~Who Needs Memories 5: A New Legend…
Chaos filled in at the Iwamara Swim World as the Swimming Guardians panicked upon barely surviving an encounter with Apollo (who was thought to be Artemis this whole time) and the "true Artemis". Apollo abandoned them with its newfound powers as Suiei Chaos, heading to who knew where.
Concurrently, the Articora!Rei was brought over back to the village guided by the four spirits with Articora!Alex…the former using their own life forces as a source of energy to their fifth spirit. The rest of the group followed Artemis back to Duniya.
Unbeknownst to the swimming guardians, the trio of Dante, Duncan and Taranuka were present in the village as Alex last saw them in Dutsen before escaping to Duniya with his daughter.
The Original!Rei was in the medic room with his left eye now blind from the incident. Nagisa was crying in Makoto's arms while the rest were silent as a graveyard and pale. Natsuya and Nao together with Iwaizumi and Ushijima assisted the group and informed of what happened in their brief absence.
As for the megane, he was attached on IVs and other medical equipment to monitor his health.
"Not good," Natsuya turned to Nao as they saw how fogged up the iris was on Rei's, "His eye has totally gone blind on the left side. No blood nor visible tissue damage."
"It's because of his bond to his duplicate self is what shares the pain. He may not be a 'whole person', but their existence is tied as one," Artemis explained.
"He may never be able to see out of that eye again, unfortunately. Even with the best magic or medicines, there could be no reversing what was done," Nao answered.
The others gasped as Nagisa stuttered, "I-If that's the case…R-Rei-chan…he…?"
"We still don't know what extent to the blindness is happening on him," Natsuya answered.
"And you're going to imply that he'll NEVER SWIMG AGAIN!?" Nagisa started to shout.
"Nagisa, you're jumping to conclusions," Nao said.
The blond shook his head, "HOW CAN YOU BE SO LAX ON THIS!? WE'VE BEEN BETRAYED BY THAT EVIL TWIN AND NOW A NEW ENEMY IS GROWING!"
"We have to keep a cool head if we're going to get through this. Besides, there's more pressing matters other than swimming right now," Nao answered firmly.
"I don't care! We should be worried about Rei first and foremost!" the blond shouted as he summons his own talisman, "There's got to be something in here. Something in this book. If it's as great as it's made out to be, then maybe I can..."
The book flips over several pages as Nao looks at him, "Nagisa…whatever you are up to, stop."
"Bingo! I found it," Nagisa invokes the spell as it creates a hologram overhead. Moments later, a black-haired man with heterochromatic eyes of blue and brown was seen dressed in one of his many kimono outfits along with a black-rabbit like entity.
"It's been a very long time...Magic Six," Watanuki greeted them.
"Whoa, hold on. What exactly is going on here? What are you all up to and who is this guy?" Ushijima raised up his eyebrow a little.
"Another Dark One? Or another version of Theagenes?" Hajime stared at the hologram.
"Let's say...he's a long distant friend," Alex turned to the duo.
"He used to guide us a long time ago but then well...never mind that, we need to focus on what's happening now," Rin said.
"You know why I called you, right? Let's skip the formalities and get this over with," Nagisa narrowed his eyes.
"Na-Nagisa...p-please..." Rei breathed, "I'll be fine. Don't do this. Whatever it is you're planning to do, don't. I don't want to jeopardize yourself over me. I'd never forgive myself."
"Rei-chan!" Nagisa answered back, "Apollo stole half of your other self's powerful magic!"
"And if I stay alive, so will that power…" Rei answered.
His eyes widened, Nagisa slammed his hand on a nearby table, "DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK ABOUT DYING! YOUR DREAM IS IMPORTANT AS ALL OF OURS!"
An awkward silence grew among them as Nagisa wiped his tears off. Finally, Haruka asked, "Witch boy, is there a way to save him from dying?"
"...there is," Watanuki revealed.
Everyone gasped and turned to hear what the price may be as he continued, "There is a way to save Rei but the price for that is incredibly steep."
"Name it!" Nagisa answered.
"You're really considering this?!" Hajime looks at the blond.
"I don't care what it takes. Please…help Rei…" Nagisa begged.
"If he's willing to pay the price..." another voice filled the room.
Everyone turned to see the two Chivashi; Natsuhisa and Reiji approaching on scene.
"Y-You guys!?" Rin looks at them sharply.
"H-how did you...?" Makoto asked.
"I sent a message to them on our way back to Iwamara," Artemis revealed.
"It really boils down to this huh?" Natsuhisa sighed before turning to the hologram, "I see you have reached us...again."
"Indeed, it has been a while...after preserving your deaths and keeping your souls safe," he replied.
"Well, we don't exactly have human souls per se," Reiji shrugged.
Watanuk turned his attention back to the blond and continued, "Nagisa, listen very closely here. To save Rei's life...he will be YOUR responsibility. From today forth, your blood will be mixed with Natsuhisa's which will become a food source for Rei. The powers of the Chivashi are incredible but they will not regenerate the other Rei's eye. Also, he will gain some superhuman abilities in exchange from his Swimming Guardian powers."
"W-wait a sec..." Rin gasped softly.
"Rei can't become a Swimming Guardian?!" Haruka asked.
"Not with the blood of a Chivashi..." Watanuki revealed.
Shaking his head, Alex steps in, "No. This is too complicated…let me save Rei with my crystal!"
"Your crystal has grown very powerful for you. You must learn to control it now for what is yet to come. Using it now will only destroy him," witch boy warned him.
Nagisa kept silent on all of this as Iwaizumi looks at him, "Tell me you're not actually going to go through with this."
"I want..." he sighed, "I want Rei to keep going forward."
"What about Rei's crystal?" Makoto asked.
"It will become disabled," Watanuki answered.
"Then all that work he put in to get it will have been for nothing?" Ushijima asked.
"You don't know half of what we had to do to get where we are now...I... don't want him to lose his powers as a Swimming Guardian...at the same time, I don't want him to suffer..." Nagisa sighed.
Nao turns to Watanuki and asks, "Must he make this deal right this very second? Can he have a little time to consider this?"
"Leaving Rei in his current condition will risk his life further...he may easily die from the shock from his other half in Articora," he replied.
At the response, Rei answers, "Do it."
"R-Rei!?" Makoto gasped.
Reiji steps in, "I'll do it."
He gestures Natsuhisa out of the way as he explained, "Being a closest copy to this man, my blood may be more suitable by its molecular properties."
Cutting his own wrist open, he turns to the blond, "Ready your wrist."
Nagisa looks at Rei, tears welling in his eyes. After a brief moment to think, he turns back to the Chivashi, "I won't let Rei carry this burden alone anymore. Do it."
Reiji carefully using his clawed nail, he opens a cut on Nagisa's wrist, dripping his blood to Nagisa's before the blood is dropped into Rei's mouth.
As the blood reaches the inside of Rei's mouth and down his throat, he feels strange. His body starts to tense up. His limbs tighten. He shuts his eye, trying to hold back the sudden surge of pain. Moments later, it snaps back open, showing an inhuman change coming upon him. He gasps and struggles to repress a scream. He starts to thrash about in brief intervals, his arms and legs flailing about.
Natsuya and Makoto assist Rei on this transformation as Natsuhisa explained, "His body will start to reconstruct. It is a painful process. Since his vision in the left eye was gone, it will remain blind. But, his life will be restored."
