~10 Fr: We Could Be Free…
Alex sat down alone on a swing at a nearby park, feeling like a depressed child who was severely punished without reason. He couldn't bear these memories coming back to him because of the fact that everyone he cherished had all been taken from him in a matter of hours and days.
The skies above were night blue with a gibbous moon in progress. No more meteor showers. Breathing this air of self-pity made his heart heavier by the minute. He looked up at all the stars in the darkness, wondering how far and how vast this entire universe really is.
Haru, Makoto, Rin, Nagisa…R-Rei, Kyle…everyone, even mom, dad and Sergi, he thought, all of them, why? What does he really want? We need to figure out where he's precisely hiding out there in space-time. These dreams alone aren't enough to pinpoint him. Hell, I don't even remember what he looks like because it's been that long.
Feeling the reminiscence of his childhood, he decides to continue swinging a bit softly as he remembers when his recess days were hardly ever a genuine fun time but with his own daughter and the other girls, they had at least the life he couldn't have for that.
At least this feels nice, he thought, too bad I couldn't do it when I was truly in my youth.
He lowered his head down to brush his hair with the dirt like he used to do. It was a stupid dangerous thing to do whenever one would lay backwards on the swing like this. A memory came back into his head of when the house in Mayfield had a mini play set with two swings, a rocket rider, and a slide.
At one point a wasp nest found its way there and it had to be sprayed down. Thankfully nothing ever resurfaced but it was a very scary experience. At least no one got hurt or stung at the time. But time would go on as both he and Sergi would grow up and no longer used the equipment. It was eventually taken down and thrown away despite the memories it held.
"Prince…" a soft familiar voice was heard.
Alex's eyes lit a little as he turned to see Artemis hiding behind a tree along with Cali in her cat form.
"A-Artemis…is that you?!" he gasped, "And Cali?"
"Y-yeah," he said, "Why are you up at this hour? They'll be mad at you if they find out you're not sleeping."
"I couldn't sleep, it's been a rough week. Any leads on finding your twin?" he asked.
"I have my suspicions, but I don't have the power to find Apollo that easily," Artemis said.
Alex recalled something from Haruka and Rei before they were killed off. Was it true that the Chaosmos Crystal was now within him? He was about to answer when they heard a weird piece of glass echoing nearby.
They turned to see what looked like a heart crystal just like…
"A crystal?" Artemis asked, confused.
"I-is that…!?" Alex gets up from the swing, walks over, and quickly grabs it but suddenly he was frozen in place for mere moments. Seconds after, a ghostly hand gently takes the crystal from him before manifesting into a figure in shadow.
I-I can't move, Alex thought, i-is this another attack?
Artemis quickly approaches him, but he too ends up magically stuck on his feet. Both of them heard a familiar childish laughter followed by a ghostly phantom of Suiei Rhodes but he was not in his warrior outfit. The design was a blend of Greek Toga but with a modern twist of some harem pants as the toga itself was all black, dark navy blue and red in some ombre pattern. There was no footwear but a pair of bracelets and a necklace like the corrupted senshi could be seen.
Once the brief darkness washes away, Alex could see the stranger before him. He widened his eyes a little in confusion about this opponent. Was it really him?
The figure's eyes were bloodshot in irises, his hair color was dark brown fade pattern with an ombre of red fluff at the top. The facial hair was also dark brown, near black as his soul filled with vengeance.
"You always have so many friends…and family," Suiei Rhodes grins maliciously, "I wonder if it's the work of your magical crystal…that is making such a fantasy of yours…a reality. All while distorting all other outcomes in the omniverse?"
Alex grunted as his heartbeat was starting to go faster by the second with his palms sweating up.
"Anyway, your days of being god are over!" Suiei Rhodes's eyes flickers with a smirk, raising up his left-hand outwards as everything around them turned into fire and a storm of explosive energy.
The skies turned violently crimson, purple, and orange with fiery accents as the ground shifted and erupted upwards. Multiple beams of yellow-red darkness struck the planet in many areas across the globe, destroying everything in its path.
Our World, Beta!Earth:
Thurs. July 14, 2022
After arriving at work early to help with the overlap of the duties of the Boswell Hospital, Sandro was finishing up the final tray of the non-GYN slides when a sense of pain was felt in his lower right chest.
Ugh, is it a muscle strain? I did work out on Tuesday, he thought.
His colleague walked back into the cramped little office after preparing the cart for the upcoming Endoscopy-Robot procedures. About a couple of weeks ago, Sandro was confronted by his indirect supervisor and one of the higher managers about his 'struggle' in the Endo department.
With prior hatred to the manager (whom he calls her 'Mustard' based on her real name), it was the last thing he wanted…to be jumped…again.
"We will not pull you from Boswell, but you will be doing more shadowing with Lian," Mustard told him.
Well, that's the best punishment you could ever give to me, Sandro thought, better than that snake pit that you threw me for two months for your excuse of 'training', bitch.
Lian looks at Sandro, "Hey are you okay?"
"I um…" he pauses with hesitation before continuing, "I'm feeling a bit sore around my chest and rib area."
"You're looking a bit pale too and does your breathing sound heavy?" she asked.
"J-just a little," he said.
"I think you need to go to either Urgent Care or the ER," she replied.
Sandro pauses on that, horrified about what could happen. He takes another few deep breaths, "I'll see how well I can manage for the remainder of the day."
From there, they both went downstairs to the Endo Robot where the radiologist doctor (whom he calls him the Diva Doctor) was performing the navigational bronch route before leading to the area of interest to sample the mass in the person's right lower lobe of the lung. It was deep within.
The diva doctor turns to the guests who were also programmers to the robot as they were taking notes, "So Lian, is the best of the best of all the laboratory personnel I've ever met! We must make sure she's protected! Everyone else needs to raise up their bar!"
"Protect Lian!" one of the guys agreed.
What an asshole, Sandro thought, feeling offended but keeping a stoic look on his face, so then if I die here and now, they still wouldn't care to notice, huh?
