~19 Fr: Operation Last Rites – III: The Final Stroke
Light was born from the darkness
And thus expanded the universe
Cosmos created the first world
But Chaos pursues to end the last world
Stories of everyone must face the curse.
Only two futures are known
Both of which will result in the end of all existence
They died in each other's hands.
That is how it all goes
The endless cycle of eternity
The strongest light will face the final battle and it too…
Must confront its destiny with the Chaos.
-Callback to Gen 2.0's final arc from Free! Eternal Swim Chronicle -The Last World-
Storyline A: The Final Reckoning
At long last, the two pawns of Chaos and Cosmos were drawn into The Final Reckoning as their powers collided in an explosive finale. Alex tried to push Memnon back, but the latter was already making a sickening grin. Finally, Memnon pushed Alex down towards the floor before choking him.
For a moment, Alex could see the life through Memnon's eyes in Ancient and in Modern-day Greece being a second rate. However, it was hard to fully comprehend it as the air was slowly being forced from his lungs.
"Being in Rhodes, that island was nothing but trash! After you murdered my brother, I escaped to a future that would've been a fresh start. However, that place was just like trash back then! Of course, fate has a funny way of our paths being crossed again...being the shadow, a second-rate...then again, your career was nothing more than a fraud!" Memnon choked his hands onto Alex as the latter gasped for air.
S-Second rate, w-what is he, Alex thought.
"I guess you're too stupid to remember. Do you remember Rio? I was your opponent in the Olympics of 2016…Maxime Redding!" Memnon revealed as he released his hands from choking his prey to allow this information to seep in, "Honestly living in the Modern Day Greece was no better than back then! Everyone would laugh at me, doubting my rising swimming abilities! They all focused on you and that trashy charisma that was only smoke and mirrors!"
"Y-you..." Alex's eyes widened in horror.
"Eventually, my powers did come to life, but I opt to turning them dark…thanks to a mutual whom you killed later on. Thanks to her and the Dark One, I met Chaos…who promised me to grant my wish…a planet…to rule the entire Omniverse! But in order to get started, I fused myself with that other…me…that other Memnon and I, we both suffered horrible losses thanks to you and the other you!" he continued.
T-that can't be, Alex thought, the witches were able to split the timelines all the way that far back?!
"Watching all your stories from the Time Loop to invading Planet Duniya, I knew that world is the chosen one…that will soon be in my grasp. The power of being a Swimming Guardian is the answer to my needs!" Memon grinned as he lowered himself closer to Alex, almost wanting this seductive gaze. He touched his enemy's cheek and was ready to bestow a kiss.
At the right second, Alex kicked Memon off of him with his knees, getting up slowly to his feet as he cried out, "The strength of being a Swimming Guardian comes from your teammates! Together they bring peace and justice to everyone around us including our family and our friends!"
Replying with a sickening laugh, Memon answered, "Love? Friends? Huddling together like trash is more like it. Only power is what is to believe in! The source of the Omniverse created by Cosmos after separating from Chaos…that same physical energy seen in the crystals inhabiting such small fragments of that power. They are the entire source of existence!"
Memnon turned to the floating crystals and continued, "Even now I can revive and kill your friends again and again as I wish!"
For a split second the crystals did bring back the teammates but instantly faded away, teasing Alex to the core. Memnon walked over towards Kyle as the man was still under the influence of the darkness with blank eyes. The evil King turned to his foe to continue his words.
"But you already knew that, deep down in your heart. Those crystals…are just the foolish things along with what you preach about….do you REALLY think your future will still happen?" Memon grins, "Everything you've done to do better for yourself…is FUTILE and TRASH! You're just as a sinner as I am next in line!"
Angered, offended, and livid, Alex finally comes to the words of courage, "Everyone that I cherished, everyone that shares a part of my life; my family, my friends, their words, their hands, all their existence has shown me what true love is…"
Getting to his knees, Alex closes his eyes to reflect on all the damage he caused since the very beginning after arriving in Iwatobi for the first time, continuing, "It's not about lusting for a sexual fantasy and making them do your dirty vengeful work just because of past traumatic experiences from others.
"No. That's what YOU believe in as destruction!"
The words have got him back on his feet as he stares into the eyes of the evil before him. He had enough of being pushed around again and again. His hands grip tighter on the tiare, readying himself for whatever may be happening next. Around him, he could feel a great warmth of light emitting from his body.
"And yet, the powers of all their crystals, together with the bonds of our swimming have led me here to confront you! The fact that I made it this far and why I am still alive…AND being able to swim and fight…is all because of everyone…THAT, I, LOVE!"
He swings his tiare and raises it up, unleashing the colors from the head of the weapon as he stares at his enemy's eyes with pure determination,
"THAT, IS, WHAT MAKES SOMEONE…A SWIMMING GUARDIAN!"
Memnon scowled at the comeback before jumping into thin air. Moments later, he fired more blasts to throw Alex off again, but the latter dodged and watched Memnon fleeing the area.
Moments later, he could hear his enemy's raging thoughts echoing the entire palace.
"That bastard knows nothing! How can he be chosen to hold such great power directly to the Chaomos Crystal?! He's destroyed my home, my fortune, my life!"
"I'll make him pay for all of his undocumented crimes against mankind! I'll do whatever it takes to get his power! Together with the Chaomos Crystal and all the others, I will at last destroy the laws of Chaos and Cosmos!"
Alex ran through the cold hallways before finding Memnon in an endless, infinite chamber of white and black mixed with some galactic, spacey background. He realized that he was on a platform ledge that had an end point leading to falling doom to who knew where.
"W-what is…this?" Alex's eyes widened.
"The Holy Land of Chaos and Cosmos…" Memnon explained, "This…is the Edge of the Omniverse. The very Big Bang's actual borderline that once held the shell of the two before Cosmos exploded out, crafting the first universe to ever exist. The line between the two is the Omnion…the particle that keeps them from uniting.
"Everything that existed in the Omniverse…whether it be from mathematics to science…to philosophy to sociology…life…death…religion…fiction…the five elements…magic…alchemy…common trash, Swimming Guardians, and even the Mahotsukai as a byproduct from Cosmos. All is born and all returns here to die."
