~Close Up Memories 5: Unfinished Dream
Flashback: Beta!Earth
Many Years Ago…2005
Upon entering the physical traits of adolescence at 11 and 12 years old, the newly depressed Alex declares the end of his swimming to protect his mental health and his sanity. While being angry at his parents for the "unattractive" genes, he would reread and reenact as the Toa Metru mutating into the Toa Hordika…as well as replaying the events from BIONICLE 3: Web of Shadows.
"All RIGHT. You CALL THIS, ALL RIGHT?!" Alex mimics Matau's voice upon the Hordika Matau set.
"We'll find a way, together," mimicking Nokama's voice.
"Cuz that's what friends are for," mimicking Whenua.
"Heh, I don't see you SAYING ANYTHING FIRESPITTER! WHAT'S THE MATTER? TOO BUSY MAKING ANOTHER MASTER PLAN!?" resuming Matau's voice.
"I'm THROUGH MAKING PLANS," taking on Vakama's voice.
This is definitely fun, he thought, putting myself into the characters…since no one else at school wants to play with me.
True, he did make one new friend finally, but he was forcibly separated from him after 5th grade. Now here in 6th grade on the 'Dream' team, there were new expectations he faced. However, he was beyond all this…
He knew that his body will never be like that of the swimmers nor anyone physical attractive with the muscles. His only hope was to stay as skinny as possible in order to not gain any sort of belly like the others in his family.
Finally, the footsteps of his father approached to the room. He quickly cleans everything up but it was too late.
"F-father?" he asked, a bit nervous.
"Finished your homework?" the dad replied.
"Most of it. The ones due tomorrow are," he shrugged.
"I know this is going to sound a bit…harsh but, I think it's time you and I we have a little discussion," the father answered.
Defeated, Alex makes a nod and sits on the bed as the father sat next to him. Deep down, Alex's heart was burning with rage yet…he did not want to be the cause of the fallout in this family. With that, his ears are attentive.
"My father once told me that…as a kid, the toys are all yours to imagine. But as a man, you have to put them away…lock away that side of you," he said.
"B-but why?" Alex asked.
"Well someday, you'll have to face bigger responsibilities and you won't have time for them," he answered.
"B-But didn't you like the Star Trek and all that?" Alex replied.
"I did yes…and true I did collect the books. But only from time to time do I get to enjoy them and it's not very often," he said, "Sandro. I know you are going to do great things as you get older. Just don't let anything get into the way of things…"
He lowered his head in silence…
Flashback 2:
Years before Anastasia and the girls
Delta!Earth/Terabithia
Marotta Home, Surprise AZ
"Wow…so this is your collection?!" Kyle gasped upon seeing the endless bins.
"Yeah," Alex shrugged, "And now it has to come with me. The toys, the books, comics, movies, etc."
"I think we can ship them all in the car," Kyle replied.
"I spoiled you so much into this," the mom sighed.
"Ma, it's fine," Alex answered, "There was a time that this helped me get through some rough stuff…maybe not always but…it's a part of me."
He picked up one of the comics, as it showed Mata Nui on the desert planet of Bara Magna and the adventures he went on after being exiled from his old realm. The symbol of the Ignika was always attracting his attention, almost as if…
"Sandro, pootsie?" the mom asked.
Alex shook his head, "Y-yeah…sorry."
He placed the comic back and started to pack everything up. For a moment, he felt like his neck was burning but it must have come from the heat in the middle of the day.
Years Later…
With an exchange of farewells, Original!Alex watched his team return to Duniya as he turned to his other self for a heart-heart conversation. Eventually, Articora!Rei returns to the house likewise but stays to the side to let them talk.
The mother looks at her original son and cups her hand on his face, "Pootsie, don't get yourself into much trouble now, alright?"
"I need you, dad, and Sergi getting ready to pack up everything and depart when the time comes," he said.
She sighed for a moment but Articora!Alex adds, "Well think of it this way. You didn't like it out here. Plus, the economy is far better on Duniya...er at least that's what I've heard."
"There's enough resources for a fresh new beginning," the original man agreed.
"Brother, are you sure you still want to do this?" Sergi asked.
"Yes..." he looks at him, "We can't let our lives be in more danger than they already were."
"And what about your daughter?" the mother questioned, "And the girls?"
"I'm sure when she's ready, she'll go," he said, "But the point is, we all need to move out as soon as possible."
"Pardon me to break the conversation but, we just got word from Ryuuji and Mikhail. They're taking a pit stop in Casa Grande," Articora!Rei steps in.
"Take us there," Original!Alex said, "At least myself and my twin."
Saguaro National Park, Near Tucson
After taking some long walks and hiding in the mountains, a green-haired well athletic man opened his eyes with his companions. It was already daybreak and yet everything was all the same…heat, mountains, strange creatures, and whatever else.
"Ugh...Naveen would...or rather Masaru would love this," Dante muttered before he uses his powers to create some sort of a lushy grass area to feel comfortable in.
"Pathetic..." the Makuta said, "A king like you wasting powers for something mundane as this."
"Well, it's not like we have a choice...Merlin said that the world we'd be going to is far different than home," the human answered.
"Can't be that different. Maybe one without a pulsating death orb in the sky," Taranuka shrugged.
Duncan sighs, creates a shadow effect to keep Taranuka from being burnt, "Better? You'd be a great Makuta since the sunlight isn't your friend."
"Say that again, freakshow?" the ex-Toa stares at him, readying his sword.
"Stop it, both of you!" Dante yells at them, "This isn't the time for that!"
"He better not talk out of line again," Taranuka growled.
Dante opens a scroll from Merlin, muttering, "If this is the correct world, the runes should be...somewhere. He spoke of a place far and hidden from the eyes of society."
Taranuka looks around and shrugs the thought out loud, "Not like there's much in the way of society out here."
"Well, if you want to be the navigator, be my guest. I already used the Olmak combined with Old Man's magic to bring us here," Duncan said.
Dante reads the one translated phrase again, "Carry the earth, onto thy shoulders, bore the rock...and unleash it against her."
What does that even mean, he thought.
Moments later, a blast of water narrowly misses him and the others. The trio grew alerted to find the source and who would dare to attack them.
"T-that power...it can't be..." Dante muttered.
"Who's there?!" Taranuka shouted.
Seconds later, fire and air attacks were unleashed towards them. Annoyed, the Makuta unleashed his shadow powers to suppress the attack. Dante was ready to unleash his vines when he saw a group of people coming from the summit ahead.
"T-those people…" Dante said.
"They dare to attack us?" Duncan asked, "I'll certainly end them with a wave of my…"
"Don't," Taranuka cut him off.
"How about some chained lightning then? I could rip their minds open as easily just like those…pathetic nuts…uuuhhh, what were they called again?" Duncan muttered.
