And now, ladies and gentlemen, give it up for the laaast chapter of "The monster of Notre Dame"!

Enjoy!

The evening came, coloring the sky over Notre Dame in a fiery mixture of orange and red. Down in the courtyard, stood almost the whole population of Paris, around a wooden stage. Scattered around them were prisoner wagons, all of which contained the pirates caught in the court of miracles.

They hadn't been treated well, that much was plain to see. Most of them had bruises all over their bodies from being punished for fighting back or simply being hit because the soldiers felt like it. The people were scowling, some of them whispering to each other in dismay about what was going on on the stage. Some of them even yelled insults at the guards standing around it. This wasn't right and everyone knew it.

Everyone but the madman who was climbing up the stairs of the stage, his face calm as can be. Only the strange glint in his eyes gave away how much he enjoyed what was happening right now. On the stage stood a wooden pole surrounded by dry sticks with a man tied to it.

The king of pirates looked even more miserable then his people. The soldiers had stripped him off his red cloak and black boots, so his only protection against the cold morning air a thin white shirt and some woolen trousers. Even his eye-patch had been taken from him and replaced by a few dirty bandages tied loosely around his head.

Alfred, who was held in an extra cage-wagon nearby, clenched his teeth when he saw the dark spots that covered very visible part of Arthurs skin. They had beaten him almost bloody. The only thing keeping the pirate on his feet right now were the ropes around his upper body and wrists, although he tried his best not to show how much pain he was in and stand upright. Alfrds fists tightened around the iron bars of his cage when he saw Judge Braginski slowly walking up on the stage, pulling a piece of paper out from his robes.

"The prisoner Arthur Kirkland has been found guilty of the crime of witchcraft." Braginski read out from the paper, ignoring the cries of protest coming from the crowd. "The sentence...death."

Some of the men and women roared in anger and tried to get past the guards, but the soldiers held their ground and pushed them back again. Screams of "He's innocent!" and "Let him go!" rang all over the courtyard. A guard on the stage threw a few more bags of straw to Arthurs feet. Arthur looked around him in fear. They'll burn me!

The executioner was holding a torch already. Alfred noticed as well and started tearing at the bars in a desperate effort to get free. That was when one of the doors of Notre Dame opened. The archdeacon stuck his head outside, wondering about the noise. When he saw what was going on his eyes widened and he tried to run out, but two guards crossed their spears in front of him, denying him exit.

Braginski stuffed the paper back inside his robes and walked over to the executioner, taking the torch from him. As the Judge it was his duty to do what must be done. Almost solemnly he took the burning stick from the executioner and walked over to Arthur.

"The time has come, Pirate." he mused, while stepping closer. "You stand upon the brink of the abyss. Yet even now, it is not to late." Braginski closed up on the smaller man until their faces were only inches apart. Arthur leaned back against the pole as hard as he could, his eye wide with fear. He didn't want Braginski this close to him, nor his torch. "I can save you from the flames of this world and the next," Braginski said almost softly, his face forming a deranged grin. "Choose me...or the fire."

Arthur glared at that and spit Braginski in the face. The Judge recoiled sharply, wiping his face and looking at the Pirate with anger. Arthur answered with a look of wild fury and defiance. With all the fear gone from his features he gave a terrifying view, even though he was tied up and heavily bruised.

Braginski humphed and turned back to the crowd. "The pirate, Arthur Kirkland, has refused to recant. This vile demon has put the soul of every citizen in Paris in awful jeopardy." While the Judge went on with his banter, the three gargoyles watched from the bell-tower hallway with anxiety.

All three of them were trying to free Kiku. The boy had been tied to the columns of the balcony with strong heavy chains. But even without them, it didn't seem like he was going to go anywhere. Kiku hung limply in his chains, his face a blank mask of sadness.

"Come on Kiks, snap out of it!" Gilbert snarled, tearing on one of the chains as hard as he could.

"You're friends are down there!" Roderich, who was doing the same said. Kiku didn't seem to hear them.

"It's all my fault." he muttered weakly, his eyes on the floor.

Elizabtea gave a grunt as she, too, tried to burst Kikus bonds. "You gotta break these chains!" she called to him.