"This is where it will be our ultimate showdown."
"Memnon…you don't have to do this," Alex answered calmly, breathing gently, "You can still turn away from that temptation of destruction."
Memnon chuckled darkly, ignoring this plea, "Everything that I have brought over will soon cease to exist! All the crystals I have collected! Once they break…every version…every existence of them will soon be destroyed and returned back to this very ground of conception! I will finally become the Greatest Guardian of the Sole Omniverse, the Ultimate Creator!"
"STOP NO!" Alex screamed as the gigantic fusion of the crystals, both family, friends, the guardians, and other endless symbolism of existence itself were being tossed right into the wall, being absorbed by the light and dark.
Gen 1.0!Alex gasped to his horror as the crystals that were shining brightly above the swimmers were starting to disintegrate. Their bodies were also beginning to crumble away likewise.
Panicked, he rushed to look for Neo King Julius but even now this 'afterlife paradise' was starting to feel warped and twisting upon itself. However, even NKJ felt something horribly wrong as his own body was feeling its breakdown.
No doubt this was the clear of the Omniverse and the will of Chaos finally almost at its completion of returning everything to singularity.
The same horrific nightmares that Alex saw back on Planet Duniya were now becoming a reality as both the Alpha!Earth and Spherus Magna were starting to feel the effects of destruction.
Multiple gaps in space-time were growing in both of these realms as Alex could see the stories of several realms beginning to fade away. One symbolic moment showed the vanishing of the swimming photos at the ISCR and the photobook in the Matsuoka family was also beginning to disappear.
Tokyo began to disappear as well as Iwatobi followed by Sydney as time-space gaps threatened the universe's existence.
No one in the Alpha!Earth seemed to notice what was happening as the canon storyline was beginning to revert back to imagination as the Beta!Earth could feel a subtle effect as fans would move onto other stories, looking for something to fill their "emptiness".
The black hole was starting to fuel energy and more horrific colors leaking out as physics began to break and shatter the laws.
Edge of the Omniverse
Stunned by what he witnessed, Alex's mind went totally blank for a solid minute as Memnon stared at him, waiting for a reaction to explode.
E-everyone…no, Alex's mind screamed; this was SUPPOSED TO BE A RESCUE MISSION! DID MEMNON JUST DO THE IMPOSSIBLE BY UNDOING THEM!? A-ARE THEY NOTHING MORE THAN…NOTHING!?
Alex could sense the fading away of all the other realities as there was not much time left. His raging blood coursed through his body as he charged at his foe.
"I WILL NOT FORGIVE YOU! MEMNNOOONNNNNNN!"
He readied his staff to attack, but it was blocked by the response of explosive dark magic. When his vision recovered, he gasped to see Kyle standing next to Memnon.
"OH YES! MORE! FEED YOUR ANGER TO THIS ABYSS! SOON YOU WILL FEEL THE SAME SOLITUDE THAT I SUFFERED! That will awaken the true power within you!"
Alex was in arm's reach to Kyle but before he could get to him, Memnon pushed the fallen warrior over the ledge as he was falling at first to the void before being thrown into the wall likewise like a rocket. His body melted and merged into the wall of the unknown.
"KYLEEEEE!" Alex shouted, "ODYSSEEUUSSSSSSSS!"
"I Memon will fulfill this sacred task! YOU ARE TO BE DESTROYED BY CHAOS ONCE AND FOR ALL!"
Memnon readied to fire another of his spells and blasted another Persian Chaotic Inflation, but it was blocked by someone. Angered, he tried to see where it was coming from, but it didn't matter at this point. Alex was finally breaking down to agony and defeat by the total loss of all that he held dear.
"I hope you harnessed all your powers ready against Chaos!" Memnon continued, "Soon, the two of you will finally be face to face!"
Alex fell to his knees in tears as Memnon laughed wildly before making his victory stance, shouting, "CHAOS! LORD OF EVIL, DARKNESS AND THE VOID, I PRESENT YOU THE STRONGEST SWIMMING GUARDIAN! HIS POWER WILL BE THE FINAL INGREDIENT TO YOUR FREEDOM SO YOU CAN UNITE WITH COSMOS!"
Moments later, an explosion of dark energy roared behind him before blasting Memnon in electrical magic. Without realizing it, Alex rushed and grabbed his foe out of the way and they both crashed to the ground. Artemis and Apollo charged right in while the Articorans were still guarding the entrance as they were all horrified to see what was happening.
"W-WHAT'S HAPPENING!?" Romio shouted.
Artemis threw a protective barrier over Alex and Memnon as the space-time around them grew darker and more volatile at that moment. High speed winds drafted the entire area as everyone could feel the wrath of Chaos finally being unleashed.
Moments later, a massive, amorphous being of darkness erupted from the wall as a pair of eyes made of solid dark energy appeared. It stared at the humanoid figures below before finally sensing…
"Ooooohhhh…yes, such power! One that ties to the greatest power of my other half! It has finally arrived here to me!"
"T-that voice!" Alex's eyes widened; his heart raced, "A-Are you…!?"
"I…am…Chaos…
"The one who was pushed behind by my other half. The one who never got to see beyond the singularity except being entire physical dark space itself. I was coerced to hold all that exists in the Omniverse. And yet, for such disrespect I've gained from the likes of your kind…I BLAME…COSMOS… FOR SETTING…THIS STAGE…AGAINST ME!
"Never was I allowed to break free from this unlawful metaphysical strife to do my own thing! I had to manifest myself in many forms…all the monsters, all the villains, all my intentions…into the human race for they are such pushovers and weak!"
"T-the intentions that allowed evil to exist," Alex muttered in shock, "That's how it was formed?!"
"Indeed…foolish human…the Dark Ones, Apollo, the Elder Bairns, Verrado, the late King Laius, the original Shadow Mafia, Swim Cadet X, Haus of the Heavens, those Relationship Wars, The Dark Code…all criminals…politicians, your classmates who became Shadow Mafia, that singer who used a variant of your true name, your other half whom you saved, psychotics, abusers, all the ideas against the human race with those '-isms', anything, and everything that was opposed to my other half…
"IS ALL…FROM ME!
