Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction / Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction / Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction / Fan Fiction / Crossover Fan Fiction ❯ Ginga GIRI GIRI! The Universe is in Danger! ❯ Phantoms of the Past ( Chapter 77 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

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Ginga GIRI GIRI! The Universe is in Danger!
By SSJ Heero (http://animenext.knorf.net)
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- OPENING SONG: LOVER BOY - L'ARC~EN~CIEL - [1]

Fukaku kande ima toraeteiruyo
Dakiaiaou I'm a lover boy

kodokuwa mayakashi nagasareru mamani
Wonder tonight, be getting your jaded heart
tonight, shaking the blood

soruo kokyuuyara ima soramade yukuyo
Kowasuhodoni cause I'm a lover boy
yasashiku sasoidashite kimi no okue yukou
subete miseyoo I'm a lover boy

---- Recap ----

[Chibi characters of the Crew minus Davis appear in the foreground as scenes from the last
episode play in the background. Though, you can't see 'cause this is text. Haha!]

SSJ: Last time on GINGA GIRI GIRI!

Amiko: After completely kicking SSJ out of the chapter, I go with Black Amiko and Hayden.

Kensou: She heads to the Millenium Sands, the place of Izanagi's fall.

TM: There, she finds her bow and makes a promise with her bishounen.

Cindy: And all that while Hayden and company descend into Terra... And learn that it's
hollow.

All: So, on with the show!

---- Chapter 77: Phantoms of the Past ----

With the world still on high alert, few trains moved throughout the world. The sun beat
down upon the Terra in a massive heat wave. One train moved south from Century City, moving
at a steady, leisurely pace when compared to the maximum speed of Kino's aircraft.

The train was fairly empty, only a few people sitting upon the comfortable seats. TM was
glad that the train was air conditioned, and he hoped the train was slow enough to reach
its destination after nightfall.

The sparsely decorated train left him to his own devices. When the conductor came to
collect his ticket, a quick moment of recognition had the conductor continue down the weary
metal walkway. TM glanced at the passing conductor, who gave him a sincere smile. TM
grinned and looked out the window.

In the brightness of the day, TM held up his sheathed sword. He took a good look at it from
the outside, and with that, he drew it. It was quick and quiet, for the sword was broken
just half a foot above the hilt. He held it up before him, inspecting the jagged folds of
steel.

He couldn't rely on it much. He had to use his flames instead. TM looked up from where he
sat and checked the area around the train. He saw that the train was passing trees and low
hills. Off in the distance, he saw Lake Sen. and the surrounding forests just outside the
edge of Century City.

He heard footsteps come from the end of his cabin. "Well, isn't this a coincidence," he
heard a girl call. He turned to look, and there was Hoshida Risika, not dressed in her
traditional shrine maiden clothes, but instead wearing a plain white tanktop and a black
skirt. Even her hair was let down, reaching down to her back. She carried a small bag with
her and placed it upon the compartment above him. She sat down right beside him and asked,
"Well, this seems rather amazing, ne?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked rather impolitely. He sheathed his broken sword and
placed it by his side. He inspected her up and down. He quickly looked away when she turned
to him.

Risika teased, "Oh, you're our hero, huh?" She stretched and stuck out her chest for
emphasis. TM tried all he could to resist looking, turning green and sweating from every
pore. Risika soon relaxed and laughed. "Haha, really, you're not so bad. How do you feel
with the Blood Sin?"

TM was silent as he reached and touched his back. Risika peered at him as his face became
serious. "This thing is sort of like a piece of reassurance," replied TM. "It gives me
power; it makes me an important part of this world, however... I can't rely on it forever."

Risika looked at TM with wide eyes as he drew his broken blade. He held it before him and
shut his eyes tightly. He breathed deeply, and when he opened his eyes, he focused his
energy upon the tip of the broken blade. It suddenly glowed red hot and flames formed upon
the tip, stretching into a blade. TM immediately stopped. The flames dissipated, and Risika
saw that the blade had melted somewhat.