The pain struck again as he moved to the side while Lian received the sample before staining the slides she received. With her welcoming hand, Sandro goes to the scope with her to assist.
"I am grateful you are here to help too," she said.
"I am learning from the best," he smiled.
DA-BEEP-BLING!
The vocera device goes off as Lian answers it, "Cytology, Lian."
"Hey Lian, we got a CT going on here. Is your other cytotechs on board for assistance?"
"Yeah, I'll have him join you guys," she replies before Sandro takes off.
Thank god, he thought, I don't have to see that diva bitch brag. As much as Lian is a wonderful person, I don't even know how she feels all of this…grateful…or pressured? Both?
However, there was one problem, there wasn't another cart to bring the second microscope, nor a set of stain lines and water ready. It took over 10 minutes to gather everything back and forth while enduring the pain in his chest. Finally, after arriving, he saw 4 bloodied dried-up slides, meaning that they were all to be 'air-dried' unlike the normal 2 air-dried and 2 fixed.
After staining the slides and finding what he needed, it was clear that this needed to be taken downstairs to the pathology department.
"I'm taking this to the Pathologist," he announced to the group while keeping it quiet from the patient to hear.
From there, he presented the case to the doctor who agreed that this was a malignant tumor in the lymph node. Afterwards, the pain appeared to have gone away as the ibuprofen kicked in. With relief, there was hope that maybe it was indeed a muscle strain.
Finally, around 1:30, after cleaning up the mess and returning to the office, Sandro wraps up a few more cases of paps before suddenly…
Oh, no, no, the pain, he grunted as his breaths were getting heavier.
Lian finally arrives to see him more in an agony state than before, "S-sandro…"
"…I need to go to the ER, but after I clock out at 2," he answered.
Once it was time, he punched out and started to walk but realized he was slowing down so much more. The pain was starting to throb from the lower chest and ribs and drifting to his back. Lian led him over to the ER area before sitting down next to him.
"I'm sorry to take you out of your schedule and your life…" he said.
"No, no, this is serious," she answered, "I'll stay till around three."
From there, Lian told her about a horrible experience she had one day and went to Urgent Care first before going to the ER and finding out that she had pneumonia.
"N-No way…" he gasped.
"Yeah, the one Endo Nurse was like all worried about me too," she revealed.
Sandro sent out the text messages to his parents, knowing that he couldn't bear to be alone like this…
Sandro: I'm in the ER
My right side of my chest has been a bit achy…
I'm not sure if it's a muscle strain from working out or if it's something deep underlying.
Mom: Keep us posted.
Dad: I'm with Sergi and nonna but I won't say anything. Will you tell my parents?
Sandro: Idk what to do…I haven't been tested yet.
After being called in to do an EKG, the physicians informed that it was normal before returning to the waiting area once again. He adds an update to the message:
Sandro: EKG seems normal. I'll have a bed soon.
Dad: Which facility are you at?
Sandro: Boswell. Thank God I was not at the fucking snake pit. Because that would be a total bitch.
"Okay well I have to get going now," Lian said, "Good luck."
He thanked her as time kept passing from 3:30…to 5…to 6…to 7…the pain would appear then it would go away. But whenever it returned, it got worse and worse. He never felt this horrible physically in his life. It was almost as if life was draining away from his lungs to the point, he was feeling lightheaded and ready to crash onto the cold, uncertain fate.
Finally, by 7:15, he was called in to proceed with the emergency. He was taking some blood and asked a few questions. Afterwards, around 7:45, he finally got on a wheelchair and was brought over to a bed while hanging all of his belongings for dear life. He was connected to the IV, EKG monitor, and other needles necessary.
I can't believe this, he thought, how much will I be spending in the ER? This is gonna hurt the bank a bit, huh?
However, upon being asked to pay upfront by a portable cashier, he was surprised based on his highest tier of insurance that the payment wasn't as bad as he believed it to be. After paying and returning his belongings securely, he closed his eyes…hoping to feel some hope.
Just around 8:30, a group of guys came in with a massive portable x-ray screen. With assistance, he moved forward a bit to allow the x-ray to go on his back. After a couple of minutes, they were done so he went back to sleep…another couple of hours have gone by…
"Mr. Marotta, the CAT scan will be ready shortly," one of the nurses informed him.
With that, he once again opened his eyes from the twilight sleep as he then felt the bed being moved over. From there he sat and lay down on another bed before being drawn in by the machine and its rotating x-rays. A contrast was inserted intravenously in order to find more details on his body. The scan proceeded as normal, getting all the images needed.
From there, he was brought back to the bedroom and once again, closed his eyes…
Finally, one of the doctors walked in, "Mr. Marotta? We have finally come to reveal the diagnosis."
"Oh?" he finally opens his eyes to listen, hoping to god it wasn't anything serious.
"It turns out you have bacterial pneumonia," she revealed.
"E-Eh!?" he gasped.
"Fortunately, this is curable. We will administer antibiotics to you," she continued, "Also, we did not find any wrong with your veins, arteries, and the lungs did not present anything lesional or anything suspicious of cancer. There's only a little shadow indicating the fluid from the pneumonia developing."
Damn, he thought, so this pain was deep and underlying…crap.
"We will have you discharged soon, okay? Make sure you get a follow-up appointment with your PCP too," she informed him before leaving the room.
Once he was finally alone again, he spilled some tears. While he was so grateful to find the answer to this pain, it was also traumatizing to the fact that his job was already stressful enough…now this happened? Why? This road of being a cytotech…from his previous company to this one…why now is the shit hitting the fan?
These bitches would never be me, he thought, not Mustard, not dickhead, not princess…none of them! Except the few like Lian but still…this work environment has been so toxic I can't even think.
He wiped his face as the nurses finally disconnected him from the IV, EKG, etc. as he was now being discharged from the ER. He half-expected to be fully admitted in but thankfully it wasn't the case. For sure he was going to have to take a sick day to ensure his health and take the proper medication.
