Chapter Text
Aiko looked over the sketch she made, her eyes narrowing as she refined it.
The others had already made Legendary Treasures to combat the Mercenares, it was difficult to make more than one as it already took so much power to create the first.
But this one would need to be the strongest. It was not only made to hold all the knowledge in the universe, but also…to seal King Mercenare.
She didn’t know when he would arrive, but from the way Ego had sounded, it was soon enough that she should begin prep now.
Don’t think about him right now! Her and Ego’s separation had hurt more than Aiko would like to admit. It was her first time being in love and she couldn’t help but recall the absolute desperation on Ego’s face as he tried to refute what she said.
She had never expected to be laying awake at night because of something so…trivial in the grand scheme of things.
It was best to just focus on the situation at hand.
But…Aiko also had to tell Mayumi and…Shizuko. It would be incredibly hard to explain how she came across this knowledge.
Shaking her head, Aiko would just have to bite the bullet. She couldn’t hesitate.
”Reina. Contact Shizuko and Mayumi.” Without question, Reina transformed into the Lovely Commune.
”Alright, so what did you wish to talk about?” Shizuko put down her cup of tea, her tone curt.
Aiko decided to get straight to the point.
”King Mercenare will launch a direct attack on Trump Kingdom. I don’t know when but I’m willing to bet soon.”
Both Mayumi and Shizuko stared at her.
”How…do you know that?” Shizuko asked, tracing the rim of her cup. Mayumi casted a wary glance between the two, knowing where this was headed.
”Well…, I had been…exchanging knowledge on cultures with a Mercenare soldier, he wished to repay me after I saved his life.” There was no need to delve into the complexity’s of her and Ego’s relationship. “Before you begin, I gave no information about the war. Me and him have been meeting for some time and I hoped to gain some information on their side of the war.
I did, as you can tell. At first it was minor things, however him and I grew…friendlier over time and in our last meeting, he told me that King Mercenare will be invading soon.”
Shizuko didn’t look Aiko in the eyes as she explained.
“How can you be sure he’s telling the truth?”
”He didn’t give me a date, I don’t see why we shouldn’t be prepared even if it isn’t true.” Aiko countered, she pulled out the sketch of the crown she drew and placed it on the table. “I want to create this. It’s a crown full of knowledge, the truth of this world, of any world, will be collected in it. And…it will also be used to seal away King Mercenare.”
”Won’t creating something so powerful leave you bedridden for a while?” Mayumi asked.
”It will, that’s why I intend to create it at the height of the battle. But…when it comes to using it as a seal…I’ll need your guys help with that. Put all of our power together in order to seal him away.”
”But for our powers to combine…,” Mayumi began.
”Our hearts need to be aligned.” Shizuko finished. “And yours and I’s…are quite distant at the moment.”
”Perhaps on most things,” Aiko agreed. “But there is one thing you and I can agree on. And as long as that ideal is in our hearts…we should be able to pull it off.”
”Your want to protect our kingdom….” Mayumi whispered, smiling gently. She stood up, outstretching her hands. “No matter what disagreements any of us had, we are all in this together!”
Looking from Mayumi’s hand to each other, both Aiko and Shizuko began giggling.
”I suppose all this anger has been awful for my health.” Shizuko took Mayumi’s hand.
“For the sake of our kingdom…and all those who have suffered because of King Mercenare.” Aiko agreed, in her heart, she couldn’t help but include the Mercenares who’ve suffered due to their king.
”Mayumi dear, what would we do without you?”
Ego stared out into the distance as the armies marched forward in the distance. Even so far away, he could feel the presence of King Mercenare, who had likely taken on a smaller form to remain under wraps.
It’s been four weeks since his and Aiko’s last meeting and Ego’s become far more diligent than even before he had met her. Only because Ego had buried himself in his work to get his mind off his feelings.
He understood what Aiko was talking about. Ego couldn’t choose between her or his species, so Aiko had made the choice for him.
“To think…we’re so close.” Gouma whispered beside him, how long had he been there? “Once we take over Trump Kingdom, King Mercenare should be satiated for a time…giving us plenty of time to live our lives out as hero’s.”
Gouma lifted his hand up towards Ego.
”It sounds nice, doesn’t it? You and me, living in riches for the rest of our lives?”
Ego turned toward his brother, trying to give a convincing smile.
