23Cure Narrative 46: Vision
Season: Star Twinkle
Characters: Yuni, Hakkenyan
Summary: His time is here.
A/N: That summary is implying something, yes. I'm sure you guys know how much I love writing tragedies. This is strictly non-canon (or post-canon), it doesn't show what I feel about certain characters and it's not like I want this to happen in canon, I only thought I want to explore the possibilities. You have been warned.
Humming a cheerful little tune, Yuni made her way to Planet Uranain in Eyeone's (actually, her own) spaceship once again.
Planet Rainbow had returned to normal, and as soon as everything was sorted out, Yuni decided to set out to thank all those who had helped her achieve this miracle, and Hakkenyan's hut was her next stop.
It was so different from the last two times she came here. Back then, she had always been desperate to find something, be it a comrade, a method or hope.
But now she had no need for all the woes that had plagued her for so long. Her greatest wish had already been fulfilled, what more could she ask for?
"Hakkenyan?" she called out, standing in front of his hut, "It's me, Yuni."
No response came, so she called out again, "Hello? Are you home?"
She was about to assume that he wasn't, until she heard a thud coming from inside.
He answered the door moments later, "Ah... if it isn't... the little lass from Planet Rainbow..."
His voice was hoarse, even more than usual, it made her feel uneasy, "Hakkenyan... is something wrong? Why—"
Without a word, he collapsed right in front of her.
What had occurred couldn't quite register in her mind, she just stood there, agape, until she saw him scouring for his sceptre, which had fell out of his reach.
She picked up the sceptre and handed it to him, she questioned anxiously as he stood up with the sceptre as a support, "What's wrong!? Why did you...!?"
"I assure you... nothing is amiss... I do apologise... for startling you..." His wrinkled smile somehow enhanced her unease.
"You're lying. It took you so long to open the door, and you collapsed right after, something is definitely amiss."
He turned his head to the sky, as if he could still see, and muttered, "My time... is near..."
"Eh...?" she followed as he staggered back inside, "What do you mean?"
He smiled languidly yet again, and she understood.
"No... no! That's not true!" she yelled, while he wordlessly slumped back onto his mattress, "Why... Why are you so calm!?"
"Everything has its time... little miss..." he rasped, "My destination... is here... as I've long since... expected..."
"No! This can't happen!" she shook her head in denial, tears welling up in her eyes, "I... I still have to thank you properly! I restored my planet, Hakkenyan, I must thank you for advising me back then! I want to show you Planet Rainbow, I'm sure everyone would welcome you!"
"I cannot... see... your planet either way..."
She ignored his response, "Oh! I know! I will bring you back to Planet Rainbow right now! I'll tell everyone the situation! I'll ask our best doctors to help you! So please...!" she held his hand in her paws, "Please hold on for a little longer!"
"Young lass... it's not..."
She didn't let him finish, she knew she must hurry. She swung his arms over her shoulders and dragged him to her spaceship while fighting the tears threatening to escape.
She had never felt the urge to fly her spaceship at such speed, not even when pursued by the Starry Sky Galaxy's police force. But now, she dared not delay a millisecond, for that may come at the cost of a wise elderly who had assisted her in saving her civilisation.
A wise elderly she had perhaps respected.
Or perhaps she had empathised with his solitary life as well.
It mattered not now. Either way, she did not want him to depart, so she must hurry and deliver him to someone who could help.
"Young miss..." Hakkenyan coughed out, "Have you... fulfilled your... promise to me...?"
For a moment, Yuni did not know what to answer, she did travel to many planets, albeit not at all for exploration or adventure.
"Yes... yes I have," she decided not to disappoint him at a time like this, "I have seen many things that I never knew before..."
"Entertain me... with what you have seen... with those eyes of yours..."
"Of course!" she agreed swiftly, and began telling her story, "I utilised my shape shifting abilities to transform into the Space Idol Mao, the first planet I visited was..."
Hakkenyan was delighted to hear about how much the universe had changed since he had gone blind. Yuni made sure to recount the visual details as thoroughly as she could.
She made sure that he could 'see' everything through her eyes as she had promised.
"You've had... quite a... thorny journey... it seems..."
"Well, that holds true up to that point, but listen to the next part! When I returned to Planet Rainbow..."
Alas, as much as he wished to hear the entirety of her adventure — particularly the parts after she had found her 'destined star' — he knew he hadn't much time.
"Little lass..." he interrupted, "tell me... what does the... starry sky look... like right... now...?"
She understood that he was going to do a divination without him telling her, and although she was curious about its purpose, she dared not voice her inquiry, fearing the answer would be something she would not be able to accept.
"The sky," she began, rubbing her teary eyes a few times to get a clearer view, "I see... very few stars. But their glimmers feel somewhat... tranquil."
He let out a curt chuckle, "Truly... stargazing... never fails me..."
"What does the stars say this time?"
"As everything... becomes still... there shall also be... peace..."
In a frantic attempt of trying to find a proper response, she nervously assured him that Planet Rainbow was not far and resumed her story as he then requested.
Time continued to pass. He found that her voice was becoming vaguer by the second. Shutting his blind eyes tight, he heaved a weak, inaudible sigh.
He had spent many, many years of his life in recluse, alone. His fading vision had never bothered him, for there was nothing worthwhile to see anymore, no one worthwhile to watch over anymore. He had planned to finish his journey this way, in recluse, alone, blind.
But this young girl had decided to be by his side at this moment. This young girl had decided to speak to him about everything she saw. This young girl was trying her absolute best to keep him alive.
He apologised inwardly for having to disappoint her, he could tell that time was up. In silence, he drew his final breath and fell into an eternal slumber. Grateful for the sceneries he could see through her eyes, grateful for the peace of mind she had given him…
"Hakkenyan! We're arriving at Planet Rainbow!
"Hakkenyan?"
A smile that remained etched on his aged features was what she saw as a reply.
End of Chapter 46
A/N: Is this really bad? Is it not heavy enough for a death? Please comment! I really need some criticisms at the moment!
