A month and a half passed in the wake of excited wedding planning and hectic invitation writing. Nearly everyone Amu had known from school or met with through her time in the Guardians had been invited, and all of them had replied that they would come.
Her bridesmaids (Rima, Yaya, and Utau as the Maid of Honor) had kidnapped Amu the day before, saying that they were sticking to tradition. The groom could not see his bride twenty-four hours before the wedding; he also couldn't see her in her wedding dress because that-supposedly-would cause bad luck.
They had taken her to Rima's to stay the night and it was there where they were now getting her into her dress, doing her hair and makeup and trying to calm her down.
"B-but what if I trip going down the aisle? What if I drop the ring? What if I forget my vows-?"
"You practiced, like, a thousand times!" Yaya replied, "Don't worry!"
The doorbell then rang, Rima rushed to open it. "Hello Midori-san!"
Amu's mother smiled in return, "Can I see my daughter? There's something I need to give her before the..." She couldn't bring herself to say 'wedding.' She took a breath and added, "Ami and Yui are here to get their dresses."
"Sure, Utau's doing her hair upstairs."
"Let's go! I wanna see Amu's dress!" Ami dashed up the steps and into Rima's room.
Yui and Midori sighed as they followed her, Rima let out a small giggle as she trailed behind. Her phone suddenly went off, she whipped it out and looked at the caller ID, 'Nagi!' she thought cheerfully.
"How r things w/Amu? We r picking up the groom now."
"Every1's gettin dressed, how r u?"
"Im good, but I g2g, c u the wedding. 3"
"K, I'll b the 1 next 2 the girl in white."
"XD,"
She went into her room to see Yaya helping the two younger girls into their junior bridesmaid dresses. All of the dresses were a sky blue with silver lining with matching heels. Utau had just finished with Amu's hair, which now hung in pink ringlets as the idol attached her veil. The humpty Lock still hung around her neck. Carefully she stood up and faced the others, "How do I look?"
Her mom walked over and embraced her, "You look so beautiful... I'm so proud of you..." Midori then pulled out a blue handkerchief and handed it to her.
"What's this for?"
"Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue," She explained. "This belonged to your grandmother, and she would have wanted you to carry it down the aisle,"
"Thank you..." Amu whispered.
Utau then decided to take charge, "Okay everyone! We have one hour until Amu needs to be on that altar, we need to finish getting everyone ready, now!"
Amu took one last glance at herself in the mirror, today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, 'But why do I feel like something's going to go wrong?'
xxxxx
Ikuto glanced at himself in the mirror in the bathroom while straightening his bow tie, underneath it hung the Dumpty Key. He was nervous, which seemed out of character somehow. "Today, I'm marrying the girl of my dreams," He whispered aloud, trying to boost his confidence. 'But why do I feel like something's wrong? Am I just being paranoid?'
The doorbell rang, interrupting his thoughts. 'That must be Kukai with the others,' He thought as he went downstairs and opened the door. All of the groomsmen were present: Shiro, Ryuu, Nagihiko, Kairi, and Kukai as the Best Man.
"Well, well, well if it isn't the groom-to-be!" Kukai shouted as everyone entered the house. "How are you enjoying your final hours of freedom?"
The other men laughed, but Shiro pointed out, "Kukai-san, aren't you engaged to Utau? Doesn't that mean your days of freedom are numbered as well?"
That enticed a greater chorus of laughter as Kukai shot back, "Th-that's not the point! I'm not getting married for a while! He's getting married today!"
Ikuto chuckled lightheartedly, "I don't see marriage as the end of my freedom, but you definitely should since your marrying my sister," He paused. "No, I see today as the start of the rest of my life."
"That certainly is an interesting way to see it," Kairi commented.
A sudden hush fell upon the group as Ikuto noticed a seemingly empty space amongst his companions. "He should be here..." He muttered, looking downcast.
The others immediately caught onto whom he was speaking of.
"Regardless of everything, Tadase should be here..."
Nagihiko frowned, "But didn't you think he's the one in charge of the Broken Heart Eggs?"
"I know my brother... He's too strong to give into that kind of darkness."
A note of sadness hung within the air for a few moments. Kukai—like Utau before him—took it upon himself to spur the group back into action. "There's no point in moping about what can't be changed. Now come on guys, we need to hightail it to the wedding or else we'll be late!"
They immediately snapped out of the despondent trance as they all murmured words of agreement and filed outside to cram themselves into Kukai's Trailblazer.