"It's my responsibility to bear. If we waited any longer, he would have died," Nagisa said, "I knew whatever witch-boy had in mind, the price will be great. The fact that Rei accepted it...I trust his decision, as I do my own."
I-If my magic can't save him, Alex thought before he recalled meeting with Dante and reading the BIONICLE legend.
"T-that's it!" Alex gasped.
"Huh?" Rin turns to him.
"S-Sandro-chan?" Makoto asked.
Alex touches his own neck and replied, "The one power that I used to have...maybe it can help Rei back to his normal self someday!"
How many powers did this guy have, Ushijima thought.
"That source of power will also come with a great price. As you remember...that power was only given to you as a test back on Earth," Watanuki warned him, "It has since expired."
"I know that...but still...I swore to everyone here that they will get their happy endings. My Macedonia Dragon crystal might not be the answer but...the Mask of Life will!" Alex replied.
"T-the tattoo?!" Rin and Makoto gasped.
"You'd do that for him? Even if...even if it takes something important away from you?" Nagisa asked.
"There's only one way to find out," he said, "Speaking of, I am willing to make a deal with Dante. We help him restore his home, reunite his fiancé...in return...we can utilize the Mask of Life. Dante needed my powers to help his home...his life..."
Rei suddenly stops thrashing about. His body feels limber and weightless. He looks at Nagisa, who returns his sadden gaze with one of his own. Once their eyes meet, Rei falls limp, but alive.
"He needs to rest up," Natsuya said.
"He'll be fine. The worst is certainly over," Reiji reassured him.
The group headed out while Ushijima's mind was starting to recall something from long ago…
Flashback: Ushijima Origin...
Gen 2.0, Olympia Magna
Sagamore Acres
In one of the more secluded areas of the mountains of the northern unknown, a particular village known for its pointy coned-shaped roofs stood. To an outsider, it would just be another depressing area that had survivors from the long-ago catastrophe but to those who know, it had its own secrets.
At one such household, an ageless-appearing woman watched her husband and child playing volleyball toss. The woman was busy cleaning the reeds bush in preparing for something enchantment for later.
"Not too hard now Waka-chan!" Utsui called him, readying the ball again, "Keep your arms steady and your fists ready!"
He tosses it again and the young Ushijima successfully struck the ball gently enough back. The father grins and laughs happily, "Great work!"
He rubs his hand over his son's hair, "You're definitely gonna be a great player someday!"
"I have the best player teaching me. How could I not?" he smiled widely.
Ahmya sighed, "What a waste of circumduction…"
Utsui turns to see his wife's sulk attitude.
"You don't like it, mother?" Ushijima asked.
"You're positivity using your left side as your dominant form," she shrugged.
"I um…I feel more comfortable using my left than my right," he answered, "I didn't realize there was anything wrong with that."
"More so, I think you're getting a bit too old for these childish games. Who's gonna marry you that will waste time throwing things around?" Ahmya questioned this.
"Ahmya..." Utsui sighed.
"Stop, protecting him!" she scolds her husband, "How will he ever grow to defend himself if you keep holding his hand like an overgrown baby?!"
"I...I can stop... it's fine...r-really..." the child stuttered.
"Why are you criticizing OUR son like this? Isn't he allow to have a dream of his own?!" Utsui shouted at her.
"It's fine, Dad! I can stop!" Ushijima cried back, "Mom's...right."
Utsui narrows his eyes and continues at his wife, "You just want him to be like the rest of the people in this land, aren't you? A farmer? In the middle of a vast, endless desert?"
"Wakatoshi, head inside for a moment, please?" Ahmya asked.
Heeding his mother's orders, he heads inside to leave them in private. When it was clear, Ahmya waved out her hand of magic to lift Utsui up in the air a couple of inches with his neck being choked for air.
"Don't you forget...the deal that was made between us and the Dark One. If our child unlocks his powers...it will be the end of this...paradise," she hissed.
"Y-You call t-t-this…" he coughs, "P-Paradise?!"
She chokes him further, nearly suffocating him as she adds, "The people of this town will call him a witch."
She releases him as Utsui coughs up for several moments before asking, "A-And what of you?!"
"I can take care of myself," she snatches up the reeds and answers back, "You need to resume the role of the farmer."
Unaware to the parents, Ushijima had witnessed the whole scene. He had seen this happen many a time in the past. Each one worse than the previous. Before he could get caught watching, he resumed to his cot and lied on the dark, damp bed.
After supper, Wakatoshi was busy reading a book in his bed as the father was sleeping on his own cot. However, the mother was busy brewing something. Out of curiosity, he decides to give it a shot.
Ahmya dumps the last of the purified reeds into the boiling cauldron before asking, "Cannot sleep, my dear child?"
"N-No...I..." he takes a deep breath and sighs, "What you do...whenever you and dad are...do you think you could teach me...? You don't want me to learn volleyball, so maybe I could..."
"Magic has a way of, calling. It's not easily learned by remembering spells or making recipes," she explained.
"But if I'm learning from you...maybe I can learn it quickly, like with Dad..." he answered.
"Your father is a man without magic. In fact, most of the men in this...region do not possess such a thing," she turns to him.
"Then, I can be a man of magic. I won't be like the others," he said.
"That's where the problem lies. If anyone else finds out who you are, it will all be over for us…" she revealed.
"I... I don't understand...what do you mean it'll be over? I can't do volleyball nor do magic?!" he shouted.
Ahmya rests her hand on Wakatoshi's face, casting a sleep spell, "Have patience my child."
He collapses to the ground but magically places him back on the bed.
"Tee-hee. Your role as the mother is going quite well I assume?" a familiar voice was heard.
Ahmyaturns to Theagenes, "We had a deal! Why did you come back?!"
"That we did. But now your son is...getting closer to his first decade well..." Theagenes narrated, "That magic in him will grow."
"You granted me magic from my mother's spell book. I used that power to help flourish the land...keeping the people having some form of resources despite the rest of this planet's uninhabitable desert," she recalled.
"And in exchange, you bore a son and not a daughter," he revealed.
"Y-you did this...you knew that a son with magic in this community was a taboo!" she growled.
"And that is why...you will do as I ask. Because if you deviate in the slightest..." he warns her.
Ahmya griped her fists as the Dark One chuckled again.
"Such a horrible fate...to be a mother," he laughs before vanishing away.
Without a second thought, she walked over to a jewelry box and opened it, looking at the birth note that wrote in speculation of the daughter, but a second paper shown with a son written on instead. True, she gave birth to a son but ever since he was a young infant, some of his magic caused things to go awry, and she had to constantly do damage control to keep the truth hidden from the rest of the villagers.
Next morning:
The mother witch continued to work on the brew as she hears her son finally waking up.
"Must have…fallen asleep…b-but when…practice must have wiped me out," he muttered with a yawn.
"I'm sure it has," she answered while taking a sample of the brew, "Could use some salt…"
"What are you making?" he asked, "It smells…interesting?"
"Just a bit of a brew to help one of the neighbors," she replied.
"Morning!" yawns Utsui before stretching and opening his eyes, "Oh? Y-you're not making breakfast?"
"One of the neighbors is ill with the blisters," she revealed, "They requested help late last night after you both went to med."
