~Episode 5: デスティニーズスタンドスティル! A Standstill of Destiny!
"Adventure is worthwhile."
- Aristotle
Chirottori Castle, Duniya
Pandora watched the events unfolding as she sighed in slight frustration but at the same time smirked evilly. It was no surprise to her that the five have finally remembered and were already on their way back to the world they were cut away from.
"The people in the world of Free! have lived out their lives a certain way. Haruka, Rin, Rei, Nagisa, Makoto and many others were never meant to have powers…or have dreams of their other selves or have met Alex in the first place. The purpose of that Alpha timeline was to ensure stability for not only that world but for also the world that my 'friends' wrote. The same is said for the Beta timeline. This lack of forward movement and information has kept those world stable for some time.
"However, when things in either the Alpha or Beta timeline meet new information or things that were not part of that required script, things are destroyed…people…houses…backgrounds…even life.
As one continues to get new information, more lives are lost…
At this moment, I saw you turn back on the people you knew and loved from that reality…all for the sake to return to that world you thought that never existed…because we are the same…as long as we wish."
She raised out her hand to switch the scenes and watched Alex in Beta!Earth, wondering if he too will find his way back to the correct timeline.
Camelot Universe
Haruka woke up and found himself resting at the base of some tree while breathing heavily as if he woke up for the first time in many years. He turned to see the others slowly waking up as well.
"My soul friends!" gasped Makoto as he hugged Haruka and Rin while crying with joy.
Rei woke up and saw Rin laughing happily with the others while Nagisa hugged behind him with a surprise.
"We finally…made it back," said Nagisa, hugging with tears of joy, "The correct timeline that is!"
"Just why in the hell did we wind up there?" asked Rin.
"Pandora must have tried to prevent us from returning here," answered Rei, "Don't you guys remember?"
It took a few moments but the others nodded as Makoto answered, "So this was her greatest illusion? To live our lives and forget our past?"
"Who knows?" shrugged Haruka, "But wait a second…where's…?"
"Alex!" gasped Rei as he pointed up on the tree where the final star rested in a blanket of hammocks with fabrics decorating the tree. A climb ladder was fixed to the side of the tree, prompting them to go and see their beloved member.
Ret got up there first followed by Haruka, Rin, Makoto and Nagisa where they saw Alex resting in a slumber. A few of the sakura petals fell on top of him while Rei tried to gently shake him awake.
"Why is he…?" asked Makoto.
"He's not awaken yet," said the tree.
"Tree-san!" gasped Rei.
"Camelot-sama," answered Rin, "You've been here?"
"After Pandora captured you guys and set you all in different worlds, I was able to use my power to rescue your physical bodies but your souls were trapped in your other selves from that reality," explained Camelot.
"So Alex is still trapped in the world where he is at?" asked Rei, feeling saddened.
"Afraid so," replied the tree.
"But wait, will Pandora try to attack us again?" asked Nagisa.
"Pandora is allergic to the Sakura tree, she will not try to interfere with you guys here for the time being," replied the tree.
"Well thanks for keeping us safe," said Rin.
"Is there anything we can do to wake him up?" asked Rei.
"Afraid not. He must make it back on his own," answered Camelot, "The timeline in his world is much different than yours."
Rei touched Alex's hand in hopes for his survival. At least it felt warm but then all of a sudden, the world around him changed. He was standing in the middle of darkness where he saw Alex screaming and arguing with his parents about something;
"But don't you want to swim in a team?"
"NO! I…I don't want to!"
"Why?!"
"I just don't want to swim anymore! I had enough!"
Alex rushed up to his room and looked at himself in the mirror, realizing that he was looking more and more like his father…his own form…his own beauty…was it all a lie? Was his dreams of becoming a swimmer going to end here?
"I'm not beautiful…" muttered Alex, "How am I supposed to swim like this?! I look like a beast! I could never be like the pros…"
"W-what?!" gasped Rei as he watched Alex throwing himself to the bed and throwing his things to the side.
"A-Alex…" muttered Rei as his face began to drip with tears, breathing heavily, "Oh my god…"
Back in reality, the others gasped as they wasn't sure what was happening other than Rei spilling tears down his cheeks. However, they all remember too well with Alex's power being able to understand emotions and feelings and sometimes that this power can be exposed to his own memories.
"R-Rei-chan?!" asked Nagisa.
"It's nothing…" he sniffed, "I just want him to wake up soon."
"Did you see something?" asked Rin, "A memory?"
Rei nodded and said, "It was a memory of him when he wanted to quit swimming. But I think it will be better if he tells us about it."
The others gasped in shock as they recalled long ago back in Japan that Alex hasn't swam for about 9 years or so (maybe more) but none of them knew why…
Did the memory that Rei saw…was it the reason why he stopped?
"You know, it's been bugging me for the longest time," said Rin, "He NOT ONCE said anything about why he stopped."
"I think it's just best that we wait for him to wake up," replied Rei, "I don't want to disclose anything and then if he finds out we knew…he'll…"
Rin watched Rei's face filled with tears as he stroke them away, replying, "Give him his time."
Makoto lowered his head while Haruka looked at Alex with a bit of wonder and curiosity in his mind. He tried to think back to when he got Alex to tell him about his swimming but couldn't recall anything.
Nagisa hugged Rei and said, "He'll wake up soon."
"Right, we can only wait," nodded the megane while the tree released more sakura petals around.
Planet Earth – Beta Timeline, Late June 2014
Villa Fiorentino Pool Deck, Positano, Italy
Back in Positano, Alex looked over the village from the pool while he was topless for the first time in years. However, he was very unsatisfied with himself since he wasn't really in his top shape nor on how he looked due to his self-conscious problem but it was at least "safe" here since he assumed that he wouldn't have to deal with these people again any time soon. However, he kept a towel that wrapped around his shoulders on both sides to at least partially hide some of his crap.
