes finally widened widely in surprise.
He'd never seen his big brother wept upon him before. Not since after witnessed his parent's death, his big brother was crying for him and clutching him in his arms during the attack of hunters.
"Big brother…?" He whispered quietly, looking up at his brother and saw him jerked back with a startle. His silver eyes met his brother's gray eyes while the silence in between the siblings.
"…Kobo…?" His brother whispered in disbelieving, refusing to believe that his only little brother was already alive in his arms. With a slowly, smiling labeled on his face and he leashed himself onto his little brother with a big hug. "Kobo! You're alive!" He chocked, crying in relief with a trembling smile.
Kobo looked around seeing many friends surround him and his brother. He smiled at this, knowing there will be no more fight between them again. He turned his head back to his brother and grinned at him. "Yea… It's good to be alive…" He glanced down and saw the shatter mirror.
"But what about this…Huh?" He asked but noticed his brother held something and then his eyes caught something made him gasped in surprise. "It's…"
His brother grinned cockily at him. "Yep! Hidoku Mouse!" He commanded the magical object and restored the broken mirror back to the restored one again. "It's done now, little bro."
Kobo grinned at his brother. It's good to hear him laughing again. His pale silver eyes peeped up at the scar. I wish it wasn't on his face… yet the scar is the true reason we did end up meeting all new friends.
A small smile on the child's face as the bird soared in the relaxing, blue sky. It's finally over…
"PERV!"
"ACK!"
SMACK!
"OW!"
THUD!
"Once a lecher, always a lecher!" The Heylin Tiger of Wood yelled fuming at the dazed werewolf and sulked angrily away from the poor lecher. "Why you have to be such a perv! At first you're serious but now you're an idiot!"
Kobo laughed closing his pale silver eyes. Maybe it's not over…yet. It's always same ol' Lobo…
---
Crimson eyes become slit, watching silently at the sky as he stood on the cliff where the Xiaolin Temper was easily visible in his sight. With a heavy sigh, he turned around and stalking away but he heard the annoying screech behind him.
A black raven… He recognized the bird that always with his master as his red eyes softened when he remembered his master.
I haven't gotten a chance to say thank you to him… He thought, sighing and waited for the raven to land on his shoulder.
A raven landed on the young half-breed boy's shoulder and cocked its head at him, chirping quietly. While the boy was listening to the black bird, his crimson eyes widened and then softened.
Yamato sighed his eyes wandering back to the groups and smirked when he had heard a loud slap and a yelp of pain. Then he remembered the silent conversation from the raven, his smirk quickly fading into frown.
He had to have a private conversation with Khu…for now.
His crimson eyes wandered back to the sky; his lips twitched and smile a little. For the first time in his life, he was smiling like a fool out of himself again. Just like he was back to his old self… before his parent died in the car accident.
Suddenly, something caught his attention in the sky and he squirted at the sky as he realized something familiar to him. He smirked as the black dragon appeared in the sky coming for them.
Something bubbled in his chest and he finally let it go after all dark pasts he have held back so long…
He laughed…
All the wild bird squawked with a startle and flapped their wings as they flew out of the forest, leaving the colorful feathers behind in the wind.
He had finally set beast within him go and back to its wild again.
---
The Xiaolin Dragons hugged each other, laughing and chattering as Raimundo's green eyes lit up when he saw his older cousin.
"Marcos!"
Marcos jerked up and grinned cockily at the young dragon of wind. "Yo!" He greeted, walking up to him. "Khu and his gang's back there are waiting for you and your friends."
He paused as his lime green eyes looked down at the Dragon of Wind and his eyes softened. "I'm not sure it's something… but I know it's time for them to leaving."
The Xiaolin Dragons looked at each other with confusion appeared on their face, after all the enemies had helped them fighting against the great evil and then now they're leaving without a word?
And then Raimundo remembered back what his cousin told him, "Since we are split from each other, we will always be enemies again…" As he finally understood, he sighed and smiled at Marcos.
Omi crossed his arms and lifted his chin up in the air with happiness and confusion mixed on his face. "But why…? After all they are our enemies yet helped us defeat the great evil, why they are leaving without fight us! I demand you to tell us why they are leaving!"
No matter how much he disliked the Heylin Tigers, he respected them the way like Khu had respect him the same way.
Marcos shook his head and glanced at each of Xiaolin Dragons. "If you're determined enough to know why…then you have to catch them right now." With a smile, he stepped out of the way as Xiaolin Dragons rushed ahead to catch up their respected enemy.