Planet Duniya
The Final Reckoning
Kotetsu woke up to hear the loud explosion as the glass shattered in the room followed by high winds blowing into the suite. Kaede and Albert gasped to see that Alex wasn't in the bed.
"Dammit, that prince!" Kotetsu makes a fist, "What idiot gets up at this hour?!"
"The outside…look!" Albert gasped as they tried to look out to see a massive apocalyptic storm.
"We have to find him!" Kaede shouted.
They ran through the hallways as the other senshi woke up to hear the loud apocalyptic scene happening. Yamato clasped his hands together in a prayer as the Suizei Senshi huddled around him in protection.
"You guys aren't going to help us?!" Kotetsu shouted.
"Go!" Yamato answered, summoning the Yin-Yang crystal, "I'll see what I can do to hold this place…"
A soft golden-white glow enveloped the facility as Kotetsu, Kaede, and Albert ran outside. Iwamara was nothing more than a lit inferno right before their eyes as the casualties were on the rise.
Stellaluna, Kriko and the Chivashi were making progress through the roaming hills when they saw a tall burst of light in the far, far horizon. It was then followed by a series of earthquakes and explosions all around them likewise.
"Oh my god!" Kriko shouted.
"T-The Final Reckoning?!" Stellaluna gasped.
"WATCH OUT!" Mariko shouted as a big burst of rock exploded followed by magma and lava erupting.
"THIS WAY!" Haruto replied as they redirected their wings towards the west.
"We have to get to Iwamara!" Stellaluna panicked.
"Princess! Get a hold of yourself!" Kriko answered back, "Going north would kill us! This has got to be the enemy's doing!"
At the Mizu Temple, Marotta gasped to see the horrific lights of destructive energy also trying to penetrate through this sacred ground. It was very hard on him since the other Mizu Gods were reduced back to the water itself. However, there was no time. He tried to link to Alex but gasped at not sensing him anywhere on the planet.
Alex gasped to his terror with his teeth grinding and feeling stunned about what to do next. Artemis tried to shout at him in the background, but the sound of the high-speed winds and the sounds of the apocalypse were too loud. The crystal in his heart shimmered a force field to protect him from the harsh elements.
His mind echoed back to Yamato's warning…
"Suiei Rhodes…King Memnon of Rhodes…he is the guardian of singularity…"
"THIS CAN'T BE!" Alex cried out, "I-IS THAT…REALLY YOU!?"
Suiei Rhodes continues to look at him with a menacing look, raising both his fists to accelerate the Final Reckoning damage across the planet. Mountains being flattened, water being vaporized, trees being blown to bits and any remaining civilizations crumbled as the people panic to their terror. The ground cracks open as the light of the magma and lava beam the skies in heated colors.
I can't be fighting him here like this, the planet is gonna blow up, his mind screams, I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW!
Realizing his hands and arms were still moving, he quickly summoned his Macedonia Dragon Crystal Grail talisman as his Dragon Brooch was also glowing.
I have to transform and save everyone from this…monster! We have to defend this planet and protect all the sports of the Olympics! We haven't even finished our competition either and the other sports haven't even begun! This has to stop right here and now before it's too late!
"MACEDONIA DRAGON CRYSTAL…" he begins to shout, but Suiei Rhodes smirked and blasted him down into some darken void illusion in a black-red, crimson, and purple sequence like oil mixed with water. Alex's eyes were now fading away.
Moments later, the enemy appeared to him like a phantom vengeful ghost. Alex turned his head to see Memnon finally reaching him physically.
"Do you really think you are THAT capable?" Suiei Rhodes's voice echoes in the illusionary dimension, "Do YoU tHiNk You'Ll JuST ReBUILd thEIR BOdIeS tHAt INStanTLY liKe NoTHInG EVeR HaPpENEd?"
"W-we always have swum and fought together!" Alex tried to respond loudly but he couldn't get his mouth to answer. Instead, it was all in his head.
Varying images of the other worlds showed several different events taking place, including the Finals of the Medley Relay at Fukuoka, the rising of the Suiei Gods back in Ancient Greece, Alex's first appearance in Japan with conflicting intentions of right vs. wrong. The original Gen 1 timeline verses the creation of Dark Mirror timeline before finally replaying deaths of all the swimmers from the recent conflict.
"N-no. NO! S-STOP THIS!" Alex screamed as his mind raced back to the beach after the resurrection, "I PROMISED THEM WE ALL SWIM!"
More images kept flashing in and out like a series of lightning bolts striking around the vicinity. Some showed more memories of the past including the shattering and reforming of Olympia Magna, the first ever Big Bang in the Omniverse, and the awakening of Ultra Suiei Marotta during the Resurrection battle.
Other memories flashed images showing the following: the Medley teams of the Iwatobi Elementary four (Rin, Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa), Iwatobi Middle four (Haruka, Makoto, Asahi, Ikuya), Iwatobi High four (Haruka, Makoto, Rei, Nagisa), Samezuka quartet (Rin, Sousuke, Momotarou, Ai) and the Hidaka vs. Shimogami freestyle teams.
However, each of these images were shattered one by one in front of Alex, symbolizing the end of all things nearing its approach. His head was on the verge of splitting open in such intensity of pain being unleashed upon him.
Suiei Rhodes makes a laughing echo response during these displays before vanishing and then appears again in a jump scare at Alex by poking gently at his forehead, answering, "So, is that future going to really happen? The Olympics? Your happy ending? Their happy ending? Are you sure the future you speak of…will come true just like that?"
With that said, he pushed Alex downwards while soaring after him. His heart was feeling almost like tachycardia as the blood in his body was almost coagulated, making his body on the verge of dying. It was only then by realizing that the talisman was beginning to melt away, destroying his bonding life force as per the Resurrection miracle against the witches.
"Heh, once I blow this precious trash of yours away, your world will be no more!" the evil senshi replied.