One of the granddaughters (a high schooler) came up the stairs too with her younger sister and they put their feet in the water. The sun was setting down for the night and things were about to get really busy again
"I used to be a swimmer," said Alex, "Back in my days."
"Oh that's neat!" replied Abby, "My mother used to be one too! She taught classes as well and she was really a fast swimmer."
"Wow," he smiled, "Well I haven't swam for so long though, I'm probably a slow crocodile."
"So did you get to see your relatives?" asked Maria, one of the elders while she rested in one of the chairs.
"Yeah," he answered, "They were so happy and were filled with tears. I have to make sure this one gift is sent though to my grandfather back in Phoenix."
Nonna Lea finally climbed her way up to the pool and said, "Not enough lights for me to see."
"Nonna!" gasped Alex, "H-how did you?"
"I got her," said Christopher (with his robotic-like voice), arriving just behind.
"Oh," he answered.
I must admit that even though he gets all fussy at times, he really has kept a good eye on her, he thought, I must do the same too.
"We'll be going out soon for dinner," said nonna, "Get yourself ready."
Next Day: Capri (and Anacapri)
The group took out onto the boat ferries and headed to the island of Capri, known for its very famous blue grottoes. However, the trip to the grottoes was a separate transportation and the weather outside was sunny and warm (after not going there the other day due to weather-issues) as many people came by the score.
Guided by Anna, the group got on the bus and made their way up through the mountain area of the island, heading to the upper region of the island called Anacapri. From there, the sight of water all around was precious and gorgeous as well as endless.
If only my brother was here, thought Alex, I really wish he was here…I rather have him than my cousin around. He makes things too difficult.
The bus got to a stopping point at one of the villages where to access the very top of the mountains, one had to take on the incline rides/ chair lifts. Wasting no time to get on, the group (most of them) went on while a few stay behind and were assigned to regroup at a certain time later for departure.
At the very top of the mountain was another set of stairs to a tourist building where it led to an outside area where one could see all of the water for miles around in sheer beauty. The skies were very clear and bright with the glowing gem of light.
"This is…so beautiful to die for," smirked Alex, smiling happily, "I think I just died and went to heaven!"
Taking pictures of the sea all around, he could only wish his parents were here and his brother. This sight was truly endless. All that water...all that sheer beauty out there before him...
If only they existed, thought Alex, I would show them here too…I want to swim again…I want to bring back the real me…the side of me that I should've never put down.
Villa Daniela, Lucca, Italy
On their next trip across the country, the drive to Lucca was rather a long one (about 6 hours to the North) since they were heading out to the province of Tuscany. The scenery changed so much through the journey and by the time they showed up, there were still mountains but it was not as intimidating back in Positano.
They arrived at Villa Daniela where the villa itself is huge and filled with several rooms in three levels and another compartment attached to the main villa. Right out by the bedroom windows was where one could see the flat lands of Tuscany and various towns further in the skyline along with more mountains in the far distance.
That date was Saturday June 28, 2014, six days until the premiere of Season 2…
Monday, June 30, 2014: On a Trip to Pisa
"I'm going to be heading to Pisa," said Alex, "With Diana, her husband Marty, and Paul."
"Alright," replied nonna, giving him a hug, "please be careful. It's a free day but definitely take it easy out there."
"Right, I cannot wait to see the tower and the wall!" he smiled.
He got into the car with the other three adults and they took about a 40 minute ride to Pisa where he (with his pilot vision) saw the leaning tower from the far distance after emerging out of the tunnels through the mountains. He knew that they were getting closer and closer.
Despite the rainy weather at first and the difficulty of parking, they found a good place to put their car to the side and headed their way over to the market place right before the entrance to the wall.
"I think we should do some shopping afterwards," said Diana.
"Right," smiled Alex, "I still need to get something for my brother."
"What did you get?" asked Marty, "For your parents?"
"Oh I got them keychains of the pope…one with John Paul II and the other with Benedict," he replied.
They got into the registrations for the tour sets up but realized that the tour for the tower would be a 2 hour wait plus another 40 minutes inside. Saddened, Alex took at least a set of photos of the tower from the outside in all angles, recalling that his father did get to go inside back when he went with his family.
However, there were other landmarks there too such as the Baptistry, the Camposanto Monumentale and the Pisa Cathedral itself. The weather turned sunny and warm as many tourists were taking so many pictures with their friends and family.
Flashback: Mayfield Middle School, Year 2005 – 2006
The Sixth Grade Year at the middle school was the time when the four elementary schools of Lander, Milridge, Center, and Gates Mills would join together as one larger school body. It was shortly before then when Alex became friends with Ryan (and breaking Nicole away) but the two were separated away.
Alex ended up on the "Dream Team" while Ryan ended up on the "All-Star" Team. The two have almost forgotten about each other but they knew one day they would meet again somehow…
(Note: IF you remember back in "The Last Legend", the Shadow Mafia revealed that there were 4 classrooms of 5th Graders, 12 classrooms for Sixth Graders, and 12 for Seventh Graders too)
One day while playing a game of volleyball in the gym class…
Alex tripped over his feet in a bit of a dramatic sense while a blonde hair boy walked up to him, asking, "Hey are you okay?"
He looked at the blonde boy harshly as his mind went wild inside his brain in microseconds:
He's an athlete, he's part of the "hostiles", don't listen to him, get him away from you, he thought.
"You wretch, GO AWAY!" growled Alex.
The other students were a bit of shock but the blonde hair boy shrugged off and turned back to his team while went to the sidelines to check up on his knee; it was definitely going to leave a bruise for a bit but he knew that he couldn't trust people like him.
