Theme 83: Give in, peer pressure, tempted
Author: Kagewolfchild
Theme: #83 Give In, Peer Pressure, Tempted
Title: Gilded Temptation
Summary: Setsuna has live countless centuries during the rise and fall of several generations of Senshi. Sometimes, the future needs a more physical interference, and after Neo-Queen Serenity dissolved one of the three main rules of time consistencies Setsuna can interfere. However, that rule was there for a reason.
Pairing/Characters: Setsuna Meiou/Captain Phantom Harlock (Arcadia of My Youth.)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer : I am not the owner of these two anime/manga, and I am not receiving any proceeds from my written work.
Summary : (AU) Setsuna Meiou/ Captain Phantom F. Harlock (Referred to as Kyaputen Harokku.)
Gilded Temptation
It was the year of the revival of the true rune moon. The years had passed from numbers to symbols and was coming upon the revival of the numbers again. Wearily during the last 30th century when the heroic senshi reigned, the Neo Queen wanted to free Pluto from her duties. Unfortunately true freedom could not be had, as there was no one to inherit the ability to guard the time gates. As Pluto had no heirs to take up the cumbersome responsibility, the Queen instead abolished one of the rules that bound Pluto to that plane that her mother had place there. That rule was the no interference rule, and the consequences that went with it. The good hearted queen died a little after that, it seemed the heroic senshis were finally granted their rest, that was all but one. In the end, the queen should of chose one of the other two rules, because temptation leaves a terrible path.
-Taken from the journals of Dosei Kouhi Tomoe Hotaru.
Eyes of scarlet garnet peered into the shifting mist that moved to and fro in what was designated as her domain. Slight winds moved strands of hair, but what color they were was hard to determine. As in some light it appeared forest green or a dark emerald, in others it appeared black with highlights of forest green. Her hair was elegantly long while some was swept-up in a high bun, perhaps making so the ends never brushed the ground. A sigh escaped her then, as her white gloved hand reached up to move a bang from her vision. It was then that she closed her eyes and was hit with a flood of new memories.
Flashes of a biplane crashing so they could bring down an industrial tyrant. Various buildings collapsing, and a scream of disbelief. Eyes of tortured sorrel flickered in the fading flames while holding a female to their chest. Flames creeping closer as the russet brown shoulder long hair fell across a marked face. The scene darkening as the smoke curled around the pair leaving only a face long scar.
The woman sucked in a breath as the memories collided in her mind. She had to rescue the grief-filled man, as he was a major player in the revolution of the new 30th century. A key-shaped talisman grew from her belt loop of keys. Grabbing the now staff-sized talisman she raised it in the air as the dim light reflected of the Garnet Orb. “Guardian Pluto, allow me to save this man’s life, grant me passage ” The woman cried, and her identity was revealed.
Knee-long blackish-green boots stepped on the life dried crust of the Earth. For a moment, eyes of garnet flicker in sadness at the thought at what has happened to the beautiful planet. Then it’s gone as if the moment of compassion never existed and the boots continue to walk on. The long Garnet Rod was her guide as she stepped past more dead land reminding her vaguely of when Chaos came so long ago. Though now there is no longer a winged savior heroine to revive the thirsty planet. Truthfully she should not be here, one should never change the course of time, but as the guardian, it was her decision.
A tired wind blew through blowing speckles of dust everywhere, but it also brought forth a wave of heat. She turned then and walked east following what would be the tremendous heat of the sacrificial flames. A couple miles were walked before she came upon her target, him.
Every last humane emotion in her cried to take him from this scene and keep him with her. Safe within the Underworld where the Gates resided where only she could access. Only she could comfort him and fill his heart with the emotions that she had seen in others and yearned for herself. She wanted what he could offer, the very chance of love. With these thoughts she walked behind him, and laid a hand on his shoulder. The world blurred away and all that was left was the misty domain of the Gates. Her last view of the dying Earth was the flames burning the last remains of his once love.
Pluto turned to see him fall, as transporting takes a toll on those not use to it, and with a wave he was in her arms. Belatedly she moved him to a pocket of space that resembled a spare bedroom. It was decorated in dark reds and blacks, good enough for her guest, and she sealed the doorway after she placed him within the room. Turning from his serene picture she instead left to where she could rest her body, but never her conscious.
