Episode 5: The Message of the Resurrection!
This is the end
My beloved friends
I'm lost in dreams
and all I know is where I've been
Tsubasa, Kotarou, and Isana arrived at the crater point where they could see the massive metro of Aeuropa City before them. After entering to this world, the five split off as Shin and Hikaru stayed behind in Iwamara to establish a base for the group. The other three journeyed here in hopes to find Asahi and Ikuya as well as the "missing boy".
Their previous stop to the Suiei Temple was officially set as a future meeting point should they succeed in their quest. It was after all, the said of the source of magic that took place there long ago.
"Well, this is it," Isana stated.
"Quite a huge city," Kotarou whistled in awe.
"This isn't the time to admire, we gotta go…" Tsubasa answered.
The trio began their trek towards the city as the hills were steep and rocky. Their view of the city showed them massive walls made of both natural rock and concrete.
Toto followed them and barked loudly. Tsubasa turned to pick up the dog when a massive teardrop of water plummeted from the skies behind them.
"What was that!?" Kotarou asked.
"Stay here," Tsubasa replied, "I'll be back!"
"W-wait, don't leave us here!" Isana protested but the blue-haired man took off with the dog.
Seijuurou opened his eyes and found himself lying on a grassy field along with Kenma, Noya, Hajime and Kuroo. He got up, trying to adjust his stiffed bones and stretch.
Kenma got up with the compass in his hands as it stopped spinning but pointed at a northern direction.
"Are you okay?" Kuroo checked up on him.
"Yeah…we sure did something in that last realm," he replied.
"Well whatever this place is, at least it's quiet," Noya analyzed.
"I don't like it when its too quiet," Hajime commented, "That's when danger lurks up."
As they brushed off the dust, the five heard a low growl. Seijuurou prompted the others to get on the flying carpet in case something was crawling around. Seconds later, a small dog appeared and made a whimpering noise.
"A doggy?" Noya asked.
Seijuurou got off the flying carpet, "Hey boy, it's alright…we're not going to hurt you."
"I wouldn't do that if I were you!" a voice shouted.
The red-haired turned to see a blue-haired man dressed in an outfit that resembled a style that reminded him of…
"Toto barks for one reason and he has snuffed out a witch! Who is it! Who's the witch?!" Tsubasa readied his crossbow.
"Wait a second! Why are you accusing us?!" Kenma shouted out, "We just landed in this world!"
Tsubasa turned to aim the crossbow at him but Kuroo shielded Kenma. The red-haired took a second look at this blue-haired man and had a symbol on his jacket that reminded him of a place but couldn't lay a finger on it.
"We are not witches," Seijuurou answered, "The gentlemen whom I am with are from another world entirely. Now please lower down the bow."
Toto barked before approaching Seijuurou to sniff at him before lying down at his feet. Tsubasa sighed, lowering his weapon, and said, "Well I guess Toto was a bit too rallied up by the sudden arrival of you folks."
"My name is Seijuurou Mikoshiba of the former Gonisogeth Kingdom," the red-hair introduced himself. The flying carpet drifted down to allow the other four men to hop off and introduce themselves.
"Tetsurou Kuroo," the black-haired spoke next, "My friends and I are from Neo Karasuno of Olympia Magna."
"I'm Kenma Kozume," the two-toned man added.
"Hajime Iwaizumi."
"Yuu Nishinoya."
"Very well, I am Tsubasa Hoshikawa. But I'm afraid that my friends and I are currently undergoing a serious operation. If you want to live and rest, you'll have to go the southwest towards the village of Iwamara. Two of my colleagues are there," the blue-haired explained just as Isana and Kotarou arrived on scene.
"More people?" Isana asked.
"Who are they?" Kotarou looked at them with curiosity.
"Just some group who got lost and needed a place to rest," Tsubasa answered, "But we don't have time for this. We need to find Asahi and Ikuya as soon as possible."
Asahi…Ikuya, Seijuurou's mind throbbed a bit, why do those names seem familiar?
Kotarou handed the group a map of the world and explained on how to reach Iwamara and contact Shin and Hikaru. Once it was done both parties took off, but someone couldn't bear but to secretly follow the other team.
The Drury Condominiums
Ben looked at a series of photos of his former wife and son when the door knocked. He got up to see Dodecadron along with Artemis, Ikuya, and Asahi.
"You do realize that coming here as a group is a risk of me being spotted by Veronica or worse…" Ben warned them.
"We know but…" Dodecadron began, "Now that I remember why I am here…there's a lot that has to be done. Artemis here needs to be protected and for now, their hideout isn't 100% safe…not when the Elder Bairns were spotted earlier this morning."
"And why aren't they stopping them?" Ben asked, "You know that they're going to start hunting down for the one who will fulfill the Shrovetide."
"Hey! They're getting smarter about how they lurk around," Asahi barked.
"Asahi is right that they are learning our moves," Ikuya answered, "As much as I hate to admit it, we may be facing an enemy that are outnumbering us...and should the Shrovetide come..."
