Episode 9: If Remembering Me…

So who's gonna save us nooowwwwww
When the ashes hit the grouuuunnnddd
I gave it all
But all you gave was sweet misery

Asahi and Ikuya landed at the gates of the Sisters of St. Beaumont as several students and staff were fleeing from the site. Already a few fires were erupting as the Elder Bairn Multi-armed ninja split off into at least a dozen of them wrecking the facility down.

"They're starting to multiply…" Ikuya muttered.

"Well let's take 'em down!" Asahi cried out.

Ikuya jumped up before twirling in mid air with his Crystal Five-Pointed trident and chanted, "MELLOOONNNNN ECHHHHOOOOOO FREEEEZZEEEEEEE!"

Waves of echoes followed by an ice storm raged through the chaos, freezing the Elder Bairns before shattering them into crystals of ice.

Asahi jumped forward before bouncing from a wall and added his attack via Enhanced Crystal Hammer Harpoon, "OKHOOOOSSSTTTTSSSKKKK SEEAAAAAA REVENGEEEEE!"

Swirls of energized water with a stampede of ribbon seals swam through the area and attacked the Elder Bairns by striking through their bodies, disintegrating them. One of them tried to attack him but at the last second, Asahi struck it down by stabbing it through with his weapon before calling another ribbon seal to finish the job.

"I'm sure there's more inside," Ikuya said, "Let's go!"

They raced through the halls as they saw several victims killed and slain in blood around. Asahi could barely turn his head away in grief of these terrible deaths.

"These monsters appeared back in our world…" Ikuya muttered, "I don't fully understand how they can reappear here even though this is the future of our old world."

"I still find it hard to believe that Duniya and Earth are the same…" Asahi agreed, "Well maybe not all the other Earths but the one of our homeland…such science and magic do not agree here."

"The Mahotsukai knew that our species wasn't going to keep up with their standards…" Ikuya added, "That's why no one on this planet remembers Earth or any of its faults."

"Do you think it's better this way?" Asahi asked.

"…I can't speak for the people here, but I know for our sake, it probably is," he shrugged.

They both found the dorms as several girls huddled in fear. The two reassured them for safety and used their powers to create a slide made of ice for them to evacuate to the streets.

In another room, three girls were also terrified and shook from the horror unleashed. They sighed in relief when they saw the two swimming guardians appearing.

"It's alright now, we've cleared the area of the monsters for now. We will fight them should they reappear," Asahi stated.

"T-thank you," Mesa answered.

"We have to get out of here," L'aura nodded.

"Head to Judd's Tavern. I know it's a bar but the owner has allowed survivors to stay at his place," Ikuya instructed, giving them a map to go there.

"A-alright," Iberia replied.

The three went down the icy slide, heading to the streets as several cops and investigators were making way to the academy. Asahi and Ikuya checked for more survivors and brought about a couple dozen of them out. It was surprisingly quiet here after this brief of battle. Were there more waiting to strike…or was it?

On the news the mayor declared the city under a state of emergency and has ordered a mass evacuation of the residents to the other cities across the metro. Behind the scenes, Ben used his magic carefully to ensure that this was all done properly to prevent more losses. However, where was Verrado and her clan? Why haven't they interfered with him or the others? What were they really planning?

Port Royale Forest

Verrado laughed as she watched from Kei's tablet on the news of evacuation. It was all going to plan as she knew that Hollywood Heights was the portal to destruction.

"Foolish humans…thinking that their city is the only target for the Shrovetide?" she muttered.

"What exactly are you saying?" Kei asked.

"After opening the portal of Chaos and unleash the products from Hyperion…the entire city needs to be axed," the witch revealed.

One of the other hooded figures, Alucard revealed himself and said, "But doing so will waste a lot of our resources, won't it? Those humans can be proven valuable…"

"They are nothing else but food to our pets and to our master," Verrado cut him off, "Or did you forget about Alex? Our goal is to keep him occupied on the Elder Bairns so that he will finish the job by destroying the Main Cast."

"But they're not here…" Dracula replied, "Why keep them on that other realm?"

"Ataxia has proven to us that they will become a threat to our existence," Verrado continued, "The only way to keep them docile is by drugs and hypnosis and doing those dirty jobs to keep them in their place."

The coven looked at each other as the leader concluded, "That is why Alex must become full-blown to his former self. When the time is right, he will unleash blood like the Elder Bairns and darkness will finally reign."

Life's Fit: Alex vs. Gargoyles

Alex slashed several of the monsters down while the customers were finally evacuated (except for A.J who hid behind the desk).

One of them grabbed him by the legs and slammed him to the floor before stepping ontop of his ribs. Angered, Alex threw out a siren scream to blast it back to the walls while he stabbed the sword on the floor to get himself up.

Two more of them tried to attack from the sides but he slashed them down simply on the spot.