About two hours later, as it is near impossible to tell time in a place where there is no time, sorrel brown eyes open. They were wary as he was in a place that he had neither seen nor heard of before. Curiosity swamped him and he swung his legs over the wide bed of dark black. Then he hunched over in thought to muse what has happened since he first started his journey.
Harokku Fantomu always considered himself to be a well situated man, and well informed. With these thoughts, he closed his eyes and considered his situation. He was somewhere not known to him, he was without his ship, and his only love was killed by the very tyrant he was trying to bring down. Ilumidus Empire was responsible for many things, such as the fact that he only had one true working eye. Normally his right eye had a patch over it that also prevented seeing the starting point of his scar. However, his love had removed the patch with her dying breath to look into both his eyes, however, he could not do the same. His tan fingers that were encased in his long black gloves reached up to trace his family’s scar.
It was one of two traditions that the Harokku family passed down to their male sons. One was the title of Kyaputen, or Captain along with their last name, and the other seemed to involve a facial scar. All the males of the Harokku family had a similar scar on the face. It started above their right eye sloped over the bridge of their nose to the edge of their left cheek bone. Though they each got their scars differently, it seemed to be an obvious tradition. While considering this information, Kyaputen Harokku felt warm water slide down his face and was shocked.
He knew what they were without having to touch or see them. As it could only be one thing, tears, and with that he broke down in sorrow. Teeth gritted as he tried to stem the flood of emotion that swept through him. Rage and sorrow battled within trying to grasp his standpoint on the fact he had just held his love dying in his arms not more then three hours ago at best. An elegant swipe of his face rid himself of the accusatory evidence of tears, men of his family never cry. He had no time to cry, he needed to find Arcadia and continue his battle against the tyranny of the Ilumidus Empire.
Harokku stood somewhat shakily and approached what looked like an old-styled door. With a hard yank he tried to open the door and found his try to be in vain. This information made it’s way to his brain and he made the only logical assumption he could, he had been captured by the enemy.
Pluto’s eyes snapped open as she felt the stirring of sorrow in her domain. Subconsciously she searched for the flash of emotion even without needing to, she knew it belonged to him. With careful steps she made it in time to see the doorknob twist violently and then stopped. Her lips tugged at her face to smile, but she stemmed the notion, she never smiled. With a wave of her rod, the doorway unsealed and she stepped in. Immediately she was forced to duck the swing of a new-age cutlass. She didn’t remark the fact that she had left him his sword, for she knew he felt more secure with it. Pluto then heard a surprised sigh and she turned to him with an eyebrow raised in what one could assume to be confusion.
“Well, Ilumidus has definitely changed their interrogator for the better.” Harokku remarked, and Pluto tilted her head just a little.
“What exactly about my person strikes you as an enemy?” Pluto asked, her voice without emotion.
“The fact I was in a room I could not exit from.” Harokku answered.
“I sealed the door so that none may enter that might wish you harm.” Pluto answered, though she lied because none could reach the Time Gates. The true fact is she did not want him wandering forever in the hallows of time. “I found you nearly being consumed by a large fire, so I brought you to here.” Pluto added, and laid her staff against her key ring making it shrink. Harokku had looked down for the moment and had not seen the change.
“Fine, I need to leave now.” Harokku announced and Pluto showed the first sign of human hesitance, she nibbled the inside of her cheek.
“I do counsel you not to go out of this room.” Her tone carried a warning, but she did move out of the way. The captain glanced at her in confusion, but he strode past her.
“Mi’lady, you are most welcome aboard my ship and crew.” He offered as he walked down the white hallway. Pluto shook her head, not that he had seen it and walked after him. Gently she brushed passed him and led him silently to the main Time Gates. When they arrived he turned somewhat angrily toward her. “What is this?” He asked, a hiss entering his tone.
“This is the Time Gates, and you are here in a space continuum.” Pluto answered while powering down. “I brought you here to save you from your fate of death.” She said, though now there was an infliction of sadness.
“Why, I could have died with her ” He shouted at her.
“Leaving the resistance without a leader?” She asked quietly. Stepping beside him, her Garnet Orb appeared in her hands again and she placed it before him. “Here, let me show you.” She stated, and Fantomu watched with narrowed eyes.