Artemis was fixed on the television as he saw what looked like his high school on the breaking news. It was under a lockdown as one of the dorms were broken into and several students were getting killed. Worried on it could be his friends, he turned to the hallway before running.
"HEY! ARTEMIS!" Asahi shouted.
"Where the hell is that idiot going?!" Ikuya growled.
"I think I know where he's heading," Dodecadron answered, referring to the news about Aeuropa Capital Academy.
"We'll go after him," Ikuya replied, grabbing Asahi.
Dodecadron sighed as Ben asked, "Aren't you going too? He is your son."
"Yes but…clearly he's not awake. He sees me as a stranger. I can't even bear to tell him…" Dodecadron sighed.
"Who woke you up if you didn't do it on your own?" Ben asked.
"Veronica's youngest son…Kei…or he goes by Blaze on his fake I.D," he replied.
"I see…I have heard tales of him and his association with the coven," Ben said before adding, "Did he say what he was going to do to his mother?"
"No…but I have a horrible feeling that it's only the tip of the iceberg," Dodecadron answered, "I sense dark magic in those towers and they need to be destroyed."
"You're right about that; they are the Pentacle towers. Three of them were created instantly by the Dark Curse but in order to not make it obvious to the entire inhabitants of Aeuropa, two more are being built to complete the circle," Ben explained.
"Kei said to me during my imprisonment that he needed the towers to be activated by the sacrifices of chosen individuals; he slipped and told me three of them: Laura, Rasputin and Artemis," the Chiropteran-Fairy hybrid replied, "I don't know what it will do but…"
"I fear that they're trying to reconnect with our greatest enemy…Chaos," Ben lowered his head, "I've been posing here as one of the supervisors to Smith's in order to make sure that the green witch stays hidden in the tower. If she gets out, the dangers will increase exponentially. Veronica might think that those towers are being built in hopes for her own magical gain will save her son but in actuality…
"Kei and whatever they are planning are going to take it away from her," Dodecadron speculated, "And use it for their own sinister gains."
Aeuropa Clinic – Research Center
Lecture Atrium Hall, Fourth Floor
"And so for today's presentation, we will go over the concepts of how it is possible to use stem cells and its molecular compounds to create a fresh new series of lymphs that may help those of immunosuppressed patients," Dr. Dante Francesco opened the topic before continuing his lecture.
The hall was filled with at least nearly 200 doctors with most of them being newly graduated and Post-Docs throughout several of the prestigious universities and medical schools throughout the megacity.
Aeuropa Clinic was known for its pioneer research in stem cells and how it can be used with various molecular chemicals to modify them at a faster rate instead of having them to wait for its potency to change within a human anatomy or a source of organism.
Some of the doctors were a bit skeptical about this as not much research has been even approved to get into clinical trials. The presentation was a 2 hour show with a break after the first hour. During the intermission, a few doctors analyzed his publications and posters within the last 3 years and were in awe of his genius and his success.
By the time everyone returned to their seats to start the second half, the computers shut down unexpectedly. This didn't stop the doctor from continuing his talk, but the alarms went off as the announcement announced a lockdown. Dante reached to his cell phone to find out any alerts but noticed that there was not even a reception coming in.
What the hell is happening, he thought.
Time seemed to have stop for a long time as the audience evacuated out to at least the hallways where they can at least see the outside. Dante remained in as he could feel something in his chest burning. Moments later, a book appeared on the podium where he performed his presentation. Upon looking at it, the book showed a series of pictured stories…
"What is this a child's…" he began when something whiplashed his mind.
WHOOOOOOSSSSSHHHH
"BROTHERRRRR!" shouted the younger voice of Alex's brother.
"As yes, the younger brother of the weakling," smirked Taylor, "I am surprised to see you escaped from the tower."
"I am the same as you…" the younger Sergi replied, "You don't remember this, but I am so happy I finally got a hold of you."
"What are you talking about?" the older man questioned.
Sergi opened the book, showing the doctor a series of horrific scenes of death and darkness plaguing the world. In that instant, the doctor's eyes widened as he too…
"I need you to do a favor and protect this book…until that day comes. Do not speak of this until Operation Resurrection is complete," the younger Sergi explained.
"I see you decided to waste your precious time to come out here," Alex taunted at the sight of his younger brother.
"Time doesn't always waste," Dr. Sergio replied, "And is that how you even say hello to your brother?!"
"Very well. Please leave…and don't ever come back," Alex said as he turned to his brother, "After all, you and I know who's the family favorite."
"As if I ever will," Dr. Sergio replied as he wanted to cry but he kept his composure before walking out.
"The drugs…what happened?" Alex began.
"They've been destroyed," Sergi said, "Yes I know about what you've done…how could you do such a thing!?"
The older brother looked at him, "…I guess this is it. I'm done for. No more swimming for me. The last thing I need is the media stalking after my sin and…"
"There's no place like home…there's no place like home…there's no place…like home…"
The world around him and Dr. Sergi turned into a blur as everything was spinning around them like a vortex. Then it all crashed down like the house after the tornado scene.