"I crafted sin and darkness as a portable means to get my existence known to those weaklings called humans! From there, they preached it all through the means of religion and influence to get followers and power!"
"All of our enemies…from all three generations," Alex gasped, his eyes widened as a flood of memories from all the villains have reappeared in his head like a nightmare.
"It was your destiny to eventually come here to this place," Chaos continued, "Even after the first two final battles occurred…they still did not conclude the final reckoning of the Light and Darkness! Your ancestors have failed to comply with the will of the Omniverse…and thus it has become your destiny."
"So that's why…you've been attracted to the light," he realized, "Where there is light…there is also darkness…always both! Darkness calls light, light calls darkness…"
"Give me your power! The time for my greatest wish will come true! Once so, I will destroy those descendants who are still fighting in that twisted fantasy that those superbeings thought they could call it their home!"
Memnon finally woke up and saw Alex, "W-why the hell did you save me!? Kill me already!"
"W-why would I?" Alex replied.
"I destroyed all that exists that tie to the crystals I threw in!" Memnon said, "I am your enemy!"
"I took your hand because I too, realize the same loneliness…that I have once felt long ago," Alex said, looking at Memnon sadly and calmly, "I have come here to do battle but because I have nothing left to fight for…thanks to you and Chaos."
"Heh, if neither of us will fight, who will end this war then?" Memnon asked.
Damn it, all I ever wanted was to stop Chaos and Cosmos altogether, Memnon thought, by destroying both of them, I could have created an Omniverse where no one is neither good nor evil, light nor dark, chaotic, or cosmic…just a place where we could all get along!
Alex sensed a hidden pain in Memnon now merging out as the latter finally answers, "I thought I would save my brother from Chaos…but I too tampered with fate and made poor decisions. All I wanted was to end this entire war and start anew."
"If it is also my destiny to end this war…will everything come to an end?" Alex asked.
"Yes, if you choose to unleash your final incantation," Artemis' voice was heard "The battle will always continue unless you ultimately destroy this monstrosity."
"A-Artemis?!" Alex gasped upon seeing him and Apollo.
Are they, Memnon thought, the descendants?
"Doing so means that I will have destroyed my family and friends too, right?" Alex gasped, "How much longer can they suffer in waiting before being reborn again if such a possibility even exists?!"
"It is the only way to stop this," Artemis replied before continuing, "The Omniverse houses all that exists, all of the universe, multiverse, parallels, and more. Doing this will destroy it all and finally end the war along with all of the contents. But if you don't…if you alter that destiny, the weight will be on your shoulders for such responsibility!"
"At first…I thought I was fighting to save the future," Alex replied, "But now that it's gone…there's only one other possible way I can fulfill…but to pay that price, I will not give up!"
"I will make this future for everyone! Even if the final price is to finally separate magic from reality…sacrificing all our powers as Swimming Guardians. True, that would allow us to live our dreams I am sure, but I also know that the cycle will always keep on moving."
"Our dreams…huh," Memnon muttered, "Why am I feeling this? It's like…I sense a new beginning."
Alex looks at his former enemy and adds, "Yes. The truth of all things…everything in the omniverse. No matter what genre, no matter what sort of magic, sci-fi, horror, romance, passion, and many more. None of those matters…except the truth. Everything begins with the unknown. But that unknown evolves into life, death, happiness, sadness, and more so, existence.
"No matter what, there will always be darkness and light…battle and peace…life, death, happiness, sadness…all possibilities…everything is all part of the Omniverse…"
"We can never be rid of one side of the coin! That is the truth!"
A-Alexander, y-you really have become one who embraces the truth, haven't you, Memnon thought, was this the same reason why you were trying to conquer the world back then…was to build that future for everyone?
Moments later, an angelic figure appeared behind Alex as Memon softly gasped to see his brother Mentor smiling out to him with his hand out. Finally, a lone tear poured from Memnon's eye as he realized where he wanted his dream to be.
"I finally see it," Memnon's voice cracked, "The Greatest Light…the planet I wish to be on…I just want to be free…please…I...I finally understand. I am so sorry…to have hurt you so much. I…am ready to atone my grave mistakes…"
He tried to reach out to both Alex and Mentor, but the necklace and cuffs shattered, releasing him from the darkness as he too, withered away slowly.
"MEMNON!?" Alex gasped as the crystal brooch landed on the ground. He picked it up and felt its remaining power flowing through his hand.
"T-thank you…your majesty…" Memnon's voice echoed inside his head, "For reuniting us back…"
Alex teared up upon this as he looked at the brooch, feeling the energies within this. He closed his eyes for a few good moments to digest all that happened. He opened his eyes to see the two crystals now in the palm of his hand.
He could only imagine what was happening outside of this particular space-time. It was no doubt that the time has come to make the final decision…the final incantation…the final choice to decide it all.
I have to keep on fighting, Alex realized, but not by because of anger or war…but because of truth and love…only then…I will finally make the future for everyone! That is what I believe in!
He looks at the Le Fay twins and adds, "Both of you…don't abandon your hope. I promised my friends that we would swim together! I promised my family that my swimming would be genuine. In order to make that happen, I will be using my magic for the last time here…that's going to be the price."
"The price…" Apollo muttered.
"So, you are going to sacrifice your magic?" Artemis asked.
"For the time being, yes," Alex replied, "I know the reason why you haven't become Cosmos yet…and now, I will make sure that you reach to that form. As long as the stars keep shining…we're all gonna be okay."
Artemis nodded as he makes a kiss on Alex's forehead before finally his body glowed in white light. His long white hair continues to flow but it has accents of yellow and blue with sparkles of pink. He dons a pair of soft white slippers. A pair of massive wings grows behind him.
The armor shimmers onto him as it was made out of earthly materials like gold, pearl, and sapphire. At its breastplate was a symbol representing the light and darkness where it would fit the Chaomos Crystal within. Around his waist was a kilt-like skirt in white primary and rainbow accented.
A long staff appeared with a butterfly-like shaped geometric headpiece with four smooth gemstones in rainbowy hues designed in a very intricate pattern.
Alex and Apollo gasped at this majestic transformation before their eyes.
"A-Artemis…" Alex breathed.
"B-brother…?" Apollo looks at the newly transformed being.
