First Knight
by Lane Kramer
lkramer@bellatlantic.net


Chapter Seven: Finale: Why do I see Revolution?


Ryo Yagami prepared to enter the Duel Arena.  It was now his time of
destiny.  All his planning and hoping lead to this moment; where he would
either gain the power and privilege to try and seek this ambiguous thing
called Revolution or lose that goal and forever lose any hope of restoring
his friend the lost Prince.  The only thing standing in his way was a
strong soul named Utena Tenjou and the fabled power of Dios.  Nanami warned
him about it, but he had assured her he was not worried.  As he finished
climbing the stairs of the Duel Arena he entered and beheld the Victor and
the Rose Bride were already there.  Also on the other side of the Arena was
Nanami in a yellow blouse and a yellow skirt.  She smiled as he walked up
to her and she took in the man before her.  He wore a blue jacket, with a
white shirt underneath.  His auburn hair was shortly cut and reminded
Nanami of Miki's hairdo.  Ryo's green eyes took in her beauty and found
himself in basking in the glow of her blonde hair.  He bowed to her and
then turned to face Utena and Anthy.

He also bowed to them and shouted "I guess its time we started Utena.  No
reason to waste anytime.  I know you usually go second in pulling the sword
from Anthy, but in this case, ladies first."

Utena was not sure why he said that but she just decided to get on with
this duel.  She had been having conflicting emotions about this duel after
her talk with Ryo.  She never would have believed it but she actually kinda
felt a little bad for the guy.  He seemed sincere in his words about caring
for Anthy, but they were still words none the less.   She had learned,
since this whole Revolution began, not just believe what she was told.  So
she slowly and delicately pulled the Sword of Dios from Anthy.  Afterwards
she held the celestial blade in her left hand awaiting Ryo to pull a blade
from Nanami.  Instead she took him into her arms and proceeded to pull a
blade from him.   After doing so Utena saw that Ryo was putting his body
between her eyes and the blade, obscuring it from her view.  After pulling
the blade he walked to the centre of the Duel Arena and awaited Utena.  She
too came to the centre of the Duel Arena and both waited for the Duel Bells
to ring.  As they stared into each others eyes, each saw determination in
the others, but this time there was no malice from the two.  Ryo then moved
his blade up from behind himself and put in front of his face.  He held it
there for Utena to see.  She blinked and then looked to the Sword of Dios
and realized that the sword pulled from Ryo was exactly the same as the
Sword of Dios.  From far off the Student Council watched most with a
shocked look on their faces, all except for Touga who watched through his
looking glass and smiled now realizing what Akio had meant the other day.
Utena would now truly be tested.

The Duel Bells rang and the duel began.  Both Utena and Ryo struck and
parried each others early strikes; both were trying to feel each other
out.  Utena soon realized that Ryo was a skilled swordsman and his skill as
a duellist was nearly overwhelming her at one point, but she had been
through many duels and this to her was just another.  She tensed up and
then slashed upward at Ryo when he sagged his right shoulder for a second
and skirted just inches from his blood red coloured rose.  Ryo staggered
back and Utena pressed her assault until all of a sudden Ryo blocked one of
her attacks and suddenly counter-attacked ferociously until Utena stumbled
backwards and landed on her butt.  Ryo swung down and Utena blocked his
sword with  her sword.  They were both pushing against each other trying to
force the other the opposite way.  Each one not breaking apart but Ryo was
steadily forcing both blades towards her rose.  He was just too strong
physically for Utena to try to overpower.  Utena began to fret and found
herself fearing she was nearing defeat.  Then suddenly the body of the
Prince fell from the Castle and Ryo moved back as the Prince took hold of
Utena and Ryo stared and only said "Dios, my friend."  The Prince powered
Utena moved to attack and then dashed forward.  Ryo then blocked one sword
thrust, but just blocked without moving to counter-attack.  Until just as
suddenly the Prince receded from Utena and flew up into the castle.  The
Student Council just all gasped, Touga merely put his hand to his chin and
thought.   Utena felt her self a little winded and saw that Ryo still stood
with his rose intact.  She was suddenly confused and not sure what to do.
Ryo looked on at Utena and merely smiled

"The power of the prince will not help you this time Utena.   Dios  will
not attack his best friend.  We are soul mates, Utena.  Now you must beat
me on your own." He raised his sword.  "Shall we dance again?" He spoke
calmly and without sarcasm.

