< Japan... After the Tokugawa age >. Jin'e Udou was contending a fight to the death against the legendary swordsman Kenshin Himura... For the second time after his suicide ??? For some strange reason, Jin'e was still alive after losing against the known " Batousai " Himura and now as twice as powerful. If Udou survived for real that last death match against Kenshin, what was that which made him even more powerful ?? The rise of his strength and speed was just too unnatural for a human being to acquire in such a few time. With a terrible red wound on his shoulder, Kenshin asked that to himself while thinking fast another way to defeat again this gutless assassin who only had two things in mind: Revenge against the one who defeated him and then continue his increasing rate assassinations. On guard and at five meters distance from each other, both swordsmen felt that it was already the time give all they had in their hands to either win or lose. Kenshin was already losing himself as Batousai Himura... Was he really going to use the other side of his sword to kill again ? Kenshin: - I must ask before we can go any further, did you really die back then, Udou ? - Jin'e: - Right, it is just kind to let you know that before I send where I have been. It was a gentle lord from darkness who granted me the opportunity to finish you out... See ? To believe that serving the right master can be betrayful is only a fallacy invented by stupid monks, idealists and members of the restoration. The sword is power and I have domain over it, no force can counterdict this order and no phrase can persuade such truth. - Kenshin: - So, it was a dark lord afterwards. I don't know exactly what that means, but I have a slight idea. Selling your soul to the devil was a very predictable thing, you know ? - Jin'e: - And very useful as well in order to get my revenge over you... BATOUSAI HIMURA !!! - Kenshin: - Are you ready ? - Jin'e: - Enough to slice you into pieces. - A moment of silence began the prelude to that final attack as Kenshin closed his eyes and began thinking about a last hope which could save him, Kaoru and her sisters ( After kidnapped by Jin'e, as a bait for Kenshin... How monotone ). Kenshin: - If the saying is right then this should be effective. Let's see if this allowed Jubei Ninpucchu to survive during the age of Tokugawa. - In slow motion, the incredible fast speed of Jin'e can barely be detected by Kenshin, as the evil swordsman uses his shoulder to pin the young Himura over a tree. His sword only flies and gets inside the tree green top, leaving the legendary Batousai unarmed. Jin'e: - [ Smiling evilly ] It is just fair to ask a painful and tortuous death for you Batousai. Without your blade you are nothing... Now, the time has come for me to tear you apart, limb by limb. - Kenshin: - [ Coughing blood ] Has it ? By the way, who said I was unarmed ? - Jin'e: - Eh ? What the... ? - A string inside Kenshin's sleeve is moved and Jin'e raises his head to see the treetop... And also and incoming sword of inverted sharp, which luckily strikes Udou's forehead with its non-edged side. Yet, the hit's too hard and too effective to leave him conscious, despising his demonic acquired power. Kenshin was still a Rurouni. Jin'e: - The technique of Ninpuchu ? Why you... ? - Kenshin: - Hai, I heard that you were using a new technique which consisted in pinning your opponents against solid surfaces to unarm them and then take the slash, instead of taking the slash first, which could still be predicted by some even with your new acquired speed. - Jin'e: - This, this is not the last of meeeeeeeeee.... - Jine's body fell to the floor unconscious and Kenshin followed the decreasing trajectory, badly wounded. Kenshin was almost unconscious and an opportune Sanosuke could see that easily, picking him up immediately. Sasosuke: - Kenshin, are you alright Kenshin ?? - Kenshin: - [ Smiling slightly ] I'm fine Sano, you know that... How are Kaoru, Ayame and Suzume ? - Sanosuke: - Safe, Yahiko is with them outside the woods. - Kenshin: - He made a deal with the devil himself, or a devil... I don't know why have strange things been going on. - Sanosuke: - Rest now, think later Kenshin. That's the best you can do if you don't want to see Kaoru crying like crazy. - Kenshin: - [ Chuckling ] You're right. - Sanosuke: - But then again, things have been quite strange lately. Duels and violence have increased everywhere for no apparent reason, like if people were possessed or something... An now Jin'e Udou comes back from the death. - Kenshin: - We gotta stop it somehow. - Sanosuke: - Yeah, yeah, I know. After resting, of course. - Kenshin: - 'Course. - As both warriors were going out of that forest, the body of Jin'e is focused from behind and we see how it rots and turns into dust, instantly... Even when being unconscious and not dead. Failure was probably the only motive, without the chance of committing suicide again. The scene fades in a black curtain. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Four ways of hatred, chapter nine: " The three stooges, a tale Andromeda whispered ". ------------------------------------------------------------------ { Music cue: " Spaceboy " Four non Blondes }. < Luquia plains, Doldo >. One of the most beautiful planets existing on the closest galaxy to ours. Filled with a beautiful distribution of vegetation and progress, Liquia was a countryland away from the few technology on Doldo... And now it was also the silent and smiley host of three statue-like Earthling guardians. With proud and erect aspects, the Galents: Rukdo, Pasto and Tana remain firmly on those positions, as three figures were materializing below. Investing normal clothes and attitude, Ichiro, Toji and Kensuke began looking around for anything relevant... And in their case, anything could be relevant, considering the lack of details they were victims before leaving. As a matter of fact, not just them, but each and every single member of the recently baptized " new breed "... How come so intelligent people could accept to be unimaginably away from home with the mere tip: " ... Once there, you will find eventually the primordial guide of your respective fulfillments. " Good, excellent, outstanding... Where the heck !? Presumed as part of that challenge, all the pilots accepted without conditions to start that blind search and surviving by eating what was in hand, sleeping anywhere that could seem comfortable and going where the instinct could guide them better. Of course, all this would sound tortuous indeed without the help of Galents... Ahhhh, if they would have only had the hope on asking first before supposing... Ikki might have told them, really. Unlike old times, there were no deadlines, explicit details, or emotional remembrances. But the question for excellence between the young ones in particular was this: " If the holy knights are there, why don't they do what we're being encouraged to ? ". True, the lower chambers were already uncovered and so the old and forgotten dark lords with Kilma's dark knights. However, no war or even small battle was seen between both bands. Did the destruction of the third impact really meant the spoil of the dark lords plans to combine their powers and raid heaven ? Yes... For the time being. Now that the symbolism that the ingenuity of men ( Represented by Gendou and Lorenz ) was out of the question, the dark lords had a year to perform this completely by themselves, while guarded by their tireless dark knights of the universe. Although there was a deadline, Ikki considered prudent not to speak about it to the young pilots, in order to see their self-development without pressure on their backs. From outside, it was easily judged that they were all up to it, since they all had the dare