"That's right…we never give up…" Suiei Cosmos smiled before reaching Alex's hand and concludes, "For that is why, we are Swimming Guardians."
With this, a warmth smile of hope grew on Alex's face. Suiei Cosmos gestures to the bracelet on Alex's arm. Indeed, after all this time, it was still on him, intact and unscratched with the words as visible as day…
'Love you…forever'.
His eyes widened as he could start to feel his heart telling him what to do. A few tears trickled down in response to this powerful magic growing within him.
The ground rumbled a little as Chaos was finally having enough of this peppy talk of hope. Chaos realized that Apollo had released itself back, but it didn't matter at this point. The target was now in front of its eyes. Suiei Cosmos moved out of the way from Alex and stood alongside Apollo.
"Oohhaaaaa…Suiei Marotta…hand over the power of the Macedonia Dragon Crystal…so that I may link to the Chaomos Crystal and finally claim what I've longed to hold for!"
"I finally understand now," Alex turned to the wall and Chaos, expanding his arms out first for a long moment before hugging himself. His mind flashed to every villain and obstacle he and all the other Swimming Guardians encountered…they were not forgotten, and neither were the heroes.
He unfurled his wings with great might, continuing his response,
"After all this time…
After three generations,
Chaos, Kronos, and Cosmos. You are the same…as I.
We are broken, detached, and in need of hope.
To all those who opposed us…
You share the same feeling as I am having now, this is from my heart!"
His chain-brooch begins to glow with the powers from both the Macedonia Dragon Crystal and the Persian Bang Crystal. Each hand carrying one of the two. With a deep breath, he readies himself to the Edge of the Big Bang with his left half align with the darkness, and the right half align to the light.
"Now…I'll be equal to you!
TO EMBRACE YOU ALL!
TO SAVE EVERYONE AT LAST!
BECAUSE…
I LOVE YOU ALL!"
Kanashimi ga ima sailor smile
Kiseki wo okosu no sailor wing
Dare datte kagayaku hoshi wo motsu
Without a second thought, the last of the Swimming Guardians makes his final move, running faster and faster, leaping from the edge, breaking through the walls of darkness and light and into the endless uncertainty. His wings grew, helping him fly into the greatest depths of the unknown…
Makenai! Ashita e sailor yell
Zettai! Tsukamaeru! sailor star
Kono chikai todoke ginga maaadddeeeee
At long last, the final guardian soared through the edge of the Big Bang, seeing darkness in one vision of his eye and light in the other vision. What trailed behind him showed the merging of the two voids as if he was slicing through all that existed. However, with the two mixing together as one, a great trail of energy erupting behind his passing.
Anata ga kieta sono toki kara
His forehead glowed the neon dragon but in all the colors of all his teammates in a pure rainbow gradient flash. Moments later, his clothes dispelled from the body, leaving him all in gradient swirl of colors all over.
Sagashi tsuzukeru tabi ga hajimatta
The side of darkness showed all the memories of pain, sorrow, death, and the toxicity of the journey; from revenge to all the lustful fantasies and betrayals and all the villains encountered.
On the light side, it showed more memories containing joy, hope, and true love; from saving their families and friends, life celebrations, all the other sport teams with their allies, forgiving others, and of course, their swimming progresses.
Kibanda chizu ni wa sutenshiru no tenshi no e
I-I don't know where and how I will save everyone but, I have to try, he thought as his wings grew larger and stronger.
Ahead of him showed the stars of light floating all around as if he was flying in outer space again but this was clearly the domain where Chaos and Cosmos were once one…the same area as Taiao but…the "Core", the "Seed" of all existing particle matter. All the crystals appeared like small stars, flowing all around in the background.
Yubisasu saki wa daaku na koroseumu ga matteru
It's a lot denser than I thought, he noted to himself as his naked body was sweating.
"We're always here with you!" the voices of all the Swimming Guardians echoed in his head.
For a moment he could see them all standing happily together at the beach of Iwamara, all dressed in their shorts and summer tropical button shirts in their respective colors.
Furueru mune ni wa ano hi no himitsu no kissu
"Fight without hesitation!" Kyle's voice echoed after as Alex could see him spiritually flying next to him.
"There is always rebirth where hope resides!" Suiei Kronos's voice echoed from above, showing himself in a holographic memory.
Donna ni tsurai sadame de mo
"The crystals, they are…our true hope," Prince/Suiei Yamato's voice chimed in Alex's mind.
"Pootsie!" his mother's voice echoed.
"Papa, you'll win this!" the father chimed in.
Alex's spirit lit up with a boosted sense of confidence as he could feel the hearts of everyone finally pouring into him.
Oitsuzukeru karrraaaa
"That's right…" Alex muttered to his breath and his thoughts, "We may live in a continuous loop of life, death, and rebirth but this…is OUR story! And now at last, I will reclaim my rightful name as Sandro! All the magic in this place…and the forces beyond…my friends…my family. And all the guardians that ever existed with their sports in every realm, please…PLEASE LEND ME YOUR STRENGTH!"
Koukai wa shinai sailor eyes
Anata ni tsuiteku sailor wind
All the crystals glowed softly in response to this call as streams of colors flowed out from him, finally exposing his pure skin in all his flaws, both physical scars, some blemishes, birthmarks, the semi-less hair, and his ethnic markings.
Romio, Shizuru, Kaoru and Misaki gasped to see what was happening at the "wall" as energy was leaking out at first slowing but then more rapidly followed by random explosions.
Kono uta waaaa hoshi no michishirubeeeee
"O celestial Cosmos, Kronos, and Chaos…and all the crystals which I draw forth the power…let this be my final act as Ultra Suiei Marota…as Alexander the Great…and as Sandro. To all those who love and remember me…
THIS…IS…FROM MY HEART!"
Ahead of him, Chaos roared in the wind and accumulated its amorphic mass before transforming into some humanoid entity with its own dark, bat-like wings.
Makenai! Ashita e sailor yell
Zettai! Tsukamaeru! sailor star
Finally, at the right moment of the apex, he cries out the final incantation, slamming the two crystals he held together as one into a bright growing sphere of light and dark in an electrifying pattern.