Ikuto shook his head, 'Tadase... Gomenasai...'
xxxxx
If one could summarize the feelings of everyone on the day of the wedding in on word, it would be... Frantic. The groomsmen frantically ushered all of the guests to their seats, the groom frantically glanced around the church, hoping to catch one glimpse of his frantic bride. The Maid of Honor swore all sorts of unimaginable oaths into her phone, threatening the men setting up the reception, who frantically worked to make everything perfect.
Frantic, in a word, summed up everything.
Amu, her father, and the bridesmaids were situated in a small room in the back of the church. Utau had finally tucked her phone away and was now pacing the room, "Well?" She demanded, "What's taking everyone else so long to get started?"
The bride felt a flutter of butterflies within her stomach, what was taking them so long? "Utau..." She pleaded, "You're really not helping much right now..." The idol got the message and shut her mouth.
Kukai then entered the small room, "We're ready for the bridesmaids to enter in about twenty seconds. Better get ready!" Rima and Yaya grabbed their small bouquets of pink and white carnations as Utau took Kukai's arm. The two bridesmaids would walk side by side down the aisle and the Maid of Honor would follow them, escorted by the Best Man. The quartet exited the room and just as they exited Shiro and Ryuu entered.
Silently Ami and Yui each grabbed a basket of rose petals as Shiro picked up a stain pillow holding two rings. The rings on the pillow were fakes, just for show; the real rings were in Kukai's possession, as it was the Best Man's job to carry them. Ryuu then Chara Changed, getting a white sword attached to his belt. The current King would escort the ring bearer, who would be followed by the two flower girls. It was purely symbolic that Ryuu was there; he represented the King that was missing, and also he represented the needs of matrimony: the need to protect one another. The young Guardians got into formation, and then turned to bow before their mentor before exiting. She let out a shuttering breath, and Amu's father grabbed her hand, trying to comfort her.
"Well this is it, isn't it my little sparrow?" He sniffed, as if he were fighting back tears, "You're all ready to lead your own life with your husband..." A few tears escaped him. "Don't forget your family now, okay?"
"Oh Papa..." She hugged him, "I'm getting married, not leaving forever!" They separated and stood up, approaching the door. Her father handed her a bouquet of dark red roses. She linked one arm within his as they opened the door.
"No matter what, I'll always be your little girl."
xxxxx
Ikuto fidgeted on the altar as he waited for the ceremony to start. Midori was on his right, while Nagihiko and Kari stood on the left on the other side of the minister. Kukai had just disappeared into the room he knew Amu was in. It took quite a bit of self control to keep himself from charging back there to see her. Being separated from Amu had made him rather paranoid about her safety to say the least.
Organ music then began to play as everyone turned around to see the procession. Yaya and Rima gracefully walked until they were in front of the altar, and then moved to the side to take their places by their respective man. Utau, led by Kukai, followed them, taking position directly to Ikuto's right. Ryuu's eyes were alert as he made his way to the altar; his hand was settled upon the hilt of his sword. Shiro, holding the rings, trailed quietly behind him. Cascades of rose petals fell upon the ground as Ami and Yui walked behind the two boys. As they reached the front, they all bowed towards the groom and went to sit on the pew in the front.
The organ music then shifted to The Bride's March, and slowly did she emerge. A clatter of gasps and notes of awe sprung up from the guests as Amu walked down the aisle with her father. Ikuto let out a small gasp of his own. "Amulet Fortune...?"
Her wedding dress was very reminiscent of the Charanari. Her veil was held in place by a small tiara that resembled the brooch the transformation bore. She had the same gloves, the same dress, except that it was closed in the front this time around. The white fabric and beige ribbons billowed elegantly as she moved. She didn't even appear to be walking, it as more like she was floating on air. Was it him, or did the Humpty Lock appear to shine around her neck with the same multicolored light as it did all those years ago? An eternity later she finally reached him, and her father proudly handed her off to him, and then went to stand next to Amu's mother. He could see her eyes though her veil, clear and bright and eager.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..." The minister began.
The rest of the lines were lost upon them as the two stared into each others eyes. This was their moment. A murmur of unease rushed though the crowd as Amu saw the windows darken. Concern flashed though Ikuto's eyes as well. Was it going to rain? The weather report had been—was supposed to be—clear all day. Amu raised and lowered on shoulder, telling him not to worry. The reception was inside, and worst come to worst, they would have to sprint to the limo when the ceremony was over. Suddenly, they both became acutely aware of what the minister was saying, and of a growing sense of darkness just beyond the church's entrance.
"If anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot be joined in marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace."
