Earth
Guardian Prince Endymion
By Senshi
of Ruin and Mizu no Senshi
Act Forty Recap:
(Mamoru’s POV)
“Endymion! Why do you still protect her? I have killed two
of your guardians. Will you allow the third one to die?”
I have killed two of your guardians. Will you allow the
third one to die?
Jadeite… Nephrite… they had died… defending him. Defending
the Princess despite their hatred for the people of the Moon they had still
died to protect her!
This pain… Endymion felt it far greater than the loss of
his Kingdom. His guardians… his confidants… he had always known that he would
pay the price for being in love with the Princess of the Moon but never before
had Endymion suspected that the price he would have to pay would be this high.
Will you allow the third one to die?
A scream caught in his throat as Endymion’s eyes followed
that of Beryl’s. The demon Queen’s cruel smirk had twisted into the form a
delighted grin when Endymion’s third guardian stepped between her and her
much-desired prize.
“Nigette!” Endymion shouted, his voice cracking, revealing
the despair and pain that ravaged his soul.
He would not step down… the Shitennou were bound to
Endymion… until the end… until they died.
“Nigette! Nigette!” Endymion screamed again and again…
Now I understand everything. I can see them in my mind’s
eye just as clearly as Kisho can. I can now understand why he is so against
anything that I might have with Usagi. Jadeite, Nephrite and Zoisite all paid
with their lives because I was not strong enough to protect them. Yes, even
though they are my guardians, surely my duty as their Prince is to keep them
from harm?
“What I saw. It was the past life, wasn’t it? You all died
because of me. Kisho was right. I betrayed you.”
“No. You did what you thought was right. We, the
Shitennou, knew that one day we would die for our Master.”
I cannot allow them to do this again and they are so
against Usagi, and me but if they could just see how different from the
Princess she is in this world then I know they would understand. Kisho still
wants me to choose but I won’t. I won’t turn against my friends and I won’t
turn against my heart.
******
Act Forty-One:
“I’ve been having flashbacks,” Jupiter said softly,
breaking the silence that had befallen the remaining Senshi.
Mercury looked up to gaze at her friend. There was
moisture on Jupiter’s cheek. It could have been water coming through from the
ceiling or it could have been a tear, Mercury was not sure. Even a day ago she
would have very much doubted that it was the latter, but that was before…
before Mars died.
Mercury had spent the remainder of the day with Taro. They
had talked, and watched what he called a movie. Taro had explained that she
would have enjoyed the movie better if they had gone to see it somewhere called
a cinema. It was in a public place, he had added, almost sadly, and Mercury, as
she looked now, could not be seen with him in public.
Then they had talked some more. Taro told her how he had
been kicked out of university in England and had come back to live with his
brother. He told her his likes and dislikes, childhood memories, all the things
that Mercury knew he would never voice to another soul and it had pained her so
much that she couldn’t do the same likewise. All she had was the Dark Kingdom
and some fleeting remnants of a past life that was now lost to them.
“Love can be blind, but never wrong.”
Long ago she had said that to someone and the bitter
sweetness behind those words still haunted her now. Was her love for Taro
blind? Mercury did not know. All she did know was that it felt real to her and
that was all she needed.
“I’ve been having flashbacks of the past life,” Jupiter
continued quietly, breaking into Mercury’s thoughts, “Venus… Mars… both of them
are gone. How long will it be before Beryl turns on us as well?”
Mercury shrugged, she had secretly feared that day would
come. Beryl was the traitor not Venus… not Mars, this she was certain of.
Mercury also knew that she could not count upon Taro to protect her. How could
she ask that of him? Beryl would kill him. Even this mere thought was enough to
bring tears to her eyes. If he died… well she just didn’t know if she would
have the courage to carry on. For a long time Taro had been her life, even if
she was just only now beginning to realise it.
“I thought you did not care for the past life?” Mercury
answered Jupiter’s question with one of her own, forcing all thoughts of a
confrontation from her mind.
“I was a fool” Jupiter said harshly, “The past life is
repeating. Venus and Mars are gone. The Shitennou are not yet strong enough to
stand against Beryl. Even Metallia-sama is gaining power faster than Beryl can
control it. Soon the Earth will fall.”
“So what do you propose we do about it?” Mercury asked,
forcing any emotion from her voice as she questioned the stronger Senshi.
Jupiter lowered her gaze, seemingly deep in thought, “I do
not know” she admitted.
******
Beryl stood alone in her chambers, gazing into her crystal
that depicted the illusion of her affections. Endymion… he was so close that
she could almost reach out and touch him as she recalled his words.
He had now seen the full extent of the tragic past and
still her refused to give her up. Serenity… the hateful being that was at the
core of all this suffering and despair… the one who was fuelling the rebirth of
the Great Ruler, Queen Metallia.
Yes, even deep inside her chambers, Beryl could feel the
wrath of her Queen and she trembled slightly. Metallia’s form was appearing on
the Earth and, despite the Shitennou, the planet would soon fall.