Alex could feel life before his eyes with images of his parents, his brother, the swimmers, his children, Kyle, and many others, all smiling. A lone tear fell from his eyes as he could feel death approaching him. Moments later, Suiei Rhodes grabs Alex by the neck with his right hand, choking the air out of him faster.
"AT LAST, I WILL OBTAIN YOUR CRYSTAL AND POWER UP THE MOST INVINCIBLE CRYSTAL THAT TIES BOTH CHAOS AND COSMOS!" Suiei Rhodes roared with sheer joy with his eyes widening in a sickening-psychotic look. He readied his hand to make a stab through Alex's chest.
SMACK!
Suiei Rhodes gasped as he saw a pair of hands pulling Alex away from him by the shoulders. It was then followed by a blinding blast of light with a hint of a rainbow ring flickering out. The talisman returned to its normal state and Alex's eyes were being restored to life, but he still had it closed shut to avoid losing his sight.
"DAMN YOU!" Suiei Rhodes growled, staring at his foe who now donned a pair of angelic wings, threatening him.
Artemis, now in angelic form, glares at the dark senshi with a deadly look on his face, forcing him to vanish. Cali was also in her human form with angel wings with a look on her face at the enemy. Angered, Memnon vanishes from the spell as everything turned back to reality around Alex and Artemis. The Talisman and the Crystal both unleashed great powers to miraculously reverse the damage caused by this evil force.
All the buildings, the mountains, water, and life returned to normal, and the blasts of destructive energy disappeared. An explosion of cherry blossoms rained down in Neo Sportsbrooke and Iwamara especially with rings of light encircling the entire planet. What felt like an eternity of destruction only lasted a few minutes or so as the remaining surviving humans were confused but relieved that the worst had not happened after all.
As for Alex, he was still in a semi-comatose state from the shock of this encounter. Artemis sat down next to him as the power was now glowing softly before shutting off.
That was way too close, Artemis thought, just now when I grabbed him, I felt great power…even stronger than the Macedonia Dragon Crystal…d-did something powered him up all this time?
"PRINCE!" Kotetsu arrived with Kaede and Albert as Artemis turned to them.
"What the hell was that!?" Kaede shouted.
"It's alright now, the enemy disappeared," Artemis answered as he looked at Cali (in cat form again) lying next to him.
"W-What!?" Albert gasped, "T-they were here!?"
"…Yes," Artemis said, "They attacked but we pushed them back. However, Alex needs to rest."
Kaede looked at the landscape and agreed, "The world…it's normal again. That apocalypse…was it really caused by our enemy?"
Artemis nodded, "Alex was able to keep the faith of everyone in him. He can stand up against Suiei Rhodes mentally!"
"Then, the training by Masaki has paid off," Kotetsu narrowed his eyes as he picked up Alex in a bridal style. Cali got up with a bit of a stretch of her feet before going back with the group.
"We have to hurry to the others!" Albert said as Kaede nodded.
The five, along with the cat, made it back to Iwamara Swim World as Alex was falling asleep again finally. Masaki and Minato were awake to hear what happened as they too felt the great cataclysmic event that just took place.
"I'm glad he's faring well," Masaki answered.
"I'll stay with him," Kotetsu said as they returned to the main suite. He placed Alex back in bed while pulling up a sleeping mat, pillow, and blanket of his own to stay right by him.
"You've gotten really strong Kotetsu," Masaki complimented him, "I knew one day you'd do something great."
"T-thank you," Kotetsu shrugged, "My story with this man is rather complicated."
"We're also gonna head back to the city at dawn," Minato added, "Something happened at the temple, and we need to check our friends."
Memnon, why do you hold such animosity to the prince, Kotetsu thought, why are you making a war now after all this time of nothing?
Hours Later: Breakfast
Alex sat at the table with barely an appetite let alone drinking his espresso. His parents, brother, and the girls noticed this and encouraged him to eat.
At the other end of the table, the remaining survivors of the Swimming Guardians were in their own discussion on the matter.
"Pootsie, I know what you're thinking…and this is not your fault," the mother reassured him.
With a nudge, he finally eats slowly on the bacon and biscuits. His memory flashed back to when he and Haruka shared their first time that one night and by the next morning Rei called them out. It was so awkward back then, but it was nothing as disastrous as this. Even though the betrayal happened, and the entire story changed, they still found their way back together.
Anastasia was also feeling crestfallen upon the fact that Kyle was also killed as the girls were silent likewise. Moments later, Gou and Isuzu walked in with their own sad/peaceful expressions on their faces. However, Alex couldn't imagine how Gou was feeling after finding out that her brother was killed off.
"Have I failed?" he muttered.
"No, you have not little human," a voice said.
Everyone turned to see a tall-ish figure dressed in a semi-skintight outfit in galactic, spacey colors. He wore a crystalized, transparent cape with lights that changed color. The symbol on his forehead closely resembled that of a butterfly but it was followed by the same four shapes of the Articoran Spirits. Romio and Shizuru were also present with Ayumu, Kaoru, and Misaki.
"T-those guys…" Kotetsu gasped as he recalled those four from a while back during the Dark Curse of Hollywood Heights.
"Been some time there Kotetsu," Shizuru greeted.
"Yeah, I'll say," he replied.
"What brought you guys back here?" Alex asked.
"Thanks to the message from your Mizu God, we have come," the figure announced.
Alex's eyes widened in fascination on this being before him…it certainly felt like Rei, but it wasn't the megane at the same time. He got up to approach this person followed by the Macedonia Trio.
"Who are you?" Kaede asked.
"What a polite way to ask," Romio rolled his eyes.
"…I am the Guardian of Time, the Master of the Four Fundamentals of all the Omniverses. Suiei Kronos, the final Primordial Senshi," he answered.
"Kronos…as in Father Time," Albert grew a bit fascinated.
"Did something happen in Articora?" Alex asked.
"We moved ourselves to this world as Terabithia would one day become Earth 2400 and start the story of the Element Lords," Kronos answered, "Thus it is not our place to be in their way. Magic still exists there…just not under our watch."