"My fire will destroy this," TM continued. "Fire can not be controlled very well, 'cause it
carries with it rage and wrath. Either I need a cooler element, or a new sword." TM's lips
curved into a smile. "I'm gonna choose both."

"Both?" Risika asked in surprise.

TM smirked and looked out the window. He knew that that person was coming. He could feel it
in his bones. They would join and both TM's powerful offense and Shadow's incredible
defense would mix together. There was a short silence between the two. TM then said, "And
you still didn't answer my question."

Risika smiled and looked straight ahead. "I'm heading to the Graveborn Marshes," she
answered. TM glanced at her. "I hope to find someone there."

"Who?" TM asked, trying not to seem too obvious in his staring.

A smile formed on Risika’s lips. "My father," she answered. She turned to TM, who had
already diverted his gaze at the ceiling. "You?" she returned.

"As I said, I'm looking for a sword. Moreover, a legendary sword."

Risika too looked at the ceiling. "Izanagi's?"

TM looked at her with great surprise. He thought no one else knew! "How did you know-"

"It's in my family's job," she interrupted. "We're to know everything about heretical
history and various demonic symbols. We're even trained to ward off Star Wars fans, for
God's sake. I had wanted to escape from that destiny. I didn't want to become like my
father, trapped within a set role, so I ran away from home. But I guess with everything
falling into place, I became on of the best in my family trained in our techniques." Her
eyes fell into a soft smile.

She continued, "Funny how that works, huh? I didn't want to be the master of my family's
destiny, but I had to in order to help you guys. Hardly anyone in my family had the chance
to see the Blood Sin, let alone release its evil. I had to use my family's supreme
technique on Rantmon, and that failed. Still, I had surpassed all of my family in our art.
And I will go reconcile with my father, who was exiled by Mishima during the Plague."

TM's eyes fell to the ground. He was silent for a bit. "Going home, huh..." Risika glanced
at him. "Heh... It's been a long while since I came here. I'd love to go home some time
soon..."

Risika smiled. "I can feel that you'll return after this ordeal," she replied. "This feels
like the final great battle. All of our trials, all of the past trials, all of the world's
trials meet at this Virus. This will end it all."

TM face was grim and serious, thinking on that line. Everything depended on his crew now.
Everything was coming together at one point. He sheathed his broken blade and set it aside.
Yes, it will end whether they return or not. He exchanged a smile with Risika.

Very slyly, his arm was around her. Risika was quick at twisting his wrists. She kept her
casual smile and said, "You're a bit too young. Besides, I'm supposed to be a pure shrine
maiden."

TM grinned and pulled his hand away. He never expected her grip to be so strong.

***

With the sun still high in the sky, TM and Risika stood out of the train, feeling the
massive heat overcome them. Risika was glad she was so liberally clad. TM was glad he was
resistant to heat. Risika slung her back over her shoulder and TM sheathed his blade on his
left side. They stepped down the weathered platform in the middle of the province of Amnahr.

There was a nearby town, small and looking primitive compared to Century City. Or rather,
modern when compared to society in the real world. The broken black asphalt of the streets
stretched in each direction, not a car in sight. TM and Risika picked their way through the
potholes, heading Southeast towards the Graveborn Marshes.

They traveled, talking about whatever. Their conversations went from their dreams and
aspirations to comparing the different worlds the two lived in. They stepped down the
broken road, down towards the marshes as the sun began to sink into the ground.

When the sun nearly touched the ground, they stopped. Before them lay the vast web of land
amidst the pools of gray water. TM saw the bodies impaled and stuck down at the bottom of
the pools. Risika didn't seem to be phased by the balls of energy floating from pool to
pool, giving a shrill shriek as it passed.

And there in one patch of land was Shadow TM, standing tall and proud. "Hey," he said
simply, arms crossed across his black shirt. "I knew you'd come."

TM stepped forward, leaving Risika at the edge of the marshes. "Same here," TM returned,
picking his way between the gray pools. Spheres of energy surrounded Shadow, floating and
speeding about the area, diving into other pools.

