Well, it's the end, thank you so much to everyone who has kept following this story, letting comments and reviews…and most of all, for your patience. I am sorry I haven't answered every review individually these last chapters and it took me way longer to publish the last chapter. I am glad to all people I have the chance to meet during the time of this story. Thanks to all and special thanks to AtlantisLux.
Note: This story is rated M. It contents intimate encounters between two females as well as other sexual content, strong language or violence. If you dislike, please don't read.
Disclaimer: Sunrise owns Mai Hime and Mai Otome characters. Dune is owned by Frank Herbert legal heirs. I only own my imagination
Tears of Warriors
by GaladanChapter 17. Final Strike
"I stand in the sacred human presence. As I do now, so should you stand some day. I pray to your presence that this be so. Let the future remain uncertain for that is the canvas to receive our desires. Thus the human condition faces its perpetual tabula rasa. We possess no more than this moment where we dedicate ourselves continuously to the sacred presence we share and create."
Bene Gesserit Benediction
Dune Saga
Aries, Armitage House Planet Stellar Space
"We have to do something…quickly." Saeko said looking at the pale and bruised face of her daughter. She had to do a strong effort to tell herself Natsuki was still alive.
"There is nothing we could do here Lady Saeko, we shall go somewhere." Irina was setting the last parameters for the shell's surviving systems, her mind like the other women around Natsuki, desperately looking for alternatives where it weren't many.
"Aries is clearly not an option." Reito said with his fists tightened with rage and guiltiness. "I am sorry Lady Saeko…I should have been the first one, not Natsuki!"
"Enough, Reito! The last Natsuki need right now is useless shame. Help us to get out of here as soon as possible." Saeko said with cold voice and an ice glare towards Reito.
Shizuru was still on her knees watching Natsuki through the shell pressurized crystal and after Saeko's words, she was the first one realizing they were no longer being hit. The launching gates opened at that very time to let two aircrafts in.
"Ray," Reito said feeling that a hope opened in the horizon for Natsuki.
After landing Ray and Nao ran to the group and after a questioning look to the women, Ray kneed on the floor with Shizuru.
"What happened?" Nao asked to Saeko.
"After coming back from Aries, we were caught by a surprise attack; Natsuki was leaving out with some aircraft to fight them when a shoot hit the ship."
"Yes, we saw the lights on the distance as soon as we went out of the portal. They weren't expecting us." Nao explained.
"Thank you Nao-san, Ray, you were right on time…but now we have to find a way to save Natsuki. We shall to get out of here as soon as possible but coming back to Aries there is not an option. Going to anywhere is not an option." Saeko said with sadness.
"There is an option Lady Saeko….an option for us to go and one chance to save Natsuki."
Saeko gave a gaze back to Shizuru waiting.
"Artemis Space Station, we have to take Natsuki there. Her only hope to survive is the nanomachines; her wounds are… too serious. Only the nanomachines will repair wounds like those."
Shizuru's face was like sculpted in stone while saying Saeko what she thought.
"But Shizuru that will make her an Otome…even for a healthy and strong condition, the nanomachines could kill an aspirant if she is not ready!" Saeko also thought in that option but it was too risky for Natsuki's life on her current condition.
"I will grasp at a burning nail if that would save Natsuki. I will die for her if I could make her live, so if you could think in a better alternative, I will follow you to the end." Shizuru gaze was intense and Saeko knew she was right. It was no other option but the SEED nanomachines.
After a short discussion, Saeko agreed to take Natsuki with Ray at the space station but Shizuru was still reticent to abandon her lover.
"Shizuru, we need you here leading our forces in case we need help. We also have to protect the CORE, you know what will happen if… if something happen to us, someone has to do…"
"You will better be back Lady Saeko…I will stay only if you promise to bring Natsuki back, otherwise you stay here and I will go with her."
It was no further negotiation possible. Saeko nodded with acceptance thinking that definitely a Viola was meant to be with her daughter.
We will go to the end with this…but together Saeko-san. I will wait for you then." Shizuru had the fierce, determined look Natsuki get to know so well in the previous days.
"I will make the nanomachines' procedure with Natsuki and Ray will take us to the space station with the no-ship. In the meantime, you will try to mislead these guys and give us some time. I will contact Nao-san through the ECCO and until then, we will set the coordinates for the meeting point. Are we agreeing?"
"No." Reito said firmly.
All the women looked back at him.
"I should be the one taking you there; Lady Saeko…Ray is the second in the succession line, if something happen…"
"That's precisely why I should go Reito, to guarantee we will be back whatever happens. I am an Otome; I can protect them better than you or anyone else and happen to be that I am the only pilot here that can fly the no-ship. Natsuki shall to come back and end this. She is the only one who can make it."
Abashed for the second time, Reito had to surrender. He failed to Haakon but whoever was guilty of harming Natsuki will have time to regret it.
After the last quick preparations Ray helped to carry and secure Natsuki's shell into the no ship. When they were ready to depart, Nao was standing at the no-ship boarding gate with Saeko and Shizuru.
"We count on you Ray-san, please bring her back." Shizuru was controlled, standing very straight in front of Ray, but her eyes were brilliant.
Ray touched Shizuru's arm briefly, the cold determination in the blue eyes was the only guarantee Shizuru needed. Both Shizuru and Saeko stepped aside giving Nao and Ray a bit of space and time.
Nao didn't say a word; she just grabbed Ray's face kissing her with passion. Just that, a kiss and the intense green gaze that no one else but Ray could see.
Few minutes after, the two cruisers departed from Aires stellar space covering the small no-ship traces.
Aries, Armitage Government House.