"You have been hungry for quite some time, yet you are alive," one of them spoke.

"I didn't realize that you can speak," he grunted.

"And you are such a fool…thinking that your appearance as a human makes you one of them," it replied back, "The covenant has not been honored and we were promised endless food in this town and this world!"

"Those witches…" he muttered before answering, "They're using you! They may think you're getting food, but this has to be all of a ruse!"

"A ruse? Bah-HAHAA-HAHA-HAHAH! Is that what you think?!" the gargoyle spoke back, "Tell me…what did the witch promised you?!"

"What the hell are you talking about?! What did those witches tell you!?" Alex growled.

"Our kind used to live on a different world…but thanks to the actions of someone…higher than us, they informed that the world was not enough," the monster replied.

Verrado…she must have known my previous life from Ancient Greece, he thought, but yet…this world…why is it so different yet so familiar…but…?

The gargoyles attacked again as Alex slashed them down for one last time, striking the leader through its heart before a massive rain of blood flooded several areas.

"Ask yourself…who you really are…" the Elder Bairn spoke before it died out.

Alex approached to the wound on the chest that he stabbed the sword with before licking it and drinking some of the blood. His eyes glowed violently red as A.J nearly vomited at the sight.

I have to find the answer, he thought as blood went through his esophagus with memories filling through his head once more.

Flashback: Ancient Greece, 1 year after Alexander met Odysseus

As the ancient world continued to advance with this extensive long era of Alexander, the king along with his newest ally and son were residing on the large island Crete. Deciding to not extend his empire, he left the eastern far reaches alone to their own states. Telemachus started to begin his own voyage across the seas and explore the empire that Alexander created.

"Just how many places did you really conquer?" Odysseus asked one morning.

"Far enough to take the entire world but…I slowly began to realize that this world alone isn't enough to find happiness," he replied.

"It's not?" Odysseus looked at him.

"A life of being cursed to the plagues of the enemy has not allowed me to grow old and leave this world," Alexander replied, "I always fought endlessly…"

"I see...then what do you want this world to become to when you do pass away?" Odysseus asked.

"A world free from monsters whether it is heteromorphs or us…" the king answered.

Odysseus rested his hand to the king, "When I lost my wife…I thought it was the end of my life. She too was happy…and brought us joy to our lives."

The king looked at him, "What do you want from this world…?"

"I wish…that this world can stop repeating the mistakes from the past and be brave to succeed happiness," Odysseus replied.

"What is your definition of happiness?" Alexander asked.

"…to start over," Odysseus smiled.

Before they realized it, the two leaned to each other and exchanging a kiss. Upon looking at each other, Odysseus chuckled sadly, "I know I am about to commit a horrible sin…but…I can't hold back."

"Odysseus…" Alexander replied, "I don't want you to desecrate your marriage despite her going to the afterlife…"

"The gods have such a polyamorous and to some extent…polygamous philosophy," Odysseus replied, "What could two mere mortal men do?"

"Y-you…see me as a man?" Alexander asked.

Odysseus smiled, "Your human flesh and heart is everything to me…."

The two kissed again before stripping of their armor and robes and taking on the lust of passion as Odysseus pinned the king to the ground before flirting all over his massive hunk of muscled body. Alexander was awed by Odysseus' own muscles as he could only anticipate with his erection and desire going through his veins.

Present Day:

"O-odysseus…a-are you…?" Alex muttered as his eyes were still glowing red.

A sudden noise prompted him to turn to see A.J. still at the front desk in deep shock from all what has happened.

"Why are you still here?" he asked.

"Y-you…really are a MONSTER!" A.J. cried out.

"I suppose I am different than humans yet nothing like them," he shrugged.

A.J. could only tremble before falling to the ground and fainted. Alex was about to consider calling the emergency when he heard a loud crash coming from one of the windows followed by a screech and a neigh.

T-that noise, it can't be, he thought as he turned to see a brown-white gradient horse fading in and out before charging a loud cry.

"B-Bucephalus?!" Alex gasped.

The horse neighed on its hind legs before running over to him. Alex narrowly dodged him before it turned around and going on its hind legs and neighing loudly.

"BUCEPHALUS!" he shouted, "CALM YOURSELF! IT'S ME!"

But the horse continued to freak out and pinned him down. Alex coughed up some blood as the horse tried to crush his semi-broken ribs. Alex's eyes glowed red and unleashed his elder bairn strength to push him back. The human could feel some pain in his chest as the horse struggled to get back on its feet. He dropped his sword and removed his top before walking calmly.

Bucephalus's body was all shaken in fear but the touch of Alex's hand…

"Look up…" he whispered, "The sun…the light shines with faith, hope and love even during the most dangers of times."

The horse looked up to see the light before looking at Alex's now shown yellow-irises on his eyes. Bucephalus slowly got back up and sneezed. Alex brushed his hand gently through the side and its face. Seconds later, the horse freaked out again and stepped back before lying down on the floor in pain.