"Those must be extreme blisters..." Ushijima shuddered at the thought.
"Well, I suppose I'll go hunting…" Utsui sighed as he went to grab his hunting pack when the door slammed opened with a couple of angry villagers in front of a small mob of people.
"The rumors are true!" the first man shouted.
"That child is a disgrace to our kind!" one of the women shouted.
"Get out of this house!" Utsui glares at them.
"W-what's going…?" Ushijima muttered.
"For generations, our folk relied on the womb to make miracles...but..." the angry man points to Ushijima.
"That demon was your fault!" the other villager glares at Ahmya.
Without hesitation, Ahmya throws the how brew at them, melting them to mush as the rest of the people outside fled the area in terror. After, she rushes to a hidden chest with emergency vials of potions she crafted years ago.
"M-Mother…?!" Ushijima looks at her.
"Drink it," she gives him the vial.
"Ahmya...what is the meaning of this?!" Utsui shouted.
"Mom, what were they talking about? What did you do to them?" the kid asked.
"This isn't the time for questions. Drink. You will unlock your potential as you age. Clearly, I failed as a mother...but I won't fall as a witch," she revealed.
"A…what?!" Ushijima gasped.
"You want to know why the land is fertile and lush? Well look at her here. My clan was wiped out thanks to these angry villagers through the years. But in order to ensure any survivor to the rest of the people, only those of a womb can produce new magic. But you..." she looks at Ushijima, "The ability to use your left hand...the skill you dream of in volleyball...is a magic far beyond my league."
"This is all too much to take in. I mean, I know I'm gullible to a degree, but you can't honestly expect me to believe that you...that this...that...everything! All this is just...insane," the son replied.
"I knew someday my blood will end...I will be the last one," she makes a sad smile, "Guess that time has already come."
"Wakatoshi...Utsui...you both don't need me. I'm already ostracized..."
"This whole time then...you never...loved me?" Utsui asked.
"Of course I did!" she glares at him, annoyed, "I wished time stopped at our wedding day...and night. But in the end...it was just as what was prophesized of me...a failure."
"That's not true! You're not a failure!" Ushijima argued.
"You both need to go. Before the rest of the people come after you," she hands out a map to them, "There's another village to the west of here. Take these pseudonyms as well."
Present Day:
While the Swimming Guardians were taking care of matters on Rei and finding out more about the upcoming threats, Ushijima along with Sakusa and Satori. The former two were walking close like a couple while Satori was being his usual, peppy self.
"Remind me why we have him with us?" Sakusa asked Ushijima.
"The others insisted we let him come along. Couldn't exactly say no," he said before whispering, "Someone said he's a monster, after all."
"What is it …that breaks with a crickety-crack? Your heart, of course!" Satori sung a bit to himself.
"I hope this is a good idea..." Sakusa muttered.
"If we let him stay with us for a while, maybe he'll get bored and walk away," Ushijima shrugged.
"I can hear you back here!" Satori playfully called them out.
"Then what did I say?" Ushijima asked.
"Something about me being annoying, I bet," Satori crossed his arms, "I'm right, aren't I?"
The trio met up with Atsumu somewhere out in a cleared forest area. Per request, Ushijima asked the blond to join this little meet up since the powers of the volleyball were still aligned with the Morgan Rod.
"I still don't understand why we need the blonde involved?" Sakusa asked.
"Need I remind you Omi-kun?" Atsumu sighed.
Ushijima dig into his pocket to reveal a half-filled fluid. Sakusa gasped as he recognized it from a long-ago conversation in confidence, "Y-You said that drink was..."
"That was…but a half truth. They say you shouldn't listen fully to the words of a witch. If that's the case, I only listened to half."
"What's it going to do if you finish it? Why would she even make you drink such a weird...thing?" the black-haired man looks at it.
"My mother didn't really get involved in my life that much. Made me wonder if she even loved me or my father, even if she said she did. I can't fully hate her. I mean, I didn't know that much about her, where she came from. Any of that," Ushijima explained, "So, even if she said this would heighten my ability, how could I one-hundred percent trust her when she resented me playing the sport I loved?"
"And you're drinking it now...?" Satori asked.
"Ushijima asked me to check it first...to see if it is safe to drink it," Atsumu said as he raised the rod to test the vial. A soft glow resonates to the remaining fluid but moments later he recoils, "Um. I think you better drink that fluid as soon as you can.
"Huh? What do you mean?" he asked.
"I may not know you personally Ushi-kun but...that fluid isn't something she brewed up. She found it from a nearby river and placed her own tear in it..." Atsumu explained.
"I don't understand," the bara man replied.
"A-are they…memories?" Sakusa guessed.
With a sigh, Ushijima finally opens the vial and drinks the remaining portion of it...finally getting into a vision filled of memories of the late mother growing up as a young girl gifted with great magic.
Her clan were protectors in the mountains...keeping the entire terrain alive as possible for the survivors of 'The Shattering'.
Generations were passed down but all were women...who were gifted with that said magic.
Leading up to his mother's generation where she couldn't defend the last portions of the mountains of life...turning to the Dark One for help which restored the land a bit but was gifted as a son instead of a daughter. Sakusa, Atsumu, and Satori watch his reactions from confusion to revelation, to now in a state of shock.
Finally, Ushijima finds the memories of both his parents when they first met somewhere out in a caravan crowd of people while traveling in the desert. There, a younger Ahmya was making some flowers grow in a random spot which happen to be seen by Utsui.
"W-what is that?" the young Utsui asked.
"S-stay away! I don't want to hurt you!" she replied, concerned.
"Did you make that flower grow?" he looks at the plant.
"Y-yes," she answered, lowering her head with shame.
"They're my favorite. I haven't seen these since…well…when the world shattered," Utsui said, "I lost both my parents from the cataclysm but only kept this as my father's keepsake."
He reveals a white ball in as Ahmya asked, "W-what is that…a crystal sphere?"
"Just a volleyball. My dream is to become a champion player someday like they say in the legends of the Ancient Olympics!" he smiled.
"I hope someday you can get there..." she smiled too.
Before he could thank her, one of the relatives snatched Ahmya back to her crowd of people in the caravan while Utsui looked almost confused to why. He couldn't understand how people would be so controlling and such.
The visions finally stop as Ushijima breaks away from the sadness he finally sees from his parents.
"A-are you...?" Sakusa asked.
"Give him a moment," Atsumu answered.
After a long pause and a heavy sigh, the muscular man asked, "Could that be why she was who she said she was? What was all that? I wonder...could she also have known what I'd come to possess?"
He calls forth his volley crystal, "Did she know about this? Why didn't she want to open up to me? If she knew I had such potential, why didn't she help me hone it? We could've..."
"If I had to take a guess..." Satori shrugged, "Maybe she didn't want to burden you with the responsibilities she was meant to bear. She wanted you to realize your dream; to bloom in someplace a little more fertile than hiding in the dark."
"I tried so very hard not to drink that. I didn't want to believe that this...whatever it was going to unlock my true ability," Ushijima said.
"Then, why did you drink it in the first place?" Sakusa asked.
"I only did to defend myself. Before I completed the move to Sportsbrooke, my dad and I were attacked," he revealed, "Attacked by the same bastard who leveled your village, 'Tsumu. Didn't realize they were one in the same until years later."