"They are leaving the Aries Stellar space, my Baron."
"As we expected, my dear Tatsuhiko." Nagi was sitting lazily on the Armitage's main reception room. That Haruka Armitage was handling that planet more like a Republic than as a noble house. It wasn't a royal room but a parliament, something that he found very amusing now it was its only occupant.
"No one of our chasers made back, my Baron."
"I was expecting that too." Nagi said smiling. "Meister Hazakura shouldn't never know what really happened tonight. We have found really important information from Garderobe and while less people know about it, will be better."
"Not even General Wang?"
"Especially General Wang…I am not happy with him at all." Nagi frowned a bit bringing to his mind Sergay's report about Haakon Kruger dead. "Have everything ready for the tracing Tatsuhiko, we have to get the best approximation and the only data we have is Saeko Kruger's GEM tracking using the known GEMS positions."
"Capturing and presenting Natsuki Kruger to our allies will be a strategic movement for D'Artai House."
"We won't capture her, we only need to know where she will be." Nagi said surprising his young assistant. "More important is what we will do with that strategic information."
For Nagi and his men was quite a displeasing surprise find out they couldn't triangulate Saeko's position. It was like if she would have vanished in the air. They got her signal back until almost twenty four hours later and for a very short period of time. And her position, in the middle of unexplored stellar space was a sure indication for Nagi that the Otomes were planning something.
Space Station 'HiME Project – Garderobe'
In the border of the far away system Sigma Draconis, very well hidden by a mass of asteroids, was the small shiny point of Garderobe's space station.
Ray docked the no-ship at the small wharf, securing the ship and together with Saeko to carried Natsuki's shell into the facility the fastest way they could. It was a one hundred percent research facility; everything had a function and was no extra commodities on it.
Following Yohko's instructions through Miyu's files, Saeko set the preparations at the immaculate lab. It was a long procedure until they have Natsuki at the nanomachines chamber. Saeko had to give her daughter the nanomachines before trying to remove the metal stabs in the way her body could repair the damage using them. Even in the suspension shell, every minute was weakening Natsuki more. Doing the process of becoming an Otome in an unconscious, injured woman was way beyond the rules but Saeko had no choice.
"You had the training of an Otome, my dear. Don't fear, feel the waves and move with them." Saeko whispered at her daughter ear and after a kiss on her forehead, she activated the transformation chamber. Soon after, Natsuki was floating in the middle of a surreal white light; as the surviving system were being disconnected and the nanomachines generator was being plugged to her, her vital signs started to going down, slowly at the beginning and with concerning acceleration with every second.
"We have to hurry, Lady Saeko…which GEM? Yours or mine?"
So, that was the other reason Ray insisted that much in coming, Saeko though feeling pain in her chest. They didn't have spare GEMs and someone had to stop being an Otome for Natsuki to survive.
"It has to be mine, Ray. From now on, we are in your hands to protect us."
"With my life, my lady."
Saeko removed her GEM breaking the flow with the CORE system and feeling a sudden emptiness and then both of them walked out the chamber and activating the nanomachine generator. Natsuki's body arched when the first flow of nanomachines inundated her system from several places.
Both of them were vigilant of Natsuki's vital signs that jumped up and down during the whole process. It was nothing else they could do but watch Natsuki's pain.
Saeko had witnessed several Otome conversions, and was surprised to find that despite her injuries, Natsuki's body and mind were responding. She feared a massive failure of Natsuki's systems during the first minutes but after a while the body of her daughter stopped fighting, accepting the intrusion. Slowly her biological systems were achieving a transformation that was like getting into a new life.
Natsuki found herself suddenly in borderless and vast whiteness. She was not alone.
"Father! Where we are? What's happening?... I was…damn, I am not dead right?
No yet, my dear.
No, yet?...What is this?
Your mind, your soul, your consciousness, it's not a place and it has no name. It's everywhere and nowhere…. I am not here and you either, but at the same, we are. Remember, the beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct. In this time you have to bring out all your beginnings and balance them."
"What is happening to me?"
"You are giving born to yourself…you are beginning."
After saying that her father vanished into a light and the incommensurable weight on a gigantic wave fell over her. Natsuki felt razed by a cosmic tsunami.
During hours, Ray and Saeko watched Natsuki struggling but at least; she was still alive and fighting. The nanomachines were all inside Natsuki's body, now the more dangerous part was starting. Unconsciously, Saeko took Ray's arm and Ray stepped closer putting her hand on top of Saeko's.
The GEM emitted a blinding flash as the link with its new master was setting up.
When the light receded to the GEM again, Natsuki was still floating on the middle of the chamber with her injuries bleeding, the monitoring panel showing very low vital sign from her but she was still alive, a small breath of life was still on her lungs.
It was no point on keeping her at the nanomachines chamber. During the wait, Saeko and Ray prepared everything to treat her wounds. It would have been better to have Yohko there but they had what they had. Removing Natsuki carefully from the chamber, they transport her to the treatment shell. The space station was wonderfully equipped with research and medical instruments. Whatever Uma asked Yohko to do there was on the edge of illegality, but Saeko was thankful for that now.
During the next hours, slowly and carefully, Saeko and Ray removed the stabs from Natsuki's body, helping the nanomachine's healing qualities the best they could.
"The nanomachines are working, Lady Saeko." Ray said with contained happiness.
It was too soon to claim the victory but they kept working diligently until all the wounds were treated and the internal organs stabilized. Again they had to wait and let the restoration and healing systems to work.
They waited a week until Natsuki, finally opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the tired and concerned faces of her mother and Ray.
