PHASE 100 - FINAL WISH

Mr. and Mrs. Noctis didn’t want to leave a bad taste for the end of the year, so they decided that they wanted to have a celebration on their mansion. This party is to honor Amy’s heroic deeds as a Gate Guardian, as well as a jolly evening’s party to start the new year.

I think this is the first time I’ve seen their mansion so lively. Colorful chandeliers bring brightness to the night, a suave orchestra music, and a red-carpeted hall. This is like a royal wedding, except that the main focus is Jeannette Amiella Fontaine von Noctis. She even had an adorable portrait at the stage of the hall.

The whole Aether Crusade and the Kozukata Shrine Maidens helped to revitalize this half-dead mansion. The Black Cross Legion also gave financial assistance to pull this celebration off. And now, we are enjoying the fruits of our labor.

This party has a formal theme. There are colorful girls in gowns all over the way, as well as men in tuxedos.

But only one of them stands out. It was Tiara, on her white dress… which reveals her cleavage. Darn, she’s so appealing right now. Even if I turn my eyes upward, her adorable face would make my heart race.

“Um...Rikkun.” Tiara poked her index fingers together, over and over. She bowed as she noticed that her face is blushing… same as mine. “I-I just want to tell you that you look so handsome in that American suit…”

“T-Thanks… Y-You too. You’re so gorgeous right now…”

“T-Thank you too… T-Thank you for thanking me too…” Tiara now has this hot steam coming from her ears.

Then there was silence. The awkward one.

Good thing the party is about to start. Sister Amanda Cryst went on the stage and made his announcement.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to this New Year’s Eve party. I would like to thank you all for attending this humble party. This night is dedicated for the heroic deeds of all Gate Guardians who fought well in the battle against the New Order, especially our real heroine, Jeannette Amiella Fontaine von Noctis!”

Then Mr. Noctis had his turn on the podium.

“My daughter Jeannette said that she doesn’t want us all to be sad. She said that we should always move forward with a smile on our face. So to honor her final wish, we will cast all sorrow away and happily yearn for a brighter tomorrow! So let’s start the countdown!”

Ten!!!

Nine!!!

Eight!!!

Seven!!!

Six!!!

Five!!!

Four!!!

Three!!!

Two!!!

One!!!

“Happy New Year!”

Suddenly, the mansion hall roof opened up, and revealed the dark skies! What witchcraft is this!? I never took this house as a transformer!

Colorful fireworks surged to the location of the stars and exploded, giving rainbow lights that brightened our faces. All of our hearts are filled with joy and hope as we enjoy this beautiful scenery.

Suddenly, I felt a warm touch on my hand.

It was Tiara, with her face completely red. She mustered all the courage she got to make a natural smile at me.

“It’s like the fireworks when we first met, right?” Tiara said.

“Yeah. It’s still as beautiful as ever.” I replied back with a smile. “I now remember...Toujours et a Jamais…”

She pulled my hand gently. “Hey, hey. Necchan and I have a gift for you. Come with me!”

<>

We’re now at the wide backyard of the Noctis household. The fireworks continue to explode as we went into a position on the grassy riverbank. This place makes it the best place to view the fireworks, but something is telling me that Tiara drove me here not because of this.

She held my left hand tight, and I felt warm prana flowing towards my veins.

“Open a Gate, Rikkun.”

“Is there an Eidolon nearby?”

“No! Geez, you’re ruining our secret surprise! Just open it already!”

“Fine,” I said wearingly. I swiped my finger on the thin air, and then in the blink of an eye, we are in a different dimension.

Not Yami.

I am here in pure white nothingness. It’s like the dimension of the Brightmore Witch.

“You’re right, Rikkun. This is indeed the dimension where Shirayuki has omnipotence. Normally, I wouldn’t have the capacity to create this dimension, but… One of Necchan’s wish is for me to create this place, in order for you to meet them…”

I felt sounds of footsteps from behind. As I turn around, I saw the most precious people I have lost.

“Yo!” Chrisprel waved his hand.