”Yeah…,” he clasped his hand over Gouma’s, the two tightening their grip in a familiar fashion. However, unlike other times, Gouma pulled Ego into a hug.
”Make sure you don’t die out there. If ya die, I may just have to kill myself.” Ego rolled his eyes, pulling away with a chuckle.
”As if you’d ever do something like that. Wouldn’t want to miss doing the “Wistful Farwell” for me, no?”
Gouma just laughed and shrugged.
”We’ll just have to see. Make sure we stay close to each other.” Ego nodded as they marched on.
The first attack was launched as General Luci broke through the gates with her army. The exits were blocked and the true battle quickly began as soldiers were discharged.
Ego and Gouma entered, bringing in soldiers from Vain’s army alongside their own. A soldier tried to sneak up from behind Ego, but he created a whip of dark energy to send them flying, quickly transforming that whip into a full body armor as multiple soldiers attempted to dogpile him.
Creating a vortex of wind, Ego knocked them all back to the point that some were launched into walls.
Ego winced to himself, did he really want to do this?
Of course he didn’t…not like he had much of a choice though.
Still, he couldn’t help but keep an eye out for light blue hair and sharp green eyes.
“Ego!” He heard Gouma’s voice and knew exactly what was coming. Gouma created blobs of dark energy in the air, using them as quick stepping stones before his feet landed on Ego’s shoulders.
Ego braced himself as Gouma kicked himself off of Ego, using his sword to cut through soldiers. As blood from a nearby soldier splattered onto his cheek, it became all the more apparent how…real this was.
Its not the first time Ego has been on a battle field, this wouldn’t be the first time he’s taken lives…but for some reason he felt sick to his stomach as he felt the warm liquid run down his cheek.
”Hey! Did ya see that- …Ego?” Gouma ran up to him. “Is everything-“ Right as he got to Ego’s side, Ego noticed a soldier turning towards Gouma, blade out.
“WATCH OUT!” Ego pushed Gouma to the side, summoning his spear and ramming it so hard through the soldiers chest that it broke past the armored breastplate and through their body.
Ego stared down at the lifeless corpse on his spear, chest tight.
”Hah! Damn, you were quick! Sorry about that, I hardly notice him coming.” Gouma merely ripped the corpse off it and threw them to the ground like it was nothing.
Still staring down at the corpse, Ego’s voice became hoarse.
”I have to go….” He whispered finally, catching Gouma’s attention despite the chaos around them.
”What..?” Gouma turned to face Ego, confusion on his face. “What…do you mean by that? You gonna provide support to a different squadron or…-“
”I have to go. I can’t…I can’t do this.” Ego threw his spear to the ground, Gouma stated in horror as he picked it up.
”What do you mean you ‘can’t do this’?! You’ve done this before!” He extended the spear out. “This isn’t new, Ego. What’s changed?! Is it seriously that human girl?! Is that what this is about?!”
Ego didn’t answer and Gouma took a step forward.
”You can’t suddenly decide to stop. There isn’t anywhere that will take our kind after this! You either fight here or we die somewhere else!”
Ego looked away as he saw anger turn to panic on Gouma’s face.
”Hey… what are you doing? Come on, Ego. We have to keep moving.” Ego turned on his heels and began walking away. “Where are you going?!” Gouma cried; Ego sped up. “What are you doing?!”
His brother’s voice got fainter as he continued to run. Run where? He wasn’t sure.
”Ego! Get back here! You’ll be killed! Ego! EGO!”
Cure Wisdom watched the battlefield below her as people soldiers fought against the Mercenares, taking out attack sets with her bow.
”Cure Guardian, duck!” Guardian ducked her head as Cure Wisdom shot an arrow toward a Mercenare who was attempting a sneak attack.
”Thanks!”
”Great job you two!” Empress beamed at the two, however, her eyes fell onto King Mercenare in the distance.
”You two weaken him first!” Wisdom told them. “I’ll join you in a moment!” They nodded and flew off as Cure Wisdom flew down to where Captain Klondike was giving orders. “Captain Klondike. How is everything fairing?”
He turned towards Cure Wisdom and bowed his head.
”As well as we can. They have all the exits blocked, making it impossible for evacuations.” Cure Wisdom casted a glance towards one of the largest exits at the west gate.
”Get your men to begin evacuations and bring civilians to the west gate, I’ll handle those blocking it.”
”Thank you, whoever you three are, we are unendingly grateful.” Cure Wisdom nodded before taking off.