"Ma, I told you, it's Arizona State University," Alex sighed.
"Take it easy on her," Sergi reminded him, "Her memory is…"
"Of course," he answered with a hint of sass.
"Oh Sandro," the younger brother sighed.
"Sandro don't do it!" Sergi protested as the mother stared at this scene along with Kyle's mother. Rosie was starting to feel sleepy with the curse.
"Brother, she killed our father...and did a lot of other unforgivable crimes! I'm not letting her take Anastasia, her half-sisters, or anyone else ever again!" he replied, "Keep the family safe together and protect our moms!"
Dr. Dante breathed heavily as all the memories returned to him as the pages stopped flipping magically. His hand slammed on the page when his older brother enacted the Dark Curse when they were all blackmailed to save the girls' lives from their Wicca marks draining their energies.
"S-Sandro…"he whispered before silently tearing up. The pages flipped to the next section that detailed the story of Hollywood Heights in the moment from its creation till today.
"He's here…they're all here!" he gasped, "But wait a minute…"
He turned to the page when his brother and the others went to Italy to rescue him from the Shadow Mafia and saw that after their deaths…the story didn't quite end there. Several pages were still missing but one page showed that he and his brother were reborn to the Delta!Earth storyline.
"I…I can't believe it…this entire time he and I were born and reborn again?! But where's Haru and the others?! Did they make it to this world too?!" he talked to himself.
He realized that the missing pages had to do with that Haruka and the others. There was no time to find the missing pages as he had to get out of here and reschedule his presentation down the road. Now that he was also awake, a lot of things had to be done in order to break the curse. But there were other questions he needed answers: what happened to the family on Earth when the curse was enacted? Does Earth still even exist? Why did he age younger back to his 30s?
I must find Sandro, even if he is under the curse still, I can pry out answers from him, he thought, but I'm afraid time is running out.
Aeuropa Capital Academy – Main Education Campus
At the lunch hour, Romio and Shizuru found Ayumu along with a friend named Suzu Shiba at the rooftop.
"Oh, hey you guys," Ayumu greeted them, "Found us finally here for lunch?"
"You're one to talk," Romio answered.
"It's not everyday we can eat up here anyway. Did you get the memo?" Shizuru asked.
"I did, but I thought they dismissed you all for the day," Ayumu replied.
"What happened?" asked Suzu.
"The pool is closed for the day," Romio answered, "They said it was under some maintenance."
"That's peculiar seeing that you two have competition next weekend," Suzu said.
"What about you?" Shizuru replied, "How did you even manage to come to this academy?"
"Oh well…hehe, let's say that your friend here has allowed me some connections," Suzu smirked a smile.
Before Romio could ask, a low rumble was heard from below followed by some glass shattering. Faint cries of terror could be heard before a loud growing noise was making its way off the rooptop.
"W-what the!?" Romio gulped in fear.
"That noise…" Ayumu whispered.
The door that led to the stairwell exploded as a gigantic purple-spider monster with goggling eyes and human-like teeth appeared. Its face was filed with saliva and blood, implying its hunger for flesh.
Ayumu nearly fainted in horror with Shizuru catching her while Romio stood in fear. The monster roared and readied to feast on these humans. Suzu couldn't bear to even scream.
"W-what is that monster...?" Suzu whispered in horror.
"STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOPPPPP!" a familiar voice could be heard.
The beast turned to see a young man who appeared on scene.
"How strange…why are you angry?" the Elder Bairn asked.
"Angry!? How could I not be if you're killing all of my friends!" he shouted back.
"A-Artemis?!" Shizuru shouted.
"SAVE YOURSELF!" Romio cried out.
"No…I won't turn back on you guys…" Artemis muttered, feeling the warmth of his heart coming to light, "This monster already killed several students and teachers here and destroyed the statue. I won't let it do anymore damage!"
The spider readied its legs to stab Artemis, but something blocked it from attacking him. Then for a moment, the world around him shifted to the shadows followed by footsteps that echoed.
"W-who are you?!" Artemis called out.
"Little Arty, you may not know me but you used to live in my palace a long time ago. Now that your power is beginning to awaken, I do hope you can realize your true destiny as a swimming guardian."
"You mean like Asahi and Ikuya?!" Artemis gasped, "How the heck am I supposed to fight that thing!?"
"The mirror will grant you power…repeat after me with those words…"
Artemis stared into the eyes of the monster in reality before taking out his mirror as it glowed with golden energy.
"A-Artemis…" whispered Ayumu.
"HALIAEETUS SUIEI POWER…MAAAAAAKKKKEEEEE UP!"
The world around him turned white with accents of gold, silver, and sky blue as several massive eagles soared around the background. A magical circle with an unfamiliar font and several zodiac symbols scribed on it with colors of the rainbow. Artemis's silvered hair transformed into a rose-gold ombre with extensions.