to venture themselves into unknown lands away from home with so few details... Come to think of it, was it really dare, or just pure, unreasonable madness ? The tales they were all about to immerse on, were going to answer that interrogant in due time; time which required again the presence not only of new knights, but also the help of the forgotten: " Artarot Wadz ". The category just mentioned was about to clear various new questions that old generations ignored completely about. A group of bushes and trees was close and the party decided to walk there to do something else than just remain in the same place, watching the surroundings. Toji: - I can't believe dat we're doin' dis... it's just too stupid to search for something or someone without nowin' where ta start. - Kensuke: - [ Bored look ] I don't know why, but I think it's too late to say things like that, Susahara kun. - Ichiro: - Cheer up a little, both of you. We have the Galents with us... Nothing can be that hard with them at our side. - Toji: - So, are those we hear from you greedy words ? - Ichiro: - Either that or just a way to calm you down... I wonder, you think those fruits on the trees are eatable. - Toji: - [ With hair strays ] Don't tell me you didn't have breakfast again... - Kensuke: - [ Little eyes ] No, I think it's more like you're just hungry again. Ukyo sama wouldn't let her son leave Earth without having breakfast, or would she ? - Ichiro: - [ Smiling ] Come on, a fruit is a fruit. Although we don't even know where we are, I can't help my curiosity to find out how the fruit of this X planet taste like. - Kensuke: - Now that you mention the planet, I first thought that the place we were heading was going to be fascinating. Though, I haven't found anything different here from Earth. - Toji: - Well dat' shouldn't be important, we're here fer anything but enjoying the sights. - Ichiro: - [ Smiling and sweating ] Well, I wouldn't look at it through that point of view either, Susahara kun. Besides, we have just arrived and I believe this place is far from representing the whole planet. - Kensuke: - [ Exhaling exhaust ] Well, if tasting fruits is the best we can do, let's do it. - Toji: - [ Crossing arms ] They're probably testing our patience or something like that, it always happens. - Ichiro: - Well, that's a possibility. They might as well be ignoring our existence intentionally in order to develop better our now independent sense of bravery... Unlike days ago, when we destroyed the third impact. - Kensuke: - Well, not completely independent I think. What about the one we're looking for ? You know, that [ Making fun of Ikki ] " primordial guide to our respective fulfillments ". - Ichiro: - You got me on that one, gotta have to admit it. Can't help my curiosity either in knowing how does he, she or it might look like, about its power and wisdom... - Toji: - [ Interrupting ] Come to think of it, let's get back to fruit part, hai ? - Ichiro: - [ Smiling and sweating ] Of course... - The scene fastforwards to see our young friends over the green treetops, eating the fruits they were originally looking at. Comically and drawn in deformed figures, their eating speeds were unimaginable... As a sign that the fruits were tasty enough. Kensuke: - [ Chomping ] This is helluvagood ! ... [ Smiling ] I think I'll have some more. - Toji: - [ Chomping ] What if this fruit is somebody else's ? - Ichiro: - The owner will probably come and shoot us for this... [ Grinning ] But considering the circumstances, it will be worth the price. - Kensuke: - [ Smiling ] You know ? It tastes like pear... Just a bit too better. - Voice: - [ Bored tone ] It's a pear, you idiot. - The impression of the strange voice made our distraught friends " fall like mature fruit ", provoking the shake of the screen and at the same time a funny crashing sound. Then, over the branch they were seated on, a woman investing a green antique dress and a black cape, materialize, holding mentally one of the pears that were going to fall with the trio. Her aspect was human-like, though, an detail of hers denoted that she was not, or that she was suffering a deformity of some kind. The young woman began munching the fruit while smirking and looking the endless psychedelic loops of dizziness inside the eyes of the " fallen children ". Young woman: - [ Thinking ] Can they be the ones Alice sama spoke about ? ... [ Looking right ] Those are the so called Galents that have been in the mouth of many lately. Hmmmmm, quite kawaii. Pity I can't say the same for the pilots, but... Awww, what the heck, if they are the ones, they are the ones. [ Sighing ] Hope I don't assume the role of a mother as well. Well, it is now or never. - The scene fastforwards until hours later, focusing a party of four around a little fireplace created menatlly and a few wood pieces, courtesy of the young woman who made them fall hard to the ground. Ichiro like his friends had the classic oriental bandages on their foreheads... Toji and Kensuke were fuming, as a matter of fact. Deedlit was an elf, original from a pure and virginal planet which still possessed in all its integrity arts like: magic, honor and faith. In case of not experimenting this personally, Toji and Kensuke wouldn't have believed a single word from the story they had just heard. Not belonging to that universe in particular, but to universe 107, Alice found the " young " elf's unique properties appropriate to lead a party of youngsters to a rushed maturation... Then again, maybe the term " rushed " way incorrectly used, since this was probably meant to happen. The night was beautiful, specially for a planet that had three moons and another planet at a fair distance ( Like watching Saturn from Jupiter and vice-versa ) and even though such beauty was undeniable, the smile of Deed was completely unbearable for Toji and Kensuke, who didn't wanted to find their pride hurt as the still in fashion " new pilots ". Ichiro was too much distracted with the story of Deed and Loddoss, to pay attention on anything else but that, which the elf loved. Extreriorized, Ichiro was different from his almost brothers, but she knew since the very first moment that they were all the same in essence... Why was everything so enigmatic for her always ? Deed didn't complain at all, she like the kids were in the same situation, even though she was going to be their master. It was almost like a family thing without knowing each other. Ichiro: - I guess I am beginning to understand what sensei Ranma used to say about how relative can the imagination of any author be through conceptions only a different place from home can proportion... Deed sama, did you know that everything you have told us about yourself and birthplace would be considered as the most wonderful of the tales and nothing else but that in our world ? - Deed: - [ Smiling with eyes closed ] Oh, flattering. That's a compliment for sure. - Kensuke: - You don't seem to be that old and wise as you claim to be. - Toji: - Ya look rather like someone with nothing else to do, who has in mind ta give uz a hard time with jokes. - Deed: - Time passes and either here or in my homeland, you humans are completely strange. [ Sighing ] Frankly, it would be funnier to speak with land worms than spending jokes on kids like you. - Ichiro: - [ Smiling and sweating ] You see, this all about the fall, don't worry. They will be the same as before by tomorrow. Well, as I was saying, your Earth is truly a beautiful place indeed by just hearing its description. - Deed: - Arigato... [ Meditating position ] Now that I remember, we also have our fantastic tales with us ! [ Nodding ] Hai, they usually speak about that you call, um, " technology " I believe; and It's all fantastic. - Kensuke: - [ With hair strays ] This is just