Pluto stood amongst the ravage land looking without emotion at what has befallen the Earth. Beside her lays the remains of a charred couple. Before her lays a crew of many males and females, along with what was once a grand flying ship. The flag of the Ilumidus Empire was the last thing that snapped in the wind.
“I could go back further if you wish.” She offered while gesturing to the scene within the Garnet Orb.
“Do so.” He responded.
Harokku kneeled within the ring of flames that surrounded him and his love. He had lost the will to move and cared not that death was incoming. “Kyaputen ” Emeraldas cried out while picking him onto her flying vessel. “The Arcadia is under siege ” She hurriedly explained. He gave a deaden nod, but offered her no words of comfort like he normally did.
The flying ship quickly covered vast amounts of land to arrive next an even grander flag ship. Arcadia was scrawled in script on the side, and it was surrounded on three sides by the Ilumidus Empire. “Ready the Harpoon ” Emeraldas ordered as Harokku stealthily climbed upon the head of the large spear. “Fire.” Emeraldas bit out and watched as the large spear struck the flag ship of the Empire. Too late did she notice the figure on the spear head. “Kyaputen ” Her cry went unheeded. As he flew past the Arcadia he turned to his crew with a slightly deranged if not peaceful smile.
“GO DOWN FIGHTING ” He yelled as he bypassed him. A roar of answer was heard in response, but he was far into his grief to care. The harpoon landed next to the leader of the Ilumidus Empire, and he raised his cutlass in challenge. “Let’s finish this in good form.” Harokku stated and bowed with a sweep of his cutlass.
The scene faded away and the one good sorrel eye stared at her in sadness. “That would have been our fate, to lose in the end?” He asked quietly.
“Yes, if you would have went there with vengeance on your mind.” Setsuna answered.
“How could I have not?” Harokku asked.
“What do you mean?” Setsuna remarked.
“I mean, I’ve had no time to grieve ” Harokku shouted. Setsuna looked down, what was her heartbeat stumbled at his remark.
“I can give you time, no time will pass in the world while you stay here.” She murmured quietly.
“Yes, please.” He pleaded, but then looked closer at her face. “There is a price isn’t there?” Harokku asked.
“Yes, and I will pay it.” Setsuna answered.
“What’s the price?” Harokku asked.
“You’ll find out when you are ready to return.” In a snap she was back into her senshi uniform.
Months passed in the world where time has no form. Setsuna kept her distance, only interacting with Harokku when needed. Though there was little interaction they grew a strong bond between each other. On the eve of the end of the fourth month Harokku grief lessen to a mere sting, as something else occupied it.
Harokku strolled up to where Pluto stood guard and bowed pleasantly before her. “How goes your day Mi’lady?” He asked, a small smile on his face, he did not see Pluto winced for she knew what was to come.
“It is the same everyday, empty, but peaceful.” Pluto answered.
“I see, well then, I’m feeling very well today.” Harokku told her seriously.
“Harokku, it is time for you to return.” Pluto stated.
“No, what if I wish not to return?” He asked. “What if I wish to stay here, with you.” He added his face serious.
“I could grant that, but would you willing forfeit the fight for me?” Pluto asked as she de-transformed into Setsuna. She watched as he rocked slightly on his heels. All methods of indecision rippling through his body as he thought about her offer.
The temptation was great, to just quit fighting, quit trying to change a world that just got drastically worst as time went on. To forgo being the only one seen as a leader, to ignore the constant need by someone else. To live in blissful ignorance with one whom he could care for. It was everything he wished for, it was everything he fought for, it was what he wanted and deserved. He turned his attention to the pensive woman, and he felt the temptation pull a little greater. To give up everything for her, including his solemn promise to bring down tyranny, and leave him happy. Could he really give that up? Could he really give up the chance to actually have happiness that was his to stay? What would prompt him to return to the world of fighting?
Setsuna fought off the temptation to just erase his memories and let him believe that he belonged here with her. Fighting off the temptation to sweeten the offer by telling him of all the things he could experience. No pain, no hurt, no anger, no need to fight, just him and her. With a sweep of her rod she could erase all his worries and cares, he could be free. She felt her right hand twitch upon her rod as if to follow through on her heart’s desire. Setsuna hastily regain that simple control while fighting off the temptation to admit what he was to her and make his decision a fell swoop.
