For The Soul of The Stars: End Game Pt2: The End

Written By: Lynderia

 

Disclaimer: Gene Starwind, Jim Hawking, Melfina, Aisha Clan-Clan, Suzuka, and others belong to the copyright holders of the OAV Outlaw Star. Kat/Katrina Doron, Proteus, The Dragon’s Knights [including The Dark Stars], and others belong and are copyrighted to me. ^_^

 

                His now black eyes grazed the dark sky. It was, in his eyes, magnificent. It was beautiful how the black sky seem to grow hands, reaching out over the land. It was glorious how the darkness ate through time and space. A smile appeared on his twisted features as he sensed her presence behind him. She was so stubborn, but he would fix that. “Well, well. Isn’t it the child born with the powers of creation and destruction and given the power of choice,” Kiernan said in great admiration. He did admire her. It amazed him that after all they had put her through she didn’t have one inch of darkness in her heart, but if she had just given into that darkness, like they had planned, things would have gone more smoothly for all of them. “Kiernan, at your service.” His tone held a hint of maliciousness.

                They were conceited; nothing had changed about them in this new form. No matter what shape they took, The Dark Stars would forever be The Dark Stars. Kat’s eyes held no emotion as she wished for strength, now more than ever, to stand up against them. She stared at ‘Kiernan’ remaining silent and emotionless.

                “Do you know why you’re here?” Kiernan asked. He knew he wouldn’t get an answer, so he continued, “You weren’t supposed to be here. You were a mistake, a surprise. You were supposed to be as inferior as your parents became after they had given up eternal youth and their power. He didn’t expect you to be born with the gifts you were natural born with, which makes Him even more incompetent!” Great hatred filled Kiernan’s voice. He would teach Him the true meaning of Godly-Hood. “He was always incompetent! Not knowing whether to allow His creations to continue with their meaningless and disgusting existence or to take our side and destroy His creations, which represented a failure of his dream, He sent out His star, His heart, in search of an answer. By sheer coincidence, that star led itself to you giving you the power of choice. The power to decide the fate of His creations.

                He had spoke, and Kat had understood. She was an accident, wasn’t she. The gears of Kat’s mind began to turn quickly. Did the universe have a hand in all of this? Was it The Dragon’s dream to create an entire entity of separate and completely different entities? She was a key player in all of this. People had died for her, and it was all her fault that people had gone to the after-life. In a way, she had been the cause of her own parents’ deaths. After all the blood shed, tears, and anguish, she wouldn’t change her choice or reason for that choice. “I have decided because I have a reason.” Her voice was a monotone not reflecting the love and pain in her heart.

                He could care less about her choice. He had her power. He was in charge, and he wasn’t about to let all that he ever wanted slip out of his grasp. Kiernan sneered at Kat. The Dark Stars were created from The Dragon’s Knights. Their sole purpose was to gain power, absolute power, and in gaining this power they would show Him that He was a failure. Day after day, century after century they carried out the orders of their master. They were to keep the balance of the universe, and they got sick of it, sick of His creations. Why did they get all His attention, why did He only see His creations? He didn’t care for them like He cared for His creations. They were the only five that saw that, and now was the time to destroy all that He created!!

                A red column of light descended upon Kat’s form. Her body felt as if it was being brunt. Pain was the only thing Kat could think about as she fell, crashing into the planet’s dead earth. Kat pushed herself up and stood looking at the approaching figure. She would not let them know the pain they had caused her all these years and even now. She would make her choice a reality because this was what her heart was telling her to do, what the universe was telling her to do.

 

 

                A sigh of relief filled her lungs. She never thought she would want to cry out for the girl. Suzuka’s eyes set themselves upon Gene who was standing besides her. She couldn’t help but feel the want, no, the need to comfort him. She could tell that seeing Kat battle Kiernan was tearing him apart inside, and also, maybe in comforting Gene she would comfort herself. Suzuka had such an uneasy feeling. She could sense death in the air.

 

 

                He smiled as his fist connected with Kat’s stomach making her double over coughing up blood. This was enjoyable, but he still wasn’t satisfied. She had not once begged for mercy or had cried out in pain. He loved her but yet he hated her. She reminded him of Him-The Dragon who had created this universe. Kiernan’s palm opened as flamed ripped through towards Kat sending her reeling back. He would let nothing stand in his way, nothing.