At least, they will have a time to say good-bye… Marcos smirked shaking his head and turned around walking through the forest. It's up to you, Aseso… What have you decided…. To leave or to stay is your decision.
Meanwhile, the Heylin Tigers were already sitting on the black dragon's back talking out loud to each of other and getting ready for leaving.
Khu was on the front as his amethyst eyes lit up sparkling and even powerful, even though there was still hint of sorrow and darkness behind his eyes.
Next to his back was Yamato scowled darkly but his crimson eyes were shined with relief and he was no longer trapped in chain with the beast within him now.
Then, Lobo was grinning like an idiot as the wind blew through his long, white ponytail hair. A fading pink hand-mark on his left cheek was still visible from a minute ago.
And then Lobo's little brother next to him, smiling up at him and shook his head while he was clinging to his older brother's back in case he might have fall off the giant dragon's back.
Finally, at last but not least, Ciara was still fuming silently but a smile were seen on her face and shook her head with her short dark green hair swaying behind her.
"Anyone ready?" Gojo called back, looking back at his back with children with his eyes. With a 'yes' from the children and he took off the ground into the sky.
Khu sighed closing his amethyst eyes and smiled as the gentle breeze hit his face, relaxing him a bit.
Suddenly…
"HEY KHU!"
His amethyst eyes snapped widely in surprise, he turned his head to where the voice from and saw his cousin running on the ground waving wildly at him. As his smile turned into grin, he waved back.
He knew his cousin was the best runner in their homeland, even in the soccer team too. Something caught his attention and he laughed at his cousin's friends were catching up as well.
The song started humming quietly, unknown to the Heylin Tigers and Xiaolin Dragons…
If there were many tears falling down,
Every heart would become gentle.
If everybody expresses what they think,
Every heart can be satisfied.
Khu smiled as the black dragon lifted higher and higher, his amethyst eyes still set on the running youth dragons on the ground. He waved again at his cousin and grinned when his cousin waved wildly back.
Yamato grunted and waved too, to Khu's surprise, he was smiling a little. Khu smiled softly, Maybe… we can be, someday, allies better than being enemies…
I was frightened by the never-ending night,
So I prayed to the distant stars.
His amethyst eyes turned back to the small monk was finally catching up to Raimundo, and then next Kimiko and Clay…
He smiled closing his eyes for once again. He was so tired…
He heard Lobo and Kobo laughing gaily behind Yamato, waving quietly at the kids as the gentle breeze brushed his cheeks again, opening his eyes to see the birds flying beside the black dragon he was riding.
In endlessly repeating time,
We were searching for love,
Because we wanted to become stronger.
We look up to the faraway sky.
He turned his head back to Yamato, grinning at him as Yamato grinned back, his crimson eyes rolled when he scowls at the Xiaolin Dragons. But his cold-looking expression was failing him slowly, revealed him warm-looking with relaxed but happiness hint behind his mask.
Yamato stuck out his tongue at the small monk and laughed softly when the small monk enraged at the childish behavior and tripped over the small stone.
Ciara frowned at Yamato and rolled eyes at Yamato's strange, new behavior but she's happy that the sulking boy was finally no longer cold toward them, especially Khu.
The two of us, smiling, meet here,
Every heart has a habit of receiving its dreams.
Sadness has no effect on us,
Every heart gains happiness when it flies.
Khu turned back to the Xiaolin Dragons when they had finally reached the cliff, waving good-byes. With a sad smile, he waved back so are his gang did the same.
"Come back soon!" Kimiko yelled, cupping her mouth with her hands so the Heylin Tigers could hear her from the distance.
With several yelling out good-byes to the Heylin Tigers, Xiaolin Dragons waved happily and laughing both of their arms in the air. As the amethyst eyes and the dark green eyes met each other, the cousins grinned at each other.
Someday our souls will unite,
We will give peaceful approval.
The distance of the Xiaolin Temple and the cliff the Xiaolin Dragons standing on were slowly fading out of the Heylin Tiger of Darkness's sight.
He suddenly felt a wet, warm something wetted on his cheek and his hand brushed on his cheek as he looked down at his hand.
Tears…
He blinked and laughed at what he had finally realized he was truly happy… The darkness in him was finally lifted up and now he can rest in peace. Or… the spirit in him is finally return to his rest in peace…
He looked up at the blue sky and smiled closing his amethyst eyes… for one more time. He was so tired…
In endlessly repeating time,
We know why we are living.
We go through the nighttime laughing,
Both of us are mourning, yet we walk on.