The door suddenly shot open as a blood red mist filled the building. People screamed and rushed to get out of the way of the strange anomaly. X-Eggs swarmed in, barring all exits. Thunder rumbled in the distance as a figure began to emerge from the ominous mist. Slowly he proceeded to walk down the aisle, a dark leer across his face. He continued until he was about two or three feet from Amu and Ikuto. The blonde intruder folded his arms as his violet eyes glared menacing at the two. Tadase Hotori smirked cruelly as the words flowed from his lips.
"I object."
There was a moment of utter silence as Ikuto looked to the ground, disgusted, "So it really was you!" His voice betrayed multiple emotions, shock, anger, but mostly hurt. "Otouto... I thought you were so much stronger than that..."
His little brother growled, "Shut up! You're in no position to call me weak!"
"Why are you doing this Tadase?" Amu demanded. "Answer me!"
"Why, you ask?" His tone softened, and he looked at her sadly. "Because you deserve so much better!" He shook his head, "How is it that he is the better man for you? How?"
"Amu has made her decision; if you truly loved her, you would respect that!" Ikuto answered, stepping in front of his bride to protect her.
"I'm not going to let her throw her life away for some scum like YOU!" The furious blonde shouted. "If I can't have her, NOBODY WILL!" A black orb with a large red X on it hovered near Tadase's shoulder. It was Kiseki... The small Chara's head lolled to the side, as if it couldn't support itself. He chuckled darkly, "The Humpty Lock and the Dumpty Key, here together... That should be more than enough..."
Amu, realizing what he was about to do, shoved past Ikuto and reached out to the younger man, "Tadase, DON'T!"
"Watashi no kokoro... UNLOCK!" He was enveloped in a tornado of dark energy, which exploded outward, revealing him to be dressed in archaic, medieval black armor. A rustic sword hung at his side as a black cape flowed behind him. His eyes were hollow with rage and madness. "Charanari: Demon's Revenge!" He charged towards Amu, his sword at the ready, "Sorrow Strike!"
"Amu, get down!" Ikuto grabbed her and they ducked out of the way. A small explosion of black energy ensued as the attack collided with the altar.
'He wants to kill us!' She thought, panicking, 'He really wants to kill us!'
Ami and the other Guardians rushed to the rescue, "Watashi no kokoro—"
"Not on my watch!" Tadase shouted waving his hand towards Amu and Ikuto, two bolts of dark lighting shot towards them, "Diaspora Seal!" The bolts collided with the Humpty Lock and Dumpty Key, blackening the crystals on them and disabling them. "Oh dear!" Demon's Revenge stated with mock concern, "How are the little Guardians going to Charanari?" Another bout of dark laughter escaped him. He charged once more towards the bride, "Sorrow Strike!"
The Joker found herself frozen where she stood; she squeezed her eyes shut, hoping that it would end quickly. Her husband-to-be seized suddenly seized her wrist, pulling her behind him while simultaneously stepping in front of her. The attack struck him in the chest, causing him to crumple upon impact.
Amu cried out, "IKUTO!" As she knelt by his side, "A-are you okay? Speak to me!"
Tadase walked up to her and knocked her aside with surprising strength. She flew into one of the pews, dazed. The blonde hummed the wedding march under his breath as he moved in on his brother for the kill. "I never liked you; did you know that, Onii-san? You were everyone's favorite, you were the one they paid attention to, you spineless, pathetic alley cat!" He positioned the tip of his blade over Ikuto's heart, "And to top it all off, you think you can take what is oh-so-rightfully mine..."
The blue haired man shook his head, "Amu—" He coughed, "—Belongs to no one! She is a person, not a prize!"
"That doesn't matter at the moment," Tadase moved the sword to his throat, his death would be much slower that way. "Time for you to go die in a hole where you belong, you unwanted stray."
The words echoed strangely in Amu's ears, and suddenly she was taken back to a moment, many those months ago...
xxxxx
Dear Ikuto, it's time for you to know the truth. I don't love you, I never loved you. This was all a game for me. You are empty and deceitful and I hope you never find the slightest glimmer of happiness in this life. I pray I never have to see your face again. Go die in a hole where you belong, you unwanted stray.
Go die in a hole where you belong, you unwanted stray.
Go die.
You unwanted stray.
"Time for you to go die in a hole where you belong, you unwanted stray."
xxxxx
Shaking with fury, Amu searched for a weapon of some sort. Upon finding none, she took of one of her own heels. Carefully, she took aim and shouted, "EAT STILETTO, BITCH!" It was very unlike her to curse like that, but hey, she was beyond pissed. The shoe collided with Tadase's head, catching him off guard and stopping him from finishing off Ikuto.