Natsuki tried to speak but nothing came up, she couldn't even move her lips.
"Take it easy, my dear. This is not a regular awakening. You have stood for a lot more than anyone else."
They calm down Natsuki, letting her to rest but Saeko also knew they didn't have more time, so sitting by her daughter site, she told her what happened since they came back from Aries until that very moment. Answering questions Natsuki didn't even make. Saeko knew that the first moments and days after becoming an Otome could be a bit confusing, with new memories, coexisting inside them.
"Now you are the Ice Silver Crystal, Meister Natsuki Kruger."
"We…have to go back… as soon as possible mother." Natsuki said trying to lift her limb.
"Give you a bit more time, the strength will come. You will feel a bit disoriented, remember that you not only became an Otome, you also are recovering from severe injuries."
Two days, was the only Natsuki could wait. Still staggering, Natsuki was on her feet when her mother came in to check on her.
"Natsuki!"
"We are leaving mother. I can't stay here longer. We have to let the others know we are coming back."
"Unfortunately, it was something we didn't count on. The ECCO device was programmed for me. As soon as I removed the GEM, the connection was lost. I can't contact Nao Zhang."
"What about the regular GEM communication?"
"I noticed is available since a couple of days ago. Surely, Irina noticed my ECCO shutting down and opened the GEM channel using the CORE. The problem is every Otome will hear us as well, like Ayane and Sakura Hazakura." Saeko ended with angered voice.
"You still think Sakura betrayed us."
"What other explanation you see Natsuki?"
"In the small window we have to see through, it might seem the only explanation. We have to figure out if what we see is the whole extend, mother."
"That option will be very risky Natsuki."
"Irina didn't activate the GEM communication by her own will, mother. For sure, Shizuru ordered her to and there is a reason for that."
Despite her weakness and pale face, Saeko could see her daughter was somewhat different than she was before the accident. Before being an Otome, Natsuki was…warmer and soft. The woman now speaking to her was pure coldness and purpose. Natsuki was speaking with demolishing confidence using Saeko's memories and surely, all the others she had. Saeko felt something strange in her heart by looking at her daughter like that, indentifying it with surprise as… fear.
In that very moment, Ray got into the room with concerned gaze.
"Intruders Lady Saeko… Natsuki, I am so glad you are standing up, we have to go."
Helping Natsuki, Ray led to way to the gate, on the way they were expecting to feel the first shootings, trusting the station field will give them time enough to reach their ship but as the time passed, no shoot hit them. A tremor on the station surface told them what was really happening; the intruders were breaking inside the station.
"They are getting in." Ray said with concern, thinking again on their escape alternatives.
"They want to capture us." Saeko found herself wondering how they could have found them but knowing it was a distraction, pushed that though away. Ray was the only full power Otome against whatever will pursue them.
"They might want us alive but for sure they also want this facility, mother. How many ships you detected Ray?"
"One."
As they were getting closer to the ship, the sound of wild pack was heard behind them. Using one of the wall monitors, Saeko and Ray felt terrified to see a huge tide of Schwartz modified soldiers, flooding into the stations.
"They are not materialized Ray." Saeko pointed looking at the soldiers; Ray tried to materialize after Saeko comment with no results.
"They brought an anti-materializer. They know there are Otomes here and sacrificed the materializing and destruction capability on their soldiers to rely on the numbers." Natsuki concluded. "We have to hurry to the no-ship."
The monitors were telling them the soldiers know were they were going. The no-ship field was deactivated, so it was visible using sensors. They thought it was a regular combat aircraft and wanted to get them before reach it. Ray did the numbers.
"Natsuki, Lady Saeko…keep going, I will give you time." Ray said stopping, unsheathing her long blade. Even without her robe, she was a deadly warrior; she could win them time enough to get out.
"No way, Ray, you are coming with us." Natsuki said with brilliant eyes.
"Natsuki, please you have to hurry. This is why I am here; this is why I have been preparing me my whole life. You have to make it." Then removing her GEM, Ray hand it to Saeko. "Take Natsuki out of here Lady Saeko and please, give this to…her."
It was no time for anything more. Ray took position to wait for the first wave of intruders and Saeko, with a knot in the throat helped a bothersome and frustated Natsuki the last long meters to the no-ship.
Ray was thinking how to protect Natsuki and Saeko but also how to avoid Schwartz to borrow everything that it was at the station. Schwartz will do a lot of harm if all those wonders fell on their hands. "I have to do something."
Running at the same direction Natsuki and her mother went, Ray reached the bridge control. It was not as big as the main command deck but had anything was necessary and monitors surveying all the stations. Looking at Natsuki and Saeko getting into the no-ship, Ray set the self-destruction sequence for three minutes. That time will barely enough to put them at a safe distance.
"I have to stand for three minutes," the intruders were at the gates and will be there in less than a minute, Ray was going out to wait for them when saw a small button, 'GEM COMM'. Ray didn't give it a second though and activated it.
All the Otomes could her message not only the intended addressee but it can't be helped, "Juliet Nao Zhang…" Ray said aloud getting strength from the name. "I won't be able to fulfill my word. I am sorry. You should know I love you…I always did."
Ray cut the communication, she wasn't waiting for an answer and don't need it anyway. With renewed spirit, Ray turned to face the first attacker falling on her cutting him in two with her blade and following to the next one with cold rage. Using her best attacks and releasing her fury, Ray was cutting two or three enemies with every arch of the blade. Moving and evading at the same time than cutting. As one intruder fell, two arrived.
Ray was sweating, covered by the dark blood of the attackers, brandishing her sword against them without weakening. But more and more were coming…until were too many. The last thought on Ray's mind was green.