too much. - Toji: - Yosh, fine, I buy all this... When are we going to start whatever we came here for ? - Deed: - That fall was your start, which was not that good, but... I believe I can improve that concentration factor of yours. - Kensuke: - Do you know who are you talking to Elf ? If it wasn't for us, our Earth would have been... - Ichiro: - [ Interrupting, smiling and sweating ] And we'll put all our will to improve on that aspect. [ Thinking with little eyes ] Thought for a moment their pride decreased, but... - Deed: - Good, gotta sleep early now for what expects us tomorrow. Find any place which suits you good for that purpose, the land is vast and... - Toji and Kensuke: - [ With giant heads over Deed ] WHAT DO YOU MEAN WITH THE LAND IS VAST, EH !!?? ARE WE SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR AND UNCOVERED !!?? - Deed: - [ Smiling with eyes closed ] Hai. - Toji and Kensuke face-fault. Deed: - Eventually, you will find mother nature the best bed where to sleep on. This is just a good moment to start... [ Turning and winking right eye ] Sleep well, Ichiro kun. - Ichiro: - [ Smiling and bigsweating ] Same here, Deelit sama. - The scene fades as Deed begins to float few feet over the ground and yawns. --------------- { Music cue: " Serenatta rap " Lorenzo Geovanotti }. When lord Parn had to say " goodbye " temporarily to the love of his life after summoned in a divine request to be the guide of a party of children by knight Alice, he acted cool and calm before this bizarre situation. Not long ago Parn, Orson, and other not known characters on that Earth joined forces in an ultimate quest to be for a while the holy knights of that realm against the threat Mistra Fack represented there. Succeeding, lord Parn like Orson were granted by God with the blessing of resurrection for Deedlit and the red hared. Years later ( As you may imagine ) the peaceful planet was victim of a disaster, eliminating half of the population there. ( Note: By the way, someone known as Setzuna Miou had also vanished from Earth's realm for unknown reasons... The pattern was not lost, as always ). Deed was still a strong conjurer of nature ( Which could be taken as magician in Earth's 1 realm ). Besides that, her wisdom towards everything was overwhelming, it even used to take out the admiration of sages everywhere. Even though she had lived many years, seeing and perceiving many things, Deed still considered humans very strange; and although this was taken many times as a harsh criticism from an immortal being, her intention were merely good. Afterall, elves didn't actually had such mood changes and emotional twists... Which was a unique good quality if having the right knowledge to control it. Deed could only be who she was, even at the side of a human. Noble as no other, yet a human. Wheh... How was an elf going to help a trio of young wild-spirited brats to be better ? In which way exactly ? Well, for the entertainment, respect and amazement of those who didn't know her completely yet, Deed had incredible power those days to evoke and control more efficiently the sylphs from the different elements and natural entities. Galents made their way through difficult battles against Golems of earth, Dragons of fire, Gnomes of Bradurech, lions of water and many others on countless kinds of challengers mother nature offered by command of this exceptional female elf. ( Notes: Bradurech is a unique kind of tree from Doldo, which wood was in essence useless, since its consistence was impossible to cut for its bizarre hardness. Although it was like trying to cut steel, Bradurech was still wood ). For some reason, no one seemed to inhabit the region they were training on. And the truth is that this region was quite populated once, but there was far much territory to explore ). During long two months ( Which felt like years ) Ichiro, Toji and Kensuke felt what meant to be warriors... Concept which applied to their generation. Oh yes, Deed also proved to be a magnificent instructor in every single aspect and they began to appreciate not only her qualities into what knowledge concerned, but also about care and affection. Even she couldn't believe how come her sentiments were beginning to vary towards her pupils. Inside her deep and vast knowledge, Deed always knew that the relationship was going to grow better eventually. Though, she had to admit after two months of relationship the expectations of this growth turned actually higher. However, even though changes took place, Toji and Kensuke still acted like grumps... And Ichiro still smiled with sweat drops. It was all to hilarious for Deed. In the mentioned lapse of time, Galents became an essential part of the pilot's existence. Deed taught them how to control the guardians by not using only mere metal control, the good elf pointed as well that victory resided far beyond that point and that they only destroyed the third impact thanks to the help of the other chosen, in a unique combination of wills and efforts... And she was right, which made conscience on the inconsequent pilots. " The only secret to victory, is to allow your selves to be the conductor between your souls and the Galents ". As heard before in the past, the chosen overpassed their sensei in a not so prolonged period of time. Now the next of most important challenge was against themselves... And the kids were having a hard time on that particular phase. One day after finishing a fight between themselves, Deed was expecting our friends on the floor with a big basket of varied fruit... Which was also by the way, the only kind of food they had during months, including other non-meat meals. Well, it would be foolish to expect an elf who's training you to approve such thing. Collectively with others on her own Earth, it was different, just having those convictions for herself only. They accepted for the great respect she had inspired on them through the two elapsed months... And what greater reason to inspire respect than becoming the most perfect guide of all, even though Deed had just heard about technology on tales believed to be purely inspirational ? She always said smiling: " It is all a matter of knowledge ". Words which hardly escaped from Ichiro's mind. Deed just considered that both arts were not so different as people used to point. Once used about fruit, a new main goal made them forget what was the real meaning of tastes... The new problem was socialization. Even though they were beginning to agree a little more on their real purpose there, their young blood requested eagerly unconscious any other company besides sensei Deedlit; and not because of boredom, for them it just had to happen... Well, Ichiro was a bit indifferent on that matter. Deed: - You see ? Soul over mind, mind over body. It is so simple. - Toji: - [ Munching ] Yeah, yeah. - Kensuke: - Though, that's a quite unfair point of view. You say all this for everything you've experienced through... [ Sighing ] Well, only God knows how many years. - Deed: - Well maybe... [ Smiling ] But it's working out just fine, don't you think so ? - Ichiro: - Mmmm, she's got a point, Kensuke. - Toji: - Aww, cut-it-out ! If we look at it through that point of view she's always going to have a point... I already gave up on that one. - Ichiro: - [ Munching ] Well, believe it or not, I haven't given up yet on the idea of getting a point over Deed sama. - Kensuke: - [ To Deed ] Well, what do you think about it ? - Deed: - Exactly what I though since I first met you... - Toji: - [ Gesturing " go on " ] ... And that is ? - Deed: - That my pupils could win against me in any aspect... And as you know, you have already overcome not only my power, but the power of nature and its elements as well. - Ichiro: - Though, the greatest challenge is to