 

 

                Why was he just standing here doing nothing?! He was so angry with himself. How could he let her go onto the battlefield and put herself in danger when he was here safe from harm? Gene felt his legs spring into action. Gene was in for a rude awakening when he hit the ground. “Get off of me!! Let go!!” he shouted with great pain, anger, and frustration.

                “No,” came the calm reply. He, too, was worried and upset, but he had to wait it out. It was hard but he had to, this was what he could do for Kat. Proteus stared into Gene’s eyes and smiled. He realized that Gene really did care for Kat, maybe even more so than himself. Proteus didn’t expect Gene to have any feelings towards Kat especially when she made his life a little bit more difficult when she called him names and showed him absolutely no respect.

                “Get off!! I have to help her! I promised to protect her. I want to protect her!!” Gene cried as tears slowly rolled down his cheeks. Why was his heart hurting so much?! Why did it have to hurt!!!

                “She made a choice because she has a reason. She’s doing this for you, for all of us, the entire universe.” Proteus said in a dream-like state as he stared at the battle. He could tell from here Kat was losing, she was really too weak to fight, but yet she did it anyway. ‘Why do you have to be so stubborn Kat?!’ He suddenly felt someone holding his hand tightly, and looked down to see Melfina staring at Gene with a smile. This brought a smile to his face despite the pain he was feeling in his heart.

 

 

                She couldn’t breathe, much less see. Kiernan was trying to crush her face. She had to succeed even if it meant her life. She had to give it her all. There were just too many reasons for her to fight this battle. Even after all that had happened to her, and after all the evils of the universe she had seen, she would make sure the universe and its inhabitants lived on. There were so many people/lives that had dreams and hopes of a bright future. She had to let the universe stay as it was, in existence. Kat freed herself from Kiernan’s hand, and braced herself for his energy attack. She flew back a few feet. Kat pushed herself from the dried black earth and stared at Kiernan with emotionless cold eyes. “The time is now.” Tiny sparks of energy floated around her form as a sword appeared in her hands. The blade blazed with white-blue fire.

                He couldn’t disagree with her. The time was now. Kiernan stood still as a sword of black, cold darkness entered his hands. The dark sword radiated great power. He smirked, “Anytime you’re ready.”

                Kat stared, and stared into his heart seeing nothing but darkness. She raised her sword to the heavens and slashed the air sending a great wave of energy towards Kiernan who had down the same. The surrounding area was engulfed by a great light.

 

 

During that moment

 

                What had his brother just said? Who was he talking about? Harry looked at his brother with confusion written across his features. “Ron, who are The Dark Stars?”

                Ron opened his mouth and paused. Why did he start talking about ‘The Dark Stars’? He wasn’t sure who they were, and why he had started talking about them. It was strange. “Forget about it. I just made them up.” he said as he continued drinking from his beer bottle.

                Harry smirked, “I figured so.”

 

 

                He continued working. Where was that girl? He could sure use her help. Mike sat up and looked at Swanzo. “Hey, when is Kat coming back?”

                Swanzo stared at him. Who was he talking about? “Who is Kat? I never heard of her?” He hoped that Mike didn’t have an imaginary girlfriend.

                Mike scratched his head. Now that he thought of it, who was Kat? Mike laughed nervously, “Never mind.”

                “Mike, I’m starting to wonder about you.” Swanzo said walking away. If Kat was a mechanic at Blue Heaven he would know about her. ‘Mike must be working too hard.’

 

 

                She shielded her eyes from the light, and held a smaller body close to her. Aisha wished he would wake up. Jim was so stiff and unmoving, and on top of that Kat was still battling Kiernan and she couldn’t see what was happening. Aisha could feel the power around them increase with each second. The light was growing and Aisha closed her eyes tight, not wanted to be blinded.

 

                Energy blazed around their bodies, each standing against the other’s attack. He had the upper hand. He was going to win. Kiernan had more than enough of Kat’s power enabling him to use a more powerful attack. “You will lose, Katrina. Give up now!!” Victory was his for the taking.

                Kat stood her ground. She was so tired, but she had to go on. She couldn’t give up. There were so many depending on her, and besides, she had a promise to keep. “I will not yield!!” Kat screamed finding inner strength that increased her offensive attack.

                The light grew brighter than any light known in existence. A great flash of light occurred leaving nothing but…

Darkness.

 

 

Darkness was what one could see.

 

 

Darkness was what one could feel.

 

 

Darkness was what one was afraid of.