"H-Hang on Bucephalus!" Alex shouted, trying to approach him again, "I won't let you die again!"

The horse neighed loudly before something sprouted on its back followed by an explosion of feathers that transformed into crystals and shards. When he could see again, Alex gasped at the transformation upon his beloved horse standing tall and proud with wings in full force. Its fur also changed color to a white and sky blue ombre with strange markings on its body.

"Bucephalus…is this your true form?!" he asked.

The newly formed Pegasus neighed softly before approaching to Alex, prompting him to get on. Alex was about to when his clothes faded and transformed into something new…

A white, lengthy hoodie-cloak with a dark pair of jeans and a navy-blue sweater contoured to his muscles. A buckle was also on his waist where his sword rested in its sheath.

"Alright…let's stop the Elder Bairns and save our friends!" he vowed, taking the unconscious man up before getting on his steed before soaring up through the broken ceiling outwards. Trails of water flowed from the wings in the background.

First, we'll drop him off to the hospital, Alex thought, ugh…I hope he forgets all of this.

Judd's Tavern

"That's insane…a world where you were forced to work in the darkness!?" Alice looked at Isuzu with disbelief.

"It was a horrific era for us indeed," Isuzu took a sip of her tea, "The Shadow Mafia killed the heroes except for Rin and a few other friends of the Magic Six."

"Magic Six?" Eva looked confused.

"It was our beloved team whom were descendants of powerful beings…the Suiei Gods," Isuzu continued, "My brother Seijuurou helped them on some of their missions."

"But what about you ladies? What are your lives here?"

"Well…I've been a painter for as long as I can remember…I once had a family, but they died a long time ago," Alice answered.

"And I'm a graduate from the Sisters of St. Beaumont; I used to be a nun but now I'm going into nursing," Eva replied.

The door flung open as three other girls arrived in with a sigh of relief and exhaustion. Eva got up and gasped to see her friends.

"E-Eva?!" the trio cried out.

"Mesa! Iberia! L'aura!" Eva ran over to hug them in relief, "I'm so grateful you're alright!"

"Well we were saved by Suiei Shiina and Suiei Kirishima," Mesa answered, "They got rid of the Elder Bairns but is everyone evacuating the city?"

Alice got up to see the group and reintroduced to herself. The trio thanked her for watching over Eva when they couldn't.

Rasputin watched this union behind the scenes, knowing that they were a few steps closer to breaking the curse. However, the poison had to be removed from all the victims. Dodecadron recognized L'aura immediately and wanted to hug her but he knew it would be too awkward for this.

"This really sucks…" he said, "It's like you want to tell how much they are important to you but they see right through you as some old creepy person."

"Ben and Sergi are looking through everything to find an antidote," Rasputin answered.

"And the rest of the population?" Dodecadron asked.

"They're evacuating from the heights. So far it seems to be working," he said, "They're also adding more barriers around here to keep the witches out of this place."

Dodecadron put down his utensils as an idea erupted in his head, "Raspy…did you said earlier that you revisited Chirottori?"

"I…did, why?" Rasputin tilted his head.

"…this is gonna sound ridiculous, but do you think they can trust you?" he added.

"I'm already friends to them, why?" Rasputin asked.

"…I think this battle on our hands is going to get pretty intense. Do you think they can be some aid?" Dodecadron suggested.

"Stellaluna has longed to see the realm of humans but her parents forbade her from leaving the kingdom," he said, "But…"

"It was our home too you know…I think that if we can arrange a deal with them…" the former Mullerian King suggested.

"Dad, I don't think they will accept deals from you," Rasputin shared a nervous sweat-drop.

"Not me…but to you," he looked at him.

Kenma's Dream:

Kenma woke up in a strange looking forest filled with flowers that he has never seen before his very eyes. While some smelled beautiful and others were horrid, he couldn't bear to guess where he was at.

"Well…this is an interesting change in scenery. Better than some places I've woken up in," he muttered, "This might be the part in the game where a fairy flies in and tricks me into getting wishes or feeds me to their flower god. Or, a rhythm mini-game..."

A sudden cry of a baby could be heard as Kenma looked up to find the source of the sadness, "W-what was…"

The noise quiet down after a few seconds, "Maybe one of those flowers contained a hallucinogenic?"

He continued to walk through the area when he heard another noise of footsteps nearby. Kenma turned to see a 2-year old baby boy through the scene with a big grin on his face. Its hair was mostly white which prompts Kenma a fear in his stomach on possibly where he might be.

I-it can't be…why in all places would I be, he thought.

"Hello!" the little boy smiled.

"H-hello," he answered unemotionally.

The little kid took out a small wooden horse-toy and said, "This is my horsey!"

"Uh yeah," Kenma sweatdrop at this as the kid galloped around him in circles.