Landing atop the west gate, she gazed down at the mass of Mercenare, to her relief there wasn’t any sign of Ego. Wisdom jumped from the gate and began fighting off any Mercanres.
Punching the ground, she created a huge crater and froze it over with her powers. That’ll hold them for a time. She tossed two other soldiers over her soldiers and kicked three others away.
The west gates opened as civilians began streaming out.
Suddenly, Wisdom heard a loud roar from King Mercenare. Her job here was done, the others needed her!
Flying over, Wisdom saw her two friends chipping away at King Mercenare. Cure Empress used her Crystal Mirror to blind him as Cure Guardian ran her Dragon Glaive through his eye.
”Are you girls okay?”
Cure Empress smiled at her, though it was tight.
Creating a blast of wind, all three girls were knocked back into the castle.
King Mercenare was far stronger than she predicted. Would this even work..?
This was the first time Cure Wisdom has been so unsure of her plan. Were they in over their heads? Would the Eternal Golden Crown even hold him?
As Wisdoms thoughts spiraled, Cure Empress reached out her hand.
”We’ve always trusted your plans before…I know it’ll work this time.”
”How can you be so sure…?”
”…Because we’re the Precure.” Such simple, idealistic words, and yet, she couldn’t help but smile as she took Cure Empresses hand, joined by Cure Guardians.
“Alright, girls!” The three flew up into the sky, facing King Mercenare.
”And the fools come to die.” He sneered. “Even if by some miracle you manage to kill me, I will always return! As long as greed exists in peoples hearts, I will live on!”
”Even if that is so, there will always be those who stop you!” Cure Guardian exclaimed as she held out her Dragon Glaive. Cure Empress held out her Crystal mirror.
”Do you truly think those trinkets will stop me?”
”These aren’t what’s going to stop you.” Cure Empress smiled as Cure Wisdom collected all her power, all her wisdom. A bright light flashed as the Eternal Golden Crown was formed. The two other weapons glowed, leaving the Precures hand and surrounding King Mercenare.
”What are you-?!” He cried out as an ice pillar formed around him.
The crown faded from view, lodging onto the ice pillar as it was finally sealed.
The seal shone brightly, the impact pushing the three Precure away in all different directions. Cure Wisdom shot through buildings, landing in the rubble of a decimated temple.
Wisdoms body felt heavy and her legs shook as she began to stand up.
It really was a tiring thing to create such a legendary weapon….
But…it was finally over….
Cure Wisdom paused as she heard slow clapping, a person walked through the rubble.
“Would you look at that. You actually beat the guy. About time someone knocked that bastard off his high horse.”
General Gouma.
He fixed his glasses as he stepped atop a large piece of broken rubble.
”You’ve lost.” Cure Wisdom rasped. “Your king is sealed. You can leave before you’re caught and executed.”
”And where could we go exactly? No matter where we go, our species will continue to be outcasts. Even more so after this. We will have nowhere to go…it’s better to die taking down one of their beacons of hope, I’d say.”
Raising his hand, Gouma began collecting dark energy into his palm.
She couldn’t fly, she could hardly move she was so tired.
Oh well…Cure Wisdom supposed she didn’t fear death now, now that she had defeated King Mercenare, and that her knowledge will carry on her legacy.
After all, even though she fought hard to protect it, Aiko could never truly see her kingdom the same again after finding out the truth. Perhaps it is better off this way, to douse the anger that had begun to grow in her for the kingdoms past crimes and current compliance.
Just as Aiko accepted her fate, a voice broke through the quiet air.
”GOUMA STOP!”
Aiko shut her eyes as the powerful ball of dark energy shot towards her. However, despite preparing herself…the pain never came.
Was it so powerful that it killed her without Aiko even feeling it?
She opened her eyes and, to her horror, they landed on the familiar face of Ego.
He held Aiko in his arms, staring at her with a gentle smile on his face.
”Ego..?” Ego let out a warm chuckle, it would’ve been nice to see him again after nearly a month apart…that is until she saw blood dripping from his mouth. Ego’s legs gave out and he fell to his knees, Aiko fell alongside him. “Ego!” She cried out in horror as the realization sunk in. Her hands were stained with blood, where they had been over his chest.
Ego opened his eyes, staring up at Aiko.