"The purpose of Articora was to help you swimmers get back together after Rei turned dark the first time," Ayumu revealed, "And that has been long fulfilled. Now, our purposes have changed as we now align with you all for the Final Reckoning."
"Not all of us can go to where Memnon's located," Kronos said, "But with the right team to go there, I am sure the future will bless you all."
Alex clutched his fist to his heart, "So many lives were lost. Under normal circumstances, I blame myself for everything because of my perfectionism. After learning to love and forgive myself, I can't succumb to relapse."
He turned to his family, the Suizei team and Yamato briefly before continuing, "Everyone that I love has faced their own trial of conflict. I can't be the one to save them every time. However, this time…I am ready to face my destiny and save everyone. What happens after…is not on me.
"I can't change what has happened…but I can change in what I am about to do…"
Cali flirted around his legs, prompting him to pick her up as she meowed briefly. He turned to Sergi and answered, "I'm going."
"P-Pootsie?" the mother looks at him, almost ready to tear up.
"I'm going to where Memnon is at," Alex looks at his family, "Our fight, ends today."
Our World, Beta!Earth:
August 2022
After undergoing another CT scan on his lungs, the young worker was back at the Boswell office, continuing to go about his workday. It was at least a Friday, and all seemed peaceful. He wasn't feeling as sick compared to where he was weeks ago.
His cell phone rings, prompting him to answer.
"Hello. This is a call coming from your medical office," the Nurse Practitioner answered, "We have updates on your CT scan."
"Yes, please proceed," he said, hoping for an improvement with the current medication.
"It's not getting better," she answered.
"Um…what? Excuse me. Did you say NOT as in N-O-T?" he asked as his heart suddenly sank with despair.
"Afraid so. We will have you scheduled to meet with the pulmonologist very soon," she replied, "A call will be sent to you."
"Of course, thank you," Sandro sighed before hanging up the phone…
A-Am, I…dying, he thought, what the hell is happening!? No…I can't…if anything happens to my lungs…I…I'll…
The stress levels elevated in his veins, coming to realize that so many things happened in a short period of time. The confrontation from work led him to go hiking to cool off…why is it that fate likes to punish people?
In the days that followed, he received another blood work as it was confirmed for Valley Fever. He suspected it first during the ER but that test showed negative. It must need time to manifest and grow in his body.
Upon meeting with the pulmonologist, he discovered three lung nodules were formed in the Right Middle Lobe, one was 12 mm, the second was 8 mm and the third one at 7 mm. There was also a consolidation around 3.3 x 3.7 cm in size.
This is terrible, he thought, but at least it's treatable but had I not gone in that ER…could I have died?
Planet Duniya
With all the recent happenings taking place in the past week or so, the people of Neo Sportsbrooke began to continue their normal lives slowly as the evacuees began their trip back. The ads for the Olympics were still there but it was certainly not a hot topic. However, Miho wouldn't let this event be completely cancelled, only postponed for the time being.
Even though the Chirottori Castle and Frostella were also returned to their original glory, the people and the Mullerians from these attacks had not resurfaced. Families were torn and devastated by the loss of their loved ones.
In one of the music studios, Laura P. was busy on the newly released song before all this happened, 'un buon inizio'.
"Tu lo sai dove va, La vita senza il coraggio
(You know where it goes, A life without courage)
Rimane vera a metà, come una statua di ghiaccio
(Remains half as real, Like a statue of ice)
Scomparirà pian piano quello che ho passato
(It will slowly, slowly vanish that I have passed through)
Come dediche a mano sopra un libro usato
(Like handwritten decorations in a used book)
Bisogna dare il giusto peso ad uno sbaglio
(One needs to give mistakes in due credit)
Le cicatrici servono a volare meglio
(The scars serve to fly better)
Quando ci metto l'anima, E poi mi perdo d'animo
(When I make peace with my soul, It then makes me feel weary)
È il mondo che crolla, Ma la mia testa dura no
(And the world crumbles, But my head says no)"
Iwamara
Alex stood alone in the room with this new music being played as he did some deep breathing exercises to calm his nerves. He had a mission…one that must be fulfilled. A promise is a promise.
Cade il sorriso dalle labra, Come un bicchiere che si rompe sul pavimento
(My smile falls from my lips, And breaks like glass on the pavement)
Ci son parole come bombe che brucian dentro, Ma non le ascolterò
(There are bombing words that burn, But I will not listen)
Non lascio vincere la rabbia, E cresce come una foresta il mio cambiamento
(I won't let the anger win, And grow and change like the forest)
Scambio quello che temevo per ciò che sento
E non è molto
(I trade for which I feared, I feel. It's not much)
Ma almeno è un buon inizio
(But at least it's a good start).
He turns his head to see Kaede, Kotetsu, and Albert standing by the doorway. They walked in as Alex closed off the music.
"Wh-what are you guys?" he asked.
"You're not going to face Memnon alone," Kaede said, "You're not the only one who lost anything."
"We have made our decision as well," Albert added.
"Plus, this would be a time for us to catch up on some stuff along the way," Kotetsu grinned slightly.
"Don't forget we're not from the same exact universe," Kaede looks at him.
"The memories of the body remember," Alex answered.
"You're not going to push us back," Albert added, "We too, are swimmers who lost our worthy opponents and friends to this bastardous evil."
"Is that even a word?" Kaede asked.
"I never wanted to push anyone like that," Alex replied, "And thank you for believing in me. It does mean a lot."
"Yeah. Oh by the way, Masaki and Minato rushed back to the city," Kotetsu added, "They sensed something wrong was happening at the shrine."
"I'll have to thank them later for the mental training," he nodded, "And I'm sorry."
"Geeze, you're quite the package there," Kotetsu sighed, "I guess that part hasn't changed from ya, Alexander…?"
"If you guys don't mind, I am going back to Sandro," he replied.
"Alright then, Sandro," Kotetsu answered. "Are you ready to head out and kick some villain's ass?"