"MACEDONIA DRAGON CRYSTAAAALLLLLLL…
…REBIRTH LAMBDA POWERRRRRRRRRRRR!"
Reaching out towards the great darkness of the humanoid Chaos, the rings of energy flung outwards, striking it like the perfect shot of an arrow. The space around them shook violently like an earthquake vibrating at its greatest force.
Kono chikai todoke ginga maaadddeeeee
"UUUUUOOOOOOOOOAAAHHHHH! S-STOP IT! T-THAT ISN'T THE POWER I ASKED FOR! STOP IT!" Chaos shouted angrily.
Koukai wa shinai sailor eyes (sailor eyessss)
"YOU ASKED FOR IT CHAOS! NOW TAKE IT!" Sandro cried out, "BE FREE FROM YOURSELF! LIGHT CALLS FOR DARKNESS JUST AS YOU SAID! DON'T YOU DARE BACK DOWN NOW! OWN IT!"
Anata ni tsuiteku sailor wind (sailor wiiinnnnd)
"UAGAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Chaos screamed a long, low cry followed by a higher pitch noise as the powers of the Macedonia Dragon and Persian Bang crystals refueled the empty Chaomos Crystal. The latter crystal overheated with energy and finally exploded, shattered, and erupted a great burst of massive energy radiating as far as to all the other realities, restoring all that was destroyed from the invasions.
Kono uta waaaaa hoshi no michishirubeeeee
An astronomer or space scientist would assume this incredible energy is from the hypothetical Quasi-Star unleashing all possible matter. Yet it wouldn't be because gravity is going outwards instead on itself. Some might debate if it was two neutron stars colliding and unleashed such explosion. Following this, an accretion disk spun, spiraling outwards towards the edge of this known omniverse.
Makenai! Ashita e sailor yell
With this, all the other crystals and all sources of life that were forcibly taken by Memnon, Chaos, and the Shadow Guardians broke free from the Edge of the Big Bang, flying rapidly faster than the light it dawned upon.
The black hole that held this entire dimension collapsed, releasing all the existing matter. In addition, all the energies unleashed from the Quasi-Star demolished the Rhodinean Cathedral Palace as more lights were breaking the wall, spiraling everything back towards their respective universes.
Zettai! Mitsukeru yo! sailor star
I-I saved them, Sandro's eyes widened and gasped mentally, this is my chance to get them all back! I just need to…
He tries to grab the nearest crystals to start with but they themselves glowed brighter and brighter, blinding him as he braced for whatever was happening next, not realizing his own body was finally passing on…his life…it was now transforming.
Tenshi no hane de tobitatsu nooooooooooo…
"Thank you, everyone…" he smiled with a tear before closing his eyes as his remaining existence crumbled into particles, being consumed by this Quasi-Star with more energy being unleashed from the undefined origin.
All the memories from Gen 1, Gen 2, and Gen 3 along with the canon anime now blend together as the lone tear from the deceased human produced itself. The memories were absorbed with a sparkle of light flying in the darken void as a familiar voice could be heard in this narration…
Water…a living thing…
When you dive in, it bares its fangs
But there is nothing to fear…
For it holds memory…like the sea…guarding the truth.
And now that destiny has been fulfilled
The final reckoning…completed…
The Last Legend…told…
That lone tear…that fell from his face has descended far down to the unknown until it finally struck the water, sending ripples of energy across the entire space-time continuum.
Back outside, Suiei Kronos appears, joining Cosmos, Artemis, and Apollo along with the Articoran senshi as they observe this grand miracle taking place at the edge of all existence. It was as if a new Big Bang took place but on an incredibly smaller scale. Everything around them was bright and colorful with wisps of star dust, expanding further and further outwards.
"S-SUIEI MAROTTA!" Shizuru cried out.
The trail of water, stars, and energy flowed out from the wall, shattering the remaining structure of the Rhodinean Cathedral Palace, vaporizing the nine rivers, and flying back to refill the entire omniverses and physical space-time. Moments later, the four felt something happening in their bodies but they were still intact.
W-what just happened, Misaki thought.
"T-the future…d-did he…change it?!" Romio gasped.
"It seems that he has paid the final price," Suiei Kronos answered.
"What was the final price?" Shizuru asked.
"The price of all magic," Kronos revealed, "Ultra Suiei Marotta used all the power of the Swimming Guardians and all the sports allies to put a pause of the war of Chaos and Cosmos."
"I-I don't believe it," Apollo replied, "Does this mean that…?"
"All sources of life that were forcibly here…are returning back to their original forms," Suiei Cosmos said, "As of now, Ultra Suiei Marotta was able to break through Chaos, releasing the evil and darkness and fed it with good and light as I am now equally fed with darkness and evil…making us both at our equilibrium at long last."
"But you and Chaos were both one," Apollo answered, "How is it now that you're both separated like this?"
"As it was in the beginning, I escaped from Chaos after drinking the power from what would later be known as the Holy Grail," Suiei Cosmos revealed, "Prior to, I was a master of all while Chaos was the master of none. As one, single, entity we never had to worry about other realities, ideas, and things. But after drinking the Holy Grail, I wanted to create endlessly…however, with that comes at a great cost."
"A cost?" Kaoru looks at the entity, "With magic?"
"Every magic comes at a price," Suiei Cosmos continued, "I spent an undefined amount of time searching for the right location, the right source to hold onto this burden. Sadly, but eventually, it happened to be them…those who bond to the will of the water."
"W-why's that?" Misaki asked.
"Because water is the bridge between life and death, light, and shadow, good and evil. Hydrogen and Oxygen are two gases like opposing physical and chemical forces yet covalent bonded together as a biological substance, creating something far beyond Chaos expected. Humanity is drawn by its power which is why conflict existed among them.
"Water exists everywhere, not only on planets. It exists in every and all the realms and universes, just like the light and the dark. In order to hide from Chaos, I placed my power in that chosen universe but sadly too much power burdened them for an endless period of time…that's why their gifts were passed down to the next generation.
"However, by the Third Generation, I knew that my rebirth by the other two would lead me back to here…trying to make things right this time. But after seeing what Ultra Suiei Marotta has gone through, I made sure to stay by his side…both as Artemis and through you, Apollo.