”You were right…I needed to pick between my species or you…. So…I chose.” He took a shaky breath, the smile on his face never wavering. “I knew you loved this place more than you loved me…you’d be more upset if it were gone…so…-“
”That’s not what I meant!” Aiko’s voice broke as she took his face in her hands. “I never wanted you to do THIS! I never wanted this! No matter what was at stake I wouldn’t have wanted you to die for my happiness!” Her eyes stung and hands shook as she brushed away tears from his eyes.
Ego’s hand came up to cover hers, leaning into the warmth of her touch.
”You are so amazing…. You’re smart and brave and see the world in a way I could only ever dream of. You want to learn about so many things despite the risks. Never stop that. Never ever. Always take risks and always do what you think is best. It’s what I loved most about you. What I still love.
If I had the chance, I’d go back and do it all over again. Even if I knew it’d end in heartbreak. Because…I was happy for a time. So…so happy.
I love you…and you…you somehow found it in yourself to love someone with such a wretched and dark heart. Someone who has such selfish love. Someone who’d rather die remembered than live forgotten. It’s selfish, and cruel. My love is cruel…it’s different from yours…but it’s still love.”
”That’s not true!” Aiko shook her head, tears streaming from her face. “You have such a kind heart! You feel stronger love than any human I’ve ever known! Don’t talk about yourself like you’re some kind of monster!”
Looking at Aiko’s tearful face, he leaned in and kissed her forehead.
”Please don’t cry…you have a beautiful smile. I’m sure…if these cruel gods will let us…we will meet again.”
Ego laid back into the ground and Gouma, who had seemed in a state of shock, ran over, tripping over rubble as he collapsed next to Ego. He seemed to have completely forgotten Aiko’s presence.
”Ego! No…. No no no no! NO! WHAT DID YOU- WHY WOULD YOU-?!” Gouma began hyperventilating as he stared down at his dying brother. “THIS WASN’T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN! THIS WASN’T HOW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO!”
Ego glanced up at his brother, a sad smile gracing his lips.
”Gouma…my dear…brother. I’ve always wanted…you to see me as someone strong. As someone just as capable as you…. But looking back on it…I wouldn’t have had anything if it wasn’t for you…I wouldn’t even be a general had it not been for you….
I owe you…so much…for protecting me…for taking care of me…. I’m so new to love…but I’m sure…I love you…. You are so strong…so smart…please…live the rest of your life how you wish. You’re a better person than you know, Gouma.” Ego let out a dry chuckle. “I can tell…, because I don’t feel an ounce of pain right now. Even if you hurt people you make ends swift and merciful…it’s like my cruel love. We are so similar, you and I.
But please…never feel an ounce of sorrow. Do not let the teachings of our kind…stop the joy in your life. And please…don’t hurt each other…,” tears began to pour from Ego’s eyes, “I couldn’t bear it…if the two people I loved hurt each other.
I will love you both until my spirit vanishes from existence. I will love you with all that I am capable of. Thank you…for loving me so much….”
Ego’s breath finally stopped and his eyes dimmed, Aiko stared in numb pain, tears continuing to flow from her eyes while Gouma picked up Ego’s head and placed it in his lap, curling over his brothers body before letting out a heartbroken wail.
”My brother!” He sobbed, “I killed my baby brother!….” His voice broke as he hugged Ego’s body close. “I killed him…I killed my baby…my brother….” His shoulders shook, the composed and cocky General was long gone as the glasses fell from his nose and long hair hung over his face like a curtain, too ashamed to show his sorrow. “I killed him…I killed him…I killed him…. I always ruin what I love….”
Gouma finally lifted his head, eyes and cheeks red.
“Cure Wisdom…,” he rasped quietly. “Do not let us return to the darkness. Do not let us become tools for that monster once again….”
Gouma stood up, lifting his hand to clear the way of rubble, leaving a small area of clear ground.
”You wish to learn of other cultures, no?” He turned his back to her, picking up his glasses and fixing his hair. “I will show you a ritual of ours…, a dance to say goodbye to the fallen.”
Humming a low tune, Gouma began to step gracefully along the circle. Hands gliding across the air as though he were running them along the wind.
Feet crossing over each other, his body slowly spun, hand reaching up to grasp invisible strand before coming down to his heart. His other hand reached out as though gesturing to a crowd.
Both hands came to rest on the hilt of his sword as Gouma tilted his head so far back that the nape of his neck was exposed.
Hands clasped together, they lifted above his head, and far too late did she realize what he was doing as, clasped in his hand was the hilt of a sword.