Shadow took a deep breath, thinking over all the events that had happened. There was a
tense moment of silence, save for the splashes in the pools from the spheres of energy.
Finally, Shadow spoke, "We are approaching the end. Our purpose of arriving is almost
fulfilled. But to do so, we must combine." TM nodded. "But I won't let you combine so
easily. I must see your strength one more time. There is no point in joining if you don't
have the mindset to defeat Virus. Even if it means to kill."

Risika froze, hearing the cold words. TM hardly flinched. TM smiled. "I understand," he
returned. "When I first came, I became sick when I killed for the first time. I didn't want
to face reality then. To kill others is the natural order... Kill or be killed." Risika
stared at TM, surprised at his cold disposition. "And I still don't want to face it now."
Shadow looked up and faced TM with a narrow glare. "I don't want to think that I have to
sacrifice innocent people for the greater good. Even if I had to, I will not accept it. I
will find a path, no matter what. I won't be bound by 'reality'."

There was a brief silence before Shadow smirked. "Hmph. So be it," Shadow replied. "If you
are set on an answer, no matter what, you will succeed. It doesn't matter if you seek to
kill or save... As long as you find an answer and can believe in it, you will live." Shadow
grabbed his sledgehammer and held it out before him. "But that is only one step. If you
can't protect your answer, you might as well die."

TM held out his right arm, letting his energy flow through it. A blade of flames came from
the back, and TM threatened to fight with it. Shadow widened his stance, as did TM. They
tensed their bodies.

Quickly, TM dashed forward. He aimed a slash at Shadow, who blocked with his wall of ice.
TM's attack stopped in its track, and in a swift motion Shadow swung his sledgehammer at
TM's side. TM twisted over Shadow, dodging the weapon, and landing behind him.

TM pulled out his red aura and threw an arc of flames straight at Shadow's back. Shadow's
shield of ice instantly formed again, and the flames struck and cracked the crystalline
wall. When the steam cleared, Shadow saw that the flames had made one small hole in the
wall in addition to the many cracks throughout it.

"Fireball!" TM screamed from the other side. With the sound of shattering glass, balls of
flame tore through the wall and raced at Shadow. Shadow was quick to block with more ice
walls.

And he was surprised when a fireball tore through in an instant. Shadow instinctively
blocked with his sledgehammer. A gigantic explosion of energy filled the area, forcing
Risika to block her eyes. When she could open it, she was utterly surprised.

The sledgehammer was warped and melted. That fireball had immense amounts of energy. Shadow
threw his sledgehammer into the nearest pool. The water splashed and out flew many balls of
glowing energy.

TM dashed forward at Shadow, flame blade still glowing brightly. Shadow quickly pulled out
the hilt of his Glacier and formed the blade in an instant. The blades clashed, and the two
were deadlocked.

TM put more energy into his flame blade, but he still couldn't make Shadow's Glacier melt
like before. Shadow spoke, "I have reached my peak. I have ultimate control over ice. Your
flames can no longer melt them." TM gritted his teeth.

He pulled out more of his energy, showering the area in his familiar red aura. "Then,
protect yourself from this!" yelled TM as he held up his left hand. Shadow looked and saw
TM concentrating his energy in there. Shadow realized it. TM was trying to form the
Rasengan.

'But he needs two hands,' thought Shadow. He pressed on, preventing TM from freeing his
right arm.

TM concentrated on his left hand. He struggled to compress his energy at one point. A ball
of churning energy began to form in his hand. The energy swirled in his hand, forming a
very vague shape of a sphere. TM had to get it perfectly. He had to do it.

Shadow felt nervous then. In a quick moment, he relented. TM lost his balance, since he was
pressing forward powerfully with his right arm. Shadow swung around, past TM's defenses and
had a clear shot at TM's face. TM was taken aback as Shadow's fist connected.