"Was that when you drank the first portion?" Atsumu realized.
"Yeah. Before I knew it, everything that guy tried throwing at me was getting smacked back at him and then some. Almost like I had unlocked a God hand-like power," Ushijima narrated, "Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to protect my dad. But he never blamed me. Even in his last moments, he praised me. Told me to keep going. Keep going to Sportsbrooke. Get stronger. Get better. Get to the top of the world."
Thank you…dad, he thought, for defending that wish of mine…
The rest of the volleyball peeps (minus Oikawa) were making plans for the upcoming Olympius Duniya, creating their own posters, and setting up fundraisers to get the awareness going. In one of the booths, they were making a series of brunch like food options, Bokuto, Tobio, and Kourai held the fort in place here in the Iwamara Square.
Kourai finishes whipping up another batter ready, "Another pancakes ready for the gridle!"
"Yaaaaay! Let's fry them up and make the crowd happy!" Bokuto grinned.
"You don't fry pancakes, you moron," Tobio answered.
"Fry them with a side of bananas!" Bokuto ignored this.
"I will slap your face onto this griddle if you don't stop. Don't try my patience," Tobio narrowed his eyes.
"Ehhh?" Bokuto tilts his head al little.
Kourai pours the batter properly on while asking, "Anyway, where are the others? I thought Ushijima was gonna stop over."
"Ushijima said he had some things to take care of before he came over. Whatever that is, don't know," Tobio shrugged.
"We could take a guess," Bokuto muttered.
"That gimmick is already taken by someone else. Stay in your lane," Tobio glares at him.
Finally, the three skaters set for the Olympics arrive in this town as they were wanting to visit here.
"This town is totally hype!" Reki's eyes sparkled in joy.
"Right by the sea too," Langa smiled, "Just like Frostella."
"Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if Shadow slime and his boy toy move out here," Miya smirked.
"So then, what should we do?" Reki asked as they paused their skating.
"Maybe check the town square?" Langa shrugged.
"I smell something…breakfast?" Miya muttered.
They arrived at the square where they see the booth of the volleyball peeps they briefly recalled back during the battle at Frostella.
"Oh, hey it's them skaters!" Kourai calls them.
"What brings such royal passerbyers to our lowly stand?!" Bokuto grinned.
"Will you shut up?" Tobio rolled his eyes.
"Just curious on what you ladies making?" Miya winks.
"Oh dear," Langa sighed.
"Don't be a slime, Miya," Reki smirked.
"Hey! That's my line!" Miya glares at him.
"'Slime'?" Bokuto tilts his head, "I thought that only appeared if you said 'I don't know'."
With a shrug, he grabs an empty pitcher and puts it on top of his head, amusing the trio.
"What the hell are you doing now?" Tobio looks at him.
"The slime can't hit you if you wear protection," Bokuto's voice echoed in the metal.
"Where is your brain? Seriously," Tobio rolled his eyes.
Jeez, and this guy helped save the world, Reki thought to himself.
Langa decided to take a peek at the menu, scanning a few options when he found, "I'm interested in the crepes."
"Awesome! Got any particular flavor you have in mind?" Kourai asked.
"Maybe the fruit flavored," Langa looks at Reki.
"Sounds delish! Wanna split it?"
"I'll go for the maple syrup!" Miya answered.
"I smell broke," Bokuto takes off the pitcher which allowed Tobio to smack him on the head with the spatula.
"That's it. Eighteen-month ban. No pancakes for you!" Tobio barks at Bokuto.
"To be fair," Miya said before whispering to Bokuto, "They're dating."
"I don't think they'd keep it so subtle," Kourai shrugged.
"I doubt the paparazzi would try anything, but you can't be too careful in the public eye," Tobio shrugged.
Chirottori
Back in the realm of the Mullerians and other fantasy creatures, a now walking Ainosuke was running around the castle with Tadashi running after him.
"Skate! Skate! Skate?!" Ainosuke tries to find a skateboard as he looked at a random chest in the hallway. He tried to open it, but he fell back on his rear end.
"I think it's a little early for that, Young Master - er, Ainosuke," Tadashi gets his attention back.
"Who's that?" the blue haired child tilts his head.
Moments later, Kiriko runs into the scene, "Little Aino, how far are you gonna run over in this castle?"
"Run? Castle?" the kid asked again, confused.
"I tried to keep him corralled. Slippery little..." Tadashi tried to explain himself.
"It's no doubt the Mullerian blood is making him already walking and running," Kiriko shrugged.
"Skate! Skate!" Ainosuke called out again.
Kiriko kneels down to her son and diverts the topic, "How about some steak instead?"
"A better alternative," Tadashi agreed.
They head their way over to the great hall when they heard loud noises followed by explosions of energy. Kiriko flew her way over to see what was happening as her eyes widened to her horror.
A group of Visorak destroyed much of the hall with Janella trying to dodge their Rhotuka spinners flying around.
"JANELLA!" she screamed.
A Keelerak turned to see her, readying its spinner. Janella shoved her out of the way in time as Tadashi and Ainosuke took a peek to see the chaos unleashed.
"Where's Goliath!? And Stellaluna?!" Kiriko asked.
"They took them! Along with the Chivashi!" she answered, panicked, "You have to find them! I'm trying to keep them busy here till they run out of energy! Don't let them get to Ainosuke!"
"I'll take him to safety," Tadashi replied, taking a tighter grip on his beloved, "Let us go before we get…"
Suddenly a soft wind was heard as the Visorak stopped their attacks, drawing their attention to a newcomer appearing in the shadows. The four watched the spiders lining themselves up as someone emerged out of the darkness.
A well-armored figure walks in with her body covered in soil and roots. However, she had an aura of darkness within her likewise with her own little cloaked figures hiding behind her little coven.
"I-Impossible...you were defeated by them?!" Kiriko asked.
"Oh you mean my friend Verrado? True, her power is on a different level than my own but...unveils her face She could never produce the right descendant..." the newcomer laughed.
"What is the meaning of this? How dare you trespass on this land!" Tadashi narrowed his eyes.
The stranger laughs, "Land...? Clearly you ex-human have no idea about this world...unless of course, I offer you a crash course on it."
"What have you done with the others?!" Kiriko demanded.
The stranger turns to the Visorak who had them wrapped up in cocoons, "What spiders do best. Undergoing an experiment...how about a mutation or two?"
"You...BITCH!" Janella approaches her but the ground grabs her by the feet, holding her in place.
"If my suspicions are correct, the mutation is certainly not going to work. With that you can have them back...but if they do change...well...they're mine for the taking," she insisted, "After all, I…Gaea Terra, will eventually become the true Mother Nature."
The cocoons did nothing but eventually exploded out as Stellaluna and Goliath were shocked they were free. Moments later, the five Chivashi also broke free.
"The hell was this mess?!" Haruto growled.
"You will pay for that!" Mariko readies his claws.
"Ahhh, no," Gaea Terra waves her hand to put the Chivashi in the same condition like Janella, "I'm here to make sure that someone from my realm does not get here...or if he is...well...I guess this world will too...pass."
"And what will you benefit from destroying this world!?" Janella shouted.
"You clearly don't know...the full story of Eve and Eden," Gaea Terra laughs while taking a glance at the baby, "Such a pity that child could not be my own...but that's alright. Someone of my bloodline will."