Before Aiko could utter a word, Gouma plunged the sword into his chest and collapsed to the ground like a puppet with cut strings.
Aiko walked dazedly out from the wreckage and was greeted with a very worried Shizuko and Mayumi.
”Where were you? We thought something happened when you got blasted away!”
Aiko hardly looked at them before practically diving against Mayumi’s chest and breaking into sobs.
”A-Aiko?!” Mayumi cried out.
”Aiko, what’s wrong?!” Shizuko asked, but Aiko just shook her head.
”Where’s Michael…I need to talk to Michael. Right now.”
“Huh..?” Despite Mayumi’s confusion, Aiko clenched a piece of Mayumi’s dress in her hand and Mayumi nodded, seeing her friend’s distress.
The two had brought Aiko over to where Michael was sending out soldiers to check for any injured.
”You three…,” Michael blinked in surprise as he saw them walk up to him, Aiko being supported by the two, still too weak to walk far.
Removing herself from the other two, she walked over to Michael.
”I need you to come with me. Alone.” Michael looked taken aback.
”Lady Aiko..? Right now?”
”Yes. This can’t wait.” Maybe it could, but she didn’t want to know what would happen if she did.
The two had trecked to the wreckage in absolute silence, Michael needing to support Aiko at times. Eventually, they came upon the place where the two brothers lay. Michael just stared in silence.
”General Gouma and General Ego….” Aiko informed him quietly.
“You killed them..?” Michael asked finally. Aiko shook her head.
”Ego protected me from Gouma…and then…Gouma…,” she took a deep breath. “They were brothers….” Michael simply nodded as he crouched in front of Gouma’s body, grasping the sword planted in his chest and sliding it out.
”Ego is…,” Aiko hesitated. “I love him….” Michael had no reaction. “Are you not going to judge me..?” She asked after a beat of silence. Michael shook his head.
”I have no room to judge…,” he whispered, picking up Gouma’s body bridal styled his head resting against the armor in a way that it seemed as though he were just sleeping. Michael closed his eyes, his long ponytail blowing in the wind.
”I thought it’d be best…that Gouma had someone he at least knew….” Michael nodded at that. Despite the exhaustion, Aiko attempted to pick up Ego’s body, failing considering how much bigger he was than Gouma.
Reina, who had been completely silent since Ego’s sacrifice, leaped from her pocket and took on her human form. Putting one of Ego’s arms around shoulder.
If Michael had any reaction, he didn’t show it. He had probably figured out their identities by now.
Aiko had decided to bring the body’s to the cavern she and Ego had met at. But they had moved deeper inside to where all the channels connected into a large circular cavern.
Micheal and Reina had dug two holes in the ground as Aiko stared at the bodies, recalling something Ego had told her.
”Michael…may I borrow your dagger?” Michael nodded and tossed it over. Aiko bent down and gently grabbed the batwings on their head, using the dagger to cut them off.
”Why…are you mutilating them..?”
”It’s a tradition the Mercenares have. Their bodies return to the darkness, all except the wings, which are cut off.” Aiko explained.
”Shouldn’t we try to find a way for them to go back to the ‘darkness’ if we’re going all out? Don’t know how’d we do that though.”
Aiko shook her head.
”Gouma had begged me not to let them return…he didn’t want their powers to be used as tools again.” Michael simply nodded in understanding, picking up Gouma and gently placing him down into the hole. Reina and Aiko did the same for Ego.
They covered up the body’s and then placed the severed wings a few feet above before lightly burying those as well.
When finished, the three stared at the two graves.
Aiko had many words she wished to say…but couldn’t voice a single thought. Micheal on the other hand, took a deep breath.
”You were so…so pathetic. You lived, lonely and desperate…and you died, lonely and desperate. You don’t care who you hurt as long as you get what you want in the end…and even the few who do care about you…you either push them away or try to make them as miserable as you….” Despite his cruel words, his voice wavered and he blinked quickly.
“You laughed in the face of karma, saying it’d have to catch you first…, you were always good at running away from your problems, I guess…it finally caught up.”
Michael glanced at Aiko, who simply sat down. She reached into her bag and grabbed a root from the ground, placing it in a vial. She poured the contents of it over Ego’s grave.
White flowers sprung from the dirt, yet after a few moments, the petals began to glow a gentle purple.
”Goodbye…my love. May we meet again, if the cruel gods shall allow us.”