 

 

And Darkness was all that there was.

 

 

                A small light could be seen in the distance. “Gene, where are we?” Melfina asked. She was confused. What had happened? Was the entire universe gone? Had Kat failed?

                Gene shook his head. He didn’t have an answer. This was nothing like when the ‘Galactic Leyline’ had pulled them into a fantasy world so that they wouldn’t die in the real world. “I don’t know, Melfina. I just don’t know.” Gene had whispered the last part. He didn’t know what to think anymore. Gene led the group towards the small light, which, surprisingly enough, had been only a few steps away.

                The light was a white hole in, what seemed like, space. Gene placed his hand on it causing a rippling affect.

                Their scenery changed to one of green pastures and beautiful flowers. The cheery blossom trees seemed to dance in the light wind. Birds sang a happy song as they played in the sun. The sun shone upon them giving them gentle warmth. This place was too beautiful to be real.

                Her blue eyes took it all in. It really was a beautiful place, but yet she wasn’t happy. Jim had not awakened. Aisha looked down at the twelve year old boy in her arms. He was so stiff. She began to notice him fading away. What was happening?! “Gene!!” Aisha cried out. She held onto Jim for dear life hoping he would stay with her but her wish was in vain. “Jim!! No!!” Aisha fell to her knees and cried. Jim was gone. Kat had lost, hadn’t she?

                Gene looked at Aisha with sad eyes. They had lost. Jim wasn’t coming back. Kat wasn’t coming back. His heart sank. Had The Dark Stars really won?

                Suzuka narrowed her eyes as she watched two approaching figures. One taller than the other, and for some reason she couldn’t make out who they were. There was a chance that the approaching figures were enemies so she readied her sword. She would take no chances. In the event that Kat might have lost, she had to be ready to protect her friends and herself. “Who are you?!” Suzuka shouted at the approaching figures.    

                The figures said nothing and continued their calm walk towards the group. Their bodies were cloak by energy hiding their true identities. Both figures stopped in front of Gene and stood there saying nothing.

                “Who are you?” Gene asked.

                A hand of pure energy reached out to take Gene’s hand and then took the energy hand of its smaller companion, and it then linked the two hands together. There was a small flash of light as the energy cloak of its companion unraveled.

                Gene looked down at the newly revealed figure. A small smile lit his face, “Jim!!”

                Familiar blue eyes looked up at his life time partner, best friend, brother, and father, and smiled. He was home. This was where he belonged, and he didn’t want to leave ever again. “Gene.” Jim said enveloping Gene into a tight embrace. He knew what had happen and couldn’t have done anything to stop it. He had felt so helpless, but then, she came and took him away from that dark place. And now he was finally home!

                The figure watched as Aisha ran to embrace Jim in tears. If it weren’t for the energy cloak you could see the figure smiling. The figure then walked in front of Melfina. An energy hand was gently placed on Melfina’s forehead. “I grant thee life.” The hand was then removed as the figure stepped back.

                Melfina looked up at Proteus with questionable eyes. What was going on? She didn’t feel any different. The only answer Proteus could give was a shrug. “Who are you?” Melfina finally asked.

                The figure stepped back from the group and began to address them. “You all have fought valiantly. Even though some of you may have thought that you had given up on hope, your hopes and dreams were still there fighting along side you. Guardian,” the figure turned to address Gene, “you were not only suppose to protect one person, but you were also suppose to protect the entire universe, and you did that. The universe is saved because of all your efforts and the strength all of you carry deep within your hearts, and because of that I thank you all.”

                Suddenly, a column of light erupted from the figure into the calm sky. The figure’s body levitated from the ground slightly as the energy, being released from the figure’s body, became more intense. The light faded as the figure’s body crumpled to the ground in a lifeless heap.

                No one said anything for a few moments. They had recognized the figure, but how could it be? Proteus took a step forward. He didn’t want to believe. She would run towards him and hug him telling him that they were all going home, wouldn’t she? “Kat?” Why wasn’t she answering him? Was she that much in a deep sleep? “Kat!” Proteus shouted as he dashed to the fallen form. He began to shake Kat, and the more he did the more the tears fell.

                She stood behind him with the others circling him. Melfina placed a comforting hand on his shoulder as he cried. Proteus was in so much pain. It seemed as if her heart was about the break. “Proteus.” Melfina whispered softly as she kneeled to hug him.