At one time Beryl had wanted this, but not anymore. Beryl
no longer wanted to lay ruin to the beautiful planet that Endymion obviously
cared so much about. In the past she had proven how great her love for him was
by taking away everything he held dear. His Tennou, and his Kingdom reduced to
nothingness. Now she would again attempt to win his heart by destroying her
Kingdom. Metallia’s powers were growing out of control, but she still had one
weakness. Only one way in, which she could be killed, and Beryl intended to use
that to defeat her and lead Endymion into her arms…
******
“Do you know why I came here rather than going to Taro or
Mamoru? Because I thought we had an understanding. I guess I was wrong about
that, Seiichi-kun.”
Seiichi didn’t know whether to be disappointed or relieved
when he arrived back at his apartment to find it deserted. He shrugged off his
coat before slipping off his shoes before fully entering and glancing at the
answer phone on his way to the kitchen. There were no new messages.
“Will you fail to heed my orders for a second time?”
Even after the Master requested that he stayed away,
Seiichi had followed him as he walked a distressed Usagi home. He had just
wanted to make sure that they were safe, Seiichi had reasoned and, in any case,
the Master hadn’t seen him. Endymion had always been easy to hide from. In the
past life, Seiichi could recall, as a boy, watching Endymion, Jadeite and
Nephrite playing hide and seek in the palace grounds. Endymion could never find
them, even when they were in the most obvious places. As much as Seiichi
respected his Master, Endymion had never been the observant type.
Now that he was back home, Seiichi couldn’t help but
wondering where Masaki had gone. It had been obvious that he couldn’t have gone
home and, despite their argument, Seiichi expected him to come back. Where else
would he go?
Seiichi shook his head slightly and sat down on the sofa,
mindless flicking through channels on the television for several minutes. What
did it matter where Jadeite went? The Master was his only concern. Yet Seiichi
felt somehow responsible for Masaki’s disappearance.
Restlessly, he got up again, switching the television off
and picking up his mobile phone. Staring at it for a few moments, Seiichi made
a decision and called Masaki’s home number. It rang four times before someone
answered.
“Hello?”
His mother, Seiichi realised and, without bothering with
pleasantries asked, “Is Masaki there?”
She took a while to answer and, when she did, her voice
sounded pained, “He’s staying at a friend’s house.”
“Did he say who?”
Again silence for a few minutes before Tori replied with,
“No, he didn’t. I’m sorry.”
Seiichi thanked her and hung up unsure of what to do now.
Part of him thought it best to call the Master and let him know what was
happening, but, again, Seiichi berated himself. There was nothing to worry
about. Masaki could look after himself.
It was your fault that he left in the first place a nasty
little voice somewhere in the back of Seiichi’s mind reminded him.
“Here was the first place I tried.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
Seiichi stood up, suddenly unable to even sit still. Why
was he reacting like this? This shouldn’t bother him in the slightest! His
friendship with the Tennou died the moment the past life was destroyed. His
duty was to the Master and no one else and even that wasn’t out of friendship.
It wouldn’t have mattered to Seiichi whom the Master had been reborn as! This life meant nothing to him. Every time
he was reborn it would be to find and serve the Master.
“I was a master pianist in the past life. I have a long
way to go before I am at that level again.”
“I don’t believe you. You told Masaki that you enjoyed
playing the piano because it offered you an escape from the mission! If you
truly didn’t care about your father’s death then why does it obviously hurt so
much to talk about him? The very reason you went after the Youma in the first
place was to avenge his death!”
Why had he told Mamoru about his awakening anyway? What
purpose had it served other than to dredge up memories that Seiichi had fought
so hard to forget about?
“The mission” Seiichi whispered to himself, forcing all
other thoughts from his mind, “Why else was I reborn? There is nothing else but
the mission and when it is completed…” he paused, suddenly unsure.
What would happen then?
******
Masaki had to admit he felt a little more than a bit
self-conscious as he walked into the Kimura’s kitchen. The contrast between
Taro’s house and Seiichi’s apartment couldn’t have been more different. Taro’s
home had a ‘lived in’ feel about it whereas all Seiichi’s seemed to have was a
hollow sort of sadness about it.
“Do you know why I came here rather than going to Taro or
Mamoru? Because I thought we had an understanding. I guess I was wrong about
that, Seiichi-kun.”
Masaki mentally winced at the recollection of their
disagreement. He wasn’t usually the type to have a confrontation with anyone
and Seiichi wasn’t either, which probably explained why they got along so well,
or so Masaki had thought. Whether he cared to admit it or not he had thought he
and Seiichi to be friends. Why else had he gone to him in the first place? A
part of Masaki wanted to tell Seiichi about Haru, but his ‘friend’ had made it
pretty clear that all he cared about was the mission, or so he would have them
believe.
Rather than go back to Seiichi’s and, in any case,
Masaki’s pride wouldn’t allow him too, he had gone to Taro. The older man had
been concerned to hear about his situation but had overall not asked a lot of
questions. Masaki was glad of this, but a part of him remained resentful that
his friends seemed to care little for what was happening to him.