Natsuki and her mother were still close to the space station when saw the destruction sequence starting from the station's base, where the fission core was, the atomic hearth of Artemis station igniting to become a supernova.
"Hurry, mother, help me with this controls!"
Saeko helped Natsuki but still, the expansive wave of the powerful detonation shook them, throwing them away like a dry sheet in the middle of a storm.
When everything calmed down, Natsuki and Saeko were looking at the dark space where the space station was, Garderobe's most advanced technological achievement, the one that allow to save her life vanishing to dust in the darkness of the deep space.
Saeko had pain at her chest and found with surprise, a tear falling down on her cheek. Her daughter was alive; looking at Ray's green GEM on her hand, her pain seemed to grow thinking Ray didn't fulfilled her word to Nao Zhang but fulfilled her word to her, protecting Natsuki with her own life.
"Ray deserves more, mother." Natsuki said glaring at her mother with cold eyes as if she could read her mind. "We have to make it worth. It won't be mercy for them."
The Final Strike
In Aasgard Imperial Palace, Chie Hallard and Armbrust were having two bad notices at the same time.
"I am very sorry, Chie-san." The young and sensitive woman said. The girl was helping Chie since weeks ago, keeping her on the track of the situation and now she had to give them the news of Haakon's death. Chie's hand was tightening one of the bars confining them and the young woman hold it with both of hers.
"It was not an accident Aoi-san. You can be sure of that." Armbrust said, knowing Chie had no voice the express the very same thought.
After a short pause, Aoi asked.
"Please, Armbrust-san…is there anything, I could do to…?"
"What you have done for us has been tremendous Aoi-san." Armbrust said, but Aoi was still looking eagerly for Chie's eye.
After a long pause and a deep breath, Chie said, "Yes, Aoi…there is something you can do for me. Keep coming to visit every time you can."
Armbrust looked cryptically at Chie, but then signaling at her GEM she explained. "Ray is dead, Armbrust. We will need all the help we can."
Uma Shamrock was lying on her small cell. When the CORE initialized after months, the Schwartz leader tried to force her to get control of it, but it was way beyond her hands. Yohko made sure of that, the CORE was alive again but blocked for anyone who wasn't Natsuki Kruger or Shizuru Viola. The fact that GEM communication were been restored few days ago was indicating something was on the move and Schwartz with their allies were preparing a massive defense. She could see the frantic activity an hear the very few Otome commands through her unmated GEM. She also spent a lot of hours medititating, wondering how the things fell out of her hands so disastrously and what Natsuki and Shizuru will do now.
Since she proved herself useless for the Schwartz purpose they gave her a breath and Uma was been kept locked in the cell for the past days, with nothing else to do but think. She fell the weight of centuries falling upon her when she heard Ray's voice through her GEM for a short message. "Love needs no guarantees," the old Otome adage prayed. But it was nothing compared with what she felt when heard Natsuki Kruger, several minutes after throwing an ultimatum.
"In ten days from today, at noon, I will be at the place where all this started, Garderobe. I will only present myself before The 'Empress', the Schwartz leader and D'Artai. Of course, there is someone very important, but she is already there. I can't wait to see you again, Shamrock."
It was only one way she could be sending that message. Natsuki Kruger was now an Otome.
At the message it was also a hidden message for Natsuki's forces, and Shizuru understood where they could meet to get ready for final strike. Kansai, at the place where all started, For them, twenty years ago.
Natsuki was already there when the cruisers landed, waiting for Shizuru. For the first time, Saeko saw the hardness, vanishing in Natsuki's eyes just by looking at Shizuru. The two of them stood looking at each other eyes for a while.
"Now, I know," was Natsuki's only comment and then let Shizuru holding her in a close and passionate embrace.
They had ten days to get ready for what was coming.
Early at the day set by Natsuki, Tomoe arrived to Wallach IX followed by her Otome entourage. All her Otomes were with her, lead by Ayane, who looked different at Sakura's eyes. The twin sister only interchanged a sad gaze while the Empress was on her way to meet with the Schwartz man.
Sakura and Nagi arrived with Sergay Wang, the previous day to talk with him too. Sakura recalled the conversation they had, raising a hand her chest while looking at Nagi walking by her side.
"It's so sad what happened to our friend, Prince Kazuya and too bad we only knew about it until it was too late, Baron D'Artai." S-1 said pointing at Nagi.
"Prince Kazuya paid the price of his careless actions, as our friend Natsuki Kruger will do." Nagi responded with confidence, he was sure the new Otome had a plan but it was nothing she could do against the overwhelming power they had now.
"You better right, Baron. Because she will be very mad with you when she knows what happened to her grandfather on your servant's Sergay's hands."
"He refused to provide us the information we needed, Master. It was a delicate time but thankfully we could find the renegades. It was really a shame that we lost the opportunity to get her there."
S-1 fulminated Nagi with a cold glare, but he kept immutable. It was the truth, he provided S-1 with the best location and a small unexpected treasure. The Garderobe's station and Schwartz was fool enough to destroy it!
S-1 reluctantly admitted Nagi was right.
"I am so sad, S-2 died during the incursion Master. Having the secrets of that space base would be very helpful for your purposes." Nagi at least had to enjoy the face of S-1 at that.
"Why do you think Natsuki Kruger is calling us together like this? If she comes, she will put herself in our hands." S-1 changed the subject to something was bothering him since Natsuki's message.