"Pistachio?" Dante sighed.
A soft bell was heard for mere moments before the group of people appeared much closer to them. Duncan was already preparing a chain-lightning attack but the light coming from the one human blinded him and Taranuka back a little.
"Who are you?" Dante asked, "Lower the lights!"
Once it was done, Original!Alex now in his Ultra senshi form stepped in but Articora!Alex held him back, stating, "I don't think we have a moment to do a fancy intro."
I see a set of twins along with a blond man, some dark-haired man, and a blue-haired man in such weird clothes accompanied by the source of those attacks, Taranuka analyzed to himself.
"Ohhhhh, great...more humans," Duncan rolled his eyes.
"This isn't Spherus Magna...isn't it?" Dante asked.
"I'm afraid you are mistaken. You are on Terabithia," Rei answered.
"Terabithia..." Dante muttered before his eyes widened a little and looked at the scroll again, "T-this is it! We finally made it!"
"Uh, what are they talking about?" Mikhail asked.
"And who are you?" Rei questioned the trio.
"Isn't it common for the "hosts" to introduce themselves first?" Taranuka answered back, "And what kind of fruitcake dimension did we plop into?"
Original!Alex looked at the bulkier figure among them as he recognized the kind of armor used by…
"A-are you…a Makuta?" he asked.
"You speak very highly of that, don't you?" Duncan looks at him.
Original!Alex narrows his eyes, replying, "Well clearly your kind is sort of...warped up in an ego despite the hard work your kind has done."
Taranuka looks at Dante, "This one knows Makuta?"
"You seem to know what a Makuta is...tell me, could you guess what I am?" Dante replies.
The Original!Alex looked at him for a moment before seeing the subtle hints of vines and flora dragged behind him.
"T-this can't be..." he gasped, "But y-you're a human like myself!?"
"I was...once upon a time...but my origins were that of the Great Beings...chosen to don the will of the jungle," Dante revealed.
"The Element Lords?!" the two Alex's look at each other.
"Okay…who is this guy and how does he know so much?" Taranuka's mind goes out loud.
"I'm going to have to agree. Alex, care to elaborate?" Rei questioned.
"This isn't a legend...it's a reality," Articora!Alex replied.
"The story of the BIONICLE...it exists!" Original!Alex was in disbelief.
"Well that's a bizarre way to put it. We've always existed," Dante makes a slight nervous sweat drop.
Duncan stares at the twins and states out loud, "You are a very unusual human...knowing us without ever meeting in real time."
Original!Alex turns back to him and comments, "I'm even surprised a Makuta like yourself is still alive. Did Teridax not killed you?"
Finally annoyed and set off, he unleashes his telepathic powers to both of them, looking into their minds on what knowledge they have. They both grunted in pain like an intense migraine headache.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Dante shouted.
"What does it look like I'm doing?!" Duncan growled.
"You just couldn't resist, could you?" Taranuka sighed.
"What is he doing? Whatever it is, I don't approve!" Rei shouted.
"He's reading into the minds," Dante said.
"He's hurting him. Stop this at once!" Rei replies with a firm voice.
Finally getting what he needed, Duncan recoils the attack as he chuckled darkly, "Impressive. For someone like yourself to even handle something like that. You carry a great power that opposes the likes of my kind."
"I know your kind hasn't been treated well, I'm sure you read my thoughts. But look, this isn't the time for that. Why are you guys here anyway?" Original!Alex asked.
"We're here...for this," Dante shows him the scroll.
"You're in for a long talk now... perhaps," Taranuka adds his two cents.
Original!Alex looks at it and recognizes right away the Matoran Language written down and the symbols…but more so…
"T-the same ones from Articora?!" the twin gasped.
"It appears so," the original answered.
"That means we'll have to get over there as soon as possible for our guests," Rei said.
"Why do I get the feeling this place is just another happy land?" Duncan rolled his eyes.
"It's much more than that. I could offer you a tour, but I doubt you're here for sightseeing," the megane replied.
"A friend of ours informed us to come to this place in order to locate a powerful source of magic...something that could help us liberate our home...Spherus Magna," Dante said.
"Did something happen there? Not another shattering, is it?" Articora!Alex asked.
"Oh no, not that. That would be another total disaster of its own...but..." Dante makes a sad chuckle.
"You're not the only Element Lord...what happened to the others?" Original!Alex questioned, "A-are they…?"
"They're not dead but...something just as bad, or worse," Dante replied.
"You speak as if you cared about them, I thought they were territorial," he said.
"We were...but...we made our peace overtime long story short but..." the Jungle Lord stopped.
"A-are you...in love with someone?" Original!Alex suspects something.
"He's engaged to the Rock Lord," Duncan answered bluntly.
"Do you ever keep your trap shut?" Taranuka crossed his arms.
The twins gasped in shock as Rei softly smirked, "Well now."
"Rocko has been special to me...even before our feelings were known. He was ahead of our time that's for sure...yet we all ended up in our own arranged marriages. I didn't think a love like that would be considered...plausible," Dante said.
"Are you kidding me? I'm with this wonderful man here whom is my husband," Articora!Alex gestures to Rei.
"You've nothing to fear here. Love is love, and considered sacred," Rei smiled.
"That was kinda sickening to hear, but hey. You do you," Taranuka shook his head.
"If that's the case, let's get you and Rocko back together, alright? I'm sure it won't be as difficult to…" Original!Alex begins but stops when Dante shows him the mark on the wrist.
"A curse...one that inflicts on the heart. if Rocko and I even get within feet of each other...our life energy...drains…" Dante revealed.
"Another curse. Great. Any clue on how to break it?" Rei asked.
"That's why we've come here," Dante said.
Articora!Alex looks at the scroll again and observes, "According to this, it says, "Carry the earth, onto thy shoulders, bore the rock...and unleash it against her."
"W-who is...her?" Original!Alex asked.
"The Element Lord of the Earth," Dante revealed.
"W-what!? S-she actually existed?!" Articora!Alex gasped.
"She was the one who cursed us. She's also known as...Mother Nature, said to have created the planet of Spherus Magna. But I doubt she'd be its maker," the Jungle Lord shrugged, "There has only been seven of us. Jungle, Earth, Water, Fire, Ice, and Sand...later accompanied by Iron."
"And where are they? The other Lords?" Original!Alex interrogated.
"They supposedly went back to Spherus Magna undercover to break whatever is affecting the planet. I needed to stay away from them to prevent the curse from killing us," he said.
"If this Mother Nature is taking over Spherus Magna, I can't imagine the dangers the inhabitants are going through," Articora!Alex muttered.
"Speak for yourself," crossed his arms.