"I can't!" Kiku snapped at her, then lowered his face back to the ground frowning. "I tried. What difference would it make?" he asked bitterly.

"But you can't let Bragsinski win!" Roderich protested.

"He already has." Kiku answered in a tired voice. Gilbert stared at him and dropped the chain he was holding.

"So...you're givin' up? That's it?" he asked with disbelief.

"These chains aren't what's holding you back, Kiku!" Elizabeta said angrily, pointing her finger at Kiku. The boys frown only deepened.

"Leave me alone." he said in a cold voice. The gargoyles flinched back as if he had struck them. No one spoke for a while. The angry shouts of the people in the courtyard were the only thing that could be heard. Then Gilbert spoke up.

"Okay." he said, walking back to his place at the balcony. "Okay, Kiks. We'll leave you alone." He turned around and then there was only a statue.

"After all," Roderich said following, his voice thick with sadness, "we're made out of stone." And so into stone he turned. Elizabeta was the last one to take her place beside the two of them.

"We just thought maybe you were made of something stronger." she said softly. And then she was gone and there was only a stone statue as well.

Kiku just remained where he was, half slumped, half forced to stand by the chains. He could still here Bragsinski outside. The man who raised him. Who had kept him in here all his life, telling him horror stories about the dangers of the world outside and how he was the only one who loved Kiku and would protect him. But when the time had come to prove his words, his master had done nothing, but watch and let the people torture him. It was Arthur who had intervened that day.

Kiku suddenly felt anger rise inside him. He slowly lifted his head, scowling. He wanted to see. Kiku slowly got up on his feet and walked to the edge of the balcony, dragging his chains behind him and hoping they wouldn't hold him back. It turned out that they were just long enough so he could see over the edge, a perfect view. Was this another one of Bragsinskis "lessons"?

"For justice, for Paris and for his own salvation," Braginski called, holding the torch high above his head fro all to see. "it is my sacred duty to send this unholy demon of the seas back where he belongs." He lowered the torch and set the straw lying beneath the pole on fire. It burned immediately, smoking heavily as it did. Arthur stared at the flames in fear.

"NO!" Kiku screamed, suddenly filled with rage and determination. He began to pull and strain against the chains, using all of his body. He had to get loose, he had to save Arthur!

The pirate himself had begun to fight against the ropes, but to no effect. They were to strong and he was to weak. The effort made him breath heavily and inhale smoke. Arthur coughed and gasped for air, but there was only smoke burning in his eyes and in his throats and behind it he could see Bragsinkis cruel grin as he watched him burn.

Kiku saw the smoke thickening more and more around Arthurs slumped frame. He'll die! The fire would leave nothing of him, Kiku knew. It would consume him like all the demons before. But Arthur was no demon. He was the one who saved him during the festival of fools, he was the one who defended him against Braginski and he was the one, the first one, who had shown affection and kindness to him, despite his horrible cat-demon eyes. He didn't deserve to burn!

Kiku roared in fury and teared at the chains, stronger and stronger. And then, all of a sudden there was a loud creak and several cracks and nothing was holding his arms back anymore. He was free. There was no time to relax though. Breathing heavily, Kiku stood up and ran over to the edge of the balcony, grabbing one of the chains as he went.

He swung it around the balustrade and leapt down, swinging himself around, until he saw a spot on the tower where he could land safely. As Kiku hung on the chain he threw a look down to the courtyard and the fire. The people underneath him seemed so small now, but that didn't matter right now.

Clenching his teeth in determination, Kiku ran alongside the wall and swung himself down, landing heavily on the stage and right in front of the wooden pole Arthur was tied too. The pirate had lost consciousness by now, his upper body hanging limply over the ropes, his eye closed. Kiku wasted no time. He ripped the ropes off, catching Arthur when he slumped forward and slumped him over his shoulder. The crowd cheered, when they noticed what was going on, encouraging Kiku to keep on.

The guards had seen it as well, some of them now climbed up on the stage, spears and swords in their hands, but Kiku only gave an almost feral growl when he saw them, took one of the burning wooden sticks from the fire and swung it at them, making them stumble backwards. After that he quickly grabbed the chain and swung himself and Arthur to safety.