TM flew back, skipping across the surface of the pools and landing upon a small solid
embankment as Spinel. He realized the change and fumed with anger. Shadow's eyes narrowed
and he slapped his forehead. He stood there and allowed TM to heat up a pool of water, no
doubt upsetting the spirits inside, and returning to his human form.

"Ready, yet?" Shadow asked. TM shook his head. Shadow shut his eyes and sighed. When he
opened them, TM was no longer where he was.

Shadow instantly ducked. TM's flame blade passed over head. It cut a few of Shadow's hairs
short, but the boy swung his powerful sword around and prepared to slash TM in two. Shadow
moved in an instant. He was much too fast for TM to respond. TM couldn't move his flame
blade to block, but he barely opened his hand and let the blade strike his palm.

Blood flew throughout the area. Shadow was surprised to see TM stop the blade with his
fist. Shadow saw that TM covered his hand in flames, just enough to slightly dull the
Glacier. TM gripped the blade tightly.

TM held up his left palm and put as much energy as he could within it. It glowed bright
red, and Shadow could hardly do anything about it. The red energy swirled within TM's palm.
It spun and churned about, forming a small ball. Its vague form became clear and defined.
Shadow was taken aback when he saw the sphere in perfect shape. TM had accomplished it!

"Rasengan!" TM screamed as he thrusted the ball of energy again at Shadow's gut. Shadow was
about to take the hit a third time. He did all he could to protect himself. His gut was
instantly protected with a wall of ice, and not only that, but he let go of his Glacier and
grabbed onto TM's shoulder, connecting the two by freezing ice around his hands and TM's
shoulder.

The attack hit. The ice cracked and tore apart, and Shadow did all he could to deal with
the pain. He felt the searing energy, melting the ice in his skin. He felt the aura
churning and damaging his outside, as well as is inside. He coughed blood, stuck in place,
keeping him from moving away from TM.

When TM's attack dissipated, the boy was surprised to see Shadow still conscious. TM was
taken aback as Shadow shot his head forward, connecting foreheads in a devastating attack.
The ice around Shadow's hand broke and TM flew back again, flying over the marshes and
landing beside Risika.

The girl ran up to TM, who rubbed his head in immense pain. Shadow's head was thicker than
his own, not to mention protected by the ice. TM slowly sat up and glared at Shadow. He
shakily got to his feet and leapt back into the fray, drawing Hiko's broken blade. "That's
it, you persistent bastard!" yelled TM. "I don't care what happens!"

And in an instant, TM formed his katana of fire. He slashed straight at Shadow. Shadow
ducked and picked up his Glacier, twirling around and aiming a strike at TM's side. TM
quickly blocked with the blade of flames. The two blades collided and steam rose into the
air. Shadow was taken aback. With the blade, TM was able to concentrate the energy in his
blade.

TM improvised, quickly lifting his leg and kicking Shadow's Glacier away. It flew through
the air and landed within a pool. Shadow was taken aback to see all of TM's red aura enter
the flame blade. TM screamed, "FLAME SLASH!"

TM's flaming version of his Zero Slash escaped from his blade when he swung at Shadow. The
flaming wave of energy tore apart the ground, evaporated the water, and heated the air as
it raced at Shadow, too surprised to respond. Shadow formed as much ice as he could to
shield himself at the quickly approaching attack.

There was the sound of cracking ice.

Shards of broken crystal flew everywhere. The attack that seared and scarred the ground
struck Shadow, cutting through his defenses. Shadow flew back just as the attack dissipated
and disappeared. Shadow skidded along the pools and rolled across the spots of land.
Finally, he stopped upon one pool, floating upon it using his mana.

TM quickly chased after Shadow, leaping over the pools and landing upon the few strips of
solid land. Risika chased after the two, picking her way through the soft ground between
the pools.

TM reached Shadow, stepping over the water and standing above him. Shadow smiled. "Good
job," he said between heaves. Shadow saw that what was left of Hiko's blade had slightly
melted. "Never gonna give up, huh..."