Now, as he walked into the kitchen, both Taro and Kanaye
looking up as he did so, Masaki quietly thanked Taro’s brother for the use of
their spare room. Kanaye replied that it wasn’t a problem that he could stay
for as long as he needed to and promptly left the room, sensing that Taro and
Masaki might want to talk. Taro had been reading the paper, whilst sipping a
cup of green tea, before Masaki came into the kitchen, but he discarded both
these things now and gestured for his friend to take a seat.
“How are you feeling?” was his first question, his voice
steady and seemingly neutral.
“Fine” Masaki answered, suddenly on his guard again.
“Kanaye meant what he said. You’re more than welcome to
stay for as long as you want too.”
“Thank you.”
Again, silence reigned between them. Taro was obviously
unsure of what to say and Masaki didn’t really feel like talking. In fact, he
felt a little sick and this was brought about by knowing that he would have to
go back to his house at some point today and collect some of his things.
“Well we were much happier when there was just the two of
us. He’s been nothing but trouble from the moment he was born. We’re better off
without him.”
Masaki shook his head slightly, trying to clear such
thoughts from his mind. Haru had never been so cruel, despite the drink, but
Masaki was in no doubt that he meant what he said. In any case, he had no wish
to return home anyway. Tori was too weak to defend him, her only son and she
didn’t help him.
Unable to sleep last night, Masaki had spent the entire
night trying to decide what he was going to do now. Despite Taro’s offer, he
was not about to stay with them for longer than he had too. He had his pride
after all. He had decided on quitting college and getting a job. Then he could
get his own place and wouldn’t have to rely on anyone’s help.
Still, he felt more than a little apprehensive at the
thought of facing Haru. Perhaps Taro would go with him? Masaki didn’t really
want to ask, but he didn’t really like the thought of facing Haru alone,
either.
“Taro-kun--” he started when Kanaye came back into the
room.
“Taro” he said, allowing a hint of annoyance into his
voice, “You’re going to be late for work again. Motoki said that you didn’t
bother to turn up yesterday. Do you want to keep that job or not?”
Taro shrugged, obviously embarrassed that his brother
would nag him in front of his friend, “I’m going in a minute.”
“No. Now. I’ve got to go into work this morning so I’ll
give you a lift.”
“I’m not a child!” Taro bolted up from his seat, fists
clenched at his sides.
“I know” Kanaye retorted, “But the way you’ve been acting
lately…” he cast a glance at Masaki and shook his head, “We’ll discuss this
later. Come on.”
His brother left the room and Taro uttered a couple of
choice swear words under his breath before turning to Masaki and enquiring to
know if he would be alright on his own for a few hours.
“You could come to Crown, too, if you would prefer” he
also added as an after thought.
“No, I’m fine here. I think I’ve got a lecture this
morning anyway.”
Taro shrugged, “If you’re sure.”
Masaki nodded and half smiled when he heard Kanaye yelling
for Taro to get a move on. His friend grumbled a reply and explained that he
would be back around lunchtime.
Masaki waited a few minutes after Taro had gone before
pulling on his coat and going out the door. The only change of clothes Masaki
had were the ones that Seiichi had loaned him the day before and, despite his
reluctance, he knew he would have to go alone and get his things. The chances
were that Haru would be passed out on the sofa in a drunken stupor anyway,
Masaki reasoned and he would be able to slip in and out unnoticed and he was
sure that Tori wouldn’t tell Haru that he had been in. In any case, Masaki did
want to check and see if his mother was all right. In spite of his anger
towards her, Masaki wouldn’t want Tori hurt. After all she was still his
mother.
We’re better off without him
Masaki half smiled slightly at this. No, Haru, he thought
to himself, I’m better off without you.
******
When he reached his home, Masaki found that the door was
unlocked, a worrying thing, but one he resolved not to dwell too much upon.
Haru was so blinded by alcohol last night that he probably didn’t know what day
it was this morning let alone locking the door.
As he stepped inside, Masaki pulled a face at the
disgusting smell of liquor and vomit, the latter being a sure sign that Haru
must be enjoying the consequences of last night. Masaki smirked slightly at
this and shut the door carefully behind him. The front room had been cleaned,
Tori most probably, and Masaki quietly crept through the room, without
bothering to take his shoes off lest he be discovered, and up the stairs.
Haru was still nowhere to be seen, but he didn’t waste
anytime in locating an overnight bag and practically tearing his clothes off
their hangers, shoving them inside the bag as quickly as he could.
Looking around the room, Masaki also packed a couple of
other things, ignoring the vast array of CDs that littered his bedside cabinet
and floor. Suddenly his possessions seemed so trivial. He didn’t need them. He
just wanted to get out of the house before… Masaki froze. He thought he heard
the stairs creaking.
Keeping himself still, he forced to slow his ragged
breathing and listen. After a few minutes nothing, and he berated his jumpiness
and turned around to pick up his bag.
“I thought I told you to leave and never come back?”
Masaki whirled around, trying to ignore the sudden
weakness in his legs when he saw Haru leaning against the doorframe, his
features darkened with anger and hatred for his son.
“I…” Masaki trailed off when Haru took a step into the
room, moving surprisingly well for someone who had drunk enough liquor to put a
pub out of business.
“I was just getting some things,” Masaki said at last,
hating the weakness in his voice as he spoke, “I’m going now.”
