Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: So this is the Heavens.
Chapter Twenty Six: It's never the end.
Kamina's vision was black. Sound had disappeared and smell was just a distant memory. He smacked himself roughly across the head a few times until his senses returned. His body was starting to fall apart and it was only his will power that was keeping things together by this point.
The energy from the Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann had needed somewhere to go, and it was Kamina's soul that had shaped it. A universe sized figure of energy could easily be compressed down into a solid human sized body, and that's what he had done. It was a good, accurate body but it was just too unstable to last.
He stretched and looked around, his skin bathed in sunlight. The grass and flowers, the buildings and happy faces, it was all so beautiful to Kamina as he had known little in this world except for anger and desolation. Simon had done well.
It had been a full seven days now since the Anti-Spiral had been defeated. Seven days of a frantic kind of peace where people had been saved from certain death and now realised just how precious life really was.
Simon and Nia had been away together for the entire week and Rossiu had been busy reorganising the entire planet. The other Dai-Gurren members were either occupied our dead. This left Kamina and Yoko with a week to themselves. Kamina had to admit, it had been a good week.
A low, excited murmuring filled the air around him. The sun shone down and a pleasant breeze drifted along at a gentle pace, flexing the grass beneath them. Everyone he knew from Earth was there, as were a few that he didn't recognise. Cherry blossoms floated through the air giving everything a dream like feel.
Uncomfortably, he rearranged the new clothes he had been given. Well fitting black trousers rather than his baggy rags and a long sleeved white shirt and black jacket where usually he wore nothing than his manliness. The red tie around his neck had been made from a shred of his old cape, as a memorial to his old life.
Beside him stood Yoko. The suit had been hers and she had intended to wear it today but Kamina's return had instilled in her that old urge to be beautiful rather than being strong. She had the suit adjusted to fit Kamina and bought a form fitting blue dress that accentuated all the right areas. Her hair was down, giving it the look of liquid rubies. She was blushing slightly at the outfits femininity but this only added to the overall effect.
Up ahead of the gathering was a small, elegant gazebo. Within it stood two men. Rossiu was wearing a priest like white suit with a red and gold jacket, holding a book open with one hand. Stood in front of him and to the side was a very dashing looking Simon. He wore a suit of purest white while his hair had been cut shorter, greatly resembling Kamina's style. They really did look like brothers now, Kamina though to himself.
A bell chimed and all heads turned to the opposite side of the path to where the gazebo stood. Walking slowly past the row of guests came Nia in a dress of the subtlest of pinks. Sweet flowers were placed in key locations, adding detail to the beautiful dress. A cascading white veil flowed down from the back of her head. Even Kamina had to admit that she looked like an angel.
She stepped up to join Simon. Both stood transfixed, smiling at each other like the rest of the world didn't exist, like it was just their two loving souls that filled the universe. The crowed could feel the emotions brimming from them like mist from a waterfall. They held hands between them.
Rossiu read out words that Kamina didn't listen to but managed to get the general gist of. Yoko placed her hand in his as they watched. Rossiu finally finished and the young couple leaned in for the kiss.
Light shone out as their lips connected, but it was no heavenly sign. Rainbow pixels began to consume Nia's body, starting at her lower back and slowly spreading across her body. Simon didn't seem surprised. Neither was Kamina. No one had told him, but he knew. All to well.
Simon looked deeply into his new wife's eyes, offering her a small smile. "Nia, I will never forget you. To the end of the universe."
"But silly, it'll never end. That's what we all worked so hard for." Nia said softly. Her eyes were watering but held a determination within them.
Simon chuckled. "Yeah. You're right."
"I love you so, Simon…"
"Yeah. I do too. I love you…" breathed Simon, watching as his love faded into nothing, her sweet smile never leaving her young face. Her engagement ring fell to the floor with a dull clang.
The guests were in tears. Many with looks of confusion drawn across their faces.
"It's alright. We knew this would happen." filled in Simon, his back turned to his friends. "Both of us knew."
Darry stepped forward, her voice unsteady. "Yeah! But its not-"
"Defeating the Anti-Spirals meant that this was going to happen." Simon answered calmly.
Leant against a nearby tree, the beastman, Viral, added his two cents. "Nia was a virtual life form of the Anti-Spirals. I'm amazed she held on as long as she did."
"She always was one tough cookie." sighed Leeron sadly.