"Kiku!" Braginski growled, when he saw them swinging past him. Alfred too, watched them from his cage and grinned. This little man had gotten a lot more courage it seemed.

Kiku let go of the rope when he and Arthur landed on a ledge and climbed the rest back up. When he was finally back at the balcony he raised Arthurs unconscious form high over his head for all to see and shouted as loud as he could: "Sanctuary!" And again: "Sanctuary! Sanctuary!"
The crowd cheered every time he said that word.

Braginski spun around to the guards. "Captain." he snapped. The man stood still holding his sword up.

"Sir?"

"Seize the cathedral." Braginski ordered, pointing at Notre Dame.

Inside, in his own little chambers, Kiku was carrying Arthur into his own bedroom. He looked at the pirates face with soft, worried eyes. He still hadn't woken up. Kiku gently lowered Arthur onto the bed, making sure he was in a comfortable position.

"Don't worry. You're safe here." he said to Arthur, stroking his dirty-blond hair. He hoped the man could hear him. Suddenly, a voice outside shouted: "Charge!" Kiku frowned and made his way out the door, scarcely noticing that the gargoyles had returned and were staring at him in a mixture of happiness and anticipation.

He made his way down to a lower room, were a huge caldron with molted iron in it was cooking over a fire. Kiku paid the pot no mind and went for a heavy wooden log instead. Had it been any other man, that log would have been way to heavy to lift, but years of ringing the giant bells of Notre Dame had given Kiku almost unnatural physical strength. With a grunt, the small man lifted the log into the air and carried it to the large windows edge of the room where he threw it down onto the guards.

The men saw the danger in time and ran away screaming, while the log landed on Bragsinskis iron carriage, crushing it to pieces. Braginskis purple eyes widened when he saw this but he had himself under control only a moment later.

"Come back, you cowards!" he shouted after them. He went up to the captain, yanked his sword out of the mans hands and pointed at a group of soldiers behind him. "You, men, pick up that beam. Break down the door!" The men hesitated at first, but then did as they were told.

The guards at Alfreds cage had to come to, until only one remained, and he wasn't so lucky to get away. Before he could move, Alfred swung his arm through the bars and around his neck, keeping him in place. "Alone at last." Alfred chuckled, then gave the guard a heavy punch with his other fist. The man went down immediately, but luckily, Alfred was fast enough to grab his set of keys before he slumped to the floor.

Meanwhile, the guards were swinging their improvised ram against the cathedrals doors under Bragsinkis command. None of them had noticed Alfreds escape. Alfred grinned when he noticed. And those called themselves guards? He grabbed the spear of the unconscious man and swung himself up on his cage.

"Citizens of Paris!" he roared, making the people turn to him, "Braginski has persecuted our people, ransacked our city! Now he's declaring war on Notre Dame herself!" He pointed his spear at the church, still under siege. "Will we allow it?" he roared, louder then before, raising the spear over his head with both hands.

A united uproar of "NO!" was his answer and then, finally, the people of Paris fought back. Each one suddenly had a pitchfork, a spade or another tool in their hands, attacking the soldiers and driving them out of formation. Some ran over to the prison wagons and crushed the locks, freeing the Pirates.

As soon as they had their freedom, the pirates stormed out of their cages. When one was out, he was immediately given a weapon, so he or she could fight and fight, they did. The guards may have been more disciplined and experienced, but the pirates were wilder in their style of fighting and all the mistreatment they had suffered from Braginski and his men, as well as their king being safe now fueled their spirit.

It was not long before dozens of people and pirates had pushed their way past the remaining guards and to the ram still hammering at the cathedrals door.

"I think the cavalry's here!" Gilbert grinned. He, Roderich, Elizabeta and Kiku were watching from the balcony again. Gilbert spotted Alfred jumping from the cage and into the fight. "Hey, isn't that, uh, Freddy?"

"Freckles." Elizabeta corrected him.

"Alfred!" Kiku exclaimed happily, watching as Alfred punched another guards lights out.

But the fighting was far from done. The soldiers tried to climb onto the cathedral with ladders, but Kiku threw a heavy stone at them, making them fall back down. Roderich squinted his eyes shut and carefully threw a tiny brick down as well. It hit one of the guards right on the head, making him pass out.