"When the time came for him to decide it all, I needed him to make the right choice without my influence. Even though someday I will conflict with Chaos again, it is because now we are still alive that hope remains for the rest of all eternity."
Water overlaps everything, Kaoru thought, now it all makes sense.
And the fact that such substance is as strong as light and dark, Apollo noted, it's the true bridge between everything!
"But wait, what about you, Kronos?" Romio asked.
"I am born as the bridge between the two…my previous life…I was both an evil and a good and my existence here now will ensure further stability between Cosmos here and Chaos there," Kronos explained.
"Suiei Marotta did not destroy Chaos but rather embraced it together with the physical Cosmos, bending it to make it the truth…" Suiei Cosmos added, "And thus because of that…a new crystal will be born to vessel all that power once more ensuring peace for a very, very long time until Chaos calls again."
The senshi turned to the twins with a small smile, concluding, "Now then, it is time you both return to your beloved ones."
A new crystal appeared between them as Suiei Cosmos called forth the Lambda Omni Crystal to send the four Articoran guys back to Duniya as well as sending Apollo with them. Suiei Cosmos makes a brief nod before disappearing. Following this, Kronos looks at the great trail of lights before departing.
Somewhere deep in the white void of singularity…
This scent, it's like the smell of a fresh ocean with a hint of tropical, Sandro thought, before waking up to see all the 'white' background but it was also accented with pink, peach and yellow. Beneath his feet, he noticed gentle waves of water which turned out to be a peaceful, pristine shoreline with the water reflecting off the background.
He got up and rubbed his eyes on the bright lights around him. Sandro noticed the amount of sand he was walking on; it was like a small sandbar in the middle of the seas.
W-where am I, he thought, this place…it almost feels like home but…I know I was fighting against Chaos, and I tried to grab the crystals but then…
The lone senshi looked down to see his clothes all in white pants and a dress shirt. Some of the water damped a little bit at the leggings but it didn't matter.
A-Am I…dead, he thought, i-is this what Memnon warned me about, being alone…? Is this…the end of me?
"Pootsie!"
The soft voices filled up the realm with a bit of an echo or two. His ears perked up on hearing the voices before a hand touched his shoulder. Sandro turned to see his parents and his brother finally standing with him. He began to tear up as he hugged his brother and the parents joined in, celebrating this reunion. They were all dressed in white-colored clothing and dresses of sort.
A soft meow was heard, prompting them to see Cali among them as well. Sergi picked her up and gave her to Sandro to hold onto briefly.
"My eternal, sexy dragon," a soft voice added in. Sandro turned to see Kyle as they both reunited with their hands before making a brief kiss before hugging.
Kawaranaimono
Michite iku mono
Looking up, he gasped to see all the swimmers, and friends who were all killed off earlier. They too, were all dressed in white clothes, uniforms, dresses, etc. All of them were standing off the sandbar in the shallow waters.
"Sandro!"
"Sanno-chan!"
Azayakana kagayaki de zuuuuuuttooooooooo
"E-EVERYONE!?" he gasped with tears of joy.
Woah ohhhhhh, Woah ohhhhhh, Woah ohhhhhhhhhh, woah ooohhh
Woah ohhhhhh, Woah ohhhhhh, Woah ohhhhhhhhhh
Every one of them rushed over to surround Alex and the family as they were joined by their own family and friends. This time, the light in their pupils were indeed present.
"It's really all of you!" the dragon teammate cried tearfully.
Hajimeta riyu koso
Sorezore chigaukedo
Tsunagatta mizu ni shirazushirazu
Makikoma reru yo ni
"You saved us all brother," Sergi answered.
"W-we're all together…again!" he was still spilling his emotions, "Every one of you!"
"It's all thanks to you," Kyle smiled, "Your greatest power has unified all the crystals and released them back to their homes."
Mijikaku miete ita
Kisetsu wa chikaradzuyoi sen de
"We knew you'd never give up pootsie," the mother kissed him on the forehead.
"I was so scared back then, being alone like this!" he sniffled between tears and breaths, "Everyone, I love you all so much!"
Tsugino natsu o mezashite taezu michi o terashite
Mune (koko) ni atta
"We're very proud of you," the father smiled.
"Sandro. We are incredibly sorry for hurting you terribly like that," Makoto's voice cracked a little, feeling guilty on the earlier events.
"All those call outs, and the attacks we've committed, it put all of us to shame!" Nagisa cried.
"We really wished to stand by your side!" Haruka added.
"Your power has saved us all earlier and brought us here. For that we thank you!" Rin wiped his tears.
"Thank you for never giving up on us!" Rei cried.
"Everyone, you know I forgive you. That wasn't who you were back during the fight," Sandro smiled, hugging the STYLE FIVE as he cried in their arms, "Haru-chan! Mako-chan! Rin-chan! Rei-chan! Nagi-chan!"
owaranai
yume o (yume o)
Susumu (Susumu)
Mo tamerawanai saaaa
"Thank you for saving us!" Momo added, "Sandro-cchi!"
"Thank you for remembering us," Ai gave his appreciation.
"You were all alone back there but found help along the way," Sousuke said, "We are forever in debt of your heroism."
"We are truly thankful for you to exist in our time," Hiyori looks at Sandro with his own genuine smile.
"You were fabulous back there!" Asahi grinned.
"Thank you for never giving up," Ikuya smiled.
"Sou-chan…Ai-chan…Momo-chan…Asa-chan, Iku-chan, Hiyo-chan," Sandro breathed their names while wiping his face.
"For real, we never wanted to hurt you like that!" Kotarou teared up.
"Being under the control of Chaos…was a sheer nightmare of its own," Seijuurou added.
"For sure it definitely brought out the worst of us," Natsuya said.
"It was no excuse for us to harm you like that," Nao added.
"And you've done the impossible," Tsubasa smiled, "Saving all of us like that with your shine."
"You're the Greatest Light that we've ever known," Aoba added.
"Truly incredible," Isana nodded with Hikaru making an appreciation grunt.
"You've been awesome, your majesty," Kotetsu winked as Kaede makes a rare genuine smile and Albert makes a soft chuckle.