Utena felt exhausted and dazed but she raised the Sword of Dios and moved
to attack.  She lunged with desperation in her heart, Ryo blocked her and
forced her to fall to the ground raising his sword to strike.  He turned
for a moment to look to Anthy Himemiya; the person he was enoxerably
linked.  He looked through her glasses to her eyes and then her soul.
Something clicked in his mind and he made note of Utena raising her sword
in a last attempt to scatter his rose.  He made no move to stop her and
just like that Ryo Yagami, the knight of the rose prince, was defeated like
so many other duellists at the hands of Utena Tenjou.  He felt his sword
fade and looked to Utena.  He bore no malice to the Victor.  He merely
looked to Utena and said "An excellent duel Utena.  You are definitely
worthy of protecting Anthy.  Do not fail her."  With that he turned and
moved to exit the Duel Arena coming next to Anthy and uttering one
sentence.  "Anthy, I love you."  The Rose Bride had a look of shock on her
face, but then it faded and she  merely nodded.  From behind  Ryo Nanami
Kiryuu placed her arm around Ryo, causing him to turn and look at her.  She
had a sad look on her face.  He looked to her and smiled and shook his
head.  They then exited the Duel Arena arm in arm and left the Rose Bride
to help her champion leave the Duel Arena.




Ryo Yagami was nearly at his room and all he wanted to do was go to bed.
He knew he had lost his one chance and now it was all over.  He had tried
his best, but in the end he could not resist following his heart instead of
his mind and now he wondered had he doomed Utena Tenjou because of it.  His
musing was interrupted when he noticed Akio Ohtori was waiting in front of
his room door.  "I see your plan did not go exactly as anticipated." He
smiled after finishing his statement.

"Utena is indeed a excellent duellist and fate decided she should be the
winner of our duel.  I gave my all and it was not quite enough.  It is
nothing to be ashamed of,"  Ryo said barely audibly not sure if he believed
his own words.

"Well there is still a way for you to feel the benefits of Revolution,"
Akio said as he moved forward and placed his hand into Ryo's hair.  He
caressed Ryo's hair lightly.  Ryo merely took his right hand and removed
Akio's hand from his hair. "Unfortunately I do not need you in that way
Akio, someone already provides me with that form of comfort," he said with
a hard edge.

"Well, then at least you may be on my side when Revolution is mine." Akio
spoke this time with a commanding tone.

"No thank you, Akio, I have no need for Revolution.  My friend is gone and
he is not coming back.  Revolution will change nothing of that fact."  Ryo
said as he started to move past Akio and started to open the door to his
room.

"Then I am sorry, but here." Akio gave him a two letters.  "Read this one
first" Akio pointed to the top letter with a official school insignia, "and
then read this one with the rose signet." With those words Akio then made
his way down the hall and left Ryo to read the letters a lone.  Ryo looked
to Akio for a second and could only wonder what deviltry Akio was up to
now.




Ryo Yagami found Touga Kiryuu at his home.  Ryo had never actually talked
with Touga man to man, but now would probably be his only chance.  He
knocked on the door of the great mansion.  He saw Touga answer the door and
ask him if he wanted to see Nanami.  Ryo merely shook his head and stated
he wanted to talk with Touga.  Touga and Ryo then went out to a balcony
connected to the Kiryuu mansion.

"So why do you wish to talk with me?"

"Well Touga I don't know if you are aware or not but I have apparently been
expelled from Ohtori Academy on the charge that I have cheated in several
of my classes which there is allegedly evidence of and this evidence
warranted immediate expulsion.  I have decided not to fight the charges and
return home soon.  However Akio has arranged for me to live at a  nearby
hotel through the Ohtori family.  I believe he wants me to be present when
the Duel of Revolution finally comes."

"Oh, and why do you think that?" Touga questioned, a bit of his hair moving
to obscure his face.

"This..." Ryo said as he removed the letter with the rose signet emblem.
"It's an invitation to witness the Duel of Revolution.  I have already RSVP
back that I accept.  Touga will you answer a question for me honestly and
from your heart?"

Touga was caught off guard by the sudden question, but for a moment
entertained the idea.  "Why should I tell you something that would be so
private?"

"Because I am a stranger who will be gone soon and well is very much like
you.  We are always creating a mask to hide our true selves.  For as much
as you make yourself the playboy there is a deep and loving heart inside
you.  Or am I wrong about that?"  Touga merely smiled inwardly.  Ryo Yagami
was just as astute as him at reading people.  Ryo Yagami struck Touga as a
person who lacked true purpose in the world, but he decided not to say this
to Ryo.

Touga did not answer but then moved on to ask his question.  "Why did you
let Utena beat you?  I know you could have blocked her last stroke that
took your flower."

"Because I realized why I sought Revolution, Touga.  I realized that I
thought it was to restore my friend Dios, but in truth I already said good
bye to him long ago.  It was really Anthy I came for, because I still love
her.  I looked to her and saw in her eyes who in her heart she wanted to
win our duel and I could not deny her wish.  A knight must obey his
princess."