She desperately wanted to erase her sense of duty and live freely like everyone else. To finally be free of these Gates and immortality, it was sweet and taunting. What she wouldn’t give to finally have the freedom and love she had seen everyone else enjoy. As she closed her eyes to savor that feeling, memories slashed against her heart of a world to come if she had her way.
The smoke was rising, but the last castle of the Empire was in pieces. The resistance had won, even without the Captain, they had won. It was a heavy price though, as the last living member of the human race and the resistance fell to his knees. His breath came in short ragged spurts that echoed exhaustion. A fatal wound had what was left of his chest gushing torrents of blood.
All around him a poison seeped into the air. Ironic that the Empire would have one last surprise for the humans that had resisted. If he wasn’t the last human, he will be once the gas has spread over the planet. He was to weak and to late to release the antidote to the poison. His eyes slid shut then, his left hand outreaching for someone who would never come. “The rest was up to you Kyaputen.” He said and his soul left his corporal body. Whatever humans that were left hidden were quickly eradicated by the poison, and the Earth was left with a blue darkness.
Setsuna opened her eyes, tears alighting on the very edges of her lashes. No matter how tempted she was to keep him here, she couldn’t and she looked up to lock eyes with his pensive orbs. “I can not keep you here.” She whispered sadly.
“Why?” He asked. She merely shifted into her senshi form and showed him the future without him. Harokku watched her memories play before with horror etching his features. After the last image played she set her rod down and turned away. “I have to go back.” He stated.
“I know.” Pluto stated while opening the large Gates. Harokku walked toward the large portal with wonder, and Pluto sighed. “Just keep focus on where you need to go.” She stated. As he put one foot on the edge of the gate, he stopped.
“Come with me.” He pleaded. Pluto stilled as she felt the offer envelope her heart. She closed her eyes to savor the offer, and immediately she knew she couldn’t go. No matter how much she was tempted to leave the Gates and cause permanent destruction to them. She could not, as eventually the destruction would cause the Gates to collapse upon themselves and the time continuum would cease to exist.
‘So what?’ A small taunting voice asked. ‘Haven’t you given enough for a small ounce of happiness?’ It whispered her darkest desires. Pluto cried within as she yearned for that temptation that danced before her. “I cannot.” She finally answered.
“Why?” He whispered.
“Remember when I told you there was a price?” Pluto asked him in reminder.
“Yes.” He answered apprehensive to her next statement.
“It was to bind my soul to this gate, meaning I can no longer leave.” She informed him quietly. Pluto did not sense him come up to her and then tilt her chin up toward him.
“Give me something to remember you by.” He stated before he laid a gentle, but passionate kiss. Pluto let tears slip as she responded, she would be the only one left with the memories of this meeting. Again the temptation swelled to keep him here with her, but she released him by stepping away. Harokku glanced sadly at her before stepping through the portal. “I’ll be seeing you.” He said in his normal playful tone though his eyes told another tone. Then he vanished from Pluto’s sight, and she waved her rod one last time for him. Her eyes slid close to show her the changes she had wrought with that wave.
“Fantomu ” A dark haired woman cried out. It was mere luck that they had managed to escape the explosion of the large Ilumidus Empire factory. Somehow the timer on the bombs clicked to give them ten minutes instead of five letting them escape unharmed. Harokku turned toward his love’s cry and picked her up in his arms as she collided with him. “We’ve done it, we stopped their manufacturing of that eradication poison.” His love informed him joyously.
“Yes, the Ilumidus Empire has finally fallen, peace has been achieved.” Harokku agreed and hugged his love to his chest. They both fell asleep freely for the first time under the stars.
“Silly Kyaputen.” His crew said together when the Arcadia landed silently beside the sleeping couple.
Pluto sadly opened her eyes, even now she was tempted to bring him back or return the memories he had lost. Swiftly she clenched at the Garnet Rod and shoved away that temptation. She had her own personal memories to remind her of what she had. Yet, still the temptation would remain, just below the surface, where her heart resided.
