"What happened to her?" Maka asked looking down at Lady Tengu. She was on her knees, her face blank and her arms limp. A vacant expression adorned her face and her eyes seemed dull and lifeless but Maka could tell she was still alive. Her soul however was not nearly as intact. It was cracked and broken and Maka could clearly tell something was seriously wrong.
"Her mind and soul have shattered." Kid said sagely from beside her, looking at Lady Tengu with a pitying expression. "The stress of enduring that much madness would break even me. It's a wonder she's still alive." Kid noted.
"What's gonna happen to her now?" Tsubaki asked with concern.
"I will remand her custody to the Witches, as part of our agreement." Kid replied.
"What?! You're not gonna do anything to her? After everything she put us through?" Blackstar asked indignant. But Kid shook his head.
"It's part of our peace treaty with the witches. Any crime committed by a witch must be reviewed by the council. Besides," Kid said. "I don't think we can do much more to her that she hasn't already done to herself." He finished sadly.
"I never imagined she would go so far." Deva spoke up with his arms folded. "I admit that I was enchanted by her beauty and too taken to realize her plans but even I never thought she would do something so deplorable." He said.
"And you!" Blackstar said pointing an accusing finger at Deva's chest. "Don't think we've forgotten about you! I should kick your ass right now!" Blackstar threatened. Deva only smiled condescendingly.
"Oh? You really think you can take me?" He challenged. Blackstar grit his teeth but their fight was interrupted by Kid before it could even start.
"That's enough from both of you. Hatred is what started this whole mess in the first place." He said diffusing the tension. "Let's return to the ships and finish this ordeal. We can decide what to do with the remaining members of Pantheon later." He offered diplomatically.
Soon the forces of Shibusen and their allies both old and new found themselves leaving the island of Xanadu. Having successfully defeated the organization Pantheon everyone was taking the time to rest and relax. Many of the members of Spartoi were catching up with Crona who explained their mysterious reapparence to them. Maka had hardly left her friend's side and Soul stood dutifully beside her. Eventually Crona made their way over to Eruka and Mizune who both apologized profusely for their role in harming Crona. But as the new beacon of love, Crona forgave them both easily.
Gaia and Deva were keeping a respectful distance from those they once considered their enemies and each were discussing their own roles and revelations during the final battle. Even though Gaia was still speaking in her mystery language Deva seemed to have no trouble understanding her. Eventually Kid made his way over to the two as well. They spoke of the future and of the past and of forgiveness. Kid was determined to make a new future that would honor everyone's wishes. The former members of Pantheon also expressed their apologies and their dedication to working towards a brighter future together. With the apologies out of the way they eventually relaxed with each other and their laughter signalled the remainder of Shibusen forces to welcome the two with open arms.
Eventually an early celebration started to be kicked off. Blackstar of course had somehow managed to find booze on the ship and was filling everyone's cups liberally. Despite the odd situation everyone seemed to celebrate happily. The threat to the world had been neutralized and new alliances had been forged. But not everyone onboard shared in the sentiment. Below decks the remaining members of Pantheon had been thrown into the brig. Lady Tengu still sat coma-like in her cell unmoving. Red Fist similarly sat cross legged and silent although his fury brooded alarmingly. In the cells next to them Lung was screaming his head off and cursing like a sailor, tied up in magical bindings. Across from him Dr. I was in a shouting match with the human shaped dragon, proclaiming his own genius and how many ways their plans would have been successful if he had been in charge. But up above decks their words were drowned out by the sounds of revelry.
As they sailed through the night their party was interrupted by a mysterious figure that had alighted on their ship from the night sky.
"Hello, please do not be alarmed." She spoke in a gentle and soft voice. She wore a pink floral kimono and had long flowing pink hair that was intricately braided. Her eyes were a bright blue like the ocean and her skin was pale and alabaster. "My name is Otohime and I have come regarding the matter of the one known to you as Lung." She said.
The group of heroes were immediately confused and concerned but Kid, being the de facto leader spoke up. "Lung is being detained as he was part of an organization that threatened to disrupt the balance of this world. Who are you and what is your relationship to him?" He asked. Otohime sighed deeply but her expression was schooled and neutral.