At lunch time, he sat down with his new friends, Michelle, Lizzie, Erin, Nate, and Nicholas as they all together recited various rituals together;
1.) Doing the "Solar System with Lizzie's lunch bag as the sun while she had a small raisin to represent Pluto while the others used various objects in their lunches to represent other plants or random asteroids.
2.) Doing a "Moment of Silence" with prayers to their deceased love ones.
3.) Sometimes taking a pretzel stick to karate with and not make a crumbly mess.
4.) Sometimes passing chips around for each other.
5.) Maybe play a game called "Chickens" where one throws a random fruit snack on the table and the others try to grab it.
These guys, thought Alex, they're so much fun! At least we all know we hate athletic people!
However, there were times when the athletic people (or random strangers) unless otherwise noted, would come up to their table and harass them in which one time, Alex's tuna salad was dumped on their enemy's table and their reactions were priceless of horrors and grossed out. Another time, Erin dipped mini-carrots in nacho cheese sauce and their enemies were also grossed out by that too.
It was like a war during the cafeteria lunches…except without the actual food fighting. After all, intramurals was always before lunch. (The same applied in seventh grade too)
However, the "Dream Team" had their own special merit system unlike the other teams in the middle school. They had what was called the "Dream" Keychain that based on the school policies condensed down into 5 special rules:
Demonstrate respect for yourself, others, and your environment
Responsible for behavior, materials, and homework
Expect the best from yourself
Accept differences in others
Maximum effort and cooperation
At the end of each quarter, a person will get the beads of D and A (first quarter), E (for second quarter), M (for third quarter) and R (for the final quarter) and collecting them all would unlock special award treatments as well as having the complete keychain.
Alex looked at his completed keychain with his real name and the word dream after (he definitely had the longest keychain) and smiled. It was quite an accomplishment he had to fulfill but he knew that this year was perhaps the best (despite the bullying and drama) in terms of his academic grades and the performance.
1 Year Later, Seventh Grade
However, that next year…was the harshest in memory. It was a year when he received a letter grade of C for the first time ever in his life.
Just how…he thought, how did this happen?!
It was a World History class that began from Ancient India, to Ancient China, to Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Ancient Middle East, Middle/Dark Ages, and up to Renaissance. (Eighth Grade and Ninth grade would take on U.S History)
Strangely enough, he had C's for India, China, Greece, and Middle East but had A's for Rome and Middle Ages but failed on the Renaissance Exam (while doing 'okay' on the final "Paper").
This anger that kept him inside, he blew it against his enemies if they tried to harass him. He even once threatened someone to "die" if they continued to harass him and his friends (oddly enough that he never got in serious trouble for threatening).
As for Language Arts, that class was also too going a bit downhill. However, after writing up a "reading log" and how he compared a chapter or a scene to a TV show called LOST, he gained full credit and realized that his teacher also liked the series.
"So did you see the new episode?" he would ask.
"Yes," replied Mrs. Penzner, "It was quite a shock indeed."
At least I finally got something for talking about a favorite show, he thought.
Months Later
Alex sat down in his room while looking over his notes for history class, trying to really understand what he learned and hoping to do well on a test.
"Hey there's another class for swimming tonight," said mom, standing by the door, "Aren't you getting ready?"
"I'm sorry mom, but I'm too busy," he answered, trying to study his notes, "Plus I'm not feeling too well."
"Maybe you should take a break and go out to the pool," she replied.
"I…I just can't…" he said, trying to stay calm.
"Well have you considered on joining a team?" she asked.
"I…I really don't know if I can do it," he replied.
She sat down next to him and asked, "Honey, what's the matter? Do you not like swimming?"
"I love it…but I…I just can't do it anymore!" he said, trying to hide his feelings about his own self.
"Is something bothering you?"
"NO! I JUST CAN'T DO IT!" he cried out.
Mother sighed and left the room muttering, "At least don't get all freaked out. Gosh..."
As soon as she left the room, Alex collapsed onto his bed and cried silently.
I want to swim but I cannot do it in public, he thought, I'm so ugly…I can never be like a true swimmer! Oh GOD WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME!? MOTHER, FATHER WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME!? WHY AM I FORSAKEN TO LOOK LIKE THIS!?
He moaned out and cried, feeling so desolated and devastated in his heart.
"It's for the better," he muttered, "I cannot risk anymore bullying…I have to leave swimming forever…just because on how I look with this...body!"
Present Day: Pisa, Italy
Alex stopped over in the markets with the other adults where they decided to split out for a bit and explore around. He happily skipped and danced his way over through the bazaar and saw many different souvenirs, gifts, and other clothes. There were some comics too but none of them were actual manga books.
He turned to a corner of a series of tents where he saw a set of necklaces of all kinds. One of them was a silver-pendant butterfly shaped with black string.
"Well this looks like what Rei would wear," he chuckled to himself, wondering if he would buy it or not. After a few moments, he bought the necklace and put it on, feeling a sensation of warmth inside.
He turned around and saw a strange figure standing before him. At first he thought it was a gypsy or someone that was going to try to steal his things but its hair was blue with red glasses and…
"Alex…" echoed Rei's voice, "You cannot stay here."
"W-what?!" he replied, chasing after the megane, "Wait a second! A-am I seeing things!?"
Is this a cosplayer or is this…he thought, what the fuck is going on!?
He turned to the corner where Rei had vanished to but saw nothing or no one around other than the shoppers and the tourists walking around.
"Take 41 – 35 into your heart of water and find the way that leads to that place…"
"T-that voice," muttered Alex, "I know that 41 – 35 equals 6 and that they're based of latitudes of my town and Iwami…but what's with the number 6?"
He looked at his watch and realized that it was almost time to group up and return back to the villa. He quickly scrambled on his feet, never noticing a golden puppy watching from afar.
"Wake up, Alex," said the dog silently.
Days Later: The Premiere of Season 2 of Free!
