Petals in the Pond

[Matsuoka Nui]

L’atto Finale: Un Mondo Rinasce (A World Reborn)

~Without them…If they had not met…~

(w/epilogue)

Mist Village, Bota Magna

Barax and several other Agori huddled in the central plaza of their village. For the last several hours, the landmass was breaking apart. Most of the Northern Frost was breaking away while several forests around them started to disappear.

Another tremor struck, this time, it caused the furnace tower to tumble.

“Watch out!” he shouted. The Agori fled as the tower fell to the ground. Without the artificial heat, the coldness from the Northern Frost spread to the village. Many Agori were freezing to death while others ran inside and tried to make some fire.

One of his friends found the underground shelter for protection. Once the survivors were rounded up, they all fled to the shelter and closing the door behind them.

However, by the time they reached to the bottom, they felt something strange. Before their eyes, they could feel the entire planet moving rapidly across space.

Is this it, thought Barax, this is the end?

The answer will be revealed if he dared to go back up and see what happened…

***

Maze Valley/Triangle Core, Bara Magna

Certavus used his powers to tighten the grip on the vines. Once everyone fell unconscious, he dropped them and went to the hatch. He had to stop Gresh and any other Glatorian or else his plan would fail.

Now I’ll just have to finish Gresh and that stranger off…

But then he was in for a surprise; as he stepped into the Core Chamber, he saw no one around, well except for Gresh at the top of the chamber.

This should be easy then, he thought.

Before he could react, several thornax were fired at him. They all went through him. Certavus turned to see several other Glatorian that were hiding. They all charged and prepared their attack. Certavus raised his hand and several vines knocked them down.

“None who defies the will of the Great Beings are allowed to be here. Those that are dirty are forbidden to enter this holy place!” he snapped.

“If you call this place a blessing, then why do you abuse it?” growled Vastus, “It’s not us that’s unclean, it’s you!”

“I was granted permission to use its power,” replied Certavus as he sent a vine to grab Vastus to him, “This power and this compact between Capulet and Escalus must be fulfilled to keep the world together.”

“Liar!” shouted Tiyan, “You betrayed us! This world is dying thanks to you! And even if she sacrificed…”

“Silence,” growled Certavus as he sent more vines to grab Tiyan, “You are a disgrace like the others! You must be eliminated!”

Please Gresh, thought Vastus, save us all!

***

Gresh was having difficulty cutting his way through. He only made a few steps inside when the vines started to tangle his legs.

How I am going to save her, he thought, oh I wish my father was here…

“You have to use the power of your ring,” said a voice in his head.

“What ring?” he growled as some of the vines were reaching for his helmet.

“The same one that you used to marry Kiina,” came the reply, “If you don’t use it now, then Kiina will never awaken.”

Gresh took a look at his wedding ring. It has changed a bit of color since when he and Kiina got married back in the wastelands. How could a simple ring contain such power? He closed his eyes and concentrated on his power on the ring and the sword of Montague. Suddenly, the ring and the sword glowed. At first it was dimly, but it grew brighter and brighter every second. Before his eyes, he was in the center of the root where Kiina was sleeping.

“Wake up…wake up…KIINA!” he shouted at the highest noise he could make.

“…take me home,” said Kiina, her eyes were still closed but something was happening. The symbol on her forehead disappeared and the root that surrounded them began to fall apart.

Below, Certavus turned and saw that the root was crumbling away. His body began to mutate into some hideous shape. He screamed as the root exploded, transforming into the petals that were the same ones from Tajun. Before anyone could react, everyone reappeared in the chamber in the Maze Valley.

Kiina opened her eyes slowly and saw Gresh who watched over her. He was really exhausted but was excited to see her awaken once more.

“You’re safe,” he said.

“Gresh, my love, thank you,” she answered as she hugged him.

The other Glatorian and the Element Lords slowly got up and saw their reunion. It was a happy sight to see the star crossed lovers united once more.

“Take it easy now,” said Gresh, “We’ll be home soon. Together we can save Bara Magna with the help of others.”

In the darkness however, an angry Certavus watched them and made preparations to attack them. Although his body was now twisted and unrecognizable, he still had his ice powers. His first target was Gresh, then the others until Kiina was alone. However, a closer look showed that the symbol on Kiina’s forehead was gone. Taking a careful aim, he fired an ice blast with a sharp end to stab him.

“Watch out!” shouted Malum.