"A friend...told us that someone who possessed great light could possibly help us break through the strife in our world," Dante continued, "A power that doesn't exist in our world might be the only way to liberate it."
"I..." Original!Alex was about to say something but he stopped. His heart was conflicted. After defeating the Infinite Circus, the Three Fates, and the previous Witches…all he wanted was to stay focus on swimming. His fear of entering into another conflict was starting to make him sweat.
However, the twin on the other hand answered, "Let's get you all to Articora first and see what those runes want."
"We'll get you guys settled up north for now in our village before the expedition," Ryuuji finally answered.
"I just need a dark room and we're good," Duncan answered.
"Make that two," Taranuka agreed.
Flashforward:
Sometime after the return to Duniya, Before the Ep 4 final scene
In one of the front offices, Alex sat down with Natsuya and Nao as they were going over his swimming progress. It started off pretty well with improvements on his performance…
"Your performance is going very strong so far. Definitely a sign of true hard work..." Natsuya complimented, "No doubt it will certainly pay off."
"However, it's going to be tough from here on out. The odds could be stacked against you. Other swimmers, powerful than even our best, are rising in the ranks," Nao added, "Even newcomers like Albert and Kaede are blowing through records like they are nothing."
W-what, he gasped to himself, if that's true…that means…Haru…is he barely keeping up? But then again, could this be…my fault?
"I knew it...this is my karma," he sighed.
"I wouldn't hit yourself over that...that was NOT who you were," Natsuya answered.
"But even still, it made me outrace so many people back then...and now it's like I'm getting a taste of my own medicine," Alex said.
"Obstacles are set up for us to find a way to overcome them. The worst ones of all..." Nao taps the side of his head, "In here. It's up to you whether you can find the strength to get yourself out of this mental prison and out into the world you were meant to be a part of."
"But even when I thought I have overcome my inner demons...how much more do I need to break?" Alex asked.
"Ikuya told me about the vow you made after you saved this world...from the witches. It's definitely a powerful inspiration," Natsuya replied.
"You have done so much so far, at least with your powers," Nao agreed, "But it's time for you to break out of the comfort zone of magic and back into the world of your own true strengths. It'll be difficult, yes, but with time, you can find it again.
"No magic. No drugs. No anything. Just you."
"I think, what you need is to continue to condition and re-strengthen those muscles that you don't think about. Swimming does use the entire anatomy..." Natsuya suggested.
"And lucky for you, you will have the best teachers available to help. I'm sure you'll know who to ask for," Nao winks.
"Is it selfish of me if I need everyone's help?" Alex asked.
"Well maybe it's a little bit much but...the right people will guide you. Starting with us," Natsuya said.
"I might go a little easy, but don't expect Natsuya to be so forgiving," Nao softly chuckled.
"Alright. I will keep onwards...for better or for worse. Even if I don't make it to the pros, just being in this community...is enough to find my solace," Alex came to terms.
"Don't settle yourself for less. No matter what," Natsuya reminded him.
Present Day: At the ISW Onsen...
Alex lowered his head as he revealed this piece of story to Makoto, Rei, Nagisa, and Kyle about the struggles in his swimming.
"Can't you see...? I'm running out of time," Alex said.
"It's not too late," Makoto narrowed his eyes.
"Could I really be that conditioned in a year?" he asked.
"You forget who you're talking to," Nagisa smiles, "With all of us together, we can make anything possible!"
"Guess we're going to be a lot alike than I thought. Did you forget I wasn't the best in my field, either? I just dove in thinking I'd be the best and I sank like a sack of stones," Rei chuckled, "In time, not that long, I improved tremendously. I had Haruka, Rin, and all of these guys with me."
"It's just...we've been so caught off guard with so many threats. Which takes precious time away from our swimming. It's kinda the reason why I'm hesitant to help them..." Alex sighed.
"Help who?" Makoto asked.
"Dante...the Element Lords...I almost don't want to go on this mission," he replied.
"Because you don't want to lose time prepping for this?" Rei asked before taking a sigh, "Alex. You're the only one among us who knows anything about that world. We don't. We need you for this."
Getting a bit irritated, Alex makes a slight annoyed response, "Well it's not like I have the Mask of Time to freeze this world's movement!"
"S-Sandro…" Kyle sighed.
"A-Alex!" Makoto gasped.
"You're not the only one having to go through this ordeal either," Rei crossed his arms, "We're all struggling to be prepared for the Olympics. We're all struggling about whether or not to take on this mission. We are all in the same boat. It's not just you.
"Don't go on the mission. Go on the mission. It doesn't matter. I'll respect your decision, either way. It probably would help us more if you did."
Alex facepalmed his eyes as he started to sniffle a few tears, "Fuck. Why…why did I even act like this? I'm just so frustrated and now I am making this a burden to all of you."
"If we thought you were one, do you really think we'd still be here putting up with you?" Kyle wraps his arm around Alex in a comforting half hug.
"O-odysseus...I just don't want to break my promise to all of you. The dream...of all of us swimming like the pros," Alex completed the hug.
"You won't. We will all get there," Makoto reassured him.
"If we're getting our happy end, it won't be that way if all of us aren't together on that stage," Nagisa nodded.
"We started this together. We're going to end it that way, too. No matter what," Rei agreed.
"Plus est en vous…" Alex recalled the magical words, "Always more of me…"
Hiyori walks in with the sample contained in a vial. Alex immediately recognized the green substance as he saw the photos earlier.
"So it's true…the Visorak are here," he muttered.
"What's the next move? Hm?" Rei asked.
"I certainly do not want to see any more Visorak here," Alex answered, "Let's take down this so-called bitch who thinks she's Mother Nature. Another trainwreck that needs to be put in her place."
As Alex, Hiyori, Nagisa, Makoto, and Rin were investigating the Visorak Venom, Haruka and Rei went to the side for a little "talk" about some things.
Haruka drinks on a water bottle as he and Rei are in a more discreet area of the lobby. He turned to the megane, "You wanted to talk, Rei?"
"Yeah. There's...something I've been wanting to discuss with you for a while," he pushed up his glasses, "I'm going to come out and say it."
Haruka remains silent as Rei sighs before finally asking, "Do you...I mean. Do you still harbor feelings for Alex?"
Haruka kept silent on this as Rei continues, "You...two were together before, well...until the Dark times."
"It just feels like forever ago when he first came into our lives. True, I might have been the one to advance on him…" Haruka begins.
Oh dear, poor Nagisa, Rei thought, then again, he was with Makoto, and I ended up with Rin for that short time.
"But, after all that has happened...not just one incident alone...but many, I've come to realize that maybe it was best I stayed out of his way," Haruka answered.
"That's not exactly a yes or no," Rei said.