Notes : I’m not sure if Waga Seishun No Arukadia is a well-known anime/manga or not. Roughly translated it means Arcadia of My Youth. This link can provide more information on the series if interested. It was originally released in 1993. http://www.absoluteanime.com/captain_harlock/index-arcadia.htm
Also added coverart: http://pics.livejournal.com/wolfchildblazer/pic/00001pe5/
Theme: #83 Give In, Peer Pressure, Tempted
Title: Gilded Temptation
Summary: Setsuna has live countless centuries during the rise and fall of several generations of Senshi. Sometimes, the future needs a more physical interference, and after Neo-Queen Serenity dissolved one of the three main rules of time consistencies Setsuna can interfere. However, that rule was there for a reason.
Pairing/Characters: Setsuna Meiou/Captain Phantom Harlock (Arcadia of My Youth.)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer : I am not the owner of these two anime/manga, and I am not receiving any proceeds from my written work.
Summary : (AU) Setsuna Meiou/ Captain Phantom F. Harlock (Referred to as Kyaputen Harokku.)
Gilded Temptation
It was the year of the revival of the true rune moon. The years had passed from numbers to symbols and was coming upon the revival of the numbers again. Wearily during the last 30th century when the heroic senshi reigned, the Neo Queen wanted to free Pluto from her duties. Unfortunately true freedom could not be had, as there was no one to inherit the ability to guard the time gates. As Pluto had no heirs to take up the cumbersome responsibility, the Queen instead abolished one of the rules that bound Pluto to that plane that her mother had place there. That rule was the no interference rule, and the consequences that went with it. The good hearted queen died a little after that, it seemed the heroic senshis were finally granted their rest, that was all but one. In the end, the queen should of chose one of the other two rules, because temptation leaves a terrible path.
-Taken from the journals of Dosei Kouhi Tomoe Hotaru.
Eyes of scarlet garnet peered into the shifting mist that moved to and fro in what was designated as her domain. Slight winds moved strands of hair, but what color they were was hard to determine. As in some light it appeared forest green or a dark emerald, in others it appeared black with highlights of forest green. Her hair was elegantly long while some was swept-up in a high bun, perhaps making so the ends never brushed the ground. A sigh escaped her then, as her white gloved hand reached up to move a bang from her vision. It was then that she closed her eyes and was hit with a flood of new memories.
Flashes of a biplane crashing so they could bring down an industrial tyrant. Various buildings collapsing, and a scream of disbelief. Eyes of tortured sorrel flickered in the fading flames while holding a female to their chest. Flames creeping closer as the russet brown shoulder long hair fell across a marked face. The scene darkening as the smoke curled around the pair leaving only a face long scar.
The woman sucked in a breath as the memories collided in her mind. She had to rescue the grief-filled man, as he was a major player in the revolution of the new 30th century. A key-shaped talisman grew from her belt loop of keys. Grabbing the now staff-sized talisman she raised it in the air as the dim light reflected of the Garnet Orb. “Guardian Pluto, allow me to save this man’s life, grant me passage ” The woman cried, and her identity was revealed.
Knee-long blackish-green boots stepped on the life dried crust of the Earth. For a moment, eyes of garnet flicker in sadness at the thought at what has happened to the beautiful planet. Then it’s gone as if the moment of compassion never existed and the boots continue to walk on. The long Garnet Rod was her guide as she stepped past more dead land reminding her vaguely of when Chaos came so long ago. Though now there is no longer a winged savior heroine to revive the thirsty planet. Truthfully she should not be here, one should never change the course of time, but as the guardian, it was her decision.
A tired wind blew through blowing speckles of dust everywhere, but it also brought forth a wave of heat. She turned then and walked east following what would be the tremendous heat of the sacrificial flames. A couple miles were walked before she came upon her target, him.
Every last humane emotion in her cried to take him from this scene and keep him with her. Safe within the Underworld where the Gates resided where only she could access. Only she could comfort him and fill his heart with the emotions that she had seen in others and yearned for herself. She wanted what he could offer, the very chance of love. With these thoughts she walked behind him, and laid a hand on his shoulder. The world blurred away and all that was left was the misty domain of the Gates. Her last view of the dying Earth was the flames burning the last remains of his once love.
Pluto turned to see him fall, as transporting takes a toll on those not use to it, and with a wave he was in her arms. Belatedly she moved him to a pocket of space that resembled a spare bedroom. It was decorated in dark reds and blacks, good enough for her guest, and she sealed the doorway after she placed him within the room. Turning from his serene picture she instead left to where she could rest her body, but never her conscious.