He struggled to push passed his father, but Haru clamped a
hand down on his shoulder and forced him to stay still. “I told you never to
come back and yet here you are, not twenty four hours later, in my house
again!”
“I had to get my stuff” Masaki answered, trying to push
Haru off of him as he spoke, “I’ll go now, father.”
“Don’t call me ‘father’” Haru snarled, using the element
of surprise to slam his son back into the doorframe, and then placing his hands
on his shoulders pinning him there. Masaki winced as Haru’s fingers dug into
his skin and struggled to push Haru off of him, but the combination of fear and
surprise meant that Haru had the advantage.
“I am not your father! Not anymore! I wanted a big family
and instead I was stuck with you. You are nothing but a disappointment. I had
thought that you would go to college and make something of yourself, but
instead I find out that you’ve been skipping classes in favour of hanging out
with those pathetic losers you call friends!”
“They’re not losers” Masaki couldn’t help but retort
furiously and instantly regretted it.
“Well where are they now then?” Haru demanded, “Why did
they let you come back here alone?”
Masaki again squirmed under Haru’s grip, struggling and
failing to break free.
“This isn’t their problem” Masaki forced himself to reply,
furiously wishing that he had asked Taro to come after all.
“Haru” he continued, “I just wanted to get some things.
I’ll go now and you won’t ever have to see me again.”
“So” Haru seethed, sneering the words right in Masaki’s
face, “You want another chance? You never listen, do you? I warned you not to
come back and you refused to heed that warning. Perhaps if I had taken a firmer
hand with you when you were a boy…but I can see now that I’m going to have to
teach you a lesson.”
Masaki was so stunned that he barely felt the first blow
that Haru dealt him. Indeed, even after yesterday, he had never dreamt that
Haru would raise a hand to him again, but the blows wouldn’t stop. Even when he
fell to the ground, curling up in agony, Haru continued to kick him. The entire
left side of his face was numb, blood poured from his nose and mouth and
collected on the floor by his head. Yet he didn’t feel this. It was as though
it was happening in another lifetime. He could not longer feel the pain. He
wanted to die… Haru was right. None of them cared for him. Seiichi had as good
as said that their friendship meant nothing and Taro hadn’t even made sure that
he was all right. All Mamoru cared for was Usagi and Kisho was too lost in his
bitterness concerning the past life to take any notice in what was going on in
the present.
He had nothing before he met them and he still had nothing
now. If they cared about him then why weren’t they here?
“Then I guess you will betray us after all.”
They had all betrayed him… not just Mamoru…
“Haru! Yameru!” through the mist, Masaki thought he heard
someone calling him. Then the screaming stopped and Haru stepped away.
“Masaki!”
“What have you done?” Tori all but screamed at her husband
as Masaki pushed himself into a sitting position, wincing at her gentle touch
as she stared in horror at the injuries that his father had inflicted.
“He deserved it” Haru answered her, though his face had
turned ashen when he looked his son in his eyes and saw the pain and the few
tears that still welled up, even now.
“No” Tori wept, “How could you do this? He’s your son!”
“No” Masaki whispered, forcing himself to stand, very
shakily, and more tears sprang into his eyes at this simple act. There was a
sharp pain in his ribs and he suspected that a few were broken, but suddenly
Masaki didn’t care. “He’s not my father,” he continued bitterly.
“You’re hurt” Tori attempted to stop him, but Masaki
brushed her away. He didn’t want her help. It had come too late. He just
wanted… he didn’t know what he wanted anymore…
******
“I see” Seiichi said quietly, “I’ll be there as soon as I
can, Master.”
“Don’t call me Master” Mamoru answered seriously, “I’ve
told you, Seiichi, that’s not who I am anymore, not in this world.”
Seiichi did not answer this and debated his response for a
few seconds. He had gone outside to get some fresh air when the Master called.
He wanted them to meet at Crown as soon as possible to discuss the mission.
Seiichi doubted that they would have a discussion anyway. Kisho would shout at
Mamoru, Taro would get angry with both of them and Masaki would remain pretty
much silent until Kisho finally stormed out in a fury. Some meeting, Seiichi
thought woefully. None of them understood that their duty was to the Master
first and foremost.
“Seiichi? Daijobu?”
“Fine” he replied, deciding simply to tell Mamoru that he
would meet them there, when he sensed it.
“Seiichi?” Zinan’s voice snapped him out of this revue.
His father lay on his side, his hand still clutching tightly at his chest,
though his gaze was locked on his son’s current form.
“Father…” Seiichi trailed off and ran to him, kneeling
down at his side. “Don’t move. I’ll get some help…” he broke off again when
Zinan weakly grabbed his arm and slowly shook his head. They both knew deep
down that there was little anyone could do. Zinan had always had a weak heart
and the Youma possession… his heart just couldn’t take the strain… he was
dying…
Seiichi almost cried out at the intensity of the flashback
that came with the Youma aura. It threatened to overwhelm him and he almost
dropped the phone as he forced himself to lean back against the wall of the
apartment block and take a few deep breaths. If he could find that Youma… Once
had had broken the damn connection, Seiichi knew that the first thing he would
do was stick a knife in its heart for all the pain it had caused him and his
family.