Gresh turned and used his powers to knock the blast away, however the two steams of energy smacked, creating a sphere of light in between. However, something went wrong and the blast of light exploded, knocking both of them down. Certavus screamed again as he felt his own power being overwhelmed. The ice Glatorian exploded into shreds as a result of this shock.

Suddenly, the area around them began to shake. Some of the rubble collapsed. Outside, the area not far from the valley broke free from Bara Magna as the planet was drawing closer and closer to its end.

Kiina was the first to recover from the bright light and saw Gresh lying on the ground. Several icicles were stabbed all over his chest, bleeding.

“Gresh!” she shouted as she went up to him. The jungle Glatorian lifted his head up and saw Kiina who was spilling tears. Using the last of his strength, he got up slowly and looked at her through the eye.

“Kiina,” he said quietly, lifting his hand up to her cheek, “I’m sorry, but thank you. If it we never met, I don’t think this world would have survived at all. It was inevitable that we met back at the ball.”

“Don’t, please don’t,” she replied, “Don’t leave me.”

“I’m happy, Kiina,” he answered, “To live in this world with you and everyone. I’m happy that I got to know you. We both learned a lot from each other.”

“Gresh,” she said quietly.

“Kiina,” he replied, “I’m sorry, but…I can’t see much of you, my love. I don’t know if I’ll ever call you again…Kii--”

Before Kiina could protest, Gresh closed his eyes and fell to her shoulder.

“NO!!!!!” she screamed as she continued to cry over the dead warrior.

The others watched as she cried, keeping a tight grip on Gresh. She was not ready to let him go.

“Kiina,” said Tiyan, “We have to get out of here. This place is going to crumble down eventually.”

“No,” she answered, “I’m staying with him to the very end. When we got married, we sore that our love will last even after death.”

“He tried his very best,” said Vastus, “Even though he knew that you were the daughter of Montague’s greatest enemy, he still loved you.”

“He sure did,” replied Kiina, “Despite our parents’ feud, we still got married and went to the legendary place of paradise. But that…was the beginning of the end.”

“We must leave now, Kiina!” shouted Akanari.

Kiina nodded her head and said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t. This world has suffered painfully for the last several millennia, even before the disaster. But if I use the remaining powers of my father’s, I might perhaps save this world.”

“Are you sure, Kiina?” asked Tiyan, “That this is what you have to do?”

“Yes,” she answered, “Good-bye.”

Kiina dragged Gresh to the symbol on the ground. From there, she took out her sword and Gresh’s and lifted both of them to the air.

“I call upon the survivors of the children, to unite,” she said, “And let the Element Lords join this union. Together we can change the future.”

Ackar, Malum, Starax, and Reaou (the Vorox Leader) stood in a circle around them. Behind them were their parents; Vulcanus, Brutus, and Atarus. Escalus almost hesitated since Certavus has died too, but he joined the group. Although they were not part of the children, Akanari, Tiyan, Tarix and Vastus stayed too and joined them.

The two swords began to glow as they levitated into the air; at first their respective colors of blue and green, but it turned golden-yellow. Kiina picked up Gresh and held his hand tightly.

“I love you, Gresh” she said, “With everyone’s support; we’ll be together, forever.”

Another tremor in the ground shook, but it was not in a sign of disaster. The other children and the Element Lords closed their eyes, focusing on their powers and unity; the symbol on the ground began to glow again, but the chasm did not open.

“Father, if you can still hear me, along with everyone in this room and beyond,” said Kiina, “Please, listen to the words of our hearts. Help us bring back the world and restore everyone's friendships.”

As if her prayer was answered, the last two of the Element Lords were teleported here.

Montague opened his eyes and saw Gresh dead and Kiina sacrificing her life. His only son had died and he did not know it? Capulet was also shocked as well as he watched his only daughter dying before them.

Escalus sent a telepathic message to them, “See what a scourge is laid upon your hate, that heavens finds means to kill your joys with love! I also lost my son too, who was a traitor to everyone! All are punished…”

“Forgive me, Capulet, for my jealousy to your daughter. I should be thankful for what I have, that I now lost,” said Montague.

“No, this is my daughter’s dowry,” answered Capulet, “I ask for nothing more.”

“But I can. Together, we shall build statues of them when this world comes back together,” replied Montague.

“Both of the statues will be just as rich as the beautiful land around them,” agreed Capulet.

The two joined their brothers and combined their powers to help bring the world back. More so, each of the lords gave a portion of their power to Gresh. Each of them wanted him to tell Kiina his real name as well as having Kiina to reveal hers before they disappeared.

Gresh slowly opened his eyes and saw Kiina. He couldn’t believe that he came back, but he was dying again. He had to tell Kiina something important before he lost his life again.