"Think it, master. There is no place where she could go. Everything is under our control; even Cardair with the new regime is willing to collaborate. Windbloom and Carthagos, the closest allies of Kruger finally surrender and accepted to collaborate. A new status quo is ruling the universe. She is desperate and we should be very careful of course, but she has the means to get us into the Garderobe chamber. For what my Otome comments, the Headmistress has attracted Countess Kruger anger. I think she is looking for a mutually benefic negotiating. She has no other way."
S-1 remained in silence, thinking. Despite D'Artai confidence and the fact, Schwartz had complete control of the Empire, he was restless. Krugers were not stupid and even in the most compromised, situations, they didn't act desperately. They were famous to act unexpectedly. He called upon all his other forces, having their 5 modified cruisers on the Wallach IX, stellar space, it was no way Natsuki Kruger could pass through them unnoticed. \
Surveillance was on the maximum level, regardless of it, he was unsettled.
Now Sakura was carefully remembering all their conversation. Nagi never told her he gave Schwartz the information that almost leaded to Natsuki's capture ten days ago, when every Otome heard Natsuki's message. Sakura though it was fair, she didn't tell him everything she was doing to protect the Armitage family and her Otome comrades imprisoned on Aries. Before leaving to Wallach IX, Sakura had a short meeting with Sara Gallagher and if what Sara told her was true, she will have to make the final decision soon. A decision over Nagi's fate.
"You are to quiet and lost in your though my dear Otome." Nagi was mindfully looking at her. "Is there something bothering you? You have nothing to fear by my side."
"Maybe you will, my beloved master." Sakura thought but only answered. "It's almost the time, my Baron. Natsuki Kruger should be here soon. I am just preparing my mind."
"Don't waste you energy, Sakura-chan. This will be fast."
By noon, all of them, included a restrained Uma Shamrock, were reunited at Garderobe's main living room. The one reserved for the big occasions.
"What loss of time Ayane! I am here only because you insisted that much." Tomoe said to her imperial Otome, but in fact was she did it because Schwartz ordered so. S-1 didn't want to take the risk of Kruger not attending if the Empress wasn't there.
Sakura saw at her sister, now understanding her better. They were in fact, in very similar situations at the end. Both sisters loving without hope at their dark fallen angels.
A bit past noon, Natsuki Kruger, materialized as the Ice Silver Crystal walked into Garderobe's main building as she did it months ago, but this time it was only four women were following her, evenly materialized and with their elements ready: Shizuru, Nina, Laura and Irina.
Besides Nagi and Tomoe's numerous entourages and soldiers, several Schwartz men were filling the room. A small brawl grew following Natsuki's pace. No one could believe, she was really there with so few people, walking as quietly as she was a very welcomed guest.
"Five Otomes? You must be kidding Kruger-san, against the whole Schwartz army?" S-1 asked but felt a shivers on her back under Natsuki's cold gaze. "I see it's true you are one of them now."
Natsuki stood in front of them fixing her gaze alternatively between Tomoe and Nagi, who were standing between S-1.
"You finally recovered some sense, Kruger-san." Nagi said smiling. "You have caused a lot of pain to your friends."
Natsuki just ignored him.
"I am Natsuki Kruger, Countess of Skáneland and came here to accuse Nagi D'Artai, Tomoe Marguerite and Kazuya Krauxeku on treason against humankind. All of you were the responsible of the Horus tragedy and the pain of my friends, not me."
"How you dare?!" Tomoe said skeptically. "You barely have rights to stand here freely."
"You are the ones with no rights," Natsuki said pointing at Nagi and Tomoe. "I can understand the Schwartz motives, but you? You two have absolutely no excuse and you will be responsible of the Empire full collapsing if you don't do exactly as I say."
"What the hell are you saying Kruger?!" Tomoe screamed at Natsuki. "I am the Empress, Ayane…take her."
But before anyone could make a move, Natsuki lifted her hand showing a portable holographic projector. The small image of the CORE was floating on her hand like a shinning star, all the Otomes in the room frozen at the sight, starting with Uma Shamrock.
"Do you know what this is?"
"What trick do you have in your hands, Kruger? Ayane I gave you an order!" Tomoe screamed but Ayane didn't move.
"Shut up you bitch!" Uma finally screamed Tomoe and walked ahead to face Natsuki.
"Tell them Shamrock."
As Uma remained silent, Natsuki said. "This is the Otome materialization system control, if you would have opened Garderobe's chamber you would have find one precious like this."
"This was also the cause of Horus' destruction because when the Schwartz myrmidon forced Horus's chamber, he activated the self-destruction system."
The room was in complete silence.
"Stop it!!! Stop it!!!" Uma Shamrock screamed and had to be held by the Schwartz men since she was trying to reach Natsuki.
"You chose not to speak Shamrock; it was your only opportunity, I am the one talking now." Natsuki was inexorable and merciless like a natural force unleashed.
"This beauty is also the responsible of handling all communications, transportation and information on the universe. Everything rely on this."
Natsuki left the words floating on the air for everyone to absorb them.
"This is what you have been looking for during centuries," Natsuki continued looking intensively at the Schwartz leader as if they were the only two persons in the universe, making long pauses between phrases to let her words to reach fully in the other consciousness. "And if you don't comply with my requirements… it will be destroyed in the next minutes. It will be destroyed in a way in which the status of the universe as you currently know it will never be the same."
S-1 knew Natsuki Kruger wasn't talking lightly.
"For starting, you will have to stay here for the rest of your lives because Portals won't longer exist. All Otomes will lose their materializing ability…forever. And the CORE that still remains here will be a useless pile of junk. All the knowledge, you Schwartz were so eager to get, will be lost irreversibly."
"You can't do that!" Tomoe screamed. "You crazy bitch…" The Empress was losing composure and Ayane had to hold her down.