"I can't afford to make this unrequited," he replied, "Alex has his own family, husband, all that."
"I guess that's as good as it's going to get then. You know I can't harbor anything for him. Not romantically, I mean," Rei shrugged.
"I think the truth is...his heart has touched all of us. Yours...mines...the others. Maybe someday...we might just become one," Haruka suggested.
"But what about Kyle? Anastasia? All of them? It wouldn't be right to try to force our way into their family like that. I know Kyle says he's fine with it, but..." Rei answered.
"I don't have an answer for that, Rei. Maybe...just somewhere out there...fate, I don't know. I mean, why are we all together in the first place? We made our fate to reunite," Haruka said.
"Nagisa did say something along the lines of how no path is ever certain. Maybe I'm nervous than anything that in the end, maybe..." Rei sighed.
"Rei?" Haruka looks at him.
"The truth is, I'm afraid we'll drift again someday. That we'll be alone from each other after everything we went through. But...if that's the way it should be. Should he need us...I hope he will."
"You think whatever is going to happen, it's already begun? This...'End'?" Haruka asked.
"I can feel the uncertainty with my other half. Even he has a feeling something big is coming. Bigger than Hyperion, the Witches, Adam, and the Fates," Rei replied, "I'm not talking about the Olympics, either."
"Bigger?" Haruka looks at him.
"I guess I wanted to get this out of the way so that there's nothing distracting us when the time comes," Rei said as he makes a couple of hand gestures to show light and dark.
"One side…the light…the other…the dark," he narrates before putting them together, "The last clash. The final reckoning."
Haruka kept silent as Rei continued, "You know, I heard an interesting riddle the other day. What do you see when you put your hands together. Like within them."
Haruka shook his head.
"Guess we'll have to see the answer for ourselves someday," the megane sighed, "Not to mention…according to my other half, this whole prophecy that ties to what is about to happen, he must go alone."
"Are you hinting that Alex has to do this on his own?" Haruka asked.
"There could be the possibility...He may have to. As much as I don't want that to happen... I can't help but feel there are powers beyond our control that will prevent us from helping him," Rei said.
"Then we need to have faith that he will make the right decision. I'm sure that's what he would want us to do. He has grown to love and forgive himself...now he has to make it grow beyond," Haruka answered.
"He made peace with his former classmates...but I'm sure there's more out there."
"I know he will," Rei replied with almost a tear, "The power that he possesses will test him again."
Back inside the main suite, the group along with Alex investigated the venom and the photos.
"I...I don't understand..." he muttered, "How did this Visorak even get to this world?"
"Does anyone from this...BIONICLE know of this world?" Makoto asked.
"And that substance?" Nagisa looked at the green fluid.
"Visorak Venom...or also Hordika Venom," Alex revealed, "With enough amounts, it can change one into a monstrous version of themselves...the beast within. If not treated, the changes are permanent."
The group looked at each other in concern as he continued, "It doesn't mutate on those of more organic substance...more so mechanical composition. But I wouldn't touch this with our bare hands."
"Is there anything you want us to do with it?" Hiyori asked.
"At least keep it out from the wrong hands," he suggested.
"It'll definitely need to be somewhere locked up," Rin said as they turned to see Haruka and Rei walking in.
"Everything alright?" Haruka asked when Nagisa was making a sneaky smirk.
"Ohhhhhh no. I know that face. You're going to pin something on me, aren't you? Don't even think about it, penguin," Rei looks at the blond.
"I haven't even said anything yet. Or done anything, for that matter," he crossed his arms.
"Anything on that?" Haruka points to the venom.
"It's a venom, something to not touch with. Anyway, it needs to be hidden away," Alex shrugged.
"And that's where you'll come in Rei-chan," Nagisa winked.
"No. No. No. And no," he shook his head.
"But you didn't even give me a chance to say anything," Nagisa sighed.
"What do you want, Nagisa?" he questioned.
"Perhaps maybe…take this to your other half? At least he can throw it somewhere far away in the space-time, no?" Nagisa clasps his hands together.
"Well, it's not the worst idea I've heard," Rei answered.
"Better yet, your other half could give it to Dante and the others. They would know how to work with it," Alex suggested before realizing, "Scratch that, I almost forget we had a Makuta on board. He gave me such dark vibes. Just have your other half keep it hidden."
"You twisted my arm enough. Guess I have no choice now," Rei cautiously takes the vial of venom, "It won't be long."
Hours Later: Evening
Asahi was busy looking at the next day's training program when his body started to feel a bit shaky and anxious. It was then followed by a painful clutch in his chest. Ikuya happened to see this and approached him.
"A-Asahi? W-what's happening?! Do you need the m-medic.." he offered.
"I don't think it's that…" the salmon-pink haired man answered.
Before their eyes, their crystals emerged out of their bodies, showing them their other halves on Terabithia finally ready to make the departure to this world.
"I-it's time…" Ikuya realized.
After locating Natsuya and Nao, they gathered themselves in the main lobby area after the 'closing hours'. Sure enough, the Articora bell could be heard in the background.
"The four of us have played our part," Natsuya said, holding his crystal, "We have been here for a long while now."
"It was bound to happen sooner than later," Nao agreed, looking at his crystal, "But we can't be here in the same place as our other selves. The story of our allies ended a very long time ago…"
"It was…fun while it lasted," Asahi sighed.
"I promised that my other self will get his wish to come true...that was the deal," Ikuya vowed.
"The same with me," Natsuya agreed.
"Can we just say outright that we all made the same deal?" Asahi rolled his eyes.
"Not like we have much of a..." Ikuya started to reply when Natsuya turned his head to see Makoto, Haruka, and Rei.
"W-what's going...!?" Makoto started to panic.
"Are we... interrupting something?" Rei asked, "W-Wait…the crystals…"
"You of all people know what it is..." Natsuya replied, "Who we are...or rather...who we were."
Ikuya looks at Haru and replies, "Haru...I know we've only been here to help serve the king and the water but...you do realize we haven't been able to bond the way we should despite our full support.
"We're not of the same universes..."
"I-Ikuya?" Makoto almost wanted to tear up.
"Don't look too stunned. You should have known that too," Asahi answered.
"But still...what's going to happen?" he asked, "Are you guys...really...?"
"The truth is, we've been given a chance to live out for a while...only to build up enough power...for our other selves to come in," Natsuya explained, "You've seen them...back at the Guardian's Quail."
"I think it's time for another well-deserved reunion, don't you think?" Asahi winked.
Without a second thought, Rei comes up with a better idea, handing them the Visorak venom, "Here. Take it. If you are who I think you are, then it'd be safer with you. After all, no one can go where... you're meant to be."
"Don't sound too mopey. You'll see us again. Well..." Asahi rubbed the back of his hand.