acquire the wisdom a being with hundreds or thousands of years, I don't know, has obtained through a lifetime. - Deed: - [ Suspicious smile ] Now that you mention it, this is something that has got my attention since the very beginning. - Ichiro: - [ Rising eyebrow ] What ? - Deed: - Although you may act like a gentleman... [ Smart smile ] You're just as challenging as your friends. - Ichiro: - There might be a slight possibility that could true. - Toji: - [ With hair strays ] Oh no, don't tell me you are going to strat again... Like if politicians weren't enough on Earth, now I must have to tolerate a couple of debaters live. - Kensuke: - They're like nails and skin alright. - Deed: - [ Smirking at Ichiro ] That is one of the ways how things must be looked at. - Ichiro: - [ Smirking at Deed ] Indeed and we are far from being done, if it doesn't bother you. - Toji and Kensuke: - [ Sweating with little eyes ] The old sister and the young brother... Wonder why aren't they ? - Deed: - [ Inhaling ] But you know ? They're absolutely right, mealtimes are sacred where I come from, hope it's the same way where you come from. Let's just leave this interesting discussion for the battlefield, shall we ? - Ichiro: - And why not ? It has always been that way. - Deed: - Until you learn better, it will always be that way. - Toji and Kensuke just look at each other while eating their food with hair strays... Getting used a little more to the " interesting " disputes sensei and pupil used to have as seconds passed by. Another boring detail about their stay on that desolated continent was their clothes. Although theirs was clean and neat, even Toji was beginning to get bored of his old Fila gear. But... In the end, who the hell cared ? Deed used to laugh about that fact, since all of them had the quality to create matter by just willing it. They just hadn't realized yet they could. In the meantime, they maintained successfully composture by thinking about what the ones before them had to deal during their trainings ( Specially Mamoru, Shingo and Tetsuya, see chap. 6 ). By the time they were done and rested, the pilots headed where their robots were cool and quiet as always before riding them... Until an anormal noise inside a sense they hadn't developed yet, warned them to dodge an incoming threating object. The young pilots turned fast enough to see by themselves that the threating object ( Or objects ) in question were a lateral storm of edged rocks, which were not seeking exactly to just " tag " them. In an unconscious and spontaneous action, Kensuke, Toji and Ichiro began dodging the threating attack of unknown origins, by jumping or backing off. Not having time to meditate about what they were doing and how, the young pilots were beginning to get away from the attacking spot... Not having success on it, since the spot in question was as close as in the beginning. A minute of evading strategy marked that the pilots were already four miles away from the original spot they were on. Quite pumped in adrenaline, not a single boy on the party got the opportunity to meditate about what was going on, or concentrate enough to teleport inside the Galents. It was not until deep inside Ichiro's mind Deed's voice was heard, with a wise tone of voice ( Wise, professional... Pick any depending on your point of view ). It said: " As always, I do not know if this phrase is also known on your Earth, but I must let you know that... Attack can be sometimes the best defense. " Ichiro begins to have a flashback when he was seven years old, when his father begins to instruct him about martial arts, just before he could be Ranma's pupil. Guillermo used this as a way to teach the meaning of bravery to his son, during the days the second impact and its consequences trashed the spirit of many. Ichiro then turned his worry into a smirk and clenched fists as the prelude of an unimagined attack against the aggressor edged rocks. He began advancing forward, right to the point he and his friends were forced to withdraw. Using the knowledge he had on martial arts, Ichiro used fists and feet to open his way through the deadly way. What he didn't know by that moment is what kind of speed and power was he using to perform his varied skills... He just felt that he was using his normal rates for both... Not quite. In half time Ichiro used to back off from the green spot he and his friends were originally on, they all returned. In slow motion, we see how Ichiro takes out the last edged rock with a quite powered punch, reducing it into shining ashes. While panting heavily, Ichiro remains on that last attacking position, as an aerial take-up shows up a long way of gray dust over the floor tending right where he was standing. In order to get back to his normal self, Ichiro blinked many times and then turned his head slowly to the both sides. On the left was Toji and on the right Kensuke. The young Farfán absorbed instantly that his friends also went through the his same altered stage, succeeding in destroying every single stone on their way. He didn't got quite exactly his friends had done it, since none had bases on martial arts... " Maybe a result of this training ? " He asked himself silently. Coming out of a big white sphere their sensei appeared clapping for the display of greatness just shown. Opening their eyes wide open in madness, Toji and Kensuke had in mind for a moment to assassinate right away the obvious suspect of that unwanted ambush... Fortunately for Deed's sake, they didn't move for some strange reason, which she acknowledged since the very beginning. Deed: - You know what this means ? - Toji: - [ Still gone ] Kurose... - Deed: - Incorrect, this only proves that even though you don't physically train quite often, since you have made Galents part of your iko and mind, their actions are indeed, yours as well. - Kensuke: - [ Very gone ] Kurose... - Ichiro: - I would just like to know one thing. Was that attack of yours really meant to be mortal ? - Deed: - First answer this: Do you want me to lie about that, or do you want to be as gone as your friends right now ? - Ichiro: - [ Eyes closed, sweating ] Well, anything for the universe's sake some say, right ? - Deed: - [ Giggling ] Right, I will wait until Toji and Kensuke return from wherever they are to continue. Until that, have a rest if you want to, I guess you've earned it. - Deed began walking away from a speechless Ichiro, who just thought after judging that her sensei was far away enough. Ichiro: - [ With little eyes ] Oh my, she can be like the devil sometimes. - Deed: - [ Melodically ] I heard that ! - Ichiro face-faults and the scene fades with a funny trumpet's tune. --------------- { Music cue: " Plush " Stone Temple Pilots. Acoustic Ver. }. By the fifth month, Deed realized that she had been participant of an incredible evolution process. Ichiro, Toji and Kensuke grew up so fast in so little time physically, emotionally and spiritually. Galents were sublime in the whole meaning of the word now, not only their combat skills were unique, despising their giant size, but also their magical properties projected through the iko of their pilots. Evoking the sylphs of things was not a necessary thing since these personally recognized Ichiro, Toji and Kensuke as their truthful masters in a quite sublime spiritual ritual. Maturation became handy to the success of this and Deed sama in a an act of acknowledgment changed her behavior and began treating her pupils in the way she dealt with elves of her kind. Although Ichiro was not able yet to beat the wise sayings of her master, he was doing a lot better, exchanging sometimes in an hour lapse, thousands of ideas. Considering that this was not the forte of Toji and Kensuke, they didn't participate on these conversations as