Ending Fic
He knew they had been fighting for a long time. That... thing loomed above them all.
He charged forward, scooping up the evoker that Akihiko had dropped when he had fallen. He somehow knew that he could do this, despite the fact that it had never worked before.
"Thanatos!"
-------
She was still coming. He could feel it. With the Avatar breathing its last, he explained quickly to the group what had happened.
A few days previously, the Shadow had left him. He didn't mention how painful it had been. They didn't need to know that.
It was the one that had transformed into the Avatar. It was the one that had attacked them. Ryoji had staggered around town, but felt drawn to the school. He still wasn't sure how he made it all the way to where the group was, but it didn't matter.
"... She's here."
The three siblings nodded to each other, and faced the goddess of the night.
-------
Minato and Minako disappeared, along with everything else, as he stepped into the darkness. Somehow, though, he was not afraid. He saw the flash of some sort of monster, straining to get to the goddess, and in an instant he understood what had to be done.
Blue and red, Minato and Minako stood out against the darkness.
"You two... it's changed, right?"
They looked at each other, and then nodded.
"Ryoji, how - " Minako's eyes widened.
"There's no time, Minako. Someone has to seal her away."
"We'll do it." Minato said it softly, but with conviction.
"... No. Use me."
"What?!" They both started to talk at the same time.
"You can't -"
"I won't let you -"
"It's our -"
He cut them both off with raised hands.
"I was supposed to die a long time ago. Please. You both have long lives ahead of you. Don't waste them by throwing away second chances."
Minako hugged him, starting to cry. Ryoji kissed her forehead, and looked at Minato, who hugged Ryoji once Minako finally let go. Ryoji smiled a little at both of them, and then turned back to the approaching goddess, spreading his hands in a gesture of welcome - or defiance.
-------
Ryoji Arisato did not graduate that year. He was mentioned in the closing ceremony, and Mitsuru Kirijo herself spoke about the boy in her farewell speech to the school, calling him a 'light in the dorm even on the darkest days'.
Minato and Minako sat on the rooftop after the ceremony, looking out at the city, not speaking. Suddenly, Minako tilted her head, as if she heard something.
"Hey, you two."
Ryoji appeared in front of the pair, smiling.
"I'm proud of you guys."
"Ryoji..." Minako smiled, nudging Minato who had started to doze off.
"I don't have much time. It's hard to do something like this. But both of you... keep living. Not just for me. For everyone."
"We will." Minato responded quietly.
"... Thank you. I... love you both."
"We love you too, Ryoji." Minako sniffled a little.
"Goodbye..."
He faded from view, leaving the two siblings hugging each other, watching the sun set over the water.