While the older folks were singing various Italian folklore songs and Frank Sinatra stuff, Alex sat down in the office of the villa as he opened up with his heart beating fast on the Second Season of Free!
Finally, at 5:30 PM that evening…
The water is alive. Once you dive in, it will immediately bare its fangs and attack. But, there's nothing to fear…after all, this water has been tamed. It's been defanged and neutered…but for me, it's not enough…
I'm so happy to see them again, thought Alex, smiling, who knew I would be watching this while I am in Italy?!
After witnessing the wonderful premiere, he closed his eyes and wondered what sort of future they will hold. He had two friends back on his instant messaging that were also watching as well, watching with excitement and joy.
He could hear the others playing on the karaoke like crazy old folks but he smiled to himself.
They are sooo nice people, he thought, too bad they don't have the same taste of music like I have. But I can always talk to them at least.
The elders told him about how his cousin would act rude and spot on at times but what can they do? He's only a teenager…right? Or is it something else that was bothering Alex?
Peschiera del Garda, Italy
July 5, 2014
On the final part of the trip, the group arrived at the town called Peschiera (English: Fishing) right by the Lake Garda. The sight was incredible as they arrived at the Hotel Acquadolce (English: Sweet Water) where they were right by the lake and the docking region.
The lake was freshwater and there were a lot of people at the beach resorts. Alex smiled happily as they were already loving the place while Chris was already minding his own business. After a bitter argument with each other, Alex tried to stay away from his cousin, knowing that at this point, it was useless to even try to get close with him again.
This trip will further separate us, he thought, never again we'll be able to get along as the way we were in the past…
Chris wanted to go meet someone from the Navy or the "Coast Guard" but of course this was NEVER planned for his OWN needs properly. Since he was still young and what not, all he could do was only wonder.
He's probably jealous that I got to meet my relatives, thought Alex, but this was planned ahead of time though. IF he really wanted to meet someone, he should've talked with his father and Dan. But…I doubt Uncle Jim would have any patience or he wouldn't just give a fuck.
After going to his room with Uncle Ed, they found themselves right by the window area where it showed the town that faced away from the lake.
"These wooden boards on the floor are fucking cheap," muttered Ed.
"Oh?" asked Alex.
"Yeah, there's this plaster beneath here and the wood isn't as strong," he explained.
"Ok," smiled Alex, "Well…at least it looks sort of nice…maybe not so much for the actual material but I've seen worse hotels."
He opened the windows to the outside and stepped out onto the small balcony. They were on the third level (which was nice to be higher up) and they saw the beautiful city before them.
"I wonder what we'll see at the market," muttered Alex.
"Hm?" asked his uncle.
"Oh I was just wondering about the market place," he replied, "But I'm worried for nonna's condition after she tripped on the stairwell back in Positano."
"She'll be fine," his uncle answered.
Alex nodded and went back inside to shower up to get ready for the evening.
Next Day: Venice, Italy
The City of Venice lies within the water embedded with several boats, gondolas and a lot of walkers and gypsies around. They were lead by Luisella on a tour as they visited Piazzale Roma, Saint Marco's Square, Doges Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Alex wanted to stay for a bit longer with the other elders while Christopher decided to stay with nonna and their uncle.
With about half of the group returning back to Hotel Acquadolce, the others stayed for a few more hours (while that group in half stayed even later, till dusk and nightfall). Meanwhile, Alex and the older folks on the trip got their chance to go on the Gondola ride as he finally got to see what it felt like to go for a ride on the boats around the city.
This is soooooo coooooool, thought Alex, smiling as he was picturing the image of the Free!Boys on the Gondola ride that KyoAni made as an official art.
I totally wish the boys were here with me, he thought.
Next Day: Back in Guarda
Alex decided to spend about an hour or so (after given permission from his grandma) to the beach by the lake. He wanted to go alone for a bit to clear away the drama in his mind while his iPod was playing "I'll Never Forget" by Rin Matsuoka and Haruka Nanase.
In the last few days, he was slightly disappointed with the markets here (he wanted to get an Italian manga book) but he was still enjoying the sights and beauty of this lake and the city. Dinner tonight was going to be at the hotel and the skies were very clear and wonderful.
By sunset, while the people were eating, Pam and one of the girls went upstairs with Alex to take some pictures of the sunset by the mountains and the lake.
"OMG, this is soooo pretty!" smiled Alex as he took some snapshots.
"Yeah take it at the horizon!" replied Pam, "You want to get that shot just at the right moment."
They all giggled and smiled as they continued to take more shots of the sunset while that song was still stuck in his head.
And I'll never forget this, he thought, kitto wasurenai...non dimentichero'
Days Later: Return to the United States
The last trip was in Verona for a day when the weather actually turned a bit stormy in the late afternoon (not that it mattered anyway) but it was of course time to return back to the U.S.
His father and brother waited for him by the Terminal in Cleveland after taking on the Newwark flight to Cleveland and was happily reunited with his family, sharing stories about his trip and showing about 2,500 pictures to his trip.
However, the Second Season of Free! was still going on and there was a lot of revelations and new characters to look forward to in the storyline.
After settling back in, Alex wondered what he should do. HE wanted to tell his online friends about his dreams but wondered if he was just too deep into this fandom.
He saw the icon status of one of his friends online.
"Oh, it's Kiana," he muttered with a smile.
The Conversation went down as it follows:
Alex: Hey, are you online? I sort of need to talk to you?
Kiana: Oh hey, wait, what's wrong?
Alex: Well, nothing much but I had a strange dream.
Kiana: Well do you mind telling me? I really can't help you if i don't know what this is about.
Alex: It's a dream that I keep having the same scene over and over but I keep seeing myself walking in the forest and I see five other people before me...I can't tell by their faces but they keep calling me for me...