fully as the main starrings, but both had a lot of respect for what Ichiro and Deed used to do now. The three of them were beginning to understand that those long talks and debates had their important purpose for their mental development, used in training as wisdom applied to combat. One night, during a unique storm of shooting stars, Toji and Kensuke were sleeping and so was Ichiro... Or at least that's what Deed thought while having a helpless moment of meditation which was keeping her away from necessary rest. While looking at the stars falling, a voice from behind took her concentration out of the celestial display of beauty. Ichiro: - Can't really blame you. If I were you I would also find impossible to remain sleep with such an spectacle. - Deed: - Those shooting stars... You know what they're looking for don't you ? - Ichiro: - ... They're just, trying to find someone who can find inspiration from them... Anybody at all. - Deed: - You have grown so high Ichiro san, I'm very proud. - Ichiro: - I miss my mother and father, you know ? I wish I could be able to know how Earth is doing now without the dominion of an worldwide iron fist politic.... I wish I could know how my friends and my love are doing... But I can't. Something deep inside tells me to be patient, that it is just rightful to be that way. - Deed: - Trust your inner voices this time, Ichiro san, for these are the your real thoughts speaking without a voice. However, there's something else, isn't it ? - Ichiro: - You noticed it since I first came, didn't you ? - Deedlit nodded. Ichiro: - [ Inhaling ] Deed sama, nobody knows this, not even those very close to me... I know you have killed more than once, Deed sama. How did you feel the first time you deprived a living beign from its right to enjoy its most sacred gift. - Deed: - I cried for 21 days and 21 nights. My elders understood how I felt and allowed mother nature to be the only guide I required... My existence was never the same and I grew up very fast, for committing this at a very young age. You however, seem to be taking your first experience in the bravest of the ways. - Ichiro: - When rage has possessed you, I mean the very spirit of rage, you are just unavailable to reach any kind of reason. He was the main responsible of our doom, he was the main earthling to allow the lords of evil to think mankind was all weakness and selfishness. - ( Note: Back to the destruction of the third impact, in the blink of an eye Ichiro recognized the soul of Keel Lorenz when " returning process " was taking place. Seeing through all his story and intentions, Ichiro just focused the pseudo term " wandering Jew " and exploding in rage, he burned the soul of SEELE's leader... Which exploded inside his own body few seconds later, before Macross government troops could storm the main meeting room ). Deed: - [ Smiling slightly ] It's been said in your earth as well as mine that " It's only God's duty to take the gift of life out any living being " ... I know that you're all good Ichiro and that your actions are neither praised or hated. If my judgment over this situation is not mistaken, then your actions were not forced to happen like a blind and incoherent act of revenge... But merely meant to be. - Ichiro: - You mean that I was not the main guide of my actions and that I was, was, was... ? - Deed: - [ Smiling ] The rest of the interpretation is understandable enough, or so it seems. Yours was not rage as you claim it was, Ichiro san... When rage itself penetrates a man's soul, this one has gained a damnation for the rest of his life. Believe me, I have been a witness of that. - Ichiro: - Deed sama, arigato. - Deed: - What for ? - Ichiro: - For making us who we are. - Deed: - Mine was just a forging to what you already were. That is not something adjustable to my will... As a matter of fact, this is something predisposed by destiny too. - Ichiro: - Are we really that important, Deed sama ? - Deed: - Judge your humbleness and you'll find the answer to that. Any other would assure his or her importance to this process even against a counterdicting conscience. - Ichiro: - [ Snickering ] Tee-hee, you smart elf, you. - Deed answered by laughing... Which didn't last very long, when an unexpected and very bad sensation made her begin turning her head left and right at the same time with Ichiro. Seconds later Toji and Kensuke joined them, after awakened by that terrible sensation, which was like hearing the echoing ache of many living beings in unison... Their dantesc chant horrified them all. However, it was not a kind of echo which could be heard easily by anyone. Their senses and conscience allowed them to be listeners of such grief. Toji: - It's... It's someone's suffering. - Kensuke: - One of a whole, combined. - Ichiro: - Spreading everywhere over the whole planet, what is this exactly ? I, I don't understand... - Deed: - [ Sweating ] No, it's a whole lot worse than that. It is, is, is... - All: - [ Terrorized, in four separated screens ] The whole planet !! - Deed: - Come on, ride your Galents ! It is occurring 23,000 miles away from here... To the east ! - Ichiro: - [ Nodding ] Should we teleport there at once ? - Deed: - Do that ! If we don't, there'll not be much where to land on ! - Toji: - What the... ? Deed: - Haste on, wonder later ! Hashire !! - The pilots vanishing marked their presence inside the Galents and Deed got in the center of the trio to capture the teleporting warping range of this recently learned spell. After disappearing on a quick and dazzling flash of gray light, only a strong wind current was left on the green plain... Which was acquiring a brown-like color ?? The next scene shows three mechanical-like giants with deep dark surfaces in absorbing position, shaping a triangle when viewing them through aerial take-ups. One holding a Rapier, the other a couple of knives and the third a medieval sword. Weapons through which the scarlet-like energy emerging from the triangle they were shaping was being absorbed. Their aspects were fearful, taken out from the darkest nightmares magicians used to have during the age of king Arthur; and the best proof of their fearful exteriors were the evil shine of their optical cavities remaining satisfied with the screaming energy that was being snatched from the soul of Doldo. Firm and well shaped, the three giants noticed an incoming and unwanted presence coming close where they were. The energy ceased to be absorbed, but the dark titans remained on the same positions, giving the impression that the incoming presence was not enough to be considered as threats... And that's how it was for real. Instead of caution, their expressions demonstrated interest on what was the meaning of such strong ikos in a world believed to be completely desolated after a phenomenon they thought about named: " Akaekobakaram ". ( Note: In the dark knights circle dialect, it meant " another gate to faked grace " ). Galents appeared in front of the dark giants as dazzling as they teleported, already in forceful combat stances. Deed remained in the middle of both bands watching with amazement the similar glory these titans had compared with Galents. As a matter of fact, Deed had deep inside herself the same impression which stroke her after seeing for the very first time Galents. It was an adverse kind of battlefield. On one side, there was tension and pressure while on the other, there was greed and overconfidence. The dark titan holder of the rapier, nailed the edged part of its weapon inside the floor and got closer to the Galents, remaining few meters away from Deed, who didn't move at all as a sign of pride or... Whatever on her mind to not demonstrate fear. An elegant voice was heard inside the minds of our heroes coming directly from the dark