He donned a choker necklace with rainbow-colored jewels embedded in its circumference with the same design appeared on his wrists. His nails were also in rainbow color with each nail a different hue from the other. Artemis spun around with his loose-skirt and a long sash that went across his shoulder down to his left side of the skirt with a buckle made of several unique symbols appeared.
A pair of spiked-shoulder armor appeared with long sleeves while his bare chest donned a lengthy-chained Suiei Necklace with the eagle on its brooch. The mirror turned to dust with sparkles, adding a glitter pattern across his body. Artemis donned a pair of blue-colored water sandals that matched with the sash.
The background turned into a thundering-like scenery as the newly awakened senshi opened his eyes and donned his Atlantean Spear and his Golden-Armed Shield. He twirled on his spear before making his official battle stance.
Tsubasa, Isana and Kotarou gasped to see the bright (yet small) light rising from beyond the walls. The area was filled with security but there was no time to try to gently ask through.
"A new guardian?" Isana muttered.
Kotarou scanned the area with his x-ray vision but couldn't find a single weak spot in the security.
"Those bastards look like they want someone with an I.D," Tsubasa muttered, "But the others…"
A low rumble was felt followed by a very small segment of the walls collapsing as the alarms went off. Realizing this was their chance, the trio made their breakthrough, using their transformation wands to become transparent and bypass the security.
Dodecadron gasped as he witnessed this transformation through Ben's device. He had no idea, nor did he expect the child to become a Swimming Guardian due to his potent magic being far stronger and inherited from the Cosmos.
"Will he finally remember?" he asked.
"The new awakening will weaken the curse, but his mind is still unsure of his origin," Ben replied.
"What the hell is this?!" Ataxia growled in his cavern while witnessing the new awakening through his dark crystal.
"A new awakening has begun," one of the servants muttered.
"We must pursue the completion of Hollywood Heights and its towers so our shadows can bring forth the destruction of Duniya!" the Dark One commanded, "See to that this new power never reaches this realm and awakens our prisoner!"
The Elder Bairn spider stared at him as the others huddled closely in fear for their lives. It could be anytime that the monster could slain them, but the eyes were fixed on the newly transformed hero.
"I am the Swimming Guardian awakened to protect the will of the seas! I am Suiei Oceania! The rough waves of light will douse your dark soul!" Artemis chanted.
With a roar, the monster charged across the rooftop, but Artemis readied his spear as water and lightning struck the beast dead on, electrifying it before turning to charcoal with some blood exploding around the rooftop. Romio, Shizuru, Ayumu and Suzu gasped in relief but were still traumatized by what was happening.
Asahi and Ikuya arrived in their senshi forms and gasped to see Artemis finally awakened in his senshi attire and magic.
"A-artemis you…" Shizuru began.
"You're with them?!" Ayumu gasped.
"W-what was that!?" Romio cried out.
Artemis turned to them with a small smile, "No idea but that monster terrorized several of the classmates. A few of them are dead when I arrived here."
"W-who died!?" Suzu gasped.
"Let's get all of you out to safety first," Asahi answered, "It's not safe here and most likely the academy will be closed for some time."
"Suiei Oceania, you finally have revealed yourself," Ikuya added.
"I don't know why but coming back here to save my friends burned my heart. However, not everyone…" he began before weeping over some of the losses.
"Hey, it's not your fault! The monster was already out of its leash before you could even stop it. Whoever did this is trying to start something," Ikuya answered.
"But I…" Artemis answered before slipping to the world of dreams again through his unconsciousness.
Awaken…the time has come…let the miracle of the resurrection begin!
Matthew opened his eyes and sat up on his bed in sweat as Brendon was clinging onto him still. After their session of deep pleasure and ecstasy, they have slept to rest their bodies.
However, Matthew felt something deep down in his heart but couldn't lay a finger on what he just heard nor the dream that he saw aside from a group of silhouettes with hands trying to reach out to him.
Brendon opened his eyes, "You alright?"
"Y-yeah…" Matthew answered while brushing off the dust, "How is your…?"
"It's a bit sore but I'll be fine," Brendon answered.
"Oh my god…I hope I didn't wreck you too hard for your photoshoot!" he gasped.
"To be honest, it felt hot and awesome," Brendon replied, "I didn't think you could fit inside of me."
"It's funny in a sense that my body seems to feel comfortable with you…despite our unknown origins," Matthew stated, "But are you sure you still want to move in here?"
"Of course!" Brendon smiled.
"There is just one problem though," Matthew said.
"What's that?" Brendon asked.
"…if we do make ourselves into a relationship, I'm worried that they might try to fire me," Matthew replied, "This town here is just…so conservative! I wish…I could be free from all of this!"
"We won't let them kick you out or arrest us," Brendon vowed.
The Kingdom of Atlantis, Planet Olympia Magna
"Awaken…the time has come…let the miracle of the resurrection begin!"
Neo King Julius snapped his eyes open as Antonius was also shock awake from the message after talking with Artemis. Despite the night time scenery still in their zone, they looked at each other for a moment before rushing down to the crystal chamber alone.
"W-what the hell was that voice?" Antonius asked.