"Don't even think about laying a hand on him!" Tadashi growled.
"We'll see about that," she answered, vanishing with the Visorak back to Spherus Magna. The disappearance also released the dark magic as Janella reunited with her family and the Chivashi reuniting with Tadashi.
"Mama!" Stellaluna cries in her arms, "I'm so sorry!"
"No sweetie! I should've taken the hit," she calms her down, "I'm sorry…"
"Is everyone alright!?" Tadashi looked at the five.
"I think so? I'm sure we'd be something far worse by now," Rikuto brushed off any of the cocoon threads left on him.
"The others should know what happened and what enemy they're about to face," Reiji answered.
"It's always has to be us to spoil their happiness…" Natsuhisa sighed, "Don't forget they have glasses man now just like us…sort of."
"To hell whatever this becomes," Mariko narrowed his eyes.
Iwamara Swim World - Outside
Gou sat down with Momo, Isuzu, and Ai as they were trying to figure out how to work things out with Rei now that his condition has changed so much.
"So now what? Is Rei going to have to sit out?" Isuzu asked.
"Nagisa sort of made a contract with one of those vampire versions of themselves," Gou said.
"He did what?!" Momo gasped while Ai remained silent.
"I've heard stories about them...and Rasputin. Our ancestors fought against them, but I guess times are different..." she continued, "They are set to serve under their new master...what was his name again?"
"Oh yeah, that blue-haired psycho guy!" Isuzu recalled.
"You're not truly wrong there, but you could've used a different name," Ai sighed, "It was Ainosuke."
"An Ai for an Ai!" Momo chuckled.
"Not now, Momo," he glares at him.
Isuzu rolls her eyes, "It's not like I am a super girl who goes out and fights. Doing them transformation dances…"
From that statement, she began to fantasize about their muscles as Gou softly chuckled on that.
"I think we lost her...not that we ever had her," Momo muttered.
"Can you get serious for one moment, please?" Ai asked.
Gou was about to reply when she got a text message from Stellaluna. She opens to see the pics and nearly drops her phone with a small gasp of horror.
"G-Gou?!" Isuzu snaps back to reality.
"What happened?!" Momo asked.
"It's from Stellaluna..." she turned the phone to them, "They were under attack by those...spiders that Alex mentioned!"
"What in the name of…!" Ai gasped.
"She also said something about some weird armored being who seemed to be in charge of them. I need to let the others know...we might be under a new enemy's radar," Gou answered.
"As if we didn't have enough on our plates already. Now this. What are we going to do now?" Ai asked.
In Neo Sportsbrooke, Oikawa returns there to visit Gino and Gabriel in the formation of their own volleyball team. They were in some fun talk from their previous matches against Shouyou and the former at one of the coastal restaurants.
"It didn't take long for you to be like him, that ninja guy," Gino said.
"Well, you know, you could say a little of him kind of rubbed off on me," Oikawa chuckled as they cheered on their drinks.
"Where is he now? Has he joined a team already?" Gabriel asked.
"He's had his team for the longest time. It just took a while for them to assemble," the brunette answered.
"Well, if that makes us three, we still need a bit more people...not to mention a coach and manager..." Gino counts on his fingers to figure out the resources they needed.
"I'm sure there are plenty of people who'd..." Oikawa begins but pauses to look at his phone. His expression grew in shock when moments later…
"Well, is it too late to join?" another person walked in on scene.
"W-who!?" Gino looks at the blonde-haired man with a pair of gunmetal-gray spectacles.
"Damn...he's just as bright as the ninja," Gabriel whistled.
"Ts-Ts-Tsukishima?! You?! I don't get it... I thought you'd..." Oikawa gasped, "What about Shouyou and the others? I thought you'd want to side with them!"
"They got enough. Besides, I've been through a lot of hell myself," he said, "I'll see them again someday."
"You sure Yamaguchi isn't going to be lonely without you?" Oikawa makes his own grin.
"He's got enough funds to support his upcoming business as well as making the move to come out here.," Kei winks, "I want a happy ending too…but you and I do share one thing in common…our past."
"Heh, I never thought I'd see the day you'd want to team with me. Willingly, anyway," Oikawa chuckled.
"This isn't the old world. Even as I have made my peace with them, I have my moments of feeling somewhat an outcast," Kei answered.
"Outcasts of the world unite. The more the merrier," Oikawa makes a fist bump with the blond, welcoming him into this new team.
"Don't worry. They already know I've made my decision. Rivals or friends, what matters is that we have to show this world our love for volleyball," Kei smiled.
"Heh-heh. This world won't know what hit it. Let's rock it to its core with our wondrous styles!" Oikawa raises his fist in the air like a shooting star.
"Ready when you are!" Kei pushed up his glasses with his own stance.
Iwamara Town...
The families of the Magic Six and their friends have begun to adjust to their new lives here in this strange, unknown world. In one of the city streets by the shore, the Marotta's were finally putting the finishing touches to their new home.
The mother looks at the family photo with a sadden sigh, "How much more will it be before we can finally settle?"
"Honey, what's wrong?" the husband asked.
"It's Sandro...even now we may be in this new world with him, I still feel like it's distance away," she answered, "Now of course, my other twin pootsie is still at the North Pole...on the other planet. Why?"
"Have no fear mama, I have faith in him that he will spend time with us again like the old times," Sergi tried to relax her worries.
"I hope so," she answered while putting away some more of her art supplies.
Sergi smiled a moment before turning to the book, opening up some pages to read over but finding something…off. He walks over to the coffee table to see a half-torn page, "When did this...?"
"Something wrong?" the father asked.
"Maybe a bit of the pen can fix this..." Sergi mutters as he takes out the quill to try to use its magic to seam the pages back together, but nothing happens, "Huh? This is strange."
He looks at the images showing what looked like a shadowed figure swinging some staff like weapon with an explosion of dark energy and another image shows endless souls moving on with their lives from the Underworld.
Borrowing the space at Kuro and Kenma's, Aran, Shinsuke, Gao, Yuudai, and Motoya were trying to come up with design ideas for the volleyball teams upon the upcoming Olympics. They each tried to sketch something out but most of their ideas were either too simple or dull.
"Ugh, I'm not so much of an artist..." Aran looks at his.
"I think what you sketched out isn't bad. The red and white does go along well like the swimmer's," Shinsuke noted.
"Something catching your eye?" Yuudai asked Gao as the latter was looking through different designs of such jerseys in the magazines.
"I found this from the Old Sportsbrooke. We had a bunch of different designs too," Shinsuke revealed an older set from his bag.
"I like the red one as a base, but the white would be good for days that are too humid," Motoya noted.
"Then there's the version used for the libero. We can't forget that," Gao said.
Aran finally presents something in two designs, "Here's the one in red and the other in white. I say we put the Libero in the white."
"Seems logical to me," Yuudai agreed.
"I think we can work with this," Gao nodded.
"It's kinda funny...naming this new city after that old city from the other world. I wonder what it was like to live there..." Motoya shrugged.
"Well...aside from the Dark Times..." Aran sighed.
"The city had its perks thanks to the Swimming Guardians," Shunsuke added, "Well, a different variation of them...the same people who were also Atlanteans."
"Remind me how many versions of these guys are there?" Yuudai asked.
"Probably best not to think about it too much," Gao shrugged.