About two hours later, as it is near impossible to tell time in a place where there is no time, sorrel brown eyes open. They were wary as he was in a place that he had neither seen nor heard of before. Curiosity swamped him and he swung his legs over the wide bed of dark black. Then he hunched over in thought to muse what has happened since he first started his journey.
Harokku Fantomu always considered himself to be a well situated man, and well informed. With these thoughts, he closed his eyes and considered his situation. He was somewhere not known to him, he was without his ship, and his only love was killed by the very tyrant he was trying to bring down. Ilumidus Empire was responsible for many things, such as the fact that he only had one true working eye. Normally his right eye had a patch over it that also prevented seeing the starting point of his scar. However, his love had removed the patch with her dying breath to look into both his eyes, however, he could not do the same. His tan fingers that were encased in his long black gloves reached up to trace his family’s scar.
It was one of two traditions that the Harokku family passed down to their male sons. One was the title of Kyaputen, or Captain along with their last name, and the other seemed to involve a facial scar. All the males of the Harokku family had a similar scar on the face. It started above their right eye sloped over the bridge of their nose to the edge of their left cheek bone. Though they each got their scars differently, it seemed to be an obvious tradition. While considering this information, Kyaputen Harokku felt warm water slide down his face and was shocked.
He knew what they were without having to touch or see them. As it could only be one thing, tears, and with that he broke down in sorrow. Teeth gritted as he tried to stem the flood of emotion that swept through him. Rage and sorrow battled within trying to grasp his standpoint on the fact he had just held his love dying in his arms not more then three hours ago at best. An elegant swipe of his face rid himself of the accusatory evidence of tears, men of his family never cry. He had no time to cry, he needed to find Arcadia and continue his battle against the tyranny of the Ilumidus Empire.
Harokku stood somewhat shakily and approached what looked like an old-styled door. With a hard yank he tried to open the door and found his try to be in vain. This information made it’s way to his brain and he made the only logical assumption he could, he had been captured by the enemy.
Pluto’s eyes snapped open as she felt the stirring of sorrow in her domain. Subconsciously she searched for the flash of emotion even without needing to, she knew it belonged to him. With careful steps she made it in time to see the doorknob twist violently and then stopped. Her lips tugged at her face to smile, but she stemmed the notion, she never smiled. With a wave of her rod, the doorway unsealed and she stepped in. Immediately she was forced to duck the swing of a new-age cutlass. She didn’t remark the fact that she had left him his sword, for she knew he felt more secure with it. Pluto then heard a surprised sigh and she turned to him with an eyebrow raised in what one could assume to be confusion.
“Well, Ilumidus has definitely changed their interrogator for the better.” Harokku remarked, and Pluto tilted her head just a little.
“What exactly about my person strikes you as an enemy?” Pluto asked, her voice without emotion.
“The fact I was in a room I could not exit from.” Harokku answered.
“I sealed the door so that none may enter that might wish you harm.” Pluto answered, though she lied because none could reach the Time Gates. The true fact is she did not want him wandering forever in the hallows of time. “I found you nearly being consumed by a large fire, so I brought you to here.” Pluto added, and laid her staff against her key ring making it shrink. Harokku had looked down for the moment and had not seen the change.
“Fine, I need to leave now.” Harokku announced and Pluto showed the first sign of human hesitance, she nibbled the inside of her cheek.
“I do counsel you not to go out of this room.” Her tone carried a warning, but she did move out of the way. The captain glanced at her in confusion, but he strode past her.
“Mi’lady, you are most welcome aboard my ship and crew.” He offered as he walked down the white hallway. Pluto shook her head, not that he had seen it and walked after him. Gently she brushed passed him and led him silently to the main Time Gates. When they arrived he turned somewhat angrily toward her. “What is this?” He asked, a hiss entering his tone.
“This is the Time Gates, and you are here in a space continuum.” Pluto answered while powering down. “I brought you here to save you from your fate of death.” She said, though now there was an infliction of sadness.
“Why, I could have died with her ” He shouted at her.
“Leaving the resistance without a leader?” She asked quietly. Stepping beside him, her Garnet Orb appeared in her hands again and she placed it before him. “Here, let me show you.” She stated, and Fantomu watched with narrowed eyes.