Julius touched the water with his Dragon Crystal Staff. Nothing.
Seconds later, a massive earthquake struck, erupting five more crystals from below followed by a sixth crystal. Each of them was etched with a dragon, penguin, dolphin, shark, butterfly, and orca.
"W-what is this?!" Julius gasped, "This power…"
The other kings arrived in the chamber in shock to see the strange happenings. Outside, the natives panicked in fear of another apocalyptic event but the shaking stopped.
"Julius-sama!" Poseidon cried out.
"What's with these more crystals?!" Suijin's jaw dropped.
"They have our symbols on them, but this power feels different," Romulus analyzed.
Julius turned to the others and answered, "Something has happened outside of our universe…I normally wouldn't feel this power, but it has called out to me…to us."
"Then whose power does it belong to?" Marius asked.
Julius could only shrug on that answer. The only one who might know about this…
The newly awakened Dr. Sergi arrived in the neighborhood of Hollywood Heights. Just as the rumors were true, it was indeed a spoiled-posh kind of place. However, now that he was awaken from his cursed persona, time was of the essence.
Taking out the book, he found a map that detailed the whereabouts of the inhabitants in this town. He looked up again to see two young ladies talking to each other. After a moment of analyzing them without getting them to look at him, he flipped the pages to the book and recognized…
"Anastasia…Elise…i-it's them!" he muttered, "I'm relieved they're alive but…"
"Excuse me sir, are you lost?" a voice asked.
The doctor turned to see a big, muscled man with a pair of jeans and a tight t-shirt and a pierced earring. Despite never meeting this man before, Sergi asked, "I'm looking for…someone…he might have been someone athletic or a trainer…"
"Hmmm I know of two men named Brandon and Matthew," Dodecadron shrugged.
"Probably Mathew, is he here?" the doctor questioned.
"Well, he was but his job has planned to transfer him over to a different facility," the bar owner answered.
"Is he still in town?" Sergi asked more sternly.
"Take it easy there good sir, I'm sure he is. It's only been a couple of days since he was notified by his manager…and that bitch," the man said.
"That bitch?" Sergi looked at him with a confused look.
"Veronica Smith, CEO of the community planner and design. She's been buying out places and transforming this real community into some posh-princess," he crossed his arms.
"I need to get to Matthew, do you know where I can find him?" Sergi asked.
At first Dodecadron was hesitant to ask but somehow the familiarity of this man was like the face of an old friend.
"Tell me your name," he said.
"I am Dr. Dante Francesco," the doctor answered.
"Are you? Dodecadron looked at him more closely, "If I tell you that a man I knew once read a book and believed in all what was in it…what would he do next?"
"I am sure he would make a fine author," the doctor replied, "But I need to hurry and find Matthew, please tell me where he is!"
"I'm afraid I can't tell you unless you are true to yourself," the bar owner answered.
With a sigh, Sergi took out the book and placed it on the counter, "I am Sergi Marotta…my brother is Sandro…or Alex if you are familiar with it."
"Your brother lives a few blocks from here. But I'm afraid he's not yet awake," Dodecadron answered, "Good thing I'm not the only one who is awake."
"But if you're awake…?" Sergi asked.
"Not by choice…I'm blackmailed by the bastard Tsukishima," he spoke.
Sergi gasped as he recalled that man who was among the witches back in Arizona when the girls were about to be killed.
"T-that man, he's here?!" he asked.
"Him as well as his mother and if my suspicion is correct, they're here too," Dodecadron crossed his arms.
"Verrado…" Sergi growled to himself, "I should've known that. What is the Tsukibaka up to?"
"Haha, I like your remark. But I have no idea except that he wants to inflict pain to his mother. All I know is that my two sons and my adoptive daughter are in terrible danger. If the curse breaks…t-they'll die."
After the bar owner gave Sergi the address and the latter left, Asahi, Ikuya and Artemis walked in. Dodecadron wanted to hug Artemis but feared for the poison in him.
"We managed to evacuate the students out and eliminated the monster," Ikuya said.
"About the deal…I will accept Artemis to stay here," Dodecadron answered, "I apologize for doubting you the other day."
"So, um…you'll adopt me?" Artemis looked confused.
"My bar is a safe haven, and, in the past, I raised another man here to help him succeed in life," the owner replied, "It's not much but everything is all upstairs. Asahi, Ikuya, please lead him there."
The two led the young man to the suite before instructing him that they will return with more guardians. Artemis slumped down on the couch that looked over the nearby blocks.
As Matthew got out of bed to take a shower while Brendon was watching on the TV, the doorbell rang. Brendon peaked over the glass and saw a man waiting on the other side. He walked over to the bathroom and told him that someone was requesting for him.
"Open it," Matthew said, "Probably the landlord…"
"No, this man is a doctor," Brendon stated.
"Eh?" Matthew looked confused as he rinsed the soap off of his chest, deltoids and the underside.
After several minutes, Matthew walked into the kitchen area where the guest sat down in conversation with Brendon.