“Looking good, eh?” Ranley smiled.

“This is Sugoi!” Daughty laughed.

Warm droplets crawled on my cheeks.

“...You guys… You came back..."

“No! Your childhood friend tried to wish for our revival, but we three refused.” Ranley smiled. “We’re still fully booked in heaven, you know.”

“B-But why?” My voice is trembling and I’m about to holler. “Why am I able to see you!?”

“Jeannette’s final wish… is for us to see and talk to you again. She said that we three should beat the shit out of you so that you will never be consumed by your hatred.” Ranley said.

“Darn that girl, she really loves you so much. And you even have Tiara. You lucky bastard!” Chrisprel said.

Suddenly, all three of them ganged up on me. Ranley gave me an armlock, Chrisprel gripped on my feet, and Daughty is the one who drilled his fist on my forehead.

“Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! It hurts!” I cried. But I know that Daughty only understands weabonese so I screamed this phrase instead: "Yamete oniichan!!!"

“Hahaha! You idiot Ric! Stop being so sentimental about our deaths! We don’t care a crap about vengeance.” Chrisprel said as he punched my toes.

“It’s not Diadem’s fault for being cursed. We have finally accepted our deaths. There’s no need for you to feel bitter and salty.” Ranley said as his lock tightens.

“Everything is daijobu, my Nakama.” Daughty said as he tried to strangle me.

“Fine! Fine” I cried. “Stop it! You guys are killing me! I don’t have any slightest intention of joining you this early!”

“Hahaha!” All of them laughed as they released me. “Why don’t you turn into the God of Kings and fight us?”

“You three knew!?”

“Of course!” Daughty exclaimed. “That final battle was so sugoi! We had the VIP seats during your battle!”

<>

In this realm, the flow of time is completely stopped. We four had the best conversation ever. I told them the stories of my battles against Diadem, how Heushac became an awesome lolicon, and how we won the last war.

Heck, I also bragged about them having lots of funny and romantic moments with the girls. Those dirty ecchi moments of ‘accidentally’ seeing a girl naked, that chaotic hot spring war between the boys and the girls, and the holy Cutie Poll.

I even told them the entire Gate Guardian lore I’ve read from the bible. I demonstrated them how to cast awesome spells like and .

Everything is always better when you’re around with your homies.

It took us about four hours in this dimension until their time is finally up.

<>

“It seems like we have to go now, Alaric,” Chrisprel said.

“Don’t be so sad. We will be watching you from afar.” Ranley said.

“Sayonara Arigatou!” Daughty smiled.

“Chrisprel… Ranley… Daughty…” I cried with a smile. “Thank you…”

All three of them talked in sync.

“Alaric. If you ever feel that your world will collapse, just remember… Someone will be there by your side… Stand strong, and everything will be okay.”

“R...Right…” I clenched my right fist and slowly put it on my chest.

As they turn and walked away, their bodies slowly faded as they reached the horizon of emptiness.

I held my heart with my right and wiped my tears with my left. But as I turn my back to return to my true love, I was fazed as I saw my dearest.

A petite build with golden hair. She is wearing cute white ribbons on her twin ponytails. Her purple eyes gave a lovely glow in this universe.

“I’m still here, you know?”

“A...Amy…” I muttered.

I immediately rushed to her and hugged her tight. I stick my ears to her beating chest as I cried out loud.

“Thank you! Thank you for doing this! Thank you for giving me a chance to talk to them… Thank you…”

As the dimension of white nothingness collapses, I realized that it was not Amy. Her golden hair turned to black, and her purple eyes turned to sky blue.

It was Tiara.

The glow of her eyes and the warmth of their identical soul must have confused me. But still, I know that Amy resides on Tiara.

“I’m here, Rikkun. I will be here by your side. Forever.” Tiara made a genuine smile as she continues to cradle me on her chest. “Toujours et a Jamais.”

“...Tiara… Thank you… Thank you... Thank you...”

I hollered out loud, but the song of my sorrow and happiness was outsounded by the colorful exploding stars in the middle of the darkest night.