Pluto stood amongst the ravage land looking without emotion at what has befallen the Earth. Beside her lays the remains of a charred couple. Before her lays a crew of many males and females, along with what was once a grand flying ship. The flag of the Ilumidus Empire was the last thing that snapped in the wind.
“I could go back further if you wish.” She offered while gesturing to the scene within the Garnet Orb.
“Do so.” He responded.
Harokku kneeled within the ring of flames that surrounded him and his love. He had lost the will to move and cared not that death was incoming. “Kyaputen ” Emeraldas cried out while picking him onto her flying vessel. “The Arcadia is under siege ” She hurriedly explained. He gave a deaden nod, but offered her no words of comfort like he normally did.
The flying ship quickly covered vast amounts of land to arrive next an even grander flag ship. Arcadia was scrawled in script on the side, and it was surrounded on three sides by the Ilumidus Empire. “Ready the Harpoon ” Emeraldas ordered as Harokku stealthily climbed upon the head of the large spear. “Fire.” Emeraldas bit out and watched as the large spear struck the flag ship of the Empire. Too late did she notice the figure on the spear head. “Kyaputen ” Her cry went unheeded. As he flew past the Arcadia he turned to his crew with a slightly deranged if not peaceful smile.
“GO DOWN FIGHTING ” He yelled as he bypassed him. A roar of answer was heard in response, but he was far into his grief to care. The harpoon landed next to the leader of the Ilumidus Empire, and he raised his cutlass in challenge. “Let’s finish this in good form.” Harokku stated and bowed with a sweep of his cutlass.
The scene faded away and the one good sorrel eye stared at her in sadness. “That would have been our fate, to lose in the end?” He asked quietly.
“Yes, if you would have went there with vengeance on your mind.” Setsuna answered.
“How could I have not?” Harokku asked.
“What do you mean?” Setsuna remarked.
“I mean, I’ve had no time to grieve ” Harokku shouted. Setsuna looked down, what was her heartbeat stumbled at his remark.
“I can give you time, no time will pass in the world while you stay here.” She murmured quietly.
“Yes, please.” He pleaded, but then looked closer at her face. “There is a price isn’t there?” Harokku asked.
“Yes, and I will pay it.” Setsuna answered.
“What’s the price?” Harokku asked.
“You’ll find out when you are ready to return.” In a snap she was back into her senshi uniform.
Months passed in the world where time has no form. Setsuna kept her distance, only interacting with Harokku when needed. Though there was little interaction they grew a strong bond between each other. On the eve of the end of the fourth month Harokku grief lessen to a mere sting, as something else occupied it.
Harokku strolled up to where Pluto stood guard and bowed pleasantly before her. “How goes your day Mi’lady?” He asked, a small smile on his face, he did not see Pluto winced for she knew what was to come.
“It is the same everyday, empty, but peaceful.” Pluto answered.
“I see, well then, I’m feeling very well today.” Harokku told her seriously.
“Harokku, it is time for you to return.” Pluto stated.
“No, what if I wish not to return?” He asked. “What if I wish to stay here, with you.” He added his face serious.
“I could grant that, but would you willing forfeit the fight for me?” Pluto asked as she de-transformed into Setsuna. She watched as he rocked slightly on his heels. All methods of indecision rippling through his body as he thought about her offer.
The temptation was great, to just quit fighting, quit trying to change a world that just got drastically worst as time went on. To forgo being the only one seen as a leader, to ignore the constant need by someone else. To live in blissful ignorance with one whom he could care for. It was everything he wished for, it was everything he fought for, it was what he wanted and deserved. He turned his attention to the pensive woman, and he felt the temptation pull a little greater. To give up everything for her, including his solemn promise to bring down tyranny, and leave him happy. Could he really give that up? Could he really give up the chance to actually have happiness that was his to stay? What would prompt him to return to the world of fighting?
Setsuna fought off the temptation to just erase his memories and let him believe that he belonged here with her. Fighting off the temptation to sweeten the offer by telling him of all the things he could experience. No pain, no hurt, no anger, no need to fight, just him and her. With a sweep of her rod she could erase all his worries and cares, he could be free. She felt her right hand twitch upon her rod as if to follow through on her heart’s desire. Setsuna hastily regain that simple control while fighting off the temptation to admit what he was to her and make his decision a fell swoop.