"Uh, hello…you must be…?" Matthew asked.
"I'm Dr. Dante Francesco, researcher from Aeuropa Clinic," he introduced.
"I see, and what brings you to my place?" the gym trainer asked.
"Well I have heard of your respectable reputation at the Life's Fit and your expertise in workouts," the doctor replied, "I figured I'd come to see for myself."
"Huh, it seems as though my reputation is falling apart," Matthew replied.
"You know…my brother had a great reputation long ago, but it turned out that it was a big lie and I thought I was going to lose him," the doctor answered.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Well…he survived this horrific incident but in order to live his life in peace, he had to erase his fame and fortune to start over," Dante said, "It was a tough decision, but he did find happiness in the end."
"The reason why I am here is because I found this photo at my work and I had to find out who these people were," the doctor concluded as he dug into his bag where the book rested but he took out a photo from the book and handed it to Matthew.
Matthew looked at it before comparing it to the other photo and noticed something. He looked both at Dante and Brendon and wondered something about these two.
"I thought I knew of my family but now I don't know what I am anymore," Matthew said, "They all died in a fire before I was forced to be in foster care until Shiloh allowed me to stay for some time."
"I don't think that family of yours in the fire is the one you should be worried about," Dante replied.
Matthew looked at him sternly, "I am alone."
"You're not alone," Brendon reassured him, "Can't you believe in us?"
"I…I don't know if I am ready for this," Matthew answered, "Maybe this is just all happening too fast since now I'm being transferred."
"Transferred? Wait are they kicking you out of here?" Dante gasped.
"My life is gonna be over soon once I do pack up," he said.
"You're not going anywhere!" Brendon stated, "You promised!"
Sergi/Dante sighed as he dug into his bag to bring out the book. The two of them looked at him with odd expressions on their face.
"This isn't the time to end our story here," he answered, "Both of you need to wake up."
"Wake up? Okay, I must ask you to leave because this hocus-pocus is getting out of hand," Matthew answered.
"I refuse to go until you are ready…Sandro," Sergi answered.
"Who the hell is he?!" Matthew started to get annoyed.
"Hold the book and you'll remember!" Sergi insisted.
"Fine but I'll prove to you that this is just some fantasy, old, rigged book that should just belong to a library," Matthew answered as he rested his hands on it.
WHOOOOOOOOSSSHHHHHHH!
The guys laughed but Alex wasted no time. Before anyone's eyes, the enraged victim threw a punch at the other boy knocking him down to the floor and the class was in shock to see this silent student suddenly taking an explosion. It was like a dead volcano that flared up for the first time in eons if it ever did exploded.
"YOU STUPID LITTLE…" shouted Alex as Nick's neck was being choked and gagging.
"So you got into quite a few fights?" Kyle asked.
"It was long ago," he shrugged, "You know. People trying to put me down…so I gave them a kick in the ass. I know I am not a perfect, goodie-two-shoes being but…what did I do to deserve to be a target?"
"Well you possess your greatest talent in swimming," Kyle replied, "I'm sure people were jealous."
"They just have nothing better to do," Alex shrugged, "So I put fear back into their hearts. It's easier to train someone with fear sometimes when the situation calls for it. This is how I justify my end to the means."
"Why? So you can be a god?" Kyle asked.
"We will go after victims…Welcome to the "Other Side" of the Looking Glass…"
The swimmer gasped as he saw the people in the bar transforming into monsters while others grew out fangs and claws like vampires.
"And now's the time…TO DIE!" the Durabolix/Taylor smirked as his face turned purple with fangs and a lizard-like tongue.
Alexa reached to the Chiropteran and stabbed the scythe through the belly, tumbling it down to the runway. Recalling what Kosuke and Nicolas said about exchanging blood, he used the scythe to cut open his own hand, dripping some blood into his Chiropteran alternate self.
A soft glow on the monster transformed back into human as Alex's body had terrible injuries. The glow was then followed by a wave of light soaring across the city.
He took out the box with the ring inside and proposed on his knee, "I know this is too sudden but...Kyle Meyrick, I know the future is uncertain but there is one thing I want you to be certain of...I will stay with you. So...will you…?"
"YES!" he cried out, knowing what this was leading to as they exchanged a deep, series of kisses. The romance healed the wound as they were finally together once more, ready to take on a new story. From there, he put on the ring and continued to kiss.
Verrado waved her hand out, throwing the two fathers across the room before using her magic to trap them with vines, binding them. Anastasia tried to run but found herself stuck with vines as well grabbing her legs.
"ANA!" screamed Alex and Kyle.
"Foolish men…" Verrado growled, "You honestly think you can stop me? Soon…all of Phoenix will enter a deep sleep…during which I will open their hearts to darkness!"
"Alright…let's do this," he said, before staring at Verrado sharply.
"But know one thing you bitch…this is NOT over!" Alex growled, taking out his pocket knife and cutting open his hand before squeezing his fist. Verrado replied with a wicked smile. Sergi held onto his sleep-driven wife as the two mothers also began to fell to the sleeping curse effects.