Nagi was serious for the first time in his life; if the Kruger was saying the truth…he looked for Sakura eyes and found a terrifying answer, tears were falling on Sakura's cheeks.
"Natsuki…you can't…everything, thousands of years of civilization will be…" Uma remembered her dark feelings from the last days. Never is her worst nightmares, she expected it could turn against her purpose so badly.
"You civilization Shamrock, will be lost forever."
"You can't do it." Uma repeated, hoping Natsuki couldn't be really able to do that, desperately looking for support at Natsuki's Otomes, but even the ones who belonged to Garderobe, starting with Shizuru, were immutable with the terrible things Natsuki was saying; their gazes completely purposeful supporting Natsuki's words. Then Uma realized it, one person was missing on Natsuki's entourage. One of the Garderobe's Columns she sent in a mission.
Nao Zhang wasn't there.
"It seems that you finally realized that I am talking seriously Shamrock." Natsuki fixed her cold green gaze on Uma.
"Now, this is what you must do. Tomoe is not the Empress, it's a shame and the only throne she deserved is at the Imperial prison. But don't worry; you will be well accompanied by Baron D'Artai. That will be your new kingdom and you can screw up each other as much as you want. I will grant you two that."
Nagi was speechless, his mouth slightly opened at Natsuki's words.
"The new emperor should be designated among the Windbloom or the Tokiha family by the Noble Council, there won't be any other options but Bruce Windbloom or Takumi Tokiha. I will be back to Skáneland and my family will be released without any charge."
"Wait, Kruger…" Schwartz leader tried to spoke but Natsuki didn't allow him.
"Schwartz, we will hear what you have to say if you really have something to say. As I said, of all this pack, you are the one I can understand more. And to speak, you have to become a person and stop being a shadow. If you can't do it and want to thrive on anarchy, there is no point on continue this. I will order my Otome to initiate the CORE destruction sequence right now."
S-1 wasn't a truthsayer but it was clear Natsuki was saying the truth just by looking at Uma Shamrock and the other Otomes that were helping at his allies. He was disconcerted, doubting between keep hearing or order his forces to destroy the woman.
As if reading his mind, Natsuki concluded.
"Oh!... you can certainly chose that path. My Otome on charge of the CORE destruction is hearing us right now. If that's your decision, at the next second we start the figth, she will destroy the CORE. In any combination, the result is the same; it is only in your hands to change that."
As S-1 remained in silence, Natsuki finished off.
"The one who has the power to destroy a thing has the absolute control over it." Natsuki said and after a short pause she added, "You know what it takes to destroy the CORE Shamrock, Nao Zhang is currently traveling through the portal, transporting the CORE on her ship, at my command she will materialize and you know what will happen if she do that."
Uma felt a heavy burden and the fate finally reaching her. It was forbidden for Otomes to materialize inside the portals since materialization will cause a fatal chain reaction that will destroy the Portal system; but materializing carrying on a CORE… that was unthinkable since that will destroy all the CORE systems and subsystems...everything, exactly as Natsuki was menacing. And the one of charge of that was Nao, the only Otome who will do it if Natsuki among all persons gave her the command. Uma would have doubted of anyone else to have the necessary strength or the madness, but Nao...she will do it.
"Kruger-san is telling the truth...what she said will happen." Uma never felt defeat as she was feeling then.
"I don't follow orders of that bitch, I am the Empress!!! Ayane...for once, take her..." Tomoe was resisting until the very last minute but no one around her was really hearing, desperate she walked in front of Ayane, slapping her lover on the face with rage and impotence. It was no need for Ayane to do anything, the other Imperial Otomes leaded by Shiho, who was also part of the secret Otome network Yohko built before departing to Aries, took Tomoe restraining her. Ayane just stay immobile, looking at Natsuki; her hearth broken is too many pieces to do anything.
"Shut her up and take her out of here." Natsuki commanded and Shiho complied, all the Otomes acknowledging Natsuki's command, all they knew Tomoe was getting what she deserved.
Tomoe was screaming and scrambling with no success, and after a while a crestfallen Ayane followed the trace of her protests.
"Now, is your turn D'Artai... you will respond not only for your damage towards humankind but also... for my grandfather dead."
Nagi couldn't avoid the surprise.
"Oh, I know it. And I assure you, you will pay."
Sergay jumped towards Natsuki but was promptly stopped by the violent impact of Shizuru's element, laying on the floor, unconscious. Natsuki just looked back at her love with a tinge of censure.
"He is alive," was the innocent Archmeister's answer.
With deep voice Natsuki commanded again, "Laura…take that scum and his boss together with the fallen empress."
"Wait, Kruger-san, you are right about Sergay. He shouldn't have harmed Count Kruger, that was not my command. I haven't done anything but try to help."
"Ara, D'Artai-san, you are finally saying the truth!" Shizuru said smiling coldly, "You haven't done anything…of good," then she looked at Sakura with understanding. "Natsuki, please allow Hazakura-san to handle Baron D'Artai; Laura can take care of Wang."
Nagi looked alternatively at Shizuru and Sakura, the later nodding lightly and finally grabbing him by the arm, "Sakura..." was the only word he could articulate with surprise.
"If I want to save you, my Baron...I have to do this. And I want to save you; I am sorry I didn't tell you everything but I can't let you keep doing this."
Schwartz and Uma were the only pending issues on Natsuki's list.
"I will give you one more chance, Shamrock. You didn't speak about the CORE, but maybe you want to tell Shizuru, with your own voice and looking at her eyes, why you betrayed her family."