“Seiichi?”
“I’ll help you capture that Youma. We’ll find a way to
break the connection.”
The Master had offered to help him. Perhaps together they
could… no! Seiichi had often stayed awake until the small hours playing out
different scenarios in his mind and his most dreaded outcome sprang to the
forefront of his mind now. What if there was no way to break the connection?
The Master had a duty towards the planet. They couldn’t allow a Youma to run
riot through Tokyo and keeping it locked up permanently was out of the
question. Seiichi swallowed hard. What if the only way to be free of it was to
die? For this reason he couldn’t allow the Master to become involved.
“I’m fine,” he repeated, forcing his voice to steady, “I
just have something to do first, with your permission that is?”
“That’s fine” Mamoru answered, seemingly exasperated,
“I’ll see you around about lunchtime then?”
“Of course”
Seiichi hung up, transforming even before he had done so.
For some reason he felt apprehensive, even more so than he would do normally.
Was it because he had lied to the Master? Zoisite wasn’t sure, but he didn’t
have time to dwell upon it. That Youma wouldn’t stay in the same place for
long. He had to catch it this time. He couldn’t afford to mess up again.
******
Usagi sighed to herself as she walked through the small
park that served as a short cut between her home and Crown. She was supposed to
be going to school, but she didn’t think that she could face it today and thus
had decided to take a walk instead. Normally, Usagi wouldn’t dream of skipping
school, no matter how much she hated it, but ever since she became Sailor Moon
it seemed second nature to her. There were days when she just wished that she
could go back to being Tsukino Usagi, the clumsy, crybaby that she had always
been. Today was one of those days.
Though Mamoru had assured her that what Kisho had said
made no difference, that he wanted to be with her, Usagi still felt terrible
that Mamoru was losing his own guardians, as she had done hers.
She bit her lower lip as tears sprang into her eyes. Usagi
had resolved not to think of Mars and Venus. To do so would only lead to
despair. If she could save Mercury and Jupiter…
Usagi paused, her gaze suddenly wandering from the path
and to the figure sat hunched up against a tree, seemingly in some discomfort.
“Ueda-san?” she whispered, not thinking twice about
heading over to him to see if he was okay.
Ueda Masaki sat with his back to her, leaning on his left
shoulder against the tree trunk and did not react when she first called his
name. Worriedly, Usagi knelt down beside him and placed a tentative hand on his
shoulder, “Ueda-san? Daijobu?”
“Go away.”
Usagi paused, a little taken aback by the hostility in his
voice, but was not deterred from venturing a further:
“Are you alright?”
He did not reply this time and Usagi was sure that this
wasn’t a good thing. Instead of speaking again, she crawled around to the other
side of him and a shocked gasp escaped her lips.
“Ueda-san?” Usagi whispered wincing at the severe bruising
that marred his face. His lower lip was split and swollen and was bleeding
slightly. She could still see some dried blood around his mouth and nose.
Tentatively, Usagi fished in her bag and pulled out a clean tissue, reaching up
to dab at his lip with it when he pulled away.
“You’re hurt,” she said softly, “What happened?”
“Go away” he repeated, but his voice lacked any real
conviction behind the words and Usagi instead reached into her bag for her
phone.
“I’ll call Mamoru,” she said more to herself than him, but
Ueda-san grabbed her arm.
“Don’t”
“Why not?”
“Just don’t”
Usagi sat back down beside him, her heart filling with
pity as she gazed upon him. Why wouldn’t Ueda-san let her help him? He was
obviously badly hurt. “What happened?” she asked next, not really expecting a
reply, but somehow gaining one anyway.
“My father.”
“He did this? Why?”
“He hates me.”
Usagi was silent whilst she digested this. A part of her
found it impossible to believe that a father would harm his child… but…
Naru-chan had told her about her father once. She said that he did horrible
things when he had a few drinks. Naru-chan didn’t see him anymore and Osaka-san
didn’t talk about him. Ikuko said that he went away. Usagi had only been ten at
the time and hadn’t known what to think. Now she was older… Usagi cast another
glance at Ueda-san. She knew that she should get Mamoru, but he didn’t want her
too. What could she do?
“You’re hurt” she tried again, “I should go and get
someone. You can’t stay outside like this.”
“That is not your concern, Princess.”
“Then let me help you” again she reached up to dab at his
split lip, but this time Ueda-san made no attempt to push her away.
“Why are you doing this?” he asked softly, “We’re enemies.”
“No, we’re not” Usagi shook her head, “And you’re Mamoru’s
friend, but even if you weren’t it wouldn’t make any difference. I don’t like
seeing anyone in pain.”
“This coming from the girl who destroyed the planet?”
Usagi bit her lip and looked away, “That was someone else.
I love this planet and would never do anything to harm it.”
“Then why won’t you give up the Ginzuishou?”
Usagi smiled slightly, “Mamoru believes that I can
overcome this. That I am strong enough to control the Ginzuishou. No one else
shares his confidence, but that doesn’t matter. If something is difficult then
you can’t just give up.”