Touga frowned at this.  Recently Akio told him that he and Utena would meet
in the next duel to determine who would battle for Revolution and he would
rather be facing Ryo then Utena. "I see," was all he could muster.

"Make no mistake, though, Touga. I care for your sister just as much.
Right now I am not sure how to deal with the situation, but I have no
intentions of hurting her or just giving her.  Now its my question.  Do you
love Utena Tenjou?"

Touga heard the question and did not know how to answer.  In recent months
this question had burned his soul.  She was the only equation he had not
been able to solve, but now being confronted directly by Ryo.  He faced the
equation and got an answer.  "Yes..." Touga mumbled trying to hide his
answer.

Ryo then started to turn and leave getting the answer he wanted to hear.
"That is all I wanted to know Touga.  Then I hope you defeat Utena and do
not allow her into the Duel of Revolution.  You, I think, would be good for
her and her for you.  Do not allow her to escape your grasp, Touga Kiryuu.
I fear for her fate.  I hope to see you at the Duel of Revolution.
Farewell."

Ryo Yagami then exited the Kiryuu mansion and made his way to Akio Tower
and packed his things.  He prepared that night to leave Ohtori Academy and
decided he would walk that night to the hotel and enjoy the night air.





Epilogue: Something Eternal.... As the Petals Fall from the Rose, a New
Rose Sprouts



Ryo Yagami found himself watching the Duel of Revolution.  As he had
anticipated Utena Tenjou was doing herself very well in her struggle with
Akio.  Also Ryo noticed Akio was using many illusions to try and defeat
Utena.  Ryo found himself grimacing a little knowing he had missed his
opportunity to be facing Akio, but he had no real purpose for seeking
Revolution anymore; so there was no reason he should duel with Akio.
Suddenly Utena had Akio until Anthy gripped Utena, kissed her shoulder, and
then plunged a knife into it.  Ryo wanted to cry out and then run and grab
Anthy to yell at why she did that action.  He remained silent though, in
this phase of the game he was merely a piece of furniture that could not
act or impact events.  He could only wonder and question in silence.  Then
he saw Akio attempting to break the rose doors with the Sword of Dios and
he watched the sword break in two.  Ryo was distracted when he noticed that
Utena was pushing through the door and attempting to awaken Anthy.  In
doing so he realized the million swords of hate may move to destroy Utena.
His mind reeled and was unsure of what to do.  Even when the million swords
of hate moved to strike the Rose Bride he had not moved.   Utena almost had
opened the rose doors.  The swords moved to destroy her and just as
suddenly something stirred in Ryo.  No one noticed him, not even Akio who
had subtly keeping an eye of Ryo to make sure he made no move to
interfere.  Slowly Ryo moved back into the shadows and disappeared into the
darkness.  Only a few words escaped his mouth as he did so, "I must do my
duty."  Then the swords came forward and all was silent.  Utena Tenjou had
failed to bring Revolution and crack the shell of the world.



Anthy Himemiya and her little friend Chu-Chu both made their way out of
Ohtori Academy.  She was leaving her brother and his illusion filled
meandering behind.  She remembered her and Utena's vow to have a reunion
ten years from now.  Her free hand touched a tear from her eye and she was
unsure what to do now.  As she started to leave Ohtori she noticed the
shadow of a figure standing just barely distant in front of her.  She could
not make out who it was, but this entire scene reminded her of the
nightmare that haunted her in the recent past.  As she moved closer to the
figure she then noticed who the person was, Ryo Yagami.

"Hello Anthy.  How are you?"

"I am well.  What are you doing here?  Have you been waiting for me?" She
asked

"I have been around the last several months.  I am sorry I disappeared on
you, but I had other things that needed my attention." Anthy just looked at
him and then said "It's all right.  I never expected for you to wait for
me.  I thought your were done with us, me."

"Nonsense.  I was not done with this business until I could take you away
from here.  It was in my duel with Utena I realized that it was because I
wanted to take you away from here and because I love you that I even got
involved.  I have been waiting for you to come." He said while putting his
right hand to her face.  He smiled at her.  "And if you are worried about
Utena she is all right."  This caught Anthy of guard but immediately she
wanted him to take her to see Utena.  He seemed to know this and countered
"I cannot take you to see her Anthy.  What happened during Revolution still
haunts her some.  The swords of hate would have destroyed her, but I could
not just stand by and let her die.  I waited to the last second and moved
to help save her from oblivion.  She has been recovering for these past
months, but she still has scars.  In time she will meet you again.  She
needs more time to heal her inner and outer wounds.  She does think of you
often and will care for you always.  She will be taken care of Anthy.  As I
will take care if you if you let me."

