Vandread Fanfic - Until the End
Special Chapter - The Will To Go On (Part Three)
Rating - G / Romance / Sci-Fi
Author's Note - The power of love and friendship...
Special Note - Conclusion of this special chapter.

turn me on with your love
baby you're number one
(it's got to be just you and me baby you're number one)
don't you leave me alone
baby you're number one
(got to believe you're in too deep baby you're number one)
baby you're my number one

Fastway - Number One - Initial D Selection 3

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Project Zero's first album titled 'The Will to Go On' took the world by storm. In a week following its release, about 1,500,000 copies were sold. The media called this 'Zero Phenomenon'. Not only that, their popularity increased by the day. After a year, they decided to have a tour concert in many parts of the world. The tour is called 'Project Zero: Grand Tour'. The tour is proved to be a big hit among the fans. Finally, after their final concert of the tour, Rick did the unexpected. They were still on the stage and the fans still going wild. Rick kneeled in front of Sara and takes out a small box. Spyke and Zack were surprised but they knew what was coming. The crowd ceased to silence.

"Rick, what are you doing?" Sara asked with a look of puzzlement.

"Sara, will you marry me?" Rick proposed and opens the small box that contained a diamond ring. She started to cry after she heard those simple words.

"What a silly question, Maverick Xero. Of course I do," Sara replied and wipe her tears. Then, they hugged each other. After a while, the crowd started to cheer and whistled in approval. Spyke and Zack just couldn't contain their joy.

"Okay, to celebrate this special occasion, we'll sing a new song from our next album. How about that, Rick, Sara?" Spyke asked through the microphone. Rick and Sara nodded in agreement.

"Give me 'Small Two of Pieces" Sara said.

"You got it." Rick said, approvingly.

"Let's do it!!" Spyke shouted.

"Yeah. Let's give all out for this." Zack said.


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

Cold fire clenched to my heart
In the blue of knight
Torn by this pain, I paint your name in sound
And the girl of the dawn with eyes of blue, and angel wings
The songs of the season are her only crown

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

We met in the mist of morning
And parted deep in the night
Broken sword and shield, and tears that never fall
But run through the heart
Washed away by the darkest water
The world is peaceful and still

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 to the end of the world
Run to the end of the world


The crowd was still shouting in excitement as the four made their exit to the backstage.

"Ahem. If you'll excuse us." Zack pulled Spyke away, leaving Rick and Sara alone.

(Thanks guys.) Rick them looked Sara in the eyes.

"Sara, give me your hand." Rick said. Sara gladly do as Rick said. Rick slotted the diamond ring into her middle finger.

"This is the happiest day in my life." Sara wipes her tears again.

"I'll protect you. No matter what happened, I'll protect you." Rick pledged. Sara couldn't contain herself anymore and cries on his chest. Rick hugged her tightly.

"Rick, please stay with me tonight." Sara looked at him with those sad eyes.

"Of course I will." Rick replied.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That night, Rick and Sara slept in each other's arms. Sara was sleeping at his chest while Rick couldn't shut off his eyes. Then, he heard a voice.

"Heh. Long time no see, Rick."

"It's you. Yes, it was a long time since we talked, Erick."

"I've come to give you a warning."

"What warning?"

"This place will be in chaos soon. You should get out of here with her."

"What do you mean? Somebody will attack this place soon?"

"You're right. This is my premonition. If you don't trust me, fine. But what I said will come true. If you desire her safety, then act anyway you must."

"Hey, wait!! You didn't give me the details."

"I can't appear for this long. I'll return to the place where you sent me to. But remember, once your mental energy weakens, so will this barrier. At that time, I'll take over until you awake."

(If what he said is true, I should act as soon as possible.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sure enough, what Erick said do come true. A large unknown alien force came and started to annihilate everything in their path. Rick, Sara, Zack and Spyke was running away from a group of aliens that dressed in full plate armor.

"Hurry!!" Rick shouted as he enters a narrow path. The others follow suit.

Then, Rick heard a shot. He turned around and saw Spyke fatally wounded at the back.

"SPYKE!!" Zack screamed and kneels beside him. Rick and Sara kneeled on the other side.

"Go bro. Go on without me. Besides, I won't live long after this. Rick, Sara...It's good to know you two." Spyke said between his breath.