Ueda-san nodded, “Perhaps…perhaps Kisho was wrong about
you.”
Usagi did not reply to this, instead saying, “Please let
me get some help. I really don’t like to see you suffer and I--” she broke off
this sentence with a surprised scream as the ground in front of them exploded
in a flash of purple and black light. Usagi fell down, wincing in pain as her
head struck the floor.
Dazed, she weakly raised her head and gasped at the sight
of the familiar Youma retreating.
“Matte!”
Usagi also saw Zoisite chasing after it, throwing his own
attacks in a bid to stop the Youma from escaping, but something was wrong. Most
of Zoisite’s attacks went wild, striking the ground in the Youma’s wake.
“Ueda-san? Daijobu?” Usagi whirled around to check on her
companion. He had transformed, though he looked in absolute agony and she shook
her head slightly in compassion, “Please don’t” Usagi whispered, “You’re hurt…”
then in a louder voice she shouted, “Youma! On behalf of the Moon I’ll punish
you! Moon Prism Power… Make up!”
*******
“What I saw. It was the past life, wasn’t it? You all died
because of me. Kisho was right. I betrayed you.”
“No. You did what you thought was right. We, the
Shitennou, knew that one day we would die for our Master.”
Mamoru decided to walk to Crown, rather than take his
bike. He wasn’t overly sure of his reasoning behind this. He had called the
others and requested that they meet, but he was sure that they were just going
to end up arguing again, despite his resolve that they try to sit down and
discuss things rationally.
After taking Usagi home, Mamoru had gone back to Motoki’s
to think. The memories from the past life were raw and would always pain him,
but somewhere deep inside of him was still this fierce resolve to stop living
in shadow of the events that had taken place. Yes, they had died, and Mamoru
felt the loss of the Shitennou deeply, even now, but that was in the past. They
had been reborn to stop the past from repeating, but also, he believed, they
had been given a second chance. Why else would they have normal lives? They
would make their own destinies in this world and the sooner his friends
realised this the better.
Pausing across the road from Crown, Mamoru saw Kisho
already standing by the double doors. Checking his watch, Mamoru saw that
Seiichi wouldn’t be there until twelve at least. Taro had said that Masaki was
staying with him, though when he had tried his home he had not got an answer.
Mamoru had left a tentative message on his friend’s voice mail and asked him to
meet them. Whether he would or not remained to be seen, but Mamoru felt bad
that Masaki obviously didn’t trust him and really wanted to talk to his friend
before the others got there.
“You won’t even answer me?” Masaki snapped, the disgust
clear in his eyes, “Then…” he turned away, heading in the opposite direction to
Kisho as he called back over his shoulder, “Then I guess you will betray us
after all.”
Mamoru shook his head, trying to shake these thoughts from
his mind as he crossed the road to greet Kisho. Kisho had saved Usagi
yesterday… but why?
“You are still my Master,” he had answered when Mamoru
questioned his motives. Mamoru wasn’t sure how to take that. Was Kisho trying
to make amends or did he simply imply that he had no choice but to obey
Mamoru’s wishes. Mamoru hoped that the latter was not the case and, anyway, he
had not ordered Kisho to save Usagi. No… there was something more to this.
Mamoru opened his mouth to greet his friend, as Kisho
acknowledged his presence, when an explosion tore through the entire Juuban
District. Mamoru stumbled, the ground beneath his feet shaking as a column of
smoke billowed up into the air in the distance.
“Mamoru?” Kisho shouted, as civilians started panicking
around them, “Daijobu?”
“I’m fine” Mamoru answered, allowing Kisho to help him to
his feet.
“What the hell is happening?” he whirled around when Taro
came out of Crown, still holding onto the mop that he had been using to clean
the floor. Motoki was beside him, his eyes widening in shock when he saw the
smoke rising into the sky.
“Usagi…” Mamoru whispered. Suddenly he knew for certain
that she was involved. He couldn’t explain why, but he knew.
“Mamoru?” Taro snapped, grabbing hold of his arm as his
friend took a step towards the commotion.
“It’s Usagi,” he protested, shaking Taro off of him.
“Usagi-chan?” Motoki questioned, “I don’t understand?”
Ignoring his friends, Mamoru broke into a run, racing
towards the smoke. Usagi was somehow involved… this he knew and he had to find
her… no matter what.
******
Jadeite leaned back against the tree that he had been
sitting under moments before, watching as Usagi finished her transformation and
cartwheeled in front of the Youma, forcing it to stop. It was strange how
Zoisite looked almost annoyed by her presence as she struck a pose, gripping
the Moon Wand tightly in her right hand as she did so.
Jadeite was beginning to regret transforming. His injuries
had not gone away when he did so and, if anything, they seemed to hurt more.
But even these wounds could not come close to the amount of turmoil and pain he
felt inside. Confiding in Usagi had been an act of desperation. Mamoru had
always reiterated that he and the other Tennou were Masaki’s friends but right
now he had never felt more alone. Usagi listened. She didn’t even judge his
cowardice for not standing up to Haru and protecting his mother. She just
listened to him and though this did not help him to feel better about what
happened, Masaki felt a little bit more able to accept it and that counted for
a lot. Perhaps now he could start to get his life back into some sort of order?