Gimmy looked torn. Sadness and confusion played across his face as he struggled to understand. "Well then…then you should just use the power of the spiral! Why can't you use that power, to bring Nia back! And not just her! All the other people we lost! You can give Kamina a real body again! Everything could go back to the way it should be! Do the impossible and follow our dreams, that's what you've always told us!"
Kamina placed a broad hand on the ginger haired boy's shoulder. "The dead die so that the young can live. Where would we be if the old never died. They'd only way down those below them. The past needs to create a strong floor for the future to stand on, not a ceiling to constantly look up to. Who the hell do you think we are? Do you think that I'd want Simon to do something against his nature like to become a god? He is Simon the Digger, always has been, always will be."
He handed Gimmy his shades. The boy took them like they were the holy grail. "Anyway, it's never the end. The characters might die or the story might finish, but as long as they are in people's heads then things will continue. Death isn't the end, it's just a new beginning.
Simon joined them. "Kamina is right. If we brought back the dead, then they'd only get in the way of the next generation, right." He placed a small object into Gimmy's hand.
"It's in your hands now, Rossiu. I'm just Simon the Digger. There's someone better suited to go down the tunnels I dug."
Gimmy opened his hand, revealing the core drill for all to behold.
Grabbing his cloak, Simon through it over his shoulders like a cape. Kamina stood beside him, his cape tangling with Simon's in the breeze. He held out a fist, a smile on his face.
"You moving on too now?" the younger man asked.
"Yup. I only held on to see my little bro tie the knot. I don't want to clutter things up down here."
"Look after her for me."
"You have my word."
Kamina felt his limbs tingling. Simon knocked knuckles with him. With one final nod to the tear filled Yoko, he strode off, his cape billowing around him. The next moment, he was gone. Without another word, Simon followed suit, heading across the pains and toward tomorrow.
000 000 000
Excited voices suddenly filled the air. Kamina opened his eyes and found himself in the Squad Four hospital surrounded by shinigami and Team Dai-Gurren members. They all tried to greet him but without wasting time he swung himself up and left the building.
Kittan and the other Dai-Gurren members followed him. "What's your rush? We all thought you were dead, then suddenly your body just randomly restored itself. We won, aren't you gonna celebrate?"
"We've got a princess to greet."
"You mean…"
"Yeah."
"Damn it." growled Kittan on the edge of hearing.
Like a blood hound, Kamina seemed to know exactly where to go. He strode through the Rukongai until he emerged out onto a clearing where a hill sat, commanding beautiful views of the whole Soul Society. Laid at its crest was a white haired woman in a white kimono embossed with pink flowers.
They approached her and flowery eyes dreamily opened. "Hello kind sirs. Could you please inform me as to my whereabouts?"
"We have a lot to talk about, Nia." said Kamina kindly.
Seeing his face seemed to jar memories. "Simon…"
"Don't you worry." grinned Kamina, looking up at the sky. Nia followed his gaze, as did the other Team Dai-Gurren members. The stars were stunningly clear, sparkling like the most precious of jewels. "One day, you'll both be together again."
He could almost make out Simon's face amongst the far off stars. Almost to himself he smiled. "Everything's ready. We'll be waiting for you, Simon…"
000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000
A/N: And so this story rolls to its conclusion. Its been a long and fun journey but we all knew that this day would come. Goodbye 'So this is the Heavens', you will be missed (sob)
Well, enough with the dramatics, I have a lot to say, what with this being the final chapter. These notes may just be longer than the actual chapter, lol.
Firstly: as my chapter title states, it's never the end. You will all be glad to note that I have a sequel in mind which means more Gurren Lagann/Bleach awesomeness. It also means more Omakes for those of you that love my extras. I do want to work on some Original fiction before I start the sequel though so don't expect it for a while yet. You have two options, keep checking the website in the hope that I've posted a new story or stick me on your author alert so you can be instantly notified. I recommend the latter.
Secondly: thank you all so much for reading this story, and even more to those people that spent the time to review it. With your efforts this story is now the most reviewed Gurren Lagann crossover and third most reviewed Gurren Lagann related story on this entire website. Not bad for my first completed fic, eh. Next story though I want to aim for gold so I hope that you all continue to support me.
As for reviewers, I've had some constant, some fleeting but all of you deserve a nod for your time. I try to talk to my fans personally and always reply to questions so here are my personal messages to you all, that is if half of you ever made it to this point. If you stayed with me to the end, tell me in a review, for old times sake.