Three drops of blood fell to the grass before igniting an orange gel streaming across the entire field. It crafted a gigantic magical circle similar of the inverted pentacle. The substance reached to the other four points of the star, encasing the box, the two humans, and the hairs with energy.
A tall, vortex of smoke filled with black, red, and orange magic effects grew from the center of the pentacle, heading up to the skies. The group watched in its majestic beauty and horror being unleashed.
Matthew fell off his seat to the ground as his name echoed his rebirth in his head. Sergi and Brendon peered over just as the newly awakened Alex climbed back up the table, "S-Sergi…?! K-Kyle!?"
"B-brother…" Sergi gasped.
"Who's Kyle?" Bendon asked confused
Alex looked at the man before him as he realized that he was still under the curse effects but was relieved to see his brother finally here. He took the photo again and showed it to Brendon, "You don't remember me, but this really is us! We did have four girls to raise but then…"
"Well I suppose that whatever this man did to you…" Brendon looked at Sergi with a hit of fear.
"Do not be afraid," Sergi smiled, "Just do what Sandro did and believe. Do you love him?"
"I…" Brendon blushed before he could feel his heartbeat going. The fact that he was curious about him since his reputation of a fitness instructor and their little fun time together…Brendon touched the book.
WHOOOOOOOOSSSHHHHHHH!
Brendon also fell from his seat and gasped in pain with the returning of memories as Kyle flowing into his veins. Alex got up and saw Brendon struggling to get up for a few moments before lending his hand to him.
"S-Sandro?!" Kyle gasped.
"Kyle…oh my heavens, it's you!" he tearfully smiled before they exchanged a reunion hug of joy.
Sergi watched them with a smile on his face but also silently wondered why the book didn't give Alex back his memories back from that other story. Was he not ready yet to embrace his true self? Or was there something else that was blocking the transmission? However, it was clear that they finally remember who they were, their family, and up to the casting of the curse.
"Sergi, what the hell happened to us!? Where's Anastasia and the girls?!" he asked.
"No idea. Once I woke up, I had to seek you out and thankfully Kyle is here now among us," Sergi replied, "But this land is without magic yet this book was able to wake you guys."
"But how is it possible that the magic of this book reached to us?" Kyle questioned.
Sergi shook his head, "Whoever has magic here must be powerful enough to bypass the curse."
"We have to find the girls first before they get consumed by whatever it is their identities are now. But when we do, we can't act like ourselves, we'll have to pretend we are still cursed. I have a feeling if the witch finds out, she'll try to stop us," Alex answered
"I agree. We'll have to stay together until it is safe," Sergi nodded.
"So then, what do we do first?" Kyle asked.
"…Anastasia," Alex looked at him, "She'll be the key to finding the other girls if we can find her first."
"Sound good to me," Sergi agreed, "Let's go then!"
Clarion rested on his bed at the hospital as he watched the strange news happening at the Aeuropa Capital Academy. As it turned out, the entire campus was closed for the week as a handful of students were violently killed by some strange monster before it was found dead.
For as long as he can remember, he lived with his mom and brother, but the latter was being more shady than usual. He hardly came home anymore nor did he even bother to visit him here at the hospital. Clarion began to suspect him that he was up to something but no idea what.
His mother finally walked in.
"Mom, where is Blaze?" he asked.
"…I don't know. I've been looking for him for the last two hours," she said, before brushing his hair, "But not to worry. I'm sure he has his reasons."
"I think there's something wrong with him…I can sense it," he replied.
Veronica's eyes widened a little before stating, "What do you think he's doing?"
"…I don't know exactly but he's not happy, nor does he smile. It's like suddenly he wants to just disconnect us from his life," Clarion answered.
Veronica grunted as she feared that it was possible that Kei would try to team up with the witches. As it turned out, her mind recalled when before the curse was cast that Kei and Verrado were together. However, her brain told her that the curse…
"If I casted the curse…" she muttered, "But yet…
"Mother?" Clarion asked, "What curse?"
Veronica got up, "No…it's nothing. I will be back tonight, I promise."
She ran off in her heels, heading back to the company building before scrambling her way to the elevator that led to the hideout of Verrado. To her surprise, it was rather vacant except for the witch in chains. But that didn't stop her from making her arrival in loud ends of the heels echoing the floor.
"Forget something?" Verrado asked.
"Just trying to retrace footsteps since I last visited here," she answered before spotting a small trace of dirt, "This is new. Tell me…who was here!?"
"Perhaps you were running through a garden to get back here?" Verrado teased.
"I asked you a question," Veronica answered.
"And I refuse to answer," Verrado snapped.
"Huh, I didn't think you'd be the second person to try to push me back. Very well, I'll look for whoever tries to visit you and when I do…" she vowed.
Veronica returned to her office suite to look through the computers and security and sure enough saw someone making their way up, but the video cut out. As predicted, someone was visiting the witch. She got up and walked over to Blaze's desk and looked in a few drawers but saw nothing. But then…
A pair of brown dress shoes with some dirt on it was presented. Her anger rose as she grabbed them, "You clever dirty bastard…"
"A bit too late for that," a voice said.