The memory of the ancestor in his mind, he found himself looking up at the banished ancestor. Xuan…
The spirit grinned and bowed his head, closing his eyes. Thank you… Now, what would you do if there is no need for you to continued fighting?
Khu shook his head with a smile. I may not fight… but I will do it, even if I'm not needed no matter what, Xuan. I will be there when there's a new evil…or villain.
The ancestor nodded.
Khu looked up at the ancestor and looked down at his hands were resting on his lap. What will happen to you when the demon's dead?
The ancestor laughed softly, his amethyst eyes looked no more darker and lit up happily. I am no more banished… I am now reunited with my brother and his wife…including all of the others.
Memories of everything has settled,
This is a warm place to be.
The stars separate us from the future,
We are always so brilliant,
So shine.
Khu nodded and then closed his eyes… and then he finally asleep with a smile. As Yamato looked back at the sleeping leader with a curious frown, he sighed and looked back at the birds.
…Father… I'm coming back now… He thought while he was clutching his hands with a hopeful smile. You're the only one I have all left now and I'm proud to call you my father.
"Hey, Half-breed bastard!"
Yamato's happiness suddenly crushed down upon him and the world around him suddenly shattered into pieces like a shattered glass, he scowls darkly and turned slowly to the werewolf. "Mutt… What would you said if I said wait until we're back home… you're dead meat!"
"EEEEP!" Lobo cried out as his hair were pulled back painfully by the enraged Heylin Tiger of Metal. "Mercy! Mercy! Please if you have a little mercy in you, spared my life!"
Yamato quirked his eyebrow and faked his expression look thoughtful, smiling creepily at the cowering werewolf. "Hmmm… What about no?" He asked with a evil grin when the fear look on the poor werewolf.
Kobo and Ciara sighed shaking their heads sadly at the older boys' immature behavior and smiled at each other. It's good to be back again…
A yelp and a laugh scared the birds away with squawked angrily, the black dragon flapped his strong, long black wings as he soared with the children on his back through the soft, furry clouds in the blue sky.
In endlessly repeating time,
We were searching for love,
Because we wanted to become stronger.
We look up to the faraway sky.
Meanwhile, back to Xiaolin Dragons as Raimundo let his arms down with a smile. He knew someday he would see his cousin again… maybe in the next adventure. He turned back to his gang and grinned at Kimiko.
He was glad she was all right now. "Kimiko…" He said quietly, his green eyes lit up happily as the dragon of fire turned her head back to him.
"Kimi… I…" The rebel looked down nervously and looked up at her with a smile. "I have something to tell you…"
Kimiko grinned hopefully; she always had a feeling that he would someday tell her about his feelings. "Yes?" She encouraged him with her blue eyes looked hopeful.
They stepped closer to each other and looked at each other…
Until then, sadly, the green dragon decided a moment to pop in. "AAAAH! WU ALERT!" Dojo screamed, startling them and scratched all over his green body wildly.
Raimundo groans unhappy, glaring deadly at the small dragon while Kimiko made a face disgustingly at the sight of poor little dragon with wu rash.
Omi grinned, his finger trusted upward with a happy laugh. "AH! HA! Now we're back on road again!" He grinned ignoring the tall friends shook their heads at his slang.
"You mean we're back on track again, Omi." Raimundo corrected with a laugh and patted on the young monk's head.
"Uhh…that too!" Omi grinned not willing admitted his error to his soon to be great rival before he turned and ran back to the temple, soon being followed by two boys and a girl as well.
In endlessly repeating time,
We know why we are living.
We go through the nighttime laughing,
Both of us are mourning, yet we walk on.
Until then all quiet and peace was finally return to the world once again, no more demons and evil spirits upon on the Earth… At same time as the song finally quieted down.
Mistress turned her head and smiled as the white falcon gripped its claws on the branch. "Xiao Lin… I haven't a chance to say farewell to you before your death." She whispered a tear rolled down her cheek. "Good-bye, brother…"
A white falcon cocked its head at her and chirped softly before he leaped off the branch and soared back to the sky… back to the afterlife again…
Mistress smiled as the something heavy upon her was finally lifted up and she was freed now. No more sorrow… No more guilty… No more death…
She turned around and walked quietly through the wood. She had something to do first before she returned to her "rest" again.
She vanished.
The blue feather flattered softly in the gentle wind and leaving along with it, leaving the lone memory of a true hero…
"A life for a life…"
End of Chapter 28
Me: (sigh) Finally… The end of Chapter 28… It means…
Shinyu: (popped in) Epilogue is coming on its way!
Me: That's right. (to reviewers) Please don't forget to review before you leave! Thank you!