"I ask you to do one last thing for us," Rei continued, "The other 'him' waiting in that paradise. Take this to him. He might know what we're dealing with. If nothing else, make sure he gets this."
"So you did know about that after all," Nao said. "
"Alex said something about the Visorak...Perhaps your Alex would know about something too..." Makoto wiped the tears off his face.
With that, Rei hands Nao the vial as the four crystals finally glowed to life, creating four magical circles beneath their feet. Four pillars of light erupted through their bodies, flashing outwards to the skies as the Gen 1 Quartet finally returned to the afterlife realm of Idaina Magna.
When it was done, it was all silent as a graveyard. Then a rainbow light erupted from the epicenter when they vanished from...throwing the trio off balance a bit.
Moments later, a new portal opened, throwing the Gen 3.0 versions of Natsuya, Nao, Asahi, Ikuya along with Kisumi as they piled up. This time, a warmth vibe was certainly felt as these were the people from the timeline of darkness.
Ikuya looks up, "H-Haru?!"
Natsuya: grins widely as he gets off with Nao as the latter assisted the others back on their feet. Kisumi was brushing the dust off as Asahi's eyes glowed with endless euphoria to see Makoto and Haruka finally in his grasp.
"A-All of you..." Makoto starts to cry with joy as Haruka makes a small smile.
The four Iwatobi Middle Schooler alumni from the Dark Mirror timeline finally reunited, crying in a hug of happiness. Moments later, the same four crystals appeared to the quartet. Rei and Kisumi moved to the side to allow them to embrace their feelings.
"Well, I gotta say. The transfer did well," Natsuya grinned.
"Glad that worked, we'll certainly need it," Nao agreed.
"So you got their magic after all?" Makoto asked just as Rin, Nagisa and Alex rushed in.
"W-what's going...? I felt odd magic flowing...?" Alex muttered.
Rin gasped to see Kisumi standing by Rei as they both exchanged greetings to each other.
"Yo! Rin!" the pink-hair man smiled.
"Kisumi! My goodness it's been far too long!" Rin gasped, "Good to see you again!"
"Wait a sec…" Nagisa looks at the quartet, "Your clothes have changed…"
"Don't think too hard on it, Nagisa. You might hurt yourself," Rei sighed.
"Yes, we're from the Guardian's Quail...but we have been bestowed from the exact powers from our other selves...they have returned to hence they rested from," Natsuya explained.
"So you're from the same world as ours then..." Rin realized.
"That is correct. Nice to see you again, Rin. Well, good to see all of you again. Our beloved kohei and all," Nao smiled.
"But…they left? Why didn't they tell us...?" Nagisa asked.
"It was best we didn't know. It'll be fine, though," Rei rests his hand on Nagisa's shoulder.
"I assume then, you already know our plight," Alex said.
"We'll help you get through with your training as they would have done so too," Natsuya reassured them.
"I suppose I should study up on what they were having you all go through. If I know my other self, it shouldn't be that hard to master," Nao winks his left eye. "Although it is going to be interesting to use this power."
"Don't worry, we've had our own pool to train in..." Ikuya added, "Well, granted it wasn't as fancy, but we used gym memberships too and all that."
"It'll be like old times again. All of us," Asahi grinned.
"Wait. What happened on Terabithia? Is the world still standing?" Alex asked.
"For now, yes but, it appears that those "travelers" are onto something," Ikuya answered.
"They found out from the ruins that a dangerous apocalypse is coming, and it is said to be a rebirth of the Elements," Nao revealed, "That was the last thing we got from them before coming here."
"R-rebirth...of the Elements?" Alex narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"I didn't hear anything about this...did my other self not know...?" Rei muttered to himself.
"I need to gather all the knowledge from that realm. I only know plenty of what the story I know of...but there has to be more. The Element Lords were supposed to be territorial and fierce, but why would two of them find romance with each other?" Alex looks at the quartet, "I know I said I didn't want to help out earlier out of fear of using my magic but...now I understand. We need to get them the help they deserve."
"We're on a tight schedule too, the new swim jackets are being produced now," Rin reminded him.
"Huh? Jackets?" Asahi raised up his eyebrow.
"You guys are in for a treat," Nagisa grinned.
Articora
Dante slumped down on a chair while Duncan and Taranuka were to the side closest to the darkest area of the cottage. They along, with Rei and Alex had a crazy expedition on the desert region of this 'northern most land'. Dante gave Alex a tool to translate the runes while they were in conflict of fighting the Visorak horde that appeared.
Thankfully, Duncan was able to use his powers to create a false illusion to redirect the spiders in a different direction before eliminating them one by one. Rei gave Alex the bell to use as a faster means in returning to the village when done.
"Damn, even they got to this world," Dante reflected, "I know it has to be her doing…"
"Don't beat yourself up too much," Rei said as he was busy preparing the tea.
"I'm sure some unrealistic fate will make this world a happier place," Duncan shrugged.
Once the tea was ready, Rei brings it over as he could see the tension between Duncan and Taranuka.
"I thought you might like some refreshments," the megane offered, "I'll admit, I'm not sure what to offer you, but I hope everyone here is a tea drinker."
"A Makuta needs no sleep, nor food, nor water. We're just nothing but a gaseous substance inside a suit of armor," Duncan explained.
"The only thing they need is a good kill, right?" Taranuka smirks.
"Speak again little one and I'm sure a good kill will be in sight," Duncan warns him.
"Ah-ah-ah! Let's not start that, please!" Rei shouted as Dante sighed.
"Thank you," the Jungle Lord accepts the tea and drinks, "Almost reminds me of home. You are quite a fascinating person, Ryugazaki-san. Being surrounded by the elements of fire, water, wind, and...earth."
"Oh, please. Simply Rei is fine, if I may call you Dante," the megane chuckled.
"Of course, Rei. Thank you," he answered while they could hear Duncan and Taranuka going about another argument.
"So then, what really happened?" Rei asked, "Back then with you and the other lords?"
"It's a complicated story...after my comrades went back to Spherus Magna, I woke up in a hospital...I must have crashed out or something. But the odd thing is...the person who brought me in...was the same person whom we met at this library," he explained, "I didn't think a girl like her would believe who we were but...she had some knowledge about us."
"And this girl? What happened to her?" the megane questioned.
"Well, I assume she's fine...after all, she's a descendant to Merlin," he shrugged.
"You're joking!" Rei gasped, "Y-you know...him?!"
"You know him too?" Dante asked.
"Uh...not exactly. I may know a thing or two, here and there, but I've never actually met them, if that's what you mean. It's just...I wasn't expecting to hear something like that," Rei shrugged.