"Sorry. Sorry." Roderich called down, even though he knew the man couldn't hear him. Gilbert laughed at that, then took a ton of gravel in his mouth, chewing a bit, then stretching his wings and taking off into the air. When he was right above the guards, Gilbert spit the tiny stones out in super-speed, making them painful projectiles. The guards yowled in pain, some of them even fled, covering their heads.

Back by the ram, Braginski still led the guards into attack, completely blind to the fight behind him. All he saw was the door and the ram. "Push harder!" he shouted, swinging his sword.

Up on a balcony, on the other side of the cathedral, Kiku noticed someone throwing a hook over the balustrade. He grabbed it and gave it a hard yank, making the soldiers climbing on it hit their heads on the balustrade hard and fall into the river, screaming.

Meanwhile, the gargoyles had used all the raw material they had found in the bell tower and had build a catapult. Now they were rolling it to the edge of the roof. When they arrived Gilbert yelled: "Ready, aim, fire!" and they all pushed it down onto the courtyard, where it crushed hard, making another group of soldiers scream and run away in terror.

"Are you sure that's how it works?" Roderich asked, watching and scratching his head. A few of the soldiers who had been knocked down by the falling device tried to get up again, groaning, but the catapult suddenly snapped, burying them under it.

"Works for me!" Gilbert chuckled, handss on his hips.

Down below, Alfred found himself engaged in a heated one-on-one battle with the captain of the guards. Both of them struck blows at each other, but in the end, Alfred just tugged down the mans cloak, wrapped it around his eyes and pushed him away. The man squeaked, stumbling and fell right behind Alfred horse, which had been tied up beside his cage. Alfred grinned. "Sit!" he commanded the horse. And so it did, planting its heavy rear right on the captains face.

"Ahh! Get off me!" the man screamed, struggling.

On the balcony, Elizabeta had just released a hundreds of birds into the air. "Fly my pretties, fly fly!" she giggled, waving them over to the soldiers. The men saw the huge cloud of birds coming towards them and knew they were doomed, but they tried to make a run for it anyway, stumbling over their own feed and shouting panicked glibberish.

Down by the door, the soldier on the ram had already damaged the wood of the portal heavily. It already cracked and broke on some parts. "Put your backs into it!" Braginski shouted at them, swinging his sword at the door. Unfortunately for them, Kiku and the gargoyles had noticed them by now.

Using Gilbert as a bellows, Roderich fanned the flames underneath the huge kettle of molten iron. When it was hot enough, they both gave Kiku a thumbs up. Kiku nodded grim and pulled on a rope hanging from the ceiling, the gargoyles helping him. There was no time to lose. The ram had already begun to tear a hole into the door. Kiku and his friends pulled with all their might, grunting and sweating from the effort and finally, the kettle tilted forward and the burning hot liquid was released into a stone channel going out on the roof's edge and pouring down, right at the ram.

The men screamed and fled from the waterfall of magma splashing onto them, only Braginski remaining by the door and staring at the glowing orange in disbelief and holding the arm that wasn't holding the sword over his face for protection. Magma was leaping out of every opening in the cathedral, seeping out onto the courtyard. Citizens, pirates and soldier, all fled from it.

Braginski clenched his teeth, then spun around and lumped onto the ram. A part of it had gotten through the door before the magma had come. The judge growled and hacked savagely at the wood with his blade, again and again, until the opening was big enough for him to squeeze through.

He stepped into the halls of Notre Dame, his fiery gaze fixed on the staircase leading up to the bell tower. All of a sudden, there were steps and then the archdeacon hurried down the stairs. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Braginski and what he was holding in his hand.

"Braginski, have you gone mad?" he shouted. "I will not tolerate this assault on the house of god!" He tried to stop Braginski by putting a hand to his chest, but the judge just wrenched him up by the collar, looking at him with pure hatred.

"Silence, you old fool!" he hissed venomously, throwing the older man down the stairs behind him and continuing his climb up. "The monster and I have unfinished business to attend to." The archdeacon struggled to his knees and looked after Braginski in fear, but he was already through the door to the chambers.

"And this time you will not interfere." Braginski hissed, closing the door and turning the key in the lock.