Turning his attention back to the battle, Jadeite saw
Zoisite throw an attack at the Youma, though it went wild and struck the ground
just before Sailor Moon. The girl shrieked and jumped backwards, leaving the
way clear and the Youma pushed passed her, struggling to get towards the end of
the park.
What the hell is he doing? Jadeite wondered as Zoisite
made little attempt to go after the Youma. Sailor Moon, however, was not so
reluctant.
“Moon twilight… flash!”
The attack, whereas it was not as strong as Zoisite’s
powers, still had the desired effect. It slammed into the back of the
retreating Youma, knocking it to the ground.
Sailor Moon cheered and turned back round to face the
Tennou, as though looking for approval. Her smile quickly faded and instead she
cried out:
“Zoisite!”
Jadeite whirled around, following her gaze and saw his
friend on his knees, grimacing in pain. One hand was clutched tightly to his
chest and, as Jadeite watched, he fell further forward still.
“Seiichi?”
He didn’t reply and Masaki felt his trembling worsen.
Glancing wildly around the deserted corridor, Masaki wondered if he should call
for help. Then he spotted some plastic chairs beside a water cooler and
practically dragged Seiichi to them. Forcing him to be seated, Masaki went to
the cooler and got him a cup of water. Seiichi accepted this, though did not
drink and simply stared into the cup for several minutes as his trembling
ceased and he started to regain a bit of colour.
“You okay?” Masaki asked, allowing none of the concern
that he was feeling into his voice.
Seiichi nodded and set the cup down on the floor, but,
when he offered no explanation, Masaki felt inclined to ask for one.
“A panic attack” was the reply given, “It happens
sometimes when I’m stressed out. I’ll be fine now.”
A panic attack? Jadeite shook his head. He had been a fool
to believe that then and he certainly didn’t believe it now. Still that didn’t
stop him from racing to his friend’s side.
“Daijobu?” Jadeite asked, placing a hand on Zoisite’s
shoulder, unsure of what to do to help or what was causing his current
condition.
“I-I’m fine” Zoisite whispered, somewhat shakily, as he
struggled to regain his composure and Jadeite helped him to his feet. The
blonde winced slightly under his added weight and the extent of his own
injuries, despite his determination not to let it show.
“You don’t look fine” Jadeite snapped back, “What
happened?”
Zoisite shook his head and refused to elaborate and this
simply infuriated Jadeite more. Did none of them trust him? All these secrets…
it would lead them all to ruin!
“Tsukino-san!” Zoisite suddenly shouted, forcing Jadeite
from his lambent thoughts concerning his so called friends. Looking up he was
just in time to see the Youma climb to its feet and hurl an attack of fire
straight at the Princess, engulfing her in seconds.
“Tsukino-san!” Zoisite shouted again, as the force of the
attack threw both Tennou to the ground. Jadeite winced as he struck the dirt,
the fall knocking the breath from his body. He gasped and smoke flooded into
his mouth and down his throat, causing him to gag and then start coughing
uncontrollably.
Jadeite gasped and drew in a racking breath as he
struggled to push himself up onto his knees, grimacing at the taste of ash in
his mouth. The Youma stood, stock still, as they all gazed at the smouldering
crater where Tsukino Usagi had once stood.
Slowly, the Princess looked up, her expression as
heartless and cold as it had been the other day and it sent shivers down
Jadeite’s spine as she stood, poised holding her sword tightly in a gloved
hand.
Then, again slowly, as though she had all the time in the
world, she started to walk towards them, her sword now pointed at her enemy.
The Youma, panicked, threw another attack of fire in her
direction, but the Princess simply raised the sword above her head, catching
the attack and sending it flying back at her foe.
The Youma managed to shield itself and struck again, only
to have the attack thrown right back at it.
“Princess” Jadeite turned, glancing beside him and seeing
Zoisite still on the ground. The white haired king was on his stomach, the
agonising expression on his face was almost too much for Jadeite to bear, as
his fingers dug into the earth beneath his palms as pained tremors racked his
body, almost in sequence to every hit that the Youma sustained.
“Zoisite…” Jadeite trailed off, unsure what to do. He
wanted to help his friend, but the Princess…
Looking up at her again, Jadeite saw that the Youma was
down. It lay on the ground, conscious but unable to defend itself. It would all
be over in a few seconds, he thought grimly as Princess Sailor Moon powered up
for a final offensive, her sword slicing through the air in front of her in a
star shape and then she drew her weapon down the centre of this, preparing to
strike.
“Princess, matte!”
“Seiichi!” Jadeite all but screamed as his friend leapt to
his feet, hurling a crackling ball of blue energy straight at her. As it left
Zoisite’s fingertips, he de-transformed, the attack taking everything out of
him.
Again, the Princess easily blocked the attack as though it
were nothing, this time throwing the energy behind her. A building burst into
flames, and civilians started screaming, running from the path of the fire. She
wouldn’t stop, Jadeite realised. She wouldn’t stop with the death of the Youma.