TM panted, rubbing his aching forehead. "As long as I live, I will never give up this
fight," replied TM. "Even if every bone in my body is broken, I will force my body to move.
I will fight no matter what."

Shadow grinned. Slowly, he picked himself off of the water, blood flowing from the giant
gash on his torso. Shadow put a hand on TM's shoulder. "This is where my fun ends," said
Shadow. "It might be fun to join together... Walking without a purpose or path is only fun
for so long. So, I guess it is time for me to settle down."

Shadow felt lighter. Shadow shut his eyes and turned his face towards the sky, feeling the
warmth of the setting sun overcome him. Water began to come from every pore on his body.
The ice in his body was melting. Shadow muttered, "We are one. We understand one another.
Only with that understanding can one be powerful."

There was a bright of flash light, and again Risika was forced to cover her eyes. There was
the sound of splashing. Risika opened her eyes and saw TM standing alone above the pool.
Shadow's sandals and armor sunk down to the bottom of the pool as the rest of his clothes
floated. TM had Shadow's scarf in his right hand, looking up at the darkening sky.

TM felt a new energy flow through his body. His aura calmed. No longer was it the angry red
aura. It became a dark blue, contrasting with the burning colors of the sky. Shadow's ice
had melted and TM's fire had mixed to form the aura of water. TM felt the new energy flow
through his body. His wounds had healed and all of Shadow's strength was part of him. He
looked at the broken blade of Hiko and sheathed it.

Silently, TM threw the scarf around his neck and wrapped it around, letting it cover his
neck. TM still looked up at the sky in silence. Then he turned to Risika. "Let's go!" he
yelled, smiling widely. Risika smiled back. She picked her way through the thin bridges
towards TM.

***

Soon after, the two came upon a single shack amidst the pools. Risika read the wooden sign
hanging by the door. "Hoshida," it read. Risika had found her exiled father. Risika turned
to TM and invited him in.

TM shook his head. "I need to find Izanagi," he replied.

He was about to step away before Risika said, "And I assume you know exactly where it is.
The eastern border of the Marshes is over a thousand miles wide!" TM froze. She had a
really good point there. "Just come in, my father might know something," she told him as
she knocked upon the door. TM shrugged and stepped up behind her.

The door of the crumbling shack opened, and a weary, dirty man came forward. He looked up
at the tall, pretty girl before him. The girl smiled. There was a moment of recognition,
and the man was instantly overjoyed. "Is that you, Risika?!" he asked, voice charged with
happiness.

"Yes, it's me, father," she replied. The old man yelled in happiness, jumping at her and
holding her in a tight embrace. Risika sweatdropped as the man held her tightly. "Uh, dad,
you're not in that bad of a situation," Risika muttered, looking inside the shack.

The inside was much different from the decrepit outside. Inside was filled with various
luxuries, a sixty inch HDTV, a computer better than what you reader could even fathom, and
several DVDs of the- err- "mature" kind. TM noted the satellite dish upon the top of the
shack, which, as one could see from the inside, was very sturdy.

"All that internet stock trading made you the richest exile to date!" Risika stated. "And
your exile ended when Mishima died! What are you still doing here? All of us are very
worried about you!"

"Oh, Risika, no need for the details," her father replied. He noticed TM there, standing
behind Risika. TM sheepishly waved.

Risika's father stepped past her. She turned and looked at him as he looked over TM,
inspecting him. "I accept," her father said after a long silence.

Risika turned bright red. "Father!" she yelled back, quite flustered. "That's not why we're
here!"

Before she knew it, TM was beside her. "Ah, your father approves of our future together,"
TM said in a very suave tone as he put an arm around her waist. "Let us begin our life
together, Risika-chan." In no time, TM was pounding the floor, Risika twisting his arm into
a very painful position. He pounded the ground for mercy, and finally, she let go.

Risika turned to her father. "Isn't it time you've gone home, father?" asked Risika. "So
you happened to criticize Mishima, you're free now!" Her eyes locked with her father's
serious eyes then.