Meanwhile, an overjoyed Kiku threw open the door to his bedroom. "We've done it, Arthur! We've beaten them back! Come and see." he called happily, motioning for Arthur to come over to him. But he got no response. Kikus smile slowly started to faid when he saw Arthur was still laying on his bed, unmoving. "Arthur, wake up." he said, his voice shivering a bit. He went over to the bed slowly. "You're safe now!" Kiku tried, forcing himself to smile again. But Arthur said and did nothing. He just laid there with his eye closed.

It was only now that Kiku noticed the unhealthy paleness of the pirates skin and that there was no notable movement of his chest. It looked like he wasn't breathing anymore. "Arthur?" Kiku asked softly, gently stroking his friends cheek. No respond.

Kikus eyes widened and he recoiled in shock. "Oh no..." he whispered in realization, his voice shaking again. The three gargoyles watched from the door, throwing sad and shocked looks at each other. Kiku went over to the wash pan he kept on his small table. The water in it was fresh, as he'd hoped. The archdeacon always refilled it for him.

Kiku grabbed a wooden spoon nearby and carried everything back to the bed. He carefully lifted Arthurs head up and inserted the spoon with the water into his mouth. Some of it poured out of the corner of Arthurs mouth again, but the man didn't even stir.

Kiku stared at the liquid flowing down on the sheets. Then back at Arthur again. He shook his head. Slowly, as if he just couldn't believe it. The spoon dropped out from his hand. "Oh no.." he sobbed again, taking Arthurs hand in his own one, tears gathering in his eyes. The gargoyles lowered their heads in grief.

Elizabeta urged the boys out, then, as quietly as possible, she closed the door behind her. Kiku would want to be alone right now, she knew.

Kiku cried, cradling Arthurs upper body in his arms and letting his head sink on the pirates chest. Why? Why him? He was no demon. He wasn't evil. He helped me. I loved him.

Absorbed in his grief, Kiku didn't even turn around when he heard the door creak again, nor whenhe heard someone entering. He knew who it was without looking. The steps were too light to be form one of his gargoyle friends.

Braginski entered the room with almost inaudible steps. He walked over to Kiku and laid a comforting hand on the boys back. The other hand was clutching the dagger he had hidden behind his back. Kiku still hardly seemed to notice him.

"You killed him." he croaked.

"It was my duty." Braginski answered, feigning sadness in his voice. "Horrible as it was. I hope you can forgive me." Kiku only continued to sob, his shoulders trembling. "There, there, Kiku. I know it hurts. But now the time has come to end your suffering forever." Braginski cooed. He removed his hand form Kikus back, pulled out the dagger and brought it down on the boy.

It was sheer luck, that at this moment, Kiku looked up to see the shadow of his master on the wall and what he was about to do. He gasped in fear and spun around, just when the dagger came down on him. Quick as a snake, Kikus hand dashed forward and clasped around Braginskis arm stopping him in his movement. Braginski made an irritated sound and tried to wrench free of Kikus grasp, but the smaller man was ten times stronger.

With a simple move, Kiku pushed Braginksi on his back, clutching the dagger in his hand. Kiku approached Braginski like a predator, breathing heavily and holding the weapon out before him.

Braginski crawled backwards in a panic, eyes wide. "Now, now, listen to me, Kiku-"

"No, you listen!" Kiku shouted, tears in his eyes. "All my life, you have told me the world is a dark, cruel place. But now I see that the only thing dark and cruel about it are people like you!" Kiku threw the dagger off to a corner, not even looking at it. His look was full of pain, Braginskis full of irritation and anxiety. Before any of the two could make another move, there was a rustling sound from the bed. And them they heard a voice.

"Kiku?" Arthur asked quietly, slowly trying to sit up. He was still deadly pale and his voice was raspy from all the smoke he had inhaled, but all that didn't matter to Kiku.

"Arthur!" he called happily, the tears of grief on his face turning into tear of joy. He rushed over to the bed and took Arthur in his eyes bridal style, a relieved smile on his face. But all his happiness shattered when he heard Braginski rushing up to his feet.

"He lives!" Braginski growled, his fists clenched and his furious gaze pointing right at Arthur. Somehow, he had managed to grab hold of a sword again.