Gou, Isuzu, Kisumi, Artemis, and Ayumu were in the lobby area discussing some stuff while the Suizei Senshi were talking to their prince about what they were going to do next.
"I still can't believe they have been alive all this time," Gou said, looking at the Kazuki, Takuya, Toru, and Shouta.
"Talk about a plot twist indeed," Kisumi sighed as he looked at his grown-up brother, "I feel horrible not spending time with him."
"We'll be reunited, I am sure," Isuzu said, trying hard to not cry.
"Let's put our faith in the Swimming Guardians we have left as well as the Greatest Light," Ayumu replied.
"Aren't you going to join them?" Isuzu looks at Artemis.
"Originally yes, but with my twin invading Camelot, I need to head to that realm and settle the score there," Artemis answered.
Nearby, the Marotta family (minus Alex) were talking among themselves, wondering what to do next. The father looks at the newest song being released as an idea came to his mind.
"Sandro used to listen to a lot of her growing up," he explained to his granddaughter.
"Yeah, he told me about her too," she nodded, "Quite a fabulous singer. Though I'm still confused on how she is here in this world."
"Same," Niki agreed.
"Well, at least we can enjoy something from home, music wise," Laura answered, "I wonder if I was named after her for that reason, hehe."
"Gurrll," Maya sighed.
Anastasia turned to her fiancée Roxana as she too was wondering what would happen after all this. Their wedding day was originally going to be after the swimming portion of the Olympics was completed. Today would've been marked as the final day for that as well (6 days).
Finally, the Chivashi, along with Kriko and Stellaluna also arrived at the ISW to see these groups of people talking. Anastasia and Roxana reunited with Stellaluna with a sigh of relief, welcoming her. The Chivashi went over to the group that had Gou, Isuzu, Ayumu and Kisumi.
"What the hell happened?" Mariko asked.
"Those tremors, all that destructive light…" Reiji recalled.
"You saw them too, huh?" Ayumu replied, "They were signs of the Final Reckoning. However, it seems Alex…Ultra Suiei Marotta was able to push back the enemy."
"That was a little freaky to be honest," Natsuhisa said.
"Coming from you saying that…" Rikuto smirked.
"Well, the entire planet was on the verge of blowing up," he pouted.
"Are the others…?" Mariko asked but paused to see their faces lowered.
"That bitch, taking my kill for himself," Natsuhisa growled.
"That's not funny," Gou answered.
"Now you're crossing the line there Natsuhisa," Reiji smacks him on the head.
"Wait a sec," Kisumi looked at the Chivashi, "If you guys are still alive…"
"Yeah…and…?" Mariko asked.
Gou's eyes widened too as she realized, "That makes sense!"
"What are you guys talking about?" Reiji asked.
"You guys share some connection to Makoto, Haruka, Nagisa, Rin, and Rei…right?" she asked.
"Not directly but…sure?" Rikuto rubbed the back of his head, confused.
"Gou, I don't think that's how the Heart Crystals even work," Ayumu sighed.
"Probably…" she felt defeated there.
Mizu Lake
Mizu Marotta brought over Misaki, Kaoru, Romio and Shizuru together as they were undergoing some deep meditation session together. With a somewhat blessing from Kronos, this Mizu God wasn't ready to give up. He could only pray that this little operation would work for the team during the upcoming final battle.
Before losing Ryugazaki, Marotta was able to get notes and instructions on how to do this little project, determined to keep the future alive. The four humans were glowing in their own unique colors as the water in the lake was having a rippling effect.
Back at the ISW, Hayato finally approaches his older brother, "Hey. I am so happy to have reunited with you for a bit. I know it's hard for me to say…"
"This isn't a goodbye alright," Kisumi sniffled a little, "You'll be back here, you better."
"I will," Hayato chuckled, "I'll show you my backstroke too."
"I'm sure it's just as fabulous," Kisumi answered.
"Are they…?" Kazuki asked the others.
"Give him his time," Yamato said, "He needs to process a lot what has happened."
"Hopefully once this is all said and done…we can do some swimming here too," Takuya replied, "I know Rin and Ai would like that."
"Say, I know this sounds crazy but…I had this idea in mind," Shouta said.
"Oh? Do tell," Toru grinned.
Finally, Alex went downstairs with the Macedonia trio as he was now going to say farewell to his family. They were going back and forth between the lobby and the cafeteria.
"Mom, dad…Sergi…" he hugged them, "Please take care of Cali for me. And also…thank you for everything."
The cat meowed a bit sadly as he lowered down to her level and brushed her fur, "I'll be okay. We'll have our future together."
"Pootsie, there's something we haven't told you yet," the mother said.
Dad redirected Alex's attention to turn around and sure enough…Articora!Alex was there with tears on his face.
"Oh my god!" Original!Alex cried as they both hugged.
"I felt all your pain even in me," the twin said, "I am so sorry for all this."
"I'm glad you're okay too," Original!Alex replied, wiping his tears, "Since you don't possess any magic, I know you'll be better off. At least one of us needs to be here for this family."
"That may be, but…I am sure you know of what happened with Rei and all that," he shrugged.
"His sacrifice, his transition to Kronos…I won't let it go in vain," Original!Alex looks at him, "I'll do what I can to save him too. You guys weren't even married for long and that's not fair."
"You're right. Don't overdo it though," the twin answered, "I'll stay here with the family."
"Wait, but you can't swim either, is that true?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, I do sink like a rock, hehe," Articora!Alex chuckled sadly, "But I might try to do more hiking and stuff like that."
"Sounds good," he smiled before turning to Sergi, "If anything happens in the book, let me know…somehow. I don't know how fast messages from here to there will be but…"
"I'm sure you'll know what you have to do," Sergi reassured him, "You just need to find it."
Alex nodded as he turned to the girls and gave them all hugs, "Ana, when we get back…I say…we should get you and your fiancée married first before we resume the Olympics. Seeing that it's postponed for now…well…"
"We'll decide about that," she chuckled, "But I get it. We'll celebrate life for everyone for sure."