She would destroy the planet.
Jadeite knelt down beside Seiichi, even as Princess Sailor
Moon focused on the Youma once more. His friend was on his knees, unable to
even summon the strength to look up.
“Masaki” he whispered as he fell further forward, his eyes
sliding closed, “Stop her…”
“Seiichi-kun?” Jadeite swallowed hard and gently shook his
friend. He gained no response. He was either unconscious or… Jadeite didn’t
even want to contemplate the latter unsaid option.
Jadeite looked back towards Princes Sailor Moon. She was
preparing to strike. If Zoisite’s attack couldn’t defeat her… It was hopeless…
“Usagi… come back to me, Usagi” he
urged her.
Mamoru had called her back… but there wasn’t time. Once
she had destroyed the Youma… but maybe…
“Why are you doing this?” he asked softly, “We’re
enemies.”
“No, we’re not” Usagi shook her head, “And you’re Mamoru’s
friend, but even if you weren’t it wouldn’t make any difference. I don’t like
seeing anyone in pain.”
“Usagi-chan!” Jadeite shouted, de-transforming even as he
stepped between her and the Youma, “Stop!”
“Ueda-san” the Princess whispered, stunned recognition in
her eyes as she began to glow. But it was too late. The attack had already left
her weapon and she was powerless to stop it.
“Ueda-san!” Usagi screamed as it came hurtling towards
him.
Her screams mixed in with Masaki’s own as the attack
engulfed him.
******
“Usagi…” Mamoru whispered. Suddenly he knew for certain
that she was involved. He couldn’t explain why, but he knew.
“Mamoru?” Taro snapped, grabbing hold of his arm as his
friend took a step towards the commotion.
“It’s Usagi,” he protested, shaking Taro off of him.
“Usagi-chan?” Motoki questioned, “I don’t understand?”
Ignoring his friends, Mamoru broke into a run, racing
towards the smoke. Usagi was somehow involved… this he knew and he had to find
her… no matter what.
“Mamoru, wait!”
By the time Mamoru entered the park, the smoke had
cleared, borne away by the spring breeze. His heart thumped wildly in his chest
as he searched around for the cause of the commotion. A nearby shrine was
alight, flames illuminating the afternoon sky and turning it a blood red.
Mamoru felt a chill as he stared upon it, as though it symbolised something
else entirely.
Then, as he turned a corner, he stopped. Taro almost ran
into him and cursed loudly at this fact, but Mamoru was no longer paying
attention to his friends or even the fact that Motoki had followed them.
Usagi stood alone in the centre of a smoking crater, a
single tear running down her cheek. She held her transformation locket by its
chain. It swung back and forth in the wind. This was the only movement in the
barren landscape.
Most of the park had been destroyed. The grass, the trees;
all had been burned to a crisp.
“Usagi” Mamoru whispered, causing her to look up, but his
gaze slid from her face and to the person lying behind her.
“Seiichi!”
Shock had rendered him immobile when he had first glanced
upon the carnage and only now did Mamoru manage to stagger to his friend’s
side, his legs giving way as he knelt down beside him.
“Seiichi?” he shook him, at first gently, but when he
gained no response, Mamoru shook him harder. Still nothing.
The Shitennou were bound to Endymion… until the end… until
they died.
*******
Act Forty Two Preview:
“Will destroying the Ginzuishou make you feel any better?
Will it bring him back? Will it make the Prince love you?”
“No?”
“Then don’t be such a coward” Jupiter snapped.
“I-I’m not. I’m trying to be strong.”
“By throwing away your only chance to save this world?”
“Then what do you want me to do?”
~~~~~~
“There was a battle” he stated at last, “The Princess…”
“What did she do?” Mamoru whispered and then louder, this
time directed at Usagi, “What did you do?”
She shook her head, uttering another choked sob before
answering, “I… the Princess… she…”
“She what? Tell me!” Mamoru shook her, roughly, though he
was secretly stunned and horrified that he was acting this way. His panic and
concern for his missing friend was escalating into something more. He couldn’t
think of anything else.
“She killed him”
~~~~~
“Where are you going?” Taro asked quietly. He sounded so
weary as he spoke. They all looked that way, too, as though they had given up.
“Back to the apartment” Seiichi answered, unwilling to
look the other man in the eyes as he spoke.
“So you’ll just leave?” Kisho demanded bitterly, “You will
leave us to pick up the pieces as you always do?”
“There is nothing I can do.”
“It is not about what you can do. It is what you could
have done.”
“What exactly are you implying?”
“Why didn’t you call for us when the Princess appeared?
Did you decide that you wanted to play the hero and then Masaki turned up to
try and save you when it all went horribly wrong?”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“Then what was it like? Masaki’s dead because of you!”
~~~~~
“A part of Metallia?” Nephrite whispered, raising his
sword against the Youma. It blocked it and the force of its counter blow nearly
threw the Tennou backwards. He bit his lip to suppress a cry of pain when it
struck a second time, this time its upward blow knocked Nephrite’s sword from
his hand. It swiftly landed a well-aimed kick to his chest, sending him back
onto the concrete.
~~~~