giant. It said: " Férico Parot, Dara Ormi and Terdo Puc. Dark rulers of Dori, Achis and Tapa. Low your weapons young men and come down, for this is certainly unexpected ". Galent Rukdo nailed the edged part of its rapier too as commanded by the pilot Farfán and its fellow pilots disapproved this action with huge veins on their foreheads. Toji's voice: - IT IS ALL A BIG LIE. HAVE YOU GONE INSANE WHEN WE ARE ABOUT TO ENGAGE IN A DUEL !!? - Kensuke's voice: - I DON'T BELIVE THIS !!! - Ichiro: - [ Coldly ] There is no hostility at all within their ikos, feel by yourselves... This is no trick, trust your senses now, or you will never be able to. Want to know what would be fatal ? That precisely, my friends. - Toji and Kensuke: - Nande ? - Ichiro nodded slowly and his partners look at each other with little eyes, considering how right might Ichiro's words could be. The scene is fastforwarded to see a trio of tall and well shaped dark knights talking almost emotionless in front of a trio of not so tall and not so well shaped candidates to holy knights. Ichiro: - What is that Doldo has, that you can't find it on another planet ? - Terdo: - Young man, if becoming able to find that in a determined amount of time, your cause as a knight can be frustrated in a not so distant future, quite easily. - Dara: - But as we pointed before, since it turned out to be surprising, even for us, our fairness is extended to some more time until you can become worth of challenging us. - Férico: - Although we committed what some may qualify as "mistake" in the past against the ones before you... Our powers now overcome the mere shadows we were, to consider this instead a... " Fair trait ". - Toji: - If your wisdom reaches such levels, then you should know the benefit of good judgment before employing overconfident terms like " fair trait ". - Kensuke: - Besides, like your case, the ones before us demonstrated their show. This is now; and now is composed by something not even you can predict, calculate or measure. - Férico: - Perhaps not just brats anymore... [ Smirking ] Very well, let us not waste anymore the time of our future contenders and leave the drain of this planet for a further and more worthy occasion. - Terdo and Dara nodded and vanished in a dark and quick flash, ( opposite to the one the young pilots created ) along with the dark giants, reflections of their new and unknown ikos. Once aware that the evil knights were completely gone from Doldo in body and mind, Ichiro sighed with a reflexive posture, while Toji and Kensuke had a rather frustrated expression for not being able to stand a challenge against those arrogant beings... The truth hurt quite a lot this time. However, Deed kept her faithful expression after viewing in Ichiro not coolness and confidence, but instead a positive point of view in challenging the barrier of the ages. It was only his way to prove Ranma what he had become... And Deedlit too. --------------- { Music cue: " It's alright " East 17 }. By the end of the eighth month, Ichiro applied his best effort to keep the party together and focused, which became possible after many sad breakdowns and long moments of frustration ( From Toji and Kensuke in particular ). Almost close to the deadline established by the dark knights, many things were learned by our heroes, about their quest and about themselves... In few words, the inevitable occurred. Doldo was nothing but the result of another " third impact ". Its former inhabitants ( Or at least a few ambitious ) forced a the phenomenon to occur, with the only difference that this was not known as first, second or third impact... As a matter of fact, the planet never suffered any space catastrophe. To make a long story short, Doldo's history was different from the ones the other Earths had. Though, this didn't made the population of Doldo excent from the mentioned ambition. The " brothers of Galea ", as heard from dark lords and dark knights, " helped " the population of Doldo get into an eternal nexus between the mortal and the semi mortal plain. It seemed that either with a dark lord seated over the main throne of the lower chambers or not, the brothers of Galea had to do their duty as sellers of eternal vanity. And the main truth is that the old dark lords ordered the brothers of Galea to desist on the main planet they were on, to take their duty instead to another planet of their desire which could fit with their modus vivendi. This thanks to Kilma's trustful bailiff, Lucifer. ( Notes: As described biblically, Lucifer was an entity of beauty and light on the exterior. A detail which made him successful and powerful, but not famous, as commanded by lord Kilma. His power was not comparable with the one the dark knights were holders of, though, common humans or " not full developers of their hidden powers ", had to bow towards him. Also, Keel Lorenz like commanders Ikari and Fuyutzuki would have received a great disappointment in case the dark lords would have considered another choice but to use the brothers of Galea to play the role of angels, described on the altered dead sea scrolls. Finally, the only way to destroy at last the brothers of Galea was to revert the presumed permission of the third impact to occur... Which was done on Earth, five million years and twenty dry planets later. The expression on Rei 3's face was nothing but the acceptance of defeat and an honorable way of keeping an old promise of theirs: " The day of our extinction will come when sense prevails over ambition... It is only foolish to think such thing will occur someday " ). The spirit of Doldo was the main storyteller of its history after Deed and the young knights cooperated during two consecutive days in returning the planet its energy through theirs. Out of energy and will, our heroes were still capable of listening what the spirit of Doldo had to say. Liqua was before the greatest continent over the whole planet and its constitution ( As shown ) was mainly based on vegetation and anything related to nature. Which explained why they had only survived by fruits and vegetables... The technology of old ages was covered by nature forces, eventually ). As a matter of fact, the only time they were out of Liqua was when the spirit of the planet was being absorbed on the eastern continent: Afta, a land populated mostly by animals. The grief of the spirit was big indeed, but while alone with its own creation, it spent time building new consciences on the still existing life forms, such as plants and animals. Animals, fish, insects and plants still acted by instinct or life cicles. Though, their reason capabilities increased for this, reason why it was so easy for the pilots and Deed to dialogue with them all... Without its beloved inhabitants, even the spirit of Doldo understood that life had to go on. Daomeón, Moikto, Novens and Brachio granted the once dark knights of Kilma Andrila an old gift forbidden and destroyed by the holy knights back then. The spirit never saw it before, but other spirits of old stars told it that during the reign of Brachio ( The last one in the line of the lords ), such technique was known as " Kalaveatdea ". It consisted in expelling all the evil inside the subject at once, ( Even that unknown energy, ignored and wasted at the time of a battle ) creating a " guardian ", or the real maximum expression of power within the individual. The lords admitted that the creation of the dark knights was indeed one outstanding strategy employed against the forces of good. Though, they admitted too that Kilma could have probably won in case of knowing this ancient and supposedly destroyed technique. ( Note: This is because during their respective reigns, only the dark lords had the available evil power to perform such thing. Paro obtained from God