God this is so awkward, he thought.

The boy stopped and asked, "U-up?"

"Oh no. No, no, no. Not that. Sorry. I'm not that good with... kids..." he blushed before questioning the fact if this kid ever learned how not to dealt with strangers.

"Up! Up! Up! Up!" the kid persisted, prompting Kenma to finally lift him up despite his best wishes.

"Where are your parents, hm?" Kenma asked as the little boy touched his lengthy hair.

Oh dear, he thought, please let someone else show up.

The little boy cooed and chuckled softly. Kenma stares blankly at the child as he continues to fiddle around with his hair. As uncomfortable as it was, he had to resist pulling the curious boy away.

"Who are you?" he asked, "Your hairstyle is almost something like I would've had when I was younger…"

Just before the boy could say something, his eyes widen in a mix of shock and mild terror as the scene around him changed. The boy disappeared from him as he could hear it coming - bells ringing and people panicking. What the people were screaming was illegible to his ears, but the feelings were all the same.

"W-what is…" he looked at the chaos happening.

"Amnek! This way!" one of the parents shouted to the child as the family of three were running to some magical-portal exit.

Amnek dropped his wooden toy and tried to reach it but the other parent told him to let it be and hurry to the exit. At one point during the run, the little boy tripped over and lost his grip on his parents. The portal closed up on him followed by a bright light explosion from the crystalized figure unleashing great and terrifying powers…

Kenma woke up and found himself back in his human form as Noya and Iwaizumi shook him awake. He found himself in a pile of leaves with a nearby makeshift campfire.

"W-what the hell was that?" he muttered.

"Did you have a dream?" Noya asked.

"You fell asleep from all that running," iwaizumi answered, "I know we're terribly worried for Kuroo but you were pushing yourself a lot lately. When you crashed out, we gathered some wood to make a little place of fire for us."

"A-are we close to the city?" Kenma asked.

"Well if you're talking about those giant walls…yeah," Noya answered, "I can't believe they're so huge! It's like all the residents there are contained and don't feel free!"

The ombre yellow-black haired man got up on his feet and walked a few steps and sure enough could see Aeuropa City down the valley.

"If Kuroo managed to get through the security guards, it's no doubt he's on his way to the Tsukishima brothers," Iwaizumi speculated, "But if the king is true about those monsters…we may have a battle in our hands."

Golialla Castle, Chirottori

Princess Stellaluna looked out through her bedroom window as it overlooked all the Mullerians, Fairies, Orcs, and other legendary creatures living peacefully. She reflected on the time when Rasputin resided here. Initially he was a prisoner until interrogated by one of the most trusted servants, David.

After plenty of tests and experiments were performed, it was indeed true that Rasputin was a long-ancient ancestor to them. With this, the residents allowed him to roam freely around both the castle and the community but had a few restrictions such as the old laboratory. Stellaluna would sneak in there sometimes to get information to him about all the things Pandora did during her reign.

"I can't believe my mother did all of these horrible things…" he said in a flashback, reading some of the books in the courtyard, "But I am grateful that she finally did something right."

"Your mother was the dark one, right? Clearly she knew almost all of that existed?" she asked.

"My mother originally had ambitions to preserve our kind here but upon learning that Alex would be the one to end her, she went full madness to ensure that neither him or his team would stop her," he replied, "She went to full lengths using all of her resources…"

"Do you forgive her?" she looked at him.

"…originally, I didn't want to but…my older brother was able to save her," he said, "I feel guilty for still not doing anything…but then again, I have my own baggage of problems. So I decided to come back to this place so I can find answers to the past and how I can change my future."

"Change the future?" she muttered in present day as she looked at her handheld device that Rasputin gifted her and the family during his stay.

Seconds later, the device vibrated, prompting her to answer, "H-Hello?"

Kunikida Springs Villa Resort

While Aeuropa Capital Academy was nowhere near Hollywood Heights, the incident led to an undefined school closing with students transferring to other places for the time being.

In the midst of the crisis, Ayumu's family invited several of the students, staff and swimmers for shelter at one of their villas by the far northern reaches of Aeuropa City. The area was filled like a resort but with the recent events, security was measured up.

"I didn't realize the Kunikida Springs was owned by your relatives!" Romio was in awe.

"I thought it was obvious," Shizuru said.

"We had this resort for at least three generations," Ayumu explained.

"Hey, did you hear back from Suzu?" Romio asked.

"She did text me that she's safe at a different place," she replied, "But apparently…"

"Hm?" he looked at her.

"Never mind," Ayumu answered, "Let's get you guys and the others to safety."

Aoba was lugging his things while trying hard to not get too stressed out. When the elder bairn spider attacked the school, one of his closest buddies was killed until someone randomly used a fire extinguisher to temporary blinded it.

Kaoru was injured during the incident and was already rushed to the emergency. Misaki suffered a few scratches and was able to escape barely with a few other survivors. At least a dozen students and 5 staff were killed by the monster.