Uma was devastated and when she raised her head to look at Shizuru, the worst thing was she didn't find hate on the red eyes; Shizuru was just looking at her, coldly. Uma realized the only Otome speaking to her was Natsuki and that was the only voice she heard.
"You better get your chance Shamrock, because I assure you, you will never see her again after today."
Uma straightened and looked at Shizuru; only then Saeko Kruger made her entrance. She was following the situation at the distance, according to Natsuki's instructions she had to wait until this moment. Uma's reasons were something she also had to hear. Saeko kept her eyes on Uma all the way down until she was standing at Natsuki's side together with Shizuru. The three women waiting for the answer.
"The power that was about to be unleashed, was something that Garderobe was the only one who should handle it, Shizuru. And such power couldn't be out of the reach of Garderobe, not by any chance." Uma was looking at the Schwartz man, trying to avoid the most important revelations, if not for her but for Garderobe's sake as always in her life. "You were too important on the schema of the future events and your family always refused our invitations for you to grow up here."
"And that justified the killing of a whole world?" Natsuki asked with barely contained rage. "That justified use all Schwartz weaknesses to make them do the dirty job?"
"The previous Schwartz leader approached Garderobe, with false intentions and betrayed me... he was supposed to get Shizuru only and bringing her to Garderobe." Uma looked indignant towards S-1.
"How were you going to explain that, Shamrock? I mean, Shizuru ending at Garderobe after such kidnapping?" Natsuki had a suspicious but wanted to hear it from Shamrock.
"Being as important as you were, Garderobe repeatedly offer to take you under its care, to grow up and become an Otome. It was your destiny." Uma was all the time speaking to Shizuru even when her protégée was not speaking to her. Nothing, not even the simplest question was coming from her. The next argument she heard, came from Saeko.
"Aylen was thinking not sending Shizuru to Wallach IX right, Uma?"
"He wasn't thinking about it. He already decided it! And Airlie accepted it…just as you did with Natsuki!"
"Kyler and Aylen talked several times about that possibility even before they born Uma!"
"So, if Shizuru was 'kidnapped' and 'conveniently rescued' by your Otomes, you will have the perfect excuse to force her family to keep her due her importance in your schema. That's the reason isn't Shamrock?" Natsuki's gaze on her was hard to stand but Shizuru's was unbearable for Uma.
"Nothing of what happened was supposed to happen Shizuru…I swear you. It was for everybody's benefits but the Schwartz leader betrayed me and I shall tell you were idiots taking that path. Garderobe could help you, where are you now?"
"My predecessor saw an opportunity and took it Headmistress."
"You destroyed a world killing millions of people!"
"Millions of people have died during the history of these Empires on the eternal longing for power, Headmistress. We harvest what we seed for." The Schwartz men answered to Uma's claim. "You betrayed your own on the sake of your cause. Tomoe betrayed her Emperor and lover. Everyone is looking for its own benefit, what makes you think your purpose is more important than mine?"
Natsuki kept an eye on the man weighting him. "What is really his purpose?"
"Yes, I help my predecessor against you. Because we all follow the commands are given to use in order to get out purpose." Then looking at Natsuki for the final decision, he asked. "If you destroy what we want, what's left for us Countess Kruger? Why would I accept your proposal?"
"Atrocity is recognized as such by victim and predator alike, by all who learn about it at whatever removes. Atrocity has no excuses, no mitigating argument. Atrocity never balances or rectifies the past. Atrocity merely arms the future for more atrocity. It is self-perpetuating upon itself — a barbarous form of incest. Whoever commits atrocity also commits those future atrocities thus bred."
Natsuki knew it was something the Schwartz man could understand. All of them have played the victim and predator roles alternatively, Natsuki could see it now on her recently gained memories.
"You have been on the shadows during millenniums Schwartz...You had your chance of ruling an Empire and you create the Dark Ages... perhaps is there only darkness what may come from you? If that the case, I should destroy the CORE and stay on this planet until we kill each other for once. It is really no hope for either one of us?"
Natsuki's words but more important, the way she was looking at him, was holding his command to attack them. She came in only with four Otomes and was getting an Empire and Garderobe back from them but not for her. She apparently was not gaining anything but she was rightful since the beginning, her noble rights on Skáneland. Maybe she could truly offer him... if the portal was destroyed they could never reach the bases again. There were so many projects they were working on, S-1 didn't wanted and Empire and Garderobe as an empty eggshell, it was a lot more on his sacred mission for him.
"What can you offer me Countess Kruger? I understand your position regarding the noble council and the Empire but what about Garderobe. Are you still supporting Headmistress Shamrock?"
"Shamrock is no longer the Garderobe's Headmistress. She stop being the very first time she chose the wrong path."
Uma looked at Natsuki with wide open eyes.
"Otomes will take care of Garderobe's mission and will decide upon Shamrock. The new Garderobe Headmistress is Meister Shizuru Viola, Schwartz and she will have my full support and all Noble Houses support; so know once and for all that if you accept to negotiate, you won't betray us as you did with Shamrock and that there is a price to pay. You are also part of this setting up and you had to surrender your forces unconditionally."
S-1 pondered his situation. Natsuki was straight forward on her proposition, even if she had a hidden plan, he also had one. She was offering an alternative they never before. Maybe it was time for them to fight from a different position.
"Now Schwartz, will you take all or nothing, make the decision now."
"The one who can destroy a thing controls it, Countess Kruger...I will negotiate with you."
Saeko and Shizuru watched with a shadow of sadness how Irina took Uma Shamrock out of the room and while the rest of Natsuki's men made their entrance to support the Otomes regaining Garderobe's control. Once the settled the things with Schwartz, Shizuru took control and all the Otomes in Garderobe and the ones at the Noble Houses aligned with her commands. They were the most powerful force in the universe and Natsuki show them very clearly, they could save it or destroy it irreversibly.