"No!" Kiku screamed. He fled out of the room with the pirate in his arms and outside on the balcony. Braginski snorted in annoyance and ran out after them, but when he arrived outside, all he could see was nothing. The fires from the courtyard were still glowing from down below, setting the scene in a gloomy, orange light.

Clasping both hands around the sword hilt, Braginski carefully made his way, glancing into every direction and listening for the faintest sound. He pressed himself onto the wall and then leaped around the corner, but there was no one there. Braginskis frown deepened in puzzlement. And then, another idea came to his mind.

He strode over to the balustrade and looked right down. And there they were. Kiku was hanging on one of the waterspouts with one arm, clutching Arthur in his other one. Both of them looked up at him in pure fear. Braginski grinned maliciously.

"Leaving so soon?" he chuckled, then he swung his word at them. Kiku managed to avoid him by swinging to the side, but his hold on the stone grew weaker as a consequence.

The battle in the courtyard was still ongoing, when one of the soldiers spotted Kiku and Arthur dangling down from the balustrade. "Look, up there!" he shouted, pointing at them.

Braginski was just lifting his sword for another blow. Kikus eyes widened. "Hang on!" he told Arthur, then all of a sudden, he swung himself to the next waterspout on the right, successfully dodging Braginskis attack. On he swung, Braginski hacking after them with his weapon again and again. At one time, he even struck off the waterspout Kiku had just let go off. Braginskis sword got stuck in it, but only for a short time before the judge wrestled it free with an annoyed grunt.

But it was enough time for Arthur and Kiku to climb onto the balustrade again. But just when they were about to jump over it, Braginski had his weapon free and lunged at them again. Kiku pushed Arthur out of the way and onto the balcony in time, but he himself slithered back from the effort and he almost fell down. Luckily he managed to swing himself onto the head of the gargoyle next to him just in time.

Braginski stood face to face with Kiku now, sword in his hand. "I should have known you would risk your life for that pirate demon. Just as your own father died, trying to save you." he said, creeping closer.

"What?" Kiku asked, his voice shaking. No that wasn't true! It couldn't be true! His father had abandoned him, hadn't he? Why should he have died to protect him, unless... Kiku loooked at Braginski in horror. Braginski only smiled coldly.

"Now I'm going to do what I should have done 20 years ago!" he roared, swinging his cloak over Kikus head. Kiku gave a surprised muffled cry and tried to pry it off him. Braginski gave the cloth a sharp tug, making Kiku stumble and fall over. Bu he had miscalculated Kikus strength once again.

The boy went down shrieking, but in his haste to grab onto something, he took a hold of Braginskis cloak and pulled the older man down with him. At the last minute, Kiku managed to grab onto the balustrade again, while holding Braginskis cloak with the other.

"Hold on!" he heard someone shouting and then Arthur leaned over the balustrade and grabbed his hand, trying to pull him up. Braginski swung himself up on one of the waterspouts, his cloak ripping when he did so, but he didn't care.

The judge broke into a demented laughing fit as he stood upright, raising the sword high above his head. Arthur gasped when he noticed the danger, but he couldn't do anything, both of his hands were clutched around Kikus.

"And he shall smite the wicked and plunge them into the fiery pit!" Braginski cheered, ready to strike. But he was too heavy, the stone crumbled beneath him and he fell backwards, losing his sword and clutching onto the waterspout from below with hands and feet. Braginski grunted in annoyance and tried to pull himself up again. And then he saw the twisted face of the waterspout move. It moved and it was baring it's fangs at him!

Whether it was a coincidence or simply justice finally interfering, in this moment, the waterspout crumbled and broke apart from the building. Arthur watched with wide eyes, as Braginski fell into the flames beneath, the horrible death cry of the judge ringing in his ears. For a while he could only stare at the spot in the glowing orange were the man had disappeared, but then he felt a weight tugging him down and remembered Kiku.

The young man seemed close to passing out from exhaustion and Arthur noticed with shock that he was losing his grip on him. "Kiku!" he said through clenched teeth, trying and failing to pull the boy up. "Kiks, come on!"