"Interesting. I guess maybe there's more to this world than what Merlin was saying so," Dante answered before looking at Taranuka and Duncan arguing still. He turns his head back.
"It's been a difficult journey, but they have been helpful," Dante said, "I just hope...I will reunite with him."
"You must love him that dearly," Rei smiled.
Dante recalls a memory of the past, "It's just...we didn't properly connect the first time around. Once I was almost at death, he gave me a kiss. Sadly, I never returned it."
"I... never got to be with my husband the first time around, either. That's a tale for another time, I suppose. Long story, things didn't quite work out in the past, but we managed to find each other in the end," Rei shrugged.
The door slams open as Alex returned to the cottage, shaken, and stressed, "T-the runes...this is worse than I imagined!"
"What's going on?" Rei asked.
"According to this, the world is still on set to destruction but only by the 'Child of the Earth' may be the one to save it!" he revealed.
"Child of the Earth..." Dante narrows his eyes as he felt something in his heart.
Duncan turns his head to see them talking as Taranuka pushed him to the wall, "Heh, looks like I win this time…oh?"
"I can't tell if it's a prophecy of salvation or doom for this planet. We don't have a clue who or what could have carved those runes into the rock," Rei said.
Alex looks at Dante, "Does any of this make sense?"
"No. But...I have a strong feeling that this is an entity we may have to find," Dante shrugged.
"Going to assume it's not on this planet, right?" Rei asked.
"Chances are, they could be on Spherus Magna," he said.
"W-wait a sec, you don't imply that…" Taranuka gasped.
"Foolish human you'll be killed the moment you touch that ground!" Duncan growled.
"The others have the Staff of Dreams, we were told that there are nightmares on that planet taking place. I have hope that my comrades will absorb the nightmares out of there as much as possible," Dante said.
"Did you get dropped as a kid, or were you even held to begin with?" Taranuka asked.
Ignoring them, Dante turns to Alex, "Your twin…might be helpful."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"That light or whatever power he has in his hands, I know it's very strong," Dante explained, "One of our greatest powers is the Mask of Life but when we tried that to cure the curse between me and Rocko, it wouldn't do a thing. This foreign power your twin has…maybe it might work."
"Seriously…I swear when we get home…" Taranuka growled.
"I have faith this may work. Since the other's Alex's power is outside of your planet's rules, it should be able to bypass some of your world's natural properties. Then again, there's no saying whether or not there could be some limitations with how he can use his in return..." Rei said.
"It's a risk I am willing to take," Dante vowed.
"You forget I have the Olmak that can open the portal there," Duncan reminded them.
"But I doubt you know of Duniya," Alex said as he gestures to Rei, "Let him guide you to that realm."
"Before we do…I need to make one more stop," Dante said.
"Huh? Where?" Rei asked.
Back on Duniya
As the training continues for the swimmers, the jackets were on their way for delivery in anticipation for the fashion display. Meanwhile, Nagisa continued to help Kaede behind the scenes on his magic which concerned some of the other members, wondering what intentions there were.
However, Kaede himself was a bit evasive as he wondered if Nagisa broke the promise. After all, he never had met a person like him that was so energetic and talkative. Kotetsu was going to be back here soon which worried him more on how he was gonna keep this quiet from him.
At one point, Rei was able to get Nagisa to the side during a break from their swimming and workout, as the former was trying to understand what was going on with this 'Kaede'. They took their conversation to a different floor in one of the scenic areas.
"You mind telling me what you're doing with him?" Rei asked.
"What's there to discuss? I mean, everyone practically knows at this point," Nagisa shrugged.
"The boy and his parents had just reunited not that long ago, and you're already gearing him up for battle. There was no discussion of bringing him into the senshi fold, you know," Rei said.
"I didn't realize he needed permission to defend himself. That's all I'm doing. I'm helping him hone his magic so that whenever the time comes for him to stand his ground, he can do that," the blond said.
"That's what the other senshi are there for! Why would you ever think he'd want to endanger himself like that?" Rei looks at him.
"Because he asked me to do it!" Nagisa snapped but realized it was too late, "It's... not like that's such a big secret. Do you really think someone like me could ever purposely train someone in the field of magic?"
"You still shouldn't have agreed to do it, Nagisa. The both of you could have gotten hurt or worse," Rei said.
"You're making it sound like Kaede could cause some harm, but I've seen what he can do. His power is not like Albert's. He can control his better," he shrugged.
"This isn't about who's better or who's worse! What about this aren't you understanding? And why would you talk about Albert like that when you know even he's doing his best?!" Rei argued.
"Well, hello, kettle. Let me introduce you to the pot," Nagisa rolled his eyes.
"I think you worded that wrong," Rei pushed up his glasses.
"So what if I did? You're making such a big deal about Kaede using his powers for the better when he could have been a homicidal maniac. Kaede is showing great amounts of progress, whereas Albert - God love him - is scared of his abilities. Hate to say it, but out of the two of them, Kaede is the better when it comes to skill and control. Power and energy? Albert by a landslide," Nagisa noted, "Regardless, what you think, we have to prepare any and all parties for what's to come. Did you forget what we saw back on Terabithia while we were in our old homes?"
Rei kept silent as Nagisa sighed before continuing, "I don't know what that is, and I don't want to find out. If we can have more numbers in facing whatever this is. It's better than doing nothing at all. I mean...what if Kaede is wanting to do this because he wants to? Maybe he does want to prevent this disaster from happening. I don't know."
"You're so confident he can contribute as much," Rei said.
"I know he can. He made short work of that spider thing, whatever Alex called it," he answered back.
"It does make me wonder..." Rei muttered.
"What?" Nagisa asked.
"How many more will come forth? Guardians? How and why?" Rei said.
After showering up from another workout, Alex returned to the suite to see Kyle looking at some of the imported stuff from home. A large stash of them was the BIONICLE stuff he had kept.
"Funny how you looked at this once before too," Alex recalled.
"I saw a few lying around. Thought I'd give it a looksee," Kyle smiled.
"You can always summon the rest from the crystal if you wish. I'm sure they're stashed somewhere back home," he shrugged.
"Still, I can't believe you kept those after all this time and in pretty good condition, too," Kyle replied.
"But none of these stories detail much on the Element Lords though, that I know of...except for this one," he points to the 'All Our Sins Remembered'.
"Oh boy... how many books should I read before I reach that one? Or is it a stand alone title?" Kyle asked.
"Well this one is a prequel techincally...many, many years before the main storyline," he answered, "Long story short, the War between the Element Lords resulted in the Mata Nui robot being build with the Matoran, Toa, Rahi, etc. living inside of that machine.
"The robot is designed to observe worlds and societies and collect data before returning to the shattered Spherus Magna and rebuild the planet.
"Funny, how it took over 100,000+ years to make that future happen."