Kiana: Hmm well is it possible those five blank faces could be people you could know? I mean it might be strange if it is but all i can think of is they either know you from the looks of it or you know them and your mind is currently blanking. Tell me were there possible details that you could pick out of these five other people?
Alex: ...well I guess it reminds me of that dream I had with Free! and the cosplays, LOL. It's been already over a year since that show started...and already I learned so much of myself from my childhood days.
Kiana: ^_^
Alex: Well I cannot wait to resume Book 3 of the storyline, I know it'll definitely be like the anime we know and love!
He turned his head to see his calico cat, Cali walked up to his bed before jumping on and meowing.
"Meow what?" he asked with a smile.
"Meow" answered Cali as she yawned and scratched her head with her left foot.
August 20, 2014
Episode 8 was shown that day and it led to a lot of speculations and concerns as well as "proofs, and theories" being corrected based on dialogue.
Alex: Hey, did you see the latest episode!?
Kiana: Yes i did and the fangirls are going crazy as usual, you know, over Kisumi.
Alex: But then he says something about Sousuke...*sighs* Of course the fandom was putting bets on that too.
Kiana: yeah of course, that's what i was actually waiting for, you know the others to find out about Sousuke's current condition. I expected as much to be honest considering the number of episodes left
Alex: True. Oh, by the way, I did some research a while back about the location of where Iwatobi is from. It's based on a town called Iwami. The scenery is really neat!
Kiana: Ah really? I should check that out for myself then! It sounds lovely!
Alex: It is! You know, it's kinda strange but I was looking up their coordinates on the globe...Iwami is 35 degrees north while my home town is 41 degrees north.
Kiana: Oh wow, that is strange. I wonder what that could mean then?
Alex: ...uh...well...I guess maybe. *shrugs* either way though, I really hope to swim again. I know I got a long way to go but...it'll be nice to regain the athletic side of me that i lost all these years.
Kiana: Heh ^^; guess it was just meant to be strange then huh? :) Alex, don't worry, you will swim again! As long as try your best to reach your goals, I know you can do it!
Alex: Right. Well I better go off to assist with dinner...mom is bothering me to come down. I'll see ya!
Kiana: Okay see ya.
Flashback: Eighth Grade Year (2007 – 2008, Mayfield High School)
Alex walked his way through the hallways, minding his own business from people. He already came to the conclusion that at High School, there was VERY LITTLE to trust, very little time to mess around with, and very little time to recover his grades should he slip up. He was in no mood to screw up his future and now that swimming was a part of his past…
His jealously over the athletic people grew to the point that he began to loathe them. Despite how beautiful some of them looked, he knew that even trying to be open to these people would only make him feel really insecure.
He looked forward to his Italian class everyday as he finally got to reunite with a friend of his back from 5th grade, Ryan. Out of many of the people, this boy was one of the few that Alex could trust. (But he still kept his secret of his own demise of swimming to himself) This class was in seventh period of the day while English was his final class of the day.
This class was much fun because the teacher provided merit system that if the class was well behaved, smart and eager to keep learning, they would earn a "letter" that spelled out the name of an Italian snack or treat and if it was completed before Friday, they would get to have it on Friday for celebration. However, there were negative consequences too for losing letters and what not.
"I cannot wait to finish five years of Italian," smiled Alex, "I'll be able to understand my family so much!"
"Yeah," agreed Ryan, "You'll definitely look forward to that!"
Ryan was one of the few people that Alex would love to be with for partner and group projects, knowing that the other boy was an AP student and incredibly smart as well.
In his mind, Alex kept the following list of people and by various characters, creatures, etc.
1.) Toa – best, best friend
2.) Matoran – a good friend (not always talking 24/7 but was there)
3.) Rahi – Neutral (can't always trust them but will listen to them)
4.) Visorak – someone stupid, not keeping good grades, may be troublesome
5.) Rahkshi – most likely a bully and maybe a bit athletic
6.) Makuta, Dark Hunters, etc. – absolute evil, cannot be trusted, an athlete and doesn't get good grades, is troublesome, etc.
For some specific people, Alex also kept names of the characters based on the students that he hated the most.
It wasn't until one day when he met a student that had a cousin with Autism, however, he realized that the person talking to him was an athlete so he ranked him as a Makuta and tried to forget that conversation.
Even when he was taking his religion classes (PSR), he often times sat alone away from the rest of the class, not wanting to deal with them at all. Some of the students would try to ask but he answered very briefly and stayed silent. However, he always gave his utmost respect to the teachers as long as he made sure to keep his grades well.
It wasn't until the Spring of 2008 when he finally got his confirmation (coming from a Catholic family) and his Uncle Ed was chosen to become his godfather/sponsor for his completion of the "Triangle"/Sacraments of Initiation. (Baptism by birth, Communion/Eucharist by second grade and Confirmation by eighth grade)
However, keeping swimming away from him would one day haunt him down in a sight he would never expect to deal with…
Present Day: September 24, 2014
Alex got home with a sigh of annoyance. He was really upset that his lab class for Cell Bio was taken overtime and he wanted to watch the finale of Free! Eternal Summer before taking the Cell Bio Lecture Class. The timing was a bit off but it didn't matter since it was over.
Grumbling to himself, he finally sat down to watch and smiled happily to see their journey's end. However, he could only hope one day a movie would be made that would at least wrap up some of the ends.
He quickly re-winded to the scene when the Iwatobi Team won Sixth Place.
"EH!?" he gasped, "W-why didn't they win first!? Or is it sixth overall?"
"Six Stars…Five await…" echoed a voice inside his mind.
"T-that voice again," he muttered as he got up and turned to see the golden puppy.
"W-what in the name of…" he began before he fell down and closed his eyes.
Alex opened his eyes and found himself in a massive place where people were watching various swim teams. He immediately recognized this place before…
"This was…" he began as he gasped to see the race happening as he saw one of them ready to dive in as he saw Makoto, Nagisa, Rei, and Rin.