"I won't leave you to die all by yourself. You think I allow it?"

"Go on bro. I'm sure mom and dad want you to live."

"Spyke..." Rick mumbled.

"Rick, please be my bro's best friend. Except you and Sara, we didn't have any." Spyke said.

"Spyke...Don't die. Okay?" Sara holds his hand.

"You can't fight fate, Sara." Spyke smiled. Then he turned at his brother.

"Bro, leave me. Please respect my decision. Just this once."

Tears flowing on Zack's cheek. Then, he hugged Spyke for the last time.

"Very well. But you'll be in deep trouble if you didn't stay alive until we return."

"Hahaha...Same old Zachary." Spyke forced a smile.

"Spyke, we'll come back for you. We promise." Sara said.

"Come on, their coming!!" Rick shouted.

"Goodbye bro." Zack said. With that, the three left Spyke behind.

"Zack, don't look back. We'll return to get him." Rick said.

"Thanks Rick." Zack replied as he wipe out his tears.

The three tried to outrun their pursuers but their number keep increasing until they were surrounded and seems to be no way out.

"We're surrounded." Sara said.

"And outnumbered too." Zack added. Rick didn't say a word.

(I'm sorry Joe. It seems that I have to break my promise to save Sara...)

A ball of electrical energy formed in his palm."Rick!! Don't! You promised Grandpa, remember?" Sara said.

"I'm sorry, Sara. There's no other way." Rick threw the ball at the enemy. Then, there's a large boom.

"Okay, the path is clear. Hurry before they regroup!!" Rick and Sara ran between the enemy lines but Zack didn't make it. He was captured.

"ZACK!!" Rick gave a shout.

"RICK!! Just leave me. You and Sara must survive. You two got a future together!!" Those were his last words before one of the aliens planted a shot through his body.

"NOOOO!!!" Sara screamed and faints. Rick couldn't believe what he saw. He dropped to his knees, didn't know what he must do. Then Erick's voice echoed.

"Ho...It's happening again, isn't it? Here, let me help you,"

"NOOOOO!!" He screamed holding his head. By the time the aliens closed in, he already stood up. His black clothes turned to red in an instance. He looked at them with those burning red eyes. It is Erick. He carries Sara in one arm and the other is extended towards the incoming aliens.

"Here. Eat this alien scum!!" He blasted a large electrical energy at the onrushing enemies. Then, there's a big explosion and destroyed most of the area.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

She's half conscious when she heard the large explosion. Then she saw a man in red carrying her away from the area. She instantly recognized the man's long, blonde hair.

"Rick?"

Her savior didn't reply. Instead, he just looked at her in the eyes and gave a smile. When she looked at his red eyes, she said,

"No...You're not...Rick..."

Then, she fainted once again.

A few hours later, she opened her eyes and looked at her surroundings. It seems to be an abandoned subway station. Then, she saw Rick lying unconscious nearby.

"Rick!! You're okay?"

"Uhh...Sara? Where are we?"

"A subway station. We're safe here for a while."

"What happened? Did you bring me here?"

"No. It's not me. I saw a man carried me away. I thought it was you. But when I saw his eyes, I'm sure he's not you."

Rick suddenly clenched his head.

"Uhh...Erick? Why? Hey, wait!!"

"Rick, what happened? You're talking to Erick?"

"Yeah. He said he's the one that saved you. That means I must have lost it again. I saw Zack..." His words were cut by Sara.

"Please don't say it, Rick. I saw it too...I just can't forget that scene." Sara started to cry. Rick hugged her.

"I still remembered his last words. He wants us to live. So, we have to do as he said. Right, Sara?"

"Emm..." Sara nodded in agreement.

Rick went to a billboard nearby and looked at the map.

"Let's see...According to this map, there's a spaceship hangar nearby. Maybe we can take one?"

"We...have to leave our home?" Sara asked. Rick looked at her and held her.

"Yes. We must leave. There's no other choice. If possible, we'll come back. I promise."

"Rick...I'll follow you no matter where it is. Even to the end of the world." Sara kissed Rick on the lips.

"Sara..." Rick held Sara and had a long, passionate kiss.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Small Two of Pieces - Xenogears Ending Theme


Next Chapter