Anthy was not sure what to think, but she believed Ryo.  She trusted him,
though not sure why, and would do as he asked.  "I am preparing to go home
tomorrow and my house has plenty of rooms you could stay in.  If that is
what you would like?"  Ryo told her.  She thought for a moment and then
looked into his green eyes and nodded.  As they started to move down the
path a familiar voice was heard by both.

"So where you intending to leave without me?  How rude of you Ryo."  They
both turned to see Nanami Kiryuu standing behind them, a bag under her arm.

"Uh... no... Nanami of course not.  I just thought we would meet you at the
hotel."

"Oh sure you did."  She quickly grabbed Ryo's right arm and smiled a little
maliciously at Anthy.  "Well, Anthy, don't expect me to let you just have
Ryo.  I love him too and he loves me.  Don't forget he is my boyfriend.  So
I want him as well.  So I am going to stay with him for the summer and make
sure you don't do anything to seduce him,"  Nanami said.

"What about Touga?" Anthy asked remembering how close Nanami was to her
brother.

"He is fine without me.  Besides he will be kept busy this summer anyway,"
she said with a smile on her face.  Then she quickly looked to Ryo with a
seductive face and this caused Anthy Himemiya to respond.

"Well I suppose we could share him.  Although don't expect to have him to
yourself," Anthy said with a playful tone as she grabbed Ryo's left arm.
Ryo looked to his right and his left.  Still in shock at what Anthy had
just said.  He then looked to the heavens and wondered if he was in
trouble.  Then together the three walked down a path and started for the
hotel as the sun started to set, Ryo quoting something to both of them.  As
they left though on a nearby hill with a tree Touga Kiryuu came to stand,
pondering why he was out there.

Touga had been given a letter by his sister Nanami.  It had his name on it
and on the inside was a message telling him on a specific day and time to
be by this tree.  The name signed on the letter was Utena Tenjou.  To Touga
he did not recognize the name at all.  He had completely forgotten her, as
Akio had intended for all of the duellists.  However, he could not
completely destroy the feelings Touga had for Utena.  To Touga, though, he
felt something when he uttered the name.  He assumed it must be some girl
he met once and normally he would not have bothered, but he felt driven
too.  So he was here and nobody was waiting for him.  He felt some
annoyance at himself for allowing his emotions to get the better of him.
He did not see a familiar figure moving up behind him.

She slowly put her arm on Touga's shoulder and slowly tried to turn him
around.  Touga was taken off guard and almost tripped as he turned to face
the individual who was turning him around.  As he was turned he found
himself looking into the deep blue eyes of Utena Tenjou.  In that moment
all that he had forgotten had come back to him.  He was speechless, he
thought he would never see her again.  She just smiled up to him and said
"Hello Touga.  I have been looking forward to seeing you.  I have been
thinking about you."

Touga was sure he heard music playing as she said these words to him.
Touga Kiryuu was hardly one to be at a loss for words but in this case he
was generally speechless.  "How are you here?  Is this some form of
illusion?"  He stammered.  She then put her hand to his mouth to silence
him.  He then noticed that she was in a white dress of all things,
something a princess would wear.  He did not expect this, but she went up
to him and put her arms around him.  He just stood there not making a move.

"I have need of someone to help me Touga.  I need someone to lean on and
support me, but also someone who I can support."

Touga just stood there until he first put his hands in her pink hair and
then around her waist.  "As I told you Utena, in our duel, I will protect
you always.  I hope you will help me as well."

Touga looked to Utena's eyes and she responded "Always."

"Perhaps I could interest you in some dinner this evening.  It would be no
problem."

"I think I would like that Touga, but first let me give you an appetizer."
Utena then pulled his head quickly to hers and then placed a kiss upon
him.  Touga at first was surprised by this, but then settled into the kiss
taking as much as he could just in case this was a dream.  Then they broke
it.  He put out his arm for the one woman who was his equal and in many
ways his superior.  They walked together at an even pace towards Touga's
mansion.  Utena leaned into Touga and Touga stood proud.  Nothing would
ever separate them again.  As they walked words echoed in the wind sounding
like Ryo Yagami's voice.

"People are an interesting lot.  Sometimes they feel the need to be a
prince and protect others.  Sometimes feel the need to be a princesses and
need to be protected.  Anyone can be one or the other, but many times a
person plays both parts; protecting others and also being protected.  That
is how one achieves balance.  This is how a person achieves their own happy
endings.  Everyone deserves a happy ending.  Souls who give without
receiving even in the event of tremendous self-sacrifice are often the ones
who gain their happy ending."



@July 7th, 1999 Lane Kramer. Used with permission. Shoujo Kakumei Utena is
@1997 BePapas. Ryo Yagami is @1999 Lane Kramer. Thank you for reading!