Veronica turned to see Blaze with a group of cops and investigators arriving on scene. The enforcers readied their guns as another one managed to get her in cuffs, prompting her to drop the shoes.
"I do need to speak with her before you take her away," Blaze said to the cops.
He approached to her as she growled, "Stop trying, I know you're awake!"
"You always did underestimate me. I knew at some point you would finally break into my curse and realize the plans I have for this town. Your memories of trying to save Akiteru of his anemia seemed to have worked…" Kei began.
"He's not anemic, isn't he?!" Veronica demanded.
"Perhaps not but he's…just as poisoned like Laura and a few other people whom will suffer a terrible fate if the curse breaks," Kei revealed.
"Why…why are you doing this?!" she asked.
"So, I can be free from you…and now she's free from you too…and you're the prisoner," Kei whispered.
"You…stupid child! You have no idea…what are you bringing out to this world...that creature. But you will find out!" Veronica's voice and tone turned from anger to despair and fear, "Yes you will. You will find out!"
The cops led her out of the building as the investigators asked Kei where to find the green witch. He instructed them that she was on the top floor of the building as the witch continued to play the charade of being held hostage and explained that Blaze has done his best to take care of her while trying to find a way to free him.
They found her indeed in the corner of the room while removing her chains and the cuff that held her powerless to her magic. While a few investigators insisted on taking Blaze, the witch used her eyes to magically get them to obey her commands to keep the case from spreading and to let Blaze bring her back to the outside world.
And now the final phase of our plans, Verrado thought, the towers of the pentacle will soon accelerate all the magic we need to eliminate those heroes and kill the victims of our poisons!
The police car that held Veronica drove away as Kei looked out to the night, shadowy skies as soon their time will be finally here. The gentrification project was only a ruse of the curse but soon the real plan will soon begin. Kei turned to see Verrado with a few of the investigators before nodding and leaving the crime scene together, heading towards a dark alley.
Tsubasa, Isana and Kotarou traversed throughout the jungle city, crosswalks, and various communities throughout Aeuropa City. They could feel their powers linking closer to its destination.
"How close are we?!" Isana asked.
"I got a feeling it's here," Kotarou shrugged.
The blue haired narrowed his eyes, "Get ready if we have to fight."
"But the people…they're all over this endless jungle!" Kotarou argued.
"I don't care what this city thinks," he answered, "We need to save Artemis, Ikuya and Asahi and unlock our new powers that Nao, Natsuya, and Hiyori are counting on us! The Hidashimo Senshi team must rise if we are to defeat the witches and break the curse!"
They found themselves at the town line but for some reason…
"Where's the city?" Isana questioned.
"It may be concealed by magic," Tsubasa muttered as he tried to carefully wave his hand over the line. Sure enough a blasts of energy threw him back, crashing into Seijuurou as he appeared from hiding to catch him as they landed on the grass. Tsubasa landed on top of the red-head as they both blushed heavily.
"Y-you…" Tsubasa, "What are you doing here?!"
"You could've gotten hurt if I didn't get you," Sei replied.
"Tsubasa what's going…what is he doing here?" Kotarou asked before seeing the other man.
"I followed you through to this town with my magic carpet," Seijuurou explained, "You ever know what kind of mess will happen."
"I asked you to follow the others to the town of Iwamara. It's safer there," Tsubasa recalled.
"I don't mind a little bit of danger and adventure," Seijuurou replied, "That's what I did back in my homeland. I used to be the guardian for my prince who was in hiding. Plus, there's a question I wanted to ask of you."
"And what is it do you want to know?" asked Isana.
"Who are Asahi and Ikuya? I feel something I should know about them…it's like I heard an echo," the red-haired answered.
Tsubasa grunted in annoyance but there was no other choice but to let him tag along. The four looked at the empty town line ahead as they needed to find out how to get to the other side of the barrier.
"We're trying to get to them but there's something that is blocking our entrance to this city despite looking like an empty wasteland," the purple-haired answered.
"Should we wait or find a place to eat?" Kotarou asked.
"We'll wait and see if we are lucky enough," Tsubasa answered, "As for food we'll just have to use our resources."
No one noticed a single shadow looming nearby that crossed over to the town of Hollywood Heights as the cloaked man sensed a new awakening, hoping to reach to his destination as soon as possible. He had no idea who those four strangers were but that was something to deal with another time…
~Episode 5 END~
~Episode 6 PV~
Artemis: Asahi! Ikuya! What's going on TV with that company?!
Asahi: *grunts* That witch…she's out! Someone's getting arrested!
Ikuya: The city…what magic is this?!
Tsubasa: We can't get into the heights! It's barred off!
Alex: We must stop the witch and find our daughters!
Kyle: Wait, who's that man in the shadows!?
Rasputin: Next time Free! Friar of the Shadows. No more of this mess I sentence thee!