Alex readied himself on the block as Haruka soared his way back at blinding speed, the team was already locked in duel with the other lanes now but there was still hope. Haruka reached the wall and screamed out, "ALEX!"
The final boy dove into the pool with a smile on his face while making a nice entrance as he preformed the final freestyle, reaching out to the waters before him. Time was short now but the finish was upon them.
Meanwhile, the other Alex gasped as he saw the number six on their lane as it etched into his mind…
"T-this isn't a dream…" he gasped, "IT WAS A MEMORY!"
The truth struck him cold as he finally understood what was happening. The world that he was living on…was not his own to be in. The number 6 that kept flashing at times to time…it was a code that was trying to make him remember who he was…and now it FINALLY made sense. The day that he and the others won that big relay, they were also in Lane 6.
"Pandora…" he growled to himself but the vision changed and it showed him the Mayfield pool with the Six lanes.
"So that's where I have to go," he said, "I have to return now…to them. If I continue to stay in this world..."
Alex woke up with a gasp as he was back in his room from the strange dream, realizing that his whole life here was not to be in one with…however…
"I suffered the same in the Suiei Timeline," he said, "I too was looking ugly but I was able to get help…here in this world, I never got help or any treatments…"
He got onto the laptop and saw one of his other friends, Milena as the conversation went down to this:
Alex: Milena, are you busy right now?
Milena: No, why?
Alex: ...I think I have gone a bit mad.
Milena: *worried* What happened?
Alex: Well ever since Eternal Summer finished...I kept having dreams…of all sorts…I told Kiana about this but what's going on with me?!
Milena: I think you just love Free! so much that you have this kind of dreams. Something like that happened to me like at least six times.
Shit, he thought, the number six shows up again!
Alex: Probably...but...I never had dreams like this...I mean...it's almost like the story I've been writing with you and…
Milena: Oh...Is it the first time it happened?
Alex: No, I think it's a sign or a message…but really? What are the odds of me BEING with them, you know? It's just a story, right?
Milena: It is a story for others but for you it's not JUST a story. It was your way to express your feelings, right? So it's not just a story.
Alex: Yes. I mean... Oh i don't know! *sighs* I'm glad that they got to nationals and I guess it doesn't matter if they won first or sixth place.
Milena: *smiles* Yes, I think they were just happy to swim together. They didn't care about their time.
Alex: Hey, Milena, I have to go for now. I don't know if I'll come back, but...thank you.
Milena: Alex...? What are you talking about?! ALEX?!
Alex: Oh I mean by tonight, LOL. Sorry, I have to run an errand.
Milena: Don't scare me like that! I thought you were going to do something reckless ^^;
Alex: Seriously...as I said, what are the odds of this dream to mean anything? Anyway, I'll see ya!
Milena: See ya!
Cali walked into the room and meowed again; Alex turned his head and held her up, spilling some tears, saying, "I love you my sister...this is a goodbye...I hope you'll understand someday. Take good care of my Sergi...please?"
The cat purred and meowed in reply.
Later, Alex packed up his bag with a swimsuit, a pair of goggles as well as a towel. Now that his memories have returned, he realized that he would never again be a part of this world and it was hurting him a bit since all of the memories he experienced with were just a fragment of his overall life…he really wanted to save his brother here in this world just like in the other world.
Finally, around dinner time, he ate up his steak and potatoes before saying, "Hey I'm going to work out tonight."
"Oh?" asked his mother.
"I'll be gone for a bit but I'll be home before it's late," he lied.
"Alright," said the father.
I'm so sorry, thought Alex, but...I hope this world...can survive after the final battle...forgive me...mom...dad...and Sergi...
Mayfield Wildcat Sport & Fitness Facility
By dusk, Alex arrived at the parking lot with the riddle in his hands. He could feel that despite this reality, it was not his to live in…however, this reality was like one other dream that he remembered…a place where everything was so real that not even his dreams could come true.
Time was of the essence…he had to "get back" whether he was in his top shape or not.
After changing his clothes and to his swim trunks, he looked at himself in the mirror; his body was not as strong but it had developed a slight bit of muscle in him. However, he could feel that a great power was awakening in him but it was not the time to analyze.
I have to hurry before they shut down the lights, he thought as he took out his phone and deleted the contacts before smashing it to the ground and throwing the SIM card into the toilet. He took a peak out to the deck to make sure there was no one around.
He walked over to the mirror by the toilets and looked at himself for one last time, taking a deep breath and closing his eyes before muttering a prayer:
"Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done; on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us; lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen."
(Note: Alex/or rather I come from a Roman Catholic Family.)
Gripping on his goggles, he took a one last look at the riddle, indicating that the only possible way to unlock the answer…
"Lane Six," he muttered, "Mayfield…41 degress in Latitude…Iwami…35 degress in Latitude…Lane 6 is the answer."
He walked over to the starting block #6 and readied himself, his heart jumping with a bit of fear. Would this be the end for him?
Everyone…is waiting for me, he thought, waiting for my return…we have to defeat Pandora still! But…I don't know if I can do this…
He dove into the water as the bubbles swirled around him, reaching out his front crawl, taking breaths and kicking as fast as he could soar.
I have to do the flip turn right, he thought, I can't screw this up!
He approached to the wall and at the right second, he flipped down to the side and brushed his feet against the wall, pushing out with his strength and soaring through.
The lights shut down, leaving him in the dark but he kept on going, knowing that he will either wake up in a different place or end up crashing down to the wall and sink to the bottom with a drown of death.
A low glow suddenly flickered on his chest, prompting him the Suiei magic once more. Before he could react, a large portal of light opened before him, shimmering his body into the light. The wall and the scenery melted away as he continued to swim through the bright light before he closed his eyes to let the nature take him back…
Because it's my destiny…
Nightfall in Camelot, the Countryside
Rei stood alone by the river not far from the Camelot Tree of Sakura, his face was filled with sadness for he knew that one point Alex stopped swimming…but…why and how what was shook him to the very core of his existence.