and Kilma from her father, the gift of " sublime creation ". Making the dark knights worth of realizing the forbidden technique ). Although this created on the pilots a slight fear about the incoming confrontation between the dark knights and them, the spirit at the same time delivered a message of faith, by adding a comment about Galents and pilots. During the few millions of years it had existed, the spirit confessed that no other knights or prospects as well had ever shown such power like the ones they had; and even when not knowing the ones before its birth, it assured that their powers overpassed ones of those. Thus, the spirit was certain that Galents had a hidden and more interesting profile, deep below the stories they were told about during days before the flood on Earth; And that such fact was enough to equal, even overpass the forbidden and ancient technique of evil. Through the ways of magic and hand to hand combat, Ichiro, Toji and Kensuke found out about how the blood of the heroes circulated inside their still human veins, their importance as saviors of the universe and they were truly over the league of their ancestors... Conceiving such thoughts through truth and not vanity. Although their training appeared to be soft and low in difficulty, it was indeed harder than any of the old trainings the former holy knights were submitted to. This for their connection " mind-body-guardian ", which forced them to double the effort former generations had to employ. Toji, Kensuke and Ichiro were once on their own reign known as common kids through the conception commander Ikari created for the evangelion project... One for rejecting the proposition of a lifetime as the savior of Earth and the other two for apparently not demonstrating enough aptitudes. Now, not only their aptitudes were overwhelming, but also their maturity. During the training process, they acquired ages of knowledge through Deedlit and the spirit of Doldo. Still kids inside, the wisdom acquired almost seemed as obtained through a giant sponge of meditation. Hours away from the established deadline, Deed and the young pilots were standing firmly looking at the sky not with bravery, but simply determination to do their best. Deed didn't taught them a special technique or even gave them the incentive necessary to begin the creation of one..... What she did was something else.... She told them a tale. Yes, a tale. Making reference to a very ancient time on her Earth, her elders mentioned that once upon a time, three babies of one year old each stood outside a defenseless city, in front of an incoming and vast legion of warriors from the west neighbor city Asht. Not moving a muscle the babies watched calmly how the legion was being destroyed member by member... However, only a few managed to distinguish between the destruction a swift and quick thread-like force cutting through the flesh of the soldiers. Asht never rose a hand over the city again, after losing half of its legion; and the babies went on with their lives, never again showing any kind of power display. And that's all what she said, not emphasizing a hidden moral or telling it anymore... Though, Ichiro, Toji and Kensuke were capable enough to understand that there was an imperative purpose for the tale. Until the crucial day, the autodidactical training kept its course and the pilots showed no apparent difference for what Deed spoke. But was really everything the same inside and outside our friends ? Toji began thinking for a while about his parents, wondering how were they doing now on the modified NERV and how did they felt after leaving Japan for his claimed thirst on meditation. The incredible is that they didn't stop him, he just left by his own will, looking at it as bizarre and mad only. Though, the determination on his words was the element which brought acceptance and resignation on the young man's decision. At the same time, Hikari also happened to cross-by her thoughts, meditating how her charming smile always accompanied the meals she prepared... Making more obvious her likeness towards the pronounced-accent boy. Kensuke, well, now that his points of view about power changed, realizing that he could be by himself the center of power, there was nothing much to think about but... That now he was having his revenge over all those who ignored him at NERV and that he was going to bluff all this to Misato on her face after returning to Earth... Way too overconfident. But then again, he was completely on his right to do that. Ichiro knew his parents and friends were fine, since there was an opened field over earth realm to feel any presence easily. He was worried about Asuka, Rei and Shinji in particular, not being able to localize their ikos anywhere in the universe. It seemed like there was a field which blocked any kind of search he could make. It was fair enough for him, having the feeling that his friends were probably on the same situation and wishing at the same time to see them soon... Specially Asuka. Toji and Kensuke were anxious as well to meet again their friends... To test strengths. Considering their case, that was as good as they could get on the affection towards the eva wonder trio. Waking up at last from their thoughts, Deed looked up and so did the Galents, knowing that their challengers were somewhere in space, yet close, considering on what step of the power's ladder were they. Not granting the dark knights the befit of time, Deed nodded to her pupils and these rose high above the atmosphere in no time. Deedlit was left over the planet along with the gentle spirit, putting her hands together and saying a little prayer for the ones she considered now as sons and brothers. --------------- { Music cue: " Shade " Silverchair }. Over a place called: " the infinite tower ", which was hundreds of thousand of miles over the solar system Doldo belonged, Galents and dark knights were standing in front of each other, contemplating the glory only a battle prelude could bring. At the beat of rapiers, swords and knives clashing at a distance, the battle began, rumbling the whole solar system composed of 15 planets and 5 satellites. In a kind of adapted-for-human-eye speed, we see Galents and dark titans trying to find a clear spot after a million attempts. Each clash causes the planets to shake a little and beams of magic can be seen crossing through the surface of the planets. The infinite tower was a place with a single distinctive detail, which made it winner of that name.... A huge stairway of marble, which began above Doldo and ended on Unita ( The last planet ). Going through different ways, all the miles from its beginning to its end, the art employed on this stairway was unique. Since anyone could remember, the ladder represented in religious circles, the main gate to heaven. However, it was in reality, nothing but the gift of a more " advanced " civilization during the days the solar system was still young and virgin. Although the tower was made of marble, the clashes didn't caused it to crumble. Only the direct slash of weapons sliced little pieces of it. Going back and forth through the whole stairway in a matter of seconds, the battle was beginning to show results for both bands. Even though no mortal strikes were delivered, many hits were connected over the surfaces of all the adverse fighters. ( Note: Like some warrior of Earth 13 known as Vejitta, Ichiro, Toji and Kensuke were forced to learn combative skills in a raw and self disciplined way, not through martial arts benefit, but through instinct and self conception... Yet, quite effective ). However, right when anyone could have judged that the fight was drifting though winds of equality, a sign of emotion was finally seen over the facial feature of the dark titans... Was that