Chapter 19: Heirs Of Fate 6: Lost In The Waves 5
Each of the children managed to survive as they made their way to Reptar. And unlike what happened before in Zack's world, the children succeeded in fighting Reptar, with the help of the Shadow Erebuses. After being defeated, Reptar reverted back to his cloaked human form, with an aura of dark purple he had before now gone.
"Thank you... for waking me. I was having a long dream. It was about a kingdom where humans and dragons... they lived in peace. But at some point... my befogged mind turned that dream into a nightmare. Your song... that voice still echoes in my mind. It saved me... it woke me." Reptar said.
Zack remained silent. Reptar turned to Wally and Savannah.
"And you two." Reptar said.
"Hmmm?" Wally asked.
"Y-You mean us?" Savannah asked.
"My apologies... it seems that you two kept the promise you made to me then. I always... believed that you would." Reptar replied.
"What is he talking about?" Savannah wondered.
"Did we make a promise?" Wally asked.
"Yes. A promise that spanned vast reams of time and space... fulfilled by the power inside those crystals of yours." Reptar replied.
"H-Hey! Is Mama alright?" George asked.
"What about my papa?" Abigail asked.
"No harm has come to them. The world will return... to what it was. Your father... your mother... and all of your friends... you will find them at the end of the path that was meant to be. The one where I no longer exist." Reptar replied.
"And you?" Zack asked.
"I? I will finally rest... among the brightly shining stars. I have lose the resentment that kept me chained. I've never felt such joy." Reptar replied.
Zack remained silent.
"Father?" a voice asked.
"Siri?" Reptar asked.
Siri appeared.
"Let me be your guide on your way. We'll find the star that shines brightest and go there... together." Siri replied.
"I see... You have been waiting for me, haven't you? For a long, long time." Reptar asked.
Siri nodded.
"Thank you, Siri." Reptar said.
"Reptar... what of us?" Zack asked.
"I believe... that this dawn will never end. Children of man... live your lives...and be careful not to lose your way. I implore you to forget me... and all that happened here." Reptar replied.
He then disappeared in a flash of blue water. Once he was gone, Zack sighed.
"Let's go. Soon things will be as they were before. But there's still one thing left for me to do. Follow me, please." Zack said.
Zack led the other children over to a spring back in The Confederacy.
"Such a pretty spring. What do you need to do here, Zack?" George asked.
"I must throw this pendant into the spring's waters." Zack replied.
"What? Isn't that pendant really important to you?" George asked.
"Yes. But it has no more part to play in this world. Father told me that when all was said and done, I must dispose of it. So that the pendant may never find it's way into anyone else's hands." Zack replied.
"Oh." George said.
"Thank you. I could not have kept this promise if I'd thrown my life away. It's because of all of you that I can bear witness to this peace. You can't imagine how grateful I truly am to you. All of you. Now, with Reptar gone, the power of our song will transform the world. Once your back to your home realms, your memories should return in time." Zack said.
"My heart's pounding to think of it. You think it'll be confusing for us?" Abigail asked.
"Oh, I think not. Most likely, you'll return moments after being separated from your parents." Zack replied.
"I'm satisfied with that. All really will be as it was. Apart from Reptar's absence and the removal of our memories." Chuckie said.
"I believe so, yes." Zack said.
"It's so weird to think I probably won't see any of you again." Tommy said.
"It's to be expected. None of us exist in the others' home realms, after all. Perhaps if our kingdoms had been allies rather then enemies, but..." Chuckie started to say.
"Oh yeah. There won't be a Chuckie at all in my world, huh?" Tommy asked.
"But just because we won't remember this doesn't mean it didn't happen. It's still a fact that we were here together. That we fought side by side. I hope that somewhere, deep down, I'll remember allying with the Americans." Chuckie replied.
"Yeah, same here. We got off to a rough start, Chuckie, but it's been fun. I hope we meet again someday... somewhere... somehow." Tommy said.
"When it all started, I was so scared and lonely that I couldn't stop crying. But then people started helping me, and I managed to grow up a little. Even though it hurt sometimes, I had so much fun with you all. Really!" Abigail said.
"Even if we go back to our own worlds, I'll never for... well, that's not true, huh? I'm definitely going to forget." George said.
"We can't so much as hope to meet again, can we? How tragic." Kimi asked.
"Do we know we'll ALL forget? I mean, if even just one of us remembers... what should they say to clue the rest of us in?" Dil asked.
"That's a pleasant thought, but I doubt..." Kimi started to reply.
"Don't discount it so soon. Belief has power, you know." Chuckie said.