Her father replied, "No, I can not return. It is for reasons much deeper than that."

"Uh, hello, father? I ended up mastering the Eternal Dragon Seal," Risika said
sarcastically. "Didn't you see me use it against Rantmon?"

Her father turned white and screamed at her, "WHAT?! YOU FOUGHT RANTMON?! THAT'S
IMPOSSIBLE!"

Risika's eyes were narrow. As TM painfully got up from the ground behind her, Risika asked,
"Father, you didn't know of anything that happened, did you?" Her father had a look of
confusion. Risika's eyes twitched. "Don't tell me that you spent the past month watching
all of the Zatoichi films again..."

There was a short silence. Her father suddenly burst out, "Come on! You can't criticize
your father like this! Don't you understand the art of Zatoichi! It's a masterpiece!"
Risika only sighed.

"Come on, father," Risika ordered as she stepped inside the shack. "I'll fill you in." So
Risika sat down upon a chair inside, and her father and TM followed.

She went over what happened in the Rantmon battle, telling of how she fought Rantmon and
helped in his defeat, even just a little. TM nodded, agreeing with all that she said.
Risika's father listened intently, quite enthralled by the tale she told. When Risika was
done, a silence fell upon the three like a blanket.

Her father finally spoke, "I see. I guess that now that you will return home?" he asked in
an almost pleading tone. Risika smiled.

"Yes, father. I shall return."

Her father smiled warmly and got to his feet. From under the bed, he pulled out a large
luggage carrier and told her, "I will return home then to my happy family. We are finally
together again." Risika nearly had tears streaming down her cheeks.

TM then remembered why he came. He stepped up to the man and asked, "Hey, would you happen
to know anything of the Izanagi?"

In an instant, the man was on the other side of the room, pressing against the wall. His
breathing became erratic and his fear could hardly be contained. "Izanagi?!" he almost
screamed. "Why do you need that?!"

"I need its power," answered TM. "You may not know, but I am one of the heroes that can
save this world. It is because of my friends and me that we are all here. That may sound
egotistical, but that's the best way I can describe it. I met with Izanagi's reincarnation,
and he too wants me to seek out the Izanagi. I will find it and end Izanagi's legacy."

Risika's father calmed down, seeing the determination in TM's eyes. With calmness restored,
he felt that the boy was someone he could put his trust in. Risika's father answered TM,
"Izanagi... That sword has found its resting place. There is a reason I set up my shack
here. I knew it would land near here. I needed to keep an eye for when it would come."

TM nodded. "So, in what direction?" he asked.

"Just go directly south," replied the man.

TM smiled. "I'll get it, then."

***

It wasn't long that TM reached it. He easily found it in a place that was completely dry. A
gigantic crater lay just south of the shack, and standing there in the center was the sword
of Izanagi. TM saw it, the finely crafted hilt and the blade that could cut just about
anything. TM slid down the side of the crater. At the bottom, he stepped towards the blade.

He felt the voice in his head again, "You have come again."

TM replied, "Yes. I need your power."

He heard the voice of the sword laughing. "Fufufu... As I expected. However, I must ask:
why do you seek power? I have once served Izanagi, and only a great desire will make me
move. I will not move to petty troubles."

"I need the blade to obliterate Virus," TM simply stated.

There was a silence. It was as if even the sword was stunned. "Virus," it repeated. "Virus,
huh? Surprising. A boy who is willing to try what Izanagi couldn't. You know that it is
impossible to reach Virus now. He is too far away."

"It doesn't matter," TM said simply. "Unless I do it, the worlds won't be safe. If I allow
Virus to go free, my world may see the fall of the internet and computers, which will usher
in another dark age. Moreover, this world will be turned to dust, and I can't stand to
think of all the beautiful girls dead. So I must fight. I need your power, Sword of
Izanagi. Please."

There was a moment of silence, as if the sword of Izanagi was deliberating. TM then saw the
blade of Izanagi begin to glow. A black aura came from it, billowing out like black smoke
from a flame. TM saw the aura take a form up in the sky. It was of a man. He figured it was
Izanagi.