Blaze ocean dragon - You only reviewed my story once, but it was the first review I received, the first brick in a mighty structure. First review is always a special place so cheers.
archsage328 - Dude, what can I say. You've been with me from the beginning to the end and have always given good feedback and had a thirst for knowledge that made me think about a lot of my own back story. The entire past of my Bleach/Gurren Lagann universe came about solely because you asked about it. You've given me the most reviews and the most intellectual conversations out of any other reader. I now consider you a friend, buddy.
The Anonymous Person - John, you're a bastard. My only real friend that has watched both of these anime and enjoys reading and you reviewed once. If you finally reach this point and read this you're probably gonna kill me but meh. Thanks for the support lol.
ephemeral violet - You add your two cents every now and then which is much appreciated. Glad to have you aboard.
Kamen Rider OOO - my story made you laugh, in a good way. that's always nice to know. Making a well structured and readable story is one thing, but knowing it is entertaining is a whole other level. Glad you enjoyed it.
Chaple - Another sparse reviewer but a valued one. It was your input that made me develop Nemu and add her as a foreground character. That seemed to go down well so thanks for your suggestion. It made a real positive impact on the story.
Corisanna - You kept me on the straight and narrow, so to speak. Sometimes a stern word is more effective than a world of praise and that's just what I needed. You kept me in line while providing great, positive reviews and a few interesting Pms. It was always nice to get reviews from you because I knew that that meant I earned them.
Shade the Bat - you too was a constant reviewer who I really value. Your comments were usually short and to the point yet covered everything that needed to be said. You were my 100th reviewer, another special place. Thanks for your constant support.
draconichero20 - Thanks dude, every review counts. I hope I was able to entertain you .
hunterror - another person that encouraged me to use Nemu more. She proved an interesting and funny character to work with. Thanks for your input. Again, I'm glad that my humour got through to you.
- I've been a fan of your Trigun story 'After the Fall' since before I even watched Gurren Lagann so having you suddenly give me four reviews over two days was like having a famous person suddenly take an interest in my work. I really enjoyed reading your comments as they were well thought out and shining with praise. Hope you're still continuing with your own good work. Enjoy.
Tensa Zangetsu 17 - cheers dude. I continued it like you said. Glad you liked it.
Haru Takami - You got the Digimon reference, what more needs to be said lol. You review often and fill them with lots of epicness. Glad to have you with me on this path towards tomorrow! Truly an inspiration.
That Guy - My first winner of the Omake competition. Lots of praise, constructive criticism where needed. I also agree with you about the questions in bleach. Seriously, who the hell are Ururu and Jinta? Anyone?
Anakin Mario Son43 - awesome comments from a guy who really likes my story, what more could a guy ask for. You've laughed at my jocks and become emotional when I nearly killed off Kamina. You're a true fan dude and I thank you.
Kamigawa Nagamaki - I totally agreed with your assessment and may yet follow that particular path in the next story. Only time will tell. Thanks for the review.
nathanexplosion7294 - I agree. Using Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann against Aizen would have made things very impractical lol. Thanks for you comment.
narutofan020 - a constant reviewer of late, I'm always happy to hear from you. You add some interesting things to the field. It was also your idea to add Row row fight the power into a chapter that seemed to go down well. I hope to hear more from you when work starts on the sequel.
HyperForce - Thanks for all of your reviews. Your right, Mayuri did totally deserve what he got. Sorry if you didn't get the musical omake, I didn't think many would but glad that most of the story meets your approval. I only hope to keep doing so.
blackdrac18 - Glad you thought the story was cool. That's always a good thing. Hope you're still finding it cool.
Selias - Yup, Kamina sure as hell is a badass. I don't think that the universe could handle it if he got his hands on the Hogyoku. Hope you enjoyed my story.
Kippusan - Nearly missed you out. Thanks for the encouraging review, I'm happy that you think so highly of my work. I only hope that I don't disappoint in the future.
Phew, that took a while. Again, thank you all. Remember, if I get to 130 reviews I will write one final omake, if not you'll have to wait for the sequel. Author alert me just to be sure that your all here when the action kicks off again. Enjoy your lives, and until we meet again, keep aiming to pierce the heavens! Sayonara
-FireWolfFred