"Are you okay?" Misaki asked.

"Yeah…just tired," Aoba answered while looking at his capybara plush.

"Is that yours?" the other student looked at the plush.

"Uh yeah…had it since I was little," he blushed to the side.

The two joined up with the other three as they were led by Ayumu's aunt and uncle to their rooms for shelter. Romio's eyes sparkled in amazement of how sleek, and style of the rustic blend of different cultures from around the world.

"Yeah, that's totally him" Shizuru sighed with a sweat drop.

Ayumu could only chuckle softly while Aoba and Misaki went to another room to put their belongings down. Misaki's phone vibrated, prompting him to see a text from Kaoru:

Got bandaged for my wounds. Had the spider stabbed me anywhere else besides my arm, I'd probably wouldn't have made it. I'll be admitted here for some time.

"Oh Kaoru…" Misaki teared up a little.

"How is he?" Aoba asked.

"Well…he's alive and the only injury he got is his arm from self defense against the monster," he replied.

Aoba smiled a little, "Well, at lest our captain will be back in action in the near future."

I wonder how Artemis is doing, he thought, can he fight like the others?

While Misaki continued to unpack, Aoba approached to Ayumu and asked about what she saw that day. Taking him to the side, she confided that Artemis has indeed become a swimming guardian like Asahi and Ikuya and heard rumors of more guardians coming in town to stop the mess.

"Those monsters are trying to outnumber them though," Aoba grew concerned.

"The monsters aren't the only things that are a problem here," Ayumu said.

"Eh?" he looked confused.

"…Suzu told me that her real name is Isuzu Mikoshiba, one of the legendary three Mikoshiba siblings that was rumored to be fantastic swimmers," she explained, "What's more bizarre is that she's not from this world."

"How is that possible? Are you saying she's related to that old legend?" he recalled the Suiei Gods.

"Perhaps not directly but she could be as foreign as them from that other world…but apparently nothing makes sense. We were told that the Magic Six had a happy life…but her story revealed otherwise; they faced a betrayal and Earth went into a short era of darkness," Ayumu said.

"No one even knows about Earth except for us students…but then again, what concern do we have with this other world?" he shrugged.

"I personally think there were two Earths…one of which had a happy ending and the other well…suffered," Ayumu speculated, "Yeah…it sounds absurd but until I get more information about this from her…"

"I can't even begin to think about all of this," he shook his head before walking back, "But thanks anyway."

Ayumu nodded as her phone vibrated. It was another message from Isuzu with a longer text message. It took her a few minutes to read it as her eyes widened with concern.

Hey Ayu,

We are safe here at Judd's Tavern thanks to Shiloh but apparently the entire city may be in greater danger than we realize. One of the men informed us about some strange cult group that may be the ones unleashing the monsters on the humans. More swimming guardians showed up in hopes to solve the case and stop the witches and the monsters alike. I just hope that this will come to pass so we can be happy again. On the bright side, our third brother is alive, but he is yet to be found. We'll probably be here for the time being until all of this is over.

-Isuzu

After dropping A.J. off at the hospital, Alex rode on his steed across town, hunting for more of the Elder Bairns. He noticed that the local city's population was on the decline with the evacuation still going.

However, a single man of spiked-blacked hair wearing some sort of a warrior outfit. Alex was about to approach him when that stranger disappeared through the alley. He yanked on the reins to get Pegasus to follow pursuit, but the horse neighed and reared up on its hind legs, throwing him off.

When he crashed to the ground, Alex got up and found himself somewhere not in Hollywood Heights. Was it another dream?

"W-where is…" he began.

"Finally, I reached you…" another voice answered.

Turing around with his sword at the ready, he saw a man with white-hair and tanned-skin with markings of blue across its muscled anatomy. He didn't recognize it right away, but the eyes were as yellow like his…

"Y-you…A-Alexa, are you…alive!?" he gasped

The king smiled, "I was Alexa once upon a time…who came to your world for a short while. But now I've risen as the new king of Atlantis – Julius – of my homeland."

"I-I almost didn't recognize you, your majesty, please pardon me," he answered, "But Atlantis…it's a real place!? I thought it was a mere legend…"

"Atlantis is very real…but it doesn't exist in your world," Julius explained, "The problem with Greeks and their legends is that it doesn't have magic to bond to another realm in which those tales are true."

"I…I don't understand," the other man looked confused.

"Well that doesn't matter…what's important right now is that you must know what is happening to Aeuropa City and Planet Duniya," the king answered, "I cannot go there physically to help you, but my crystal has gathered data that will be useful to you. Also, Bucephalus was able to come back to you and evolve thanks to the power of the crystal."