The figure spoke, "Boy, I am the soul of Izanagi. It is true that most of his soul
reincarnated into Atma, but there was a portion of Izanagi's soul that was sealed in this
sword. That would be me, his divine self. Now, everything is based around the six elements.
Destroying the order and reintroducing the element of Death would upset everything. It
would be best if I was freed to fade away. If you want my power, destroy the crystal at the
end of the hilt. The sword will then be left to its own soul, as opposed to both mine and
its own sharing the same body. Destroy the crystal and make me cease to exist."

TM was taken aback. "'Cease to exist?'" repeated TM. "You... You would willingly erase
yourself? Not just die, but... 'Cease to exist?'"

The figure nodded. "There are things greater than life. Nothing can be settled unless I am
freed. Let Izanagi's power be freed and let it return to the world. Do it, and the sword
will be yours."

TM nodded. He stepped up to the sword, seeing the black aura flowing from it. He drew
Hiko's blade and concentrated on it. Now that he was a water element, he was able to form a
perfect blade of water from the air. He was proud of himself, feeling Shadow's energy flow
through him. TM slashed at the end of the hilt. He cut the sphere at the end of it in two.

TM saw it all be released. He felt the ground shaking. It was as if a great weight had been
released from the world. The black aura around the blade became thinner. The form of
Izanagi became distorted. It all disappeared in the sky like smoke, leaving the blade of
Izanagi there before TM.

TM stepped up to it and pulled it free from the ground. He smiled. With it, he could
finally teach Virus a lesson. He leaned it upon his shoulder, turned around, and stepped
away.

***

Jallopsimon sat within the nearest pharmacy of the abandoned city, Rood Inverse tightly
wrapped in thick bandages. He had realized what had happened the day before then the blood
came from his forehead. His memories had been sealed. He realized it all. The reason he
couldn't remember before he arrived was the same reason his forehead bled when he recalled
one bit from his past. His memories had been sealed.

Rantmon had applied the seal while he was unconscious. That was what happened. But that
wasn't what would help him. Jallopsimon needed to break the seal and reclaim his memories.
He realized what kind of person he was, reflecting over the little he did remember. He
aided Rantmon in slaughtering whoever he wished. Jallopsimon demonically destroyed all in
his path over his obsessive search for the Tamer. He killed the Tamer and still found no
relief. He was a monster.

But he wouldn't accept that he was alone. Now that he had no purpose, he could no longer
ignore the fact that there was no one in the world waiting for him. No one he could
remember, at least. He rubbed his aching head, searching for any way to break the seal.

He tried to remember what happened before and after the fire he so remembered. Somewhere in
his past, he was in a fire. He remembered it clearly, and he had found the burn scars on
his leg. That memory was definitely a fact. From what he heard from the people in his
memories, it had been a gas leak.

What was a gas leak? Did he live in a time where primitive methane gas was a source of
power? If he did, how did he come here? Everything spun in his head, the bandage getting
redder from the blood. The pain became excruciating. Before he knew it, he had fainted upon
the floor.

Jallopsimon saw visions flash up before him, immense blackness behind him. He realized he
was dreaming, but the haziness didn't make him wake him. He saw clearly everything, the
searing pain becoming worse. He saw more memories. He saw himself as a child being fed by a
somewhat familiar woman. "Here. Eat," she said in a kind voice.

Jallopsimon saw a building of brick with walkways of concrete. The many buildings of a
school was connected with walkways covered by overhead shades. He stepped down the path,
through crowds of people he vaguely recognized. He left all the people and saw six people
standing before him. He recognized two girls and four boys. They saw him. One grinned.
"Hey," the grinning one said. "How was the test?"

Jallopsimon saw before him the flames of the past. He was trapped in a room with flames
licking him from all sides. He stepped through, feeling no pain as he passed through the
tongues. He arrived at the window, where he saw firefighters quickly screech to a stop
before the flaming house.