If only I was there, thought Rei, if only I could've done something! Oh Alex…I can just only watch and feel that pain…I am so sorry…
Rin carried a basket of fruit he collected with Nagisa from earlier in the day as he saw Rei standing alone.
"Hey, the others are by the tree," said Rin, "Haruka is sleeping while Makoto and Nagisa are waiting for Alex to wake up."
Rei didn't move an inch as Rin walked over to see and saw his face filled with tears.
"Oh sexy butterfly…" said Rin as he gave Rei a hug while the megane sobbed and poured his tears onto Rin's shirt, "You were always so beautiful no matter who you were with…why are you feeling so sad?"
"I…I can't even…" said Rei, sniffing heavily.
"It's about Alex's decision to stop swimming, isn't it?" asked Rin, "Can you at least tell me what you saw?"
"I…I can try but…" began Rei.
"Huh?" asked Rin.
"Please don't repeat this to anyone…not until Alex has decided to tell us the truth," said Rei, "If he finds out that we all know about this…he probably will never forgive us."
"I see…" replied Rin.
"Alex left swimming when he was around 14 years old...at a time when he started to...grow," began Rei.
"Grow?" asked Rin.
"I think you and I both know what we went through…your sister told us about what you do and Nagisa even tried to do the…" explained Rei.
"OOOOOOHHHHH!" gasped Rin, "He had it too?!"
"Nagisa would tease me a few times…he even tried to take a raz-," said Rei while blushing.
"Oh I remember that," smirked Rin, "Nagisa does that to me too sometimes. He'll tease me and question if I grew anything..."
Rei's eyes trembled a little as even his fists were fueling up with a bit of anger, "Do you even have any idea what it's like for him to suffer like that!? He had no one to help him or to keep him positive!"
"R-Rei…" said Rin quietly.
"Not even his own brother could even ask him! His parents tried to pry off the truth from him but he refused to tell them why he wanted to stop swimming!" explained Rei, "He was overridden with guilt this entire time about himself!"
Rin rested his hand on Rei's shoulder and answered, "I am sure he's just as beautiful as ever...don't you think?"
"He is...he's the most beautiful person I ever knew. And I want him to know that!" replied Rei, "I want to tell his 14-years-old self that he isn't the only person who had to get through this part of life! And that no matter how he looks…he is the one with a strong heart!"
"Well then, we'll have to make sure he stays calm down when he tells us," nodded Rin, "I'm afraid that you and I finding out before he ever says anything...I'm worried he'll be in for emotions that we cannot even predict."
"We just have to keep him as calm as possible...and for us to be calm as well," agreed Rei, "Remember he can tell what are we feeling and any negative emotions we have won't make him feel better."
"Then let's go," said Rin, "Let's make your Sexy Dragon the Alex we all know and love…and even more…the Alex that we all grew to love and accept."
"Right," smiled Rei, "Let's go."
1 Hour Later
Makoto and Nagisa sat down at the base of the tree while Haruka woke up a few minutes ago to see if Alex awaken yet. The trio watched as Alex slept on sheets of fabric that were tied to the tree as the boy rested peacefully and still.
"I hope he'll wake up soon," said Nagisa.
They turned to see Rin and Rei as the latter climbed up with Rin following right behind. By the time the two reached to the fabric/hammock they saw Alex's hands shaking a little.
Rin quickly grabbed one of his hands while Rei grabbed the other.
"I-is he walking up!?" asked Nagisa.
"Come on…" muttered Makoto.
Before their eyes, Alex's body began to glow golden as everyone gasped in shock at the lights shining on him. It was a warmth feeling of energy flowing into the young man as the heartbeat was finally heard once more.
Finally, the last star opened his eyes as the glowing stopped while his necklace glowed a bit.
"A-Alex!?" said a teared-up Rei while Rin smiled with some tears.
The final star breathed heavily and answered, "I guess that was a long nightmare…a nightmare that I should've kept secret."
"Wh-what?" asked Rin.
"Alex?" asked a worried Nagisa.
"How do you feel?" asked Rei, holding his hand while looking worried as well.
"I'm fine," said Alex as his tone was beginning to get a bit tense while he crawled his way out of the hammock and heading down to the ladder.
"W-wait!" shouted Rin as he and Rei tried to follow.
"Where are you going?" asked Makoto.
Alex jumped off and walked a little, muttering, "Far away from all of you…as possible."
Haruka and Nagisa gasped as they could barely hear those words.
"WAIT! ALEX!" shouted Rei.
"…I can't," he replied, his fists shaking a little, "I'm not who you think I am… I should've just died back then!"
"Wh-what?!" gasped Rei.
"Don't say such things!" growled Rin.
Haruka grabbed Alex's wrist as the latter turned to him and continued, "I'm sorry...but I...I don't deserve this. Even if it was my destiny...how can I ever feel like I accepted that fate?"
Rei and Rin jumped off the tree as the latter said, "Alex, please listen to us...we are here for you. No matter what you hide, we have our own secrets too that we've shared!"
"We love you just the way you are! We love you on your good days and on your bad days," agreed Rei.
"They're right! Please listen to us!" added Nagisa.
"We don't want to see you suffer and..." began Makoto.
Alex broke loose from Haruka and growled while throwing a fist out in front of them as a blast of water struck out, smashing a set of trees nearby into bits and pieces of bark, leaves, wood, and sticks scattered around. They all stood in pure shock as they never seen him acting like this before…all of that anger that was kept inside, it finally snapped opened...
"Alex-chan…" muttered Nagisa quietly, horrified.