"That long?" Kyle asked before they both heard footsteps in the hallway.
"Is someone…" Alex looked at the opening area.
Why am I even bothering to talk to them? This is the very reason why I...no. I'm not going to talk to them. I need to prepare Kotetsu's spot, Kaede thought, turning around, and heading back to his suite.
"What was that all about? Who do you think that was?" Kyle asked.
"No idea," he shrugged as his phone buzzed on a text message.
"Everything good on your end?" he asked.
"It's Ana," Alex continues reading, "I guess Roxana and the royal family want to invite us over sometime. I didn't get a chance to go last time. Ana is over there now learning the culture and all. Hopefully, there's nothing that will be discriminating nor ostracizing."
"If there were, I'm sure she would have said something by now. She never keeps secrets that often," Kyle shrugged.
"I know the other girls are trying to reclaim their places in Neo Sportsbrooke...since we were all whisked there by the Dark Curse. Hopefully there's enough financial aid to get them started," Alex sighed.
"Everything's going to turn out fine for them, for us, and everyone. Have a little faith. Besides, I'm sure the current government powers that be are showing some mercy for the civilians after the mess that took place there before," Kyle said.
This time, they hear someone arriving in the room as Sergi breathes in and out, "B-Brother! Kyle!"
"W-what's the matter?" Alex asked, "Are mom and dad…okay?"
"Yeah, but that's not what I am here for," he replied, revealing a book, "This appeared to me..."
They approach him as the cover shocked them both.
"T-this story…" Alex gasped.
"Yes...it's the story of the Element Lords. I didn't realize it before but this is THEIR story!" he said.
"Oh my god...h-how did you get this? I mean, you are the author but...how did it just appeared to you? You're in charge of OUR story but..." Alex muttered.
"Could it be that there is...?" Kyle guessed.
"Well, whoever the author was from that realm...must have been killed or something," Sergi took a guess.
"But is it possible that you can handle...another storyline like this?" he asked.
"Well, it's worth at least keeping safe for now. But I did find some stuff about Mother Nature...except for a couple of missing pages. Apparently, she has her own coven with the Earth Tribe and has insinuated the other Element Lords to go to war against each other while her kind stayed in the shadows. It was like as if they knew the power hidden in the core of the planet but never wanted to share it," he revealed the intact pages.
"The Energized Protodermis...if she's after it, she must have had some stashed away to use it against the civilians of other tribes..." Alex realized.
"More than likely...it's how she used to make the curse...or rather curses..." Sergi points to a page of ingredients.
"The Dark Curse.," Alex's eyes widened as he recalled Verrado and the witches during the girls' graduation that brought them to this world, "Verrado must have known Mother Nature in some alliance."
"Shit, even when she's dead, that witch is still tormenting us," Kyle growled.
"Dante's curse...for not being able to reunite with Rocko. It's like the same curse she set on our children..." Alex recalled.
"These miserable people..." Kyle clutched a fist, "What gives them the right to toy with people's lives the way they do?!"
"Either way, I know we'll have an upcoming battle in our hands. As much as I am tormented to keep in swimming and getting faster, the fact that these enemies are close to home like the ones we have fought...it bothers me," Alex said.
"It bothers me, too," Kyle nodded.
~Neo Sportsbrooke Sk8 Arena~
With funds and support from the city, the skater folks also opened another place to train the skaters into eventual competition like the upcoming Olympius Duniya Olympics. With two major sites to skate, it was no longer an issue for the people to perform like underground rebels.
After passing the final curse, Langa makes his completion of skating by landing a blow to the ground before standing his finale pose at the finish line.
"You finally got it!" Miya claps his hands.
"Ya see? I told you you could do it if you put your mind to it!" Reki grins.
"We still have just less than a year now, huh?" Langa asked as he approached them.
"Such an agony to wait!" Miya rolled his eyes.
"It'll be here before we know it, too. Like when we least expect it, bam! There it is!" Reki winks.
"I wonder how the other sports are doing...the Volleyball...the Swimming Guardians..." Langa thought out loud.
"They're probably too busy. I can't imagine trying to be a superhero and being an athlete at the same time," Miya shrugged.
"Speak for yourself, I have only so many years till I need to ascend the throne," Langa reminded him.
"R-Right. But that's still quite a bit away, so let's enjoy ourselves while we can. And hey, it couldn't hurt to take a little break. Maybe catch up with the other sports guys, huh?" Reki suggested.
"Is it just me or haven't we heard from our sponsors?" Miya asked.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen Joe, nor Cheery nor that hide or hair of Czar Baldy-bald the Old..." Reki tried to count on his fingers.
"I'M NOT OLD!" a loud rumbling voice greeted them, "AND MY HAIRSTYLE IS MY CHOICE, YOU LITTLE BASTARD!"
The trio turned to see Cherry, Joe, and Shadow of course in their proper S attire. Reki was already as white as a sheet of paper from the roar by Shadow.
"YO!" Joe greeted while Cheery kept his usual quiet self.
"Oh, uh, hey there! How's it going?" Reki shakes his senses back to reality while Shadow stares fiery daggers at him.
Cherry lightly smacks Shadow on the head with his fan, "That's enough. Down, boy."
"So um, care to answer as to why you haven't been around lately?" Miya asked.
"We had...a little detour to take along the way," Cherry answered.
"A little?" Reki lifted his eyebrow.
"Well, you know... scoping the areas outside Aeuro - Sportsbrooke - is a lot to take in. You're bound to get a little sidetracked," Shadow grunted.
"He's such a terrible liar," Reki whispered in Langa's ear.
"Neither of you want to even say..." Joe begins but Cherry hits him with another fan.
"Clearly now you're hiding something," Langa said.
"Look, I know you three are supporting us for the upcoming Olympics...but it's still barely a year away. What could possibly go wrong now?" Miya asked.
And the child says the magic - or should I say, cursed – words, Cherry thought before speaking aloud, "Your turn. Don't care who. It's your turn to talk."
"Look, it's nothing for you guys to worry about, okay? It's all squared away, so we can get back to focusing on your performances. Ain't nothing bad happening outside, alright?" Shadow crossed his arms.
"How old and naïve do you think we are?" Reki sighed, "Something is going on outside, isn't it? Another corrupt politician? Book burning zealots?"
"A crab-like monster that fires flying spinning projectiles," Joe replied.
"Y-Yeah...something like that..." Shadow rubbed the back of his head.
"A crab like monster...sounds like from a game..." Miya muttered before he goes onto his phone to look up something, "WAIT!"
Miya showed them what he found, "Is this what you meant?"
"Is that...Could it be...? Holy frickin' crap! It is!" Reki's eyes widened as he tried to to snatch phone out of Miya's hands, but Miya keeps it away.