He heard his voice screaming off in the distance. He stepped through the flames and up the
stairs. He found a young boy cowering in the corner of one of the rooms. "Please!" the boy
screamed. "Someone help me! Help me!" The words were like a sword stabbing through his
heart.

And finally, Jallopsimon was before Rantmon. He recognized the tan shirt and hood that
covered his eyes. Rantmon stood before him, holding out a hand. "Come with me," said
Rantmon. "I will bring purpose to your pitiful existence."

Jallopsimon realized everything. His answer came from inside. All of his memories were
lying inside of him, not outside where he had been searching. All of his questions had
answers within him. He saw someone step out of his body. It was the Jallopsimon of the
past. That Jallopsimon stepped up to Rantmon and shook the hand.

That body disappeared in smoke, leaving Jallopsimon alone with Rantmon. Jallopsimon's eyes
narrowed. "No," he responded. "I will find my own purpose. I will make it my purpose to
find my purpose."

There was the sound of cracking glass everywhere. All around in the darkness, Jallopsimon
saw light entering through cracks in the blackness. Rantmon smiled and disappeared in a
wisp of smoke. More cracks appeared in the darkness. Finally, one piece of the darkness
broke and fell apart. Light streamed into the room. Jallopsimon was suddenly filled with an
epiphany. He began to remember who he was.

Another piece of the darkness fell. More light flooded into his mind. All around, the
darkness shattered and let the light in. He was becoming whole again. The darkness in his
mind crumbled, and soon, all around was white. He felt the events of his life flash all
around. Too much to be absorbed at once. He saw all the images. The flames, the woman,
Rantmon... And the six people he knew in school. He suddenly screamed out, "Guys!"

The light overcame him. Jallopsimon felt his forehead feeling fine. He opened his eyes and
found himself in the pharmacy again. He removed the bandage around his head as he got to
his feet. He felt his forehead. It wasn't bleeding anymore. He dashed outside and looked at
the glass window. The Rood Inverse wasn't there anymore.

Not only that, but the memories were slowly returning. He muttered, "Guys... I remember. I
have mistakenly fought against you, SSJ, TM, Cindy, Amiko... And Davis... That was my
mistake." And then, another piece of his memory came into mind. "Yes, I remember. I am from
Earth. I came by what Rantmon called a Gate."

He looked away from the glass and shouted into the sky, "Hear me, Terra! My name... It's
Van! I am Van Toh!" He drew his kodachi in a flash, and using all of his skill, he
decimated a nearby car. He saw the damage he was able to do. He had gained so much power
since he had came. He sheathed both kodachi and muttered, "With this power, I shall atone
for my sins. I will trust that Davis knows the way to return."

With that, Van went to the nearest broadcast station. He figured Century City could send a
plane or two to help him off the island.

---- To Be Continued ----

- ENDING SONG: SMALL OF TWO PIECES ~ BROKEN SHARDS - XENOGEARS - [1]

Run through the cold of the night
As passion burns in your heart
Ready to fight, a knife held close by your side
Like a proud wolf alone in the dark
With eyes that watch the world
And my name like a shadow
On the face of the moon

Broken mirror, a million shades of light
The old echo fades away
But just you and I
Can find the answer
And then, we can run to the end of the world
We can run to the end of the world

---- Preview ----

[The instrumental version of "Eternal Blue" from the Lunar 2: Eternal Blue soundtrack plays
in background. The Crew minus Davis appear as chibi style, and random scenes from the next
episode play, though you can't see because this is text. Haha!]

SSJ: Next time on GINGA GIRI GIRI!

Amiko: As we return, the unspeakable happens.

Kensou: The Nishiten strikes, catching the three at Century City off guard.

TM: And as SSJ is unable to fight back, Virus gains two weapons against the world.

Cindy: Next on GINGA GIRI GIRI! "Showdown in Century City"

----

[1] Both songs from two completely different sources come together! And they are shortened
to about a minute and a half for the "TV Size".