"Everything you do has been of great value," Alex acknowledge, getting back on his steed, "Thank you…"

The king gently tapped on his staff as magical streams of water, electric and wind streamed into Alex's head; informing him about what the witches are trying to accomplish as well as the feud between the Tsukishima brothers that snowballed into getting involved in other peoples' drama and the fact that a group of his old former comrades were on the search. A few strange things also occurred in his mind as he saw the ancient Atlantis undergoing to tragedy with one of the civilians alive revealed to be…

"T-This is…" he muttered, trying to organize all the knowledge going through his head as the horse began to gallop out to the light, reaching to the destination beyond…

Judd's Tavern

The couple arrived at the bar as instructed by the king as Artemis was by the bar area with Dodecadron and Rasputin white the girls were sleeping in the lounge area.

"F-father!? D-dad!?" Artemis gasped before running to hug them.

"We're relieved you are alive," Joseph smiled.

"However, there's something we haven't told you before you left with Asahi and Ikuya," Jordan answered.

"Told me what?" Artemis looked confused.

"There's a chapter in your life that you've forgotten…and it's time you finally remember," he replied, prompting him to return the mirror.

With a shrug, Artemis returned it to him as Jordan chanted a spell from his mind via Neo King Julius, prompting it to glow as Artemis's eye glowed in resonating.

"I wish mother was here…" the child spoke sadly.

Julius dug through his cloak before handing Artemis a heart-shaped necklace containing a small piece of the crystal inside.

"This was given to me from your mother. She wants you to wear it, so you'll feel safe," he replied, "One day you'll find your way back to her."

"All I want is to go back home…but…I have a feeling I've been sent to this world for a purpose," Artemis replied.

"Indeed…it's because your story has never been told before until now…you are searching for your destiny, a purpose, and most of all…your true self," Kuroko answered.

"I…I love this world already!" Artemis blushed.

"It appears you do," he chuckled, "But I think you're loving Atlantis a lot too."

"Y-Yes," the child turned his head to the side as everyone smiled and laughed a little.

"We already have a place for him," Julius answered, "He'll stay with us for now."

"Your decision will certainly bring consequences," Kuroko nodded, "I hope it's all for the best."

"I didn't realize you were a swimmer, let alone be at this school," Artemis said.

"Hehe, I guess it's a small world," he chuckled, "I've always liked swimming but I would hate to compete myself against the world. Now that I think about it, aren't we in the same Social Studies class?"

"I believe so," Artemis shrugged.

"Yeah. I think I remember you in there, you were so fascinated by our world history," Romio added.

"E-ehhh…I guess I just like stories and stuff," Artemis answered, rubbing the back of his own head.

"W-who are you?" Artemis asked.

"I am Suiei Cosmos…the Senshi of All," the answer replied, "Born from the hearts of heroes…and crafted by true love who were once victims of my enemy…Chaos."

"W-wait…are you saying…!?" Artemis gasped.

"You are very clever…Artemis Le Fay…you remember the parents who bore you…the parents who will one day you will reunite. However, the future remains cloudy. Yet, one day…a miraculous resurrection will take place…you will journey and continue the mission of those heroes…Haruka Nanase, Rin Matsuoka, Nagisa Hazuki, Makoto Tachibana, Rei Ryugazaki, Sousuke Yamazaki, Momotarou Mikoshiba, Aiichirou Nitori, and their allies. The book you touched is only a fragment of the whole picture," Suiei Cosmos explained.

"You almost look like me? Are we…" he began.

"One day…if you keep yourself in the light, you will find yourself whole once more and when you do, our existence will become one," the senshi explained.

Artemis stepped back before falling backwards. His mind echoed on his false last name of Patterson…switching over to his real last name.

"Welcome back…Artemis Le Fay," Jordan answered.

Artemis looked confused to see the two men that were supposedly his parents but when he turned his head to see Dodecadron, his heart raced before running to him.

"A-are you…?" he looked at him.

"Yes…I am your real father…Dodecadron," he said.

Artemis looked at the other two men who raised him as he didn't know how to react to all of this. Everything that he dreamed of…everything that he lived through. Joseph and Jordan walked over to them before bowing down.

"Sir Artemis…I am Zulion, one of Julius' trusted lieutenants of the Atlantean Navy in line with the Water Knights," he introduced himself.

"And I am Tekela, the first trans-male and master of the arts and a member of the Water Knights of Atlantis," the other revealed his identity.

"Together we have been assigned by Julius to raise you in this world to recover your injuries you encountered back in Atlantis," they spoke.

"J-Julius…I…" Artemis remembered the king before he started to tear up and cover his face while Dodecadron hugged him.

"You were almost killed by some poisonous jellyfish that shouldn't have appeared in our kingdom but the king was able to save your life in exchange that you had to be taken to another world for a long time under a different name," Zulion explained.

"But now that you've awaken as Suiei Oceania, your injuries have been healed so if you ever go back to Atlantis, your life will remain stable," Tekela added.