for real a smirk !!?? Out of will to keep their charade up, the dark knights began attacking seriously the Galents, connecting thousands of hits over the heroic statue-like warriors. Although they didn't use their weapons for contundent attacks, they ended their assault in unison with terminal blows. Terdo with a right punch on Tana, Dara with a high kick on Pasto and Férico with a spinning kick on Rukdo. Galents are sent thousands of miles away, crashing together symmetrically over a determined part of the stairway, damaging it severely. The dark knights get together and raise their hands in unison gathering energy from the deepest part of their ikos to perform a finishing move, without second thoughts, final speeches, or killing looks... Without nothing, resuming. Inside the simple and white cabin inside Galents, we see the real damage the dark knights have achieved with their assault of hits. In three separated screens, Ichiro, Toji, Kensuke are seen with bruises, cuts and even lost teeth... That, excluding a serious moan coming out of their very ikos. However, even though their pain was so that great, only one expression was seen on their faces... An even larger smirk ??? Yes, that's what it was. In slow motion now, we see how the energy orb shaping on the hands of the dark titans get almost in an appropriate dark tone, about to be released. The rush to win that battle blinded the dark knights on how the weapons of the Galents get together by mental will of their owners and fused into a single weapon. By performing slight moves with their fingers only, Ichiro, Toji and Kensuke shaped with the weapons a single rapier... Which featured now, two small edges on top ( the knives ) and one huge edged rear ( the sword ). Although it looked quite bizarre to be a weapon, the just created rapier had unimaginable powers. Behind their badly wounded faces, a phrase echoed deep inside their minds on Deed's voice saying: " You know ? My elders also told me that there was not any kind of defensive barrier over the defender babies. Which means that they would have been easily slew with the single cut of a razor... If any of the soldiers would have been able to get through the killing thread. " " ... If any of the soldiers would have been able to get through the killing thread... " All of them had just found the imperative part of that tale and right after realizing that, the giants released their dark attack quite fast. The screen turns black and then is separated by a crimson line... This, as the representation of the new weapon splitting in half the dark beam. Then we see in a sudden change of situation, how a trio of dark titans fight against a single weapon, spinning and delivering several kinds of attacks, while on the stairway, the Galents keep on moving their hands and fingers in a combined effort to control their recently discovered technique. Incredibly, the dark titans are being submitted by this. After realizing the mistake they were doing by fighting that weapon and not their primordial objectives, the dark Titans begin making their way through the defending weapon to where the defenseless Galents were... The weak spot of the mortal technique was found. Though, as the dark knights began to get closer and closer to the primordial targets through small teleports, defending themselves from the rapier... Just when the edge of their weapons were centimeters away from the Galent's heads, their way was stopped by something. In a slow and careful take-up we see Terdo with knives nailed on his optical cavities, Dara with a sword on her plexus and Férico with the edge of a rapier nailed inside his cranium. What happened was simple: Planned since the very beginning, they created the fusion to draw them close enough after noticing the weak spot of the technique, using all their power... Though, this was not going to destroy their enemies, but only to employ an old strategy. Once close while using the same defensive pattern against the weapon, the weapons were meant to separate and the separation effect was meant to reach their targets, destroying them with the impacts intensities. A single thing was said before the dark knights and their reflections got disintegrated: " It means nothing if the lords prevail ". The exterior of the titans turn into dust from head to feet, leaving only their dark armors on the floor, with the rest of the " ashes ". Few seconds later, the armors break and the pieces left melt, creating three dense dark spots over the white surface of the stairway. The weapons return to the hands of their corresponding Galents and in a last smile, Ichiro whispers silently while looking the glory he first didn't notice of the long stairway: " For you Asuka chan, for you... Do the same for me wherever you are, I beg you. " --------------- The spirit of Doldo ( Represented by a large and imponent tree of Bradurech ) and Deed, are curing the wounds of the young pilots, saving them the effort of using the few powers they still had left after that mortal battle. The only thing the young boys can do is smile weakly ( In certain way like doped ) and sigh relieved. Deed: - [ Smiling with eyes closed ] So you remembered. Good for you, no one over the entire universe can be more proud than me right now. - Kensuke: - And you knew all along it was going to be this way ? What a little cold calculator machine. - Deed: - [ Surprised ] Who ? me ? - Toji: - Now you're going to say you didn't know. - Deed: - To be sincere... I didn't have a clue. It was all hope, all the time. - Ichiro: - [ Sighing ] To be sincere means to be spontaneous... And you are not being that, not an inch. - Deed covered her mouth and began blinking rapidly. Ichiro: - [ Smiling ] Got ya finally, didn't I ? - Deed: - As a matter of fact... [ Chuckling ] Hai, you did. - Toji: - Yeah, had to happen one of these days. - Kensuke: - [ Imitating Ukyou as T.V. host ] And for the big prize, we have for our winner a paid vacation to... [ Opening mouth ] Holy mother of God. - The rest of them turned then where Kensuke was looking at. A bright splendor began approaching where they were, taking shape as this was closer into three separated figures. Alice was in the middle, along with other two knights from the house of Paro. Alice: - [ To the Bradurech tree ] Kind spirit, it is so joyful to see you in your whole greatness again. - Voice: - Kind is to know how heroes are far from being extinguished... Like these children for instance. - Alice: - [ Smiling ]... [ To Ichiro ] You are the young Farfán, am I right ? Son of the former soul in confusion and best pupil of the former guardian of Justo. - Ichiro: - [ Drunk-like smirk ] Guilty as charged. - Alice: - [ To Kensuke ] You know ? That line of yours was true. - Toji and Kensuke: - Nande ? - Alice: - [ Nodding ] There is always a prize for those who manage to overcome evil with such might as the one demonstrated. We ? Well, we are no longer to perform what others should do to keep the ultimate evil away from the very sanctuary of good. - Knight 1: - So, with the authority we were granted by the Creator and the good judgment acquired by the benefit of a good conscience... - Knight 2: - The legendary armors of the universe must return to those who inherit the blood of heroes... By any means necessary.- The face of Ichiro is closed up as a dazzling shine begins to cover his face and his friend's. The only thing left before the scene fades, is a frozen image of Galents investing the white armors of Dori, Achis and Tapa, with a caption in front saying: What we ignore with its double edge, can either make ideals rise high or fall hard... In the energy of youth there is more wisdom than the one we may imagine, for the complement of ideals is more on its rising than on its fall. End of chapter nine. `