It was a lot ahead for them recovering from the last dark months. Despite all the agreements, Natsuki wanted to keep control.
"Zhang....have you heard?"
"Everything Kruger."
"Stay in position with Reito until my personal command of otherwise."
Leaving the Portal at the indicated coordinates, Nao meet with Reito's ship. Nao was using the same modified aircraft Irina prepared for Ray for her Kansai incursion. Aboard of it, firmly secured on the aircraft belly, was the CORE. Nao let Reito goggle her with his bigger cargo ship. Reito secured to aircraft using the remote pilot since Nao's skills were not reading for that kind of maneuver and once it was completely still, Nao descended but remained at the aircraft side several seconds. The last person flying that aircraft was Ray and Nao could still see sitting there.
Reito was looking at her, in detail until Nao felt the intense gaze over her.
"What?" Nao asked after a while a bit annoyed by his exam.
"You look so calmly after being so close of destroying an Empire…and killing yourself on the process. Are you really so cool with it?"
"And empire will be nothing ... without a ruler who knows the art of ruling." Nao said cherishing the green GEM Saeko gave her when they meet in Kansai after Natsuki transformation in Otome; after Ray's dead.
"I wasn't ready to kill myself, Kannzaki. I was ready to make them all paid for violating Garderobe and taking so much away from us and my life was just a small price to pay."
EPILOGUE.
Skáneland, Castel Skánien.
"Hey, Nao-san!"
Chie's voice made Nao look up from her place on the risk. A year passed after Natsuki's strike on the fake Empire and Schwartz. Chie and Armbrust were released but when Chie came back home, she was not alone. The beautiful assistant of the Court that help her and Armbrust during their time of confinement came with her. Finally, Chie seemed to be truly in love with someone.
Bruce Windbloom was now the Emperor of the known universe, selected by all the noble Houses, including Takumi Tokiha who disregarded himself saying Bruce was the best and only option.
When everything was set, Natsuki asked Nao if she preferred to stay at Garderobe or took the place she owned in Skáneland. Shizuru was the Headmistress now and Nao was still a Column and an Imprinter, but Skáneland was now her home.
Chie landed by Nao's side.
"You shouldn't use your robe for playing Chie."
"I am not playing, its time! They are coming! Hurry!"
At Chie's words, Nao materialized as well and the two of them rocketed back to the castle. They arrived just in time to meet Saeko reaching the room door where she and Yohko were attending Shizuru.
A contained Natsuki, surrounded by a crowd of people, was standing outside. Nao and Chie were the last ones to arrive increasing the crowd.
"Tell why is that I can't be inside mother?" Natsuki asked her mother a fraction of second before Saeko disappeared into the room.
"Because," was Saeko's answer addressed to everybody before closing the door.
But they didn't have to wait too long until they hear the crying of a baby…and then, a second one joining.
Natsuki was breathing to calm down and nothing could stop her when the door opened.
When Natsuki got in, Shizuru was laying on the bed, looking a bit tired but extraordinarily beautiful with the two babies on her sides.
Natsuki approached Shizuru, giving her a longing kiss and then cherishing the babies.
Saeko and Yohko were standing up by the family side.
"They are beautiful, Natsuki." Shizuru said, smiling by seeing Natsuki thrilled. Regardless the countless memories they had inside about countless births and children…this one belonged to them.
Natsuki carried one of the babies; their eyes were still closed so they will have to wait to see her eyes color.
"Seems they will have red eyes Countess," Yohko said a bit timidly.
"That would be great Yohko-san…I would love to have three women with red eyes." Natsuki was holding her daughter closely to her chest.
"Ask Nao-san to get in now."
Nao didn't like those occasions, but the Countess and Garderobe Headmistress were asking for her so, it can't be avoided. Walking in she found, Shizuru and Natsuki with one baby each and approached to see them, smiling with the same grin than usual but a bit nicer.
"Thanks Nao-san…is because of you and Ray they are finally here." Natsuki said talking Nao with some respect for the first time since they meet.
"Come on Kruger, don't get sensible." Nao said but both Shizuru and Natsuki knew she was touched and still mourning Ray's absence despite her tough and casual exterior.
"I want to ask you something, Zhang." Natsuki said looking at the Otome.
"Uhmm?"
"I want this one to be named Ray." Natsuki's green eyes looked directly at Nao's and then back at her daughter in her arms.
Nao opened her eyes with surprise, not for Natsuki wanting to name her daughter as her cousin, but for the fact of Natsuki asking, not for her approval but for her…blessing.
"Ray would be …honored, Kruger." Nao said with strangled voice. And then, after a deep breath "And the name will suit her…her hair is darker than her sister…she will be a perfect Ray."
"And she born first so, is twice better. By the way…" Shizuru said with tuneful voice, "Which will be the name for her? Have you thought a name for her too, Natsuki?"
"Of course," Natsuki sit on the bed again, "but only if you are agree,"…" I would like her name to be Syrah."
Shizuru knew Natsuki was doing several combinations for the babies' names during night when she thought Shizuru was asleep and what she wanted the most was to make Natsuki happy.
Smiling warmly at Natsuki, Shizuru said, "Then, she will be Syrah."
By looking at her newborn granddaughters, Saeko could only wonder what the destiny has awaiting for them. Soon after Shizuru got pregnant, she knew the eagerly expected Hime was coming…but two babies were not in any of their predictions. An unexpected path was opening for all of them.
END