"My son, I do apologize for failing to protect you when you still lived with us. The people who kidnapped you are a group of witches who have taken havoc into this town and have brought people from another land to cover their secret mission in layers after layers of drama," Dodecadron explained.

"How do you know about this?" Artemis asked.

"One of their members told me what they were going to do…but then again, I don't know how true it really is," he shrugged, "But regardless, this town…is a curse created by Dark Magic. Breaking the curse will stop the darkness but it is said that a select number of people are poisoned that if it breaks, the magic will kill them."

"Please…let me speak to my mother…is she here?" Artemis asked.

"The mirror can reach out to her if you wish it…" Tekela revealed, giving the mirror back.

Artemis closed his eyes and prayed, "Mother…please hear me…I wish I can see you…"

The mirror began to glow softly before it showed a hologram of a blonde woman of moderate-long hair with an elegant-lacy white dress floating in front of the small crowd.

"My sweet Artemis…is that you?" an echoing voice was heard.

Artemis gasped before running to her, "Mother!?"

Pandora wanted to hug him, but her current state of intangibility prevented her from doing so. Nonetheless, she was ecstatic to see her child once more.

"You've grown so much! Oh, how I wish I could hold you, but I am only here thanks to the power of the crystal of Neo King Julius…I am physically deceased but my spirt and soul resides in a beautiful paradise in a safer place," she replied, "But please; be thankful for all the people who supported you too so far. They've done their best when I couldn't."

"I need to know something," Artemis said, "Who am I…and what are these witches that took me away?"

"It goes back to a long time ago when I was a child, but that story will be explained another day. For now, you must assist our allies here and ensure that the city stays safe in this dark time," she answered.

"Do I need to come back?" Dodecadron asked.

"At some point you will for your life on this world is temporary but…I think if you go journey with him…he will have someone of blood to look up to," she smiled.

Artemis looked at Zulion and Tekela for a moment, noticing something sad about them. It was as if they did all of this for nothing.

"Artemis, no matter what people tell you, we do love you too," Tekela smiled sadly.

"I thank you for allowing me to live and grow but now I want to help everyone and give them hope," Artemis answered, "I am a Swimming Guardian too now. I can fight!"

"You do have a lot to learn, but you'll be one fine of a guardian," Pandora smiled as she started to flicker, "Remember to be proud and confident…of yourself…"

"Mother!" he shouted as the hologram flickered out into spheres of light drifting up to the ceiling and the outside skies.

"She's proud of you," Dodecadron reassured him, "And she'll watch over you from the other side."

"Go now…save everyone," Zulion added.

Artemis's eyes flickered as he knew he had to go fight. He turned to his two parents and his blood father before taking out his transformation pen.

"HALIAEETUS SUIEI POWER…MAAAAAAKKKKEEEEE UP!"

Artemis threw the pen upwards as 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 from the transformation pen and his Golden-Armed Shield. He twirled on his spear before making his official battle stance.

"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!"

Suiei Oceania took off from the bar, heading up high above the city to focus on where his enemies were scattered. He detected the witches somewhere just outside the city while a group of men were racing to Hollywood Heights to find a friend. Suiei Shiina and Suiei Kirishima were just leaving the school and were on their way to join him.

"Suiei Oceania, the people have been evacuated out of Hollywood Heights except for those who remain at the bar," Asahi reported.

"I detected a few new arrivals coming here," he replied.

"They shouldn't be coming to this town; Hollywood Heights is going to be exploding with Elder Bairns. We must set up the Kekkai to ensure they don't break out to the rest of the city," Ikuya stated.

"I don't think that's what the witches are up to," a voice said.

The trio turned to see Alex on his Pegasus.

"You have magic?" asked Artemis.

"I am a warrior…the reincarnated Alexander the Great…at your service," he bowed, "I have some news given to me from Neo King Julius."

After a few minutes to recap what he was told; the three senshi looked at each other with a bit of a concern.

"If it's true for what you said; then the Elder Bairns and the Shrovetide was used as a panic scare?" Ikuya felt skeptic about this.

"I hunt down the Elder Bairns back in my time…I know when they want to feast or not," he informed them, "However…if the witches do make it happen, then I'm afraid it's not just Hollywood Heights that they intend to target."

"The whole city…" Asahi muttered, "They want to slaughter everyone here?!"

"Julius thinks that if they destroy the entire city and its population, it will give them enough energy to power the towers up to create a portal, connecting this world to another one and bring about massive destruction," Alex replied.

"Tsubasa, Isana, Kotarou…they are dispatched to destroy the towers…but will it be enough?" Ikuya asked.

"I don't know…the king was uncertain about that, but he knows this…a group of comrades that knew of Kei and Akiteru are here and are attempting to stop him," Alex said.

A loud explosion could be heard from the distance. The four turned to see two of the towers finally crumbling down, prompting them that the trio must have managed to break them simultaneously.