"More than you can ever imagine," a voice said.
The group turned to see the younger Marotta brother walking in as the latter said, "I apologize if you're in the middle of something."
"A-are you…?" Yuudai asked.
"Yes, I am the younger brother of Alex...the Swimming Guardian you all know of," Sergi makes a brief head bow.
"Welcome to our little slice of paradise," Gao answered.
"I wish I could make some small talk but..." he looks at Motoya, "Have you ever heard the phrase...'Unfinished Business'?"
"Um…I guess so? Care to elaborate?" he asked.
"I guess I was never good at being subtle," he brings the torn page up to him.
"W-what is that?" Aran asked.
"Let's say it's a forgotten chapter in someone's history...I might be the role of the author who chronicles the stories of all kinds but only so much I can do to intervene," the younger man explained.
"Um…I was born here...and an only child. I don't know if you heard any of our conversation but…" Motoya begins but the author reveals another page to him.
"Care to answer about this?" Sergi asked.
Motoya sees the page and shakes his head, "No. I don't understand what nonsense you're trying to spew. And since when did I ever even talk to that masked guy? He's always hanging out with Bokuto, Shouyou, and Atsumu at times...not to mention his partner..."
"Not if I have had any regret of losing a family member that did believe in me," another familiar voice was heard.
Sakusa walks in without his mask, "The real reason why I kept wearing this mask was to hide my emotions of regret. Though now a days I have it more off than worn. Thanks to this gentleman, I think I can do this..."
"S-Sakusa?" Yuudai and Gao gasped.
With a shrug, Sakusa concentrated on his fists to make his MSBY Helix Crystal appear. It shimmered a soft, golden glow with a scratched symbol based on the jersey design.
"What is the meaning of this?" Motoya asked.
"…the truth is, you never got to experience the real deal of Volleyball. Sportsbrooke was your dream…like mines. But your story ended short," Sakusa answered, "But only if you choose to believe."
Motoya looked at the crystals as his own heart was starting to feel its power likewise. Without realizing it, he walks up to touch it.
Finally, all the memories flooded back into him as the torn page finally seams back together again, revealing a storyline showing Motoya's death in the desert before being thrown into the Underworld and then being let out after Sousuke swung the glaive, being reborn here on Duniya.
He finally looks at Sakusa with a sadden smile, "I-it's you...really you?"
"Took you long enough...dear cousin," Sakusa answered with his own smile.
The two finally embrace a hug as the black-haired man continued, "You were the only person who was also interested in Volleyball like I was...sadly I failed to protect you while we fled home."
"…I'm so sorry, Omi-chan," he said.
Moments later, his heart heats up as he too now finally dons a Volleyball crystal floating next to him.
"He gets one, too?!" Yuudai cried out.
"Lucky..." Gao crossed his arms.
"The EJP Raijin Crystal...it's yours now," Sergi revealed.
"W-wow...this is...amazing!" he chuckled with joy.
"You have a lot of catching up to do. Are you up for it?" Sakusa asked.
"I'll be sure to join you and your team for the Olympics," Motoya grins.
Flashback: Operation Haikyuu!
(from Gen 2.0, Book 2: Unforgiven Ace)
- Ushijima Story Part 2
After giving the hopeful speech to the Volleyball community, Natsu, Sou and Aone tasked Ushijima to go find anyone still out in the desert. With a little bit of magic borrowed from Gaardus, he used a feather to locate one struggling group consisting of Kenjirou, Iwaizumi, Kiyoko, Eita Semi, Tsutomu Goshiki, and Yuusuke among others.
"U-Ushijima?!" Yuusuke gasped.
"I'll be damned. It worked," Ushijima opened his eyes to see them. He saw Iwaizumi standing quietly, prompting him to be slightly wary of his presence.
"You can drop the guard. It's me," Iwaizumi sighed.
"Well good. I didn't want to have to deal with the 'prince's' blood knight," Ushijima answered.
"We have a lot of people trailing out. They're losing direction," Kiyoko replied.
"That bastard probably has all the maps and resources!" Yuusuke grips his right fist in anger.
Wait, Sou was in charge of the mapping system, and Aone had the compass. Why didn't Natsu send those two with me, dammit, Ushijima realized.
"I can assure you Shouyou doesn't have any of the maps," Ushijima shrugged.
"What do you mean?" Eita asked.
"Sou and Aone were the ones with the equipment. We do roll call every two hours. We know they're not with us," Tsutomu shrugged.
"Do you know something about this, Ushijima?" Iwaizumi looks at him.
"They're in Sportsbrooke with Natsu and the Magic Six. But it's gonna be fine. In fact, those three are being treated like honored guests. Seems like the scissor crazy governor realized he screwed up and wants to try rebuilding the Karasuno District," Ushijima answered, "I shared my piece of info, now you. Is Shouyou here with you? Is he alive?"
"How should we know?" Iwaizumi replied, "Little bastard took off with at least Kageyama, Tsukishima, and Tanaka. Maybe others, too."
Stupid bird. Thought you said your feather would lead me to them. Last time I listen to a talking animal, Ushijima thought.
"H-how was it? Sportsbrooke, I mean?" Eita asked.
"Not as glorious as it once was. Natsu managed to corral some of the other volleyball folks that escaped exile. Even ran into ol' Bokuto before she sent me back out here. He looked like he saw a ghost," Ushijima said.
"Are there any survivors left there still?" Yuusuke asked.
"Aside from Bokuto? Not anyone I could pinpoint directly. There were many, many people who were voicing for us to be allowed back in, that the Generation of Miracles was wrong..." he continued, "Morale for basketball has plummeted, but the Magic Six are trying to keep all sides at peace."
Kiyoko looks toward the sunset, "We need to start creating a site. Some of our members have managed to bring limited supplies."
"We're like...2000+ miles away?" Yuusuke asked.
"Sportsbrooke couldn't have given you some form of transportation to bring us back in?" Tsutomu grumbled.
"I already said that Natsu sent me out here by myself to find you all. Mainly her brother," the muscular man continued.
"Lot of good that did," Iwaizumi rolled his eyes but paused for a second with a whisper, "Y-you didn' see…?"
"No. I didn't see Oikawa. I doubt he's even still in Sportsbrooke, or anywhere else nearby," Ushijima revealed, "Anyway, I was given some magic that should help us get back to the city…"
He digs into his pocket but something wasn't right. He checked the other side as he frantically started to look around.
"Uhhh, okay?" Eita asked.
"Hey, don't stress yourself out. There's been a lot happening. I am sure we'll get back home soon," Kiyoko reassured him.
"We'll think about heading out after everyone is accounted for. For the time being, we'll let you back in the fold. I'm sure there are others who will be relieved to know you're still alive and kicking," Iwaizumi said as he turned to the sundown, "Shouldn't be long now until the rest of the groups rendezvous back."
Hours Later:
Ushijima woke up in the middle of the night as he had to rotate an early shift to keep on watch for wild animals. He still had the vial safely in his pocket...wondering if he should take it or not.
Since drinking the first portion, he had felt...potential unlocking more potential every day, even after being exiled. This sheer confidence was growing.
I'm surprised this survived for as long as it did. Real durable stuff. Just like me, huh, he thought, whatever god of fate is listening, please see to it we make it back safely, and welcomed with opened arms.