"Thank you for blessing us both," Roxana bowed briefly, "Now go save the rest of the family and friends."
Walking to the exit from the cafeteria, he looks at everyone with love and hope before continuing his way to the front of the facility. The people in the lobby area turned to see the four.
Suiei Kronos turns to him, "So you have decided?"
"Yes, I have made my farewells to the family," he replied.
He looks at Gou, Kisumi, Isuzu, and Ayumu and adds, "We will do our best to bring your loved ones back. Have faith in us. And also…thank you for letting me be a part of this chapter since the beginning, Gou."
Gou's eyes widened as her mind flashed back to when Alex first arrived in Iwatobi.
"I know I wasn't in a good frame of mind back then," he continued, "And I apologize for all that I have done."
"You have changed for the better," she reassured him, "We all have seen it. I'm glad you have become a far better version of yourself."
"And with that I will save everyone," he vowed.
"Where is your Mizu God?" Ayumu asked.
"I said my farewell to him earlier this morning," he replied, "He said he has some stuff to do so I'll just leave him at that."
Alex turns his attention to Yamato and the Suizei Senshi team, "Let's go."
They walked outside as the Chivashi and Kriko were talking in some discussion likewise about stuff. The Mullerians turned to them.
"And you guys…?" Mariko asked.
"We're going to find Memnon," Alex revealed, "The rest of this world is safe for the time being. If you want to go back to Chirottori, you may."
"I may stop in Frostella to see if there are still survivors left," Kriko answered.
"Then I guess we don't have much left to do then," Reiji shrugged.
"What about Stellaluna?" Mariko asked.
"She wanted to stay here for now with those human girls," Rikuto replied.
"Damn, you bitches better kick some ass out there," Natsuhisa added, "Tell that blonde boy that he owes me a fun drink or two."
With that, the Chivashi took off in two separate directions, leaving the humans alone along with Suiei Kronos. Alex took a few deep breaths as his heart ached still from all this. However, he cannot let himself nor the rest of the team down.
"It's gonna be alright," Yamato said, "Once you transform, we'll head to my domain first."
"Sounds good," he nodded.
Raising his hand upwards, Alex finally cries out, "MACEDONIA DRAGON CRYSTAL POWERRRRRRR…MAAAAKKKKEEEE UP!"
He swipes his other hand over the glowing brooch as magical dragon neon lights erupt out and the chain shimmered.
Alex's forehead glowed as the dragon symbol while the Golden Sun Suiei Dragon Chain flickered to life, summoning colors that represented the Iwasame Senshi. He briefly opened his eyes before shutting them closed again as he spun in a circular dance in his rainbowy body glow. From there, a bunch of feathers rained down and merged together into his massive wings.
Within the dark indigo ombre with sky blue background, Alex floated in midair with several Koi Carp swimming around before turning into ribbons of blue, white, and pink energy. He raised up the Dragon Holy Grail above his head as it now blended into his transparent body before that energy drifted into the chalice. Moments later, it glowed like a star, erupting great light before finally donning his outfits.
A long-length blue, white, and yellow ribbon-shaped material ringed around his open corpse that was now marked with azure and yellow tattoos on his shoulders, upper arms, and wrists. His skirt was an asymmetrical (longer one side, shorter other side) white in base but with accents of dark blue, red-magenta, and golden-yellow with sky-blue trimming.
From there, he flipped briefly upside down as he donned a white and pink pair of boots with sapphire crystals and yellow underside and trim. The dragon symbol glowed softly on his forehead with the wings trimmed off and became costume-sized merely for decoration.
Balancing himself back upright, the Astro Solar Destiny Tiare appeared in a crystal-spiked head piece with the main rod length in white with gold and turquoise accents. He opened his eyes and made a small smile of hope as he grabbed the staff, striking a new signature pose. A massive neon glow of the dragon flashed beneath his feet.
Completed with this transformation dance, Alex looks at the other guardians also ready in their proper attire. Only this time, they all had massive pairs of wings on their backs. Suiei Kronos also had donned a set of wings likewise.
"The journey to Suizei will be on a direct route through the dimensions," Kronos explained, "But…the path to the Edge of all Omniverse won't be."
"You're not coming with us?" Kaede asked.
"I must remain here to ensure that the entire balance of our existence does not shift in the slightest," Kronos answered before turning to Alex, "Ultra Suiei Marotta…no…Neo King Alexander, you must remember to have faith in your family and friends even if they are not by your side."
"…I need them all back," he replied after a silent moment, "I cannot let Memnon nor Chaos torture them any further. What I've done…back then, I know I deserved to be punished. However, even if I continue to change and evolve as a person, I still continue to suffer…my husband, my family, my friends…the Mizu Gods, they all have been in great danger because of me."
"As expected," Kronos answered, "Very well…"
A massive doorway appeared before them before opening to the path of the stars as Kronos continued, "This final battle…is going to decide the fate of all the realms. Make decisions as your beliefs dictate."
The Suiei Guardian watched as the Quintet Suizei Senshi, Yamato, Alex, Kaede, Albert, and Kotetsu walked their way to the entrance before it closed shut and vanished.
The entire planet of Duniya, despite being restored to normal, still felt a silent graveyard…with murky clouds, uncertain survivals waiting in terror of what will become of themselves. With so many lives taken and now at stake, it was only a matter of time before Chaos would finally take root on this planet and continue its multidimensional conquest.
All the cities rest and exposed, waiting for some sign of hope that will bring everything back to life.
A single, white, pure feather drifted down from the scattered winds…landing in the spot that the group stood before departing.
"Everyone…please don't give up…" Alex's echoing voice could be heard across the land.
Rhodinean Cathedral Palace
Watching all these events happening, Memnon finally grins to see the Greatest Light leaving this planet open and vulnerable. Regardless, it wasn't the planet that he was truly after…even when making that attempt to destroy it.