                It just wasn’t fair. Jim crumpled to his knees in shock. He wasn’t expecting this. He was expecting the story to end happily ever-after, where the good guys win and live, and the bad guys lose and die. Jim turned his head to the side, his eyes brimming with tears.

                “You mustn’t cry. It’s unmanly to cry. Even though I may be gone you shouldn’t be so unmanly.” a voice said full of humor. The voice began to giggle happily as she sat there watching them. A translucent-like form appeared for all to see. “You all are such a sight. The universe is saved and you all are there crying.” she giggled.

                Aisha wiped the tears from her eyes in anger. How could that person say such a thing? Their friend had died, and some person was laughing at them. She would show them. Aisha’s head snapped in the direction of the voice, ready to kill, but she suddenly went slack. “Kat?!”

                Kat smiled at her. She got up and walked towards the group. “That was some crazy adventure, wasn’t it? It was fun.” Kat’s smile never faded.

                Proteus stood. He outstretched a shaky hand to try and touch her, and surprisingly he did. “Kat!” he said hugging her. He knew it couldn’t be true.

                Kat smiled in his embraced, and then pushed away from him. She read his eyes. “Proteus, I’m sorry, but I can’t stay with you. I brunt myself out, and it’s almost time for me to sleep. I only came to say good-bye.” Kat said truthfully.

                Proteus was about to say something but he looked in her eyes, and smiled, “Good-bye Kat. I’m going to miss you!”

                Kat hugged him then, looked up at him. “I’m going to miss you too!!” She smiled, and then said, “I have a feeling that I’m going to have to share your heart.”

                Proteus blushed as Kat giggled. Kat looked at Melfina, “Take extra good care of him, or else I’ll come back and tease the shit out of you!”

                Melfina smiled. “Katrina, what am I going to tell you about your language?!”

                “But ‘doo-do’ sounds so lame!!”

                Both girls looked at each other and laughed.

                “Good-bye, Katrina!”

                “Bye, Melfina!”

                Proteus stood next to Melfina and smiled down at her as she smiled up at him, and then they smiled at Kat. They both disappeared.

                She wished them the best, and wished she could be there to see how their relationship would blossom, but she couldn’t. She turned her attention to someone else. “Are you still crying, Jim?” Kat asked.

                “No.” Jim said weakly not looking at her. He didn’t want her to leave.

                “Well, I guess I’m going to have to say good-bye to your hair then. Good-bye Jim’s hair!” Kat said. She suddenly felt arms envelope her. She hugged the figure tightly. Blue eyes looked up into her warm ice-blue ones.

                “Kat…I….Thanks for bringing me home.” Jim smiled.

                “Anytime.” Kat looked down at him and smiled, “You’re going to be such a lady’s man when you get older!”

                “Isn’t he?!” Aisha said ruffling his hair. She looked at Kat. “Don’t think for one second I was crying for you. I say good riddance!”

                “And don’t think for one second I care!”

                “Well, good!”

                “Good!!”

                Aisha looked at Kat and smiled. “I’ll be seeing ‘ya Kat!” She really was going to miss the bitch.

                “See-ya, Aisha!” Kat smiled as Aisha began to disappear from her world. She looked down at Jim. “Take care of things, okay!”

                Jim smiled, still a bit sad, but happy at the same time. “I always do!”

                Kat kissed him lightly on his cheek and giggled as Jim blushed. He too disappeared from her world. Kat stood staring at the spot Jim had disappeared from with a smile on her face.

                “It’s a real sad thing when a warrior falls in battle.” Suzuka said. She stared at Kat with a mask of emotions over her face.

                “But it’s a wonderful thing when a warrior has given their heart to another.” Kat smiled a knowing smile. She had seen trances of the emotions Suzuka had tried to keep hidden for so long.

                Suzuka smiled, blushing a bit. “Little girls shouldn’t speak that way to their elders.”

                “I only see a robed orgre!” Kat smiled.

                They both exchanged looks only warriors exchanged. The look of solemn friendship that would last a lifetime and for all eternity; I am my brother’s keeper was the look passed between the two.

                “Until we meet again.” Suzuka bowed slightly.

                “Until then.” Kat bowed.

                Suzuka faded away staring at the little girl in an eighteen year-old body. She wasn’t afraid of Kat anymore. She now understood her. They had a lot more in common than she had originally thought. A smile graced Suzuka’s lips as she went back into her own world.