"It's your turn for the watch?" Iwaizumi asked.
Ushijima flinches when Iwaizumi suddenly approaches as the former said, "You really shouldn't be sneaking up on me like that."
"Oh please. I wasn't sneaking. You weren't paying attention. Some watch you are," Iwaizumi crossed his arms.
"Yeah, yeah. Screw you, too," he shrugged as they stood side by side, keeping an eye out of the sands with the stars glimmering high above.
"I did try…" Ushijima said, "To find the others in Sportsbrooke. The Miya brothers. Kourai...Sakusa...none are in sight."
"You really didn't see them? I would have thought a guy of your height would have been able to pick them out of the crowd," Iwaizumi answered.
"They weren't there. Not even Oikawa. Don't bother asking again. I know you were going to," he said.
"At this point, I don't care what happens to that idiot. He can fend for himself," Iwaizumi sighed before continuing, "Anyway, you seemed a little hesitant there mentioning Sakusa. Something you'd like to share?"
"Not really," Ushijima shrugged it off.
"You already know that half the district is dating or banging one another. Don't be so far in the closet you're choking on moth balls," Iwaizumi said.
"Oh really? Then what does that make you and Oikawa?" Ushijima asked.
"We weren't... I mean, we were...I dunno how to say this..." Iwaizumi started to blush a little.
"And you tell me to cough up information. You Seijoh guys. So fickle," Ushijima snickered a little.
"And you're as bullheaded as ever, Ushiwaka," he replied.
"Whatever you say there, Iwa-chan," Ushijima tries to mimic Oikawa's voice.
"Fine. Okay. We were together. It wasn't something we wanted to go public yet. At least... not me, anyway. Dumbasskawa wanted to shout it out to the entire city like we were the next big IT couple," Iwaizumi answered.
"I guess it's kinda similar but…we weren't official yet," Ushijima revealed.
"Wait, really? There were rumors going around you two probably hooked up a long time ago," Iwaizumi softly gasped a little.
"With how finnicky Sakusa is about cleanliness and all that, do you really think he'd jump for joy at having a significant other? Trust me, we hadn't even held hands or kissed or any of that," Ushijima said, "Hard to do that with a guy who's afraid of getting dirty."
"That's... a bit much. I didn't ask for that much," Iwaizumi muttered, turning his head away.
"Not like I said we were doing an under-the-sheets tango. I was going to ask him out on a date, you know. That night. The night when everything went to hell," Ushijima continued.
"A lot of good moments were ruined that night. If you had to guess, do you think Sakusa survived all this time?" Iwaizumi asked.
"Every day and night, I'd hoped he had," he said, "Why do you think I put up with Shouyou's nonsense? I wanted to live long enough to make it to Sportsbrooke, find him or some hints about his whereabouts..."
"Honestly, a part of me probably would have let you go, knowing how spiteful and vindictive Shouyou had become. I'd do it to keep you alive, you idiot," Iwaizumi said.
"How thoughtful of you. Here I thought because your team hated mine for the longest time, you'd be quick to throw me under the bus," Ushijima answered back.
"There's competition on the court, nowhere else. When we're playing against each other, all bets are off," Iwaizumi explained, "However, in life…there could very well be a chance to improve relationships. That's what worried me from the moment this all collapsed. Even as Assakawa did try to…well…build a team, that wasn't always easy with his ego."
"I can't tell if you love the guy or hate his guts. This isn't very healthy behavior," Ushijima replied.
"What? The guy needs his ass kicked every once in a while. Get his head back in the right place," he answered.
"Heh, now I can tell who was topping whom," Ushijima smirked.
"Excuse me?!" Iwaizumi nearly coughed on his own spit.
"You and Oikawa were that close, weren't you? Come on, you said so yourself. Everyone was either dating or banging someone," Ushijima tried hard not to laugh.
"WE NEVER DID IT YOU DUMBASS!" Iwaizumi shouted.
"Sssh! People are trying to sleep, you know," he winked.
"That's enough! Conversation done!" Iwaizumi reacted with a red blush.
Sometime after…the Makeshift Oasis
With the Gen 2.0 Magic Six crafting some oasis zones, the group were bathing themselves as well as starting to recover from the heat. It had been a struggle but Ushijima was able to recover successfully but recalled a strange dream involving his mother possessing a crystal-like object. Ushijima, Iwaizumi and Daichi were in their own little area together to have some peace from the crowd.
"Something on your mind, Ushi?" Daichi asked.
"Huh? Oh, uh...nothing," he answered.
"Not like you to get so quiet. Aren't you the first one to be spouting lectures left and right?" Iwaizumi smirked.
"I'm not going to ruin this moment of peace and relaxation because you irritate me, so I'll humor you for now. I saw something when I was struggling to stay conscious," he said, "I'm not sure what all it was, exactly, but I do know for certain my mother was there.
"She was holding... something. I'm not sure what."
"Y-your mother...? B-but I thought..." Daichi gasped.
"She's no longer living. That much is certain. I never really got the chance to share, but she wasn't really the best person in the world you could call a mother," Ushijima continued, "What a witch she was."
"You trying to censor yourself?" Iwaizumi asked.
"I mean that in the literal sense," he said.
"N-no way…you have got to be joking. If your mom was a straight up witch, with magic and all that, then…" Daichi gasped.
"It skipped a generation, obviously. I can't concoct anything out of the aether, or fly on a broom, none of that," he shrugged.
"So there's no way you could...attempt to cultivate it? Maybe it could be helpful?" Iwaizumi asked.
"Relax. I can't do anything she could have done. I can't manipulate the world around me with a snap of my fingers, or ride around via air currents, or even make fire appear just by crossing my eyes, or whatever else is stereotypical witch nonsense," Ushijima said, "I'd like to do that, don't get me wrong. I can't. Plain and simple."
Daichi turns his head to see the Magic Six approaching, "We'll have to revisit this on another day. For now, they might need our help."
Present Day: Iwamara Medic
At the medic area, Nagisa placed a set of hyacinths by Rei on the nightstand. While the megane survived the ordeal, the blond still couldn't bear to see him suffer like this. The others received word from Gou about the raid in Chirottori from Stellaluna's messages.
Rei, it seems no matter how fast I run to you or after you, you're always a foot or two away from me to catch up, he thought, We gained strength together. We formed a mighty team. Unlocked our magic. Went through so many stages of hell and back.
Even still, I can't seem to catch up to you.
And now, after this... it seems I'm even further away than ever.
We're supposed to be protecting each other first and foremost.
I can't even protect the one who gave me my life back. Who gave us all our lives back.
He briefly makes the book appear before making it vanish, I possess such amazing power, yet why does it feel useless in comparison to what you're capable of doing and what you've done?
I don't know what to do.
I know the others are going to want to march into the enemy homeland at some point. They'll want me to come...but should I?
What about you, Rei?
What do I do? What can I do?
Nagisa sinks his head down, lost in thought and turmoil, before whispering, "W-what am I supposed to do?!"
He feels a light tap on his shoulder. Something cold. When he looks up, he sees Asahi standing above him, offering him a bottle of water.
"You looked like you could use it," he said.
"Th-Thanks..." Nagisa takes the bottle, opening it and taking a sip.
"Worried about Rei?" Asahi asked.