"Regrettably I have come to claim him as my husband." She said. The revelation caused shock and silence to reverberate across the ship. "He has been acting irresponsibly these last few hundred years but I had no idea he would get into such trouble. I sincerely apologize for not reigning in his behavior sooner." She said with a deep bow. "I would like you to release him to me, I will ensure he is sufficiently punished." The dragon princess requested. Silence hung in the air as everyone present regarded Kid, wondering what he would say.
"I think that would be amenable. However I believe you and I should have a discussion later about your people and the future." Kid replied diplomatically. Otohime nodded her head.
"Yes of course. Now, if you will please take me to my husband?" She asked. Otohime was then led below decks to the jail cells where Pantheon was being held. Upon seeing her Lung became extremely agitated.
"What the hell is she doing here?!" He asked frantically and terrified.
"Hello dear husband." She said with a hint of venom. "I heard that you have been doing some downright despicable things." She followed up and cracked her knuckles. Lung backed up until he was hitting the wall of his cell.
"Y-y-you can't let her take me. She's crazy! You don't know what she'll do to me!" He tried pleading.
"Oh? But dear husband, I have so many punishments in store for you." She said wickedly. She reached down and grabbed him by the chest, lifting him up so he was level with her eyes. "I hear you were concerned about our people's population. So why don't we go and find a solution together? Hm?" She said with a sly and evil smile. Lung's face some how blushed and drained at the same time. Above deck Otohime transformed into a large pink and white dragon with flowing whiskers and large horns. She grasped Lung in her claws and flew off into the horizon with Lung screaming for help the entire way.
After a few days at sea the group found themselves back in Death City. Lady Tengu had been handed over to the witches. Red Fist and Dr. I sat in DWMA custody. Lung had been taken by Princess Otohime. Gaia had returned to her jungle home. Sad Jack was no more. Deva returned back to his Kingdom of Shambala, promising reforms. Pantheon was well and truly defeated.
Now the group of Spartoi and Shibusen members were gathered in the courtyard of the DWMA. They were formed in a circle. Kid had gathered them here today to discuss the future and what to do with the medallions. So far he had let each of his friends hold onto them as they seemed to be inert at the moment. But they all knew that something would need to be done with them. They were all too powerful to be left alone and vulnerable. Or at least that is what they all thought.
"You all know why I have asked you here today." Kid began looking around at his friends. The A team and their partners along with Crona stood circled around him. Behind them Killik's team stood looking on and beyond them the current Death Scythes and staff of the DWMA stood. "The power of madness held within each of these medallions is great. The many trials and battles we have fought are proof enough of that." Kid said solemnly. "But concealing their existence did nothing to safeguard them from those that would have used them for evil. As with many of my father's legacies I think this is another case where he may not have been right. So, with that said I have come to a decision." Kid spoke. All those gathered waited with tense breath to see Kid's decision.
"I have elected to have the current holders of the Medallions keep them." Kid said simply. "It is clear that each one of us has been chosen by a Medallion and its corresponding madness. I think that I will have to have a new group of allies safeguard the madness just as my father did with the other eight Old Ones. And I can think of no better group then my friends here." He finished. Cheers and applause rang out around them at the proclamation. Each of his friends held up their respective Medallions in celebration and smiled along with each other as the rest of Shibusen came up to congratulate them. Kid smiled at the scene in front of him. But as he looked at each of his new chosen guardians he saw a strange sight. Standing behind each of them was a transparent figure standing in an approving manner.
Eibon stood behind Maka and her medallion of Knowledge.
Quetzalcoatl stood behind Soul and his medallion of Pain.
Heracles stood behind Blackstar and his medallion of Power
Izanagi stood behind Tsubaki and her medallion of Sorrow
Ra stood behind Liz and her medallion of Faith
Excalibur stood behind Patty and her medallion of Rage
Even Asura stood beside Crona who held onto the Medallion of Fear, nodding as they transformed it into the Medallion of Love.
And for a brief moment, Kid could have sworn he felt his father's hand rest gently on his shoulder.
A/N: If you've made it this far congratulations and thank you for reading. I am proud to say this is the first time I've fully completed and written a multi-chapter story to it's end. I had been sitting on this for a long time but I feel good to have actually accomplished this writing. I decided to post everything all at once because it didn't feel like anyone was actually keeping up with my story. But that's fine. I think I wrote this more for myself. I poured a lot of thought and care into each of the characters here and this was definitely a passion project of mine. So thanks again!