"It sounds unbelievable, but sometimes that's what you gotta believe! Wow, listen to me. I'd never be talking like this if not for Abigail and George." Tommy said.
"Huh?" George asked.
"It's our fault?" Abigail asked.
"You two are too adorable. But in all seriousness, it would be nice to have a pass phrase, one we could recognize straightaway." Kimi replied.
"A splendid idea! It ought to be bold! Distinct! Stylish! Mysterious! May I suggest "O Glorious Wind" or "Streams of Holy Radiance"!" Wally said.
"If a stranger came up and said wither of these to me, I'd run away screaming." Nicole said.
"Ah, a fair point. The recipient may not remember the bearer of good news." Wally said.
"Any better ideas? We need something that works both ways. It shouldn't sound suspicious if you don't remember, but is clear if you do." Savannah asked.
"Oh, I know! How about "It's good to meet you."?" Abigail asked.
"Yeah! That works!" George replied.
"Uh... it's true that's not suspicious, but it's not exactly uncommon either." Jesse said.
"How would the other person know if it was actually our first meeting?" Harold asked.
"Personally, I think it's perfect." Zack replied.
"Yay!" Abigail said.
"It's good to meet you." Our promise to each other will be to acknowledge this greeting with a smile. Can we agree on that?" Zack asked.
"It's a deal!" Abigail replied.
"No matter what world it is, we'll just say "It's good to meet you" and bam! Instant friends, every time!" George said.
"Exactly." Zack said. He then got serious and said "It's time, everyone. Make ready to return to your original realms.".
"Bye, everyone! Thanks for the best playtime ever! I'll miss you so much, I almost don't wanna go home." Prudence said.
"Precious memories / I fear that they will soon fade / As if they were dreams... I don't want to wake up from this. From all of you." Francine said.
"You know, your right. This does feel like it was all a dream now." Dil said.
"Even if it is, and your not my Dil, I'd swear my loyalty to you anyway." Harold said.
"Aw, Harold! Your too nice!" Dil said.
"To think we started out limping along, not even knowing who our enemy was." Phil said.
"It turned out pretty okay, huh? Look at all the great people I met!" Lil said.
"It was by fate's divine hand that the stars preordained our meeting. Our parting was equally inevitable, of course. And yet, I feel such sorrow." Wally said.
"I know what you mean. It's even worse that we can't keep our memories." Nicole said.
"It may seem regrettable, but we knew this would happen. We chose this price over the unthinkable alternative. I, for one, regret none of it." Kimi said.
"I'm with you. We won, we saved the world... not bad for a day's work." Tommy said.
Jesse sighed.
"Can't wait for you to forget all this and be as reckless as ever. Good thing you'll have the me from your world looking out for you." Jesse said.
"With any luck, he'll have less of a mouth on him then you!" Tommy said.
"How did I get stuck with this guy as my liege? What did I do?" Jesse asked.
"Come now, you two. Don't make me end today by separating you again. I wish there were some way I could will myself to remember what happened." Susie replied.
"There is such a thing as being cursed to remember. It's a favorite of mine. But something tells me it's better not to intervene in this case." Rachel said.
"Yep. Time heals all wounds better then any medicine can. But until some time passes, I'm going to miss you all so much!" Kiki said.
"D-Don't cry, Kiki! I can't stand to see a friend in tears!" Darryl said.
Dean sniffled.
"Even if we never meet again, take care, everyone! We won't feel this lonely for long. So excuse me while I cry now!" Dean said.
"Hmph. I didn't want to cry, either, but here we are. I guess I never thought I'd miss any of you this much." Angelica said.
"Aww, Angelica! Turn that frown upside-down! I want to see your adorable smile, not your quavering lower lip." Savannah said.
"Savannah is right. If we must part ways, let our smiles be the last thing we see." Chuckie said.
"You heard the man! Happy faces or bust, everyone!" Savannah ordered.
Abigail and George turned to each other.
"Bye, Abigail." George said.
"You too, George. I hope to see you again sometime." Abigail said.
Zack took off his pendant.
"A light has broken through the clouds. It's a very welcome sight. It's been some time since the last true dawn I saw in this world. When I plunge this pendant into the spring, you will return to your realms. All memories of your time here will dissolve like foam on the water." Zack said.
"Okay. I'm ready." George said.
"Bye, Zack! We'll miss you!" Abigail said.
"Farewell, Abigail. Farewell, everyone. I owe you all. I love you all. I'll never forget... I'll always remember you, my friends." Zack said.
He then tossed the pendant into the water.