Onaji toki o oyoide kita nakama toooooo
Everyone continued to laugh and cry happily as they all exchanged hugs. This time, there was no darkness holding them back.
"I always knew we'd find our way back together!" Sandro smiled, "Because that's who we are!"
Moments later, they all felt a warmth in the air with a small burst of energy arriving down towards them. Before their eyes, the voice spoke, "A great warmth of energy has come to this sacred ground."
"W-where are we…does time even…?" Haruka asked.
"Time does not exist here…" a soft voice said as something of golden light manifested itself before them.
Harewataru sora tokashita ao ni
Tobikonda hi no yorokobi ga nijimu
A young, androgynous entity appeared before them in a half-dress, half-tuxedo like outfit cloak with a staff of their own. The hair was shoulder-length but wavy in silver.
"Incredible…this place is powerful enough to turn the Guardian Crystals back to its energized form…yet all of you stand here as humans. Your powers are truly the strongest when together," the entity spoke.
"W-who are you?" Rin asked.
"I am the one who orchestrated the big bang…by the will of Cosmos," the entity spoke, "Known as the Planck Guardian."
Kawaranaimono michite iku mono
Soreha Ah
Mirai o (Mirai o) eranda (eranda)
Freeeee…doko made demo
"Y-you…" Nagisa muttered.
"Wait the Big Bang…" Makoto narrowed his eyes.
"Does this mean that you were the catalyst of the first universe to form?!" Rei gasped.
"I am…and I appear in all other universes after their birth and death," Planck Guardian nodded, "The Mahotsukai also used my concepts to set forth their creations too. We exist as the guardians who allows the big bangs to explode and send off all of new space, time, physics, math, and more."
Fui ni yobikakete kuru sonzai o kanjite
Hagemasa reta yona ki ga shi tari shite
After a brief cough, the guardian continued, "Long ago…well not long enough in terms of cosmic time, but…at one point in my existence, a great warrior came here after his death and was torn of light and darkness. He wished for a new life somewhere in the future. That part of light was very strong…just like yours…"
W-wait, Sandro thought, d-does this mean…that I've…been here before…as him?
"I assume you all wish to head back to your world and live out your dreams, correct?" Planck Guardian asked.
Toi basho ni iru hi mo ganbatte iru senaka ni
Misetai jibun de
"Yes," Sandro nodded, gesturing to everyone present with his wide-open arms, "There is so much to do in little time we have of life. No matter how bad things get, we wish to achieve our dreams. Whether it's swimming, the Olympics, being with family and friends, or finding our destiny.
"Please, let us live to obtain our happy ending!"
Susunde ikuto mune o haaaarrroooouuuuu
Planck Guardian smiled before unleashing a great sheer of magic to send the Iwasame, Takagami, Sandro, Kyle, the families, and friends finally out of this voided realm.
"P-PLANCK! D-DID CHAOS…?!" he gasped.
They all vanished in split picoseconds after as Planck Guardian's voice echoed in all of space-time:
"The Balance between Chaos and Cosmos has been restored with their essences shared among equally. However, the reunion will be their greatest test for all that exists onwards. This is after all…a place where all possibilities are created and destroyed…"
Their departure set off a ripple of energy as a rainbow aura radiated from where they vanished into. From there, it was now up to everyone to decide where to go…but at long last…it has finally been fulfilled…"The Final Reckoning".
Ohhhhh…hikari….relaaayyyy
Wasurerarenai zutto…Timeless Bluueee
With the Omniverse now fully restored and balanced, every possible story, realm, pocket dimension and more were finally at peace. No matter how much darkness roams around, the light is always by its side. Along with that light comes with hope, dream, and eternity. The great light that destroyed the Rhodinean Cathedral Palace continued to spread all the deceased Swimming Guardians back to life and returning them to their homelands.
Somewhere out in deep space, several "meteor-like" lights were seen flying gracefully at incredible, faster than light, unrealistic, speeds without distorting its contents. One could see the entire visible light spectrum in a majestic, glorious blend of colors.
Each trail consisted of a Swimming Guardian with their families and/or friends together. Everyone wore a pair of angelic-like wings, giving them the strength to fly safely.
So, fumidaseba mada yumenotsudzukida
Hajimari o
(Ah) tsurete, tsurete, motto, motooo
Haruka flew in a classic blue with his parents and the spirited grandmother. Makoto soared in bright green with his siblings and parents. Nagisa flew in hot pink with his three sisters and parents while Rei was soaring in violet with his parents spiritually by his side. Rin soared through space with Gou in red-like hues with Miyako and a spirited Toraichi.
The Marotta family flew in together on a blue-white-yellow ombre trail with Kyle flying by his husband's side. Even Cali was in her human form flying among the group. Sandro was still feeling teary but his smile was shining just as bright as the stars all around.
Deai tsunaida nagare ga mukauuuuu saki eeeeeee
The same colors of the Heart crystals were trailed by the other respective senshi. The Hidaka Senshi along with Momotarou, Aoba, and Isuzu flew together happily. In another bubble, the Shimogami Senshi flew with Kotetsu and Albert while Kaede was happily flying together with his long lost "cousin" Kiyohumi from Camelot. Natsuya, Nao, Ikuya, Hiyori, and Asahi, Akane & Kon with the baby soared together in their own group.
Woah ohhhhhh, Woah ohhhhhh, Woah ohhhhhhhhhh, woah ooohhh
Another flying meteor bubble consisted of Prince Yamato, Hayato, Kazuki, Shouta, and Toru flying in their respective colors. The final group consisted of the newly revived and healed Marchand, Ceccon, Sota, Kentaurus, and Gaia-Ya along with Nicolas, Ken, and Kosuke.
Woah ohhhhhh, Woah ohhhhhh, Woah ohhhhhhhhhh
The speed they were soaring from broke so much of the natural physics laws but with the blessing from Cosmos, Chaos and Kronos, home was just minutes away with music in their ears.
Kawaranaimono michite iku mono
Azayakana kagayaki o yakitsukete
At some point the Extraterrestrial senshi broke away and took their own routes back to their planets, messaging the Duniyian senshi that they would meet again very soon. As for Ken, Kosuke, and Nicolas, they continued their journey to Duniya with the others.