"You know what they are?" Joe asked.
"Come on! Anyone who is anyone should know what these are! I spent so much time putting one of these together in my spare time before I got into skating...oh the memories…" Reki recalled the memory lane.
"Did you have something to do with this?!" Shadow panicked a little.
"It was a part of a toy set…the Visorak," Reki said.
"That explains it," Cherry shrugged.
"I know I'm technologically sound, but even I couldn't manufacture fully automated ones," Reki chuckled nervously, "Well, technological in skateboards, but still."
Shadow grabs him by the collar, "YOU DIPPY DUMBASS BRAT! PULL YOUR HEAD BACK HERE TO EARTH! WE ALMOST GOT KILLED BY ONE OF THOSE 'TOYS' YOU'RE DROOLING OVER! AND IT WASN'T NO FUCKIN' TOY!"
Reki pushed him back, "Could you SCREAM any LOUDER?!"
"What are you talking about?" Langa asked, getting suspicious.
"So, that thing was a lifeform based off an old children's toy? Not the most bizarre thing to pop up here, but hey," Cherry sighed.
Joe received a message from the Swimming Guardians, showing him a picture of the defeated Visorak as well as the venom in a vial with more information gathered from Rei and Alex.
"Well it seems our friends have confirmed that…the Visorak are real creatures," Joe muttered.
"Are you serious?!" Reki gasped.
"At least we were saved by our dashing watery heroes!" Shadow goes into a slight fanboy mode.
"There he goes again," Miya sighed.
"The Swimming Guardians defeated a Visorak? That's...I'll have to ask them what it was like," Reki said.
"As much as we'd like to dazzle in the light of the Swimming Guardians and Visorak, we should be getting our heads on straight. This thing was pretty dangerous. I'm sure if left alone to its own devices, it could have caused irreparable damage. We're just thankful it didn't come to that," Cherry said, "Reki, you seem to be knowledgeable on this thing. What can you tell us?"
"You want me to explain? I only built the toy, I don't really know the lore that much. It's been years," Reki shrugged.
"Perhaps Alex knows more of the lore?" Langa asked.
"Judging by what Joe told us..." Miya agreed.
"I'm sure they will plan to open an investigation about this," Joe said before clasping his hands to get their attention, "In the meantime, you three got a very big day ahead coming. Make sure you can look back on that day without any regrets."
I wonder if Takashi will go onto the pro swimming with them, Miya thought.
If we manage to pull this off, even Koyomi could be able to perform at the big stage, too, Reki smiled to himself.
A bit more time has passed on until finally, the day of the fashion show arrived. The newly designed swim jackets and pants arrived a few days beforehand as well as setting the stage up outside of the ISW.
There were several mannequin displays of other jackets from the old world including, Iwatobi, Samezuka, Shionezaki, Kazami, Tokitsu, Hidaka, Shimogami, Naribusawa, Australia, Mayfield, as well as a couple of the Japan National Swim Team designer jackets.
It was indeed a milestone as now the ISW team were thrilled to reveal their newest design to the public at long last.
With a good look at himself in the mirror, Alex looks at the jacket and the pants he put on.
The rainbow animals on the back is gorgeous, he thought.
"You look good," Rin gives a thumbs up.
"And to think we'll be wearing this on our big day too," Makoto smiled with Haru.
"So exciting!" Nagisa's eyes sparkled.
"It truly is beautiful," Rei agreed.
"Well, I always had a feeling these would come out pretty good," Kyle crossed his arms with a soft smirk.
"It's...surreal...to think that we'll finally be a team like this," Alex smiled.
But I have to keep forcing myself...I cannot fall back, he thought.
"Don't be afraid of yourself. You've come a very long way too," Haruka reminded him.
"And you're not alone anymore. We'll help you. You help us. We have each other," Kyle reassured him.
"And I'm definitely feeling better now that most of our...families are out here now too," Alex replied.
"Absolutely," Makoto said.
"That was NOT an easy process..." Rin sighed as he recalled all the baggage getting from Terabitha to here on Duniya.
"Even with magic, it would still be a challenge. No shortcuts..." Rei shrugged.
"Well then, we'll get our clothes ready too," Haruka said, "We'll meet you in the backstage before putting the final touches."
Picking up from Book 4, Episode 15:
The Cursed Twins!
The newly awaken Suiei Chaos stared at the foes...the allies of Cosmos. Finally, after 3 long generations...the darkness and evil has finally seized itself in a perfect form...a direct descendant of Cosmos...or rather...its destined opposite. With the Chaomos Crystal in its hand, already, the heroes were trapped in electrical energy.
Only a matter of time before Chaos would even try to start its rampage to destroy the entire omniverse...
After all, neither Pandora nor Dodecadron nor any Dark One could do its job. But now…
"I tried to warn you…Swimming Guardians…Darkness calls for Light…" Suiei Chaos spoke through the false Artemis' mouth, "As for who we are…we are the allegiant twins…Artemis…and Apollo…Cosmos…and Chaos…"
Moments later, a ring of energy exploded in front of Suiei Chaos as someone else was making its appearance. The dark senshi growled as everyone turned to see the light appearing before it stopped.
Another man stood several feet away from him as its appearance was like…
"A-Are they twins!?" Makoto gasped and grunted.
"The hell is this?" Seijuurou narrowed his eyes as Tsubasa tried to break free but the darkness was choking them harder.
Moments after, the Dark senshi felt something drifting away from its body; a small sphere of light like a floating star returned to the other man in front of him.
"Half of my soul," the true Artemis revealed himself to everyone, "I gave this to you Apollo...a long time ago. After I awoke and the seal was broken...the bridge between Chaos and Cosmos did what it could to stop it. But it doesn't matter how hard you try. Once broken...a seal made by the Omni Contract cannot be repaired."
With that, he uses his powers to release the guardians from the darkness's grip as they all collapsed on the ground. Apollo released Rei from his grip, staring at Artemis with lifeless fury in its eyes.
"I'm sure the megane knew that...but he only kept on trying...for YOUR sake. But because of that, he lost one of his eyes," Artemis continued.
"R-Rei-chan?" Nagisa gasped before shouting, "IS HE GOING TO BE OKAY!? ARTEMIS!? SOMEONE ANSWER!?"
"I have always been watching you through my heart this entire time..." Artemis continued, ignoring the blond, "Everything that you've been through with your life, everyone that you met...IT WASN'T MY SOUL THAT LOVED WHAT COSMOS CREATED, THAT PART OF IT WAS ALL YOURS, WASN'T IT!?"
Without a second thought, Apollo lunges forward, trying to kick him down like a karate and taekwondo as they both were in arms combat with physical means.
~Close Up Memories 5 END~