“Kiina,” he said, “My real name is…”

Kiina opened her eyes and couldn’t believe what she was seeing, but she knew that they will die together. However, she also had something important to tell him.

“Gresh,” she replied, “My real name is…”

“Romeo!”

“Juliet!”

The two looked at each other with a surprising look. Kiina smiled and said, “We’ll see each other again, right?”

“Of course, my love,” he replied.

Finally, they kissed as their bodies dissolved into energy; together at last they shall be. Their lives have come to an end, but the future of Bara Magna was just the beginning…

At the same moment, Erax’s compass glowed. Before he could activate it properly, a portal quickly sucked him inside, though he wanted to see what would happen to this world, but it would have to be a mystery; for his destiny and his destination was coming shortly.

I pray for their best, he thought as he disappeared.

***

Outside of the Maze Valley, within the remaining section of the Wastelands; the broken pieces of an ancient robot magnetically came together. Once it was completed, the gigantic robot opened its eyes and saw another one coming. Powered by the love from Kiina and Gresh, it was at last, ready to perform its task.

Despite the fact that Bara Magna was close to destruction, Mata Nui soared to the Maze Valley and placed his hand on the symbol. Carefully, he turned it about 90 degrees clockwise, unleashing great power from the event that was happening inside.

The other robot raised its hands to the sky, using its power to bring back the fragments of Spherus Magna. Mata Nui turned and came for the assistance. Together, their combined powers along with the Maze Valley were brining back the moons and the other fragments that were torn away from the recent earthquakes.

All of the Agori and Glatorian watched this strange sight; all of them didn’t understand what was happening to their world. That is, until the sky glowed and rained petals all over. Once the robots finished their task, a brilliant, clear sunrise signaled that the world of Spherus Magna is finally reborn.

This… is how the two star crossed lovers changed the world…for if they did not meet, this world would have not survived. "For never was a story more woe, than this of Juliet (Kiina) and her Romeo (Gresh)."

*********************

Epilogue: 1 Year Later

The city of Verona Magna was now home to all of the survivors of Bara Magna and Bota Magna. Now with residents from another universe, their home has become a gigantic metropolis. Statues of Kiina and Gresh were built all over, but two gigantic ones were made in the central of the city.

Tiyan, Akanari and Tarix went to visit the burial grounds in the central sector of the city. It housed the deceased Kiina and Gresh. Each of them said a prayer and presented some flowers to the grave.

“I can’t believe it’s already a year since they died,” said Tiyan sadly.

The others remained silent. Coming here was depressing but they were happy that their world was saved from disaster. At least, everyone on the planet was able to make new beginnings.

Finally, Tarix replied, “It has been a long journey for them. They went through a lot of pain, but still they didn’t give up.”

“Let’s go then,” said Akanari, “We need to get back and visit the others. Maybe we shouldn’t work today, a celebration and a memorial service to honor them sound a good idea.”

Vastus along with Montague were standing outside of the new government office.

“Your son was a great friend,” said Vastus, “I’ve taught him a lot of things, but yet, why he didn't tell me his real name?”

“It was a name that I gave to him upon his birth. He must have forgotten about it over time,” answered Montague, “However, I was jealous when Capulet was given a daughter from the Great Beings. My jealousy and his envy brought pain to everyone, even to our children.”

Montague turned to see Capulet who was coming from inside.

“Have they returned yet?” asked the Water Lord.

“Not yet,” replied Montague, “But maybe we should just take the day off and visit the grave. I haven’t had the chance to see it since the construction.”

A gentle breeze swept into the city, bringing warm air from the desert of Bara Magna.

“It feels nice, this breeze,” said Capulet, “Maybe we should take a day off; after all, this day is exactly one year from their deaths.”

The three stepped down and met the others who were returning. Together, they decided to make a special day to remember them as well as the other Glatorian who died during the war.

***

The central square eventually was filled with Agori, Glatorian, Matoran and other species. Music played all over the city as they honored the ones that died and celebrated the rebirth of Spherus Magna. It was an important day to remember…

The Six Element Lords and the children that didn’t die stood together by the giant statues of Kiina and Gresh. For some reason, it felt like as if they could feel their presence; was it perhaps that the separate families of the tribes of Bara Magna came together? Or was it the fact that their world was saved?

The answer was love. For it both brought back the lost planet as well as reuniting the tribes along with citizens from another universe. If they had not met at that night, no one would have stood today.

And so to my readers, with that, this story comes to a close…

~The End~

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