"It was YOU!" She thundered as she stomped over to recollect her heel, after it was safely on her foot once more she shouted, "You were the one who sent that note to Ikuto, weren't you? WEREN'T YOU?"
Tadase simply smiled, "So you've finally figured it out, huh?"
Ikuto forced himself to look away, his mind unable to process what he had just heard, "All those years ago... The cause of all of that pain... Was you?" He looked up to his little brother, "WHY?"
"She deserved so much better..." He repeated the mantra as he lumbered forward to attack again. "Deserved... So much better..." Amu yanked Ikuto to his feet and dragged him out of the way, the sword just barely missing him. The groom collapsed into her lap, as she frantically tried to think of a solution. 'What do I do? WHAT DO I DO? We're going to be killed if I don't do something!'
"Amu-chan!" Several voices called out from deep within her mind.
"Ikuto ~nya!" Another yelled.
Demon's Revenge was upon them; his sword was raised to cut them down. Quickly Amu realized what needed to be done. She supported Ikuto head and brought her lips to his in one desperate declaration of true love. There was a great burst of light as the Humpy Lock and the Dumpty Key were restored. Their lips parted, and as Lock and Key joined they both shouted.
"Watashi no kokoro... UNLOCK!"
"Charanari: Amulet Fortune!"
"Charanari: Seven Seas Treasure!"
Everyone stood still in one shocked moment of silence, "It worked!" Amu exclaimed. "It actually worked!"
Ikuto smirked, "This ought to level the playing field quite a bit, now won't it?"
She nodded in response; she then turned to the Guardians, "Leave this battle to us! Make sure everyone else is safe!" They all bobbed their heads in agreement and set off.
Seven Seas Treasure jumped into action, "Emerald Line!"
"Sorrow Strike!" The two began to duel with a frightening amount of deadly skill and precision. Strike met parry in a fusion of sparks as the clash of metal upon metal rang boldly throughout the air. Blows were exchanged at an alarming rate, the fence becoming a blur of rapid collision. Rage was borne on each contender's face, along with a deep-seated hatred for each other. Each attack was riskier than the last as each gunned for the other's throat. They both sought to draw blood, they both sought to kill.
Amulet Fortune was frightened by the violent exchange. Nothing would stop the battle until one of the combatants was dead. "This isn't right," She whispered, "You're brothers!" Her bouquet of roses was not too far away. Slowly she moved to pick it up, and it seemed to sparkle with a warm sort of brilliance. She carried it to the fight, "Please stop..." She begged. They ignored her. "STOP IT!" She demanded. She gritted her teeth, and then shouted, "Briar Roses!" Thousand of petals shot out from her bouquet, immobilizing the two men. A calming aura surrounded her, the pride and wisdom of a bride. "To let yourself be consumed by hatred... To let anger control your actions... To quest for revenge... Don't you see that it's pointless?"
Tadase scoffed, "I have nothing left! What more can I do than give myself to those emotions? My dreams belong to the darkness... Actually, I don't think I have any dreams left." Amu released them from the roses' hold. He looked up to meet Amu's eyes; dead and hollow violet met vibrant amber. She could feel the emotions rolling off of him in waves.
Pain.
Loneliness.
Rage.
Anger.
Hurt.
Heartbreak.
He fell to his knees; the fight within him had vanished. Heart's Eggs began to swarm around him, X-Eggs and Broken Heart Eggs alike. It looked like he had aged in that moment, appearing weary and frail. Amu and Ikuto rushed over to his side, but were kept back by the hostile Eggs.
"Amu... Ikuto... Please... Save me..."
His power had far outstripped his body's endurance; he shuddered once more, looking pleadingly at his former love. She looked to Ikuto, who nodded.
"Broken Heart..." Amu called out, just as Ikuto shouted, "Negative Heart..." They both cried out in unison, "Lock on!" They each extended a head, forming a heart together. "True love... OPEN HEART!" Magnificent bursts of pure white energy shot forward, enveloping Tadase and the X-Eggs in a sphere that seemed to fold around them like angel wings. It formed a great shining pillar, and the darkness seemingly dissolved. The silhouette of a human kneeled in its center and as it slowly stood up, it seemed to disintegrate.
"Otouto!" Ikuto tried to move forward to save him, but Amu stopped him.
"It's over... He had given so much of himself to that negativity, he became it... He'll be... He'll be okay now... Where he's going... He'll be happy..."
The pillar suddenly vanished, along with the figure within it. Tadase's final words were just a whisper on the breeze.
"Thank you..."