A new beginning

A fresh start

Three months since the rewriting of the rule, and Tomoki has started to realize that the world hasn't returned to normal. Not quite.

As he lay there in bed, he pondered to himself was it the world that seemed different? or maybe, just maybe, it was he who had changed.

He had been through a lot in these past couple years. After the constant battles with Minos' Minions, as well as the struggles of his own Angeloids, perhaps it was he who had changed.

At the thought of "His" Angeloids his mind drifted to his friends and images floated into his minds eye. Tears welled up as he remembered how lost they had all been once. Nymph as he held her crying, the pure pain and anguish at her fears of being useless and unwanted. Astrea as she struggled, coming to grips with the morals she possessed that led to her severing her chain to Minos. Ikaros, struggling to be accepted as somewhat "normal" or Sohara who had found out only at the end of the adventure that she was the most unique of them all. Even Sugata, who despite his strong outward appearance had struggled, maybe even more than most. Just trying to find a place to belong. Only too late, realizing that he had found that with Tomoki and his Friends.

It hadn't been all bad though. A rush of memories came over him and he felt his heart fill nearly to bursting.Late evening Dinners, and outings that always ended in some comical event, usually at his expense. He cared for them more than he could ever have imagined. And he knew that each would give their life in turn for his.(he had once witnessed that) As they knew he would do the same in return at any given instance. As he thought of all the laughs and jokes, a slight smile began to grow on his lips, and a faint crimson crept to his cheeks as he thought of the most powerful memory he had ever known. He in Ikaros' embrace, as she flew him towards Synapse on that fateful day. As she looked into his face with tears streaming down her cheeks, and for the first time he saw a smile upon her face as she Said to him "I love you Master" How long he had dreamed of hearing those words from his Angeloid. Yet, in that second he had felt it. He had begged and pleaded with her to turn back to earth, to stay with him. He had known that he could not live without her. In spite of his protestations she had sacrificed herself as the others had to help him to accomplish his goal and to save the worlds. Both of Earth and Synapse.

He had hoped ever since his wish had allowed him to return the worlds to their original forms that perhaps he could see that beautiful smile everyday. But, it had been ever absent. And he could not for the sake of him find a way to make her smile. oh, how he had tried.

As he was trying to think of another way to try and make Ikaros smile, he heard a light shuffling noise outside of his bedroom door. Tomoki pretended to sleep as the door slowly opened, and the sound of wings ruffling slipped quietly into his room. "Master, are you awake?" Ikaros said in her soft plaintive voice. "Yes, Ikaros." was his reply. Tomoki began to sit up as Ikaros settled in beside his bed sitting upon her legs. "Did you rest well Master?" She said to him, looking at him as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "very well, Thank you." he said as he looked around to see her there.

Why can't I tell her how I feel? he thought. What stops me?. He had this thought multiple times a day since they had returned. And he still had no explanation. Part of him was afraid to tell her, even though she had said it to him already. But, they had never discussed it. Everything had returned to the way it was before the day of the assault on Synapse. So he wondered if she had even remembered those moments they had shared.

Dowstairs Astrea and Nymph were sitting at the table talking. "How long do you think it will take them to come clean?" says Astrea to Nymph. Nymph looks around as she reaches into her bag of rice crackers and shrugs. "I would have thought that by now one of them would have given in. It can't go on like this forever can it?" A smirk grows across Astrea's face and says "you'd like that wouldn't you Nymph? Then you wouldn't have to let go." Rosy pink fills Nymph's cheeks as she wheels around from the T.V. to look at Astrea. "What exactly is that supposed to mean Delta?" The anger and embarrassment showing in her face. Astrea Giggles, and simply says "Nothing" and walks into the kitchen for her 3rd helping of breakfast.