Harewataru sora tokashita ao ni
Tobikonda hi no yorokobi ga nijimuuu
Teniireta mo no michite ita monoooo
Finally, everyone could see the planet and its moon in the vicinity orbit. The sight of home brought tears to their eyes, knowing that the future will finally begin. No more wars, no more deaths, and certainly no more angst or pain. Nothing will ever stand in the way of swimming and happiness again.
Soreha Ah, a no hi (a no hi), eranda (eranda)
Freeee…jibunrashisa
And in the end, I am not alone, Sandro thought as he made a lone happy tear, we'll finally start anew, together! For that, thank you…everyone.
Fui ni yobikakete miru sonzai ga ureshi
Yuki moraeru no wa ki no sei janai
They descended back down to Duniya, becoming magical stars across the night skies, granting their wishes. At long last, these meteors landed back in the city of Neo Sportsbrooke. Each landing brought more life back to the planet including the repopulation of the humans, Mullerians, and other lives that were formerly lost.
Awanai toki mo itsu datte ganbatte iru nakama ni
Misetai jibun de
At the shrine, everyone that gave their powers to the Swimming Guardians woke up to see the miraculous lights. At that moment, they all smiled and cheered happily with some crying in each other's arms. In Frostella, the skater folks that were killed off were also revived and woke up to see the city newly restored once again. They too, saw the colorful stars flying down to the planet.
Susunde ikuto mune o haaaarooooouuuuu
All thanks to the powers from Chaos, Cosmos, Kronos, the Macedonia Dragon, and Persian Bang Crystals, everything was not a dream. With this, all the other timelines were finally stable once more as their stories continued to play out normally.
Kokoro ni asenai kyo ga TIMEEELEESSSSS BLUEEEEEEE
Looking up at the evening/night skies, Sandro recalled his vow on that fateful at the beach after the Operation Resurrection. Exhausted and torn from all the fighting and traveling, he fell backwards, but was caught by Kyle, Haruka, and Rei. Everyone gathered around to check up on him.
"Pootsie?!" the mother gasped.
"A-Are you alright!?" Kyle asked.
"Y-Yeah," Sandro muttered, closing his eyes. "T-Tired…"
"He needs rest, for sure," Sousuke said.
"We all do," Makoto agreed.
"It has been a very long time for sure," Haruka nodded.
"So then…what happens here?" Nagisa asked.
"I guess we'll find out," Rei answered.
"We'll do what we can to keep the show going," Nao reassured them, "But for now, rest all of you. We'll reschedule and do a proper revamp training."
"Sounds good to me," Seijuurou replied as Tsubasa smiled.
"So much for a celebration," Kaede said, crossing his arms, "A party is in due!"
"We'll have plenty of time to party up for sure," Natsuya answered, "A celebration of a new life, the Olympics, and more…"
Kyle picked up Sandro in bridal style as the dragon Swimming Guardian finally closed his eyes. Sergi approached with a happy tear in his eye. Both the mother and father were extremely thankful for their son's long journey with all these loving people.
"You will finally make your new beginning here, brother," Sergi whispered into his ear.
"Thank you, all of you," Mama Marotta looked at all the swimmers, "For having faith in our sons."
"Absolutely," Ai smiled as Momo grinned and Aoba making his usual serious expression.
Nicolas, Ken, and Kosuke turned to Kyle as they were feeling regretful for their actions and their feelings.
"Words can't express on how sorry we are, especially…" Ken said, "I had no excuse for what I did to the two of you especially."
"If you could please…allow us to continue to support you for any swimming events to partake," Nicolas added.
"We understand if you don't want us to bother you for now. We'll just find our own new home together in this world," Kosuke added, "But we really are sorry for betraying you guys…not just you two, but to the other swimmers as well."
Looking at his sleeping husband, Kyle turns to the trio with a brief sigh and answers, "I was very hurt by what you three have done. We all were. However, I know that was all the Shadow Achaemenian Empire's doing. If there is anything I have learned, a second chance is always on the table to those who truly believe in love and forgiveness."
"Sandro-chan has forgiven a lot of his enemies," Nagisa noted, "Heck, we even had our own civil problems too long ago. It took a long time to forgive each other, but we did it. And if we can make it happen, so can you."
"Thank you," Ken said.
"Then we'll do our best to heal ourselves and with all of you," Kosuke added.
"And this time, we'll be more open and honest with you both," Nicolas agreed.
"Welcome home you guys!" a familiar voice was heard.
They all turned to see the Mizu Gods as well as Romio, Shizuru, Misaki and Kaoru along with Ayumu, Ryuji, Mikhail and Sasabe. More hugs and laughs were endured.
"Looks like sleeping beauty needs his rest," Romio noticed Sandro sleeping.
"We all do," Rei said.
"And you won't be alone either," another familiar voice was heard.
The megane turned to see his other self, Articora!Rei finally back with his normal eyes once again.
"R-Rei-chan…" Nagisa smiled.
"Y-You're back!" Original!Rei hugged him, "How did you managed?"
"The Greatest Light sent burst a forth of energy to this planet, allowing my existence to return. However, Suiei Kronos…my other essence being is still around of course. Basically, I've been blessed enough to come back normally."
"So, if you're back…what about…?" Rin was about to ask.
"My sleeping beauty is also sleeping," he replied, "Long story short, it turns out Mizu Marotta was keeping him safe in the temple should anything happened to the original Alex. He'll wake up by sunrise tomorrow."
"That's good," Makoto said.
"Absolutely," Haruka smiled.
It was quite a reunion for sure as everyone could feel peace all around. However, with it being so late at night, it would take time to adjust back to their normal circadian rhythm. Some people could only wonder…was this whole journey a dream?
Indeed, it was a long journey…but one thing for certain. This…was no dream…
The conflict of Chaos and Cosmos was real for a very long time and this chosen universe has finally completed the Final Reckoning.
Without any need to continue fighting, the burden on our beloved swimmers is no more.
After three long generation…and 10 years of chronicling these adventures, finally…both family, friends, and many others now wake up to reality once more on a new day.
Now at last…their happy ending…is just the beginning…of a new "Never Ending Blue."
All that remains…both the Olympics and whatever lies beyond after…
The future…is finally here!
As for the price…