"How can I not be?" Nagisa sighed, "It's not just him. The whole thing with Chirottori...the spiders...being betrayed by Artemis' evil twin…it's too much."
"This coming from someone who helped take down an army of super evil witches and even the Goddesses of Fate themselves?" Asahi looks at him.
The blond kept silent as the other man continues, "Listen, this inspirational thing isn't exactly my scene, but I'll try it if I can help. Did you know Rei and I met long ago when we were kids? Met him in a library, asking him for books on swimming."
"But he wasn't into swimming yet...?" the blond gasped with some confusion.
"I know that. Well, I didn't know that at the time. He gave me a book to help boost my motivation. It helped. I always wanted to thank him for that. Never got the chance to do so. I'd like to think that him helping me was part of the reason me, Ikuya, Makoto, and Haru won our race.
"Fast forward years later...well, after the world had gone to hell...I did what I could to pay him back, even without realizing it. Did he ever tell you how he made it to Articora in the first place?"
"I thought he was separated from you all when he got there," Nagisa said.
"We were, but not originally," Asahi revealed, "See, I had a key from my sister. And little did I know that that key was…the trigger that jump started his quest to that land. He got to the other side, and he was able to create a new world for us. A chance to reunite with our friends from so long ago.
"I just had to wait a little longer before that time could come."
"This is all fascinating, but what does this have to do with you encouraging me?" Nagisa asked.
"I'm getting to it. The point I'm trying to make is that you shouldn't give up. No matter how bleak the situation may be," Asahi said.
"That's easy for you to say..." Nagisa muttered.
Before Nagisa knew what happened, Asahi has grabbed him by the shoulders and is staring him dead in the face.
"Rei wouldn't want you to be like this," he said, "What happened to him was something we had no chance in preventing. A part of him knew that, I'm certain of it, but he wouldn't want us to give up because of it.
"He'd want you to keep fighting, just like you all encouraged him to keep going in his darkest times. If any of you crumbled under the weight of this...
"I don't think Rei would ever forgive himself tearing this team's morale apart."
"But that doesn't explain what I can do to help..." Nagisa said.
"It simple what you have to do, Nagisa. Go with them," Asahi replied.
"What? But...what about..." the blond began.
"I'll stay," Asahi revealed.
"N-No...that's not right," Nagisa gasped, "I mean, you were just spouting off how you were wanting to be with Mako-chan and Haru-chan. If those two go on this mission to who knows where, and you stay..."
"I'm aware of it. That doesn't mean this will be the last time I see them," he smiles confidently, "We still have the games to put on together, after all."
Nagisa starts to tear up a little, "It's...not right...I couldn't."
"Yes, you can. And you will. You all want your happy ending together, right? Don't you think it'd make a little more sense if you were out there helping them seize it?" Asahi continued, "After all, I know Rei would want you to help bring him back. Just as he did all of you."
Finally, Makoto and Haruka arrived on scene as Asahi greeted them.
"Nagisa, we'll get through this. If Alex's idea works...we might be able to restore their visions," Haruka answered.
Makoto rests his hand on Nagisa's shoulder, "We all feel upset by the recent events. But Rei is going to hang on for us, just as we held onto him...we owe him that."
With that Nagisa finally cries in their arms as they hugged him for support.
Elsewhere, another group were listening to Gou as she revealed the recent events from Chirottori.
"This his horrible," Rin said, "Now they're getting involved?"
"The Visorak…are they really our next enemies?" Kyle asked.
Gou turns to Alex, "Hey, you said something about the Element Lords the other day. Is it true that one of them is on Terabithia? As in connecting them to come here?"
"I might be able to pull it off. However, the power of my crystal has increased so much from the previous battle. I'm worried it will draw more attention," he said.
"How troublesome. If only Rei was conscious…both of them. Perhaps they could have been a way to accomplish this feat?" Nao asked.
"Rei has done more than enough for all of us," Nagisa stepped into the room followed by Makoto, Haruka, and Asahi.
"What do you mean?" Gou asked.
Nagisa summons the spell book and continued, "I'm going to utilize this Talisman to the best of my ability and help bring us one step closer to our goal. Our happy ending. Right?"
"Your talisman...what do you plan to do?" Rin asked.
"Rei may have been the bridge to connect Chaos and Cosmos...but I'm the bridge that connects his heart with everyone else's. Isn't that right, Sandro-chan?" the blond winks.
Alex makes a sad smile and a nod, "He has done everything to give us our best chance."
"I might be able to pull this one off without using our crystals," Nagisa answered, "If we all work together on this…we might be able to get…your guests here."
"But the question is…are they still in Articora?" Alex asked, "I only saw them on Dutsen before I escaped to this world last."
Stonehenge, UK
After a bit of traveling from Articora, to New York, and finally here, the trio arrived at this sacred ground as Dante rubs his hand on one of the stones.
"This place...I remember talking with Daren about this once...the stones are fragments from Mount Killaraus," he recalled, "To think that it's...even..."
"And they ended up here of all places? Interesting," Taranuka replied.
"That's not the point...Merlin told me once about a Great Being who screwed some of the people over by conducting an experiment with..." Dante narrated but paused.
"Let me guess, those party girls who would get into fights?" Duncan asked.
"Need you remind us?" Taranuka looks at the Makuta.
"Don't offend them," Dante said, recalling two of them as Alan's daughters, "It wasn't their fault they were trapped in that…false reality."
"Whatever, I'm sure I could've been a great man to some of the contestants," Duncan chuckled.
"Is there a reason we're here, or was it just for the lecture?" Taranuka ignored the Makuta.
"I had some old notes back on Spherus Magna about Stonehenge...from Angonce," Dante revealed, "He said that there might be enough materials left here to...jumpstart a portal."
"So you do want to go there..." the Makuta said.
"Not Spherus Magna...this other world that Alex mentioned...Duniya," Dante turns to them.
"Think it's worth a shot? Getting him and his posse involved?" Taranuka questioned this.
"If you want to see your king live. Or has that human and mechanic brain of yours not function properly to think?" Duncan glares at him.
"Say what you will, but if you think they'll help out in the long run, whatever," Taranuka sighed.
"We all know that I can't go back to Spherus Magna regardless my team being there or not. The Mask of Life won't work on me," Dante looks at them before looking at his poisoned wrist, "I need another life source...and that power that Alex carried...is just like it...but different. I know it can work…"
~Part 2 of The Power of Memories END~
**This also concludes: Free! Cosmos World Chronicle – Extra Story Arc**
SPRING 2023:
The War between the twins has begun, leading to the final reckoning of…
Light and Dark
Good and Evil
Cosmos and Chaos.
~Book 5: Lineage of the Elements
~Crossover Feature: BIONICLE: Brotherhood of the Elements
Synopsis: The Element Lord of Jungle seeks out the power of the Swimming Guardians to save his comrades, friends, and family from the wrath of Mother Nature. However, with Apollo's betrayal to the heroes, the rise of Suiei Chaos begins to brew the final prophecy in the Omniverse between Chaos and Cosmos. What dangers lie ahead on Spherus Magna for the Element Lords and the Swim Teams?
Later in 2023: The Beginning of the End…
~A 10-Year Anniversary project since the origin story of the Chaomosverse with Free! The Last Race
~THE [VERY] FINAL STORYLINE TO BE EVER TOLD!~