"No…YOU…ALL JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING!" he shouted with intense fury of a storm in his voice, "I AM NOT BEAUTIFUL!"
The others stood in a bit of shock as Alex continued out loud, "I WAS NEVER GORGEOUS! YOU GUYS HAVE IT ALL IN YOU WITH YOUR PRECIOUS BODIES LIKE THAT SINCE BIRTH! I AM NOT LIKE YOU! I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING LIKE THAT!"
He ran off towards the forest while Rei cried out his name before falling to his knees with tears. Rin lowered his eyes while Makoto spilled a silent tear and Nagisa just standing still in a state of shock from what he and the others heard.
Haruka on the other hand grabbed Rei and said, "Let's go."
"H-Haruka-senpai?" asked Rei, breathing heavily in pain and sadness.
"H-Haru?" asked Makoto, a bit worried.
"Just give us some time," said Haruka as he got Rei off on his feet while the megane tried to wipe his tears.
Rei and Haruka ran off to follow Alex through the woods while Nagisa looked at Makoto and Rin while the middle spilled some silent tears falling across his cheek.
Alex followed the river for at least a half hour or so while making sure no one was around him. He threw up a wall of fog to hide himself as he headed over to a lake where the river deposited.
He fall to his knees while burying his head to the ground, crying. It was no doubt that they wanted to know his one, darkest secret of his life and he remembered it too back on Lynwin while being married to Haru. Of course after living on Beta-Earth, that wish never came true and he remained on that "original body" until he was brought back here.
"They want to know…they are figuring out the truth to why I stopped swimming," he muttered, "I…I was never beautiful. I dreamed to have the body of my life! But it was shattered away when I turned 12! I should've never…if only I COULD'VE SAID SOMETHING TO MY PARENTS BACK THEN! But…I can't now…it's too late…I'll be forever embarrassed by my faults…I am such a coward…"
He crawled up to the edge of the pond and scooped up some water to try and calm himself as a cool breeze swept through the area.
"Why is it my destiny?" he asked silently, "Where am I suppose to go? How am I supposed to live on like this?!"
"Do not…forget your wish…" echoed a voice.
Alex closed his eyes as the waters reflected again once more, showing his younger self in his swimming suit with a great smile on his face. He opened his eyes to see his past self before it transformed to his original self with the unedited body that he grew into.
"Mother…father…I'm so sorry for not telling you the truth," he said, still crying, "I spoke too late…I have tossed away that dream and hid myself for 9 years…never forgiving myself and hating everyone that was athletic…I saw myself as an ugly beast."
The water reflection changed as he stood up on his feet, showing himself and the others side by side with him. He turned around but saw nobody nearby.
Alex took off his necklace and placed it on the grass while burying it with some dirt on top. His mind was all running wild with insanity as he could feel his own hands brushing onto his sword.
"I should've never met them…I have to end this journey here and now," he said, taking out his Kopis Sword, pointing at his own chest as his hands trembled with sorrow. He couldn't bring it upon himself but it was the only way to...
A blast of water knocked the sword out of the way. He turned to see Haruka and Rei as the latter rushed up to him, crying with sadness.
"DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT EVER AGAIN!" said Rei loudly, hugging him tight while holding Alex to his chest with tears, "WE ALL LOVE YOU! PLEASE DON'T DO THIS UPON YOURSELF!"
"R-Rei…" replied Alex, hugging back as his tears poured down, and breathing heavily, "I'm such a coward…"
"No, you're not," he answered, "You never were and you were always beautiful!"
"I…I don't," said Alex, "I…I'm not like you or the others…"
"Even if you didn't look like the way you are now, you're glad to have made it this far, right?" asked Haruka.
"H-Haru…" gasped Alex.
The Last star finally released the hug as he wiped out his tears while Haruka saw the necklace partially buried. He uncovered it and washed it off before handing it back to him. Rei put on the necklace to Alex and said, "Now you're back."
"H-how can I forgive myself for that sin?" asked Alex, "I was such an idiot for not telling my parents…"
"It's not your fault you had to suffer like that," said Rei, "You were always a friend of ours and very beautiful in your swimming."
"No, I can't even begin to tell you the truth," replied Alex, "On why I stopped swimming. It's the deepest burden of my entire life…everyone wanted to find out the truth but I forced them to stay out of my way."
The two kept silent while Alex took a few breaths to calm himself before saying, "Haru, Rei…I remember you two got into my mind back when I first came to Japan…you discovered that I had the powers of the Ignika tattoo and other things as well."
"And?" asked Haruka.
"Could it be possible you do this again?" he asked.
"Are you sure you're okay with this?" asked Rei.
"It's no doubt you all know what I used to look like…and how it led to my demise from swimming," said Alex, extending out his hands to them, "I suffered two major things about myself…both my name and my own body development. You all knew about the first pain about myself…"
Rei nodded as Haruka kept silent while Alex said, "Promise me…that you won't think of me differently."
"We never judged you before, and we never will," replied Rei.
The two connected their hands with Alex and the two faded away into the world of memories as they were back in Cleveland and Mayfield where they arrived at the high school.
"We'll start here," said Alex, leading the two inside, "At the high school pool."
~Episode 5 END~
~Episode 6 PV~
Alex: This is who I am…once a happy young, beautiful child…and then…a teenager of loneliness and hidden ugliness.
Rei: You're not ugly.
Haruka: …stop doubting yourself.
Alex: This is the real me…an Italian blood that cursed my physique, turning my elegant, flawless skin to an endless waste of short black wires all over my body from head to toe...
Rin: Look you're not the only one that had that problem!
Nagisa: Yeah, I even tease to Rei-chan about it! *hehe*
Rei: Nagisa… -_-;
Makoto: Next time, Free! Heart of the Sixth Magic, how quickly can a single happiness turn to jealously and to hatred because of other people and one's own body?