                He stared at her in anger as she smiled at him. Why did she have to be smiling? That smile made his heart melt. It was going to be the second time she had smiled at him, and he was looking forward to see her smile at him again, but now that wasn’t possible. Gene walked towards her and stood a few millimeters from her translucent form. “I can’t let you go. You’re going to jump back into that body, and you’re going to come home with me!” Gene said sternly.

                “I kept my promise, didn’t I. And you kept yours.” Kat said smiling.

                Gene embraced her. She always had the same smell of vanilla in her hair and on her skin.

                “Isn’t that enough?” Kat finished. She noticed that Gene had gotten into the habit of holding her, but for some strange reason she didn’t mind.

                “No, it’s not!!” It wasn’t fair. He wanted her to stay with him. When he was with Melfina, he only felt a need, but with Kat the need was there and so was the want.

                “I’m sorry Gene, but I have to rest soon. Don’t be so sad. Just remember the adventure we had!” Kat said quietly. She didn’t want to go but she had no choice in the matter. He said she had to, and so did her Aunt Kira. Maybe Gene’s and her destinies weren’t so intertwined after all.

                “Kat…Katrina,…I….” Gene began. He looked down into her eyes. It was the first time Kat’s ice blue eyes were so filled with warmth towards him, and they were beautiful. He tilted her chin upward and began to descend his lips toward hers.

                “Good-bye, Gene Starwind. My Guardian.” Kat said as she began to vanish from his arms.

                Gene’s eyes filled with shock. His lips never touched hers. He didn’t get the chance to give Kat a proper good-bye. It just wasn’t fair!

 

 

                Gene awoke with his friends’ worried expressions surrounding him.

                “Gene, are you okay?” Jim asked. He was worried. They all had been through so much.

                Gene sat up. He looked at his surroundings. They were on Blue Heaven in Kat’s house. It was all a dream. Gene dashed out the room and headed towards the stairs. He ran into the garage, which was a normal garage, then ran back into the living room he had originally dashed passed. There was something missing.

                “Kat’s gone, Gene. Swanzo, Mike, Charlie, and, not even, Cythnia remembers her. She’s gone, truly gone.” Proteus said as he stood where the piano used to be. It felt strange, but somehow, in a crazy way, it felt right.

                Gene looked from Proteus to the rest as their eyes held agreement to what Proteus said. He remembered her words, ‘Don’t be so sad. Just remember the adventure we had.’ A small smile appeared on his face as he stood tall. The melody of the Angel Song began to play in his head. Images of Kat calling him ‘Captain Shit-Face,’ her laughing with Proteus, her smiling at Jim, her emotionless gaze, and her smiling up at him flashed through his mind. ‘That was some crazy adventure, wasn’t it? It was fun.’ The smile on Gene’s face brightened at the memories of Kat. “I’m starved. Anyone else hungry?!”

                This brought smiles around the room.

                “You know I am!” Aisha said racing for the kitchen.

 

 

                It was time to press on. There were more adventures awaiting them. None of them would ever forget the great adventure they had, or forget the girl who seemed to be heartless, cold, uncaring, but had an extremely warm personality and large heart underneath the ice. The soul of the stars, the soul of the universe was now safe, and they all had a hand to play in that. They were true heroes in their very own right, and the question that seemed farthest from mind was, how long would the soul of the universe be safe? Right now, they would rest and enjoy their hopes and dreams of a bright future.

 

The End…??

 

After Thoughts: Attention, attention, I believe that For The Soul of The Stars has now come to a finish. However, there might be an epilogue for all those who were wondering. I think something in this chapter might be used as an element for the epilogue that might be written. Not really sure. Anyway, concerning this chapter, I think the good-bye scenes came out pretty well, especially with Suzuka coming to some sort understanding with Kat, and I know I was being a bit cruel not allowing Gene to fully get the girl, but hey, life does go on. ^_^ Does anyone have any questions or/and comments?? I would love to hear them, so don’t be shy!  ~~~Lynderia

 

I would like to thank all the fans of Outlaw Star who have read and enjoyed this fanfic. If it weren’t for you, the fans who kept coming back for more, I most likely wouldn’t have the heart to continue this story, so Thank You!!!  ^_^   ~~~ Special Thanks to: Alex, Jenn, and my brother, who goes by Shagarv these days. 

Words of encouragement: “Keep reaching for your dreams, they’re not that far away.” Lynderia