"We need to go investigate this…" Asahi said, "I'll take Artemis with me and head to the north tower."

"What?!" Ikuya asked before sighing, "Fine. I'll deal with this ancient relic and head to the east tower."

Hollywood Heights Prison Center

Abigail was rather confused on the fact that more visitors were coming to see her. From the news on evacuation, only the public were moved out so far and only a handful of cops remained behind to ward off any potential threats.

She sat alone in the conference chamber before hearing a loud buzzer. Her eyes widened upon seeing Ben followed by some two strangers that she never seen before.

"Well…deciding to come save your boss?" Abigail asked, "And what's with the…?"

"Dreads? Well…this is how I would look outside your perimeters," Ben said, "But don't waste your professionalism on me; I already stepped down from my position ever since Verrado escaped."

"I would agree that your services at Smiths are no longer required. What do you want?" she questioned.

"I'm here to get you out of here. But first…it is time to finally wake you up," Ben said, "Sergi?"

The author got up and opened the book of the Iwatobi Suiei Gods as streams of energy flowed into her mind while Rasputin used a memorial vial to remove the fake memories of the curse from her head. After several minutes, Abigail's head crashed down on the table before lifting up again.

"So I see…" she grunted, "I guess I've been one hell of a mess for some people in my life. I guess I'm just good at being so destructive."

"We've returned your memories of the past both as a mother and during your times on Lynwin and Duniya and the Underworld but the false memories that your son gave to you are removed now. I don't think Veronica Smith suits you well personally…Abigail Cara-Clarice Tsukishima," Ben said.

"Are you guys going to get me out or no?" she asked.

"We will get you out of here but only if you are willing to accept a deal; we get you out of here and tell you what happened to your sons but…you must talk to Kei and find out why he is doing all of these things to you; you must find the truth," Ben replied.

"And why should I talk to him if he never spoke to me properly since he was 4?" she looked at him.

"Because…I know what those witches are planning to do with both of your children and Kei will soon be betrayed by them…," he answered.

"Well it's about time he faces his karma," she crossed her arms.

"…by killing both of them," he finished.

Abigail looked at him sharply with a stern look on her face, "Tell me where they are at right now?"

"He's not responding!" one of the nurses called out as she tried to find a pulse.

"Make sure the IVs are flowing normally!" another replied.

A group of 3 nurses were among Akiteru, trying to get him to recover for his health. While they were aware that Abigail was locked in prison, they were still under her best wishes to recover Akiteru at all costs.

"Someone go get the AED!" another nurse shouted.

Verrado walked in during the hectic and waved her hand to put them all to sleep before using her magic to float Akiteru out of the bed, disconnecting him from all the tubing and wirings.

"The preparations are almost complete," she muttered.

Judd's Tavern – Upper Apartment

Dodecadron returned to his apartment after closing up but noticed a few people were absent. A note was written by Ben indicating that he took Rasputin and Sergi to retrieve Abigail from prison and with the promise that his wings will return to him.

"I know Alex fled out after drinking that bloody stuff but where the hell is Kyle?" he muttered.

"Kyle?" Seijuurou looked at him, "You mean he's not here?"

"He's the husband of Alex but I should've kept a better eye on him," he sighed.

"Husband?" Seijuurou muttered to himself.

Where the hell is Haruka and the others, he thought, if Alex is alive this whole time…then there has to be some sign of life from the others! Are they even in this world to begin with!? But if Alex is married…oh no…this could be a bad premonition! If they find out…

"I'm going to find him," he said.

"You can't!" Dodecadron protested, "It's too dangerous!"

"Not when I have this!" the red-haired whistled as his magical carpet flew through the door.

"B-brother?" Isuzu looked at him with concern.

"Let's go," he said, "We have to find Alex and Kyle!"

Fed up with waiting for Alex to return, Kyle raced through the abandoned streets of Hollywood Heights. However, a foul smell grew more intense as he continued his search.

Reaching to a nearby wall, he felt like he was ready to throw up from all the sudden nausea. Falling to his knees, he splashed in some sort of fluid-looking like water.

His head raced through all the sudden blood rush as his consciousness forced him to open his mouth and to taste the puddle. A name long-forgotten echoed in his head as he continued to drink the blood.

Lifting up his head, the nausea and headache disappeared as his eyes glowed imperial-red, enabling him to sniff out for more blood after several hundreds years of hibernation and waiting…

~Episode 9 END~

~Episode 10 PV~

Narrator: The countdown begins…

Alex: The witches are about to unleash some sort of inferno to this world!

Asahi: We're really running out of time!

Tsubasa: I swear, those witches will pay for all their crimes!

Kei: W-what have you done to me?!

Isuzu: Next time, Free! Operation Dissolution Part 1: The Pentacle Towers

Seijuurou: I hope Haruka and the others are here. We may have a chance to fight back!