"Such a small, trashy world even for a battle with you," Memnon muttered.
He turned to Suiei Shadow Dalton, Iwahara and Maurer and thanked them for the efforts so far before dismissing them for the time being. Once he was finally alone again, Memnon turned back to the crystal spheroid as he looked at other varying events taking place including one of which Haruka and Rin got into a bad argument after Sydney, some time around the holiday season.
All the crystals from the Takagami Senshi, the Iwasame Senshi as well as their close allies were floating high above with the empty shell of the Chaosmos Crystal. It was finally all in a matter of time before they would get here…to this domain.
"People crumble…so does trash," Memnon said, "And now…with what I have here, the stage will finally begin. I want to become stronger, faster, and stronger and stronger…until I AM UNBEATABLE."
『劇場版Free! Cosmos Rebirth Chronicle』- Journey's End
the First Volume – END
Aahhhhhhhhhh
(We could be free…be free…)
Aahhhhhhhhhh
Anywhere we are, anywhere we go…
Anywhere we are, anywhere we go…
Aahhhhhhhhhh
Anywhere we are, anywhere we go…
Anywhere we are, anywhere we go…
Aahhhhhhhhhh
My whole squad in here, it takes skill to be real
Absolutely time to heal between us!
Aahhhhhhhhhh
Let me explain, just how great
Poseidon is always within my kingdom!
Catch the wave!
Hold on to it
Never let go again….ha!
Nowhere to hide….
Dive in to the new world…ah!
Come and get it now, whatever you want…
Come and get it now, whatever you need…
Ooohhhhhhhhh
Aahhhhhhhhhh
Anywhere we are, anywhere we go…
Anywhere we are, anywhere we go…
-We could be free (shorter version).
After Thought:
"Sometimes, I do imagine…what if I am not the only…me out in this mysterious, endless universe. Writing these stories has made me believe that such realities are possible.
Will I ever cross their paths? Will doing so screw up the time continuum of all existence?
These realities have their happiness, sadness, pain, and hope…just like my world.
My story…my dream…my pain…together, shaped my destiny.
Do reflections in the mirror lead to such infinite possibilities? Does the physical universe even hold such alternate stories?
Someday…I will die. I know I will.
And someday, these stories will disappear into the depths of the internet…or deleted entirely if our species becomes extinct.
Someday…my memories of Free! and other things might fade away to the void as I age closer to death.
However, I do hope…that someday…my true dream comes true:
Forgive myself, forgive others, and ensuring that love finally wins…forever.
That is why…I must continue to believe in myself and in these stories that I created no matter how many years go by.
Whatever our destiny may be, I know I will finally…achieve mine's."
To Be Concluded…
『劇場版Free! Cosmos Rebirth Chronicle』- Journey's End
the Second Volume – PV
Makoto: Hey, Haru…can you believe how long this entire journey has been? Not just for us…
Haruka: Many others before us too…have suffered but found their inner peace.
Makoto: But in the end, we always found our way back together.
Rei: Indeed, both on our best and worst days…I am happy for what our team has become.
Nagisa: And you too Rei-chan! Even after all what has happened to us, I…I couldn't be prouder of you. Your love together with ours…has prevailed even the darkest of depths that Chaos has ever thrown!
Sousuke: Rin, if it really wasn't for your ambition especially, I would have given up…my dream.
Rin: S-Sousuke…
Ai: It has been a long road for all versions of ourselves…from the very beginning.
Momo: And I can't wait to see what will become of our swimming!
Asahi: Ikuya, Natsuya, and all of us guardians…we really have grown to protect what is precious.
Ikuya: Not just our kings but also to the existence of water…
Natsuya: I say we couldn't have done any better.
Nao: Indeed. And soon…I say, the day of champions will finally arrive.
Alex: E-everyone…please don't give up on yourselves!
Memnon: Time's running out…dear Alexander…hurry to me! And then, I'll show you the truth about your powers…your so-called friends…and your disenchanted future you fantasize about!
Kaede: How long will you keep that cool face of yours?
Kotetsu: Don't make us laugh!
Alex: This battle is not like any other…everyone I love…is clinging to dear life without its container. I won't let Memnon nor Chaos destroy all the realms even if I end up dying in the process!
Tsubasa: That light…is it?
Seijuurou: We only have one way to find out!
Apollo: YOU DESERVE TO BE ALONE AND THAT'S HOW YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!
Artemis: If this is how I have to go out, showing you that there are people who love you, no matter what you do, then that's a worthy END for me!
Sergi: Next time…Free! Cosmos Rebirth Chronicle - Journey's End…all of the memories…are in your heart, dear brother.
Alex: I promised all of them…to get their happy ending! I owe them that! This enemy…how can we even…if I am the only one left?
Makoto: I swim…
Haruka: Free…
Rin: For the Team…
Nagisa: For my precious bonds…
Rei: Together with all our beauty…
Alex: …That's right…I swim for my Destiny!
All Senshi: UNITY! DUTY! DESTINY!
Albert: And now…400 m ahead…to the future…with everyone!
Sergi: Let's go home…Sandro…and finally get the happy ending you and everyone deserve!
Narrator: The story since Free! The Last Race & Free! Memories of the Sea…will soon finally draw to a close!
After 3 Generations…from the Time Loop…to the Heart of the Sixth Magic…to a long voyage of friends and lovers…to rebuilding a world of sports and coexisting happily…and finally…resurrecting a team that was forcibly written out by Chaos…
This…is their last race…
Will they FINALLY swim Happily Ever After?
Alex: I promise, we will all swim happily ever after!
~See you ONE LAST WATER TIME…December 5, 2023~
Visual:
A shoreline showing a photo on the sand, showing six champions with faces blurred, torn in half, and in grayscale…the future hangs…
A familiar tune could be heard…
"Don't give up! For the Future, Swimming Yell!"
"For the team, we will win this, Swimming Star!"
"Hear my promises, from within, Eternal Blueeeeeeee!"