Kiku opened his eyes wearily and raised an arm to try and grab onto Arthur, but it was to late. His hand slipped out of the pirates grasp and he fell. He could hear Arthur screaming "No!".
And them Alfred leaped out from the stone passage a few grounds below and slung his arms around his upper body, catching Kiku in midair and pulling him in. Arthur smiled widely when he recognized the ex-soldier and dashed to the door to meet them.

In the passage, Kiku slumped heavily against Alfreds strong chest, his breath coming out in short pants. They both dropped to their knees here and there. Kiku looked up to see who had saved him and when he recognized Alfreds trademark smile, he gave a broad smile too and hugged the living daylight out of the man. Alfred chuckled at this sign of affection and patted the smaller mans back.

When Arthur came hurrying into the passageway, he was greeted by this sweet sight and couldn't help but smile at it. The two men stood up when they noticed him, still smiling. They had done it, they knew. The battle was over. Arthur ran over to them and took Kiku in his arms.

Kiku felt his heart beat faster again, but he knew what he had to do now. Softly he pulled away from Arthur and turned around to Alfred, extending his hand. Alfred raised an eyebrow but took Kikus hand. The smaller man smiled warmly and led Arthurs and Alfreds hands together until they entwined, with Kikus hands wrapped around them. Them he let go and stepped back, smiling warmly.

Alfred and Arthur looked up at each other and smiled. Then Arthur slung his arms around Alfreds neck and they broke into a passionate loving kiss, while the sun rose.

Kiku watched them from the side. This time he felt no pain in his chest. It made him happy to watch the two of them. They were his friends and he was glad they were alive. If they wanted to be happy together, Kiku had no problem with it anymore. He would find his own heavens light someday.

When the happy couple stepped out through Notre Dames big wooden doors holding hands, the crowd greeted them with shouts of joy and congratulations. Alfred grinned and swung their entwined hands up for all to see. Arthur chuckled at his lovers childishness, then he softly let go of Alfreds hand and went back to the door.

He leaned down a bit and extended his hand towards the seemingly empty hall behind it. After a short while, a small pale hand came out of the dark, feebly taking the pirates.

Shaking a bit, Kiku let Arthur pull him out of the cathedral. He squinted and held his free arm up against the sunlight, but then he was there, right in front of thousands of people. Kiku gulped. They were all staring at him. They would throw things again. He wanted nothing more then to run away right now.

But then he felt someone tug on his shirt and looked down. A little girl had split herself from the crowd without him noticing and had made her way up to him. And now she was staring up at him with big eyes, her little hands feeling curiously over his face.

Kiku blinked in confusion, but then the little girl wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. He froze for a moment unsure what to do, then slowly returned the hug. It felt good, no, more than just good, it felt absolutely amazing.

The girl pulled away and took his hand leading him down to the crowd, where he was greeted by friendly faces and laughter. People were smiling at him, some even gave him a firm clap on the back and said things like "Well done." or "Good work.".

And then the blonde pirate from the court of miracles swung himself up on one of the ruins of the prison wagons and shouted: "Three cheers for Kiku!" And so the crowd cheered for him, for real this time. A group of men lifted him onto their backs and started to carry him around, while he laughed and waved.

Arthur and Alfred watched from the cathedral, smiling.

"So here is a riddle to see if you can sing the bells of Notre Dame," the blonde pirate sang hosting the little girl up on his shoulder, making her giggle in delight. "What makes a monster and what makes a man?"

The crowd joined him in his song:"Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells, bells"
"Whatever their pitch, you can feel them bewitch you the ritual knells of the bells of Notre Dame..."

Singing and cheering the people went into the streets of Paris, Kiku on their backs. And up on the bell-tower the gargoyles watched them, smiling. Until a pigeon landed on Elizabetas head.

"Don't you ever migrate?" the female gargoyle railed at them, waving her arms to make them go away, while Gilbert and Roderich laughed and watched.

~ Fin

Aaand, we're done.^^

Thanks for reading this story and keeping up with my tardiness until the end. Seriously guys, you truly are awesome, I didn't think so many would like this idea.

Please note that I'm also taking requests for stories, so let me know if you have on for me!

Goodbye! *leaves a tray of cinnamon rolls on the table* *exits room, waving*