She desperately wanted to erase her sense of duty and live freely like everyone else. To finally be free of these Gates and immortality, it was sweet and taunting. What she wouldn’t give to finally have the freedom and love she had seen everyone else enjoy. As she closed her eyes to savor that feeling, memories slashed against her heart of a world to come if she had her way.
The smoke was rising, but the last castle of the Empire was in pieces. The resistance had won, even without the Captain, they had won. It was a heavy price though, as the last living member of the human race and the resistance fell to his knees. His breath came in short ragged spurts that echoed exhaustion. A fatal wound had what was left of his chest gushing torrents of blood.
All around him a poison seeped into the air. Ironic that the Empire would have one last surprise for the humans that had resisted. If he wasn’t the last human, he will be once the gas has spread over the planet. He was to weak and to late to release the antidote to the poison. His eyes slid shut then, his left hand outreaching for someone who would never come. “The rest was up to you Kyaputen.” He said and his soul left his corporal body. Whatever humans that were left hidden were quickly eradicated by the poison, and the Earth was left with a blue darkness.
Setsuna opened her eyes, tears alighting on the very edges of her lashes. No matter how tempted she was to keep him here, she couldn’t and she looked up to lock eyes with his pensive orbs. “I can not keep you here.” She whispered sadly.
“Why?” He asked. She merely shifted into her senshi form and showed him the future without him. Harokku watched her memories play before with horror etching his features. After the last image played she set her rod down and turned away. “I have to go back.” He stated.
“I know.” Pluto stated while opening the large Gates. Harokku walked toward the large portal with wonder, and Pluto sighed. “Just keep focus on where you need to go.” She stated. As he put one foot on the edge of the gate, he stopped.
“Come with me.” He pleaded. Pluto stilled as she felt the offer envelope her heart. She closed her eyes to savor the offer, and immediately she knew she couldn’t go. No matter how much she was tempted to leave the Gates and cause permanent destruction to them. She could not, as eventually the destruction would cause the Gates to collapse upon themselves and the time continuum would cease to exist.
‘So what?’ A small taunting voice asked. ‘Haven’t you given enough for a small ounce of happiness?’ It whispered her darkest desires. Pluto cried within as she yearned for that temptation that danced before her. “I cannot.” She finally answered.
“Why?” He whispered.
“Remember when I told you there was a price?” Pluto asked him in reminder.
“Yes.” He answered apprehensive to her next statement.
“It was to bind my soul to this gate, meaning I can no longer leave.” She informed him quietly. Pluto did not sense him come up to her and then tilt her chin up toward him.
“Give me something to remember you by.” He stated before he laid a gentle, but passionate kiss. Pluto let tears slip as she responded, she would be the only one left with the memories of this meeting. Again the temptation swelled to keep him here with her, but she released him by stepping away. Harokku glanced sadly at her before stepping through the portal. “I’ll be seeing you.” He said in his normal playful tone though his eyes told another tone. Then he vanished from Pluto’s sight, and she waved her rod one last time for him. Her eyes slid close to show her the changes she had wrought with that wave.
“Fantomu ” A dark haired woman cried out. It was mere luck that they had managed to escape the explosion of the large Ilumidus Empire factory. Somehow the timer on the bombs clicked to give them ten minutes instead of five letting them escape unharmed. Harokku turned toward his love’s cry and picked her up in his arms as she collided with him. “We’ve done it, we stopped their manufacturing of that eradication poison.” His love informed him joyously.
“Yes, the Ilumidus Empire has finally fallen, peace has been achieved.” Harokku agreed and hugged his love to his chest. They both fell asleep freely for the first time under the stars.
“Silly Kyaputen.” His crew said together when the Arcadia landed silently beside the sleeping couple.
Pluto sadly opened her eyes, even now she was tempted to bring him back or return the memories he had lost. Swiftly she clenched at the Garnet Rod and shoved away that temptation. She had her own personal memories to remind her of what she had. Yet, still the temptation would remain, just below the surface, where her heart resided.
Notes : I’m not sure if Waga Seishun No Arukadia is a well-known anime/manga or not. Roughly translated it means Arcadia of My Youth. This link can provide more information on the series if interested. It was originally released in 1993. http://www.absoluteanime.com/captain_harlock/index-arcadia.htm
Also added coverart: http://pics.livejournal.com/wolfchildblazer/pic/00001pe5/